“I see that you are using the alternative definition of ‘non-lethal’,” Jago comments on seeing Yasmin pass his open door, though it’s hardly unexpected and he can’t help but grin.

“Just don’t go leaving a bunch of dead children on my conscience OK.”

"Who, me?  Oh, these?  Yes, I am planning on keeping people from making me having to resort to non-lethal stuff.  I haven't got any anyway, short of my fists and feet and the like.  Perhaps we should invest in some tranqs for the ship's 'armoury'?" Yasmine replies with a grin of her own.  Then she grows serious and even gloomy.

"I won't."  Short, abrupt words.


_{Edited to correct silly typo.  ;)}
This message was last edited by the player at 18:54, Sat 04 Mar 2006.

Tylen looks up for a moment as well considering. "Let me forward a list of our passengers so that you can identify them when your people come across them."

Tylen tapped at the display next to him and brought up the passneger list, then hits the transmit button. "You should be recieving the file now...that should help in any event. Thank you for your time Port'."

He then gets up from the station and walks through towards his cabin. He spies Yas on the way, looking like she's ready for fallout and sniper nests. He simply smiles to himself, hearing Yas defending her outfit, he gives her a thumbs up on the way by.

Jago acknowledges the statement with a nod and turns back to his work.

OOC
Jago has different types of rounds for his stub guns, possibly a throw back to the previous game. Are the available in this one? I’ll make some adjustments if not.

It doesn't take long.  Less than an hour after Yas spoke to him on the comm, Miles Janur arrives at the foot of the ramp, with five companions, one of them probably his wife, and three of them almost certainly his children, since they all have the exact same orange-red hair as he does.  Two boys and a girl, seemingly aged abot eight to twelve standard years, with the girl being the youngest.  The final member of the party is an older woman, who seems to be constantly watching the children.

Mr and Mrs Janur positively scream "money", from the cut of their clothes, to the Dinomn Crystals at Mrs Janur's throat, and even down to the tasteful genuine designer brand luggage.  The woman with them is less luxuriously outfitted, and reeks of "servant".

"Miles Janur and party, ready for boarding, Captain." the man addresses Tylen, smiling happily.

OOC: Viola!  Six High Passengers.  One more to arrive, plus two groups of three corpsicles er... Low Passengers.  Profit Margin will ship out with a full passenger manifest.  With any luck she'll arrive with one too.

Jago, yes, you have different ammo types for the snubs.  Including stuff that won't even cause a bruise, but will incapacitate trouble-makers.

Shui's thin brow positively disappears, it rises so high.  "One babysits children, Mr. DeSant," she states archly.  "You, most certainly, do not fall into that catagory."  Another small smile, then.  "Until tomorrow?"

Hurrying off, she reflects on his reluctance to exercise today.  The doctor hopes that won't be the case in the future.  Well, he needs to get into the routine, to the point where he will miss not doing the exercises.  Then things will become much easier.

She is definitely at the hatch, waiting to greet the passangers when they arrive.  Since Tylen has been selected by the man, she steps back, allowing the new crewmember to take the lead for the moment, all the while assessing their clients.  Yes...these will take some work.  The children especially - she doesn't want them getting into the Low Berth room.

Fortunately, Shui has activated the locking mechanism for that door and, as an added precaution, set her dataglove to warn her should it be opened; unlocked by Crew or bypassed by clever fingers makes no difference.

What was it with people, assuming that the captain always were there to meet them?  Maybe she could shoot him, just a little...  He seems rich enough to afford have a few pellets plucked from his luxuriously clad aft.

The thought is gone as quickly as it has entered her mind and Yas chuckles quietly where she stands.  "Captain Quad".  It has a certain ring to it, but, no, not a scout.  They barely obey themselves, after all, let alone commanding a whole ship.

But she keeps quiet and allows Quadman to handle this as he see fits.  It might be fun to watch.  So she smiles brightly and turns to look at him (naturally keeping an eye on the others as well another eye open for any sign of trouble).

