"I imagine you're not far off," Ghent nodded in agreement. "That said, depends if you want to grab the pirate in his nest, or take a stab at his right hand... I'm just not sure how we'd find out where Miria would be, or what shuttle/ship they might have have travelled in," he added trying to be helpful. "They could also have contacts, or bought off someone in the docking office to keep them off the books," he added, "might be worth a visit."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:28, Sun 28 Nov 2021.

"So you think they're hiding on a moon in system? We do have good sensors. What are the chances of finding them Viridian? Slim to none?"

"If you are looking for a needle in a haystack, it helps to be sure you are looking in the right haystack," Viridian answers.

"It doesn't do any good if the needle isn't there in the first place."

"Since we're here on Theev already, if Miria is here, then we should make an effort to find her before we go gallivanting off on a different wild goose chase."

In reply to Viridian Starfire (msg # 93):

Teddy nodded agreement to Viridian's statement.

Ghent looked as the girls went to the washroom together. "Not just a goose chase, but they'd have the tactical advantage since they're in their nest," Ghent cautioned when he was sure they had left. "However, if you could catch his lieutenant, or maybe find their ship... we could track it, or... maybe commandeer it, and catch him in his nest with his pants down." The convoy captain seemed more awake now. "Either way, it starts on the ground. Sounds like you have some fun ahead of ya'all," he said with a laugh.

In reply to Ghent Bel-Andis (msg # 95):

"Yeah. We're going to have to make changes on the ship, running out of room. Looks like Ingrid might be forced to move in with me to make room for passengers and crew." he says with a grin to Vir and RayJay.

"The rooms are all set up double occupancy... except the captain's quarters, of course," Viridian answered. "Well, technically, they were designed for that, but the... users were more about space. Kind of odd considering they were spending a lot of time in tight quarters in space anyway."

"There's always the hot-bunking trick... one person assigned to the room is always on duty."

"And the bridge chairs are pretty luxurious, especially the captain's chair. Easy enough to sleep there when the captain isn't sitting in it."

He'd introduced Teddy as the Captain, so didn't feel he needed to make any other clarification.

"If you are at loose ends, Ghent, interested in tagging along with us? Assuming you want to get off this planet. Everyone else wants to."

Ghent's eyes shot up when Viridian offered that he tag along, "You know what? I've been playing it standard for too long, I think stirring up a bit of adventure is exactly what the doctor ordered." He looked at Teddy, "besides, it'll be all fun what with not needing me to step into the captain's chair and all, though I gather I might sleepwalk into a nice spacious bunk..."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:15, Thu 02 Dec 2021.

"Move on to another shop, or head back to Vultan? We got no leads."

"Always 'appy to be an excuse for you and Miss Sigar to get closer Captain." Rayjay teased though he wasn't terribly aware of just how many crew mates he had currently, but ignorant or not the idea of hot bunking rarely appealed.

"That was only our secondary goal," Viridian reminded Teddy.

"Our main purpose was to sow some seeds of interest for Admiral Darokin. While we've done that, somewhat, I think one or two more stops will assure that."

"Let's see... pawn shop, clothing store, bake shop... what else is likely to accomplish that?"

In reply to Viridian Starfire (msg # 101):

"I know nothing about the upper area, we're following you!" he said with a note of a grin.

Ghent looked confused, "I thought you wanted the pirate... what's this shopping list? To butter up Admiral Darokin? You trying to convince him to bolster your forces when you drop on Redthane, what?"

"Well a Captain is allowed to want many t'ings, be it a meeting wit' someone important, the 'ead of a rival, or a mountain of treasure; how 'e gets it is up to 'im and 'is crew. To t'at end somewhere else t'e Admiral might frequent certainly wouldn't 'urt, t'ough I 'aven't a clue as where t'e Admiral might wander. May'ap a gentleman's club? If a station like t'is one 'as a fine 'otel, it wouldn't be impossible, no?" Rayjay suggested with a brought mischievous grin.

"Been trying to think of some place, but while I can think of a lot of shops, I just can't see the Admiral frequenting any of them," Viridian answers.

"I was thinking of a weapons shop, but couldn't see him going there. He'd send someone to get whatever he needed. Still, might be good place to name drop."

