So finally got my act together and started a Blood in Space campaign - generally I like the ruleset but have added a few tweaks from other systems to smooth it out.
A Brief History and Geography Lesson
The year is 2832 by the Old Earth Date Standard.
Mankind has long since left the remains of the Earth and populated the stars, the species now augmented by bio-ware and cybernetic implants. These humans bare some, but not much, resemblance to their biological forebears and are, on the whole, smarter, faster and more driven to succeed.
Numerous species were encountered by mankind as it careered through the Milky Way in the early years of the 25th Century; all were either defeated or negotiated into supporting the fledgling empire and allowed varying levels of autonomy dependent on their risks and abilities.
400 years later and The Imperium spans 28 star systems and is controlled, at the highest levels, exclusively by humans supported by their own unquestioning army of Imperial Troopers, loyal to a man and extremely well trained, equipped and deadly.
The only species that may have challenged this dominance is the Union of the Marro, who are similarly able and warlike.
However, the Marro follow an extreme warrior cult disallowing them from seeking power, either as individuals or as a species. Consequently, they work as mercenaries, for honour, money and the love of conflict; The Imperium spends considerable funds on promoting that the Marro religion flourishes.
At a planetary level most systems have an overarching Imperial bureaucracy but actual government is left to each individual species; so long as the profits flow the Imperium allows high levels of autonomy.
This often leads to dissent between groups, power grabs and lawlessness in some quarters, and provides ample employment for the Marro.
On the fringes of all the systems exists a loose collective of organisations, large and small, legal and not so, including freelancers, smugglers, pirates, brigands and honest merchants who keep the wheels of industry and commerce moving freely.
And finally there are the Cybers.
Initially mere robots, these constructions have become increasingly self aware over the centuries to the point where they are now usually considered sentient. Most planets recognise that Cybers have the same rights as all other beings, but there are still some outlying planets where they are treated as slaves.
This slavery is enforced by the use of control chips which effectively firewalls all independent thought and causes the indentured Cyber to adopt a similar state of a non- thinking machine. Cybers released from this servitude report being fully aware of, but unable to control, their actions.
Such actions are frowned upon by the majority but, true to their word, The Imperium will not interfere with planetary politics or custom, and so the practice continues.
The Boudicca
Marek Adamis, ex Imperium soldier, has spent the past few years amassing a small amount of money working where he could on the fringe worlds.
He finally made enough to, with a substantial loan, buy and equip a small interstellar ship, The Boudicca.
He has recruited a small crew and set forth across the Galaxy to make a success of his latter days; success has some very specific measures:
1. Raise 40kC to pay back the banks.
2. Don’t get killed.
Marek lead the first 3 missions but suffered extreme burns facilitating the rescue of K1-L, a sentient combat cyber, a few weeks passed.
Whilst he recovers, which is likely to take a considerable number of months, he will act as pilot and guide to his more than capable crew. Marek has designated leadership of away missions to his Lieutenant from back in the day, George King, known to all by his nickname, Monarch.
During the extraction of K1-L the team came across, and recruited, Casper. He not only brought his Las Rifle but also a job, possibly very lucrative.
The job is to land outside the N7 military base on Planet 432-J and determine why it’s gone dark.
Intel suggests that a faction of Cybers may be responsible and could arrive whilst the team are planetside.