IC thread

While he wasn't sure it was his 'responsibility', being on comms, it made sense to peruse the local news that was sent to the ship. Mostly he was looking for the equivalent of 'traffic reports' and current or recent police and political announcements. The last thing they wanted to do was get caught with their pants down, particularly if it was now a felony to be caught with your pants down!

Upcoming shows, concerts, performances and similar events might also be of interest to the crew. You never knew when one of your crew might be a fan of the Rat Poison space rock band that was having a concert that evening. Or maybe there was a meeting of the local Vogon Poetry Society.

He was never surprised any more about what showed up in the newscasts.

In reply to Yuri Argonov (msg # 2):

The local ballet was performing in a few days, tickets locally are a hot commodity, they love the ballet.

Beto roamed the bridge, looking at what people did. She heard Yuri mentioning cultural stuff. She felt tired after the re-entry stress. She approached the captain's seat for a chit-chat.

"After the sensor repairs, we may want to decree a 3-days break on this World, who has fresh food, so fair gastronomy in good restaurants.
The crew will probably split into like-minded small groups, doing tourism.
Who could resist a one-week confinement? It's an achievement we're not getting crazy!", she wondered.

Baris considered the recommendation thoughtfully, "Repairs first, I prefer neither a repeat of that alarm nor a lack of alarm when there is an imminent danger. But once they are done, then a three-day shore leave sounds a solid plan. If there are crew who cannot help with repairs, they should take it first so we can retain a skeleton crew at all times..."

He trailed off, speaking more quietly, "It may be I will need some recovery time, for I'm thinking that taking the Rejuvium is less of a luxury and more a necessity"

Whilst Beto considered her response, he swiftly entered the parameters for Gladys to aid Yuri and Carmichael with their information gathering on the world and its potential Gladys is an Intellect with Brokerage 1, so planning on using her to speed up sifting through information so they have potentially wider coverage

Beto readied to suggest they took Rejuvium at the same time, both cared for by Nicodemus; but then she realized that if things went wrong, it would be a bad idea to have the top 2 "executives" down...
It was also wise for the captain to try Rejuvium where he could be transported to a local hospital in case of emergency, instead of taking the drug during jump time.
She would have to wait to get to Iryao for taking Rejuvium herself.

Beto nodded to the captain, then moved boxes around on her pad, which she presented him. It looked like this :

Nora'a stage : 96 hours

group 0 : Nicodemus and Baris - stay on med-bay all time
(what happens in the OLH stays in the OLH...)

1st - 48 hours :
Group 1 : Daphne, Anzha, Yuri, Beto
sensors repairs + ship maintenance; then off duty
Group 2 : Bannacor, Carmichael, Khor Ruhn, Oscar
50% off duty 50% looking for mail, passengers, cargo

2nd - 48 hours :
Group 1 off duty
Group 2 75% off duty; 25% loading mail, passengers, cargo


"Something like that", she frowned. "Did Nicodemus tell you how long he'd have to watch you? We could stay here as long as needed. We could then move to lowport to pay less berthing rights"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:58, Thu 01 Apr 2021.

"Your schedules look fine", affirmed Baris, "But let's wait for the crew to confirm which repairs are needed, and how long. We might skip down to the low port sooner rather than later, depending on cargo and passenger options"

"Aye-aye," said Daphne, unstrapping and getting up from the pilot's seat. She rolled her shoulders, a bit stiff from oversitting. Shore leave sounded just fine.

"I'm not very good with sensors, sorry. Back in the Navy my commanding officer decided I was more suited for Comms - sexist pig said something like, 'you have a nice voice, cutie, better stick to radio'. Anyway. I guess I'll go take care of general maintenance then?"

She turned to leave, then remembered something, turned around again and patted the butt of the Gauss gun at her hip.

"Anyone knows if this thing is legal on Nora'a, or should I leave it in my cabin before I go on shore leave?"

"According to the Traveller's Guide, it should be legal as long as it isn't concealed," Yuri responds to Daphne.

"However, the terminology is a bit iffy. 'Concealable'. Not 'Concealed'. So, I'm not sure if your weapon would fall under the former, even if you don't conceal it. The fact that you CAN might make it illegal."

