“Thus it is that no cruelty whatsoever passes by without impact.
Thus it is that we always pay dearly for chasing after what is cheap.”
― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956

Ulyendra 'Ulie' Martin is odd looking at first glance.  On the second and third glances too.  She is a short, pudgy woman.  Her frizzy brownish hair is done up in a tight bun.  Thick framed computing glasses which are almost comically large sit perched up on a nose that doesn't look big enough to support their weight.  Her lips protrude just a touch too far like she has been pouting for so long she can no longer stop doing so.

Her business jacket is too large for her.  As she pulls out her hand comm to send you her e-business card, you can see only the tips of her fingers stick out from the cuff.  She looks like a surly teen playing dress up in her mommy's business suit.

Her business card seems legit.  Ulyendra Martin, Production Manager Black Sun Entertainment

She pushes her glasses up onto the bridge of her nose.  You can see the glasses have captured an image of you.  It's probably processing for your available background info while she talks to you.  Lots of people who wear these kinds of computer glasses will do that: take snaps of the people they meet and run background checks on them during the conversation.  But most people wear their glasses in sun visor mode.  Black so you can't see what's going on.  Ulie either isn't aware you know she is doing this or she doesn't care if you do know.

"The contract is straight forward.  I have myself, three actors, two androids, and four crew who need transport to Noctol.  We'll be on location for at least three days, maybe upwards of a week.  After that we will need a lift to the Black Sun studio located on Collace.

"Most of the organics can go in lowberth.  But I will need high berth for myself and one of my actresses.  I will need to do business while in transport and my actress has Rujohn's Syndrome.  So she can't go into cryo.  We'll need about a half ton of cargo room for our equipment.

"I will expect you to provide security both in transit and for the shoot on Noctol.  There shouldn't be any concerns.  But sometimes we get paparazzo or overly ardent fans who want to cling along.

"Time is a consideration.  We need to be on Collace with the filmed segments within two standard months time.  I would prefer earlier than that.  But I understand we won't be your exclusive customer.  So I am willing to allow that long.

"Let's go ahead and get everything out on the table,"  She pushes the glasses back up on the bridge of her nose.  "I'm in a bind.  You probably figured that out.  At the same time, you aren't exactly one of the better known charters.  And I doubt you have a full security team on call.

"Black Sun is a client worth getting into good graces.  We pay over and above passenger rates.  We use a lot of independent contractors and charters.  And we are all over the Marches.

"All that is to say, I'm willing to pay.  But I'm not going to be taken advantage of.  What's your estimate for the contract?"


Not sure who is meeting with Ulie so I left it open ended.  Let me know if there are questions.  Thanks

"Thank you so much for meeting with me. This whole thing has become so worrisome."

Sister Meribell Waxley smiles.  It's an easy smile that takes up most of her lower face.  It's cheery but somehow manages to not be sachrine.  She smiles like a woman who only smiles when she is glad about something, and that when she is glad about something, she is truly glad.

Her graying hair is cropped into a shaggy bowl cut.  She wears a hat of sorts.  Not a habit like you've seen in the old history books.  But a brimmed cap with cloth hanging around the sides and back.  It looks more like it's meant to provide protection from the sun than any kind of religous habit.

Her jump suit is black and gray with specks of bright white around the elbows, shoulders, and knees.

Fritz beeps you on your hand comm.  Her bank account checks out.  She has two million credits sitting in a bank on Collace.  The account name is styled <pink>Sisters of the Holy Download, but the bank did confirm she is a signor with full authority over the funds.

"It's just me going.  I have some bags but not much.  I can go low berth for a shot time.  But not longer than a week.  So I'm willing to go high passage if need be."

She shrugs. "That's really it.  I promise I'm not a terrorist.  And I don't mind if you search my stuff or scan me.  So?  Can you make room for me?"

Again, not sure who's handling the interview.  So leaving it open ended.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:15, Thu 03 Dec 2020.

Talking to the brokers gains some useful intel on what's going on in Bowman:

The belters run a co-op out of the starport on Alpha.  Ships head to the co-op and auction their wares there.  The buyer's agent will usually demand an inspection of the goods, but once they're satisfied, they'll issue a bill of sale.

