Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.
Rocket your D&D 5E and Level Up: Advanced 5E games into space! Alpha Star Magazine Is Launching... Right Now!

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shadowdancer" data-source="post: 2324998" data-attributes="member: 515">Chapter VDate: 202-993 and 203-993Location: Fonnein Orbital When Swann, Ian, and Vargas return to the ship's berth, they find the other crew members making preparations for -- something. Swann takes a look at Vasilii and Aidan wearing their fancy clothing and says, "Awww, you guys didn't have to get all dressed up and go to all this trouble just to welcome us back. I know you probably missed us, but we weren't gone all that long." He then breaks into a smile and says, "So, what's up?" "You always wanted to be a cowherd, right?” Vasilii says. “We've got a last-minute cargo -- livestock, plus the wrangler. I want the man to feel like we're taking him seriously, so I put my suit on." "Are we starting our own traveling rodeo?” Swann asks. “I hope the wrangler is going to be on scoop detail, because that's not in my job description." Ian's serious expression quickly changes as he laughs and slaps Swann on the back. "What, it doesn't fall under the clause 'and all duties as assigned'?" "Alright, so the livestock is frozen,” Vasilii says. “It comes with its own giant low-berth container. It's some sort of modified cows, developed to handle the pollen on Kerin's Tyr. There's a rep traveling with it, he's going in low berth. It was a last-minute transfer, as the scout who was carrying it got reactivated. It's paying decent money. "It checked out, so far as Mr. Silver could investigate in an hour. And it would be pretty hard for somebody to get at us this way – another merchant passed our name to this scout after I contacted her. But we're being careful, on principle." "It's always good to be careful,” Swann says. “Glad to see everyone's learning that. "After we popsicle the rep, we," Swann indicates himself, Ian, and Vargas, "have something to bring to everyone's attention. A favor we need to do." Ian's cheerful expression fades. "Yes, we should gather in the lounge afterwards." -----At 2300 hours exactly the berth door chimes, and Vasilii goes to a comconsole in the lounge to answer the call. The vid pickup reveals an olive brown-complexioned man in his late 20s/early 30s smiling at the camera and the vague outlines of some large containers on cargo movers in the corridor beyond. "Good night and salutations! I am Anil Salian, and I believe that you're expecting me and my cargo at this time?" "Yes, Mr. Salian. We'll be down shortly." "Very good!" -----The crew goes down the ship's forward ramp into the berth in order to receive the salesman and his frozen cattle. After making sure that everyone is in position (somewhat scattered, Swann and Ian behind cover), Vasilii keys the berth cargo lock open. As soon as the doors open, Anil Salian strides forward, beaming and extending his hand towards Vasilii. Over the next few minutes, the salesman makes the point of introducing himself to and greeting all of the Bray Keaven crewmen, being rather effusive in his compliments and thanks to the crew for getting him out of the bind that the Scout dropped him in. Sprinkled throughout his compliments and thanks, he drops scattered complaints about the Scout and his ship along with scattered comments that he trusts that the illustrious Bray Keaven is considerably better maintained and run. The cargo turns out to be six 1.5 dTon low berth containers and one 1dTon low berth container. Salian explains that each low berth container is completely self contained and has enough power for a week of operation in an emergency and during transfers, but he would like to have the containers connected to ship's power. The larger containers each contain an adult bioengineered cow-like beast, and the smaller container contains a juvenile. The view ports into the containers do show something that looks very much like a cow except that they look a bit tougher and squatter. Saro and Martha inspect the low berth containers. The containers appear to be functioning properly as far as the two can tell based on previous experience with low berths, and the cattle appear healthy as far as Saro can tell. -----While the cargo handling service loads the containers into the ship's hold and Martha makes the cargo connections, Salian does ask to see Saro's medical credentials, explaining "I really prefer to travel in a cabin if you have space, but I'd be willing to travel in a low berth as long as a qualified medic is onboard. I would be willing to pay a high passage fare for a cabin if you have one available." At Salian's request, Saro will allow Salian to access his credentials so that he may satisfy his concerns. "Oh, doctor! A thousand apologies if I have insulted you. I see that I will obviously be in good hands." Saro chuckles good-naturedly. "No apologies are necessary. I think it is a wise idea to check the credentials of anyone whom is going to be responsible for your life and limb. I know I'd want to be sure the person putting me on ice knows his way around a cryo tube. "I just want you to you that I take every low berth very seriously. You'll receive my utmost attention going in and coming out." -----After the cargo