Preparing for Departure (Fornice)

FORNICE/Mora/Spinward Marches. Ground Port 2A servicing the Arcology of Port-au-Prince. 0800, April 11, Imperial year 1115.

Finally!
The ground crew has finished the last of the maintenance work. The crew has signed the charter, each 'buying in' for 62,000 credits each. L.C. Rains has been elected "Captain". Watches have been set. A "jump plan" for Jokotre-system has been filed.

Departure has been set for April 18!

The ATHELSTONE is in tip-top shape, having gotten the full yearly-maintenance and pre-selling buff-up by the First Bank of Fornice's team. It even has that new starship smell.

Now its time to start making some 'cred'!

L.C. has heard from his 'contact' in Port-au-Prince, "Smugg", about 50-tons of freight and 4 high-passengers that require expeditious transport to a ground station on Jokotre. Will the crew agree to taking that on?

Said Ma (with Alice's assistance) has located 5 dTons of basic (non-prescription) painkillers available for sale in Port-au-Prince for 5,000cr/ton with the sales rep asserting that they can expect to get 7,500cr/ton on Jokotre. "Easy Money".

The public 'board' shows Low and Middle Passengers available for transport to Jokotre, but they must be picked up at the main High Port, not at Port-au-Prince. You might 'kick-back' a little to have these prospective passengers shuttle down for boarding at your current berth.

Public Boards show nothing interesting for Jokotre; though there is enough simple freight (1,000cr/ton revenue) to fill your hold.

There is still time to "scare up" High Passengers or additional speculative cargo if you make the effort.

(Pending committment to LC's 'contract'?) Each character should deduct their basic week-in-port expenses (SOC x 10 credits) plus make any purchases beyond that.

"Tamm know he trust Smugg about as far as Tamm can throw him. But, if Smugg-fest say it's easy credits well, by all means we take the cargo. Crew takes all of risk, too. Ok, Tamm in."

Bronz checks in with Tamm.

"Sounds good. Tamm take rest of time before launch to go over repairs & overhaul. Any of the Engineering Crew welcome to join.
Definitely check the freezers; computer, electronics, maintenance. Tamm don't think they would be skipped during the annual maintenance but better safe than sorry."
Tamm takes the time to run self -checks and basically see if the various systems load and come on as expected. He's not working in depth but all systems are checked. The log shows there was a problem with an electric circuit before the annual check. He pulls up the floor panels to do a true visual inspection and uses hand tools, like a multimeter, to check the flow of electricity & integrity of the circuit.
"Rin, there was a circuit wired incorrectly before overhaul. Please help Tamm check it."

Tharrok gives the board a good look over and nods. During the briefing, he notes that his name has been left out of the troublemakers list and smiles mischievously. He didn’t really notice his tail doing it’s own thing. It’s been a while since he spent a true ‘liberty’ at Fornice and even then, it was at the high port. He wasn’t so sure he could find anyplace really rowdy at the Down port. Finally, he decided he’d head to the Vargr sector over in Port-au-Prince and made a mental note to look up some good options for food and entertainment.
"There goes all my fun…" T-Jive says, wryly. Then he adds, "I'll be ready Start of Day on the 15th.

As the briefing comes to a close and LC announces the ship’s name change, T-Jive says, "Well, I guess we should see about new ship’s jumpers or at least a good patch to put on our gear."

Tharrok gives the board a good look over and nods. During the briefing, he notes that his name has been left out of the troublemakers list and smiles mischievously. He didn’t really notice his tail doing it’s own thing. It’s been a while since he spent a true ‘liberty’ at Fornice and even then, it was at the high port. He wasn’t so sure he could find anyplace really rowdy at the Down port. Finally, he decided he’d head to the Vargr sector over in Port-au-Prince and made a mental note to look up some good options for food and entertainment.
"There goes all my fun…" T-Jive says, wryly. Then he adds, "I'll be ready Start of Day on the 15th.

As the briefing comes to a close and LC announces the ship’s name change, T-Jive says, "Well, I guess we should see about new ship’s jumpers or at least a good patch to put on our gear."

