The Gunrunner's Lady

[KillerMuffin]

Tried this a long time ago in the SRP, on reflection I think it's the wrong forum, no quick fucking. I like the story and the idea, hopefully it'll fly. It may or it may not. Depends on if anyone wants to play, or if there are enough players.

Background:

It's a large yacht, I mean huge. You thought it was a long way down the road to the chemist, but that's just peanuts to space... whoops, wrong book. Okay, big yacht owned by the most wanted international arms dealer.

There are five unmarked crates on this yacht, what are they? Only the arms dealer knows, maybe the captain of the yacht. It's a pleasure/business cruise we're doing here, what happens is anyone's guess. It's the arms dealer versus the terrorists versus the other arms dealers versus the US government versus basically everyone. They want the crates.

Everyone has an agenda.

Names are not set in stone, can be changed to suit the player. Characters are not limited, be who and what you want. The Gunrunner's Lady sets sail in a few days, who wants to play?

 

[KillerMuffin]

She was one of those huge numbers, capable of accomodating guests numbering in the hundreds. She berthed a crew of 15 with an additional compliment of 20 servants and 20 of his private army.

The captain was an ex-navy Chief named Strike. He was a retired SEAL, capable at the helm and even more capable elsewhere, if you get my drift here. Strike was deep as they come, didn't have much to say, his haunted past in his eyes. The XO, a man named Hunter, hailed from the British Army oddly enough, where he picked up his abilities with a ship was never revealed. He was a crazy bastard, even Masters tread lightly around him.

Masters owned the yacht. He dealt in weapons, if they made it he could move it. Understandably, several law enforcement agencies in the world wanted a little "chat" with the man. It was a slap in the face to every last one of them that he named his floating city "Gunrunner's Lady."

He demanded perfect loyalty from his people and he paid well enough to get it. His hobby was collecting his people from the so called "prestigious" military units around the world. Marantha, the woman in charge of the servants, spent most of her early life doing things for Israel's Mossad in South America. Gregori, the man in charge of the little army, retired from the KGB somewhere during Gorbachev's reign.

Most of Masters' Army hailed from SOGs that didn't even have names. As famous as his Army was in international circles, his servants were even more coveted. Most of the servants came from the more mainstream military arenas, evenly split male and female. They were trained to see to the comfort of Masters and his guests. In any way requested. Is it any wonder that invitations for a cruise were so coveted?

Me? I'm Muffin, late of the US Army, bet you can't guess where *wink.* I belong to Captain Strike's crew, I operate the galley. I'm one of the very very few people on this ship who can get away with pretty much anything. I'm Masters' cook, I won't be lured away, so don't bother trying.

I like my job, the only people I answer to are Strike and Masters, and even then not too well. I get to see the world and meet the most fascinating people. Take this cruise we're about to start, for example. We've boarded a couple of celebrities, some political figures, some terrorists, other arms brokers, and a couple of CIA critters. Playboys and girls with too much money and too much free time, their entourages and toys. What are they called? Ah yes, the beau monde.

This is going to be a long trip. Masters is up to something, I can feel it in my bones. He had me provision the ship with double rations (I always giggle when he calls things like brie and caviar and Dom rations) and hired three helpers for me.

Strike bitched about the extra crew, he always does. If he could narrow it down to just him and Masters he'd be happy. Security risk this, security risk that. The people didn't bother me, what did bother me was the extra unmarked crates being put into the hold. Masters never used the yacht to run arms.

Maybe if I did that thing with the white chocolate mousse and my tongue I could get it out of him...

 

[Ravenloft]

Reaper:

Peeking over the reflective sunglasses he wore at the yacht before him, the man known only as Reaper sighed. Someone aboard had paid for his servises on this cruise. He hated the dry jobs, and it looked as though he were about to step into a desert. It wasn't much fun if he couldn't pick up a FA-MAS or a MINIMI and unload after all. Not much fun at all... He climbed aboard and looked about.

 

[KillerMuffin]

I was busily supervising the Great Putting Away of the Groceries. Sometimes having kitchen help paid. We were still floating at dock, awaiting the arrival of the invited guests before weighing anchor for the sultry seas of the Carribean. Perhaps I would get a chance to work on my tan?

