Background #1: You are Star Law and Star Law suspects something is wrong on Janus, not only has several ships disappeared only to be seen on the edge of the Frontier, but invoices of Multi-Cap indicate huge amounts of weapons are being purchased by a predominately medical research firm. Something is amiss, so you are posing as a small cargo/privateer ship of a small cargo company (Old Terra Shipping) on delivering trade goods and contracted “mail” to Janus.

Multi-Cap has reported at least one shipload of Tatum-leaves being hi-jacked in the past six-months, despite the usual high security procedures. Pirates are not unknown in this region, however, they normally do not bother with secondary yield cargos such as this.

Using this hi-jacking as an excuse, Multi-Cap has consigned and is shipping to Janus extra security armament for the planetary police and the company security force. Routine investigation of invoice-movement reveals that some of the items Multi-Cap is importing include heavy-duty laser cannon, sonic blast towers, magna-thrust land mines, and radiation blast torpedoes. Obviously this type of armament is well beyond the scope or need of a planetary police force in a peaceful farming society.

In addition, Space Patrol checks have revealed that someone on Janus has ordered computer equipment, assorted in parts, in the amount of one full metric ton, gross weight.

As you are well aware, by the terms of the Federation, the construction of any computer over 3.5 metric tons in size constitutes an automatic act of war against the Federation, since there is NO other purpose which any computer unit that size could be used for except direct widespread military operations.

In addition, four ships have been reported lost without a trace in the interior of the southern continent with the last five months. Space Patrol registry checks have also revealed that three other Free Trade ships touched down on Janus in the previous six months, and did not report back onto the trade circuit again, and must therefore also be presumed lost somewhere on Janus.

Space Patrol scouts report seeing one of the four missing ships operating near the Cluster, twenty-two systems distant from Janus, with no change in ship registration or call letters or sounding signals or any other identification marks. Attempts to intercept these vessels were unsuccessful. The Space Patrol security reports indicate no increase in pirate activity in the sector,  but is maintaining extra vigilance.

A final oddity, Multi-Cap has, within the past three weeks, apparently reversed their decision to refine Tatum-leaves off planet only, and is in the process of purchasing and arranging for the shipment and assembly of a chemical refining and distillation plant which will be established at Central City on the southern continent.

YOUR MISSION:Go to Janus and investigate the situation. Keep in mind your standing orders andneed for descreation. If Multi-Cap is dealing with an internal problem which they do not desire to share with the rest of the Federation, they are within their rights, to do so. The Fedearation IS NOT authorized to interfere with the internal affairs of any independent world unless and until such actions directly affect the Federation or the security of the Federation itself.

Therefore, your first priority must be to find out what happened to the missing ships. Intelliegnce believes this is the central core to whatever problem is developing on Janus. Seven ships set out for the interior of the southern continent and apparent did not return. Something is obviously wrong at this point. Multi-Cap may be reacting to an obvious threat which they believe they are capable of handling on their own. Whether this is true of not, it is imperative that the Federation know what happened to those ships.

If the situation is such that a threat to the government of Janus is developing, or such that Multi-Cap by itself cannot handle the problem, report this information, and act as you feel is best.

If Multi-Cap themselves are responsible for the lost ships, then such actions may constitute a threat to Federation security, and must be dealt with. You must determine what happened to those ships before you can reach any further conclusions.

Do not antogonize Multi-Cap or the planetary police if it can be avoided. Do not involve the Federation in any illegal altercation, and do not blow your cover unless it is absolutely necessary. Federation interference with independent planetary operations is frowned on by planetary governments and the Federation itself, even though such interference may be necessary from time to time.

Take a ship to Janus. Set down at Central City. Make it known that if your trading mission to the interior does not pan out that you might be interested in breaking up the crew, selling the ship and settling down as either plantation owners or merchants if this can be arranged. This will give you something to fall back on if your investigations in the interior do not produce tangible results. You have on deposit in your names, the sum of 10,000 credits each. Elect a team leader from among yourselves. Do not attempt contact with the Federation until the situation is resolved. Check the interior and if possible, check the exact locations those trade ships were supposed to have touched down. This problem must be unraveled before it develops into something major.

