010: Off to The Deeps

[terrymixon]

Garvin and Aster

The ship has arrived at the Aki highport. It's busy and you feel the thrum of life.

Actions?

[terrymixon]

Jaelah and Roscoe

You and Roscoe stay on the ship, and he is working hard on hacking every system he can reach. With the advanced computer systems at his disposal, he can get in with ease and pull out all kinds of data on the count and the myriad shell companies that may or may not belong to him. As he breaks through layer after layer, he sent you the details and you start to put together a list of who owns what.

Interestingly, while the count owns a lot more than is publicly known, it isn't nearly all of it. There are many more hidden owners and investors. The count is likely one of the smaller investors, but that is still a lot of money.

Getting a list of his proven properties and shares and another one of those you suspect isn't hard. If any of the people engaged in industrial espionage back on Collage had had this kind of power, they'd have owned everything. Finacial judo with all the secrets coming to the surface could cause a lot of turmoil. Judicious applications of money could shift the power here as well.

After an hour, Roscoe sat back. "There. I've put worms into every system I can get to, and they will continue to search out more networks to compromise. There is a lot of move and countermove. The groups seem close, but they are actually working against one another. Looking for advantage and more profit.

"While you didn't ask for it, I've tried to identify the other players. There is a network of oligarchs here, the wealthy people keeping the regular people down. That seems expected, but I think there is a darker force at work. A shadow moving in the dark. I can feel the eddies of those moves but not see them directly. Whoever it is, they are subtle and ruthless. I believe they are pushing to increase the pollution. It seems that resist any changes that might lessen it, even if that costs almost nothing. The people trying to force change are disorganized and if anyone proves to be a leader or too aggressive, bad things happen to them. Injuries, bankruptcy, or even death. I can't find anything solid, at least not right now, but there is something there."

[terrymixon]

Metz and Bianca

The two of them are doing research on scientific organizations and will act when they do.

[joertexas]

Jaelah and Roscoe

You and Roscoe stay on the ship, and he is working hard on hacking every system he can reach. With the advanced computer systems at his disposal, he can get in with ease and pull out all kinds of data on the count and the myriad shell companies that may or may not belong to him. As he breaks through layer after layer, he sent you the details and you start to put together a list of who owns what.

Interestingly, while the count owns a lot more than is publicly known, it isn't nearly all of it. There are many more hidden owners and investors. The count is likely one of the smaller investors, but that is still a lot of money.

Getting a list of his proven properties and shares and another one of those you suspect isn't hard. If any of the people engaged in industrial espionage back on Collage had had this kind of power, they'd have owned everything. Finacial judo with all the secrets coming to the surface could cause a lot of turmoil. Judicious applications of money could shift the power here as well.

After an hour, Roscoe sat back. "There. I've put worms into every system I can get to, and they will continue to search out more networks to compromise. There is a lot of move and countermove. The groups seem close, but they are actually working against one another. Looking for advantage and more profit.

"While you didn't ask for it, I've tried to identify the other players. There is a network of oligarchs here, the wealthy people keeping the regular people down. That seems expected, but I think there is a darker force at work. A shadow moving in the dark. I can feel the eddies of those moves but not see them directly. Whoever it is, they are subtle and ruthless. I believe they are pushing to increase the pollution. It seems that resist any changes that might lessen it, even if that costs almost nothing. The people trying to force change are disorganized and if anyone proves to be a leader or too aggressive, bad things happen to them. Injuries, bankruptcy, or even death. I can't find anything solid, at least not right now, but there is something there."

Jaelah stood, stepped up behind Roscoe, wrapped her arms around him, and placed her cheek against his. "Between us, we are the best investigators in the Imperium. Let's go over what we have until we do find something. Let's find the most influential oligarchs, and see who might have something on them. The power brokers, or the person who holds everyone's secrets. The victims may hold clues, too."

[Tiglath]

Garvin and Aster

The ship has arrived at the Aki highport. It's busy and you feel the thrum of life.

Actions?

Guided by Aster as to the appropriate form and etiquette Garvin pings an introduction to himself Count of Vincennes to the Count of Aki.

After the usual florid introductions and address he includes.

"I am well aware of Aki's reputation for industry but wish to pursue my own interest in both truly competitive sport and the financial investments associated with the same. Suggest a meeting regarding what I believe to be a mutual appreciation of the genre".

He electronically "signs" the message with "V. Count".

(OOC: Still interested in any (if only partially strangled) feedback Metz offered on Aster. That's unless this was "non scientifically based opinion" to which Metz is of course freely entitled - just as he is to the intimidatory consequences...).

[terrymixon]

Garvin and Aster

The ship has arrived at the Aki highport. It's busy and you feel the thrum of life.

Actions?