"Muff get your ass up to the bridge." Strike's voice snapped at me from the overhead intercom. Oh boy, I hope he hadn't found out that I smuggled my ferrets aboard again.

"Ya'll finish up here then start dinner. Menu is on the screen here." I pointed to the computer monitor. "Its not hard, don't fuck it up."

I took my time getting to the bridge, strolling along and admiring the various fittings on the yacht. Strike was deeply involved in his charts when I got there. He looked to be alone on the bridge, which was no surprise. Hunter was no doubt all over the ship terrorizing the hell out of the crew. Wonder if he found any ordnance to dispose of yet? He was better than the german shepard. I leaned on a counter and admired Strike's truly fine ass.

"Took you long enough. Next time do it on the double."

"You like it better when I do it slow." I grinned, remembering. He glared at me, irritated. Strike was a sexual beast, he could wear a woman out and keep on going, but he was too finicky. There were maybe two women on the whole ship he'd go to bed with. Remembering the taste of his dick, I was glad one was me.

"Just got the checks back. One of your crew is a spook."

"Really? The blonde guy with the buzz cut and SEAL Team 7 tat?"

"Ryan?"

"Thats the one."

"How in the hell did you know?"

"I can smell a spook a mile away. What is he? CIA? NSA? MI6?"

"NSA. Keep an eye out."

I crossed the bridge to stand next to him, casually sliding my hand into his back pocket. He stiffened and glared. He had rules about sex on duty. I ignored his rules. "I'm thinking about making some whipped cream to put on my dessert." I said with studious nonchalance.

"Dessert."

"You of course." I smiled up at him. "When is dessert?"

"Get back to work dammit. You know the regs."

"All work and no play makes Strike a horny boy!"

He smacked me on the ass and sent me on my way whistling.

 

[Angelus]

Victor

Victor walked along the wharf area and looked straight at the floating city that was called the Gunrunner's Lady. If anyone looked at Victor the first impression they would get would be of a somewhat nerdy person but that was the furthest from the truth. He was in fact a great assassin, one who had never been caught because no one would suspect him. He moved his glasses on his nose as he walked towards the yacht and wondered why he had been invited on this little cruise. He knew about the crates in the hold of this yacht but he didn't know what was in them.

Victor walked to the gangplank and was about to step onto it but before he could he heard a voice and looked to see a person running his direction, his hand on his pistol. Victor looked at the man and thought You can not be serious. He grinned at the man as soon as he was standing next to him and said, "Yes, what is the matter?"
"You can not get aboard this yacht sir," the man said.
"Oh, but I am afraid that I can and I will and if you try to stop me I will have to throw you head first into the water."
The man's hand went down to his pistol only to find that it wasn't there but now in Victor's hand. Victor smiled at him before he walked up the gangplank and threw the pistol back to the man.

 

[KillerMuffin]

Muffin

Content to let the galley crew slave over this evening's rather modest repast, I stood on the quarterdeck and watched the guests board. During my time with D- oops, almost let the cat outta the bag *wink*- the Army, I'd gone on a Navy ship a time or two. Sometimes, despite the trappings of wealth and the whole personal entourage thing, I expected these little fish to right face, salute the national ensign, American today, then left face and give a snappy salute to the officer of the deck, a large, stoic man named Bender, and request permission to come aboard. Of course, it didn't happen. They had to show their personal invitations, or be tossed off like so much riffraff and usually into the ocean.

It didn't take long to get bored with the boarding, so I went off in search of Masters or Hunter. Preferably Hunter, the man was damned mischevious devil, but he didn't mind giving me enough information to whet my appetite and make me drool.

 

[Ravenloft]

Reaper:

Unconsciously, Reaper had noted the woman already aboard, watching as he had boarded. As he milled about, he found himself face to face with her. In silence he looked her over. Looked to him as though she got a lot of exercise. The details of his purpose on this floating monstrosity were pretty slim... Be good to know what he was up against if it came to it. "Hello." He offered with a slight nod.

 

[KillerMuffin]

I stopped and smiled disarmingly. "Hello."

