"Of course you can!" Varca enthuses, "Never doubted it!"




      Varca snaps his head around to give Theo an extra-intense, red-eyed glare, then raises his gloved left fist in an almost-threatening gesture -- before sticking out his thumb,

     "First of all," Varca growls at Theo, "It wasn't my intention to have Ingrid walking around pretending to be a Widow!  It would have only been a short performance and only at the airlock of the Mercifuge, in order to trick them into opening the 'Lock!"

     Varca then extends his index finger, "And B -- that's a load of Imperial Defeatist Excrement!  You Imperial Stooge!" Varca sticks out a third digit,

     "And Saam -- Even in this remote part of The Reaches, we've heard all kinds of stories about how tough Sword Worlders are, and how often they kick Imperial Butt!"

     Varca closes up his fist, leaving only an accusatory finger pointing at Theo,

     "You keep underestimating Ingrid, Imperial, and you need to get your head knocked-in!"

     Varca turns back to Ingrid and gives her a grin and a wink,

     "Ed-u-ma-cate him, will ya?  And smack him upside the head a couple times -- for me!" Varca says, bringing his gloved left hand around and giving Ingrid a friendly shoulder-tap.


      When Ghent finishes, Varca actually spins on one heel to face the man,

     "Ghent!  Friend of Viridian!" Varca extends his arms wide, then steps over to clasp Ghent by both shoulders,

     "And now Friend to all of us!" Varca adds, slightly shaking Ghent, "So, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret ... We.  Are.  Pirates!" Varca gives Ghent an exaggerated wink.

     "After all your help taking down Silverhand, you are now one of us!" Varca releases Ghent's shoulders -- but not before slapping him on his right shoulder.  Hard.

     "We'll give you your tattoo later..."

“Ahhhh… welcome..?” Ghent said, a bit taken aback at the intimate display / attention from the Vespexer. “So what about the Blue Diamond…?”

In reply to Ghent Bel-Andis (msg # 918):

     "An excellent question, Ghent." Varca says, becoming more serious,

     "Initially, our desire to make contact with The Admiral had been to both get a feel for his reaction, should we go after Redthane -- we assume The Admiral is angry towards Redthane, who had betrayed and stolen from The Admiral -- so we wanted to know if he'd get angry with us if we took out Redthane.  Plus, in the hopes The Admiral didn't care that much about who killed Redthane, just as long as Redthane was killed -- we were hoping The Admiral might give us whatever intel he had on Redthane."

     "Now, however..." Varca casually points towards Silverhand's comm-unit, being held by Zhouth(?)

     "We have what we think is an access code that'll, at minimum, get us inside the Mercifuge, and at best, will gain us access to Mercifuge's flight records -- where we hope to find Redthanes location."

     "So.  Do we follow through with the plan to meet The Admiral?"

     "It's not a sure-thing bet that Theo, who knew The Admiral back when, won't just be dragged out into the street and shot.  But even if The Admiral will entertain the idea of a quick chat with an old Subordinate -- then what do we hope to either learn or gain from the meet?"

     "Do we still care how The Admiral will respond to our capturing or killing Redthane?  Do we try to become The Admiral's 'friends' by killing Redthane?  Do we see if The Admiral will offer a higher Bounty than is currently out there?"

     "On the other hand, as long as The Admiral doesn't have us all shot, we could reap some benefits from a casual encounter with him.  If Theo can pull off a scene of meeting with The Admiral, then it could get around that the Captain of the New Pirate Ship On The Block is an 'old pal' of The Admiral.  There's even the chance that The Admiral actually has fond memories of our Theo, and he might offer his -- well, if not friendship, then at least some occasional assistance."

     "Anybody else got any ideas, Pro or Con?  C'mon, People, speak up!  I promise -- if I feel the need to shoot you for something you might say -- I'll use rubber bullets.  So, feel free to speak your minds!"

Zhouth, in what was surely not at all a conscious imitation of Varca, held up his hand in turn, though - unsurprisingly - not in a threatening pose.

The index finger went up first. "One, we aren't pirates because we still haven't done anything piratey yet. I know, I know. It's supposed to be part of the job, and I'm sure that we'll get around to it some day, but it's an important technical point, especially if we have to deal with patrol ships before then."

