Ken nodded; "We did read it of course."  He moved aside and watched as the officer analyzed the letter.  Ken nodded in satisfaction at the response.  "Based on prior experience I'm not surprised that Kalamanru is involved in kidnapping Lorain.  We had a difficult confrontation with him on Miryan."

"We're going to let the local yokels take the lead on this one. Starport security is very touchy about letting League enforcement agents operate on their turf. Thanks for the offer."

He answered Ken, "yeah, we've wanted to nail Kalamanaru for years. He was just too well-connected and too willing to sacrifice his underlings. The situation's changed now with tensions rising between us and the Hegemony, courtesy of Kalamanaru. But of course he's fucked off to Descarothe. We think he's on Qarant. We can't touch him."

Royce smiled at Neva. "It is really good to see you, Nev. I wish I wasn't so rushed. But you know that's the way things go, eh?"

In reply to Royce (msg # 477):

Neva gave Royce a smile.  "Yeah, I understand."  She smiled at him.  "You'll do anything to get out of paying off that bet you lost."

It was a long joke between them.  They each owed each other a dinner for losing some bets so they cancelled it out but each still brought up the dinner.  They knew it would probably never happen but it was tradition now.  She did get serious after she said it.  "Be careful out there Royce. These guys mean business.  Watch your back.  Don't get set up like I did."

In reply to Royce (msg # 477):

Walker nods, and moves to the back of the group around the table.  He has an old concern about indig wogs fragging a job that should be done by professionals, but he keeps his mouth shut.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:27, Thu 02 Oct 2014.

Blake takes a coffee back to Walker, You know, the pad two ships away could probably use a cleaning crew ... he says quietly, sensing his agitation.

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 480):

Walker takes the coffee, and looks into it.

"Probably needs a good sweeping, and a cleaning crew's cart has a lot of places to put stuff."

In reply to Royce (msg # 477):

Ken frowned as Royce continued. "We'd like to nail Kalamanaru as well.  He nearly killed the lot of us back on Miryan.  It's too bad he's not planet side to arrest.  Hitting his operation and seizing one of his ships would be a nice hit to his power though." 

It was another bit of information that caught his ear.  "You say Kalamanaru is on Qarant?  What makes you think he's there?  And how did he stoke the tensions between the League and the Hegemony?  He's bad news but is he that powerful?"

Neva looked over at Royce.  "Is there extradiction or anything?  What happens if he comes back here?  He's going to run out of friends sooner or later."

Blake nods his head, You up to some exercise ?? he says quietly, stirring his own cup o' java.  We would have to move at light-speed ...

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 484):

"Holy shit. Do you understand that, as we speak, Starport security is setting up an armed security perimeter around the Diamond and their hostage rescue team is prepping to go in on a "no-knock" warrant? That's what's going to happen in about 20 minutes. I can get starport security to stand down and you guys can go in if you want, but I say let the professionals do their jobs."

In response to Ken he said, "we have a suspicion about Kalamanaru's whereabouts due to confidential sources. Kalamanaru is the wealthiest individual in the subsector. Only Frontiers Developments is bigger, because they're sector-wide, and they're not based locally nor do they have the same history as Kalamanru does with both Descarothe and the League. That kind of money buys influence, especially in a poor pocket empire like the Descarothe Hegemony. Plus, he can field a small army!

"Neva, we can't extradite him from the Hegemony, we have no treaty or legal reciprocity. We've started moving against his interests here in the League in the last month but he's done a good job of protecting his assets here. Everything he can use or move he's taken with him, everything else is tied up in the courts for years. Sure, he's out of friends for now. Too toxic. But give it a few years for things to cool down. Heck, with low berths, give it a century!"

In reply to Royce (msg # 485):

Neva frowned but thought that might have been the answer.

She looked over at Blake and Thomas.  "I thought we called in Royce so that the authorities could do their job.  I know you guys want in but what about this?  Royce?  Is there a way they can be on the outside to spot or give a heads up if they start to move before Starport gets there?  Or perhaps move in with the the team?  Not necessarily posing as the team but just board with them.  Make it appear that they might be but they aren't?"

In reply to Neva Alexovna Morozova (msg # 486):

Walker sighed.

"Let them do their job.  They've got the authority to bust down a starship's hatch, we don't."

"I wasn't thinking to replace the locals, I figured having an outside team would be handy if things went wog-ways."

Ken listened and shook his head.  "Definitely let the experts do the storming of the ship.  I'd... I'd like to be nearby in case they do find Lorain."

In reply to Neva Alexovna Morozova (msg # 486):

"You know how those Starport guys are, Neva. They aren't happy with League involvement on their turf as it is. If I had more time I could cook up some story about you being on the League payroll, but even then, that might end up raising more questions than I could easily answer.

"And really, what kind of backup are you going to be to an a dozen trained hostage rescue and entry team members? I guess if they get ambushed the Starport guys will pull back, so yes, you could try and go in. But I stay in your ship until then. If you wander around the pads a sniper is likely to take you out by accident because they don't know who you are.

"If things go pear-shaped then I have already reported this location as my observation post, which is true enough. I'll go with you in that case. Sounds good? But only if things go really badly."

Opening the case he brought with him, he started laying out his gear. There was a suit of combat armour is urban camouflage pattern and POLICE stenciled on front and back. Aside from a snub pistol he was armed with a laser carbine.

"Just like old times, eh, Neva?" He paused in kitting up to smile at her. His voice was tinged with a note of nostalgia and, perhaps, regret.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:54, Sun 05 Oct 2014.

Blake is not even stung by Royce's comments. IISS instructors were quite descriptive of what happens when you leave your face-plate open during a vacc suit drill - among other colorful descriptions.  He gives Walker a wink & then asks him When was the last time you saw Luscan or whatever that prof's name is ??  Blake looks around ...  If he doesn't see him, Blake quietly comms everyone.

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 490):

"Professor Laskan? He returned to his hotel last night, I think."

In reply to Royce (msg # 489):

Neva gave Royce a smile and double checked that his vest was situated properly. Afterwards she slapped him on the back as the signal that it was ok.  It was something they used to do when they were on the force together and she did it automatically.  "Yeah, just like old times."  She paused and then added "I'm glad that we could offer an observation post.  I'm sure that my new partners are professional enough to wait for her signal to go in.  They're a good bunch."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:37, Mon 06 Oct 2014.

Ken suited up in cloth armor.  He knew enough of this type of operation to leave it to the professionals who owned the jurisdiction.  Still he'd come along just to satisfy his concern about Lorain.  "I really doubt if they have her here but it's worth a try."

Blake will come along too.  Just in case a pilot is needed ...  Pepper spray in several pockets.

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 490):

"I've been shipboard the whole time."

In reply to Thomas Walker (msg # 495):

Logging into the Starport law enforcement/security system, Royce updated the status of the Victoria as being the location of an armed League law enforcement unit. There was a confirmation from Starport marksmen that were on overwatch they would not engage armed foot mobiles coming from that direction.

"There. That way if there's an emergency, we can provide backup. Hopefully, they won't think we're more bad guys coming to reinforce the Diamond. On my recommendation, Starport security is also detaining all ground and maintenance crew in the area in case any are on Kalamanru's payroll, as is certainly the case."

"I just hope this doesn't get messy," whispered Ollie under his breath. "I don't want to get involved in a firefight."

Ken holstered a pistol discretely out of sight as well as loaded up on pepper spray.  "We'll stay out of the line of fire unless all hell breaks loose officer."

Linus put a fresh pot of coffee on.

Any cookies for luck there, Mr Linus ??