"The planet is under a single government rule, so the laws should apply everywhere. But, there again, 'Law 52, paragraph 6, subparagraph 4, clause 9, subclause 3' might state 'except when hunting in the Skarval Preserve', for all I know. Laws can get tricky. There might be exceptions for certain occupations, or for certain towns, or even for certain churches!"

"I read once that on the planet Montver, the law said you HAD to carry a gun to church because of the threat of local 'savages'. Their term, not mine."

He turned back to the console and put the sensors and comms on standby before getting up.

"I think Anzha has already fixed the sensor glitch," he again says to Daphne. "We should double check it anyway. I, for one, would like to know just what the problem was and how she fixed it!"

In reply to Yuri Argonov (msg # 9):

Code was corrupted.

"All crew, suspend what you're doing and meet in 5 in the lounge, please.", Beto called on the intercom.

Five minutes later, the crew was sitting in the lounge. Five had taken place at the round table with Beto and Captain Dahl, three sat at the square table.

Beto wore her uniform and began pacing the floor.

"News and discussion, folks.

News first. Baris... Captain Dahl is going to try a treatment to cure the sequels of the wounds and exhaustion he suffered as a war hero - yet the Navy never followed up nor cared.
He promoted me to acting-captain in the interim, but still... if he gives you orders here and there, obey him."

The old lady did not try to hide her affection and concerns about Baris Dahl's health. There was more than met the eye between Beto and her commanding officer, 20 years her junior.

"Lady Arslan is acting 1st Officer, Bannacor acting 2nd Officer, and if we have to establish a watch - which looks unnecessary in a class-A starport like this..." - Beto checked her pad - "Dr Trask shall stand the fourth watch - he knows spacecrafts, engineering and led a hospital team... If he's not available, Yuri, you shall stand this watch."

"Point 2: you do remember we searched the ship for smuggler's caches. It was our first combined team effort, and everybody was fantastic. We found 100,000 credits, which are now in the ships funds, and a bag of pills, some of those happening to be functional drugs.

The captain, the doctor and myself decided to share the hoard of drugs with anyone in need, or who will need it when we fight close-combat. For example, if one of us looses a limb or an organ, there's a drug which might regenerate it. Quite useful.

We respect medical confidentiality, so if you think you need a drug, now or later, you shall take an appointment with doctor Trask. [Private Message him]

I'll now read the list. We have 3-5 pills of each. For obvious reasons, since most are highly illegal in many places and may be used to harm, we officialy ignore their existence aboard. You are not allowed to take notes or record this list in any way - I'll delete it on my pad when I'm finished reading. Just remember the few that may be useful to you. Okay?"

Beto went on to read the list in Notice: Drugs (group 3).

"Oh, right. If many people want the same drug and there's no health priority, investors in this ship have first pick. I let you figure the reason. Also, if there's still drug that we don't need - why is there so many drugs about psionics? There's no psionics aboard and the Zhodanis are 20 jumps away - and since we don't want to get caught with it, we'll either dump it or someone will take the risk to sell it, knowing that "the company will disavow any knowledge of your actions"

"Now on to the third and last subject. As you know, our next stage is Iryao, now in the Aslan Hierate. We're trying inter-state trading because it's complicated, so there's less competition, so there's more money to make.

Of course, there are that many issues, the first being the Aslans may refuse to allow us to trade, and we might come back empty. It's a completely different culture. Also, we don't know the reputation the previous crew, aka the thieves and drug smugglers, gave to the ship, when it was still named "Roarl-Ooargl"... and so on. It is almost certain for example, that the customs will inspect all the mail we may transport, looking for coded message to the Florian (human) underworld. So be irreproachable and make your bed, right?

Therefore...

The next jump week, we shall all learn the basics of Aslan language, and with it the fundamentals of their culture. Those who know the language already - I do not - will teach it to the others. When we reach Iryao - a dictatorship - I want everyone of us to be able to distinguish between "you're under arrest" and "you're welcome in this building" in Aslan, and understand the differences between "I will kill you" and "My sister likes you", and the importance of the order in which those sentences are uttered!", Beto joked.