Then the middle finger. "Meeting with the admiral is optional if the Mercifuge has the data that we want. If she scrubbed it from her systems, which a paranoiac with a built-in suicide charge totally would never do, then what? The crew might not know or might be the ones that we end up shooting along the way."

Then the ring finger. "Impersonating a Widow is probably one of those things that gets you targeted no matter how short a time that you do it for, and since we have both possible codes, two crew members, and a good reason to visit besides, it's a really bad idea to bait that kind of trouble if we don't need to."

Then the pinkie. "If you really want to work with that idea then we can simply approach them without Ingrid at first so they don't know who she is; that keeps the Widow plan as a backup if we really have to take the trouble-baiting approach. She's also one of our better medics if things get shooty while carrying out the first plan, so better not put in the middle of the shooting, right?"

Then the thumb. "As for the admiral, a fancy dinner before we go off chasing more danger would be good for morale, and if it just happens to mean that the admiral spots Theodore while we're both there? Well, it's a definite case of mistaken identity if he starts reacting badly, and a good old times chance meeting if he reacts well. No need for an obvious stroll-up that forces the issue, you know? And if he doesn't react then, well, we've at least had a good dinner before we go off to break into a pirate ship, and the timing of us then doing it later at night when they're more likely to be tired or asleep?"

Zhouth had managed to remain remarkably (for him) still up until that point, but the long, slow shrug now put in its inevitable appearance.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:31, Mon 07 Nov 2022.

"Yeah... definitely agree wit' Z'out' on all points, but in particular t'e suicidal insanity of dressin' up as a member of a security force terrifyin' enough to keep anarchy lovin' pirates in check wit'in t'eir station. T'ey will definitely take insult to bein' impersonated and I 'ave a significant doubt t'at insult will not be answered in blood." Rayjay seconded.

"Also, we got t'e Blue Diamond reservation, so whet'er or not t'e Admiral is t'ere and welcomin', t'e Captain still might want to rub elbows wit' ot'er important members of pirate society. After all aren't we out 'ere to form some sort of pirate navy?" Then questioned.

"Well, yes, but not publicly. Also," Zhouth swiped one hand behind the other, then made a gathering motion. "Everyone here is probably, uhh, spoken for already. Unless they're on the outs like Redthane, and we won't be making the right kinds of impressions in the right places by recruiting him instead of bringing him in." That statement concluded with a chop.

"There's a certain amount of truth to the term 'space dogs'," Viridian chimes in, "particularly when it comes to pirates."

"Every here on Theev is jockeying to be top dog. Usually that means taking down the dog that you perceive as being just ahead of you. This jockeying happens whenever you do something good or your would-be opponent does something bad."

"You just need to be sure that your 'new' ally is going to support you when the shit hits the fan. Usually, in order to do that, you have to have some... 'hold' over him, though sometimes that's just him knowing he's getting a better deal with you than with your... opponent."

"I already told you that I thought the Widow impersonation wasn't a very reasonable idea. I don't think a Widow has ever been a messenger, let alone being up on the Skull."

"We've got no credibility yet. Hell, we're not even perceived as pirates. Although... by now, word's probably gotten out that we took out Silverhand. I have no idea what that's going to mean--haven't been on Theev for a few years."

"What I do know is that we've upset the status quo, and everyone is going to be jockeying for leverage. We show up at the Blue Diamond, you can bet your ass that the Admiral's going to approach us somehow. At the very least, he's going to assume that we know Redthane's location. Under normal circumstances, that'd give us an in  to his organization."

[Aboard Vultan; Blacksand City, planet Theev]

     Varca had been staring blank faced -- Varca's equivalent of wide-eyed and open-mouthed -- at Zhouth since he'd started his own countdown of issues.  But, after Viridian explains the rules of the pecking-order on Theev, with a shake of his head Varca resumes his usual glowering scowl -- aimed at Zhouth.

     "You actually think ... that it would be a good idea ... to take Me into a fancy restaurant ... to make polite talk with a former Imperial Navy Admiral who's now a rogue Pirate Lord?!!"

     Varca assumes a sad expression -- even sniffles a little -- before saying, in a whiny voice,

     "I thought you liked me, Zhouth!  And here you are ... setting me up to get my brains scattered across fine porcelain..."

     The scowl returns,

     "I don't give myself more'n two minutes with Darokyn before I screw up and say, or do, something asinine, and The Admiral puts a bullet in one'a my eyes!  Even with my helmet on!"

