Castle in the Sky (Trinity crew)

[duke]

Rider Floating Estate, Bellerophone: January 11th 2523


Eugene was walking the the grounds of the estate as he had every morning that he was out here. He had only come here this time for this meeting with the crew of a ship called the Trinity. He could have just met them on Persephone but he wanted the meeting to be completely secret and his estate would offer that.

As he walked through the small wodded section of the grounds he could hear it, the sound of the ship comming in for a landing. He turned to the man that was walking with him and calmly stated. "Have a detail sent over to great our new friends I will need their captain brought to my office and I will be in there shortly." He had guest and didn't want to keep them waiting but it was a rutine to finish his walk no matter what.

The ship looked to be in decent shape but not one that would look overly taken care of exactly what he needed. He watched as it made berth on the docking pad to the south side of the estate. It didn't take but a minute after it landed for a crew of security to be waiting at the cargobay door for the ships crew to come out.

It wouldn't take Eugene but a few minutes to be there himself and though it wasn't part of his normal walk in the morning he decided to go there as well and meet them himself. As he walked over the security detail stepped off to the side to allow him to take the lead on greeting the guests. This first meeting would give him a chance to judge the capability of the crew and decide if they were really worthy of running this mission for him.

[Sidney Bainbridge]

The Trinity touched down on the Rider Estate. Bellerophon a place that only ment trouble for people like him and his crew but they had to go where the work was, and Duke Rider had definatly made them best offer. It seemed to simple though, Pick up goods on Persephone, transport them to New Cannan. While at New Cannan make the cargo drop, and it wasn't even illicit cargo, then while their have someone act as a companion to distract the boss of the group with they steal a simple document. Why was this worth so much pay.

For now though his concerns were on dealing with the Duke in person. He had talked a few times with the duke over the last month about the job over the cortex. he seemed like an inviting person. They were give a time to arrive and would be allowed 24 hours on the private estate. quite the offer to a group of ruffins. Sidney stood at the cargo hold door as the ship landed some of the rest of the crew standing there with him. "The Duke says we have free access to the estate but I expect everyone will mind their manners? And a note for everyone, no weapons. Period." He said as he looked in Tari's direction. He knew what a temptation it would be to have her way with the place if not put in check up front.

The engines switched off and the ship was at rest, no sence in stalling any longer Sidney figured as he opened the hatch to the ship. The Duke had just walked up to the ship and was awaiting their exit from the ship. Sidney walked out with the crew sure to follow shortly behind. He hadn't told anyone that they had to come to the meeting with him and the Duke but who knows if they will follow or enjoy their time here on the estate. "Duke Rider, It nice ta met ya in person finely." He said as he reached out a hand to shake the Dukes hand with.

He could see the security around him was a little on edge when he reached out to the Duke but quickly backed off when they realized he wasn't a threat by that. After the Duke shook his hand the security walked up. "If I may sir." The guard said as he gestured to Sidney to do a quick pat down. Sidney said nothing, only offering a nod to accept.

The man quickly patted him down and found no weapons on him. For the first time in any of the crews memories Sidney was actually unarmed. This wasn't the place to play around. "This is the Trinity's crew, finest in the Verse. Wentever your ready we can get the details fleshed out." He told the Duke. He took a minute to survey the estate before proceeding to the Dukes side to begin the walk to the estate house.

[Kalli Ann Bernett]

Kalli was so excited she had never been to Bellerophon in her life. SHe had heard the storys of the place. it was like living on a floating castle. She herself had dreamed about it before. She would have been a princess on her own castle. Even though this wasn't her castle it would do she would have her chance to see what it was like to be royalty.

Sidney had told her they would be there over night before they left. A full 24 hours of the royal treatment. He told her that the Duke had told him and his crew to make themselves at home and that is exactly what she would do.

As the ship toughed down she stood there next to Sidney waiting for the second they could open the cargo bay up and see the place. His request to leave the weapons behind was no problem for her she had left hers in her bunk. Everything would be perfect here and there was no need for it anyway.

