Interview Session #1: Donio Scarte

Donio was dragged into one of the interrogation rooms and sat down at the steel desk. He wasn't a violent criminal so they didn't bother putting him in cuffs but he definitely had an unsavory vibe to him. Unkempt brown hair, badly shaved facial hair and a shifty look in his eyes as they darted between BB and the door in the corner.

BB stared at him figuring that his mind was working trying to guess the odds of knocking her over and rushing out the door.

"Go ahead."

Donio didn't respond but gave BB a quizzical look. To make things easier BB slid her chair back so she was no longer between Donio and the door.

"Go on then. If you think you can blitz your way out of here, go ahead."

Donio almost took the bait, shifting forward slightly on his chair as he put his feet under him. Then his mind caught up to his reactions and he eased his weight back, leaning back and giving BB a look of contempt.

"Nah, I ain't going down like that. What do you want."

BB gave a satisfied nod and checked a box on her datapad:

SMARTER THAN A BAG OF SHIT - CHECK

She slid her chair back into position and set down the datapad to lean foward and stare Donio in the eye. She was about to dump a lot of information on him and she wanted to study his reactions, give her gut as much information as possible so she could make the smart decision.

"I'm not one for bullshit or pretty speeches, I cut straight to the chase. You're here because you got caught stowing on a ship and you're going to be stuck here for a long time because the locals have no idea what to do with you and I'm guessing you don't have anyone on the outside who are going to bail you out.

I'm the alternative to rotting away in the jail until security gets bored with you and gets rid of you one way or another."

Donio sneered at BB, leaning back and rolling his eyes.

"What the fuck do you know about anything?"

BB responded by rolling up her sleeve to show off the marine tattoos.

"I served with a lot of people just like you. Got caught with some minor crime, locals didn't know what to do because you weren't a citizen or anything and were locked up...until an Army recruiter comes by and scoops them up to dump them on the front lines. Once they get their hands on you, you either listen up or you're shot in the head and dumped out the airlock. Imperium's too big to give a shit, they're jut looking for meat for the machine.

I, on the other hand, represent a recently acquired ship. We've got a giant ship and no crew to run it. You're looking to travel the stars and get paid to do it, you sign up with us."

There was a twitch in Donio's eye, a hint of hope and greed and suspicion all wrapped up as he finally focusd on BB for the first time in their conversation. He seemed to make up his mind and narrowed his eyes, shaking his head.

"Nah man. You ain't gonna bullshit me like that. This is a trick."

BB just snorted at that in retort.

"What the fuck kind of trick do you think this is? If we wanted you dead or enslaved you'd be out the airlock or in our hold already. You think the locals wouldn't bat an eye turning you over to a slaver? We're legit. You pass the test and sign up you'll have a contract, a job, and a wage written. In addition you get a room, food, and a life that isn't spent rotting in a jail cell or part of some suicide squad for the Army. Play your cards right and you can have an actual career, to do something with your life and earn some credits on the side. Don't you want to get out of here? Get some real food instead of the slop you're getting?"

There it was, the faintest flick of a tongue. In her mind's eye she imagined she was fishing and he had just sank his little fishy lips right on the bait. Now she just needed to yank and land the hook. She leaned in closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially.

"And in case you're wondering we're not some fucking corporate trader. Our cargo hold is pretty small, what with all the firepower we're packing. There's a reason we're not putting out a help wanted ad. We're looking for people with some dirt under their fingernails, if you catch my drift."

The man, barely more than a kid, didn't respond but the look on his eyes meant he was following her and his interested was suddenly very piqued. BB picked up her datapad.

NOT A FUCKING PUSSY - CHECK

"So, tell me what the fuck you can do for me and I'll have you sign the papers and get you released as part of our crew. This is a one time offer. If I walk out that room I'm not coming back so take it or leave it."

The kid looked like he had a million and one questions but was smart enough not to waste time asking them. After a brief conversation where he talked about how he broke into the other ship and what he can do BB gave a nod and picked up her datapad.

I DON'T WANT TO PUNCH HIS FACE IN - CHECK

Within the next half hour the paperwork was signed and Donio was released with orders to head straight for the docks and get on his new ship ASAP or his release offer would be null and void. Donio moved like his life depended on it and arrived at the ship in record time.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:09, Mon 16 Nov 2020.

A look of confusion briefly came over Zhouth as he parsed the two requests. "He was sent here by a marine bird?" And then it vanished beneath one of recognition and a quiet, "Oh. Okay then, I'll go see who it is."

Zhouth, in his formal attire, was therefore the one to emerge from the airlock a short time later, whereupon he gave the fellow a quick look up and down before uttering a relaxed, even cheerful-sounding greeting of, "She only found one down there? Or she's still working on it. I guess that's why you're here on your own!" This was, of course, accompanied by a finger count-of-one with one hand and a fingers-twitch in walking motion wave of his other hand toward the rough direction of the highport's shuttle station and back again.

