Stephanie smiled to herself at Jon’s comment and dished him a bowl of the Boa. As the other crew member started to file out of galley the Doc brought the bowl over to the table, placing it down in front of Jon. Touching his arm momentarily she turned and followed the others out of the galley.

Jon sat in silence and enjoyed the Boa….and the sweet fragrance of Stephanie that seemed to linger.

Finishing up Jon resumed his familiar role of galley mate. Setting the galley in order also set his mind in order and order made him feel secure. He knew there had been rough words spoken at the table, but that’s the place it should happen. They were the closest thing he’d ever had to a real family and family doesn’t hide from what they feel. No one said they had to agree all the time and Buddha knows that always happens with this group, but they are learning each other. Jon shut the light off as he left the galley and headed to the bridge.

His crew needed their rest and it was his job to see to the boat as they did. As his normal routine, Jon takes first watch on the bridge. Not that he is much of a pilot but this far out the auto can handle the flight, all he does is watch the lights flicker on the monitor. Destiny is a good boat.

The hours creep by and the fatigue of the long day starts to play on Jon’s mind. He sits deep in the command chair, the gentle rhythm of the lights lull him. Suddenly realizes he is not alone as a mist swirls to his left and he sees the lady in white that haunts Destiny. She is looking toward the front, towards the stars and the black. She seems a little sad to Jon's eye, as if waiting for bad news. Jon wanted to speak to her to ask who she was and why was there? But he could feel that it wasn’t time, those answers would come in time. The mist swirls a bit and she fades away again as she always does. It is only after a few moments that Jon remembers that she has never appeared on the bridge before. Is she also discovering the strength of Destiny? Jon feels this is her boat and she is claiming what is hers, checking that it is in good hands.

It gave him a good feeling and the rest of the watch passed without event. His eyes were really getting heavy when Tess entered the bridge, teapot in hand. It didn't take much prodding to get him out of the command seat. Tess shooed him out and he was glad to relinquish the watch. He decided to tell Tess later that the lady had been on the bridge, he needed rest and there was no need to make Tess any more twitchy then necessary.

Jon made his way to the Captain’s cabin. The peace of being in his own place and the thought of glorious sleep lead him to just lying in his bunk, he didn’t even remove his boot. Just as the sweet mellow bliss of sleep started to pull him under the com blurted,” "WUO DUH TIAN AH! Um, Captain? You might want to come to the cargo bay. We are in Ma Fuhn!"

“Gorram” Jon blurted.

Raising and stepped to room's sink. He slashed some water in his face, stared at the sad face in the mirror and answered the call to duty, only this time it sounded like Grace.

Jason stirred in his bunk, his eyes flickering, caught in yet another nightmare.

Running down the narrow alley, his eyes flash back over his shoulder yet again checking his back trail, “Nothing, good maybe I’ve lost those double dealing huen dahn this time,” He paused for a second to check the time, he did have a boat to catch. As he put the time piece away and looked up to check his surroundings, he heard the sounds he had been dreading. The sounds of his pursuers trying to be stealthy in their approach, he shook himself mentally and turned to face his remaining pursuers.

“Boys, Boys, we really don’t have to do this again,” He said in an almost jovial tone to the men walking toward him, “Didn’t the last guys tell you how this went?” As he asked that question he suddenly switch direction and took two bounding steps and launched himself into a flying sidekick at the man directly in front of him…..

Gasping, Jason sat up in his bunk. Reaching out, he felt around until he found the lighting controls and then raised the level gradually in his quarters. He swung his feet out of and onto the floor and stood all in one smooth motion. He always woke like this, a more than rapid transition from sleep to awake. After finishing his morning absolutions, Jason had just started into his morning yoga exercises when the ship’s intercom squawked out a message from Grace to Tess and Jon to join her in the cargo bay. “I wonder what that’s all about,”Jason thought as he moved through the warrior pose, “Whatever, they’ll call me if they want me… It does make me wonder about that last dream though… I haven’t thought about my ‘escape’ from Persepone in years… Although, those ta ma duh mobsters still haven’t given up the chase… Don’t get me wrong I stay off the grid as much as possible so as not to cause Destiny problems and it’s not like the Nien mohn is after me but…the Tong!! this is great, just great As Jason’s thoughts tapered off he realized that he was more than half-way through his morning routine and sweating heavily, “Guess, I’ll need to make sure I don’t stink before I leave for morning chow,” he muttered as he forced himself to relax and slow down.