Then the cargo bay door opened and she rushed out at SIdney's side. The guards seems a little paranoid of them but that was no issue after a quick search they were good to go and that is exactly what she had in mind she was going to go. "Nice to meet you sir." She said to the Duke as sidney introduced himself and the crew. "So are we free to look around now then?" She asked as she looked over the crew with a giant smile she was hoping she could convince some of the other girls to walk around with her and explore the place. They would have a great time for sure.

[Roger Davis]

This was it, Bellerophon, playground of the rich and famous. Roger had never been. Most people had never been. You had to be rich and famous, work directly for the rich and famous, or be invited by the rich and famous to even come close. Today they were the third and maybe a little bit of the second category.

Roger formed up with the rest of the crew in the cargo bay as the ship touched down. In what was becoming a trend that Roger hoped would not continue, Sidney ordered them all to drop their weapons on board the ship. He hated being 'naked' but at least this time it made more sense to comply with the wishes of the heavily armed guards of their business client who had no reason to want to hurt them and would probably protect them if for some unexplainable reason there was a threat on the floating estate. Even so, he thought about trying to conceal something before finally giving up. It might have been a little humorous to see the gunhand take his jacket off, then pull off his shoulder holster, then remove a knife off his belt, then decide to remove the entire belt, then pull a knife out of his boot, emptying his pants pockets of a few extra rounds and miscellaneous items, and finally pulling a subcompact holster out of the back of his pants and dumping it all in a heap on the floor right there.

Roger followed Sidney out of the ship to the waiting guards. It was surprising to see their contact, the 'Duke', placing himself in front of his security and apparently his guards were a little surprised by it too. This was the duke's castle though and it was clear he was in control and had nothing to fear. Nevertheless they demanded a search for weapons. Roger simply put his arms up to let them do a quick check. With no coat or belt and hardly any contents in his pockets it was quick and painless... except for that whole not having a weapon thing.

Roger waited to follow Sidney to the meeting, if he'd be allowed to tag along. the captain hadn't mentioned anything about allowing anyone in with him. Knowing the mission and getting all the intelligence straight from the contact was more appealing than exploring a mansion. Roger also felt like simply accompanying their leader was for the best. Even unarmed Roger was no slouch in a fight if he was needed, not that he'd be needed. Also, it would probably help Sidney appear more professional if he had a man in the room just like the duke had men all over.

[Tari Gasha]

Tari was sort of excited, the job was obviously getting closer and she was ready for it. Also though she had never been to Bellerophon, mostly because it was a poor place for thieves. No reason for her to come. Until now. Until a job for the Trinity and that meant hers as well. The days leading up to this one she had been the same overly focused. Not much had changed after her midnight social meet and greet she had with Kalli.

She stood with the crew listening to Sidney, free access, really? Was this Duke crazy? When Sid looked in her direction she rolled her eyes at him. She knew when to behave, besides she had other things on her mind to distract her from all of the potential this estate had. The weapons didn't apply to her, she didn't carry any on a normal day.

Tari hadn't been asked or told to come to the meeting, but there would be talk about the job obviously. Which also included her job, a job that none of the other crew knew was for her. She sighed, things would change after this job, she was sure of it. Perhaps then it would be time to leave, maybe once they started treating her like what she was the comfortable feeling she had on board the ship would be gone.

When Sid introduced the crew she merely nodded to the Duke. She allowed one of the guards to do his thing and make sure she was unarmed. In a usual situation she might try to charm him a little, but this wasn't the usual situation. Not to mention she was a different person when there was a job; all business. She gave Kalli a half-smile at her mention if they were free to look around, she could tell this was exciting for her. Tari would follow the Duke and Sidney though, hopefully be allowed into this meeting.

