GM:
alright.. it looks like the trip was fairly eventful all around...

GM:
Lan spent a little time catching up on his reading, but then got bored, stole Maria for dancing lessons for a couple of days, and then spent time watching the grand melee training

GM:
An spent a couple of days trying to commune with his inner powers, but then gave up and spent the better part of three weeks learning to be a badass with a sword (or length of piping mostly)

GM:
Vasili just hung out and tried not to absorb anything

Lan:
((THen we cap it all off with theological debates. ))

GM:
Martel read up on Theurgy, finished his book, and then learned to fire the ship's guns while debating with Lan

Lan:
((As Grail pulls into view, we're at each other's throats. ))

GM:
Budi flew the ship for a while, then put it on auto pilot and tinkered, then flew it for a while, then played with the guns, then tinkered some more

GM:
~~~ IC ~~~

Budi:
((It's good to know your ship))

Vasili:
Hey, I tried to sit in on theology!

GM:
::It's been three weeks... three long weeks with little to do but practice stuff, talk, and get on each others' nerves...

GM:
((but you didn't *learn* anything))

GM:
...you spent the better part of a week waiting on jumpgate resets, but overall made good time.. especially once you managed to get some Avesti help on the way past Pyre... now you're finally pulling deep into the Grail system, and the planet is resolving above you... immense fields of green broken by massive gray mountains and small blue oceans.. as you get closer you see that the oceans are broken by a number of islands...

Lan:
((Also would have bragged a bit about how great the food and the atmosphere here is. ))

GM:
and now the question that looms is fairly simple... land at the official starport, or try to find a black market drop point::

GM:
((that's a "go" by the way))

Budi:
::Budi opens up the discussion:: Hey, boss. Where do you wnat to land? Main port or...

Martel:
I know a good spot.

Lan:
::breathes in sharply, as if the stale recycled air were already the fresh breezes of his homeworld:: Look at that beautiful, fat, happy planet. Guys, I am taking you all out to eat.

Vasili:
Hm. Fat and happy, eh?

Lan:
Well look for yourself! ::enthusiastic:: I mean, whoo. I can't wait to be planetside.

An:
::runs his hands through his hair:: So, what's the plan? Whats our goal?

Martel:
::gets on the com, and starts talking to some of the local scravers::

Lan:
::doesn't clearly have any idea we should worry about landing at the official starport::

GM:
::martel tries a few frequencies, and almost gets trapped by a noble broadcast beacon, before finding some callsigns and cant that sounds reliable::

Budi:
I doubt that word has reach here that we have possision of the vessle. Plus we do have a Hazat noble on board.

Martel:
::seeks to find a landing site safely distant from the capitol::

Maria:
::look grows dark, tinged with sadness, at Budi's comment::

Budi:
Ah, my lady. Please do not look sad. You make me want to cry... ::Looks truely sad::

Martel:
I too doubt word has reached here yet. but it will, and I don't want to have our ride sitting in a port when it does.

Lan:
Well. Our, um. Ride is pretty fancy. Is there anyplace it can sit safely?

An:
::puts his arm around maria:: We will be fine, I'd like to keep the fact that we have on board a noble to be kept under wraps.

An:
Again, I ask, what is the plan?

Budi:
Your are the boss. I can find a remote landing strip somewhere, but where do you want to go after we land?

Martel:
Then you don't mind if I find a safe, out of the way place for Budi to park us. I say we land in a safe, out of the way place, and venture in to town. See if we can find some local history experts.

Maria:
Do we know anything about the place?

Lan:
What, about, Grail?

Budi:
OK. Let's refresh why we are here...

Lan:
Or, Mallory, in particular?

Maria:
the planet

Martel:
Lan, you wanna take this one?

Lan:
Um sure.

Vasili:
::Looks to Lan::

Lan:
