Hayden followed up by providing an overview of the compensation, benefits, terms of service, noting that she would be signing on a six month contract instead of the normal 12 month term.  He made sure to answer any questions she may have, before moving to close the interview.

"I think there may be a place for you here Lieutenant.  We have a few more interviews to conduct before we make any final decisions. Please bear in mind that we'll be leaving on 357.  We'll let you know something definitive as soon as possible." Hayden says, standing and offering a parting handshake.

OOC: From my point of view, I think what we have going is good.  2-3 good IC post from the candidate, and a bit of interaction with the crew seems to work well.  It gives enough of the flavor without slowing things down too much.  I'm generally trying to open and close the interviews, then give enough time for anyone to jump and ask questions or follow up on stuff.  Please let me know if I'm ending these too early.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:53, Sun 06 Mar 2011.

Jack smiles at Gadron as she leaves, then rises to pull himself another espresso. "I rather like her as an engineer's mate," he murmurs to no one in particular, then blasts his little cup with steam.

OOC: Agreed, good flavor and pace, feel like the info is pretty good too. Tho that Hathorn interview seemed to end pretty abruptly ;)

Danica has to admit to herself (at least) that she was wrong.  The 'how' of Prisa's leave is just as interesting as the 'why' - both are quite interesting in Prisa's case.  She thanks the Senior Lieutenant for frank openness with the crew and their questions.  Dani, in turn, is open, honest and enthusiastic when answering any questions that Prisa has, though, of course, she doesn't divulge any mission details or jeopardize their cover.

After wishing the young Naval Officer well, Dani escorts her to the passenger airlock.  When she returns, Danica responds to Jack's musings with a slight shrug, acknowledging to the assembled, "We could do much worse."  She grabs her empty tankard from the table and moves to clean it in the passenger galley.

OOC:  I am fine with the pacing and the interview 'montage' style.  That said, I am comfortable with whatever we need/want/decide to RP.  I'm easy that way.

Doc gave Ms. Gadron a warm smile and a nod on her way out, then followed Jack and Danica to top up his coffee.

"Yeah, she seems a good fit and a nice young woman.  Short term perhaps, but I like the idea we'd be helping her out."

Whether he meant out of the Navy or just helping her while she finds her way in life is a bit unclear.  Probably both, but Jim's concern seems sincere enough.

OOC: Like the IC developing back-story and depth to the NPCs.  Hayden, your opening/closing is spot on, in my opinion.

In reply to Dr. Jim D. Jones (msg #20):

OOC: OK, I just wanted to check.  We'll keep going. :)



Dagal Aksina arrives punctually at the time of her interview.  She is about 173cm (5'8"), inderterminate weight, angular, and muscular.  Her handshake is firm and hard and her movement is graceful and cat-like.  She seems to have an eye for detail and she pays attention to everyone's name and face as she meets them.

She is wearing dark slacks, flats, a neutral grey blouse and fashionable, short jacket.  Her outfit looks good for "off-the-rack."  Her smile is polite.  She clearly recalls Jack and Thera, if Thera is present, and thanks them for arranging this interview.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
A credentials review on Aksina reveals:

Education: Secondary School
Athletics(endurance)-1  (distance runner)
Broker-0
Computers-0
Drive-0
Engineer-0
Gun Combat(slug pistols)-1+
Mechanic-1
Medic-1
Melee(unarmed)-4?
Pilot(smallcraft)-1
Steward-? (presumed)
Vacc Suit-1
Zero G-?

"Thanks for coming Ms. Aksina.  I'm Captain Hayden Marks, I think you've already met Jack Keveloh and Thera Santorini.  This is First Officer Danica Moreau,  Doctor Jim Jones, and Mr. Bertrand," Hayden says, introducing everyone present.

"We've been interviewing gunners and engineers, but of course, that's not why you are here.  I understand from Jack and Thera that you have experience with shipboard security.  A key component of our business model is handling high-value speculative trade cargos.  Security is always on the top of our mind, as is finding like minded professionals for our crew.  Perhaps you could tell us a bit about your background."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:22, Mon 07 Mar 2011.

In reply to Hayden Marks (msg #22):

Aksina sips her water and nods, "Security is important."

