Jammers Summary: Chapter 3, Turn 10
----------- = Meanwhile, elsewhere... *********** = Later...
"I ham hin favor hof hour taking this mission," Deigatt says, "for the reasons Comrade Holland suggested. Perhaps during the journey to Spiral we can run the crew through some combat maneuvers."
"SeemsTaMe, WeBeenMakin'EnemiesPrettyQuick. TwiceWeGotPirates, NowWe'reJammin' 'GainstTheScro. MindYa, Me.. ILikesTheIdea, ButLet'sDrawTheLineHere. NoMoreJobs Wit'Enemies - Pirates'N'ScroAre'Nuff. Let'sSteerClear'aThemGith's-'Lithid's and TheRestaTheBaddies." Seguld proclaims. "ByTheWay, I'mAgreein'Wit'TheBigGuy. WeNeedBattleTrainin', An'WeNeedOrganizationWhenWeFight. LastTimeWeLostaFriend, 'CauseWeWeren'tListenin'TaEachOther."
Talus looks puzzled, "What is the story behind Spiral?"
"Spiral his a Bralspace planet that the scro hinvaded six hor so years hago, Comrade Talus," Deigatt explains quickly. "I believe the population was primarily human hand helven before then."
Talus looks dubious, "If I have this right, we are being paid to smuggle weapons past the scro fleet. Land on a planet held by the scro. Unload somewhere. Get off this planet held by the scro, and then get past their ships again. Sounds like suicide! How many ships do the scro have? Do we have any information about their patrols?" Talus sits downs with a frown on his face.
Holland says to Talus, "I share your reservations. There is more information to be had; however, our prospective employers would not share it until we committed to the deal. I believe that we can do it. We are a small ship and think that Leera and I can come up with some sort of magical 'cover'." Holland adds, "Our elven friends will be here in less than two hours to hear our final answer and to give us the rest of the job information."
"I'm confident this challenge his nothing we can't brave, Comrade Talus," the minotaur says confidently.
"I'm.. ah.. glad someone is," Kain sighs as he removes his headband, his frown nearly matches Talus'. Closing his eyes and holding a hand to his forehead, Kain says nothing for a few minutes. "But," he says as he opens his eyes and puts his headband back on, "is the reward worth the.. ah.. risk? I believe so, I say we.. ah.. run weapons for the elves."
Talus just sighs and sits back to see what everyone else says.
"This is a chance to do more then just make cash." Italapate says in an uncharacteristically serious way, "If Valiss thinks this is important, it is important."
"If you trap the wind, it will eventually die." Robert says while lightly rubbing Rhubarb's head with a finger, "But if the wind can find a way out, amazing things can happen over time. I think we should help the elves with a bit of freedom."
Looking unhappy Talus mutters quietly, "Italapate was bad enough. I don't know if I can stand two of them."
"Deactivation wasn't so bad," Vais comments dryly, "So I doubt destruction will be much worse."
Billy winces at Vais's comment. "Well, hopefully, it won't come to that. I'm for it," says Billy as he holds up his two thumbs.
As the discussion winds down Talus comments, "I think I will go and see if I can buy some potions of healing. I fear we may need them."
Holland says, "It appears that everyone is in agreement, though some with understandable reservations, to accept the IEN job. I will remain to meet the IEN representatives and them our answer."
Raken nods. "I'll remain to greet them, as well."
Looking around the group Holland continues, "We will be leaving in the morning, so you have the rest of today to tie up any loose ends. Seguld," Holland asks, "Would you please find storage for our present cargo? We need to get it offloaded so we can load the IEN's cargo."
"IWasThinkin'... Let'sSellItTaThem An'That'llHelpGiveUsAReason FerDealin'With'Em." Seguld pauses a moment, "Ya'SeeIf'nTheyGiveUsABuncha CoinWithoutTakin'Nothin', Well, ClearlyEveryoneKnowsWe'reWorkin' FerThem. ButIfTheyTakeTheWoodFromUs, EverybodySeesThemPayin'UsFerWood." He pauses longer with a questioning look, "WhenWeReturnTheyGiveUsBackTheWood... AndOurFee. It'llSave TheWarehouseFees, An'GiveUsAnExcuseForDealin'With'Em. IfTheySayNo, ThenI'llGetAWarehouseRack."
