002 Jenghe/Regina (1810) C799663–9 [056/1085]

[terrymixon]

As I have significantly more experience with firearms than Flighty, I can tell you that extended magazines are good to have but make the weapons more unwieldy. You don’t want to have one in a holstered weapon as that makes the draw problematic. They’d go in the pocket for extra firepower.

I must confess I'm mostly theory (and game mechanics). I have shot .38 revolvers but if I really had to hit something the Mk IV Lee Enfield is the answer.

I'm ex-military and reload my own ammunition for fun. I have a fair bit of insight.

[trawets]

The worker nods and says, "Above your pay grade, eh?"

The workers continue to get the lines set up and start to depart. Doug walks along behind them to the edge of the ship then stops. He notices that the one worker who asked you where you were headed next detours from the others. It appears to Doug that he is trying to get a look inside the cargo hole through the open cargo bays on the side of the ship.

Karcsi, standing in the shadows behind the open cargo bay doors is keeping an eye on things. He watches the Port Officers head back to their utility vehicle and sees the Utility workers heading around from the back of the ship toward the vehicle. Then he sees one of the Port Utility workers veer off and move toward the ship as the others walk away. It looks like he wants to get a look inside the cargo bay, maybe even enter it.

Doug notices the worker spying and keys him comm. Quietly he says We have a nosy Nelly trying to get a look into the cargo hold. Should we invite him in so he can get a good look around and see what is NOT there? He then adds, Though in that case it might be best if he doesn't know he was let in. If this ship doesn't have what he is looking for then it's not the ship he's looking for.

[terrymixon]

The worker nods and says, "Above your pay grade, eh?"

The workers continue to get the lines set up and start to depart. Doug walks along behind them to the edge of the ship then stops. He notices that the one worker who asked you where you were headed next detours from the others. It appears to Doug that he is trying to get a look inside the cargo hole through the open cargo bays on the side of the ship.

Karcsi, standing in the shadows behind the open cargo bay doors is keeping an eye on things. He watches the Port Officers head back to their utility vehicle and sees the Utility workers heading around from the back of the ship toward the vehicle. Then he sees one of the Port Utility workers veer off and move toward the ship as the others walk away. It looks like he wants to get a look inside the cargo bay, maybe even enter it.

Doug notices the worker spying and keys him comm. Quietly he says We have a nosy Nelly trying to get a look into the cargo hold. Should we invite him in so he can get a good look around and see what is NOT there? He then adds, Though in that case it might be best if he doesn't know he was let in. If this ship doesn't have what he is looking for then it's not the ship he's looking for.

"Be low key but move him along," Flighty said as he triggered the hatch to close.

OOC: I thought the hatches were still closed as we only opened the lock for a minute to let the inspectors in. Still, if it is open, he'll close it down.

[Eris]

While this is happening aft, Donovan, Sigrun, and Flighty get word that two of the freight owners are coming through the Port gates and will be arriving at the ship in just a few minutes with large lorries to remove their property from the ship.

OOC: Since Donovan wasn't there earlier, he probably isn't there now unless helvorn moves him into place, don't you think?

Flighty will get the paperwork for the cargo in order and wait for the freight owners' arrival.

OOC: One lives in hope. If Matt is, he is, if he isn't Flighty takes his place.

There is a brief delay as Flighty (or Donovan if Matt is around) gets the paperwork and determines which two of the three pickups are about to happen. Two today and one tomorrow morning, yes, he has it and waving the data pad strolls to where Sigrun is waiting.

[Tiglath]

I'm ex-military and reload my own ammunition for fun. I have a fair bit of insight.

Well then, here's a side bar story, on the single occasion I shot the Metropolitan (London) Police's SW Model 10 (4" barrel) .38 we were firing reloads for familiarization on the police range. My third round fired but just went "phut" - I felt it. Now standard Met training then was to continue firing but, experienced with military shooting, I shouted "Stoppage!" and waited for the range officer to sort out my major malfunction (not quite in the manner of Lee R Emery's eloquence) and thereby possibly saved myself some fingers/a hand. Yep, a half load reload had put the round all of "very much less than" four inches down the barrel...

[Tiglath]

While this is happening aft, Donovan, Sigrun, and Flighty get word that two of the freight owners are coming through the Port gates and will be arriving at the ship in just a few minutes with large lorries to remove their property from the ship.

OOC: Since Donovan wasn't there earlier, he probably isn't there now unless helvorn moves him into place, don't you think?

Flighty will get the paperwork for the cargo in order and wait for the freight owners' arrival.

