About 21:00, Orba Organics research facility, L4, Tuesday the 6th of April, 2055.

About 21:00, Orba Organics research facility, L4, Tuesday the 6th of April, 2055.

The favour Sheila's asking us to do for them is this...

About three hours ago, a research station that Orba Organics runs on an island in the pacific, failed to make its scheduled radio check. They have tried to raise the station on the radio, but cannot get a reply. They've got nineteen staff down there, and while it's probably just an equipment failure (yeah, right) they'd appreciate it if we could take a look, as we're heading back to Earth anyway, and they were impressed with how we handled the Biotechnica situation.

What do we get? They won't charge for the cyberware they've already given us, or the cure. Yuki, will get credit for the cure, there will be a cash reward and they'll provide transport and pay reasonable expenses if we incur them.

It's obvious we're not being told anything like the full story and Sheila won't say what was being researched. We don't seem to have much of a choice. Shen and Roland don't fancy their new cyberware being removed by powerful electromagnet and we'd all like to get back to Earth alive, so we agree to assist them. Besides, Yuki already has a name for her cure, Yukicillin.

Having got everything agreed (i.e. we've got no real choice in the matter) we make the trip back to Earth. It's 9:30 in the morning when we get back to the NMK spaceport, and we're all finding it a little tough being back in the grip of one whole G. We're met at the spaceport by an OO representative who takes us to a waiting (white) limo.

He asks us if there's anywhere we'd like to go before he drives us to the airport. We elect to head to our favourite mall to buy a few essentials for the trip. Things like sunblock, clothing more suitable for a pacific island, more firepower, etc. Having shopped, it's back to Shen's to pick up more of our stuff and then it's off to the airport.

We're driven out onto the apron, in a quiet corner of the airport, where a small private jet awaits, with a big 'OO' emblazoned on its side. We get aboard and the jet takes off almost immediately. It takes a northerly route across the top of the continent and then flies down the west coast to San Francisco, touching down six hours later.

We're met by what could be the same white limo and driven down to the docks, where we board a large motor yacht. We're shown our quarters, get our baggage stowed and then the yacht departs. Once underway, we can see that the yacht is actually a hydrofoil and we quickly head out into the Pacific Ocean.

After two days at sea, we rendezvous with an OO supply ship, the Tarragon, and transfer to her. A few crew transfer to the hydrofoil and it turns and heads back. Leaving us to make our, somewhat slower, progress aboard the Tarragon.

We've not been aboard long when we encounter a heavy swell. Though a reasonable size, the Tarragon still pitches and rolls quite dramatically. It makes moving around quite difficult for us 'land-lubbers', but we all seem to be coping okay. Except for Crash, who just can't seem to keep his food down.

As the skies darken and vast thunderheads loom on the horizon, I wonder just what lies in store for us on this remote Pacific island...