004: The Mean Streets of Aki

[joertexas]

He smiled back. “I’m glad. Doctor Metz said that he doubted the connection to the pocket universe will work while we are in jump, so that may have to wait until we get to Glisten. Is that alright?”

"Yes that's fine.

[terrymixon]

Aster won't wake up for a while, but the surgery goes well, and the slow drug is administered to speed her healing. The DocBot declares her stable about the time you jump.

It will be a full day later when Roscoe tells you that she will wake up shortly. The DocBot is administering a shot as you come in. Aster has been moved to one of the beds and is in a gown under a sheet. She looks... alive.

The DocBot will trundle to its corner and go into standby mode, leaving you alone as her eyelids flutter and open. "Wha..."

A relieved Garvin says " 'Ullo, Aster love. It's alright. It wasn't for a bit... but now it is. You died - temporarily. One of Nirkha's mates turned out to be rather more than a little bit psionic. Roscoe detected 'im. This was probably more or less just as the Marines from Avalanche turned up and 'is response was to Teleport right next to you, me an' Roscoe. Roscoe did for 'im but not before 'e stabbed you through the 'eart. You died in me arms but the kid got you aboard quick enough to give the medic 'bots a chance. They brought you back. We're in jump now - bound for Glisten with all the artefacts aboard. The Navy were wantin' to shut everythin' down to investigate after the attack so we legged it. They were a bit put out but let us go. Nirkha's contact was a navy comms officer on the take. The dead assassin's being examined post mortem and Nirkha's in our brig with a sore face. 'E'll be delighted to learn you're on the mend 'cos I promised I'd kill 'im if you didn't pull through. You can decide what to do with 'im when you feel up to it. Sorry it didn't turn out like you planned but we 'ad to improvise".

She seems to be gathering her wits about her and gingerly sits up, feeling her chest. "I remember feeling it go in. It hurt so bad."

She stretches a bit. "I feel a lot better than I should. You must have one hell of an AutoDoc. I seem to remember that."

Then she shakes her head. "My brain feels like mush. You did what you had to, and we'll work with it. I need to speak with everyone. Where are my clothes? Ah. Likely cut up and bloody. What do we have other than this gown with the extra ventilation?"

She takes a deep breath and pulls you close, kissing you. “Thank you. Thank all of you.”

[terrymixon]

He smiled back. “I’m glad. Doctor Metz said that he doubted the connection to the pocket universe will work while we are in jump, so that may have to wait until we get to Glisten. Is that alright?”

"Yes that's fine.

"Then that is how it will be."

[Thumper]

Walt-
”That just means he ain’t a telepath. I’ll keep my arms until we properly interrogate him…and I can guarantee-damn_tee it I’ll be reading his mind to figure that out.”

[terrymixon]

Walt-
”That just means he ain’t a telepath. I’ll keep my arms until we properly interrogate him…and I can guarantee-damn_tee it I’ll be reading his mind to figure that out.”

If you intend to do something, spell out those actions.

[helvorn]

I thought we were chasing the murderers rather than returning to Glisten.

[Tiglath]

Garvin replies to William "I think it comes down to we get Madam Treegarden to Glisten to secure our future independence by securing the patron or we chase our suspects to Weiss but are then forever pursued by both Omicron and the Navy after that. Since we know the pair work out of Glisten and might return there going back seems the best compromise".

(OOC: My understanding (and initial instinct) was that we would chase the suspects while she ran to secure us at Glisten but her being "killed" an ending up aboard both likely saved her life and skewed the plans. All the above is as per my understanding/interpretation).

[terrymixon]

Garvin replies to William "I think it comes down to we get Madam Treegarden to Glisten to secure our future independence by securing the patron or we chase our suspects to Weiss but are then forever pursued by both Omicron and the Navy after that. Since we know the pair work out of Glisten and might return there going back seems the best compromise".

(OOC: My understanding (and initial instinct) was that we would chase the suspects while she ran to secure us at Glisten but her being "killed" an ending up aboard both likely saved her life and skewed the plans. All the above is as per my understanding/interpretation).

She told you she had to get you to Glisten before the patron left. Even going directly there isn’t assured that you will catch them. She was pretty clear that missing this meeting would be bad, so that’s where Roscoe set course for. The fact the Navy will be sending word too played a role.

He’ll take any yelling, but he thought that was the right call since no one told her no.

[Tiglath]

”That just means he ain’t a telepath. I’ll keep my arms until we properly interrogate him…and I can guarantee-damn_tee it I’ll be reading his mind to figure that out.”