“Language, mei mei,” Tess said as she set her mug of tea on the nearest wine cask and leaned on it, “What’er you all fussed up about?”

“What’s going on?” Ken asked as he took in the x-ray equipment next to the wine casks; he raised an eyebrow in wonder.

After Captain and Stephanie showed up, Grace explained "I x-rayed the casket as planned as found this," she pointed at the hour glass image, "I zoomed in to get a closer look and found all the hollowed area around the hourglass, filled with dirt and roots. Figured it was drugs so I called Stephanie and Tess."

Grace zoomed in on this point showing them a closer view of the plants. "I notice these weird packages so I zoomed in again..." Grace zoomed in on the diamonds and let them finish her statement.

(OOC: Assuming gasp of surprises and some choice phrases)

A grimace crossed Grace face as she stated "Our Client is smuggling diamonds. Which means instead of a safe legal job, we have an illegal one. Not to mentioned the Feds are in on it. Their leader was the one who pointed me towards the idea. It's only a matter of time before they get clearance to come on Destiny and prove it. Then there is no stopping them from tossing us in jail. No one would believe us if we said that we had no clue."

Grace sighed and said calmly "At this point in time, I have no clue what to do."

(OOC: I'm guessing something along the lines of someone suggesting we steal the diamonds or remove them. If nothing said ignore bottom comment)

"We can't take them out. Yes there is a secret door, but I don't know how to open it or if there is any nasty surprise waiting for us. We could open it and spill dirt everywhere which lets people know we opened them or maybe there is a trap that could be lethal. We have no clue at this point." commented Grace

"Anyone got any ideas?"

(OOC: Did see the need to post a lot. This is more of a let's see people reaction and we all saw Grace shout of surprise. That and I have no idea what to do next.)

Destiny Cargo Bay, Day Two of Journey 9:00am ST

Bone weary Jon drug into the Cargo bay to see what was Grace’s fuss this time. Ambling over to the barrels where Grace has Stephanie’s X-ray scanner he could almost feel the tension as Grace flitted around.

So what’s the How Shi Sung Chung? You know you’re only supposed to wake the captain with good news."

Tess stepped aside as the captain came over to the equipment. Jon gazes at the x-ray screen and can discern the hour glass shape in the middle. The pulled up image was centered on the screen and showed the distinct shape of cut faceted stones, “Ta Ma Duh!”
“Unless that’s some kind’a fancy filter thing we just found what that Gorram Marshal was looking for. The way he was a tapp’en that barrel he knows it’s there too, Ta Ma Duh!”.

‘Well I guess that explains why the Lady was on the bridge near my end of watch. Sorry Tess I didn’t say anything to ya but I was tired and didn’t want to add to the fuss. She was look’en out the main port as if watching for something out there. She seemed sad, liked she was expectin bad news. I don’t recall her ever on the bridge before. I hope she’s a mind to watch us and not a want’in us off her boat. This may be that bad news. We need to get this to the Barron as quick as we can and get our money. We can’t unlearn what we know, but we don’t have to act like we’re part of this. Tess, see if you can put a little wiggle on it and get there before something else happens.”

“Anyone else got anything from that gorram planet they need to tell us about?”

“Okay, then I’m going back to bed. Tess you got the bridge, tell Jason he’s to handle things, unless it gets dicey, then call me. But please don’t let it get dicey.”

Jon mumbles as he leaves the cargo bay, “Poisonings, Barons, Feds, babies, diamonds……., I’m start'in to miss those Ta Ma Duh smelly chickens.”

While Grace told of her findings, Ken stood uncharacteristically silent. His mind was pondering the possibilities and his eyes did brighten at the thought of taking the diamonds. He was silent for a moment and then opened his mouth to suggest that they keep them but Grace cut him off seeming to be looking right at him when she spoke.

"We can't take them out. Yes there is a secret door, but I don't know how to open it or if there is any nasty surprise waiting for us. We could open it and spill dirt everywhere which lets people know we opened them or maybe there is a trap that could be lethal. We have no clue at this point." commented Grace

"Anyone got any ideas?"

