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23:32, 23rd April 2024 (GMT+0)

Destination: Outpost.

Posted by StarMasterFor group 0
Vonon Ronkunu
player, 276 posts
Vargr and Spacer
ex-Patrol Commander
Thu 4 Aug 2016
at 06:07
  • msg #186

Re: Destination: Outpost

In reply to Sharik Kaagira (msg # 185):

Vonon's upper lip curls in a frown at Darrel's response.

"No idea who she is? Really?" Vonon asks, "Well, I don't know her - or anyone else named Elgin...I don't think."

"How about the rest of you? Does the name Baroness Twyla Elgin mean anything? Any Imperial Navy Officers of that same name? Anyone named Elgin? Maybe we're dealing with Pack Honor, here. Uh, I mean Family Honor. And it's not the Baroness, herself, but some member of her family that she's taking action for."
Samantha Kilgore
player, 310 posts
Pilot and Security expert
With more hidden talents
Thu 4 Aug 2016
at 08:20
  • msg #187

Re: Destination: Outpost

Sam nodded to Mutt as she left "Catch you later. Be warned I'm a big eater" she said and smiled

As they walked back to the ship, Sam listened to Darrel and Vonun. She shrugged at Vonun's question "Not a name that I recall. Another thing to ponder is that it might be to do with our previous employer. We may not have made the news, but there are other ways for word to spread"
Darrel Cromwell
player, 680 posts
Noble (Count)
Retired actor
Thu 4 Aug 2016
at 15:14
  • msg #188

Re: Destination: Outpost

In reply to Samantha Kilgore (msg # 187):

"See, that's the thing...unless a ship specifically from Grendal had arrived before us, no-one would even know what we did there. And they would have had to leave within hours of the news, back there to get here before we did. And how would they know we were heading here?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:15, Thu 04 Aug 2016.
Kheaiftouaw
player, 446 posts
Aslan outcast
Thu 4 Aug 2016
at 18:38
  • msg #189

Re: Destination: Outpost

"And while we stumble around the ships sits in the port and collects berthing fees.
Can't you just duel her and be done with it? Or pass the problem up the clan hierarchy.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:39, Thu 04 Aug 2016.
Sharik Kaagira
player, 251 posts
Freelance: ex-IISS, ex-IN
Serious about recreation
Thu 4 Aug 2016
at 20:52
  • msg #190

Re: Destination: Outpost

As they walked, Sharik was generally quiet taking in the conversation and the surroundings, but she did pipe up with one clarification on Darrel's assertions.  "Not exactly, M'lord." the diminutive operative noted quietly and rather nonchalantly, "A ship could have left after us and arrived in system before us ... or closer to the station due to the Uncertainty Principle."  She shrugged slightly before continuing, "The vagaries of j-Space and jump calculation accuracy: the one week transit time is plus or minus a couple of hours."  Astrogation wasn't just a hobby for the Long Shot's navigator.

"That said," Shar readily conceded, "I wouldn't bank on it as a method for guaranteed faster communications..." which tied back to Darrel's conclusions, "unless they had a much more refined algorithm or could accurately and effectively supercede the 100D limit or some such..."  It was a frightening proposition; since at that point - like with their flicker-based maneuver drive - all bets would be off.

But best scientists in Two-Thousand Known Worlds had been trying to overcome the gravity perturbation and the Uncertainty Principle propagation terms in the standard jump calculations for thousands of years without much success.

"Another possibility," she noted off-hand, continuing to walk rather leisurely and speculate, "would be a waiting communications array on both ends.  Transit time in-system is a significant time lag.  A radio wave would travel at the speed of light. much faster than any physical ship in-system."  Sharik hurmph'd a touch causing her hair to bob slightly, "That is a lot of dedicated resources."  Like xBoat network-level dedicated resources.  And between Grendal and Outpost, that seemed unlikely...
Vonon Ronkunu
player, 278 posts
Vargr and Spacer
ex-Patrol Commander
Fri 5 Aug 2016
at 04:52
  • msg #191

Re: Destination: Outpost

In reply to Sharik Kaagira (msg # 190):

"Good points, Shar'r." Vonon agreed, "But, except for Sir Walter's family connection to Outpost, there's no way anyone could have guessed we would be coming here. Yotz, we only decided to come here, after we gained the Longshot."

"Except..." Vonon adds, "given that Outpost is the closest Aslan presence, that might be something one could assume would attract Khea...oh, yeah, and the fact that I had middle passage booked back here, and I kept mouthing off about coming back...and then there's the whole ease of getting an 'armed ship' refit over here..."

"Crap. I guess it was a pretty easy guess that we'd be coming here. Wasn't it?"
StarMaster
GM, 763 posts
Fri 5 Aug 2016
at 05:25
  • msg #192

Re: Destination: Outpost

There hasn't been any direct hassling of your group, except for maybe the customs inspectors, so everyone makes it back to the ship without incident. By the time you get there, however, a repair crew is already in the hangar bay fixing the broken camera.