She took her breath and continued : "Sorry for those of you who wanted to train in Gunnery. This week is going to be Aslan Grammar Week. And we'll dive into the Hierate with people who don't know the loose end of a cannon. That's life.

Meanwhile...

When the sensor repair is finished here, you are off-duty on Nora'a for the next 72 hours. Carry the ship's badge with you at all time, there's a locator in it and we want to locate your body if you are MIA.

Since you are all invested in the success of this endeavor, I know that every single person here will do his and her best to :
- look for passengers and freight to transport;
- obtain any profitable contract or mission
- discuss with other ship's crews to obtain tips about dealing with Iryao and the Hierate
- get any relevant information for our occupation

If you need suggestions on what to do, and how to employ your talents, just ask me! ;)

As it happens, it's mid-morning in Nora'a's Standard Time. We'll share our day's achievements tonight at dinner, 2100 at the TAS hotel. Tonight is the ship's fund treat!

Any questions?" She asked while seating at last.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:00, Tue 06 Apr 2021.

Daphne almost clapped in delight. Smuggler caches! Drugs! Drug money! That trip had it all.

"By the void, never a dull moment!" she laughed "This alone is more fun than a few year's worth of embassies. Well, I trust we can stay out of trouble as long as we don't run into whoever those drugs and stashes of cash belong to - ok, used to belong to. As of me, I think I might go do some meet and greet with the local authorities, just to keep my hand in with diplomatic matters."

With a smile and a nod to the others, she got up and walked unhurriedly off-ship and towards whatever level, sector or part of the Highport looked more official and upscale, strolling around in her flashy chromed suit. She was hoping it wouldn't be difficult to spot - the Feskal crowds would wear thin, and she'd expect to see more Barnai in their finery, as well as non-Florian diplomats and businessmen.

Whenever she found the local government offices, she'd drop by reception and give whoever greeted her a smile so casual and elegant it didn't look rehearsed.

"Good day, could you kindly announce the Countess Arslan, here to see the local world-administrator of the Florian League for Nora'a? Oh, nothing official, his or her excellency needs not worry, it is just a personal courtesy visit," she said airily, proppin a fist against a hip and smiling again.

---

13:35, Today: Countess Daphne Arslan rolled 8 using 2d6+2.  Diplomat to get an audience with the Nora'a admins.

"Greetings Countess, may I be of service to you?" the man asked you as he came in to greet you. He did not fawn over you though.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:49, Sat 03 Apr 2021.

Daphne was wearing her professionally enchanting smile.

"Why, thank you for receiving me so promptly. I know this is highly unexpected, but I just so happend to be in this system on a..."

She rolled her eyes dramatically and smiled equivocally, rounding it up with a wink.

"...Completely unofficial and absolutely personal capacity, as part of the crew of the good ship Old Lady's Hope. I was wondering if there was something, or someone, that you needed promptly transported or delivered on the Iryao route, discretion guaranteed. Although you must understand my presence here, and aboard the O.L.H., and in Iryao is, naturally, unofficial in the extreme, and I am just a private citizen for all practical effects..." she said, calculatedly trailing off.

With a tone that indicated the absolute oppostive, wink wink, nudge nudge.

In reply to Countess Daphne Arslan (msg # 14):

"No, we are not having diplomatic relations right now. They are still angry that Nora'a used to be theirs and they want it back." he smiled.

"The Florian League took it from the Glorious Empire but the Aslan look at it as theirs anyway. Going into Aslan space here is dangerous Countess!"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:57, Mon 05 Apr 2021.

Baris scribbled on his compad for a moment, the machine converting his elegant cursive style into a more readable font before he passed it to the Countess


This message was last edited by the player at 11:12, Tue 06 Apr 2021.

In reply to Baris Dahl (msg # 16):

"That would be looked upon favorably I believe."

Daphne took a quick look at Baris' note and nodded minutely.

"That can be a very mutually profitable opportunity, mister Balducci. Let us say, hypotethically, someone of high rank within Imperial aristocracy helped you re-establish unofficial, but effective, backchannels into the Aslan Hierate. Would you - again, hypothetically - be open to negotiate such a deal?"

She gave him her professional smile, encouraging but non-commital.

In reply to Countess Daphne Arslan (msg # 18):

His smile dissolved, "Whatever do you mean? Are you proposing a bribe?"

