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Destination: Cassandra Belt.

Posted by StarMasterFor group 0
StarMaster
GM, 887 posts
Mon 12 Nov 2018
at 00:55
  • msg #1

Destination: Cassandra Belt

The Longshot made the jump to Cassandra Belt without incident, dropping out of J-space only 20 minutes from Rockport, the capitol of the asteroid belt government.

Not surprisingly, there were a dozen ships docked at the asteroid starport, including 3 military ships and 2 patrol cruisers. A freighter was departing just as another one was arriving.

Due to the short distance, the communication time-lag is virtually non-existent, so the transponder protocols take place instantly... maybe 5 seconds before the full protocols are processed and approved.

You are cleared for docking and given a vector.

As near as you can tell, it's just business as usual.
Walter Zeller
player, 481 posts
Merchant/Noble
Mon 12 Nov 2018
at 04:01
  • msg #2

Destination: Cassandra Belt

Once the Longshot entered n-space after departing Outpost, Walter called the group together.

"Alright, I have called you all here to take care of ship business while we travel to Cassandra. Since we went in on the Longshot, some of the group is no longer aboard the ship and I have been acting captain due to whatever caused the problems with Count Cromwell. He is no longer here along with Gregory and Kaengarr. Kheaiftouaw, Samantha, Sharik, and Vonon we have had many adventures along the way up to this point. We have had others come and go along the way. So that begs the question, what's next?" he asked.

"Right now we just made 35 million credits from recovering Serge, his ship, Evelyn and the alien items. I feel that Serge and Evelyn should get a share of the money since they helped in one form or another in the recovery. I figure 2.75 million credits per person with 2 million going to the ship for its overhead should be a fair disbursement of those funds. Once that is settled, I would like to propose a motion to dissolve the current set up in favor of starting our own private corporation, Longshot Enterprises." he said.

"So, there is a motion on the floor to pay out 2.75 million to each current and former crew member that was aboard our vessel or the alien vessel when we first encountered it, along with 2 million to the ship." All in favor?" he asked.
Vonon Ronkunu
player, 398 posts
Vargr and Spacer
ex-Patrol Commander
Mon 12 Nov 2018
at 07:10
  • msg #3

Destination: Cassandra Belt

In reply to Walter Zeller (msg # 2):

Vonon looks a little wild-eyed, until Sir Walter actually calls for a vote,

"Ah!  Participating Democracy, right.  Now I'm with you." He says with an acknowledging nod of his head, then he gets a pondering look on his brow,

"Um, okay then, ah, Captain." Vonon raises his right hand, as if he needs to be acknowledged, "I would like to change everything you just said ... no, that's not quite right ... oh!  Got it!  I remember, now ... I would like to Amend the Motion currently before the Dictator--I mean Directorate."

"That is to say, I want to make a big change to your suggestion, Sir Walter.  I think we should turn it upside down." Vonon says, "I think we should determine what work the Longshot must have done, then we sit down and decide what work we would like to have done, then we find out what all that will cost and allocate the funds to do it with.  Then we split up whatever is left.  Ship first, paychecks second."
Samantha Kilgore
player, 446 posts
Pilot and Security expert
With more hidden talents
Mon 12 Nov 2018
at 09:20
  • msg #4

Destination: Cassandra Belt

Sam listened to Walter and Vonun before chiming in.

"Sorry Walter, I think Vonuns right. Ship first. Paychecks second. Though I like your idea of forming a corporation. I'd support that bit."
Vonon Ronkunu
player, 399 posts
Vargr and Spacer
ex-Patrol Commander
Mon 12 Nov 2018
at 09:42
  • msg #5

Destination: Cassandra Belt

In reply to Samantha Kilgore (msg # 4):

"Oh, yeah, yeah.  I'll back that, too." Vonon nods in agreement, "I just wanted to get it out there we should, right now, spend the Raiders Share of this money on the ship."
Serge Baklanov
player, 54 posts
Marine/Scout
Mon 12 Nov 2018
at 10:11
  • msg #6

