Passepid Shield (Weapon)

Creators: Strozzi on the planet Kortholt

Description:  A weapon designed for a true warrior.  The Passepid is an energy shield that has the ability to change angles.  The actual device is a deceptively simple looking wristband that hides extremely complex circuitry.  Able to detect impact up to a millionth of a second before it occurs, the Passepid will automatically adjust to the optimum deflection angle.

Young strozzi warriors go through intensive training to master such a device.  The complete potential of this shield can only be unlocked if the wielder learns to work with the device rather than against it.

A few tuners have been seen wearing the Passepid.  But such sightings are rare since in order to acquire this device, the tuner would have to come to a trade agreement with the notoriously inhospitable strozzi. 

Survival Day 5 (Adventure) - Reuben Calloway Saga 18

Reuben could hear the roar of fast approaching rain close on his heels as he sprinted back to his cave.  His lungs burned as he tried to gulp down Gittern's thiner air.  Rain itself was not something Reuben was worried about.  But lightning storms and flash floods were definitely something to be afraid of.

By the time he reached his cave, the large droplets had already been pelting him with bruising force.  No wonder nothing but mushrooms could survive here.  He wasn't even sure he could survive here.  Sure, he had had basic wilderness training but all of that knowledge seemed useless when faced with the raw power of nature.

Perhaps that was the point?  To make him respect the elements?

Reuben shrunk back into his cave as a bolt of lightning struck the ground about 5 yards from the entrance.  Even with the downpour he could still see a few tendrils of smoke rising up.  The decision to retreat had been a smart one.

Pulling out his pistol, he blasted a few more holes in the ground to increase the size of his makeshift basin.  At least his water problem was solved for the time being.  He had been careful to ration out his food intake.  But he was going to be in trouble if this weather didn't let up soon....

Survival Day 4 (Adventure) - Reuben Calloway Saga 17

Sleep was impossible as the raging winter storm continued to howl outside so Reuben resigned himself to light dozing.  The thermal blanket he had pulled out of his pack seemed almost useless against the below freezing temperatures.  But something was better than nothing.  Gritting together his chattering teeth he pulled the thin fabric even closer.  He had to remember to look for fire fuel when he got the chance.

Snow was accumulating in thick sheets but at least the deadly ice storm had stopped.  Reuben could deal with snow.  Any minute now the winter weather should start to slow down and give way to spring... whatever spring meant.

Reuben blinked his tired eyes.  He had to stay somewhat alert.  He had to watch for his chance.  On a planet that changed hourly, every minute counted.

With startling suddenness the sheets of snow stopped.  Reuben sat up and checked his chronometer.  A little early for the new season but he didn't have time to waste.  Double checking the fastenings on his jumpsuit and the ammo level on his pistol, he trudged out into the waist-deep snow.

He knew already from his walk to his cave that there had been no usable resources.  At this point it would be best to attempt another direction.  He had only made it a few yards from the opening of the cave before stopping to think.  What were his priorities?  He needed food and water.  Snow was water. Clean water at that which is something he might not be able to find elsewhere.

He was going to need a container of some sort...

Heading back to his cave he turned his pistol up to the highest setting and in three powerful bursts he had drilled a hole out of the bedrock floor.  Not a perfect solution by any means but if it gave him just a day or two of extra water without having to tap his rations it would be worth the spent ammo.

After carrying several large armfuls of snow to his makeshift water basin to melt, Reuben resumed his quest to find food.  He knew that Gittern had native mushrooms but that was questionable.  He vaguely remembered from school that many types of fungus were poisonous to humans.  The roots of some of the larger growths might be a better bet.

Trekking through the frozen buildup was slow going but at least it was easy enough to see where he was going.  Most of the younger mushrooms had been destroyed or buried.  Only the largest ones remained.  He stopped at the foot of one such growth and dropped his pack to the ground. Reuben had just started to make serious headway shoving aside snow with his bare hands when a distant roar made him look up.

He had never heard the like before.  Was it an animal?  Peering off into the distance a black cloud loomed on the horizon.  Lightning sliced flashed and an almost solid wall of rain was rapidly moving toward his general direction.

Spring was here.  He looked down at his progress and back at the approaching storm.  There wasn't enough time.  Picking up his pack his sprinted back toward the cave.

Survival Day 3 (Adventure) - Reuben Calloway Saga 16

A chuck of ice large enough to render a man unconscious struck the ground near Reuben's feet with brutal force.  He dove for the cover of his cave with mere centimeters to spare.  The winter on Gittern had settled in full force and what a force it was to behold.  Reuben had never seen anything quite like it before.

The entire planet was being decimated by the violence of its season.  Only a few a few of the larger, sturdier mushrooms were managing to survive the onslaught of ice and electric storms.  It made even the coldest winters on Reuben's homeworld, Tabor, pale in comparison.

A chunk of ice roughly half Reuben's size hit the ground outside the cave causing a few deadly shards to explode off of it in every direction.  Reuben moved deeper into his temporary home to avoid being struck by the shrapnel.  At least his choice of shelter was a good one.  The cave was at the base of a large hill and it seemed to be holding its own.

