Main / 1104-358-Torpol

Calendar

1104-357 -- 1104-358 -- 1104-359

Timing of events
11:56 - Free and Clear emerges from Jump Space at the 100D mark
17:54 - Arrival at Torpol Highport
19:30 - Private Meeting with Museum Director
??? - ???

1104-358 - 09:30 - Traefar Spaceport

Jeet goes online and puts ads in as many places as he can, hoping someone nibbles.

Torpol and Traefar News Services Classifieds, Mercenary Hiring Hall (Torpol Office) Billboard, etc...

Ship's Security Professional is looking for any ship combat positions. Experience in shipboard security procedures, turret gunnery, electronics and Engineering (Power rating). Very experienced in combat environments and reconnaissance. Experienced with ground and port ship security and have own weapons (stun and laser). Familiar with up to TL15 equipment, but can work with anything down to TL9.

Have Tools and Equipment for Mechanic and Engineering, as well as robot maintenance.

Secondary skills in Wheeled Vehicles, Comms and Sensors.

Any ship heading anywhere.

Remuneration negotiable.

{this space for any self reflecting, or additional roleplay for Cal}

1104-358 - 11:56

"Free and Clear this is Torpol Highport. Welcome back to Torpol system Free and Clear. Bring your ship into high station when you get to port. We will send a tanker out to refuel you when you are ready. Will you be taking shore leave? Will you need a berthing at Highport? or Lowport? Will you be unloading any cargo? Do you have any passengers? Mail transmissions are ongoing. Torpol Highport out

"Torpol Highport, this is the Free & Clear. Shore leave, no berthing, no passengers, but we do have a load of mixed cargo out of Clarke. I'll take 20 tons of unrefined. Looking to recruit some crew. Free & Clear out.

"Free and Clear this is Torpol Highport. I have notified Master Shlito, the quartermaster at the Highport of your need to negotiate cargo distribution. Forwarding your details to him now. Torpol Highport out

1104-358 - 14:00

Jeet, Cal of the Free & Clear. I'll be docked at the Highport for a day or two; I understand you're looking for a position on a ship? I'm wondering if you'd be a good fit for the Free & Clear. I've got business at the port for now, but please drop by the ship this evening and we'll talk. Can you do Astrogation? And who can vouch for you?

Posted to the Highport message board

Free & Clear, Calen Cooper commanding, arriving at Highport at 18:00. If any old friends are around, stop by or drop a message. I'll be in system for a day or two.

To: Cal, Free&Clear
From: Jeet, Traefar Station
I have Nav(Land) skills, but that'll be useless for your needs. I am on Traefar Station, next planet out from Torpol, so perhaps a Vid call if you want to talk tonight? Or, if you want face-to-face, I'll see about an inter-station boat.
Just in off a Gli! Fong! Uric! Ka scout ship from the Florian League. That ship departed yesterday. I have a chip from the captain, but as you know, this type of thing can be forged, so sprinkle of salt.
As for skills, I'm pimping two bots with serious cape. They can man ship's turrets without mods (they fit human seats or can remote jack in) and they can do anti-boarding or ground security better than humans.
I have an Eng(Power) ticket, and mad robot and electrical skills.
Mostly, I am looking at providing shooting and defence, one life support bill for three capable bodies. The bots can do maintenance and medic tasks, as well.
Lots of capability for one moderate salary. Hope I can catch a ride with your ship.
Jeet Pringtip, Techworld Citizen

Gli! Fong! Uric! Ka = Acquisition of Things Not-Us s a Florian merchant line. It has a number of long-range scout ships that wander the galaxy, looking for items that would be of use to the League but are not yet being offered by the Florian Trade Company or any other trader. Mostly operating in the Trojan Reach Sector.

Roger, Jeet. Video is fine. We'll be docking around 1800; I'll need to handle the paperwork and docking process for a bit. Do you want to message me about, say, 2000? Or we can talk tomorrow. Let me know.

