Docked at Mora; let the Commerce Commense!

BIC – Trade Alcove, Forward Galley, Miss Fortune – 1115-05-14, 0930 Local

LC sat alone at the forward console in the galley, the soft blue-white light of the Mora Merchant Exchange Board washing over his face as lines of cargo data flicked past. A fresh cup of stim sat forgotten at his elbow, cooling.

Rin had done his job well—he’d flagged the seven most reputable brokers currently operating on Mora’s highport license register. The list was clean, above board. But LC wanted more than clean.

He wanted profitable, practical, and no surprises.

With a quiet breath, he tapped into GNet—the Trader Guild’s encrypted peer-to-peer review hub. Veteran captains, jump-trampers, and merchant liners all left their marks here. It wasn’t just star ratings. It was blood and brass in the margins.

Query: Broker Histories – Mora Sector – Matching Cargo Profiles

⬜ Handcrafted furniture
⬜ Non-petroleum lubricants
⬜ Wheat (bulk foodstuffs)
⬜ Ceremonial wines and boutique perishables

He filtered results by:

Transactions in the last two years

Peer rating minimum: 3.5 stars

No more than one flagged dispute per quarter

The top three results weren’t surprising—but the details were telling.1. Plock the Bwap
"Honest to the point of irritating. Will nitpick shipping forms, but your goods arrive whole and on time."
No black marks. No disputes. Ever.
Weak on bulk food or perishables.
LC added a private note: "Exacting but unflappable. "

2. Swainson’s Trade Collective, Inc.
"Big volume broker. You’re one of a dozen ships in their docket, but they get results."
No serious disputes, but 2 flagged "underpaid by buyer" claims in last year
LC underlined that and muttered, "Worth it, if we set a floor price."

3. Stewa Sossabai & Daughters
"Elegant touch. Boutique broker for luxury cargo. Niche clientele, but pays top rates if the story’s good."
Ceremonial wines, silks, tribal textiles moved to Trin, Mora, and Downspin fringe, Client reviews note high discretion, but also demanding quality control. One flagged customs delay (labeling dispute, cleared)
He smiled. "They might actually want the Jokotre wine, if we spin the right tale."

After reviewing the board data and GuildNet histories, LC keyed in the contact string for Plock the Bwap Brokerage—routing through Mora Highport’s secure comms hub with the appropriate transaction tags and trader credentials attached.

He composed the message with the same measured tone he’d use in court—respectful, clear, and leaving just enough personal touch to stand out from boilerplate.

TO: Plock the Bwap Brokerage
FROM: Captain L.C. Rains, Free Trader Miss Fortune
SUBJECT: Request for Brokerage Assistance – Lubricants and Industrial Cargo
Timestamp: 1115-05-14 // 1021 Local (Mora Time)

Esteemed Plock,

I’m reaching out on behalf of the Miss Fortune, a newly registered Far Trader currently berthed at Highport Berth D-12. We are seeking a competent and reliable brokerage partner to assist with the sale of a modest but well-packed shipment of non-petroleum lubricants, Jokotre Wheat, and finely made handcrafted furniture intended for resale to the right markets.

Your firm’s reputation for precision and professionalism is well regarded on GuildNet and the Mora Merchant Exchange. Based on your prior transactions and impeccable handling record, we believe this cargo would be well matched to your expertise.

If you are accepting new ship clients at this time, I would appreciate an opportunity to discuss potential terms and share the manifest. We are in-port through at least the 21st, and I’m available for a brief face-to-face or remote consult at your convenience.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully,
Captain L.C. Rains
IISS ID #4917-Delta | Trader Registry Code: 1566-1115-052
Miss Fortune | Far Trader-Class | Mora Highport, Dock D-12
---------------------------

After sending the message to Plock the Bwap, LC leaned back for a moment, considering the small crate of ceremonial wine secured in the cargo hold. Not much volume… but in the right hands, it could command a price that more than justified the tonnage. And there was one name on Mora whose touch matched the product’s character: Stewa Sossabai & Daughters.

