An abandoned fort, Dirkimun system…
Following the battle in the underdome courtyard, the intrepid adventurers have come into possession of a TL4 airship, nothing that fancy, but better than walking. The airship is about 10m long and 3m at it’s widest, there is a single position for a pilot and it’s sole armament is a gatling gun in the nose, hand operated by someone who opens a panel in the nose and slides it out on a rail. Inside the airship it is spare accommodations, maybe 8-10 could squeeze in, mostly just a bare cargo area with some personal effects of the former crew like clothes, foodstuffs, water, all of questionable value. In the very rear of the compartment is the engine, an ancient design of a inline four cylinder, gravity fed by a fuel tank above it, oiling system venting to the cabin air and exhaust vented outside barely; the engine runs two pusher props through a belt system to a gear induction drive.
Questions follow… how far will it fly? Who will fly it? There are over 1400km to go and night is beginning to fall. An examination of the controls shows it is simple enough, maybe too simple and all marked in the local language, good thing Kallen is along. The primitive controls as such are a control stick, foot pedal and some pull type throttle levers.
Comments
Walt will inspect the controls he thinks they maybe similar to the controls he saw on a tracked vehicle he was in earlier in his carrier, other than that he has no further ideas to offer though it should be simple to tether it inside this dome and ever so slightly manipulate each control and figure which one is altitude, port, and starboard.
That should of been career not carrier lolz suggestive text and to much traveller lingo on the mobile hahaha
There are also some controls for the burner under the balloon, it is a bit tricky looking to fly. :)
Meanwhile, elsewhere at Mielerova, Torquil has been out stretching his legs. He’s been kicking around the small trading post casually overseeing the processing of the water he scooped for fuel into the Dust Witch and performing all the basic diagnostics and checking over the manifest. There didn’t seem to be any real rush, Mr Irulan had told him to sit tight for now and he didn’t seem to be a man to cross. Regardless, Torq wasn’t sure what his next move was going to be, all he knows is he’s getting itchy feet. With Garet and Kallen gone he was stuck alone with a free trader far out on the frontier; a curiously interesting situation for a smuggler…
He stared up at the night sky as he made his way to the local bar, “Captain Krogstrup”, he said to himself in his deep voice, “might be good to be a captain again”. As he watched the stars the unmistakable needle silhouette of a scout ship flew overhead and came in to land in the nearby field.
This was news, “Hmm, nobody much coming or going here, way out on the arse end of the universe…” he decided to forgo the pleasures of the local tavern, as humble and pleasing as he found it, this was worth investigating. He’d stay in the shadows until he had the measure of those landing. Mostly just a recon to see their numbers, arms and armour, perhaps overhear some conversation or see any cargo going on or off.
[ooc: Introducing ‘Torquil Krogstrup’. Sorry for posting out of the timeline & current location]
Garet starts shucking off his combat armour and packing it away.. “Okay folks, can we have a couple of people double check to see what these pirates were up to? I mean, any booty we can find will help us, although we have the chest of cash (that would’ve been divided up into easier to carry bundles)”
“Now, I don’t have experience with Dirigibles, per say, but I think my atmo flight hours will help pilot this beast, at worse, I can follow the river, which, as long as I have moonlight shouldn’t be a problem.”
“But you all tell me, we fly now? or wait until just before dawn, when the winds should be lighter?"
“Anyway, I’d better check the fuel and oil situation,as well as look over the lifting system. I’d hate to be at the mercy of the winds.”
“Also, think light..assess what you need to carry, we have to be as trim as possible, especially in the event we run into trouble.”
[OOC: Nice to have you on board, Torquil!]
This could get a bit complicated all in one thread, both should dovetail pretty quick though (I hope). lol
I would like to introduce Mr31337/Torq to everyone, he and I were players together over on the mongoose forums, a great player, and he is another one who can do awesome deck plans like coldwar/Kallen.
Garet was elected leader, so he should make the decision unless anyone objects.
Torq sees the familar shape of the scout land, the scout-pilot doesn’t seem to be too active, just dealing with the refuelers and setting up berthing, then getting back in their ship. Always plenty of odd whispers as to why the ISS is nosing around, eventually the scout ill find their way out, they always do. Torq can also check out the Irulan Trading House over in the industrial area, maybe some leads or rumors from others of Irulan’s flock; here on the frontier being an upstanding merchant house, smugglers or a band of privateers is only different by measure of degrees.
“Only thing I can drive is a plasma torch digger,” Sialann mumbles, not liking the flimsy look of the dirigible one bit. Then louder, “Yes, let’s wait til daylight when the winds are lighter – but we’ll need to set up a perimeter in case those fellows had friends.” This being while she is hunting through the previous occupants’ gear, mostly looking for something to put on – her vacc suit wasn’t designed for extended wear and it’s pretty much all she has.
Investigate-0 (+ INT/+1)
Die rolls: 1, 6 + 1
Roll total: 8
A pair of reasonably clean dungarees and a handy belt would do…
Kallen will check out the controls after asking walt out the way, so he can sit down in the cockpit. Thinking its nice and cosy, when its completely ramshakle as to be expected of an ill mannered blimp. He talks himself out loud in his native tongue, as to what he can read. Stumbling on words he doesn’t know what it means. Namely because he has no experience of flight, but easily recognise’s terms that he would know as a avid sailer. Once he is comfortable he turns round to Walt, “You feel up to sailing this thing?” remembering chats in a few bars with pilots of these things, refering to them as something you sail like a ship and nothing else due to how slow and how much the wind effects them. “Or you think we should see if anyone has any experience with a blimp? I can sail a ship, but only just and they say these are like sea worthy sail boats. But is still a bit, you know different now I am sitting here.”
Garet listens to Sialann’s comment, ponders on it for a bit, before saying:
“Don’t worry about the driving part, that’s covered. Normally, I’d agree with you, but we may have a fuel concern, plus who knows the numbers those stooges might bring back with them.”
Bringing his voice up just loud enough to make sure everyone can hear:
“Finish your sweeps, lighten your loads. Jaq, you and Walt make sure we’re as light as we can be and still protect ourselves. Kallen, walk me through this panel, I know some of the words, but not sure about these three. Mari, get me a course heading from that map heading downriver.”
“Walt, you and Jaq and Sialann are my guns, one of you on the Gatling, the others cover our radius. Pointing up at the airbag, we protect that at all costs.”
Looking up at the fading light, “We lift as soon as this bag is filled. Let’s move, crew.”
With that, Garet will head to the back of the airship to work on understanding the burner using his:
Mechanic [ 3 + 5 + 2 (mechanic skill) for 10]
and
Flyer (Rotor) [ 5 + 3 + 1 (rotor skill) for 9 ]
OOC: welcome to the game mr31337, you’ll love it here. draganor am not that great, though thats just reminded me I believe I got a couple other deckplans on my computer, somewhere. Though T20 designs I believe and a little more detailed thinking of the top of my head.