This was no playboy or mover and shaker. This guy smelled spook to me. Spook or merc. I hauled out my Elly Mae act, the one that often made people think I was nothing more than I seemed. "Welcome aboard. Are you finding everything all right?"

 

[Ravenloft]

Reaper:

"Yeah, so far, but then, I just came aboard..." If she could act, so could he. He hated acting though... Last payday, and what a payday it was, was pretty simple. He had others around that could do the talking if needed... Perhaps it had made him sloppy on a personal level.

 

[KillerMuffin]

"Well, if you need any help, just ask the uniformed crew!" I chirped happily. Nevermind that I was crew and the uniform Masters provided for me every trip usually hit the drink withing 45 minutes of me receiving it. It seemed to be an interesting little game he played with me. Of course, Masters always played little games to amuse himself.

Having said that, I about faced to sauntered back to the bridge. Strike would be pissy to see me again, but I wanted to see what his take was on this guy.

 

[Angelus]

As soon as he was onboard the yacht Victor looked around and knew that he could get very easily lost here and knew that would be his story if he was caught looking around. He still tried to figure out why he had been summoned here and by who. He walked onto the main deck and tried to figure out what the hell was going on as he heard the rumor of some mystery crates and was wondering what was in them. He then heard some footsteps and saw a woman approaching him but before she could come close he took a step away and walked towards the bow of the yacht.

 

[Song]

Marantha

Marantha had just finished her final check of the preparations for the guests. All equipment was in service; the "servants" were briefed on the guest's likes, dislikes, and specialties; and there were even mints left on all of the pillows. May as well keep up the pretense of a "floating hotel" for as long as possible.

It was like a game to her, trying to stay one step ahead of the guests. Most of them would find the surveillance equipment in their rooms within the first day. But only about half would find the *second* set of surveillance equipment.

She had hand picked her staff. That was one part of her employment contract about which she had been non-negotiable. Amongst them, they had a well-rounded list of specialties--everything from electronics to psychology, and every one of them experienced in some form of combat.

Marantha wasn't exactly a harsh mistress towards her staff, but she did have high standards and expected them to be met.
She was equally fair in doling out reward as reprimands, and she had earned the respect of the people she supervised. She tended to stay aloof socially, and her "keep your distance" attitude was hard to bypass. Many had noticed her natural beauty and wondered why she hid it with a tightly pulled back hairstyle and severely "utilitarian" clothing, but none had gotten close enough to her to ask.

She went on deck to watch the guests board. Her first impressions of people were generally right, and she liked to watch their initial interactions with each other. Several people had already boarded, and she noted that the Cook was circulating among them. Good--Muffin tended to put people at their ease, and she was one of the best at casual "intelligence gathering."

Marantha motioned to a few of her staff to start taking bags to rooms, and then she moved out fully onto deck to start meeting the guests.

 

[KillerMuffin]

I headed toward the galley with a long, loose-hipped stride. I'd changed my mind about seeing Strike, he was as competent as they came, no need for me to stick my nose where it would no doubt irritate.

Still, I wondered about the shadowy players I'd seen board the ship, no doubt uninvited. People simply did not board Masters' domain uninvited. Unless he let them for some reason.

I wondered what he was up to, the cases and the uninvited talent lurking aboard.

 

[Ravenloft]

Reaper:

"Ass wiggling... Heh, brilliant." Reaper thought as he watched Muff scoot off. After her departure, Reaper made his way to the front of the yacht and took a seat, pulling out a knife and whet stone, he began to sharpen it.

 

[Angelus]

As soon as Victor came to the bow of the yacht he saw a man sitting there sharpening a knife. He looked at the man and in a second figured him out to be a spook. The man still hadn't noticed him as he walked to the front of the yacht and looked out towards the wharf, wondering who else was going to come aboard and what the host of this little party had in store for everyone.

He sat down on the front of the yacht, looked down at the water and felt himself becoming calm. It was weird for him that the only thing that could calm him down was the ocean although he had nearly lost his life when a ship that he was on had sunk underneath him. He adjusted his glasses and smiled before he turned and looked at the front of the floating city and let out a quiet laugh.

This was going to be some trip he thought.

