Eris Reddoch wrote: > Ricardo waves two fingers at the bartender and takes a seat with the > dour drinker, "That bad is it?" > > The spacer proceeds to spin out a tale for Ricardo. The ship he's on > is run by a black hearted and cruel Captain who seems to have on > compunction about operating on either side of the law. He treats his > crew badly and pays next to nothing, and that's why there is such a > turnover aboard his ship...and this guy has had about all he can > take. He says that if he had a ride off this 'hole of a planet', he'd > walk away from his current ship...no he'd *run* away from > it...leaving what little gear he had behind. > > It turns out the man is an Engineer, by trade, and from Ricardo's > subtle questioning, probably not a bad one at that. He's just in a > *very* bad position. After getting out his sad tale, and downing > another of these fine ales with Ricardo, the fellow seems to cheer > up...a little. > > "I don't suppose *your* ship has a berth open for an engineer does > it?" he asks. "We might." Captain O'Brien nods, "We might, indeed. Ricardo leans back, "Perhaps only for a few jumps, but a few jumps could get a fellow to a better place like Montrose or Mark...yes?" The man looks at Ricardo and for the first time Ricardo sees something other than bitterness in his eyes. It looks like hope. "I'd do almost anything to get off that ship, Captain...um, Captain what?" he says. "O'Brien." Ricardo slaps him on the shoulder and says, "Why don't you clean up a little and settle up here. We'll go back to my ship and have a little talk?" "I'll wait for you outside." Ricardo says standing. When Ricardo steps outside he sees his four friends who are now the crew of /The Blue Rain/ walking down the sidewalk. He stops and waits for them to get near. OOC: Bruce, I'm playing it that Ricardo (a) figures he can play this NPC for info or more about the kidnappers and (b) also the /Mae Lee/ is going to need another engineer if Kelly move permanently to /The Blue Rain/. If you're ready to take Ricky back over jump in, otherwise I'll keep going. Eris AKU GM
