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01:43, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 1300.

Posted by Traveller RefereeFor group 0
Shui Tiesi
player, 1351 posts
Quiet doctor,
helpful Steward.
Mon 22 Jul 2013
at 11:44
  • msg #60

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:20

Shui listens in on the jocular chatter with half an ear, a faint smile chasing itself around her lips.  Inside, though, her stomach has tightened into a knot.  Regardless of their ridiculous weaponry, the local criminals have proven themselves vicious and powerful enough to attempt blatent, broad-daylight murder on people who do not go along with their demands.  All this failure means is that next time they will know better.  The next crew of the next ship might find themselves facing not an unguided anti-tank rocket, but an ambush and hostage situation.  The problem has not be solved; it has merely ceased to be an issue for the Profit Margin and Ore Hound.

She knows what her father would advise, but she can't.

With a long sigh, she thumbs the holoswitch on her dataglove.  + I take it, Captain, that dinner will have to wait? + the Steward inquires with dry humor.  Nobody has been injured, after all.
Ash Tescali
player, 388 posts
Traveling through J-space
isn't like dusting crops
Mon 22 Jul 2013
at 17:01
  • msg #61

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:20

Ash is mostly quiet as the Profit Margin makes its way into shallow orbit along with the Ore Hound.  With all of the talk about leaving 'gifts' for the local thugs or bugging out as is, it all seems to him to be the lesser of two evils.  If the thugs remain in power , the crew of both ships will be marked.  If they were to actually 'deal with' the underworld element, someone else is likely to fill the gap on such a lawless planet.  And the local authorities no matter what will not take that kindly to the violence.  And once again, as the instigators - the crews of both ships may not be well received, necessarily.

Of course, perhaps it will be a very long time (if ever) that they return.  But no matter what, he merely chimes in with a touch of resignation in his voice over the comm channel, "Hmmm... while it is not necessarily a bad thing, I suspect that we won't be welcome back on Rangent any time soon..."  Of course, that could be taken as an endorsement for either side of the argument.
Jago Lanza
player, 553 posts
Wed 24 Jul 2013
at 10:15
  • msg #62

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:20


“Hold that thought Shui, let me check with our guests,” Jago replies to the doctor with a chuckle in his voice.

“Jockram, if you guys can get over here, that dinner invitation still stands, we can dock* or something if it helps.”

He then makes a general announcement, “OK people, sorry for the disturbance but the excitement is over for the moment however, we are not done with this planet yet, I still have a cargo and a deep frozen passenger to deliver. I’ll be in the passenger lounge in ten minuets or so and fill you in on all the details.”

Finally returning to type, Jago sets up a link with his planet bound contacts.


OOC
*By ‘dock’ I only mean link the two ships together by tractor beam or lines.


Traveller Referee
GM, 851 posts
In space nobody can hear
you swearing at me.
Wed 24 Jul 2013
at 11:58
  • msg #63

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

"Orbit will last a month or two before it needs adjusting, so shouldn't need to dock to stay close during dinner." Jockram replies, "Ships are a touch under twenty metres apart.  Even I can walk that far, and I hardly ever leave my chair since I hired a couple of monkeys to do all my EVA.  We've got suits, so if you just want to switch on the marker beacon so we can find your lock, we'd be glad to come over."

At his fire control station, Tylen soon locates the small dome, and sets up the targeting computer to automatically locate it again, and maintain a lock on it, every time the ships have a clear line of sight to it.  He passes the solution over to Yas, just so she can see he hasn't been lounging about with his feet on the console.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:00, Sat 27 July 2013.
Yasmine Crow
player, 1056 posts
Gunner and ex marine
''Fire at Will!''
Fri 26 Jul 2013
at 11:44
  • msg #64

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

"I still think we should pay them a visit, in person.  Or me, at least.  I have a way with words, I could sweet talk them, if I dress up nicely," Yas calls out from her spot, figuring if they brought their heavy weapons to bare on the Margin her suit should be just fine against their remaining ones.

