Session 06

← Previous Session — All Sessions — Next Session →

Debriefing & Dreaming of Starships (2024-08-23)

Setting & Atmosphere

• The group—Mia, Det, and Siz—has taken shelter at Siz’s bioengineered home after completing their delivery mission.
• The storm still rages outside, but its intensity is gradually weakening.
• The trio calls Den on speaker, hoping to get answers about the job, the ambush, and the missing driver.

Main Events

The Call to Den

• Siz dials Den on speaker, recounting the events of the job, including:

 - The pursuing black van.
 - The ambush at the delivery point.
 - The dead driver, Martin Baumgartner.
 - Their lost vehicle, now surrounded by armed goons.

• Mia voices her frustration, pointing out that no one warned them about people trying to kill them.
• Den grunts in acknowledgment, while Charles, now on the line, is visibly shaken by the news.
• Charles reveals:

 - The job was not supposed to be dangerous.
 - Martin was a good man with a husband he now has to inform.
 - He had no idea about the armed opposition.

• Mia asks about the package, but Charles avoids answering directly, saying, "It was supposed to be harmless."
• The group agrees to discuss it in person after the storm passes.

Temporary Refuge

• Siz reassures them that her house is the safest place in the city.
• Mia jokes about "walls having ears," a statement that holds some truth in this living home.
• Det suggests they rest, taking advantage of their shelter while awaiting further instructions.

Negotiating a Bonus

• Den wants his van back, stating bluntly, "I really want my fucking car back, Siz."
• Mia demands extra pay, arguing that they were put in unexpected danger.
• Siz adds "hostel charges" for providing them a safe place to stay.
• Charles chuckles but agrees, offering them a bonus for their trouble.

Plans for Retrieval

• Den considers sending someone unfamiliar to check on the van.
• Det suggests they scout the area first, believing the tattooed men wouldn’t want to stay in the storm.
• Mia considers retrieving it herself, confident in her ability to handle the heat better than most.
• Charles intervenes, suggesting they rest instead and let others handle the retrieval.

The House That Lives

• Siz proudly introduces her home, explaining that it is:

 - Not a normal Ysoki dwelling but a bioengineered structure.
 - Built from genetically designed mycelia, capable of self-repair and energy absorption.
 - Connected to the local power grid and water supply, sustaining itself like a living organism.
 - Capable of deploying defensive spores and toxins against intruders.

• Det is fascinated, while Mia is cautious but intrigued.

Discussions on Bio-Ships

• Det jokes about starships, wondering if similar organic material could be used for spacecraft.
• Mia argues that bio-ships are feasible, referencing organic technology already used in some ships.
• Siz lights up with excitement, confessing that growing a starship has always been a dream.
• Mia volunteers to help, eager to see a bioengineered ship in action.
• Siz enthusiastically offers Mia the role of pilot, should she ever succeed in creating a bio-ship.

Personal Histories

• Det reveals her full name: Ilmaria Dessma, but prefers "Det."

 - She hails from an asteroid mining colony and is a demolitions engineer.

• Mia introduces herself as a pilot from Tiphars, a dwarven-run industrial hive.

 - She left to pursue her dream of spaceflight.

• Siz reaffirms her name as "Sizzle" or "Siz," explaining that her house is her life’s work.

Future Dreams & Rest

• Siz envisions integrating space-whale genetics to create a living starship.
• Det and Mia agree that such an experiment would be worth pursuing.
• Mia finds herself finally relaxing, realizing she hasn’t thought about the mercenary pursuit in a while.
• As the conversation winds down, Siz cheerfully proclaims "For the future!" before immediately passing out, snoring softly.

Current Status & Unresolved Questions

• What was actually in the package, and why was it valuable?
• Will Den’s van still be there, or will it have been taken or sabotaged?
• Who were the tattooed men, and who do they work for?
• What happened to Martin’s missing partner?
• Could Siz actually grow a functioning bio-starship?
• Will they really get paid extra for their troubles?