Extolay swings through space, illuminated by the dim red light of its two, small, widely-separated Main Sequence stars...

Profit Margin drops out of Jump almost 800,000km from the world, and there is a sudden burst of activity from the ship's computer as sensor arrays, dormant since entering Jump come back to life.  Spectral analysis of the two stars is combined with data gathered about the physical characteristics of the world, and with information received from navigation beacons in planetary orbit...

A tell-tale winks green on Jago's panel, and is repeated on Ash's.  The ship is in the correct system.  Further information is processed, and transferred to the displays.  Profit Margin is above the correct world in the system.  The ship's chronometers are checked against a time signal from Extolay, and the computer confirms that the Jump duration was within acceptable parameters - no misJump.  Proximity alarms remain silent as sensors analyse local traffic and celestial bodies, checking for potential collision or attack.

Data from the beacons confirms the sensor data - everything is going according to plan - at least as far as their arrival in the system is confirmed.

Jago swings the ship towards Extolay and announces the good news to the crew.  "Well, you'll be pleased to know that we're at Extolay.  Yas and Tylen, keep a lookout - I'm not expecting trouble here, with a Navy base in the system, but you never know.  Ash, see if Traffic Control want to give us an approach vector, preferably to one of the orbital ports I'm seeing listed on the system data."

So they're closing in.

Shui immediately begins her usual docking checks and announcements, while simultaneously searching out the planetary information for Extolay - with nobody to deal with in coldsleep, things are much easier*.  And it's helpful to know if people are going to be arrested for carting about their usual amount of weaponry.

They've had enough of people being arrested, ever since Saskia 'assaulted' an officer.

* I checked back, didn't find any indication I have a coldsleep passenger this trip, but if I'm wrong I'll amend the post.  :D  Not much to do right now, though.

Tylen kicks back in his seat one foot up on his knee, watching his sensors and idly picking at the sole of his shoe

Saskia gives a small nod of satisfaction.  The grid stabiliser had held up through the Jump.  Then she catches sight of the performance figures.  Down another frelling percent.  Deterioration's accelerating.  She prepares a report, attaches the figures, and shunts the whole thing through to Jago's panel, along with her recommendation.

"Jago -- this needs fixing here, at Extolay.  It won't wait any longer."

Jago glances at the message from Saskia and sighs.  The grid stabiliser looks to be becoming less and less dependable with every passing minute.  The Captain sets that aside for the moment, and calls up the planetary data on Extolay...

---

WORLD DETAILS

NAME:              Extolay
HEX LOCATION:      Spinward Marches 1711
UWP:               B45589A-A
PBG:               110
BASES:             Imperial Naval Base
ALLEGIANCE:        Third Imperium
STELLAR DETAILS:   Primary Star: M2 V  Mass: 0.43  Luminosity: 0.05
                   Binary Star:  M4 D  Mass: 1.11  Luminosity: 0.002

SATELLITE DETAILS: Number: 0

SIZE RELATED DETAILS
Basic World Type: Planet - molten core
Diameter:  6,240 km  Density: 0.92  World Mass: 0.115  World Gravity: 0.46 G
Orbit Period:  31.008 Std days      Distance: 0.2 AU  Eccentricity: 0.005
Rotation Period: Tidal lock         Axial Tilt: 20°   Seismic Stress Factor: 3.55

ATMOSPHERIC RELATED DETAILS
Composition: Standard oxygen-nitrogen mix
Surface Pressure: 0.5 atm         Mean Temp: 65.6°C  Native Life: Yes
Terraforming - Atmospheric: No    Albedo: No         Greenhouse Effect: Yes
Weather Control: No

HYDROSPHERE RELATED DETAILS
Composition: Liquid water
Hydrographic Percentage: 51%    Tectonic Plates: 5
Continents and Oceans: 11 major continents, 2 minor continents, 11 major islands, 5 archipelagoes
Hydrographic Terraforming: No   Terrain Terraforming: No

POPULATION RELATED DETAILS
Total World Population: 100,000,000
Starports and Spaceports: B/F/F/B/D/B/B/D/B/B
Primary Cities: 10        Orbital Cities. Yes

Social Outlook:
    Progressiveness: Progressive, Advancing
    Aggressiveness:  Unaggressive, Neutral
    Extensiveness:   Discordant, Friendly

Unusual Local Customs: Bodily abuse, including all forms of piercing and/or tattooing, are prohibited.

