Aug 3, 2025 3:21 am
Mora's space-traffic control is nothing if not efficient. Precisely at 1300, May 21 1115, the clamps release.
"Miss Fortune, Control shows clamps free at 1300. Proceed to sat-bouy Niner Five per standard. One-third G authorized until clear."
The controller keeps tight tabs on the Athelstone-class Trader until clear of the crowded traffic zone near the huge spaceport. Then a departure 'lane' is assigned and one-G acceleration is possible. Time from clamp release to 100-diameter 'safe jump point' estimated at 7 1/2 hours, 20:30.
Said Ma double checks the 10 'frozen' passengers and all seems well. Eight low-passengers are people who travelled to Mora for medical procedures or genetic enhancements and are now returning to their homes on Fornice or further along the "Spinward Main". Only two are non-medical passengers; a married couple that had come to Mora on promise of jobs..
Kayla Hong asks if Leilani wants to accompany her while checking on the High and Middle passengers. (Either accompanied or not, she makes the rounds...)
Decherrek is, of course, doing just fine. He's concentrating on his personal comp, looking at images projected onto the fold-out desk. Very intent on whatever he's looking at...
Monseur et Madame LeFrontaine" the well dressed 'Solomani' gentleman. "I am Theodorick, but please to call me 'Terry'. And this is my spouse, Adriana." Adriana again only smiles shyly and quickly ducks her head. They occupy adjacent staterooms, but for the moment are in just the one. "We are looking forward to seeing Adriana's family on Fornice!" It seems a cheerful destination for Terry, but Adriana doesn't look up or make any indication of anticipation. "It is a welcome break from the restaurant, too! I am interested in your ship-board cuisine and am curious how this is done in space.., in jump! On such a small ship it must be difficult to provide anything more than "chow". We will see!"
Your middle passenger, "Aepheon Telom", is a stocky human-male of perhaps 50 standard-years. Looks in very good condition physically, perhaps some sensory implants and vision enhancements too; but subtle ones. He remains dressed in standard Mora business attire and is working with a high-end micro-computer when you check on him. He quickly shuts down the holographic display and indicates he is fine, and needs nothing special at the moment.
And Thessa Ting. You are already familiar with the young-looking but hard-eyed courier. She is sipping Kaffe and nibbling on a cookie in the lounge area. Watching an adventure-thriller tri-vid episode, something called "Legend of the Sky Raiders". Looks interesting. "I'm good, no worries from me. I'm feeling better about 'Miss Fortune' now that I've been aboard a couple of days. Your Vargr 'pilot' has been helpful; he seems nicer than most... Pilots, I mean. Those I've met before trend towards being self-centered. Overly impressed with themselves!"
"Miss Fortune, Control shows clamps free at 1300. Proceed to sat-bouy Niner Five per standard. One-third G authorized until clear."
The controller keeps tight tabs on the Athelstone-class Trader until clear of the crowded traffic zone near the huge spaceport. Then a departure 'lane' is assigned and one-G acceleration is possible. Time from clamp release to 100-diameter 'safe jump point' estimated at 7 1/2 hours, 20:30.
Said Ma double checks the 10 'frozen' passengers and all seems well. Eight low-passengers are people who travelled to Mora for medical procedures or genetic enhancements and are now returning to their homes on Fornice or further along the "Spinward Main". Only two are non-medical passengers; a married couple that had come to Mora on promise of jobs..
Kayla Hong asks if Leilani wants to accompany her while checking on the High and Middle passengers. (Either accompanied or not, she makes the rounds...)
Decherrek is, of course, doing just fine. He's concentrating on his personal comp, looking at images projected onto the fold-out desk. Very intent on whatever he's looking at...
Monseur et Madame LeFrontaine" the well dressed 'Solomani' gentleman. "I am Theodorick, but please to call me 'Terry'. And this is my spouse, Adriana." Adriana again only smiles shyly and quickly ducks her head. They occupy adjacent staterooms, but for the moment are in just the one. "We are looking forward to seeing Adriana's family on Fornice!" It seems a cheerful destination for Terry, but Adriana doesn't look up or make any indication of anticipation. "It is a welcome break from the restaurant, too! I am interested in your ship-board cuisine and am curious how this is done in space.., in jump! On such a small ship it must be difficult to provide anything more than "chow". We will see!"
Your middle passenger, "Aepheon Telom", is a stocky human-male of perhaps 50 standard-years. Looks in very good condition physically, perhaps some sensory implants and vision enhancements too; but subtle ones. He remains dressed in standard Mora business attire and is working with a high-end micro-computer when you check on him. He quickly shuts down the holographic display and indicates he is fine, and needs nothing special at the moment.
And Thessa Ting. You are already familiar with the young-looking but hard-eyed courier. She is sipping Kaffe and nibbling on a cookie in the lounge area. Watching an adventure-thriller tri-vid episode, something called "Legend of the Sky Raiders". Looks interesting. "I'm good, no worries from me. I'm feeling better about 'Miss Fortune' now that I've been aboard a couple of days. Your Vargr 'pilot' has been helpful; he seems nicer than most... Pilots, I mean. Those I've met before trend towards being self-centered. Overly impressed with themselves!"
