House of Cards - PART 2 [in character]

[Leitz]

Jim

Jim gave Joe a nod of thanks, and had little care for Cohen's opinion. Instead, he turned his attention back to Dame Schmidt. "As my friend says, I'm hoping to get a change of wardrobe and eventually return to socializing. Is there a decent place to get men's sweaters and slacks? I'm none to fond of formal suits and vests; while traditional, they don't speak to people our age, do they?"

Joe has seen Jim be respectful and encouraging to everyone. Thus he may realize that Jim not rising to Cohen's bait means that Jim thinks Cohen is a waste of good air. Cohen formed an opinion absent facts, something that a wise person would not do.

[Eris]

Jim

Jim gave Joe a nod of thanks, and had little care for Cohen's opinion. Instead, he turned his attention back to Dame Schmidt. "As my friend says, I'm hoping to get a change of wardrobe and eventually return to socializing. Is there a decent place to get men's sweaters and slacks? I'm none to fond of formal suits and vests; while traditional, they don't speak to people our age, do they?"

Joe has seen Jim be respectful and encouraging to everyone. Thus he may realize that Jim not rising to Cohen's bait means that Jim thinks Cohen is a waste of good air. Cohen formed an opinion absent facts, something that a wise person would not do.

Joe likely figures that out, and certainly agrees. However, Joe, still thinks it wise to cultivate any sort of contacts he can, as you never know when they might come in handy, so he's being civil, and respectful, to the priest. Dame Schmidt, as well, but Joe feels a bit out of his class with her so respectfully silent seems to be the way he's going with her.

[TheMyth]

3 PM Bed and Breakfast [26] - Val

Val walked the main street towards the B&B [26] to secure additional rooms and extend the rental for a week. As she passed the Construction Trailers [1] she observed a large truck delivering supplies that were being loaded into a storage building. Through the open door she observed that they built pre-assembled sub-assemblies inside the building … presumably to transport and install on the job site. At the moment it was “all hands on deck” for unloading.

Val makes a mental note to tell the guys about the large numbers of workers at the Construction Trailers. They might be able to recruit some for work for them.

As Val continued, two men exiting the Vehicle Parts Store [24] were loudly arguing over the cost and necessity of the part in their box to repair “the Plane”. One man argued that they could have saved money by rebuilding the old one. The other man argued back that HE was the mechanic and it needed a new part. Rebuilt was “legal for private, but illegal for commercial”.

Val will approach the pair. "Hi, guys. My name's Val. Val Meridian. I'm sorry for eavesdropping, but do you do transport work? I have 60 tonnes of ore I need to arrange delivery for, and I am trying to line up the particulars."

Passing the Garden Center [18], a teenage girl was watering row after row of flowers.

Val barely wasted a glance at Brulatfort Social Services [20] … which still had all the warmth of a POW camp with its regulation doors and regulation fence and “Big Brother” computers.

She was back at the B&B [26] and Mark chuckled at her … accusing Val of making up these - so called - friends and just being a reclusive hermit that wanted to keep everyone away. He was happy to rent all 5 rooms … one Large, one Medium, three Small … for Cr 65 per week, total … a savings of Cr 26 over the Daily rate.

You could save more renting by the month. You get 4 weeks for the price of three!

Let's do it. I have no idea how long this will be the base of operations, but right now Val is flush with cash! 3 small, 1 medium, 1 large - 5 units for a month! Val will move her stuff to the big unit.

Mark Mirza (Age 25):
Below average (2-5) END; Average (6-8) STR, DEX; Above average (9-C) INT, EDU, SOC.

[shaidar]

DJ

DJ looks at Mick "OK, so not as helpful as I thought they might be. We'll need a g-carrier to hire, or buy, a decent mobile workshop, and sat comms units with video link. I don't want to take the chance there ain't any tools there." he then turns to Bart "Do you have contact details for someone at V.E.T we can talk to? I'll need to ask about any specialised tools we might need, and they need to know our interest and make sure we can contact them as soon as it goes live again, I ain't going let anybody steal our thunder if we do this. Oh, and don't worry Bart, I'll make sure VET know how useful you've been."

