Jammers:Chapter 4, Turn 21 Summary pt 2

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crave feedback:)

Past turns and further information (such as who's who) can be found at the
Jammer's webpage:
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Jungle/3001/jammers.htm

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----------- = Meanwhile, elsewhere...
*********** = Later...

IC:
------------------------

"Many apologies for disturbing your thoughts," a light voice sounds from
before the trio of interviewers. A short little fellow dressed in very
light brown cloth stands before the tables. Though in stature he is similar
to a common halfling, he has a long beard, falling loosely to his stomach.
A quiver of javelins is strapped to his back. "If the masters would allow,
I would be interested in seeking the employ of your ship." His tone is
oddly submissive as he continues. "This one is called Freneth."

"Uh... let me begin by making introductions on our part. The two gentlemen
with me are Grigree and Robert of Akadi," the youngish looking human says
with a gesture to each of his companions as the interview begins. "And..
ah.. my name is Kain," he adds.

"I've a question or two for you Freneth, and my friends might have a number
for you also," Kain explains. "Have you any experience as a crewmember of a
ship?" the young man asks as he folds the paper in his hand without looking
at it.

Freneth frowns a bit when asked, and takes a breath. "Yes Master Kain, one
has been aboard a ship, and learned a little bit. It wasn't a pleasant
experience sir.  This one, "he says, gesturing to himself," is hoping that
the master's ship is less stressful."

Grigree interrupts in an even voice, "You don't, hrr have to call us
'masters'.  We are equals here."

Freneth looks up from his feet for a moment and looks at the hadozee. A
grin splits the hair of his beard for a brief moment, as he continues. "As
you wish master.. um, Grigree? I have spent just a little while with your
kind, so my apologies if I have offended you. It has been my experience
that on board a ship, there are masters, and there are slaves." His face
grows bleak for a moment as he continues. "If one is to be called equal,
then one is much better off than if one was a slave."

Grigree nods, adding, "Much better."

He pauses for a moment, then looks back to the others. "This one has not
spent much time in this place, but has strong desire to learn. One would be
most grateful for the chance to join you and the other masters, err crew
members, during your journeys."

"That'd be quite.. ah.. good," Kain nods. "We can't offer a steady wage,
only the promise of an equal share in any treasure after ship maintenance
and.. ah.. food have been taken care of."

"My second question. Freneth, apart from those shipbound skills, what might
you bring to the Company?" Kain says as he leans forward a bit in his
chair.

"Does the ma... do you wish to know what one has trained in?" asks the nervous
seeming halfling. "One has the honor of being a tracker of the Adorbe Clan.
One is skilled in the use of Atatl. One has also developed a talant at, "
he seems lost for a moment as he thinks, "well, at making these." He draws
a hide scroll case from one of his belt pouches and looks toward Kain for
permission. When Kain nods permission, he opens the case and pulls out a
rolled map. Looking at the map, it is obviously a fairly good copy of a map
of the Rock, though there are no words on it. "I don't know what the word
is for this," Freneth continues, his face a bit flush.

"They're 'maps'," Grigree says.  "Rrr, and that's a good one by the, llrr,
looks of it."

"Yes, it is very  good," Kain says excitedly as he leans forward in his chair.

"Maps, " Freneth replies with nod, as he rolls the word around in his
mouth.  "Maps. Many thanks master. Maps." Freneth nods to himself as he
repeats the word. "These, papers?, are a wonder. One has never before had
one's, maps?, stay
for more than a few hours. And it is able to be carried!" Freneth seems to
loosen a bit as he talks. After a moment, he seems to remember where he is,
and he stutters to a stop.

"I've an..uh..interested in maps myself Freneth," Kain smiles. "With any
luck we'll be able to show each other our work."

"This one would be most interested to see the masters maps, if Kain would
like." Blushing furiously, Freneth asks, "Are there more questions the
masters would ask of this one? Else this one would wait for the masters,"
As Freneth voices the word masters yet again, he catches himself, and he
blushes even more deeply.  "For Kain, Grigree and Robert of Akadi's
decisions."

Leaning back in his chair, Kain seems to realize his paper is folded and
smoothes it against his leg.  "My third question is this Freneth, have you
any difficulties in working with or encountering non-human peoples?"

