Docking Bay 12 of Station 17, in low orbit above Dinomn, is cold.

Profit Margin has been docked for the best part of an hour, and those passengers who were disembarking here have left, fleeing into the warmer areas of the station.  The ship was then sealed again to hold the external chill at bay.

Jago sits on the Bridge, gazing at the thin layer of ice crystals on the bay walls, and the cold mist rolling across the deck.

The temperature controls out there have been set deliberately low, and for a reason.  That reason is the freighter which sits alongside the Margin, offloading a bulk shipment of refrigerated produce.

According to the information Ash has been able to obtain from the Port, some of the freighter's cargo containers have had a problem with their environmental systems, so the ship has had to keep it's own hold chilled down for the second half of the week in Jump.

The temperature aboard Profit Margin is, in most areas, a balmy 28°C, but it feels cold.  Yas sits at her gunnery station wearing gloves and sipping hot cocao.

"Remind me never to come here again." Jago remarks, loud enough to be heard by anybody in the general vicinity of the Bridge.

The silence hangs in the air, seeming to increase the imagined chill even further.

Jago glances at the latest bulletin from the Port Authority, and gives a satisfied laugh.  "They're moving the last container now.  Once it's on the refrigerated transport, the station can raise the temperature in the bay again.  Then the dockhands can come in and start unloading us."

He smiles, and the unlit cigar makes the journey from one side of his mouth to the other, then back again.  "Once we're unloaded, we can all go Portside.  It'll be nice to see what the place looks like, and stretch our legs.  Maybe grab something to eat somewhere we won't have to prepare it or wash up afterwards."

"Shui, make sure that Corlan, Eneris and Keryn know that it'll be safe for them to go ashore too.  Yas and Tylen, I'd like you two to work out some kind of escort duty for the passengers while they go shopping or whatever.  Ash, you'll be with me.  I'd like you to learn a bit more about finding cargoes."

Obviously daydreaming a bit, the thin ex-Scout gave the Captain an absent-minded nod when mandatory shore leave is authorized.

Then he snaps back to reality, when his name is mentioned specifically along side the phrase 'learn a bit more about finding cargoes'.  Ash isn't sure if that shows confidence in his abilities.  Or if the Captain is worried about something else and just wants to keep an eye on the newest crew member.  Irrespective, it is an offer that can't be refused.

"You got it, Boss." Ash notes to Jago, while rubbing his hands together in a vain gesture to keep his fingers warm.  He glances out one of the viewports at the rather chilly rather and looks thoughtful for a moment.  "I'd best grab my jacket then..." the lanky navigator remarks as he pushes away from his console and locks the session.

"Absolutely, Captain," Shui replies, stepping out to 'pen' a message to the various passengers.

~~ Good morning - we have docked in orbit, and the captain wishes it known that should you have a desire to examine the port, you can arrange a visit with the assistance of our security personnel.  The crew will be also be taking a short trip portside, so if you would wish to join one or all of us, please inform me at your earliest convenience. ~~

Jago smiles at Ash, "Not if you're coming with me.  I'm not going out there until the temperature is adjusted to a more comfortable level.  Besides, as far as I know, the rest of the station is kept much warmer."

Confinement to the ship, in addition to the usual week in Jump, seems to be bothering the passengers.  Within minutes, Corlan, Eneris and Keryn have all replied to Shui's message, requesting time ashore with crew members who can escort them, guide them, and assist them during their visit.

"What is this place like?  You got the stats?" Tylen calls across to Yas, as he starts to call up planetary details on his screens.

Yas studies the world profile which is flowing across her display, and sighs.  "Probably better to stay on the station.  Dinomn isn't exactly a garden spot, unless your idea of gardening is clearing snow and hacking through ice.  Temperature is more than a hundred and fifty degrees below freezing, and that's in the temperate regions, so called."

