004: The Mean Streets of Aki

[terrymixon]

Sorry, that was meant as a negotiation ask between Garvin and Treegarden. Imperium-wide individual permits to carry, Marshal appointments, whatever..

Gotcha.

[Tiglath]

Sorry, that was meant as a negotiation ask between Garvin and Treegarden. Imperium-wide individual permits to carry, Marshal appointments, whatever..

Cool, I'll put that on our "wish list" for Madam Treegarden.

[terrymixon]

Half an hour later, a couple of men in cruise liner ship uniforms with patches indicating they are crew on the Glisten Pearl show up. They have a short video clip from Madam Treegarden indicating that they work for her and are here for the items you recovered. They have boxes large enough to stash the rifles without them standing out.

They also say that she is at a restaurant called Balthazar's and is expecting Garvin promptly.

How are you dressed? The arrival at the restaurant will be influenced by that.

[terrymixon]

While Garvin is experiencing fine dining, what about the rest of you? Walt wants to go to the starport offices and see if he can locate the subjects, Roscoe is working on the cargo, and Metz is doing science. What are you doing?

[Tiglath]

They also say that she is at a restaurant called Balthazar's and is expecting Garvin promptly.

How are you dressed? The arrival at the restaurant will be influenced by that.

Garvin will have checked his copy of Debrett's Etiquette and Deportment (and confirmed Balthazar's dress code once that's given as his destination) so his black tie ensemble (US tuxedo?) isn't somehow a terrible social faux pas. He approaches his preparations for his night out by both making sure his personal presentation and grooming is as top notch as as his professional preparation for meeting a potential "mark" for a long con. He does his research on Madam Treegarden from public domain sources and any of Mad Dog's remaining records reasoning that his immediate task is to find out who her husband is. He'll also have checked out the top five fine dining restaurants in order to have some prior background knowledge of what to expect.

He'll hire himself a limousine for the trip to Balthazar's.

[Eris]

Don't forget the skip of maintenance ask.

Spicoli is interested in looking for the killers.

After we get the killers, we need to find a Psi Academy and get some training, I'd think.

[terrymixon]

They also say that she is at a restaurant called Balthazar's and is expecting Garvin promptly.

How are you dressed? The arrival at the restaurant will be influenced by that.

Garvin will have checked his copy of Debrett's Etiquette and Deportment (and confirmed Balthazar's dress code once that's given as his destination) so his black tie ensemble (US tuxedo?) isn't somehow a terrible social faux pas. He approaches his preparations for his night out by both making sure his personal presentation and grooming is as top notch as is his professional preparation for meeting a potential "mark" for a long con. He does his research on Madam Treegarden from public domain sources and any of Mad Dog's remaining records reasoning that his immediate task is to find out who her husband is. He'll also have checked out the top five fine dining restaurants in order to have some prior background knowledge of what to expect.

If the crew are taking him to Balthazar's that's fine if not he'll hire himself a limousine.

Balthazar's does require formal wear. Going above and beyond the minimum is preferred. Your formal wear will work. Barely. Sadly, you don't have time to get anything better. You wonder if that was planned, given the short fuse to prepare. Whatever you do, you are groomed to the nines.

As your group determined earlier, there is no public information about Madam Treegarden. None. You have no clue if she's even married, as that might have been a ruse to keep men at arm's length. Mad Dog had no clue and never looked into it.

The top five restaurants start with Balthazar's and end with Balthazar's. There is nothing even close to its league here. It was founded by a local that left the world and became a chef of some renown. Sadly, his fellow Akians reviled him for preparing meat dishes and he doesn't leave the highport. There have even been several attempts on his life here. Security at the restaurant is top notch.

The experience revolves around the meal, of course. It is expected to be treated with respect and boorish diners are quickly shown the door. It's a quiet place, so too much noise will also get some negative attention.