"I'm Zhouth, and I get the glorious duty of being the ship's official purser, which is a fancy way of saying that I get stuck doing all of the math. Did she give you any documentation?" The cheerfulness drooped a bit. "No, wait. Don't answer that. Of course she didn't. Failure to strangle counts as her official seal of everything."

The mildly morose aspect faded just as quickly as it had come. "Oh well. You don't have much to bring on board by the looks of it, but at least I can point you to your stateroom while we wait for everyone else to show up! Or the mess hall, if you think you've recovered enough from whatever they fed you down there." This, along with his turning to take the lead, was of course accompanied by a come-along arm-wave.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:10, Mon 16 Nov 2020.

Donio takes a step back when Zhouth greets him. It's only for a moment but it is clear he was not expecting an impeccably dressed vagr to answer the door.

He considered what Zhouth said but didn't really seem to know how to react. Finally he mumbles out. "My own room? Yeah...let's go there."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:06, Mon 16 Nov 2020.

"Shared with one person! This was an old Sindalian military ship, oh, a few hundred years ago, so double-ups for the crew and singles for the officers, although they're all really nice compared to tramp trader fare." Zhouth was waving his hands this way and that as he walked, drawing attention to the various ostentatious flourishes of Sindalian decor. "We're still trying to get a few pieces to make it look like the full original work, but you should have seen the mess when we found it! It's all properly decontaminated now though; you don't need to worry about that."

"Here, this one. It's shared with Viridian, one of our piloty types." Zhouth waved a hand in front of the door to get it to open; the computerized security on the Harrier was more than sophisticated enough to cope with basic access privileges.

The door opened, revealing the reconstructed crew quarters, one half of which was Viridian's space and decorated accordingly, and the other half of which was the unoccupied basics. "I don't know what the plan is for all of you as far as assignments yet; you're the stowaway one, right?" He held out one hand in invitation for Donio to enter as he stood tot he side of the door, allowing the recruit to step in first. "You must know how to sneak a bit, but do you have any ship skills, even just basic mechanical or electronics training? I know that Ingrid is hoping to find someone who can assist her with the engineering work, even if it's just new-to-the-academy level stuff!"

Donio nods, first slowly and then with a bit more confidence.

"Yeah...I know my way around tools and stuff. Not so much a starship though but if there's a stuck door or something I can help fix it. Or swapping out bad wiring or spent air filters. Nothing fancy or nothing though."

He seemed bright, if a bit twitchy, reading Zhouth's body language and feeding back to him what the vargr was hoping to hear.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:10, Mon 16 Nov 2020.

Meanwhile back at the security office

BB had a more relaxed posture as the next prisoner was marched in. BB looked her over and frowned, glancing back at her tablet with a puzzled look on her face. The woman being sat down across from her was a slim Vilani, with long brown hair and intelligent eyes that were wide with concern. BB's brow furrowed as she began reading off the tablet.

"Taliesa?"

"Uh huh."

"Taliesa Dieros?"

The other woman didn't respond, just giving a slow nod like she was talking to someone with a learning disability.

"Really? Are you sure?"

"Yeah I'm sure. What the fuck is this about?"

The confused look gave way to frustration and her eyes narrowed right back at BB's returning the stare, hard.

"It says here you were a marine."

"Yeah, so?"

BB didn't respond, just rolling up her sleeve to show off the litany of marine tattoos covering her bicep. Taliesa just rolled her eyes.

"Yes I was a marine but I wasn't a..."

She studied the writing under the logos and her eyes rolled in her head.

"Yeah I definitely wasn't a drop trooper. I served in logistics."

BB leaned back, glancing back at the datapad and then nodding as all the pieces finally fit into place. She scrolled down a bit more and tapped on the tablet as she read.

"Says here you were caught hacking a...vending machine?"

"What can I say, gotta Chomp a Chunkies."

She delivered the Chunkies tag line in a sing song parody of the commercial jingle.

"That's what... a couple hundred credit fine? Why are you still here?"

"You got a couple hundred credits? I don't."

"It says you left service four years ago and there's just a big blank here."

"Yep, that's kind of why I can't pay my fine."

BB frowned, getting frustrated with the non-answers and sarcastic replies. She set the tablet down and leaned forward, locking Taliesa with her signature glare to let her know she was reaching the end of her patience.

"Alright cut the shit. You're going to tell me what you've been up to for the past four years and why you're still here from that fine."

Taliesa gave a snort.

"Oh? I am, am I?"

"Yeah, because I'm your ticket out of this shithole. I'm a senior officer on board an independent warship in desperate need of junior crew. You can choose to keep playing games and rot in here for all I care, or you can tell me the truth, get out off station and get a real chance at earning some real credits."

Taliesa only rolled her eyes again.

"Oh yeah, I'm sure everyone is dying to join up to serve on your little dinghy. That's why you're recruiting from jail cells, right? What are you even flying in? You got yourself a big pinnace do you?"

Another smirk but this time it didn't land as BB was holding the higher card in this hand.

"A Harrier. 200 tons tech level 15. Cutting edge Drinax back when the Drinax Empire meant something."

