That title screen could do with ‘Breaking Bad-ifying’ 
Meta-Note Meta-Reply:
Actually, kinda funny thing: when you first put in the 555-531-8008 number a few days ago, I did a doubletake. The number looked weirdly familiar. But then I did 5 seconds of research and figured out the number I had in mind was slightly different: the Caller ID from my place of employment is 531-1001. Not that that number actually works for returning calls; it’s a trunk line. But it made me wonder if someone was trying to be funny with the choice of number. “Tootles” maybe? “Tooties”? “Loonies” would have made the most sense for this place, if only an upside-down N corresponded to an actual integer. Oh, well.
Ship name: Pillar of Autumn
Cash: $1460
$500 – Outlaw Mission 1
Remaining balance: $960
1 Like
Double Secret Meta Reply:
I sincerely hope someone was trying to be funny when they programmed that number - especially if it was actually innocently intended to be “Loonies” and not boobies. Not that it’d be any less fun if it was just coincidental.
When I wrote that number, I started with a 7-digit number starting with 555 because you’re in the business that uses 555 numbers and I thought you’d appreciate that. But then since I’ve been using the “code sample” setting that gives you calculator-like Courier I thought “hmm”, and did the other thing 
1 Like
It is “Store Credit,” not Credit that you will have to pay back later. This store credit is a parting gift from Don Mondo for all those who stood by his side.
If you’re ideologically opposed to taking Mondo’s charity, Pete will be happy to hang onto it for you.
I certainly did appreciate the 555 thing. I sometimes have to chuckle at the occasional movie that still gets the protocol wrong; the FCC is quite strict about it, though I have no idea what the penalties might be. The language from our S&P people is “The only approved fictional numbers cleared for use in all area codes (except (800) are: 555 followed by any number between 0100 and 0199. The only (800) number clear for use is (800) 555-0199.” But I still hear people using any old random four numbers after the 555 all the time.
1 Like
Ha, so I got the protocol wrong. I definitely notice numbers that do not follow that protocol all the time, even ones that don’t use the 555 prefix at all (and now since I know the rule, I’m going to notice them even more often ;))
1 Like
Now, let’ssss not be hasssty. I’ve never been, uh, “ideologically opposed” to Toa… uh, Don Mondo. Lord Flatusss knowss I’ve worked for and with the guy for as long as anyone. My trouble with Mondo was ssstrictly persssonal, dating back to a youthful rumpusss back on Herpeton VI when I was a green-ssscaled youngssster fresh out of the Academy and Mondo had yet to sssprout his forelegsss. But the Don and I never did let the indissscretionss and misssundersstandings of our youth ssstand in the way of mutually beneficial businessss. I wouldn’t pissss on him if he were on fire, but that’s more due to the lack of flame retardant qualities in my uric paste than any other reason. Anyone who doubtss the benefits Mondo obtained through my actions need only conssult the recent battle recordss.
Here’s the sssalient quote:
I see no other qualifier. I don’t have to love the guy. And, were the Don here today, he wouldn’t expect me to.
[message ostensibly ends]
Excuthe me. The Thththkipper would thkin me alive again if he knew I were telling you thith (and I don’t relish going through that again, tho let’th keep an lid on it, okay?), but he ith a Reptiloid of the Old Thchool and wouldn’t want anyone to know thith: inthide he’th a big ol’ thofty. I happen to have overheard a rethent tranthaction he undertook while wearing hith Arcturan Cone of Thilenthe, and I learned that he hath earmarked a fairly thubthtantial perthentage of the upcoming mithion’th protheedth (if any) to benefit the rethently orphaned tadpoleth of the Mondo family. Of courthe, Mondo hath never publicly recognized the tadpoleth ath hith own natural offthpring, dedicated ath he wath to hith public mathquerade ath pureblooded Reptiloid, tho it’th an ethpecially needful (and not jutht incredibly thelfleth and generouth) thing for Thththkipper to do. Thothe little polliwogth would thtarve and perish of neglect, completely unknown to anyone, were it not for the Thththkipper’th pledge of 10% to their benefit upon completion of the mithion.
Which mithion he would, of courthe, be completely unable to undertake without Mondo’th gift of thtore credit.
You thee now, how it ith that the galaxy thpinth on and on…
1 Like
El Esk, I am flattered that you notice me enough to be pissed at me. Your scythe-like analysis is brutally sur le point, and exactly what we need to keep this moving forward.
