"Right.  Participating democracy."  Saskia nods slowly as she considers the implications of that.  "Everybody is involved in every decision.  Wait -- seven million people in a mostly agrarian society, scattered across a world with fairly limited tech.  How does that work for a participating democracy?  Don't you have problems with communications lag?"

The Engineer chuckles, "Or do you just accept that every decision will take ages to make?"

Ash gives Jago a rather wan smile and he give Jago a curt nod.  Though he doesn't say anything, his expression shows that he agrees wholeheartedly with the Profit Margin's Captain.  If the smaller sidearms and the shotgun aren't enough to prevent violence, then the two of them are in a whole Heap o' Trouble™.  And a laser carbine won't really help, no matter how good a shot the lanky navigator might be.

"I hope the food is good at this place..." he muses idly as they start their walk towards the hotel and the meeting with Draik.  If nothing else, Ash hoped to get a decent meal out of all of this.  With the previous sixteen crews unwilling to take the job, he didn't hold out much hope that Covan Draik could offer terms that they would be unable to refuse.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:57, Tue 17 Mar 2015.

Ash and Jago collect their weapons, and leave the ship.  Jago is careful to lock the door behind him.  The crew all know the codes for each of the ship's external access points, so there shouldn't be any trouble with them getting back aboard.  The Captain and the Navigator start to make their way across the field.

As they walk, Jago says, "The food should be good.  Our passenger is apparently wealthy, so it makes sense that he'd be staying somewhere with decent standards."

He pauses for a while, musing, before adding, "Ash, just one thing.  I'm leaving myself an 'out' here.  If I mention a crew member during the meeting - any crew member - called Forester, I need you to... er... remind me that Forester said he needs us back at the ship at a specific time, and that time should be about ten or fifteen minutes after the time that I mention him."

The vendor nods, "I might see you there then, depending on how many people show up."  He moves on to serve another customer, as Shui and Tylen move away, talking quietly... 

One-Two-Cut laughs, "That right.  All things takes forever to fix.  First decide if need fix.  Then decide when.  Then decide how.  Then decide new time.  New way to do.  More new time.  Slow work.  Better just ask friend fix for you, but that not-so-good for some things."

"Yeah... Big work need more people.  Much slower." Dog Boy adds, chuckling.

With a rueful smile, the salesmen nods at Yas, "Well, I'm cutting my own throat, but I can probably do that for you.  But only because you obviously know about this sort of thing."  He glances at Keryn, "Clever move, bringing an expert with you."  And his smile broadens, to show that there are no hard feelings.

And that brings a cheerul grin from Keryn, "Yes, that's why I brought her along.  She knows a lot about this sort of thing."

Ash stands lookout as Jago locks up the Profit Margin.  Even though the Captain doesn't have to key anything in, the gaunt navigator figures that he should keep a watchful eye open for anyone scoping out the ship or its personnel.  Perhaps it is paranoia.  But, Ash likes to think of it as prudent caution.

He nods casually as they walk.  "You assume that Mr. Draik has good taste..." he points out off-hand.  He's not being an intentional pessimist, it just comes more instinctively to him.  Perhaps it is simply a reflection of having been alone for so many days on end during his stint as an x-Boat pilot (assuming that 'pilot' is the right word for a ship with no inherent n-Space maneuver capability).

Then Ash nods again, this time to Jago's contingency plan.  "Of course, Boss." he agrees amiably, repeating the name and timing to commit it to memory, "'Forester'.  Fifteen minutes.  Got it."  He mulls the name over in his mind for a long moment.

Then idle curiosity gets the better of him.  "Cap'n?" Ash ventures, rather tentatively, "Why 'Forester'?  Someone or somethign from a sordid past life?"  He obviously doesn't need to know the name's esoteric origin.  And the ex-Scout, ex-Squid, Jewell native can speculate with the best of them; perhaps it is the name of an ex-lover.  Or a favorite high school teacher.   Or maybe it's his boyhood street address name.   Or the name of a hated rival trader.  Or all of the above.  But, really, why speculate when you can go straight to the source?

