In reply to Stavock (msg # 837):

Takk Takk offers a fast attack at the Pakleds engines then a speedy escape to The Last Chance. Ospec offers this. "I could try and bribe the Pakleds. A Ferengi con of course but if might work." Vosh taps her fingers on the armrest. "I say we detonate a photon warhead in this large wreck. Then make a break for the ship. Or we could navigate this wreck. There might be a way out just big enough for us to slip through undetected." Neras pipes in,"Let me talk to the Pakleds. This shuttle is unaligned with any government. I could try a ruse on the Pakleds to get them to let us go."

“Yes Mister Ospec and Lady Neras have both valid opinions, and if I did not want them to know who we were, I would choose those options first but I think we will use Lady Vosh's idea of discreetly evading the Pakleds, and an option B, of Mister Takk Takk's idea of a shot to their engines and flee.”

Stavock tries to map their route on the ship's computer.

Yours and Voah's gambit pays off. You are able to skillfully evade the Pakled's pursuit. The derelict ship you are flying through is massive. Most of the known empires in modern times do not build ships this massive or large. The only exception being the Borg.
The wrecked interior and superstructure you and the shuttle glide through proves too narrow and tight for the larger Pakled ship. It follows you in part of the way but has to stop to avoid being caught among beams and superstructure. Or from smashing into the long-dead hull of this alien ship. Vosh smiles and says,"There gentlemen. Not all problems need phasers or photon torpedos."

“Correct Lady Vosh, but they were testing or resolve,” stated Stavock plainly.

“To the Last Chance Mister Takk Takk, and make haste!”

In reply to Stavock (msg # 841):

Takk Takk actively speeds the shuttle on. Skillfully navigating the odd beam and superstructures. Large portions of the alien ship are odd and you wonder if there are any worthy secrets laying undiscovered in this or other wrecks. After a few moments and tense minutes and close calls the shuttle flies free of the alien derelict speeding at top sublight speed to The Last Chance. You then are once again onboard The Last Chance to the cheers of the rest of your crew you enter the bridge.

“Good work Mister Takk Takk, now if you would back to Risa at best warp!” States Stavock.

“Signal Commander Hutch that we will meet him there Mister Ospec. Keep communication to a minimum and guarded!”

He turns to Neras, “will you stay till Risa or beam over now?”

In reply to Stavock (msg # 843):

"Best I stay onboard. While beaming at warp is possible. It is not without its risks," states the Orion slave. She takes a seat next to Ospec and makes herself comfortable. Meanwhile, The Last Chance speeds away leaving to be sure a frustrated group of Pakleds. Once underway Ospec pipes up,"Now that was a good smash-and-grab job! No phaser fire, no confrontations, no mess! If only all our ventures could be as simple."
Neras rolls her eyes at the Ferengi's comments unimpressed by his lack of innate courage. It is not long till you are once again floating over Risa. Hutch having arrived at the same time you all did. There below is your payday and more than likely a very happy patron. You can almost see the smiling face of Gimish in your mind. There seems to be somewhat of a rain storm below but nothing unusual for a tropical world like Risa.

"I meant before we enter warp Lady Neras," states the Vulcan plainly.

Still, the journey was quick and Neras would be back with Hutch in little time.

At Risa, he stood analysing the events.

"Mister Ospec, contact Gimish and tell him we have what he requires and we are ready to proceed!" Then he said, "also ask Commander Hutch if he wants to join us before we meet with Gimish."

In reply to Stavock (msg # 845):

It is not long afterwards that you are once again in Gimish's shop. The old human is beside himself in joy as he takes the drive. "I knew I could depend on you and your crew!", he beams smiling ear to ear. "Not as untrustworthy as treasure seekers and not as brutish as some races." He escorts you to the back of his shop. There you see a curious-looking ship being constructed. The overall color is golden and it has a surface that looks baroque and stylized. With strange runish symbols and texture to its hull. Seeing everyone's surprise Gimish pipes up. "This is my Paradise Ship," he says. "Decades ago I was a prisoner aboard a strange alien craft. There I endured both physical and psychological tortures at the hands of my strange captors. While there I once managed to seek free aboard their ship. That was a fortuitous event as I spied a holographic map of the world we were in orbit around. The holo showed a world unlike any other I know of. So I stole a look out a screen and there below was a paradise world. I have no other way to describe it. Or to give what I saw meaning but I saw something not seen in a million worlds."

