|
Post by erisred on Apr 26, 2017 14:31:52 GMT -5
Date: 850/115 Location: Backroom at Brubaker's Bar & Grill, Nagata Star Port, Patagonia (1921) Present: Blackjack Miller, Lois Cho, Raven Firestorm, Thazar De Vrass, Sir Baltus van Rijn, Wade Vargas, Peng Silva, Cyril Asinner, and various others...
OOC: Note: I'll try to remember to make all Out of Character/Out of Game comments embedded inside posts RED, please do the same.
There are a couple of outstanding PC's and a couple of NPC here, but they'll be silent and only speak up once they are fully developed and added to the game. This thread is for the players to have their PC's meet, describe their PC's and get to know each other. A few of your PC's have been with Miller for a while, others may have just signed on. Cho and van Rijn will be new to everyone else. Once you've had a chance to get to interact a bit, Blackjack and Cho plan to give you a briefing on your "mission."
Patagonia is a water world with only a few small islands peeking above the wide oceans of the world. Nagata is the largest city on Patagonia and consists of an underwater habitat, a broad floating city area, and the entirety Karlen island. The main star port for Patagonia is located here taking up half of Karlen and extending out into the shallow bay off it's northern shore.
The thin atmosphere here means that dawn and dark come on very quickly, but the short time the local sun is rising or settng over the horizon are a spectacular sight. The sky fills with red, oranges and yellows, even green makes an appearance occasionally before the dark blue of day and the dark black of night washes the broad palette of colors away.
You pause just before entering Brubaker's Bar & Grill to admire the sky, then duck through the air curtain that serves as a door and step forward and right to float down the grav chute to the large room below. To your left the up shaft is carrying a young man and woman up to the exit.
You've been in a Brubaker's before in other systems and recognize the standard layout. There are booths along the wall, round tables in the center and a bar across the back wall. Corridors to either side of the bar lead toward the back. The one on the left is marked "Staff Only" and from experience you know it leads to the kitchens, offices and storerooms. The one on the right is unmarked, but it leads to one or more private meeting rooms.
Blackjack's (or Cho's) message said you were to report to room 3, so that's where you'll go. If room 3 is standard it will have a big table for everyone to sit around, some chairs scattered around and a private auto-bar.
Actions?
|
|
|
Post by ffilz on Apr 26, 2017 16:39:03 GMT -5
Is Sir Baltus van Rijn already with Cho, or has he been out and about securing necessary equipment for the upcoming venture?
|
|
|
Post by erisred on Apr 26, 2017 17:32:47 GMT -5
Is Sir Baltus van Rijn already with Cho, or has he been out and about securing necessary equipment for the upcoming venture?
It's up to you. But you might want to wait a bit to see what the others have, equipment wise, before spending much. Same Book 1-3 or Traveller Book, plus that consolidated list (subject to approval), but in this TU, anything above TL A is going to be very rare/impossible to get.
|
|
|
Post by raikenclw on Apr 27, 2017 2:49:58 GMT -5
Peng slouches into the joint, his habitual bored expression on full display. Navigating his way toward Room 3 proves to be it's usual mild challenge. Peng is sorely tempted to *not* dodge a certain tall young woman with a flowery drink in either hand (and thus effectively blind to his very short self). At the last second he moves to one side, then - unable to completely resist his baser instincts - Peng plants a strategic pinch as the woman passes above him. Not waiting around for the resulting "Eeek!" and inevitable damp curses to resolve into anything serious, he hoofs it down the corridor and slides into his destination.
Finding himself alone - at least for the moment - Peng takes a seat behind the door, dials up a domestic beer, puts his booted feet up on the table and idly muses to himself, "Wonder what it's gonna be this time? Hope we get some decent cash out of it, whatever it is."
