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Post by erisred on Apr 14, 2021 14:18:40 GMT -5
Ekhunoz has a much lower tone to Peng now "Chief Gunner, Gunner 2 standing down, do we have any info on the name of the ship or anything?"Ekhunoz disengages the targeting system as well as he can, but sit in the chair with the comm unit on. Ekhunoz hears the exchange with the ground. It seems the other ship is named Taggart, or T he Taggart. It also sounds like he jumped out of the fire and right into the frying pan!
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Tophocles
Prospector
Last Guy in the Airlock
Posts: 85
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Post by Tophocles on Apr 14, 2021 15:11:16 GMT -5
"Thanks. It looks like you know what you're doing." says Blackjack, "So, if you can deal with this, I'm going to Sickbay. I really want to see Cho." If Blackjack gets agreement from Vhar, he leaves Engineering quickly and Vhar is in charge of the Engineering of this ship.
"Yessir," says Vhar, falling into old habits. He looks up from the dial momentarily, but Blackjack is already heading out the door. The hatch clses, but he doesn't hear it lock, which would probably distress the Aslan who had led him here.
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Aarav
Traveler
Posts: 173
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Post by Aarav on Apr 14, 2021 17:37:53 GMT -5
"It's about time you answered, Clear Sails!" is the reply, "You and Taggart left a lot of damage down here that you are going to have to pay for!" Another voice comes on line, from the voice someone very angry, "Do you realize how much damage you did down here? There are dead people on the tarmac, a warehouse blown to bits, a wreaked ATV, stolen grav vehicle, and who knows what else! If we had any System Defense Boats, we'd have probably blown you and that other ship out of space!!""Where is Taggart? Did those bastards blow it up? If they did, Sails is going to be on the hook for All of this! By the time we're done with them they probably won't still have that starship!" the voice continues. It sounds like whoever was speaking forgot to turn off their mic because there is suddenly a click ending the transmission. Aarav nods at the comms console and asks Charlie, "Who is this at the 'port who's so angry now but allowed their security personnel to just stand-by and watch the fighting when you were attacked by those pirates?"
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Post by erisred on Apr 14, 2021 18:06:39 GMT -5
"It's about time you answered, Clear Sails!" is the reply, "You and Taggart left a lot of damage down here that you are going to have to pay for!" Another voice comes on line, from the voice someone very angry, "Do you realize how much damage you did down here? There are dead people on the tarmac, a warehouse blown to bits, a wreaked ATV, stolen grav vehicle, and who knows what else! If we had any System Defense Boats, we'd have probably blown you and that other ship out of space!!""Where is Taggart? Did those bastards blow it up? If they did, Sails is going to be on the hook for All of this! By the time we're done with them they probably won't still have that starship!" the voice continues. It sounds like whoever was speaking forgot to turn off their mic because there is suddenly a click ending the transmission. Aarav nods at the comms console and asks Charlie, "Who is this at the 'port who's so angry now but allowed their security personnel to just stand-by and watch the fighting when you were attacked by those pirates?" Charlie doesn't know. If others answer, they don't either. Some of you met the Assistant Port Captain, the XO, but none of you met the Captain. IAC, ShiraLea isn't part of the Romanian Empire...it's Independent. There is a Romanian Scout Base here, but you've had no contact with the Scouts. You would guess the angry person is either the Port Captain, or some other local authority. Seeing as the Morganian Church pretty much runs everything here, it might very well be somebody associated with them. What you have heard about the Morganians is they are highly centralized and very fanatical. Back in Romanian Space they are considered a Cult, a terrorist group, and are suppressed, even outright outlawed on various worlds. Getting them out of Romanian Space was generally considered a "very good thing" by most folks back home. Whoever it is, it sounds like they have decided that Clear Sails and her crew are going to be made the scapegoat.
