Turning to face Mark,Rann said.  “Ok, I'd get Sheila to check my work and make sure I havent missed anything, but I've made a company called Tatooine Mineral Investments that should do what we need.”

Less than two hours later, the Starflower and two Headhunters took off from the asteroid and headed in-system, leaving Mark alone with the Nightshrike.  The trip in was largely uneventful.  The Starflower passengers enjoyed a sumptuous repast prepared by the crew, games of holochess, sabaac and Dejarik as well as watching Iden and Aryan practice their unarmed skills.  The Talons could eat, play, shower and rest.

The two Headhunter pilots had less of a good time.  Twelve hours trapped in a cramped starfighter, drinking liquid nourishment and using a tube and bag for a 'fresher' was an experience no pilot enjoyed.

Finally the three craft landed at a private spaceport on Phindar V belonging to Phindar Petroleum.  The two fighters were directed into a private hangar while the Starflower merely unloaded its crew and gear.  After several handshakes and promises to stay in touch, the Barloz freighter took off and headed towards Phindar Prime to drop off Jace.

The Talons regrouped in the hangar.  It was voluminous enough to hold many more ships then the two starfighters.  It contained full mechanical and refuelling facilities.  It also boasted a small office, a refresher, eating area and a bunk room with four beds.



OOC:  Wanted to move things along so welcome to your new base.  Thought I'd give you a quick chance to 'settle in' before we move on.  Since nobody assigned pilots to the Z-95's I'll leave it to individuals to decide wether they were passengers on the Starflower or a Z-95.  Obviously if you were on the Starflower you will be well rested, fed and enjoyed good company.  If you were in a fighter you'll be dirty, smelly, cranky and in desperate need of a shower, meal and rest!

Climbing from the cockpit of one of the fighters, Rann circled his right shoulder joint, then stretched.  “Well, the Z-95 is very different from the Z-90s, I can tell you” he said to no on in particular.  “Refresher's mine...” he said as he hurried towards the refresher station.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:38, Tue 15 June 2010.

An hour passed, allowing the Talons time to inventory their equipment, Devon to check over the Headhunters and the pilots to freshen up.  All were gathered in the main area when an incoming comm call registered on the screen.  Upon answering, a human female appears.  She is dressed in a business suit and has a look that screams corporate.

"You must be the mercenaries the board has decided to employ.  I'm Sally Tocknell and I'll be serving as your liaison during your time on planet."

"I'm sure you're not interested in a lot of banter so I'll get right to the point.  We've been losing over forty percent of our convoys to pirate activities.  Our own defenses have proven insufficient and the mercenaries we have hired to date have been ineffective.  We need this to stop."

"Our next convoy is due to leave the base you are located at in four hours.  I have created a corporate access to our server for you.  All relevant information will be in there.  Access codes are in the top drawer by the computer."

"Now I've been told to give you full authority over this convoy.  This means you have the authority to take command of any equipment you choose, and perform any role in the convoy you see fit.  I should point out our security manager is less than happy with this arrangement and is currently appealing to the board."

"Captain Tobias is senior captain of the convoy.  He's been told to give you his full co-operation and he'll be expecting you.  I'll speak to you on your return.  Good luck."

The screen goes blank.

Sheila moves over to the computer, grabs the codes and accesses the server.  A file has been prepared describing the convoy's route.  Three CEC Action IV bulk freighters (fuel tanker conversion) are due to leave Phindar IV and transport their cargo to one of the moons near Phindar VIII.  This route has been attacked more than once and the buyer has been threatening to change suppliers if they can't deliver on time.  The convoy has two Cloakshape fighters for escort, complete with company pilots.  The file does clearly state that the Talons have authority to redistribute staff as they wish with the exception of Captain Tobias who is to remain with the convoy flagship.  The three tankers and two fighters are being prepped at present and will be ready to leave on time.


OOC:  Well it's time to make plans.  The file is just the info that Phindar think you want to know but they're a corporation, not military.  You've got a few hours before the convoy leaves so you can spend it doing whatever you need to.

You have full authority to perform any role on any ship you choose.

Enjoy!
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:31, Wed 16 June 2010.

