The morning after the dinner party finds the two ships still in orbit close to each other.  Rangent gleams as the sunlight reflects from layers of ice and snow.  It's a lot nicer from up here than from down there.

Ore Hound's crew have returned to their ship, with plans to depart for Tremous Dex and then on to 871-438, in pursuit of a rumoured lanthanum strike.  Profit Margin's own departure, for Phlume, back in Imperial territory will have to wait for some time, until the ship has had a chance to visit one of the system's three gas giants to refuel.

It should be safe enough - with no local space traffic, the giants have had no visitors since the original survey was made...

Crew side is fairly busy, as preparations are made to leave Rangent behind them.

The passenger side of the ship is also busy.  Eneris sits with a steaming mug of coffee next to him as he plays backgammon against the ship's computer.  Corlan and Keryn are sharing a terminal, as they find out more about the Northstar and Leenitakot ringworlds.  The latter is almost disappointing - just bare metal, with no soil or atmosphere, and incomplete walls.  If not for the fact that it's the second largest artificial structure in known space, it would have little to attract tourists...

There's food laid out for crew and passengers - the former near the consoles, but not on them, the latter in the lounge.  Some leftovers, though Shui sent the vast majority back across with the Ore Hound's crew, and also the little sandwiches everyone seems to like so much.  Each crewmember's favourite drink - of the non-alcoholic sort - sits next to them, ready to be imbibed, and she has a variety of teas to supplement the coffee for the passengers.  Plus, Shui has finished the general cleaning - mopping parts of the ship, dusting, Sanni™-wiping the viewscreens.  Now, Shui sits in the lounge, ready to leap to work should anything be required, but otherwise dozing.

It was a late night.

Tylen grabs a few of the small sandwiches for breakfast and grins at Shui as he gets his coffee, before he disappears into his turret control.  However, he leaves the door open so he can see what is going on in the bridge.

Once there, he runs through the basic system checks that show his weaponry is working properly and then starts to fiddle with the comms systems.  He starts by checking across the spectrum for unusual or interesting signals, and then progresses to working on a  small set of computer programs that will do the job for him.

There is some intent to check for communication from the planet, particularly anything that sounds like it might relate to  the bunch they just had a run in with.  However, it is just as much to keep himself amused and occupied while awaiting departure.

Information flows from Engineering to the Bridge as the power systems and thrusters come online, ready to send the ship  wherever Jago wills.

In Tylen's station the targeting scan displays a clear view of Rangent, and the computer is selecting city domes, moving vehicles and other surface features as potential targets for death from above.  Currently there is still plenty of radio chatter from the surface, including a lot of jokes about what the locals are calling, "the Big Splat".  Yas' gunnery panel has no such view of the distant ground, but there is a nice display of the stars, and the exposed belly of Ore Hound a short distance off.

The comms array lights up to indicate an incoming message from the mining ship...

In the lounge, Shui dozes.

"Jago." Saskia calls in from her station in Engineering, where she can hear the heartbeat of the ship, which always feels better than sitting at her Bridge station, where all she can hear is the people around her, "All power and drive systems are nominal.  Fuel pumps and purification are on standby, ready to go as soon as you need them."

A moment's pause, and then, "Tank levels are on your number five display, as usual."

She shoves one of the small sandwiches into her mouth, whole.

This isn't bad, she thinks, we should have more dinner parties, if it means we get fancy leftovers for breakfast.

With a sigh, Jago shuts down his data pad and pushes it to the back of his desk next to the 'thing' in it's stainless steel tray.

"We can't afford episodes like this to often," he tells it as he gets to his feet, "or I'll end up with a bigger mortgage than I started with."

The Captain grabs a coffee as he passes the machine and sets it down next to the one Shui had thoughtfully provided. As he sinks into his chair on the bridge he gets buisy on the crew intercom channel. "Good morning everybody. Ash, a course to skim that gas giant if you would please. Thank you Saski, one step ahead of me as always"

Actually a quick scan of the instruments has already told him what he needs to know but he likes to have it confirmed verbally. The instruments also informs him of an incoming signal he should respond to, "Good morning Ore Hound, this is Jago, no one to hung over I trust."

A sleepy smile for Tylen in return as he passes through, and Shui goes back to nodding in her chair.  The sounds of the ship blend together into a silent, slightly dissonant melody, and she lets herself drift for a time before jerking awake.

"Silly groat -" she begins before cutting off and glancing about in confusion.

No groat.

"Ah, I am the silly groat."  Standing, she stretches.  "Work to do."  There's always something, even if it's mopping out part of the ship, cleaning toilets, or checking the chemical levels in the various sanitary areas.

It's not always a glamorous job, but it's always necessary.

Ash is sitting at his console, strapped in and sipping black (Shui-provided) coffee as he pecks away quietly at one of his various displays with just one hand.

"Already on it, boss." the lanky navigator of the Profit Margin notes to Jago's order for a route.  Within a couple of seconds three routes appear on the tactical display giving different trajectories to the assigned gas giant.  Each has it's own merits depending on approach and desired skimming angles and patterns.  All are elegantly arrayed and post a number of statistics including ETAs, curvatures and fuel efficiency and skimming efficiency gradients.

He takes another long draught from his mug.  "Pick one..." Ash then prompts the Captain.

"Morning Jago.  I just called to thank you, and your people, for the dinner.  We all enjoyed ourselves." Jockram sounds cheerful enough, "We're all well, and I'm happy to report that my crew are no less capable of work than usual.  We'll be moving out soon, going straight for a Jump to Tremous Dex, and glad to get away from Rangent."

"Talking of crew, can you ask your Security Chief to stop waving that turret about?  She's making my boys nervous."  The laugh at the end shows that he doesn't mean it seriously.

Ash transfers the courses to Jago's panel.  There isn't a lot to choose between them, since  the Navigator has rejected all of the less efficient options.

Shui starts to move about, searching for things to do...

Tylen and Yas are in their respective fire control stations, running diagnostics prior to moving out, and listening to the local news. 

Saskia relaxes in Engineering  Everything seems to be running smoothly.  For some reason her contacts with the Aslan drift through her mind...

With a chuckle, Tylen sits back in  his seat and plays back the news extract, concerning 'men collecting insurance payments'  across the ship's intercoms.  "I thought you might find that amusing, folks." he adds by way of commentary.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:01, Sat 07 June 2014.

Jago chuckles and knowing that Yasmin can probably hear Jockram's remarks, if her turret door is open, Jago calls over his shoulder to check, "You hear that Yasmin?"

"You made dinner was a pleasure for all of us Captain, thank you for coming," he goes on with a more serious tone. "We'll be shipping out ourselves in a few minuets. Good luck with your prospecting, I hope that works out for you.  .  .  Till next time then."

"Didn't hear a thing, boss, did you want me to shot something?"

Yas chuckles, shaking her head.  Then she sighs.  "At least I can still make boys nervous after a fashion."

A pause.  "Did I say that out loud?  Must be old age, still."

"Take care out there, and next time dinner's on your ship!" she says over a comm channel to Ore Hound.  "It'll be cosy."

Tylen grins to himself as he imagines Yasmin - in her slinky, sprayed on, dress -  squeezing herself in a space suit for dinner aboard a cramped and cosy mining ship.

From the planetary radio messages, rebroadcast by Tylen, and faint and distorted though they are, it does seem as if, for the moment at least, the local thugs might not have what it takes to bully the rest of the populace into submission.  How long it will last remains to be seen.

But for now the thugs are finding that life isn't so easy, as people band together to drive them away.  Really speaking, they're probably only a small percentage of the population, so the rest should really be able to take control.  Profit Margin's attack on their gang's base of operations may have given them the encouragement to try.

Off Profit Margin's port bow, Ore Hound fires a four second burst of her close manoeuvre thrusters and starts to move off, HEPlaR drives cutting in as she reaches a safe distance.  After which she accelerates away at a steady 2G, climbing away from the planet, towards the 100 diameter safe Jump limit. 

"Thanks Jago, Yas.  Best of luck, Profit Margin.  Hope to see you around."

Ash chuckles lightly as the planet-side messages play in the background on the common crew channel.  "Power to the people." he mutters under his breath, tapping away busily on his various console displays.

"Roger that, Ore Hound." the lanky navigator responds as the prospecting ship pulls away, wishing them, "Lucky strikes and safe travels."  Within a couple of seconds, there is a component vector plot of the other ship's projected route to the 100 diameter Jump transfer limit appears on the screen with the system plot.  There is also a blinking countdown timer showing 239.073 minutes.

As for themselves, the three proposed projected transit times and routes to the closest gas giant continue to update on the same tactical view.  They are constantly adjusting based on the current vector path of the Profit Margin.

