Adventure: The Spinward Synthesis

Uncover corruption and deliver hope in a thrilling Spinward Marches adventure for Traveller

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Staff Writer
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Published: July 31, 2024

Introduction

The Spinward Marches, a region of space filled with opportunity and danger, beckons to adventurers seeking fortune and glory. Your characters, a small group of freelancers, have responded to an advertisement asking for a team to escort a highly valuable cargo from one world to another for an 'export/import' company. Little do they know, they are about to be entangled in a web of deceit, corruption, and organized crime.

Engaging the Players

The Advertisement

The players receive the following advertisement:

WANTED: Small team of reliable freelancers to escort highly valuable cargo from Regina to Efate. Generous compensation for successful delivery. Contact Galactic Exports at our office in Regina for details.

Initial Contact

The players arrive at the office of Galactic Exports, a modest building in the commercial district of Regina, the capital city of the planet Regina. They are greeted by Victor Kane, the head of Galactic Exports.

Victor Kane

  • Stats: STR 8, DEX 10, END 9, INT 12, EDU 10, SOC 8
  • Skills: Admin 2, Broker 3, Persuade 2, Streetwise 2
  • Equipment: Business suit, comm device, datapad

Victor explains that the cargo is highly valuable and must be delivered to Efate, a nearby world. He offers a generous sum of 10,000 credits for the successful delivery of the cargo. The players, eager for the payout, accept the job.

The Planet Regina

Overview

Regina is a bustling world with a population of over 2 billion. It is a hub of interstellar trade and commerce, with a diverse mix of cultures and technologies. The planet is governed by a corrupt government that has criminalized certain beneficial medical products to create a lucrative black-market trade opportunity.

Major City: Regina

Regina, the capital city, is a sprawling metropolis with a population of over 10 million. The city is divided into several districts, including the commercial district, the warehouse district, and the spaceport.

Commercial District

The commercial district is the heart of Regina's business and trade. It is filled with towering skyscrapers, bustling markets, and high-end shops. Galactic Exports' office is located in this district.

Warehouse District

The warehouse district is a seedy and industrial area filled with warehouses, factories, and storage facilities. It is controlled by various criminal organizations, including the Black Sun Syndicate, the rival gang that currently possesses the cargo.

Spaceport

The spaceport is a bustling hub of interstellar travel and commerce. It is filled with commercial and freelance charter ships, as well as corrupt cargo handlers and officials.

The Cargo

The Manufacturing Equipment

The cargo is a manufacturing equipment that is used for the synthesis and manufacture of Nexus. The equipment is small, weighing only about 30kg, but is highly illegal on both Regina and Efate.

Nexus

Nexus is a highly beneficial medical drug that has been criminalized by the corrupt governments of Regina and Efate to facilitate a thriving black market in this highly prised product. It is used to treat a variety of serious medical conditions, particularly childhood leukaemia, which has a frequent occurrence on these worlds. The drug is considered an essential medicine on other worlds and has no known side effects.

The Warehouse

Overview

The warehouse where the cargo is stored is located in the warehouse district of Regina. It is heavily fortified and guarded by members of the Black Sun Syndicate.

Fortifications

  • Walls: Reinforced concrete walls with barbed wire on top.
  • Gates: Heavy steel gates with electronic locks.
  • Cameras: Surveillance cameras covering all entrances and exits.
  • Guards: 10 guards armed with assault rifles and body armor.

Guards

Black Sun Syndicate Guard

  • Stats: STR 10, DEX 10, END 10, INT 8, EDU 8, SOC 6
  • Skills: Gun Combat (Rifle) 2, Melee (Unarmed) 1, Recon 1
  • Equipment: Assault rifle, body armor, comm device

Major Characters

Victor Kane

Victor Kane is the head of Galactic Exports, a front for an organized criminal enterprise. He is a shrewd and ruthless businessman who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

Marcus Vale

Marcus Vale is the head of the Black Sun Syndicate, the rival gang that currently possesses the cargo. He is a cunning and dangerous criminal who will not hesitate to use violence to protect his interests.

