004: The Mean Streets of Aki

[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?

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

Not too difficult. You find one with a good view of the door to the restaurant. Ten minutes after Garvin goes in, a party of well-dressed people head in. One in particular catches your eye. He seems to be wearing a gaudy uniform that you can't place. He's tall but pudgy and has an air of superiority about him. The people with him are in civilian clothes and are somewhat more normal, though they seem odd in their own right.

[terrymixon]

Let's see. Garvin is dining, Jaelah is watching, Walt and Willaim are at the starport offices, Arkar is eyeing a trip to the Overland Express, Spicoli might be doing some hacking if the mood strikes, Roscoe is doing the merchant cover thing, and Metz is doing something sciency in the lab. That's everyone!

[Tiglath]

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."

Garvin smiles and his accent slips back in "Is this the ego test - see 'ow long I go on?"

He continues "I'm a professional... thief doesn't really cover it an' criminal's just too broad for me. Although I've certainly stolen things - always high value, negotiable and from people 'oo can afford it. I also never got caught. Same's true for anyone on a job with me". He smiles at a fond memory "If they were caught it wasn't for long. My team was called the Network - informally. I worked me way up in another organisation. I started in door work, then cage fightin' and then... uh... "industrial relations" until I could finance me own capers. Never liked shooters on a job - limitin' an' sloppy".

"I ran into Jaelah on Collace when I stole the "Rod of the Ancients" while it was on an art tour. Mailed meself to Collace alongside it as freight using hibernation drugs with a biochemical "alarm". Timin' was tight but I 'ad enough to take the "Rod" from the ship's strong room. Then it was a freefall to RV with a parawing to get well away from the flight path". He laughs "It was ruddy two meters long! Would 'ave been so much easier to cut it in 'alf!"

He sips his wine then says appreciatively "This is as nice as the company but I better let you down gently - given yer 'obby".

He chuckles "This "top Artefact" was a ruddy fake - an' not even a good one! What's more the dirty Collace nobility 'ad packed a load of drugs in with it because of it's "special" customs clearance. I destroyed it all. I don't "do" drugs - or people. Attracts the wrong sort".

He then gains a definite look of gleeful mischief making sure he catches her eye as he relates "You might like this bit. So, the Collace nobs were goin' mad over the loss of all their gear an' the "arty artefact". All the fuss kept me on planet. So, since my team were kickin' their 'eels we made another two "spare" Rods - just usin' scrap metal, spare parts and paste jewelry from a bloke 'oo did carnival gear. I even unloaded one through a cut off an' they got it back. But wait 'til you 'ear this! Their bent insurers swore up an' down as to the provenance of the recovered piece to avoid payin' out. Now, I knew the replica would never 'ave passed scrutiny so I'd etched "Made in Collace" in the decoration around the main gem setting!"

He smiles " ' Course after that the pressure was off an' we could slip away. I've still got the other two! I'll send you the original. I'm enjoyin' meself so it's my gift to you for a nice night out. Every girl 'oo's got nearly everthin' needs a two meter long desk ornament an' I reckon I'm easily ahead on the deal".

[Tiglath]

Let's see. Garvin is dining, Jaelah is watching, Walt and Willaim are at the starport offices, Arkar is eyeing a trip to the Overland Express, Spicoli might be doing some hacking if the mood strikes, Roscoe is doing the merchant cover thing, and Metz is doing something sciency in the lab. That's everyone!

Why is only one of these things scary?

[terrymixon]

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."

Garvin smiles and his accent slips back in "Is this the ego test - see 'ow long I go on?"

He continues "I'm a professional... thief doesn't really cover it an' criminal's just too broad for me. Although I've certainly stolen things - always high value, negotiable and from people 'oo can afford it. I also never got caught. Same's true for anyone on a job with me". He smiles at a fond memory "If they were caught it wasn't for long. My team was called the Network - informally. I worked me way up in another organisation. I started in door work, then cage fightin' and then... uh... "industrial relations" until I could finance me own capers. Never liked shooters on a job - limitin' an' sloppy".

"I ran into Jaelah on Collace when I stole the "Rod of the Ancients" while it was on an art tour. Mailed meself to Collace alongside it with a biochemical "alarm". Timin' was tight but I 'ad enough to take the "Rod" from the ship's strong room. Then it was a freefall to RV with a parawing to get well away from the flight path". He laughs "It was ruddy two meters long! Would 'ave been so much easier to cut it in 'alf!"

He sips his wine then says appreciatively "This is as nice as the company but I better let you down gently - given yer 'obby".

He chuckles "This "top Artefact" was a ruddy fake - an' not even a good one! What's more the dirty Collace nobility 'ad packed a load of drugs in with it because of it's "special" customs clearance. I destroyed it all. I don't "do" drugs - or people. Attracts the wrong sort".

