"Alright" he nodded slightly to the pilot, although he doubted that the man could see the gesture. "Mister Brandle, if you could" he asked the man as he took his own seat, indicating that they join the queue for the Deseret High Port landing services.

They follow the Bon Charme in.  It's a classic "Wheel and axis" design, the wheel providing artificial gravity by spin- much cheaper than doing it with expensive grav technology.  The Highport does the same thing, as most space stations do, because providing grav tech for an entire station would be ruinously expensive.

As they approach they can see the other ships in the station.  There is a sister ship of the Bon Charme, probably making the same run, probably getting ready to leave.  There is a larger ship, the Vela Fortune, a big "sleeper ship" which carries passengers in cold sleep over very long voyages.   Maybe it came all the way from Earth!  And there is a Navy frigate, an old one, the Marivaux.  Like many older ships, the Marivaux isn't a front line warship these days, mostly it is used for patrolling, law enforcement, rescue, and similar work.

What's missing, as experienced spacers quickly note, are the small independent ships like the Albatross.  Typically a world like this would have a number of them around.  Many of them can land, and those wouldn't be here at the Highport, but then, many can't land.  It's not an impossible situation because numbers of small ships fluctuate constantly and greatly, but it is certainly odd enough to be noted as unusual.

It makes for easy going, though.  Most of the docks are available.  On the frontier, there are rarely docking fees for short visits, because people want to attract the ships.  It's a vital connection for the more remote planets.  Even as the Albatross approaches, arrangements are made for a refueling.

And then, you have a few hours to visit the station, if you want.  Or sit back and see what's on TV.

Deseret has a reputation for frighteningly wholesome views on entertainment, though.

As soon as the ship was docked, Florence went out, not carrying much of anything on her except for her personnal communicator. On the way out, she sent a simple message on the net:

Ship going to St Brendan and back has slots available for passengers. Contact 8b42e198-d4f9-435b-96b9-6c5fb895b5f9.

As she put her communicator away, she grumbled something about having done her job and keeping someone she didn't hold in high esteem off her back. And hoping that given the terse message, no one would bite. After that she stopped for a few seconds, then with a shrug decided to go explore the station a bit. While to many it was just same old same old, not so much for her and she was curious to see how things worked up there.

With Wymp handling the possibility of taking on some extra cargo for potential trade at St. Brendan, Einar decided it was time to pick up a few useful odds and ends for the ship, and a few things for his stateroom.

He also suggested that the crew meet up later that evening at one of the local spots, a place called "Just Deseret" which served overpriced milkshakes (most of them alcoholic) and confectionery to belatedly celebrate both their purchase, and their first job offer.

Eventually, walking to station, he had stopped it at one of the also overpriced clothing outlets. He had never much cared for fashion, preferring by far the few articles he owned with some character and stories of their own, but he saw a nice looking brown coat, heavy and warm lookong, and lined with some kind of wooly fleece material. It was knee length, with plenty of pockets, and it had a look he liked, so he bought it and decided to wear it to any interviews that might line up in the coming weeks.

Horace checks for cargo for St. Brendans!

07:59, Today: Horace Wymp rolled 10 using 2d6+4.  cargo.

 Once the ship reached Terra Firma, as it where, Reggie spoke to the gang. " Before everyone goes to the four points of the compass, we need to decided on a watch rotation. One of us should always be on board. I am going to remain on board for most of our time dirtside, but I would like an hour or so, to do a couple errands."

"Very well Mister Gain, I'll stand in your stead when you are ashore. I'll take first watch now too while I use the computer to look for more cargo."

After going somewhere that might serve a decent club sandwich or cheeseburger, Alwin will check the local news feeds to see if Deseret has received any recent news regarding St. Brendan.

Einar, in the midst of planning, volunteers for a shift on the vessel as well.

 Reggie heads into the station to check out a couple bars, to see if he can pick up any gossip about  St. Brendans. He would only be gone for an hour or so, not enough time, really. But he took his job as security to heart.

