004: The Mean Streets of Aki

[ateno]

"I have researched various areas around Aki and near the Uni, so I can take samples during our talk with the college inventor. After that fish, I am ready to go now. Also I tested the Voids pistol, and its a nasty weapon."

Arkar

[terrymixon]

"I have researched various areas around Aki and near the Uni, so I can take samples during our talk with the college inventor. After that fish, I am ready to go now. Also I tested the Voids pistol, and its a nasty weapon."

Arkar

The college kid and GLIPS is back at Glisten, and the pistol test was days ago on the gas giant moon. You are, however, ready for taking samples.

[ateno]

"I have researched various areas around Aki and near the Uni, so I can take samples during our talk with the college inventor. After that fish, I am ready to go now. Also I tested the Voids pistol, and its a nasty weapon."

Arkar

The college kid and GLIPS is back at Glisten, and the pistol test was days ago on the gas giant moon. You are, however, ready for taking samples.

Insert 'while looking for where they got the shipping cases from.' then.

[terrymixon]

"I have researched various areas around Aki and near the Uni, so I can take samples during our talk with the college inventor. After that fish, I am ready to go now. Also I tested the Voids pistol, and its a nasty weapon."

Arkar

The college kid and GLIPS is back at Glisten, and the pistol test was days ago on the gas giant moon. You are, however, ready for taking samples.

Insert 'while looking for where they got the shipping cases from.' then.

To do that, you’ll need to go down to the planet and dig around.

[Thumper]

Walt-
”William, you wanted to check the mining of the nodules. Where’d ya want to start? I’ll help ya.

Load up:
Melee unarmed 2 (1)
Melee Blade 2 (1)
GC Energy 2 (1)
Diplomat 2 (4)
Persuade 2 (4)
Deception 4 (3)
Recon 4 (3)
Investigate 4 (2)
Streetwise 2 (1)

Equipped with:
Stunner
Dagger
(If Garvin shared with the group his invention of an invisidagger fabricator sheath, Walt will think that’s too cool and will ask Bill to print him one too…which he’d wear today.)
Laser scalpel
Smart Gun tracker ammo x5

A couple of searcher bots and peeping spy bots.

Dip vest

**Edited**
Regalia casual clothes

[Tiglath]

Garvin reports cheerfully "Well, I 'ad a lovely dinner with Madam Treegarden. I've changed me opinion of 'er a bit. She's straight up but on our side and willing to be flexible...". Regaining his derailed train of thought he adds "She doesn't mind us owning Ancient gear at all provided two things: we don't sell it and we don't get caught with it. For me that's fair enough. Another of her red lines is Roscoe. She doesn't want 'im goin' bad ways an' I think we're all on board with that now".

Ref: Her position on our inevitable theft of Ancient artfacts & Roscoe (copied below)

"I have no way of knowing if your people kept any of what you found and I'm not going to be boorish enough to ask. What I will stress is that it would be unfortunate if you started selling artifacts and I had to come haul you away. If you found toys that you intend to keep, be discreet. Tell no one. I like Roscoe a lot and he is a very earnest young man. I'm sure you know his nature by now and I feel like he may be the greatest achievement the Imperium has made in the sciences. Digital life. Amazing."

"He's too earnest to know how people really are... Please work with me here and help the boy not to become a menace. For all our sakes."

He sips some brandy and gives a mellow smile before he continues "Weapons, permits an' the Law. She's willin' to make one of us an Imperial Marshall and the others Deputies which would give us the "carry permit" for the "possession authority" of high energy weapons and gear that our Merc 5 Licence grants us. The catch is we might sometimes be called on to catch Imperial fugitives - which takes time and doesn't pay. I suggest Jaelah knows most about law enforcement so could become the Marshal if we go that route".

Ref: her explanation of Imperial Marshals (copied below).

"As for your idea, do you know what an Imperial Marshal is? A bounty hunter by another name. I am willing to name one of you as an Imperial Marshal and the rest as deputies, but it comes with a price. You would get calls to go after very dangerous people and those wouldn't pay a bounty. It wouldn't take all your time, but it could be...inconvenient."

"As far as what she's willing to give us we're good so far - including the milspec transponder but... she's asked for a bit more. Now, I was worried about showin' 'er the Teleporters but given 'er good natured view regarding our possession of all the stuff she knows we've already 'alf inched I think we can give 'er the Teleporter too. Maybe throw in some of the bodies in armour an' all? The "win" there is working capital for our new merchant line and... er... there's somethin' else... which is the Doc's fault really".

He shoots Metz a glance and a grin "I might actually 'ave just become an Imperial Baron".

Ref: her explanation of the current state of the bidding / horse trading (copied below).