Guided by Aster as to the appropriate form and etiquette Garvin pings an introduction to himself Count of Vincennes to the Count of Aki.

After the usual florid introductions and address he includes.

"I am well aware of Aki's reputation for industry but wish to pursue my own interest in both truly competitive sport and the financial investments associated with the same. Suggest a meeting regarding what I believe to be a mutual appreciation of the genre".

He electronically "signs" the message with "V. Count".

(OOC: Still interested in any (if only partially strangled) feedback Metz offered on Aster. That's unless this was "non scientifically based opinion" to which Metz is of course freely entitled - just as he is to the intimidatory consequences...).

Vincenzo, not Vincennes. And if you have questions for Metz, you'll have to ask him.

The message is off and you receive a brief answer in a few minutes. "Vincenzo? One of those people that killed Duchess of Glisten? I'd have to be an idiot to accept."

It isn't signed.

[terrymixon]

Jaelah and Roscoe

You and Roscoe stay on the ship, and he is working hard on hacking every system he can reach. With the advanced computer systems at his disposal, he can get in with ease and pull out all kinds of data on the count and the myriad shell companies that may or may not belong to him. As he breaks through layer after layer, he sent you the details and you start to put together a list of who owns what.

Interestingly, while the count owns a lot more than is publicly known, it isn't nearly all of it. There are many more hidden owners and investors. The count is likely one of the smaller investors, but that is still a lot of money.

Getting a list of his proven properties and shares and another one of those you suspect isn't hard. If any of the people engaged in industrial espionage back on Collage had had this kind of power, they'd have owned everything. Finacial judo with all the secrets coming to the surface could cause a lot of turmoil. Judicious applications of money could shift the power here as well.

After an hour, Roscoe sat back. "There. I've put worms into every system I can get to, and they will continue to search out more networks to compromise. There is a lot of move and countermove. The groups seem close, but they are actually working against one another. Looking for advantage and more profit.

"While you didn't ask for it, I've tried to identify the other players. There is a network of oligarchs here, the wealthy people keeping the regular people down. That seems expected, but I think there is a darker force at work. A shadow moving in the dark. I can feel the eddies of those moves but not see them directly. Whoever it is, they are subtle and ruthless. I believe they are pushing to increase the pollution. It seems that resist any changes that might lessen it, even if that costs almost nothing. The people trying to force change are disorganized and if anyone proves to be a leader or too aggressive, bad things happen to them. Injuries, bankruptcy, or even death. I can't find anything solid, at least not right now, but there is something there."

Jaelah stood, stepped up behind Roscoe, wrapped her arms around him, and placed her cheek against his. "Between us, we are the best investigators in the Imperium. Let's go over what we have until we do find something. Let's find the most influential oligarchs, and see who might have something on them. The power brokers, or the person who holds everyone's secrets. The victims may hold clues, too."

He rubs his face against yours. "I hope you can see more than me. These people are very secretive."



Going through the data, you are able to parse much of what you see, but even that doesn't reveal the secretive ones. You can tally many of the oligarchs, and what they are doing, but the silent ones pushing the pollution remain hidden. The only tidbit you can find about them is that he/she/they are invested in many of the businesses. The means of their control is diverse and subtle, but there. The hint of a pattern is there. What they want other than to increase the level of pollution, you don't know. Whoever they are, they are better than anyone you have ever heard of.

[joertexas]

He rubs his face against yours. "I hope you can see more than me. These people are very secretive."

Going through the data, you are able to parse much of what you see, but even that doesn't reveal the secretive ones. You can tally many of the oligarchs, and what they are doing, but the silent ones pushing the pollution remain hidden. The only tidbit you can find about them is that he/she/they are invested in many of the businesses. The means of their control is diverse and subtle, but there. The hint of a pattern is there. What they want other than to increase the level of pollution, you don't know. Whoever they are, they are better than anyone you have ever heard of.

Jaelah straightened and puffed out a sigh. "I think we need to go home and take a walk along the canyon for a couple of hours. It'll help clear our heads, and it will give your little minions time to work."

[Thumper]

Until he hears something from William and Garvin, Walt will shuttle over to the highport and try to find a game to lose a little money at. Begin sniffing around for someone who is especially good at cards.

[ateno]

Until he hears something from William and Garvin, Walt will shuttle over to the highport and try to find a game to lose a little money at. Begin sniffing around for someone who is especially good at cards.

Arkar will follow a bit later, to follow and back him up and be another player that does not know Walt. He will not use his new found telepathy now.

Arkar

[terrymixon]

Until he hears something from William and Garvin, Walt will shuttle over to the highport and try to find a game to lose a little money at. Begin sniffing around for someone who is especially good at cards.

