Plans are made, and confirmed.  Yas loans Tylen her spare additional shotgun, and the air-raft is checked over.  The open topped vehicle looks to be in good working order, and ready to go.

A quick call to Security Central confirms that Eneris Armusezash is still in custody.  Nobody has shown up to pay his fine, and the man doesn't have any cash of his own.  Unless his fine, a mere 75 credits, is paid, he will spend two days in jail.  Because local days are irrelevant here, with the whole population living underground, that means 48 hours (as opposed to two local days, which would be just about 26 hours).

Saskia sighs as she realises that she's going to have to put her boots on again.  With them laced up, she makes her way out into the landing bay, where she waits for the designated driver to bring the airraft out.

Belatedly she remembers that they are indoors here.  She moves away from the Profit Margin and cranes her neck, checking that there is enough space between the top of the ship and the overhead for the 'raft to clear the dorsal hatch.

As it turns out, there is plenty of room above the ship.  The docking bay is designed to take ships up to six hundred displacement tons, three times Profit Margin's size, and with a variety of hull configurations.  There is almost ten metres clearance above the dorsal air-raft hangar.

OOC: Just to cover it here:  From what was seen on previous expeditions into the underground port complex, most of the corridors that need to be traversed are 3-4 metres high.  Some of the more important ones are up to 6 metres, split into two levels with elevated walkways along each wall, and crossed by footbridges.

This would allow the air-raft a safe altitude of 1-2 metres in the regular corridors, and 4 metres in the main ones.  The smaller corridors are at least 5 metres wide (the air-raft is just under 3 metres in width), while the main corridors are closer to 10 metres wide.

Additionally there are freight routes which are wider than the either of the other two (usually 10 to 15 metres), and at least 6 metres high.  The freight corridors can be accessed by exiting the docking bay via its large cargo access doors, rather than the smaller passenger vehicle access.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:07, Tue 25 May 2010.

Ash is looking over the controls of the air-raft when Saskia, Shui, Yas and Tylen arrive.  As he tries to find the starter on the vehicle, he notices Shui's glance and remembers her words in the lounge.  Ash lets out a slight sigh and yields the controls.  "It's probably better if you drive and I navigate, Ms. Tiesi." he notes, trying to save a little face, "I ... I'm not very familiar with this particular model."  That was a pretty stupid thing to say, he thinks glumly, since this design has been standard for something like a thousand years.  He lets out another slight plaintive sigh - since what is done is done.

Ash is dressed in his duster with his headset and commlink up.  But at this point, he is not really sure what he is doing on this craft.  He is not armed with more than a blade, he's not driving, and he doesn't personally know the man they are picking up.  He frowns slightly, but knows that at this point there is safety in numbers and another pair of eyes will definitely help out there.  Besides, he finished the partial calculations with plenty of time to spare - so, what else is there to do?

Gun belts put away again and, Yas's 'spare' shotgun hung over his shoulder, TYlen heads down to the cargo ramp.  He has chosen a khaki Tee shirt, and combined with his khaki pants and brown military combat boots gives him a semi-military look.  The Synthi-leather jacket, aviator shades and a khaki forage cap, combined with the shot gun over his shoulder, complete the look.

Holding himself military erect he walks down the ramp and takes an 'at ease' position close to Sakia.

"Junior Security Officer reporting, Ma'am." he says to the engineer in his best soldiers voice.  Although the effect is spoiled somewhat by the sideways glance he throws her to see the effect.

Shui nods her head, demonstrating neither irony nor mockery at Ash's choice of excuses.  "Of course, Mr. Tescali.  That might be better on a number of levels, in fact - I am certainly not the best navigator, and am unfamiliar with the city." Slipping into the driver's seat, she begins a check of the controls to refamiliarize herself with the systems.  "As Mr. Ogresh and Ms. Crow attention will be fixed on possible dangers, it seems wise to have someone dedicated to keeping us on the proper course."

The Steward raises an eyebrow at Saskia.  "Ms. Blake, does the vehicle meet your approval?  Is there something I should know about this particular air-raft?"


 

"Well, let's get the show on the road, shall we?" Yas says as she takes a seat where she has room to lay down flat (not fat) if need be, for whatever reason she might have.

Openly she sports her auto-shotgun but what hides underneath her coat is anybody's guess - but careful what you guess.

"Too late for approvals, doc, just step on it," she says to the doctor with a grin where she sits waiting.

The air-raft, with everybody aboard, lifts skywards ceilingwards, and glides towards the docking bay exit, where ther is a short pause while Tylen hops out to operate the doors.  Soon, though, the vehicle is moving through the corridors of the port complex at a steady thirty kilometres per hour, which seems like a safe enough speed on paper, but is more than a little worrying when you're in an open-topped vehicle, flying through an enclosed passageway, with your head only twenty centimetres from the ceiling.  Give or take.

It's even more worrying for the pedestrians though, not used to airborne vehicles barrelling past their heads in the confined spaces of the underground city.  Even more unnerving when said vehicle is almost silent in operation, and is, in many cases past them before they even realise it's there.

Yas is dropped off first, in an almost deserted corridor close to the docks.  She stands before the doorway of Honest Urgudhso's Starship Sundries.  The secuity chief walks up to the door, and enters. 

The rest of the crew set off towards Security Central, and manage to get there with no mishaps.

"Well, that was good, clean fun, a shame I'll miss the return trip, but I want to get used to this suit.  See you back at the Margin," Yas says with her usual grin and waves before turning to walk inside "Honest Urgudhso's Starship Sundries".  Or Urkel, as Yas dub him in her head, the "honest" part making her chuckle.

Tylen's face pales slightly as they lift to within a few centimetres of the ceiling.  It is one thing knowing that your head is going to be moving along quickly that close to something, it something completely different when it actually happens.  Without realising that he is doing it, Tylen hunches down more in his seat trying to give himself just that little bit more clearance.

It is a relief when they stop and sink down long enough for Yas to get out, and he nods his understanding as Yas speaks of seeing them back at the ship.  "Sure.  Keep your head on your shoulders." he says dryly as the ex-marine turns to head into the store.

Back in the air again, Tylen resumes his slightly hunched posture, and then tries looking over the side to see the people below.  However, the swift movement makes it difficult to pick out any detail, and if anything makes him feel slightly travel sick.  With a grunt, he turns his attention back to the route in front of them -  perhaps hoping to spot any low hanging signs or light fittings early enough to duck underneath them.

Once at the security centre, Tylen breathes a sigh of relief and  swings around so that he is half out of the air car with the shotgun resting across his knees.  "I'll stay here and keep an eye on the car." he says lightly.

Gratified at reaching the destination without mishap, Shui carefully parks the vehicle and twists in the seat to raise an eyebrow at Tylen's greenish features.  "Surely it was not as bad as all that, Mr. Ogresh." But stepping out of the car, she catches herself as shaky knees nearly buckle, the stress of keeping the vehicle straight and level through the tunnels catching up to her.

Had she more practice, it might be different, but years lie between now and the last time she operated one of these aircars.  It will be different on the way back, Shui assures herself, shifting her weight back and forth to work tension's kinks out of her back.

This being the third time today that Ash has had a chance to travel these halls, he is getting quite used to it.  His extensive training as a navigator has him optimizing routes and actually getting somewhat familiar with the station layout at this point.  Having nearly memorized the map after the initial foray - as well as having it within easy access on his HUD display, Ash tries to keep his mind focused on the task at hand - which does require that he watch both the projected route as well as keep an eye out for any unexpected obstacles or pedestrians in the actual path.  Speed bumps where the rubber hits the road, so to speak.

Ash keeps his head down as much as he keeps his eyes peeled - six to eight inches of clearance above them does not leave much room no matter how you slice it.

At the security station, Ash raises an eyebrow as Tylen offers to guard the car.  Which leaves the three people entering the station house unarmed - well, without a firearm at least.  But then, inside they should need any weapons, in theory.  Or at least, there will be an overabundance of firepower with actual law enforcement officers; so, they themselves should not have any need for one.

Ash doesn't think much more of it, since his mind is more preoccupied with their steward's well being.  Having dismounted the craft immediately before her, he sees her serene mask slip for a moment and her wobbly stance.  So, being just in front of her, Ash turns slightly and silently offers a discreet shoulder for her to lean on - his duster rustling slightly as he moves to assist.

Ash also glances about making sure that Saskia is with them.  She alone actually knows the man they are looking for; and she alone is likely the best person to make sure that he actually comes with them.  Ash is certain that if it were him, he would not go with a random group of strangers even if they paid his bail.  But then, he has not spent the night in the clink (especially on Frenzie) after a drunken brawl for a long time; it has been at least a decade since anything remotely like that has happened anywhere for him.  And he quite certain that didn't start that one - really, honestly.  Well, at least he is certain that he doesn't remember starting it, despite what the surveillance video showed.

The inside of the Security station is even more crowded than on the previous visit.  Enforcement officers are queuing up to process prisoners at the main desk.  Considering that the journey here had been relatively quiet, it must been that rioting, looting, and acts of vandalism are now taking place in other parts of the city.

It's possible that the presence of Marines near the port have encouraged the trouble to shift to less-well policed areas.

Off to one side, two officers sit at a smaller desk which, judging by the tangle of cables snaking across the floor to it, has been set up as a temporary measure.  They appear to be dealing with everything other than processing arrests.  There are a lot of civillans close by, sitting on cheap plastic chairs, and the two officers are speaking to others.

As the crew watch, one of the people being spoken to is handed a slip of paper, and moves to sit with the several dozen others who are seated nearby.  Now it becomes obvious, most of those sitting there are clutching similar slips of paper.


Sitting outside, Tylen keeps an eye on the situation near the air-raft.  There is nothing happening close to the front of the station, but a couple of hundred metres away he can see two of the local police, who seem to be engaged in some sort of discussion with an increasing number of citizens.

"Thank you, Mr. Tescali," Shui whispers as she moves inside the building, having taken a moment to avail herself of the support.  The momentary pressure of her hand on Ash's shoulder would have felt feather-light - just enough for her to regain composure, no more.  As always, she is careful with her contact.  "Stress at the cramped driving, I expect."

Entering, Shui raises both eyebrows at the sight greeting them.  'Take a number' is apparantly the choice of the day.  "Oh, dear," she sighs.  "This could take some time."  Disturbing, in that she had hoped to return to the ship to continue her duties.

"Perhaps if we speak to them, they can process us quickly," she suggests.  "The line may be for more complicated tasks than merely paying a fine."

Saskia looks at the main desk, with its line of cops with prisoners waiting to be processed, and at the other desk, with its smaller number of people waiting for - whatever.

"Frell that dren." she says, waving towards the main desk, "At the very least, that other line looks shorter, and there are chairs to sit on.  I say we try there first.  We'd be farbotz not to."

Approaching the desk to the side of the reception hall, the group are greeted by a very young officer who looks up at them with extremely tired eyes, "How can I help?  Are you reporting, complaining, or making an enquiry?"  He calls up a new document on the portable terminal which sits before him, and prepares to fill in the details of whatever incident they are here to report/complain about/enquire regarding.

He gives the impression that if somebody told him the sun just went nova, and that everybody will be dead in a few minutes when the radiation reaches Frenzie, he would be too tired to react, other than to fill in the details on a form.

Tylen sits casually on the airarft, fiddling with the stock of the shotgun as he watches the local policemen  dealing with the gathering group of citizens.

The doctor's touch is so light that it makes Ash wonder if she has availed herself of his shoulder at all.  However, since she verbal acknowledges him, Ash can only assume that his gesture is appreciated, even if it is not really needed.  But that is sort of par for the course on this particular trip - so, that is nothing new.  He merely inclines his head slightly and replies softly, "Of course, Ms. Tiesi."  Acknowledging both her statement of thanks and her explanation at the same time.

Ash glances about the station as the enter.  He shakes his head slightly at the crowded space, well aware that the fervor over Norris' reputed death is the main cause for the log jam here.  Ash sighs slightly as he follows the others to the side desk and gives the beleaguered staff a slightly crooked smile.  Since Saskia has not shown in the past that she is particularly extroverted and the doctor may still be recovering from flight over, Ash decides to answer the officer's question, "Ah... an inquiry, I believe, Officer."  He pauses for a moment, as if thinking, then continues, "Hopefully, we will be making your job a little easier, at least in the long run.  We are here to post bail on Mr. Eneris Amu-" he glances apologetically at Saskia for a moment as he stumbles over the last name, "Armusezash, whom we understand is incarcerated in your detention cells at the moment."

Shui tags along with the group, content to allow others to do the talking and make the decisions.  Despite her capacity to fly the air-raft, she's not anticipating the drive back with delight - the stress is considerable, given her limited skills and the cramped hallways.

Not to mention them being filled with people who are less-than-sanguine about current events, bordering on shifting into an angry mob in areas.

Saskia has the choice of line figured out and Ash seems to be doing well enough with the request, so the steward takes several slow breaths in an attempt to relax, glancing around the station lobby with some interest.  Evidently there isn't much to see, given the terminal boredom of the desk officer, but one never knows.

The officer makes a note of the details on the terminal, and hits a key.  "There is a fine of 125 Frencs to pay."  He glances up, and briefly studies the clothes that the group before him are wearing, then adds, "That's 62 Imperial Credits, including a handling charge for currency conversion."

He waits, while the cash is counted out, then types a brief entry into the terminal.  "If you'd like to take a seat, your friend will be out shortly."

All in all, the process has taken only a few minutes, so far...


Outside Tylen watches what appears to be a rapidly developing riot, from a safe distance.  But just when it looks like things will develop into something a little more worrying than a bit of shouting and jostling, a patrol of Marines arrives on the scene, and the crowd starts to disperse quickly.

It might be something to do with the fact that, unlike those encountered earlier, the troops in this patrol are in full battle-dress.

Tylen's watches laconically as group seem to change from protesters to potential rioters, and he is just considering sending a message to the others when the marines appear.

Hie eye brows go up a notch as he sees how well equipped they are and comments rhetorically "Battle dress?"  still it seems to have the desired effect and the crowd starts to disperse.

For a moment or two he lets the shot gun rest in his lap as he works with his data glove.

Fist he sends a text message to Saskia to warn the group inside the police station  <<< Be quick.  Marines in battle dress making defensive line outside police station>>>  then follows that with a similar message to Jago.  <<< Potential riot situation.  Be vigilant.  Marines in battle dress in corridors.  All safe here  >>>

Nonchalantly  he leans back in the seat and takes a hold of the shotgun again.  With the other thumbnail he picks gently at  something stuck between his teeth as he watches the line of marines.

Ash is busily trying (though also trying to be attentive and not too obvious) to pull up currency exchange rates when the officer helpfully, if still sounding tired, notes the amount required in Imperial Credits.  He nods and produces the required amount, after digging in one of the interior pockets for a moment.  After the cash is counted and the appropriate electronic entry is made, Ash recalls Jago's request for a paper trail; so, he raises a tentative hand and asks the officer, "Sorry to create more paperwork for you, but may I have a receipt for that amount, please?"

Then, being directed to wait, Ash motions to his two female companions and to the waiting area.  He shrugs a slightly resigned shrug, seeing no reason not to enter the area to wait as directed.  He looks for three seats together, but settles for two adjacent seats as close to the desk as possible.  Ash quietly gestures to Saskia and Shui to take the seats, seemingly electing to stand nearby.  He sighs slightly, and notes quietly to no one in general, "And now, I guess, we wait..."  Ash glances at Saskia and Shui with a slightly crooked smile on his face.

Saskia pulls her comms from her pocket and studies it for a moment, frowning.

Then she leans a little closer to Shui and Ash and speaks quietly, "Just had a message from Tylen.  Looks like the marines are stepping things up a notch.  They're patrolling in power armor now.

"Either they think things are getting worse, or they're trying to show people what to expect if the situation worsens."

Saskia, Shui and Ash (clutching a receipt) sit and wait.

Outside, Tylen watches the Marines.  A bottle is thrown, but smashes harmlessly against a trooper's armour.  The Marines do nothing in retaliation.  They just stand there, and the cops fall back behind them.

Then one of the Marines raises a weapon, something bulky.  A few seconds later that section of the corridor is filling with a pale yellow mist, and the mob starts dispersing.  Quickly.

Elsewhere, Yas negotiates with a dealer in starship supplies and equipment.

A door opens, and a scruffy old man shuffles through, escorted by an officer.  The cop, oddly, has his right arm in some sort of metal cast.  It seems that things are so busy at the beleaguered Security Central that even those officers with injuries are being called in to help out.

The old man starts towards the exit, but the cop uses his left hand to grab him and guide him towards the desk where Saskia and the others sit.  Finally he spots Saskia, and stops before the trio.

"Well?  What the frack do you shower want?"

"Not a good sign, I would say," Shui quietly notes when Saskia passes along the information from Tylen.  "Either way." A show of force might cow people...and also stir up angry emotions.  The people might not vent their frustrations on the marines, but places where no battle-dress could be seen would become fair game.  "I will take it as the former, I think, and prepare for the worst," Shui breathes, already considering their route for the return trip.

Even if it takes longer, she vows to stick to the higher, main corridors as much as possible.

Finally the officer brings their new 'charge'; Shui ignores him for the first few seconds, her eyes on the policeman's splinted arm, her fingers itching to examine, to assist.  But...he has work to do, and she has people who need her present, not helping someone who has already seen a medical officer (from the look of it).

A bad sign if even the sorely injured are present, even if only on light duty.

The older man's greeting isn't exactly friendly, but given the situation, possibly understandable.  Shui stands as he moves closer, but as he addressed Saskia, waits for the engineer to answer.

Saskia doesn't bat an eyelid.  She just beams at Eneris Armusezash and replies, "We don't want anything.  We've come to do you a favor.  We've paid your fine, you old frellnik, and we want to make you an offer."

She looks about, nodding her head almost imperceptibly towards the desk, "But we should talk about it somewhere else.

"Hear us out.  If you're not interested, we can give you a ride home.  It's not safe to be walking about out there just now."

Ash is in the midst of carefully folding the receipt for placement in one of his duster pockets, when the man they are to retrieve is brought out.  He turns and blinks at Eneris, not knowing quite what to make of the bearded man's rather terse and rather aggressive answer.  It's not quite the level of gratitude that he expected, especially since Saskia made is seem as that the man was friendly.  Though, having travelled a little, Ash knows that not everyone shows their gratitude quite the same way.  Thankfully, Saskia is much quicker on her feet (figuratively speaking, at least) and Ash nods slowly as Saskia explains the situation to Eneris.

Ash gestures slightly to the exit, gently trying to expedite the exit from the crowded station.  He then stands dutifully, waiting for the others to get going so that he can fall in line.

"What sorta favour?" Eneris Armusezash asks, eyeing Saskia suspiciously before glancing briefly at her companions.  Then he seems to slump, "Sorry.  It's just that when some motherfracker offers to do me a favour, I usually end up on the rough end of the fracking deal."

"Alright.  I guess the least I can do is listen to what you have to say.  If nothing else, the fracking ride home'll be appreciated.  Let's go."

He notices Ash's gesture, and starts to walk in that direction, not stopping until they are outside, in the passageway, where Tylen still waits near the air-raft.

"Mr. Ogresh, my thanks..."  Shui's voice trails off as she takes note of the marines in full battledress.  For once, her eyebrow fails to rise.  "Perhaps we should leave as soon as possible," the Steward murmurs, a rare note of haste in her voice.  The situation on the colony seems to be deteriorating rapidly - while it is under 'control' here, what of elsewhere?

"I shall definitely stick to the larger tunnels," she mutters.  "Mr. Armusezash, perhaps you might seat yourself and strap in?"  With some haste, the doctor hops into the driver's seat and begins the process of powering up the vehicle.

The air in the area outside the security HQ is cold and still, and carries on faint metallic taste, which seems to burn at the throat slightly.  As the crew climb into the air-raft, one or two notice an itchiness in their eyes.

Then the vehicle is moving, and both the unpleasant taint, and the irritation diminish as they move away into the complex maze of tunnels.  Twice they pass places where store fronts have been blackened by intense heat, and at one point they have to choose another route to avoid a tunnel which is filled with smoke, bright flames flickering in the murk.

At other places, they pass above bands of rioters moving largely unopposed through the corridors.

Eneris shakes his head, "What the frack's going on?  All this happened while I was in fracking jail?"

The air-raft flies out into a large, open chamber, forty metres high, with walkways all around it, every three metres or so.  Most of the floor is covered with neatly groomed vegetation, laid out in careful geometric patterns, and in the centre of the hall stands a starship, perched upon an ornamental plinth, and surrounded by fountains.  The surrounding balconies support trees and vines.

Above the ship is a holographic display of a solar system, the Frenzie system itself, judging by the labels alongside the various planets.