"I was born and raised on Oberon.  I was lucky, my parents lived in a corporate area.  I got a job with Corvus as a bodyguard.  I'm trained to detect danger and control situations and people.  Later I got married and started a family.  My husband and I split up, leaving me with custody of our two children.  I had to leave my kids with my parents and look for work that wouldn't be as dangerous as being a bodyguard.  Of course, that's relative."

"Luckily my boss recommended me for transfer to the company's space arm.  I worked fleet security on systemships for a while, which was good because I could see my children regularly.  About a year back I joined Corvus Pride.  It meant being away from my children for long stretches of time, but the job came with a raise."

"Unluckily, the captain and I didn't see eye to eye.  That's why I'm looking for work outside the company.  I've heard the spinwarder lines treat their employees like people, not expendables."

"Don't misunderstand me, though.  When I'm working for you, you have my total loyalty and I will expend every bit of gram of blood, sweat, and toil to make sure Gypsy Moth and her crew stay safe."

Jim listened attentively to her story.  He wanted to ask how old her children were, but he assumed they must be old enough for her to feel comfortable being absent for extended periods. Instead, he remarks with a smile, "Can't ask for much better protective instincts than from a mother."

"You appear to keep in excellent condition Ms. Aksina.  The Gypsy Moth has a well equipped workout room, by the way, that I'm sure one of us would be glad to show you, though I think we'd be open to any special needs as well."

"Looking at your qualifications, I'm assuming you can control most situations without the need to involve someone in my profession, even when things get physical?"

In reply to Dr. Jim D. Jones (msg #24):

Aksina confirms, "That is the goal, to secure the situation with the minimum force neccessary."

Jack sits down just as Aksina is replying to the doctor. "Hello again, Ms. Aksina. Thank you for coming, I know our brief meeting at Big Jean's was unexpected, and clumsy on my part. Your understanding is appreciated."

He gently stirs a sweetcube into his coffee and continues, "Trinity system is very far from here... I expect you haven't seen your children in quite some time. What do you feel would happen if Gypsy Moth were to end up within a few weeks' travel to Oberon? I mean, if ship's duties didn't allow an easy leave."

In reply to Jacques Keveloh (msg #26):

Aksina answers, "Obviously if we're near Oberon I'd like to take some leave, but if I can't then I can't."

Danica listens to Dagala, but says very little.  At least, Danica is quiet until the topic of her not potentially visiting her children comes up - then she watches Dagala very closely.  The woman is economic in both her words and her actions.  Dagala wields her words with a clipped efficiency that belies a professional attitude, but also something about her personality.  But the content of her words are more interesting.  Dani has cause to both admire and worry about the woman.  But that could be said for most any of the interviewees.  "No one here doubts your professionalism, Ms. Aksina." Danica assures her, "Your qualifications speak for themselves.  It is more a question about what you want as well... You say that being a bodyguard was more risk than you would prefer.  So, what level of risk or involvement in a given situation would you find more acceptable?"  Hayden had already mentioned that they were in the high-risk speculative trade business - more bodyguarding of sorts and quite possibly just as dangerous.  It is more of a question of where she might draw the line.

Dani also probes a bit more into Dagala's perceptions of her own strengths and weaknesses, less about what is on the resume again and more about what Dagala is willing to reveal about herself.  Something along the lines of, "What would you say are things that you still need to improve about yourself professionally?"

"Also, Ms. Aksina," Danica concludes her primary questions asking off-hand, "Why don't you merely transfer to another ship within the Corvus fleet?  Was you experience with your previous Captain, that disagreeable?"  She figures that Dagala is just testing the waters and likely has several irons in the fire, but it might be useful to know such things.  Danica notes idly as well, "Presumably, there wouldn't be any impediments for you given the Gypsy Moth's scheduled to leave on the 357th, correct?"

In reply to Danica Moreau (msg #28):

In response to Danica's question about risk, Aksina is somewhat coy, "That's difficult to say.  I would have to know the particulars about a given job before I felt comfortable making a risk assessment."

About her professional weaknesses, Aksina is open and direct, "I need to improve my versatility shipboard to be of more use to my colleagues.  I also want to improve my education.  Security is a profession of diminishing returns."