1104-358 - 18:30

Cal strolls into the Quartermaster's office and waits for someone to be free for him to hand over his paperwork. Calen Cooper, off the Free & Clear. I have 50 tons of cargo under contract from Ares Mining, to be delivered to various destinations. There's also 20 tons from Ironforge Enterprise, and another 8 tons from 5 other shippers, all FOB. All need to be offloaded; I downloaded the messages to the buyers into your comm network when I arrived in-system. I'll need 20 tons of unrefined fuel on the ship account. Cal hands over credit account information. I'll probably be needing some other supplies, and possibly more fuel, but that's going to depend on my next destination. I'll be meeting some contacts here; that'll likely determine our next hop, as well as cargo. I assume I'll need to keep your office notified once my plans have solidified?
He pauses. I'm also looking to hire some permanent crew. I've got a couple of nibbles already, and I'm hoping my contacts will bear some fruit as well, but if you hear of anyone looking for a position, I'm looking for an astrogator, a drive engineer, and a purser/steward.

To: Cal, Free&Clear
From: Jeet, Traefar Station
I will make myself available for 20:00 hrs. There will be lag, but it shouldn't be too bad. If you are not sure, but want face-to-face to decide, or want to see the bots close up before making a final decision, I am willing to come to Torpol Highport. But, lets see if we even hit it off on video, first.
Oh! There's a shooting range on Torpol Highport? 'Have Gun, Will Practice'? We could have the bots go through a session there with weapons set to 'paint'.
Anticipating our chat.

1104-358 - 19:30

Esafen city, Torpol Equator

Museum of the Sindal Empire - Office of Ms. Z (Ms. Violet Zyerski, Director of the Museum)

Amada Cerabu walked into the Director’s office. The door closed quietly behind him. She did not look up from the tablet on her desk, her right middle finger slowly scrolling downward. Perhaps she hadn’t heard him enter. Few did. But his immense size generally drew attention. He watched her . . . and waited.

A minute passed before she finally looked up having finished the passage she was reading. In that minute, Cerabu had looked around her office, while keeping an eye on her. A skill he had learned was more valuable than asking questions. The office was appointed well, appropriate to the station of the Director of the Torpol Museum of the Sindalian Empire. Crossed swords hung behind her desk, no doubt taken from the museum’s archives, relics of times past. The crest of the Sindalian Empire hung prominently on the wall over an unlit fireplace centered in an opening along the display shelves covering the entire side-wall of the office. Cerabu was sure the masks and devices and framed documents were all part of the Sindalian collection. The entire building would be full of similar such items. But it was the full glass wall overlooking the ever-present Torpol world ocean that truly drew his attention.

The Director’s finger completed its slow run to the bottom of the page before starting to lift into the air as if to point to the sky, but fell short to rest somewhere free beside her face. Finally, her eyes looked up at the ape standing in front of her. The tone of her voice answered the question of if she hadn’t noticed him or if it was a power play. It was the latter. “Ah, Cerabu. Won’t you please take a seat.”

Cerabu’s eyes shifted to the proffered chair, one of two resting in front of the Director’s desk, a large wooden edifice to a dead empire. The chair was over-sized, for a human, but not so for an ape. He thought of a cat and decided against taking the seat. His eyes slowly shifted back to the Director, “I’d prefer to stand.”

“Suit yourself.” She stood and circled around her massive ancient edifice to approach. “Are you finding everything to your satisfaction?”

The left corner of the ape’s mouth raised in a wry smile as the low bass gravel came up from his chest, “I can say with sincerity, that I have not enjoyed such luxurious surroundings in over a decade.”

She smiled in return as she came to stop a few feet in front of him, “I am glad. Now, what was it you wanted to talk about?”

The sun was setting on the ocean. The sky turning crimson on cobalt with a transition of muted coral colours. Cerabu motioned to the window wall and the door in its center leading to the balcony that ran its length. “Would you mind?”

“No, not at all. I enjoy the night air.”

The Director stepped toward the ocean, reached out for the sliding door, and with a light motion pushed it aside allowing her small figure to be framed in the setting sky. As he followed her, Cerabu wondered what secrets were hidden in the office, the very reason he directed the meeting outside.

She had spread her hands out to either side of the rail separating the balcony from the water, but upon hearing the door slide closed, she turned and crossed her arms across her chest, her stance changing completely to business, “Now Cerabu, why the late hour? What do you need?”

