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PostPosted: Sat Nov 06, 2021 11:25 am
by Neu Engollon
Dr. Maria Cobanalli made polite goodbyes to her fellow crew, the Captain, and the Captain’s Table guests. She hurriedly made her way back to her cabin to change into comfortable clothes and retire for the evening. She might still try to get a chapter or two of her book in, but she was definitely feeling the affects of her two drinks at dinner and a very full stomach, so it was more likely she would lay her head on the pillow as soon as she was ready.

Being the massive introvert she was, she continued to replay in her head all the social interactions of the dinner, wondering if she had made any embarrassing comment, not that she could do much about it now. She arrived at her cabin with relief, closing the door and immediately taking off her evening wear in favor of her leisure/sleeping wear.




Jack and Helene Heirlich wandered the deck, exactly as they had told Jolene they would, with fresh drinks in hand from the bar. Helene had gotten a nice after drink with mint liquor, coffee, and a hint of vodka in it. Jack had gotten another Scotch on the rocks. A 15 year malted Orcadian label. He was looking forward to their tour of the Orcadian distillery, even though that was quite a ways off from right now.

They stopped to watch Abel at the roulette table. They didn’t know anything about the young lad, but he seemed quite distraught as he continued to chase lost money with more. They continued on.

Jack commented quietly,
“That boy is going to launch himself off the rail before this cruise is over, mark my words.”

“That’s terrible, Jack, don’t say that.”

“I just think the way things are going for him back there, it might be inevitable.”

“You should tell someone.”

“Tell who? Tell them what? What will be will be. It’s not our business to get involved, especially on a hypothetical. I’m not interested in familiarizing myself with security over such a matter that’s probably nothing.”

“If it’s nothing, why are we talking about it?”

“We’re not. I’m done...Look at those stars!”

Helene snuggled closer into Jack as a chilly Nordic breeze hit them. He seemed oblivious to it, steeled by the artificial warmth of the alcohol.
“They are lovely. This was a nice idea, coming out here.”

As she spoke, Jack continued to scan their fellow guests, his secondary profession kicking in as he tapped into his NESA training. Threat assessment. Curiosity about origins and purpose. Judging stature and the dynamics between them and their companions.

There were too many guests to mentally catalog them all, but a surface scan of them might turn up ones he should keep a closer eye on. Jolene Gudfrey being one of them, although not for any nefarious reasons.
They could hear clashing strains of music, some from below, some from the ever present bagpipes, and also from the ship’s band. They didn’t quite blend in, but they weren’t overlapping too horribly either as one strain faded out to give way to another.
While Jack like Orcadian Scotch, he wasn’t quite sure how he felt about their traditional folk music.
Helene shivered on his arm.

“Time to head in?”

“Yes.”

PostPosted: Thu Nov 11, 2021 1:22 am
by Greater Orcadia
Louise however had a request, from one mariner to another, and as Martyne made her way back to her cabin ahead Brother-in-law Ryan who was still on the aft deck, bagpipes placed on the table as he watched and listened to the ships band playing away, Louise turned to the captain with a request

"Would it be possible for a tour of the mechanical spaces and bridge of this vessel?" She asks with a polite tone,

PostPosted: Thu Nov 11, 2021 1:42 pm
by Cortexis
The Vektorins were on their way to their cabin, not necessarilly to stay there for the rest of the night, but maybe relax a while. Then, however, they heard the music. It was a soft, gentle melody. Rather relaxing. Galvan could not identify the instrument, but to be perfectly honest, he was far from a musicologist. He guessed that it was an instrument considered traditional... it had that feel to it.
"Shall we listen for a while?"
"i have no objections. it could be nice."
They stood in place for a while, before heading towards the sounds. There was nowhere to hurry, they could hear it just as well from where they were. By the time they entered the bar, the song that they heard has stopped and the band began playing something else.
"A bar...", Galvan has stated the obvious while looking around. "In my opinion, the best use of alcohol is to preserve specimens... Still, there are other things to do here." There indeed were many things to do there. For the moment, however, the couple was happy just listening to the band.

PostPosted: Thu Nov 18, 2021 5:29 am
by Glisandia
The Bridge

Chief Jason Hoyt had called up his entire engineering department who was on rest, bar for Second Engineer Einar Wojcik, who remained behind in the engine room, to assist with the fault finding mission upon the vessel's radar system, spread between the Bridge and the radar/antenna mast outside. None of the two engineers and three apprentices were qualified electrical engineers, but they had a rudimentary understanding of what they were looking for, under the guidance and mentorship of the Chief.

The team was working fast, as they understood the dangers of powering down the vessel's entire radar system, especially with darkness fast approaching. Without radar, the ship had to rely solely on the eyes of the navigation crew, keeping watch with binoculars. That and the crew did not enjoy working during their precious off time, or missing supper for that matter.

After a long arduous period of checking each and every component of the radar, inch for inch, Jason discovered the origin of the glitching radar: a worn segment on the main power cable. The particular piece was located just after the main radar power cable split from the main feeder cable. A few individual internal copper wires had worn out and broken off, thus providing inconsistent feed to the radar display, forcing it to glitch, but not enough to activate the safety trip. It was a subtle, well hidden problem, made even more frustrating by the fact that these were newly installed wires, which meant that faulty wires were installed.

Jason was constantly amazed by the large problems which the tiniest of faults could create.

Jason continued to cut out the problematic segment, and replaced this part by latching on a new piece of wire. This was a temporary fix at best, which would undoubtedly hold, but would not pass the next regulations inspection, and would thus need to be replaced with an entire new cable segment. However, that was a job to be solved in port, and not whilst at sea, where the radar had to be actually functioning at all times.

After replacing all the removed panels and covers, Jason switched the radar system's back on, which immediately sprang to life, like any young healthy radar should. He took up the seat behind the radar display, running a quick electronic diagnostic on all the radar systems.

He did not like what he discovered, and his navy instincts kicked in immediately.

Jason removed a small notebook and pen from his breast pocket, and wrote down a single word. He stood from his seat and approached the senior officer on watch, XO Lilja Astridsdottir, showing his notebook to her. The single word "Jammed" appeared on the paper.

She nodded, then glanced around. She motioned over to the little compartmentalized office on the Bridge that she shared with Captain Stan. When they were both in there, she closed the door.
“Thank you for following up on that, Mr. Hoyt. What makes you think so?”

Before he could respond, low-key rolling rumbling noises emanated from his stomach, reminding its owner that it was well past feeding time. Ignoring it, he replied,
"I just ran diagnostics on the radar system, and it indicates that several - a wide range of the bandwidth frequencies are blocked. This alone is evidence of jamming in my opinion. Luckily, our X Band is capable of hopping frequency, so we still have an operational scanning capability, for now. But there is more. None of the vessels which the radar detects are displaying their Automatic identification system info, indicating that the entire specific spectrum is blocked. So we know there are vessels out there, but we can't know who, or what they are. Going even further, the data connection with the harbour master in Juovor is down, coupled with our wifi and cellular reception."

Jason sighed deeply before continuing,
"Now one can be forgiven to blame these misfortunes on solar flares, thunderstorms or high sea states…" Jason pointed towards the door, presumably to the window which laid beyond the door, and thus the lake beyond that,
"Which is obviously not the case as it's a beautiful ocean out there. And even then, the magnitude of our problems are a lot more than what the Mother would cause."

Lilja shrugged.
“Lake...Ocean...what’s the difference? There is weather interference on the Lake, but...I do think you must be right, Mr. Hoyt. Not on any part of the Lake is there any major weather patterns at the moment. Not in the last report I got from Mr. Fortunado, anyway. Something is afoot and our interference must be man made.”

"Aye Ma'am. I can guarantee that observation. Perhaps the Comms Center can do a spectrum check, just to build on the evidence, but I do suggest that the Captain is hastily informed, Ma'am."

“I’m aware of my obligations to the Captain, Mr. Hoyt, as well as to the crew and passengers. But we will get this taken care of, rest assured. Well, at least we know our new equipment is not malfunctioning of its own accord.”

"Of course Ma'am. Ma'am before we continue, please know that I am not attempting to insult or insinuate that you don't understand your job, as in fact, the truth is that I respect your position and capabilities tremendously. I am aware that I sometimes come off as a bit brash, and please allow me to chalk it up to my years served within the Port Emberian Navy. There we learned to be ruthlessly efficient, and manners came last on the list of importance."

“Relax, Mr. Hoyt. I’m not offended, but I will not shy away from reminding you that I have earned my higher berth here for a reason. We will respect each other’s worth and berth here. That’s just one thing I have learned from Captain Stan. Your efficiency will suit you well. The Captain is very respectful of such a virtue.” She took a pause and stifled a yawn.
“We have more work to do. Why don’t you take care of your crew and give those who need it rest? If you can rest up yourself and have your second in engineering take over, please do. Tomorrow is another day and we need to face it fresh. I have calls to make.”

"Aye ma'am, gratitude. Im taking the lads down to the galley now, as I have requested the crew down there to package up our grub. Anyway, Second Engineer Wojcik has the current watch, but I am available at all hours should the need arise. With that, smooth sailing, XO." He nodded deeply towards Lilja as a form of goodbye and respect as he and his crew filed out of the bridge.

As Hoyt left, she got on the hotphone to try to reach both Mr. Fortunado and Mr. Ryker with little success. They were on the move as far as their covering crew could say. Where, no one could say, but she had her suspicions. It seemed that everyone was quickly coming to the same conclusion as to their circumstances.

