Shadowdancer
First Post
Pyske said:
Yeah, we made our bed and didn't even get to sleep in it. That's what we get for following a Noble git.
Traveller T20: Tales of the Bray Keaven [Updated 12-20-05]
- Thread starter Shadowdancer
- Start date
Yeah, we made our bed and didn't even get to sleep in it. That's what we get for following a Noble git.
Pyske said:
Thank you! I personally would have preferred that they not have taken Holly up on her offer (since that would have given me a hook for later adventures), and you can't say that didn't give them a chance to back out.
That's okay: the crew managed to get themselves into some interesting adventures in the next tale anyway...
Ron
Shadowdancer
First Post
Prologue
Date: 175-993 to 202-993
Location: Aboard the Bray Keaven, inside the Stork & Sons repair yards, and on Fonnein Orbital
Over the course of the month it takes to complete the repair, refit, and upgrade of the Bray Keaven, the crew of the far trader and Aidan generally split up to pursue individual interests, though most end up helping with the repair in one way or another at some point. The month passes remarkably smoothly, though by the end of the month some of the crew feels rather discomforted that things are so quiet, based on the events since they arrived at Sentry from Alief.
-----
Martha spends most of her waking moments assisting Stork & Sons Shipyards with the repairs to the Bray Keaven. Her spirits increase with every success, every repair, and by the time the repairs are complete, Martha is quite happy and at peace.
During the evenings, she splits her time two ways: five nights a week, she meditates for a bit, then continue her studies on EM techniques, learning more about communications and sensors in a self-study course preparing to apply for certification as an EM Specialist within the next half year. Two nights a week, though, she treats herself to nights out, dancing and clubbing, or just enjoying the local TAS Hostel and the benefits of her TAS membership.
-----
During the time that Vargas is in port, he goes down to a free clinic run by a Vargr named Oengue where he learns some additional medical skills doing volunteer work. Since this clinic deals with the poor, many Vargr come for treatment. His knowledge of Vargr language and customs, and his easy–going nature, are of great help. He seems to be especially good with the children. He often brings Rusti, his Beaker monkey, along and the clients are entertained by the antics of the small primate. He discusses the techniques learned with Saro to get the professional opinion of his budding skills and ways to further improve them.
During his time at the clinic, he develops a friendship with Oengue's husband, a very large Vargr named Turrgaes, who is a former law enforcement officer.
He also spends time assisting in the repairs of shipboard equipment since he seems to have a knack for equipment repair and maintenance.
In addition, he spends time teaching Rusti some new tricks.
Learning from the last episode, Vargas looks to purchase some less-conspicuous armor -- a flak jacket tailored to look like street wear but able to conceal his auto pistol. He also purchases some replacement clothing for that which is worn out. During this rest, he also purchases additional ammunition for both his auto pistol and shotgun.
-----
Swann rents a luxury hotel room for the time the Bray Keaven is in port. He also buys an inertial locator.
During the day he helps with repairs to the ship. During the evening Swann visits the starport’s "gentlemen's clubs" and stripper bars. He is looking to start a personal, intimate relationship away from work with one of the human women who work there, but only if he can find an attractive redhead. At a club called The Landing Strip, he does meet a redheaded dancer named Maureen who is a bit of a firebrand, but who is certainly amenable to some attention from Swann. He spends an additional Cr1,400 during the month, taking Maureen out to dinner and buying her clothing, flowers, and small gifts.
Swann also spends some time while in port trying to establish some underworld contacts. He makes a couple of contacts with some of the shadier fellows in port — someone that amounts to a fence and a fairly shady far trader captain.
While the ship is being repaired, Swann also will search for any isolated nooks and crannies that could be used to hide small packages from routine searches. He finds several — about five, mostly in engineering — which may work.
-----
Ian rents a decent hotel room/apartment for the duration of the repairs to the Bray Keaven. He spends some time at the ship helping in any way he can with repairs while overseeing security, dropping by daily.