Overhead is a transparent dome, giving a view of the sky.  Apparently they have become lost.

There don't seem to be many people about, so Shui slows the air-raft to a halt, but doesn't land.  As the air stops rushing past, bird song reaches their ears.

"Planetfall Park." Eneris announces, "The ship is the actual Scout/Courier that first discovered Frenzie, in 570-whatever.  They just disabled the drives and powerplant, and pumped the hull full of duracrete to make it into a monument."

"I hate this fracking place.  Makes me think of greenery and sky and animals and all the crap that Frenzie doesn't have."

"So what exactly was it you wanted to talk about?"

Leaving Saskia to talk with her friend, Tyler hits his data glove for a mapping program, and hopefully the equivalent of a tunnel based Sat-Nav system that will show them the way 'home' to the profit margin's booth.

It's certainly a beautiful sight, but equally certainly an embarassing one.  Shui closes her eyes for a moment, her lips thin.  Anyone else would appear to be berating themselves, possibly in the foulest of languages, but surely not the steward.

Hem gai tsan!  Six times accursed fool!

Her eyes crack open.  "Apologies," the doctor whispers.  "I sought a more open way back to the ship, and evidently turned left when I should have turned right."  Or gone straight, but she doesn't bother with the unnecessary qualification.  "Thank you, Mr. Ogresh...perhaps it would be best if someone gave directions as I drove."

She wants to sink into the seat with embarassment, but there's no time for that yet.  Not yet.  Not before she gets everyone home in one piece.  But the sudden self-doubt, frustration, and overall tension has set Shui's nerves singing, and buried instincts begin clawing at what little remains of her serenity.  They have to move, to get out of the aircar - hovering here is too exposed.

Nonsense.  Everyone is safe.  Calm yourself.

"They must have closed the ventilation system down." Saskia comments, resisting the urge to rub at her eyes, "Seems like they've been using some sort of gas.  Shutting off air flow would make it more effective in the area where it was used, and stop it affecting the whole place."

Then there is the flight through the tunnels, and she is glad that the raft moves out of reach of the mobs.  Eventually they reach the park - Planetfall Park it's called, even if the monument is to a survey ship, not the first colonists.  Probably because a colony ship would be too big to fit in here.

Eneris asks what they want, again, and he deserves an answer, "We need a treasure map.  You told me about that world, and the souvenir you took.  Our skipper has one of them too, and would be interested in seeing where you got it from.

"We want you to show us where you found it.

"In return, you work passage on our ship, and you're standing with us when we get there.  You'll get away from Frenzie, maybe end up some place where they do have all that crap that Frenzie doesn't, and you'll get a chance to maybe find another of those things."

She looks around, spotting a small speaker, partly concealed among the greenery, and is briefly puzzled until she remembers the birdsong.

"So, what do you think?"

Ash smiles sheepishly to the others, he is navigator after all - and feels a certain onus, even if the situation is quite fluid and they have taken many, many detours.  He sighs a slightly plaintive sigh as Shui lands the air-raft so that Ash can get his bearings back and formulate a plan to actually get them back to the Profit Margin in one piece.  Some navigator I have turned out to be, he muses to himself.  His eyes falling on the old survey ship turned duracrete monument for a moment.  In his four year tour with the Scouts, Ash never actual got to pilot one of those.  His brow furrowed for a moment, mostly he had spent his time getting shot at in space and up close and personal.  Ash rubs his right knee reflexively for a moment.

Then, Ash blinks hard, as if waking up from his short revelry.  The disoriented look is replaced with a slightly distant look as he gets 'back to work' and pushes various overlays into the reticule of the eyepiece to his headband.  Ash turns and listens quietly to Saskia's proposal to Eneris, watching the older man's reaction as he continues to review the station maps and checks the local news feeds scrolling past his eyes.  At least, that is what he appears to be concentrating on, even if his eyes dart back to Eneris ever so often.

Eneris considers Saskia's explanation carefully, tipping his head far back to look up at the black sky visible beyond the domed roof.  He says nothing for a long while, but finally drops his gaze, sweeping it over the park itself.

"Okay.  I'll go along with it, but on one condition."  He scratches at his heavily stubbled cheek, "I'm not that fracking young.  I get tired.  I want a guarantee that I can jump ship any time I get tired of chasing this.  No questions asked."

"If it happens, it'll probably be somewhere nice.  With open air and real sky.  Until then, I'll help all I can, and try to tell your captain how to find the right place.  But as soon as I feel like I've had enough. I want to be able to fracking leave."

"Is this acceptable?"

"I can't see Jago objecting to that." Saskia replies, with a cheerful smile, "Trust me.  He's not the sort of person who would imprison you in your cabin, or something."

Unless you're a pirate, of course. she adds, mentally, and the smile falters for an instant, then returns, "I'm sure he'll be grateful for any help you can give."

Eneris ponders Saskia's response, while Shui and Ash compare notes, and attempt to correlate their information with the air-raft's flight recorder.  Finally they realise that there should have been a left turn at one particular junction, whereas Shui had, in point of fact, flown straight on.  In the near identical corridors and tunnels, it was an easy mistake to make.

Just as easy to rectify.

Having given enough thought to the matter, Eneris nods, "Fair enough.  As they say in the Scouts, take me to your leader."

"Thank you, Mr. Tescali."  With a nod to their capable navigator, Shui programs the route into her dataglove and activates the holofunction to bring up a map - it will, of course, drain the batteries at a ridiculous rate, but be more than sufficient to bring them back to the ship.

Should all go as planned.

With their passenger's agreement secured, she eases the raft into a slow turn, then smoothly accelerates down the proper path.

In some respects the location  has by-passed him completely - for some reason the ship monument, the  gardens, even the piped bird noise has barely even registered.

But with the new route decided and their passengers acceptance of the situation, Tylen shakes his head hard, perhaps to clear it then coughs softly a couple times.  Finally he leans back in his seat, shot gun at the ready, prepared for the rest of the journey back to the margin.

Ash nods quietly to Shui as they confer and she thanks him, his ears burn a little red with the acknowledgment, though he hopes that no one notices.  Ash knows bloody well, that this little detour is likely his fault.

So, as they get underway, he sits down and watches their route carefully, trying to be extra vigilant about their progress towards the Profit Margin and to be informed well in advance of any potential pitfalls along the way.

Ash is not sure about the Saskia's 'cabin-arrest' comment.  But, he knows that he will get a chance to get more details about that from the rest of the crew later, in more private circumstances.  Having secured Eneris' tentative agreement to their proposal is more than enough for the moment.

The air-raft hurtles through the corridors at a steady fifty kilometres per hour.  Not its top speed, by any means, but fast enough to make it a less than tempting target, while affording Shui adequate time to react to obstacles.

Obstacles like the team of four armoured Marines who flag the air-raft down at one point.  The troopers are in full battledress, their faces hidden by the sealed helmets, and their voices sounding flattened and indistinguishable from each other as they are filtered through speaker systems.

A brief question and answer session, and checks on the vehicle's identity, sees them waved on, with instructions to head straight for their destination, and only take detours to avoid anything that looks like a trouble spot.

Not long after, Shui makes the turn that had been missed before, and a short while later, they pass the entrance to one of the docking bays.  They're getting close to the ship.

Eneris suddenly speaks up, "Say, before we leave Frenzie, do you think your skipper would let me go and collect my stuff?  Don't have much.  Just a change of clothes and some old holo-images."

Ash frowns slightly when Eneris breaks the silence, his head turns slightly to bring the old spacer's face into his peripheral vision, "Hmm ... You probably should have an escort, Mr. Armusezash.  We would not want you to get lost."  But, Ash can relate, he can fully understand the sentimental attachments that people develop to their 'stuff'.  However, in this case there is a certain amount of expedience that they are trying to achieve.  He queries with some urgency "Where are they stored?  And how much and far away is that?"

With that, Ash then starts scrambling to pull up maps and plot potential routes.  He notes off-hand, "Umm... I suspect, that this request would probably have been easier to fulfill before we passed the Marine checkpoint..."  Something scratches at the back of Ash's neck, raising the small hairs there.  Perhaps I'm just being paranoid, he reassures himself, I mean, what could possibly go wrong ?!?...

Tylen throws Ash a strange look, wondering what the hell he is thinking of.  "We will be back at the ship soon and you will be able to ask him yourself." Tylen drawls, trying to suggest a different approach "Perhaps he will be able to ask Yas to collect them  for you." he says grinning at the thought of the ex-marine in her pseudo armour squishing her way through the crowded corridors.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:59, Tue 29 June 2010.

Allowing the others to do the answering for her, Shui concentrates on getting them home.  If they need to go out again, so be it - she'll take their new passenger and whatever escort seems necessary.  But at the moment, she concentrates on patching up her earlier mistake by bringing the crew to its ship.

Saskia must be going into withdrawl by this point.

Fortunately Ash seems to be already planning the route to the older man's home, so if they do go out again, perhaps this little mishap can be avoided.  Almost there, her mind silently chants.  Almost there.

Somehow she manages to resist the enormous urge to speed up.

"Well, it's not much.  But it's important to me." Eneris explains, "Images of lost friends.  The only decent clothes I've got.  I live on this side of the checkpoint.  Don't have a fracking apartment, or anything like that.  Just live in an old storage locker near the far end of the docks."

He thinks for a moment, "I can ask your captain though.  Polite thing to do, and all that."


A few more minutes, and the air-raft veers onto an approach ramp, the far end of which is sealed by a heavy blast door bearing the lrgend, "Docking Bay 94".  Profit Margin lays on the other side of the door.  Home.

A brief pause while the entry code is keyed in, and then they are in the bay.  Looking at the ship.  Jago is sitting at the bottom of the ramp with Corlan DeSant.  The two men have a chess board set up on a crate between them.  Jago is down to his last three or four pieces, while Corlan has at least three times that left.

For some reason, Jago doesn't look confident.  As the air-raft pulls up, he stands, "Sorry Corlan, I've got some business to attend to.  Let's call this one a draw, shall we?  You've already beaten me twice in the last fifteen minutes.  A draw lets me preserve a little dignity."

Corlan chuckles, "Certainly, Captain.  But as the owner of a starship, you're hardly lacking in dignity."

Jago regards the people clambering out of the air-raft, "How did it go?  Any trouble?"

"No problems, Jago." Saskia confirms, choosing not to mention their slight diversion, after all, she wouldn't want Shui to lose her driving privileges over something so trivial, "Paperwork took a bit longer than expected because the cops were so busy, that's all."

She gives Jago an innocent smile, then gestures towards the stranger in their midst, "This is Eneris Armusezash.  Eneris, this is Captain Jago Lanza."

"Yep.  And the crowd din't riot at all, while the marines in battle dress were there." he adds laconically to Saskia's comments.   Climbing  down from the air raft he lets the shotgun dangle loosely in his hand as he asks after his gunnery partner.  "Any word from Yas yet?".

Shui grimaces at Jago's question, but does not contradict Saskia's version of events - the engineer is evidently being kind.  The doctor decides to corner the captain later to explain how she got them lost.

For now, the priority is the air-raft.  Settling it to the ground, the steward waits in the driver's seat for word whether or not she will be ferrying their new passenger to pick up his gear.  It only makes sense, and she can't see the captain denying the request...unless safety issues urge him otherwise.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:22, Tue 06 July 2010.

Jago studies Eneris briefly, but responds to Tylen's question before dealing with anything else, "She called in a while ago.  Said buying the suit was going to take a bit more time.  Funny, she never struck me as the type to get that interested in clothes shopping."

"Pleased to meat you, Mister Armusezash."  He extends a hand in greeting.  Then, "Corlan.  You'll be having some company for a bit, Eneris, here, will be occupying one of our passenger cabins for an extended time."

Eneris nods a greeting to Corlan, then asks Jago the question that's been occupying his mind, "Captain... I have some belongings I need to collect, holoimages and a change of clothes.  Physically it's not much, but it has sentimental attachments.  My place is about a klick from here, on the docks.  I need your permission to go and get my stuff."

Jago considers the request for a moment before replying, "Can you wait for a bit?  I still have crew out in the port, and I might need the air-raft in case she calls in.  Once she's back, you can go and fetch your stuff.  I promise we won't lift until you have it."

"Shui, leave the 'raft where it is for now.  It'll be going out again later anyway."

"For now, everybody grab a bite to eat.  Seems like it's been a long day.  I thought we could have a nice picnic down here under the bright... " he peers up at the bay roof, "... shiny grey metal sky.  Just for a change of scenery."

Ash nods to Jago, his expression does not betray the fact that everyone in the air-raft has likely seen the grey metal roof up close and personal.  He watches and waits for Shui to exit first, the tension from the last trip was readily apparent - and the return seemed no less stressful, if not in a different way.  So, he wants to make sure that their Doctor (and Steward) is no worse for the wear.  He gives Shui a crooked smile and offers her a hand up from her seat.

In the mean time, he leans over to Eneris to confer about locations and directions, briefly.

Then he stands and makes to follow the rest of the crew to Margin and, hopefully, a bit to eat.  Honestly, he hadn't realized how hungry he was.  It must have been all of the activity and tension.

"Of course, Captain Lanza." About to pull herself from the vehicle, Shui pauses at the sight of Ash's outstretched hand; with a small smile and a nod of the head, she takes it and levers herself free, dropping down to the tarmac and flexing her knees once. "Thank you, Mr. Tescali."  A small line appears between her brows for a moment.  "We still need to have a physical done," she reminds him.

Knowing his baseline could be critical for the upcoming months, if they're planning something risky.

At the Captain's 'suggestion' for everyone to eat, the Steward bobs her head and hurries inside, pausing at the hatchway.  "Mr. DeSant - I hope you left the captain with some of his dignity."  Following the greeting, she hurries for the galley, already calling up her memory of appropriate food to prepare for the various members of the crew.  One finger keys a holocontrol, linking her dataglove to the ship's intercom.  Shui makes certain to check the volume before speaking.

+ If there is something particular one desires for lunch, please let me know immediately. +

Saskia pats Eneris on the shoulder and gives him an encouraging smile.

"Jago?" she asks, "You have any preference which cabin you want Eneris in?  I was thinking Number 8.  That gives him and Corlan a bit of privacy, when the other cabins are empty, if they want it.  I could take him over there so he knows where it is."

"Eight sounds fine to me, Saskia." Jago responds, and then, as an afterthought, "Perhaps Corlan could help you.  He probably knows our passenger accommodation beter than we know it ourselves, what with the time he's spent living in it."

"I'd be glad to." Corlan DeSant replies, with a emphatic nod.  "Anything to help out."

As the various crew members head off to grab food, or show the new guest to his quarters, Jago is left standing alone in the bay.  He turns to watch as the last of his crew disappears into the ship, then turns his gaze upwards once more and clears his throat.

When he speaks, his voice is quiet, and tinged with anxiety...

"If there's anybody up there who keeps a special eye on tramp freighters, please don't let this turn out to be my stupidest decision of all time, including that one on Enaaka."

As Ash helps the doctor from her seat down to the ground and she mentions the physical, Ash nods in agreement, "Of course, Doctor.  At your earliest convenience."  He smiles a slightly crooked smile and then follows Shui onto the hanger floor and up the ramp.

Ash nods to Corlan, and then to Jago.  He asks off-hand, "Captain, have we settled on the destination for the next immediate stop?  Mirriam or System 728-907?  The astrogation calcuations are ready either way."  He waits for a moment for any answer, if there is any, and then moves up the ramp.

As for a lunch order, Ash has discovered that their Steward's choices are always much better than his.  So, he has stopped trying to specify anything; he has yet to be disappointed with anything that Shui has prepared.

"Hm?  What?  Oh, Mirriam, I reckon." Jago replies, after a brief distracted pause, "More people there than at 728-907, and a Navy facility in the system should reduce the chances of us running into trouble in space.  On the ground is another matter, what with no government and no law, but it might give Yas a chance to play with her new toy."

He ponders that for a moment, before adding, "Though with only about a thousand people on the whole planet, they've got plenty of room to run away from her.  Then again, she might enjoy the sport."

Inside the ship, Corlan and Saskia are showing Eneris to his quarters.  The veteran looks around the cabin, and finally nods, "It's nice.  Bunk looks comfy too.  Would've liked a window, mind."

Corlan smiles, "You have one.  Look."  He steps up to the wall control and shows how to call up a view of the outside world from the ship's external sensors.  "It's real time, and you can resize it to fill the whole wall if you want,  But I wouldn't recommend that.  I did it once and woke up as we were coming in for a landing one day.  For a minute I felt quite ill, and thought I was going to fall, until my brain started working properly."

"You can also set it to display pre-selected images.  Sometimes I use a  series of scenic views of my homeworld, Regina, to help me relax when I'm going to sleep.

"Thanks." Eneris responds, "That's impressive."

In the Crew Lounge, Shui prepares and serves a light meal, just to tide people over until dinner time.  Ash and Tylen collect their own food, and prepare back off the ship, for Jago's indoor picnic.

"You've got a shower over there, of course.  Water's recycled, obviously, but that's done by systems that I rebuilt, and I swear by my work.  Pure enough to drink." Saskia explains to Eneris, "But we keep drinking water in a separate cistern anyway."

She moves to the same control unit that Corlan had been demonstrating, "This set of sliders control environmentals.  Heat, light, air circulation."  The engineer taps each control in turn as she explains its function, "Gravitics.  You can vary gravity, in this cabin alone, plus or minus fifty percent compared to the rest of the ship.  We generally hold it to one standard G throughout the ship, but if you'd be more comfortable with something else in here, that's fine."

Tylen folds the stock on the shotgun and lets the short version ride comfortably on  its strap behind his back as he heads on board.  First stop is his cabin where he straps his gun belt around his waist, and checks each revolver to make sure that it is fully functional, fully loaded and secure in it holster.

For a moment he considers the Las Carbine, but decides to leave it where it is.  Trouble is more likely to come in the form  of a mob, rather than a concerted attack, and severe laser burns would likely be considered as 'going over the top'.  Anyway the sharp crack of a revolver discharge is more likely to slow someone down, that the almost silent buzz of a laser weapon.

Collecting his food Tylen nods his thanks towards Shui  "Anything else you want me to take down?" he asks before heading back outside.

Shui passes around the food to those who come to lunch, already mentally trying to work a schedule out for fitting in Ash's physical.  She's late with that - bothersome.  Worse still, she's only doing half her job; Saskia is doing the other half, getting their new 'guest' settled in.  Still, she knows the man better than the rest of them (a touch, but there it is) and is his 'contact' among them.  If she is happy to assist him, better that than a stranger.

She can fully introduce herself later.  And plan another physical, the doctor ruefully considers, doubting very much the older man will 'pass'.

At Tylen's question, she steps back to give the gunner a once-over.  Certainly he lives up to his position title.  "I think you are well-prepared, Mr. Ogresh," the steward replies with a slight smile.  "And thank you.  Beyond my bag -" nearly always at hand for the doctor "- I have nothing else, myself.  Now, we need only await our new guest."

"I was going to take mine down to Jago on the ramp." he says reminding Shui of the outdoor picnic that the captain had requested.  "I could always carry a plate for Jago, or a jug of coffee..." he adds hopefully.

I wonder what had been playing on  her mind ... he half asks himself  not that I'd mind ....  Nah ...  not on your own doorsteap ..... the half formed ideas shoot through his mind quickly, although his expression never changes from the polite smile it held earlier.

Shui blinks, her eyes widening.  "Oh, dear.  Thank you, Mr. Ogresh.  If you could be of assistance, I will certainly bring down some refreshments for Jago...and everyone else who cares to join him."  Flustered and flushing, the steward hurridly begins piling sandwiches and drinks on a pair of trays, mentally striving to sort out her priorities.  Thank goodness for Tylen and his reminder.

"I am afraid the drive appears to have...distracted me, Mr. Ogresh."  'Shaken up' might be a better turn of phrase - too long outside driving, the near-riot conditions, lost in near-riot conditions...  "I certainly have not been performing to expectations." She's babbling, and worse, that will sound like a fishing expedition for compliments.  Pausing, Shui closes her eyes, takes a deep breath and releases it, along with a chunk of tension.  "The situation on the station has me concerned," she admits, taking up one of the trays and waiting for him to grab the other.

"Hey, its all right." Tylen says taking the tray of sandwiches that she has left for him.  "Don't fret about it.  It was a hairy ride, but you drove good,  better than Yas would have done.  Last time she drove, we were hitting things left,  right and centre."  he says exaggerating the damage slightly in an attempt to make the steward doctor feel better about it.