The seller than transports the lot to the particular belter and presents the bill.  The belters pay on delivery.

Prices are premium right now as a food shortage is starting in the system.  Most of the belters are running small mines crewed by hired hands.  Starvation usually results in mutinies.  So finding buyers willing to pay top dollar isn't an issue.

The pirates may be a problem.  The fleet is loosely run by Octian Valyroz.  Silver has never met him but she knows his rep.  Bit of douche.  His grasp is less than his reach, meaning he is known for putting together good crews, but he squanders them through poor planning.  His crews tend to have a high turnover, even for pirates.

Ledo and Tepha sat across from Ulie and neither of them seem particularly concerned by her requirements until she gave them a deadline.

"Two months might be a little tight. We've only got a Jump-2 drive so we're looking at...what... 5 jumps just to get to Noctocol and then another 3 jumps to Collace. Now we can make you a priority. The stops we want to make are all enroute which will let us buy fuel instead of spending time harvesting which might shave off a day or two but I don't think we can make it in two months. Three is possible but not two. That said we can come down in price a little bit.

We're looking at covering 14 parsecs of space and going rate would be 2900 per person per jump. 10 people, 8 jumps comes out to 83,200cr for the low berths and 144,000cr for the middle passage.

Here's what I can do for you. If you and your actress are willing to share a room for sleeping I can set you up with a private office to do your work in. I can also offer you four of the crew to serve as guards and protection, including myself. We're all trained, one way or another, and the ship is pretty heavily armed for its size. We've already taken down one pirate ship and chased away another just a month ago. Call it 250,000cr for the package deal. A bunked stateroom, a private office, full security protection and priority transit to get you where you need to go.

Oh, and medical. If we get into a fight and someone gets injured Black Sun will pick up the bill, right?"

He threw her a friendly wink.

Sometime later Tepha was sitting alone with Sister Waxley with, tapping out variables into the calculator Fritz had set up for them.

"It's no trouble, we're happy to help. Just so you know if you we can give you your own stateroom and while our ship isn't a luxury liner it does include a biosphere enhancement to our life support. We like to call it the garden and we've set up a small table and chairs there. It's not much but we get the occasional fresh produce and the higher oxygen rate there plus the smell of plantlife does wonders for your mind on a long journey. I'll be assigned as your personal steward as well. Anything you need, anytime you need it just let me know.

That being said the journey won't necessarily be direct. It won't be very out of the way though because of how the systems are laid out you would need some military grade vessel to get a direct route. We're using a Jump-2 drive so we should be able to get you there in about 3 months, give or take. 14 parsecs, 9 jumps with only one real stop in between. All in all it comes out to 110,000cr if you would like to make the trip with us. I know that might seem a little high but at least it will be secure. The ship is well armed and as for the crew, I don't know if you saw the holos or not but the captain and our security team are kind of heroes with how they helped the dome security overtake those terrorists."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 23:51, Fri 28 Jan 2022.

In reply to Ledo Typhin (msg # 5):

Ulie pushes her glasses up onto the bridge of her nose.

"Assuming the fight is directly related to the security of our cast and crew then yes.  It one of your crew gets into a bar fight or some kind of other...'extraciricular', then no."

She doesn't wink back at you Ledo

Ulie then considers and finally sighs.  "Alright.  I'll counter with this:  I accept your terms for the 250,000 and three months.  And I'm willing to pay an additional 50,000 for each week you shave off the three month time frame.  I think that's a fair offer."

---

Sister Meribell nods. "I did see the news.  That's why I came to inquire with you first.  And a garden?  A real garden?"

Her smile seems to become even warmer.  "Oh.  I would love that.  Would it be alright if I did some work in the garden during the trip?  I love gardening.  It's so relaxing."

She nods her head and holds out her hand for a shake.  "I think your terms are very reasonable.  Looking forward to traveling with you.  I only have a few bags."

Ledo nodded at Ulie.

"I think that sounds acceptable. I'll keep our navigation expert running calculations the whole trip to see if we can't get some of that bonus in the end.

