Qob: Tranquility 12/19/10

[Joe Manning 0]

Joe Manning -> So it'll be Nickles and me in a Guardian jail cell, and Troy, Pher, and Shane heading out of Simon's office building

Joe Manning -> BEGIN SIM

STSF_Nickles -> ::sitting in the Guardian jail cell grumbling that he was captured::

Joe Manning -> ::Sitting on the lone bench in the cell with Nickles, while the others are presumably interrogated elsewhere::

Shane -> ::holstering his returned gauss and stooping down to open the hatch to the underground::

Troy Parson -> ::turns to Shane and Pher:: So, any bets on what form of nastiness awaits us at the rendezvous point?

Mitar Precip -> (afk)

Pher -> How much do you expect Joe to have stayed out of trouble?

Joe Manning -> Assuming ... o' course ... the kinda ship that floats on water when it ain't got holes in it.

Shane -> ::pulls open the heavy door and peers down:: Anythings possible with Minos. As for Joe, you know him better them me.

Troy Parson -> About as much as I expect the sudden intercession of the Divine Tuna.

Shane -> ::hops down the hole, landing with a bang on the grating floor and looks about:: All clear.

Shane -> ::shouting up the others::

Troy Parson -> ::Jumps down, turning to Shane:: Incidentally, were you serious about the whole "just-run-for-it-amidst-chaos plan for getting back to the ship?

STSF_Nickles -> ::nods:: I know.... ::takes a deep breath:: Im just hoping we make it out of this with our hides intact.

Pher -> Let's see where the other half is.

Pher -> Supposedly, Joe has as good a set of connections on both side.

Joe Manning -> Well ... assuming Minos don't scorch the planet, I'll try to let you all off the hook with the Guardians. All except Pher, maybe. They've got surveillance footage of her up to no kinda good ...

Pher -> I just wish he had as good connections with us.

Joe Manning -> But I'm still hoping to very soon acquire enough leverage against the Guardians to get us all out of this, off the planet with our ship, and maybe with some extra cash to boot.

Shane -> ::glances back at Troy as he lands and starts down the tunnel:: ::annoyed::What do you think I'm stupid? I didn't suggest we run out in the open. But the Rainmakers distraction will be useful and gives Minos less to work with.

STSF_Nickles -> What was Pher caught doing?

Joe Manning -> Robbin' a bank.

STSF_Nickles -> Damn

Joe Manning -> And she ain't been caught yet. She's still out there.

Shane -> ::to Pher:: Can you not reach Joe on your wrist-thingy?

Pher -> Could try.

STSF_Nickles -> well you said caught on tape.

Pher -> What you think, Troy?

Troy Parson -> I think that it sounds awfully risky...chaos is typically a double-edged sword, and one that's hard to control at that.

Joe Manning -> ::Nods:: Snatching yer girl Redera out from under them.

Joe Manning -> They're lookin' for her. I guess they caught wind of her Rainmaker connections.

Shane -> Well what would you suggest, Parson?

Shane -> Walk up and ask the Guardians politely?

STSF_Nickles -> ::shivers at the name of the Redera:: So she found her?

Pher -> Walking up to the Guardians might even make sense.

Pher -> Give us the ship and we give them a shot at Minos. That's the end game I think we've been working for.

Joe Manning -> ::Glances around the cell, noting the camera in one corner of the ceiling:: Oh yeah, she did.

Pher -> But nobody wants to deal clean with anybody.

Pher -> No trust is left anywhere at this point.

STSF_Nickles -> ::follows Joes gaze then goes silent::

Troy Parson -> Personally, I'd rather not go into Guardian custody...I did break into one of their hospitals, after all.

Joe Manning -> So says the Marshall at least. I wouldn't want to be Redera now in any case.

Pher -> :: shrugs :: Exactly. Too many double crosses for any sort of teamwork to happen.

Shane -> And I'll bet you Minos has contacts in the Guardians. He'll know if we double-cross him.

