Deep Space Maneuvers - Stage One and Two

PART ONE: The Destination! On the morning before Iron Cog Dr Claw day, six brave and hearty pilots gathered, laden with good cheer and deep space provisions. Momclaw graciously offered her transport services to help pilots bust the funk harder on their long journey. Gear stowed and a brief launch delay later, everyone was assembled on the launchpad to pay homage to Dyanna, Skunk's newest, life sized Astrobot.

With all bags and jobs accounted for, it was smoooooth sailing up to the previously untravelled TriCities wormhole. Pilots enjoyed the not-quite-randomized deep space groove and perfect weather. Alas, not everything made it to Momclaw's transport, and as we parted ways with the path in the Woburn system, a stop was made. We explored Luna Kohl's for radiation suits and a fuel dump at the halfway point. Civilians from the local system were awed by our ships, and asked many questions as we defueled/refueled.

Back on our ships, we experienced a long period of heavy transport traffic, moderate g-wells, and brief fleet separation. The fleet had just tightened up when we were blessed with a fortuitous space cream dispensary. The civilian dispensing frozen happiness molecules was delighted by our presence and took many photographs of assembled pilots and ships while we enjoyed the frozen treats. At this juncture, Dr Claw informed us that there were only 3 light years left, and the Momclaw transport had arrived.

The last few light years went by quickly, except for one very long light which had no desire to notice our presence. After crossing the skyway, the trees sprang up and we were officially in DEEP SPACE where the greens are greener and the oxygen smells cleaner. Shortly thereafter, we rejoined our baggage and broke navtail to explore the various habitable locations. Pilots quickly dispersed to set up their various space shelters, and immerse themselves in blue and green. At this time, pastry queen departed back to MAD to lead a local mission, and so has no further knowledge of the Outpost at Harold Parker.


PART TWO: The Return trip!
Pastry Queen claims no knowledge of things that happened at Outpost Harold Parker, so they shall forever remain Top Sekret. She began receiving transmissions around 1430h from the fleet with approximate locations and set out with proto-maggot Spoons to welcome them home. Around 1500, another dispatch was sent that Cloudbuster had battled with gravity and was being inspected for damages. Space hardened pilots were following a similar route to the previous day, with all skyways having been explored and found good for travel. Lordmcfuzz kept transmitting the gang's location to Pastry Queen and Spoons, and they all converged for further frozen happiness molecules in the center of Winchester System. Overnight, a Shepherd had materialized on a civi ship, and the count went up to ten.
Skunk was kind enough to let the new arrivals acquire and consume some ultimate chill before setting off homeward. The last part of the journey was back in regularly travelled fleet territory, but due to the time warp, many civilians still had no knowledge of our existence. They caught the funk hard, and danced, sang and cheered for our safe passage. In the great PQ tradition, Spoons learned some sweet new bombardier poses, while bomber Scollay Rancher showed no signs of slowing, even with an uncontributing passenger.

Back at the Fort, Momclaw was waiting with outpost dusty gear and a surprise for brave travelers. The weary troops rolled in and fell ranks, bestowing Medals of Diplomacy upon Skunk and Red for giving their civi names up to the superior officers at Harold Parker, Strength to eXcEsS for the newest variation on Pesto Changeo, and Patronage to Momclaw for her transport services. Inside, we were welcomed back with cake molecules to celebrate the orbital of Dr Claw, with special variations for pilots with special needs. Thanks to the sugar boost, weary pilots were able to travel their final light years home to showers and bed.