"Non-human peoples? Everything here is new to me. Even those you would call
humans and elves are strange to me. I must learn to be open-minded if I am
to survive in your world. I have only one such prejudice. I will not
willing work with my last master's kin."

"And.. ah.. if you can speak of hit, who might these beings be? We have no
love for slavers and their.. ah.. type," Kain says reasuuringly.

"Grr, Neogi," Grigree says to Kain in a low voice before the halfling has a
chance to answer.  "I've seen their jetatin' handiwork, rrr, before."

A pained look crosses the halfling's face as he replies. "This one's last
masters were called ... Neogi?  Their giants helped to capture this one's
clan.  Now this one is the last Adorbe." Tears openly flow down his cheek,
and disapear into his beard.

"And finally, if you were a scavver, what kind of scavver would you be?"
Kain looks shocked as he speaks, but laughs slightly and blushes furiously.
"Don't know how that.. ah.. one slipped out, but shoot, if you can answer
go ahead."

Looking slightly confused, Freneth responses, "If the master would be so
kind as to tell me what a scavver is, one would be pleased to answer."

"Well.. they're like a shark," Kain begins to explain. "A saltwater
predatory fish with leathery skin, and sharp teeth, some can get quite big,
seen a few monsters pulled up when I was on the sea back home," he says as
he gestures broadly before stopping short. "But.. ah..well, scavvers are
space sharks. I've heard tell of different kinds in taverns and such, but I
really don't know
where that question came from," Kain says looking thoroughly embarrased.

Freneth still looks a bit confused. "What is a fish? And  a shark?"

"I can't think of anything else Freneth," Kain smiles. "We've a few more to
speak with, but on the docks to post the results of the interviews, and..
ah.. hopefully meet with those we'd like to ship with."

---------------------------
<Afternoon>

Because the company is offering a share of the spoils, and no regular wage,
many prospective new members decline. After hours of interviews, however,
Grigree, Robert, and Kain decide upon four new members and inform them of
there offer.

As Ives hears the board tell him he's hired, a big grin splits his face,
and they all can see the flashing ivory of big giff teeth. "Thank you sirs,
I look forward to working with you all on the Nightwind, I shall be back
shortly with my gear to store on board."  Nodding to the board, Ives steps
back puts his cocked hat on his head, and smartly turns around and marches
back to Giff town.

Jax's face lights up in a [disgustingly] toothy grin. He nods several times
as he expresses his thanks. "Thank you, thank you, thank you.  You have no
idea what this means to me."  There's a gleam in his eye that wasn't there
before.  "If you can tell me when you ship out I'll be certain to be
present.  I want to wrap things up in town--not that there's much to wrap
up, of course." he hastily adds.

"We aren't.. ah.. sure when we'll be leaving," Kain shrugs. "But you are..
ah.. welcome to the ship whenever you're.. ah.. ready Jax," he continues.
"We'll.. ah.. most likely be in port for at least another couple of days,"
Kain finishes.

Allagan says, "I will return in the morning."

After Freneth accepts, the three interviewers return to the ship.

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

Upon his return Seguld finds out about the new problems of adding a giff to
the crew and the ramifications on the sleeping arrangements. Seguld then
just mumbles something about how he will work on it and get back to them
later. As he returns to his quarters he tosses Kain a decent sized sack of
coins that were gained from the sale of the items. That night he opts not
to sleep as he pours over some new designs. He is forced to work in the
galley to allow Holland to sleep.

--------------------
<Evening>

At dinner, when everyone is togther, an unusually somber Italapate stands
and makes an announcement. Italapate explains that he has been very
confused lately, and has a profound desire to learn and grow. He gathers
his meager belongings, leaving behind the axe that was his sole claim to
spoils since joining the group, and trudges sadly away from the ship to
Kayanerenh Manito. There, he will study with the shamans of the Great
Spirits... men who are much wiser in the ways of the spirit world than he.
He promises to look you up again, whenever you get back into port.

"'Pate!" Robert calls out after him, "We'll all be waiting for your return.
May Akadi watch over you always!"

"You will be sorely missed, Coyote," Raken pipes in as Italapate leaves.
"Find your answers and return soon."

