Entry #002:
Hammond and the boys

Dr Vida was waiting in the dock and guided Claudius to the airlock. During the pressurisation sequence, they had a brief moment to talk privately.
-Gavin Hammond from the workshops on Minerva WD03 brought some of his boys to "oversee" unloading of the cargo - she started - It's true they were hit by the plague the hardest, but I need some help to talked them down - the distribution of algae seedling must be done rationally, and I'm afraid his emotions fly too high.

Claudius let out a heavy sight - playing an enforcer in some inner conflict between the engineers and scientists was not in the deal. What's more - he really needed Hammond and his guys to fix the ship. On the other hand, Abedi was right - it didn't bide well if the Workshop guys wanted to play the hard way even before they knew about extra cargo he was carrying. Better to get the situation straight before it escalates.

Using Vida's light shuttle, the two of them flew to the research station. The moment it landed, a group of four men surrounded the vehicle:
-Where's the cargo? What have you done Vida?! - a middle-aged man with prominent moustache asked in heavy spacer accent. Mongoose stepped quickly between them, towering over older man. He touched his helmet to Hammond's and said in slow, calm voice:
- We will discuss it like civilized people, inside. Send your boys home.

Compel [Miss: 3 + 3 + 0 = 6 vs 8 | 9] 

Claudius could see Hammond hesitate, but one of his men didn't. Mongoose dodged in split second as a heavy wrench crashed to the ground next to him. He turned to see the other two mechanics exchanging looks and charging towards him.

Enter the Fray [Strong Hit: 6 + 3 + 1 = 10 vs 1 | 9]

Hammond's boys might have had strength and experience in some bar brawls, but Claudius was the one with combat experience in spacesuit and low-g environments. He moved towards shuttle clamps to protect his flank and yanked a bunch of cords to scatter them around.

Gain Ground [Miss: 1 + 2 + 0 = 3 vs 8 | 7] > (Weapon Master) Strong Hit

[Mark Progress: Hammond's Boys brawl :2 boxes]

The guy with the wrench was first to get through the cords, but before he was able to raise his oversized tool, Mongoose was upon him.

Strike [Miss: 1 + 3 + 0 = 4 vs 4 | 7] > (Burn Momentum) Strong Hit

The oversized tool swinged above Claudius head. Ex-soldier gripped the handle, but let it continue the arch and used to momentum to throw the mechanic against the hull of the shuttle. Then, he continued the spin and let go of the wrench. 10 kilos of steel crashed into the second's boy chest throwing him good 3 meters back.

[Mark Progress: Hammond's Boys brawl :4 boxes]

[Mark Progress: Hammond's Boys brawl :6 boxes]

The last mechanic stopped seeing his buddies laying on the ground, or tried to stop - the heavy suit and inertia still pushed him towards Claudius, who moved swiftly to intercept him.

Strike [Weak Hit: 4 + 3 + 0 = 7 vs 5 | 10]

[Mark Progress: Hammond's Boys brawl :8 boxes]

[Mark Progress: Hammond's Boys brawl :10 boxes]

Mongoose grabbed a canister of sealing foam and shot it straight into the mechanic's visor, then he moved out of the way, as the blinded man tripped on the cords and fell haplessly to the ground. Huval turned slowly towards Hammond who raised a gun towards him. Claudius raised his hands and said in slow, calm voice:

- We will discuss it like civilized people inside. Send your boys home.

[Progress Roll: Hammond's Boys brawl: Weak Hit = 10 vs 10 | 5] "Others pay the price: Someone else suffers the cost"

Gavin Hammond nodded and put the gun away.

- Yes, that would be best for ever... Vida?! For fuck's sake! Are you OK?! - only now did they notice that Dr Abedi laid motionless on the floor. One of the mechanics must have shoved her when trying to get to Claudius. Luckily her helmet was intact, and she came to her senses when they transported her inside - but the whole incident did not bode well for future relations between the asteroid dwellers. Still, the cargo was here, and the talks about redistribution could start.

[Mark Progress: Steal Water shipment and deliver it to Minerva Station :9 boxes]

[Progress Roll: Steal algae shipment and deliver it to Minerva Station :Strong Hit = 9 vs 1 | 3]

In the end, the negotiations and algae redistribution went well. Even if Gavin and Vida were mad at each other, it did not sidetrack them from the importance of reaching an agreement. When the mechanics went to their asteroid, and the representatives of other hubs were queued for picking up supplies, Claudius, Vida and her fellows spent a lazy evening sharing stories and eating algae stew - which in these circumstances almost tasted good. Huval couldn't remember the last time he just felt relaxed and welcomed.

Develop your Relationship [Mark Progress: :3 boxes] Dr. Vida Abedi