---

WORLD DETAILS

NAME:              Dinomn
HEX LOCATION:      1912
UWP:               B674632-9
PBG:               204
TRADE CODES:       Agricultural, Non-industrial
ALLEGIANCE:        Third Imperium
STELLAR DETAILS:   Primary Star: M8 VI

SATELLITE DETAILS: Number: 5

SIZE RELATED DETAILS
Basic World Type: Satellite - molten core
Diameter:  10,400 km  Density: 1.02  World Mass: 0.43  World Gravity: 0.765 G
Orbit Period: 123.477 Std days      Distance: 0.2 AU  Eccentricity: 0.001
Rotation Period: 150 Std hours      Axial Tilt: 26°   Seismic Stress Factor: 5.6

ATMOSPHERIC RELATED DETAILS
Composition: Standard oxygen-nitrogen mix, tainted with pollutants
Surface Pressure: 0.95 atm        Mean Temp: -155°C  Native Life: Yes
Terraforming - Atmospheric: No    Albedo: No         Greenhouse Effect: No
Weather Control: Yes

HYDROSPHERE RELATED DETAILS
Composition: Tainted liquid water
Hydrographic Percentage: 41%    Tectonic Plates: 3
Continents and Oceans:  6 major oceans, 13 minor oceans, 10 small seas.
Hydrographic Terraforming: No   Terrain Terraforming: No

POPULATION RELATED DETAILS
Total World Population: 2,000,000
Starports and Spaceports: B/B/D/F
Primary Cities:  4        Orbital Cities. Yes

Social Outlook:
    Progressiveness: Conservative, Advancing
    Aggressiveness:  Competitive, Militant
    Extensiveness:   Discordant, Friendly

Unusual Local Customs: Unusual foods eaten by enforcement figures.
                       Unusual leave-taking customs.

GOVERNMENT RELATED DETAILS
Representative Authority: Self-perpetuating Oligarchy, Several Councils.

LAW RELATED DETAILS                   TECHNOLOGY RELATED DETAILS
Uniformity of Law:     Undivided      Technology Profile:

Legal Profile: 2-36175                High Common Tech Level: 9
    Overall Law Level: 2              Low Common TL:          4
    Weapons Law level: 3              Energy TL:              9
    Trade Law level:   6              Computer/Robotics TL:   9
    Criminal Law:      1              Communications TL:      9
    Civil Law:         7              Medical TL:             9
    Personal Freedom:  5              Environment TL:         8
                                      Land Transport TL:      9
                                      Water Transport TL:     9
                                      Air Transport TL:       9
                                      Space Transport TL:     9
                                      Personal Military TL:   A
                                      Heavy Military TL:      A
                                      Novelty Tech Level:     A

RESOURCES AND GOODS
Natural Resources:      Agriculture, Crystals
Processed Resources:    Agroproducts
Manufactured Resources: Durables, Consumables, Weapons
Information Resources:  Recordings, Artforms, Software

---

Jago, meanwhile, forwards the latest TNS reports to the library databanks.  Only one story really stands out, amid the articles about the slow ebb and flow of the war, and the economic disruption and reduction in shipping caused by the combat, and that one has already been related by the Captain himself...

Regina/Regina (0306-A788889-A) Date: 302-1107

The office of the Duke denied reports that His Grace Norris, Duke of Regina, had died of a rare form of lung infection.  Although declining to answer questions on the Duke's condition, or to reveal the Duke's whereabouts, a spokesman for the Duke's seneschal stated that His Grace was in a safe location, and was recovering rapidly.

"You wouldn't deny me my armour, would you, Boss?" Ash responds when Jago informs him that no jackets will be necessary.  Even if the old oilskin duster is nothing more than a pittance against real bullets, it does act as figurative protection.

Besides, Ash is already through the doorway, by the time he responds.  Apparently, he isn't going anywhere without his oilskin jacket.

Jago shakes his head as Ash vanishes through the door.  He glances towards the gunnery stations, and comments, "He seems a bit keen, considering we won't be going anywhere for at least a couple of hours.  Anybody fancy an early lunch?  We could set the wall panels in the lounge to show a tropical beach, with waves lapping at a beach of emerald green sand, and three suns in the sky.  I'm feeling warmer just thinking about it."

"That works for me." Tylen agrees "There is nothing much to see out there and it just looks damned cold."  he flicks and pushes at controls on his screens, as he closes down all but the basic monitoring function then stands and stretches.  "Not really sure what the passengers are going to want ashore, apart from stretching their legs." he says morosely as he heads towards the lounge and Jago's promised beach scenes.

"Shall I invite the <DarkGreen>passengers to the lounge as well, Captain Lanza?" Shui inquires.  "We might be able to speak with them, and possibly answer Mr. Orgesh's curiosity about their desires.  And," </DarkGreen>she considers, "whether or not this station can meet said desires."

"No, let's just take a bit of time to relax and work out our own plans, Shui." Jago says, with a smile, "Plenty of time to talk to them later, once we have a better idea what we're planning to do with our time here."