Once clear of the vendor, Shui purses her lips. "Ah, so you are seeking another pistol."  It would be rude to refuse to enter the shop, and the tools themselves don't upset Shui when they're sitting in display cases.

Well, they do, but less-so.

"Very well, Mr. Orgesh.  I am...uncertain if we will find such shops in the spaceport.  Perhaps we should ask around?"

Maybe the market has a stall; it seems to be in character for the place.  Shui cranes her neck, then chooses a nearby seller to inquire if there are places nearby where one might purchase a handgun.

OOC - Essentially, will look for directions.

"Well the intention is to look the part, and hope that it reduces the need to shoot someone." he reminds Shui  "And my current revolvers don't exactly look like military issue hardware." he says with a grin.

"Although I also want a decent flak jacket as well as a riot helmet and shield." he adds thoughtfully.  "It felt more exposed than I would have liked back on Frenzie ...."

Saskia laughs along with her new friends.  So far they seem reasonably well behaved for people who have been refused service in a diner.

Which, of course, simply piques her curiosity further, prompting her next question, "So what did you boys do to make the manager of this place tell his staff not to serve you?"  She takes a sip of her drink and smiles.  "I'm just curious, because you seem like decent, straight-up people.

"Unless there's something I'm missing?"

"Oh, there are weapon shops about." the stall holder confirms cheerfully, "There's one about two hundred metres that way."  He points towards a gap between two structures which delineate the entrance to a narrow street.  "To be honest though, you'll probably get a better price outside the fence.  Places like that inside the port tend to bump their prices a little.  More expensive property." 

Keryn hefts the merchandise in her hand, holding it gingerly as she assesses the size and weight of it.  She nervously runs the fingertips of the other hand over it, feeling the texture and shape of it.  "I think this one will do me Yas."

"Ridge Forester used to be one of the crew, until he decided to leave a while back.  Used to have Tylen's job, back then.  It just seemed like an easy name to use." the captain explains, "Easy to remember."

Jago and Ash make their way across the field towards a cluster of buildings on the edge of the open landing area.  They pass a couple of armed men, holstered side arms at their hips, and both wearing some sort of dark red uniform with insignia that are unfamiliar to the two travellers, but which probably indicate affiliation to some local organisation.

"Good day." one of them says, smiling at Ash and Jago as they walk past.

Dog Boy shakes his head forlornly, "All big mistake.  We come in, had some food and drinks, like today.  When comes time to pay, I think One-Two-Cut has dollars.  He think Knifes has, and Knifes thinks I has.  But none of us has.  Not could pay, so we's barred."  He sighs, "Terrible news.  This place has best food in port."

Their business concluded, to everybody's satisfaction, Yas and Keryn leave Quinn's, the young passenger clutching a bag containing her new possessions tightly under her arm.  She seems quite excited about the whole business, and talks almost incessantly as they walk back towards the ship.  "He was nice, wasn't he?  Not at all what I expected.  Not as sleazy as I'd expected a man in his line of business to be."

The two of them pass through the gate and back into the port.  Keryn pats the bag with her free hand, "I've never owned one of these before, or even used one.  Can't imagine how it'll feel when I use it for the first time.  I hope it isn't so loud that it scares me."

Tylen decides to at least give the nearby weapon shop a look, to see how the prices are before going further afield.  Shui accompanies him as he he enters a door in the side of a nondescript structure.  A sign over the door reads "Guns" in Anglic, Bilanidin, and something else, and just to be sure that people understand, it also features a picture of a pistol.  The proprietor, who gives his name as Gvacht'och is a grizzled Vargr, dressed in clothing that is immaculately clean, though it does look to be on the old side.  When he speaks, his Anglic is very good, though his sentence structure and word choices are sometimes a little odd...

"Welcomes to you, noble customers and soon will be new friends, and also one thousand joyous greeting.  How can humble Gvacht'och to be of service this most splendid of days?"

