Ken sighs in relief as the ship comes out of Jump.  He immediately gets on the comm and sends a short message to Lorain.  "Mission successful, will meet you at Institute."  He keeps the note short in case it is intercepted along the way.  He has no real reason for paranoia although the military maneuvers might be influencing him.

Turning back from the comm panel he smiles at Blake and Marial.  "Good work you two, another good trip.  Take her in for inspection and then down to the planet.  We'll want to meet with Lorain as soon as possible."  His smile widened as he recalled their parting just a few weeks ago.

The moon was nothing special, just an airless ball of rock (B200666-C) with some mining colonies, industrial facilities and defensive installations. As they'd done before, they were instructed to maintain a parking orbit as a customs and revenue cutter lifted off from a base to intercept them.

Lorrain replied via radio, "that's great news! Can you send a telefax of the item? I'm about to attend a meeting of the board and it would be great to have an advance preview."

The ship's computer was functioning normally and the HVAC/LS system filled the ship with delicious smells. Still, the customs inspection crew did not seem impressed (the lack of cargo and passengers perhaps suggesting other less licit reasons for this trip) and directed them to land on the moon for a detailed inspection.

I don't like this ...  Captain, would you want to hang your treasure on the wall ??  If they're going to be snooping about, maybe out in the open is a better place for it.

Privately, should have taken the time to do some surveys ...

Maybe we better alter that message to the prof, you know, found this example of Vilani poetry ...  Nada to bring back for the University ...  Yadda yadda yadda.

Ken responds to the call from Lorain.  "We'll get you a telefax right away.  I'm going to blur some of the writing just in case we have anyone snooping on our lines.  We know that our friend from Myryan has a lot of resources and may still be interested in what you are doing.  I'll bring the item right over as soon as we land.  Maybe we can find some time for dinner and talk about your latest work."

After the call is over, Ken takes photos front and back of the item.  One set is clear and the other has some of the writing blurred out.  He saves both sets of pictures and then telefaxes the other set to Lorain.

As the inspection takes longer Ken maintains his attitude.  "Take her in for the inspection.  I'll hang the damn thing up in plain view in the common area."  He does so and then notifies Lorain that they have been delayed by customs.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 9):

"The telefax data packet is encrypted, no one without the key can decode it.

"There's no need to bring it by tonight, looks like I'm going to be in meetings until late. How about we do dinner tomorrow in Alzenei City? I'll treat the crew, you can bring it then."

Ken considered the information and then sent the fully detailed image.  "Good thinking on encrypting things Lorain.  I should rely on your good sense more."  He glanced over at anyone nearby in the lounge and gave a thumbs up.  "It would be nice to get the crew together with you for old times as well as new.  I'm sure everyone would like to hear what you've learned so far and how we might help.  I think we all feel a sense of ownership now with this Sky Raiders mystery."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 11):

"As well you should, if it weren't for you my father's work would be unfinished. Not to mention he'd still be in Kalamanaru's clutches. As would I, in all likelihood!

"Ok, the image is coming through. Yes! This is fantastic! All we have to do is authenticate this piece. Hmmm... looks a little shabby. Well, it's probably nothing.

"Npw, I gotta go to the trustees meeting now. It's great you got this to me, and thanks to your crew for retrieving it. See you tomorrow!"

Lorrain sounded very excited as she cut the connection.

Another inspection ...  Blake gets the printouts to drag along for someone to eye-ball over, while warm aromas come thru the air vents.  Could depend on what our illustrious engineer's mood is these days ...  Come to think of it, he's been rather quiet this trip.  No clangs or bangs at odd hours of the day, no complaints about something approaching a red line or end of a lifespan.  Oh my god he thinks, Neva has sedated him ...

"We'll keep the artifact safe and get it over to you tomorrow.  Keep safe Lorain.  We're glad to be of service and hope we can do more."  He sighs as the connection closes and sits back and thinks.  The sooner they got back to the Institute and passed the artifact over to Lorain the better.  As well he found himself surprisingly happy to see her again.  Hopefully she would feel the same way.

Standing he set the artifact on the wall and turned to deal with the inspectors.

"This is great. Thanks!"