"Here's hoping they will clean up this cesspool, take control over their lives.  I for one won't miss the place," Yas comments regarding the news broadcast, unable  to contain the grin on her face.

"Sure was a nice change of pace, that dinner..." she mumbles to herself and then settles in with a little sigh, grin all but gone.  "...of sorts..."

Saskia laughs aloud at the news from Rangent.

"So we made it harder for the local bullies to frighten people." she comments over the internal comm system, "That's a shame.  It adds some purpose to our pointless, juvenile and disgusting vengeance, and makes it less pointless.  But it's still disgusting and juvenile, so it wasn't a complete waste.  Unlike what we dropped on them."

Then Yas mentions the dinner, "I'm glad we don't have dinners like that every day, Yas.  I don't know about you, but I had to let my belt out a couple of notches this morning.  Going to take me weeks of running around the hold to burn off the weight.  I'll start tomorrow, some time after breakfast.  Or maybe the next day."

Still smiling slightly, Tylen listens to the banter as he starts an overview search of the system.  He knows where Ore Hound is, but he wants to know what other ships, if any, are in the vicinity.  He really doesn't expect to see much in the way of traffic, and he really doesn't expect any trouble from it -  but it is always good to know.

Shui sighs, shaking her head with a smile.  As long as good came out of it, she can endure all manner of vile vengeance, and the jokes that follow.  Truthfully?  She's actually relieved.  Problems were solved, and without turning the ship's lasers or plasma weapons on the criminals' lair.  That, too, would have solved the problem, but in such a way to leave her awake at nights.

Given the choices, a solid waste bombardment seems far more preferable.

The Ore Hound is on its way, and she silently wishes them safety and luck, in that order.  Then Shui surveys her work.  Good enough, the Steward decides, for the moment; time for some recreation.  Most of the crew is busy; she could speak with the passengers, or she could do some exercise.  Saskia's comment has put the thought in her mind, and with a shrug, Shui decides on the latter.

Activating her dataglove's link to the comm, she sets out for her quarters.  + Well, Ms. Blake, if you're serious about that, I'm going to be taking some time now for exercise in the hold.  No wooden knives involved, so we wouldn't worry about hurting ourselves. +

+ Always better to start today, than wait for the tomorrow that never comes. + She makes a face.  + Isn't that correct, Captain Lanza? + 

Tylen reaches out and flicks a switch, so that the view from the internal hold cameras is displayed on one of his screens.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:59, Mon 09 June 2014.

"If you say so Shui," Jago replies with a slightly puzzled tone, "stand by to leave orbit everybody."

In truth Jago was hard pressed to see how the steward's comments about exercising related to him.

 "I'll use options two," he tells the navigator as he easies power into the thrusters and gets underway towards the gas giant.

Saskia considers briefly, then jokes, "No thanks Shui.  I think I'll keep the little extra as a small homage to our bold and fearless leader."

Shui sighs at Jago's reply.  + Isn't it time for our regular check-up, Captain Lanza?  Especially given all that's been going on of late? +  She continues into her office, locking up before changing into her exercise clothing, a small smile lighting her features.  + Ah, Ms. Blake, you aren't providing a good example for those who require it. +  The Engineer certainly doesn't, but Shui is of the opinion that it's preventative as well.

+ Just be careful - I understand expansion in the reactor core is to be avoided. +

After studying Ash's projections, Jago selects his gas giant of choice and applies gentle thrust to swing Profit Margin around onto a course that will take her there in the shortest time.  The target world is not in the closest orbit, numerically, but is better positioned.

As the ship aligns with the displayed course, Jago  ramps up the thrust.

The Margin accelerates at her full 2G.  Sensors show that the only other vessel in the system, at least on their timeline, is Ore Hound.  There could be ships which have arrived recently, but Profit Margin, her sensors constrained by physical laws, especially the speed of light, has not detected them yet.

For the moment, though, all seems quiet.

Shui gets changed and heads for the hold, thankful that the ship currently has no cargo to fill up the space she intends to use for her exercise regimen.

At their gunnery stations, Tylen and Yas relax a little, knowing that any danger approaching them will show up on their scans long before it gets within weapon range.

Tylen selects some background music for his turret control cubicle, but leaves it playing quietly.  That way he can leave the cubicle door open without disturbing the rest of the bridge crew.

Knowing scanners are set, he continues to fiddle around tweaking his computer code that extracts news snippets from the ground signal.  As the signal fades he tries to incorporate code that will augment the signal and amplify  potentially relevant sections.  However, it is a real Heath Robinson system that is cobbled together from all sorts of code snippets that he has harvest from the computer libraries, tied together with jury rigging code.

He could probably do better if he tried -  but this exercise is more to keep him occupied that anything else.

Profit Margin accelerates away from Rangent, towards the gas giant, with its system of rings and small, barren moons.

Tylen continues to listen for news from Rangent for as long as he can, but fails to pick up anything more exciting than what he'd heard from orbit.  Eventually, with the planet far behind them, Jago orders the gunners to stand down, knowing that they can be back in their seats, with the turrets ready, long before amything gets close enough to cause trouble.

Ore Hound makes Jump exactly on schedule, leaving Profit Margin, at least for the moment, alone in the system, except for assorted barren moons and a few planets.

Things aboard the ship settle into their regular routine...

Sensors are set to sound automated alarms if anything breaks the monotony, and the crew and passengers relax a little.

After about fourteen hours there is a little excitement as a ship drops out of Jump, approximately ten hours and 6.5 million kilometres behind Profit Margin, and immediately starts moving in towards Rangent.  It's transponder identifies it as Dame Fortune, a Beowulf class free trader.  Not capable of matching Profit Margin's acceleration, and already moving too slowly, and in the wrong direction, to present any threat.

...

...

A little over two and a half days after leaving Rangent, Profit Margin is passing over the rings of the gas giant, decelerating in preparation for atmospheric entry.  The rings spread out to each side of her, a glittering array of ice fragments and dust, sparkling in the light of the distant sun.

Ahead sits the giant, a bloated ball, banded in shades of orange, dirty yellow and salmon pink.  A quarter of a million kilometres in diameter, it is the largest body in the system except the sun.

And Jago intends to help himself to some of its atmosphere...

Jago oberves the looming bulk of the vast planet that fills most of the forward screens and dismisses a vertigo that false perspective tries to induce.

He also dimisses any thoughts of checking with Saskia, the idea that she might not be on top of things and three steps ahead is laughable.

There is realy non point in anouncing his intentions to the pasangers and rest of the crew, no one aboard could posibly be unaware of the situation, but, feeling a bit redundant and just for good for, he might as well.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are curently approching the outer atmospehre of the planet I'll refer to as 'Big Blob' and will comence atmospheric scooping in aproximatly three hours. If any one would like to observe this opperatin from the bridge, please let the Miss Tiesi know. Thank you."

Saskia makes another check of the boards, ready to transfer the readouts (and associated controls) to her Bridge station.  Then she hears Jago's announcement, and decides to call him instead.

"Jago, I'm going to stay back here for this one.  Give you more room on the Bridge for your audience.  I just started transferring all remaining fuel to reservoir one.  Two and three will be completely dry by the time we hit the atmosphere, and four will act as a buffer tank for the purifier."

Two seconds.  That's how long it takes, between Jago's announcement, and the urgent chirping of Shui's comm channel demanding attention.

Keryn is on the other end.  "Can I come to the watch the refuelling?"  Voices start yelling behind her, indistinct and off-mic.  "Um... make that all three of us."

Space around the giant is a mess.  The gravity well has swept up all kinds of junk from all around the planet's orbit.  As well as a dozen or so "official" moons, there are hundreds of asteroids in independent orbits, some of them retrograde, or tilted out of the planet's own private ecliptic, which is, itself, angled at 43.7° to that of the system as a whole.

Eventually most of the smaller moonlets and captured rocks will end up as part of the ring system, but for now they just make the place look untidy, and require Jago, Ash, and the gunners to keep their eyes open.

Shui looks up from cleaning dishes and flicks the holocontrol of her dataglove with a damp fingertip.  "Yes?  Maybe I be of assistance?"

It's going to be any or all of the passengers; it's an even bet which one got to her first.

OOC - Sorry about the brevity, I'm a tad cramped for time this morning.

"Hey, Jago, if we're bringing all the security risks over here, is it all right if I bring my guns over?  Just the small ones, they should at most just dent the hull from inside," Yas calls out to the bridge, avoiding to use the comm just in case someone actually believes it.

"And if not, let us at least lock all systems not needed during this, yes?" she adds, not wishing to experience any accidental pushing of buttons and similar incidents.

With that she begins to get out of her gunner compartment to help ensure no one gets lost on the way.  "I think I can spare a few minutes until they are all here, no?  I'll got help herd the flock..."