"As for the situation on the station, none of us like it very much.." he pauses for a moment or two, "But some of us have more experience of this type of thing than others.  Hey, I bet Yas is in her element, suddenly 10 feet tall and almost unstoppable."  he adds with a grin  "And we will be away from  here, just as soon as Jago can get us all aboard and secured ..." he continues trying to assure Shui as they make their way back to the ramp  "We just need to get a big pot of coffee and we are all set."

"Mmmm," Shui thoughtfully agrees with Tylen.  "I suppose I could have done worse," she continues, unwilling to cast aspirations upon Yasmine's driving skills.  She glances up at the tall Scout.  "We arrived without serious incident, and no injuries among the crew - what more should I hope for?"

Her lips twitch slightly when the scout switches to discussion of the station and its woes.  "I fear my own experience with this sort of circumstances is -"

- very unpleasant -

"- nonexistent," the steward smoothly lies.  "I...dislike violence - you may have noticed."  A small, ironic laugh follows.  "And while I do not wish for you to have to resort to it, I am certainly pleased for your protection, Mr. Ogresh.  And that of Giant Yasmine," she adds, one eyebrow arching high at the image presented.

Frightening.

"I will be well pleased to put this chaos behind me, in exchange for the familiar bustle of our ship in transit."  Another glance up at the tall man, this time with a smile replacing her tension.  "Of course, one thing I can provide is the coffee."

"None of us like violence much." he says trying hard not to think of Yas, "But if there is any violence happening, I would rather we were doing it, rather than someone else doing it to us." Tylen says sagely as he sets the sandwiches down.  The smile has more to do with the thought of coffee than with the thought of violence, but may not be completely clear from his expression.

Shui places her own tray down next to the one Tylen has carried, and stares bleakly out over the landing field.  For a long moment, she remains silent, a stray breeze catching a lock of hair and teasing it loose.  With a slow, smooth gesture, the doctor brushes it back.

"I understand, Mr. Ogresh," she finally says, her voice nearly a whisper.  "I understand the desire to protect.  A worthwhile goal, far better than that of those who would do violence out of fear.  Or to take."  The breeze flows by again, dislodging the errant lock; her hand moves in response, still smoothly, but not slowly.  Caught, the hair is again returned to its place, and Shui glances up at the man standing beside her, her eyes blindly staring through him.

"Please forgive me, Mr. Ogresh, if I pray you will never have to kill to protect me."

She blinks, and her brows furrow as her gaze focuses.  "And I pray I will never have to treat a serious injury on you - there are enough scars as it is, and I hope to see no more.  You have enough for four men your age."  Her smile is weak but genuine, and gains strength by the moment.

"And fortuitous luck, I have here a carafe of freshly prepared coffee..."

"I never did a lot of praying." the tall man replies laconically, "Although I can agree with both of those sentiments." he continues as he reaches for a coffee.

"Praying helps, sometimes," Shui notes, taking a small sandwich for herself.  After a moment, she pours a half-cup of coffee.  "Of course, one often wonders to whom to pray.  I pray to the universe at large, not being of any particular denomination." She sniffs the coffee doubtfully.  A single taste of the bitter liquid, and her face screws up for an instant before smoothing.

"I must confess, I am in awe of the bravery of coffee drinkers."  Another sip; another similar reaction.  The Steward keys her dataglove, linking with the ship's intercom.

+ As the Captain requested a picnic, Mr. Ogresh and I have delivered.  The food is prepared and ready on the ramp. +

Outside, Jago is back in his chair, gazing at the parked air-raft.  His expression is one of deep contemplation (well, that or acute indigestion), and he doesn't seem to hear people returning until they are almost upon him.

"Ah... there you are." he says, shaking his head to clear the cobwebs, "Sorry, I was parsecs away.  Pull up a crate or something, and sit down.  I was thinking about the 'raft, and it occurred to me that it was aboard Profit Margin when I bought her, and probably for some time before that."

"Maybe now that the old girl has a few credits to her name, I should think about getting a new 'raft.  Maybe something with a demountable pintel for a weapon.  If we're going into places where people aren't always friendly, it could be useful to have something a bit more scary than bad language to keep them away.  The ship's guns are probably a bit too much for crowd control."

Eneris nods, and peers at the controls as they are explained to him, and then Shui's voice echoes around the cabin, "That's good.  I'm fracking famished.  Belly keeps asking if my throat's been slit."

"It can keep you on your toes." Tylen responds, half saluting the steward with his coffee cup, "But you get used to it."

But then he is distracted by Jago's comments.  "How about an enclosed one?" Tylen suggests contemplating the air raft "with smoke canisters or something?  That  would work for crowd control.  Or were you going all Yas on us and thinking of heavy machine guns?"  he says well aware that the Head of Security is away from the ship at the moment, and can't argue back.  "Or perhaps both?  Give us the best of both worlds." he concludes.

Shui nods her head slightly, smiling appreciatively at Tylen's comment.  The scout always seems to be on his toes, but she doubts the coffee takes the credit for that.  More likely his training, she considers.  And experience - the roadmap of scars on his body attests to that much.  Her father would respect this man - quiet, efficient, self-effacing, and firm of conviction.  An odd thought to leap to mind, but there it is.

Jago joins them, and she portions off some of the food for the captain, deliberately picking lower caloric choices with respect for his on-again, off-again decision to work at his waistline.  Coffee goes with it, as well.  The conversation turns toward weapon systems for the raft; with nothing to add, Shui listens to Tylen's suggestions.  The smoke canisters, those she appreciates - they could be loaded with any number of different chemicals, some nasty, some merely obscuring, all non-lethal.

The thought of heavy machine guns, though...

Another sip of the coffee - the taste is familiar now, which means 'bearable'.  It helps that her tongue has gone slightly numb; the crew likes its coffee strong, and Shui makes it to suit their desires.  "Perhaps some training for any potential raft drivers might be best," she quietly notes.  "I would be of no use in a combat situation, Captain Lanza." 

Not through lack of skill - hers is sufficent for basic maneuvering, even for high speed turns (though likely nothing more) - but Shui knows very well she would likely do something foolish in an attempt to save both crew and the targets of whatever heavy weapons were mounted on the raft.

Ash put the finishing touches on his calculations.  He pushed the console away from his chair and stood up to stretch before he headed out to the picnic.  He glanced back at the console before locking it and heading out.  He had completed the calculations for the Mirriam and then did the preliminaries for the leg on to Denotam since he couldn't see any route that wouldn't take them through there - especially if the Captain strongly preferred to remain in Imperial Space.

Regardless, Ash had done some ... er ... ancillary calculations: the ones to Calit and System 728-907 from Mirriam.  You know, just in case.  Well, that and he actually liked to do the calculations.  It helped to calm his mind and keep him 'grounded', so to speak.

But, with all of that done - and with Shui's announcement, he trundled out of the bridge and around the ship through the crew lounge into the cargo hold and down the ramp.  He walked over to Shui and accepted a cup of coffee from her.  He raised the cup took a long draught.  Nice and black, just the way he liked it.  It wasn't sickly sweet like some of the IISS standard high-energy drinks.  And that was a good thing.  Those neo-caffinated drinks were sickly sweet and left far too much of an aftertaste for his liking.  Still, sometimes that is all there was on those long exploration voyage.  Ash stared down into the dark liquid in his cup, before raising his cup and winking to Shui, "Excellent coffee, Ms. Tiesi.  Excellent coffee."

It was only then, that Ash realized that he had come in on the end of conversation between Tylen, Shui and Jago.  He looked about slightly confused, "Enclosed would be nice, but a weapon-mounted, combat-ready grav vehicle?"  He grabbed a sandwich and took a bite, chewing thoughtfully for a moment, "Do you really think that will be necessary?"  He frowned slightly as he thought what all of that might mean, and paused as he noted - his tone more than a touch troubled, "I mean, it would only be a deterrent if we really meant to use any mounted weapons..."

"The Margin is armed with two plasma canon and a beam laser as well as a missile launching system." Tylen replies to Ash "And it is part of my job to shoot things with those  when needs be.  Same as it was part of my job to use the shot gun if it was needed when we were out on the air raft, or it will be my job to maintain security here, if I have to." He continues carefully  "Not all that long ago I had to burn someone with a laser.  I didn't enjoy it, didn't want to do it, but it stopped him shooting at us." Tylen continues trying to emphasise that he takes the defensive part of his duties seriously.  "If there is a mounted weapon on the airaft, I will use it, if I have to."  Tylen says with a shrug.

Tylen step forward for a moment and takes a tooth pick from the tray and uses the end to dislodge something that appears to be stuck in his teeth.  He keeps the used stick in his left hand, twiddling with it between his fingers, as he reaches for another sandwich.

Ash nods sadly to Tylen's explanation of the uses of weapons and their 'defensive' value.  It isn't as though he does not trust the man and his word, nor is Ash unfamiliar with the use of weapons in many different capacities.  Yet there is something slightly rueful about his expression.

"Of course," he agrees amiably enough with Tylen, "I am sure that they have their uses.  And it is, of course, the prerogative of the Captain to have whatever equipment he wishes on board.  But, my admittedly limited experience is that violence begets violence.  And that damage to equipment - especially starships and people - is incredibly expensive."  Ash shifts his weight off of his right knee.

He holds his hands out in a concilliatory gesture, "Of course, I am not here as Security, only as the navigator.  And therefore, my opinion about security matters is... suspect, and probably not very well informed.  I did not mean to question your Honor, Mr. Ogresh.  Please, forgive me."

"My point was ..." Ash continued after another bite of his sandwich, glancing at Jago, "more asking, if the Captain felt strongly that the current vehicle was likely to be inadequate for any anticipated, upcoming situations."

"Question  my honour?" Tylen asks surprised  "There is little honour in shooting people." the scout continues between bites on his sandwich.  "You asked if we would be prepared to use mounted weapons, and I pointed out that I would, if required, and so will Yas.  So yes, mounted weapons will be a deterrent"

However the ex-scout continues in response to Ash's comments "You are right, of course.  Violence does attract violence.  And if someone tries to do violence to any of the crew on the Margin, Yas or I will try and do more damage back first.  And it doesn't really matter if it is  you  or any of the other crew members.  Nor will we hold back, even if you ask us too." he says with a nod of acknowledgement  in Shui's direction.  he knows very well that the steward would rather he didn't hurt anyone on her behalf, but he also knew that would not stop him if he  felt that the doctor was  'at risk'.

Then he takes another slug of his coffee, before he develops the scenario he had alluded to earlier. "The last man I shot had just taken a pop at Yasmine with a revolver, so I made sure he didn't get a second attempt.  The only reason he didn't die, was because the Doc here fixed him up." he says acknowledging Shui's role in saving the thug.  "An air raft with something big on it might well have discouraged the idiot from taking a shot at Yas in the first place. And that would have saved me from lighting him up with the laser." Tylen concludes with a shrug.

However, Tylen  is interested to hear the captain's response to Ash's question.   Just recently Jago has agreed to let Yas buy a power suit, and he knows that will almost certainly turn into combat armour, or something very much like it, once the Head of Security and the Chief Engineer get to play with it.  Now Jago is suggesting up rating the air raft's offensive capabilities ...  Just what is he expecting.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:57, Thu 22 July 2010.

Shui accepts the commendation from Ash with a smile and a slight inclination of the head.  "My pleasure, Mr. Tescali.  You're too kind, it's barely adequate."  Typical politeness on her homeworld.  She cocks an eyebrow when he questions the idea of a heavily armed air raft, and waits to see Mr. Ogresh's response.

Things take a meandering course in a vaguely downhill direction from there.

It's obvious the two men have opposing viewpoints on the matter, much as Shui does herself.  It's a constant source of discomfort that she does; Shui knows it can irritate those about them, especially people like Tylen and Yasmine, who are simply doing their best to keep everyone safe.  I must appear ungrateful, she thinks to herself as the not-quite argument continues.

This is the last thing she wishes - to seem critical or uncaring of Tylen's efforts.  It could not be further from the truth.

Honour.

A touchy subject.  Ash evidently hopes not to cause offense, which Shui appreciates; hard feelings among the crew can be difficult to deal with during cramped voyages.  But Tylen is a scout - there is no place for the 'glory and honour in battle' sorts amoung them.  It isn't their job, it doesn't keep them alive to report back.  Instead, Mr. Ogresh seems to have a pragmatic, cautious view of combat; a far better thing, in Shui's opinion.  He's no raving berserker, to be sure.

She returns his nod, understanding exactly what he means.  It is not simply his duty to protect; it is in his nature.  Slowly dropping into a crouch, Shui closes her eyes.  "Mr. Ogresh," she quietly begins, "I may not have thanked you for covering Yasmine, for helping keep us alive."  Her stomach rolls at the thought of violence, of shooting another living being, but reasons are important, at least as important as the action itself.  "Nor for your part in other difficult encounters we have had."

"I am grateful.  Very much so, though I wish..."  Her eyes open, shadowed with sadness as she glances his way.  "Your choices carry a heavy cost.  You take the hard route and suffer that cost to protect those such as myself."

A coward.

Not quite true, but at the moment, Tylen's scars (both visible and not) on her mind, Shui finds it difficult to see it any other way.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:40, Thu 22 July 2010.

Tylen half snorts at Shui's words, although not to try and belittle her or her words, but to try and minimise his own actions.  "And nor have I thanked you for fixing him up, so that I don't have his death on my conscience." the ex-scout acknowledges  with a wink.

"Now, did we get any pastries to go with the sandwiches?" he asks craning his neck to see what else is on the plates.

Shui's return smile is half-hearted, but also real.  "Of...of course, Mr. Ogresh."  Flummoxed, she has no idea what to say to his thanks - how does one respond to that, without sounding either arrogant or foolish?  Fortunately, he leaves her an out.

"There are...I have some squares on this tray," she indicates, her equinamity slowly returning.  "Fruit and nut mostly, but not 'health food'." Healthier, is probably a better way to put it - she could have made them extremely good for the body, but then nobody would eat, defeating the purpose.  Middle of the road seemed best.  "Lemon, date, and others.  Should you really wish actual pastries, you should tell me before we launch - I shall have to find ingredients." 

She isn't the best cook in the world, but with a database of recipies and plenty of practical experience, the doctor is certain she can manage.

Jago listens to the discussion, adding his own comments when appropriate.

"I wasn't thinking of an enclosed raft, no.  An open raft, with a pintel mount, has good all-round coverage, I've heard, and crew and passengers can still shoot with personal weapons.  Once you go for the covered raft, you need to go with a turret or something.  Then you have to consider the size of the raft, height-wise, and will it fit in the garage."

"Add to that the fact that it's a working vehicle.  Need something that doesn't take up too much space in there.  Plus, I want to be able to remove the weapon easily when we hit a world where the law is a bit tighter."

Then, a bit later, "I was thinking a laser, something just a bit more powerful than your carbine, Tylen, pulling power from the raft itself.  Maybe a pair of them on a twin mount.  That way there's no need to find a place to store ammo, the way you'd have to with a slugthrower."

Jago grins, looking a little sheepish, "Can you tell Yas has been nagging me about this for years?"

"I don't think the raft we have now is going to be inadequate.  I was just thinking about what happened last time it went out to do a bit of exploring.  Everybody found themselves in a gunfight, and all Conrad could do was fly off and leave them to it.  And we have the cash for an upgrade right now."

Shortly afterwards, Saskia, Corlan and Eneris come down the ramp, each carrying a plate of food.

Tylen is getting a very bad feeling about this and frowns at the suggestion.  "With a pair of heavy armoured plates on each side of the weapon?" he asks concerned.

After a moment to compose his thoughts he expands slightly.  Our normal mode of operation is with Yas out front to make the initial contact, with me out of sight somewhere covering her with a laser.  So Yas in heavy armour and me using a heavier duty laser fits that well.  However ...  "  he pauses for moment, perhaps for effect "If I am standing on an un-armoured airaft, I become a bit of a sitting duck.  We won that last fire fight because I was unseen and able to fire from cover.

If the situation were reversed, and we were facing a situation where the enemy had a heavily armed but lightly armoured man on a fairly static air-raft -  he would be my very first target, and I would keep going until he was well and truly cooked."  Tylen says voicing his concerns.

Clearly, the thought of being an ill-armoured sitting duck on an air-raft with, at best, a passable driver doesn't appeal to him.  And much as he likes Shui, the idea of actually being driven into combat by the doctor is almost scary.

Shui serves food all around, ensuring everyone gets some of the sandwiches and squares, and continues to pour drinks for those who desire them.  She stays out of the conversation for the moment - it certainly doesn't help put people at ease when discussing weapons and defensive systems.  Instead, she sidles up beside Saskia when the engineer arrives, greeting her with a whisper.

"Thank you, Ms Blake."  The Steward sighs.  "I should have dealt with our guest`s accomodations, but..."  She makes a sign around her head indicating a scattered mind.  "Too many things on which to think.  I apprciate your saving me the embarassment."

"Well, I was thinking of something which would only be used in case the 'raft was being attacked anyway." Jago replies, with a sigh, "Wasn't planning on going on the offensive."

His comm chirps, and he fishes it out of his pocket, nodding to Tylen, "Thanks.  I can see I need to think about this a little more."  He puts the comm to his ear.  "Jago Lanza...  Okay.  Good.  See you soon."

The comm vanishes back into his pocket, "Yas is on her way back."

Eneris settles down and starts eating.  From the way he does so, it appears to be the first time for a little while.

Ash nods in agreement as Jago explains his reasoning with respect to the air-raft.  "Better safe than sorry.  Pragmatic and sensible, Captain." he intones enigmatically.  Ash takes another bite of his sandwich and chews slowly, watching the others coming down the ramp.

As Eneris tucks in and Shui chats with Saskia, Ash wanders over to Eneris.  "Ash Tescali," he notes with a smile and an outstretched hand, "navigator... I don't believe that I got a chance to properly introduce myself"  He clears his throat and adds half-jokingly, "while we were out there.  I was too busy getting us lost."

With he bemused smile still on his lips, Ash sits down next to Eneris, plate still in hand, and continues, "I thought that I would be the 'baby' of the crew for a bit longer.  I only joined the crew of the Profit Margin just over a week or so ago."

Eneris replies to Ash, still chewing, "Navigator is it?  I was a gunner... well, not exactly.  Didn't spend much time in a turret or anything.  Was on a Lightning class cruiser.  Me and my mate were the crew for a missile bay.  Basically the computer would tell us there was a target, and that it had a firing solution, and we'd tell it whether to shoot.  That was it.  Fracking machine did all the work, and we just got to tell it if it had wasted its time or not."

Another bite of food, as his mouth appears to be becoming dangerously empty, "Been aboard a week, you say?  How's it treating you so far?"

Saskia shrugs her shoulders at Shui's thanks.  "No problem.  He's my stray - only right that I should get him settled in." she replies, quietly, "Besides, you were busy with other duties, and I don't have a whole lot to do just now, so it's not like it was any hardship sorting him out.  Plus it game him and Corlan a chance to get to know each other."

She takes a small bite out of a sandwich, chews briefly and swallows, "Nice sandwiches.  Thanks."

She nods at Jago's news that Yas will be back soon, then she raises her own concern, "Jago, we can't leave too soon.  I have a delivery of components coming in.  If we're going to be heading to places where their idea of building a port is just cutting down a few trees and chasing off the groats, then we need to be sure we've got as many spares as we can get.  I'd hate to be stuck on some boondock world, just because we need to replace a twenty credit coolant condenser assembly valve, and nobody on the planet even knows what one frelling looks like."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:32, Sun 01 Aug 2010.

Ash's left eyebrow lifts and he regards Eneris for a moment, "Another Navy Man?  It has been almost ten years since I left that service."  Eight long years, he thinks to himself.  He gives Eneris a crooked smile, "Yeah, those Lightning-class ships are almost all automated.  Though it is when the computer fails on all of those big shiny ships," he notes darkly, "that the really dangers in space become apparent.  And I don't mean the Deep Black, necessarily."  Ash rubs his knee instinctively; while the wound was not from his Navy time, stress always seems to cause little phantom twinges.

Realizing that he had gone distant for a moment, Ash glances sheepishly at Eneris, noting quietly, "Ummm.. Sorry about that."

He pauses for a moment, before vocalizing a response to Eneris question, "I can't really complain.  It is a rock solid crew.  Good people."  He notes off-hand, "I'm probably extraneous, since Captain Lanza is a fine pilot.  But, I am thankful for the job and chance to travel.  I'd bounced around on a couple of different free traders before this, and none of their crews had the precision or personnel to match the Profit Margin."  Ash exhales slowly, before continuing, his volume going down a notch, "I can only hope they'll keep me with them - their old navigator was set to reenlist with the Navy here at Frenzie, but ... I... I don't think that happened.  So, I may be looking for a new job soon.  He had been with them for a while, previously."  Ash shrugs and chews on another bite of his sandwich.

