004: The Mean Streets of Aki

[terrymixon]

The escape from the moon goes just as planned. Roscoe maneuvers the ship out of the large landing bay and shields the ship from detection with the body of the moon itself. The smaller bay containing the Ancients scout ship is to release it as well. Roscoe is also piloting that one but he is doing so in person. After working with the ship for a little bit and consulting with Bilis, he was able to figure out enough of it to keep the smaller vessel under control. He will take the lead while the Lost & Found follows and uses its own hull to block detection of the alien vessel with its stealth hull. Of course, the Ancients ship is also stealth, but one can never be too careful.

The journey to the other system takes a half day and by the time you arrive, Walt is ready to seed the area with debris and wreckage. One of the smaller moons orbiting the gas giant is a prime target for that as it has a lot of rough surface. He places a good amount of it scattered along one prominent crevice and leaves other bits of direct ships and debris across a wide area around the crevice. Perhaps that will be interpreted as a crash site. Roscoe uses your new exotic scanners to take a good hard look at the moon and all of the other bodies around the gas giant but sees nothing.

After the alien ship is put into a distant orbit around the gas giant, Roscoe returns to the Lost & Found and you head toward Aki. The trip there will also take half a day and that gives you an opportunity to do final arrangements of the cargo in the ship and to take advantage of the ability to shrink the vessel and configure the inside to look exactly like it did when you received it. To say the process is spooky is something of an understatement. The walls are almost melting as they slide around and reform. The ship shrinks during that entire process, and it takes roughly half an hour. Not an immediate sort of thing, but very useful.

As you approach the planet and its highport, you get a good look at what you're dealing with and likely take a moment to refresh your memories about the planet itself. Lying one parsec from Glisten, Aki is a heavily populated and highly industrialized world which plays a significant part in the subsector economy. For this reason, its highport is geared towards handling industrial and raw materials cargo rather than passengers and minor freight. Ore ships ply between the port and the system’s planetoid belt, where a significant extraction economy is operated by various companies.

The world is currently Amber Zoned due to a long history of popular unrest, and this does not seem likely to change in the near future. Various schemes intended to relive pressures or distract the populace have produced poor results. The Imperial authorities are not unduly concerned; so long as there is no disruption of the subsector economy the affairs of the planetary population are their own. As a result, the downport and industrial areas tend to be heavily and vigorously policed. Offworlders sometimes wonder why there is an Amber Zone in place since the areas they visit are safe and well-regulated. Straying beyond these zones could result in a rather different experience.

You can read much more in the Library Data for the system: viewtopic.php?p=715776#p715776

As the Travellers approach the highport they get a good impression of its character. The commercial and industrial docks are much bigger than the general freight terminal and there are several bulk freighters present. A guardship from the 100th Fleet is also present as Aki is one of the places the Navy likes to show the flag. If this is the case the vessel is an old destroyer. The world’s own system defense flotilla is rather small, consisting mainly of fighters based out of the highport. These can be spotted roving in pairs to ‘eyeball’ incoming vessels, including yours.

The only other ship of note is a six hundred displacement on Type-M subsidized liner that is just pulling into dock. The transponder lists it as the Glisten Pearl. You note that the ship your targets fled Glisten in is present at the highport. At least the general packet of information indicates the vessel is currently docked there.

You end up waiting almost 30 minutes for docking space to open up as all of the bays were currently occupied. Once you are free to do so, you can slide the ship into the bay and settle down. Roscoe has already paid the berthing fees, and you are free to explore the highport or take a shuttle down to the planet.

Or at least you would be if you didn't notice the hatch leading into your bay opening to allow a familiar figure to walk in. Madam Treegarden stops just inside the bay and puts her hands on her hips as she looks at the ship, shaking her head. Then she heads for the airlock and you receive a signal asking for admittance.

[helvorn]

William will sigh and look to the others. "Roscoe, can you set up coffee and tea service with some biscuits? I'll go get Treegarden. I'm interested in her story. Everyone else make sure we have all the naughty stuff put away." Silencer will head down to the cargo bay and open it. "What a pleasant surprise. What can we do for you? It might be best to enter the question in the ship."

[terrymixon]

William will sigh and look to the others. "Roscoe, can you set up coffee and tea service with some biscuits? I'll go get Treegarden. I'm interested in her story. Everyone else make sure we have all the naughty stuff put away." Silencer will head down to the cargo bay and open it. "What a pleasant surprise. What can we do for you? It might be best to enter the question in the ship."

