The team take differing approaches to the rest of the night.
Prerna presses Fast Eddie for information but he freely admits he's going to go where he's told until he learns about things he can invest in. Indicating Professor Benson currently a blushing "beetroot" sandwich between the twins (they let him go after one dance) he confides "They're not wrong - I've studied 'is form. That old man's the wizard at finding stuff other people overlook - they call 'im "The Grandalf". If he says Inchin's lively I'm going in - large".
Jess' dream comes true as Duran cheerfully returns from his stateroom with a pair of crystal glasses and two seriously good malts. When she tires of dancing he effortlessly moves the party to his stateroom but insists he guards Jess' reputation by leaving the door open. Jess finds him effortlessly entertaining company. He humorously casts himself in the role of "the silver fox" and tells her tall tales of the early days of 4DC mercs.
Frank is surprised to see Sazanami outside his door. The aslan ushers him in and takes post outside - it seems Polly has more things to discuss with the newly elected Colonel.
Skip finds several of the off duty crew are allowed to join the party. They're just pleased to have "awfully big marines" aboard - perhaps to his relief he doesn't even have to mention his medals.
Jakob dances blissfully with Ensign Mallory at one point she confides "Smith insisted I was his girlfriend". She laughs "I added the character trait "wantonly promiscuous with a thing for Marines" to my legend. What branch did you serve in again stranger?"
A Passage to Inchin
Re: A Passage to Inchin
Prerna talks with the group until it's time to turn in for the night. She's friendly but professional, and she draws out the men to talk about their businesses as they relate to Inchin.Tiglath wrote: ↑Sun Jul 12, 2020 11:22 pm The team take differing approaches to the rest of the night.
Prerna presses Fast Eddie for information but he freely admits he's going to go where he's told until he learns about things he can invest in. Indicating Professor Benson currently a blushing "beetroot" sandwich between the twins (they let him go after one dance) he confides "They're not wrong - I've studied 'is form. That old man's the wizard at finding stuff other people overlook - they call 'im "The Grandalf". If he says Inchin's lively I'm going in - large".
Joe Roberts (JR)
Re: A Passage to Inchin
Frank smiles at the pleasant surprise and thanks Sazanami as he heads inside.
"I must get Polly to teach me some basic Trokh phrases..." he thinks to himself "...but perhaps not tonight..."
Frank hopes that he gets the opportunity to spend the rest of the evening with Polly without to much work talk, but he would like to get her impressions of the delegation and warn her about Fast Eddie and his pheromones.
Re: A Passage to Inchin
Meanwhile on the cargo deck (towards the end of the week) there are two items of interest/note...
After much effort (and effectively a major rebuild of the ambulance body) both of the team's HQ vehicles are deemed flight capable and atmosphere and altitude proofed. The ambulance's emergency low berths are also fully functional.
[OOC: Note you have no remote mounts for HMGs so although both vehicles can carry a roof mounted defence weapon you can't keep their desirable "atmosphere proof" capability while someone crews an HMG via the roof hatch. However, the weapons can be readily dismounted and fire from a tripod.
NB If you want to rig up a (non dismountable) remote mount try a Mech roll].
Prerna's "new toy" will cause some interest. It appears to be an oversized beast of a gauss weapon that fires off a bipod and is about as tall as Prerna.
After much effort (and effectively a major rebuild of the ambulance body) both of the team's HQ vehicles are deemed flight capable and atmosphere and altitude proofed. The ambulance's emergency low berths are also fully functional.
[OOC: Note you have no remote mounts for HMGs so although both vehicles can carry a roof mounted defence weapon you can't keep their desirable "atmosphere proof" capability while someone crews an HMG via the roof hatch. However, the weapons can be readily dismounted and fire from a tripod.
NB If you want to rig up a (non dismountable) remote mount try a Mech roll].
Prerna's "new toy" will cause some interest. It appears to be an oversized beast of a gauss weapon that fires off a bipod and is about as tall as Prerna.
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The Bindoner
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 4987
- Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2019 8:29 pm
Re: A Passage to Inchin
Jess' dream comes true as Duran cheerfully returns from his stateroom with a pair of crystal glasses and two seriously good malts. When she tires of dancing he effortlessly moves the party to his stateroom but insists he guards Jess' reputation by leaving the door open. Jess finds him effortlessly entertaining company. He humorously casts himself in the role of "the silver fox" and tells her tall tales of the early days of 4DC mercs.
Jess is amused and flattered that he thinks she has a reputation to protect, and plays along with the role for a while.
