The Next Ticket

[Tiglath]

Polly waves at Jess with amiable vacancy while dealing with her pizza withdrawal.

(OOC: Is Jess venturing into the Non Coms bar??? )

[The Bindoner]

Damn straight. Sergeant-Major, it's right there in the title

Anyway, QSM hasn't been confirmed, still just Colour Sergeant, eh?

She's not comfortable in the Officers Mess to start with, and everyone's pairing up there anyway.

Also, seems like there's a story with this Skip guy. Like to hear it from people who know.

Jess gives Polly a bright smile, a very civilian wave and an exaggerated wink.

[Leitz]

"To starting off with the truth. My favorite opening move." Jakob lifted his bottle in salute. "One of the Staffs I used to work with told me how she and her husband had simple supper conversations. Each day it was just a 'how was your day?', usually answered with 'fine". She worked plans and he was NAVINT. It seemed to work for them."

He smiled. It was a happy smile. "You answered one of my lead questions already; it seems like you're stationed here, and not just passing through. That's good. Maybe we can hang out long enough that I get grilled by your extended family. That could be fun, but I'm one up on answers. Anything you'd like to ask? Or do you like surprises?"

[Tiglath]

Skip will have to walk around into the other side of the bar for conversation (which is neither any distance or hardship). Cole's squad respectfully stand as Skip joins them and the Sergeant introduces them individually. They are clearly not only delighted to meet a holder of the SEH but even more pleased that Skip chooses to spend time with them (OOC: Now that's Leader 2 right there! ).

Cole seems to decide that if Skip is secretly an Out World spy then it's all so broke that no one can fix it. "Well Op Sec an all, sir but we're ship's troops on an anti piracy sweep and other odd spook jobs. Would be a sweet posting but our officer's a bit green". The squad call an toast for "Captain Smith" who appears to be an incestuous gentleman of indeterminate parentage who is of little military use. Cole cautions them but you can tell his heart's not quite in it. He continues "I'd have to say he near got us killed about three times over yesterday. Rescue op and he walked us straight into a vargr ambush enfiladed by aslan and local mercs. Our luck they let us go. Turns out we even picked up the wrong guy - I have yet to see a more comprehensive clusterflock. Maybe he'll learn".

He peers into the back bar eyeing Prerna and the approaching Jess "Hell, I think that's them! Are you with them sir?"

[joertexas]

He peers into the back bar eyeing Prerna and Jess "Hell, I think that's them! Are you with them sir?"

Prerna sits quietly at the table, nursing the stein of beer she'd ordered. She couldn't remember if it was her third or fourth, but it hardly mattered. What they called 'beer' here wasn't at all like what she'd drunk at home. Oh, the flavor was okay, but it lacked something in the way of intoxicants. She sighed quietly; there was a lot to think about, after all.

Her life had turned around quite a lot after her stint in prison, and the whole thing had her head spinning. She'd mooned over Harry while she was jailed, and it was a huge shock to see him so... debilitated. Between that, the battle, the murders, and the truth about her incarceration, Prerna was having a hard time processing it all. She smiles slightly as she watches Frank and Polly dance around each other. It would be nice to have something like that for herself, and she'd been known to have liaisons of her own. After all, it wasn't like she had someone waiting at home. Maybe, she thought as she took another drink.

[Shrike]

He peers into the back bar eyeing Prerna and Jess "Hell, I think that's them! Are you with them sir?"

"Those would be my new employers, yeah. You, uh, still got the wrong guy in custody? Skip knows he's pressing his luck with those magic words "operational security," but gives a winning smile to Sgt. Cole and hopes for the best.
Leader roll if applicable? Probably a better carousing.

[Tiglath]

"Those would be my new employers, yeah. You, uh, still got the wrong guy in custody? Skip knows he's pressing his luck with those magic words "operational security," but gives a winning smile to Sgt. Cole and hopes for the best.

Cole chuckles "He sure was the wrong guy! Couple of hours in the brig - meals and the door open while the brass tried to unfek the situation. Oh, then we get his corporate lawyer on the comm! After that he got a handshake and a cab back to whatever rock he lives under".