He turns to you all and continues," Since then I have searched all data on even that hinted at such a world. I found in an old book by an antiquarian I knew a reference and an image of a vessel by a long-dead alien race that is said to have the ability to reach this world again. I have devoted my life to it. It has cost a fortune and taken decades but with this drive, I should be able to return before my life runs out from old age."

“I would have to examine your ship in more detail, but by what you have told me, and the instalment of his warp core, you might achieve your goal,” states Stavock plainly.

“May you achieve your goal Gimish,” he adds almost seriously with a slight bow.

In reply to Stavock (msg # 847):

Gimish smiles and says,"Yes. A tour might be in order. I have need of able hands to install the drive. I can not afford a misstep that could damage it. As there may be no other such drives anywhere else in the galaxy." Looking to you he adds. "I wonder if you have access to the Vulcan Science Academy on your world? I know that the Federation would jump at the chance to take me ship and the drive but perhaps there is useful data there that could help my cause?"
Gimish then approaches his ship and you observe him touching several stylized markings on the craft in a pattern of some kind. Then there is a click and a hatch opens, lowering a narrow staircase that allows you at the others onboard. Once on board, you notice that there are a great many such markings and runes in the interior of the strange ship. Almost every inch of its curved walls and ceilings are rife with them.
There do not seem to be any quarters for the crew as would normally be in a deep space fairing craft nor do there seem to be any refreshers or galleys. Of any controls and monitors, there are a sparse handful. All around a centrally bowed shape rises from the floor. The shape seems to allow a humanoid type being to sit in it, you assume that this is the command and control station of the alien vessel. There are no transparent steel ports or windows. Everything seems very encased and enclosed.

“I am not sure that Vulcan command and myself are in any form of allegiance, and they may regard me as..., as what some might call a criminal...!” States Stavock.

“This seems a highly sophisticated craft, I not sure how I can help. Our engineer Leon Wister Stowe could have a look at it, and I could assist as needed.” He added.

In reply to Stavock (msg # 849):

After long hours of study and high minded theory. You and Leon are no closer to finding how the ship works or being able to unlock any of its secrets. The whole thing seems a contradiction of modern ship design and warp theory. The ship seems more like a diving bell than a starship. The necessary anti-matter and matter mix and engines are absent. Save for the inert drive you and your crew relived the Pakleds of. This Gimish hurries about to install wistling happily while he works. Your engineer informs you that while the ship is a mystery, he was able to see what looked like a map set in the drive of the ship. This map is on a direct heading to the great barrier of the galactic core.

Stavock ponders, he knows the core is dangerous but is driven by logic to know more. He has heard rumours of tales that have to facts to sustain them, and he discards them from his thoughts.

He searches the databanks for more lore on the location.

Stavock searches the databanks and find several references to this Eden planet, nothing specific but rumour and here say.

There was a heavily redacted Starfleet record as well. If Starfleet knew something, they were hiding what they knew.

Once out of earshot, Vosh says,"I can't believe Gimish actually believes in this so-called Eden planet. It's a myth. Many have searched for through the centuries." She has a worried look in her eye as she watches Gimish putter around. "We can't stop him of course, but the galactic core is dangerous. The old codger will likely get himself and his antique ship vaporized."

“Affirmative, lady Vosh but it not for use to stand in the way of a man and his wants...!” States Stavock  dispassionate. “I cannot logically deny or agree with something I have no knowledge of!”

“We can only leave him to his schemes and continue with ours. We have been paid well and have returned his shuttle in good order. We have nothing more to do here.”