Ash frowns slightly as the extend of the surrounding space debris becomes more apparent.  "Cap'n," he notes with a touch of concern, "There is a lot of junk out there."  His fingers are already working, and the plot on the tactical display continues to morph and refine itself.  "I should be able to give you ..." he pauses for a moment as yet another data stream comes online, the glow illuminating another column on his face, "a reasonably firm 32nd order approximation."

"But the multivariate problem presented with all of that stuff out there out there..." he readily concedes, "is pretty much an intractable, nigh-infinite body interaction.  We'll likely have to improvise minor course corrections as we proceed."  He doesn't seem overly concerned - just very focused.

"We are also limited by our sensor data." the thin navigator notes off-hand, "We'll have to keep our eyes peeled and I'd like to turn up gain on our proximity alarms, if you don't mind, sir."  Ash seems ready to start calling out course corrections as the Profit Margin embarks on the route that has been set.

"Are you sure you want to allow the other passengers on the bridge?" Ash prompts of Jago, "It could be a bit cramped.  And noisy..."  He would never countermand the Captain, of course.  But minimizing distractions might be in order.

The door of Tylen's gunnery compartment is already open, but he swings his seat around so he is ready for visitors.  When they arrive, he joins everyone on the bridge, but stays at the back near the wall.

"We'll all be coming to watch the refuelling." Keryn restates, a little more clearly, "It will be interesting to see the bridge, and watch a real crew at work."  Of course, most of her knowledge of ship operations is based on an endless stream of trashy holovids.

Jago sighs and glances over his shoulder at Yas, "If you really must, I suppose.  Keep them at your station though, out of sight unless they're needed.  It'll be at least a couple of hours before our guests are here, so there's no hurry."

"We should be all right, Ash.  We've done this sort of thing before.  This doesn't look any worse than space around Regina.  We'll just keep an eye open.  Once we hit the upper atmosphere, things should be better."

He thumbs the intercom control, "Thanks Saskia, you can run your end of things just as well from there anyway.  Do you want a video feed, so you can see what's going on outside?"

"Already got one, pulled it off your feed.  Best seat in the house." Saskia closes the channel and reorganises her display.  Visual on the gas giant dead centre, surrounded by instrument readouts.  Tell-tales across the top edge of the visual.

So she can watch their approach, and the scooping run, and still keep an eye on everything else.

A press of a single control in the lower right of the panel activates audio alerts on all instruments.  No chance that any trouble will slip by her now.  Not that any of her systems had better give her any frelling trouble.

+ Well, then, + Shui replies.  + When the time comes, you'll all be informed.  Please meet me in the lounge at that point - everyone - and we shall proceed from there.  We'll make a brief stop outside the bridge, where I'll ensure you're aware of any necessary cautions. +

Better find those out now.  Even as she speaks, she's quickly marching toward the bridge to confer with the crew.

In reply to Shui Tiesi (msg # 36):

Tylen sips a his coffee then fiddles with an old fashioned metal coin that he pulls from his pocket.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:37, Thu 26 June 2014.

"Actually, I never go anywhere without at least two, so it was a joke," Yas says completely deadpan, referring to whatever it might be she is referring to.  "Mostly concerned about accidental, or overly curious, button presses and such.  Can we handcuff them?"

"Although I think I have zip-ties if you prefer," she adds, still deadpan.  "Which reminds me, I'll just go over and talk to Sushi."  Runaway train of thoughts, it must be.

"But first, a cup of cocoa."

"Won't be time for that once the circus arrives."

And at that precise moment, as if by magic, Shui walks onto the bridge, and directly into Yas' line of fire...

"Ah, Ms. Crow."  Shui nods to the Security Officer, slowly turning to catch sight of anyone else on the bridge. "Mr. Tescali.  Captain Lanza." A small smile first, then she launches into her query. "I will apparently be bringing our passengers for a sight-seeing tour later today.  All of them."  Another smile. "It's possible our discussion of sights of the universe at our recent dinner has roused them."

Now the point. "Hopefully you have some guidelines I can lay down for them before they arrive here, so that they know what not to touch -" probably 'everything' "- who not to disturb -" likely 'everyone but the steward' "- and how to comport themselves in general."

Most probably 'quietly and without extraneous movement'.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:53, Wed 25 June 2014.

Jago turns in his chair and offers a sad little smile to Shui, and Yasmin, “all three of our passengers are sensible adults, I’m sure you don’t have to tell them not to touch anything or distract the crew but feel free if it makes you more comfortable. You probably won’t have to shoot them that much either Yasmin but, bring guns, hand cuffs, cable ties or inquisitorial torture devices, whatever makes you most comfortable.”

Chuckling at his own little joke, the Captain turns back to his instruments and makes a little adjustment that will keep them clear of a passing rock, but continues talking over his shoulder, “there is plenty of room up here, having a few observers shouldn’t be an issue but, please make sure they know to return to their quarters quickly and wioth out question if asked to do so.”

"As you say, Captain," Shui replies with a little bow.  "In part, my inquiries are also to satisfy any concerns the crew might have."  She considers for a moment, tapping her finger on her lips.  "I have little doubt our passengers will know to go below swiftly if we ask.  Mr. DeSant has experience with our sorts of trouble, Mr. Armusezash is former navy, and Ms. Taylor often takes her cues from them.  Even so, I will note that to them to ensure that no errors transpire."

A small smile follows.  "And for your peace of mind."

The thin navigator nods to his captain's assurance that navigating the clutter space lanes will be straight-forward.  "Aye, aye, Cap'n" he acknowledges.

As for the visitors and any ground rules, Jago and Yasmine appear to have things well in hand.  Or under control.  Or under foot.  Or whatever.  But, it is all good.  Life on the Profit Margin seems all good; definitely much better than his last stint of employment.

Ash just sits quietly and sips his black coffee, taking a long draught from his oversized travel mug.  He's definitely not looking to get into any lines of fire (especially between other crew members) or get into a set of handcuffs.  Nope, he just likes his coffee.  Black as can be, though it will never match the emptiness of space (and that is probably a good thing).

And Ash likes his astrogation calculations, his gaze locked firmly on his console.  As the discussions go on around him, those calculations seem mighty interesting.

Tylen flips his coin as he waits.

"I told you, it's Yas.  Or Yasmine.  Or I will start calling you Ma'am," Yas replies to Sushi with a crooked grin.  "It's a sight worth seeing, though, I bet Ker's going to remember it for the rest of her life, being this close to a celestial body."

A brief moment of looking wistful is broken by a more evil grin as she glances over at Jago.  "Nah, no need for you to open you discipline cabinet, boss, but no shooting?  Aww, shucks!  Not even a little?  Just a flesh wound?"  With her tone of voice not even Mr, Gullible of Gullibletown would believe her.

"Any way, as I was saying before 'the boss' interrupted," she sighs dramatically as she turns back to Sushi, "I'm sure they'll behave if you tell them to keep all arms and what-not's inside at all time.  But I'll wait in our lounge to make sure none of them tries to steal my favourite cup."  Unlike the earlier statement that last one comes across deadly serious somehow.

"Oh, and boss, you know I always got at least a couple of peashooters on me, I wouldn't want to sit around naked after all," she calls back over her shoulder as she steps out into the lounge to guard her Precious.

Three hours of negotiating dust, clusters of rock, and magnetic field fluctuations as Profit Margin moves closer to the recently christened Big Blob.

The passengers, soon to be granted access to the nerve centre of the ship, gather in the passenger lounge, the only one they normally have access to, and after a quick check with the other crew members, Shui leads them across the empty cargo hold, and into the crew side lounge, where she gives them a brief run-down on what they shouldn't touch, and how quickly they should leave if Jago tells them to do so.

Yas reinforces these instructions by... casually loitering... off to one side of the room.

And then... on to the Bridge, carefully devoid of coffee cups, snacks, and empty plates - at least for the moment - first impressions, and all that.

With Saskia in Engineering, and the two gunners at their fire control stations, there is plenty of space for Shui and the passengers.

Beyond the armoured windows, with their overlaid traceries of HUD instruments, the planet looks enormous.  Which it is, but it looks even more enormous.  Keryn gasps, and the gasp gives way to a faint whistle from outside as the ship enters the upper fringes of the atmosphere, and what passes for air here blows across the hull...
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 14:10, Sun 29 June 2014.

Saskia hears the whispering of atmosphere over the hull and smiles.  They need to go deeper, of course, but this is the start of it.  Her fingers dance across the controls, and she calls in to Jago.

"Fuel purifier online, Jago.  As soon as you open the intakes, the system will activate.  Static discharge probe extended.  Surge baffles locked.  Everything's good to go."

