Alwin will help Reggie with the cargo, and any other minor duties needed about the ship.  After doing so, he will try to discreetly find out if there are any unusual medical situations on St Brendan, above and beyond what can normally be found on any colony world.

Once he learns that the new crewmember is onboard, he will at some point approach Mackenzie to get the relevant medical file she no doubt has handed to various doctors and medics on numerous starships in the past as part of her previous journeys.  He would be surprised if a person with her resume wasn't in good shape with no particular maladies to worry about... but as always he wanted to know what he might have to deal with in case trouble ever did arise.

Florence smiled lightly. “I probably talk too much, and since what I know is theoretical knowledge without experience to back it up, I suppose it rubs people like you the wrong way…” She shook the offered hand and added. “I'll keep that in mind. And you have my code if you need it, so… Like I said Horace,” she concluded, “Good luck, wherever you go. And it's not so small pickings here, lots of interesting to fill the cargo-hold with I'm sure.” She had had quite a few ideas when she had developed her side trade idea anyway.

After Einar left, Florence stayed where she was for a couple of minutes, ruminating. Finally, she shook herself went to her room to make sure everything was in order, then went back down to the reception: she wanted to find a restaurant where she'd be able to eat and talk to the locals. And possibly begin to plan her little expedition outside the city.

"Thank you," Heather says as she takes a look around the quarters to get an idea of where everything is located and where things can be stored.

Said activity is what she happens to be in the middle of when Alwin comes calling to get her medical records which constitute not even one sheet of information. She is in quite excellent health, has all of the requisite immunisations and has no history of illness to speak of.

In their own ways, direct personal contact in the church, and by the St. Brendan computer network, Reginald and Heather look out for passenger and freight opportunities from the planet.
They already know that odds are against them in the freight department.  St. Brendan is known to have very few exports.  Being a recent and small colony they are a net importer of most things.   But that being said, there are over 16 million people on this planet, Port Grace does have a few industrial areas of importance and people being people, they are naturally trying to come up with ways to earn some money.  So there are already exports of:
Soap, Personal Hygiene and Cosmetics Products
Air Filters and Filter Components
Cleaning Supplies
Dyes and Inks
Some of the local industries make use of material collected from the squishy green life found on the planet, it has excellent natural gelling properties.

It turns out, this is actually a good time for the Albatross to pick up freight, as long as they are NOT headed for the Crosser Home Ship.  That is where the other ships have gone, mostly  So shippers have freight going in other directions.  If the Albatross stops in Port Grace, you can pick up freight for shipping.  This isn’t for purchase- this is shippers looking to send cargo to clients.  The current rate for shipping is 200 credits per light year per container, 20 for a separate pallet.

The current backlog is:
To Deseret:  13 Containers.
To Lyonesse:  6 Containers, 5 Pallets
To Poseidon:  6 Conainers, 3 Pallets
To Freyja:       Nothing
To Epona:  3 Containers, 3 Pallets
To Kuripan:  Nothing
To Hengest:  2 Containers, 5 Pallets
To Merlin:    6 Pallets

Then there is some freight for sale at good prices.  The question is, of course, where do you sell it?  Some things work better for resale than others- machinery and parts, for example, tend to work only where those machines and parts are specifically needed.  But, if you want to play the game, available are:

Skin Care lotions:  5,000 CR per pallet   Full 40 pallet container:  231,000
Household cleaning supplies:  1,100 per pallet  Full 40 pallet container:  36,300
Pepper n’ Oat Spicy Granola:  1,000 per pallet  (only 20 pallets available)
Assorted Leather belts and bags:  2.600 per pallet.  (only 6 pallets available)

Passenger Demand

To Deseret:  30 Regular, 10 first class.
To Lyonesse:  10 Regular, 5 first class
To Poseidon:  None
To Freyja:       21 Regular, 6 first class
To Epona:  None
To Kuripan:  None
To Hengest:  8 Regular  2 First Class
To Merlin:    16 Regular


Meanwhile, Florence's ideas about exploring the areas outside the "city" meet with looks of surprise in the Angel Arms.

