Episode2Act1Part1

20,000 CREDITS

Since the Kobukson is an incoming ship, the Alliance Cruiser mostly ignores the smaller ship. The Kobukson smoothly sails into Darcke's orbit and heads towards the town of Yong Yewan.

Yong Yewan is a bustling corporate shipping town. There is a main shipyard where all arriving ships will land. The shipyeard is a large circular area. As you fly over you see a large building surrounded by barbed wire. Four roads fan out from the building passing by lit up areas of crates, parts, and even ships in the process of being worked on. Beyond the barbed wire, in a single ring are landing pads for incoming ships. You are directed to land at an empty spot per directions from the control tower.

Michi puts down in the empty spot, following the book. The last thing she wants to do is draw any attention to herself or her ship. Not with the Alliance in orbit. Once down, she keys up the Cortex and sends a transmision to the number she was given for Jin Dong.

Carina takes her own seat in the so-called 'copilot' couch and reads off the readings on her monitors to Michi until they are landed safely. Then she sits down very quietly and waits; best not to interrupt.

Dorota stays in engineering...she's still monitoing everything, even though it looks good. Shakedown cruise - have to be careful, and this IS the first time they've landed.

Sarah loiters in the medical bay, hoping there's not going to be a need of her when it's something as simple as a landing anyway.

With no real set place to be or things to do since he has made sure it was all done before landing Karl is prepping for touch down. They will probably have places to go and people to meet which means getting a lay of the land. He is at a handy terminal studying whatever maps of the area there are available and getting the local news and other information that may just save their asses later.

The number Michi dials out comes back with a nondescript asian gentleman in a simple gray suit. He blinks a few times as if he needs glasses and is trying to focus on the screen. Then he says in a weaker than expected voice. "May I help you?"

"My name is Nom." Michi says, her tone business-like. "I'm here to pick up cargo from Mister Dong on behalf of Mister Gary."

The man clears his throat. "Yes, well, we have informed Mr. Gary that there has been a delay as you have obviously run across in your arrival." Michi nods. "We saw it as we came in." She had a feeling. "Any idea on how long a delay there will be?"

Carina peers across at Michi, silently. This does not bode terribly well. Dorota comes out of engineering. Frowning, she says nothing for now.

"It is hard to say. These things can sometimes take time and special resources to resolve." The man nods knowingly.

Michi releases a long breath, trying not to show her frustration. She glances over at Carina and then looks back. "Understood. We'll contact Mr. Gary and find out his instructions and then wave you back when we have more information." Sarah doesn't speak up, but she did just manage to show up by the cockpit, passing a glance to Dorota before looking at Michi with some concern. She doesn't say anything while the line is still open.

"One moment." The man holds up a hand and looks off screen as if he is listening to something then looks back. "Before you talk to Mr. Gary. Let me speak to my employer. He may have a new update."

So far, they're safe. But once they pick up the cargo, there's quite likely to be trouble, apparently. Carina looks to Michi, then back to her monitors. Michi doesn't need her being stressy, making it harder.

"Sure. Just a moment. I think this is a situation my partner can deal with best." Michi puts it on mute and looks to Carina. "They're about to see what they can squeeze out of us while we're stuck here. Carina, you best negotiate." Michi flips switches, transfering the call to the copilot's station.

Carina inhales as normally as possible, lifts her gaze to the screen in front of her, and waits. Maybe she'll elbow Michi in the ribs later.

Dorota slips forward onto the bridge herself, not that it's a huge distance on a ship this large. Updates?

The man blinks and looks at the screen. "Ma'am?" He looks a bit confused by the change in obvious female scenery being that Nom was just replaced by a pretty blond.

"You had additional information for us, Sir?" Carina inquires politely.

With the social area where Karl is, being right outside the cockpit, he doesn't have any trouble hearing at least part of the conversation "I guess it was to much to hope that this mission would go smoothly." he says though not all that loudly, then he goes back to his own research.

Hm. "Yes. I mean No. I do not. My employer would have that information." He types a few things and an address scrolls across the screen. Tell them you are there to pick up Mr. Gary's shipment." He pauses and considers something and then asks. "Does Nom have a brother?"

Carina considers that question, as she jots down the address quickly and hands it over. "A brother? No. Nom is an only child. Why do you ask?" Michi takes the slip of paper and quietly runs the address on her Cortex screen to locate it. The question of her having a brother makes Michi smile. Its not the first time someone has thought Michi was two people.

The man shakes his head. "Not important. Go to the address, tell them you are here for Mr. Gary's shipment."

The Address is of the Chuan, a night club.

"Certainly. Thank you, Sir." Carina offers, and ends the call.

"Well, we get to go to a club. That's something." Michi says. "Might be we can find out some information about how long that cruiser's gonna be in orbit, too. They'll be rotating their people on leave down here. Sailors on leave drink and whore and talk."

