Chapter One: Hotel Paradiso

[BackworldTraveller]

A woman arrives. Nalani and Reven recognise her as Celisse's Daughter, Ngora. No longer the skinny, scruffy student but now a more confident woman - and wearing wedding marks, so newly married. She looks around the room.

She smiles

A good turn out.

She turns, icily to Archana
I see your husbands have decided to avoid me - that will probably avoid an argument.

The two Naval Officers stand. I'm sorry, this is for shareholders and their representatives only. Reporters are not welcome.

Ngora stands her ground. I hold 1 share. You cannot be rid of me so easily!

The officers look annoyed. Your change of ownership is not registered

At this point the Lawyer steps in...The share register has not been formally updated since 296. On that basis the transfer to the Sparks authorities has not been registered either! Shall we start by confirming each persons holdings and proxies?

[Stirling]

Tiberius

"yes Arnwulf, a real wildcat that one." he says to his aide before announcing after the lawyer gives an invitation.

"I don't believe we are all assembled yet.

While we wait perhaps we can respect the meeting by turning our mobiles and comms off. It would be impolite to be disturbed."

He folds away the screen of his laptop and turns his phone off, drumming his fingers on the paperwork in front of him as he goes back to reading a meeting resume.

[joertexas]

Indrani, seeing some people start toward the conference room, gathers her data pad, her purse, and her coffee mug, stands, and walks toward the conference room.

[BackworldTraveller]

The Navy pair look at you...

Not entirely practical...we do await the formal pronouncement by the court, and we need to access our notes.

and Looking pointedly at Ngora

I'm sure that others would like to record this session for legal reasons.

[Bluetongue]

Arnwulf

With the screens closing and people being seated, Arnwulf takes that as his cue to justify his presence in the shareholders meeting. He stands to address the table.

"I'm Mr Goran Lugersen of Corporal Punishment Security Services." he says with a flash to the stripes on his jacket.

"We are assisting in the asset management and protection of Mr O'Hare's 25% holding." With a nod to everyone and geeky smile to Nalani he sits down.

He whispers under a sip of coffee to Tiberius "That okay?"

[The Bindoner]

Nālani flashes back a small conspiratorial smile. Nicely done. The smile shifts to Tiberius, but now it is more like Hoshiki with cream on her whiskers. Or perhaps a fox padding past a chained dog..

As she moves to take a seat she passes Ngora and quietly says: Ngora dear, I am so glad to see you looking well. nodding to the wedding marks: And I see congratulations are in order. I hope your good fortune carries us through this day too.

[BackworldTraveller]

The comms for the Navy and Reven both ping a few seconds apart.

The junior of the two looks at it and announces "It would seem that the Court is delayed...and we may not yet make our announcement. I suggest we order drinks and biscuits."

They then ring out "May we have the refreshments now please."

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor

She seems both relieved and concerned at Pranit's response. "Astrogator? Good for you." As she notices Pranit's reaction she hangs her head. "I don't know what's going on. But that's why I'm here. There is a ship, the Queen of the Belt, that I have some shares in. A meeting is being held right now to decide its fate."

She stops and looks around again before continuing. "I'd like to be able to get on the ship and get back home, or at least get some time to figure things out."

Noor looks Pranit in the eyes as she says the next part. "I hate to ask, but could you go to the meeting for me? I have the paperwork here."

"I'm not going to lie, it may be dangerous. There may be a record that I have shares in the Queen, which could lead people to me...to you."

[Stirling]

Tiberius

Slaps Arnwulf on the back. "Yeah, that's okay, you did good. Stay in the room for me and look officious."

He stands and leaves the room, obstentiously to use the restroom.

Concerned for the absent Noor he will exit the hotel main doors and check for suspicious characters lurking in the alleyways or the glinting of sunlight off scope lens from the neighbouring rooftops.

Tiberius Recons the plaza [2d6+1] = 9+1 = 10

[cybersavant]

The comms for the Navy and Reven both ping a few seconds apart.
The junior of the two looks at it and announces "It would seem that the Court is delayed...and we may not yet make our announcement. I suggest we order drinks and biscuits."
They then ring out "May we have the refreshments now please."

Reven Stiilpahth stays standing at the back of the room and pulls out his comm when it vibrates. He reads the message and is about to respond to the representative of the Corporal Punishment Security Services when the Navy Officers speak. Reven tries to suppress a smile at the joke of the man.