It finally motivates the older woman to speak.

"Child, there's not much to see, outside.  That's why we come to these places, to look inwards, not outwards.  Outwards is rocks and green muck for miles and miles.  A few other settlements, the Quarry and Kilns where they make all the bricks... Abraham Prollit's camp when he's in.  Test sites, and Mister Ferro's scientific trees.  People don't come for that, because none of that is important.  People here find what's important inside, and in the people around them.  People connect with the holy side of themselves."

Einar leaves the Angel Arms and makes his way back to the ship and to the bridge. "XO, we found any options for cargo to haul?  Hangin' about in port don't generate any revenue."  He smiles at Horace. "Ms. Pearce won't be joinin' us but I do think fences have been mended.  Perhaps our paths'll cross another day."

"We're looking into it. We've found some! Deseret looks good. Thirteen containers and 30 passengers, good pay. Plus there is speculative cargo we can buy too."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:19, Mon 16 Mar 2020.

Just a reminder-
The Albatross can fit 12 containers, and it has 12 staterooms, five of which are currently the crew's home.  The demand for travel to Deseret actually exceeds the current capacity!  This is a result of the sudden diversion towards the Crosser ship.  Deseret is in the opposite direction.  Z

Freight for shipping is "safe" income, but of course every container taken means less room for speculative cargo.  So it becomes risk vs security.  On the third hand, well chosen speculative cargo generally increases with value with distance.  St. Brendan products are common at next door Deseret, rarer as you go further.

Once she was settled Heather pulled up local networks for shipping and passenger requests. She was looking for something that was already high value that she might be able to negotiate into even higher pay for the crew of the Albatross. This was what she was good at and it was time to put those skills to use in the private sector for the first time.

Heather tries to gather what information she can on the cargo and passengers available  (See message 83 above)

Florence smiled. “Maybe, but…” She shook her head. “I'm not like you. I'm not saying that with any ill intent, it's just that I don't intend to stay. This world is maybe the right one for, at least I hope for you that it is, but it's not for me and there are things that I need to do, and can only accomplish if I leave. Still,” She shrugged. “That doesn't mean there's nothing I can find here, maybe a new path. Or a different way to proceed, I don't know.” After a slight pause, she mumbled. “Maybe in more ways than one.”

She paused longer, then continued. “I don't know what I'll find, but I know I'll only be able to find it outside of the city, and that I need to do this.” She shrugged. “As you said, there's nothing there, but to me that means no danger and no distraction, just the horizon and sky.” She looked through the window for a moment. “To be honest, I'm really eager to see that… I don't know where you're from, but let me tell you, on some planet it's simply not possible. To say nothing of a ship of course. And space is… Well, it's not the same things…”

She smiled happily, obviously excited. “And I hope I'll find the help I need to do that, even if I'm not planning on going particularly far, some help wouldn't hurt. To make sure I have everything and all that.” She then became serious once again. “Anyway, that's not the only thing I was hoping to accomplish here. I have to write a report for my school about the Commonwealth's situation in general and the Governors' position specifically. Is there a place where I could ask questions about that kind of stuff without bothering anyone or creating a mess? Like, I don't know… A cafe, a club or something?”

Einar ponders the question of what cargo to take and where to go. "XO, I'm inclined to take the safe bet and grab up as many passengers as we can.  I reckon that if there's that many people tryin' ta get off this rock that they won't mind squeezin' in tight for the trip.  We got 7 free berths. Might want to see if we can get 14 people. They can share berths.  If they wanna pay extra, they can get a berth to themselves.  Either way, we get as much profit as we can out of it.  Then we take 12 containers of freight along as well."  He looks to Wymp to see if the man agrees. "I'm willin' to be dissuaded if you and the crew got a better idea.  My job's to make sure the ship can keep on flyin' and safe and easy eases my jitters. I want ta make money for the crew and stakeholders too though, so I'm willin' to take a reasonable gamble if you got a good plan."

"I say Heather is on it, give her a chance to negotiate what we can, maybe talk to her about double berthing passengers. I'll help or do it if she fails. I have every confidence though."

