"The Pursuit"

H0W-D33 makes a critical decision

**"The Pursuit"** is the fourth session of the first chapter of Convergence. The party find a solution to their baby problem, when they realise that they are being pursued by a powerful vessel.

## Synopsis

### Trading outpost

After arriving at the next beacon on their journey out of the sector, Kalli runs a scan of the area, she finds a large trading station not too far from the beacon. She also however, discovers that they are being pursued by a large vessel, which is currently two beacons away.

The party decide to dock with the station, and see if they can not only find somewhere for Kaiber Jr. to stay, but also to see if they can stock up on supplies before continuing their journey. H0W-D33 maneouvers the ship into position and successfully docks. The party proceed to the station, with Del Rio staying behind with the ship.

They party find themselves in a large open hall, absolutely bustling with people from all parts of the galaxy. The hall contains various screens depicting stock prices, with an information desk in the centre. Calli takes the lead and heads up to the desk, and asks the woman manning the desk, if she knows if there is anywhere for children on board. She looks up from the various tasks she's carrying out, and tells Calli about a childcare area on the top deck. Calli thanks her and walks away. Bunka then steps up, demanding to know where she can aquire weapons. The lady, startled, tells Bunka about a weapons emporium on the sixth level. H0W-D33 shuffles his way through the crowd of people to an access terminal on the far wall, and attempts his usual antics of hacking into the communications system and playing old school Earth western music. H0W-D33 fumbles his attempt however, and accidentally finds his way into the display system, causing the display screens to appear to show stock prices drop to 0, which causes a mass panic. In the chaos, Arthur and Calli are knocked to the ground. Calli drops Kaiber Jr on the floor, which causes him to cry. H0W-D33 and Calli attempt to console the child, to no avail. The party pushes their way through the crowd of people and proceed to the elevators.

Calli and Arthur, decide to visit the second to top deck, where it appears children's toys and other bits are being sold. Bunka proceeds to the weapons level. H0W-D33 immediately looks for bars or taverns, of which he finds three. He decides to choose the dingiest looking one, and heads there. Petra also looks for somewhere to go to, eventually settling on a nightclub. The party splits into three, and they all go and visit their respective areas.

### The adventures of Arthur and Calli

Arthur and Calli, after some conversation, arrive at their destination. The elevator opens up to a children's toy shop. Calli leaves the elevator, but as soon as she does, the door closes and the elevator begins to head down with Arthur still within. The Investigator appears to Arthur, and tells him he needed a word. The Investigator tells Arthur that he's finished his investigation, and now he has another job which needs a new name. He now calls himself the Guide. He then asks for Arthur for any maps he might come across. When Arthur asks what he is guiding, the Guide appears to deflect the question. The Guide disappears, and the elevator heads back to the floor where Calli is waiting. After a quick chat, the proceed into what looks like a toy store. They browse for toys and essentials for babies. Calli picks up a small teddy bear wearing a spacesuit, which Kaiber Jr seems to enjoy. She also picks up a couple of other toys just in case. Arthur suggests that they might need other essentials for the child. They pick up various things, such as baby formula. They then pay for the items at the kiosk, where a sales droid takes their payment.

After that, they carry on further to find another store, but catering for older children. After agreeing that there is nothing there that they would need, they head back to the elevator and proceed up a floor to the childcare area. When they arrive, they see a receptionist's desk to their left. Calli signals the receptionist and tells her of her predicament. The receptionist agrees to take the child in. She lets them both in to the main cresh area, where the matron is waiting. Calli says her last goodbyes to Kaiber Jr, and leaves him with the matron. The two leave.

They take the elevator down to the weapons area. Calli goes looking for a way some new weapons, while Arthur looks for some new grenades. Calli stops by the melee weapons store and purchases an ornate combat knife, which she gladly adds to her arsenal. Arthur purchases some Flash and Frag grenades from a deaf man who mans the explosives shop. Calli and Arthur meet up with Bunka, who is herself purchasing goods. They ask her where the others are, to which she simply answers with a shrug. Calli purchases an upgrade to her armour from the mute blacksmith. The three then depart together.

While Calli heads back to the docking port, Bunka heads to the nightclub to find Petra and Arthur heads to the seedy-looking bar to find H0W-D33.

