006: Welcome to Yamaguchi Starport

[terrymixon]

After about half an hour, Aster and Ciencia returned from their quarters with a cleaned up and dressed for a visit to the spaceport. There's no sign of the trouble they've went through today because of the uplift. Both of them look rested and in good spirits. You all know that that's not going to be the case tomorrow, but for the moment, they seem normal.

Ciencia is dressed up in more formal clothing and her Imperial Guards are flanking her in formal uniforms. Aster is just dressed well.

Roscoe, Bilis, and Metz come out of the lab at about the same time. The android looks pleased with himself and his smile has a hint of mischievousness to it. He steps over next to Jaelah and takes her hand. It really looks odd to most of you. He wasn't paying her this kind of attention earlier or for the last month. It makes you wonder what changed.

"We're coming up on the spaceport," Roscoe said. "I can put it up on the screen if you like or send of you directly to your links. Which would you prefer?"

"Send it to my link, please," Ciencia said. "I'm trying to get used to using it more."

"The same for me," Aster said. "In fact, why don't you do both? That way everyone could view the station in the way they feel most comfortable with."

He nods and moments later a visual that seems to be taken from the front of the ship appears through your link and on the screen over the kitchen. The one in your link is far more detailed and likely captures most of your attention. It's like you were floating in space hurtling toward what looked like a giant metal pill. It's a cylinder that's roughly 6 times longer than it is wide. One and is curved and the other is flat. You're coming in from the side and so you have a good view of it and what looks like small specs flying around it.

"The station is of significant size," Roscoe said.

Aster nodded. "The precis I received from the Navy indicated that it is twenty-five billion tons in displacement. While that's not anything compared to something like Banfi Starport, it's nothing to sneeze at. That would make it a very respectable class a starport in any other system."

He frowned. "Then I am uncertain that we are in the right place. The station ahead of us is not twenty-five billion tons."

Now it was Aster's turn to frown. "That's what the report said. How much smaller is it?"

"It's not smaller. In fact, it's substantially larger. Because we are in space without any frame of reference, it's difficult to visually discern the size of something but the station that were approaching is almost 90 kilometers long and fifteen kilometers wide."

Aster turned abruptly to face him. "Excuse me? That's not possible. Banfi Starport isn't even a fraction of that size. There's got to be something wrong with your sensors."

"Everything seems to be in working order," Roscoe said.

"Frederick," Ciencia said. "Please contact Pax Imperii and ask them to verify the size that station."

The Imperial Guard nodded, his eyes going unfocused. A few seconds later, his gaze sharpened again. "They confirm the measurements, your highness. The station ahead of us is 88.52 kilometers long and 14.75 kilometers across."

"That's impossible!" Aster said, looking like she wanted to pull her hair out. "The Navy gave me a report that said it was twenty-five billion displacement tons. There is absolutely no way that something that large could even be close to that number. I can't even imagine how massive it is."

"Approximately thirty-five billion displacement tons," Roscoe said. "It may be slightly larger or smaller, but it somewhere very close to that number."

"Marchkeep Station at Mora is 2.7 billion displacement tons. You're telling me that the station is ten times larger than that? It's the largest sophant-created structure in the marches."

"Not any longer, it appears. I cannot imagine how something of this size was built in secret since its construction had to of taken many decades, yet it's difficult to argue with the evidence set before us. It seems we've got a lot more property to explore than we expected."

Princess Ciencia started laughing. Then she laughed even harder and bent over at the waist. Finally, she sat down hard on the deck and wrapped her arms around her knees as she cackled with glee.

"This isn't a laughing matter," Aster objected, seemingly exasperated and horrified. "I just gave away something of inconceivable value. I had no idea that it was anything close to this ot I would never have done it."

"That's what makes it so funny!" the princess howled. "Somebody lied to us about this--oh, how they lied--and kept it secret, and then we gave it away before they could take possession! That is the funniest thing I've ever heard! Besides, you didn't give it away. You recommended it and I gave it away. Somebody is going to be so pissed!"

She looked over at Jaelah and Roscoe. "Best. Wedding. Present. Ever!" Then she resumed laughing.