Yasmine will soon arrive; Shui checks to ensure there is a thermos of cocoa.  Yes.  "Even so, it is appreciated."  She offers the engineer a quick smile.  "I am glad to return the favour with food."  It's her job, of course, but that Saskia enjoys her preparations pleases Shui.

Her eyebrows rise as she considers the other woman's argument against leaving quickly.  Nearby, Mr. Tescali discusses the finer points of starship function with Mr. Armusezash, as well as making a despondant comment with regards to his own future aboard the ship.  Brows furrow as Shui considers this issue; she hadn't thought that Conrad would be returning to them.  If he is, wonderful news, but hardly fair for their new navigator/pilot.  "You will be a fine addition to said crew, Mr. Tescali," she points out.  "Captain Lanza, what is the situation vis à vis Conrad?  And I would add my voice to Ms. Blake's - I should purchase some additional supplies."

Like coffee.  Or you will all suffer immense headaches when we run out.

Jago tilts his head towards Ash and Shui, "As far as I know, Conrad is still packing.  He'd better be going, I gave him a generous resignation package."

He considers for a moment, moving his unlit cigar from one side of his mouth to the other, "Mind you, he's taking his time over clearing his gear.  I suspect he's sitting somewhere, reflecting on what a kind and wonderful Skipper he's leaving behind."  The Captain chuckles, "If he isn't ready to leave soon, I'll go and help him along.  At gun-point."

"You definitely have a job Ash.  And, yes, I am a damned fine pilot.  But I hate doing course calculations and plotting Jump coordinates.  Which is why I always hire some poor sucker to do them for me."

The cigar migrates back to its original position, "Okay Shui, order what you think we need, and pay a reasonable premium for a fast delivery, if you must.  But let them ask for the extra, don't offer it.  Saskia, any idea when this stuff of yours is expected?"

"Well, they told me some time today." Saskia says, "But I think that was before all the rioting started, so it might be delayed.  I used the ship's Engineering credchip, as usual, so it's all been paid for."

Saskia knows Jago.  Now that he's aware that the payment for the components has already come out of the ship's funds, he won't leave until they've been delivered.

His brow furrowed slightly, as Ash parsed Shui's statement.  It certainly a compliment, but does not do anything to boost his confidence in maintaining his job.  But then, Shui statement was not meant to be a promise that Ash was guaranteed a job with the Profit Margin; the good Doctor had not hired him, so she was not in a position to make such a guarantee.  Jago, on the other hand, was in such a position.  And as he does so, Ash nods to him.  Ash's voice betraying only a modicum of uncertainty as he says, "Thank you, Captain.  It is the Captain's prerogative."  Though whether Ash is referring to the piloting, the delegation of navigation duties, or hiring and firing personnel, is anyone's guess.  Realizing his pause, he adds quickly, "I...  My intent was not to have Mr. Dietz 'run out town', per se."  He notes with a rather dubious tone, "Especially here, where there situation seems particularly ... ummm... volatile."

"On the other hand," Ash notes enigmatically, "There is a strong Naval and Marine presence here..."  He shrugs slightly and takes another bite of his sandwich, which he has been eating in fits and starts; he seems to be especially fond of the crusty bits.

"Conrad will probably be heading straight for the Naval station, when he leaves." Jago says, tipping his head back to stare at the bay roof, as if he is gazing at a real sky, "He seems pretty set on the idea of rejoining the Navy and doing his bit for the war effort.  Can't say I won't miss him, we go back a bit, even back before he signed on with me... but I respect his choice, and I won't try to stop him.

"Just like I didn't try to talk Tylen out of signing up with the Scouts again."

His gaze drops again, "It's the nature of beast.  The beast, in this case, being small ship crews.  People join, and people leave.  Some people stay shorter than others, and some people stay longer, but nobody stays for ever."

Eneris nods sagely, "You're right there, Sir."  he raises his glass of water in a toast, "To old shipmates.  May they live in our memory for as long as we still have one."

Uncertain if her comments have done any good for Mr. Tescali's frame of mind, Shui listens to the back-and-forth between he and the Captain with some trepidation.  Conrad will not be returning, and Ash will remain.  This comes as something of a relief to the steward; while she enjoys Conrad's company and wishes he would stay, this way both men achieve their desires.  A preferable outcome.

And Ash is probably correct - while the station seems more than a little inflammable at the moment, the military presence should keep any sparks to a minimum.  She hopes.

"A sad thing, Captain Lanza," she mumurs as he explains his feelings about small ships and their crew. "But inevitable."  Shaking off her darkening mood, she focuses on her dataglove.  "I should start putting in orders for provisions and medical consumables."

"Can't wait to get shot of me, Jago?" Conrad himself interrupts.  The navigator stands at the head of the ramp with a couple of cases and a duffle next to him.

He takes a couple of paces forward, one of the cases topples, followed by the second, and the duffle.  Conrad turns to glare at them, before resuming his walk down to his friends, "See now, that's why I'll be glad to get back into the Navy.  On a Navy ship, they would've all stood smartly at attention, until needed, not jus' flopped down like a bunch of lazy, good-for-nuthin' civilians."

"More seriously... I'm surely gonna miss y'all.  Even Jago."

At the foot of the ramp, he stops and sits down on the metal, "Sorry I missed lunch.  Was sittin', goin' through stuff, decidin' what all needed to go with me, and what could stay.  'fraid there ain't much in that there second group, so y'all'll jus' have to buy your own."

"Ash... there's some datacrystals with Jump calcs for major routes, all optimised for the Margin.  I left 'em sittin on my... on your console.  Apart from that, there's not a lot else I'll be leavin'.

"You do realise that without me there all those Navy ships are in danger of falling apart, right?" Saskia responds to Conrad, with a grin, "So why are you worrying about keeping your underwear neatly pressed and organized when your quarters are probably going to be open to frelling vacuum any minute?

"You'll have far more important things to stress about than finding a red sock in your blue sock drawer.  Luckily you won't have to stress for long, because most of them will kill you in about the half-life of a bottom quark."

She stands and walks across to shake his hand, "Look after yourself, Navy."  Then she salutes, before turning away and returning to her place.

Tylen listens to the by-play between the others, nodding as Conrad speaks of going ashore and smiling as he jokes about the cases falling over.  However, the typical scout humour generated by hours of lonely work surfaces as soon as Saskia talks of bottom quarks, but Tylen refrains from making one of the more obvious toilet humour jokes, restricting himself to small smile instead.

He hooks a  casual salute towards the ex-navigator ”You take care Conrad.  It won’t be quite the same without you aboard” he pauses for a moment and says  ”How are you getting to the recruiting station?  Are they sending someone for you?  There are a lot of very disgruntled people out there.” he says indicating the corridors beyond the docking station walls.

Shui sighs at the sight of Conrad and his duffel.  It seems this will be goodbye - and without the chance to take him out to dinner or lunch, as planned.  Events have swept them away; the journey to the police station, the need to prepare, and Dietz' necessity of reaching the recruiting office.

But as Tylen says his goodbyes, the gunner mentions a way they might yet be able to give him a farewell gift.  Something sadly small, but it seems to be all they can do.

"Conrad," Shui begins, moving to stand before the man.  "You shall be missed - missed greatly, indeed."  Reaching out, she takes his hands between hers.  "Please allow us to assist; as Mr. Ogresh notes, it is not the best of environments out there.  We have to go into the city again, so we can easily drop you at the recruitment office.  Unless you have made arrangements to be picked up, I will insist."

She smiles. "If you have made such arrangements, please break them."

Ash looks slightly surprised and more than a little touched when Conrad tells him of the gift left on the navigator's console.  A slight smile plays on his face as he nods, "T-thank you, Mr. Dietz.  That is greatly appreciated."

His eyes are downcast a little as he notes, "I-I didn't leave you anything.  And since you are rejoining a prior service, I'm not sure that I can offer you any really sage advice."

"But," he says quite deadpan, "be careful and stay out of too much trouble.  Keep your head down in a firefight.  And keep in touch.  With luck, our paths will cross again."  He offers Conrad a small salute and the takes another bite of his sandwich.  He watches quietly, wondering if Conrad will accept the offer of a ride to the recruiters.

"I can't order you to do it, since you haven't been part of my crew for the last week, and I can't kick you off the ship, since you're already off," Jago adds, standing to shake the navigator's hand, "but if you refuse to accept a ride to the recruiters, I'll impound that untidy heap of luggage that you've left cluttering up my deck."

"Take care Conrad.  It was a pleasure working with you."

Conrad smiles, "Well now... looks like I'll be takin' that ride from y'all.  Even if it is only about a half klick."

"Ash, y'all know what it's like when y'all're in charge of settin' the course?  If'n it looks like too much trouble where I'm s'pposed to be headed, I can jus' fake a nav error.  Forget to carry the one, an I'll be at the wrong end of the system while the battle rages."  The grin shows, clearly, that he's not serious.

Then he frowns, "Where's Yas?  Can't leave without givin' her a las' chance to insult the Navy... to my face, at any rate."

"She should be back soon.  Said she had to pick up a skimpy dancing outfit, or some such, before you left." Jago replies, and looks, a little nervously, towards the bay door, as if expecting the Security Chief to walk in, right at that moment and overhear him.

Saskia almost chokes on her sandwich, "Uh, Jago, you do realise she's standing right behind you, don't you?"

Then she laughs, unable to keep a straight face any longer.

"I'm sorry, but I probably won't come along for the ride when you go to deliver Conrad.  I need to sort out the parts stores to make room for that delivery, and run some diagnostics before we leave."

Jago nods to Saskia, "Fair enough.  Just as long as you're keeping busy."

He glances about in the awkward silence which follows, then, "Here's an idea.  While we wait for Yas to come back, why don't you take Eneris to collect his belongings?  I'll wait here with Corlan and Conrad.  I want to have a word with him anyway."

"When you get back, with any luck Yas will have turned up, kissed him goodbye - or punched him in the kisser, however it is that Marines say their farewells - and you'll be able to drive him over to become the Navy's responsibility."

"Certainly, Captain," Shui responds, with a quick look around to ensure there is sufficient food handy for those who remain.  "Ms. Crow's cocoa is in that thermos, should she inquire."  Her tone of voice indicates it would be best if the Captain himself inquires when Yasmine shows up.

On an air raft, they should be just fine with the people who have chosen to go - while the security chief would have been an excellent addition, Ash and Tylen seem perfectly capable of handling protection.

So long as I don't crash, Shui reminds herself, resolving to keep her speed reasonable and her eyes ahead of the vehicle.  Politeness is a useful thing, but there's a time and place for facing the people to whom one is speaking.

"I shall prepare the raft."

"Well, you know me, Jago.  I'm always - " Saskia starts to say, before falling silent, flushing noticeably.  She's known Jago long enough to recognise that he's still annoyed at her for getting involved in the brawl.

Just as long as you're keeping busy.  And staying out of trouble.  That's what he really meant, of course.

"I'll probably stay here while you go to Eneris's place too."  There.  Now Jago doesn't have to worry about her going shoreside.

She picks up her boots, and starts to head up the ramp.

Tylen just nods and heads back into the ship to drop off his gun belts, although when he returns, ostentatious armed with the shot gun -  one of the revolvers and a few spare clips are scattered around his pockets.  Shot guns are fine, but a  revolver is a good backup.  he has thought about the las-carbine -  but decided that probably would be too conspicuous for his own good health.

"Ready when you guys are ...." he says briefly.

Ash stands up and dusts himself off for a moment.  He doesn't have a revolver or a shotgun.  All he has is his old navy blade.  I guess that will have to do, he thinks to himself.  Ash follows Tylen up the ramp and heads to his cabin, dropping off his plate in the lounge.  Once in his cabin, Ash straps the blade onto his belt and pulls his duster back on.  He pauses for a moment and shrugs to the face in the mirror, rubbing the short stubble on his chin and giving his reflection as crooked smile.

He toggles his cabin door shut and heads back out to the air-raft arriving only moments after Tylen.  He stands quietly next to the air-raft's steps waiting for the others to board.

Shui checks the 'raft over.  It doesn't seem to have suffered any damage during the previous excursion.  She climbs in and activates the a-g systems, lifting the vehicle a couple of centimetres off the ground.  Eneris climbs aboard, sitting alongside Shui, "I can give you directions.  Mind you, it's pretty much a matter of driving out the door, make a right, and keep going until I tell you to stop.  Or you can't go no further.  Pretty much the same thing."

Ash and Tylen appear from the ship and clamber aboard.  Shui starts the vehicle climbing, and edges towards the bay door as Saskia moves across to open it.

Outside the bay, they swing right and start to follow a corridor marked Dockside Main, which, as Eneris cheerfully explains, runs right along all the docking bays.

Shui picks up speed, and lifts the 'raft higher.  The corridor is clear, with the exception of a few small scattered groups, whose highly variable clothing styles would seem to indicate that they are probably off-worlders.  Port Security, with the assistance of the Marines, seem to be doing a good job of keeping the mobs away from the docks.

At one point, as they drive, a small, scaly alien flaps past on a pair of bat-like wings, taking advantage of Frenzie's low gravity as it travels in the opposite direction. 

After a little while, it becomes clear that the corridor some distance ahead of them is in complete darkness...

Concern grows.  Bad enough that they're way out in the middle of nowhere when the station is undergoing some serious social upheaval.  But this?  Shui, now having reached her full familiarity with the air-raft's controls (practice brings it all back) throttles back and hovers, peering ahead.  The darkness seems to swallow the headlights, and her lips twist into a moue of concentration.

"Mr. Eneris," she finally begins, "is it much further to your abode?"

The doctor suddenly wishes Saskia had come with them.  The engineer seemed to have bonded better with their new guest, and perhaps would have had some insight into the situation Shui cannot yet reach.  But...Saskia is not here, Shui.  Deal with this yourself.  Count on Mr. Ogresh and Mr. Tescali.

"It's not much further.  Hundred, maybe hundred and fifty metres at most.  Fracking lights are always going out down this end.  At least a couple of times a day."  Eneris scowls and shakes his head, "Used to only last a second or two, but one time it took them hours to sort it out, and since then the average time has been crawling up.  These days it generally runs to an hour or so."

He chuckles then, "Friend of mine called it antimatter lightning, because you'd get a flash of blackness, and a bang as the power came back on."

"The passage is fairly straight from here.  Slight curve to the left."

"Perhaps we should go the rest of the way on foot?" Tylen suggests "Unless this bucket has a decent lights?"  he continues hoping that Shui will flip a switch and the shine a light into the darkness.

However, he hefts his shot gun and peers carefully towards the darkness.

Ash notes the passage of the little flying reptilian alien, but is more preoccupied with the looming darkness ahead.

He seems a bit perturbed by the darkness, but can't see anything else on the vehicle that will help.  As such he sits there quietly brooding for a moment, then with a shrug agrees with Tylen, "Perhaps it might be best if we did the rest on foot."  He adds, "One of us should stay with the air-raft, just in case."

"Hopefully," Ash notes, "there isn't any ambush waiting for us..."  Ash's tone is genial and lighthearted enough, but his hand does rest on his blade.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:07, Thu 09 Sept 2010.

"Can't think of any reason there'd be anybody waiting.  Nobody ever comes out this way.  One reason I prefer to live out here." Eneris states, with a laugh. "The last two docks along here were shut down years ago.  They belonged to a small mining corp that went out of business.  Nobody picked them up, probably because they're only suited to small ships, and they're old docks, it'd take a lot of credits to make sure the systems are all working right."

"Thank you, Mr. Armusezash," Shui murmurs.  Straight, slight curve to the left later.  The headlights give her barely enough information to drive, but it's there.  The short-range radar would be a confused mess, what with the raft surrounded by tons of scrap metal.  "The lights are sufficient, Mr. Ogresh - unless you advise we continue afoot with concerns for ambush, as Mr. Tescali suggests."
Shui isn't certain exactly who could possibly be waiting for them down here, and it's a rather poor setup for people lurking about to mug unwary travellers - nobody comes to this area.  She edges the air-car forward at a slow pace, assuming Tylen will inform her if he firmly decides they should walk.

He is, after all, in charge of security for this pick-up detail.

Tylen says nothing as Shui lets the air-raft crawl into the darker area.  However, he cradles his shotgun a bit more tightly and pays a bit more attention to the road ahead.

Ash nods to Eneris, though he keeps quiet.  His primary attention is on making sure that Shui has enough information to keep the air-raft moving and aloft.  But since she seems to be doing okay, he has nothing much more to say.  Besides the eerie darkness has its own sort of solitude.  It is not the Deep Black, but with naught but the buzz of the air circulators and the hum of the air-raft motor reverberating off of the walls, the quiet is interesting to Ash.  It's not quite comforting, but given all of the activity of the day already, it is welcoming in some ways...

The air-raft pushes forward, into the increasing gloom.  Shui keeps the speed down, and descends slightly to avoid any protrusions from the corridor roof.  The headlights spear out into the darkness ahead, three beams of white light showing nothing but open air ahead.  But the light scattering from them dimly illuminates the walls, almost seeming to generate more shadows than light.

Eneris keeps up a quiet running commentary, his best guesstimate of the remaining distance.

Eventually there is a flicker ahead.  Almost blinding in the darkness.  Light reflected directly back at them from the end wall.  Shui slows a little more, and eventually sets the raft down, light as a feather, only three metres from the wall, and turned to point towards the right hand side of the corridor.

There is a door there, framed in the headlights.  Eneris scrambles out of the air-raft and struggles a little to open the door.  Finally it gives in a screech of corroded metal hinges.

"Don't move.  The fracking lights'll give me something to see with in here."

The room beyond the door, visible in the beams, looks like a small storeroom.  There is a tattered blanket on the floor, some ration packs stacked next to it, and a battered looking battery stove.  Eneris ducks out of sight, out of the area of direct light, and returns a couple of seconds later with a rucksack and something flat, wrapped in clear plastic.

As he exits the room, it becomes obvious that the second item is a uniform, on a hanger, sealed in plastic, and being carried with great care.

Shui concentrates on driving - ensuring they will get there in one piece, being capable of leaving in the same.  It is with some relief that she finally brings the raft to a halt; as it turns out, the drive has been easier than expected, but her own tension, her desire not to make an error, made it far worse.

She should be more relaxed on the way back, the doctor reasons.

Eneris seems to have everything under control - she'd only get in the way - so the steward remains seated, slowly turning the raft around to face back the way they came, prepared for leave-taking.  It comes more quickly than expected.  Eneris evidently doesn't have too much to his name, and only some of that worth keeping.  "No more, Mr. Armusezash?"  One of Shui's eyebrows arches at the sight of the uniform.  Only one thing there truly loved, I warrent.  "We have room aboard the raft and the ship."

Certainly she will find a place for the uniform.  After she cleans and presses it.

Ash watches Eneris putter around, or at least the shadowy form that he thinks is Eneris, inside his room.  Ash's vantage point is from just inside of the entrance to the air-raft.  As the old spacer approaches with his items, Ash offers his left hand to either take something or give the man a hand up: his choice.  "Watch your step." he notes and "Here, take my hand." he prompts.  Ash figures that even the short ladder up to the air-raft can be treacherous in the dark - especially when loaded with gear.

Ash's eyes still dart about warily trying to scan the darkness (with very little luck).  His right hand is still resting on the pommel of his knife.

Tylen watches carefully as the Shui drives into the darkness, and tries to let his eyesight accustom itself to the gloom, a goal almost destroyed by the bright reflection of of the head lights from the end wall.  "Well done." he acknowledges the doctor's driving skill with a nod and a terse comment as he jumps down from the air raft after Eneris.

However, rather than following the man into his accommodation, Tylen turns towards the back of the air raft.  He isn't really expecting trouble, but caution, and probably protocol, says they should have someone looking that way as well.

Assuming all is well and their charge make sit safely aboard the raft with his gear, Tylen will clamber aboard quickly again, so that the Stewardess can start for 'home' straight away.

Eneris tosses his rucksack into the air-raft, then clambers aboard, still keeping a firm grip on the hanger and its plastic-shrouded contents.  "That's everything I need to take with me." he explains, as he settles into the seat next to Shui.

"Well... we'll have to come back for the furniture, the groundcar, the herd of groats and all the chickens.  Probably should take my wife too, I suppose."

Then he laughs aloud, "Just kidding.  This is everything I have.  Unfortunately."

With everybody back aboard, Shui lifts the raft, turning it back the way they came, where the lights are still shining.  A touch on the accelerator, and the vehicle eases forward, towards the more populous area of the docks...
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:10, Sun 19 Sept 2010.