He hits the bars in the evenings for the first week or so "looking for love in all the wrong places," as the old songs go. After a week of trying, Ian is drinking one night when he cushions the landing of someone thrown out of a fight that just erupted. After disentangling herself from Ian — and his former bar stool — the body turns out to be a rather plain, elfin woman with striking blue eyes and short–cropped hair who thanks Ian and then charges back into the fray. Ian feels compelled to go to her aid when the odds shift from four to three to three to one after her compatriots fall. After a rather enjoyable melee (for an ex–Marine), Ian and the elfin woman end up nursing bruises and beers together.
The woman’s name is Darby, and she is an astrogator on the Shareel’s Venture. One thing leads to another, and Ian and Darby see a fair amount of each other over the next couple of weeks before the Shareel’s Venture finishes its annual maintenance and pulls out for Liar’s Oath. Darby is a bit of a wild and fun one who can actually come close to drinking Ian under the table.
Ian also tries to make some decent connections in this area for future possibilities. He does make connections with some ex–Marines in the SPA security detachment as well as a couple of suppliers, one of which helps him find a "lightly" used heavy body pistol to purchase along with 100 rounds of ammunition.
Also during this time he attempts to gain a useful ship’s skill — gunnery — so he will spend less time setting in the ship’s lounge feeling useless. He finds a training facility that has a simulator that will help with this endeavor.
Ian also picks up a pair of binoculars.
-----
Considering he hasn’t been paid yet — he’s been part of the crew less than a month — Kevon is forced to cash in his high passage ticket to cover expenses until his paychecks catch up. During the month in port, he is paid Cr6, 000 for his first month as the Bray Keaven’s pilot.
He helps out as much as he can around the ship, focusing mainly on repairing the communications and sensors, and his cabin.
Kevon’s extra-curricular activities include looking into the purchase of a computer with Nav–CAD software, then advertising his services as a starship designer. Finding a computer with Nav–CAD software on it isn't too hard, but it is a little expensive on Fonnein Orbital.
On the bright side, once Kevon has his system, he is able to fairly easily find some contract/minor design work (mostly refits, upgrades, and modifications for existing ships), particularly with help from the Storks and the Tukera Lines manager. The work nets him Cr3,000 for the month.
-----
During the month of downtime Saro purchases 19 TL–12 first–aid kits. Each contains one dose each of Medical Slow Drug and broad–spectrum anti–toxin. He also replenishes his field medical kit and buys some supplies to keep it stocked, and restocks the supplies for the ship’s make–shift medical station.
Saro hands out a first–aid kit to each crew member and gives a quick lesson in how to use it if they don't already know how; puts six of them in the ship’s locker for emergency use; and the rest he’ll keep in the med station.
-----
069–526 (Fonnein) is Vasilii’s home system, although he's from the Sternmetal mining operation on the Estorr rockball rather than the water world they’re orbiting. He has bad memories of the place, and has tried to avoid it. So he mostly stays on ship during the month, conducting business by comm and email. He isn’t silly about it, but he won’t wander or go planetside without a reason. So for once, Saro gets his way and Vasilii stays put to recover from injures.
Whilst aboard, he helps out with repairs as best he can — mostly answering the comm. He does his best to lower any prices which are negotiable, and make them negotiable when they aren’t. He keeps an eye on the ship’s finances.
After a few chats around the galley table, and with plenty of time to think, he ditches the whole conspiracy theory about the cubes. Perceptive crewmembers note some embarrassment on his part during the discussions.
Vasilii also spends some time studying his merchant skills. Later, he starts looking at the freight/passenger situation and assessing the possibilities for speculative trade. He occasionally lingers a while when his net explorations touch on Estorr, or comm directories that would lead to old friends, but he doesn’t follow up on them.
At some point, Vasilii talks to whichever combat-oriented crewmembers are handy and asks their advice about gear. After the last few weeks, he’s coming to appreciate the importance of armor — both wearing it and penetrating it. He’s not a weapons expert, not competent with heavier armor like ballistic cloth, and not licensed for military arms. But he may as well do what he can.