Daphne tsked her tongue slightly, shaking her head with a faint smile, as if the man had just said something mildly ridiculous.

"Please, mister Balducci. There is no need to be insulting. All I mean here is to find a way to help, even in my off-duty time from the Diplomatic Corps."

In reply to Countess Daphne Arslan (msg # 20):

"Would putting you on salary be enough to garner this favor?" he says hopefully.

Anzha had been quiet, trying to stay inconspicuous despite her height and simply following along, watching and listening.  At this point she became not only curious as to what Balducci had in mind, but she also wanted to be useful to the crew.  So she opened her mind to see if she could literally see what he had in his...

---

She will activate her Read Surface Thoughts talent, costs 2 points within 3 meters, another point out to 12 meters, so do that just in case.

17:00, Today: Anzha rolled 8 using 2d6. Not sure what modifiers, "Average" Difficulty.

In reply to Anzha (msg # 22):

"Please, mister Balducci," the countess said for the second time. Her tone was still velvety, but there was a bit of an edge where the velvet was wearing out, revealing something harder underneath.

"Do I look like I need, or want, to be a salarywoman?" she smiled, as if the were word was a joke to her. "I am offering a favor, in case I can be useful to the cause of preserving galactic peace and smooth trade between empires, and in so doing I was hoping you understood the true value of such favors, which naturally goes beyond - how did you put it? Oh yes, a salary. But naturally, if you would rather deal with... salaried servants, I shall wish you good luck and steal no more of your valuable time."

Her fingernails rapped on the table, once.

In reply to Countess Daphne Arslan (msg # 24):

"Please, I did not mean to offend, just that I don't know what you mean."

Keeping her mind open as long as she can to see if Balducci gives up any more, Anzha then sends to Daphne, relaying what she learned.

---

14:59, Today: Anzha rolled 11 using 2d6. Send Thoughts

Beside the two women, the Captain quirked a single bushy eyebrow. He said nothing, enjoying watching what the young naval midshipswoman had become, and wondering what it was the Anzha had spotted with her intense gaze

In reply to Baris Dahl (msg # 27):

He quietly waits for what she is actually offering. His instincts were just not working well. She wasn't offering a bribe or be bribed and she wasn't interested in the money. She just wanted the fame and recognition?

Daphne nodded almost imperceptibly to Anzha as she whispered the information, and stood there, letting the silence thicken, impassibly studying Balducci's features. Then she smiled suddenly, her warm solar smile.

"No offence taken, mister Balducci. We are both well-versed in the idiosyncrasy of galatic diplomacy - so I think we both know the value of the favor you are asking for, and how no monetary value can be properly attached to it, that it might reflect its true worth? So, if we have that understanding, I shall be happy to perform this favor - as long as you remember you do owe us a similar favor."

She nodded, still smiling, her voice deceptively casual.

"One day, sooner or later, I shall ask for that favor back, and I trust you will deliver, mister Balducci, using whatever clout and power is in your hands. Do we have a deal?"

"Yes, yes, thank you! Thank you very much!" he smiles ear to ear rising and shaking your hand with both of his.

Daphne rose, matching Balducci's smile and handshake with one of her own.

"I celebrate the fact that we reached an understanding, mister Balducci. We should set a way to communicate directly and securely, so I can tell you when my negotiations are complete. Other than that, I think that was all. Any recommendations to see and do, here in Nora'a?"

In reply to Countess Daphne Arslan (msg # 31):

"That is a very good idea Ambassador Countess Arslan. I can be reached at this address." he hands her a paper with his electronic mail address.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:55, Sun 18 Apr 2021.

Beto reschedules the dinner at the TAS, taking into account the outing at the opera. Given that it's not a formal meeting, she's happy to not wear the OLH's corporate uniform, which confuses her to no end ("why am I wearing a white uniform and not the Navy's dark? Did I betray the Service? Oh wait..."), and wears a dazzling cocktail dress that was fashionable 20 years ago.

What is everyone else doing?

"Thank you, mister Balducci," Daphne smiled, taking the piece of paper between two fingers and sliding it into the neckline of her spacesuit with a practice gesture.