Shui sends Eneris a look so bland it could only be meant to amuse.  "Of course, Mr. Armusezash."  Then she smiles.  "I have found that having fewer possessions and ties can frequently be liberating."  She cocks her head thoughtfully as she slowly rotates the air raft to the proper direction.  "Of late, I have failed to follow that wisdom myself...I should probably declutter."

Finally they're moving, back the way they came.  It's a little early for any kind of celebration, though - Shui reminds herself that they've barely passed the halfway point of this little venture.

"If it isn't too much trouble, might someone come up with an alternative route for our return?  A simple one?" she inquires to the raft's occupants in general.  Old habits have begun to resurface, and the idea of taking the identical tunnels back puts an itch between her shoulderblades.

Eneris chuckles as the overhead lights come back on again with a loud crack, "Always the fracking way.  Don't work when you need them, and come back on when you've finished the job."

He settles back in his seat, the plastic-wrapped uniform still held carefully over his arm.

"There aren't a lot of choices from here.  I mean, it was just one nearly straight tunnel running along the docks from your ship to my hole in the wall.  But if you slow down to a crawl, and turn right, into that opening... carefully, because it'll be a tight fit... you'll come onto a ramp which goes up, does a U turn, and comes out in a smaller corridor directly above this one."

He indicates an opening in the wall, located at floor level, less than three metres high, and not much wider.  The air-raft would just fit through it.  "I think you might find it interesting, all of you, but you'll need to take it slowly.  This is a service tunnel, intended for cargo and maintenance vehicles.  The other one, above us, is really for pedestrians, but given the situation here, I don't think there'll be many people using it just now."

"I think I would rather take the main corridor where we can push the speed up is we need to." Tylen responds as he hears Eneris's comments.  "It is not like we are expecting active pursuit as the moment." he continues for Shui's benefit "But I am uncomfortable enough with all the disturbances that are going on anyway.  The only reason we got back to the ship so easily before was the marine presence that Yas found for us." he reminds them all.

"You got me interested though." he says to the old spacer "Why do you think we would find it interesting?"

Ash sits quietly watching Shui, then Eneris and then Tylen in turn.  He looks puzzled as Shui requests an alternate route.  He's not affronted necessarily, that she does not want to use the same route back - even if it is the most direct.  But, he does wonder at her motivation.  Then Ash nods as at Tylen suggestion to return the way they came.

He was about to ask Eneris the same question that the other ex-Scout did.  A slightly smile crosses his face, Great minds must think alike, he notes to himself.  But he remains silent, waiting for Eneris to respond.  'Interesting' is an unusual choice of words - one that begs an explanation Ash figures.

Shui absorbs their guest's explanation, weighing the pros and cons.  Cramped confines versus unpredictability...but Tylen comes to a conclusion before her, as is his right as the ranking security on this excursion.  Besides which, given his reasons it makes perfect sense.  "Of course, Mr. Ogresh," the steward responds with a quick nod. "Thank you, Mr. Armusezash, but we will be taking the easier route."

Powering the vehicle up, Shui returns her focus to her driving.  With the lights on, a little distraction isn't quite so worrisome, so she flicks on the radar.  Sure, at the moment there is too much interference for her to use it to drive, but one never knows.  It might pick up something interesting when they move further out of the broken zone.

"The corridor up there," Eneris points to the ceiling, "is more like a viewing gallery.  One wall is nothing but fracking huge screens, like the cabin walls on your ship.  It's like looking through big windows into the docking bays.  I go up there sometimes to see if there's anything interesting in port."

As a decision is made to stick to the main corridor instead, Eneris shrugs, "Oh well.  Not to worry.  I expect the really interesting ships are the ones whose captains request the screens be shut off anyway."

Shui steers the air-raft along the corridor, back the way they came, accelerating as they move out into the brightly lit portion of the route.  They pass dock after dock as they travel, all the massive access doors sealed.

There are only a few people about still, though they again spot the winged alien (or one that looks just like it).  This time it is walking back in the direction it came from earlier, carrying a large white box, stencilled with, presumably, alien script.  It seems to ignore them as they pass, not even turning its head... though with its large compound eyes, that doesn't necessarily mean that it isn't studying them closely.

"Is that right ..." Tylen comments as Enneris talks about the viewing corridor.  "I can see how that would be an attraction." he muses. Then he grins widely "Someone remind me to make sure that Jago knows about those screens.  I can't see that Yas would be happy knowing that some 'grounders' were watching our every move.  Still it might be interesting to get up there and have a look along the docks." he concedes as they continue on their way.

As they pass the Droyne Tylen keeps an eye on it, just the same as he would on anyone else, otherwise he just keeps a general eye out as they head back to the margin.

Ash contemplated Eneris 'interesting' item, and admitted to himself that it would be really nice to see.  But he agreed with Tylen that the getting back to the Profit Margin took precedence.  And so, while he glanced back at the passage way, he kept silent.

However, as they passed the small winged alien, Ash leaned over and noted to Eneris, "One of your old friends?  He seems to live here as well."  After all, the old spacer was the only one here that could really say what was 'normal'.  Ash glanced at the white box, though the writing made no sense to him at all.

"Nah... he doesn't live here, but there is a Droyne ship in the last working dock before you get to my place.  I don't mind them.  They keep to themselves." Eneris says, then shrugs, "Weird looking ship though."

"You ever see one of those Aslan ships?  All sleek curves and rounded edges, with the writing all over them?  Well... the Droyne ship looks like that, but more.  Not a straight line on it, and it's sort of scary, like some kind of giant bug sitting in the dock.  One of the dock techs said its a merchie, but it still looks like some dangerous animal."

"And the colours on it change over time.  Gives me a fracking headache to look at it.  Or that could be the booze."

Shui keeps driving.

A little further along they pass a dock entrance which has armed guards outside.  Ship crew, by the look of the clothing, which doesn't match local styles.  The door itself is closed, but there are two men and a Vargr standing outside, all of them armed.

"Eneris nods towards them, "Looks like some people are getting a bit nervous."

Curious beings they have around here...Shui mostly concentrates on her driving, not being skilled enough to feel confident dividing her attention between the conversation and the road.  Better to get them all there in one piece - if something important comes up, she's certain the others will recall it and let her know later.

The aircar controls hum against her palms, a soothing feeling that does little to calm any of her nerves past her wrists.  The appearance of armed guards, obviously set out by a ship's captain, doesn't help.  "I wonder," she muses, "if their captain knows something ours doesn't."

A touch of a holocontrol on her dataglove activates the com, linking it to the air-raft's system and from there to the ship.  ++ Shui to Profit Margin, ++ she murmurs into the glove's com.  ++ Captain Lanza, are you there? ++

"Don't blame them" Tylen replies to the old spacers comment. "We aren't exactly taking things lightly" he grins patting the stock of the shotgun across his knee.  "And when we got back last time, remember how Jago was out on the cargo ramp ...."  he pauses for a moment or two "This place really doesn't have the feel of 'a good place to be'." the ex-scout concludes as he continues to keep a watchful eye out for threats.

Ash's head tilts for a moment as if lost in thought.  The Droyne.  He doesn't have much experience with them, though he was stationed with one as during his stint with the Imperial Navy over a decade ago.  Dilligent, hard-working, hierarchical - that was his assessment at the time.  Their rigid caste social structure, from what he could glean, was an attempt to prove the adage, 'the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.'  And as Eneris had noted (ignoring the booze part), their technology reflected some of that; their ships were kind of freaky - elegant, aesthetic, and ultimately, alien.

He gave the others in the crew a sort of lopsided smile and a shrug, "Everyone's edgy.  In port and in space."  Another shrug and Ash adds, "Can't really blame them - the rumor doesn't even have to be true and people panic.  I mean, we want to get off this rock as quickly as possible too..."

A dark shadow crosses his face for a moment, a trick of the light or maybe an appropriately timed broken bulb, as Ash notes with a touch of sadness in his voice, "Information, or rather lack thereof, can get one killed..."  He rubs his right knee for a moment, once again lost in thought as the approach the Profit Margin.

Jago's voice comes from the airraft's comm system, "Go ahead, Shui.  Is there a problem?"  He doesn't sound worried, which either means that he has supreme confidence in his crew, or that he doesn't give a flying frack about them.  Hopefully the former.

"You should be back soon, shouldn't you?"

Looking ahead along the corridor reveals that the dock number for Profit Margin's berth is visible a short distance ahead of them.

++ Indeed, Captain Lanza - within sight now, in fact. ++  She begins throttling back, slowing the air raft.  ++ With so many more armed guards about, I thought it prudent to call and see if there had been any difficulties.  I see this is not the case.  We will arrive shortly. ++

Relief settles her shoulders slightly, but she doesn't relax - not yet.  Not until the Captain gives the go-ahead on the safety issue.  It doesn't pay to assume.

Ash casts a glance at Shui, a slight smile playing on his face.  "Lack of information..." he repeats quietly.  He shows the rest of the crew his crooked smile.  Then he purses his lips and returns to staring back out at the passing dock doors and their guards.  Ash continues to rub his right knee, blithely unaware that he is doing so.

"No... no problems here." Jago reponds, "I'll see you in a minute then."

"I think Conrad is so bored with the tales of my long career as a heroic merchant captain that he's currently quite desperate to go and sign up for the Navy, as soon as possible."

He laughs, "Corlan too, I reckon."

Ahead, the docking bay draws ever closer...

When the air-raft finally pulls into the bay, Jago is just coming down the ramp, alone.  Despite his assurances via the comm, he does look concerned.

As the vehicle slows and descends, the captain calls out, "I don't suppose you happened to spot Yas while you were out there?  I just tried to call and see if she'd be much longer, but got no response on the comms.  I suppose she's okay, I can't hear anything exploding, or anything, but it's not like her not to check in."

Throttling the vehicle back, Shui stares out of the window at the Captain.  "No, Captain Lanza."  Concern grows in her as she considers the situation in the port.  "I think...it might be wise to see if we can find her, if we know approximately where she headed," the steward suggests.  She leaves the air-raft running, for the moment.

Her voice drops slightly, the words quickening. "The situation seems to be deteriorating further.  Other ships have posted armed guards.  Not to impinge upon Ms. Crow's competence, but things could boil over - even Ms. Crow might not be able to handle an all-out riot." 

"As far as I know, she was going to the store where you dropped her off earlier, then coming straight back here." Jago says, running a hand through his hair, "I don't believe she had any plans to go anywhere else."

"She called in a while ago to say she was on her way back, but it's been a bit too long now."

Then he seems to realise how he must sound, "I'm certain she can take care of herself, of course.  She probably just stopped to talk to some Marines, or something... "

Ash frownes slightly, though it was more because he was gauging the reactions of the others.  He didn't know Ms. Crow that well and she seemed competent enough.  But, the situation out in the station proper did not seem like the best place to be by oneself.  Ash knows that he would not like to be out there himself, but then he also has assumed that he was a bit more , ah, circumspect than Ms. Crow, who was an Imperial Marine, and that she can handle herself much better than him.  At least, that is what his aching right knee keeps telling him.

"Captain?" Ash ventures, "How long ago was 'a while ago'?  Should some of us go out in the air-raft and take a look?  Or perhaps the Marines at the check point can help us; they appeared to be quite familiar with Ms. Crow."  Ash hmmms, the latter option brings better resources to bear.  However, the former option keeps the issue lower key and in-house.  But as Ash glances at the cramped space in the air-raft proper, the former option coupled with the cargo that Ms. Crow is picking up means that only two, maybe three, members of the crew will be able to venture forth - one of which will be busy driving.  And with the worsen situation station-side, more personnel would be better, but not very feasible.

He purses his lips when he thinks more about Shui comment and shrugs slightly, "Of course, if there is a riot, I am not sure what we will be able to do to help Ms. Crow."  He looks sheepishly at the others and adds quickly, "Not that we shouldn't try... just... well, I don't know if this craft is the best suited for riot control nor is one shotgun or my singular laser carbine."

"Ahh.  But there would be two." Tylen comments as Ash speaks about his singular laser carbine.  "I had pretty much desided that more fire power was the order of the day if we were to go out again, anyway." Tylen concludes.  "After all, we aren't liable to have the local police chasing us down at the moment."

"Can we use the local comms net to get a 'fix' on the last place that Yas called from?" he asks looking particularly at Saskia.  "That way we might, at least, head in the right direction." then he pauses for a moment before he quips  "Although I bet she gone off somewhere with a good looking marine in power armour for a drink or two."  however the look on his face implies that the humour is somewhat forced..

"It was nearly an hour ago.  And no word since." Jago replies to Ash.  "I even tried calling her, and got no answer."

Shui's face tightens as each person weighs in, her lips thinning.  The longer the discussion goes, the more certain she is that something is wrong.  Ms. Crow would not avoid taking a call unless the situation were dire...or she was unable to do so, due to an 'assignation'.  Which, the Steward admits, is highly unlikely given the current situation in the port.

"Best to err on the side of caution," she says, checking the fuel on the raft.  It's fine for quite some time, the small trip having hardly taxed the reserves.  "Captain Lanza, I think we should seek Ms. Crow - I cannot see her not responding in the current situation unless she were unable, for whatever reason.  Those going along to find her will need at competent raft-pilot while they act as..."  Protection, she was planning to say.  "In whatever way seems appropriate," the Doctor chooses to finish.

Jago sighs, and his shoulders slump.  "You're right, of course, Shui.  Time could well be of the essence."

He glances at Tylen and Ash, "However, given the situation out there, I'm not going to order anybody back out into the city.  Strictly volunteers, with no come back from me if anybody chooses not to go."

"I'd suggest going to the store where you dropped her off first, and try to follow the same route to get there, since that's probably the way Yas will be coming back and it improves your chances of running into her."

”However, this time we will go armoured and properly armed.” Tylen says as he heads into The Margin to get changed.  A few minutes later he returns,  dressed in  a set of heavy military style fatigues made out of Ballistic Cloth and there  is a telltale glint of Reflec underwear as he fastens the last of his shirt buttons.

Now his gun belts hang around his waist, and he totes his laser carbine and its power pack in one hand.  Not wanting to seem ungrateful, the shot gun he borrowed from Yas hangs across his shoulder from a strap.

He rubs a finger idly across some sort of mark on the shotgun stock, before coughing quietly.  ”I’m ready.” he says simply.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:13, Tue 26 Oct 2010.

Ash watches Tylen enter the Profit Margin for a moment and lets out a long, measured exhalation.  Then he climbs down off of the air-raft.  He notes to Shui, "I'll be right back."  A few minutes later, and only a couple of moments after Tylen returns, Ash trundles down the cargo ramp for the Margin.

He has his same old duster on, but peeking out from under the duster is a set of heavier duty coveralls.  They are IISS badged, and cut Scout style, and sheen of the material marks them as made from ballistic cloth.  Ash has them zipped up completely and buttoned high around his neck.   In his hands, he carries a well-worn, but obviously well-cared for, laser carbine with electro-optical sights; the power pack is clipped to his belt.  Ash still wears his slightly pensive look on his face.

As he climbs back aboard the air-raft, Ash nods to both Tylen and Shui - marking his readiness to embark.  He places his laser carbine carefully on his lap; his hands casually held on the grips of the weapon.

With his left hand, he reaches out to mark the path that they had previously taken - to allow Shui to attempt to retrace their steps back to where they dropped off Yasmine.

"And so we send the scouts out to rescue the marines." Tylen quips as he climbs aboard the air-raft  "And I'll make sure it takes her a while to live that down ......"

"Of course, Captain Lanza." 

Both Tylen and Ash immediately head back inside the ship in search of the proper equipment.  Shui follows on their heels, but her needs are simpler.  She ducks into her room, snatches a still-stiff, nearly never-used jacket from its hook, and throws it on over her shoulders as she moves back out to where the Captain stands beside the raft.  There, the steward pauses to touch Jago's shoulder.  "Captain Lanza...I am certain it is nothing.  Perhaps a communications glitch."  She offers a reassuring smile, then cocks an eyebrow.  "Most likely we will encounter her en route, and Yasmine will have a fine laugh at our concerns for her."

Climbing into the raft Shui turns to her dataglove, calling up the route and programming it into the holoscreen for her to follow.  No mistakes this time, no blind detours.  The simple flak jacket is uncomfortable, but she shrugs around until it settles itself.  Perhaps she should have changed into slacks, rather than the knee-length, simple skirt, but...no time now.  The boys are returning with their toys.

Laser carbines.  The doctor recalls well the wound on the brigand she treated.  But they bear them to seek out Yasmine, and she does her best to put the weapons out of her mind.  These are good men, Shui.

"Indeed, Mr. Orgesh?"  Her smile returns, slightly crooked.  "Yasmine will likely find it hilarious we came to look for her," Shui replies easily, nodding to Ash's finger on the screen.  Double-checking her route is a good thing - two heads are less likely to make the same mistake.  "Thank you, Mr. Tescali."

Despite her easy manner and amused certitude, Shui's lips are thin as she powers up the raft and sweeps out along the chosen route.

Once more the air-raft leaves the docking bay, this time following a route which is a little more familiar to the trio who ride within the open-topped vehicle.

Heading away from the docks, they soon enter one of the larger thoroughfares of the subterranean city.  Businesses line both sides of the corridor, on two separate levels.  All are closed, and many show the telltale marks of civil disorder, in the form of physical damage, graffiti, and signs that there have been small fires - indeed, the acrid smell of smoke still lingers in the air.

Twice they pass places where something has burned deep into the ferrocrete floor of the corridor, producing metre wide craters surrounded by areas which look as though they have been partly melted.  The heart of each crater glows a dull red, and the heat radiating from it is palpable as the air-raft passes by.

As they approach the turn-off towards the supply store where Yas had been left earlier, they crewmembers see two figures coming towards them at a rapid walk, skirting around another of the craters.  One of the figures appears to be dressed in armour similar to that worn by the Marines, but dark blue, rather than the familiar maroon colour worn by Imperial troops.  The second figure looks much smaller in comparison, in brightly coloured civilian garb.

The armoured figure stops when it spots the approaching vehicle, and the other moves behind it.  Closer, and it becomes clear that the armoured figure is carrying a long weapon of some kind.  Not exactly aiming it at the air-raft, but holding it in a not-quite casual, not-quite pointing away sort of way.

Tylen can do the not quite casual, not quite pointing away  pose as well  "Do you reckon she would buy dark blue?" he asks Shui.

Shui immediately throttles down, recognizing the fragility of the air-raft in comparison to the heavy weapon of the armored person.  "I suspect," she replies quietly, "that Ms. Crow would be the one in the civilian clothing - she did go shopping, after all."

Her lips thin.  "Of course, there is only one way to be sure."  Slowly Shui stands up, exposing her head and torso.  "Pardon me," she shouts, "but we seek a crew member of ours."

"Sit down." Tyler instructs the medic.  "You are, after all, the only driver we have for this thing."  Tylen knows full well that if it is Yas in the suit she will recognise the air-raft, especially with him sitting in the front riding as shotgun.  However, he makes a mental note to suggest that Jago have a small, but distinctive, paint-job done -  so that the raft is easy to recognise from a distance.

"Put us down, somewhere to the side, and I will go and talk." he suggests to Shui.

Ash's head tilts slightly as he regards the well-armoured individual.  The carbine remains on his lap, since he figures that it will not do him much good on either offense or defense.  A puzzled expression crosses his face as he notes quietly, "Uh... I don't remember Ms. Crow being dressed that garishly...."  Which means to him that the unarmored person is unlikely to be their errant security chief - leaving the blue armored person.  It could be Yasmine.  And while it shouldn't hurt to ask, Ash is relieved that the good doctor takes the lead on that...

The figure in armour turns for a moment, apparently speaking to the civilian standing behind it, and dressed mostly in pastel shades of green and mauve.

Then it turns to face the air-raft again, and there is a brief whine of feedback, and then, "YOU CAN'T BE MORE SPECIFIC THAN THAT?"

A pause, while the figure appears to address its companion again, and then it yells once more, accompanied by more feedback, "WELL... ARE YOU GOING TO PICK US UP, SUSHI, OR ARE YOU GOING TO SIT THERE AND MAKE US WALK ALL THAT WAY?  I DO HAVE A PREGNANT WOMAN HERE, YOU KNOW?  AND, NO, THE KID'S NOT MINE."

Shui sighs, seating herself under Tylen's order.  She cannot bring herself to simply allow another to volunteer to stick their head out into danger.  She can't.  Given an order, however, she has little other choice, and begins to ease the raft to the side.

As it turns out, both Tylen and Ash are correct, and she is wrong.  "Well, it got the job done," she murmurs in reply to Yasmine's shout.  Throttling back up, she raises an eyebrow toward Tylen.  "Mr. Ogresh?  Shall we pick up our lost Security Chief?" 

