Quote from: Opaopajr;749180"You know when you sense a'trouble brewin? Let's just say NME and friends can only hold so many cards in hand before someone flips the table." Jolene punctuates that with a sip of her tea. {If they runnin off from payin the good doctor it's either they won't cuz they can, meanin they're too big to care, or they don't cuz they can't, meanin there's even bigger trouble than 'em.}

Blinov thinks about that, then pulls a random precog flashcard from his back pocket and flops it on the table. It's a black star. He makes a *tsk* sound and winces.

"Outlook grim. Not hopeless, but probably not profitable enough to justify what we're getting ourselves into. If I were still a street rat I'd be scarpering. Oh well."

He leaves the card on the table and sits back. "Wish Aleksandr were here. I've got a bad precog buzz about him, like he's about to get in over his head."

Alexsandr says to Spanner, "this a lucky break, tovarisch.  The NME Suit that I came to speak with is sitting at the bar right over there.  I am going to ask her to join us for a drink.  Please excuse me."

He gets up and walks over to the bar and Ran Iijima and says with his best attempt at a charming smile, "excuse me, Miss.  It would a pleasure if you would join my friend and I at our table for a drink and conversation.  Would you please join us?"

"Well I can't see him doing something too reckless. A soldier who gave and took orders? I mean imagine him trying to seduce that fat, old Iijima now." Jolene laughs with the straw between her teeth, like a gossipy teen girl.

Blinov chuckles. "Oh damn, why did you have to plant that image in my head? I can see it clear as a hologram sitcom now, her inspecting him with a raised eyebrow and saying something like... [Mr. Kent's next post]"

"Oh my," Iijima purrs, momentarily pausing her fanning. She slides off the tall bar stool and her perma-frown temporarily vanishes. "Is this Qeteshi hospitality? Because I like it. Sure I'll join you..."

She walks with Aleksandr back to the table and gives Spanner a curt nod--almost dismissive, as if he's a small fish to be thrown back. Aleksandr, on the other hand, has her full attention.

"You are locals, yes?" she asks.

After Alexsandr orders everyone a drink, he smiles genuinely and says with a chucke, "Da, you could say that we're locals now.  I am originally from Shaddi myself but have been here on Qeteshi for some time.  Although, I must admit that I am still not used to the heat here.  Thanks goodness for air-cooling technologies."

Falling into casual conversation, he asks her, "so I take you are not from here yourself.  Where are you from originally?"

Aleksandr:
"Shaddai? What a...vibrant planet," Iijima replies with barely concealed revulsion.

"Oh, you're astute though--no, I am not from Qetesh. I'm from Kazo, originally," she explains, and says her homeworld's name with a wistful cadence. "Kah-zohh. Nothing compares to the glacial beauty of Kazo's Forbidden City! But, alas, I am on important assignment on this little farm world." She scoffs, and continues to sip the iced drink she brought with her from the bar.

"What brings you to Qetesh from Shaddai mister--Oh! My manners must have left me again," she laments. "I am Ran Iijima, of Newsun-Matsuri Energy Concern. And whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?"

At this she gives Spanner the slightest of nods, mainly focusing on Aleksandr.

Jolene and Blinov:
As Dolly Q's approaches closing time, Dolly cranks up the volume on the "jukebox", which is in fact a small bucket-shaped robot that strolls around the diner while Dolly cleans up.

It plays some oldies, songs from as long ago as 3155, written and recorded in the early days of the Reformation, when the Mandate ceased to be and the Protectorate gathered the Core Worlds under its rule.

"That Sammy Sinestra was a real crooner," Dolly chirps to you two, her last customers. "Ba-da-bee-da-beeee!" she sings along shamelessly.

"What sort of music do you young'ins listen to these days?"

"I'm into everything," says Blinov smugly. "Broader tastes leads to deeper understanding leads to better appreciation of worthwhile music."

Quote from: Mr. Kent;749755Aleksandr:
"Shaddai? What a...vibrant planet," Iijima replies with barely concealed revulsion.

"Oh, you're astute though--no, I am not from Qetesh. I'm from Kazo, originally," she explains, and says her homeworld's name with a wistful cadence. "Kah-zohh. Nothing compares to the glacial beauty of Kazo's Forbidden City! But, alas, I am on important assignment on this little farm world." She scoffs, and continues to sip the iced drink she brought with her from the bar.

"What brings you to Qetesh from Shaddai mister--Oh! My manners must have left me again," she laments. "I am Ran Iijima, of Newsun-Matsuri Energy Concern. And whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?"

At this she gives Spanner the slightest of nods, mainly focusing on Aleksandr.

"прости меня," Alexsandr says sheepishly, "I am Commander Aleksandr Turov, Retired.  My friend and companion here is Spanner.  We work for Dr. Nagesh Nadir and the Perimeter Agency."

He smiles as he says, "it's a pleasure to meet you as well."

A surprised look of recognition crosses his face and he chuckles casually as he continues, "well, this is a fortuitous meeting.  I came into town today to request a meeting with you on the behalf of Dr. Nagesh.  What a small world, indeed."

