Kaengarr's eyes and ears alike swiveled toward the others as they bombarded the contact with question after question in rapid succession. All of them were valid - if a bit hard to follow in such a jumble - though as Kaengarr saw things, the mix of "I" and "we" proclamations left it distressingly apparent obvious that no one was really clear on who led or spoke for the pack... company, or if it even really was one rather than a collection of loners who happened to have come together for the last job.

  His attention shifted back to Ceruleanne as the barrage subsided, and he held off on saying anything further until she'd had a chance to respond to it.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:49, Tue 06 Oct 2015.

Seeing that the males already have jumped at this chance to show of their combat prowess Khzea resigns to being stuck with this job when she wants to accompany the imperial nobles, even though Count has not spoken up yet.

So she leans back with a growl and only adds: "When that company is so weak to not be able to hold onto its ships this close and have to bring in outside help then they better offer a large payment as they do not seem to have anything else.

"Getting there quickly isn't the issue," Ceruleanne responded to the barrage of questions. "That's already been arranged. It's what you do after you get there that's the problem."

"I know some of you have that sort of experience, which is why I immediately thought of your group when the situation arose. It's always a smart play to have more than one string to your bow."

"Whatever kits you had from the last job you can keep. Consider them a bonus for a job well done."

"Captain Galway of the Long Shot only had enough time, apparently, to send off the quick distress signal with the words 'claim jumpers' and 'being boarded'. There were no details of what kind of ship the claim jumpers had, how many of them there were or how they were armed."

"Keep in mind that the Long Shot is a mining ship. Its crew of 5 is mostly ill-equipped for this sort of situation."

She pauses for a moment and takes a drink of water that Sharik had ordered for everyone.

"We will naturally give you the comm code for the Long Shot and the personal codes for each of its crew, though those won't very effective out there in the Belt. We'll also give you the names and pictures of the crew."

"Sharik is probably correct--once the claim jumpers boarded the ship, it became a hijacking... an act of piracy."

"At this point, crew has highest priority, ship is second, cargo, if any, is third. I don't think there is any consideration for the hijackers. If they get away, then that would be their lucky day. If they are killed in the recovery, then I guess Death came knocking and they were foolish enough to answer the door."

"Again, I didn't want to waste your time and mine if you weren't interested, which is why I didn't dump all the data on you at the beginning. The rest of the data is only important to the mission, not to whether you would take it or leave it."

"The Long Shot is a retired 600-ton System Defense Boat converted into a mining ship. The insurance company is offering a recovery fee of 1% of the remaining value of the ship at the time it is recovered."

"As we speak, a launch is being top-mounted onto a Scout ship. The ship will take you out there in a short time. Once out there, you'll use the launch to approach the Long Shot."

"Ms. Blackwood is confident that the security code for the ship can't be cracked for at least 12 hours, possibly even 18 hours or longer. It'll depend on just how good their hacker is."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:25, Wed 07 Oct 2015.

In reply to Kheaiftouaw (msg # 15):

"Hijackers...real scum...they know they're headed for a long walk out a short airlock, so they tend to get nasty, once they're in control." Vonon said, rubbing his hands together, "And the payoff is one-percent of the value of an old S-D-B? Really, a System Defense Boat?  Well, one-percent sounds a little low -- skip tracers get ten-percent for their recoveries -- but one-percent could still be a quick million creds, if the ship isn't too badly damaged. Sir Walter..." Vonon grinned at the dapper Imperial and pointed at Ceruleanne, "Talk to her, won't you..."

Vonon suddenly lost his canine smile and went rigid in his chair, slowly lowering his arm down to rest upon the table as his muzzle swung back-and-forth -- sniffing in dangerously large amounts of the spicy air.

Vonon stood up, mumbling "He can't be here..."

Once on his feet Vonon looked around at the assembled dining crowd -- then took a few long strides over to a seated, bearded human male in dark clothing. Looming over the man, Vonon dropped his right hand down on the man's left shoulder in a classic 'Cop making a Pinch' move, then leaned down and, in a casual tone of voice said,

"Excuse me, Citizen, but just how many Carillian Assembly Peacekeepers does it take to screw in an illumination fixture?"


OOC:
Tag, Pablo! ^_^

  "So we don't know whether the pirates have their own armed ship nearby," Kaengarr observed, but as Walter had been designated to handle the negotiations, that was all that he said, busying himself instead with looking up the names that had just been bandied about - The Long Shot, Captain Galway, and Ms. Blackwood - and slowly whittling away at the contents of a chili bowl as he did so. He was particularly interested in the ship's service record and specs, along with those of the past and current crew, and any potential dangers or motives that those might point to.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:15, Wed 07 Oct 2015.

In reply to Vonon Ronkunu (msg # 17):

When Vonon's hand came down on his shoulder, Pablo jumped a bit in surprise. Then he turned enough to look at the Vargr, and a close-mouthed smile crossed his features. "The answer to your question, sir, as any discerning traveller of this region of space will tell you, has three possible answers. These are the right answer, the wrong answer, and the Peacekeeper answer. I'll confine myself to the Peacekeeper answer, which is three.  One to screw in the light, one to firmly insert the power cable into the convenient orifice under the tail, and the third to duct tape the Vargr's jaws shut so the light stays put."