Cerabu’s low grumble battled over the wind and the ocean waves, but his strong voice was a force few humans could match. “I want to know what my position is here?”

“Acquisitions. That’s why we hired you. It was in the paperwork. Didn’t they discuss the job description with you?”

“Don’t play coy, Director,” he narrowed his eyes as he looked at her small frame. She couldn’t be more than five-foot-eight with a shapely figure. With one hand he could lift her and throw her where no one would find the body. “I may have been away from society for a while, but don't think I am stupid or desperate. You know my background. You wouldn’t have hired me without checking me out. Fifteen years I’ve been on retreat. My contacts are old if they even still exist. And this is the wrong route. I plied the Heirate, not the Florian. Brokerage and acquisition rely heavily on contacts and reputation. I have neither.”

The Director looked up at the uplifted ape. He looked down at her, their eyes locked. He had intentionally stayed by the door, a feint to her position. He was over half a foot taller and at least two-hundred-fifty pounds heavier. But this wasn’t a test of dominance. He knew she was in charge and frankly had no intention of making himself a target. This was a test of wills. The ape felt six feet of space should've been a good feint for the Director to feel she had room to manoeuvre.

Cerabu stood there, in front of the closed sliding door, the only route to escape unless the Director wanted to take a late-night swim. He had grown used to waiting. He had nowhere else to be. And, patience was virtue he possessed in spades.

“Fine,” she looked down to the water breaking eye contact. “Look, the job is on the up-and-up. You are here for acquisitions. Find the relic, the antiquity, the artefact, and acquire it. Most of the time it is a simple transaction. Collectors and old families get down on their luck and need cash and we make it happen. Relic hunters . . .”

“Like me.”

“Like you, get a lead on something and chase it down and bring it to us. We help them recoup their costs and make a little more on the side. About half our current display collection are loans from patrons that simply want their name out there as some kind of notoriety to claim some kind of connection to the old empire as a way of legitimizing themselves.”

“But . . .”

“But there are a few items we learn about, now and then, that aren’t so easy.”

“And that’s where I come in.”

She laced her fingers in front of her before pressing them to her lips and then opening her hands past her shoulders as to say there you go, “Yes, that’s where you come in. As I said, the job is legitimate. I am not asking you to break any laws and if you did I certainly don’t want to know about it. The museum cannot be associated with anything illegal.”

“So why me?”

“Well for one, you actually know something about archeology.”

Cerabu nodded.

“And the contacts will come. I have a dozen people with contacts, and as I said, people come to us all the time. But my people that know artefacts don’t know business.”

“And I do.”

“Yes, exactly, you do.” She was getting excited at the prospects. Cerabu watched her energy level rise as he allowed himself a relaxed gentle smile. The tension drained from both their bodies as her arms and hands started expressing the words she spoke.

“And there are the legal aspects . . .”

“I’d have to brush up on the local laws, but I’m sure they are about the same.”

“And then there is your . . .” Her lips pursed and she paused as her hand motioned to . . .

“My size.”

“Well, yes, to be blunt about it. Even an Aslan is going to think twice about tangling with you.”

Cerabu smiled widely allowing his teeth to show, “You don’t know Aslan. Besides, it’s the females that handle money and trade. The males just fight over it.”

He looked down at her again, catching her eyes and holding them with his own. This time, in appreciation. “It is nice to be wanted for who I am and not what I am.”

“Yes, of course.” The Director pulled her hands close to rub a sudden chill as the wind blew in with the last light flashing across the sea. As she took a couple of steps toward the door she asked, “Would you mind if we went inside? There are a couple of things I was looking over as you came in that I want to talk to you about.”

Cerabu moved aside, pulling on the sliding door handle to allow her the freedom of continuing to brush away the chill. He followed her in as she picked up the data-pad from her desk and the fireplace sprang to life. The Director took one of the two seats on the guest side of her desk near the fireplace. This time, Cerabu sat as well.

