"What makes you think the bickering started because of her?" Kaengarr looked sidelong at Gregory. "If they weren't all bristling at each other I'd know I was on the wrong ship!"

  "All of what you said is true about our arrival, but she wouldn't have been as certain and hadn't had as much time. If she sees her chance for revenge flying away, though?" The vargr shrugged. "Whether or not it's likely, I'm not going to give that one the benefit of the doubt after all the rest."

  Kaengarr fell silent as the new request came in, and he wondered at this new wrinkle. Something was up, but he didn't want to blurt that out while Mutt was listening.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 14:03, Mon 09 Jan 2017.

Sam listened to Kaengarr and added "She may not want revenge. Just to be noticed and have her hurt acknowledged. If as Darrel says, he didn't even know about it, that might have appeared to her as a further rebuff."

To Darrell "So,  I think an apology is the smart play, even if it doesn't work. But as for the rest, lets trade what we can and move on."

"Hello, Mutt, in fact we were just discussing leaving, as soon as we sell our cargo. Let me talk to the crew 1st about our next destination"

Off comms.

"I'm inclined to help Mutt, he's a mutual friend and also, my sources say an important contact, that can help us...in fact, he already has with getting the cargo ban lifted. So, I vote yes."

The Count will organize a personal package to be delivered to the Countess.

Inside is a personal apology, a data disk with a public apology and a credit voucher of 50,000Crs (updated character sheet) to her for whatever charity she decides. Also is a note to be sent to a list of "friends" the Count has within the military, that might assist her getting re-assigned to a better posting.

  "His way of asking suggests that there's something he or his acquaintance wants to keep quiet, hnnh?" Kaengarr mused, but rather than raising an objection on that basis he simply shrugged. "I say yes regardless!"

The faster we leave the better. We cant overpower or disgrace her here and as you do not even have an apology ritual you know will work we best run and look elsewhere even if it means an empty jump.

Listening to the banter between the crew, Sir Walter kept track of the status of the cargo to make sure that there was no complications in selling it. Once the problem had been settled, he quickly completed the transactions in order to sell it, starting with the load of fresh fish.

"I don't know about you but if we get a good price on the load, it might be quicker to leave here empty." he said

"We can help Mutt if you like, and as for waiting round, the longer we're here the more time there is for aggravation, so lets bug out empty if we have to."

The transaction was quickly completed as there was plenty of demand for the cargo that the ship was carrying, even getting a great deal on the sculptures and radioactive isotopes.

"Now hear this, cargo has been unloaded and the transactions completed. Each member of the crew will receive a bonus of 436,480 credits just for this trip. Don't spend it all at once since it will be a while before we sell another batch of cargo.  Lets get our passenger and get out of here." Sir Walter said over the intercom.

"Good. Unless anyone has already aquired new freigt I say we make sure that there are enough provisions for a jump and leave immediately. We can refuel at a gas giant.

"what, no time for a girl to go shopping?" Sam replied over the intercom to Walter.

Aimee approached the ship Mutt had told her was heading towards her destination. It was much smaller than the ones she had been stationed on, but at this time, having been planetbound as long as she had been, she was excited to be going back into space. For those who had never ventured from their homes, space was a dark, scary place. But for some, some like Aimee, space was adventure, excitement, and opportunity.

She took out the envelope and looked at the offer it contained, for the fiftieth time. She wasn't sure about it, but at least it gave her the opportunity to do more exploring. Almost a decade on Outpost had seemed like a lifetime. She had gotten a chance to really further her research, isolated away from the mainstream hubbub of the academic world, and had even been recognized for her advances in genetic therapy; but, it was time to move on. She didn't know what awaited her when she reached the Zymontic, but she feared it would be more administrative work, and less real work. She hadn't really wanted to take the position, but funding had dried up and she had to find something new to do.

Setting herself to her erect, military-like posture, she approaches the ship and finding the comm, presses it to introduce herself. "Dr. Aimee Lavaud, requesting permission to board," she says into the comm. She wasn't sure what protocol to use with a civilian ship, but hoped that would suffice.

