Rakki the yordle: a small floating retangle disk with cusions floated in the air, upon it the yordle laid waiting for his boss to arive, thinking and drawing small plans for new plans and the sort.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: Buram leads him and the weapons contractor to the bar, as that is where they were supposed to go to demo the weapons for the crew. The Sangheili goes through the doors and motions a hand inside. "Anything to drink, Lord Zayveon?"
Zev Zayveon: I'm good. I had a my usual back in the city. ::Nodding as he moved along. A flick of his long reptilian tail behind him. Noting the quiet, then again it was late and least no fights were currently underway like some evenings.::
Rakki the yordle: rakki looked down at buram and zev before smirking. "nice to see you boss." his voice came from the hovering metal box. "need anything?"
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Alright. How long until your men arrive," Buram asks as he goes to get himself a whiskey. That is when Buram noticed Rakki. "Ah, good evening. Lord Zayveon, that is Rakki, my Master Engineer." He points up to the floating metal box.
Zev Zayveon: ::A glance upwards, nodding slowly.:: Greeting, Rakki. Seems you are fill your crew up well. ::A nod to Buram. The Transport pad comes to life, a hover skid with two large containers upon it, a single droid standing near six foot moves to escort the hover skid from the transport pad.::
Rakki the yordle: the yordle droped from the rectange, before it shrank and vanished he folowed slightly behind buram he was eager to see the ship or any other goods, but curiousity was part of a yordles liking.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Aye, indeed. I hired on fifteen deckhands today, eight of them being small-time engineers. So, you have a crew, Rakki." Buram casually leans against the bar and sips his whiskey as he waits for the hover skid to arrive. "Certainly not optimal, but operational for the test fire at least."
Zev Zayveon: ::The droid moves to set up a small curving metallic screen. Once activated, a light blue hue' perked before it. Proceeding then to open both containers and stand aside. A clawed fingertip tapped at Zayveon's side. nodding to the droid then at Buram.:: You wanted energy based, and something that would of course be best for ship board actions.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Aye. What have you got?"
Rakki the yordle: his jetpack activated sending him up to the counter as he sat down watching them exchange, he was a quiet type observing a small yawn sounding from him. as he brushed his fur sideways
Zev Zayveon: ::Stepping over and picking up a submachine gun type looking energy rifle.:: Small and compact, the Syndicate's "Tommy Gun" plasma rifle holds five hundred shots per energy drum. Full Auto or single fire setting. Rugged and durable a small squad can hold off an attack until aid arrives.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "I saw the specs, and that one did catch my eye rather quickly. Can it be equipped with scope?"
Zev Zayveon: Each of the energy rifles I have here and that you received specs on can be equiped for no extra charge a varying scope. Thermal, Night Vision and the like.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Now, I notice that it uses a magazine rather than batteries like my standard issue Covenant plasma rifle. Would this prove to be an issue, or is the magazine a battery itself?"
Zev Zayveon: The drum cell can be recharged. ::Nodding slowly.:: A converter can be acquired to tap directly into your ship's main power or a recharging station that stands about two feet high and two feet wide can be set up.
Rakki the yordle: he looked it up and down slighlty as he held it up, "hm... do you have anything small for a yordle?" he smirked and looked to the captian.
Zev Zayveon: I could arrange for a smaller sidearm for you, yes. ::A nod over at Rakki.::
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "That would be fantastic. We do have charge stations at various points of the ship, which is why I insisted on energy weaponry rather than ballistic. Now, that weapon is nice. It would be a good workhorse, especially for boardings. But what do you advise for planetary excursions? The E-11 looked good, especially for longer range combat."
Rakki the yordle: he started to think before pulling out a peice of paper. "hm... cap."
Zev Zayveon: ::A settle of the 'tommy gun' to a table reaching into the container and pulling free two different energy rifles to settle on the table. :: I have here one of the many The Lysandros Syndicate doesn't make, but we purchase in bulk and sell to others like yourself. The CR-2 Heavy and the E-11 Blaster Rifle. Through our bulk purchases, we are able to get a discount and in turn sell them at reduced prices. Both are smaller, easy to control and high in power. Also, both hold a stun setting.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Yes, Rakki," he asks before automatically pointing at the E-11. "I like the look of that one much better. The stock is a biggy with me. Stocks increase accuracy, which is what I'm looking for in regards to planetary excursions."