[Thumper]

Walt was grinning at the pronouncement of their new property. Then something struck him. He reaches a hand down in an offer to assist the Grand Princess to her feet and asks:

”Ciencia, what was the nature of the station’s previous owner’s treason? What evidence, exactly, did your magistrates have against him?

I have to wonder who or what provided the resources for such an undertaking…and in secret.

That right there is a massive secret…astonishing secret. There’s bound to be more.”

[helvorn]

William is clearly shocked as well and then chuckles. "Somehow something like this is par for the course with this group. I would say lightning is striking pretty steadily in the same spot for the last week with us around. Let's at least make sure they are prepared for us and sound friendly." He leaned forward and opened a hailing channel. "Yamaguchi Station this is the Lost and Found with the station owners aboard. Request docking instructions and the presence of the station manager at the docks."

[terrymixon]

Walt was grinning at the pronouncement of their new property. Then something struck him. He reaches a hand down in an offer to assist the Grand Princess to her feet and asks:

”Ciencia, what was the nature of the station’s previous owner’s treason? What evidence, exactly, did your magistrates have against him?

I have to wonder who or what provided the resources for such an undertaking…and in secret.

That right there is a massive secret…astonishing secret. There’s bound to be more.”

She doesn't look like she's ready to get up just yet. Very unladylike. She's grinning like an imp.

"He attempted to sell plans for a number of Imperial Navy ships--the technical ones used in a shipyard--to who he thought were Zhodoni spies for a ridiculous amount of money. Seeing this, I suppose I can understand why he might need a lot. They included full plans for the Tigress-Class Dreadnaughts. How he got them, I do not know, and he never revealed the information to the duchess. If I'd known I had people that could read his mind close at hand, I might have put off having him executed. Ah, well. Water under the bridge." She raised an eyebrow. "Or over a waterfall. Too soon?"

She extended her hand and let you pull her to her feet. "Whatever the story, I can't wait so hear it."

[terrymixon]

William is clearly shocked as well and then chuckles. "Somehow something like this is par for the course with this group. I would say lightning is striking pretty steadily in the same spot for the last week with us around. Let's at least make sure they are prepared for us and sound friendly." He leaned forward and opened a hailing channel. "Yamaguchi Station this is the Lost and Found with the station owners aboard. Request docking instructions and the presence of the station manager at the docks."

"Lost & Found, this is Yamaguchi Starport," a female voice said, emphasizing the word starport. "You are cleared for landing bay 176-AH. Ah, I thought the new station owners were already aboard. They're with the manager now. I can't help but feel there is a mistake somewhere."

[Thumper]

”Water under the bridge." She raised an eyebrow. "Or over a waterfall. Too soon?"

Walt tries to hold back a grin and a laugh, but it erupts in a snort. He breaks down and genuinely laughs at the joke.

”Never” he manages to get out between diminishing chuckles. As she allows him to help her up, he pulls extra hard and manages to pull her off her feet about a foot before she falls back standing upright on the deck.

[helvorn]

William is clearly shocked as well and then chuckles. "Somehow something like this is par for the course with this group. I would say lightning is striking pretty steadily in the same spot for the last week with us around. Let's at least make sure they are prepared for us and sound friendly." He leaned forward and opened a hailing channel. "Yamaguchi Station this is the Lost and Found with the station owners aboard. Request docking instructions and the presence of the station manager at the docks."

"Lost & Found, this is Yamaguchi Starport," a female voice said, emphasizing the word starport. "You are cleared for landing bay 176-AH. Ah, I thought the new station owners were already aboard. They're with the manager now. I can't help but feel there is a mistake somewhere."

"Roger Yamaguchi Starport, cleared for landing bay 176-AH." He also emphasized the word starport. "I see the problem. There is no mistake. We are the follow-up support team to the prime ownership team aboard now. I didn't realize the owners had moved so quickly. Sorry for the confusion. Heading into landing pattern now."

William turned to the others. "The shit has hit the fan. We need to be prepared to go in looking peaceful but loaded for bear."

