First Timers

[Trace Kennet]

Trace hurried into the common area, a mixed look of fear and nervous excitement on his face. "Captain, I need you to come and see this, we have a slight situation." His voice was full of worry, and he hoped that the others would recognize that, and respond. "Dru, it might be good for you to come as well." He paused then, he hurried on, "Not that I hate to interrupt or anything, but this is rather urgent." Without waiting for them to respond he hurried back to the Cockpit, hoping they would follow.

[Lars Engström]

The captain looked up at Trace when he entered the common area, and he was caught off guard by how distressed the pilot was. Before he could ask what was wrong, Trace began speaking about something urgent, and needing him on the bridge, and he knew there was about to be trouble. He rose from his seat, and turned to Dru as he began following Trace to the cockpit. "You coming Dru?" he asked, "Looks like we are getting into the action a bit sooner than we expected."
He hesitated, as if he was about to say more, but then he hurried off after Trace. If she was coming, she would follow.

[Drusilla Pardieu]

Dru was sitting in the common area, apparently the most popular place on the ship. Trace came through the entry in a rush though talking about something urgent. Dru sighed. "Must be bad if I'm invited." She remarked to the pilot, she was well aware how he felt about her. Didn't bother the mercenary one bit though.

She got up from her seat right after Lars, no need to answer his question since it was obvious she was going. Dru glanced at her firearms still sitting on the side-table in the room, unloaded. Not that they would do much good in space. Dru left the room and walked quickly behind Lars to the bridge.

[Trace Kennet]

Trace was relieved when the others followed him so quickly. Sitting down in his chair, he pointed out in front of them to a medium sized ship that was growing larger at an alarming rate. "There is our problem Captain." He said, his voice only shaking slightly. "That ship is an Armitage class, that was stolen about a year ago. The info on the cortex says it was taken forcefully by, well pirates." He paused, then he went on. "I haven't made any contact with them, and I slowed our engines, so maybe we wont be detected as quickly, then I went to get you. What should we do?" He looked at the captain, hoping for some reassurance, or at least a plan of attack.

[Lars Engström]

"So they don't know we are here yet? Good." Lars was relieved that Trace hadn't hailed the other ship. "Let's play it safe this time, and alter our course so as to avoid them if we can. I want to get down to that planet first if I can." He gripped Trace by the shoulder doing his best to reassure him. "Just Take it easy, and don't rush it. The last thing I want is to have them chasing us alright?" He looked back at Dru, "Dru, get on the co pilot's console and pull up everything you can on that ship. Class information, anything you can find. I want to know what we are dealing with. Oh, and while you are at it see if there is anyone on the planet who is handy with a gun and looking for work." He refocused his attention on the ship in front of them, silently pleading that they didn't notice them. The minutes dragged on as he waited for Dru's reply.

[Drusilla Pardieu]

Dru stood by listening and observing. This could go poorly for them. Letting Lars do the talking, she did as asked and sat in the co-pilot seat. She began typing on the console pulling up various information sources. Transferring everything on the vid-screen on the wall for Lars to look over. It was all pretty basic, the things Trace had said were true, and she pulled up the standard layout for the Armitage class vessels along with their standard equipment. "The ship was probably built standard, but being in the hands of pirates for near a year things might and probably are different now. Info is on the screen for you."

Having Lars looking over what information she had been able to pull up Dru continued onto the next task asked of her. Searching through recent outgoing cortex messages to see if anyone would fit into this situation without much problems. There was a Mister Weston who looked promising. He had mentioned he could serve as a gunhand, which was good. Not bothering to talk to Lars first she started a reply wave to the man.

[[Wave transmission will be posted in Jeff's thread; watchasisoar.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=bjornstar&thread=2224&page=1#8505 ]]

[Trace Kennet]

Trace was trying very hard not to breathe too loudly. He was reassured by the captains firm grip on his shoulder, and he was able to relax ever so slightly. He made the necessary modifications to the course, and he watched the readings on the other ship carefully, looking for any change that would give away an attempt to chase them. He spoke to the others without taking his eyes off the readings. "Captain they haven't altered their course, yet." He didn't elaborate, leaving the captain to talk to Dru. She was dealing with something to do with the planet, sounded like she was talking to someone.

[Lars Engström]

Lars looked over the plans that Dru had brought up on the display, trying to find some weakness, or anything they could use to their advantage. Then Dru started talking to someone, he didn't catch much, but he heard something about guns. "What did you find?" He asked, turning to her with questioning eyes. "Anything we can use?"
Then Trace was saying that the ship wasn't giving chase. "Good," Said Lars, "Let me know if you see anything else." Then he returned his eyes to Dru. "So what have you got for me?"

[Drusilla Pardieu]

Once Dru finished her short conversation with Jeff she looked up at Lars, "Another gun for your little negotiations." She grinned as she was obviously poking fun at the fact he thought he could talk the pirates down from their ways. "Mister Weston is wanting transport off St. Albans and has agreed to join us as an extra hand. He's awaiting our landing location and he can meet us at the docks."