Xil looks over Sheila's shoulder as she accesses the computer. "mmm two cloakshapes as escorts and three tankers" he mutters out aloud. "See if you can get any info/ specs on those freighters including crew." he says to Sheila, "I'm hoping with all the trouble they've had that they have at least put some decent weapons on them."

As he waits for Sheila to get the information he has requested, Exilim starts to go over how to best allocate the resources that they have.

Iden casually follows Exilim. "Also, ida like a list of crew on the freighters, their history and battles experince"  He looks at exilim with a straight face.  "Isa wants to know who can fight and who can not..whosa can shoot and whosa can use their hands"

Sheila quickly pulls up the specs as requested.  The ships are standard models with no upgrades.  The transports have neither weapons or shields.   The cloakshapes are also lacking in shields and also lack missiles!  In a sector that is patrolled by Imperials it was seen as unnecessary to have a heavier weapons complement.  Extra weaponry equal extra cost and more Imperial scrutiny.

The crew manifest shows that each transport runs with a crew of ten.  Eight crew to operate the ship and a two-man security team.  The security officers have had in-house training to do their jobs.

The Cloakshape pilots are not much better.  Both have pilot licences in civilian craft but neither has a record of military service.  The only man who has any real training is Captain Tobias who served on a military tranport during the Clone Wars.  He was discharged with the formation of the Empire as many such jobs were given to clones.



OOC:  For anyone who has Starships of the Galaxy use the base stats for the Action IV Transport and Cloakshape Fighters.  The Fighters lack missiles.  Imperials tend to frown on overarmed security forces (even ones being raided) and missiles are expensive and tend to cause incidents, especially in the hands of nervous civilian pilots.

In reply to Master Servious (msg #34):


"Wow."  That was all she could say.  " Just like old times, no shields." her voice dropped. " But no anything else either. We get attacked, we're going to have to wait to get boarded to fight them off."

Sheila adds to Exilim.  "Any chance we could give the security guys some extra training, in case of boarding, just some practice, I really can't tell from this how likely they are to fight well, they;ve only ever fired their guns on a range and their hand to hand is unknown?"


She looked at Aryan, "I think your best chance of figuring out how well these guys fight is to have sparring matches with them, but I'll see what comes up".
This message was last edited by the player at 22:11, Thu 17 June 2010.

Exilim lets out a groan when the specs of the freighters, escorts and crew come up. "Well" he says to no one in particular "This should be fun."

He considers options momentarily. He knows that civilian pilots are a liability in combat and that two rent a cops per freighter aren't really enough to repel boarders if it comes to down to it.

He rubs his hands through his hair as a way to clear his thought and then starts giving out assignments.

"Five and Two, you have the cloakshapes. Their pilots can join the rent a cops on the second and third freighters. Six & Seven, you have the Z-95's. I'll be on the lead freighter with Captain Tobias, Three you take the second freighter, Eight you have the last." he looks around quickly to make sure that they had all heard him.

"Three, make contact with our liaison and see if on the off chance we can get more security personnel for the freighters." the last was said with out much real hope.

Xil will wait briefly to see what answer Sheila gets before continuing with his plans.

Devon breathed a mental sigh of relief as he was assigned to one of the Z-95s instead of the unshielded, missile-deficient flying coffin of a Cloakshape...

'Just a thought...' he said 'I bet those two pilots you pulled out the cloakshapes are going to be annoyed.  I dealt with people like them in my old line of work and they all think they're hotshots - they'll probably see being replaced as a personal insult.  They might cause trouble.'

'Also, I'd recommend pulling the maintenance logs and performance specs for the freighters and Cloakshapes... if any of them are running below spec or are prone to breakdown... we need to know before someone starts shooting at us.'

Devon held up his datapad.

'Ten, if you can patch this into their network with our server access, I'll get out your way and start going over those logs.'

Sheila pulls up the maintenance logs for all the ships. 

ANd she tries to get hold of the liaison.

Aryan Nods at Exilim.  "isa suggest we also gets the security in one group before we leave and then we can gague their skill level."

Aryan looks at his assigned task and sighs.  "..butsa i don'ts thinking we will be having much luck other than us.    He looks at shelia with a half smile.  "maybe we should look at defensable places on teh ships and set up an arms stock for us..just in case."

