Chief Mona enjoys his High Passage voyage granted him by this possession of a TAS card.
Disembarking with the rest , he follows the others to the ship yard, frowning at the guard's lack of etiquette.
Once in Rone's office, he nods when introduced, then leans against the wall and allows Drake to continue.
Where would Mona need to go to get his boat?
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Rone looks at Drake in something bordering on panic.
"When I spoke with you a few weeks ago I did not expect to see you here so soon. Listen its not a great time right now. We..."
Before he can finish what he was going to say, the door to the conference room opens again and a short, but powerfully build man enters. He is flanked by 2 fit, well dressed assistants who eyes never seem to stop roving over the party and the room.
"Ah Rone. There you are. What are you doing here? I thought you had work out in the salvage barn? Who are your associated?"
Rone Miry pales and moves his wheelchair over to the newcomer. He speaks in a low, but hasty voice that you cannot quite hear. The squat man nod and smile, then speaks a few words to Rone before leaving. When he turns back to you, some of his colour is back, but beads of sweat can be seen on his forehead and upper lip.
"Ok, umm..well that was lucky! Listen buddy, why don't you and I take a walk. Your friends will be ok here til we get back."
He wheels himself towards the door, waiting to see if Drake is following before leaving.
One of the men that came in with the short, well dressed fellow seemed kinda familiar to you. You cannot be sure, but you think you might have worked with he back in you agent days.
Myrian doesn't like the situation and wishes she could place the familiar man. It wouldn't be uncommon for agency staff to take security roles after mustering out, but something itches.
Myrian checks for Camera's and security devices, though with miniaturisation a hidden camera may as well be undetectable to unaided detection, she also checks her gun is accessible from her bag. "what have you walked us into now drake" she murmurs under her breath.
Solomon follows, "Sure thing, buddy."
With Rone's back to him, Solomon quickly gives the Chief some flight deck hand signals.
"Why don't you tell me what's going on here, buddy. Some of my new friends can be a little...high strung. New boss of yours we just met?"
Persuade (Int):
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Rone waits until they are outside before answering.
"Do you have any idea what is going on here? This planet is this close to being labeled an Amber Zone, and you waltz in with what looks like a strike team asking about spacecraft! Dont you check the news downside before you disembark!! Did nothing Captain Harland taught you sink in!"
He takes a deep breath and steadies himself, much like you remember when you both served together on Harlands Far Trader.
"My boss, funny enough, want to speak with you and your group. He has a job offer for you, and you had better think long and hard about taking it! When the dark matter hits the J-Drive, you will be wanting someplace to call home!"
Myrian composes herself, and forces herself to relax.
"What can you tell me about what you know about his offer?" Solomon probes.
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An amber zone is when the TAS (Travelers' Aide Society) warns people not to travel to this planet. While there is no actual quarantine (Like a Red Zone) it is still advisable not to land or even enter the system. This could be for a number of reasons, from disease to civil war.
"I know it has something to do with the Scouts, but that is all I know. Listen to me buddy, take the job. Heck who knows he might even set you up with a ship! Or at lease help out with the financing and papers. Come on, lets go back inside...I don't want your people doing something stupid!"
Rone rolls back into the building and back to the conference room.
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You are 90% sure that he was with the team you were working on to take down Zero. You think his name was Miller...Davis or Davie...something like that. He was a junior agent at the time, but you remember him because you were told he was an excellent shot and if you needed a sniper, he was your guy.
Mona signals back that he understands and will stand ready.
Hearing the Scouts mentioned, Chief Mona's interest is piqued, as he served with them for 4 years, more than 20 years ago that is.
Waits for something to do as these people all seem to know each other.
Solomon re-enters with Rone, all smiles. "Looks like we might have a job offer waiting for us. Ben, maybe you'd be so kind as to begin negotiations with Rone's boss here in a few minutes?"
Charlotte stands by nervously, not certain that she likes what is going on here.
"It depends on the work and the ship, but if both are not too distasteful I am sure we can come to an arrangement."
"what's the target?"
Myrian tries to recall how legal salvage operations are.
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"We have been tasked with a search and salvage mission by the Imperial Scout Service. A prototype spacecraft of theirs mis-jumped on a shakedown cruise in the Jewell subsector. We are to search the Grant system for any sign of the craft. If found we have the salvage rights to the wreck. Grant is a Red Zone planet, so do not go anywhere near it! If the signs show it crashed there, well..thats that!! Otherwise sweep the system. The Scout Service is 99% sure it ended up there somewhere.
