Chapter Two: Queen of the Belt

[BackworldTraveller]

Nālani & Noor
The station platform is loud and crowded - looks like a passenger ship just got in as everyone has baggage. Your train to the Plaza arrives rapidly and the trip is uneventful. The foyer to the hotel is almost empty except for Arnwulf and two Hotel guards (there was only one before) and the receptionists.

[The Bindoner]

On the way to the station, after contacting Tiberius, Nālani searches her data and repeats the warning of impending Police to Ngora, the only other person at the ship she can find a number for.

Nālani to Nor: I am going to my room to collect my suit * plucking at her skirt to demonstrate her point * and change into something I can wear under it. Would you like to meet Hoshiki while I do so? She has missed the company of a ship, she will be happy to meet a new person. I can offer refreshments. *leaning in to whisper* I brought my own chef and barman.

Seeing Arnwulf: Ah! Mr. Goren Lugerson, how opportune. Would you be so good as to escort my friend and I while I visit my room? After the disturbance earlier this morning we would feel much safer knowing there was a security-man at our door.

[ateno]

Pranit waves down the buggy.

"Going to bay 13-13, the Queen?"

Pranit smiles and is all charisma.

The ownership was finalized today, the new Captain is there, i'm the XO, Pranit, recently of the Navy.

We are here to check her out and get her ready to fly. Can I help you gentlemen?"

Pranit gathers as much info as he can and will pass it to Indrani after the police leave.

He heads to the storage, pulls out the storage box, hires a grav plate and heads back to the ship.

On the tube he orders food for 10, a variety of styles, with a choice of non alcoholic drinks, including tea for him. Then charges it all to the ship account, which he just sets up on his hand computer.

[BackworldTraveller]

Ngora, Indrani & Reven

Ngora's phone pings...she looks and says "Indrani, Reven, The police are on their way here."

[BackworldTraveller]

Pranit

The Police Buggy pulls up...The occupants listen to your explanation and this elicits a surprised tirade from the back seat

"That bay is sealed and no one should be in there. If this man has broken in, then he has done so without authorisation. I demand that he be arrested immediately"

There is an argument between Pranit, the Police and the Administration Supervisor. Pranit shows the Court Judgement releasing the ship.

"But the bay is sealed. I require that you accompany me and we look at what damage has been done to our locks."

The police, however, determine that this is a civil matter as the ship is legally theirs. And anyway, they are just finding potential witnesses in another case.

After a number of minutes, the police having recorded Pranits details and asked that he give a statement at the police station within 48 hours, climb back in and proceed onwards to see if they can find their other witnesses.

----

The remainder of the trip is successful up to the point of trying to access the Queen's account...it is marked as frozen by the port authority and the Cr52 food bill has to be paid from Pranit's own money if he still wants it delivered.

[ateno]

Pranit

After a number of minutes, the police having recorded Pranits details and asked that he give a statement at the police station within 48 hours, climb back in and proceed onwards to see if they can find their other witnesses.

Pranit agrees to all and then informs the Captain of the happenings, happy he had delayed them enough for everyone else that wanted to leave, could.

Pranit

The remainder of the trip is successful up to the point of trying to access the Queen's account...it is marked as frozen by the port authority and the Cr52 food bill has to be paid from Pranit's own money if he still wants it delivered.

Pranit expected that, he started a new account on his hand computer and the two will be merged when it is unfrozen. He pays the bill from his own account.

He messages the Captian.
"Foods on the way, when we have a OPS I will stop telling you Maam."

[BackworldTraveller]

Sorry - Plan probably a bit late but...
Three floors: (1)Lower and (2)balcony with stairs to (3)lobby
Lift runs between them.

Loading Dock with plants.jpg (79.05 KiB) Viewed 386 times

[Stirling]

Tiberius

So with the police showing up, showing off and shoving off he returns to the ship.

Internally from what he has seen, it is a bit of a mess but mostly cosmetic damage.

"What naval services are available at this yard. Don't they have suits for hire. No 'cheap labour immigrants without papers' doing cleaning jobs. Skip hire?"

He is clearly not impressed with bay holding facilities.

"Ah food arrives. At least someone has some order round here. So Captain. What's your
initial thoughts? Pre-flight inspections and a test run? Major overhaul? Look for investors and merchant routes?