OOC: Don’t sell yourself short coldwar, people really like your deck plan for the Witch.
Sialann finds a set of pants in the airship, and can strip a belt from one of the casualties, clean however is another matter entirely.
With Kallen and Walt’s help, Garet can make an unsteady take-off in the airship, first gust of wind turns it sideways a bit until Garet gets it under control. People are packed in the belly, Mari taking a look at the group snugged in, hollers above the din of motor and wind: “Keep her steady cap’n, doan thin’ we packed any barf bags!” After a bit of a wobbly ride, the airship catches direction and Mari plots the river course, triangulating between he hand comp, any points of reference, and the river; pointing it out to Garet.
Garet roll 2d6
After a few hours, in the distance, a town can be seen.
Garet rolls (and I kid you not, this was from the random dice roller on the site)
Roll: 1d6
6
Roll: 1d6
6
That will be boxcars, my friends!
G’Day and welcome mr31337
once we are under way, and the airship is proceeding well Walt will make his way to the bow and man the gun, or at least get it ready if we are set upon by scurvy pirate dogs “Arrr me ’arties”
Walt notices a crude lever/linkage that opens a panel in front, once a latch is undone, where the gatling gun can slide out on a track. The gun sight is a big circular cross-hairs reticle, clamped on the front, how accurate that is even by TL4 standards seems immensely primitive…
Garet finds he is getting the hang of the airship, it’s cruising speed about 50-60kph; after catching a strong gust, the wind shear leaves the ship rocking from side to side, fishtailing a bit. One thing Garet does notice is the lack of a fuel gauge, and that common sense would say that fuel usage increases with rpm of the engine in back.
Walt shouts out his intention to test fire our defensive armaments, he will also inform Garet that there might be a lurch if the recoil is not insulated. When Walt has the ready signal he will let rip a burst.
Walt opens the gun port, sliding the gun out, rate of fire is low and clunky, taking 20 round stick mags in the top of the gun, with a crank lever on the side, mostly smokey and loud.
One thing everyone notices is Dirkimun’s satellite, it isn’t a satellite except an entire other world, that the planets must do some crazy circular dance orbit. Seeing it hang there is almost like looking at a mirror in the sky, shocking to one’s sensibilities, like “we’re gonna crash”. To Garet, Kallen and Mari; it’s where they wanna be, for their different reasons.
Mari, casually goes over to the gas tank in a moment of curiosity, knocking on it’s side: “I think we’re running low on fuel”. She shouts above the noise.
Sialann is interrupted from her reverie by Mari’s shout. She’d been quietly fretting about the wounded fellows they’d left behind in the fort – to presumably bleed to death, and with no inkling of their deserving such a fate. Although she’d been hard when necessary during her thieftaking days, she’d always lived by her tribal code – and that meant establishing certainty of guilt.
Her worries quickly evaporate, however, to be overcome by alarm and she bustles over to Mari, muttering “I knew this was a bad idea, I never liked the look of this thing,” etc.
Jaq, hearing Mari’s shout, moves over to the engine and looks at it, then looks at the fuel tank. Coming to the same conclusion as Mari, Jaq shouts, “I’d say we should make for that town there, but not go into the town on this thing!” Then she starts going over her equipment again, concerned about the possible ramifications of what might happen. The last thing she wants to do now is spend time in the local hoosgow.
Garet: plugging his ears for Walt’s test fire, waits until after her fires off a few rounds before removing the plugs.
[OOC: to GM, whether or not he hears Mari’s shout depends on where the controls are in relation to the engine room/fuel tank are located. If it’s a front/back configuration, then he’ll have to wait for someone to come up to tell him, if it’s topside/below, same thing]
But any one looking at him will see that for the first time, he has a look that resembles an almost boyish glee. He is in his element.
If Garet doesn’t seem to respond to Mari, Jaq will move up next to him and tell him what is going on and what she said about not going into the town but coming in close. She’ll also share her misgivings concerning possible jail in this little town.
After the test fire Walt will recheck the gun making sure she is loaded and ready to fire, he will check there is no rounds jammed or dry moving parts ie make the gun in best serviceable condition. When the discussion comes up he adds to the others “maybe we could check the hold for clothing and maybe dress down as locals”
Garet, listening over the din of the engines responds to Jaq:
“Gotcha. I figured we may not have had a full tank heading out, but we got some distance, so that’s a good thing.”
Upon hearing her misgvings about going into town, Garet replies: “That could be a toss up, which one might draw more suspicion? an airship landing outside of town? or one taken over by an intrepid band?”
“But I’ll defer to you on this one, Number 1. The closest thing to a local we have is Kallen, so take him with you. See if there’s anything to barter or trade with as well on board, we have the Imp creds, but who knows how those wil go over?”
“I’ll keep the engine running for as long as I can while you two are in town, but if things go bad, RUN.”
On hearing that Jaq and Kallen were going into town, Sialann’s ears prick up. “Need some company?” she asks. She’s got half an eye out to getting away from this nasty cranky old dirigible before it blows up or something, and half an eye on getting some new duds for herself – these pants she’s purloined have some distastefully interesting stains on them…
ooc: has the cash been shared out among the team or does she have to go cap in hand to Garet for a hand-out?
No cash has been shared out, it has even been counted, still all nicely shrink wrapped stacks Republic of Terrelay credits (good for a 1 to 1 exchange rate with Imperial Credits, currency trading is a so – so business proposition in post – scarsity economies). No clothes on board, they were cleaned out with the rest of the junk and Sialann may want some clothing, but some trade value stuff will be needed, the credits will only be good at a bank in Mzxthahl, this town looks like they probably won’t know of the Imperium or Terrelay, Kallen would say as much.
Decide where you want to land, there is an airfield there as well; Garet roll 2d6.
“Thanks, Garet,” Jaq says, and he is left wondering whether it was a sarcastic remark or just heard that way over the roar of the engine. “Put us about 5 klicks out. It will be far enough out that the sounds of the engine won’t be heard and we will walk in from there.”
As they get closer to the ground, Jaq hears Sialann’s question, “Need some company?” Jaq turns to her, “I don’t have a problem with that. A guy with a couple of women in toe won’t look terribly imposing. Might make a good cover.”
When we land, Jaq climbs out of the cabin(cockpit, gondola, whatever) and makes sure she is wearing her civilian attire, not worrying about changing in front of anybody. She’ll clip her communicator to her underwear and make sure her commdots are working. She’ll also take only one of her pistols and she will wear that concealed under her blouse, which she will wear untucked. She’ll wear trousers, boots and a jacket, too.
“Let’s not be too conspicuous about being from off-world. A lot of places don’t like off-worlders, so Kallen, you’ll have the lead. We’ll take a little cash, but not too much and nobody tries to use any credsticks. Sialann, I don’t really know what you are capable of, but it might be best if you act visibly subservient to Kallen”
Before they set off, Jaq talks to Garet. “‘G’, give me about 100 credits and take this,” she palms her credstick to Garet. “If something stupid happens and I’m unable to get off this rock alive, make sure this gets back to the Imperium, to the Emperor, if you can. It has everything on it you might need. You know who the password is (Garet would instantly know it was the Naval flyer who died, breaking her heart). Only use what you need.”