Rakki the yordle: "if it would be two much to ask but i need materials to build my own combat machine just in case things go wrong on board... it will involve 4 tons of what ever metal you can offer, 4 fusion cells, and well, i need some big guns for it two... perhaps a cooling system.." he began to ramble on about things he will need
Zev Zayveon: All right. So You're interested in the 'Tommy Gun' style and the E-11 thus far for possible order?
Zev Zayveon: I can do that. ::A nod over at Rakki.:: Like a small mech walker?
Rakki the yordle: "of course, but i build my own for safety and reliability, no offence, it gives me something to do on my own time.."
Zev Zayveon: ::Nods:: I understand. I just need a listing of what you need for it and I can provide it.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "We'll talk about it, Mr. Rakki." And then back over at Zev. "Yes, definitely. I would like to order 30 of each. Tommy Gun for shipboard, E-11 for planetary. I would also like the E-11s retrofitted with scopes of varying types. What do you have to offer in regards to them?"
Zev Zayveon: The Lysandros Syndicate holds a new varying scope. Small and compact. About three inches in length. Zoom ability, thermal imaging, low light amplification complete with also range finder ability.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "That would be perfect! Yes, I want all the E-11s equipped with that."
Zev Zayveon: ::A nod.:: All right then. ::Settling the E-11 and the 'Tommy Gun' aside on a table and putting the CR back into the container on the hover skid.::
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Now, sidearms. I want all my crew to carry a sidearm, and the Heavy Blaster Pistol looks perfect. Can I see that, please?"
Zev Zayveon: ::Reaching clawed fingertips into the second container, pulling free a sidearm.:: I have the S-5 Heavy Blaster? This one?
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "No no no. The other one, that has the kill and stun setting."
Rakki the yordle: he looked at his material list and checked off several items upon the list.. thinking placing the pen on his nose slightly thinking. "Aha!!" he opened another peice of paper and began to write another set of designs, siting down sketching very quickly. this model of a mech holding his stasis field generator. but involving a stronger power source aswell as on the other aarm a plasma cutter aswell as other unique tools.
Zev Zayveon: Ah.. Much like the "Tommy Gun" Energy Rifle.. this one The Lysandros Syndicate makes as well, so an even bigger discount as we don't go to outside sources. ::Settling the Energy pistol in hand into the container and removing the the curved one with the smooth finish.::
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: Buram holds his hand out for the pistol so he can get a feel for it. "Battery powered, I assume, as well?" The Captain then looks down at his engineer and holds out an ID card. "Show this to the guards. Meet us at the Traveller, and get it ready for the test fire."
Zev Zayveon: ::Handing over the sidearm.:: The energy cell is quite small. The bottom of the weapon slips out to remove the small cell for charging or replace of a fresh cell if in a combat situation.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Your crew should be at the ready down there. Feel free to move your belongings into the engineering lodgings. You'll find your quarters easily enough, Mr. Rakki."
Rakki the yordle: "assuming i will be able to make sure everything is correct give me a few minutes to realise what type of drive you are running yada yada..." he nodded and took the id waddlign slowly off, moving toward the ship, a medium sized floating loading dolly movign with him.
Zev Zayveon: ::A glance after Rakki::
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: Buram tests its weight and aims it to an empty wall. "Semi-automatic?"
Zev Zayveon: Yes. But The weapon can be fitted with an alternator switch so you could use it to fire a high energy beam for cutting through doors or walls. Of course this feature when in use would drain the energy cell quicker.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "I don't think I need that particular one. Engineering has tools for such things as that, and I can use my plasma sword, too. Alright. I would like to order eighty of these, plus an extra magazine for each one."
Zev Zayveon: ::Nods.:: I'll leave that feature out then on the ones your purchase. So this sidearm, and the two rifles. How many energy pistols? Seventy Five?
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Eighty, in case we have passengers or need to pick somebody up. With extra magazines for each one."