"Bloody bandits.  Should be taught a lesson," she mutters quietly to herself.  Praying on the weak, despicable.  Margin was no match for them, but they did not live down there, unlike the woman they dropped off at this "lovely resort planet".

"Either that or we blast them from orbit!" she calls out again.  "We can find out what they got in that dome, one way or another!"
Tylen Orgesh
player, 886 posts
Darrian--Former Scout
Age: 34
Fri 26 Jul 2013
at 16:19
  • msg #65

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

"Give them five minutes warning, and then zap it...."  Tylen adds his  thoughts to the conversation.  "That is way better chances than they gave us." he add.

Then he adds, "Perhaps with Yas waiting outside their dome, all dressed up in her best gear ...." and this time you can hear a bit of a grin buried in the comment.
Ash Tescali
player, 389 posts
Traveling through J-space
isn't like dusting crops
Sun 28 Jul 2013
at 07:11
  • msg #66

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

"Skies around us are clear, Captain." Ash notes dutifully, as he tracks the orbits of both the Ore Hound and Profit Margin together on the main tactical screen, "We have only a single ship other than us within a million clicks of the planet.  And it is refueling."

He has little to contribute to the bravado and banter on the crew channel, he knows that he feels far less certain than either Tylen or Yasmine appear to be.  So, the thin navigator keeps quiet, letting the lights of the display illuminate his face in the darkened bridge as he carries out the rather mundane duties of monitoring the various ships' systems.  Even though he knows that Saskia is on it (and much more knowledgeable and diligent about it), old habits die hard.

"Do you want me to switch on the beacon and then suit up to meet the Ore Hound's crew at the lock?" he prompts Jago.  Standard protocol with either Imperial service that Ash had previous dealings with would have placed at least one crew member in a ready state in case of an emergency.  In case any part of a space walk went bad for whatever readon.  And even though twenty metres wasn't very far, untethered EVA was never something that should be considered routine or simple, by any stretch of the imagination.  One misstep, one ill-timed movement, misjudged action, or plain bad luck and one could find oneself floating alone in the Deep Black forever...
Shui Tiesi
player, 1352 posts
Quiet doctor,
helpful Steward.
Mon 29 Jul 2013
at 11:33
  • msg #67

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

Shui chooses to wait patiently in the lounge.  So far, so good, trouble averted...but they have to return to the planet, where the people who launched missiles their way still wait.  And worse; leave the ship.  That won't make things easy at all.

She should check the weapons rating of the world 'below' them.  She really should.  But right now, she's busy making coffee for the people coming to palaver.  And cocoa, of course.

At least it doesn't sound like they'll be having guests for that discussion; she doesn't have anything prepared.

As she works, the steward thumbs a holoswitch on her glove, patching into the intercoms for the passengers.  + Attention.  The current crisis has been managed without difficulty.  However, it might be best if passengers remain in their quarters for the moment, unless specifically requested by Captain Lanza. +  The steward frowns.  + Refreshments, of course, will be made available as soon as possible. +

Given the circumstances, she feels she might have some leeway.
Traveller Referee
GM, 852 posts
In space nobody can hear
you swearing at me.
Tue 30 Jul 2013
at 16:35
  • msg #68

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

Jago does his best to igmore the conversations around him, as he continues his own discussions with the local trade factors.  He does, however, take a moment to tell Ash that there's no need to gp and meet Ore Hound's crew just yet - there's still more than 24 hours until the dinner party, closer to 30, in fact, and Shui probably hasn't even started preparing the meal yet...

The passengers report into Shui, in response to her message.  All is well with them, and they have, according to Corlan, found something interesting to watch on the cabin walls.

Yas and Tylen continue their own conversation, which seems to revolve around the fact that revenge is a dish best served piping hot (while everybody can still remember exactly why you're annoyed).

In Engineering, Saskia secures the ship's systems in standby mode, except for armaments, which she keeps running hot and ready for immediate action.  Lights in unoccupied portions of the ship ramp up to full strength again...
Jago Lanza
player, 554 posts
Wed 31 Jul 2013
at 23:14
  • msg #69

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30


Jago finally closes his comm channels and leans back in his chair but then seems a little surprised when he realises that Yasmin and Tylen are still at the weapons stations.