STSF_Nickles -> In a way d like to get my hands on her neck for what she did to me

Pher -> So, I guess we had back to the Maze and see if Joe has yet another plan.

Joe Manning -> ::Peers up at Nickles, rubbing his chin, where stubble is starting to grow pretty thick:: 'In a way?' I'd think you'd want your hands on her neck in every way ...

STSF_Nickles -> Yes and no. I dont want to be near her enough to get another WHIFF of her but yet I would like to get her back for what she did to me.

Troy Parson -> That assumes that the Maze is still a safe meeting spot, and that Joe will still be there...neither of which is guaranteed.

Joe Manning -> ::Smiles:: Well, in that case, it's probably better to keep the two of you separated. Assuming she turns up alive.

Pher -> Very much true. So we scout the approach careful.

Mitar Precip -> (takes his seat in the peanut gallery)

Pher -> Anyone here think they are clean? Would let themselves be seen by the guardians?

Shane -> ::turns another corner, causiosly checking around:: Any luck reaching Joe?

Pher -> Haven't tried. Troy, want me to?

STSF_Nickles -> Thanks to Pher I came out of it, Im not sure if I can manage it again

Troy Parson -> Hang on...

Troy Parson -> ::takes out the ODRI that he got from the severed Guardian arm back at the Maze, and presses a couple of buttons on it:: Use this.

Mitar Precip -> (stinky)

Pher -> One moment. :: accepts it, transfering over the necessary encryption keys and addresses, but no more than necessary ::

STSF_Nickles -> <<WB Precip>>

Pher -> +Joe+ Status, please?

Pher -> OK, be ready to move. I don't know how good the Guardians are at tracking signals.

Mitar Precip -> (from the peanut gallery ::waves:: Hello Robert Long)

Shane -> ::pauses walking and turns to watch Pher with the ODRI::

Joe Manning -> ACTION: The ODRI offers no response for the moment

STSF_Nickles -> Joe... how are we going to get out of here.

Troy Parson -> Keep an eye on that ODRI...if you see any sign that it's being tracked, we can get rid of it so as to create a false trail.

Pher -> No response.

Shane -> No response is not a good sign.

Pher -> :: Deactivates the Guardian's comm function ::

Pher -> Possible we might have been traced. Let's move.

Troy Parson -> All right, pass me that ODRI.

Pher -> :: Returns it to troy ::

Pher -> I deactivated the comm function.

Shane -> <<He stole it! After him!>>

Joe Manning -> ::Nickles:: We'll all get out of here if my leverage presents itself.

Pher -> You'll have to bring it back up if you want to try another message, but I think Joe's ODRI is blown. I wouldn't.

STSF_Nickles -> Joe I hope your right.

Joe Manning -> If it doesn't, I'll try to get you and the others out of here. I think I can cut a deal with Savoy.

Pher -> And if his ODRI is blown, chances are Joe won't be waiting for us casually in the maze.

Mitar Precip -> (from the audience Welcome Tkar have a seat..::waves:: )

Troy Parson -> ::takes out the toy dog that he had surrendered back at Simon's as his "weapon", and wraps the guardian ODRI around it, reactivating its comm functions as he does so:: This should throw them off for a bit.

Troy Parson -> ::puts down the toy dog, which runs off in another direction::\

Pher -> OK. Well, lets change directions again...

Pher -> :: Sighs ::

STSF_Nickles -> And you want us to leave this place without your? Are you crazy? They will..... ;;sighs::

Shane -> We need to get to the Maze and figure out what happened. ::turns to get moving agian.

STSF_Nickles -> We will not go without you one way or another

Pher -> The next step in the logic chain is that if Joe is blown, the Maze is blown too.

Joe Manning -> Speak yourself, Chris ... ::Leans back against the wall and closes his eyes::

Joe Manning -> *for yourself

Pher -> Troy, are you known to the Guardians? Could you do a low risk walk by of the Maze?

Joe Manning -> I can imagine half the crew cuttin' and runnin' as soon as they get the chance.