In reply to Stavock (msg # 854):

"Logical as ever, Stavock." This from Hutch who holding his own portion of the payment offers this insight. "My own father is Romulan, but I am surprised how different yet in some ways so close Vulcans and Romulans are. Oh they have major differences in ideology but both seem to be astute in navigating life in the vast galaxy."

"I have word from Navaar. It seems that Pressman may have assets seeking us on Free Cloud and the surrounding systems. While it would feel good to bump heads with Federation intelligence again. It holds little in the way of profit." Ospec smiles at Hutch's placement of importance on profit. His Ferengi heart warmed at the statement. "We could remain on Risa and seek further employment. It is a pleasure planet but pleasure is the brother to vice as it is said. I am sure we could find more employment here. There is also a rumor of heavy military equipment being transported between the Gorn and Orion borders. A little ship theft might be fun."

“Pressman has his own problems,” states Stavock, “he may soon withdrawn his people when he needs them for more important tasks. The Zante's warning to let him continue is existence, and it eventually coming to an end in his conflict with the Dominion is still a reality!”

Stavock would rather leave this planet, he had no wish for entertainment and it did not logically suit his needs. More employment. He knew his compatriots would saviour it, and they need time to enjoy their basic needs.

“We stay here on Risa for awhile, let us look for more work, the money will be useful to maintain our ships and buy more advance technology!”

“Space piracy, conflict,” stated the Vulcan “engaging in hostile conflict, that might end in one us dead is not logical, looting lost relics has a the least danger rating, but if the majority are in favour of the enterprise, I will not disagree!”

Hutch smiles broadly. "I am sure we can put some feelers out there in the wider planet of Risa. Planet of pleasure and vice!"

You all set about finding what if any other jobs are available. This will take time. From 2 hours to two days time to make contact with a potential employer.

Stavock returns to the Last Chance to meditate and study any of the salvage data they had stored.

In reply to Stavock (msg # 858):

Not long after, about a day later, Vosh comes to your quarters.
"I have three jobs that might work for us," she says holding a P.A.D.
"There is a bodyguarding job. A Risian family needs their younglings escorted and looked after during an annual festival. You know, influential family with enemies and backbiters that has gotten out of hand."
"There is a local heir to a large business dealing in vid dramas that wants some rival corporate info retrieved and delivered. Corporate espoionage.""
"The third is the bottom of the heap. One of the resorts here is in desperate need of security to look after the guests. That they are happy and unperturbed. Not glamourous but it pays and adds securities."

Stavock ignore the third option immediately. “The second task is interesting but protection of the innocent is priority, still the disruption of the status quo create conflict, too many rich, far too many poor; will constantly end in violence, and the only guilty are the foolish!”

“Tell me more of these younglings?” He adds.

In reply to Stavock (msg # 860):

Vosh nods pulling up more data from her P.A.D.
"There is a family of ruling Anticans from one of the species ruling houses that are engaged to conduct the ritual of ascendance for the younger members of their pack. This family is known as the Bora of their homeworld's royal line. Their most recent litter has reached the age of adulthood and Risa has been hosting such rituals for the Anticans for the past 80 years. House Bora has sought the prime minister of Risa to begin preparations for such a culturally significant ritual. Normally Risian security would be enough to oversee such rituals and diplomacies. A recent attack and sabotage of the Bora's family's royal transports has made them a bit nervous about the Risian planetary security force being able to handle the situation."

" The Risian security forces report states that the cause of the malfunction aboard the royal Antican transport was due to aging Dilitium crystal long overdue for a reset. The Anticans of House Bora are not so sure as they have political and military rivals and they attest to the ship being in good working order when it took off bearing House Boras litter. Their next generation in the family line."

Vosh puts down her P.A.D. and says,"Nothing like a little political cloak and dagger.eh Stavovk?"

“So, their only want is: to transport these initiates to the ceremony and back to their abodes in safety to conclude the contract?” asks Stavock.