The intrasystem trip from Stippy Land to Jone is five hours in Tia or seven hours by public transport.  There are intrasystem shuttles that run to Jone, Swat, and Granger's Landing-an orbital just outside The Hanna Why that acts as a trading post for miners.  Trips by the public transport cost upwards of 1K cred.

Docking fees at Granger's are cheaper than at Jone. Also it seems there's less red tape.  A lot of travelers dock there and hop a shuttle.  The drawback is of course their ship and any support it provides are somewhere else.  But how could that become a problem?

Docking at Jone or on it's moon require some paperwork to be filled out.

---

Whatever else it may or may not be, Jone is organized.  There's a listing for Greasy's Pub 'n Grub on the System Business Directory. There's a handy map of the Star Town too.  The low port is located at the tip of a southern continent.  The star town circles the port like a ring.  Or a noose.  Depends on the way you interpret it.

Banks' instructions were clear:  drop off his take with any of the bartender's, telling them it's a tip for Banks.  Easy peasy.  Someone just has to get to the low port, hop a monorail for three stops, walk about 100 meters, do the drop, and then do the rest in reverse.

How much easier could that get?

---

Silver?  I've complied a list of all potential smugglers within the system based on the last four years of published police reports.  Sending to your comm

Fritz originally came up with a list of 742 names.  He's winnowed that down to a more manageable 56.  Silver's quick looksie brings it down to 2.

There are only a couple of people she knows of who have logged in enough time to remember some guy who got executed all those years ago.

Silinka Marzel.  EZ MarZee.  When Silver was a kid, Marzee was the shit.  Beautiful.  She made her way by being the favorite gal of many a pirate captain.  Those days are long gone though.  Seems she runs a small bar at Granger's Landing now.  Her last arrest was five years ago for selling counterfeit rum. Fine paid, time served.

Story of her life. But the odds are that if this Clesing was any kind of big deal, she either flirted or slept with him at least once.

Dabney Drummond. "Drabbers".  Drabbers was one of the best navigators running the smuggling circles for decades.  But she lost her sight due to a degenerative disease.  The police records indicate she got accused of committing welfare fraud six years back.  But she was either innocent or paid the bribe.  With Drabbers, it's an even money bet.

Drabbers is dull.  Dull as fungal protein without the artificial sweetner.  Dull dull dull dull dull.  Hence the nickname.  However, no one doubted she was smart.  Being part of the wall paper always paid off.  Drabbers could absorb information because no one thought about saying things in front of her.  Drabbers was always jumping ship right before the cops busted the crew.  And Drabbers is one of the rare few who retired from the life with no one hating her guts.

Drabbers worked for everyone. So she may recall something.

After everything that had happened Ledo decided to take Tepha for a night out, just the two of them. If they happened to drop off Banks’ cut then so much the better. The two of them had a lot to discuss and some time alone together would do some good.

”Fuck me, EZ is still alive? And she has her own bar.”

A chance at free booze was all that was needed for Silver to head out. With any luck she could score a few bottles to replenish her supply in her room. Never enough whiskey or rum on a smuggling ship, in her opinion.

In reply to Ledo Typhin (msg # 2):

Ledo and Tepha take their seats on the shuttle.  It's an old navy personnel carrier that someone must have bought from the salvage yard and repurposed.  They certainly put in much more comfortable seats than Ledo remembers such ships having.

The shuttle offers movie service.  The selections this trip are an old Blake Hawsorn action flick Old Thrusters or, oddly, a Vangarian rom-com titled Sunshine on Palthos 5.  The Hawsorn flick was one of the last he made before his manager shot him.  The Vangarian one has a lot of critical buzz. But the critics think anything alien is good.

A half hour into the flight, a steward comes around and asks to see everyone's ident cards.  She then asks everyone to complete a mandatory survey related to the reasons for your trip.

This request is repeated at the hour, two hour, and three hour mark.  The stewardess explains why to someone in the row ahead of you.

"Well.  The first survey was for the records of the shuttle company, as we have to file responses with the Jone Bureau of Intrasystems Travel.