The clock is ticking, so we need you up on Franklin HighPort ASAP. You will report to Captain Jemasie onboard the Jeramiah, a transformed Telemon-class survey scout. Any questions?"
"Why the Red classification on Grant?" Marissa asks, purely out of curiosity. "Oh, and are the Jeramiah's crew on another assignment, or did something happen?"
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"The reason for the Red Zone on Grant is not an issue here. Just know the Navy has placed defences around the planet to keep people out. As to the crew, well we have a few other salvages going on right now, and did not plan on this one. But the Scout Service has been good to our company, so we always try to return the favour. Oh, and by the way, just so you do not think we are somehow taking advantage of your group, you will get paid. 500cr each for this trip, plus 1% of all items salvaged from he ship for your group. Better hurry, you do not want to keep Captain Jemaise waiting."
"With all due respect...1% on an Imperial salvage? You can do better. Since luck has blessed you today with a crew in your time of need, you can share that good luck around a little more. 1% each."
Broker:
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"Well like I said before, I am willing to help your group in their purchase of a vessel of your own. Having been a merchant Mr. Drake, I am sure you can understand what a great help having a company like Spinward Salvage can be when dealing with financial institutions in securing funds necessary to purchase a ship. Not to mention the various governmental and Imperial fees and red-tape. And just so we can put it into perspective, 1% of a salvaged ship of this size could bring your group around 100Mcr, depending of condition."
Charlotte frowns as Drake's offer is declined, but she isn't a broker, so she holds her tongue.
Solomon whistles appreciatively. "Put us in for 3% for the group and we'll be underway. It would be a shame to walk away from 97% because you turned away skilled help. For what amounts to less than your own bonus on this deal, I'm sure."
"Done." Solomon says, shaking hands with ... "Mister...?"
"Understood, we are underway sir!" Solomon snaps to a reasonable facsimile of a salute. "Does this ISS prototype have a designation sir?"
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"The ISS has given it the the designation Machii-Class Scout Cruiser. The ship name...heck I dont even think they named the prototype! Well there you go, Rone will have your transport to the Franklin DownPort secured, and shuttles leave on the hour to the HighPort. Best of luck."
At that dismissal, the door to the office opens, and you file out back into the main lobby. You do not have to wait long before Rone appears and roll out with you to a waiting hoverlimo.
"Best of luck Drake! Do this right and you and your crew might just find themselves a spot here at Spinward Salvage."
You pile into the luxurious vehicle and head to the DownPort, but arrive just as the shuttle to the HighPort leaves. You have an hour or so to wait.
Can Mora arrange to have his boat sent to High Port for pickup? or is it already there?
"Well that was quick. Come to buy a ship and get a lucrative business contract on the way. You folks multitask on everything around here."
Myrian didn't fetch a computer with her, she wasn't expecting to be rushed off to a job while shopping.
Something else isn't right - why the big rush, are the competitors looking or other opposition? If looking for survivors was a priority and the reason for the rush Lar would have mentioned it.
Still, first look at a prototype ship might be worth some risk anyway.
"That's why Drake's along with us Benjamin, he knows how to get a deal." she gives Drake a nod.
Chief Mora finds a public comm centre and makes a comm to the Navy Procurement office.
"Master Chief Thaddeus Mora , retired. Service Number 8443-BRRG-0032-N. Requesting status and location of surplus ship's boat." he states in a clipped, military voice.
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A female voice on the other end answers you.
"Ah, chief. We have her berthed in section J of the naval yard's decommissioned vessels dockyard. She is scheduled for retrofit and release in 2 weeks. Dock fees will be paid until this is completed, then she will be released and placed in the public yard. We will notify you of the final location of the vessel, and will continue to pay docking fees for 1 month after release. Can you give us a comm number where to contact you?"
A female voice on the other end answers you.
"Ah, chief. We have her berthed in section J of the naval yard's decommissioned vessels dockyard. She is scheduled for retrofit and release in 2 weeks. Dock fees will be paid until this is completed, then she will be released and placed in the public yard. We will notify you of the final location of the vessel, and will continue to pay docking fees for 1 month after release. Can you give us a comm number where to contact you?"
"Acknowledged. I will provide comm number once I have one. " Mora says, then closes the connection.
He then joins the other waiting for the shuttle to High Port.