About transferring to another Corvus ship, a tight smile flicks over Aksina's face, "I have to get there first.  Corvus only has one starship."

Regarding leaving, "Of course, Day 357 is fine."

An eyebrow raises above her mirrorshades and Danica tilts her head slightly when Dagala dance around the question of job comfort and risk assessment.  While Danica can fully appreciate the qualities of caution and discretion, she leans forward and asks again, "Of course, it would depend on the job.  A prudent answer.  However, perhaps I can ask this a different way..."  She pauses for a moment, tapping her chin.  Then into the silence, Dani ventures, "What set of circumstances would make you most comfortable about a job, Ms. Aksina?  Give me an example.  Say, given what you know of the Moth, her crew size, and our mandate to run high-risk trade and specialty runs, what would your ideal shipboard duties consist of?"  Another pause and then she adds, "Perhaps instruction?  Or overseeing and managing others or cargo?  Manual labor?  Passenger safety or comfort?"

Danica glosses over the fact that Corvus has a limited fleet - whether it is a purposeful gaff or merely ignorance is not clear, and since Dagala reacts, the question appears to have done its job.  A theme starts to emerge from her questions and Dagala's answers.  Eventually, the following query comes, "So, are you primarily looking for working passage to the Trinity system, Ms. Aksina?  Or a shortened contract term from our standard one year?"  Danica takes a sip from her large tankard, before offering, "That is ideally, speaking."

In reply to Danica Moreau (msg #30):

Aksina responds openly, "My strengths are in the shipboard security and passenger relations areas.  I would be most effective in one of those roles."

"I'm not interested in a working passage.  I don't want a short contract either."

Danica nods to Dagala approvingly; at least, she seems reasonably satisfied with the answers.  She leans back in her chair and takes another draught from her mug.  Dani watches and listens intently to Dagala for the rest of the interview, but says very little else - though she is professional and prompt in any answers to questions that Dagala may have.

If there were no more questions from either side, Hayden closed out the interview.

"Thanks Dagala.  We've got a few more interviews to conduct, but we'll let you know something as soon as we can."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:37, Thu 10 Mar 2011.

In reply to Hayden Marks (msg #33):

Dagala Aksina politely takes her leave.  Shortly thereafter, the final candidate of the day arrives:



Tamara Padabig is casually dressed, stands about 167cm (5'6"), and appears physically fit.  She smiles and greets the crew, "Wow, nice ship.  A lot better than I'm used to.  Tamara Padabig reporting for interview."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A credentials review indicates:

Education: Secondary school
Athletics-0 (presumed)
Drive-0
Explosives-0
Gun Combat(slug rifles)-1
Gunner(ortillery)-1
Heavy Weapons(launchers)-1
Medic-0
Melee(blade)-1
Recon-1+
Remote Ops-1
Social Science-0
Stealth-0 (presumed)
Tactics-0 (presumed)
Vacc Suit-0

Her combat resume is impressive, with tours on Perseus and Vauclain.  She appears to have worked as a scout (army style) for most of her professional time.

Danica meets Tamara at the passenger lock.  She beckons her into the lock and cycles it with her biometrics.  She nods when Ms. Padabig compliments the Gypsy Moth.  "Pleased to meet you, Ms. Padabig." Dani responds crisply, "I'm Danica Moreau, First Officer of the Gypsy Moth.  Thank you for agreeing to meet with us."

As she enters the passenger lounge area, Danica introduces Tamara to Hayden and the others gathered.  Then she motions for Tamara to sit and Danica takes her usual place to right of the head of the table.

For her part, during the interview, Dani will chat with Tamara about her time on Perseus, and compare and contrast her experience with her own in the FRA.  Presuming that Hayden will give his usual spiel about positions and compensation and ask the other general questions that he has for the other candidates, Dani concentrates on getting to know Tamara more as person, and her personality with respect to her awareness of herself and perceptions of her job.  Danica does ask specifically, "Ms. Padabig, given that we are looking for both ship security and gunnery positions, which would you prefer to have?  What do you consider your forte?"  Dani presumes that this will offer some insight into Tamara's mindset.