One last matter. We would like to conduct a very detailed security search of everyone coming on board and the equipment as well. I know it's an inconvenience but in the last couple of months we have had two different groups of guests try to blow up our ship with smuggled explosives. The stupid thing is that we weren't even supposed to be their targets, just the wrong ship at the wrong time.

We have both male and female security and you can be present in the bridge to ensure that no recordings are being made and everything is being conducted properly but if we're going to shuttle you around we need to make sure there aren't any surprises. No contraband, no explosives, no hidden weaponry or assassin cybernetic enhancements and so on."

In reply to Ledo Typhin (msg # 8):

Ulie doesn't bat an eye.  "I have no objection.  The step seems prudent.  On your part that is.  If any of my people are smuggling anything, I'd like to know about it myself."

She then blinks and snaps her fingers, as if recollecting something.

"Oh.  I forgot.  One of my crew does have cyberparts.  His legs to be specific.  He lost them in an accident when he was younger.  Think there's also some shoulder and spinal implants too.  Sorry.  I've worked with him for so long, I tend to forget he has them.  To my knowledge they aren't battle grade though.  But he does do our heavy lifting for us.  But he will be in cryo.  The two androids can be powered down for the trip if you're providing steward services."

The crew is ready the next day for inspection.  Their gear consists mostly of four hand cams, some costuming and props, some portable lighting and sound equipment, more make up then you might have thought anyone would ever need, and a holo projector with a multitude of slides.

The cast and crew split into three groups:  the women, the men, and the androids.  They wait around for their inspection.

I added a thread listing all the passengers.  Since you said you had room for two more low berthers, I filled them in for you.  Who is inspecting the men, women, and androids please?

Thanks

Rig was grumbling to himself as he snapped the rubber gloves into place. When he had signed up for this he would be having to do security inspections. He had no idea what he was doing and he had engine prep to be taking care of. Silver had given him a basic rundown but Rig still wasn't too happy about it. The only thing that kept him from staging a complete mutiny is that he was tired of people trying to blow holes in his hull and while they had been good enough so far to flush any explosives out the airlocks there was always the chance something would go wrong the next time.

"Alright strip to your boxers and we'll proceed from there."

Strip searches was one of the few things Silver enjoyed from her days as a cop. Performing them, not receiving them. Once a target had surrendered themselves to humiliation there wasn't much that was off limits. She could make an award winning celebrity twerk in her underwear in their brig under the guise of 'security'. Not that she would, Ledo had warned her that they would be supervising. She had responded that he was just a dirty pervert that wanted to see a bunch of celebs in their undies but he hadn't found that amusing at all.

"Alright ladies. I hope you put on underwear because you're stripping down to it. The sooner you follow instructions the sooner we can all get on with our lives."

She delivered her speech in the bored authoritative tone as if she had conducted hundreds of these. She had only done three personally but she had seen the training video and that was good enough. Strip searches didn't take a genius, just someone who was actually paying attention.

In reply to Gary 'Rig' Rigan (msg # 10):

Six guys.  You really drew the short straw Rig.

They are all a little surly, but cooperative.

The oldest guy, the actor Wisco Johns, mutters, "Any polyps while you're up there?".  He shakes his head.  "Sorry.  You're just doin' your job."

The other actor, Ergan Willsmith, sighs but assumes the position.  He seems to have some practice at it.  He doesn't look at you and just nods when you tell him you're done.

The two brothers, Oscar and Gosh, are a study in polar opposites body wise. Oscar looks like he used to play rugby before he got the synth job.  As was disclosed:  he's got a mid level leg and hip job.  Spinal reinforcement, which if he had spinal damage during the accident that took his legs wouldn't be uncommon, and some shoulder implants.  Oscar could probably pick up a bunk bed and hit you over the head with it.  But as far as offensive weaponry, its not there.  His implants aren't built right for housing a cannon or rifle.  And the scans for explosives and the like are all clean.

Gosh is taller than his brother, but lanky.  With an Adam's Apple the size of a cue ball.  Oscar and Gosh come in at the same time and try to make small talk.  They seem friendly enough but they aren't pushing the acquaintance.

