The airraft comes to a halt, descending towards the ground.  Unlike the boxy, functional design of Profit Margin's utility vehicle, the Aslan vehicle is a sleek ovoid, in gold, with black trim around the edge of the open crew and passenger compartment.  Some sort of inscription in flowing red alien text runs along the black border.

The craft has no sharp edges, just smoothly rounded curves.

There are two male Aslan in the vehicle, one at the controls, and one carrying an autorifle of some sort.  Like the vehicle, the weapon is all curves, and has more of the writing along the barrel.

The one with the gun snarls something to the Aikhahehtarl, who raises one hand and growls back at him.  The Aslan sets down the rifle, and jumps down, while the vehicle is still two metres above the ground.  He moves across to assist his leader.

Tylen smiles at the Doctor's message,

"Well looks like the Doc's decision, We'll have to split up."

He looks over at Saskia.

"Up to you Sask, you got seniority. Who goes with the wounded, who stops here and who finishes the delivery?"

"Yas outranks me, at least as far as this crew goes, so I'll leave it up to her." Saskia responds to Tylen, "But I don't know why we have to go with the wounded -- they're big boys, I'm sure they know how to find illegal medical care better than we do."

"Well, see it like this.  If we go with them, they'll end up in the hands of the authority - if they get that far alive, that is.  I'm sure they'll get treatment before being tossed into jail or whatever.  But, if our new friends want them to slip, which if I got it right just a moment ago, they won't do as they won't let this pass without notice, well, then let these vermin get back on their own accord, seeking care or not.  If their morals lets them ditch wounded companions then that's their call.  I could not care less," Yas explains and looks over the prisoners with a cold stare.

"And if we go with them, I say it'll be up to meself and Ty, at least two guns.  Possibly you too, Doc, if you think they need more pampering.  So, what do you say, good folks?  Let them go or turn them in?" she asks the Aslan and company, making sure to avoid getting their names wrong.

"I believe myself capable of handling the wounded, at the very least," Shui offers quietly, not wishing to cause a commotion.  "But the wounded are not capable of handling themselves, alone.  I could bring them to whatever doctor they require or wish."  She studies both of her patients.  "I seriously doubt they could inconvenience me, given their conditions, leaving the rest of our group free to do as they please.  As for the rest of these bandits, I fully trust whatever decision you make, Ms. Crow."

Yas certainly was not about to abandon them out here sans food, water and weapons.  With that in mind, Shui is confident the security officer won't simply throw the men to the dogs, so to speak.

"We are guests upon this world," Hioilsal answers, after a brief consultation with the Aikhahehtarl, during which the female does most of the talking, apparently explaining the situation, "therefore, we would follow the local legal protocols."

"We would be prepared to transport the wounded, if doing so would inconvenience you further, and deliver them to the authorities, who would surely see that they receive medical treatment, so that they can be tried."

"Very well, they will be delivered to the authorities.  As for our delay mattering or not, I will have to ask you, Tylen, since it is your mission.  Shall we drop these misfits off first or shall we press on?" Yas queries the gunner of Profit Margin.

"Once that's settled you can decided for yourself, doc, but I'm sure our new friends will manage," she adds.

Tylen again inclines his head in respect to the Aslan,

"That's surely a great help, it does make our lives a great deal easier, thank you."

He nods at Yas, keeping his eye on his charges.

"Well that leaves us two vehicles and enough room to squeeze these boys in. We either split up and send them back to town under guard while I finish the delivery, or we take them back and then start again. I vote we split up, we'll get both jobs finished quicker and we can get back before Jago starts to fret about what we've done with his vehicle!"

Shui waits for Tylen to make the decision, then answers Yasmine's question.  "Both of the injured are in no immediate danger - they would certainly be safe if taken immediately to town and released into the care of the authorities.  I would prefer to remain with the crew, as further medical attention may be necessary."

Hopefully not, but one never knows.

"But should someone be needed to assist bringing them in, I can certainly help with that."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:13, Tue 27 Jan 2009.

"Good, you stay with us then, Doc, not sure how many would fit into the vehicle with two injured prisoners and all our new Aslan friends anyway," Yas says with a grin, indicating the Aslan rescue vehicle.  "The rest we'll leave here with ammo scattered and vehicle temporarily disabled, as per Sas idea."