[Tiglath]

Prerna

Erica slides into a seat next to Prerna. "I find Imperial soldiers overly noisy" she smiles "but I suppose it at least lets you know where they are! Need any help staring into your beer? Finding Harry again must have been jarring - its alright and natural to feel unsettled".

[Shrike]

Cole chuckles "He sure was the wrong guy! Couple of hours in the brig - meals and the door open while the brass tried to unfek the situation. Oh, then we get his corporate lawyer on the comm! After that he got a handshake and a cab back to whatever rock he lives under".

Skip raises his eyebrows. "A handshake? Sounds important. How'd the Captain take it?" He sips on his beer and waits a few minutes before using his handcomp to send a message to Frank and Prerna: Your buddy from 1188 is a free man, still on world. Skip mulls over in his mind the finer points of where Imperium interests and corporate interests diverge and intersect, and orders another beer from Gunny.

[Tiglath]

Jakob

He smiled. It was a happy smile. "You answered one of my lead questions already; it seems like you're stationed here, and not just passing through. That's good. Maybe we can hang out long enough that I get grilled by your extended family. That could be fun, but I'm one up on answers. Anything you'd like to ask? Or do you like surprises?"

Liv gives a wry smile and replies "I can neither confirm or deny where I am currently stationed nor what, if any, role I have here but I kinda like "Collace steaks" - I'm not sure what sort of fish it is". She laughs "How tragic is it that you already know me better than my "extended family"? They think I'm an Imperial Marshal! It won't surprise you to know that professionally I hate surprises. I'd like to ask how "pro Imperial" you think your unit is but I'm trying to give the less nice version of me the night off. So, instead I'll buy some beers".

[Leitz]

Jakob

Liv gives a wry smile and replies "I can neither confirm or deny where I am currently stationed nor what, if any, role I have here but I kinda like "Collace steaks" - I'm not sure what sort of fish it is". She laughs "How tragic is it that you already know me better than my "extended family"? They think I'm an Imperial Marshal! It won't surprise you to know that professionally I hate surprises. I'd like to ask how "pro Imperial" you think your unit is but I'm trying to give the less nice version of me the night off. So, instead I'll buy some beers".

"I'm about as new as they get to the team, and happy to let anyone have whatever political or moral leanings they see fit, as long as they are not shooting at me or mine." Jakob said quietly. "However, being a civilian contractor doesn't mean I left my own morals or beliefs at the door. Remind me tomorrow, and I'll tell your not so nice but still ravishing in whatever she happens to be wearing self that if I feel things are morally spinward, or politically putting my friends at risk, I'll walk. I don't see that happening, though, with this crew. Certainly not perfect, but not rabidly political."

"Okay, I'm not too fond of surprises, and it's my turn to ask. Hmm...something good, but not to be answered with a professional deflection." He leaned back and mulled for a moment. "Got it; dancing. Formal, active, retro, or what? I'll up the ante and admit that I had to spend time learning formal, it seems like junior officers are supposed to know that sort of thing. I'm up for some variety, though, if you have anything in mind."

[Tiglath]

Skip

Skip raises his eyebrows. "A handshake? Sounds important. How'd the Captain take it?"

Cole replies "The Captain? Well, they don't give command of Imperial ships to grabastic pieces of amphibian shi... Evenin' ma'am!" Cole smiles at Jess and continues "The Captain was furious. Of course "Force Commander Smith" tried to blame everyone else but himself but we could hear their "conversation" through the bulkhead".

[joertexas]

Prerna

Erica slides into a seat next to Prerna. "I find Imperial soldiers overly noisy" she smiles "but I suppose it at least lets you know where they are! Need any help staring into your beer? Finding Harry again must have been jarring - its alright and natural to feel unsettled".

We never did settle on how long Prerna was in prison. So, I'm ad libbing it.

Prerna looks up as Erica sits next to her. "I've never cared much for Imperial soldiers, myself. I've been out of prison for less than a week, and this certainly wasn't what I expected to find. Unsettled isn't the half of it." She takes a drink and sits up straighter to look more directly at Erica. "To be blunt about it, I could use to find someone who will help me take my mind off of it. It's been a while; prison is short on trust and long on treachery, you see."