"Believe it or not, I just arrived on the Glisten Pearl. I hadn't expected to see you at all since you left Glisten three days before I did, but I looked out my cabin window and there was my old ship flying right there. I'm not here for any reason to do with you, but I will talk for a bit if you have the time."

She will head inside and be greeted by Roscoe who was just coming out of the cargo bay. "Madam Treegarden, what an unexpected pleasure. Could I interest you in some tea and cookies that I bakes earlier? Or perhaps coffee. I assure you; everything is quite good."

"I've learned never to sell your food short, Roscoe. Tea and cookies, please."

She looks at the rest of you as she takes a seat. "As I told Mister Larsson, I'm not at Aki because of you. Far from it. I didn't even know you were here, though the fact you left Glisten three days before me but are only just arriving has me curious. No, I'm herding a bunch of Ancient Hunters on a grand tour of the subscector. I can't imagine a bigger waste of my time. I would pay almost anything for a good reason to dump this mess on someone else, but I drew the short straw and have to listen to all the crazies and gas bags like the so-called 'Captain of Knowledge' who is strutting at the head of the Cuckoo parade. And don't worry, Doctor Metz. One of my associates is ready to test a few samples of the coating when you deliver it and pay the agreed upon amount in my stead. I am a woman of my word, and you will be paid promptly and in full."

Roscoe delivers tea/coffee and cookies to everyone, and she continues. "I'd rather not be involved in this expedition, but one can never tell when a crazy theory turns out to be even a little true. That's how discoveries are made. These cookies are divine, Roscoe. Thank you. What about you? Did you have any luck tracking down the two you were after? The one you left me sang like a bird and there are many unpleasant things happening inside the starport security department, primarily to the man who was injured by your cargo and his close associates, which pleases me greatly."

[Thumper]

Walt steps into his stateroom, strips off his shirt and douses his head under the shower. He then times his walk out the door of his room to be seen by Treegarden toweling off his hair and mumbling for the steward bot as to whether his cheap noir suit is pressed yet.

”Uh, well. Ya. What are you doing here? Hey, don’t answer that just yet. Let me go slip on a shirt. Be right back.”

[terrymixon]

Walt steps into his stateroom, strips off his shirt and douses his head under the shower. He then times his walk out the door of his room to be seen by Treegarden toweling off his hair and mumbling for the steward bot as to whether his cheap noir suit is pressed yet.

”Uh, well. Ya. What are you doing here? Hey, don’t answer that just yet. Let me go slip on a shirt. Be right back.”

She doesn't respond other than shaking her head.

[ateno]

"....Did you have any luck tracking down the two you were after? The one you left me sang like a bird and there are many unpleasant things happening inside the starport security department, primarily to the man who was injured by your cargo and his close associates, which pleases me greatly."[/dialog]

"Well good day young lady, how are you. Nice to see you. Sorry to hear about your dog leash problem. How long are you going to be with them?"

Arkar

[terrymixon]

"....Did you have any luck tracking down the two you were after? The one you left me sang like a bird and there are many unpleasant things happening inside the starport security department, primarily to the man who was injured by your cargo and his close associates, which pleases me greatly."[/dialog]

"Well good day young lady, how are you. Nice to see you. Sorry to hear about your dog leash problem. How long are you going to be with them?"

Arkar

"Four months," she said glumly. "Everyone met at Glisten and boarded the Glisten Pearl. Next, as you might rightly guess is Aki, followed by Windsor, Lydia, Pagaton, Binges, Melior, Overnale, and a grand finale back at Glisten. A week in jump and a week at each stop. Most likely a complete and utter waste of time, too. Trust me when I say that after a week with them, spending even a little time with you folk is a relief."

[Tiglath]

"What about you? Did you have any luck tracking down the two you were after? The one you left me sang like a bird and there are many unpleasant things happening inside the starport security department, primarily to the man who was injured by your cargo and his close associates, which pleases me greatly."

"Well it's Miss Treegarden - you're a sight for sore eyes after a week in jump starin' at Arkar! Don't you worry - we're in 'ot pursuit of our pair. Gladdens the 'eart to 'ear of a villain come to 'is redemption though. Bein' already redeemed me an Arkar were able to successfully counsel an' guide the errant young bar bloke into doin' the right thing. Very upliftin' it was. As for Starport Security I'm glad their 'ouse is bein' put in order. It's very confusin' for a simple bloke like me when the cops start behavin' like villains. I'm pleased your're pleased. Although, I 'aven't seen your smile yet...".