Destination: Cassandra Belt

- In my point of view, both Walter and Vonon offer pretty much the same. Walter's option is a bit more delicate way - in case if someone would like to leave the ship before we organise "Longshot Enterprises". But I guess whoever wanted to leave, already did it.
- I support Walter's idea of private corporation and ready to chip in my share of course. But first I would like to know if there are things I have to know? I am sure you have a long story with "Longshot" and while looking how wary were you in Outpost system I guess there are reasons. I would like to learn if there are... tails to cut off? Or "Longshot Enterprises" will have a carte blanche for its operations?

OOC:
1) After character generation I have one "ship share" and I am ready to chip it in too, if that matters.
2) Is there a ship roster? Are there really twelve of us?
StarMaster
GM, 888 posts
Mon 12 Nov 2018
at 19:35
  • msg #7

Destination: Cassandra Belt

((OOC: At this stage, there are 9 characters, but we've got two new players that could be joining. The 12th slot was someone who request to join back in September but hasn't done anything since. I just went ahead and deleted him from the game.

So, that's make 11 characters. I'm thinking I may eliminate one of them to make it an even 10 characters.

There's not a recent/current ship's roster at the moment.))

Inderpal Kumar
player, 9 posts
Tharillian
Ex-Scout
Mon 12 Nov 2018
at 20:54
  • msg #8

Destination: Cassandra Belt

Private post
Valeska Brandenberg
player, 69 posts
Mon 12 Nov 2018
at 21:39
  • msg #9

Destination: Cassandra Belt

"Oh, really?" Valeska says. "I thought we were already incorporated. I could have sworn I had stock in it."

"Guess I'd better start paying attention better."

"Not to get technical, but are we getting stock premiums or are we getting a wage as hired crew?"

"I'd suggest we first figure out what we think the ship needs or wants, and then figure out how to split the credits up. If the cost of the upgrades is more than we have, then let's get paid first, since either way we can't get everything the ship needs right off the bat."

"As for what we're going to do next, that's significant to what the ship needs. If we plan on going pirate hunting, then better armor, better weapons and better electronics would be a good idea."

Kheaiftouaw
player, 590 posts
Aslan outcast
Mon 12 Nov 2018
at 23:58
  • msg #10

Destination: Cassandra Belt

Having stared sceptically as Vonon during has speech, Khea finally recovered from her eye rolling
"Now I do not know how the Imperium clan conducts business, but before we form an commercial enterprise we should actually decide what business that will be and if we can make money from it?"
Walter Zeller
player, 483 posts
Merchant/Noble
Tue 13 Nov 2018
at 03:26
  • msg #11

Destination: Cassandra Belt

"Part of doing it this way is to close out the old operation since it was started under Count Cromwell's name and form Longshot Enterprises Vonon. With him gone, unless we want his family to have a voice in our company, including if we are going to add new equipment and such, we would need to close out all current assets and pay off all of the shareholders." Walter said.

"As a rough guess, once we get it closed out, it will allow those that are here to invest what we have earned so far of between 30 and 40 Mcr, after paying off the amount that was paid for the current cargo to the old one. Also, we have no board of directors so a slate of them will be needed. To begin with a Chairman, Vice chairman, a Secretary and Treasurer will be needed."

"As to what with the corporation will do, Trade and Salvage come to mind. I do not see us running a factory anytime soon. Once at Cassandra, sell the cargo and install the various upgrades to the ship. The time waiting for them to be installed, that could be used to research what kind of salvage might be in the area."
Vonon Ronkunu
player, 400 posts
Vargr and Spacer
ex-Patrol Commander
Tue 13 Nov 2018
at 07:39
  • msg #12

Re: Destination: Cassandra Belt

Walter Zeller:
"Part of doing it this way is to close out the old operation since it was started under Count Cromwell's name and form Longshot Enterprises Vonon. With him gone, unless we want his family to have a voice in our company, including if we are going to add new equipment and such, we would need to close out all current assets and pay off all of the shareholders." Walter said.