Sipping slowly at his beer, Peng waits for someone to join him.
|
|
|
Post by Mighty Darci on Apr 27, 2017 21:24:37 GMT -5
Raven Firestorm enters the bar and catches the eye of a couple of the staff that she has long cultivated and orders a good thick juicy steak with lots of grilled onions and peppers along with her usual specially mixed drink to be sent back to room 3. Tipping them well as usual, out of the corner of her eye she sees Ha'penny, the oily little pervert, slide into the the bar and his "interaction" with the young woman. She snorts and thinks to herself, typical of the man, just once she would like to see him misjudge his target. But he seems to be telepathic and knows who not to mess with, not that he is not constantly thinking about it. Give me strength she thinks, as she follows him back to room 3, she knows she will have to ride herd on him to keep him at least minimally productive. Ah well, at least he can be trusted in a fight and is a pretty good gunner to boot, even if she would like to crack that round thick skull every now and then.
She enters the room and dials up her own dark rich ale to sip on while she waits for her food. Going to the opposite side of the table from Ha'penny and finding a comfortable chair she settles down to wait for the others to appear. She looks over at Ha'penny and grimaces as she sees him leering as usual. Rolling her eyes she takes a sip of her ale and enjoys the dark rick flavor.
|
|
|
Post by raikenclw on Apr 27, 2017 21:38:35 GMT -5
. . . Raven enters the room and dials up her own dark rich ale to sip on while she waits for her food. Going to the opposite side of the table from Ha'penny and finding a comfortable chair she settles down to wait for the others to appear. She looks over at Ha'penny and grimaces as she sees him leering as usual. Rolling her eyes she takes a sip of her ale and enjoys the dark rick flavor. His eyes just cresting the top of the table surface from where he slouches in his chair, Peng silently appreciates the view as Raven walks about the room, thinking: "I can't decide if crewing with her is a blessing - because of the wondrous view - or a torture - because of the whole No Touchee, No Feelie.' Ah, well . . . "
Once his fellow crewmember has seated herself, Peng peers around his booted feet, raises his bottle in salute and drawls, "Hiya, hot stuff. How's your shore leave goin'?"
|
|
|
Post by Mighty Darci on Apr 27, 2017 22:26:07 GMT -5
. . . Raven enters the room and dials up her own dark rich ale to sip on while she waits for her food. Going to the opposite side of the table from Ha'penny and finding a comfortable chair she settles down to wait for the others to appear. She looks over at Ha'penny and grimaces as she sees him leering as usual. Rolling her eyes she takes a sip of her ale and enjoys the dark rick flavor. His eyes just cresting the top of the table surface from where he slouches in his chair, Peng silently appreciates the view as Raven walks about the room, thinking: "I can't decide if crewing with her is a blessing - because of the wondrous view - or a torture - because of the whole No Touchee, No Feelie.' Ah, well . . . "
Once his fellow crewmember has seated herself, Peng peers around his booted feet, raises his bottle in salute and drawls, "Hiya, hot stuff. How's your shore leave goin'?"Giving the burly little dwarf a frosty stare, Raven says, " Well if it isn't the quarter-pint! Mine was going wonderful, until I found you here. It makes me jealous of all the people who have never had the misfortune of meeting you."
|
|
|
Post by raikenclw on Apr 28, 2017 11:28:12 GMT -5
Giving the burly little dwarf a frosty stare, Raven says, " Well if it isn't the quarter-pint! Mine was going wonderful, until I found you here. It makes me jealous of all the people who have never had the misfortune of meeting you." Ignoring both Raven's reference to his smallish volume as well as her frosty tone, Peng smiles mischievously as he gestures broadly with his bottle and replies, "But darlin', without my glorious self as a reference point, those poor unfortunates who have yet to meet me have no notion of the sad and lonely reality of their current lives."Pointing the mouth of the bottle at her as added emphasis, Peng continues in a slightly more serious tone: "Have you heard anything about why we've been called together? I was expecting at least another day or so to enjoy the attentions of the local adventuring ladies."[OOG: "adventuring ladies" = "prostitutes"]
|
|
|
Post by kezran on Apr 28, 2017 12:14:56 GMT -5
Thazar walks into the bar looks around Brubakers Bar and Grill with nostalgia Patagonia could have been the dump i grew up on. Heading to the bar he orders the local rum and a chicken sandwich. Heading to room 3, Ducking into the room and going into a salute to Captain Firestorm
mam
and then a nod to peng
Here is a list of minor repairs needed to be done to the clear Sails
|
|
|
Post by ffilz on Apr 28, 2017 13:40:23 GMT -5
Sir Baltus arrives he scans the room looking for any trouble and noting where the exits are. He respects the local law level and is currently unarmed except for a knife in a boot sheath. If all seems ok, he will report by comm link to Cho on who has arrived so far.
