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06:25, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:00.

Posted by Traveller RefereeFor group 0
Traveller Referee
GM, 864 posts
In space nobody can hear
you swearing at me.
Tue 8 Oct 2013
at 13:42
  • msg #49

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:45

Profit Margin descends towards the appointed landing spot, and there is a faint, almost imperceptible flickering in the air.  Sensors spot it thogh, and trace the source - a laser, set to low frequency visible light,  flicking between six points in three distinct areas on the frozen surface of the planet...

The ship touches down, angled to present the side of the hull to the parked vehicle, and only a handful of metres away from it, as faint wisps of steam start to rise from the laser targeted areas.  The belly turret swivels, bringing weapos with ranges measured in thousands of kilometres to bear on a target that's almost within arm's reach.

The ramp drops with a screech like a wounded beast, and Yas is on the ice even before it's fully open.  Armoured and armed.

There is yelling from the perimeter of the LZ, and six men hurriedly extricate themselves from a tangled mess of blankets, now soaked with meltwater, and attempt to get out of a slushy morass of partly melted ices, as the laser intecsifies and flash boils the melting ice only a metre from each of them...
Tylen Orgesh
player, 902 posts
Darrian--Former Scout
Age: 34
Tue 8 Oct 2013
at 16:51
  • msg #50

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:45

As the ship descends Tylen concentrates on his sensors, knowing that his weapon systems will track the targets they have already been given.  While he doesn't expect there to be any other threats, it is always good to be prepared.  However, by the time they are down and Jockram warms up the ice around the targets, he is concentrating on the local situation again.

"Two in the crawler, Yas." he reports  as soon as he has a decent view.  "One appears armed the other might be unconscious." he continues giving as full a feedback as he can.

He can't stop himself laughing as the six men start their own little dance, but he still maintains a watch for weapons capable of damaging the ship.
Yasmine Crow
player, 1073 posts
Gunner and ex marine
''Fire at Will!''
Wed 9 Oct 2013
at 07:05
  • msg #51

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:45

"SURRENDER PEACEFULLY NOW, THIS IS YOUR ONLY WARNING!  YOU IN THE CRAWLER, YOU HAVE SEEN WHAT WE CAN DO!  IF YOU WISH TO LIVE, DROP YOUR GUN AND STEP OUT OF THE VEHICLE!  THIS IS NOT WORTH DYING OVER!"

Yasmine Crow has turned the loudspeaker up high and begins a slow but steady walk towards the crawler, allowing the soaked hostiles a chance to realise what she just said and the fact that she completely ignores them.  She hopes they will take the hint that they pose no threat and surrender before anyone has to get hurt.

The one in the crawler with the hostage, or so she suspect it to be the case, have to be shocked and awed into submission before doing something fatal for both occupants.

"Yup, that's my take on it too, Ty, thanks for the info," she reports over the crew comm.  "Be ready to melt some ice around the wet blankets whose party we just crashed if they didn't get the message yet, but if possible let's try to do this without casualties."

She continues towards the crawler, wishing she had all the hardware inside that the military spec suits had.  Come on now, make the only sensible choice, she thinks, hoping the hostile in the crawler will have enough common sense.
Shui Tiesi
player, 1367 posts
Quiet doctor,
helpful Steward.
Wed 9 Oct 2013
at 11:24
  • msg #52

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:45

She's running out of time, and Jago is far, far too busy.  Shui doesn't bother dithering further; instead, she switches her dataglove to page Eneris' quarters.  + Mr. Armusezash, please come to the Lower Berths.  A situation has arisen, and your assistance is requested. +

It's either that or bug Saskia, and she assumes the engineer probably has more important things to do right now.  Like ensure the ship is working perfectly so if trouble rears its head, they can deal with it.
Traveller Referee
GM, 865 posts
In space nobody can hear
you swearing at me.
Wed 9 Oct 2013
at 12:53
  • msg #53

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:45

And with impeccable timing, Jago finds a moment to contact Shui, "Negative on that, Shui.  You won't be leaving the ship until Yas pronounces it safe out there, at which point somebody else will be able to look after sleeping beauty.  No need to put one of our passengers at risk."

"Besides, I'm hoping to be well away from here before he wakes up."


Eneris replies to Shui's call, "Are you sure it's me you want?  I don't know anything about Low Berths."

Outside, the door on the far side of the crawler pops open, and a hand emerges, slowly and carefully, and places a pistol on the roof, then the door opens wider, and the owner of the weapon steps out with his hands held out to the sides, and above shoulder height.

