The Journey of the SCC Hunter

[Micha]

This thread is a copy of the Spartan Embassy thread about the Spartan foil "SCC Hunter", on which we have an envoy.

I copied it here so the pics aren´t lost or changed later on. The aimoo forum automatically deletes pictures after 48 hours, while googlie´s hosted pics on 'poly may be changed or deleted by him at any time...

Ok, enough said

[Micha]

2141

As we negotiate terms, here's a teaser of the type of information that could be supplied:

[Micha]

2142

Captain's Log, 2142

Captain Primus Pilus activated the commlink to see the familiar face of Commander Dissident:

"Captain, here are your orders for this tour of duty"

"Sir!," responded Captain Pilus

The Commander continued:

"From your present position, you will sail on the following bearings, coastline and seafungus permitting, (and you are authorized to use your own discretion in circumnavigating such obstacles):

2142: S x 1, then W x 2, then S x 1
2143: S x 1, then SE x 3
2144: NE x 2, then E x 2
2145: There you will rendezvous with the Pegasus, just outside Hive coastal waters, who will be carrying fresh orders for you. Understood?"

"Aye, Aye, Sir," responded the Captain, as the commlink flickerd off.

He gave the orders to his crew, and as the Hunter weighed anchor and sailed south from Vander Eudaimonics, the Morgan observer on board gave one last wistful look at the Base he'd called home for these last 40 years, then turned and went below deck.

[Micha]

2143

The Captain and the Morgan Observer stood on the bridge, the forward window open despite the chill wind that blew through as another small storm coursed across the ocean, whipping the waves below into a mild frenzy of activity.

The Observer was remonstrating with the Captain

"Why can't we head southwest- you have flexibility in changing direction when you encounter obstacles - you showed me the orders yourself?"

The Captain stared ahead, at the agitated fungal stalks of the sea fungus ahead to the west and to the southwest.

"Six o' one and a half-dozen o' the other", he replied. Then "Straight ahead into the fungus"

The Observer shrugged. He'd done his best.

Looming through the fine spray thrown up by the wind they could detect the cliffs of the bay to the north, on their starboard side. And emerging into view the impressive structures of a Morgan base, situated in a flat and moist river delta. Further west they could just discern the small peaks of a mountain range. Ahead, on the beach, was the now all too familiar pinkish tinge of fungus fields, roiling down the mountainside to meet the ocean right where the SCC Hunter had stopped.

The Captain turned interrogatively to the Morgan Observer, with a raised eyebrow.

The Observer shrugged again. "Red Fungus Resort, I believe. It was in the planning stage when I left Vander Eudaimonics. Now can we head Southeast and south?"

The Captain nodded his assent.

[Micha]

2144

Captain Primus Pilus looked over at the Morgan Observer, with an eyebrow raised interrogatively:

"Satisfied now?", he asked. "You've got us mired in this blasted seafungus and now we can't move, can't see a damn thing. Any more bright ideas?"

The Observer laughed. "So it's my fault is it? If I recall you were the one that wanted to explore the coastline. So you need to take the blame for this mess we're in."

Pilus harrumphed. "Well, okay. Maybe there's enough blame to pass around. What now, though? As I see it, if we want to make our rendezvous with the Pegasus, we have 2 realistic options unless we want to move south or southeast deeper into that fungus. We can cross through that area of intense energy emissions, but as far as I can tell there's the vague outline of land immediately south and southeast of it, so maybe that's a dead end. Or we can jog east to landfall, then see if there a way past south and then east again, although the land to the east is fungus covered so we might just be getting deeper into this stuff.. Of course, we could also just head due west, but that's likely to be along your coastline so we wouldn't do much new exploring there - and it'd make us late for our rendezvous..

What do you suggest? - and what's your name anyway?"

Captain Pilus paused, and waited for the Morgan Observer to reply .................................................. ............................................

[Micha]

2145

The Captain turned away - clearly the Morgan Observer wasn't going to divulge his name, nor offer any further sugegstions as to the route the SCC Hunter should take.

So be it then.

"East , then, it is" he bellowed to the coxwain.

The SCC Hunter lurched around and then picked up spead on an easterly course, following the spit of land. However, it was soon apaprent that they had enetered another small bay as the land turned south. The SCC Hunter followed the coastline south until, once again, it was making slow headway in the tossing tendrils of a huge sea fungus field.

But the good news was that they could see the horizon to the east beyond a narrow neck of land that they could just make out through the fungus. At least the way looked clear, albeit fungus covered .............................................

[Micha]

2146

"Hmmmm - Moneypenny is it then?" muttered the Captain as he peered into the darkness, trying to make out the outline of the land behind the waving fungus tendrils that seemed to sprout everywhere around them.

He consuklted his charts as the interested Morgan Observer looked on.

"It's a small promontory," pronounced the Captain. " We sailed up the other side of it before we dropped anchor off your base. But we're nor making much headway in this morass of a fungus field."

Mr Moneypenny nodded. "We had deduced so." he commented. "Our analysis of the topography we could observe from the old Unity scans did seem to indicate an isthmus of sorts. Are you assuming there's a way through, or do you know that for a fact?"

The Captain pondered a moment, consulting his charts again.

"Don't know for sure", he replied eventually. "But I think we'll be able to pass. I can just make out the coastline through the gloom and I think there's a way through. We'll see soon enough, though. But there's more fungus to traverse, unfortunately. I hope we don't miss the rendezvous with the Pegasus - we're going to ride shotgun for her while she pops some of those Unity seed pods that fell into Buster Ocean. If she starts without us, and meets an Isle of the Deep, that'll spell trouble."

Mr. Moneypenny looked thoughtfully at the Captain.

"Indeed," he said, cryptically.

[Micha]

2147

"Land 'Hoy - Port bow" came the call from the forward watch.

Captain Pilus touched the shoulder of Mr Moneypenny, an pointed to the left. Through the waving tendrils of the fungus field they could see the flat and arid coastline, shimmering in the dawn, as it, too revealed its extensive funga growth. Readings indicated it was a small bluff, around 200 meters high.

The Hunter's pace was sluggish as she negotiated the seafungus, but at last broke free, seeing fresh ocean ahead.

"Land to Starboard," came the call .

Their eyes swivelled tot he right, and there, looming over them was an 800 meter high cliff. On land, they could make out some movement, and the Captain brought his imaging sensot to his eyes.

"Hive", he mutterred. "Light armored infantry. Platoon strength. Must be an exploration team as they're pretty far from home. Ah well, at least it's clear sailing now. Let's hope the Pegasus waited for us."

Mr. Moneypenny grunted non-commitantly.

[Micha]

2148

As the terms of our Treaty are currently under consideration for renewal, we would like to revoke the status of Mr. Moneypenny as an observor aboard the SCC Hunter.

We have found - for those six years he has been on board - that our exploration style has been somewhat cramped, as we have avoided going where sensitive cartographical information known to us already might be revealed. This has resulted in less than optimal operating efficiency for the Hunter.

**Captain Primus Pilus shakes Mr Moneypenny's hand and wishes him godspeed**