Sci-Fi 3A

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<< Sci-Fi 2A

"We have to get thruster control back online!," you yell as you turn towards ensign Orlag.

Freighters aren't built with backup systems. They are bare-bones, equipped enough to do the job, and no more. Smoke was beginning to fill the compartment.

"Our current trajectory is unfortunately going to take us into a gas giant approximately 50 parsecs from here. We have about two days before that happens," Orlag replied, coughing.

Suddenly, a loud thud was heard, announcing the departure of the one and only escape pod. The commander had escaped.

[edit]

Five hours had passed, the fire and smoke had cleared, but we were still drifting. Out of the left portal could be seen the Vagorn personnel carrier. They too would soon be burnt up in the gas giant's atmosphere.

You uncouple the thruster console from the bulkhead and access the wiring bundle. You then order Orlag to hand over the wireless diagnostic device. "Bad news," you say. "The plasma burst has fried the control circuits. How about communications or weapons?" "Negative," replied Orlag.

"What are our options?," you ask. "We have the engramoplex explosives," Orlag explained, his mind moving faster than normal. "Perhaps we could dump some overboard, detonate it and hope that the explosion will push us in a different direction." "Risky," you say, "we would have to use an extremely small amount, and we'd have to rig a wireless as a detonator. Besides, we risk setting off the entire load of engramoplex. What else?"

"We have a spare bypass valve. We could give it to the Vagorns, and they could repair their ship. Maybe they would help us." "Follow me," you reply, as you walk to the cargo compartment. "Bingo." As you open the door you see a single space suit. "I could use this suit to get to the other ship. The only concern I have is that the Vagorns don't make a habit of helping smugglers."

"What should we do?," asked Orlag.

"Let's set off the engramoplex." Sci-Fi 4A

"I'll put the space suit on, and take the bypass valve over to the Vagorns." Sci-Fi 4B

"We do nothing. The options you suggested are too risky." Sci-Fi 4C