"What kind of club?" Dorota looks down at herself. "I guess I need to blend in..."

"Chuan?" Karl does speak up this time "That's seems like your kind of place Captain. It has a ship theme to it." he provides after Dorota asks. 

Sarah arches a brow, "Well, blending in is something I'm good enough at doing, I suppose." She glances over towards Michi, waiting for her decision.

"I don't really tend to blend in very well, though better at a club than other locations. What kind of club is it?" Carina inquires, while bringing it up on Cortex to see for herself.

"I suck at it, but I suppose it doesn't matter that much." Still, overalls, probably not the best. Does Dorota own anything else?

"We'll go tonight. Check out the situation. Carina, Karl and I will meet with whoever we're meeting. Doc, you and Dorota come separately. Keep an eye on us and mingle some. See what you can find out about the local situation. Be ready to be backup." Michi says.

Sarah hmms. "I might have something suitable to wear to avoid drawing attention. Or rather, the wrong kind of attention." She glances over at Dorota, asking that until-now unspoken question, "Do you have any other clothes?"

"Well it's been night for a while, and will be for a while yet, so could you be more specific on when tonight is?" Karl inquires "It's a ship themed night club, drinking, dancing that sort of thing."

"Yes, but nothing really clubby. Oh well, I can probably put something together." Ship themed. Why would she...eh. Dorota doesn't go to ship themed night clubs. Dorota goes to dives.

"Now. Let's get this over with." Michi lurches up to her feet. "Best to wear something that won't get you kicked out. Carina, nothing too fancy probably." She heads back towards her cabin to change into something sort of dressy. Carina actually pouts a little as she heads for her room. Nothing too fancy? That rules out almost half her wardrobe!

Karl has never stepped foot into a night club, this was a situation that he never thought to buy any clothing for such an occassion, but he can probably find something that would work amoungst the cargo and goes hunting for clothing.

It takes Michi about twenty minutes to exit his cabin, wearing a pair of tight black pants and a matching shirt with the sleeves rolled down to conceal the knife sheathes he wears around his wrists. His hair has been artfully messed up.

Sarah apparently has some outfits packed in that are suitable for more than just doctor work. She wears a tight black shirt and matching skirt, with a long dark blue jacket worn over that. She has a pair of somewhat sensible heels, giving her a bit of lift. "Hopefully this will suffice, it's all I really had that would work..."

Dorota takes slightly longer, probably because she's been rummaging. Decent pants, decent shirt, no weapons, and she does have an enameled comb to hold her hair back. Not bad, really. Carina could do a much better job. There's no way Carina could ever be mistaken for anything but a beautiful blonde woman, but her outfit for this evening is one of those that seems like it's trying to be androgynous even though that's impossible. Instead, it just ends up being sexy because of the contrast. Trust Carina to master such a look, a midnight blue pantsuit with a brilliant white button-down collared blouse unbuttoned enough to be suggestive without actually showing anything. Tucked away in a pocket are her war fans, just in case.

Karl does his best to dress appropiatly, it takes him a few tries but he finally manages to get something together that will get him in the door. If a button down shirt under a decent grey vest and grey pants don't cut it, well he will be up a creek. His vest is cut and loose enough to conceal the pistol in its holster under his arm and his boots hold a knive and another small firearm. Lastly his hair is neatly combed and pulled back in a low ponytail.

It is night. It has been night for the past twenty four hours and will continue to be night for another twenty four. As you take the road out of the shipyard, large flood lights line the road. As there is an Alliance Cruiser in orbit, there is an Alliance presence on the ground. At the exit from the shipyard, you see a checkpoint. They are checking vehicles of those coming into the shipyard and merely letting who are exiting, leave without being bothered.

"Anyone picks up any contraband while we're out, let us know." Michi notes as he follows the GPS path to the club.

The shuttle is allowed to pass into Yong Yewon proper. As Karl and Michi can explain, there is a main drag where there are corporate warehouses. On either side of the main drag are less prominent secondary roads. You follow one of the secondary roads that leads down a less lit area to what might be considered any big city night scene except on a much smaller scale. There are a fair number of people coming and going into and out of the buildings. You find what you think might be a safe place to park the shuttle, out of the way of the road proper but close enough if you need to make a run for it. As the crew walks down this night scene, you can see the neon sign with the words "Chuan" in Chinese.

"Not planning on it," Dorota says. Once the shuttle's down, she hops out, looking for...ah, yes, there's the club.

"Well, let's look good. Sarah. Dorota. Hang back. Two groups. Karl, look fierce." Michi puts out his arm for Carina. "Shall we?"

Carina tucks her hand into Michi's elbow and nods. "We shall. Good luck, all."

Sarah looks wryly at Dorota, "Just follow my lead. We'll blend in perfectly, I'm certain."

With little issue, you are let into the Chuan, a large converted warehouse.

