They Specialize in Squid Guts

[totallyhonest]

The Fleet of Batavia!

A Majestic, roving merchant fleet, currently sailing in the Mediterranean. Consisting of countless big and small ships, connected by walkways and fleets of ferries, it's a city that floats. They say you can buy or sell anything here, or so the rumours say. Countless people can be seen moving cargoes to and fro non stop, messengers running back and front to deliver physical packages that can't be emailed or delivered, some even uses gliders to move between ships. And don't think of trying to make any funny move here, because the fleet is protected by its famous private security force.

And you're here now because Westwood just contacted UG Group. The white-hat bounty hunter says that The Enclave, the world-famous think thank, might have managed to find a clue on the mysterious million-years old train and the glyphs that appear on Grace. Apparently, a certain antique-dealer currently lives here, and he might know something about those.

Of course, finding that person in this brouhaha might take a while. Apparently there's some sort of Antique Dealer Conference that's currently hosted in the fleet, and the needed Antique Dealer is involved in it. That's why the rest of you are here, to both help finding the person, and also to to keep an eye out on Grace.

1.*Grace is walking through one of the market ship while chewing some fried squid-on-a-stick*

Look at that! That guy is selling 1/300 Coyote Tango really cheap in bulk! What a bargain! They're not produced anymore you know? If I can sell them, I'd be stinkin' rich! And can you believe how much that guy'll pay for slightly-used 200 mm shells?

(This is a mingle post. Feel free to walk around the ship with Grace around the market. And if you think you have something more interesting to do in the fleet you can make your own post, I guess)

2.*But as good as your eyes on Grace, soon you find yourselves losing her in the crowds. It's been a few hours since you last got your eyes on her. Where could she go? But from the corner of your eyes you noticed something. Someone is turning on a corner. And that ugly-looking hat... it can't be anything else, it's Grace's hat. But the wearer is definitely not Grace.*

(This is also a mingle post)

Comments

1

[stupidhonor]

[So many people and noise is way too much for Sielje's liking. But the thing she's concerned most with is:]

Are we floating? We ARE floating!

How is it possible? Will these metal ships not flip over and sink? Where is the land?

[She went to space like it's no big thing before, but this on the other hand...]

1

[lostamigo]

I heard that model was taken off market because of bad quality. It easily shattered into sharp pieces for no reason. Shards cut fingers and got into eyes.

1

[majestic_keiki]

If there are enough to sell them in bulk, wouldn't there be more than there are people who want them? I doubt you're the first person to try to make money off all of the Atarus.

Re: 1

[totallyhonest]

Don't you have ships in Ankaia?

Re: 1

[totallyhonest]

Hmm... but those are the 1/300 Coyote Tango right? Because on closer look, I think these ones are actually Coyot Tango.

Re: 1

[totallyhonest]

That's obviously exactly what everyone think. That's the reason why nobody are even attempting to sell them! So if I actually sell them, I'll corner the market!

[stupidhonor]

I know of Earth and its wine colored seas, and boats built to cross it. But there is scarce water on Ankaia, present as lakes and rivers but barely anything so large...

And this sea is barely wine colored either.

[totallyhonest]

You haven't seen that much wine then.

[stupidhonor]

It is red, is it not?

Re: 1

[majestic_keiki]

The market for action figures that nobody wants and that there are a lot of already?

[totallyhonest]

Well, if you're as well-traveled and seen as many wines as me, let's just say there are many colours of wines.

Re: 1

[totallyhonest]

Hm, so you think I should destroy most of them after buying them and sell them as limited edition?

[lostamigo]

So it's not a very unsafe plastic model.

It's a knockoff of a very unsafe plastic model.

[stupidhonor]

Is a wine-colored sea a meaningless metaphor, then?

[For some reason Sielje looks really disappointed.]

1

[fourth_rider]

[Fyra has been more focused on the squid on a stick. When she spots the Coyote Tango kit, she picks it up and shakes it.

Her steed is not too far behind.]


That -is- safe, isn't it?

[totallyhonest]

Where do you learn about that metaphor anyway?

Re: 1

[totallyhonest]

What's safe?

[totallyhonest]

Maybe because it's not the original plastic model it's safe now?

[fourth_rider]

The box being shaken. It has a notice about a choking hazard.

[For children, but the horse does not say that.]

[totallyhonest]

Eh, a bit of danger for a toy give the edge that kids like. Besides, it's not like she's going to chew on it, right?

[stupidhonor]

I have read it in a book. It was a historical record of a warrior of ages past, from the land of Greece.

[totallyhonest]

Well, maybe it was red in the past. It's been a while.

So do Ankaia have any records of earth at all?

[fourth_rider]

[There is a pause as the steed turns its head to look at its mistress...]

.......


[...Who says nothing, but now has the top part of the box in her mouth.]

[stupidhonor]

Certainly. We remember how it was before our ancestors' departure... and there is the Old Guard.

[Sielje sounds conflicted as she utters that name.]

1

[reactorhead_russians]

A familiar looking Russian Jaeger pilot walks up to the guy selling bulk packages of Coyote Tango action figures.

"I want to buy all of these," He rumbles, flashing a wad of cash to the bulk seller.

What the heck! This guy's messing with your get-rich-quick scheme! Are you gonna let that slide?

[totallyhonest]

Really? What do your records say about earth?

...and what's the old guard?

Re: 1

[totallyhonest]

Hey, what's the haps, man? I'm here first!

1/2

[stupidhonor]

Earth is a corrupt place, a place where the corrupt prosper and thrive. Rather than valuing strength and honor, they use underhanded methods to get ahead of others. This is what is said of Earth on Ankaia.

This is what I used to believe...

2/2

[stupidhonor]

The Old Guard are a small and secretive group. Surely you know of Ankaia's means to traverse back to Earth? They are the ones who kept it safe, a secret from others even, at least until a few years ago.

Not only that... though my homeland abandoned contact with Earth. the Old Guard maintained it. They observed Earth, witnessed its state of affairs. All while keeping it a treasured secret from the rest.

[lostamigo]

When was the last time you saw a knockoff that was better than the original?

Re: 1

[majestic_keiki]

That'd require having all of them. And somebody wanting them to begin with. Which it doesn't appear there is.

Re: 1

[reactorhead_russians]

"And yet you're slow to draw your cash, cowgirl," Alexis declares sternly, glancing over her shoulder at Grace. "Run along, unless you can make a better offer to this gentleman."