Puts his hands up, "You're right, and I apologize, I mistook what you meant and should have know better. I'm sorry."

Taking in all the banter, comments and wordplay, he calmly says "Look here, I'm not here to convince you of anything, I'm offering an opportunity, plain and simple. Please, don't make this into something complicated or devious on my part, which it isn't."

He's obviously upset, perhaps the fact that people are questioning him or perhaps he feels his integrity is being questioned.

Turns towards Walter, "Hhhmmm, I'm obviously screwing this up, sadly, I'm the actor..." the Count gets up and walks to the bar/buffet.

As Darrel apologizes Khea relaxes somewhat.

After a pause "If we are to seek employment as a group then we should at least know who everyone is and what he can do."

"My name is Kheaiftouaw, but you can shorten the name to whatever is comfortable for your species" eying Vonon during that sentence.
"I served on a tradeship first an engineering then a the ships master. I think purser is the most similar position on Humaniti ships."

Standing up from his chair, Walter started walking around the room, addressing the others.

"Your Excellency, part of the issue is that as an actor, you are given a role to play and do so. It serves the people as a means of allowing their emotions to come out. Laugh, cry, feel pride, and all the other emotions that we, as sophonts display. The director gives you his idea as to what he wants done in the scene along with a script and you perform. But how many directors do most people know off the top of their head compared to actors? The actor is in front of the camera, the director is behind.  As a 1st officer in the  merchants and a supervisor working for the Ministry of Trade, I am more use to being in the role of a director." Walter said

"If this meeting with Ms. Blue, does not work out, my idea would be a few roles for each of us on a trade vessel. There would be one of you that would be in charge of day to day operations of the vessel. Someone with jump capable spacecraft experience, piloting and navigation. They would be in charge of the others when they are on the ship." he added, looking at the group.

"Your Excellency, you would be the public face of the group in dealing with government representatives and others, except in trade matters. That role is mine exclusively. As one of the top trader's in Reaver's Deep sector, I do not think that there are many that can come close to me in that role. I would not have a problem taking those that wish to learn the art of trade as my proteges, as long as they prove themselves worthy. If you doubt my credentials, my Doctors in Business Administration and Masters in Galactic trade can be produced." he continued.

"There is one other role that will need to be addressed. Due to the nature of galactic travel and hostile planetary systems, we will need one to handle military matters on land and shipboard. They will be in charge of the gunners and any boarding actions that may occur. If there are other roles that the group needs, they can be created at the time, like someone that is well versed in sciences or surveying a planet." Walter said, taking his seat again.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:54, Tue 09 Sept 2014.

Walter continued,
"Kheaiftouaw, having worked with you before, along with Count Cromwell, I am glad to see you with us and hope that we can work together in the future, as I can see your skill of bartering and trading will stand out in your Clan." he said, "I regret that I do not know much about the rest you but let me see if I can summarize it from what I have heard." waving his hand in the general direction, without directly pointing

"Count Cromwell, Actor and rather persuasive Noble. Are there other shipboard skills that you offer that might come in handy if needed that I do not know about? " he asked, almost like he was working as a human resources director.

"Kheaiftouaw, you have mercantile skills, having worked in the Aslan merchants and an engineer will be rather needed to operate a vessel. Also, you have skill in piloting that will come in handy running a watch." Walter continued.

"Dame Kaagira-Mepede, I regret that we have not heard from you directly of your talents that you offer, I am sure that they are many, but others will also need to know, for their peace of mind." Walter inquired.

"Commander Vonon. Cassandra Space patrol, making you a pilot and also able to stand watch. Where you with the Fighter wing or System defense boats?" he asked.
"Samantha Kilgore, skilled as a shuttle pilot, allowing you to stand watch, and sounds like you will be handy if we got boarded. Does that sound about right? Wait a minute, there were others that Ms Blue passed her card around. Are they still outside in the bar?" he asked the group, looking around the room.



Not sure if Ikram is in the room as his last post was outside along with Quinzella

This message was last edited by the player at 03:37, Tue 09 Sept 2014.

"Worked my way up crewing Patrol Cruisers -- about the size of an Imperial Gunboat." Vonon answered, "The mission of the Patrol was mostly anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, and rescue operations amid The Belt; more Police work than Military Operations. Then I got a so-called promotion to command a fighter squadron assigned to defend the capital asteroid of Rockhome. Thing is, that was just an Honor Posting; we did more politicing and flag-waving than actual flying. I managed to get some tactical space training in, though, before the in-fighting completely disgusted me, and I resigned my Comission."