(Director)"Cerabu I am satisfied that I understand your previous life. I have a new lead on a special object. It is a bit large so retrieving it will take some additional muscle," she smiled at the pun "to be able to locate and return it here to the museum. Normally I would simply book you passage on a trader for small things. This one will require a larger allocation than most traders are willing to supply without questions being asked. Your previous encounters with the Aslan will also be relevant to this.... mission? How would you phrase it?"

"In my experience, it is best to keep things vague, until they are in possession and defined." The ape templed his fingers just below his chin, his elbows resting on the arms of the chair. The fire warmed him. It was nice to be doing something, anything, after so many years of seclusion.

"Let's call it the exploration and the acquisition . . . and the relic, if we must. Outside of us," Cerabu motioned back and forth between the Director and himself to indicate only the current party "no one needs to know what we're looking for. Best to keep it on a need to know basis. Less interference that way."

(Director)"That is exactly my thinking. Depending on the ship we hire, how much do we tell them? I prefer that those invested in the search know as much as we can tell them if we have a certain level of trust with them. Credits often make it easier to garner that trust. A down payment, more on delivery, more on completion."

"Greed is more dependable than trust. And more treacherous."

The Director barely acknowledged the warning as she continued, "You will want to speak with Master Shlito up at the Highport. He can assist with finding a ship and or crew for this Exploration. For your knowledge, you are heading to Thebus to retrieve this Relic. One of the tricks is the timing, we want it back here before the {corrected date} fifty-eighth when King Oleb XVI of Drinax is anticipated to be here for the Hydrolympics. I have it from a good source that a diplomatic mission is under way, if they have not left yet, to encourage His Majesty to participate. If you can retrieve this Relic and have it back here in time we could use it to negotiate with His Majesty."

Cerabu looked at the fire as he digested the information. One large hand slipped into the inner breast pocket of his long-coat to retrieve a cigar. Habitually, he put it to his mouth to bite of the tip before looking back to the director. "The fifty-eighth isn't much time. A fast ship, Jump-2, is the best option. Gives us a couple of weeks on Thebus. No more than three with quick refueling. A jump-1 ship is running behind schedule before we even get started, but it is possible."

The ape bit off the tip of the cigar and spit it into the fire.

"I will need credits, credentials, autonomy. A message for instruction or currency would take a month or more depending on the courier. My actions will need to be . . . more immediate . . ."

"Of course."

". . . and at my discretion."

The Director nodded. Cerabu's free hand came up from his waist pocket with an old-fashioned wooden match. He flicked the sulfur tip with his thumbnail to spark a flame and held it to the tip of the cigar puffing several flares before shaking the match dead and throwing it after the bitten off tip.

"What is it we are going after, or do you want to forward the information? I can read through it on the way to Highport. The quicker we get started, the more time I have to correct . . . complications."

"I would very much like you to leave tomorrow if it can be arranged." She sent over a report to Cerabu's data-pad. "The target for you to look for is very much a red herring. Supposedly there is a new find of a Sindalarian Harrier crashed in the forests of Thebus."

The ape's head pivoted quickly to the Director's face, one eyebrow raised in surprise, "From the Empire?"

The Director nodded with a very slight smile, finally she had caught Cerabu by surprise. "I am very skeptical that such an old wreck is in one piece after several centuries. The only reason we are attempting this retrieval is that, as you will see in your report, there is an actual scan of a cockpit that looks to be authentic. My guess is that there is something there and the tourist that stumbled upon this was too uneducated to understand how rare this might be. If it is there."

A bright red-orange glow not unlike the previous setting sun marked the end of the cigar as Cerabu inhaled, taking a moment to consider, and to regain his composure. "That would be a crowning find to any hunter, or museum. Who else knows about this?"

(Director)"There is no way to be certain. Our analyst who keeps an eye out on the social feeds thinks they caught it quickly. Few organizations can react with such immediacy, it is very unlikely that we will be competing with anyone other than a random treasure hunter who might stumble upon it as well.

Cerabu nodded. It was his habit to let others speak, to gain information instead of giving it. Watch, listen, observe.

"Which leads to our desire to get there as quickly as possible to be able to do a search. If we can get there and bring this back, imagine his interest in a piece of a real Harrier, something he has never seen before."

