In general Dusty Rhodes, Captain and owner of the ship 'Sand Bhar' is reluctante to discuss his life/whereabouts/actions during the six years before he grounded on Jannus.  However, space gossip indicates his life for most of that time ranged, off and on, from broke-and-hungry to well-to-do and well fed. What is known, in general, is how he acquired his own ship.

On the entertainment planet ParaDice, he had been winning several games, so had enough credits and items for a high stakes game. He decided on a game played with five thin, flat red metal disks engraved with  sets of symbols. There were only two ways to win--get all five of the same symbol, or get one each of all five symbols. The all-five-of-the-same symbols hand was higher than the five-in-a-row hand.  The game was played at a rather small round table that  seated six players, so they were sitting close to each other.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:45, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

When a game started, the robo-dealer in the center of the table slid five disks, upside down, to each player. After each player picked up and considered his/her/its hand, the player could either add to it's pile of items being wagered or stack the disks and drop them into a slot in the table in front of the robo-dealer, leaving the table and the wagered items on it for the next winner.

As the game progressed, most of the players dropped out, finally leaving only Dusty and an unpleasant-looking semi-humanoid, who just happened to be seated directly to Dusty's left. But the dropped-out players and a growing crowd of watchers gathered all around the table, eagerly watching the high-stakes play.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:51, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

Dusty looked at his hand and hesitated. The other player grunted as he looked at his hand. Then grunted again, reached into a pocket, and slapped down the master-key rod to a general mining space ship onto his wagering pile.  Dusty reached into an inner pocket with his right hand and slowly pulled out a UniCredit cube.  He looked at it, bounced it in his hand as though he was deciding what to do, then laid it down on his wagering pile. The other player started spreading his disks right-side up. Dusty started turning his disks right-side up. then he shrugged, piled them up and started reaching toward the return slot, as though to drop them all at once into the slot in front of his seat.

But then he glanced over at the other player and suddenly jerked his upper body around and stood up off his stool.  He leaned over close to the other player and shouted, "No wonder you won! You're cheating again! Just like you've been doing all evening!"  The startled 'winning' player raised his head to glare at Dusty, and couldn't see him sliding his fifth disk (which he hadn't dropped into the return slot) into the spread of the other player's partly-spread disks.

Which appeared as though that player had been using SIX discs!!  Of course that instantly started an uproar from the former players and the crowd.  There was a lot of shouting and screaming.  Guns and knives were pulled.  Beings were converging on the unfortunate player.  Dusty slid slowly off his stool and melted into and through the violence around the unfortunate other player.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:52, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

Dusty walked toward the exit doors as quickly as possible without drawing attention, looking left and right now and them, as though looking for someone.  As he went out the doors he pulled a KwikKap from a pocket, gave it a shake to expand it, and put it on his head to hide his dark-blonde hair.  There was a stand of NoPeds along the wall to the left of the doors, and he pulled one from the line.  He tapped his ID ring quickly to the START pad and within seconds was on the way as fast as the NoPed was allowed to go.  He knew where "his" ship was ground-berthed and straight-lined the NoPed there as quickly as possible. He got to the ship with no followers, used the master-key to open the outer hatch, and went in.

  Note:A master-key rod is about four standard inches long, with four flat sides and slightly wider ends.  One end holds the computer pattern to lock and unlock a ship's main hatch. The other end holds the computer pattern for the master-board on the ship's flight deck, which not only unlocks all the ship's functions, it also certifies that the being who inserts it is the owner and master of the ship. And unfortunately also transfers any mortgages on the ship to the new owner. This rather casual-seeming pattern of entrance and ownership might shock groundlings, but since space ships spend almost all of their time in space, and usually have some of the crew armed and trained, it makes sense to them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:52, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

When the outer hatch clicked locked and the inner hatch opened, Dusty was astounded to find seven beings standing there, looking at him! None of them made a hostile move toward him. They all looked just as astonished as he did.

Dusty quickly gave an explanation of who/what he was, and told them he would explain more later, but he wanted to be off-planet as soon as possible.  So did the others, so he immediately took the foot-pad riser to the flight deck.  There he went directly to the master-board where he could finish the process of ownership.  He raised the safety-flap over the indentation for master-key rod and carefully inserted the ownership end.  There was a slight soft tone, and that easily he was legally the owner and master of the ship.  And of the attached mortgage, which he didn't yet know about...

