[OOC]
I missed including the original intro to the Stargaze my last email; it's reflected on the Web site, if anyone noticed. I also put the NPCs on the site for easy name calling.
 
 - Man, you all cook up some good gobblity-gook when you have to, huh? I love it! And wow, what a slap into the good old days that was...Which way books. Ahhh....as I digress remembering them..There were actually 2 which way books involving Star Frontiers - they talk about it on some of the SF listserves. But anyway, I guess I'll try my creative prose...
 
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AZAD and SPUROKE need to speak up. If you do not want to continue, let me know and we'll try to fill your spot with someone else. I'll maintain an NPC as long as I can, but splicing everyone's conversation into a logical flow is very time consuming and I'd rather not do it. The two of you being the only technicians on the team, it's not fair for me to just kill you off if you still keep silent; that'd hurt everyone....hmmm....that's an intriguing possibility :) But anyway, let's get you two into it soon, or I'll have someone else run your character.

So many conversations to back track on!! :-/  Next time I'll wait for everyone's response. I skipped some of Telgar's quote on the last turn as well, I've included that as well. This is the first we've seen blatant disrespect of the Vrusk...good RP potential; I know the 4 of you kind of worked on backgrounds together...as long as everyone involved is okay with the potential hostility, that's cool by me. You may want to cool it down with some OOC jests if it gets too hot....But that's just sensitive ole me responding. :)