GOVERNMENT RELATED DETAILS

Representative Authority: Impersonal Bureaucracy, Several Councils.

LAW RELATED DETAILS                   TECHNOLOGY RELATED DETAILS
Uniformity of Law:     Territorial    Technology Profile:

Legal Profile: A-D97BE                High Common Tech Level: A
    Overall Law Level: A              Low Common TL:          5
    Weapons Law level: D              Energy TL:              A
    Trade Law level:   9              Computer/Robotics TL:   A
    Criminal Law:      7              Communications TL:      A
    Civil Law:         B              Medical TL:             A
    Personal Freedom:  E              Environment TL:         B
                                      Land Transport TL:      A
                                      Water Transport TL:     A
                                      Air Transport TL:       9
                                      Space Transport TL:     B
                                      Personal Military TL:   9
                                      Heavy Military TL:      A
                                      Novelty Tech Level:     B

RESOURCES AND GOODS
Natural Resources:      Agriculture, Ores, Radioactives, Crystals
Processed Resources:    Agroproducts, Metals, Non-Metals
Manufactured Resources: Weapons
Information Resources:  Recordings, Software, Documents

---

Jago opens up the intercom, "This is Captain Lanza.  I'm planning to dock us at an orbital port, because temperatures groundside run a bit high for my liking, especially considering the low atmospheric pressure."

Next on his "to do" list: getting a list of required parts from Saskia, and reporting the expected delay in departure to Covan Draik...

Ash looks up from his console as he seems to have been staring intently down at it for the moment when Jago addressed him.  With a slight 'deer-in-the-headlights' look, he nods sheepishly to the Captain as the request for him to contact the Port Authority sunk in, "Aye, aye, Boss."

The displays on his console reconfigure immediately and he opens a commlink to the Extolay port authority.  "Extolay Port Authority," the thin navigator addresses the controller on the other end, "This is the independent trader, Profit Margin," and he gives the proper Imperial transponder information, "in-bound from Phlume.  Requesting authorization for route and berthing instructions for orbital high port.  Please advise."

As he awaits further instructions, Ash checks out the navigational telemetry as well as the public information on any nearby ships.  He begins the navigational calculations, knowing that he can continue to update and refine them as more information and instructions come in.

Shui studies the data for a long moment, noting things of personal interest, then activates the messaging system, setting up a notation to be sent to all crew and passengers.

~ While preparing for disembarkment on Extolay spaceports, please recall that weapons are highly restricted here and society leans more toward law than personal freedom.  It might be wise to limit the carrying of weaponry.  Also note that piercing and tattooing are prohibited - please remove or cover any body art. ~

It's likely in the spaceports such things would be overlooked, but on a world where the law is tighter, it's always considerate to err on the side of caution.

Traffic Control responds, a computerised voice acknowledging Ash's call, "Good day Profit Margin.  Please proceed to station 27, station two seven, docking bay 94, nine four.  Course information follows."  And then a compressed burst of data, which the ships computer immediately translates and displays for the Navigator's perusal. 

Jago, meanwhile, keys in a request for database updates, news feeds, and a repair crew to be made available.  "Shui.  How current is the medical database?  Do you want me to request an update?"

"Copy that, Traffic Control." Ash responded, "Station twenty-seven, docking bay ninety-four.  Thank you."    He lays in the refined numbers in to navigation plot and pushes the plot to the tactical screen for overlay on the main displays.  Along with a time estimate, the bright graceful arc appears on bridge display lighting up the faces of the crew present.

Sorting through ship diagnostics as he runs though approach checklist in his mind, the lanky navigator notes softly to Jago, "Boss... should we standdown our weapons?"

Smiling, Shui opens up her com-line to the captain.  "Captain Lanza, the database is twenty-one days young.  However, I would much appreciate we continue to update at each and every arrival.  One never knows when something of import might turn up.  Thank you, Captain Lanza."

Immediately, she sets her computer to flag any and all references in its database - continuously monitoring - for information regarding Corlan's health issue.  As she said - one never knows.

With a smile Jago adds a medical database update to the list of requests, and then glances over Ash's course plot.  He doesn't expect to see any problems with it, and the Navigator doesn't disappoint him.

"Twenty seven is one of the lower stations by the look of it.  And there are Naval facilities in orbit here.  If they see somebody coming in guns hot these days, they probably shoot first, then shoot a couple more times, then question any survivors."

"So, yes.  Weapons off-line once we get closer.  We'll rely on the Navy patrols for protection."