------
Outfit

[meilinalbright]

Bellerophon, another place to cross off her travel list. Meilin waited in he cargo bay with the rest of the crew, eager o see if the estate would live up to her expectations. A small giggle was not entirely supressed as she watched Roger unhappily unload his small personal arsenal onto the floor of the cargo bay. Homestly, she wasnt quite sure how he stored all of it on his person. The doors opened and she stepped off the Trinity just behind the rest of the crew, trying and failing to not look so impressed at the estate. Wide eyes took everything in, trying to remember it all for later.

Meilin couldn't wait to write home about his place. Bellerophon was even more extravagant than she had pictured, and she had prctured a lot. While Meilin didn't have much to do with he crews upcoming job, the Duke had generously offered the crew free access to explore the estate. While the rest were doing business, she'd take advantage of the offer. Meilin folded her hands behind her back and tried to wait patiently until introductions were over and she could wander.

[Sakura Kina]

Any other day Sakura would have been armed to the teeth with pistols, an assault rifle slung on her back, wearing combat boots, jeans and a t-shirt with body armor over it. But today was different. After what had happened when she first awoke, she knew she wasn't mentally prepared for a mission yet. She was paranoid, easily angered and simply not in the right mindset. Against her every instinct and want, she refused to let herself go with Sid and the team to the briefing, it was for the best.

Being on Bellerophon and seeing as how she was not going to be attending the briefing, Sakura decided to wear a nice dress for the first time. A dress she had purchased during the few months before she had met James. Though she wore a beautiful dress, she refused to wear heels and simply wore nice white sneakers that she had found in her bag of clothing.

Sakura walked down the ramp of the Trinity cautiously as her eyes scanned left and right at the security detail. She understood the reason for them being there, but that fact didn't ease her mind one bit from the fact that Trinity's whole crew was unarmed and they were surrounded by armed guards. One by one the crew was patted down for any weapons and finally Sakura was up to be patted down. She could tell that the security guards were all very well trained, not even flinching at patting down a lady in a dress.

Once patted down fully, Sakura made her way off of the landing pad and stood at the edge of the forest as she took a deep breath of fresh, unrecycled air. She could hear the birds chirping in the distance and the wind glided across her face, tugging lightly on her tied back hair as if urging her to turn left. Looking down, she saw the green grass glisten with morning dew still left over, though most of the dew had been disrupted by the gust of wind when the ship had landed. Looking over to the team following their client, she saw that Roger was right behind Sidney and felt slightly relieved that he was going with Sid. Though the two had a very, very rough introduction, that same introduction was what brought Sakura to trust in Roger's abilities. He was definitely the gunhand of the crew and knew how to hold his own, even if unarmed. They still had yet to have a full conversation, but she could just tell he was loyal and trustworthy, just from the way he acted during her abrupt interruption of dinner.

Feeling more relaxed about the situation, Sakura decided she would try at talk to and get to know the others who might not be going along to the mission briefings. She had made a horrible introduction at dinner and she didn't have a chance to talk to many of them, so this would serve a great time to at least apologize for what had happened.

[Art Doyle]

Unlike the rest of the crew, Arthur himself had actually been to Bellerephon before. Once upon a time, on a job long, long ago. The details of such an "assignment" were kept to the mechanic, and he didn't mention the fact he'd been here on a previous visit. Although he suspected the crew would assume he'd been here and romanced some rich man's daughter, or his bored, lonely wife... Well, Art never denied any assumptions if it kept people further from the truth. It was never out of shame, never out of regret. The need for such a trivial kind of thinking was beyond Arthur, in a way. Why look back in disgust and regret, for things you did in cold, professional blood, right? Art had done it all clearly out of self-preservation. In a "whack them or you'll be whacked" kind of sense. Not that he ever considered anyone better than him had that kind of job...

Morbid dabble in the past aside, the mechanic pushed all memories to the back of his mind in favour of paying close attention to Sidney's words. No weapons. Good behaviour. Just take all the fun out of being on a rich estate! Not that Art really needed a weapon at all times. Sure, there was a certain safety and slight advantage to the reassuring weight of a pistol, or dent of a knife, but he wasn't about to grieve over the loss of it much.