"Perhaps you would care to join us at the opera tonight? I am sure you can find us some decent seats, dear sir -  and perhaps, if I may abuse your goodwill, you could be persuaded upong to introduce us to some of the local celebrities?"

* * *

A few hours later, Daphne reappears from her shopping trip, sequesters herself in her cabin and re-emerges ready for the opera.

"I know, I know, it's a bit basic," she says with a sigh, addressing the others. "I wanted something a bit edgier, but alas, I'm still burdened with my professional wardrobe... oh well. Ladies, tell me you're not wearing pink as well, please?"

She smooths a couple of mostly imaginary wrinkles in the fabric and smiles.

"So, everyone ready? Shall we?"

Bannacor wears a black tuxedo with tails, he offers his hand to Daphne's elbow. "My lady?"

In reply to Bannacor (msg # 36):

Guiseppe and his wife meet you at the opera, dressed elegantly, her in a cream dress, him in more modest suit with a vest and tie.

"Mister Bannacor. Why, thank you," she says with a smile, sliding her hand in place. Then she dedicated a little nod to Mr. and Mrs. Balducci.

"Thank for joining us. Let us enjoy the night, then."

Daphne sits back and enjoys the opera, finally being able to just take it in at her own pace, without having to keep constantly ready to slide the right remark or catch some revealing little snippet of conversation. It felt good to work for herself instead of the Diplomatic Corps - and to be able to enjoy her free time in her own terms, rather than "keeping proper decorum pertaining to a servant of the Imperium &tc" as per Section 72, Paragaph B.

Beto Arark was happy to leave the limelight to the Countess Arslan. She sat at the back of the box, half following the opera - despite her intelligence, foreign languages had always been an issue for her -, half examining reports on her pad : refueling, crew liberty rotation, restock, maintenance, papers, system reports, passages sold by Carmichael, reports on the captain's health, other updates. She raised an eyebrow at Yuri's report, and decided to discuss the subject later. She cancelled the dinner reservation at the TAS hotel; if they were still hungry after the reception, they would go to a fast-food.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:38, Wed 21 Apr 2021.

"Mister Balducci," she whispered in the man's ear.

It was rather unnecessary to do so, as she could just have spoken in a slightly hushed tone from her seat, and that would have sufficed; and yet she went with the conceit of having to whisper, which meant she had to get closer, which meant giving him a chance to smell her perfume and get a tantalising glimpse at her dress, or the bits of her not covered by said dress, from a vantage point.

"Mister Balducci," she said, then, in her unnecessarily husky tone, "may I introduce you to my honorable associate, Mrs. Beto Arark? She is an exceedingly knowledgeable woman in many and very varied branched of business. I am sure you would both profit immensely from a chance to collaborate closely."

Daphne extended a languid arm towards the elderly lady, charming smile on, eyelashes fluttering, inviting her into the conversation - as if the happy idea had just occurred to her.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:33, Tue 27 Apr 2021.

The receptions at the Opera are noted in the Nora'a society for their exquisite taste, that captivates their guests. Beto - who was hungry - picked up a delicacy looking like a chocolate walnut, and felt a taste sensation, rich, luxurious, unique. She waved to the chief waiter : "Monsieur, wiz zese chocolates you are really spoiling us"



But then she was introduced to "Mister Balducci" who, for someone who was supposed to be an important planet administrator, did not look very impressive. The real power of a planet conquered from another state probably resided by the naval and military bases.

Beto Arark, briefed by "Ambassador Countess Arslan", did some salutations to Mr and Mrs Balducci, then went to the point :

"We understand how important this endeavor is for the Government of Nora'a, and we will do our best to serve its interests. The success of it lies largely on the trips of our ship - The Old Lady's Hope -, both on the planet and around it, not being hindered by bureaucracy and other police checks and inspections. Sometimes - before they are revealed to the general public - the processes of negotiations, how winding they might seem, have to remain discreet. This coming from a former news reporter.", winked the former journalist.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:45, Sun 02 May 2021.

"Oh I'm so sorry, I was distracted by the opera, it is simply beautiful, yes, yes, quite, we simply must get some semblance of normalcy with the Aslan. I'll smooth the way as best as I can."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:07, Sun 02 May 2021.

