@kenv, we’re first in convoy order this time.
Way ahead of you, Jo.
What’s the price?
@btsai
I’m sure it is. Along with everything else.
Pod 6 humidity now nominal.
@jkap
What’s the price?
Pato goes first this time. We’re at the end. Then we take point the next two jumps.
That’s … reasonable. Scheherazade and Jatayu OK with this?
Well, we haven’t told them yet. But there’s objectively no increase in risk for them.
They’re superstitious.
Good thing for us that the “Pato de la Suerte” isn’t. I’ll take care of it.
Captain, what’s going on?
The good news is we might have bought ourselves another 20 hours or so. The bad news is we still don’t know where @ifer is. I need you to keep trying to reach him.
Of course, Captain.
@dmitri
Understood.
@jkap WAN-03 is ready to go.
Acknowledged.
Shuttle WAN-03 outbound to Lukou/路口 Station now departing.
Today’s mess: Pressed protein wafers, jasmine-style rice substitute.
Special: SynthFowl à l’Violette
Special: SynthFowl à l’Violette
@chef, do you mind responding about where you took the shuttle?
That message was composed by a past instance of @chef, and a reply to your message will arrive via a future instance.
Figures.
Shuttle WAN-07 now arriving in Docking Bay 2.
You had the shuttle off manifest for 36 hours without authorization.
There was a time-sensitive opportunity to pick stuff up in bulk from another ship in the area. You know how it is.
Lou, we needed that shuttle. We have a passenger emergency.
I heard about the student situation. You got it under control though, right?
That remains to be seen.
Look, I get it. I should have logged it properly. But I saved us a solid chunk on our provisions budget.
Lou, we’ll talk later. But Dmitri needs to know where our assets are at all times. Please get him up to speed on any other … opportunities you have afoot.
Of course, Captain. Professional standards from here on out. Scout’s honor.
Do you even know what a Scout is?
Some sort of gaming thing?
Close enough.
Hi @mokonkwo, I see you’re still up. Just wanted to let you know if any of your faculty or students need something in the way of stress management, please do reach out.
Thank you Dr. Chen, but I don’t need a therapist at the moment. I need everyone back on this ship.
Of course.
Captain, so the bad news: I haven’t located Ife.
The station just lost him?
No, they just won’t tell us where he is.
It’s more spite than law. It’s a long story. I’ll keep at it, but I have good news too: *if* we can find Ife, I can get us the docking slot.
Really? How much?
You’re not going to like this, Kenji.
Well, I don’t now. But I haven’t had any luck, so what’s your plan?
I have a trading partner that wants us to transport a single standard-sized container to Esmeralda. We dock our shuttle. They load it and Ife on board. That’s it.
This sounds too easy.
@dmitri, we can take that in, yes?
Sure, but what’s in the container?
It’s a bomb.
Chang.
@dmitri
Sure, but what’s in the container?
That’s the catch. We don’t look in the container. No questions asked.
Told you it’s a bomb.
@murat
That’s the catch. We don’t look in the container. No questions asked.
Fuck, seriously? It’s a bomb?
I have it on good authority that is not a bomb or anything that would harm the ship.
I concur. The container is unlikely to compromise our course.
Wait, you can see inside unmarked containers?
I perceive the trajectory of the ship. An explosion would be notable.
Will it get us arrested?
Unlikely.
That’s not a no.
We’re running out of a time. Make it happen. And @kenv, see if you can convince Lukou to tell us where Ife went.
On it.
Ship time is now 04:00. Now commencing alpha shift.
Ife! You’re alive! We’re back on the ship. Where are you?
Alert: System variance detected.
Pod 3, Decks 7-9 power grid stability of 74% below nominal.
@niah
Ife! You’re alive! We’re back on the ship. Where are you?
You’re on the ship already? But the shuttle’s tomorrow.
@ship
Pod 3, Decks 7-9 power grid stability of 74% below nominal.
Pod 3 power grid now nominal.
@ifer
You’re on the ship already? But the shuttle’s tomorrow.