     "And I already acknowledged that the whole Ingrid-Impersonates-A-Widow plan was a bad idea!  I only got angry because he..." Varca points at Theo "...thought he had any say in what Ingrid wanted to do!  When clearly -- I am the only ash-hole around here with that authority!  Now just drop that whole idea!"

     "But everyone -- and all your Ancestor Spirits, apparently! -- is correct about us having a closing window of opportunity, here.  So, I wouldn't risk any meeting with such a powerful potential ally as The Admiral by having me tagging along.  That said ... despite The Admiral having turned into a cold-blooded, stone-hearted Pirate killer -- a real Man After My Own Heart -- The Admiral still maintains an air of decorum and gentility.  And yes, I know what those words mean, I just don't exhibit those qualities, myself!  That's why our representatives should be the same."

     "That means we send our Runaway Baron and the Sword World Lady of Quality ... probably even the High Brow Vargr -- not you Krrsh! -- it does not mean the Vespexer who's Pissed at the Universe!"

     "But it just occurred to me -- we can kill two missions with one high explosive!"

     "Theo, you and Ingrid take a team and meet with The Admiral." Varca says, "Don't push him for info on Redthanes location. Just act like we already know that -- which we might -- and gently probe him for his attitude towards us taking Redthane out of the Universe.  And, if the old man just happens to offer up Redthanes location, then good.  We have confirmation.  If he makes any kinda 'Let's be Friends' vibes towards you, even better!"

     "While you do that, the rest of us will take Vultan up to The Skull and see if what we've got off of Silverhand's comm can actually give us access to the Mercifuge.  And if it does, then we'll take the ship."

     "Hopefully without damaging anything critical."

Zhouth held one hand to his chin and performed a rapid finger-tap as if in thought, then swirled both hands outward. "Okay. Talk your way in if you can; less fuss means less likelihood of trouble later. We should have a fourth person for our table, though. Someone with a background that fits... Rayjaynul?" He turned to face the self-described old navy salt and waved his hand forward and out as if drawing attention to a presentation, with Rayjaynul as the apparent exhibit. "You weren't commanding any battlecruisers, but you have enough plausibly-navy background and you're from Drinax, so it will seem natural to have you there with Theodore, and all that navy time means that you can handle your protocol around an admiral, right?"
This message was lightly edited by the player at 13:45, Tue 08 Nov 2022.

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 925):

     "Excellent idea, Zhouth!" Varca says, turning to Rayjay,

     "You could pass yourself off as Captain-the-Baron Theodore McFarlane's Denshchik ... uh, wait ..."

     Varca looks to Theo and asks,

     "What is it that Imperial Navy officers call the sailor who's assigned to be their valet, Theo?  Something to do with a flying rodent called a 'bat'?  A Bat-servant, something like that...?"

     Varca shrugs, and turns back to Rayjay,

     "Or you could just present yourself as disgruntled former Lieutenant who was passed over for promotion too many times, you hooked up with a fellow disgruntled Officer from your homeworld, and now the two of you are ramrodding a ramshackle Pi-Rat crew on a salvaged old Harrier."

     Varca suddenly gives a sly grin, "But going the Denshchik route would be funnier!"

“A steward…?” Ghent ventured as Varca searched for the title of a jr. officer who is responsible for the care and welfare of a superior. Luck would have it, Ghent had worked extensively as one, but didn’t see the need of volunteering just yet. Varca would know his background already, and perhaps the man had other plans.

Ghent stayed close in case the group had questions, but was otherwise happy to let others decide things for now.

"I think he means a butler?" Zhouth offered helpfully. "Anyway, I suppose that I get to play executive officer and chief negotiator again." He looked over at Ghent. "You know, you're probably best suited to negotiating with the Mercifuge people among the crew that will be going there, and if that fails then you're good at the stabbing part too." One hand pulled the talking mouth gesture, then the other mimicked a stab, and both finally joined together in a vague swirl and shrug. "I mean, yes, Varca is in charge, but by his own admission he's not exactly the best people person that we have here."

Ghent nodded, butler wasn’t quite what he had in mind, but butlers did translate well into the domestic side of the equation if they were moving from military to a civilian-like organization structure. They typically held power over the subordinates, ruled with an iron fist, and were often more informed than their masters whenever gossip was involved since they tended to deal with situation well before they could reach their masters’ ears. “I can certainly be of assistance with negotiations, and could be very close at hand if shit hits the proverbial fan.  Though, I doubt I won’t be searched for a weapon. Might have to get creative and reach for a steak knife…”
This message was last edited by the player at 01:43, Wed 09 Nov 2022.

