Darrel heads down to ensure the gear gets stowed away in the ship's locker.

Comms:"Probably going to need some help checking out our problem."

Using the Densitometer and the Electromagnetic Probe, Darrel will examine the computer, following the "unregistered" cables along the bulkhead until he finds the source.

Samantha looked up at Walter

"Something for our next crew meeting - the launch. I'm generally not in favour of using it to store extra cargo, in case we need to use it as an actual launch. Something we should discuss probably"

Stretching Sam finished her coffee and followed after Darrel.

"Need a hand?"

In reply to Samantha Kilgore (msg # 120):

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

OOC: Not sure if I'm rolling on comps or electronics?

It'll take several hours to track down all the errant circuits.

One leads back to the auxiliary bridge.

Six of them lead to the six transponders.


There are around two dozen others that you can trace deep into the hull of the ship, terminating in some sort of electromechanical device embedded in the hull. Some are small, some are fairly large. You have no idea, however, what any of them do.

Darrel briefs everybody on what he and Sam found out.

"Anybody seen anything like this before?"

OOC:Just so I understand, the main computer has a rating of 30+5(6bis), but it's only registering at a 20+5 (4bis), I'm thinking like it's RAM? So, basically somewhere there's a program(s) that is currently running that is sucking up 10 rating. Is that correct?

Sir Walter listened to what was happening and tried to figure out what was going on with the computer system.

---

10:51, Today: Walter Zeller rolled 7 using 2d6+2.  Computer?

In reply to Walter Zeller (msg # 124):

"Do not worry, Kaengarr, my friend." Vonon responded to his fellow Vargr, "I spent some time as a Ship's Logistics Officer, back in the Patrol. I am familiar with victualizing a ship with mixed races."

Vonon lowers his jaw and smiles broadly at all his companions, "MilSpec Rat-Paks for everyone! Hurr-hurr-hurr..."

"Oh, Sir Walter!" Vonon adds, "Zip me your body specs and we'll pick up several ship suits for you; the kind of coveralls that most ship crews wear when they're working.  Anyone else need a few ship suits? Zip me your specs."

"I relly hope you intend to bring something more than just rats for a jump"

Whe hearing about the strange devices Count found Khea becomes very concerned
""I advise not to mump with this ship before we don't know what the devices are.
We could cut through the interior to get to o e but unless it is labeled it won't tell us much. But it could allow me to test one of the repair droids.

Anyway, I suggest Count hires someone from the Starport or asks around the scout base to find someone who can identify those devices.""

After giving a closer look at the devices and consulting with some ship designers...

"The devices are connected to the transponders, they alter the external appearance of the ship to match each of the aliases. The computer, I have a fairly good idea about it, but, I think we need to talk to a previous owner, Mutt Talbek on Outpost."

Count Cromwell will assist whomever is making sure the cargo is loaded, categorized and stored properly...Note, not the manual labor portion, but the paperwork side of it.

Hearing the possible food selections, Darrel will contact the best catering company that deals in long-term, higher-end cuisine, places an order for a month/9 persons (including Aslan/Vargr). Cost, up to 100Kcr.

OOC:Just so it doesn't seem this is classic noble snobbery, being a Count, Darrel has certain "obligations", just like a marine feels naked without a couple of extra grenades/guns.

"Should we make flight plans for tomorrow or does anyone need another day or so to finish up anything?"

"Sounds fine with me." Sir Walter said as he double checked the cargo. "However, since we can place orders for any goods and have them delivered here, we might want to do any last minute ordering on the comps and then head out into space. We can start testing things out with the Long Shot... or whatever her name is today. If there is an agreement that it is safe to jump, we can do that. " he said, placing an order on his laptop for clothes and other gear.

Having heard of the ability of outlaw ships to change their appearance this discovery does not bode well.

"From the looks of it this ship was likely involved in some very dishonerable deeds in the past, judging by its equipment. I would feel better if we would put some engravings on it to distance ourselves from the past. It would also make this ship less ugly."

Pablo, who was standing there guarding the cargo, and watching the longshoremen when necessary, strolled over to where the conversation was taking place. "Hey, don't your guys in the Imperium take a dim view of people who can change their transponder registration? I know I've seen a whole crew spaced for it, though there was other evidence of piracy also. And it was Peacekeepers, not those stuck up pricks in the Imperial Marines. Maybe they aren't as quick to end a problem permanently."

  Since this is presumably some time later and everyone will be back...