He relays the order through to Tylen and Yas.

Jago takes Ash's course plot and overlays Profit Margin's vector over it.  Then he starts making adjustments as he follows the course into the relatively dense belt of satellites, orbital cities, parked ships and active traffic that surrounds Extolay.

A little over three hours later he guides the ship into the ring of docking bays which forms a hoop around one end of 27.  A few last minute adjustments, and the Margin is inside the bay.  Jago cuts power to the thrusters as the landing gear touches the deck plates.

A low vibration carries through the ship, followed by a bang as the docking port closes, and a rush of air signifies that the bay is being pressurised...

Shui goes through her usual pre-landing detail, checking to see if any of the passengers require assistance, looking in on Corlan (this is new) without giving the impression of hovering, and passing about libation for the crew.

In the middle of all of that, she finds time for sending a message to Jago directly.

~~ Captain Lanza - beyond my normal duties, will you be requiring anything of me? ~~

It'll be good to find out if she has free time.

Jago starts to reply to Shui, then changes his mind and opens the crew channel.  "We're going to be here for a bit, while we get some work done in Engineering.  I have no idea how long we'll be down, but as soon as I find out I plan to assign leave on a rotating schedule,  We won't be leaving the ship unattended while we're in port, but everybody should be able to get some time ashore for shopping, or whatever.  In the mean time, we can relax a little."

"Including me."

The first download file starts to come in.  News updates - war news for the most part, and speculation on who will replace Norris as Sector Duke, following the recent announcement of his death.

Spectacular.

Duties on pause for the moment, Shui keys in a general email.  ~~ I plan on going for a shopping trip at some point during my stay.  My wardrobe is sorely lacking.  Would there be any takers to join me?  If those of the male persuasion so choose, I can promise we'll visit stores appropriate for them as well.  And offer advice. ~~

Granted, the last might frighten the men off.

Another email follows, this one sent to a specific individual.  ~~ Mr. Orgesh, I'm curious as to the restaurants in this port.  Perhaps you might find something you'd like to try...if you have the time?

My treat. ~~

Feeling uncommonly pleased with herself, Shui returns to her work - in this case, cleaning out the coffee machine.

The work of securing the ship for time aboard the station proceeds, as drives, navigation systems, avionics and sensor arrays are closed down.  The power plant is ramped down to minimum output, and the weapons are, of course, already off-line.

Jago watches the streams of information coming in, dipping into them from time to time to sample them.  The medical files he forwards to the ship's med database, with barely a glance - he can't understand most of what's written there (though he's fairly certain it's Anglic), so it's bound to impress Shui, especially since there is an attached index of the updates.

Ash's panel chimes, and Jago gives it a glare, wondering who could be calling so soon after their arrival.  "Could be Customs, wanting to expedite our paperwork." he speculates wildly, and somewhat hopefully...

I'll check my calendar Tylen responds to Shui's message, swiftly followed by Right at the moment I have a few slots spare ...  well all of them really, at least  on those days that Jago doesn't stick me with duty.

Then still thinking about Shui's first post, he pulls up a clothing catalogue, and skips directly to the lingerie page.  Although he does carry out a restaurants search in a separate window.

Blissfully unaware of prurient thoughts, Shui gleefully examines the incoming data.  An index...bravo!  The last one was just a bundle of medical papers, how nice to see a planet taking the time to make things accessible.

Immediately she searches for information on Corlan's medical issue - one never knows.  Should she fail to find something (most likely), she'll restart her examination with an eye toward anything that might be relevant to the crew and passengers.  Pregnancy, neural damage, that kind of thing.

Pinging at her dataglove interrupts, and Shui chances a glance.  Tylen has responded; that's good, and it's good news.  Fingers dance, and she sends a reply of her own.  ~~ Well then, I look forward to some time off together! ~~

As Ash deals with the incoming comms, a thought occurs to Jago, and he decides to amend his announcement.

"Anybody who's planning shore leave will need to clear it with me first.  We have cargo transfers here, and passengers who are expecting us to protect them, so I'd like to stagger things so that we always have somebody aboard."

Ash nods and then nods again as he murmurs into the boom mike of his comm, "Yes.  Of course.  Let me see if the Captain is available..." and he mutes the connection for a moment.

"Boss," he leans over towards Jago, "It's, ah, Muir Ogden from the Technical Services Division.  Wants to schedule time for the overhaul we've requested..."