The close-mouthed grin returned. "Vonon, it is great to see you. How have you been?"

His eyes shifted past his friend to the group, lingering for a bare instant on Sharik. He'd seen her come in with the rest, but decided to wait, since there was a possibility that she was undercover in some fashion. That made how to greet her something of a quandary.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:11, Wed 07 Oct 2015.

Sir Walter listened to what Ms Blue had to say concerning the new mission that the team has received with his elbows on the table, his chin tucked into his folded hands and his mind churning away. "Well now, one percent of an old system defense boat is a good start and a lot cheaper for them than having to settle the claim on it, no matter what kind of deductible the insurance company has, but they failed to mention any ore that might be aboard. Lets say a ten percent recovery fee for any ore that is on the Long Shot at the time we enter the vessel and a clear title to the hijackers vessel, if there is one." he replied as a counteroffer, looking to the others to see if that was acceptable to them.

  Kaengarr's ears swiveled about to track the various conversations that were going on as he worked his way through the public records, and they skewed toward Walter as the counteroffer was put forth, and he briefly looked up to address a relevant point. "They must have something, even if it's just a launch, but what if it's also stolen? The company wouldn't be able to give us title, so we'd need some other compensation."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:53, Wed 07 Oct 2015.

Ceruleanne doesn't look annoyed, but at Kaengarr's comment, she replies:

"No, you wouldn't. You could just do it because it's the right thing to do, and you have the necessary skills to do it."

"Keep in mind, that I'm only the middleman here. I have no idea what the insurance company's policy is regarding any cargo. Assuming there's anything in the hold of the ship, I doubt if Blackwood would quibble over 10% recovery fee."

"As to the title of any ship that the claim-jumpers might possess, I have no control over that. If it's used in the commission of a crime, it would be impounded and once the perpetrators were found guilty, they'd forfeit possession, and then the ship would be put up for auction."

"That being said, I am authorized to offer 2% the price of the ship."

Khea keeps quite at the moment as the arrival of yet another unknown person put her off-balance, so far that she nearly not noticed how strange it is that Ceruleanne maintains that the first priority is the crew yet the pay is only determined by the condition of the ship.

  Kaengarr's eyes remained firmly focused on Ceruleanne, though not with the sort of intensity that would signal a threat or a challenge, and one ear continued to track what was happening at the table that Vonon had wandered off to.

  He wasn't concerned by the rightness of it by human standards, and even by those standards it would only be right if the facts as presented held out - something he wasn't about to take on trust. They probably had the skills to do it, but there were no guarantees when dealing with an unknown enemy in a hostile environment, and even if they took the ship there was a high likelihood that some of them would be killed in the process; it made no sense to sell their lives cheaply.

  He didn't say any of this, of course; the ball was back in Walter's court (as the human saying went), and he didn't want to undermine their negotiator, especially with the base offer having just doubled.

Vonon gave his old friend a welcoming pat on the shoulder, before dropping into a chair next to him.

"I've been good, Pablo!" Vonon responds, "I stayed in the Patrol for a full twenty, made Commander and got transferred to the Capital, hated the silly politics and retired. I'm out wandering the nearby star cluster as a tourist."

"So, what brings you out of the Assembly?" Vonon asks, then suddenly goes grim, leans closer, and lowers his voice.

"Oh, frack! You're not undercover, or something, are you?" Vonon asks quietly, "I know it's been quite a few years since I last saw you, but we are closer to the Assembly, here, than we are to Cassandra's Belt...and what with the recent expansionist policies of the Assembly...you aren't here as an advance scout, or something, are you?"

Sam listened to Cerulleanne.

She tapped distractedly on her comm, and then asked Ms Blue

"I assume communications have been attempted with the ship since the report, has there been no reply?"

ooc
Is in system communication generally considered to be instantaneous, or at least close enough in game turns? Or can it take hour for messages to be sent and received?

"Blackwood said she's tried to establish contact with the ship, but hasn't had any success," Ceruleanne replies to Sam. "Where the ship is in the Belt in relation to Grendal has a 15 minute communication time lag, so a lot can happen in that time."

She glanced around the table at everyone individually, because the group didn't seem to have a single spokesperson for it.

"How many of you are willing to go? So far, I've only heard acquiescence from Vonon, Samantha, and Sharik."

Sir Walter nodded his head. "Two percent of the current value of the vessel and ten percent of any ore that is aboard the vessel when we arrive sounds like we have reached an agreement, Ms Blue." he said. Turning towards the others, he looked at the group. "Does everyone agree? And if so, I would suggest that Vonon lead the operation since it is more in line with his talents. I can assist in a support role but I can help if there is going to be any EVA needed, maybe to prevent the hijackers vessel from leaving the scene. "

After an uncomfortable pause Khea looks at Count to see if he is going to join or not. But as she became painfully aware that she can't read humaniti faces at all she turns to Ceruleanne and tries to stall until Count makes his intention clear.