They've also hooked up the base umbilical to the ship.

There's a second crew actually sweeping and scrubbing the floor, as well as hitting some of the rust on the walls with rust remover.


The comms that Mutt gave you are simply registered as Guest-1, Guest-2, etc.
Samantha Kilgore
player, 311 posts
Pilot and Security expert
With more hidden talents
Fri 5 Aug 2016
at 08:19
  • msg #193

Re: Destination: Outpost

In reply to Darrel Cromwell (msg # 188):

Sam said "True Darrell, but I was meaning who employed us, not what we did for them. How much do we know about Ceuleanne anyway?" She shrugged "Its just a thought. A possibly paranoid thought and/or a red Heron, but worth considering"
Pablo Esteban Ryzov
player, 223 posts
End 8, Str 6, Dex 9
Gun for hire
Sat 6 Aug 2016
at 02:10
  • msg #194

Re: Destination: Outpost

For his part, upon returning to the ship, Pablo pulled up a law book and some other texts and started studying, though he kept one ear on the conversation.

This situation still struck him as a ludicrously elaborate way to establish some sort of petty pecking order or possibly even more childish petulance over some long irrelevant insult.
Darrel Cromwell
player, 681 posts
Noble (Count)
Retired actor
Sat 6 Aug 2016
at 16:55
  • msg #195

Re: Destination: Outpost

Darrell will distribute the comms among the crew, keeping the 1 extra at the ship bridge.

He briefs everyone on what he knows so far, this is mostly from a DB and or just background.

quote:
There's a brief history of her in the database. It notes that she was appointed Base Commander of the Outpost Naval Base about 4 years ago, when the previous commander retired.  There is some details about her career, just enough to say she's been to several worlds that Darrel has been to, but he can't make any connection.  It does seem like the file on her is rather brief. Darrel figures she's either managed to stay under the radar quite well or else she hasn't made sufficient impact in the Imperium to be more than just a footnote.

The Elgins are new nobility. Twyla is the youngest of 4 children.

Outpost isn't a particularly prestigious assignment these days, but it could always escalate. For the Baroness's career, it would have been a minor step up, although more like lateral movement. Volunteering for the assignment would have put her in the 'spotlight'. Her previous assignment was essentially a dead end, career-wise.

The Baroness's family is not naval connected that you can tell. Her mother is the Marquesa of Lavnia. However, her older brother is a Naval Commander (squadron) at Olympus.

Lt. Commander of the Outpost Naval Base is Creed Bratton.


"Ok, anyone has anything to add, or perhaps when we pool all our information we might be able to find a connection?"
Kheaiftouaw
player, 447 posts
Aslan outcast
Sat 6 Aug 2016
at 18:36
  • msg #196

Re: Destination: Outpost

"I still wonder what has caused offence. Someone of the crew? But how could they know which ship we were on and that we would come to Outpost? Or was is the ship itself? But then everything would have been cleared up already."
Kaengarr Ruzokh
player, 419 posts
Gvegh Vargr
Sun 7 Aug 2016
at 05:29
  • msg #197

Re: Destination: Outpost

  Kaengarr took in Darrel's briefing from a perch sitting atop an empty crate that he'd set next to the longshot, a vantage from which he could keep watch over what the station crews were doing from an unobtrusive distance. The missive accompanying their arrival had been convincing enough to allow them to play around with the ship's umbilical, but he still wasn't going to put anything past their erstwhile antagonist, now identified as the Baroness in charge of the military outpost.

  While he took in most of it rather soberly, the initial exchange between Darrel and the so-called 'Grand Poobah' bringing forth a grin and Khea's frustrated suggestion of arranging a duel evoking a sly murmur - just loud enough to be heard over the comm - of, "And she thinks I'm aggressive?"

  "There's something I need to add, yes," he rumbled in response to Darrel's question, a low growl creeping into his words as he spoke. "Most of you were part of something before we went after the Long Shot and I've been stonewalled every time I've asked about it. That tells me there's a good chance that it is the source of our problems, or at least part of them. If we have to go into seclusion in one of the staterooms for someone to tell me, fine, but I will not be put off again. Not when my neck may be on the line for it!"

