Exilim considered what Mark had said. There were pros and cons for all of it. The reality of the situation was that they needed fuel and potentially lots of it. Aryan would be a good addition to the team and could teach them all something.

"I think we should seriously consider the option to buy part of Phindar. The fact that we will get fuel on a regular basis is not something that we can pass up. Added to that, if we do our job - whatever it is well - we get profits and that means up grades for all our gear and ships." He turned, faced Aryan and continued "By the little I saw of you practicing on the Starflower, we could all learn something from you. I welcome you to the team."

Aryan nods at Exilim with a straight face.  "Isa be proud to serve with you, and will teach any of you what i know of fighting"

Jace shrugs.  "That sounds awfully risky.  Putting all your nerfs in one pen.  Have you forgotten that Typhon Energy is being crewed by Imperials in this sector.  They might intervene if Phindar starts getting overtly competitive.  A tank of fuel a month wont let you fight a full scale war.  Still it's your money."

"Never said it would be easy.  The risk is high but so is the payoff.  This is why I'm looking for opinions here.  If the majority votes against the plan we wont proceed."

"We don't tend to do easy." Xil said with a chuckle. "Seriously though, we need options if this plan is a no go. We could hijack freighters for fuel, but that is going to get tough, especially after a couple of times. Fuel depots are another option, but once again after a couple of times it will get much harder. Phindar would be an easier target than Typhon, but then we aren't really attacking the target we want to." he shrugged his shoulders "Any one have other ideas?"

Devon frowned and thought for a few moments, then shook his head.  He couldn't think of anything better.  He did have one idea though:

'One thing we will need to watch out for with this deal though is that we, an anti-Imperial group, will be creating a very real and traceable link between ourselves and Phindar.  Dont get me wrong, the mil-spec fuel will be damn useful and the shares could make us... but when the Imperials start sniffing around - and they will - then all its going to take is one tracking bug on our monthly fuel shipment and we're in a lot of trouble.  We're going to need to put some serious thought into security for the shipments...'

"True, but we probably would have needed to do that at any rate." Exilim replied to Devon. He looked around at the gathered Talons "Thoughts anyone?"

Flash just sat back, listening.  He'd let the others sort it out, he wasn't one for much talking.

Devons brow furrowed.
'I figured we could arrange a collection point, transfer the fuel to our ships and then take it on to base ourselves.  only problem with that is is just means rather than being able to hit our base... anyone who traces the fuel shipment hits the meeting point instead.  Bright side to that is the base stays secure, I guess.'

He gave a slightly sheepish grin.  'Downside to that plan is that last time I checked, we didnt have a fuel transport.'

Sheila listened.  The only way she could come  up with is borrowing a transport, and since it was an obvious suggestion and she didn't have any suggestions as to how to do it, she kept quiet.

"Or we could make use of our cruiser.  You're already converting one pod into a hangar bay.  Why don't we get another pod and convert it into some sort of fuel storage tank?  Then you can set the meet wherever we want and we have the Nightshrike's heavy guns for defense?"

"Of course, we're getting ahead of ourselves.  If Phindar goes under we'll have no fuel shipments and no money.  We need to worry if the risk is worth the reward before we worry too much about transport issues."

Noticing that several of the newer members were not contributing, Mark specifically looked to each of them.

"Remember in the Black Talons, your pay is based on percentage of profit earned.  So if we make money, you make money.  If we lose it all, there's no pay.  So these decisions effect everyone equally.  Please feel free to speak up with your concerns."

Mark then turns to the display screen.  "Anyway, it seems for now we're at least partially committed.  Let me outline the first sortie.  Our first task is to help Phindar get it's convoys through.  So we're going to take over escort duties for the next couple of convoys.  Pirate raids have cost Phindar several tankers and their relying on green pilots with no combat experience as escort.  These guys apparently run as often as they fight."

He points to Jamie.  "Webb, I'm putting both of our Z-95's at your disposal, please bring them back in better condition then you did your last starfighter.  Phindar has agreed to give us full autonomy over the next few shipments.  We can use their crew or ours, as well as their equipmetn.  We lose any equipment it's going to cost us.  We get the tankers through and they'll give us a tanker load of fuel and the right to buy the shares at a discouted rate, allowing us to take a five percent ownership."

"I'll remain here with Nightshrike.  I think it's too early to fully tip our hand and reports to date have only had the tankers attacked by small groups of starfighters.  Besides, there's not enough fuel on board for extensive operations.  We need that fuel payment.  I've spoken to Captain Raiwaw and he's agreed to drop you off at the refinery on Phindar 4 for a modest fee."

"Nallis, make sure sufficient armaments are distributed.  You wont be checked by customs on this one so take whatever armaments you think you need."

"Questions?  You depart as soon as possible. I've serviced both Headhunters and they're at optimal efficiency.  Torlo, the Starflower will drop you off on Phindar Prime after the rest of the team had disembarked."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:56, Sun 06 June 2010.

"Understood One" Xil replied to Marks orders. He looked around at the gathered group trying to remember what each normally carried and then decided that it would just be easier to ask.

"Everyone check your gear and let me know what you have in terms of weapons, if you need/ want any extra let me know. As a minimum you should all have a blaster pistol and rifle. If you want to know what extras are available, ask. We do have a small cache that can be accessed if necessary. And Two, lets not get too fancy, I doubt we'll need the E-web cannon on this one." the last was said with a grin in Flash's direction.

Aryan listened to the conversation with a stony face.  When the group was finished, he looked up, at the commander, then the group.  "Isa not know most of you, but i cansa say that this will be hard.  Along with the escourts, i suggest we have a few members on the transports."

He looked at Exilim.  "The use of gear will be helpful, but remember that unless they wants the fuel, they may just blows the ships up."