"Oh yeah, I see that, and I agree." Vonon stated with a nod of his furry head, "And, if you think of it in a certain way, dissolving the old agreement, paying it off, and forming a new one is part of what I was getting at with 'pay for the ship's needs first'.  We pay out to those other folks, and then we have a free hand to do whatever we want with the ship.  I'm with you, Sir Walter."

Walter Zeller:
"As a rough guess, once we get it closed out, it will allow those that are here to invest what we have earned so far of between 30 and 40 Mcr, after paying off the amount that was paid for the current cargo to the old one. Also, we have no board of directors so a slate of them will be needed. To begin with a Chairman, Vice chairman, a Secretary and Treasurer will be needed."


"Well, I don't know about a formal 'Board of Directors', but I agree we've got to have some kind of corporate decision-making process--especially for the times when a bunch of us might all disagree about how to do something."

"We could keep it simple, the Corporate Officer structure is identical to the Ship's Officer structure--the Chairman is the Captain, the Vice-Chairman is the X-O, the Secretary is the Primary Computer Operator--that would be Sharik--and the Treasurer would be..." Vonon's gaze wanders across the bridge and finally settles upon, "...the Chief Engineer!  Khea's already keeping a budget for keeping this old tub flying."

"Or we could go even simpler, and not bother with a formal Board.  We just have Ship Meetings whenever there is a big decision to be made, or if someone has a proposal or complaint.  If we can't resolve whatever it is by discussing it, then we all just vote on it and abide by the result of the vote.  And in true free-market form, we all have a number of votes equal to the number of shares we've invested into this endeavor."

Walter Zeller:
"As to what the corporation will do, Trade and Salvage come to mind. I do not see us running a factory anytime soon. Once at Cassandra, sell the cargo and install the various upgrades to the ship. The time waiting for them to be installed, that could be used to research what kind of salvage might be in the area."


"We are already at Cassandra's Belt, Sir Walter.  You mean once we've docked at Rockport.  As far as I remember, most of what we brought should fetch good money, here.  I think.  Everything, that is, except basic ores--that's what The Belt produces in great quantity."

"As for salvage, well, Cassandra's Belt is a pretty good place for that!  The majority of the population is spread out across The Belt, prospecting.  There are hundreds of small claim sites and minor facilities for processing ore all over the place.  Sometimes a claim pans out and gets shut down, other times the prospector has an accident and dies--and sometimes the death isn't an accident."


"Rock-hoppers, as a rule, are pretty stingy folk, and they'll scrounge anything they can. But sometimes an enterprising salvager can get to a closed or abandoned claim site before anyone else, and a goodly amount of mining and life support equipment can be salvaged, brought back to Rockport, and sold to Repurposers for several credits to the kilo."

"And that's not including finding stray or lost space buggies, which can be brought back for salvage or a SAR reward, but they also have the chance of having a hold full of ore and a dead crew.  The Patrol maintains an infoboard at the port listing missing and overdue space buggies, and coordinates for registered claim sites that have gone silent.  Unless there is known Claim Jumper or Pirate activity nearby, the Patrol schedules a visit by one of their Cruisers as soon as it can--but there are only twenty Cruisers in the entire Patrol Fleet, to cover the entire Belt.  So the Patrol posts the information publicly, hoping it'll be friends of the missing who go looking, rather than the bad guysUsually works out that way."

"Usually."

This message was last edited by the player at 07:43, Tue 13 Nov 2018.
Sharik Kaagira
player, 327 posts
Freelance: ex-IISS, ex-IN
Serious about recreation
Tue 13 Nov 2018
at 08:07
  • msg #13

Destination: Cassandra Belt

Sharik chuckled slightly.  She never seemed to be one to stand on too much protocol.  The diminutive ex-Imperial Navy spacer probably did know a little something about standard operating procedures and etiquette (like she knew a little bit about everything it seemed), but the auburn-haired navigator never seemed to all that comfortable with it.