A little later, Tharrok catches LC during some downtime. "I know it’s a little Vargr-centric, but this was more or less what I had in my head…"

Tamm nods to acknowledge LC's instructions. He smirks and glances at Mama when LC mentions his dull attitude.
"Tamm not dull. Lots going on up here."
Tamm says while tapping on his temple.
"Tamm and Mama take liberty together? Who else want to see the exciting Tamm?"
Tamm's last sentence sounds like an open invitation for any of the crew to join him on liberty and, it is.
"Miss Fortune?" Shrug "Okay."

I will have a write up tonight or tomorrow, depending on how late I am kept busy tonight

I will have a write up tonight or tomorrow, depending on how late I am kept busy tonight

I will have a write up tonight or tomorrow, depending on how late I am kept busy tonight

At Tamm's request to inspect the circuit, a little smile making an appearance at the joy of simple instructions. "You got it boss, a rewiring should be no problem."

Yes, Rin. That was the problem before. Some space jockey rewired the circuit incorrectly. We need to verify that it was corrected during the annual maintenance. Follow a few cables and check the juice running through the circuit and we're good."

"Sure Leilani, please join us," Tamm says. She has a few quirks like the wiring to the Engineering Quarters but, most of the construction is Imperial Standard."

I'll be putting up some "hints and suggestions" regarding roleplaying the acquisition of passengers and cargo in the near future.
I think maybe players are hesitating to 'jump in' on this. First thing is to communicate with each other, form up in pairs or trios, and go pound the pavement or at least get on the comms to try and fill your hold. Captain has final say, but usually the Purser (in this case Said Ma) coordinates passenger berths and the Ship's Broker (not sure who off the top of my head) coordinates filling the hold.

Okay, here comes my two creds worth!!!

Mama makes a thorough inspection of the medical bay and cold storage units. Punching in her creds and logging in, she sets the computer to perform a thorough diagnostics check of all medical systems... Then the physical checks.

When L.C. calls for the crew meeting, Mama joins them immediately, but when that is done, she returns to complete her inspection.

(Roll #1: to identify anything out of the ordinary)2d6+2+1 Medical and education added. Added one for Tamm's help

Mama gives L.C. her nod of approval for the 50-tons of freight and 4 high-passengers identified from Smugg. "Yes Sir, I agree with that offer."

"Alice, please log that in as part of our cargo. We don't want to get an overload or more product than we can pay for. Please keep careful records of what we bring aboard, spend, sell, and maintain as working capital."

"Anyone bringing aboard personal speculative cargo is responsible for their own purchase, sales, and records. You will however need to go through Alice for space allotment and allocation. Any questionable cargo will need to be cleared through Captain L.C. If he and the rest of us are going to be on the hook, we need to be aware of the situation."

"Yu-Lam, please see to the transportation for those four high passengers and get their rooms ready. You are also going to act as our load master to ensure everything is properly loaded and secured. Alice and I will both double check that everything is secured before we depart. The three of us, Alice, you, and myself will be responsible for the high passengers during the jump. Three shifts, three of us. I'll see to their boarding and initial medical needs if necessary."

"Oh," speaking to Yu-Lam, "Order two ships jumpers per crew member with the nice artistic patch on the back of them. Have the crew members job title and name patch on the front. Thank you "

"Alice and I have found 5 dTons of basic (non-prescription) painkillers available for sale in Port-au-Prince for 5,000cr/ton with the sales rep asserting that they can expect to get 7,500cr/ton on Jokotre."

"Unless we are vetoed on that purchase; Alice, you can make that purchase, log in the cargo, the amount spent, and direct the delivery of the cargo."

"Yu-Lam, please put the pharmaceuticals in the hidden holds. That will leave 6dton available in the main hold "

Mama kicks out a flyer:

Passage to Jokotre available:
1 high passage 10,000cr
Or
1 middle passage (???? Cr)
10 Low passage (???? Cr each)
Sailing on the infamous Miss Fortune (logo) where we never miss a fortune and you always win!!!

