RP has begun. But I'm calling this chapter zero because I want to be sure this RP works first before I make this official to the plot. The idea is simply that we will post some stuff and have fun. If things look like they are going in a good direction, then we shall continue from there. Setting scene...

For the past month, it's been all anyone can talk about. A high class planet with rich resources and beautiful tourist sights has been discovered and settled on in the Morus sector. The problem is that just about every faction that exists settled there around the same time and nobody has proof of who was there first. So the planet was given the temporary name "Planet X" and an agreement was worked out. Now there are multiple colonies on the planet, but all of them support the free transport of all factions through and in them. But each colony is controlled by a different faction, so they have different rules. Those rules, of course, very much reflect the rules you would have at the homeworlds of those factions. So if you don't like how one place is run, you simply go to another.

In any case, many have seen opportunity here and between blatent and covert competition of the factions, there are also the consumers who come here for a number of reasons. Some see the chance to make a killing by simply buying something and exporting it. Or perhaps someone may see this planet as a great new home. Or a home away from home. Others still are here to support their favorite faction by showing up for the more overt competitions such as races, gladitorial events, etc. What your reason for coming here is... well let's find out, shall we?

The Rush Settlement on planet X, owned by the Tharians is where our story begins.

  What hasn’t been said via exposition for why one would come to Planet X?  Lets see...

  Some come looking for that one bit of technology they haven’t been able to get their hands on yet.  Wait, that’s sorta mentioned.  Others come in search of people for whatever reason.  That’s not the case here though.  Sometimes people even come to such places in hopes of establishing their own little claim.  But again, that’s a no for this case.

  The reason Joe Darkthorne had ended up in the Rush settlement was a longstanding tradition across existence.  A simple, yet effective reason that has given cause for all manner of deeds great and small.

  Because he felt like it.

  Well, okay.  That and to see if Barrakians have raised their standards for ship hull integrity on the sales floor when he wasn’t paying attention, and this place was conveniently close by when he opted for this ‘because he can’ course of action.

  Obviously, Joe has forgotten about online shopping reviews.

T'shock is in the ship sales dept and more specifically, in the part of shop where there is supposedly a genuine Barrakian ship. She inspects it with suspicion and figures it to be a cheap knock-off since this is, after all, a Tharian settelment. And Tharians aren't exactly known for their honest business reputation. T'shock is no ship expert though. She then spots Joe nearby and sees he is examining the same ship.

"Don't suppose you were looking for something in particular..." T'shock starts, wondering what an alien's take on this ship would be.

  “I was, but I’m getting the feeling that this might be the wrong place to properly check.  Sure, there are lots of technical ways to tell if a ship was actually made by who or to what standards...”

  Joe was a ship expert (even if his player was a bit of a tech dunce at times), however the masses would be spared technobabble through a preference of simpler means.

  He looked over to the lady who started up the conversation.  “Though I suppose another sure sign is the seating arrangements didn’t have wings in mind.”

OOC Style: Playing off the knock-off comments to just go with it as opposed to holding things up asking for OOC clarification of what Joe could figure out.

T'shock scrunches her face. "...serious? I hadn't looked inside yet..." she takes a quick peek and grunts a litte. "Yeah... they go to the trouble of making big seats, but forget that half our race have wings. Figures." she looks back to Joe. "What brings you here? Looking for barrakian ships?"

  Joe had adjustable seats in his ship for a reason beyond the comforts of recliners, even if that was one of the initial reasons.

  “Sort of, already got a ship.  I was planning to see if Barrakian hull standards have been adjusted recently.  And sometimes listed technical specifications don’t always meet what’s really used.  But I don’t think this one here quite fits that example.”

  Joe was wondering if Barrakian ships were actually tougher than their listed standards.  Not how close an imitation ship was trying to get.

  “Were you looking for one, or did you also have a slightly different reason?”

T'shock smirks and says, "Just making sure the universe is still working properly. Seems Tharians are still trying to shnerk people and Barrakian ships are still harder to make outside of Barrak. But far as I know, barrakian hulls are adjusted every month. Why would you wanna know that? Curiousity? Or planning to impliment such standards to your own ship?"

