"I think we're loaded and ready to get away from this god forsaken place captain. Need me any where in particular?"

"You seem to be our utility man on this crew Mr. Bickle. "Along with Manning one of the turret when needed. I can have you take shift on the bridge and engineering as needed"

In reply to Andrew Steward Copeland (msg # 2):

"Expert Astrogator, not the best I'm sure, but I know my business."

In reply to Theodore Bickle (msg # 3):

Alyx chuckles. "Better than me. I'm an undisputed expert in looking like I'm an expert. Sometimes I even get it right."

You come out of jump space 100 n away from Zila, it is a Class E starport and is also an Amber world.

In reply to Nerull (msg # 5):

Zila
Zila (0508-E25672C-7) is a small world with a thin atmosphere and seas covering more than half its surface. Three major continents cover its southern hemisphere, while one major continent is in the northern hemisphere. Zila’s population is 66 million distributed mainly on the southern continents. The local government is a participatory democracy but with an extremely limited electorate. Suffrage is limited to land owners and even then only to those who hold 1,000 or more acres. In fact, a parcel of land consisting of 1,000 acres is seldom broken up once owned and is referred to commonly as a ballot. Families holding several ballots generally distribute them among the family members. Zila’s Law Level is high but is an accepted fact of life. The planet’s Tech Level is 7, lower than average but sufficient to make life comfortable. Zila is an agricultural world with a trading station to encourage exports to the Vargr.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:56, Sat 25 Sept 2021.

Is it possible to sell commodities at such a spaceport?

In reply to Danila (msg # 7):

Yes. You have Trake! Pysadi Trake!

"If we want to go anywhere other than Pysadi, I think we have to refuel from the gas giant," Carver says. "And if this trake has to stay cold all the time, we better stay in orbit and take the launch down to find a buyer."

Danila lays course to the parking orbit of Zila.
- The bad news are that we cannot undergo scheduled maintenance here, - Danila said to Andrew. - I think it is not a big problem since the ship was in drydock recently but we already had a delayed maintenance a month ago and it is a bad idea to make it a habit.




- Getting to the gas giant would require an in-system jump, that is 7 days, or even more days flying in normal space. It is possible that Class E spaceport can supply unrefined fuel, which is fine for us. Or we could to refuel cracking water from the planet surface (2Nerull: is it allowed in this Traveller Universe?).



- Keep in mind that we have ten high passengers aboard. And we have 125 tons of cargo booked to the surface, including 80 tons of mail.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:52, Sat 25 Sept 2021.

In reply to Danila (msg # 10):

so it seems that we have cargo and passengers that need to get to planet sooner than later. do we have enough fuel to land, get paid and then get fuel at the gas Giant?
This message was last edited by the player at 23:17, Sat 25 Sept 2021.

In reply to Andrew Steward Copeland (msg # 11):

- Yes, we have enough fuel for one jump, and the reactor has fuel for about 3 weeks. But we'd better get fuel on the planet, that would save us a week.

In reply to Danila (msg # 12):

"Anyone got the phone book on why it's an Amber zone? We don't want a repeat of Pysadi."

In reply to Alyx Karoll (msg # 13):

- I have no idea... And you are right. I'm fed up with Anolas so I am strictly against leaving the spaceport towards local towns.

In reply to Danila (msg # 14):

"I think there is a civil war or revolution going on, not sure."

The Anolas follow Gvou and Carver around the ship. The other three frequently climbing onto one of the others for affection too. Pure love.

Danila will check the library on the subject why Zila is Amber zone.
- What a bad practice we have recently kept coming across, that a planet is designated Amber without giving reasons. Some kind of mess, - he grumbled.

In reply to Danila (msg # 17):

Arrival at Zila places the crew of the March Harrier at the world’s only starport, where they may take care of the basic details of cargo unloading, berthing costs and minor paperwork.
Following that, the entire group can move out into town for some recreation. At the starport boundary, the guard insists that each character read and sign a warning placard before leaving
the grounds. The placard cautions that Zila is considered an amber travel zone and that individuals venturing into the world outside place themselves in potential danger. Zilan Law Level is C, sufficient for individuals to be detained on slight pretext; local legal machinery is slow and often tedious. Individuals are cautioned to exercise extreme care on Zila lest they fall foul of the law. The official indicates that quite a few travellers languish in Zilan jails; it: would be prudent to retain a lawyer before any trouble came up.

