Chapter One: Hotel Paradiso

[BackworldTraveller]

Year 300. Morning of Day 2. Hotel Bar. 08:30.
Yesterday was the day after the 300th anniversary of the first arrival in the New Earth System. Not much happened. Many were recovering from the countdown of the night before and subsequent parties. This is the first working day of the new year. And the meeting has been scheduled at a time many would sleep through.


The morning shift are on at the bar. Coffee Makers, Table Waiters and Guardians of the Buffet Breakfast.

The room is populated by the guests who have stayed overnight and are moving through, and groups that are gathering for the conference centre's round of meetings and coffee breaks.

You note that there is an entry displayed on the screens "09:00. Pan-Africa Suite. Queen of the Belt Shareholders".

It looks like a gentle start.

See: Hotel Paradiso
n.b. the door marked "Hanger" is the entrance to "The Hanger" - A banqueting room/bar available for hire at a reasonable rate.

[joertexas]

Year 300. Morning of Day 2. Hotel Bar. 08:30.
You note that there is an entry displayed on the screens "09:00. Pan-Africa Suite. Queen of the Belt Shareholders".It looks like a gentle start.

Indrani Carter sits alone at one of the small tables scattered around the bar's perimeter. She looks down from the display, and flexes her newly-repaired right hand with a grimace. Fortunately, she was able to use either hand to write or type, since the rehab had been more difficult than anticipated. Her therapist though it was because she was ambidextrous, but, whatever the reason, it'd meant another two weeks of therapy.

She sighs and picks up her insulated cup, taking a sip of the first really good coffee she'd had in months. Yesterday, she'd finally had the chance to purchase a quality coffee brewer, and a half-kilo of the Artemis coffee she loved so much. The residents of this otherwise unremarkable Belt habitat had discovered that the humble coffee tree grew extremely well in their unique soil made from the base's asteroid. Over the last fifty years, the beverage had become Artemis' major export, and the families who controlled the coffee greenhouses guarded their processes with the zeal of military security. Indrani takes a breath of the aroma from the cup's perforated lid, and then she takes a careful drink of the hot liquid.

She sets the cup down, cradling it in her palms as she looks around for the other shareholders.

[Stirling]

Tiberius

Half naked in front of the mirror he holds up a selection of suitable business attire. Pin-stripe double breasted jacket and black crocodile skin boots or maybe the synthetic silk shirt with 'olde worlde Romany' spangle buttons. Leather jacket with tusken clasps and faux claw marks?

It has been a while since he was last Sparkside and settles on simple soft sports shoes, comfortable jeans and a bomber jacket with several patches sewn on and interior pockets bulging with who knows what. He pads himself down.

"Papers, pens, battery charger, note taker, handkerchief, aspirin, ... " His mental checklist complete, he goes to the conference.

It was a bit early to lean on the bar, drowning sorrows and frustrations or raising glasses in celebration as was his usual post festive ablutions. Instead an aroma of a caffeine inspired perk provoked his choice, along with one, nay two, flaky soft dough rolls with those itsy bitsy mini chocolate blocks melting inside.

He takes a seat at a table which gives him a wide view of the room, opening a laptop to punch in a few late new year greetings and smile over sent photos.

[Bluetongue]

Arnwulf

"Good morning Sir. Happy New Year Ma'am. Hej gott nytt år brother. Hello Sir, please take one. Kon'nichiwa. Akemashite omedetōgozaimasu. Good day Sir, I'll look forward to your call."

The former marine is in the corridor of the hotel. The various business conferences seemed a better place to make an impression than trawling dock quaysides looking for his next gig. No, that didn't mean entertaining on the drums though the session player role helped pay the festive weekend. Now with Yolanda's Hope under refit, it leaves him with no current employment. Fellow merchant mariner Nalani had spoken about an old ship being prepped for use and pointed him to enquire should vacancies come up. She was due here also but had a particular undisclosed interest in this vessel outside of looking for work.

So, in partial dress uniform, military citation ribbon proudly displayed, Arnwulf targets the assembling clerks, administrators, human resources and freighter folk with copies of his resume and work references. 'Senior Crewman, Quartermaster, Security detail, Anti-piracy Gunner marshall'.

[The Bindoner]

Nālani wakes to the purring of Hoshiko sitting on her pillow, surprisingly early for a New Years Day, and surprisingly well rested. A pity about the party, It would been nice to show the new Holo with a good sound system and a big crowd.

