I'm sure we can cough up the cash ...  Blake will pay a percentage of it.  Now then, where we going & what awaits us there ??  Usual grad student camp-out, I mean excavation ??

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 61):

The courier firmly shook his head. "You have 30 seconds to work this out, but if I don't have credits, Imperial credits and not local, in my hands by then, these are going to take a walk."

In reply to GM (msg # 62):

Walker arrives, with a cup of tea in his hand.

"Credits for what?  How many?  Do you accept Imperial bank transfers?"

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 63):

The Scout looked around nervously before opening his satchel. Inside were 2 hard cases emblazoned with IISS logos. Standard IISS issue for optical devices.

"Cr14000 for 2 pairs of Scout Service PRISS field glasses. Imperial credits only. Cash on the barrel-head."

In reply to GM (msg # 64):

"Let me see if Ken's around.  If Ken's not around, would you mind going with me to the bank?  I don't keep that sort of cash around on hand all the time."

He goes to an intercom.

"Ken, package here for you.  He wants cash, too."

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 65):

The courier looked at Blake and raised an eyebrow. "How about you, chief? You guys aren't the only customers I got. And no, no refund or exchange without the extended warranty. Just kidding, no warranty or refund. These fell off the back of an Air/Raft, if you catch my drift."

Ken sauntered out.  He was a bit irked that Lorain couldn't make it but then such things happened.  He glanced over at what the courier was carrying and brightened.  "Hey there, before we fork over the cash let's see the goods." He holds out a hand.  "Let me try one first."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 67):

"Certainly. The batteries should be all charged up." He handed a pair to Ken and one to Thomas. They seemed to be functioning perfectly.

In reply to GM (msg # 68):

"These work pretty good.  I've never used Scout equipment before.  Got any more?  How about scopes for rifles?  If I know I'm buying something, I can take care of having cash on hand."

Anything else, ahhhh, fall off an air raft ??  Never know when you'll hit some turbulence.

Blake stands back, putting some space between himself & the others.  Any outside monitors nearby ??  Wads of loose cash have dangers of their own ...

Ken tried out the binoculars and nodded.  "They are just as advertised.  Let me go get the payment." He turned and headed to the ship's safe and pulled out a wad of cred sticks.  He'd kept a fair bit of his own reward from their mission on Miryan in cash knowing that they would be traveling away from banks and established planets.  Upon returning he counted out the money.

"It's a pleasure doing business with you.  If you have any other interesting finds we'd always be interested.  We're highly mobile with the ship and are always looking for the possibility of a bit of extra business."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 71):

The Scout accepted the credits from Ken, stuffing them into a pocket.

"Thanks, chief.

"Blake, anything else, happy to let you know. Leave a message for you at the Scout Base if I do."

Addressing Thomas he said, "we don't have any scopes you can't buy on the open market, for cheaper. Scout issue's more rugged, I guess.

"You fellows need anything, Blake knows how to get ahold of my supplier. Guy named "Ali", at the Scout base.

"Now, If you gentlemen don't mind, I gotta get going..."

Ken took the binoculars and nodded to the man.  "Thanks for doing business with us."  He turned to the others.  "We've a launch window in about four hours.  Make any last minute trips or arrangements and be back onboard in two hours."

At the 3 hour mark Blake shows up for the pre-flight walk-around, assuming the ship has not flown during the interim.  Then the interior check-outs, files the flight "paperwork" plans, navigation updates & all that other pre-mission stuff, outbound traffic situation & checks with Ollie about the mechanical stuff "out back."  Destination is ... ???  Cargo & passengers ??

Yes, the new pilot-side coffee holder works just fine.

Linus picks up some fresh produce and is soon busy in the galley preparing a feast for after lift off.

Ken wondered, Maybe we head to Nesbitt next?
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:57, Wed 11 Sept 2013.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 76):

Mariel finished up on her Nav terminal.

"Yeah, looks like the first delivery is for Nesbitt.

"I took the liberty of ordering a few odds and ends from the chandler's. Mainly, there's nine of us now. So another Vacc suit, some extra cold weather clothing.

"Everyone's on board, let's take 'er up!"

In reply to Mariel Migaraa (msg # 77):

"Mind if I stay up here for launch? Plenty of room!"

Unlike most military or Scout ships, the A2's bridge was roomy and had a great view. Plus extra seating in the back.

In reply to Jaxxon Zalvedes (msg # 78):

Stanley also entered the bridge, sat in one of the rear jump seats.

"We are ready for liftoff, my friend. Let's depart!"

In reply to Stanley (msg # 79):

Walker came onto the bridge.

"Mind if I watch liftoff from here?  Is there a seat I can use?  I've always been 'just a passenger' before."

Holy gomping groats, you'ld think this was a maiden flight.  Seats everyone & strap in.    Once satisfied that everyone is comfy & restrained, he gives Miriel a wink & nod ...

A gentle lift-off, brief hover to slowly rotate/turn about so everyone can see the star port & then we angle back, apply thrust & head up the designated travel corridor to space.

Miriel can get us the vectors for the departure traffic lane.  Ahhh the life of a space jock ...

Ollie, how's everything back there ??

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 81):

There was no real room in the cockpit for observers, but the crew lounge and reception area had large screens for viewing. [OOC: My mistake, looking at the deck plans I see the cockpit itself is cramped and has only 2 stations. But there is more room in the lounge immediately aft. The computer room is where the Navigation station is located.]

It was a gentle lift-off. No one felt so much as a jolt as the inertial dampers cancelled all extra motion. A flock of white sea birds was startled into into the air as their flight path took them over white sand beaches to the south of Alnezei's capitol city. In a little less than a half hour, the blue sky had turned black and stars appeared. Many of those "stars" were orbiting satellites and stations in low orbit. As well, commercial and military ship and small boat traffic were in parking orbits around the globe, or transiting from surface to low or high orbits.

Radars showed clusters of habitats and factories hovering fare "above" in the Lagrange points, as well as the commercial high port and naval base in geosynchronous orbit.

Alnezei's moon rose over the horizon, a bright sunlit crescent was visible but the night side showed the glowing patches or cities and industrial areas connected by a spiderweb of well-lit ground roads.

"Empress Victoria this is Alnezei System Traffic Control. Be advised, you are cleared for Jumpspace insertion on course for Nesbitt. Have a safe Jump."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:43, Thu 12 Sept 2013.

Ken watched from the lounge after giving Blake and Mariel a thumbs up for launch and transition to Jump space.  He watched the ship soar into space with the wonder that he always felt at these times. "Well done Blake.  Let's get her gone."

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 81):

"All good here, be sure you don't bend my engines when we jump!"

ready to fold space Ollie ??

Blake & Miriel aim the ship towards Nesbitt & settle in for the cruise to the jump point.  Their eyes rove back & forth, across instruments & scans, looking for troubles & nearby stuff.  Any interesting comm traffic out there ??  Blake keeps one ear tuned to the intra-ship comm for interesting chatter ...