Episode2Act1Part4

CAST

• Michi Nom
• Karl
• Dorota Kowal
• Sarah Lee
• Carina Yuzu
• Jean - Flirtatious Club Goer
• Paul - Alliance Soldier
• Chuck - Alliance Soldier
• Quiet Alliance Soldier

STARTING POSITIONS

Half the crew of the Kobukson are still at the club. Sarah is upstairs with Jean while Karl and Dorota are talking it up with the heartbroken Chuck and his soldier buddy who has been quiet up to this point. The third soldier, Paul, went off to dance with someone on the dance floor.

SARAH

Jean chuckles at Sarah and her teasing about strings attached. "I'm sure we can find a string or two if you really want them. Thems make good for tying things up."

Sarah grins at Jean, "Really, well, I'd hate to tie you down... for too long, anyway." She hmms, deciding that for the moment, she can afford a little bit of fun.

Jean let's a sly grin creep across her lips. "Is that a promise?"

Sarah gives Jean a wry expression, "Could be..." She keeps an eye out for any possible trouble, but still... how long /has/ it been since she could enjoy herself for once.

KARL AND DOROTA

At the Bar, Chuck sips forlornly looking at the locket with the picture of his girl in it while the quiet one seems to be contemplative in his drink.

Dorota leans on the bar, falling quiet for a moment as she thinks of her next move. Looking for a prototype engine - and yes, she wants it. Who wouldn't?

"Hard thing to lose, an engine." Karl remarks as he takes a swing of his drink "I'm sure the person responsible for that is looking for a new job."

Chuck snorts. "It's damn near impossible. Won't be long before they find who took it. Then maybe we can get out of here."

The quiet one nods in agreement. Though in his mind, Karl hears him add. <a new job or a grave>

"Wasn't me," Dorota quips. "I mean, no self respecting mechanic wouldn't *want* it, but...first I've heard of it." She sounds entirely too cheerful.

Well Karl wasn't going to mention the grave thing and continues to keep his mouth shut on that possibility "Have you gotten any leads?" he keeps his tone a dry, bored one as if the answer was unimportant to him.

Chuck has obviously had too much to drink. "You should ask Paul, he's all up in arms about it. Seems he were not picked for the raid their planning. Should have that beauty back in our hands before the sun rises. I can't wait to see how she runs. Almost as purdy as my Rachel."

The quiet one nearly chokes on his drink, setting it down with a cough. "All right buddy. I think you've had enough of the drink tonight," he lays a few credits on the bar and starts motioning for Chuck to get up as well. He nods to Dorota. "If I were you, I'd make sure you're as far away from this town as you can get."

"That would be a lot easier if they'd let us get our cargo and go," Dorota grumbles. She glances at Karl, wondering if he picked up on anything other than what they heard.

Karl downs the rest of his drink giving a shrug at what Chuck just told them and signals for a refill of his glass. Until the two Alliance men get out of ear shot Dorota is just going to have to keep wondering for the moment. He doesn't seem so keen on leaving though just yet and casually scans the dance floor for Paul.

Karl's scanning pinpoints Paul sucking face with some chickie by the far wall of the dance floor.

Once the Aliiance guys are at a safe distance Karl keeps an eye on Paul as he speaks to Dorota "Did you want to try and get information from Paul or take what we know to the Captain?"

Very quietly, "Take what we know. I don't think either of us can distract Paul better..." A wry note to her voice. No, not assuming Karl is...incapable of or uninterested in distracting a guy. he hasn't said otherwise...

Downing his last drink Karl pays the tab and nods his agreement to Dorota "I'm not one to ruin someone's fun." and Paul certainly seems to be having it. "Let's find the Doc and get out of here."

MICHI AND CARINA

At the gate to the shipyard, the female alliance officer checks papers for Michi, Carina, and the Shuttle. "What's your business here?" She asks as she reviews the paperwork.

Michi stays quiet. She can deal with criminals and such. Carina, on the other hand, is in charge of charming the authorities. After all, as a Companion she's all respectable.

"We are returning to our ship, the Kobukson. Captain Nom needed to head into the city to speak with a contact regarding cargo transshipment." Carina explains. "I came along because the meeting site was a bar, and I thought I might meet a few interesting people there to assist with my own business contacts. Is there a problem ... Sergeant?"

The officer looks up at Carina, flashing the light over her as if seeing her for the first time. "Yes Ma'am, there is. Are you aware that all shipments have been put on hold and all cargo must be inspected before departure? I hope your contact informed you of the rules.

"We found out. After we got here." Michi mutters from the front of the shuttle. "Don't suppose the Alliance has work for us. We need to pay for fuel and food."

"As Captain Nom mentioned, we did become aware, but only after arriving. It is why we went into the city." Carina answers. "I don't want to upset anyone. But is it permissable to ask what is going on? This has not been normal procedure, so far as I am aware. It feels like something is wrong, and I am concerned."

The alliance officer pulls her flashlight away from Carina, her tone more gentle. "There is no need to be concerned. A fine upstanding citizen as your self has nothing to worry about. I suspect we'll be gone in the next twenty four hours and you'll be able to go about your business without issue. I suggest until then you stick to your ship and don't accept any cargo without running it through the front gate."

"Roger that." Michi says, turning to prepare the shuttle for departure from the checkpoint. This whole night just went to hell, didn't it?

Carina nods. "Thank you kindly, Sergeant, for your reassurances. I am sorry for the inconvenience. If we're clear, we'll go back to the ship now, and leave you and yours to your work. Be safe, please." That offered, she turns and faces forward, ready for Michi to drive.

The officer waves Michi and Carina ahead so they may make their way back to their ship.

Michi docks the shuttle and walks into the ship. She waits until she's actually inside before slamming her fist into the bulkhead. "Shen Jing Bing!" She shouts. "The Alliance crawling all over, a crime lord riding my piyan, and we have to get this mysterious cargo onto our ship and off world without ending up in a prison."

"And it sounds like they think they know where whatever they're after can be found, and they plan to be done retrieving it very shortly." Carina offers. "That sounds bad. I cannot help wondering if they're after whatever we were supposed to be carrying."

"Good chance. Asking us to get it out of here was kind of a desperate move." Michi admits. "Hopefully the others come back with good info. Then we can come up with a plan. We need to get the cargo, get off this rock, and do it all without the Alliance peeking at our underwear."

REGROUP

And so the crew of the Kobukson round themselves up and meet back at the Ship. Karl, Dorota, and Sarah are equally inspected as Michi and Carina were. Karl is scrutinized a bit more, but otherwise let to pass.

Back on the ship, the crew has a chance to talk and relate the different pieces of knowledge. What is the mysterious cargo? What is the alliance looking for? Will they be able to get off planet in one piece or will they be blown out of the black? Tune in next week to find out...