In reply to Nerull (msg # 18):

Danila will report to the authorities that the mail from Pysadi is delivered.
Frederick will check if it is possible to sell some basic commodities (Common Raw Materials and Common Manufactured Goods) not exiting the spaceport.

"If you leave, don't go far and for the god's sake stay out of trouble!"

"I suggest contacting a lawyer to know if it's legal to sell Anolas here. I guess not, and we have to keep the pests more weeks."

Also, Gvu contacts the Space traffic controllers and asks about the Wolblutn whereabouts. After all, Bazerji's ship was supposed to pass by. He read the piece aloud like a mantra :
"Pysadi, Zila, Carsten, Pavanne, Nasemin, Jesedipere and then the Vargr Extents to beautiful Scangen. Your return journey will be back through Jesedipere to Junidy."

Danila and Frederick were fixing the businesses. There were some good prices for the items brought from the Pysadi, however, there was no fuel in the spaceport.

Operating Fund:
Berthing cost: 0
Mail to Zila 400,000
High Passengers to Zila 76,500
Middle Passengers to Zila 6,200
Freight (SF) 11,000
Common Manufactured Goods 560,000
Subsidy payment -474,165
Operating Fund current total: 624,861

Shadow Fund:
Common Raw Materials 63,250
Freight (to OF) -11,000
Shadow Fund current total: 52,960

Looking at the subsidy payments, Danila said to the crew:
- I guess we have to develop our Shadow Fund operations more actively...
- Speaking of which, remember, that if we are using March Harrier for our own operations - like carrying speculative goods using the Shadow Fund, that's including Trake (and may be Howood if we don't want that 45% subsidy payment to be deducted from the selling price of the Howood), we have to pay to the March Harrier Operating Fund standard freight price. Because the ship is not in our property, and when we carry the Trake we actually rent the cargo capacity of the ship. And if an observer from the side of the Board of Directors, - Danila shortly glanced at Bickle, - would notice a misuse of the ship, we will have big problems with the Board.

"As always good job both of you of getting the best profits for the crew and our sponsors." Andrew will say to Danila and Frederick. "Before our next speculative trading opportunity comes up he need to fully set up the Shadow fund and allow crew member to contribute what they may for the risks and rewards of being a free trader."

- I suggest us to find a buyer for the Trake ASAP.
- And may be getting rid of the howood is a wise idea too, because each jump increases our expenses associated with the howood transportation by 1000 Cr per ton. By the time we get to Aramanx, the howood will cost us 4000 Cr per ton. Even if we sell it for 7500 Cr, as traders on Pysadi suggested, we will win only 14 000 credits, for all the troubles! I didn't like the idea from the very beginning and it's getting worse each jump. (And that's not taking into account the Anolas, my opinion of which you already know).
This message was last edited by the player at 10:55, Mon 27 Sept 2021.

In reply to Danila (msg # 24):

"I agree on Holwood,but we shouldn't have problems selling the trake here, there at least four wineries on this planet."

In reply to Andrew Steward Copeland (msg # 25):

Visiting one of the law offices reveals that it is a recruitment office: the actual law offices are in the city. In the office, a clerk stands ready to sign up individuals for standby legal coverage. For Cr. 100 per week per person, the law firm will provide legal representation and intercession in the event of problems with the police. An additional Cr. 70 per week provides a waiver of additional costs that might be necessary, such as bail, gratuities and filing fees.

If anyone signs up, the clerk will provide each client with a small collar button and warn that it should be worn at all times. He says that it alerts the police that legal coverage is available. He points to his own collar button and says he is never without it. A small identification card provides communicator code numbers and contact names in the event that there is a legal problem.

Alright, we buy legal coverage and waivers for the whole crew. 170 per person, 1700 total.

In reply to Danila (msg # 27):

Away from the law office, Alyx observes "I'm starting to suspect why this is an Amber Zone. Reminds me of a series we did, setting was a little more primative than this, oh and there was a lot of magic but people love that. Cops are looking for easy pickings. Of course, the badge means that they can be sure any bail will be paid, so if they're hard up it might not keep you out of trouble anyway."

