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The sudden buzzing on your personal comm unit interrupts whatever you were doing. A few quick taps on the interface module calls up a short and simple message.
"Starfinder agent, you are urgently needed. Please report to the Janira Room at the Lorespire Complex within the hour. Time is of the essense! -- Venture-Captain Arvin."
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The android checks its surroundings, to make sure no one is eavesdropping, before reading the message.
After seeing the contents, Pangea-Epsilon sends back an: Acknowledged message.
Then it gathers its gear and leaves, crossing Absalom Station towards the Lorespire Complex, where it checks in and heads for the Lorespire Complex and the meeting with Venture-Captain Arvin.
Upon arriving, Epsilon nods its head before the lashunta who seems to be waiting too.
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The buzzing of the comm startles Asier out of his wide eyed stare of wonder at the walls of the place. He picks himself and the small mechanical device he'd had in his hands up off the floor and sits back down. He lifts one hand and taps one side of his head. When nothing happens, a slight look of puzzlement comes over his face. He taps a few different places, the look of concernation deepen a little each time. After a moment of this, his hand stops, gives a flex lacking the smoothness of his previous movements and then jerkily moves to tap a small part in of his head right behind his temples. "Thank-you, Suzuta, I'll get that one of these times!"
While voicing his appreciation to an empty room, part of his rather plain, brown hair slides open and a small translucent screen extends out and then expands to a fairly good size. He starts making gestures with his hands, little streaks of light extending from his finger tips as he does. He occasionally rapidly tries to undo the last movement he'd just done, to varying degrees of success. When he finally gets the message open, he gives it a quick read. He then sets his hands out in front of him as though using a keyboard, but one of thin air. He starts typing, each keystroke being marked with a small square of light the flashes for a second and then disappears. He slowly types out a message of,
"Undwrstppd, I'll doqnlosd a map fo teh complwx adn be thwew shirtly."
He then closes up the messaging system and starts to hunt down a map listing the Janira room. I wonder what the history behind that name is... Dangit, how did I get onto a page selling giggle firmware?" After a few minutes he seems to find the data he was looking for and with a tap and drag on the screen in front of him causes it to shrink down to a small square over one eye. It seems to be displaying a map of the building with a red line showing where he should go. The andriod tidys up his half built machine and and tools, before turning to leave.
28 minutes 17 second later, 9 seconds earlier than the guidance system predicted, Asier taps the spot on the side of his head now replaced by the arm holding out the screen. With a sliding a sound and a clink, it disappears back into it's compartment and the hair moves back into place. He self consciously brushes the area of hair that had moved out of place before moving onto the rest of his plain and conservative haircut. He then takes a moment to double check that his mechanic's clothes, if they could be called that with how new and clean they are, are in order. He minutely readjusts the almost for fitting outfit. He glance especially at a mirrored surface in the corridor near by and ensures there's nothing on his face but the various glowing lines marking his android heritage. Overall, the hair and clothes give him an almost professor-like appearance. Assured things are in order, he knocks on the door and enters the room.
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Lounging in a nearby bar, Hakrinag reads the message. "About time," he mutters to nobody in particular. Hope this is a good hunt. He pushes the table away, stands up, and walks out, the sheer weight of his body and armor turning it into quite the affair.
He steps into the room and leans against the wall near the door before introducing himself. "I'm Hakrinag. I'm a hunter," he says confidently.
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Jonas -or Jon, or Bishop, as he has on occasion be called- "looks" at the message in his mind, courtesy of the communication capabilities of his cybernetic brain, and his reaction, if it can even be called that, is one of detached curiosity. He notes the word "urgently", but all it means to him is that time is of the essence, yes, but only in regard to reaching the meeting place promptly and in time for the briefing to begin. The actual sense of urgency the words are perhaps attempting to convey? He understands it logically, but he does not feel it, not entirely.
Regardless, he is not one to miss the opportunity to go on a mission, especially if it involves traveling. Despite his somewhat stunted capacity to feel -he is working on it, truly- he is not one to pass up on new experiences and the opportunities for knowledge and personal growth they may bring. And of course the sights. He does rather enjoy new sights.
So, meager belongings in hand -so to speak- and a few minutes later he enters the appointed room, just in time for a vesk leaning against the wall near the entrance to proclaim himself a hunter. He has time to move but a short distance from the door before pausing and then the pale android turns his eyes, orbs of solid white or so it seems at least, to regard the "hunter", Hakrinag. There is a silence as he tilts his head ever so slightly, as if to examine the other -rather large- humanoid better before straightening up once more.
"Yes. It would appear so."