Dusty stood there for a few seconds, savoring his change of fortune, when a small sound made him look toward the right end of the main board.  There a door opened and an andro-bot stepped out.  That was another shock for Dusty!  The andro-bot wasn't a standard cheap ship-bot.  It was a Zeta Group Z-23 andro-bot, the newest and most expensive andro-bot on the market! If it wasn't for its outward appearance, one would almost think it was a being!
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:52, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

The 'bot introduced it's self as Bolt. Then stepped to the main controls and asked "Do you want to up-ship now, Captain?"  After a quick gulp, Dusty said, "Yes. Immediately." Preflight was a bit skimpy but well enough to be on the way to anywhere before the former owner (who might still be alive) could reach the port.

Dusty contacted Port Control, which was accustomed to visitors sometimes being in a hurry, and after a quick check to see that ground fees were paid, gave clearance and released the hold-down clamps.  So the ship was in flight, heading toward anywhere else.  During the trip Dusty found the outer appearance of the ship was a sham! The inside was all up to date, and the owner's quarters were luxurious!  The former owner was certainly not what it pretended to be.  You didn't get the top andro-bot, the best in 'puters, running gear, and master-suite, by digging mines...

Space is endless, and if you are a tiny object, it's not hard to disappear. Especially when using the Svensen Drive, which Haruka Lee Svensen and her team created 750 years ago, opening the universe to humans,and eventually most all other beings which wanted to 'space'.

Dusty mentally blessed Svensen and set course for a slightly questionable planet, where he knew a slightly questionable being. Who would, for a fairly reasonable number of UniCredits, be happy to, construct unquestionable documentation verifying Dusty as the legitimate owner of the ship.  which appeared to be a somewhat old, somewhat shabby, general mining vessel, and quite unlikely to be questioned.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:52, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

Once far away from ParaDice, Dusty had Bolt reduce the speed to normal drive in an area far from any planets. Everyone was exhausted, so Dusty had Bolt shut down the drive, set it to 'maintain position",  set the main 'puter to moniter everything inside, and engage all normal exterior danger alert sensors.  Dusty told Bolt to warn him of any changes, to wake him in two ship-hours, and took himself to bed in the fancy Captain's cabin.

Later, after rest,  food, and drinks, they all sat down to work out what to do next.  They took stock of how much the ship had in food, fuel and miscellaneous other supplies, and decided they needed to port at some not-too-distant planet or space city. Bolt entered a 'quest and found the space city "Arialus" not too far away.

On the way to that city, Dusty and the others discussed who and why they were in, and locked in, the ship.  They told Dusty the former owner was a mean,stingy, brutal semi-humanoid, and only two of the 'crew' were actually crew.  The others owed the former owner money, so he kept them locked in the ship until they 'worked off' their debts.

The two crew members, Joyee Brimm and Ka'Ka' Pfot, were there because it was hard to find jobs on other ships.  Brimm was a Wasteland Nomad, large, hostile and always ready to fight. The other was a K'Erin native, a warrior forced from his planet for a certain length of time for some infraction that did not earn death, but did earn a severe punishment.  Off world was a severe punishment to a K'Erin.

They both knew it wouldn't be easy for them to find jobs on other ships, and decided Dusty would make a good captain that they would be willing to follow, so if he was willing, they would stay with the ship. They weren't actually needed.  Bolt could, and had been, running the ship alone.  But they could do small chores and would be there in case there was some kind of emergency, and also give Dusty some company during the long lonely hours of nowhere.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:53, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

At Arialus, Dusty took on all the fuel, food, and miscellaneous other supplies he could afford.  Now a responsible ship owner, Dusty knew he had to find a way to feed the crew and ship and make at least a small profit in the process. So he agreed to take two passengers, who had been waiting at Arialus for a ride. They wanted to go to a planet named Jannus.  Therefor he needed to supply food for five people:

Himself
Crew member male human fighter,Joyee
Crew member non-human, Ka'Ka' Pfot
Pseudo-Humanoid Travveler, Yanrasha.
Human woman, Sam

No food was needed for the former prisoners, since they decided to stay on Arialus, as it would be a good place to find work, or on a suitable ship, or find other ways to get to their homes.  Finally the ship was ready. The fuel and supplies were loaded and stored. The former prisoners had given their thanks and goodbys and left the ship.