OOC: Oops. Should have refreshed before I posted. Skip the part about giving credits to Jaq.
No cash has been shared out, it has even been counted, still all nicely shrink wrapped stacks Republic of Terrelay credits (good for a 1 to 1 exchange rate with Imperial Credits, currency trading is a so – so business proposition in post – scarsity economies). No clothes on board, they were cleaned out with the rest of the junk and Sialann may want some clothing, but some trade value stuff will be needed, the credits will only be good at a bank in Mzxthahl, this town looks like they probably won’t know of the Imperium or Terrelay, Kallen would say as much.
Decide where you want to land, there is an airfield there as well; Garet roll 2d6.
Garet listens to Jaq, as he begins to slowly circle, dropping altitude..heading for the airfield “I’ll take my chances on the airfield, besides, that’s where the fuel is anyway.”
“Grab my bag, willya?” Once Jaq returns, Garet rummages through and hands her some waterproof matches, a compass, and a headlamp with a set of fresh batteries.
“Here, take this. You should be able to trade/barter some food and possibly clothes for this, I’d suggest you, and Kallen do the same, don’t think the creds will help us out here, perhaps once we reach a larger city..”
Garet looks at her when she hands over the credstick, he then takes it, and tucks it away in a concealed pocket in his pants:
_"Just make sure nothing stupid happens, and keep a close eye on Lil miss “shoot first, ask questions later” gesturing towards Sialann, “If she carries, make sure it’s concealed as best as possible.”
“Also, you know the drill, as much intel as possible, and a weather report. don’t want to fly into bad weather.”
Turning back to Jaq with a grin over his features..“you may want to let everyone know to strap in, and prepare for landing.”
[Garet rolls:
Roll: 1d6
4
Roll: 1d6
6
+1 for flyer (rotor) for a total of 11
Kallen enjoys watching Jaq changing cloths, leering like a dog. “Well, knowing me,” after making sure she hasn’t seen him, slightly scared of her seeing her in combat, and her being foreign to him, he answers in response to Jaq. “The locals will only see me as the person to talk to if its just the three of us going.”
Kallen then turns his head around looking for anything that could be bartered before going on, “If you two are taking guns, make sure they are not somewhere that they can be found. I’ll be able to show mine more easily. But we need something to trade with, if we want more fuel. Though we could scout out the town, find some odd thing, a job, or whatever we may end up doing here.” Turning to Garet, giving him a knowing look of what Kallen is thinking, being, ‘If we have to, rob it.’
With that he asks everyone to search the craft to find anything that could be sold, whilst he talks with Jaq and Sialann talking over how that both should act as his slaves whilst in town, carrying any goods they will be trying to sell, as well as hauling anything they manage to buy. As well as always staying behind him on his right side.
Walt asks “Is anyone staying behind to guard the ship? I suggest the pilot and gunner man the ship and keep station with the comms, we all know what happened last time we blundered into a bar”
Perception Check for Jaq to notice Kallen leering: (d6)6+(d6)6+(Recon Skill)1=13
Jaq Bristles at the mention of the idea of slavery, having some idea of what Sialann has gone through already and the fact that everything that Kallen was saying was just a rewording of what she had already said, making it sound like it was Kallen’s idea. For a moment, she considered kicking him in the crotch for his leering, sexism and insensitivity. She turns toward him with a look of consideration, a cross look in her eye. After the moment’s consideration, she decides that for the good of the mission, she should, perhaps, let this slide and instead places a restraining hand on Sialann’s shoulder. “I suppose you won’t need a slave’s help if you need to rob something, being that slaves aren’t even really people and that you are so much better than them, right?” Her tone is even and aside from the words she spoke, might even be considered honey-sweet. “Just remember that the reason you are going is to make us appear as if we belong, not to be the a condescending ass of a leader,” Jaq says with a serious tone.
(OOC: Just because it doesn’t translate well written and because I have experienced hard feelings in the past, I want to be clear that I know Kallen’s words were being played in character. I also want to be sure that it’s understood that Jaq’s words are likewise an in character reaction and not meant personally.)
Walt adds “Oops forgot to suggest, we refuel before we go marking about town no need to get things in a knot and then try running with dry tanks”
Kallen’ eye’s gloom up. Not sure what to say, but then says what comes to his mind, “Least you ain’t no real slave to a local. Last time I was here saw things I wouldn’t even allow, nor anyone I know allow back on my homeworld to offworlders. Least I can fit in more then anyone else here.”
Kallen then looks around some more, and brings himself to walt, “First we need something for the fuel. And I doubt they will be accepting off world credits much.” Then turns to everyone else, “Think it looks like its decided that me and these two slaves,” mocking slightly at Jaq, “will head out to get the fuel, food, cloths and rags, whilst the rest of you stay here, making sure our fine craft is in good shape. Anyone got anything special you’d like?” Kallen asks jokingly, mostly at Garet.
(OOC: Thanks, sounds like you was laughing, your response was great too. :) )
The roll was for under dex, which Garet failed (rotary is helicopter) and coming in to land, the airship has had an accident, severity… Roll: 2d6
9 = 5 [d6] + 4 [d6]
The airship looking out of control, people yelling and driving for cover until it slams into some local wagons carrying grain. However, it is only slightly damaged, what is the trouble is the now angry farmer’s torches and pitchforks.
What one can see, the town looks about 1890’s – ish tech wise.
Visibly subservient? Act as your slaves? Anyone close enough to her would hear the sound of fangs being gnashed. But she can see the need for discretion and Jaq’s words help relax the sudden tension in her shoulders.
“Oh, I can be a slave,” she says softly, “I know all about that.”
She throws the robe which she wore as the duke’s serving girl over herself and her weapons; she leaves the sword and bayonet behind but wears both her sidearms. Her comm she stows
ooc: this robe is voluminous enough to conceal two pistols, a whole bunch of tattoos and a dirty pair of men’s pants? something like princess leia wore in ‘a new hope’?
edit: that should read “Her comm she stows in a pocket of those grubby trousers”
[OOC: So what would the airship be under skill wise? I must’ve had some pretty heavy minuses to fail with a 10 rolled! But, that’s role playing!]
Meanwhile, these posts are backlogged from the conversations before I crashed:
Listening to Jaq and Kallen’s comments (but turning away while Jaq changes) Garet holds up his hand to cut the conversation before it get’s heated (he’s been around Jaq long enough to know that tone, and what it implies)
Garet speaks in a calm tone, but those who know him recognize the command edge underneath.
“Hold up..no one’s being a slave to anyone. I wasn’t exactly given free reign for all those months when I was captured, and unless the culture absolutely calls for that, you all go in as a team, which is what we are. Kallen, you’re setting up a homestead, Jaq and Sialann work for you. The airship is for scouting out land parcels.”
