An so it begins - Part 2

Having been searched by the Drazi partol ship in the T'lad'tha system transfer point on the edge of Descari space, the "Liberty's Fortune" continued on its mission to the Levana system. Another day or so passed and eventually they exited hyperspace near a small moon orbiting a massive gas giant in the Levana system. As the ship headed into the system towards the 4th plant "Levana IV Beta" Alison Ferdenaz explained how this system is very near the Llort border. Professor Vancen recognised the race from his extensive xeno-historical studies. The Llort have a bad reputation as pirates. They do not believe in ownership and if they see something they want they just take it! This is not a problem in their society and material possessions are given freely but this cause problems when they want something another race has.

Rasheed brought the pinnace into orbit above the planet and the initial scans revealed a small rocky desert like planet. The scans identified the location of the camp and ruins that were being investigated by the scientists but no life signs could be detected. Rasheed landed the pinnace about a mile from the camp on the nearest clear ground. Alison, Dave, Professor Vancen, G'Kruse and Nakir suited up in full EVA gear leaving Rasheed to guard the ship and Jill in her quarters with a migraine. The five suited figures set off across the rocky landscape taking note of the scrubby bushes, thorny plants, and strange animals including odd lizards and an even stranger segmented worm like creature burrowing in the sand.

The group spit up and Vancen and Dave headed stright for the ruins and the other went to investigate the camp. The camp was ransacked and everything of value had been taken. Further investigation found the lead scientists diary which documented how then had found a large unnatural chamber hidden underground. He believed it have been to hide something? Possible something there before the ruins themselves were built. Nakir and G'kruse aso found another diary detailing how to extract poison from the worm creatures as well a a piece of torn cloth not belonging to the scientists.

Over in at the ruins Dave and Lawrence began exploring finding a passageway leading down into the ground. After exploring various passages and collapsed tunnels Lawrence discovered a section of a passageway where the scientists had found some fragments of a banner. The symbols mostly lost to decay looked similar to some ancient minbari texts that the professor had encountered in his studies. Taking the fragments they continued to explore and eventually discovered a large chamber with a domed ceiling. The chamber was however empty apart from two dead security guards and a destroyed portable generator. The bodies were about a week old and had definate signs of PPG blasts.

The teams regrouped and returned to the ship to decided on their next move. On the way back one of them fell into a pit and some hungry insect antlion creature attacked. However, a few PPG shots and the creature was dispatched. Back on the ship they took some time to relax and play some squash as Lawrence analysed the fragments which dated back almost 3000 years.

Later as

PROFFESSOR LAWRENCE VANSEN

stood around discussing the predicament on the bridge of the ship, Rasheed buzzes in on the intercom. Asking to be let in...he has some "Friends" with him! External scans revealed that he was surrounded by 4 unknown aliens. Activating the automated defenses

PROFFESSOR LAWRENCE VANSEN

opened the outer airlock doors and Nakir and G'Kruse charged down to the airlock.

The automated defenses took the first couple of aliens out even as Nakir shot another through the irising second airlock door. G'kruse leapt out with a Narn warcry and began to chase down the 4th fleeing alien which they now knew to be Llort! Catching him they grappled on another for some time but eventually Nakir and Dave caught up and restrained the remaining live Llort.

What followed was an interrogation. Lawrence knowing Jill's abilities brought her in on the questioning. Eventually the captive alien broke and in very basic english told them where his boss Torashkavall was onboard their ship which was still hidden on the planet. Apparently shortly after taking the scientists hostage a Drazi ship had entered the system and was hunting for them.

Using the Llort comms unit they contacted Torashkavall and negotiated the release of the scientists in return for them helping the Llort escape the system. The exchange took place at the scientists camp. As Torashkavall handed over the scientist someone got trigger happy... the narn? or the brakiri?

The Llort fled as the scientist were taken back to the pinnace by the rescue team. As the Liberty's Fortune left the systems they once again encountered the same Drazi patrol as before. Betraying the deal with the Llort they explained where the Llort ship was hidding on the planet before heading back to Babylon 5.

◾ Mood: envious
◾ Entombed Within: Babylon 5