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A woman in her late twenties walks into the room with a backpack a helmet in hand. Her flight suit only covers her legs up to her waist, with the sleeves tied together just under the belly in a makeshift belt. Above the waist, she wears a gray-ish tank top, glasses, and a mess of a hair bundle.
She promptly waves to anyone already there, drops the backpack on the ground, puts the helmet on top of it, and introduces herself after taking the glasses off.
"Hey there. I'm Eli. Are you my crew? Apologies for the looks.", she points to her temples. "Guess I needed some more beauty sleep. Unfortunately, the call woke me up."
She seems in thought for a moment, quickly pulls out a hairband from her backpack, and uses it to make a ponytail to remedy the situation.
"This will have to do for now. I'll fix the rest later."
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A tall and confident-looking lashunta man gestures to several functional chairs, inviting you to sit as each of you enter. Otherwise, he does not say anything until Eli joins in.
The no-nonsense Venture-Captain then quickly gets to the business at hand. “Thank you for arriving so quickly. As I mentioned in my comm message, we have an urgent opportunity to recover some critical information."
“Several months ago, a crew of Starfinders took a ship called the Unbounded Wayfarer into the Vast to explore a series of uncharted planets. They never returned. Earlier today, a vesk pawnbroker in the Downlow neighborhood contacted us, offering to sell us several Starfinder insignias. These insignias belonged to the lost crew of the Unbounded Wayfarer, and that immediately caught the Society’s attention. The pawnbroker—named Julzakama—doesn’t realize the true value of the insignias. We negotiated a purchase price in exchange for the insignias and information about the seller. We hope this seller can lead us to the Unbounded Wayfarer and its crew."
“We’ve remotely transferred the requested credits to Julzakama. Now, we need you to collect the insignias and all the information you can from the vesk regarding whoever sold him the insignias, and then track down that seller. Learn where to find the Unbounded Wayfarer and its crew. I’m worried that the seller might not be on the station for long, so act quickly. If you have any questions, please make them fast.”
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Taking a seat at the indicated chair, Madirgal waits patiently for the Venture-Captain to speak.
"Venture-Captain Arvin, while I cannot speak for everyone else here, I would be honored to complete this task for you," Madrigal says in a very melodious voice, almost to a point where if you added in music it would be a song. "As we know that pawnbrokers can be the unscrupulous sort, before I go, and potentially all here, can we get a confirmation of credit transfer, and the amount, so he doesn't attempt to scam for more?"
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"We have transferred 3500 credits in total, 500 a piece. They are worth more than that, but Julzakama does not know their true value. Although this isn’t common knowledge outside the Starfinder Society, these insignias are no mere trinkets; they can be used to encrypt or decrypt information that the Starfinders wanted to keep hidden."
"I would not worry too much about him scamming us though. Well, not too much. I've had to deal with him a number of times in the past, so yes, while he is a typical pawnbroker in that regards, he would still need to remain moderately trustworthy to get future businesses from us. But, that does not mean he might not try to wrangle more credits from you."
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Asier gives a series of very mechanical nods and a couple of very flat and almost emotionless 'yeses' and uh-huhs to the captains words. After the cpatin starts mentioning the importantace of the insignias a small look of consternation crosses Asier's face. "Wait, are we supposed to have one ourselves? Are they expensive? Where do we buy them? Are they necessary? Why haven't I heard of them before?" When Madrigal asks her question, Asier turns to her and gives a brief business like nod, before turning back to the Venture captain. "Of course, but more importantly about those insignias..."
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Epsilon listens to the Venture Captain, and then asks: "So, you wish for the insignia back, of course, but also to find out who is selling them, in order for us to inquire of the people selling them as to how they obtained them - either stealing them, or finding them... If it so happens that the vendors are some of the Unbounded Wayfarer's crew gone rogue, do we approach them, or simply follow them?".
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Captain Arvin cracks a rare smile at the Asier model. "The crew of the Unbounded Wayfarer received the insignias long ago for exemplary service to the Society. One day, perhaps you would receive one, too."
Turning to the other android, he becomes serious again. "I doubt it would be the crew. With our contacts around Absalomm Station and check-ins at entry ports, it is highly unlikely one of the crew could sneak in without us noticing. But if indeed they do, follow them first to understand what is going on, but move in should there be a risk you would lose them."
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"It does sound simple," Jonas agrees after listening to the information being shared with interest. "But given what I have heard of this Julzakama, he is not necessarily an easy one to deal with. A brute that responds to bluster," he continues, his tone even and matter-of-fact, before turning to look at Madrigal, "rather than compliments and sweet words."
"I am joining you, yes," he then answers, moving from the subject of the vesk pawnbroker to the matter of who will be taking up this mission in the blink of an eye.