2Alyx:
- Do you mean the badges are actually a police magnet?

2Andrew:
- Captain, which system will we go to next?

2Gvoudzon:
- Gvou, let's find a buyer for the Trake.

In reply to Danila (msg # 29):

"I asked a local about a nice bar nearby, he recommended the Dead Spacer just outside the starport. Anyone want a drink?"

In reply to Danila (msg # 29):

"Yes Danila, gladly, let's go and sell the trake.
Also, we should know if selling Anolas is legal. Maybe call our lawyer services?
And let it be known that the infamous pirate Wollblutn was here two weeks ago, and I'd like to know what they sold. Maybe the lanthanum ore they plundered on Patinir?"

In reply to Gvoudzon (msg # 31):

"Much as we may be inclined to rid ourselves of the anolas as quickly as possible, I doubt that there is a research institution here that would pay top dollar for them. Not that I have any idea where such a place would be, but here they likely would be mere curiosities. The trake should sell well, and probably the howood, but I don't hold out much hope for the anolas as a commodity. Better that we find a good home for them than try to sell them. A good thought about Wollbutn, though, we should investigate if she or Bannerji we seen here recently."

Alyx turns to Danila, "Oh, I suspect it's a damned if you do damned if you don't kind of situation. Without the legal services we're fair game for whatever harsh sentencing may exist here. They're neighbors to a world that thought little of life servitude for a seemingly minor offense. Even if they just have work sentences or corporal punishment, having the local law society to back us should help convert it into a cash deal, but trust me that if someone crosses a line we can't see, we'll probably have to pay that cash."

- Alright, gentlemen, let's visit the Dead Spacer. Good thing is that at least stunners are allowed here.


As Gvoudzon suggested, Danila called to the lawyer first, asking what the local laws say about Anolas.
Then they paid a visit to the Dead Spacer, looking for the Trake buyer, Howood buyer, Anolas buyer (long shot but why not, provided it is legal), and investigating if there are any rumors about Wollblutn or its captain.

(Who is the best streetwiser among us?)

The Class E starport facility on Zila offers very little in the way of entertainment or distractions; most starship crews and trading station personnel visit any of several bars in the Startown district of Crescence. The strip is essentially similar to other Startown districts on other worlds, although it is smaller than many. But it is still a place where visitors go to have a good time and where the enforcers travel in squads, not pairs.

Barhopping is not at all unusual and starport personnel particularly recommend the Dead Spacer, a bar readily identified by the painted picture of a vacc-suited figure, his faceplate shattered, which hangs over the door. Most visiting ship crews go there; it is a clean place with a friendly atmosphere and a pretty fair understanding with the enforcers.

When the adventurers visit the bar, it is doing a slow but steady business. A few individuals –mostly starport workers, by their clothes – are at the bar, chatting with the bartender. Two tables are full, one with a number of ship crewmen in Akerut uniforms,
the other occupied by a handful of Oberlindes Lines personnel. All in all, the atmosphere is relaxed and easygoing; although the two tables are well apart and seem to be ignoring each other studiously.

As the adventurers enter, one of the starport workers – a maintenance mechanic who helped service the March Harrier when she first landed – recognizes the group and offers to buy them a drink. He and the bartender team up and begin alternating asking questions and telling stories.

In reply to Nerull (msg # 34):

Alyx will join the mechanic in a drink and shmooze for any useful local info,



13:31, Today: Alyx Karoll rolled 7 using 2d6+2 ((2,3)). Carousing+SOC

Alyx has the tiniest bit of streetwise, but he's happy to fake it if needed

Smash is never a man to turn down an opportunity for R&R,limited as it is.  While at the bar Smash will catch up on any news and scuttlebutt.


OCC: 23:44, Today: Smash Glee rolled 14 using 2d6+2.  Streetwise .

23:43, Today: Smash Glee rolled 9 using 2d6+3.  Carouse .

They discuss Bannerji and the Wollblutn from two wees ago, they discuss the Mammoth and the Titan. How the Titan was carrying a cargo for Aramis that was transferred to Mammoth for delivery when Titan had engine problems! The Titan was not incapacitated according to one of the men in the bar he had personally certified the drives in excellent working order. Bothe Akerut ships.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:39, Thu 30 Sept 2021.