Next, she sent two Bridge crew out with two-way radios to man each side of the bow and radio in if the ship was getting close to anything. They did actually have NVG to wear, in just this eventuality. They pulled them out of a storage chest, tested them, and then dashed for the bow as quickly as possible. All she told them was that the radar was continuing to have technical difficulties which may only clear up with time. They would have to dim down some lights on the bow, but to not panic the passengers in the process. It was for ‘atmosphere’.

She was torn if she should wait for the Captain, and Markus and Pedro, or try to seek one of them out. She finally decided to stay put for a few more minutes and wait for call backs, which ended up being the wisest decision, after all.




The Captain’s Cabin

Stan checked in with Lilja on the Bridge before heading back to his cabin for the evening. He needed to lay his head down after feeling he had to be ‘on’ for their guests at his Table. It was draining. The Captain met the Second Officer near the small office off the Bridge.

She seemed to be calm, but not quite level.
“Smooth sailing and clear skies out there, Sir. Minor issue with radar technical difficulties that Mr. Hoyt worked on, but that turned up some other issues.”

“Oh?”

Lilja was relieved that Stan’s visit had saved her the effort of having to track him down in the Dining Room or his cabin.
“He believes we’re getting some interference. Not the typical weather interference. As I said, clear skies. All the way across the Lake, from the last report from Pedro.”

“Interference?”

“Jamming...I guess? I never served in the Navy, Captain. I have never been on a ship that has been targeted like this. But we’re getting sustained and pinpointed electrical interference that’s causing issues with our radar. We’re not getting proper read backs. Our chief engineer believes this isn’t a fluke or mundane malfunction. Everything I know tells me this has to be jamming.”

“It sounds about right. I was not in the Navy either, but the Merchant Marine, as you know. We got hit with their jamming often enough.”

“So, that’s bad. It means they’re going to do something to us?”

He kept his voice low
“Not necessarily. You aren’t military, but you are Glisandian, Lilja. You know how much they like to mess with us. How bitterness still drives them. I don’t think it amounts to stepping up to violent aggression, but if they can get their kicks from messing with a passenger ship, then so be it. You can’t be the least surprised that they would try to trip us a little for the laughs...”

“But it is aggression, Sir. It puts our safety in jeopardy. Blanking out our radar could cause us to crash! Into another boat...into the shore…”

“Keep your voice down. Let’s not put the crew into a panic. You need to put some crew on the bow to keep watch. Give them radios…”

“Already done, Sir. I did that right after we found out we were getting bad returns from the radar system, before Mr. Hoyt and his team even started working on it.”

“Good. I need to rest a bit after this dinner. But just a cat nap. I will be back here two hours earlier than my normal time to relieve you. We should meet then with Mr. Fortunado and Mr. Ryker, as both our Communications department and Security department should know this is going on.”

“Shouldn’t we tell them now?”

“Call them up here. I think both of them should still be on duty. They need to know what’s going on. But as far as us getting a solid plan together on how to deal with this, it can wait until morning, unless things begin to escalate. See if you can reach back home to tell them what’s going on. If they hit us on comms too, that might be the final warning. If Pedro tells you that, come get me. If anything else starts going wrong, send someone to get me.”

XO Astridsdottir didn’t say anything for a moment, but she was highly skeptical that the Captain should go off to sleep with everything going on. Without radar, they could be vulnerable to a crash, as she had said. She also didn’t trust that the situation would not escalate. It was hard to trust anything with Yellowsians and their attitudes toward their neighbors. These people had been bred for generations to be xenophobic and calculatingly disruptive.
“Do you think it’s wise to leave this to simmer, Sir?”

“I think it’s less wise for me to try to deal with it in my current state. I implicitly trust you to handle this in my brief absence, Lilja. That’s why you’re my second in command. We would not have left home port if I had any doubts in your ability.”

“Understood, Sir.”

“Now, I’m heading to bed. Or to nap. Whichever.”




He headed on down two decks to his cabin. He took his jacket off and hung it up, looking it over once to see if he had spilled anything on it that he hadn’t noticed while sitting down. It looked clean enough.

Then he eyed a certain cabinet. He stood still, contemplating then moved towards it.
“What the hell, I...No. No. I need to clear up my head.”

Instead of pulling out the bottle of bourbon in the cabinet, he reached to the mini-fridge and pulled out a seltzer water. He uncapped it, taking a long pull.

There was a knock at the door. He put down the drink and went to it.

He looked out the peep hole first to see Pedro Fortunado and Markus Ryker standing in the passageway. Had it been anyone else, like a passenger just trying to chat him up, he would have ignored them and pretended he was asleep. He opened the door hesitantly, dreading what this could be about.
“Yes?”
As the door opened, Markus cleared his throat before speaking,

“Good evening Captain, I dislike having to come to you this late but Pedro and I thought this would best be brought to your attention now instead of tomorrow.”

“Si, Capitan.” Pedro looked sheepish.

“Just now, Pedro swung by my office and we spoke about the communications interference that has been occurring. He did a very fine job analyzing it with myself and offering his thoughts as to the origin of the interference. However, I have not ruled out the possibility of a third party potentially being involved in an attempt to cause a crisis between neighbors… As a nonnative of the region, I wanted to run our thoughts by you.”

Stan poked his head further out into the passageway, looking left and right beyond Pedro and Markus. Then he focused on them.
“Come in. I was just getting ready to retire for a couple hours to refresh myself. Can I offer you gentlemen a drink? Water...or, I think I have bourbon or even some schnapps?”

Fortunado shook his head, glancing at Ryker.
“No thank you, Captain. I feel I need to keep my head clear with all that is going on. Gracias, though.”

Also shaking his head, Markus politely smiled.
“Also no thank you, Captain. However, drinks are on me once we’re back in home port.”

Stan closed the door behind them.
“Oh no, I insist they will be on me.”
He walked over to the side table where he’d left his drink. He took another big gulp of the water.

“So, until we can narrow this down, I’d like to keep some discretion, gentlemen. Hence a conversation out in the passageway isn’t the best idea. What kind of interference are we talking about now?” Of course, from what Lilja had told him earlier, he had a good idea what they were about to tell him. He had hoped it wasn’t that pervasive to all their equipment, but now it looked like his worst fear was bearing out.

“Pedro? This is your area of expertise.” Looking over at his fellow officer, Markus silently kicked himself for opening his mouth too wide in the hallway.

“Si, uh...so...it is definitely happening across multiple bandwidths and channels. If it was just a channel or two, I wouldn’t think much of it, pero...but...it’s all of them. I do not have a clear channel out, back to home port especially, or to Kvarljeg, which is the closest Glisandian port…” He said that more for the benefit of Ryker than the Captain, although the Security chief might be familiar with the geography of the Lake region by now.
“...I just think that this is deliberate, to have so many channels blanketed with white noise or just dead. Some interference due to the screwy Lake weather is to be expected, but... It’s not even the same effect on all of them, which is a clue in itself. I think this is deliberate jamming, Capitan.”

Stan walked over to his little portal window to look out on the water, seltzer bottle in hand, while he contemplated what he was hearing. It was really like the worst possible scenario of what they had discussed back during their emergency preparedness meeting.
He took another sip.
“Can you rewire something to get a clear channel? What about cellular waves? Can we reach a tower?”

Pedro held up his cell.
“No signal...And my display keeps blanking or getting pixelated in an odd manner. It is why I think they are hitting multiple bandwidths, not just UHF/VHF frequencies. No civilians have the capacity to do that. Yes, I can try to focus on one channel and get a clear space, but it would take some time.”

“By ‘they’, you mean them?” Stan pointed out the direction of the YSR coast. He sipped again.

“Si.”

“They’re jamming radar, too. Mr. Hoyt discovered that just earlier. It’s why I haven’t been able to sleep. Mr. Ryker, what are your thoughts? What if this escalates, what can we do?”

Both Ryker and Fortunado took in the news that they weren’t the first to raise the alarm. The radar, too? This was serious.

Ryker went forward,
“I checked the emergency flares and we have a number of 1,000 foot flares. If I remember correctly from my time on merchant vessels, they can be spotted some 35 miles away in good conditions. Right now this seems like our primary method for long range communications in the event of an emergency. As for the current possible signal jamming, I already have one of the security staff assigned to assist Pedro with operating the comms room and hopefully getting our signals restored.”

Shifting on his feet a bit, Markus looked over at Pedro and then back at Captain Stan. Clearing his throat, he continued.

“In addition to this information, I already have drafted a plan for if the utmost worst situation occurs. There are enough secure spaces around the ship to safely harbor all passengers and a number of crew members. However, it appears that there are not enough reinforced areas for a small handful of crew… In the event of such a situation, it is my duty to remain in the line of danger and ensure the safety of the passengers. As such, none of the security crew will take up space in the safe areas if such an event occurs…”

“Dammit! Dammit! I told them we needed a bigger fortress room! They said the space was needed for cabins and passenger comfort. Damn corporate hacks!”
Stan blew out a breath, then continued on more calmly.
“Mr. Ryker, I want to make this very clear. If we are boarded, none of your staff, nor any of the crew should resist the boarders. All that will result in is unnecessary harm and possibly death. We just can’t have that.”

Pedro stood stock still. The outburst from the Captain had surprised him, and he didn’t know quite where to look or how to respond, but his response wasn’t called for right now. He looked at Ryker again, which seemed safest.