"Well Samantha, you could have them deliver it here before we take off, if you know what you want to acquire." Sir Walter said.

Hearing the Intercom buzz, Walter took a look at the visitor "Welcome aboard, Doctor Lavaud. Doctor Sir Walter Zeller, Doctor of Galactic Economics.  What is your degree in?" he asked, extending his hand  "Off to Dutrissal? I guess its our next stop."

Aimee extends her hand in greeting to Sir Walter, telling him, "My doctorate is in medicine, with a specialty in genetics. I'm a medical doctor, and have been doing research in genetic therapy."

"That is until funding dried up," she adds with a sigh.

"So now I'm off to Dutrissal to look at a new opportunity. Not sure about details, but at this point, not many options."

"Where should I stow my kit?" she asks glancing at her few bags on the trolley behind her.

"Medical Doctor, huh? There should be a suite near the medical bay that you can use on the trip and if you are feeling bored, you are welcome to look it over. The Auto-docs are working at around 95%, which ain't too bad given they are both over a hundred years old. How is your Xenobiology? We have Aslan and Vargr crew members aboard." Sir Walter asked.

"Well now, if things do not pan out on Dutrissal, we might want to have a chat as to your future. Most of the crew here has some kind of medic training but no real surgical skills."

Khea gives a side glance at Walter when he mentions the possibility of her staying on board. After the last day Khea has a healthy suspicion of anything coming from Outpost.

"So, Dutrissal. Khea says in a disappointed voice while reading the library info on her computer. "Not the best destination for trading. So an empty run.

In reply to Kheaiftouaw (msg # 300):

"No...we can't sail empty. And we're carrying the Doc, here, as a favor to Mutt." Vonon says, stepping over to a nearby ship's computer console.

"Dutrissal...Dutrissal...ah, here it is. Hey, it's back the same way we just came from!"

Vonon reads on, "Hmmm. Damn, Khea, you're right - this place is an armpit. It's got an Insidious Atmosphere...non-water liquid oceans...few local resources...limited infrastructure...population less than one-thousand sophonts...and a Class C starport with Tech Level 9. Klono's Frozen Eyebrows - why would anyone want to live there!"

Vonon pauses a moment, calling up more data,

"Okay, Dutrissal is listed as non-industrial - same as for here on Outpost. The only thing Outpost has to offer is some limited raw resources, which probably wouldn't sell well on Dutrissal. Outpost, I'd guess, is looking to make their money on being a transshipment point, not a production house. With that low a population, Dutrissal isn't producing much of anything, I'd guess. Hell, with a population less than one-thousand, the whole population may work and live at the starport."

"Bu-u-u-ut...Dutrissal is two parsecs from here; we could make it in a single jump-two. However, there is an alternative route that might be interesting to follow. Just jump-one from Outpost is planet Tashrakaar. It only has a Class D starport and a Tech Level of Six, but the planet is at least marginally habitable, with a thin atmosphere and water oceans. Tashrakaar has a population numbering in the millions and an adequate infrastructure. And there's a note here that says they still make use of non-fusion nuclear power generators..."

"Hey, Sir Walter! Got any contacts, here on Outpost, that could sell us a few tons of fuel-grade isotopes? We could take nuclear fuel to Tashrakaar, then buy whatever local agricultural gourmet goodies they have, and after another jump-one, we sell the food at Dutrissal. Food always sells well at sealed environment communities."

Vonon looks over at Aimee,

"Hey, Doc? How much of a hurry are you in?" he asks, "Can you afford us taking two weeks to get you there? And...now that I think about it, just what kind of job offer could entice someone to want to go to such a blackhole as this Dutrissal looks to be."

Vonon's ears stand up and focus towards the doctor, "Unless they offered you so much money you couldn't say no? Is something going on at Dutrisaal, something medical? Maybe we should consider a cargo of higher Tech pharmaceuticals and medicinals we can pick up here on Outpost, huh?"

Aimee struggles to carry her bag and keep up with the conversation as they head into the ship. At a pause, she starts answering the questions that had been posed to her.