Art had stepped smoothly to stand amongst the crew, dressed in his usual fine manner, and adjusting the watch he wore on his wrist. He didn't really say anything, just gave a respectful nod to the Duke as he made his entrance. A rather cocky grin was given to the security men, a small utter of Fellas in greeting as he moved out onto the estate.

Eyes rested over those that were getting free roam of the place while Sid did all the talking. He noted Sakura in a dress of all things, and even did a double-take. Was that Sakura? She'd come from the ship, after all. Art blinked, hid a grin, and redirected his gaze over to Kalli and Meilin. He gave them both a wink and a nod. The fact Tari had moved to go with Sid and Roger caused the mechanic to tilt his head. But he knew that Sid knew what he was doing. He trusted him, remember?

[duke]

The Duke watched as everyone made their way off the ship and willfully submitted to the pat down searches. It was refreshing to see a crew of their stature so willing to follow the rules. It just made things easier. "It's truely a pleasure to meet you all, I do wish I had more time to show you around but I believe we should start with the meeting right away. Mr. Bainbridge your crew is free to join us or do as they please here." The duke told them with a loud commanding, but friendly voice. "Enjoy yourselves and do not hesitate to ask the staff to fullfil any needs."

He then turned and began to walk away signaling Sidney and any others to follow. It was a short walk from the landing pad to the main estate building. "I do hope you have looked over all the information I have given you. It will make this all the easier." It was but a few minutes till they were inside the building through a grand doorway to a communal room filled with different foods and treats that was put out for the crew.

The Duke had made sure everything was taken care of for the crew. He had offered them to stay on the estate over night, infact setting up an entire building with rooms made up for each member of the crew if they wished to sleep off the ship. There were even extra staff on the grounds to attend to there every need.

He walked them up a few flights of stairs to the third floor and to an office at the front of the building and out on to the balcony in front. It looked out over the estate. Everything could be scene including the other members of the crew who had taken the opportunity to explore the estate. "Lets get down to business shall we." Eugene began. "I have a supply drop that needs to be taken to New Cannan for Persephone. Nothing illegal of course. There should be no problem getting the materials there. I have a contact for you on Persephone by the name of Cadan Ashdown. He will get you the supplies and will already have all your docking set up at New Cannan. Simple enough."

He took a seat at the table on the balcony as one of the staff walked in with Coffee and tea. He poured the Duke a glass of tea and set the rest down on the table with enough cups for all. "Coffee or tea, take you pick. Please sit." Eugen stayed polite and professonal the whole way through.

"Once on New Cannan is where the real job begins. It needs to be done decretely of course. No ties to me. Those you will be making the delivery to are in posession of a document that belongs to me. It is business information that could cost me quite the fortune. I need it back and I would like you to retrieve it." Eugene said as he took a sip from his tea. He leaneed back looking over the rail at Art and the ladies below. "One of your crew will have to pose as a compainion to distract the head of the group. Do not worry nothing will be expected of them more then conversation of course. While he is distracted and the rest of your crew is delivering the good you will have room for someone to take the document back."

Te Duke thought it simple enough. They had plenty of crew and it wouldn't be a hard task, that is if there wasn't more to it that they didn't know. "Simple in and out and they won't know till long after the Trinity has left the planet. Do you have any questions or reservations." Yes there was far more too it then he was letting on but his face gave no hint at that. Even the best wouldn't see it in his face.

[Sidney Bainbridge]

Sidney followed along with the Duke, walking at his side the entire way. "Thank you for your hospitality Mr. Rider. Yes of course I have looked it over in great detail." Sidney said as he offered his place up to the crew as if it were their own. Over all it was a simple job that he was sparing no expense for.

As they made their way of the plight of stairs Sidney took the opportunity to looked the place over. The place was a labyrinth of rooms and hallways. I was amazing how large it really was, and every so often another worker passed by. It was like a small city in the house alone.