She activates a second external view, this one showing the static discharge probe, projecting from the stern of the ship, ready to direct the inevitable electrical build up on the hull away from Profit Margin's vitals.  She doesn't need to watch it, but there is something fascinating about the play of lightning along the probe and out, into the surrounding atmosphere.

Not the sort of thing you show the passengers though.

Profit Margin descends into the gas giant's mesosphere.  Here, still high above the uppermost cloud layers, the surrounding gas is clear and thin.  Little more than a tainted vaccuum.

Further down, the clouds, which had looked like mere coloured bands from space, are taking on distinct patterns of whorls and eddies - minor storm systems, at least on the scale of this giant world.  Occasional lightning flares down there, among the clouds, causing crackling and popping on the open comm channels.

The ship descends steeply, nose tilted almost vertically down towards the clouds, but her rate of descent is carefully controlled by her maneouvering systems.

"Spectacular!" Corlan declares, taking in the view ahead.

Keryn, meanwhile, has a question...  "Why do Yas and Tylen have to sit in those closets?"

"Because we asked too many questions," Yas says with an utterly serious face.  After a dramatic pause she nods, slowly.

"A-yup", Ash seemingly agrees with Yasmine - at least in seriousness of tone, "They are quite questionable."  His tone is incredibly deadpan, stolidly even and flat as his expression as he is keeps his eyes forward and watching the tactical displays.  His fingers continue to dance on his console and the navigator remains vigilant for any large (i.e. fist size and greater) objects nearby and their trajectories.

He can't hold his neutral expression for too long, however.  A slight, crooked smile does cracks across his lips.  Though, the lanky ex-Scout's gaze never pulls away form the displays, the light dancing on his features as the datastreams from both his console and the bigger screens continually updates.

Shui glances in Yasmine's direction with a lopsided smile, then looks back to Keryn. "Because Crew needs to be in their positions," she quietly explains.  "In this sort of situation, it pays to have everyone prepared."  Another small smile.  "Not that there's any real danger, but many accidents are caused by laxity among the crew.  On the Profit Margin, things may be casual, but they are never careless."

Overall, she's quite pleased with that.

"Building up a bit of a charge, as usual.  Nothing we can't handle though." Saskia reports.  On her secondary monitor the probe flashes and flares in a most spectacular fashion.

"Looks to be about normal for this level in the atmosphere."

"I... I see.  I think."  Keryn definitely sounds uncertain.

Corlan is hypnotised by the clouds but Eneris seems less interested in the exterior environment, and more interested in the ship's operations.  He watches the instruments, and pays close attention to the exchanges between Jago and Ash, and to Jago's responses to Saskia.

"Captain?"  Navy habit that, no matter how well you know the commander of a vessel, you always call him Captain when he's on his own Bridge.  Etiquette, and a good habit to get into.  "Does Profit Margin scoop fuel often?"

Lightning flares brightly among the clouds below, and some distance off their course, and distracts Keryn, who hurries forward to stand behind Ash, staring out at the view.

"Sushi, once the show's over, let Keryn come over here.  I'll take her back later myself," Yas calls out to the tour guide, figuring she will not be as distracted as the younger woman by the sight.  Plus, she is supervising them in a sense, so she is no doubt alert.

She can't help but smile at the sight of Keryn, remembering how she felt the first time she saw that very sight.  It may be routine now, but it never really gets old, as she keeps an eye on the process via both the screen in her gunnery station and through the viewport itself.

"Oh, and do tell her asking questions is fine," she adds with a grin.

Jago replies to Eneris without looking round.

"We don't do this very often," he says, pausing as he makes some minor adjustments to the course, "most ports have fuel on tap and that's far more convenient."

+ Absolutely, Ms. Crow, + Shui responds to Yasmine with a small smile.  If there's going to be an insistance to naming her after food, well...she'll just have to stick with the honorifics. + I'll ensure she's aware of that, though I'm fairly certain she needs no encouragement. +

The steward moves to stand next to Keryn, keeping a close eye on the woman.  She's beside the pilot, after all; not that the ship's automated systems couldn't handle any issues, but it's good to ensure mistakes don't transpire.

"Security Officer Crow would like you to know it's acceptable to ask questions," she quietly informs the young woman, still smiling.  "I suspect that's a tad unnecessary, but I like to deliver my messages.  Impressive view, isn't it?"

Truth be told, gas giants occasionally make Shui feel a trifle ill.  There's an atavistic fear she just can't shake, an instinctual wariness of what might lie beneath the roaring clouds.  More clouds, a compressed, semi-dense core,, her rational mind states with authority.

Teeth, her reptile brain whispers back, and her rational mind cannot help but shudder.

The drop towards the cloud layer, their speed restricted by the increasing density of the atmosphere, takes a little while.  Time for Keryn to ask to sit at the vacant Engineer's station and rest her feet.

She's back on her feet again, though, as Profit Margin passes into the clouds, which quickly change colour, becoming blacker as she descends, until finally she emerges into a black night torn apart by lightning.  And, against all reason, there are other things flying there, illuminated by the distant lightning.  Fast moving delta wing shapes, not much smaller than Profit Margin, ignore the ship as they hurtle past, briefly outlined by lightning glare.

Jago turns on the floodlights as the ship drops lower, and something else comes into view...

It looks like a cloud, at first, longer than the ship by at least a thousand metres, but with more clearly defined edges.  The lights pick up circular, coloured markings on its surface, and as they drawer closer to it, accelerating to match its own speed, they can see that there there are long tendrils hanging below it, as it is carried along on the 800 kph storm wind.

"What is it?" Keryn asks, amazed by the sight.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:52, Tue 08 July 2014.

Shui tenses as the objects flash past them; not out of fear, but sudden concern.  They're in a biosphere.  It doesn't happen often in gas giants, but life occasionally does flourish here.  It wouldn't take much to disrupt the balance, if things are fragile.  Fortunately, whatever the dark shapes are, they appear unconcerned by the Profit Margin's intrusion.

Deeper into darkness they go, and the steward swallows thickly, her instincts gibbering with fear.

Then the massive object hoves into view.  "Life form?" Shui whispers in reply to Keryn. "Colony form?  I have seen gasbag creatures, to put it colloquially.  This shape resembles that of passively predatory life forms that travel in a fluid media, like the gasses in which we find ourselves now."

The...creature?  colony? isn't terrifying to Shui in and of itself, but something in the base of her mind notes that it might not be alone.  That it might be prey for something larger, hidden in the darkness.

With an enormous effort she maintains her composure.

Quietly Tylen tirns back to his turret controls to watch the action on his own screens.  His fingers flick a couple of controls to fetch his systems towards the ready point.

Ash does do a bit of a double-take as the large cloud-density creature comes into view; it really is quite something to behold.  That look and a low whistle are his concession to his amazement, his hands and eyes continue to monitor the proximity displays.  He adjusts the gain to try and see if they can accurately differentiate between the creature and the surroundings.

He plots a course by hand around the thing, pushing the corrected route onto the main tactical display.

The lanky navigator also sends a low-priority task to the computer core to start pulling up any additional information on gas-giant inhabitants and their biological make to push to one of the side screens, linking it to one of the video feeds which he is trying to focus in on the creature itself to get a better view.  "Now there," he concedes readily, "is something that you don't see every day.  Or even in every gas giant..."

Jago smiles quietly to himself and lets the speculation run for a while.

"This is the 'Halfacre Blimp'," he announces eventually, "I'd hoped we'd see one. It's named after it's discoverer and some historical balloon reference. It poses no danger to us. Those smaller ones are just called 'kites' as far as I can tell, the have a Latin name, 'rapax milva' or something like that, they could be a danger to the Halfacre Blimp, but not to us."

"Quite majestic, that big fella, just floats along absorbing nutrients through it's dangly bits, I'm guessing this is a relatively young one, apparently they can grow much bigger."

"Ah, so that's where the name for General Acres came from," Yas guffaws, "I guess he was an adult then."

While laughing she does record the event view her display for later study, should she feel inclined to do so.

"I mean, the General was, ah, blessed with a whole lot of... generousness.  Half a ton almost...  Some claim to have never seen him walk, only roll, but I'm sure he could waddle, he had gadgets to help.  He sure liked those fast foods a bit much, though, and sugar, real sugar.  And fat, real meat stuff.  Sure helped motivate me to keep in shape, ha!"

Corlan leans forward, watching the view as the ship swings close to the gargantuan creature, switching his gaze from the viewport to the sensor displays and back again.  "Most impressive." he murmurs, then louder, "Thank you, Captain.  I've certainly never seen anything like this before."

Keryn's response is a more basic, "Frack!" which draws a chuckle from Eneris, "And she has the nerve to scold me for my language."