"Not sure we can get a suit like that in." he says loudly enough for Yas to hear   "Unless she squats in the back, of course."  then more quietly, almost as an aside to those in the air-raft with him, he continues "Although we should be able to get her companion aboard safely."

Relief at finding the Security Chief is somewhat tempered by the surprise of her new companion, although the thought of Yas as a 'father'  almost made him smile.  Mind you, there were burning holes in the plas-crete to worry about, and even though they had found their 'lost lamb' his las-carbine stayed in that almost ready, but not quite threatening position -  just in case.

"I'm certain most people will feel more protected with a tail-gunner," Shui immediately returns.  She edges the raft forward, closing in on the waiting pair.  "Ms. Crow," the steward calls out over the whine of the power systems.  "I take it we have found the reasons for the damage to the infrastructure?"

Lighthearted, but underneath it all, Shui feels a pulse of sorrow.  Yasmine would not open fire without very good reason - such as the protection of the mother-to-be - but the doctor's spirit cringes at the thought of such destructive potential aimed at living beings.

Even those seeking to cause harm without the security officer's very good reasons.

The dataglove flicks onto the Profit Margin's frequency, the steward aware of her captain's concerns, as always.  + Captain Lanza?  We have located Ms. Crow, safe and well-protected. +  Hopefully the glove - slaving the air-raft's com to boost its range - will get through.

Ash nods and as they draw closer to the pair of pedestrians and puts his laser carbine down on the seat.  He moves to the side port and climbs down from the air-raft, moving as quickly as possible to help the pregnant woman in the garish clothing.  Ash offers her support and a leg up onto the ladder and the air-raft trusting both Yasmine and Tylen to give any necessary covering fire.

Then he waves Yasmine up into the raft - her safety is the mission's goal; so, Ash intends to see her on-board.  Only then does he make his own way back onto the air-raft - albeit as quickly as possible.  Ash has no desire to be a casualty, nor does he really intend to find out why there are fresh craters from heavy weapons fire on the various surfaces of the chamber.

"Hey hey hey, her suit might be colourful but I'm sure it'll fit," comes a retort from the amplified voice to Tylen's comment.  Then she turns towards her companion and says something quietly, whereupon the woman steps out from behind the armoured frame and watches as the raft moves up closer.

"Oh no, Sushi, don't try to pin this on me, must've been my former comrades in arms, not too long ago.  I can only wish I'd such a gun," the security chief claims at the flattering accusation from the ship's doctor.

Assisting the young woman, along with Ash, she then clambers up on the rear and finally opens the face plate, showing a crooked grin previously hidden.

"So, missed me, did you lot, uh?  How sweet.  Hope Conrad's still around, I'll kill him if he's left without saying goodbye to me," she chuckles before checking on her new-found friend; "You all right there?  Yeah?  Good.  We'll soon be on our way."

Jago responds to Shui's call with a speed which indicates that he was probably sitting at the comms console waiting for news.  "Thank you, Shui.  Make sure she knows I'll be expecting a full explanation of why she hasn't called in, as soon as she gets back."

As Yas and her companion climb aboard the air-raft, it becomes clear that the girl is young, definitely no older than her early twenties and very nervous.  Also, if she is pregnant, then the pregnancy is not very far advanced.

(NPCd)

Shui lifts the air-raft and swings it back the way it came.  At a nice, steady (and, above all, safe) speed, she heads back towards Profit Margin.  "Captain Lanza has asked me to inform you, Ms. Crow, that he expects a full explanation for your failure to contact him regarding your delayed return."

Yas's young friend, meanwhile, sits very quietly in the air-raft, looking about nervously.

Although not expecting a lot of trouble with the heavily armed and armoured head of security crouched in the back of the air raft, Tylen keeps his eyes peeled for any signs of threats, well aware that 'thinking you are safe' is one of the largest killers in a combat zone.

"You want this shotguns back then?" Tylen asks the heavily armoured ex-marine, knowing that she will never get the fingers of those gauntlets through the trigger guard, "Or are you happy with that baby until we get home?" he finished with a nod towards the larger weapon that is slung over her shoulder.


_{OOC: Minor edit to correct  a player misconception concerning Yas's weaponry}
This message was last edited by the player at 11:29, Tue 09 Nov 2010.

Yas' young friend suddenly looks around at the former Marine, "What?  Oh, yeah, I'm doing better now, knowing that I'll be out of this mess soon.  Thanks."

Then she looks at the others in the air-raft, "Thanks, all of you.  My name's Keryn."

She doesn't smile, exactly, as she speaks, but she definitely looks less worried.

"Yeah, figured as much.  Comm packed it, then I had to go to the bathroom just after getting into this and the systems aren't working in it yet so I had to get out and...  Nah, just comm problems, then I ran into Ker and a few others here, couldn't just leave 'em there," Yas replies to Sushi and then grins at Tylen, shaking her head.  "You're not going to keep that one once we're back, I need a little something when I shower, no?"

Finally she turns to her new-found friend again and then points to the others in turn.  "Keryn...  Taylor, was it?  This here is Sushi, well, I call her that, doctor and steward, if you can believe it, then here's Ty, gunner, this here is Ashie, our navigator..."

"She'll be heading towards the Spinward Main, we can fix the details once we're back aboard, 'kay?"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:06, Tue 09 Nov 2010.

Just for a moment an ill-defined image of Yas in a shower struggling to keep soap and loofah under control as she holds a strategically placed shotgun flicks through Tylen's mind causing him to chuckle quietly.  But he half turns so he can see their passenger and nods his greeting to her before turning his attention back to their surroundings.

"Certainly, Ms. Blake," Shui replies, taking in the story.  Fortunately, Yasmine provides the young woman's full name.  "Ms. Taylor, when we get to the ship, I shall see you have somewhere comfortable to sit and something to eat.  If you like, I can also do an examination...I doubt there would be any difficulties due to the current stress, but it pays to make certain."

Frowning slightly in concentration, she turns back to her driving.  No catastrophes so far...one can only hope that the current calm will see them back to the safety of the Profit Margin.

Shui pilots the air-raft back towards Profit Margin, while introductions are made.

Keryn Taylor is, it appears, determined to get away from Frenzie.  So determined, in point of fact, that she was attempting to get to the port with a bare minimum of luggage, and during a civil disturbance, in order to secure passage aboard any ship which would take her away from here.

Preferably to some world on a trade route, which would give her more options regarding her final destination.

She reaches into the not-overly-large holdall she is carrying, and pulls out a bundle of cash.  It looks to be all local currency.

"I can afford to pay for my ticket.  My food too.  And I can do some shopping for more clothes while I'm aboard.  Starships do have stores, don't they, just like in the holodramas?"

Blinking Yas glances around, wondering if she missed Sassy somewhere, but then she reaches the conclusion that the good doctor confuses the names of her and the engineer.  No doubt focused on driving, the security chief thinks.

"Yeah, just put that away, don't want it blowing away now, do we?" she tells Keryn with a gentle smile and reaches out to pat the shoulder of the young woman.

Then one eyebrow arches, a moment later followed by the opposite corner of the mouth.Holodramas, with overly luxurious ships with tickets that cost more than Profit Margin.

"Er, some do.  Not Profit Margin.  It is more, hmm, compact.  But she'll get you where you want safely."

Ash glances back at their passenger with a small smile on his face.  He inclines his head and gives Keryn a small salute as Yasmine introduces him to her, "Miss ... Taylor.".  Then his eyes move back to their surroundings and the corridor in front of them as they continue to move in the open topped vehicle.  Ash continues to monitor their path back to the Profit Margin, trying to make sure that they don't get lost (again) under his watch.  Ash is quite sure that his reputation as a navigator is (only slightly) tarnished from their stop here on Frenzie.

He glances around nervously as Keryn mentions boutiques and flashes her (seemingly) large wad of Frenzian currency.  Ash has to stifle a chuckle and doesn't know whether to frown, as well.  Keryn, it seems from his perspective, is unknowingly about to embark on an adventure of a life-time.  One to which there isn't always a happy ending and the full experience could never really be encompassed in the vids.  Ash is well aware that a significant portion of the Imperial population never leaves their home planet - even in such strange and unstable times as they are rumored to be in right now.  She may not become an itinerant Traveller, but Keryn about to get her chance.  Some people are stung with the bug, and never shake it.  Ash rubs his knee reflexively.  His mind wanders for a brief moment, Some people can never stop Travelling.

Ash's main wonder is actually about how their security chief found the girl and decided to help her in the first place.  A slightly crooked smile twitches at his lips.  Perhaps this girl, Keryn, bespeaks of something in Ms. Crow's past. Ash wonders to himself.  A chink in the ex-Marine's cool, flippant facade, perhaps?  A window into something that lies beneath?  Nothing to dwell on for the moment, but perhaps an interesting story to be told back on the Profit Margin.  At the very least, watching Yasmine babysit the young lady will likely be a story in itself ...

It's a short drive back to Profit Margin, with no detours.  The only things which could be remotely described as incidents are the rumble of a distant explosion echoing through the corridors, and the sound of gunshots from somewhere along the docks. 

As they pull into the proper dock, Jago is already outside the ship, pacing up and down.  Conrad is there too, leaning against one of the landing legs and looking far more relaxed than the captain.

Jago turns as the raft enters the dock, "Everybody aboard, and quickly.  We're hearing reports that the situation here is getting worse, so we're moving out."  He glances at Conrad, "Once we make orbit, we'll see if one of the Navy ships will take Conrad aboard, for safe keeping.  He'll be one of theirs again, soon enough."

"Yas, I want to see you in my office as soon as we're not touching dirt any more."

Then he spots Keryn.  "Who's this?"

"Well, we survived that too!" Yas chuckles and then "Ah, Jago!  Yes, it's certainly is getting worse, that I can tell you that from first hand experience," Yas tells Jago with a slightly twisted smile, helping Keryn out of the air raft.

"Good to see you're still around, Connie," she adds with a nod and a grin towards Conrad before nodding to Jago's request.  Then he inquires as to the identity of her new friend.

"Keryn Taylor, captain Jago Lanza.  She seeks passage, towards the Spinward Main.  I promised she'd have a spot on the Margin."

She studies the face of both Jago and Keryn, partly to see his reaction to her and her reaction to the ship - not quite the overly luxurious ships from the soaps she have been watching - to see if the girl turns and flee in terror or if her backbone is still with her.

Saskia appears at the top of the ramp and calls down, "Jago!  Core's back on line, you'll have full power available in about ten seconds!

"Oh, hi Yas.  Welcome home."

Ash waits for Yasmine and Keryn to disembark offering the latter a hand as she climbs down the ladder.  Then he himself slides down and moves up the ramp into the belly of the Profit Margin.

As he passes Jago, Ash notes, "I'll get the pre-flight checks done post-haste and get us clearance from Port Control, Captain."  He assumes that Tylen, Eneris, or Yas will aid Shui in getting the air-raft properly docked and stowed.  With standing orders to move out and the powerplant and drives up, he knows that his proper place is on the bridge right now.

So, he moves into the interior of the Profit Margin and towards the bridge of the ship, Ash intends to first stop by his cabin to drop off his duster and knife and then the ship's locker to stow and secure his laser carbine.

"Thanks Saskia." Jago responds, though his gaze is fixed on Yas' addition to the passenger roster.  Finally he sighs, and says, "Welcome aboard.  Shui will show you to your cabin as soon as she's parked the car."

"Tylen, I want you at your station for take off, with your... " he glances at Keryn Taylor again, "... systems powered up.  And activate the Navy's special equipment.  I think it'll increase the chances of them replying when we ask them to come and pick up Conrad."

Shui moves the air-raft above the ship, and drops it into the "garage" with minimal difficulty, and no awful scraping noises.  She turns off the turbines, and connects the vehicle so that it can recharge from the ship's own power supply.

Yas, meanwhile, shows Keryn to the passenger side lounge, and leaves her waiting there while she goes to get changed.  Though it's not too clear how she will fit her new armour into the pitiful amount of closet space that comes with her quarters.  Might be best to just strap it to a wall in the hold...

Tylen heads for his gunnery position and powers up the systems there, per Jago's orders.

Saskia and Ash also make their way to their respective duty stations.  Ash begins doing the pre-flights, and calls in for immediate launch clearance, just as Jago settles into his own seat.  "If they don't come back with the clearance soon, I might get Yas to power up the dorsals and blow us a new exit." he says, craning his neck to peer up at the docking bay's overhead door.  It isn't entirely clear if he is joking or not.

Tylen changes quickly from his armour into to normal shipboard attire, and stores his weaponry, before heading up to the bridge and his gunnery station, taking his seat and swinging in towards his controls but leaving the security door open.

He powers the systems up, and flips the switch under his seat which activates the inbuilt naval signalling system.  A quick scan of the readouts shows that everything is working properly, so he swings his seat around towards the door, allowing him to see into the bridge and watch what is going on in there.

"Ready when you are bos." he calls softly,  confident of both his systems and ability.   Tylen leans back, one foot resting casually against the door frame and his fingers tapping out a staccato rhythm on the arm of his chair, as he watches the others prepare for lift.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:23, Sat 20 Nov 2010.

"Ms. Blake," Shui murmurs on her way past Saskia from the garage to the passenger cabin.  She checks her dataglove as she marches purposefully through the ship, seeking knowledge of all of the people aboard.  Is Conrad safe?  Is Corlan DeSant with them?  And what of their newest passenger?

Side lounge.  Hardly surprising.

It's likely to be a bumpy ride - she should get something ready for those on board, but also keep her equipment close at hand.  Rather than stow her black bag, Shui heads directly for the lounge.

"Ms. Taylor," she greets their guest as she heads to prepare food, checking to ensure there is a seat - with straps - in easy reach. "Please make yourself comfortable - once the ship is safely away from the current -" deathtrap "- port, I shall see what we can do about procuring you a cabin and other amenities."

This said with a reassuring smile, despite her private concerns.

Ash noted Jago's entry onto the bridge.  He had to fight the old Navy instinct to stand - luckily, his conversation with the Port Authority allowed him an excuse to stay seated.  "Yes, ... yes." he intoned into the comm.  He paused and then repeated slowly trying to enunciate clearly, "Clearance.  Departure clearance."  Ash let only a little bit of exasperation creep into his voice - he was well aware that the person on the other side was likely under much more duress than he was currently, "Yes.  Docking bay 94.  Yes.  The Profit Margin."  He repeated the ship's ID code for the third time in as many minutes.

He tapped the mute button on the commlink and gave Jago a run down, "Captain, all of the lanes are filled currently.  They haven't given me a clearance estimate, yet."  Ash frowned slightly, as he glanced at the main screen showing the extremely heavy traffic in the space surrounding the station.  "Rats leaving the sinking ship..." he mused, and gave a self-deprecating 'squeak'.

Ash tapped the button to un-mute the connection to the Port Authority.  "Yes.  The Profit Margin." he repeated, and then gave the transpoder ID, yet again.  He nodded to no one in particular before he stated flatly, "Yes, I'll hold ..."  Then he flicked the mute button again before adding under his breath, "again."

"On the upside," he noted with only a small touch of irony as he turned back to face Jago, "All checks are complete and the boards show green once we get clearance."  Ash added after a pause, "I have also taken the liberty of calculating a preliminary trajectory, based on our likely release vector to the nearest jump point."  He shrugged slightly, and offered as an explanation, "I figured it wouldn't hurt..."

"I just want to make orbit first." Jago replies, "Hopefully we can make contact with an INS ship and drop Conrad off with some new playmates.  Then we can worry about the Jump point."

The comms comes back to life just then, "This is Frenzie Downport Control, Profit Margin.  Please confirm that you have all your locks sealed, and we will commence depressurisation of Docking Bay 94."

Jago gives Ash a thumbs-up, "All the doors are shut."

Ash relays the information, and a few seconds later orange lights start strobing in the docking bay.

"You are clear for departure, Profit Margin.  Please be aware that orbital traffic control duties are being handled by the Imperial Navy at this time.  When you are clear of the bay, switch to channel three-five-six, to receive further instructions.  Bon voyage, Profit Margin."

"Here we go... " says Jago.  Overhead, the huge doors starts to glide open, revealing the stars shining steadily through vaccuum.

The ship lifts smoothly, and starts to rise into the void...  To the passengers and crew, there is no appreciable change, thanks to the ship's internal gravity and inertial damping.

With one exception.  Shipboard gravity is, apparently, somewhat higher than Keryn Taylor has experienced thus far in her life.  She doesn't complain, exactly, but she does ask if Shui is able to do anything about it.

"My apologies, Ms. Taylor."  Shui is quick to move to the woman's side.  "I fear this trip could be very uncomfortable for you."  Four times higher than the norm for their guest, the ship's internal gravity would be crippling.  "You will need time to slowly acclimatise yourself to the higher pressure of ships and planets - we should start lower, much lower than this." 

Extremely concerned, she flicks on her dataglove to contact the Captain.

+ Captain Lanza, Ms. Taylor is accustomed to 0.25 gees.  Is there a way to set up gravity in a stateroom at a different level than the norm?  If not, we need to set the internal systems lower than 1.0 gees for the time being. +

There is no question in her voice - Ms. Taylor is pregnant, and the welfare of herself and her unborn child are at stake.

With little to do during lift, Tylen sits back in his seat watching his colleagues ion the bridge as they take the The Profit Margin into orbit.  Every so often he glances across at the tell-tales on his boards, but mainly he just watches and drums his fingers.

Ash nodded to Jago, "Of course, Captain.  You did mention dropping off Mr. Dietz.  So, I have also taken the liberty to highlight all of the naval vessels that will pass within a ten thousand klick radius of our position along the way."  He tapped his console and a number of vessels were highlighted, as he continued, "These eighteen are what I expect us to be in range of at various points..."

He paused for a moment and tapped the commlink for the station's port authority.

"Acknowledged, Frenzie Port Authority.  Channel Three-Five-Six." Ash stated simply to the Port Authority operator.  "Thank you.  Have a better one, yourself." he added quickly, then Ash closed the commlink.

Once the Profit Margin had started to pull away, Ash continued with his previous thread.  "Captain, from what I can tell, these three Navy ships..." and he highlighted three dots, "present the closest approaches; two are SDB's, the other is a fleet destroyer.  Presumably, Mr. Dietz could rendezvous with any of them."

As they cleared the doors of the docking bay, Ash dutifully tapped into the Naval Channel: Three-Five-Six.  He gave the Profit Margin's code and flight plan and then asked for any further instructions from the controller.

"Thanks Ash."  The captain takes a look at the designated ships, but decides to deal with Shui's call first...

"The environmental controls in her stateroom will let you set gravity in there to anything between zero and two gravities, Shui.  So as soon as you've decided where you're putting her, you should be able to make her comfortable." Jago responds to Shui, as he reaches out and calls up a new secondary control layout on the dynamic panel.

"No, that's not it... where the hell is it?" he mutters, "Ah... there you are!"

"Shui.  I'm dropping the grav in the passenger lounge down to about 0.5G.  Not perfect for her, but an improvement, and it's not so low that Corlan might feel uncomfortable."

His fingers dance across the controls briefly, "And I've set it to ramp back up to 1G over the course of the next week.  I'd suggest doing the same in her quarters too.  There... done."

Shui suddenly feels much lighter on her feet, and Keryn heaves a sigh of relief.

Jago glances at Tylen, "Stay sharp.  I'm not expecting trouble, with the Navy dealing with orbital traffic, but we might run into a suicidal pirate.  And talking of the Navy... " he activates a comm channel, "This is the trader Profit Margin, outbound from Frenzie, and seeking urgent assistance from any Imperial Navy vessel in the immediate area."  He sets the broadcast to repeat, and leans back in his chair.

"Now... to have a talk with Yas.  If I'm not back in thirty minutes, send for a new captain."

But before he can even stand up, a reply comes back...
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:18, Sat 27 Nov 2010.

"Attention, Profit Margin, this is the INS Children of the March.  What assistance do you require?"

Jago stares at the console.  "Bloody Hell.  That was quick."

"Hello... er... Children of the March.  We have a passenger who needs transfer to a Naval facility.  The situation on Frenzie made it unsafe to effect that transfer there, so we were hoping to rendezvous with a Navy ship and let him off before we Jump."

Having eventually managed to get out of her new toy Yas is making a beeline towards the passengers lounge, knowing she is wanted by Jago in his office.  Even so, something compels her to check up on Keryn and thus even the captain has to wait. After all, it is not like he is going anywhere, right?

She opens the door to the passenger lounge and steps through, noticing the change in gravity with a crooked smile.

"Hey, Teryn.  Sushi."

Her eyes dances over the two women, something flashing past in her eyes.  Relief?  Concern?  A bit of both?  Whatever it was is once more replaced by her regular expression, even though a slight smile remains.