It warmed BB's heart to see the smug smirk fall off of Taliesa's face.

"Maybe we got off on the wrong foot. Hi, I'm Taliesa. I served 8 years in the Vilani Marines as a logistics officer but when I left, my job prospects fell through and I ended up serving on board an unlicensed salvage crew. About two months ago, the ship got impounded and most of the rest of the crew arrested while it was docked, but I happened to be out grabbing supplies when it happened. I've been living basically homeless on station ever since trying to get a line on something."

BB slid across the tablet with the crew contract ready for a signature.

"Well your prayers have been answered because this is just what you've been waiting for..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:55, Sat 10 Oct 2020.

"Well that works then! Give you a month with Ingrid, she'll have you swapping out fusion cores with one hand while sword-dueling mortal enemies with the other!" Zhouth held both hands up and out to the sides, first as a dramatic gesture in itself, then in pantomime of the simultaneous activities in question.

And when they came back down, Zhouth's voice took on a mock-conspiratorial whisper. "She's from the Sword Worlds, you see. Keeps claiming that she only works the engineering angle and sword-fighting is unladylike, but I'm sure that she's holding out on us."

He rubbed the back of one hand with another for a moment as another thought came to him. "Oh, I should warn you about one thing: Varca like to think that he's secretly in charge of everything, and we mostly humor him with that, but he can get really grumpy really quickly and start making comments about Open Airlock Inspection Technician being a good work placement." What was probably meant to be a wan but reassuring grin followed. "It's mostly bluster though. Well, as long as you don't do anything genuinely silly like trying to steal from the ship, or betray the crew, or hold your teacup wrong on weekends."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:13, Tue 06 Oct 2020.

     The door quietly opens behind Donio, and a darkly dressed figure quickly slips inside the room.  Seeing that Zhouth has spotted him, he signals for the Vargr not to acknowledge him.



     There is suddenly a tap on Donio's shoulder...from behind.

     Spinning around, Donio sees a man wearing some kind of black armor, or protective suit.  He's a human male, somewhere around 180cm (5-foot-11), maybe 79 kilos (79.4kg/175lbs), with dark, close-cropped hair, and a face that looks like, maybe the guy's been in a couple too many fist fights...or ten.

     But his eyes!  The guy's eyes are blood red in color--not his pupil's, those are blue, actually--but all the rest of each of his eyeballs is a blood-red in color.

     And this guy was glaring at Donio...

     "You haven't told Zhouth everything." the guy growls, without blinking,

     "Tell me...how long will it take you to circumvent a SuSag electronic lock, model ZorZav One-Ninety, with keypad entry?  And, if you lie to me, Donio, you will be assigned to Airlock Maintenance duties...for a short while."

     The guy--who still hasn't blinked!--suddenly gets this tight little grin on his face,

     "I'm Varca, by the way.  Now, answer me."

(OOC: Requiring GM input (I think).
Varca believes that Donio might be a Rogue, like...um...somebody else that Varca knows...and Varca is trying to confirm this.  "Picking" an electronic lock requires only Electronics(computers) skill.  And a felonius attitude.  See pg. 152 of Core Rulebook for more on "opening locks")

Donio just looks up at Varca and shrugs.

"Dunno. Nobody say nothing about picking locks. Just said something about the chief engineer needing a hand from time to time. That marine lady said I'd be a...what was it...apprentice, yeah. Just helping out and stuff. Why, do you need a lock picked?"

In reply to Donio Scarte (msg # 9):

     Varca narrows his eyes at Donio,

     "No.  I'm looking for help to open vaults." Varca says, watching Donio's reaction to that statement.

     After just a moment, Varca looks up and over Donio's shoulder, at Zhouth,

     "This one'll do, Zhouth." Varca says with a nod to the Vargr, "For now."

     Varca returns his red-eyed gaze to Donio,

     "We can always assign you to Airlock Maintenance...later..." Varca says to Donio, with a smirk,

     Varca turns and starts to walk out of the room, buts calls back, over his shoulder,

     "Don't forget to warn him about me and Rejji, Zouth!  And our issues with...touching things..."

Zhouth picked up on that - or perhaps took a moment to pick up on that - as Varca stalked out. "What? Oh, yes. Don't poke him without permission. Or Rejji. It's one of those Vespexer cultural things that they try to tear your arm off and eat it if it's offered without asking first. Something like that, anyway." He looked puzzled for a moment. "Though I don't know how well that works without those flesh-rendering vats."

He held up his hands in a what-can-you-do shrug. "Never mind all of that. You got approved! Well, by Varca. Still have to talk to the captain about it! He's usually much more relaxed about things." Then the look of concern came back. "But don't touch Ingrid. He'll tear off something else if he thinks you've tried. They're kind of a couple, you know?"

Donio looks at Zhouth with a raised eyebrow. He seems to be taking things in stride but there is definitely a rising feeling of what the fuck is wrong with everyone vibe coming off of him.

"Would it be easier to list off what I can touch?"