  That was followed by both a physical and verbal shrug. "Otherwise... take your pick of wild guesses. Involved in the Long Shot fiasco? Linked to one of the Long Shot's 'sister ships'? Thought that one of Darrel's performances slandered the family? In the end, she's the only one with the answer, and if we can't ask directly then we need to do it round-about."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:30, Sun 07 Aug 2016.
Vonon Ronkunu
player, 279 posts
Vargr and Spacer
ex-Patrol Commander
Sun 7 Aug 2016
at 11:38
  • msg #198

Re: Destination: Outpost

Kaengarr Ruzokh:
    "There's something I need to add, yes," he rumbled in response to Darrel's question, a low growl creeping into his words as he spoke. "Most of you were part of something before we went after the Long Shot and I've been stonewalled every time I've asked about it. That tells me there's a good chance that it is the source of our problems, or at least part of them. If we have to go into seclusion in one of the staterooms for someone to tell me, fine, but I will not be put off again. Not when my neck may be on the line for it!"


"Really?" Vonon asks, "I thought I answered that before we launched from Grendal..." Vonon shrugs, "Memory isn't what it used to be, I guess. Anyway, most of us had worked a Private Security Contractor assignment for Mz. Blue, before she approached us for the Longshot gig."

"That was a strictly local operation, though, and I don't think we even popped up on anyone's radar screen over it. But I'm sure that that isn't what you're asking, is it? What you're looking for is for us to break the non-disclosure element of our employment contract with Mz. Blue. Right?"
Kaengarr Ruzokh
player, 420 posts
Gvegh Vargr
Sun 7 Aug 2016
at 12:29
  • msg #199

Re: Destination: Outpost

  "If it's as sensitive as all that, it's sensitive enough for someone to want payback, whether here or somewhere else, and there would have been more than enough time for messages about it to get around. If you're worried about rules, there are cases where those don't apply. Hrnh. Absolutely certain that nothing you did could have been recorded or leaked or witnessed? Fine. I'm agitated about this because I feel I'm missing something that could be material to our safety."
Pablo Esteban Ryzov
player, 224 posts
End 8, Str 6, Dex 9
Gun for hire
Sun 7 Aug 2016
at 12:48
  • msg #200

Re: Destination: Outpost

"Maybe this baroness lady is some kind of spy boss, and her lackluster career is just a cover story. Or maybe she wants to make a big mark, and needs patsies to do it. We have a very espionage capable ship, and as a group, we have pretty much all the needs of a black ops team covered. Either way, maybe she wants to recruit us for something. No matter what it is, when are you going to talk to her?" Pablo looked around, and then said, "Just thinking out loud, sorry." Then he went back into reading his legal text.
Vonon Ronkunu
player, 280 posts
Vargr and Spacer
ex-Patrol Commander
Sun 7 Aug 2016
at 13:06
  • msg #201

Re: Destination: Outpost

In reply to Kaengarr Ruzokh (msg # 199):

Vonon nods to Kaengarr, "Oh, I agree with you about missing...something. This whole situation raises the fur on the back of my neck! I feel like there is something hanging right in front of our collective noses, but we just can't smell it! On the other hand, I also get this feeling that something is still lurking in the shadows, watching us, but not being seen."

"We seem to be getting along well with the locals, now. I got the impression from those customs officers, as well Mutt, back there, that the locals aren't really getting behind the anti-us shenanigans, but that this Baroness has enough pull to make 'em do it, anyways."

Vonon suddenly frowns, "And nobody knows who she is?! Nobody has served with her, or anyone in her family...nobody has had any business dealing with anyone in that family...?"

Vonon pauses again, gazing at Darrel in contemplation for few seconds, "Count Darrel..." Vonon eventually says, "You said that the data you've got on this Baroness states that she's 'new Nobility' - just how 'old' is yours? Could this, maybe, be from something before she was elevated to Baroness? Maybe even something non-military or non-Nobility related? Maybe your Family had some kind of business dealings with hers - possibly something that never even involved you and her, personally, but was all about your Families?  Could this be an old Feud?"

Sharik Kaagira
player, 253 posts
Freelance: ex-IISS, ex-IN
Serious about recreation
Mon 8 Aug 2016
at 07:06
  • msg #202

Re: Destination: Outpost

Back at the ship, Shar listened to what the other had to say, speculation or otherwise and then added her two cents.  "There is definitely more to the Baroness than meets the eye..." she had to smile wanly at her own inadvertent pun.

She tapped her chin for a moment as she read more of the blurb on the Baroness.  "And here his something interesting..." Sharik mused aloud, "the public 'Incident' smells like augments ..."  The auburn-haired socialite let that linger for a moment then broke the silence, "but, right before her career stalled she lost an eye in a separate accident.  The naval medical records say that she never got it replaced.  But not for the lack of trying; it was because her body rejected all attempts at transplants and implants.  Regen techniques also turned out to be useless..."  Imperial tech was pretty sophisticated; so, whatever 'condition' the Baroness had, it must have been significant.  The only options Shar could wrap her head around were either a really exotic (re: alien) physiology, extreme genetic aberration, or previous incompatible augmentation/enhancement.

