"So. Do you know how to write up a mining claim, Arlo? Or do we just use a standard mining agreement from the archives?" Luise asks.

"We're not on any schedule, so whenever you're ready. Clearly, though, we shouldn't hang around here too long. People will start to wonder, considering what a hotbed of excitement this place is. I looked up Quare in the database--it said 'see drudgery'."

Harry forgot that you picked up 76 tons of cargo on Tremous Dex. You haven't had any place to unload it yet. That only leaves you 50 tons of cargo space empty.

Also, the freight isn't anything you have to pay for--you get paid when you deliver it.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 193):

sorry.

"I'm no legal eagle, but I've throw together a few mining claims in my day," Arlo replies.

"I've got unused leave time and the ship's kind of on hold; that is, it ain't going anywhere soon unless something crazy happens. So, I can take off whenever I want."

In reply to Arlo Thresh (msg # 195):

"Sounds good to me, what do you think captain?" Rollie asks Luise.

In reply to StarMaster (msg # 193):

We'll deliver 2 of them then, 40 tons. 120,000Cr for us.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:48, Wed 21 Oct 2020.

"I'm in. Depending on distance, do we want to microjump or use standard acceleration?" Steve asks.

"Microjump is going to put us close to two weeks travel if we're bringing Arlo back."

"If we hit the jackpot, it's possible that we won't be coming back here. Is that going to be a problem for you, Arlo?"

"And that's especially true if we have to jump out for some reason."

"Might want to use standard acceleration. No use popping out in the middle of a war zone." Forge suggested.

In reply to 'Forge' Harris (msg # 199):

"What do you think Captain? We going for it? When do you want to kick off?"

"Two weeks could be a problem, but if we don't come back, it probably won't matter," Arlo responds. "I can always comm my resignation to them. While they have the right to refuse it, it'd be pointless for them to do so when they'd know I wasn't coming back. Besides, I ain't 'essential' personnel anyway."

He pulls out his epad, types on it for a few minutes, and then shows the result to the others.

"Standard mining claim form. It splits anything found equally between the two parties--your ship and me. That work for you? You'll notice that the exact location isn't mentioned yet. I'll fill that in once we're about half way there."

"Any questions?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:24, Wed 04 Nov 2020.

In reply to Arlo Thresh (msg # 201):

"Up to the captain in the end Arlo, but it works for me." He takes a swallow from his beer and sits the mug down on the table.

"It could be nothing, or it could make us rich!"

"Looks good to me," she replies to both Roland and Arlo.

She doesn't bother mentioning that there wasn't anything to keep them from spacing Arlo after the halfway point. He didn't seen unscrupulous to her, and she was pretty sure none of them appeared that way to him. In that sense, he'd been smart to select a ship captained by a Baroness.

Besides, he probably had some sort of contingency plan in place, just in case. She'd certainly have one if she was dealing with strangers.

On the other hand, it could be a trap. He could be working with pirates. His story sounded totally legit, but it'd have to in order to lure a ship out.

On yet another hand, he probably didn't know about the ship's shields... or any of its other capabilities and surprises, so if pirates did attack, they'd be in a for a very rude awakening.

She made a mental note to have Steve keep an eye on Arlo just in case.

"Yeah, we'll head out at sublight. Departure in... 2 hours? We can claim we want to test out our upgraded fuel scoops and processors at the gas giant."

"Two hours? Aye - aye captain!" Roland drinks the last of his beer and slams the stein and heads for the ship to make ready for flight, he'll let the captain give the flight alert, who would listen to him!

In reply to Roland Steel (msg # 204):

When Harry got the recall order, he called and cancelled the 2 containers of cargo, not enough time now. He'd get with them later if he could.

In reply to Harry McStubbin (msg # 205):

Harry got the refuel done and the Life support serviced as quick as he could, readying for flight. He wondered what Luise had found that was getting them off of this rock so damn fast.

Having another drink for the road, Forge headed back to the ship to get ready, starting by putting on his armor.

In reply to 'Forge' Harris (msg # 207):

Roland got back to the ship in record time and got ready for lift-off. He began the start sequence to fire the maneuver drives since they did not intend to jump and began to polish the chrome and clean. When he was done you could eat off the floor, no dust or dirt, anywhere!

Thirty minutes before their scheduled departure time, Luise checked to make sure everyone was on board, including their 'guide' Arlo.

When Arlo made an appearance on the bridge, Luise asked:

"Everything go okay? Just checking. I don't want us to get shot at as we leave because they think we've kidnapped you!"

"Ha-ha... ha... I don't know whether to laugh at that or be worried," Arlo replies, "but, no, everything's fine. Just told them I needed a few days off. No one even asked what I was going to do on my days off."

"They don't need as many people when they're on station. It's almost a joke to find work for everyone. It takes a really competent captain to do so, or to ignore the crew that aren't working. Alas, Captain Strang isn't one of them."

In reply to Arlo Thresh (msg # 210):

Harry took his station at the astrogation seat and went to setting their course to the moon/world that they were headed to. When Arlo told him.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:17, Thu 12 Nov 2020.

There wasn't any point in him putting in the course because the others would figure out the destination anyway, so he just said:

"Set a course for the 2nd gas giant out. It's called Thunder. The first one is called Lightning and the third one is called Tiny. It's going to take about six days to get there, unless this ship's got a secret or two."

Harry set the course. Soon he would find out what was going on.

"What's up Captain? Who is this?"

Once they were under way, Luise called all the crew together. The ship was on autopilot now and should be okay for a few minutes.

"For those of you who weren't at the bar, this is Arlo Thresh," she began. "For the moment, he's a guest and a crewmen on that Imperial gunship docked at the station."

"Circumstances caused him to spot a possible Ancient site on one of the moons of the gas giant. Those same circumstances kept him from reporting the find to his superiors. So he came to us as possible partners. I agreed."

"Since we aren't on any schedule to get somewhere, and the trip has been rather... monotonous so far, I figured this was a good way to break up the routine, even if it turns out to be nothing."

"According to Arlo, this site doesn't register on sensors, and it's only visible from a certain angle. So, without him, we could search for years and never find it."

"Now, I'll be the first to admit that it doesn't seem to match any other Ancient places we've stumbled across, so this could be something else entirely, even just a trick of the lighting."

"Anyone have any thoughts or questions about it?"

Harry nods and looks over Arlo, taking it all in. An Ancient site, could be interesting, as long as it doesn't interfere with getting to their final destination in Foreven too long.

Hmmmm, could be worth a fortune if it pans out he thought to himself.

"I have no problem if it brings in some credits for each of us." Forge said