After his watch ends, Dhebun stays up looking at the night sky and smoking
his pipe as he seemingly contemplates the heavens.  He lifts his short
sword to the sky and says, "Azabaldinza Nulukkibhul...na Fadir i na
Broddir. Ib oadrin zhabrik zur datholul aindag!" He turns silently and
heads to bed.

Date/time: 2nd day of the 7th Month, 5049 OC

----------------------
<Morning>
Allagan shows up shortly after dawn and boards the ship. Carrying a large
sack that lets off a russling metallic sound and his spear. Allagan climbs
down the
rungs and drops the sack and spear off on a cot in the crew's quarters.

Seguld exits the galley with a stack of papers and scrolls held before him.
As he reaches back to close the door, the papers drop to the floor.

Allagan looks down at the short gnome and says, "You dropped your papers.
Where can I find the Captain?"

Seguld looks the man over, "Captain? Captain? Well, IGuessYouMeanHolland."
He pauses as a sudden glint of recollection shows in his eye. "That would
likely be Holland. He has been appointing in a way to that position, of
course the appointment was made by the entire ship's crew, so a truly valid
comment would be to say that he was elected. However since Captain is such
an ambiguous term, I would prefer to call him,
'He-Who-Serves-As-Chief-Executive-Officer-For-The-Crew-Of-The-NIGHTWIND-Prev
ious-Crew-Of-The-SILENT-STAR-Which-Was-In-The-Service-Of-The-House-Moune-But
-Is-Now-Free-Operating'." Seguld pauses and then says, "Oh... what was your
question again? Nevermind, I'm busy right now. If you have a question for
Holland then I suggest you see him, he might be in his quarters or else he
may be taking care of some personal business."

Allagan nods his head throughout as Seguld is talking and replies, "Which
cabin is Holland's?"

Seguld looks at the man quizzically. "Holland's cabin is my cabin, which
would mean that it is also mine, but then we share it with Vais as well,
though since as far as I know he does not need sleep or personal space, it
is far more likely that one would say it is our cabin referring to Holland
and myself, without including Vais.  However, since his recharging is
actually executed in our room with aid from Holland, then I guess one would
agree with my original statement that the room is for the three of us." he
finishes with a look of self-doubt. "Perhaps I will need to study that
arrangement further, but either way you had asked where it was, well that
would be the last chamber on the starboard side just prior to the helmroom.
Which would be..." Seguld turns to point at the door and then turns back.
"There!"

As Seguld gathers up his papers he comments, "And I am Seguld by the way,
at least that is the name I use with non-Gnomes. I doubt you are interested
in my full name at least most people are not. But what would you like me to
call you, at least I do believe you are one of the new recruits?"

Allagan starts and then jerks to a stop, "Please excuse my manners. I'm
Allagan, I am one of the new hires." Allagan extends his hand, which is
larger than the gnome's head.

Seguld shakes the outstretched hand from beneath his papers. The grip is
unquestionably firm, and solid.

Allagan says, "Thank you for the information." Allagan knocks lightly on
the door Seguld pointed out.

After introducing himself briefly to Holland, Allagan explores the ship and
gets to know his new shipmates.

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

Freneth reports for duty wearing what he had worn the day before, though he
carries a large sack slung over one shoulder, as well as a heavy bladed
handaxe at his waist. He stands at the bottom of the boarding ramp for a
long moment, then moves hesitantly up, and moves over to Grigree, and sets
his bag down. "My apologies for my tartiness Master Grigree. Perhaps, if
you would be so kind, you might tell one where one is to be?" His bowed
head glances about the deck of the ship, taking in the other members of the
crew.

"Sure, Freneth," Grigree replies.  "You'll, llrr, be in the aft crew cabin
with me and some others."  The hadozee leads the short halfing belowdecks
to the crew quarters, introducing him to any others they run into along the
way.

Freneth seems rather nervous, and small when being introduced to most of
the others, but he greets each formally.

After showing him Freneth around and explaining the crew positions, Grigree
adds with a small smile, "And remember, keep your head up.  We have many
tall, lrr, people on board, and they don't always look down."

"Yes, the heavens are filled with giants, " Freneth says, a grin on his
face.  He stows his bag on a bunk, and follows Grigree back up to the deck.
Moving off toward some of the others, Freneth comes close, but does not
enter the group.  He stands, watching intently as they go about their
chores.