In reply to Nerull (msg # 37):

What exactly do they know about Bannerji and the Wollblutn?

He rubs them the wrong way, he's a total asshole. He treats everyone badly or with indifference. He was here two weeks ago and talked about the Mammoth explosion.

- An asshole he is, that's for sure, - Danila nodded. - He is indebted to our friends, by the way. Do you by any chance know who he talked to before leaving or what he was looking for here?

"He spent his time with Akerut people."
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:39, Thu 30 Sept 2021.

- And what reputation do the Akerut people have here?



Danila sat down with the technician.
- I was on Aramis when the Mammoth fell. They blamed everything on one engineer - I don't remember her name. Very suspicious. And when was the Titan certification carried out and by which company?

The man at the bar turned, "I certified her, right before the 'problem' was noted, Now I'm going to be blamed for fucking it up! I didn't! She was ship shape!"

Danila looks around to see if everyone in the bar has collars with buttons as they bought, or not.

Almost everyone has a collar button.

I'm confused - what ship the man inspected, Titan or Mammoth?

Titan, she was carrying a military cargo of Meson Guns to Aramis. She failed and the Mammoth was given the cargo to deliver. The Meson guns are assumed lost and Akerut just got paid for the loss of Mammoth.

- And what do they want to accuse you of? You've certified Titan, but he's okay. It was Mammoth that fell, not Titan.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:17, Thu 30 Sept 2021.

"Would you believe in my certification again if I passed it and an engineer gain sayed me? She said there was something wrong with MY work!"

- So far it is only her word against your word. If you ask me, then I would appoint a commission to check the engineer's report. Didn't your company do the same?

"She's gone, with the Mammoth! Can't challenge it, it's just in my record now!"

Danila ordered a drink for the engineer.
- It's at my expense.
- So, the Titan was fine, but the Titan engineer rejected it. After that, the cargo from Titan was reloaded to Mammoth, and the engineer also moved to Mammoth, right? After that, Titan had to be rechecked again. What did the check reveal after the report of the engineer? Did Titan eventually have to be repaired, or was it as good as your report showed?
This message was last edited by the player at 13:37, Thu 30 Sept 2021.

"She had been sabotaged! Nothing significant, but enough to throw off a jump!"

- A sabotage? That's serious. Have you seen the report what damage was inflicted, and, most important, when? If the sabotage happened after your certification, you have nothing to fear.
- What was the name of the engineer who rejected your certification, by the way?
This message was last edited by the player at 13:44, Thu 30 Sept 2021.

"Jelika Chan. That was her name! Little bitch sabotaged her own engines!"

- Ah, I heard that name. The authorities on Aramis conducted an investigation. Did you see the news? They said the ship fell because of incompetence of the chief engineer Jelika Chan. I think that alone should justify you in the eyes of your boss.

"The board on the Mammoth said what? HER incompetence caused the crash? They take her license?"

Danila initiated a history search on his mobile phone.
- I don't know the details. If I remember correctly, she was blamed of everything, the authorities were looking for her and she was in hiding.

Smash mood darkened upon hearing the circumstances surrounding how the Mammoth obtained her final cargo At least the crew of the Titan didn't suffer  fate of the Mammoth and its crew. Someone went to a lot of trouble to get that cargo on the Mammoth. I think that Jelika Chan,probably not her real name, had help in order to pull this off. The question is who?

Occ: In retrospect can Smash recall anything happened on the Mammoth that could shed some light ?

He knew Jelika, but had no dealings with her. She seemed competent, who knew, she was a great actor as well. Smash was on the last escape pod to evacuate the Mammoth!

In reply to Nerull (msg # 60):

"Makes me curious," Khuevaengh growled, "I'd love to see the timing, at least the broad strokes. I suspect that Mammoth may have made a detour to offload those guns, and probably this Chan, since she was never actually seen on Aramis, then maybe sent in on autopilot and rigged to explode. As one engineer to another, this cur doesn't sound incompetent, she sounds downright malicious and dangerous."

- Good point, - Danila nodded to Khuevaengh, then he turned back to the technician:
- Do you remember, when was Titan certified, when was it rejected by Jelika, and when and where was the cargo transferred to Mammoth?

