The Galactic Hitchhikers like to travel all around the Human Sphere for free, even if that means they sometimes stow away on a ship or two, taking advantage of blind spots in the security system. If they get caught they can get into trouble, but the real trouble starts when they see something they shouldn’t have, which is what happened to Nakia Usman, now pursued by some of the Sphere’s best agents. A situation in which it is not easy to follow the hitchhikers’ motto of ‘don’t panic’.
HASSASSIN HUSAM YASBIR
The subject of your attention, the Husam known as Yasbir, plays a prominent part in the spurious history-slash-mythos of the Hassassin Society. He supposedly spent most of his career as a Fiday, but he was so good that he kept escaping his ultimate fate, and never needed a replacement body. There are rumors that Yasbir’s presence can be traced back to the very origins of the Hassassin Society. If this is true, perhaps there is something to the legend that he was one of the first Fiday to operate under their banner. Some claim it was Yasbir himself who orchestrated the sect’s murderous vengeance against Khalaf ibn Ahmad, the imam who proclaimed a deadly fatwa against the founder of Haqqislam, Farhad Khadivar. It is widely assumed that Yasbir has a seat in the inner circle of the Hassassin Society, and that he is the right-hand man of the Old Man of the Mountain, the only person privy to the Old Man’s true identity. Some go as far as to suggest that Yasbir is none other than the Old Man of the Mountain himself, hidden in plain sight from other members of the Society to better keep tabs on them all. As far-fetched as this last theory sounds, there are enough unsettling coincidences in the chronology that it cannot be discarded.
A killer, a teacher, a philosopher, a counselor… Do not let any of these identities distract you from the one reality about Yasbir we can unmistakably confirm: that he is a Husam, a special agent of the Hassassin Society. Tracking him down is nigh impossible. No amount of effort will put you within striking distance of him. It will be he who approaches you but, by the time you realize something is wrong, his blade will be lodged between your ribs.
CHANDRA SERGEANT THRASYMEDES
Thrasymedes wistfully remembers the Steel Phalanx in the days before Achilles, when he fought in the regular forces of the Assault Subsection. Despite the fury and bloodshed, there was a certain strategy, a certain balance in the way the Corps conducted itself back then. But everything changed with the arrival of the blond titan. Achilles’ extraordinary tactical capabilities let him see opportunity where others see only disaster. However, his notorious wrath and ruthlessness also make him push the units under his command too far, often putting them in “all or nothing” positions. To alleviate the situation and minimize the risk, Thrasymedes specialized in advance and incursion actions, in which he draws hostile fire to gauge enemy forces and provide data to assess the tactical scenario with further precision.
What makes Thrasymedes a hero is that he is all about victory, and he will do anything for it. And “anything” is not an overstatement. It is believed that the explosive projectile that injured Achilles and halted his suicidal charge across the plains of Strackenz was fired by none other than Thrasymedes, who was worried that the hasty assault would weaken the flank threatened by Morat Vanguard Infantry. This theory has never been proven, however, and if Achilles shares it he doesn’t seem to hold any resentment. The ability to act independently and unilaterally is a valued trait among those who must work far from friendly lines. Nevertheless, this type of behavior is unnerving, and it seems likely that ALEPH would take steps to ensure Thrasymedes is under close control and scrutiny, perhaps as part of Atalanta’s secret assignments.
GALACTIC HITCHHIKER
It’s expensive to travel. Visiting other systems, and getting to know the Human Sphere firsthand, is an endeavor that requires expending a lot of Oceanas, but money should never be a limitation for those who are gifted with an adventurous spirit. As was common in every port in the old days, space routes are populated with individuals who have no roots, people who are constantly on the move and are just looking for passage to some new place. If they can obtain it for free, appealing to the good graces and the need for fellowship of lone pilots or crews who are sick and tired of seeing the same faces all the time, then that’s fantastic. However if they must roll up their sleeves and accept some unskilled job, they’ll do it without hesitation. These galactic hitchhikers are a very heterogeneous bunch and have little in common with each other. Some of them are trying to escape from their past, usually because of debts, some awkward responsibilities, or family obligations. Other hitchhikers are simply adventurers, curious souls who are always eager to see what’s around the corner and are avid for new experiences. But they all have in common a flexible and resilient character, they know how to adapt to any circumstance, and they never panic.
Unpredictable, opportunistic wanderers who suddenly pop up anywhere, many of these galactic hitchhikers are just a modern version of those roving construction day workers who would take jobs wherever they were available, while others bear the legacy of those writers of travel guides who would pave the way for other travelers. It was precisely the latter, ever willing to share their experiences, who founded the Galactic Hitchhikers Society. This motley crew is more of a network of like-minded people than a formal organization, and it will offer support to anyone who wishes to grab a towel and take to the space routes. Hitchhikers share their experiences, both on Maya and Arachne, offering other people advice and guidance about accommodations, dangers on the routes, which ships may be willing to ferry them, and the general condition of those ships.
Play the special mission by downloading this free PDF!