Still, the idea of the corporation made perfect sense.  She liked Walter reasoning and nodded when he proposed it, acknowledging her backing of the general idea.  "There's been enough turnover," Shar noted, "that we need to do something."  Life on the frontier had never been that stable, and this one way to protect against some of that instability.

She smiled slightly the banter between Captain and his XO, before noting off-hand, "The board is likely going to have to travel with us, if we have them.  Some decisions can't wait that long for arbitration."  The state of interstellar communication being what it was; messages travelled between systems no faster than the ships which carried people.  Which seemed her roundabout way of agreeing with Vonon that the crew might have to be the board.  Which led directly back to the whole ship meetings thing.

As for the specifics of Cassandra's Belt.  Well, Sharik knew that to her vargr friend's stomping ground.  So, she had nothing more to add there.  Except perhaps where the best watering holes might be.  That she had a fair bit of experience with.  As well as, knowing where the worst dives were as well...
Samantha Kilgore
player, 447 posts
Pilot and Security expert
With more hidden talents
Tue 13 Nov 2018
at 08:30
  • msg #14

Destination: Cassandra Belt

Sam chipped in a s well "I think what your saying Walters now makes more sense - wind up the old structure and start a new one. And what Vonun says makes sense as well - but there will need to be positions for those of us who chip in but don't get a key position."

Pondering a second she added "As for what we do - your right Walter. Just trade would get old for me real quick. I'll need something a bit more challenging to keep me on form. But we can take less profitable, but more interesting jobs if we do trade as well. I think we should just advertise ourselves as problem solvers, and see what sort of problems we attract...."
Valeska Brandenberg
player, 70 posts
Tue 13 Nov 2018
at 16:50
  • msg #15

Destination: Cassandra Belt

"Yeah, that sounds good," Valeska adds. "Before we start 'advertising', though, we'd better come up with some ground rules as to what kind of problems we're willing to solve."

"Oh, I know. We'll have to decide on a case-by-case basis, but there's probably still a few things we won't do, right? Rebellions, revolutions, espionage... obviously assassinations, although there are always a few people you want to strangle."

"Anything else that you can think of? And I suppose it goes without saying that we're not going to break the law to solve a problem, right? At least, not very often."

"So. It seems like we're all in agreement. Whose got the legal expertise to do this? Can the computer do the incorporation paperwork? It'll just get downloaded into the grid when we reach Cassandra."

Kheaiftouaw
player, 591 posts
Aslan outcast
Wed 14 Nov 2018
at 00:06
  • msg #16

Destination: Cassandra Belt

Leaning back and letting out a sigh Khea responds to Vonon
"So you basically want to continue to what we already have been doing, just with a more fancy name?

Ah, well. If you insist. Inscribing the hull shouldn't be that expensive and the Longshot really does need a better look after all. But can we at least select a shipyard on an planet with an actually breathable atmosphere and not another dustbowl? Who knows how long we need to wait for the inscribing to finish."

Walter Zeller
player, 484 posts
Merchant/Noble
Wed 14 Nov 2018
at 02:11
  • msg #17

Destination: Cassandra Belt

Walter smiled as the group talked about the plan.  "I agree that we should have some ground rules as to what we will do but for the time being, we will need to table that motion until we form the corporation and select a board. First things first, I presented the motion for the payout so that it can be distributed to the 12 of us that had a hand in the recovery of the scout ship and dealing with the alien vessel. So the motion presented is to pay everyone directly involved 2.75 million per person. If the motion fails to pass, then all assets will be distributed evenly between the ten of us that are part of the company. With that in mind, as three members of the company are no longer here, I will note it as three NO votes. All in favor of the motion?" he asked after the motion was seconded.

"Aye" Walter said, holding up a hand.

OOC. Unless someone objects, in order to speed things up we can cut to forming the corporation.