(OOC - to give @eris more time, will allow the NPCs to join a bit later, so figure Cho sent Sir Baltus in ahead.)
|
|
|
Post by erisred on Apr 28, 2017 14:02:05 GMT -5
Blackjack Miller and Lois Cho enter the room together. Both are smiling and chatting with each other.
Blackjack is tall and strongly built with hair that you might say is peppered with black rather than peppered with white. He is in his mid 70's, but looks a decade or more younger. There are several small red scars on his neck just above the collar of his uniform jacket of black and gold. The red scars are from vacuum burns where a helmet wasn't locked down quite in time, having a few are almost a Spacer's badge of occupation no matter what clothing he or she has on. When he smiles he has small wrinkles around his eyes and mouth that aren't obvious when he isn't smiling. You see the wrinkles now as he has a big smile on his face.
"Evening, Raven." The Clear Sails owner says glancing around he nods to Peng and Thazar saying in a dry voice, "Feet off the table Peng."
"This is Chief Factor Cho of Delgado Trading, and our new mission." he indicates the short woman at his side. Factor Cho's hair is as dark as Blackjack's is white. It is cut short and frames her oval face. Cho is slim and has few wrinkles, but there is something about her that leads you to believe she is much older than she looks.
"Oh, and this is Cathy Jokavik." Blackjack waves at a tall slim woman walking in behind Factor Cho, "Ms Jokavik is one of Factor Cho's four assistants who will be traveling with his for the next few months."
Cathy Jokavik is above average height, but more than slim...downright skinny. Her hair is a mousy brown and is worn in a bun on the back of her neck. She, like Cho, is dressed in Delgado's Grey and Red uniform. Cathy gives a small shy looking smile at everyone, but doesn't say anything as she moves to stay behind Madam Cho ready to hand her the Hand Computer she is carrying in one hand, or to open the attache case she is carrying in the other and hand her items from that.
Blackjack moves to sit on Raven's right and invites Factor Cho to sit on her left, "Madam Cho may I present our Captain and Pilot Raven Firestorm. Raven, Delgado Trading has chartered The Clear Sails to transport Madam Cho and her assistants from here to the Mantan system and to assist her in setting up trading centers on planets from here to Mantan."
"It is because of this charter that I've had the ship in the Yards here for the last week making a few modification. I'll tell everyone more about that once everyone is here."
"Good evening, Captain Firestorm." Cho half bows to Raven before taking her seat.
Inclining her head Cho smiles at Raven and says, "I am Lois Cho. My friends call me Lois, and I hope I will be able to count you as one of my friends."
Cho looks across the table at Blackjack, "Jack you mentioned a beer earlier, yes?" without turning she adds, "Cathy, would you be so kind as to order Mr Miller and me a beer?"
Jokavic slides the attache case next to her boss and moves to the auto-bar to comply without a word.
Blackjack looks down the table and says, "And this is Thazar De Vrass who I help with Engineering aboard Clear Sails and Peng Silva, a Jack of All Trades and a pretty good Gunner when he wants to be."
Cho nods to each of the men in turn, "A pleasure to meet you gentlemen."
|
|
|
Post by erisred on Apr 28, 2017 14:10:38 GMT -5
Sir Baltus arrives he scans the room looking for any trouble and noting where the exits are. He respects the local law level and is currently unarmed except for a knife in a boot sheath. If all seems ok, he will report by comm link to Cho on who has arrived so far.
