The Next Ticket

[Shrike]

Skip's eyes light up. Frank, they wiped the short range jump data? That sort of narrows down where Eta could be. this time correcting his mispronunciation. He hears several pings his compatriots handcomps regarding new tickets and waits for them to take a look before offering his input.

[joertexas]

"Maybe that's why they wiped the short range jump data in Flight-Ops"

"That narrows down our search area quite a bit, then."

Prerna looks over the ticket offers when they come in. "I'd prefer the shorter assignments; Inchin, maybe?"

[Leitz]

"Inchin seems lucrative and open enough. The timing is good too; we run for three months tops, and if we make mistakes we run fast enough to fix them before each two week eval." Jakob said. He slid the comp to Skip. "Though two things to consider. Well, three. First, why is Inchin so lucrative, what's the world like? Who's paying the bills, and what's the threat? Second, knowing what's going on at Tarkine might be good for a future plan. Gut feel is that we'd have to have our own exit strategy, ship included."

"Third, back to Inchin. Who pays for the trip there and back? How do we guarantee we can get back? It looks doable, and we can recruit accordingly. If it's two jumps then we have roughly four weeks to get any new team members oriented. Longer, as in we're taking J1 the whole way, means we could have a zero to hero program mostly done. Those of us wanting to bone up on skills can do so."

[The Bindoner]

Inchin looks good. Maybe too good. Tarkine looks like hard fightin', units sellin' contracts an' new ones on offer. Got some time while I beat the drum for warm bodies, won't hurt to sound both gigs out, see the pitch and the snags.

[shaidar]

"That narrows down our search area quite a bit, then."

Frank

"Yea, waterworlds within a couple of parsecs should make things much easier"

He looks over the jobs

"Hmmm, politically Trexalon is not a good choice. As for Tarkine, I'm wary of the buy-outs. Partly because of the buy-outs, but also they are long contracts for not great pay. We could get more information about the first Tarkin job, although I'm not sure we'll be big enough. Why does the Collace job scream Pirate! at me? So that leaves Inchin. As has already been said, there are questions and it looks too good, but I think we should make enquiries about that one as well"

[Tiglath]

While the team’s leaders ponder differing options and weighty stratagems the party in Gunny’s private bar has no time for such cognitive endeavours…

It would seem that Beau “Lucky B’stard” Dawson currently enjoys a certain reputation. He is also righteously covering Dubs’ beer tab - apparently for pulling extra duty on his behalf.

For those that indulge it here's the “scuttlebutt” from the night before…

All witnesses agree that events began to spiral when the vargr started making cocktails in the Bartizan’s shot up bar. It would then seem that either using a blend of wit and debonair charm Beau seduced a certain strikingly attractive Major in a fellow merc unit or she pulled him bodily over the bar in the middle of his enquiry as to the nature and availability of bar snacks. Apparently there was an amount of “snogging” and after a while, at the urging of everyone still not quite drunk enough, they got a room. Dubs, temporarily missing from his billet overnight, was posted “FIA”. He was discovered alive but dazed at breakfast.

Meanwhile back in Gunny's bar...

Quite incredibly, Baker is seen in company with Brandii - that joy girl with the bandaged arm and Voss’ youthful charms seem to have attracted both (the apparently off duty) Tiffanii and Candii’s usually negotiable affection.

Caxton is holding court doing shots and beer with Abel and Charlie “Now, a sergeant in motion outranks a Lieutenant who doesn't know what's going on but an ordnance technician at a dead run outranks everybody!”

Studying his comm a distracted Jakob is surprised and then gratified by “Buy a girl a drink, soldier?” It seems Liv Ellis scrubs up really rather well too and the LBD looks so much better on her than underhive drabs.

Skip is distracted by a shout across the (serving) bar from the main bar room at the front of house “Acting Captain Dallas, sir?”

Frank is more than distracted by the arrival of Polly on the arm of Gunny Ridgeway, she is immaculate in pale make up and a figure hugging pale blue silk dress with a stand up collar. Gunny says “Will that be it, Miss Polly?” Polly recites “Your duty is done, Honoured Warrior” and then beams “Hello Frank” before lowering her eyes and giving him a respectful inclination of her head. Gunny retires muttering “Damned absolutely punctual, respectful, militarily efficient, saluting me with no headware furry b’stards!”