"Shut up, you.  This... this is alive?  I mean, it's an animal, and not a... I don't know... an atmospheric phenomenon or something?"

For Yas and Tylen, watching the scene from their own stations, and with all the clarity that hi-tech fire control systems can provide, the view is just as spectacular, and has the added advantage of the computer flagging potential points of interest on the creature's body... a cluster of what look like rudimentary eyes here, a pulsating membrane there.

Then Keryn gives a startled shriek, as a loud boom rolls across the hull, audible even above the sounds of the storm.  Then several more, at shorter and shorter intervals, until they seem to be one continuous sound, which lasts several seconds and then fades.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:16, Sat 12 July 2014.

"I get the feeling it doesn't like us," Yas says thoughtfully, "maybe it's the way the Margin smells?"

"Based on the fact that those booms went in sync with a membrane on the little baby out there, that is."

"No idea what it's capable off, may want to keep our distance," she suggests, the voice calm and untroubled.

"Specifically what was that. Anyone?"

"The creature.  It appeared to have produced those noises with a membrane.  My guess would be a warning to not get too close, boss," Yas rephrases her statement, still perfectly calm.

"Thank you Yasmin, I thought it was something on the hull."

"Possibly an attempt at communication, as well," Shui puts forth.  She's noticeably paler than before; the tremendous sound came as a shock to her stressed system.  The creature itself, she finds fascinating...but the planet remains a horror for her.

"Definitely alive." Ash confirms Keryn's assertion.  Though, it is a bit obvious now.  He gaze has still not wandered from his displays, but the thin navigator of the Profit Margin does note over his shoulder, "The Library has at least a hundred entries on gas giant-based life forms...."

"They appear to have their own independent ecosystem..." Ash notes with an erudite eagerness, giving due consideration to both Yasmine's and Shui's suppositions as well as his own, "... with both predator and prey.  So, the call could be either an attempt to frighten, a territorial warning, or some sort of sensory location .... like sonar..."  He pauses thoughtfully for a moment then notes off-hand to Jago, "Cap'n, we may want to give the creature a slightly wider berth.  Perhaps the Margin's supra-dense hull structure is considered an exotic delicacy..."  In any case, a couple of alternate routes appear on the main tactical display.  You know, just to be safe.

"Or..." and his thin fingers fly over a subdisplay on his console, "...here is something interesting..."  Ash pauses and an archived article flashes onto one of the screen, "There is at least one documented indigenous gas-giant species that is both sentient and space-faring.  The Jgd-Il-Jagd."  He lets out a sight whistle in appreciation of the latter feat for a set of creatures without a fair number of heavier metals readily at their disposal.  "Their technology appears to be... crystalline lattice-based?!?" Ash summarizes from the article stream.  "Truly amazing.  It seems that silicon and carbon-based creatures haven't cornered the market on sapience or innovation..." he muses quietly.

Profit Margin continues to descend slowly, carried along by the same air currents which move the local grazers along and soon leave the majority of the wildlife behind.  A handful of the flying deltas follows the ship lower.

"Perhaps they're curious.  They don't seem to be aggressive." Corlan offers.

Some 25,000 km deep in the dark, stormy atmosphere,  with the Halfacre Blimp a couple kilometres above them, and the external pressure at a half standard atmosphere, a green telltale flashes on.

"Attention.  Attention." the computer warns, "Hydrogen partial pressure sufficient for fuel scooping operations.  Please reduce velocity and activate fuel intake scoop."

"Commence scooping operation, when ready."

"Well, some species may not mean to kill us when they say hello, but it can happen," Yas says with a chuckle, not really caring if it was a dumb space slug trying to have a snack or a space genius trying to say hello; it could still crush them unintentionally.

With the excitement mostly over she focuses her attention back on her duties, what little there is down here.  Better safe than bloody unable to be sorry because you're frelling dead, though, as the Corps taught.

"Thank you computer," Jago responds, then proceeds to do as the machine suggests, levelling out slightly and slowing, he provides a running commentary for the benefit of his guests, and a short count down for the benefit of his engineer as he deploys the scoops.

"All down to engineering now, we just bumble along, enjoying the scenery, until the tanks are full."

In his turret control, Tylen enjoys the scenery as much as anybody else.  Like Ash, his fingers flick across controls as he pulls up information fro the computer, but rather than Ash's general queries of gas giant life, Tylen concentrates on this particular system and its life forms.

As the deltas follow, Tylen sets a tracker to monitor them - it is probably just basic instinct or air currents, but there is no harm in hedging your bets.  As he does so, he  programs scanners for other life forms and  other craft that might happen to be in the  location.

There is a low thump, felt through the deck plates, rather than heard.  Followed by a rumbling sound which starts at the bottom end of the audible spectrum, and rises in pitch until it almost passes though the upper limit of the human ear's sensitivity.  Outside the ship, the delta shaped kites take an instant dislike to the noise, becoming more agitated, before veering away from the ship and starting to climb.

Keryn frowns, "Oh!  We scared them off."

They don't go far though, and the lightning still reveals their presence - fast moving shapes  observing the ship from what they probably consider to be a safe distance.

"Natural caution," Shui murmurs.  Their first instinct is to remove themselves from the odd sound and study it from a cautious distance.  Unlike humans, she considers, who would likely shoot it.

An unkind observation, perhaps, but not entirely inaccurate.

Profit Margin sweeps through the giant's atmosphere, scooping fuel.

In the belly of the ship, purification systems start processing the mix of methane, hydrogen and trace elements, extracting deuterium and pumping the rest back out.

Lightning flares around the probe at the stern of the ship as atmospheric charge builds up across her hull and discharges occasionally, when the difference between the ship and the surrounding atmosphere becomes dangerously pronounced.

Keryn has questions, which Jago and the others answer, to the best of their ability...

Wilderness refuelling takes time.  Or rather, the fuelling is quick, purification is what takes the time.  The lightning is very dangerous, but a ship fitted with a discharge probe is generally safe.

Deep in the atmosphere of a gas giant in a border system, with their manoeuvrability restricted, ships often find themselves ambushed by pirates or, in wartime, commerce raiders.

Fortunately Rangent has so little traffic that it isn't worth the effort of hunting victims in the system.

Corlan too has questions, but his mostly concern the economics of fuel scooping.  How much money does it save, compared to the duration of the operation.  How safe is the refined fuel when used for Jump...

Eneris is used to such operations, and quietly moves around the bridge, examining the instruments...

With the crew and passengers safely meshing, and no safety hazards rearing their ugly heads, Shui quickly loses herself in the minutae of her work - empty coffee cups are whisked away to be washed and refilled, small plates of sandwiches appear, said plates are immediately cleaned once lightened, etc.  She keeps away from the front viewport whenever possible, preferring the rear of the bridge.

But with dogged persistance and even a touch of stubborness, she continues about her duties.

"With vastly different physiologies, methods of communication and technology bases," Ash notes off-hand, "caution is likely best on both sides.  The chances for an accident or misinterpretation of actions grows exponentially..."

He pauses thoughtfully for a moment before continuing, "As I recall, it took the Solomani thousands of years to just realize that some of the other species on their own homeworld were able to communicate - either amoungst themselves or with humans.  Or both."  The thin ex-Navy navigator points to the gas giant inhabitants on screen, "And, unlike these guys, all of those species were oxygen-breathing, DNA-based life forms..."

His fingers return to the displays on the console in front of him as Ash continues to keep an eye on the external sensor feeds for any new blips or anomalies.  The presence of anything new may be unlikely, but being on the frontier and with the political situation (and rumours) as they were, there was plenty of reason to remain vigilant.

Jago is occupied with minor course and speed corrections necessary in a turbulent and turbid atmosphere, stuff that could easily be handled by the computer but, he derives a great deal of satisfaction from actually 'driving' the Profit Margin and likes to keep his hand in.

The passengers seem to be enjoying the occasion which is nice. Sadly there are no additional paying passengers at the moment, and half empty holds. Financially, this leg of the journey is turning into a bit of a disaster, but, you can't win them all and there's no way he'll be returning to the planet in search of on going profits.

Still, he wonders if he can still pick up planet side broadcasts from here, "Computer, scan for radio traffic and feed the clearest to my headphones please," he says quietly.

Watching the readouts on her panel in Engineering, Saskia smiles.  "Frelling nice!"  Then she turns to look at the Jump Drive, "This is good stuff.  I bet it tastes great."

She opens a channel to the Bridge again, "You seeing these numbers Jago?  Plenty of Deuterium, and very little in the way of impurities.  Refining it should be quick.  I'd say it looks to be about twenty percent there before it even hits the purifiers.  You don't get much better than that straight off the sky."

