Chapter 10: Year 300, Days 7 and 8

[TheFallenSon]

Thacho took the proffered hand and shook. He nodded to the escort when the search was brought up and pointed to the bag.

“Sir, My Sophie is in the rifle bag. Only weapon I have. Feel free to check I understand you folks have had rough trouble recently. They said your pilot dropped a hangar door on a ship that was causing you trouble. Said you were boarded as well. That normal, sir?”


He slipped back into the comfortable sweater that was Rank. This was the XO, his word was generally as good as the commanders. Looked the part. Boded well. He readied him self for the quick pat.

After the search he turned back to his escort and grabbed his bag.
“Thanks for the tip on the New Fijians. Good luck out here!”

He nodded to the Captain.
“Ma’am.”

And followed Pranit deeper into the ship.

[The Bindoner]

Nālani watches the prospective new crewman arrive, then, when he passes through to meet Noor, turns to Indrani and Pranit: I very much appreciate the meal, it is a good idea for the crew to relax together. However. I am warned that the ship, and several of the crew, are still targets. The Queen herself has been subverted and is ringing an unknown number for an unknown reason. I am not comfortable. I will go and disconnect the computer from the comms array, and ask Assana to trace the number for me. Perhaps I will join you at the restaurant later, if I can arrange trusted guards.

[joertexas]

Nālani watches the prospective new crewman arrive, then, when he passes through to meet Noor, turns to Indrani and Pranit: I very much appreciate the meal, it is a good idea for the crew to relax together. However. I am warned that the ship, and several of the crew, are still targets. The Queen herself has been subverted and is ringing an unknown number for an unknown reason. I am not comfortable. I will go and disconnect the computer from the comms array, and ask Assana to trace the number for me. Perhaps I will join you at the restaurant later, if I can arrange trusted guards.

"That's good thinking," Indrani replies. "You do need to be at the meeting. We also need an RF-impervious bag to hold our electronics when we meet. Can you bring one?"

[ateno]

.....They said your pilot dropped a hangar door on a ship that was causing you trouble. Said you were boarded as well. That normal, sir?”

"The air raft was more like a scrape, I was told we could still paint one on our hull. Boarded, yes. regular troops out on the hull causing trouble supported by a veteran sniper team, the professionals came up from the bottom deck, Luckily we were able to stop them with only one casualty.

<pause>

"But that's in the past. We will wait for Ms. Noor to officially begin, but in the meantime tell me about your military experience and any navel experience you have had,."

Pranit

[TheFallenSon]

“Fought in the Third Crater war, did almost eight years in the suck. Was a member of the 11th Compañía Pionera, combat engineer. Trained in demo, ordinance disposal, and the like. Received battlefield promotions a couple of times. Got stuck in at Faith for the whole siege. My platoon did the amphibious assault on the beaches with the marines. We cleared the landings for the push on the city. Did a lot of fighting. Left Service as a Corporal. It was a messy thing, but they paid me to blow things up. Can’t complain too much. Taught me who I really was. I’m the fella that likes to fight. Give me a target, a task, a mission. I can guarantee I will succeed if I don’t die in the attempt.”

He tried to keep his response as professional sounding as possible. Not everyone responded well to his war stories. He needed this job. Best to seem professional.

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor

"I completely understand, Nālani. Just something to think about. But as you say, if these are years old, the embarrassment may have worn off by now. I, for one, look back on things in my past with little regret. Especially after all this. My only concern is trying to piece together what Hebden was running."

Noor loses track of time cataloging the new interesting odds and ends. "Hebden had what role again? All this looks like scientific equipment." She looks up and notices the time.

She goes to meet Thacho and Pranit. "Ah. Sorry about the delay. You must be Thacho. Good to meet you. I will leave matters of background and capability up to the much more qualified XO here. What I want to know is, how do you know Marc? And what has he told you about this job?"

[BackworldTraveller]

All
The crew-deck of the Queen isn't looking at it's best. As Thaco enters, he's aware of two patches that have clearly been recently welded over holes and still require grinding down - one in the back of the lift-shaft and one in the floor below it. From his experience with explosives, he'd guess that someone let off a thermite charge.

The paintwork is marred in several places by ricochets, and even a couple of bullet holes! The coffee-maker is clearly new - the box in which it arrived is stacked in the air-lock along with the smashed remains of its predecessor and various The place has been scrubbed, but the presence of some spots that look slightly cleaner than others suggests the removal of various unwanted stains. Some of the floorplates are slightly warped, but the cupboard doors all seem in good order - someone has fixed those well.

Unexpectedly, there is a young girl aboard - staring as you pass before disappearing into the best decorated stateroom - a simple Okami aesthetic that is surprisingly elegant. Less unexpected is the presence of a Cat on the table, staring at you with an intensity not an iota less than that of the teenager.

[TheFallenSon]

Anastacio took in the damaged area. Someone was really trying to kill them. Thermite burns…and repaired deck plates. When he considered that for just a moment before the teen walked through. Had she been here for all of that? Interesting.

What the hell was…was that a cat?

He brought his attention back to the XO, then Mrs En-Sabah.

“I did some remodeling work on Mr Bezant’s house. Sheet rock and a bit of cabinetry. We shared a coffee and empanadas most mornings, making small talk before the rest of the work crew showed up. We both had stories to tell, and became friends. He only said you needed a protector. That your path was full of danger, and that I would find a purpose keeping you safe. He said you would be able to make big changes, and that I could be part of something bigger again…and to be frank, that Sophie and I would get our fill of combat if we signed on here.”

[ateno]

"Mr. Gonzalez, I believe that you would be a member of the crew, hired as a bodyguard for Mrs. En-Sabah and ships troop. So assuming you meet the standards, one of the first things you would have to do is qualify in a vacc suit. Unless I misunderstood, you don't have any of that experience. I assume you have proof of education and quals."