[atpollard]

3:30 PM Brulantfort Employment Services [8] - Mick & D.J.

Bart looked up from his displays and was silent for a long moment, both listening to the exchange between Mick and D.J. as well as processing something internally … Bart did not have a “poker face”. Hesitantly at first, he spoke up, and as he spoke, his resolve appeared to grow. At some point in the conversation, Bart had apparently crossed a ‘tipping point’ in his life.

“You are really going to do this, aren’t you?” Bart whispered. “I want to help. I want to take a chance, too. If I am going to leave ‘Government Employment Services’ I want to leave with a bang rather than a whimper. If old skinflint Martin can grab a prize, then why can’t I claim it … my ‘Golden parachute' for leaving and starting over.”

Bartholomew Tobit began typing furiously. Screens appeared all around him filled with data. He frowned “You have meetings scheduled at the VET HQ to discuss DATA, PAYMENT and EQUIPMENT, however, VET doesn’t really appear to want to talk. Your meeting to discuss DATA is in 9 days, your meeting to discuss Payment is in 8 days and your meeting to discuss EQUIPMENT is in 6 days.” Bart shrugged “They are useless, but I left them scheduled since they might be useful later on … a meeting is a meeting.”

“I submitted my notice that I would not be seeking renewal of my Service Contract with the Brulantfort Civil Service … Aunt Rose will be disappointed, but she will have to live with it. Effective immediately, you are all registered for this job under Tobit Contract Services, LLC. So I will get the ‘finder’s fee’ from VET when you complete the job.”

Bart called up a map and went on to explain your transportation options. He could make reservations, but he would need a decision within 24 hours to hold the reservations. After that, there would be no guarantees of availability since someone else would be free to charter it after 24 hours.

You are 7000 km from Ville d’Espoir, the largest city and 4000 km from the Arctic Relay Station (75N, 110W).

Public Grav Transport to Ville d’Espoir departs at 10 AM, 6 PM, and 2 AM and takes 6 hours to arrive [cost is Cr 10 per person].

Public Ground Transport to Ville d’Espoir departs in 2 days, costs Cr 5 and takes 140 hours (6 days) to arrive.

• Private Air transport costs Cr 2800 per day and travels at 700 kph.
• Private Grav transport costs Cr 2000 per day and travels at 100 kph.
• Private Hovercraft costs Cr 300 per day and travels at 100 kph.
• Private Wheeled transport costs Cr 100 per day and travels at 50 kph on roads & 25 kph off-road.
• Private Tracked transport costs Cr 100 per day and travels at 33 kph on or off roads.

If you start out in Ville d’Espoir, then it is about 8000 km to the Arctic Relay Station.

• Option 1: Private Grav Transport = 800 hours (8000 km @ 100 kph)
• Option 2: Private Air Transport to village = 112 hours (7900 km @ 700 kph); Wheeled/Tracked Ground Transport to Tower = 2 to 3 hours (100 km @ 50/33 kph)

If you start out in Brulatfort, then it is about 4000 km to the Arctic Relay Station.

• Option 1: Private Grav Transport = 40 hours (4000 km @ 100 kph)
• Option 2: Private Air Transport to village = 6 hours (4000 km @ 700 kph); Wheeled/Tracked Ground Transport to Tower = 2 to 3 hours (100 km @ 50/33 kph)
• Option 3: Private Hydrofoil across ocean = 50 hours (5000 km @ 100 kph); Tracked Ground Transport to Tower = 60 hours (2000 km @ 33 kph)

If you agree to sign up for the job under Bart as your employment referral (to handle the paperwork and ADMIN roll) instead of “Brulatfort Employment Services”, then Bart will work on arranging for the work tools while you decide what you want to do about Transportation to get there.

Bart gives you his private Comm number since today is his last day at Brulatfort Employment Services [8] … whatever you decide.

[shaidar]

DJ just looks on as Bart jumps into action, mouth agap, then bursts into laughter.