"The second survey is for the Bureau of Immigration.

"The third one is for the Commerce and Recreation Council.

"The fourth one is for the Bureau of Tourism."

"But it's the same set of questions each time," argues the man who stopped her.

The steward blinks. "Well.  No.  They weren't.  Didn't you notice questions 2, 6, and 15 were different each time?"

"No.  They were the same questions!  They just changed the order in which they were asked."

"Right.  Questions 2, 6, and 15 were different each time.  But don't worry Sir.  The upcoming Survey for the Committee on Intrasystems Relations has mixed all the questions up! And they add a new one!  See if you can spot it when you're filling out the questionnaire."

And with that, she smiles at him and walks down the aisle to keep handing out packets of roasted almonds.

---

Granger's Landing is the kind of port that serves either the desperate or the poor.  There's an Astroburger in the food court, sure.  But what station doesn't have an Astroburger?  Most of the other places are chop suey stands run by miner's widows or the sweethearts they never married and were perfectly willing to leave behind.

The Sit 'n Spin isn't in the food court.  Or even with the other bars.  It's a hike past the bathrooms too, which just goes to show how classy it is.  Silver can hear old the heavy thump and walking bass of old Whanga folk songs.  Meddi Cass is crooning about her lover leaving her for another woman and how she's going to shoot them both.  Whanga Folk music.  Someone always shooting someone else's momma before heading down to the star port to hop a ride on a freighter.

They just don't make 'em like that anymore.

There's a couple of old space jockeys slumped over at the bar.  A table with the crew of some tramp steamer sits in the corner, talking like they've got some kind of deal they need to iron out, even though probably all they got is shit that won't amount to shinoola.

An old woman is standing behind the bar.  She stands straight up, a rolled up cigarette hanging out of her mouth and a hand on her hip.

"You just gonna stand there gawkin'," EZ says to Silver, "Or you gonna order somethin' to drink?  Don't worry.  It'll only kill you slowly."

She studies Silver's face.  "I know you?"

Silver tapped on her scar.

"Yeah, before I go this. I'm Katie, Katie Slanizky. Rezan's older big sis. I know you remember him. You weren't the one to pop his cherry but you definitely put hair on his chest."

She taps the bar top.

"Got a beer for an old acquaintance?"

Ledo and Tepha filled out their paperwork as asked. Tepha even made a game of it by trading quizzes and trying to guess what the other person would say leading to increasingly humorous and bizarre response. Ledo even cracked a laugh when Tepha suggested that the shuttle company should involve more bananas but didn't specify if she was referring to a meal, a fragrance, or a color scheme.

In reply to Ledo Typhin (msg # 6):

EZ stares at Silver a moment and then seems to brighten up.  "Oh yeah!  How's Rezzy doin' these days? Come in, come in. Grab a stool."

She starts to pour a draft.  "Warning ya.  This brew tastes like shit. But it's sixty proof so who cares. So what brings you down here to the bitter end a' the system?"

---

The shuttle docks after two more surveys.

Security checks Ledo and Tepha's idents and then ushers them to a room where they apply for visitors permits.  The process is relatively quick.  All things considered.

The permits are issued as tags onto their comm units.  The tunnel leading up to transport has two check points.  The guards check the permits and require a couple of forms to be filled out.

At the end of the tunnel is an entry to a monorail.  There are a wall of kiosks on one side and a row of doors on the other.  Above the doors is a flashing sign that reads

Next Train Arriving in 3 Minutes.  Please Have Rider Surveys Completed Prior to Boarding

Each kiosk has a line of two to three people, working on their Rider Surveys.

A man in a tweed cap steps up beside Ledo.

"Hey.  Buddy.  Wanna grab a cab instead?  No questions.  700 creds.  We'll take you anywhere in the city."

Ledo and Tepha ignored the cabbie and proceeded to fill out their surveys as quickly as possible. Hundreds of credits wasn't worth the convenience and chances are they would have to fill out twenty different forms no matter which way they traveled.

Silver's mood improved dramatically. Free high-proof beer was just the way to start off her day. Or evening. Or night. Time inside a spaceport was relative as the traffic was nonstop no matter what time of day it was.