"You can handle it." Einar smiles. "I've just been reminded that the XO is supposed to be the one makin' sure the crew does their jobs.  Best if I don't interfere unless there's a problem.  Just let me know what y'all come up with.  I'll just go over here to this nice, comfy captain's chair and look properly important."

With that, he puts his words into action and goes to the captain's station to begin looking over system checks and reports.

Horace goes to the sensors where he reads and studies about the station, trying to improve his skill with the sensors and computer.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:10, Thu 19 Mar 2020.

In the Angel Arms...

"You can ask questions here," the older woman says to Florence.  "We're supposed to take care of guests, that's what we do.  There's not a lot here but we do get visitors, otherwise, we wouldn't stay open.  If you want to look around outside the city we can arrange that too.  There have been science expeditions, surveys.  We have a university here, you know.  Fordham University St Brendan Campus, San Lorenzo Branch."

She also recommends that as a place where Florence might meet people her own age.  Near the Fordham branch is a series of low buildings connected by large tent-like structure that looks like a big white caterpillar.  This is San Lorenzo's "college town", complete with shops, restaurants, and big enclosed meeting area/performance space.

This being a small town, everything is within walking space.

And aboard the Albatross...

They've done their research, each in their own way, and pooled the results.

A few things stand out.

First, the freight:

To Deseret:  13 Containers.  Enough to fill the ship to capacity.  This is the Safe Option.  You would certainly make money.  Not a get rich run, since Deseret is the next inhabited system rimward from here.  Shippers know that if they can't get a ship today, one will be along soon, so they won't be pressured to pay higher prices.

To Merlin:    6 Pallets  This is goods going with the passengers to Merlin, and that is the interesting point, see below. If you take the passengers, you take this cargo.  You'll have plenty of cargo room left over, which you can fill with speculative cargo.

Freight for sale:
These three have the best resale options, but NOT if you aim for a central or semi-central nearby planet, like Deseret, Lyonesse, Poseidon, Freyja, or Epona.  To make cargo more special and exotic, distance is your friend.

Skin Care lotions:  5,000 CR per pallet   Full 40 pallet container:  231,000
Pepper n’ Oat Spicy Granola:  1,000 per pallet  (only 20 pallets available)
Assorted Leather belts and bags:  2.600 per pallet.  (only 6 pallets available)

And Passenger Demand

To Deseret:  30 Regular, 10 first class.
To Lyonesse:  10 Regular, 5 first class
To Freyja:       21 Regular, 6 first class

All of these would be as much or more than the ship can handle, but because they are central and semi central worlds, they won't pay above standard- especially as Albatross has not earned a reputation, and has no special luxury features or services (yet?)  But, as noted above, you can never really go wrong with a full ship!

To Merlin:    16 Regular   If you make this run, you must take all, and the ship will be a little crowded.  With seven staterooms available, 2 rooms will be set up with 3 beds instead of the normal 2.  Merlin is further out on the frontier, and there is a "backroad" route that does not follow the Main Line.  Little frontier ships often take these routes, but even so the traffic is very low compared to the Main Line (red line on the maps)  The entire group is travelling together and includes families, they are returning to Merlin after a long work assignment on St. Brendan.  Because the Albatross can offer direct "backroad" service on a quick ship, you might be able to negotiate extra money.

To negotiate a better deal on cargo costs, or to get a better price from passengers headed to Merlin, it's a skill check roll.  2d6 + appropriate skill/attribute modifier.  Only one player may negotiate a deal.

Einer calls Mr. Wymp and Ms. MacKenzie to him for a quick meeting after seeing the options presented.

"Fine bit of work, XO and Ms. MacKenzie."  He mulls over the read out a bit. "What's your preference, Ms. MacKenzie. You're the newest face on the Albatross. Be interested in hearin' your thoughts."  He stops reading the screen and gives the young woman his full attention.

“Thank you. I don't want to be a bother.” Florence considered the question, then nodded. “I'll go see the university people to get their recommendations for going outside for a while then.”