"I would not be against it, though I'm far from a peerless conversationalist myself, but perhaps my presence might add to the Captain's and Lady's standing as a member of their entourage if nothing else, and I could help provide a little added security as well." Rayjay said accenting his statement with his more noble accent. However, as the question became more focused on his etiquette he slipped back into his mother's accent.

"It's been a very long while since I've served on a navy vessel, but I t'ink I can remember to salute and annunciate when and where necessary. T'ough if we're tryin' to pass as pirates, per'aps best not be too formal? Respectful certainly but salutin' and standin' at attention might send the wrong signal, no?" Rayjay asked questioningly, after all the gang probably didn't want a bunch of pirates to think they're Navy dogs, might end with pointed questions and blades alike.

At Varca's attempted mention of Stewardship Rayjay nodded. "Aye, I did 'ave Steward duty durin' my later years, t'ough it 'as been four some odd years so I might be a bit rusty." Rayjay said, growing a bit more hopeful that he would actually add more to the Captain's entourage than subtract. Before chuckling at Varca's suggestion. "Funny you might suggest t'at Varca, as our dear Captain did per'aps cost me a commission in our younger days." He added with a deep hearty chuckle.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:11, Wed 09 Nov 2022.

      "Hey!  I talk to people!" Varca objects, with a grin, "Then I point a gun at them, and they do what I say.  What's the problem?"

     "Okay, then.  We got a plan." Varca says, rubbing his gloved hands together,

     "Theo, your operation, first.  You, Ingrid, Zhouth, Rayjay and -- Ghent, you said you wanted to go with the Admiral Team, didn't you?  Or do you want to come with the rest of us, up to The Skull, and hijack a starship?"

     "Anyway, Theo, all of you should maintain the story we've been using since Torpol -- that Captain-the-Baron Theodore McFarlane left the Imperial Navy to return home and reestablish contact with his Noble Family.  However that worked out, he refurbished an old Harrier wreck, then, with or without his families backing, he's now out flying around the Drinax Chain playing at being a Trader and sometime-Privateer."

     "Just try not to mention that you actually have Letters of Marque from King Oleb, okay?  Imply it, just don't say it,"

     "Ingrid, well, you could just present yourself as You!  The daughter of a Sword Worlder Trader and ex-Military Commander.  You came here to The Reaches travelling for leisure -- and maybe also doing some scouting for your Fathers businesses.  That would go a long way to explaining you zipping around with Theo."

     "Rayjay, Ghent, you guys could either be travelling with Theo, as companions or servants -- Batman!  That's the thing I was talking about!  Either of you could be Theo's Batman; a soldier, often an NCO, who takes on the position of both valet and aide to a high-ranking officer.  Both a bodyguard and a secretary, sorta."

     "Ghent, you could probably pull that off -- just try to avoid any Military Protocol stuff -- unless you've been in a Military Organization?  Otherwise, you might consider presenting yourself as somehow attached to Ingrid...?"

     Varca looks back-and-forth between Ghent and Ingrid, finally settling on Ingrid,

     "A hired Bodyguard-slash-Chaperone, maybe...?  Would that be in keeping with Sword Worlder society?  Or even just a 'Companion'?  A 'Boy-Toy', perhaps?" Vonon give Ingrid a wink.

     "Rayjay -- you could present yourself as either a friend of Theo's from his Navy days, or you could even confirm his association with the Drinax Nobility by claiming to be an old friend from home and an ex-Star Guardsman.  'Course, you'll have to keep up that Palacer accent of yours, either way."

     "And Zhouth ... well, you just ... be you!  Y'know, a Think Tank Academic ... recently cashiered when the facility you were working at was shut down by ImpSec ... got the itch to go wander around the stars, like your Vargr ancestors ... then hooked up with Captain-the-Baron Theo, here, and he gave you the fancy title of Science Officer aboard his 'Privateer' ship.  How's that sound for a cover story?"

     "Anything else we can think of people?  Anything that helps sell the idea to The Admiral that Theo and his people are simply Pirate or Privateer wannabees?"

