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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shadowdancer" data-source="post: 2126954" data-attributes="member: 515">Chapter XXXIIIDate: 174-993Location: Aboard the Bray KeavenWhile the crew and Aidan are talking, Vasilii brings up a local news broadcast on the vid. The newscaster recounts the accident and heroics of all involved. There is a brief mention of the Markov's Daughter and a snippet of the interview with the owner (Niles Markov). The far trader was retrieved and is being towed back to the highport. There were two survivors and two dead removed from the ship, but the SPA currently isn’t releasing any information about who survived nor any information about the ongoing investigation. There are a few interviews with various spacers whose theories range from an attempted hijacking (for criminal purposes), to a Sollie plot, to an attempted assassination of someone onboard the long liner under the guise of an accident. -----As everyone is enjoying the fine lunch, Swann brings up a tabled item for discussion -- Sare No. 2. “I believe we had set a meeting time with him of 1300 hours, which is the same time we are now scheduled to transfer the ship to the repair berth. How do we want to handle this? “I was thinking we might use this recent incident with the Markov's Daughter to our advantage. What if we tell Sare No. 2 that some people who are unknown to us stole the cube from the ship? And that those people then hijacked the Markov's Daughter and tried to escape aboard it with the cube. As far as we know, it was confiscated by the authorities when they retrieved the ship. “He won't be happy, but at least his wrath and attention would be directed in someone else’s direction. Unless he believes in killing the messenger,” Swann finishes with a grim chuckle. “Unless he has the same means of tracking the cubes that EVERYONE ELSE seems to have,” Vasilii says, “in which case he’ll know you're lying, and may get even more ticked off than if we had just told him someone else outbid him and the cubes are gone.” “But by that time, we won’t have either of the cubes any more,” Swann replies. “He won’t be able to track them to us.” “Well, if memory serves, we told him we would meet him at 1300 hours, which is the time we’re now moving the ship,” Vasilii says, thinking as he speaks. “He’ll be looking for us when we don’t show, or may just assume to go to our docking berth at the shipyard in the first place; you know how he likes things his way, on his time. “In either event, if we’re making the exchange with Ms. Clegg after we make the move to the shipyard, I would say there’s a chance Ms. Clegg and Sare No. 2 could end up crossing paths, in our docking berth.” “While that doesn't sound like a bad idea,” Vargas says to Swann, “if anything comes out in the media about that shuttle which contradicts our story, things could get -- interesting.” “I still think we should attempt to get the authorities involved in this one,” Kevon adds. “He’s breaking at least one Imperial law that I know of in attempting to impersonate the original Sare to illegally gain access to property. If uniforms start showing up . . . ” he trails off. “You know, maybe I can talk to Philipe -- Lt. Marks -- and see if he can do a favor for me,” the lieutenant commander interjects. “We may not even need to be there for the arrest.” -----Based on Aidan’s experience and knowledge, he reports that a request for expenses is fairly easy to file through the Starport Authority office. The ship will need to have a formal and notarized estimate drawn up by a sanctioned repair yard. A receipt for any supplies used must be created and a bid to replace those supplies must be included in the filing. Martha thinks that Aidan’s analysis sounds about right, but she skeptical that it’s that easy. “Well, I’ll get a notarized estimate this afternoon, then,” she says. “Vasilii, you think you have time to create a receipt for any supplies used during the rescue? Don’t forget to include the overtaxing of our life support, if there’s any damage. I’ll check and let you know.” After a pause, she adds, “And I don’t think you can claim your suits the passengers tore, nor Mr. Silver’s luggage. But I do think we might want to file some sort of report to the local Law Enforcers.” -----While the crew are discussing how to approach Tukera Lines, they receive a rather formally worded and certified comm message from Hubert Standish, the Tukera Lines Manager for Fonnein: Lt. Commander Kevon HollandDr. Saro TalbekEmile VargasVasilii KugiikishshiMartha SmytheOn behalf of Tukera Lines, I, Hubert Standish, Tukera Lines Manager for Fonnein, would like to comment the crew's bravery and sacrifice as well as formally thank you all for willingly responding to the collision of our Marellia Landing and the Markov's Daughter on 176-993 without hesitation. As required by Imperial Regulation SPA-382K3E1T-003, Tukera Lines will be covering the cost of any repairs needed by the Bray Keaven for damage incurred during the rescue, the cost of any supplies used during the rescue, and any SPA fees incurred due to the rescue provided that notarized and certified receipts are submitted to the Fonnein Tukera Lines office by 276-993.Additionally, in recognition of the selfless and immediate response instrumental to saving the lives of the passenger and crew of the Marellia Landing, Tukera Lines has deposited a Cr1,000,000 honorarium in the Fonnein Orbital account of the Bray Keaven.As a personal measure of thanks, a high passage voucher good for one jump on any Tukera Lines vessel (space pending) is waiting for Lt. Cdr. Holland, Dr. Talbek, Mr. Vargas, Mr. Kugiikishshi, and Ms. Smythe at the Tukera Lines office.Finally, Tukera Lines would like to extend an invitation to Lt. Cdr. Holland, Dr. Talbek, Mr. Vargas, Mr. Kugiikishshi, and