“Kal, you’re more familiar with this territory, so they will follow your lead (once Jaq is dressed he will turn to face them), but if either Jaq or Sialann sniff trouble, Jaq, you get them to safety, Clear?”
“People may gawk, they may or may not ask questions, keep your story simple and plain..easier for all of you to remember it. If any questions come up about the ship, you deflect those to me..”
“There’s not much on board to barter, so we’re going to have to raid our stuff for things to trade with, Jaq, use what I gave you to help get Sialann some decent clothes. The rest of us, look through, no weapons, but things we can part with that might help a farming community.”
“Walt, you’re right. you and I will stay with the ship, we’ll refuel her and I’ll continue to get familiar with these controls. We’ll both search our gear to see if we have anything of value to barter with for fuel, if not, we may have to trade off labor.”
These comments will be made after Garet encourages everyone to get below or low topside and prepare for landing..
As he begins to make for the airfield, Garet is scanning around, trying to find a windsock, or something to give him an idea of which direction to lower level winds are coming from. As he slowly settles toward what he thinks is a landing pad, a gust of wind slams the ship sideways, causing Garet to stumble starboard and lose control. The ship, unpiloted for a moment, is carried by the wind away from the landing point and into the edge of town where Garet, regaining his balance, at the last moment see two wagons rushing at him.
Shouting at the top of his lungs he screams out:
“GET CLEAR!!!, BRACE FOR IMPACT!!”
Luckily, the wind shifted just enough to slow the airships progress, but it does smack hard into the sides of the wagons, toppling one on it’s side, and almost lifting the other, before it’s weight stops the ship progress.
Peeking up from over the side Garet comments:
“Well, any bad landing you can walk away from is a good one!"
Even with the rotary + 1, the roll was dex roll, so it just missed it, I have been using the rotary skill so far, as it doesn’t seem for there to be a good substitute. Nobody thought to think of putting down the landing skids either. ;)
There is one big thing to trade…
How does everyone want to deal with the farmers? Plus there are the townsfolk, fuel, clothes, etc. .
ooc:
Walt says “We have a for all intent purposes an airship that belongs to us im not happy trading it for a captains promise of a trip down river, to me sounds more like being sold down the river”
Walt breaks out in a hearty laugh then asks “Whats these peoples religion? we could pose as deities, and admonish the farmer for being so careless as to parking his wares in the position his god decided to land hahahahaha…” Walt looks around to see if anyone else is amused by his idea.
Kallen turns to Walt with hard face. “No wonder people here do not like offworlders!” He then looks at Garet as he gets ready smirking at Garet.
“One more unlucky landing there.”
Kallen the turns back to Walt, “These people are not that easy. Much like all of the Gateworlds, as you call them. However, they are not great with offworlders. I sort of fit in here, but the rest of you I think you won’t truely ever look right. Here, is more common to find offworlders as a slave or criminal, worse then me and my people.”
“We could charter this thing to someone needing something moved maybe. We never know. Garet, you ok to sort out your landing issue’s or you want me on it before heading in to town?”
Kallen then looks at everyone, then at the ship wondering what could be stored in it before getting out, shouting at the ground team who run to get the blimps grounding lines, “Hold the lines, now!” Commanding in an annoyed voice in his native tongue knowing that they will know it well before spitting and damning the wind.
extemporising here to keep things moving, hope i’m not stealing anybody’s fire… Sialann jumps clear of the ’ship as she slews to a tangled halt, and tries to roll to minimise impact – getting all tangled up in the folds of that damn stupid robe. When her world stops spinning, she looks up and around and tries to gauge the reaction of any visible locals to their being dropped-in on.
OOC: Blimps get pushed around by the wind allot, as soon as they land they need to be tethered before they crash in to things. Crashing or no, the ground crews priority is to ground the thing before it causes damage to itself and anything nearby, or cause further damage.
ooc: sorry, I was bouncing off Garet’s post; I wasn’t sure we made it to the landing field – sounded like we came down on the edge of town…
[OOC: To Philbobones: your post was fine, from Dragoner’s initial description, I played out the landing, being at the airfield, but the field having small buildings around it’s edge and being fairly close to the edge of the town to make offloading of goods easier.]
[OOC: to Coldwar. exactly. These airship/blimp incidences happen quite a bit, since the wind..is the wind..lol]
Garet’s first actions, after his comment is to ask the crew: “Call out, let us know if you’re hurt!”
Then, he will locate, and deploy the landing skids, (making a mental note to remember they exist for the next time)
The next thing he does, is hop over the edge (unless it’s too high, then he’ll use a plank or landing platform, or ladder) and assist Kallen and the landing crew in getting the airship into position and tying it down.
Turning to Kallen after the ship is tied down: “Besides the landing skids, I think I’ve got the hang of this beastie!”
“Walt, can you give the owner of that wagon a hand righting it? I’ll be right over.”
Walking over to Sialann and offering her a hand up, smiling and saying: “Well, the overall dive was nice, but I’ll have to subtract points for the dismount, however!”
Once the ship is tied down, he’ll pull the crew together and say:
“Okay, we have the plan in place, Walt, Mari and I will smooth out any ruffled feathers here, see about getting fuel. Kallen, you, Jaq and Sialann head into town, see what goods and supplies you can trade or barter for.”
“Remember, we’re the outsiders here, let’s be respectful, polite and helpful. The faster we can refuel and re-supply, the faster we can continue heading downriver, right?”
People may be ruffled a bit, but nobody is hurt. The farmers are livid at having their wagons overturned, no real damage is done though. Once out of the airship, everyone can see a variety of different styles of airships, from cargo zeppelins to armored destroyers with the lift bags inside. The area is a bit of a parochial air field, last fueling stop before travelling north to trade with other states, talking with the locals (something has to be done about the farmers) the airfield chief comes to see what the disturbance is about, he is dressed in a brilliant green coat and a multi-colored cockade in his hat, armed with an official looking watch on a chain. Looking at the party, his first words are “What’s all this?” Until his eyes go wide and he says “Outworlders”, with a gasp, it spreads amongst everyone among the field, they draw back, almost terrified, the Field Chief pulls a hankerchief from his pocket and clamps it in front of his mouth.
[OOC: I didn’t realize this steampunky little world would be so popular, that and the little spaceport on Mirri and Irulan’s trading house. I should write this up more, I could write more, steampunk stuff does seem to be popular; all the gate worlds really – a fallen steampunk empire.]
This is some of what is seen around the airfield, a Mzxthahl type 1 destroyer:
In a very none threatening manner Walt will offer his hand in greeting.
The Field Chief steps back, waving away the hand extended (hint: check the Dirkimun world description – outworlders once brought a horrible plague to the world which killed 50% of the population) and says in the local language: “Where did you come by that airship?” As a lacky, similarly dressed as the chief, brings a clipboard with papers. “Hmmm… let’s see”.