The Captain reconfigures his control panel, works for a few seconds, then stands and stretches.  "For now, everybody is officially off-duty while we grab some lunch."

From the doorway to the Lounge comes the muted crash of waves on a beach, and the sounds of small animals...

Jago settles into his seat, placing a mug of coffee and doughnut on the table alongside him.  He gazes appreciatively at the waves rolling onto the green sand in the light of the triple suns.  He listens for a moment to the birdsong, before realising the the whistling calls seem to be coming from several small creatures that most resemble colourful mice, which are moving about in the trees.

One of the animals, coloured in vivid greens and reds, leaps from a branch, unfurling a pair of membranous wings, which allow it to flutter to the next tree.

Jago chuckles.  "I must remember to check where this is."

Off-duty has different meanings to different people.  Shui immediately moves to the galley, commencing work on some simple but healthy, refreshing lunches for the crew.  Jago, not surprisingly, receives a narrow-eyed look for his choice, and Shui ensures she plunks a small sandwich next to his plate.

Aside from that, she doesn't comment; Jago has made his opinions clear, and as the captain he has the right to refuse her recommendations.

"The view is certainly beautiful," she agrees, passing out coffee and cocoa to the various imbibers.  She, herself, is taking in a delicate tea.  Settling down with a light salad, Shui waves her hand toward the imagery.  "If possible, I should like to visit.  Though I doubt it would be on our route."

The galaxy is a very, very large place.

Tylen strolls into the lounge and helps himself to a cup of coffee and a small mountain of the sandwiches that Shui has prepared for lunch.  He eyes the doughnuts for a moment, before realising that there isn't enough room on the plate.  Perhaps later ...

"Green sand?  That just doesn't look right ...  Is the video working properly?    Wow, look at that thing go!" he grins as the mouse-bat launches itself from the tree.

Ash saunters into the lounge with his well-worn oilskin duster on and coffee mug in hand.  The lanky navigator tops the mug off with the blackest stuff he can find in the waiting thermally insulated pitchers.  He marvels silently at the efficiency of their on-board steward that the coffee isn't sludge or bitter but still strong and flavorful.  Especially given that Shui isn't an actual coffee drinker; he after catching her eye for a brief moment as she bustles about the lounge, Ash nods to her in silent appreciation and raises his mug.

Then he leans back against the counter to take in the view and the conversation, though he says little himself.  Placing his mug on the counter when the talk turns to vista and the chittering native rodents, the thin ex-Scout turns slightly green and rubs some of the smaller scars on his left hand for a moment.  It is more of a subconscious motion, as Ash seems slightly preoccupied with the fact that the small creatures remind him of chinchillas (well, with added wings).  And shoveling a couple hundred pounds of their droppings...

Jago sips at his coffee, but the doughnut remains untouched for the moment.  "It's certainly looks nicer than here.  And yes, the sand should be that colour.  Probably an odd mix of chemicals in the ground."

"If I had to guess, I'd go for copper, chromium, or nickel.  They can all be green, and they're more common than some of the other options, like vanadium." Saskia opines.

"I'll check when I'm looking for the name of the place." Jago says.  "In the mean time... we're probably going to be here for a few days.  Dinomn itself has a harsh climate, to say the least.  So Corlan, Eneris and Keryn can go planetside for brief visits, if they want, but I want all such excursions to be accompanied by at least one crew member for each passenger, and that crew member should have one of the long range comms.  If you want to go down there yourselves, don't go alone and make sure you have comms with you, just in case."

"Excursions on the station will probably be safer, for both the passengers and us.  But I'd still like some basic security protocols set up for all trips away from the ship.  This is an orbital city, which means it's big, and not all of it falls under the jurisdiction of Port Security.  So... suggestions?"

The doughnut must be poisoned, or something.  Jago still hasn't eaten any of it.

"Given the heavy metals noted by Ms. Blake, Mr. Orgesh; I would not advise consuming it," Shui chimes in, amused.  She pauses a moment at Ash's look, both eyebrows rising with the interpretation.  A pleased smile follows, and a small nod of her head; it is Shui's duty and pleasure to provide the best she can, and if the crew appreciates it, that most certainly is enough for her.

The planet itself doesn't seem terribly hospitable, but...personal comfort has always taken a back seat for Shui.  "I can certainly accompany anyone planetside, Captain Lanza," she states. "Given the lesser need for security personnel in that instance, perhaps it would be for the best, saving them for Dinomn.  If there are areas that are outside of Port Security, they would naturally more dangerous; should people wish to frequent them, they should be accompanied by Mr. Orgesh or Chief Crow." One eyebrow rises. "Or Mr. Tescali and Ms. Blake...with her fearsome pistol."