He pointed towards his bunk.

"Can I sit down? Is that allowed?"

Zhouth relaxedly waved one hand side to side in a don't worry about it sign. "Other than people being touchy about touching, you should be fine as long as you use your fingers and light sockets sense. We've just got a lot of colorful personalities here is all."

That was stated with absolutely no sense of irony regarding his current wardrobe.

Still Down in the Detainment Center...


"So, what's this dream job you want me for?" Taliesa said. "You want someone killed? I can probably do it... basic training and all that. Don't know that I would." She says this just to see how BB will react.

"Just kidding. So, you got a ship and you need some crew. What are you expecting me to be able to do on it?"

BB let her first comment slide. BB could do enough killing for the both of them if needed.

"We've got a big ship and a skeleton crew so no matter your skill set I'm sure we can find something for you. I'm guessing you're good with computers, or at least think you are given that you were caught, so we can use someone up in the bridge on sensors or comms. If you have training in gunnery stations that would be perfect, we can always use more gunners. If you think you can handle yourself in boarding actions you can watch my ass as we blast our way through the hulls otherwise congrats, you're on general maintenance and you'll be assisting whoever needs the most help at the moment. Probably engineering. It's high-tech and old so maintenance is a bigger bitch than I am right now until we get the credits to do a complete overhaul. "

She pulled back the datapad, tapped a few things more on it and then nodded.

"Report to Berth 22, knock on the door and tell them I sent you and they'll figure out what to do with you next. Now unless you need me for something, I've got a couple more fuck heads to vet to make sure they don't cut our throats in our sleep."

Collyn paced his cell like a caged animal for five minutes, then sat stock still on the bed and just meditated. He could leave any time he wanted, why bother.

But then, he'd be on the run... just the kind of person he was usually after. That's an idea! Could he collect the bounty on himself if he turned himself in?
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:37, Sat 17 Oct 2020.

A pair of guards came in and gathered Collyn up, dumping him into an interrogation room. Across the table wasn't station security but a rough looking woman in civilian clothes. From the cut of her hair and general demeanor she screamed military, but definitely not an officer. She didn't act like she had a broom handle lodged permanently up her keister.

She clicked for a few seconds on a datapad and then glanced up at Collyn across from her.

"So. It says here you were picked up for a bar fight. Says you took on...four men at the same time? That's pretty ballsy, even if they were drunk."

In reply to BB Nova (msg # 17):

"I didn't count them. I guess they were too drunk to fight." You can see something odd about his eyes, one looks a little off. Damaged in the fight?
This message was last edited by the player at 13:09, Mon 19 Oct 2020.

BB shifts to the side, focusing on his eyes to see how they track her.

"This is what, you're third time in the lock up for fighting? Seems you've got a knack for making friends..."

In reply to BB Nova (msg # 19):

He grins at her in a snarky way and replies, "Yeah I do. They're fighting to be my friend. You want to be my friend?"

"What's your angle? What do you want?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:12, Mon 19 Oct 2020.

BB let a smile slip onto her otherwise stony demeanor. Time to watch the guy 180°...

"My angle is that I'm your ticket out of this shithole. I'm a senior officer on a Harrier-class starship. You ever heard of those? Real high-tech, tough as nails kind of ship. Unfortunately we're understaffed at the moment so I came down here looking for a few tough-as-nails recruits ready and willing to get their hands dirty for a shot of wealth and glory.

Now this little document here..."

She waves the datapad.

"Is long on your crimes and light on your history. You can handle yourself in a bar fight, I can respect that. If you're willing to sign on as a marine under me I can offer you a job on the spot but I'm trying to suss out if you might have any other talents that might make you eligible for a more in-demand position on the ship.

Now, are you ready to answer some questions or are you going to piss me off so that I walk out of here and leave you to get knifed in your next bar fight?"

In reply to BB Nova (msg # 21):

"Ahhh you have piqued my interest! Ask away and I might be interested, how much is the pay?"

BB shrugs.

"Fair. Free booze though. So, first question, can you fire a mounted turret? We've got missiles and lasers so either or if you specialize in one or the other.

Second question, any mechanical or engineering training?

Third, any ship operations and computer training?

Fourth, any additional combat training?

And before you think about blowing smoke up my ass if you sign on as chief gunner and can't shoot for shit we might not wait until the next port of call to fire your ass, understood? You've got a job assuming you don't fuck up so don't try and lie your way above what you can handle."

In reply to BB Nova (msg # 23):

"I shoot well with a rifle, never tried a turret. I'm certified in Comms and Sensors though, so I can learn to use a turret if necessary. Ne mechanic or engineering." he says matter of factly.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:44, Tue 20 Oct 2020.

On her datapad BB taps out a few things, making sure to check the three boxes. Once Collyn had found out what was at stake he had taken on that professional attitude she could appreciate. It was a shame they still didn't have another gunner but at this point they were so short staffed they couldn't afford to be picky. Plenty of openings for anyone halfway competent to fit in at the moment. Once they weren't a skeleton crew they could afford to get choosy.