As he waits, Ash wonders about and then pushes his shore leave request - even though he isn't entirely sure what to do with the time as shopping isn't really his thing - to the Captain's mailbox.  He might as well get it in early.

Once that is done, he returns to watching the interior and exterior sensor feeds for anything anomalous while getting ready to transfer the commlink to Jago.

"Thanks Ash." Jago takes the call, "Captain Lanza speaking."

Yas eases out of her gunnery station, stretching to remove a recalcitrant knot from her spine.  She looks in on Tylen, and laughs aloud when she sees the lingerie.  "That what the Scouts are wearing as a uniform these days?"  A shake of the head, and then, "I'm going outside, if you can call it that when we're in a sealed docking bay.  If anybody wants me, I'll be on the ramp, trying out the canned fresh air.  Take a break if you want to, you won't be using a turret while we're in the station."

Saskia calls through to Ash, "I just tried to get hold of Jago, but he doesn't answer my calls.  Have you heard anything about when the techs will be coming aboard."

Ah.  Now that is interesting.  Shui immediately puts in for information on Ursk - their potential hazards to humans, any long-term effects besides the one she has already encountered, and their availability.

Also, recipes and uses for them.

Given the reputation of the report-writer's race, she doubts there will be any issues. Hopefully she'll be able to locate some Ursk on this planet.  Fingers dance on her holopad as she takes down information.  It's only a start, Shui knows, not an end-point.  But anything she can do, anything at all, will be well-worth the time taken.

Ash taps his comm and responds to Saskia, speaking softly as to not disturb Jago's more important conversation, "Ah, Ms. Blake.  The Captain is talking with Technical Services right now.  I don't think that they have settled on a time yet..."

He makes a bit of idle chatter, "Do you have a preference on the timing?  Or any constraints that he should be aware of?"  The lanky navigator runs his long fingers through his short cropped hair for a moment, before lacing his fingers and placing them behind his head while leaning back in his chair.  He doesn't think that Saskia will have any such restrictions, but you never know.  And it never hurts to ask.

"Nah. These lacy ones are a bit too scratchy for me, I prefer the kinky leather ones with metal studs." Tylene quips in response to Yas's comments.

However alongside the pictures of women in underwear there is also a list of restaurants and food outlets, while yet another screen has a list of wine suppliers.  Tylen send the names and descriptions of some of the better restaurants to Shui, to see which she prefers, then puts in an order for a couple of cases of wine to be delivered to the ship, marked for his attention.  And finally, he orders a selection of massage oils.

"Shui and I  want to hit a restaurant together at some point, and maybe have a wider look around." he calls across to Jago, making sure that the captain knows to schedule the watch roster appropriately.

Jago waves a hand, absently, in Tylen's direction without even looking at the Gunner.  He keeps talking to Technical Services, discussing the expected duration of the work, possible start times, and the cost.  From his expression, he is less than happy with the options.

Yas grins Tylen a wave and makes her way around to the Hold, where she keys in the unlock on the ramp.  With a screech of tortured metal, it starts to drop, allowing external air to flow into the hold.  Yas inhales deeply, checks that her comm is active, just in case, and steps onto the ramp.

Saskia is silent for a moment, before answering, "Not really.  I just want to know so I can make sure I'm here.  Not going to have some thoddo messing round with my drives unless I'm here to chaperone him."

Well, that's less-good news.  Shui frowns, considering.  There must be some way to make the fruit more palatable.  She'll have to come up with something; until then, perhaps Corlan will suffer through it as 'medicine'.

For the moment, it seems best to check the local produce stores for possibilities of acquisition, at least to allow Corlan to sample them.  She'll buy them herself; it counts as medical supplies, and on occasion Shui purchases such things out of pocket.

She's not poor, not having anything else upon which to spend her money.

Best if she sends a message, though.  ~~ Mr. Orgesh - when do you think would be good for our shopping expedition? ~~

"As soon as Jago gives us the nod ..." He sends  back quickly.

After some discussion, Jago cuts off the connection, then calls through to Engineering.  "Saskia, what's the worst curse word you know?"

"Mother-frellers.  Why?"

"Oh, nothing.  Thanks."

Another cut connection, and Jago stares at a point several AUs away for a few seconds.  Then, "Frelling thieving mother-frellers!" he declares to the air on the Bridge.  Which turns blue.

"Why doesn't that feel better?"

Shaking his head, Jago opens a channel to all crew members.

