The Bazaar is about the only place you can purchase equipment on the Floating Palace. Everything will be expensive.

  Zhouth had an appointment at the tower, but he allowed himself a brief detour through the bazaar along the way. Seeing some of the sights along the way was... an interesting experience, to put it mildly, but on a more practical level there was the need to be measured for a vacc suit and whatever other gear the experienced shiphands felt was necessary for their journey to tech-world.

  "I suppose they mostly get freighter crew and corsairs through here, so they should be used to fitting vargr for these sorts of things?" He murmured to whomever was with him from the ship's company, with a look of mild trepidation. "As long as they don't think 'Oh, a vargr, therefore a corsair. Lock him up at once!' or worse." Another pause, another brief assessment of his surroundings, and then, "But this place probably can't afford to mind those things as much as long as they're being done somewhere else and the money spent here..."

"Credits are all gold-latinum! It's all the same color wherever it is spent!"

"Oh!" Ingrid exclaims and curiously examines everything she can see for sale. "They seem to be quite stylish here.".
"Oh, I'm sure they've fitted Vargr before" she says encouragingly. "The real question is, what color do you want?"

  Zhouth idly rubbed his cheek as he thought about that. "Only one? Or do they make them multi-colored here? That would be an improvement over Vanejen! All dull, muddy-hued things."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:26, Fri 04 Oct 2019.

"If you get a custom one it can be of any color Zhouth. Blue sounds good to me, at least tech 12, possibly 14."

  "Just blue?" Zhouth echoed, ears drooping. "I hope I can redecorate it and add things once it's made."

  "Or, well, I suppose this is just until we get proper stuff at Tech-World..." He recovered a bit from his slump at that thought.

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 7):

     Having spent considerable time during his life aboard the Floating Palace, Varca is comfortable enough in this place to go about without wearing his helmet.  It is, of course, hanging within easy reach, on his utility belt.

     "If you go to Rachando's Bazaar, Zhouth, you are more likely to find a Vargr-made suit." Varca adds in to the conversation, "He trades with all the passing merchants, plus he even imports items for local sale.  And then local craftsmen would probably be able to customize a Vargr-made suit--but they'd be working with measurements and on systems for beings that they don't usually work on, that much."

     "The same is going to be true if you go with me, when I see about getting a bulk order of suits from a local supplier I know, but at least the suit you'd get from them would have been made by them from the ground up, to a recorded pattern, and not trying to modify someone else's pre-existing work."

In reply to Varca Lexand (msg # 8):

     "I do want to ask all of you something, though," Varca adds, "Allowing for concern about restocking too much of the ship from Drinaxi sources, should we try and resupply the Med-Bay from here, at Rachando's--where we are likely to acquire medical supplies from all over--or should we take a chance, and wait to resupply the Med-Bay either at our first stop on the way to Tech-World, or even wait until we get to Tech-World to re-supply?"

  "Between failure-prone and eyesore, I suppose it's better to have it work when it's needed. Same goes for medical supplies, although I can at least poke through that stuff a bit to know whether it's fake, and I don't think the provenance of our medkits is as big a worry as the ship's hardware. It could just as easily be seen as looted, right? That, and if someone is going through our medbay, we probably won't be using it anymore anyhow!"

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 10):

     "An excellent point." Varca says, "I'll se what I can scrounge up, while I'm looking for suits."

"Blue is a good choice." Ingrid says. "And I think we should get medical supplies sooner rather than later... hopefully we won't need them, but if we do we really don't want to be without them."

"I zhink a good idea would be to gazher some at each of our stops. We cannot do wizhout medical supplies but we can avoid showing a preference for any one dealer or location I zhink."

"Black or blue are the standard colors. I'm sure you can special order parti-colored Zhouth, but it might take time to have it made. Red, yellow, purple and green?"

"For me, blue vacc suit, blue helmet with a protective visor that can darken to protect. Gold accents, 'Teddy' on the front."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:29, Sat 05 Oct 2019.

  "How about..." Zhouth pulled out his comm and began working on it. The thing certainly didn't have the capabilities of the ship with its holographic controls, or even a dedicated holography suite like many high-tech tailors, but there were some basic image-making tools among its standard software.

  It didn't take long for him to come up with a design that, while not nearly as vibrant as his current outfit, nevertheless stretched most human concepts of color coordination. The major plates were predominantly blue, although one shoulder plate sported a multicolored whorl around its outer edge that resembled nothing so much as an oil slick, and the knee pads and boots were a much lighter aqua shade.

  The clash didn't end there, though. The underlying fabric layers were a mix of different colors, some loud (the red-and-white stripes on the inner arms were especially eye-catching), and some downright unpleasant in their own right (like the sickly brown-green insulation layer above and under the knee pads).

  And that left out the bits of unrelated color that had been dabbed onto seemingly random spots, the like dandelion-hued racing stripes down the side of one boot, the raccoon-like rings on one ear piece, the...

  Fortunately for any erstwhile suit decorator he also had a 'plain' version that left off all of those details and limited itself to the major-section mismatches. Fortunate also for the rest of the crew that might have to look at him in it and not concuss themselves against their own vacc suit helmets with the resulting flinch!
This message was last edited by the player at 21:00, Sat 05 Oct 2019.

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 15):

     Varca looks at the image that Zhouth shows everyone, and frowns, "What's wrong with black?" he asks--finally smiling.

     Still smiling, Varca looks around to make sure nobody is close enough to overhear, then says in a slightly lower voice,

     "Actually, Zhouth, you then go and put a big, removable skull-and-crossbones, in blood-red, on your chest piece...maybe some smaller ones on your pauldrons and kneecaps...and I'm talking as an overlay with the colors below, not a cover-up--and I don't think there will be a non-Vargr in this entire Sector who could give an accurate description of you."

     "Oh, yeah--and teeth along the muzzle part of your faceplate!  Then you'll look just like all the Vargr Corsairs from the holovids!  And, with a few quick peels of the appliques, you're back to looking like a civilian."

  "You think so?" Zhouth took a moment to make a new version of the image incorporating Varca's suggestions. The result, to human eyes, was only a mild increase in the overall absurdity. Zhouth himself regarded it with a mix of skepticism and approval. "Not really my style, but you're right, they'll never suspect it's me with those things all over it." Then he tapped at the comm again to add a few angular accents around the major joints that conveyed a further sense of aggression - though once again, the mixed color scheme was questionable.

  "If they saw this back at Vanejen they'd think I'd gone mad," he smiled. "Which makes it perfect!"

Ingrid smiles at Theodore's idea for his suit. "I'm sure it would look great."

Ingrid blinks a couple of times at Zouth's proposed suit design. "It's very... colorful. Very striking. I like the aqua" she says politely.

She frowns a little at the skull and crossbones.

  Zhouth looked at Ingrid sidelong, having apparently taken note of her frown. He had no way to tell what had prompted it, of course, and so inquired, "You like the aqua, but there's something else you don't?"

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 19):

     "There!  Perfect!" Varca nods at Zhouth's changes--still speaking in a low tone, "I didn't want to suggest the classic 'white' skull-and-crossbones, because I believed white would get lost in all that color.  And while 'black' would stand out better, I think it would tend to clash with the colors, yes?  But a bold, blood-red Crimson!  That stands out and makes a threatening statement that says you're a bloody-handed Pirate!  Oh!  And instead of a Human skull, you could make it a Wolf skull!"

     "And with the removable skull-and-crossbones, you don't have to buy two different suits--one for general use, and one to wear when we are engaged in--mmm--shall we say, resource relocation.  I mean, it actually works out well that the 'Pirate Crew' that will be us, will be able to be identified as having a single, obviously Vargr crewmember--people will think that we hail from closer towards The Marches, rather than from here, at Drinax."

     "The next thing you should consider, though, Zhouth is whether to get a standard vacc-suit, or to get something that will offer you a little more protection in a combat environment."

     Varca raises a hand in a pausing gesture, "Now, I know that you will--hopefully--not be acting as a front line combatant--unless you want to, of course--but that doesn't mean that on rare occasions, during either pirate or raiding activities, you might not find yourself caught in a fight.  And when that happens you might like a little more protection than a standard vacc-suit provides."

     "When looking for a suit, I recommend you try on something called a 'Boarding Space Suit'--basically it's just a standard vacc-suit that has had a few of the more vital areas hardened by the addition of a little armor, plus a few extra equipment attachments are added.  Some of those attachments are specifically designed to attach weapons onto the exterior of the suit.  I've seen a variety of weapons attached to a boarding suit's forearm guards--everything from sword blades to submachineguns."

     "With the exception of learning to use any attached weapons, using a Boarding Suit is pretty much the same as using a standard vacc-suit.  So, if you want a little more protection--and you can find one--try out a Boarding Space Suit.  Otherwise, if we get you one custom made here, on the Floating Palace, we'll just have them make you a Boarding Suit."

  A flash of concern followed by relief was evident in Zhouth's posture and expression at the assurance that he was not expected to act the part of the front-line trooper, but as he listened to Varca's explanation, another concern began to well up.

  "I like the sound of better protection if we can afford it for all of us. I don't know how many credits we can throw around or how many they'll want for the good gear, especially around this place..." This place, where the good stuff was likely to come at a premium!

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 21):

     "Oh, I dunno.  I've traded with Rachando before." Varca says, "I might be able to wrangle a deal out of him--I've got some resources."

     Varca leans in real close and whispers--barely sub-vocalizing--counting on those Vargr ears.

  The corners of Zhouth's lips twisted downward as he pictured the scene that Varca was describing, eventually musing, "That it doesn't set a good precedent?"