There is no menu. You get what Balthazar feels like preparing. The reviews indicate his service varies a lot in what is served, but the quality is always top shelf. Exceptions are made if the diner is allergic to some aspect of the food. The man isn't a monster, after all. Even his sandwiches (what they get) are excellent.

This highport is small enough that there are no ground vehicles, so foot power it is. You follow the directions given and come to a door with a discreet sign identifying the place. Once inside, the lush quality of the furnishings and clothing at the podium stand out. A female Vargr in a modified formal suit awaits you. "Good evening, and welcome to Balthazar's. Your party's name?" Her accent and diction is quite good.

[Tiglath]

This highport is small enough that there are no ground vehicles, so foot power it is. You follow the directions given and come to a door with a discreet sign identifying the place. Once inside, the lush quality of the furnishings and clothing at the podium stand out. A female Vargr in a modified formal suit awaits you. "Good evening, and welcome to Balthazar's. Your party's name?"

"Good evening, Miss. Name's Garvin I'm here to meet Madam Treegarden".

Her accent and diction is quite good.

So's Garvin's! Educated neutral mid Imperial.

[terrymixon]

This highport is small enough that there are no ground vehicles, so foot power it is. You follow the directions given and come to a door with a discreet sign identifying the place. Once inside, the lush quality of the furnishings and clothing at the podium stand out. A female Vargr in a modified formal suit awaits you. "Good evening, and welcome to Balthazar's. Your party's name?"

"Good evening, Miss. Name's Garvin I'm here to meet Madam Treegarden".

Her accent and diction is quite good.

So's Garvin's! Educated neutral mid Imperial.

"Your party arrived only a few minutes ago. This way, please."

She leads you past a very upscale dining area where the cream of the local crop is eating amongst the splendor. Instead of a public table, you are led to a short hall that terminates in a closed door flanked by a man and a woman dressed exactly like the two guys that picked up the gear. Your keen eye notes they are discreetly armed. one of them produces a hand scanner of the type that look for bugs and gives you a run before stepping aside and allowing you in. Neither they nor the woman follow you and the door is closed softly behind you.

Madam Treegarden rose from her seat and smiled. "You clean up nicely, Mister Slade. Well done."

She is dressed in a form-fitting black dress that accentuates, well, everything. Glittering diamonds grace her ears and throat and there is the subtle hint of something nice in there air. Likely her.

There is already a bottle of red wine on the table--unopened--and a selection of baked breads.

[Tiglath]

Madam Treegarden rose from her seat and smiled. "You clean up nicely, Mister Slade. Well done."

She is dressed in a form-fitting black dress that accentuates, well, everything. Glittering diamonds grace her ears and throat and there is the subtle hint of something nice in there air. Likely her.

There is already a bottle of red wine on the table--unopened--and a selection of baked breads.

Garvin smiles back giving her an appreciative glance "I've found that when you're playing at the highest level it's advisable to raise your game and you, Madam Treegarden, are surely at the top of the league".

[terrymixon]

Madam Treegarden rose from her seat and smiled. "You clean up nicely, Mister Slade. Well done."

She is dressed in a form-fitting black dress that accentuates, well, everything. Glittering diamonds grace her ears and throat and there is the subtle hint of something nice in there air. Likely her.

There is already a bottle of red wine on the table--unopened--and a selection of baked breads.

Garvin smiles back giving her an appreciative glance "I've found that when you're playing at the highest level it's advisable to raise your game and you, Madam Treegarden, are surely at the top of the league".

"Thank you." She raises an eyebrow and remains standing.

[helvorn]

While Garvin is experiencing fine dining, what about the rest of you? Walt wants to go to the starport offices and see if he can locate the subjects, Roscoe is working on the cargo, and Metz is doing science. What are you doing?

William will go with Walter.

Certainly one nice thing to have would be a variable transponder.

[Tiglath]

Certainly one nice thing to have would be a variable transponder.

So, noted and added to Garvin's list.