Zev Zayveon: Eighty it is. ::Nodding. a shift of his tail behind him.:: Of course.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Now, payment. How much will all this cost my financier?"
Zev Zayveon: With discounts.. and of course your savings on two of the three being made at Syndicate facilities.. 24,400 credits. Of course all forms of payment are accepted. Gold, Diamonds, Silver as well.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "What about resources? Is there anything we can bring back from our venture to be used as collateral?"
Ellie Wheeler: One would think a place like this would be easy to fine. In her case they would wrong. The girl moved inside, a piece of paper clenched in a leather wrapped fist.
Zev Zayveon: Well, diamonds are always precious to The Lysandros Syndicate. ::Nodding.:: We have a process to convert them for energy and power.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Diamonds. Alright. Let's discuss this as we go for the test fire," he says, offering the pistol back.
Zev Zayveon: ::A glance over as the door slide open for a patron.::
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: The Sangheili notices the entrant as well, but didn't pay her much heed at the moment. He was talking weapons!
Zev Zayveon: ::Taking the pistol and moving to settle it into the container on the hover skid. a nod to the droid who had recorded the order Buram had spoken. moving to pack up the containers as the hover skid came to life.::
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Any specific quantities or qualities?"
Ellie Wheeler: "Swanky." She offered the both of them a giant smile and took a look around as she moved further inside. White hair stood a good foot above her skull, plastered with what had to have been a bucket load of product. This didn't look like any career fair that she had ever been to, but then again most of her dealings were settled beneath the table. Or ontop of it. Usually with some sort of firearm.
Zev Zayveon: No. The Syndicate works the stones to the best cut for use once acquired. ::Nodding slowly to Buram. A bow of his head over at the woman.::
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: Swanky? This definitely grabs Buram's attention, and he looks in her direction with his confusion.
Ellie Wheeler: "I hate to bother you gents but I have it on good authority that there's some work t'be done?" She waved the crumpled piece of paper over her head. "I mean, assumin' some of you is gents. I been wrong before."
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Depends. What or who are you looking for?"
Zev Zayveon: ::A perk of an eye ridge from his height downward over at Ellie, a shift of his tail behind him.::
Ellie Wheeler: "Boom longassname or somethin'. I'm lookin' for whatever I can get seein' as how pilotin' is kinda a flooded market around here." She looked from Buram to Zev and stood on her tiptoes to gain a few extra inches.
Zev Zayveon: I think you might have another for your crew? ::Aside to Buram.::
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Buram Fovemai of the Vadam lineage?"
Ellie Wheeler: She shot a glance to the paper in her hand and, eyes narrowed, looked back to the creature. "Yeah. That'd be the fellow I'm lookin' for."
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "That would be me." The tall Sangheili steps forward and offers tetradactyl hand. "Buram Fovemai, captain of the Nexus Traveller. How can I help you?"
Ellie Wheeler: She took his hand and gave it a shake with the ease of someone who had learned not to question such things. "Ellie Wheeler, former pilot of the Starstreak, classification Quilt. I just need some work, Captain." Dark eyes moved to Zev. "And what's your name?"
Zev Zayveon: Lord Z'ev Zayveon. ::A bow of his head downward at her from his height.::
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Ellie. It's obvious you are a pilot, but what experience have you at the helm of a cruiser?"
Ellie Wheeler: "Pleasure." She scratched the back of her head and looked back to the captain. "Well, I have five years under my belt. Ain't much to it really, just gotta know the ship. It wasn't no battle #$%^&* or nothin', just a scrapper so I ain't got experience workin' with nothing what got guns."
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Hm. Walk with us. We're about to test fire the sublight engines. You can see her and make your own judgements." Back to Z'ev. "Shall we?"
Zev Zayveon: ::A motion of clawed fingertips to the droid, it moved of the hover skid and the containers back toward the transporter by the bar's end. Nodding to Buram.:: Of course.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Alright. Follow me, both of you." And the Sangheili heads out towards the starport.
Zev Zayveon: ::A move into step, gesture for Ellie to proceed first.::
Ellie Wheeler: She followed after the two of them, all the while unwrapping and rewrapping the leather strips around her hands. A smile and a nod to Zev followed by another salute and out she went.