You (and Arkar) head over to the highport and it doesn’t take you long to get the word that gambling is a big deal here. There are a number of large casinos that do a brisk business catering to the that crowd.

You’ll make the run through there, but while they are gambling, it’s not the kind of games where a psion might prosper. Everything is watched and if someone is winning too much, they get shown the door.

[terrymixon]

He rubs his face against yours. "I hope you can see more than me. These people are very secretive."

Going through the data, you are able to parse much of what you see, but even that doesn't reveal the secretive ones. You can tally many of the oligarchs, and what they are doing, but the silent ones pushing the pollution remain hidden. The only tidbit you can find about them is that he/she/they are invested in many of the businesses. The means of their control is diverse and subtle, but there. The hint of a pattern is there. What they want other than to increase the level of pollution, you don't know. Whoever they are, they are better than anyone you have ever heard of.

Jaelah straightened and puffed out a sigh. "I think we need to go home and take a walk along the canyon for a couple of hours. It'll help clear our heads, and it will give your little minions time to work."

Walking along the canyon does help you think. The guest house that you ordered for your family is ready. It’s built however you want it and now you can see them safe, though they are safe enough on the hanger ship with the mercenary crews.

The problem of the hidden actors doesn’t become clearer. Whoever they are, you will need a different angle to identify them.

[Tiglath]

Garvin reports his lack of success back to the team "It seems the Count is such a close ally of the late Duchess of Glisten that 'e's fearful to even meet one of us face to face. If we 'ave a Plan B now's the time to activate it. Clearly word's now well an' truly out an' the wrong un's in the nobility are gettin cagey but I reckon the diplomatic approach was worth a try".

[Thumper]

Walt will walk around looking for a street game/side hustle. If none to be found, he’ll head back to join the rest.

Upon hearing the reports from Garvin and Roscoe:
”Good work! Sounds like we need to get our hands on one of the Count’s minions. Grab that person from Imperium space and interrogate them. I’d be willing to bet he’s got folks busing around our Ancients moon base that we can legitimately grab as a security threat or trespasser.

I’m guessing there’s something in the pollution link. Intentionally poisoning the air…that’s a special form of evil. That’s a thread that we need to unravel, and I bet there’s plenty of secrets on the other end.

Where does this Count actually live?

[joertexas]

Walt will walk around looking for a street game/side hustle. If none to be found, he’ll head back to join the rest.

Upon hearing the reports from Garvin and Roscoe:
”Good work! Sounds like we need to get our hands on one of the Count’s minions. Grab that person from Imperium space and interrogate them. I’d be willing to bet he’s got folks busing around our Ancients moon base that we can legitimately grab as a security threat or trespasser.

I’m guessing there’s something in the pollution link. Intentionally poisoning the air…that’s a special form of evil. That’s a thread that we need to unravel, and I bet there’s plenty of secrets on the other end.

Where does this Count actually live?

Jaelah and Roscoe reappear after taking a lunch break at their home. "I think we should also give attention to the other oligarchs on Aki. Roscoe thinks they somehow have a vested interest in the status quo regarding the atmospheric taint. We are looking in every network we can access, but we've turned up nothing so far."

[terrymixon]

Walt will walk around looking for a street game/side hustle. If none to be found, he’ll head back to join the rest.

Upon hearing the reports from Garvin and Roscoe:
”Good work! Sounds like we need to get our hands on one of the Count’s minions. Grab that person from Imperium space and interrogate them. I’d be willing to bet he’s got folks busing around our Ancients moon base that we can legitimately grab as a security threat or trespasser.

I’m guessing there’s something in the pollution link. Intentionally poisoning the air…that’s a special form of evil. That’s a thread that we need to unravel, and I bet there’s plenty of secrets on the other end.

Where does this Count actually live?

Jaelah and Roscoe reappear after taking a lunch break at their home. "I think we should also give attention to the other oligarchs on Aki. Roscoe thinks they somehow have a vested interest in the status quo regarding the atmospheric taint. We are looking in every network we can access, but we've turned up nothing so far."

"I'm unsure they have a vested interest, actually," Roscoe said. "It seems that someone or a group of someones does want the pollution to continue unabated and perhaps get worse. Those people are moving behind the scenes and there is no way to pin them down. They are unbelievably good at hiding their actions."

"That matches up with what Binaca and I found," Metz said. "There are several scientific organizations here, but the moment I mentioned reducing the taint, they shut down the conversation and no longer answered our calls. A bit of research indicated that several initiatives to reduce the taint have met with inexplicable bad luck and hardship, including the deaths of the organizers, so I can't blame them. There is definitely an organized operation under way here from the shadows."

