"Sign us up then," Tylur nods, "If Zam's got the inside connection in Qabarat, there's no better crew to connect with this Whaloss contact and follow up on Halkueem's work. Seems like we just built us a reputation with the Drift Rock. That business is what led us to this mystery. So, we might as well enjoy the ride for as long as we can keep it going. And, besides that, I've always wanted to visit Castrovel. They say it's got greenery as far as the eye can see. For a guy from the dunes of Akiton, that sounds pretty magical to me. Now all we gotta do is get the Sunrise Maiden repaired, stock up, and plan our trip..."
Dee listened to Chisick’s words, interested to see where their next adventure would take them. They were part of the Starfinder Society now, something that the Elf Droid took very seriously. This was her new family, a cause that she had evolved to. Hearing about a great explorer exploring alien ruins made her feel the excitement.
When her wrist computer chirp it had received the info about Pyramid People of Ukulam, it totally made Dee squeal with excitement. “How glorious, I cannot wait to read these works.” She said aloud. “How fortunate for us that we were able to read these accounts, I believe it would not be tactically sound to rush into something that we knew so little about. Now that Captain Zam has a contact within the University this is even better news.”
“Castrovel? I have yet to set foot on any world other than the one which I was created...oh minus this one of course. If you can call a station a world.” It was a technicality, but certainly was logically sound. “The previous search show the world is indeed lush green and of course the Lashuntant homeworld. It also houses Elves there as well, and a harsher fauna flora as well does it not?” It was a question for anyone in the room to answer. “Perhaps it's best we prepare for such a jungle climate?”
Despite not having traveled there, DV8’s creators had downloaded basic information to planets that were all of the Pact Worlds and the beings that inhabit them.
"You're gonna love it! Home of the Fighting Mpul Trees! Yea the untamed portions are incredibly deadly. And Ukulam, well, I've never even been there! It was a hotly contested territory between the lashunta and formians for decades, and things still aren't completely settled. It's no surprise Zan would have to sneak in."
"We accept!" Zam says to Chisick. "We need to get our affairs in order, but how soon can we leave?"
Chisick twitchs with excitement, {You can leave as soon as your ship is able! I did see it came in with some damage. The Starfinder society would be willing to pay for the costs of repairs if you plan on leaving. I can make a call and get that started as soon as you wish. Though from what I have seen it might take a few hours to get repaired. I imagine this time tomorrow it would be good to go.}
{So while its being repaired, you have the day to enjoy the station. Buy any gear you might need. Do you have any questions for me? I imagine other parties might catch wind of this information as well. Might turn into another race.}
The halfling nods in agreement with the others on accepting the mission to learn this new alien language.
{...Do you have any questions for me? I imagine other parties might catch wind of this information as well. Might turn into another race.}
"Who else might be interested?" Tylur asks, "And what more can you tell us about this Halkueem Zan fella? If the Society can provide any inside information on him, that might put us a step ahead of anyone else following up on these leads."
Once the team exits Starfinder HQ, Tylur is eager to decompress from the ordeal of the Drift Rock, the media, the return of the HC crewmen's bodies, and their official reports to Ambassador Nor and Chiskisk. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I plan on dinner, some light shopping with our newfound wealth, and then some serious Z's back at the suite. In the morning, I'm going to move all our gear over to the Maiden, even if they're not done repairing it yet. That way, we're ready to check out of our room on the station and make the ship our new home."
"Sybil? Zam? Either of you know how long the trip to Castrovel will take? If we're gonna be in the Drift for awhile, we might wanna take some holovids with us so we can learn more about the lashunta homeworld. Zam can tell us all the things the documentaries get wrong...and give us an idea of all the best places to visit while we're there."
