Five Parsecs from Home: Turn 7. A quest begins!

 Having successfully escorted their VIP offworld, our crew decided to try out a local eatery, hidden away in a local industrial complex. It was here that Lars' comm pinged with a message from the sector representative. Chatter from the local governor's office had been intercepted, and it seemed some hired thugs were on their way to make an example of the crew. It was time to go and make sure The Pelican was secure. 

It was time to go. It was time to keep their eyes open and cautiously return to The Pelican. 

The mass transit station was across the industrial complex. They were hoping to get across and catch the mag train back to Dock 354. 

A group of ragged, red-eyed figures began rushing towards their targets. 

Spotting rapid movement, the crew decided to seek cover, and proceed with more caution than they would have. Lars and Holmes set up behind some crates, while Mao and Baratski circled around the truck. Aralay was going to sneak around the large, red building, but first wanted to see what was going on in the centre.

The ragged group sheltered behind some pipes, while one of them hid behind the buildings. 

Estelle Phillips rushed out to the doorway of the large building, while the others remained where they were. Oslan Baratski set up on the flank and Aralay began her circuit of the building.

Aralay snuck around a little more, hoping to catch anyone unaware.

One of the figures opened fire with his shotgun at Phillips. He missed, but she crouched lower just in case. Two of the mysterious figures ran out ahead to close on their targets.

Lars and Holmes opened up with their weapons, peppering the shotgun-wielding figure with lead. He fell backwards, his helmet shattered and dripping.

  

Phillips jumped out with a grenade, threw it at the exposed figures and ducked back down. The resulting red smear was barely recognisable as having formerly been two people. 

The last two attackers turned tail and ran. Lars went to the only body, took the shotgun and looked. The body was, disfigured. Red eyes. This was an Abandoned. People who have spent too long out in space, can't function in society, and seek for someone to send them back. They are easy to manipulate. It was not surprising that the local governor had found some the these around, and probably promised them The Pelican as payment. 

On the train Holmes brought up the idea of going after the local governor, either to end this via death or scare them into realising that going after the crew would be more trouble than it was worth. Either that, or the governor would send someone else soon.

I was over the moon to actually get to use my modular industrial complex. I started it years ago, and it has been more of a decorative piece for that entire time. I wish there had been more killing. I worry that as my team get higher combat and toughness scores, they will be harder to kill, and the games will be less and less interesting. I might up the difficulty.