Chapter Two: Queen of the Belt

[BackworldTraveller]

If Noor doesn't want to use her hotel room. Having paid for it, Arnwulf will use it. Perhaps get lucky with another Carouse roll and bring some belter babes back...

Arnwulf leaves the ship slightly before the captain and set off on a self-defined quest for the belter-babes of his dreams. He too sees the guys on bikes, but they paid much less attention to him than to Indrani. Somehow, his feet drag him to a part of the dock with bars and dancing (although he dances badly, he has enthusiasm) and after some hours manages to detach a woman (not quite of the belter-babe variety) whom he then entices into the Hotel with various promises including a bathtub and room-service.

[The Bindoner]

Nālani had already examined a fair portion of the ship while escorting the forensics guys, reporting her findings to Pranit as she went.

Her mood is soured by the condition of the Queen. It was never a yacht, but the degradation and ruin she sees is shocking. Despite that she maintains an upbeat tone as she talks with the police officers.

As well as general chatter Nālani inserts some questions about the misuse of the Queen, trying to elicit their opinion on how it could have been used for so many criminal enterprises over such a length of time without discovery. She is angry about the damage and intends to hold someone - the overseer of the docks - responsible for restitution.

When the investigators leave Nālani continues to work until she realises how quiet the ship has become. Finding Pranit the only other person still on comms she moves to his location:

I assume that there will be no EVA today then?

Looking at the room he has readied: Ah, you have the night watch. I am glad it is not me, I could not bear it. It must be easier for a stranger to stay here, you have no memories to compare this to. Nālani gestures around. Activating the wireless handshake on her comm: Here is my contact, in case you need help. It is possible criminals or hoodlums will visit, and I do not trust the security services in this place. They have done nothing to protect the Queen so far, I doubt they will start now.

Taking off and packing away her suit Nālani tries to call a cab, not wanting to haul the case on the hyper.

This has been a depressing day, worse than expected. Tonight must have fun in it. Nālani plans her look on the way back to the hotel. Hoshiko must be lonely, the "mouse" is not very talkative.

[joertexas]

Arnwulf and Reven's survey basically reveals that all the ship's stores need replenishing, and the soft-furnishings, cutlery and crockery, and spares have been either looted or removed by the police for processing.

A full replenishment of the life-support systems for the staterooms and low berths will cost Cr 50,000. The redecoration of the staterooms will cost about Cr16,000 (if you do the work yourselves). The hanger has a Port Authority Buggy parked in it (swathed in Police Seals) That couldn't be removed via the air-lock and the police want to collect that in the morning. Where the ship's buggy is is anyone's guess. Some rockhopper's pride and joy by now no doubt. That is showing as worth Cr450,000 in the asset register. The sewerage and sullage need a purge and the water system needs draining and the pipes need checking to see what ice-damage has occurred (Cost unknown). The Annual Maintenance needs to be undertaken - Another Cr 45,000. The workshop hull holes need cutting out and patching (Cr8000 in materials) and any other damage found in the spacewalk needs fixing. And the sensors need an age-related refurb at about Cr410,000.

And the weaponry needs external inspection but the computer shows the systems have been disconnected.

Indrani forwards the list to their attorney to see if the Port can be held liable for these expenses.

[BackworldTraveller]

Your receive a "Thank you for your enquiry" response from the Lawyer's system. They will respond within 24 hours.

[joertexas]

Your receive a "Thank you for your enquiry" response from the Lawyer's system. They will respond within 24 hours.

Indrani makes her way back to her hotel, takes a shower, and goes to bed.

[The Bindoner]

After the call to Tiberius Nālani contacts the Forensic Scientist from the Queen, suggesting a meal together, and perhaps a show afterwards.

[BackworldTraveller]

The Forensics Guy is called Steve. And yes - Dinner would be lovely and a show...Perhaps a late night story...Do you have a particular favourite as his usual fare of historical dramas might not be your thing?

[Bluetongue]

Arnwulf

Going to move this on for Arnwulf. (Unless something dramatic happens in the meantime like hitmen busting the rooms thinking Noor is staying).