The Shirrin thinks for a second , {Well, I imagine other explorers, or even governments that want to get ahold of whatever secrets that hide in the drift rock. The rumors of the Drift rock being extremely old advanced technology has spread. And with it very likely just being a portion of something larger, a lot of people want access to that. I can’t know who all would desire it, but I would be surprised if other parties are not also involved at this point}
{Halkueem Zan was just an old explorer. He went against the ruling to avoid Ukalam. His methods where not the best. Not up to the standards of the Starfinder, or really any reputable establishment. He just wanted to sell some books. You should read through it though.. It was mostly ignored at the time, not taking seriously. But maybe, now that we know he had some bead of correct info in there, there might be more!}
You find you have travel coordinates to head to the planet and land in the city of Qabarat. Which is where the University is located. There you are to meet with a contact Whaloss.
A few days goes by for the group. During that time their ship is repaired and they are able to buy and sell some items. Selling off the noqual and buying some gear. As soon as the ship is finished, the crew. most of which have been staying on the ship itself during the repair, is ready for their first drift flight!
Leaving the station is easy enough, The people owning that dock are happy to start earning money, having comped you at the time.
You fly out through the armada and out into the dark space. Putting in the drift coordinates for Castrovel. You slip into the drift! Those of you who have never really entered the drift are shocked with the strange warped space around you. Each of your optical sensors seems to pick up different things.
5 days in the drift, and you slide out into normals space. Out the viewport you can all see sparkling blue oceans and vividely green forests, swirling with cloud systems.
As the Sunrise Maiden enters the atmosphere near Qabarat, you are hailed by the City-state's aviation authories Approaching ship, please send identification and purpose for visit
------
"Please land on landing pad 7B. A individual will be waiting to interview you on arrival. Fly safe, and welcome to Castrovel"
Space travel was old hat to Tylur. He was used to long sustained voyages through the Drift, hauling ore and ice from the Diaspora back to Akiton. And then, there was also the long trip from Akiton to Absalom Station when he decided to join the Starfinders...
'And now look where that's landed me?' he muses, 'Part of a crew with our own ship, beholden to no one, already with a bit of celebrity to our names, and on a mysterious mission for the Society involving some alien technology. This is the life! This is exactly what I wanted. Beats living out of a habitat shelter in the red sand, waiting for the next band of mercs to try and take whatever territory you're trying to hold for a bunch of faceless corporations.'
Over the 5 days that the team spends in the Drift, Tylur makes sure to stay busy. He establishes a routine for himself (and anyone else who wants to join in). He gets up at 0500, powers through an hour-long exercise regimen, showers, eats a hearty breakfast, works for several hours on improving the engineering controls and vital systems of the Maiden, wolfs down lunch, takes a break for some target practice, does a bit of research on Castrovel for future sight-seeing, disassembles and cleans his weapons and armor so they're in good working order, grabs dinner, chats with the team over drinks, and then heads to bed at 2100 before starting it all over again the next day.
-----------------
When they finally arrive in orbit over Castrovel, Tylur spends a fair amount of time by the viewports just taking in all the green. He'd never seen a world so lush with vegetation. He'd heard of them, of course...even seen a still-shot image of a few locations. They were a little hard to believe, and he'd always been curious to visit such a planet someday.
'And now here I am...'
Sybil had been familiarizing herself with the ship. Even when it was being repaired, if she was not moving about the vessel's interior she was in her quarters or on the bridge conversing the with ship as to all the places it had been.
Once repaired the halfling signaled the others who were not already aboard and was ready and waiting for everyone on the bridge.
Entering the drift and calculating to Castrovel's beacon and seeing five days almost disappointed Sybil. She took the longer than expected voyage in stride and continued to chat with the Maiden while she remained at the controls, just in case. The Drift held many dangers.
And now here they were, ready for the next part of their quest to see where this Drift Rock came from:
"Copy that, Landing pad Seven-Bravo. Thank you Qabarat Control, Sunrise Maiden out." The halfling replied to the space authority and guided the ship the landing site.
She looked back around the bridge at the others, "Anyone as restless and ready to go as I am?"