The girl noted what she was told about the Fordham branch, “That seems promising, thanks. I'll go look there in the evening. My question is relatively simple and concerns the Governors: I'm interested in learning what you think of the system, and how you would change it to both address the concerns of those asking to have a say in the decisions taken, and avoid falling back to old systems we know lead to all sorts of abuse. Anything you - or others - can tell me on the subject would help.”

Horace listened intently for Heather to wow them.

Heather set her PAD down and pulled up a holo image of the available jobs. "People always need passage but they tend to set their price and not want to negotiate. Now, we aren't in the most heavily traveled system so I might have had some luck if not for the Crosser ship. Shipping cargo to Deseret is pretty much a locked in price given our proximity. They'll not let themselves get into a bidding situation when all they need to do is wait for someone else to come along."

She stopped for a moment and waited for any questions. If none were forthcoming she presses on. "My suggestion is we take the people headed for Merlin as well as the cargo. That is something I can work with and get us a better deal on. Even better is we can purchase some of the speculative cargo and take that with us to out of the way places that don't see much in the way of supply runs. The issue, of course, is the upfront cost. If we go that route I suggest we take the entire container of skin care lotion and sell it somewhere where they need it and don't have access to it. I can drive a hard enough bargain that I might be able to double our investment on it. So - we get the cargo and passenger payment and then we sell the speculative items and I do my damnedest to double our investment, at least. Either way we are going to see profits with this particular run."

"That seems like a right reasonable plan, Ms. MacKenzie." Einar said while thinking about what the woman had said. "You got anything to add, XO? It seems pretty straight forward.  If you ain't got anything to add to it, I'm thinkin' we'll go with it.  Ms. MacKenzie, you and the XO work out the details.  We need to get our cargo and passengers on board.  A ship sittin' in port ain't making a profit. Don't get rich floatin' around in a nice bay."

"Sounds good to me."

"Make it so Miss MacKenzie, arrange cargo and passengers as you will to make a profit."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:33, Tue 24 Mar 2020.

   Dominiq finished with her shift at the Albatross' Communications station and made her way back to her room. Partway through her walk, the headache that had begun a half-hour ago began to intensify, and she found herself rubbing at her temples to try and massage away the pain. They didn't come often, fortunately, but a throbbing near - migraine was a reminder of the days she'd spent on tour. Stress and travel are never a good combo at the best of times, she thought, But getting these headaches now isn't what I need. Maybe a short rest might keep this down to a dull roar.

   She palmed the lock pad next to the door and entered just shortly after the portal hissed opening. She took a moment to kick off her shoes just inside the door, then locked it before moving to the bed and easing herself to a sitting position. Hands moved back to her temples and she rubbed them in slow circles for a moment, then eased herself onto the bed to try and get some rest.

---

   She awoke to the sound of voices and rose back into a sitting position before the pain returned, only mildly dulled now compared to what it had been before. She concentrated for a moment, catching the sound of someone's voice falling away; the person must have been close to the door for the sound to have carried past the hatch. She couldn't recognize the voice - it might have been anyone - but assumed it was one of the other members of the crew and quickly put it out of her mind.

   She took a moment and used her hands to tug down the blue top she wore, then ran her palms over the front of the black knee-length skirt she wore. It was no uniform, but enough of a balance of casual and professional that portrayed her as what some might call business-casual. Another moment spent on her appearance brushed her dusky brown hair back into place and added a bit of gloss to her dusky lips. A once-over in a mirror completed the inspection, and Dominiq quickly reached down and slipped a pair of matching blue flat pumps before she unlocked the door and left, and went looking for the Executive, Mr Wymp ...

The Albatross is now fully booked with passengers!  In fact, it will be just a bit crowded.

On the other hand, the cargo hold has room.  They buy an entire container of skin care products and it costs a good portion of their cash available- it costs over twice what they took in from the run to San Lorenzo- but hopefully they can sell it somewhere.

But... once there is a route planned in to Merlin, there is a little more interest in shipping cargo by St. Brendan companies.  The ship will be taking the "back road".  This is what little frontier ships often do, avoiding the crowds of the Main Line.  Both St. Brendan and Merlin are Coreward of the Main Line, so it works well, they will save almost 50 light years distance!