(OOC - to give @eris more time, will allow the NPCs to join a bit later, so figure Cho sent Sir Baltus in ahead.) OOC: Going to say Baltus stayed out in the bar and kept his eyes open for everyone as they entered. Baltus is seated by himself at a table where he can see both the door and the corridor leading to the back room. He arrived an hour ago, checked the room and returned to the tap room to watch. He saw Peng, Raven, Thazar enter and then Blackjack and Cho...looking very friendly...follow them in a bit later. Cathy Jokavic was trailing along behind their boss, like usual. From experience, Baltus knew Cathy Jokavic was an expert shot with the body pistol she had up her sleeve and could throw a man or woman twice her size with the judo in which she was trained, but you'd never know it from looking at her. She played the part of a gray mouse very, very, well. Lois had told him, in confidence, that she was going to put Cathy in charge of one of the trade stations they were setting up, that she was ready for that step in her career. Baltus might wait a bit more to monitor late arrivals, or will he follow Chief Factor Cho into the back room now?
|
|
|
Post by ffilz on Apr 28, 2017 14:18:19 GMT -5
Sir Baltus arrives he scans the room looking for any trouble and noting where the exits are. He respects the local law level and is currently unarmed except for a knife in a boot sheath. If all seems ok, he will report by comm link to Cho on who has arrived so far.
(OOC - to give @eris more time, will allow the NPCs to join a bit later, so figure Cho sent Sir Baltus in ahead.) OOC: Going to say Baltus stayed out in the bar and keep his eyes open for everyone. Baltus is seated by himself at a table where he can see both the door and the corridor leading to the back room. He arrived an hour ago, checked the room and returned to the tap room to watch. He saw Peng, Raven, Thazar enter and then Blackjack and Cho...looking very friendly...follow them in a bit later. Cathy Jokavic was trailing along behind their boss, like usual. From experience, Baltus knew Cathy Jokavic was an expert shot with the body pistol she had up her sleeve and could throw a man or woman twice her size with the judo in which she was trained, but you'd never know it from looking at her. She played the part of a gray mouse very, very, well. Lois had told him, in confidence, that she was going to put Cathy in charge of one of the trade stations they were setting up, that she was ready for that step in her career. Baltus might wait a bit more to monitor late arrivals, or will he follow Chief Factor Cho into the back room now? Baltus will wait, I assume he was given a run down of who to expect. Also could you update the cast of characters (it would help also to put placeholders for the PCs still under construction).
|
|
|
Post by erisred on Apr 28, 2017 14:25:19 GMT -5
OOC: We're waiting on Dr. Wade Vargas and Cyril Asinner to arrive. Eric and Chuck have both asked to join and been accepted, but neither has posted since so I don't know if they are going to join us or not. If not, I'll make NPC's to take on their positions and say both are aboard the ship doing some last minute work, same with Cho's other 2 assistants. So, Baltus is waiting on Vargas and Asinner to show up for the meeting.
|
|
oscar
Prospector
Posts: 97
|
Post by oscar on Apr 28, 2017 18:18:33 GMT -5
Cyril arrived, worried because he's late.
"Sorry if I'm late. I took a shortcut through the kitchen and got distracted. They'll be pushing the mudweasel flambe'. Don't order it."
Turns to "My name is Cyril. I'm your steward. If you have any special dietary or life-support needs, please let me know as soon as possible, and I'll be sure whatever's necessary will be on board.
|
|
|
Post by Mighty Darci on Apr 28, 2017 21:39:34 GMT -5
Giving the burly little dwarf a frosty stare, Raven says, " Well if it isn't the quarter-pint! Mine was going wonderful, until I found you here. It makes me jealous of all the people who have never had the misfortune of meeting you." Ignoring both Raven's reference to his smallish volume as well as her frosty tone, Peng smiles mischievously as he gestures broadly with his bottle and replies, "But darlin', without my glorious self as a reference point, those poor unfortunates who have yet to meet me have no notion of the sad and lonely reality of their current lives."Pointing the mouth of the bottle at her as added emphasis, Peng continues in a slightly more serious tone: "Have you heard anything about why we've been called together? I was expecting at least another day or so to enjoy the attentions of the local adventuring ladies."[OOG: "adventuring ladies" = "prostitutes"] OOC:Prior to the entry of anyone else!Raven laughs, "Glorious self! That's not really beer your drinking is it! Moving on she says, "What little I know it sounds like a chance to make some coin and perhaps some new friends in strange places or more likely new enemies with you around." She winks at the end of the last remark and takes a long pull on her ale.
