Chapter 10: Year 300, Days 7 and 8

[ateno]

Anastacio
Oye, amigos! I’m locked outside the airlock. Can some one help me inside?”

"I'll be right there."

Pranit opens the door.

"Anastacio, Captian talked me to get concealable firearms for everyone. I`In space combat trained and boarding team, could you help me send the ships money?

After the responce: "Queen, please acknowledge Anastacio as a tempory crewman until 8:00pm local with clearance for the crew deck, unless with a outer crewman."

GM law level in the statport?

Pranit

[BackworldTraveller]

GM law level in the statport?

Nearer 6 than 5. Concealable firearms socially unacceptable. Long-arms discouraged.

[BackworldTraveller]

After the responce: "Queen, please acknowledge Anastacio as a tempory crewman until 8:00pm local with clearance for the crew deck, unless with a outer crewman."

Queen: Acknowledged. Welcome Aboard. I understand you are called Thako. Can you confirm spelling of your names for the formal record?

[TheFallenSon]

Anastacio

He replied almost sheepishly to Captain Indrani

“Thank you ma’am, I’m still getting used to being on a ship. Didn’t do a lot of the airlock thing ground side.”


XO Pranit surprised him with the offer, but he certainly couldn’t refuse. The smile that crossed Thacho’s face conveyed there were few thing he liked as much as buying weapons.

“I would be more than happy to help you purchase some guns for the ship. Are we re-kitting the entire Armoury? I assume that also means that you are still checking my background?”

He tried to find a camera to address the ship.

“Anastacio Gonzalez, A-N-A-S-T-A-C-I-O…G-O-N-Z-A-L-E-Z. My nickname is Thacho…not Thaco. It is pronounced Thaa-Cho.”

[joertexas]

Anastacio

He replied almost sheepishly to Captain Indrani

“Thank you ma’am, I’m still getting used to being on a ship. Didn’t do a lot of the airlock thing ground side.”

"That's okay," Indrani replies. "We will run you through the basic starship crewman's course. If you need them, we can get you the vacc suit and the zero gee quals, too."

[ateno]

“I would be more than happy to help you purchase some guns for the ship. Are we re-kitting the entire Armoury? I assume that also means that you are still checking my background?”

"Ok, I think we need a smaller weapon, easily hideable, but not made to be a hideaway, AP ammo capabilities, laser sights?

'"Captain, I'm out looking for weapons Thacho

Pranit

[The Bindoner]

Nālani passes, on her way between power junctions: Could you purchase some more ammunition for my machine-pistol? If you can find rounds that are better against armour, that would be useful.

Oh! Yes! I have a new laser pistol too. It takes cartridges. She hurries to her room and returns with the weapon she took from the pirate hacker, and Assana's laser. Some more power cells for it would be nice. Assana's pistol needs a new power pack too, while you are looking.

edit: She smiles at Anastacio: Welcome to the Queen. It is reassuring to have a warrior aboard.

Nālani returns the pistols to her room and goes back to work, isolating the corrupted computer from critical systems.

As she works, she considers what to wear tonight, and how to conceal a secondary pistol.

[TheFallenSon]

Anastacio

Nalani and Pranit

He acknowledged the XO as Nalani moved through the crew area. He nodded his hello.

“I’m Anastacio, but the ships already taken to calling me Thacho. Nice to meet you.”


“I’m not super knowledgeable on those beamers ya got there. I’ve always preferred alloyed steel to do my work. Let me get the make of those and I’m sure we can drum something up”

“It is truly a motley bunch you’ve gathered here, sir. As far as pistols go…Armor Piercing capable. Hmmm. I’m not sure what The Belt has readily available, but I’m sure we could drum up something. Is CitzenArms is available out here most shops will likely carry the pistol that births Sophie’s model of rifle. Solid rounds would be cheaper than outright AP…and honestly if I could get my hands on some SABOT rounds…well. Yeah. I’m giddy as a school kid. Let’s get out there!”

He almost bounced with excitement. Gun stores…was there anything better?

“My brother works up here in the rocks. He’s a veteran same as us…He might know a contact for a good price. I could buzz him while we travel and see if he’s got word on a good dealer.”

[SpinwardMarch]

Maggie

She emerges from her room and is looking at her communicator device.

Captain, we are going to have a visitor. Don't worry, he is my "boss," Cptn. Schultz. He is here to check up on things for the embassy, and may have more information, perhaps about that chip.

Noor, he would like to talk with you, if you are willing.

Oh, hello there, sir! Are you going to be our new crew member?
I am Magdelena Holtz, Captain in the Touchdown Navy, retired, sort of. Here, I am "Maggie," steward, and life support engineer.