[shaidar]

Frank

"We are planning the next job, and expanding the squad, but it'll be a few weeks before we go. I'm happy you found a job that really suits you. You're not leaving tomorrow are you?" he sounds concerned "Would you rather go for a quiet meal, just the two of us?"

Polly seems gratified by Frank's concern and with a smile replies "No, I'm happy to enjoy the party. I have near a month before my duties start but I would enjoy a quiet meal on another day. For now I will let you plan some more" she eyes Gunny's buffet "because I crave a slice of pizza!".

Frank looks around at the others spreading out

"I'm not sure how much more planning we'll be getting done tonight. You grab your pizza and maybe we can enjoy the party together later, have a talk." he looks hopefully at Polly

[Tiglath]

All

Tendering for the contract with The Collace Foreign Ministry the Team are given a briefing via comm.

Baron Iarl Rowri is continuing to upgrade his infrastructure on Inchin with the aim of creating an A class starport facility and combined capital city / startown at the down port.

Although previously minded towards independence the Baron now seems determined to align himself to Collace’s pro Imperial position. Collace and her various partners will therefore send a diplomatic mission to demonstrate the benefits of an alliance and cement relations with the Baron.

The mercenary unit will act under the necessary direction of the diplomatic mission and facilitate its needs while providing security and liaison with the “Baronial Guard”. The Guard are a TL 9 Mechanised Unit operating tracked tanks and APCs with lift cavalry units equipped with grav sleds.

Inchin is an inhospitable world. It has low gravity, no water, an uncomfortably high surface temperature, and a very thin, tainted atmosphere. Its dreary, featureless plains of yellow (sulfur-rich) sand and rock do not even possess the kind of stark natural beauty that is the redeeming feature of many other desert worlds.

External threats to Inchin focus on Avastan Portways, Inc., which operates the starport in the neighboring (TL 10) Avastan system. It is believed by the Baron that "API" is trying to prevent Inchin from becoming a competitor on the Collace Arm of the J-1 Spinward Main by sending covert agents to foment unrest among his workers and to commit acts of sabotage.

Transport to and from Inchin will be provided by the Collace Foreign Ministry who have chartered a Mertactor lines M 600 Subsidized Liner for the delegation.

The Liner will carry additional Low Berths for troop transport as well as a Shuttle to supplement its Launch and facilitate transfers from orbit. Any cargo space not used will carry spare fuel and refining facilites to allow wilderness refuelling.

(OOC: I'll contine the party as necessary but hope to facilitate the prep work in parallel with it. Hopefully purchases and prep can accelerate now you know (to a degree) what you are planning for.

Ship Stats: M 600 Subsidized Liner for the delegation. 600 tons. Jump-3. 1-G. 210 tons fuel. Model/3. 30 (20) staterooms, 20 (60) low. 3 hardpoints. Launch. 129 tons cargo. Unstreamlined. 9 crew).

[Tiglath]

All

Just steering the party to its diverse conclusions.

Frank

Polly smiles “I’d like that. And a meal”. She adds brightly “If we go for a meal you can be my escort and so I can leave my aslan guard at home!”

Prerna

Erica replies absently “Don’t worry I will be here to talk it through with you. We all need to make sense of our insanity”.

Jakob

Liv laughs again “So you are apolitical good guys. You really are scary people!”

She reflects “I really quite enjoy being me with you and formal dance might satisfy my control issues”. She enjoys a couple more drinks but then takes a comm call and is called away. “I had a good time. Can we do this again?”

Jess and Skip

Are able to impress Cole’s team no end with their veteran status and attempts to keep up with much younger marines who will recover way faster than either of them. Jess learns that Skip won the Starburst for Extreme Heroism on Lanth in what was clearly if not a Black Op at least a “sensitive” one. Jess notes the marines seem “friendly”.

[shaidar]

Frank smiles at Polly

"Great, I promise I'll be as quick as I can."

ooc: I'm not sure how much IC detail you wanted to go into about the rest of the night, but Frank will try to find out more about Polly and also start to open up to her. Assuming she is interested, he will tell her a bit about himself and his past, including his service and his childhood on Tarsus. (but gloss over his years as a drifter)

[Leitz]

Liv laughs again “So you are apolitical good guys. You really are scary people!”