|
|
|
Post by Mighty Darci on Apr 28, 2017 21:52:09 GMT -5
Thazar walks into the bar looks around Brubakers Bar and Grill with nostalgia Patagonia could have been the dump i grew up on. Heading to the bar he orders the local rum and a chicken sandwich. Heading to room 3, Ducking into the room and going into a salute to Captain Firestorm mamand then a nod to peng Here is a list of minor repairs needed to be done to the clear SailsSetting her ale down Raven turns her attention to Thazar and giving him a quick return salute, she thinks to herself, "Hardest working and most reliable Chief Petty Officer I've ever had." Taking the list from Thazar and scanning it quickly with a practiced eye, she sees nothing unexpected. Handing it back, she says, "That looks good to me, lets take care of that first thing in the morning. Hopefully our need to leave is not going to be too abrupt."
|
|
|
Post by Mighty Darci on Apr 28, 2017 22:15:28 GMT -5
Sir Baltus arrives he scans the room looking for any trouble and noting where the exits are. He respects the local law level and is currently unarmed except for a knife in a boot sheath. If all seems ok, he will report by comm link to Cho on who has arrived so far.
Raven takes note of the brief entry and exit of Sir Baltus and figures things will begin fairly soon now. Her food and drink arrive a couple of beats later. Before she can start eating - Blackjack Miller and Lois Cho enter the room together. Both are smiling and chatting with each other. "Evening, Raven." The Clear Sails owner says glancing around he nods to Peng and Thazar saying in a dry voice, "Feet off the table Peng." Raven comes smoothly to her feet, giving Blackjack a nod and turning her attention to his companion. "This is Chief Factor Cho of Delgado Trading, and our new mission." he indicates the short woman at his side. Factor Cho's hair is as dark as Blackjack's is white. It is cut short and frames her oval face. Cho is slim and has few wrinkles, but there is something about her that leads you to believe she is much older than she looks. "Oh, and this is Cathy Jokavik." Blackjack waves at a tall slim woman walking in behind Factor Cho, "Ms Jokavik is one of Factor Cho's four assistants who will be traveling with his for the next few months." Blackjack moves to sit on Raven's right and invites Factor Cho to sit on her left, "Madam Cho may I present our Captain and Pilot Raven Firestorm. Raven, Delgado Trading has chartered The Clear Sails to transport Madam Cho and her assistants from here to the Mantan system and to assist her in setting up trading centers on planets from here to Mantan." "It is because of this charter that I've had the ship in the Yards here for the last week making a few modification. I'll tell everyone more about that once everyone is here." "Good evening, Captain Firestorm." Cho half bows to Raven before taking her seat. "Good evening to you Madame Cho." Raven returns the bow and resumes her own seat. Inclining her head Cho smiles at Raven and says, "I am Lois Cho. My friends call me Lois, and I hope I will be able to count you as one of my friends." Raven returns the smile, warming to her and replies, "Thank you Lois, it is always good to have new friends while keeping the old ones, mine call me Raven." Cho looks across the table at Blackjack, "Jack you mentioned a beer earlier, yes?" without turning she adds, "Cathy, would you be so kind as to order Mr Miller and me a beer?" Jokavic slides the attache case next to her boss and moves to the auto-bar to comply without a word. Blackjack looks down the table and says, "And this is Thazar De Vrass who I help with Engineering aboard Clear Sails and Peng Silva, a Jack of All Trades and a pretty good Gunner when he wants to be." Cho nods to each of the men in turn, "A pleasure to meet you gentlemen." When Cho has her drink in hand, Raven lifts her glass and gives the toast, "To a successful venture!" After taking a small drink and seeing the others join in, she turns her attention to her steak before it has a chance to cool any more.
|
|
|
Post by Mighty Darci on Apr 28, 2017 22:23:04 GMT -5
Cyril arrived, worried because he's late. "Sorry if I'm late. I took a shortcut through the kitchen and got distracted. They'll be pushing the mudweasel flambe'. Don't order it." Turns to "My name is Cyril. I'm your steward. If you have any special dietary or life-support needs, please let me know as soon as possible, and I'll be sure whatever's necessary will be on board. Raven smiles when Cyril comes in, excellent cook that one, conscientious and though a bit anxious about life, a good crew member.
|
|
|
Post by carlos on Apr 29, 2017 8:03:54 GMT -5
Dr. Wade Vargas enters Room 3 carrying an oddly-looking liquid in a glass in his hand. At first glance, it is unclear whether it is actually a drink or one of the concoctions that he so often handles in his lab (which only very rarely go boom). He is a slim, wiry man approaching 40 with slightly-rugged but well-kept looks. He looks at Raven and nods to her first, looking directly at her eyes.
