004: The Mean Streets of Aki

[Thumper]

Growler-
Oh, I assumed you wanted an official statement. I’d be happy to give an informal one.

[Thumper]

Growler as he slips on a medallion and tucks it under his shirt.
”You see, we caught a conspirator of these two men back on Glisten. Reward for that one has already been paid, as he’s in official custody on Glisten now…that’s all a matter of record. In our interrogations of him, we learned that these murderers conduct smuggling, among other things.

These two murderers, our bounty, had planned on operation on Aki. When we next get a hit on them, they have these two crates and are looking obviously nervous getting something out of the planet. The bounty for the murder is a fact. The meat smuggling isn’t central to our concern, so we didn’t get hard evidence on that part of their operation. We deduced they were smuggling meat by circumstantial statements knowing that’s a very profitable underworld business here. Smuggling high value items is consistent with the types of activities we know they’ve been involved with. If we were premature with that deduction and saying so has caused a problem here, we’re sorry. It sounds like a VERY sensitive topic here. We’d be very happy to work with you to verify the nature of the smuggling.


DMs: Pursuade 2 and Int 21 [+5]

Walt will project a soothing emotion of kindness/sympathy via telempathy.

[terrymixon]

Growler as he slips on a medallion and tucks it under his shirt.
”You see, we caught a conspirator of these two men back on Glisten. Reward for that one has already been paid, as he’s in official custody on Glisten now…that’s all a matter of record. In our interrogations of him, we learned that these murderers conduct smuggling, among other things.

These two murderers, our bounty, had planned on operation on Aki. When we next get a hit on them, they have these two crates and are looking obviously nervous getting something out of the planet. The bounty for the murder is a fact. The meat smuggling isn’t central to our concern, so we didn’t get hard evidence on that part of their operation. We deduced they were smuggling meat by circumstantial statements knowing that’s a very profitable underworld business here. Smuggling high value items is consistent with the types of activities we know they’ve been involved with. If we were premature with that deduction and saying so has caused a problem here, we’re sorry. It sounds like a VERY sensitive topic here. We’d be very happy to work with you to verify the nature of the smuggling.


DMs: Pursuade 2 and Int 21 [+5]

Walt will project a soothing emotion of kindness/sympathy via telempathy.

I'm going to run the telempathy first. The man's demeanor changes, though he is still frowning. "I want to believe that, but it doesn't make any sense. People smuggle meat onto Aki, not off."

The adjusted target I had in mind for the persuade was formidable 12+, which you would have made without that inconsistency detracting from your story. His suspicions aren't raised, and he is conflicted, but not buying it.

[Thumper]

”sir, I’m not suggesting the meat was smuggled off planet. Rather, our quarry smuggled meat onto Aki, then smuggled something else off.

And the first step in verifying what was brought to Aki, is to help us figure out what they took from Aki.

Wouldn’t it make sense that two distinct products require different crates?”

[terrymixon]

”sir, I’m not suggesting the meat was smuggled off planet. Rather, our quarry smuggled meat onto Aki, then smuggled something else off.

And the first step in verifying what was brought to Aki, is to help us figure out what they took from Aki.

Wouldn’t it make sense that two distinct products require different crates?”

His partner scratches his head. "Wait. Different crates? What does that have to do with anything? Now I'm confused."

The first man shrugged. "I'm sure these good people will clear it all up with the captain. I have a good feeling about them. Let's go."

If you're going to try to avoid going in, it will need to be something dramatic at this point. Or you can go in and talk to the captain. What'll it be?

[Thumper]

Walt will go happily

”Lead the way.”

[terrymixon]

Walt will go happily

”Lead the way.”

I'll wait to make sure Arkar doesn't have any input, then write the scene.

[terrymixon]

So, I think Garvin and Jaelah are heading for the vehicle rentals. Is that right?

What about William and Metz? Roscoe will hang back and watch over the ship unless someone dragoons him.

[Tiglath]

Garvin thinks for a moment and replies quietly "The power we've got ruddy terrifies me almost as much as the fact that we're inevitably goin' to fall under the Ancient's control. I'm goin' to fight that but I've no idea 'ow yet". He doesn't admit anything but can't help but break into a smile when Jaelah mentions Treegarden's name. "I think we do need people to keep us... um... people. That sounded better in my 'ead. That's why I was keen on Bilis gettin' a body - but I'm not even sure if 'er "comfy shape" is human. I think there's a lot in what you say though". He grins at Jaelah and offers his sizeable doggy bag "Clever girl - 'ave a piece of... er... crobster? Tasty but you wouldn't want it sharin' yer fresher".

Jaelah takes one of the appetizers. "Mm, that's not bad. Let me know about Roscoe."

Garvin replies "I will - I'll 'ave word with Metz. Dig in - there's loads 'ere an' it's all... just way beyond good. The dippin' sauces are fabulous...". Then he says "So, out of all of us, just Roscoe... What was wrong with me then?" He gives a reckless smile and then a genuine laugh "No damaged ego 'ere - just askin' for a friend...". He chuckles "Please tell me it wasn't the Collace speedos? I'm told they can leave an impression on a girl but I can tell you they leave a much bigger one on a bloke. Cor, I've suffered for me art but never more than that - they were ruddy murderous on the tackle!"

[Thumper]

Walt will SITTEP the Guild via NeuroLink

[Tiglath]

So, I think Garvin and Jaelah are heading for the vehicle rentals. Is that right?

What about William and Metz? Roscoe will hang back and watch over the ship unless someone dragoons him.

Yes - just about to post to that effect.

[terrymixon]

So, I think Garvin and Jaelah are heading for the vehicle rentals. Is that right?