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Post by Terry Mixon on Apr 14, 2021 21:48:12 GMT -5
"It's about time you answered, Clear Sails!" is the reply, "You and Taggart left a lot of damage down here that you are going to have to pay for!" Another voice comes on line, from the voice someone very angry, "Do you realize how much damage you did down here? There are dead people on the tarmac, a warehouse blown to bits, a wreaked ATV, stolen grav vehicle, and who knows what else! If we had any System Defense Boats, we'd have probably blown you and that other ship out of space!!""Where is Taggart? Did those bastards blow it up? If they did, Sails is going to be on the hook for All of this! By the time we're done with them they probably won't still have that starship!" the voice continues. It sounds like whoever was speaking forgot to turn off their mic because there is suddenly a click ending the transmission. Aarav nods at the comms console and asks Charlie, "Who is this at the 'port who's so angry now but allowed their security personnel to just stand-by and watch the fighting when you were attacked by those pirates?" “No clue. We’ll have to see what happens but it isn’t like we had much choice once we were attacked. They started the fight and we ended it. Now we’ll have to hope we can convince them of that.” He switched the call to Doc. “This is Charlie. How is everyone?”
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Aarav
Traveler
Posts: 173
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Post by Aarav on Apr 14, 2021 21:57:57 GMT -5
“No clue. We’ll have to see what happens but it isn’t like we had much choice once we were attacked. They started the fight and we ended it. Now we’ll have to hope we can convince them of that.” Aarav ponders this, not sure it's wise to return to the 'port--and not only because he's worried about how to explain the starport security air/raft in the cargo hold. That character on the comm doesn't seem like they're in a mind to be "convinced" of anything. . . .
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oscar
Prospector
Posts: 97
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Post by oscar on Apr 14, 2021 22:43:48 GMT -5
Cyril is suddenly very nervous. "Hey, everybody, I vote we stay up here until we find out what kind of trouble we're in. My home is an outright theocracy with kind of a nasty history -- you won't get me to go back there. People tend to max out evil when they think they can only do good."
"Plus, it looks like someone in authority at the port is in cahoots with the pirates."
"We need a good lawyer, if we can find one. We know they don't have any system defense boats, so we're probably safer here."
"Ekhunoz, can you share what you know about the people we've been chasing?"
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ateno
Traveler
Posts: 111
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Post by ateno on Apr 15, 2021 9:10:12 GMT -5
"Ekhunoz, can you share what you know about the people we've been chasing?" "About 5 months ago, I was purchasing electronic equipment for my ship on a planet much coreward, as I recall.
I was exposed to a slow acting sedative, I got drunk and I could not stop 2 two humans from 'helping their drunken friend.'
I awoke in a converted stateroom and was told that I was a slave and would do what they said.
Never had they dealt with the pride of a Vargr.
I killed one with the eueaka, ah.. what you call a bite to the neck and destroyed a hand of a second before they used serious precautions in dealing with me.
4 months I traveled in almost solitaire, something happened on the ship, it changed the feeling among the crew. some things were sloppy, I was given a metal utensil. I waited till we entered jump, then I sharpened it to a custom tool to gain access to a panel and was able to override the electronics and open the door.
I waited until we exited jump and landed and for the senior crew to engage in off ship festivities. I exited, headed for the aft, fought with a single guard and wounded her with my tool. I ran.
She shot me twice while I ran and ran to your ship and passed out.
Thank you.
I would like to speak to the captain and business manager so I can make a official request before we land."Ekhunoz
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Post by erisred on Apr 15, 2021 17:27:38 GMT -5
The hatch to the Bridge buzzes and Blackjack says, "Open the door, we need to talk before we do anything else."Blackjack is followed by Sir Baltus onto the Bridge. "Put this on ship wide comm." Blackjack orders. "Okay, with Raven dead, I'm taking over as Captain, temporarily." says Blackjack, then Baltus breaks in, "And with Madame Cho incapacitated, I'll be acting as Chief Factor for Delgado, and if you land we'll get involved with too much red tape and legal proceedings. That will stall Delgado's mission to open up the systems further into the Mantan Sub-Sector. So, as your current Patron, don't land this ship!"
Blackjack runs his hand through his hair, "Yeah, go radio silent and maintain orbit. Those Ground Pounders could have done something to have stopped all this if they'd acted and they didn't. They can just pound sand for their losses."
"We're leaving here! Returning to Elati. ShiraLea can rot!"
"Okay, the ship has a fuel purifier so can refuel from the ocean down there somewhere far away from prying eyes. Lot's of empty surface area down there. We can recharge life support when we refuel. It might stink a bit, before we get back to Elati, but you can clean and replace the LS modules on Elati if you need to."