This is what enables them to make a good deal with the passengers, and the express service also gives them two containers to ship.

They still have plenty of room, which can be used a a big zero g recreation space when they are in flight.  Maybe with so many passengers it might be nice.

Along the way they will have to refuel twice.  It's a long trip, with navigation saying 22-23 days with refueling stops.    The destination is Merlin, and they check the standard references about the planet.

Merlin is a habitable oceanic moon of the gas giant Nimue, and is tidally locked to Nimue- if you are on the portion of the planet "under" Nimue, Nimue is always overhead, a giant striped pinkish brownish ball in the sky.

Planets were settled using different selection processes for colonists, and a different social systems.  Merlin developed a calm, "soft" society with a certain "new age Zen" style.  They pride themselves on pacifism, and the Commonwealth maintains a school for Governors there, where they study Conflict Resolution.  With Merlin's reputation for introspection, it is not surprising that the Institute for Consciousness Studies is located there.  One of Merlin's "exports" is its people, often found working as therapists, counselors, and coaches.  This includes the passengers the Albatross is now carrying, who work as Occupational Counselors- helping colonists transition from their old jobs to the things they will have to do in a new colony.

 Merlin's exports include living specimens of its unique and bio-luminescent sea and land life. These are prized by aquarium aficionados throughout the 100 worlds.  They produce a wide variety of other goods, including advanced metals and many types of food, but their life forms and the products they derive from these are unique.  The bioluminescent compounds extracted from Merlin's equivalent to flowers can be used to produce a dye that gives off a slight glow when supplied with energy- typically from body heat.

*****************************
*******************************

Meanwhile.... Florence will soon have St. Brendan to herself!

The old woman frowns, she has no desire to talk about the commonwealth, and politics, and all those annoying things.  She came to Mission San Lorenzo to get away from that!

"Not to get away from the Commonwealth, we're not Freelanders**, no. I mean, just to get to a place where it was nicely in the background.  Like a potted plant you just have to water from time to time."

 But, yes, there are plenty of people around who do like to talk about those things.  There are always some young people who just love to talk about the future of the galaxy and how their ideas will make things better, if only the older folk would listen to them.  Of course, they can be found around the Fordam branch.

The woman's younger assistant is willing to provide more details on how things are here:  Mission San Lorenzo, and most of the Rain Coast settlements, were established specifically because people wanted to live a remote, isolated lifestyle where the social leadership of the church was the only game in town.  There is one Governor representative in the town, the Magistrate, who acts as judge and mayor, but as the people see it, the less the Magistrate has to do, the better.  It's not that they dislike the commonwealth, but in general, that's for "other people" who run corporations and fly spaceships and do civilization things.  Out here, the parish priests give advice and people follow it, and everyone attends Mass.  Of course, one of the universal laws of the Commonwealth is that people who are poorly matched to the social system of a Governate must be free to leave it and resettle in a more suitable one, so every year a few people who just don't want to live like this leave.  But on the whole the population has been increasing.  A simple, uncomplicated life where everyone knows their place appeals to a lot of people back in the big cities of Earth.


**Freelanders:  People who create settlements without Commonwealth authorization.  The Commonwealth greatly discourages this, but is reluctant to forcefully evict them.  How to handle this is a big issue for the Governors.

 Reggie would be on stand by, awaiting orders. But he would have his hands full, with searching passengers, luggage and cargo. He wanted a raise.

Florence chuckled, not at all surprised that not everyone wanted to answer her questions. “Don't worry, I understand.” And at any rate, there were plenty of people who didn't mind answer for it to still be worthwhile. Plus, it wasn't like she expected anyone to have the perfect solution to the problem: there were lots of people working on the problem already after all. No, all it could probably achieve was get a better understanding of the problem and determine which of the possible solutions could work best.

So she spent the rest of the day outside, talking to people around her age or slightly older about the current political situation and getting their ideas. One thing she also asked about was for advice on who to go see to be able to spend some time out of the city and out in the wild for a couple days.

In the morning of the next day, she went to the university to see about that little trip of her and organize getting what she needed.