Tylen grins as the abbot names his god in  benediction ...  sounds just like a strangled sneeze.. runs through his mind as Shui takes over.  Fortunately the one time scout has back is towards the group and is walking back down the ramp when he hears Shui wishing for more respect for inter-planetary travel ...  Well there is religion and religion he thinks as he considered the young woman's comments.

"Anything else coming?" he asks as he rejoins Yas.

"Not me, for sure," Yas comments with a sad sigh, "but we're expecting a couple, by the looks of the list."

She glances down at the pad in her hand and points to a couple of names.

"Mister and Missus Selachii or something.  Isn't that fossils or whatever?" she wonders, "probably true, fossils with their noses stuck in the upper atmosphere.  First class.  Snotty snobs, shoudl go well with the name of that diety, the sneeze or something."

Ash stayed his hand, which was hovering over the button to cut the connection to the Selacci's.  He had not really expected any more requests.  He looked puzzled for a moment, and then started to plow through the manifests and ship's logs concerning past recent comm connections or messages.  "Er... Ummm... Let me check for you, Ma'am." Ash said with a start.  He frowned slightly, as he typed away.

Noticing the rather pregnant pause that followed, he added "I don't recall taking any messages personally for you.  Just a moment, as I check the logs..."  Another pause.  "Are you expecting something from someone in particular?" he asked idly as he stalled, waiting for the query to come back for the computer core.  He drummed his fingers lightly on the edge of the console as he waited.

Tylen fiddles with his data glove for a moment and then his eyes widen slightly, "Apparently some sort of noble family from a planet called Ank Mopak in the Sto Lat sector, wherever the hells that is." he responds to Yas.

"So the first class bit fits.  I wonder if the others are aware of that? Tylen wonders aloud as he sends  a brief message to both Jago and Shui.

Saskia exits Engineering.  Everything is running just fine there and she doesn't need to watch the instruments to know it.  The faint vibration in the deck plates, felt through the soles of her bare feet, tells her the full story.

If anything starts to even get close to wavering outside the required parameters, she's confident that she'd know about it before the instruments anyway.  She grabs herself a coffee and wanders out into the hold, looking to get a last breath of Garda Vilis.  The largest space on the ship is packed solid with cargo containers and the engineer glances idly at their labels as she passes.  Some of them show the contents as computer components - metaphasic cores, rapid transfer datanodes, dual pass linkages - and she pays a little more attention to them.  Professional interest, and all that.

She approaches Yas and Tylen, who both seem to be at a loose end, "We all done here?"

"Assume they will assume you to know exactly who they are, that's how these high animals tend to work," Yas says to Ty and then looks over at Sassy with a grimace, "Almost.  Waiting for a overly rich couple, should I shoot them just a little to make a point, yes?" she asks with a bit of hope in her voice and strokes her weapons lovingly.

Tylen stands quietly, head cocked to one side as he watches Yas caress her weapons then, without taking his eyes off of the ex-marine, says in a deadpan voice "I swear, if she were a man, she would would be a flasher."

"What do you reckon?" he asks the engineer.

"No, nobody in particular." Simone Selacci responds, and then, after a brief pause, "We'd rather our departure was not publicised, is all."

"Ah... the driver says that the landing area is just ahead.  We'll be there shortly."

The monks follow Shui, first to the Low Berths, where they store their small luggage allowance in the locker located above each cryotube, and then, eventually, into the passenger lounge.  It's not an easy journey, as they have a tendency to get distracted by just about all of the things that Shui takes for granted - intercomm panels, winking telltale lights, warning notices...

This provides a brief interlude of entertainment for the two security officers and the engineer, as Shui leads her somewhat unruly flock back across the hold and into the lounge (where almost all of them find the iris valve almost too interesting to pass through).

Finally, the steward gets them all seated.

Ash tilts his head slightly, his expression shows signs of both bemusement and puzzlement, but his voice still comes out flat, almost deadpan, "Of course, Mrs. Selacci.  We'll see you momentarily."  If the delivery was meant to be overly reassuring, it probably could have used some work.  If it was meant to be distant and relatively professional, Ash's delivery was spot on.

Ash pushes from his console, locking the display.  He'd decided to head towards the hold via the lounge.  All of the preflight checks had been completed and their statuses secured in core.  Ash patches the central ship's comm through his personal comm, via his wrist computer - any additional incoming messages should still be routed to him.  He is definitely curious to see just what the Selaccis looked like in person.  Not that he wasn't about to spend an entire week (if not more) with them in relatively close quarters.  But, I might as well know what we are getting into. he noted to himself.