Zam goes a little stir crazy during the days en route to Castrovel. Maybe it's excitement about going back home, or the residual rush from their adventures on the Station and the Rock. Whatever it is, she's looking forward to putting her feet back on solid ground.
"Home." Zam can't help but say with a smile as the gorgeous blue and green planet comes fully into view.
"This is Captain De of the Sunrise Maiden, fresh from Absalom Station on Starfinder business. Requesting permission to dock. Take us in Sybil."
"Anyone as restless and ready to go as I am?"[/b]
"You have no idea!" Zam says with a chuckle. "Now watch as we approach. That's the Yaro River, and beyond are the Stormshield Mountains. Qabarat's our largest space port. It has over 800,000 people!" Zam's clearly quite proud of her home turf.
As the ship lands down on an external landing pad just outside the walled city in front of you. You see trees and occasional movment of large creatures roaming in the distance outside the city. Wildlife must be dangerous, if the many external cannons facing outward from the walls would have you believe.
Wit the ship down, a Lashunta walks forward to the port airlock "Requesting access for basic customs discussion. It should not take long, and we will have you on your way soon"
-----
The Lashunta, who you learn is named Mova goes down a short list of questions.
"What is your business here in Qabarat"
"Do you have local contacts you are to meet with?"
"What is your expected duration of your stay"
"Are you importing any foreign life-forms, other than the crew, that is" He nods to all the non-native races with a bit of a smirk.
Looking down at the well armed individuals around him. "Though it is not in my jurisdiction, I do want to mention that while firearms are not illegal here in Qabarat, they are frowned upon. You might want to only bring with you the smaller items that can be put out of sight. Again, that is up to you though."
During the flight the Elf-droid researched as much as she could about the planet and their destination. Despite Zam already having the knowledge of her homeworld, Dee just wanted to look for as much information about the place as she could. Downloading (taking a 20) the info before traveling into the Drift.
Dee has never seen a planet like this before, the lush green beauty she only dreamed of even stepping onto such a beautiful world like Castrovel. She'd studied all the worlds during her times as an Operative in the Nocturnum Corporation.
Keeping close to Zam, the Technomancer crossed her arms over her chest waiting for their Captain to reply.
----- Elsewhere in Qabarat -----
A rather brash Lashunta with a cybernetic left arm and a fondness for hunting happens to be reading news about an intrepid group that recently recovered a ship in strange circumstances...
Zam's antennae quiver as she telepathically addresses Mova and her crew in Castrovelian,
{Greetings, Mova! We're here on behalf of the Starfinder Society on an academic mission to review research at the University. It's part of a cultural archival project. Our contact here is a student named Whaloss, have you heard of him? Our stay shouldn't be more than a few days, but who can say! There's so much culture here to explore! I don't believe we have any foreign life forms.}
Zam considers her weapons obtained back on the Station, the static arc pistol and the azimuth laser rifle. "How do you guys feel about leaving your weapons?" she asks aloud. "My static arc pistol would be easy to conceal, but the longarms, not so much. I can try to smooth over any concerned questions, of course."
"Perhaps being Starfinders allows us to keep our weapons? Despite being on your homeworld I find it hard to travel anywhere without any sort of armament of any sort. Even if logically I still have a full arsenal of spells at my disposal. I do however worry about the rest of you." The Elf-droid could easily leave her laser rifle behind and bring her pistol if needed.
The Lashunta man listens, antennae twitching a bit during the dialog. {Ah yes, I think I have heard about you in the feeds. There is a man Whaloss waiting just outside the terminal. Must be for you, I guess. As for your weapons, that is up to you. Your ship is not going anywhere. If you need them for anything you can come back here. Either way, Welcome to Castrovel}
He seems polite, but business like with enough work to do. He strolls off, to leave you to your own devices. Maybe attempting to avoid knowing if you are bringing in weapons or not. Best to stay out of it.