"We'll have work teams coming aboard, starting at 06:00 tomorrow.  I want all passengers off the ship by then.  I'll pay for hotel rooms for them for the duration, which should be no more than four days.  Shui, I want you to arrange their accommodations.  Maximum Cr200 per person per night should do it.  Book yourself into the same hotel, as you'll be acting as my liaison with them while they're there."

A brief moment's thought, then, "Yas and Tylen, I want you to organise a watch roster between you, with at least one of you aboard and awake at all times.  I'll be staying here myself, with occasional shore time to handle business, but if you think you need to, you can co-opt Ash to cover some of the shifts.  If they don't need you Ash, you can help me find a cargo for the run to Extolay.  Need something that'll turn a really good profit."

"Saskia.  You can stay aboard, if you like, or find a room nearby.  Up to you.  Either way I want you aboard at least once a day to check on the work."

Shui pauses in her work, and immediately types a reply.

~~ Of course, Captain Lanza.  I will begin immediately, and have everyone moved by tomorrow afternoon. ~~

Search function engaged, she clicks over to a private intercom with Tylen.  Her eyes scan the results of her query - a hunt for hotels of high rating for 200cr or under, and close to the ship.  That last is negotiable; she will not see her guests in threadbare sheets. + Mr. Orgesh.  I'm sure you have heard the news by now - + of course he has + - and it seems likely to put a crimp on any casual sightseeing for us. +

From the sound of it, remote shopping and delivered aboard would appear the best option.Tylen responds to Shui's message With plans for a good night in once we are away from this place he continues to message back.

However, he triggers Yas's com "We pulled guard duty.  Seems like a 24x7 rota as well, although we can pull Ash in occasionally.  You wanna do six on six off?  That way we might get a bit of waking time to ourselves.

But I'll see what I can work with Yas he sends back to Shui

Shaking his head, Jago responds, "This evening would be better, since the teams will be here first thing tomorrow."

Out on the ramp, Yas sighs, and keys her comm.  "Six and six works for me, Ty.  Gives you a bit of time to moon over Sushi too.  Tell Ash that we'll let him know if we need him, but I think we should be fine."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:06, Sun 12 June 2016.

Remote shopping.  Shui sighs.  It'll be impossible to find something interesting from this world if she proceeds with that.  But Tylen is correct - it's all they can do, really, barring some luck with the roster.  She supposes she can, if necessary, go out alone for shopping, but it's of far less interest to her.

In the meantime, she needs to find those hotels, and send out a general message to the passengers.  That, she does.

~~ Attention all passengers.  Due to unforeseen but necessary work to be done on the Profit Margin, we will be disembarking and moving to a nearby hotel for, at the most, a four day period.  Captain Lanza offers his apologies for the inconvenience, and his assurances that he will take responsibility for the hotel cost.  I will be taking a room at the same hotel, and continue to answer to your needs and requests while maintaining a proper flow of information.

Additionally, I will arrange for meals at local restaurants and outings, should you be interested.

If you have any questions, please come and speak with me.  ~~

That sent, she continues her work ferreting out a good hotel - preferably one with a wide range of local restaurants in easy reach.

Tylen relays Yas's comments to Ash and sends another message to Shui.  Yas is good with six on six off, so there will be a bit of a window for a get together, perhaps a meal or so, but not much more than that  he shrugs, life is as it is he thinks, as he puts his feet up and kicks back in his seat.

With the post-flight checklist done and his console locked, the lanky navigator had been standing and stretching for a moment when his ears perked up at the mention of his name on the potential duty roster.  He turned to face Jago more directly, when the Captain addressed him directly concerning the cargo.

He nods slowly at first then a touch more vigorously as the orders sink in.  "Got it." Ash intones; he may not have any formal training in trade and business.  But, the gaunt ex-Scout (and bookworm) turned free merchant was well-read, if nothing else.  He plopped back down into his seat and unlocked his console.  The Profit Margin's navigator may not be the best or most efficient at times, but he seems to muddle through.

After psyching himself up and cracking his knuckles, Ash begins to tap away at the dynamically configured set of displays.  Without looking up, he asks Jago, "Cap'n, we planning the subsector Capitol, Regina, as our next stop, correct?"  The destination obviously matters for a number of cargoes, but there is the lingering matter of Mr. DeSant - who, along with the Captain, is from Regina.  And Jago had mentioned the route as a likely destination previously, though that was before they set in for repairs here on Extolay.

Lights dance on his face from the displays as data streams in a torrent of information returning from his broad initial search for potential trade possibilities...