When Arthur arrives at the seedy-looking bar, he meets the bouncer, Graeme. Graeme, who appears to be intoxicated, is delighted when Arthur describes H0W-D33, stating that he was his best friend and drinking partner. Graeme holds the door open and shows where H0W-D33 is. Arthur finds H0W-D33 as a pile of sand on the floor with his hat on top. Arthur scoops the sandi nto the hat, and leaves with it. He proceeds to the bocking port to meet up with Calli and Bunka.

### Bunka's spending spree

Bunka travels with H0W-D33 in the same elevator. The elevator stops at the seedy-looking bar. Bunka attemps to steal H0W-D33's hat when he isn't looking. H0W-D33 turns around just as she tries. While Bunka plays it off as attempting to clean it. H0W-D33 is unhappy. He draws his weapon and demands that Bunka "Put 'em up". After an altercation ensues which results in H0W-D33 taking damage. The bouncer, a large bald man, approaches and demand they cease immediately. The bouncer, Graeme, intimidates Bunka into leaving.

Bunka then proceeds to the weapons level. She immediately heads for the melee weapons shop. A small woman who mans it, appears to understand Damaskan, and Bunka asks her for the trident that she has behind her. The woman presents the trident to Bunka, it is an ornate weapon with jewels at the tip. Bunka is impressed, and purchases it immediately. Bunka then proceeds over to an armour shop, and purchases some new medium armour from the scientist shop keeper. She purchases a set of Dark Metal armour, which gives her a rudimentary shield generator.

Bunka proceeds to what looks like a blacksmith's workbench in the centre, where a mute man wearing goggles is banging away at the bench. Bunka presents her SMG and asks for an upgrade. The mute man then installs an upgrade onto the weapon. While Bunka is inspecting her new weapon, she is approached by Arthur and Calli who have finished their errand. After waiting while they purchase their goods, they all proceed together to the elevator. Bunka leaves Arthur and Calli to find Petra at the nightclub.

After proceeding to the Nightclub level, Bunka finds Petra against a wall, asleep. Bunka picks him up, and takes him to the docking port.

### Petra's anguish

Petra proceeds to the nightclub. The elevator opens up to a nice area, filled with artificial grass and adorned with various decorations. A sign saying something in a language Petra does not understand stands over a doorway. Petra proceeds inside, and heads down a staircase into a large open room. He is presented with a dance floor and various patrons enjoying themselves. He heads straight for the bar and purchases the most expensive alcohol he can. The bartender brings a black bottle of whiskey that emits a form of smoke when poured. He pays for it and drinks it. Feeling a small effect, he immediately asks for another. This time further feeling the effects of the drink. Petra asks for another drink, which when consumed, causes him to forget how to maintain his form, causing himself to disappate and reform in time with the music.

Petra asks for one last drink, which he drinks. This causes him to forget everything about himself, only that he wants to dance. After some dancing and an attempt at flirting. Petra laments that it is time to leave. He tries to walk up the stairs but is so intoxicated that it takes several attempts over a few minutes to make it to the top. After which, Petra falls against the wall and falls asleep.

Eventually, Bunka finds Petra and takes him with her to the docking port.

### H0W-D33's wild time

H0W-D33 proceeds to the seedy-looking bar. After an altercation with Bunka that involved him taking serious damage, H0W-D33 is helped up by the bouncer Graeme. He gets H0W-D33 inside, where H0W-D33 immediately recovers enough to speed towards the bar. H0W-D33 flirts with the bartender, and bags himself a free glass of extremely potent whiskey, that comes in a black bottle and emits smoke. H0W-D33 begins drinking and begins to feel the effects of the alcohol. He tries to get the attention of Graeme, but ends up attracting the attention of several other patrons by accident instead. H0W-D33 signals one of these patrons to get Graeme's attention by throwing a poker chip at his head. This succeeds, and Graeme turns round looking absolutely furious. He makes eye-contact with H0W-D33, who signals him to come and have a drink with him. The two end up competing to see who can stay sober. H0W-D33 and Graeme both end up downing the whole bottle between them. This leaves H0W-D33 in such a state that he can no longer maintain his form, with each gulp causing him to shrink further and further. Eventually, H0W-D33 ends up as a pile of sand on the floor. Graeme laughs at this and proceeds back to the front door.

Eventually Arthur Steele arrives, scoops up H0W-D33 into his own hat, and takes him back to the docking port on the first level.