[OOC: Just read up on Dirkimun, one word: crap. Not only are we offworlders, but to them, we’re plague carriers]
Garet, falling back on his experience as a merchant realizes that lying to the locals would probably put them in a worse position than they already are, steps back from the Chief and says:
“We were adventuring North, near the ruined fortress. A band of pirates tracked a portion of our group back to the fortress, expecting they were the only group, we got the better of them, they fled into the woods, we took their airship with the goal of travelling to the starport. I’m a starship pilot and partial owner. I’ve recruited a crew, we escaped an skirmish by the Black Ships, and are on our way to meet up with my ship on Mirri.”
“We’re just here to refuel, get some supplies and be on our way. As your reaction tells me, the sooner we can do that, the sooner everyone can get back to normal.”
“And I from Nusemzar.” after making sure the Field Chief understands Garet. Kallen then adds, “I trust these people.” Kallen stands a distance, but approachable to the man. Hoping he recognises his own homeworlds name with a warm welcome.
“Boo!” says Sialann, under her breath,
Walt will withdraw the hand once someone whispers that information in his ear he apologises to the Chief for any offence, he then slinks to the back of the group and lets the native speakers do the talking.
Garet moves next to Walt, keeping him near the front, just in case things go sideways, but whispering in his ear “Sorry about that, I’m still trying to re-adjust to not being in a cage for weeks on end, but about 150 years ago, supposedly travellers brought a plague that wiped out a good chunk of the population, as well as knocking down their tech level. They’ve only recently got their population back up, the tech is growing, albeit slowly, but this world is still classified Amber, mainly for the reason we’re experiencing.”
Once Kallen steps forward to translate, and the Field Chief hears the mention of Mirri, his eyes alight: “Ah Traders!” He says. “I am more than happy to help stranded travellers, but why don’t you call you ships? Where did your ships go down? The town provost will want to hear of this though”. Then he turns to the farmers, his face changing to a scowl, “Move your wagons, reload that grain, they shouldn’t be so near the landing field as they are, git git! All of you, out of my sight”.
Turning back to the party: “I am afraid my hospitality is limited though, the local farmers here are still superstitous”. He says, hooking his thumbs in his lapels, as if to say he is a thouroughly modern Field Chief.
Kallen turns to the rest of the party, translating back the important parts. Especially the questions before adding to the party, “And he has got the farmers of our backs.”
Kallen then adds to the rest of the party, “I dunno what we should do about telling them about the gate. Best we keep that to ourselves I think. At least till we meet the provost, if memory serves me that is the mayor.”
Kallen then will turn back to the Field Chief deceptively making sure things look like they are in order and nothing to hide any discomfort of body language in what he has said to his friends. Before asking his name and the name of the provost.
(deception (0)roll 5+6 =11)
The Chief mentions his name is Arn Vialda, while the Provost (yes, he is the like the mayor) Yiezliat Estatle, he says they can go to the landing tower station and use a telephone to call him. He doesn’t ask for papers at the moment, probably because he figures that nobody has any.
Not wasting any time Kallen introduces the Chief to everyone and then asks him to lead the way to the tower. As he leads the way he stays by his side to keep up conversation easily, asking about the local news and finding out known forcasts for heading further down river. Kallen enjoys his walk, coming across to everyone, holding his long rags open, keeping his hands open but by his side.
There isn’t any local news of note from the Chief, the Federated Barony is relatively quiet. So who goes to the control tower and who stays at the airship? There is a telephone at the tower, the Chief calls the provost and asks if there is anyone else he should call?
Sialann will stick with the plan & accompany Kallen. Though she’s not sure if all this telephoning the mayor stuff will get her properly dressed, if they want to alert the locals to the Black Ships threat, it might be best if she’s there to raise their hair with some blood-curdling firsthand accounts.
Just wait until they see that fanged smile of hers.
muahaha
Kallen looks around and then asks, “Do you have any clothing for a girl somewhere?” Pointing at Sialann as he asks it so he knows who it is for then continues, “I was wondering if there is any paying jobs that need doing?”
Whilst Kallen waits he will look around the room as the chief phones the provost standing calmly as he waits, but listening in on the conversation on the phone as much as he can.
“A … uh, girl?” The Chief stumbles noticeably on the request looking at Sialann.
But that’s not the worst of it, it dawns on Kallen that the last he saw Mari, she had her vacc suit unzipped provocatively, chatting up some locals on the field with her old Blade and newly “acquired” Gauss Pistol slung jauntily around her waist; she waved goodbye to the party saying in nearly unintelligible Vlazhi: “So long, I’ll look after the cash”. With a wry grin. Pirates, gotta love ’em, they are really there to lend a hand when you need it; esp ones like Mari, such a loving cup filled to the brim with the milk of human goodness, so forgiving after you all burned her little town to the ground.
“Woman.” says Sialann flatly. “Something practical.” Nightmare visions of crinoline, stays and flounces passing through her mind.
[OOC: There is a post that was made that broke the cash up into smaller packs that members of the party were carrying, since trying to lug a chest around would have been difficult at the least. If you need the post, I’ll find it, so she may have gotten some, but not all the cash (unless she went through multiple packs. Garet not that stupid..once a pirate, always a pirate! lol]
Garet and Walt will remain with the airship. Garet asks Kallen to have a message relayed to the Imperial starport to be routed to Mirri to Irulan to let him know that we’re none the worse for wear, our current status and where we’re heading and can he arrange either transport there or have a ship meet us at the starport?
Garet then walks over to Jaq keeping his voice low: “If you get a message out, see if we can set up a meeting with the ’port’s Manager. he’s got the pull to get our intel on the black’s on the front burner, and your name still has cred.”
With that, Garet will say to Sialann, Jaq, and Kallen, “You three can accompany our gracious host. Walt and myself will see about repairs as well as looking into fuel.”
“Have fun!!” and with that, Garet wheels and begins heading back towards the airship.
Kallen gets dumb founded at the mention of “Imperial Starport” and doesn’t speak till his friend starts leaving. He turns to Jaq open mouthed, “there’s not one single starport on this planet, what world does he think this is?!!”
Kallen then thinks, but nothing comes to his mind, clouded by stupidity and infuriating thoughts.
Jaq, seeing Mari leaving, smiles slightly, having always known that she’d slip out at her first opportunity. She’ll hang back momentarily, getting to a place where the locals won’t necessarily pick up on her speaking and keying her comms, “Safe travels, Mari Vladzic. Your help will not be forgotten.” Then she catches up with Kallen and Sialann. When Kallen asks about what Garet said, she just shrugs. “Perhaps his brain is still frozen from gate transit. Maybe he means the spaceport, though.”
“Starport, lowport, spaceport same thing. Problem is Dirkimun has none.” Kallen rants, having known this all along. “Dirkimun has an X for a reason, an X you know, nothing at all to land, not even a landing strip or pad.” Kallen rants some more before muttering under his breath, “A scout should know this already.”
