Eclipse Phase: Terminal Velocity

[deject]

What is it going to cost us?

[The Shutting Downs]

Well, I do have the skill Hardware:Electronics, wich is useable to try and make repairs to things, but if he's got a way out, not a problem, thats one bargaining chip out.

[Joose]

Boy, if you got to ask how much it costs, you don't want off this planet enough. Come in if yer comin.

He ambles into the building.

[deject]

Just call me the curious type.

[Joose]

Yeah, he's gone inside now.

[The Shutting Downs]

Lets follow

[deject]

Lets follow

[Joose]

So are you all going in?

[Dog Pants]

Yes please.

[Joose]

Ok, you all head in. Inside is a bit gloomy, the lighting has broken in several places and makeshift barriers have been places over the windows that cut out most of the external light. The first bit through the door is a reception area, with a reception desk to one side and some comfy chairs and potted plants off to the side. It looks like there was originally a large frosted glass wall partitioning this area off from the rest of the building, but all that remains of it are chunks of broken safety glass all over the floor. The area on the other side would have once been a swish lab area, all clean smooth surfaces and white walls. Its now a bit of a mess, with lots of cables snaking out of access panels, and wiring coming out of light sockets to disappear into the inner workings.

Along the facing wall are six cylindrical pods. They are all open, with the glassy cover raised up on mechanical arms and the pod itself lowered down at an angle so people can get in and lie down. You can see a mechanism to lift the pods upright and retract them through the wall, there will be a storage area behind this one where peoples empty morphs would be stored for them to be downloaded back into on their return journey. The pod on the far left is partly dismantled, with bits of complex electronics spread all around it. Tex is clipping a panel on the side of one of the other pods closed when you come in.

This is how this works. You get in these here pods. I'll strap you down and program your trip. I can send you to one of the orbital stations that are taking refugees, or if you want I can send you to some other ground station. I gotta tell you though, its like this everywhere. You have your Muse give my Muse all your financial access details. Soon as my Muse confirms the details, I push the button and you are on your way. There's a disposal system out back, like an incinerator, I'll stick your empty morphs in so you don't have to worry about whatever the hell those flying things out there are doing to peoples heads. Any questions?

[The Shutting Downs]

None at all,

**Quietly, to his muse**

Shelly, give the man the expense account details.

[Dog Pants]

Edgar looks nervous.

Shit. Er, what about a morph at the other end? Do we even get one? Guys, if it's this quiet here we might be able to make the spaceport and make it out of here intact. Hell, looks like the fucking apocalypse out there so you can have everything I've got, but I don't fancy ending up as an indentured infomorph if I don't have to.

[Joose]

Shit man, you want me to do everything? I know I've got a morph out there waiting for me. Whether you have or not is your problem. All I can offer is a guarantee that you get out of here alive.

[munchkin]

I'm with you on that Edgar. No offence Robot dude but you give me the creeps.

Turns to the others.

Anyone who wants to go to the spaceport, last one in the car buys the drinks when we're out of here!

Sprints off out of the door

[munchkin]

and jumps in the driving seat of the car

[The Shutting Downs]

Well, it was nice breaking out of a computer sim with you all, best of luck with the spaceport before bombs hit. Take the weapons if you like, I won't be needing them.

Tex, pleasure doing business with you, let's get this moving.

[Dog Pants]

Edgar does a double take and runs after Tiny.

Good luck, man. Maybe see you on the other side.

[Joose]

Deej, which way is Barry going?

[deject]

I'm not that curious. Good luck man.

Barry gets in the car with the others.

[munchkin]

Frankie baby, get me to the spaceport. Under a bit of time pressure so no sightseeing

The car shoots out of the car park with the sound of screeching rubber