Sturm had already told Olsen to setup the backroom. He had been busy for the past few weeks working on the Galena project with Basti so he really wasn't up to date on the current happenings around Haven. It just had been a couple of days ago they he flew with them guys to Omicron 74 to rescue Isaac Shaw and the crew of La_Amistad. Now this, He knew that John Hurt recently had a run in with Lane hackers but really didn't know the details on what really happened and now Fynn had a proposal from Mr. Yoshida regarding our currenty standing with the Lane Hackers. From what he could tell, Fynn said we really need to discuss this indepth as it might have repercussions in the future. He thought he might as well study their dossier on them while waiting for others to arrive.
Basti entered the rooms and greeted Sturm. He was still full of mud and dirt as he came from Houston working further on the project. He wanted to apologise for his dirty shoes, but then realised it was already too late anyway so he just took a seat. He heard some rumors about the Lane hacker issue (as things always go around quick in the Cantina). He took an early drink to loosen up from all the stress back at Houston. Also this made conversating a lot easier. While waiting the others he and Sturm went in a discussion wheter Dulzian turrets are better than zappers...
Fynn was looking worried as he entered the backroom, carrying his old battered comnet datapad and looking as if he had not slept much. But nearly immediately he smiled his usual, calm smile towards Sturm and Basti and only nodded at them as he sat down , waiting for the others to come in.
Bailey entered too, together with Taggart from the Candy.Bomber and followed by Frances and a couple of senior deck mates from the salvaging crews. One of the Junkers left the group and strolled over to a party of paramedics following their medical officer into the room and started chatting with one of the nurses.
McKannon and a broad chested security guard where standing over at the entrance, politely seeing to it that no guest entered the backroom. And still Fynn waited, showing no sign of unease or urgency, now and then greeting a senior member or a freshly promoted crewman.
Dressed blue tunic with a low cut, v-neck sweater over it, Doreen arrived with a datapad, going through some stuff as she entered. She had read the reports on the Hackers and knew little about them besides them being considered a criminal element. Despite being a busy woman with patients, staff and a young son, she always had a smile and a positive outlook.
"Sorry I'm late, Fynn," she said as she approached, "Nice to see you too, Sturm and Basti."
She sat down and continued going through files from the La_Amistad incident.
"A meeting is in place" John thought. He was siting on the side of his bed, while changing the bandage on his shoulder. Still hurt like crazy sometimes. Good thing he had some pills for that. As he started dressing he realized that things could go very wrong after this meeting.... things would change........
John showed up to the meeting with a calm but weary expression. He greeted his fellow tinkers and nodded confidently to Fynn while tapping his arm.
He knew about hackers just as much as the next person in Liberty. They were talked about here and there, feared even. not many had the stamina to go head to head with them. Yeah he heard things.........
And also they blew up his ship some weeks back, putting him in the hospital. So there's that too.
Fynn looked around, counting faces. Wondering how to begin...
Welcome , my friends. We will not start right away, but I wanted to talk some things through with you, let you all hear some news and think about it. Some may already have heared rumours, and saome might not. Lets just say that although we will wait for the rest of us to come, I wanted to use this opportunity to greet you all, and to tell you about recent plans and options.
Fynn smiled at the crews and members around him, taking his time to look directly at each of his friends, his... family.
Although this will probably take some time I want you all to relax first, and to think about all we have achieved so far. The Haven is prosperous and well known across not only Liberty and Bretonnia but much further. T&T ships are recognizable and mostely welcome, and even the first bic companies are accepting us as trade partners, even though we still remain not only a small trade net, but are often at disadvantage while dealing with governments or corporations for , well to say it frankly : for being who we are.
We have come far, but more and more we are also developing into a very complex and diverse group, and exactly this is what this meeting is about. Because it is not important where we came from, or why we joined this family. Important is who we want to be, and how we want to live. And there are some decisions that I will request you all to think about. Not with emotion, not only with rationality... but together.