She offers her hand to Thacho.

[BackworldTraveller]

Anastacio
“Anastacio Gonzalez, A-N-A-S-T-A-C-I-O…G-O-N-Z-A-L-E-Z. My nickname is Thacho…not Thaco. It is pronounced Thaa-Cho.”

Queen: Welcome aboard. Please restrict yourself to this deck, or I will be forced to take steps and inform the Captain.

“I would be more than happy to help you purchase some guns for the ship. Are we re-kitting the entire Armoury? I assume that also means that you are still checking my background?”

"Ok, I think we need a smaller weapon, easily hideable, but not made to be a hideaway, AP ammo capabilities, laser sights?

'"Captain, I'm out looking for weapons Thacho

Pranit

Queen: We have 1 Accelerator Rifle and 28 Snub-Pistols in the bridge inventory. But only 1 round of ammunition. There is also pistol/SMG ammunition in the Hold.

[cybersavant]

Reven Stiilpahth sends a comms prompt to Pranit. "XO, Reven here. Where do you want me to stow the furniture and stuff from the crate? Oh, and i was wondering if i could get a peek at that Maputo chip. I think i know who is on it." Reven looks at the mass of furniture and assorted items. With help, he could probably get some of it into the passenger quarters.

[The Bindoner]

Anastacio

Nalani and Pranit

He acknowledged the XO as Nalani moved through the crew area. He nodded his hello.

“I’m Anastacio, but the ships already taken to calling me Thacho. Nice to meet you.”


“I’m not super knowledgeable on those beamers ya got there. I’ve always preferred alloyed steel to do my work. Let me get the make of those and I’m sure we can drum something up”

“It is truly a motley bunch you’ve gathered here, sir. As far as pistols go…Armor Piercing capable. Hmmm. I’m not sure what The Belt has readily available, but I’m sure we could drum up something. Is CitzenArms is available out here most shops will likely carry the pistol that births Sophie’s model of rifle. Solid rounds would be cheaper than outright AP…and honestly if I could get my hands on some SABOT rounds…well. Yeah. I’m giddy as a school kid. Let’s get out there!”

He almost bounced with excitement. Gun stores…was there anything better?

“My brother works up here in the rocks. He’s a veteran same as us…He might know a contact for a good price. I could buzz him while we travel and see if he’s got word on a good dealer.”

Thacho. Nālani pronounces it carefully, then repeats it more confidently: Thacho, I forgot to ask, could you buy magazines for my machine-pistol? I only have a couple of short magazines that came with it, because I never expected to need more, but in the fight earlier I needed to change magazines, and feared running out. I would like some more shorts, and several thirty-round magazines, if you can find them. Wait.

She dashes back to her room and hurries back with an empty magazine and some small, roundish... buns? Daifuku, to say welcome. Assana eats too many, I will need to order more anko soon.

[ateno]

Thacho

“My brother works up here in the rocks. He’s a veteran same as us…He might know a contact for a good price. I could buzz him while we travel and see if he’s got word on a good dealer.”

"If you feel that is the way to go, lets go say hello."

Nālani

Could you purchase some more ammunition for my machine-pistol? If you can find rounds that are better against armour, that would be useful.

Oh! Yes! I have a new laser pistol too. It takes cartridges. .... Some more power cells for it would be nice. Assana's pistol needs a new power pack too, while you are looking.

"We will add them to the list, but I am not sure that the ship will cover it, either let me use your money or get clearance from the Captain. OK? Otherwise a few or more clips of machine pistol, I think we can handle.

Queen

"We have 1 Accelerator Rifle and 28 Snub-Pistols in the bridge inventory. But only 1 round of ammunition. There is also pistol/SMG ammunition in the Hold.

"Thank you Queen, I think we will need something with a bit more punch. Turning to Thacho "Think 50 or 100 clips got the pistols is appropriate?

Reven

"XO, Reven here. Where do you want me to stow the furniture and stuff from the crate? Oh, and i was wondering if i could get a peek at that Maputo chip. I think i know who is on it."

"Can we throw them back in the crate for now? Or did unpacking it make it difficult to repack? "We are going to go through all the chips sooner or later, so yes, but record the generalities and and interesting specific information. Thanks

Pranit looks for a transport.

[The Bindoner]

"We will add them to the list, but I am not sure that the ship will cover it, either let me use your money or get clearance from the Captain. OK? Otherwise a few or more clips of machine pistol, I think we can handle.

I have a little cash left, probably sufficient for a cartridge or two and some empty magazines, but not enough for Assana's power pack, I think. I have 500 in cash?

Edit. Which reminds me, I need to talk to Assana. Excuse me.

