Session 11

The Journey Continues: En Route to New Texas (2024-10-11)

Setting & Atmosphere

• The team—Mia, Det, and Siz—remains aboard the **continental train**, continuing their journey to **Summer Springs, New Texas**.
• The **landscape has changed** from the more humid climate of Bhoover to **steppe and half-desert**, with **rivers, farmland, and small villages** visible outside the window.
• The train makes **occasional stops** at larger settlements, where it loads and unloads cargo, taking between **10 and 30 minutes** at each station.

Main Events

Research & Preparations

• Mia continues researching their employer, looking for connections between **Den and Charles** but finding little concrete information.
• Det reviews local information**, switching between case files and **potential mining job opportunities** for the future.
• Siz disappears into the bathroom to change** into more climate-appropriate attire.

 - She emerges wearing **leather pants, a loose shirt, and a wide-brimmed hat with ear holes**.
 - While the outfit would be **intimidating on a taller person**, on Siz it is **more adorable than menacing**.
 - She carries **prepared toxin vials** for her needle pistol.

Ticket Inspection

• A **train conductor in an overly decorated uniform** arrives to check tickets.
• Each of them presents their **digital vouchers**, and the conductor moves on without incident.
• Det remarks on the **size of the train’s passenger section**, noting that **her home’s transport was far more cramped**.

Meal Run & Conversation

• The team realizes they are **getting hungry** and check the **included meal options**:

 - **Poultry with rice**
 - **A rich stew**
 - **A vegan dish with almond milk**

• Mia volunteers to retrieve the meals** and asks if anyone wants anything extra.

 - She orders **stew for herself and Det**.
 - Siz chooses **the poultry with rice**.
 - They also request **drinks**—a **malt soda for Siz** and **root beer for Det**.

• Siz and Det discuss their backgrounds** while Mia heads to the **food cart**:

 - **Siz explains** how her interest in **mycology and brewing** evolved from the need to improve food quality on breeder planets.
 - **Det describes** the **utilitarian lifestyle** of her mining colony, where food was primarily **nutrient pastes or freeze-dried meals**.
 - Both discuss how **different cultures handle space and resource limitations**.

Encounters in the Food Cart

• The **train interior is spacious**, allowing for **two large passengers to pass each other comfortably**.
• Mia **notices two wanted posters** on the kitchen wall—black and white, printed **on tablet-like screens** rather than traditional paper.

 - Neither of the names or faces seem **familiar** to her.

• She purchases **extra chocolate bars for the group**, ensuring they have snacks for later.

A Suspicious Encounter

• On her **way back**, Mia **briefly feels watched**.
• A **leather-clad figure inside a half-open cabin door** winks at her and **makes finger guns**.

 - His face **immediately registers as familiar**—someone she **previously saw in Den’s bar**.
 - Mia **glares at him**, giving a **clear message of disinterest**.
 - He **chuckles deeply**, responding with an amused **"Gotcha"** and a **smirk**.
 - As Mia walks past, **more giggling is heard from inside the elf’s cabin**.

Next Steps

• **Return to the cabin** and distribute food to the others.
• **Discuss the wanted posters**—who are they, and should they be concerned?
• **Assess the strange elf’s presence**—was he following them, or is it coincidence?
• **Prepare for arrival in Summer Springs** and decide their next move.

Current Status & Unresolved Questions

• Who is the elf, and why does he seem amused by Mia’s reaction?
• Are the wanted posters connected to their mission, or just unrelated bounties?
• Will their arrival in Summer Springs be smooth, or will they encounter resistance?
• How soon can they begin investigating Magrete’s disappearance?