"Thanks EZ. Rezan's doing good. I'm heading out his way soon so I can send your regards if you'd like. Looks like you're doing well for yourself. Nice place you got here. Anyone with access to this much alcohol is doing well in my book. But I suppose we could all use a bit of extra creds, couldn't we.

Tell you what, for old time's sake I might be able to cut you into a little slice of something. Not much but it'd be a pretty big payday for just a bit of jabbering with an old friend. 500 credits now for where Clesing Dremeond's shady asteroid trade port was and another 500 credits if we get what we're looking for there."

In reply to Ledo Typhin (msg # 8):

"Suit y'self," the cabby sneers before moving to another arriving passenger.

Tepha and Ledo miss the first couple of trams waiting their turn in line.  They then begin to fill out the survey.  It's more or less the same questions asked on the shuttle.  Just in a different order than before.

By about the fifth tram, they've both had Rider Access For 1 Trip added to their idents.  They board the next tram.

According to the map, there are five stops until they reach the right Star Town station.  The tram hits one stop.  Two stops.  Three stops.

Ladies and Gentlemen.  This tram will now be decommissioned.  Please exit the tram.  Ladies and Gentlemen.  This tram will now be decommisioned.  Please exit the tram.

Everyone else seems to be getting off and lining up at the survey kiosks outside.

There are a couple of 'cabbies' in the back, already starting to work the crowd.  And, if the map is correct, there's only about fifteen blocks between here and Greasy's.  The walk doesn't look unmanageable.  And it seems to cut through a shopping district and pass by an art museum.

---

"Wow.  Clesing Dremeond.  That brings back some memories. A couple a' crews I was on hid out there a few times."

She sets the beer down and grins.

"I like Rezzy.  So I won't dicker with ya.  Too much.  Gimme a thousand up front and I'll tell you what I remember about where it is.  I don't coordinates.  But I can get you in the neighborhood.

"Gimme another thousand on top of it, and I'll tell you something you probably will want to know.  Otherwise.."  She shrugs.  "Well.  Finding out is half the fun.  Right?"

Silver smiled, spat on her hand and held it out to shake with EZ.

"Two g's gets me the the info...and free drinks for the rest of the week. Deal?"

It was a lot of money but Silver figured she could convince the captain to pay it out of their central fund so it wasn't like it was her money anyway.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:37, Tue 28 Apr 2020.

Ledo and Tepha exchanged glances at the line and opted for the walk. It was nice being able to stretch their legs and see the sights and while 15 blocks wasn't exactly a quick walk it wasn't too far and they did have a lot to talk about.

OOC: Apologies. I have scene I want to do but I'm just too backlogged with my other games to handle it. Ledo and Tepha need to discuss what happened on the ship sometime and I just need time to give it justice so I'll handle it via a flashback to this moment here.

In reply to Silver (msg # 11):

No worries.  We're not on a time table at the moment.

Let's proceed with Silver and I'll give Ledo and Tepha some local color to digest.  They can start talking when you're ready.

Thanks

The shopping district turns out to be high end.  On the left side of the street.

Along the left lane are boutiques, chocolate shops, and holograph stores.

Along the right is what Ledo guesses is a bread line.  It looks like that side of the block is taken up by some local bureau, and citizens are lined along the wall waiting to get in.

People on the left pay them no mind.  They chat and laugh and hug and snuggle as if this was some musical.

The two pass a holographer who's offering a special on portrait lockets.  A set of those small lockets that when open, display holos of the happy couple's faces.

---

EZ barks a laugh.  "If you wanna drink yourself blind, I won't stop ya.  Consider yourself comped.  But come back here first."

EZ leads Silver to an office behind the bar.  She pulls out a bottle of good scotch and pours them both tumblers.  "Cin cin," she says and downs her shot.

While Silver pours the next round, EZ calls up her personal comm.  She flips through a bunch of pages...a lot of pages.  The two women are on the fourth round by the time she nods her head...and then pulls up a display.

"Gimme your comm ID and I'll forward it.  But this section of the Hanna Why..."