Zev Zayveon: ::Proceeding after them.::
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: For Zev, the trip would be well-remembered. For Ellie... the wall opening up on the deep, large Hangar 58 would reveal the half-mile science freighter, the Nexus Traveller, purple metal of the hull glistening majestically along the smooth, alien design. Buram holds up his ID to the pair of guards, working for Victor, and they part ways for the three. He starts across the long gangplank leading up to the "small" cruiser, firmly anchored on the floor, a quarter of a mile down, and the walls. Fabrication complete, the ship would be lighted and silent, as the workers no longer had to stay here.
Ellie Wheeler: She was glued where she stood. Slack jawed and wide eyed, she looked at the ship with all of the awe of a child on Christmas morning. "This is a tad bit bigger'n Starstreak. I'm just sayin'." When she realized they had gone without her, she hurried to catch up.
Zev Zayveon: ::Shifting tail behind his suprisingly quiet step for one of his size. A glance over the bay, remembering. Clawed fingertips at his sides as he proceeded along the familiar path.:: A bit I'm sure. ::A slight smirk perked his muzzle.::
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: Once inside the seemingly vast interior, complete with circuitry panels and automatic, lockable--Captain's chair only--hatches, Buram takes the path not towards the engine room, but the bridge. This was more than a test fire. This was also a test of the bridge communications with the rest of the ship.
Ellie Wheeler: She was absolutely, positively in love. But everyone knew that it was what was on the inside that mattered. There were so many dorky question floating around in her head. Ten thousands things and all that she could manage to squeak out was "Shiney."
Zev Zayveon: ::A glance over and downward from his height at Ellie, that light smile held to his muzzle.:: Unique and interesting indeed.
Rakki the yordle: Rakki was hard at work already, "no! those wires go there! this drive is set up all wrong! no, adjust the angel by .08 degrees! come on we dont have all day!" he was lfying around slightly. with his jet pack testing the radiation sheilding to ensure it was stable. the other enginners working in panic. "good! he flew around alittle more searching for other off peices inside the drive.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: The bridge was large, though not nearly as vast as the engine room was. A circular room, loaded with computer consoles that control various parts of the ship. The Captains chair sits on a raised platform at the back, allowing a 360 degree view of not just the bridge, but of the outside as well. The entire exterior was surrounded by carbon-reinforced, triple-shielded, glass, allowing the captain and the consoles in front of him--one for each of the officers with the exception of the Master Engineer, and two others for the pilot and navigator--to see all around.
Ellie Wheeler: "How does this thing handle in goo?" She had to appear professional which wasn't an easy task for her and the delighted squeal didn't help matters.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: The screens of the computer consoles were translucent, and accompanied by several cushioned but rather uncomfortable-looking chairs. "No such thing as goo with Nexus Traveller. That is what slipspace is for. Take a seat at the pilot's chair, Ellie. See how it looks and feels."
Zev Zayveon: ::A watch over the bridge, noting layouts.::
Ellie Wheeler: "Hun dan!" And what was the little thing zooming about? She offered it a smile too and hurried over to the chair as if someone had lit a fire under her rear. She hoped it was the pilot's chair, otherwise she was going to feel silly.
Ellie Wheeler: Of course she couldn't see the little thing, but if the job didn't drug test then all the better.
Rakki the yordle: "No! that doesent go there!" he runs over and grabs the power cable but to late as a surge of energy emits and throws him into the air. "WEEE!!!!" his yordle skin absorbing the electrical charge. upon smackign agaisnt the wall he rose and walked over unding the circuitry and realigning to the proper conducts. "you could have blown us up! ok from now on, i get to do circuitry, you all come to me for assignments!"
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: It would be very obvious if it was. The console would possess all sorts of switches and pedals and wheels to adjust angle, pitch, roll, and speed, among other things. It would also have a read-out of the basic status of the engines and slipspace drive, though fuller details would be available in the engine room rather than the bridge. The navigator's console is a lot more simple: a keyboard set-up for locking in entry and exit coordinates for slipspace. The HUD would possess a sector map. Buram takes a seat in the captain's chair--how fitting for him--then pushes a button on the arm. "Testing. Testing. Mr. Rakki, can you hear me?"
