Saskia lets out a long slow breath and relaxes considerably.  Jago has, it appears, been distracted by the mysterious object and the information she may have uncovered regarding it.  It doesn't look like she's about to be fired, and the longer Jago leaves it, the harder it will be for him to do.  He's not usually impulsive about such things, and the more time he has to think about it, the more likely he is to think of a good reason to let her keep her job.

Well, that's the theory.

"His name is Eneris - something.  Wait a minute."  She thinks for a moment, eyes closed, then says, "Armusezash.  Eneris Armusezash." as her eyes flick open.

Jago returns to his seat, and says nothing, while his cigar performs a slow dance from one side of his mouth to the other, and back again.  Finally he takes hold of it, and uses it to emphasise his points as he speaks.

"Right.  This could be worth a lot to the right people.  I don't know if we are the right people, but I do know that we'll never find out if we are, unless we look into it."

"Ash, I want you to come up with a course from here to Fulacin, just in case, following the Spinward Main as much as possible.  I know that'll probably lose us a lot of flexibility in choosing destinations until we get to the Main, and some of the places we'll have to go through are backwaters, but that can't be helped if we want to do this."

"Saskia, I'll leave it up to you to arrange the release of this, what was his name?  Eneris?  I'll want to talk to him before I decide on anything.  But ask me before you agree to spend any money on him."

The cigar goes back into his mouth again, "I also need you all to think, hard, if you want to get involved in this.  It'll likely end up as a long, tough job, with an uncertain payoff at the end.  Anybody got anything they want to add?"

Ash continues to lay out the facts, as well as some interesting speculation regarding psychic study.  Curious, Shui files this away for later discussion - perhaps during a full physical, when she has a captive audience - and awaits Jago's decision.

Given what she has observed of the stout captain, it comes as no surprise - well-thought-through, but simultaneously reaching for stars.  Her small smile returns, and she nods her head along with his words.  Then, as always, his request for input.

"I stand with the Profit Margin and its captain," Shui quietly confirms.  "I see no reason for that to change, Captain Lanza."  Again the smile. "Doom and gloom aside, I see a trip of the sort that will no doubt satisfy Mr. DeSant."  One eyebrow rises as she turns to Saskia.  "Ms. Blake, if you require company...ah, 'bailing out' Mr. Armusezash, I would be pleased to join you."

Tylen shrugs his shoulders, and a smile plays across his face as he lounges against the wall.  After a career in the scouts a few jumps doesn't faze him. Anyway, Profit Margin is the nearest thing he has to home at the moment.

However,the smile is wiped from his face just a few moments later.  "The marines waited until they were collected." he reminds the others that the area outside the ship is 'difficult'  to say the least.

"Well, since we're going out that way I'll be going over every weapon system to make sure they are at one hundred percent, plus taking manual inventory off all the ammo, well, 'cept the laser, to make sure we are maxed out.  There'll be no refilling out there, normally, and I wouldn't want to run out," Yas comments, taking for granted that Jago was not asking whether or not she will go.

This also clinches something I've been considering for a while.  If I can scramble up an escort to that place I can guarantee no one will approach us on the way back.  I'll get me a Heavy Cargo Dress," she adds and then, finally, "A little incentive to the troops in question might help me convince them that we need this.  A treat, so to speak, snack food or something they don't get but that we can provide, if you know what I mean?"

"Party?" Tylen asks with a grin.  In his experience one of the best ways to impress a few marines was snack food accompanied by a few litres of the hard stuff.  'And Yas knows these guys' he thinks to himself ' she probably wants to reminisce ....'
This message was last edited by the player at 09:23, Tue 11 May 2010.

"Of course, Captain." Ash said plainly, as his fingers once again began tapping out a rhythm on his wrist computer.  "Do we have a preference to remain in Imperial Space as much as possible?  We'll have to join the Main either at Rangent or Tremous Dex - both are outside of the Imperium proper.  Ash looks thoughtful for a moment, "Tremous Dex in the Federation of Arden, could be an interesting place to trade and visit, if we are so inclined."  He pursed his lips for a moment, "but that would restrict us to two rather poor prospects getting there: System 728-907 and Digitis."  Ash frowns slightly, "And after Tremous Dex, it would have to be either System 871-438, another potential backwater, or Tionale - an explicitly amber-zoned system outside of the Imperium."  Since all systems outside of the Imperium are considered implicitly Amber zones by the TAS, Ash can only imagine what must be going on in Tionale to warrant an explicit marking as an Amber zone.

