Ken picks up on Erem's vibe.  "Huh!  That guy musta been pullin' our legs about the swimming pool.  Ha!  And you bought it..." He laughs and turns around, leaving the car.

Once they're in the next car, he says to Erem, "I'm not interesyed in whatever those guys are watching.  I smelled food back at the diner car."  He jerks a thumb in that direction and heads back.

"I told you not to bother, Ken," Ronnoc says with a smile.  He moves the seats out opposite of him with his feet, "Here, I saved you a spot - and some food."

(I'll take a mid-range meal for Ken and I, just let me know the costs).

The train slides smoothly out of the station with nary a bump. Engineer types note that the train itself is advanced for the local tech level - probably imported from off-world, or at least built with off-world technology.

Mid-range meals in the dining car will run 30 cr. per person, and are three-course affairs including one drink of your choice, salad, entree (two choices, Berrian's Goshawk or Keliak Boar (what you smelled when you walked in, served medium rare) and desert (choice of berry cream cake, chocolate truffles, or flamed custard).

torin thinks about ordering a high-end meal--then thinks about the coil cost, and opts for the mid-range.  "after smelling that boar roasting on the way in, i can't pass that up."  

he spends most of the trip either napping, looking out the window at the 'amazing' scenery, or reading the on-board mag & other literature.  if there's an opportunity to buy an issue of the local paper, he picks one up to get a gist of local/world happenings.

On arrival at the Southern Blue Line station, the difference between the Sectors is immediately apparent. CSS Officers wearing body armor and carrying submachine guns are intentionally obvious, casually monitoring the station and occasionally stopping and questioning individuals as they pass by. The difference in the civilians is noticeable as well. Their hurried pace, slightly bowed heads, and furtive glances at the CSS officers indicate that all is far from well in the Southern Sector.  

Southern Sector occupies a system of deep, narrow ravines spread over several hundred square kilometers. The majority of offices and homes are built directly into the walls of the narrow canyons, these "cliff dwellings" taking the place of vertical buildings in a traditional surface city. The floors of the ravines have been leveled and paved, turning them into streets for foot and taxi traffic. The public transport rail system is either suspended from elevated rail lines built into the walls of the ravines or plunges beneath the streets to become a subway system allowing for travel between the widely separated parts of the Sector. In most areas, especially the older, highly developed parts of Southern Sector, the ravines are roofed with glass supported by heavy girders, enabling most of the Sector to be air-conditioned to filter the ubiquitous powdery dust from the air and allow citizens to go about their daily business without masks.

"are we too early to call the 'contact person' for the job?"  torin checks his pockets for his ID.  "all these cops--man, i hope i don't have anything they'd consider 'contraband'."

"Well, they can't bust me," Ken mutters, "I bought this magazine here."

"ah, but did you keep the receipt?"  torin winks at ken.  "i kid!"  

torin looks around at the SMG-bearing officers and tries not to look nervous (thank goodness for sunglasses!).  "i just get antsy on high law worlds.  part of being in the scouts--a fairly loose organization, as things go."

Finding the address with the help of curt directions from CSS Officers and local citizens, the Party arrives at a nondescript (and unmarked) office cut deeply into the red stone of Marian Way. Inside, an attractive but weary secretary offers them a seat and refreshments. She tells the Party that Mr. Illulish will be with them shortly.

Almost half an hour filled with the drone of the building's air recyclers and the clatter of the secretary's typing passes before the door to Mr. Illulish's office opens. A short, rugged looking individual eyes the Party briefly, nods curtly to the secretary, and quickly pushes out onto the narrow, crowded street. The secretary tells the Party that Mr. Illulish is waiting for them in his office.

Horran Illulish's office is spartan - a square, low-ceilinged affair cut out of the dry red rock. The only concession to luxury is a holographic wall display behind his utilitarian metal desk that depicts slowly changing ocean scenes. A small side table holds paper cups, a water cooler, and a half-full bottle of local whiskey. Illulish, a scarred fifty-something man with dark hair and darker eyes, looks up from his paperwork and asks the Party to have a seat in the uncomfortable plastic chairs that are arranged facing his desk.