Bracing himself as Captain Stan expressed his displeasure, Markus continued to speak. “Of course, Captain. I already have it planned that in a worst case scenario, the security team will assist the passengers to safety before taking up positions on the bridge to ensure that any hostile forces do not attempt to sabotage the ship in such a way to capsize it. We will not resist reasonable demands but at the same time, the safety of the passengers comes before all else… Though… This may best be left for later but are there any sensitive equipment or documents I should be aware of that may require destruction in such an event?”

“Yes, of course, if it looks like the passengers will come to harm, then we need to step in. I will not be one of those to go in the safe areas in this possible scenario of a boarding. Sensitive equipment? Not that I’m aware of, no. Sunrise HQ back in Hjamokjim might feel differently, but all the Bridge, Engineering, and radio room equipment is insured...Really the whole boat is insured. There’s no secrets, not from a political standpoint, although, maybe from a corporate consideration. None of it matters if we lose a single crew or passenger, however.”
He finished off his bottled water to punctuate that statement. He thought back to what Lilja had said about the radar. Could this be related? Possibly, but he wasn’t going to throw in more conjecture until he had Jason Hoyt’s final report.

“In addition to the current maritime laws pertaining to safe passage, are there any Lake specific laws or agreements that I should know about in case I need to make a polite stand against an illicit boarding?”


Stan waved generally to the air.
“We have agreements with all the governments and all the ports. For months now, and this goes for future voyages, too. We were given specific permission to dock in Wjol, not to mention every other port on our itinerary. For anyone to seize us and board us would be in flagrant violation of those agreements, not to mention WA maritime law. Not only would it be an affront to Glisandia, but to any and every other nation on the Lake. Absolute piracy. Not to say that everyone is happy with that. I would imagine there’s still quite a few Yellowsian military that are quite butthurt about how they lost the War.”

Nodding, Markus cracked a wry smile. “Excellent… At prior postings I took an interest in international relations and World Assembly affairs. This provides a strong basis against any issues we may experience. I’ve taken a few World Assembly sponsored courses through the International Transport Safety Committee. If need be, I’ll politely and professionally explain to any boarding parties how they violate international standards and as to why it is in their best interest to get off this vessel.

Stan nodded.
“I hope that works, but...again. Yellowsians. They aren’t ones to pay heed to international laws. I guess they’re trying to change their tune, but they have a bad track record.”

“Of course. Anyways Captain, I do believe that covers what I wanted to discuss with you at this ungodly hour. Pedro, did you have anything to add?”

“No, Sir. I will do my part.” Fortunado stood tall, calling on his past naval experience in his stance.

Stan nodded again.
“Good. Let’s keep this between us all, but also talk to Mr. Hoyt as you will need his assistance. Second Officer Astridsdottir is also aware, of course. Keep up your preparations. We should reconvene tomorrow morning early, but for the rest of tonight, I need my sleep to be sharp...for anything. That is all, gentlemen.”

He saw his two crew officers out the door into the passageway, again glancing about to see if anyone was observing. The coast was clear. It was mostly crew cabins at this end, anyway, so he wasn’t too concerned about an interloper.
After they left, he got ready for bed, and tucked in. It took him a few minutes to push the anxiousness to the back of his mind and drift off. The experience of being a merchant marine captain during wartime had helped him in being able to do that.

Credit also Goes to Port Ember, The Chuck, and San Rosito for this post.

PostPosted: Sat Nov 20, 2021 10:19 am
by Yellow Star Republic
Earlier the Previous Day
The Tenningur
Arkjelstad, Yellow Star Republic


Director General Gerta Hildgursdottir certainly didn’t put off the air of a ruthless dictator when she entered the room on most days, and this one was no different. With a professional yet fashionable outfit of skirt, blouse and blazer in matching light gray, heeled boots and black stockings. Her hair was naturally blonde, with the beginnings of gray creeping into the corners. Her face was mildly wrinkled, for a woman of her age in mid to possibly late 50’s.

A coffee in one hand, and a tablet in the other, with a shopping bag draped over that same hand. She didn’t shop herself, of course. She had an assistant to do that for her, but she still requested the bags that the items were packaged in, to show her trust and promotion in local upscale retailers that held prominent places in such districts in the capital as Fiskurmarka and Kaupmannstorg.

The seat of government of the very autocratic YSR, was also the historic headquarters of the dreaded state security organization of that very same hardline socialist nation. It was no accident that the RLO headquarters had become the center of government.

In 2014, The Republic Leyndarmal Öryggi (RLO) Director Gerta Hildgursdottir had pulled off the boldest coup probably in Teremaran history in eliminating the Politburo and taking over the YSR government, in the midst of a catastrophic war no less against half the region, with one weak ally on their side, Osatana. It was during that same coup that the Öldungarhring, the original seat of power in Arkjelstad and home of the Politburo, had been pummeled to dust by artillery, necessitating the move to the Tenningur.

Director General Hildgursdottir had made the history books with that one. She had ably led the nation, along with picking competent generals to lead, the battered YSR military forces in retreat from Jumnia and Glisandia, still holding them together and forestalling a vengeful invasion of the Motherland with the ultimate threat of nuclear retaliation. These days, she was struggling just to stay afloat and in existence with all the threats, both internal and external that faced her and her tightly controlled regime that was almost entirely made up of former RLO department heads.

She sat down and settled in as her Directors and Commissars of her cabinet began the meeting. They began to prattle on about all their failures over the last few weeks. A foreign band of mercenaries were running rampant around their countryside and had torched half of Steinbrudden. It wasn’t the first time Western mercenaries had wreaked havoc on the YSR countryside within the decade, and it was likely due to the same organization - The USG Security Corporation, that Neu Engollian mercenary band that felt entitled to tromp through the region and take and shoot what they wanted. It was maddening that this could happen yet again.
Gerta rubbed at her temples, then lightened up as they described the Glisandian cruise ship approaching their shores.
“What is your problem with that, you assholes?! We invited them to dock at Wjol, did we not?”

Svarik Tummeisson, head of the Republic Leyndarmal Öryggi, and only second in power to Hildgursdottir, as well as a suspected former lover of Gerta, nodded. He was used to placating Gerta.
“Yes, Director General, but we have had, um...trouble...ascertaining whether the cruise ship is also equipped as an electronic spying ship under guise.”

“It...Does...Not...Matter, Svarik. The whole world is watching us. We cannot make a move on them, and we need to do everything to protect them from harm. I thought we agreed on that?”

“Yes, Comrade Director General. I just wanted to make clear that they were finally here, in our waters and that we should...ehm, keep our senses on guard, shall we say? Keep on alert, even if we don’t move on them...yet.”

“I have made myself clear, I don’t want to hear about it further now unless the situation changes and the ship starts launching flying monkeys at us or something. Missiles...”

“This ship certainly could not launch missiles..”

“Then leave it the fuck alone, fuckhead.”

“Yes, Comrade Director General. There are, um...some other matters…”

With that, the cabinet pivoted, in order to conduct the rest of the business that needed to be discussed in running the YSR for that day.




Hours after Upplausn left Hjamokjim
Along The Lake Coast of the Yellow Star Republic


They had steered South, almost into Falkasian territorial waters, knowing that the enemy’s boat would continue to head on a direct course towards their coast. They wanted to put distance between their vessel and the target area. They needed to have space to swing around and maneuver from an unsuspected trajectory.

His crew was unwavering, trusting, and loyal to him. As far as they knew, he was acting on direct orders from the Director General herself. However, from the moment he and his officers had plotted a plan to operate against the Glisandian cruise ship, they had been in direct contravention to the Director General and the Council.

While the Captain knew this, he wasn’t aware of how adamant that the Director General had been that the Lake fleet of the YSR needed to back off and allow the Glisandian tourist ship to freely traverse the Lake coast, including the Yellowsian section of it. Well, he was somewhat aware.

It was obvious that forces were at work, and in conflict with each other, when it came to opening up the Republic on this scale. There were those who recognized the practicality of letting in the West to help rebuild, and those who would resist their former enemies to their dying breath. The Captain fell into the latter category. He was of the camp that felt bringing in the Westerners would forever corrupt their society. Also, like many other veterans of the Northern Tavlyrian War, he was quite bitter as to how the conflict had ended. There was a deep seated sense that their defeat needed to be avenged.

Captain Frodar Gerrikssen of the Viðveru was certain that he was part of the solution that would gain them that revenge on the Glisandians and their Western lackeys. Still, he couldn’t quite act without support, and expect that he would be lauded as a hero. Much of the higher command in both Arkjelstad, and on Ankkeyja Island (HQ of the YSR Navy), were firmly behind the Director General in that they needed to repair and restore relations with the rest of the region.

Meanwhile, the Lake fleet, the smallest of the fleets in the YSR, were almost entirely not sympathetic to the Director General’s wishes that they work with the West, but they still had to put on the best face with all the commerce and tourism that was flourishing again since the end of the War. At least openly, the Director General was for renewed ties and letting bygones be bygones, even if teams of cyber warriors worked tirelessly to undermine and steal from the Westerners, also at the Director General’s behest. This duplicitousness was taken as a cue by the military that they only had to put on a thin veneer of cooperation and bide their time until the next round.

The Viðveru was a ship that fell into the Bardagabátur class, a distinction that most navies didn’t have, as it wasn’t really a proper combat or patrol vessel, but actually of a larger class.
Still, it was smaller than what would be classified as a corvette. It would probably fall under an LCS classification in most modern navies, but it also performed mine clearing duties, along with several other tasks due to the general lack of YSRN ships on the Lake. Bardagabáturs formed the backbone of the Lake fleet, with one frigate, a handful of corvettes, and patrol and missile boats filling out the rest.