In reply to Danica Moreau (msg #35):

Tamara's service on Perseus was in Miranos and Hei, a completely different part of the northern inhabited continent.  Her combat experiences are similar to Danica's in that she was often in small units far from friendly support.  She was never in charge of anything larger than a fireteam.  For a woman is her mid-twenties she has seen a fair bit of action.  She seems to have learned survival habits from that and indicates she holds herself to a high standard of personal readiness and expects the same from her team mates.

At Danica's question about job specialty, Padabig laughs, "I wouldn't claim gunnery as my specialty!  I haven't operated a shipboard turret since basic.  Most of my gunnery experience is in calling down fire support, but I'm sure I could refamiliarize myself with turrets pretty quickly."

She concludes, "I think I could do both security and gunnery, but I'd definitely be better at security until I got my shipboard legs under my feet again." She appears unaware of the mixed metaphor.

Danica nods approvingly to Tamara's answers, she can strongly relate to the woman's previous experiences.  Perseus, it seems is a regular hellhole no matter where one was stationed.  That type of bond could be strong.  Danica was quick to commiserate with Tamara, though she did not let that stop her from asking more questions and forging on with the interview.

Her next set of questions deals with Tamara's perception of her current employer and why she chose to leave the Royal Svetlana Army, "Ms. Padabig, if I may be so bold.  You have seen a lot of action, and accorded yourself quite well with the RSA.  Why then did you leave the service?"  Knowing the source of her dissatisfaction, would probably give good insight as to what might keep her a happy member of the crew.

She followed up the service question with a 'what are you doing now and why' question, prompting, "And what company did you last serve with?  What can you tell me about them that you liked?  And also, what you disliked?"  Once again, pushing for personal perceptions more than what was written on any given piece of paper...

In reply to Danica Moreau (msg #37):

In response to Danica's question about leaving the service, "Royal Svetlana Marines actually, ma'am.  I never intended to stay in the Marines.  It was just a way to get out of the village."

"I had a great sargeant and platoon leader.  But, I'm not sure carrying a heavy ruck through the bush is really what I want to do with the rest of my life.  I'd like to see what else is out there, ma'am."

Danica nods to Tamara about here incorrect Service reference, "Please forgive me, Ms. Padabig, I meant no offence.  I served in the Free Republic's Army for a number of years, you'll have to forgive my bias.  A mere slip of the tongue."

Then she presses on.  "Not wanting to be a pack mule is fine place to start when figuring out what to do with your life, but not the place to stop." Dani notes with a tilt of the head, "So, aside from what you don't want to be doing.... What is it that you ideally would like to be doing?  Surely you have spent some time dreaming of what your ideal job or ship or crew would be.  What would make or break a potential job for you?"

Danica also probes further into what makes Tamara potentially tick, "And have you thought further about the types of action that you would like to see in your travels?  What is your perception of a security officer's duties?  For example, in your opinion, what comes first: company/employer, the ship or its crew?  There are definitely situations where those priorities may come into conflict..."

In reply to Danica Moreau (msg #39):

Padabig shrugs, "I don't think I've figured out what I want to do for good."

At Danica's next line of questioning she nods, "Well, the company signs the paychecks so they come first, but when the shooting starts you fight for your team mates, the people to the right and left of you."

Danica frowned slightly at Tamara's rather blase dismissal of Dani's question about her future plans.  But she let it pass, badgering the witness was not considered good form - and it was not a crime to not have plans moving forward.  It might be short-sighted and bespeak of a lack of self-awareness, but neither long-term vision, nor a preternatural self-awareness was required for a job or for adulthood.

And Danica did like Tamara's attitude towards the job and her priorities.  With little more to ask about, Dani solicited questions and comments from Tamara, and then closed the interview with the rather perfunctory, "Thank you for your time, Ms. Padabig.  We still have a number of other candidates to interview, but will let you know of our decision in crew staffing in two days time."  She also reiterated, "Also, remember that Gypsy Moth will be leaving on the 357th.  I know it is short notice, but you will be required to comply with that schedule - should we offer you a position on the crew."

And with that Dani escorted the ex-RSM scout off of the Gypsy Moth.