---
As you pack your things and head out to the terminal you find a male Damaya lashunta waiting to meet you. Even for a damaya, he is tall and thin almost to the point of being gaunt. His clothing is an interesting blend of local styles, a bit odd to the styles seem on Absolom. Though is clothes seem to have a bit of wear to them. He spots your group,
"Hail! Drift Rock Heroes! My name is Whaloss, I am here to be your contact here! I have to say I am excited to meet you. Shall I hail a taxi to take is into the city and visit the University? Do you have any questions while we wait for a taxi?"
Zam explains her Castrovelian exchange with Mova and her statement of the group's purpose--an academic endeavor to archive the planet's culture.
She stows her laser rifle and battle staff but keeps her static arc pistol on her person, tucked into the fold of her clothing.
"Hi Whaloss! I'm Zam... Tyler, Dee, Sybil. Tell us more about your studies. Do you know much on Halkueem Zan?"
"Greetings Zam! Glad to see there is a Lashunta among the group. Always good to see. I also heard you studied at the University too? Its great to meet alumnai! Anyway, I am an advanced student of Xenoarchaeology. I have worked with the Starfinder Society before. I am very curious about what you found on the Drift Rock. He loses himself for a second and has to get back on track.
As you talk the taxi wends its way deeper into the city, trees give way to elegant towers of carbon fiber, glass, and steel. Each artistically sculpted to create a stunning forest for dazzling skyscrapers.
"Ah yes. Halkueem Zan. I have read a bit of his work. Sadly I am not an expert of his expeditions. Most of my research is on the First Ones of Aballon. Most of my work has been here digging into books and artifacts, but one day I hope to petition the Annicites to visit the old cities."
Your taxi contiunes to through the downtown commercial district and you can see the University out the window. It consists of about 10 buildings scattered over the campus of groomed lawns and gardens.
"But! My plan is to introduce you to Professor Muhali, she is the head of the Linguistic Anthropology department. She might have some insight on the writings you found, as well as what Zan found in his writings."
Shortly after the Robo-taxi lets out at Alsima-Karei Hall, an eight story building.
"Well, shall we?" He leads you into the hall.
But before you get far into the building, the lobby is packed full of people. "What is this?" He says to himself as he looks over the crowed.
You can hear multiple overlapping voices of people attempting to gain access to the upstairs. The Receptionist, a Male Korasha Lashunta, is denying all access. It seems like all of these people are Journalists of some kind. Though you are not immediately aware of the reason for their gathering.
"More journalists," Tylur comments for the first time since they left the ship and took the taxi. While the soldier had spent plenty of time watching the scenery on the way to the university, he preferred to listen and learn rather than engage their contact in conversation. Best to leave that to Zam for now.
"Well, on the bright side, it doesn't look like they're here to interview the Drift Rock Five," he finishes, "But, on the down side, they're kind of in our way and impeding our research. Zam? Do you and Whaloss think you can find out what's going on? Maybe you'll have better luck than the rest of us..."
In the meantime, Tylur hangs back toward the edge of the gathered throng, mostly to keep an eye on things and make sure nothing gets out of hand. He's armed with his trusty handgun and a new longsword he picked up on Absalom Station, but he's not making a point of showing them off to anyone...even if they're not exactly hidden. Hopefully, at worst, he appears to be some kind of bodyguard for their entourage.
"Loads of things," Zam responds cryptically. "We'll tell you as much as we understand once we're in a more private location."
Zam pokes the nearest journalist on the shoulder. "Excuse me, can you tell me what's happening here?" She asks in an innocent, juvenile way. "I'm just trying to meet with Professor Muhali!"
The journalist turns around, "Ah! Dr. Ailabiens 21:2 gave an incendiary lecture. Some say it was a defense of violent xenophobia. We are all trying to get interviews, but they are not letting any of us up there!"
You over hear another journalist "Come on Ikimsi! Let us up there!"
The Receptionist "Everyone, just stay here! No one is allowed up for any reason. Please back away. I can not grant you access to our staff. Back away!!"
The receptionist seems WAY out of his depth.