As the Viðveru circled back north and onto the far flank of the Upplausn, Captain Gerrikssen kept his crew on task without clueing them into his ulterior mission. They were there ostensibly for defense of the coast from any and all incursions, Glisandian, Falkasian, Orcadian, or otherwise.

They were working in concert with the Jaðar which was the disguised ELINT ship posing as a cargo trawler under the command of Capt. Alfor Tjevorsson. Tjevorsson and Gerrikssen were of the same mind, and Gerrikssen knew that his comrade on the ELINT boat would let him know as soon as they got confirmation of non-civilian electronic activity.

The technicians on the Jaðar that ran the ELINT equipment only needed to know they were searching for abnormal activity on the target ship’s bandwidth, not that they and their sister ships might or might not act, regardless of evidence of such activity.

Gerrikssen contacted Tjevorsson on an encrypted proprietary radio system that had been developed post-War for use by the military and the RLO.
“Anything new?”

“We’re going to full jamming and bandwidth interference to see how they react.”

“Very good. Keep me updated on their reaction.”

“Of course, Comrade.” Tjevorsson was of equal rank to his comrade, but Gerrikssen was in command of their Lake squadron and held the temporary rank of Rear vice admiral, so Alfor didn’t take umbrage to his assumption of rank, but more the insinuation that Tjevorsson wouldn’t promptly report the results of the current operations.

“Very good. Until then. Out.”




Next Morning
Prior to the Upplausn docking


On shore, at Wjol, the guides of the Interior Ministry were oblivious to the goings on of their national comrades on the water. They were in quite a euphoric state that they would be able to show off their hospitality skills and knowledge of the town. While this weren’t the first foreign tourists, Wjol didn’t often see an influx of tourism of this volume as to be expected from the Glisandian ship.

Even the shopkeepers were aware of the wave of tourists inbound. Many were busy changing price signs around their shops, knowing that it would mean nothing to Westerners to throw down a few extra skels or krona for local items, but they had to also cater to Yellowsians who were nearly indigent by comparison.

Meanwhile, another set of guides, most former military, along with Coast Guardsmen, were preparing the obstacle course for the day’s visitors, along with the hiking trails that led up and over the back edge of the town. They had gotten word from the Sunrise Tours company that they would have quite a few brave souls that were more adventurous that the shopping/sightseeing tourists who would stay within the city limits.

PostPosted: Sat Nov 20, 2021 10:26 am
by Glisandia
The Next Morning
Wjol, Yellow Star Republic


Like a literal switch, the electronic and cellular interference stopped an hour before they docked. Hoyt, Fortunado and XO Astridsdottir noticed all at about the same time, as they had been in constant touch with each other throughout much of the night, in between rest breaks. Lilja told them to continue on with their regular tasks, and find relief so they could be fresh. This could all be part of a long game for whoever the perpetrators were...so they should be prepared for a next round.

XO Astridsdottir guided the ship into harbor, then with a harbor tug and ironically clear communications with the Harbor master, she was able to get to their assigned dock so the docking crew could do its job.

While there was some sign of enmity between the two groups, Yellowsian dock workers and the mostly Glisandian engineers on the cruise ship, they were professional. A minimum of discussion needed to happen for the cables to be secured and the Upplausn to be anchored into the dock. Even though Yelskja and Glisja were so close that they would likely be able to understand each other, it wasn’t truly necessary. When it was done, they all went about their way to other tasks, only to reconvene when the Glisandian ship would need to leave port later that evening.

Breakfast was served to all before disembarking. Chef Bonnefoy did it again and was complimented on another wonderful meal by several passengers, albeit not in person as he was still toiling in the galley.

The crew prepared for the day. A few actually had a day pass and would be joining the passengers ashore, while others were assigned some general maintenance and cleaning tasks. Soren Zielensky led the charge, and gratefully accepted those souls given to him by other departments. Zielensky was not the most popular by any means, due to his usual salty demeanor, but he certainly knew the value of hard work and didn’t begrudge others who did.

Despite some chill winds still blowing, the constant temperature maintained at 16 C. Cool enough for a light jacket, hoodie, or pullover, but not frigid by any means. The clouds were present, and there didn’t seem to be any indication of stormy weather on the horizon.

Stan enjoyed a morning coffee as prepared to get his uniform on and get ready for his shift for the day. He needed to relieve Lilja. He mulled over the events of last night, after dining. The talk with Ryker and Fortunado had him worried about what they might face today or this evening. A quick call to his room from Lilja had informed him that the electronic interference was gone. Not slowly degraded or faded, but halted abruptly like hitting a wall. It was a relief, but still brought up more thoughts and worries as to what lay ahead.

They just had to get through a few more hours and then be on their way into Falkasian waters, although they did have a good stretch of Yellowsian coast to pass to get there.

He made a stop first in the small office shared by himself and Lilja, outside the Bridge. There was an envelope waiting for him on the desk there with his name on it. He picked it up and quickly ripped it open. Out dropped a name tag and some keys. He took out the accompanying paper. It was a resignation letter from George Walsman, their cruise director. Stan let out a small surprised laugh.

Quite honestly, he had probably talked with Walsman the least out of all the crew officers, and that wasn’t by Stan’s desire. It was probably for the best as Stan had not been really impressed by the man’s dedication or his personality, especially for a Cruise Director which required quite the extroverted personality, something that Walsman never seemed to exhibit. It seemed like, up until now, a lot of delegating went to Trygve Karlsson, the assistant director, in that department. The letter was as dull and dry as you would expect from such a person.

The timing was very odd, though. Out of all the ports to cut loose, Wjol didn’t seem like remotely the best choice, considering the difficulty in making arrangements to travel anywhere else from Wjol as a starting point. He was aware of what they went through to get permission to dock here. Even though the Yellowsians seemed eager for tourists, their myriad of regulations and restrictions seemed to belie that. He truly wished Walsman the best that he didn’t end up in a RLO jail or worse.

He called up Karlsson on the hotphone. He had noticed last night that the lines, even on the secure hotphones, had been unusually scratchy. Now they were crystal clear.

“Trygve here.”

“Karlsson. It’s the Captain.”

“Yes, Captain Redmondsson, what can I do for you?”

“Can you head up to the Bridge here soonest?”

“On my way, Sir.”

As Stan waited for Karlsson, he had the log thrust into his hands by Lilja, who reported everything from overnight, including the radar issues they had suffered. Even though he had gotten the report live last night, it was her duty to go over all the events as they transitioned shifts.

Stan looked around the Bridge. They had been talking at a normal pitch, but he still didn’t want to alarm the whole crew about something that could have possibly been nothing at all. He motioned her inside the small office. It was cramped, but couldn’t be helped. She closed the door.

Stan resumed.
“Yes, I still need to have that meeting with Ryker, Hoyt and Fortunado. We might not be out of the woods yet if this starts up again when we leave port.”

Lilja was silent for a moment.
“How serious do you think that could get, Captain? What if they try to pull something while putting our comms down again?”

Stan shrugged.
“It’s the Yellowsians. You know how they can be. I do just think they’re poking at us to see what happens. We’re not a naval vessel. There’s literally nothing we can do about it. If they escalate, we’re kind of hosed, but...what to do? I think they won’t and they can’t do anything and they will have regional condemnation beyond what they politically can afford if they try to take us.”

“So that’s our protection is that the world will be mad if the YSR tries something?”

“That and all the other navies on the Lake, including the Glisandian one. Once they realize that we’re not going to react, hopefully they will get bored and leave us alone. At most, we have to put up with it for another day. The Falkasians won’t put up with that, especially if YSRN ships try to follow us into Falkie waters. They will put a cold stop to that.”

“Seems like we could do a little more than that.”

He noted her dour expression.
“Again...Lilja, we’re a civilian ship. All we have ever had to rely on for protection is international law, and the threat of consequence on anyone who violates it. It’s like if someone robs the bank you are in, even if you have all the training in an individual capability to do something about it, you should not do anything. Someone can come to harm if you do. Right?

Besides, we know that Mr. Ryker is doing everything to prepare if it becomes a worse case scenario, but we can’t just turn tail now. The future of the whole company, our jobs, and free travel all around the Lake is at stake.

There’s been no expressed literal threat. Were we to run out of here, it would be ludicrous. Even before we actually docked earlier this morning. They are expecting us and we are invited. We promised this port as part of our itinerary to the passengers.”

“I just mean that...if anyone did actually try something, they would probably be in contravention of their own government, therefore, they would be pirates, right? We would be within our rights to repel pirates.”

“Hmmm. You’re on to something there...But we’re not prepared to repel pirates any more than proper naval personnel. Piracy is unheard of on the Lake. Again, we have to look at the safety of the passengers, and of our crew. It’s just not feasible.”

“Right. Part of me understands that, but also, I don’t know if it’s right to keep it from the crew. I mean…they already know something is up, I would think.”

“Trust me. It will be fine. We’re here now. Everything seems to be just as planned, other than the jamming and interference. We need to put on a good face and pretend it doesn’t bother us, and that is why I’m keeping calm in the face of the crew. The more stress and worry we bring by informing everyone, the more we amplify a feeling of dread that will bring down the morale of the crew and alarm the passengers.”
He didn’t fully believe all that himself, but as Captain, he had to be brave and nonchalant in order to get the rest of the crew to act normal and do their jobs.

“You really have thought it through, Captain.”

“That’s why I’m the Captain.”

Lilja yawned.

“Go rest up. I got things covered now. You gave your report.”

“What about the meeting with Ryker, Hoyt, and Fortunado?”

“You now know everything I’m going to discuss with them. If anything else comes up aside from that, I will be sure to let you know.”