"What you've provided thus far would cover that--barely--but I would like to find more out there to the pad the offer. I need to personally review what is on that ship and make the final decision, so I will need you to remain in the system until I have done so. Preferably, you would accompany me. If it is worth more than I expect, you might even get a share of his holdings. Those are worth a pretty credit, but I'd be willing to do that. Tell me, will I find something there that makes that possible?"

He concludes with "Oh an' we met Aish Nirkha - Captain of Knowledge from 'er cruise ship of fools. I'll update our files. The bloke's a complete arse but I've a sneakin' suspicion 'e's a nasty sod with it. Madam Treegarden requested that we wait on her word. She's going to send an encryption key over and contact us to arrange her "viewing" of the loot".

[terrymixon]

Walt-
”William, you wanted to check the mining of the nodules. Where’d ya want to start? I’ll help ya.

Load up:
Melee unarmed 1
Melee Blade 1
GC Energy 1
Diplomat 2
Persuade 2
Deception 4 (3)
Recon 4 (3)
Investigate 4 (2)
Streetwise 2 (1)

Equipped with:
Stunner
Dagger
(If Garvin shared with the group his invention of an invisidagger fabricator sheath, Walt will think that’s too cool and will ask Bill to print him one too…which he’d wear today.)
Laser scalpel
Smart Gun tracker ammo x5

A couple of searcher bots and peeping spy bots.

Diplo vest

The mining stuff is at Glisten, not Aki. Do remember the law level.

[terrymixon]

Garvin reports cheerfully "Well, I 'ad a lovely dinner with Madam Treegarden. I've changed me opinion of 'er a bit. She's straight up but on our side and willing to be flexible...". Regaining his derailed train of thought he adds "She doesn't mind us owning Ancient gear at all provided two things: we don't sell it and we don't get caught with it. For me that's fair enough. Another of her red lines is Roscoe. She doesn't want 'im goin' bad ways an' I think we're all on board with that now".

Ref: Her position on our inevitable theft of Ancient artfacts & Roscoe (copied below)

"I have no way of knowing if your people kept any of what you found and I'm not going to be boorish enough to ask. What I will stress is that it would be unfortunate if you started selling artifacts and I had to come haul you away. If you found toys that you intend to keep, be discreet. Tell no one. I like Roscoe a lot and he is a very earnest young man. I'm sure you know his nature by now and I feel like he may be the greatest achievement the Imperium has made in the sciences. Digital life. Amazing."

"He's too earnest to know how people really are... Please work with me here and help the boy not to become a menace. For all our sakes."

“It’s good that’s she’s flexible,” Roscoe said. “There is not telling when any of us might need to take advantage of that. Perhaps even as a group if the right circumstances occur.”

Metz gives his creation the side eye, but says nothing.

He sips some brandy and gives a mellow smile before he continues "Weapons, permits an' the Law. She's willin' to make one of us an Imperial Marshall and the others Deputies which would give us the "carry permit" for the "possession authority" of high energy weapons and gear that our Merc 5 Licence grants us. The catch is we might sometimes be called on to catch Imperial fugitives - which takes time and doesn't pay. I suggest Jaelah knows most about law enforcement so could become the Marshal if we go that route".

Ref: her explanation of Imperial Marshals (copied below).

"As for your idea, do you know what an Imperial Marshal is? A bounty hunter by another name. I am willing to name one of you as an Imperial Marshal and the rest as deputies, but it comes with a price. You would get calls to go after very dangerous people and those wouldn't pay a bounty. It wouldn't take all your time, but it could be...inconvenient."

Just remember that the merc five license is still to be finalized. You currently have a merc four license.

"As far as what she's willing to give us we're good so far - including the milspec transponder but... she's asked for a bit more. Now, I was worried about showin' 'er the Teleporters but given 'er good natured view regarding our possession of all the stuff she knows we've already 'alf inched I think we can give 'er the Teleporter too. Maybe throw in some of the bodies in armour an' all? The "win" there is working capital for our new merchant line and... er... there's somethin' else... which is the Doc's fault really".

As it’s too late to plant anything else on the ship, the teleportal is already there and it’s too late to plant the bodies. Impossible to explain their presence if you did, too.

He shoots Metz a glance and a grin "I might actually 'ave just become an Imperial Baron".

Ref: her explanation of the current state of the bidding / horse trading (copied below).

"What you've provided thus far would cover that--barely--but I would like to find more out there to the pad the offer. I need to personally review what is on that ship and make the final decision, so I will need you to remain in the system until I have done so. Preferably, you would accompany me. If it is worth more than I expect, you might even get a share of his holdings. Those are worth a pretty credit, but I'd be willing to do that. Tell me, will I find something there that makes that possible?"