In the diner, Saskia is getting along well with her lunch companions, who are only to happy to regale her with stories about their lives as non-conformists on the fringes of Phlume society...  A society which, while generally fairly open and tolerant is, none-the-less, a little suspicious of them.

Meanwhile, Jago and Ash arrive at the hotel, a large box-like structure, which is very plain and utalitarian on the outside, but lavishly decorated inside.  They are directed to a small meeting room, just off the lobby, where Covan Draik is already waiting for them.

Greetings are exchanged, and introductions made, along with an offer of refreshments.  And then Draik gets straight down to business.  Profit Margin is the first ship in almost a week to call at the port with an itinerary which will permit it to transport him to Dinomn.  "I am prepared to pay standard rates for either High or Medium passage, whichever you can provide.  I have business on Dinomn which, while it is not particularly urgent, I would like to conclude it as soon as possible."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:47, Tue 31 Mar 2015.

"So, from what you're saying, these people will let you do anything as long as nobody gets hurt, then they shoot at you.  So why do they look at your group differently?  Seems. judging by what you've told me, as if they think you're up to no good, even before you frelling do anything that doesn't fit in."

Saskia is genuinely curious.  These kids seem friendly enough, just from talking to them for a while, so it must be something else.  "Is it because you come from somewhere else?  I noticed that you speak a different language among yourselves.  Is that it?  You're foreigners?"

Ash is quiet the rest of the way to the hotel.  He is left only to silently contemplate, if and when his time to leave the crew of the Profit Margin comes, will his name become an abortive code word as well?  And would this man Forester be more likely to be honoured or horrified, were he to learn how his name is being used.  All the lanky navigator knows is how he would feel.

He offers a hand to Covan Draik in greeting and then cordially states his name and position in the crew.  Then Ash orders something bland and simple from the menu, while he listens to Draik's 'offer'.  The ex-Scout seems almost surprised by Coven's assertion that there hasn't been sufficient traffic through Phlume in a week, musing idly, "It's a good thing we happened along then.  How long have you been trying to hitch a ride?"

And though he is pretty sure that Shui can supply a High Passage experience, he doesn't say anything since only Jago can really commit to that level of service.  Presumably, Draik won't have that much luggage, since he is willing to travel medium passage if necessary.

Ash glances in Jago's direction for a moment, noting the obvious, "Dinomn is at least two jumps for the Profit Margin, Mr. Draik."  He prompts their potential passenger, certain that there is more to the story, "Wouldn't it be simpler to just charter a courier or perhaps a fast trader to get you to your destination quicker and easier?"  Even though he knows that Covan has stated that his business isn't urgent, Ash suspects that the man doesn't want to dilly-dally either.

Tylen greets the Vagr with a nod and his trademark grin  "I'm interested in a military issue revolver.  One that takes Imperial Standard rounds." he replies as he looks around the shop area. "And perhaps some pepper spray, or something like it, that could render a sapient harmless without killing them or damaging them permanently." he adds rounding out his weapon requests.

"He stayed professional, true."

Yas lets Keryn do the talking, injecting only the occasional comment, until they are back inside the perimeter.

"I'm sure you'll come to love how it feels, even if it can be a bit scary at first.  Butonce you hit the sweet spot, oh, you'll want to do it again and again.  And this one is so quiet you could get away with using it in your own cabin, unless you make too much noise yourself, ha," she chuckles.

"I'll show you the best way to grip it and all that, to get the most out of it with the least amount of effort.  You'll learn the rest yourself quick enough."

"Not all foreign, no.  Some from other places.  Some born here, like us." Dog Boy indicates himself and his companions, then lowers his voice, "But what you call different language not really.  Is just way we do talk and others not hear what we say.  Like code."

"People not like us.  Say we make trouble." One-Two-Cut adds, "When we makes mistake, like forgets money, they say is more proof that we be trouble-makers.  But was just mistake."

Jago nods slowly, "We can provide High Passage accommodations, at the standard price - we have a steward aboard.  You'll forgive us, Mister Draik, but we were naturally curious, and there seems to be some potential problem regarding your business.  This won't affect whether or not you travel with us, but I would like to know, in advance, if we're likely to run into any... unpleantness... as a result of transporting you."