"I know what it's like to finally break free of those around you that are holding you back. However this goes, I don't think you'll regret it. We need to speak to the others, get there buy in, otherwise it's just the two of us. I say we go straight there and although it's slower and costs more I like the flexibility of a grav-vehicle, we can go there direct with nobody else knowing. If we need a cheaper option we go aircraft and tracked. Bart, we also need sat comm units, with GPS and video so we can contact you with proof of fix immediately with proof it was us."

[atpollard]

3:05 PM Vehicle Parts Store [24] - Val

Val: ”Hi, guys. My name's Val. Val Meridian. I'm sorry for eavesdropping, but do you do transport work? I have 60 tonnes of ore I need to arrange delivery for, and I am trying to line up the particulars."

The two men stopped bickering and greeted Val.
Jacob Taylor was the “numbers man” and assured you that they could handle any transportation needs you might have. They had aircraft of several different sizes, passenger and freight, as well as rental and charter services. Emma, their pilot for charter flights, was certified as both a pilot and a comm officer from her service as an Army Fighter Pilot ”... there’s nobody I'd trust more.”

The other man just sort of snorted at Jacob’s “salesman” approach and greeted Val with a firm handshake and a simple ”Just call me Finn. I keep ‘em in the air.” Finn held up the part for emphasis. He commented that as soon as he got ‘this' installed, the STOL Bush Plane would be back in service again.

Air transport would be Cr2800 per day to rent the craft, plus a small fee if they wanted Emma to fly it. “How soon do you need that delivered? We can reserve a place for you in the schedule if you can just provide some minimal details … like when and where for pickup and delivery and are there any special handling instructions.”

Bruluntfort Air Transport Company
(Manager) Jacob Taylor, MBA (Age 31):
Below average (2-5) STR, DEX, SOC; Average (6-8) END, INT; Above average (9-C) EDU [D].

(Mechanic) Finn Simard (Age 38):
Below average (2-5) STR; Average (6-8) DEX, END, EDU, SOC; Above average (9-C) INT.

(Pilot) Emma Fortin (Age 29):

[Thumper]

Mick just sits back and smiles:

“That was me at 18 yrs old. It’s a beautiful thing being your own boss, and writing your own paycheck. It’s brave… but beautiful!! If it was easy, everybody would do it. not for the feint of heart, but nothing ventured nothing gained!

Big Congratulations!

I take it that we, as an expedition team, would work for the reward while you work for the finder’s fee?

If so, I’m in for certain. D.J., sounds like you’re in. I bet Joe joins us. And that kid…sounds like he’s a bundle of dynamite in need of a direction. Says he was Army. Not sure about that pansy Jim, he seems super risk averse and fishing for a reason to stay on the sidelines. Didn’t get much chance to evaluate that Val lady.

Time is of the essence. I don’t have much cash, but I’ll throw in all I have to get the fastest direct transport there.

Besides a vehicle, we’ll need the following:
- three global comm units (1 for Bert’s HQ and 2 for the field)
- high tech cold weather clothing for all
- a couple more guns. Since we’re up against 2-legged predators, having some military style firepower is good, if we can get it quick and the Herbie kid can teach us how to use it
- I have LI goggles. Could probably use a set of IR goggles
- Crampons, ice axes, snow shoes, inertial locators, some rope, carabiners, and harnesses…all at the outdoor store
- I have a few things already…torch, lamp, etc
- He’ll list off essentials he knows about from previous experience (catch all)

We could camp in a grav ATV or G-Carrier. If the tracked ATV the original crew brought us still there and operable, it will also be available for our use…salvage…at least temporarily. Maybe mount a gun on whatever vehicle we get…that Army kid’s job?

Bert, how does VET communicate with that Northern village?

Have the locals confirmed the original tracked ATV is still on-site or nearby? They have parts in addition to parts in the building?

Looks to me like the first crew there with enough security to protect the station and repairman wins. Maybe put down a threat. I’d rather depart from here and go straight to the station, carrying a vehicle with us on a charter plane, if able.

I’m kinda thinking that if we get there and need a non-standard part, we radio VET and demand payment prior to informing them of the need. They express delivery to us for install.