In reply to Guiseppe Balducci (msg # 42):

"I'll mark your words, Mr Balducci", insisted Beto. "I hope we don't have to call you for help or influence, but our mission might demand it."
The old lady sat heavily on a chair, observed that the no-barefoot Contessa was still socializing, and waved to Bannacor :
"Please round up the crew, the lady last, and get them into some cabs and back to our ship. It's late and we still have some debriefing to do".

She also calls Yuri back to the ship

===> goto A3Lc Far Trader OLH thread

Daphne smiled warmly, slipped in some polite and encouraging comments here and there, and took her leave when she sensed Beto was done and the soiree had yielded all the results it was going to yield. It was so easy, and to a certain extent, so comforting, to fall back on the old instincts, so intensively trained during the last fifteen years.

Perhaps she was missing a note of rebelliousness, some drunken debauchery to top off the night and act as a palate-cleanser from the formality of the whole business, but she decided against it. Too soon, too early into her new career to start pushing it.

So she left the party and headed back to the ship, humming an epic aria to herself.

Nora'a's downport starport, Far Trader Old Lady's Hope
=========================================================
Beto checked the time again. Yuri's team had left two hours ago, so they should have reached the estate now. The Trader would clear the same 600 klicks in 40 minutes only, but they had agreed to give the recon team one hour to clear the place and gather the guests.

Unless the recon team met some problem as soon as they arrived, and called for rescue.

So the cargo was loaded, the regular passengers had boarded. Airlocks were shut, the motors were warm, the Far Trader was ready to leave the starport and the request for the permission to take off was one push of a button away.

And they were waiting, either for 20 minutes to go by, or for a message from the purple-eyed agent, modifying the schedule.

Beto scanned the bridge for the umpteenth time, noticed the crew at their positions, ready to lift the ship. The countess had finished acting as a steward [OOC : hey Daphne, I suggest you roll your Steward skill to see how good you were ;)]

Beto reached for the intercom. The captain Dahl and herself had greeted the passengers, so there was no need to introduce themselves. She took a mather-of-fact tone and lied:
"Mmh, dear passengers, we're still waiting for the clearance to go, from the 'port authorities. It seems the traffic is dense today. We should take off within the next half-hour, then we'll short-stop on the surface to load an additional cargo, but after that fly directly into space."

In case anyone asked what this additional cargo was, the instruction was to reply "Art works and antiques that couldn't be transported to the starport".
This message was last edited by the player at 13:11, Sat 22 May 2021.

Beto gathered the captain and the pilot-countess for a quick brainstorming session

"How do we organize the voyage to the estate? If Daphne files a flight plan, this would look less suspicious, but then an investigation could go up to them. Do we try to muddle things by mistaking the boarding coordinates? And Daphne, do we fly under the radars, and if yes, at what moment?"

Getting everyone on board was a breeze, surprisingly easier than expected. Then again, Daphne thought to herself, herding passengers wasn't that different from herding foreign representatives - easier, in some ways, as everyone was only there representing themselves, rather than the interests and prerrogatives of imperial powers. Refreshing, in a way, and she had always liked playing hostess.

"Oh, interesting questions," she replied to Beto once everyone was settled, winking a cheeky eye at her. "Lucky thing you have an incompetent aristo on board. Suppose you had this super rich, totally airheaded bitch who wants to play starship pilot for a day, yes? She's paying through the nose for the privilege, so you grudgingly let her play with the controls, punch in whatever wrong coordinates she thinks are right, fly under radars, the works. Suppose she gets caught in it - naturally your first impulse would be to step in and make ammends with the Aslan air controllers, but she insists on using the radio. It's immediately obvious to the Aslan that they're dealing with some rich, bored bitch - and who in their right mind would bring such a person onboard? Not some covert mission operatives, surely. So let her get on their nerves a bit, then you may wrestle the radio from her and step in, red-faced, to apologize and stuff."

Daphne made pouty lips, doing her best dumb impression.

"Would work, or am I too brunette for it?"

---

12:23, Today: Countess Daphne Arslan rolled 10 using 2d6+1.  Stewarding (sorry, I only rolled 1d6 last time).