[Lars Engström]

"Good," Said Lars, "I'd be glad to have him on the ship, especially if he is going to help with our situation." Turning to Trace, "Get a connection to the Docks on St. Albans. Tell them we need permission to land." He turned to Dru. "Thank you, I appreciate everything you have done so far."

AS TRACE
Trace heard the captain talking to Dru, and then he head her say something about another passenger. Then the Captain turned to him and told him to get permission to land. "Yessir," He said, "Ill get right on it." He punched in the information for his transmission, then he spoke. "This is the hornet class Björn's Star, requesting approval to land." He waited for a response. minutes passed, then:

"Permission Granted Hornet Björn's Star. You are cleared for landing at pad D-5"

As soon as he got clearance, Trace spoke to the Captain. "Landing at Pad D-5, Sir."

AS LARS
"Dru, get that info to that gunhand you found. Dock D-5. Ask him to meet us there." Lars was confident she had heard Trace, but he confirmed it anyway, just in case. God I hope he is worth the time, he thought, It might not be so easy to catch these pirates by surprise a second time.

[Trace Kennet]

Trace was still worried about that pirate ship, but he let those thoughts out of his mind as he prepared the ship for landing. Entering atmo had been uneventful and he was now en route to the landing pads. I hope this mystery passenger is ready to go when we get there, though Trace, Because i don't know how much more suspense I can handle.
There was the landing pad up ahead, and he had spotted pad D-5. Slowing the ship, he prepped for landing. As the ship touched down, Trace let out a sigh of relief. He had been afraid of being followed, but now they were on the ground, and things seemed less frightening.
"Well, here we are, now where is this mystery man?" The snow was incredible. It hadn't built up on the ship yet, but as soon as the hull cooled, they would be covered by the stuff.

[Lars Engström]

"Nice job Trace." Said Lars, slapping the pilot on the back. "Now he said, where is that gun hand of ours? He said he would meet us here. I'll head down to the cargo bay and wait for him. If you two would stay here, and keep a lookout for any trouble, I would be much obliged."
He walked out of the cockpit, and stopped in his office to grab some gloves from his locker. Then he made his way to the cargo bay.
He crossed the bay to the door controls and opened the door. The cold hit him instantly, and his coat felt far thinner than it was. The snow was blowing around outside like all hell was loose. "Jen dao mei, it is cold out there." Said Lars shivering almost as soon as the door opened. "That SOB better get here quick."

[Jeff Weston]

As soon as Jeff had received the last Wave he had gathered his gear. Instead of packing his deep space combat suit though, he simply wore it. Packing his other gear and clothes into a vacuum-safe duffel bag he made his way to a small storage bin closet at the port.

It only held on item a case five foot long by two feet wide and nine inches thick. The case held his most valuable and latest purchase to date, the MP-90. The blasted thing had drained his cushion funds and now he was back to working for anyone, and doing who knows what.

Taking it from its place and locking it back up, Jeff headed for landing pad D-5. The snow was coming down hard now, and the winds were giving a white out effect. He stood by a small out building and waited for the ship. He did not have to wait for too long. The ship kicked up a great bit of snow as it landed, filling the corner where he was standing.

Removing his sonic pistol he blasted the snow in front of him. As the snow swirled away Jeff walked toward the ship's ramp. In a mechanical voice Weston spoke as he emerged from the falling snow: "Nice ship. How about we settle payment in some place warmer?"

[Lars Engström]

Lars had not been waiting for very long, when things started to happen. He was startled by the voice that came out of the blank whiteness that was all around, but its owner appeared soon after the words, and he realized who this was. "Mr. Weston I presume?" He asked, trying to keep his teeth from chattering. "Thanks for the compliment, and please, by all means come inside. I am not so fond of the cold myself." As Weston cleared the ramp, he punched the button to close the door, and then turned to face his new guest. "So, how's about we head up to the common area, and get things settled? If you want you can leave your gear here. We can come back for it later."
He paused to brush the snow off his jacket, and then he remembered. "Oh, where is my hospitality? The name is Lars, and this is my ship, The Björn's Star."

[Jeff Weston]

Walking further into the cargo bay Jeff dropped his duffle and sat down his case with a heavy thud. A twing of pain ran through his right shoulder as he stretched. Hearing the captian's words he reached up and unlatched his helmet. Running his gloved fingers through his hair Jeff repeated the cap's name.

'Lars....hmm. Well as you may already know I'm Weston, Jeff Weston. Give me a minute to get this suit off and then we can head off.'

The suit came off quite fast. It showed how long Jeff had with this suit. Even his reactions to gathering and replacing his gear from the outside suit pockets to their same places on his regular clothes. Ever since his injury he made it a second nature habit to make sure where all his gear was at all times.

The only thing that bothered him was when removing his right arm from the suit. The pain caused his right eye to twitch. The pain was a good thing for it was that reminder that he could not slack off in any aspect.

Stowing the suit and gear away into the duffle bag he did not want the other features of the suit to be seen. Standing and recheching his gear from his holstered sonic weapon to his heavy stun rods he turned and said....

'Well shall we?'