On Elati we can report this to the Romanian government and Delgado. Madam Cho and I will leave the ship there officially turning Clear Sails over to the crew, complete with filing the proper paperwork. Sir Baltus can officially take over as Chief Factor. Then once you own this ship you can pick your own Captain. I'd suggest Charlie, here, but it'll be your choice."
"Once we do that, we can continue with the mission." breaks in Sir Baltus, " We'll just skip past SiraLea, refuel at the gas giant, and move on to Eklake to drop off a module and factor and then move along quickly to get back on schedule."Blackjack frowns then continues , "As for the people that boarded during the fire fight, I suppose they won't object to going to Elati before leaving the ship. I doubt they'd be welcome here."
"I'll hire them on Working Passages if they want. Anyway, lots more ships stop at Elati, and they'll be able to get a ride back into Romanian Space if that's what they want."
"They could continue with you as crew if you want to hire them." Blackjack adds, "On the other hand, if they really want off here, we can drop them off within walking distance of somewhere after we refuel and before we get out of here."
"I know I'm throwing my weight around here, but I am still the owner of this ship until I sign the papers giving it to the crew and I haven't done that yet. So, consider all this an order." Blackjack crosses his arms over his chest and looks from Charile to Tol to Aarav, "Okay, Charlie, Tol and whoever you are at the sensors figure out how to handle the refuel and recharging the LS."
"Cyril, check our food supply and if we are short, figure out how we're going to get enough to feed all of us for another week without dealing with the local government, maybe buy directly from some rural village or something. Get creative if you need to."
"I'm going to talk to the non-crew about what they want to do.""I'll start with you and whoever was in Gilroy's turret. Come out so we can talk!" Blackjack says pointing at Aarav and calling out to Ekhunoz, "Then I'll go talk to the guy back in Engineering." "We'll talk here if you don't mind." says Blackjack when Ekhunoz comes onto the Bridge from the turret, "What's each of your stories and what do you each want to do now?"OOC: Ekhunoz's story would fit here...followed by the conversation between Aarav and Ekhunoz. Blackjack will go back to talk to Vhar in a separate post. A bit of a railroad, I know, but sometimes that is needed. You're still going to have to deal with implementing refueling, refilling the Life Support, finding food and getting out of Dodge without getting shot by the locals.
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Post by raikenclw on Apr 15, 2021 20:22:08 GMT -5
Peng listens in to all the various chatter, then puts in (still in a pensive tone): "Guys, any reason we need to return to the surface? I got no drivin' need to face the music, 'ticularly since the Taggart A**holes who started this dance left us holdin' the pro-ver-bee-ul bag."
Peng sucks in air through his teeth [which unbeknownst to him makes a dry grating sound through his lavalier microphone] then adds, "I vote we just toddle on out to the 100D limit and leave all this in our wake."
After a moment, he adds: "Oh! I'd really like to see if we can catch some of that Taggart debris. Might be able to tell what we hit, maybe even where they got those bits . . . and so where they might go again, for replacements."
******************************
When Blackjack starts in to speechifyin', Peng shuts up and climbs out of his turret. Once clear of the hatch and back in the bridge area, he leans against the bulkhead beside said hatch, nodding casually to anyone who looks his way. But should the opportunity present itself, he'll also toss a friendly grin Vargr Gent's way.
******************************
OOC: I'm fairly sure that Peng hasn't yet heard Ekhunoz addressed by name, so he's still thinking of him simply as "Vargr Gent."
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Post by raikenclw on Apr 15, 2021 20:37:43 GMT -5
OOC: Sorry! Missed this, the first time through:
Ekhunoz has a much lower tone to Peng now "Chief Gunner, Gunner 2 standing down, do we have any info on the name of the ship or anything?"Peng grumbles: "Not a clue, Two. It's a good bet you know the most 'bout 'em, 'cept maybe whoever they've bought planetside."
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Post by raikenclw on Apr 15, 2021 20:44:03 GMT -5
"Who is this at the 'port who's so angry now but allowed their security personnel to just stand-by and watch the fighting when you were attacked by those pirates?" OOC: My dollar against your dime that it's the local potentate whom said pirates have upon their payroll.
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Aarav
Traveler
Posts: 173
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Post by Aarav on Apr 15, 2021 20:55:24 GMT -5
Blackjack runs his hand through his hair, "Yeah, go radio silent and maintain orbit. Those Ground Pounders could have done something to have stopped all this if they'd acted and they didn't. They can just pound sand for their losses.Aarav starts silently, recognizing these two men from the fight on the starport field. He quickly closes the transmission channel with starport control.
