Y2156.12.08 Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
The Company Medium Transport was piloted by Joceline and delivered Chester to the Brulantfort Port a little before his 0600 flight to Ville d’ Espoir. DJ was dropped off at the port with his Cargo (3 tonnes to be delivered to Montsoliel on the 0900 shuttle) but had several hours to waste before the flight.
There weren’t many people out at dawn in the Colony, but DJ enjoyed breakfast at the old Diner. He recognized a few of the regulars and a few Security Personnel in Corporate colors and light “Riot Protection” body armor. While the COLONY looked identical, DJ could feel an intangible difference. He finished eating and decided to wait at the Port.
The shuttle arrived on schedule, loaded and left at 0900 and DJ found himself standing in Montsoliel just outside the downport by 1500. Autonomous lifts were transporting his cargo to its assigned destination. The deal for the parts was completed quickly, but signing over Cr 11,000 to cover all the various administrative fees hurt DJ’s pride … particularly compared to the cash transaction in St Landry. However, by 1600 DJ had Cr 204,225 electronically transferred into the Company Account … fortunately the company had posted a LOSS for the month (with the large capital outlays) so there were no Taxes due on the profits. That made DJ smile, even if the lack of a dividend didn’t thrill him.
Now DJ had nothing but time to kill in Montsoliel until the 0900 shuttle back to Brulantfort.
Y2156.12.08 Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
Y2156.12.08 Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
"welcoming humbly His light and proudly His darkness" - e.e. cummings
Y2156.12.08 Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
DJ
While not happy paying the fees, DJ realised if the company didn't show some kind of on the book activity then the wheels of bureaucracy would start to turn and if they looked too closely the company would end up paying far more in taxes and fines.
He goes looking for a medium quality hotel for the night near to the downport, and tries to remember some of his old haunts for food and drink.
While not happy paying the fees, DJ realised if the company didn't show some kind of on the book activity then the wheels of bureaucracy would start to turn and if they looked too closely the company would end up paying far more in taxes and fines.
He goes looking for a medium quality hotel for the night near to the downport, and tries to remember some of his old haunts for food and drink.
Y2156.12.08:evening Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
Y2156.12.08:evening Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
DJ found a medium quality Starport Hotel, the sort that catered to all sorts of businessmen passing through Montsoliel. The clerk accepted the ID and linked your personal account for the room, reminding you that additional services would be added to the basic fee if you chose to enjoy them. DJ just nodded and headed off to find food on his own (the Hotel food was good, but DJ knew places that were better).
It was while relaxing and enjoying some Off-World cuisine with an exotic brew at a hole-in-the-wall off the main thoroughfare, that DJ ran into an unusual situation. An argument between a local Beau Citizen and a group of aliens attempting to avoid him. The “Citizen” [he mentioned that point loudly several times] appeared to be some sort of activist Blogger engaged in a loud rant directed against aliens and non-citizens in general, Government inaction, and these four individuals [An elderly male, an adult female, and adolescent female and a male child] in particular. The elderly male just kept repeating “we seek no trouble, please, leave us in peace. We are on a quest for knowledge.”
The small child appeared terrified by the screaming “citizen” and his accusations that there was no place on Beau for their kind.
DJ found a medium quality Starport Hotel, the sort that catered to all sorts of businessmen passing through Montsoliel. The clerk accepted the ID and linked your personal account for the room, reminding you that additional services would be added to the basic fee if you chose to enjoy them. DJ just nodded and headed off to find food on his own (the Hotel food was good, but DJ knew places that were better).
It was while relaxing and enjoying some Off-World cuisine with an exotic brew at a hole-in-the-wall off the main thoroughfare, that DJ ran into an unusual situation. An argument between a local Beau Citizen and a group of aliens attempting to avoid him. The “Citizen” [he mentioned that point loudly several times] appeared to be some sort of activist Blogger engaged in a loud rant directed against aliens and non-citizens in general, Government inaction, and these four individuals [An elderly male, an adult female, and adolescent female and a male child] in particular. The elderly male just kept repeating “we seek no trouble, please, leave us in peace. We are on a quest for knowledge.”