"Enough talkimg then, let's get to it.  Do you deed, Sassy, and we'll do ours," she adds and begins to hurl ammo as wide and far as she can.

"Think of it as a treasure hunt," she tells the prisoners with a bleak grin.  "Will you find it first or will something find you first?  Fun for free, today only."

Standing, Shui moves to the vehicle, reaches down, and removes the laser-shot man's slugthrower.  Walking back to Yasmine, she absently removes the clip, jacks the first round from the chamber, then levers the slide from the weapon.  Laying the pistol on a rock in two pieces, she slips the round back in the magazine, hands the ammunition to Yasmine - the marine seems to take great pleasure in chucking said munitions as far as possible - then moves back for a final check on her patients.

Tylen smiles and watches the fun as he covers the prisoners, adding helpful comments....

"Hey Yas, betcha can't hit that big grey rock that looks like Jago's nose, it's gotta be a good 100 metres!"

"I can't toss crap 100 metres, goofhead," Yas replies to Ty with a grin, "but I sure can try to hit it.  Care to see who gets closest?  Winner buys the other a beverage of their choice, one pitcher."

She hefted a clip in her hand and held out another, near identical towards Tylen as an offer on the bet.

Tylen swaps the grip on his carbine and takes the clip in his left.

"I'll give it a shot, but I'm a might rusty with the left hand."

He hefts the clip and throws it, missing the rock by a few metres.

"As they say, close only counts in horeshoes and handgrenades so it looks like the beer's on me."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:38, Thu 29 Jan 2009.

Yas grins at the other gunner and then hurls her clip with all her might, which is a fair deal.  It sails through the air and towards the rock...

...only to land beyond it, at what appears to be the same distance as the clip Tylen threw.

"Hmph.  Looks like a draw, possibly, unless you want to surrender.  Anyone want to check, someone impartial?"

She glances over at Sushi and Sassy.

Tylen laughs,

"As a gentleman I shall accept your ruling. Tell you what, you buy me a beer and I'll buy you one."

He looks around,

"But let's get this show on the road, we've been paid for a job and I'm sure the Boss man will worry if we're really late back. How long until the car is disabled Ms Blake?"

"Fair enough," Yas chuckles and resumes tossing the last of the ammo hither and dither.

"Well, that was fun," she says as the last is spread wide and turns to the prisoners again.  "Soon time for your treasure hunt.  Play nice now!"

Shui smiles at the end decision, nodding slightly at Yasmine's glance.  "A tie seems appropriate, given the circumstances," she calls back.  Hardly surprising, really, coming from her.

Standing, she moves to where the Aikhahehtar sits, bowing to him and Hioisal,both.  "Sir," she begins quietly, knowing it will be translated.  "I hope you recover quickly from your inconvenience."  Turning, she stares directly into Hioisal's curious, alien eyes.  "And our thanks for your assistance."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:16, Thu 29 Jan 2009.

With a total of four Aslan, the human guide, and two wounded prisoners inside it, the alien's vehicle is definitely crowded, to the point where there is certainly no room for Shui.  It looks as though Profit Margin's will have to depend on the Aslan to see that the prisoners are given medical treatment.

Shui speaks to the Aikhahehtarl, with the aid of Hioilsal, "With respect, it is we who should thank you.  Had you not assisted us, things might not have turned out well for us.  The Aikhahehtarl requests that you provide an address, or the name of a ship, where we can contact you, or one of your friends."


Meanwhile Yas and Tylen scatter the last of the would-be assassins' ammunition as far afield as they can, while Saskia removes several key components from the power systems of both of the criminals' vehicles.  The parts are too fragile to risk throwing at randomly selected boulders, at least if the vehicles are going to be repairable, so the engineer settles for simply standing them all on top of a nearby rock.

Even so, it will take the men some time to replace the parts and recalibrate them.

Then, just for good measure, she reverses the polarity on the power transfer nodes, to give the people making the repairs something else to think about.