"But I'm a native of Cassandras Belt, an asteroid colony -- I was born in a spacesuit and raised on a spaceship. I've got twenty years of operating and fighting spaceships under my belt, but now I want to see more of the Galaxy than just watching Imperial ships fly by. I don't care about getting rich; as long as we make enough credit to keep a ship flying, I'll be happy."

Walter smiled, "Then Commander Voron, your talents will cone in handy if we had to deal with a pirate attack. Also, while I am not a fan of smuggling, the knowledge will come in handy if we had to deal with one. What about the rest of you?"

"To help me play my many roles, from a streetwise lawyer to a hardcore marine...I've always taken pride in either naturally possessing these skills or I've had some enhancements done, so, I'm somewhat of a jack of all trades. Pertaining to starship operations; Sensors, Navigation, Gunner/Turrets, Engineer/M-drive, Comms, Computers, Astrogation...and if needs be, a small craft pilot."

"And although physically, I'm not as spry as I used to be, I know which way to point a gun and which side of a cutlass is sharp."

Chuckling while talking a sip, "Barring the current crowd, I'm normally pretty persuasive and charming, I'll have to bone up on my Making Friends and Influencing People." He says with a genuine smile.

"Good, you are doing better than me in that department, I can use a blade, but that is about it. Your talents aboard a ship will come in handy, maybe as the first officer but that would be up to whomever ends up being the Captain." Walter said.

"I feel that I may be dominating this discussion. However, I am open to hear from you. It may seem cliche but if you do not speak your mind, then you have little to stand on if there are any problems in the future. Some of you may just be meeting people that you have not seen in years and yet they want to go trampling across the galaxy. Would you rather do it with them or people that you do not know?" he inquired

Sharik merely shrugged slightly and took another sip of brandy from her tumbler, giving herself some time to decide how to answer the question about her curriculum vitae.   Though mostly hidden by her glass, a faint bemused smile crossed the thin brunette's lips when Darrel fancied himself as a jack of all trades.  She did agree that an actor needed to have a good head on his shoulders to be able properly pass himself off as whatever he trying to portray.

Of course, what that might mean in Shar's case was debatable.  Private acting, perhaps?

Best to start at the beginning.  Inclining her head to Walter's request for more information, the cosmopolitan socialite smiled slightly after clearing her throat for a moment.  "As I noted before, I am proficient in astrogation." she stated rather officiously, "In fact, I have a Class Three rating," and she rattled off her certification ID number, in case the noble broker decided to check, "which should be sufficient for any starship rated to jump four or below."

"I also have basic certifications for sensors, comms, and piloting acquired from my time in the Imperial services." Shar noted off-hand, giving one set of discharge duty numbers and another detached service code for reference - both on public record - and then looking at Vonon, knowing that he knew best out of the bunch gather what her actualy bridge operations qualifications were.  They may not have served in the same service, but they were fellow spacers for a while.  "So, I am pretty sure that I can handle myself on the bridge well enough." she concluded, but that seemed to be the case for a number of those in the room.

"I can, and have, flown all manner of gravitic drive vehicles both in the military and privately." Sharik stated matter of factly, "Up to and including, super-modified, high-speed grav cycles.  I still have my Cat 2 racing license."  And she rattled off another alpha-numeric code, which hadn't yet lapsed, though also had not be used in a couple of years.

"I have had a stint within Corporate Operations, in a small security firm." which, of course, meant a work as a troubleshooter, likely the basis for her previous 'consulting' remark.  "During that time," Sharik noted without rancor, "I specialized in interpersonal and investigatory work."  Her public record shows little more about that time than a corporate title, which probably is a euphemism for potential undercover work; and her easy manner does seem to jive with the overall assessment that Sharik is at ease with herself amongst strangers.