[terrymixon]

William is clearly shocked as well and then chuckles. "Somehow something like this is par for the course with this group. I would say lightning is striking pretty steadily in the same spot for the last week with us around. Let's at least make sure they are prepared for us and sound friendly." He leaned forward and opened a hailing channel. "Yamaguchi Station this is the Lost and Found with the station owners aboard. Request docking instructions and the presence of the station manager at the docks."

"Lost & Found, this is Yamaguchi Starport," a female voice said, emphasizing the word starport. "You are cleared for landing bay 176-AH. Ah, I thought the new station owners were already aboard. They're with the manager now. I can't help but feel there is a mistake somewhere."

"Roger Yamaguchi Starport, cleared for landing bay 176-AH." He also emphasized the word starport. "I see the problem. There is no mistake. We are the follow-up support team to the prime ownership team aboard now. I didn't realize the owners had moved so quickly. Sorry for the confusion. Heading into landing pattern now."

"Understood, Lost & Found. Safe landings. I'll inform one of the administrative staff to meet you. Yamaguchi Startport Control out."

William turned to the others. "The shit has hit the fan. We need to be prepared to go in looking peaceful but loaded for bear."

"I can't wait to find out who the new owners are," Ciencia said. "I love a good mystery. Fredrick, I'll want a full team to join us."

"Understood, Your Highness. Pax Imperii already has docking instructions and will be near us."

The landing goes as expected and you are free to debark. You seem to have a single young woman with a clipboard waiting for you.

I'll let you folks tell me what you're doing and how you are equipped.

[Thumper]

”I thought the new station owners were already aboard. They're with the manager now. I can't help but feel there is a mistake somewhere."

Walt looks over his left shoulder and down at the smaller lady (Princess Ciencia) and says:

”Damn skippie there is!”

He walks to his quarters where he undresses from the business suit and tie he dressed in for the occasion and redresses in his “Regalia” business suit with a Diplo Vest under. Next he proceeds to the armory, where he collects a Disintegrator Rod, custom TL15 body Grav Pistol and a couple of mags, Flying Static Knife, and his Garvin Knife Fab,..all under his jacket except the disintegration rod is in a jacket pocket. He returns pulling his suit jacket back over his broad shoulders.

”I agree Silencer! Ciencia, something ain’t passing the sniff test here…and it’s not you. I’d like to be prepared to augment your guard should it come to it…and keep a very close eye on you. Mostly because you are where the action will be.” He grins a devilish grin!

”Of course, it could all be be just an inheritance mix up.

**Edited Based on OOC New Information**
(While in the armory, Walt placed 4 Fusion Pistols, 4 Maser Pistols, 4 Maser Rifles, and 4 fusion rifles in one go-bag labled TL16+. Right on top of that bag, he left a maser pistol and fusion pistol and two Flying Swords. In another go-bag labled TL12-15, he'll load up 4 Ion Rifles and 4 Grav Rifles, and 4 Grav Pistols, and 4 Laser Cartridge Revolvers along with 2 mags/cartridge boxes for each weapon.)

[joertexas]

I'll let you folks tell me what you're doing and how you are equipped.

Jaelah has her body pistol, and she waits at the rear of the group.

[terrymixon]

He walks to his quarters where he undresses from the business suit and tie he dressed in for the occasion, puts on his diplo vest, and redresses. Next he proceeds to the armory, where he collects a Disintegrator Rod, custom TL15 body pistol and a couple of mags, Flying Static Knife, and his Garvin Knife Fab,..all under his jacket except the disintegration rod is in a jacket pocket. He returns pulling his suit jacket back over his broad shoulders.

So noted.

[terrymixon]

I'll let you folks tell me what you're doing and how you are equipped.

Jaelah has her body pistol, and she waits at the rear of the group.

So noted.

“Put this on,” Roscoe said, handing you a slender gold ring with a clear faceted stone set in it. “Focus on it until you can feel it bind to you. Then think to it. Tell it out. Use that word.”

[Thumper]

Walter-

”Ciencia, just to confirm, whom did you tell that you pronounced new ownership of the Yamaguchi Station? Could this be a case of an otherwise rightful heir not getting the word that they’d been disinherited? Was Guild ownership registered anywhere?”