You are spot on : the I.C.U.P. propaganda machine needs hate figures. They need hate figures so bad they are going to create them, no matter what we do. If not Pete, then “flagship” Nixon or “traitor” Jameson or me or maybe even you, if they realize what a PR goldmine your backstory can be twisted into. You are also right that whoever the Coalition PR whores make the big baddy will be hunted like dog. Which is a strategic advantage for us. We will always know where a portion of the I.C.U.P. is going, and with a little skill, we can keep their blundering battle cruisers running helter-skelter around the Charybdis, accomplishing little more than pissing off local systems.
We both know that I.C.U.P. battle fleets are coming. Part of what Pete makes so wonderful - his complete accessibility - also makes his scrapyard completely indefensible. If we’re going to survive this, we are going to have to pick our battles smarter than that. That scrapyard, sadly, is getting smashed. It’s only a question of when.
My thought is to turn the Coalition’s predictability to our advantage. Keep Pete alive, with Coalition helping foot the bill – Captain Jameson has already showed shown how to take the Coalition’s dime and screw them over. Send Pete someplace defensible where he can keep doing what he loves. Ambush the I.C.U.P. when their Lupine News bloviators force their admirals into a dumb attack…
But I am happy to use others’ plans when better. Do you think that, even if the eight survivors of the Don Mondo flotilla agree to spare Pete this round, the I.C.U.P. can’t find someone in this galaxy or another to attack such a soft target ?
Maybe you’re right. Maybe a loose confederation of Androids, Space Lizards, and commercially-minded space operators can show that kind of solidarity. Maybe the Confederation is to dumbfounded and slow-witted to hire an “outside contractor” to do the hit this round. So I’ll play along. Below are eight ships we know the Coalition is willing to pay to attack Pete. We’ll track what missions they choose.
uncommitted
Grey Mouser
TARD-iss
Dracarys
Das Boot
Zhe Shadow Pacifist
Ironclad Cochrane
Mission 2 or 3 : Let Pete Be
Iron Giant
Quisquiliae sStruem
** MIsssion 1: Fuck Over Pete. **
No one that we know of.
Note that the $1,000 starbucks with Endogenic Escrow is uncancelable, so the reward for spiriting Pete to safety stands whatever else we decide.
Marsssal Ssseldon ssshould ssspirit Pete out of there. He is trusssted by ICUP and so the Ironclad Cochrane is unlikely to be as closssely watched asss a privateer might. He could ensssure hisss sssafe exssstracsssion.
He isss our fifth columnissst, after all.
2 Likes
Issss he? I had begun to think that maybe… jusssst maybe, mind… Sssseldon wass acting out of puressst mercenary motivation. In which cassse he’d sssstill sssuit thiss purpossse admirably… provided we crosss his palm with a sssufficiency of Sssstarbucksss.
The Sssseldon family, while honorable, are a tricksssy and cunning bunch. I would hesitate to predict which way the Marshal will jump, were money riding on the outcome.
you’ are doing a fantastic job, despite running a much larger game than anticipated. Take the time you need to keep up the quality.
When this is all done, we will owe you a beer 8)
THANK YOU!
1 Like
“honk Honk” yeehaw yep the space rodeo clown!!!
1 Like
Ditto! Mr Race, when you first brought up this little idea for a game, I thought it’d be kinda fun for the, oh, what was it?
Estimated time commitment is no more than 5-15 minutes per day.
Dude. This thing has taken over my life. I am having a ball and a half, and I can’t possibly convey enough gratitude for the enormous time & energy commitment you’ve put into it. As well as the quality, the attitude, and the overall vibe. This has been profoundly well-executed.
And the rest of y’all, too. It wouldn’t be any fun at all if I were just lissssping along on my own without the rest of my beloved fleet. My fondest appreciation goes to those among you who have worked so hard and so goddamned creatively to make Charybdis a vividly-realized, fully lived-in, faintly squalid but thoroughly groovy imaginary galaxy.
May the stars in your eyes never burn out.
6 Likes
3 Likes
Yeah, okay. This made Lenar smile.
1 Like
It’sssss full of sssssssstarssssssssss…
…
…ssssssssssssssssssssspeechlessssssssssssssssssss…
1 Like
Archive Ministry Record: 84035CD21-O
Ship: Grey Mouser
Captain: Lord Fritz
All hail the Supreme Intelligence! Operation “Rhymin’ and Stealin’” was a success. For the most part. The attack was rather straight forward. With no moon to use for cover, we sustained heavy damage, though through no fault of our own. We had a reactor leak. You may want to avoid us until we lock it down. Large leak, very dangerous.