“Right. Well then, until this evening, Captain.”
Another part of her was highly annoyed that the Captain was having all these little separate side meetings with the crew officers and no one had the full picture. They needed one big crew officer brief with all present, even if it meant alerting the crew that something was afoot.

At that moment, Karlsson showed up. She put it in the back of her mind. She would approach the Captain later, staying up a bit longer to do so. She wanted to grab a bottle of water before resting.
“Assistant Director Karlsson.”

“Second Officer Astridsdottir.”

“Actually, I’ll make this quick. You’re now full Director, Karlsson. Walsman quit.”

“Oh...um. Thank you, Captain. It’s official then?”

“As soon as I call back to HQ.” Assuming they still had an open, unjammed line.
“You don’t sound that surprised.”

“Um...yeah. Not really. Some comments that George made yesterday make sense now.”

“I see. Well, let’s get everyone who’s going ashore, safely ashore, shall we? I recollect we were going to make a special announcement about Wjol?”

“Yes, sir. Director Walsman wanted me to do that, anyway.”

“Of course he did.” Stan reserved any other comments he was going to make on how that reflected on their now former Cruise Director. That said enough.

“Should I also make a comment about the departure of George?”

“No. He didn’t bother, why should you? It’s nobody’s business...Unless they ask, then send them to me.”

“Very well then, sir, if that is all…”

“That is all. Get to work then.”

PostPosted: Thu Nov 25, 2021 8:25 am
by Yellow Star Republic
The Previous Night
City Political Commissar’s Office
Wjol, YSR


It began with a lot of call ins about lack of cell reception, television service interruption, and generally a lot of electronic mayhem going on. The city mayoral office refused any calls of such nature on general principle, even if it was possible that they might be accountable for the discomfort of their citizenry.

It wasn’t something that the Commissar’s Office normally dealt with, but in concert with the Director General’s orders to show a friendlier side of the RLO, and the well publicized number of the Commissar’s Office, they did the best they could to field the calls with grace.

At first it was from the local police precincts and utility services, but eventually, as these local agencies were overwhelmed with calls, they redirected people to directly call the Commissar’s Office. After all, no one else could be responsible for such bandwidth and electronic interruption other than the RLO, the ever pervasive state security agency, or possibly the military, but why not start with the RLO?

It was enough for the night desk clerk to call in the City Commissar herself, Arnkatla Vanorsdottir. Arnkatla was disrupted from a deep sleep and none too happy to have to dress and go into work extra early to deal with issues that should be none of her concern.

While Vanorsdottir’s outward appearance of a very rugged featured, not so handsome woman from an off the trail fishing village was probably accurate, she was not actually as ignorant and provincial as some of her naysayers might peg her to be just by appearances. Just because she resembled a villainous figure from a Western movie about pirate treasure and hysterical kids, didn’t mean she was comically inept enough that even kids could get the best of her.

The fact was that she had excelled in all her schooling, had political ambition and gotten the notice of her local Commissar. After some work for the local office and dutifully reporting on those she suspected of being disloyal to the State, she had gone right to the RLO Academy in Arkjelstad on the backs of glowing letters, in order to satisfy all the requirements for a top political position.

That she had been shunted off to her local region to do duty in a backwater post as a municipal political Commissar was only a minor setback for her in her perceived rise to glory.
It would be corrected soon enough, with the right situation to prove herself worthy of getting her way back to Arkjelstad.

One of her adjutants was briefing her.
“...we have gotten a call from the Tenningur, Comrade Commissar. It’s that serious. They want this Glisandian cruise visit to go flawlessly, and this is already fucking things up.”

“Yes, that’s why I’m here. If Arkjelstad deems it serious enough, then I need to get out of bed for it. I wasn’t sleeping very well, anyway…Has the Cruise ship tried to call ashore?”

“No. Likely they can’t.”

“Do we know what is causing it?”

“Well, Comrade Commissar, the Police Chief and Mayoral staff have outright said it’s not any operation they are aware of or ordered. They believe it’s military in origin. With the scale of the interference we would have to agree with them.”

“What military units are in operation around here?”

“Coast Guard and the small Marine garrison. Both of which have already denied any knowledge of what is going on. They are affected too. They called the city to tell us to knock it off, also here, since we’re the rightful representatives of the RLO. They’re certain we’re behind it.”

“Nonsense. We have direct orders from Arkjelstad to be on our best behavior.”

“Yes, we told them that, Comrade Commissar.”

“What naval boats are out there?”

Ever prepared, Bortorsson, her adjutant, slid the list across her desk.

She looked at it for a moment.
“So which of the commanders of these ships is in actual charge of the territorial waters?”

“We’re not sure, Comrade Commissar. The military doesn’t share such information with us.”

“But they share what ships are physically out there? This is an oddly compartmentalized informational sharing procedure…”

“To be fair, Comrade Commissar, this is the publicly released list of Lake naval vessels for the People’s Red Navy. The RLO has reason to believe, and proof as well, that there are more than what is on this list.”

The Commissar’s face scrunched up in frustration.
Mr. Bortorsson.

“Yes, Comrade Commissar?”

“I have had enough of you perpetuating this shell game.”

“Er...Comra-”

“Mr. Bortorsson, you have one hour to get me the name of the naval commander that is actually in charge of operations in the immediate territorial waters off Wjol. Understood?”

“Yes, Comrade Commissar.”

“Good. Otherwise, you better hope they have a berth on one of those ships for you, because there will be no place on land that you will survive a shoot on sight order issued to all RLO Officers.”

“Yes, Comrade Commisar.”

“Go! Do it! I need to return more calls. I want that information in one hour!”

Within a half hour, Bortorsson had the information. He put the scrap of paper with the information down upon the Commissar’s desk.
“Comrade Commissar, the information you requested.”

Commissar Vanorsdottir had a look of utter aggravation on her face after fielding more calls from the City hall and other citizens groups around Wjol.
“I’m glad you didn’t wait until the last moment, Bortorsson.”

She took a pause, then dialed the number. She had to wait while it was transferred a few times and then until the local Coast Guard station could facilitate a shore to ship call.
Before she could say anything, another voice spoke first.

“Who am I speaking to?”

“That was my question for you.”

“This is a vessel of the People’s Red Navy conducting serious operations, madam, so if you will be so kind as to not interrupt us again, that would be much better for the security of the Republic.”

“Did they really not explain to you who I am?”

“Some city commissioner? We don’t get involved in local politics…”

“City Commissar Vanorsdottir of Wjol and the local district. Local representative of the Republic Leyndarmál Öryggi.”

“I take it that is supposed to intimidate me? Congratulations for you, City Commissar.”

“That means you are supposed to have a healthy respect for the authority I represent. Even your naval headquarters at Ankeyyja takes its orders from the Tenningur in Arkjelstad, Captain.” She assumed he was a Captain although he had yet to identify himself.
“Listen...Let me just cut through the rest of your bluster and stored up denials, Comrade. Your squadron is conducting some sort of operation that is causing all kinds of electronic and cellular interference here in Wjol and the surrounding area. It needs to stop. Shutting down our communications and that of our visitors, current and pending, can have drastic consequences and become tragic very fast. There are all sorts of reasons that our firefighters, engineers, hospitals, security, ships in harbor, and the list goes on, might need our communications operational for the safety of all citizenry and all agencies that ensure that.”

“Comrade Commissar, I don’t know exactly what you’re on ab…”

“I said to spare me your denials, Comrade Captain. You think I have no power over you, but you will learn quickly that if you ignore me, the only way you will be allowed back on board a maritime vessel in the aftermath is to scrape the barnacles off the side of it...We have important impending foreign visitors and I think you know that. This is probably what this is all about. The Director General herself has stated that all must go smoothly during their stay here and you have already jeopardized that. End. It. Now.”
Vanorsdottir hung up before he could respond.

On the other end of the line, Captain Gerrikssen stood frozen as he heard only static through the phone line. Then dead silence. This RLO local chieftain had called him out directly and there really was nothing he could do but comply...for now.

They would have to resume operations to sort out the true mission of the Upplausn while it was in open waters, traversing the Lake in between port stops and out of neighboring territorial waters. In the meantime, he needed to get a hold of Captain Tjevorsson on the Jaðar and tell him to halt the active jamming.

He also needed to assess if the RLO was now a threat to him, his ship or even the whole squadron. If so, there wouldn’t be much to do about it but go down as a martyr for the cause.

PostPosted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 3:38 pm
by Greater Orcadia
Morning

Louise, Ryan and Martyne slept well, Ryan and Martyne pretty much oblivious to the rumbling of the ship's propulsion system, however Louise however being a seasoned mariner was somewhat "in tune" with the ship so as the crew on the bridge went about their duties of preparing the ship to berth, Louise was awoken by the rumbling of the ship falling away as whoever was at the helm backed off the power to allow the small cruise ship to begin to slow, then as the helmsman gradually applied astern power to further arrest the ship, Louise began to get up. As she rose up, gently throwing off the duvet to reveal her figure and a few personal piercings, she reaches across to the sideboard and took hold of her glasses then reached for her underwear then began the task of getting dressed.

