"Starboard side, huh?" he asked.  His comm flickered with a simple video message and he grinned slightly.  For him, Delta Night started a few hours ago...but it was now official.  "Let me see what we can do..."  He started back to the van, not wanting to clue the guard in on the array of resources they could call on.  Messe trusted him...but trusted people could be turned...or interrogated, and give up valuable information...

As he got further away, he keyed his comm.  "Your timing is impeccable, Beth.  What kind of surveillance resources are there through the Stem?  Specifically, from my location on around the starboard side.  There's a group of traffickers moving kids off-season through one of the Stem docks...Messe's gone in through their front door, I'm hoping to drop in either between them and their dock, or right at their dock, and put a big crimp in their pipeline..."  He figured there wasn't a lot of surveillance in place...at least, not official surveillance.  But he also knew Beth had a knack for digging up resources that didn't officially exist, when it came to stuff like this.

"If all else fails, if you can give us the location of any Stem docks that currently have ships docked or are running higher on power...Hell, for that matter, if you can just navigate us to the next dock going starboard from my current location..."  It would be less than ideal...but it would be a starting point, and if it wasn't the dock the traffickers were using, odds were good they'd have to pass it...

In reply to Zobaich (msg # 5):

Melia entered smelling faintly of smokewood but was, mostly due to her own inefficiency at packing the bowl only feeling a little relaxed. Over her shoulder she had a small bag filled with the various things she'd need.

  beth came Back on the COMs, To anyone watching  she  was  playing  'Fighters and footsoldiers"  a tech based RP  game with war tactics  and  character building.

   3d fighters  and troops moved on a  Holo map, but  under the  'game table' was the real Op  screens.

  Stem Cams  are, for crap here... maybe  gresh will change that... from the outside....we  have....... 4 frigates standing off  the length of the  Stem on the  'Stem Starboard" ( as it is labeled).

 .. 3  of them have Loading lights on..which means.. they are waiting thier   turn to  dock at the  Lowers or  uppers  arms.... The   4th one is   standing off  from  Stem Starboad # 44... I would say that's  where you want to go?.. Numbers on the starboard  are Even... so?
 you got a good  Mile to get there?

  Shadow   pipes in.....Just Like   Fuji and Olympus.. the  Dock  Numbers    are painted  on the inside and outide of the Stem... can't  Miss the  Numbers... they are Bigger the Larry's appetite!

  Cora   came  over  and saidthey are Just about here...havig trouble  getting away from suits...

 Thanks Cora.. stand off   at the  end of the counter?..no one  gets  past you..tell them there is a  big Money game going on..


 ..Already Done LC...

In reply to Roy Spencer (msg # 8):

Hawkeye stuck close to Roy as they headed back towards the van. She eyed the area warily as they moved and Roy communicated with Beth and received additional information.

——> Everest

Upon entering Shadow’s condo Harry would casually saunter over to where Beth and the others were currently sitting ”So have we got any playmates for a girl like me?” she asked, deciding that she’d wait until she’d seen what was on offer before going to collect her gear. When all was said and done she didn’t have to take part so if there was nothing that suited her then she could always go back to the party.

 Sam walks in and heads for a seat next to Beth, and then says," Hi Beth we are getting all ready, where do you need me and how can I help, oh and we have the folder ready as well."

 Meari will walk in looking a little lost to what was going on but it looked official to some degree, she did over hear what harry said and was very interested, she said," Yes are there any playmates I could have fun with as well, I would like to help out if my services could be useful in this endeavor?"

    Garrat comes in from talking to the children, and sending his Cheif of security back to the ship with a full belly.

    "Harry, if anyone were bad girl enough to bring a misguided soul over from EDT it would be you. Though I wish I could pair you up with a Dwarf from the iron shield clan, they're good men, fun drinkers, and by what I hear, damn good lovers once you get used to the beard."

"Copy that...44.  Thanks, Beth, you just saved us potentially hours of hunting people down."  As they got back to the van, Roy opened the door and climbed in.