Jinga Busai was engineer for last twelve years. Knows engines better than anyone. He coming down to inspect his shareholding and show you any quirks?"

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor

"I don't know if I'm up to meeting any more new people right now. Is Hoshiki your girlfriend?" The mention of decent food and drink persuades her, though.

"I could go for a drink. Maybe a grilled cheese? Yeah, I know, a waste of a chef, but my mother always made them for us when we had a bad day." She trails off and has tears in her eyes.

As they run into Arnwulf, she nods at the suggestion. "Quickly, though."

[joertexas]

Tiberius

So with the police showing up, showing off and shoving off he returns to the ship.

Internally from what he has seen, it is a bit of a mess but mostly cosmetic damage.

"What naval services are available at this yard. Don't they have suits for hire. No 'cheap labour immigrants without papers' doing cleaning jobs. Skip hire?"

He is clearly not impressed with bay holding facilities.

"Ah food arrives. At least someone has some order round here. So Captain. What's your
initial thoughts? Pre-flight inspections and a test run? Major overhaul? Look for investors and merchant routes?

Jinga Busai was engineer for last twelve years. Knows engines better than anyone. He coming down to inspect his shareholding and show you any quirks?"

Indrani looks up from her tablet, where she's been managing her messages with terse replies, and tracking her delivery that just cost a quarter of her savings. "My only thought is to get the Queen, and us, away from this bay and anything the former occupant left behind. The police are on their way. Please pass the word that everyone needs to stay out of the ship and the bay until I advise differently."

[Stirling]

Tiberius

"Why the subterfuge about the illegal grow. Open the doors and let them in. Nothing to do with us, we haven't been here four years.

Let them clean it out.

There is no hurry to get the ship flying. Take at least a week to get it all shipshape.

You got Reven and Jinga, if you can coax him down here, to check out the engines and power plant. Nalani could go through the navigation systems. Your new 2nd in command takes a spacewalk for the visuals outside.

Use Ms En Sabah. She has contacts for other media. Get some newsworthy press conferences or blogs going. You need investment and Noor can tap into that. Besides it will lift the profile of the ship.

Here call Arnwulf too. Experienced crewman with no ambitions other than to belong. Unlike some he is used to taking orders without questions. You have experience with ship armaments and crashing airlock when the bullets fly?

Delegate to them. Leaves you to sit in the pilot seat and plan your presentation to the shareholders. When we meeting tomorrow? You got less than a day."

[joertexas]

Tiberius

"Why the subterfuge about the illegal grow. Open the doors and let them in. Nothing to do with us, we haven't been here four years.

Let them clean it out.

There is no hurry to get the ship flying. Take at least a week to get it all shipshape.

You got Reven and Jinga, if you can coax him down here, to check out the engines and power plant. Nalani could go through the navigation systems. Your new 2nd in command takes a spacewalk for the visuals outside.

Use Ms En Sabah. She has contacts for other media. Get some newsworthy press conferences or blogs going. You need investment and Noor can tap into that. Besides it will lift the profile of the ship.

Here call Arnwulf too. Experienced crewman with no ambitions other than to belong. Unlike some he is used to taking orders without questions. You have experience with ship armaments and crashing airlock when the bullets fly?

Delegate to them. Leaves you to sit in the pilot seat and plan your presentation to the shareholders. When we meeting tomorrow? You got less than a day."

Indrani lowers her tablet and faces him squarely. Mister Tiberius, what exactly is your purpose in this conversation? While your statements are all good ideas, and things we will likely do, sooner or later, why tell them to me while several of us are actually working to secure the ship, both legally and physically? I, as captain, have made the decision to not risk that this ship gets tied up in a criminal investigation for who knows how long. Pranit came to me and first offered to help, so I appointed him executive officer. If you want to help, then go talk to Pranit about what jobs he has for you. Her voice is calm and conversational, but the steely determination in her eyes is self-evident.

[BackworldTraveller]

The police vehicle pulls up outside...

[joertexas]

The police vehicle pulls up outside...

Indrani was waiting outside the bay door in the passageway, so did she see them coming toward her?

[Stirling]

Tiberius

"Well as your biggest financial backer outside of the navy, I am glad you have things in order, sooner or later. Captain."