He was pondering this further when the Captain spoke his mind.

“Unless that’s some kind’a fancy filter thing we just found what that Gorram Marshal was looking for. The way he was a tapp’en that barrel he knows it’s there too, Ta Ma Duh!”.
“I don’t think so,” Ken shook his head and spoke then his thoughts, “If that Marshall knew or even suspected we was carrying that he wouldn’t have left this ship. Since when does the Feds need permission to do anything out here in the black? No, he was looking for someone or signs of someone. He may suspect that we are carrying something illegal, yes, but he wasn’t after that and he probably thinks of us as small fish, for now.”

He looked at the barrels again trying to think of a way to spirit away those diamonds and leave no trail, but he couldn’t think of anything that would leave them free and clear of guilt. If the person on the receiving end didn’t find the diamonds they would suspect the crew of the Destiny as the prime suspect. While he wanted the riches the diamonds would bring, he didn’t want the trouble as well.

"Well I guess that explains why the Lady was on the bridge near my end of watch. Sorry Tess I didn’t say anything to ya but I was tired and didn’t want to add to the fuss. She was look’en out the main port as if watching for something out there. She seemed sad, liked she was expectin bad news. I don’t recall her ever on the bridge before. I hope she’s a mind to watch us and not a want’in us off her boat. This may be that bad news. We need to get this to the Barron as quick as we can and get our money. We can’t unlearn what we know, but we don’t have to act like we’re part of this. Tess, see if you can put a little wiggle on it and get there before something else happens.” The Captain went on.
“Oh Great!” Ken exclaimed, “all we Gorram need, this so called ‘Lady’” Ken didn’t take the ‘spirit’ that some of the others thought inhabited the ship, he had seen the ‘apparition’ and thought it just exhaust gases from the vents playing tricks on their eyes. He recalled the last time he had seen her and how he thought he had seen ‘eyes’ peering out from the mist and looked directly into his own. He didn’t like it and had attributed it to too much cheap drink the other night. He hated how the Captain especially seemed to hold credence to this mumbo jumbo; the man seemed to actually believe this ‘Lady’ as he called her was guiding them somehow.

“We got better things to think about without dragging up some half-sleep induced fantasies, Captain.” Ken said still shaking his head, “I agree with you though that we best just deliver this cargo, get the money we are owed and get the hell out of this situation.”

As Jon turns to leave the bay, Ken walks over to the deck plates behind the barrels and lifts the false plate there and retrieves his rifle he had put there when the Marshalls had boarded; he gave it a approving look and even stroked it slightly before hoisting it and quietly headed up to his room. He felt relaxed most when he was cleaning his guns or fiddling with something destructive.

The news of the diamonds leaves everyone a bit stunned and unable to figure out how to deal with the situation. After awhile, Jason and Stephanie are found and informed of the situation.

“Anyone else got anything from that gorram planet they need to tell us about?” Jon asks but no one dares to answer. “Okay, then I’m going back to bed. Tess you got the bridge, tell Jason he’s to handle things, unless it gets dicey, then call me. But please don’t let it get dicey.”

Jon mumbles as he leaves the cargo bay, “Poisonings, Barons, Feds, babies, diamonds……., I’m start'in to miss those Ta Ma Duh smelly chickens.”

“We got better things to think about without dragging up some half-sleep induced fantasies, Captain.” Ken said still shaking his head, “I agree with you though that we best just deliver this cargo, get the money we are owed and get the hell out of this situation.”

So everyone leaves to cargo bay except grace and Ken. Grace starts to pack up the xray equipment and Ken retrieves his gun from the hidden panel in the cargo bay,

As Tess returns to the bridge, she sees the flashing light on her console indicating a wave message. Tess automatically checks the source, and it is a Courier ship, Arrowhead class, registered to the Lim Wine Corporation. She punches the intercom to Jon’s room and calls the captian to the bridge before he can get too comfortable.

Once more Jon grumbles, "Ta Ma Duh, why can't things just go smoothly once?" Jon moves from his bunk and hits the com back to the brige, " Okay, I'm on my way." As he turns back to dress he mutters, “Chickens, got to learn to just stay with them chickens..."