The Janurs, and their servant (a nanny?) make their way up the ramp, and stand before the (supposed) captain of Profit Margin.  Apart from Miles, himself, they all seem a little subdued, especially the children.  "Can somebody show us to our cabins, Captain?  We have had a busy night, and little sleep.  We are a little tired."

"Is that all luggage you are bringing, sir, ma'am?" Yasmine asks, seeing how very little they seemed to bring.  It appears as if they are really spooked if they abandon so much just to get here early.  "You were told it is up to a ton a person, right?"

She looks at the kids.  Quite subdued.  If she knew more about the little creatures she might have been able to cheer them up a little, but as it is, she probably will just scare them if she attempts something.

Still saying nothing about calling Quadman the captain she leaves it to him to clarify things, wanting to see how he handles it.  It seems as if he was a bit taken by surprise by it, or perhaps he simply tries to think of what to say.

"Jago?" Conrad pokes his head around the edge of the cabin door, "Got that course y'all wanted, all set up ready.  Want me to call Traffic and get the flight clearance set?  If'n we got us a lift time figured out, that is?"

He smiles, "If'n we time it jus' right, we'll be able to give the passengers a look at a big ol' Darrian cruiser in low orbit, an' if'n the timin's only a bit out, I could still fix it so they'll see it, if y'all want 'em to, but jus' not so close."

Jago pulls the cigar from his mouth, “good job Conrad, the rest of the passengers should be aboard within the hour, and we’d better leave half an hour for Shui to get the low births bedded down, so lets say, lift off at 10.30 local time.”

“I won’t forget this place in a hurry,” the captain says with a sigh, “it’s not their fault that we got news of the war here, but it’s changed everything.”

Tylen almost choked when they addressed him as captain. He'd often felt he could one day captain a ship but as it were, that would be a long way off. He looked up at them with a smile. His glance flickered to Yasmine for a second and then as he fumbled for a moment, he recovered and turned to the newcomers, "Unfortunately in light of recent events, Captain Lanza is preoccupied at the moment. However it is a pleasure to have you aboard, I am Tylen Orgesh and this is Chief of security, Yasmine Crow, welcome. I ask that you relinquish any weapons you may have to us for the duration of the trip, they will be returned to you on arrival. Our ship's steward, Shui Tiesi, will show you to your berths and I would be happy to see to your luggage."

He never felt good in the spotlight...

Shui takes a longer look at their guests, and immediately steps forward.  She doesn't try to cut into Yasmine or Tylen's conversation with Miles - intstead, she makes a beeline for his wife.  "Allow me to take that, Mrs. Janur," she says quietly, taking the woman's luggage from her and putting it down at the top of the ramp.  "Please everyone, just put your luggage down here and we will take care of it."

"Let me assist you get settled.  Should you wish, I will deliver some hot drinks to your cabins - an herbal tea, perhaps, or something stronger."

She feels sick at her first concerns regarding the children - these people are about one step short of being refugees, and obviously came with the barest minimum for their trip.

Pulling the cuffs straight on the worn and slightly grubby, olive green bomber jacket he always wore, Jago moves to his cabin doorway and from where he can see through to the top of the ramp and beyond to the hatch that leads to the passenger accommodation. At least, he can when the hatch is open, right now it’s closed, as it should be. The rack of four cutlasses standing next to it is somehow reassuring, but even so, Jago can’t help the feeling that things are running just a little out of control, and for all his polite manners, and friendly ways, he does like to be in control.

Closing his cabin door behind him, Jago moves forward towards the bridge, fishing a new cigar from his pocket as he goes.

Once settled in the familiar comfort of his pilot’s chair, Jago sets to work preparing for the launch.

“Saskia, launch will be in one hour thirty, if all goes to plan, are you good with the?” he asks over the intercom to engine room.

As he does so, he keys in Lieutenant Sauntorri’s comm. Number on the ship to shore line, to check on any last minuet Naval Intelligence.

Saskie responds to Jago's call, "Ready when you are, Jago.  Everything is humming just fine down here."