Covan Draik smiles, "No, I'm not expecting trouble, beyond legal issues with other family members trying to claim my inheritance.  Legal issues which will be dealt with by lawyers, not by hired thugs."

"Chartering a fast ship, and I assume from your calculations, Mister Tescali, that Profit Margin is capable of Jump-2 - I too have done my research, you see Captain - chartering a ship would be ideal.  But, sadly, fast traders and fast couriers seldom stop at Phlume.  Extolay is the closest they generally come, due to the better port facilities there.  Then there is the delicate matter of finances - while I can afford to pay for passage on a ship, chartering one is far more expensive, and until I get to Dinomn I simply can't afford that.  So I have to find a ship that can go to Dinomn as part of its planned route.  Unfortunately since I staryed looking for passage some fifteen or sixteen days ago, I haven't found a ship travelling that way.  At least not one whose captain I felt I could trust."

"Ah, noble sir, unworthy Gvacht'och may be able to assist with the revolver."  The Vargr gestures towards a glass fronted cabinet, "Please be so kind as to study this humble weapon."  The revolver certainly looks the part, dull black and somehow menacing even in the case.  Gvacht'och opens the front of the case, and hands the weapon to Tylen, "Please examine the weight.  The weapon is, technically, second-hand, but in excellent condition, having never been taken beyond my door.  It's former owner was a starship Captain, who purchased it from this very establishment, asked that it be refitted to accept Imperial ammunition, I believe he named it .45, then the wretch never returned to collect it."

"With regard to chemical agents... please forgive your humble servant, but I regret that I must request information on your intended targets.  Not all species are equally subject to all such compounds."

"Thank you." Keryn says, enthusiastically.  Then she suddenly lunges at Yas and hugs her.  "Nobody at home would have let me have one of these.  In fact, I don't think it's even legal to sell them on Frenzie.  And I'll try not to make too much noise with it."  She backs off to a respectable distance, smiling happily as she transfers her hug to the bag containing her new purchase.

"Is that the ship, over there?"  She nods in the direction she means.  "It looks like it, I suppose, but I can't read the name from this distance, and I suppose that there are lots of each sort of ship about."  She looks around, studying the few other ships that are scattered across the field.  "I don't think any of the others look like the Margin." and she chuckles, "Listen to me... calling the ship 'the Margin'.  Like I was crew or something."

Tylen takes the weapon and checks that is empty, before he takes a proper stance to try the feel of the weapon in his hand. It feels solid enough, so he unholsters his own revolver, then unloads it, before laying it on the counter.  Five rounds go into a pocket, but he uses on of the rounds to check the calibre of the weapon, accompanied by an apologetic  ”Excuse me...” while he does so.  If the chambers will take the round he grins and tries it into the holster that he is wearing, to make sure it is a secure fit.

As he does so he responds to the Vagr's question about the types of Sophonts he might want to disable.  ”That's a hard one.  What ever comes along really, but probably human primarily, seeing as we finish up on human worlds most of the time.  We were caught up in a riot on Frenzie.  I didn't have to shoot anyone, although, a couple of times, it felt close.  If they aren't shooting at me, then I would rather not kill them.” he says bluntly.

”And then, what is the best you can do for armour?  I want something in blacl that says security on it, and preferably something unmarked as well.  Are those sets interchangeable?” he asks pointing to the armour and coverings.

”Oh, and can you deliver here on the space port?” he finally remembers to ask.  It makes life much easier if he can get everything in one shopping trip.

Shui remains near Tylen throughout the discussion, but doesn't join it.  Her eyes flick over the various weapons displayed, almost as if cataloguing.  There's very little expression on her face; it remains neutral, neither positive nor negative.

Briefly, she appears vaguely interested in the armor Tylen indicates.  Armor, for him, is good; it's protection against people who are trying to kill him.