He then gains a definite look of gleeful mischief making sure he catches her eye as he relates "You might like this bit. So, the Collace nobs were goin' mad over the loss of all their gear an' the "arty artefact". All the fuss kept me on planet. So, since my team were kickin' their 'eels we made another two "spare" Rods - just usin' scrap metal, spare parts and paste jewelry from a bloke 'oo did carnival gear. I even unloaded one through a cut off an' they got it back. But wait 'til you 'ear this! Their bent insurers swore up an' down as to the provenance of the recovered piece to avoid payin' out. Now, I knew the replica would never 'ave passed scrutiny so I'd etched "Made in Collace" in the decoration around the main gem setting!"

He smiles " ' Course after that the pressure was off an' we could slip away. I've still got the other two! I'll send you the original. I'm enjoyin' meself so it's my gift to you for a nice night out. Every girl 'oo's got nearly everthin' needs a two meter long desk ornament an' I reckon I'm easily ahead on the deal".

She'll laugh. "That sound completely appropriate. I knew you were a clever one. I have more than enough knicknacks, so no need to send me that rod. It would just end up in a closet. You should send it to Colace. After all this time, I'd imagine it would cause a stir."

There is a knock at the door and when Treegarden calls for them to come in, the server arrives with a meal for two. It seems to be imported seafood. Things like crabs make up the centerpiece, but there are cuts of fish and even something like shrimp. A bottle of white wine accompanies the meal.

Once the server leaves, one of the guards again scans the room and the food before departing.

"One can't be too careful, considering the kinds of things we'll be discussing," she said as she tried one of the shrimp. "Delicious. Personally, I've very curious how you all are meshing. You've had your world turned upside down and been jammed into working with strangers. Is everyone getting along? With you being out in the system for nine days, your quarry might have already fled the coop, and that probably doesn't sit well with you."

[terrymixon]

Let's see. Garvin is dining, Jaelah is watching, Walt and Willaim are at the starport offices, Arkar is eyeing a trip to the Overland Express, Spicoli might be doing some hacking if the mood strikes, Roscoe is doing the merchant cover thing, and Metz is doing something sciency in the lab. That's everyone!

Why is only one of these things scary?

So, come up to the lab
And see what's on the slab
I see you shiver with antici... Pation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLI_L6cZXBY

[Eris]

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. The Overland Express is already gone.

"I was going to suggest just that." says Spicoli, "It's been 9 days since they arrived, but the data should still be archived."

Spicoli will attempt to access the archives and pull up video data to see if he can identify the "targets" leaving the ship.

[terrymixon]

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. The Overland Express is already gone.

"I was going to suggest just that." says Spicoli, "It's been 9 days since they arrived, but the data should still be archived."

Spicoli will attempt to access the archives and pull up video data to see if he can identify the "targets" leaving the ship.

Give me a difficult (10+) INT+ electronics (computer) roll to get into the archives.

[Eris]

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. The Overland Express is already gone.

"I was going to suggest just that." says Spicoli, "It's been 9 days since they arrived, but the data should still be archived."

Spicoli will attempt to access the archives and pull up video data to see if he can identify the "targets" leaving the ship.

Give me a difficult (10+) INT+ electronics (computer) roll to get into the archives.

Computer: [2d6+9]=11+9=20 to get into the archives.

Investigate: [2d6+8]=7+8=15 to investigate what he finds looking for the two 'targets' and to see if he can identify 'the kid' they were supposed to have with them. He'll try to track their movements on the Station through the video feed data. Spicoli will be collecting what he finds as a data file so he can play it back for the others.

[terrymixon]

"I was going to suggest just that." says Spicoli, "It's been 9 days since they arrived, but the data should still be archived."

Spicoli will attempt to access the archives and pull up video data to see if he can identify the "targets" leaving the ship.

Give me a difficult (10+) INT+ electronics (computer) roll to get into the archives.

Computer: [2d6+9]=11+9=20 to get into the archives.

Investigate: [2d6+8]=7+8=15 to investigate what he finds looking for the two 'targets' and to see if he can identify 'the kid' they were supposed to have with them. He'll try to track their movements on the Station through the video feed data. Spicoli will be collecting what he finds as a data file so he can play it back for the others.

The kid was the graduate student at GLIPS. So far as anyone knows, he's still there. The two men travelled alone, and nothing was mentioned about meeting someone.

You get into the archive and finally track down the arrival of the Overland Express. The two men can be seen leaving the ship and taking a shuttle down to the surface. Picking them back up takes longer, but you do get them returning six days later with several big crates. They seem worried about anyone looking at the crates but are constantly grinning. They will deliver the crates to the Overland Express and board. Twelve hours later, the ship undocks and heads for the jump limit.

My plans to have you tussle with them down on Aki have been ruined by the delay at the Ancients city. I'll have to make it up when you catch up with them.

