Episode 7

[Bynw]

[19:50]<Bynw> *Raith had recovered his ship from Stork's Rest. As he was leaving the mining colony he got received orders to proceed to an encoded set of coordinates, navcomp says its in deeps space between systems, and meet up with another ship there and receive further orders*
[19:52]<+Raith> ::Straps himself into the pilot's chair and inputs the coordinates into the navi-computer:: "No rest for the wicked..."
[19:53]<+Raith> ::Engages the jump drive::
[19:57]<Bynw> *an instant later the 'Lady Luck' emerges in the black void that exists in space between systems ... at almost the furthest range of her jump drives. dradis is picking up another ship in the area, but no transponder signal being received*
[19:59]<+Raith> ::Revs up the manuvering boosters and brings the lady luck to within visual range of the unidentified ship::
[20:00]<Bynw> *the ship is a class 8 freighter, it has a few dings and other markings that make it look like any other bulk freighter in use within Alliance space*
[20:01]<+Raith> ::Scans the ship for life signs::
[20:02]<Bynw> *Comms* "Lady Luck, you are clear to dock ... we have ventral landing bay available"
[20:02]<Bynw> *life scan shows many human lifeforms*
[20:03]<+Raith> ::Slowly and carefully brings the lady luck in range to dock at the freighters ventral landing bay dock and extends the docking clamps::
[20:05]<Bynw> *on the ventral side of the freighter a large landing bay has opened ... it would take a bit of manuvering thrusters to dock properly but your whole ship would disappear inside the freighter*
[20:07]<+Raith> ::Brings the lady luck into the bay carefully. Having docked, presses the release on the four point harness in the pilots chair and checks the charge on his energy pistol before extending the ramp::
[20:08]<+Raith> ::Takes the elevator to the lower deck and walks down the ramp, his hand resting lightly on his pistol slung low on his hip::
[20:08]<Bynw> *once the 'Lady Luck' has entered the ship and the doors have closed under her ... the docking bay begins to fill with nearly a dozen or so people ... some are carrying sidearms*
[20:10]<Bynw> *none of the people are in ADF (alliance defense force) uniforms, much like Raith himself. there is a group of 3 people waiting at the bottom of the ramp as Raith disembarks*
[20:11]<Bynw> *When Raith reaches the bottom of the ramp he is greeted* "Welcome aboard the 'Waterloo' Lieutenant Raith"
[20:13]<Bynw> *greeter* "This is going to be your home for the next 3 to 4 weeks. Quarters have been assigned to you. So if there is anything you need off your ship now is the time to get it."
[20:13]<Bynw> *over the ship's comm speakers* "Standby for jump in 60"
[20:15]<+Raith> ::Boldly walks down the ramp to address the three people. He stops for a moment and turns a critical gaze at the bay of the 'waterloo', and nods to the speaker::
[20:15]<+Raith> ??man or woman??
[20:15]<Bynw> !! all 3 are men ... but there are some women in the bay area !!
[20:16]<Bynw> *over the ship's comm speakers* "Standby for jump in 30"
[20:17]<+Raith> ::To the greeter:: "I'm sure I can off-load my gear later to my temporary quarters. Are you the captain?"
[20:17]<Bynw> *over the ship's comm speakers* "All hands prepare for jump .... jumping"
[20:19]<Bynw> *greeter* "I am the captain yes. Fortson, Malcome. It would be best to off-load now before we take your ship apart and you cant get on it. We have limited time and a lot to do."
[20:25]<Bynw> *Captain* "We will give you a complete debriefing as soon as you are settled. Say in about an hour?"
[20:34]<+Raith> ::looks a bit nonplussed at the mention of taking his ship apart:: "My ship apart!?...very well captain Fortson, one hour." ::Walks briskly back up the ramp to gather his things::
[20:41]<Bynw> *after Raith gathers his things, there is one of the other men down waiting for him who takes him to his quarters and (very spartan) shows him the way to the conference room for the debriefing*
[20:42]<+Raith> ::Grabs his personal effects and essentials as well as an armload of clothes and dumps everything into a duffle bag. Locks the onboard computer and nav-computer. Duffle bag over his shoulder he exits the Lady Luck with a last wistful look over his shoulder he exits into the waterloo's cargo hold::
[20:43]<+Raith> ??Man or Woman escorting him??
[20:46]<Bynw> !! man, one of the 3 that met him at the ramp !!
[20:49]<+Raith> ::To the man escorting him:: "Guess it would be asking too much for a drink on this boat?"
[20:53]<Bynw> *the man laughs* "drinks are available in the lounge"
[20:55]<+Raith> ::Sounding a bit surprised:: "Lounge, well well well fancy fancy. Let me drop this stuff at my quarters, then I think we should have just enough time to squeeze a drink in before my brief. You up that spacer?"