Jannus is in the fringe and had been claimed and colonized about 150 planet years ago.  The capitol,Hountain City, named for the man who founded it, maintains a good-sized Space Port.  It can accommodate up to medium sized ships, like traders or miners, and has reasonable landing/docking fees and near-by accommodations, eateries, and general stores for the convenience of visitors.  Dusty had been there once before when working on a trade ship, and thought it might possibly make a good home base.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:53, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

Jannus has an export that brings the occasional trade ship-- wood from several varities of trees found no where else in the universe. The trees have beautiful,finely grained wood in a number of colors--pinks, blues, greens, golds, purples. These woods are highly valued by artists, architects, furniture makers, and individuals who shape it into beautiful items for those who can afford them.

However, the port does more than ship wood. It has the value of being fairly 'near' a nexus for a number of sub-space 'routes', making it convenient for 'passing' ships. But Dusty was aware the real value of the Port to him is another layer--the "wheels within wheels"--the three multi-world Entities, two Corporations and a Governmental agency, which were based there, and which might have some use for a ship, and its crew.  As a plus, Sam and Yanrasha had some kind of connection to these powerful Entities.

So with the decision made and agreed on by all, Dusty gave Bolt the 'Go' command and they were on their way.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:53, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

 "By Hade's Horns, Sam" Dusty exclaimed, pounding lightly on the table with his fist. "You did it! This job will fill the fuel bladders and resupply food and miscellaneous stuff!  And it could lead to more jobs, here, in space, or on another planet!"

  He swiveled his stool around, lifted his mug to the dispenser and rap-reped a mug of kaf. Swinging back around toward the table he lifted the mug and said "Come on all of you, let''s drink to Sam and a lucrative future!"

 As the rest of the team filed to the dispenser, Dusty considered each one in the line:

  Sam--vital with her connections to the Entities and her ability to garner jobs for the crew. Always looking soft and beautiful,but actually almost genius intellect, tough, dangerous, and deadly when the fighting started.
  Yanrasha--always calm, always peaceful, always in neutral sex in a fight to eliminate emotions and be all deadly weapon.
  Joyee--always angry, always looking for trouble, and always ready to fight to the death for the ship and crew.
  Ka' Ka' Pfot--Tightly wound, rarely speaking, usually kept to himself, but when guns were fireing and knives were flashing, he was always the first into the fight.
  And last in the line--Bolt. The andro-bot couldn't taste the kaf. Couldn't feel fear, but could really deal it out in a fight.  He only drank the kaf because he was a member of the team and what the team did, he did.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:54, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

When the team were all back at the table, Dusty looked at Sam.  "Ok, give us a quick rundown on the job, so we can start considering details.  When does it start?" "Well", she grinned and replied. "It starts with you immediately going to the BHJ headquarters to pick up the information and whatever the item is."

  "Oh no!" Dusty thought. "Not there!"  But he knew he had to and would. Groan. And as soon as he was showered and dressed in his captain's uniform. But he knew there was no getting out of it, and started to his personal cubby. Within 30 ship minutes, dressed in his best Captain's uniform he was on his way out the main hatch.  Sam had ordered a NoPed for him, and it was waiting at the foot of the ramp.  He stepped on it, and it started on its pre-set way to the BHJ building.

  Arriving at the massive Bureau of Harmony on Jannus building, Dusty parked the NoPed in a slot specified for those conveyances.  Stepping off, he finger-riffled his dark blonde hair.  Since he couldn't wear his uniform helmet while not in official business, the wind had messed it up and he wished he had worn a Smoother.

  Well, he could put his uniform helmet on now. Polishing the front of it a little with his sleeve, he settled it just so on his head.  You didn't go to a meeting with a top-rock of an organization like the Bureau of Harmony-Jannus looking less than your best.  Especially when the Organization might sometime be offering other jobs, both here and on other worlds...
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:55, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

Looking up at the building he was walking toward, Dusty once again admired the sparkle-stone lettering in the bluecrete facade spelling out the name -- Bureau of Harmony Jannus.  And the huge Everglas front door, which was impervious to anything up to and including a tank cannon.

 Well, he admired the fancy architecture, but wasn't at all happy with the Organization--at least not with the Entity he was on his way to meet.  He knew she would be as hard and unyielding as the building, and wouldn't be influenced by his appearance or patter.  Unlike for most women, his dark green eyes wouldn't have any effect on her. He learned that the first time he tried, when as captain of the team he signed the Non Disclosure contract for any and all information he would learn about the Organization.

