Happy Tyr’s Day

Story:

Jeremiah sat at the bar and reflected on how this past year had been probably the most boring he had so far in the Free Traders had it not been for that close call he had had in this very bar a few months ago.  This year had been of one getting The Regina Strider her ‘stem to stern’ refit.  So for this year, he basically had been stuck on Regina.

Not that he went unpaid.  Captian Juros didn’t want to lose him so she offered him the pilot’s job again but she hadn’t needed a pilot.  She was at the port all the time during the refit making sure the techs and engineers did their job.  He, on the other hand, spent a lot of time at the local bars and brothels.

Not that it was completely wasted time.  He had to be cautious about his money as normally he had one week in port and the other three weeks were in space.  He still lived onboard The Strider in his stateroom.  So he couldn’t just blow his funds but he had a lot of time on his hands.

So he spent a lot of his time in the bars nursing the same drink for hours and talking with the patrons. You pick up a lot of information that way.  Mostly he learned to mingle with strangers as the bar patrons were constantly changing.  His confidence turned to ease is social situations that were much more suited to being a captain who could connect with people. Something he had not considered but he was learning that it was important for the purpose of forming business relationships and keeping customers happy and entertained.

There was however the one night when his interest was another Free Trader officer.  She was a young woman and just newly a 4th Officer called Kate.  He joined the celebration of her passing the exam when her boyfriend showed up who lived on Regina.  He became hostile with Kate for taking up the Free Traders.  When she told him it was over and he needed to leave, he grabbed her arm.

Jeremiah took exception to this and the guy pulled a knife.  He stabbed Jeremiah, but thankfully only a flesh wound, but it could have been worse.  Jeremiah for his part knocked the guy out with a punch.  After the paramedics and local police handled things it was late.  Jeremiah’s wound was handled and sealed, he would be fine in a day or so.  Kate thanked Jeremiah and he said it was nothing and prepared to leave.

She stopped him.

“Hey, I am shoving off tomorrow morning and my captain is going to take us toward the capital of the Empire.  I have a room rented next door in the hotel.  I would like to thank you more tangibly.”

Before Jeremiah could reply, she unzipped the front of her jumper revealing both of her well-formed breasts.  Then while Jeremiah sat there for a second shocked, she zipped back up and took his hand and walked him speechless out of the bar.  They spent a few passionate hours together. In the morning Jeremiah found himself alone in the hotel room.  She was gone.

As he sat in the bar now, he wondered where Kate might be but she was at least three hyperspace jumps away.  He drank the rest of his drink and looked around.  He had finished his first term in the Free Traders and had enlisted for his second.  The Regina Styrider’s refit was finished and they were getting ready to shove off the next day.  Time for one more night in the Regina Spaceport. There was a brothel down the street and he headed there for his last fling. Only when he walked out an hour later did he realize the girl he had hired looked like Kate.

He sighed and started walking to the Strider.  Downtime was over.

Megatraveler Notes:

Free Trader 3rd Officer Jeremiah Kilwood

UPP: A67A74   Age: 21  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 1, Navigation – 1, Engineering – 1, Sensor Ops – 1, Legal – 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0, Handgun – 0, Vacc Suit – 0

Brownie Points: 2 

Year Four:

Roll for position availability: 7 + 1 for Intelligence = 8 – position available.

Roll for assignment: 4 + 1 for Social 5- = 5 No Business

Survival Roll: 3 – survives (barely), Skill: 7 – Skill acquired. Bonus: N/A

Roll for Skill: Merchant Life Table: 2 – Carousing

Roll for Reenlistment for a Second Term: 7 + 1 for being an officer = 8.  Success

1 Browning point gained for the term completed.

MegaTraveller Shorthand

Free Trader 3rd Officer Jeremiah Kilwood

Rank: O2 – 3rd Officer   Terms Served: 1

UPP: A67A74   Age: 22  Homeworld: Strouden UWP: A-745988-D N Hi In

Skills: Pilot – 1, Navigation – 1, Engineering – 1, Sensor Ops – 1, Legal – 1, Carousing – 1, Grav Vehicle – 0, Computer – 0, Handgun – 0, Vacc Suit – 0

Brownie Points: 3 

I remain,

The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.

Skaal!!!