(013) Phlume [1611 Spinward Marches]

[Keven]

The landing is smooth and the formalities of customs checks take only a few minutes. The Ling passengers go about getting their factor off the ship without needing any help from any of the crew and because the invitation is only about 90 minutes after you land you put off dealing with cargo and supplies until later.

It is early evening, the star here is a huge red ball sinking into the sea to the east and casting a reddish glow over everything. The air is dense and humid, but has a pleasant salty taste to it from the bay a joining the port. The star port, itself, is very small and you can see the façade of the hotel where you have the meeting from the ship itself. It appears to be just beyond the tall chain link fence surrounding the port facility itself. An easy walk if you decide to do that.

Zaki looks at the hotel. "Do we walk, or take ground transportation?"

Carlos says, "Ride, of course." He glances at Sigurn and Emily. "And hopefully, the girls WON'T restart the war!"

[terrymixon]

The landing is smooth and the formalities of customs checks take only a few minutes. The Ling passengers go about getting their factor off the ship without needing any help from any of the crew and because the invitation is only about 90 minutes after you land you put off dealing with cargo and supplies until later.

It is early evening, the star here is a huge red ball sinking into the sea to the east and casting a reddish glow over everything. The air is dense and humid, but has a pleasant salty taste to it from the bay a joining the port. The star port, itself, is very small and you can see the façade of the hotel where you have the meeting from the ship itself. It appears to be just beyond the tall chain link fence surrounding the port facility itself. An easy walk if you decide to do that.

Zaki looks at the hotel. "Do we walk, or take ground transportation?"

Carlos says, "Ride, of course." He glances at Sigurn and Emily. "And hopefully, the girls WON'T restart the war!"

“I don’t feel like a full blown war. Maybe a police action. A girl’s got to watch her weight. What about you, Sigrun?”

[Tiglath]

Sigrun checks the draw on her Ingleri which, with the split of her dress falling either side of the holster, reveals a generous amount of well toned leg. She reholsters the rune etched automatic glancing at John Lee to confirm the undisturbed fall of her dress. She replies "I'm willing to add a little weight in the cause of self protection but I have only enough ammunition for a skirmish. Hoping to conduct an entire war when you have dinner plans is an unsound strategy".

She adds "Besides that I'm improperly dressed for it - and it leads to indigestion".

She then catches Emily's eye and with an apparently suspicious glare states "If you are planning a pre dinner war and have not invited me I will be cross".

[terrymixon]

Sigrun checks the draw on her Ingleri which, with the split of her dress falling either side of the holster, reveals a generous amount of well toned leg. She reholsters the rune etched automatic glancing at John Lee to confirm the undisturbed fall of her dress. She replies "I'm willing to add a little weight in the cause of self protection but I have only enough ammunition for a skirmish. Hoping to conduct an entire war when you have dinner plans is an unsound strategy".

She adds "Besides that I'm improperly dressed for it - and it leads to indigestion".

She then catches Emily's eye and with an apparently suspicious glare states "If you are planning a pre dinner war and have not invited me I will be cross".

"Just a police action. Enough to make us hungry, no more."

[joertexas]

Zaki rolls her eyes. "The staff are probably in powered armor, with fusion guns."

[Tiglath]

Zaki rolls her eyes. "The staff are probably in powered armor, with fusion guns."

Sigrun mutters "I'm feeling under accessorised again...".

Then she almost innocently muses "Just how big can a clutch bag be before becoming socially unacceptable?"

[bruce.desertrat]

Zaki rolls her eyes. "The staff are probably in powered armor, with fusion guns."

Sigrun mutters "I'm feeling under accessorised again...".

Then she almost innocently muses "Just how big can a clutch bag be before becoming socially unacceptable?"

Pedro sighs "If our lovely gunbunnies are done comparing , ahem, gun sizes, may I request we proceed to dinner, which is a pleasant gathering of people for the purpose of sharing food, drink and perhaps conversation, rather than LEAD..."

[Eris]

The banter continues as the party nears the gate separating Starport property from the local authorities. At the gate there is a small wooden structure manned by an official seated at a window facing the road and a pair of bored looking guards armed with handguns. There is a pole across the road.

The official greets you, "Welcome to Phlume, may I see your ID's and if you are carrying any long rifles or energy weapons you'll have to surrender them here before you pass through."