[helvorn]

I think that Walt and I may be OBE on looking for our targets. It seems they have come and gone. We might dig into what they have done planet side or just head back to Glisten right away.

What was our interest in the graduate student?

[terrymixon]

I think that Walt and I may be OBE on looking for our targets. It seems they have come and gone. We might dig into what they have done planet side or just head back to Glisten right away.

What was our interest in the graduate student?

The graduate student was the ones the two were stealing a patent from. Also, you'll want to double check on the departure. After all, they might not be headed for Glisten. It would be unusual for a tramp to just turn around, after all.

You can shmooze the dude at the starport for that data. He'll give you some grumbles but tell you the Overland Express didn't file an outbound flight plan. Not that unusual, he'll say. They could be going anywhere.

[Tiglath]

She'll laugh. "That sound completely appropriate. I knew you were a clever one. I have more than enough knicknacks, so no need to send me that rod. It would just end up in a closet. You should send it to Colace. After all this time, I'd imagine it would cause a stir."

There is a knock at the door and when Treegarden calls for them to come in, the server arrives with a meal for two. It seems to be imported seafood. Things like crabs make up the centerpiece, but there are cuts of fish and even something like shrimp. A bottle of white wine accompanies the meal.

Once the server leaves, one of the guards again scans the room and the food before departing.

"One can't be too careful, considering the kinds of things we'll be discussing," she said as she tried one of the shrimp. "Delicious. Personally, I've very curious how you all are meshing. You've had your world turned upside down and been jammed into working with strangers. Is everyone getting along? With you being out in the system for nine days, your quarry might have already fled the coop, and that probably doesn't sit well with you."

Garvin eats and enjoys then replies "We're rubbin' along well enough. With a new group of diverse people it takes a while to gel completely but everyone's professional enough to get on an' even work well with people they don't instinctively see eye to eye with".

He shrugs "As for the murderer's 'ead start - well, no one would ever get caught if they didn't stop runnin'. It's more or less the foundation of bounty work".

He switches to "So, tell me a little about you. I know you're a mysterious lady an' you're best friends with a Navy Admiral but what don't I know?"

[helvorn]

The graduate student was the ones the two were stealing a patent from. Also, you'll want to double check on the departure. After all, they might not be headed for Glisten. It would be unusual for a tramp to just turn around, after all.

You can shmooze the dude at the starport for that data. He'll give you some grumbles but tell you the Overland Express didn't file an outbound flight plan. Not that unusual, he'll say. They could be going anywhere.

Maybe we can find a pattern where the Overland Express has traveled previously or some of the starport bar creatures may know from a crewman where they were headed.

What was the patent?

[terrymixon]

She'll laugh. "That sound completely appropriate. I knew you were a clever one. I have more than enough knicknacks, so no need to send me that rod. It would just end up in a closet. You should send it to Colace. After all this time, I'd imagine it would cause a stir."

There is a knock at the door and when Treegarden calls for them to come in, the server arrives with a meal for two. It seems to be imported seafood. Things like crabs make up the centerpiece, but there are cuts of fish and even something like shrimp. A bottle of white wine accompanies the meal.

Once the server leaves, one of the guards again scans the room and the food before departing.

"One can't be too careful, considering the kinds of things we'll be discussing," she said as she tried one of the shrimp. "Delicious. Personally, I've very curious how you all are meshing. You've had your world turned upside down and been jammed into working with strangers. Is everyone getting along? With you being out in the system for nine days, your quarry might have already fled the coop, and that probably doesn't sit well with you."

Garvin eats and enjoys then replies "We're rubbin' along well enough. With a new group of diverse people it takes a while to gel completely but everyone's professional enough to get on an' even work well with people they don't instinctively see eye to eye with".

He shrugs "As for the murderer's 'ead start - well, no one would ever get caught if they didn't stop runnin'. It's more or less the foundation of bounty work".

He switches to "So, tell me a little about you. I know you're a mysterious lady an' you're best friends with a Navy Admiral but what don't I know?"

"Me?" she asked with a smile. "I'm sure I'm nowhere as interesting as your crew. Normally, I'd put you off as I am a private person by inclination and training, but answering some questions seems only fair. The admiral and I are far from friends, but I do know and respect some Navy people. I'm the daughter of a baron and a knight in my own right, so upper crust by definition. My husband--he's real, by the way--is a count. Sounds pretty sedate, right? Well, it wasn't for me.

"You might think the Omicron Division is all about Ancients artifacts--and they are--but that's only one part of our remit. We're the people that watch out for threats to the Imperium. Not the overt ones like the Zhodoni, though we keep an eye on their people too, but things that flow along under the surface that could be a threat. I can't and won't get into details, but some of those threats you've likely heard rumors about were real. I earned my knighthood the hard way and people died that I cared about."