“OK, stand down everybody, the excitement is over,” he announces, “I’ll be in the passenger lounge, updating our guests, if anyone else wants an update, feel free to join us. Dinner is still on by the way, we can’t let a little bandit activity spoil the social event of the decade.”

“You can you set the scanners to automatic Ash, we should be OK up here.”

Yasmine Crow
player, 1057 posts
Gunner and ex marine
''Fire at Will!''
Thu 1 Aug 2013
at 06:36
  • msg #70

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

"Jago," Yas says and exits her little hidey-hole, quickly closing the distance to him before he can get away.  "I think we should do something about these bandits.  As it stands, they won't stop doing this in the future, but probably change their tactics.  Perhaps attack the crew of ships to hold hostage or something.  Yeah, yeah, not our business, we're never coming back, I know, I know.  And we can't save the whole planet, it's corrupted, but... something?"

Evidently something is bothering the chief of security.
Ash Tescali
player, 390 posts
Traveling through J-space
isn't like dusting crops
Thu 1 Aug 2013
at 06:59
  • msg #71

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

"Roger, Boss." agreed Ash and he followed orders, setting up the various alerts both audible and visual and then locking his console station.  He pops the clasp to his five-point harness.  Standing to stretch for a moment, the thin navigator of the Profit Margin then grabbed his coffee cup and headed towards the crew lounge.  Ostensibly, to grab another cup of joe...
Shui Tiesi
player, 1353 posts
Quiet doctor,
helpful Steward.
Thu 1 Aug 2013
at 13:46
  • msg #72

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

+ Certainly, Captain Lanza. + Shui opens up communication to the passengers.  + Lady and gentlemen, the situation is resolved.  You may now exit your quarters.  Captain Lanza will be in the lounge and is prepared to answer inquiries, and there will be refreshments.  The communal dinner will still be held at the agreed-upon time. +

And she's short proper refreshments, curse it.

Mulling this problem over, Shui commences to prepare snacks for Jago and whomever chooses to join him.  Healthy ones, of course.
Saskia Blake
player, 464 posts
I'm going to need a
much bigger hammer.
Sat 3 Aug 2013
at 22:16
  • msg #73

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

"Jago, Ash?  Everything's secured for station keeping.  I've cut back the power to all systems except weapons and the computer, to reduce our signature, so we can still see and throw stuff at people.  I can give you thrust immediately if you need it.  I'll stay on watch here.  It's the most comfortable seat on the ship." Saskia reports.
Tylen Orgesh
player, 887 posts
Darrian--Former Scout
Age: 34
Sat 3 Aug 2013
at 22:30
  • msg #74

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

Tylen has one last check across the turret control board, then makes his way across to the crew lounge.  Leaning casually against the wall, he waits for Jago's update.
Traveller Referee
GM, 853 posts
In space nobody can hear
you swearing at me.
Sun 4 Aug 2013
at 18:49
  • msg #75

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

Jago starts towards the Passenger Lounge to update Corlan and the others on thgeir current situation.  He doesn't get far before Yas intercepts him - his path, unfortunately, taking him right in front of the gunnery alcoves.  Jago keeps walking, with the Security Chief in tow, straight past Tylen who managed to beat them both to the Crew Lounge.

Shui's announcement to the passengers is met with thanks, and the almost inevitable questions from Keryn - "What happened?  Was there a fight?  I thought there would be more to see?"

Saskia's work in Engineering shows up on the Bridge, as instruments show parts of the ship powering down to leave sensors, comms and environmental subsystems as the only things at full power on Ash's board.  Everything else is running still, but in minimal energy-saving mode, which also happens to make the ship hard to spot with passive sensors.

Not that anything on Rangent would be likely to spot her if she flew low across the ice at full thrust, with all weapons firing, and Jago mooning from the airlock...
Jago Lanza
player, 555 posts
Sun 4 Aug 2013
at 21:07
  • msg #76

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30


“I’ve got something in mind for those guys,” Jago assures Yasmin as he heads on into the passenger lounge and grabs himself a mug of coffee.