"All right, the company is officially closed and all former claims to the Longshot are null and void. Everyone has received 2.75 Mcr and the shareholders in the former company each received 1,837,680 credits in their accounts, and if I might add, an amazing return on your million credit investment. With that done, I open the floor to nominations for the position of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer for the corporation that will do business as Longshot Enterprises."
Serge Baklanov
player, 55 posts
Marine/Scout
Wed 14 Nov 2018
at 14:32
  • msg #18

Re: Destination: Cassandra Belt

Walter Zeller:
"With that done, I open the floor to nominations for the position of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer for the corporation that will do business as Longshot Enterprises."


- If you ask me too, then I think I am too new in the team to make an informed decision so I simply trust to Vonon's judgment and support his offer.
- I would like to make a proposition, though. Not a military style which I got used to, but still I heard that some rogue traders have a tradition: while most routine decisions are trusted to senior officers, still every crew member can initiate a universal voting on the matter he considers important enough, and the voting result overrides previous decisions.
Sharik Kaagira
player, 328 posts
Freelance: ex-IISS, ex-IN
Serious about recreation
Wed 14 Nov 2018
at 19:13
  • msg #19

Re: Destination: Cassandra Belt

When Valeska asked about any legal expertise, Sharik shrugged, "I believe that much, if not all, of our in-house expertise has left the house.  The Count and our former Cook had some training."  She glanced in the direction of Walter not wanting to step on any toes, "But I, myself, only have enough knowledge to know that I don't have any knowledge.  And only a modicum of experience to know that I can get into Trouble™"  It is weird how the diminutive operative can get those trademark symbols to magically appear.

Shar voted for the Walter's motion to rework the business end of the venture; she certainly didn't want to do the paperwork.  Likely, the ex-corporate operative could muddle through, but it certainly wasn't her forte.

As for officers and such, Sharik shrugged and then tacked onto Serge's notion, "I suspect that crew buy-in is necessary no matter what decisions are made."  Her tone implied a simple matter-of-factness on the topic as she continued, "No matter who the officers are and with them on-board ... a crew this small and a single ship."  She gave another shrug, "An open door policy is almost a requirement."

"I am fine with Vonon's proposed corporate officer roster.  We can make term limits, if that makes things more equitable." she noted, given that the positions weren't purely ceremonial or anything.
 Actually, they might be mostly more paperwork - at least, Secretary would be she suspected; so, she added simply, "Or if someone else wants the corporate Secretary job, I am more than willing to cede it..."
Lucky Seven
NPC, 31 posts
Phantom Pilot
Asteroid Jockey
Wed 14 Nov 2018
at 20:05
  • msg #20

Re: Destination: Cassandra Belt

>>>>> At Cassandra Belt, on Rockport, in the Dock of the Bay cantina...


There just weren't many activities available in an asteroid belt. VR 'holo-decks' only went so far. Bars were the only reasonable alternative. Besides the drinking, there were always new people stopping in. People meant information. Stories. Tall tales. And jobs.

She was sitting at the bar in the Dock of the Bay working on her fifth (or was it sixth) mojito when she heard a name mentioned that she... recognized. Apparently this other woman at the bar had been checking the incoming crew manifests. Lucky had stopped doing that about 20 years ago... or maybe it was just 20 days ago. Sometimes it was easy to lose track of time.

"Pardon me, miss," she said to Inderpal, "did I hear you say Sharik Kaagira? Do you know her?"

She only knew Sharik by reputation through the pipeline, but she knew she'd been crew on the Longshot... at least, until recently.
Kheaiftouaw
player, 592 posts
Aslan outcast
Wed 14 Nov 2018
at 23:18
  • msg #21

Re: Destination: Cassandra Belt

>>>>> Longshot Business meeting

Sound like you want to give everyone a title. Ah well. I can take over the treasury. For now that only means keeping the ship stocked and it wouldn't be the first time I do that.


>>>>> Cassandra docking port

Having pondered if she should wear her vacc suit all the time and only decided against it on account of it being so heavy Khea steps off the ship with a grim face

This is worse than a dust ball. I hope you don't intend to refit the ship here unless you get a big discount.