Reuben shivered and he recalled his briefing.  The days on Gittern lasted about eight standard hours and each season lasted for three of Gittern's days.  If he was going to survive this he was going to have to become acquainted with these seasons fast.

Another huge chunk of ice sailed by the cave's entrance.

When he had been dropped off by the shuttle the weather, though not welcoming, had been more or less temperate.  If this was a Gittern winter Reuben was not fool enough to think that the other seasons would be any better.  But it made sense that there had to be lulls long enough for the native fungus to grow.

Winter was going to last another day.  It was a risk but as soon as he saw the storms let up a bit, Reuben was going to have to head out and see if he could find a source of food before the next season settled in.

Viala Fighter (Ship)

Creators:  Strozzi on the planet Kortholt

Speed:  5
Armor:  5
Maneuverability:  6

Description:  As with their weapons, the strozzi value versatility when it comes to combat.  The superior warrior wins the fight, the weapons she uses are merely tools.  Compared to the others of its class, the Viala is neither the weakest nor the strongest ship.  Originally designed for planetary combat, it was adapted for space flight a mere 100 years ago.  It's maneuverability was increased slightly with later models.

The only notable feature about this fighter is the reinforced armor in the front.  Essentially, it has the ability to ram its targets provided the pilot is experienced enough.  Through trial and error, it has been found that this feature is best used when not in outer space.

Pay Up (Adventure) - Calen Natari Saga 18

Councilor Chum made it to the island in record time.  Calen grunted in approval.  She must have impressed him because the councilor was a busy man.

"I see my source was correct about you, Ms. Natari.  I assume your urgent message means you've been successful."

"I've completed your task.  You'll find the body of a spy behind that rock over there.  I hope you're not squeamish.  Next to the body you'll find a transmission device.  I've checked the internal records and they date back several years, all sent from this planet to various Imperium controlled planets.  You'll find a list of other potential spies here," she handed him the data pad she had obtained from the resistance.

"Good work," the councilor said as he scrolled through the list of names.  "You realize that you have potentially just changed the tides of history, Ms. Natari."

Calen shrugged.  "I care little for your political squabbles.  Make no mistake: I'd take the same type of assignment for the Imperium."

Chum studied her for a moment with his expressionless eyes.  "Perhaps.  You may also end up changing your mind about the Imperium.  They are not a forgiving sort when mistakes are made."

Calen put her hands on her hips.  "I don't make mistakes very often," she said.  It was not a boast.

"No.  I suppose not.  Well, either way, I am grateful for your services.  You've become a wealthy woman today, Ms. Natari.  I'll put the word out in the right ear as well.  You'll find job requests a bit easier to come by in the future."

The Island (Adventure) - Calen Natari Saga 17

The simplicity of the spy hideout made Calen want to laugh.  Of course the informants were on an island, the last place a race with thriving underwater metropolises would think to look.

Calen had watched as her suspect headed toward one of the larger masses of land before veering off to give him a wide berth.  She would have to land a fairly good distance away in order to avoid raising suspicion.  Dipping the Oboi beneath the waves, she piloted the vessel away from the island for nearly ten standard minutes before looping back toward what her calculations said would be the side of the island opposite where the suspect landed.

She hoped her calculations were accurate.

Tracking prey on land was one thing.  This whole tracking prey in a water environment seemed to be testing every skill that she had.  The hunter in Calen thrilled at the challenge.  This was exactly why she had left her home planet.  She wanted to be a legend.  To achieve what no other scarlati had ever dreamed of.

Calen pulled her vehicle to a halt a few meters from shore and flipped on the autopilot to keep the ship from drifting.  A vessel sitting on land would be more easily spotted than one sitting in the water.  Opening up the cockpit hatch she jumped into the water and swam the rest of the way to shore.

She immediately removed the helmet on her environment suit and took a deep breath of fresh air, flicking her tongue out to test for smells.  Her prey was close.  Closer than she would have liked but she couldn't smell any fear so he obviously still had no idea he was being followed.

Calen checked the charge on her cloaking device.  Half charge.  Enough for her to get close and make her kill.

The island was littered with small trees and rocks.  Not much in the way of cover but Calen would make do.  Sticking close to the larger boulders, Calen darted to and fro with the silent stealth of a highly experienced hunter.  To move without being heard was something the elders taught all scarlati from a young age.

Calen had already learned the hard way that these zelenca were highly sensitive to their surroundings while underwater.  She was unsure how many of those senses carried over to land but she was not about to make the mistake of underestimating her prey.  A hunter unable to learn from her mistakes was as good as dead.

Climbing up a large cluster of rocks, she peeped over to get a feel for the lay of the land.  Her target was about 400 feet away working at a small transmission station.  Calen tasted the air again.  Still no fear.  Her target must have operated like this for years without incident, lulling him with a false sense of security.  Perfect.

She activated her cloaking device and pulled her knife out of her boot.  She made short work out of sloppy prey.