“Guess we could ask if they know anyone who can contact Irulan. But, still it’s a long shot at best.” with that he turns and asks the chief in his language if he knows anyone that would let them us their communication device so that he can communicate with Irulan on Mirri.
Maybe Garet is just dreaming of better days.
Thieving pirate Roll: 2d6 10 = 6 [d6] + 4 [d6]
As Garet gets back to the airship (once the ruckus of the landing was over, the area became quite busy again) he sees Mari has diappeared, Jaq watched her go. A quick check of the hold seems to say she did pilfer some of the cash.
Jaq, watching Mari wander off with some ne’er do well looking locals, she hears the comm, turns and with hand signs points two fingers of one hand at her eyes, then a two fingered pistol with the thumbing action like a hammer falling, she gives an exaggerated wink and smile before hoisting a bag on her shoulder like some ancient mariner, turns and slips away, lost in the crowd.
The Chief lets Sialann rummage through the lost and found of the station, about the only thing she can find that fits are a pair of brown leather work pants and a denim shirt, in a bag marked ‘deadmans gear’.
Kallen, scratching his head at who to call, remembers there is a trading warehouse in Mzxthahl with a comm to Mirri. Putting a call through on the telephone, they say they can get in touch with Irulan, which in minutes they do and they get the message: “Stay put, Torq is on the way in the Witch”.
Rescued at last.
OOC: “Mzxthahl, is the only place the trading shuttle drops in” – from a previous post. Just so Kallen knows where the reference to a spaceport comes from.
Garet, as he gets back to the airship, notices that Mari is gone, tries to do a scan of the crowd. If he sees a glimpse of Mari, he will do a simple bow at the waist to her, then turn and head below to see just how much she ended up pinching.
“Hmm..not too bad..must’ve given us the “Pirate’s Discount!”"
Upon coming back topside, he’ll look for Walt, just to let him know what happened. Other than that, he will look the airship over, starting any minor repairs needed, as well as going over all her flight systems, asking subtle questions of any flyers still in the vicinity about take off procedures in varying conditions, both wind and weather.
And just wait to see if the crew could get a message off of this rock.
Sialann has no compunction about wearing a dead man’s clothes – on the beasts’ ship, she occasionally was covered in the remains of actual dead men who the beasts had torn to pieces. She grans what she can but still, she thinks, there’s got to be something else she can find in this town. A set of boots to fit her? A jaunty hat perhaps?
They’re on the edge of town so she figures she’ll go take a look. If there’s a ship coming here, it’ll take some time to arrive. Time enough for a little shopping trip.
“Jaq? Fancy a walk?” She doesn’t want to upset her new-found friends, so won’t go sneaking off without telling anyone – but she’s not going to ask Kallen’s permission to go off, on her own if necessary.
Jaq considers giving Kallen a lesson on the difference between a starport and a spaceport, which can include any piece of dirt flat enough to drop skids on, even without facilities if done so on at least a semi-regular basis. But then she looks at Kallen and just shakes her head, having sized him up early on and realizing that his with hard head, it wouldn’t do any good. Instead, when he says that there is a ship on it’s way, she’ll simply ask, “How long?”
When Sialann asks if she fancies a walk, Jaq will check her chronometer and say, “Sure. But not too far. We don’t want to miss the boat and I suspect we can get more of what you are looking for in a few hours without so much suspicion.”
After getting the message from the phone call, Kallen turns around thanking the Chief, “Looks like we will be here for a while till our ship arrives. I hope we won’t be over staying our welcome.”
When Jaq asks how long Kallen replies, “Not long at all Not very far to go to get to here really.” smiling. After which he turns on his communicator. “Garet, called someone I remember in Mzxthahl. They passed up our message and receieved a message from Irulan. Torq is coming down with the Witch to our current location. Got any ideas on what you want to do with that lovely craft of ours.” Smirking to himself, “Don’t get attached to it yet.” Joking with Garet, imagining himself giving him a jab on the shoulder if he was next to him.
“Dear me, f@#$%ng pirate i always said their kind should be swinging from a rope outside every starport. oh well at least she didnt clean us out” Walt says when Garet tells him, Walt will also try to repair anything he can see broken and just generally keep the airship tidy.
Garet, once he hears the news from Kallen relays back: “I read you five by five. I’ll tell Walt. Make sure everyone gets back here in time to grab their gear.”
_"Kal, the first, and main idea I want to use the ‘Witch for is to put as many parsecs between this rock and myself as we can! besides, knowing Irulan he’s probably has her belly full with transport as soon as Torq sets the pads."
“See you back here soon. Jax, out.”
Smirking back to Walt, Garet replies: “That’s why we divided up the cash. tapping his rucksack, she might get some, but not all.” “Anyway, our ship is on it’s way. But I don’t recall what your answer was as to my offer of employment.”
[OOC: I am guessing that Torq, myself and Kallen have ship shares? If Walt does, then disregard this dialogue]
“A few of us have shares in a light freighter. she’s a little rough around the edges, but a fine ship. I can definitely use hands that I don’t have to look over my shoulder every parsec to see what they’ve stolen. You’re a military man, you understand integrity..so think it over. If you’re not interested, then we’ll put you off at the nearest high level port.”
I take it that Kallen is back at the airship with Garet and Walt while Jaq and Sialann have gone clothes shopping.
Torq is enroute (it will be 16 hours if anyone cares to do the math, Mirri being 4 million km from Dirkimun).
While waiting around at the airship, the party is approached by an individual looking for transit off world as he has heard they are a stranded traders waiting for a pickup. He carries a box, fairly heavy looking. Mostly he is dressed as a local, but by genotype and accent, he appears as an offworlder as well. “Help a fellow traveller out will you?”
Meanwhile, Jaq and Sialann, wandering through shops near the landing field, notice that a man is following them from a distance, decently dressed, but he does have a sort of “off” look about him.
[ooc: Torq doesn’t have ship shares, he’s just crew & Irulan employee. He’s on profit share (I don’t know how much)]
Torq hums quietly to himself as he leaves Mirri’s orbit. It’s just a short hop over to Dirkimun and everything’s looking good. With just the three of them now the engineer was gone things might be a little tougher, but what the heck, at least the money would only be split three ways not four.
Torq’s only running at ‘thrust one’, after all if Garet and Kallen have been on Dirkimun for a few weeks a few moments more won’t hurt. Even with ‘turnaround’ it’s only a matter of minutes before he’s grazing the atmosphere on Dirkimun.
The Dust Witch settles into a geosynchronous orbit above the world as Torq pulls up the coordinates for Binthyia. Library data seems pretty sparse, Torq wonders why his crew came to such a dump as he starts to slide the ship along it’s decent vector. As he comes down into the atmosphere he maintains a high altitude to avoid distressing the locals or attracting unnecessary attention. With his ETA finally getting close he opens a comm channel to the surface, “Did any of you jerks down there order a taxi?”