Only a heartbeat passed before he took the cigar from his mouth using it as a point of emphasis, "Pirates pay attention to social feeds. That's how they know where to strike. And Thebus, it's in the same region as Oghma. Complications." He replaced the cigar between his lips as he rose to his feet. "I don't like the rush, but I agree, we have to leave immediately."

The immense figure looked into the fire as he turned and walked toward the door, "Send everything you've got to my private server. I'll look over it tonight."

He turned to face the Director who was only just rising from her seat, "Credits. A lot of credits. I'll see Shlito first thing in the morning; hope he's an early riser."

The door opened. Cerabu stepped through but paused once more before looking back at the woman who had hired him only a day ago. She was working her data-pad, presumably forwarding the details of the find, "And Director, I decide who needs to know."

Not waiting for a response, Amada Cerabu closed the door behind him.

1104-358 - 20:00

Hello, Jeet. Calen Cooper, captain/owner of the Free & Clear.

I'm looking for long term crew for a Beowulf-class free trader; I need an astrogator, steward, medic, gunner, and purser. I'm pilot, and am a rated J-drive engineer, but I could definitely use backup on those, especially the engineering. I'd like someone rated for M-drive.

Also, I'll be upfront; I've put the word out to a bunch of old shipmates. Given the option, I'm going to go with someone I've worked with before. I'll be talking to people for the next couple of days, and won't be making a decision immediately. If you're looking for a berth tonight, I'm not it.

As I mentioned, it's a free trader, obviously crew needs to wear multiple hats. The free trader standard runs with 4 crew. I've seen a lot of captains run one with 3, or even 2, but I think it's best to run full, and in a pinch, every job has a backup, in case something happens.

We're independent, so we're going to occasionally end up in some pretty sketchy areas. Ideally, everyone should be able to pitch in and defend the ship and crew. Ships that have a reputation for defending the cargo can get premium prices. To that end, I've refit the ship with a turret and some upgrades.

Pay is negotiable, depending on what you bring to the table. I pay fair wages, plus if we end up with a cargo or odd job that pays out big, I pay a bonus, a percentage of the take after expenses. The bonus is split based on seniority and contribution.

You mentioned you are just off a scout ship; how long did you serve there? Why the interest in moving to a merchant ship, instead of another scout? It's a different life, and given the small crew, I can't afford to take on someone who doesn't fit in.

If by video, Jeet will be seated, with the GunSec(Med)-01 robot behind his left shoulder.

To: Cal, Free&Clear
From: Jeet, Traefar Station
Thanks for the forthrightness, Captain. I'm not a spacer. I'm a Field Researcher by profession. I have no combat skills, and have created my 'staff' to cover skills I don't have.
Most ships don't need my skills, but I want to do some wandering. The Florian scout was a ship of convenience to get me back to my home subsector.
I want to get out of the lab and stretch my legs, so to speak. I have a Power ticket, and can fix a lot of stuff. I can work on most Engineering things with some innate ability. And nearly anything with a wire.
I thought to offer the security angle, as that is what the bots are created to do, primarily. They are very good gunners, and can interface using human controls, or by jacking in. On the ground, their sensor suites are far better than any human senses. They can coordinate instantaneously, and don't discuss things before flanking threats. Their programming in Tactics and sophont thought processes are brutal. And they will use themselves to draw fire to expose a target. They should help to build your rep, if we get into confrontations.
If that isn't what you need, so be it.
We could do a trial run, for cost? Life support, only. I don't care where we go, as long as there is an A-Class starport with some traffic, if you are going to put me off.
Oh!
Do any of your crew have cyber implants? I have crazy robotics skills and very good cyber talents. Not medic, but I can handle the hardware, while the bot here, thumb pointing over the shoulder at the robot behind Jeet, takes care of the bio-ware.

You are here for a few days. That gives both of us time to think it over, but if you really aren't sure, I'll keep my Job Notice active.
If you want that personal view of the bots, I can come to Torpol Highport. It is just that I've heard most crew hiring was from Traefar Station in this system, so I got dropped off here.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I appreciate your call. I'll keep an eye out for your ship's movements, so I will know if you leave without me, should you not send your regrets.

