Mariel asked, "why don't we let Starport security know? They could get a warrant to search their ship. Someone had to put the envelope on the pallet. Maybe as the cargo bot carrying it passed the Diamond's berth?"

"Right. How do we do this?" asked Linus.

"A front man ostensibly doing their bidding and the rest sneaking in to deal with them whilst they are distracted? In which case, I'd better be the front man as I am not much of a sneaker or brawler."

Ollie nervously looks around the room at all of his comrades. "There are a lot of bad things that can happen in a hostage situation. It can go pear shaped damn quick. Even if we come out on top, we still could be holding the can with the enforcers."

In reply to Oliver Oliphant Oksasaellllozae (msg # 453):

Jaxxon looked doubtful.

"Let's don't forget, we're in a starport. The security force is not going to look kindly on us staging some kind of armed assault or infiltration even in a good cause. If we find her, we could be tied up in legalities. I say let the pros handle this."

They must have a ship still in system that they can send an image to. Or is the Diamond a decoy, locks us inside or some such thing ??

Blake sifts thru the last 2 days departures, looking for the last departing K ships.  He directs Mariel to check the incoming/outgoing traffic.  Anything of interest ??

Then he looks a bit deeper at the adjoining ship's backgrounds.

Blake paces some more, does he know if the local IISS base has a 'strike force' of some sort.  Relics trafficking & such.  Marines would be obvious, but they could be watched.  Hmmmm ...

Ken frowned as he listened to the conversation around him.  "If they want Lorain in exchange for the artifacts it must mean that they think they can find what they want with the information on them.  If this is to the pattern on Miryan then they are after Sky Raider loot and think that these things can lead them to it.  It must mean that the ruins are Qarant are related to the Sky Raiders."  His frown deepened.  "The old society there did speak Vilani as did the Sky Raiders.  Or at least something similar.  It could be they locals there were influenced by the Sky Raiders and took on their culture."

His fists clenched.  "Do we have the expertise to infiltrate a ship and safely rescue Lorain if she's aboard?  It would be hard to do if I had a team of marine commandos.  I'm leaning toward letting the authorities crack this nut."  Ken looked around.  "If we were doing it I'd come in from below and hack the cargo or a maintenance hatch.  Then flash bangs, gas and lots of shock and awe."

"Yes, lots of noise that would bring starport security and local enforcers with big charge sheets," commented Ollie. "It would be safer to call the esteemed authorities. Let them do their business and then we do ours."

In reply to Oliver Oliphant Oksasaellllozae (msg # 457):

Neva was quiet throughout the whole exchange but finally spoke up.  "If you decide you want to call the authorities.  I might have a friend yet on the force.  Just hide the illegal weapons on board the ship if they come on board.  Let me know if you want me to contact them."

Or knock-out gas ...

Mariel nodded at Neva.

"Neva has knock-out gas. I imagine she's also well-suited to infiltrating the Diamond. But my vote would be to contact a friend in local law enforcement."

Ken considers.  "The knock out gas would make it a lot easier to run an attack if we have to do so.  Neva, see if you can contact your friend on the force.  If nothing else if he can keep the authorities away while we make a move with gas that would be useful."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 461):

Neva nodded.  "How much do you want me to tell him?  Explain about the kidnapping or invite him here so you all can meet him and then decide."

Neva knew it might take a bit to get hold of Royce.  He might be out on a stakeout or something else so she sent a message to him first to see if he'd be willing to meet up with her again.

MESSAGE:

Royce!  I'm in town and you still owe me a dinner.  You want to get that debt off your chest?

- Zova

Lets meet, could have some useful advice.

Ken considered.  "Let's meet him first and then play it by ear.  I think we'll end up needing to tell him a great deal.  I think we leave out the breaking and entering at the Institute though..."

Neva looked up.  "I've sent him a message.  He owes me a dinner so we'll see if that will help break the ice or if he even wants to see me again."

In reply to Neva Alexovna Morozova (msg # 465):

The reply from Neva's friend in Starport Security was that she could indeed help. First, Neva would need to deliver the letter for examination, which would only minutes due to advanced forensics techniques. At the same time, security footage could be examined to determine who placed the envelope in the pallet. Either way, a tactical team could be scrambled within the hour to assist in conducting a "customs inspection" of the Diamond.

OOC: My mistake, the envelope was actually inside the pallet container.

"Neva, can you see if we can help?  We could run a fake transfer while the cops wait to pounce."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 467):

Neva looked up from her message back from Royce (him not her).

"Royce responded back.  He'd be willing to help.  He wants the letter for examination but it shouldn't take too long before he gets results.  He'll also want to see the footage of cargo bay.  Either way, a tactical team could be scrambled within the hour to assist in conducting a "customs inspection" of the Diamond.  I can get back to him and say that customs inspection would be fine.  We can give him the letter and footage then if you want."

Ken nodded.  "He can have the letter and whatever footage we can scrounge up Neva.  Invite him aboard if he'd like."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 469):

Neva was already typing in her response to Royce when Ken suggested he meets them on board.

"Ok.  I'll put it in my invite.  Make sure that the illegal weapons are stashed first and in a good place.  He might pull the custom inspections but if he finds them he might take it more seriously.  It's been awhile since I've seen him."

Neva got a distant look on her face for a minute, remembering her and Royce hanging out together after a shift and stuff.  She sighed and then went back to finishing the message.  Some things couldn't be undone nor did she want to redo some things.  Moving forward was such a pain at times.

MESSAGE:

Sounds like a plan Royce.  We'll have security tape and letter for you.  Come on over to the ship (inserting where they were docked).  It will be good to see you again.

-Zova

In reply to Neva Alexovna Morozova (msg # 470):

The reply was he'd be there on an hour with an electronic warrant. The Starport entry team was being readied.

When he arrived, he was dressed as a maintenance worker. "Good to see you. Been a while. How are things?

"The Diamond has requested immediate clearance for take off. We're stalling them. Let's see the letter?"

Stepping forward Ken handed over the letter.  "I'm Ken Jenkins, captain of the ship.  Thank you for offering to help out."

Royce took the letter.

"My pleasure. Ah, I see you already read it."

He took out a pocket scanner and made sure his hand computer was working. After a few minutes he grunted in satisfaction.

"OK, no prints or DNA. Someone watches 5D TV! But I do detect part of a Kalamanru wateremark. Good enough for me. We're going to execute the warrant in, uh, 30 minutes." He got busy sending the warrant request and alerting the security team.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:23, Wed 01 Oct 2014.

Neva greeted Royce when he entered and let him do his job.  He was always "job first" even if he did make little side comments.  "Been ok.  Doing better now.  Thanks for coming.  If this comes out ok, I'll owe you this time."

In reply to Neva Alexovna Morozova (msg # 474):

"You want an extra spotter for your cover team?  I've done that before."