T20: High Law and Low Justice, Part 3

[Maerdwyn]

As the conversation dies down, the two boats speed silently through space, The sensors are quiet, although both boats are getting a more definite fix on the Dvonn and the space around her. To all appearances, it's just hanging there in the void, it's emergency beacon the only clue that it's not completely derelict.

The boats are still about an hour and half out from the Dvonn when Ktarle finishes her operation and brings Zaedhrarrg out of sedation. Despite looking rather terrible (the skin on Zaedhrarrg's chest will need to heal over time - the blood-soaked synthetic covering Ktarle has installed to halt infection is an improvement over the sucking wound itself, but not by much), he feels relatively good, andKtarle knows the operation has gone well.

A moment later, however, both boats receive a hail, and an incoming message: "Kerruchan lifeboats, this is JohnHenry Base, do you copy? Over."

 

[Seonaid]

Ktarle looks sternly at Zaedhrarrg. "It's not better," she says. "But it will hold. You must not exert yourself. You are staying here. No arguments."

 

[doghead]

Saanath glances up at the hail. He turn to the others, but makes no move to respond at this time.

ooc: Has their been any communication between JohnHenry and the Kerruchan? Has the Kerruchan broadcast anything at all since we've ben monitoring?

Can we still talk privately between boats without responding to the hail from JohnHenry Base. If so ...

"Hey Beta. You're the brains. Do you want to handle the hail? I assume that they know whats happened, but come to think of it, has their been any communication between them and the Keruuchan?"

 

[Maerdwyn]

ooc: Has their been any communication between JohnHenry and the Kerruchan? Has the Kerruchan broadcast anything at all since we've ben monitoring?

ooc: if there has, it's been via secure channels - nothing has come through on open channels, like the one they're using to contact you now. The Keruuchan has not broadcasted anything that you have picked up.

The hail has to be actively answered by opening the channel from your end in order for them to be able to hear you.

[Third time trying to edit this For got to include that Trelene has determined that the jamming both boats had experience before departure was centered not on the boats, but on the Keruuchan, so normal communications wouldn't be getting out anyway. She further determined that the source of the jamming was coming from within the Keruuchan.

 

[Watus]

Quinn shrugs. "Might as well answer the hail. They already know we're here, and there's not much they can do to stop us at this point, assuming they even want to."

 

[Wilphe]

Ruzz'koff looks at Captain Darius - "If they wanted to scan for us I'm sure they could find us if they really wanted to. Anybody have an idea what System Defence Assets there are in this system? Fighters? SBDs? What?"

 

[doghead]

"I agree. We should respond.

"If there were any SD assets around, would they not already have responded?

 

[Maerdwyn]

"If they wanted to scan for us I'm sure they could find us if they really wanted to. Anybody have an idea what System Defence Assets there are in this system? Fighters? SBDs? What?

"Tamandare is a pretty minor mining installation. Not too many civilian ships can handle the Jump-3 trip from here to Dukh from here, so the system isn't very attractive as a trade route. We - the Keruuchan, that is, were to be it's first resupply in a month, then we'd take on a load of heavy metals for Dukh. I wouln't expect there is too much in the way of defense - that may be one reason they haven't gone after the Dvonn themselves."

"I agree. We should respond."If there were any SD assets around, would they not already have responded?

"They may have already, at that," Julia says darkly. "Tamandere is a ways away from us, and it would take quite a while for anything slower than a 5G drive to get to us. We might not pick them up on passives. Maybe it's time to go to active sensors? Like Ruzz'koff said, they'll find us once they decide they want to."

The comm insists: "Repeat, Keruuchan life boats, this is JohnHenry Base. Do you copy?"

Julia: "Okay, I'm opening the channel - any messages you'd like me to send?"

 

[doghead]

Saanath decides to keep his flippent comments to himself.

"Nothing I can think of at this point."

 

[Maerdwyn]

Despite his casual reply and neutral tone, Saanath's thoughts come through loud and clear. Julia smirks slightly as she opens the channel to the planetary base.

"JohnHenry Base, this is Julia Darius, aboard the Kirby - Keruuchan Life Boat Beta. We copy. We intend to arrive at Tamandere with wounded from a disabled liner in approximately eight hours - unless of course the corporation wishes to register, for the record, a formal refusal to provide aid. Over."

The several second delay passes as the signal makes it's way to the planet and back.

"Glad to hear you're still with us, Captain [Quinn and Tomas think they hear a slight hesitation before the title.]; We were a little worried since we haven't been able to establish stable communications with the Keruuchan. Captain, are you intent on approaching the corsair Ullemguz despite warnings against? Over."

Julia responds, "JohnHenry Base, we will arrive in eight hours carrying wounded from Malikot liner, Dvonn. As a corporate entity under Imperial Charter you are required to provide aid. Will you comply? Over.

After several seconds - more this time - the base responds: "Kirby, I am instructed to inform you that JohnHenry, Inc. will previde all mandated Title 1 aid, if you can verify the existence of a disabled ship. However, JohnHenry Incorporated reiterates it's position that the ship in question is a fully operational corsair, callsign Ullemguz. Accordingly, this base has dispatched an escort to protect your boats on approach to the corsair and to cover your retreat. You are instructed to reduce speed and rendezvous with the escort. Failure to do so shall void any theoretical obligation JohnHenry, Inc. may have regarding the protection of your craft. Over."

Julia leans back in her chair, mutes the channel, and exhales. She looks to those on her boat, and says to everyone: "Kira[ooc: that is, "Ker-A"], did you get all that? What's our response?"