[terrymixon]

"What about you? Did you have any luck tracking down the two you were after? The one you left me sang like a bird and there are many unpleasant things happening inside the starport security department, primarily to the man who was injured by your cargo and his close associates, which pleases me greatly."

"Well it's Miss Treegarden - you're a sight for sore eyes after a week in jump starin' at Arkar! Don't you worry - we're in 'ot pursuit of our pair. Gladdens the 'eart to 'ear of a villain come to 'is redemption though. Bein' already redeemed me an Arkar were able to successfully counsel an' guide the errant young bar bloke into doin' the right thing. Very upliftin' it was. As for Starport Security I'm glad their 'ouse is bein' put in order. It's very confusin' for a simple bloke like me when the cops start behavin' like villains. I'm pleased your're pleased. Although, I 'aven't seen your smile yet...".

She will smile, but it looks strained. "It's hard to smile with the group I'm stuck with. I can only pray something comes up and I have to leave. I'd pay good money to get out of this. Seriously."

Roscoe looks at Garvin and slightly raises an eyebrow.

[Thumper]

Walt returns fully dressed now to hear Treegarden’s comment. He looks at William and nods.

[Tiglath]

She will smile, but it looks strained. "It's hard to smile with the group I'm stuck with. I can only pray something comes up and I have to leave. I'd pay good money to get out of this. Seriously."

Roscoe looks at Garvin and slightly raises an eyebrow.

Garvin may have winked but without Roscoe's current focus and supra sensory perception it might be missed.

"Now there's a windmill to tilt at! So, stealin' a genuine smile from Miss Treegarden..." He gives a smile of his own that reaches all the way to his blue eyes "That's the sort of caper I'm all about - capturin' the priceless!"

"I could join your tour. I 'ave got a new persona I need to work in". He slips accents seamlessly "Professor Vetz, und no not zat imbecile Metz! My verk mit woodlice confirms that the Ancients were in fact a race of ubertermites!"

"On the other 'and... an' while I'd 'appily work for nothin' on this particular caper I am bound as a member of the Guild. So, maybe there's another angle we could work 'ere but I'd 'ave to consult with my fellow members of the board".

[terrymixon]

She will smile, but it looks strained. "It's hard to smile with the group I'm stuck with. I can only pray something comes up and I have to leave. I'd pay good money to get out of this. Seriously."

Roscoe looks at Garvin and slightly raises an eyebrow.

Garvin may have winked but without Roscoe's supra sensory perception it might be missed.

"Now there's a windmill to tilt at! That's the sort of caper I'm all about - capturin' the priceless! So, stealin' a smile from Miss Treegarden..." He gives a smile of his own that reaches all the way to his blue eyes "I'm on the case".

"I could join your tour. I 'ave got a new persona I need to work in". He slips accents seamlessly "Professor Vetz, und no not zat imbecile Metz! My verk mit woodlice confirms that the Ancients were in fact a race of ubertermites!"

"On the other 'and an' while I'd 'appily work for nothin' on this particular caper I am bound as a member of the Guild. So maybe there's another angle we could work 'ere but I'd 'ave to consult with my fellow members of the board".

Metz shakes his head. "Vetz is a poseur. Don't believe a word the Captain of Pomposity utters."

She raised a sculpted eyebrow. "While I am certain that your presence would help me cope, I wouldn't wish that on anyone. What kind of other angle?"

[Thumper]

Walt will neural comm the guild with: ”Is it worth the risk of me reading her thoughts? Figured I’d consult the guild this time…”

[terrymixon]

Walt will neural comm the guild with: ”Is it worth the risk of me reading her thoughts? Figured I’d consult the guild this time…”

“She deals with Ancients objects,” Roscoe sent back. “She could be sensitive, even if she doesn’t have psionics. I wouldn’t risk it. Besides, she’s been fair so far with Mad Dog's payment. She kept her word, anyway. I say we chance it and make the pitch.”

[Thumper]

Walt’s reply-
”She does seem to be straight up with us. Not seeing a benefit on the risk vs reward scale. I generally save that for times of necessity or self-preservation. I say not unless someone here senses a problem.”

