Blake also adds a flashlight & stunner, both hidden.

"Sure," said Linus, passing a plate.

Thanks !!  Watching is such hard work ...  Sitting still thru bug bites & such.

As they watched on the monitors, starport security and the hostage team stealthily moved into position around the Diamond's berth. When the go signal was given they stormed the ship, forms in black combat armour rushing from all sides. A pair of armed cutters circled overhead, ready in case the Diamond tried to lift off.

Within minutes, Royce confirmed the ship's crew surrendered without a fight.

"They are searching the ship now. OK, I am getting confirmation they've located a hostage. She's identifying herself as Lorrain Messandi. Do you want to help out with her? I can swing that, I think. If you do, they're bringing her out the tunnels now."

"Yes, we can come and get her," said Linus, getting up. As ever, he was concerned about his old friend's daughter.

"Whew! You guys had me nervous," laughed Ollie with relief. "Let's go down and welcome the lady home."

In reply to Oliver Oliphant Oksasaellllozae (msg # 506):

Neva smiled when she heard the news and patted Royce on the back.  "If that is indeed Lorraine, you guys did good.  Quick, efficient, almost textbook.  Well done."

I would like to check that ship out, from the inside.  You with me Ollie ??  Neva ??

In reply to Blake Renfield (msg # 508):

Neva nodded.  "I'm with you on this Blake as soon as we can get clearance.  The last thing we would need would be delayed because they hadn't cleared us yet."

Neva then turned to Royce.

"Ok Royo.  Think you can manage that for us?"

Ken looked anxious as the assault took place, pacing as he waited on news.  Finally he gave a big sigh of relief as the news came that they had rescued Lorain.  "Yes Royce, I think we would all like to see Lorain in person and talk to her.  Do you mind if at least some of us go aboard as well?  There may be clues that we can identify to help figure out what they are about and perhaps put an end to other activities."

He shook his head.

"I don't mind helping, Neva, I really owe you. I couldn't manage you getting aboard today. It's crawling with Starport personnel and criminal technicians, plus League enforcement personnel. Concerns will be high about contamination of the crime scene. It just won't be possible this soon after the raid. If you want to wait a couple days, I'll see what I can do."

In reply to Royce (msg # 511):

Neva looked over at the rest of her group.  "Well guys?  What do you think.  Now that Lorraine has been found can we afford to wait a couple of days?"

She then turned back to Royce.  "I understand Royce.  I appreciate you doing what you can for us."  She took a step closer to him so that she could whisper.  She wasn't afraid of her group overhearing but she didn't want to get Royce in trouble if anybody on his side overheard. "What's the chances of me getting a copy of the report and stuff?"

In reply to Royce (msg # 511):

"What about having her call us?  Then we don't contaminate any crime scene."

In reply to Neva Alexovna Morozova (msg # 512):

Royce nodded at Neva and gave a thumb's up.

"They're bringing her out now. If you want to see her, let's go. We'll meet her in the tunnel."

A couple of days waiting maybe OK.  Then again, if someone is awaiting a signal from all of this, we're behind the 8 ball - as it were ...

Blake stands aside, munching acookie or two, watching everything happening around the ship.  He will move about & check the surrounding ships too.  Quite the crowd watching, or just us ??

In reply to Royce (msg # 514):

Neva nodded at Royce.  "Sounds good to me.  At least we can verify if that is indeed Lorraine or somebody else they are saying is her."

Neva adjusts her flak vest and grabs a weapon (that IS allowed) and walks next to Royce to see if it is Lorraine or not.

Ken nodded.  "Let's go see Lorain then.  The rest is really irrelevant until we are sure she's safe."

"As much as I enjoy lounging around and reminiscing about old times," said Ollie, "let's go and pay our homages to our rescued princess."

While Ollie is dubious about ability of starport security to do their job, he doesn't see the point of going armed to the teeth.

In reply to Oliver Oliphant Oksasaellllozae (msg # 518):

The starport security teams did their jobs relatively well. After all, they were trained by Imperial Scout service personnel!

Royce led whoever was coming out into the corridor. Indeed, Lorrain was waiting there at the entrance, standing in a cluster of police and a few paramedics who was checking her out.

In reply to GM (msg # 519):

Looking tired but unhurt, she beamed when she saw the group approaching. One of the paramedics nodded to her that she thought Lorain was all right.

"Ken! Neva! Ollie! Blake! You guys got my message! I knew these idiots would screw up somehow and you'd know to send the police."

Ken smiled at the sight of Lorain unhurt.  He made a quick call to Lorain's father.  "Lorain is ok.  She was on the Diamond, a ship of Kalamaru's.  The police stormed the ship and she is unharmed.  Come down to the starport." He hurried forward and took her hands.  "I'm glad you are ok Lorain.  You're message?  We got one about delivering the artifact."

Neva gave Lorain a smile and wave but kept more to the back because she knew that Ken would want to get closer.  She then turned to Royce and gave him a nod and bigger smile.

"Thanks Royo. We can confirm that is Lorain.  I owe you on this one.  It was important to the group.  We need to keep in better touch.  It was too long.?"

Blake nods to her, but otherwise stays towards the back.  He eyes the ship over, then the neighbor ships.  Something about this doesn't feel right to him, too easy.  He comms our ship, Lock the doors & keep a sharp lookout over there.

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 521):

They were in the passenger service tunnels, so the view of any ships was limited. Lorain answered Ken, "yes, my message! I convinced the crew of Kalamanaru's ship that we really needed that artefact and that Kalamanaru would kill them if they showed up to Qarant without it. They bought it. I figured anyone that dumb would probably screw up and leave some kind of evidence! I mean, it was a thousand-to-one, but I had no better option, I had to delay them. Once I got to Qarant, I would be as dead as that scout they kidnapped a while back."

Suddenly, how close a call it was struck her and she began to shiver in shock.

Blake's ears will perk up at the mention of a scout person.  Can you describe him ??

He will patiently wait the shaking & terrors passing ...