USS Cherokee 
The Heist, by Steve Weller, Part 12
11905.12

Starring_
Steve Weller as CO_Ayidee, Gretour, Smalth, Virak and Producer
Dawn Freeman as OPS_Nash
Zach Farland as CNS_LtJg_Daniels
Pablo Delsoglio as CIV_Capt_Marek
Absent
Topper Loghry as CTO_LT_Q`ten
Leave of Absence
Trish Yarborough as CMO-McIntyre

Ship’s Log, Stardate 11905.19, Captain Ayidee recording.  I am setting up and planning the steps we’ll need to make this “change of ownership” plan work while the crew works to find a contact on the satellite.

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Host Gretour says:
All: So, you guys figured you can come here and get some insight on how to get on the Crystal Tower?

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
Gretour: Bad idea?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::puts a poker face::

Host Gretour says:
CNS: Not the way you get up there.  Anyone who gets up there gets there by invite.  Everyone knows that, right?  Put your work in, get to the testing stage.  It will either happen or not.  Getting to know the staff in advance is a nice concept, but won't help.

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
Gretour: How can I get an invite if they don't know I exist?

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
Gretour: So who do we "buddy up" with to get an invite?

Host Gretour says:
::Laughs.::  CNS: Look, we may not have the technology planet side others do, but that doesn't mean those in charge don't have resources.  If you are qualified, they know it.
CTO: Not sure it will help to buddy up with anyone.  You could try, but I don't know the hiring folks personally.  They don't come down planet side much.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::remembers the old expression... it is not what you know, but who you know::

Host Smalth says:
All: Don't go to him for advice.  He barely got into the tower, knowing him is more likely to hurt your chances than help.

Host Gretour says:
Smalth: You're just mad you didn't get the promotion.  Jealousy isn't a good look on you.  ::Takes a long slug of his drink.::

Host Virak says:
All: No one working up there will help you.  Not sure why you'd want up there to begin with.

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
::Not sure what to make of Gretour and Smalth.  Thinks - Maybe they're not who we need::

Host Virak says:
All: What makes you think you want to be one of the tower folk?  Too many folk tales of the joys of being top rung?

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
Virak: Tower?  I thought you guys worked on the satellites.

Host Virak says:
CNS: Crystal Tower, that's what everyone calls the thing like it's some sort of magic place.  Never heard it called that?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::takes a sip from the beer glass and listens::

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
Virak: Yes a lot of tales. There must be some truth to them.

Host Virak says:
::Takes a long drink.::  CTO: Don't listen to them.  Top rung on the chain is still on the blasted chain.

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
Virak: No, I never payed much attention to the bank before.  I just need a job.

Host Virak says:
CNS: Crystal Tower pays well, but it's...what did they call it, the guy from Alpha Centauri...oh yeah, "gilded cage".  Like the rest of the blasted planet.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
Virak: Still the top of the chain sounds better than the bottom.

Host Smalth says:
All: Oh here he goes again.

Host Virak says:
CTO: That's what they want you to think.  Makes you compliant.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
Virak: I got skills that would be wasted anywhere else.  I just need to know who would recognize those skills for what they are.

Host Virak says:
CTO: Perhaps you do, but again, not up to any of us. If you have the skills, you learned them somewhere.  Someone would know and you'd be on the list already.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
Virak: Not if I kept them under wraps.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
Virak: Some skills you don't go around advertising.

Host Virak says:
::Shrugs.::  CTO: Not sure what to tell you then.  You may be stuck at your current chain link.  Doesn’t really matter in the end, does it?  What's it going to get you?  A nicer cell?

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
Virak: That would be a start.

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
Virak: Cell?  Are you feeling like a prisoner?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::keeps sipping the glass::

Host Virak says:
CNS: We live on a world where they trade for a "higher standard of living" in exchange not just for the right to information technology, but for the right to leave and live as free beings.  Prisoner is a good term.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
Virak:  You tell us how we can get in that tower and we'll show you what Freedom really is.

Host Virak says:
CTO: What, like I'm supposed to believe you have a way off planet?  Even if there was a way to get you hired I don't see it likely you have a way off. ::Laughs and takes a drink.::  Life is what it is and until things change it is what we need to deal with.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
Virak: But if you want change then you have to start somewhere. Start with us. You want off this planet, we can make that possible.

Host Virak says:
CTO: Even if I believe that, what would it cost?  Already told you none of us in this part of town has an say on getting you hired.  Beyond our pay grade.

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
Virak: the only cost to you would be pointing us in the right direction. What part of town do we need to be in?

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
::Looks at all of Virak's friends:: Virak: Maybe we should continue this conversation in a more private setting.

Host Virak says:
::Shrugs.::  CNS: That sounds like an idea with merit.  The rest of these guys are too bought in to even talk about this stuff.
::Gets up and tosses the bartender a few coins for the drinks.::  All: You have a place in mind?

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
CNS/Virak: By all means.  Lead the way.

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
::Gets up and leads the others out of the bar::  Virak: Come on.  We know a place.

Host Virak says:
::Follows.:: CNS: You at least seem to have a curiosity about how things work.  That's a good start.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::finds himself a bit dizzy when he gets up.::

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
CIV: Are you all right?

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
CNS: Yes... I think I overdone my part with the beer...

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
CIV: One beer, what a light-weight.

Host Virak says:
::Laughs.::  CIV: You barely got started.  Need to work on your tolerance to the good stuff if a few beers got you messed up.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
Virak: I should take that advice... ::raises an eyebrow::

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
Virak: We can either go to a less busy place or your place.  Do you live alone?

Host Virak says:
CNS: Yeah, I guess I can trust you.  If you wanted to rob me you'd just as easily find a place along the way.  Come on, it's in complex B, right around the corner.

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
Virak: We're right behind you.  Lead on.

CIV_Capt_Marek says:
::follows the rest::

ACTION: Virak leads the group to a large apartment complex about half a kilometer away.  Then a short elevator ride later you arrive at his 2 bedroom apartment.

Host Virak says:
::Leads the group inside and locks the door behind them.::  All: Don't have much to drink, sorry.  Wasn't expecting guests.

CNS_LtJg_Daniels says:
::Enters Virak's dwelling:: Virak: Nice place.  No problem.  Some of us don't need another drink.  ::Looks at CIV and smiles::

CTO_LTJG_Q`ten says:
Virak: Don't worry about it. We're good.

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