Sheila can find little information on each security man's actual skill, only the course they've attended.  She quickly concludes that Aryan's solution, being to actually assess them in person would be the only way to ascertain their actual skill.

The maintenance logs show Devon that each Cloakshape has recieved a regular service history.  However it's what it doesn't show that bothers him.  It seems from the weapons maintenance that the Cloakshapes have rarely if ever used their weapons.  The ships have not required degaussing of the targeting lenses or a dozen other jobs associated with regular weapons usage.  The actual fighters are located in Hangar 4 and the freighters are being loaded nearby.  Personnel logs show that some of the freighter crew are already on board doing pre-flight checks, including the three captains.  Neither of the Cloakshape pilots has arrived on-base yet.  There is a standard pre-flight briefing booked in two hours time.

In reply to Master Servious (msg #41):

"Three, you and Eight get those security guards together and run them through their paces. Lets see if we can do something in the very short time we have to make them better." He turns to Devon "Looks like you may have your work cut out for you with the cloakshapes. Take whoever you need to help but make sure those two ships are battle ready."

Xil will start to  look at alternate or round about routes to their destination. After all, if you are not where they expect you to be they can't attack you.

In reply to Exilim Nallis (msg #42):


"Yes sir,"  then to Aryan, "I will warn you, I'm not an unarmed hand to hand fighter." Sheila will run off and corrall the security guards.

Aryan looks at Exilim and nods.  He look at shelia with a wry smile. "yousa don't have to be..thats why i'm here"  He follows Shelia in looking for the guards

Alert:  Aryan & Sheila

It doesn't take long for Sheila to arrange for the six security staff to report to the briefing room on base.  Whilst surprised at being called in early, none of the staff seem to concerned.  All six are sitting in a group, talking and drinking caf when Sheila and Aryan arrive from their hangar.


Alert: Xil
You'll need an astrogation check by someone to try and plot an alternate route that takes similar time.


Alert: Everyonee else!
What is everyone else up to?  I know Devon had some plans he hasn't brought to fruition yet.

Devon spends several minutes going over the maintenance logs.
'oooh boy.' he muttered and looked up 'You know these maintenace logs literally cant remember the last time they even test fired the Cloakshapes weapons?'

Devon groaned and hauled himself to his feet. 'We better make sure their guns WILL actually fire.. and in the direction we want them to... and not, you know sideways or the always popular pilot-killing-fireball...'

Grabbing his toolkit, he looked round at the other Talons thinking over what he knew about their skills at engineering.
'Flash, Jamie - you guys don't seem to be doing anything... wanna come help me eliminate a potential disaster?'

Hopefully his two helpers will actually follow him, Devon trots off towards hanger 4, where he expected to end up in a shouting match with whoever was in charge of fighter maintenance...

"Have fun you three" Xil says to Devon, Jamie & Flash. He then turns to the task of coming up with an alternate route.

'Let see how I go at this he thinks to himself I can always get one of the others to help out if I stuff it up'
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:11, Sat 26 June 2010.

<Three hours later>

The conference room is bustle with talk as the tanker crews assemble for the mission briefing.  While a briefing was standard, this one was far from standard.  A group of merecenaries had been given command of the convoy and the news was taken in different ways by the various staff.

The security team stood off to one side together.  The six men had been dubious when the strange alien had questioned their abilities.  However, none now questioned Aryan's ability as they nursed the bruises to prove it.  Whilst they weren't all happy with an alien in charge, none would question him to his face.

Sitting near the front sat the two Cloakshape pilots talking quietly but clearly unimpressed.  When they'd arrived they'd found several of the mercenaries 'servicing' the Cloakshapes.  Half the access panels had been open, wires and tools were everywhere.  The pilots had been used to holding some authority over the mechanics but the mercenaries had been less than agreeable.  There were even rumours they were to be 'replaced.'

The largest group however consisted of the three freighter captains and their navigators.  So far the mercenaries had made no demands on them so they had little to say on the matter.

As the Talons piled in, all heads turned to face them.  Wether the looks were hostile, confused or disinterested, they were all aimed at these newcomers.