In response to Ash's comments, Tylen indicates the Blimps "Those big boys barely count as creatures, almost plant like." The gunner says laconically  "Along with the noises, they change colour and discharge lightning occasionally." he adds almost quoting the information on his screens.  "There are thousands of those smaller kites though ..." he adds conversationally.

As Shui comes around with more tea and sandwiches, he smiles slightly and reaches out to touch her hand lightly.  "All right?" he asks quietly.  It might just be a greeting, but perhaps he has noticed the stoic look on her face.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:05, Sun 27 July 2014.

Shui stares up at Tylen blankly for a long moment, her face locked in a mirrored smile.  The steward opens her mouth, canned response prepared.  Then she blinks, and the smile vanishes.  "No," Shui whispers. "This..."  She waves her hand at the dark, roiling madness outside the front viewport.  "I have never been good with this."

Resolutely, she doesn't glance over her shoulder when she speaks.  It's an effort; part of her reptile brain, that instinctual apex of the spine, gibbers at her to check behind her, to look and see if there could be something in the clouds.

Something coming out of the clouds.

"I will manage," she whispers, hooking her fingers around his little finger for a moment before releasing.

Saskia's report brings a smile to Jago's face.  Good quality gas - not pure, by any means, but close enough to make the refining process a little quicker.

He reaches out and activates his prepared computer program, and the voice of Profit Margin herself sounds from the speakers on the Bridge...

"Rangent III is primarily composed of hydrogen with a quarter of its mass being helium, although helium only comprises about a tenth of the number of molecules.  It also has a rocky core of heavier elements, but like the other gas giants, the planet lacks a well-defined solid surface.  Because of its rapid rotation, the planet's shape is that of an oblate spheroid (it possesses a slight but noticeable bulge around the equator).  The outer atmosphere is visibly segregated into several bands at different latitudes, resulting in turbulence and storms along their interacting boundaries.  Surrounding Rangent III is a planetary ring system and a powerful magnetosphere."

"Rangent III is composed primarily of gaseous and liquid matter.  It is the largest of three gas giants in the Rangent system with a diameter of 254,000 km at its equator.  The density of Rangent III, 1.342 g/cm3, is the highest of the gas giants in the system, but lower than for any terrestrial planet."

"Rangent III's upper atmosphere is composed of about 88–92% hydrogen, including deuterium, and 8–12% helium by percent volume or fraction of gas molecules.  Since a helium atom has about four times as much mass as a hydrogen atom, the composition changes when described as the proportion of mass contributed by different atoms.  Thus, the atmosphere is approximately 75% hydrogen and 24% helium by mass, with the remaining one percent of the mass consisting of other elements.  The interior contains denser materials such that the distribution is roughly 71% hydrogen, 24% helium and 5% other elements by mass.  The atmosphere contains trace amounts of methane, water vapor, ammonia, and silicon-based compounds.  There are also traces of carbon, ethane, hydrogen sulfide, neon, oxygen, phosphine, and sulfur.  The outermost layer of the atmosphere contains crystals of frozen ammonia.  Trace amounts of benzene and other hydrocarbons have also been detected."


Keryn helps herself to more sandwiches, and gives Shui a nod of thanks and a sympathetic smile.

Knowing stress from her old line of work, Yas can sympathise with Sushi.  While it may not be combat, what the stewardess/doctor goes through currently is basically the same.  Time for a quick intervention.

"Boss, no ships on my screens.  Looks clear."

"Hey, Sushi, can I have another one of those delicious sandwich thingies?" she calls out.  If Sushi approaches she will follow up with her elaborate ambush.

"Time for you to have a cup of tea too.  Black is good for you.  Say, ever been to a so called garden world?  I mean, not just another habitable world, but so lush and green it almost hurts?  With long, rolling beaches that puts shame to most tourist world?"  No need to mention what took place on this unnamed world, indeed, best not even remembered.  "Or perhaps you got another 'perfect world' you prefer?"

Hoping to both have Sushi perhaps take a few deep breaths, drink some actual black tea and try to visualise a favourite spot was basic handling of stress, front-line military stuff.  Well, not the tea perhaps, but darn close enough.  Just ask some higher officers.  The things you pick up, she muses briefly.

Yas then slowly sips her own beverage, giving Sushi a chance to respond.

Ash doesn't look up from his console, but agrees with Yasmine's sensor assessment.  "No other ships detected in the vicinity." the thin navigator notes amiably enough.  But then he pauses for a moment, "But there is another group of floaters gathering starboard..."  One of the tactical displays lights up with a higher magnification on the grouping.

There is another pause as he taps away on his dynamic display for a moment; the light dances upon his face as data stream of a few thousand numbers scrolls past in a cascade of colors.  "Captain," Ash says rather haltingly, "I think that I am getting a touch of magnetic interference detected.  Possibly a storm about two thousand klicks to port..."  He highlights the questionable area on the main tactical display along with and overlay of the spectrographic analysis.

Tylen frowns slightly but just nods as Shui mentions her discomfort. However, he lets his fingers squeeze hers gently before allowing her to release.  "Later." he mouths knowing that he needs to let her maintain her composure and professionalism now.

After so many years spent in deep space vessels and innumerable re-fuelling, things just look normal to him.  But then it is a long time since he relied on his visual screens to tell him what was going on.   While there are visual images on his screens, most are enhanced and overlaid with extra data and information.  They come together to give him a clear understanding of their surroundings.  Much better than he would ever get from a visual inspection.

He watches the stewardess for a moment as she goes about her business.  Then  smiles slightly as he is distracted by the thought of spending time with her later.  But, even as his mind wanders, he knows his systems will warn him of any changes or risks in the surrounding area.

Scans continue to show nothing within range except groups of the local indigenous life forms, none of which seem to present any real danger to the ship.  Lightning continues to dance in the darkness beyond the hull, and there are occasional strikes, but the discharge probe at the stern, and the ship's insulated systems and hull prevent any damage.

Saskia continues to monitor the ship, just to be on the safe side.

Jago keeps the helm as steady as he can - internal gravity and inertial dampers would prevent serious injuries in the case of an uncontrolled roll, but Profit Margin's captain doesn't see any point in alarming the passengers unnecessarily.

Ash, Tylen and Yas keep an eye on their various boards, watching for anything that looks odd, but doesn't trigger the computer's threat dtection subroutines.  So fat, there doesn't appear to be any sort of unrecognised threat.

Then again, the biggest danger to a ship in an atmosphere, any atmosphere, is a hostile vessel that isn't as deep in the gravity well.  Luckily Rangent doesn't see enough traffic to provide any such hostile ship.

Shui continues to work, wvwn though she's less than happy in this situation.  Too much "unknown" below the ship, and too much mass trying to force the ship into that unknown.

The passengers, meanwhile, seem perfectly happy, though Keryn and Corlan take seats at Sakia and Shui's rarely used Bridge stations, both of which currently are deactivated.

Eneris prefers to stand, find a spot where he can observe both active stations and ask questions if he spots anything that interests him...  Questions like, "What's that?"

"That" appears to be a huge, writhing, serpentine form, far out on the long range sensors.  It stretches from deep in the atmosphere, and reaches up to a little higher altitude than Profit Margin... and it squirms and moves like some ancient sea dragon rising, from the depths of a primordial ocean to snatch down a wooden sailing ship...

Tylen doesn't know what that is either, but his fingers fly around his systems. However, if his systems haven’t picked it up yet,  then it probably isn't  animal, vegetable or mineral …

As he sets his systems to focus on the writhing serpentine shape, he recalibrates one of his screen to examine atmospheric conditions, half expecting that to be this world’s equivalent of a whirlwind or water spout.

At Yasmine's request, Shui certainly arrives with a sandwich.  It's not entirely difficult to understand the other woman's purpose, mind; it would be for one who doesn't know her, but Shui is well aware of the Security Chief's perspicacity.  She offers a wan smile in return, picking up a cup of tea as requested and sipping it without tasting.

Probably a good thing, given her pickiness with tea; this one has been sitting for a while, and has grown tepid.

"I have never been to a garden world, Ms. Crow," she replies in a subdued tone.  "Not as you describe, of course."  She rather likes Yasmine's method of use; it's better than the normal one.  "I...offhand, I cannot think of a better one to visit.  Perhaps a luxury resort station - clean, technological, and full of things to experience?  A different experience, though; I cannot compare the two."

The teacup clatters slightly when she puts it down.

"Do you...do you have a suggestion?" she inquires.  "As to a specific world to visit?"  The strain is wearing on her; there's a good reason Shui never comes up to watch during Aitch-two scooping, on this ship or any other.

She resolutely doesn't look at the screen when Eneris indicates something of note.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:34, Tue 05 Aug 2014.

The thing, whatever it is, is invisible beyond the viewports... several thousand kilometres away, in the black, lightning shattered atmosphere of the giant.