[terrymixon]

Walt’s reply-
”She does seem to be straight up with us. Not seeing a benefit on the risk vs reward scale. I generally save that for times of necessity or self-preservation. I say not just bless someone here senses a problem.”

It seems the ball is in Garvin's court. Can he make the pitch and still hide the ball? Let's find out.

[Tiglath]

She raised a sculpted eyebrow. "While I am certain that your presence would help me cope, I wouldn't wish that on anyone. What kind of other angle?"

Garvin replies playfully "Did the corner of your mouth just "go" there? Maybe a nearly twitch? You could let me 'ave a crumb of comfort... or maybe a touch of 'ope? Either you really want out of the tour or I've just oversold it and distracted you with business".

He seemingly distracts himself and says "Arkar, old son, could you 'elp me out with a... side biscuit? Thanks".*

He eyes Treegarden amiably " 'Old up - it's cookie ain't it? An' you're a shrewd cookie Miss Treegarden - too good for us. That's why you came over, eh? Righty wonderin' where we've been. Goin' over old ground's the answer but sometimes old ground's not played out. I'm goin' to 'ave to take advice from a closed session of the Guild at some point but maybe I'll play this 'and as far as I can".

"Mad Dog, measured by achievement or success, was a ruddy genius but by observation he couldn't keep 'is own room tidy. The up close obscures the far away. Easy mechanic to fall for but that's why you can't update a classic. We returned to his Scout ship an' did a bit of what Jaelah would call "old fashioned detective work". We found things... then we found a treasure map. It was a cellulose "label" - even if acknowledged by a scan no one would ever check it. Mad Dog - ruddy insane genius".

"Sadly, on a personal level, I think what we found's not goin' to make you smile. It's beyond that. But maybe you could just bank one for me? Also what we 'old an' are prepared to share can't do more than boost your career - but I'm not repeatin' the mistake of overplayin' me cards again. You're too sharp for me Miss Treegarden an' the Guild need to get clear of certain obligations. With your sanction we need to be able to lawfully expand our operations without sufferin' from undue... administration".

"For meself I'd like to suggest a dinner date as a marker 'ere but I think you play in a bigger game than me Miss Treegarden so I'll let that slide into your option".

(OOC: * The "sell" is on

If Garvin had a cloth cap he'd by now have doffed it and be wringin' in 'is 'ands. During the display he would, of course, be well aware of the health and safety issues of the razor blades sewn into the peak...

I'm not entirely sure how our "brain work" actually works but Garvin will access Liaison and Deception to the max but then not use them actively instead he uses them as passive/corrective guides).

EDIT: Only just got the three or four preceding posts now (just after posting my last!) So maybe my instincts were right but Jeez if you're ever inferring anything from an apparently contemporaneous timeline of posts... Wow, here's the proof of "because internetz"! ).

[terrymixon]

She raised a sculpted eyebrow. "While I am certain that your presence would help me cope, I wouldn't wish that on anyone. What kind of other angle?"

Garvin replies playfully "Did the corner of your mouth just "go" there? Maybe a nearly twitch? You could let me 'ave a crumb of comfort... or maybe a touch of 'ope? Either you really want out of the tour or I've just oversold it and distracted you with business".

He seemingly distracts himself and says "Arkar, old son, could you 'elp me out with a... side biscuit? Thanks".*

"I do like you, but a little bit of distance is good. My husband is an understanding sort, up to a point. I honor that commitment by not leading people on. Spending time with Roscoe isn't something problematic from a personal standpoint, but you are a different kettle of fish, Mister Slade. I do want out of this tour very badly, but I can't swing it unless something monumental happens. As for being distracted by business, is that what you're saying? Is this a business matter? Then you have my full attention."

He eyes Treegarden amiably " 'Old up - it's cookie ain't it? An' you're a shrewd cookie Miss Treegarden - too good for us. That's why you came over, eh? Righty wonderin' where we've been. Goin' over old ground's the answer but sometimes old ground's not played out. I'm goin' to 'ave to take advice from a closed session of the Guild at some point but maybe I'll play this 'and as far as I can".

"Mad Dog, measured by achievement or success, was a ruddy genius but by observation he couldn't keep 'is own room tidy. The up close obscures the far away. Easy mechanic to fall for but that's why you can't update a classic. We returned to his Scout ship an' did a bit of what Jaelah would call "old fashioned detective work". We found things... then we found a treasure map. It was a cellulose "label" - even if acknowledged by a scan no one would ever check it. Mad Dog - ruddy insane genius".