 
[IC]
    Telgar says "I'm in for the bet" then starts fiddling his fingers along his shirt. He pulls out the collar a bit.  Kah'Liss seems to point out the waiter to Telgar, and Telgar turns around to flag the waiter down.  After getting a couple of drinks and ordering some small snack, Telgar turns back around after hearing the conversation between Kah'Liss and Lyrium and says "There is always a proper time for everything as I'm sure Kah'Liss would be the first to point out, but if it came down to rating my performance, believe me - I'm good... at everything." He grins and then glances at the rest of the group at the table and speaks to the captain. "So how exactly, do you expect to get there so fast?  I'm interested in where I'm putting my credits.  Give me a good reason and I'll bet for you... I always love a challenge"  Telgar waits for an answer.
    Balou throws his hands to Grynh, gesturing for him to take it away. The Yazirian regards Telgar over his Sour, a smile creeping to his face. "Well, the Serena Dawn is equipped with your standard Type C Ion Drive. As I'm sure you're aware, they use the same principle as beams. Ion engines work by ionizing particles of fuel, typically anything, but most often than not, Hydrogen. Type C engines punch a wallop, to be sure. Indeed, there is a limit to the velocity that can be reached. I have put my hand in a bit, tweaked where I could, where more often than not, I can increase maximum velocity. Of course, this is a challenge for the engines, but she's never let us down before. That alone will not bring us to destination a day early, THAT falls in the hands of our good navigator."
    Stu interjects with his cue. "Astronavigation of plotted and well-travelled Star Routes is a bit easy; it's all been done. But as we hit Faster-than-light speeds, you all know the fabric of space is warped, thus this whole 'void' business. Clever Astrogation allows us to jump to the next bend in space, if you plot it out right. Gotta be quick, though. That's why most stick to the same route; you miss the wave, you stand to end up many light years in the WRONG direction. Sometimes you have to take that risk."
    Azad and Spuroke listen intently to the discussion. Azad speaks. "So, have you ever missed one of these waves?"
    The Navigator smiles a big, toothy grin. "...So, who's in for the bet?"
     Lyrium smiles happily and leans back in her chair, fingers interlocked behind her head. She bobs the front legs of the chair off of the ground for a few seconds. Nodding happily at Telgar's question and the crew's answer, she then beams to the Captain, "I'll put 500 down that you can't make it." She glances to the others and adds in an amused tone, "After all, I can't lose."
    Zhirrzh frowns at the mention of 100 credits for the bet. At the mention of 500 from Lyrium, he sighs silently.
"This would have been good," he thinks. "I might have to go back to that shopkeeper and let him know how upset I am for not having enough to put up my end of the bet." Out loud he says, "Looks like this bet is too steep for me. I'm afraid I made excellent use of the 2000 we were given up front." He pauses for a moment to look Lyrium in the eye before shaking his head and continuing. "And captain, that certainly doesn't mean I think you'd make it in four days. In fact, I think Lyrium is going to walk away from this with a tidy sum."
    Lyrium chuckles and glances over to Zhirrzh, "Spent your bonus, already, eh?" she purses her lips lightly and shrugs, "Im more than happy to lend you 100 credits if you wish? That way we can encourage our good Captain to make a swift journey. What do you say?"
    "I accept," Zhirrzh answers. "Very generous of you." Zhirrzh turns to the captain. "Well captain, it looks like you've got a healthy wager on your hands. Still think you're up to it?"
    Balou listens to the conversation in mock boredom, chin resting in his hands, fiendish smirk on his face. After the jabs at their capability, he leans back and throws a grin to the others. "Looks like once again, we've got another set of passengers who will learn the hard way." He lifts his drink, the crew clanking their glasses together in already won victory. He regards the team. "Of course we are in. You seem to forget we know the Serena Dawn. I'm often...amused, when passengers come along touting her created fallacies. I must admit I am impressed; most don't put their Creds where their mouth is. But, it will be creds worth taking, all the same. We're on."
    "Very good captain," Zhirrzh smiles. "Looks like the adventure is getting started before we leave the planet."
    The Captain grins. "Indeed."
    Brenon uproots himself from the bar and heads over to the table housing Streel's team. He gives a brief nod to those who glance his direction (with an exception to Kah'liss, should he glance at Brenon), he taps Zhirrzh on the shoulder and hands him a key card, "Here's the spare card to our room, I think I'm gonna turn in.....remember, sleep when you can." He promptly turns and moves to exit the Stargaze.
    Telgar says "I'll go in for 200 credits that we'll make it there early. Captain, you'll have to show me these engines when we load.  I've always been interested in spacecraft, but just never put forth the effort to go through the training.  I want to get a feel for the ship since I'll be in it a while."  Telgar smiles and sits back a bit to listen to the other conversations.
       Zhirrzh regards Lyrium. "Lyrium, I noticed on your bio that you're skilled in Martial Arts. I like to get a good workout before a mission and am going to the gym now. Perhaps you would like to join me for some exercises and a sparring match or two?"
    Lyrium regards Zhirrzh for a long moment, for once her look is unreadable, finally her slight grin returns and she nods and rises smoothly from her chair, "Certainly. It would give me some insight on how other races spar. Although I feel I must let you know that I havent been fighting for long, and so I hope you won't expect anything too wonderful. I mostly do it for
exercise and relaxation."  She nods to the others, "Anyone else want to go? I haven't had enough to
drink to make this a bad idea, but staying any longer and Im sure I will. So I will go now. Also, " she adds with a broad smile to the Captain, "I have to save up for my bet. It wouldnt do to spend all my credits on drinks.." she chuckles softly and nods to the Yazarian that she is ready to go.
    Zhirrzh stands and bids his goodbyes to the rest of the table, with exception to Kah'liss, and turns to leave the table.
    Kay'liss watches the entertainments of the evening coming to a rapid end.  He bows to Lyrium as he raises off the floor to a standing position, "It was a very intriguing evening and I do hope that we can continue these exchanges of opinions at a future time.  There are many things that I will ponder this evening."  He shakes his head at Lyrium's offer, "I may not be fully aware of the social conveniences or proper dialogue that other races exhibit, but I am not fully oblivious either.  While you are kind enough to invite me, I do believe that I will find this trip ... and some of our future companions ...
to be less than hospitable.  All this stated, I will leave all of my fellow travelers to enjoy the rest of the evening and do hope that my absence will allow them to do so more fully than they obviously are with my presence."
He bows softly to all, offering a deeper bow to Lyrium and the Captain of the Serena Dawn.  He pauses in mid-bow to Zhirrzh, just long enough to be noticeable, before straightening and walking slowly out of the bar, leaving
his first drink untouched.
    Hearing that many of the group are starting to leave, Telgar contemplates going and watching Zhirrzh and Lyrium spar, but sees Kah'Liss make his bows.  "I think I'll just hit the sack as well.  I want to be well rested.  Looks  at the drink left by Kah'Liss and gulps it down with a satisfying "Ahh!". He says to Kah'Liss "Wait up, we have some things to discuss on the way to our rooms."  Telgar yells back to the remaining group "See you all later," and follows the Vrusk.
    Lyrium's voice getting softer as they walk away, she is heard to say "I don't plan to stay TOO long, we do have an early morning.. of course if the crew drinks much more I bet we don't leave till afternoon.."
    The crew of the Serena Dawn sit with Azad and Spuroke, quiet a few moments as the rest of the team leaves. To break the silence, the Dralasite begins, "Ever hear about the New Pale farmer who couldn't breed his Malhumas?"
    The rest of the table regard each other dryly. "Wait," Azad interjects. "Another round first. You forget we are not Dralasites, and the spirits may make us appreciate your joke more."
    Spuroke chuckles, a deep bellow. "I have not forgotten. Drink up....Now, back to the farmer..."
 

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Referee's Note

If everyone is done here, we can jump to departure day if you'd like. Otherwise, continue on.

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