The round fits the revolver perfectly, and the Vargr stands quietly, his hands clasped before his chest and his head tilted to one side as he watches Tylen.

Tylen's explanation of what he's looking for brings a brief wag of Gvacht'och's tail.  "Ah, I understands, noble sir.  Might I humbly suggest a mixed selection of chemical agents.  One half to be entirely adequate for Humaniti and Vargr, and the other half to be a mixing of Aslan, Droyne, and some of the more common minor species which can be discovered in Hgoch'chod Aghak, which is to say The Spinward Marches."

"Please forgive your humble servant, sir.  I have insufficient display space withins the establishment.  I am to having a larger assortment of clothing in the storage area beyond that door.  If you will most genourously grant me a modicum of times, I can fetch samples with different designs, patterns and colourations, for your approvals."

Tylen grins his appreciation as the rounds slot perfectly into the chambers  "Excellent.  I have that, and fifty rounds of ammunition, if you have it." while he still had ammunition back on the margin, it was good to keep the supplies topped up to a sensible level.

"And the mixture of chemical deterrents is an excellent idea. Are we talking about gas grenades?" he asks trying to get a handle on how the chemicals will be dispersed.

"And as for the armour, ideally Black or dark grey.  If you have them a couple of outers that take internal armour?  One with Security on kit and one with out.  And then it is just a question of what armour you have to fit inside the outer shell." he says with a grin, pleased to get everything under one roof.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:23, Wed 08 Apr 2015.

Ash doesn't quite know what to make of Covan Draik, but he seems amiable enough.  And the man says the right things.  Sort of.  Of course, Ash isn't the one to here that makes the decisions.  However, the thin ex-Scout is supposed to help.  He runs his fingers through his short-cropped hair for a moment, listening to what Covan has to say.  "If you don't mind me asking," he ventures casually, "why are you on Phlume, sir?  It is, as you noted, a bit off of the beaten path."  It is probably minor information, but worth ferreting out.

Not that it really matters, though, most likely.  For on the surface, the offer seems enticing.  Making this man their friend would seem to be a good thing.  Yet, Ash wasn't nearly as sure as Covan seemed to be about the limits of corporate espionage, especially interstellar corporate espionage.  In his estimation, it could be quite dangerous and he lets Jago know.  "Some people had far less scruples than others." Ash notes off-hand after Covan makes his dismissive remark about his inheritance being settled solely by lawyers.

When he concludes his remarks, Ash chuckles slightly, "Well, Mr. Draik."  He shrugs slightly and then admits rather self-deprecatingly, "Tramp trader crews are a notoriously free-wheeling, fickle, and untrustworthy lot."  He glances at Jago, who has not used the magic word yet - so, he must still be interested on some level.  "Still," he continues, "sixteen days isn't that long..."  He leaves it at that.

The lanky navigator of the Profit Margin picks up his water glass and takes a sip, watching the corporate scion rather intently - for it seems that this interview is for both parties to figure out if they are compatible.  "So," Ash asks idly, "if you are looking for the right crew, how do you intend to gauge if Captain Lanza and his people," himself included, naturally, "are trustworthy enough?"  He leans back in his chair slightly and it creaks slightly under his weight.

It would seem to be the age-old quandary: How does one test a man's mettle and see into his heart?  How does one find a truly honest man in the maddening crowd?  Let alone an entire crew...

Yas and Keryn arrive back at the ship. and find it all locked.  Fortunately Yas knows the security codes for entry, and discovers that, while Corlan and Eneris are still aboard, none of the crew are. 

Covan Draik laughs, "I'll need to use this lunch to judge your trustworthiness, Mister Tescali.  So far neither of you have tried to kill me, and the fact that your captain is prepared to take the ship in the right general direction is another selling point.  As for why I came here...  Have you been outside the port?  Some very picturesque scenery out there, once you get a few kilometres out.  Good place to spend a little time if you don't have much to do.  And that would be me.  I had a small allowance and time to waste, so I came here, determined to waste that time as lazily as possible."