One look at it would likely scare off most casual criminals.

Having said that, Shui notes that Ash doesn't seem to sanguine himself at the moment.  Moving around the table, she slips up next to him. "Mr. Tescali?" the steward murmurs.  "Is there anything amiss?"

OOC: Shui has provided no doughnuts; any who have them have brought their own.  Hahahaha...

Jago gestures for Ash to sit down and join the others for lunch.

"Not hospitable at all." he agrees with Shui.  "The population isn't the highest, but it's still higher than I would have expected.  But the resources attract them - the place is rich with crystals of various sorts, and there are extensive heavy metal deposits on some of the other moons."

"If possible I'd like to... not discourage visits to the surface for the passengers, just not actively encourage them.  Security is a concern anyway, without the addition of hazardous environmental factors, and I'd like everybody, us included, to be able to relax for a few days."

Another sip of coffee.

"That said, if Corlan or Eneris decide they want to go down there, then we can't stop them, and we should have plans in place to protect them.  Keryn... well I think somebody should try to talk her out of visiting the surface if she asks.  Between the cold, the tainted atmosphere, and the occasional mild background radiation, I don't think it would be healthy for her.  Or her baby."

Tylen seems to still be fascinated by the green sand but half tracks the conversation "I suppose we will have to go with them if they want to go down to the surface." The gunner offers half-heartedly.  "Although I won't be upset if I don't get to see the wonders of this crystal laden  ...  paradise."

"Is there anything to leave the ship for?  Apart from a chance to stretch legs and get adifferent flavour of canned air?" he asks generally.  "I couldn't see anything particularly exciting", he adds quietly.

Shui takes small notations - mostly mentally, but a few on her dataglove.  "I can inform Keryn that, as the ship's medical officer I feel it would be a poor idea for her to travel to the planetary surface, that the health of her baby could be at risk.  She is a responsible person; I strongly doubt she would make that choice for simple curiosity."

Her eyebrow cocks at Tylen's question, and she nods her head in thought.  "They might have shops we have not seen before, offering crafts or art.  If you saw nothing, though..."  The steward sighs. "I should accompany our passengers if they leave, mind, along with the security." 

"Just skipping quickly through he planetary feeds ..." Tylen clarifies  how he had been looking for things of interest.

"Actually," Yas deadpans, "best not bring it up unless she suggests it.  I have, after all, taught her how to use a gun now."

"Nah, I'm just kidding about that.  But, let's not strike pre-emptive for something she may not even consider, but might if we do tell her not to go by giving her the idea that she could.  When and if the time comes, I'll talk to her.  She's like my d..."  Her eyes loses focus momentarily.  "My, uh... dear friend.  I'm the one who brought her on here, so I'm responsible, sort of, but I've gotten to know her fairly well too.  Plus, I do have more guns than she does."  She cracks a wide grin.

Jago smiles happily at the volunteers.  At least it looks like he won't have to put his foot down with a firm hand, so to speak, and tell Keryn that she's grounded.  Well, not grounded... quite the opposite in fact.

"Waiting until Keryn brings it up herself sounds like a good plan.  That way nobody has to shoot her down unless they really need to.  They won't look like they're telling her what to do, unless she comes up with the idea."

He hands Tylen a thin sheaf of printout.  "I anticipated you.  It's a list of attractions here, and down on the surface."

The lunch meeting lasts about an hour, and Jago and the crew sort out a few details for their stay at Dinomn...

• Passengers going ashore should be escorted by at least one crew member per group, at all times.
  
  
• Crew can go ashore alone, but not down to the surface alone.
  
  
• Side arms and comms should be carried by all crew when going off the ship.
  
  
• Jago would like to be kept informed of the whereabouts of anybody going ashore, with regular reports.
  
  
• He doesn't specifically believe there'll be any trouble, but after the attack on the air-raft at Phlume, Jago wants to be safe, not sorry, and the surface would not be a nice place to be stranded in the case of an attack.

The meeting finishes, and Jago adds, "I want at least one crew member aboard at all times.  No matter what.  These are desperate times, and people are getting... well... desperate.  I don't want somebody stealing the ship because we got careless."

He glances at the chronometer on the wall above the kitchen bench.  "They should be here to unload us any time now.  I suppose we should go back on duty."