Chapter Eight: Breakfast on the Queen

[BackworldTraveller]

... and I think we have better things to do than mop and wipe.[/dialog]

And that is why the ship employs the assistant to the deputy third under-steward...Oh no - that post remains vacant!

AKA cleaning robots.

Which item is missing per earlier note from the queen

[ateno]

Pranit, do we have disposable drying wipes?

Turning back to Pranit: I have disabled the malfunctioning humidifier in P1, but the room is saturated and the device needs repair or replacement. The whole deck is in need of deep cleaning, and I think we have better things to do than mop and wipe. It is only a days work for professionals, half a day for a team, if we have the funds I recommend hiring them.

"I agree, let me see if I can talk the Captain into it. Let me know before you go out so I can safety watch""

Pranit leaves Nālani to goes to the P1 cabin level and take a couple videos, heads to eng to find the captain and asks to hire a star ship cleaning crew for the once over.

"I'll get three quotes and run herd on them."

Pranit

[joertexas]

And that is why the ship employs the assistant to the deputy third under-steward...Oh no - that post remains vacant!

AKA cleaning robots.

Which item is missing per earlier note from the queen

Indrani holds up her dishpan hands. "Yes, I know

[joertexas]

Pranit leaves Nālani to goes to the P1 cabin level and take a couple videos, heads to eng to find the captain and asks to hire a star ship cleaning crew for the once over.

"I'll get three quotes and run herd on them."

Pranit

"Oh, please! I'd be willing to pay for them myself! Indrani grins at Pranit. "Better at the job is more desirable than cheaper. And none of those who are all girls in skimpy outfits, either.

[BackworldTraveller]

Pranit leaves Nālani to goes to the P1 cabin level and take a couple videos, heads to eng to find the captain and asks to hire a star ship cleaning crew for the once over.

"I'll get three quotes and run herd on them."

Pranit

"Oh, please! I'd be willing to pay for them myself! Indrani grins at Pranit. "Better at the job is more desirable than cheaper. And none of those who are all girls in skimpy outfits, either.

Do you want them in today or whenever?

[The Bindoner]

by ateno » Fri Feb 26, 2021 4:13 pm

"I agree, let me see if I can talk the Captain into it. Let me know before you go out so I can safety watch""

Nālani addresses the surveyor: Apologies Mr Kassel, I am not dressed for the occasion. I will suit up as quickly as possible and join you.

She picks up her package and carries it into C2, where her suit stands in its case ready for use. Going through the familiar routine she is soon ready and joins Mark at the airlock. Suit Check?

Over crew comm: Pranit, we are preparing to cycle the lock.

[BackworldTraveller]

Mr Kassel & Nalani
While heading to the airlock on the Freezer-deck to allow external access

Can you please inform the Captain that my colleague will be arriving with the inspection raft shortly...It will make access so much easier and considerably safer. Once we complete the exterior checks we can do the internal ones. I note that the atmosphere in here is a bit off. One item for the dilapidations report. But the crew area is considerably tidier than it was.


===================================================

Maggie (with Indrani)
The tour about the ship allows Maggie to see some of the issues that need addressing - not an ideal starting point. Some of the damage took considerable effort. Cutting the safe door open would have been a major effort taking hours if not days. However, the engineering space is neat and some start has been made getting the damaged workshop back into some form of working order.

The Cargo Hold has a scattering of parts for a laser weapon and various munitions cases neatly stacked...the fact that the vessel is potentially armed comes as a surprise. Have you got yourself tied to a Pirate? Belters can be a bit lax, but military grade offensive weapons aren't usually that widespread. They normally go for modified mining lasers - and those didn't look like modified anythings.

At least one of the crew (Arnwulf) spoke with a Touchdown City accent. His story might be interesting. But that can be talked over later.

Still, it's a ship and it's probably worth better than nothing. Leaving Iwate the apartment though, that may have been a financial mistake! (On the plus side, apartments don't fly).

[ateno]

Pranit leaves Nālani to goes to the P1 cabin level and take a couple videos, heads to eng to find the captain and asks to hire a star ship cleaning crew for the once over.

"I'll get three quotes and run herd on them."

Pranit

"Oh, please! I'd be willing to pay for them myself! Indrani grins at Pranit. "Better at the job is more desirable than cheaper. And none of those who are all girls in skimpy outfits, either.

Smiling, OK boss, you got it.
Pranit begins looking at cleaning specalists, looking for cleaners, not murder clean up crews and with good reliable reputations. He decides on 'Ship Shape', 'BuffAGCorp Cleaning' and 'Captian Matties cleaning crew and sends a request for quote for immediate start.

by ateno » Fri Feb 26, 2021 4:13 pm
Over crew comm: Pranit, we are preparing to cycle the lock.