After a while, he does some researching into getting the following:
- A semi–automatic rifle with mags, scope and normal ammo
- A pump–action shotgun with mags, buckshot and tranq fletchettes, and an ammo bandoleer
- "Diplo" armor (light ballistic cloth worn under clothes)
- A "presentable" flak vest disguised as clothing in the Vilani style
- An Inkuulikan Duslaashish LIC "Woodsman" 7mm semi-automatic rifle (includes robust scope), two spare 15–shot magazines, and two boxes of 50 rounds ammo.
- A flak vest which looks like the Vilani equivalent of a Barbour waxed canvas field jacket.
- A set of diplo armor.
- A belt clip ammo pouch.
-----
As the repairs on the Bray Keaven begin to wrap themselves up, Martha notifies anyone that she's not in regular contact with, so that everyone can start wrapping up their vacation plans or whatnot.
Martha also asks Vasilii if he’s managed to locate any speculative cargo worth taking along, or any cargo deals that the Bray Keaven can handle. She will remind him that she has some training in these regards, and offers her skills to assist him in locating cargo as needed.
"Why thank you, Miss Smythe. That’s very good of you, after working so hard for the last month. I’d be delighted to have your help. I thought the most promising speculative exports might be mid-tech marine equipment, or chemicals. Fish just aren’t worth enough to make more by selling them than hauling them, unless there’s space in the hold.
"Now, what I was thinking was . . . If you . . . Do you think you could look into low–berth passengers while I check out available cargoes? Is that alright with you?"
-----
Vasilii carefully investigates the local market for the 17 dTons of aluminum, and the Vilani merchant discovers several interested submarine and parts manufacturers on Fonnein. After a series of negotiations, Vasilii and Quijon Ltd. come to an agreement of Cr1,600 per dTon including cargo shuttle delivery to the Quijon plant.
Vasilii’s sale of the four dTons of hand tools to the captain of the Flavin doesn’t go quite as well, but the Vilani merchant manages to turn a handsome profit anyway with a sale price of Cr14,000 per dTon.
Vasilii inquires with the crew if they would like to keep the 3.5 dTons of Marine field rations or free up the space in the cargo bay.
"Hell no! Sell as much as you can. I’m tired of eating that crap," Ian says. "See if you can get us some real food for a change!" Ian’s colorful response pretty much summarizes the entire crew’s feelings on the subject.
So Vasilii looks into the local market for Marine field rations. There does appear to be some market among the far traders who call upon Fonnein Orbital for emergency ration food, and Vasilii finds buyers among the local shops and some far traders who will purchase up to three dTons of the rations for Cr14,000 per dTon.
-----
Aidan approaches Vasilii at some time during the stay. "Vasilii, I wonder if I might commission you for a small challenge? It seems I have acquired some old computer parts of questionable worth. They don’t seem worth keeping. Could you perhaps test the market for me? Naturally, I’d insist that you take a 20 percent commission on the proceeds of the sale."
"Why certainly, Mr. Silver. It would be my pleasure."
While the parts would be junk if sold on Sentry, on Fonnein they actually fetch a decent (to Vasilii’s eyes) price of Cr15,000 a dTon for all three dTons.
-----
Aidan spends his down time catching up on Galactic Law fluctuations — there’s just never enough time to read everything. In the evenings he will explore the local Noble social scene, making social and other contacts, as well as polishing his dancing. For the edification of the Nobles, he attempts to bring Swann along at times.
For occasional amusement, Aidan does some "computer work" purely for the fun of the information gathering, and working strenuously to not get caught.
In addition, he writes to his dear friend Lady Catherine to inform her of the recent events:
My dearest Lady Catherine,
I trust you and your son, Master Nathan, are quite well. It has been an interesting fortnight. Ending with a small brawl in which I was able to use my sword a bit. Quite ripping to be sword fighting side by side with the pilot, a young navy man named Kevon.
Indeed, there’s a rather fascinating set of characters that I have fallen in with. There’s Swann, quite the rough–and–ready type, quite handy in a fight. I’m also looking forward to sitting down with him and talking computers. It has been a while since I was able to discuss technical matters with someone who could understand them.
