Dirtside Fornice. Ground Sub-Port 2-A (Port-au-Prince)

Mama reports: "Low Passenger 'thawing' is almost complete. Kayla and I will have them up and walking within the hour. Everything looks optimal...No Problems!"

Tamm uses the "Get a Quote" feature on the local maintenance company’s website. He describes the job — replacing and calibrating the tri-spacial unit — and asks for the price of "sooner rather than later" & expedited services.

LC Rains – Dirtside Briefing / Downport 2-A (Port-au-Prince) – May 28, 1115

The Miss Fortune settles on Pad 8 with the soft thud of a cat landing on a pillow — smooth, controlled, and blessedly uneventful. Through the forward viewport, rain streaks the glass, tropical humidity fogging the edges. LC unbuckles and stands, rolling his shoulders as the ship powers down to idle hums and blinking status lights.

"Well, gentlemen, ladies, and assorted clever life-forms — we’ve landed. I was almost disappointed not to explode on final descent."
He scans the pad cameras and frowns slightly at the empty tarmac.
"Though I do notice the distinct absence of our welcoming committee from Santanocheev Medical. For a crowd so insistent on ‘no intermediaries,’ they’re being remarkably… intermediate. Let’s hope they at least remembered to meet us at customs. Would be dreadfully embarrassing to deliver a high-priority package to an empty lobby."

He turns back to the assembled crew, voice raised just enough to carry over the soft patter of rain on the ship's hull.

"Alright, folks — here’s the order of business. One: passengers off first. No incidents, no lingering goodbyes. Two: standard cargo offload follows, clean and by the book. Three: we’ll need a two-person team to escort the special shipment to the Santanocheev Estate — volunteers first, or I’ll assign."
He glances around at the crew, eyes narrowing slightly but not unkindly."Once we’re clear of passengers and freight, Engineering takes over. Tamm, you’re lead on the tri-spatial controller. Confirm parts, verify calibration, and make sure we’re ready for departure before the bureaucrats have time to sniff us out. Copy?"

He gives the crew one last look, the edges of fatigue tempered by that familiar dry glint in his eyes.

"Good. Let’s make this quick, clean, and dull. And if anything isn’t dull.

He switches comms to passenger service as the disembarkation begins.
"Miss Ting — I understand you’re bound for the Santanocheev Estate as well? We’ve got a rather delicate item headed that way ourselves. Might be smart to coordinate travel from the customs portal — safety in numbers, and all that. Especially in this lovely weather."
He offers her a small, wry smile — the kind that says he’s half-joking but means every word.

He turns toward Engineering’s comm channel, voice steady.
"Tamm, for the drive maintenance — use the local affiliate of ‘All Star Ship Services.’ They’re part of Smugg Orney’s outfit, which means we might actually get the work done properly for once. I’m fairly certain I’ve got a coupon somewhere — possibly stapled to my overdue loan paperwork."

A moment later, LC flicks open his personal console and types a short encrypted message, addressed to Smugg Orney Enterprises, Fornice Branch.
Transmission sent. LC turns as the LeFrontaines approach. Adriana looks pale but awake, Terry steadying her arm. He smiles faintly, professional and careful.

"Mr. LeFrontaine — not sure what you’re thanking me for, but you’re welcome all the same."
He glances toward ‘Mama’ Said-Ma as Terry hands over a thick, weighty envelope. LC takes it without a word, weighing it in his hand before sliding it into his inner jacket pocket.
"This will go in the ship’s vault. Safe and quiet, like the rest of this voyage."

LC goes to his captain's cabin and heads to the safe, takes a look in the envelope with squinting eyes as if the envelope contains an explosive or confetti and sees what is inside. Secured that the cabin and LC did not blow up in a rain of shrapnel and flames LC reviews the contents. LC secures the envelope and contents into the Captain's safe. he then grabs his wet weather coat and heads toward the cargo bay, umbrella in hand, as the rain intensifies outside. With the manifest displayed on his hand terminal (computer) in one hand standing by the Santanocheev crate logged and ready, he prepares to personally escort the special cargo through customs.

LC Rains – Post-Landing Orders & Santanocheev Delivery Prep – May 29, 1115 – 0200 Local Time

The hum of environmental systems settles into a low, familiar thrum aboard the grounded Miss Fortune. Outside, rain continues to mist across the pad in sheets, turning the tarmac into a glistening pool of runoff and reflections. Inside, LC Rains stands in the bridge alcove, one hand on the back of his chair, reading over the latest maintenance quote with tired but focused eyes.

"Right. We’re down. Customs done, passengers off, and the hull didn’t blow apart in the final fifteen minutes — I call that a win."

He taps through comms and logs a quick, curt message to the Santanocheev Medical Office.
He flicks the console over to procurement and dials up All Star Ship Services with a slightly sharper tone of voice than usual.