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Aarav
Traveler
Posts: 173
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Post by Aarav on Apr 15, 2021 20:58:05 GMT -5
"Okay, the ship has a fuel purifier so can refuel from the ocean down there somewhere far away from prying eyes. Lot's of empty surface area down there. We can recharge life support when we refuel. It might stink a bit, before we get back to Elati, but you can clean and replace the LS modules on Elati if you need to." Aarav actives the sensor suite and starts scanning for a remote shoreline, focusing on the temperate latitudes and looking at any large lakes too.
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Aarav
Traveler
Posts: 173
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Post by Aarav on Apr 15, 2021 21:14:56 GMT -5
"I'm going to talk to the non-crew about what they want to do.""I'll start with you and whoever was in Gilroy's turret. Come out so we can talk!" Blackjack says pointing at Aarav and calling out to Ekhunoz, "Then I'll go talk to the guy back in Engineering." "We'll talk here if you don't mind." says Blackjack when Ekhunoz comes onto the Bridge from the turret, "What's each of your stories and what do you each want to do now?"
Aarav sends the preliminary sensor scan to Charlie's console and rises from his station as the Vargr makes his way out of the turret.
He offers his hand [or does whatever the traditional Romanian greeting gesture is] to Blackjack. "I'm Gazi, Captain. Aarav Gazi. Former Scout, mustered out a few months back. Most recently served as pilot aboard Tamisan's Toy, an itinerant trader. Perhaps you've heard of her?" He glances at Baltus to see if he recognizes the name. "Been looking for my next job since the Toy left ShiraLea a few days back. I was at the port when you were attacked. Saw security wasn't doing anything to intervene, so I stole their air/raft and headed for the fight. When the . . . pirates left their wounded behind it was clear you were ones I should help. Used the air/raft to help bring some of the wounded aboard." He pauses, realizing he's been talking too fast. "I'd welcome the opportunity to travel to Elati on Working Passage," he adds a bit more slowly. "And perhaps continue aboard after that . . . if you'll have me."
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Aarav
Traveler
Posts: 173
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Post by Aarav on Apr 15, 2021 21:17:12 GMT -5
"Who is this at the 'port who's so angry now but allowed their security personnel to just stand-by and watch the fighting when you were attacked by those pirates?" OOC: My dollar against your dime that it's the local potentate whom said pirates have upon their payroll. OOC: Something like my thought too but Aarav was wondering if perhaps someone aboard Clear Sails had some actual insight.
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Post by Terry Mixon on Apr 15, 2021 22:41:53 GMT -5
OOC: I somehow got the idea we didn’t have fuel scoops/purifiers and thought we had no choice in where we got fuel. Running away is a much better idea.
Charlie is crushed to hear that Raven didn’t make it. He’ll listen in and plot the course when the sensor operator finds a good spot.
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Post by erisred on Apr 16, 2021 15:04:49 GMT -5
OOC: I somehow got the idea we didn’t have fuel scoops/purifiers and thought we had no choice in where we got fuel. Running away is a much better idea. Charlie is crushed to hear that Raven didn’t make it. He’ll listen in and plot the course when the sensor operator finds a good spot. OOC: Well, if you didn't, you do now. On Charlie's console, he receives a list of locations that Aarav has already scoped out. One jumps out, it's an atoll deep in the middle of an ocean below SiraLea's equator. It is several hundred miles away from what is listed as an inhabited area. It should be easy to float Clear Sails inside the atoll, or even on a beach there and pump water up into the tanks for purification. Scanning the skies, it also doesn't look like any rough weather should be in that area for the foreseeable future. While Aarav is talking to Blackjack, Charlie could take over the sensors and scan the surface of the ocean for shipping...if he does it looks like this area is not close to any shipping lanes either.
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Post by erisred on Apr 16, 2021 15:12:21 GMT -5
"I'm going to talk to the non-crew about what they want to do.""I'll start with you and whoever was in Gilroy's turret. Come out so we can talk!" Blackjack says pointing at Aarav and calling out to Ekhunoz, "Then I'll go talk to the guy back in Engineering." "We'll talk here if you don't mind." says Blackjack when Ekhunoz comes onto the Bridge from the turret, "What's each of your stories and what do you each want to do now?"