### A good rest

The party get back onboard the ship, where Del Rio tells them to put the drunk individuals to bed. After getting to the bridge, they run a scan to see whether the ship is still pursuing them. They learn that the ship is one beacon away now. Del Rio pilots the ship away from the station and takes the Eastwood to the next beacon. Upon arrival, they discover a small nebula that they can hide in, in hopes of evading the pursuing vessel. They do this. Del Rio tells them to go and get some rest and he'll awaken them if anything happens.

### The attack

The party awaken the next morning. Petra and H0W-D33 have the Unified equivilent of a hangover, and proceed to the bridge. Del Rio that nothing much has happened as far as he is aware, as sensors are not fully functioning due to the nebula. Del Rio orders H0W-D33 and Petra to go back to bed, so that they can be at their full strength. H0W-D33 eventually complies after falling asleep, he is escorted to his room. Arthur tells Bunka that she and H0W-D33 need to put aside their differences, as it is having a bad effect on everyone. Bunka reluctantly agrees.

Meanwhile on the bridge, Petra refuses to go to bed, and Del Rio reluctantly agrees to allow him to remain. They collectively agree that it is best to take the ship out and see what is out there. After piloting the ship out, a ship de-cloaks in front of them. It is revealed to be a large Red Hand cruiser. The ship hails the party. A large Zhen'kethi by the name of Ghorz, demands that Petra go to his ship so that Ghorz can take him to Malware. Petra refuses at first, but the party senses an opportunity, and they pause the transmission to discuss. After coming up with a plan to beam over while their shields are down, they resume communications and tell Ghorz that they will prepare to transport him over at once. Ghorz however, is cautious, and instead states that he will send over a boarding party to bring Petra to his ship, after which the party can continue on their way. The party ultimately refuse and prepare for combat.

After trading blows, both ships end up with their shields in a poor state. The party decide to board Ghorz's ship and destroy it from the inside. A boarding party consisting of everyone but Dr Arbo, Del Rio and H0W-D33 proceed over.

### The raid

Upon arrival, the boarding party begin to explore and raid. Petra proceeds straight to the elevator to head up to where Ghorz is on the main bridge. The remainder of the party raid the room containing the ship's cloaking device. They kill the occupants and shut down the ship's cloaking capability. Meanwhile on the bridge, Ghorz is amused to see Petra on his bridge. After trading barbs, Petra initiates combat with Ghorz. Ghorz, amused, allows Petra to attack him. After a less than successfull first attack, Ghorz retalliates by grabbing Petra by the neck and slamming him into the bulkhead, causing great damage to Petra. Petra dissappates his form and slips from Ghorz's grip, and then hides himself from view while creating a holographic duplicate of himself to fool Ghorz, which succeeds for a time. Ghorz orders "Petra" be taken to the brig, and one of his Damaskan crew takes "Petra" towards the door, only for the duplicate to begin to fall apart due to the distance increasing. Ghorz, now realising the deception begins to try and look for Petra.

Meanwhile below decks, the rest of the party carry on with their sabotage attempts. Bunka heads for the elevator to join Petra on the bridge. Arthur and Calli head down a winding corridor to the power core room. Outside, the Eastwood takes further damage. Del Rio informs the party, and Steele suggests he take the Eastwood somewhere and hide it with cloaking, which Del Rio does.

Bunka makes it to the bridge, where he snipes Ghorz from a distance, causing him damage and making him confused. He sights Bunka and orders his crew to apprehend her, conveying his joy at another potential crew member. While he is distacted, Petra makes an attack against him, dealing a great deal of damage and causing Ghorz to become furious. He orders his ship's computer to reveal his location, which allows Ghorz to find him. Petra taunts Ghorz, calling him cowardly for relying on the computer to find him. After further arguments, Petra attempts to stealth again. Bunka meanwhile, talks with the two Damaskans who have confronted her, and tries to convince them to her side, to no avail. Eventually Bunka tries to retreat, but the two Damaskans prevent the elevator from leaving by holding the doors open.

Arthur and Calli in the meantime, having discovered the power core room, begin the assault. Arthur breaks down the door, and the two confront the four Damaskans inside. Arthur shoots one of them with his Executioner's pistol, which he realises is starting to break. After some combat, the room is almost cleared of Damaskans. Arthur uses his overload ability to strike a target attempting to flee with lightning, causing it to arc in different directions. Eventually it hits the power core, causing a massive overload that will destroy the ship. Alarms go off in the room, and up in the bridge.

