NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shadowdancer" data-source="post: 1661334" data-attributes="member: 515">Ian does a quick search on Kevon and pulls up some information that effectively corroborates the information that they already have on the young lieutenant commander. The crew does decide to hire Kevon Holland and contacts him after breakfast inviting him to join the crew onboard at his earliest convenience. -----Saro and Swann look at the cubes a bit, and they can’t figure anything else out about the odd plastic cubes. -----Martha spends the day doing routine maintenance, particularly on the life support systems. When she is head deep into the third air scrubber, she gets an odd feeling that she is being watched. She pulls her head out abruptly, scraping it slightly, but doesn’t see anyone in the corridor. Taking a moment, she checks with the computer to insure that the intrusion/anti-hijacking system hasn’t detected an unauthorized presence on the ship. The system shows no intruders onboard or surrounding the ship. She shrugs and goes back to work. -----As soon as he gets the call from the Keaven, Kevon heads over in one of his new civilian outfits, luggage in tow. Pressing the chime on the door, the young officer waits for someone to answer. A few moments later, the comm flickers on. From the speaker comes the crash of metal on metal, followed by muttered curses. After a pause, a feminine voice asks, "Hello? What do you want?" Once Kevon identifies himself, Martha apologizes. "Sorry about that. Sure, come on in. I’ll be down in a moment to show you to your cabin." Martha tabs the airlock to an unlocked position then makes her way down to greet the new pilot. She shows him to his cousin’s old cabin, and gives him a brief tour of the ship. As part of the process, she scans him and enters the appropriate data into the ship’s security protocols so that he can be recognized as authorized personnel. After the tour and other preliminaries are done, Kevon asks, "So, what do we need to get done? I’m not an engineer, but I do have technical training on bridge equipment: sensor calibration, comms maintenance, etc. Or, if Mr. Kugi … umm, Kuishi … no, Kagisha … Oh, hell. If your Cargomaster needs any assistance with recruiting or administrative tasks, I’m able to help with that, too. Fifteen years of fleet service teaches you something about datawork." "Sadly, we can’t complete calibration of the weapon systems until we are in space, but if you’re comfortable running a level–I diagnostic on the sensors, comm, and ops/comp stations, feel free," Martha says. She gestures to the bridge. "Also, if you want, you can comm Vasilii and let him know you’re available to help him out, if he needs it." With that, Martha returns to her routine maintenance work, answering Kevon’s questions as the day passes. Kevon gets settled once Martha shows him around and then starts to familiarize himself with the far trader. He heads to the bridge and starts a diagnostic of the sensors while he comms Vasilii. "I’m certainly not going to try to say his last name again," he says to himself. "Lieut, err, Mr. Holland to Cargomaster," the pilot announces. "If you need any assistance with recruiting or administrative duties, please feel free to contact me." -----Vasilii posts on the starport information network that the Bray Keaven is accepting cargoes destined for 069-526, and consults the network for publicly available cargoes headed for 069-526. The trade board lists the following cargoes as available for 069-526: Priority:Adhesives, 3 tonsCrystals, 1 tonDishware, 1 tonTea, 6 tons Hazardous:Chemicals, 3 tonsStrong acids, 5 tonsChemical solvents, 1 ton Security:Rare books, 1 tonHolovid cubes, 2 tonsCorporate records, 6 tons Major:Fruit, 40 tonsCopper, 60 tonsWood, 40 tonsCarbon, 30 tonsHerbs, 60 tonsLivestock, 40 tons Minor:Bulk plastic, 5 tonsMeat, 10 tonsLiquid pavement, 20 tonsCarbon, 10 tons Some of these cargoes will require the purchase of specialized cargo containers. The security cargoes will come in their own containers. Vasilii also checks to see what speculative cargoes are available for easy purchase at the downport. He finds the following cargoes available: Petrochemicals, 4 tonsTools, 4 tonsAluminum, 210 tonsHerbs, 17 tons A little after midday, Vasilii receives a message from an Aidan Silver that reads: Greetings, sir.I understand that the Bray Keaven is accepting cargoes bound for Fonnein in the 069-526 system. I have three tons of electronics parts which I need to transport to Fonnein in addition to myself. Given the priority of the parts and their value, I am prepared to offer Cr28,000 for their transport plus high passage accommodations for me as long as we can leave within three days.Please contact me at the Hotel Meridian, Sentry Downport.Sincerely,Aidan Silver Vasilii stares at the comm screen as the cargo shipping lists scroll past. He quickly separates cargoes by shipping code (priority, hazardous, etc.) and discounts those not suitable for the Bray Keaven. "There’s no way I’m cleaning up after livestock." He mutters. "Plus, I don’t know how Imperial officers get dates, so there’s no reason to tempt our new pilot." He also scratches off those cargoes that require special environmental requirements (chemicals, strong acids, chemical solvents, meat, liquid pavement) since the packaging required would cost more than the profit of carrying the cargo. Once that is done, he starts sorting out the possible combinations of cargoes based on the tonnage of the Bray Keaven. He works up three possible load-outs as drafts for the crews’ review. While puzzling over the best approach to cargo, Vasilii receives another message. This one reads: "I am Hil Seirl, and