So he returns to the ship in the morning, (smelling nice and cheesy grin), tools and Vacc with him. Not sure if other players, crew or shareholders are present. But he suggests that he and Pranit could conduct an external examination of the vessel while the shareholders hold their business meeting back at the hotel. We are not current shareholders so have little reason to attend but the visual check helps move the inspection forward.

[cybersavant]

Reven Stiilpahth finishes his inspection and heads to the bridge to report in.

"XO Pranit, here's my report of missing and damaged items, as per the Captain's request. Is it ok if i stay a while and start some clean-up?"

[The Bindoner]

The Forensics Guy is called Steve. And yes - Dinner would be lovely and a show...Perhaps a late night story...Do you have a particular favourite as his usual fare of historical dramas might not be your thing?

Hmm.. Historical drama.. I think there's a performance of "Klinghoffer On The Beach", that is an old piece.



Perhaps just a quiet drink in a good bar. Cool, not trendy.

[ateno]

In chronological order...

Reven Stiilpahth finishes his inspection and heads to the bridge to report in.

"XO Pranit, here's my report of missing and damaged items, as per the Captain's request. Is it ok if i stay a while and start some clean-up?"

Permission granted. I'll be here all night, you want me to order you dinner? Find a rack if you want.

Arnwulf

>"...Not sure if other players, crew or shareholders are present. But he suggests that he and Pranit could conduct an external examination of the vessel while the shareholders hold their business meeting back at the hotel. We are not current shareholders so have little reason to attend but the visual check helps move the inspection forward.

"Did you not get my message? You need to attend at Ten am if you want a position on the Queen, and I can't miss it. As XO its kinda my responsibility to see to the crew,

[cybersavant]

Reven Stiilpahth "That'd be great. I'll start with the racks first. Then i can retrieve my toolkits and haul them here."

[BackworldTraveller]

The Forensics Guy is called Steve. And yes - Dinner would be lovely and a show...Perhaps a late night story...Do you have a particular favourite as his usual fare of historical dramas might not be your thing?

Hmm.. Historical drama.. I think there's a performance of "Klinghoffer On The Beach", that is an old piece.



Perhaps just a quiet drink in a good bar. Cool, not trendy.

Steve's carefully selected bar turns out to be neither cool nor trendy - more quiet but with a live musician. He has a number of stories which might be considered funny once, but wouldn't bear repeating, and a definite tendency to talk when stressed...so not much space to get a word in.

He does note that three separate murders being found on one day is really unusual, but that is the sole reference to the day's work - indeed he tries very carefully to avoid the subject.

...and he thinks cats are weird. Deliberately owning one is weirder!

[The Bindoner]

Well, Nālani regards this as work more than socialising anyway. As such she drinks sparingly and listens attentively. That is the most attractive quality a woman can have she has found.

Hopefully her choice of purple hair and a six-season-old synth-leather, synth “fur” and chain fishnet “skirt” dress from Heretic is in Steve's comfort zone. To her it is very conservative indeed for a night out.

Nālani offers little about herself, and if asked answers in general terms. On the subject of Hoshiko she contents herself with the admission that having a cat is unusual, joking that Perhaps I have a parasite in my brain. If I collect more than three take me for a scan, eh?

After realising Steve is reluctant to talk about work Nālani uses her few opportunities to talk to ask about his interests – what period of history does he prefer his dramas set in for instance.

At some point she drops in I used to know an officer here, years ago, Zid Umale. Is she still on the force?


Outfit inspiration: viewtopic.php?f=1027&t=10508&p=519012#p519012

[BackworldTraveller]

Zid, it seems has taken a soft job "somewhere down south".

Dedpan, Steven suggests that he hasn't heard of a cat-o-philic parasite for humans.

His idea of history is the last hundred years and of ancient history, the "Defection of the Captains". It appears his history is actually mainly the Docu-drama version rather than any actual understanding of the sequence of events that led to the current day. If there is no good drama, he hasn't heard of it.