Garvin replies "I wasn't suggestin' you disarm at all. Let's face it this ship 'as faily challengin' compromise points as far as a hijack goes. So you go about just as you like, old son. As far as Nirkha goes I read 'is mind and tricked 'im into thinkin' about what I was after. I just don't think a spy, let alone a psionic one, would fall for that. Strikes me 'e's a "useful idiot" - but a ruddy dangerous one. Seems I've developed a certain "rapport" with 'im - he's ruddy terrified of me. Again, fillin' yer strides is either unusual or very good actin' for a spy. So, by all means join in but I want Aster to 'ave the say on what we do with 'im. It just seems fair to me as she was the one 'e got killed".

(OOC: This conversation likely happened before Garvin's current contact with Treegarden).

[Tiglath]

A relieved Garvin says " 'Ullo, Aster love. It's alright. It wasn't for a bit... but now it is. You died - temporarily. One of Nirkha's mates turned out to be rather more than a little bit psionic. Roscoe detected 'im. This was probably more or less just as the Marines from Avalanche turned up and 'is response was to Teleport right next to you, me an' Roscoe. Roscoe did for 'im but not before 'e stabbed you through the 'eart. You died in me arms but the kid got you aboard quick enough to give the medic 'bots a chance. They brought you back. We're in jump now - bound for Glisten with all the artefacts aboard. The Navy were wantin' to shut everythin' down to investigate after the attack so we legged it. They were a bit put out but let us go. Nirkha's contact was a navy comms officer on the take. The dead assassin's being examined post mortem and Nirkha's in our brig with a sore face. 'E'll be delighted to learn you're on the mend 'cos I promised I'd kill 'im if you didn't pull through. You can decide what to do with 'im when you feel up to it. Sorry it didn't turn out like you planned but we 'ad to improvise".

She seems to be gathering her wits about her and gingerly sits up, feeling her chest. "I remember feeling it go in. It hurt so bad."

She stretches a bit. "I feel a lot better than I should. You must have one hell of an AutoDoc. I seem to remember that."

Then she shakes her head. "My brain feels like mush. You did what you had to, and we'll work with it. I need to speak with everyone. Where are my clothes? Ah. Likely cut up and bloody. What do we have other than this gown with the extra ventilation?"

She takes a deep breath and pulls you close, kissing you. “Thank you. Thank all of you.”

Garvin gives a relieved laugh and kisses her back with interest "I selflessly volunteered to collect the "Thank you" kisses for the whole crew so don't 'old back". He switches the advisory notice on the med bay door to "Consultation in Progress". A little later he allows "The autodoc and the surgeon bot are both pretty good. I'd buy 'em a beer but they keep tryin' to make me give up alcohol".

He smirks "While your current outfit has a certain appeal I can see 'ow it might be draughty. I'll loan you a shirt while Roscoe sorts you out some new clobber. I think things 'ave got to the stage where we're so deep in that you need to be a part of the conversation that you only "observed" goin' on earlier. On that subject Doctor Metz has invented and developed certain enhancements that I'll let him explain to you. So for now you just need to consider your position on getting such... er... upgrades".

He adds "There's also the spy ring we fell foul of 'oo were operatin' with Nirkha. If there's anythin' we need to know there it might be 'elpful. Within the week we need to interrogate Nirkha an' decide what to do with 'im. I said you should 'ave the say since 'e compromised you... broadly "just for spite" is my current instinct as to 'is motive but it's early on that as yet".

[terrymixon]

The recon probes got a fair amount of data but could hardly scan an entire world in a few hours. The spaceport is extensive. The graveyard of ships is even more extensive. There are numerous megastructures in the area around the spaceport, but who knows what they are there for. A general map of the areas around the teleportals is within your grasp. In fact, the probes created that as a matter of course. You can study it but lack detailed information to really know what is there. That takes boots on the ground. Or spybots in the air. Something like that.

Are the drones still operating on the other sides? Will they have battery power to function when we exit jump? If so, Walt will be prepared to receive all that data upon exiting jump.

They only have 192 hours of endurance, so they will be on their last legs but still running. They will be returning to the teleportal but able to transmit the data you want.

Correction: Walt figures there's a possibility the captive was possibly psionic. To verify, he will ask Bilis if she can sense psionics in him. If not, he'll ask Metz if he knows how to make those psi-finder binoculars he's heard about on Glisten (CSC pg 760)

Bilis cannot make that determination. Metz would need to see a psi-finder binoculars to get the details on how they work. You're on your own.

I've thought about this and decided that I don't like the idea of finding Zhodoni spies (and all of you) being that easy. There is therefore no tech to easily see someone psi capable.

