IC: Ship in a Bottle Options

[Chance359]

Hank shifts in his chair uneasily, not sure what to do next.

"Solomon could have Brian arrange an appointment for me with the tailor?"

Later in the evening Hank send a text message to a dealer (mercenary fixer) that he knows and asks how much a Spanish lingsoft would cost and how fast he could get it to him.

[ Spoiler ]

roll for trying to find information about Havana,
Intelligence: 1,4,5

[Glyph]

Ziptide:

"I'll stay over, too. I always like to familiarize myself with a new ship, and all of my old stuff is already in long-term storage. And forget the shaman stereotypes - I'm not a useless nature-lover who can't use a public dataterm without using guided mode. I know ships as well as spells."

"Plus, it wouldn't hurt to get first pick of the cabins, either," he thinks to himself.

[hyzmarca]

"I'll stay onboard as well", informs Sam before she wanders off to find Brain and request an appointment with Solomon's tailor.

[Callidus]

Seeing no objections from Soloman, Spikes starts transferring the drones over from the garage to the boat. Securing them in positions indicated by Soloman as to not spoil the cover of a pleasure yacht for the rich and famous but still able to launch or help out as needed. Very glad I'd dismounted the guns before arriving here, can imagine the 'star problems of an armed drone wheeling across a posh houses backyard..... or maybe they'd think it was just security? Nah better this way.

Drones hidden away, he spends the rest of the evening remounting the guns and talking to the rest of the new crew.

"Anyone know where to get an armoured blanket or sheet? Forgot to bring mine and I'd guess Soloman doesn't want his nice furniture cut up by my spikes. I go by Spikes by the way and I guess I'll be handling our travel piloting and drone needs." With that he holds out a hand to shake with anyone who seems interested.

[HMHVV Hunter]

Mal gets his bags from the butler, bringing them aboard the ship and finding one of the crew cabins to settle down in.

Sitting down on the bed, he starts unpacking his stuff, pulling out materials for his lodge first.

Gonna have to find a place to set this up aboard ship, Mal thought.

Digging into his bag again, he pulls out his revolver and Savalette Guardian, checking them to make sure they're unloaded. This is followed by the sporting rifle that he carries as his poor-man's sniper rifle.

Laying his guns and their ammo down on the floor by his bedside, Mal ponders the new job he's about to go on.

Cuba. And from there...who knows?

Looking out the window of his cabin, Mal's momentary worries are calmed by viewing the endless blue sea extending outwards.

I'm gonna be out there again, Mal thinks with a smile.

Sitting up from his bed, Mal starts wandering around the ship, taking an informal tour of all various places - engine room, bridge, top deck, everywhere.

As he begins his walk, Mal starts whistling a favorite tune of his he heard from an old pre-trid show, letting the lyrics run through his head.

Take my love, take my land
Take me where I cannot stand...

[Lindt]

Augest 17, 2064
Those of you who stay aboard find the Dolphanian to be a most comfortable home, even in the most cramped bunks. The champaign that was left was of high quality, matching dinner that Brian cooked and brought aboard for you.

For those of you that are not early morning risers the strangest feeling of motion wakes you shortly after 8am. An outboard electric trolling motor pushes the 30m long yacht into the harbor channel and slowly up stream towards the city of Fort Myers.

Sometime just afternoon you dock at a pier attached to a small cluster of storage units. While Solomon is tying up the bow line a younger Asian women walks towards the yacht and the two of them start babbling in a language you don’t understand. (If you happen to speak Cantonese, Ill PM you). Solomon finishes securing the boat and makes a few rather animated jesters of dissatisfaction in the direction of the storage units before he plugs something into his datajack.

Most of what is brought on board goes directly to the galley and pantry. A half dozen 55 gallon drums are rolled to the stern of the ship and pumped into the fuel tanks by hand.
Perception 5 Any successes:

[ Spoiler ]

The drums are labeled JP-4 ‘Property of UCS AF’ and followed by a succession of warning labels about mishandling by unauthorized ground crews.