Joe Manning -> And the rest of you ... I won't let you take the heat for me.

STSF_Nickles -> I think i know most of the crew Joe, I Doubt they will leave without you, THere are ways.

Pher -> Shane and I, each in our own way, would be kind of conspicuous at this point.

Troy Parson -> It'd be risky...they might have distributed my image after the break-in at the hospital.

Shane -> Hard to hide this. ::waves the arm with a hiss::

Pher -> We're out of low risk options. My next plan is walking into Guardian HQ and asking to talk to Savoy... and as you say Midas probobly has the Guardians infiltrated, so I don't like that either.

Joe Manning -> ::Crosses his arms:: They've got nothing on any of you. They've got the footage of Pher, but they're holdin' the others with nothing to charge them with ...

Troy Parson -> Or...or we can get the ship on our own, and get Minos, which puts us in a much better bargaining position.

Joe Manning -> That's the Guardians for you. What do they care? They do what they want.

Pher -> Joe has the component which allows us to lift ship. We aren't going anywhere without Joe.

STSF_Nickles -> Are you sure about that? I mean William and I? we were caught in the motel.

Shane -> You forget, Joe has the parts to get her runnin'.

Pher -> And if the Guardians have Joe, we need the Guardians... but all Joe's double crossing wing it plans means the Guardians won't trust us worth nothing.

Joe Manning -> Caught doin' what? They didn't actually tie you to anything, did they? Aside from grabbin that box from the jolly green giant.

Shane -> Does Manning have the compnent on him? Could he have left it the Maze?

Pher -> Worth searching the maze for it. He wouldn't have brought it to their attention.

Pher -> That's as good a next move as any.

STSF_Nickles -> Im not sure, I dont know if they connected us or not. One suggested, but Im not sure they believed us when we said we saw the smoke.

Joe Manning -> ::Blinks::

Joe Manning -> ::Glances at the camera, then looks back at Nickles:: Chris ... you didn't actually set fire to that motel to grab Duke's stash ... did you?

Joe Manning -> Cause that ain't what I asked you two to do.

Shane -> Theres a chance the Guardians won't be guarding the hatch leadin' in.

Pher -> Let's do it. I think we're stuck talking to the Guardians, anyway.

Shane -> ::closing in on the tunnels leading under the Maze:: That should be a last resort. We can't expect them to be reasonable.

STSF_Nickles -> Are you kidding?? No ::looking where Joe did:: But Like I said they didnt beleive us or didnt act like they did

Troy Parson -> Do you think that we could get the Guardians to find the part for us?

Pher -> The only way either the Guardians or us win is by working together. I just think Joe has made that impossible.

Pher -> But it's the only option left.

Joe Manning -> Well ::Shrugs:: They ain't got no evidence anyway. Still ... the theft ... and running from them? I'm sure Duke'll insist on heavy fines being levied.

Troy Parson -> I don't like this at all...

Pher -> Heck, even if we find the missing component, do we have enough crew left to lift ship?

STSF_Nickles -> :: stands up and paces a bit:: I hate sitting still

Pher -> OK. Let's try getting back into that Maze bar.

Joe Manning -> Savoy> ::Enters the holding area and marches up to Joe and Nickles' cell with two guards::

Troy Parson -> Don't you think that it's strange, though?

STSF_Nickles -> :: sees Savoy approaching and stops to look::

Joe Manning -> ::Opens his eyes and watches Savoy stride up to the cell::

Shane -> ::spots the last intersection:: Here we go.

Troy Parson -> We've been looking for Minos, who the Guardians want found...

Joe Manning -> Savoy> ::Stops to look in at Joe and Nickles:: Well ... some interesting storytelling we have going on in the interrogation rooms.

Pher -> Heck, I don't see where we can get from here to there without working with Savoy, and talking to her quietly with minimum chance of the talk leaking.

Troy Parson -> It's to their advantage for Minos to make a move that they can intercept, which they could do by monitoring us...

Joe Manning -> Savoy> Each member of your crew is spinning a different yarn about where the two of you were at any given time of the night.

