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August will run a Culture search at take 20 on King Curney, looking for location on Absalom, any mention on police blotters of incidents there from public drunkeness to assault/murder, any rumors of gang-related activity in local police boards that are open to the public, etc.
"Maybe if he speaks in code."
August will look around for hot black tea and a sausage sandwich roll.
Telion was the last to join the others and when he did he piled his plate high with a wide assortment of tasty breakfast foods.
"Apparently the Society has been reaching out and has found me an opportunity for more training, after we figure out this gang business."
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The crew enjoy a surprisingly-excellent breakfast buffet, complete with real eggs in the moderate-sized cafe and dining room off of the main lobby of the Moons of Sleep. A middle-aged vesk female named Minnie ("'Minharos-Kholota,' but everyone calls me Minnie, she says") bustles about the busy place, clearing tables and engaging patrons with a further surprising level of collegiality and wit.
"I spent three cycles serving in the Steelscales. I know what starfarers want and need out of a rest stop. My aim is to provide both," she replies to August's blank stare as he moves slowly around the cramped buffet cradling a warm biscuit. "Tekoe, gunpowder, ash-leaf, wiitlviit, or morgullon? Or do you just want some coffee?"
Once properly caffeinated, August sits down with the others and takes some time to scan the Sphere for information.
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The crew fill up their tanks and prepare to shove off into the Ring for their first full day as a Starfinder (in development) team.
"Keep your shields up," Minnie cheerily offers as a farewell as the group stands to leave.
"Hmm... I should get a shield..." Telion murmured as they left.
"Did we hear back about the 'order' from yesterday yet? Or are we going to go wander about the lower levels again looking for clues?"
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You don't even need to check the Sphere to determine where the daily shuttle for King Curney's Kasbah and Casino departs from - Jaxom, as a native of Absalom Station, has been inundated with the advertising jingle for King Curney's for years and knows that:
"...head to docking bay 31...for a bit of 'YOU EARNED IT!' fun...at King Curney's Casino...."
As the group heads for the Arms, it becomes obvious that they're headed in the desired direction as holographic advertisements depicting a dwarf flanked by a svelte and busty pair of twin lashunta damaya pop up in the passageways ahead of you as you first turn off into the Arms district, once more when you head towards Arms Cluster D: Docking Bays 24-32, and once again as you travel past the entrance to Docking Bay 31. In each of the holographic advertisements, the dwarf laughs and pulls up his hands from behind the backs of the twin lashunta females, holding the clasp to the flimsy garment that the two are wearing. The twins turn their backs to you in coy fashion with faux-shocked looks on their faces as their garments tumble to the floor, triggering the dwarf to laugh even louder, golden coins shaking loose from his beard and falling to the floor as he does so. The holographic video fades, and replays exactly three minutes later.
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Diamaante rolls her eyes at the ridiculous advertisements. Though of course, she's played the giggly bimbo more than a few times in her own career. It's degrading, but it plays the bills.
She notes all of the old folks heading in the same direction. "Hmm, it must be time for bingo."
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August is apparently lost in thought, noticing nothing.
"Gambling is a curious obsession. But at least with the famous Diamaante with us we have a chance for comped drinks."
Telion went along with the group, but he seemed confused as they walked. "Why are we going to the casino? Was there something I missed, or is this just for fun to pass the time until more clues turn up?"
"Oh, makes sense then. Never been much for gambling myself. Nothing really against it, just never had anything to gamble away. Casinos tend to frown on that sort of thing, you know."
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The shuttle into the Armada gives you an opportunity to glimpse the unofficial fifth sector of Absalom Station: the giant conglomeration of ships, both transient and permanent, that constantly orbit the station, a mile of hard vacuum of separation away from the centre of the star system. It also gives you another view (from the other side of the shuttle) of the seven-pointed star of Absalom Station in all of its glory.
Your shuttle is almost filled with elderly folks of all backgrounds, most gathered in small groups and chatting quietly amongst themselves. Most...
"Excuse me, young lady." The older human female sitting next to Diamaante taps her on the shoulder. "You look awfully familiar. Do you work with my son, Alfali Delnada?"
"How common of a name is Jaxom among humans? The ladies by the door seem to be speaking of someone by that name."
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The shuttle docks as the lights dim in the cabin. A holographic image of a dwarf with a golden beard stands near the front of the cabin, speaking in a semi-authentic (semi-convincing) accent.
"Welcome to King Curney's Kasbah and Casino! I be King Curney, and I welcome you all to your pleasure. I cannae have open weapons carried in ma Kingdom, so check them at the door or hide them well - you will be royally ejected from the compound if they're seen on your person by any of ma staff during your stay."
The hologram glitches and restarts.
"Today is the last Fourthday of Rova, and your last day to participate in our 'Runnin' the Vast' month-long competition for one million credits. Tickets to ride are still available; the drawing takes place tomorrow, on the first day of Lamashan, at first light. All Ts and Cs apply."
The hologram glitches once more.
Tonight, on stage at the Golden Goblin, straight from Triaxus, is Clean Spaces. A small number of tickets are still on sale for this massively-popular Spherical band, but you're gonna have to act fast. Dinnae wait!"