Aarav sends the preliminary sensor scan to Charlie's console and rises from his station as the Vargr makes his way out of the turret.
He offers his hand [or does whatever the traditional Romanian greeting gesture is] to Blackjack. "I'm Gazi, Captain. Aarav Gazi. Former Scout, mustered out a few months back. Most recently served as pilot aboard Tamisan's Toy, an itinerant trader. Perhaps you've heard of her?" He glances at Baltus to see if he recognizes the name. "Been looking for my next job since the Toy left ShiraLea a few days back. I was at the port when you were attacked. Saw security wasn't doing anything to intervene, so I stole their air/raft and headed for the fight. When the . . . pirates left their wounded behind it was clear you were ones I should help. Used the air/raft to help bring some of the wounded aboard." He pauses, realizing he's been talking too fast. "I'd welcome the opportunity to travel to Elati on Working Passage," he adds a bit more slowly. "And perhaps continue aboard after that . . . if you'll have me." Blackjack takes Aarav's hand and gives it a firm shake and a grin, "A former Scout, eh, good. I was in the Scouts monkey's years ago, that was my first career, before I wised up and started trading. Can't say I've heard of Tamisan's Toy, good ship?"
"Alright, you're hired to a Working Passage, 2000cr for the jump to Elati okay with you?" Blackjack asks, "But continuing will depend upon the new owners. I'm seriously leaving once we get to Elati."
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Post by erisred on Apr 16, 2021 15:27:26 GMT -5
"Ekhunoz, can you share what you know about the people we've been chasing?" I would like to speak to the captain and business manager so I can make a official request before we land." "Okay, now Mr. Vargr, first, what's your name?" Blackjack asks and adds before Ekhunoz shares his name, "And from the way you handled that sandcaster, I take it you're a Gunner?" "How would you like a ride out of here, back to Elati? Working passage, same as I offered to Aarav? And same as I told him, I'm leaving the ship there and the current crew will be the new owners, so if you would desire to stick with this ship beyond there you'll have to talk to them about that. How does that sound?" Blackjack says offering his hand.
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Post by raikenclw on Apr 16, 2021 19:29:24 GMT -5
Peng chips in: "Sounds okay to me. Vargr Gent - er, Ekhunoz, right? - certainly shows willin', even if not actually skilled. And this other fellow - Aarav? - is both willin' and skilled. Could do lots worse."
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Post by raikenclw on Apr 16, 2021 19:39:03 GMT -5
Charlie is crushed to hear that Raven didn’t make it . . . It is very apparent when Peng finally grasps that Raven isn't merely missing . . . Dropping his gaze to the deck - and thus hiding his face from everyone present - Peng mutters darkly: "Those rat bastards. I was gonna kill 'em quick. Now it's gonna be slow as I can make it."Those with particularly keen vision might obverse a drop or two of moisture hitting the deckplates in front of Peng's boots.
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ateno
Traveler
Posts: 111
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Post by ateno on Apr 16, 2021 21:42:52 GMT -5
"How would you like a ride out of here, back to Elati? Working passage, same as I offered to Aarav? And same as I told him, I'm leaving the ship there and the current crew will be the new owners, so if you would desire to stick with this ship beyond there you'll have to talk to them about that. How does that sound?" Blackjack says offering his hand. "i am Ekhunoz Girskhaen, aahh... The one who wanders, ah, leaves to a place known in your language." Takes his hand, paw sideways. "I would like to be and offer myself as part of the crew so I can tell the ones on the planet I am not an orphan. But if we do not land here it seems that would not be needed. Yes I will take a .. working passage. I am not trained as a gunner, as I told chief gunner I am a electronics officer and boarding leader. But will do what is wished by the leaders.
