Chapter Four: Monday Night and Tuesday Morning

[ateno]

... "Please inform the XO that I'm here, if you haven't done so already."

Pranit will head to where the Captain is, Captain, I have a tentative schedule. Your introductory speech at onset including your ideas on how to crew the chip and pay structure, assign crew slots. We had a sewage line break at 4am, its patched for now, Reven is handling it. Also we need a skin walk, I was looking at Nālani to head that. What other items would you like to cover today?

[Bluetongue]

Arnwulf is handling it.

Reven not Arnwulf. I am currently 'in the bay area' ahead of the 10.00am meeting.

[BackworldTraveller]

Arnwulf

Sat in the (much tidier) bay, Arnwulf finds that he isn't alone for long. A cleaning team (supervisor, assistant and two bots) appears and starts to give the place a proper scrub-out. The supervisor asks

"Hi - You part of the ship?"

He's clearly more into remote oversight than leadership by example, and does have a bag of pastries to demolish on work time.

And shortly thereafter another person appears, with a small camera-bot, and introduces herself as

"Ulrika, Sparks News"

and asks what you make of the discovery of the body and the fact that the ship is now part of the "billion-credit treasure-hunt".

[BackworldTraveller]

Nalani

As you head down, you come across Assana, sat in the restaurant. She waves feebly.

[The Bindoner]

Nalani

As you head down, you come across Assana, sat in the restaurant. She waves feebly.

Nālani is genuinely delighted to see Assana and immediately heads toward her with a broad smile.

Assana dear! So good to see you. How are you? And your Mother?

Sitting at the table, leaning in to speak confidentially:

I must thank you for the warning about the police, that is a favour I must repay. Our friend, that you threw through a door, I think you saved her life a second time with that call.

straightening up she resumes a conversational volume and a tone like telling the punch line to an anecdote: She was so surprised to get a message from you too! You will have to tell me how you made the connection.

I must go to the Queen to see if I have a place aboard her. What are you doing today? If you like you could come with me. The ship is in a sad state though, perhaps you ought not see her yet.

[Bluetongue]

Arnwulf

"Well the ship has been fully secured by the navy these last four years. And the local police are investigating dockers for minor ship infringements.

Everything else is fake news and hearsay."

He shrugs some off the cuff remarks and points the lady in the direction of the bay reception.

So I responded to the recruiting message. Was the expectation Arnwulf would suit up in his Vacc and enter the ship or the shareholder meeting / crew recruit was being done in the bay?

[BackworldTraveller]

[You will have to tell me how you made the connection.

"Oh!" she answers, "When we fell through the door she dropped it and I got her number before I put it back.

Can I have your number? I'd like to see your cat."

I must go to the Queen to see if I have a place aboard her. What are you doing today? If you like you could come with me. The ship is in a sad state though, perhaps you ought not see her yet.

"Can I ask you a question?"

and carries on. assuming she can.

"Is Jinga in trouble? - He and mum had an awful row and he said he had to go and see the police this morning. Is he going to Jail?"

And then she natters on about the Cat - What is it called? Is it a He or a She? Is it soft? Isn't it dangerous with those teeth and claws? Lemi has a Salamander, but that isn't very friendly and is neither warm nor soft. But it does keep down the station's crawlers.

[joertexas]

... "Please inform the XO that I'm here, if you haven't done so already."

Pranit will head to where the Captain is, Captain, I have a tentative schedule. Your introductory speech at onset including your ideas on how to crew the chip and pay structure, assign crew slots. We had a sewage line break at 4am, its patched for now, Reven is handling it. Also we need a skin walk, I was looking at Nālani to head that. What other items would you like to cover today?

Indrani thinks for a moment. "We need to discuss how we will raise the money for repairs and refurbishment. That all is probably enough for this meeting."

[Bluetongue]

Arnwulf

sorry if I misunderstood your meeting messages.

After arriving in the bay he contacts Pranit to let him know he has arrived and anticipating that further inspection work and various mechanical tasks will still need to go ahead, preps his Vacc Suit.

Going through the protocols to enter the ship, he arrives on the crew deck. He greets everyone present.

"I hope my work yesterday served as a good practical in lieu of demonstrating service skills. I know you are organising a new crew and seeking certain specialities. I can deputise most roles as needed but I have no particular seat-on-the-bridge ambitions.

I understand you can't guarantee things until the Queen is able to actually fly so I am happy to sign on as session labour until then. If things work out then base me in engineering or the cargo details, wherever your need is. Otherwise pay me off for the labour.

You know I termed four years on Yolanda's Hope with Nalani so she can vouch I can handle a spanner as well as a gun and pilot craft as well as shoot them down."

He sniffs the air and the aroma of sewage.

"I can handle a bucket and spade too."

[ateno]

Indrani thinks for a moment. "We need to discuss how we will raise the money for repairs and refurbishment. That all is probably enough for this meeting."

"Sounds good,

In a quieter voice
"We have access to about 140K in the Queens accounts, so we are alright for the short term.
We can probably cover everything to get her out of the berthing except he sensor upgrades.