OOC: If anyone else wants to be there, that is fine - Jason, Ken)

Reaching the bridge Jon clicks the wave receiver on. The image appears of an asian man, black hair, clean shaven, something wrong with his eyes, one eye stares of in a different direction that the other. The captain does not recognize the man at all, "This is Jon Brown, what can I do for you?"

“Captain Jon. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Wang Chung and I represent a ... company with interests in the cargo you are carrying – the wine casks.

(Assuming a denial or a how did you know)

“Come come Captain. The word gets out and it is a small ‘verse after all. My employer would be very generous in rewards to you if you’d entertain a proposal.”

(What’s the proposal)

“We’d like to buy the wine from you. A special price of 5000 credits a barrel in platinum, as compensation for any difficulties you might have explaining its loss to your current employer."

Reaching the bridge Jon looks at the readout on the craft that hailed them, it is a Courier ship, Arrowhead class, registered to the Lim Wine Corporation.
Clicking the wave receiver on an image appears of an Asian man, black hair, clean shaven, something wrong with his eyes, one eye stares of in a different direction that the other. The captain does not recognize the man at all, "This is Jon Brown, what can I do for you?"

“Captain Jon. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Wang Chung and I represent a ... company with interests in the cargo you are carrying – the wine casks.

“You have me at a disadvantage Mr. Chung, we just left Greenleaf on an unscheduled special delivery run. Our cargo was not common knowledge.”

“Come come Captain. The word gets out and it is a small ‘verse after all. My employer would be very generous in rewards to you if you’d entertain a proposal.”

(What’s the proposal)”You’ve seemed’ ta come a goodly bit out’a your way. I guess it’d only be polite ta listen.

“We’d like to buy the wine from you. A special price of 5000 credits a barrel in platinum, as compensation for any difficulties you might have explaining its loss to your current employer."
Jon tried real hard to not let features change as the sound “5000 credits a barrel in platinum” rang out.
“Ah, Mr. Chung, I’m gonna need a bit, you just hang out there, we’ll call back. “ With that Jon signaled Tess to break the wave.
The image winks out and Jon turns to the crew, “Rung Tse Song Di Ching Dai Wuo Tzo.”( Merciful God, please take me away)

“If we take the deal, we’ll never get another legal job and the Barron will see to it we go to jail. If we don’t take the deal we’ll always be looking over our shoulder for the Tong.”

“Ta Ma Duh!”
“Tess can we out run that courier, it may be hopped up? Ken, do we have bigger guns?”

Ken left the cargo bay with his ‘trusty companion’ and headed back to his room to think. He was just reaching his room when he saw the Captain come out of his cabin cursing something about ‘chickens’ and headed to the bridge in a hurry. Ken took a moment to open his door and put his ‘friend’ just inside the doorway leaning up against the bulkhead, after making sure the safety was engaged of course, and the shut his door and followed to the bridge.

He arrived in time to over hear some of the conversation;
“We’d like to buy the wine from you. A special price of 5000 credits a barrel in platinum, as compensation for any difficulties you might have explaining its loss to your current employer."
5000 in Platinum per barrel? Ken couldn’t believe his ears; his mind raced at the possibilities of how they could unload the stuff and not look to blame. At the moment he couldn’t think of a way and began to weigh the consequences of either course. He turned his mind back to the conversation between their Captain and the gentleman on the wave.

“Ah, Mr. Chung, I’m gonna need a bit, you just hang out there, we’ll call back. “ With that Jon signal Tess to break the wave.

The image winks out and Jon turns to the crew, “Rung Tse Song Di Ching Dai Wuo Tzo.”

“If we take the deal, we’ll never get another legal job and the Barron will see to it we go to jail. If we don’t take the we’ll always be looking over our should for Tong.”

“Ta Ma Duh!”

“Tess can we out run that courier, it may be hopped up? Ken, do we have bigger guns?”
“First off, what type of courier?” Ken asked.

(Assuming he is told by Tess or Jon)

“Arrowhead class?” he snorted, “they are fast and probably equal in speed to us in normal but at a hard burn we got them on speed and we would be more maneuverable.” He didn’t bother to explain how he would know such things but went on.

“Besides,” he smirked at Tess again, “they aren’t good enough to out fly Tess here.”

