ateno wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2024 10:45 pm
Arkar smiles.
"tell him to bring something nice to drink worth the visit.
The server will take the message and any orders you might have and depart. Any food or drink is delivered quickly but the manager takes about twenty minutes to arrive. He's a tall human male with thinning brown hair and a huge nose. He is carrying a small box and a velvet bag.
He'll bow slightly to you all.
"Good evening, everyone. I am Carson Striglet and I manage this facility. Might I sit?"
Assuming you invite him to park it, He'll set the bag on the table. It sounds like there is a glass bottle inside. The box goes next to it.
Once he is all settled, he gives you all a good look over. "I must say that we don't often get an entire group as members all at once. It's unheard of, really. It wouldn't have normally passed muster, but Madam Treegarden can be quite persuasive."
He let that statement lay there for a moment, revealing at least a little disapproval in his expression. Then he continued on.
"Please accept this welcome gift with my best wishes and condolences at the loss of Mister Vinchenzo. I only heard of his passing earlier today. It was quite shocking, seeing as I'd spoken to him just a few days back."
If anyone opens the bag he pushes forward, it contains a bottle of genuine (or so it claims) Solomani single malt scotch. If it's the real deal, it has had a very long journey getting to Glisten. None of you know the label name--The Glenlivet 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky--but it seems pretty enough.
Once any booze commentary is complete, his expression grew serious.
"Mister Vinchenzo came to speak with me the evening he was killed. If I understand the basic timeline, perhaps a few hours before. He brought this box--which I have not opened and do not know the contents of--and asked that I hold it for you if he didn't retrieve it himself. He paid quite well for the privilege, so I agreed. Now I am carrying out my obligations and it is yours.
"I hope whoever killed your companion is brought to justice. It is never easy losing a friend, and worse when it is to needless violence. If there is anything further, I can do for you, please don't hesitate to contact me." He extracted a card from his jacket and set it on the box as he stood.
With a bow, he turns and departs.
When someone gets around to opening the box, they discover it contains a data stick and a handwritten note.
Hey, boys and girls. If you're reading this, something went real bad. If so, I'm sorry we ain't gonna get to ride together. It would have been a hoot.
I can't shake the feeling that somebody is walking on my grave. There's a target on my back and I don't want to leave this stick on the ship because I made promises that this damned stick breaks big time. If Treegarden finds out, she'll bring me back to life and kill me. She might kill you, too. She's a scary woman.
Anyway, I don't know if it's related to what I'm feeling now, but this stick opens a hidden compartment on the Slim Jim. I was gonna let the breakers get rid of what was in it, but now it looks like it might be more important than I figured. Or I might be dead wrong. Or just dead.
I didn't know what it was when I grabbed it, and then I found out and couldn't admit I had it. I already had more than enough money to live the rest of my life in style, so I figured to just let it go. Now, I'm not so sure. That'll be up to you, but you can't ever admit you have it. Not to anyone. Not ever.
I called the guy I sold the ship to. It's still out there, waiting its turn to be stripped and scrapped. They won't get to it for a month or two. Wasn't a priority, he said. I suppose that could be good or bad depending on what happens next. He said you could look around but not take anything big. No worries on that. Almost fits in your damned pocket.
You seriously can't tell Treegarden. I thought the little one was like a souvenir. Boy, did I get that backwards. This is the kind of thing that gets piles of people dead. Don't be like old Mad Dog. Be careful from the get go. Don't let the details slip to people that might knife you in the back, like I might a have.
Now, I have another big favor to ask. It's about Roscoe. I bet you can already see that he's a good egg but he is as wet behind the ears as the day is long. I want you to make sure he grows up good, you hear? I've only been around him a few days, but I can see the man he might become. I screwed up everything in my life, but he might be the one good thing the money I fell into is good for.
The Doc thinks Roscoe is his greatest achievement--and he ain't wrong--but he's also my legacy. Roscoe can make up for where I went wrong if he has good people to keep him safe and teach him to be the right kind of man. Do that for old Mad Dog and we're square.
Oh, and pet the damned cat when he turns up. I've seen him like three times, and he was just starting to sniff around me. Just my luck I died before I could pet the cat myself.
Good luck and find the bastards that offed me.
Mad Dog
I blame being without AC in my house until a half hour ago...