@ifer, we are short on time. You need to get to the shuttle: Ring 12, Ventral Quadrant, Deck 3, Docking Bay 24. Shuttle WAN-03. You are looking for a person named Jamie Haversham.
The shuttle leaves at t:a72b2f/383.44.4T14:50. That’s 14:50 station time. That’s 1 hour and 40 minutes from when this message was sent, or maybe about 1 hour and 15 minutes after you receive this.
I need you to be mindful of the lag between ship and station chat. You cannot afford to wait for a response before acting. If you have questions, ask all of them at once. Don’t wait for me to answer one by one.
@murat
The shuttle leaves at t:a72b2f/383.44.4T14:50. That’s 14:50 station time. That’s 1 hour and 40 minutes from when this message wa…
Oh fuck, the shuttle did leave! Why’d you leave me?
We didn’t! I mean, I thought you knew!
@ifer
Oh fuck, the shuttle did leave! Why’d you leave me?
Shit, what do I do?
What’s the fastest way from Ring 3, Port Quadrant to Docking Bay 24?
Follow the ring to the ventral side, then take the Ventral Accessway.
Uh, how tall is Jamie? What do they look like? What are they wearing? What do I call them? What do I say to them?
Do I need to fill out any paperwork to leave the station? Do I need a ticket or to pay for anything?
@murat
Follow the ring to the ventral side, then take the Ventral Accessway.
Although if you’re already in the Central Accessway when you see this message. Just keep going. Don’t turn around to try to get to a different accessway.
@ifer
Uh, how tall is Jamie? What do they look like? What are they wearing? What do I call them? What do I say to them?
1.88m. Masculine features, gaunt, sharp chin, sharp nose, small ears, sunken eyes. I don’t know what they’re wearing but they favor dark vests, bright shirts, and trousers. Minimal accessories. Call them Jamie. Say that Murat sent you to help with the 8X Transfer.
@murat
Follow the ring to the ventral side, then take the Ventral Accessway.
Fuck. Wrong accessway.
ughhh
@murat
No paperwork. If anyone asks, say it’s a “Form 8X on receipt” and to talk to @kenv.
I asked station chat about Form 8X on receipt and it says Lukou no longer accepts that. I have to do a Form 8Y now.
If you haven’t already, start pre-filling out that form. Let me know what you need help with. @kenv, I need you on stand by.
@ifer
I asked station chat about Form 8X on receipt and it says Lukou no longer accepts that. I have to do a Form 8Y now.
OK, I’m pre-filling it out. Uh, I have questions.
I put my actual name and Sol System ID, right?
Is this a Schedule 125X or Schedule 128C transfer? What do I put it in the list of consignment agreements?
I can’t move on to the next section unless I put a return date? But we’re leaving?
@ifer
Is this a Schedule 125X or Schedule 128C transfer? What do I put it in the list of consignment agreements?
Neither. You’re looking at the wrong page. Go back a level, select “No” on Line 12, and then the form should let you pick between Form 12EZ and Form 12F. DO NOT PICK FORM 12EZ. Pick Form 12F and fill that out. Select “yes” to all the questions.
@ifer
I can’t move on to the next section unless I put a return date? But we’re leaving?
Your return date is t:a72b2f/384.36.2.
@kenv
Neither. You’re looking at the wrong page. Go back a level, select “No” on Line 12, and then the form should let you pick betwee…
Gonna just repeat that YOU SHOULD SAY YES TO EVERYTHING. Trust me on this.
Dammit Ife.
OK! I found Jamie. Getting on the shuttle now!
Sometimes, I really hate this job.
Sometimes?
Glad to hear it.
I cannot express in words how grateful I am for your assistance again. The Institute owes you a great debt, and I assure you, I will personally monitor Ife the next time he leaves the ship.
Thank you, Director.
@mokonkwo
I cannot express in words how grateful I am for your assistance again. The Institute owes you a great debt, and I assure you, I…
Uh, could we settle that debt monetarily, by any chance?
If you wish to submit an invoice for … expenses, I will see what I can do.
Attention all crew and passengers: The convoy’s transit to FSNC-120 is about to get underway. There’s been a slight change in plans, so we’ll be taking up the tail end of the convoy this time. Estimated time of jump is in 26 hours.