Um, well, it's got lots of great scenery... like, what do you want to know? Prophet was healed here. Etyri... we really should meet some Etyri while we're here. Didn't really see them too often myself, as a kid. Um. Lots of great

Martel:
::goes back to the scraver channel::

Lan:
noodle dishes. Squash. Fresh fruit, game. My aunt makes this fried venison with... ::looks around:: Er, ok. What specifically?

Vasili:
So we're on vacation?

Lan:
No, we're not on vacation. We're here to look for, the hooseywhatsis, that the Hazat lost in the... tragedy.

Martel:
umm, actually we are looking for THE grail. remember?

Lan:
((hoseywhatsis is my revenge for not being able to use brackets))

Lan:
I don't think it was clear that, it's *the* grail we're looking for. Also the emperor's gate-opening stone might be here. Possibly. ...?

Martel:
the sword lookin thing? lets spaceships travel without jumpgates? ::holds hand over mic::

Pancreator:
((suits me))

Lan:
Right. It looks like a sword. Mostly.

Vasili:
::Thoughtfully:: Hoseywhatsis. . .now where did I see one of those. . .

Lan:
::chuckles:: I never can remember where I leave mine.

An:
And as well the Keddah in charge of the place both tried to blow up Vera Cruz four years ago and also are said to hate the Decados, so they could be potential allies or potential sources of the attack on the Hazat

Vasili:
Wait. Isn't hoseywhatsis the name of that dancer back on. . .wait, no. . .

Lan:
Yeah. I've never been entirely clear on what the deal was with keddah and Decados. On again, off again, I'm not sure. Not much for politics. hey-- you know, while we're treasure hunting here, I've always heard the Etyri... now, this is just, like, something we all told each other as kids. But they have a stone that grants magic visions. Which actually sort of pans out with some lore about soul shards, if you look into it.

Maria:
They have a mutual support treaty with the Masseri, who are controlled by the Decados in a lot of ways, so wind up having to fight the Decados' wars for them...At least in theory... given the events four years ago, that may be just a carefully crafted lie

Lan:
::squints and tries to follow what Maria said::

An:
::nod:: Something we should keep in mind.

Lan:
::nods as well::

Martel:
::looking up from the comms:: hey, I found a spot. nice, small, and out of the way.

Vasili:
Am I the only one who doesn't know what she's talking about?

Budi:
I am having some difficult...

Martel:
::clearly not having been listening to Maria:: yes, yes you are.

Maria:
Sorry.. the Decados have treaties with the minor house Masseri that they manipulate to control them...The Masseri have pacts with the Keddah that they can use in the same way... so basically the Decados can pull the Masseri's strings, and they shift some of their burden onto the Keddah

Vasili:
I see.

Lan:
Yeah. That makes sense. You know. Keddah nobility have always been sort of, uptight about certain thigns. I never could entirely figure that out.

Maria:
The Keddah have always sworn they hate that it worked out like that, and they also swear that the Hazat are trying to steal Grail from them.. but they were the ones the inquest found guilty of the plot to destroy Vera Cruz's terraformers that we stopped. But that information came largely from Eldritch.. who I never trusted 100% and who was engineered by the Decados.

Lan:
::rubs his goatee:: You know, the Marchessa spoke somewhat familiarly of her, er, allies in the House.

Budi:
I have not had much dealing in this area. I never understood all the politics of the decados.

Maria:
That's not surprising.. damned Castenda

Lan:
::shrugs innocently::

Lan:
::hasn't dreamt of letting on that's who he's learning to dance for::

Maria:
So as far as the Keddah are concerned, they could be eager patsies of the Decados, unrelated antagonists of the Hazat, or being both manipulated and framed by the Decados

Vasili:
::Vasili nods strongly. He still doesn't get it, never really will. But he has a very strong nod.::

Lan:
Eager patsies. I don't know. I'm inclined to rule that out. ::a trace of home-team pride::

Martel:
They are not to be trusted too much. Many of the local rulers have connections with orginized crime.