Lorrain signed off, clearly excited but with her mind miles away, focused on the upcoming fight for a larger budget and the grants that more research on the Sky Raiders could pull in.

The customs inspectors couldn't find anything. They didn't like Ollie glowering at them, and Stanley certainly got a sideways glance, but finally they gave up and allowed the Victoria to lift off from the moon. As they gained altitude above the grey lunar regolith, they saw a modular cutter that had landed near a comm relay station, probably to perform some maintenance:




Landing at the Alz Atse Starport, the crew embarked on the lengthy process of drive maintenance. If they worked hard they could be ready to go by the time they were due to meet Lorrain downtown.

Linus kept the engineers fuelled with coffee and snacks.

"I'd offer to help but there's probably not much that I can do that's useful!"

Whoever was not piloting might give that cutter a look-see.  Pilots always like to know about other craft in the area.

Blake will spend time helping with any overhaul work.  He gives Linus a pat on the back, chow duty or a rag to wipe clean yet another piece of the mechanical plumbing ...  He shrugs his eyes ...  grins as the next song comes thru his earpiece & inspects  his present 'masterpiece' before moving on to the next one.  He nods to Neva that another item is ready.

Ken shepherded the customs inspectors about trying to keep both them and his crew out of trouble.  When they finally left he heaved a sigh of relief.  "Good, at least they didn't trump up some finding to delay or fine us."  He spent the short flight down to Alz Atse Starport thinking about the upcoming meeting with Lorain and what further work it might bring.  Of course part of him couldn't help but look forward to seeing her for his own reasons.

He announced over the comm to the crew.  "We're meeting Lorain in a few hours to have some dinner and pass over the artifact.  Everyone is invited if you'd like to come along."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 18):

Stanley had been helping the best he could. But he was a lawyer, not an Engineer!

"I'd like to come. Are we going to take the air raft or use the monorail?"

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 18):

"I guess I'll stay and look after the ship, get some more work done."

He sighed and sipped some tea, thinking about the repair checklist.

"Mariel and I have a date. We're probably going to stay in town tonight, if anyone is interested in where we are. You can contact me via phone or comm."

Blake will tag along for the information & then leave to catch up on the latest scout scuttlebutt at the Downtime Cafe.  War news, tall tales, improbable escapades, etc but skips out on the drinking contests.  Some rest & back to the ship for engine work ...

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 17):

Neva smiles at Linus.  "Keeping us fueled helps to keep the ship all fueled in top condition.  Thanks."

Neva then checks the list and marks what she has finished.  "We're actually making good time which, if it is like anything else, means something is going to go wrong."

Neva starts to hum and dances a little bit as she moves to go to her next station to check it out.

"While on Alzenei we do as the Alzenei do; we take the monorail."  Ken says this with a laugh.  "Especially as we'll ride in front.  I got special tickets to celebrate." He wrapped the artifact and put it carefully in a small pack.  Anyone would noticed that he had gone to the trouble to shave and dress up fairly nicely.

"Ok then, everyone not coming along to dinner keep your comms on in case anything comes up.  We may need to leave quickly.  We'll look for cargoes and passengers once we have an idea if Lorain wants us to go anywhere else or we will be on our own again."  He headed for the hatch;  "All ashore that's going ashore... time to meet Lorain."

Linus turned up to join the shore party, leaving a 'gannet table' of cold meats, salad and bread for anyone remaining aboard.

During the day, Ken arrangements to meet with Lorrain after work to deliver the artifact. She suggested a restaurant they'd patronised before, "The Queen's Republic", in the nightclub district downtown.

In reply to GM (msg # 26):

Sealing the artefact in a case, Stanley also slid both swords into scabbards at his waist, then put on a long coat.

"It's not that hot out, in fact, for me it's downright chilly! The item should be safe with me. Let's go to the monorail station."

In reply to GM (msg # 26):

"You want company?"

Ken glanced over at Thomas and nodded.  "Come along Thomas.  Lorain invited everyone that wanted to head out.  The place we are meeting is pretty nice, called "The Queen's Republic". He straightened his collar and headed toward the air lock.  "Come on then if you want, we are headed out now."

He met whoever else wanted to head out at the air lock.  "Everyone set?  You have the artifact Stanley?  Good... let's go."