The UPF recently adopted a policy of aggressive exploration in the star systems near inhabited Federation space. This policy has two primary aims. First, locate, catalog, and study planetary systems that offer promise for future colonization. Second, discover and report any evidence of Sathar occupation or exploration close to the civilized hub of the Frontier Sector. To this end, a number of research starships, capable of atmospheric maneuvering and hard landings, were built by the Plantery Survey Administration.

ELEANOR MORAES: Planetary Survey Administration, UPF Modified Exploration Ship
 

Hull Size:	3
Length:	40 meters; 50 meters with lander module; 60 meters with lander module's landing legs extended
Diameter:	24 meters (not including wing/engine mounts); 28 meters with lander module
Hatches:	2 hatches and 2 aircar hangar doors directly out; 3 hatches to lander module
Engines:	2 atomic; size A
ADF/MR:	4/3
Crew:	12

The Morae's atomic engines require frequent overhauls. The Moraes attaches to a modified freighter hull (size 4) that contains dozens of automatic survey satellites and four lander modules.
   The large diameter of Moraes-class ships permits increased deck space for a large crew and survey labs. The increased mass results in sluggish handling. Other than that, the Moraes is similar to a stubby assault scout with increased wing area.
   The bridge is designed for operation in both vertical (star drive) and horizontal (atmospheric) flight. All crew members and passengers must be on the bridge while the ship maneuvers in an atmosphere.

You were assigned to one of these starships, the Elneanor Moraes. The Moraes was given a survey mission in the regions beyound the Theseus system. During its one-year tour, the Moraes was to chart star routes and investigate unexplored planetary systems.
   After visiting one binary system without planets, you discovered a plantery system in the vicinity of a Waller Nexus (a black hole with atypical gravitational patterns and other unaccountable phenomena). After a brief and unenlightening approach to the Waller Nexus, the Moraes established orbit around the planet catalogued as Waller Nexus FS 24.3, named "Mahg Mar."

MAHG MAR Mahg Mar is a beautiful planet with an abundance of water and oxygen and a favorable climate for life. Indeed, the rich greens of the continental masses were visible from orbit, and there was much enthusiasm and anticipation for a first-hand look at the planet. The bioscience reports suggested substantial probability of higher life forms.
   Thorough mapping and remote study of the planet was made from orbit. Then an automatic survey satellite was placed in orbit. It will transmit various information back to the Planetary Survey Administration.
   The Moraes carries many such satellites and several larger lander modules in a modified freighter hull. Leaving the freighter hull in orbit, the Moraes landed with a lander module. Work began immediately to overhaul the atomic star drives.
   Though tests revealed mildly toxic compounds in the atmosphere, Captain Marlboro gave permission for an airship survey of the neighboring region. After one of the Moraes' star drives was overhauled, preparations for an airship flight began.

SURVEY AIRSHIP
 

Cost:	10,000 Cr (rental not available)
Top/Cruise Speed:	100 kph/50 kph
Passengers:	20
Cargo Limit:	1000 kg in 100 cubic meters
Range:	20,000 km; multi-fuel turbine engine

These semi-rigid lighter-than-air vehicles are used primarily for survey and colonization. Their economical operation, high cargo capacity, extensive range, and low­tech design make them useful and versatile.
   Two gondolas and collapsible flotation chambers are carried in hangars in each lander module. Gondolas are custom­designed for specific applications.
   Survey robots act as tugboats for the assembly, inflation, mooring, and remote landing of these airships. To safely operate an airship, the pilot needs a level 4 technician skill.

Early this morning, an airship mooring tower was set up outside the ship. Then one of the airships was removed from its hangar in the lander module and inflated. Giving orders orders to avoid contact with possibly-intelligent inhabitants of the planet, the Captain climbed aboard. At 8:00, with a survey robot as escort, you set out in the airship on a short overflight of the local terrain. The first officer, Bill Terry, and three other crew men, stayed on board to overhaul the other star drive.

THE CRASH

While cruising over the rugged ridge-and­valley terrain northwest of the Moraes the survey robot suddenly attacked your airship! In seconds, the fragile airship was sen­ously damaged and rapidly losing altitude. With an emergency override from the air­ship's control panel, Engineer Innesti swiftly deactivated the robot. However, the dam­age had already been done.
   The captain and engineer valiantly strug­gled to maintain control of the plummeting craft long enough for you to jump to safety with parawings. The engineer left the ship too late to get full use of his parawing, and the captain rode the crippled ship to the ground in a futile attempt to soft-land it. Both were seriously injured.    Fortunately, your landings were not widely scattered, and everyone gathered at the scene of the crashed airship in a mailer of minutes.

MUTINY!

The radiophone transmitter in the airship gondola was destroyed in the crash, and the transmission range of your chronocoms is too limited to reach the Moraes. However, Bill Terry established contact from the ship. His message was brief.

"I directed the survey robot's attack on the airship. I am very sorry if there were casualties. I have taken command of the mission and the ship. We have no place on this planet. We have not yet learned to live in harmony with ourselves, and everywhere are the idiot signs of our passing. I cannot allow you to bring news of this Eden back to those who would exploit it. I regret the necessity of abandoning you here. I comfort myself with the knowledge that you will be given a chance to learn to live in harmony with the natural forces here. The sacrifice is amply justified if the creatures of this planet are allowed to grow and develop without further interference. I wish you luck and godspeed."

With that, he signed off. Three other crew members remain on the Moraes, but there is no way to discover their fate. Approximately 48 more hours of work are necessary to complete the overhaul, if Terry does it by himself. If Terry simply aborts the overhaul, reassembles the engines, and attempts to lift off, he runs a serious risk of destroying the Moraes.
   This, of course, presumes that Terry intends to escape with the ship. Given his recent behavior, he may be unbalanced enough to destroy the ship and himself with it. His sudden transformation is hard to understand. A quiet and efficient officer, he has shown no previous signs of mental instability, though he has, on occasion, expressed philosophical doubts about "our manifest destiny" in space.

SITUATION ANALYSIS

Captain Marlboro and Engineer Innesti are seriously injured. The flotation chambers of the airship are damaged beyond repair. The airship's gondola is quite damaged, but still in one piece, thanks to Captain Marlboro's heroic efforts. It may still be airtight.
  You must regain control of the Moraes and find out what has happened to Terry and the other crew members. lf Terry lifts off, you'll be stranded here. To recover the ship, you must cross 80 kilometers of an alien planet, facing unknown flora, fauna, and other natural obstacles.
   Once you arrive at the Moraes, Terry may use the offensive resources of the ship against you. He has at his disposal at least two other survey robots, the security programs of the ship, and anything else he can improvise in the meantime. With the survey robots, Terry can monitor and attack you as you approach. You have only your personal weapons, skills, and wits. Terry may be irrational, and willing to destroy the Moraes rather than allow you to recapture it.