OOC: One lives in hope. If Matt is, he is, if he isn't Flighty takes his place.

There is a brief delay as Flighty (or Donovan if Matt is around) gets the paperwork and determines which two of the three pickups are about to happen. Two today and one tomorrow morning, yes, he has it and waving the data pad strolls to where Sigrun is waiting.

Sigrún reacts by tucking her blond plait inside her crew jacket and partially pulling the collar/hood up and then her crew cap down to mask her face. She says to Flighty (and/if Donovan) "That man will be a spy for Thorvaldsson - good pirates have "Ravens" at every port. He may just be doing his routine work in sizing up cargos worth taking. Sorðinn, he shouldn't see me... unless it's under circumstances of our choosing..." The white of her teeth are then visible in the shadow of her cap's peak "In which case he might just tell us everything he knows...".

(OOC: Trans Sevice = Potty mouth Swordy!)

[terrymixon]

I'm ex-military and reload my own ammunition for fun. I have a fair bit of insight.

Well then, here's a side bar story, on the single occasion I shot the Metropolitan (London) Police's SW Model 10 (4" barrel) .38 we were firing reloads for familiarization on the police range. My third round fired but just went "phut" - I felt it. Now standard Met training then was to continue firing but, experienced with military shooting, I shouted "Stoppage!" and waited for the range officer to sort out my major malfunction (not quite in the manner of Lee R Emery's eloquence) and thereby possibly saved myself some fingers/a hand. Yep, a half load reload had put the round all of "very much less than" four inches down the barrel...

It is a hobby that required focus and experience.

[Tiglath]

It is a hobby that required focus and experience.

A case of no harm done and we robustly cracked on (it was the 80's!) but I was very grateful for my previous experience...

[trawets]

Doug starts walking back and calls out to the guy from a distance Did you forget one of your tools? I can grab it if it got kicked inside.

[Eris]

Doug starts walking back and calls out to the guy from a distance Did you forget one of your tools? I can grab it if it got kicked inside.

OOC: Is Karcsi going to step out of the shadows onto the tarmac as the cargo bay doors start to close, or is he going to stay inside the ship?

The maintenance worker stops suddenly when Doug hails him, and as the doors to the cargo bay begin to close. A frown passes over his face as he turns to Doug and calls out while pointing at the ship, "Oh, no. I just thought I saw something attached to the hull next to the hatch. Wondered what it was, is all."

"You can check it out." he says and then begins walking fast to join the other workers heading for the utility vehicle, calling over his shoulder, "Take care now, you hear!"

The beginning of a song starts to form in Doug's mind...

I see a bad moon arising, I see trouble on the way
I see earthquakes and lightnin', I see bad times today
Don't go around tonight
Well, it's bound to take your life
There's a bad moon on the rise

...he can't recall any more of the words, but he begins humming the tune as the man joins the others back at the utility vehicle and he watches it drive away. He also wonders if there is something attached to the hull or if the guy was just making an excuse...

[Eris]

Flighty and Sigurn (and maybe Donovan...I'm going to keep including him) step onto the forward gangway and start down toward the tarmac. They see the utility vehicle driving off toward the Port Terminal Building and from their height advantage a pair of large trucks driving between warehouses and turning toward your ship.

Doug is on the tarmac near the rear of the ship, arms crossed, looking pensive. OOC: Karcis might/or might not also be visible to them on the tarmac.

[trawets]

Doug starts walking back and calls out to the guy from a distance Did you forget one of your tools? I can grab it if it got kicked inside.

OOC: Is Karcsi going to step out of the shadows onto the tarmac as the cargo bay doors start to close, or is he going to stay inside the ship?

The maintenance worker stops suddenly when Doug hails him, and as the doors to the cargo bay begin to close. A frown passes over his face as he turns to Doug and calls out while pointing at the ship, "Oh, no. I just thought I saw something attached to the hull next to the hatch. Wondered what it was, is all."

"You can check it out." he says and then begins walking fast to join the other workers heading for the utility vehicle, calling over his shoulder, "Take care now, you hear!"

The beginning of a song starts to form in Doug's mind...

I see a bad moon arising, I see trouble on the way
I see earthquakes and lightnin', I see bad times today
Don't go around tonight
Well, it's bound to take your life
There's a bad moon on the rise

...he can't recall any more of the words, but he begins humming the tune as the man joins the others back at the utility vehicle and he watches it drive away. He also wonders if there is something attached to the hull or if the guy was just making an excuse...

