Tactical Tuesdays: Airlock is Failing
STELLAR FREELANCERS — ADVENTURE: First designed for Worlds of Pulp™ The Skinny Complete Core Rules
“AIRLOCK 7 IS FAILING”
SUMMARY
The crew docks at a run-down station for routine refueling. Within minutes they stumble into a single catastrophic crisis: one airlock is about to explosively decompress—taking half the station with it. The freelancers are the only ones close enough to fix it.
This entire adventure is one continuous scene of tension, problem-solving, and action, designed to fill a full session.
LOCATION: BREAKWATER STATION
Breakwater Station was built cheap, retrofitted cheaper, and maintained by whoever’s unlucky enough to draw the short straw. The whole place hums like an overworked refrigerator.
The crew has just stepped off their ship when a deep, metallic groan rolls through the corridor—followed by a station-wide alarm.
THE SCENE — AIRLOCK 7 IS FAILING
Red strobes.
Screaming alarms.
The corridor trembles like it’s about to tear itself apart.
A voice crashes over the intercom:
“Structural integrity breach detected in Airlock Seven! Anyone nearby—secure it or evacuate immediately!”
Everyone nearby?
That’s you.
THE PROBLEM
Airlock 7’s inner door is jammed open.
The outer door seal is coming apart.
Atmospheric pressure is dropping fast.
A technician lies half-conscious against the wall—Rysi Ten, barely breathing, welding tools scattered.
“…pressure manifold… blew out… can’t reach the override…”
Sparks snap from a ruptured conduit.
Gravity flickers.
Wind pulls toward the airlock as the pressure differential worsens.
Every second counts.
THE OPTIONS (Players Choose Their Approach)
All options unfold in real time in THIS scene. The GM escalates danger every few minutes.
1. Mechanical Fix
Force the inner door shut manually.
Complications:
- Jammed track
- Twisted metal
- Sharp edges under high suction
- Door may slam unexpectedly
2. Systems Override
Reach the exposed control panel across the corridor.
Complications:
- Live electrical arcs
- Failing gravity
- Venting atmosphere pulling you off your feet
- Controls glitching from overload
3. Manual Seal at the Outer Door
Spacewalk from the exterior hull to patch the failing outer seal.
Complications:
- Rushed EVA
- Micro-meteoroid dust
- Airlock may pop before you’re ready
- Limited oxygen
4. Rescue Rysi
Stabilize the technician.
Complications:
- Rysi’s knowledge is vital
- Moving them risks both lives
- They can guide you—but only if conscious
Players can mix and match approaches.
Every decision shapes the rest of the scene.
ESCALATION (Use as Needed to Maintain Pace)
Every few minutes, worsen the situation:
- Gravity fluctuations increase
- The corridor tilts as structural supports fail
- Screws and small debris begin sliding toward the airlock
- A pipe bursts, spraying freezing coolant
- The outer door frame begins buckling audibly
If players stall, the danger spikes.
ENDINGS
SUCCESS: AIRLOCK SEALED
The inner door slams shut or the outer door is reinforced—either stops the decompression cascade.
Rysi, shaken but grateful, says:
“You folks saved this station from becoming scrap. I owe you one.”
Station Control acts annoyed but waives your docking fees.
You leave as quiet heroes.
PARTIAL SUCCESS: DAMAGE CONTAINED
You stop the catastrophic blowout but the airlock is totaled.
Breakwater Station is grateful—and furious—and sends the bill to Ventrox or whoever last serviced the lock.
The incident earns the crew a reputation.
FAILURE: AIRLOCK BLOWS
The corridor rips open.
Containment doors slam shut behind you.
You survive—but a chunk of Breakwater Station is gone.
Emergency crews swarm in.
You’re questioned heavily.
Fallout may follow you into future sessions.
CLOSING
One scene.
One disaster.
One bad day on a station held together by spit and prayer.
You came to refuel.
You leave with bruises, scorch marks, a shaken technician—
and another reminder that the galaxy isn’t safe…
…but it sure is interesting.
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