The formalities are observed, the gate is raised by one of the guards and you pass through. Just beyond the fence there is a taxi stand with a lone taxi parked there manned by a bored looking middle aged woman seated on the taxi's hood, "Need a ride? One credit for the first kilometer, quarter credit for each tenth of a kilck over that."

OOC: Walk or ride? Carlos says ride, Sigrun and Pedro say walk...

[terrymixon]

The banter continues as the party nears the gate separating Starport property from the local authorities. At the gate there is a small wooden structure manned by an official seated at a window facing the road and a pair of bored looking guards armed with handguns. There is a pole across the road.

The official greets you, "Welcome to Phlume, may I see your ID's and if you are carrying any long rifles or energy weapons you'll have to surrender them here before you pass through."

The formalities are observed, the gate is raised by one of the guards and you pass through. Just beyond the fence there is a taxi stand with a lone taxi parked there manned by a bored looking middle aged woman seated on the taxi's hood, "Need a ride? One credit for the first kilometer, quarter credit for each tenth of a kilck over that."

OOC: Walk or ride? Carlos says ride, Sigrun and Pedro say walk...

Emily votes for ride.

[joertexas]

The banter continues as the party nears the gate separating Starport property from the local authorities. At the gate there is a small wooden structure manned by an official seated at a window facing the road and a pair of bored looking guards armed with handguns. There is a pole across the road.

The official greets you, "Welcome to Phlume, may I see your ID's and if you are carrying any long rifles or energy weapons you'll have to surrender them here before you pass through."

The formalities are observed, the gate is raised by one of the guards and you pass through. Just beyond the fence there is a taxi stand with a lone taxi parked there manned by a bored looking middle aged woman seated on the taxi's hood, "Need a ride? One credit for the first kilometer, quarter credit for each tenth of a kilck over that."

OOC: Walk or ride? Carlos says ride, Sigrun and Pedro say walk...

Emily votes for ride.

Zaki votes for ride, too.

[bruce.desertrat]

Well I guess we ride!

[Tiglath]

Riding's good!

But I fear the cabbie's going to be disappointed...

[bruce.desertrat]

Riding's good!

But I fear the cabbie's going to be disappointed...

IKR? like she's parked practically in front of the hotel from Eris' description

[Eris]

Riding's good!

But I fear the cabbie's going to be disappointed...

IKR? like she's parked practically in front of the hotel from Eris' description

OOC: Yes, she did, but a fare is a fare...

It is a very short drive, but the cabbie collects her fare with a rueful smile...probably thinking "this bunch is too lazy to walk a couple of blocks."

You enter the Hotel through a door held open by a uniformed doorman, you've heard of them, but seldom actually seen an actual doorman.

A small man dressed in a black suit is waiting in the large lobby, approaching you he asks, "Crew of the Constance Malone?"

"I am Brewster, the Baron's butler." he says with a short bow, "If you would accompany me, please?"

He escorts you to what appears to be a private elevator that he opens by placing his hand over the touchpad next to it. Brewster bows as you enter the elevator, but he doesn't step in with you. The door closes and you begin to ascend, slowly.

Fourteen floors later the elevator stops and the door opens to find Brewster standing next to it, "Please, come this way." he says bowing again and leading you to a pair of closed double doors. Opening them he steps inside and announces in a loud voice, "The Crew of the Constance Malone!"

Stepping inside you see a very large room where 9 people are standing in 3 small groups chatting. In one of the groups a quite old man is seated and talking to a man and woman of middle years. The man is in an Army uniform and woman is elegantly dressed while the older man is wearing an Imperial Army uniform.

In the second group there is a man talking to a man and a woman. They are not as elegantly dressed as the rest of the people in the room. In the third group is a tall silver haired lady who looks to be in her 50's or perhaps 60's talking with two men. When you enter and are announced this woman detaches from her group and comes over to greet you.

"I am Helga Grissum, the Baroness Heulcyn-Aadarkhi. I am so glad you were able to accept our invitation! We are seldom gifted with travelers dropping by our world who can take the time for a social visit. Please, come and meet everyone."

You are introduced to the President of the Plumbe Council, Anthony Pressy and his wife Ginneal, the man and woman Helga was chatting with when you came in. Mr. Jask Terlain, introduced as a businessman, Lady Cladia Snakel and husband John StJohn, on a tour of the Main and Major Max Slone and his wife Bette.

Finally, she introduces you to the older gentleman, "And my husband Baron Heulcyn-Aadarkhi."