"Starboard 44...there's a frigate setting up to dock there, everything else bound for the stem is standing off for now.  Should be about a mile...I want a drive-by, initially, just so we can scan it visually and see what we're up against...drive on a little further and drop down out of their view and we'll work our way back driving on the streets so they don't see us coming.  Messe's chasing down a child-trafficking ring, and they apparently grabbed a couple of upper-class kids at the game this time around so the heat is on."

He turned in his seat, so Nagy and Lyri could see him a little more clearly.  "The plan, such as it is, is for us to drop in on the dock and shut down their operation there, and intercept the runners that Messe is chasing...let her chase them right into our hands.  The drive-by is to see if we can manage that with the firepower we have on hand, or if we need to get some assistance.  Depending on the situation, I may call for Jax or Nifty...or both...and Lyri's and my sniper rifles, and maybe an extra body or two with SMGs or assault rifles.  But we'll figure that out once we see what we're up against."

 The Van   went dwon the    stem ..  staying above the   Buildings.  Most folks wouldn't see them, but everyone in the Van has been in Stem Hunts before... a kids here  darting into some rubble..   a pair  or or of Gangers   walkign the streets   with weapons  as  they lok up  hoping to see  see a Hover  car  landing.  off in the distance  , Flashes of weapons   fare   as  disagreements  are settled.

  they could see Meese  and her  troopers go into  a door  on the  third  flight up.

 Lyri Points ahead to the  Massive  numbers....if they are ehaded to that dock?  it  doesn't  matter  which access   runnel they are  Using, they have  to reach that dock..right?

  Nagy   said..SM...look?

 there were   at lest   7   people   outside the    door of the third Level, there were more Milling around  at Ground level, while  a pair of   Vans parked at the bottom of the stairs.. the  headlights  were on    as  gangers unloaded    bundles.

 at the  door    one  large man  Tossed   a Bundle through the  door  , then began to    take the steps back down.

 why not  just take the Vans up?

 too much  to notice.. Even EverSEC  would have  to check somehting  out if they saw  Vans  Unlaoding  near Docks that are suposed to be used.

 Lotsa  people on the ground.. decent Number on the stairs...who knows how many in the Docking bay?

    Garrat listens to Spencer's last com and facepalms.  "I finally get my hide tied to a battle ready ship with a nearly complete crew and we have a frigate involved in illegal actions off the stem.  Tell me there is an ESN ship that can get close enough to pin them when the time comes without arousing suspicion."

Henry nods.

"Yes, we went up the mountain before. It's a good place for largs and Mila to range over and find anything amiss, and deal with it."

Hearing Garrat’s comment she would give him a bit of a funny look, with her not really sure how to take the idea of him wanting to match make her with a dwarf, instead she would settle with answering his other comment ”so they can stab me in the back later? I think not Gar, if see any EDT I’m wasting them no matter what they say” she said in a cool voice. The EDT had messed with her once too often to be receiving any mercy or second chances from her.

"Looks like we have a winner.  And that also looks like a lot of people for four of us to tangle with, especially with Hawkeye packing a Sanri blaster..."  While the blasters were devastating at close range, they were definitely a close-range weapon.

"How fast can the cavalry get here, Beth?  We'd probably want at least another four...six or eight would be better.  If we can shut this down in a hurry, everyone would be free for additional ops later."

He glanced at Lyri.  "That's a lot of people to fight through, to come up from the street...you suppose they're prepared for a random vanload of armed personnel to take the direct approach?  I mean, we already have EVERSEC checking into it, so what's the harm in drawing more attention to the place?"  He started looking around for the bags.

"What do we have in the way of grenades, exactly?"  If they were going to intercede, they needed to move fast...the longer the vans below had time to offload, the more potential collateral damage was accumulating in the dock.

Yeah my Sanri Blaster is better suited to last ditch defenses and close in" she says eyeing the situation.

Closest I can do for grenades is either recommend  Shadow special or I think I have a bottle of rubbing alcohol in this bag. Cut up a bandage for a fuse and you could make a pretty decent molotov cocktail, but that's about maxed my offensive capacity. Hawkeye explains ruffling through the bag

  Beth Came on the COMs...we're  ready for a  the  Briefing?.. tell us  what you want we   got some to spare, i should think

 Lyri  says,  The GO  Bag as  6 grenades, all frags... 3 extra  mags  per  weapon   and One SMG  and one Pusle rifle  no onbe is using  yet

Sarah excused herself from the dance floor slipping into the back area for the briefing.

