Jammers:Chapter 3, Turn 9 Summary

Comments, criticism, and flames always welcome and in fact are requested. I
crave feedback:)

Past turns and further information (such as who's who) can be found at the
Jammer's webpage:
http://lucas.dfl.doc.ca/emoo/jammers.htm

-------------- =storyline break
*************** =time break

IC:
Late in the evening the group returns to the STAR, and falls asleep.  The
night passes uneventfully, in the morning everyone gathers in the galley
for some of Holland's famous Furyondian Waffles.

Deigatt comes down from his typical moring workout with a note in his hand,
"This was left for you, Comrade Hitalapate, by a young boy." he says while
sitting down and digging into the waffles.

"Hey, thanks, big buddy," Pate grins.  He takes the note from the minotaurs
hands, turning it over in his own. He ascertains that the missive is indeed
for him by a marking on its folded face. He unfolds the paper, and studies
the message intently.  As he reads, he puts one foot on the edge of the
table, pushing back his chair so that it rests on two legs.  After a
moment, he rubs his chin and mutters softly to himself.  "Hmmmmmm."

After Pate peruses the note at leisure, he folds the paper up neatly and
sticks it into his everpresent, and rapidly filling, medicine pouch.  Then
he sets the legs of his chair back on the floor, picks up a fork and stabs
another waffle for his plate.

Deigatt looks to Holland and asks, "Has the company made plans for the day,
Comrade Holland? I'm eager to start hunting down pirates!"

"Pirate Hunting? How Wonderful." Vais says in his dry, metallic voice.  "I
so enjoy cutting and sewing on the freshly hacked."

"An were I a religious.. ah.. man, I would be thanking my gods that I can
heal myself," Kain grins.  "A chirurgeon who takes so much pleasure in his
job cannot be right in the head," he chuckles.

Vais says dryly, "Sarcasm has apparently not yet reached your world. Fear
not, for I shall instruct you in it at need."

"A scholar as well as a butcher.. er.. healer, eh," Kain retorts, matching
Vais' tone.  "Is there anything you can't do, Vais,"

"I cannot digest food." Vais answers, matter of factly.

Holland drops off a fresh load of waffles and replies with a smile,
"Deigatt, I share your enthusiasm.  Perhaps today you and some of the
others can check into possible job opportunities for the Company.  We are
looking for escort duty, or something of the like, to Ironpiece.  A job
that includes a lay-over at Shipwrecker would be fortuitous as well.  The
Harbormaster's office might be a good place to start."

Returning to the stove, Holland pours the remaining batter and then adds to
Seguld, "We don't have that much cargo space but if you are able to find us
a shipment to Ironpiece or perhaps purchase our own trading goods, up to
your discretion of course, that would be great."

Seguld answers, "Destination-Ironpiece? Um.... Cargo'sOpenFor3,
Let'sLeave1, An'Fill2WithLoadsaPaper.
WeTinkersSureLoveTaMakeWritingsOfEverything."

With practiced hands, Holland pulls the final waffles out and brings them
to the table.  Sitting down and loading his own plate, Holland asks,
"Ferric, to keep good faith with House Moune, could you please check to see
if there are any jobs available at this time?"

Washing down the last of a waffle Ferric replies, "Unless something new has
come up in the last two days House Moune will not need our services.  I
will check though when I go to inform the Lady that we intend to leave
soon."

Holland returns, "Thank you," and then says, "Deigatt, please pass the syrup."

Billy saunters into the room nose first. "Mmmm... Waaaaafles..." Seeing the
stack on the serving plate, Billy licks his lips. He grabs a plate and
fork  from the cupboard and serves himself a heap. "So. What's on the
schedule for today?"

Raken smiles, "Our two new recruits, Robert Twofeather and Galan Aendyr are
supposed to come aboard today. Some of us, at least should remain aboard to
greet them."

Holland frowns, "That's right, they were to come by today."  With a sigh,
"Hopefully they work out.  They were definately the best qualified of those
who were interested," Holland grins and with a wink continues, "Granted,
there were not that many who were interested."

"Talus," Kain says after eating a few more bites of his waffles, "any ideas
on how your share of the loot will go?  I think I'll go to the Library of
the Spheres for a start, pay dues and examine a few of their.. ah.. books
on the Faerunian pantheon.  But, I'll still have about seven hundred gold
to use after.. ah.. that. It's nice to have such..ah..problems, isn't it,"
Kain
smiles.