Fynn grinned at them all, showing sharp white teeth.
Some told me Im crazy to let all my members decide on buisness, telling me that will never work. But fact is : Im not only a Tinkers shareholder like many of you yourself, Im also taking my paycheck from Tinker´s so in a very real sense Im in your pay. Same as you are in mine.
And so far it has worked well, even if Mr. Tukker is not here at the moment to speak for the Board. McKannon over there will speak for him if the need arrises.
We will start soon, and I will report on our diplomacy and our open and covert deals so far, answering any questions that will arise. And before I begin we will now have some time to ask other questions you already might have, or adress anything urgent, till we begin.
Nodding shortly to Olsen, Fynn picked up his Pad again and sat down while Olsen spoke out and declared that anybody wanting a drink or something could say so now, but no alcohol tiill after the meeting.
John passed on drinking anything except alcohol. He played with the files on the table, switching them around like they were playing cards. Trust was something precious to him, and he certainly wasn't the type of person to just give it away. But maybe it was time to take a chance. Maybe this time it would be different. .....Also, what's the status on.......
He leaned back on his chair and raised one finger in the air
"What's the status on the docking modules? I know we have an order for two of them, so seeing as how I'm feeling a bit better I could take on my share of the responsibilities in that area."
As he continued talking he was unaware that he was holding one file in his hand, the label read "Mr. Yoshida".
Smiling over at the newest senior member Fynn replied without having to look at his datapad.
We just finished the last module, and even though the two modules we originally planned to sell over to a Rheinland buyer have never been picked up by the original interested party they have already been sold togethee with the single module started after that. We can cut prices considerably using the recycled materials from the scrap fields and are still the cheapest offer in the Market while we have a good profit ourself. I have started construction of the next module today, feel free to help.
And, speaking of modules : If anybody sees a good offer for some cloaking technology I would like to stock up to 2 cloaks of each kind needed for fighters, freighters and up to our Serenities or similar transports at the Haven, for those members wanting to purchase some.
As we continue to fly to the Council and to other wartime areas it might be useful.
Fynn continued to give some figures on supplies and current trade , on available space and offered prises while the members settled in and waited for the last few arrivals.
As Sturm was sitting beside John, he couldn't help noticing the folder he was holding. He only knew vaguely what happened. As far as he could tell, it was the Lane Hackers who got the Xeno Bomber that shot down the SiriusRelief.Org. It was on its maiden run bringing refugees to Kusari when the Xenos shot it down on its way back. Mr Walker nearly lost his life there if it weren't for the fast respone of Fynn's Ambulance crew and of course Doc Nagger, if it weren't for her, Mr Walker wouldn't have awoken from his coma.
Sturm suddenly realized he was lost in his thoughts again. He needed to focus on the things at had. He turned to John and said, "John, could you tell me what really happened out there? I only know from what I read from the reports but I'd like to hear it from you first hand. And who is this Mr. Yoshida? is he a lane hacker? its the first time I heard of him"
"John, could you tell me what really happened out there?"
What really did happen out there? John was thinking. Did I take things too far maybe?
John let go of the file and put his hands together. "Most of you know about that incident. I bear its mark for all to see ( looked at his shoulder). The hacker known as Mr. Yoshida stopped me in Shikoku and we had a chat. One thing led to another and ....... See the thing about me is I don't stand for humiliation. .... When the shooting started I held my own, that is until his friends showed up. ..... I almost got away though...Hmmm...
Well you know me and Fynn had a talk with him after what happened, and I myself have come to conclude that what happened was a misunderstanding (you lying dog)."
John's hands were sweaty for some reasons and he appeared a bit stressed. He put his hands on the file again.
"I say we can trust this guy and along with him the lane hackers, and even more I think we stand to win something if we do. I hold no grudges with Mr. Yoshida (oohh tell the truth John, let the anger out)."