is loaded, Salian pays the cargo handling service personnel (who then depart) and inspects the connections. Once the inspection is complete, Salian hands his two bags (a wheeled briefcase and a wheeled, medium-sized suitcase) to whoever will take them, and then accompanies Saro to the low berths. Saro preps Salian, puts him in the low berth, and freezes the salesman. -----Vasilii takes the bags with a smile and puts them where they can be looked over once Salian is in the freezer. Later he'll ask Swann and anyone else who seems so inclined to have a look at them. -----After the salesman is frozen, the crew gathers in the lounge before heading off to sleep. When all have gathered, Ian clears his throat. "Well, I must ask a favor of this crew. In return for some documentation I need for a recent hardware purchase -- namely, my ACR -- I have agreed to transport a small box to Warn Highport on Kerin's Tyr for a powerful Vargr named Markul." Ian pauses a moment to glance at his crewmates around the room to catch any reactions. Vasilii and most of the others look unfazed. It's normal small-trader business. "If we do this, it would put us in good favor with him and his family. I am to deliver the package, or 'gift' as he called it, to his cousin. It will be delivered in the morning. "Just a side note: the Vargr that I killed in the shoot-out at the shipyard was this guy's nephew. But he doesn't seem to hold that against us, as far as we can tell." With that Ian crosses his arms in front of his chest and waits for the discussion to commence. -----"That's some side note,” Vasilii, his eyebrows raised ironically. “Well, with nephews like that he's less likely to be a plant. And if he takes that shooting in his stride, you don't want to cross him. What do you think he can do for us? I guess we should check him out, if you're not already on it." -----To an inquiry as to the contents of the package, Ian replies, "No, I don't know what's in it. Probably something we don't wanna know about anyway," he says with a half grin. Martha does not look impressed. "Ian, if you want, I can meet you in the docking bay and scan it for radiation, volatile chemicals, etc., before it is brought onboard." After a brief pause, she corrects herself. "Why don't I just plan on that, anyway? When are you going to be back?" "Thanks Martha. Let's do that. The courier is suppose to contact us in the morning and will be delivering the package to the ship. I'll let you check it out before bringing it on board." -----As Ian makes his announcement, Saro groans inwardly and closes his eyes to breathe slowly and to count to a million or so. When Ian is through, Saro opens his eyes and looks at him and says wryly, "Another mysterious box. Dandy. I swear by Kwazl's Brow, if we get attacked by pirates over this box, I'll personally turn it, and you, over to them via the airlock -- vacc suit optional." Looking around the room, he continues, "If no one else objects to this `gift' transfer, I'll keep my peace. But I expect this to be Ian's responsibility. I for one think we attract enough trouble as it is, without soliciting more." Saro doesn't sound truly angry, merely apprehensive, exasperated, and slightly annoyed. "Doc, I understand your concerns and take full responsibility,” Ian says. “I had hoped the deal would be settled with credits, but that was not to be. Assuming all goes well," Ian pauses and grimaces, reflecting back on the crew's luck lately, "we hope to solidify a friendly relationship with this powerful person in this region. At least gaining enough respect from him and his family to allow us some leeway while we are in the area.” “By the way Saro,” Aidan adds. “Swann and I picked up this other box -- it was behind door number three.” Aidan is ready to dive for cover if Saro throws anything at him. -----“Well, as long as we don’t have another half-dozen packs after us for this package, I’m game,” Kevon says. “It’s good to be able to pay off a debt quickly. No use in letting it linger.”  -----Ian turns to Swann and Aidan. "Think you guys could try to do some digging online to gather more info on our Vargr friend Markul before we jump outta here? Just curious what his family is into around here.” “Happy to Ian,” Aidan says. “I rather imagine that it should lead to some interesting discoveries, at least for those with a penchant to illicit activity.  I’ll check the police records and the shipping records.  Swann, can you think of another venue?  Perhaps court cases, too.” Swann thinks a minute, rubbing a hand across his face. "Try business records, too. See if Markul owns any businesses, or is listed as a partner, minority stock holder, board member, that type of thing." “Another anonymous box – interesting,” Aidan muses. “I’d love to scan it with my comp when it comes in.” Swann laughs and says, "Yeah, you scan it, then I'm opening it. I don't want this Markul pulling a Rosencrantz and Guildenstern on us." "Well, I was wondering about that,” Ian says. “We probably should open it and check it out. We'll see once we get it in hand." Aidan dives into his computer to do the research. -----Ian then motions for Vargas to join him and Swann. "I would appreciate it if you two would be available in the morning to help me greet the courier with Markul's package." Turning to Vargas, he says, "Your knowledge