This should be great fun! [/ooc]

[TheMyth]

3:05 PM Vehicle Parts Store [24] - Val

Air transport would be Cr2800 per day to rent the craft, plus a small fee if they wanted Emma to fly it. “How soon do you need that delivered? We can reserve a place for you in the schedule if you can just provide some minimal details … like when and where for pickup and delivery and are there any special handling instructions.”

Bruluntfort Air Transport Company
(Manager) Jacob Taylor, MBA (Age 31):
Below average (2-5) STR, DEX, SOC; Average (6-8) END, INT; Above average (9-C) EDU [D].

(Mechanic) Finn Simard (Age 38):
Below average (2-5) STR; Average (6-8) DEX, END, EDU, SOC; Above average (9-C) INT.

(Pilot) Emma Fortin (Age 29):

Val does some fast-talk, "Actually, Jacob, the exact details of the delivery are still in flux. The buyer is demanding delivery before pick-up is ready. But if you give me your contact info, I can see if you're available once I convince the buyer to be reasonable."

Val is realizing this BROKERAGE DEAL she acquired will be more costly than she expected. She needs to find out who the ore seller is, and where the ore needs to go, before figuring out how much it will cost to arrange delivery. Cr3000 profit doesn't seem like it will cover it.

[Eris]

Joe asks Dame Schmidt if she happens to have any contacts at the Beau Starport.

Does Joe? Does Jim? Does DJ? Do any of us? I think we need to think big with a million credits on the line!!!

Once he gets Jim away from the Priest and Noble he'll ask, "Are we serious about the Artic Expedition?"

"If we are, then we need to do it very, very, soon. Right now, in fact!" Joe says, "For a million plus prize there will be competition that will try to collect at any price. If we're going we're going we need to get there first and to be prepared to fight off, not only who is already there, but everybody else that comes after that prize."

"Now, if we could charter a ship's boat, a launch, even a small ship we could get there today, and get there with enough firepower to keep anybody from stopping us from completing the job." Joe says, "Expensive, yes, but with that kind of money on the line. I think worth it. Hell, we could split it two or three ways and it would be worth it!"

He adds, "IAC, I met a retired Marine this morning with a cache of weapons and the medals saying she knows how to use them. I might try to recruit her if we're going through with this. We're going to need firepower as well as the fastest transport possible."

[Leitz]

Jim

"If you know someone, let's go talk to her and see if she's available. We can't commit yet, but giving her the time to prep, and the decision to make, might help." He paused, and shrugged. "I'm neither for nor against the arctic mission. If people who have money want to commit to it, I'll commit what I have and do my best."

[Thumper]

Mick studies the maps and imagery of the site. He makes initial assessment of high terrain, possible areas of concealment, places to dig snow caves if needed, etc.

He’ll then use his comm to Google up outdoor supply stores in Brulantfort and investigates their inventory. He’ll place all the items from his list above on a hood for pickup in a few minutes.

When we’re done here, I’m going shopping in town. Try to get with the others and let me know who commits. Have them send me their digital anatomical avatars so I get proper fit on their sizing. And tell Joe not to exaggerate his, er, groin. I know he’ll try.

Wish I knew where to get some high quality weapons and ammo. Like the big stuff!

Next is to get the fastest transport we can.

Bert, can you help with the global radios, one for here and two for us, and help D.J. find fast transport?

[shaidar]

DJ

While Mick goes shopping, DJ will bring the others up to speed, the quickest method would be via a group phone call and see who's in. If people want to talk face-2-face then he'll arrange a meet up nearby.

He will also work with Bart arranging suitable comms units and also trying to find even faster transport than the plane/tracked combo, a launch (unarmed) or speeder.

[Thumper]

Mick is on his way into the city now on his off-road motorcycle. As of now, I count Mick, DJ, Joe, and Jim to buy cold weather clothing, harnesses, ropes, crampons, and ice picks for.

[atpollard]

Just a quick note that this topic has been locked while we are off on the MILLION CREDIT COMM JOB adventure.
See the new topic.