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You cross your arms as Tom takes another drag of his cigarette. “Any word on that CFP meet-and-greet we’re invited to?”

Tom nods. “It’s in two days actually. Something to do with the CFP’s big-wigs wanting to get on good terms with local spacers and businessmen. Seems like they’re wanting to shine a light on the community of legit businesses here on Mars.”

“I can see why,” you reply. It’s no secret that Mars is home to loads of organized crime, and the CFP has gotten a bad rap for it, with some going far enough to call it a ‘mafia state’ publicly. “You think we should go?”

Tom shrugs. “Might not be a bad idea. We could brush shoulders with some serious players with serious money.” He grins a little. “It’s always good to network in our line of work.”

You nod. “Seems that way. Still, the last time I went to anything like that, I got kidnapped and experimented on.” You frown. “You don’t figure this thing smells fishy?”

Tom shakes his head. “Unless Captain Knight has some kind of evil agenda.” He reaches into the glovebox, fishing the invitation out of it. “His name’s on the invite, along with some colonel named Pavlov.”

You raise an eyebrow. If Knight is going to be there, it’s above the board at least. “Good to know,” you nod. “I’d figured Knight would be too busy commanding Ceres to hold a party.”

“Looks like cleaning the CFP’s image up was more important,” Tom replies. “So, should we go?”

>”Sure. Let’s mark it down on the schedule.”
>”Probably better to skip. Networking never was my strong suit.”

>”Sure. Let’s mark it down on the schedule.” we might have fun at this shindig and there's probably a open bar.

>>2583476
>>”Sure. Let’s mark it down on the schedule.”

“Sure.” You nod. “Go ahead and mark it down on the schedule.”

“Right,” Tom nods. “I’ll get us RSVP’d.” He finishes his cigarette, flicking the butt away. “Got anything else planned in the meantime?”

>”Not really.” (timeskip to the party)
>”I should probably head over to Allie’s shop to check on their progress.”
>”We need to build some rainy-day money up. Are there any odd jobs around town?”
>Write-in.

>>2583605
>”We need to build some rainy-day money up. Are there any odd jobs around town?”

>>2583605
>Write-in.
You need some new clothes for this party, Tom. I'm taking you shopping!
Haha, I joke, they will probably wear uniforms.
>>2583608
>”We need to build some rainy-day money up. Are there any odd jobs around town?”
I guess, more money never hurt anyone. That didn't have a corresponding amount of security.

>>2583605
>”We need to build some rainy-day money up. Are there any odd jobs around town?” >>2583629

>>2583476

>”Sure. Let’s mark it down on the schedule.”

>>2583605
>>2584007
oops
>”We need to build some rainy-day money up. Are there any odd jobs around town?”

Hmm, fed uniforms on imp party, that's gonna be interesting

>>2583605
>”I should probably head over to Allie’s shop to check on their progress.”

>>2584443
The CFP is NEUTRAL!

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>>2584443
Like >>2585238 said, the CFP is neutral at least as far as the general public is aware. Also Allen's dress blues were permanently ruined by smoke and fire!

Anyway, session in two-ish hours.

>>2585370
The impression I get from the CFP is they desire their independence but at the same time realize at the higher levels that as a weak buffer state their only hope of survival if this new cold war goes hot is to pick a side? So they have an active interest in things not kicking off (in general, I'm sure there are sub factions), but if they do well... I wouldn't be surprised if they have made promises to both sides and will simply fall in with who seems the most likely to win. Or if they think things are balanced enough they can play kingmaker. That's before you factor in third parties and such too. If I had to guess I'd say militarily the Imps look weaker right now (or at least the alliance drew them to a draw going from and unprepared, un-militarized state, so now that they've taken a level in kicking ass things look slightly favourable to them) so they'd either leaning towards Earth or trying to stack the odds against them so they can have a bigger slice of the Imp pie. All this is of course baseless speculation.

>>2585238
>>2585370
huh, I got that mixed up with a different party it seems.

>>2583605
>>”We need to build some rainy-day money up. Are there any odd jobs around town?”

>>2585445
I think the only thing they have protecting them is their neutrality. They don't have massive amounts of resources (right?) they don't have much of a fleet. Either side could take them easily so why would they? As a staging point? Maybe. As a patriotic reminder to the colonies that you can't just walk away from your benefactor like mars did in the last one? Well I haven't seen any of that rhetoric yet.
In summary I think that attacking an outspokenly neutral party would be a polarizing escalation that aren't ready for. I guess subterfuge is inevitable though. And presmably the CFP knows that, they did found their while existence on the principle.

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You lean against the truck, putting your hands in your pockets. “We need to build up some rainy-day money. Are there any odd jobs around here that need doing?”

Tom frowns. “Well, I can ask around, but we don’t really know anyone besides Allie who might have work for us. Unless you want to get tangled up with the mafia.”

You grimace at the thought of that. While illegal stuff might not be out of the question, it certainly doesn’t appeal to you.

Tom continues. “I remember Allie mentioning that she always needs help delivering things to customers.” He shrugs. “And I remember a bulletin board hanging on the wall in there,” he points to the diner on the corner of the motel. “There’s bound to be some small jobs posted there.” He shrugs. “Whether they’re worth our time though, that’s another story.”

>”Probably best to hold off on local jobs for now.”
>”That bulletin sounds like a good place to look.” (check the bulletin board)
>”Allie’s reliable. May as well do some work for her.”
>Write-in.

>>2585842
>>”Allie’s reliable. May as well do some work for her.”

>>2585842
Doesn’t hurt to check the board, for curiosity’s sake if nothing else

>>2585842
>”That bulletin sounds like a good place to look.” (check the bulletin board)
If we do the delivery job we should use a bicycle to deliver the package while wearing our captains hat.

>>2585842
>”Allie’s reliable. May as well do some work for her.”

>>2585842
>”That bulletin sounds like a good place to look.” (check the bulletin board)
Looking never hurt anyone. Its everything that comes after looking which definitely hurts a fella.

>>2585842
>>”That bulletin sounds like a good place to look.” (check the bulletin board)

>>2585842
>”That bulletin sounds like a good place to look.” (check the bulletin board)

Can we get a "Paul does shenanigans" interlude?