 Turning left he walked to an inset door that was much less impressive than the front entrance, and let you understand where you stood in the pecking order.  He paused,as a grin spread across his tanned face.  He was pretty sure that Special Agent Samantha Harris's relationship with the Organization meant she never had to use this door.  Even Citizen V would know better than offer that insult...
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:55, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

  Turning left he walked to an inset door that was much less impressive than the front entrance, and let you understand where you stood in the pecking order.  He paused,as a grin spread across his tanned face.  He was pretty sure that Special Agent Samantha Harris's relationship with the Organization meant she never had to use this door.  Even Citizen V would know better than offer that insult...

  Dusty pressed his ID ring to the identifier pad next to the door. The ring, which was permanently connected with Dusty's mind, was currently set to emit the code Citizen V gave Samantha for the pickup. The door opened and Dusty entered.  The room inside was lined on three sides with booths.  Each booth had a translucent door with a light panel above it.  As Dusty took a few steps forward, a light went on behind one of the doors, the panel above it lighted green, a chime sounded, and the door swung open.  Dusty entered the open door.  It shut silently behind him and a soft voice asked him in UniSpeak to be seated until it was time for his appointment with Citizen V.

  Boy!  Once more it was very clear the BHJ was in total control.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:55, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

During the minutes Dusty had to wait, he mentally re-set the ID ring to currently emit only his name.  Then a chime sounded and the soft voice said "Citizen V will see you now.  Please step into the conveyance.  It will take you to her."  The back wall of the booth slid silently open and Dusty stepped in.  The door closed silently.  Although Dusty knew it was taking him somewhere at high speed, it could be anywhere in the monumental building--up, down, or sidewise.

 It was only the very, very slight vibrations of the floor that gave any indication of movement. Hey. When you are the BHJ you can afford the very best conveniences.  In a few seconds the door slid open, revealing a small room with silvery accents,  containing a small silvery podium, behind which was a small slender silvery bot. He didn't have to ask or say anything.  In UniSpeak the bot immediately said "Citizen V will see you now, Captain Rhodes.  Please enter the door to your left."

  As Dusty took the few steps toward the door,it swung open and he continued through it without stopping.  Into a small room, that contained a small desk, behind which sat huge (figuratively speaking) Citizen V. In reality she was perfectly sized, perfectly shaped, and perfectly powerful.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:55, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

With no welcome or other waste of time, she pointed to a small Everseal-wrapped Box and a BHJ data cube.

  "You already know the restrictions.  Take this package immediately to your team. Do not meet nor speak with anyone on the way. Then proceed as per the detailed instructions in the cube.  Leave now."  Citizen V never wasted time with unnecessary chit-chat.  Or met anyone below a certain level in her official office, which this place certainly wasn't.  To her, Dusty was certainly below that level.

 Dusty picked up the two items, turned without speaking, and walked to the outer office, the door opening before, and closing behind him. He stopped in the outer room and put the two items into the bullet-proof pouch on his chest, sealed it shut and continued to the conveyance's door, which opened and he stepped in.  Time was definitely of the essence now.

When the conveyance's doors slid open again, he walked out of it and to the front door without stopping, which opened before him. He went on through it--he couldn't waste it saying 'Good by' to a bot...
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:56, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

 Sand-Bhar's combined meeting/eating room was a perfect place to discuss anything confidential. It's former owner had made certain that its security, though very pricey,had been well worth the cost. No information could get in nor out. Period. Even on Jannus.  Dusty was aware that it had been tested only one time, right after installation.  The built-in backlash against the attempter's equipment was instant and costly. Although it was supposed to be secret, word got around and no he/she/it ever tried it again.

  The team were on their regular stools around the table  when they heard the main hatch shut. Every one's gun hand raised slightly and they all looked toward the room's door.  They were pretty sure it was Dusty, but it never hurt to be ready if...

  It was Dusty.  He walked to his place at the table, unsealed the bullet-proof pouch on his chest, took out the small Box and the BHJ information cube, and laid them on the table in front of Sam.

"Well, I guess the job timer is running now." Dusty said.  "Sam, read us the specifics."  Sam moved the Box to the center of the table so everyone could get a look at it, and unrolled her screen. She had already copied the information on the cube to the official 'puter, and quickly displayed the job info.