Jaq notices the man tailing them and ("spidey Sense Roll 2+6=8+1(streetwise)=9) tries to use her experience and streetwise to determine if the "off"ness of the fellow is a threat, a curiosity or, perhaps, someone from the town trying to “keep tabs” on us. She casually says to Sialann, “Stay close and don’t go wandering off. And keep a careful eye on our surroundings.” Then she taps into her comms, “Hey, Garet. Just a heads up, nothing big yet. But we are being followed. No need to take any action yet, but perhaps someone could ask if the local constabulary has someone watching us for good measure. I’d hate to put some law official in the hospital by accident.”
Sialann grins at Jaq, fangs flashing in the sunlight. “Don’t worry, if he gets too close, I’ll bite him. Ah! A hat shop!”
[ooc: ignore parts of my post as needed please, i hadn’t seen dragoner’s post before I made mine. I wrongly assumed the two planets were much closer. Anyway, for roleplay interest according to Continuous Thrust Travel Calculator it’s actually 11 hours and 13 mins at thrust 1, or 7 hours 56 at thrust 2, that’s including turn around. Naturally Torq would have gone thrust 2 for such a large distance.]
Nifty calculator, I thought of going the 9.81 m/s^2 route and doing the calcs but then got lazy and pulled the number from the CRB (which comes from LBB2 probably). 8 hours is good though, Torq will be there with a quickness.
Jaq’s woman’s intuition says that the man following them is more of a “masher-ness” and seems focused on Sialann.
Garet,upon hearing Torq’s message replies in kind: “You do know how to land, right? the flat pads stay down, you keep the rounded side up.”
“Less gum flapping and more landing. I want off this rock ASAP.”
Upon hearing Jaq’s message, Garet keys back, once he excuses himself, and moves out of earshot of the gentleman: “I’ll have Walt ask, but there wasn’t a shadow assigned, so keep a watch out, defend yourselves if necessary, but try to subdue. If unable, then you are cleared for deadly force.”
“Walt, please check with the local security to see if they put a shadow on our group to keep trouble down, willya?”
“I’ve got someone here looking for a ride off dirtside as well, I’ll keep the comm channel open, keep me posted.”
Turning back to the gentleman with the box, Garet puts on his best smile and says something he’s been waiting to say for what seems like months:
“Captain Jax, of the Dust Witch. How may I be of service?”
Turning round to hear his friend talking to Walt, “Think I’d better go. Walt doesn’t understand the locals, right!”
Staying for awhile to look at the wanderer, Kallen sizes him up before heading of to find the the Field Chief or a local security building where he can talk to someone about the tail on Jaq and Sialann.
Sialann grabs Jaq’s arm and steers her into the hat shop. She is soon surrounded by a pile of whatever they have to offer, probably none of it quite good enough, She’s looking for something jaunty but practical, durable and with a nice, wide brim to keep the sun off. She’ll try on anything and everything they have that remotely fills that description, and is careful to turn the mirror so that in it, she can see the street in front of the shop and surveille whoever might have been following them without telegraphing the fact.
When she’s found something she can live with, she’ll pay for it, smile sweetly (without fangs) at the assistant and head out the door in search of some good boots – without forgetting to check surreptitiously if the coast is clear, first.
“Captain Jax, McCready’s my name, I am looking to get to Stane, am I to understand you have transport? I’d happily pay for a mid-passage, just me and what I carry”.
Talking to the Chief, Kallen learns that the party isn’t being tailed and is surprised by the question.
Sialann, watching for the watcher, notices him keeping his distance.
Torq, landing outside the direct landing field area, notices what a cow town Binthyia is, agricultural lands to the south, good land, but nothing exciting is liable to happen. He can see through his viewscreens, that a small crowd is gathing to see the starship, even an old Fanzhienz is an incredible piece of technology to them.
Torq decides he’ll wait to be contacted by Garet and Kallen. They haven’t replied to his last comm transmission as yet, but if they’re here they must have heard it unless they don’t have comms on them. Anyway, he assumes there is no way they could have missed seeing the Witch land so he pulls up a screen with all the external cams and sits back to see what happens. He decides that he’ll give them thirty minutes before he leaves the ship to go look for them. He hits the comm again, “Daddy’s come to pick up the children. Anybody there? Come back.”
So, she links arms with Jaq again and goes looking for a good pair of boots. The watcher, she will try to keep an eye on, without him noticing they know he’s following them.
Does he appear to be alone? Is he talking into a comm? Does he appear armed?
Roll total: 12
Stealth roll*! forgot to switch off the ‘Roll this set of dice 7 times’ option again!)
That roll link is bad, it doesn’t go to the roll. You don’t say what exactly she is stealthing either, if it is looking at him, he looks just as described, a decently dressed (local so no TL4 comm) man, maybe middle to upper class, with something slightly off about him. He is wearing a suit jacket, which could hide a revolver or straight razor, so who knows?
[OOC: Torq missed Garet’s response, see post Jan 15 08:13 p.m.]
Garet comms back: “Keep up the tone, Mr. Torq, and you’ll be walking home!” ,“_I was cooling my heels as a prisoner, while you were downing drinks, so I’m in no real mood for your antics right now, besides, We may have a paying passenger going to Stane, so put on your big boy pants, and try acting professional for once?”_
Torq would know that Garet’s tone at first is sharp, but almost resorts back to a light, kidding tone immediately afterwards, he just wanted to let him know it was not a cakewalk dirtside.
“Mr. Torq, we’re on our way to you, expect arrival (Garet gives Torq the current local time, plus 30 minutes to clear up any issues, and leave the airship), with a launch window 15 minutes past that, If you can have our launch vectors calculated, I’d appreciated it.”
Garet opens a link to Jaq and Sialann _" Ms.Yancy, Ms. Sialann, our ride is here. You have 35 minutes to be back at the landing field, or sooner."
“I won’t leave without you, but I’m not staying any longer than I need to.”
“Mr. Kallen, Mr. Foste, you two give me a hand, getting this airship into the hands of someone who can use it.”
Turning back to Mr. McCready, Garet looks him directly into the eyes and says: “We have a very simple mantra, Mr. McCready, it goes a bit like this: by law I am to ask you what you are bringing onboard my ship, but this is the frontier, so the rules are modified to go like this: I don’t need to know, but you will pay 20% over the standard mid-passage rates, half before we lift, the rest before I crack a airlock upon arrival.”
Garet’s voice then drops to a sharp whisper: “But if you’re carrying anything than can harm my crew or my ship, and don’t tell me, and I find out?”
“God help you.”
Walt asks Garet “what do you need me to do, I’m no good with these locals and I can’t get my tongue round their lingo – I can start packing our gear and getting ready to depart boy do I look forward to getting back in space and the comforts of civilisation” Walt will then start securing what ever equipment he has left and giving the ship one last inspection.
ooc: sorry about the die roll link – thought i’d finally got that damn thing licked. shall endeavour to persevere… yes, the stealth roll was so she didn’t telegraph that she was looking him over, too
Sialann’s trying on a pair of especially comfortable, knee-length, calfskin boots when Jaq gets the call (her own comm she’s left in her pocket) from Garet. She motors along at Jaq’s urgent tone and makes the purchase, clumping out the door hatted and booted – and on an impulse, strides right up to the fellow who’s been following her.