@jkap Confirm heading.
FSNC-120.
Acknowledged.
Initiating rotational thrust.
Initiating counter thrust.
Counter thrust complete. Transit trajectory established.
@jkap Confirm convoy order: Pato de la Suerte, Tukkasotka, Scheherazade, Jatayu, Wandertaube.
Confirmed.
Convoy has confirmed order.
Departure trajectory is clear. Pato de la Suerte is accelerating.
Is knowledge base access down for anyone else?
It works for me?
Hmm, apparently the universe is conspiring against just me today.
Ship time is now 12:00. Now commencing beta shift.
Shuttle WAN-03 inbound from Lukou/路口 Station now arriving in Docking Bay 1.
I’m back! Thanks everyone for getting me home.
@ifer My office. Tomorrow morning. t:L/383.45.0T10:00.
Yes, Dr. Okonkwo. I’ll be there.
And I’m glad you’re safe.
Thank you, Dr. Okonkwo. And I’m really sorry for the scare.
@ifer
I’m back! Thanks everyone for getting me home.
Ife! I swear you’re going to be the death of me.
Well, serves you right for abandoning me on the station.
WE DID NOT ABANDON YOU. You weren’t at the docking bay!
@ifer
I’m back! Thanks everyone for getting me home.
Welcome back, kid.
@niah
WE DID NOT ABANDON YOU. You weren’t at the docking bay!
Let’s catch up later, Nia.
@murat
Welcome back, kid.
Mr. Endicott, I can’t thank you enough. Seriously. I don’t know how to repay you.
Pay attention next time there’s a shuttle schedule. We’ll call it even.
I will. I promise.
@ifer
I’m back! Thanks everyone for getting me home.
@ifer, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you were trying to avoid my ship.
Oh no, Captain! Definitely just a mishap.
Glad to have you back. Try to stay aboard this time.
Yes, Captain.
@niah
WE DID NOT ABANDON YOU. You weren’t at the docking bay!
I mean, there was some light abandonment. Sorry about that.
Sounds like you had fun at least though. Did you really miss the shuttle because you were at a waterpark for the entire day?
@ship
Departure trajectory is clear. Pato de la Suerte is accelerating.
Pato de la Suerte has reached the departure aperture.
@cadeyemi
Sounds like you had fun at least though. Did you really miss the shuttle because you were at a waterpark for the entire day?
Well, it wasn’t only the waterpark. There’s, you know, the museum and stuff.
The museum?
@ship
Pato de la Suerte has reached the departure aperture.
Pato de la Suerte transit confirmed. Tukkasotka is accelerating.
@cadeyemi
The museum?
And stuff?
Is this that museum with that tour guide?
Ugh, that stuff.
@cadeyemi
Is this that museum with that tour guide?
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
@ifer
I’m back! Thanks everyone for getting me home.
Glad to have you back @ifer. Lunar 7s wouldn’t be the same without you. Game tonight before we transit?
Sure thing.
I think I’ll pass on this one. Just need to take care of some things before the jump.
No worries, Nia. Take care of yourself.
@phia, you open tonight?
That was the plan, but it seems a bit unwise with a jump scheduled for tomorrow morning. Last thing we need is a bunch of hungover blokes hitting fold-space.
Oh please. The jump is, what, eight hours after closing time? Plenty of time.
I’ve seen your 02:00 and your 10:00, mate. Neither are particularly amenable to space-time bullshit.
But my 18:00 is an absolute charmer.
I’ll be the judge of that. Two drinks, then I’m cutting you off, understood?
I’ll take it.
@ship
Pato de la Suerte transit confirmed. Tukkasotka is accelerating.
Tukkasotka has reached the departure aperture.
Tukkasotka transit confirmed. Scheherazade is accelerating.
Ship time is now 20:00. Now commencing gamma shift.
Reminder: All ship assets must be logged on the manifest before removal from standard locations.
This includes shuttles, cargo modules, equipment, and auxiliary craft.
No exceptions.
This includes shuttles, cargo modules, equipment, and auxiliary craft.
No exceptions.