Troy Parson -> Yet, every step of the way, the Guardians have been obstructing our progress.

STSF_Nickles -> ::clinches his teeth at the tone of Savoy::

Joe Manning -> ::Closes his eyes again and leans back against the wall::

Pher -> Yep. They tried blackmailing us into doing a job, and Joe didn't want to be blackmailed. He had to do it his way.

Pher -> His way burned a lot of bridges.

STSF_Nickles -> ::moves to the other bench and sits with his fist clinched::

Shane -> ::holds up his real hand to stop the others and peeks around the corner to the ladder leading up to the Maze::

Troy Parson -> But the thing is, no matter what bridges are burned, it's still to their advantage for us to make contact with Minos, since they know about us via Joe.

Joe Manning -> Savoy> I can't even begin to determine what the truth is, and I don't have the time to dig much deeper.

STSF_Nickles -> Then release us all and be done with it

STSF_Nickles -> ::crosses his arms::

Troy Parson -> If I were running the Guardian operation, and I thought that Joe was going to take Minos offworld, I wouldn't try to stop him at all...

Pher -> We just had our contact with Minos. We know where he will be and when, and he will be willing to board QoB.

Joe Manning -> Savoy> I will not release any of you until I determine what it is you're hiding.

Troy Parson -> I'd watch, and I'd wait, and *then*, once Minos himself is on the baord, then I'd move.

Troy Parson -> <<*board>>

Joe Manning -> Savoy> All these different accounts of the night's activities suggest that something else has been going on.

Pher -> Endgame is getting him aboard QoB and seeing who gets off the last betrayal.

Pher -> But getting the Endgame requires us to work with the Guardians.

Pher -> Anyone see another path?

Troy Parson -> What I'm saying is that our assumptions about the motivations of the Guardians don't fit with their actions.

Pher -> I don't see that, Troy. They have been whipshawed by Minos and Joe all night. Their actions have been reasonable for what they are supposed to do... they've just been playing defense in guerilla conflict... and they're not good at it.

Joe Manning -> If you're asking my people about my activities, it doesn't surprise me that you're getting different answers. They're on leave, and it's not their job to know what I'm up to.

STSF_Nickles -> Why would something have to be going on because none of the crew were doing the same thing

Joe Manning -> I gave Pher a job and I gave Nickles a job. I've told you about both.

Joe Manning -> Savoy> ::Looks at Nickles:: I'm more concerned with their accounts of Manning's activities. And of Pher's activities.

STSF_Nickles -> LLnods to Joe:: He just told you

Joe Manning -> Savoy> There are too many inconsistencies. I don't imagine either of you will be willing to tell me the truth?

Shane -> ::looks back at the other two:: First lets figure out where the heck Manning is and if possible, get our hands on that part.

Pher -> OK. To the Maze inn then, carefully.

Pher -> With luck the part is there... but if the part is there and Joe isn't, odds are that the Guardians have him.

Joe Manning -> ::Sighs and bows his head, not answering::

Pher -> I can't think of another reason why his ODRI is blown.

STSF_Nickles -> Joe's already told you the truth.

Shane -> ::rounds the corner, approaching the ladder as quietly as he can::

Troy Parson -> That, at least, I'll agree to.

Pher -> :: falls silent as they make their way to the ladder ::

Joe Manning -> Savoy> ::Firmly:: Mr. Nickles, would you come with me, please?

STSF_Nickles -> No I really have a choice? ::looks between the two gaurds::

STSF_Nickles -> And If I say no?

Joe Manning -> Savoy> You have a choice. But the alternative is not pleasant.

Shane -> ::stops at the bottom of the ladder, looks the Pher:: <w> You don't make as much noise as me.