Taken by surprise by the Aikhahehtarl's praise upon their group, Shui bows in the manner of her people, a small nod, her palm open, thumb touching the center of her chest.  "You do us great honour," she replies, warmth suffusing her.  With Hioilsal's words it finally hits home: success.  Assistance granted, lives saved...for what more could she ask?

And yet at the same time, a hint of caution rises.  Is it safe to give the name of the ship so freely?  Not that the Aikhahehtarl or Hioilsal would do them wrong - she things - but if Profit Margin's involvement is bandied about...

Mentally, the doctor pushes back the training of her early years.  Enough.  Stop seeking danger where none may exist.  What would Jago do?  WWJD handles any number of circumstances, and Shui ponders the situation from her knowledge of the point of view of their Captain.  A name known in gratitude might provide opportunities for the Profit Margin where none existed before.  It may open new doors.

"Our ship is the Profit Margin," she replies, "currently at berth in the spaceport."  Another small bow, this time her customary incline.  "But in truth, I am personally grateful for your assistance in bringing the injured to medical assistance.  I do not wish to leave my shipmates, but duty demands I ensure the safety of all my patients."

Saskia finishes her work on the second vehicle, and wipes her hands on her thighs.  Not that a modern vehicle, like the grav bike has much in the way of moving parts, grease, or oil, but it's an old habit; a kind of ritual which signifies the completion of the job.

"All done here.  If Jago were to ask me how long it would take to fix, I'd tell him an hour, and do the job in fifteen minutes." she says, with a grin, "But I know exactly what I did, so it will probably take these drannits about twice that to sort it all out.  Which will give the Aslan time to get home well ahead of them."

Then she fishes a fistful of parts out of her pocket, "Oh, and I stripped these out of their comms, in case they get any ideas about calling ahead to arrange a reception committee for our friends.  I'm going to keep them.  Maybe get them turned into jewellery.  Look, this one's a pretty color."

Shui watches with interest as Saskia straightens from her work, going through her own peculiar little rituals.  While the doctor might not understand the specifics, she certainly grasps the concept - Yasmine likely would as well, and Tylen.  Rituals are important.  She carries them out, herself.

She did catch one or two things of what the engineer did, having a layman's passing knowledge of technical systems.  There was that berth she took where they needed an assistant to the engineer, just to pass tools if nothing else...I should ask her for a refresher course, so to speak, the doctor considers.  It could be useful.

"A good plan.  Both with Jago and this situation," she calls out, still standing before the Aslan.  "Perhaps we can look over your...acquisitions en route to our destination?"

After all, the parts might go well with Saskia's coat.

"All right then, let us not keep our new 'friends' waiting, I am certain they are eager to start their little treasure hunt.  We all got places to be and all that jazz, so we best be on our way," Yas says with a wide grin and begins to march towards the raft when she stops to look back at the new 'friends'.

"Remember, there are no dangerous animals around here, apart from a few.  So no need to rush, enjoy the nature and remember to expect the unexpected wherever you go.  Oh, and do find another line of work, m'kay?"

Final goodbyes are said, with Hioilsal assuring Shui that she will be in touch, if only to assure the doctor that the injured men were safely delivered to somewhere that they can find medical care.

The Aslan vehicle, with its full load of passengers and crew lifts into the air, circles once, and takes off towards the starport, its attendant city, and the local manifestation of Law and Order.  With the criminals disarmed and immobilised (at least temporarily), Profit Margin's crew sets off soon after the the aliens, but in the opposite direction, more or less.

Almost before the airraft is off the ground, the gang are hurrying to search for their ammunition among the boulders and crevices.  None of them has the decency to thank Yas for her helpful advice.  One of them, though, does wave goodbye to the departing merchant crew.  At least, it might be a wave, if local custom dictates that you wave with just one finger extended...

Conrad checks his course against the directions they were given, and continues to work his way around the hills in an effort to hold the airraft at a comfortable altitude, taking into account the rough terrain and the atmospheric quality.

With luck, the remainder of the journey should go without incident.  Unless Shui, Yas, and Saskia get into a fight over the collection of electronic components.

Conrad grins at Tylen, "Shouldn't be too long now."

Tylen nods, switching the Las back to safe before stowing it safely between his knees.

"Be good to get the job done, the cash is handy, but i don't like having an obligation hanging over me."