   Garrat got on his com, “Joseph, you got the message?  We might need backup immediately.  All who want to come help in a stem operation are free, but I need a base crew, the vulture on standby and the other two pilots in the shuttles.”

“Your kidding me, your pulling the Entire ship into delta night?

  Garrat Sighs, “no, I’m getting us ready to help prevent a huge number of children from getting shipped off to be demon appetizers, speaking of which we have Naragrans to feed.  Do you want to argue with THEM?”

    “Okay, but Missy is asking questions.  We can’t continue to use LG01 resources as our own.

  Stefi  lead  a   cleaned up, Patched  up ( sore arm from a shot) m Can out of the 'Med tech' room.  and led him out to the  Kids  for eats and  drinks, and ..hopefully..fun.

 ........

   Shadow   listened to Roy as the others Talked , He Looked over  at  Harry and pointed at her with a Nod.. She has the Right Off it... in the  end... you are on premise  when  at EDT or Empire   schumk  surrenders.... any doubt, what so  ever?  You put them down... if you let one go, and  they kill someone esle?.. its  just as bad as if you killed them  yourselves, You can count on one hand  the people i let slide

 then he  looks at the wall towards  the  Party  and abck to the  'gaming Table",..but there were some  i should have never  trusted at all.

 Cora says...ADMIRAL ON DEC!!!

 ..as  you were , everyone.... this is a Party...

 Frans  and Eckles  Bring attention back to the  dancing and  drinks  and such  at the Vid  Machine a rea.. while a few people are    watching the kickoff   for the Athena Game.

 He Hands a Packet to Shadow that Says  " LT Morrow... Eyes Only" he hands it   to beth with out a  second look.

 Beth doesn't look up as she  waits for Roy's   answer,..SM, Lyri and Nagy are  at the    Stem Starboard  on this  end of the Stem..  Capt Messe   and   some of her people are  after   traffickers

 She Opened that  packet  and begins to  type up  things  that are on the Lower   right hand  screen, under the Game screen that has a   full battle  of   little  Holo warriors  and fighters.

Arnie    'made drinks" at the  kitchen counter, but most were soft drinks or  Juice that looked alot like  the hard stuff

 Hack   stepped  back a bit to  let the folks who wanted to take a shot step up.he  began to recite as beth Typed.

Cole Brickworth.

 London, has a Food  and resource   transport company in the  Uppers, he works   under  Honey's Comet' who is a big  mover and shaker for the EDT... EverSEC  has  had   actions  filed  about  Kidnapping  and transport of  people and  goods  to EDT or Empire Outposts. It is  more   suspect, since there haven't been  any of his ships  attacked  by Pirates  or Enemy forces...

Lei Wung-Ti

 ..from some palce in China... waves hand in disgust,..Had relatives on the first two  Chinese  ships that set out  for  the Balck.. thier Intent was to reach Everest,,, but  neither ship made it.. she Blames the Angels , since    all traffic  before that time  was   Angel or  APF starships...works  for  Everest  , ESN, HQ..she brought lot of her people with her, they are seeded though the   station like insects.. so watch yourslef...

Using Beth's talents, we seeded her    Information street with some   false falgs and a few Juciey tidnits.. the tidbits  were  all attacked, and the  false flags were made to look as if the 'bugged out' in time...she is accused of  Spying , stealign Fund  from the   ESN and APF, and..selling   Info and tech data

 he shrugs like some one who was  asked if it might rain,No charges  have stuck ..lots of people went missing or died that could have shown light on her... the bottom line?..if she's dead..it stops...

 Nalba Curro

Earth Africa?..The Congo i think, not sure. She leads one of the Largest Merc Guilds
 in The Black.. she has  a  'Blue Letter'  whicj means  no one from either side of this
 war  can harm her , or her operations , unless she conducts   operations   locally.. She is a  bad ass...

 Rest of her looks good though?