  The vaguely horrified look faded as his mood bounced right back up again. "I know, I know! All kidding aside, it means salvage! Well, maybe salvage with a lot of dent-hammering and jigsaw-part piecing to make whole ones out of them. And then we fly the thing right into enemy weapons fire to see if it all holds together after all!"

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 23):

     Varca gets a puzzled frown on his face,

     "What?  No.  I mean, yes..." Varca hisses in a low voice, "Yes, it means salvage, but more importantly--there's only two places that so many ships of one class would be lined up like that."

     "Either at a Factory or a Base.  Considering this place is hidden in a narrow mountain valley, I'm betting it's a Base.  And that means more than just salvage, Zhouth, a Base means storehouses full of spare parts...some of which might still be usable."

  Once again, Zhouth thought about it for a moment. "One that hasn't been picked over and hasn't had anyone move in?" he wondered quietly. "That would help a lot. Well, maybe. Could be all rusted out and waiting to collapse on our heads, too."

"Oh, it just seems... a little over the top with a skull and crossbones" Ingrid says. "But as long as it's stylish"

"Safer is better" she says about the boarding suit. "I have a bit of medical knowledge, but I hope I don't ever have to use it."

Teddy tries to listen to Varca and Zhouth as they speak of salvage, but he was lost in the conversation, his ears were not Zhouths.

  Zhouth worked on the vacc suit image for a moment, then presented a new version for Ingrid's scrutiny: it was exactly the same as before save for the skull-and-crossbones markings having been replaced with archetypal happy-face icons. "How about that, then?"

Ingrid giggles. "Oh, goodness. No, the pervious one was better. I concede the point."

  "Maybe one day, when we're trying to make pirates think I'm the crazy one..." Zhouth swapped back to the non-decal version of his preferred color scheme. It was the one that they'd be presenting to... whoever it was that Varca had in mind!
This message was last edited by the player at 22:43, Mon 07 Oct 2019.

"You'll stand out like a sore thumb, easy to prove piracy, then hang you."
Teddy said with a grin!

Cyrus had been quiet for some time, his mind was still on the Harrier, but he spoke up when he saw the comical vacc-suit.

"I razher zhought it had a certain stylish flare myself. Still it is zhe function which matters in zhis case."

  "Skulls or smiles or whatever else, those are stick-on bits, so I can change them as the mood demands as long as the suit underneath is still working!"

"I like it Zhouth! I'll stick with blue."

"It's quite unique" Ingrid says.

"What else do we have to get?"

In reply to Ingrid Gustavdottir Sigar (msg # 35):

     "'Have to get'?" Varca repeats Ingrid's question, "At Rachando's, I'm not sure.  Much of what we'd need for the ship is going to be in the form of either large sized parts, or large numbers of small parts.  Or living quarters décor items." Varca finishes with a frown.

     "I'm not sure if Rachando can, or will, handle the volume that we might need.  Basically, I'd say if there is some individual item of equipment, or some personal item that you want, Rachando either has it, or can get it--probably.  For the right price."

     "But as for the kinds of equipment we want--I'm thinking he might have either limited numbers, or, if he can order some of what we want, then--One, do we want to wait around for delivery, and Two, do we want to risk it getting out that we're ordering bulk starship parts through Rachando.  That's if we try to order parts through him."

     "Having said that, I have come up with a short list of a few things that Rachando might have, that even if someone is paying attention what we're buying, what I've thought of would just make them say 'Huh?'."

     "Now, I'm no ship engineer, but what little I understood of the report on the damage to the Fuel Processors, we just need to replace several parts and make a few repairs.  We might be able to find the parts we need for the Fuel processor at Rachando's."

     "I'm more confident about the needs for the repairs to the Comm System--and although over half the molycirc boards and a couple dozen iso-linear rods need replacing, the actual work isn't that hard, just tedious.  Again, we may be able to find all the electronic parts we need to make repairs to the Comm System at Rachando's."

     "And finally, I think we might also be able to find a couple of large items at Rachando's, mostly because of their oddity--I'm not positive, but I do believe we're likely to be able to find a pair of replacement Low Berths for the two damaged ones, back on the ship.  A pair of Low Berths is the kind of weird stuff Rachando often has laying around.  And if anyone goes looking, all it's gonna do is confuse someone, when the find we bought only two Low Berths."

     "Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if Rachando couldn't offer us a deal on an Imperial Naval Launch-heh-heh-heh-heh."

"I agree fuel processors are urgent, so is Life Support. If we can get the fuel to make a two parsec jump and the Life support to sustain us until we get there, Tech World is just a hop skip and jump away.

I guess Vacc suits are high om the list as well. Weapons and such can wait, We need to stock the pantry as well and get educational material for ourselves too. Also entertainment."

"Aaron made a list of all of the drugs and supplies he needs as well, so we get that too."

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 37):

     "Yes!  I hadn't thought of that, Theo!" Varca says, "I probably didn't think about medicines and medical supplies because The...um...our Sponsor hadn't gone ahead and just done that restock.  I assumed it wasn't done because it couldn't be done--but now that you actually bring it up, that assumption makes no sense.  Of course the Medbay could have been restocked before hand, it simply wasn't chosen to be done.  For whatever reason."

     "Yes, the supplies to restock the Medbay are very likely to be found at Rachando's.  But, something just occurred to me--while I have a very slight relationship with Rachando--it's really no better than the average resident of The Palace.  Nothing that I think could be counted upon for any significant discount."

     "Which makes me wonder--should we plan on making a number of individual deals, or would it be better for us to determine if one of us is better at making such business deals, and allow that person to handle everything, with assistance from the rest of us, on technical issues, as needed?"

OOC: in other words--who has the best Diplomacy (or Trader or Broker) skill to make honest, abouve-board deals, and who has the best Streetwise skill to make the best shady deals?  And I'm betting, right now, that neither of these is gonna be Varca!  Varca is--right now!--in the process of learning Diplomacy, and his Streetwise is only at Level 0.  Yes, Varca is a Thief, but he's never stolen for monetary gain--he steals for himself, he steals what he needs to survive.  So he has very little experience fencing his ill gotten gains.
     So?  Anyone feel like stepping up and being our commercial Front Man--or Front Woman?  Ingrid...don't you present yourself as a Merchant or a Trader?  This could be your time to shine!  ^_^

"I can handle tedious repair work. Do we need to replace the Low Berths now?" Ingrid says. "Food and medical supplies are vital, but I don't know how much entertainment we'd find here."
"I wouldn't say no to more shopping. I'm good at that" she says with a laugh.

OOC: Ingrid worked on a merchant ship, but she doesn't present herself as a merchant exactly.

In reply to Ingrid Gustavdottir Sigar (msg # 39):

     "No, no, replacing the Low Berths doesn't need to be done now." Varca replies, "I was just saying that those are the kinds of things we could likely find at Rachando's.  For myself, I have no objection to continued shopping--it's just that I have all I need, for myself.  Vespexers are Minimalists, remember?  My Suit, a small suitcase with spare clothes and personal kit, and a haversack with canteen and meal bars, and I'm ready to go anywhere.  Add in my weapons and ammo, and I'm ready to go raid anywhere." Varca finishes with a grin.

     "I'm mostly just out and about looking for materials for the ship.  All of my resources are here.  On Drinax.  I have no assets outside this star system.  While I have some of these 'Ship Shares' all of you've been talking about, I pretty much can only cash them in here.  By most of the standards all of you know, I'm pretty much a primitive barbarian, after all."

  "If you like looking for oddments, we have a long, long list..."

  Indeed they did. After all of the inspections and findings of everyone who'd gone through the ship, and Zhouth's work in compiling it into a report, they had a very long and thoroughly comprehensive list of missing and damaged parts, right down to the auxiliary superluminal flux manifold's third port barrel nut.

  Matching that eye-crossingly exhaustive requisition to a place full of 'oddments' would surely be a garage sale afficionado's dream job!
This message was last edited by the player at 11:16, Sat 12 Oct 2019.

In reply to Varca Lexand (msg # 38):

"It costs money and the King is broke maybe. The medbay SHOULD have been restocked. At least the basics for space, a simple urgent care. We'll get the low berths here since we need them, if they have them."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:57, Sat 12 Oct 2019.

"Zhe low berths are literally our lowest priority. Zhey are passenger berths not medical freezers. We wont need zhem unless we decide to start carrying low rent fares and space hobos."

"I seem to recall zhe zhing we need most here is Tools. Much of zhe work can be done wizh only zhose."

"Perhaps zhe master of zhis bazaars can supply zhose?"

"Correct, we need tools the most. Particularly the tools specific for the ship, some tools for a Drinaxi ship will NEED to be Drinaxi! They need to work on the drives and such that are specific."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:47, Sat 12 Oct 2019.

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 44):

     "Okay then, let's start with that." Varca says, raising his left arm up to where he can access the computer interface on his left forearm,

     "We'll make a list of the tool kits we need or want, then go out and buy them--right now.  So, obviously we're talking Engineering Kits, yes?  Specifically, Kits for Ship's Power work, Ship's Life Support, M-Drives, and J-Drives.  Then we'll need Kits for general Electronics work, as well as general Mechanical work, yes?  Perhaps we should get a computer specific Kit?  Something with programming diagnostics, anti-viral and de-bugging gear, specifically?"

     Varca pauses and looks up from his data entry, "You know, if you look at it in the right way, Medbay supplies could be considered as 'People Tool Kits'--maybe we should prioritize getting the medical supplies with getting the tools, as well..?"

     "So...Anyone got suggestions for any other tools?  Is there just a general 'Vehicle Repair Kit' oriented for Starships?"

"I have tools for basic mechanical work" Ingrid mentions.