Once everyone has settled and availed themselves of Shui’s most excellent hospitality, the Captain apologies to the passengers for the sudden departure and explains the reason for it.

“I’d hoped to make a tidy profit on some medicines I’d bought over from Denotam, there were traders falling over each other to get their hands on it and I’d set up an auction to take advantage. Unfortunately there is a criminal element here who decided I would sell to them, the other traders were scared off and I was ‘informed’ with veiled threats, that they would buy the stuff. Though the money they suggested was not unreasonable, I didn’t like their methods and have doubts as to whether I actually get paid so I decided to continue negotiations from orbit. I’m pleased to say that the Ore Hound chose to assist us in the escape and has joined us in orbit, so, we can go ahead with our planed dinner. Did you manage to get the supplies you needed Shui?”

Tylen Orgesh
player, 888 posts
Darrian--Former Scout
Age: 34
Sun 4 Aug 2013
at 21:15
  • msg #77

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

"Ash and I got the important stuff ... mead, beer and some spirits! Tylen chips in enthusiastically from his position lounging against a wall.

"Mind you, I think I will give the so-called spirits a miss.  Probably some sort of industrial alcohol with dodgy flavourings added to try and make it palatable." he adds conspiratorially,
This message was last edited by the player at 21:15, Sun 04 Aug 2013.
Traveller Referee
GM, 854 posts
In space nobody can hear
you swearing at me.
Tue 6 Aug 2013
at 12:55
  • msg #78

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

"Well... I think I'll be putting Rangent on my list of places that I shan't be recommending to my friends in future." Corlan says, after Jago finishes his explanation, "I would like to thank you, Captain Lanza, and your crew, for putting the safety of your passengers first.  And for carrying us safely out of what seems to have been a somewhat unpleasant situation."

"Yes, thank you." Keryn adds, before moving on to other matters, "Were we in danger?  Did they shoot at us or something?  Did we shoot back?"  Her tone holds more excitement than concern.

Eneris rolls his eyes and shakes his head at the young woman's enthusiastic questions, before giving his own thanks, though it isn't clear whether it's for the safe journey out of danger, or for the coffee and sandwiches Shui has provided.  Probably both. 

"We can see Ore Hound... look."  Keryn operates the console on the table next to her, and the walls of the lounge light up with a view of surrounding space, relayed from Profit Margin's passive sensors.  Ore Hound fills most of one wall, with Rangent's ice and cloud cover shining brilliantly in the background...


This message was last edited by the GM at 21:12, Sat 10 Aug 2013.
Shui Tiesi
player, 1354 posts
Quiet doctor,
helpful Steward.
Tue 6 Aug 2013
at 18:37
  • msg #79

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

"Mr. Orgesh, you are a lifesaver, and Mr. Tescali as well." Shui touches his arm, pleased.  "We can do without wine.  I checked, and there was...nothing of value.  I must put in a stock, here, when next we find a favourable port."

A shadow crosses her face. "More favourable than here, in any case."

"Ms. Taylor, Captain Lanza can most certainly answer your questions regarding shooting of things."  Shui gives a little bow to the captain. "He is in better possession of the details than myself, to be sure.  As for your question, captain, I have sufficient supplies to do decently at this meal.  It isn't quite what I would prefer for guests, given the paucity of decent food and drink on this planet, but it will do."

Already she's drawing up plans for a very, very small wine 'celler' unit.  Something with minimal power requirements, so as not to irk Saskia.
Jago Lanza
player, 556 posts
Tue 6 Aug 2013
at 20:23
  • msg #80

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30


“Thank you Shui. They did shoot at us Keryn, though I don’t think their weapons posed much of a thread, non the less we took evasive action and launched defensive sand screens. I didn’t return fire, ship board weapons seemed an inappropriately heavy response under the circumstances, but the Ore Hound scared the hell out of them with its mining laser on low power.” Jago chuckles, “no doubt they will tell you all about that at dinner tomorrow.”