"A sports bar or, as Rayjay said, a gentlemen's club. Never heard of any of the latter here. But, then again, I never moved in those circles. What exactly do they offer? Besides good food? Can't quite see the Admiral going there, though."

"But... that led me to think of a decent upscale restaurant. He might not go there for the ambience, but there might be a certain food that he likes. I'll call up the local directory and see what's around here."

"Teddy, can you recall anything that the Admiral was particularly fond of? Key lime pie? Banana bread pudding? Orange truffles? Anything?"

He used his comm to call up a restaurant directory and scanned through the options, hoping something would catch his eye.

"No, it's been 20 years, he liked steak and potatoes, Pumpkin Pie, he dearly loved his daughter, but she got married and gave him grandkids as far as I know."

“You’re in luck lads. Just so happens that I know a few captain watering holes,” Ghent said with a grin. “I was actually trying to get an invitation to one of the most exclusive clubs planet side: Talbot's — a 'gentlemen's club' like your friend mentioned, but by invitation only. Some friendly gambling, great food, secure meeting rooms... and the establishment’s protection (or retribution),” Ghent said waving his hands airily. “You don’t want to cause trouble there, because the rich and powerful don’t forgive and forget. I was at the Copper Saloon last night — a strange mix of sports bar, some gambling, entertainment, and just a general place to hang out with 'friends'. Another place where the Admiral might let down his hair at would be the Blue Diamond restaurant, which caters to middle and upper class people. The upper level is for the rich and powerful and important people. Supposed to have the best food on the planet. Can prepare anything, like pumpkin pie, by request.”
This message was last edited by the player at 13:39, Sun 05 Dec 2021.

"You're hired Ghent." Teddy said with a smile. "Blue Diamond or Copper Saloon? Ghent can lead the way if Vir doesn't know."

“I agree, the Blue Diamond seems like the easiest and likeliest place to find your admiral,” Ghent said with a smile, “the perfect place to start, what? Might be easier to call ahead and ask about ‘our reservation’ so as to be there at the right time.”
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 14:02, Sun 05 Dec 2021.

"I don't have their number, if you do, by all means."

Ghent shrugged and conjured up some tinted glasses from his coat pocket, and put them on. He kept a finger on the right side of the glasses, as if he were adjusting them, but then started talking to no one in particular: "Ahhh, hello..! How are you..? Good thanks! I'm lieutenant Smith. Admiral Darokin wanted to double check that his table was still reserved? Can you please confirm the details for me? I just want to make sure we don't have any last minute conflicts on our end. Thank you..! Er, why yes... happy to hold."

In reply to Ghent Bel-Andis (msg # 111):

Teddy smiled and nodded approvingly Very good! he thought.

"Were you talking about a reservation for today, Lieutenant Smith?" comes the reply. "Because I don't see anything on our books. Could it have been made under a third party's name?"

"I do show a reservation for an Ad Darokyn tomorrow at 8pm. Would that be the one you are referring to? Could have have gotten the days mixed up... either placed the reservation wrong or perhaps you forgot which day it was?"

"We still have tables open for this evening, if that's what you meant."

"Oh perfect! No no, tomorrow at 8pm is still in his calendar, so it works," Ghent said as he looked at the others, "he'll see you then. Thank you again!"

"Well-played, Ghent!" Viridian said. "That should have been you, though, Teddy. How'd you ever get to be an officer without that kind of confidence?"

His last contact with Ghent had been too many years and too many parsecs ago, so he'd been reluctant to just blurt out their business to him, particularly out in public. Now that he had a feel for him, it seemed okay to let him in on things.

"The rest of our crew is looking for a lead on Miria. Redthane led a raid on Torpol and they've put a price on his head. To be honest, I don't think they are expecting anyone to ever claim it. It's just too damn hard to find a pirate when you want one! Ha-ha."

"Redthane also has a price on his head from Darokyn. We want to make sure we don't get on the Admiral's bad side. We're not actually looking to meet with the Admiral. Rather, we're name-dropping to try and get Darokyn to arrange a meeting with us... probably at gunpoint."

"I can't see how anything you said to the restaurant would get back to the Admiral, but we should probably go to dinner there ourselves tonight. Maybe with the whole crew. We can let drop a few hints about the Admiral. It wouldn't surprise me if he showed up in the middle of the meal to... chat."