Pranit

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor

"I believe that is the understanding, yes Pra..XO." She sighs and motions to the area. "I still can't believe this is my life now. For the last few weeks, even. That's kind of Marc to say those things, I'll have to remind him of them next time."

"What bigger thing were you part of before? And who is Sophie?" She asks while looking around for another cat.

[TheFallenSon]

“Of course.”

He moved to dig in his duffle. He pulled out a set or two of clothes while searching for his discharge paperwork.

“I left out a bit of my background earlier, it is pertinent now. I attended the Colegio de Heroes in Llamas…and received protected operations training. It was modified for hazardous environments, but did involve simulated vacuum training. I had mentioned being part of those landings earlier. My unit was suited and entered the shore from under the water as part of a night infiltration. We disabled tank traps and minefields ahead of the big push, but…ya know after the shelling. Ah here it is.”

He hands over a data chit/disk/stick and a slightly bent and ruffles folder.

“Those are my digital files and as many original copies of my military orders, citations, y training certificates I have left.”

He turned to Noor to answer her questions.

“Llamas and New Earth. It was my duty to protect the planet from New Heaven’s aggressions…and Sophie…well I’ll just show her to you. Sir, is it ok for me to open my bag?”

He addressed Pranit as he moved to the bag holding Sophie. He intended to give a quick presentation on her abilities and what have you…but you know weapon on deck with a stranger, best to get permission.

[ateno]

Swiveling the chair
Mrs. En-Sabah, his explanation of the contact is correct?

Assuming it is.

Swivling back.

"You may, only your dominate hand half way between the front sight and trigger assembly, if you please.

Pranit

[TheFallenSon]

Anastacio removed Sophie from her case. She is a heavily modified Accelerator Rifle. It was once a CitzensArms S-18, but has been heavily modified. the It has an integrated scope, various railing systems for additional components a spread across the frame. A person knowledgeable in weapon systems would note the computational upgrades added to the frame and integrated scope. The stock has a title “Diosa De Las Estrellas” scrawled be a the a stylized pin up of a Llamain (sp?) Officer.

“This is Sophie. She kept me safe through my whole time I’m the Crater. She a modified S-18, Smart, running C.A.T.S. and simple security. As stated she is secure and will only fire if the correct arming sequence is initiated before combat. The art was done by a friend of mine from from my time in service. She’s reliable and has saved my life more than a few times.”

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor

"Come on, Pranit, you make me feel old. And you know full well that I never married." She shakes her head at the overly formal process but smiles while doing so. "His story confirms what I know. And as much as this process is alien to me, I trust that you know what is important in security."

"I was thinking that I would move into L1, and we could make P4 into a bodyguard/staff suite. Maybe split it into two singles, while turning the sitting room of L1 into a proper office for when we are docked." She shakes her head yet again. "But I get ahead of ourselves. Please, continue 'vetting' Anastacio."

[BackworldTraveller]

Noor

"I was thinking that I would move into L1, and we could make P4 into a bodyguard/staff suite. Maybe split it into two singles, while turning the sitting room of L1 into a proper office for when we are docked."

Assana
Hey, does that mean I get my own room?

Just when Assana re-joined the conversation seems to have passed everyone by, but she seems to have worked out the possibilities of Noor moving downstairs and taking her bodyguard with her!

[ateno]

"We will need copies of your quals, of course."

Pranit thinks a bit.

"do you have any experience in actual body guarding, Civilian situational awareness, etc. Do you lave any lasting mental effects from combat? I know these seem a bit personal, but if your going to have a job protecting someone, we need to know we can count on you."

Pranit

[TheFallenSon]

“Yeah, I ran close protection for several unscrupulous businessmen, small time politicians, and what have you. Based on the general types of work they were involved with, those names in particular won’t do me much good here. They would deny I everything about me. There is one big time client I covered for a couple years. Don Bolzeria. Playboy millionaire. I kept him safe on all his wild and unnecessarily complicated adventures. He’s down in Touchdown.”

“As for the idea of Post Traumatic Stress. Well, honestly I’m good. I don’t get nightmares, don’t jump at large booms or bangs. Nothing about fire works or anything like that. Figure I made it out pretty ok. Besides having a particular taste for a good dust up? I’m doing good.”

“I’m one of the best shots you’ll ever meet. I’m good with my hands, did a bit of prize fighting when I worked with Don. Can work a crew serve, I’m quick, I’m quiet, and as strong as an ox. The army did a bit of tinkering with my muscles. I can read a room pretty well and I’m quick to learn.”

He sat back a bit, then as an after thought.

“I’m good with kids too, I worked at a daycare, well summer camp, before the academy. Most of my clients have liked that in the past. I saw you had a teenager on board.”

[ateno]

"Well don't tell her anything you don't want searched for, as somehow she is the new owner of the hogh class hacking machine that was owned by the pirates that boarded us. You seem like you fit the job, I will check you references and your quals, and unless Ms. Noor has anything to say, I think we are done?

Pranit

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor

She smiles as he rattles off a series of interesting jobs. "I know Don. Well, sort of. I'm sure that was a really fun time."

"Assana is part of the crew as far as I am concerned. She had my back during the fight and held her own, plus she was invaluable in more ways than one. She earned that deck. And I'm sure she's already looked you up."

Noor turns to Pranit. "I'm good. I can't formally welcome you as crew, but I think things will work out nicely." She stands and offers her hand. "It sounds like we are going out this evening, so even if there is some unseen complication for hiring you on as crew, I'd like to retain you as security for this evening. Will that be ok with you both?"

[TheFallenSon]

Don was a unique sort.

Anastacio nodded, then turned to XO Pranit. He waited for his marching orders.