Marcus Vale

  • Stats: STR 12, DEX 10, END 10, INT 10, EDU 10, SOC 8
  • Skills: Gun Combat (Pistol) 3, Melee (Unarmed) 2, Streetwise 3, Persuade 2
  • Equipment: Pistol, body armor, comm device

Captain Lara Stone

Captain Lara Stone is a dodgy freelance charter ship operator who can be hired to transport the cargo off-world. She is a skilled pilot and navigator, but she is also known for her shady dealings and questionable ethics.

Captain Lara Stone

  • Stats: STR 8, DEX 12, END 10, INT 10, EDU 10, SOC 6
  • Skills: Pilot (Spacecraft) 3, Navigation (Space) 2, Engineering (J-Drive) 2, Streetwise 2
  • Equipment: Pilot's suit, comm device, datapad

Corrupt Cargo Handler

Corrupt Cargo Handler is a corrupt official at the spaceport who can be bribed to facilitate the transport of the cargo. He is a greedy and unscrupulous individual who will do anything for the right price.

Corrupt Cargo Handler

  • Stats: STR 8, DEX 8, END 8, INT 10, EDU 10, SOC 6
  • Skills: Admin 2, Broker 2, Persuade 2, Streetwise 2
  • Equipment: Business suit, comm device, datapad

The Adventure

Phase 1: Investigation

The players begin their investigation by gathering information about the cargo and the Black Sun Syndicate. They can use their contacts, streetwise skills, and investigative abilities to uncover the following information:

  • The cargo is a set of manufacturing equipment for the synthesis and manufacture of Nexus, a highly beneficial medical product that has been criminalized by the corrupt governments of Regina and Efate.
  • The cargo is currently in the possession of the Black Sun Syndicate, a rival criminal organization.
  • The cargo is stored in a heavily fortified warehouse in the warehouse district of Regina.

Phase 2: Planning

The players must devise a plan to steal the cargo from the warehouse. They can choose from the following options:

  • Theft: The players can attempt to infiltrate the warehouse and steal the cargo without being detected.
  • Scam: The players can attempt to trick the Black Sun Syndicate into handing over the cargo through deception and manipulation.
  • Assault: The players can launch a direct assault on the warehouse, using force to overcome the guards and secure the cargo.

Phase 3: Execution

The players execute their plan to steal the cargo from the warehouse. Depending on their chosen approach, they will encounter various challenges and obstacles, including guards, surveillance cameras, and electronic locks.

Phase 4: Escape

Once the players have secured the cargo, they must escape from the warehouse and make their way to the spaceport. They will need to outwit local law enforcement, who may be alerted to their presence by the Black Sun Syndicate.

Phase 5: Transport

The players must arrange transport for the cargo off-world. They can choose from the following options:

  • Commercial Transport: The players can attempt to book passage on a commercial transport, but they will need to deal with the legal and logistical challenges of transporting an illegal cargo.
  • Freelance Charter: The players can hire a dodgy freelance charter ship operator, such as Captain Lara Stone, to transport the cargo off-world. They will need to negotiate a price and ensure the safety of the cargo during the journey.

Phase 6: Delivery

The players must deliver the cargo to its destination on Efate. They will need to arrange a rendezvous with the people who are to receive the goods and ensure the safe delivery of the cargo. They may encounter opposition from the Black Sun Syndicate, who will be attempting to retrieve the cargo.

Conclusion

The adventure concludes with the successful delivery of the cargo to its destination on Efate. The players will have outwitted corrupt officials, criminal organizations, and local law enforcement to achieve their goal. They will have uncovered the truth about Nexus and its beneficial medical properties, and they will have played a crucial role in disrupting the corrupt governments' black-market trade.

The players will be rewarded with the generous compensation promised by Victor Kane, as well as the satisfaction of knowing that they have made a difference in the lives of those who will benefit from Nexus. They will also have gained valuable experience and contacts that will serve them well in future adventures in the Spinward Marches.

Notes for the GM

  • Encourage the players to use their skills and abilities creatively to overcome the challenges they encounter.
  • Adjust the difficulty of the encounters based on the players' actions and decisions.
  • Provide opportunities for role-playing and character development throughout the adventure.
  • Be prepared to improvise and adapt the adventure based on the players' choices and the unpredictable nature of the game.

This adventure is designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing the GM to tailor it to the preferences and play-styles of their players. It is intended to be a challenging and engaging experience that will test the players' wits, skills, and resourcefulness as they navigate the dangerous and exciting world of the Spinward Marches.