Then the diminutive operative continued on, "She's been 'laying low' in her naval career for over a decade.  Stalled would normally mean mustered in a service like the IN.  I smell something, maybe a whiff of NavInt.  Or something more insidious."  Pablo's instincts could definitely be right.  None of it was above boards, and none of it necessarily sounded good.


OOC:  The Baroness Elgin's picture and public CV is here:  Link back to this game.  All of which Sharik will share if Darrel hasn't already.
Darrel Cromwell
player, 682 posts
Noble (Count)
Retired actor
Mon 8 Aug 2016
at 15:13
  • msg #203

Re: Destination: Outpost

Kaengarr Ruzokh:
  Kaengarr took in Darrel's briefing from a perch sitting atop an empty crate that he'd set next to the longshot, a vantage from which he could keep watch over what the station crews were doing from an unobtrusive distance. The missive accompanying their arrival had been convincing enough to allow them to play around with the ship's umbilical, but he still wasn't going to put anything past their erstwhile antagonist, now identified as the Baroness in charge of the military outpost.


  "There's something I need to add, yes," he rumbled in response to Darrel's question, a low growl creeping into his words as he spoke. "Most of you were part of something before we went after the Long Shot and I've been stonewalled every time I've asked about it. That tells me there's a good chance that it is the source of our problems, or at least part of them. If we have to go into seclusion in one of the staterooms for someone to tell me, fine, but I will not be put off again. Not when my neck may be on the line for it!"
"We had been hired to steal some research from some scientists, it went pretty much without a hitch, so, I'm doubting that would play a factor."


Given everything all put together, Darrel also had a feeling that some intelligence agency might be involved, and he also agreed that until meeting the Baroness herself, most of this might just be pure speculation.

"Let's see what Mutt has to say, then we can plan our future courses of action."
Kheaiftouaw
player, 448 posts
Aslan outcast
Mon 8 Aug 2016
at 18:23
  • msg #204

Re: Destination: Outpost

Khea, who has been circling the room for some time now adds, speaking more to herself than to the rest, "Before we poke a Atekteia nest we should first sell the cargo. This planet is not very strict when it comes to rules and a military officer can hardly dictate whom the traders should buy from.
Darrel Cromwell
player, 683 posts
Noble (Count)
Retired actor
Mon 8 Aug 2016
at 18:27
  • msg #205

Re: Destination: Outpost

In reply to Kheaiftouaw (msg # 204):

"As far as I understand it, we can't sell the cargo until the process of clearing us from the bogus smuggling charge is completed. Mutt had mentioned he can help speed that up. "
Kaengarr Ruzokh
player, 421 posts
Gvegh Vargr
Mon 8 Aug 2016
at 22:08
  • msg #206

Re: Destination: Outpost

  Kaengarr took in Sharik's information with a disgruntled frown. "Hrn. Points to the 'prior owners' problem. That means two more things: first, we won't be able to just leave and sell cargo unless we get ahead of the news couriers, and second, that it matters whether there was a standing order or one only came when we arrived. Neither is good, but one is worse."
Samantha Kilgore
player, 312 posts
Pilot and Security expert
With more hidden talents
Wed 10 Aug 2016
at 07:39
  • msg #207

Re: Destination: Outpost

Sam listened in and added her two creds worth

"This smells wrong, the Baroness seems to be deliberatly under achieving. Gotta be a reason for that - as you say Sharik, possibly NavInt, or more personal reasons. Sharik is there any scuttlebutt on the Baronesses extra curricular activities you can find? One thing  I learnt in the service, theres always a leak, somewhere. We need to find it. But until Mutt turns up we're kinda stuck."
Kheaiftouaw
player, 449 posts
Aslan outcast
Thu 11 Aug 2016
at 19:13
  • msg #208

Re: Destination: Outpost

By now Khea has stopped pacing and shifted completely over to Throk while her ears stand entirely upright with a slight shiver.
"This is stupid. You men can continue wondering how you offended someone you hardly know and talk in circles about regaining your honor.
But I am going to do what we came here to do and sell the cargo of ours.

With that Khea storms out of the bridge, grabs her weapons and computer and heads out the ship.
Darrel Cromwell
player, 684 posts
Noble (Count)
Retired actor
Thu 11 Aug 2016
at 19:17
  • msg #209

Re: Destination: Outpost

In reply to Kheaiftouaw (msg # 208):

" Khea, you're right, but until we know more, rushing off might cause even more problems. Please, let's just wait until we all have a chance to talk to Mutt, then we can get ourselves organized, sell our cargo, and decide how to proceed from there?"
Pablo Esteban Ryzov
player, 225 posts
End 8, Str 6, Dex 9
Gun for hire
Thu 11 Aug 2016
at 23:47
  • msg #210

Re: Destination: Outpost

Pablo stands, blanking his reader for the moment, and goes to the ship's locker. Grabbing a few essentials, he moves to follow Khea. He did't really have any more to contribute to the conversation, anyway.
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