Chapter 13: To Asteroid B0510-5428

[BackworldTraveller]

Flare-Bright Planetary Orbits with Queen's course as at 300-012 v2.jpg (25.8 KiB) Viewed 404 times

Pranit adds "His" rock to the astrogation plot

[ateno]

"If you want to go to Curry Market, I would recommend a 30 degree turn to the right at the 24 hour mark and final turn in after that. I would wait to try and contact until our final rturn though, thier comms security is a little loose."

<pause>

"does anyone else speak Hindi?"

[ateno]

Captain, want me to try and contact Curry Market and see if any of my realtives are around? Also do we have any trade items?

[joertexas]

Captain, want me to try and contact Curry Market and see if any of my realtives are around? Also do we have any trade items?

"Yes, please do that," Indrani replies.

[BackworldTraveller]

Unexpectedly, Pranit manages to wrangle a clear channel to the asteroid P2061-3626-286 (and the "Curry Market" camp) and sends a message. It takes the best part of an hour for a reply due to comms lag and the inevitable fact of the recipient having to be found and dragged back to the comms unit.

Eventually, the response is Of course you are welcome. And yes, we can provide supplies.

[ateno]

Given its a laser comm, and problems are behind us, Pranit gives a short explanation of whats going on in Hindi.

He feels he has to, these are his friends and realtives.

The course is based of previous discussion:

"If you want to go to Curry Market, I would recommend a 30 degree turn to the right at the 24 hour mark and final turn in after that. I would wait to try and contact until our final return though..."

Pranit

[BackworldTraveller]

The course change is executed and the Queen heads towards the Curry Market.

Checking the back course for contacts after the course change brings up a couple of possible further hits. It's clearly not shaken the tail.

The Bread's gone green is Assana's disgruntled observation as the ship is on the final approach to the rock.

[joertexas]

The course change is executed and the Queen heads towards the Curry Market.

Checking the back course for contacts after the course change brings up a couple of possible further hits. It's clearly not shaken the tail.

The Bread's gone green is Assana's disgruntled observation as the ship is on the final approach to the rock.

"Whomever is following us has had time to call ahead about our arrival here," Indrani observes. "We need to stay alert, and we need to refuel and reprovision before we do anything else."

[ateno]

"We need to stay alert, and we need to refuel and reprovision before we do anything else."

"I'll call ahead and let them know.

I will make the order for fuel, filters, food, fluids, facts and fresh Naan, hearing Assanas comment.

[BackworldTraveller]

The call, unexpectedly also reveals that there is someone that is awaiting your arrival - got in about an hour before you and specifically asked that he should be remembered to you.

It's a Heavenite named Barnabas Malpere they tell you.

Says he knows you from Sparks

[ateno]

"Barbanas? Wow, been a while, what's the New Heaven diplomats doing there?"

Pranit looks in orbit for other ships that don't belong there.

[joertexas]

"Barbanas? Wow, been a while, what's the New Heaven diplomats doing there?"

Pranit looks in orbit for other ships that don't belong there.

As they drew closer to their destination, Indrani has everyone report to their action stations. "Hopefully, no one will bother us. But, it pays to be prepared."

[BackworldTraveller]

The crew are all at their stations. There is no sign of anything within 50,000km of the rock - and the rock only has small hoppers and craft of 50 dTons or less on its surface. If that ship is out there its not close and sent a shuttle. A quick check of arrivals by Pranit's contacts identifies only a 40 dTon pinnace as having landed recently. 4 people got off. All Heavenites. One left the Queen the message. They really aren't hiding! As the rock is nothing but mines and "The Curry Market" housed in a plethora of converted accommodation units - finding them won't be hard.

[ateno]

Pranit will put out a call to his family line, to let them know hes in town.

gm: how long until our tail might arrive?

"Captain, you want to meet our hopeful contact?"

[BackworldTraveller]

Pranit will put out a call to his family line, to let them know hes in town.

gm: how long until our tail might arrive?

"Captain, you want to meet our hopeful contact?"

From the comms, they are here already! If you mean the actual ship, about 30-45mins from realising they are needed.

[ateno]

I did mean the ship.

"captain, I messed up, they seemed to push a small ship past us to intercept us, luckily i recongize the face of the ship. It appears they want to talk, not shoot. We should find them.

Pranit

[joertexas]

I did mean the ship.

"captain, I messed up, they seemed to push a small ship past us to intercept us, luckily i recongize the face of the ship. It appears they want to talk, not shoot. We should find them.

Pranit

"It's more likely that it was sent here ahead of us from elsewhere," Indrani observes. "I will stay here to command the ship while you go talk to them."

[ateno]

"OK, Who wants to come with me."

Pranit would like at least 1 other person.

As he leaves he will ask the people taking care to do a rush job on laoding the stuff and such.

"I have cash Dosts."

He heads to the temp residential area looking for the buddy.

Pranit

[The Bindoner]

"OK, Who wants to come with me."

Pranit would like at least 1 other person.

As he leaves he will ask the people taking care to do a rush job on loading the stuff and such.

"I have cash Dosts."

He heads to the temp residential area looking for the buddy.

Pranit

Nālani looks up from the Pilot's console:

I will go with you, when I have settled the Queen, if you do not object. I, too, need to resupply. Just give me time to change.

It will be interesting to meet Heavenites. What do you think? Conservative dress, to put them at ease? Something provocative, to unsettle? Or Belter, to be disregarded?

[BackworldTraveller]

"It's more likely that it was sent here ahead of us from elsewhere," Indrani observes. "I will stay here to command the ship while you go talk to them."

Clearly not a subscriber to the Star Trek method of away teams!