Tools, drugs, and Vacc suits are our needs here. "

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 47):

     Varca nods in agreement as both Ingrid and Theo make their suggestions,

     "Okay, Ingrid, but I was thinking we might try to buy two sets of each tool kit." Varca says, looking up from his data entry, "Y'know, duplicates in case of lossage or damage."

     "And...didn't somebody make the point that it wouldn't be that big an issue if we were to resupply the Galley here, with Drinaxi goods?  I had thought it might be too big a clue if the old Drinax-built ship had fresh Drinax-sourced consumables, but--Ingrid, was it you, or was it you, Cyrus, who pointed out that we're just as likely to find foodstuffs from all over the sector here, as we might anywhere else?"

     "So, I think it'll be safe to also handle the Galley needs, now, as well."

     "Okay, who's going to do the wheeling-dealing for us?  I've got materials to trade with, but my deal-making skills...pretty much just work out to me adding the word 'Please' after I've used my threat-making skills..." Varca gives a vaguely apologetic shrug.

---

OOC:
21:38, Sun 13 Sept: Varca Lexand rolled 10 using 2d6.  Converting 1 Ship Share to Cosmetic RUs.

Woo-Hoo!  Just 1 of Varca's Ship Shares turns into 10 Cosmetic Repair Units!  We're only talking about spending 3 on Suits, the Medbay and the Galley--maybe (hopefully) 1 more RU for all those tools.

Wait...1 Cosmetic RU equals 100,000 Credits...we need a total of 12 Vacc Suits...and we're thinking of upgrading (at least) 5 of those to Customized Boarding Suits...

We might end up spending 3 Cosmetic RU on the Vacc Suits... ^_ ^

Still...that only totals 6 Cosmetic RU.  Maybe we could spend the remaining 4 on Crew quarters?  Buy some bazillion-count sheets... ^_ ^

Or...no, wait!...we could spend those remaining 4 Cosmetic RU on...Fancy Uniforms!!

"Seems a little cautious, but better safe than sorry" Ingrid says. "I'll get the foodstuffs. And I'm decent at deal-making"

We only have 21 I think.

"Where are the tools and Vacc Suits Varca? Time to spend some of my credits."

Vacc suit: Protection +10, TL 12, Rads 90, Weight 8 kgs, Cost 20kcr, Vacc suit 0 to use.

That leaves 49,000 credits. Now to find tool kits.

No Vacc suit here.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:37, Tue 15 Oct 2019.

Rachando currently has only 5 vacc suits available. They are all different, all used with some repairs and they aren't all that shiny up close. ((OOC: See Game Map B.))

Other than that, he has half a dozen Drinaxi HE suits like what Varca and Rejji are wearing.

"How much for the Black HE suit?"

Theodore buys the tool kits, all of them. Apparently the price is the price. "Tech World will suffice for vacc suits I guess, why pay new for used. Highway robbery!"

This message was last edited by the player at 13:39, Sat 19 Oct 2019.

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 54):

OOC: assuming Rachando himself is dealing with us:

     "Greetings Merchant Rachando," Varca says to the owner of the shop, "I'm Varca Lexand--I sold you a salvaged computer server some years back, when I was serving in the Star Guards--though I don't suppose you remember me after all these years.  I was hoping I might impose on you and make use of your LIDAR fitting booth--if it's operational, at the moment..?  I need to get some measurements."

OOC: if we're being taken care of by an employee of Rachando's, then Varca would skip the introduction and just ask to use the fitting booth.

((OOC: Since Zhouth went to the Bazaar first before going to the Tower, then it's clear that Rachando was here at the Bazaar before Zhouth went to the Tower. That he was leaving the Tower as Zhouth entered just means he went there ahead of Zhouth.))


"Sir, the suits are not being manufactured here on Drinax," Rachando replies to Theodore, "and certainly not mass produced which is what brings the cost down."

"No, I had to buy these suits at the discount price and then bring them here at no inconsiderable expense to myself. Once I add in my overhead, well, that's what I need to sell them at in order to make a reasonable profit."

"As for the black vacc suit, it is not Hazardous Environment rated. You could probably survive for an hour or so in it. The HE suits are the Vespexer ones. Since they were made locally, they are not as expensive."

He then turns to Varca.

"Of course, you can use the booth--it is quite operational, and I most definitely remember you. It would be bad business not to remember a customer!"

Ingrid smiles politely at the shopowner.

She looks over the vacc suits. "The colors aren't exactly my style" she says.

"They should still be lower than new price, at least 25%, I suggest you robbed yourself already."

11:47, Today: Theodore McFarlane rolled 3 using 2d6+1. streetwise. FAILED!!!
This message was last edited by the player at 19:11, Tue 22 Oct 2019.

     "Thanks." Varca answers simply, "That's most kind of you, Rachando."

     With a casual baw, Varca steps awa from the merchant and looks around for one of his companions,

     "Hey, Zhouth!  C'mere!  I need your assistance."

  Zhouth was quite close by, assessing the suits and their... unsuitability. He might be able to work his way into one of them in an emergency, but awkward would be a colossal understatement. Better than hard vacuum, perhaps, but doing anything that required meaningful mobility - let alone trying to fight in one - simply wasn't going to happen.

  He turned toward Varca and asked hopefully, "Taking measurements for something that will fit?"

"With a new price, does it get a new warranty?"

13:48, Today: Theodore McFarlane rolled 12 using 2d6+1.  streetwise.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:48, Thu 24 Oct 2019.

     Varca made a slight 'shushing!' motion with his hand--blocked from Rachando's sight by the bulk of his own body.

     Varca collects Zhouth, then heads off to the section of the store where the fitting booth is.

     "Yes." Varca answers quietly, "It just won't be here.  As Rachando told Theodore a few moments ago, he doesn't make the suits he has--he imports them.  I, on the other hand, know a local place that manufactures suits--the biggest manufacturer of suits, in fact."

     Varca taps the chest of his own Hazard Suit,

     "They custom made this for me, according to my own specifications, and I've been quite happy with the results.  I want to get your exact measurements for them, with Rachando's LIDAR measuring booth, to ensure they get the proper form.  Zariid Excursionista Outfitters manufacture a variety of protective gear for a variety of situations, but I'm not sure that they have Vargr dimensions in their database.  I am sure they can construct a suit for you--I'm just not sure they know how to build a suit for a Vargr.  So we use this..."

     Varca gestures at the cylinder shaped booth they have just arrived at.

     "And, while Zariid Excursionista Outfitters should still have my measurements, from when they built this suit, I'll still get a scan of myself, just in case."

     "You go first.  I used this machine once before, years ago.  As I recall, you only have to remove any loose-fitting clothing--though when I used it, I had to remove my entire Star Guard issued Hazard Suit.  There's actually two chambers inside, one for any disrobing, and the inner chamber where all the LIDAR work is done.  Oh, there'll be protective covers for your eyes, inside."

     "But you probably know all this, right?  Rachando says this booth is a Tech Fourteen model--and you said your homeworld was...Tech Sixteen, was that it?  These things must be commonplace for you."

  "I don't remember ever taking a sartorial laser-bath on Rockball!" Zhouth grinned lopsidedly, then shrugged. "Uhh, maybe I should just say that our sensor tech was more advanced than this thanks to all of those fancy astrophysics labs and their gadgets lying around everywhere?"

  Fortunately, he'd had two and a half decades of living primitively at one of the premier naval research facilities in the Imperium, and was quite accustomed to dealing with throwbacks such as this!

  It wasn't long before Zhouth was scanned and ready, with a copy of the data sent to his comm for future reference, and a cheerful, "Your turn!" delivered to Varca upon emerging.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:08, Thu 24 Oct 2019.

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 63):

     Varca enters the booth--though it takes about twice as long for him, in there, than it did for Zhouth.

     "There, that's done." Varca says upon exit--tugging at his suit to get it back into proper set,

     "Now, if you'd just shoot me copy of your measurements, I should be able to handle all the rest.  I've already signaled down to my family to ship up some crates I've had stashed down planetside.  All I have to do, now, is get these measurements to Zariid and sign the contract, and he'll put together the suits--including one that's custom fit for you."

     "Okay, I'm off." Varca says, "I've still got people to shake down--so I'll see you all later.  Oh!  Zhouth...when you get into the Tower, besides finding any technical schematics or details about the Harriers, could you also do a quick search on any Old Drinaxi technology concerning atmospheric moisture vaporators?  Just a little something I'm interested in..."

     "Later!"

Theodore had the tool kits he bought all delivered to the shuttle for transport to the Harrier. He had apparently offended Rachando when he tried to 'jew' down the price of the vacc suit, but there was no way he'd pay new for used with no warranty. It would have to be completely reconditioned with a full warranty in order for him to consider it. He was too astute for that, but not obviously astute enough to work a deal. Tech World would have them!
This message was last edited by the player at 14:49, Fri 25 Oct 2019.

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 65):

OOC: Oh, you did not!

In reply to Varca Lexand (msg # 64):

"Seems a little fancy just for a fitting." Ingrid says. "I don't think I need a hazard suit for anything, do I?"

In reply to Ingrid Gustavdottir Sigar (msg # 67):

     Varca pauses on his way out,

     "Fancy?  Not to folks who have to spend a very long time wearing protective suits." Varca responds to Ingrid, "Sure, most suits are adjustable, able to be adjusted to give a good fit within a specific body-size range--but such suits always end up having one or two spots that are either too tight or too loose.  LIDAR fittings give exact measurements over the entire body.  With these numbers there won't be any pinch-points or places where there's enough play for the suit to move and rub the skin."