Ash hmms for a moment his head tilted, then continues, "... If we do go through System 871-438 or Tionale, then we can jump through Extolay and on to Regina - both would be reasonable, if not good, trading ports."

"If we stay in the Imperium," he notes simply, "we would have to go through Denotam, either via System 728-907 or Mirriam.  And we would still have to join the Main at Rangent."  He shrugs, "But then, going through Rangent keeps our options open.  From there, we could jump through Phlume and Jenghe before heading to Regina or snaking along the spine both Trailing and Rimward."

His expression brightens, "From Regina, we could go through Yori, Treece, and Kinorb, to get to Fulacin."  He states in his rather monotone way, "That would get the Profit Margin to Fulacin in only ten jumps; though the last ones would not be on the 'main' spine of the Main."

Ash adds, "Honestly, I can't see going from Extolay through Dinomn, Rech, Echiste and Turedad being a much better option to get to Fulacin.  But that is also a total ten jump route.  And is more on the spine of the Main, I guess..."

"Of course," he notes off-hand, glancing around the room, "this analysis is only tentative.  Other input, which I'm sure others here are probably more qualified to make, such as viability of trading or political instabilities and so on within the various systems along the way, can greatly impact our routing.  But the voyage seems eminently doable."  Ash looks to the others, and especially the Captain, for any protests or additional constraints to the route that they might know of off-hand, "I'll start working up full astrogation solutions for the first leg of the journey - we'll have to go through either System 728-907 or Mirriam..."

Jago nods thoughtfully, "I'll take a look at the trade data, and see which route looks like it'll give us the best option for picking up a little profit along the way.  Once we hit the Main, I think we'll be okay.  There's a lot of traffic along there, of course, but many of them are Jump-1 only.  They'll get to any destination on the Main, eventually, but if there are people with urgent cargo, a Jump-2 ship, like this one, might look more attractive."

"Yas, the cargo dress might be handy anyway.  If we need to go through places where 'starport' translates to, 'we cleared the groats off the pasture, you can land now', then having the ability to shift heavy loads ourselves might be useful."  The skipper grins, "And the fact that it looks just like military grade hardware, to the untrained eye, can't hurt."

His eyes go back to the mysterious object, and he regards it, in silence for a few seconds, "Y'know, now that I might be about to find out what the damned thing is, I almost don't want to.  Almost as if it would lose something."

"Didn't I say that?  Well, I meant to.  It's good for cargo handling, escort and exploration alike.  'sides, makes me look cool," Yas chuckles.  "In time I might be able to install the 'missing' hardware anyway, given our contacts."

When Jago mentions starport levels, Ash chimes in helpfully, "Captain, of the planets I have mentioned: Mirriam, Rangent, Digitis and System 871-438 all have starports, and I used the term loosely here, rated as the bare minimum.  System 728-907 and Treece are only rated slightly higher."  He shrugs, before continuing, "Everything else is rated 'C' class or higher..."

But, when their captain waxes sentimental about the mysteries of the alien artifact, Ash raises an eyebrow and stops his summary of the starport assessment search.  He offers tentatively, "But if the Captain wishes to drop the matter and not pursue it any further..." and with that Ash stops typing on his wrist computer his fingers hanging in mid-air waiting, as he watches the others in the room especially the Captain for any sign.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:36, Fri 14 May 2010.

"I'd be grateful for any help." Saskia says to Shui, with a smile, "But I might call Security Central first.  His crime was less serious than mine.  He just got drunk and punched a spacer, so they might let me pay for his release from here.

"I hope so.  I really don't want to be walking about out there with cash on me."

She sighs, before adding, "Plus, if I can pay them that way, I get to leave them stupid boots off for a while."