In reply to Countess Daphne Arslan (msg # 47):

[OOC let's assume Baris is OK with that, since our work as players is to go along and facilitate the other players' input and narration :D ]

Beto laughed so loud she had to hold her ribs together.
"Oh oh, draw the attention in order to be unnoticed... that's a plan, urh urh... Just don't call Nora'a's human AT Controllers 'Aslan', or you'll get more attention that you've ever dreamt of, ARH ARH ARF!"

She regained her composure and exchanged glances with the captain.

"Let's play along. Call the Air Trafic Control, roll out all your titles, mention that you are pilot training on this class of ship, under the supervision of Captain Dahl, and take the ship directly under the radar. However, send regular messages to the Starport and ATC, asking for the weather forecast you forgot to download, telling them you'll leave an excellent eval of their services, and other chat. They may be so distracted by your eccentricities that they won't notice for some time that you forgot to turn on the transponder..."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:43, Tue 01 June 2021.

"Solid plan, XO", nodded Baris, his eyes twinkling with newfound energy, "You may intimate that your Captain is a little senile, if you wish, suggest I'm providing conflicting orders or minimal guidance, but that you need to humour the 'war hero'"

Inwardly, he winced, for his fame was not something he had courted overmuch. Still, it was useful on occassion

He half-forced a smile, though there was glee at the heist they were about to pull off, "Let's be about it"

Daphne smiled wickedly, licking her lips.

"This kind of thing works better when I've had a dram or two, but here goes nothing," she says cooly. She clears her throat, then punches a couple of commands for Traffic Control. When she speaks, her voice is a couple of octaves higher, with a disciplicent note in it.

"Hiya, Trafficker's Control!" she sing-songs into the mike. "Countess Daphne Arslan here. My friends call me Fifi, but - you guys can call me Lady Arslan. Unless you're real cute," she giggles. "Anyway, I'm calling because, uhm... well, to be honest, because the Cap told me so?"

She lowers her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, as if she was sharing dirty secrets over a cup of tea. "He's like, old school, very old school? Like, before they actually built the school? Whatever. A bit of pain in the derriere, he is, old Cap, but like - yeah. You copy me, Trafficker? That's how you say it, isn't it?"

She makes a little pause in her monologue, to allow Traffic Control a chance to get a word edgewise, silently winking at Beto and Baris.

Beto rolled her eyes. In a class A starport, Traffic Control is considered God, and you don't talk to God like this.

However, also in a class A starport, Traffic Control is handled by AIs, and supervised by experts.
The communicator spit with as much authoritarian tone as could be programmed :
"Is this the Old Lady's Hope ship?
Are you ready to depart?
Please state clearly the object of your call, with appropriate Civil Transport codewords and short sentences,
or free the channel."

In reply to Beto Arark (msg # 51):

Thanks Beto.

In reply to Nerull (msg # 52):

The flight to the estate is uneventful after Starport Traffic Control is satisfied. Both above and below radar, though Traffic Control wondered why so low?
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:26, Tue 08 June 2021.

Daphne kept chatting all the while, suppressing a giggle. It was probably overkill, as Traffic Control had surely muted her after the first half-hour of...

"...and like, I always wanted to fly a ship, you know? I just don't get why so many regulations and things? Between you and me, Traffy, I think it's just the old Cap being, y'know, an old Cap? Like, 'uh, gotta follow the rules, this is a ship not a toy, young lady', yadda-yadda. I mean, I knooow, old dude, I'm qualified to fly, amirite? It's not like I don't know what I'm doing, right? So, like, I think it's because I'm young? Yeah, but you know, don't you Traffy? Like, you sound super young yourself, if you don't mind me saying. I'm sooo sure you must be a total ladykiller, with that voice of yours, guiding ships in the night, know what I mean? Ha ha, sure you do, you little perv! Well, anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, so, when I was like thirteen, I asked for a ship for my birthday, and guess what, they got me a sailing ship? The ones that go on water? Can you believe that? The cheek. So all these years, I was like, I really wanna fly a ship, so..."

And that went on, and on. And on.

While she nonchalantly flew the Old Lady's under the radar, never stoppping the stream of empty words, like decoy flares, like a barrage of verbal tinsel covering her true intentions...

...And on...