     "As for needing a Hazard Suit--for the most part, a Vacc Suit can do just about anything a Hazard Suit can do, with one exception.  As long as you're using a Hazard Suit in an environment where oxygen is available, the built-in filters of a Hazard Suit can clean anything else out of the air you're breathing--therefore the endurance of a Hazard Suit can be much longer than that of a Vacc Suit.  For instance, the Hazard Suits that the citizens of the Floating Palace manufacture for trade with us Vespexers--thus, a suit designed to be used down on the contaminated surface of Drinax--has expected filter lifetime of one month, plus life support for totally sealed operations of 3 hours, and the suit is designed to be worn continuously for one-hundred twenty hours."

     "Whereas the average Vacc Suit provides a standard six hours of life support, when sealed--and wearing a Vacc Suit without a helmet, or even just with the faceplate opened, reduces the protection of the suit by a significant margin--and wearing a standard Vacc Suit for more than ten hours starts to become problematical.  Oh, you can wear one for a longer time, it's just that the suit starts to become uncomfortable.  And it starts to smell.  However, unlike a Hazard Suit, Vacc Suits are designed for prolonged exposure to outer space conditions, and can even take greater exterior pressures--including being able to go deeper under water."

     "Basically, Ingrid, if you're just going walkabout on a planet with an atmosphere that's at least<Cursive> minimally <Cursive>breathable, then a Hazard Suit is great, but it's a one trick quadruped for that environment type only.  A Vacc Suit is more versatile, when it comes to the variety of environments it can protect you from."

     "So don't worry--I'll have you in a Vacc Suit before we go down to the surface of Drinax.  Count on it." Varca says with a grin.

     "In fact..." Varca gestures back at the fitting booth, "Care to give me your measurements, so I can give them to my suit-maker?"

  Having sent a copy of the scan data to Varca's comm, Zhouth inquired of the group in general, "You're all the experts on tools and parts, so I can go pay a visit to the Tower while you deal with those things, and we'll meet up later for the formal affairs? Or am I needed for something else here first?"

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 69):

     "No, I can't think of anything I need you for, now." Varca replies to Zhouth, with a shrug, "I'm off to make arrangements for the manufacture of Vacc suits for the ship--which has been my intent all along.  And since nobody will admit to being a better bargainer than me, I guess I'll just have to do my best, deal-wise."

     "Ingrid, didn't you say, a little while ago, that you would handle the acquisition of the materials needed to complete repairs on the Galley?  Some of that you should be able to acquire here, the rest is paint and other such light décor materials--I can send you the locations of a few small shops, here on the Floating Palace, that should have what you need.  If you'd like."

     Varca addresses the whole group, "Other than that, we were after materials for the Med-Bay, yes?  Again, much of that can be acquired here, with supplementation from a few small shops around the Palace--I can send the locations of the various shops to anyone who wants go after those supplies.  I was garrisoned here, on the Floating Palace, for several years, and know the layout fairly well."

---

OOC:
     Just a reminder--Persuade is the skill for bargaining over prices in an open venue, Streetwise is the skill for locating and making Black Market deals.
     Varca IC admitted to not being very skilled with either skill, and asked if anyone felt they might be a better "front man" for the Team--nobody stepped up.  So Varca is doing what he does--bulling his way forward, anyway. And all that will mean, in this situation, is that he'll end up paying whatever prices are asked, maybe more, as he has little chance of influencing the seller.
     Also remember that not every merchant, here, participates in Bargaining!  Some of these merchants are RETAIL Merchants, and the prices that they advertise are the prices that we're gonna pay.  Period.
     So, since we can't seem to agree on a single, silver-tongued devil to make all Persuade/Bargaining rolls for the Team, then whoever is going after this stuff should just start making Persuade Rolls!
     Also, as has already been said, Varca has made 10 Cosmetic Repair Units available to use for ship-based purchases--well, actually, that's 7 CRU's.  Varca has committed 3 CRU's to acquiring some ship stuff, already...or, he's about to. ^_^

    And Theo...I just wanna say that Varca will always cherish the memory of watching you trying to make a Black Market deal with Rachando over vacc suits--in the middle of Rachando's store!  That was such an "Imperial On A Foreign Planet" scene, I almost wet myself, trying to hold in the laughter.

"Custom made vacc suit Varca? Why did you leave us hanging with Rachando then? Mighty kind of you to finally enlighten us! Kack eating Vespexer!"

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 71):

     "I told all of you back on the shuttle--on the way here" Varca snaps back, "That I had a suit tailor I did business with, and that I was going to go to him for acquiring the dozen suits we need to outfit the Harrier.  It is not my fault that your snooty Imperial nose is always pointed so high that your ears weren't listening!"

"Ughhhhhh! Open mouth, closed ears, I didn't hear it! Sorry."

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 73):

     Varca shrugs his hazard suit-covered shoulders and takes on an indifferent look, as he responds to Theodore,

     "Whatever.  But, while--technically--you're correct that I'm getting custom made suits--that only goes so far as to mean my tailor will actually make the suits, once I order them.  Otherwise, the suits will still be standard, basic versions.  The only exception being that, if I give him some exact measurements, he'll make a few of the suits to those measurements."

     "So, while it's correct to call these 'custom made' suits, it would be more accurate to say that they are really only 'custom fitted', you see?"

     "Okay, so, am I waiting on anyone else besides Zhouth--oh, and I've got Aaron's measurements, already--anyone going to give me measurements--or am I free to go order the suits, now?"

Ingrid listens politely to Varca and nods at his description of the vacc suits. "Oh, yes, I'll get you my measurements. It'll just take me a moment" she says, looking a little embarrassed. Changing in and out of her outfit would take a bit.

"I can... I can try bargaining for you, if you like. I think I'm pretty good at it" Ingrid says hesitantly to Varca. A proper Sword Worlder lady is modest and shy; boasting about herself or her abilities went completely against how she was raised, and it wasn't easy for her.

"Yes please. I can handle that" she says when Varca asks if she wants him to send her the location of some shops.

"Thank you for buying the tools, Theodore" she adds with a smile.

In reply to Ingrid Gustavdottir Sigar (msg # 75):

     "Why...of course, Ingrid, it would be great if you came with me to Zariid's." Varca responds with a smile, "I'd appreciate the assistance--between me knowing the Zariid family, and your charm, I'm sure we'll be likely get them to give us a big discount!"

Teddy follows in the lidar after Ingrid goes. He gives his measurements to Varca. "I'm free now too plus I have some cash."

Ingrid smiles. "Kind of you. I'm glad to help!" Once she's been scanned, she gets dressed again and joins the others.

  "See you all soon-ish then?" Unless something went wrong, which in these circumstances struck him as having a likelihood much higher than normal - though unlike certain academic vid characters, he didn't immediately conjure an on-the-spot percentage chance.

  Barring any objections, he was off...

"How many vacc suits do we need? Altogether? Seven? Ship's locker needs stocked but it can wait on the new owner, we need ours."

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 80):

     Varca casts a puzzled frown towards Theo,

     "What?" Varca asks his old friend, then sighs, "It is suits for the Ship's Locker that I am buying.  Listen better, will you, Imperial?"

     Varca continues to head out of Rachando's, followed (presumably) by Ingrid and Theo,

     "However," Varca continues as he walks, "If a couple of the suits from the Ship's Locker should just happen to match the measurements of a few specific members of the Crew...well...I just can't imagine anyone objecting if those couple of Crewmen should use those suits that just happen to fit them so well as if they were their own, personal suits.  Even if those few Crewmen should--at their own expense, of course--even go so far as to personally modify those suits."

     "I mean, sure, those suits, coming from the Ship's Locker, are property of the Ship, and so, are only being issued to those few Crewmen--but the Crewmen are using the suits in performance of their duties on board the ship.  So what's the harm if they act like the suits belong to them?"

     "Right?"

     "Oh, and the Ship Locker manifest requires twelve suits." Varca says as he opens the door out of Rachando's and starts out--then pauses, backs up, then holds the door for Ingrid to exit first, "So I've arranged for the manufacture of a dozen suits."

"My question is why did they clean out the ship's locker? Everyone knows it's a Drinaxi ship already."

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 82):

     Now out in the public corridor, outside Rachando's store, upon hearing Theo's question, Varca suddenly stops and reaches out to grab Theo's arm--turning Theo to face him.

     "The Princess' people didn't remove the suits from the ship, Theodore." Varca says in a deadpan tone, "The previous Crew were wearing them...when they died...just over two hundred years ago...and current Palace tech can't replicate them.  I suppose that not all of those suits were buried with the people wearing them, so it might be possible to get one for you, if that's what you're asking..?"

Ingrid smiles at Zhouth. "Of course. I hope you have success!"

"I should have enough to get my own suit. The ones I've used before are a little older."

"You think the crew had EVERY item in the ship's locker with them? The locker also contains the tool kits and such. You think the crew died clutching all of the wrenches? I don't. The locker was purposely cleaned of ALL items. I know where the suits were. Now unhand me and see that you never do it again Vespexer!"

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 85):

     Varca's face clouds up at Theo's snarl--and Varca drops his hand from Theo's arm, down towards where he normally has a pistol holstered on his right thigh...

     But suddenly the angry look on Varca's face changes to a look of puzzled thought.

     "You're...right.  It didn't register, before..." Varca says, looking at Theo, but staring into the distance,

     "The Ship's Lockers weren't partly emptied--like they'd been gone through by a dying crew on a damaged ship, looking for emergency supplies.  Those lockers were empty."