"Twas certified on a Oneday, sabotaged and all on Threeday. Cargo was transferred over the next two days."

- Was it certified on Aramis?

"Here, to Aramis."

- What date was it certified?

"One day's the same as the next, I'd have to read the log to know that."

"Huh. Guns were supposed to be on a ship that blew up. Nowhere to be found, now. And strange things going on with the engineer on both ships. Funny smell on that one." He pondered. "Some kind of insurance fraud scheme, maybe? Or just theft - they're worth something to someone, I imagine? Maybe they never really got transferred at all. But you'd need more than just an engineer for a scheme like that,"" Carver suggested. "And then - they'd still be on the Titan? Or transferred to another ship, most likely. Maybe sold already."

Meanwhile, Frederick asked the bartender where it would be best to look for a buyer for the Trake.

A man at the bar speaks to Danilla, "How much, I own one of the finest wineries on Zila! Give me a price if it is Pysadi!"

(It was Frederick who was asking)
Frederick had no idea what price could be, but he remembered that normally cost of fruits is about 10% of cost of standard non-exclusive bottled wine, and their current expenses on Trake, including the transportation, were 1700 Cr per ton. But, this is the Trake from Pysadi, so he decided to haggle.
"Yes, the Trake is from Pysadi, delivered a few hours ago. We have 18 tons which were kept in the standard cargo compartment, depressurized. And, we have exclusive 2 tons of Trake which were kept frozen in the low berths! What about 60 000 Cr for the whole lot of 20 tons?"

"How about 45,000cr, I have to make a profit too? I'm feeling generous, 50,000!"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:43, Sat 02 Oct 2021.

In reply to Gustav Fireau (msg # 72):

"Okay, 50 000 and you tell me at what best price we could buy a ton of your finest wine and what is its selling price away from Zila", - Frederick agreed.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:41, Sat 02 Oct 2021.

"Well, . . . . it is considered to be Akerut property to ship, they have the monopoly, I say we break the monopoly, I'll give you my best price on 5 tuns of wine, 12,500CR, in the right place, it is worth 35,000Cr. Aramanx!"

In reply to Danila (msg # 66):

"I was involved in the overhaul of Titan’s J-drives after Mammoth departed. I swear her chief engineer must have been totally incompetent and wonder how she ever earned her papers in the first place. Most of the drive wear seemed to be relatively recent, the result of extreme low temperature metal fatigue. ‘Only an idiot’", he proclaims, "‘would leave L-hyd valves open after a jump-it’s one of the first things you learn.’ But this, apparently, is what Mammoth’s engineer did."

"Mammoth’s regular chief engineer was an old hand, well known at the starport. But during the ship’s layover, the chief engineer was waylaid in an alley by some local thugs and roughed up. He  was in the hospital for six weeks and when Mammoth was due to lift, the vacancy was filled by none other than Titan’s chief engineer herself. I'm sure that this bumbler – who, I understand, was newly assigned to the Titan at Inthe and unknown to any of the regulars on board – probably did something equally incompetent to cause the Mammoth crash. Pulling her engineer’s papers is letting her off far too easily."

In reply to Gustav Fireau (msg # 74):

"But what price if it is sold on Carsten?"

"Carsten has a very cold climate and a very thin oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere tainted by low oxygen levels. The planet is a lawless mining world whose major resource is radioactives. Small pockets of ore allow the local small prospecting companies to make a good living. Sound like a good place to sell wine to you?"

In reply to Gustav Fireau (msg # 77):

"Sounds like a place for real men. Do you produce rum maybe?"

In reply to Danila (msg # 78):

The man furrowed his brow and wrinkled his nose as he shook his head no.

In reply to Gustav Fireau (msg # 79):

"Alright, the Trake deal is fixed, and give me a night to think over the wine", - Frederick exchanged contacts with Gustav.

Andrew will visit the ISS run trading station to check on any trade opportunities as well as any news and rumors

During all this discussion, the Akerut crewmen at the nearest table have plainly been hearing bits and pieces, and are seen casting sidelong glances towards the bar. One of the Oberlindes crew also seems to have taken notice; he comes over and invites the characters to join his group at their table and swap some news.