It is too.  Smooth as silk.  As she hits the off toggle on the comm, she plants her feet flat on the deck, spreading and clenching her toes, feeling the vibrations in the plates.  Then she walks across to stand between the M-drives, currently just ticking over in standby mode, her arms reaching out so that she is able to touch both units.

Smiling, she murmurs, "Soon.  Soon."

She manages to resist the temptation to kiss them, just for luck.

Ah... I'm sorry for the confusion, Mister Orgesh.  We have no weapons, I'm afraid, so if you were set here to collect such, then I'm afraid we have wasted your time."  Janur turns and offers Yas a shallow bow, "Your's too, Miss."

He seems glad to put down the suitcase, but a little reluctant to leave it.  "We were well aware of the luggage allowance, and had packed considerably more.  Then, last night, the company which was to bring us here called to announce that they'd be unable to do so.  We were up all night repacking, to get as much as we could into hand luggage."

"When we heard the news this morning though, we were glad that we had.  It allowed us to make an early start.  The rest of our belongings will be sent on to us at the first available opportunity."

Finally he steps away from the suitcases, though not without a last, lingering look, and makes to follow Shui to the family's cabins.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:24, Thu 09 Mar 2006.

"No need to apologise, sir.  Sorry to hear about the luggage," Yasmine says and stands aside to let them enter.  She still keeps an eye on them as she does not trust anyone except herself completely.  It is doubtful, she thinks, that they will get much, if anything, sent later, if it will be as bad as people seem to think now.  On the other hand, this might be the exception and perhaps the whole war will miss this place.  It is impossible to say beforehand.

"You can feel safe aboard Profit Margin, sir," she calls out as they leave with Sushi, feeling she can at least try to put them at ease.  It is true too - no one and nothing well get aboard withotu permission as long as Yasmine Crow, Security Chief and First Gunner on the Free Trader Profit Margin is alive.

She is the woman for the job, after all, and her private armoury bears witness of this.

"Please follow me," Shui requests.  "I will deal the the suitcases momentarily, but first, let us get you to the cabins.  Yes, please leave them - once I have you in your rooms, I will come back and get them for you, it is no trouble at all."

It is, after all, her job.  To make them feel comfortable.  If any resist leaving their bags, if they carry them, she doesn't protest.  That's up to them.

Whatever makes them feel safe.

Their cabins are not, in fact, very far.  SR3 through 8.  Shui, going by a suggestion, chooses the last few cabins for the children, effectively giving them the passenger's lounge but keeping them further away from Corlan.  Ushering them in, she turns to Janur.  "The medical bay can be found on the other side of the ship, almost diametrically opposite of here.  There is a sign, it's impossible to miss, but it's easier to simply place a call on the ship's intercom."  Calling the guests over, she demonstrates the use of the intercom, and carefully impresses the fact that it is for emergencies and to call her only.

"Please do not hesitate to call me if there is anything you need," she finishes after showing them their rooms and the amenities.  "I shall bring your bags, now."

Tylen looks about as Shui comes back to the top of the ramp, then says to Yas, "Yas, it's quiet for now.  I'm going to help Shui with the bags.  I'll be back in a minute, just give a shout if, you know, any trouble starts that you can't handle."  Then he adds, with a grin, "Not that I'd be any help, but I'd like to see sommething you can't handle, because I bet it'd be spectacular."

He crosses over to the bags and picks up the largest, "Wow!  What's he got in here?  Iridium ingots?"

Yasmine laughs quietly at Tylen and then gives him her full, predatory grin.

"There's nothing I can't handle."

"Well, except possibly the shower running out of hot water."

"Or no more hot cocoa."

"Or a doctor with cold hands."

"Or..."

She winks at him and returns to her duty to watch for trouble, chuckling to herself.  As she hears him battling the bag, she calls out without looking, "Perhaps it's paperback novels for the trip.  You know, the cheap kind that should be banned!"

