Olly is happy enough about his shadows, they haven't broken anything and, on occasion, they have even been helpful. He has also taken every opportunity to ensure that everyone knows that while it is "their" ship, it is "his" engineering deck!

He has replenished the engineering stores, check over the tools, laser torches etc and made sure that all the emergency kit is up to spec and working (Rescue Balls, Emergency Vacc Suits, Cold Sleep Births etc)

He has also spent a little time buying some personal kit and equipment, that list to follow.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 33):

As promised, Lorrain accepts the offer for coffee. She even goes out to dinner with him. Although he doesn't get lucky, she does say she want's to see him, next time he's in port. She's not in a relationship at this time, no matter what Sir Drew had implied. (Before his untimely disappearance during the attack on the archaeological base camp.

The ship was finally ready to lift off. All equipment was up to spec, systems were at 100%. Olly was finally happy with the way things had shaped up, broke and desperate he had joined the crew at the last jump before Mirayn without realising most of them (save Mariel) were little better than pirates. Routine maintenance had been a real problem, now it wasn't.

In her quest to get a normal wardrobe, Neva found that many of the sales people were happy to help her shop for clothing, and she was talked into a full makeover.

Unfortunately, this far outside the Imperium auto-docs were extremely expensive as they needed to be imported. They could not be produced locally at TLC except as prototypes.

The Empress Victoria had a new galley after refurbishment, Linus was happy with what he had to work with!

There were several ex-Imperial Scouts on the Institute's faculty, they were happy to talk old times. The Scout base on Alnezar was almost the end of the line, 2 sectors over from the Spinward Marches. A few Scouts reaching retirement age decided to settle on the pleasant frontier world, and were gladly offered positions teaching or researching the Sciences for the Institutes.

Neva returned to the ship with lots of bags and a smile on her face.  She felt different.  The good kind of different but it was still strange.  She remembered the person who looked back at her now in mirrors but it had been awhile.  After her gear had been stowed and her purchases put in her room, Neva went to the common area to see if anybody else was around.  She gave her new hairdo a quick fluff as if to verify it actually was her.

Ken enjoys the brief dalliance with Lorain before turning back to the more serious effort of operating the ship.  He will work with each of the crew to integrate them into the proper positions as well as plan out a route to move passengers and cargo.  One issue is that while they might not have an autodoc he will try to get a more advanced medical kit than TL 7.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 40):

Blake does his buys, as noted elsewhere along with an inertial locator for himself.  Flying is great, but when it comes to hoofing about dirt-side - lets just say he needs to see what is around the next curve, over the next hill & then comes the "How do we get back from here ??" syndrome  - typical scout, lost in the scenery.

Blake also spends time schmoozing with the University scouts, the usual scout tales along with a history lesson of the sector.  Since he is hauling artifacts & such, probably some time with the grad students as they examine stuff.  They can explain matters & decipher the jargon & such.  One might even have an interesting bikini displacement ...
This message was last updated by the GM at 04:14, Wed 21 Aug 2013.

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 41):

Blake makes some good contacts with the local Scouts at the uni and IISSB Base Alnezar. As well, one of the instructors recommends a grad student to help tutor him on an informal basis about archaeology.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:31, Wed 21 Aug 2013.

Ken will spend some time as well around the starport bars to gain some knowledge of likely jobs and hazards of going out on their own.

The rest of Blake's $$ goes into different banking accounts.  He doesn't need a lot for daily life.  The piloting itch is starting to develop ...  Been dirtside toooooo long.

It having been just 2 weeks, Linus received word that his instructions were sent about a week and a half earlier. A Jump-2 freighter was passing through and would drop it off. They would arrive in a few days and the reply would have to wait for someone else coming the other direction. It would take some time for a sale and return message, but it was all in good hands.

Olly reviews his purchases;

SMG and 20 loaded Magazines
Cloth
Reflec
Paw Pad Hand Computer (latest model!)
Combo Mask to fit a Vargr

All neatly stored away and clearly marked as "Property of..."

Blake spends time at the scout base, trading stories, adventures & sure-proof strategies to pick up girls ...  Catching up on news & the war situation.  Incredibly he ends drinking with the supply & requistion people ...  Which quickly proceeds to become a contest between the rival IISS field & bureaucracy elements.

Ahhhh, the stories that are told of that night;  shot for shot mixed drinks which descended into rocket fuel mixtures, very loud singing of the IISS basic training songs from the table-tops - a few comparing Her Grace, The Crown Princess' womanly shape to space, the mission & the stars, and the wagering of Blake's confidential scout brew recipes for some equipment ...