"Alright. I have you marked down as a marine but if you can convince the captain you deserve a spot in the bridge I won't stop you. Chasing a better paycheck isn't something I'd ever hold against someone. Alright the paperwork is already being processed. Sign here and I'll take you back to the docks with me."

Collyn signs his name on the dotted line and prepares to follow the marine out of the jail and gather his gear from his room to go to the ship.

"I'm excellent with a blade, so I can do both. I'll need to pick up my gear from the dive I was staying in."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:55, Tue 20 Oct 2020.

BB gave a nod and stood up, pounding on the door to the guards outside.

"Yeah, I'll take this one too. You can keep the rest."

After a few seconds the door unlocked and the way out of the security station was clear. BB gestured for Collyn to lead the way.

"After you."

In reply to BB Nova (msg # 27):

Collyn led the way to his dive to get his gear, then he follows BB to the ship

When they arrived at the impressive-yet-kind-of-sorry-looking Harrier BB tapped in the code and strolled right up the ramp. Looking around she frowned and then hit a panel comm.

"Hey Zhouth, are you there? I'm back with the last of our new crew. Did Donio and Taliesa make it alright?"

In reply to BB Nova (msg # 29):

Collyn followed BB aboard the Vultan. He looked around curiously, never having seen a ship anything like this before.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:58, Wed 21 Oct 2020.

"Yes, I'm here!" came Zhouth's reply over the comm. "Are you back with more? The mechanic is already with Ingrid and the marine is looking around her room. Well, room to be shared with whoever else you have! If you didn't strangle them all?"

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 31):

Collyn smiled at the strangled comment, he figured she was a hard ass.

In reply to Collyn Ramburton (msg # 32):

"Hi, I'm Collyn Ramburton, pleased to meet you." he holds his hand out to Zhouth.

It was quite evident to look at - when one's eyes had adjusted - that Zhouth was quite unlike BB in that regard.

"Hello! What's your new specialty? Or do we still need to figure that out before Varca gets around to talking about airlocks again?" His expression shifted from friendly greeting to one of genuine worry about that possibility...

"Comms, Sensors, Gunnery training and Marine. Who or what are you, just curious?"

"I'm the ship's purser!" Zhourh replied cheerfully as he held out one hand and mimicked dropping coins between his fingers. "And general tracker of inventory, work that needs doing, and so on. All because I had the misfortune of being trained as a professional paper-pusher early on. I'm also the resident mad scientist whenever that's called for, though fortunately so far it hasn't been." A slow, exaggerated shrug accompanied all of that. "Oh, and I sometimes help out with odd jobs, like fixing lights and mixing drinks!"

The look of worry returned, this time tinged with uncertainty, and Zhouth ventured, "You know about things like not plugging an electric still into the auxiliary light socket in the fresher, right?" He hooked a thumb over his shoulder, presumably pointing toward someone located elsewhere in the ship. We have someone here who didn't know about that until they were told not to do it..."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:40, Thu 22 Oct 2020.

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 36):

"They could have built a fire under the still." Collyn says with a grin.

Zhouth waved his hands back and forth, no-no-no. "An electric still!" "Fire and wiring is a bad combination!" He let one hand fall whilst the other pointed up at the ceiling. "Not to mention setting off the suppression systems if anything starts burning in here. In the fresher. Think about it. You wouldn't want to be the one who got stuck cleaning up that mess!" The light hand-wringing that accompanied it added a certain (extra) comic aspect to his aghast expression.

"Anyhow, we've got to put you somewhere here. Both marine types together, or are we being properly Vilani-prudish about these arrangements?" Zhouth looked to BB to answer that one; it hadn't actually been an issue until now.

BB just gave a shrug at Zhouth.

"I am not the person to talk to about that kind of logistics. A hit the rack wherever and whenever. If you are concerned about the boys and the girls put Taliesa in my room and have Donio and Collyn shack up. Frankly if you can't behave with a roommate then you're not going to last long on a ship like this anyway."

In reply to BB Nova (msg # 39):

Collyn grinned, it could be interesting, rooming with a woman. No big deal though, but it would be interesting.

One of Zhouth's arms described a wide circle to encompass the entirety of the Harrier. "I'm not concerned about it. I'm concerned that others will be concerned about it!" The trepidatious reaction swiftly transitioned to a lopsided grin, accompanied by an exaggerated shrug. "But if you're willing to be the one they get concerned to then I don't have to worry about it, and I suppose it doesn't matter as much on a ship like this?"

And with that he brought his comm up and calmly tapped a few things into it. "Okay then. Collyn Ramburton and BB Nova, same stateroom, and we'll put the other two new ones together next to yours."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:11, Wed 28 Oct 2020.

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 41):

"Lead the way roomie, we're adults. Collyn says to BB. He could tell she was a hard ass and would break his spine if he got out of line.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:20, Wed 28 Oct 2020.