That name seems odd.. You have heard of a anticonventionalist scholar named Ailabiens in the year 21 AG. The second article written by Ailabien's in that year contains the famous line "When the past is unknown, we must make a tradition of challenging so-called tradition".
This was awhile ago.. For someone to be named after a quote. This is something that is a common practice among Contemplatives. A species of huge brained, tiny body, floating creatures. Often very smart. Maybe this Ailabiens 21:2 is one of these species.
Sybil had stored her rifle on the ship before departing and followed along with the others. It was easy for most to forget the halfling was there but she was always watching and listening.
“Greetings, a pleasure to meet you.” The Elf-droid smiled. She appeared as any Androids did, but her creators had built her to appear more elf-like than the typical physical characteristics her people possessed.
Silvery white hair, soft violet eyes matched the intricate glowing violet tattoos etched across her alabaster skin. A crescent moon tattoo held a strange greenish purple glow etched in the middle of her forehead.
Listening to their tour guide, Dee simply looked out the window enjoying the ride to the University. She’d never seen such a beautiful place before, the Technomancer simply took it all in.
“Wonderful, it would appear we’ve stumbled upon a controversial situation.” Taking it all in, Dee watched as the receptionist struggled to try to keep order. Although she felt bad for him, the Elf-droid couldn’t help but watch the sea of emotions that washed around them.
Sybil scans the room. It seems like the main entrance is behind the receptionist, but she spots a fire exit 15 feet to the left of the reception desk. There are still a decent amount of journalist that can see the door though. Though it is not guarded at all.
Whaloss looks around, "Don't know what to do here. I can get you to Muhali if we can get upstairs."
The halfling continues to scan the area and than motions to her companions to come around. She motions to the one door that would get them around the gaggle of reporters. She whispers, "If someone created a distraction someone like Dee could get through that lock and get the rest of the group through. Than going around to the legit way in and just call the 'distractor' through the throng of people."
She looks up at the others for their reaction to her idea. Something to build on for sure...
Zam points out the through the observation panels at the front of the building.
"Hey, isn't that Dr. Ailabiens entering that transport module? They're getting away! Quick!"
Hoping to distract at least a few journalists, she slides toward the crowd and talks to Ikimsi. "We aren't here about Ailabiens at all, but we have an appointment to talk to Professor Muhali. She's expecting us and it's really urgent. She won't be happy to hear that we couldn't even enter the building."
The halfling watches Zam start her own things and sighs to herself as she comments to the others, "I suppose something like would have been a great distraction." With a slight shrug to the others the halfling follows along behind the Lashunta woman.
'Might as well try to us our fleeting fame for something' She says and steps to one side and comments, "Would it help if we were the Drift Rock Five that have been all over the news of late?"
With Zam's clear words, the journalists all quickly pull out recording devices and run outside. At least giving you a minute.
Ikimsi, can be seeing giving a huge sigh of relief. "Ah! Thank you! Muhali, huh" He quickly types something on his terminal, "She is very busy today, but for the Drift Rock Five, I am just going to go into her calendar and make an official appointment for you." Looking up and winking to you all, then noticing Whaloss, "Ah! Whaloss, can you lead them up to visit her? I should stay here and keep the Akitonian vultures at bay. I am sure they will come back.. maybe I should lock the door" the last words mummbled to himself.
Whaloss speaks up"We should get up there soon. Follow me everyone. And thank you Ikimsi!"
You are lead upstairs. Her door is open, it seems she has one of the nicer offices in the Hall. The office is clean, roomy, and orderly. A large Desk stands imposingly before a broad window that offers a charming view of a nearby park, and a small table in one corner has quartet of chairs arranged evenly around it. Near the door is a wide examination table covered with broken fragments of stone, many of which bear incomplete words or letters written in a spiraling text. Several tiny fountains through the room burble soothinly and shimmer with soft light.