[joertexas]

"I'm unsure they have a vested interest, actually," Roscoe said. "It seems that someone or a group of someones does want the pollution to continue unabated and perhaps get worse. Those people are moving behind the scenes and there is no way to pin them down. They are unbelievably good at hiding their actions."

"That matches up with what Binaca and I found," Metz said. "There are several scientific organizations here, but the moment I mentioned reducing the taint, they shut down the conversation and no longer answered our calls. A bit of research indicated that several initiatives to reduce the taint have met with inexplicable bad luck and hardship, including the deaths of the organizers, so I can't blame them. There is definitely an organized operation under way here from the shadows."

"There has to be a trail," Jaelah replied. "Someone is most likely making money, and we need to find out how, and then who. Let's start with the failed initiatives, and see if we can identify the bad actors involved."

[Tiglath]

"That matches up with what Binaca and I found," Metz said. "There are several scientific organizations here, but the moment I mentioned reducing the taint, they shut down the conversation and no longer answered our calls. A bit of research indicated that several initiatives to reduce the taint have met with inexplicable bad luck and hardship, including the deaths of the organizers, so I can't blame them. There is definitely an organized operation under way here from the shadows."

Garvin comments "Is there a political angle? I suppose it's much easier to sell a revolution to folk who you're deliberately keeping in terrible conditions...".

He gives Metz an amiable grin "You've given us one "in" on these folk then - we use bait. Go public with your proposed philanthropic works and we wait for their assassin. I doubt there's many people besides us who could work back to source from a hit man".

When he gets the chance he approaches Metz privately and calmly says "Doc, you're a man of science and not prone to groundless allegations nor throwaway remarks. You mentioned Aster going rogue which means you either know or suspect something. You also seemed to qualify that event as inevitable. Do me a favour an' share, eh?"

[terrymixon]

When he gets the chance he approaches Metz privately and calmly says "Doc, you're a man of science and not prone to groundless allegations nor throwaway remarks. You mentioned Aster going rogue which means you either know or suspect something. You also seemed to qualify that event as inevitable. Do me a favour an' share, eh?"

Metz gave him a look. “There are many things between certainty and wild, unsupported guesses. I’m not making a groundless allegation, but I’m also not speaking of anything certain or even sinister. Aster loves you and would never betray you. Nevertheless, she has strong feelings on a few subjects. Recall what she could have done to those who would have hurt Ciencia. If the right trigger is pressed, no matter what you may want, she will do what she feels appropriate and damn the consequences.”

Then he raised his eyebrow. “But in this case, I believe that look she was giving you when Ciencia revealed her condition is driving my hypothesis. Have you ever heard the joke about a man asking for time off because his wife is going to get pregnant and he’d like to be there? She’d never cheat on you, but I think the woman has ideas of getting herself in a family way and I’m not sure you’ll be able to dissuade her.”

[Tiglath]

When he gets the chance he approaches Metz privately and calmly says "Doc, you're a man of science and not prone to groundless allegations nor throwaway remarks. You mentioned Aster going rogue which means you either know or suspect something. You also seemed to qualify that event as inevitable. Do me a favour an' share, eh?"

Metz gave him a look. “There are many things between certainty and wild, unsupported guesses. I’m not making a groundless allegation, but I’m also not speaking of anything certain or even sinister. Aster loves you and would never betray you. Nevertheless, she has strong feelings on a few subjects. Recall what she could have done to those who would have hurt Ciencia. If the right trigger is pressed, no matter what you may want, she will do what she feels appropriate and damn the consequences.”

Then he raised his eyebrow. “But in this case, I believe that look she was giving you when Ciencia revealed her condition is driving my hypothesis. Have you ever heard the joke about a man asking for time off because his wife is going to get pregnant and he’d like to be there? She’d never cheat on you, but I think the woman has ideas of getting herself in a family way and I’m not sure you’ll be able to dissuade her.”

Garvin claps Metz on the shoulder as he breaks into rich warm laughter "Blimey, Doc, you 'ad me goin' there for a minute an' no mistake. Thanks for being so straight up about it but you do realize that the "independently ruthless streak" you identified is what I admire as one of 'er most attractive features but beauty is ever in the eye of the be'older o' course".

Relieved he chuckles again "As to 'avin' a few nippers I'm actually not against it at all an' deep down she knows that but this is what makes Aster an' me tick - an' why I love 'er to bits. For us merely gettin' pregnant's far too straightforward and nowhere near as much fun as if the whole thing's actually a caper. The "Family Plannin' " game'll keep 'er beautifully artistic mind plottin' and schemin' away like a good 'un - right up until we're pregnant".

He smiles then as he takes his leave he adds "It's a bit like stealin' an engagement ring from yer own company - it's all about the journey, old son!" A much more relaxed Garvin departs whistling a jaunty tune as he does so.