  Sam, who is always in charge of jobs for one of the Entities, assigned Dusty to continue as Carrier until they reached the designated drop spot.  The placement spot was on top of a building, so Yanrasha, who was very fast at both running and climbing, would become the Carrier, take it up to the roof of the specified building,set it in place, and hopefully get safely back to ground. While Yanrasha placed the Package, the rest of the team would provide protection against any danger.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:59, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

 On first glance, it sounded like easy UniCredits--pick up a Package, take it to a specified building, place it in a specified location on the roof at a specified time, leave it there and go back to the ship, report completion to the  Entity for whom the action was taken, collect the UniCredits.

  But.  There had to be more to it.  The Entity wasn't parting with so many UniCredits for an easy job. It meant they had to do some sniffing to try to catch any rumors or loose talk that might be drifting around.

The Entity had specified a time frame, so they didn't have a lot of time before they had to start the procedure. They quickly discussed, and agreed on, a plan. It gave them the edge of already being away from the Port and ready for Sam's message of where to meet for the job, but not looking like they were going somewhere together.

The team members would leave one at a time a few minutes apart, take some kind of public conveyance, and leave it at some point near, but not at, the target. Joyee, Ka'Ka', and Bolt would carry their own and Sam's and Yanrasha's weapons and be dressed in normal action gear--no one would think that was unusual.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:59, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

  Sam and Yanrasha would don flashy local outfits and start at the most popular entertainment location, making sure they were noticed.  They would proceed to as many such places as they could, gather as much information as they could in their pre-determined amount of time.  And considering how many intoxicating beverages they would have to drink, be glad they had taken foul-tasting Alca-No before they started.

  Dusty and his weapons would stay at the ship until a specified time, then use the ship's personnel flyer to take him and his weapons near where the team waited.  He would park and lock the flyer and follow Sam's HushCom directions to the team.

  Time to go was approaching, so Dusty assigned and issued the weapons:
   -To himself a blast rifle and a handgun
   -To Sam, a Lazer and a scrap pistol
   -To Bolt,a Lazer and a scanner bot
   -To Joyee, a Colony rifle
   -To Ka'Ka', a Colony rifle and the Smash Axe
   -And to Yanrasha--nothing.  Never carried a weapon--he was one.

  Now everything seemed ready.  Sam asked again if anyone had questions. Since they all were using temp-memory-cording, no one had questions.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:58, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

 "Since the package will be deployed at a specific time, we only have to get it exactly in position." Dusty said thoughfuly.  "Then all we have to do is all get out of there in relatively one piece..."

 Everyone glanced up at the time-band sliding along the top of the wall above the food station.  Then looked at the small personal time-screens implanted in their wrists, to be sure they were all in sync. It was about time to be on the way.  They wanted to be well away from the Port and the ship with plenty of time to reach the general target area.On first glance,

 But for no real reason,none of them knew why, they all felt there were probably enemies who would attempt to steal the Package, and kill all of the team in the process.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:58, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

  Everyone, Joyee first, formed up behind Dusty as he gave the hatch the 'unlock and open' signal.  The hatch opened and Joyee trotted out and off down the street.  Every three minutes later Ka'Ka' and then Bolt followed.  Three minutes after Bolt left, Sam and Yanrasha left together.  As soon Dusty saw everyone was on their way, he closed the hatch and returned to the main room. At the specified time, Dusty left and locked the ship, got into and started the flyer and followed the route Sam had set for him find the rest of the team.

 The area was near the edges of the city, and the building was in a compound made up of groups of buildings that were identified as belonging the local militia. None of the buildings were new, and all looked as though they were seldom used or maintained. The target building was the center one in a group of five. Like most of the other buildings in the area, their target looked a bit shabby, painting wise, but otherwise good enough to store something not particularly valuable.

 Sort of had to wonder what of value would be stored in such a building.  But no one really cared, and no one was nervous--fighting wasn't new or frightening to them.  Just another day. Huum..
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:58, Sun 12 Sept 2021.

 Five minutes before the actual Job had to start, the whole team was standing quietly, re-checking all their suits and gear, and watching their time-screens.   Bolt was sent to the roof of the nearest building for a little recon of the area. He didn't see any beings, but did spy something sparkling a few feet away.  He stepped over, picked it up and put it into a pocket of his uniform.  Then went down and joined the team, with the information he hadn't seen any hostile activity nearby.

  Dusty glanced at his time-screen. It was time to start the 'fun' part of the job. He raised his fist, and while pumping it down forcefully, exhaled "Banzai".  No one knew where that word had come from, but all knew what it meant.  They immediately formed up behind Dusty and started moving toward the target building.

  The Job had started.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:58, Sun 12 Sept 2021.