Chapter Three: North Pole City

[Stirling]

Tiberius

"I know you love me because I don't take 'no' for an answer and think outside the box.

Of course you can't make the fell reach of Nepenthe druglords go away. But I am sure that through payment, services rendered, prisoner exchange, bribery, blackmail or just good old 'you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours' reciprocal favouritism, local Mafiosa can be encouraged to withdraw from sanctioning Noor.

FFS, it is an open carry society. Pay a couple of dozen plasma equipped thugs to line the street outside the hotel in a show of force while laying flowery wreaths as a carpet for Noor to tread upon.

Or put out a media line that her twin sister has a dozen tribute acts appearing 'at a planet near you' with a rumour Noor is actually one of the cast in disguise.

We can be as proactive in protecting Noor as she wants. Two days ago some desk bunny in a suit told me Noor was a ghost that couldn't possibly be here. Well confirm his view.

As Noor is not a suspect of any crimes, she has no reason to be subject to rendition to any planetary states or agree to any voluntary police interviews. She should be able to walk around free of any fear of governmental clutches.

I am going back to reasoning why any research into FLT theory should be the focus of the QoTB crew. We are a tramp free trader hauling cargo and passengers across stellar routes. Why should it matter to us wether 'the Belt Navy' or 'New Heaven Broadcasting' or 'Nepenthe Spacecraft' have first dibs on discovered technology?

Whoever wants the ship and by default the crew, to investigate their own theories and trails of FLT Eureka discoveries, can simply commission us to research on their behalf. At a cost ... $4Mcr upfront and a further payment and equal dividend in any discoveries discovered.

Would New Earth Government like first refusal on that offer? Perhaps I can place it before shareholders tomorrow for unanimous agreement? "

[BackworldTraveller]

Tansu
How about the Media...There must be an angle where you can get the company to dig into what is behind your mum's assassination? Or, if you don't trust the company as a whole, one of the editors or reporters. Maybe waggle "Prize Winning Material" under their nose?

Obviously they prefer information for nothing, but family security should count for something (or do you think you family are in on it? With Amena gone as family-head, who gets the power now?).

[Stirling]

Tiberius

"Great. Sounds like you took all I said in and have got it covered.

Tansu, it's your bed, Noor you get the sofa. And I have work to do in time for tomorrow."

He says his good nights and goodbyes and leaves for the Hotel Paradiso.

[BackworldTraveller]

Tiberius
Recon or streetwise roll please

[Stirling]

Tiberius

Tiberius. Streetwise check leaving apartment [2d6+1] = 5+1 = 6

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor aka Sam

Noor sits, trying to take all of the supposition in.

Before he leaves, Noor addresses some of Tiberius' concerns. "I forgot how you worked Tibs. Always putting everything on the board, finding links where you can and tossing up thoughts as they came. It seemed to work for you. I need more order, more permanent marker." She smiles at the recollection of better times.

"Twelve million credits isn't something to laugh at, I know. If I had everything tied into one ship, especially this ship, I would be concerned as well. I didn't want any of this, you know. Watching my mother's head explode in front of me, hearing the yells and shouts of the killers as they came for me. Hearing as Alexa tries to hold them off, watching her get shot through the door."

"I ran. Trying to get somewhere else, trying to survive. I remembered the Queen when I heard it would be released, and thought I could get aboard to escape for a while and get back to Sapphire.

"Finding out that this may all be because of the investigation my mother was running, and the notes I have is shocking. My mother had diplomatic immunity and look what happened. I have diplomatic immunity and look at what's happening. Tansu is right, someone big and powerful is behind this. And I know big and powerful people don't get involved for mere tramp freighters or hearsay. The notes and surrounding chaos indicate a link between my family, the Queen, Jusu, the billion credits, and the FTL engine.

I can't make the crew of the Queen want to be involved, but they already are. Until the money or that engine is found, they and I are targets, like it or not. Powerful people don't give up and walk away because I say I know nothing. The only way out of this is to move forward and find them first. Part of a billion credits or a working FTL drive would make it worth anyone's time.

I'll see what I can do to post funds for repair and launch. It appears the Queen has been destined for other things. If you are only interested in running cargo, you may want to take Mr. Maputo up on his offer to buy you out."

She turns to Tansu after he leaves.

"I'd gladly take you up on your offer to check out those corporate records." Noor shifts into action mode.

"I need to find out who this Ulysses is. Also that Angela Hilbert person. I need to track down Junga and Raoul, they may be in danger, that Lopez fellow appears quite dangerous. I'll contact my father and Anne to setup an interview. You mentioned the councillor of the belt, let's look into Adok a bit closer. He was always too ambitious for my taste.


Noor starts by looking into her mother's will and who is trying to fill her seat. She reluctantly looks into her sister's movements and financials.

[BackworldTraveller]

Tiberius

The walk, train ride and walk back to the Hotel takes you through quiet streets. The area around Tansu's is its usual quiet self with the occasional body returning to its hole. The Hyper is quiet - just two people in the carriage, and the trains are just one or two pods long now - with freight pods passing fairly regularly in between. Getting off at the Plaza, the trip is again quiet - even the watchers of earlier in the day have vanished. As your arrive in the lobby, the receptionist notes your presence and comes out to greet you. It appears that someone has left you a message. A card. Inspector Jai Madhri. (Contact details on the back).

Maybe tomorrow?

[BackworldTraveller]

Noor aka Sam
Noor starts by looking into her mother's will and who is trying to fill her seat. She reluctantly looks into her sister's movements and financials.

Looking into The Will means contacting the family's lawyers. And while Raawiya's itintery is intermittently public and planned months (if not years) in advance there are private gaps and obfuscations needed to avoid the paparazzi. You could sketch out a timeline, but getting beyond that without using your inside access is going to be tricky. Sadly, your day's researches capped off by the first real safety for a week overcome your intention and you find that the land of nod has overtaken you.