“Well?” she demands. “I’ve done my shopping. See something you like?”
[ooc: Yeah I did miss that post. I’m honestly having big issues following posts on this board for some reason, hopefully I’ll get used to it quickly as it’s a major pain for me and must be irritating for everybody else It’s almost like the posts don’t show up until later. I might try and empty my cache and deleting cookies and all that good stuff. I’m also frustrated with the formatting & editing options here.]
Torq’s a grognard and any words of disciple aimed at him are just like water off a ducks back. In fact he enjoys it as it makes him feel at home. He grins to himself, “It’s good to hear you too, Garet. Dinner’s in the oven and I’m warming your slippers by the fire. Hey, funny you should mention Stane, Irulan wants us to run fifty tons of freight, already loaded. It’s foodstuffs …and it smells fishy to me.”
Torq opens a window on his display to start plotting the escape vector, He keeps the M drive running and lays in the course to the helm so the ship is ready to depart at an instant. Next he triangulates Garet’s last comm signal and begins to track it. He uses the tracking data with the fire control software to zero both turrets of the ship’s weaponry; just in case they’re being pursued he can fire beyond that point.
ooc: If you navigate by the side bar, clicking on the link on the post (not the campaign – two separate links) it takes one to the post in the log.
McCready says: “Nothing too unusual, how would I know I can trust you? I’m not a frakkin suicide bomber if that’s what you are askin’, I’ll pay the going rate”.
Sialann’s pursuer becomes nervous at being confronted in such a manner, tipping his hat, saying something unintelligible in the local language and leaving.
[ooc: dragoner, your post doesn’t even show up in the sidebar even after a refresh(at least at time of this post), that might be something to do with the problem! Also sometimes I get emails and sometimes I don’t (for the adventure log)]
Jaq smiles at the guy’s nervousness, then accompanies Sialann back to the field and assists as she can getting ready to leave.
Turning on the comms to everyone, “We got a problem. No one knows about the tailer. Will be back shortly and welcome to Binthyia Torq.”
Turning off the comms to keep listening to the chatter, Kallen turns to the chief and asks him if there is anyone who would be interested in buying their little airship.
ooc: yes, it can be a bit of a pain to see the side bar’s slowness at updating, I do get everyone’s emails when they post or update everything though, like posting in the forums.
For the airship, on the spot another airship captain offers 600 Thahli’s for it (being the local currency).
In reply to Kallen, “Thanks Kallen, glad you made it out in one piece. You are in one piece, right? So this tailer you’re on about; did you forget to pay your tab again? Give me a range and bearing from your location and then duck and cover. Problem solved.” Torq switches the turret-tracking to Kallen’s comm signal and then stands by to adjust fire if it is called in.
Over the comm link to all, they hear Garet’s chuckle. “No need for either action, gentleman. If anyone was foolish enough to mess with Jaq and Sialann, then they got whatever they deserved.”
“Mr. Torq, Ms. Sialann’s been through the wringer, so to speak, give her some time to adjust before you give her your patented Torq greeting process. We’ll fill you in once we’re in jump.”
“Wait. Torq, you’re telling me Irulan has us running foodstuffs to Stane? Irulan. And let me guess, the containers are security sealed, of course.”
“Walt, we can let Kallen get us the best deal he can for the airship, I just need you to be able to lend a hand just in case he deems the trade not fair, If you get my meaning? Otherwise, getting our gear ready works fine. Kallen, if the currency exchange outsystem here does not work for us, see if there’s goods we can trade for instead. Use your best judgement.”
Once he is done with the comm, Garet turns back to McCready: “How can you trust me? Well, as a starfarer and freighter captain, all I have is my word. If I do you wrong, bad news spreads faster than good, people don’t use my ship, I go out of business, that simple.”
“But, since you are coming aboard with cargo that I have no knowledge of what it is, you put me and my crew at risk if we are boarded by the authorities.”
“Therefore, my final offer is the going rate, plus 15%. I lift in 30 minutes, if not sooner. If you feel that offer is unfair, then as a free trader, you are free to wait for the next starship, whenever that may be.”
With that, Garet nods and gestures, spins on his heels and heads towards the landing field.
Torq replies to Garet over the comm, “Roger that. Fifty tons of freight for Stane. Irrulan paid up front for it in RoT creds. Meant to be foodstuffs, looks sealed. I haven’t scanned it, thought I’d come find you first. Anyway, I got this strange feeling he wasn’t telling me everything.”
Kallen turns to the Airship captain and asks him to hold a second. He flips his comm device on and connects only to Torq and Garet, “I’m not in one piece Torq, some how I gained an arm whilst I was away. Some how. And food stuffs? Sounds to me like something you hide weapons in. I’ll have to have a search when I get on board. Don’t tell anyone else you two.”
After turning the device back to its normal settings Kallen brings his face back to the airship captain. “Ahh, that sounds like a bad offer, for me as I am unlikely to be using that once I leave the planet. I’m sure you understand. However do you have any wares that you could trade to that worth, after adding another 100 Thahli’s to that total in worth?”
Hefting his box again, McCready turns and makes his way off into the crowd, 900Cr being bit too much over for his taste.
To Kallen, the airship Capt shrugs and continues on.
Kallen then turns to the Chief and asks, “Do you know anyone who’d be happy to exchange goods for the airship we came in with?”
Garet takes a few steps..mind racing, before turning back and calling out to McCready: “Oh, I can’t leave anyone who needs a ride stuck on this mudball. Fine, the standard rate, but you tell anyone I caved..” he replies with a grin on his face.
“Get your gear, and head for the landing strip, you can’t miss her, “The Dust Witch”. If you beat me there, ask for Mr. Torq."
Comm swtiched over to just Torq and Kallen: “Okay, so here’s the situation. We’ve got a passenger, a Mr. McCreary. He’s keeping a close eye on a box. Won’t say what’s in it, but depending on how long he’s been here, could be anything.”
“We’ve got our dear employer Irulan, loading us up with who knows what?”
“The good news? we’ve got crew. an Imp scout, a Imp Colonel, and a woman who escaped off of one of the black ships.”
“Any wagers as to how long before we show up on the “wanted” vid feeds?" He says, bursting into his patented burst of laughter.
Kallen rechecks his comm device to just Garet and Torq, “Thats one too many Imp’s for me. Shady bunch they are.” Joking about Imperials in a slightly mocking tone.
“And I wager its going to happen the first place we get to that’s got one of those things. Which will be Stane.” Kallen answers, emphasising the word “Will”.
There is a whole new log post to continue this conversation IMO, over a 100 comments and it is too much scrolling.