He pulled up their contact listing and composed his message with care—measured, respectful, and with a subtle appeal to their appreciation for story and presentation.

TO: Stewa Sossabai & Daughters
FROM: Captain L.C. Rains, Free Trader Miss Fortune
SUBJECT: Ceremonial Wine – Brokerage Inquiry
Timestamp: 1115-05-14 // 1041 Local (Mora Time)

To the esteemed Sossabai family,

My name is Captain L.C. Rains, currently operating the Far Trader Miss Fortune, now docked at Mora Highport (Berth D-12). I’m writing to inquire whether your firm is open to reviewing a specialty cargo item for brokerage or direct representation.

We are holding a small but culturally significant shipment of Jokotre Ceremonial Wine—a curated, religiously symbolic product crafted in accordance with the rites of the Archdiocese of Ram. Its rarity outside the Jokotre system makes it more than a curiosity; for the right buyer, it’s an artifact of spiritual heritage.

Your firm’s refined reputation and record in boutique and high-value niche markets—particularly with ethnographic goods and ceremonial wares—suggests that this may fall well within your curatorial expertise.

If such a cargo aligns with your interests, I would be pleased to provide the full manifest and product story. I am available for a consult—remote or in person—at your convenience. Our stay in port is projected through the 21st.

With respect and anticipation,

Captain L.C. Rains
IISS ID #4917-Delta | Trader Registry Code: 1566-1115-052
Miss Fortune | Far Trader-Class | Mora Highport, Dock D-12
-------------------------

LC goes to Block brokerage firm to conduct the transaction with Plock, Sophont to Sophont

[LC Rains, standing across from Plock’s height-adjustable desk, jacket rumpled but datapad sharp, voice low and dry as he flips through digital manifests]

"Alright, Plock. Here’s what we’ve got tucked into the hold"

First, 11 tons of handcrafted furniture. Local hardwood, saddle leather, too tasteful for export if you ask me, but someone out there wants a rustic lounge set and the illusion of authenticity. Coded B7, base at seven thousand a ton. Push it high-end, private buyers only — if you mention ‘artisan’ more than twice, I’ll deny ever meeting you.

Next, 7 tons of non-petro lubricants — organic, industrial grade, extracted from gods-know-what. Niche utility, low glamour. Still, plenty of mid-tech worlds love a cleaner burn and a biodegradable trail. B7 as well, four thousand base. Probably best through a guild channel or a mid-port contractor with too much procurement budget.

Lastly, the big one — 35 tons of wheat flour. Seven five-ton pods, container-sealed, ready for customs fondling. Code B7 again, 2,500 a ton. I’m aware the markets are jittery, but my forecast says ten to fifteen over if you push it onto the public exchange this week. Unless you’ve got a contact in planetary logistics ready to pay better and keep it quiet, I say let the algorithms fight it out.

We’re authorizing you to act on our behalf, standard ten percent broker’s cut. I’m trusting you to ensure the ship’s name is in the footnotes, to help build our reputation.

Questions? Or do we both nod like professionals and pretend we’ve read the small print?"

NEW 5JUL25
EDIT: I think this is where I provide the dice roll for the sale of the three sets of trade goods?? Using the DM of +2 from the broker Plock the Bwap? or will the GM handle this?

Decherrek has been holed up in his stateroom for the first 3 days in port at Mora, but its coming to a point where he needs to decide if he stays or goes. He's been spending his hours (mostly) huddled in front of his comm-tablet, interspersed with brief forays onto the port-station going who knows where....but always returning within a couple of hours.

"Ah, I know you will need this stateroom soon if I decide not to stay aboard. Forgive me for taking so long; I abuse our relationship! I think you do not mind too much.

"But I have discovered some information that I may make credit with. It will require that I travel soon. If you are going 'my' direction I will stay as before. Otherwise I must leave and book commercial transportation. I do not wish to prejudice your choice of destinations, and in any way I do not wish to spill any cows' juices before the kettle is ready. But please, if you can, let me know what will be your next destination?"

