Urth's Orphans - Chp. 1: Revelations (Gorum and Major)

[Grognardsw]

Major took his change from the robotender.

X took the can of oil with a raised eyebrow. “I’m controlling this cyborg because the law on Starhaven booted me off Mr. Stretchy,” reminded the alien parasite. ”This body has a human brain and digestive parts. Maybe you can use the oil to lubricate that arm of yours.”

X nodded at Major’s robotic forearm and hand, damaged along with his left foot from the trevails of Zardoz and the erupting lava of the now-destroyed Urth.

“That piece of paper had two names - Case Willis and Bartholomew Silva,” said X. “Think they’re here?”

[Mant72]

Gorum finishes off his beer, suppresses a belch, and turns to the others, ”They may be here. We have names but no descriptions. We could ask around, but we run the risk of drawing attention. Any ideas?”

[Grognardsw]

"We'll have to do it the old fashion way," X said. The alien parasite-controlling-a-cyborg circulated around the room, passing credits and buying drinks.

Half an hour later he rejoined Gorum and Major.

"Case Willis is known here," said X. "But not Bartholomew Silva. Case is in a private booth over there. Shall we?"

[DadsAngry]

Major:

"What all three of us? Won't that look suspicious? I mean I'm sure he knows by now someone is looking for him. If we three show up at his table he'll smell a rat and bananas. This drink is amazing! You should try one Gorum. I think you might like it."

[Mant72]

“Yes, Major, I agree that all three of us will arouse suspicion, but I think it’s best we stay together. This place is new to us all and could prove dangerous. I’m for seeing Case as a group.”

[Grognardsw]

.

[Grognardsw]

Gorum the mutant gibbon, Major the human, and X the alien-parasite cyborg approached the private booth.



Case Willis looked up from his conversation with a black man and woman. All their hands moved to their gun holsters.

"You're a motley crew," said Case. "What do you want?"

[Mant72]

Gorum nods, smiles politely, and speaks up, ”Hello Mr. Willis, I am Thurn. This is Felx and Minz.” He gestures, indicating his companions. ”Might we speak to you about certain “experiences” one may acquire?”

[Grognardsw]

Willis looked critically at ‘Thurn’ the gibbon.

“Real experiences or the head kind?” he said. “Who sent you?”

[DadsAngry]

Major:

"Kirylla sent us. She said you had the best around"

[Grognardsw]

Willis nodded. “I like Kirylla. Given her line of work, I take it you mean black market Shifts? What category - untraviolence, xtremisex, alien fetish, SMBD-XL, religious, mindfux?

[Mant72]

Gorum asks Willis, “What do you suggest? What do customers usually request?”

[Grognardsw]

X looked sideways at Major as Gorum posed his question.

"Weren't we hired for the religious kults?" X whispered to his human companion.

"Religious kults," said X, with a cough, to Willis.

[DadsAngry]

Major:

"Yeah, a religious one would do us just fine. How much?"

[Grognardsw]

"Ah yeah, those kult Shifts are getting popular," said Willis. "500 credits will get you a Shift that will make you believe. Amen, Make it So, So Say We All, That is the Way, blah blah blah."

[Mant72]

Do the man and woman with Willis appear to be at ease or on edge? Do they seem to be friends of Willis’, his subordinates, or maybe fellow customers? I realize that this information might not be possible based on their appearances, but Gorum is specifically paying attention to their body language and facial expressions to see if he can pick up on anything that may reveal their relationship to Willis. Is it possible for X to jump into Willis’ body to serve as host?

[Grognardsw]

Major and Gorum knew that Willis’ 500 credit price for the religious black market Shift was in their budget. Their client provided a deep pocket for expenses.

Gorum observed that the man and woman with Willis appeared to be at ease. From what the mutant gibbon saw upon approach, the man and woman were at least acquaintances if not friends of Willis. Their body language was relaxed, their facial expressions neutral after some initial curiosity.

That Willis was freely discussing black market goods in front of them implies they don’t have a problem with it, or that perhaps they are involved in such activities themselves.

Gorum knew that X could deattach from his cyborg and attempt to attach to Willis, but in this public venue that very physical attack would cause quite a scene. Willis would defend himself, others would see and likely help, etc.

[Grognardsw]

X gave Willis the 500 credits.

“This way,” said Willis. He escorted them out of a back door and into an alley where here was a beat-up sky-van. It was tight but they could all fit in. Willis handed them a Shift.

“This is a black market Shift from the Xathos Epiphany. Suppose to be powerful stuff. I never watched it myself - not into that religious crap.”

Willis let them out of the sky-van then pulled away into the sky, which was darkening as dusk approached. With Shift in hand, the three mercenaries returned to their hotel.

A message was awaiting them from their anonymous client (X suspected an organizations like the Interplanetary Coalition of True Religions, a trade association of established religions.). It read: “Continue investigation, but first assist in undercover operation with associates. Report to this address and provide this XR code to Cyxeria Olivaw.”

[DadsAngry]

Major:

"What the hell is this? When did we become lackeys? Put the shift in the hotel safe. We'll have to examine it later."

[Grognardsw]

“Lackey? I prefer mission specialist, or mercenary if you must," said X to Major.

"You remember we're all part of the Guild of Special Services, as part of our assimilation into the galactic civilization after the destruction of Urth."

Major thought back...

"You have membership in the Guild of Special Services, which is their fancy name for mercenaries," said Xavimon. "I've put in a good word for you. You should receive leads soon."

"As a service to displaced off-worlders," said Xavimon, "we will provide you with a beginning stipend and access to necessary equipment you may need for your job." The mandroid brought them to a supply depot and they had their pick.

Perhaps the scrambling of his brain in those helmets and his repressed memory issues, or the time travel thing, made Major forget. Come to think of it, he never visited the supply depot. Is that why he has no laser pistol, like X does?

Gorum ate a bananna.