Doug watches the workers go and then goes to the ship and begins to examine it around the hatch. When the others come out he approaches them. I've got a bad feeling something bad is heading our way. Could it be pirates? Maybe. Could it be the other shadow hanging over us? Maybe. Call me jumpy but, I'm going to examine the ship closely everywhere those workers could get to. I'm wondering if there is a tracker or something else attached to the ship. If anyone is heading into town I advise doing it heavily armed and in a group. Don't leave anyone alone.

[Tiglath]

Sigrún declares "We ignore these signs and portents at our peril - now is the time to arm ourselves!"

She draws one of her snub pistols, flips out the cylinder and tips the "standard security mix" rounds out and pockets them reloading with what appears to be Tranq rounds from a bandolier on her belt. Well, they look like Tranq rounds because they have "safety/hi viz" colour tips... but then Sigrún spent that time doing "arts and crafts" (and swearing in Old Norse) with high viz colour paint... It might be that she has done a bad thing... Again.

She states "Once we've unloaded we should go into town. Chef* gives good advice "heavily armed" is nearly always the proper way to go about anything!"

She shivers and states "I feel cold - I'm going to fetch my rifle".

(OOC: * @trawets Sigrún is here referring to Doug but in some odd Swordy (Engineering) rank or title. She proved "Naval Officer" enough when disarming a bomb with him but admitted to amnesia due to a brain injury. Doug is reasonably sure she is a Sword Worlder and therefore might just exhibit aberrant behaviour as per her DNA.

And, yes, she's just re-loaded with HE painted up to look like Tranq... ).

[helvorn]

She then checks that she and Donovan are alone and states "I can confide in you. On the jump here I have had terrible things invading my mind...".

Clearly disturbed she continues "Visions and seemings - things that I won't even share with Zaki".

She takes a breath "You have knowledge of the Imperium and it's depravities. So... you can tell me... what is... a "Barbie Girl"?"

"And also just why should Doktor Jones wake up now and what does "Ah-yippie-yi-ooh, ah-yippie-yi-yeah. Ah-yippie-yi-ooh-aah" mean or signify? These things trouble me".

Donovan nods to Sigrun and steps to the side where they can speak privately. "I'd be glad to share with you Sigrun. We have shared blood spilled on the battlefield together." He listens to work and then shakes his head. "I think a "Barbie Girl" is an old female doll originating from pre-spaceflight Terra. It was somewhat overly sexualized as I recall. I am unclear on the doctor Jones reference. The "Ah-yippie-yi-ooh, ah-yippie-yi-yeah. Ah-yippie-yi-ooh-aah" might be something that the Terran cowboy would call out when herding cattle."

[helvorn]

Flighty and Sigurn (and maybe Donovan...I'm going to keep including him) step onto the forward gangway and start down toward the tarmac. They see the utility vehicle driving off toward the Port Terminal Building and from their height advantage a pair of large trucks driving between warehouses and turning toward your ship.

Doug is on the tarmac near the rear of the ship, arms crossed, looking pensive. OOC: Karcis might/or might not also be visible to them on the tarmac.

Donovan has been talking with potential freight owners about Regina bound lots of freight and investigating speculative cargo opportunities. "Thanks for covering for me Flighty. I had a few hot tips to follow up on. Let's get this cargo unloaded and then I would like to ride along to the gun shop." Donovan will wave to Karsci. "Karsci would you help me move the cargo around onto the tarmac please? I'd like to have it staged and ready to go. We want to minimize strangers in the ship."

[Tiglath]

She then checks that she and Donovan are alone and states "I can confide in you. On the jump here I have had terrible things invading my mind...".

Clearly disturbed she continues "Visions and seemings - things that I won't even share with Zaki".

She takes a breath "You have knowledge of the Imperium and it's depravities. So... you can tell me... what is... a "Barbie Girl"?"

"And also just why should Doktor Jones wake up now and what does "Ah-yippie-yi-ooh, ah-yippie-yi-yeah. Ah-yippie-yi-ooh-aah" mean or signify? These things trouble me".

Donovan nods to Sigrun and steps to the side where they can speak privately. "I'd be glad to share with you Sigrun. We have shared blood spilled on the battlefield together." He listens to work and then shakes his head. "I think a "Barbie Girl" is an old female doll originating from pre-spaceflight Terra. It was somewhat overly sexualized as I recall. I am unclear on the doctor Jones reference. The "Ah-yippie-yi-ooh, ah-yippie-yi-yeah. Ah-yippie-yi-ooh-aah" might be something that the Terran cowboy would call out when herding cattle."

Sigrún appears relieved "Allt er gott, takk. I think now that I may have over exposed myself to the Empire's culture when researching my disguise for the "Imperial" version of myself". She smiles "Maybe it some of it got too deep into my mind, já?"