Will that meet your requirements?"Ekhunoz
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Post by Terry Mixon on Apr 16, 2021 22:00:57 GMT -5
OOC: I somehow got the idea we didn’t have fuel scoops/purifiers and thought we had no choice in where we got fuel. Running away is a much better idea. Charlie is crushed to hear that Raven didn’t make it. He’ll listen in and plot the course when the sensor operator finds a good spot. OOC: Well, if you didn't, you do now. On Charlie's console, he receives a list of locations that Aarav has already scoped out. One jumps out, it's an atoll deep in the middle of an ocean below SiraLea's equator. It is several hundred miles away from what is listed as an inhabited area. It should be easy to float Clear Sails inside the atoll, or even on a beach there and pump water up into the tanks for purification. Scanning the skies, it also doesn't look like any rough weather should be in that area for the foreseeable future. While Aarav is talking to Blackjack, Charlie could take over the sensors and scan the surface of the ocean for shipping...if he does it looks like this area is not close to any shipping lanes either. Charlie will scan the atol and the area around it. Satisfied it looks as good as they can get, he’ll send the data to Tak. “What do you think? Inside or on the beach?”
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Post by joertexas on Apr 17, 2021 0:22:45 GMT -5
Charlie will scan the atol and the area around it. Satisfied it looks as good as they can get, he’ll send the data to Tak. “What do you think? Inside or on the beach?” "Let us see when we get closer," Takheal replies. "We may be better off floating than trusting the beach for landing."
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Aarav
Traveler
Posts: 173
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Post by Aarav on Apr 17, 2021 9:52:09 GMT -5
Blackjack takes Aarav's hand and gives it a firm shake and a grin, "A former Scout, eh, good. I was in the Scouts monkey's years ago, that was my first career, before I wised up and started trading. Can't say I've heard of Tamisan's Toy, good ship?"
"Alright, you're hired to a Working Passage, 2000cr for the jump to Elati okay with you?" Blackjack asks, "But continuing will depend upon the new owners. I'm seriously leaving once we get to Elati."Aarav returns the handshake. "Thank you, Captain," he says. "The Toy's a good ship but I did not like its master. Though life aboard was a bit more . . . tranquil than seems to be the case for Clear Sails," he adds with a slight grin. He glances at Charlie and nods at Peng after his compliment. "I'll do my best to convince the others to continue our arrangement after you disembark at Elati." Again he glances at the others. "And, if I might add, I'm sorry for your loss. Obviously, I did not know . . . Raven but it's clear she was well regarded."
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Post by Terry Mixon on Apr 17, 2021 16:31:38 GMT -5
Peng listens in to all the various chatter, then puts in (still in a pensive tone): "Guys, any reason we need to return to the surface? I got no drivin' need to face the music, 'ticularly since the Taggart A**holes who started this dance left us holdin' the pro-ver-bee-ul bag."Peng sucks in air through his teeth [which unbeknownst to him makes a dry grating sound through his lavalier microphone] then adds, " I vote we just toddle on out to the 100D limit and leave all this in our wake."After a moment, he adds: "Oh! I'd really like to see if we can catch some of that Taggart debris. Might be able to tell what we hit, maybe even where they got those bits . . . and so where they might go again, for replacements."
Charlie will plot a course to do that and send it to Tak.
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Aarav
Traveler
Posts: 173
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Post by Aarav on Apr 17, 2021 21:01:22 GMT -5
After a moment, he adds: "Oh! I'd really like to see if we can catch some of that Taggart debris. Might be able to tell what we hit, maybe even where they got those bits . . . and so where they might go again, for replacements."
Charlie will plot a course to do that and send it to Tak. Aarav returns to the sensor/comms console and begins scanning for the Taggart debris. He also scans for the ship itself and any other ships which are maneuvering in the area, while paying special attention to the comms channel to attempt to monitor any communication with Starport Control.
If he has any attention left to spare, he'll have another look at the sensor data on surface water sources, trying to identify the best secondary choices after the atoll that Charlie and Takeal had identified.
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Post by joertexas on Apr 18, 2021 9:42:09 GMT -5
Charlie will plot a course to do that and send it to Tak. Takheal adjusts course to follow the steering cues.
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Aarav
Traveler
Posts: 173
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Post by Aarav on Apr 18, 2021 11:37:59 GMT -5
Charlie will plot a course to do that and send it to Tak. Takheal adjusts course to follow the steering cues. Aarav continues to scan for other ships and monitor the comms channel, worried that that "angry voice" at Starport Control may be calling in whatever "reinforcements" are at its disposal. He's also wondering what "wilderness refueling" from a surface water source looks like when another ship is shooting at you. He never encountered anything like that carrying messages and shuttling ships between bases in the Scouts. . . .
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