It does, however show up well on the sensor displays...

Tylen checks his instruments again  "It isn't solid .." he says in confirmation, ".. probably a weather system." He adds as he starts to pull up information about the planet's weather systems.  "But it must have some power if it is that tall ..." he continues, knowing that he would steer away from it, if he were flying.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:28, Tue 05 Aug 2014.

Although Yas keeps an eye on her own instruments and notes the odd pattern she gives in no visible attention beyond the usual glances at her panels.

"Ah, there are several, but let's see..." she muses, "I believe Porozlo might be something for you then, got standard tech, tons of people in the urban areas, twenty bill something, with working law, although it's a bit larger than most planets so expect a slightly higher gravity.  That makes it perfect for a lazy vacation though, I tell you.  Plus it's, what you say?  Vulcanised?  Ha, no!  Balkanised, so plenty to see with many cultures.  Colourful outfits, curious customs, quite interesting."

"Or if you want less gravity, and people, there's Bendor.  Top quality starport with orbital station for fancy folks and some good zero grav fields to play in, only eight mill souls all in all.  Farm world, feudal whatchamacallit...  Tech-something.  Crazy?  I think it is, any way!  Ultimate camping world, ha!  Note, though, it can be a bit wild and with the law far away.  Odds are you'll never see anyone once you've left the port, though!"

"Both of these are here in the Spinward Marches too."

She falls silent and scrunches up her face in thought.  After a moment her face brightens.

"Oh, and if you want hi tech, stuff that will make you dizzy, literally as well, there's Lilad, over in the next sector, Deneb.  Decent enough starport, but very small world with, believe it or not, twenty seven billion people living in one hundred and sixty Bean Stalk Arcologies!  Towers that rise seventeen thousand kilometres high, into geostationary orbit!  They got space elevator to go up and down them.  That is where the people live.  Insane stuff, but what a view!  Beware balconies, I tell you, if you don't like depths."

She gives a low whistle and shakes her head, distant memories filling her mind.

"Also, they got this extreme law there; don't litter, heck, don't even laugh too loud!" she says and, of course, laughs loudly.  "I think that's it, a lot of the worlds I've been to doesn't make a good vacation, I tell you..."

"Oh, and I only joked.  About laughing, that is."

Ash works at his controls, fingers moving rapidly and precisely to refine the information from the sensors.  "It appears to be a tornado.  A very large one.  Diameter is approximately 450 kilometres.  Wind speeds are in excess of one thousand kilometres per hour.  Range is four thousand kilometres.  I believe we should probably avoid getting too much closer."

Jago is in complete agreement.  He turns the ship hard to starboard and puts a call through to Saskia, "Saskia.  I'll take whatever power you've got to spare, thanks."

Profit Margin is now heading away from the massive tornado, and into the prevailing wind.  Progress is slowed by wind resistance, but the ship starts to move away from the storm.

Resolutely, Shui continues to ignore whatever drama is unfolding at the front of the cabin.  If it becomes needful, they'll give her an order - probably to get the passengers off the bridge - or if it becomes critical, then she'll be too busy to be afraid.  Until then, it'll just upset her even more.

Better to stick with listening to Yasmine.

"I am not adverse to 'extreme law'," she murmurs, considering.  "And I would enjoy seeing the archologies.  But the laughter issue seems problematic, and Porozlo seems the better choice for the moment.  I wonder if there's any chance we shall be heading in that direction."

She glances up to the Security Chief.  "Thank you, Ms. Crowe, for taking the time to keep me distracted.  And for the wonderful information - I have 'logged' it, I assure you."  One finger taps her temple.

Ash hems and haws at the magnitude of the sensor readings for a few more seconds.  "I don't think that we are in Kansas any more..." the thin navigator mutters under his breath, recalling an old Solomani vid that he saw way back when.  That tornado cast a girl and her dog into comas (or perhaps just drug induced hazes, Ash is not really sure which), which seemed to be a cautionary tale if there ever was one.

And though his tone is even, he seems suitably impressed - as the recalculated route that he pushes to the tactical display shows the Profit Margin giving the supertornado a very wide berth.  There was little reason to endanger the crew and passengers on a pit stop.

"Hold together, frell you."

Saskia's instruction might be directed to any number of systems and items of machinery in Engineering.  Or it could be directed at herself.  She decides to send a report to the Bridge.  "We have a 57.2 percent increase in drag, due to that course change aiming us into the wind.  The port engine is running hotter, but still well within tolerance.  Transferring power from non-essentials to drives, cooling and inertial dampers.  Drive response time optimal."

The Engineer considers, then offers some advice, "We could reduce drag by closing the intakes, just until we're away from the storm."

There is a noticeable vibration through the deck as Profit Margin makes its way into the wind.  Not strong, but definitely there.

Saskia's infotmation, along with the instrument displays, is reassuring.  The ship is, it seems, not about to fall apart.  Beyond the hull, the locals don't seem too bothered about the storm - either it's too far away for them to have noticed, or they've survived this sort of thing before...

An alarm sounds on the bridge consoles, repeated on Saskia's panel.  The external temperature is dropping rapidly, down from 260 K to 210 K in less than a minute.  Rain starts to fall, liquid ammonia rattling against the viewports.

More of the delta shaped predators sweep past, not fighting the wind, but using whatever they have for muscles to push themselves faster than the atmospheric currents.  Clearly visible on radar, but hidden by the blackness outside (save when actinic flashes of lightning illuminate them briefly), they seem undisturbed by the rain, and happy to ignore the weather and the darkness...

And the instruments show that the ship is moving away from the tornado.  The effects that Profit Margin is experiencing are the very fringe of the storm's influence on atmospheric conditions.

"Meh, a bit of wind, and not even planetsized weather system.  Nothing to worry about," Yas finally comments on the until now mysterious phenomenon with a glance at her readouts.  She turns back to her friend with a smile.

"Yeah, the Law can get in your face.  Try doing a Marine mission there, ha!  Any way, yeah, those arcologies, I tell you, you have to see them in person to understand.  Even then you can't really grasp it, but you'll understand the sense of wonder."

"Sure, ask Jago, he mmight plan a route past there.  We all need a break sooner or later any way, ha!"

"Ah, think nothing of it, and call me Yas, please, or I'll call you late at night to ask about something trivial," she replies with an impish grin towards the end.  "I've been to many world, but most aren't worthy a recommendation.  Glad some of them could still prove useful, though."  The grin turns into a genuine smile before she peers towards the pilot's seat.

"Hey, Ash, ever seen a tornado larger than a main sequence planet?  Then we can talk big!  Still, best to never underestimate the small ones, ey?"  One can almost hear the wink in her voice.

"I...I can only imagine a marine mission on a planet with such laws," Shui faintly agrees.  "But if you believe Captain Lanza will...will not have an issue with us visiting that planet -" she has forgotten the name, Shui realizes, and will need to ask Yasmine again "- I will make inquiries if it would be feasible."

"I'm more than grateful for the reccomendations, of course.  And I don't...mind late night calls," she continues.  "Nothing is trivial, Ms. Crow." The steward realizes she's edging closer to rambling, and clamps her jaw shut.  There's a lot of talk now about the size of the windstorm and its effects on the Profit Margin.  She focuses on that, rather than the simple concept of the system and what it might conceal within it.

Imagination can, at times, be a curse.

Yas laughs and shakes her head.

"Yas.  Please.  Trust me, I can come up with trivial things," she threatens with a grin.

"Unless you like discussing things like whether it is worth having this discussion and going on for ages about how the weather in space is better than a place with really bad weather!"

"So, Yas.  Or I shall call you Doc Steward Tiesi from now on.  Yup, yup, yup."

With the winds picking up and the condensation striking the hull, Ash looks around for a moment and back to his displays.  "Captain," the lanky navigator notes, "I'm deploying the electrostatic discharge line."  Which he also knew would help to ensure any lightning was harmlessly directed away from the ship's interior (and the delicate people and electronics housed within).

"Oh," he notes off-hand, running a hand through his short cropped hair for a moment, "that was a flashy strike."  Ash then points to one of the displays and the graphical representation of the discharge as it lingers on the screen for a few seconds.

He seems oblivious to Shui's discomfort and Yasmine's conversation with her.

Profit Margin continues to move away from the storm, the vibration in the hull gradually diminishing.  The native flyers, on the other hand, seem attracted to the rotating funnel of wind, and the reason soon becomes apparent.  The sensor display shows one of the large floating creatures getting too close and being dragged along by the tornado.  Helpless to resist, it is also unable to defend itself against the predators, which are much stronger fliers...

Ash deploys a discharge line to draw lightning away from the ship.  In conjunction with the discharge probe extended by Saskia when they first entered the atmosphere, the ship should be more than adequately protected from electrical strikes.  Still, better safe than sorry, as a millennia-old saying goes...