"Hanging in there, Teryn?" she asks as she moves closer to the young woman, seemingly unaffected of the change in gravity.  Years of practice and experience tend to leave traces.  "Figured I would come over and help deal with the fee, get you some Imperial credits instead of that local currency."

She briefly looks over at Sushi and nods to her, the hint of a smile still lingering.

There is a gentle cough as Tylen turns back to his screens and  inserts a small ear piece.  However, he leaves the door open so that he can see the bridge, and while the ear piece makes sure that he notices even the quietest audial warnings from the system, he can still hear the what is going on in the bridge proper.

He smiles slightly at Jago's surprise when the navy respond immediately to his request for aid.  With the navy in charge of orbital space and the problems on the surface, then Jago asks for urgent assistance on a repeat loop.  The Navy probably think we have rioters aboard he thinks to himself I wonder if they were already preparing a marine boarding party? then he  half grimaces as he imagines  the disappointment in a team of six Yasmin's at being told they can not have the merchantman any more ....

His thumbnail traces  the crease in the arm of his seat as he thinks  Should have told them you have a recruit for them ...
This message was last edited by the player at 09:32, Sat 27 Nov 2010.

There is a brief pause, just long enough to pass on information, and relay instructions.  Then, "Roger, Profit Margin.  Please maintain your current vector.  We will match with you to collect your passenger."

Jago studies the display to see which of Ash's three probable targets starts to change course to meet them.  Oddly, none of them do.  Instead a larger blip, located much further away, starts to move.

"What is that?"  Jago wonders, tapping the blip to call up a datastring with information on the ship, "That can't be right.  Let's see...  No, it is right.  Good grief.  Conrad will be riding back to them in style.  According to the sensors, that thing's about the size of a battle cruiser."

"Nobody do anything suspicious.  Don't even think anything suspicious."

Unaware of the behemoth closing with the Profit Margin, Shui smiles at Yasmine, bowing slightly in greeting.  "Ms. Crow.  Glad to see you out of armor."  She doesn't bother warning the Marine of the change of gravity - the woman's body language tells her all she needs to know.  One step, and Yasmine is already adjusting for it.  The Doctor turns back to Keryn, one finger tapping against her chin.  "Ms. Taylor, as the Captain noted we will be slowly bringing your gravity up to one gee over the course of the journey.  I will keep it low in your quarters and raise it myself as I decide - in your condition, it could be dangerous to attempt too much too quickly."

She looks over the woman, a short assessment of her body's shape.  "After your physical, I will give you a series of very simple exercises -" the woman's condition precludes anything but "- I would like you to carry out.  And for the first while, it might be wise to take your meals in your quarters, until your capacity for the gravity begins to approximate that of something closer to the norm."  She offers a bright smile.  "I suspect that should not require a great deal of time."

Keryn thanks Shui for her help, and then adds, "But I think you should know, Yas exaggerated things slightly.  I'm only about forty days along, or something, so I'm not really in enough of a condition to cause problems, yet."

She reaches into her bag and pulls out the wad of credits again, offering it to Yas, "I hope this is enough.  Take whatever you need for the ticket, and change the rest to Imperial money, I guess."

"Oy, since when is it exaggerating to state the fact that you are pregnant, hmm?" Yas replies with overacted protest before grinning at the girl before taking the money and nodding at her, "Yeah, don't you worry, I'll go get it done straight away, got to see the skipper anyways."

In the end, Yas knew it did not really matter, since she had it covered already.

Turning to leave she moves closer to the doctor/steward and quietly says, "You take good care of her, yeah?  She's got more guts than is good for her, but she'll be fine if we gently turn her in the right direction.  First time away from home, but she's keeping up a brave face, eh?"

Ash raised an eyebrow as the tagline on the Children of the March came up.  He could only wonder what would warrant such a response.  Of course, the Profit Margin, no matter its payload would offer token resistance at best (not they they intended to resist - as the Captain had explicitly stated).  He shook his head slightly - the motives and means of IN command had always eluded him, even when he had been an Ensign and, in theory, part of that Command structure.

Ash sighed slightly and noted to himself, Inscrutable.  And then he busied himself with course projections (which were annoyingly simple - since they had been ordered to maintain current velocity and direction) and triple-checking the jump parameters.

As he finished the third pass on the jump numbers, Ash looked up and visually tracked the intercept course of the battle cruiser for a moment.  Then he asked Jago dutifully, "Captain, has Mr. Dietz been informed of his imminent transfer and mode of transportation?"  The one thing that Ash did distinctly remember about his officer training was that efficiency and punctuality were highly valued.  He figured that the crew of the Children of the March would be no different.  That and he had no desire to keep them waiting.  As he recalled, 'wasting their time' was a valid excuse for deconstructing the Profit Margin and everything housed in her back to their component atoms - all under the guise of 'suspicious activity'.

The presence of the battle cruiser, which to Ash seemed a disproportionate response to Jago's initial request, prompted him to wonder out loud after a brief moment, "Um, Captain... Should we expect to be boarded?  Is the Children of the March coming to download or upload additional data or equipment?  If so, will the rest of the crew need to be informed?  Especially Ms. Blake and Ms. Tiesi?"

"Frack" Tylen mutter softly as he realises size of the behemoth dispatched to get their passenger.  Not for the first time he wonders exactly how the navy interpret the signal they are sending out.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:09, Tue 30 Nov 2010.

"Then I'm certain everything will be fine," Shui reassures Keryn. "Nevertheless, it's best to do things slowly and carefully, Ms. Taylor.  You will be dealing with four times your accustomed gravity."  She doesn't mention that the first trimester will be difficult enough on the mother without adding the issue of acclimitization to the pot.

She cocks an eyebrow at Yasmine as the marine stresses the need to care for Keryn.  It's redundant, telling Shui, but the doctor understands what drives the marine to make the point.  "Of course, Ms. Crow," she reassures the security officer.  "You need not worry on that point.  I will see to it that Ms. Taylor has an easy voyage."

Within the circumstances Shui can control, of course.  Then again, if things outside of her control impinge on Keryn's comfort, it's quite likely they're all in the soup.

"As far as I can guess, Ash, they think we have some sort of VIP aboard, and they believe they need to pick him up." Jago responds quietly, "It's probably got something to do with the fact that we're showing on their boards as being employed by Naval Intelligence.  I wasn't expecting anything like this though.  Maybe her skipper is hoping we'll put in a good word about how helpful he's being."

The cruiser moves closer to Profit Margin, with almost painful slowness.  Other vessels move aside, making room for it to maneuvre, until both ships are clear of the main bulk of the orbital traffic.

Jago manages to get a good lock on Children of the March, with Profit Margin's optical sensors.  Mostly it seems to consist of weapons, some of which look to be larger than the entire merchant vessel.

By the time the cruiser is about a hundred metres away, and Jago has shut off the collision alarms, the two ships are moving almost parallel.  The distance between them is narrowing slowly, perhaps a metre every thirty seconds.  Then a metre every forty-five seconds.  Finally, they are moving completely parallel.

Jago relays the view to Corlan's cabin, just in case the man is interested in seeing it.

"Tell Conrad his ride's here."

"Tylen, if the Navy can give Conrad this sort of treatment, I want them to think he really is important.  When they decide how they're taking him off, I want you and Yas to give him an escort."

"Next time we are in port, why don't we get a nice black uniform with security written across it?" Tylen asks as he climbs out of his seat.  "With appropriate holsters for side arms, hand cuffs and other paraphernalia?" he asks on the way to the bridge door.  "It would be good to look the part sometimes." he adds with a grin.

However, he heads back to his cabin and dresses in the pseudo army fatigues that he used earlier, with the two revolvers slung around his waist in his normal double rig.  Making his way back to the bridge he asks "Will this do?  Or do we go for the Laser Carbine as well?"

Ash nods to Jago order, "Aye, aye, Captain."  He gives him a short salute, followed by a slightly crooked smile.  Apparently, Ash has decided to start enacting that modicum of shipboard discipline early - sort of.

He locks his console session and pushes back from his chair, detaching his headset before moving out of the bridge towards the passenger lounge.  Ash figures he will check there first for Conrad - he is most likely there; but if not, he'll check the cabin that Conrad had been previously assigned, and if Conrad is no there.  Ash will start to scour the cargo bays and the rest of the ship for the Profit Margin's ex-Navigator...

Luckily, he did not have to go further than the lounge.  Stepping into the lower gravity, Ash adapts quickly to the situation.  Apparently, his previous experience as a navy man and scout coming into play.  Once he had located Conrad in the lounge, Ash crosses over to him and leans over to speaking quietly into his ear not wishing to alert or alarm any of the other passengers (re: Keryn) about the current situation, "Your conveyance is here, Mr. Dietz.  It's fancy - a battle cruiser.  Likely summoned by our transponder."

Since Yasmine is also in the room, Ash address her as well, "Ms. Crow, the Captain requests that you escort Mr. Dietz to his assignment in your official capacity as Head of Security."  By emphasizing the word 'official' he assumes that Yasmine will understand what that means in terms of demeanor and armament.  The messages delivered, Ash turns to start back towards the bridge.  Along the way, he nods genially to Keryn and Shui.

"Just saying she is rather inexperienced in matters of the world, despite her condition.  Feel free to insert some words of wisdom.  I'll be around when time allows, but I figured ou may have some advice, uh, less likely to come from me, narmean?"

Yasmine talks quietly with Sushi to perhaps clarify what she meant, preparing to leave when Ash turns up with an odd query.  With a wave to Keryn and Sushi she moves after Ash to catch him in the hold once he heads out again.

"What aren't you telling me?" she inquires there, away from Teryn in case it is unsuitable for her ears.  Evidently Conrad is being picked up soon, meaning she will have little time to say good-bye to him, far less than she might have wanted.

Ash continues to walks, but slows to a comfortable pace to speak with Yasmine as she makes her query.  He glances nervously in the port direction towards the airlock and states quietly, but plainly, "Well, the battle cruiser, Children of the March is about 25 meters, give or take three meters, off of our port side."

"Captain Lanza suspects," he ventures, "that our 'supplemental' transponder signal is the reason.  He wants Mr. Dietz to be treated as a VIP - one that is worthy of transport on a battle cruiser.  There is no need to give the March any reason to think we are wasting their time; they came pretty far out of their way to rendezvous with us..."

Ash glances back at the Security Chief, "The Captain wants you and Mr. Ogresh to be Mr. Dietz's official escort."  He gives her a slightly crooked smile, "Best behavior and all."

Another smile for Yasmine - the security officer's concern touches the Steward.  "Of course, Ms. Crow."  Pregnant and alone does red-flag Keryn as a potential innocent in a potentially ugly world.  "I shall see what pearls of wisdom I can dispense," she assures the other woman, with a hint of amused irony at her own expense, "though I suspect your own advice would be just as useful."

Shui recalls a time not so long ago - galactically speaking - when another young woman set foot on a journey, alone, afraid, and desperate.  Wisdom comes through making mistakes, she reflects, and learning from them.  I have done plenty of the former, but how much of the latter have I achieved?

Enter Mr. Tescali, Stage Right.

Shui cocks an eyebrow at Ash's announcement, curious at the whispering and the pomp and circumstance surrounding Conrad's exit.  Yasmine appears to have that under control, though, so she hurries to where Conrad is rising, snagging a bag from a cabinet as she does.  "Mr. Dietz."  Moving carefully the low gravity, Shui offers him the bag.  "Only a few sandwiches - I used the leftover roast, as you seemed to enjoy that - some of the coffee, already ground, and a box of my personal tea."

One can always hope to educate the savages, after all.

She checks his clothing with a critical eye and smooths out an epaulet with a palm before snatching her hand back.  "Apologies, Mr. Dietz...Conrad."  Shui's dark eyes shimmer, but she manages a smile.  "I hope you find what you seek in the navy, and that you are very, very careful in the search."  Her smile wobbles, then firms.  "It is, of course, a very large universe, but I trust we will meet again?"

A pair of eyebrows rise up and then a snorting chuckle ensues.

"It's about to dock with us and I was not told before?  Well, can't promise parade uniform or too snazzy looks then, given the amount of time left, but I'll do my best," she sighs and shakes her head slowly.  "But... I am going to say good-bye to Conrad first, I don't care if the whole Admiralty is waiting, we won't let them aboard until I say so.  Security and all."

She cracks a grin and turns around, giving Ash a wave, shaking her head again as she walks away, muttering "Children of the March, uh?  Totally fahrbot.  Stealing for schools, even today, ha!  That's frelling Navy for you!"

Children of the March holds position at a respectful distance from Profit Margin.  On the bridge, the comm channel opens again.  "Children of the March to Profit Margin.  Please stand by.  We are despatching a shuttle to transport your passenger."

Jago glances at Tylen, "So... they move the whole cruiser all the way over here, then send a ship's boat for the last couple of metres, rather than send the boat all the way, which would have been quicker and burned less power."  He shakes his head, "Bastard's are just showing off.  Letting everybody see that they have a big one, and know how to use it."

"The laser can't hurt, I reckon." he smiles.  "Make a good impression and all that.  Glad we bought that shiny new airlock now."

Conrad accepts Shui's parting gift with a smile, and a small bow, "Well now, we will, if'n I've got any say in the matter."

And then he turns to Yas, who waits nearby with what is, for her, remarkable patience...

Grinning, Tylen collects his laser carbine and attaches the power-pack around his waist, above the double pistol belts.

Then practising his best 'stand at ease with he carbine across his chest' stance, he take up a position close to the new airlock. Po-faced he starts humming a marines march as he stands his guard.

"Here we go." Jago says, unsure if anybody is still near enough to hear him.  The shuttle, so-called, from Children of the March is about double the size of Profit Margin - the oversized scoops on the belly indicate that it's probably a refuelling tender for the cruiser.

Jago hits the ship's intercomm, and broadcasts a shipwide announcement.  "Attention all crew members.  Please report to the crew lounge."  He briefly considers adding, "This is not a drill." but decides against it when he realises that it might cause Corlan and their new female passenger to have some kind of medical emergency.

"Now, before you run off to this little boat of yours I'm going to say good-bye, Conrad," Yas says to him with her usual grin and then steps up to give him a bearhug along with a few sound pats on the back.

Before it gets too awkward for either she steps back and grabs his hand with both of her, shaking it.

"Here's a little something to remember us all by.  You can show it off next time we meet, all right?" she chortles and more or less closes his hand around the small object.  "Was good to serve with you, you just make sure to tell all the sissies in your Navy that you've served on a real ship and not an oversized compensation for certain shortcomings, you hear?"

She winks at him and then steps aside to allow him to make his way, should he want to.  If he wants to stay she will not throw him off the ship.

Having just arrived back at the bridge, Ash sighs slightly when the Captain orders them back into the crew lounge.  However, one glance at the main display reminds him what all of the hoopla is about (as if he could forget).  The fact that even the shuttle dwarfs the Profit Margin by a fair bit only underscores the dangerous game being played on Frenzie.

Ash knows all to well the thought process behind the Imperial Navy's standard 'Show of Force' mentality.  He self-consciously tries to smooth out a couple of the rumpled pleats of his coveralls, to only limited success.  Then with a slight shrug, he falls in line after Jago - dutifully waiting for the Captain to make his way off of the bridge as well.

As he makes his way through the doorway to the hall, Ash casts one last glance at the battle-cruiser that fills the main tactical display of the bridge.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:19, Sat 11 Dec 2010.

Coughing lightly, Tylen makes his way to the lounge in time to watch Yas trying to break Conrad's back.  The pseudo military fatigues along with the laser carbine and a pair of pistols in a 'western looking' gun belt doesn't really feel right for security.  More like a pirate in training, but at his age the training part is probably long gone ...  but if that is what Jago wants -  well it is his ship.

Once in the lounge he stays towards the back of the group as he waits to see how Jago is going to handle their 'guests'.

Shui turns away from Conrad, letting her smile collapse when his attention moves to Yasmine.  Sometimes it's a relief setting aside her masks - the ones she keeps up for other people's benefit.  Conrad would only be distressed at the sight of her misery.

Turning to a mirror, she straightens her clothing and struggles against the grief twisting her features...successfully.  A few long breaths, and she is prepared, just as Jago's announcement echoes over the PA.  Pleasant mask back in place, she turns back to the lounge.

Mentally, she runs over her list.  Conrad has his coffee.  His sandwiches.  There is nothing else, really, she can give him that would not clutter up his naval barracks.  Nothing more she can do for him but pray.  Pray he stays alive.  Pray they do, in fact, meet again.

Yasmine is giving him a proper send-off.  That's good.  She doubts she could have without breaking down and embarassing him.  The others are coming, and Tylen has already taken up his position at the edge, watching and guarding as always.

She thumbs her dataglove, private line.  + Captain Lanza, should I meet the naval delegation at the lock? +

Saskia rolls her eyes, "What the frell does he want this time?  Doesn't he realise how busy I am?"

Giving the panel one last check, she makes her way out of Engineering and into the crewside lounge.  Her bare feet pad quietly across the carpet as she heads to the forward part of the lounge, adjacent to the Bridge.

"Don't want to make him walk too far from his seat, after all." she mutters under her breath.

Conrad doesn't even look at the item - better to look really casual about the whole business, rather than let Yas think he's being sentimental - but just shoves it into his pocket instead.  "Thanks Yas, it'll remind me of y'all when I'm loungin' at my luxury, Navy issue workstation, with servants to operate the panel at my every command."

Jago's announcement comes from a nearby intercom panel, "Well, sounds like I'm about to be kicked out."

"It's been a pleasure workin' with y'all, Captain Crow.  Hope I can do it again some day."

"Just come over to the crew lounge, Shui.  We can decide what sort of reception we're going to give them once you're over here." 

One by one the crew gather in their lounge, Conrad with them, away from the prying eyes of the other passengers.

Jago steps up to the former navigator and shakes his hand, "Good bye, Conrad.  Good luck with your new job.  I know the Navy pay far too much - (Conrad snorts) - so you should be able to afford to stay in touch."

The captain steps back a pace, and actually salutes, his face deadly serious.

"Now, if everybody will just sit on him for a moment, Tylen and Yas will search his pockets and bags for stolen ship's property."  The serious expression stays in place for almost a whole second, before breaking into a broad grin.

"Yas patted him down already." Tylen deadpans, wishing he had a dead cigar that he could waggle like that cowboy from the really ancient films ...  what was his  name ...  Westwood? ...  something like that.

"Sure, Dietzy, you'll be king of the hill," Yas chuckles as Conrad claims he will have the others bow to his smallest whim and then shoots off a grin at him in response to him calling her captain.

"Would be my pleasure too, Ensign," she says and then hurries as best she can to get at least something semi-professional looking on before they are boarded.

...

"You're just jealous, Quad," she replies to Tylen's claim that she patted Conrad down, although she leaves it unclear exactly what he is supposedly jealous off.  Then, to none and all, "But I'm sure we won't miss Jago's desk, right?"

Maybe I did miss something Tylemn thinks as he tried to work out what Conrad and Yas might have been doing with Jago's desk.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:35, Tue 14 Dec 2010.

"Well, I'm glad to see that we still hace certain standards of efficiency." Jago replies with a grin.  "But if my desk really is gone, we'll be opening fire on Children of the March just as soon as we have a target lock."

There is a loud thump, several slightly quieter bangs, a long whirring sound, and then silence.  Followed, shortly afterward, by a chirp from the direction of the airlock

"Sounds like our guests have arrived.  Mister Dietz?  If you will please stand ready to be kicked out of the airlock?"

Jago moves across to the airlock himself.  "Everybody ready?" he asks, one hand hovering over the control panel.

"Mr. Dietz already has all he needs," Shui notes in response to the amusing request for a pat-down.  Recovered, she moves to stand near the captain, ready to assist should he require anything upon the navy's boarding of their vessel.

A few gears turn in her head as she does.  People board into the lounge - an open area, not a bottle-neck, permitting rapid deployment close to our command centre.  Not a particularly defensible situation.

Closing her eyes, Shui takes a deep breath and lets it out, banishing the thoughts.  Not her business, not her concerns, not truly her interest - she must be upset indeed for Conrad's leaving if such thoughts are bouncing through her head.

And pirates would hardly be 'boarding' a ship this size, much less shooting holes in it and then clearing out what remains...

Another deep breath.  Another release of tension.  Then she nods.  "Yes, Captain Lanza."

Moving slightly closer to the bridge, Yas chuckles to Jago and then says, "If we hit the sweet spot they'll never know what hit them."

Truth is that they probably would not even notice anything hitting them, but that is beside the point of the joke anyway.  Then, to the departing crewman, "Hey, Conrad, try not to rise too quickly to admiral, eh?  Part of the fun is outsmarting those outranking you, no?"