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"It does sound simple," Jonas agrees after listening to the information being shared with interest. "But given what I have heard of this Julzakama, he is not necessarily an easy one to deal with. A brute that responds to bluster," he continues, his tone even and matter-of-fact, before turning to look at Madrigal, "rather than compliments and sweet words."
"I am joining you, yes," he then answers, moving from the subject of the vesk pawnbroker to the matter of who will be taking up this mission in the blink of an eye.
"Bluster I can manage. In fact, its what I'm best at." Madrigal rubs her hands with nervous excitement. "Jonas, Hakring Bonecrusher, thank you."
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With no further questions, Captain Arvin bids you to make haste, and you quickly make your way out of Lorespire Complex. With a few quick taps on your personal comm device, you summon a hover-cab that arrives in minutes, thanking your lucky stars it is not rush-hour traffic yet. Downlow is a poor and densely populated section of the Spike that extends below Absalom Station. Julzakama’s shop is less than an hour from the Lorespire Complex, the headquarters of the Starfinder Society, and reaching the cab drops you right in front before hastily scuttling away.
Although some areas of Downlow are clean and trendy, this narrow alley of concrete and metal buildings drips with oil and sparking wires. A wide, red neon electric sign reads “Julzakama’s Loans” on a building sandwiched between a Kuthite sensation house and a derelict building covered with graffiti. The shop’s solid metal door contains a single, small window too grimy to peer through. You push the door open and make your way in.
The interior of Julzakama’s Loans is crammed with shelves containing all manner of near-valueless items, from small appliances to VR game consoles and jars of colored powders. The shop has the acrid smell of a reptile house that has not been cleaned in months. A massive vesk in a muscle shirt stands at the rear of the shop, behind a low desk and a series of heavy metal bars anchored into the ceiling. The large repitillian is carelessly disassembling an old computer when you arrive. He looks up from his work when you enter his shop.
"Who are you? What do you want?" the vesk demands. Not exactly an enterprising entrepreneur.
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Madrigal walks right up to the vesk knowing that some "bravado" and "bluster" are called for. She also knows that as a loan shark, directness may be the best answer.
"We have been sent by Venture-Captain Arvin to pick up the 6 Starfinder tokens you sold to him for 3500 credits. We would also like any information you have as to who sold them to you, where they got them from, anything like that."
Still speaking in a very melodic voice, she attempts to make it come off like a parent disciplining a child, firm and in charge.
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"Seven."
The single word comes from behind Madrigal and a little to the right. It is spoken softly and in the android's usual even tone, but loudly enough to be heard by the vesk pawnbroker, just in case Seraphine's slip of the tongue gave him any ideas about keeping one of the insignias for himself.
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Asier almost imperceptibly calms down after hearing the venture captain's explanation. With a nod of approval, he says, "I guess none of my body's previous inhabitants earned one or Suzuta might know what they were."
On the way to the place, he watches everything from the taxi with what might be called a very subdued wide-eyed, enthusiasm. Throught the taxi ride he stares at something for a few moments and then gives a small nod of understanding and starts to stare at some new sight.
In Julzkama's shop he examines the things the vesk has for sale, content to let the people who understand people do the talking. His eyes wander before they fall upon the computer the man is working on. With a small twitch in his eye, he stares at the piece.
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"We have been sent by Venture-Captain Arvin to pick up the 6 Starfinder tokens you sold to him for 3500 credits. We would also like any information you have as to who sold them to you, where they got them from, anything like that."
Julzakama gives Madrigal a wide grin. "Ah, lash-ling, you're from Arvin. From the Starfinders. Still hanging on, eh? Yeah, here the six insignias." Then, with a quick glance at Jonas, he corrects himself grudgingly, "Eh, no, seven. Can't count for nuts, meself."
He slides a metal box through a gap in the bars, thanking you for their business. Madrigal flips it open, and sure enough, resting on some worn out felt are seven insignias bearing the compass-like logo of the Starfinder Society.
The vesk scratches the scaly skin between his bony beardspikes with a clawed hand and says, rather gruffly, "Seems I’m now fully paid for those trinkets there. You be wanting some information, too? Well, that I can do. But ... I told you I can't count? Yah, me memory's not that good either. Maybe 10 credits might jog me memory. What ya say, lash-ling?"
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Talking has never been my strong point. I'll stick to supporting their lead. "I heard that too, don't hold out on us now," Hakrinag adds in.
Alternatively, if I swing my doshko... ah, let's not get brash now. I'll save it for when it's really needed. This isn't exactly the bluster I had in mind. Much too kind with her words, that Madrigal.
