High Law and Low Justice, Part 5

[Wilphe]

"I'm sure we could arrange that, though we don't really give the orders around here. Witness Protection is "for your own good" after all," Ruzz'koff buzzes Curtis, "Our visitors pet is free to join us if you wouldn't mind," the Vargr proffers the newcomer a chair, "I'm sure you have been thourougly briefed on all of us, but formal introductions would seem to be in order:"
"Ms Trelene Scrautigue, formerly of Makhidkarum and before that his Imperial Majesty's Navy"
"Ms Ktarlewaweikye Os Tehlayew Olui," his tongue trips slightly over the unfamiliar sounds, demonstrating that he really isn't familiar with Aslan,
"& Mr Saanath"

He waits for the introductions to die down before continuing, "so, what have you got to tell us?"

(OOC: That's all of us who are there right? Which reminds me, what happened to Tomas?)

 

[Maerdwyn]

Curtis frowns slightly, adjusting poorly to his role of highly paid butler, but moves on the request without a word.

ooc: Tomas is here, but has announced his intention not to participate in any of these ventures. He intends to go home, or at least back to his mining outfit. But he is here, at least until he gives his testimony.

 

[DrZombie]

As soon as the Lawyer is outside Gwydion grins. "I see you've finaly found a good use for a Lawyer."

He takes the offered seat.

"Well, I haven't been thoroughly briefed on you as individuals, but I have a fair guess of what you've been through. But let's start with proper introductions.
I'm Gwydion, Imperial scout, recently recalled to service to help y'all out.
I've been a scout for a hell of a time, then switched over to a merc outfit after some unpleasantness happened to some friends. But now I'm back.
I can fly, ride, drive, sail and repair almost anything, 'cept for spaceships, I need a few more days at the helm before I can apply for a licence.
I'm a xenobiologist, and I'm specialised in planetside explorations."
His tone is confident but he's not bragging.

He leans back in his chair, thinking and choosing his words.

"The empire is, well, about trade, really. It only controls space, not planets. The reason for control is so that interstellar trade can continue. Without space trade, planets regress. I can speak first hand about that.

The plan is to go to Delta quadrant of Ley sector. My homeplanet is there, as is yours, I believe. Things are going downhill, with client states severing ties with the imperium. Amongst them Gergigi."

He pauzes and looks at Ruzz'koff, to gauge his reaction.

"This is not good for the Empire, nor is it good for the citizens of those planets. That's where we come in. The empire wants to establish or renew trade routes, building up a new base of trust, so that the empire can eventually move back in peacefully, and hopefully elevate the technology level and quality of life of the groundsiders.
Besides helping the people there, we can make a small fortune by establishing contracts and traderoutes, and later selling them to the big boys, or become big boys ourselves.

But, as you know, it won't be as easy as it sounds.

So I suggest we form a trade group, get ourselves a spaceship, and get going. We don't need to rush, you don't want to dally here for too long. More and more people know where you are, and we don't want the Nells' to find out where you're staying or where we're going.

Any questions?"

 

[Seonaid]

Ktarle studies the man--Gwydion--carefully and when he speaks, tries to place his accent. At introductions, she seemingly ignores the mispronunciations and nods to Gwydion. She is of slightly above-average height, with coarse fur. She wears nondescript clothing of neutral style and colors. "I am a physician, specializing in Aslan genetics. I expect I'll be the medical staff on any excursions we might take." Her tone suggests humor, but only barely.

At Gwydion's outpouring of speech, she looks slightly glazed. When he finishes, she turns to the others to respond.

 

[Wilphe]

Ruzz'koff gives the Scout a rather piercing look, "Have the clients deserted the Imperium, or the Imperium it's clients? I have had little news from Gergigi, but I am not to blind to see how the Archduke has run his domain. Cynically and complacently from well within his own safe borders with some fat contracts for his own clique and let the frontier systems and his allies go hang."
He sighs, "Too many of my people have no thought for consequences. They would mortgage their futures to the Hivers or even betray themselves to the K'kree if the pay off was today. Our future must be with the Imperium, there is no other viable choice."
"And we wondered why even those amongst us who hate and fear the Imperium were so happy to see so many of us join the Imperial service, what better way to break up and disperse the best & brightest of the pro-Imperial factions?"

"Enough of ny home, Gwydion of the scouts, what of your own?"

 

[DrZombie]

Gwydion holds up his hand as if to ward off an attack.

"Easy, captain. I was just stating facts, not trying to put the blame on anyone. And you are right about the Archduke. The Emperor has noticed the exact same thing, wich is part of why I'm here talking to you. Things are about to change for the delta quadrant, and your help would be greatly appreciated. By the time we get there news of what you've done will have reached the system, and you will be a hero. On the other hand, if the anti-empire-faction have enough time, they could use it to point out the 'corruption of the empire'. You see?

"And my planet?" He laughs.
"When I was about fourteen a scout crashed near my father's castle. That was the first time anyone heard that the earth wasn't flat, and that there was intelligent life out there in space."

 

[Seonaid]

Ktarle looks impressed by Gwydion's last comments. "So you became a scout because of that one person? How did you surpass your planet's disadvantages?"

 

[DrZombie]

Gwydion looks up, surprised at the question.

"Not easy, lady, not easy. The hardest part is not loosing yourself in the process. Found that out the hard way." He stops for a moment, lost in thought. "Long time since anyone asked me that question, lady. Thank you."

"But anyway, enough about me. I'll bore you with the tales of my life if and when we're in jumpspace together. How about you all? How do you feel about heading out to the border?"

 

[Seonaid]

Ktarle nods, then answers his question. "I've nothing better to do." Her tone implies mild interest at best.

 

[Wilphe]

"No one has a lot to do in jumpspace, except worry about what happens if the jump field collapses," he gives a slight twitch and continues with business.

"Now, we understand that you can help us get a ship, or at least point us in the right direction. After some discussion our prelimiary thoughts are that we need something with a decent, if not spectacular, cargo capacity; certainly well armed enough to at least deter threats as local space is not exactly well secured and with a decent enough jump capacity to be able to stray off the mains - say J-2 or J3."
"We would also prefer it if it could be crewed mainly by ourselves, with maybe a few extra personnel - assistant engineer, gunner, steward. This would seem to point us to something in the 200-400 ton class. What are your thoughts on this?"