I dare-say that security eventually dragged them away, contestants & witnesses.  Many separate stories had to be combed thru to determine the actual chain of events ...  Many hangovers were considered to be in the jump 6 regions ...
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:06, Mon 02 Sept 2013.

The (late) morning afterwards ...


Several black coffees, a cold shower & assorted remedies later.  Not totally sure how a thong & this comm number got in the PRISS pack ...

Linus came by, and a bar tender's practised eye discerned the malady. He got to work concocting a mixture...

"Here, Blake, drink this... in one gulp is best."

The contents of the mixture are a trade secret, but Blake's sure he saw Tabasco, a raw egg, tomato juice and several other items being mixed in. It smells, faintly, of rotten eggs overlaid with cherries.

Ken has finished up stocking up on weapons, ammo and gear for the ship as well as a crash course in ship board operations.  He makes a last call on Lorain before the go, inviting her out to dinner not at a tremendously expensive place but one of those places that just exudes good food and a friendly disarray on the beach at the end of a bumpy road.

Neva sits down in the common area and shares her head.  She has gone over her numbers again and again and it just doesn't make sense.  She knows she needs help but isn't sure who to ask.  She finally gets out her new computer and goes through the figures again.

"Are you all right, Neva?" asked Linus. "Can I get you anything?"

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 52):

Without thinking Neva automatically responded with "No, yes, I don't know."  She then stopped and looked up at Linus and shook her head.  "Have you ever found yourself in a position that is somewhat familiar but still not?  I mean..can I ask you a question?"

Neva didn't stop to wait for permission, perhaps thinking he might say no, and just continued on.  "I find myself in such a situation.  I don't need much but realize I need more than what I am thinking I need but on the other hand I don't want to waste the creds we just got."  Neva curled her legs up on the seat she was on and shrugged her shoulders.

"I think that I need to save or invest part of it but am at a loss of how to proceed or what would be good or bad.  I have "cleaned up" and have food and a place to stay.  I have a job which will bring in more creds and I have found friends.  I splurged on a few new weapons, a new computer and engineering toolkit, clothing, and other miscellaneous things and still have money left over.  I'm not one to trust banks and yet I don't want to carry it ALL with me."

Neva looked up with a quizzical expression on her face.  "Is this making any sense? While I was on the force if I would have said this I would have said I was crazy.  I guess it just takes being on the opposite end of the survival scale to appreciate and realize that all the other stuff you used to have really isn't that important...although if I'm not careful I'm sure I could get back into that mentality even though I'm not sure I want to."

Neva then shut up because she was sure they would think her crazy because SHE thought she was crazy.  Whoever complained about not knowing how to spend creds?

Linus listened carefully to what Neva had to say.

"I am probably not the best fellow to ask. I did not spend much when in the service, saved it all up and bought my bar. Now I have ended up here, like you reasonably well-provided for in terms of day-to-day expenses but likely unable to return to my bar in the foreseeable future. I have sent instructions to my lawyers to sell it - but what I shall do with the proceeds I have no idea."

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 54):

Linus words made Neva feel better.  "At least I am not the only one who is in this predicament so that means I'm not crazy...or at least if I am I have company.  That is good thing, yes?"

She thought some more before speaking.  "<blue>So you trust banks?  More than one bank or only one bank?  If you trust lawyers that must mean you trust banks."

"If you do business you have to trust them, at least a bit. The wise man keeps an eye on things, though."

Linus looked a bit worried.

"I do not really like selling the bar without being there, but it seemed the best option."

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 56):

Neva looked over at Linus.  "You are right about the trust issue.  Why are you selling the bar then if you do not want to?  Is it because you do not expect to go back after this adventure?  Is it not making money?  Why would you sell something that you want?"

"I am selling it because I am not sure I shall ever go back. It seems my retirement was a little premature. When I eventually settle down, it may be somewhere else entirely. I don't want to be tied to going back."

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 58):

Neva nodded at Linus words.  "I'm not sure people ever retire.  I believe it is more like they just change their careers.  It would be a good thing to have something that would earn a nest egg for when you need it but other than that I can see where it would a problem to have.  Thanks for your comments on this.  I have been sort of...retired...before I joined up here.  It's surprising how quickly a person gets used to something."

It was a fine afternoon, warm and fragrant. Alnezar was a beautiful planet.

That day, the cargo of scientific instruments and supplies for a remote Institute deep space research platform was loaded aboard the ship.

It didn't look like Lorrain would be able to meet up with Ken before they lifted, but she sent her regards.

At the starport, Blake received a package, dropped off by a local Scout Base employee. 2 pairs of Scout Service field glasses, aka "PRISS" units. Cr14000, cash only. The rest of the crew and ship gear was loaded aboard and stowed in lockers for launch.