"Who's to know the provenance of our coin to begin with? Selling the wood to the Shipwright's guild would be faster and save us warehouse fees. We could obtain wood if we need it after the mission," Nilaroo answers.
Addressing Talus, Holland says, "With our shortage of healers, it would be a wise act to invest in some healing potions. They could mean the difference between life and death. Kain," Holland asks, "Would you please go with Talus? If reasonably priced, please purchase a few with Company funds for emergencies."
"I think I can do that Holland," Kain agrees with a nod. "Hopefully we can.. ah.. find a few at least."
Holland concludes, "We have a little over an hour before the IEN representatives arrive. Anyone who wishes to be present at the meeting, be back here then."
Holland then turns to the table and maps, plotting a course from Bral to Spiral.
"Well," Billy says, "I'll go check out that new ballista that we installed... Who knows, we may need to use it yet..."
Raken joins Holland at the chart table. "Any idea on the number of scro ships at Spiral?" he asks. "Given the size of even the smallest of worlds, I doubt they have enough to patrol the entire skies. Still, it would be nice to know what exactly we're facing."
Holland shakes his head, "No idea. I think that our employers will have the necessary information. We might be able to slip in and out because, as you say, it is hard to patrol an entire planet's atmosphere; however, we should be prepared to run across a patrol ship or two."
As the group breaks up, Italapate smiles and walks up to the two new recruits. He grasps Galan's hand and shakes it firmly. "Would you wash my iguana?" he asks sincerely.
Galan grasps the other man's hand and stares numbly at him. "I... I beg your pardon?"
'Pate grins, and shakes his head. "It sounds so much better in Shou! In any case, congrats on making the cut, and welcome to the asylum." Then he moves to Robert, shaking his hand with a more customary greeting.
Robert grabs 'Pate's hand and gives it a good shake. Looking up at Italapate's face, says "Hi, I'm Robert. Nice to meet you at last. Won't this be exciting?"
"Yes!" Italapate answers with a broad smile.
Galan stares at Italapate for a moment, before stepping back. Looking about the room dubiously as the meeting breaks up, he slips out, heading for the deck and some fresh air. "Now what have I done to myself?"
Kain, Talus, and Deigatt exit the ship on their errands, and the rest of the crew goes about the task of preparing the ship for space.
As Kain and Talus leave the STAR, Kain can be heard talking to Talus about their task. "Should we try for Gaspar's first, or just go right to the temple district Talus? I think we'll do alright at either place, but it doesn't really matter to me," Kain shrugs.
Talus shrugs in reply, "I don't really know. Back home the temples were the best bet for healing potions, so we should probably try there first." The young half-elf grins, "I guess that will teach me to make sarcastic remarks in council. Holland obviously took me as volunteering."
Kain smiles, "Sarcasm hasn't been well received of late, has it Talus." He grins as he finishes, "To the temple district it is then."
Shortly, the pair are too far away to be heard, but Kain continues speaking. He starts talking more animatedly, making a few gestures and chuckling until both he and Talus are out of sight.
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The appropriate time arrives, and Holland returns to the deck, looking for the elven representatives. As he stands looking for them a voice speaks suddenly on his right, as if from thin air. "Perhaps we should go below." Valiss' cultured voice says pleasantly.
Startled, Holland quickly recovers and heads below, suggesting to the rest of the crew they join him again on the bridge for a meeting.
Once everyone has assembled below, the two elves shimmer into visibility. "This seemed the easiest way to avoid attracting notice." Valiss explains.
Ilswyn gets straight to the point, "Have you decided to accept this mission?"
Holland nods, "Yes, we will accept it."
"Excellent. It is not a complicated mission. An Elven Man-o-war, the SORO'NUME, will meet you at this point." she points to a spot roughly halfway along the journey. "You will receive your cargo and then transport it to Spiral. You land here, at the source of this river, and wait. A group of elven and human warriors will arrive within 6 hours and collect your cargo. They will give you a token, which when returned to me will secure the second half of your payment. Spiral is always almost exactly opposite Bral in orbit, approximately a 12 day trip. On Spiral they will watch for you for three days, starting 11 days from now. If you miss that deadline for some reason, simply return to Bral with your cargo and explain yourselves." She pauses, "Questions?"