As they finally got up to the third floor and out on to the balcony. The whole place was amazing, they could see everything and everyone, including the rest of the crew. Sidney could see Kalli and Sakura leaning over the rail of the island, no doubt enjoying the extravagance of the place. Sidney attention was pulled back to the task at hand when the Duke began to talk about the Job.

Sidney took a seat when it was offered and poured up a mug of coffee. Not that he wanted one but it was only polite to take it since it was offered. He listened intently to everything that the Duke had to say offering no interruptions.

Once the Duke had asked for questions Sidney finally spoke up. He took a quick glance at Roger and at Tari to take in their facial expressions. "It's pretty straight forward. When we arrive there we will need more information on what exactly we are to retrieve and where it might be found along with any papers we will need for masking a crew member as a companion. If you can handle that it will make things much easier for all of us."

Sidney had already decided that Kalli would go as the Companion. With the right outfit she could look the part and she knew her way around a gun well enough if needed. Tari would steal the Document and Art, Roger and himself would be in charge of delivering the supplies. They were the best with guns and could handle the bulk of the contacts people if needed to. And Sakura well she was good with a long gun thay would have her not far off, ready to cover them and ready to offer any medical assistance if needed.

[Roger Davis]

Roger followed close behind Sidney, taking in everything as they walked across the estate and into what he assumed was the main building. He memorized their path as well as the rest of the layout as best he could. He noted potential security as well as counted even the nonthreatening servants and workers of the estate. That was his job after all.

Even for those who decided to go to the meeting rather than enjoy the estate, they were still in the midst of magnificent architecture and furniture. There was a feast laid out before them and attendants willing to respond to every request. It all just didn't seem right. The duke even explained how simple it was. Well, Roger felt that simple might be downplaying the danger but it certainly wasn't incredibly complex or dangerous. Being given the royal treatment for something like this didn't make sense though. People like the duke didn't get to be filthy rich by overpaying or providing such lavish accommodations for easy jobs outsourced to people he hardly knew. Roger guessed it was either a 'last meal' of sorts or a means to distract them from something else. Either way this job could be serious trouble.

When the duke asked for questions Roger kept silent. He wanted to voice his reservations, or maybe more appropriately he wanted to ask what they weren't being told and point a gun in the duke's face, but he wasn't about to do that. Instead he settled for looking toward Sidney with the silent expression that most closely translated to 'what the hell is going on?' He certainly wasn't going to advocate turning the job down but there were just too many questions that couldn't be asked to a man who Roger felt was lying.

[Tari Gasha]

Tari noticed that she and Roger were the only ones interested in going with Sid for the meeting, she wondered if any of them were at all curious as to why she was going. As it was to all of them she was just a passenger from Osiris, but that would all change soon enough. They would come to understand her role in this particular job. Her specialty and where it lay. Thieving. She was good at that job too, loved it for all that it was. Exciting, challenging and profitable. Tari hadn't said anything to anyone today, a continuation of her focus. Kalli seemed to have been the only one who made any notice though.

They walked with the Duke, through the building. Tari admired things of course, despite her focus on the job she was still a thief with needs. The need to steal. She wouldn't steal anything from here though, much too dangerous for one such as her. She did take a few moments to look over the balcony, watching the others as they wandered about. Tari was ready to get down to business though so she took a seat.

She listened closely to everything the Duke said about the job, her target was a document. Tari was thankful that Sid had asked about more details for the item they were after. Saved her the trouble. Can't steal what you can't find. Especially something as easy to hide as papers.

What surprised her was the mention of Cadan Ashdown's name in this. He would be their contact on Persephone, her home planet. An odd gig for him. Cadan was sort of a rival of Tari's, but they were mostly friendly about their little rivalry.