She pulls up a holomap of the belt. A section expands and EZ uses her finger to form a square around one particular area.  "It's at the other end of the belt.  And in the interior.  But this part of the line was played out before either of us was born.  That's why ol' Cles picked it.

"This rock..." She points at one of the larger asteroids on the map.  "Is Marker 2204-708A.  The ICUC uses the markers to map out claims.  You should be able to latch on to the signal from it to get you there.

"The problem is where to go from there."  EZ shrugs.  "Cles' place isn't on the marker of course.  That'd be too obvious.  The way to find it is to check the other rocks for a formation that looks like...and I shit you not...a guy takin' a leak.

"That's how everyone knew where to find it.  They'd look for that formation.  The crews that hid out there called it Yellow Snow." She shrugs.  "You know pirates."

She thinks about it.  "The base is somewhere where you can see the guy's left ass check.  Or what should be his ass check.  On the formation I mean.  The place is underground.  And Cles had lined it plenty thick with scanner inhibs.  But the landing bay doors were kind of at an angle to that left butt cheek.  Best I can tell ya Kid."

She pours the last of the bottle off.  "Now.  Here's the extra you're payin' for.  Lots of people are looking for that place right now.  Probably the same reason you are.  I haven't told any one anything.  Don't plan on it.  I'm too old to get back in the life. Also, I don't wanna piss off Rezzy.

"But one of those crews is Siri Dano's new clique." She finishes her shot and smacks her lips.  "I seem to recall hearin' you two have a history.  His new crew isn't a joke either.  Go in ready for it.

"There's your heads up."

Silver sucked at her teeth on hearing EZ's warning. Siri Dano was a monster. Last she had heard he was trying to go straight and was worried that someone from his old crew would turn him in for his body count and he was bumping off those had witnessed some of his massacres.

Avoiding Siri was the main reason why Silver had joined with law enforcement and after she left she had changed her moniker to help throw him off the scent.  She didn't talk about it but Siri had actually given her the scar across her face. He had rigged a proximity mine to her front door that had blown off half her face. Doctor's had done what they could but the end result was a giant network of scars where they had sewn her face back together.

The joy Silver had reconnecting with an old acquaintance drained out of her rapidly.

"Thanks for the warning, EZ. Take care of yourself. Siri is a monster. He will murder anyone that gets in his way, or he even thinks might one day get in his way."

Silver wired over the credits and grabbed a bottle of cheap rum from behind the bar on her way out. She had a lot of serious drinking to do.

A little checking around gets the following info on Siri's new gang.

It's a small outfit.  The remnants of a crew that got busted by the Navy about two years ago.  Siri latched on to them sometime after that.

It's a three woman, two male team.  Siri is obviously one of the XYs.  The other is a Vargar called Lazzo.  The two of them apparently handle most of the wet work.

Supposedly the leader is a woman named Ginabeth.  No lie.  No one really knows what she looks like.  But she flies a craft named Broke Bones.  She was apparently a lieutenant before the police nailed her crew.  Now she runs things.

The other two women are a pair of twins.  Lipsa and Ibana Oldmeyer.  They keep Broke Bones up and running from what Silver can find out.

The Broke Bone has made some noise in the last year.  A couple of high profile pirate jobs on ships bound outwards from Jone.  In both cases, the raids were done almost on the doorstep of The Hath.  So they are a high priority item for the Navy at the moment.  Oddly, a bounty hasn't been issued for them yet.

Ledo and Tepha continued to meander and shop and enjoy themselves. There wasn't any rush to deliver the payment and Ledo had wanted to get Tepha in a good mood before steering the conversation to heavier topics. Tepha, however, beat him to the punch.

She was always more observant than people gave her credit for, Ledo including. While Silver was at home in a firefight and Rig was in his element in the engine room she was in her element in social settings. She could peg an upcoming heavy talk coming a mile away.

As the two paused in front of the charms she tugged on Ledo's arm and they stopped to look at the different images and designs.

"What do you think about something like that? We could get a matching pair?"

Ledo let out o noncommittal sound. His mind was a mile away.