I’m the purser onboard the Kilnea. We have a small cargo that has been rerouted to Fonnein, and we’re not headed that way. We’d like to contract the Bray Keaven to transport the cargo for us. The cargo is 1 dTons of electronics for the ImpConext Corporation. Would you be willing to transport the cargo for us at double standard rates? We can arrange a zero g transfer via our cutter near the jump mark. Please contact me at the Newel Hostel at Sentry Highport. Sincerely, Hil Seirl." Vasilii adds the messages from Aidan Silver and Hil Seirl to his cargo load–out recommendations for the other crewmembers. -----Swann and Ian head out a little early to allow Ian to poke around a few bars. Ian spends money a little liberally, but doesn’t have much luck until the last bar (of four that the pair hit). A deckhand off the Homecoming Piece remembers seeing a tall blonde walking with an old wiry geezer. He says that he has seen them on the last two trips that his ship has made here (seven weeks ago and four weeks ago) and thought that it was odd that they just appeared to be interested in strolling and observing far traders arriving. At Berth 78, Swann and Ian key the berth door comm. A woman quickly answers and lets them in when Swann identifies himself. Entering the berth area, Swann and Ian find themselves facing a pair of hard–looking spacers. One casually cradles a laser carbine while the other cheerfully asks the pair to raise their arms. After a quick pat down, the spacers lead Swann and Ian onboard the Hard Luck. Entering the cargo bay, Swann and Ian meet Lysette Tamara, a lean–looking woman with leathery skin and short spiky brown hair. She apparently isn’t much for small talk as her first words are, "So, what kind of arms do you need, boys?" Swann smiles at Lysette. "No messing around, no foreplay, get right down to business. A woman after my own heart. "Well, I’m looking for a submachine gun, preferably an Assault M990 or a Crewman 10mm, plus a thousand rounds of ammo. "I’m also looking for magnum revolvers and magnum autos. A Precision 12 for the revolver, although I’ll settle for a Manstopper Six if that’s all you have. For the auto, I’m looking for a Loyalist 12mm. Plus a thousand rounds for each gun." Scanning down the list on his hand comp, Swann double checks to make sure he hasn’t forgotten anything. "And a box of standard snub pistol ammo. "My friend here is looking for clips of ammo for a Marine–issue gauss pistol and some sort of auto rifle — I don’t know how fussy he is about the latter." Lysette Tamara smiles briefly and then says, "I have an Assault M990 available. With 1,000 rounds and three magazines, let’s say Cr2,000." Swann says, "Done." "I only have Manstopper Six’s for magnums. One revolver and a thousand rounds, say Cr1,500. I have a few speedloaders available too, Cr5 each." Swann says, "I’ll take two revolvers, two thousand rounds and four speedloaders." "Gauss pistol, huh? A little tougher to come by. I have two magazines, Cr350 each. I have 400 rounds of Gauss ammunition, Cr600 per 200 rounds." Ian says, "Cool, I’ll take both magazines and all 400 rounds." "I don’t usually deal in the heavier stuff: too difficult to move. But, I do happen to have an M856 ACR from Imperial Arms with two magazines and a case of 1,000 rounds for Cr4,000." "That’ll work. Wouldn’t happen to have a telescopic/electronic scope to go along with that, would ya?" Ian asks with a half grin. Shaking her head, Lysette replies to Ian’s query, "No, no sights. People I work with tend to work in close quarters, not outdoors. Sorry. "Snub pistol ammo boxes are Cr50 each." Swann says, "I’ll take two boxes." Swann pays Lysette Cr5,120 for his portion of the purchase. Ian chips in another Cr5,900. After the transaction is finished, Swann says, "Thank you very much. It has been a pleasure doing business with you. "I was wondering if you have any interest in laser weapons? I have a possible connection, and in the future might be able to acquire some laser carbines and spare powerpacks. Would you be interested in buying some if I was able to procure them?" Lysette chuckles a bit at Swann’s inquiry. "Yes, I’d be interested in purchasing a small number, say up to five, laser rifles, carbines, or pistols if you have access to a supplier." Once business is concluded, Lysette’s henchmen provide a plastic box (with handles) suitable for transporting the weapons, and show Swann and Ian to the berth door. Swann and Ian head back towards the ship and arrive without any difficulties. They keep watch on the way, but do not notice anyone following them. -----Vargas performs odd jobs about the ship, grabs lunch out and then cruises the local shopping district to see what catches his eye. He also keeps watch to see if anyone is taking an interest in his movements. He buys some fiction books and some music — a mix of classic metal and eighth century jazz. He can't find the kind of shampoo Rusti likes. While wandering around the starport, he does notice a woman in her 20s with close–cropped, red hair who appears to be wandering in the same direction as Vargas does for about 15 minutes. Once he catches her eye, she stares straight back for a moment, looks a little flustered, and then wanders off. Vargas attempts to follow her for a bit but loses sight of the redhead in a large shopping area. Shrugging, Vargas returns to the ship. Vargas makes an attempt to remember as much as he can about her. Shortly after Vargas returns, Swann and Ian return with their purchases. "Gentlemen, by any chance have you noticed anyone following you? I'd like to think the young lady was interested in me personally but somehow, I doubt it."  </blockquote>

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