You can hear a tinny voice over an intercome, It is Ikimsi, Muhali, your 11 o clock is here.. A tall thin Lashunta with an Asymmetrical hair cut of purple hair, dark skin, and soft green markings on her face looks up, "I didn't think I had an.... Hi! How may I help you. Remind me what this meeting is about. Please take a seat. Sorry I have been antennae deep in dealing with a local scandal. Please make this quick, as I have to deal with this."
Her tone went from surprise, to very polite, to suddenly abrasive and rough. She seems stressed.
You get the impression she is unlikely to help much, until this issue with the professor is dealt with
Dee nods at Sybil’s suggestion. “That can easily be accomplished if that is what Captain Zam desires.” Looking at the direction of the door, the Technomancer is then surprised by their Captain’s response to the crowd around them.
"Where? I do believe that did appear like the good Doctor.” genuinely impressed by Zam’s observation. Looking around, unaware if it was true or not. Purely focused on perhaps getting a locked door open, the Elf-droid missed Zam’s attempt at misleading the masses. Seeing the crowd disperse, Dee follows closely behind her captain.
Dee enters the room and begins to curiously look about. She never had seen any sort of place like this before finding intriguing with each passing moment. While still remaining standing, the Elf-droid does her best to look interested while looking about the room curious to see what’s in it.
The Android very much liked the University atmosphere finding it reminded her of the library her friend Plexin possessed back on hidden asteroid base in Diaspora.
Sybil scans the office and seems not to notice anything beyond what is before her. She looks to their escort and
"Hi Professor Muhali, I'm Zam, Sybil, Dee, Tylur... We're part of the Drift Rock Five from the Station that the news has been going on about. We were hoping you could help us with some strange markings. But it looks like you have your hands full with this Ailabiens business... You know, we have quite the robust skill set. Is there anything we could do to help?"
Sybil takes a look around the room. An organized mix of old books from different ancient cultures and artifacts. Nothing major jumps out at her.
Listening to Zam Professor Muhali sighs and delicately massages the bases of her antennae. "It sounds like it. One of my colleagues, Ailabiens 21:2, gave a rather incendiary public lecture last night in which he examined a war from nearly a milennium ago and used the cultural fallout from it to rationalize the genocide of the formian species. Even before the Lashunta city states and formian Colonies signed peace accords thirty years ago, such brutal conclusions would have been dismissed. Now he is fomenting hate crimes under the guise of 'pure logic' and anthropology. This is not what the
university stands for, but it's what the public now believes. I've placed him on academic leave and restricted his access to university resources until we can clean this up."
"What the University needs right now is to smooth this Ailabiens 21:2 issue over quickly. Ailabiens 21:2 is not listening to anything I say. He has not quite violated enough protocols to be dismissed; firing him would otherwise be good for optics. I think the media would settle for a public apology. If you can convince him to do that, I should be able to handle the rest. At which point I would be in your debt."
She pulls up a small map on her public facing screen with a map. "Here is a map to his office, I have a guard stationed outside, to keep an eye on him. I am sure you came here for a reason, and from the looks of Whaloss being here, it is likely Starfinder business. If you can deal with this, I can see what I can do to help."
"Absolutely!" Zam says, perking up. "There's got to be something we can do."
Looking somewhat hopefull, "Ah. Thank you. Yaraesa' Wisdom... I wish this position had less personal issues and more research"
The last comment more to herself than you.
"While wars can certainly be just, genocide isn't..." Tylur states, "Only an utterly irredeemable foe of pure evil could warrant an extinction level event...and even then, who has the philosophical clarity and intact morality to make such a judgment with absolute certainty? As smart and wise as some contemplatives have shown themselves to be, they can also be exceedingly dumb sometimes...and that's coming from a frontline grunt who's already experienced a war or two."
Tylur takes some time to examine the map to Ailabiens 21:2's office, checking for alternate routes, choke points, and other tactical info like fire escapes or air ducts in case the good professor might contemplating a way out of his imposed exile prior to the team's arrival. He figures he can discuss some of those possibilities with the assigned guard when they get upstairs.