Aleksandr:
"Nagesh Nadir?" Iijima says with surprise. "Oh, myyy. How is the good doctor? Where does he hang his hat these days?" She takes a long sip of her drink while looking at Aleksandr. "I haven't seen him since he signed--"

"Oh. You must be here about the termination of his contract. I hope he's not sore about that, but progress is progress..." Her brow creases.

Spanner slumps in his seat and sighs.

Blinov:
Dolly Q smiles at your response. "Yes, that's quite a mature viewpoint! There's some strange stuff out there though, dontcha think?"

"Like there's this girl, comes in here about every other day--named Nia. She's into this wild churn-drop stuff. Sounds like a rocket blasting off mixed with a...a toilet or something. She's psyched to go to this concert. DeadPig, I think!" Dolly laughs, and her feathers shake.

"That DeadPig concert's coming up real soon, but Nia compained that its all the way in Jessup. Those Jessupfolk try to take all they can from Q-Town!"

Blinov smiles and nods indulgently. No point in putting in his two cents about churn-drop - it's too wild to be proselytized, especially to oldsters.

"I'm acquainted with Nia. I'm a little worried about her actually. What's your read on her when she comes in here? Some kind of trouble?"

Quote from: Mr. Kent;749819"Nagesh Nadir?" Iijima says with surprise. "Oh, myyy. How is the good doctor? Where does he hang his hat these days?" She takes a long sip of her drink while looking at Aleksandr. "I haven't seen him since he signed--"

"Oh. You must be here about the termination of his contract. I hope he's not sore about that, but progress is progress..." Her brow creases.

Spanner slumps in his seat and sighs.

Alexsandr continues the conversation casually with an easy smile and tone, "Dr. Nadir is doing as well as possible for a man of his age and condition, as you might well expect.  He's a little disappointed but he's not sore about the termination of the contract.  The nature of big business and all."

He takes a sip from his drink and continues without pause, "actually I came to see you about a minor accounting error in regards to the termination of his contract.  According to Dr. Nadir's records and contract it appears that he is still owed the rest of this month's royalties, which is 2,500 Credits.  I hoping to speak to you about it and get funds transferred and settled as soon as possible."

Blinov and Jolene:
"Nia? Trouble? I'd wish she'd send some of her troubles my way!" Dolly laughs. "Only concern Nia Tran's got is how to spend her massive amount of credits--she's always flush. But then again, 'mo' credits, mo complications',  as the ancient Terran proverb goes!"

Dolly then lowers her voice into a conspiratorial tone, despite the fact that she, Blinov, and Jolene are the only folks in the place. "I can't fathom where she gets it. Girl's been darn near broke most of the time I've known her..."

Dolly turns to Jolene. "Speaking of broke, saw you speaking to poor Gordy Shane," she says, saddened. "I hope he gets what he needs from the banks on Clio, else that farm just might go under!"

Aleksandr:
"Accounting? Oh. Well, that is unfortunate!" Her forehead creases even further! "However, our numbers man, Numen, is upstairs for the night, recharging his batteries...er, so to speak."

She presses a finger to her lips. "Is there any way we can postpone this business until tomorrow?" she asks you. With her hesitant posture, she'll need some persuading to part with any credits this evening.

Quote from: Mr. Kent;749985"Accounting? Oh. Well, that is unfortunate!" Her forehead creases even further! "However, our numbers man, Numen, is upstairs for the night, recharging his batteries...er, so to speak."

She presses a finger to her lips. "Is there any way we can postpone this business until tomorrow?" she asks you. With her hesitant posture, she'll need some persuading to part with any credits this evening.

Alexsandr smiles wide and says happily, "yes, of course, now is not the time for business.  Let's have another drink and some pleasant conversation.  This little matter can be settled tomorrow of course."

He then gets the bartender's attention and orders another rounds of drinks for the table before returning to the conversation.

"I have traveled to many places during my service in the Navy," he says casually, "but I have never seen  Kazo's Forbidden City.  Please, you must tell me about it."

Aleksandr:
Spanner smacks his lips, eager for another drink. The taste of that alien stuff lingers, and not in a good way...

Iijima seems delighted and relieved to change the subject from money. "Ah, there's nothing like Kazo's snowswept mountain cities. The Iijima Clan has lived there for ten generations. You've never been? Oh, but you must someday. The planet's outside Protectorate jurisdiction, but our system is close enough to engage in trade, and join the 'cultural conversation' of the Core Worlds." As she speaks, she scans the room with a dismissive look. "You'll find there are many wonderful places outside the Core Worlds' grasp. Dealing with the Protectorate is merely a necessity of our survival...unfortunately."

She then remembers Aleksandr's other question. "The Forbidden City is actually anything but forbidden--now, at least. There was a time where its doors were closed, true. But it is a grand center of learning and...and technological advancement." She grows melancholy speaking of her home, and is suddenly reminded of the unbearable heat. "Bah!" She picks up her delicate fan and takes a deep breath.

"You know, Commander Turov, Newsun-Matsuri is always looking for men such as yourself--experienced, yet surprisingly open-minded!" She nods approvingly. "You could hand-pick your own crew, escort NME as we expand into new worlds, new frontiers. Think about it would you? You wouldn't be the first Perimeter Agent to cross over to us, you know."