“Gods save us,” Metz muttered, but he is smiling.

He concludes with "Oh an' we met Aish Nirkha - Captain of Knowledge from 'er cruise ship of fools. I'll update our files. The bloke's a complete arse but I've a sneakin' suspicion 'e's a nasty sod with it. Madam Treegarden requested that we wait on her word. She's going to send an encryption key over and contact us to arrange her "viewing" of the loot".

“The moving of the cargo is going well, Your Excellency,” Roscoe said with a smile. “I leased space in several warehouses and have moved things around well enough to hide the amount. No one is watching so we’ll be fine. I’m still lining up buyers and outgoing cargo, and that should take another day to settle and get loaded. The desire for advanced robotics and radioactives is high at the moment and I will handily recover the investment. I won’t know for a few more hours the exact sales total, but even without the extra cargo, we are doing quite well.”

“My research into the pollution is going poorly,” Metz said. “I was able to get some scientific research done on the taint and it is almost certainly something their industry is doing to them. The commercial products the populace uses are inexpensive and commonly available. I’m afraid there is likely no way we can improve matters on that front. As they have little spare agricultural production and are massively importing what they need, even a fabricator wouldn’t help. They’re in a bit of a bind that they will have to address themselves by fixing their industry, if they have the will to do it. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to find a solution.”

[Tiglath]

(If Garvin shared with the group his invention of an invisidagger fabricator sheath, Walt will think that’s too cool and will ask Bill to print him one too…which he’d wear today.)

Sorry overlooked this.

Yes Garvin will share his toys.

[Tiglath]

Just remember that the merc five license is still to be finalized. You currently have a merc four license.

Thanks for the clarification.

As it’s too late to plant anything else on the ship, the teleportal is already there and it’s too late to plant the bodies. Impossible to explain their presence if you did, too.

Again I'm much obliged! I'd become slightly fuzzy on the detail of what we'd agreed on letting her "find" but thought it included the Teleportal. Compared to that anything else we could add is small change.

[terrymixon]

(If Garvin shared with the group his invention of an invisidagger fabricator sheath, Walt will think that’s too cool and will ask Bill to print him one too…which he’d wear today.)

Sorry overlooked this.

Yes Garvin will share his toys.

Then Bilis will provide one for you.

[terrymixon]

Just remember that the merc five license is still to be finalized. You currently have a merc four license.

Thanks for the clarification.

As it’s too late to plant anything else on the ship, the teleportal is already there and it’s too late to plant the bodies. Impossible to explain their presence if you did, too.

Again I'm much obliged! I'd become slightly fuzzy on the detail of what we'd agreed on letting her "find" but thought it included the Teleportal. Compared to that anything else we could add is small change.

Understood. There is more to have happen to you, but I can't until William makes his choice. It will undoubtedly affect how you do the next part of the adventure (and many aspects to come) but I have to have input from everyone before the reveal.

Well, I could post each person's part in a PM, I suppose. I'll still make a master public post once I hear from helvorn.

[terrymixon]

As we've been a few days without our leader (I hope he's okay) I'll move things along gently.

William looked over at Garvin. "I think you should take point on this one while we figure out what the targets were up to and what they picked up. I'll tag along."

[ateno]

"I will also go, but I might have to toddle off other places for samples. But call me if you need me."

"Please have one of your gloves fabbed up in my size Garvin, I appreciate it.

He also takes a invissheath

Arkar

[Tiglath]

William looked over at Garvin. "I think you should take point on this one while we figure out what the targets were up to and what they picked up. I'll tag along."

Garvin chuckles "Do leg work, me? I'm nearly nobility - I'm excused! It's not like I've been..." a mellow smile warms his features "... yeah - I'll get right on it!"

He immediately asks Roscoe "What's the known Jump spec on the Overland Express an' 'ow far did they Jump? Maybe we can confirm it with yer Jump measurin' equipment. We're goin' to move into orbit so examine their jump point. If they're using J1 to Weiss* and/or layin' over at Windsor we're golden!"

Addressing the company he says "Meanwhile we're followin' up Arkar's lead on the crates so Roscoe move us into low orbit and prep the bikes and carrier. Anyone 'oo wants to come along we're leavin' as soon as the ship's in position. We're goin' in tactically "soft an' compliant"... like round two... ruddy 'ell... er... with the local law level...".

He will set Bilis to fabbing him a working gear variant of the Regalia (by blending it into his "tactical gear"), an Mono/Invisiknife sheath for Arkar and Walt and a combo glove for Arkar (and examples for anyone else who wants one of either).

