High Law and Low Justice, Part 5


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Gwydion explains that while the scouts cannot provide a ship for the group, they can facilitate the purchase of one from amongst those impounded by the navy during last month's Mercantile Council - these were seized mainly from companies with imperial charters who had failed to pay their tax levies or to fulfill their conditional military obligations to the Imperium when the Solomoni Rim War broke out last year. So long as buyers pass a background check, which all present have, they can but the seized ships at a reduced cost. Gwydion can shuttle you to the Highport where such apurchase can be made, or he can escort you (along with a few body guards) to the offices of Malikot Enterprises if you would like to pursue a ship from that angle.
 



Within several hours, it's all been arranged and the shuttle arrives at the Highport, a large orbiting station whic itself is still outsized by the Emperor's flagship.

The scene as everyone disembarks is remarkable in that the station is caparatively empty - it seems sparsely occupied by naval personnel, but there is no real commerce going on, and the bustle of traders coming and going that is the norm in a large port like this one is absent. The group rides along the moving sidewalk in relative silence until it arrives outside the office of Assistant Portmaster Gavigan Tukera. The secretary, a young and very attactive Aslan woman, nnounces you to her boss, and almost instantly he emerges from his private office, a wide smile on his face. Mr. Tukera a young man, who, though obviously of noble birth based on the way he carries himself, seems to have not yet quite grown into his business suit. He has flaming red hair atop his head and very fair, but freckled skin. Looking around the office, its almost perfect cleanliness, combined with a air of newness around the furniture and indeed, even the nameplate of his office door imply to you that Mr. Tukera is likely quite new to his position.

He greets everone with a formal slight bow, which those versed in etiquette know is the proper when greeting a group of people whose station is uncertain, but roughly equal to one's own. "Greetings. I am Gavigan Tukera: what can I help you with today?"
 



A shadow of a blush crosses the young noble's face, but he nods, and says, still a little formally (or at least in an attempt to keep it alittle formal), "Yes, I did, Mr. Letharen - as well as Ms. Theoklitos's - I am afraid both were somewhat vague as to what you and your associates would be looking for. I have prepared short list for your review of ships which have recently come into Imperial possession. Should any of them interest you, I would be happy to arrange an inspection. Would you please come this way?"

(ooc: He shows you into his office, and provides each of you with a copy of non-technical briefings of each of the ships mentioned in the ooc thread.)
 

When they've entered the office and close the doors, Gwydion sits down and looks hard at Gavin.
Yeah, he's made it big. But he shouldn't forget his old mates. He'll learn

"Mr Tukera, you've sure come ahead since we last met. But I hope you'll still go out for a drink with an old mate when the business part is done?"
 

Gavigan's blush is a little more pronounced this time, but he recovers quickly enough, and says, easily and with a smile, "While you review the briefings, ladies and sirs, please excuse me for a moment so I can clarify an issue with Mr. Letharen regarding any Scout Service involvement in your potential purchase." As he speaks, he has gracefully glided across the room and guided Gwydion out into the reception area.

He says in a low voice, smile still bolted firmly to his cheeks, and his shoulders are still pinned regally back, but the noble quality of his voice has fallen away entirely: "Look, Gwydion, give me a break, here - This post just fell into my lap two weeks ago, I'm still on thin ice even with my dad -- If they find out about the kinds of stuff that--look, Tjyoia already told me to take care of your friends in there, so they're gonna get a good deal. Just - well - not a word about our days on Askmikii, okay?" A bead of sweat rolls slowly down his pale forehead and drips down past his eye.
 
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