Holland smiles and says, "Yes.. What is the strength of the Scro aerial defenses? Also, what is the strength of the Scro ground defenses around the area you wish us to land?"
"The landing area is devoid of serious scro interest, but humanoids do sometimes patrol the area on foot, and Scro vessels do randomly patrol the skies. We recommend you land at night, when visibility is lowest. We cannot tell you the exact numbers of the scro fleet, but it is substantial. Including the vessels being used by their humanoid allies, at least 3 dozen vessels of various types are based at Spiral." Ilswyn answers.
"I've got a question," Raken says after Holland is done speaking. "How exactly will we be able to identify the group? And how are they to identify us? Sorry to ask, but I fear collaborators, magic, and shapeshifters are possibilities we have to consider, on both sides. I certainly don't want to hand weapons to the scro, nor do I wish for the scro capture our ship and use it to rout out your people. Is there a code word system or something?"
"Those instructions will be passed on to you by the captain of the SORO'NUME, when you receive your cargo." Ilswyn says.
Piping up from the back, Robert asks, "Does the river's source get much mist or fog at night that we could hide the ship in?"
"Quite a bit, actually." Valiss answers, "Which is one reason this site was chosen. Rain and fog are common throughout this region."
Holland looks up from the charts as the elves are preparing to leave, "There is the matter of our initial 5,000gps...."
"Of course." Ilswyn hands Holland a small sack, inside he finds five rather large diamonds. "Good luck." she says as she disappears.
Valiss waits for a moment longer, moving to Italapate he gives the shaman a hug and says, "Be careful, Quessir". Then he too steps back and disappears.
After the elven envoys have again disappeared, and (presumably) departed, the company quickly decides to schedule a departure for the morning, giving "Ironpiece" as the destination at the Dock Master's office. Everyone breaks up to purchase last minute equipment, arrange to have the wood left with the Shipwrights Guild on consignment, and otherwise arrange their affairs.
Tapping his chin for a moment, Holland says, "Ferric, could I speak with you for a moment please."
Taking Ferric aside, Holland says, "I have meant to ask you about that night in the pirate cove, but till now kept forgetting.." With a serious look Holland says, "Back during the battle, you froze. You then started spouting obscenities and finally were reduced to snarling and fits." Holland pauses and then asks, "Do you have these attacks often?"
"It was not an 'attack' that caused me to freeze." Ferric says with a small shake of his head. "It was a spell flung by a hidden caster. It almost paralyzed me but I could still move somewhat. Unfortunately I could not shake off its effects entirely and that angered me."
Holland nods his head slowly and says, "Ahh, I see. Thank you for the explanation."
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For the rest of the day the company goes about their last minute business, purchasing needed items, stocking the ship's larder, and otherwise preparing for space.
Talus and Kain from their errand with two potions of healing purchased from the Temple of Ptah. Kain marvels that while most mundane items on Bral are twice their groundling price, healing potions are roughly the same at 200 gold.
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Toward midnight, Deigatt returns to the SILENT STAR, a small bundle wrapped in leather held under his arm. Stepping aboard, he spies Nilaroo, Galan, and VAIS on deck, and he strides up to them. "Comrades," he greets them. "I'm hafraid my new vest does not let me stay has well hidden hin this hartificial night has my hold vest did, but I will keep hit."
Deigatt holds his bundle forward. "I've hobtained some potions hof healing from the Temple hof Tyr," the minotaur says. "With those that Comrades Talus hand Kain were able to get, we should be well ready for whatever dangers Spiral will throw hat hus. Hif we plan well enough, we won't even need the potions."
Holland asks Deigatt upon his return, "How much did a healing potion cost?"
Guessing the intent of Holland's question, Deigatt replies, "These four were hall that the temple had havailable, Comrade."
Holland frowns and then asks, "Which temple? The Ptah? They might be a bit more lenient towards us, seeing as how we recovered their Chalice.. It couldn't hurt to have a few extra healing potions on hand."
"The ones I hobtained were from the Temple of Tyr," Deigatt says. "I'm sure these four hand what the hothers got will be sufficient. We har not calves who can't protect hourselves."
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The next day the SILENT STAR slips her moorings and departs Bral, heading into space.
Date/time: 1st day of the 6th Month, 5049 OC