Troy Parson -> ::hanging back from the trapdoor a bit::

Pher -> Check. :: Takes the lead, heads up the ladder quietly, stops at the top to scan for life signs with Audry ::

Joe Manning -> ACTION: There are three lifesigns in the tavern area. None in the backroom

Shane -> ::pulls his pistol out from the holster, holding it up and ready::

STSF_Nickles -> :: leans back against the wall again::

Pher -> :: Checks the lifesigns for power supplies consistent with the weapons guardians typically carry. ::

Joe Manning -> ACTION: Two have such weapons

Joe Manning -> Savoy> ::Nods to the guards, who open the cell and enter::

Joe Manning -> ::Eyes still closed:: Don't give her anything else to hold against you, Chris

Pher -> :: Compares the life forms with Joe and Nickles, just to make sure they are Guardians ::

Joe Manning -> ACTION: On is recognized by Audry. Pete Gibbons, the owner of the Maze

Joe Manning -> *One

STSF_Nickles -> ::watches as the guards enter, turns to Joe and back to Savoy:: Im not happy with this! :;stands as the guards get closer::

Shane -> ::whispers a growl impatiently:: Well?

Joe Manning -> Guards> ::Move to grab Nickles::

Pher -> Looks like Pete Gibbons and two guardians. I'm going to go up and push for my Endgame. I'll end up in custody. You two can follow or not. If you want a head start, take it now.

STSF_Nickles -> ::pulls his arm away from the guards:: Im COMING Im coming!

Troy Parson -> Right. Best of luck!

Pher -> You too. Hang with our supplies. If I get endgame, I'll try to pick you up there.

Joe Manning -> Savoy> ::Turns to lead the guards and Nickles toward the interrogation rooms::

Pher -> Luck!

STSF_Nickles -> ::looks back to Joe as they exit the cell::

Pher -> :: Heads up the ladder ::

STSF_Nickles -> ::nods to Joe as they move out of sight and gets a nudge:: IM GOING Im going already.

Shane -> ::listens to the well-wishing and shakes his head in annoyance:: I'm gonna see what happens. hCan ya hang back in the tunnels a bit?

Pher -> :: Opens door :: Hello, all. Pher the Green, here. Coming out slow.

Joe Manning -> Pete> ::Arguing with the two Guardians. Stops when he hears the noise in the back. Circles around the bar to investigate::

Joe Manning -> Pete> Pher?

Pher -> :: Leaves door to ladder open ::

Shane -> ::steps back from the tunnel view::

Shane -> ladder*

Pher -> Pher I am. I see you have company, and am coming up anyway.

Joe Manning -> Pete> They've been asking questions about y-- ::Shoved aside::

Joe Manning -> Guardians> ::Weapons pointed at Pher:: Hands up, ma'am.

Pher -> :: Wanders into view of the big room moving slowly with her hands well clear of her body ::

Troy Parson -> ::heading down the tunnel, getting away from the Maze, not following any particular path::

Shane -> ::listening with his pistol still ready::

Pher -> Aye.

Pher -> Pain stick on belt... stunner... Well. You don't want to know where the stunner is.

Pher -> Please be careful about calling me in. Maintain comm silence. I have word of Minos.

Joe Manning -> Guardian> We have orders to place you under arrest, ma'am. And we have been authorized to use lethal force if you make any attempt to ... whatever you Orions do.

Shane -> ::has heard enough, tunrns and quickkly follows after Troy::

STSF_Nickles -> ::walking with Savoy being followed by the guards:: What is it you want with me!?

Pher -> Understood. Not hurting me would be a good idea if you don't want to trigger defense mechanisms.

Joe Manning -> Savoy> To ask you a few questions. About the Deltan Redera. And your crew. And what you were doing at the motel where you were arrested.

Joe Manning -> Guardian> ::Looks at his partner:: Prepare the speeder. Don't make any radio contact with HQ yet.

Pher -> :: Nods approval ::

STSF_Nickles -> As far as that Damned Deltan, I was kiddknapped. I still want to take care of her with my bare hands... around her throat::

Joe Manning -> Guardian> Alright, let's go. ::Motions for the door with his rifle::

Pher -> :: Very slowly drops the pain stick on the floor... then the stunner ::

Joe Manning -> PAUSE SIM