The Oberlindes group is a friendly bunch. They are very frustrated just now; their ship, the Margin of Profit, broke down five weeks ago, The problem is too complicated for the local starport: to cope with and it is distinctly possible that Akerut has put some pressure on the starport to stall the parts orders, just to cause trouble (Akerut and Tukera, one of the Oberlindes people remarks, are not too happy with recent Oberlindes expansion into the Aramis subsector).

‘Normally a five-week vacation would not be so bad, even on Zila, but on this trip the ship’s got VIPs aboard – old man Oberlindes himself and his chief assistant, Arrlanroughl.’ Before things get much further, the group notices that the rest of the bar has fallen silent. A couple of Akerut crewmen, plainly a little worse for drink, have sauntered over near the table. They begin to make loud comments to each other, calling the March Harrier a ‘fat sow too slow to win anything but a garbage contract and so old that it is only the rust that holds it together.’
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:49, Sat 02 Oct 2021.

Smash will look over a the two would be antagonists for signs that these Akerut or even Vememe operative rather than rank and file crewmen. He will glance toward Gvoudzon and or any other potentially provoked crew member "Don't mind these clean shaven boys. They want to start a fight so their boyfriends in the police force can rescue them"

In reply to Smash Glee (msg # 83):

‘But it’s a good thing the March Harrier turned up – maybe we can give her the garbage run and have Margin of Profit hauled off with the rest of the refuse.’ At this, the Oberlindes crew jumps into action and a brawl breaks out.

Danila continued drinking his beverage, bending down occasionally when a chair flew over his head, or quickly removing the bottle from the table right before some body fell on the table in front of him.
- What do you think, mister Glee, should we maybe join this exercise, or just chill out watching? - he asked phlegmatically.

OOC:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2bVAGMwi8M&t=14s

ooc - nice!

In reply to Danila (msg # 85):

OCC This is reminding me of the bar fight scene from 'Trouble with Trebles' episode of Star trek TOS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHiJXfQ1z9Y

"As much as I feel for the guys I think they are being played by Akerut.   

Tal jumps in to help the Oberlindes spacers! Beating one guy unconscious with a single swing!

Haha, yes, it's even better.

In reply to Danila (msg # 89):

The police come in with batons swinging! The brawl is quickly over with 4 cops taking Tal down, it took them all!

"Who started this?" the head of the police asks. The bartender and Akerut guys point to the Oberlindes and crew of the Harrier, Oberlindes and you point to the Akerut crew. You are arrested for the overnight lockup, they were regulars!

The next morning, even before any of the legal services can intervene to assist the characters, they are bailed out of jail, along with the Oberlindes crew. All their fines are paid and the damages as well.

Their benefactor is none other than Marc hault-Oberlindes, the owner of the line. Having heard of the fight, he and Arrlanroughl made arrangements – which involved a lot of cash – to smooth things over. He felt he owed it to the group for getting them involved in the ongoing enmity between the Oberlindes and Tukera lines. Anyway, he wants to make them an offer he thinks will be worth their while.

Oberlindes Lines currently bases their Aramis subsector operations at Paya; now that Oberlindes is expanding its business in the subsector, it requires a more centrally located headquarters. He and Arrlanroughl are currently in the process of personally supervising the opening of new Oberlindes offices, to be established at Aramanx starport.

Unfortunately he, Arrlanroughl and a cargo of computer records and other material have been stalled here at Zila for several weeks. He wants to arrange passage for himself and Arrlanroughl, plus their cargo (50 tons) through to Aramanx. He is willing to pay well – high passages to Carsten and Aramanx for each, plus a guarantee to pay for March Harrier’s whole cargo space for the whole trip. Thus, with a partial load, they receive as much as they normally would for a full one and that is not a deal to be casually ignored. All Oberlindes asks for in return is speed – as much speed as the March Harrier can make, even if it means skimming fuel at Carsten and passing up a planetfall there.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:42, Sun 03 Oct 2021.

- Too late! - Danila said to Smash, - After Tal joined a fight, it is not a fight anymore, it is battering and punishment. Cheers! (Another body fell nearby). Ouch, that was a rough landing! You know, I have no anger on the Akerut guys anymore, I just feel sorry for them. I think we should call an ambulance, too...



- Hey, officer, I didn't even stand up from the table! What?! Okay, okay, don't touch me, I'll go myself! (Bastards!)
This message was last edited by the player at 12:05, Sun 03 Oct 2021.