“Now as for guns,” he shrugged, “they wouldn’t have any armament on that thing, not with the way the Feds are about such things. We got guns onboard, but only need to worry about that if they catch us. Also that is a small ship, 2 man crew and 2 passengers normally, and not able to carry many people aboard for any length of time with life support constraints. But I would still think you want to avoid a firefight onboard if possible.”

“I say we tell them to buzz off,” he finished up, “then haul ass out of here.” He shook his head as he didn’t seem to believe he was saying it himself, “I know; I wish I could figure out a way to give up the goods for that kind of scratch and not be hounded by the guys that hired us but frankly I can’t!”

Jason leaned against the door jamb and listened as Jon, Tess, and Ken all spoke their minds on the current situation. Ken being Ken spoke his mind first, “Arrowhead class?” he snorted, “they are fast and probably equal in speed to us in normal but at a hard burn we got them on speed and we would be more maneuverable.”

“Besides,” he continued looking in Tess’ direction again, “they aren’t good enough to out fly Tess here.”

“Now as for guns,” Ken said as he shrugged, “they wouldn’t have any armament on that thing, not with the way the Feds are about such things. We got guns onboard, but only need to worry about that if they catch us. Also that is a small ship, 2 man crew and 2 passengers normally, and not able to carry many people aboard for any length of time with life support constraints. But I would still think you want to avoid a firefight onboard if possible.”

“I say we tell them to buzz off,” Ken finished up, “then haul ass out of here.” He shook his head and said, “I know; I wish I could figure out a way to give up the goods for that kind of scratch and not be hounded by the guys that hired us but frankly I can’t!”

“Well, at least you thought of the fact that we’d be hounded from here to the edges of the verse if we tried to double cross either of these parties. Besides with some of the names on that guest list, I figure the Tong are expecting delivery at the party…why else would the guest list include several high level Tong?” Jason thought to himself as Ken concluded. He kept his silence and waited to hear Tess’s opinion before chiming in with his two-cents.

((OOC: I’ll update or post again after Celeste posts and then perhaps again after MMV posts.))

Tess sat back quietly in the pilot’s char as Jon began the wave. She began rubbing a smooth stone in her pocket; one of the few things still with her from home. It was her waiting rock, allowing her fidgety temperament to sit, wait, and shut up. Though in instance she was glad she wasn’t Jon. Tess wasn’t entirely sure that she wouldn’t have told the sleaze on the screen to go to hell and hit full burn.

“Ah, Mr. Chung, I’m gonna need a bit, you just hang out there, we’ll call back. “ Jon’s hand twitched in universal cut-off sign, and Tess hit the off switch.
The screen went blank and Jon turned to face them, “Rung Tse Song Di Ching Dai Wuo Tzo!” he cried.

“Gladly,” Tess muttered. She let go of her stone and snapped her goggles over her eyes.

“If we take the deal,” Jon continued, “ we’ll never get another legal job and the Barron will see to it we go to jail. If we don’t take the deal we’ll always be looking over our shoulder for the Tong. Ta Ma Duh!”
“Tess can we out run that courier, it may be hopped up? Ken, do we have bigger guns?” The pilot raised her eyebrows at the Captain’s question.

“First off, what type of courier?” Ken asked.

“Arrowhead,” she replied.

“Arrowhead class?” he snorted, “they are fast and probably equal in speed to us in normal but at a hard burn we got them on speed and we would be more maneuverable.” He didn’t bother to explain how he would know such things but went on.

“Besides,” he smirked at Tess again, “they aren’t good enough to out fly Tess here.”

She was barely paying attention. How the devil did he know that? flitted across her brain, but she filed it for another time. Later. Ask later.
Her hands flew over the console as she worked to pinpoint the location on the Arrowhead. Or, at least, have a good idea as to how far away they were. A little bit of a lead sometimes made all the difference when trying to get to the finish line. Although this wouldn’t be any normal race; this looked like it was turning into a high stakes game where the crowd throws rocks and flings themselves into the track without warning.

“I say we tell them to buzz off,” he finished up, “then haul ass out of here.” He shook his head as he didn’t seem to believe he was saying it himself, “I know; I wish I could figure out a way to give up the goods for that kind of scratch and not be hounded by the guys that hired us but frankly I can’t!”