Lan:
::purses his lips:: Well. Any small house, I mean. ::shrugs:: Probably not. ::admits::

Martel:
Or at least, are known to let things slide, i should say.

Lan:
So, is that spot to land you found looking, OK?

Martel:
Seems good so far.

Budi:
And organized crime is bad?

An:
::nods:: For us it is.

Budi:
some of my best customers have connections to crime. It is a matter of life in the Criticorum system

Lan:
::feels vaguely like a questing knight himself, after learning elite sword skills. Looks down on the planet, wonders which of his childhood friends he can impress::

An:
Many of those connected to organized crime will do anything to make their money.

Lan:
Mm. That tends to be true. In some sectors. ::clears his throat:: Of course, they say that about apothecaries, too.

Budi:
true. very true. ::looks at Lan and smiles::

Vasili:
They're usually right. Untrustworthy folk. ::A small smirk crosses Vasili's mug::

Martel:
Heh. Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

Lan:
Particularly if you irritate them overmuch *before* you get into the fight after which you need their help. ::his practiced bland, pleasant expression::

Martel:
In any case, there is some orginized crime down there, waiting for us to land. shall we?

Lan:
Anyway. I'm more of, a swashbuckler now, anyhow. So you can count on me. Yes! Let's land, for the Pancreator's sake!

Budi:
give me the coordinates?

Martel:
::hands them over::

Budi:
::Pass them to AN::

Lan:
This planet has the best salads in known space. ::settling into his seat::

An:
::TAKES THEM::

An:
::in a less screaming manner::

Martel:
THAT is definately the truth.

GM:
::An now has coordinates that mean precisely nothing to him::

An:
::flips them over to see if they make sense::

GM:
::nope::

An:
::shakes his head and hands them back:: You trust this place?

Martel:
umm, isn't Budi flying this thing?

Budi:
::pull up the location on the planetary scanner:: There.

Vasili:
((Oh my God, who is RUNNING this mission?))

An:
::arcs an eyebrow looking at the planetary scanner:: Do you trust it?

GM:
::it's on the coast about 1000 miles from the agora to the southwest::

Budi:
I have never been here before. Do you trust it Lan?

Martel:
((anywhere near home by chance?))

GM:
((not really))

Lan:
Er... where is it? ::gets up and takes a look:: That'll be a bit of a trek... um. ::scratches his head:: I've not been there though.

Martel:
I know some of the old scravers here. We should be safe.

Budi:
Good enough for you boss?

An:
::nods:: Land us.

Budi:
::Engages landing procedures:: Please return to your seats.

An:
::returns to his seat next to Maria::

GM:
::streaking around the planet, Budi takes aim for the coordinates which are now on the nightside of Grail, following the indicated arc of descent that will avoid long-range radar...

Lan:
::hops back in his seat, rubbing his hands together::

GM:
...and with accelleration enough to push you back into your seats even against the vau gravity buffers, you streak down into the darkness. There is a vague moment of moonlight being snuffed out as you pass the immense tree canopy to the north, then Budi pulls up hard on the stick, turning all of your stomachs, flips the ship horizontal, streaks forward at a slight incline for a few miles, jams the attitude thrusters for another sickening spin as you turn backwards, then guns the atmosphere engines to run you to a jolting stop on what you assume is the landing strip. All is still, except for the quease in your bellies::

Lan:
Uy...

An:
::closes his eyes for a moment::

An:
...can we do it again? ::grins::

Martel:
Ahh, its good to be home.

Lan:
No, no. We can't.

Budi:
Sure, we can do it again, but that will be about 200 FB in fuel.

An:
::nods:: Good point. ::stands up slowly::

Lan:
::Gets up when his stomach permits, and is ready to disembark, already::

An:
::collects a small bag and gets ready for everyone::

Martel:
::Stretches, and makes sure to strap his flame gun BEHIND him, obviously not intended for immediate use::

Budi:
She was a bit sluggish in the first turn. But her manuevering improved. She has a few more kinks that need to be worked out.

Vasili:
::Vasili stretches, yawns. Gets ready to disembark::

Martel:
well, lets go see what the parking fee is. ::hits the hatch latch::

Budi:
::Begins system shutdown and checks::

GM:
::with a groan and a whoosh as the pressures and temperatures balance out, the hatch drops down beneath the ship, landing on a piece of cracked asphalt::

Martel:
::looks out into the darkness, keeping his hands in plain site::

Lan:
::breathes in deeply::

Martel:
::grins:: smells like home allright.

GM:
::a fuzion torch flares up, its beam hitting you as you disembark... lingering on Martel with some interest:;

"Harbor Master"
::a gruff man's voice sounds from the area of the light:: The fuck?

Martel:
Don't worry. Just here visiting family.

"Harbor Master"
What family?

Martel:
Tollosks.

"Harbor Master"
You're a few hundred miles too far east

Martel:
I know. been a while since I been home though, and all the old places I knew are gone by now.

"Harbor Master"
Huh. So you're not here to roast anybody?

Martel:
Nope.

Lan:
((Nobody expects... ok. Sorry. ))

An:
::stands back looking non assuming::

Martel:
Here on vacation.

"Harbor Master"
Alright. You leaving the boat here?

Martel:
Yup. whats the parking fee?

"Harbor Master"
How long you staying and who's looking for you?

Lan:
::cites some customary-Graelian sounding fee structure pedantically::

Martel:
Don't know how long we are stayin yet. probably a few weeks, meybe a few months.

Vasili:
::Vasili exits:: Who do I have to roast around here to get a good night's sleep--

Vasili:
Ah.

"Harbor Master"
And who's looking for you?

Martel:
Hazat are possibly looking for us by now, but they don't know we are here, and It'd be nice if things stayed that way.

"Harbor Master"
Like, the whole Hazat?

Martel:
Lord no. Just a few nobles.

Martel:
((... as far as I know))

"Harbor Master"
Hmm...

"Harbor Master"
1 firebird a day basic parking, 2 and I keep it out of scrutiny, 3 for me to do my all to keep people from molesting it... I take no responsibility for environmental hazards... earthquakes, tidal waves, or big animals

"Harbor Master"
First two weeks payable up front

Martel:
3 a day it is then.

Martel:
::doles out 21 birds::

Martel:
((I can only assume we have a flitter or something))

GM:
((nope))

"Harbor Master"
Okay, well that's the first week

Lan:
Er, he said two weeks. ::nudge. Is hanging over the deacon's shoulder::

Martel:
::doles out the other 21

Lan:
((Hehe. ))

Martel:
sorry, my math never was that great. say, you guys provide transportation?

Lan:
::looks for other things to nitpick::

"Harbor Master"
Not me, but I know a guy

Martel:
Well, if the guy you know can take us around while we're here, we'll make it worth his while.

"Harbor Master"
::the figure, still little more than a silhouette in the darkness, scoops up the firebirds and shines the light over at what appears to be a hole cut in the forest a few yards away:: roll the boat in there

Martel:
::nods::

Martel:
::turns to the gang:: well guys, lets get this thing under cover.

Budi:
::Activate the anti-grav so that the "boat" can be moved easily.::

GM:
::by antigrav, you must mean, get in the cockpit and drive it on its wheels::

An:
::moves out of the way so the boat can be moved::

Budi:
::It has wheels? OK.::

Pancreator:
(( :-) ))

GM:
::the "boat" safely hidden beneath the forest canopy, you guys are free to pursue planetary transport::

Lan:
::stretches his legs a bit while this gets done::

Martel:
So ::addressing the "horbor master":: where is this guy?

"Harbor Master"
I'll get him

An:
::follows behind, beside Maria::

"Tour Guide":
::a few minutes later the silhouette comes back with another one, the one not holding the flashlight speaks:: So you're looking for an aircraft?

Budi:
transport, ya.

"Tour Guide":
We recommend hoppers, since they take you in and out of the radar planes very quickly

Martel:
Thats what we're looking for.

"Tour Guide":
You got anyone that can fly one?

Budi:
I flew that, ::Motions toward the ship::

"Tour Guide":