Looking at Sir Zeller, she tells him, "I was medical officer in the Navy, so have had to deal with different species. While genetically there are differences, physiologically speaking the degree of similarity makes differentiating treatments mostly unnecessary." She pauses as she realizes she has started to go into medical babble speak, and corrects herself, "I've got quite a bit of experience with Vargr, Aslan, and other races."

Turning to Vonon, she explains, "From what I understand of the offer, Dutrissal is not where I'll be working, but there is a lab ship there that I have an opportunity to join. Although from my reading of it, they are looking more for an administrator than a researcher, so it's not normally an opportunity I would have considered and I wish I had more details, but since funding dried up on my research here, I can't pass it up. So as long as we're not months from arriving, there is no big hurry on transit."

She looks around the ship, relishing the feel of being back on board a spacecraft and heading back into space, and then adds, "In fact, taking a little extra time may be just what the doctor ordered."

Sharik had been on the bridge when Dr. Lavaud had requested permission to board.  She'd looked up rather languidly from her displays, having kicked off a number of preliminary astrogation calculations for the central core to chew on.

Nothing was set in stone yet, of course, as the precise jump calculation required extremely accurate measures of the masses, velocities and positions at both source and destination points.  There was an art to how precise those things could be - and Sharik prided herself on knowing a fair bit about such things.  The diminutive socialite had plenty of practical experience with such calculations and knew that compensating for the intrinsic inaccuracies in the equations and the inherent imprecision of the measurements was where the human element intersected with the science of the j-Space calculation.

Even before she'd keyed the airlock to cycle and allow Aimee on-board, Shar had pinged the crew (especially the Count as 'Captain', Kaer as 'Steward', and Pablo as 'Security') about their passengers arrival.  Having had very little information about who to expect, the auburn-haired ex-operative figured that all bases would be covered then.

Of course, her natural curiosity won out and Sharik stood, shunting the summary displays to the HUD in her glasses and securely locking her session on her bridge console.  After taking a moment to straighten the lapels and pleats on her coveralls and jacket, the Long Shot's navigator made her way towards the airlock and lounge.

When she arrived, Shar gave Walter a raised eyebrow but returned to the topic of their destination for a moment.  "Dutrissal?" she asked with a touch of incredulity creeping into her voice, "Who says that we are going to Dutrissal?"  She glanced about at her with an expression of mild confusion.  "I thought that Mutt had mentioned Duncinae," she went on to explain, "So... I have been predicating all of my calculations based on that destination."  Everyone was likely quite aware that many, many misjumps were predicated on faulty or inaccurate destinations.

She pursed her lips slightly, realizing that she'd gotten ahead of herself and glanced back at Aimee, "Ms. Lavaud, I presume?  Sharik.  Sharik Kaagira.  I was the one that opened the outer locks for you."  She held out her hand to Aimee in greeting.

Sir Walter smiled at Khea. "I am not getting any younger and would rather rely on the skill of a Medical Doctor to patch me up (or any of you) rather than a medic reading out of a book. Kind of like to stack the deck in that department."

Sir Walter shook his head at the mention of more isotopes. "Let me take a look and see what we can find. Not likely that we can get our hands on another batch of isotopes but I will see what I can come up with, even if it is just textiles. I hate dead hauling if it can be helped.  Another day might help thaw things out between the Count and the Baroness but you never know.  If you have an shopping needs, knock them out and stick near the ship so we can get out quickly if needed." he said to Vonon and the other assembled crew members.

Continuing his conversation with Doctor Lavaud, his eyes started to glaze over at the medical talk "Sorry, not that much into the medical profession other than keeping my medic certification's up to date, more of a paper pusher. If I wanted to settle down, I might check into the lab ship but I would be the first to admit that I am not a scientist." he said

"Give me a list of what the med bay needs, I can get that purchased before we depart. If the Captain is agreeable, we might be able to add you to the crew under a working passage contract until we arrive at Dutrissal since we are not set up for hauling passengers. You can check out the offer from the lab ship and see if it meets your needs."

Having only listened half heartedly as Khea was quite fascinated that Vonon shows any interest in trading she perches her ears when she hears the Duncinae.
"What? Duncinae now?" She scrolls frantically through her display. "We certainly don't need a detour for that. Also no industry and overflowing with food. Nothing much we can sell there even though there is at least a market unlike on Dutrissal.