“Ain’t ones to go back on our word, Ken,” Tess agreed, still working on the console, “Cap’n, I ain’t worried about getting there, I’m worried what’ll happen when we git there. Might’n be a good idea to have Jason phone ahead. Let ‘em know what happened. May even git a little ground support, If he asked real nice. I’m trying to get a location on the Arrowhead, at least have some idea as to where they’re holed up.”

Grace quietly packed up the X-Ray machine and wheeled it to the doctor's room. Her thoughts were bouncing back and forth but the one that was constantly repeating was This is why we shouldn't trust rich folks. One Refuses to pay us, the second turns out to having personal problems and the final one dumps diamonds in our lap. Once the machines were pack in place and she had placed the lead blanket back where they belonged. That's when her stomach grumbled and Grace realized she was starving. Quietly Grace went to the gallery. She was feeling too hungry to make herself a complete meal so she just grabbed one of the packages of instant oatmeal. She put some water in the pot to boil it. Grace was ripping open the package when she accidently gave herself a paper cut.
"Ouch!" yelped Grace dropping the package and looking at the small cut. It was starting to bleed. Grace put her finger into her mouth while looking around for something to wrap it with. The memory popped in her head.

"Grace! Pay attention!" snapped Sensei. Grace looked up from her doodles, feeling bored. Sensei immediately pulled the paper off the desk and gave her a rather annoyed look.
"History is important , Grace. If you don't know it, you will repeat it." he gruffly stated. "Now, back On-The-Earth-That -Was, there were many wars in poor countries. Do you remember what these countries used to fund these wars?"
"Money?" guessed Grace. She knew this was the wrong answer but sometimes she liked watching Sensei rant.
"NO! Blood diamonds! This is why you should be paying attention! Blood Diamonds are-" Yelled Sensei before Grace interrupted with-
"Diamonds that have been minded in poverty strike countries to buy weapons to use in wars. They got the name due to the fact these diamonds caused a lot of deaths." Sensei gave her a sharp look while looking slightly embarrassed. "Sensei, I doubt I really need to know this. There aren't any wars in this time period." She continued
Sensei looked at her calmly before stating "There are always wars Grace, however with some neither side has won yet."

Norm backs away from the table, as if ready to bolt.

"Norm Sellers? Is that you?" the man at the bar says as if surprised.

"Norm stops and smiles a nervous smile, "Howard! What you doing here?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing Norm." Howard replies.

"Right! I'm ...right. Red-heads!" He says and points towards Grace, "Can't resist them right? But she brushes me off right? Never had the luck with the ladies like you do right?'

"Ahh yes. Are you going back to the vineyard?"

"Huh? Oh! Right! Yeah! back to the vinyard, got work to do right and wine to make right."

"My MX is outside, I'll give you a lift."

Norm nods, "Yeah right. Sure. If you are going that way."

Howard gets up and puts his arm around Norm, "No problem for a good friend and business partner." and the two head out the door to leave you with a bottle and a half of wine and a new cargo for which to make plans.

Howard Lim was also a wine merchant but new to the game, without the credentials of norm but with a lot of cash to invest in land and different techniques of harvest. Sounds like Tong money laundering to Grace.

What would the Tong do with diamonds?
Grace suddenly didn't feel hungry and felt almost a little sick. She glanced up to see Jon and Ken heading to the bridge. Trying to get her mind off the her paranoid idea, she followed them up and caught the ending of thier conversation.

“Arrowhead class?” Ken snorted, “they are fast and probably equal in speed to us in normal but at a hard burn we got them on speed and we would be more maneuverable.” Ken didn’t bother to explain how he would know such things but went on.

“Besides,” Ken smirked at Tess again, “they aren’t good enough to out fly Tess here.”

“Now as for guns,” Ken shrugged, “they wouldn’t have any armament on that thing, not with the way the Feds are about such things. We got guns onboard, but only need to worry about that if they catch us. Also that is a small ship, 2 man crew and 2 passengers normally, and not able to carry many people aboard for any length of time with life support constraints. But I would still think you want to avoid a firefight onboard if possible.”

“I say we tell them to buzz off,” Ken finished up, “then haul ass out of here.” Ken shook his head as he didn’t seem to believe he was saying it himself, “I know; I wish I could figure out a way to give up the goods for that kind of scratch and not be hounded by the guys that hired us but frankly I can’t!”