"But, honestly ..." Sharik added thoughtfully and with a tinge of seriousness and earnestness not previously present in her more formal display of skills, "I consider my strongest suit to be that I am ... well-read."  The waifish brunette actually seemed to be a loss to better describe her situation, but she offered a slight bit more detail, "It may be a gross generalization, but in most things that I do not have formal training or an education in - which is a fair bit, I do believe that I could still make a reasonable showing of proficiency ..."  She doesn't quite seem to be bragging.  "It's a bit intangible." she readily admits with a slight shrug, before leaning forward and putting down her drink for a moment. "But I have found it to be extremely useful in all manner of situations."  Her fingers are steepled before her and an eyebrow is raised towards Walter in particular.  He wanted more detail; and Shar hopes that she has supplied it to his satisfaction.

"Thank you very much Dame Kaagira-Mepede. It sounds like you have lead a rather interesting life already and there are times where a group can not prepare for all consequences. Your pilot certification means that we pretty much have a crew that are pilots and each of us would only need to work a watch every two days or so."  Walter said, looking towards the others that have not spoken up yet.

The door to the room opened and Ceruleanne Blue strode in, followed (hopefully) by Quinzella.

"Hello, Ladies and Gentlemen," she says with a cheerful voice. "My name is Ceruleanne Blue. Since you've arrived early for the meeting, I see no reason to delay till then, do you?"

"The eight of you are the only ones I invited. As I explained to Quinzella, I'm a fairly good judge of character, and you were the only ones that met my non-specific criterion for a job I have that has some urgency to it. That's not to say that there weren't others that might be interesting employees, but they'll go through normal channels if they are, in fact, interested."

"I'll be honest, I'm not quite sure how you'll take to this, Count Cromwell, but it did seem to me that you might be receptive to the opportunity."

"Now, before we get started, do you have any questions for me?"


Ikram is in the room with you. He's been busy with work, so until he actually bows out, I'll just pull him along. He can watch the horses...
This message was last edited by the player at 04:43, Wed 10 Sept 2014.

In reply to Ceruleanne Blue (msg # 51):

Noticing the person entering behind Ceruleanne, Vonon taps Sharik on the shoulder and points.

"Hey Shar'r, look! It's your buddy the smuggler." Vonon says to her -- then hears the rest of Ceruleanne's statement.

"Who the frack is Quinzella?" Vonon asks Sharik, "Is that another of the Count's names? By the Stars! You Nobles use way too many names, have I ever told you that? *sigh* Screw this, I'm getting a beer. You want another brandy?"

Vonon took a step towards the bar on the other side of the room, then stopped and turned back to Sharik,

"And when I get back, just gimme the short version of this womans story -- just tell me either what I gotta fly, or who I gotta shoot. Be right back."

Again, Vonon headed for the nearby bar. As he passes his friend Ikram, he reaches over and smacks the ex-Marine on the back of the head, "Wake up, Drinking-Red-Wine! The Jump Troops have landed! Hurr-hurr-hurr!"

Sam stood by the bar as the conversation continued around her - trying to fix names and faces to possible skills where she could, for future reference.

She was still propping up the bar when Ceruleanne came in.

Expecting the negotiations to get more interesting at this point, she slipped back into her seat as unobtrusively as possible and waited for the pitch.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:13, Wed 10 Sept 2014.

Walter looked at Ceruleanne Blue as she entered and stood up. "Good day, Ms Blue, Pleased to see you." he said.

"While I am sure there might be questions, I may have some after you present your offer." he said, taking his seat,

Khea steps several steps aside to give Vonon a clear access to the bar and to hopefully escape his inappropriate friendliness.

"After this introduction there certainly will be questions. But I agree with Walter that it would be best to hear your offer first."

Quin slowly entered, following Cerulean.  She looked around.  Slowly she approached Sharik, "What happened?"

Count Cromwell stands, "Ms. Blue, you're a bit early, what a pleasant but not a completely unexpected surprise. Please come and join us, we were just talking about you and your potential offer."

Offers her the nearest seat and a drink. Then he sits down.

I noticed that several of my acquaintances had your note about the back room, and that others in the main room did not, and so, I thought it prudent to assemble prior to the deadline, just to do a sit down before we, as a group, (waves around the room), have our discussion with you."

Swirls his drink for a moment, he seems to be considering his words carefully, then leans forward toward Ms. Blue, "Frankly, I'm not on-planet for job offers, but, when an attractive woman like yourself, hands me a personal meet and greet, well, I'm intrigued, and would like to see more of your presentation."
OOC: Trying to be charming...what a start...snake eyes!
18:38, Today: Darrel Cromwell rolled 7 using 2d6+5. Charming Ms. Blue +3 skill, +1 Aug, +1 program, +? other. EDIT NOTE: Forgot to add any stat bonus,+2 Soc?
This message was last edited by the player at 23:45, Wed 10 Sept 2014.