Background #2: A Multi-Cap executive has hired you to investigate unusual reports and information he has become privy to about Janus. He fears a scandal and wants to make sure that what ever the problem is Multi-Cap handles it correctly, cleans up the mess and comes out squeaky clean for profit and PR reasons. You are posing as owner operators of a cargo/privateer ship in a co-op shipping company (Co-op Logistics a little known small company headquartered on a Dralasite world).

Multi-Cap has lost at least one shipload of Tatum-leaves being hi-jacked in the past six-months, despite the usual high security procedures. (The executive suspects other ships have gone missing after expected shipments did not show up and no one seems to be able to find a few missing freighters.) Pirates are not unknown in this region however, they normally do not bother with secondary yield cargos such as this.

Using the one reported hi-jacking as an excuse, Multi-Cap has consigned and is shipping to Janus extra security armament for the planetary police and the company security force. Routine investigation of invoice-movement reveals that some of the items Multi-Cap is importing include heavy-duty laser cannon, sonic blast towers, magna-thrust land mines, and radiation blast torpedoes. Obviously this type of armament is well beyond the scope or need of a planetary police force in a peaceful farming society.

In addition, someone in Multi-Cap has ordered computer equipment, assorted in parts, in the amount of one full metric ton, gross weight. He finds this very suspicious.

He is worried the Federation will consider the construction of any computer over 3.5 metric tons in size an automatic act of war against the Federation, since there is NO other purpose which any computer unit that size could be used for except direct widespread military operations.

In addition, he knows private shipping company ships have been lost without a trace in the interior of the southern continent with in the last five months, he is unsure exactly how many, but he is worried the local Multi-Cap employees maybe hiding problems from corporate.

A final oddity, Multi-Cap has, within the past three weeks, apparently reversed their decision to refine Tatum-leaves off planet only, and is in the process of purchasing and arranging for the shipment and assembly of a chemical refining and distillation plant which will be established at Central City on the southern continent. This is something he is very concerned about as not being right.

If Multi-Cap is dealing with an internal problem he has no desire to share it with the rest of the Federation, they are within their rights, to handle their own problems. The Fedearation IS NOT authorized to interfere with the internal affairs of any independent world unless and until such actions directly affect the Federation or the security of the Federation itself. He wishes to make sure the Federation does not have a reason to interfere.

Therefore, your first priority must be to find out what happened to the missing ships. He believes this is the central to whatever problem is developing on Janus. Something is obviously wrong at this point. He admits local Multi-Cap authorities may be reacting to an obvious threat which they believe they are capable of handling on their own. Whether this is true of not, it is imperative that the he knows what happened to those ships and what is going on the planet that requires such a big computer.

If the situation is such that there is a threat to the government of Janus developing, or such that local Multi-Cap by itself cannot handle the problem, report this information at once to him.

If Multi-Cap themselves are responsible for the lost ships, then such actions may constitute a threat to Federation security and Multi-Cap, and he will see to it, it is dealt with by Multi-Cap personal form outside Janus.

Do not antagonize Multi-Cap or the planetary police if it can be avoided. Do not involve yourselves in any illegal altercation, and do not blow your cover or inform the Federation of any information with out his approval.

Take a ship to Janus. Set down at Central City. Make it known that if your trading mission to the interior does not pan out that you might be interested in breaking up the crew, selling the ship and settling down as either plantation owners or merchants if this can be arranged. This will give you something to fall back on if your investigations in the interior do not produce tangible results. You have on deposit in your names, the sum of 10,000 credits each. Elect a team leader from among yourselves. Do not attempt contact him until the situation is resolved. Check the interior and if possible, check the exact locations those trade ships were supposed to have touched down. This problem must be unraveled before it develops into something major.

Background #3: Your crew and you have heard there are hidden riches on Janus and talk of spacers from freight runs wondering what all the heavy weaponry is for.

PC’s will have no other information until arrival at port than “There be riches on Janus for the taking, if ye be brave mate. Multi-Cap knows it that is why all the weapons they foresee pirate problems once the ‘verse knows. If I was younger I would brave that Jungle world.” PC’s will have to discover everything on the their own. "If your making a run to Janus be extra safe, I heard that ships have been vanishing in their system."