Ship's Log

183-1105 - Rech/Lanth (2112) - The Marquis' Betrayal

After a night of heavy drinking and hot curries to celebrate the first profits of the Jellico-Streen-Nakaam run between Jenghe and Dinom, Captain Jellico, Dom Tan and Sir Edward return to the Caliban to discover that their passcodes no longer open the airlock. They take to banging away on the hull with their hands, trashcan lids and anything else they can find in order to wake up the Marquis and Brigid.

Surpringly, this pair did not take part in the celebrations. Everyone put this down to some sort of liaison between them. They had been spending an awful lot of time together lately.

Local law enforcement arrive in short order to investigate the disturbance. They don't believe the trio's story about their passcode keys not working. The officers call starport control who summons the Marquis to the lock.

"Excuse me, my Lord Chevalier," stumbles the senior law enforcement officer. "I regret intruding on your rest but these three say that they know you and live aboard this ship. Is this correct?"

"They have been making a terrible racket but, being somewhat close to famous for raucous debauchery as I am, I am inclined to forgive them their noise. However, getting me out of bed to going too far. So, in answer to your question. No, I've never seen them before in my life and they certainly do not live aboard my ship. Take them away."

Before the dumb-founded trio can react, the officers have slapped the cuffs on and are leading them away from the ship. Jellico starts shouting that it's his ship and how dare the Marquis claim otherwise. The officer's stun baton soon quietens him down.

In the cold light of morning and on the cold concrete floor of the cell, the situation is much worse than it appeared last night. Jellico's enquiries through the public defender appointed to represent the trio on the disturbing the peace charge in the lower court reveal that all the official paperwork that can be found states that he sold the Marquis his ship six days ago. Evidence of the sale includes the transfer of ships papers, DNA-endorsed signatures on the contract of sale and a small sum of money deposited into Jellico's, Dom's and Sir Edward's bank accounts last night to complete the sale. According to the Rechian and Imperial authorities, the sale look legitimate and the exercise of the Marquis' social position ensures that no investigation follows up on Jellico's complaints.

The trio are somewhat consoled by the amount of cash newly deposited in their bank accounts. Until, that is, they are hauled before the lower court and fined an equal amount for their crimes against the social order and proper running of the community. This reveals to them exactly how calculating the Marquis can be.

They are stranded on Rech with no ship and dwindling financial reserves. They decide to return to Regina as that's where Jellico knows enough people who may yet be able to reverse their situation. The trio take whatever odd jobs they can find in order to save enough money for the passage to Regina.

On Regina, the number and breadth of Jellico's contacts make life easier. No more scrabbling for work. Jobs are frequent and relatively easy. Consequently, they don't pay much.

Jellico is fixated on the lost of his ship and revenge on the Marquis. It's all he talks about. He sobers up, dries out and spends all his free time either getting fit or hunting down a new ship. Dom and Sir Edward believe it an impossible job. There's no way Jellico could find another ship and even if he did he has no money to buy it.

Over the weeks, they hear more and more about the economic and financial success of the the Marquis Chevalier, of the deals he makes such as the partnership with Ling Standard Products and securing very lucrative Imperial contracts. His star is certainly on the rise which makes Jellico even more determined to take his revenge on the man.

The days turn into weeks and then months. There's little hope of the trio's situation changing for the better. As Sir Edward and Dom begin making plans to move on and try their luck on their own, the new, rejuvenated Captain Jellico throws open the door to the apartment, beaming, a huge grin on his face.

"We've done it! Not just one but two hulls ready to be fitted out. We're back in business, boys! We'll show that toffy-nosed bastard what for."

The grim turns quickly into a malicious sneer.

"Who's with me?"

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Starting Credit: 210,760 Cr
Passenger Fees:        0
Cargo Carried:         0
Other Income:          0
Outlays:               0
Loan Repayment:        0
Closing Credit:        0 Cr
Credit Owing:          0