"The chef must be a man dedicated to his art form. Thank you," she says sitting back waiting on her drink and watching the traffic ebb and flow through the cityscape. There was something relaxing about the urban environment despite the under layers of filth, crime, disease, and poverty that the ruling class went to great lengths to hide. Watching people go about their lives was as much a form of art as anything else, though rather than paint and a brush the piece was created by decisions and motions.

  People are Buzzing  , Games  are making nosie. There is a fellow  dressed  like a Cartoon  (space) pirate Complete with  boarding armor, making the rounds.

 Every so often  , a young woman in a rather  short 'pirate ' outfit will stop by a Table with the Pirate. Sometimes   the  kids   get excited..some time they just seem  'ok.

  Taking  Melia's  table Number,  an Older  woman says,Find your  Table number..and  make your order off the vid s screen, one of the  Pirattes  will be  around with you food  and drink... You get 20 game tolens  for coming in..you can get 2 more  per credit.. or 40 for  10 creds?

   While she waited for her order. A fellow in a  dark suit  and  trenchcoat walked  slowly up to her  table. He was ..in appeared to be..in his early 30s. He had a slight smile on his face, but his eyes were locked on Sarah.

  ...goot evening Fraulien . You are a  Commander of a Delta Vessel?..are you not? I haf a goot  proposition for  you.... if  you haf der  time to speak  with me? Perhaps over our Meals?

In reply to Jesse (msg # 5):

Jesse slowly slithered around the corner and leaned up against thw corner of the building listening to what is being said by the outside group and possible conversation that floated from inside as well.

She tucked herself into her hoodie and waited.

  its hard  for Jesse to hear much, between   titters  and  chuckles, and  turned heads .

 The  best she  can understand, is some talk about how 'Astra Flax' will be brought into  Everest if the Triad  is  shut  down...and how high prices are going to go, when some are  smuggled  in , by Free Lance  Pirates and such.

In reply to Sarah (msg # 9):

Sarah looks up at the man, not expecting an interruption. "and you are?" She says in guarded but neutral tone neither inviting the man to leave or stay. Already the man is setting off alarm bells in her head. She glances calmly about the room assessing for other guests or anyone paying too much attention to her table. Before returning her attention the the man.

  The 'wing' of the Restaurant she was in, had ..only a few  couples. most were deep into conversation, not  really too notice of the trench coat clad fellow.

  Bowign   , ever-so-slightly, as he removed his hat and held it  close to his heart,..I beg your  pradon, Fruelein . I am der  Baron Oswald Nienlien . I haf  a few...modest...holdings in der   Beta Quad, und vould like to see, if I may increase those services...mitt yer help?

In reply to Melia (msg # 8):

Melia nods, "we'll start with the 20 and see how that works out for us." as she heads to the table. Orria's head would be spinning right now were it able to. As it was the little girl couldn't decide which way to look trying to take it all in.

In reply to Sarah (msg # 13):

Sarah searches her memory for the name, "What exactly are the services you provide." She says giving him a level stare. Tiring of the politically vague way the man is beating around the bush. "You are alluding to entering into a business agreement with me, but giving me no reason to invite you to my table to discuss it, other than vague comments. Speak clearly Baron," she adds her tone still neutral. The man spoke with a German accent but seemed to lack the directness that had been key  to many caricatures of the German culture.  As it was Sarah despised playing politics, which business was another form of. She just wanted to command her star ship, serve the ESN/APF to the best of her abilities. It didn't help that the lack of details made her suspect the deal was for something illicit or forbidden, and that the Baron seemed to be set on circumventing QM and any of the other procurement procedures set forth by Fleet edict. She waited for him to decide how he wished to proceed.

  As they are seated the  Waitress shows them how to boot up the Menu on the  table Vid screen.

 Kids  are screamign with delight , or  surprise as  soemthign happens in a  Game, there is  all  manner of  excitement in the   floating balls.

 across the Building, just in sight, is the counter to redeem coupons for all kinds of  toys  and gizmos.

     from the  bustling movement  comes the  Pirate and two Pirattes in their short little skirts. The DArk HAired Girl says,.HI THERE!.... THis  Is  Captain  Grabbers.......

 The other  Girl chimes in,...we are  sure you saw him in the Captain  Lighting shows?..He helps The Taurus from time to time.... she smiles s wetly.

  The Captain Puts a box on the table,..Right you are, My Pirattes...and now? Its  Time  fer this little urchin ta   see  what she can get, in the Vortex box!

 The first girl looks at Melia,..she needs to tap the button on top and see what  happens!

  The Baron  nodded slowly, as he looked around..... If i must..i will only tell you this...for...how they say...starters....

 ...mine peoples , are not  vell thought of, outside Everest.... he sweeps a hand towards the window,...not  Everest,ve haf  the respect of all....vhat ve need... is  some one to help us...help me...to aid der cause , so ve might gain...in respect.

In reply to Jesse (msg # 11):

Jesse took a deep breathe and moved towards the smoking group.

You guys have a spare that a gal can toke on? She asked hesitantly.  Her eyes and a few facial features peered out from her hoodie.

   The people looked  at Jesse,  a couple reached  for side arms, or reached under their coats.

  A female voice from under a hood says,...Astra Flax....think you can  handle it?....10 Creds a hit....the stuff is drying  up now, since the   D Fleet moved in...