Shui bows slightly, straightening with her customary smile.  "Of course, Ms. Blake.  I, personally, would rather pay his way from here."  A pained expression crosses her features.  "On the other hand, we have no reason to believe he would come to us, and as Mr. Ogresh mentioned, it is a dangerous trip for a man alone." She ponders for a moment.  "Perhaps if we secured some reliable transportation, we might be able to pick him up and convey him here without exposing any of us to the mob."

The smile returns, a touch brighter.  "And if we drive, you can most certainly leave off the offending footwear."  Her thin brows draw together.  "Though I am unsure if there is solid transportation to be found in this habitation," Shui admits.  "We may yet have to go on foot."  Concern darkens her face.  "I am certain, though, that I could manage, Ms. Blake - a single woman is unlikely to attract attention on the public thoroughfares, and you must be exhausted."

"If you can find somebody to drive, you could always take the air-raft.  Won't be able to get much altitude in the tunnels, but you'll have some speed to help you avoid problems." Jago suggests to Shui and Saskia.  "If nobody else wants to do it, I believe Conrad's still about.  Maybe Tylen could ride shotgun.  Literally."

He smiles at Yas' enthusiasm, "I'm sure you can install the missing systems.  If you do, though, make sure you keep it out of sight when we're at any civilised ports.  A lot of those systems aren't strictly legal."

He stands again, stretching, then picks up the object, "Ash, I plan on going after this thing, just as soon as we can get Saskia's new friend aboard.  I'm hoping that word will come in soon that Norris is still alive, and the trouble here will die down.  But I'm not going to hang about and wait for it to happen.  I plan on having a talk with Corlan, then seeing what I can do about getting a cargo for 728-907 or Miriam."

Ash nods curtly to Jago's reply, "Just confirming, Captain.  I will have the preliminary jump calculations available post-haste.  I'll leave them in a state where all we will have to supply is the final vectoring and jump window normalizations, since both of those are still in question.  The finalized numbers should take virtually no time to resolve after that."  He gets up and starts to shuffle off on his way to the bridge.

As he passes, Ash notes to Saskia and Shui quietly, "If Conrad is not available, I should finish the initial calculations in plenty of time and I can probably help out with the air-raft.  It is not my forte, far from it." Ash gives them both a sheepish smile, "But, I can probably get by without causing too much property damage."  He adds quickly, "Of course, I'm sure that you prefer Mr. Dietz with his more extensive experience.  I... I fully understand."

"I can drive," Yas says with an ominous grin, wondering if anyone recalls her last excursion in the driving seat of the hover and how much of the crowd would get out of the way in time.  "Either way I'm coming along for the ride."

"Yeah, yeah, Captain," she then chortles, "kind of like some of the stuff on Margin, eh?  It's not like I'd be waving it about.  'sides, most of it won't be evident unless you're in it anyroads."

Tylen groans slightly as he hears Yas's offer to drive.  He does remember the hair raising trip, and while he can't remember exactly how much damage that caused, he knew they had been luck to get away with it.

"You would be much better riding shot gun with me.  Not sure how well I would cope with just a shot gun..."  he lets it tail off slightly, hating to give he more ammunition for later, but prepared to take that if it means getting another driver.

"If none of the others can drive, perhaps we could ask Conrad?"  he suggests.

Shui ponders Jago's suggestion.  The Air-Raft would certain be safer than other choices - with a little altitude and some speed, only the most foolhardy would consider it something to board.  And it seems they have plenty of options for drivers....

"Nonsense, Mr. Tescali," Shui disagrees.  "Mr. Dietz has his own business to which to attend, and cannot be asked to continue meddling in ours.  I would rather a member of the crew, like yourself - who is no doubt eminently capable of flying an air-car." 

If necessary she herself could drive, and decently well, but it's not something Shui would wish to say to the offers.

"And with others in the raft -" an indication to Tylen, either driver or protection, and Yasmine, definitely protection "- depending who attends, we should have no issues there and back."  Optimistic, perhaps, but one has to remain cheerful in the face of danger - something a steward must learn with experience.

"Ms. Blake, does this meet with your approval?"

"Hey, how'm I 'posed to improve if I never get to try?" Yas complains in jest as others object to her driving the raft and sticks her lower lip out along with a scowl to underline her "sadness".