But can you fly a hopper ::the flashlight rests on Budi:: Charioteer?

Budi:
I know how to move a stick and fly level.

"Tour Guide":
You're not filling me with confidence here

Budi:
you want me to demonstrate?

"Tour Guide":
Do.. you.. know.. how.. to.. fly.. a.. hopper?

Budi:
yes ::Looks discusted::

"Tour Guide":
Alright. It's 10 birds a day, you leave your jumpkeys with us as insurance, and if you break it you bought it

"Tour Guide":
Getting it impounded counts as breaking it

Budi:
OK

Budi:
((Budi does have a 7+1+2=10))

GM:
((yep))

Martel:
((but the GUY didn't know that))

Budi:
((Yes, but the other other charioteers would not let me drive))

GM:
((the other charioteers weren't about to hand you a rustbucket and then drop you in concrete shoes in the ocean if you break it))

Lan:
((Latest Lan: Lan Maningzhoue, Apothecary ))

GM:
((these guys have way more to gain than the other guys if you break it... starting with the fact that you'll likely all be dead and they'll have your ship))

Martel:
((which is why we are trading out for something more reliable when we get to a town))

Martel:
Here is a weeks rent on the Hopper. ::hands it over::

Budi:
((I don't think that the new rig is worth 10 jumpkeys.))

Martel:
((well, you can always walk out))

Lan:
You know, guys. We could make this a big hiking expedition. Good for your respiration.

Pancreator:
((then give him a few of them and say that's all your keys 3-5 is probably equivalent value))

Martel:
A thousand miles is not hiking. thats living in thw woods for ever and ever, amen.

Vasili:
They have any wild creatures here we can trap, tame, learn to commune with, and then ride out on like warriors of old?

Martel:
They have flying wolves the size of horses who will eat you.

Budi:
I'm not riding no dog or herdbeast.

Vasili:
Could be fun.

Martel:
Budi. Give Him The Damn Keys.

An:
Hmmm... not the worst idea. I've always felt the need to trap, tame, and ride out on. ::looks up quickly:: Hmm... flying wolves, that could work. Stike fear into the hearts of our enemies.

Martel:
No! No they won't! They'll EAT you!

Budi:
::hand over 5 keys::

Vasili:
I mean, you have an army, that's impressive. But you have a horde of tamed flying wolves. . .that's legend.

Vasili:
They'll eat YOU. At first. That's why we tame them.

Lan:
Y...eah. Why don't we just. ::looks around, such as he can in the dark, thinks to himself, 'nevermind'::

Martel:
Uh huh. I just want the hopper so I can leave.

GM:
::the flashlight goes to the keys as they check that they're genuine:: Alright .. make sure she's gassed back up when you come back ::tosses Budi the Hopper keys and points it out down the beach::

Budi:
::Looks at AN:: Y'all take a breather while I check her out.

An:
::nods:: Yeah, ::looks around for a place to lounge::

Budi:
::Heads over to the hopper and checks itout.::

GM:
::it looks functional. It's matte green on top and, apparently, sky blue on bottom::

An:
::finds that place near the beach and sits with whoever will join him::

GM:
::maria settles down next to An, watching the waves::

Lan:
::hunts around the underbrush nearby. Getting reacquainted with the local flora he loves so well::

Budi:
::Walks over to AN and Maria:: Ready when you are. I'll start loading our cargo. Do we want to take the large package?

An:
Better not to leave it here, I guess. Will it fit?

GM:
::yeah, if there's one thing hoppers are good for it's hauling cargo::

Budi:
Yea, but it make fuel consumption on the shitty side.

An:
Hmm... ::looks around:: Opinions?

Lan:
Take... er. I dunno.

Lan:
Take it with us? It would be ashame to lose track of it.

An:
Yeah, I agree. Lets take it along.

Martel:
Take it.

Budi:
Consider it loaded.

Martel:
Lets head to an estate I know. would be a good base of operations.

Budi:
::Heads off to load cargo.::

Martel:
((well, ummm that it for the night?))

Budi:
((Good breaking point))

GM:
((sure, unless someone wants to do something else))

An:
((nope))

Martel:
((so basically, next game starts at the Tollosk estates?))

GM:
~~~ OOC ~~~

Pancreator:
if that's where you're going