The make up guy, Levit, is decidely heterosexual.  "That redhead?  I guess she's the steward?" he asks you, probably meaning Tepha.  "She seeing anyone?".  Levit has more tats than anyone you've ever seen.  And that includes anyone in the Merchant Marines.

Zen is by far and away the problem child.  He's a younger guy, built like Oscar but without the artificial parts.  He glowers at you, complains about how cold your hands are, wants to know if you changed your gloves from the last exam, and eyes you like he's sure you're enjoying all this.

But that's the worst of it.

The five women give you their attention Silver.  There's some grumbling but nothing too bad.  Except for her.  And they all get on with it.  Except for her.

The nun steps up first.  Sister Maribel or some such.  She gives you a big shit eating grin and holds her arms straight up.  "You gonna frisk me?" she asks.

She's a chatty one.  But she doesn't hit you up with any religion.  She asks a lot about the garden, filling in the spaces of any attempts at silence you might try.  She thanks you when you're done and steps aside quickly for the next one.

Ulie is next.  She follows your instructions quickly and precisely.  And quietly.  Her computer glasses pass the inspection.  They seem fairly top-of-the-line.  But no explosives or such in them.

The actress has a bored kind of expression.  But she is even more cooperative than Ulie was.  Calliope gives you a smile if you try to talk to her, answering any general questions.  You've seen her movies.  She did this one where she was a pirate's lover.  And it was just sooooo real.  You swear this woman has probably lived the life.  But other than a tat of some kind of flower on the back of her left calf and a scar across her belly, you don't see anything that would make you think she ever has lived the life.

The miner's wife gives you a shaky smile.  She's one of those nervous types.  She fumbles with instructions and starts whenever you say something. But you think it has more to do with her being the insecure type rather than a guilty conscious.  She just doesn't seem the type.

Then there's her.  The director.  Ms. Mouth.

"I don't really see why this is necessary.  How do I know you aren't going to take pictures of my body and publish them online?  I am a human being and an Imperial citizen.  Are you?  Either one I mean?  Or are you too busy being the lap dog thug of the establishment-"

"Relen..." Ulie cuts her off mid-rant with a voice in the subzero range.  "She has things to do.  And so do we.  Shut up.  Let her do what she needs to do.  And let's roll.  We're burning credits here."

Relen hmphs, and complains about how cold your hands are.

Rig harumph's at Levit's question.

"That one's complicated. All I'll say is that nobody on board makes it a habit of fraternizing with the passengers and if you cross the line with her it'll be a toss up between whether the captain or Silver caps you and dumps your body during the next jump.

Just like that..."

He snaps his fingers.

"You're not just dead, you cease to exist in reality. Be nice, be charming, get her number, arrange a meet up after we've dropped you off if she shows any interest. That's my advice at least, take it or leave it."

He felt he could have said something about her and the captain being a couple but the two had been so cold lately. It seems that working together had made them drift into a "co-worker" mentality rather than bringing them together. Rig was just trying to stay out of it and keep counting his credits in case someone had to help buy her out of her share. He figured Ledo would die on the Tia but Tepha didn't seem the sort to ride or die plying the space lanes.

Silver snorts at the director's protests. After all the shit she had gone through over the past few days she was in the mood to be a bit playful. She knew the camera was off but she looked up and waved at it anyway before flashing the director a wink.

"Oh they're not going online. I'm saving these for my special collection."

She waggled her eyebrows before advancing. Silver wasn't exactly rough with her, but she definitely could have been a lot gentler. Let Tepha worry about keeping the passengers pacified, besides this one was going in the deep freeze anyway so it didn't matter how pissed off she was.

Silver let off a laugh when she was done and peeled off her gloves.

"Seriously though, I don't give a shit about your citizenship or your status or that you're prancing around in your bra and panties. I've got a subscription to three porn feeds and a vibrator that could grind away a starship hull. I don't need any help getting my jollies but you're more than welcome to watch to make sure.

If you notice we're not exactly a passenger liner. People fly with us when they are desperate or looking to avoid crowds and attention and that tends to attract all sorts of stupid. Assassins and marks playing cat-and-mouse. Ship jackers thinking they can take over the ship from within. Hell just last week we rescued a fucking teeny pop band from Wyltz only it turns out half their members are fucking ecoterrorists packing military grade explosives in under their miniskirts so yeah, we are going to search every person that comes on board and you should be grateful for it when you arrive safe and sound at the other end."