[Tiglath]

Madam Treegarden rose from her seat and smiled. "You clean up nicely, Mister Slade. Well done."

She is dressed in a form-fitting black dress that accentuates, well, everything. Glittering diamonds grace her ears and throat and there is the subtle hint of something nice in there air. Likely her.

There is already a bottle of red wine on the table--unopened--and a selection of baked breads.

Garvin smiles back giving her an appreciative glance "I've found that when you're playing at the highest level it's advisable to raise your game and you, Madam Treegarden, are surely at the top of the league".

"Thank you." She raises an eyebrow and remains standing.

Garvin responds "I see Balthazar has provided bread and wine. Are you ready to eat?"

He will scan the table with his PRIS vision (just in case the food's there but invisible!) and seat Madam Treegarden.

He smiles "As to our business I have some favours to ask on behalf of the Guild as for myself I'll see what you let me get away with".

[joertexas]

While Garvin is experiencing fine dining, what about the rest of you? Walt wants to go to the starport offices and see if he can locate the subjects, Roscoe is working on the cargo, and Metz is doing science. What are you doing?

Jaelah posts up at a nearby cafe to back up Garvin if she's needed.

[ateno]

Jaelah posts up at a nearby cafe to back up Garvin if she's needed.

What, as a wingman?

When Arkar finishes the collection vials, he will research some of the available sources looking for reports of pollution and where areas are blocked off and whatever, trying to get a idea.

Then learn when and where the ship docked and Roscoe if we can look into the starport video and track our two targets without exposing ourselves.

Arkar

[Tiglath]

Jaelah posts up at a nearby cafe to back up Garvin if she's needed.

What, as a wingman?

If Treegarden's hubby turns up Jaelah might yet need to be Garvin's getaway piggy back ride through the starport pedestrian area!

[terrymixon]

Garvin smiles back giving her an appreciative glance "I've found that when you're playing at the highest level it's advisable to raise your game and you, Madam Treegarden, are surely at the top of the league".

"Thank you." She raises an eyebrow and remains standing.

Garvin responds "I see Balthazar has provided bread and wine. Are you ready to eat?"

He will scan the table with his PRIS vision (just in case the food's there but invisible!) and seat Madam Treegarden.

He smiles "As to our business I have some favours to ask on behalf of the Guild as for myself I'll see what you let me get away with".

Your PRIS vison sees nothing untoward.

"I'm peckish, so yes," she said as you seat her. "Please pour us some wine."

Once you have done so, she'll take a sip and look at you over the rim of her glass. "Let's leave business aside for the moment. I'd much rather talk about you and your friends. I did a little checking up on all of you and you are quite the interesting collection of people. Some former law enforcement and some from the shadier side of the tracks. I find you of peculiar interest. You were never on anyone's radar, so you must have led quite the life before you became a bounty hunter. Tell me about yourself."

[terrymixon]

Walt and William head for the starport offices. The bureaucracy there seems to be in full swing and you have to go through three lines to find the right person. You think.

The balding man at the counter looks at you, his expression bored. "Next."

[terrymixon]

Jaelah posts up at a nearby cafe to back up Garvin if she's needed.

What, as a wingman?

When Arkar finishes the collection vials, he will research some of the available sources looking for reports of pollution and where areas are blocked off and whatever, trying to get a idea.

Then learn when and where the ship docked and Roscoe if we can look into the starport video and track our two targets without exposing ourselves.

Arkar

The Overland Express is docked just down the docking area from your ship.

"Getting into the live feeds wouldn't be too difficult," Roscoe said, "but most security systems archive the video footage daily. Getting into that would raise the chances of being detected. If that's what you want to do, I believe Spicoli would be the best choice."

He looked over at Spicoli.

EDITED:

This has been overtaken by events in the other thread. Rather than being three days behind the targets, you are nine days behind them. The Overland Express had already departed though you do not know where she was headed.