Ushering the monks through the ship proves akin to herding cats; Shui tosses a harried glance to Tylen and Yasmine as she moves past them.  Eventually they reach their goal, and with the monks finally ensconced in the lounge, Shui takes orders for beverages and begins to prepare them.  Likely tea, tea, and more tea...fortunately, she's well-stocked.  While the drinks are getting underway, she ducks her head into the cockpit.

"Mr. Tescali?"  It's better to do this sort of thing in person, whenever possible.  "Has there been any word with regards to our other guests?"  The steward waves a hand out into the lounge.  "I still require some time to run medical checks on the low-berth passengers."

Shui caught Ash in mid-stretch as he stood from the navigator's console.  Oblivious to her presence for the moment, there was a slightly disconcerting crack from both his spine and right leg as he worked out the kinks.

He whirls in place, slightly off balance, when Shui addressed him.  Ash looks at her, blushing slightly.  He smiles weakly, as he tries to regain his composure, "Ah... Ms. Tiesi, yes... The Selaccis will be here momentarily.  They 'can see the landing area'"  Ash tries his best imitation of Mrs. Selacci's accent.  Then he adds, "I was just going to the cargo ramp to wa-... er... inform, Mr. Ogresh and Ms. Crow about their imminent arrival.  They sound as though they might have a lot of luggage.  Take your time with the low-berth passengers, I'll see if we can't sta-... er ... entertain them for whatever time you need."

Shui studies Ash as he speaks, not having missed the popping of synovial fluid in his joints.  He could, she decides, benefit from a stretching regime - something to help him deal with long hours of sitting hunched over a console.

When he finishes, she touches her chin in consideration, calculating times and placement, working out the importance of efficiency versus politeness.  "I think," the steward begins slowly, "it might be best for me to be there to greet our High Passage guests.  I can ask the Abbot to keep his people in the lounge - I am certain they have much to discuss - while I deal with the Selaccis."  Already she's attempting to classify the accent, based on Ash's attempt.  Nothing springs to mind...yet.  "I would appreciate the assistance, of course - many hands, light work."

A smile brightens her solemn features.  "Then, when the passengers are all comfortable, perhaps we can set a time for your physical."

For those in the cargo hold, including Shui, freshly returned from getting the monks settled in the lounge with fruit juices and water (tea drinking, apparently, being a sign of decadence and an affront to Tsort) the arrival of the Selaccis is easy to notice.  The docking bay doors open (not the pedestrian entrance, mind you, but the larger vehicle access) and an older model hovercar drives in.  It pulls up at the foot of the ramp, dust and small pieces of debris swirling around the edges of the air cushion as the engine throttles down and the vehicle sinks to the ferrocrete floor.

Three figures step out of the hovercar.  Two are human, a man and woman in their early twenties, both dressed impeccably, and wearing enough jewellery that, had it all been combined in a single piece, it would surely have had a noticeable gravity well.

The third figure is a robot.  Basically humanoid in form, it stands a little over two metres tall, and has been painted in a style which makes it look like it's wearing a servant's uniform in the old Vilani style.  The machine, it's round eyes and voder making it wear an expression of perpetual surprise, moves to the front of the hovercar, where it opens a compartment and starts lifting out very expensive-looking luggage.

As it turns away from the ship to lift each item out of the car, a large key is clearly visible, turning slowly, in the centre of its back.

The man and woman stop at the foot of the ramp, and the man calls up to those aboard the ship, "Good day to you.  Jacob and Simone Selacci requesting permission to come aboard."

"Shall we refuse them?" Yas mutters quietly to Ty and Sas, but turns to the last of their passangers - who else could it be - and calls out, "Permission granted, Mr and Mrs Selachii," adding more quietly, "and the tincan, no doubt named James or something."

She puts on a smile that almost looks genuine, possibly because she does not try too hard.  A moment later it is gone and she is back to hefting her guns.

Shui waits quietly while Yasmine gives the permission - as 'ranking officer', it's only fitting that the security chief replies - all the while studying the clockwork robot, a single eyebrow raised.  She shoots a quick glance at Saskia, seeking the engineer's opinion on it.  "I have never seen such a mechanical," the steward notes quietly to the trio, wondering if any of them have before themselves.  "Cosmetic affectation, no doubt."

What it says about the Selaciis, she has no idea.

Once Yasmine finishes, the steward steps forward.  "Mr. and Mrs. Selacii?  Welcome aboard the Profit Margin.  Shui Tiesi, Ship Steward and Doctor - this is Yasmine Crow, Security Officer, Saskia Blake, Engineer, and Tylen Ogresh, Gunnery Officer."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:05, Tue 10 Nov 2009.