     Varca looks around at his companions standing nearby,

     "Maybe...maybe there was gear in the lockers, when the ship was found, and what was there was used by the Technicians to make repairs after the ship was rediscovered..?" Varca nodded, as if agreeing with himself,

     "Or...okay...maybe, two hundred years ago, after the fight that damaged the ship, another ship evacuated the crew, and they took all the gear in the Ship's Lockers, as well..?  I mean, I would!  Hmm.  I think we're going to have to ask Princess Rao about this, when we see her next, Theo."

     "Hey--thinking about the Princess--" Varca brings his hand back up to give a friendly swat to where he'd been holding Theo's arm a moment before,

     "You're Drinaxi-born, too, Imperial!  Why aren't you trying to become Commander of this Motley Crew?  We pull this off and some-body gets to marry Princess Rao--why not you?  You've got a local Title already, right?  Baron of Agricultural Waste Processing, or Lord of Shoe Polish Disbursement, or something like that?"

     "I'm planning to push the idea for somebody from Drinax to run this operation, really hard to the King.  And if I can't convince him it should be me...I can live with it being you.  As long as you do what I tell you to do."

     Varca flashes a wide smile that he thinks looks friendly on his plain-looking face--but actually closer resembles the look of a predatory animal...just before it tears into a victim.

"Now, don't fight, gentlemen" Ingid says soothingly.

Ingrid smiles. "Men will do anything to marry a princess. I guess old tales don't lie."

"Not interested, she's a devious sneak. At the least. She'd stab her husband in his bed without a thought. At worst." he replies to Ingrid
This message was last edited by the player at 13:06, Mon 04 Nov 2019.

"You've got a twisted perception of reality, Theodore," Rejji comments as he enters the corridor and the conversation.

"Everybody knew it was a Drinaxi ship... 200 years ago. The King's plan only works if no one knows the ship is being operated by Drinaxi flunkies. To that end, he and the Princess wanted to make sure there was nothing on it that screamed DRINAX."

"I don't know why you think the Princess is a devious sneak. Are you saying that every test you've ever taken... assuming you've actually taken any... you had all the answers given to you ahead of time?"

"In any case, political machinations, gossip, rumors and secrets are a way of life here on the Floating Palace. She'd no more have trusted riffraff like us than a wild dog. She had to see how we'd react to a changing situation. Because... I can almost guarantee that none of our plans are going to work out just like we planned."

"Cyrus can have her, I'm marrying Ingrid!" Teddy says with a wink and smile at Ingrid.

Ingrid blushes in regard to Theodore's teasing. "I'm not a princess, but I am less sneaky and I bet I can cook better."
She giggles and adds "But are you tough enough to live on the Sword Worlds?"

"Hmmmmm, maybe! Perhaps we'll find out some day! I know you can cook better, she probably can't." he grins.

"Anything else we need for the locker Varca? We got tools, we're getting vacc suits. Where do we get guns and blades? At least sub machine guns and shotguns and pistols. Wait for Tech-World's lower law level for that probably?"

quote:

"You've got a twisted perception of reality, Theodore," Rejji comments as he enters the corridor and the conversation.

"Everybody knew it was a Drinaxi ship... 200 years ago. The King's plan only works if no one knows the ship is being operated by Drinaxi flunkies. To that end, he and the Princess wanted to make sure there was nothing on it that screamed DRINAX."

"I don't know why you think the Princess is a devious sneak. Are you saying that every test you've ever taken... assuming you've actually taken any... you had all the answers given to you ahead of time?"

"In any case, political machinations, gossip, rumors and secrets are a way of life here on the Floating Palace. She'd no more have trusted riffraff like us than a wild dog. She had to see how we'd react to a changing situation. Because... I can almost guarantee that none of our plans are going to work out just like we planned."

"Doesn't mean I've got to like it Rej."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:57, Thu 07 Nov 2019.

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 93):

     "Things are just as you should remember, here, Theodore." Varca answers, "We're still a dual society--everything on record reflects things the way they are here, on the Floating Palace.  Here, law enforcement is very rigid--with the exception of a few ceremonial bladed weapons, personal weapon possession is not allowed here on the Palace¹.  But look over there--a small shop that sells sidearms.  Do you remember why that dichotomy is, Theodore?"

     Varca raises a hand and taps himself in the chest, "Us.  Vespexers.  And anyone else who has business down there..."

     Varca shifts his hand to point down at the floor--and towards the planet, far below.

     "It's fracking dangerous down there, y'know!  And the statistics for the environment, down there, are pretty much kept from the public.  The over-all planetary level of law enforcement is non-existent².  Law enforcement within the various Vespexer Clan holdings tends to vary, but usually focus on heavily armed people being really polite³.  And the Royal Outposts try to keep things to a side-arms only policy.⁴"

     "So, yes, Theodore, you can probably find anything but Heavy Weapons for your personal ownership.  I know energy weapons are available, but they aren't common, and they are expensive.  Just remember to never, ever, ever carry any weapon up here--unless it's a ceremonial sword or dagger, and you're wearing it on your way to a ceremony."

     Varca stops and nods at a rather non-descript looking door.

     "And here we are."

     On the door is a small bronze plaque that reads,

     "Zariid Excursionista Outfitters, makers of fine protective wear."


OOC:
1 = Law Level A(10)
2 = Law Level 0
3 = Law Level 3
4 = Law Level 5

I'll leave it up to you whether we buy weapons here or Tech-World then for the ship's locker."

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 95):

     "Actually, I was thinking of, maybe, stopping at planet Pourne..." Varca pronounces the world name as 'Poor-Neh', "...to fill our Armory.  As a culture, the Pournels are super-paranoid, but not Xenophobic--after all, they're a major stop on the Imperial-Aslan-Florian trade route--they can't shoo-away everyone!  Their technological classification on the Interstellar Scale is only Level A, but, taking their deep-set paranoia into account, they are excellent weaponsmiths."

     Varca smiled a grim smile, "The last time I was there, when I was still with the Star Guard Scouts, the Pournels had built such a dense field of defense satellites around their world, I think even the Pus--uh, I mean the Aslan would think twice, before taking on that world."

     Varca actually snaps his gloved fingers, "Say, that's an idea!  Maybe we can talk the King into letting us try and work a deal where the percentage of the Privateering money we make that we have to give to him, we pay off with Pourne-built defense satellites for Drinax?"

     At that moment, a low bweep-bweep comes from the inside of Varca's helmet, which is hanging at his left hip.  Varca looks down at the sound and quickly grabs up his helmet, then moving to raise it over his head.  However, with the helmet half-way raised, Varca stops, blinks, and looks around at everyone.

     "Oh.  Right." Varca says quietly, likely to himself, then clears his throat,

     "Ahem.  Please excuse me.  That's a timer to remind me that a limited communication window has opened to the planet, below--I have to send a quick message and, well...my comm-unit is built into the helmet...so...I'll just be a moment."

     Stepping to the side of the corridor, beside the entryway to Zariid Excursionistas, Varca places his helmet over his head, and opaque's the faceplate.



OOC:
     "Varca pronounces the world name as 'Poor-Neh'" -- according to Canon sources, a handful of the planets around Drinax are named for 20th Century Science Fiction authors, and over time, those names have been shortened and/or corrupted.  "Pourne" is short for "Pournelle", i.e., Jerry Pournelle.
     Following that logic, I jumped to the conclusion that the natives of "Planet Pourne"--go ahead, tell me you didn't laugh out loud when you read that!  Go ahead, I dare you to tell me that!  That's why I have Varca saying "Poor-Neh", as if saying Pournelle, but stopping before pronouncing the "ell" sound--anyway, that's also why I had the locals calling themselves "Pournels", rather than "Pournese" or "Pournican" or...oh, will you stop laughing!  How juvenile! ^_^

[3c(?): At Zariid's, the Suit Outfitter]

     After just a couple of minutes, Varca removes his helmet...

     "There, done.  That didn't take too long, now, did it?" Varca says, as he again hangs the helmet on his belt, at his left hip.

     "Come on.  This shouldn't take too long." Varca adds, as he approaches the heavy Skrattlewood door--likely centuries old, since the Skrattlewood forests of the planet, below, were centuries dead, and the wood's natural blue color was now age-darkened a deep indigo--they silently swing inward.  A pleasant tone is heard inside.

     The chamber inside is likely 10 meters wide, extending back about 30 meters.  The ceiling--which looks to be paneled in shiny metal tiles (silver?) with a relief pattern--is about 4 meters overhead.  The floor is a parquet of gold and amber wood, which--though obviously lovingly maintained--is still showing signs of it's centuries-old age.  The outer walls of the greater space are covered with wood moldings painted in white with gold trim, highlighting great panels of satin wallpaper in paisleys of saffron yellow, mango orange, and melon green.

     Despite the opulence of the over-all chamber, the interior has been subdivided by tasteful wood panel partitions which rise from the floor to 3 meters up.

     The front of the chamber--which the group has just stepped into--is 10 meters across the front and 5 meters deep.  In the center of the back partition wall, directly opposite the entry, is a 2 meter hallway, curtained off with a tapestry of dep indigo blue, to match the outer door.  A fairly typical retail counter, in black and chrome, runs in front of the hallway.  Though there are couple of other doors in the back partition wall, tastefully--and strategically--placed potted plantings hide them from direct view, while subtle signs point out if they lead to fitting rooms or rest rooms.  From beyong the partition, a subtle industrial 'hum' could be heard.

     Five comfortable sitting areas appear to be randomly scattered around the remaining open area--each a 3 meter Persian-style carpet in reds-and-golds, on top of which is a trio of comfortable yet professional low-backed arm chairs and a matching love seat, all set around deep-indigo Skrattlewood coffee tables with a holodisplay on them.  The furnishings are upholstered in fine microfiber fabrics, with each sitting area done in a different pastel color (Peach, Pale Yellow, Lavender, Mint, and Coral).

