John decided he had been quiet long enough. "Do you have any relationships with, or information on, the people who actually killed Kreel? The Level 21 Crew and the Downside Kings? While I realise those involved were probably little more than mercenaries they may lead us further in our investigations."
John nodded approvingly at Robert's summation. "Well reasoned. I would add that as we have killed two gang members we may suffer additional hostility from those in their area."
"Also, if he habitually used the same shuttle company, perhaps he hires them for many different jobs. They might have more information on who else he has paid to have moved. Perhaps his prospecting turned up something valuable unrelated to the Acreon, or perhaps something of his cousin's was recently transported to him." John nods "Yes, I think this is an excellent lead, well worth pursuing. We can start, now, by looking at all comm travel with the company. Also, while he might have had his comm isolated for space travel, he might well have had it link to shuttles he was flying in - I know comm was my primary way of communicating with the ship when I was in vacuum and it becomes habitual. I wonder whether we might be able to extract a record from the device of which ships - and when - it connected with?"
John decided he had been quiet long enough. "Do you have any relationships with, or information on, the people who actually killed Kreel? The Level 21 Crew and the Downside Kings? While I realise those involved were probably little more than mercenaries they may lead us further in our investigations."
Serissi's face contorted slightly, "Is that who you think killed Duravor? How do you know this?"
tag?
The captain added, "I don't think it would have been the Level 21 Crew. Sure they may be a criminal gang, but they have a reputation in their territory for promoting community empowerment, and many neighborhood residents tolerate or tacitly endorse their activities."
tag?
John decided he had been quiet long enough. "Do you have any relationships with, or information on, the people who actually killed Kreel? The Level 21 Crew and the Downside Kings? While I realise those involved were probably little more than mercenaries they may lead us further in our investigations."
Serissi's face contorted slightly, "Is that who you think killed Duravor? How do you know this?"
"We were there, in Docking Bay 94, when it happened," Zadie replied. "We were ... well, they were meeting Mr. Kreel. That's why the Starfinder Society asked us to investigate. It didn't really look like it was a hit, but Chiskisk wanted to be sure."
The captain added, "I don't think it would have been the Level 21 Crew. Sure they may be a criminal gang, but they have a reputation in their territory for promoting community empowerment, and many neighborhood residents tolerate or tacitly endorse their activities."
"That's what I said," Zadie nodded. "The Level 21 Crew aren't killers. The Downside Kings would do anything for enough credits."
"I think we should talk to the Level 21 Crew," Zadie advised, "find out what business the Downside Kings might have with them and what they were doing in Docking Bay 94."
It was all a big confusion and shots rang out almost simultaneously.
It's not clear who shot Duravor. :(
Kamiya said, "We should visit the Level 21 gang now. These low lifes are more likely to be nocturnal, and if we wait till morning, we may be less likely to find help."
"They're not lowlifes," Zadie objected. "I mean, I guess to people like my dads they are. But the Level 21ers I've met have been really cool. You can call the Downside Kings anything you want, as far as I'm concerned ... but I wouldn't where they could hear you."
"Then I suggest this. Ms Kassi and I will stay back and provide backup - I can act as a Sniper. We are responsible for killing members of their gang, and they may take that personally. The rest of you - especially 'Zadie'" John pronounces the word strangely, unused to informality "can negotiate for information. If they become aggresive withdraw and I will provide covering fire."
"They're not lowlifes," Zadie objected. "I mean, I guess to people like my dads they are. But the Level 21ers I've met have been really cool. You can call the Downside Kings anything you want, as far as I'm concerned ... but I wouldn't where they could hear you."
Kamiya didn't really understand why Zadie was getting so upset. "But they live on the lower levels making them have low lives. Why would they take offense for simply stating where they live? I've been to the lower levels oft...at times...and no one has seemed to care before. But then again we were focused on other things. That's why I know that things will be more active at this hour than if we wait until morning. That's all."
That's Ok; I have a big surprise for you later in the adventure. :)
I plan to recap later today.
Game on!
Wait, what? Have you been looking at my campaign notes? :)
Action 1
Robert stared at the gloomy surroundings through smart classes configured for one-way mirror setting. It felt kinda nostalgic, reminding him of his ill-spent years on Kashak, getting mixed up with all sorts of nefarious subcultures that the megacity's government barely tolerated. There were ways to avoid attention in a place like that, he knew, if one had the balance just right. Appear soft and intimidated and you signaled to everyone you were a prey. Look too confident and tough and that might become a challenge to those who considered themselves the biggest sharks of the sea. He had some idea where to find the middle ground that would encourage most people to leave him alone - too much trouble to try to push around, yet not trying to challenge their position - but he was resigned to the fact that some fine-tuning to allow for local variables would likely be needed. And lessons like those could hurt.
