Session 42

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Maiden Flight of the Hollow Spark (2025-06-07)

Final Repairs and Feline Diplomacy

• Charles' operative Rodrigues arrives with a crate of weapons and gear—greeted (and mildly assaulted) by a large feline known as Captain Fluffypaws.
• A repair crew follows: two humans, Francoir and Karen, and a small otter-like technician named Sage. Repairs are minor—mostly checks, a new wall socket, some repainting—and the ship is issued a (paper) TÜV-style maintenance stamp.
• The crew spends the week prepping:

 - Mia drills herself on flight systems blindfolded.
 - Det reorganises the workshop and avoids opening the "Do Not Open" crate.
 - Siz maintains life support, balances the fungi systems, and stocks the kitchen.
 - New gear and weapons are claimed: Mia stores a compact rifle; Det arms herself with a live-ammo pistol.

Systems Go, Chimes Ready

• As the final checks wrap up, Chimes declares: "I want to interface with it!"
• Det helps plug Chimes into the ship via a hardware port, preferring stability over wireless hacks.
• Chimes is ecstatic, jokingly demanding "Grabby Hands" and asking where they’ll go first.

Lift-Off Procedure

• With maintenance done and everyone aboard, Mia files the flight plan and powers up:

 - Thrusters engage, life support checks green, and the reactor hums to full power.
 - The crew buckles in. Chimes: "All systems nominal. You are cleared to risk everything for curiosity, chaos, or coin."

• Mia lifts the ship into orbit, running smooth acceleration tests and atmospheric maneuvers before transitioning to space flight.

The Motto and the Logo

• Det proposes a team motto moment—Mia suggests: "For curiosity, chaos and coin".
• Chimes, inspired, displays a concept for a three-C plaque. Siz volunteers to 3D-print it using the protein printer.
• The crew jokes about matching jackets.

In Orbit: Tests and Tension

• Now in space, Mia notes the ship feels more responsive than in atmosphere—clearly a vessel built for spaceflight.
• They plan to test the turret on nearby debris—far from traffic lanes.
• Suddenly, Mia and Siz detect a strange scent, like fudge, and a feeling like an unknocked doorbell.
• Mia, suspicious, asks the others to check for stowaways—especially a certain irritating elf.

Search Protocol Initiated

• Det draws her arc projector and begins searching for intruders.
• The crew braces for the possibility that Aib may have sneaked aboard... somehow.