[BackworldTraveller]

Tiberius
The plaza is busy - and there are piles of rubbish from the concert awaiting pickup when the recycling centre eventually reopens. No one seems to be acting out of the ordinary...you can see Assana in the café on the corner with ice-cream (where she puts it all after the plateful she ate earlier is anyone's guess!). Returning into the hotel itself, the lobby is run-of-the-mill - no horde of children or suspicious looking groups of gunmen. Infact the only suspicious type there (you surmise) is you! And on that basis you return to the meeting room before they declare you officially missing and start without you.

[BackworldTraveller]

Reven
Your phone pings again.

[Stirling]

Tiberius

Arrives back. "Needed that. New Year catching up with me." he says taking his seat and grabbing a doughnut.

"Are we ready to begin?"

[Bluetongue]

Arnwulf

As folk return to the conference suite he tries to formally introduce Tiberius to Nalani.

"Mr O'Hare let me introduce you to Nālani Shiraishi. I had the pleasure of crewing with her during the last term and she is notably a broker and pilot of some skill. On the Queen ship as well if the comms records are true.

Miss Shirashi, Tiberius is a senior crewman and speculator. We first met during the Touchdown rebellion some dozen years ago."

He tries to create a good impression with both seeing as they hold some importance at this meeting. He sticks his chest out at the navy dudes since recent history with marines and navy has been tolerant at best.

He takes his seat and waits for proceedings.

[The Bindoner]

Nālani rises with a smile as they approach, listens to Arnwulf's introduction, and offers her hand to Tiberius with a token bow: Mr. O'Hare, how nice to meet you. Arnwulf, thank you for introducing me to this most observant security officer. That is your training, isn't it, Tiberius? An honourable profession.

Mr Goran Lugersen flatters me, I am afraid. I am merely a competent pilot on tramp ships and an aspiring artist, which gives me a little familiarity with the markets. Nothing special. I did fly the Queen, it is true, for four years. I think I know her quite well. But I do not know you, Mr O'Hare. What is your interest in her? I earned my shares, few though they are. Did your "speculations" bring you here, or do you represent another? I hope you are here on your own account, for then we can be friends.

[ateno]

>Noor looks Pranit in the eyes as she says the next part. "I hate to ask, but could you go to the meeting for me? I have the paperwork here."

>"I'm not going to lie, it may be dangerous. There may be a record that I have shares in the Queen, which could lead people to me...to you."


This is a bit strange.

"Well it sounds like I am in danger already from being with you. I would be happy to help. How do you want me to handle your shares?

I can say I am a neutral party certified to act in accordance of the wishes of the current owners of these shares. I won't say its you. What do you want from the meeting?

I need to know your wants so I can act on them.

Also do you need a place to hide? I have a air car that is space capable. Do you want the location and access number. My room would be to obvious."

[Stirling]

Tiberius

"You flatter me too. I was a mere flatfoot in Touchdown" he says shaking her hand with a returned bow.

"And your talent for creative arts is well displayed. Do you wish to pilot again? Your experience with the ship and crew would be highly valued.

I am here on the Queen's business and to protect assets from liquidating. As you know every broker is trained in risk assessment and taking advantage of windows of opportunity. How to operate in a bear or bull market.

With Mr Cull I was fortunate to be holding a dead man's hand. My speculations are that others in this present game have yet to reveal their hand and I, as you noted, keep mine close to my chest."

He smiles graciously and takes his seat.

[cybersavant]

Reven Stiilpahth speaks up from the back of the room. "Ahum, excuse me. I've just been notified that the court is assembling."

[BackworldTraveller]

Navy Officers

We have a few moments then...Lieutenant Carter, I'd heard you had resigned your commission. How come you are mixed up with this crew? Are you angling for the role of Captain?

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor

"I know you think I'm crazy, I can tell." Her eyes are sad when she smiles at this.

"Thank you for doing this. I just want the ship to be active again, allowing me to get on it. I think the meeting is to determine the Queen's fate. Having a stake in her may allow me to get on without registering. I hope."

She shakes off his offer, kindly. "Thanks, but I want to see how this goes first. Just hang around after the meeting and I'll find you." She pulls out the paperwork and slides it across the table.

"Thanks again, and keep an eye out." Noor makes ready to leave if Pranit doesn't have any more questions.