Having sent what he did, he wondered if he should have man-splained the bot concept. The Captain only needed life support for one body, and the bots could be stored in the turret control positions when not being used for anything. They could sit idle for weeks, if not needed. Should an extra pair of hands be useful, the bots could be called up. They could be put on 'alert' for accidents or mishaps, and move to assist with a call from crew or computer. Even if Jeet was asleep, or unavailable, the bots could be keyed to respond to crew. They could handle most stuff without Jeet. As long as Jeet was on the ship or had set the permission parameters appropriately, anyway.

In Torpol Highport and riding high after recent business deals, Kalidaren was on the look out for the next opportunity. The merchant sat in a bustling bar, the Cosmic Driftwood, nursing a drink and chatting with the many patrons, scanning the job board and eavesdropping on nearby conversations. Amid the clamor, they overheard a spacer discussing a recent arrival, The Free & Clear. "Sounds like a solid operator. No nonsense. Looking for crew apparently. Not that you and I are cut out for a Free Trader… you’d need to be more likable to be stuck on that boat…"
Intrigued, Kalidaren struck up a conversation with the two spacers, learning that the Captain of the Free & Clear, none other than Calen Cooper a contact from (what was it?) ten or so years ago, was here in the station! Rumour had it Cooper was looking for an Astrogator and possibly a Broker. Kalidaren thought back in time with a grin... and thought that this could be just the opportunity he'd been looking for.
Later, Kalidaren made enquiries with the Quartermaster and obtained contact details for Cooper to send him a message.

From Kalidaren
To Calen Cooper, Free & Clear
Hello Captain Cooper, I trust you will remember me from our past dealings in Tanith. How are you?
I heard you are seeking an experienced Astrogator, and I have recently completed my last employment.
As you may remember, I am a qualified Astrogator and have many years experience plying the Outrim Void systems. May I ask if you require brokering or other mercantile knowledge as my main source of employment since we last met has been as a merchant.
It would be good to meet you again. Can we arrange a meeting?
- Kalidaren

Long time, Kalidaren. Yes, I am looking for an Astrogator and yes, I could also definitely use a Cargomaster/Broker. If you can cover Purser and/or Steward duties as well, your about as perfect a fit as I could hope for. Other holes I'm looking to fill are medic, gunner, and backup engineer.

We're independent, so we're going to occasionally end up in some pretty sketchy areas. Ideally, everyone should be able to pitch in and defend the ship and crew. Ships that have a reputation for defending the cargo can get premium prices. To that end, I've refit the ship with a turret and some upgrades.

Astrogator pay is 6000 Credits a month. If you can cover Purser duties too, I'll bump that to 6500. Steward, hmm, we'll talk. If the ship gets a jackpot, I split 10-25% after expenses among the crew, based on seniority and contribution. I don't charge crew for food, air, or services, it's all included. Don't cause trouble for the ship. If trouble is following you, tell me first thing.

As for Broker, we can handle that as pay or percentage, your choice. I recall you were sharp negotiator, and had a knack for finding the right person to close the deal; that's definitely something I want for my ship.

I've still got 2 more crew to fill, so I don't have a definite time table to ship out, but it shouldn't be more than 4-5 days. Come by the ship tomorrow morning at 10am, take a look, and we can finalize things. If you want to see if you can scrounge up some options for cargo, feel free. Cal grins into the vid monitor. Think of it as an audition.

1104-358 - 21:00 - Traefar Spaceport

Jeet decides to go for broke. He checks the schedule, and books a shuttle to Torpol Highport in the morning. The amenities at Traefar are not bad, but not as good as the main system station. And the access to the resorts might be worth the shuttle.
The booking is for himself, and personal effects. Besides hand-carried luggage, there is a shipping container, that he arranges to go into Customs Holding (with access, if needed).
Jeet starts packing, and powers down the bots in their shipping cradles, inside the container, along with all the tools and parts. Jeet hooks up the internal connectors to the internal controller, which allowed the switching and adjusting of the grav units in the bots. Using the grav units within the container made it possible for Jeet to move the container by himself. He could push or tow it by hand, without mechanical assistance.
Jeet is aprehensive, but not too worried. There is a lot of traffic in the Torpol system.