 He had on him a comm device, and armed with a gravity baton in a pocket. Reggie did not expect any trouble, but one never really knew.

When Horace gets a chance to go ashore, he looks for a place that sales leaf products, wanting a case of cigars, and then a case of brandy for the ship. Comfort items that he can share.

The station's docking arms spread out from the habitat rings like long geometrical tree trunks, splitting and splitting again, so that docking ships are safely separated. The various branches converge into a main axis which becomes the hub of the rings.  The axis is a tube, several levels thick.  Two levels have artificial gravity, and one of these, the Concourse, is for the coming and going of passengers and crew.

It looks a lot like an airport concourse- lounges, information displays, some shops, people coming and going.

There are people who have gotten off the ship that arrived ahead of you, more getting on the ship preparing to depart, but on the whole it's not crowded at all.

And of course, except for whomever is still watching the ship, you see each other, because it's not that big a place, and not that crowded.

As for news, one thing you learn here is that Sarah Julis is leaving you.  But... she has arranged to transfer her shares in the ship to a family member, Dominique, who will meet your ship here.

Another, less personal bit of news:  you quickly learn an explanation for the lack of small ships.  The independent ships, the ones that have choice in their travels like you do, took off for a world on the Rimward Frontier, beyond St Brendan but in the same direction.
Here there is a small dim red star, not even worthy of a name yet, and known as "LDMLT01".  There is a planet orbiting it, one that could perhaps support human life if it had enough oxygen.  It doesn't, but it does have water, and a reasonable atmosphere, and about three quarters of Earth's gravity.  It is nameless, but has something of very recent interest.

The "Crossers" are aliens, and although they look a lot like bipedal carnivorous dinosaurs, they are closer than most aliens to human biology and psychology.  They are nomads, travelling in gigantic "Home Ships" and when they arrive in Human space they trade furiously to replenish stocks of whatever they need and want.

All of the small ships have made a made rush for LDMLT01, taking on whatever cargo they think they can sell to the aliens.

But... one of the Crossers is here.  In a restaurant, eating cheeseburgers, responding to Florence's passenger request listing.  Before a Crosser ship arrives they send out scouts, often a few years ahead, and some of them do not have their own ships- they are dropped off by small Crosser scout craft and tasked with intermixing and learning, before the Home Ship arrives.  These are called Explorers**.  This one is stuck, it was intending to hire a ride out to LDMLT01 but the Humans were overeager and all took off before the Explorer arrived.  Now... well, at least St. Brendan is in the right direction.  Perhaps it could find a ride from there?

Horace finds his brandy and cigars nearby.  Cigars are a tricky commodity to find in any large quantity.  Especially in systems (like this one) where tobacco use of any kind is not common.  Horace can find a few small boxes in a gift shop.  These are from Calderada, one of the very few worlds to grow Tobacco.  Brandy is easier to come by.

**In English.  The Crosser languages sound like deep but somewhat musical growls, but they use translator programs that render their words into Human languages and vice versa.   No one is really sure if all the words match up correctly, but Explorer is what gets attached to "Crosser who travels around Human Space, learning about us, before a Home Ship arrives and then reports back to that ship".

When Einar took his shift, he set up in the concourse with a view to the Pelicans  access corridor. Much like an airport z it had some moderately comfortable row seating, a low table and was just off the main walkway with some frequent foot traffic. The little partition walls at least provided them a section to conduct business, in this case, interviews.

Dressed in his new coat, a form fitting gray shirt and some faded blue work pants, he sat with one leg crossed over the other, a tablet in one hand as he browsed the replies they had received so far.

The "Crosser" was a surprise, but Einar was interested, and sympathetic with the things efforts to get back home. He also wanted to hear about their "Home Ships", a concept, that as he did a little cursory research about them, seemed very interesting. He replied to the request, and suggested a face to face meeting in the concourse, but CC'd the crew with an invite as well in any anybody else wanted to be present or had comments or concerns.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:45, Fri 10 Jan 2020.