"Captain. Sorry for the delay, got held up."
He then takes the room in at a glance and nods again, seemingly relaxed. "Gentlemen," he adds as he takes a seat. As he notices the short, dark-haired woman and the tall, skinny one, he smiles affably and adds "And gentlewomen. Doc Wade Vargas, at your service."
|
|
|
Post by erisred on Apr 29, 2017 14:06:01 GMT -5
Cyril arrived, worried because he's late. "Sorry if I'm late. I took a shortcut through the kitchen and got distracted. They'll be pushing the mudweasel flambe'. Don't order it." Turns to "My name is Cyril. I'm your steward. If you have any special dietary or life-support needs, please let me know as soon as possible, and I'll be sure whatever's necessary will be on board. "Ah! Cyril, come on in and have a seat." Blackjack says adding, "Let me introduce you to Chief Factor Cho and one of her assistants, Cathy Jokavik." "Madame Cho and Ms Jokavik this is Cyril Asinner our Steward and chef." he says smiling.
|
|
|
Post by erisred on Apr 29, 2017 14:16:24 GMT -5
Dr. Wade Vargas enters Room 3 carrying an oddly-looking liquid in a glass in his hand. At first glance, it is unclear whether it is actually a drink or one of the concoctions that he so often handles in his lab (which only very rarely go boom). He is a slim, wiry man approaching 40 with slightly-rugged but well-kept looks. He looks at Raven and nods to her first, looking directly at her eyes. "Captain. Sorry for the delay, got held up." He then takes the room in at a glance and nods again, seemingly relaxed. "Gentlemen," he adds as he takes a seat. As he notices the short, dark-haired woman and the tall, skinny one, he smiles affably and adds "And gentlewomen. Doc Wade Vargas, at your service." "Welcome Doctor." says Blackjack adding with a grin, "Is that a drink or one of your experiments?" "Madame Cho this is Doctor Wade Vargas, our Medic and resident scientist." Blackjack says continuing, "Wade, may I present Chief Factor Cho of Delgado Trading and one of her assistants Cathy Jokavik." "We are sill waiting on one more of mine, I think." Blackjack turns to Cho, "Are any other of your people going to be present for this meeting?" She nods, "Sir Baltus is out in the taproom keeping an eye on things." "Cathy?" she says without turning. The young woman says something under her breath, then says aloud, "He is on his way." Out in the taproom, Baltus receives Cathy's signal for him to come into the back room through the small communicator that is pasted unobtrusively behind his ear. These "comdots" are expensive and short range unless connected to a network, but they allow sending sub-vocalized words and can receive transmissions silently. The commdots connect wirelessly to a small unit (a short range comm) worn on the belt, or carried in a pocket, which acts as a bridge to data and communication networks. Accessories include heads up displays projected onto the inside of glasses and multiplexers which take the place of the short range comm unit or hand computer and allow for multi-channel communications. The multiplexer is also small enough to fit in a purse, be carried in a pocket, or from a belt. OOC: wiki.travellerrpg.com/Commdot Is this the sort of high tech short range comm unit you were wanting Frank?
|
|
|
Post by ffilz on Apr 30, 2017 0:36:39 GMT -5
Out in the taproom, Baltus receives Cathy's signal for him to come into the back room through the small communicator that is pasted unobtrusively behind his ear. Baltus enters the room, takes in all the people in the room, and walks over to Cathy and Cho to be introduced. Baltus is a beefy, but nimble man (physical stats ABA). He is a well dressed man and clearly means business. Perfect.
|
|
|
Post by carlos on Apr 30, 2017 3:39:12 GMT -5
"Welcome Doctor." says Blackjack adding with a grin, "Is that a drink or one of your experiments?" "Madame Cho this is Doctor Wade Vargas, our Medic and resident scientist." Blackjack says continuing, "Wade, may I present Chief Factor Cho of Delgado Trading and one of her assistants Cathy Jokavik." "Charmed," says Doc Vargas, with a sincere-looking smile, shortly fixing his gaze on each woman's eyes in turn. As he sits down, he answers Blackjack's question by taking a sip from his concoction. Which then starts to bubble slightly and shifts color from greenish to reddish.
