SUMMARY:

The members of Thermal Force must travel to the world of Sedesia and help the Alliance establish why numerous world are falling victim to a strange plague. It is here that they meet a Rebel contact and a young pilot by the name of Kyan DeGritz who help them uncover a fiendish plan by the Empire to take control of the citizens of hostile worlds with a new virus known only as Blue Harvest…

STORY:

Event: Upon arriving at the briefing room, General Hannibal Romilar apologises for dragging the group away from the festivities. He then informs them that Troy Hasulak (ex-member of Mission Group Alpha and now attached full time member of Fakir Sector Command Intelligence) has intercepted a message from the Imperial Sector Headquarters on Relgim. He further tells the group that Governor Wessex has request information on a new Imperial project called – BLUE HARVEST. He then tells the group that a number of Mission Groups around the surrounding sector have been activated with a hope of finding out what Blue Harvest is, and that Thermal Force will be sent to Sedesia. General Romilar then introduces Doctor Andros Hareel.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 1400 – 35:06:20

Event: Hareel then tells the group the following: "As you may or may not be aware, the Direllian plague that affected the “Home” fleet some 3 months ago was not the natural strain originally found on Derrillia by the Araquian Doctor T’Jaleq, but was a genetically mutated version of that virus. It has since been found that this virus could only have been mutated by either the Empire, or some large corporation. With this in mind, we have decided to investigate the possibility that Project Blue Harvest could be that virus.

“You may ask why we are sending you to Sedesia. It is quite simple. Around about the same time that the “Home” fleet was affected by the mutated Derellian Plague virus, the planet Sedesia was also hit by a devastating plague. The unknown virus spread uncontrollably through the population, infecting 90 percent of the inhabitants within the first month. Thousands died, and more were dying. During the chaos, the Empire quickly moved in and took control of the planet. They established a quarantine and set up medical facilities to combat the disease. Since then Sector Command has had no word from Sedesia. Now the Imperial medical service claims to have ended the plague."

Hareel then activates a holoprojector showing an Imperial News release about the plague:

“Dateline – Sedesia. The benevolent guidance of the Emperor has once again saved his subjects from harm. The Imperial medical service has ended the terrible plague on Sedesia. No new deaths from the disease have been reported in the past month. The quarantine of Sedesia will remain in effect until the Imperial medical service has determined there is no danger to the rest of the Empire. In further news…”

Hareel turns off the holoprojector and says:

“Needless to say. I’m suspicious – the Empire is seldom so benevolent. When Tallek had that outbreak of thorn fever, they just hauled all the sick off to isolation camps and let them die. Alliance High Command also shares my scepticism. We need someone to go to Sedesia and uncover the truth, to find what’s really going on down there. To find how the Imperials are coping with the plague, and to find if this is indeed, Project Blue Harvest”

General Romilar, then tells the group that they have 10 hours to prepare, and then they leave for Sedesia.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 1500 – 35:06:20

Event: The group return to the festivities, and celebrate the New Year.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 1600 – 35:06:20

Event: After the celebrations have died down, the group begin preparing. During this time, the group decides to buy swoops from the base at Pothor, and soon fit the swoops with weapons. The swoops are then loaded on-board the Moon Swing. As the group arrive, Hannibal gives them their final orders. He tells the group that Sedesia is currently blockaded by the Imperials and that they should be careful. He then gives the group coordinates of a rebel cell located on Sedesia which they can contact once on the planet, and the name of a local contact who can be contacted in the main city of Besia Osurne. The group, now ready for the mission, leave for Sedesia.
Time Taken: 9 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 0100 – 35:06:21


Event: Hyperspace (Moon Swing) [ x1 ]
Journey: Pothor (J-359-1403) » Sedesia (J-360-0107)
Time Taken: 20 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 2100 – 35:06:21