The final things that are brought onboard don’t arrive until later that evening, once the remainder of the crew arrives. A large van backs halfway up the pier before three Latino men get out. Solomon nods at you, confirming your apprehension. You all notice that he is carrying that Ingram again, this time with a suppresser screwed onto it.

[HMHVV Hunter]

After a day of supply arrivals, Mal is about ready to call it a work day and get to some R&R, when the final shipment arrives.

After seeing the captain walk out with his smartgun on him, Mal starts getting worried. Walking back to his quarters, he puts on his armored trenchoat and one of his holsters, putting his revolver into the holster before wrapping his trenchcoat over it - hopefully concealing it from any prying eyes.

Putting an extra couple speed loaders in his pocket just in case, Mal heads to the deck, finding a place where he can keep an eye on the transaction going on without being noticed much.

He had a bad feeling about this...

[OOC: Casting "Detect Enemies" on these guys; roll for this will be in OOC thread]

[Glyph]

Ziptide, who was aimlessly wandering around the dock to stretch his legs, catches Solomon's nod as the man passes by him. The boss expecting a bit of potential trouble? Could be fun. He nonchalantly trails after him, standing a bit of a ways back so as to not make the three men unduly nervous - and to keep an eye on all of them. He makes no move towards his gun - if trouble goes down, he'll respond with his mojo.

A slight feral grin quickly ghosts across his face. More than likely, this is merely the jitters of two shady types who don't know each other well, doing business for the first time. But if he's lucky, there could be some impending violence about to go down.

[Chance359]

Hank spend the night stretching out in his room, getting used to being on the water. Well atleast is clean and dry, alot better than a DFP in some jungle

After being woken up by the difference in the wave around eight, Hank begins cleaning the weapons he brought and organizing his room. He makes sure that any explosives are kept under lock and key, and both extra pistols are hidden in the room.

Hank had been out on the deck having a smoke when he sees Solomon walk by with his Ingram. Drek, looks like its time to start earning my pay. He quickly returns to his room and throws on his combat harness and armored jacket. Before returning to deck, Hank shoves his FN HAR into a bag and slings it over his shoulder.

Once on deck, he makes his way around to the other crew asking if they have comms and what channel their on.

[hyzmarca]

Sam awoke early in the morning to the familiar sound of her math SPU buzzing in her head, a sound which existed only for her. She quickly rises and unzips her large bag, which she still han't unpacked. She rummages for a moment and pulls out a full suit of diving armor, piece by piece. Miscellaneous items are strewn slopiliy over her bed by the search.

Sam deftly dons the waterproof kevlar bodysuit, completing the ensemble with a tight rubber hood and plain swimming goggles. She then retrieves her gyrojet pistol from her bedside and ties its lanyard to her wrist before going out on deck.

As soon as the boat docks Sam slides off the railing and down into the water. She spends spends some time simply swimming, floating, and relaxing. In the water, she feels at home for the first time in ages.

She climbs back on board shortly before the three latinos arrive. She is dripping against the railing when she hears Hank's question. She responds by tapping the side of her head, "Always", and provides him with one of her radio frequencies before climbing back into the water.

Once in the river she extends her cyberfins and swims quietly toward the pier, trying to flank the latinos from the water without being spotted, just in case something should go wrong.

[Callidus]

Waking to his alarm and carefully getting out of the bunk, Spikes wakes to the day and realises the different ship motion. Hmmm, must have overslept, seems Soloman's starting earlier than I thought

Slipping on his form fitting undersuit and forearm guards, he then , he logs onto the rigger network and launches the two Condors with orders to shadow the boat and notify him if anything gets too close, while trying to plot their courses to look like just another pair of drones in the sky.

