Ian stood from his chair when the lady appeared, and kept like that until she finished to talk. Then he went where Cpt. Alice Jacobson was sitting, went down on his knees, and extended his hands towards hers.
- Excuse me, ma'am. But we here never intended to keep this only for male individuals. What's your gender Cpt. Quantum anyways? The fact that we have these girls attending the place is a mere reflect of what our imagination projects as relaxation. Then, it must be supplied.
Blackie, transmit this message to Cpt. Willis: Communication with the Bretonian Government is definately needed. That is one of the things we need to discuss here.
Cpt.Frial, I am glad to hear the good news on your ship. Slavers is another matter we should discuss here. I will suggest later the creation of a permanent elite patrol wing for OS&C bases. Specially the Cortez system with it's flourishing criminal activity. I have already commisioned a Roc Civilian Bomber into this job.
Now, since there are four of us now here, and we keep open the channel with Cpt.Willis, we should then start by discussing the creation of a permanent communication broadcast frequency transmiting from the Lodge, as Cpt.Frial suggested, to report problems that may appear and threat the company, and also as a line for external comunications. What do you think gentlemen? Milady?
The mechanical spider tilted towards Captain Jacobson slightly in a semblance of a bow.
My dear lady, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance and, as Captain Curtis rather clearly suggests by his actions, an honor to have you among us. Oh, and, for the record, Captain Curtis, I am...or rather, was...most definitely male.
May I congratulate you and your crew, Captain Frial, on the destruction of that foul slaver. It is astonishing how they continue to, not only survive, but even multiply since the collapse of the Slaver's Union. If ever a time comes that the creation of an "Elite Patrol Wing" is feasible, you may all count on my financial backing in terms of the purchase of ships and the salary of pilots.
On to the matter of a communications relay, I wholeheartedly agree that one should be created. May I recommend the usage of the S.K.Y.P.E nueralnet application, a fine and traditional program for such a purpose as what we require.
Alice smiled to the captains that came to her, but quickly she got back to her serious look. She stood there for a few seconds and looked around, like examining some sort of invisible notepads in the air. She then noticed some of the people around looking at her.
Sorry, Neural implant, new stuff from Kishiro Tech She said.
I have several friends that could get me some money, should we need it; also I can put some of my own money and my first officer would be most willing to help too.
Ummm. I have an eagle picking dust in a landing pad in this planet, I think I could get a deal and swap it for a bomber, which would be more fitting. Also Henry here owns a Falcata from the black market, but I doubt the authorities would like to see that thing flying in their space. Henry doesn't fly it anymore so we could sell it and get something more fitting. I heard the Bounty hunters have a ships and weapons leasing program if you are interested... Umm but that would cost us a bit.
Alice looked at the group of captains
Oh! And of course I support the idea of a permanent communication channel, they cost like a hundred thousand credits a month, we can afford that I suppose, and they usually come with an encryption software Alice said to the group of captains. A beeping sound was heard and Alice took her left arm from under the table and began checking her datapad attached to it.
She gave a swift look at the group and then back at her datapad. I like gadgets, specially Kishiro ones... Umm they make life easier She said and smiled at the group, this time a bit more relaxed.
Back in his chair, Ian started thinking quickly about preparations that had to be made, as the Captains talked.
Well then, it's agreed. We will have a channel broadcasting permanetly. How do you think we call it in the neural listing? Just something like Orbital Spa & Cruise Official Channel or would you like something more flashy?
About the patrol wing, if you Cpt.Jacobson already have an eagle fighter or wish it to change it for a bomber, and the other captains should soon make their own apports, we could set up a fully functional wing in no time.
I would also like to say that I agree with what Cpt. Quantum said. For this things to be well organized we should all have an internal cable in S.K.Y.P.E. to be always updated. I will send you my network code to your datapads immediately.
He then starts typing and says. Done! The code "drvanvanmojo" appears on the Captain's screens.
John stood up when Captain Alice entered. He bowed and tried to tip a hat he didn't wear.