Totally unfazed by stares and raised eyebrows he goes to seek out Pranit

"You got a job that needs doing?"

[The Bindoner]

Noor

"I don't know if I'm up to meeting any more new people right now. Is Hoshiki your girlfriend?" The mention of decent food and drink persuades her, though.

"I could go for a drink. Maybe a grilled cheese? Yeah, I know, a waste of a chef, but my mother always made them for us when we had a bad day." She trails off and has tears in her eyes.

Nālani laughs : Girlfriend? No, she is more precious than that.

Linking arms and leaning close to speak quietly she leads Noor to her room at a brisk pace: She is my life partner though. Do not worry, she will not tax you with conversation and she is very discrete. I have never heard her repeat a word of anything she sees or hears.

I do not think grilled cheese will be a problem. My chef is very versatile and never complains.

In the room Nālani fusses over the black cat that leaps off the bed to greet her. Scooping her up in her arms she presents the animal to her guests: Hoshiki, this is Noor, and that is Arnwulf. You will make friends with them while I change for work.

Releasing the cat Nālani goes to several cases against the wall beneath the Air Conditioning vent and, moving them, reveals a Kerala brand Autochef which she programs to make grilled cheese for her guests. Going to the wardrobe she picks up a pile of scarves to expose a Kerala Autobar. Please. help yourself.


Selecting a some work clothes Nālani goes into the bathroom to change. The bedroom is very neat, everything ordered and uncluttered, but it is quite crowded with equipment cases, luggage and carrying boxes.

As she changes Nālani, leaving the door slightly ajar to be heard, carries on talking: Noor, you should have a new look before we leave. I doubt I have much in your size, but you are welcome to borrow anything, a scarf perhaps, or shawl. And we must change your hair. I have a device for that on the dressing table, with my cosmetics.

[joertexas]

Tiberius

"Well as your biggest financial backer outside of the navy, I am glad you have things in order, sooner or later. Captain."

Totally unfazed by stares and raised eyebrows he goes to seek out Pranit

"You got a job that needs doing?"

Fortunately, Indrani's years of experience as a naval officer has given her the ability to be calm and professional, without exhibiting juvenile telltale facial cues like "stares and raised eyebrows". If she were to exhibit such mannerisms, they will be specified in the descriptions given by her player.

Indrani shakes her head with a carefully concealed wry smile as Tiberius walks away, and then she sees the police vehicle approaching. She takes a breath and smiles as the officers approach.

[ateno]

When Pranit arrives.

Tiberius

Totally unfazed by stares and raised eyebrows he goes to seek out Pranit

"You got a job that needs doing?"

"Actually, yes. If I recall from the paperwork, you have merchant experience. Do you feel comfortable talking to Shore services and chartering shore services, power, water, sewage, net. If they ask for payment assurance, have them contact me for my credit. When your done with that go to each person working, except the Captain and get a quick bio of work and ship certificates if any. Then I will roughf out a TO&E for the Captain to approve. Thank for asking! Any questions?

[BackworldTraveller]

...And the Administrator from the Port Authority pushes past the two officers and exclaims

"Here officers, they have broken into our facility! Take them away."

The two police enter the door and look at those in the corridor.

"And I suppose you have an alternate explanation of what happened? You look like you are probably Captain Carter, can you confirm that? And who are these others?"

They hold their computers expectantly.

[joertexas]

...And the Administrator from the Port Authority pushes past the two officers and exclaims

"Here officers, they have broken into our facility! Take them away."

The two police enter the door and look at those in the corridor.

"And I suppose you have an alternate explanation of what happened? You look like you are probably Captain Carter, can you confirm that? And who are these others?"

They hold their computers expectantly.

Indrani clasps her hands behind her in a relaxed version of "At Ease". She ignores the blustering official, and addresses the speaking officer. "I am Indrani Carter, Captain and shareholder of the Queen of the Belt. My executive officer just presented a copy of our paperwork to the police, proving that the ship docked at this bay is legally ours, as of our shareholder's meeting earlier today. The bay has been assigned to this ship, and the fees have been paid, as far as I know. If additional, legitimate, fees are owed, then we will pay them upon our departure. The other people here are shareholders and prospective ship's crew."