GM'd by Ewan Quibell
Characters: All
NPC: Shiraamer, Chuck & Lieutenant Drilimmi
Location: Crew lounge of the Miishakaal, Gishinridu system
1125.7.5 - 19:52 Local time 12:12
It's been half an hour since breakout and the flight of 15th squadron have
reformed, and are now in a position high off your port bow. Even though you have
cut your engines you are still on a closing vector with the planet.
INS Fiihaammum breaks formation matches velocity and vector and extends
a docking collar with your starboard side air lock. As the inner door is
opened a squad of Imperial marines in combat armor with cutlasses drawn
(an old tradition) enter the boarding lounge, while this looks
intimidating it shows that they are not expecting a fight. If they were
they would be coming in with more than just the snub pistols that are
clearly holstered on their belts. They halt and present an honor guard
for an Imperial Naval Leutenant in uniform, the Captain recognises her
as Lieutenant Drilimmi a short harsh looking vilani woman of around 40
years of age and dark brown hair cut in a classic spacers crew cut.
Lieutenant Drilimmi halts and to the Captain asks in a crisp voice
"Permission to come aboard."
The Captain responds "Permission granted." While this might seem like a
formality due to the number of marines crowding the lounge this courtesy and
tradition is the difference between an inspection and a boarding action.
Drilimmi looks over the ship's papers that were given to her by the Captain and
asks "We are conducting inspections for contraband and request your
co-operation."
To which the Captain responds as she always does, "You have our complete
co-operation." To answer any other way would be taken as proof of criminality.
Two further marines appear with a Naval technician each. One pair head for the
bridge while the other pair head for engineering. Once they are secured in the
bridge and engineering the technicians start to download the manifest and bridge
and engineering logs while scanning for any irregularities.
Meanwhile Lieutenant Drilimmi, a bodyguard of two marines, and accompanied by
the Captain, do a visual inspection of the whole ship. Lieutenant Drilimmi is a
little distant but totally professional. While this is not unusual it is a
product of the times when the Navy has lost ships to routine customs
inspections. Even though they are being backed up by three other ships they take
little chances. The technicians on the bridge and engineering do not talk to
the crew and their bodyguards make sure that they are not disturbed. Lieutenant
Drilimmi comes across as being abrasive and asks a few questions of the Captain
as they proceed through the whole ship, bridge, lounge, turret, engineering,
cargo hold, port cabins, turret and the passenger deck. She takes no nonsense
from any answers to her questions. The captain has little to sweat about during
the rounds as the Miishakaal is kept in excellent condition.
At the end of the inspection, after about an hour the party return to the crew
lounge and Lieutenant Drilimmi receives reports from her two teams, as they
escort Gvarokh and Slade respectively into the crew lounge.
After a minute or two of inspecting the reports she turns to Gvarokh and
asks "Your manifest has you carrying Craver pharmaceuticals to our base
here in Gishinridu. Please explain why." Her scent changes a little as
she asks the question, but with the abundance of new odors around in the
lounge you can't place what the change signifies. Lieutenant Drilimmi
will not allow anyone but Gvarokh to answer.
Gvarokh is a bit curious as to why he has to answer, but does not question it in
the least. He says, "While on our departure world, a ship named Aerlay
Craver was in port next to us. Her captain, Captain Bill McKibben, told us
that the Aerlay Craver was having engine problems and could not deliver
their cargo to the Naval base at Gishinridu. As such, they asked us to deliver
it for them. And so, here we are.
"Prior to accepting the cargo, I physically inspected the load, and it was
completely wrapped and sealed. There appeared to be no tampering prior to our
receiving it. Since receiving the load, we have not touched it. I can identify
the containers for you, if you would like. It is quite accessible, as it is the
only load we have that is destined for this system."
Lieutenant Drilimmi looks intently at Gvarokh as he gives the answer and checks
her technician's report after he answers. She gives no indication as to whether
she is satisfied with the answers or not. Looking around at the faces in the
lounge she lingers on Slade for a moment, checks the report again.
While checking the report, she asks, "Chief Engineer Trask. You performed
extra detailed diagnostic of some engineering systems during your jump
here." She looks up from the report and watches Slade. "This shows as an
exception to your normal in jump maintenance schedule. Please explain
why you undertook these diagnostics."
Slade gets the impression from her stare and brisk manner that she is
annoyed and is holding this back in a very professional way.
"Ma'am, I'm not very familiar with this sector, and I've heard it can be
a bit rough. I don't know the people we got the cargo from very well.
I am a naturally paranoid person, and I get the latitude from my CO to
act that way as long as my actions are not bad for the ship. I went a
little overboard, which I guess is fine since it's be a little while
since I gave the ship such a thorough going over. I found nothing.
Believe me, ma'am, it'll be a long time before I live that down."
Lieutenant Drilimmi says nothing and just looks at Slade for a moment. Seeming
to change her attitude, she lightens her voice as she says, "Captain I have a
couple of advisories for you. There is an unknown corsair group operating in the
area suspected to be of Vargr origin, and there are a couple of suspected
commerce raiders operating in Imperial space. However I have some good news for
you, we are under 'extend every courtesy' orders so as such we will escort you
to our base. Good day to you." She bows her head turns and leaves followed by
her technicians and the squad of marines.
Once the airlock closes and the docking collar has been withdrawn Vincent pipes
up with "Yahoo, I am so glad I didn't try to fire at them...although..."
Gvarokh turns to the captain and says, "I hope they escort us to the naval base.
Then we can get rid of the cargo quickly."
Shiraamer replies, "Yes it looks like we have an 'extend every courtesy' escort
to the base." She flicks her hair so it settles as she wants it.
With that Gvarokh turns back to the bridge and says, "Well, let's get back to
our stations. I doubt the good Lt will wait around for us if we linger."
Shiraamer says, "She did seem a little brisk." After a moments thought, and a
wry smile that only the humans notice she continues, "Gvarokh why don't we let
Chuck get some stick time for the flight in while you contact the Navy factor to
get rid of the Craver freight? I'll be in my cabin if you need anything." With
that she flicks her hair again and goes to her cabin.
Chuck replies cheerily, "Thank you Captain!"
Next: En Route to Gishinridu Highport