Jess is delighted with the quality of the Scotch. Y'know, when I was a kid, this was rebellion, sipping good drinks for the taste of 'em. Meant to get off yer face on the cheap stuff, quick as yer can. 'Course, even drinkin' was a bit suspicious. Got yer Soma with the Divi, and if that wasn't enough there was yer choice of up, down or sideways for the askin'. Nothin' else ta do, after all, 'less you're in the Top Ten.
She responds to his tall tales with her own anecdotes about working with mercenary auxiliaries "at the ragged arse-end of the Imperium, with the Cat's at the door".
Over the rest of the week Jess spends her mornings with the vehicles, mealtimes persuading Wilson, Kepple and Betti she isn't a crook, the unit is legit, and we should do business, and any free evenings in the company of Duran and, if they're around, the Jumeaux Fatale. As well as enjoying the company and cementing relations between units Jess hopes to pick up some tips on the Merc business situation in 268. Afternoons are free, but if not needed at Jakob's planning meetings, there's that Ambulance...
Rather than mooch off Durans single malts Jess buys up the best of whatever the ship has - slipping the Steward a cut for cornering the good stuff.
Rolling on nascent Liaison or Carousing 0: [2d6] = 12
When the Ambulance is rebuilt Jess takes Mr Solomon to see it, proud of the work the team have done.
Re: A Passage to Inchin
Jess
Mr. Solomon is impressed both at the restoration of the vehicles and the mechanical creativity of the remote HMG mounts.
Over a large scotch Duran gives her his take on Inchin which she no doubt shares with the team.
He opines "The business plan was a good one, insofar as it went, but from the very beginning its execution was terrible. Rowri’s first error was to choose Inchin as the site for his starport. This choice was made because Inchin had the shallowest gravity well of any body in the system that possessed an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere. However, the complete absence of water on Inchin meant that there was no naturally-occurring source of hydrogen to be refined for fuel. Rowri intended to remedy this by importing ice asteroids from the system’s two asteroid belts, but this proved to be far more complex and expensive than anticipated".
"The real problem, however, was Rowri himself, who refused from the start to treat the project as a hard-headed business enterprise. Instead, he began pursuing a grandiose vision of self-aggrandizement by declaring himself “Baron of Inchin”, and ordering the construction of a luxurious palace and city on the planetary surface. Worse yet, at Rowri’s insistence, construction of the city tended to take precedence over progress on the starport, which was definitely putting the cart before the horse".
"The original plan had been to complete the starport first so that it could generate revenue that would allow completion of the rest of the project. In the end construction proceeded in fits and starts according to Rowri’s fickle whim".
"As delays stretched the planned three standard year project into its eleventh year, costs snowballed to the point where Rowri alone could no longer afford to finish it. Strangled by insufficient funds, construction sputtered to a halt in 1097 and has barely progressed since. Rowri then became obsessed with the idea that the Inchin system contained rich mineral deposits whose discovery would solve all of his financial problems at a stroke. Survey facilities are in operation on no less ten planetary and lunar surfaces, but to date no major strikes have been made".
"Of course, if Inchin actually became worth something, possessed an A class starport and was the major port on the Collace arm of the Spinward Main. Well..." he smiles and pours another whiskey "...well now that would make for "interesting times" would it not?"
Switching topics he volunteers "Professor Benson seems a good man. Seemingly quite immune to any of the vices or baser instincts that plague mankind". The corner of his mouth twitches in a rare moment of visible ennui. "A good man Jess. As he's one of your charges it's not my place to say but I would suggest that you take special care of a man with such a particular "vulnerability".
(OOC: Exposition and every one kept their clothes on!
That's it the ratings are in the khazi!!! 
).
Mr. Solomon is impressed both at the restoration of the vehicles and the mechanical creativity of the remote HMG mounts.
Over a large scotch Duran gives her his take on Inchin which she no doubt shares with the team.
He opines "The business plan was a good one, insofar as it went, but from the very beginning its execution was terrible. Rowri’s first error was to choose Inchin as the site for his starport. This choice was made because Inchin had the shallowest gravity well of any body in the system that possessed an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere. However, the complete absence of water on Inchin meant that there was no naturally-occurring source of hydrogen to be refined for fuel. Rowri intended to remedy this by importing ice asteroids from the system’s two asteroid belts, but this proved to be far more complex and expensive than anticipated".
"The real problem, however, was Rowri himself, who refused from the start to treat the project as a hard-headed business enterprise. Instead, he began pursuing a grandiose vision of self-aggrandizement by declaring himself “Baron of Inchin”, and ordering the construction of a luxurious palace and city on the planetary surface. Worse yet, at Rowri’s insistence, construction of the city tended to take precedence over progress on the starport, which was definitely putting the cart before the horse".