Peering over the side of the bed she comments: Ah! So, this hotel is no paradise for you, Oni to mice. I may step carefree without desecrating some poor soul.

Nālani swings out of bed to begin the new year. Switching off her Sphere of Solace and hitting play on a dance music mix she empties a sachet of catfood into Hoshiko's bowl, sets her Autochef to make tea, rice balls and egg roll, showers and sits down to program the Home Hair Styler.

Shareholder meeting. Serious thing, serious business lady.

Nālani conemplates her wardrobe and breakfasts while the device removes the dayglo party colours from her hair and straightens it.

Plain black clothes, conservative but fashionable.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arriving at the Foyer at 8:30 Nālani pauses to scan the room before venturing in. As she takes in the crowd, looking for.. well something, a familiar voice snatches her attention.

Mr Goren Lugersen, how nice to see you! Happy New Year Arnwulf. I am going to get green tea, may I have your company? I promise I will not detain you long, I must attend a meeting soon and I would not want to interrupt your day.

Noticing his resumes:

Ah, you seek a new berth too. I hope to be able to recommend you for one, before the day is over. Do not sign anything until you hear from me.

Nālani taps comms, swapping contact details.

Now, who else is here?

[cybersavant]

Reven Stiilpahth dresses early and heads out of his room. He fairly bounces through the lobby in the lower gravity. He checks the bulletins, then looks for the signs to locate the room for the conference; the Pan-Africa Suite. He looks around at those already gathered inside and notices a familiar face. Indrani Carter is seated at a table. He scans the rest of the people and spots Nālani Shiraishi taking a seat at another table. Reven hovers at the back of the room, standing alone until directed if and where to sit.

[joertexas]

Reven Stiilpahth dresses early and heads out of his room. He fairly bounces through the lobby in the lower gravity. He checks the bulletins, then looks for the signs to locate the room for the conference; the Pan-Africa Suite. He looks around at those already gathered inside and notices a familiar face. Indrani Carter is seated at a table. He scans the rest of the people and spots Nālani Shiraishi taking a seat at another table. Reven hovers at the back of the room, standing alone until directed if and where to sit.

Indrani spots him and waves at him with a smile.

[cybersavant]

Reven Stiilpahth acknowledges with a nod and a small wave back.

[BackworldTraveller]

Noor and Pranit
Meanwhile, outside, Noor en Sabeh is having a look to check the area in case she needs to run again. The café gave a good view of the plaza, and you could see two of the corridors that ran past the front and side of the Hotel Paradiso. Arriving at the very same place that her sister was performing was not intended and she had been lucky not to end up in the same hotel - but it was a favourite and this week, favourites should be avoided! Suddenly, she realises that the person sat at the table behind her, reciting answers to unheard questions like he was practicing being interviewed was Pranit Kil-something double barrelled - her old Sparring Partner at the Afterlife Gym on New Earth. Noor thinks...Kill..Bewoor...and then she gets it.

Inner conflict - trust someone or hide again - trust or hide - And does this give her a way to fix her problem of getting into the meeting unobserved?

Pranit briefly stops his rehearsing for a sip of his morning pick-me-up as his phone pings...

"Following the discovery of the conditions of your medical discharge from the Navy, which you had omitted to note on your CV despite it being a material fact, it is no longer felt appropriate for Union Lines to consider your application for the astrogation position. Yours, Preeti Patel, HR Manager, Union Lines, Sparks."

...and Noor interrupts his breakfast...

Pranit Kilrane-Bewoor. It is a small world.

[BackworldTraveller]

Tiberius
Watching the room, Tiberius can see the various groups sat at the tables. None are recognisable but all are familiar: Lawyers waiting for a client, Businessmen discussing a pitch, Captain dining alone, Family here for the New Year Celebration. And in the distance you can see a guy that looks familiar (yep it's definitely Arnwulf) chatting to some diminutive broker-type.

A young girl/woman slips into the space, looks about - heads for the buffet where the Guardian of the Food intercepts her - but is brushed off with a wave in your direction. She piles a plate and comes and sits at your table.

"Mind if I share?" But she sits anyway and within seconds has the appearance of a half-eaten meal distributed across her plate.

Even as she does so, a man - probably Hotel Security appears and looks round. She notices you noticing the security guy

"Poor old plod. He's convinced I'm up to no good because he caught me with some local troublemakers, but now - here I am chatting happily with one of the guests and he's unsure what to do. Look at him...wobbling on his toes. Does he come and interrupt or does he stand there and look conspicuous?