"I was going to cover lunch for everyone today off those funds, and I was hoping we could get sometime at a bar with the crew after dinner. First ones on me."

After the chat with Indrani, Pranit will research minimum crew positions on the CSR (Code of Space Regulations) for operating this ship. He will ask Queen to summarize if the bureaucratic code is to difficult with a admin-1 skill.

[BackworldTraveller]

The crew regulations are simple - You must have a registered Captain, a qualified Pilot, a qualified Astrogator and a qualified Engineer. They could all be the same person.

One person should be the designated Bridge Officer at all times the ship is in free space - but there is no regulation that says they have to be awake - just on call to respond within 60 seconds of an alarm being sounded!

The ship, however, must be insured for injury to passengers should it carry any, and if it has employees must have insurance against claims by them too.

[joertexas]

Indrani pops out of her cabin, where she's been making a list of things to buy - including cleaning products and tools. "Good morning, Arnwulf." She listens as he speaks, and then she smiles and nods. "We will discuss the crew assignments at the meeting, but I don't see why you wouldn't be welcomed aboard. Honestly, we certainly have room, and work, enough for all of us."

Before the meeting, Indrani cleans and straightens the crew area as much as she can. At 1000, she's ready and waiting for everyone at the crew area table. She seats herself at the middle of the table, not at the end.

[The Bindoner]

"Oh!" she answers, "When we fell through the door she dropped it and I got her number before I put it back.

Can I have your number? I'd like to see your cat."
The Bindoner wrote: ↑Tue Dec 08, 2020 10:48 pmI must go to the Queen to see if I have a place aboard her. What are you doing today? If you like you could come with me. The ship is in a sad state though, perhaps you ought not see her yet.

Appreciatively, with a grin: Clever girl! And of course you can have my number.

Nālani offers her mobile for a wifi “handshake”. Once the connection is made she transfers an image of Hoshiko curled up in the Vac Suit helmet.

"Can I ask you a question?"

and carries on. assuming she can.

"Is Jinja in trouble? - He and mum had an awful row and he said he had to go and see the police this morning. Is he going to Jail?"

And then she natters on about the Cat - What is it called? Is it a He or a She? Is it soft? Isn't it dangerous with those teeth and claws? Lemi has a Salamander, but that isn't very friendly and is neither warm nor soft. But it does keep down the station's crawlers.

I am afraid I do not know whether Jinja is in trouble. I imagine not, he was with the police yesterday, they probably just need to hear his report on what he saw then. Was the argument about the police? Perhaps they fought over something else and the meeting with the police is a coincidence. But... Has he been visiting the Queen while it was in dock? Before yesterday I mean?


Hoshiko is a she, and she is very soft, and warm. With sharp bits. She would be happy to show you both sides.

She is terribly dangerous, a killer with countless victims. Ah! But do not fear, she only slays those miscreants who steal into our home bent on pillage and despoilment.

I have never seen a real Salamader, what are they like?

[Monsieur Rose]

They're talking about Jinja, right? Not Jusu, the dead scientist?

[BackworldTraveller]

Oops - Yep Jinga: Jusu is definitely way beyond "In Trouble"

[The Bindoner]

Nice catch, I missed that. I'll edit my post, then we can delete this discussion and history will not record the glitch

[BackworldTraveller]

Assana brings up a picture on her phone


Not going to be friends with Hoshiko. And wiggly.

No - He didn't go near it - Or never mentioned it.

But when he heard it was being released he seemed worried - and then he had a big row with mum and...I hope he doesn't head off like dad. I try not to get in the way of him but he's sooooo annoying!

Why is Noor hiding out? - I mean I'd hide if someone was trying to kill me - but why are they trying to kill her? She must have seriously does something bad. One of the kids said there was another break in at the hotel last night and one of the guards got shot - They broke into a room and shot the people in there. Wasn't a robbery. Were they after Noor again? Do you think they'll come after Jijga? or Mum? or Dad? I mean they've chased Noor over half the system.

Can I see Hoshiko before you go?

[The Bindoner]

Ah! I do not think I would be friends with a Salamander either.

We are not using the name Noor now, we never know who is listening. What shall we call her instead? Something we will both remember.

Anyway, I do not know why people are trying to kill her, but I think it must have something to do with the Queen. I do not believe in coincidences.

I have not heard about this break in, or the shootings. I have a machine that keeps out all noise so I can sleep. That is concerning. I doubt your family are in danger though. Whatever she has, they do not.

I am afraid I have an important meeting on the Queen to get to. I should already have left, my taxi is waiting with Mr Goren Lugerson in it. When I return I will be glad to introduce you to Hoshiko. If your mother gives permission you can come with us.

[BackworldTraveller]

Assana

To Nalani

Mum says I can come and see your cat. Ping me please when you are free. Can I bring Chloe too?

[The Bindoner]

That depends, who is Chloe?

I will be back sometime this evening, I will let you know when I am arriving and Hoshiko can greet us together. She will like that.