[joertexas]

"That narrows down our search area quite a bit, then."

Frank

"Yea, waterworlds within a couple of parsecs should make things much easier"

He looks over the jobs

"Hmmm, politically Trexalon is not a good choice. As for Tarkine, I'm wary of the buy-outs. Partly because of the buy-outs, but also they are long contracts for not great pay. We could get more information about the first Tarkin job, although I'm not sure we'll be big enough. Why does the Collace job scream Pirate! at me? So that leaves Inchin. As has already been said, there are questions and it looks too good, but I think we should make enquiries about that one as well"

Perna smiles over her beer mug. "Let's keep it simple to start."

[shaidar]

Frank

Looking through the job prospects, Frank glances up as Polly enters and actually double-takes. He jumps to his feet.

"Polly, I wasn't expecting you, what a wonderful surprise. You look lovely. I'm sorry I haven't seen you the last few days, we've been a little... busy....." Frank seems to flounder for a few seconds before he recovers "Can I get you a drink?"

Those paying attention will note that Frank appears to be blushing under his beard.

While Frank has plenty of experience with women, I don't think he's got much romantic experience, so he's a little nervous of messing things up as Polly seems like a decent person. He's also a little bit surprised she's interested in him.

[Leitz]

Studying his comm a distracted Jakob is surprised and then gratified by “Buy a girl a drink, soldier?” It seems Liv Ellis scrubs up really rather well too and the LBD looks so much better on her than underhive drabs.

Battlefield bravery doesn't always prepare a man for everything. Jakob was stunned for several seconds, but then he took a deep breath.

"Yesterday you said I was a nice guy, and today you call me a soldier." Jakob shook his head sadly, and then grinned. "We really don't know each other well, let's resolve that. Marines and soldiers are not the same, and a gentleman may or may not be a nice guy."

He pocketed the comp and moved to stand with her. No one else existed at that point. "A gentleman would gladly buy the a lovely lady a drink, however, and would be thrilled to learn more about her. What would you like?"

OOC: Jakob usually does okay in these sorts of things, unless she gets him to talking about being a foster parent. Then he forgets esoteric social skills like listening. And breathing.

[The Bindoner]

Jess (and her visit to the Cat House).

Jess is met on arrival by Polly (who looks happy and very well) Yūgure then receives Jess in her private quarters and dismisses her guards. She gratefully receives the signed parchment contract and scowls momentarily at Skeet’s massive “John Hancock” of a signature.

She then listens attentively to Jess’ debrief of the mission and states “You have served well and brought honour upon yourselves and the Regiment, my Ronin. I am well pleased”.

Yūgure then invites Jess to eat and a (human friendly – nothing live) Aslan meal is taken with Hibiki and Polly joining the company. It actually turns out to not be as uncomfortable as first suspected. Oddly enough, with no males present, it was quite ... and then Jess realises she's thinking like that.

At the end of the meal Yūgure fetches a lacquered box from a side table and gifts it to Jess saying “Wherever our banners fly honour and glory follow”. The box contains what Jess recognises as the holographic projector unit for a Teahleikhoi Regiment sashimono.

Yūgure brings the evening to an end with “There may soon come a time where you can be of service again. Until then I wish you well”.

Jess isn't too unnerved by enjoying the evening. The Mollies, sorry, female Aslan, were always the civilised ones. It's who she learned Trokh from, arranging ceasefires, prisoner and casualty exchanges, making deals to divert Ihatei...

Good to see Polly flourishing here. Heh, and Jess offered her lessons in Trokh. Should ask her now. Swap some swears for better vocab.

It is good to hear praise from an Aslan on a fight well fought. Means something.

The gift of the banner is unexpected, and stunning. It takes a second for Jess to realise she is staring in surprise and compose herself.

You honour me greatly. I shall try to be worthy of it.

As they part:

We will remember that you put your trust in us Lady Yūgure. We will honour our contract with you. If you have a task, we will offer what service we can.