Vasilii, the merchant, is rather full of theories. I think I must appear to him as quite the man of mystery from the suspicious looks he sends my way. On the other hand, he did manage to turn handsome profit on some old parts I had purchased.
Vargas is a former scout. It’s always fascinating getting to know those fellows, and I’m sure the story behind the "V" that looks carved on his cheek is quite poetic in a savage sort of way.
The security officer, Ian, seems quite competent, and of course had the sense to fight with a gun in that brawl. Ah well, some of us just lose our common sense in the odd notion of the heroic.
Dr. Saro Talbek is also good to have aboard. He patched me up (nothing to worry about my dear, merely a flesh wound) after the fight. He’s rather strict with his patients in a sort of old school way that is quietly humorous.
Oh yes, and the engineer is a dear shy young lady you’d quite like, a Miss Martha Smythe. She certainly knows her machinery, but seems troubled by something with humans. Wouldn’t hurt to have some of my sister Jessica’s more flamboyant attitude rub off on her. Speaking of Jessica, is she still seeing that smuggler? I’ve told her it would get her into trouble with her position in the Navy. Ah well.
I shall write to you again soon my dear.
Aidan Argentii
Over the course of the month, Aidan proves to be a fairly useful hanger–on. He works diligently to file all appropriate papers to get the crew legal entitlements for the rescue and repair works. With the permission of the crew, he polishes up the legal status of the crew and ship, setting up a limited liability corporation that pays salaries to the crew and maintains the profits of the corporation in a trust to appreciate when not needed.
In addition Aidan — again with the permission of the crew — works on the software of the ship (with Swann at his side) to upgrade the internal security and install software to make it easier to monitor and defend the ship remotely.
Aidan offers to pay the LLC Cr1,000 per month for lodging and food while he’s aboard ship. "Naturally, I would prefer to be treated as a member of the crew and am happy to help in any way. In addition to my computer and legal skills, I can also handle ship gunnery in an acceptable fashion."
-----
Vasilii rolls his eyes when he hears about this. People just don’t even begin to appreciate what operating a starship costs. Aidan will cost them about Cr750 in life support for every week in space.
Last edited:
Shadowdancer
First Post
Chapter I
Date: 202-993
Location: Aboard the Bray Keaven, inside the Stork & Sons repair yards, on Fonnein Orbital
After the repairs, refit, and upgrades are complete, the crew of the Bray Keaven meets for breakfast and to decide what to do next. The ship needs to vacate the Stork & Sons yard today and move to a regular berth. The Bray Keaven should be checking in at Sentry for any messages about Bromley-bound cargo by the 270th day of the year, but that's a good two months away. The subject of Aidan staying onboard also is discussed.
-----
Ian walks into the lounge with a spring in his step and a big grin plastered on his face. He is sporting a clean–shaven face, fresh haircut, and cleaned and pressed ship’s clothes. He stops by the drink dispenser and loads up on a big mug of Kevon’s lip–curling morning brew, then kicks back in a seat and glances at the rest of the crew in turn.
"Good morning, guys. Guess R&R is over, time to get back to work, eh?" he says as he slurps from his mug.
-----
Vasilii begins to outline their options. Fonnein mainly exports frozen types of marine life (for food), and raw chemical solvents and catalysts, though there is a small and growing trade in live marine life (for pets and specialty dishes) and Fonnein Gray Crystals to the gourmet market.
Vasilii broaches the subject of Sentry and crew’s salvage–right claim on the Oser. He’s not pushing for it, just raising it. If the group goes for that, he’ll start serious work on freight, passengers and speculative cargo for Sentry.
If they want to go elsewhere in jump range, he’ll probably be comparing Kerin’s Tyr to Adukgin. Alief is red-zoned for present purposes; Miip is too poor to bother with.
-----
Ian doesn’t much care where he goes next. He’s just happy to have a place to sleep and people to work with that don’t rub him the wrong way. "Yeah," he thinks, "Civilian life was pretty damn crappy ’til I got hooked up with this bunch."