"We need you and your ship and we're willing to pay!"

- Deal! The whole cargo hold you said... That is 144 tons, or 432 000 Cr to Aramanx. Plus 40 000 Cr for two high passages, 472 000 Cr total. And you don't mind if we carry other passengers or cargos besides yours, do you?
- However, if you want speed, then skimming fuel at Carsten might be not the fastest way, because it is usually faster to cross a gravity shadow of a smaller planet than one of a gas giant, plus we can refuel refined fuel on the planet, not waiting for the onboard refinery.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:36, Sun 03 Oct 2021.

"Just get me there now, time is money and I don't have time, we can load and be ready to depart this afternoon!"

Danila sent a message to the captain (and the team), describing the Oberlindes's offer. And added:
- Frederick is ready to sign a deal with the local winery owner, Gustav Fireau. The plan is that March Harrier picks up 25 tones of the wine, moves it to Aramanx, sells it there and only then pays to Gustav. Gustav gets 50% of the selling price (after taxes and insurance) which will be send to him via the Imperial mail service. The price on Aramanx is 60 000 - 75 000, that means we can win up to 30 000 per ton. However, it should be noted that all this became possible due to the fact that Akerut maintains a monopoly here - they buy the local wines at 12 000 and sell it at +500% margin on Aramanx. Gustav wants to break the monopoly. I bet that if we are into it, we gonna cross some serious moneybags. However again, Frederick believes that our move would be perfectly legal.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:11, Sun 03 Oct 2021.

In reply to Danila (msg # 96):

A good job both of you. As for trouble we may  aware already facing it.  I suspect that trouble that plagued the 'Margin of Profit' may plague us as well. If you propose additional passengers be aware that our VIPs have enemies that could try to sneak a saboteur aboard. I do not want what happened to the 'Mammoth'to happen to us

"I'll guard the ship captain!"

In reply to Andrew Steward Copeland (msg # 97):

- Alright, mark what we will pick up and what we will leave behind:

1) Oberlindes, his partner, and his cargo, 50 tons. Profit ca 260 KCr to the Operating Fund (after the subsidy payment).
2) The Gustav's wine, 25 tons. Profit up to 750 KCr to the Shadow Fund.
3) Speculative trade - some commodities (textiles), about 60 tons. Profit ca 175 KCr to the Shadow Fund. They are already in the spaceport so will not slow us down.
4) High / middle passengers. Profit ca 75 KCr to the Operating Fund (after the subsidy payment).
5) Low passengers. Profit ca 11 KCr to the Operating Fund (after the subsidy payment).
This message was last edited by the player at 18:43, Sun 03 Oct 2021.

In reply to Danila (msg # 99):

"Sounds like I need to be on the top of my game for a few weeks."

OCC: Can I assume that nothing productive came from Andrew's visit to the ISS trade stations? While there he will check for outgoing mail

"Can we get the Wine loaded before we need to take off? If we can get the other passengers on board on time we will need to take extra security measure to make sure no harm come to our ship or the VIPs. Make sure to have a least one of the crew assigned to mind our VIPs and have chief engineer check the ship for potential sabotage. "


22:39, Today: Andrew Steward Copeland rolled 13 using 2d6+7. Mail Check 12+.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:03, Mon 04 Oct 2021.

I answered that, but I guess it was Danila asking it, no new rumors other than what you have!

You have mail.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:22, Mon 04 Oct 2021.

How much mail?

In reply to Danila (msg # 103):

roll it.

Frederic checks to see if there are buyers willing to quickly buy Howood. He offered 5000 Cr per ton.

OCC:07:08, Today: Andrew Steward Copeland rolled 2 using 1d6. Mail.

Would we have time to drop off or pick up mail at Carsten?

"No."

Meanwhile, Frederick sold the Howood and Danila ordered to load on the ship:

High Passengers (Oberlindes and his companion) 2
Low Passengers 9

Oberlindes's cargo 50 t
Gustav's wine 25 t
Mail to Aramanx 10 t
Textiles (commodities bought via SF) 51 t
Luxury Consumables (commodities bought via SF) 4 t

All the cargo was thoroughly checked by Tal Atvar, Danila and security team. Every low passenger was personally searched and escorted by Tal Atvar to the low berth and was put in the cryogenic sleep one by one. Danila did not allow any other middle nor high passengers on the ship except Oberlindes and his companion.
Additionally, Frederick bought insurance for the wine and commodities.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:26, Mon 04 Oct 2021.