Back in her room Jess tries on the Teahleikhoi Regiment sashimono. Contemplating her reflection, lit only by the fluttering holographic light, Jess says to herself:

So, got a medal after all, eh girl? Not bad for a merc. Deffo gonna hafta ink that bullet-hole now.

[The Bindoner]

Jess is enjoying the atmosphere at Gunny's. Still feeling pretty good about that banner actually.

She drinks premium lager, but not to get drunk. Moving from group to group she chats and drinks with everyone, without joining anyone in particular.

What this party needs is strangers and dancing. Jess paces her drinking. There are nightclubs to visit, later...

[Tiglath]

The team researches Tarkine and finds it to be a (TL7) beautiful argric world with a strongly independent population of rugged farmers who resent the Imperial presence on their world. Tarkine Down being the particular focus of their ire. The Independence on Tarkine Alliance (IoTA) terrorists seem to have strong support among the population and are proving to be surprising well organised, equipped and led.

(OOC: It seems that if you take your Platoon there for a Tour of Duty there it might be something of a wake up call – you could all shout “Good Morning Tarkine!” )

Inchin is revealed to be a TL 10 desert world effectively owned by Baron Iarl Rowri. The A class starport he envisaged is still under construction and his heavily-armed “Baronial Guard”, ever fearful of uprisings among the workers, upholds an oppressive law enforcement regime. However, the Baron has made diplomatic and pro Imperial overtures towards Collace and the team are to escort and protect a diplomatic mission and train and liaise with local forces. Transport to and from Inchin is provided by the Collace Foreign Ministry.

During your research you note that the local news feeds are running with this story: “The pirates caught in the act by a joint Collace PDF and Imperial operation were today found guilty in Collace’s High Criminal Court. Executions are scheduled throughout the coming week”.

[Shrike]

Skip is distracted by a shout across the (serving) bar from the main bar room at the front of house “Acting Captain Dallas, sir?”

Skip excuses himself from the table and the others to go investigate whoever is trying to get his attention. Standing, he's just shy of two meters tall and easily 100 kilos, his marine cut and facial hair slightly grown out to provide the thinnest veneer of plausible deniability.

[Tiglath]

Frank

Frank glances up as Polly enters and actually double-takes. He jumps to his feet.

"Polly, I wasn't expecting you, what a wonderful surprise. You look lovely. I'm sorry I haven't seen you the last few days, we've been a little... busy....." Frank seems to flounder for a few seconds before he recovers "Can I get you a drink?"

Polly asks for a glass of wine and sips it “I’m sure you warriors will soon seek your fortune on a battlefield somewhere. I thought to see you before you left”. She breaks eye contact and then adds “Yugure has increased my duties and responsibilities she states I am a “natural” at dealing with people. I too will travel soon - I thought to see you before my departure”.

[Tiglath]

Jakob

"Yesterday you said I was a nice guy, and today you call me a soldier." Jakob shook his head sadly, and then grinned. "We really don't know each other well, let's resolve that. Marines and soldiers are not the same, and a gentleman may or may not be a nice guy."

He pocketed the comp and moved to stand with her. No one else existed at that point. "A gentleman would gladly buy the a lovely lady a drink, however, and would be thrilled to learn more about her. What would you like?"

Liv replies “I’m a good judge of character and so I’m happy to start from the premise that we both know that at least one of us is nice”. She smiles “Now, “nice” is a novelty in my line of work – all of which I can’t talk about. I’ll have a beer please – Imperial”. She laughs “You even know my name! Nearly every conversation I have with someone I meet begins with a lie”.

The beers arrive and she drinks hers from the bottle “Oh, and I know what a Marine is – there’s about a dozen of my “big brothers and sisters” in the next bar”. She rolls her pale blue eyes eyes and grins “They’ll be scoping you out, Corps notwithstanding, just in case you’re an officer but not a gentleman”.

[Tiglath]

Skip

Skip excuses himself from the table and the others to go investigate whoever is trying to get his attention. Standing, he's just shy of two meters tall and easily 100 kilos, his marine cut and facial hair slightly grown out to provide the thinnest veneer of plausible deniability.