"All Star, Rains again. Need to add to the tab — we’ll need a rental of an enclosed cargo-type air-raft, rated for one ton for a two-day term. Safety and security package included. You know, the one where if we vanish into the jungle, your people come find us before the local Fornice flora and fauna start to eat us or a local militia starts asking invasive questions. We understand about the Medical evac extra fees, of course. Let me know when the keys are ready."

He glances down at the maintenance quote blinking on his screen — 72,000 credits with discount.

"And yes, we’re green on the cryogenic tri-spatial controller. Funds transferred. Tell your boys if they install it backwards I’m sending it to Smugg mounted on a plate."

---

ACTION- If Santanocheev Medical Office okays a delivery after 0900 local then the below occurs
He reaches for his hand-terminal and keys open ship-wide.

"Crew: Get your rest. Call it rack time until 0900 local. Tharrok, Bronz and Kayla — congratulations, you’ve just been promoted to the glorious honor of ground logistics. You’re coming with me on the Santanocheev run. Bring your wet gear and your social graces — we’re delivering the crate in person. Tamm, you're in charge of the ship while we’re out. Try not to sell it. Or do — just get a good price."

---

ACTION- If Santanocheev Medical Office does NOT okay a late delivery and wants the cargo immediately then the following:
LC places his palm over his face and exhales in an attempt to relieve the stress of an impatient customer. He reaches for his hand-terminal and keys open ship-wide.

"Tharrok, Bronz and Kayla — congratulations, you’ve just been promoted to the glorious honor of ground logistics. Drop what you are doing and you’re coming with me on the Santanocheev run. Bring your wet gear and your social graces — we’re delivering the crate in person. Tamm, you're in charge of the ship while we’re out. ensure the rest of the crew gets some rest. Try not to sell it. Or do — just get a good price."

---

He closes the comm, exhales, and finally steps away from the console, flexing his shoulders and cracking his neck.

No matter the Santanocheev Medical Office outcome, LC will conduct the follow action and CC Said-Ma & Tamm. Before finally calling it a night, he keys in a set of quick broker queries — basic, no-frills, but wide-net — for local contacts:
LC follows up that message with a message to Said-MA and cc Tamm
He kills the lights on the bridge, coat over his shoulder, muttering as he walks back toward his cabin…

"Three weeks. What could possibly go wrong?"

LC Rains – On Choosing a Broker – May 29, 1115, Early Morning
LC leans back in the chair at his bridge console, one boot perched on the edge of the helm and a mug of steaming caf in hand. The rain continues its unceasing dribble outside, and he’s half-reading a roster of local brokers when he sighs — the kind of weary exhale that comes with experience, cynicism, and likely unpaid docking fees.
"Right. Hundred brokers to choose from, all promising discretion, speed, and unparalleled margins. Just like every last one of my exes."
He taps a few keys, pulling up the familiar logo of Smugg Orney’s "All Star Ship Services." The smile that curls across his face is dry enough to counteract the humidity outside.
"Let’s not pretend I’m risking cracked ribs and profit margins on a stranger with a clipboard. We’ll go with Smugg’s in-house broker. Sure, he’ll shave a few points off the top — but unlike the competition, he won’t shave them off my skull when the deal goes sideways."
He types a short message into the console, routing it to "All Star Ship Services – Broker Desk."
He downs the last of his caf, muttering as he gets up to prep for the Santanocheev run…
"Smugg always said loyalty should be measured in bone fractures avoided. Seems fair."

BIC
LC Looks at Bronz
"Coming along to make sure I can get this G-Carrier?"BIC

LC goes with (whom??) through Starport customs and security with nothing but a stylish wet weather coat and his 3 piece suit, ID and hand terminal, after exiting customs he waits for the others. While waiting he contacts BUDGET Rent-a-Raft and ensures they have his Budget 'Fast-Break' Frequent traveller program number. When the others get through security he heads to the Grav bus stop clearly marked for Rental Vehicle facility and boards with the others. When the gav bus gets to the the facility, LC steps off and goes to the BUDGET Rent-a-Raft kiosk and looks for his name and where the one-ton fully Enclosed G-Carrier is listed. If he is not listed on the 'Fast-Break' board he will go to the Kiosk and wait his turn in line and politely make small talk and pay for the one-ton fully Enclosed G-Carrier. He will thank the Sophant that it helping him. He will then with the other crewmember go the parking spot, check out the vehicle for the usual dings and damage, mark the rental agreement tablet and then go to the exit booth. Hand the robot attendant the tablet and let him conduct the laser light scan of the vehicle to verify the damage state of the vehicle prior to departure. During which LC will contact the Star port security and request a digital pass for the G-Carrier rental to allow it to enter the cargo area and tarmac area. Once the robot attendant is finished, LC will set the self driving instructions to the cargo tarmac starport entrance security portal and let the self driving G-Carrier do the rest.

Looking at Bronz (or whoever comes along)
"Want to hit the 'In-and-Out Burger for some Syn-Coke and a Nobble Burger?"