OOC: Should we move the discussion about the company to another thread to keep the story running here?
Valeska Brandenberg
player, 71 posts
Thu 22 Nov 2018
at 05:20
  • msg #22

Re: Destination: Cassandra Belt

"It's not as bad as it looks, Khea," Valeska told the Aslan. "About the only difference is going to be cost... a good 50% or more higher here because there's no local industry--it's all imported."

"Time might also be an issue; it's a rather busy system."

"We definitely should look around. If we don't like the price or the time or even the item, we don't have to buy it."

Inderpal Kumar
player, 12 posts
Tharillian
Ex-Scout
Thu 22 Nov 2018
at 11:16
  • msg #23

Re: Destination: Cassandra Belt

Lucky Seven:
>>>>> At Cassandra Belt, on Rockport, in the Dock of the Bay cantina...


There just weren't many activities available in an asteroid belt. VR 'holo-decks' only went so far. Bars were the only reasonable alternative. Besides the drinking, there were always new people stopping in. People meant information. Stories. Tall tales. And jobs.

She was sitting at the bar in the Dock of the Bay working on her fifth (or was it sixth) mojito when she heard a name mentioned that she... recognized. Apparently this other woman at the bar had been checking the incoming crew manifests. Lucky had stopped doing that about 20 years ago... or maybe it was just 20 days ago. Sometimes it was easy to lose track of time.

"Pardon me, miss," she said to Inderpal, "did I hear you say Sharik Kaagira? Do you know her?"

She only knew Sharik by reputation through the pipeline, but she knew she'd been crew on the Longshot... at least, until recently.


Inderpal turned to the woman who had just spoken the name of Sharik Kaagira.

"Yes, I know her. We went to a lot of parties together when I was a trainee diplomat. Long time ago, but she's the kind of woman you don't forget in a hurry. Looks much younger than she is. Really good at Trivial Pursuit. Do you know her? What is she doing now?

One thing that she'd learned that a diplomat was often an unofficial spy and that good conversation at a party could get you vital intelligence. Not that this was a party. No canapés.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:17, Thu 22 Nov 2018.
Kheaiftouaw
player, 595 posts
Aslan outcast
Sat 24 Nov 2018
at 19:19
  • msg #24

Re: Destination: Cassandra Belt

In reply to Valeska Brandenberg (msg # 22):

Shocked Khea replies
That is completely unacceptable. Why should we pay more than half of what the modifications are worth here when we can simply skip to the next system? They would have to lower the price as compensation for having to wait for weeks in this tin cans without fresh air and gravity for the modifications to complete.

Silently to herself:
Why can't we stop at planets with actual breathable atmospheres and instead always end up in some form of enclosed dome or worse.
Vonon Ronkunu
player, 406 posts
Vargr and Spacer
ex-Patrol Commander
Sun 25 Nov 2018
at 02:58
  • msg #25

Re: Destination: Cassandra Belt

In reply to Kheaiftouaw (msg # 24):

"Well, living environment aside, the shipyard here at Rockport has the highest level of technology available for almost ten parsecs." Vonon replies to Khea, "We'd have to cross over well into Imperium Space to get to anything even comparable.  Or head coreward into the Principality of Caledonia, whose tech-base is equal to what we have here at Cassandra's Belt, for the most part.  But, as you say, you could walk out under an open sky there.  Probably."

"Rockport's not so bad!  The entire asteroid is outfitted with artificial gravity, we have domed parks on the surface.  Most of the upper tunnels are spacious, well-lit and well ventilated--at least you don't have to pay any Air Taxes, here!"

"I only left because I got sick of the politics I got caught up in!  I was a Patrolman, dammit!  But when I got 'promoted' to a position here at Rockport, suddenly it was important to be seen as supporting one Command Officer or another, and picking the wrong dog in that fight could ruin your career!  After two years, I just couldn't take it anymore."
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