He spends the rest of the morning monitoring the yacht's performance and handling. Best to get a feel for it's motion now, rather than when I'll need to know

Reaching the pier Spikes calm overwatches from the drones as the loading goes on. Seeing Soloman heading onto deck with his Ingram, he sends a quick boot up command to the two IWS's to get them ready if anything develops but telling them to stay under their cover for now....

[Lindt]

The three thugs spread out, flanking the van, and keeping a close eye out for interlopers.

Perception 4 test

[ Spoiler ]

1 success: the one on the right is chewing gum
2 successes: the one on the right is muttering to himself
3 successes: the one on the right is subvocalizng

Solomon walks to the rail keeping the smartgun out of sight. “Bring it to the back” The goons seem less then impressed at having to perform physical labor, but back the van farther down the pier to the stern of the boat and while on of them stands and watches from the passenger door while the other two lug a large shipping crate onto a dolly. Judging from the suspension rise on the van that must be a rather heavy crate, making the two men moving it rather strong. They muscle the dolly to the ramp, but before they start to bring it aboard the third Latino (from above) barks at them to stop (in Spanish if you know it)
<“Money first Mr. Smooth. We agreed on a price, but I have yet to see any proof that you have peso one. I want payment before that box goes on that ship”>
Solomon pulls an oversized cred stick from his back pocket and lobs it in his general direction. The Latino watches it bounce and skitter to his feet, and retrieves it. He leans in thorough the open window of the van, turning his back on the rest of you.

The two with the crate also turn away from the boat, obscuring your vision.

Roll Init as the 2 goons pull pistols and the 3rd comes out of the window with an assault rifle.

[HMHVV Hunter]

Shit, Mal thinks as hostile impulses register in his mind as the spells feeds the info to him. This is what he feared - that these guys were gonna pop.

Probably out of range for my gun here, Mal thinks.

But maybe there's a way I can end this without gunshots gettin' fired.

Dropping his spell, Mal pulls something else out of his bag of tricks.

See how you rutters act when your leader's got the rifle pointed at your head...

[hyzmarca]

Sam pulls herself partially out of the water, just enough to get a clean shot while still using the bank as cover.

Paranoia, anger, fear, hate, and bloodlust fill her mind as she tightly grips her pistol. She doesn't trust the captain yet and she doesn't speak a word of Spanish despite having dealings in Spain and Latin America in the past. She usually relied on linguasofts.

[Callidus]

Seeing the goons pulling guns through the sharp eyes of the overwatching Condor, Spikes almost hesitates and then the automatic combat reflexes kick in. Jumping out of the Condor to his captain's chair position is always a wrench as his senses go from the super human to normal and his body again has weight. Looking around at the various screens, each showing the drones status and view, he sends a quick burst of traffic to the nearer of the two armed IWS drones ordering it to power up and head up onto deck ready for combat.

Trying to ignore the repeated threat detected messages flashing on the two Condor drones screens he settles in hoping the more combatant drone will make it into position before it all turns bloody. Hold on guys heavy supports on it's way, crap never remembered to set up comms between us all, frak!

[Lindt]

Before even getting the rifle to his shoulder, the Latino at the van looks like he is struck by a sudden gust of wind, being thrown off balance. Spikes orders a support drone to get on deck, though it may take some time getting up the stairs. Hank dives behind a sturdy decretive flute in the boats superstructure and draws his pistol, fully ready to ventilate anyone making a move up the gangplank.

Solomon shouts “Don’t hit that crate!” as he crouches behind the gunwale and a soft “Pt pt Pfft” as one of the thugs takes 3 solid hits center mass, knocking him from his feet, and possibly this mortal coil as well. Ziptide takes drastic action, summoning up an area sleep spell that would stop a herd of charging rhinos, and is far more then enough to remove consciousness from the weak willed goons. The poor fool with the rifle shouts “Caiga sus armas putas!” and watches a falling ally loose his right knee in a substantial spray of blood, bone, and smoke. With just enough time to watch the action come to a hault, he dives head first off the side of the peir, clutching his rifle like a life preserver, never to be seen again.

