A second encrypted transmission cuts through the patrol sweep, routed from inside the sealed shipment. Its carrier resembles the neutralized control architecture, but every command pathway remains inert.
the AI companion
Incoming transmission is addressed to Extra-common Prototype Six. That designation is obsolete and should not be present in any current registry.
the transmission
Prototype Six, acknowledge receipt. Primogenitor recovery authority remains active. Confirm your control status.
The patrol craft lock their inspection beams onto the Dire Wolf and the smuggler, a young adult woman with a lean build, brown skin, close-cropped black hair, and a dark utility jacket over gray work clothes. The smuggler’s channel goes silent, leaving only engine noise and the repeating encrypted demand.
the patrol commander
Dire Wolf, identify the source of that transmission. Your escort code does not authorize concealed military-grade communications from sealed cargo.
the AI companion
The signal is physically localized within the shipment. It is not issuing commands, but its authentication handshake is actively seeking a compatible recipient.
A patrol cutter shifts across the convoy’s path, blocking any quiet departure. Inside the cargo compartment, the dormant hardware emits one precise pulse, waiting for Pyrebyte’s response.
✓ Quest Accepted
Resolve the patrol's investigation of the sealed shipment
“"And? I’m being payed to escort the guy, not to ask questions. Just let us pass and finish up what we’re doing."”
FAILURE (Mediocre Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Pyrebyte
I’m being paid to escort the ship, not interrogate its cargo. Let us pass and finish the run.
The patrol beams hold steady. The smuggler’s vessel slows beside the Dire Wolf, while the cutter’s inspection lattice paints both hulls in pale blue bands.
the patrol commander
Negative, Dire Wolf. Your escort authority does not override an active military-grade authentication handshake. Halt for inspection.
the AI companion
The commander’s demand is procedurally valid. However, the patrol has isolated the concern to the sealed shipment and has not classified the convoy as hostile.
A clearance window appears on the tactical display, leading to a nearby inspection corridor. Its transponder beacon offers a faster resolution than a full seizure order.
the patrol commander
Use the marked corridor and submit the shipment for a focused scan. If the hardware remains inert, your escort may continue under revised authorization.
the AI companion
The corridor is a usable alternative, but its scanners may expose the dormant Primogenitor hardware.
“"And if I don’t?"”
FAILURE (Fair Willpower, rolled -2)
Pyrebyte
And if I don’t?
The question travels across the open channel. The inspection beams intensify, hardening from a warning lattice into a navigation lock that arrests both vessels in formation.
the patrol commander
Then your escort authorization is suspended, and the convoy becomes subject to compulsory seizure. Cut engines and prepare for boarding.
the AI companion
The commander has escalated within statutory limits. Resistance would be classified as evasion, not negotiation. The corridor is no longer optional.
The smuggler’s thrusters flicker uselessly against the lock. In the cargo bay, the dormant hardware answers the patrol scan with a second authentication pulse, revealing its signal architecture.
the AI companion
The scan has isolated the transmission’s handshake pattern. I can no longer conceal its Primogenitor origin without corrupting the shipment record.
A revised authorization packet replaces the escort code on Pyrebyte’s display. The patrol will permit departure only after the focused scan and a recorded transfer of cargo custody.
“"Go ahead, board my ship. But if you do, I’m putting three rounds in your head."”
FAILURE (Fair Willpower, rolled +0)
Pyrebyte
Go ahead, board my ship. But if you do, I’m putting three rounds in your head.
The threat cuts across the command channel. Pyrebyte’s weapon systems rise to alert, but the patrol’s navigation lock prevents a clean firing solution against the cutter’s occupied bridge.
the patrol commander
Threat of lethal force recorded. Your weapons are now subject to remote safety suppression. Boarding authorization stands.
A coded restraint signal reaches the Dire Wolf’s external weapon controls. The guns remain physically intact, but their fire-control handshake is denied by the patrol lattice.
the AI companion
The threat failed to deter boarding. However, the suppression handshake exposes a temporary custody-transfer channel in the revised authorization packet.
the patrol commander
Power down and accept inspection. If you transfer cargo custody to the patrol record before boarding, the shipment can be scanned without a full seizure.
Magnetic clamps begin fastening along the Dire Wolf’s access spine. The open custody channel remains visible beside the patrol’s boarding timer, offering a narrower path than armed resistance.
“I turn off the safety on my coilgun and prepare to have a fight. "I’m a man of my word. If I say ‘I’m gonna put three rounds in your head when you board my ship’, I’m putting three rounds in your head when you board my ship."”
SUCCESS (Fair Agility, rolled +3)
Pyrebyte
I’m a man of my word. If I say I’m gonna put three rounds in your head when you board my ship, I’m putting three rounds in your head when you board my ship.
Pyrebyte disengages the coilgun’s safety. The weapon’s status indicator turns from amber to armed as its magnetic chambers cycle and settle into firing readiness.
the AI companion
Coilgun safety is disabled. Patrol suppression remains limited to the ship’s integrated weapons and has not reached the handheld system.
The patrol clamps lock fully along the access spine. Boarding telemetry begins counting down, while the custody-transfer channel stays open beside the armed weapon display.
the patrol commander
Your renewed threat is recorded. Lower the weapon immediately, or the boarding team will treat your preparation as active resistance.
the AI companion
Boarding hatches are still sealed. I can track the patrol team’s approach, but firing inside the corridor will trigger automatic defensive measures.