Aryan sighs, then continues.

"Ons the otehr hands, if theys want the fuel, they will try take the ships.  in this case, the people who can handle close combat..either blasters or hand to hand, would benifit being on the transpot."  He looks at Mark.  "..and if we do that, somes people should liook atsa the ship..gets to know points we can hold and use defensivly"

“A good way to make it harder for the Imperials to track us would be to set up a dummy corporation to handle all our dealings with Phindar.  That gives us a cover to hide behind and hopefully wont link the anti-Imperial raids to Phindar.”

Flash was palpably disappointed at being denied usage of the E-web.  Cap'n better let him bring the grenades, though.  Not being fully up-to-date on the current armament available to them, he headed off to check up on that, and prepare a report for Four.

He prepared a brief summary in his mind.  Seems we have a wide range of blasters, everything from pistols up to an E-web, a few sets of battle armor, and some riot gear.  Stun grenades, but no frag.  Best bring some anyway.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:15, Tue 08 June 2010.

Xil nodded to both Aryan and Rann acknowledging their contributions "Valid points and something that I'm sure we'll consider in due course. Firstly however, lets get some house keeping done." he paused slightly to remind himself to update Flash who had just left the meeting "We use number call signs within this group when we are on mission. There are currently some with temporary status or none at all. Sheila, you'll now be Three. We don't have ten people here so no point you having it as your call sign. Rann, your designation is Six and Aryan as you are now part of the group you'll be Eight. Make sure you learn who everyone else is plus their role if they have one. I'm Four when on mission and am the ground Force Commander plus sniper."

After ensuring that they all understood he continued. "Assignments including any extra gear you will be required to take will be given out shortly. He looked around at the group and then said "I want a report on what your current gear is ASAP so I know what extra I can give you. We prepare for any eventuality." With that he got up and left the meeting. He would quickly prep his gear and then see if he could get any more information from Mark before deciding on what assignments to give people.

Mark listened to the conversations with the team for a short while.

"Pertwee, I'll get you to look over what I have before you go.  I was planning to use one of the dummy accounts Zyra had set up but I'll get you to look at them.  I'm a pilot, not an accountant."

"Get this done people.  I want you spacebound in two hours."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:26, Tue 08 June 2010.

Mark quickly leaves the room with Rann and the others begin wandering off to their seperate jobs.

OOC: To do list

All:  Check gear and equipment (do you need something from the armoury?)
Devon:  Flight check the Z-95's (Mark did it but what does he know?)  ;)
Jamie:  Test Aryan on the simulator
Aryan: Be tested
Rann:  Go over the accounts
Exilim/Jamie:  Assign crew roster and pilots for the Z-95's.  Also how do you distribute the missiles?
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:20, Tue 08 June 2010.

Xil quickly made it back to this quarters. Going over and checking his gear he notes that he has only two concussion grenades left mmm better get more of these he thinks to himself.

Having ensured that all his gear was good to go he heads off to find Mark and hopefully get a bit more detail on what they can expect.

OCC: Xil will be taking his usual gear; blaster pistol and rifle, vibroblade, knife, 2 concussion grenades, all Temperature Cloak,Credit Chip, Macrobinoculars, Padded Flight Suit, Comlink, Secure Comlink, 3 Power Packs, 2 Energy packs

OOC: Flash will be taking his Blaster rifle and pistol, [4 extra power packs, 5 concussion grenades from group supply(you can never have too many grenades), held in a bandolier(I'm assuming that would be easy enough to get ahold of from somewhere)], his vibrodagger, padded flight suit, all-temp cloak, grappling spike launcher(on pistol), tool kit, credit chips(8000c, spread among several chips of varying totals stowed in varying locations), and datapad.

A lot of stuff, and if he's gonna be leaving from here in a fighter and coming straight back here, he might take less, but as it's likely with their past record that there will be ground time, he'll likely bring it all.

Pausing from working on the fighters, Devon tried to wipe the sweat from his brow but instead punched himself in the visor of his spacesuit.
'Damn pressure suits.' he grumbled, then switched his suits comms to Exilim's commlink frequency.

'Any idea how hard it is to do decent work in one of these suits?  Plus I think one of my hydro-spanners floated off about half an hour back.  Hey Xil, I'm gonna be out here another hour at least - got to load the missiles yet and you don't want me rushing that.  Do me a favour, would ya?  My personal kit is in my bunk, you mind checking it over for me?  It should be fine, but hook me up with a rifle, some mini-grenades and a launcher would you?'

blaster pistol
medipac,
security kit
datapad
power packs for blaster 4
tool kit
flight suit
energy cells 5
comlink
+ 2nd blaster pistol
+ stun baton

Sheila will ask Exilim if she needs the flight suit, other than that, everything will come with her, plus as many medipac and kits as she can carry.  She will also take any grenades others don't take, up to 5 of each concussion, smoke, and gas.

Xil pauses as he hears Devon come over his comm. "No problems, glad it's you doing it and not me. Probably best if you load two missiles on each of the Z-95's. I'll get you that stuff you wanted as well. Keep me informed of how you are going."

Xil takes a detour from his planned route and goes to collect the equipment that Devon had requested as well as some extra grenades for himself. Once done he will check Devon's gear to make sure that it good to go and then continue on his way to speak to Mark.

OCC: Xil has added x2 each of concussion/ stun/ smoke grenades plus an extra blaster pistol to his equipment.

He has added a blaster rifle, grenade launcher and x3 each of concussion/ stun/ smoke grenades to Devon's gear.

Xil found Mark in the computer room where he was watching Rann do something on one of the computers.  Noticing Xil come in, Mark left the terminal and moved towards the door.

"Yes Nallis.  All ready to ship out I hope?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:04, Sat 12 June 2010.