Walter will also pocket five Searcher Microbots and 5 Grav Spybots and 10 Exterminator Needles.

He’d suggest to all others: ”If we have to break out any advanced rifles or the maser or fusion pistols…the cover story is, these are yet another wonderful Metz creation. Please don’t deny this Metz. It’s the only way to use these in public in an emergency and still have a plausible story why we own them. The Ion, Maser, and Fusion Rifles are Tl16. The Maser and Fusion Pistols are TL17. All within your credible reputation for advanced innovation. At least with authorities.

But keep them all discrete and close-hold if at all possible.”

[ateno]

Arkar will put his hair up in the flying needles, grab a stunner pistol from the armory, and take the energy pistol that Void retrieved from the advanced planet.

He will have a pair of the 'Garvin Special' gloves available on his belt and finally 2 of the disintegrator grenades.

"So anyone taking bets on who it is?"

Arkar

[terrymixon]

Arkar will put his hair up in the flying needles, grab a stunner pistol from the armory, and take the energy pistol that Void retrieved from the advanced planet.

He will have a pair of the 'Garvin Special' gloves available on his belt and finally 2 of the disintegrator grenades.

So noted.

[terrymixon]

Walter-

Walter will also pocket five Searcher Microbots and 5 Grav Spybots and 10 Exterminator Needles.

He’d suggest to all others: ”If we have to break out any advanced rifles or the maser or fusion pistols…the cover story is, these are yet another wonderful Metz creation. Please don’t deny this Metz. It’s the only way to use these in public in an emergency and still have a plausible story why we own them. The Ion, Maser, and Fusion Rifles are Tl16. The Maser and Fusion Pistols are TL17. All within your credible reputation for advanced innovation. At least with authorities.

Ciencia, I’d feel better if Frederick and Teressa were armed with the Non-Ancient Fusion Pistols…”Metz’-made weapons”.

But keep them all discrete and close-hold if at all possible.”[/dialog]

I’ll answer the rest this—and other messages—this afternoon but feel the need to answer this now.

Metz will raise an eyebrow. “I won’t deny it but might I suggest that deploying a high energy weapon in a tin can pocketed with very large hydrogen fuel tanks and encompassed by vacuum is a supremely bad idea?”

[Thumper]

Walt-
”Of course, Metz. But just in case we end up needing the firepower, I loaded a go-bag in the armory with Fusion Pistols and an assortment of the Advanced Rifles. One of us who can teleport can jump in there, throw the straps of the go-bag over one’s shoulder and teleport back to us with the weapons. Just a precaution. Come to think of it. We might just want to leave that permanently packed and ready for any occasion.”

[terrymixon]

Walt-
”Of course, Metz. But just in case we end up needing the firepower, I loaded a go-bag in the armory with Fusion Pistols and an assortment of the Advanced Rifles. One of us who can teleport can jump in there, throw the straps of the go-bag over one’s shoulder and teleport back to us with the weapons. Just a precaution. Come to think of it. We might just want to leave that permanently packed and ready for any occasion.”

“I suppose that makes sense outside of explody station. Not here, though. Everyone should upload wafer skills too.”

[joertexas]

“Put this on,” Roscoe said, handing you a slender gold ring with a clear faceted stone set in it. “Focus on it until you can feel it bind to you. Then think to it. Tell it out. Use that word.”

Jaelah does as Roscoe says. "What word? Tell it out?"

[terrymixon]

“Put this on,” Roscoe said, handing you a slender gold ring with a clear faceted stone set in it. “Focus on it until you can feel it bind to you. Then think to it. Tell it out. Use that word.”

Jaelah does as Roscoe says. "What word? Tell it out?"

“Yes.”

When you do so, one of your spare body pistols—or more likely a copy of one—appears out of nowhere in your hand. One moment your hand is empty and the next it is filled with pistol, that you almost drop but manage to grip.

He grins. “This is the surprise I mentioned for our rings. A tiny pocket universe linked to the gem that can hold about four kilograms. Command it with the word in and it will put what is in your hand in the space. Now you will always be armed and safer.”