I like the sound of that Marco, be a fair bit of work on your end I imagine though, but it does sound like a good solution
Neat, another vote.
It probably is going to be a bit complex, but I'm getting ideas.
how readily Quickdraw can swap his work schedule back around in a couples months time I wouldn't know.
Probably more easily than changing it back again just after having just made all the arrangements to change it.
However, whatever the answer is, the unfortunate truth is that it's one thing to be making concessions while we've got two people who can't make Thursdays but it's less workable to be making concessions for just one player.
With both Turlough and Grizbain having established relationships with Overseer Katia Bayev (and each other) that were significantly structured to lead straight into my campaign, my core recommendation would be to confine the adventure to the space station I believe we're currently aboard and the planet below (if it orbits one). Meaning it can act as a good "while we're waiting for transport, this also needs looked at".
If I remember correctly, Port Alcis is a stand alone station. And, seeing as it's Koval's brainchild, I'm wary of writing too much of it for a story.
What I have in mind would probably involve a stop along the way. Perhaps the warp travel equivalent of a train or plane change - we're more likely to be travelling commercially than privately, as the Inquisition can't have private or commandeered ships for running around every last group of agents.
And as warp journeys can take days or weeks in real time, one might imagine that a changeover wouldn't be too hasty a process.
From there, we have a reasonable justification to use a new setting, but still fit it within the previously planned timeline.
But if necessary, I did briefly introduce Interrogator Regin (better known as "Gala") for the one-shot the other week*. (The justification there was that she'd been meeting with Fabian in Lyra's stead - she mentioned there'd been discussion of our team, but that probably wasn't the core reason for their meeting. Likely far more important and secret things).
I wouldn't feel
too guilty about suggesting that she had taken the liberty of 'suggesting' an alternative route so she could borrow the team along the way.
I imagine Bayev might not be best impressed, but ultimately Gala is effectively second in command to Inquisitor Rhodes**, so it is sort of within her remit.
* It didn't come up, but she does have a DH character sheet. Which, amongst other things, includes a +30 bonus to cooking.
** This reminds me. Regarding the question of putting the team in the hands of a more 'neutrally-owned' character than Rhodes, an alternative short of reassigning the team to another Inquisitor would be introducing another Interrogator/Overseer/Arch-Master/etc for Inquisitor Rhodes that we could collectively write.
Put the team under them in the hierarchy, and then other GMs can be more confident about having the boss in the story if they want.