Ghorz orders the two Damaskans attempting to apprehend Bunka to leave her and head down to the power core room to prevent a meltdown. The two comply and Bunka is able to head back to the deck they boarded. Bunka breaks into a supply room to find loot, of which he finds very little in value. He proceeds back to the cloaking device room, where he loots the bodies from earlier. Arthur and Calli finish off the last Damaskan and decide to leave.

Back on the Eastwood, Del Rio tells H0W-D33 that he is going to attempt some repairs. While he is gone, H0W-D33 leaves a note on Calli's sensor workstation, abandons his post and heads down to the cargo bay. He activates the shuttle he recovered, and leaves the ship. He sets a course for Earth. His leaving of the ship causes it to de-cloak and therefore reveal itself again to the enemy. Del Rio returns to the bridge and hails the boarding party. He tells that H0W-D33 has left and the shuttle is missing. He runs a sensor sweep and is unable to find H0W-D33. He also discovers the power core overload and tells them that they need to leave immediately. He pilots the Eastwood into transporter range and awaits a signal.

Arthur and Calli head back to the room they arrived in, along with Bunka. Meanwhile on the bridge, Petra is able to stealth his way to around the bridge. He initially refuses Del Rio's call to return to the Eastwood, but is persuaded to. He makes his way down the now shut down elevator shaft, to the bottom deck where they first boarded. He meets up with the others, where he is then transported over with the rest. They pilot the Eastwood away from Ghorz's ship and head to the final beacon of the sector. After arriving and recovering slightly from the ordeal, Calli reveals the contents of a note that H0W-D33 left for her before leaving:

> *"I wasn’t made to be a member of a team, and I simply can not stay on a ship when I’m being constantly targeted by another member of said team. I have been attacked a number of times by that Lizard thing and it’s time for me to mosey on.*
>
>

> *In other words it’s time for this lone ranger to return that way. I’ve yee-d my last haw with you, and I wish you all the best, but I won’t subject myself to constant attacks by someone who won’t even talk to us like a civil being.*
>
>

> *I wish you all luck in your quest, I wish I could have helped go all the way. Until the Lizard randomly turned on me I thought perhaps I’d have a posse to care for, but it seems I’m destined to be that lone sheriff again.*
>
>

> *Maybe we’ll meet again. I’m heading to earth to claim my ship, and I do hope our paths cross once more. I leave you with my Sheriff badge, I don’t deserve it for deserting y’all like this, please, do it more justice than I did.*
>
>

> *Stay safe, partner, yeehaw.*
>
>

> *H0W-D33."*
>
>

The party, saddened by this, try to turn their minds to other things. Del Rio talks to Arthur, he commends him for his quick thinking and planning. He tells Arthur that he should try out the command chair once in a while, to "see how it feels" as he has the "spark".

## Featured characters

### The Party

* Dr Arbo Star-Seeker (GM Controlled)
* H0W-D33
* Bunka
* Arthur Steele
* Petra
* Calliamarianna

### Other

* The Investigator (now known as The Guide)
* Lt Cmdr Benjamin Del Rio

### New

* Ghorz (First mentioned by Malware in "Dual calling")
* Graeme

## Story elements

### Key story notes

* The party find a safe place for Kaiber Jr, and leave him there. Solving the problem they encountered in the previous session.
* H0W-D33 almost caused an economic meltdown due to his tampering with station systems.
* The party meet Ghorz, whom Malware mentioned in the previous session. Malware stated that he dispatched Ghorz to retrieve Petra from the unnamed planet.
* The Investigator, who appears only to Arthur Steele, now reveals that his investigating duties are now complete, and that he is now a "guide". He has asked that he is now referred to as The Guide.
* Del Rio encourages Steele to take command of the Eastwood, telling him he has the "spark".

### Secrets

* Arthur Steele's Executioner's Pistol, which he recieved from the "Sun" card from "The Deck" is revealed to be breaking with continous use.
* Ghorz reveals that Malware has a soft spot for Petra.
* Bunka finds out about the fanaticism in The Red Hand, where all members are completely loyal to Malware, even the inherently disloyal Damaskans.
* Unified seem to suffer from Hangovers, and struggle to maintain their forms while intoxicated.
* H0W-D33 seems to genuinely care about the party and is saddened to leave them.