Babylon 5: Outrageous Fortune

[Shayuri]

Ashley has the grace to look a bit embarrassed at the misunderstanding and glances at Sarhat.

"There is one other thing you need to know. I was going to send it encrypted, but if this line is secure I'll just show you now."

Assuming Maupassant answers in the affirmative, Ashley brings out the container with the piece of Shadow technology in it and holds it up to the screen's camera.

"One of Raive's associates had this in his workshop and said it was from the planet. I don't know what it does, but I know it was made by the Shadows. What it's doing on Tal-Kon'Sha I have no idea. I was under the impression the Tal hadn't taken part in any of the wars."

 

[Dr Simon]

Maupassant peers at the jar and pulls at her lower lip.

"That little thing may be more important to finding a cure than anything we can get from Mr. Timogen," she says. "Even if you can't get him to come with you, I'd like you to pass that on to your contact. We'll have the experts study it."

She leans back in her chair.

"We know very little about the Tal," she adds. "except that they aren't as advanced as the Vorlons or Shadows. Perhaps the Shadows were able to avoid their defences and use the planet as a base, or bullied the Tal into doing so. Or... or perhaps they even gave the Tal the technology for their virtual reality machines in the first place.

When you get off-world, contact me again and I'll give you further details on a closed channel. Good luck, Ms. Logan, Mr. Sarhat." Maupassant kills the link.

 

[Blackrat]

"So. It's time to fly?" Sarhat asks Ash. "And in Valen's name, where did that Anla'shok disappear."

 

[Dr Simon]

"Someone talking about me?" says Kevin as he comes through the door to the room, a grin plastered across his face. "Did you say time to fly? What happened? Don't tell me Vurk's been wandering about without his bathrobe?"

 

[Shayuri]

"Vurk doesn't use a robe," Ashley quips back, smirking.

"How'd it go with Raive? Oh, and get your stuff together. We're heading out today after we're done here."

 

[Dr Simon]

Kevin shudders in mock horror at the thought of a naked pak'ma'ra.

"Raive's over at the Black Nebula, been enjoying a bit of a reconciliation with Alexis. I had to stick around, make sure he wasn't going to hurt her or anything - you saw those crazy things he was saying in that vid - but Traven made sure everything was above board." He glances at Sarhat. "Don't worry, none of them know I was there." He picks up his shoulder bag, the only luggage the Ranger has. "So, what's the situation?"

 

[Shayuri]

"We're giving Raive an alternate proposal," Ashley tells him, still visibly a bit sour, though less so than before.

"Twenty thousand to come to Abbai space to meet and debrief with some ISA operatives. Oh, and immunity to prosecution. And we're getting put on another project it looks like."

She sighs and starts getting her things together.

"Details are waiting for when we're off world."

 

[Dr Simon]

With the group packed and ready, Ashley contacts Raive on his personal communicator and apprises him of Maupassant's offer.

"Off-world huh?" he says. "Well, okay. You've got me intrigued, Ms. Logan. But I warn you, if anyone tries anything funny there's going to be blood on the decks. I'll meet you at your ship."

*****

Docking Bay 14, where the Fortune currently stands, is empty of personnel when you arrive. The cargo manifest has been updated to a hold full of Q-40 courtesy of Rax-Mindstrom Corporation, but the dockers have evidently been and gone. Maintainence and refuelling crews have also done their job already.

Entering the hangar, Ashley suddenly gets a flash. An image of PPG fire aimed at the group. A stray thought - "Kill the girl first". At the same time both she and Sarhat hear the unmistakeable sounds of PPGs warming up.

[SBLOCK=OOC]
Diplomacy check with Raive - huge success.

Telepathy check for Danger Sense 14+7=21, success.
Notice checks for Ashley and Sarhat - success.

Ashley and Sarhat can act in the surprise round, although at the moment there is no sight of their ambushers. The PPG sounds seem to come from over by the Fortune. There are plentiful crates, display panels, loading trolleys and stanchions to duck behind within reach.

Vurk, Kevin and Sethyk are unaware and may not act in the surprise round.

Map forthcoming.
[/SBLOCK]

 

[Blackrat]

As soon as he hears the telltale sound of PPG, Sarhat sweeps the Denn'bok from his belt and extends it as he shouts, starting in minbari out of habit, but adjusting immediatily to english "Danger! By the ship!" He ducks behind a crate.

 

[Shayuri]

(hehe, I guess I don't need the map for this much...)

Just a hair before Sarhat's cry, Ashley's moving...warned by the hostile thoughts that preceded the sound of weapons being made ready. She takes a few running steps then dives behind a stack of shipping crates; putting them between herself and the ship.

As she lies there her hand goes to her own PPG. It wasn't her preferred weapon, but telepathy at this distance, against unknown targets she could barely see, would be an unreliable thing at best.

"Everyone take cover!"