The other figure doesn't move.
Shui Tiesi
player, 1368 posts
Quiet doctor,
helpful Steward.
Wed 9 Oct 2013
at 13:58
  • msg #54

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:45

+ Understood, Captain Lanza, + Shui replies, struggling to keep her tone from growing dull.  She does understand - it's not just a politeness - but there's someone out there potentially injured.  Possibly dying.  And she's the best possible person to deal with that particular situation, much as Yasmine is the best to deal with the surrounding issues.

For a long moment she studies the low berth in front of her, and options flash through her mind like code through a machine.

Sickened, she turns away, putting a hand over her mouth, just as Eneris replies.  Shui closes her eyes for a long moment, struggling to set aside her former training, and breathes deeply before answering.  When she does speak, she keeps her tone light and apologetic.  + Mr. Armusezash, my thanks for your reply.  As it turns out, Captain Lanza has dealt with the issue.  My apologies for disturbing you unnecessarily.  I shall explain later. +

She could ask for Eneris to join her anyway, as an additional check against a weakened Othati-Fenn acting up; that would allow the Profit Margin's security to focus completely on the more pressing issue.  But Jago makes a good point about putting a passenger in danger, whatever Eneris' qualifications.  The situation doesn't warrent such an emergency; Shui is relatively certain she can keep a young man just out of coldsleep from getting into any trouble.
Yasmine Crow
player, 1074 posts
Gunner and ex marine
''Fire at Will!''
Wed 9 Oct 2013
at 14:52
  • msg #55

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:45

"STEP OUT OF AND AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND KNEEL DOWN WITH YOUR HAND ON TOP OF YOUR HEAD!  THE REST OF YOU TOO, NEXT TO ONE ANOTHER!"

"All right, Ty, if they comply, come on out and help secure them, then we'll check on our envoy.  Just in case they are playing still, doubtful as it is."

"Did you copy that, Doc?  Once we have secured the area you can come, not before.


Staying all professional, since it not a time to play around, Yas keeps her ACR trained at the man emerging from the crawler, still ignoring the others as far as they know.

"IS HE ALIVE?"  The rifle ought to underline who it is addressed to, she figures.
Ash Tescali
player, 404 posts
Traveling through J-space
isn't like dusting crops
Wed 9 Oct 2013
at 16:10
  • msg #56

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:45

"Lone figure in the crawler is not moving at all, but is generating heat, Chief." Ash chirps into the common crew link for everyone to hear, "Likely still alive.".  The implication being from his standpoint that the figure is likely unconscious and doesn't appear to be bleeding out at this point.  He knows that Shui (from a medical standpoint) and Tylen (from a back-up tactical standpoint) immediately need that information, and that it helps for everyone else on the crew to be on the same page.

Otherwise, Ash keeps his vigil on the multiple sensor feeds, both the visual and the infrared spectrum analyzers looking for anything unusual so that none of the Profit Margin's crew (himself included) is caught by surprise.  He takes a deep breath and nervously rubs the fingers of both hands across each other, barely noting the thin, slick sheen of perspiration on them.
Tylen Orgesh
player, 903 posts
Darrian--Former Scout
Age: 34
Wed 9 Oct 2013
at 16:59
  • msg #57

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:45

"Are you happy with that Jago?" the ex-scout asks "I need to get my suit and carbine if I am going out there." he adds by way of explanation.
Jago Lanza
player, 564 posts
Wed 9 Oct 2013
at 17:12
  • msg #58

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:45


“Yasmin knows best Tylen, stay put but do keep your eye on those other guys out there.”

Traveller Referee
GM, 866 posts
In space nobody can hear
you swearing at me.
Sat 12 Oct 2013
at 18:43
  • msg #59

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:45

The gunman follows Yas' instructions to the letter.  He walks a good ten metres away from the  crawler and drops, clumsily, to his knees.  TL 7 cold weather clothing is, apparently somewhat restrictive.  Once he is on his knees, and more stable, he interlaces his fingers, as best he can in a pair of gloves which leave only the thumb and index finger free, with the other three fingers on each hand  basically bound together.

Some of the thugs in the outlying portions of the ambush might not have heard Yas telling them what to do, though it's unlikely, given the impressive volume the suit's voder system can output.  In any case, once they've extricated themselves from the half-frozen remains of their hiding places, four of them make a dash for safety, in four different directions.