His mouth full of waffles, Talus shrugs, after he has cleared his mouth he
replies to his friend, "I need to get a decent bow before we head back out,
along with some arrows.  The way things cost on Bral that will likely set
me back a ways.  But after that I am not sure.  Back home the money would
have gone in a short period from bribes, protection money, keeping a priest
I know happy in case I needed his services."  The half-elf shrugs,
"Actually having a sum of money and the possibility of saving is a novel
experience." Talus grins at Kain, "Though I may turn some of it into a few
gems.  As a thief I know how easy caches of gold are to steal."

"Hmm... yeah, that might be a good idea Talus," Kain agrees nodding.  "With
no.. ah.. immediate plans for my coin it might be good to keep it
managable."

"A Tradebar'sABetter'Nvestment. SomePlanetsGot MoreGemsThanPeople.
TradeBar's GottaSetValue." comments Seguld. Then he turns to Kain,
"If'nWe'reGonna LeaveSoon, ThenI'llGitUsSomeCargo, I'llNeedAbout... um... A
Hundred, I'llPurchase Wit'MyOwn, an'YouCanPayMe Back."

"Hey'Roo!" Seguld calls out. "YouKnowShips, Right?
EverHearOfaWolfheadCraft? Witha Crewof Humanoid Wolves?  Seems,
OneHitthe'NEVITABLE OnTheirLast Transport."

"I have not seen sketches of such in the libraries of the Guild.  Hoom, nor
have I worked on one myself," the grom answers, picking sausage out of his
canines.

Pushing his plate away from him, cleaned almost to the lining, Raken sits
back.  "Excellent breakfast, Holland.  Didn't know you visited Greyspace.
'course, I never actually got to eat waffles.  Usually got ran off from
places that served them."  After taking a moment to relax, he stands and
offers to help clean the table.  "I'll be staying on the Star.  I don't
have much business in Bral today," he tells Holand as he clears the table.

******************

After breakfast, Pate hangs around the ship waiting for something that was
bound to happen... sooner before later.   Holland and Leera seperate from
the group as a whole to engage in the private conversation the crew of the
Silent Star has come to expect.

This time, however, they do not get a chance to start what they intended.
Pate saunters quietly amongst them.   "Holland, Leera," he says nodding his
head, ignoring the expected looks of surprise and disbelief.  He pulls the
letter out of his medicine pouch and hands it to them.  He waits as the two
read the note.  The note is from Pate's elven contact and friend.  It
invites Pate and the "leaders of (his) company" to meet with this friend
(Valiss) in the Elven Forest.  It urges Pate to be discrete.

"Normally, I would ask Deigatt and, maybe Seguld, tho I think he's mad at
me.  But, on Bral, discretion usually doesn't mean 20 foot tall minotaurs
and tinker gnomes.  Humans, especially ones with our gifts, are the most
discrete.  Whether you like it or not, 'Captain Holland', you are the de
facto leader of this group.  Would the two of you accompany me to the
forest?  It may mean a job.. (it may mean an orgy of elvish wine and
song)... or not. But it means something...."

Holland sighs and asks rhetorically, "It is beginning to look like that,
isn't it?"  Holland continues before any can answer, "I will come."

Leera looks the note over again before responding. Glancing at Holland, she
nods, "Fine by me. When would you like to go?"

"I would like to go as soon as possible," Italapate rubs his chin, as he
looks thoughtful.  "I don't know if I am going over the top, here, but
perhaps we should be careful, as the note suggests.  I think we should
leave the ship seperately... well, you two can go together <wink>....
disguise ourselves once off the 'Star.  We will rendezvous outside Drunken
Octopus just off the Angle (#111).  We can proceed indirectly to the Forest
from there.  Let's meet, say,  20 minutes after I leave the ship."

He shrugs his shoulders.  "If there are no other questions, I best be
getting ready."

Holland nods, "See you soon."

'Pate turns, then stops and turns once more.  "I don't have magic
available, so I will be disguisin' myself mundanely, you will probably
recognize me.  Still, Leera, if you could use a disguise I'm familiar with,
that might facilitate our recognizin' each other.  You know, like the woman
you were at Shipwrecker's temple... uhmm, but not the flamin' skeleton."

Leera feigns crossness for a moment. "Are you implying that the skeleton
wasn't discreet enough?!" After but a moment's pause, she laughs. "Perhaps
you're right. The flames might have been a bit much. This time I'll just be
a normal skeleton." It's hard to tell if she's serious.