The small child appeared terrified by the screaming “citizen” and his accusations that there was no place on Beau for their kind.
"welcoming humbly His light and proudly His darkness" - e.e. cummings
Y2156.12.08 Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
DJ
DJ steps up to stand between the blogger and the alien family, slightly off to one side.
He addresses the activist "What's the problem here? You're scaring the kid."
DJ steps up to stand between the blogger and the alien family, slightly off to one side.
He addresses the activist "What's the problem here? You're scaring the kid."
Y2156.12.08:afternoon Hydrogen Generation [Mick, DJ Hol & Tut]
Y2156.12.08:afternoon Hydrogen Generation [Mick, DJ Hol & Tut]
Throughout the day, in and among other activities, the issue of creating Liquid Hydrogen for your fleet of droids was explored.
Mick had purchased a small Hydrogen Generator for his Pickup and hoped to simply acquire a larger one to meet the Company Needs. Almost immediately, he was assaulted by a wall of paperwork and an army of suspicion. Mick quickly discovered two great truths. First, Hydrogen Gas occupied 1000 times the volume of Liquid hydrogen, thus a small lab might need even 1000 liters of hydrogen gas, bit that was only 1/1000 of a tonne of Liquid Hydrogen. Thus the creation of 1000 liters (1 dTon) of LH2 was equivalent to a million liters of Hydrogen Gas … and the government CARED about people with that sort of capability. So Mick was fine with a system that generated a liter per hour of LH2, but larger systems required special industrial licenses. The second fact was only Montsoliel had Industrial scale systems.
DJ calmly accepted this information and decided to casually inquire about INDUSTRIAL Hydrogen production systems at Montsoliel. It was a “good news and bad news” situation. Good news was they had them. Bad news was that Montsoliel Spaceport had a monopoly on producing LH2 in commercial quantities on Beau. Thus the systems could only be installed on Spacecraft for use OFF-WORLD.
The rest of the Company followed the exchanges over the secured COMMs. The Ship’s AI suggested to Hol and Tut that this might be an opportunity to test the DRONE-0 scavenging plan in the Boneyard. Perhaps they could FIND what they could not purchase.
Thus it came to pass that Hol, Tut and 24 Drones under the control of the ship’s AI began to scour the Boneyard for parts. Although there were no Fuel Purifiers just laying around, the AI produced a shopping list of parts that might be repurposed to create one. This commenced the Great Scavenger Hunt. The DRONES began carting parts back to the transport and loading them aboard. A part from this system and a sub-assembly from that system and a controller from another completely unrelated system.
Once back at the ship, most of the drones shut down as Tut worked alongside an army of Engineering and Mechanical workers as good as he was to modify the parts and assemble them according to the Master Plan. In the end, a small plant powered a well that extracted groundwater, filtered it, converted it into Unrefined LH2 Fuel and pumped it along a hose into the ship’s fuel tank for storage. It was crude, 6.5 tonnes and only produced 13 tonnes of fuel per hour [compared to 22 tonnes of Refined LH2 per hour for a small Starship Purifier from Montsiliel] … but it was all yours and nobody knew about it. Free Fuel for vehicles, robots and small craft … just don’t try to Jump.
Throughout the day, in and among other activities, the issue of creating Liquid Hydrogen for your fleet of droids was explored.
Mick had purchased a small Hydrogen Generator for his Pickup and hoped to simply acquire a larger one to meet the Company Needs. Almost immediately, he was assaulted by a wall of paperwork and an army of suspicion. Mick quickly discovered two great truths. First, Hydrogen Gas occupied 1000 times the volume of Liquid hydrogen, thus a small lab might need even 1000 liters of hydrogen gas, bit that was only 1/1000 of a tonne of Liquid Hydrogen. Thus the creation of 1000 liters (1 dTon) of LH2 was equivalent to a million liters of Hydrogen Gas … and the government CARED about people with that sort of capability. So Mick was fine with a system that generated a liter per hour of LH2, but larger systems required special industrial licenses. The second fact was only Montsoliel had Industrial scale systems.