30 mins later, Louise was sporting a pair of jeans, a long sleeve shirt, highly polished shoes and a blue tie, Ryan however was still sleeping with Martyne also sleeping in the next door bed, Louise looks at Ryan,
"oi, sleepy head" she says, "we're almost in port"

"uh??" replies Ryan,

""yes, YSR is about an hour away and you're asleep. come on get dressed, and get your visa ready"

At that, Ryan then begins to wake up, Louise picking up a pillow and takes aim on her sister,
"Marty...." she says, casting loose the pillow and yes it lands bang on target with Martyne getting a face full of pillow! that wakes her up sharpish. It wasn't long before Martyne was also getting dressed as Louise made her way to the passenger dining area to get breakfast, she nods at the catering staff before picking up a tray, then a plate and began to fill it with a hearty breakfast, after all it is going to be a long day, it also wasn't long before Ryan appears with Martyne following close behind.

"gonna film the berthing?" asks Martyne

"Nah, can't, not here. YSR is funny about things like that, pull a camera out in the wrobg place or at the wrong time and you might need diplomatic help, and a lawyer, oh and possibly a big bribe to pay. Its not worth the risk" replies Ryan.

Elsewhere in the ship, Penny and Evan are also getting up.

PostPosted: Tue Dec 07, 2021 1:37 pm
by Cortexis
Vektorins didn't sleep that night at all. Turns out that spending your entire life in windowless rooms while leading a lifestyle of minimal energy output does wonders to your sleeping schedule. By wonders, I of course mean "People will wonder how you haven't gone insane yet".
Anyway, Vektorins didn't mind. It was the flesh that got tired, but a strong mind could perservere. What else were dreams but the mind staying active while the flesh could not, desperately trying to entertain itself? Plus, they didn't intend to do physically demanding activities the next day.
They played chess. Due to technical limitations, they were limited to the 2D variety, and thus had pretty leveled starting grounds due to lack of experience with the variant. Artifia even won a couple of times, and a few other games resulted in a stalemate. She was seriously improving.
They read. Each of them read something else, but still, the activity was shared by being present in the same room while doing it.
They took a walk around the ship while an overwhelming majority of the other passengers were asleep. The large spaces, mostly lacking other people, reminded them of home.
Luckily, neither of them tried to use their mobile phones. Standing between a Cortexisian and using technology to it's full potential only ends well if said Cortexisian fails to notice.
In the morning, they changed into other clothes for another day. Galvan put on grey khakis and a shirt of the same color. Artifia wore a simple modest dress in a particularly desaturated shade of steel blue. They got their visas ready. Obtaining visa for Artifia was a bit difficult, but eventually things got settled.
Then, they headed to the dining area to get something to eat.

PostPosted: Sat Dec 18, 2021 5:58 am
by Greater Orcadia
Cabin, in the morning
Penny stirrs as Evan snores, with her one remaining natural arm she reaches across and glances at her phone before sitting up then tapping Evan who soon stirrs.
"babe, reassemble me" she says, the reassemble reffering to the simple task of sliding her cyberlimbs over her residual amputation stumps.

This task is made easier once Evan slides the cyber arm onto Penny's arm stump, then once that is done Penny performs a quick function test to make sure its picking up her neural signals, thereby alowing the arm to move and the hand to manipulate and grip, then with that done she can then put her legs on and finally get up. Penny however is not planning on any high-end socialising in the YSR, presuming that is {i]they let her in[/i] as she is the daughter of a diplomat of a nation that until recently had being levying heavy sanctions on the YSR like many governments in the locality due to the moves and policies of the YSR, though during the conflict, Greater Orcadia may have, (or may not have) had a nuclear ballistic missile submarine positioned within striking range of the YSR capital, though thankfully the conflict never escalated to those kind of levels that a nuclear exchange took place and so the submarine that may have been there did not have to use its deadly arsenal.

Penny looks at Evan "breakfast dear?" she says

"aye" he replies, opening the curtains as Penny puts on a pair of grey combat-style pants and a blue fleece of her previous direct employer, Evan putting on a blue shellsuit and grey hoodie before they exit their cabin, (the glasses that have been adopted safely locked away in a holdall).

Once down in the dining area Evan checks the menu and then piles his plate before making his way to the seat next to Ryan and his group who are discussing the days plans.

PostPosted: Sun Dec 26, 2021 3:43 pm
by Glisandia
Docking at Wjol

Just like that, the interference stopped just an hour before they docked. The radar worked perfectly fine, the radios were back on line, and cellular phones worked, albeit awfully. The Yellowsians had a tower in operation near Wjol, to relay along to others on the coast and into the interior, but they were not up to the standards of the rest of the world by any means. Those who had basic cell service would still have a hell of a time trying to make connections. Those who had satellite capable phones were a little better off.

The Sunrise company had provided all their crew officers and those in key positions with top of the line GXP satellite phones made by Schwyz Logiztek, the civilian division of SDS, the Neu Engollian defense industry company. Not just because of their upcoming stint in the YSR, but also due to the disparity in service all along the Lake coast. Some nations just had better networks than others, but the Sunrise crew could not wait to travel into waters of nations with better technology. Safety and security was at too much of a premium for that.

Stan observed as his crew snapped into action to dock and prepare for the passengers’ shore excursions. Breakfast buffet was wrapping up and some limited deck activities would commence for those staying on board for the day. The Yellowsians had been stingy in some cases with visas, and some had simply chosen to not venture out into the notoriously roguish state.

If they knew what had been going on behind the scenes in the late night and early morning hours previous, they would certainly have ample excuse, on top of the YSR’s reputation, to not take the risk. He had met one more time with Ryker, Hoyt, and Fortunado to weigh options. It had been a very important meeting and based on it, he might very well have decided to turn the ship around and make a hurried line straight for the Glisandian coast. However, curious things happened during the meeting.

First, Fortunado’s young Glisandian assistant had insisted on interrupting mid way through and burst forth with the news that the radios all worked again, and to his knowledge, all the other communications systems. Shortly after, one of Hoyt’s assistants had also reported the return of radar signals. He had been working with the bridge crew to try to get any coverage out of it.

Lastly, Fortunado’s deputy once again interrupted, this time to report a very important call over the radio for the Captain.

“It can’t wait?!”

“No sir, I believe you’ll want to take this.”

“Very well. Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me…”

There was a radio receiver up on the bridge. Stan made his way to it. He cocked one eyebrow at the young radio operator waiting for a clue as to who was on the other end of the line. The young man only pointed urgently.
“Fantastic!”
He keyed the mic.
“This is Captain Stan Redmondsson of the Upplausn. Who am I speaking to?”

“Captain, this is City Commissar Vanorsdottir.” She responded in English, as he had started the conversation.

“I see. To what do I owe this pleasure, Commissar?”

“Captain, I will get straight to the point. You have had some interference with your systems and communications, yes?”

“Uhmmm…yes.”

“I am deeply sorry for that. It is not the greeting we had hoped for with your arrival. That is not how we treat guests here to Wjol. The mayor would most certainly agree.”

“Yet it happened. It was very troubling. How do we keep it from happening, Commissar?”

“I will give you this number…” She rattled off a series of digits. “...Also, you can reach one of my people on this channel. If it happens again, let us know soonest and I will take care of it. I plan on addressing the events of last night, I assure you, but in the meantime, you should enjoy your stay here and continue on as if nothing happened.”

“That’s easy enough to say, but I don’t know that we can just forget all the events of the past few hours.”

“Captain Redmondsson, You have my word. I will put a stop to it. It should not happen again.”




A few minutes later, he returned to his crew officers who were deep in argument about what to do with another possible systems jamming attack on them.
Pedro was the first to react to his return.
“Senor Capitan, are you alright? You look…confused.”

“I…think so. I just talked with the Wjol City Commissar. They know exactly what happened to us and promised it wouldn’t happen again. I think there might be some internal political turmoil going on in regards to our visit, and foreigners in general. If it’s any consolation we have the RLO on our side.”
He surveyed the looks.
“I know that’s not totally reassuring, but it’s much more than having a whole hostile port to contend with. We will continue on. I feel the risk level has returned to normal levels.”
He overrode any other protests.
"My mind is made up. I'm going to find Karlsson."




Minutes later, Cruise Director Karlsson addressed those of the first passenger group that were packed and ready to head ashore down the gangplank.
“Ladies and gentlemen…can I have your attention? I’d like to remind you to have your passports and visa paperwork ready. Remember that this port may need more of your attention than any other on our trip. Please keep vigilant, but still have fun. Mind your guides and some of our crew chaperones going ashore with you. Please travel in groups and avoid going to remote, underpopulated areas in town. Stick to the activity approved areas, in other words.

If you do happen to be separated from your group and sense trouble, head back to the ship if close; or find a policeman; or if you can't do either of those things...if need be...head to one of the friendly nation consulates I have marked on this map that we will hand out to you all. It also has some other key landmarks on there you might want to stop at. We do want you to have fun, but please, please…remain vigilant. Until we see you again this evening, Góða heimsókn!”

With that, the passengers lined up to disembark. The weather was just a tad cool, that might require a light jacket, but some braved it with only pullover hoodies and sweaters. Some were even dressed lighter than that. Especially those who were native to Northern Tavlyria.

All looked anxious but excited to start their first shore excursion.


PostPosted: Sun Dec 26, 2021 3:45 pm
by Yellow Star Republic
Wjol

Some of the group had elected to not take the more vigorous tour to the obstacle course and nature trails, but stick to the downtown Wjol tour and get in a bit of shopping. The group was ushered to an inner part of the docks by one of the Upplausn Activities Staff.

As the group gathered near the Wjol docks, where the tour would start, a man in a dark cloak approached from between a sidestreet and the leaning structures that seemed like they might topple into each other that formed a near tunnel down the street. He wade into the front of the group without most of them being aware. He then flung off the hood of his cloak in dramatic fashion.