     Low, pleasant setar music plays from unseen speakers (OOC: Setar (sic) Persian plucked stringed instrument. Cousin to Hindu Sitar, plucked stringed instrument)

     At the counter, a young(ish) man turns at the sound of the door tone.  Possessing the vaguely Eastern Mediterranean look of so many of the Palace dwellers--clear, swarthy skin tone, clean-shaven, patrician nose, full lips and smoldering brown eyes that draw one in with their promise.  The young man is dressed in a collarless, buttonless flat-black black shirt over high-waisted, wide-legged, tight-cuffed, pegged trousers of candy-apple red silk, over pointed black leather shoes.  A long coat, also of candy-apple red silk, with wide lapels and wide padded shoulders, is worn open to show off a trim torso under the tight black shirt.

     The young man's eyes go wide and a broad smile--of perfect, white teeth--brightens his face.  Flinging his arms wide, he strides forward.

     "Varca Lexand!  You reprobate Vex-Pisser!" the young man calls out, as he throws his arms around Varca in a hug--showing that he's taller than Varca's 1.8 meters, maybe a few millimeters shy of a full 2 meters.

     "You're supposed to be dead.  We paid all that money." the young man says with a laugh, holding Varca out at arms length.

     "In your dreams, Daoud, you Palace Poofk--" Varca growls through a big grin--but stops suddenly, shakes off the grip, and takes a step back, bowing his head slightly towards the young man he'd just called Daoud.

     "I mean--it is nice to see you again, Lord Daoud.  I hope your Father is well, also." Varca says, much more formally.

     "Yeah, the Old Man is fine--what's with the Lackey-speak?  Crotch on the suit too tight?  You need an adjustment?" Daoud says, scrutinizing Varca from head to foot--then looking at everyone else,

     "Okay, you guys came in with him, so--which of you gob-smacked him in the head while his helmet was off?  C'mon!  Who broke him?" Daoud demands.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:18, Sun 10 Nov 2019.

"Heheheheheheheheheheh!" Teddy laughs at Varca and Daoud.

OOC - Beautiful description, wish I could do that!

"Of course, I never carry weapons. Well, almost never. I do have my father's sidearm" Ingrid admits, I little embarrassed.

Ingrid curtsies to Daoud. "I'm Ingrid Gustavdottir Sigar. Pleased to meet you, Lord Daoud. Perhaps I am influencing mister Varca's manners."

[3c(?): At Zariid's, the Suit Outfitter]

     "I'm not broken, you twit!" Varca snarls--then closes his eyes and calms himself,

     "I am just practicing my manners--I'm working on developing my diplomatic side." Varca continues, more calmly.

     "Wa-ha!!  Varca Lexand--Diplomatic?!!" Daoud burst out, laughing, "The same Varca Lexand who--as a Second Tier Explorer with the Star Guard Scouts, during a Kingdom Day Revelry Ball, shouted at Chieftain Galx, 'Move that ass, Lady!  You're blocking the way to the grimp!'  Is that the diplomatic Varca you are making reference to? Ah-hahahahahahaha..."

     Varca had raised is gloved right hand up to cover his face as Daoud had spoken, so his voice was a little muffled when he said,

     "She was just standing there, shoving grimp in her mouth faster than she could chew them..."

     Varca pulled his hand away from his face, and waved it in a dismissive manner,

     "None of that matters, right now, dammit!" Varca growls, glaring at Daoud, "We are here about the suit order I sent--you received it, right?  I sent it over twenty hours ago."

     "Yes, yes, yes, Varca, of course we got it.  Twelve of our Type-Three Space Suits, basic configuration, decorated in the always popular flat black..." Daoud waves his left hand in an up-and-down gesture at Varca--standing there in his flat black Hazard Suit, "A very slimming, if unoriginal, choice.  These won't be too difficult.  As contractors to the Star Guard, we've made this suit type before."

     "Yeah, yeah.  I've brought you five physical parameter files for five of the suits." Varca says, raising up his left forearm and tapping on the computer interface mounted there, "Including one for a Vargr physiotype."

     Daoud raises his eyebrows and gives Varca a surprised look, as he pulls what looks like a round, palm-sized, gold pocket watch on a long golden chain from out of a pocket in his trousers, taps on the face of it, and verifies receipt of the files Varca had just sent him.

     "A suit for a Vargr...?" Daoud says, sounding a little skeptical.

     "Yes, Daoud, one of the suits will need to accommodate Scholar Zhouth's needs--and he is most definitely a Vargr." Varca agreed, "This is not too much of a challenge, I hope...?"

     "Of course not!  Zariid's Excursionista Outfitters prides itself in always providing everything the customer requests.  Always." Daoud responds, puffing himself up with both professional, and personal, pride.

     "And the payment you offered?"

     "One hundred and twenty cartons, each filled with one-hundred kilograms of refurbished and verified operational Tech/F moly-circuitry bundles--twelve metric tons, with a total value of three-hundred thousand Imperial--will be brought up from the planet and delivered to you within the next twenty-four hours.  Arrangements have already been made."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:20, Tue 12 Nov 2019.

Teddy's eyebrows arch at the payment offered!

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 101):

     "Excellent, my friend!" Daoud says with a wide smile, slapping Varca on the shoulder, "And if it doesn't show up, we'll have you killed and gain license to produce that magnificent Hazard Suit of yours!  You know, to this day, Father still brags that that suit is his master work.  Oh!  I must tell him you are here!"

     Varca just rolls his red eyes at Daoud's chatter.  Varca looks more...mildly irritated...than concerned about the death threat.

     "Please, everyone, come sit--here, at the lavender station." Daoud gestures towards the lavender coloured seating area, "I shall send for some sparkling mineral water limonata, and show you your suits on the holodisplay, while we wait for Father."

     Daoud again takes up his pocket-watch looking computer interface and taps a few buttons, then raises the device closer to his lips.

     "Father, it's Daoud, out in the customer lounge.  We have a guest--Varca Lexand just walked in the door."

     "What!!  Varca is here?  Now?" a small voice can clearly be heard from the device, "I'll get my knives and join you immediately!"

     Daoud lowers the interface and smiles at the group, "Father sounds so happy.  He'll be just a moment."

     "Meanwhile, let me show you your suits...ah!  Here's Thelenthu with the refreshments."

     A small robot rolls around from behind the counter against the back wall--it looks much like a small end-table on wheels--it's flat top having a silver serving tray holding several tall, slim tumblers filled with ice and sparkling water lemonade, as well as two crystal serving dishes with comfits--candy-coated pistachios and candy-coated dried apricot.

     "Please help yourselves.  Now...your suits.."

     Daoud manipulates the controls on his interface device, and the holodisplay in the center of the Skrattlewood coffee table glows to life, and the holographic images of two types of space suit appear abouve it.
     "The suit on the left is our Type-Two Basic Duty Spacesuit--the same suit we provide to the Star Guard Navy, as well as to the Army forces, serving down on the planet.  On the right is our Type-Three Basic Boarding Assault Suit, identical to the ones we provide to the Star Guard Marines.  Note that, despite it's bulkier appearance, the basic Type-Three still comes in at a very light-weight of twelve kilos.  And, as instructed, your suits come only with basic capabilities...*sigh*...no extras, no frills, not even any built-in weapons..."

     "Varca, you are getting boring in your old age, you know that?"

     Varca ignores Daoud's comment, and turns to the group, "If anyone wishes to add either the Tech/13 Electronics Suite, which Zariid's has available..."

     "And which we are quite proud of!  Quite proud!"

     "*Sigh*  Yes, I can attest that it's very good--I have it installed in my Hazard Suit, right now.  Anyway, if you want to add that, or have weapons installed on the forearm mountings--and if you do, I recommend you make them removable!--then speak up now."

     "But know that any modifications you make to the suit being made for you, you will have to pay for on your own!  Modifications are not part of my deal for the dozen suits."

     Varca turns to Daoud, "So, for the suit made to my measurements, add the E-Suite and one removable Snub-type submachine gun, ambidextrous mount.  To the Vargr suit add twin twelve-centimeter, retractable blades to both forearms, as well as the E-Suite.  I'll have the cost for those transferred from Gold I have banked, here on the Palace, by the end of today."

     "Anyone else?  Speak up."

OOC:
Comfits are confectionery treats consisting of dried fruits, nuts, seeds or spices coated with sugar candy, often in the form of a hard shell.  Jordan Almonds, M&Ms, Good & Plenties, and Sugar Plums are all examples of Comfits.

"I'll take the 'E' Suite and a submachine gun as well, let me know how much and I'll pay." Teddy says to Daoud. "I'm Teddy McFarlane, Baron Highcastle is my father."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:10, Tue 12 Nov 2019.

Ingrid smiles at the hospitality and has a little lemonade. She takes a look at the boarding suit, impressed by its technology. "The boarding suit looks very capable but goodness, I shouldn't need anything like that. I think the duty spacesuit should be fine for me."

"No Ingrid, Boarding Suit for you as well."

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 105):

     "I'm afraid I must agree." Varca adds, "Our...future excursions...will require such levels of protection, I'm afraid.  If your concern is because you feel your skills with such suits is insufficient, don't worry, Ingrid--those of us with sufficient skills will help to teach you what you need to know.  It won't take long."

     "And we'll stick close, to help you along, until you feel comfortable with your suit."

In reply to Varca Lexand (msg # 106):

PM
This message was last edited by the player at 15:53, Sun 17 Nov 2019.