"Or something to remember me by the next time you decide to sacrifice my life."

There was a seconds delay as Ledo's mind processed the sudden shift in tone. His face went pale and his eyes went wide as plates.

"No...no you don't...that's not what..."

She let out a laugh and elbowed him in the side.

"I'm kidding. I know it was all a trick. You were just throwing her off her game so you could storm in and rescue me. I know that."</purple.

Ledo started to talk but then locked his mouth shut just giving a small nod instead.

<purple>'I get it. That whole 'no negotiating with terrorists' bit was just a bluff. And a good one, I might add. If I didn't know any better I would have believed you too."

Ledo's stomach just kept falling. It felt like a pit had opened up inside of him and his insides were in free-fall. Tepha was looking at the charms and not at him as she spoke with complete confidence. Ledo was reminded of the psychology courses that he had taken about how honesty was the most fundamental building block in a relationship but he could not find it in him to correct her. She was so confident he wasn't even sure if he could convince her that he tried to sacrifice her. Fritz had actually been the one to save her. How could he tell Tepha that? As she continued to talk he ran through the scenarios and he just couldn't find an outcome where telling her he did condemn her to die would lead to anything positive.

He thought back to what he had talked to Breda. He had said their relationship was complicated but was it? Tepha still thought of him as this noble war hero leading her on a life of adventure and excitement but what did Tepha mean to him? He had mourned her but what did she really mean to him?

Tepha was continuing to talk and Ledo cast a glance down at her at his side. He thought back to when he had first met her. She was gorgeous, an entertainer dressed up and on the prowl to bag a wealthy husband or patron. Alcohol had played heavily into his decision to respond to her flirtations. it was just supposed to be a fling, a night of mindless ecstasy without any strings or complications attached. Something as a palate cleanser before sitting down and focusing on someone who made a lot more sense for him. Given his new social standing he should have himself angled for a member of nobility to seal his status in place. He should be married to some shrewd heiress and climbing the rungs of nobility yet here he was on some backward planet in the middle of nowhere with a dancer who was in complete denial about what she had experienced.

Ledo continued to comb through those memories. That first night with Tepha had been an amazing experience as expected and yet there was never a break. A single night turned into breakfast the next morning and then lunch and then reservations for dinner again. A second night, then a third and then it just seemed they were a couple. He had never stopped to put any thought or labels on it. One step had just lead naturally into the next and then the next and now here they were partners-in-crime. How had someone like him just let this happen?

He took a deep breath and suddenly felt trapped. A panic was tightening his chest as he suddenly feared that his decisions over the past couple of months were all terrible mistakes but now he was trapped. Trapped in debt, trapped with his crew, trapped with Tepha. Maybe that kiss for Breda wasn't just guilt or manipulation but a cry for help?

Ledo's breath started coming short and fast. Tepha was still talking and he couldn't handle it, or her anymore. He just needed something to stop her. Without waiting he marched into the shop, slapped some credits down on the table and picked out a random pair of charms.

Tepha tilted her head in confusion.

"Are...are you sure about this? This design?"

"Yes. Absolutely. This is what I want."

His voice wasn't that of a boyfriend but a commanding officer. His military training was kicking in and he was overcompensating for his feelings of doubt. It didn't matter how he felt, he could just order himself to like it. His logical mind tried its best to clamp down on these feelings of doubt. Tepha was young, smart, beautiful, resourceful, and a dynamo in bed. What else was there to discuss? He had landed a perfectly suitable mate and now they were earning incredible amounts of wealth with only minimal amounts of risk. Another smart decision. There was no reason to doubt anything. Everything he had done was the right decision. Period.

Anger crept over Ledo as he pulled Tepha from the store. She had fallen silent, unsure how to react to this sudden explosion of energy from Ledo. He wasn't angry at her though, he was angry at himself. He couldn't decide if it was because of his doubts or because of his decisions but it didn't matter. He needed to get moving, to find something to take his mind off of things. The best defense against doubt was distraction. He needed to throw himself into his work, into Tepha, into his ship. If he kept those doubts buried deep  he might be lucky enough to forget that they ever existed.