The man had a grizzled beard that had a distinct yellowish creamy tint to its whiteness, as those not able to avail themselves of proper hygiene and grooming might experience. He continued to hold their gaze, as he climbed atop a large crate.
“Welcome! I am Óttar. Come closers! Welcome to the Port of Wjol. You are in the land of greatness now! Yellow Star Republic is the most powerful country you will ever see in the history of worlds! Yellozians...The Yelskja...We are a peoples that you cannot comprezends! This is very historic places.
I understands that you visit many ports on the Lake, but this is THE most importants. Many peoples you will see are familiar faces in other ports. There is reasons for this.
Wjol was viking base for long times. Yelskja Vikings had relations with many womens in other places. Stole womens from weak neighbors. That is why familiar faces all along Lake ports. All cousins. Stupid cousins...but still cousins....”
He rotated to address more of the large group.
“Yes! We are hardy peoples! We soothe ourselves to sleep listening to howling wolves and the rattling of bullets in cans. We bathe in ice and scrub with clam shells. We sleep on beds of hedgehog pelts and cuddle with serpents.” He took a breath among some startled giggles and mumbling.
“We don’t cares if you are impressed. Your existences are troublesome to the reindeers that must cross your paths and nothings more. That is alls. Now you must follows me to the next of the destinations. You must follows...I am heres. Not in your phones. Follows with foots now.”

As the group moved in the direction indicated, Óttar noticed one family not moving while the rest of the group. The father was talking selfies and texting and engrossed in his phone, while his young girl complained and pointed and his assumed wife looked highly embarrassed. Despite all the theatrics on the crate, in reality, he didn’t care, but for the fact that he would be in a heap of trouble both from Sunrise and the local authorities if he lost some tourists.
He marched up to them.
“Don’t worry little girls. You can leaves this sorry, silly excuse for mans behind. I will take on your mommy as one of my new wifes. You then call me ‘Daddy’. I treats you fair and only makes you works in fields ten hours a day.”

As expected, this brought outrage from the man, likely from a Western Madurin nation. He blustered his outrage at Óttar, who only smiled in return.
“Good. I haves your attention. Moves with group please. Forwards!”

They had travelled about 4 blocks in from the docks. There were tenement buildings all around, ranging from 3 to 6 stories tall, along with some dock warehouses. Everything was a bit dingy, and layers of grime covered the buildings from years of coal burning, cooking with fish and whale oil. Trash, bottles, and even overturned barrels, were in the streets.

It was a far cry from their earlier view of the Wjol shoreline, with the Ströndhús (dachas or villas) that peppered the coast up to the north from Wjol harbor. The Ströndhús were seasonal residences of some high ranking politicians and RLO officials from Arkjelstad and Steinbrudden; along with a handful of oligarchs allowed to run private corporations, despite the hardline socialist regime’s protestations that such entities didn’t exist in the YSR. The only thing that might compare in leisure and seasonal cheer would be the city of Tankjel, far to the southeast of the Republic on the Tavlyrian Ocean, that was protected by a thin barrier of islands, and the large Ankejjya Island (the former Yellowsian Naval HQ), from the northern Falkasian coast.

No, this was the exact opposite end of the scale from that opulence. This was where a good bulk of the city’s destitute, barely working class resided.
Óttar stopped the group at the edge of a walkway on a narrow street, outside the double doors of what might be a tavern.
“This is officialness knowns as the Nálægt Bryggju [Near The Docks] area by guver-mentusus. (He truly couldn’t pronounce the Anglo word to save his life) But everyones knows that this is the Rassinnafsmokkfiski, or Squid’s Anus for yours Anglo speakers... neighborhood of Wjol.” The nickname of the neighborhood suited it well.

The more astute and keyed in of the tour group might notice, beyond extreme anxiousness, that there were a number of characters that hovered and did walking pass-bys of the group. Some were clearly of the neighborhood, but others seemed a bit better, and more commonly dressed in business or sport attire, not just rag coats.

These latter, better dressed denizens were officers of the RLO, the YSR state security service that had a firm grip on the Republic and had a hand in just about every facet of life in the Republic. Primarily, their mission this day shadowing the various tour groups off the Glisandian cruise liner was to flush out spies and catch foreigners in seditious acts. Secondarily, it was also to protect the groups from some of the rougher elements of Wjol. The government really, truly did want tourism to return to the YSR, they were just patchy and poor on follow through on how to encourage that.

In this particular case, the secondary mission of the RLO officers jumped to the forefront as they followed local hooligans who were scoping out the tour group to cause trouble, warning them off, and in some cases beating them senseless in the next alley over. In rarer cases, with the most notorious of ruffians, they beat them to the ground, called for the black vans on standby, and loaded them up to be dealt with later.

After they had circled by the group and turned corners, they exchanged items with their colleagues - glasses, scarfs, wigs, and other mundane disguise articles, to wear them in a different fashion, or not at all, in their next pass-by of the group.

Óttar spoke one final time as he had the group’s attention, when they weren’t watching the locals encroaching on them.
“Yes, I knows that you wants to sees the fancy shops. We will gets there, but this is the not so fancy shops side of Wjol. This is real Wjol. Smell the real Wjol!”

PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2022 5:41 am
by Greater Orcadia
Taking the tour around the town, Penny and Evan were looking forward to the sights, and to taste some of the local food, Slung over her shoulder was a medium sized backpack as she was at least expecting to get some souveniers and maybe adopt a beer-glass or two, however Penny is always on the watch out for trouble and Ottar had caught here eye, although she was not a trained intelligence officer travel to various places and experience of some countries due to her father's connections meant that she may have spotted a few of YSR's own intelligence officers, she knows how Orcadian ones behave and figures YSR ones probably behave in a similar manner, and this being the YSR, Penny unlike some of the tourists is avoiding the urge to get a camera out figuring that given her father is a government official, photographing in the docks may not be the smartest move given the number of intelligence officers probably lurking in strange places watching the tour group, (and for all she knows some of the tourists themselves may actually be intelligence officers).

Penny however does listen closely to what Ottar has to say, and as he says "we are the most powerful country you will ever see", she does her hardest to hold back a chuckle, after all to Penny, that is like being in a tour of North Korea and hearing a guide say they are more powerful than the United States, yet as the tour moved through the suburbs, Penny turned to Evan "I bet the food here is actually quite good" she says

"aye, bet the rodent population is low though" he jokes, insinuating that "rat Au Vin" is more likely Rat Au VAN! (Rat thats been run over by a van).

Penny also tapped Evan's shoulder and glanced over towards a man on the corner "YSR intelligence officer i bet" having discreetly clocked one of the security staff.

PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2022 10:20 am
by Cortexis
Vektorins were also part of the Ottar's tour group. When facing the decision between a tour of the city and an obstacle course, the decision was simple.
Galvan was never the type to enjoy athletic activities or hiking. That stance was very common in Cortexis. "Bring a dog onto a meadow, and it's going to frolic and make a fool of itself. People are mentally above dogs, and should act accordingly." was his father's favourite comment on such matters.
Unlike him, however, Galvan felt no need to judge others based on non-harmful hobbies and preferences, even though they fell outside his rather monolitic culture.

The tour, so far, was quite interesting. Galvan was not sure if Ottar was exagerating about some aspects of the local population's lifes, and that felt a little bit disturbing.
Still, hardy people that are not here to impress anybody, and face nature's adversities with resilience... they reminded him of the village of Krch back at home. Even the architecture, built seemingly with mostly function in mind, and leaning in different directions, sometimes basically forming tunnels, wouldn't feel out of place in Krch.
He looked at Artifia, walkign next to him, and from the face she was making while looking around, he guessed that she has also made the connection.
Ottar seemed genuine. The Wjol he was presenting didn't seem like something that was sanitized for tourists. As Ottar said, this was "not so fancy shops side of Wjol". Galvan liked that. He didn't want a pleasant experience. He wanted truth. A pleasant experience would be also nice, but if those two things were mutually exclusive, he would choose truth. After all, he didn't go to this tour to see "the fancy shops". He went to the tour to see everything. Still, some local food or souveniers could make for a nice finish of the whole tour.

PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2022 12:04 pm
by Glisandia
The Mystery Guest in Wjol

He, like many others, but for a small brave, adventurous handful that trooped off up into the hills to the nature trails and obstacle course, had decided to take the more comparatively mundane expedition into Wjol to see the sights, shops, and restaurants and how the locals conducted their daily lives. He had been prepared to cancel out should he spot that woman again who kept trying to follow him around every chance she got, but she was nowhere in sight. She was definitely not taking the town tour with the large group...at least he didn't think so. She could be in disguise. He chuckled to himself at his irrational paranoia rearing its ugly head again. His observational powers were good enough to detect her in the group, he was sure.

He had given his papers to the port authority agents so they could properly process him through customs. There was some trepidation that they might sense something off about him, but they had no reason to suspect him or even be aware of his true persona, should it be revealed. His past was a matter for the Glisandian legal system anyway, an entity the Yellowsians had suspended during their recent tenure in his country, then forgotten about once again when they were forced from Glisandian soil once and for all. His false papers may have a pseudonym listed, but they were very real, issued by the Royal Travel Authority office in Rikijdrottin. The only thing fake about them were some of his personal details.

This guide, Ottar, unnerved him with his confidence and vaguely threatening matter, but he did seem to be overall harmless. It was a show. Yellowsian bravado in the face of constant humiliation for being the backwards hermit state of the continent. For Northern Tavlyrians, it was typical that your average Yellowsian of that generation would speak like this, only maybe not so out in public, away from the dark corner of the bar at the local pub. They had little to be proud of, but what they did, they trumpeted. Who else but a Yellowsian would be proud they were descended from raping, pillaging marauders who forcefully spread their genes out around the Lake Agloza region and along the Northern Tavlyrian ocean coasts.