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 107):

OOC: *SIGH*  Teddy...my request for info about any of your siblings was not asked In Character...if you go back and look real careful, you'll see that the info request line starts with "Private to Theodore McFarlane:"--and you, me, and StarMaster were the only people who could see it.  Now everyone else is wondering "Why did Teddy just blurt out who his sister is, while we are all talking about space suits?"
The reason is this...which I should have dealt with a couple of days ago.  My apologies.



     "Baron Highcastle..." Daoud repeats thoughtfully, then a look of recognition, "McFarlane!  Yes, of course!  You would be the brother of Lady Cassandra McFarlane!  Yes, Lady McFarlane has been a customer of ours, in the past.  Hmmm.  I believe it was eight--no, ten!--years ago, the Lady was being courted..."

     Daoud lowers his voice and wiggles his eyebrows, "More accurately, she was doing the courting--anyway, she was spending a great deal of time in the company of one of the Hawk Warriors...ahhhh...young Baron Zhong Hadimu, it was.  The Lady McFarlane was fond of flying with her young Baron, so she came to us for a wingsuit..."

     Suddenly Daoud squints at Theodore suspiciously,

     "But...Wait!  You are the younger brother of Lady Cassandra McFarlane?  You're supposed to be dead--died ages ago on some hunting expedition down on the planet when you were a teenager..."

     Daoud turns his suspicious glare towards Varca,

     "Varca!  What's going on, here?  Who is this...this...person!...with the thick Imperial accent, claiming to be the son of one of our Nobles?!  What kind of scheme are you trying to pull this time?"

     Varca raises his right hand in a calming gesture,

     "Peace, Daoud!  Don't get your panties in a bunch.  He is a McFarlane, I give you my word.  And he is the Baron's youngest child.  I've known him since we were both teenagers--I was there at the so-called 'hunting expedition'.  Which never actually happened, by the way.  Theodore, here, broke with his family, back then, and ran away to join The Circus..."

     Varca pauses and winks at Theodore,

     "Well...he ran away to the Imperium--same thing.  Theodore?  Do you wish to explain further, or is that enough?  I can tell this gossipy shopkeeper to mind his own business, and make no mention of this...ever..." Varca turns a serious face towards Daoud, "And he will keep his mouth shut..."

     Daoud returns Varca's glare for a few moments, then shrugs and waves his hands in the air, dismissing the annoying Vespexer.

In reply to Varca Lexand (msg # 108):

Happy.

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 109):

     Varca gives Theodore a nod of acknowledgement, then turns back to Daoud,

     "Now, Daoud, when can we expect deliv..."

     "Varca Lexand!" a voice, and it's tone of disapproval, cracks out across the chamber like the report of a pistol shot,

     Stepping out from behind the counter against the back wall is an elderly gentleman--completely bald and clean-shaven, there appears to be no hair upon his head, save for a pair of bushy white eyebrows.  Though his skin tone is a match to the swarthy tone of Daoud, there is a quality to it--perhaps the apparent tightness of the skin to the skeleton beneath?--that just implies age.  And though his posture is quite straight, he looks almost dangerously thin.

     The gentleman is impeccably dressed in a black silk Nehru-style jacket--a knee-length tailored coat with an unfolded, short stand-up collar--the entire length of the collar along the neck is straight, with straight edges at top of the center front--these edges of the collar stopping a good four centimeters away from each other, over the jackets front center-line.  Five iridescent black buttons hold the jacket closed abouve the waist, while the band-like collar of a metallic-gold material shirt can be seen between the space of the jackets collar.  Straight-legged trousers, also of black silk, and a pair of gold house slippers complete the outfit.

     The furious look on the old man's face is dark, as he walks slowly towards Varca, and makes him look much taller than his apparent one-hundred sixty-five centimeters.

     "That is no way to speak to your Betters!  Know your place, Vespexer!" the old man growls, approaching Varca.

     "Master Zariid!" Varca gasps, wide-eyed, then pulls himself together and bows at the waist, "My deepest apologies, Master!  We were just fracking around..."

     "Language!" Master Zariid snaps, coming to a halt right before Varca.

     "Forgive me, Master!" Varca pleads, bowing even lower--his own head now lowered from it's normal one-hundred eighty centimeters to being just a bit lower than the top of Master Zariid's--Varca's eyes solidly fixed on the floor.

     "First you vex me with the ideas for this, my masterwork protective suit!" Master Zariid laments to the universe, "Then you deny me my right to show off my genius by not licensing me to produce such things of beauty until you have had exclusive use of it for eight years!"

     Master Zariid glares at the top of Varca's head,

     "It has been five years, now!  I may not live long enough to hear the adulation of the masses when my masterwork is finally able to be revealed!  You are a scurrilous risk-taker, so why aren't you dead, yet?  The Universe would be a calmer place with you out of it--and I could sell these magnificent suits!"

     Varca's shoulder can be seen to now be quivering as if he was sobbing--or laughing quietly.

     "The Universe would be a very dull place without me, and you know it!  Besides..." Varca, still holding his bow, tilts his head back and catches Master Zariid's eye, "You're going to outlive the Universe, you Old Fart!"

     Master Zariid bursts into laughter and throws his arms out, as if to take Varca into a hug.

     "Ha-ha!  Varca!  It's is good to see you again, boy!"

     "Master Cassimir!  It has been too long."

     Though he'd thrown out his arms as if to hug Varca, Master Cassimir shows that he knows better than to try and hug a Vespexer (they see the act as an attack) and instead holds out his hands, palms upward.  It hadn't been noticed before, because Master Cassimir had held his hand behind his back, as he stalked over to Varca, but the old man is wearing black leather gloves.

     Varca slaps his own hands down upon the old man's gloved hands, then Varca flips his own hands over, and Cassimir repeats the process.  The whole time Daoud is rolling his eyes towards the ceiling.

     "So, Master Cassimir," Varca says with a grin, "When can we expect delivery on these suits I've ordered?"

     "Well, it is a very large order for my little shop, here, you know." Cassimir says, looking at his hands as he removes the leather gloves from them, then tosses the gloves casually down on the coffee table,

     "Normally we only do such large projects for the Star Guard.  In fact, you even ordered our Type-Three suit--which you know is a suit we produce for the Star Guard.  And you also had to know I would have to get clearance to make them for a non-Star Guard customer."

     "Imagine my surprise..." Cassimir continues, a twinkle in his warm, brown eyes, "When I received an acknowledgement from no less a dignitary than the High Commander of the Star Guards, Lord Wrax, himself, who signed--and I quote--'Just do it'.  You do annoy the most interesting people, my dear Varca."

     Varca actually looks embarrassed, and his left hand twitches towards his helmet, hanging at his left hip.

"Oh, if you think I can learn." Ingrid says. I wonder what father would think about it. "Safer is better, I suppose."

Ingrid smiles at the newcomer. "Nice to meet you"

Teddy stands by silently listening to the back and forth banter. This is the first time Teddy has been in the shop in thirty plus years. He was here once with his father when he was very young. He remembered very little except that he thought it was bigger, but he had only been about eight or nine.

     Master Cassimir turns languidly at the sound of a woman's voice, but as he actually looks upon Ingrid for the first time, his eyes light up with delight.  Taking a step closer to Ingrid, Master Cassimir takes up her hand and bows over it (though coming close, he does not, actually, kiss the back of her hand).

     "The pleasure is mine, Mistress." Cassimir replies smoothly, as he rises from bending over Ingrid's hand, "And it is a great honor to welcome such a vision of feminine gentility  to my humble workshop.  Simply name it, and we of Zariid Excursionista Outfitters shall make your merest wish a reality."

     Still gently holding Ingrid's hand in his own right hand, and smiling, Master Cassimir looks aside, towards Varca--and Master Cassimir's left hand snaps out as swift as a striking viper to give Varca a back-handed slap against the hazard suit's breast.

     "Manners, Boy!" Master Cassimir hisses lowly at Varca, through his smile.

     "Ugh!  Oh, yes...apologies, Master Cassimir." Varca responds, quickly,

     "Mistress Ingrid...Goostoffsdaughter...Sigar," Varca struggles with the correct pronunciation of Ingrid's middle name, but gets the accent on her first and last names almost perfect, "Please allow me to make known to you Master of Crafts Cassimir Zariid, Baronet GheleenWood." Varca gestures from Ingrid to Cassimir--then reverses the gesture,

     "Master Cassimir Zariid, Baronet GheleenWood, please allow me to introduce you to Mistress Ingrid Sigar, Frie-Dame of the Sword Worlds Confederation."

     "May the Blessings of The Dragon be upon you both at this meeting."

Ingrid smiles shyly at Cassimir. “Your hospitality is most welcome.”
“I thank you for your kind welcome, Master Cassimir.” Ingrid says. She curtsies when she is introduced. “I pray the spirits of Emperors past shine on us.” She's impressed by Varca's manners.
"I shouldn't need any modifications to my suit. Except the color scheme."

In reply to Ingrid Gustavdottir Sigar (msg # 114):

     "About the suit..." Varca says, moving to stand beside both Ingrid and Master Cassimir.

     Off to the side, Daoud--again--rolls his eyes toward the ceiling...

     "Master Cassimir, Ingrid, here, as well as these others, are partners with me in a...salvaging...initiative...that is why we need all these Type-Threes--but Ingrid, just a moment ago, reminded me that she does not possess a personal vacc-suit.  And--speaking just for myself, Master Cassimir--since Ingrid cannot be expected to wear one of your truly magnificent--but, admittedly, utilitarian--Type-Threes except for work..."

     Varca pointedly glances over at the hologram showing the two different space suits.

     "Surely, Master, it would be criminal for Mistress Ingrid to have to wear a Type-Three in a social venue..."