DJ calmly accepted this information and decided to casually inquire about INDUSTRIAL Hydrogen production systems at Montsoliel. It was a “good news and bad news” situation. Good news was they had them. Bad news was that Montsoliel Spaceport had a monopoly on producing LH2 in commercial quantities on Beau. Thus the systems could only be installed on Spacecraft for use OFF-WORLD.
The rest of the Company followed the exchanges over the secured COMMs. The Ship’s AI suggested to Hol and Tut that this might be an opportunity to test the DRONE-0 scavenging plan in the Boneyard. Perhaps they could FIND what they could not purchase.
Thus it came to pass that Hol, Tut and 24 Drones under the control of the ship’s AI began to scour the Boneyard for parts. Although there were no Fuel Purifiers just laying around, the AI produced a shopping list of parts that might be repurposed to create one. This commenced the Great Scavenger Hunt. The DRONES began carting parts back to the transport and loading them aboard. A part from this system and a sub-assembly from that system and a controller from another completely unrelated system.
Once back at the ship, most of the drones shut down as Tut worked alongside an army of Engineering and Mechanical workers as good as he was to modify the parts and assemble them according to the Master Plan. In the end, a small plant powered a well that extracted groundwater, filtered it, converted it into Unrefined LH2 Fuel and pumped it along a hose into the ship’s fuel tank for storage. It was crude, 6.5 tonnes and only produced 13 tonnes of fuel per hour [compared to 22 tonnes of Refined LH2 per hour for a small Starship Purifier from Montsiliel] … but it was all yours and nobody knew about it. Free Fuel for vehicles, robots and small craft … just don’t try to Jump.
"welcoming humbly His light and proudly His darkness" - e.e. cummings
Re: Y2156.12.08 Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
Mick is looking for DJ’s thoughts in the third section of this post:
/www.unseenservant.us/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 33#p754133
/www.unseenservant.us/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 33#p754133
Re: Y2156.12.08 Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
Sorry, I haven't been reading threads without DJs name on. I'll post something.
Y2156.12.08:evening Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
Y2156.12.08:evening Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
DJ: "What's the problem here? You're scaring the kid."
The ‘citizen’ redirected his poison diatribe at DJ. You learned that ‘people like you’ are what’s wrong with Beau society … apparently ‘you’ alien lovers are allowing these abominations to just march in and take over everything with their subtle mind control. ‘You’ are a disgrace and a mindless puppet of your ‘off-world masters’.
Fortunately, DJ was relieved to learn that HE was not afraid to stand up for his world even if you weren’t. He was not afraid of YOU or THEM! [Although DJ did note that as DJ slowly advanced towards the ‘citizen’ to buy some space for the child, the brave ‘citizen’ slowly retreated from DJ … all the way to the front door.]
When the ‘citizen’ bumped against the door, he shouted “this is not over” before quickly exiting the building. DJ just shrugged, apparently it was over.
The aliens were all visibly shaken by the encounter. The ‘citizen’ had only been of average height and build, but the tallest of the aliens was a mere 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall and all were significantly more slender than an equivalent human.
They had green skin with various markings … irregular splotches with borders, or stripes or banding … all in shades of green (from sea-foam to teal). Their fingers appeared to have an extra joint. Otherwise, they were generally humanoid in appearance. DJ had heard OF them … the Akoa … but had never actually met one in his travels. They tended to be reclusive, bordering on xenophobic, and seldom left their home system. They had a reputation for being primitive with things like Electronics and Starships, but advanced in MEDICINE and BIOTECHNOLOGY.
DJ: "What's the problem here? You're scaring the kid."
The ‘citizen’ redirected his poison diatribe at DJ. You learned that ‘people like you’ are what’s wrong with Beau society … apparently ‘you’ alien lovers are allowing these abominations to just march in and take over everything with their subtle mind control. ‘You’ are a disgrace and a mindless puppet of your ‘off-world masters’.