"The public 'board' shows Low and Middle Passengers available for transport to Jokotre, but they must be picked up at the main High Port, not at Port-au-Prince.
Unless someone can fly our shuttle up to get them we will need to have them shuttled down from the high port, or picked up en route to our jump point. Just make sure they are customs cleared to board us. I can run the shuttle, but due to seating and safety, we can only shuttle three at a time. That would mean 2 trips. I suggest we comp the trip here. Just let Alice know the expense so it can be deducted from our totals."

Roll for passengers. +2 computer +1 education+1 Alice

(I don't know how much middle or low fares are. We also need to know the cost of transport if said passengers)

"Alice, please snatch up just enough simple freight (1,000cr/ton revenue) to finish fill out hold once speculative cargo is accounted for. At this point, it would be 6dton. "

"With your help, I will look into additional passengers."

(Hopefully this helps you)
Tallies:

- 4 high passengers - Smugg (4 of 5)

- 0 Low births (0 of 10)

- 50 dton machine parts (50 of 56)
- 5 dton pharmaceuticals (55 of 56)
- ?? dton simple freight (1? of 56)
+ (5 dton hidden storage)

- 40,000 cr pre paid (+40,000 cr)
- 25,000 cr spent on Pharmaceuticals (+15,000 cr)
- ?? cr spent on simple freight (+/-?? cr)

- Expected 150,000cr upon machine parts delivery (150,000 cr)
- 37,500 cr expected @ Jokotre (187,500 cr)

"Tamm, I have my diagnostics running on the coolers right now. I will share it with you as soon as they are finished."

Mama smiles warmly at Tammy, "Yes my friendly giant! We will take liberty together!"

The newly re-christened MISS FORTUNE is in excellent condition after the thorough re-furbishing and yearly maintenance done by the experienced technicians hired by The First Bank of Fornice. Low Berths in particular are absolutely on 'spec'. All the haphazard wiring of the three 'added' staterooms has been brought to code. The engine room, Maneuver Drives, and Jump Drives are shiny and bright, as is the fusion power plant. Everything checks out fine.

Said Ma gets no responses to her advertisement for a High Berth, but does get a solitary inquiry for a possible middle-passage ticket. "Bernaddy Frenzo" has Imperial ID as a 'Knight' and former Army 'Major' and is traveling for 'pleasure/tourism'. Accept?

6 additional tons of freight for Jokotre High Port, all in relatively small boxes and crates, "miscellaneous consumer goods". All with appropriate legal documentation, of course.

Mr Frenzo,

You are accepted aboard the Miss Fortune.

- Message sent -

Additional cargo also accepted

Mr Frenzo,

You are accepted aboard the Miss Fortune.

- Message sent -

Additional cargo also accepted

Mr Frenzo,

You are accepted aboard the Miss Fortune.

- Message sent -

Additional cargo also accepted

Thank you Tamm.

"Coward..." Mama says with a snicker, "your just no fun at all!"

Tharrok grins at LCs… uncertainty… and fights hard to control his tail from betraying the mischievous mood that struck him as LC tried to wrestle with the subject matter and intent in the Vargr’s artwork. "You’re looking at a Vargr female in a quite suggestive pose, of course, Captain." Tharrok suppresses a slight chuckle and tries to recover a more straight-faced look. "I mean, I think it captures the riches and richness we are looking for, especially considering our new ship name." A beat or so later, Tharrok can no longer hold the serious look. "I mean, at least the way I see it, it would make a great logo!" He laughs briefly then says, "I’ only half joking, really."

"Why thank you Alice," Mama smiles warmly, "I think you and I will make great companions!"

To LC

"I was not referring to the drink , fine sir!". Mama quips, "I was referring to my fine writing skills advertising for passengers. One day I will get one past you, my dear!"

T-Jive smiles and says, "Sure. I will."

Later, Tharrok circulates amongst the crew, showing off his idea and listening to feedback. He asks for what changes others might make or if others have other ideas.

With a warm smile, "Well, I like it just fine... Just the way it is," Mama tells T-Jive in a quiet reassuring manner.