In reply to Collyn Ramburton (msg # 42):

After they got to their stateroom, Collyn said "Which is mine, the empty bunk? I'll stay on my side and won't peak if you promise the same. I know if I peaked you'd kill me."

BB just rolled her eyes.

"Hate to break any fantasies you got but I don't prance around naked all day long.""

She pointed at the right side of the room that was all neat and unlived in. The left side was just as neat but there were boots positioned near the bunk and a maintenance kit resting on what passed for a desk and workspace.

In reply to BB Nova (msg # 44):

"Lolololololololol, I never thought you did, not at all." he stows his sack on the bunk and begins putting stuff away.

In reply to Collyn Ramburton (msg # 45):

"Give me the rules BB, I need to know the limits if I'm not to cross them. If you are interested in being friends with benefits, I definitely need to know the rules, everyone has their needs at times. I'm not interested in dying in space even in pleasure" he says with a grin.

After the Captain, Varca, the Vargr and the rest leave for Torpol, Collyn waits expectantly for BB to tell them what to do. He was looking forward to getting out of this system and back into space. He would jump through hoops for her if he had too.

He expected they'd go to the cargo hold, big enough to put them through their paces. BB was interesting, he'd wait to get to know her before making an informed opinion.

BB had rearranged various cargo containers and other equipment into an obstacle course. It was roughly circular in shape with cargo containers forming walls creating a "closed" track. Various bits of equipment had been put on the track to form low walls to climb over and in other places netting had ben strung that would require one to crawl underneath.

BB was standing on top of a cargo stack in the center of the course holding an assault shotgun and a giant grin on her face. From that position she would have a superior vantage point over the entire track.

"Alright, here's the situation. You're going to run laps and I'm going to shoot at you with beanbag rounds. Consider this part of your audition to see just how well you can handle yourselves under fire. Heavy fire."

She pops the drum mag, checks the rounds, and then slaps it into place.

"Alright, you're starting...now!"

She raises the shotgun up and looks down the sights towards the cluster of new recruits...

Rayjay doesn't need someone to tell him twice to get to running, especially when they have a shotgun leveled at him. So at the very least he'll be the first out the gate, even if he might wind up at the back of the pack shortly. "I don't tink tis be planned, but it be a merry time all te same, Heh-hahahaha!" He said running and laughing like the madman he was.

OOC: Just in case you need a roll Sprinting 6, lol.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:12, Tue 08 Dec 2020.

Collyn runs and laughs with even more respect for BB! The bruises would be beautiful!

Donio blanches at the sight of the gun. He wasn't military and wasn't used to any of this.

"Are you crazy? What the fu..."

<BAM>

"<wheeeeze>"

Donio's remaining words are cut off as BB fires off a beanbag round directly into Donio's chest knocking the air from them. As Collyn and Rayjay take off at a sprintg, with varying degrees of success, Donio is left taking up the rear sucking wind as he tries to recover.

"WHAT WAS THAT? I COULDN'T HEAR YOU OVER SOUND OF THE SHIT BEING BLASTED OUT OF YOU!"

BB lets out a laugh and cocks the shotgun. It was an automatic and such a gesture was purely for effect but Donio looked like he was about to cry as he tried to move his legs faster.

The first obstacle they encountered was a stack of food crates piled up in the middle of the track. It wouldn't be too hard to climb over but anyone doing so would be a sitting duck presenting a nice unmoving target for BB to blast them...

OOC: It's up to you if you want to roll or just RP this out. I'm just having fun with this so feel free to improvise as well!
This message was last edited by the player at 19:31, Tue 08 Dec 2020.

In reply to BB Nova (msg # 52):

OOC - Taliesa Dieros? You forgot one.

Collyn ran, knowing he would be working on the bridge but sad at the same time. This was fun! A bit painful, but fun!

BB shot him in the ass when he was going over the food crates, stung like hell!
This message was last edited by the player at 19:41, Tue 08 Dec 2020.

While sprinting might not have been his forte, climbing certainly seemed to be as the old man used his momentum to run partially up the cases before hoisting himself up over the ledge before Miss BB could utilize such a satisfying target as an old navy salt for target practice. "Reminds me of basic, Heh-hahahahah!" The old madman continued to chuckle merrily as they ran the course, which mostly appeared to be an excuse for BB to abuse her new crew mates. But as they say in the Navy, hazing builds character!

OOC: Well we have stats and a roller for a reason, and I find going with the rolls helps keep Rayjay humble, but not this time lol Climb 11.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:26, Tue 08 Dec 2020.

Donio was once again in the back although catching up fast on Rayjay until the old man cleared the wall right quick.

BB sighted and fired a round at Donio's ass as he was climbing but the young man twisted right as he heard the shot and the beanbag bounced off the crate instead.

"Good! Good! Now it's time for the bonus round!"

With sudden horrifying sound the shotgun began spraying out beanbags as BB switched it to full auto. Meanwhile the three were faced with the nets to craw under but at least those provided some form of cover against the spray of beanbags.