"Call me Craig." he says offering his hand and smiling, but not rising, "Sorry about not standing to shake hands, but I'm afraid my legs are a bit gamey these days."


"Now tell us all about yourselves!" he adds with a smile taking his wife's hand and giving it a squeeze.

[joertexas]

Zaki introduces herself as "Major Zaki Shursiia, ex-Imperial Army", when asked.

"Now tell us all about yourselves!" he adds with a smile taking his wife's hand and giving it a squeeze.

"I came here to fight a war that was over before I arrived," Zaki explains. "I'm from the Lishun Sector, and I joined this crew after I mustered out."

JR

[terrymixon]

“Emily Green, chief engineer. I’m an ex-Navy Lieutenant Commander and fought in the war. Now only Sigrun gets to kick me around.”

[bruce.desertrat]

Pedro smiles at the couple "A pleasure to meet you, your lordships. I'm Pedro Wong , Skipper and pilot, and like the major, I was transported to the war that ended before I got there and , was dropped off at Regina, courtesy of our ever efficient Imperial Navy." He grins. "Since then we've been through a few scrapes together, got Connie Malone, and been through a few more."

[Keven]

Zaki introduces herself as "Major Zaki Shursiia, ex-Imperial Army", when asked.

"Now tell us all about yourselves!" he adds with a smile taking his wife's hand and giving it a squeeze.

"I came here to fight a war that was over before I arrived," Zaki explains. "I'm from the Lishun Sector, and I joined this crew after I mustered out."

JR

"Carlos Mitsume, once Imperial Interstellar Scout Service, til his Imperial Majesty decided to hangshai me halfway across the Imperium to show up late to his latest war." He takes Zaki's hand in his. "My partner and I are only sticking around for a few years, then going home."

[Tiglath]

Sigrun respectfully greets Lady Helga with a cheerful smile and a hug and then addresses her in Sagamaal (Swordy) “Tak for velkommen til dit ildsning og hjem”. A warm smile from someone wearing a Sword Worlds Close Combat clasp might seem incongruous or even unnerving but Sigrun's good spirits are genuine.

She goes on to greet the Baron with most a respectful nod and an apparently slightly less crushing version of her usual handshake “Kapitensleutnant Sigrun Volsung, Sacnoth Fleet. Jarl Craig you do me the honour of making me a guest in your hall. Thank you”.

(OOC: Swordy translation service “Thank you for the welcome to your hearth and home”).

[Eris]

Sigrun respectfully greets Lady Helga with a cheerful smile and a hug and then addresses her in Sagamaal (Swordy) “Tak for velkommen til dit ildsning og hjem”. A warm smile from someone wearing a Sword Worlds Close Combat clasp might seem incongruous or even unnerving but Sigrun's good spirits are genuine.

She goes on to greet the Baron with most a respectful nod and an apparently slightly less crushing version of her usual handshake “Kapitensleutnant Sigrun Volsung, Sacnoth Fleet. Jarl Craig you do me the honour of making me a guest in your hall. Thank you”.

(OOC: Swordy translation service “Thank you for the welcome to your hearth and home”).

Helga replies to Sigrun in Sagamaal smiling, saying in translation, "A surprise to meet someone like you on this side of the border."

The Baron nods and smiles to each of you. Then he sits up straight and says to Sigrun, "My Sagamaal is a bit rusty, but I understand you clearly Kapitensleutnant Volsung and it is an honor for me to break bread with a warrior of the Sacnoth."

There is a half hour of chat where you are asked about the worlds you've visited and the news from Regina as you've been there recently. Then there is the sound of a gong and you all go in for a formal dinner.

The food is delicious and the conversation stays light and chatty as the locals tell you about the delights of Phlume. The President of the Council tells you about photo as well as shooting safaris in the "hinterlands" and the picturesque mountains on the south continent. Jask Terlain talks to Pedro about where the ship is headed next and offers to introduce him to a local import/export broker named Sam Green who will give them a better deal than the cooperate ones, like LSP or Delgado. Lady Helga asks of news of the Sword Worlds from Sigrun and mentions a few families, unfortunately Sigrun doesn't know them although she has heard of a couple of the families, high up in politics.

Finally the dinner is over as is an hour of drinks afterward and the other guest begin to depart. Helga asks if you, the crew, will remain behind as she and Craig would like to talk with you privately.