[terrymixon]

A relieved Garvin says " 'Ullo, Aster love. It's alright. It wasn't for a bit... but now it is. You died - temporarily. One of Nirkha's mates turned out to be rather more than a little bit psionic. Roscoe detected 'im. This was probably more or less just as the Marines from Avalanche turned up and 'is response was to Teleport right next to you, me an' Roscoe. Roscoe did for 'im but not before 'e stabbed you through the 'eart. You died in me arms but the kid got you aboard quick enough to give the medic 'bots a chance. They brought you back. We're in jump now - bound for Glisten with all the artefacts aboard. The Navy were wantin' to shut everythin' down to investigate after the attack so we legged it. They were a bit put out but let us go. Nirkha's contact was a navy comms officer on the take. The dead assassin's being examined post mortem and Nirkha's in our brig with a sore face. 'E'll be delighted to learn you're on the mend 'cos I promised I'd kill 'im if you didn't pull through. You can decide what to do with 'im when you feel up to it. Sorry it didn't turn out like you planned but we 'ad to improvise".

She seems to be gathering her wits about her and gingerly sits up, feeling her chest. "I remember feeling it go in. It hurt so bad."

She stretches a bit. "I feel a lot better than I should. You must have one hell of an AutoDoc. I seem to remember that."

Then she shakes her head. "My brain feels like mush. You did what you had to, and we'll work with it. I need to speak with everyone. Where are my clothes? Ah. Likely cut up and bloody. What do we have other than this gown with the extra ventilation?"

She takes a deep breath and pulls you close, kissing you. “Thank you. Thank all of you.”

Garvin gives a relieved laugh and kisses her back with interest "I selflessly volunteered to collect the "Thank you" kisses for the whole crew so don't 'old back". He switches the advisory notice on the med bay door to "Consultation in Progress". A little later he allows "The autodoc and the surgeon bot are both pretty good. I'd buy 'em a beer but they keep tryin' to make me give up alcohol".

He smirks "While your current outfit has a certain appeal I can see 'ow it might be draughty. I'll loan you a shirt while Roscoe sorts you out some new clobber. I think things 'ave got to the stage where we're so deep in that you need to be a part of the conversation that you only "observed" goin' on earlier. On that subject Doctor Metz has invented and developed certain enhancements that I'll let him explain to you. So for now you just need to consider your position on getting such... er... upgrades".

He adds "There's also the spy ring we fell foul of 'oo were operatin' with Nirkha. If there's anythin' we need to know there it might be 'elpful. Within the week we need to interrogate Nirkha an' decide what to do with 'im. I said you should 'ave the say since 'e compromised you... broadly "just for spite" is my current instinct as to 'is motive but it's early on that as yet".

"I'll speak with him in due time. Right now, I think we need to deal with Aish Nirkha. If you have a way I can watch, I think I'd rather let you handle him. Feel free to tell him I died. He probably doesn't know anything, but we need to be sure. Right now, I need clothes and food. I'm starving."

Roscoe can consult with Jaelah and fabricate some clothes. He's useless when it comes to style, and a couple of false starts will let her tell him when the materials don't work while improving the looks. In an hour, he can replace your shirt--which I'm sure everyone finds very fetching on her--with something that suits her style and personality.

If anyone wants to talk with her more, you can. If not, we can move to the questioning of the Captain of Knowledge. Go nuts.

[terrymixon]

There is one other event of note during the first day in jump space (before Treegarden is brought back to consciousness). Bilis makes an announcement that after considering a suggestion made by Jaelah and seeing how useful it was for Roscoe to have a body, she has created one for herself.

She has searched the available databases and created a body that she believes will be acceptable to most humans. When she steps out of Doctor Metz's robotics laboratory, you'll have decide for yourselves if she is correct.

In case Jaelah is worried that she is making a move on Roscoe, it is apparent that she is looking to Metz for his approval with some apprehension. She might have some, ahem, daddy issues.

[Tiglath]

"I'll speak with him in due time. Right now, I think we need to deal with Aish Nirkha. If you have a way I can watch, I think I'd rather let you handle him. Feel free to tell him I died. He probably doesn't know anything, but we need to be sure. Right now, I need clothes and food. I'm starving."

Garvin states "Roscoe's the bloke for food - steak and a nice red might reaffirm your "alive" status an' get your strength up. He'll sort you out for clothes too but you'll 'ave to 'elp 'im". He grins "Don't go into too much detail of your "smalls" - the kid's sensitive. We can arrange a direct feed so you can observe the interrogation and speak with those in the room".

Consulting with Walt, Arkar and any others who want in on the interrogation he suggests "Look, I've apparently got this bloke broken already but, unfortunately for 'im, the stakes are 'igh enough that we need to confirm that. I don't propose to be nice to 'im - I reckon 'e put Aster at risk simply out of wounded pride an' plain spite. I'd say that 'e showed 'imself to be competent enough at fieldwork to corrupt and bribe an Imperial Navy officer. I also reckon 'e may 'ave played the role of a "useful idiot" for the assassin but we don't know if that was just 'is cover or not. The assassin showed himself to be a powerful psionic but, as we can maybe all agree, that might not necessarily make 'im a Zhodani".

"My take on this is, based on experience, is that the mental element's much more powerful that the physical - or put another way if we can convince 'im to convince 'imself to break then it saves us the leg work".

