Twilight Reaches RPG - Prologue

[Stofsk]

In the middle of deep space, a small ship finished the week's long process of a warp-jump that took them from a small backwater colony to a deep spaceport. Their destination wasn't the 'port, as it was mainly a transfer point for long-ranged traffic. And the 'port itself, - a small spherical station carved from a rogue asteroid in quite literally, the middle of nowhere - wasn't a colony. It was nothing more than a stopover for travellers.

That said, the rigours of a week-long foray into warpspace are such that even if temporary, a brief respite is all but necessary. Thus, DSP-895 is not unique in that it services this need in travel-weary starfarers by providing venues for entertainment and recreation. Even out here, in the middle of deep space, the closest stars a number of lightyears away in any direction, people remain people, with wants, desires, needs, and credits to spend.

OOC: So far the Long Strider's crew is Zahn Karses and Cihan Archelaus. Passengers include a recently married couple on their way to the Juliani Subsector, bound for the capital system of the same name. Other characters will be introduced whenever they see fit.

[Cynical Cat]

"You've got to be kidding me," said Zahn. "Half that price would be robbery."

The bald man scratched behind his ear and yawned. "You're not going to get better fuel prices on this station Karses." His gaze bore into the flamboyently garbed captain. "Every millileter has to be hauled here, FTL. That comes with a price tag. Of course, you don't have to crawl up and down a gravity well to get at it, so you'll be saving on that end. Your choice."

"Alright," said Karses, "give me a ten percent discount and we've got a deal."

"By my ancestors, you're something. Did you learn to negogiate like that in prison?"

Karses's expression went instantly from jovial to deadly. "Getting shafted by middle men is how I ended up in prison. Not letting anyone get away with fucking me over is how I survived."

"My margin on fuel's next to nothing. Take it or leave."

"Alright Crato. You win." Karses sent transfer instructions.

"Cheer up Karses. You may be known as a fuck up, but at least you're an honest one." Crato's laughter was cut off my the touch of a key.

"Damn," said Karses under his breath. "I have got to get some real work."

[Stofsk]

Crato Hoarley knew of Zahn's reputation from his buddies in the Scout Service. Given the sheer size of known space and all the billions of inhabitants, this might seem like a mean feat.

But Zahn had bought a Scout Service surplus ship. That in itself allows an avenue for the buyer to come under scrutiny from those who were doing the selling. The Scout Service was also a secret service, which many people often forgot. Gathering information was part and parcel of what it meant to be a Scout.

The 'port had a number of ships berthed. Laws were relaxed, customs inspections random and infrequent, and also unnecessary. As a transfer point for long ranged travel, anything to keep ships stopped and waiting was an anthema to galactic trade and travel. Better to let individual planets settle their own customs inspections than to stop every ship wherever it landed, however briefly.