Jesse chuckled and gave a nod.  I'm sure I can, she said.  She extended out her arm for payment to the girl.  Once she'd gotten it, she took a few hits.

That's not surprising, she said plainly, a bit forlorn.  They'll dry up anything good out here.

Jesse took the first hit and coughed several times, nearly gagging and throwing up, but started laughing at the lunacy of it.

Damn, she said between coughs, looking at the girl who handed it to her.  Been a while since I hit one like this.

She took another hit once she stopped coughing a lung out.  This time it was much smoother.

  The Girl got a jury rigged scanned ( most likely ripped off from   a machine  sitting out for the garbage)

  ..well?...Honey.... you;re damn lucky it didn't put you down then. Some of then  Straight Ups?.... They flat pass out...


 ..what's you'er  story..you ain't  street.....you sure at Stem

Jesse took a deep breathe.  Im from a little bit of every where.  Looking for work.  The cargo ship I worked on completed its work.  Now im left out in the cold.

She gave a shrug.  Im just a wanderer now.  Until something comes along that catches my attention.

Melia browses through the menu, selecting a personal pan pizza for Orria and a burger and fries for herself with milkshakes for the both of them. Orria is distracted still by the noise and the lights.

Orria is drawn to the delighted screams of the other children and starts to scoot away from the table when the pirate, and the two short skirted women approach drawing her attention. When presented with the box Orria looks down shyly glancing at Melia uncertain of the adults who have approached her.

Melia looks at Orria with a smile, "do you want to tap the box and see what happens?" Orria looks at the box and reaches for it tentatively glancing at the employees and then at Melia before cautiously gingerly pressing the button.

In reply to Sarah (msg # 17):

Sarah nods still cautious of the man's offer. Still hesitant to speak with him, however having witnessed the discrimination especially here she didn't doubt the Baron had issue with the way the beta fleet and Everest by extension were managed. She weighs the options in her head and smiles politely, "I can understand your difficulties. Please join me," however she holds up a finger, "However I only promise to listen to your proposition, I do not wish to agree to anything prematurely or blindly." before gesturing to the chair across from her. Letting him decide if his argument is persuasive enough to convince the currently skeptical Naval Commander to aid him in his business venture.

   The Hooded girl can just barely be seen to smile...all kinds of ways to make money in the stem...some of them, you don't even have to lay down for....

 Some of the others  chuckle at this.

 The fellow that spoke up  before, takes  the  pipe back and takes a hit,well...there's a coupl businesses that managed to get thier  dock door  working  again...SEC leaves them alone, for the most part....Things are quiet now, since all the  priosners  in the locks up havebeen sent off...

  The  Fellow nods and slightly bows his hat held  close to  his chest,ack!..uff  course  , ... Fruelein I am not making  der  demands uff you... i am simply trying to  help myself, and..perhaps...help you pad  your retirement?..Ja?

 He waves to the opening  that leads out into the main part of the Diner.... a Tall waiter appears as he sits and orders a meal that is thick with  noodles  and beef.

  After the waiter  goes, The  Fellow  smiles  slightly as he takes a drink of the water provided,...so?... Good  Fruelein?... How much  do you know about the Asteriod  Field  that boarders  the Empire  side of the Beta Quad?

  She Taps the Button... there are lights that Blink around the  outside of the box...Melia  saw this at other tables, and a HAnd  full off tokens  appeared.

  But... a Bright Blue  Light  flashes in the Middle, and the two ...Pirattes, put their  hands to their faces in 'surprise' and bend their  knees.

 CAptain Grabber shouts,..Looks Like Me  new crew member, just hit it big!!!

 Lights  above their table flashes  and horns blew through the game-diner... Tokens   began to   spill from the box into the tray under it... and from a  chute in the ceiling a Stuffed Lonnox dropped  to land on the table ( the Lonnox  looked strangely like  'Cookie'..only it sported  a 'dog tag' that said  ESN)

 Well!..Good  Job there   Little one... sure'n the  crew in this ship will like......

 The  first Pirate  Pulled a Note at random . from her belt Pouch and  called into the speaker...Every  table gets   1 free pitcher of drink of thier choice!!!

 The CAptain Grins  an Orria,..well done!... enjoy yer time on the  EPS Grabber!

  the other  Piratte  picked up the Box   and they went  into the back ( to reload?)..

  Orria and Melia  had 70 tokens  and  1 stuffed lonnox... and a waitress asking her  what  pitcher of drink she wanted for free.

In reply to Jesse (msg # 26):

Jesse nods slowly, cautiously at the girl's comment.

She looks that the guy and manages a hardier nod.  That might be more up my alley, she said.  What you know about the handler of the dock?

  There is another   fellow in the shadows, he sits a bit behind the  woman in the Hood.

  ...as far as i know..there  are  three docks in Teh Stem, that are opened...SEC won't admit it... they enevr gave permits like Fuji or  Olympus...but they are there...might be another  couple  that are bigenough to dock and unlaod...

Jesse listened intently and took a deep breath.  Looks like I got a bit of a walk to take, she says and looks at the guy hidden in the shadows that spoke.  Any of you work at the docks?

She turns her attention briefly to look inside the bar casually and then returns her attention to the group and even looking out around them for any one else who may be watching them.