Main / 1105-021-Thebus

1105-020 -- 1105-021 -- 1105-022?

Timing of events
00:01 - Jump Emergence Watch
02:15 - Emerge from Jump
07:30 - Arrive at Highport
07:45 - Inspection of the Free & Clear
08:30 - Cerabu Guide Search
09:00 - Sed Shopping Trip
09:30 - Cal Walk About

1105-021 - 02:15 - The Free & Clear

Only two hours after the Jump Emergence watch starts the alarm sounds and the Free & Clear emerges in the Thebus system.

1105-021 - 03:00 - The Free & Clear

[Amada Cerabu] The ape walks onto the bridge wearing his standard daytime outfit minus the long jacket, the staff, and the cigar, and his boots. His large simian-like feet still quiet against the metal floor. "How far out?"

[Sed / Kalidaren] "4 hours 16 minutes," Sed didn't look up from the Astrogation station, engrossed in calculations of the gravity patterns of the inner planetoid belt.

"Getting more sleep. Check with Captain. Think there're landing restrictions. Remember, low profile."

[Cal Cooper] Cal stands up from the pilot's seat.
I've sent a query for the latest regulations for landing. The latest information we've got is that we need to dock at the highport before proceeding downside, however it's always best to check if regulations have changed. There is apparently an inspection, but it's supposed to be a formality. I imagine that for a small gratuity, it could be even less rigorous.

Cerabu nodded and left the bridge.

"Well my friend, do you want to negotiate the terms of the inspection? Or shall I?" Sed addressed the Captain, thinking of which phrase of words he might utilise.

You take it. Keep it low-key. We're not trying to get something illegal through; we just want to grease the wheels of commerce.

1105-021 - 05:00 - The Free & Clear

[Jeet] Sometime after Emergence, but before arriving at Thebus Highport, Jeet will run the following checks:

Jeet: [SKILL] Engineer (2D+2) (vs Difficulty 4) [2d6+2 = 9] [+5 Effect] [Average SUCCESS] 10 Minutes. Post-Jump Engine Check.

Jeet: [SKILL] Electronics (Sensors) (2D+3) (vs Difficulty 6) [2d6+3 = 10] [+4 Effect] [Average SUCCESS] 30 Minutes. Sensor scan of Thebus System for Ships of Interest.

Jeet: [SKILL] Electronics (Comms) (2D+3) (vs Difficulty 6) [2d6+3 = 8] [+2 Effect] [Average SUCCESS] 60 Minutes. Looking for Drones accessing publicly available info over Comms, but it shouldn't be obscure. Refer this to Sed, perhaps.

Jeet: [SKILL] Electronics (Comms) (2D+3) (vs Difficulty 6) [2d6+3 = 6] [+0 Effect] [Marginal SUCCESS] 10 Minutes. Attempting to find info on Aslan ships coming into Thebus in the last month. In particular: 'Ftahteas' or 'Yetahikh'

Jeet: [SKILL] Electronics (Comms) (2D+3) (vs Difficulty 8) [2d6+3 = 11] [+3 Effect] [Average SUCCESS] 10 Minutes. Run a check for 'names of interest'. Are there BOLOs?

(Thebus Highport Control)"Attention Free & Clear.... Attention Free & Clear... You are advised to dock at Branch 2 Port 10 for your boarding and inspection. "

1105-021 - 07:30 - Thebus Highport

Sed will query the name of the customs/port authority via radio just prior to docking. Then, once landed, he will be the first off the ship to greet the official in person.

Task Chain. Streetwise to determine whether the official might be amenable to a bribe of Cr50. Persuade to convince them to search "lite" and ask few questions about the F&C, their destination, cargo etc.

[SKILL] Streetwise (2D+1) (vs Difficulty 8) [4+3+1=8] [+0 Effect] [Marginal SUCCESS]

[SKILL] Persuade INT (2d6+3) (vs Difficulty 8) [2+2+3=7] [-1 Effect] [Marginal FAILURE]

Jeet ushers Patch and Wrench into the cargo bay, and commences a quick storage routine. The Bots are on standy-by, and not completely shut down. However, they will be out of sight for the inspection. This prevents questions that the Captain doesn't want to answer.

(Thebus Highport Control)"Attention Free & Clear. You are cleared for docking. Commander Riplilion will meet you at your hatch for inspection."

Sed checked with Cal before preparing, "I'll go and meet Commander Riplilion at the dock and assess their amenability to bribery and corruption." The purser had taken time to groom and dress and was eager as usual to be portside and stretch his legs.