"God, if she finds this place sexist, I must most definitely make sure she doesn't get to know the demographic statistics of my crew" he though uneasily.
"Good day, Captain! Let me make apologies on behalf of all sexists you may have met" John smiled.
"I fully endorse the use of S.K.Y.P.E., I'll send my personal done to Cpt. Curtis now.
As of support fleet, I am eager to purchase a personal Eagle fighter for a good while now. I suppose it is a good moment to finally do it. The equipment will be the most difficult part, as I wish my ship to able to operate freely in all four houses. Though I'll figure a way.
We can try and lease some ships from Hunters, I have about 100M SC stashed away, which I can invest in our organization, so part of that could cover the costs.
Also, we can see what are the possibilities of contracting professional security services to keep our systems of operation safe. I have positive experiences with Venator Private Security, they are a security company based mainly in Bretonia, but have rights of passage in all four houses. I haven't had deals with Mandalorians, so I can't make any comments on their work."
Cpt. Curtis went to the bar and said - John, I am in negotiations right now with the Mandalorians for some work I need to get done. I will tell you how did that go, but they have strong recommendation from trustworthy sources, let me tell you that.
He then looked at Blackie, who was preparing some snacks to take to the table.
- Blackie, love. Would you please serve something to these Captains who have just arrived? What will you be drinking Cpt. Jacobson? Cpt. Quantum, may offer you some... thing that may refresh you? A beep sounds. Ian takes a data pad out of his pocket.
- Oh look, my technicians are already responding me the Comm Channel Beta was succesfully installed to transmit from here.
I'm afraid, Captain, I cannot partake of food or drink, though I thank you for the thought.
He paused briefly, as if listening to something, before speaking once more.
I have just received a subspace communique from Obsidian, one of my Melds, who commands a Thresher destroyer. Apparently, while on patrol in Tau-37, he encountered a certain Rache Nehman, a Camara pilot, with a cargo hold full of Slaves. Unfortunately, he was not able to catch up to the slaver and lost him in Omicron Alpha. It is my recommendation that we begin to keep tabs on such individuals so that, perchance, we might interdict them and put an end to their foul trade.
John ordered an another drink and shifted more comfortably in his seat.
"You are right, Captain. We have to give the due attention to information about activities of these lowlifes. The more we know about them, the more adequate steps we can take. Safety of our routes is very important for our business and, consequently, our profits"
"There we can see what consequences can be when amateurs with tinfoil ships and highly unprofessional captains take on passengers transportation. The details of incident are very unclear, yet either way I'm absolutely sure that it would have ended differently had it been OS&C ship and captain there. I'm quite surprised that those passengers even chose that IND scrapheap for their trip in the first place.
I think we should review our PR strategy, so that general public have no doubts that trusting professionals of human transportation is the only wise thing to do.
On another note, I finally chose personal fighter craft. I just commissioned a beautiful Raven's Talon, with highest grade prototype weaponry. Its OS&C registry and documents should be sorted soon and it will be ready for flight in next few days"
Cpt. Curtis entered the Lodge as if no time had passed since his family was running from Leeds into the protection of the Curacao system. The place looked just like the day he had left to lead the exile operation.
Well Blackie! Seems you managed to get me here for a drink again! Make it double!
The barwoman smiled to see the young chap again and alive, and did as he ordered. Meanwhile, he approached the radio transmitter and as he turned it on, he started saying: This is a message for all OS&C Captains! Cpt. Curtis is back on the ruedo my friends!
"You sure know how to disappear with little notice"
John, by sheer luck, happened to be just a few islands down tending the mundane planetside business when the transmission reached him. After a moment of indecision, he postponed his appointment and borrowed one of the shuttles that could bring him over those seventy miles.
Now he was leaning against the doorway to the hall, with a mix of smile and smirk on his face.
"So, what besides a drink you have to offer to merit your announcement of your return from the land of missing persons in such a pompous way?"
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