In reply to Marc hault-Oberlindes, Baron Feri, (msg # 107):

"Very well sir. We will get yolu to your destination as fast as the laws of physics and entropy allow us"

Andrew will confer with Danila regarding passengers and cargo. Mr Bodrov you and the crew are making good progress. As soon as we are loaded up and Mr Arvel gives us the green light we are go "

In reply to Andrew Steward Copeland (msg # 109):

Alyx busies himself making sure that the ship is properly stocked to make the distingushed guests as comfortable as possible during the three weeks to Aramanx, taking care to lay in extra in case of any delays.

He welcomes Oberlindes and his assistant aboard and will make small talk to help them feel comfortable, playing up their potential common interests. "I hear you've been granted demense on Feri, the very world where I happen to have been born and grown up. You must have greatly impressed the emperor to be granted such a lovely world."


What happened with the Anolas?

They're running wild, one appears to have adopted the Baron!

In reply to Andrew Steward Copeland (msg # 109):

Looking at the cargo manifest, Danila said:
- We gonna be rich men, when (if) we get to Aramanx...

"No we're not, we'll just be more independent. With enough money, we can buy our own ship and ditch this rust bucket, though it is a fine ship, it is owned by others."

"Let's hope for the best gentlemen"  Andrew will monitor the anolas to make sure they don't damage the ship or annoy the passengers.

Meanwhile, Danila planned a course to the local gas giant in order to skim fuel, then two jumps to Carsten (targeting the planet in order to refuel at the space station) and finally the third jump to Aramanx.

- Get ready to dive in the gas giant, - Danila declared. - It's gonna be some rough ride and that means... fun!

Andrew grined at his chief pilot "Fun you say? Try gas diving with a S class scout built when the our Emperor,  long may he reign, was a child . My copilot referred to it as 'gas surfing '.

In reply to Andrew Steward Copeland (msg # 116):

Danila nodded approvingly.
- Your bid for victory is not easy to overcome. So... Let's double stakes! Entering the gas giant at escape velocity - saving few hours on breaking and accelerating. And if I don’t lose the Launch, you promise to raise my salary. Provided, of course, that we stay alive. Deal? Hahaha!

In reply to Danila (msg # 117):

It may be too soon to discuss payoll restructure. I am however to put part of my next paycheck on the line  just to see if your skill matches up with  your ego. I thinking ,say, 300cr. What say you swabbie?

In reply to Andrew Steward Copeland (msg # 118):

- Hahaha! You know that I will never risk a ship or a team, diving in the gas giant at high velocity, unless I have to or am ordered to. But now you know that if you give such an order - I will be happy!
This message was last edited by the player at 10:47, Wed 06 Oct 2021.

In reply to Danila (msg # 119):

"I imagine you are" says Andrew "I myself tried not add risks to missions that were often hazardous to begin with.  We should take this opportunity to get the rust off those combat pilot skills because we may need them soon."

In reply to Andrew Steward Copeland (msg # 120):

"Speaking of hazards, we seem to be following our old friend's vacation route. Aramanx was not on his itinerary but he has a cousin there who wanted to see him."



Any progress on the decryption protocol?

In reply to Khuevaengh (msg # 121):

Yes, but decryption is slow. More and more is coming out.

In reply to Nerull (msg # 122):

Can we pull anything about Carsten or Aramanx?

When all checks were completed, Danila put the spacecraft into orbit of the gas giant and carefully dived into the hydrogen atmosphere.

12:46, Today: Danila rolled 9 using 2d6+3.  Fuel skimming.

Meanwhile, Frederick performed the calculations of the jumps to Carsten:

12:57, Today: Frederick Vicouna rolled 9 using 2d6+5.  Astrogation, Jump #1.
12:57, Today: Frederick Vicouna rolled 15 using 2d6+5.  Astrogation, Jump #2.


Edit: we are jumping to Carsten first where we have to refuel at the spaceport.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:01, Thu 07 Oct 2021.