Sed stepped off on to the Thebus dock, glad to be off the Trader and into some free space.

07:45 - Inspection of the Free & Clear

Cerabu steps out behind Sed. He is dressed in the same outfit he has worn from the beginning, the color of the day for the base color of his form-fitting suit seems to be blue, though this does not carry to the short trench-coat he seems to almost always wear. And his ever-present cigar and staff-cane are in possession. "Get this taken care off quickly."

Commander Riplilion was there to meet him. The Drinaxian took a moment to take stock of the commander before addressing them, "Hello! I am Sed Lyre, Purser of the Free & Clear, and we are looking to refuel and take some well needed refreshment in your port. Please advise the best place to eat and drink, somewhere a Traveller may be parted from his credits, in exchange for homely hospitality!" he gave the Commander a big wink and his used-car-salesman grin.

I imagine this is where Sed uses Streetwise to assess whether the Commander might be amenable to a bribe.

(Commander Riplilion)"Greetings Travellers! I am Commander Riplilion and I will be your guide today for escorting you through the thicket of problems the Starport Authority has put in your way to stop you from immediately enjoying your time here at Thebus. takes Sed's ID card and manifest, he pockets the 50 credits, hands back the ID card to Sed. "Your papers seem to be in order Sed Lyre. Now onto the ship. I see here on your manifest that you are not carrying any pharmaceuticals on board? How many tons of cargo are you carrying that I need to inspect?"

"Greetings Commander! I am grateful for your attendance, and your assistance with the thicket!" sensing the man's friendliness and apparent eagerness to help him, Sed surreptitiously peeled off another 100 credits, being careful only to show Riplilion, and turned to stand shoulder to shoulder with him and pointed to parts of the manifest, as if to explain parts of it to him. "My friend, there is no cargo that you need to inspect," he slid the credits across the manifest towards the official.

"Do I need to be here for this, or can I go into port?"

(Commander Riplilion) slides the paperwork back over to his hands, palming the credits, looking up at Cerabu, "Of course! Go out and enjoy yourself, I hope you stay for a few days, I can recomend some resturants if you have a craving for anything in particular"

Cerabu walks off while Riplilion is still speaking.

(Commander Riplilion)"Officer Lyre, this paperwork seems in order for staying here at port. We can have the refueling handled for you to start within the hour, one of our tankers will come around to dock for you rather than waiting for a space on the arm. Just be sure to not offload any cargo without the official tax stamps. Have a wonderful visit at Thebus."

Jeet takes a seat at the sensor station on the bridge, flashing up the interior monitoring system. Jeet checks the camera views to get an overview at what Thebus Customs examines. He runs through the views, settling on the view outside the airlock, the connection to Thebus Highport. He gets a view containing Sed and a man he assumes is a Highport official. Amada's back receeds into the distance.

The scans of the surface show that the planet is in the middle of fall, the forests look a mixture of brownish bushes, bright red leaves on some of the native trees, with some clouds swirling across the surface.

1105-021 - 08:30 - Thebus Highport - Cerabu Guide Search

The ape walks into the starport proper trying to look as regal as as he can, a man of leisure and importance, so to speak. He is intent on finding somewhere advertising hunting information planet-side, or at least anyone who looks like they might have an idea of what's below.

Cerabu spots several small offices, more of a counter top for someone to stand behind, advertising guides, some with an image of the Thebian Lion on them. As he steps along he does spot one that looks more promising. Primary Guides of Thebus' the sign says, with a circle of the three primary colors. Under the circle logo is the motto If it moves we can find it''. There is a full office door, rather than just the kiosk desk. Cerabu is intrigued and goes inside.

There is a tall thin human male sitting behind a desk inside of the office. He looks up at Cerabu and smiles. "Welcome to Primary Guides Sir. I take it you are here looking for a guide to take you to the surface. looks Cerabu up and down appreciatively "I can see you need to find something, you need to exercise your skills, you are not here to hunt flowers, you want to go after tougher game. Well I am happy you came to us Sir. Jacobian is the name, here to help you arrange any services you need on the surface. Very reasonable fees, and complete discretion on what you involve yourself in during your stay here on Thebus."

Cerabu ignored the small man’s banter looking around the office to gage the quality and legitimacy of the firm, his face kept in a look of barely on one side of seething into anger. Nostrils flared, eyes narrowed, cigar held securely in his teeth through a blatant sneer. Only when satisfied with the impression, did he look down at Jacobian.