Tepha had a number of questions but was smart enough to know that Ledo was no longer in the mood to discuss things anymore. She clutched onto the holographic charm and tried to use its presence to calm her own heart. Ledo was having a freakout and she couldn't help but wonder if it was because of her. Best to give him his space until this manic phase passed. The two of them marched in silence the rest of the way to Banks' drop off.

When Silver got back to the ship Rig was in the cargo bay chatting to some hooker. Silver was curious and stepped quietly but Rig was just complaining about the ship's carbon dioxide scrubbers again. Silver felt sorry for the poor girl who was being paid to pretend to be interested in that engineering garbage.

She clanked her boots on the decking and cleared her throat causing Rig to look up. The hooker let out a sigh of relief that Rig would now be talking about something else...hopefully.

"Nice hooker. She still got money in the meter?"

Silver flashed the girl a wink and Rig went beat red. He was flustered and caught by surprise so the hooker responded instead.

"Threesomes cost extra."

Silver grinned from ear to ear and looked over at Rig.

"I'm sure we can swing that, right Rig? Let's spit roast her before the others get back."

Silver made a big show of starting to unzip her pants and the hooker gave a shrug and climbed off of cargo crate she had been sitting on. Rig looked like he had blown a fuse and was just sputtering over and over again without getting out a single coherent syllable. Silver jerked her zipper back up and doubled over with laughter. The hooker took a second and then let out a sigh and leaned back against the crate.

"Oh man. You should see your face Rig. Oh my god. Too easy."

Silver almost fell to the decking. She had needed a good laugh after the news she had gotten and this was a great way to get it out of her system. She started to recover but glanced up at Rig's shocked face caused another wave of laughter to double her over again. It was a full minute before either of them were able to recover to hold a proper conversation.

"I'd advise you taking a break and getting one last fuck in. I've got good news and bad news so get while there is getting to get."

"No...it's not like that. We...we just talked."

Silver glanced over at the hooker who just rolled her eyes. Silver had a hard time figuring out if that meant Rig was telling the truth or not. It could go either way but with a shrug Silver realized it didn't matter.

"Well then I suggest you get your money's worth and smash that ass because it might be awhile. Well...awhile for most people."

Rig's face went red and Silver went over and started shoving him towards the hooker.

"Go. Now! We need you on top of your game and an engineer dragging around a set of blue balls is dangerous. And sad. Sad and dangerous. Get your rocks off for the good of all of us."

She gave him one more shove and then flipped him a mock salute.

"Fuck her for all of us!"

She turned her head to look at the hooker, still dressed in her "sexy nurse" uniform.

"You got a special move? Put an extra hundred credits on the tab and whip out your A-game. I need him willing to rip a blast door off with his bare hands to get another round with you."

Rig was once again a sputtering in shock and confusion and Silver just gave the hooker a wink and a smile.

"And when you're done with him swing by my quarters. More credits where that came from."

Silver didn't really know what had come over her as she strolled back to her quarters. She was more than capable of handling herself and paying for Rig to have a good time wasn't in character for her but deep down she was really nervous about Siri. She needed Rig and the others on her side in case things went sideways. Not that she thought they would sell her out, especially not after that business with the assassins but a hundred credits to put her on Rig's good side was well worth it right now. Rig and her had never gotten along very well and nothing helped form a bond like a fun shared experience. At least she hoped. As for getting serviced afterwards, she would have preferred a man between her legs but that would take time to arrange and she wanted to treat herself tonight. A quickie with a professional was just what she needed to get her mind off of Siri for a little while.

Once Ledo and Tepha had arrived back on the ship Silver called them to the lounge before everyone crashed after a late late late night.

”Alright here’s the scoop. Upside is I know, approximately, where the stash is. Downside is I’m not the only one.”

”Rig what’s our flight status?”

”Topped off and good to go. We can leave as soon as you want.”

”Good, after this start making prep. We can take stims if we need to but we are getting there before anyone else. We can sleep after we’re rich.”

He let out a small smile to know that he was joking, but also kind of serious.