Ms. Blue seems to be unfazed by the Count's charm, just smiles, and begins her offer.

“Very well, here's my... offer..."

"Let me preface it with an important statement: we don’t break the law. We may, however, on occasion, bend it considerably. We like to think of ourselves as picking up where the law leaves off. At least, sometimes.”

“Our client has filed a petition with the court to have Ondrac BioCorp turn over all research on this Shenarra Project. We have every reason to believe that the judge will sign the order in the morning. They will have 24 hours to comply before a warrant is issued to seize said items.”

“Regardless of what the courts think, we are under no delusion that the company will comply. We expect them to destroy all evidence of the project by the time the authorities get there.”

“Needless to say, we would not like that to happen.”

“What we’d like you to do is go there tonight and ‘secure’ the project files and notes or the physical project itself... preferably both.”

“Is it legal? Ah, well, that’s part of the issue. Let’s just say, it’s quasi-legal. Right now, the company is claiming that they do not have such a project, so they can’t very well claim it was stolen. If they were to change their stance and claim that they do have such a project, but it isn’t what we say it is, then we have a morally legal right to safeguard it, even if we ‘jump the gun’ a bit.”

“The primary reason for hiring you is that we are currently short-staffed. I simply don’t have the manpower to do this right now.”

“There are other benefits as well. We’ve skirted the law on a few occasions, so our... integrity, shall we say? ...Lacks a certain amount of credibility in the courts at the moment. Plus, it leaves us in the position of being able to help you—from a legal standpoint—should things go pear-shaped without the spotlight getting directed at us.”

"I trust you will keep this meeting confidential, even if you choose not to accept my offer."

Walter gave a stern look like a subordinate had done something wrong that will cause them to get fired. "I am speaking for myself and I have a feeling that you are not telling the whole story. Your ideal of bending the law is considered by others, in many parts of the galaxy, as breaking them into little pieces. I can not agree with your statement that it is "quasi-legal". It is highly illegal. Even if the judge does sign off on it, and there is a possibility that it will not occur, it is illegal. Not knowing the exact details, if Ondrac BioCorp stated under oath that there was no project, the judge may not sign off on it at all, even less likely if he was paid off." Walter said.

"Even then, it is still against the law to break into the facility for theft of intellectual property. If the project does not exist, then it is a wild goose chase and we can get caught. I can just see the vids "Three nobles were arrested today breaking into Ondrac BioCorp, more at the top of the hour." he said with shake of his head.

"You might talk to your "client" and suggest that they contact the senior techs or whatever. Maybe suggest that they not show up for work tomorrow, after they had been suitably compensated. Better yet, maybe bring some of their notes with them. Take them to a nice hotel for a few days or so to pick their brains. As another option, bring them to court with you to disprove what Ondrac had stated  No kidnapping." he said, wagging his finger.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:33, Thu 11 Sept 2014.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 58):

Vonon returns from the bar and places a brandy down on the table in front of Sharik. Remaining on his feet just behind his old friend, with one hand resting on the back of her chair, Vonon casts a curt nod towards Shariks nameless Human female friend (who has just followed Ceruleanne into the room), then takes a heavy gulp from his beer as he listens to the blue-haired lady.

Considering he's had three rum-and-cokes, and is now slogging down a beer, all in the last two hours, anyone looking at the ex-Patrolman can almost hear the gears in his brain clanking together.

"Errr...Lemme see if I got this straight..." Vonon says to ceruleanne, gesturing with his beer glass, "Your client has gone to the courts to lay a claim on this research stuff, which is in the hands of this other company, even though they are claiming they don't have it."

Vonon pauses for a sip of beer, "Questions I have are," he adds afterward, "Did your client come up with this data first, and if so, how did the other guys get their hands on it?"

"I mean, I'm all for making a preemptive strike on a bunch of miserable claim jumpers! I just want to know that your client -- our indirect but very 'deniable' boss -- is the original claim holder."

"It isn't as illegal as you think, Sir Walter," Ceruleanne responds to Walters opinion. "It's called 'exigent circumstances', and it's only a criminal act if the courts say so."