Saskia is about to give Tylen her opinion regarding Yas, but is interrupted when the two wealthy looking types appear on the ramp.  The engineer steps back a little way, moving out of their direct line of sight.

The 'bot is interesting, and confirms that these people probably are rich.  To the engineer, the machine actually says more than their clothes do.  Robots, particularly those meant to emulate people, are rarely cheap.  Especially not at the low tech level that clockwork would indicate.

And even if it isn't really clockwork, it would still cost a lot of credits.

Ash nods acknowledging and acquiescing to the doctor's very logical decision about the Selaccis and the monks.  He also acknowledges her request for a physical, this time speaking, "Of course, Ms. Tiesi.  I am ready and willing whenever you have the time."

He waits for her to exit the bridge first, following a few steps back.  When they reach the cargo area, Ash watches with a slightly bemused expression as the Selaccis arrive with their robotic help.  Ash tries his best to stifle it, but can't help making a slight cough and smirk as he hears Yasmine's aside about the robot's 'name'.

Tylen stifles a grin as the couple and their 'bot appear in the 'older model' hover craft and wonders just how much of the jewellery is bling.  With a nod at Shui's introduction he walks down the ramp to offer assistance.  "Can I help with those?" he offers.

Jacob Selacci performs a shallow bow, directed at Yas.  "Thank you." he says, and takes his wife's arm as the two start up the ramp.  Behind them, the robot continues unloading the luggage.

As Shui greets them, the man bows again, "Thank you.  Are our cabins ready?  The journey has been a little tiring, and we would prefer to get settled in as soon as possible."

He glances at Tylen, "It's quite all right, Butler can manage the luggage.  It is why he's here, after all."

As if to confirm this, the robot manages to lift all of the luggage at once, and starts to follow the couple up the ramp.  Encountering Tylen, it offers a friendly, "Good afternoon, Sir." in a completely human-sounding voice, with exactly the same upper class accent as the Selaccis.

"Of course, Mr. Selacci," Shui replies, wondering when she's going to have time to fit Ash's physical in during all of this.  It's rather necessary - one doesn't just fly off with an unchecked pilot.  "If you follow me this way, I can take you directly to your cabin, and show you the ship's amenities at your convenience."  She makes a mental note to find out if their servant has any special needs.

Particular power requirements, for example - filed under 'Things Saskia Needs To Know'.

"A tiring trip, then," she muses as she leads the first class passengers into the Profit Margin.  "One hopes it was not a difficult one, only long."

With a slight shrug Tylen steps back and allows the robot to carry the bags into the ship, but grins as butler offers a greeting.  "Hello." he replies, wondering how the Selacci's  will react.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:24, Thu 26 Nov 2009.

Saskia's eyes are fixed on the robot.  She hauls a battered looking hand computer out of one of the pockets of her coveralls and starts inputting data.  Still without taking her eyes off the 'droid.

Finally she smiles, shaking her head, and drops the computer back into her pocket.

In an utterly non-conspiratorial fashion Yas sort of slides over towards Saskia and tries to glance at the hand computer and once it is gone into the pocket she equally inconspicuously whispers into Saskia's ear, naturally no means influenced by her not too brief stint into the world of Marines; "What did you figure out?  That it's a giant sex toy running on power cells?"

If nothing else she figures Saskia's reaction will be interesting to see.

Ash smiled slightly as he listened to the banter of the rest of the crew.  He felt a little self-conscious as the 'new kid on the block' and so, he said nothing, and just watched the proceedings.  Seeing that everything was taken care of, and that the Selaccis would likely be as much of a spectacle once they took off, Ash decided that the bridge would be a more appropriate place for him.

He nodded quietly to Ms. Tiesi and the Selaccis as they passed and then to the rest of the crew in the hold as he took his leave and made his way back to the bridge.  Once there Ash settled back into his seat, fastened the buckles to his harness, pulled his dynamic console back into position, and started to watch the internal and external comms as well as the security sensors for a moment.  That is, before he started through the pre-flight checklist one more time.

With the Selaccis, led directly to their cabins, and their robot ensuring that the correct luggage is delivered to each of them, things seem to be proceeding smoothly.

That just leaves Shui with the monks to worry about.  A quick mental review of the numbers shows that, yes, all the low berths are accounted for, and there is one passenger cabin still unoccuoied.

The drives are warming up nicely, as Saskia is somehow aware, despite not actually being in Engineering.

Jago makes his way onto the Bridge, having spent some time in his office, doing... whatever it is that captains do when nobody's watching them, and settles at his own console.  "Preflight all done?" he asks Ash, then toggles the intercom stud with his thumb, "Captain to all crew.  Report status."

A bit formal, but if any of the passengers overhear it, it will sound professional.