     "You would know, Varca--you're a Criminal!" Daoud laughs.

     "Lies!  Those charges were dropped!...after the video evidence disappeared." Varca growls, "Stay out of this, Daoud!"

     Master Cassimir leans a little closer to Ingrid, "Not to worry, Mistress Ingrid, I have three other sons--who are less undisciplined than these two idiots--I assure you.  Should you be looking for a potential marital alliance, perhaps my son Assan--he's nine, but very mature."

     "Now, about this suit you wish speak with me about, Mistress...?"

Teddy looks about the shop at the various suits and wonders if it will be very long, there were a LOT to do and most were custom.

In reply to Varca Lexand (msg # 115):

“Oh, I’m sure Assan is a fine boy but I don’t think I could get married while I’m between planets” Ingrid smiles gently. “Yes, I should very much like to purchase a private suit. You know how Sword Worlder women are about style. If I can’t look good while travelling, it’s hardly worth it. Now, we are buying the heavier suits… could we get a bit of a discount on this suit? I mean, it’s just a bonus on the real purchase” Ingrid says, looking just like she did when she was trying to convince her father to get her something when she was young.

     "Yes, I suppose Assan is a question we can leave for another day." Master Cassimir chuckles, "But it would be magnificent to add your genetic background to our family line."

     *sigh* "Ah, well.  It is also true that one must wear the best, to look the best, and if you cannot look good when you are doing what you are doing, then why bother, at all.  Very well, Mistress Ingrid, as you are a friend of Varca Lexand, and Varca is a dear friend of my family...and given that he has just made a large purchase from this establishment, I believe we can see our way to offering you one of our Type-Two General Purpose Space Suits--and at something of I discount.  We only do this for our special customers, you understand..."

     Master Cassimir gives a tight little smile, "And it is only because yours is such a classical beauty, that I am confident we have something immediately available for you.  So, shall we say...fifteen thousand, Imperial?  That would be for one of our best Type-Two GP suits, including our full electronics suite."

     "Would this price be acceptable to you, Mistress?" Master Cassimir asks, then cocks his head a little to the right and gives a wide smile, "It is truly the best I can offer--unless you would be willing to accept becoming my Third Wife..?  Then I could add in an Employee Discount..."

---

     "...And you'd steal an air-bottle from a dying Vespexer!" Daoud snarls quietly.

     "Of course I would, you moron!  Any Vespexer would!" Varca quietly snaps back, "Now stop screwing around and tell me how long before we get the suits."

     Daoud frowns an looks to the side.

     "Eight Standard Days.  At least." Daoud says in an almost-whisper.

     "What?!  That long?  Why?"

     "It's why we took your offer so quickly, Varca." Daoud says, "We're almost completely out of molecular circuitry bundles.  We've got Rachando bringing some in from the Imperium, but they won't arrive for another two weeks, Standard.  Your twelve tons showing up tomorrow is a life saver."

     "So, with my materials, why can't you finish my order sooner?"

     "Because we have to meet a Star Guard order before yours, idiot."

     "Well, then...what if...wait...okay, what about just the five suits you have measurements for?  How fast could you get us just those suits?"

     Daoud thinks for a moment, "It would clean us out of molycircs, but, since we'll be getting your payment of them in twenty hours or so...fifteen hours.  No sooner."

     "That's perfect, we can't be ready any sooner than that, anyway.  So do it.  Get these five ready ASAP, then get us the others as fast as you can."

     "Right.  You'll have those five suits in the morning." Daoud says.

Some 40 minutes after Varca's transmitted signal, it was picked up by the Harrier's communication sensors.

While the gist of the message was clear enough--move closer, the terminology was a bit confusing. Drinax had no moon, so it didn't have any Lagrangian points in relation to itself. It only had one in relation to the sun. If he moved the ship there, it was bound to be detected by the orbital sensors around Drinax, if not by the planet's starguard ships.

They had time. And, to conserve fuel, he'd accelerate and then coast most of the way.

"Hey, Aaron. Varca wants to know what kind of supplies we need," Viridian asked his companion, correctly interpreting the coded message.

"Tell him to bring fuel. Although... we could coast to the closest gas giant with barely enough fuel to skim it. Wouldn't have any defensive ability."

He sends back Aaron's reply, adding his own code.

"And call mom at Compound Heads."

He hoped Varca would correctly interpret 'mom' as meaning 'mothership' and 'Compound Heads' as the number of occupants of the Compound equating to how many minutes ahead of their arrival he should call the ship. Otherwise, they might not be able to find them.

Teddy listens to the back and forth between Varca and Daoud, satisfied that they would get their suits in the morning. Now, to get everything else lined up they might need.

He texted Zhouth that his Vacc-suit would be ready in the morning, not calling because he didn't wish to interrupt his meeting with the scholars in the tower.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:05, Sat 30 Nov 2019.

Ingrid blushes prettily at the compliments to her genetics and her beauty. "You are most kind, Master Cassimir. I can see why Mister Lexand speaks so highly of you." she says gratefully. Her expression falters a bit when he mentions the price; reasonable, but rather a lot when she didn't now when she would be able to get more money. But she smiles all the same. "Yes, I think I can get a suit like that. Can't pay too much for fashion." she says warmly. "And it's a kind offer, sir, but I'm sure I can't compare to your wives."

Teddy and Zhouth made their way to the Bazaar to look for booze and cigars for the trip. If anyone on Drinax had what Teddy was looking for, it was Rachando. Cuban cigars for himself, Napoleon Brandy for himself and friends possibly, and a barrel of Rum for the crew. After all, they were going to be pirates!

  Some hours after the visit to the tower...

  Scented combustibles weren't his thing, but Zhouth was familiar with an assortment of potent potables - research work didn't allow for much on-the-job use, but conferences, presentations, and other not-quite high society affairs were another matter.

  Rum wasn't usually a mainstay of those events, granted...

  If he happened to find an autobar and a better assortment to offer through it than the small and decidedly monochrome assortment that he'd brought from Asim - and they weren't set to a vastly inflated price - so much the better!

Some hours later after meeting back up with Zhouth at the shuttle.


Confronting one of the attendants at Rachandos, "We're looking for certain imports from Sol, Cuban cigars and Napoleon Brandy. Can you help or do I need Rachando? If anyone has them, he does. We're also looking for a barrel of Rum if at all possible, potable and palatable."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:44, Sun 01 Dec 2019.

  "And someone around here must have basic mechanicals, right?" Zhouth chimed in. "Office fabricators, galley autobars, wind-up Aslan toy soldiers, that kind of thing?"

Teddy's eyebrows went up with Zhouth's request and he grinned ear to ear. "Can we get a replicator? Or a 3D Printer to make spare parts for a starship?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:42, Sun 01 Dec 2019.

"We have a small selection of fine cigars from several planets, but I have never heard of Cuban cigars," the attendant replies to Theodore. "The same applies for this Napoleon brandy. I've heard of a dozen people named Napoleon but I am not aware that any of them made brandy."

"We have Nubac and Peluvian cigars, and Ultrama Cigarnos. For brandies, we have Saurian, Xanthe, and Zarathustran."

"As for a barrel of rum... well, yes, a barrel is available but it would be very expensive, since, if I sold it to you, it would take several weeks before we could replace it."

"Nothing is imported from Sol. Assuming anything is still made in that system, it'd take six months or more to get here. Why, the cost for a glass of brandy would cost almost as much as a small starship!"

"As for the kind of equipment you are looking for, Mister Zhouth, we have a few salvaged older models. The problem is getting material for them. We can only make some substandard product here on Drinax. And it's all synthetic."

  "I don't need them to look pretty as long as they work!" Zhouth replied. "If you've got bits and pieces to refurbish with, though, I'll take those too."

"I'll take 6 boxes of your best Numac cigars, I heard they're comparable, and 2 cases of Saurian Brandy and the barrel of rum. How much?"

The attendants eyes go wide at Teddy's request.

"Yes, sir! That'll be 400Cr a box for the Nubac cigars, so 2,400Cr total. The Saurian brandy is 100Cr a bottle, so two cases of 12 bottle each... that's another 2,400Cr."

"As I said, the rum is expensive as well. There will be many people on the Floating Palace that will be upset if they can't get their rum for a month! 1,600Cr for the barrel of Captain Grogan 100-proof spiced rum. I'd make slightly more than that if I sold it by the glass, of course, but since you are turning out to be such a good customer, it's not a stretch to accommodate you."

"Now, Mister Zhouth... it's 2,000Cr for the fabricator because it only works with plastic, though it does handle thermoplastic. The 3D printer... I have 2... are 600Cr each. Again, it only handles plastic normally, but it works reasonably well with cermetals. Extra plastic refills I have, but we haven't seen cerametal here on the Palace in... well, 200 years!"

"I'll throw in the six plastic refills for free!"

  "Works for me! I'll take all of them. The walls will be covered in sticker-notes in no time!"

  It was overkill for the relatively mundane uses he had in mind, but with the models being salvaged, there was a higher than normal likelihood that one of them would end up becoming spare parts for the others. Or, in a worst case scenario, turned into impromptu spare parts for other components on the ship - salvaged was the word for that too.

"Here you go, 6,400 Cr. Lets get this back to the shuttle."

  Once the transaction was complete, Zhouth loaded the office pieces onto a suitable conveyance and hauled them back toward the starport for packing into the shuttle. They'd have their uses, one way or another!

"At least we have the essentials Zhouth!" Teddy says with a grin. You can make your stickers and we can celebrate."

After purchasing her suit, Ingrid went shopping for foodstuffs for the journey. She enjoyed this process; she was proud of her ability to cook, and anyways it remind her of simpler times.