Yes, you all went but feel free to 'trail' behind the main group if you wish.
Two level 21 Crew members were killed during the confrontation that killed Duravor.
Questions?
Game on!
Given the veneration for tradition of the kasathas, I would think that the Idari is much more organized and I don not see slums or people really poor there. After all, it's a generation ship meant to salvage the species so I would say no.
The one that Oriana killed was a Level 21 Crew member.
More questions?
Game on!
Anybody want to post for this game?
I need player input to move this along. :)
OK, sorry 'bout that. :)
Sure, let's make one of the gang members be involved in illegal hover-bike racing. There's a track in one of the lower levels that's mostly a cleared area from a junkyard where people bet while others race.
Zadie nudged John as the party descended the Spike. "See that?" she asked of the graffiti on the walls. "We're on the right track. This is Level 21 territory."
"Why do your people allow this? Would it not be safer for all who live here if these places were...cleaned up?"
Zadie looked around quizzically, clearly not seeing the area the same way the kasatha did. "I dunno; I guess it's a little ... grimy. But that just means it's real -- like the Dust Runner. Not some shiny prefab apartment just like the other eighty-three in the building," she concluded darkly.
"Hi," Zadie smiled openly at the halfling. "Sparks said we could work a meeting with the Level 21 Crew here."
Action 2:
Kamiya's body language shifted slightly so that she wasn't quite so proper. It was like she became more grounded rather than refined. She greeted the halfling with a grin. "You can do me a solid by telling me if Mad Hatter is still spinning around the yard. Without any real challenge it's a no-brainer where to put my scratch. It just being payday and all."
Kamiya pointed her finger and kind of half-saluted at Zadie. "Right, business first. Mad Hatter is strictly for my own adrenaline pleasure."
Eh, she has a +1 Diplomacy, and she's a little naïve about the Level 21 Crew. She thinks they're like the Merry Men or something.
"I dunno; I guess it's a little ... grimy. But that just means it's real -- like the Dust Runner. Not some shiny prefab apartment just like the other eighty-three in the building," she concluded darkly.
”For someone to be on the top, a lot of people have to be on the bottom,” Robert grunted offhandedly, gazing with mild interest at the garish holocommercials and actual physical signs and advertisements lining the streets. ”Simple economics. Besides, there’s only so many credits to go around, and only so much a government can afford to do for the part of citizenry that doesn’t pay much taxes or contribute to the society. Generally, basic needs are guaranteed – food, water, housing, low quality but plentiful enough, unless one chooses to barter them away for something else; generally the first step on a steeper spiral down but that’s life for you, and human nature. But without employment or much of anything meaningful to fill their lives, people generally stagnate. Some societies see people just glued before an entertainment portal until they finally snap and fling themselves from a starscraper’s window or just give up and fade away. Here, at least, there seems some life left in the dregs of the society.”
"Oh. Good." said John faintly as Zadie pointed at some sort of wall covering. Idly he keyed a message for Alice into his com without looking "I can't believe we're really just walking down here after the battle at the docks. The others seem fine with it though. That must just be the etiquette. Note for future."
John did his best to lounge inconspicuously in a corner with two solid walls and a view of the action. Carefully inspected the produce laid out; "Frosty pops insta-mash: Now with 30% more soy", "Super-cola(TM) the flavouraide" and a wall full of magazines featuring smiling persons of various races and sexes wearing very little. Idly he picked up one with a beaming Kasatha - though curiously scarf-free - and began to read. "Appears to be some sort of instruction manual."
I'll have to read up some more on this but I would think that it really would depend where you where.
I don't think a small arm would raise any eyebrows but a heavy weapon would, at least in some parts of the station.
I think it would be OK in the 'low areas' given its reputation for wild things to be on the lose.
BTW, I intend to recap later today.
Action 2:
The halfling's response seemed rather off to Kamiya. She was almost certain she'd heard that Mad Hatter was one of the Level 21 Crew so she found it hard to believe they hadn't heard of them. Kamiya's face fell. "It's a shame you don't know Mad Hatter and you should really talk to your employers. If you haven't had the chance to see Mad Hatter race at the junkyard then you haven't really lived. They should really give you a night off so you can go watch. How he handles the hoverbike is truly transcendent."
Needs to work in the posts and the recap.
Let's try just being explicit like...
John talked directly to Alice, "bla, bla, bla."