|
|
|
Post by erisred on Apr 30, 2017 15:13:26 GMT -5
After being introduced to Sir Baltus and another minute of chatting, Blackjack clears his throat and leans forward. "I think we'll get started now. Gilroy can catch up when he arrives. Hold your questions until Madame Cho and I have finished making our presentations, please." Blackjack puts both hands on the table and says, "As I mentioned a few minutes ago, Madame Cho has chartered The Clear Sails, or rather Delgado Trading has. Madame Cho is one of Delgado's Chief Factors, meaning she is in charge of Delgado's business interests in a large area of space." "Delgado has hired us to transport Madame Cho and her assistants from here to Mantan." Blackjack pushes a button on a small hand held projector and projects a map onto the tabletop, "You can see we have a series of 8 or 9 jumps to get to Mantan, and that's assuming Madame Cho doesn't have us make any side trips down the two branches you can see coming out of the Poughkeepsie system." "As you know we are right out at the edge of where any of us have been and we know very little about the systems north of Patagonia. We will be exploring new, and potentially very dangerous territory, all the way from here to Mantan. For that reason I have had a few changes made to Clear Sails." "Doctor Vargas, you will find a pair of new Autodocs in your medical bay. They certainly can't take your place, but they combine the new slow drug technology with diagnostic and treatment mechanisms to greatly speed healing of injuries." "I finally, ungraded our armament. I had the Yard put in that second triple turret we've been talking about for months. We now have dual pulse lasers, plus a sandcaster, in both the port and starboard turrets. I also had a plasma cannon installed on our ship's boat. We won't be a match for a warship, but we should make any pirate have second and third thoughts about taking us on." "In addition, I sacrificed some of our cargo space to give us fuel tankage for a second jump and third jump. We have permanent fuel tanks now that allow us to stay in space without refueling for 2 months, rather than 1, plus make two 1 parsec jumps without refueling. We have fuel bladders in the cargo hold that can take enough water to refill our tanks for a third jump. I've had an upgraded fuel purifier installed as well so we can make our own purified fuel from water or any other unrefined hydrogen source. The downside is our cargo capacity is down to 110 tons with the bladders filled and only 130 with them empty." "Effectively, our cargo hole will be reduced to 20 to 50 tons once Delgado's cargo is factored in. I'm sorry to lose the cargo space, but being able to jump out of trouble or past unfriendly systems and refine our own fuel is more important if we're going to be going beyond the frontier." "Our mission is to explore as we go, but foremost, to deliver the Chief Factor and her team to their destination." he leans back and looks at Cho, "I think that's all." Lois Cho smiles and nods, "Yes, a very good summary Jack." "The cargo space Delgado is taking is filled with 3 prefab trading centers we will be leaving in likely systems along the way, 4 beckons we will be deploying with data for Delgado ships that will be following in our wake, an ATV for surface operations, and examples of goods that we can sell to systems in this new market area." Cho says, "We think we will be the first trading company from this area out into the Mantan area, but we also know that Turkalu and Sanchez are interested and either could already be out there and either or both will take exception to our presence, and then there *are* reports of pirates and hostile systems, so I think we have to expect trouble, be prepared for it. We will be cautious as we travel, but time is of the essence if we are to get to Mantan first and the first company to Mantan will certainly have an advantage in negotiation trade concessions. That is very important to Delgado Trading." "I have no problem with you using the remaining cargo space for your own trading activities, but I've told Mr. Miller that the only passengers he will be carrying during the charter will be my assistants and myself." Cho smiles, "Our presence aboard is not meant to usurp or change the command structure or the normal operations of your ship. We are hiring you to transport us and assist in the gathering of data about the systems we visit. Any data either of us collect will be shared between us. You should come out of this with more information than any other independent ship of this area as well as a tidy profit as we'll be paying all normal ship expenses during the charter." Cho smiles again, "I do hope we have an enjoyable and profitable number of months together." She turns to Blackjack and says, "Anything else Jack?" Blackjack smiles at Cho and turns to the group, "Any questions?"
|
|
|
Post by raikenclw on Apr 30, 2017 20:34:55 GMT -5
[Waaayyyy back upthread now . . .]