Skip approaches the private side of the bar and looks across into the public bar front of house. He sees about a dozen lean mean instruments of warfare with regulation high side haircuts. Among them a cheerful and unguarded individual grins across the bar “Corporal Cole, sir – from Lanth, Sergeant now. I thought it was you sir! Appreciate you bein’ busy an’ all but my squad would like to buy you a beer”.

Behind the bar Gunny Ridgeway stops cleaning a glass and shaking his head says “Scipio Dallas from Lanth? You’ll need to forgive an old jarhead for not picking up sooner sir. Sergeant Cole you reach over there and ring the bell on my behalf – I’m buying everyone a beer! It’s not everyday this bar sees a Marine who’s won the Starburst”.

There is a deafening chorus of "'Oorah!" from the front of house.

[shaidar]

Frank

Frank glances up as Polly enters and actually double-takes. He jumps to his feet.

"Polly, I wasn't expecting you, what a wonderful surprise. You look lovely. I'm sorry I haven't seen you the last few days, we've been a little... busy....." Frank seems to flounder for a few seconds before he recovers "Can I get you a drink?"

Polly asks for a glass of wine and sips it “I’m sure you warriors will soon seek your fortune on a battlefield somewhere. I thought to see you before you left”. She breaks eye contact and then adds “Yugure has increased my duties and responsibilities she states I am a “natural” at dealing with people. I too will travel soon - I thought to see you before my departure”.

Frank

"We are planning the next job, and expanding the squad, but it'll be a few weeks before we go. I'm happy you found a job that really suits you. You're not leaving tomorrow are you?" he sounds concerned "Would you rather go for a quiet meal, just the two of us?"

[Tiglath]

Frank

"We are planning the next job, and expanding the squad, but it'll be a few weeks before we go. I'm happy you found a job that really suits you. You're not leaving tomorrow are you?" he sounds concerned "Would you rather go for a quiet meal, just the two of us?"

Polly seems gratified by Frank's concern and with a smile replies "No, I'm happy to enjoy the party. I have near a month before my duties start but I would enjoy a quiet meal on another day. For now I will let you plan some more" she eyes Gunny's buffet "because I crave a slice of pizza!".

[The Bindoner]

Jess notices Polly arrive, but holds back from greeting her when she joins Frank.

Frank seems like a good sort, best give 'em their privacy. After all, if he does her wrong it'll be a race between Jess and the Mollies to sort things out.

There is a deafening chorus of "'Oorah!" from the front of house.

Frelling Leathernecks. Just 'cos they ride the big ships and do maybe a couple of hard jobs a term they think they're all that. Should try living where they fight, 'stead of makin' an assault and flyin' off to drink about it.

Still, they're not in the chain of command, got that for 'em. Fit, feisty and full o'fun too, usually....

Wouldn't hurt to go and make friends....

[Shrike]

Skip

Skip approaches the private side of the bar and looks across into the public bar front of house. He sees about a dozen lean mean instruments of warfare with regulation high side haircuts. Among them a cheerful and unguarded individual grins across the bar “Corporal Cole, sir – from Lanth, Sergeant now. I thought it was you sir! Appreciate you bein’ busy an’ all but my squad would like to buy you a beer”.

Behind the bar Gunny Ridgeway stops cleaning a glass and shaking his head says “Scipio Dallas from Lanth? You’ll need to forgive an old jarhead for not picking up sooner sir. Sergeant Cole you reach over there and ring the bell on my behalf – I’m buying everyone a beer! It’s not everyday this bar sees a Marine who’s won the Starburst”.

There is a deafening chorus of "'Oorah!" from the front of house.

Skip takes a look around at his audience and grins at Gunny. Not what he was expecting out here on Collace. In no position to decline, he accepts Sergeant Cole's offer of a beer, and raises his glass in a toast "To the Imperium's finest!"before downing a solid half of the glass in a gulp. "Congratulations on your promotion, Cole" he says as the commotion of bells and free drinks dies down a little bit."Now can you tell me how half of the Lanth op ended up out here?"