With that, 'Pate descends below decks to gather his things, then he exits
the ship.

Holland leans against the rail, looking out at the other ships in dock.
After a suitable period of time, Holland approaches Leera and offers his
arm with a smile, "Might you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you?"

She replies, "A moment..." Leera ducks into below decks for a matter of
seconds, and emerges (as 'Pate suggested) disguised the same deckhand she
used in Wrighters. Her stringy hair is matted, as though soiled with weeks
of accumulated dirt. Her clothing is likewise rough. All in all, she exudes
an air of gruffness and dirtiness. She seems to possess a wiry strength,
and the dagger at her hip is crusted with what looks like dried blood.
"Perhaps I should escort you, sir mage..."

The two leave the ship and leisurely stroll to the Drunken Octopus.

*******************

Perhaps an hour later, the two new recruits arrive.  Galan is a serious
looking fellow of perhaps two dozen years.  He wears his ash blond hair
short, a closely trimmed beard and dark, comfortable clothing.  In the
interview, he described himself as a warrior from Toril.

Robert Twofeather is an extremely short 1/2 elf, of unknown stock. He has
dark skin and features, and from  just below his left ear, down to his
shoulder, is an odd, grey patch of skin.  He  has long, reddish black hair
that appears to be always coming loose from where he ties it back in a pony
tail. A small red songbird sits on his shoulder.

"Youwho, the ship!" calls Robert, sticking his right arm up high and
waving it around vigorously to attract attention, which startles the
songbird off his shoulder with a bunch of angry chirps.

"Permission to come aboard, please" He continues while now waving his  arm
in a vain attempt to stop the songbird swooping. "Rhubarb, stop  that.
Your making a bad impression."

Kain waves the two newcomers aboard.  When they're on the ship, he offers a
small smile and says, "Welcome aboard.. ah.. I'm Kain.  Don't believe I..
ah..
was here when we interviewed, 'less I was working on the STAR at the time."

The two are soon installed aboard, having placed their gear in their new
bunk rooms.

------------------

The plan works without noticable flaw, just as Italapate described it.  The
young Tricksteris barely recognizeable by Leera and Holland when they see
him outside the Octopus.

Pate notices Holland and Leera approaching and quietly slides into step
beside them.  He wears a wide brimmed straw hat, his long hair pulled up
tightly beneath it.  He has broad soled sandals and a simple, homespun
kimono tied with a broad, black obi.  His face is lighter than normal, with
a touch more gold to it.  This close, you can see the texture of the
make-up on his face and feet.. his hands are grasping each other, tucked
inside the sleeves of his kimono.  He bows slightly from the waist and he
says what he believes is a general Shou greeting.  Then, "I see you made it
all right.  Let's us be off to the Forest, eh?"

Entering the Elven forest turns out to be easier then Holland or Leera
expected, the three walked inside and were met soon thereafter by a pair of
tall, stern elven warriors in the shimmering chainmail armor associated
with the Imperial elven Navy.  Italapate showed them the note and the elves
led the trio to a small hill near the center of the forest.  A door was set
into the hill, much like halfling hovel, but sized for elves.

Holland arches an eyebrow at the armoured guards, his eyes narrow as he
sees the door leading into the hill.

Before entering, Gruff Deckhand Leera pauses. She turns to one of the elven
warriors and asks, "Hold a moment while I change...." She glances down at
herself and shrugs her shoulders. Her dirty clothes seem to drop to the
ground and dissipate into dust. Leera is left standing in her customary red
robe, looking as comely as ever.

After a knock at the door by one of the guards, the door is opened by a
slight, brown haired elf of indeterminate years in simple white trousers
and tunic.  "Welcome, Italapate." Valiss says, smiling.  "Please come in."

Pate grins, giving his friend a warm hug in greeting.  He repeats the Shou
greeting, then whispers  "Do you think that means what I think it means?"

Valiss smiles, "Only if you wanted to ask me to wash your iguana."

Italapate looks taken aback for a split second, then he laughs.  "What a
coincidence...." he says, letting the words trail off playfully.

Holland glances around the room as he enters, emitting a low, "Hmmm," sound.

Inside, a beautiful elven lady in white and gold robes stands next to a
table strewn with star charts.  She has very pale blond hair, and a sense
of ethereal beauty emanates from her.  "May I present Ilswyn of the Isles?"
Valiss says.