-----
Swann listens to Vasilii as he prepares himself a nice breakfast of scrambled ziga eggs, fried slices of shalap, toasted puur, pancakes covered in kamishgiirmu lar and some cinnamon khaakhi.
Vasilii eyes all the bags from the fancy deli and has a thought. "Dr. Talbek. I know you’re something of the gourmet. I was just thinking that we might celebrate our windfall in the matter of those wretched cubes by getting some high passenger grade supplies aboard. What do you think? Would you like to pick something out, and put it on the ship’s tab? Does everybody like the idea?"
Everyone voices approval.
-----
Getting back to the business at hand, Swann says, "I think we should pursue a salvage claim on the Oser, but I think it can wait until we have to be back at Sentry in two months. We should try to make some more money and visit some other systems before going back. The Oser will still be there when we get back."
"I can agree with that," Martha says, between sips of crimson Bitterstouts.
"As far as our next destination," Swann continues, "I think Kerin’s Tyr might be our best choice for now. I don’t know how Martha might feel about going to Adukgin; that might uncover some unpleasant feelings she might not want to deal with right now."
Martha looks a little nervous. "I’d rather not go to Adukgin, but I won’t rule it out if there’s a good profit there for us. I mean, one of you guys can stick close, in case they try to pop in and take me or something, right? Do you want me to compare the two as possibilities?"
Vargas gently pats Martha's hand, looks softly into her eyes, and says, "Martha, I personally guarantee that if any of those goons attempts to annoy you in any way, shape, or form, they will rue the day they were born."
Vargas then rubs the scar on his cheek; his expression changes to a steely stare and he states flatly, "No one hurts one of my friends and escapes unscathed. This, Martha, I promise you."
"Although some merchant crewmen I met the other night were telling me about this great club at the Adukgin starport named Two Minnies," Swann said, smiling at Martha and giving her a playful wink. "I wouldn’t mind paying a visit, if we ever do go there."
Martha laughs nervously at Swann’s jest, then quickly changes the subject. "Vasilii, you were asking about Mr. Silver. Personally, I don’t really like him, despite everything’s he’s done since his auspicious beginnings with us. If he pays his way, I think he knows enough now to be a good passenger and not screw with our security protocols again. But that’s about as far as I trust him, for now, anyway."
-----
When asked, Vasilii explains that he evaluates Aidan on three fronts: trouble/favors exchanged, trust, and usefulness. He thinks they’re about even for trouble/favors — Aidan foregoing his interest in the cubes bought forgiveness for being a nuisance in the Oser affair, and flashing his warrant after the Sare No. 2 gunfight was repaid by Vasilii getting him a good price on the electronics.
As for trust, he was in a hole during the Oser business but clawed back level with the warrant. Thus does a Vilani Merchant keep score.
As for usefulness, Aidan does seem to be very handy with computers, and he has an insight into the ways of less respectable Nobles that could be useful.
So Vasilii would accept him aboard, if the terms were right.
-----
Swann doesn’t have a problem with Aidan staying with the ship. "I’m not sure what crew position he would fill, or even if he would want or need a salary, but he would be handy to have around, especially if we have any more dealings with Nobles.
"Speaking of salaries, I think it would be nice if we all drew a small salary, just enough to cover our living expenses. Say Cr1,500 a month."
"As a regular thing, you mean? Well, that’s certainly all right with me. So long as all the partners make the same arrangement. Do any of the business partners object to a regular disbursement from partnership funds to the owners?" Vasilii raises an eyebrow to Vargas, Martha, Ian and Saro.
There are no objections.
-----
Returning to the Aidan Question, Vargas says, "Judging from the problems we have had in the past, I think it would be an excellent idea to retain Aidan aboard for the time being. However, I do urge extreme caution with him. While he did give valuable assistance to us in need, he has the capability of being a loose cannon. However, in the case of a vote, I would keep him aboard but under close watch for the time being."