She hefts her gun in her best Marine fashion, in case someone do bother to leave the airlock and see her, although odds are they will simply wait for Ditzy to get over there.

Ash fidgeted slightly as the sounds from the airlock came up.  He was in an at ease position near the doorway to the bridge.  Ash had never been that comfortable with the protocol of the Imperial Navy, despite having been part of the machine and an officer to boot.  Well, he thought wryly to himself, an Ensign for all of 12 months.  A slightly crooked smile crossed his lips as the rest of the crew bantered a bit.  His main hope was that this was not all gallow's humor.

Ash had to admit that the Captain was taking a bit of a gamble.  Still, they if they needed to look as though they were deep undercover, then they looked fine.  This crew was nothing if not unorthodox: plenty of secrets and even more eccentricities.

Jago checks the readings on the panel, then activates the controls.  The outer door opens.

Another quick check reveals that the lock is still pressurised, so Jago overrides the safeties, and the inner door slides open too, almost totally silent in operation, since it is still new, and hasn't succumbed to the general wear and tear which plagues any ship of Profit Margin's age.

Outside, a tunnel can be seen, running perhaps five metres to a closed hatch.  An officer in a Navy uniform hauls herself out of the zero-G zone beyond the ship, and manages a graceful movement which places her feet firmly on the floor inside the lock.  "Captain Lanza?"

Jago nods a confirmation.  "Yes.  That'd be me."

"Lieutenant Rodrigues, here to assist with the passenger transfer, Sir."

Jago smiles, "I'm not sure he needs, or deserves, any assistance, but thanks anyway."  He beckons to Conrad, who steps forward, into the airlock, and hands one of his bags to the lieutenant.

The navigator turns back for a moment, "Be seein' y'all.  Take care."

And then he steps into the connecting tunnel, following the Navy officer as she pulls herself back towards her own ship.  The weightless environment doesn't seem to worry Conrad much.

Jago closes the airlock, inner and outer doors, and leans back against the wall with his eyes closed, "As soon as they disengage, we're out of here.  Before they realise who they've been used as a taxi service for and start shooting."

"Goodbye, Conrad."  Shui bows as their former pilot lofts himself along the tube with consummate ease.  A quiet sigh escapes her lips, and a pensive expression adorns her features when she straightens.  Well.  Another chapter in her life closed.  A short one.

She holds to hope that Conrad Dietz survives whatever the Navy has in store for him.

"Is there anything necessary at the moment, Captain Lanza?  If not, I should probably assist our guest to her quarters, and then schedule a medical examination."  One eyebrow cocks slightly, and she eyes Ash.  "Mr. Tescali also needs an interview, when it is convenient.  Oh, and Ms. Crow, I'll need to speak with you at your convenience."

Tylen stand rigid, Las carbine across his chest as he tries to look the part of a high powered security guard during the transfer, restricting himself to a curt nod and a wink  with the eye furthest away from the naval officer as Conrad walks past.

Once the hatch is closed he lets the stiff posture drop as he turns back towards the others in the common room  with a grin.  "Hope that looked OK ..." he comments, and then nods as Jago speaks about getting out of the system quickly.

"I'll turn the signal off as soon as we are in Jump Space ..." he half asks as he starts heading back towards his gunnery station.  Sure the weaponry wouldn't be any good, but at least he can see exactly what is going on from there.

Neither moving not saying anything until the airlock is closed, Yas makes a smacking sound with her tongue and stares into space for a moment before moving towards the crew lounge, hefting her gun over her shoulder.

"So, you ever going to see me?  I've been waiting, you know, got stuff to do.  Chop chop, busy busy, work work, bang bang, y'know?" she says to Jago as she passes and then looks over at Sushi.

"Sure thing.  In what capacity?  Doctor, steward...  Friend?" she shoots of at the other woman, although despite the somewhat cocky attitude there seems to be no jest in use of the last word.  "Whichever it is, it's Yas.  Or Yasmine if you prefer to do more work."

Ash watches all of the proceedings with slightly bemusement, but tries not to let any of this show on his face.  His stance remains neutral, hands clasped behind his back.  Once the airlock doors close, Ash does let out a measured exhalation.  "Well," he notes offhand, and to no one in particular, "that went well."  Then when Jago makes his wishes known that they are leaving the system posthaste, he notes dutifully, "Aye, aye, Captain."  And he turns to make his way back to the bridge.

"Of course, Ms. Tiesi." Ash notes quietly and genially to the Shui when she makes another request for the forgotten full physical.  "At your earliest convenience... after we enter jumpspace." Ash notes with a crooked smile on his face - and then it is back to the bridge, plotting vectors to the jump point, finalizing jump calculations and their input, and getting the Profit Margin safely on its way to Mirriam...

A series of mechanical  bangs and clatters echoes through the hull, announcing the detachment of the shuttle from Profit Margin's airlock.  Jago relaxes visibly, "Ash, take her to the Jump point, and prepare to Jump on my command.  Saskia, make sure the capacitors are fully charged and ready to go.  I don't want to be here any longer than I have to."

He starts towards his office, "Yas, speak to Shui first.  Then come and see me.  You know where I'll be.  Tylen, keep an eye... " he glances round, looking for the gunner, just in time to see that he's already gone.

"Huh!  Must've read my mind."  The captain disappears into the office.

Many observations occur after the Navy ship closes the connection, all of them registering some sort of bemusement.  "Better than that, Mr. Orgesh," Shui assures the gunner.  Certainly he appeared much more efficient than a spit-and-polish officer.

Turning toward Yasmine, she bows slightly. "Nothing of serious note, Yasmine," she begins, honoring the woman's request despite her discomfiture, "merely a follow-up of something you mentioned before."  Her eyes flick to Ash. "Mr. Tescali, I will await you in my office...after I have settled our newest guest."

Jago picks that moment to rattle off his wishes, and the steward waits quietly until he finishes. "Ms Crow - Yasmine - if you like, we can speak as I take Ms. Taylor to her room." The woman will require the assistance - the hallways are still at full-gee.

"Ha!  I'm wearing you down!  Yasmine now, soon it'll be Yas!"

Yas moves up to the doctor-stewardess and punches her lightly on the arm while firing a broad smile at her.

"Sure thing, boss, just don't scream if the desk's not there, yeah?" she teases the captain as he retreats.

A last glance in the direction of the airlock, a flash of sombre emotions, and then she urges Sushi towards the passenger lounge, the grin back in place.

"So, wassup, doc?"

Ash nods in reply to Jago, "Aye, aye, Captain."

Then he smiles genially at Shui, as he notes, "I will visit you for my medical interview after we hit jump space, Doctor."

Ash moves to enter the bridge.  And unlocking the navigator's console, he starts to chart a route for the Margin to the nearest Jump Point.  That location will finalize the jump vectors and complete the jump calculations which should allow them escape the confines of the Frenzie system.  Ash chooses the tightest arc he can manage for the specifications of the Profit Margin and its dual Mitchells-Hyundyne thrusters, knowing all the while that they don't want to look like they are in a rush, but still want to make the best time possible.

Ash is extremely careful about circumventing the Children of the March and its shuttle as he moves the Profit Margin away from the battle cruiser.

"Thank you, Mr. Tescali," Shui returns to their new pilot, before heading off with their pregnant passenger and security officer.  She glances at Yasmine as she assists Keryn into the higher gravity area.

"Ms. Crow...Yasmine...you reported a medical issue to me recently," she begins, keeping the tone light.  "At the time, you said you would consider further action regarding the issue, but that was all.  I was merely wondering if there had been further problems, or if you had come to a conclusion regarding future action."

No specifics, but she doubts Yasmine has forgotten.

"Yep, I did that.  As for action, haven't thought much about it.  Pain, no doubt present, means less once you've crawled a mile with broken legs, y'know?" Yas states pragmatically with a crooked grin, doing what she can to help, if anything, and then shrugs her shoulders.  Almost as an afterthought she adds, "Not that I care to do that again, mind you."

A dry chortle and then she looks over at the doctor.

"Unless, of course, the doctor says otherwise.  This ain't the battlefront, after all.  But, if something's there constantly you'll get used to it, no?  Whether it's pain or people..."

Profit Margin begins to angle away from Children of the March, and the cruiser starts to decelerate, allowing the merchant vessel to pull further and further away.  Their cumulative thrust increasing the distance between them by almost 40 metres/second².  The shuttle is easily capable of matching the cruiser's manoeuvre, and soon slides in under the belly of the larger ship to dock with it.

When the two ships are about three kilometres apart, Children of the March turns end over end and starts back towards her original station, in orbit above Frenzie.

Profit Margin continues her slow climb to the Jump point, 368,000km above Frenzie.  Still almost two hours distant.

Jago comes out of the office with Children of the March falling further behind.  "Tylen, grab yourself a coffee.  I don't think anybody's going to risk attacking us with the fleet in the system in strength.  Well, anybody except the Navy, that is, and if they come after us, I reckon all our guns would be good for would be scorching their paintwork.  A little."

"Ash.  I'm thinking 728-907 is definitely our next port of call.  I don't know how long this business with Yas will take, so if I'm not out of the office by the time you're ready to Jump, just go for it.  I'll let Saskia know, but I figure she'll be ready... she's usually a jump or two ahead of me with anything to do with her engines."

'This business with Yas'  and 'Two hours' makes Tylen grimace as he climbs out of his seat "Do you want a coffee, Ash?" Tylen asks stifling a soft cough.

He figures that the Doc is going to be busy with passengers and Saskia is going to be running around sorting out engines, the same as she normally does -  so he might as well bring his coffee back here.

Ash watches the Children of the March falls away, as the two ships' relative velocity vectors diverge.  Only when Tylen asks about coffee, does Ash notice that he has been holding his breath.  He glances at his fellow ex-Scout and nods, "Hmm... Oh, yes, Mr. Ogresh.  Some coffee would be much appreciated."

Ash tilts his head slightly when the Captain changes his mind about their destination point.  He glances Jago's way.  "Aye, aye, Captain.  Laying new course for System 728-907."  Ash continues to tap away at his console, as setting the course is his job.  He pulls up his alternate set of jump calculations and begins the final iteration over the projected jump point proper vectoring and time signatures.  Given that Jago's job is deciding where to go - and his reasons do not have to be public - Ash debates internally for a moment.  But then figures that it never hurts to ask...  He clears his throat slightly before continuing, "May I inquire as to the change of destination, Captain?"

"I'd say it's due to my instincts as a merchant captain, and my ability to sniff out a trade opportunity at interstellar distances." Jago replies to Ash, nodding sagely as he does so.

Then he laughs, "But if I did, it would be a lie.  Mainly it's just that the port, for want of a better word, at 728-907 is marginally better than at Mirriam, and the only people living at '907 are a handful of port staff, and a half dozen prospectors scraping about in the dirt.  No cities, no crowds, and no cops.  So if there's any sort of riots, like on Frenzie, we'd almost outnumber the locals, and nobody would be telling us what we can and can't use to defend ourselves."

"From there, we hit Denotam, then Rangent, and we're on the Main."

A shrug.  "Mirriam has no law either, but it has a few more people, at least a thousand, according to the library data.  And the higher tech means they're likely to be better armed."

"So mostly it's just good, old-fashioned paranoia driving the decision."

Shui frowns thoughtfully as Yasmine explains.  Finally, she gives a long, slow shrug, her reluctance obvious. "Yasmine, obviously your wishes are the most important thing.  I would just like to point out that living with pain is not nearly as pleasant as living without."

A worried expression passes over her sharp features, like a shadow.  "Then there is the matter of long-term issues.  Pain now indicates a problem.  Problems can grow over time, and while there is 'later' to deal with them, by the time 'later' comes around, one often finds it more difficult to cure."

The doctor sighs.  "I am, of course, not arguing your choice, but as your doctor I feel it is no favour to you not to present you with those thoughts for consideration."

Ash nodded mechanically as the Captain spoke casually about his awesome interstellar mercantile instincts; the edges of his lips only twitching once during the entire sentence.  Then he chuckles and, then laughs along with Jago, unable to contain himself.

Ash nodded, his expression sobering significantly, as the conversation turned serious.  "Eminently sensible, Captain."  He paused and then pursed his lips for a moment before continuing, "While, I am sure that you have already thought of these things, if I might suggest, Captain."  He looked at Jago in earnest, "One, given the state of things here - System 728-907 may have a number of refugees and traders that have been diverted ahead of us.  I would expect that while we may outnumber the natives - there could be more people than the Library suggests already at 728-907 - and they'll be scared and angry.  Though, I am sure that Mirriam is not any better..."

"What I mean to say," Ash noted, catching himself rambling a bit, "is that we may not find much in the way of trade goods, freight or speculative until we hit the Main."

"And two," he adds, a shadow crossing his face, "I think that you should consider a policy for the crew that no one travels outside of the Margin alone on System 728-907.  I... I think that incidents with both Ms. Blake and Ms. Crow here on station at Frenzie were troubling, even if no one was really hurt."

Ash holds out his hands in a slightly dismissive and slightly conciliatory gesture, as he notes rather self-deprecatingly, "Of course, you know the crew much better than I.  And given that the presence of Mr. Armusezash and Ms. Talyor would not be on the Margin without those forays - perhaps... perhaps, I have spoken out of line."

Tylen pauses on his way to get the coffees as he listens t Ash's conversation with Jago, smiling slightly as the captain speaks of his incredible mercantile ability.

The discussion about law levels and population density seems eminently sensible, however the trade discussions don't really mean all that much to him at the moment.  Charts and routes are something for the pilot and navigator and commander, not the second gunner.

However, when then discussion turns to not being allowed out of the ship alone Tylen almost starts to laugh, but manages to turn it into a quick cough.  Shaking his head we wonders if he heard the new navigators background right.  Tylen was sure Ash has said Scouts - but that sounded much more Navy - or even  army.

Still half chuckling to himself he heads out to get  coffee, before returning to the bridge area.

"Never said it was pleasant, merely that you get used to it.  And I'm well aware that pain equals problem too, believe me.  Finally, as I said, I'll do whatever you recommend, as long as it doesn't keep me from my duties, that is," Yas says with a cheerful grin and pats the doctor on the back a couple of times.

"Oh, just no cutting limbs off, I know how you doctor's like to think," she teases Sushi.

"No removing of limbs, indeed."  Stopping at the door, Shui keys it, opening it for their guest.  "I think we should do something about it, and as soon as possible.  I will get back to you with options, then."

She motions into the room.  "Ms. Taylor, you will find the gravity here more to your liking, I suspect.  We'll slowly ramp it up as you exercise.  I will show you around, then you can get settled and come see me at your convenience." 

"I'm gambling that refugees will have headed for somewhere with a few more facilities.  We're talking about people from an underground city, remember.  Roughing it in an open field, without a roof over their heads, and no toilets, probably won't be high on their list of situations to move into."

"Don't worry about talking out of turn... I'll leave the court-martial and summary execution by spacing until we're out from under the Navy guns." Jago assures Ash, with a smile.  "I was going to have a word with everybody once we're in Jump anyway.  I'm planning to restrict shore leave because, let's face it, there's nowhere to go on 728-907, unless you want to take scenic holos of groats eating grass.  And you can likely do that from the cargo ramp."

He gives Tylen an odd look as the gunner stifles a laugh.

"I'm also thinking of getting Yas to teach everybody, including the passengers, a few basic self-defence techniques.  We have an empty cargo hold for the next week at least, so we might as well use it for something.  You never know, Saskia and Corlan might turn out to be veritable killing machines."

The look on his face seems to indicate that he doesn't quite believe that last point himself.

Ash nods quietly to Jago as he explains his logic.  He keeps his mouth shut, since he is sure that the Captain has already made up his mind.  And likely, the Captain has also already pondered the fact that all of his logic applies to his ship as well - the Margin (along with Keryn and Eneris) is fleeing Frenzie and has chosen to go to System 728-907 as the most expedient (and yet potentially out of the way) route to the Main.

Ash cracks a smile when the conversation turns to him getting spaced soon enough.  Then, he quips thoughtfully as he rubs his chin, "Well, I could use a couple of new groat pictures for my collection ..."

Ash tries to ignore Tylen's chuckle-cough, but mostly just reddens slightly.  Thankfully, Tylen exits the Bridge without further comment.

"I cannot speak for Mr. De Sant.  However, with respect to teaching Ms. Blake more hand-to-hand techniques..." Ash notes dutifully and with a rather deadpan expression and tone, "I will remind the Captain that she was arrested for assaulting a law enforcement officer within the last 24 hours."  But then he can't maintain the facade and another smile peaks through.

"Fair enough.  Options are usually nice.  Not always, but usually," Yas chuckles and then turns to Keryn briefly.

"If you want to get in touch with me just let Doc here know, and I'll be here, all right?"  She smiles gently and makes certain that the girl got the message before turning to Sushi again.

"Oh, and no cutting me in half either, all right?" she adds to the previous train of thought.

"Ms Taylor.  I hope to see you soon for an examination and with regards to your exercising." She indicates the wall-mounted intercom.  "Merely page me there.  For now, I shall let you get acquainted with your new quarters."

With their new guest settled, Shui turns to Yasmine as the door cycles shut.  "Hmmm...no, no bisection.  But that shrapnel does need to be removed, and I would like to get to it as soon as possible.  I have been studying the issue, and the operation is a short one - and an easy one.  It should not set you back more than a day, and if we are in J-Space, that should not be a problem."  She smiles, a lopsided expression. "It will also give you a nice souvenir...should you wish to keep the piece."

"Well, once we're in J-space and my duties are done, I suppose.  Just one day, though.  As for souvenir, nah, maybe I'll keep it long enough to blast it out of the airlock.  Mementos of a painful past isn't something I need, being alive is all the reminder necessary," Yas says with a grimace, slowly shaking her head.

For a moment her gaze is lost in the distance but then she shakes it off and turns to the doctor again.  "I'll let you know when I'm free, then it's up to you."

"Of course, Ms. Crow."  Shui nods her head.  "A day, no more, is all it shall be.  I will ensure this."  Her voice is almost comically solemn at first, then drops lower, growing serious. "No momentos, then.  If you wish, I can discard it myself - you never need see it, Yasmine." Not that Yasmine is afraid of the shard, but the doctor completely understands her feelings.

Both in a professional capacity and a personal one.

She recognizes the marine's distant stare; she has seen it before, in port-side bars in the eyes of veterans.  In Tylen's eyes.  In my brothers' eyes.  Killing - in wars, for survival, for money, for a code or philosophy - leaves a void inside, and Shui can feel it in the former marine.  Yasmine has been in her share of battles - and more - and every one has left a terrible scar.

Ah, Ms. Crow...you have wondered why I detest violence so.  Perhaps you believe I look down upon you and others who have fought.

But my sorrow is only in part for those who die.

The rest is for those left behind...including those who do the killing.

"I will be prepared, Yasmine," she assures the other woman.

Grabbing a couple of mugs Tylen grins as he imagines Shui shuddering at the cavalier way he pours  the coffee.  Oh well he thinks as he makes his way back to the bridge.

"Coffee" he says quietly, holding the mug out towards the navigator.

Ash accepted the mug from Tylen, "Thank you, Mr. Ogresh."  He paused for a moment, as he took a sip and then leaned back in his chair to look up at his fellow scout.  He asked idly, "You don't think my suggested precautions are necessary, do you?"

He gave the gunner a slightly crooked smile, "I'm not very adventurous for a detached duty scout, eh?"  Ash rubbed his right knee absent-mindedly for a moment, as he took another sip of coffee.  He savored the smooth flavor of the brew, the steward on the Profit Margin definitely knew what she was doing - much more so than the last crew he was with.

"No, no, it's mine.  I'll get rid of it myself," Yas says, shaking her head.  Save it long enough to dump it somewhere where it will be forgotten.

"Well, at least sometime it's easy to get rid of things that pain you, eh?" she says and chuckles, and turns to head for the captain's cabin.  "But life's not that simple all the time and sometime we do things we have to even if we don't really want to.  Like Teryn, leaving like this.  But she got guts, the little one.  Let's just make sure she'll not end up with shrapnel in here for as long as we can, eh?"

Then she laughs, briefly, and adds, "Listen to me ramble!  I'll go see Jago now, let you get back to your duties.  See you soon."

The merchant ship travels, at best acceleration, towards the hundred diameter limit.  As it passes 368,500 km from Frenzie an indicator lights up on the bridge, accompanied by a brief tone.

Ash and Saskia have a brief conversation and, a few seconds later, the Profit Margin falls out of the Universe, leaving only a rapidly expanding sphere of visible light and exotic particles.  Soon that "photonic boom", as it is known in common vernacular, fades, and nothing is left...