Chapter 10: Year 300, Days 7 and 8

[joertexas]

I am Pilot, Captain. It is my job to take you where you need to go.

"True, but another set of eyes is always good to have."

I am used to working in Holo, Assana to walking around in other people's computers. Between the three of us, we should find our way. I have my Holo-suite, Assana the new hacker deck, and you the legal authority. Shall we try again?

"Yes. We can't go anywhere without a computer."

[SpinwardMarch]

Maggie

She looks at the image of the chip. After muttering something to herself, "That looks suspiciously familiar. Something looking very similar was recently stolen.

[joertexas]

Maggie

She looks at the image of the chip. After muttering something to herself, "That looks suspiciously familiar. Something looking very similar was recently stolen.

"Elaborate, please," Indrani asks.

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor

She audibly gasps when the chip lights up and resembles a sapphire. "What? How does... but maybe my necklace..." She's still trying to piece things together when Maggie shares new information.

"Go on..."

[BackworldTraveller]

An unencryped message has appeared in the ships message buffer identified as being from Clerk Bezant.
Noor

I can only say how ashamed I am that I have failed your family so spectacularly and I am most sorry for your terrible loss.

I heard how Marc helped you - and I'm proud that you felt you could trust him - even given the consequences. He wishes you well and wants you to know that he'll be out of hospital in a few days.

You have my private number. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask.

We have arranged for a senate security detail to be available to you for a while should you want it. You don't have to, but some security is advisable.

I can't say more now

Your Humble Servant
Clerk

[cybersavant]

Reven Stiilpahth gets up and before everyone disperses he asks, "Captain, XO, where do you want me today?"

"Repairs, but you and Pranit can work out the details."

Reven Stiilpahth goes over to Pranit. "So, what's the plan for today XO?"

[ateno]

Reven Stiilpahth goes over to Pranit. "So, what's the plan for today XO?"

"Lets check from the bottom up, go over the level where they entered, look for any repairs needed after the quick fix yesterday.


Getting the Captains attention: 'Captain, Lawyers at 10am this am!."

Pranit

[joertexas]

Reven Stiilpahth goes over to Pranit. "So, what's the plan for today XO?"

"Lets check from the bottom up, go over the level where they entered, look for any repairs needed after the quick fix yesterday.


Getting the Captains attention: 'Captain, Lawyers at 10am this am!."

Pranit

"Very well," Indrani replies.

[cybersavant]

Reven Stiilpahth heads down with Pranit to diagnose the state of the Queen.

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor

Noor addresses the message with Indrani. "You know him, right? His son, Marc, was very helpful in getting me out. This whole thing stinks of council politics, but I don't believe he would harm his own son. I suspect he was in the dark and is now trying to enlighten himself. He could be a strong ally."

"What do you think, do you want to accept more security? I'd suggest a trial to test their loyalty first, of course."

How did her second effort in tracking down the crate pan out?

[BackworldTraveller]

How did her second effort in tracking down the crate pan out?

That depends on the roll and whether this is being undertaken carefully, normally or at speed!!

[BackworldTraveller]

The careful check of the ship shows many external bullet marks, and nothing additional that is particularly vital (other than the sensor damage caused by scraping the surface with air-raft and hanger doors). Nothing that painting wont fix. There is sign that the LAG that hit Pranit's pack and holed the bridge also hit the main passenger airlock - but glanced off.

Inside, there are scorch marks from the attacker's blast grenades and Pranit's thermite. And many bullet marks including several that have still got the slugs in them!

There is a hand-comp that has been stuffed down the side of the bed of one of the Low-Berths. The place looks much tidier by the time that the lawyer is due. The Hull-plates from the delivery are, however, now neatly stacked in the cargo hold and tied down.

---

The other activities have not got any particular direction (crate investigation excepted).

---

The arrival of the lawyers is underwhelming. One middle-aged man - tall and thin and somewhat pasty in tone. Clearly doesn't keep up with the proper exercise regime this far from the sun.

Hi, My name is Brian. I hope we can come to some (mutually beneficial) arrangement.

[joertexas]

Noor

Noor addresses the message with Indrani. "You know him, right? His son, Marc, was very helpful in getting me out. This whole thing stinks of council politics, but I don't believe he would harm his own son. I suspect he was in the dark and is now trying to enlighten himself. He could be a strong ally."

"What do you think, do you want to accept more security? I'd suggest a trial to test their loyalty first, of course."

How did her second effort in tracking down the crate pan out?

"More security is fine, but can you vet them first?"

[ateno]

Hi, My name is Brian. I hope we can come to some (mutually beneficial) arrangement.

"Brian, please follow me, have a seat here, I'll get you a caf with spices. I'll inform the Captain that you are here."

Pranit goes and finds the Captain and pulls him froms what he was doing.

Eric

[joertexas]

Hi, My name is Brian. I hope we can come to some (mutually beneficial) arrangement.

"Brian, please follow me, have a seat here, I'll get you a caf with spices. I'll inform the Captain that you are here."

Pranit goes and finds the Captain and pulls him froms what he was doing.

Eric

Indrani returns to the passenger common area with Pranit. She pours herself a cup of caf and sits down across from the lawyer. "I'm Indrani Carter, captain of what's left of the Queen of the Belt."

[BackworldTraveller]

A famous vessel? Or should that be infamous? All the publicity, none of the good reasons. Still "All publicity is good publicity" as someone said.

I understand that you are intending to "Sue for damages". I'm a bit concerned that you have done such a good job tidying up as we would have liked to gather an independent set of forensic evidence. The better we can weight our case the more chance we can get a reasonable pay-out!

But I get ahead of myself. I'm unsure of the exact terms you will agree to. Shall we start with a broad discussion of risk and reward?

[joertexas]

A famous vessel? Or should that be infamous? All the publicity, none of the good reasons. Still "All publicity is good publicity" as someone said.

I understand that you are intending to "Sue for damages". I'm a bit concerned that you have done such a good job tidying up as we would have liked to gather an independent set of forensic evidence. The better we can weight our case the more chance we can get a reasonable pay-out!

But I get ahead of myself. I'm unsure of the exact terms you will agree to. Shall we start with a broad discussion of risk and reward?

"We have records of the damages, it's part of the maintenance and repair logs," Indrani replies with a crooked smile. "That information is necessary if the ship is ever inspected by the authorities. But please, do continue."

[BackworldTraveller]

So what is it that you seek and from whom? What damages have you been subject to for which you seek remedy?

I have seen what has been on the news - which prompted our cold-call, but what is on the news is subject to....editing. What is your opinion? In what way have your incurred un-compensated losses? For what have you been compensated? And I suppose I should clarify whether "You" is "the ship the Queen of the Belt" or "Captain Indrani and Crew"?

[joertexas]

So what is it that you seek and from whom? What damages have you been subject to for which you seek remedy?

I have seen what has been on the news - which prompted our cold-call, but what is on the news is subject to....editing. What is your opinion? In what way have your incurred un-compensated losses? For what have you been compensated? And I suppose I should clarify whether "You" is "the ship the Queen of the Belt" or "Captain Indrani and Crew"?

Indrani sits back and sips her caf for a moment as she composes her thoughts. "We are the ship and her crew," she said at length. "One of us is in the hospital, and several others of us were wounded in the last attack. The ship is, to put it succinctly, a shambles, although it can be repaired. I would need to place you under a confidentiality agreement to discuss compensation, and why I believe we are on solid ground to request it, and from whom."

[BackworldTraveller]

Brian
That's fine - I am bound by the client confidentiality requirements/privileges of my profession.