  Kaengarr had mixed feelings about the discovery. While there was obvious utility in being able to change the ship's configuration and registration, the implications were equally potent. "It's classic corsair, no question, but it's also something an intelligence outfit would use," he declared, chopping one hand in the general direction of the bridge. "Either one could mean trouble for us as the owners, and if it's the second we might not be the owners in everyone's eyes. I am again left to think that we'd be better off rid of it and use the proceeds to buy one or two smaller ships in its place. Too late to do it here, since it's loaded with supplies and cargo, but at Outpost, yes - if we aren't accosted over it when we get there."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:16, Tue 01 Mar 2016.

Priv comms to crew: "Let's not jump to kneejerk conclusions about the how and why of the multiple transponders until we have more facts, all of the aliases over the last 20 years are clean, if they had been infamous for piracy deeds, it would have been registered. In fact, I've spent good money and significant resources researching the ships, there is nothing suggesting a malicious nature."

Looking at the data, "Actually, anyone that has been involved in undercover/clandestine work, how best to remain unnoticed amongst the evil sharks, never appear like the same dolphin. How about we keep this between ourselves?"

  Kaengarr remained unconvinced due to Darrel's very reasoning - it had, after all, echoed his own! "We can try, but will an agency that's wondering where its ship went allow it? If your contact on Outpost can't give us certainty about this, I maintain that we should exchange it there."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:55, Tue 01 Mar 2016.

Pablo shook his head. "I don't give a good hang why the transponders are aboard. Or who put them there. The simple fact they *are* there is enough to get us at least jailed almost anywhere in known space."

  Kaengarr sent a slow, sly grin Pablo's way. "Imperial known space, maybe. The Extents? Probably not. Don't think this crew will be willing to relocate, though."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:03, Tue 01 Mar 2016.

"Then lets play dumb and act like we are a bunch of merchants that have some idea what we are doing rather than a bunch of mercs playing at it..." Sir Walter said "A merchant with a full vessel still sitting on the pad after a few hours is going to attract undue attention."

  Kaengarr threw his hands in the air. "Hnnh. Why not? We've got to get there before it matters and we merchants will be just as much a target for the actual pirates along the way."

  And they still had a week to work all of this out along that way, assuming that the pirates didn't cut the trip short.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:58, Tue 01 Mar 2016.

Sam listened to the conversation

"Jumping, well that's ok. We've got to try sometime, and the concerns I have are about the various Aliases, which don't affect flying, and the fact of fixing things if we're on our own - and we have repair droids for that"

She clicked her fingers

"The repair droids, surely they would have the information about how the systems interrelate, and what they are - in order to be able to fix them? can't we use their memory to try and get a better handle on whats under the hull?"

"That's a good idea, hadn't thought of that. In any case, once everyone and everything is aboard, we should hit space."

Sharik had been quiet during most of the conversation about the multiple transponders.  The only thing that she noted in a rather off-hand manner was rather enigmatic.  "Mulitple transponders are potentially a crime in Imperial space for civilian vessels." the diminutive dilettante offered with a slight shrug, "But since this was at some point an ex-military or para-military vehicle, it is rather questionable about the type of operations that she was originally slated and equipped for."  It was also weird that some of the codes were for newer owners; but, there could be reasons for that.  Rather convoluted ones, but reasons nonetheless.

Shar was willing to let it slide for the moment.  Perhaps it was just that 'new car' smell that made everything seem good.

She slid into the co-pilot's seat to start the astrogation calculations cranking.  The auburn-haired operatives fingers glided easily over the configurable console and brought up the links to the main core's crunching algorithms.  She set them going as her own agent started streaming diagnostic and augmented reality data to the reticule on the partially-reflective inner surface of her variable-opacity glasses.

As she worked, Sharik started to hum once more.  It was another multi-part fugue from that same ancient Baroque-era Solomani composer.

Although the phrase had originally been meant for someone else, 'being seen and not heard' also applied to bodyguards. You wanted the 'enemy' to see you but the person you were guarding didn't really want to know you were there... at least not until the frap hit the rotary oscillator. Of course, it was your job to see that it never got to that point but that often involved a level of intel that was beyond your resources.

So he dutifully followed the Count around. If the Count crawled into the inner workings of the ship, then Jones crawled in with him... or after him... if there was room.

Once a day, though, Jones made it a point to check out the ship's lockers to see what had been added. Once the ship was in jump, that wouldn't be necessary, but he liked knowing what resources (i.e. weapons) were available just in case things went pear-shaped.

He did his best not to get under foot, but sometimes that was unavoidable, like when the Count changed his mind in mid-stride and suddenly whirled around to go back the way he came. It was at those times that the Count was actually reminded that he had a bodyguard; the rest of the time, he seemed oblivious to Jones' presence. But, then again, that was the way it was supposed to be.

Valeska ran into Gregory Jones as he was doing one of his daily checks of the the ships lockers.

"Looking for something in particular?"