She set her tea down, fully turned to face you, and is now laser focused on what you are saying, though she doesn't interupt.

"Sadly, on a personal level, I think what we found's not goin' to make you smile. It's beyond that. But maybe you could just bank one for me? Also what we 'old an' are prepared to share can't do more than boost your career - but I'm not repeatin' the mistake of overplayin' me cards again. You're too sharp for me Miss Treegarden an' the Guild need to get clear of certain obligations. With your sanction we need to be able to lawfully expand our operations without sufferin' from undue... administration".

"For meself I'd like to suggest a dinner date as a marker 'ere but I think you play in a bigger game than me Miss Treegarden so I'll let that slide into your option".

"Like I said, my husband wouldn't approve, but I will salve your ego by saying you do make it tempting. That said, business can't be conducted in public. Too many ears, particularly the ones that you can't see. I'm confident that you've rendered your ship safe from that sort of thing, so here and now is the best time and place to discuss business.

"Mad Dog wasn't concerned with the limitations that he signed himself up for, but I can see where it would chafe. If the treasure map led to something interesting, then that could certainly be renegotiated. Sadly for you, the map likely led to the location he found and that's been cleaned out. The only part left undone is to remove the structures themselves and that will happen in the next few weeks. If that's all you have to sell, I'm afraid that it won't even cover the proverbial dinner bill."

Roscoe rose to his feet, walked into the kitchen, and pulled something from under the counter. He then walked back to the table and set it down in front of Treegarden without saying a word. It is one of the ovoid shaped, fist sized antimatter batteries.

She stared at it, transfixed. "I withdraw my doubts. I've seen a report on one of these before. If you found it, you found something at a different site." She picked it up. "This is a battery with incredible energy density. There is no telling how long it lasts either. This is worth a good down payment on what you're looking for."

She set it down and turned back to Garvin. "Before you make a procedural blunder, let me tell you the legal requirements of finding something like this. Imperial law requires that all Ancients artifacts be turned over or their locations revealed to the lawful authorities. That's me. I know a lot of debris gets traded around and hoarded, and the Imperium mostly doesn't care about that kind of thing. Something functional like this, on the other hand, is one of the things we do care about, and you've done the right thing in giving it to me.

"My job is to assess the fair value of these items and see that you are rewarded appropriately. This ship is proof that I play fair. Mad Dog was offered two billion credits with no strings attached for his find and part of that was the remains of the base he found. This came from somewhere else, and I need to know where. Not later as a bargaining chip, but during this meeting. Whatever else is there will be fairly assessed and you will be rewarded for it. As the location we know about is under guard, you went somewhere else. Likely not even to the same gas giant that Mad Dog visited. Where did you go, and what did you find besides this? Don't hold back. Lay it out and we can get this settled quickly and to your benefit. Like I said, I'll pay well to get out of this cruise and if there is enough need, I will make sure you are pleased with the results."

If Garvin had a cloth cap he'd now have doffed it and be wringin' in 'is 'ands. During the display he would, of course, be well aware of the razor blades sewn into the peak...

I'm not entirely sure how our "brain work" actually works but Garvin will access Liaison and Deception to the max but then not use them actively instead he uses them as passive/corrective guides).[/ooc]

So noted.

EDIT: Only just got the three or four preceding posts now! So maybe my instincts were right but Jeez if you're ever inferring anything from an apparently contemporaneous timeline of posts... Wow, here's proof of "because internetz"! ).

Yep. I was seeing the same. Cursed internet!

[ateno]

"Garvin! You lead with our top item, you should have led with the scrap hull metal and seen how much we could get and then trump it with that. Ah well, each to their own. At least Mrs. Treegarden has shown to be fair, so far. So how much?"

Arkar

[terrymixon]

"Garvin! You lead with our top item, you should have led with the scrap hull metal and seen how much we could get and then trump it with that. Ah well, each to their own. At least Mrs. Treegarden has shown to be fair, so far. So how much?"

Arkar

"The amount gets calculated when we finish," she said firmly. "I can feel a little playing starting up and I recommend you lay it all out. Don't annoy me or the price goes down. You have more than this. I can smell it. Make it good so we all go home happy, and I get out of this blasted cruise."