Ms. Smythe interview with Tukera Lines for service with Tukera Lines under very favorable terms.Hubert StandishFonnein Manager, Tukera Lines Attached to the formal note is an informally worded vid message that the formal message is required protocol to make sure that the crew and Tukera Lines has a formal record, and Manager Standish would like to take the crew out for dinner at their earliest convenience. Martha almost gets excited about it, before she realizes that it would leave the ship unprotected. “Guys, what would we do about ship security, with everyone gone?” “Y’all can go have a good time, I’ll stay here with the ship,” Ian says. “I got to sit in a bar and watch the whole ordeal all safe and sound. You guys risking your necks deserve the opportunity to bask in the glory!” Ian finishes with a big grin, arms crossed in front of him. Swann smiles and adds, “Yes, the five of you should definitely go have dinner on Tukera’s Crimps. Ian and I will stay with the ship, and Aidan if he plans on hanging around. We’ll entertain ourselves by swapping war stories.” “I’m certain I can scare up some fine port to sip,” Aidan says. “And war stories sound lovely -- guerilla war experience, anyone?  Martha, don’t worry, I’m sure the ship will be quite safe.  Anyone who tries to come in will be immediately cast off for interrupting a lovely and peaceful interlude.” -----Shortly after the crew digests the formal note from Tukera Lines, a call from Holly Clegg comes in and Kevon answers the comm. "Ah, Kevon. I’m quite glad to see that you made it through your adventure in one piece. I can see why the Marquis of Sentry recommended your ship and crew.” “Good morning, Holly. I was about to comm you to reschedule our transfer for this afternoon. We are scheduled to move the Bray Keaven to the Stork & Sons yard at 1300.” “Either before or after your new attempt to move the ship to the yard would be fine for us,” Holly replies. Then, an odd look briefly crosses her normally sunny face, and she leans forward slightly into the pickup, before continuing. “Kevon. In light of the courage and honor that you’ve shown, are you sure that you want to go through with this?” Kevon freezes as he’s about to speak, a puzzled expression crossing his features as he tries to figure out what Holly meant by that. He, too, leans forward as he answers, “I’m not exactly sure what you mean by that. As far as I’m concerned, we’re engaged in a legitimate business deal here with the merchandise we discussed earlier. It’s legal, so we’re legal. Is there something else that would impede my ‘honor and courage’?” Holly smiles and says, “Yes, the cargo is legal, as I’m sure that you have a warrant for it. I just wanted to make sure that you’re OK with selling the merchandise to me knowing that I’m not the intended recipient. In any case, why don’t I come by the Stork & Sons yard with a few of my crew at, say 1500 hours to complete our business?” “The courier is OK with this sale, so I’m comfortable,” Kevon replies. “Fifteen hundred hours sounds fine. I’ll see you then.” -----While Kevon is talking to Holly, a rather terse and gruff vid messagecomes in from Sare No. 2. “I expect you to keep your appointment with me, and that cube had better not be damaged.” <click> -----Meanwhile, the others are listening to the newscasts. The shuttle hasbeen recovered. One crewmember is dead, the other is severely injured(head injury). -----After ending the call to Holly, the lieutenant commander attempts to connect to Lt. Marks, who appears to be receiving the call in some sort of open office setting. “Philipe? Kevon here. We seemed to be embroiled in a minor situation that you might take some interest in,” he says, explaining who Sare No, 2 is without going into details of the cubes – calling it only merchandise at the moment. “We’ve already delivered the merchandise to the proper recipient, but the imposter is insisting on a 1300 rendezvous.” Kevon relays the location information and continues. “This purported ‘gentleman’ has already threatened force on us should the encounter not go his way. “Do you think the Navy could act to apprehend him for violations of Imperial law?” After hearing Kevon's query, Philipe responds, “I’d really like to help you, Commander Holland, but based on what you’ve told me, I’m afraid that I can’t do much other than put you in contact with Lt. Wuajel of the SPA Security Service as long as this fellow restricts his activities on station. If he comes after you off station, then I could do more.” Kevon then places a call to Lt. Wuajel but gets sent into voice mail. “Lieutenant, this is Lieutenant Commander Kevon Holland, Imperial Navy Reserve,” he begins. “We put into port at Fonnein Orbital to transfer cargo and make some repairs, and were contacted by two men who claimed to be the same person.” Kevon will relate the story, again omitting the exact nature of the cargo. “He continues to demand we keep the scheduled appointment, and has already implied he will use force if the meeting isn’t met, or doesn’t go his way. I would appreciate any help the authorities can give to us. We’ve certainly had enough excitement for one day. Please contact me as soon as possible at . . . ” -----Martha takes advantage of the hour or so before the second attempt to move the ship to the Stork & Sons yard to head outside and complete her diagnosis. The jump grid definitely appears to be damaged, and the hull is breached underneath the forward cargo lock area (large gash) and a few meters inside the cargo hold. Martha is fairly amazed that the air pressure was maintained in the corridor between the port and starboard sides of the ship. -----The rest of the crew finishes their lunch and conversations and prepare for the Bray Keaven’s second attempted move to the Stork & Sons yard.</blockquote>

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