Holland nods his head in recognition and then says, "And you are?"

"This is Valiss," Pate says.  "A close friend of mine, and my family.  I
believe our great shaman, Mato-Tope first introduced us (I was way too
little to remember).  He has my complete, unimpeachable trust."

Holland nods again and then says, "I am Holland Wellhouse.  Might I present
my companions, Italapate of Bral and Leera Lightbender?" Holland indicates
each of his companions with an up-lifted hand as he says their names.
Leera nods as Holland mentions her.

Italapate takes Illswyn's delicate hand in his own and kisses it in fair
approximation of the courtly gesture.  "Milady, a pleasure, to be sure."

Holland attempts a pleasant smile and says, "Now..  What does the IEN want
with the Company of the Silent Star?"

"We want you to carry a cargo of weapons and smokepowder to the elven
warriors on Spiral." Illswyn says in her lilting voice.  "If you accept the
mission, we will pay you 5,000 gold now, and 10,000 gold upon the
completion of your mission."

Holland smiles, "I see," and then asks, "How much tonnage and when would it
need to be delivered by?"

"Do not fear, it will fit in an eelship's hold." Ilswyn answers,  "You will
need to depart tommorrow.  before you get any more information, you will
need to commit to the mission."

Holland replies, "Our hold currently is not entirely empty, that is why I
asked."

"Empty it." Shes says,  "We would require the full hold."

Valiss speaks up,  "It is a very dangerus mission, of course."  His voice
is edged with worry.

Holland notes Valiss' tone and nods his head in understanding. He then
turns back to IIswyn and says, "Due to the..nature..of the consignment, I
will have to check with the rest of the Company.  If that is acceptable, I
will have an answer for you within two hours time."

Italapate practices spinning his hat on palm of his hand.  "Yeah... cause
chasing pirates is so much safer," he grins.

Ilswyn responds,  "Two hours then.  You must be aware, should news of this
leak out your lives are forfeit."

Valiss says again in an anxious voice, "As I explained earlier, Ilswyn, I
will vouch for Italapate's integrity, and I am sure his companions are
equally discrete."

Holland returns, "I understand, this is information that you wouldn't want
bantered about," Holland then asks, "Where shall I bring our answer?  Back
here?"

"No,  instead, Valiss and myself will visit your ship in two hours time.
Please have an answer for us by then." Ilswyn answers.

Holland stops short and asks IIswyn, "If it isn't too intruding, what is
Valiss' role in this?  What happens to him if the mission is not successful
due to his recommending us?"

Valiss smiles, "Have no fear in that regard, we are a civilized people. I
will be dishonored, as would you if your own reccomendations turned out
poorly."

Italapate raises an eyebrow worriedly, as he looks at Valiss.  He grabs his
hat and places it back on his head.  "We better go consult the rest,
then... and the mission, should we take it, will just have to be
successful.... As far as discretion goes, Madame, you have no fear.  Even
if the group doesn't take the mission, no one outside the ship will hear of
it.  After all, we can't get new clients if we have an untrustworthy
reputation.... death threat notwithstanding and all." He grins broadly at
the last.

He touches Valiss' elbow as he turns to leave.  "I will do everything I can
to sell this mission, Valiss, and justify your faith in me," he says
quietly for his ears only.

Valiss nods, "I reccomended you with trepidation, it will be quite
dangerous.  Do not feel obligated to accept it."

After leaving the concealed chamber and walking through the forest, Holland
asks Leera and Italapate, "What are your opinions?  Yea or Nay?"

Leera looks thoughtful. Sighing, she replies, "I'm not certain we're ready
for a job like this, but neither am I sure we are ready for active pirate
hunting. I suppose that if we're careful, this may turn out to be a
profitable job...."

Italapate turns to the others.  Remember to change back, _before_ you get
back to the Star," he says. "We don't want anyone tracing the three of us
to the Forest from our ship."

Splitting up at the Angle, Pate again wanders into Shou town.  He removes
the kimono, rubbing the make-up from his face with it.  Then he folds it
neatly, places sandals and hat on top, and releases his hair. Standing in
his native attire, he looks like Pate again.  He walks into the market
place in the center of Shou Town, and purchases a sack, placing his bundle
inside. He pays note to the greeting the merchant says, repeating it
carefully, and bowing at the waist.