Event: Upon arrival in the system, the group detect a large number of TIE patrols in the area. Ledala and Gan carefully navigate the Moon Swing to avoid detection. Once past the TIEs, Karahaa notices 2 large capital ships in orbit around the planet. Vi soon identifies one of the ships as an Imperial Dreadnaught, and the other two as Strike Cruisers. Ledala and Gan are again called upon to avoid detection, and with some fancy maneuvering, the ship enters Sedesia’s atmosphere seemingly undetected.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 2200

Event: A short time later, and after flying low along the mountains ranges, the group arrives at the coordinates given to them by General Romilar. Upon arrival, the group find the ranch seemingly deserted.
Time Taken: 3 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 0100 (1100 Se. T.) – 35:06:22

Event: Karahaa climbs the outside wall of the house to look if anyone is inside. Upon arriving at the top windows, she sees a number of dead bodies. Vi then suggests that the group pan out, and search the area. Vi and Gan then take the swoops out for a test run, and to search the area. They find that the swoops will not work due to the gravity of the planet. Gan and Vi then set about to modify the swoops to operate on the planet. Once the modifications are complete, the two commence a search the area. After a short time, Karahaa and Tanlee begin to search the house for clues. In the meantime, Ledala moves the Moon Swing under the cover of a nearby barn, which she soon finds is a very tight fit. Vi, and Gan both find a large number of domesticated animals roaming the ranch and do not seem to have been cared for, for some time. The two also find an old truck (ground vehicle) in a nearby shed. Ledala after storing the ship, finds a group of animal pens, all filled with animals suffering from malnutrition. After examining the house and the bodies, Karahaa and Tanlee discover that the bodies have had all of their soft-tissue destroyed, leaving only a husk of skin and bones. Karahaa also notices a blue tinge to the skin of the bodies.
Time Taken: 3 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 0400 (1400 Se. T.)

Event: After a short while, the group come back together, to discuss what they have found. After a short discussion, it is decided that Tanlee, Vi and Ledala will go into the main city to make contact with the rebel agent. As a result, Gan and Ledala begin work on the broken down truck, and Karahaa begins examining the bodies. After a few hours, Gan and Ledala finish repairing the truck. Vi, Tanlee and Ledala then leave the ranch, and drive into the capital. Gan begins to clear up the bodies, as Karahaa begins her research.
Time Taken: 1 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 0500 (1500 Se. T.)

Side Event I – Angels of Mercy

Staring: Vi, Tanlee, Ledala and Kyan DeGritz
G.S.Date/Time: 0500 (1500 Se. T.) – 35:06:22