 Flores  elbowed  Shadow/

 Hack gave a look and continued, Her biggest operations  are 'Brown Coats'  also Noted   as LongCoats..., she   covers her Movements..at elast legally , by running  a shuttle Business in the Lowers. She  runs them  on station and other stations as well as  traveling the Black, she has   some nice  troop carrying   Shuttles   that can take  50 to 100 people
 , but they are lightly armored  and  made for sped and stealth..she   has used their  resources  to move EDT and Empire

 Steve McCann

Sottish.. big transporter of  everything that  the EDT  and Empire  want or  needs under the Guise  of  'Haulway Transport"... nothing has ever  been turned up in Eversec searches. We  must assume they  move High value assets, and..perhaps  kidnapped   people...
they always  transport  things to Everest from other places.

Koonish

 ..Male , Sanri, Merc Captain, was once...at one time on the fat  track in the Sanri Military, until he was caught, allowing   Empire   people to take   wounded and dead to be usedf as food...he was  drummed out of the Sanri Military  and now  has a  big Hate for  anything APF...

 He  runs at ;east   Half of the Stem Gangers...with one of  his Mercs   as a captain for  each Gang...again? primary on this , is kids and Young  adults  and  females..

Everest Mount

 This is Doc henry's  job... Disna  and his Larg  partner  will be bringing the Largs  down to land  at the  Gate  close to where the  sNowcats and  snow Hover  cars  are rented... They will be  brinig  Gregor as well..may was well get the little one field work... You can take  Roll with you is you wish..but  you should have at least  two people  with you besides  Disna and Puskie ..You will be Hunting for an Alleged  " Child containment ' area Under  Eererest Mount...it is supposed to be a holding area  for kids
 before they send  them to Med tech ships... You will be  Judge , Jury and executioner, if
 what you find, is what i hope you don't /Red>

 <Red>Now  Beth?..You said You and Sam have something?

  Hack looked at the screen as he  waited for  Beth and Sam,..Pick your  Kills... we have   a Delta Night to get  started..

 I'll take whatever is left... Roy needs    people  in the Stem?.. I guess  he'll let us know.

 beth Looks at Shadow, wait....

 Hemsly  peeked  around Shadow,Bleedin'  gangers? we're wastin'  ESN  folks on Gangers?

 Shadow   shook his head, ESN should just shoot them where they stand..but they don't.. they'll pick on Stem  kids , but   don't want to mix it up  with scum who are  holdign a weapon?... you see gangers.. gun them down, on general principles...it save someone esle trouble later

   "Yes we are wasting ESN folk on Gangsters, you want to know why?   Ask Sneak, and any of those kids out there.  It's time we cleaned this crap up or everything we are doing in the black is a hypocrisy."

    He looks at Hack "I've been listening to Spencer's coms.  I might be able to field some Mechs and pilots from my ship, and as I'm not even Delta fleet-Merc yet, my crew is fairly under the radar.    This will tie into hunting Koonish anyway, though I suspect some of my crewmembers want a piece of Nalba.

   It sounds like Nalba is responsible for killing off the Watch-Dog Merc Companies and many of the colonies they were looking after.  Does Koonish work under her?  It might be operations in the stem can draw her out.

  I can also see if my Naragrans want to go hunting and we need someone to watch that Frigate from the outside.  If you have a better choice I'd prefer it but the Immigrant's song is available.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:35, Fri 04 Sept 2020.

 Sam opened her file and then sent the copy to the screens so everyone could see, then she reads out," There were  some people who tried to  'deface' the memorial  and a   section was cut out of the  metal that  served  as  both Lady's  grave on the planet and  her Memorial.

 Burains  do not  bother with  Graves,  dead  a buried  to 'give back ' to the planet. But  any marked   put up are Sacrosanct  and defacing one  carries a death sentence  ( paying the dead back, with the death of those who defiled their memory )

  Two people a Man and woman were Gunned down  by BuraSEC..the other  two vanished, no one  found the  chunk of metal.

  There was a fellow who died  on Everest  within the last month or so, he was selling Burian Artifacts  and such, his  room was found to have been trashed and he was shot by pulse weapons.That is all we know about this situation so far." Sam fisked and then waited for the responses from everyone.