--------------------

Ferric heads to House Moune, and is gone for an hour or so taking care fo
the buisiness Holland requested he attend to at breakfast.

-------------------

Nilaroo leaves the ship, saying he has some purchases to make.  The short
simian often disappears into the crowd of beings thronging down the
thoroughfares.  He finally ducks into the armorer, walking to the counter.
"Hoom, good day, Smith Baleric.  Is my armor ready?"

The large giff behind the counter smiles pleasantly and booms "Hah,
finished it yesterday.  Try this on and see how it fits,"

Half an hour later, Nilaroo exits the store, clad in chainmail and lighter
in funds.  He is easier to spot now in the crowd, as a path often clears
for the warlike grom.  He walks unhurriedly to the shipwrights guild and
climbs the creaking stairs to the bursar's office.  "Bursar Thedrix,
greetings."

"Why Nilaroo, bless me an you're still alive! I gave ye up for a dead grom
when ye boarded for Shipwrecker! Have ye then given up your pirate chasing
ways an come te settle back with us? But then I see your sword and mail,
not tools for planing and joining, in your hands." The gapped toothed
human's smile drops some as he realizes that their journeyman isn't coming
home yet.

"Hoom, you read correctly, Thedrix.  I am here to update my dues to the
guild, and then to see if any of my friends still remember me and have time
for a drink tonight."

Nilaroo drops off a sum of gold and then wanders through the ship yard,
making contact with some of his old companions. A roundezvous is set for
the _Tarred Barrel_,  a small tavern close by the Guild, for later that
night.  Nilaroo then returns to the ship to stow his gear.

------------------

Less than an hour after Italapate, Holland and Leera left the STAR, they
return to the ship.

Holland says, upon boarding the STAR, "Everyone in the Bridge please.  We
have an issue to discuss."

Holland then heads down to the bridge and once everyone on the STAR is
present states, "We have been offered a job by the IEN.  They want to hire
the STAR to carry a load of weapons and powder to elvish terror..er.."

Raken gives Holland a dark look at mention of elvish "terrorists."

Holland coughs slightly, his hand covering his mouth before continuing,
"freedom fighters on the planet Spiral.  We will receive 5,000gps up front
and another 10,000gps upon return to Bral after the successful delivery."
Holland adds, "We would set sail tomorrow, though we would have to store
our hold of wood here on Bral since the job would require the entirety of
the cargo hold."

Holland explains, "We can take this job and with the funds we receive use
them to finance our pirate-hunting near Ironpiece.  Also, this job will
test our new crew members, as well as the rest of us, on our teamwork and
discipline.  A good thing to get down pat before actively looking for
pirates." Holland concludes, "I think that we should accept the
commission."

"And a good test for ourselves," Raken quickly adds.  "I've heard stories
about these 'scro' ever since coming to this sphere.  Dangerous, militant,
and extremely confindent in their abilities.  I heard that Spiral fell in a
single week, and the orc..excuse me, scro, have feasted on elf flesh ever
since.  Many may not like the 'Fleet at times, but their a damned sight
better, in my view, than a fleet of militarized orcs rampaging the Spheres.
I say we take this job; the reward will go a long way in preparing our
ship for tackling pirate raiders out there." He pauses a moment, then adds
"Given what we've all heard about the
pirates near Ironpiece, they're a tough bunch.  We need to be as ready as
possible when we go out and give them our 'greetings'."

As Holland finishes, Leera looks around at the assembled company before
speaking up. "I don't mind telling you I've got reservations about taking
this job. It may be more than we can handle."  After a short pause she
continues, "Still, we may be safer on this job than if we were to actively
hunt pirates. With a little luck, we won't have any problems."  She smiles,
"I have one suggestion, however. If we stumble across any Scro bases, let's
not circle around above them for hours on end."

Ferric says from the corner, "House Moune has nothing for us, and opposes
the Scro, though not actively.  This would please Lady Moune, and make a
large dent in the ship payments."

Date/time: Noon 30th day of the 5th Month, 5049 OC

"We look on the same stars,  the sky is common,  the same world surrounds
us.  What difference does it make by what pains each seeks the truth?  We
can not attain to so great a secret by one road..."
Symmachus,  "Memorial on the Occasion of the Removal of the Altar of
Victory from the Senate House" (392 AD)

Paul Westermeyer,  westermeyer.3@???.edu
Phd Candidate, History, Ohio State
Adjunct Faculty, Humanities Department, Columbus State Community College