The remaining two clearly heard the orders, but misunderstood it.  They move just far enough to get clear of the pools of slush and then kneel down.  One of them (coincidentally the one closest to the general direction where Tylen's weapons are pointing) then thinks again and lays face down with his hand on the back of his head.
Yasmine Crow
player, 1075 posts
Gunner and ex marine
''Fire at Will!''
Sat 12 Oct 2013
at 18:57
  • msg #60

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:45

Yas sighs at the sight of two guys running and lifts her ACR to fire a few rounds well above their heads.  If they stop, good, if not, well, then they have to walk unless they got transportation stashed somewhere unless Jockram feels like melting them a bit more, so to speak.

The guns sprays several rounds into the air as she calls out, "STOP RUNNING AND DROP TO THE GROUND, NOW!"

"The guy in the crawler is sedated but unharmed,"
she reports over the crew comm.  "Could someone ask Jockram to make a couple of pools ahead of these runners, just to help them get the message?  Thanks."
Tylen Orgesh
player, 904 posts
Darrian--Former Scout
Age: 34
Sat 12 Oct 2013
at 19:51
  • msg #61

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:45

Tylen lets the turret swivel slightly, so the lasers point towards one of the men who are running away.

"You tell me when you want me, Yas." He says quietly on the crew comms channel.  "Just remember I need to get dressed before I come out there."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:52, Sat 12 Oct 2013.
Yasmine Crow
player, 1076 posts
Gunner and ex marine
''Fire at Will!''
Sat 12 Oct 2013
at 20:59
  • msg #62

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:45

"Once the situation settles.  Feel free to fire warning shots meanwhile," Yas replies to Tylen while she awaits more orbital magic to enthral the natives with.
Tylen Orgesh
player, 905 posts
Darrian--Former Scout
Age: 34
Sat 12 Oct 2013
at 21:43
  • msg #63

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:45

Tylen grins and lets the laser swing slightly so that it will score alongside the man he selected, reduces the output to a sensible level, makes sure that he is well away from everyone who has done as they are told, sights on an appropriate target  and fires a very short pulse of energy at it.  If nothing else it will be interesting to see the effect of such a large laser fired  almost along the ground.
Saskia Blake
player, 470 posts
I'm going to need a
much bigger hammer.
Tue 15 Oct 2013
at 00:57
  • msg #64

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:45

One of Saskia's monitors flickers, causing her momentary confusion as she tried to locate the cause of the minor power anomaly.  Then she realises that it isn't an anomaly.  Tylen has fired the laser at an output level that would barely toast bread, and the engineer isn't used to seeing the ship's power reserves used in quantities that don't involve the prefix "mega".

Saskia opens a direct link to the ventral turret's fire control, "Tylen, I think your confused dear.  Real ship weapons don't have frelling stun settings."
Jago Lanza
player, 565 posts
Tue 15 Oct 2013
at 09:52
  • msg #65

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:45


Jago relays Yasmin's message to Jockram but is otherwise content to just enjoy the show.

"How's our last passenger coming along Shui?" he asks over the intercom, "how long before he's moving about on his own?"

This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 10:57, Tue 15 Oct 2013.
Traveller Referee
GM, 867 posts
In space nobody can hear
you swearing at me.
Tue 15 Oct 2013
at 10:34
  • msg #66

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:47

Tylen opens fire, with the laser on minimal discharge for a fraction of a second.  Even so, given the range, the weapon still delivers more energy than the gunner's beloved laser carbine.  The shot misses all of the possible targets, as intended, and cuts into a snow bank, punching straight through in a cloud of steam.

The nearest runner throws himself flat, even as more pools of slush start appearing around the area, thanks to Jockram's efforts.  Even so, he keeps crawling.

Yaz's ACR fire, coupled with all of the other intimidating distractions causes another man to skid to a halt and turn with his hands above his head.  He is shaking visibly, with steam rising from a dark stain spreading down his trouser leg.

The two remaining runners clearly aren't stopping for anything.  Which might be a problem for them unless they change direction, because they are heading away from the nearest dome, and will soon be out of sight among the mounds of ice and snow.
Shui Tiesi
player, 1369 posts
Quiet doctor,
helpful Steward.
Tue 15 Oct 2013
at 12:44
  • msg #67

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:47

Shui checks her readouts...again...then goes back to watching the 'drama' through whatever sensors her dataglove can access.  + Eight minutes to pod opening, Captain Lanza.  After that point, it will be another five to fifteen before our passenger is fit to leave. +

She purses her lips thoughtfully.  + If the hostage is truthfully only sedated and there are no actual injuries, our people could bring him or her here, and I could deal with the issue in the Low Berths.  There are, after all, recovery bunks here.  But if there are actual toxins, I will need to take them for more comprehensive treatment. +
Ash Tescali
player, 405 posts
Traveling through J-space
isn't like dusting crops
Tue 15 Oct 2013
at 16:22
  • msg #68

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:47

Ash grimaces slightly as he watches the display of firepower.  "Chief, two are still up and running scared." he notes dutifully into the common crew channel, "Heading..." and he gives coordinates and vector paths to Yasmine and the others.  Then he adds with a touch of consternation in his voice, "Hmmm... they are headed straight into no man's land... no habitations or vehicles in that direction..."