Fortunately, DJ was relieved to learn that HE was not afraid to stand up for his world even if you weren’t. He was not afraid of YOU or THEM! [Although DJ did note that as DJ slowly advanced towards the ‘citizen’ to buy some space for the child, the brave ‘citizen’ slowly retreated from DJ … all the way to the front door.]
When the ‘citizen’ bumped against the door, he shouted “this is not over” before quickly exiting the building. DJ just shrugged, apparently it was over.
The aliens were all visibly shaken by the encounter. The ‘citizen’ had only been of average height and build, but the tallest of the aliens was a mere 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall and all were significantly more slender than an equivalent human.
They had green skin with various markings … irregular splotches with borders, or stripes or banding … all in shades of green (from sea-foam to teal). Their fingers appeared to have an extra joint. Otherwise, they were generally humanoid in appearance. DJ had heard OF them … the Akoa … but had never actually met one in his travels. They tended to be reclusive, bordering on xenophobic, and seldom left their home system. They had a reputation for being primitive with things like Electronics and Starships, but advanced in MEDICINE and BIOTECHNOLOGY.
"welcoming humbly His light and proudly His darkness" - e.e. cummings
Re: Y2156.12.08 Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
DJ
DJ smiles at the family. "Hello, my name is DJ. I'm sorry about that...moron. Are you all OK? Do you want me to summon the police so you can report the incident? Or, if there is somewhere you need to go I can escort you to make sure you get there safe."
DJ smiles at the family. "Hello, my name is DJ. I'm sorry about that...moron. Are you all OK? Do you want me to summon the police so you can report the incident? Or, if there is somewhere you need to go I can escort you to make sure you get there safe."
Y2156.12.08:evening Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
Y2156.12.08:evening Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
DJ: "Hello, my name is DJ. I'm sorry about that...moron. Are you all OK? Do you want me to summon the police so you can report the incident? Or, if there is somewhere you need to go I can escort you to make sure you get there safe."
The aliens were visibly relieved to have the situation de-escalated. When DJ introduced himself and offered assistance, the Adolescent Female was the first to respond.
“We will need local assistance to navigate the world” Nira said in a matter-of-fact tone, then she stared, unblinking, at DJ “Why not this one? It can be trusted.”
“We should not involve the local authorities.” Aiza, the adult female, whispered to the others “They might interfere with our quest. We cannot risk that.”
Aiva, the young male child took a step towards DJ “Are you a ‘Protector’ if your people?” he asked, then touched his forehead and nodded in what appeared to be some sort of gesture of respect “The oracle said that one day I will be a ‘Protector’.”
After a pause, the elderly male spoke “Greetings DJ. I am Ilona, Light of the AKOA.” he smiled and continued “As the situation is resolved, thanks to your kind intervention, there is no need to bother the authorities. As to your offer of safe escort …” there was a long pause “we would be grateful for your assistance, but you must know more information before we can ask and you can accept our offer. Is there somewhere quiet we could speak?”
The AKOA had been tracking a stolen artifact - a cultural relic missing for almost 200 years - across 20 parsecs. They had followed rumors from world to world and had reason to believe that the ‘TRILL’ was presently located on Beau. They had come to purchase the artifact and return it to the Temple on AKOA.
“We can pay you for your time and assistance.” Ilona stated “We do not know the exact location of the TRILL, only that it is to be sold at some secret meeting on the 15th of this month. That leaves us only a week to locate this secret sale and purchase it.”
“Or may Gaia have mercy on Beau” whispered Aiza.
“She has” replied little Aiva “She sent us and provided a Beau Protector to aid our quest.”
DJ: "Hello, my name is DJ. I'm sorry about that...moron. Are you all OK? Do you want me to summon the police so you can report the incident? Or, if there is somewhere you need to go I can escort you to make sure you get there safe."
The aliens were visibly relieved to have the situation de-escalated. When DJ introduced himself and offered assistance, the Adolescent Female was the first to respond.
“We will need local assistance to navigate the world” Nira said in a matter-of-fact tone, then she stared, unblinking, at DJ “Why not this one? It can be trusted.”
“We should not involve the local authorities.” Aiza, the adult female, whispered to the others “They might interfere with our quest. We cannot risk that.”