Zhouth held up one hand. "Courier, not trader! And, umm, maybe only imply that we would do privateer work if a commission was offered, not that we currently have one. Fewer questions going Drinax's way, you know?" The conclusion was punctuated by a throw-over-the-shoulder motion with that same hand.

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 933):

     "Yes.  I like that!" Varca says, "Make sure to do that.  Anybody else got a suggestion?"

In reply to Varca Lexand (msg # 934):

"Yes Varca, it is a Batman, the body man of a senior officer. Ingrid is my lady Varca, please remember that in future."

In reply to Theodore McFarlane (msg # 935):

"I'm just glad to be finally getting to do something, sitting here on the ship was getting old as hell! Here we come Mercifuge! Who is the Captain for this mission since the Captain will be at the Blue Diamond? Just asking."

In reply to Collyn Ramburton (msg # 936):


      "Well, of course she is, Theo!" Varca says with a wide grin -- which suddenly disappears after a couple seconds,

     "Right until Ingrid says she isn't, that is.  But that actually wasn't my point, and you should have known that."

     "We are in the middle of a Ground Mission, here.  And on the ground, I am in Command.  And as Commander, if I decide to order someone to do something -- even if it puts them in danger of death -- I expect that order to be obeyed.  Of course, I do everything to avoid that outcome.  So, if I order Ingrid into a firefight where she might be killed, -- then into that firefight she will go, and every effort will be made to keep her -- and everyone -- alive, but ... Fate is Fate."

     "During a space battle, You are in command, Theo, and if you need to order Ingrid to go fix a leaking reactor, then you will order her -- or any of us -- to do what needs to be done, no matter the danger."

     "That is the downside of being In Command.  An ex-Imperial Officer of your stature should know this."

     "Now, if anyone has an opinion about any order that I give, I am usually receptive to listening to an opinion.  And there is a fair chance I might agree with your opinion and alter my orders.  Y'never know."

     "Here, during a planning session, tossing around opinions all fast and furious is acceptable.  But Theo..."

     Varca narrows his red eyes at Theodore, but his voice remains calm.

     "In a fight ... in the field ... if you were to ever again try and countermand one of my orders -- then, old friend, or not -- I.  Will.  Kill.  You."

     "By the same token..." Varca quickly adds, holding up a restraining hand, "Onboard ship, during a battle, if I ever try to countermand one of your orders -- I'd expect you to do the same to me."


      "Good question.  Viridian will do the flying.  But even though we'll be taking Vultan to get up there, the mission is basically an off ship boarding action.  So, I'll still be in command.  But if any of you ex-Marines wanna offer any opinions, I'm open to listening."

     Varca turns back to Theo,

     "We good about all this?" Varca looks around the room, "Is everyone good on this issue?  I don't give a toxic damn who sleeps with who -- or what -- in this Crew! But it don't interfere with our Operations! As long as those involved are happy, I. Don't. Care."

     "But if-and-when somebody says, 'I'm Done', then it ends.  Period. And nobody, NOBODY -- except me, as I've already explained -- gets to claim any personal authority over anyone else.  Is this clear?"

Teddy smiles, "now you got it"

"Eit'er could work, t'ough if t'e Admiral might recognize me, best to keep t'ings mostly true, so old navy associates it is." Rayjay agreed, before being perplexed by the Vespexers almost dual personalities.

Zhouth had lapsed into uneasy silence during Varca's dissertation regarding ranks, responsibilities, and repercussions; both of his hands were wrapped around the slightly disassembled comm that they'd retrieved from Silverhand as if to shield it from the force of the bluster.

With it seemingly completed, and following ever-so-slightly tense response from Theodore, Zhouth slowly swiveled his eyes to glance sidelong at Collyn. "Does that answer your question?"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:02, Sat 12 Nov 2022.

Ghent smirked at the exchange between Varca and Ted, especially when the retired Naval captain displayed his insecurities with respect to his fiancée. The whole affair had left a bad taste in Ghent’s mouth. “If you can’t trust Ingrid’s feelings for you, perhaps of you should reconsider why the both of you are in service together. Which perhaps you shouldn’t be,” Ghent glowered. “If I’m to work with either of you, you need to keep your krifing insecurities to yourself and grow a pair, Ted. I’ve better things to do than fuck around your back with your lady. It’s getting embarrassing.”
This message was last edited by the player at 15:03, Sun 13 Nov 2022.