"Roger, give me 2 to get to the bridge."

Later.

"Roger, you are cleared for exterior walk with one guest."

[The Bindoner]

Over crew comm: Pranit, we are preparing to cycle the lock.
"Roger, give me 2 to get to the bridge."

Later.

"Roger, you are cleared for exterior walk with one guest."

Thank you Pranit. Please advise the Queen and Captain Mr Kassel has a colleague inbound with a grav-raft to assist the survey. slipping into Belter Finally get to look at those thrusters, yah?

Mr Kassel & Nalani
While heading to the airlock on the Freezer-deck to allow external access

Can you please inform the Captain that my colleague will be arriving with the inspection raft shortly...It will make access so much easier and considerably safer. Once we complete the exterior checks we can do the internal ones. I note that the atmosphere in here is a bit off. One item for the dilapidations report. But the crew area is considerably tidier than it was.

To Mark: We are working on the structure and systems first, the decor is last in line. It is going to take some time to clear up the mess the Port Authority let our Queen get into. They were supposed to look after the ship, but it has been degraded in their care. We intend to pursue the Port and Navy for restitution. Your survey is part of our evidence, so do not think we want a free pass. All faults that have occurred since the ship was boarded must be recorded.

[BackworldTraveller]

Nalani & The Surveyors
The survey is meticulous, and the air-raft comes with ultrasonic scanners to test the hull integrity. It doesn't take long for the surveyors to find an issue...

Hmm - the explosion from the missile whip-lashed the vessel. See here? Mr Kassel points to a black line on his scanner. The ship was lock that the entire aft section behind the cargo deck didn't fall off. That whole join between the cargo deck and engineering on this side needs to have a reinforcing bar welded in. That's about 10% of the hull integrity right there! He directs his colleague to head round the vessel so he can check the side between the ship and the dock.

Damn...Henri - Back this up and put the ship between us and that. Did you see that?

Nalani isn't sure what there was

On the side under the cargo hold? You didn't. Well someone really doesn't like you.

He pulls out a phone.

[Bluetongue]

Arnwulf

"I have a contact merchant who has mercantile and scrapyard here. A grizzly vet Colonel, retired now spending his time bastardizing spares and repairs from auction lots. He might have toolkits and manuals on the missiles and possibly a couple of day jobbers for labour.

I was figuring a morning there might get us stuff to shorten the labouring time."

He addresses the Captain.


"I made the suggestion at the start of the crew meeting. But if others are intent on manhandling the lasers and missiles into the gun turrets themselves then that suggestion looks a bit redundant.

So would you prefer that as ship Navigator, I keep on with trawling through backlogs of the ship journeys. It might save Nalani a job as she is busy on a space walk. What specifically do you hope to find? I can cross check the previous cargo manifests with navigational points and perhaps give you a paper trail of what cargo we supposedly hauled from A to B and upon what dates. But if the Queen was, well is, a convicted smuggling ship, then covert details are going to be hidden.

If I am looking up that stuff, which is historical. I would like to know why and what use that information will be in the future."

[The Bindoner]

Nalani & The Surveyors

Damn...Henri - Back this up and put the ship between us and that. Did you see that?

Nalani isn't sure what there was

On the side under the cargo hold? You didn't. Well someone really doesn't like you.

He pulls out a phone.

Nālani doesn't hide her concern, and her accent slips What you find? There a bomb?

Regaining her composure she opens the crew comm channel: Captain, we have a problem. Stand by for details.

[joertexas]

Arnwulf

He addresses the Captain.


"I made the suggestion at the start of the crew meeting. But if others are intent on manhandling the lasers and missiles into the gun turrets themselves then that suggestion looks a bit redundant.

So would you prefer that as ship Navigator, I keep on with trawling through backlogs of the ship journeys. It might save Nalani a job as she is busy on a space walk. What specifically do you hope to find? I can cross check the previous cargo manifests with navigational points and perhaps give you a paper trail of what cargo we supposedly hauled from A to B and upon what dates. But if the Queen was, well is, a convicted smuggling ship, then covert details are going to be hidden.

If I am looking up that stuff, which is historical. I would like to know why and what use that information will be in the future."

Indrani raises an eyebrow at his astringent tone. "I never said I was going to manhandle anything, as you put it. What I will do is ensure that we have the parts we need to make the weapons operational. That does not require moving them anywhere."

[joertexas]

Regaining her composure she opens the crew comm channel: Captain, we have a problem. Stand by for details.