Silver points towards the back of the cargo hold where the low berth ready area was set up.

"Now hop to it. The sooner you get put on ice the sooner everyone can get on with their day."

She paused, pointing at the nun, Ulie, and the actress.

"You three wait here. Tepha will be down shortly to get you three settled in your rooms."

Relen blinks when you tell her about the Pawny Paws Silver

"Really?  Say. That would be an interesting plot line-"

"Relen." Ulie pushes her freakishly large glasses up onto the bridge of her nose. "You can dream up the script while you're in cryo.  You heard the woman.  Move out."

The actress, Calliope, watches while leaning against the bulkhead.

"That's the redhead, right?" she asks when you mention Tepha.

"Hi!  I'm super excited to serve you human-named-Rig! What can I do to accomodate you?"  Android 107 seems happy to serve.

Wow.  It's like the life support is on, but there's no one aboard to breath it.

Fritz seems rather fascinated by the androids.  He was already plugged into the camera when you sat down to give 12 and 107 a look over Rig

"I didn't understand the reference, but I'm sure I can accomodate your request!"

"107.  Please enter silent mode." Unlike 107, 12 seems to have more of an autonomous personality.  And less of a friendly personality.  His voice program hasn't been set to show any inflection or changes in volume or emphasis.  12 speaks in a simple, flat monotone which is both sleep inducing and creepy at the same time.

Both units have humanoid designs.  Two arms.  Two legs.  Torsos.

107's 'face' is in the middle of his chest however.  It's a small screen with a speaker above the screen on the left and a camera mounts set up over the right, all three set to suggest a mouth and two eyes where it's nipples would be if it were a man.

12 has a head.  But the face is almost smooth.  Only slight protrusions or indents, and only enough to suggest a pair of eyes or a mouth or nose.

12 'looks' at you Rig.  Or at least he turns his eye holes in your direction.

"If you would like, we can open our access panels for inspection again..."

You've given them a once and twice over.  Everything seems above board.  Well.  As far as you can tell.  Despite the rather cheesy exterior designs, their interiors are pretty complex.  Honestly.  You've never seen droids with this kind of intricate internal design.

But they aren't dangerous.

Sure they aren't.  You're positive.  Almost positive.

They'll be powered down anyway.  So it will be fine.

"Lissen.  's gonna be fine baby.  Trust me. These folks know what they're doin'."

You seal up the next to last of the film crew into their cryo pods Tepha.  The scanners show the freeze cycle starting up.  You wait for a while, to make sure the vitals remain within acceptable levels and then toggle the next unit on.

The only ones left still awake are the miner, his wife, and the make up guy for the film crew.

The miner's wife, Tabitha, has her arms crossed, standing as far from her cryopod as she can, staring at it with a look of distress.  Her husband is standing beside her, telling her it's all going to be okay.

The make up man, Levit was his name you think, smiles at you and waves in the miner's direction.

"Feel free to save me for last," he says to you with a smile.  "If you wanna go ahead and handle other things, I can wait."

He gives you a wink and a smile.

Silver nodes at the actress.

"Yeah. I'm not exactly a people person so she handles our customer complaints."

Rig makes sure to power them down and then just to be extra safe puts them into a cargo container. Then to be extra extra safe because he doesn't trust what he doesn't understand, he buries that cargo container under 30tons of foodstuffs bound for bowman.

Once that was all taken care of Rig talks idly to Fritz.

"Do you ever want an android like that? Maybe that's what you can save towards. Let's pull up the catalog...we could get a small little servant droid for only 500 credits. Another couple jobs and you could upgrade to a Utility Droid for 100k. Or save your credits and we could find you a skinjob. Walk around like a real person for a change. That would set you back....hooo boy. 18 million? We're going to need some much bigger scores for something like that."

Tepha goes over to the mining couple with a look of understanding on her face.

"I know it might be a little scary but I have it on good authority that the cryo liquids is an amazing exfoliator. We once transported a supermodel who traveled exclusively that way to keep her skin soft and smooth.