The hologram glitches once more, and the dwarf that reappears has gold pieces dripping from his beard, and an archaic pewter mug in his fist.
"I drink to your good fortune, brave traveler! I open the doors to ma Kingdom to you and yours. Come and share in ma plunder!"
The lights on the shuttle go back on as the cabin bay doors open onto a cacophony of sounds, squeals of delight, and aromas.
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Just inside the compound, on the ramp to the main entry, four sultry beauties (one lashunta, one vesk, and two human, one of which sports a cybernetic eye implant) all scantily clad and wearing faux armour, helmets, and tabards sporting King Curney's crest, play the part of honour guard. They flirtatiously greet and interact with the guests, answering basic questions.
Armed guards flank two entrance ways at the end of the ramp into the compound. A further two armed guards stand to the side in front of what appears to be a large and solid-appearing wardrobe on wheels. The guards interact with the elderly people as they approach the main entrance, and take registration information from a few who hand over light arms to the guards which then get placed in the wardrobe container.
Beyond the main entry is the main casino floor. Dozens of gamblers (even at this early hour of the day), servers of all races dressed - scantily - as soldiers, jesters, or ancient nobles, and large armed guards mill about the room. A myriad of tables offering various games in various languages assail your senses while dealers shuffle cards, roll dice, spin wheels, and call out winners. Vid-screens offering further virtual games sit in a darkened area of the casino floor, multiple people in strapped-down beds, plastic pods, and even aquatic tanks moving and acting to stimuli that they're paying to experience.
Moving through the throng are at least two dozen more of the tabard-clad attractive female and male employees. The difference is the crest that they're wearing, advertising not King Curney's Kingdom, but his Kasbah. A second glance tells you that these employees are wearing nothing under their tabards as they move between patrons. A few are wearing trays around their waist, offering drinks, small fabric packets, and aerosolised single-use canisters for purchase.
At the back of the casino floor you find a short podium atop which sits a massive gold goblin pointing to a pair of closed purple doors roped off with gaudy chains. On either side of it stands a massive vesk in powered armour. Each stands with muscled arms crossed over their chest and with a heavy power-hammer standing against the wall behind them. High above them, from the hall’s cloth-draped ceiling, hangs a brass birdcage within which blithely flips a ysoki female performing feats of contortionism in an outfit that leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination.
Telion registered his pistol before heading down to the casino proper.
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The guards at the main entrance to the casino look warily at Telion's solar tail, but ultimately let him enter after he checks his other weapons.
Diamaante sits down at a 'Dragon Empires' table and begins chatting up an older human male who seems to be alternately explaining the game to you and ordering a drink from you. His knowledge on the gangs of Absalom Station seems to be on point, however.
"Level 21? Pfft. When I ran with the Dragos, we never paid no mind to that crew. Thing is, though they may have their vices, they also have a reputation for promoting community empowerment. Hell, most of the neighborhood residents endorse them and their activities - now that's a poor move, if I've ever seen one. You never play that tile early in the match."
"I think I heard that they hire themselves out to defend people if they like their story. Last I heard, that grizzled ysoki called Jabaxa leads them. Did you say you could get me a brandy over ice, or was it that other lashunta girl who was here earlier...?"
"The Downside Kings? Why you wanna know about them? Dragos give them a wide berth; no action in many cycles. I got a scar --" here, he pulls down the collar of his shirt, showing an ugly but healed wound on his upper neck "-- from a knife fight with one of their lieutenants way back when. Believe me, he ended worse." The old man chuckles evilly. "Turns out, that skack got himself a kid name of Ferani. Ferani Nadaz, and she heads up that skack crew now. Best leave the bangin' to the bangers, sweet girl. Now, you want to learn where Dragon Empires comes from or what?"
Telion wandered about the casino floor looking for interesting games and people, and tried to learn a bit more information about what was in the exclusive restricted area behind the large doors and power armored guards.
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Diamaante indulges the man for a few more minutes, allowing him to expound on the game's origins, before excusing herself. She finds her companions and conveys what she has learned about the gangs--and about Dragon Empires, if they are interested.
"So it sounds like the Level 21 Gang might have some redeeming qualities. When we finish here, we should return to Mama Fats and ask for an audience with this Jabaxa character. Maybe he can tell us more about Kreel's dealings with them."
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Telion engages one of the vesk guarding the doors at the back of the casino main floor in conversation.
"It's the concert venue. We got a Sphere act here tonite." The vesk glances at the doors that Telion asks about. "They got some shiny holographic show they're setting up. All hush hush. Probably just some sneaky way to gas the crowd with narcotics to make them feel like they got their credits worth." The vesk harrumphs in self-approval.
"Hey, you a solarion?" the other vesk asks, his yellowed eyes not leaving the casino crowd. "My brood-brother is a solarion. He's always talking about the balance, the void. Makes little sense to me. Still," he adds, glancing sideways at Telion, "he's truly honourable. You got one of them light things. Those things are pretty cool. Whatcha doing here, Solarion? Doesn't seem like an honourable place, this."