At the back of the Bridge, Yas and Shui continue their conversatioin, intended mostly to keep Shui calm.

Keryn claps her hands enthusiastically with each flash beyond the viewport, and each slow, rolling, boom that sounds through the hull.  Born underground on an airless world, with no atmospheric conditions of any description, this planet's lightning, thunder, and ammonia rain are all very exciting.

Corlan and Eneris have seem weather before, but even they are impressed by the scale of the phenomena at play here.

A message appears on the displays in Engineering and on the Bridge.  "REFUELLING: 25% COMPLETE.  REFINED FUEL QUALITY: 99.25% PURE DEUTERIUM.  WITHIN ACCEPTABLE QUALITY PARAMETERS FOR JUMP OPERATIONS."

"Haven't we had this discussion before?" Shui inquires, putting her hand palm down on the console.  It's shaking - her hand, not the console.  Well, the console as well, what with the atmospheric thunder echoing through the hull, so it's hard to tell.  "You have a methodology for naming, I have the same.  I do not complain about being associated with both raw seafood and a word of Japanese origin.  It seems to make you comfortable to name me so, and that, in turn, makes me comfortable."

About to continue, Shui realizes she's entering into a debate.  The Steward lets out a sigh, breaking off for a moment to rub the bridge of her nose.  It looks as if it's going to be up to her to give in.   So much for compromise.  The thought comes and goes - she lets it free, along with any frustration.  "Very well, Yasmine.  I will accede to your wishes."

Saskia points out the purity reading, and addresses the Jump drive's tokamak reactor housing, "There.  I told you you'd get some good fuel out of this, didn't I?"

Her next comment is addressed to anybody listening on the Bridge, "This is looking very good.  Very frelling good.  There are top rated ports that don't sell fuel of this grade."

From the tone of her voice, anybody could be forgiven for thinking that scooping fuel here had been her idea.

"Oh, and can I just get confirmation that we're heading away from the storm?  The charge readings are off the chart and on to the next one down here."

A slight exaggeration, but the engineer is  getting a little concerned.

"Distance to epicenter of the storm..." Ash dutifully reads out right on cue, "four thousand, three hundred and seventy-three point eight-three kilometers."  There is a momentary pause as the distance appears on one of the tactical displays, which are replicated to the crew channel.  "Delta is" the ex-scout continues to report, "a positive one point eight seven five kilometers per second."  The green color-coded change in distance over time appears right below the total distance on the display.

As he watches the shadowy figures of the predatory deltas flutter out of visual range, Ash gives a brief wave, "Bu-bye, boys!"  Then he returns to his read-outs and continues to monitor the Profit Margin's course.  The lanky navigator makes sure to point out any lightning strikes to Keryn that he can predict due to any notable spikes in accumulated charge measured by the external sensors - since the young woman seems quite taken by the experience.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:20, Sun 24 Aug 2014.

Profit Margin continues to move away from the storm at her maximum safe atmospheric speed.  External conditions improve gradually, though it is still dark beneath the upper cloud layers.

Jago's cigar migrates almost continuously from one side of his mouth to the other and back again.

Another flock of the flyers hurtle past, like the others they head towards the storm with all the speed the wind and their own bodies can give them.  One of them flies a little too close and ricochets off the hull with a loud thump.  It spirals downward, before recovering and resuming its original course.

"Remind me to get that checked when we get to Phlume." Jago says to nobody in particular.

Keryn, apparently still appreciating the lightning, is grateful to Ash for his warnings.

"Indeed we have.  This is your last warning," Yas says sternly with a wink.

"Accussing me of having a method, though, is inaccurate, I'm just bad at names.  You sounded like Sushi to me when we first met, but I can always call you Shui if you want.  By the way, what is a sushi?  Food, you say?"

"Ha!  I win!  Soon I shall rule the universe!" she whoops and raises her arms in victory.  "Did I say that out loud?" she quickly says, acting all innocent, even though her trademark crooked grin ruins the effect.

"So, do I call you Shui, now that I can pronounce it?" she asks in earnest, the lopsided grin melting back into a regular smile.

The ship moves further away from the heart of the storm, and the wind-speed drops, making it easier for Profit Margin to make headway.  The lightning flickers still, but mostly astern.  Jago calls up a view from the stern cameras, feeding it to the engineering station for Keryn to watch.

It seems, however, that a storm viewed on the monitor is not as interesting as one seen first-hand through a viewport, and the young women soon loses interest and studies the panel for a few minutes, though most of the controls are deactivated, before swivelling the chair so that she can see the viewport over Jago's shoulder.

"REFUELLING: 50% COMPLETE.  REFINED FUEL QUALITY: 99.25% PURE DEUTERIUM.  WITHIN ACCEPTABLE QUALITY PARAMETERS FOR JUMP OPERATIONS." reports the computer, then, "SWITCHING INTAKE TO SECONDARY TANK."

"Raw fish, yes," Shui confirms.  "A dish of different ethnic origin, as well."  She closes her eyes briefly as the hull thuds to an impact of one of the flyers, then the ship is slowly moving out of the storm's grasp.  "As stated, you may call me what you wish," she continues, a little more steadily.  "I leave it in your hands."

It's easier that way, all around.

“Thanks computer,” Jago responds absently, he seems preoccupied by the list scrolling across one of his screens.

“Ah that’ll do,”

Music drifts across the bridge, a full orchestra playing the slow, stately tones of  Geffinburg’s 3rd symphony, not loud enough to inhibit conversation but just enough to accompany the scene beyond the windows.

Yas sighs.  Unconditional surrender was only good in warfare.  She briefly considers calling Sushi "What You Wish" but decides against it.

"Spoilsport.  I'll reciprocate then with saying, if it bothers you top break your naming habits, call me Ms Crow or whatever you want.  I'm just not used to hearing it from friends, is all."

"So, ever eaten it?  This sushi, I mean.  Where was it from, again?" she follows up quickly, suspecting distraction may still be the best option for the peace of mind of the woman in front of her.  She avoid trying to pronounce the name of the place, however, certain she would mess it up.

Ash continued to dutifully monitor the storm, the Profit Margin, the aliens and the fuel status.  He hummed along to the music piped over the bridge speakers, even if he preferred some of the ancient Solomani composers from the pre-stellar era.

He still called out the lightning strikes, primarily for Keryn's edification, but tried to do so discreetly, so as not to interrupt the conversation between Yasmine and Shui nor disrupt the experience of the passengers on the bridge.

He seemed glad that they were already halfway done with filling the tanks.  With the minimal amount of processing that would need to be done, they could be out-system pretty darned quick.  It would probably take longer to get to the one-hundred diameter limit of the gas giant than to complete the fuel purification.  Which suited Ash just fine.

Like the  one prepared for  Keryn, one of Tylen's screens shows the atmospheric disturbances behind them, but it there as a a moving wallpaper rather than anything he particularly wants to see. The other screens show the results of the various scan his systems are running - tracking aliens and searching for ships and other man made objects as well as various local atmospheric conditions.  All set up deliberately, now just running because he has nothing he wants to replace them with.  One small section of screen shows the view in front of Profit Margin.  Again there is no real purpose, it has just been force of habit, over too many years, to be able to see where the ship is going.

Tylen watch his systems casually, relying on alarms he has set or catching changes out of the corner of his eye.  After all, these are things he has been doing for years.  And he knows that Ash, Jago and probably even Saskia are probably all watching similar displays on their screens.

At the same time, he listens to the banter across the bridge, smiling occasionally.  Not that he has anything to add, he's not really that chatty.  Instead he fidgets slightly. At one point he picks at a (probably imagines) spot on the arm of his chair,  later he rolls a coin between his fingers for a while before he gets bored and sits back in his chair with his hands behind his head.  That elicits a small cough, so he sits up again and fiddles with one of the knobs on his control panel.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:31, Sat 30 Aug 2014.

"Yasmin will be fine," Shui assures her.  "I am ill-used to that kind of thing, but if it makes you comfortable, then..." She cocks her head.  "It is part of my position after all," the steward notes.

"As for the sushi," she continues, "I only know that it is a food connected with people of Japanese descent.  I'm not sure how much of their culture survives, but the few times I've encountered it, their language is different, their customs are different..."  A shrug.  "Not important, all things considered."

"Comfortable?  No, I guess I just like it less... formal, I suppose.  But if it bothers you, then by all means, call me whatever you want.  I just think friends shouldn't stand on ceremony," Yas shrugs.

"Japa Nees?  Where's that planet then?" she inquires, ransacking her brain and finding nothing.  Way too many balls of dirt and other matter spinning around to keep track of them all.