There is a bit of a pregnant pause and when Ash speaks again the navigator's concern does seem to grow as he assesses their chances, "Appears they would rather freeze to death."  Even with audio only, the pursed lips and shake of the head is apparent, "Not a pleasant way to die..."  Unspoken, as is voice trails off, is the question of whether they should try to take on actual prisoners.  For what would they really be able to do with them?  Other than eventually offer to leave them stranded in the middle of nowhere.  To potentially freeze to death...
Tylen Orgesh
player, 906 posts
Darrian--Former Scout
Age: 34
Tue 15 Oct 2013
at 17:24
  • msg #69

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:47

"Rather freeze to death than what ..." Tylen wonders aloud.  "Be careful Yas, there might be more of a trap here than you can see." the gunner adds with a note of concern in his voice.  "Some of these guys are just that bit too keen to get away." he finishes.
Yasmine Crow
player, 1077 posts
Gunner and ex marine
''Fire at Will!''
Wed 16 Oct 2013
at 09:41
  • msg #70

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:47

"Copy that, Ash," Yas replies to Ash and then sighs inside her suit without the microphone on.  Fear of the price of failure or sheer panic, either one is bad for those guys.  "Just tag the runners, we can pick them up once they run out of steam, unless we wish to leave them to their fate, that is.  I think they merely fear failure, Ty, or are possibly panicking.  If so, nothing will stop them then until they run out of adrenaline, unless you plan to shot them."

She clears her throat.

"YOU CAN EITHER DIE OUT HERE OR MOVE IN FRONT OF THE CRAWLER!  THEN DROP TO YOUR KNEES AND PUT YOUR HANDS ABOVE YOUR HEAD!  I WILL NOT REPEAT MYSELF!"

As long as they track the runners she feels that the situation is under full control once she got her little group together.  Enough time have been wasted on these losers, they need to check up on the driver.

"Ty, once they are grouped, come out here and secure them, check on the guy in the crawler, carefully.  Once that's done, you come on out, Doc."

She lowers her rifle and sweeps it across those who are not running, or crawling.
Jago Lanza
player, 566 posts
Wed 16 Oct 2013
at 10:12
  • msg #71

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:47


"Shui is busy at the moment Yasmin. Ash, would you mind popping out there and bringing the driver back to Shui in the low births, you can stay with her then and help reviving the passenger. Tylen, you can stay in the turret or help Yasmin with the captives but I'll need one of you back here in a little while when we go after the runners in the air car."

"Jockram," he goes on, "are you able to keep tabs on those two runners from up there?"


Ash Tescali
player, 406 posts
Traveling through J-space
isn't like dusting crops
Thu 17 Oct 2013
at 04:58
  • msg #72

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:47

Tearing his eyes away from the various readings, Ash looks slightly taken aback.  But only for the briefest of moment.  "Uh..." he notes softly, then with more volume adds, "O-of course, Captain."  The tall, thin navigator release the buckle on his five-point harness and stands, pushing his console away from him.

Ash leaves the bridge and starts to make his way to the cargo ramp, but along the way he grabs his long coat and a pair of gloves.  Duster donned, he intends to fulfill his orders and bring the crawler's driver back to the Profit Margin for medical attention.   Taking a deep breath, primarily as an old superstition, the ex-scout centers himself before venturing out into the blistering, dark cold.
Yasmine Crow
player, 1078 posts
Gunner and ex marine
''Fire at Will!''
Thu 17 Oct 2013
at 07:41
  • msg #73

Re: Profit Margin - Rangent/Vilis (0601) Date: 287-1107 10:47

"Copy that, boss, but I rather make sure we neutralise any potential threat before we send someone out to check on the driver, to play it safe."

She does her best to cover all the hostiles, even though they are spread out.

"Just be careful, and come armed if you're coming out, Ash," she tells the navigator.
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