Rakki the yordle: he scrambled lightly and after a few seconds, it came over. "this is your little yordle, how can i help you?"
Zev Zayveon: ::Ellie seemed like some of the many freighter pilots he'd hired for The Syndicate in the past two years. A smile at his muzzle as he watched.::
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Any interference? Is communication seamless?"
Ellie Wheeler: It was like a test in self control. Buttons begged to be pushed, pedals pressed and switches pulled. Her hands were shaking with anticipation, dark eyes bleary with hope. And there was the little thing. If she wasn't seeing it now then maybe something had been slipped in the water at the Inn. "Bet this thing'll glide like a bird, huh?"
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: Buram let their guest speak and entertain his potential pilot while he conducted business across the shipboard channels.
Rakki the yordle: "hold on boss.. need to fix something." silence was brought as the yordle began to work on the system, realigning and wiring as he reached into a pack and pulled out a small device interlacing it in the wires. "boss can you hear me better?" tilting the small device slightly as it amplified the sound coming from it.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Yes, I can hear you."
Rakki the yordle: "alright i can hear you, all clear on this end." he reattached the pannel, of course on a steping stool because of his short height. "what ya need cap'n."
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "What is the status of the, uh, primary sublight engines?"
Rakki the yordle: "all those are clear, its ready for test fire, but, keep in tact if somethign goes wrong, then ill say soemthing over the com and shut it down. ready when you are boss!"
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: The button is released, and Buram looks down at his pilot. "Here is your test, Ellie. Start up the primary sublight engines for a thirty second burn in sixty seconds."
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: And then he pushes the general comm button. "This is the Captain speaking. All hands, prepare for test burn in sixty."
Rakki the yordle: "you there! with the hat, no the other one! get a reading on the radiation sheilding... there should be no leaks!" he brought up a pda like object and began openening a maintnence log. watching them and the stats
Ellie Wheeler: "It ain't got that dead 'possum smell't Starstreak had." She looked over to Zev, raised up out of the chair to allow just enough space to slip her hand beneath her rear, and settled back down. Precautions. "Hey, what he say? He ain't meanin' me, is he?"
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Yes, I'm talking to you. You have fifty seconds to figure out your controls and start the burn." He looks over at Z'ev. "My Lord, I would recommend you take a seat. You can secure yourself at navigation."
Zev Zayveon: ::A Bow of his head toward both of them. Moving to settle into a chair.::
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "You have forty seconds, pilot." And into the comm. "Forty seconds. I repeat, forty seconds."
Rakki the yordle: "Everyone behind the blast shield! don't need us suffering exposure to radiation and burns!" he moved sligihlty behind the shield, watching it.
Ellie Wheeler: "50 seconds!? You're killin' me!" Excitement turned into 'please don't let us die' dread. "40?! C'mon!" It couldn't be that hard, could it? Sure, she might kill all of them but it was like riding a bike. A big bike that could kill everyone. She slapped one hand over her eyes and muttered something before pushing buttons and pulling levers and ohgodtheywereallgoingtodie.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Thirty seconds." And off the comm. "Control yourself, pilot." She was definitely failing miserably. Thank God the slipspace drive was inactive.
Rakki the yordle: "uh cap'n, is she framilier with the control pannel?"
Ellie Wheeler: Okay. They had yet to die. That was a start. She took in a deep, calming breath and let her hand drop away from her face. New fangled technology. She peered at the panel and after a few more breaths, she tapped at it. "Maybe I'm just outdated."
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "She should be. This is actually quite standard as far as piloting panels go." The engines start charging with that, directing focused ions to the diamond suspended from the ceiling and building energy. "Burn commencing in twenty seconds. All hands, secure yourselves."
Ellie Wheeler: "Anybody dead?" She relaxed in the chair and grumbled out something against the back of one of her hands. "This'd be child's play if'n I was schwaysted."
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: A light turns on with an accompanying beep next to the throttle. "You are charged up, pilot. Commence the slow burn." And then, "Burn commencing in five, four, three, two, one," he says into the comm.