“Hunting . . . game . . . yes. What do we have to do to hunt on Thebus?”

(Jacobian)"We can arrange any type of game you are interested in. Of course the Thebian Lion is the most popular choice for system visitors. They are in rut this time of year which makes them a bit more dangerous but we are used to guiding people and doing our best to ensure their safety. Or if you are not interested in dangerous prey we can take you to some places to discover the flora and other fauna of Thebus. Some things interesting have evolved here."

“Hmmm.” Cerabu makes a very slight upward jerk of his head. "Show me some ranges, some areas we might explore, for game."

The old merchant/archaeologist listens as Jacobian goes through several sites looking for one that is close to the area he wants, the area that matches or is close to the bridge. He lets Jacobian go through a couple more sites before interrupting.

“What's required to go to the surface."

(Jacobian)"We can set that up for you. Permits are reserved for official tour guides, so we have you covered there. Of course you don't have to take a tour guide but without a permit then you are on your own with no one to help if anything goes wrong. That is one of the prey options for the Theban Lions. Permitless travels. he laughs at his joke.

He nods blowing smoke out of his nostrils and then speaking through the last, “Tell me more about this area." Cerabu indicates the area closest to the supposed location of the bridge.''

(Jacobian)"The upland jungles of Holu? Rough territory, at least a dozen klick hike from open land where you can easily land an air raft. Could get closer with luck. We can get you in there. You hunting for flowers? Imagery or samples?"

Cerabu leans in to mentally match up the terrain. "Popular region? Wildlife around? Danger?"

9:00 - Thebus Highport Commercial area Sed thanked the Commander, clapping him on the back familiarly, as they were now very good friends. They spoke about the port and arranged refuelling, maintenance and resupply. The Commander recommended "rauk", a starchy, high-calorie root vegetable native to the Theban dirt, and Sed included that in the resuppply, as he thought it would supplement their non-perishable supplies.

Considering his current mission, he thought it wise to seek a larger weapon, so left the docks to locate a merchant.

Sed enters the main shopping plaza of the Highport.

Jeet realises there won't be an onboard inspection, when the Torpol Officer turns and walks away from Sed, and then, Sed walks further into the Station. OK. Guess we are going to avoid official guests? Well, turn on the Anti-Boarding monitoring, and settle in for some online shopping. Oh. Shut the external hatches, and set up the external call button system routed to his comm.

Free & Clear Ledger

DateLocationDescriptionDebitCreditCurrent Balance
1105-021Thebus Highport20t fuel refinedKCr10xKCr127.101
1105-021Thebus Highport20t fuel unrefinedKCr2xKCr125.101
1105-021Thebus HighportLife Support 2 wksKCr4xKCr121.101
1105-021Thebus HighportShip MaintenanceCr2,149xKCr118.952

1105-021 - 09:30 - Free & Clear

Payday, crew. Funds have been transferred to your account. Just don't go crazy in port, remember we're on a schedule. Keep your comms with you and on, and be ready for recall.

Cal transfers funds; 1000 Cr to Ashe, 3250 Cr to Sed, 2000 Cr to Jeet

Jeet? Ashe? Are you staying with the ship? If one of you is staying, I'm going to get out and stretch my legs; take in the port. I shouldn't be gone long, and I've got my comm. Just message me if anything comes up.

Cal heads into port, not looking for anything in particular, just seeing where the day takes him, and keeping an eye out for old shipmates. It's always better to spot them before they spot you; that way you can decide whether to renew the association. There are definitely some former associates that Cal would rather avoid.

As Cal ventures through the larger docks, he is accosted by a young human male. He looks a bit scruffed up, down on his luck. He is wearing a damaged security guard uniform. The young man spots Cal and tries to saunter over in a cool manner, not quite fitting the bill.

"Hey there, you look like a person who knows a thing or two about the universe. Would you be interested in purchasing a used air raft for your ship? Or to use here in system? I have one I am not using, could rent it out to you if you like, or sell it to you for Cr100,000. Are you someone who would be interested in that?"

To: Captain, Free&Clear,
Cc: Steward Volare
I can do Brow Watch and Comms for the day, if desired.
Any shopping I would like to do could be done online.
Have a good walk-about.

Marine Terms:
Brow: A ship gangway, also known as a ship brow or accommodation ladder, is a passageway that joins a ship’s quarterdeck to the forecastle. Today’s use of ship gangways is for passengers to safely board and exit a ship, as well as for loading and unloading, and repairing ships.
Link-> Ship Access