She hardly thinks it is, but it is better to have such thoughts than to think that it is probably the last of what they value and still can manage to bring with them.

Jago examines his boards with a certain satisfaction; he’s accustomed to perfection on the engineering displays, but is delighted to see the navigation details are just as accurate.

“Right then Conrad, pre-flights, you read them out, I’ll check them off,” Jago could do this on his own, or just leave it to the computer, but e wants to engaged navigator in the process feeling that’s it’s much better the he be involved, rather than just checking that the ship doesn’t stray off course.

Shui gives Tylen a quick, thankful smile, then carefully picks up one of the bags.  She frowns, surprised at the weight, then takes another one, figuring she can handle two.  She can, but it's difficult.  "Perhaps not iridium," the Doctor murmurs, "but iron?  Possibly."

"Ms. Crowe is, indeed, eminently suitable to handle any problem.  Including the spectacular ones."  This, as she struggles past Yasmine under the weight of the bags.  "But you should be more careful with that smile, Ms. Crowe.  Your deadliest weapon should only be used in the most dire of circumstances."  A weak smile accompanies the weak attempt - the bags are proving to be almost too much for Shui.

"And I assure you, I shall keep my hands warm in the future.  Have they been cold?  Mr. Orgesh, might you throw in your opinion on the matter?"

Once more Yas chuckles, this time grinning at Sushi.

"This smile?  That's only the calm before the storm.  A decoy.  I wouldn't dream of using the weapon here," she explains and nods solemnly.  "I'd help with the bags, but I'm on duty.  Too bad..."

...Caution isn't here when you need him.  Darn, stay focused, girl, she concludes in her thoughts.

"Too bad them ladies took the powerloader with them after they finished the loading, eh?" she jokes, even if there is the tiniest crack in the grin.

"Sure thing, Jago," Conrad drawls, calling up the checklists on his board, and scanning through them.  He whistles, long and low, "Well now, either things changed a heckuvalot in the last coupla weeks, or y'all've had some serious upgrades 'round here."

He highlights the first item on the list, "Okay then, let's jus' start at the top, shall we?"

"Main Power Grid?"

A little over an hour, that's all it takes.  The passengers are aboard by then, Marriel Korson, the final high passenger, going to visit her family, plus the six low passengers, two groups of three, on their way to a trade conference of some sort.  Those two groups almost come to blows on the ramp.  They work for rival companies, and unfortunate timing sees them arriving at the docking bay within moments of each other.  Still, things calm down, once Shui gets them settled into the cold berths.

Jago and Conrad run the preflights, pulling Saskia into the loop at the appropriate stage, and coordinating with her as she brings the drives from "standby" mode to "active".

Yas and Tylen lock everything, give the cargo a final check, then take their gunnery positions, in accordance with standing orders that the weapons must be manned (or womanned, in Yas' case) any time the ship is in flight.

Shui informs Jago that the passengers are all secure, and returns to her quarters to ensure that no delicate medical equipment will be shaken loose and damaged if they encounter turbulence.  Everything looks to be fine.

Clearances are obtained, and Profit Margin lifts, rising through the dirty yellow-orange clouds of Vilis and clawing her way into the clean vacuum of space.

As promised, Conrad plots a not-too-close flyby of the Darrian cruiser, and Jago relays it to the passenger cabins, for those who are interested.  It's not the biggest ship around, but at fifty thousand displacement tons it's still pretty impressive.  A rough cylinder, some 40 metres in diameter and 560 in length, a very careful passive sweep with the mass detector turns up a figure of around 675,000 tonnes, and, from here, an awful lot of that seems to be guns.

Profit Margin moves out, slowing as it reaches the Jump Limit, since Jago, like many other captains, prefers a standing Jump to a running one.  Less complications with momentum at the other end.  Energy cascades through the lanthanum hull grid, briefly limning the ship in blue-white radiance... then there is nothing but a rapidly expanding, and fading, halo of light.  A photon boom.  As far as the rest of Universe is concerned, Profit Margin no longer exists...