In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 309):

The message on Linus's phone was from the real estate agent.

"In advance of our meeting at the property, I decided to check it out and make sure no pipes were burst and so on. I saw someone suspicious on the roof, so I called the police to check it out. Maybe we should wait a bit until they contact me. At any rate, call my pager and leave a number or message and I will return your call, or tell me where I can meet you."

Blake, Ken, Linus and Jaxxon were all at the diner on the edge of town. Blake walked out into the parking lot, which was plowed and salted. Several trucks were parked as their drivers were served. Inside, the pie and coffee was good, but they were going to be late as it was for the meeting.

"Linus, let's go ahead to the property.  I have a feeling that Stanley may be in a bit of trouble and we can meet with the agent.  Do you want us all along?"

Blake will take his share to go ...  Fire up the a/raft & head out.

Linus called back "We are on our way there now, please meet us there at the bar."

He nodded to the rest and headed out.

Ken followed Linus.

When the others arrived, they found a silver SUV parked in front. The agent was waiting outside, a middle-aged man in a parka and snow boots. A tow truck with a ploq attachment drove by and turned into the rear alley.

In the back alley, Stanley was being written a ticket for unsafe operation of a flying vehicle. "Sorry sir, you do understand that gravity vehicles are not allowed to operate as air vehicles in city and town limits. You can pick up your... bike... at the impound yard after you pay the fine, Cr500."

Linus took the lead.

"Good day. I'm Linus Spruance, these are some of my associates..."

Ken stepped forward a bit.  "Ken Jenkins, pleased to meet you."

The real estate agent shook hands. Jaxxon stayed in the air/raft, heater on.

"Pleased to meet you, say... you have an air/raft and I noticed it's got an offworld registration. The contabulary has, well, a non-human in the back alley with a grav bike, I saw him flying around, which is illegal in town and reported it. It seems like too much of a coincidence, is this a friend of yours?"

"It is likely that it is, a chap called Stanley. Can you recommend an appropriate approach to smooth things over with the constables...?" said Linus.

Ken remained silent but took a look down the alleyway.

Somewhat out of context here ...  Blake Renfield, nice to see you.

"Is this piece important?"

Back at the ship, the maintenance proceeded apace. It would, however, still take 2-3 days to complete the post-Jump checklist, unless they wanted to risk a (small) chance of there being a misjump.

Kal looked uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry for calling the police. I didn't know it was your friend. Usually, paying the fine is what works. I guess I could have a word with the officer."

He went to speak to the constable sergeant, who was trying to figure out how to tow away the grav bike.

Fortunately, the constable wasn't too interested and staying around while the grav bike was taken away to impound. Although he didn't know Kal he agreed it was more a stupid mistake and not criminal activity and so let Stanley off with a warning.

Soon, Kal had the rear door open. Inside was a set of stairs leading down. He clicked on a light, then unlocked the door at the bottom, and led everyone inside.

It was cold and dim inside the rear of the bar. A slight layer of dust coated the bar, furnishings and seats. Kal turned on more lights, extolling the virtues of the establishment like the utilities, carbonation system, kitchen and sound system. The bar's previous owners had done a major overhaul and upgrade about a year ago so to Linus' eyes it looked in good shape indeed.

On the wall behind the bar was the artefact they came to find. It was the same kind of hexagonal breastplate with planetary markings they found on Mirayn.

Ken stayed quiet and let Kal and the officer speak regarding Stanley.  When the two were busy he gave the intrepid Miryan a thumbs up and a grin.  As they headed down into the bar he looked around with increasing eagerness.  At the sight of the artifact Ken brightened but didn't make any overt move toward it.  He did continue to walk around behind the bar and examine the drink mixing apparatus.

"It looks like it is in good shape.  Did the previous owners go bankrupt then?  It seems they left all of the furnishings behind."

Any chance of seeng the upstairs too ??

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 327):

Kal's breath streamed inside the cold, still, basement space.

"This business didn't go bankrupt, but the parent company did and they needed to divest themselves of all their holdings. No one was willing to buy, so far, so we could make you a very reasonable offer.

"Upstairs? Yes, of course!" He started to lead them over to a set of double doors that connected to the hotel lobby upstairs. "This way, gentlemen."

Did the owner live up here, was it rented out ?? Wink wink, nod nod to the others. Blake will follow along checking out the building & such.  He will ask about the local history, any chance of an interesting find out there in the 'back yard', anyone own those buildings & such ??  Could the roof serve as an air raft parking lot ??  Just look out the door at the roof, no need to wander around out there on it.  If Kal asks, they know more about running a bar than I do,apartments & such is my domain.  Yadda yadda yadda ...

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 330):

"Did the owner live here? Uh, no, I don't think so. This building has been around for decades, it's possible someone did but probably they lived in town. "Interesting finds"? Sure, I guess anything's possible! Historians talk about how the Sky Raiders ruled this part of space thousands of years ago, something in the news about Mirayn, I didn't really pay too much attention, I'm afraid.

"It's great you are interested in the hotel as well as the tavern. The property was very well kept-up, as you can see."

Kal pointed out what might be considered selling points (some of the woodwork, electrical system and so on) but the hotel interior was definitely on the shabby side. After an elevator ride they tramped up a set of stairs to the roof door. They found it locked and Kal didn't have a key. "Oh, very sorry. The hotel has a kitchen, would you like to see that as well?"

This message was deleted by the player at 04:33, Thu 12 Dec 2013.

Is the mining equipment still in those buildings out there ??  He jerks his thumb about.  Or did they strip everything while departing ??  Blake knocks on some walls, looks here & there ...  How much to restore this place using local people ??  Do you know any local techs ??  As they wind things up, We have a ship & are thinking about doing some surveys, any findings would mean a ground team coming in to muck about for awhile.

As they walked through the building Ken showed a reasonable degree of interest without obviously putting on an act.  He was military and would never look like less than military.  As they paused before heading down he spoke up.  "That hexagonal object behind the bar.  I took a fancy to it; I collect antique and primitive shields and armor or suchlike.  Could I buy it off you for say 100 credits?"

"Oh, the artwork downstairs? Yes, sure, 100 seems reasonable. You can get it on the way out.

"The mines have had a lot of equipment removed, I hear, but much remains. Restoring the hotel and bar would be very reasonable. A month's work for a good crew, there are contractors in town that could really use the work."

He got a speculative look on his face. "Pardon me for asking, do you know something other people don't? I mean, the moly was the main ore being mined and that's supposedly all gone. If we're looking for long term accommodations or office space, then I can be a lot of help! Plenty of prime locations to look at, here in the valley."
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:02, Thu 12 Dec 2013.