(OOC: Great to have you back!

Swordy Trans service: "All's well, thanks").

[Eris]

As Doug searches around he finds a small device attached to the hull...that shouldn't be there. The device is about the size of a man's fist and is stained and a bit pitted as from a ride through Jump Space, but it appears to have survived that ride well enough. The device is small and positioned where it would be very hard to spot by anything but a close inspection.

None of you think it was there back on Extolay when cargo was unloaded, nor when later freight and cargo was loaded aboard the ship. However, there was a time between loading and lift off where maybe it could have been placed there unnoticed by someone moving close to the hull.

Sigrun hasn't seen this particular device before, but she's seen similar ones used by "ethically challenged merchants" used to send a burst signal to a relatively nearby receiver. Question running through her mind include who attached it, when, and why...and is it still active?

[trawets]

As Doug searches around he finds a small device attached to the hull...that shouldn't be there. The device is about the size of a man's fist and is stained and a bit pitted as from a ride through Jump Space, but it appears to have survived that ride well enough. The device is small and positioned where it would be very hard to spot by anything but a close inspection.

None of you think it was there back on Extolay when cargo was unloaded, nor when later freight and cargo was loaded aboard the ship. However, there was a time between loading and lift off where maybe it could have been placed there unnoticed by someone moving close to the hull.

Sigrun hasn't seen this particular device before, but she's seen similar ones used by "ethically challenged merchants" used to send a burst signal to a relatively nearby receiver. Question running through her mind include who attached it, when, and why...and is it still active?

Doug shakes his head. I'll have to take this thing apart and see what I can learn from it. We will need to keep a close eye on the ship until we lift off. In fact, if we could lift off with a door open to watch outside that might be good. Close it once we are up in the air. Is there anything in particular you want me to do with this? Keep it working? Disable it? I intend to find out what it may have transmitted and see if I can tell where it was made.

[Eris]

Flighty and Sigurn (and maybe Donovan...I'm going to keep including him) step onto the forward gangway and start down toward the tarmac. They see the utility vehicle driving off toward the Port Terminal Building and from their height advantage a pair of large trucks driving between warehouses and turning toward your ship.

Doug is on the tarmac near the rear of the ship, arms crossed, looking pensive. OOC: Karcis might/or might not also be visible to them on the tarmac.

Donovan has been talking with potential freight owners about Regina bound lots of freight and investigating speculative cargo opportunities. "Thanks for covering for me Flighty. I had a few hot tips to follow up on. Let's get this cargo unloaded and then I would like to ride along to the gun shop." Donovan will wave to Karsci. "Karsci would you help me move the cargo around onto the tarmac please? I'd like to have it staged and ready to go. We want to minimize strangers in the ship."

As Donovan is speaking the first of the big lorries begin to rumble across the tarmac toward the ship. You can't get all the freight off before they arrive, but you can get started on it.

OOC: I'll have freight and cargo for you in a later post. I figure everyone wants to "visit the gun store" (or at least the town) and there are meetings at the Octagon Building and bar to be dealt with first. Oh, and btw, I'm not going to really role play a shopping trip to a gun store. Take a look at the Cepheus Tables and let me know what you're looking for.

[terrymixon]

As Doug searches around he finds a small device attached to the hull...that shouldn't be there. The device is about the size of a man's fist and is stained and a bit pitted as from a ride through Jump Space, but it appears to have survived that ride well enough. The device is small and positioned where it would be very hard to spot by anything but a close inspection.

None of you think it was there back on Extolay when cargo was unloaded, nor when later freight and cargo was loaded aboard the ship. However, there was a time between loading and lift off where maybe it could have been placed there unnoticed by someone moving close to the hull.

Sigrun hasn't seen this particular device before, but she's seen similar ones used by "ethically challenged merchants" used to send a burst signal to a relatively nearby receiver. Question running through her mind include who attached it, when, and why...and is it still active?

Doug shakes his head. I'll have to take this thing apart and see what I can learn from it. We will need to keep a close eye on the ship until we lift off. In fact, if we could lift off with a door open to watch outside that might be good. Close it once we are up in the air. Is there anything in particular you want me to do with this? Keep it working? Disable it? I intend to find out what it may have transmitted and see if I can tell where it was made.

"I think an outside look and one inside the landing gear before we lift off should be standard from now on," Flighty said. "Disable it and find out what you can. What would someone use one of these for? ID us, sure, but for what. Mark to someone like the worker that we were of interest? Piracy or our other entablements wanting to keep an eye on us?"