Jago nods thoughtfully, "Sounds like a good enough reason to come here.  Sadly we won't have time to take it easy here.  It looked nice enough from the air.  And despite what Ash says, Profit Margin's crew aren't fickle, free-wheeling, or untrustworthy."

Gvacht'och nods enthusiastically, "Grenades, yes.  Also some aerosols, useful at closer ranges.  But all types come as grenades, with only some as aerosols."  He places a carton of ammunition on the counter.  "Armour, such as that which you describe, will present no difficulty.  Your humble servant is having just such items in stock."  A bow, "And delivery will also present no difficulty."

This grows upsetting.  Grenades, now.  Shui can understand the benefits of a rifle.  Even an automatic weapon, though less-so.  She doesn't agree with them, but.  Grenades?  They're hardly pin-point applications; dangerous things, apt to blow up in one's face, or roll the wrong way and explode in front of a civilian.  Fortunately these are chemical weapons, but even so....

Her father would not approve.

Points to Tylen, though, in that he's searching for nonlethals.  She can't imagine him using actual grenades.  It's possible - he was military, after all - but as a security officer, he likely wouldn't touch them with a 10' pole.  Plus, he's searching for sprays.

It's the shop, she decides.  The shop in general; it's putting this negative mood into her.  Or perhaps it's Shui who is allowing her mood to grow negative.  Whichever, it would be best if she stepped out.

"I shall attend without," she quietly notes to Tylen before heading out the front door to wait for him on the sidewalk.

Saskia nods, "I see.  You make a mistake, and people just assume that it was something you did deliberately.  That's nice of them."

People can be so unfair.  These seem like decent enough people.

Tylen allows Gvacht'och to take appropriate measurements for the armour and specifies the best filling for the outer casing, along with a couple of other options.  He wants the best armour he can get.    Then he leaves the selection of grenades and aerosols to the Vagr working on the basis that he probably knows his wares better than Tylen does, arranges payment and delivery, preferably for that same day.  After all, one can never tell when Jago is going to order a lift.

Loads his new revolver, holsters it, and heads off outside to rejoin Shui.  "All done." he says with a grin.

Ash shakes his head, "'Fraid that I can't say that I ever have, Mr. Draik."  And then when Jago has his say, the lanky navigator adds with a touch of ruefulness, "And it appears that this trip is not going to break that trend..."  Though, in all honesty, he doesn't sound that heart-broken; probably because he was raised a 'city kid'.

He glances at the Captain of the Profit Margin and then reddens slightly at the roundabout chastisement.  "Well..." Ash stammers slightly, "I was making a gross generalization about 'those other people', of course.  Captain Lanza is absolutely right, the Profit Margin isn't really a tramp trader.  And its crew isn't just any crew; they have been the best crew that I have had the privilege of working with."  He gives the two men a slightly self-deprecating smile - sort of 'hey, I'm just the new guy on the crew', sort of thing.

Taking another sip to parch a suddenly dry throat, Ash tries to change the subject, "It will be just yourself, Mr. Draik?  No entourage?  What about additional baggage?  Will you need additional allotment of cargo space?"  He picks at his food as he tries to make conversation.  "I mean," he ventures, "if people have tried to kill you shouldn't you have a bodyguard or two?  Or, at the very least, carry more conspicuous defensive measures.  You know, to deter those sorts of things..."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:49, Wed 15 Apr 2015.

"Thank you for your help, Yas.  It's always good to consult an expert when buying something you've never owned before.  I'm going to take a rest, and read up on how to use my new purchase."  Keryn makes her way back to her own cabin, leaving Yas to ponder her next actions, now that she, technically, has command of an armed starship. 

"It's just me." Covan Draik replies, "And baggage which would fit into the normal allowance for Middle Passage."  He takes a sip of his own drink.  "So I'm just looking for a single stateroom, with no special allowances or arrangements."

Tylen meets Shui outside the store... 

"Is what we expects." Dog Boy confirms, "Is same everywhere, yes?  Some not fit, get treated different.  Nothing to do.  Not enough us to make others change, and nowhere to go that is better for us."