This message was deleted by the player at 18:59, Tue 14 Jan 2020.

Horace came back to the ship with his precious cigars and even more precious brandy. He waved at Einar on his way to stow his booty, Precious cargo captain, perhaps a cigar and brandy later on to celebrate! Luxuries!"

OOC - Sarah quit?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:53, Sun 12 Jan 2020.

Einar gave a slight wave and a glance, then did a double take and broke into a broad toothy grin.

"Well hey now..." he chuckled. "I knew we were comin' up in life, but you're not messing around."

He took a closer look at the brandy and whistled low. "Bet that's smooth as silk. You know, I had never had a taste of brandy until just a few years ago. It was all cheap vodka and some of the home made stuff. Was just, real serious about saving money, ya know."  He looked almost nostalgic "Kind of get into a rythm where you don't buy much."

"Very true, A nice cigar and a brandy are serious luxuries, we need them once in a while. Any takers for passage or to fill crew openings now that Florence is leaving? It's a real shame, she had potential."

"Maybe a few" he hefted his tablet slightly. "It's her call." He shrugged. "A lot of folks aren't cut out for this, ship life." He looked fondly back towards the ship. "When I was comin up, we were poor of course, I mean...we were just grateful to have work. Any work. My parents and I." he let out a long, slow exhalation. "So when you've got somebody, probably from a well off background, entitled" he smirked "Comes in and starts expecting special treatment. Folks who've never had to work for it. It grates on you, ya know?"

He chuckled again. "Scut work may suck, but it builds humility. Teaches you a little about how things work. At least that's been my experience. But we were all young once I guess. Had to start somewhere"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:23, Sun 12 Jan 2020.

Horace nods, "I'll sit in on interviews if you wish, or leave them to you. Your choice."

"No, no. I'd like you here. I'd like everyone here if we can manage it." Einar encouraged the man.

"Recruitment is one of those things...we're all gonna be breathing the same air and workin' shoulder to shoulder. If someone has an issue, for whatever reason, it's best to know about it first thing. Saves trouble I've found." he sighed again.

"Only takes one to throw everything off."

"Sadly yes, you're right."

Several things are happening, here and there, all at once...  it's a busy little montage scene.


First, Sarah and Dominique discuss things.

Sarah has discovered sudden, recent, "other obligations" and realizes she cannot continue on the journey.  It might be related to her academic work.  As a result, she opted to transfer her interest in the ship to a relative.  Keep it in the family.

Dominique cannot afford all of it, not just yet, so Sarah is still a minor silent partner!  She won't get a salary, but is entitled to a share in the company.

She explains the who's who on the small ship, but given that it's only just started, she can't say a lot.

"I think a lot of things still have to fall into place," she says.  "The others are pretty technically skilled but I think what's missing is a People Person.  There has to be one, you know.  They might be the brains of the ship, but it needs a heart too if it's going to make it.  Someone has to file the rough edges down."

She sets up a meeting for Dominique and others, on the ship, to bring everyone together.

*** *** *** ***

Einar does Captain Things.  There are a few of them.  There is refueling to arrange- exotic Heavy Helium which makes wonderful fusion reactor fuel.  A small tank of it will keep the lights on in a city for a year, but starships drink a lot.

He looks around in local Positions Wanted lists for potential crew, but just when the small ships scrambled out of Deseret, they seem to have taken all the good talent with them.  The remnants seem... problematic.

Outgoing passengers, though, yes.  Aside from the alien, whom Florence is talking to, there are a few who.  There are several journalists who want to go, for the same reason as the alien- get closer to the Crosser ship, even if the Albatross is going all the way there.  There are business travelers, about a dozen, who need passage because many companies on Deseret do have regular business on St. Brendan.  This is normal- St. Brendan is the Next World Over, and so there's a lot of back and forth.  And there are travelers from St. Brendan, tourists and students, looking to go home.  Einar can easily fill up the ship if he wants.