I'm Assana by the way"

She tucks into the food. The security guy has clearly decided that the "standing there looking conspicuous" option wins.

"I'm here because my mum and Jinga are going to some announcement this morning. Are you here for fun or are you doing something boring too?"

You don't really get a chance to get a word in as she continues chatting.

"Oh! There he goes - Just heard that there's mischief going on in the lobby I expect. Well It's nice to have met you." She makes to leave.

[ateno]

> "..and Noor interrupts his breakfast...".

Prani's head hangs down in defeat, holding his phone with 2 hands.

After 5 seconds he raises up and shakes his head, his face unhappy.

"Frack."

He wolfs down whats left, wipes his hands and begins new searches on his phone while drinking his Tea which has a hint of lavender.

[Bluetongue]

Arnwulf

He hears a familiar voice but certainly does not recognise the unfamiliar clothes.

"Nalani so nice to see you. Wow, you look as black as that cat. You're gonna knock em' dead for sure ... unless you are going to a funeral.
Hey, look at me too. Dressed for a court martial." he jests.

He takes his beret off showing his own recently cut, fade in, short hair. He obviously takes pride in his also unfamiliar appearance.

"Sure. Herbal tea is just the thing though I should watch the sugar. Only just managed to squeeze into this gear and popping the buttons would get the Sgt-Majors brigging me again." he pats his chest.

Taking up her offer, he accompanies Nalani and goes through the reception lobby gesturing people aside with an authoritive, "Excuse me, lady coming through." At a table in the Pan-Africa suite he gets the green tea served. He relaxes before remembering.

Ah..Pilot. Should have emphasised that on my C.V. All those training hours you gave me. Put to good use to." .

He looks around the room and spots some journalists type and halographers setting up the formalities. He might spot Tiberius too but the 12 years apart and his beard make him only vaguely recognisable.

He will not infringe on Nalani's business endeavours, so after the tea he will thank her, wish her luck for whatever business she is dressed for, "Remember you're gonna knock him dead." he encourages, leaving her with some of his cards to pass out to connections.

He will go to the bar and talk to any local security regarding the plaza disturbances and union unrest that is prevalent locally.

Arnwulf Streetwise check [2d6] = 5

are people in the Pan Africa suite now or is that business meeting held elsewhere?

[BackworldTraveller]

Your passage to the bar takes you through the lobby where a group of children appear to be running the staff (literally) about. A security guard appears from the bar and starts chasing after them. All terribly undignified and the kids seem to be having a great time as they vanish through doors and up the stairs.

Entering the bar, you head to the bar itself (avoiding the awkward question about room number from the Buffet Guardian) and pay cash for something hot. Typically for someone in the hospitality industry the bar-tender is almost effusive in his answers, but somehow fails to impart anything of use what so ever.

[Stirling]

Tiberius

Just nods smiling at the intrusive woman.

"Oh, boring does me just fine." he says drinking his coffee and closing down his laptop.

"Here take these. Maybe your mum and Jinga are as hungry too." He folds the croissants into a napkin and passes them over as she leaves.

He leaves the table as well but heads towards the bar and the familiar figure of Arnwulf.

He gives him a friendly poke in the ribs. "Is that young Wolfie? Swapped one uniform for another I see. Look how those hours on the shooting range earned you some citations at last. The rookie made good. Great to see you." He points at the military decorations and shakes the man's hand, taking a seat at the bar.

He takes a business card and nods approvingly.

"Seems like we both ended up lugging cargo in the mercs'. Maybe we crossed lanes in hyperspace. Just finished my stint on the Nightingale . So your ex was that fusion buster in the next hangar. Spares or repair now?"

They can chat about recent merchant careers.

Knowing his Queen of the Belt conference will start soon, he has an idea.

"Say Arnwulf. If you are at a loose end then play my wingman for a while. Not sure how my interest in the release of the ship will work out but sure deal is if she gets the green light then having experienced crew will be neccessary. Security, senior quartermaster, gunnery and cargo management. You cover the bases. Be good to have a familiar face on board I can trust."

He offers him to hold his briefcase and invites him to follow to the meeting.

"Pretty girl that one in black. She yours? Nice ass." he makes flippant 'man talk' as they go along.

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor

She looks a bit surprised at Prani's reaction and looks ready to bolt, but figures he may not have heard her the first time.