[cybersavant]

Reven Stiilpahth cleans out the mid crew room opposite the Captain's row (#4), and once he's done he leaves the ship to retrieve his belongings. "XO, i'm just going out to get my stuff. Be back soon." Reven beelines it back to get his stuff, avoiding pedestrians on the way. He pays for a rack or cart to haul all his toolkits back to the Queen.


once safely back

Reven lets Pranit know he's back. "Got my stuff. Hope the mid room is ok. Have you eaten already?"

if Pranit hasn't, Reven will eat with him, if he has, Reven eats alone in the lounge area after cleaning the table, chairs, etc; Reven stows his gear in room 4, then proceeds to clean firth the Captain's room, then all the rest before crashing for the night, in his clothes, on the sheet-less bed

[The Bindoner]

Zid, it seems has taken a soft job "somewhere down south".

Dedpan, Steven suggests that he hasn't heard of a cat-o-philic parasite for humans.

His idea of history is the last hundred years and of ancient history, the "Defection of the Captains". It appears his history is actually mainly the Docu-drama version rather than any actual understanding of the sequence of events that led to the current day. If there is no good drama, he hasn't heard of it.

To be honest Nālani is no student of history, she probably doesn't know much more than Steve. Since he watches the shows, maybe less on some things.

Nālani keeps the evening going for a while. A Forensic Scientist - even a dull one - is a worthwhile person to know, so she invests in building up from acquaintance to.. something else. Eventually she decides it is time to close things down for the night.

I am afraid I have another meeting in the morning, business with the ship, so I ought to leave. Thank you for a lovely evening. It has been pleasant to get to know you, and to put the terrible things on the Queen in the past. Ah! But you deal with such things all the time. So horrible, I could not. You do honourable work, your family must be proud.

You have my contact, we must meet again while I am here.

Now, I must call a car to take me to the hotel...

Of course, Nālani has no intention of going straight to bed. She's earned some time off. As soon as the vehicle is out of sight she tells the driver to take her to another bar, somewhere with a DJ and Holo. Noisy anonymity, a couple of drinks, just to relax, then home to Hoshiko.

[BackworldTraveller]

Nalani

Trader Bars, Belter Bars, Tourist Bars, Girls, Boys, Music, Drink, Drugs, Lights and Movement. All are on offer and the main strip is busy with the docks so close on one side and the government and tourist districts on the other. Finding somewhere anonymous isn't an issue.

Two drinks and a rickshaw ride back to the Hotel you catch Hoshiko as she makes a studied attempt at escape when you open the door!

And so, to bed!

[The Bindoner]

Nālani wonders why she persists in setting alarms when she has Hoshiko to sit on her head or savage her feet in the morning. At least this morning it is the sitting.

Programming the Autochef for Ochazuke (Rice with Green Tea) and salt fish she checks and replenishes Hoshiko's feeder and water and showers.

Over breakfast with Hoshiko she considers the day. There is the meeting to discuss positions aboard the Queen. There is all of the work to do on the Queen. There is also the legal matter of getting the Navy and Port Authority to pay for the repairs they have necessitated.

Nālani decides to leave her hair as it is and wear Business-Lady clothes again.

She texts Tiberius: Have you considered my proposal to engage lawyers to claim recompense for the malfeasance of the authorities?

[Stirling]

Tiberius

Responds to Nalani's message with a reply.

"I think a full inspection of the ship and a written report which audits the current state of the ship compared to when it was seized is needed before any litigation for compensation can take place.

I do not know the Belter Navys' true influence upon the ship. I was aware they preferred to scrap the vessel though that seems now to have been countermanded by a desire to have a vested interest in its future trading. I think all the shareholders need to agree a course of action and this may be one point on the agenda for the next meeting.

I certainly agree with pursuing the Admiralty for full costs of liability, negligence and wilful abduction of their duty of care.

I will contact the Navy reps today to see if I can meet with them prior to the meeting. Hoping to get agreements in place so as not to slow the release of the Queen down.

So conduct a stock take and evaluation of the capital assets (engine, power plants, drives, etc). An outside inspection needs to happen and the place free of the drug debris.

Everything is mired though by the unwise announcement of the dead body on board being that of the scientist Jusu Saffa. The one who stole a billion in credits 12 years ago.

If you find the cash on the ship ... let me know.!"