"Besides, when have you ever heard of a noble being accused of breaking and entering, let alone getting arrested for it? The Count here would just spin it into 'research for his next role', get huge amounts of publicity, and probably just get probation if even that."

"You don't visit reality too often, do you, Sir Walter?"

"Yes, Mr. Ronkunu, you are correct. It is a case of corporate espionage. Someone gained access to my client's facility, accessed confidential information, and got away with it. It wasn't discovered right away, but the evidence is clear. That's why the courts are expected to rule in favor of my client."

"So, are any of you interested in this offer?"

"While you say that you expect the courts to rule in your favor, that would only be the case if you had some inside connections to the local judiciary system. Hold that thought before answering please, Ms. Blue " Walter said as he started scanning in local net for information concerning Ondrac BioCorp, Shenarra Project, AcquireCorp LLC, along with searching the courthouse documents.

OOC:Computers or investigate?

Her piece said, Sharik gave Walter a curt incline of her head to acknowledge his compliment.  Then she leaned back in her chair, the leather creaking as her weight shifted.  The cosmopolitan socialite was eager to hear what the others might say about themselves of their perceived mission, as what what was said and how it was said always seemed important.  Though what was omitted was also generally important.  So, many things to think about.

But then Ceruleanne Blue sauntered into the room, trailed by Quinzella.  The latter of which caused an eyebrow to quirk upwards.  Curiouser and curiouser she thought to herself, a slightly bemused smile crossing Sharik's burgundy lips.

As soon as she realized blue-haired woman had arrived, Shar slipped her sunglasses off the crown of her head and back over her eyes.  It gave her a bit of an aloof, distant look.  It also gave her a better poker face.

"I was about to ask you the same thing..." the thin brunette responded quietly through the corner of her mouth to her wayward companion's request for a situation update.  Her tone carried both a tinge of concern and bemusement.   "Since when do you preferentially hang with her?" she added quickly with a slight incline of the head indicated Ms. Blue.  Conspicuously, Sharik's eyes remained fixed upon the blue-haired woman's visage; she hadn't turned to towards Quinzella at all.

But, then the potential employment spiel started and Dame Kaagira's brow furrowed.  She listened to not only what Ceruleanne had to say (and didn't say), but how it was said.  One of her hands strayed idly to the back pocket of her riding leathers where Shar discovered that she indeed had been slipped a personalized AcquireCorp card from their VP of Talent; an audacious act and no mean feat, as far as Sharik was aware for she'd been on the dance floor for a significant time, which piqued her interest.  Once names where bandied around, her own personal assistance software went spiralling outwards over the local connections to try and see what kind of hits and fact in the story were corroborated ... AcquireCorp, LLC ... Ceruleanne Blue ... Shenarra ... Ondrac ... were all unique enough to warrant stream space.

"As of yet unknown and potentially highly malleable target acquisition and objectives.  New crew.  No lead or prep time.  Limited information gathered.  Potential maximal exposure and public profile." Sharik noted softly after letting out a gentle whistle under her breath, "That is a pretty tall order, Ms. Blue.  I'd almost say impossible without more specifics."  She carefully regarded their potential employer, prompting the colorfully-coifed woman, "What type of compensation are you offering?  I generally don't work gratis."  Having made the mental note that Ceruleanne had purposefully not brought that up - preferring instead, to talk about legal contingencies, as if they were a foregone conclusion.

"To be honest," the thin, cosmopolitan brunette noted rather matter-of-factly, not really waiting for an answer on the compensation front, "I tend to shy away from grey ops, especially ones with thick dirt or potential wetwork, on a first date."  It was a lot to ask of total strangers - at least in this context.  Apparently, Sharik wasn't really sold on the deal.  Or she felt it necessary to appear as though she wasn't sold.

Quin leaned closer to Sharik, "You and the others left me alone, as conveyed in the text.  The only one that allowed me to feel any modicum of welcomeness was Cerulean."

She turned to face Sharik and smiled, "I like the shades, and no I do not prefer her company, just you know me and work.  She offered me work."  She giggled, it was really all she could do to alleviate this possible strain, apparently caused by here misinterpretation of a one word text.

She listened on and heard the job, sounded...fun.  She gasped when she heard Sharik's question, "Yes compensation."  Her eyes scanned the small room.  Apparently not only a VIP room, but a private bar with no service.  She gasped again.  "Sam!"