And do the same when Alice replies.
If you're thinking to Alice then...
John thought directly to Alice, "bla, bla, bla."
How's that?
Action 2:
The halfling's response seemed rather off to Kamiya. She was almost certain she'd heard that Mad Hatter was one of the Level 21 Crew so she found it hard to believe they hadn't heard of them. Kamiya's face fell. "It's a shame you don't know Mad Hatter and you should really talk to your employers. If you haven't had the chance to see Mad Hatter race at the junkyard then you haven't really lived. They should really give you a night off so you can go watch. How he handles the hoverbike is truly transcendent."
[dice=sense motive]1d20+4+1d6
Mama Fats frowned, "Those races are very dangerous. One of the neighborhood's girls got into a real bad accident not too long ago."
She added, "There's no one around here to help us with medical care so she's still out of work until she heals."
----------
OOC: Or not being blown off and she's just being careful; it may be this is the way it works. Remember that this gang is well liked by its neighbors.
Kamiya's antennae quirked, "So does that mean there's an opening in the races? I know someone who'd be interested. Maybe in exchange for some information?"
"Great! Thanks!" Zadie replied. "Comm John Anderson PLLC at 555-555-263. Or they can contact us at the Moons of Sleep." She turned around and shot a grin and a thumbs up at the android perusing porn.
"We should buy something. It's polite," she whispered to Kamiya. "I'll take a bag of Gummi Goblins," she snatched up the candy, "and he'll take that magazine," she volunteered on John's behalf. "My treat," she assured him, feeling generous with the Starfinders' wealth.
Kamiya's antennae quirked, "So does that mean there's an opening in the races? I know someone who'd be interested. Maybe in exchange for some information?"
Mama Fats' face soured, "Sure, I'll see if any of the neighbors are interested but it won't be with my approval, that's for sure."
She added, "With so much work to do, why do all you young people just waste your time on thrills? You have to think of others, you know."
John - who had studiously avoided attracting attention - shot a surprised look at Zadie as she handed out his Comm id. "Alice:" he typed "Please set up an order for some more business cards."
"Thank you." John acknowledged Zadie's offer. "I've always wanted to own a real book."
Kamiya's antennae quirked, "So does that mean there's an opening in the races? I know someone who'd be interested. Maybe in exchange for some information?"Mama Fats' face soured, "Sure, I'll see if any of the neighbors are interested but it won't be with my approval, that's for sure."
She added, "With so much work to do, why do all you young people just waste your time on thrills? You have to think of others, you know."
Kamiya shrugged and smiled, "We work hard and play hard. I view it as a calculated thrill which is smarter than putting toxins in my body for a chemical high." She didn't add that she was thinking of others by not telling them what she was doing in her spare time. She knew her parents would worry and disapprove which is why she kept it from them. But she had a feeling that nothing she said would change Mama Fats' feelings about the matter.
John froze, unsure what had triggered Oriana's outburst. 'Something about the magazine? There are other magazines - so the content? Presumably one of the articles? It must have been one of the three articles advertised on the front cover...' desperately he tried to recall exactly which articles had appeared on the cover - in truth he had really been keeping an eye on the shop.
John placed his gun on the coathook by the door. "I understand Ms Kassi is sleeping in her efficiency. That leaves two bedrooms. Who will take which bedroom? I am prepared to share with anyone."
"Having given them my name and address the decision seems to have been made to trust the level 21 crew despite our previous history. Do we intend to take any precautions?" John asked.
Zadie rolled her eyes at Oriana's prudishness. "He's been stuck alone on a spaceship. Let the guy have a little fun."
"I'm gonna have to get home," Zadie informed the others when the robotaxi arrived at the Moons of Sleep, "or my dad will have the Stewards out looking for me. But you comm me," she instructed her lawyer, "as soon as you hear from the Level 21 Crew, and I'll be right here. Or there. Wherever we're meeting them."
Action 2:
Kamiya yawned, "Can I crash in the suite with you guys tonight? I don't have the energy to get to my place just to sleep."
Action 3:
Kamiya rolled over and checked her comm when she woke up the next morning. Seeing the message, she sat straight up as she read it. She then bounded out of the bed she was using. She made sure that the others were up and then made sure Zadie got the message too. "Looks like we earned ourselves a meeting."
"Having given them my name and address the decision seems to have been made to trust the level 21 crew despite our previous history. Do we intend to take any precautions?"
Kamiya looked slightly sheepish, "Sorry that your contact info was given without your permission. It probably wouldn't hurt to take precautions - what did you have in mind? For sure, we should be cautious."