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The vesk's unusual turn of phrase breaks Asier out of his horrid fascination on the butcher job being done to the computer on the desk and brings him back to reality. He looks up at Julzakama with a barest hint of confusion in his eyes. "Wait how do credits help your memory? Is it fueled by credits? if so that sounds like a horribly inefficient memory. But surely 3500 credits would be enough to fuel your memory, especially if you said that it would earlier. 10 credits is insignificant in comparison and should have been factored into the base price you quoted. Promising something and then having to raise the prices over something like your memory failing when it is something you could and should have anticipated and included in your pricing scheme sounds like a terrible business model..."
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"It would indeed seem as if 3500 credits would be an adequate sum for the sharing of information, yes," Jonas lends his voice to the others' in an attempt to make Madrigal appear more convincing. Still, the android's somewhat flat tone, lacking the nuances of a proper attempt at bluffing, falls short.
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While Madrigal's back is facing Julzakama, the rest of you get a good look at his face. While he largely ignores his fellow vesk and some of the androids, a flash of uncertainty crosses his face as Madrigal starts conversing with Pangaea-Epsilon. He frowns, pondering briefly, perhaps weighing the returns of 10 credits vs possibly offending a likely-repeat client, and seems to eventually give in internally.
"But ah, what do you know? Arvin has been such good client, even from before the incident, so I'll throw this one for free, huh? Just let Arvin know what a good merchant I've been, yah?" Somehow, his reptilian grin is both assuring and sinister at the same time.
"The seller was named Exegara, and she wasn’t from around here. Definitely an Eoxian. She looked like a man-ling, but didn’t breathe or blink or anything. Wore a flight suit, like she had come off a long trip. Once she had her money, she asked about where to purchase clean skeletons. I don’t carry goods like that, so I sent her to the Vat Garden. Heard her muttering about hiring some local muscle, 'just in case.' So, is there anything else ya need?"
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Julzakama grunts as the Starfinders take their leave, barely nodding at Eli's farewell, but, probably wisely, he chooses to make no comment.
After 10 min of brisk walking following Pangea-Epsilon's map, the Starfinders arrive at the entrance of the Garden Vat. The station passageways open into an enormous sunken pool filled with a riotous growth of plants. A narrow walkway leading to other parts of Downlow encircles the overgrown vat, and a spire of some kind of machinery stands in its center. For such a busy section of Downlow, the area is surprisingly quiet. You would expect that at this time, the Vat should at least have some workers tending to the gardens. Two ladders and a steep staircase pierce the foliage and lead down into the vat.
The floor of the Vat Garden is 15 feet lower than the walkway surrounding it, and the foliage is so thick that from up on the walkway, you can barely see down to the garden floor. Within the vat, however, orderly rows of plants are laid out in rows and columns. A steep flight of stairs right in front of you, and two ladders, lead down to the vat floor from the walkway.
Before you have the chance to examine the place better, you suddenly hear a guttural woman's voice call out from the vat floor 15ft below, "Intruders! They must not interfere!"
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Through the thick vegetation, you can just make out the shape of a humanoid woman, standing next to a small pile of what appears to be skulls. Three tough-looking men are patrolling, holding what appears to be assault hammers in their hands.
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As Asier recognizes the shapes appearing out of the foliage and the mist, his gaze takes on a far away and distant look. He stays like this for a long second, completely ignoring what is happening around him. As he comes back to reality, he gives a tiny sigh of disappointment. "I was hoping to see something new or fascinating here. As much as I've analyzed those shadows, they're nothing but men... And something Suzuta can't analyze." He then takes a moment to reanalyze his surroundings and gives a start as he realizes that a fight has broken out around him. He starts scrambling to get ready.
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"Ha ha! To arms, a fight is upon us! Happy hunting!" Hakrinag shouts joyously as he leaps down the stairs with his doshko in hand. He waits patiently, the look of a predator in his eyes, for a foe to close with him.
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Readied action
Standard Ready action
Swift Guarded step
Move Draw doshko
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Hakrinag moves forward, getting ready to strike the first enemy to approaches.
The mercenary dressed in green hustles towards the vesk, only to have a doshko smash into his side, biting deep. He looks on the verge of collapse, but he swings with great strength, returning the favour. The strike is true, smashing into Hakrinag's skull, knocking much of his life out of him.
The one garbed in yellow approaches and swings his hammer at Eli instead. This blow connects against her shoulder, although it causes no more than some bruising.
The last mercenary, being too far away, moves all the way towards the party. The female humanoid keeps hidden within the plants, and fires at Hakrinag with her pistol. However, the thick foliage throws of her aim and the pistol shot smashes into a tree trunk instead.
Madrigal, seeing the fury of their attacks, targets the one dressed in yellow, focusing her allies attention on him.