“I’ve made arrangements to split the medicines between the three interested parties, which wipes out most of my profit but at least it will put the bad guys nose out of joint and give the legit traders a concerted front. Unfortunately the packaging is such that I have half a tone left over and I thought I might donate it to some worthy cause, though finding one might be a little problematic.”

“Any way, we are safe enough up here for a while. Once we are organised we’ll return to the surface to deliver the goods and release our extra passenger and maybe, leave a little surprise for the thugs down there. I really don’t want to hurt anyone but I believe we may be able to empty our effluent tanks over their dome before we leave.”

This message was last edited by the player at 20:27, Tue 06 Aug 2013.
Yasmine Crow
player, 1058 posts
Gunner and ex marine
''Fire at Will!''
Wed 7 Aug 2013
at 14:44
  • msg #81

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

"At best their weapon would have made minor dents and forced us to clean the paintwork later.  They would have made a bigger mess out of Margin with eggs, more cleaning to do," Yas adds to the assessment, focusing on Keryn as she speaks.  "It's like, uh, primitives going up against antigrav tanks, in case you've seen such videos.  I know some who did, back in the Corps," she adds, the last part with a grin.  "Or, hmm, swords and arrows against alien invaders with force fields, that kind of stuff."

"That's all?  Dump our crap on them?  Let me at least take a walk to their front door first and leave a 'with love from' note, eh?"
she complains when she hears Jago's plan for steaming hot vengeance, even if it was her idea.  "Something to let them know attacking anyone in the future is a bad idea.  It's what they would do in those vids, right, Keryn?"
Keryn Taylor
NPC, 17 posts
A girl in trouble
and in need of help.
Sat 10 Aug 2013
at 21:45
  • msg #82

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

Keryn pays close attention to the description of the "battle", nodding at each of the salient points as they are expounded.  "That was very interesting.  Thank you.  I'll be sure to ask the crew of Ore Hound about their part in the affair when I see them.  And yes, I think it would be right to let these frelling drannits know that picking fights with visitors is unfriendly."  Clearly she has picked up some interesting new vocabulary from Saskia during her time aboard Profit Margin.

Well, they say that travel broadens the mind...

Grinning at Keryn's colourful turn of phrase, Eneris raises his hand, "Captain?  You say we'll be going back down there?  Would we be landing at the same place, or moving to a different... er... well, I suppose, technically, it is a port?  Or is the landing site still undecided?"

If Corlan has any questions, he seems content to hold them until his travelling companions have had theirs answered.
Tylen Orgesh
player, 889 posts
Darrian--Former Scout
Age: 34
Sun 11 Aug 2013
at 07:24
  • msg #83

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

Tylen grins, and then preens slightly, as Shui describes him as a life saver – but he settles back and listens to Jago’s explanation of the fight, and the way that Yas plays it down, with a faint smile.  After all, those guys were out there loading up those rockets while Shui was out there.  Had The Margin been caught on the ground it might have been a different matter.  A missile into the hold, through the loading ramp, could well have left them planet bound.

In those circumstances Tylen has no concerns about leaving a much bigger calling card than the contents of the effluent tank.

When Eneris asks about the landing spot, Tylan can’t help grinning much more broadly.  ”How about just outside their dome?”  he suggests.  ”That way Yas and I can keep a couple of decent sized weapons trained on them while you do the deal?”
Yasmine Crow
player, 1059 posts
Gunner and ex marine
''Fire at Will!''
Sun 11 Aug 2013
at 09:58
  • msg #84

Re:Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 286-1107 13:30

"Keryn.  You have spent too much time with Sassy.  Don't talk like that, you must set an example for your kid, remember?" Yas mock scolds Keryn, even if she do mean it.

"As for landing there, as much fun as it would be, I doubt we would get any customer then, Ty.  After all, small arms fire or arrows can kill you if you're not in a tank or behind a force field, and that's what our customers would be upon arrival," she says with a shake of her head, making her hair slowly wobble as it lags behind a split second.
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