-----
"If he’s very useful, we should hire him," Vasilii says. "If he’s slightly useful, we should give him formal working passage as a trainee. If he isn’t useful, he can buy middle passage and leave his damn weapons in the locker for a change. If we cut some irregular deal there’s always the potential for trouble with the Spacers’ Guild, and he’s a lawyer.
"I’d hire him as a gunner and systems operator for Cr2,500 a month."
-----
After the initial event — the hijacking — Ian has slowly started warming up to the quirky guy. "At least he’s amusing."
Swann smiles and says, "Amusing. That’s a good way to put it. Yes, he is amusing. And he does have his uses. It never hurts to have your own personal lawyer traveling with you. I have no problem with him staying on."
"Heh. Our very own ship’s counsel," Kevon jokes between sips of coffee. "I say he’s welcome."
"It looks like he’s staying," Vasilii says. "Are we going to hire him or offer working passage? I must admit I’d like to see his face if we offered him a contract as an unpaid trainee, but it might be less trouble with the guild to take him on as a gunner and computer consultant."
"Well, hell. I was hoping to fill the needed gunner spot, but if his skill exceeds mine, it would be better for the ship and crew if he was in that position," Ian says with a dejected look on his face. "Sure, we can keep him on as a paid member of the crew for now. Let’s see how it goes for a bit."
Vasilii looks puzzled. "Forgive my ignorance, but don’t we need two gunners to operate our two turrets? They're not in a, um, is ‘battery’ the term? I know Captain Holland is a competent gunner, but he would normally be busy flying the ship in a fight. At least, I presume so. So don’t we need two gunners to be properly operational?"
He looks around the table, hoping somebody will clarify this, and adds, "And then there are those pop–up lasers we’ve just had installed. I’m not sure if they need gunnery skill."
Swann looks at Vasilii with a puzzled expression, as if he were watching garibs fly out of the Vilani Merchant’s ears. "Vasilii, don’t you remember? I’m the ship’s gunner.
"But you bring up a good point. There may be a need for the ship’s security officer to fire the pop-up lasers, if Kevon is busy flying the ship. And it’s not a bad idea to have other people capable of manning a turret if the designated crewmembers are unavailable."
Vasilii gives Rusti a stern look. "Rusti, have you been putting stuff in my Zhou Khollat milk again to addle my brains?"
He turns back to Swann. "Um, I think I’ll just shut up for a bit."
-----
Vargas states, "If the other partners wish to hire him as a crewman, I will not stand in the way. However, I stand by my earlier statement about him being a possible loose cannon and should be watched for the time being."
-----
Saro is fine with hiring Aidan on into whatever position(s) the crew feels is appropriate. He would like to suggest that they make it a provisional employment for a limited time, say three months, and then the crew can reassess at that point whether or not to make it a more permanent position.
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"Now, you all figure out a direction and point me there," Kevon says as he rises to leave. "I have some design work to finish before we launch."
-----
With Kevon out of the room, Vasilii again raises the matter of the Mariella Landing reward. "It’s not like Kevon’s job description includes suicidal rescues like that. He was perfectly entitled to refuse. In fact, I think he did refuse until us owners practically mutinied on him. Which, looking back, was probably illegal on our part. So anyway, I think he deserves a split of that million-credit bounty that’s sitting in the ship’s accounts. As a ‘mere’ employee, he hasn’t seen a credit of it."
"Well, it sounds fair. True, he is not one of the ‘regular’ crewmembers, so he probably should get a cut of the reward. What the actual amount should be is up for discussion," Ian says.
Vargas turns to Vasilli and states, "You have a point about Kevon being entitled to some of the reward. I would say that his actions were nothing short of heroic even if they were under duress of a possible mutiny. I agree that a portion of the reward should be given to him. You are keeping the books; I, for one, will trust your judgement on the amount of the share."
Vasilii is delighted to have a new finance puzzle to gnaw at. Some of the crew may fancy they hear the whirring of machinery going into high revs for a moment before he answers.