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

A few hours later, Ives reappears marching back up the dock in a less
elaborate uniform of blue, still wearing his sword, Ives can be seen
carrying a fairly large sea chest with ease ontop of one of his shoulders,
what appears to be the staps to a backpack can be seen, but crooked in his
right arm is a planter with a variety of flowers growing from it. Marching
straight to the ship Ives plants himself right at edge of the boarding
plank and calls out "Midshipman Ives reporting for duty, permision to come
aboad?"

"Permission granted." says Ferric coming to the ship's railing. Seeing the
Giff's load he vaults over the edge and lands nimbly on the pier. Bowing
the grey man says. "Ferric Gundson, Agent of House Moune and Sailmaster of
the NIGHTWIND at your service. May I lend a hand with your splendid array
of flora?"

Bowing in return to Ferric Ives replies "Ives Opomba, Midshipman 2nd Class
of the Giff Navy, recently hired onto the Nightwind ready for duty. Thank
you Sailmaster Gundson, if you wouldn't mind taking my planter for me."
Passing Ferric the planter careful Ives continues talking "Your compliments
on the flowers are most appreciacted, I've collected each flower and its
bulb from a different world I've visited. It's a little hobby of mine, that
and lead soliders, got to have something other than work to keep one sane,
what." With Permission to board Ives walks easily up the groaning gang
plank and once on deck says "Sailmaster Gundson I was wondering what
quarters are avilable for me?"

Ferric explains bunking arrangements to the young Giff.

Deigatt spies Ives Opomba on deck and introduces himself. "Welcome
haboard," he continues. "I have served with a giff before, hand she was han
himpressive captain, despite Hitalapate's hefforts to distract her." The
minotaur looks around quickly for his friend but doesn't see him on deck.

"Hanyway," he adds to Ives, "I suggest you keep han eye hout. We seem to have
taken hon more small folk, hand that means we tall ones have to watch hour
steps."

"Thanks for the warning about the small folk, I'll be looking out for them,
what. You mentioned working with a Giff captain, what was her name, and how
did Hitalapate try to distract her?"

"She was--hand still his, I'm sure--Captain Wilhemina, hin the hemploy hof
House Moune. But I think I should let Hitalapate share his stories hof his
hescapades." The minotaur smiles.

"Post Captain Wihemina, I say you served under Post Captain Wilhemina. Well
I must say Deigatt that you were all honoured to have served under the Post
Captain, what. To serve under her, well she has a formidable reputation.
Well I'll be most interested in hearing about how you served under her and
Hitalapates story."

The two continue talking  for a while, then break apart to continue their
duties.

-----------------
<Afternoon>

In the afternoon, Deigatt returns to take up watch. Seeing Ives again, he
says, "Ho, Kain tells me you have served hin your navy. Your hexpertise
will be hof great use to hus, hif things continue has they have been. I
have some military training myself, but hit was land-based hand hasn't been
hentirely helpful with the different sorts that har part hof hour company."

"I shall be glad to lend my experience in naval matters, what. Perhaps you
could talk about your previous ship to ship actions Deigatt, and I shall
like talk to everyone about future tactics in battle.  That perhaps could
be my postion on board during ship to ship battles, to devise a tactical
source of action during combat.  What do you think Deigatt?"

"Trying to do so has been a source hof frustration to me halready," Deigatt
replies. "I'm happy to pass the responsibility hon to you. Meet me later
hin the galley hand I'll tell you what's happened to hus before."

Ives nods and says "Well then Deigatt I shall gladly try my best, and I'll
be at the galley after I've finished moving my gear to the Nightwind. I
heard that you have a tinker on board, I'd love to meet him, theres been
rumours in Gifftown about a new gnome ship to ship weapon, something about
using modified Phlogistion fire-bombs attached to a shou rocket."  As Ives
talks about the rumoured weapon a inner fire seems to sparkle in his eyes,
perhaps envisioning the explosive power of such a weapon, or again perhaps
not.

Deigatt and Ives pass the afternoon discussing military history and tactics.

Date/time: 3rd day of the 7th Month, 5049 OC

Paul Westermeyer,  westermeyer.3@???.edu
Phd Candidate, OSU Dept of History
Adjunct Professor, Columbus State Humanities Dept