She leaned back in her seat and sipped on her wine. "Honestly, that's one of the reasons we pay well for Ancients artifacts. No one can predict what one will do and the threat from them can only be mitigated by understanding them. I don't believe the Ancients are still around--though they might be--but their trash is dangerous in the wrong hands. And sometimes even in the right ones.

"I have no way of knowing if your people kept any of what you found and I'm not going to be boorish enough to ask. What I will stress is that it would be unfortunate if you started selling artifacts and I had to come haul you away. If you found toys that you intend to keep, be discreet. Tell no one. I like Roscoe a lot and he is a very earnest young man. I'm sure you know his nature by now and I feel like he may be the greatest achievement the Imperium has made in the sciences. Digital life. Amazing."

She leaned forward. "He's too earnest to know how people really are. I invited you here today mainly to hash out some of the details on what you want for the ship, but I also want to press on you how much it will disappoint me if he becomes corrupted before he forms ideas of what it means to be himself. That would make me very angry, and you wouldn't like me very much if that were to happen. Not a threat. Just a statement of fact. Please work with me here and help the boy not to become a menace. For all our sakes."

[terrymixon]

The graduate student was the ones the two were stealing a patent from. Also, you'll want to double check on the departure. After all, they might not be headed for Glisten. It would be unusual for a tramp to just turn around, after all.

You can shmooze the dude at the starport for that data. He'll give you some grumbles but tell you the Overland Express didn't file an outbound flight plan. Not that unusual, he'll say. They could be going anywhere.

Maybe we can find a pattern where the Overland Express has traveled previously or some of the starport bar creatures may know from a crewman where they were headed.

What was the patent?

He and another student had patented densitometer sensory components and laser drill tolerance levels that maximize the ability to find omnesium nodes and minimize damage to them during excavation but a noble hired by the pair submitted the same patent information afterward, but nobles get priority. The client wanted proof so he could get the other claim thrown out.

There are no records of where the Overland Express normally travels, but I'd wager someone will know something.

[Thumper]

Maybe we can find a pattern where the Overland Express has traveled previously or some of the starport bar creatures may know from a crewman where they were headed.

Since we’re now 9 days behind and the Overland Express is a dot as far f two days ago, Walt will suggest they do something different. He’ll ask Spicoli to try to get archived footage of some of the cargo brought to the O.E. and see if we can get a local corporate brand off a crate.

He’ll then place a call to the company shipping department with a high-port burner phone with a story that goes something like:

Walt owes a debt to one of the crewmembers of the Overland Express. He paid part of the debt this layover and, as agreed, he owes the rest when the Overland Express comes through next. But Walt just took an entry-level job as a gunner and cargo handler on the Glisten Pearl, and needs to get a message to the O.E. to tell his friend where Walt will is opening an account under both their names into which he will be depositing the remainder of what’s owed. He just needs to know where the O.E. was heading so he can forward a message to the ship. As a dock cargo handler, he remembered some of the company’s crates being loaded, so he’s calling for the crates destination. Of course he’ll say he already checked with Highport officials, but the O.E. didn’t file a flight plan, nor did his loaner tell him where he was going next. It would sure help him put his mind at ease getting this issue settled. He’ll be happy to send a bottle of fine Scotch to the shipping agent to find out.

[terrymixon]

Maybe we can find a pattern where the Overland Express has traveled previously or some of the starport bar creatures may know from a crewman where they were headed.

Since we’re now 9 days behind and the Overland Express is a dot as far f two days ago, Walt will suggest they do something different. He’ll ask Spicoli to try to get archived footage of some of the cargo brought to the O.E. and see if we can get a local corporate brand off a crate.

He’ll then place a call to the company shipping department with a high-port burner phone with a story that goes something like:

Walt owes a debt to one of the crewmembers of the Overland Express. He paid part of the debt this layover and, as agreed, he owes the rest when the Overland Express comes through next. But Walt just took an entry-level job as a gunner and cargo handler on the Lost and Found, and needs to get a message to the O.E. to tell his friend where Walt will is opening an account under both their names into which he will be depositing the remainder of what’s owed. He just needs to know where the O.E. was heading so he can forward a message to the ship. As a dock cargo handler, he remembered some of the company’s crates being loaded, so he’s calling for the crates destination. Of course he’ll say he already checked with Highport officials, but the O.E. didn’t file a flight plan, nor did his loaner tell him where he was going next. It would sure help him put his mind at ease getting this issue settled. He’ll be happy to send a bottle of fine Scotch to the shipping agent to find out.

Make me an INT+ Deception check.

[Thumper]

Was doing that very thing as you wrote that to add an edit:

[terrymixon]

Was doing that very thing as you wrote that to add an edit:

"Sure," the guy said. "Been there myself. They're off to Weiss. Not sure where after that. I'm not familiar with the ship in specific, but their guy for sure mentioned Weiss."