Graced covered a small grin with her hand. You might have your rough edges but you are a lot better then you give yourself credit, Ken thought Grace

“Ain’t ones to go back on our word, Ken,” Tess agreed, still working on the console, “Cap’n, I ain’t worried about getting there, I’m worried what’ll happen when we git there. Might’n be a good idea to have Jason phone ahead. Let ‘em know what happened. May even git a little ground support, If he asked real nice. I’m trying to get a location on the Arrowhead, at least have some idea as to where they’re holed up.”

"I agree with Ken. I got a bad feeling about these guys. They know more than we do about this situation. I can see if I can get Destiny to give us a good push. We may be go faster but some race are won through stamina, not speed." Stated Grace.

"Well Mr. Chung, you're only a day out of Greenleaf, I'm sure they have more wine ready. We have a contract and we plan to honor it so I'm sorry but as tempting as it your offer is a contract is a contract. We're behind schedule as it is so no offense but we gotta burn."

"Very Good Captain. Very Good indeed. Had you accepted my offer then you have failed my simple test and brought dishonour to your ship. I am humbled to be in the presence of one with honour. I would return this favour by telling you that your shipment may not be what you think and you are caught in a game between demonic forces. There is a moon that you will pass in less than an hour at current speed. We have a bumblebee setup there is two ports. We use it for exchanges when we don't want alliance eyes. Meet me there and we will talk? I give you my work as a representative of the 14K Tong that you will not be harmed and no force will be used against you."

(assuming some mulling over)

"I assure you Captain that you are more valuable to us alive and well. We will let you land first if you'd prefer and we will arrive unarmed. Truly, I merely wish to talk to you and if i earn your trust, then perhaps I can show you what you need to know."

Jon was about to signal Tess to let’er rip when Chung’s reply stopped him short.

"Very Good Captain. Very Good indeed. Had you accepted my offer then you have failed my simple test and brought dishonor to your ship. I am humbled to be in the presence of one with honor. I would return this favor by telling you that your shipment may not be what you think and you are caught in a game between demonic forces. There is a moon that you will pass in less than an hour at current speed. We have a bumblebee setup there is two ports. We use it for exchanges when we don't want alliance eyes. Meet me there and we will talk? I give you my work as a representative of the 14K Tong that you will not be harmed and no force will be used against you."
As Wang did his best to charm them Jon tried hard to keep all expression from face, but having Wang admit to being Tong left him with a knot in his stomach. The Tong didn’t announce who they were, but a local thug might use their infamy to advance his personal gain.

"I assure you Captain that you are more valuable to us alive and well. We will let you land first if you'd prefer and we will arrive unarmed. Truly, I merely wish to talk to you and if I earn your trust, then perhaps I can show you what you need to know."
Looking coolly as he could Jon said,” Wuo Jai Jeong Yi Chi. (Let me repeat myself ) We have a contract and we plan to honor it. Have a good day Mr. Chung.” With that said Jon cut the wave.

(Edited)
“Tess, Jio Weh Sung Chiuh.( run away) Let's just get the hell out of here! Show these locals how this lady can dance. Save the big burn for a surprise.”

"The real Tong don't have to tell you they are the Tong; you'll know it. It's a trap!"

“Shiong mao niao” Ken said shaking his head after the channel with the Tong was closed, “Jon you really should let Jason handle the delicate situations.”

“I think you should have at least told them you would consider meeting with them later since you can’t stop right now because of the tight schedule,” he said, “but if you were going to blow them off at least do it with some tact; you sounded like me.”

“Yeah it’s probably a trap, but of course the Tong tell you they are they Tong,” he chuckled, “how else do you get a rep if people don’t know who you are? And who would say they are the Tong if they aren‘t? I think the real Tong would take offense.”

Turning to leave the bridge, “Well at least don’t go full burn when you run,” he stepped out and his last words could be heard from down the passage, “they cant do anything to stop us so no rush.”

“We’d like to buy the wine from you. A special price of 5000 credits a barrel in platinum, as compensation for any difficulties you might have explaining its loss to your current employer," Mr. Chung offered.