Weapons and Tactical worked as one, utilizing a Leiberian Mind Meld. We were like leaf on the wind until the laser showers started. I believe no one escaped their fury. The Bongo Fury had the misfortune of zigging into one volley, and zaggin’ into another. Her engines went critical and she disappeared in a blinding light, littering the field of battle with debris. Looking back on the battle recordings, it looks like 4 small Coalition ships joined in and were also destroyed.
Our brethren attacking the ICUP were also met with success, managing to limp away with no casualties. And while we both claim victories, I can’t help but think we all have lost as well. While it appears the sentiment between the two teams has not changed - we, after all, agreed to split our forces for a combine attack - we have both been labeled as either outlaws or government jack booted thugs (although I must say I do look good in jack boots). This has effected all of us in one way or another, most directly with who chooses to do business with us. While we currently have a level of solidarity, I worry that outside forces may attempt to alienate the two factions further, creating animosity between the two and pitting them against one another. I believe open and honest communication is important in maintaining a level of trust.
I am not sure who I am more disappointed with, Pete or Ella. Pete is taking the events personally. He is being extremely irrational. This was strictly business. How many competitors did Pete witness getting snuffed out by Mondo? Ella on the other hand has lost her freaking mind. She must have heard that Pete refuses to service our ships and she is taking full advantage of our situation. It’s extortion. I warned her that this kind of shit is what gets the Bourgeoisie drug out into the street and shot. If there was a Space Lowes nearby we could probably do the repairs ourselves, or at least hire some of the aliens that hang around the parking lot looking for jobs.
I will ask again if anyone wants to risk their relationship with Pete (whose days seem numbered) and buy us one Mondo Cannon and one Armor. Obviously we can’t have him service our ship, so we will have to lube up and have Ella do it. But we should be able to trade items with out them knowing. I am willing to pay 15% over the cost, which would be a cool $1500 for helping us out.
As for the next Mission there has been much analyzing and discussion. Fortunately for Pete we find revenge and grudge holding to be illogical and generally counter productive. That and the reward for assaulting his yard is pitiful. (It wouldn’t buy fuzzy dice and Ella’s new prices.) Unfortunately whether we take Mission 2 or 3 depends on if we can get help acquiring those items from Pete. As it stands now, I think we could take on the Hoodlums. If we were to get the upgrades then we could take on the Space Scum. (We could take on the Space Scum now if everything went well, but the calculated risk is too high to assure success.)
I suppose that is all I have for now. If anyone needs something or wishes to discuss matters, please feel free to contact us. As I said before, whether we like it or not there has been a schism. Beware of those who would take advantage of this.
Scenario 1 - Someone helps us acquire parts from Pete
Starting Cash - $40067
Mondo Cannon - $5000 - Who needs stealth when you have large cannons…
Armor - $5000 - …and shields?
Commission - $1500 - To Captain X of the Y
Hull x56 - $28500 - We will be walking funny for a week. There are still a few holes on the hull, but we found some antique “Beiber for President” stickers in the cargo hold that we can use to cover them up for now.
Mission 3 - $500
Remaining Cash - $67
Scenario 2 - Forced to buy everything from Ella
Starting Cash - $40067
Hull Repair x58 - $29000 - Well, at least the Bitching Racing Strips look nice.
Homing Missiles x3 - $4500 - The best defense is a good offense.
Flak Bursts x4 - $6000 - Of course a good defense is nice too.
Mission 2 - $500
Ending Cash - $67
2 Likes
QUANTA-TANGLE CRYPTO PKEY
Captain. We should have a discussion about Eleanor. She’s never been the greatest fan of unfettered capital. This may have been her downfall in the past.
I’ll try to keep her on the right side of your movements. What I do know is that she’s starting to spin some paranoid fantasy out around the ICUP, and you figure very prominently in it…
1 Like
– System Note –
This is a great idea but unfortunately these weapons systems are difficult to install without the proper shop, tools and experience. You’re stuck using a vendor who isn’t going to kick you out for improper registration or shoot you for killing their best customer.
It’s unfortunate that so many life forms are willing to politically pigeon-hole you for blowing up a few spaceships… but it’s the reality we face right now.
– System Note –
1 Like