OOC:  Time to rally the troops.  While ideally Jamie should be giving the briefing I know he's been busy as of late, as has Xil.  Perhaps some of the other Talons can talk about their areas of expetise while we wait.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:57, Thu 16 Dec 2010.

Flash was impressed with the immaculate condition of the cloakshapes, but less than impressed with the armaments.  Just like old times, all right.  Nearly getting your but shot out from under you, and for what?  Minimum wage?  As if!  And so he sat, in a more out-of-the-way seat at the briefing, glumly silent.

Sheila sat next to Flash.  She was a little concerned about getting boarded, there just wasn't really enough to fight off determined pirates, Although she had some sympathy for the beaten up security guys.

Aryan leaning against the wall behind shelia, looked at the room as they all looked towards the group.  Then men have some skills with firearms, but i doubt that will be enoufgh to keep them alive he thought to himself. Aryan looked around at the talon group, then stood up and walked around to stand just in front of them.

"Isa had a chance to look over the security group today." he started, looking at the small (And bruised) men. "..and though they show some skills, they lack some others.  Of the group, only one has seen battle, and though i don't question their heart, isa knowing that in the heat of battle, things happen"

The gungan paused, looked behind him to shelia, then turned and continued.  "i'm not saying they won't do their job..theysa done well so far.  but if pirates take the ships, they will kill other members or die themselves."

Aryan looked at The talons as much as the others now.  "To ensure the saftey of the ships, i want one of our team, someone skilled ijn battle and fighting, with one of them.  This will balance the odds out until we can train the team more..or get more men."

The gungan  walked to the side and leaned against the wall, waiting a reply

Aryan's speech caused numerous rumblings in the audience.  Surprisingly, none of the security guards said anything about the Gungan's appraisal of their abilities.  Then again, having just been subjected to his 'testing' they probably knew he was right.

Knowing things were only going to get more heated, Jamie quickly took to the stage.

"Welcome everyone.  As you all know by now, Phindar Petrochem has hired my team to ensure that convoys make it safely to their destination.  They've given us authority to make any changes to personnel and equipment we see fit.  Whilst we don't want to cause too many disruptions, there will be changes."

Jamie points to Xil.  "This is my co-commander.  He'll be serving as liaison aboard the lead tanker.  He'll be helping our team work more effectively with yours.  We will have a team member on each of the other tankers to assist in whatever roles they deem appropriate.  Their jobs is not to take over, the captains still command their ships.  However, in an emergency, they may need to supply orders to help get us out of trouble alive."

He then gestures to Flash.  "My colleague and I will be leading the escort force.  We will fly the Cloakshape fighters.  The normal pilots are assigned to the tankers.  I'm sure you can find use for them."

A roar of protest goes up from one of the pilots, the younger of the two, but Captain Tobias silences him with a glare.

Jamie nods to the Captain.  "Finally, we are plotting a route, it may differ from the pre-planned route.  Each freighter will recieve it after we take off, which will be at the scheduled time."

Jamie turns to the Talons.  "Anything to add?"



OOC:  Since I'm NPC'ing Jamie in his absence I'm only supplying the information you guys had already worked out.  Other things to consider are:

1.  I didn't mention the Z-95's as I don't know if they're going to be part of the escort force or you somehow plan to hold them in reserve somehow.

2.  I haven't listed what the role of Xil, Aryan and Sheila will be on the freighters as it hasn't been specified.

3.  Haven't really addressed the route issue yet as Xil is still on it.

4.  I haven't used your names yet.  Since this is a legitimate jobs you could either use first names at least or your numbers.

Remember Jamie and Xil are having RL issues at the moment so other people need to help keep the posting up.

At present I have people in the following roles:

Jamie: Cloakshape pilot and starfighter group commander
Flash: Cloakshape pilot
Rann & Devon: Headhunter Pilots
Xil: Onboard Freighter 1 & Freighter group commander
Sheila: Onboard Freighter 2
Aryan: Onboard Freighter 3

Apart from security, the guys on the freighters could obviously help with operation of the ships if they want.  Also two of the freighters will each have an extra crewman (the cloakshape pilots)