“Ah, Mr. Chung, I’m gonna need a bit, you just hang out there, we’ll call back,” with that Jon signaled Tess to break the wave.
The image winked out and Jon turned to the crew, “Rung Tse Song Di Ching Dai Wuo Tzo.”

“If we take the deal, we’ll never get another legal job and the Barron will see to it we go to jail. If we don’t take the deal we’ll always be looking over our shoulder for the Tong.”

“Ta Ma Duh!”

“I say we tell them to buzz off,” Ken stated, “then haul ass out of here.” Ken shook his head continuing, “I know; I wish I could figure out a way to give up the goods for that kind of scratch and not be hounded by the guys that hired us but frankly I can’t!”

“Ain’t ones to go back on our word, Ken,” Tess agreed, still working on the console, “Cap’n, I ain’t worried about getting there, I’m worried what’ll happen when we git there. Might’n be a good idea to have Jason phone ahead. Let ‘em know what happened. May even git a little ground support, If he asked real nice. I’m trying to get a location on the Arrowhead, at least have some idea as to where they’re holed up.”

"I agree with Ken. I got a bad feeling about these guys. They know more than we do about this situation. I can see if I can get Destiny to give us a good push. We may be faster but some races are won through stamina, not speed," Stated Grace.

Jon signaled Tess to continue the wave as he turned back to the Vid, "Well Mr. Chung, you're only a day out of Greenleaf, I'm sure they have more wine ready. We have a contract and we plan to honor it so I'm sorry but as tempting as it your offer is a contract is a contract. We're behind schedule as it is so no offense but we gotta burn."

"Very Good Captain. Very Good indeed. Had you accepted my offer then you would have failed my simple test and brought dishonor to your ship. I am humbled to be in the presence of one with honor. I would return this favour by telling you that your shipment may not be what you think and you are caught in a game between demonic forces. There is a moon that you will pass in less than an hour at current speed. We have a bumblebee setup there is two ports. We use it for exchanges when we don't want alliance eyes. Meet me there and we will talk? I give you my work as a representative of the 14K Tong that you will not be harmed, and no force will be used against you."

"I assure you Captain that you are more valuable to us alive and well. We will let you land first if you'd prefer and we will arrive unarmed. Truly, I merely wish to talk to you and if i earn your trust, then perhaps I can show you what you need to know."

Looking as cool as he could Jon said,” Wuo Jai Jeong Yi Chi. We have a contract and we plan to honor it. Have a good day Mr. Chung.” With that said Jon cut the wave.

“Tess, Jio Weh Sung Chiuh. Let's just get the hell out of here! Show these locals how this lady can dance. Save the big burn for a surprise,” Jon said.

"The real Tong don't have to tell you they are the Tong; you'll know it. It's a trap!"

“Shiong mao niao” Ken said shaking his head after the channel with the Tong was closed, “Jon you really should let Jason handle the delicate situations.”

“I think you should have at least told them you would consider meeting with them later since you can’t stop right now because of the tight schedule,” he said, “but if you were going to blow them off at least do it with some tact; you sounded like me.”

“Yeah it’s probably a trap, but of course the Tong tell you they are they Tong,” he chuckled, “how else do you get a rep if people don’t know who you are? And who would say they are the Tong if they aren‘t? I think the real Tong would take offense.”

Turning to leave the bridge, “Well at least don’t go full burn when you run,” he stepped out and his last words could be heard from down the passage, “they can’t do anything to stop us so no rush.”

Jason glanced toward Ken an amused look on his face, “Well, I guess this means the easy part is over,” whit a shrug he turned back to the Captain, “Jon, did you want me to check into these guys? I figure we have about six hours till they could possibly intercept us out here and that gives me plenty of time to check into a few things,” Jason shrugged his shoulders bouncing himself off the bulkhead, “Did you want me to check in with Decimus and inform him of our current plight and see about getting some ground support for the delivery or would you rather I leave the Baron in the dark on this one?” Jason asked as he crossed the bridge to the Com station, “It’s up to you Cap’n, I just work here.”

Jason sat down at his console bringing it to life with a few quick gestures that spoke of long practice with the equipment and started checking the local times of his informants figuring out who to call first.


((OOC: I’ll post more after I get a responses from the rest of the gang.))