 

[Ravenloft]

Reaper:

Jesus, this one looked like Bill Gates or something, but for the cold look in his eye, Reaper could recognize another killer with the mearest of glances. The man took a spot at the head of the yacht and chuckled to himself. "Buisness or pleasure trip?" Reaper asked coldly.

 

[Angelus]

Victor looked over at the man with the knife and smiled, "I think a little bit of both although I have no idea why I am here. I hope that you know what the hell is going on."

He got to his feet and walked over to the where the man stood and looked straight at him and put out one hand, "I'm Victor- and you are?"

 

[Ravenloft]

Reaper:

Looking at Victor's offered hand for a moment, Reaper reached out and shook his hand sharply as he stowed his knife. "Reaper's the name. The only name I go by. And as for why we're here, your guess is as good as mine."

 

[KillerMuffin]

Until someone else wants the role...

Masters

"The crates are secure?"

"Aye, boss." Hunter shifted positions to keep an eye on the two interlopers that Masters had dismissed. Interestingly enough, he seemed to have expected them. For a moment he eyed the seductive sway of Muff's ass, but his mind was on business, not ass.

"Good. How about our other package?"

Hunter frowned. "That rotter is aboard."

"That 'rotter' is part of the deal."

"I say we toss 'im overboard in the Bermuda Triangle."

Master frowned, a bare lowering of his eyebrows.

"Aye, boss." He got the point.

"Keep him out of the crates. We are not terrorists."

"Aye, boss." Privately, Hunter wondered if Masters had finally gone off the deep end. Transport God only knew what in those crates on this yacht and a known and internationally wanted terrorist bomber.

 

[Angelus]

Victor looked at Reaper and mentally filed this person away, knowing that it was a person to watch. He wondered what the two of them were doing aboard this yacht. Reaper looked like a killer such as himself and he wondered what two killers were doing aboard this floating city. He moved his hand and looked at Reaper,
"I have no idea why the two of us are here. I just wonder what little party whoever brought us here has planned for us."

 

[Ravenloft]

Reaper:

"A party. How novel. Can't wait to see what the party favors are..." Reaper muttered. He locked eyes with Victor. There wasn't much doubt in his mind that this cruise would degenerate to a fire fight. In fact he kinda hoped it would. Nothing against the guy but just the look in his eyes told him they would come to blows if and when the shootin began.

 

[Song]

Marantha

Marantha watched the interaction between the two men at the bow. It was time for her to go meet the "guests," and those two would be good ones to start with. She had read and memorized their profiles, of course, but actual interaction told one so very much more about a person than mere words on paper could.

As she approached the men, they turned to look at her. She sized them up. They sized her up. They sized up the way each of them was sizing up the other. Competent professionals, both of them. Good--at least they wouldn't cause problems by putting themselves out of their leagues. No accidents because of their ineptitude.

"Good afternoon. Reaper. Victor." She nodded at each man in turn. Lovely! Not even a bit of surprise that she knew their names. "I am Marantha, head of the serving staff. If there is anything you desire--anything at all--please let me or one of my people know. Would you like me to show you your rooms now, or would you prefer to remain on deck for a while?"

 

[Angelus]

"I think that I'll stay out here for a while. I kind of enjoy this breeze although I would like to know how I am going to find you when I need to get to my room."

Victor looked at the woman and knew that she knew exactly who the two men in front of her were. She was showing no surprise or shock in her face and he knew that she was sizing the two of them up.

 

[Ravenloft]

Reaper:

"Will we be seeing action on this pleasure cruise?" Reaper asked flatly, cutting into the last of what this woman had to say.

 

[Song]

Marantha

Marantha turned to Victor and gave him a polite smile. "Yes, the breeze is lovely. When you're ready to go below, just find one of my staff. There is always one of us around." She emphasized the word "always".

Marantha then turned to Reaper. She chose to give a deliberate misunderstanding, to test his patience and temper. "Action? We do have gambling, and, as I said, if you desire anything else, my staff is quite prepared to fulfill your desires. I should make it clear from the beginning, though--all of my staff is always on call to take care of those particular requests. If it is 'action' with me you desire, I am at liberty to tell you," she said with the tiniest grin, looking him up and down appraisingly, "No Dice."