Lieutenant Commander Cadfael Peters: Target In Sight
Zeph
Peters: It’s almost as though the security has been removed on purpose, though you probably wouldn’t be able to tell that unless you knew what to look for.
Greaves: Response
Varik: 23-B should be just ahead.
Peters: How plausible is it that our quarry would be right out in the open?
Greaves: We probably won’t be that lucky, but who knows.
Varik: If there is no freighter, there would be little need for the port official to be present. Except...
As they made their way closer to the aforementioned platform, there was a freighter parked on it. Cadfael took a look at the name, and noticed the paint didn’t quite match the hull color of the ship.
Peters: That looks a bit strange, doesn’t it?
Varik: There is no record of the Sweet Charlotte landing. According to the port logs, this platform should be empty right now.
Peters: Common trick to change the paint, and the name. Though I’m not seeing any of the infrastructure they’d need to move the cargo.
Varik: Likely by design. The expected infrastructure might tip off port officials.
Greaves: Don’t discount transporters. That’s the most efficient way to move these things.
Varik: I am inclined to agree.
There wasn’t anything specific to add, so he nodded. Cadfael wasn’t able to contribute much more than the obvious truths. However, the fact that there was a ship on the platform caught his attention.
Peters: That ship shouldn’t be there, should it?
Greaves: When was The Sweet Charlotte scheduled to land? I thought it wasn’t supposed to be here for at least another hour.
Varik: That is correct, Colonel. It is due to arrive in one hour and twelve minutes.
Greaves: Then why is it here? It’s landing has been perfectly timed for months…
Varik: The most plausible explanation is that this is not the Sweet Charlotte. Perhaps this...
That was a good question, and not one Cadfael knew the answer to. So, he kept quiet. He noticed Varik stopped in his tracks, and followed the ops officer’s gaze. A short, middle-aged Argrathi seemed to hurriedly walk across the platform, carrying in each hand a heavy duffle bag. They wore a thick hood and cloak but when a gust of wind breezed across the platforms, the hood fell back to reveal one Brelak Sonn.
Varik: (low) It's Sonn!
After a quick glance around for some cover, he pointed toward a shipping container they could use as cover.
Peters: Over there.
They took cover behind one of the storage containers close by to still have a good view of their quarry. Alas they weren’t close enough to overhear what was being said.
Varik: (low) Look. He's talking to someone.
As Brelak neared the freighter, the gangway began to lower. Before it met the deck, a figure stepped down from the ship and moved to intercept him, gesturing with the urgent, clipped movements of someone short on time.
Peters: (low) Hard to say what he’s doing from here, though.
Greaves: Response
Varik had moved to catch up to Cadfael & Wes behind a shipping container. Sonn had dropped his bulky duffle bags and was now speaking with wild gestures to the other Argrathi.
Varik: (low) This appears less an exchange and more like an argument... or a negotiation.
Peters: (low) Negotiation for what?
Greaves: Response
Varik seemed to lean in a bit closer in order to try and make out more of the conversation.
Varik: (low) If I had to speculate, that is not a man reporting for duty. He is trying to get on that ship.
Greaves: Response
Peters: (low) If we attempt to get closer, we may spook him.
Greaves / Varik: Response
Peters: (low) Understandable.
Greaves / Varik: Response
Peters: (low) As you say, sir.
Greaves / Varik: Response