The daifuko are sticky rice-flour balls filled with sweet red-bean paste filling, rolled in powdered sugar. There are three, so Pranit can have one. Machine made this morning.

[BackworldTraveller]

Thacho manages to get hold of Kurt. He's currently in space chasing down debris flung from the North Pole Spaceport Terrorist Incident. He knows the South Pole quite well and (when asked about gun-stores) recommends that, if you want something fancy; specialist and expensive, the Yacht port will probably be able to provide. If you want stuff that is serviceable and none too fancy then a small store in the Crew-Quarter is a good bet. He reminds you that the South Pole Security are a bit touchy about outsiders carrying armouries - so best get the purchases delivered.

He's also curious. What are you doing on Sparks and why do you need an armoury anyway?

but after a start of an explanation you can hear someone calling him back to the sensors and he has to make excuses...

Look, if you are still there when we get tidied up here, we could meet for a Beer. And if you are in Crew-Quarter keep out of the "Blue Dog" - and Foralie in the "Lords of Space" can see you right if you mention I'm your brother.

[BackworldTraveller]

Pranit looks for a transport.

Summoning a taxi by phone, an electric cart arrives able to seat 4 comfortably. Cr2 per km fixed charge. It has a driver.

(It's actually a quirk of Sparks that Taxis are manually driven - a hang-over from the rate at which the original automated versions were jacked by criminals and pirates)

[TheFallenSon]

Maggie

He took her hand and shook firmly.

”Good to meet you ma’am. Anastacio Gonzalez, former Corporal in the Army of Llamas. I’m signing on as ships crew and Lady En-Sabah’s body guard. Looking forward to taking on my duties aboard ship.”

Nalani

He took a bite of the proffered sweet. His face screwed up for the smallest of seconds. But then mellowed to surprise and delight.

“I’ve never had one of these, pretty good. Tastes like batata.”

Pranit

“Yeah, we should invest in a fair number of magazines for sure.”

Anastacio stepped away for a moment to speak with his brother. The conversation was easy. They hadn’t seen each other in some time. He returned and conveyed the info to the XO. They would likely do their shopping Yacht side.

He then followed the XO out to the taxi.

[cybersavant]

Reven

"XO, Reven here. Where do you want me to stow the furniture and stuff from the crate? Oh, and i was wondering if i could get a peek at that Maputo chip. I think i know who is on it."

"Can we throw them back in the crate for now? Or did unpacking it make it difficult to repack? "We are going to go through all the chips sooner or later, so yes, but record the generalities and and interesting specific information. Thanks

Reven Stiilpahth "Repacking will be difficult. I figured i could move some of the furniture into passenger quarters, if i can rustle up an extra set of arms. Some of the knick-knack bits might be better kept in one of our quarters for now. I'll check the chip when i get some time after cleaning up here and let you you. Reven out." Reven walks over to the ship comm panel and activates it ship-wide. "Any crew onboard not currently engaged in other matters report to the bay. We have some furniture to move to passenger quarters. Thanks." In the meantime, he gathers the chips ( pocketing Anjali's ), packs of cards x4, 24 single chips from long-vanished casinos, a collection of (perhaps) costume jewellery, 82 old betting slips, an expensive looking piece of art-pottery with magnificent green and yellow patterning, Microscope slides with samples in them in a box, An old holoprojector, A hand-written passenger manifest for the "Intrepid?" dated 292-118, a dead flower in a biological carry-case, a small rock marked "2315", and the box of auto-pistol/SMG ammo and sets it all off to the side, to be carried up to his quarters later. Then he creates a pile to take up to the lounge - Kitchen utensils etc., Dinner Service, Old service from the Queen (complete with logo) in the days of Capt. Yamada, a bunch of cheap plastiglass vases - all bubble-wrapped.

[ateno]

As he walks up to the cab, "Crew-Quarters section I guess, is that right Thacho?"

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor

Maggie: "I would be glad to talk to Captain Schultz. If you vouch for him, that should be fine."

Pranit: I'll transfer over five thousand to help cover some expenses at your discretion.

Captain: Remind me to discuss an opportunity I've been presented while at dinner. There's that whole hoopla around the 'Race around the Belt' coming, and they want me to give a speech.

Thacho: There you are. Thanks for the garbage detail. I obviously have to leave anything official for the XO, but I think things should work out. What I need you to start thinking about are our vulnerabilities and exposure. Where the next attack is coming from. I'm also mulling a public appearance in a day or two. I need you to scout the location and devise security.

and finally Reven: Coming! That's a lot of furniture. I'm going to set up an office down in L1, we can use some of this there. She looks at the bubble-wrapped vases and opens one to make sure they are empty. "Just checking.