Ellie Wheeler: "Roger 'at, Capin'." Digits buzzed across the control panel with a lot more confidence than before. Remember before? Three minutes ago when she was about to soil her leather pants? She chortled and gnawed on her bottom lip. One of her leather wrapped hands gripped the lever and slowly pulled it down.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: The ship shakes against its anchors as the sublight engines, along the focus crystal, direct energy out of the back of the ship. In orbit and exit/reentry, this will propel the cruiser forward with enough force to escape the world's gravity. "Excellent. Hold this velocity for thirty seconds, pilot, and then slowly come to a stop. Then switch it off."
Rakki the yordle: the intercom comes over. "everything is looking good boss."
Zev Zayveon: ::Taking note how the ship handled and felt' through her course, trial. An amused twist of his muzzle as he watched the pilot who had been frazzled a bit, as his daughters would call it.::
Ellie Wheeler: She was tickled. Really she was. The little punk took a breath and slid her hand down the length of her face before realizing the commands. It was smooth. She'd give it that. Her hand fidgeted on the lever and she counted to thirty. Push, release, breathe breathe.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Burn shutdown. As you were," the Captain says on the comm, then over at Zev. "Your opinion, my Lord?"
Zev Zayveon: I think she'll be quite to your liking, once you have her out amongst the blackness of space to deeply run her through the courses.
Ellie Wheeler: That chair was pretty comfy when you were melting into it. Her hand slid away from the lever. All that could be seen over the control panel was a thumbs up to Zev.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "And how did the ship feel?"
Ellie Wheeler: "Like butter on a hot pan." She straightened up and flashed her very best toothy grin. "Sorry for the freak out. Ain't much used t'thing what don't got parts fallin' off of 'em."
Zev Zayveon: Here on her bridge, she felt well enough for a vessel that has yet to meet the reaches of spaces. Gravity of course holds different then when she'll be out among the stars. How Engineering felt with the engines would be another matter to inquire of.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Aye. I'm actually going to go down there to check up on things. Um, you can leave when you wish, my Lord. When will the weapons be delivered?"
Zev Zayveon: Tomorrow night.. or the following day. ::A slow nod of his head.::
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Excellent." Buram rises from the chair and offers a hand to Zev. "It was a pleasure doing business with you, my Lord. We'll get started on the diamond operations as soon as we start travelling regularly, to pay off the debt."
Ellie Wheeler: "Hey, if'n that'll be all, do you gents mind if I go drown my new failure in the company of another captain? He's a good friend of mine, goes by the name of Morgan."
Zev Zayveon: ::Rising and taking of the offered hand a firm grip before releasing.:: No worries. I trust of you. Until next we meet again then.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Actually, Ellie, I want you to stay. We need to talk." Buram shakes hands firmly and releases. "Safe travels to you, Lord Zayveon."
Zev Zayveon: ::A nod over at Ellie. Turning to slip from the bridge and back the way they came.::
Ellie Wheeler: She reached into her pocket for one of the few loose cigarettes she kept in there and offered a nod to Zev in return.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "First of all, no smoking onboard. Walk with me, pilot." Buram heads off, away from the bridge, and towards the aft section of the ship.
Ellie Wheeler: She slid the cigarette behind her ear and moved to her feet. When she approached the captain, she was already looking down at the ground. "Hey, you can break it to me. I'm a big girl, I can take it."
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "How much were you paid on your previous freighter?"
Ellie Wheeler: "Room, food and some pocket change."
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Alright. Obviously, you will share lodgings with your crewmates in the bunk area. You will be paid 2% of total profits from independent ventures. Is that agreeable?"
Ellie Wheeler: "That's agree...wait. You sayin' I'm hired!?" There Buram. Have some bouncy blond jumping up and down like a child hopped up on Halloween candy.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Yes, you are hired." He stops at a door about halfway between the bridge and the cargo hold. "This is the crew quarters. You will have about 74 other bunkmates, including your navigator. But we aren't stopping here. Come on."
Ellie Wheeler: "You're a brave man, Cap'n. Wait. 74? Lao tyen yeh." She looked at everything. Everything. She followed close behind him, one hand scratching at the tattoo that twisted around her exposed belly button.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: Buram then stops at an access chute, inside of which is a ladder. "Down there is the cargo hold. Beyond that is the airlock containing the Traveller's dropship. You will be expected to pilot it as well after setting the ship in orbit, which is why you will be getting paid a little bit more than your average crew member."