Jacqueline Diamant had been moving between settlements for a few weeks now, looking over the populace and distinguishing the tourists from the businessmen and the rich from the poor.  She was careful to stay away from society that was *too* wealthy for now.  After all, the rich didn't stay rich by gambling it all away on a game of cards.

The balance the opossum was finding now was the primary reason that she was currently in the Rush Settlement.  She'd just finished talking over a deal to buy a small lot of land near the heart of the settlement.  It'd been expensive, but she was willing to take the chance that it would pay off in the end. Still, the Tharian she'd brought the land from had to have his people talk it over with her father's people to properly finalize the investment.  That would probably keep her business for the day on hiatus, which meant that she had a little free time to get a better handle on what sorts of creatures populated this specific area.

Of course, in her mind, there was no better place to end the work day and pick up information than a local bar.  With that thought in mind, she began walking down the streets in search of a pub, bar, or whatever drinking establishment this area of the settlement had.

Joe and T'shock are approached by a small white bunny with purple bat wings who's wearing mechanic's overalls.  Clearly not a Blissian, but could be mistaken for one at a distance.

"Greetings and Salutations, my friends!" he addresses them with a confident smile, spinning his lucky wrench in his right hand with his other resting in his over-sized tool pouch, "Not to needle-nose into your conversation, but I couldn't help but overhear my favorite phrase, 'implement such standards to your own ship' and I just HAD to come over to offer that I ply my trade, kupo."

With an elegant bow, he introduces himself.

"Nono Moogle's the handle, my fortunate comrades, and upgrading ships is my specialty, Kupo.  For you, the first upgrade is absolutely free of charge, kupo!  Priceless, you might say!  Lucky t'was I who came to offer my wrench, for there's many a mech-hack-nick who'd try and screw you.  Give you the shaft!  Wrench money from your pockets, kupo!  Not I!  No no!  Not at awl!"

With that he proudly produces an official looking diploma with large words scripted across the top.  (It reads "Certified Master Moogle Mechanic" if you happen to be able to read Mog-ese.)
This message was last edited by the player at 14:32, Sat 26 July 2008.

  Joe could comment on this recent situation right now, but opted to answer the first question he was asked, well, first.  “At the moment, it’s mostly curiosity.”  Why plan to implement standards when you already have?

  Back to Nono “I could probably say something about a lack of good business sense, but then the fact I’d suggest she takes the free upgrade as opposed to making my own sales pitch means I don’t have any either.”

  Considering the diploma, this was one of those times Joe wondered why Humans were practically the only ones who went with the consideration of using a language that didn’t require extra effort for others to understand.

T'shock's attention is diverted from Joe as she looks down at Nono. "You do any kind of upgrade?" She was surprised at first that such an offer would come along. Then she remembered where she was and that it's quite possible this is just some guy looking to make her ship "better" only to break down in a week so she has to have it serviced again. But giving this guy the benefit of a doubt, she holds her tongue on that matter.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:53, Thu 24 July 2008.

Nono poses proudly with a broad grin at T'shock's question.  "I can tool in anything from a coffee maker to a quantum accelerator and beyond, kupo!  As for business sense, you drive home a good point, my shrewd friend.  Perhaps a partnership is in our future?  I'm new 'round these parts and I plan to ratchet up my reputation.  What I get out of the deal is your assurance that you'll convey to your connections what a kupo-riffic job I did!  You'll have bragging rights that you're the first of your makes and models to have the good fortune of having been upgraded by yours truely, kupo-po!"

After spinning around gleefully, Nono's grin seems a little uneasy.  He realizes too late just how boastful that sounded... even for him.  Oh well.  Sales is all about bragging anyway.

  Joe never quite got the ‘do a crappy job so they need more work’ thing.  Considering they would likely call someone else to take care of it after finding out the last person sucked.

  “I think I’ll pass on the first upgraded part, but I guess you could also point out I’m not too bad at this if you felt like it.  Less doubting you’re handywork, more preferring to fix things myself really.”

T'shock scrunches her face a little. "How about you two come see my ship? I'll be happy to take you up on your offer, Nono, and I'll have... uh... what IS your name anyway?" this last bit directed, of course, at Joe.