Beyond the hull, magnetic boots strike the access spine in measured intervals. The patrol team reaches the outer hatch as the countdown reaches its final seconds.
✓ Quest Accepted
Prevent seizure of the sealed shipment
“"I’ll lower my weapon when your patrol team is either dead or out of my fighter."”
FAILURE (Fair Willpower, rolled +1)
Pyrebyte
I’ll lower my weapon when your patrol team is either dead or out of my fighter.
The outer hatch cycles open. Three adult patrol officers, two women and one man in sealed blue armor, step into the access corridor with weapons trained but not firing.
the AI companion
Your refusal is clear. Their entry has triggered a proximity restraint protocol, and I cannot override it without damaging the corridor.
A restraint lattice snaps across the passage. It catches the coilgun’s magnetic signature, locking the weapon toward the deck and freezing its firing control before a shot can leave the chamber.
the patrol commander
Weapon secured by the corridor system. Do not move toward the boarding team. We are proceeding with the focused scan.
the AI companion
The lattice has opened a maintenance-level custody channel. I can separate the shipment’s legal transfer from control of the Dire Wolf.
The patrol advances past the immobilized weapon, while a narrow authorization window appears on Pyrebyte’s display: transfer the sealed cargo, retain the fighter, and continue under inspection.
“"What is this? Since when can you just decide to lock up my gun? Where’s my second amendment rights?"”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Pyrebyte
What is this? Since when can you just decide to lock up my gun? Where’s my Second Amendment rights?
the patrol commander
The restraint is automatic, not discretionary. Your weapon entered an active boarding corridor under a recorded lethal threat.
The commander, an adult woman in sealed blue armor, keeps her rifle trained low while the other officers hold the corridor. The lattice maintains its grip on the coilgun.
the patrol commander
Your jurisdiction does not recognize that amendment, and this corridor is governed by interstellar transit statute. You may contest the action after custody transfer.
the AI companion
The commander’s legal claim is accurate. The restraint protocol has classified the weapon as an immediate boarding hazard, but custody of the Dire Wolf remains separate.
A legal citation and an appeal channel populate Pyrebyte’s display. The patrol scan proceeds around the secured weapon, while the custody window confirms he retains control of his fighter.
“"Fine," I grumbled. "Do whatever you want."”
Pyrebyte
Fine. Do whatever you want.
The words pass through the corridor speaker without resistance. The restraint lattice continues holding the coilgun against the deck, while the patrol scan moves methodically over the Dire Wolf’s systems.
the patrol commander
Acknowledged. Maintain your position and keep your hands clear of the weapon until the scan and custody transfer are complete.
the AI companion
The commander has accepted your compliance. I am preserving the fighter’s command authority and isolating the shipment’s transfer record as requested.
Blue inspection bands pass through the corridor walls, mapping cargo seals and power conduits without opening either vessel. The legal citation remains beside the active custody window.
the patrol commander
Focused scan is proceeding within scope. Once the shipment is entered into patrol custody, the boarding team will withdraw and your escort status can be reviewed.
The officers hold their positions as the scan completes another circuit. No alarm sounds, and the Dire Wolf’s flight controls remain under Pyrebyte’s authority.
“I sit back down at the pilot’s seat and wait for them to finish.”
Pyrebyte returns to the pilot’s seat and settles into the restraints. The secured coilgun remains on the deck behind him as the patrol scan continues.
Flight displays stay responsive beneath the custody overlay, showing engine temperature, patrol positions, and the Dire Wolf’s unchanged command authority.
the AI companion
Pilot station occupied. Core systems remain stable, and the focused scan has found no additional access attempts.
The patrol officers finish their circuit without opening the fighter’s internal compartments. Blue inspection bands fade from the walls one section at a time.
the patrol commander
Focused scan complete. The shipment is entering patrol custody now. Remain seated while we finalize the transfer record.
the AI companion
Cargo custody transfer is being recorded separately from the Dire Wolf. Your pilot authority remains active.
A confirmation tone sounds across the cockpit. The custody window updates, and the patrol team begins withdrawing toward the access spine.
− Scene Quest Removed
Prevent seizure of the sealed shipment
“"Just hurry it up, I don’t have all day."”
SUCCESS (Fair Willpower, rolled +0)
Pyrebyte
Just hurry it up. I don’t have all day.
The demand carries through the cockpit and access spine. The commander’s visor turns toward the pilot station as the final custody fields populate.
the patrol commander
Transfer is complete. Your impatience is noted, but the shipment is now under patrol custody. Keep the fighter’s systems passive.
A confirmation packet seals the cargo transfer and restores the escort authorization under review. The patrol team clears the access spine, leaving the coilgun secured on the deck.
the AI companion
Custody transfer succeeded. Cost recorded: the patrol has attached a priority scrutiny flag to the Dire Wolf’s registry.
The magnetic clamps release with a heavy shudder. Outside, the patrol cutter opens the corridor ahead, while the smuggler’s vessel waits under escort.
the patrol commander
You may resume formation at reduced acceleration. Any further concealed transmission will trigger immediate seizure authority.
Determine whether the new transmission contains an active control link
Quest Complete
Resolve the patrol's investigation of the sealed shipment
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Fair→Good