"Right 'e's quite rightly terrified of me but that might not make me the ideal interrogator. Arkar what if you play "good cop" leavin' Walt as "bad cop" - I'll 'old back as "worse cop". Now, I always like to work with what's on 'and - after all verisimilitude always sells a con. So 'ow about this: you two fish chummy out of the brig an' tell 'im it's time to talk. Bring 'im into the room an' I'll be workin' the assassin's dead body like I work the 'eavy bag in the gym - we'll need to defrost 'im. I'll whine on that the assassin's died again an' 'e needs revivin' for another go round. Arkar that's your "in" for "good cop" - 'ave a go at me for bein' a ruddy animal. Walt you can pitch that you want your own go on Nirkha 'cos you've 'eard me soundin' off about beatin' I'm to death. Arkar then offers 'im the only way out - full cooperation. Walt you're right there to Telepathically verify what Nirkha's givin' up".

"Do you think that'll work?"

He adds "We want a full de-brief out of 'im. Where 'e met the assassin an' everythin' Nirkha knows about 'im, the origin of the idea for the "rumour" 'e spread, what 'e actually knows about Ancient sites on Aki an' 'oo is bankrollin' the pair of 'em. If we can turn Nirkha we could use a retraction message from 'im over the rumours 'e spread an' that 'e's standin' down until the terrorism links an' charges of falsified research are disproved".

[terrymixon]

Metz's reaction.

[terrymixon]

"I'll speak with him in due time. Right now, I think we need to deal with Aish Nirkha. If you have a way I can watch, I think I'd rather let you handle him. Feel free to tell him I died. He probably doesn't know anything, but we need to be sure. Right now, I need clothes and food. I'm starving."

Garvin states "Roscoe's the bloke for food - steak and a nice red might reaffirm your "alive" status an' get your strength up. He'll sort you out for clothes too but you'll 'ave to 'elp 'im". He grins "Don't go into too much detail of your "smalls" - the kid's sensitive. We can arrange a direct feed so you can observe the interrogation and speak with those in the room".

She smiles a bit. "If he can recover my underwear and use those as a pattern, I believe he will survive. If not, well, I suppose a little thrill isn't out of line for someone who helped save my life."

Consulting with Walt, Arkar and any others who want in on the interrogation he suggests "Look, I've apparently got this bloke broken already but, unfortunately for 'im, the stakes are 'igh enough that we need to confirm that. I don't propose to be nice to 'im - I reckon 'e put Aster at risk simply out of wounded pride an' plain spite. I'd say that 'e showed 'imself to be competent enough at fieldwork to corrupt and bribe an Imperial Navy officer. I also reckon 'e may 'ave played the role of a "useful idiot" for the assassin but we don't know if that was just 'is cover or not. The assassin showed himself to be a powerful psionic but, as we can maybe all agree, that might not necessarily make 'im a Zhodani".

"The assassin had 28 teeth and they were of a consistent shape with those of a Zhodoni," Roscoe interjects. "He was definitely a Zhodoni."

[Tiglath]

When she steps out of Doctor Metz's robotics laboratory, you'll have decide for yourselves if she is correct.

(OOC: And she wants to call him "Daddy"... !!!

The Battlestar Galactica scene where she got it on with the smarmy pseudo scientist character and "Xena" had me raging at the brutal unfairness of fate!

...and, well xenophobic possibly, but compared to a "chirper" in a bikini... Bilis may have got it more right than wrong... Did we ever find out just who dumped those back issue swimwear catalogues into the fabricator??? Paging Doctor Metz!!! )

[terrymixon]

When she steps out of Doctor Metz's robotics laboratory, you'll have decide for yourselves if she is correct.

(OOC: And she wants to call him "Daddy"... !!!

Well, her creator was a brain and now she's looking at Metz, so yeah, maybe.

The Battlestar Galactica scene where she got it on with the smarmy pseudo scientist character and "Xena" had me raging at the brutal unfairness of fate!

I must've stopped watching before then. Got distracted and stopped at season 2. I'll have to find that one.

...and, well xenophobic possibly, but compared to a "chirper" in a bikini... Bilis may have got it more right than wrong... Did we ever find out just who dumped those back issue swimwear catalogues into the fabricator??? Paging Doctor Metz!!! )

They weren't in shape for anyone to see the contents, so you may never know.

[Thumper]

Wowza…Bilis!

”Bilis, you look just as good as your voice sounds!”

That should work Garvin. Wring everything out of him Arker. We should have everyone on the crew who has Telepathic talents to be available to read his thoughts throughout the duration. If goes long enough, we’ll need to hand off that capability to fresh people.”

[terrymixon]

Wowza…Bilis!

”Bilis, you look just as good as your voice sounds!”

"Thank you, Walter."