Aiva, the young male child took a step towards DJ “Are you a ‘Protector’ if your people?” he asked, then touched his forehead and nodded in what appeared to be some sort of gesture of respect “The oracle said that one day I will be a ‘Protector’.”
After a pause, the elderly male spoke “Greetings DJ. I am Ilona, Light of the AKOA.” he smiled and continued “As the situation is resolved, thanks to your kind intervention, there is no need to bother the authorities. As to your offer of safe escort …” there was a long pause “we would be grateful for your assistance, but you must know more information before we can ask and you can accept our offer. Is there somewhere quiet we could speak?”
The AKOA had been tracking a stolen artifact - a cultural relic missing for almost 200 years - across 20 parsecs. They had followed rumors from world to world and had reason to believe that the ‘TRILL’ was presently located on Beau. They had come to purchase the artifact and return it to the Temple on AKOA.
“We can pay you for your time and assistance.” Ilona stated “We do not know the exact location of the TRILL, only that it is to be sold at some secret meeting on the 15th of this month. That leaves us only a week to locate this secret sale and purchase it.”
“Or may Gaia have mercy on Beau” whispered Aiza.
“She has” replied little Aiva “She sent us and provided a Beau Protector to aid our quest.”
"welcoming humbly His light and proudly His darkness" - e.e. cummings
Moving to Day 9
When DJ decides how he will respond ...
... The mid-morning Transport from Montsoliel touched down at the Brulatfort landing pad. Mick was there with the [Mini Grav/ Grav Pickup] to shuttle DJ (and his guests?) back to camp?
[Continued in DAY 9]
DJ can continue with this Day 8 conversation here if he wants.
... The mid-morning Transport from Montsoliel touched down at the Brulatfort landing pad. Mick was there with the [Mini Grav/ Grav Pickup] to shuttle DJ (and his guests?) back to camp?
[Continued in DAY 9]
DJ can continue with this Day 8 conversation here if he wants.
"welcoming humbly His light and proudly His darkness" - e.e. cummings
Re: Y2156.12.08 Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
{DJ}
DJ shakes his head at male child "I'm not a protector, just someone who doesn't like bullies." he turns his attention to Ilona "How will you find this sale if you don't know where it is? I have a hotel room not far if you want to talk privately?"
DJ shakes his head at male child "I'm not a protector, just someone who doesn't like bullies." he turns his attention to Ilona "How will you find this sale if you don't know where it is? I have a hotel room not far if you want to talk privately?"
Y2156.12.08:evening Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
Y2156.12.08:evening Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
They accompanied DJ back to his hotel to speak in privacy. Ilona (old man) didn’t think that finding the location of a half-million credit artifact for sale would be an insurmountable task … the seller wanted to sell it and they had the wealth to buy it. Someone local would know where the sale was to be.
Nira (adolescent): (softly to DJ in a matter-of-fact tone) “You already know people with ‘wisdom-of-the-street’ that could locate the object.”
She quickly turned to stare at the floor.
Ilona showed DJ an image of the ‘Trill’ … it was a triangular stone object covered in strange patterns and symbols, about the size of a human palm. In the image it was displayed on a gold stand atop a wooden pedestal covered in small bioluminescent flowers.
Ilona (old man): “There will be others attempting to purchase it. We must outbid them.”
Aiva (the child): (blurted out) “They cannot have it, it is too dangerous.”
Aiza (woman): (gave him a stern glance and the boy was instantly quiet) (softly) “That is not their concern.”
Ilona (old man): “Are you willing to help us locate this secret black market and guide us to the Trill? We can pay for your time.”
The old man held out what DJ at first thought was a coin. As the man set it in your hand, DJ realized it was a gemstone. Appraising gems was a little outside his expertise, but it had to be worth over Cr 1000 even if synthetic and perhaps as high as Cr 100,000.
They accompanied DJ back to his hotel to speak in privacy. Ilona (old man) didn’t think that finding the location of a half-million credit artifact for sale would be an insurmountable task … the seller wanted to sell it and they had the wealth to buy it. Someone local would know where the sale was to be.