OOC: Sprint 4, Obstacles 7

Unfortunately for Rayjay his luck wouldn't hold out forever, so as he threw himself to the ground he banged his knee hard on the decking as the cargo netting proved to be only slightly effective as cover. "Ahh me knee! Ahh me back!" Before slowly but surely scrambling his way under the netting, catching quite a few projectiles and earning quite a few bruises for his trouble.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:06, Thu 10 Dec 2020.

Sprint 9, Obstacles 14

For an older man, Collyn is quite nimble his speed is the question. He gets nailed once or twice.

The hatch to the cargo bay swings open and Taliesa stands there watching the antics of the other new recruits.

"The one thing the Marines taught me was never get into a situation that you can't get out of faster than you got into it," she quipped to BB at her glare. "Aaron was giving me flying lessons."

"Besides, this isn't my idea of a good time. Or even a 'fun' time."

Collyn gets to the end of the obstacle course, winning by a few feet and with the bruises to prove that he went through! He looked at BB with a big dumb grin and gave her a thumbs up as he puffed for air!
This message was last edited by the player at 15:40, Mon 14 Dec 2020.

With the end of the obstacle course in sight Rayjay hopped and hobbled in turn, coming in second after Collyn before finally giving his bruised knee a well earned massage along with the new bruises on his back. "Not a bad start to te day heh-hahaha!" He said with a deep hearty laugh as he stretched and massaged a few more aches and pains away.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:30, Tue 15 Dec 2020.

Donio proves much more adept at the netting. He quickly learned to roll violently to the side when he heard the beanbags start to fire, crossing the finish line without receiving any more bruises.

When Taliesa scoffs at the training course BB gives a scowl and chambers another beanbag sending it soaring towards Taliesa waiting by the door. At that distance the shot goes wide smacking the plating next to her shins.

"Nobody said anything about 'fun'. This is part of your evaluation to figure out if any of you are going to be more dangerous to the enemy or one another."

Collyn was leaning over, hands on his knees, sucking in air. He hadn't run an obstacle course since 'Basic Training' for when he was a skip chaser and bounty hunter. They put him through trials similar to this to see if he was worth a credit or not to them. He was never in the military, but he was wounded badly while working.

"I was in the marines once, and this ain't it," Taliesa answered. "You aren't fooling me, BB. You just want to watch a bunch of sweaty men."

"Well, I'm not playing the macho game. I was never that good at it in the marines, and I'm sure as hell not any good at it now. Though... I was pretty good at shooting. Mostly I did the paperwork. Got pretty good at making the brass look better than they actually were."

If Collyn was sucking air Rayjay was dying, but the old man didn't feel like letting it show as he chuckled through the pain. "Tis but a bit of 'armless 'azin Miss, reminds me of me Navy days hahaha-heh. Sides if we ever get boarded, a 'ail of bean bags will seem like a gentle breeze compared to what te enemy might 'ave in store, toe most prefer blades to save on system repairs." Rayjay said as if he had some sagely wisdom to share.

"Was a Gunner me-self, so never let te enemy close enough to board, less I 'ave orders to. But you never know what tem marines 'ave in store, may be layin in wait in the cold dark black to hop on board like so many ticks ten cut tere way in. Never seen it first 'and toe, so could just be ol' crew tales." Rayjay said with a shrug not buying the likelihood of such a tactic working, let alone being repeated more than once.

BB gave a shrug and hopped down off of her crate. She made a show of congratulating the others for successfully completing the course and made some mental notes about who to recommend being part of boarding parties and who should sit out the close combat fighting.

As a way to show celebration she popped open the crate she had been standing on top of revealing a cooler full of fresh bootleg still moonshine.

"I'm betting princess over there is too much of a pen pusher to enjoy the fruits of labor. Drink up but be careful. Anything leftover will be used to flush coolant out of the engines."

She popped poured a cup for herself and toasted the air in Taliesa's direction.

"Best be off, princess. Wouldn't want you to break a sweat."

Donio took a sip and immediately regretted it. He spewed it out in a fine mist before hacking and coughing. Behind him BB laughed and clapped him on the shoulders, laughing as he struggled to regain his breath.

"Easy there, first time's always the hardest."

Collyn had a shot too, downing it, he screwed up his face and said, "Whew that's some good shine BB!"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:04, Mon 21 Dec 2020.

BB clinks metal cups with Collyn and takes another swig. To her credit her face only twitches twice before she regains her ability to speak.

"Drop Trooper special. We always have the best stuff because we aren't living long enough to care about liver damage anyway. Two shots of this and you'll be ready for orbital insertion into a hellhole any day."

As if to prove her point she pours Collyn a second shot.

Carouse? 11 using 2d6.

Despite his age and his apparent difficulty with navigating cargo netting, Rayjay happily celebrates with the rest, downing his cup with little issue. "Potent and only a subtle 'int of neuro-tox-is-city Hahahah-heh!" He teased, not being medically inclined enough to know for certain if it would have immediate long term health implications but finding it humorous all the same.

Ingrid makes her way in to the cargo bay a bit shyly. "Miss Nova? I-oh! Hello everyone. Am I interrupting?" she says.