”So I’ve got some coordinates in the asteroid belt. We head there and look for...I kid you not...a rock formation that looks like a guy taking a piss.”

Ledo and the rest of the crew skewed up their faces at the ridiculousness of the directions.

”I hope you didn’t pay too much for this info.”

Silver shook her head, as Ledo didn’t realize she had swiped the ship’s card from him before she had left so she technically hadn’t paid a single credit for it, he had.

”So the base is on the guy’s left ass cheek. It’s heavily shielded from scans so we’re going to have to eyeball it but we should be able to find it. Now for the bad news. A guy I used to know is also hunting for it. He’s got himself a new crew and a pirate ship and everything. Goes by the name of Siri, short for Serial as in serial killer. When I was into piracy ships would surrender expecting us to just take the cargo and leave but Siri didn’t like that. He liked to cycle airlocks with people still inside of them not wearing their suits. One time he actually went in, sabotaged the suits first and then shoved the people into the airlock. Fucker laughed while they  scrambled to get them on only to realize that he had cut holes in them.

Apparently he’s pirating in the area and has even been hitting ships right out off the docks.”

Rig whistled.

”That takes a lot of guts. Or stupidity. Or luck.”

Silver gave a sad nod.

”Yeah he has all three of those in spades. When we got busted he escaped the worst of it. He tried to go legitimate though and so decided to go around killing anyone from his old gang that could rat him out to all those dead bodies. I might be one of the only ones left so if he finds me he will be gunning for us.”

Ledo flexed his fist. He might have considered using the Tia for some “light” piracy but outright murder like that was a line he would never cross. Assassins were one thing but simple traders just trying to make a living?

”Is there a bounty on him?”

”No. Weird, right?”

Ledo rubbed his chin.

”Could be it is caught up in paper work. Tepha and I have carpal tunnel syndrome from filling out about 800 pages of sruveys and forms just to take public transportation. Could also be he’s being protected. Not the first time someone in power decided to use a pirate as a tool against his enemies. no bounty means we need to make sure we record our encounter with him so when we blast his ass into dust we are free and clear, legally speaking. Alright then everyone get ready for lliftoff. No point in being second to the buried treasure. Rig get the fuel lines disconnected. Silver get the cargo stowed and get permission from Rig first before you get drunk or high or whatever you do. Tepha, you’re up in the bridge with me. I need you and Fritz full time to fill out the paperwork needed to take off before the heat death of the universe.”

You know, I didn't even notice Ledo's shopping post.  Sorry about that.

Anything you want to do prep wise? Speak now or forever regret it later

Fritz sorts through available information and pulls the latest holo map of that area.  Marker 2204-708A is a big chunk sitting in the middle of the Hanna Why.  It mined out seven generations ago, but still had use as point of reference.  The Marker looks almost like an egg with it's fat bottomed end squared off.

There's quite a bit about the topography.  The ICUC has to send a regular team out to maintain the beacon.  No formations matching 'a guy relieving himself'.  Sorry.

The map fuzzes and pulls out.  Three rocks floating nearby Marker 2204 are highlighted.

I ran an analysis of other bodies that would be close enough to 2204 to be considered possible sites.  These three are the best bets.  All three were claimed at one point by Clessing.  Two of them changed hands, but both of those claims were invalidated generations ago.  Currently, the ICUC has ownership of every rock next to 2204.

The best description for the three rocks are:  an orb that's been squished down on it's sides, a model 1728 custom job grav-wrench, and an attempt to make a Buddha statue someone gave up on about a third of the way through.

There is no topography records available on these three rocks.  We would have to go out there and scan each one.

I did find one interesting record.  The last maintenance crew that went out to inspect 2204's beacon reported a craft passing out of this section as they entered.  From their records, it could have come from the direction of either this rock or this one.

The wrench and Buddha remain highlighted.

Ledo considered things and pointed at the Buddha.

"It's the closest thing to a guy pissing. Who knows, maybe we'll get lucky for a change."

OOC: Assuming the cargo has been dropped off and Banks has been paid the only thing is Tepha is picking up a laser pistol otherwise time to go scavenging!