It is perfectly safe. We have never lost anyone in cryostasis and our chief engineer comes by regularly to check on them. I promise you, we'll get you there safe and sound and you get to avoid weeks of boredom in the process."

Calliope gives you an odd smile Silver.  It's not condescending or seductive.  It's more like 'tiredly amused'.

"I got no complaints thus far.  But I'll let her know if I do. Thanks."

---

"See honey?  's gonna be fine. We got nothin' to worry about."

Tabitha nods as Zen puts a hand on her shoulder and then wipes her face.  She gives you a weak smile Tepha.

"I'm sorry.  I'm being silly, aren't I?"

Zen stands beside her pod as you set her into sleep Tepha.  He nods at you in thanks, then his eyes cut towards Levit.

"If you want," Zen mutters sotto voce to you, so Levit can't hear.  "I can go last if you want someone awake around 'til you put him down."

---

Eighteen million huh?  I better switch to a more aggressive investment strategy then...

Though I'm not sure about the android thing. Except for that toy, it's never been me me that's gotten downloaded into something.  Like those bots back on that asteroid base.  Those were just copies of me I downloaded and then reabsorbed later.

I guess I'm just not sure of the cost effectiveness of buying an android that's probably gonna get all shot up.  No offense, but I'm pretty sure if I was in an android, Captain Ledo would send me in first.  You know what I'm saying?

It might just be better to buy a bunch of disposable cleaning bots and then adapt them.  Am I reasoning that out okay?

As Fritz pulls up a droid and bot catalouge, Port Authority pings you Rig.

Port Inspection has passed the repair work done to Tia.  Now once the cargo arrives, you guys should be good to go.

---

Tepha smiles politely but shakes her head..

"I appreciate the offer but I'll be fine. We haven't had the easiest time out here so I'm not a stranger to trouble."

After putting Zen down she points towards Levit's pod.

"You're up. Sorry to disappoint you but we've got a schedule to keep."

Rig gives the nearest monitor a shrug. Without a physical body it was hard to convey non-vocal gestures in the right way. He was sure Fritz could pick them up on the ship's sensors but it still felt awkward not knowing "where" to focus on.

"That works too. You could buy what, nearly a hundred cleaning bots with your last payout, right? Plenty disposable. If you do save up for a bigger purchase consider buying the deluxe warranty to make sure things like bullet holes and missile shrapnel are covered."

After port authority gives them the clearance Rig comms up to Ledo.

"We're all set down here, Captain. Ready when you are."

Up in the cockpit Ledo checked the position of everyone. He had picked up RFID chips for the crew so the ship's computer could tell him where everyone was. Tepha was in the cargo hold putting the last popsicle on ice. Silver was keeping an eye on the passenger quarters and Rig was in the cargo hold making sure everything was secure.

Ledo hit the comms for a general ship-wide announcement.

"Our window is up. Everyone prepare for liftoff..."

Ledo throttled up the engines and hit the controls to disengage them from the dock, keeping their speed regulation until they were clear of the station before throttling up and pointing towards their jump point.

Levit glances at the tube and then at you Tepha, before he waggles his eyebrows.  "Sure.  Sure.  Don't wanna get you behind schedule now.  But...uh..maybe when you wake me up, we could go catch some dinner and a show?"

Other than trying to get a date out of you, he doesn't put up any fuss.  His eyes definitely walk you up and down.

---

Port Authority gives you the green Ledo.  You are clear to depart.

You will need to coast out into the system about eight standard hours from the port.  And then you can start jump protocols as needed.

---

Nero. I saw your last uploads.  What happened?  Are you alright?

It's not often your Mom sends you an e-mail Nero.  She's usually much too busy figuring out how to screw over one of the members of that club your folks are in.

Your Dad and I are both concerned.  Where are you?  What's going on?  We saw all these videos from Wyltz.  Are you okay?  BB still with you?  Who else is with you?

Nero glances at the email but doesn't respond. He's still in his funk and doesn't want to deal with the hassle of them. The fact that his viewership spike from the Pansy Paws videos have been plummeting as he failed to produce new content had only been further fueling his depression.