"The original plan had been to complete the starport first so that it could generate revenue that would allow completion of the rest of the project. In the end construction proceeded in fits and starts according to Rowri’s fickle whim".
"As delays stretched the planned three standard year project into its eleventh year, costs snowballed to the point where Rowri alone could no longer afford to finish it. Strangled by insufficient funds, construction sputtered to a halt in 1097 and has barely progressed since. Rowri then became obsessed with the idea that the Inchin system contained rich mineral deposits whose discovery would solve all of his financial problems at a stroke. Survey facilities are in operation on no less ten planetary and lunar surfaces, but to date no major strikes have been made".
"Of course, if Inchin actually became worth something, possessed an A class starport and was the major port on the Collace arm of the Spinward Main. Well..." he smiles and pours another whiskey "...well now that would make for "interesting times" would it not?"
Switching topics he volunteers "Professor Benson seems a good man. Seemingly quite immune to any of the vices or baser instincts that plague mankind". The corner of his mouth twitches in a rare moment of visible ennui. "A good man Jess. As he's one of your charges it's not my place to say but I would suggest that you take special care of a man with such a particular "vulnerability".
(OOC: Exposition and every one kept their clothes on!
That's it the ratings are in the khazi!!! ).
Last edited by Tiglath on Wed Jul 15, 2020 8:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: A Passage to Inchin
The Spinward Star's Captain Alvares Cabral invites his merc “guests” to dine with him one evening and delivers his views as the stewards serve the port after a really rather good meal. By all accounts the well groomed captain is a solid career professional.
He provides a schematic of the Inchin downport (see images thread) commenting “Think of this as a map of ground works – or wishful thinking. None of this is much more than marked out and fusion glazed flat. When I was a mischievous child dreaming of space I would flatten crops for spacers to see. On Inchin all you’ll see of an A class starport is “crop circles”.
He says “Be reassured this is neither my first diplomatic nor military operation. Or, indeed, my first rodeo! However, I do not command a warship and my first duty is to protect my ship and crew. My ability to support your actions on the ground is limited. We are not able to enter the atmosphere for direct fire support or to conduct landing operations. For that we rely on the cutter and our launch".
"I am informed that Inchin up port, although barely more than a geostationary platform to my knowledge, does apparently have a fully functioning sensor suite. The Baron, ever mindful of his security, has also thoughtfully installed significant missile weaponry there to help secure his position on planet. We would normally seek to hold an orbit covered by this battery until your mission is concluded”.
He sighs “However, due to the unique nature of the Inchin system, we will be forced to use our small craft to skim the system gas giants for fuel. We will use a fuel skimming module in the cutter once we have ferried you and your supplies to the surface for this purpose. Naturally I will keep you informed of our fuel status”.
“No matter what operational difficulties you face on Inchin I can at least grant you the comfort that my task in system will give me more headaches!” He raises a glass “To the success of our mission” and then ruefully adds “I look forward to spending my bonus on Collace with you all”.
He provides a schematic of the Inchin downport (see images thread) commenting “Think of this as a map of ground works – or wishful thinking. None of this is much more than marked out and fusion glazed flat. When I was a mischievous child dreaming of space I would flatten crops for spacers to see. On Inchin all you’ll see of an A class starport is “crop circles”.
He says “Be reassured this is neither my first diplomatic nor military operation. Or, indeed, my first rodeo! However, I do not command a warship and my first duty is to protect my ship and crew. My ability to support your actions on the ground is limited. We are not able to enter the atmosphere for direct fire support or to conduct landing operations. For that we rely on the cutter and our launch".
"I am informed that Inchin up port, although barely more than a geostationary platform to my knowledge, does apparently have a fully functioning sensor suite. The Baron, ever mindful of his security, has also thoughtfully installed significant missile weaponry there to help secure his position on planet. We would normally seek to hold an orbit covered by this battery until your mission is concluded”.
He sighs “However, due to the unique nature of the Inchin system, we will be forced to use our small craft to skim the system gas giants for fuel. We will use a fuel skimming module in the cutter once we have ferried you and your supplies to the surface for this purpose. Naturally I will keep you informed of our fuel status”.
“No matter what operational difficulties you face on Inchin I can at least grant you the comfort that my task in system will give me more headaches!” He raises a glass “To the success of our mission” and then ruefully adds “I look forward to spending my bonus on Collace with you all”.
