In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 550):

They were in an office at the customs department at the Starport.

"She is? That's good to hear. All we need is for a magistrate to lift the restrictions and she can travel. Is there anything else we can help you with?"

"You wouldn't happen to know where I could find one, would you? She's anxious to put all this behind her, the trip will do her good," said Linus.

Ken worked to get the ship ready to depart as Linus struggled to arrange exit visas.

The customs official shrugged, obviously a little at a loss to help. He seemed like a decent fellow and didn't seem to be angling for a bribe. "It's midnight? Try tomorrow morning. Best of luck."

Linus returned to the ship with the bad news.

In reply to Linus Spruance (msg # 556):

He looked thoughtful.

"We can try in the morning. For all we know, Kalamanru might still be taking a hand in delaying us. Sacrificing his crew of smugglers to provide a legal pretext to hold Lorain wouldn't be out of the question for him.

"If we don't mind burning bridges, we could probably get permission for an in-system trip. Then make an unscheduled jump for Qarant somewhere en route. Like, on the far side of the far gas giant, or some other place they won't be looking.

"That will make things difficult. We'd also need to leave a message to be delivered at some point so resources aren't wasted on a rescue effort.

"Or maybe we can go through the Scout base? It seems like we can bypass the normal customs and immigration visa system."
This message was last updated by the player at 10:49, Mon 27 Oct 2014.

In reply to Mariel Migaraa (msg # 557):

Neva looked at Mariel.  "I am not in favor of burning bridges.  It was one of my bridges that helped rescue Lorraine and we never know when we might need to cross that bridge again.  We were originally going to wait until morning.  I can call Royce again if you want to see if he can do anything but that would alert anybody to who we are or what we have been doing."

Maybe Royce knows someone ... ???

Ken bites his tongue, obviously impatient to go but less agitated now that Lorain was returned.  "Let's not burn bridges, not yet.  We will need the good will of the authorities before this is all over and I'd rather not put Lorain or any of us in a dicey situation."  He sighed.  "Neva, Blake, see what you can do.  The rest stand by, get some rest if you can but be ready to boost at a moment's notice as soon as we have clearance."

He looked to Lorain.  "Is there anything the Institute might do to get you clearance as well if none of our channels work?"

"If it comes to smuggling her on board, I'm sure we can manage it. We just need a convenient cargo delivery from the Institute and a cover story for why Lorain isn't in town. Say visiting a dear Aunt to recover from the trauma whose phone happens to be disconnected."

"I can only ask my contacts.

"Maybe if I were to promise to return soon, before any trial? They might agree to issue me a visa."

Royce had left the ship, but Neva had contact information for him.

Ken shook his head reluctantly.  "No Ollie, I think we play this one by the rules for now.  Linus can try again in the morning while the rest of us try to pull in what favors and influence we might have.  We'll promise what we need to do.  We've always pulled it through in the end before."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 564):

"I can ask Royce to check if you want Ken.  I can give him the option on whether it would put him in too much hot water if he did it.  If so, then we can wait til morning.  How does that sound?"

"I live here, I'm the most at risk if we get around the travel ban. If you guys will take me, I would like to get to Qarant sooner rather than later."

Blake does watch in the ship's pilot chair.  He wanders thru the ship from time to time, restless. Space time in the not too distant future ...

Ken smiles at Neva.  "Kalamanru has all the information we have now.  There is nothing stopping him from figuring things out with Lohkav translating for him.  I'd hate to delay twelve hours or a day and see him score before we can."  He looked at Lorain.  "If you're willing to take the risk Lorain then I say we lift now.  Neva, you can let Royce know what we've done so at least we are not totally off base.  I don't know if we can wait until at least mid-morning to get the clearances we need."

In reply to Ken Jenkins (msg # 568):

Neva nodded at Ken and started to put through her call to Royce.

Message to royce:

Hey there.  Thanks earlier for your assistance.  May I impose one more time?  The custom's agent at the Starport is stopping us from taking off.  They need a magistrate to lift the restrictions on her travel.  You have an in still with one that you could do this for us?  We can't afford to let the others get further out of our reach.

- Neva

In reply to Neva Alexovna Morozova (msg # 569):

Royce messaged back that he would see what he could do. It would take an hour or so to find out.

In reply to GM (msg # 570):

Neva smiled when she got the message and looked up at the others.  "Royce says that he will see what he can do.  It will take about an hour though so that gives us a time frame to work with."

My dearest Ollie, we may be lifting in an hour or so.  He begins readying the ship.  Blake lets Mariel snooze for the moment.

Ken nodded.  "Thanks Neva for contacting Royce.  We'll see what he can do and be prepared for other channels with Linus as well."  He turned to Lorain.  "Do you have enough clothes and equipment for the trip?  If we're messing around in a ruined city we probably want climbing and digging gear."

She thought for a second. Lorain had come here directly after leaving the police HQ downtown, so all she had on her were her clothes. Which was a semi-professional dress suit and one she'd been in the last day or so since she was abducted.

"There's my portable computer system at home, and of course there's my clothing and so on. Maybe the computer would help but it's a backpack system and so it's a little big if we're dodging patrols. Clothing I can buy here at the Starport. I do have some files and programs that might help but those are stored on the Institute server and I could download them to the ship's computer and someone else's portable system."

"Let's buy you clothing here then Lorain.  I'd prefer not to leave the star port if we can avoid it and you can use the ship's systems for whatever you need."  He looked at the crew.  "Neva, can you and Blake go and help Lorain buy what is needed?  Also we'll need to get some climbing and light digging gear.  I'm thinking rope, pitons and such, hard hats and things.  Lorain can guide you in field gear.  We'll also want camouflage clothing in the event that we have to sneak around the ruins. We do have pictures of the terrain on Qarant so we can get roughly the right color gear.  I'll stay aboard in case we need to contact the authorities."

"I can help you sort out a download of whatever files you need, Lorain," said Linus.