He continued to glance around, suddenly aware that there was an ominous presence near the group, but it wasn't Ottar that was giving him that sense, but someone, or several others. He had distinctive goose bumps now, unable to calm himself like he had over his other petty concerns. Something serious was afoot.

PostPosted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 5:40 am
by Greater Orcadia
Aboard ship, Ryan and Martyne get ready for the trail walk, leaving Louise to relax aboard ship, this does leave the passengers safe from the sound of Ryan's bagpipes (for now at least).

Marty slings a backpack over her shoulder as Ryan checks one last time, making sure he has his passport and visas with him, and once her backpack is slung, Marty checks her papers before heading to join the party going onto the trail.

Marty turns to Louise "see you later" she says with a smile, before walking to the muster point for the second tour group.

Ryan steps onto the gangway takes a look around him before walking down it, he turns to Marty

"Wander what they're going to show us?" Ryan comments

"Probably what they intend to show, making the YSR look a tourist haven when it's more akin to North Korea. Oh we have to get Penny and Evan some gifts" Marty replied.

PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2022 4:52 am
by Greater Orcadia
Penny sees Ottar's theatrics as just that, playing his part in some obscure pantomime, hence all the over the top and overdramatic delivery of his possibly scripted lines) she is however more concerned about the possibility of intelligence officers being on every street corner so to speak, however they like the others in the YSR probably just want an easy life.

She turns to Ottar

"Sir, whae dee ya dae baefo' yae became a tour guide?" She asks part expecting a reply related to the fine arts. As yet though they have yet to take a camera out, though any intelligence officers watching the group will probably spot Penny and Evan are holding hands in quite a romantic manner

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2022 5:02 pm
by Yellow Star Republic
Óttar looked at the Orcadian tourist for a long moment, completely flummoxed on what his next lines were supposed to be from his usual script.

Many of the group went into some of the local spots, even though this wasn't really supposed to be the shopping part of the tour. He hoped nothing happened to them, but another part of him didn't really care what happened to a bunch of foreigners, here in Wjol or anywhere else. Another factor was that he knew the RLO had several officers floating near the group, and also around this part of town. They weren't that hard to spot for a local. They would look out for the tourists. The government needed tourists to stay healthy and safe, even though they might have once bombed them. The local docks riff raff had learned hard lessons in not crossing the RLO patrols. If they hadn't yet and they were new, or they just were stubborn and hard up, they were learning those lessons now and they would last weeks to heal.

Some might suspect that Óttar was also a RLO plant, but he was genuinely just a local tour guide. He earned a modest wage paid through the government, who recouped the cost through the tour groups and boats that swung through. While this was the first actual cruise ship to come through, at least from Glisandia, they had several tour boats that probably didn't rate as an actual cruise ship come through every year. Mostly they originated from Falkasia and Greater Orcadia.

Óttar focused again on the tourist from his wandering thoughts about RLO officers and his pay. He was vaguely familiar with the Orcadian accent, but this one's was rather thick.
"Oh...Befores I becomes the tour guide? Ya! I was fisherman. Worked out of those very docks we left behind us. Many years, fishermans. Then my hands not works well anymores. I got thee arthrims? Arthurs? We calls it lithageet. Arthritis. That's that words."

PostPosted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 12:42 pm
by Cartoonia
Chef Francis was at it again! He woke up early to make sure that the ingredients for the breakfast buffet he was preparing was perfect. It was the standard continental breakfast. Toast and bagels with a choice of jams and marmalades, Nutella. And peanut butter. An array of cereals ranging from whole wheat and corn flakes to the sugary variety. Scrambled eggs, pork sausage, salmon, bacon, and a choice of waffles or pancakes. Simple fair for people getting up in the morning, nothing too fancy. But he was always proud of his work. They were going to stop by in a city called Arkjelstad in the Yellow Star Republic. He, of course, stayed on board. He had to fix up lunch. He figured cream of chicken and wild rice or Minestrone for soups. Ceaser and chef’s salads. As for entrees, He decided to serve some Chinese cuisine this time round for lunch. Orange chicken, Teriyaki chicken, Beef and Broccoli with fried rice. Some chocolate chip cookies and French vanilla ice cream for dessert. Nothing to fancy. He gave his orders as usual. For dinner, he wants to celebrate their first port of call of the cruise. He would decide to cook entrees from this region of the Yellow Star Republic.

“Excuse moi!” He says, calling for one of his assistants. “I want to plan a special dinner for the tonight. Do you have any idea of what the local cuisine is like here. I’m afraid I’m not too familiar with this region”.

PostPosted: Thu Feb 24, 2022 5:31 am
by Greater Orcadia
Penny listened carefully as she walked, her arm around Evan,

"Sae dae ya miss the sea then?" She asked, "life at sea is something that gets in the blood as well, but arthritis isn't pleasant, my grandfather suffers" she says


Evan listened too, "what kind of fish did you mainly go for?" He asks

PostPosted: Fri Mar 11, 2022 5:18 am
by Yellow Star Republic
Again, Óttar took just an extra beat to process the Orcadian accents which he didn't hear too often. Satisfied he knew what they were saying, or the general gist, anyway, he nodded and spoke,
"Ya, its hard on hands, for sures. Of course I misses the seas. Or Lake. Was my life for so longs. I just catch what is in lakes here. Lake Agloza. Char, cod, herring, flounder, haddock, halibut..." He was mindful to use the Anglo common names of the fish as some had different names in Yelskja/Glisja.
"Once. Just once. I catches the Murder Sturg. We call it the vígtefiskur. Do you knows of this fishes? They are mean. They are evil. Much nastier than the sharks and barracudas. It is why you don't want to go swimming too the far off shores, if at alls. Almost took my hands offs, it did."

PostPosted: Sat Mar 12, 2022 10:01 am
by Greater Orcadia
"Moydur Stoyg?" replies Penny, "its nae fish we haid" though as one who travels I have haid fish from many places in the world, Some fish from Aurora's Hai'lu'kai lake is very nice as the water is so clean there, you should take a trip to Hai'lu'kai some time, its a beautiful place"

Evan stepped in "Whats the best fish on the lake then for eating?" he asked "and before we head out if port, whats the best restaurant near the docks?" he asks, his Califoirnian accent a world away from Penny's highland twang

PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2022 1:29 am
by Greater Orcadia
In the meantime aboard the ship, Louise who has decided to stay on board heads to the stage area to see what the bans of the day is going to be before heading to the seating area with an idea to talk to some of the passengers there, taking a detour past the breakfast bar

Walking past the breakfast bar she picks up a tray, a plate and starts to put some more food on it before taking a seat by one of the other passengers,

"Having a good time?" She asks "and what are you looking forward to, seen as you're not disembarking for a tour around the YSR?"

PostPosted: Sat May 21, 2022 6:47 am
by Yellow Star Republic
Óttar scratched his head while he tried to keep track of the other tourists in the group, as some looked like they were about to wander off.
"Yous Orcadian and you don't knows the murder sturgs?! You must be froms the Ocean coasts, not Lake coasts. Or yous don't goes near waters."
He shook his head still confused. Didn't they say they owned a boat, though?

He was convinced that Orcadians were as nutty as everyone accused Yellowsians of being in such a state. Whoever made up that myth had apparently never met an Orcadian.
"Yeah, good fishes...herring, trout, salmon... Good shell fishes, mussels, oysters"
He pointed back towards the docks. There were bars nearby he liked to frequent in the area that served up Aglozian fish perfectly, but they weren't the kind of establishments that non-mariner foreigners should be wandering into.
"You goes towards docks, then norths 7 blocks...then on rights you will sees the Hlátur Hvalur (Laughing Whale). That is best places to go. Ferment sharks the best, but mights make your tummies rumble too much and shorts fill up with the browns."And they gave him some commission for sending customers their way.




Meanwhile, two large, well built Yellowsians had met another group off the cruise boat, led by one of the activities staff, a young Glisandian girl named Arna. The two athletic, unnaturally large people - one a woman with her hair in a pony tail, the other a man with stark white in a very short buzz cut. They had patches on their track suits -.just one round patch with the image of a wolf on it.

They spoke very little and mostly just grunted as they led the group through some trails up into the hills overlooking Wjol. They ended up in a pasture surrouned by sparse bunches of juniper and pines. The obstacle course lay before the group.

Tires half buried in the ground, logs of varying height leading up like steps to a platform, rings suspended over a pit, to a large aluminum covered wall, and finally, real bared wire forming a cage one must crawl through.
"This courses." The man said.

"Everyone signed waiver papers?" The woman.

"They no longer let us shoots over your heads." The man.

Arna began to tremble a little bit. She might be in over her head. Someone was sure to get hurt.
"Oh dear..."

with assistance from Glisandia

PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2022 1:52 am
by Greater Orcadia
"We nae haid it" replies Penny, "and ay'm a heighland lassie, so stoyg isn't familiar to me, and if I fell in, ay won't get far, cybertech don't layke gettin weet!"

Even scribbled the name if the bar down, "might be worth going there with Lou and Ry before we leave" notes Evan, Penny nods, "if we got taime" she says.

However the fill the shorts with the browns comment made Penny think that over, spending the rest of the cruise sat on a bowl leaning over the toilet is not in her itinerary, and isn't planned to be either.

(It's Ryan and Louise who own a yacht, not penny and evan)