"What about the crew? You want us to rescue them, yet you only pay us for the ship and have hinted that we might be able to negotiate a reward for the cargo. While two parts from a hundred of a Khtukhao is a generous reward, assuming of course they didn't already scuttle the ship in frustration, a token bonus for each living crew we can rescue would help resolving a potential conflict of interest we might encounter during the rescue.

OOC: Khtukhao is a 600 ton Aslan trader Khea uses as reference.

"The recovery fee is being offered by the insurance company that has insured the ship. If any of the crew have insurance policies, they aren't with Grendal Consolidated," Ceruleanne replies.

"If you need a reward to rescue people, then perhaps you shouldn't go on this mission, as you'll have no motivation to try and keep them alive."

  "We don't have one to see them dead, either," Kaengarr pointed out calmly. "I'll do this, but get us the ship's access codes so we can turn its systems against the hijackers." His focus shifted to the group who would be setting out for the mining ship. He was used to a leadership role - including as part of the occasional boarding action - but knew better than to demand it among aliens. Still he outlined his ideas in a firm, confident voice that conveyed a willingness and the ability to take charge.

  "Vonon is our tactician and will lead the assault. Darrel is our negotiator and will try to talk them down if it's an option. Walter, you will be ready with a medkit for use on the hostages and the hijackers as well as ourselves, and if we get those access codes, whoever's best with computers will be using them. We will take the hijackers alive if we can since they're be valuable too, but that is not a priority over ourselves, the hostages, or the ship."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:25, Thu 08 Oct 2015.

In reply to Ceruleanne Blue (msg # 30):

"You are hiring us to rescue people from a other clan, one which is not able to defend them by itself. That a reward of several megacredits is offered for the ship shows that the people paying for it are quite aware of what the motivations of any rescuers are. Now if you really cared so much about the crew you would ensure that if we had to make a choice between cutting through the hull to rescue the crew or leave the ship intact we would benefit from doing the former and and not the latter.
Khea finishes her angry outburst with baring her fangs, the traditional Aslan challenge to a duel.

After the group arrives, and food/drinks are served, the Count remains unusually silent, until Ms. Blue shows up and goes through her offer.

Following the conversations amongst ourselves, Darrel stands and taps on his cup, "My friends and new compatriots, Ms. Blue had contacted me earlier, and since this mission is time sensitive, I didn´t have the chance to fully brief the group. This job is straight forward and the right thing to do."

Realizing that with additions to the group and our yet cementing/bonding of the "crew", there is bound to be a large degree of confusion..."I´m sorry, given time, I would have covered this and also more about this (gestures to the Golden Griffin), but...let´s get ourselves organized, rescue the mining ship, and discuss all the other issues facing us."

Looking over at Ms. Blue, then the group, "All that expensive gear you were using, the tranq stuff, I had bought earlier, I didn´t mention it. I don´t believe in killing people unless they deserve it and it´s necessary...anyways, just thought you should know."

Count Cromwell, after saying what he had to say, turns to MS Blue and Tolman, "When and where do we need to be, make sure everything is ready."

Ceruleanne listens to Khea and then to Darrel try to forestall the expected pending fight. She doesn't back down from a challenge, either, though her battles are usually mental and social rather than physical.

"Miss Kheaiftouaw, if you have some overwhelming urge to fight, I suggest you wage it between your conscience and your greed. Let me know who wins."

She turns her attention back to Darrel.

"The scout ship is ready to launch as soon as you get there to the scout base."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:12, Fri 09 Oct 2015.

Pablo listened as Vonon spoke, with genuine pleasure. It was good to hear that a friend had done well.

 "Commander, huh? Well done, sir. That would be useful information for my superiors back on Carill. But I left active service more than a decade ago. Spent some years on guns and so forth on a merc ship. Now I'm exploring my options here on scenic Grendal. I hear monster hunting is a growth industry, for instance."

Looking over at the table Vonon had come from when the Aslan snarled angrily he added, "Spirited tour group you've fallen in with, over there."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:38, Sat 10 Oct 2015.

  Things had taken a dangerous turn, and Kaengarr did not want to see their meeting degenerate into a brawl or worse, especially if it involved a well-connected member of the planet's power structure.

  "You're right to be angry, but she's just the messenger." he declared to Khea as he rose from his seat and circled around the table to partially interpose himself between the angry Aslan and their erstwhile employer, dangerous though that might turn out to be. "It doesn't matter whether she cares if the mining company isn't offering anything. We can take it up with them after recovering the people, because it won't matter otherwise."

  Kaengarr was once again firm and assertive, but not angry or aggressive. Khea had a fair point, after all - it was just misdirected.

Khea glares at Ceruleanne with exposed fangs but then slowly settles back into her chair and only silently growls "tahiwihteakhtau"

OOC: Aslan, or rather Throk as their language is called for barbarian.

  Kaengarr circled the table to stand next to his seat once Khea backed down, and picked up his computer, briefly looking each member of the company in the eye as he spoke again. <grey>"The more time we spend discussing this, the less time we'll have to get it done. Let's go. We can always change plans along the way."</gray>