Ellie Wheeler: "I think I can manage. I get trainin' right? This is a new animal for me, not gonna lie." She poked at her stomach and looked down the length of the ladder. "I'm scared I ain't gonna be able t'do what ya want. This is a class operation you got goin' on, ain't it? Ain't a lick like scrappin'."
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "We'll give you proper training, no worries about that. What matters is that you can make snap decisions, which is invaluable as a pilot
Ellie Wheeler: "Oh hey now, I thrive on impulse. I uhh, I might work better if I'm drunk. That's how I got my last gig."
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Absolutely not!" Buram roars at her. "I will NOT tolerate such behavior on my ship, understand?" Ellie quickly discovered there that Buram can shout. Big time.
Ellie Wheeler: Oh she could have used that cigarette now. "Yeah. No..no drinking. Got it." She swallowed hard and took a few steps back. "You sure you want me? There's gotta be other pilots. I mean, I'm just a half baked kid."
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "You came looking for me. You have impressed, and I want you on my crew. If my expectations are too high for you to meet, then get off my ship."
Ellie Wheeler: "Hey look. I'm sorry, I just..I ain't had the best luck this passed year. If you think I got it, then I think I got it." She brushed a hand through the hair that was mohawked up and sighed. "I can tell ya I'll give it my all and I will, but it's all I can do."
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "Then show up tomorrow morning for your tutorial. And no alcohol or smoking on board. I would recommend you stay sober."
Ellie Wheeler: "Sober while I'm on the ship. Right. I'm stayin' at that Red Dragon place, so I'm pretty close by." There went her chances of getting plastered tonight. She stuffed her hands into her pants pockets and beamed up at him.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "You may stay on the ship, however. Pick whichever bunk you want. You will find your issued jumpsuit, to protect against potential radiation leaks, on your bunk. Adjustable, too."
Ellie Wheeler: "Shiny. Now, don't yell at me but what if me and another crewmate wanna, ya know..." She looked him up and down and took a few steps back. "Yeah, I should probably go to my bunk before I get myself in trouble. What with the talkin' and all."
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "What you do with a crewmate is none of my business, as long as it doesn't interfere with either of your duties. But you don't dare try to get involved with an officer."
Ellie Wheeler: "Right. You ain't gonna be one of them snuggly captains, are ya? I kinda prefer it if ya ain't." She was just asking. It was important get such things out of the way.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "I have high expectations from my crew, Ellie. I will not tolerate any action that proves disruptive, or endangers my ship or crew."
Ellie Wheeler: She nodded and looked down at her feet, shuffled from one to the other before looking back up. "Hey, Cap'n? This is gonna sound stupid but just to make sure we're on the same page with the 'what not t'do' stuff, do you think you could make me a list? I'm good with lists."
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "You will find rules posted in the bunk area." And yes, among them would be no drugs or alcohol whatsoever.
Ellie Wheeler: "Alright, I think I got it and don't you worry none. I'll treat this bird like she's my baby."
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "You better. I won't hesitate throwing you in the brig until we get back to home port."
Ellie Wheeler: "So I'm guessin' bringin' my dog along is outta the question?" She was either too happy or too zonked to keep her eyes open for much longer. Maybe a combination of both. She smiled up at him, not in the least bit freightened, but there was nothing snarky about. There was respect and gratitude and a plethora of other emotions.
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: "The dog... I'll consider a dog after the maiden voyage and you have proven yourself at the helm." He then points to the bunk area.
Ellie Wheeler: That had her chirping. Bound in those pieces of leather, her body didn't bounce nearly as much as her hair did. She nearly danced away in the direction he pointed. "Goodnight Cap'n! I'll be thinking of you..I mean, after I...well, I just went and made everything awkward. Uhh. Don't die?"
Buram 'Fovemai Vadam: The Sangheili just shakes his head, but a person like that was just what the crew needed to maintain morale. The Captain of the Nexus Traveller disembarks for bed.