1104-358 - 21:30 - Traefar Spaceport

Jeet, I'm sorry. I just found this wedged in my comm buffer - I thought I had sent it in response to our conversation. You or your bots wouldn't happen to have comms experience? Apparently that's another gap I need to plug.

Thank you for talking to me, Jeet. The bot angle is definitely something I hadn't considered. I've never worked much with them, other than the basic cleaners, loaders, etc. some ships have. I will definitely follow up with you in a couple of days, once I've made my decisions.

Good to hear from you Captain Cooper.
10:00 is a convenient time to meet, thank you. Which venue do you prefer? Somewhere neutral? I find the Cosmic Driftwood to be lively yet discreet.
My astrogation rating 3 is current. Mostly I have been self-employed under contract, and can provide some local available references but I have spent many years travelling in the Void under my own ability.
Fair pay is a factor, although I would also be interested in exploration, experience and adventure. This is in part why I seek to find a regular crew and ship. I have only had basic training in combat skills though and cannot operate ship’s guns.
I am a well qualified M Drive Engineer beginning at the University of Hradus in the Tobia Subsector and strengthened by “on the job” training. A reference for this skill would be Thyrena Valor of Sternmetal Horizons. I understand a corporate reference might not be ideal for a Free Trader, but I’d hope you understand that I can negotiate with a broad spectrum of clients. We can discuss this further tomorrow.
Regarding wearing multiple hats, I have a broad spectrum of basic skills including medic, lawyer, EVA, space and land-based vehicle operation, surveillance and investigation. I’m open to tackling anything that comes my way.
- Kalidaren

To: Cal, Free&Clear
From: Jeet, Traefar Station
Captain,
My Job Notice did mention Comms. As part of my robotics work, I picked up a few things to round out the knowledge of the internal workings of interactive machines. I found it necessary to enhance skills in a few electronic fields, including Comms, Computers, and Sensors. Engineering was another handy skill set, as power and mobility are essential to a useful robot. I'm therefore familiar with Power and Grav tech, though not as proficient as I would like.
For what it's worth, there isn't a standard drone in the Outrim Void I can't fix.
I have booked a shuttle to Torpol Highport, arriving at 12:00. Perhaps a face-to-face could be had?
Jeet Pringtip

Kalidaren, why don't you come by the ship? I'll see you at 10:00.

Jeet, sure. I'd like to see your bots in the flesh, so to speak. I'm free after 14:00. When and where should I meet you?

Speaking of coming by the ship, a certain personage had shown up with not much more than a pair of sunglasses and the goth-punk outfit they normally wore when out and about. The reason? A 'social' call with an old friend from their university days. Back then, Ashe was a brown-haired half-Darrian with barely pointed ears and blue eyes. Now? Ashe had clearly had work done with their ears being a few inches long and their facing having a more elegant shape to it. They smacked the buzzer and leaned up against the speaker.
"Sup, stud? This is Ashe Volare. If you don't remember me, look me up. I'll wait," Ashe stated in a feminine pitch with a confident energy that wasn't in their repetoire back in university. "Anyway, Cal. I've been here on Torpol performing and it's not paying the bills. I'm goddamned famous so it should be able to, right? But here I am, needing more money. I'm positive I can be of use in such endeavours. That, and I can learn how to be useful pretty quickly. I can fill you in on the details inside."

"Dear god, why me? Why now?" Cal mutters to himself.
He sighs. Ashe, come on in. Are you looking for a place to hide out, or is this a social call? He pauses. Why did I ask? How close behind you are they, and who are they?
Cal peers at the security camera, confirming that Ashe is alone. He readies his pistol, and opens the hatch to let her in.

Cal escorts Ashe to the crew commons. At the moment, it's just me here. Galley's over behind that pillar. Grab what you want, and I'll take a bottle of the Island Paradise.

10:00 at the Free & Clear. Agreed.
- Kalidaren

Radio Message
To the captain of Free and Clear
I am a former marine looking for employment
Skills
Gunnery, guns and blades
Will use them on whoever you say
For extra will not ask any questions
Willium (Billy) Burke\\