Requesting a Science Pointing from Someone in Person [LM2]

[Jan Novak]

Jan asked himself if he minded and concluded he didn't, so he showed it, alongside passing a rather coherent set of instructions.

LM2. Awa/Comp. TN15.: 3d10o10k2 34

[Alexei Herald]

The sensor beeped, detecting something that hadn't been there before Jan did his work. It was coming from beyond the planet orbit.

It was over a day out, but, carefully hidden from their sensors, a second dropship had been following them in toward the planet. Considering the distance, it must have piggybacked on the same jumpship - meaning the sensor issue had been ongoing since before they entered the system.

The unknown dropship was too far to get a visual on, but the signature placed it as being somewhere between Union and Leopard class - certainly no larger than the Calico.

Whoever it was, they'd been kept intentionally invisible from the Calico this entire time, and now they were only a couple days out.

Alexei swore, very quietly, under his breath, and tapped the crewman on the shoulder. "If you've got it, start working on a better resolution look at that thing, Bates."

Shaking his head, he glanced at Jan. "Well... I guess I need to talk to your boss."

[Jan Novak]

"Please do. I bet most people would be glad you two not being petty about whatever disagreements you have." He scratched his beard and sought a cigarette. "So, there's competition and there has been a mole working for it."

[Alexei Herald]

"I'm glad I have your approval, Mr. Novak." Alexei answered dryly, and then started to leave, and paused. "Competition... perhaps. A contingency plan, perhaps. Until we know who they are, all we can do is get ready for trouble."

[Jan Novak]

"I make someone glad by being myself. Rare." He twirled the cigarette between his fingers. "If you say so. Making calls about such things is above my paygrade anyway. But I think she-boss has said something about the encrypted signal. That may be another thing on my leaking bucket list."

[Alexei Herald]

"Well, unless it came from my ship, I think it will need to be your problem, and not mine." Alexei smiled thinly, and then added, "I appreciate your aid today, but I'm going to have to start preparing... so unless you need anything else from me, Mr. Novak, I'll have to go."

[Jan Novak]

"Godspeed. This conversation isn't better than a smoke anyway." Jan turned and walked off without ado.

/exit