"That sounds serious. Are we in danger?" She looks up at the overhead. "Hun, do you have the outside work party on camera?"

[Bluetongue]

Arnwulf

"Well I understood the planning from yesterday was this:

Now:
Bug Hunt: Pranit, Indrani
Survey Supervision: Nalani
Laser Assembly: Arnwulf & Reven
Later:
Contacting Col Sinclair: Arnwulf
Checking out the Port: Reven
Tomorrow:
Trying to get out of bed: Pranit
Morning Coffee: Nalani
Lunch: Indrani
Laser Assembly: Arnwulf (& Reven?)

and made the suggestion to renew acquaintances with a supplier of ex-military hardware and reconditioned scrap. My reasonings behind that as explained. But when you chose to take over that task it leaves me redundant. I have no need to go as you can use your skills over a few days to combine the armaments.

That is why I asked if you would prefer to use my Navigation skills to continue exploring the archives and to update the present navigational systems. What area of responsibility do you want to assign me?"

[joertexas]

Arnwulf

"Well I understood the planning from yesterday was this:

Now:
Bug Hunt: Pranit, Indrani
Survey Supervision: Nalani
Laser Assembly: Arnwulf & Reven
Later:
Contacting Col Sinclair: Arnwulf
Checking out the Port: Reven
Tomorrow:
Trying to get out of bed: Pranit
Morning Coffee: Nalani
Lunch: Indrani
Laser Assembly: Arnwulf (& Reven?)

and made the suggestion to renew acquaintances with a supplier of ex-military hardware and reconditioned scrap. My reasonings behind that as explained. But when you chose to take over that task it leaves me redundant. I have no need to go as you can use your skills over a few days to combine the armaments.

That is why I asked if you would prefer to use my Navigation skills to continue exploring the archives and to update the present navigational systems. What area of responsibility do you want to assign me?"

As Indrani is about to answer, the call from Nalani comes in.

[SpinwardMarch]

Maggie

Maggie (with Indrani)
The tour about the ship allows Maggie to see some of the issues that need addressing - not an ideal starting point. Some of the damage took considerable effort. Cutting the safe door open would have been a major effort taking hours if not days. However, the engineering space is neat and some start has been made getting the damaged workshop back into some form of working order.

The Cargo Hold has a scattering of parts for a laser weapon and various munitions cases neatly stacked...the fact that the vessel is potentially armed comes as a surprise. Have you got yourself tied to a Pirate? Belters can be a bit lax, but military grade offensive weapons aren't usually that widespread. They normally go for modified mining lasers - and those didn't look like modified anythings.

At least one of the crew (Arnwulf) spoke with a Touchdown City accent. His story might be interesting. But that can be talked over later.

Still, it's a ship and it's probably worth better than nothing. Leaving Iwate the apartment though, that may have been a financial mistake! (On the plus side, apartments don't fly).
(apologies for text color, I was too enthusiastic with the backspace key and erased the link)

The ship is in an interesting condition. It needs much work, but could be restored to a working ship. The weaponry, however, will need explaining. I will enquire into its history, quietly.

I thank you very much, Captain Indrani, for the tour. I see many repairs are needed, but I also see great potential. I will be interested in assisting.

[BackworldTraveller]

Regaining her composure she opens the crew comm channel: Captain, we have a problem. Stand by for details.

"That sounds serious. Are we in danger?" She looks up at the overhead. "Hun, do you have the outside work party on camera?"

Mark Kassel
Yep - Standard Boarding-Charge attached to a box that looks looks a detonator to me! Definitely not standard kit. I'd quite like someone else to play with that.

He shows Nalani his phone and the type of charge he means.

I used to use those when I was in service. Used to make a nice hole - but we'd have an air-lock rigged.

Queen
The survey team is standing off the cargo bay. They were between the power-deck and the dock.

[The Bindoner]

by joertexas » Sat Feb 27, 2021 3:18 am

"That sounds serious. Are we in danger?" She looks up at the overhead. "Hun, do you have the outside work party on camera?"

Nālani replies There is danger, but it is not immanent. A breaching charge is attached to our hull, with some form of detonator box. Do any of you ex-Navy people know how to handle such things?

To Mark Kassel:

Can you give us a clearer image of the box? It might give us a clue about the trigger.

[Bluetongue]

Arnwulf

Okay. So the trip to the mercantile can take place when the armaments are more thoroughly inspected and I have a better idea of what pieces are missing or what adjustments and 'bolt-ons' can be equipped to customise our ship board defences.

So Arnwulf will spend the morning assisting with or taking responsibility for that stuff and shelve any navigation desk work until later.