Peng is about to return fire in this latest round of the continuous verbal battle in which he and Raven engage, but the first of several entries into the room forestall him. When Blackjack predictably orders him to move his feet, Peng does so with a longsuffering sigh.
What is it with Ol' Blackie? It's not like my boots are gonna leave marks to count against his damage deposit. I'm betting these tables can shrug off bullets, let alone scuffs.
Now forced to sit more or less upright in his chair, Peng's head clears the table surface by enough inches that he can slouch forward and rest his chin on his crossed arms. As everyone files into the room and the introductions flow around him, Peng raises his beer slightly in acknowledgement to each hail, tossing in a [he believes] dazzling smile aimed at their apparent Patron when his name is called by Blackjack. Peng's attention is briefly caught by the stick-thin secretary . . .
She's gotta be something special or she wouldn't be on a gig like this, but I'm damned if I can see anything special about her. Best be careful, though.
. . . And her boss . . .
THAT one is right out of the running. I mean, she's not bad looking for 70ish, but it's best not to mess with the one signing the paychecks.
When Blackjack's "Any questions?" rings out, Peng sits up more or less straight in his chair and raises his beer-free hand. Once acknowledged, he comments in a serious tone, "Will Mz. Cho be supplying a gunner for our new turret? Or is that a position for which we need to hire someone new? If the latter, then I will go ahead and point out the obvious. Which is, recruiting a new hand would be an excellent way to allow the Opposition to plant an agent aboard."
Leaning back in his chair, Peng smiles and adds casually, "Of course, we could link both turrets to a one fire control station. But if we do that, I think my compensation would need to go up."
|
|
|
Post by Mighty Darci on Apr 30, 2017 21:49:46 GMT -5
When Blackjack's "Any questions?" rings out, Peng sits up more or less straight in his chair and raises his beer-free hand. Once acknowledged, he comments in a serious tone, "Will Mz. Cho be supplying a gunner for our new turret? Or is that a position for which we need to hire someone new? If the latter, then I will go ahead and point out the obvious. Which is, recruiting a new hand would be an excellent way to allow the Opposition to plant an agent aboard."Leaning back in his chair, Peng smiles and adds casually, "Of course, we could link both turrets to a one fire control station. But if we do that, I think my compensation would need to go up."Raven watches Ha'penny's thoughts wash across his face as the introductions are made. Gah! the man makes no attempt at being subtle about anything, it is indeed a wonder that he has lived this long. As he speaks, Raven smiles, she wondered how long it would take for him to ask for more money. If there is one thing that Ha'penny did dependably, besides shoot things, it was ask for a raise. Raven turned to Blackjack and said, " While there may be some merit to the suggestion of linking both turrets to one fire control station and that should be considered, our well paid friend seems to have forgotten that you are also a gunner and could fill the station at need."
|
|
|
Post by raikenclw on Apr 30, 2017 23:09:26 GMT -5
Raven turned to Blackjack and said, " While there may be some merit to the suggestion of linking both turrets to one fire control station and that should be considered, our well paid friend seems to have forgotten that you are also a gunner and could fill the station at need." Casting a mullish look in Raven's direction, Peng mutters, "Well, he's usually on the bridge or down in Engineering, ain't he?"
|
|
|
Post by carlos on May 1, 2017 13:59:11 GMT -5
"Doctor Vargas, you will find a pair of new Autodocs in your medical bay. They certainly can't take your place, but they combine the new slow drug technology with diagnostic and treatment mechanisms to greatly speed healing of injuries." Wade raises an eyebrow at that and brings up his glass. "Much appreciated."
|
|
|
Post by carlos on May 1, 2017 14:07:06 GMT -5
Doc Vargas rubs his chin, thinking. He waits politely for the exchange between the cap and Peng to finish, then asks "I take it we are sticking to the main then? Because with the added fuel tankage we could cut across from ShiraLea to Beeta, and from there directly to Mantan. If so, what makes all those backwaters so interesting? Just wondering."
|
|