There were a number of eateries onboard the station, as well as merchant shops. Zahn pondered whether he ought to find one of them out and spend his money loosely.

~~~~~~~~~~

Zahn left Crato's office feeling fleeced but at least with a ship that was docked and getting fueled. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be right away. A Tao Pathways superfreighter was ahead in the schedule and wouldn't be done for a couple of hours, and after them was a passenger liner bound for wherever, and a couple of subbies, some Scout Service ships that had priority...

Of course Zahn could spend a little extra and get put ahead, but then he would be spending money he didn't have.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Ah Captain Karses," began the young man who had recently found himself a wife. "Linda and I were wondering how our schedule is?"

"If you mean 'when do we leave' not for awhile. If you want to do some sightseeing go on ahead."

"Excellent. Toodle-ooh!" And with that, Zahn's passengers were off his ship to enjoy themselves. They had some time to do so, as did he. Now, where was Cihan...

[Josh]

Cihan picked at the cuff of his elegant jacket, seeking some fragment of lint or other offensive material that only he had noticed.

"And the outbound stream will be more favorably disposed," he said. "If departure is made within the next fourteen hours."

Madame Susin nodded, while her husband sipped on his drink. A rarity among the willful navigators, a married pair who only took dual commissions, they were long-service members of impeccable record and standing. The information exchange they were engaged in was precisely what made the higher rates of a Guild Navigator more valuable. With the ever-shifting currents of FTL travel, the network that had been created by the Guild for keeping each other up to date on conditions gave them a nigh-insurmountable edge over the competition.

Trade talk dispensed with, they settled into the idle chatter of Guilders. The meetings also served as a nexus for the the eternal point-scoring that constituted Guild social life. One did not make it through the grueling process of entering the Guild without having hearty measures of ambition, competitiveness, and sheer brilliance. Necessity made them into ruthless predators, joined in the common cause of defending their comparatively small but wealthy institution against the weight of all human civilization.

Cihan made his way through the conversation with charm and deflection, aware that the numbers were against him in this moment. Moreover, his interest was not in the duel, but in the pretty and vacant currency exchange clerk he'd spotted on the way in. He let the discussion drag on to a short while past the minimum that courtesy required, then made his courteous farewells.

[Bratty]

"I am seeking a ship, a ship that will get me places," The words cooed from Astrid's full lips, only one of her many gifts given to her by her Akelli blood.

Astrid made this man sweat without even trying. She stood 5'2" in her Akelli traveling dress of golds and blues. Although it did hold her body quite nicely, it was not nearly as suggestive as her dancing or entertainment attire. Her skin was indigo and her eyes shone emerald green, bearing such sweet unspoken promise on the man in front of her. Her raven hair was up and twined into lovely twists and curls on top of her head. She wore little jewelry, for her body seemed to provide enough decoration. Her mood would dictate what tatoo would show, when, how, where on her body, what movement it made, and what color the imposed or implied ink was.

The man stuttered, "I-I-I alreadddy told y-y-y-ou, M-m-miss..."

Astrid's soft tone quietly cut him off, "I am...flattered...you appreciate my status enough to procure passage on the diplomatic ship Engagement, but you know why that is not possible. I need something with...," There is a slight smirk in amusement as her finger touches the side of her lips in momentary contemplation, "...less exposure. I was told you, Daniel Zuroff, were the man to see for such arrangements. My resources are trusted or I would not be here wasting both of our time. Are you able to assist a woman in need?"

The old man sighed and thanked his divination that she was not trying to seduce him. It would probably stop his heart. He has been having problems with that lately, "I have heard of one ship..."

Astrid's slender hands reached for her small traveling bag as she pulls out the currency of this forsaken place and slides it into the old man's palm. "Tell me more."

[Bratty]

Astrid walked out of the deal, wringing her hands one over the other. It seems the blood never comes off. The memories never leave her.

The tattoos on her body begin to writhe as she moves into her transport carrier. A robotic voice asks her where she is to go. "Deliah 573," She replies as the transporter takes her to her abode to gather her things.

The lights flash by as she pushes a button to dim them and close the windows. Even now, she cannot get the picture out of her head.

----

Astrid fell back as her chest heaved up and down, labored breathing. She looked at her hands with his blood all over them. The rest of her was covered as well. He made her do it. MADE her do it! No one would believe her though. He was too important, too powerful. She would be tried and none would have second thoughts of her fate. Not if she had anything to do about it. She grabbed the intricately carved blades out of his chest and ....

-----

A bump rustled her from her reverie as the computerized voice indicated that she was at her stop. She got out of her capsule and headed into the pod she was staying to gather her things. If all went well, she had a vessel to catch.

[Cynical Cat]

Zahn tapped the but of his laser pistol as the refueling crawled forward. It was costing him too much cred, taking another bite out of his all too skinny profit margin. Still, it would not do to play the pauper. One should look successful, even if one wasn't. So Zahn Karses was wearing a long coat of crimson and ebony over a crisp white shirt, gold embroidered vest, black trousers, and mirror polished boots. Right now the station was taking a bite out of his pocket book, but it might also represent opportunities.

[Stofsk]

Cihan left the private meeting room that he and his fellow Navigators often used to discuss Guild matters. His eyes quickly scanned the lounge area for tonights entertainment. He caught a glimpse of the girl heading out of the Guild office.

~~~~~~~~~~

Astrid entered her temporary quarters. Her things wouldn't take long to pack. More important to her was the fact that she would soon be on the move again.

She came to the 'port onboard a chartered passenger liner, which had a predictable flight path. If she were being hunted - and she thought it was a good bet someone would be after her, whether it be law enforcement or... other kinds of 'enforcement' - then her needs required subtle evasion as well as unpredictable movement.

There was really one ship on the station that could qualify for that. The only problem is she didn't know the captain. Not yet, at any rate.

Astrid knew a surplus scoutship was exactly what she needed to get on the move. She recalled the name: The Long Strider.

[Bratty]

Gathering her things took only a moment. She knows she is not to carry many things. Things can always be procured, and discarded. Things...and people. It does not do well to leave traces.

As she got back into the transporter, she indicated, "Refueling station." That is where she is supposed to meet this bucket of bolts', that old man so eloquently put, and the crew. The Long Strider...sounds like a name her clientel would give themselves. But no matter. She is not flying for a name, but for a chance to begin again.

[Josh]

The game was afoot. He set out at a measured pace that would allow him to overtake the girl, but still contrived to appear unhurried. Donning a mask of 'lost in thought', he brushed into her 'accidentally'.

"Pardon me, milady," he said with courtly grace, his features shifting to courtly chivalry, before visibly doing a minor double-take as if seeing her for the very first time, and approving of what he saw.

[Stofsk]

The girl at first seems startled and then relaxes. Though a tad weary.

"That's ok." Noticing Cihan's look, she does smile at his obvious attraction to her. "I uh... my name is Julie. You should watch where you're going next time."

~~~~~~~~~~

Astrid entered a transport tube from her quarters to the bay where her ticket out of here was docked in. She carried with her all her possessions. She sent an email to the ship's network, hopefully to get the attention of the ship's owner.

~~~~~~~~~~

Zahn was onboard his ship doing miscellaneous duties when his PDA chimed the receival of an email.

Code: Select all

From: astrid@starmail.net
To: strider@DSP-895.net
Subject: Passage inquiry, destination uncertain

I wish to book passage off this station. Will meet in person to discuss the matter. Will be at Bay 94 in 10 minutes.