What about William and Metz? Roscoe will hang back and watch over the ship unless someone dragoons him.

Yes - just about to post to that effect.

Got it. Try not to start any riots.

[joertexas]

Garvin replies "I will - I'll 'ave word with Metz. Dig in - there's loads 'ere an' it's all... just way beyond good. The dippin' sauces are fabulous...". Then he says "So, out of all of us, just Roscoe... What was wrong with me then?" He gives a reckless smile and then a genuine laugh "No damaged ego 'ere - just askin' for a friend...". He chuckles "Please tell me it wasn't the Collace speedos? I'm told they can leave an impression on a girl but I can tell you they leave a much bigger one on a bloke. Cor, I've suffered for me art but never more than that - they were ruddy murderous on the tackle!"

"Do you buy used underwear when there's new ones available?" Jaelah barely holds in a laugh as she asks the question.

[Tiglath]

Walt will SITTEP the Guild via NeuroLink

Garvin responds "Workin' the vehicle rentals with Jaelah. Are you ahead of this or do want a jailbreak? Don't want to influence your call 'ere but I ruddy love an old skool jailbreak..."

[terrymixon]

Walt will SITTEP the Guild via NeuroLink

I was wondering if you would.

[terrymixon]

Walt will SITTEP the Guild via NeuroLink

Garvin responds "Workin' the vehicle rentals with Jaelah. Are you ahead of this or do want a jailbreak? Don't want to influence your call 'ere but I ruddy love an old skool jailbreak..."

You and Jaelah are talking to the vehicle rental people, who are much more tightly clustered together. About the time Walt calls, you hit paydirt. One of the rental managers looks at the pictures and nods. "Hard to forget someone like these two. Yeah, they rented a grav van for a week. Brought it back two days early, dirty as crap and more than a bit dinged up. Looked like they'd went out in the wild somewhere and it's still in the shop.

"I expected them to try and skate on the damages, but they paid up in full without even a quibble. Guess they figured I'd call security on them--which I would have--and wanted to get off planet. Had me get some of my people to haul a couple of crates to the cargo shuttles for them. Real protective of them. Must've been worth something."

[Tiglath]

Garvin replies "I will - I'll 'ave word with Metz. Dig in - there's loads 'ere an' it's all... just way beyond good. The dippin' sauces are fabulous...". Then he says "So, out of all of us, just Roscoe... What was wrong with me then?" He gives a reckless smile and then a genuine laugh "No damaged ego 'ere - just askin' for a friend...". He chuckles "Please tell me it wasn't the Collace speedos? I'm told they can leave an impression on a girl but I can tell you they leave a much bigger one on a bloke. Cor, I've suffered for me art but never more than that - they were ruddy murderous on the tackle!"

"Do you buy used underwear when there's new ones available?" Jaelah barely holds in a laugh as she asks the question.

Garvin responds cheerfully "Not my game but, in fairness, I probably missed out on some sales to certain niche soup markets after that job! For me it was a valuable lesson in long distance logistics an' the difference between Imperial spec sizes an' yer local metric. Or, more broadly, yer definition of adequate an' generous". He chuckles again "Now in that area I've always liked to feel generous in every sense but in this case the designer was of another much more miserly persuasion. You noticed I didn't sit down for long?"

[ateno]

Walt will go happily

”Lead the way.”

I'll wait to make sure Arkar doesn't have any input, then write the scene.

Arkar will nod and ride along.

[terrymixon]

Walt will go happily

”Lead the way.”

I'll wait to make sure Arkar doesn't have any input, then write the scene.

Arkar will nod and ride along.

The two of you will be escorted back to the primary security station at the down port and parked in a waiting room where one of the officers keeps an eye on you while the other one goes back into the rear of the station. A couple of minutes later, that security officer returns and gestures for you to come with him. The two officers take you through bustling room filled with security officers sitting at desks and talking on comm units. It's very familiar Walt. A bit of nostalgia as it were.

The door to the office at the rear of the room is closed and is labeled Captain Evans. The security officer wraps once and opens the door before gesturing for you to go inside. The interior of the office is small, crowded with file folders and books shoved haphazardly into shelving units and stacked in corners. Seated behind the batter desk is a woman in her early fifties with short blonde hair cropped tight on the sides. She has a weathered look about her and her eyes speak of experience with the darker side of society.

"Thank you, officers," she says in a gravelly voice. "That will be all."

Once the two have departed and closed the door behind them, she gestured towards two of the chairs that are just as battered as her desk. "Try not to knock everything over but set the folders off to the side and take a seat. I understand that there's something serious underfoot and you have the details but won't give them to my people. I hate turf wars so let me be blunt. This is my turf. I'd like your cooperation in solving whatever it is that you're looking into because it will satisfy both of our needs but if you play games with me, I will make you regret it. Not a threat, simply just the way it is. Why don't you surprise me and cooperate fully? It'll be a wonderful change of pace for everybody, I'm sure.

"You mentioned something about a smuggling operation involving meat. As you don't live here on Aki, you might not realize just how serious that is but let me put it bluntly. It's very serious. While the importation of meat is not technically a crime, it's the kind of thing that will start riots and get people murdered. It's happened before and it'll happen again. Now you've ran around blabbing about meat smuggling to anyone that'll listen and you can bet your last credit that word of that is getting out into the city around the port. That's going to cause a lot of unrest and very possibly get someone killed that isn't part of your little game. It pisses me off that you put so many people at risk because of your ignorance about local customs.

"You have an opportunity to help make this right. Tell me everything so that I can head this off before it becomes a major incident. Start talking."

[ateno]

Arkar will sit back and let the cop talk to the cop.