At Argon, you are invited to a large building known as the "Colonial Office".

It is an odd structure, especially for Vilani, who have not colonised a planet in centuries.

Once inside, you are directed to a Vilani noble who introduces himself as being from Iishuni, sitting in a conference hall with a number of other Terrans. They ask if you are willing to help supply an unofficial Vilani colony on Sumerfelt on an ongoing basis. They provide the following information on the planet:

Sumerfelt(1620), Binary system with 3 Gas Giants and 8 moons, one of which is habitable
   6,000 miles dia, D class Starport, Atmosphere: Thin, 50% Surface Water, Pop: 10 k Kimashargur
Colonists have begun moving here in anticipation of an attack on Iishuni.

Argon, 09 Jul 2183, supplies 7,200 person-days basic food, consuming 200 person-days food per week, usual starship fees $5000 + $3200, Cash: $5,982,586. Spare Cargo space: 8/18

Cargo: 2000 doses of Kulikasu and Ushkiirga, and 900 doses of Urshaggim.

Thinking this might be a good outlet for some of their cargo (and also a possbile source of driving instructors) Bonny is definitely in favour of the venture. But she does wonder about the Terrans and Vilani mixing so freely.

In reply to Bonny Taching (msg # 2):

A fair question. You would know of course that exploration within the Empire is banned. So having colonies outside of Imperial borders is not something any Vilani government would ever admit. After all, off the charts would not be accessible for regular Vilani ships anyway...

Getting the grist of it, Bonny looks eagerly at her captain, bloodhound-like eyes asking for a: 'Yes.'

Ongoing is a bit open ended, how long are you thinking? And of course, i apologize for the unplesant need to ask about pay and support.

In reply to Sdian McGuire (msg # 5):

"Naturally, we understand. We are looking for a trader to operate on an annual basis. We offer $100,000 per month for regular trips to the colony and back, requiring 15 dTons of cargo space. This is for our regular supply runs, a 4 week round trip, and we need at least 12 runs a year. The high price is for security and discretion. Security is because there are places pirates can and do hide  Discretion is because there are other Vilani who would love evidence of an illegal colony, but getting charts for them to get there is difficult. If you are here, then clearly you have the appropriate technology that most Vilani lack.

Whilst anything else you take beyond that is your profit, we would insist any passengers go through our security checks first.

As for support, we also include fuel and a starport parking at both ends of the run. Servicing and maintenance is your prerogative, the $100,000 per month should be more than sufficient."

Argon, 09 Jul 2183, supplies 7,200 person-days basic food, consuming 200 person-days food per week, usual starship fees $5000 + $3200, Cash: $5,982,586. Spare Cargo space: 8/18

Cargo: 2000 doses of Kulikasu and Ushkiirga, and 900 doses of Urshaggim.

So $100,000 per month for a regular run with as much as 15 tons and 8 passengers to be provided for one year? Fuel and basing is free. Up keep is on us.
Let me confirm that with my crew, as we are all in whatever we do. The security requirements are noted and will be passed along as well.


OK Crew, any comments for or against. It ties us down for a year and offers no down time for a minor overhaul, which is something we will need before to much longer.

In reply to Sdian McGuire (msg # 7):

"Passengers are you profit. Just 15 dTons of cargo per trip, though it may not always be full...of course, we expect that you agree as a crew, so please do discuss it with them."

Argon, 09 Jul 2183, supplies 7,200 person-days basic food, consuming 200 person-days food per week, usual starship fees $5000 + $3200, Cash: $5,982,586. Spare Cargo space: 8/18

Cargo: 2000 doses of Kulikasu and Ushkiirga, and 900 doses of Urshaggim.

"We're with you, boss. Whatever you think!"

OK GM ... time to play crew... is everyone agreed? Anyone having reservations?


I do point out that the ship will need some time to be maintained, so once every four weeks may have an interruption. We will do all we can to plan it and give suitable notice if it cannot be put off.

In reply to Sdian McGuire (msg # 10):

"Noting the location of Iishuni, the major shipyard that constructed the massive Giriian battleships, is the nearest system to Summerfield, getting maintenance should not be a problem. I like the idea of a regular run. We might even be able to buy land and settle down like a normal family..."

In reply to Nelaroi Hurta (msg # 11):

"And make normal friends...and enemies? Not that keen..."

In reply to Jurelda Cabeceira (msg # 12):

"Unlikely they will have strict rules, being beyond the official Vilani borders though."

In reply to Duran the Defender (msg # 13):

"Can't say I am opposed to setting up a compound of our own, though, beyond Vilani space. It does have some charm. But no need to rush into it...we can take the transport job and have a look around."

Argon, 09 Jul 2183, supplies 7,200 person-days basic food, consuming 200 person-days food per week, usual starship fees $5000 + $3200, Cash: $5,982,586. Spare Cargo space: 8/18

Cargo: 2000 doses of Kulikasu and Ushkiirga, and 900 doses of Urshaggim.

"Maybe they'd like help at the shipyard? And there might be lots of driving instructors?"

Sdian shake his head and rolls his eyes at the Drving Instructors comment.

OK, so we  take the deal, look around, considr buying a place here, although I might be inclined to be a bit further away from Vilani Space myself. I'll let them know.

In reply to Sdian McGuire (msg # 16):

"Excellent! It has been hard to find reliable individuals for this run. Please report to Iishuni district office to start, and we will commence payment from when you arrive there. The official line, your cover, will be that you are doing a passenger and gemstones run to an in-system mining base that has a dedicated bulk haulage freightliner visit once a month. The patrols will know the truth, however, and can be trusted to keep it quiet. You should not be in a hurry to trust anyone else on Iishuni though.

We will head back and get things ready. There is about 15 dTons of manufacturing equipment we would like to transport back to Iishuni as well, for which we will pay $140,000 on delivery, within 2 months. Also acceptable?"

Argon, 09 Jul 2183, supplies 7,200 person-days basic food, consuming 200 person-days food per week, usual starship fees $5000 + $3200, Cash: $5,982,586. Spare Cargo space: 8/18

Cargo: 2000 doses of Kulikasu and Ushkiirga, and 900 doses of Urshaggim.

Yes, of course, so you will have things to bring to Iiashuni as well?

In reply to Sdian McGuire (msg # 18):

"Myself? I have my return trip already planned with an AK vessel leaving for Girii tomorrow. I am based there, but I will send the message to Iishuni with a patrol when we re-enter Vilani space."

Argon, 09 Jul 2183, supplies 7,200 person-days basic food, consuming 200 person-days food per week, usual starship fees $5000 + $3200, Cash: $5,982,586. Spare Cargo space: 8/18

Cargo: 2000 doses of Kulikasu and Ushkiirga, and 900 doses of Urshaggim.