-
The Bindoner
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 4987
- Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2019 8:29 pm
Re: A Passage to Inchin
Yeah, seems like a lot depends on what the Prof decides. Plenty of people'll have reasons to stop him reportin'. Rowri doesn't need a no, his rivals don't want a yes. 'Spose I'll hafta risk Eddies pheromones and arrange some close protection. Thanks for the heads-up.Switching topics he volunteers "Professor Benson seems a good man. Seemingly quite immune to any of the vices or baser instincts that plague mankind". The corner of his mouth twitches in a rare moment of visible ennui. "A good man Jess. As he's one of your charges it's not my place to say but I would suggest that you take special care of a man with such a particular "vulnerability".
Another? From the First Class reserve this time.
Jess is enjoying the sociable evenings, talking over a glass or two. But if people want to imagine a drunken bacchanalia behind the stateroom door, well, let 'em(OOC: Exposition and every one kept their clothes on!
Jess hates these Regimental Dinner type things. Work your way in through the silverware, speak when you're spoken to.The Spinward Star's Captain Alvares Cabral invites his merc “guests” to dine with him one evening and delivers his views as the stewards serve the port after a really rather good meal. By all accounts the well groomed captain is a solid career professional.
EDIT:
Sharing a stateroom with Prerna gives Jess a chance to get to know the Swordie a bit better, sand the rough edges off their relationship. First time they've been together "out of uniform". Normally Jess would use downtime in her room to read a military memoir, or a thriller, maybe play a tank sim, but she makes a point of offering conversation instead.
Re: A Passage to Inchin
The elephant (gun) in the room you can talk about is Prerna's new artillery piece. You can enjoy conversations that begin "Arrgh me shins!" "Lawks this ruddy thing's heavy" and "Help! It's fallen on me!"The Bindoner wrote: ↑Wed Jul 15, 2020 11:52 pmSharing a stateroom with Prerna gives Jess a chance to get to know the Swordie a bit better, sand the rough edges off their relationship. First time they've been together "out of uniform". Normally Jess would use downtime in her room to read a military memoir, or a thriller, maybe play a tank sim, but she makes a point of offering conversation instead.
Re: A Passage to Inchin
Y'all are just jealousTiglath wrote: ↑Thu Jul 16, 2020 5:12 pmThe elephant (gun) in the room you can talk about is Prerna's new artillery piece. You can enjoy conversations that begin "Arrgh me shins!" "Lawks this ruddy thing's heavy" and "Help! It's fallen on me!"The Bindoner wrote: ↑Wed Jul 15, 2020 11:52 pmSharing a stateroom with Prerna gives Jess a chance to get to know the Swordie a bit better, sand the rough edges off their relationship. First time they've been together "out of uniform". Normally Jess would use downtime in her room to read a military memoir, or a thriller, maybe play a tank sim, but she makes a point of offering conversation instead.
Joe Roberts (JR)
Re: A Passage to Inchin
Skips spends most of the time in transit coordinating with Jakob on training and planning as well as helping around with whatever's needed in the cargo bay, all the while doing his best to avoid 4DC's poaching attempts.
Dinner with Captain Cabral isn't bad. Far less of a social circus to endure, the food was good, and Skip was more interested in the fueling dynamics of the Inchin system than he expected to be.
Dinner with Captain Cabral isn't bad. Far less of a social circus to endure, the food was good, and Skip was more interested in the fueling dynamics of the Inchin system than he expected to be.
Re: A Passage to Inchin
Frank enjoys the meal with the captain and thanks him for his hospitality, joining in the toast "To success on the ground and in orbit! We appreciate the information Captain. How long do you think refuelling will take?"
During transit he does his best to arrange time with the Deputy Minister and his aides to help understand their hierarchy and plans for the mission in an attempt to try and cement a good working relationship between the two groups, feeding any useful information into the company planning sessions.
During transit he does his best to arrange time with the Deputy Minister and his aides to help understand their hierarchy and plans for the mission in an attempt to try and cement a good working relationship between the two groups, feeding any useful information into the company planning sessions.
Re: A Passage to Inchin
Captain Alvares Cabral smiles "This lady needs 210tons of fuel to gets us back to Collace. The cutter carries and refines thirty tons per run. Could be up to eight hours per fuel run depending on conditions in system - I understand navigation's not easy. Therefore, Colonel, I can inform you that we will be ready to jump after the completion of the first fuel run".
He watches as Frank realises that the maths just don't add up and smiles. "I told you this isn't my first rodeo Colonel. I've been carrying spare fuel as cargo and even in my crew's staterooms. They might grumble but only a complete fool would jump into a place like this without some reserve fuel. The cutter's first run gives me Jump 1 to somewhere - the choices aren't good but I can get you away if needs be. I'll let you know as our options improve".