In reply to Ingrid Gustavdottir Sigar (msg # 72):

Collyn bowed to Ingrid in a chivalrous way, staring openly at her.

BB scoffs a bit.

"Miss Nova? Just call me BB, Ingrid. What's up? If you want a drink you'll need to run the obstacle course."

She pats the shotgun next to her and tips her cup towards the training course she had set up in the cargo hold. Judging by the bruises on the new recruits it would seem they performed decently.

"Um, it's a kind offer, but no thank you BB" Ingrid says shyly. She looks down at her dress. "I'm not really dressed for it"

"I just wanted to speak with you alone later if you are available, BB."

Rayjay smiled welcomely to the new arrival, he wasn't quite certain as to her position within the ship, but he remembered seeing her with the Captain some time ago, so with her return Rayjay was certain the Captain had returned as well. However Rayjay couldn't help but notice Collyn's staring. "Remember to blink else tey fall out your 'ead, heh-hahahaha!" He said before slapping Collyn's back.

In reply to Rayjaynul Brown (msg # 76):

"Wow, this keeps getting better! First BB the Babe, now this!"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:20, Sat 26 Dec 2020.

In reply to Collyn Ramburton (msg # 77):

_{"Who's she RayJay? Damn! I thought BB was hot, she's smoking!"} he whispers to RayJay VERY quietly! _{"The other one is even pretty, the other marine I mean."}
This message was last edited by the player at 18:56, Mon 28 Dec 2020.

Rayjay shrugged showing little concern for his volume, but certainly not yelling at the tops of his lungs, yet. "Hmm, Miss Sigar, Ingrid Gustav-dottir Sigar, Captain seems a might bit protective of er. Utter ten tat just met er when I first came aboard, quite te beauty for sure, toe might already be taken." He said speaking on the subject of Ingrid before shrugging even more at the mention of the other 'marine'.

"'Aven't a clue, toe tot you 'ad eyes for Miss BB, best be careful see don't pluck tem for wandering too far, heh-hahaha!" He said patting Collyn's back as he approached the group to introduce himself as polite society demanded.

"Miss BB, Miss Sigar, I don't tink we've met before, te name's Rayjaynul Brown, prospective gunner for tis 'ere beauty of a ship. And you are?" Rayjay nodded to the lovely ladies before introducing himself to the third, gesticulating flamboyantly into a half bow before offering his hand palm up to the third yet introduced beauty.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:37, Tue 29 Dec 2020.

In reply to Rayjaynul Brown (msg # 79):

"Collyn Ramburton here, pleased to meet such lovely ladies here, comms, sensors, marine I guess." He waves.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:48, Mon 28 Dec 2020.

BB considers punching out Collyn over his crass remarks but considering his BAC is probably in the double digits after a couple of shots of engine degreaser she decided to give him a pass...this once.

BB hopped off of the crate that she had been sitting on and then nearly stumbled to her knees as the room started spinning. She quickly caught herself, her feet pumping under her to keep her balanced and upright. She attempted a straight course to Ingrid and very nearly succeeded.

"Sure...what's up?"

BB glanced over her shoulder at the trio enjoying their team bonding time and then looked back at Ingrid with a raised eyebrow.

"Or do we need to go someplace private to talk?"

Ingrid blushed and curtsied to the two. "It's lovely to meet you mister Brown, mister Ramburton. I'm Ingrid Gustavdottier Sigar, of the Sword Words. I do the cooking, and I'm also the Chief Engineer. I guess I'll see you up on the bridge"

She smiled at BB. "I'd like to speak with you privately, please. But whenever you have time; it's not urgent."

Collyn turns to Taliesa Dieros and introduces himself to her. "I'm Collyn, you were a marine too?" he asks her impressed at the way she gave the what for to BB!
This message was last edited by the player at 15:52, Tue 29 Dec 2020.

Brown smiled politely and bowed formally to the young Chief Engineer. "Perhaps, assuming my station be tere." Brown said also curious about the beautiful pontential marine. Seriously where were all these lovely marines when he was a Navy man! But seeing as his drink was empty he considered refreshing it before offering. "Going to grab another cup, would you care to try some? Perhaps split or even mixed? Assuming you'd be so kind as to show me to the cantina." He asked, waiting to depart for refills till he got an answer.

"Yeah, I was in the Marines," Taliesa replies to Collyn, "but I wasn't really a practicing Marine. I'm not sure it was by choice, but I got sidelined from Club Macho and just did office work mostly. Of course, we had to shoot a computer every now and then just on general principles."

In reply to Taliesa Dieros (msg # 85):

OOC: "Every Marine a Rifleman"!  Oorah!!

"Sure, we were all trained on the rifle and the handgun, and lasers, which weren't all that practical a field weapon, but my preferred weapon was the auto-grenade launcher, especially with a variety of loadouts," Taliesa responds.

"Welcome to the Vultan! Hope to see you all around later!" Ingrid said warmly before she left for the galley.