In reply to Kheaiftouaw (msg # 305):

Vonon searches for data on a course to Duncinae in the Longshot's computer.

"We-e-e-ell...that depends on whether we make a straight Jump-Three to Duncinae, or if we make a tiny detour. To Planet Just."

Vonon looks up at the group, "Planet Just is part of the Confederation and it's only a Jump-One from planet Duncinae. But while Duncinae has has placed restrictions on industrial growth - it's classed as 'Non-Industrial Capacity' - planet Just, with it's huge population, is on the verge of becoming a major industrial center for the Confederation - the computer lists it as being 'Pre-Industrial', which means they have an industrial infrastructure that's almost large enough to be classed 'Industrial'."

"The only downside is that the average planetary Tech Level on planer Just is rated as Tech-Five. I think that that means our best bet would be to bring raw materials from Outpost to Just, then buy basic finished products to bring to Duncinae. Or luxury items, since Duncinae is also rated as having a Rich economy; and luxuries always sell well on Rich worlds. Or, so I've read."

"But, again, it depends upon Doctor Lavauds time frame. Diverting to planet Just would be a Jump-Three, followed by a Jump-One to planet Duncinae. So, Doc, do you have two weeks, or not?"

Now completely focused on the discussion Khea continues her argument with Vonon at an ever increasing volume.

"What would they want from Just? The people there are basically still hunting with spears while the woman weave taperstries in the meantime. They do not even have fusion power there. Everything Just could supply would be severely outdated compared to what they import from Fulton or Invermory.

With audible disdain she adds We might be able to sell some outdated raw material like coal and oil on Just if we can even find them, but the only thing we could transport from there to Duncinae would be things like fertilizer

In reply to Kheaiftouaw (msg # 307):

"Y'know, I apologize if my guesses about trade goods offend your sensitive feelings," Vonon growled back, "But I'm still learning how to be a Trader - that's the whole reason I signed on this ship, to learn how to be a Star Trader. And if my suggestions aren't up to your fluffy standards, I'm sorry."

"Of course, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, 'cuz it appears that the furballs on your side of the galaxy have different definitions of Tech Level than we do. On this side of the galaxy, a society rated as Tech-Five is defined as having an industrial, mechanized, pre-nuclear capability. Sure, a few technologies are a bit primitive - like air transport. But basic industrial capacity, mass production, metallurgy, are fairly standardized - I mean, simple construction steel is just that. Processed copper is copper, bronze is bronze, tin is tin."

"And I'm pretty sure I also suggested luxury goods! Alcohol is alcohol, but how it's flavored makes all the difference. And some planets produce unique agro-products that sell well in foreign markets. That's the very definition of a luxury market - providing a substance that is rare and unique."

"So what are you suggesting, Trader? That we just lift ship now, make a very expensive Jump-Three, and drop off our non-paying passenger, and swallow the net loss? What, not even check to see if we can carry some mail?"

While normally she would have challenged an Aslan for such obvious disrespect Khea keeps telling herself, again and again, that he is just a male and thus obviously wouldn't understand much of trading and that it would be unfair to claw someone this small. So she continues
We can buy life support equipment here and as much food and water we can find at a reasonable price then jump to Cassandra and trade it for minerals which we can deliver to Invermory. From there we can transport manufactured goods to Duncinae.

That is if time allows for it.She says while shifting her gaze to the doctor.

In reply to Kheaiftouaw (msg # 309):

"Oh. Yeah." Vonon blinks, taken aback by the excellent suggestions, "That's actually a really good plan. Suit filters, long duration powerpacks - Rockhoppers in Cassandra's Belt would go wild for that stuff. And food, water and luxury consumables are always wanted on Rockhome, the Capitol. I know a few guys..."

"But that would be three Jumps - the better part of a month." Vonon adds his gaze towards the doctor.


OOC:
Yes, Aimee, we know you're waiting for info from StarMaster about when you need to be there. He should be back at is computer by Sunday. Well, maybe after the Super Bowl... ^_^