Revealing The Cargo

Posted on Tue May 12th, 2020 @ 4:21pm by Captain Rueben Gregnol & Executive Officer Valiyi Uhin & Executive Officer Jake Ford

Mission: Mission 11 - Prospecting
Location: New Laurium - Colony Administration
Timeline: MD 02 09:00
1558 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Gregnol was not sure how they were going to reveal what they had found on his ship but whoever had suggested that they own up and reveal it was right. He couldn’t remember who had suggested it but hiding it would do nothing to help the situation, repercussions and possible blacklisting for the ship which would cause no end of issues to remove. It would just draw the ship into the underworld that that just skimmed along at the moment. Gregnol glanced back at Jake and Valiyi and offered a comforting smile. “You did not need to come along with me.” He reminded giving them an option to turn back.

"You kidding?" Jake asked. "We're supposed to be getting paid for this delivery. If it turns out that it was for nothing, I get...hmm, let's see...nothing." He gave Gregnol a knowing chuckle. "Besides, after the luck, we've had lately, you probably don't want to be alone right now."

"And the last thing we need is to find out the Rose is at the middle of another inter-spacial incident," Valiyi added, hand on her hip. She looked absolutely livid at the idea of finding anything illegal, but if they were going to come clean, she wanted to make sure she knew the exact situation. If she needed to step in and play diplomat, she very well would have.

Gregnol nodded, if he was honest he would rather face an inter-spatial incident rather than this. It was a nice sentiment but he did not mind going alone. It was his responsibility as Captain to make sure that things were explained and take whatever punishment that New Laurium authority thought were appropriate. He pressed the door time and waited to be allowed in. The door finally opened and a human male stood there waiting.

“Good Afternoon Captain Gregnol.” Kirkby Donald said knowing which one of them would be the Captain. He made it his business as Colony Director. “And Ms Uhin… The Ardanans have told me so much about you.” It sounded that it was all positive from the smile on his face.

"Lovely." Valiyi looked to Reuben for a moment. This all seemed... suspicious already. Her impatience, however, got the best of her, as she gave this new human in front of them a look. "Good to know our reputations precede us."

Kirkby's smile faltered just a little. "Liem was wrong about you?" He wondered thinking the man had never been wrong so far. Why he trusted him with HR so much. "He said you were nothing but helpful when he got in trouble despite what has been commented elsewhere."

"Ah, and there's that famous Ardanan tick. Putting words into my mouth. I never said a word that the reputation was bad, did I?" She made no mention of the name drop. There was no point in that. "But since you know so much about us, maybe an introduction is in order?"

"Kirkby Donald. I am the Colony's Director. Now I know you and I know you." He spoke to Gregnol and Uhin. "But I do not know you." He admitted looking at Ford offering his hand to the man.

"Jake Ford." Jake shook the offered hand. "I'm just the muscle." He motioned towards Gregnol. Best keep things simple and let the Captain do the talking.

Kirkby just smiled good-naturedly and sat back on his desk looking at the three. Something serious must have happened for them to request a meeting like this and to bring some muscle. "Speak then Captain."

"No easy way to say this but the cargo we have been carrying has a device inside of it that is... well it will create a delicate situation." The man did not need to mention the other items as they were useful to the ship and will stay that way.

Valiyi folded her arms against her chest, gauging Kirkby's reaction before pressing onward. "Overly delicate." She found it difficult to believe that they would be at the heart of Ardanan issues twice like this without coincidence.

"You carry many items from many individuals in this colony," Kirkby commented on looking at the group.

"We discovered something in a container addressed for Equinox Industries." Gregnol murmured pulling out a PaDD tossing it on the mans desk. Kirkby picked it up and started to scroll through it, growing paler by the second.

Valiyi kept silent. There was little she could do in this instance, other than notate information that was already known. Instead, she gave the Armory Chief a concerned look. It was already fishy enough, but Kirkby's reactions did not add to her reassurances.

Jake met her eyes. He was equally uncertain about all of this. Being up-front was potentially risky, if things went south. Walking in the front door and playing your hand wasn't necessarily his style, but they were following Gregnol's lead. "Anything on that list look familiar?" he asked, making sure it sounded like he was backing up his Captain.

"Only the spices I have order from a wholesaler back on Betazed." Kirkby frowned. It was fast dawning on him that things were a lot more worse than he could have considered. "What do you know about Equinox Industries?" He wondered off the group.

The thought of 'Absolutely nothing.' came to Valiyi's mind, but there was a hesitation in her saying so. Instead, she merely shook her head, looking to the others in the group.

"Assume they're some sort of local business?" Jake shrugged, not recognising the reference either.

“All I know is they are based here,” Gregnol spoke up. He had checked them out when they had wanted his crew to deliver. Kirby smiled patiently as he watched the three. Equinox Industries had come out of nowhere and then suddenly become the lead mining operator.

“Equinox Industries is a company based here, it is the largest mining operator and provides 90% of the personnel. It has the biggest market capitalisation in this area as of 2393, It also has active gold mines on Earth, New Roanoke, Bajor, and Rigel IV. I believe those mines are mostly copper and ore. It also maintains numerous joint venture relationships with other entities around the universe. Really surprised you have not heard about them.” He did not need to go into what they were wining on New Laurium as he had no idea what they were mining unlike the other companies.

Valiyi took the information in, before her brow rose. "To be frank, Mr. Kirkby, may I ask why you're bringing them up?"

"Because everything that has been mentioned as not being correct on your manifest is for them," Kirby commented tossing the PADD back to them.

Wonderful, thought Jake. The prospect of the biggest company in the system using the Rosie for illicit smuggling - without telling them - was unlikely to make this job easy. He looked at Gregnol, wondering what was going through the boss' mind.

Gregnol for his worth did not roll his eyes or say anything for a long moment as he picked up the PADD and stowed it away in his pocket again. "Has anything like this happened before with them?" Gregnol asked. His voice was indignant but he was more relaxed figuring that they were not going to be in trouble right now.

"Of course. Happens often. But they keep trying. You are the first in a while to admit it though." Kirkby sighed. He wanted the Corporation to stop doing things like that was the CEO was impossible to talk to. He was never in his office when he could get through to them. "It is hard as they provide the labour for the mines. We cannot upset them too much just make them aware that we know what the big man is doing."

"Probably some corruption at work then," Jake noted, still looking over at Gregnol. "Federation would be interested if this place weren't so remote and uninteresting." He glanced at Kirby. "No offence."

"None took." Kirkby assured. He had heard it all when it came to the colony. Nothing they said or did, shocked or hurt him anymore. Everyone had reasons being out here and it was not his place to judge. "Just tread carefully when it comes to Equinox Industries hmm Captain. They do not like to be called out for their behaviour."

Valiyi let out a drawn out sigh. "... What a nightmare..." She gave Reuben a slight empathetic smile. "Would you like me to start on the logistical nightmare of the matter while you do your Captaining?"

"Please Valiyi." Gregnol said softening slightly for a moment whilst talking to the woman before holding his hand out to Kirby in the human gesture. "Thank you for your assistance." He firmly shook the man's hand before escorting the pair out waiting for the lift before he said anything. "Anyone else thinks that was too easy?"

Jake just nodded back silently. He agreed, but had nothing helpful to add - they were in the blind as far as this Equinox Corporation was concerned.

OFF::

Rueben Gregnol
Captain
SS Mary Rose

Valiyi Uhin
Executive Officer
SS Mary Rose

Jake Ford
Chief Armoury Officer
SS Mary Rose

Kirkby Donald
Colony Director
New Laurium
(NPC Gregnol)