[LC Rains — Miss Fortune’s common room, datapad in one hand, glass in the other]

First, a reply to Plock, transmitted through the secure broker’s network, voice-text with a tone equal parts wry gratitude and bureaucratic menace:

"Plock, my esteemed Bwap. Your efficiency is, as ever, a marvel worthy of ecclesiastical canonization. We shall endeavor — with great and solemn restraint — not to spend all of this windfall in a single disreputable lounge.

I’d like to discuss putting you on a modest retainer to act as our agent for acquisition as well as disposal. Tentatively, we’re charting a course toward either Fornice or Gulistan — contingent, as always, on certain factors and personalities aboard this wandering enterprise. I’ll advise once our final heading is set; in the meantime, begin surveying cargo availabilities suitable for niche or expedited markets along that axis."
Response???

Later in the ship
Then LC turns toward Decherrek’s stateroom, leaning against the frame, glass in hand, speaking through the open doorway with that dry but understanding LC charm:

"Decherrek, my friend. You know this stateroom will always be yours as long as you’re aboard. Abuse our relationship? Hah. You merely test its resilience, and I assure you it’s well-fortified — though some might argue it creaks at the joints now and then.

Your cryptic hints about profitable intelligence intrigue me… and I sympathize with your dilemma. We are actively evaluating next jump options: Mushinag in Star Lane for a lucrative Scout Service delivery, Fornice for routine commercial traffic, or Gulistan where a few shadowy opportunities may await.

I’ll gather the crew shortly for a council of war… err… logistics. You’ll know our heading before station sundown — and should you choose to stay aboard, your berth remains unchallenged. If you must depart, well… try not to spill any cows’ juices before your kettle’s hot, eh?"
Response???

[LC Rains — Miss Fortune’s common room, datapad in one hand, glass in the other]
Later, as the crew gathers in the lounge, LC sets his datapad on the table, flicking between tabs showing Tamm & Said-MA’s notes, Leilani’s Scout contact, and current Mora news feeds.

"Alright, my loyal delinquents:

1️⃣ Tamm and Said-MA have unearthed several tavern rumors worth noting:

A sector-wide strike looms — though some businesses will stay open — and that may disrupt port services. Timing could be critical if we’re moving delicate freight.

More interestingly, we’ve got a lead from Vilani travelers out of Vanejen. They’re dabbling in a trade that might be gray-borderline at best: illegal neural interfaces, enhancement chips, and certain… implants. High demand in some quarters. Amber Zone-level risk.

2️⃣ Leilani’s caught us a tidy Scout Service contract:

Four demilitarized APCs bound for Mushinag, Star Lane subsector.

Standard freight rate, with a potential 50% speed bonus if we make it in nine weeks — that’s 240,000 credits if we pull it off.

But it’s a long-haul: four jumps, a slog and a half.

3️⃣ Plock stands ready to source outbound cargo if we declare for Fornice or Gulistan — both easier legs than Mushinag.

So… Do we want to cash in safely on Scouts’ slow money to Mushinag? Or Dive into the biotech shadows around Mora and Fornice? Or gamble on whatever Gulistan offers?

LC looks around at the crew

Speak up, crew — and quickly. Mora’s strike might hit before we’re cleared for departure."

LC leans back, swirling the glass, half-smile forming as he watches the crew react.

Response???

Same meeting continued
*Then, turning to Tamm and Bronz with a clipped nod:*

"Tamm, Bronz — our monthly maintenance window is open and I want it handled before departure clearance tightens further. Please make the arrangements for parts and services through port vendors. We require our standard package: seals, o-rings, washers, replacement bolts, plasma tuning rings, filters, and yes — ensure proper stock of in-phase magnetic macroscopically manipulation plate seals. Identify the authorized supplier here at Mora Highport and confirm payment terms; I want to know who exactly we’re paying. No surprises when the invoice arrives. Report back before midday."