She reflects “I really quite enjoy being me with you and formal dance might satisfy my control issues”. She enjoys a couple more drinks but then takes a comm call and is called away. “I had a good time. Can we do this again?”

"I would be honored and overjoyed to do this again. Often." Jakob said, standing as she stood to go. "But, of course, the good bye."

He smiled, leaned forward, winked, and brushed his lips on her cheek. Then he whispered those sweet nothings every woman longs to hear: "You are an Imperial Marshal; name, rank, time in service? What office do you work out of? I'll keep your legend as best I can."

As Liv left, Gunny looked at Jakob. Then the old NCO shook his head and popped another beer for the young man in love.


Later, when talking about the transport:

"Let's talk this out, and then someone who knows bureauracracy can make it sound official."

Jakob brought his skills (Recon-1, Tactics-2, Leader-2) and conniving mindset (Int C) to the problem of avoiding cold shipment and preparing for the engagement. "Really, it's a no brainer if you have a brain. Our leadership needs to study the situation as well as familiarize themselves with the Baron's people and command structure. Us mid-grade types need to ensure the gear works, comms work, map out the trouble areas, and start the response plans. The recruits need to get some team camaraderie, as well as practice providing cover and protection for the diplomats. We all need to be familiar with the diplomats, and them with our procedures. Otherwise they'll come in to a hot zone and get wasted because they're acting like a hostile."

He nodded to Skip. "We have an SEH awardee, as well as a high reputation on Collace right now. Getting the lead diplomat read in on those sorts of things, and training them on how to phrase it to military contact, is a win for them. Once we're in system we can pull in any new intel, revise plans, and make a high speed impression on the Baron and his military staff. That'll give the diplomats a second big win; the Baron will see that we're taking his money and giving him great value."

[The Bindoner]

Jess and Skip

Are able to impress Cole’s team no end with their veteran status and attempts to keep up with much younger marines who will recover way faster than either of them. Jess learns that Skip won the Starburst for Extreme Heroism on Lanth in what was clearly if not a Black Op at least a “sensitive” one. Jess notes the marines seem “friendly”.

Jess is quite friendly too. Got the bike outside, if anyone'd like a ride. To the nightclub, for dancing.

Later, when talking about the transport:

"Let's talk this out, and then someone who knows bureauracracy can make it sound official."

Jakob brought his skills (Recon-1, Tactics-2, Leader-2) and conniving mindset (Int C) to the problem of avoiding cold shipment and preparing for the engagement. "Really, it's a no brainer if you have a brain. Our leadership needs to study the situation as well as familiarize themselves with the Baron's people and command structure. Us mid-grade types need to ensure the gear works, comms work, map out the trouble areas, and start the response plans. The recruits need to get some team camaraderie, as well as practice providing cover and protection for the diplomats. We all need to be familiar with the diplomats, and them with our procedures. Otherwise they'll come in to a hot zone and get wasted because they're acting like a hostile."

He nodded to Skip. "We have an SEH awardee, as well as a high reputation on Collace right now. Getting the lead diplomat read in on those sorts of things, and training them on how to phrase it to military contact, is a win for them. Once we're in system we can pull in any new intel, revise plans, and make a high speed impression on the Baron and his military staff. That'll give the diplomats a second big win; the Baron will see that we're taking his money and giving him great value."

I'll let the officers deal with the that. Price of command, eh? Jess grins. I'd only get their backs up, anyway, No good at talkin' nice to ars.. posh folk. Got my hands full doing QSM and Recruitin' Sar'nt duties. Just remember, I ain't goin' in one o' them frellin' freezers.

[joertexas]

Prerna

Erica replies absently “Don’t worry I will be here to talk it through with you. We all need to make sense of our insanity”.

Prerna snorts softly. "Talk is good, but it's not what I have in mind right now." She sits back and looks at Erica. "I understand if you want to keep things professional, although it could be argued that it is therapy."