[20:56]<+Raith> ((up for that spacer))
[20:57]<Bynw> "I can show you the way" *he says*
[20:57]<+Raith> ::Smiles and follows the man::
[21:01]<Bynw> *after dropping off Raith's gear ... the two head for the lounge. it has a window out into space ... nothing but black and distant stars*
[21:05]<+Raith> ::To the man:: "I believe first rounds on me." ::slaps him on the back and walks to the bar, waiting for the bartender to notice him he sets in an order for two tequila's::
[21:08]<Bynw> *Raith is served the 2 drinks ... the lounge has a few others in it all talking quietly to themselves*
[21:12]<+Raith> ::Hands the tequila to his guest and drinks it down::
[21:12]<Bynw> *he drinks too with a generic toast*
[21:15]<+Raith> ::Sighs and looks about:: "Shortage of prime lookers on this boat. Damn I need shore leave. Lets get this brief over."
[21:16]<Bynw> *Raith is escorted to the conference room, there he see's the 2 other men that greeted him at the ramp. His escort takes a seat too and a few other people, 7 in all and 3 are women*
[21:17]<Bynw> "Welcome Lieutenant." *Says the captain and gestures for Raith to take a seat*
[21:20]<Bynw> *Captain* "You are here because the Klade have requested a formal meeting with the Alliance to open official diplomatic ties. They have requested your presence as well as part of the negotiations."
[21:22]<+Raith> ::His face scrunches up in disgust:: "What the crap. Sir, did they say why? I'm not a diplomat sir."
[21:22]<+Raith> ::Takes a seat::
[21:23]<Bynw> "The meeting will take place at 76 Sigma Ceti, in 4 weeks. They are aware you are not a diplomat. And they requested your presence because they believe the military is more honest than diplomats."
[21:23]<+Raith> ::chuckles::
[21:24]<Bynw> "Which can be very true. Diplomat like talking out of both sides of their mouths." *he chuckles a bit himself*
[21:24]<Bynw> "Now the question is ... why you? And why after all this time are they seeking diplomatic relations with us."
[21:25]<+Raith> ??where is 76 sigma ceti on the map??
[21:25]<Bynw> (( the planet the mining crews were stranded on ))
[21:25]<+Raith> "Sir, all this time? How long has alliance known of them sir?"
[21:26]<Bynw> "The Alliance has known about the Klade for a few months. We have known about them for a decade."
[21:27]<Bynw> (( something dawns on Raith ... there is a department within the Alliance known as the ISD ... a secret police/military inteligence group that operates above everyone else, very clandestine and self supported as well)
[21:29]<Bynw> "We have had a few encounters such as the one you had with the Klade in the past. We did also discover a world that once held a small space-faring civilization that went to war with the Klade. The world is dead now and its people totally extinct."
[21:31]<+Raith> ::Pauses and takes a look around at the people assembled, a new respect in his eyes:: "I see, sir. Does this mean I've been transfered to ISD sir?"
[21:34]<Bynw> *Captain* "Under command of the ISD currently yes. Do you want to be transfered?"
[21:35]<+Raith> ::Pauses again:: "Sir, I go where the action is. It would be an honor sir."
[21:36]<Bynw> *Capt* "Good. What we know about the Klade. They are highly advanced in their technology. More so in some aspects than our own."
[21:39]<Bynw> "We did find a damaged Klade ship which we have used to discover some of their technology. That is part of what will be happening to your ship."
[21:43]<Bynw> "There jump drive is far superior to ours. They can jump greater distances. We will be upgrading your ship with the advanced jump drive."
[21:45]<+Raith> ::nods and smiles::
[21:45]<Bynw> "But we know nothing about the Klade physically. We assume they are humanoid but even that is just a guess. Most of their smaller craft are all drones. They have an advanced AI system in place. It's being studied as well right now.
[21:46]<Bynw> "While we update your ship, we have a mockup of your ships systems setup for training to get you used to some of the differences in the control systems. So unfortunately shoreleave is out for now."
[21:47]<+Raith> ::rubs the stubble on his jaw in a bit of frustration::
[21:50]* genshou has quit (Ping timeout: 121 seconds)
[21:52]<+Raith> "Sir, if I may offer something."
[21:52]<Bynw> "absolutely"
[21:57]<+Raith> "The klade seemed to take notice of me when I tried to protect the crew of the freighter, and seemed to really become curious when I played chicken with the freighter and one of their ships." ::looks around, with a blush:: "I must have made an impression. Might give you a little insight as to what the klade are like."
[21:59]<Bynw> "Yes we are hoping it does. But as of yet we don't have anything beyond theories."
[21:59]* genshou (~potato@OWIRCN-204d192b.bois.qwest.net) has joined #Teara-Adan
[22:00]<Bynw> "As far as the Waterloo is concerned. You are free to use any of the ship services. You can check out the modifications to your ship to make help ease your own thoughts that we aren't damaging it beyond repair. I know how individual ship captains can get with their ships. Any place you cant go, the ship's computer simply wont let you."
[22:01]<Bynw> "We jump locations every 12 hours or if another ship is near by in the area. And yes this ship has the advanced jump drive already."