"Well, I think the most appropriate operating practice is the 50-50 ship/crew split, for which there is ample precedent. The ship, or rather the ship’s accounts, takes 50 percent of the reward as the key enabler. The remainder is split between the sophs. Since most of us are operating partners in the ship, paying the ship’s accounts is an indirect way of paying ourselves. So we’ve had our shares. But for Kevon, I would suggest one-sixth of one-half. That is to say, about Cr83,334."
Swann whistles. "Nice bonus. Some people could retire on that. But that should keep him happy for a while," he says, breaking into a smile.
After some discussion, they agree to give Kevon a full share of the bounty.
-----
Vasilii starts passing out a detailed analysis of passenger and cargo movement through Fonnein. The report shows there is enough standard cargo around to get a full hold to all destinations. Profitability runs Sentry, Kerin’s Tyr, or Adukgin in descending order. He has a feeling that they wouldn’t leave Adukgin with a full hold.
As for speculative goods, he suggests:
- Take all the chemical catalysts we can get
- Take chemical solvents ahead of normal cargo
- Spices are bad news for Kerin’s Tyr (an agricultural world). Otherwise they look about level with freight but riskier, so there’s no need for them with a full hold
- Ignore the marine life
-----
Sitting at the breakfast table, after delivering his report, Vasilii says, "Of course, that’s just the speculative cargo that has been placed on the merchant exchange for general sale. If we settle on a specific destination, Miss Smythe and I can try to rustle up some goods chosen for that particular destination. But to do that we have to start offering money, so we need to know where we’re going."
Martha nods. "That’s where we’ll probably find our real profit on this venture."
"For example," Vasilii continues, "if we were going to Kerin’s Tyr, and any of the chemical concerns here make insecticides, they might be quite cheap here but fetch a very decent price at Kerin’s Tyr. If we knew we were going there we could seek some out, rather than just checking the public market. There’d be a good percentage on inorganic fertilizer too, but that stuff isn’t worth so much per ton. Mid-tech toys should do all right in the richer states, too, if we get some at a reasonable price here, as should well-chosen info-disks.
"Anyhow, we’ll look into that when we have a decision."
Martha replies, "Kerin’s Tyr sounds interesting. Perhaps we should check for some cargo on spec that might be ideal for there, and see if it will work out profitably?"
-----
Swann looks over Vasilii’s very detailed market analysis. "We have to get this guy a woman," he thinks, a brief smile crossing his lips. "He spent WAY too much time on this stuff."
Vasilii wonders what Swann is thinking, as his eyes focus away from the market report.
Swann rubs a hand across his face, and looks at Vasilii. "This is very — thorough. You’ve done a very good job, giving us lots of options.
"It would be more profitable making a run back to Sentry, but I suspect that would be true from any system in the cluster. Sentry’s the biggest market, and has the highest population and tech level. Everything flows to it."
"Always, Mr. Hellinic. Any purely commercial trader is going to do pairs of there-and-back trips between Sentry and any other system, with the second system chosen to suit the market on the day. Those are the facts of interstellar trading life."
"But there are other markets out there," Swann says. "I say we go to Kerin’s Tyr first. Those farmers and ranchers need the wonderful products of the Third Emperium that we can bring them. And it’s one of the gateways into the cluster, so there are probably plenty of cargoes there waiting to be carried to Sentry."
-----
Vasilii gets distracted by the Beaker monkey at this point, and somehow neglects to answer that. Vasilii feeds Rusti a few Marine–issue breakfast biscuits (something had to happen with the last 0.5 dTon) then refocuses on the conversation.
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"As to the next destination, we may have a chance of salvage with the Oser, but I agree with the position that it can wait," Vargas says. "I agree with Martha that Kerin’s Tyr sounds good for some profit."
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Blinking a bit, Vasilii says, "Right. Kerin’s Tyr. I’ll work with Miss Smythe on cargo for that particular destination."
-----
Saro is glad to see that Vasilii is getting back to his old self and throwing himself into the work of running the merch side of the ship’s affairs.
Vasilii is relieved to see that Saro isn’t frowning at him anymore.