[Bratty]

Nothing fancy, but there is no time for that. She does not have much time until she is spotted or worse...

She thought for a moment of her patron, the man who got her into her craft. The man who got her into her noble status, and out of the dives. She will miss him, in more ways than one.

-----

Intertwined in Nemed's arms, a sheen of sweat covering them both, Astrid's hair falls over his strong arms. She looks up at him, and whispers. "I don't want to go, Nemed."

He kisses her forehead with a smile, and whispers back, "But you must. A flower will wilt if she is not in the sun. You must take your place in the university."

Her eyes flicker back and forth over him. "But I could stay with you..."

"You would grow tired of me, my dear."

Astrid silenced her protests at that point. It meant so much to him to make her civilized. She is to go and study diplomacy, skin dancing, and many other things at the university, because it pleased him. It would do her no good to argue with him. He wanted this more than she did.

Instead, she curled her head into his chest, her soft hair caressing him. "I will miss you."

-----

Another jolt. She blinks, looking out the window. Bay 90. She is almost there. Time to get her mind out of the clouds.

[Josh]

"M'lady Julie," he said, bowing deeply. "Cihan Archelaus, Steersman of the Long Strider. A pleasure to make your acquaintance," he concluded.

All craft and artifice, designed to awe and overwhelm. There was no malice in it- he was simply a man inclined to partake of pleasures, but they had to be pleasures of a specific variety. Short-term, no commitments, no questions. As such, he sought the young, beautiful, and preferably not terribly intelligent, overwhelmed them with charm and style, then moved on, striving to leave a pleasant memory behind him.

Any woman inclined to see through the facade was obviously not particularly ideal, and thus it served as a useful filter.

[Cynical Cat]

Well hello, what was this? Another possible passenger, potentially a nice addition to that small amount of black ink he was going to make from this trip. Zahn waited for the prize to arrive.

[Bratty]

Astrid steps out of the transporter to the refueling station. She holds herself in noble regard, as she has been taught, but secretly, she cannot wait to get the hell off this hole.

94. She is in the right spot. She grabs her bags, and approaches Zahn. She hopes this will go "the easy way".

"Excuse me," She says in soft spoken tone. "Is this," Looking up to the ship that is being refueled, "the Long Strider?"

[Cynical Cat]

Zahn walked forward. The extravegently dressed man was dark haired and pale skinned, just a little bit on the tall side. "Indeed it is. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Zahn Karses, master of the Long Strider."

[Bratty]

She places her few bags down. "Charmed, I am sure," She says, giving a quaint smile. She recalls one of her first lessons. Know the difference between business and pleasure. This was most certainly business. She extends her hand to his in a greeting of formality.

"I am looking for transport for my ...business arrangements, and was told that your ship would do nicely. Are you currently taking passengers?"

In a glance, her emerald eyes size him up, as she does all, men and women alike. It is not obvious, and it is instantaneous. After all, even in times of desperation, one must know who they are dealing with. And even moreso, not appear desperate.

[Cynical Cat]

"Yes I am," replied Karses. "Shall we see if our commitments are compatable before retiring to the pedestrian business of haggling over terms?"

[Bratty]

"Yes I am," replied Karses. "Shall we see if our commitments are compatable before retiring to the pedestrian business of haggling over terms?"

"My sources indicate that you travel various places into the nether regions. I am in need of transport into various corners of the galaxy for diplomatic endeavors. Where are you headed?" She smiles sweetly as she looks up to the ship. Well, it is not much to look at, that is for sure.

[Cynical Cat]

"Juliani at the moment," Karses replies. "But in general we do travel the far regions."

[Bratty]

"Juliani at the moment," Karses replies. "But in general we do travel the far regions."

Her smile seems genuine as it widens a bit, and she looks a bit relieved. "That would work out to be beneficial." She folds her hands over each other. The tatoos around her wrists intertwine from around her wrists to circle up her arm, dissapearing as they move up.

"My name is Astrid. I am a Noble and Entertainer - skindancer by trade. Though I have been known to take on...other...professions as they suit the need."

[Cynical Cat]

"I am delighted to make your acquientance," Karses replied. "Shall we get down to the tedious business of haggling over passage fees? Alas, not every part of a captain's job is daring do and high adventure."

[Bratty]

"I am delighted to make your acquientance," Karses replied. "Shall we get down to the tedious business of haggling over passage fees? Alas, not every part of a captain's job is daring do and high adventure."

"I will need quarters with full privacy. I will have visitors and will need complete discretion. Additionally, there might be times a formal dinner will be needed. What will you charge for such accomidations?"

[Cynical Cat]

Zahn smiled. "We can manage that. Shall we sojourn to the ship so you may see what you're buying and then begin haggling?"

[Bratty]

Zahn smiled. "We can manage that. Shall we sojourn to the ship so you may see what you're buying and then begin haggling?"

"That would be glorious, thank you." She picks up her bags in tow, looking up to the ship. Well, perhaps the inside can be managed to be a better sight.