"After all, no one here can actually drive.  Unless you...?" she trails off and looks over at Ash, pointing a questioning finger at him.

Ash nods to Shui, "Doctor, if you and Ms. Blake wish it, I would be honored."  He pauses at the doorway in case there are additional instructions and is still there when Yasmine makes her query of him.

As Yasmine points a finger at him, Ash looks innocently and intently at the ceiling and door framing - they are apparently intensely interesting at the moment.  After a pregnant pause, his gaze returns to the Security Chief and the others.  He clears his throat uncomfortably, "Well... I ... have some experience - all of that time alone on a Type S with nothing but equipment to train on, but I cannot say that I am a certified grav vehicle operator."  He notes weakly, "I merely said that I probably could get by without crashing into anything.  Worse than some, better than most..."  Ash holds out his hands in contrition, shrugging a little, and gives the assembled a crooked smile.

Yas chortles at Ash reaction and comment, leaving it for the others to designate their next driver.  There is only so much a security chief can do, after all, if refused the driver seat.

Tylen turns to the Doctor as he listens to the discussions about drivers, none of then sound like they know what they are doing.  They all appear to have about as much ability with an Air raft as a cat with a tin opener.  The last thing he wants is to be riding shotgun on an out of control open air raft, careering down a closed corridor that will pose a threat to the already angry population.  It just has the feeling of a quick way to find himself in the clink, rather than Saskia.

"Doc?  On Guarda villis you offered to drive?" he says, recalling last time Yas was at the controls.  "Does that mean you are licenced?  Or at least know how to drive the damned things?"  he asks, his frown starting to become apparent.

From the sound of it, the crew is short on drivers.  Conrad will most certainly be sorely missed.  Shui's eyebrow rises as Ash temporizes in response to Yasmine's question - it seems his own qualifications are somewhat lacking - and she turns toward Tylen with a smile on her own lips, Yasmine's deliberate over-acting amusing as always.

"Unfortunately, should you examine my credentials you will not find any license.  However, I have a fair bit of experience driving such vehicles in admittedly non-stressful situations - that is to say, in my work on other ships I found it useful to gain a modicum of ability with the operations of cargo loading."

Not exactly what one might expect from someone of Shui's size and demeanor, but factual.  She doesn't bother adding that some of her 'lessons' involved crewmembers who found it a good excuse to get her alone.  Unpleasant situations, but always escapable.

"Therefore the answer is yes, I am familiar with the operation of the aircar."

OOC: Shui can operate the vehicle with the equivalent of skill level 1 - better than 0 or 'doesn't have the skill at all'.  Or Yasmine's apparent skill level of -5.  :)

Jago starts out of the lounge, still carrying the strange alien whatever-it-is.  "I'm going to talk to Corlan.  Before you leave, let me know who's driving, then I know whose salary I should dock to pay for the damage."  More encouragingly, he punctuates his statement with a wink.

"Have a good trip, and try not to get in any trouble out there.  If you do get in trouble, I saw on the boards that the Lucky Credit is in port.  Tell the police that you're part of her crew.  I'll see you all later."


OOC: The air-raft will be crowded with everybody along for the ride, bearing in mind that there will, hopefully, be an extra passenger on the way back.  Yas might also need space for her new toy.

It's not going to be comfortable, but it is doable.

Just have to hope that Saskia's new pal doesn't smell, or have some sort of parasite infestation, or something.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:22, Thu 20 May 2010.

"So.  Can I borrow your 'spare' shotgun again Yas?" Tylen asks with a grin, happy that Yas will be riding shotgun with him.  "We don't want to make a big show of having too much illegal fire power." he continues  patting the revolvers at his hips.

He pauses for a moment, "And I bet they wouldn't let me shave in clink." he says running his thumb mischievously through the day old stubble on his chin.

"It's not a spare, not when I'm on the Margin.  But sure, just remember which end in the dangerous one, or at least which end makes little things fly out of it," Yas says to Quadman with a friendly, friendly smile.

"And I'll think it's best if I walk back with the suit.  Less crowded on the raft and it gives me a chance to terrorise civvies, I mean, get used to being in one of those again," she adds and lifts her right hand, "I promise I won't step on any."