Upon entering the night club, the first thing that hits you is that it's so BRIGHT. The walls and ceiling are a beautiful sky blue with happy clouds floating along it. It's as if someone wanted this place to be a haven to stave off the perpetual night that sometimes haunts this town. Hanging from the ceiling are model ships of numerous types from a replica of a generation ship to the more modern transports and cruisers.

The main floor is a large open space with a central bar in the shape of an octagon that is decked out to look like bridge. The spigots and spouts to pour the drinks look like buttons on a console. There are no seats except for along the bar.

Music blares from creatively camouflauged speakers all around and if one moves around beyond the bar, at the back can be seen a window looking into a room that is built to look like an engine. Inside are two people with headphones on, bobbing to the music. On this floor, men and women in coveralls are carrying trays of drink and munchies around to patrons.

"Dorota could be a waiter here." Michi says, leaning in so Carina can hear him over the music. He leads the stunning blonde up to the bar. No reason not to get right down to business. Michi explains they are 'there for Mr. Gary's shipment'.

Dorota hangs back with Sarah, then follows her into the bar. She manages not to roll her eyes *too* obviously. To her, it's very corny.

Look fierce. Sure Karl can do that, he's played bodyguard before, so it isn't a real stretch for him to do so now. With Sarah and Dorota being one group he heads in with the other two ladies, acting as their bodyguard. As they head in and across the bar his brow furrows and a hand comes up to rub above his eye. That certainly helps with the looking fierce.

Sarah gives Dorota a wry expression, leaning in to whisper, "I should have borrowed some of your overalls." She looks like nothing more than a bubbly clubber, eyes a bit wide as she takes it all in.

Dorota murmurs back, "Then we'd be mistaken for staff." Which she doesn't want. Barkeep, no thanks.

The bartender points over to the far right where Michi can make out a set of stairs and a bouncer guarding it.

Carina stays at Michi's side, following along as they hop through their hoops. Who knows what's going on?

For a moment, Michi is tempted to collect Sarah and Dorota. If thinks go wrong, they might need the extra firepower. But if things go wrong, they might also need a black ops professional (former) and technical genius to rescue them. Michi nods and escorts Carina to the stairs. Hopefully with Karl following behind.

Trailing Michi and Carina, Karl continues to look around the club for anything alarming...and for other ways they can make a quick escape through if necessary. As they approach the stairs he does size up the bouncer that guards the way up.

The club is bustling this evening. Though Dorota doesn't see it, Sarah can pinpoint the different groups of people around the room. At the bar there are a few Alliance soldiers, perhaps on their off duty hour, there are the normal club goers with patches of men and women sporting a dolphin tattoo peeking out of clothing either neck or arm or hand or even leg.

Sarah murmurs softly to Dorota, "Stay frosty, Alliance soldiers are packing this place, though they look off-duty." She keeps an eye on things from her vantage point as she looks to just be swaying to the music.

"Oh joy," is Dorota's muttered response. Maybe she'll notice them now she's not looking at the bar and critiquing how inaccurate it is (answer: Very)

The bouncer looks at Michi, Carina, and Karl. When Michi relays that he's here for Felix Gary's shipment, he lets the three of them pass stating to take the first door at the top. The stairway is metal and curves up to the balcony. At the top, there is a narrow hall where you can see over the side to the floor and get a great view of the model ships which are very detailed and larger than they seem from the first floor.

"Nice. Someone's a collector." Michi says, softly, to Carina. He steps forward, looking for the person they are there to meet.

"So it would seem." Carina offers as she follows Michi, staying at 'his' side.

The first door opens and a young man bustles past as if in a hurry and very annoyed leaving the door open for Michi and crew to walk in. The feel of the room changes from the rest of the club. There is a table and an older gentleman sitting at it. Though older, he looks fairly fit and trim. Next to him and to the back stands a very hardened individual, arms crossed and definitely there to keep the peace. Aside from them, there are four other goons all around the room, all armed and all looking dangerous.

"Come in and sit down," says the man.

"Thank you." Michi says. It never hurts to be polite to crime bosses. And this man is important. Which means he's either mobbed up or he's so rich he doesn't need to be. There really aren't too many other types who warrant that much protection in this world. Michi waits for Carina to sit, then sits himself.

Closing the door behind them, Karl does a quick survey of the room. If this is fated to go south, this is where is will happen. He remains silent, alert and on his feet keeping a few paces behind and between Michi and Carina.

Carina follows at Michi's side, and sits down beside him when he's ready to do so. She's nervous, but that's life. She's also an expert at not seeming to be nervous when she is.

The man laughs jovially his eyes never wavering from Michi. He looks quite shocked now that Michi is in better view and he stands up his arms open. "Today must be my lucky day. You are the one person I thought I would never see come back here." He looks to the goons around him and they laugh with him. Then the man's smile fades and the laugh dies. "You owe me 20,000 credits Michi Nom."