There was always things you didn't know about a job, things you weren't told. Even if you asked the right questions. That's what came when working for powerful people. Never trust what they say, never take their words at full value, and don't believe it's ever as simple as they say. Tari wasn't new to those types of things, but all she cared about really was the job. The why didn't matter too much to her. Finish the job and get paid. Then she can go back to flirting with Art, if he was still interested anyway. He seemed to be close to the medic who had recently awoken from a coma of some sort. She wasn't sure if there was anything between the two of them. For right now though it mattered very little.

[duke]

Eugen was pleased with how simple everything seemed to be. Sidney was the only one who posed any questions as his two associates just stood by. Eugene assumed that they were only really there to provide him with a bit more comfort in the situation. Since the Duke had the home turf they would be Sidney's back up so he had the numbers at the meeting a fair trade of really. Both sides deserve a little peice of mind and the Duke knew they were all unarms so the threat to him was minimal.

Eugene had requested the names of all crew members of the Trinity who were supposed to be on the ship when it landed. It was for a bit of personal research, best to know who you are working with. He had learned enough about them to kow what each persons position would be in completing the job along with that Sidney had already laid out a game plan for the mission and informed the Duke. This meeting was more formalities and an official hand shake to make it the real deal. Eugene found it important to know the people he was working with.

"Very good questions Mr. Bainbridge. I have everything you need drawn up. Where the documents should be, though I must admit I can only narrow it down to the building and not the exact filing cabnet." He told him as he looked over the trio. "As fair as papers for arrival and departure from New Cannan, along with the documents for your fair companion already drawn up. Everything is in order. I will warn you though the people you are making the delivery to are wary of anyone and everyone so please do be friendly with them." The Duke stood up after finishing out what he had to say he would offer one more chance for them to lodge any questions before he went about his business.

He reached out a hand to Sidney to offer a hand shake. "If there are no further questions i must be off to my work. I do have an empire to run after all." His referance to an empire was of course to his collection of businesses, though in his mind it did apply to the Alliance as well. Though he didn't run the Alliance this mission if all went well would place a lot more power in his hands with in the Alliance. Yes there was much more to this job then he was willing to let on.

[Sidney Bainbridge]

The meeting was sweet and to the point. Little had transpired and just like the others the deal seemed to sweet. Something was wrong, Sidney looked over the papers. Everything was in it's place. The Duke had secured them a landing spot on Persephone and told them exactly where to meet the contact. Everything was perfect there.

They had arrival documents and departure documents for New Cannan, a meeting place and contact there. He even had the companion papers drawn up for Kalli already. He had only proposed the Idea of Kalli doing it the day before but the papers looked perfectly authentic. This was going to be to easy something was off about it but futher question of it would turn up no futher details he was sure. The problem was tha he had been talking to the Duke about this job for quite some time now. Nearly a month really. If they backed out now it would be the last job they would be able to get from him and who knows what others he maybe able to influance.

It was best for now to carry through with it. He could talk to the crew about issues they have and address how to deal with them after this meeting. Sidney reached his hand out and took the dukes. "pleasure doin business with ya Mr. Rider. I am satisfied but if either of you have anything further to say let me know." He looked at the other two as he asked for any concerns of theirs his face looked concerned but not worried. Even with what little time he had spent with them h know thay would understand that he would want to talk further with them at some point.

[Roger Davis]

It seemed the Duke had everything ready, even the things that Sidney just mentioned were already ready. The plan basically does itself. It was becoming increasingly clear that something was hidden or there would be no need for the Trinity to do the job. 'Empires' are not built on the work of freelancers but by loyal and dedicated employees. Anybody could do this job. There was nothing special that required the Trinity's presence.

"No questions, sir." Roger lied as the Duke finished speaking.

Even after the Duke left, Roger wasn't going to speak his concerns to Sidney, not here at least. The entire place was probably bugged to eavesdrop for just this type of occasion. Back on the ship they could talk... not here.

Back there they could also talk about why Tari had even come along. As far as Roger was told, she was a passenger after all. Yeah, right. What kind of passenger went to private business meetings instead of enjoying a beautiful estate? Why would they even allow her to attend if she wasn't part of the plan? It seemed like everyone was full of today.