He also adds "Roscoe book yerself in. You an' me are 'avin' a cultural moment most nights from now on - philosophy an' ethics. I made a deal on it. Later on, so you can prep up, we're doin' Nietzsche, the importance of moustaches and "That which does not destroy us only makes us stronger" as interpreted by Mrs Nietzsche".

(OOC: * That wouldn't be "Dammit" Janet Weiss would it... ??? )

[terrymixon]

William looked over at Garvin. "I think you should take point on this one while we figure out what the targets were up to and what they picked up. I'll tag along."

Garvin chuckles "Do leg work, me? I'm nearly nobility - I'm excused! It's not like I've been..." a mellow smile warms his features "... yeah - I'll get right on it!"

He immediately asks Roscoe "What's the known Jump spec on the Overland Express an' 'ow far did they Jump? Maybe we can confirm it with yer Jump measurin' equipment. We're goin' to move into orbit so examine their jump point. If they're using J1 to Weiss* and/or layin' over at Windsor we're golden!"

"Sadly, we were not scanning the jump and so I cannot make that determination," Roscoe said. "The ship has J-2 capability, so that likely wouldn't help us anyway."

Addressing the company he says "Meanwhile we're followin' up Arkar's lead on the crates so Roscoe move us into low orbit and prep the bikes and carrier. Anyone 'oo wants to come along we're leavin' as soon as the ship's in position. We're goin' in tactically "soft an' compliant"... like round two... ruddy 'ell... er... with the local law level...".

"We won't being landing at the downport? Slipping in without going through customs will draw attention if they detect us. Also, isn't the downport the most likely source of information?"

He will set Bilis to fabbing him a working gear variant of the Regalia (by blending it into his "tactical gear"), an Mono/Invisiknife sheath for Arkar and Walt and a combo glove for Arkar (and examples for anyone else who wants one of either).

Done.

He also adds "Roscoe book yerself in. You an' me are 'avin' a cultural moment most nights from now on - philosophy an' ethics. I made a deal on it. Later on, so you can prep up, we're doin' Nietzsche, the importance of moustaches and "That which does not destroy us only makes us stronger" as interpreted by Mrs Nietzsche".

"I...see. Should I grow a mustache?"

(OOC: * That wouldn't be "Dammit" Janet Weiss would it... ??? )

It just might be.

What is everyone else saying/doing? Sound off so that I know you're alive.

[Thumper]

Before they go, Walt takes a Smart Gun ammo round to Bills and asks her to reproduce the tracking device without the casing, powder and primer. He wants to be able to place and activate them telekinetically.

He’ll also ask Bills to make his invisidagger fab/sheath activated by an internal switch which he can activate telekinetically rather than a physical switch. He wants to deny others the ability to see what is is and does…or use it.

[terrymixon]

Before they go, Walt takes a Smart Gun ammo round to Bills and asks her to reproduce the tracking device without the casing, powder and primer. He wants to be able to place and activate them telekinetically.

He’ll also ask Bills to make his invisidagger fab/sheath activated by an internal switch which he can activate telekinetically rather than a physical switch. He wants to deny others the ability to see what is is and does…or use it.

Done.

[Thumper]

Addressing the company he says "Meanwhile we're followin' up Arkar's lead on the crates so Roscoe move us into low orbit and prep the bikes and carrier. Anyone 'oo wants to come along we're leavin' as soon as the ship's in position. We're goin' in tactically "soft an' compliant"... like round two... ruddy 'ell... er... with the local law level...".

Walt-
”And what will we do with our Rexwell spacesuits once we get down to the surface? Wouldn’t it make sense to take the ship down, as Roscoe suggests, and then slip out of the Low Port or from atmo?”

[Tiglath]

Addressing the company he says "Meanwhile we're followin' up Arkar's lead on the crates so Roscoe move us into low orbit and prep the bikes and carrier. Anyone 'oo wants to come along we're leavin' as soon as the ship's in position. We're goin' in tactically "soft an' compliant"... like round two... ruddy 'ell... er... with the local law level...".

Walt-
”And what will we do with our Rexwell spacesuits once we get down to the surface? Wouldn’t it make sense to take the ship down, as Roscoe suggests, and then slip out of the Low Port or from atmo?”

Garvin replies "I don't think we'll need our milspec vacc suits just for makin' enquiries on the surface but, in fairness, I'm not sure what Arkar 'ad in mind. I agree we could land the ship at the downport or deploy our grav vehicles from orbit - I doubt the locals would have much chance of detecting us. If there's more to go on we can action that or just wait for Madam Treegarden's call. She's also going to deliver an encryption chip to us at some stage".

(OOC: I may have missed/not be up to speed on some of the enquiries in hand but I'm not sure how much we have to go on with a historic sighting of the guys we know have already left. Were we trying to locate where they'd been on the surface???)