-----
After the meeting, Vasilii collaborates with Martha on working manufacturers and middlemen to see if they can get the following at reasonable prices:
- Insecticides
- TL–7 toys that can used at TL–5 or TL–6
- info–disks to sell into the balkanized planet’s three higher–tech states
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Following the meeting Vargas talks to Saro about his limited training at the free clinic. "I really enjoyed the time I spent at the clinic and would like to learn more about emergency medicine. Saro, would you have any objections to continuing my training while we are in jump space. Maybe I would be able to assist as an EMT or the like when we have our next encounter. This last trip had so many injured and so little time. Another set of hands and eyes could make the difference in an emergency."
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At some point after the meeting, Swann approaches Ian in private. "Ian, that little firefight we had in the repair bay got me to thinking about that ACR you picked up back on Sentry. If you should have an occasion to actually use it, it could cause you some problems since you don’t have a permit for it. I might be able to help you obtain one. In fact, I might be able to ‘issue’ you one myself. If that’s not a problem for you?
"I met a guy the other night, Eneri Shigulii. He owns an electronics shop in the starport, but he also buys and sells other items for a ‘discrete’ clientele. Your permit is probably going to take some special equipment and materials. I think he can connect us with the right people. Of course, it will be expensive.
"What do you think? Should we go talk to Eneri?"
"Hmm, good point," Ian says. "Yes, let’s see what we can do. Thanks."
Swann says, "OK. Let's go see him after we move the ship to a regular berth."
Swann studies Ian’s Class 4 weapon permit to see what would be needed to attempt a forgery of another permit — special paper, certain type of printer, special fonts, etc. He decides that forging the weapon permit would require getting special paper material which includes a smartchip (which can be read by a computer), a computer/reader to program the smartchip, and a special printer to do the printing.
"Hopefully, we can find someone who can offer us a package deal," Swann thinks.
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Shadowdancer
First Post
A couple of things I've noticed in revisiting game events in compiling this story hour.
First, major plot developments often grow out of what were seemingly minor events. The hunt for Ian's weapon permit is a good example. What started out -- at least for the PCs -- as a minor side adventure triggered a chain of events which we are still dealing with in the current game.
Second, things I had my character (Swann) start to persue sometimes were never followed up. Take the search for little nooks and crannies to hide things on the ship. I'm sure at the time I had a good reason for doing this, but I can't remember it now. Oh well.
First, major plot developments often grow out of what were seemingly minor events. The hunt for Ian's weapon permit is a good example. What started out -- at least for the PCs -- as a minor side adventure triggered a chain of events which we are still dealing with in the current game.
Second, things I had my character (Swann) start to persue sometimes were never followed up. Take the search for little nooks and crannies to hide things on the ship. I'm sure at the time I had a good reason for doing this, but I can't remember it now. Oh well.
Shadowdancer said:
Definitely, especially this long story arc which started with the weapon permit. In some ways, I think that some of the best plot developments have been out of me being inspired out of something that the characters have done or, in some cases, scrambling to stay ahead of the characters. Some of my own plot ideas haven't worked out as well as I thought that they might.
Shadowdancer
First Post
Pyske said:
Actually, I believe most of our player swaps have occurred during adventures. The only ones I remember being between adventures were the ones that just happened in the story hour, when Morte took over Vasilii and George took over Vargas.
Aidan was a new player add with a new character, and that took place between adventures. Kevon was a new character added between adventures by a player who was already in the group -- he had taken over playing the captain during the original adventure. We dropped the captain and added Kevon, but kept the same player.
Martha is still being played by the original player, as is Swann. Ian is on his third player, but all the changes occurred during the first adventure; the current player took over the character right when the holiday team on Alief was prepping to go to King George's Land.
Doc Saro, I believe, holds the record for most players. I've lost count, but there have been at least four, and I think one person even played him on two seperate occassions.
Shadowdancer
First Post
vutpakdi said:
That's a sign of being a good Ref -- adaptability, and not being afraid to yoink a good idea, no matter what the source is.