of Vargr customs has helped tremendously it seems, and with a chance that a Vargr may deliver the package in the morning, your presence would be helpful. "Swann, I'd like you standing by -- just because. Another set of eyes and guns can't hurt a bit." Ian ends in a grin. Swann says, "Yeah, I'll be standing by. But tonight, you have to helpme go through The Popsicle's baggage. Since you're the ship'ssecurity officer, you have that right, just in case he complains onthe other end." Martha jumps into the discussion. "Swann, you need some help with that? I can check it out with the scanners before we get into too much trouble by opening everyone's stuff directly." Vargas looks at Ian and simply states, "I would not miss the receipt of the box for a million credits. I think that it is a good idea to check out the grey Vargr. I really don't think that we should open the box. However, a good scan and maybe a trip through Doc's X-ray would certainly be in order. If you need any help checking out the luggage, let me know." "Thanks, Vargas,” Ian says. “And thanks for your advice concerning the package, we'll figure out if we should open it or not once we have it in hand. If the cousin receiving the package discovers it was opened, it might not set too well." -----Martha scans Anil Salian's luggage with her engineering diagnostic scanners. The scanners don't reveal anything that appears to be alarming in terms of anything chemical or explosive in nature beyond a perfectly normal looking snub pistol and five clips of ammunition -- two appear to be filled with explosive rounds, two appear to be filled with chemical rounds of some sort, and one appears to be solid shot. There are a number of holodisks, some hard copy flimsy files, and a handcomp. "Nothing unreasonable for a traveling businessman,” Vasilii says. “I should have asked him if he had a weapon when he arrived. I forgot in the rush. Perhaps we should put his bag in the ship's locker, since it contains a firearm." Ian and Swann open the luggage and do a search. Then Ian takes the bag with the weapon and ammo, and places it in the ship's locker. -----Aidan's research into Merkul is quite interesting with regards to what he can find and can't find. A search of commercial oriented databases reveals that Merkul does not appear to have any businesses registered under his name. However, he does own a rather large (800 dTon) portion of the station that is listed as a private residence with private 250 dTon berth. A search of the criminal case database reveals that Merkul has not been involved in any recorded cases. The civil case database indicates that a couple of suits were brought against Merkul for business dealings. Both suits were dropped when the plaintiffs failed to show for their court dates. Growing a bit bolder and more curious, Aidan attempts to delve into the SPA Investigative Service's criminal files. Aidan manages to scan snippets of a rather interesting set of notes, musings and clippings on Merkul. Merkul first came to the service's attention about 10 years ago when he arrived at Fonnein Orbital and purchased his residence with cash. The SPA-IS noted that other offices did not have any previous files on anyone named Merkul elsewhere. Since his arrival, Merkul has been suspected in at least cursory involvement with a number of smuggling operations, a protection "service" which provides armed cutter and pinnace escorts to merchant ships, and some odd disappearances, but none of the investigators have been able to tie Merkul to anything worth bringing a case against him. It is notable that a couple of investigations seem to have ended fairly abruptly with a transfer of the investigator to better postings. -----"Thanks for checking him out, Aidan,” Ian says. “That's some interesting information." Swann whistles softly. "This Merkul sounds like a no-nonsense guy. I'm glad we won't be going back to him to tell him we can't deliver his box." Vargas listens carefully to Aidan's report on his research on Merkul's background and remembers the visible blanching of the spacer when the Vargr walked into the tavern. The other crew notices that Vargas has a slight look of concern on his face. He finally states, "This throws an interesting light on our relationship with this individual. With him providing protection for starships and the disappearance of those plaintiffs, coupled with the large sum of cash required to purchase his living quarters, reminds me of some contact I had with various corsair groups while in the Vargr Extants. “It is not unusual that leaders of these groups will loose their position due to a loss of charisma and the accompanying challenge from others of the group. After a loss of leadership position, the individual almost always leave the space of the group. I remember one particularly strong group known as the Kforuzeng. They were a very powerful and violent group that absorbed most of the smaller groups, often with considerable bloodshed. “This Merkul may very well be a former leader of any of the corsair groups. It also seems that his current group appears to be very loyal. Now, I may be wrong in this analysis; however, if we are to err let us err on the side of safety. I am totally in favor of not opening the package and ensuring that nothing happens to it."</blockquote>

Verification