Event: Upon arrival, the three make their way into the lower class area where they hope to make contact with the rebel agent. Time Taken: 3 hours G.S.Date/Time: 0800 (1800 Se.T.) – 35:06:22 Event: As per General Romilar’s directions, Vi, Tanlee and Ledala make their way to a tavern called “Trail’s End”, which is located near the stockyards. While travelling to the tavern, the three notice a large number of health stations set up in the streets. They also notice that there is a general feeling of support for the Empire by the citizens of Sedesia. Time Taken: 1 hour G.S.Date/Time: 0900 (1900 Se. T.) – 35:06:22 Event: A short time later, they arrive at the tavern, and eventually make contact with a short stocky humanoid by the name of Sybegh Abya, who tells the three that he is their contact. He then informs them that they should go to his place, and speak there. Abya is also joined by his droid A2-B4, and accounting droid. Tanlee warns Abya to keep his droid away from her, to which A2 responds harshly. Abya apologises, and leads the three to his apartment. Upon arrival at the apartment, the group are jumped by a human male. As the three draw their weapons to fire, Abya tells them all to stop. Abya then introduces his associate, Kyan DeGritz. Abya then explains that Kyan had been fleeing from the Empire for some time, but had managed to make his way to Sedesia. Kyan then explains that since the blockade, he had been stuck on Sedesia, and had been helping the rebel sympathisers. Vi then explain why they are on the planet. To their surprise, Abya speaks highly of the Empire, much to the dismay of Kyan. Abya explains that hundreds of thousands had died prior to the Empire arriving, and once they arrived , and their medics began working on the problem, the death rate dropped to almost nothing. He then explains that there were a lot of people who didn’t believe in the Empire at the start. He then says that those people who didn’t, and who refused the treatment were now dead. He then explains that the Imperials have yet to find a cure for the plague, and so consequently, once every week, everyone must get a booster shot of an anti-viral drug. He then says that should anyone miss more than 2 shots will get very sick and die. The three then ask who is in charge of the project. Abya then informs them that a person by the name of Doctor Fesjo Negleem is the Chief Imperial Medical Officer on the planet. Vi then recognises the name as that of a prominent researcher in the Imperial Army’s Bio-warfare Division. Vi then contact Gan and Karahaa and tells them that they (Vi, Tanlee and Ledala) will stay in Besia Osurne for a day to find out what is going on. Time Taken: 1 hour G.S.Date/Time: 1000 (0000 Se. T.) – 35:06:22 Event: After a day of reconnaissance, Vi surmises that there is a large Military force on the planet consisting of mainly CompForce Troops, highly trained and extremely loyal to the New Order, even more so than standard military forces. They also discover that the Imperials have taken over an old veterinary medicine centre just outside the capital. The group speculate that they will need to get into the clinic to find any information on what the Empire is doing on Sedesia. Time Taken: 17 hours G.S.Date/Time: 0300 (1700 Se.T.) – 35:06:23 Event: Using the cover of night, the group then return to the ranch with Kyan and Abya. Time Taken: 3 hours G.S.Date/Time: 0600 (0000 Se.T.) – 35:06:23

Event: While examining the bodies, Karahaa begins to feel weaker than normal, and suspects that she may have the plague. Vi then makes contact and tells them that they made contact with the rebel agent and will be staying in town for a day to continue their investigations.
Time Taken: 5 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 1000 (0000 Se. T.) – 35:06:23

Event: Karahaa agrees, and continues working on the bodies. A day later, Vi, Tanlee and Ledala arrive with the rebel contact Abya and his associate Kyan DeGritz.
Time Taken: 20 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 0600 (0000 Se.T.) – 35:06:23

Event: Upon arrival, Vi informs the group of what he had found. The group then decide to sneak to the base in the early morning. After a short discussion, the group, along with Abya and Kyan quickly prepare for the attack. The group then load the old truck with the equipment they require, and move out.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 0700 (0100 Se. T.) – 35:06:23

Event: On the way to the clinic, Kyan recommends that they stop a kilometre or so from the clinic. Then a few of the group could sneak in, to which the group agrees.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 0800 (0200 Se. T.) – 35:06:23