Re: A Passage to Inchin
Frank nods and smiles "I hope that we don't have to leave in a rush, but it is always prudent to be prepared. Another toast then, to our host, the forward-thinking and most capable Captain Alvare!"
Re: A Passage to Inchin
Skip joins in the toast with his water, sheepishly hoping no one notices. Excuse me Captain Cabral, have you been to Inchin before? Do you know if Rowri has ships running fuel or if they've walked away from the project?
Re: A Passage to Inchin
Prerna & All
Ensign Mallory hangs about the crew deck in her Navy blues carrying a clipboard and watching the mercs train. She shows a certain interest in Prerna's new rifle. "Is that a hyper velocity gauss support weapon? I have an idle curiosity about weapons". She smiles "Helps me keep up with the contacts I have in my "other" life". She seems lost in thought for a moment and then says "Inchin's not an altogether pleasant place and Collace has its "atmospheric moments" but 268 has some truly idyllic worlds. Have you ever spent any time on Mertactor ... or Tarkine?"
When she can corral the team O Group in some privacy she asks "This is a professional favour. I'm reading an ISS report on your action at the Bartizan. I was a little "fuzzy" at the time but there's a reference to records of some fairly brutal interrogations. One of the now deceased subjects had a "flag" with us and if you guys can give any background on the subject that might really help some other enquiries we have running. Theres a only a pict captured from a vid with no sound. Believe me it's not pleasant viewing".
Ensign Mallory hangs about the crew deck in her Navy blues carrying a clipboard and watching the mercs train. She shows a certain interest in Prerna's new rifle. "Is that a hyper velocity gauss support weapon? I have an idle curiosity about weapons". She smiles "Helps me keep up with the contacts I have in my "other" life". She seems lost in thought for a moment and then says "Inchin's not an altogether pleasant place and Collace has its "atmospheric moments" but 268 has some truly idyllic worlds. Have you ever spent any time on Mertactor ... or Tarkine?"
When she can corral the team O Group in some privacy she asks "This is a professional favour. I'm reading an ISS report on your action at the Bartizan. I was a little "fuzzy" at the time but there's a reference to records of some fairly brutal interrogations. One of the now deceased subjects had a "flag" with us and if you guys can give any background on the subject that might really help some other enquiries we have running. Theres a only a pict captured from a vid with no sound. Believe me it's not pleasant viewing".
Re: A Passage to Inchin
Prerna smiles and shakes her head. "I can't say where I've been, but I've seen places like Inchin before."Tiglath wrote: ↑Fri Jul 17, 2020 9:23 pm Prerna & All
Ensign Mallory hangs about the crew deck in her Navy blues carrying a clipboard and watching the mercs train. She shows a certain interest in Prerna's new rifle. "Is that a hyper velocity gauss support weapon? I have an idle curiosity about weapons". She smiles "Helps me keep up with the contacts I have in my "other" life". She seems lost in thought for a moment and then says "Inchin's not an altogether pleasant place and Collace has its "atmospheric moments" but 268 has some truly idyllic worlds. Have you ever spent any time on Mertactor ... or Tarkine?"
Prerna steps up. "Show me."Tiglath wrote: ↑Fri Jul 17, 2020 9:23 pmWhen she can corral the team O Group in some privacy she asks "This is a professional favour. I'm reading an ISS report on your action at the Bartizan. I was a little "fuzzy" at the time but there's a reference to records of some fairly brutal interrogations. One of the now deceased subjects had a "flag" with us and if you guys can give any background on the subject that might really help some other enquiries we have running. Theres a only a pict captured from a vid with no sound. Believe me it's not pleasant viewing".
Joe Roberts (JR)
Re: A Passage to Inchin
The Captain replies “Once or twice in my service with Mertactor Lines. Recognised merchant lines won’t put in here as there’s no decent port facility. If we have to we’ll “stop and drop” but wilderness refuelling in backwaters isn’t what commercial shipping is about. Time is money and it just wastes time! I understand Rowri has his orbital craft chasing ice through the asteroid belt for drinking water and skimming the gas giants to fuel the tech that keeps this dead planet barely alive”. He shrugs “It’s either admirable or tragically desperate – I’m not sure which”.
Re: A Passage to Inchin
Liv/Ensign Mallory shows a (thankfully very badly shot) vid track of a victim of torture apparently being revived and then further questioned. The footage is image only (again thankfully) with no sound component and may have been taken in one of The Purge's cells on the Bartizan's third floor "prison/hospital" deck. It is not pleasant viewing. In fact its only redeeming feature is its brevity.