From one of the journalists, a peculiar message:  "If you're taking the Crosser, I want to go to.  I'll pay High Passage for anything."

** *** ** ** ** **

Finally, we have Florence and the Crosser.  She goes to meet the alien in the restaurant, the Cafe Americain (Actually a successful chain with over 5,000 locations in the 100 worlds, especially in orbital stations) where the alien is enjoying a cheeseburger.

"Humans are very skilled in the preparation of food," the Crosser observer, with the Translator rendering the growls, something like a cross between trombone and idling diesel engine, into English.  "Different kinds of meat and plant, prepared in different ways, then combined so that each lends its own specific attributes to the whole.  I am happy that we Crossers are close enough inside to appreciate this, and not be poisoned by it."

Fewer than half the known alien species can digest Human food.

The Crosser introduces itself when Florence arrives. "Call me Marlo."

Crosser names, like Human names, can often be translated.  But since the connection between the name and the meaning of the name has been long lost, just as in Humans (how many people named Phillip really want to introduce themselves as Likes Horses?) they generally pick one arbitrarily.   Being fairly well educated about these things, Florence knows this is common.      A Crosser who chooses a "gender ambiguous" name currently does not have a gender.  Crossers take on genders only when they feel the need.

Marlo sees the request for transport as a very simple thing:  "You have a ship going to St. Brendan.  It is not as far as I wish, but I hope to get another ship, then.  None are left here.  Do not worry, I know how to travel on a Human ship.  I have been among Humans for two years now.  I am not a problem, and I like your food."

"Hello I'm Florence, I'm from the ship going to St. Brendan." Florence smiled welcomingly. "Marlo it is then." She nodded, then explained. "I'm not making any decision, just being the point of preliminary contact, to explain a few things. Though I suppose it won't be an issue with you considering you already have experience with such things. After that if it's alright with you, I'll introduce you to the rest of the crew."

She waited for a second to let Marlo agree, then continued. "So, our ship is primarily a trade ship, not a passengers one. We do have available staterooms for passengers, but it won't be first class. And I'm afraid that we won't be able to serve luxury food at the moment. Not regularly anyway. Other than that, since you've already traveled quite a bit in human ships, I suppose you know the regulations such as staying out of the engine room, cargo area and bridge unless accompanied by a member of the crew and all that."

She taped her lips for a second, then added. "I can guarantee we'll be going to St. Brendan, as we already have a contract to go there, and I don't see any particular difficulty of you joining us for that trip, though once more, I'm not involved in the decision process. Further than that…" She shrugged. "I can't promise anything." She paused briefly, cocked her head to the side for a second, then added. "That being said, we do not have plans for after that. So, if we found a worthy opportunity to go where you want, like for example, if you helped us identify something that your fleet would be really glad to have and that we could find at a good price on St. Brendan…" Before he could answer, she held a hand up. "Understand again that I'm in no position to promise you anything. Just informing you that there might be an opportunity for you to get what you need from us and vice versa." There were a lot of ships going to meet the Crossers', but… how many of them could say they had a Crosser on board? How many of them had asked a Crosser what they'd need or want? Furthermore, with a Crosser on board, they'd likely be given preferential treatment. Though of course all that depended on the crew so she probably was doing all that for nothing. At least she wouldn't be accused of doing nothing: if they couldn't grasp such opportunities, there wasn't anything she could do. Or wanted to do for that matter.

"If that's something you think could work, we can take a few minutes to go over what I know of St. Brendan's exports to see if we can find something to work with? Oh and…" She glanced at the translator. "Can I ask you to switch off the Crosser to English part of the translator? I know a bit of your language and I'd like to test if it's enough. Do you mind?"

 Since Reggie seemed to have crapped out on picking up any gossip on their destination, he headed back for the ship and his turn at watching the stores.

"Welcome back to the ship Mister Gain, any luck at finding what you were looking for?"