Nira (adolescent): (softly to DJ in a matter-of-fact tone) “You already know people with ‘wisdom-of-the-street’ that could locate the object.”
She quickly turned to stare at the floor.
Ilona showed DJ an image of the ‘Trill’ … it was a triangular stone object covered in strange patterns and symbols, about the size of a human palm. In the image it was displayed on a gold stand atop a wooden pedestal covered in small bioluminescent flowers.
Ilona (old man): “There will be others attempting to purchase it. We must outbid them.”
Aiva (the child): (blurted out) “They cannot have it, it is too dangerous.”
Aiza (woman): (gave him a stern glance and the boy was instantly quiet) (softly) “That is not their concern.”
Ilona (old man): “Are you willing to help us locate this secret black market and guide us to the Trill? We can pay for your time.”
The old man held out what DJ at first thought was a coin. As the man set it in your hand, DJ realized it was a gemstone. Appraising gems was a little outside his expertise, but it had to be worth over Cr 1000 even if synthetic and perhaps as high as Cr 100,000.
"welcoming humbly His light and proudly His darkness" - e.e. cummings
Re: Y2156.12.08 Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
DJ
DJ looks at Ilona and then Nira "How do you know that, about who I know? Are you being honest with me?"
DJ looks at Ilona and then Nira "How do you know that, about who I know? Are you being honest with me?"
Y2156.12.08:evening Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
Y2156.12.08:evening Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
Nira blushed … sort of … well, alarm registered on her face, her eyes became large, her shade of green changed and - (DJ may have detected a brief flash of bioluminescence underneath her skin) … then she slumped and stared hard at the floor looking ‘scolded’. (she took an involuntary step closer towards Aiza.)
Ilona (old man): (smiled and sighed) “We are AKOA. Nira is sensitive to other beings. You must have been thinking about how you could locate the information at some point and she sensed your confidence. Each person on a quest is chosen for a reason. Nira senses those who mean us harm and those who are sincere. As I already told you, I am Ilona, Light of the AKOA. I keep the light of ancient knowledge. Each of us has a function.”
Aiva (the child): “If he will not guide us, then we must seek another who will. The Trill.”
Aiza (woman): (touched Aiva lightly on the shoulder) “Patience. See what grows before you harvest the fruit.”
Nira blushed … sort of … well, alarm registered on her face, her eyes became large, her shade of green changed and - (DJ may have detected a brief flash of bioluminescence underneath her skin) … then she slumped and stared hard at the floor looking ‘scolded’. (she took an involuntary step closer towards Aiza.)
Ilona (old man): (smiled and sighed) “We are AKOA. Nira is sensitive to other beings. You must have been thinking about how you could locate the information at some point and she sensed your confidence. Each person on a quest is chosen for a reason. Nira senses those who mean us harm and those who are sincere. As I already told you, I am Ilona, Light of the AKOA. I keep the light of ancient knowledge. Each of us has a function.”
Aiva (the child): “If he will not guide us, then we must seek another who will. The Trill.”
Aiza (woman): (touched Aiva lightly on the shoulder) “Patience. See what grows before you harvest the fruit.”
"welcoming humbly His light and proudly His darkness" - e.e. cummings
Re: Y2156.12.08 Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
DJ
DJ smiles "I didn't say I wouldn't help, I just wanted to know. I have friends who could help. How many of those gems do you have?"
DJ smiles "I didn't say I wouldn't help, I just wanted to know. I have friends who could help. How many of those gems do you have?"
Re: Y2156.12.08 Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
Ilona (old man): (smiled) “Enough ...” the old man winked “... and maybe a few extra.”
"welcoming humbly His light and proudly His darkness" - e.e. cummings
Re: Y2156.12.08 Montsoliel Downport [DJ]
DJ
"OK, no promises, but I'll take you meet my friends and we'll see where it goes. The shuttle to Brulantfort leaves in the morning."
"OK, no promises, but I'll take you meet my friends and we'll see where it goes. The shuttle to Brulantfort leaves in the morning."