Event: About 1 kilometre from the clinic, the group stop the truck. Vi and Gan both examine the clinic through macrobinoculars and notice that the clinic has been surrounded by a standard fence. Gan, Abya and Kyan decide to remain with the truck, while the others attempt to sneak in. As the group reaches the fence, Tanlee realises that the fence, although standard looking, has highly sensitive sensor equipment. Tanlee attempt to de-activate the sensors, but accidentally activates one of them. Vi then informs the others, and so the group decides to ram the fence with the truck. Gan gives covering fire from the top of the truck., while Kyan drives the truck through the front gate. Unfortunately, the truck is severely damaged, and only due to Kyan’s ability (or luck) with the vehicle, does it not roll. The others follow close behind as a large number of guards come out of the clinic firing. Kyan does some fancy manoeuvring, and stops the truck as guards open fire on the truck. The group soon dispatch the guards at the front of the clinic, and enter the centre. After a short fire fight at the front foyer, Vi and Karahaa check the laboratories while the others check the other rooms. As Vi and Karahaa go into the laboratories, a group of guards arrive in the elevator. Tanlee quickly grabs a grenade, and throws it into the elevator. The guards panic, as the grenade goes off killing or critically wounding them. After a check of the area, Vi and Karahaa find that the laboratories are not set up to perform medical research, but are little more than entertainment suits. The group then quickly climb the elevator shaft, and find more offices. Gan and Ledala find that one of the offices is locked. With a quick burst from Gan’s repeater, the two enter the room and are confronted by three guards and Doctor Negleem. Gan and Ledala dispense of the guards, and Negleem. Negleem fakes that he has been badly wounded, and as Gan and Ledala search the bodies, he takes a shot at Gan. The shot misses, but Gan turns and kills Negleem. Vi and Tanlee then arrive, and begin searching the computer system for information. Ledala then notices that an Imperial drop ship is approaching the clinic. Tanlee races through the computer and locates a report from Doctor Negleem to COMPNOR detailing the use of Blue Harvest in a pathogen-based loyalty enhancement program. Tanlee also finds reports recommending the expansion of the program. Karahaa, after searching the laboratory on the same floor, tells the group that she had located a pure sample of the virus. After down-loading the information, the group then make their way to the laboratory where Karahaa had found the virus. Realising that the drop ship was almost on top of them, the group quickly smash a window and climb down the outside of the building. The group then find a number of Imperial Wheel Bikes, but only enough to fit a few people. Abya takes one of Vi’s thermal detonators, and says that he will bide them some time. Much to their dismay, especially that of Kyan, the group agrees, and take off one the wheel bikes. As the bikes are riding away, they all see a bright flash and the unmistakable rumble of a thermal detonator.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 0900 (0300 Se. T.) – 35:06:23

Event: The group arrives at the ranch and soon board the Moon Swing. Kyan tells them that his X-Wing is hidden in one of the fields under sensor resistant camo-netting, and that he would take one of the wheel bikes to retrieve it, and would meet them in orbit. The group agrees. The group then gathers the equipment and board the Moon Swing as Kyan takes off. Ledala jumps on the controls, with Karahaa and Tanlee, while Gan and Vi fire up the guns.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 1000 (0400 Se. T.) – 35:06:23

Event: Ledala then takes off, and travels through the nearby mountain range to avoid detection, and to give Kyan time to get to his ship. Karahaa then detects Kyan’s ship flying at an intercept course with the Moon Swing and informs Ledala. Tanlee then contacts Kyan, and gives him the co-ordinates, and the two ships exit the atmosphere. Suddenly, both Kyan and Karahaa pick up on sensors two light customs cruisers, along with a number of TIE fighters heading in their direction. Tanlee quickly sends a message to “Home” for an urgent pickup, as the Moon Swing and Kyan’s X-Wing head full throttle away from the Imperials. Narrowly outrunning the Imperials, the two ships enter hyperspace.
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 1100 – 35:06:23


Event: Hyperspace (Moon Swing) [ x1 ]
Journey: Sedesia (J-360-0107)) » “Home” (K-360-0215)
Time Taken: 2 days 14 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 0100 – 35:06:26


Event: Upon arrival at the “Home” fleet, the group along with Kyan’s X-Wing are brought on board, and work is immediately started on the X-Wing, which Kyan tells them is long over-due for a complete service. After a short rest, General Romilar calls Thermal Force, and Kyan to a debriefing. The group then informs General Romilar and Major Mers about what had happened on Sedesia.
Time Taken: 6 hours
G.S.Date/Time: 0700 – 35:06:26

Event: During the meeting, a rebel Technician along with Lieutenant Carlos Jullid, the Chief Intelligence Officer on “Home”, interrupt to place Kyan under arrest for the murder of Lens Reekeene. The group, Lieutenant Jullid, General Romilar, and Major Mers attend at the interrogation of Kyan. Lieutenant Jullid and Major Mers conduct the interrogation, with the others watch from an adjoining room. Kyan tells the story of how he ended up with the X-Wing belonging to Lens Reekeene, and how he arrived at Sedesia (see Dunes of Innocence – next section).
Time Taken: 1 hour
G.S.Date/Time: 0800 – 35:06:26