And suddenly all is quiet again, interrupted only by the soft creak of the mooring lines. “Stupid fuckers where going to try and skip out on the transfer. Get down there and give me a hand pulling that container up on deck. This seems to have advanced our departure time.”

[HMHVV Hunter]

Snapping back into his own mind after making sure the goon leader is drowned, Mal rushes to the dock, intending to help out the captain in getting the container on board.

Helping bring the container on board the ship, Mal thinks about what's happened so far.

Jeez, we haven't even gotten out of dock and already we've had some shooting going on, he thinks. All we need is this container to be filled with SAMs and this'll be the most exciting dock I've ever been in!

[Glyph]

Ziptide's shamanic mask was dramatic - a wavery aquamarine aura that seemed to shimmer around him as he summoned his (somewhat excessive) magical energies. Afterwards, though, he seems to be in bad shape. He drops to his knees and has a coughing fit, and he seems wan and pale when he staggers to his feet. His nose also seems to be bleeding. He still seems able to trail after Mal and Solomon onto the ship, though, and waves off any concern directed his way.

"Just... overdid it... a bit. Be fine... by tomorrow."

[Chance359]

Hank slowly picks himself up off the deck. Damnit!! how could I have made such a rookie mistake not establishing comms. Next thing you know I'll be trying arm wrestle a juggernaught. Gotta watch myself. He then walks down the gang plank to the package and helps move it up to the ship.

Once the cargo is onboard, if time permits Hank takes a peak into the van looking for anything of value.

[ Spoiler ]

Perception test: 2,4,5

[Callidus]

Seeing the Condor's view showing all the thugs down, or drowned, Spikes sends another command to the IWS to send it back to its hidey hole. Dropping back to his body he heads down the gang plank and helps the crate into position on the yacht then turns to Soloman.

"So what do you us to do with the thugs? Assuming they're alive?" and looks to Ziptide then back to Soloman "I'd guess that they're just hired muscle, but you never know, unless one of the spell slingers can probe them?"

[HMHVV Hunter]

"Don't much think I could mind-probe a dead guy," Mal says in response to Spikes' suggestion.

[Callidus]

"Hmmm, okay didn't know what spell took them down." and gives a grim smile "Never really understand magic, how ever much I read of it"

"Anyway we need to set up a standard and backup comms frequency in case this happens again, although a pier is probably not the best place."

[hyzmarca]

Seeing that the combat is over Sam cautiously climbs fully onto the pier and walks toward her victim in response to Mal's and Spike's conversation.
"I think", Sam kicks gently goon #2 in the head (to gently to cause any damage), "that the one-legged wonder is still alive. We could keep him as a pet. He won't be running away and he's probably potty trained."
Sam continues as she confiscates the unconscious man's weapon and searches his clothing "I know a guy who'll buy him for a fair price. But he may not fetch as much with that leg injury."

[HMHVV Hunter]

"Hey hey hey," Mal quickly jumps in as Sam mentions selling the guy. "No one's sellin' no one to nobody. We either shoot him here or we let him go, but I ain't gonna be involved in any slavin', and my conscience sure as hell ain't gonna let me stand by and watch it happen. So what's it gonna be - let him live, or gack him here?"

[hyzmarca]

Sam is indignant. "So you think that it is more moral to murder an unarmed and unconscious man than it is to give him medical care and a decent chance at continued life?"
Memories of her sister's disembowled corpse flash through her mind. " If we leave him here, he'll may bleed to death. If he doesn't then he'll certainly tell his someone what happened and that will probably be very bad for us. I vote that we take him with us. If we do I'll arrange for someone to wipe his memories with my share of the profits and leave him at a seedy brothel somewhere believing that he had the best vacation ever. "

Sam continues to search the goon's pockets. "Either way, it is the captain's call, not ours. It's his boat."