"Pranit? Is that you?"

"What are you doing here?"

She looks around at the others nearby, hoping that she isn't causing a scene.

[ateno]

"Pranit? Is that you?"

"What are you doing here?"

Pranit puts his phone down, looks up in total surprise.

"Um.. Aahh, Noor, sorry, I just got some bad news, Um wow, long time. Noor. Wow. Have a seat."

Pushing his plate aside and placing his tea in front of him.

Would you like Breakfast, my day just cleared out."

[The Bindoner]

"Nalani so nice to see you. Wow, you look as black as that cat. You're gonna knock em' dead for sure ... unless you are going to a funeral."

Ha! Hoshiki would be ashamed at the suggestion I was half as lethal or lissom as her. No, no funeral. A rebirth, I hope.

Taking up her offer, he accompanies Nalani and goes through the reception lobby gesturing people aside with an authoritive, "Excuse me, lady coming through." At a table in the Pan-Africa suite he gets the green tea served. He relaxes before remembering.

Ah..Pilot. Should have emphasised that on my C.V. All those training hours you gave me. Put to good use to." .

Nālani follows Arnwulf with a small smile, enjoying the experience of having a bodyguard. So many times it would have been nice to have back-up...

Hours I gave you, training I think not. "Doing is learning" they say. I confess I let you do the flying and only looked up if an orange or red light came on.

after the tea he will thank her, wish her luck for whatever business she is dressed for, "Remember you're gonna knock him dead." he encourages, leaving her with some of his cards to pass out to connections.

Thank you for the company, and the encouragement. Remember, do not sign a contract yet, I hope to have an offer for you before the day ends.

When Arnwulf leaves Nālani stands too, taking his cards with the promise that if she cannot offer a job she will recommend him to whoever she asks for one for herself.

Moving away from the table she again pauses to search the room. There, a person trying not to stand out. Familiar.. Ah! yes, another person it would nice to see.

Walking over Nālani smiles brightly: Reven? How nice to see you after all these years. I am Nālani. Apparently people do not recognise me in monochrome. We met on the Queen, taking the same security course.

Speaking of their time on the Queen of the Belt she asks: Are you here for the shareholder meeting?

[BackworldTraveller]

Tiberius

You see two fairly formally dressed businessmen enter - They ask about the "Queen Meeting", are given the details and repair to the bar. They look to be ordering hot drinks.

[cybersavant]

Moving away from the table she again pauses to search the room. There, a person trying not to stand out. Familiar.. Ah! yes, another person it would nice to see. Walking over Nālani smiles brightly: Reven? How nice to see you after all these years. I am Nālani. Apparently people do not recognise me in monochrome. We met on the Queen, taking the same security course. Speaking of their time on the Queen of the Belt she asks: Are you here for the shareholder meeting?

Reven Stiilpahth walks over and greets Nālani.

"Hi. Yes, i remember you. I am here for the meeting, as i have a share in the ship."

[Bluetongue]

Arnwulf

"Well Officer O'Hare, hiding under all that beard."

He greets his former colleague, remembering he seemed quite a crackshot on the firing range. It was a tough call in the police. Folks drafted to quell riots. He had been summoned straight from college graduation and found himself amid the city unrest where both criminals and police elements were trying hard to get their fingers in pieces of Touchdown 's political and financial pies.

As a Rookie he had investigated a cutthroat organisation and unashamedly blinked first when faced with the offer, if you call it that. Walk away or suffer consequences. How can a man walk with broken legs? He justified the choice to himself by acknowledging he was only drafted in the first place but it still rankled as a dishonourable deed. He knew this man, Tiberius however had enlisted by choice not draft and had proven he was made sterner stuff in the face of such threats.

So strange now to see how careers overlapped. Arnwulf shares about his time aboard the merchant vessel, much of which must be similar territory to Tiberius's own experience.

"Sure. I'll accompany you around. If it gets my foot in the door for work, suits me fine."

He feels the decision to come to the hotel starting to bear fruit, tapping the ribbons on his jacket.

"These don't come cheap though. That skill is worth 200 credits and that one another 300." he says though truly those citations were earned not in credit but in blood and bone and fruitlessly wasted lives.

He takes the briefcase and follows Tiberius to the conference, chatting as they go.

"She's a real wildcat that one. Pretty but not very tame. Outta your league now you've got a grey beard." So the banal men talk continues.