   

Quote from: Werekoala Inside, an attractive but weary secretary offers them a seat and refreshments. She tells the Party that Mr. Illulish will be with them shortly.

Ken takes a moment to talk to the secretary.  "Boring work, huh?"  he says, smiling.  "Long hours, I bet..."  Ken is by no means a very attractive guy*, but he can be sincere and pleasant and the way he figures, that balances his chances.  It's never stopped him from trying...

QuoteIllulish, a scarred fifty-something man with dark hair and darker eyes, looks up from his paperwork and asks the Party to have a seat in the uncomfortable plastic chairs that are arranged facing his desk.

Ken takes a seat -- or tries to, anyway.  They didn't make these chairs with solidly-built fellas in mind.  He shifts uncomfortably.

Quote

Ken waits his turn, then starts talking. "Well," he says, "I made it to 1st Officer in the Merchants, tho' mostly I was a electronics engineer.  Did a stint on the guns, too.  I'm talkin' the big Akaada lasers, old ones, but -- " he waves his hand in a 'wrap it up' motion to himself.  He does that a lot when he's nervous.

"Anyway, escort duties...I did that, couple times, tho' mostly I just flew the air/raft.  It was other guys had the hammers," he says, making a gun with his fingers, "'less the air/raft was closed up and had a bigger gun on it. One time the Morning -that was my ship, the Monday Morning- one time we had this old military ATV with a big fifty-cal up top, in a bubble-like, you know?  And I went up there on account of we hadda deliver all this salt to this guy's house, big villa in some hills, and there were bandits, see?  Mostly the turret was for show, but I did hafta let loose with it when the bandits popped up, took out this guy was riding some kinda big lizard.  Oh, and I'm from Daramm."

He stops talking just....like...that.

* I just rolled a 4 on 2D, if the Ref wants to use that for some kind of attractiveness score or something.  Yay, Traveller!

"Ahem..." Ronnoc rises from his chair, lays his hand on Ken's shoulder, "Thanks for that, Ken."  He then begins to wander slowly around the room a bit, then stops and turns to Mr. Illulish.

"Look, Mister...Illulish? Mister Illulish, do we look like a bunch of debutants looking to get our cherries popped?  We've all done things, probably a few things of which we are not so proud.  But we're all capable men who know what's what. All this talk is just wasting your time, and ours. How 'bout you just tell us what you need done and leave the details to us?"

He leans back in his chair, occasionally tapping on a personal datapad as the Party members relate their backgrounds. He is particularly interested in any military background or other combat experience that Party members have. He seems very interested in the fact that the Party is from offworld.

   <You're not from Kukelu? Well, that is a bit different. No, no, its not bad - its just that I'm thinking we could use you guys for something more than just an escort mission. Tell you what - I like your background, and I want to look into a few things before I make a decision. Why don't you check in to the Southern Arms - it's a hotel down the street a few blocks - and come back around 0900 tomorrow. I'll pick up your tab while you're down here, but don't abuse the privilege. Just save your receipts for food and such and bring 'em with you. My secretary can give you directions to the hotel. Dismi . . I mean, have a nice evening.>

Quote from: WerekoalaWhy don't you check in to the Southern Arms - it's a hotel down the street a few blocks - and come back around 0900 tomorrow. I'll pick up your tab while you're down here, but don't abuse the privilege. Just save your receipts for food and such and bring 'em with you.

Ken grins and looks around at his mates.  "Hey...I like this guy."

"good evening, mr. ilulish."  torin shakes his hand if offered, otherwise gives a slight bow.  

"let's check in to the hotel.  i need to take a nap before dinner.  those long train rides wear me out, oddly enough."

"Yeah," says Ken, rubbing his stomach, "I'm kinda tired too."