"Let's head on up," he suggests, "Before those journalists get back..."
As you arrive to the office, you see a Stout Lashunta with an mechanical arm
----
When you eventually head into the office
----
Dust, debris, and discarded papers litter the floor of this disorganized office. A single chair stands in the corner, and the desk and shelves are crowded with books, scrolls, statuettes, and loose computer hardware.
Floating in the air is a brain, a brain with small humanoid limbs below it. Floating near the creature are papers and other objects that it seems to be working with currently. It looks up at everyone and you hear in your minds {And who are you? What do you want?}
When you walk into the office papers and objects on the floor krinkle under your feet.
Tylur defers to Zam to speak on their behalf, reserving his attention for the room itself for the time being, still assessing for possible threats or other worries. After all, if this contemplative was stirring up hate based on a speech about a very old war, who knows what else he might be into or planning.
Dee remains at Zam's side awaiting to add her input if needed. Because of her creators, the Elf-droid cared little about someone who tried to incite hatred. Keeping a close eye on him, the Technomancer was rather intrigued by the stout Lashunta with the mechanical arm.
The Korasha's left arm seemed to be a different size from his right with some sections not matching others. In particular, his left forearm is shiny and metallic; it looks a bit like an over-sized and under-painted tin can, lacking the both coloring and tapering of a well made prosthetic arm.
Zhelaeuss Ah ignores the group until they get close, not looking up from some paper he seems to be scribbling on. As the group approaches by he speaks to them telepathically {Remember that you can talk all you want, but no physical confrontation is allowed on campus, not even with this prof-}
His eyebrows go up when he finally looks up at 4 of the Drift Rock 5 passing him into the office.
{...essor...}
Sybil catches sight of Zhelaeuss as she follows along with the others. She smiles and stops as the the group passes onward. "Merry met. Not to worry, we are not looking for any trouble and usually won't start anything," she says with a wry smile and playful wink.
"I suppose if you have nor been under a rock the last week you know me and my friends, but just in case you have. I'm Sybil, pleasure to meet ya! "
The floating brain creature shifts in the air toward Sybil, {Ah! Yes. Well... no, I don't know who you are. Should I? Well, hi Sybil. How may I help you? I have been told I don't have access to the net, so I could use a distraction.}
Clearly their stardom isn't going to help them get on Ailabiens 21:2's good side. Zam decides to rely on other credentials.
"Hi Professor, we're...researchers for the Starfinder Society, and we came to ask you some questions about your lecture on the cultural differences between the Formians and the Lashunta. I think some of your ideas are intriguing, if controversial. Would you mind talking more about them?"
The creature slowly floats up and down, bobing in space. {Ah yes, I analyzed ancient Lashunta armies' strategies against their Formian neighbors and concluded that the former's conditioned sentimentality inhibited more effectively destructive actions against heir long-time enemies. The audience found my conclusion upsetting} Ailabiens 21:2 bobs thoughtfully before adding, {Other species are endlessly fascinating.}
{I am on track to attain tenure at this university in several more years - requiring practically twice as long an observation period as a Lashunta would, I might add, likely because my assessors are compensating for inferiorities, real or perceived. This incident reflects an egregious stain on my record that challenges my advancement and scholarly recognition here. Muhali must agree to erase this insult from my file. I have spoken with her about the matter, and her judgement is clouded by stress and emotion. If she truly cared about scholarly integrity, she would debate my assertions. Instead she stoops to censorship in violation of the university's free speech principles.}
He seems to be opening up to you, maybe more than he would to a stranger.
--- out front ---
"Uh... hi." Zhelaeuss blinks a couple of times before standing up suddenly; his chair making a soft thud against the wall behind him before he composes himself enough to reply.
{HI- er- hello, pleasure to meet you too! I have heard of the Drift Rock 5... a couple of times... per day for the past week.
Uhm...}
Zhelaeuss nervously scratches behind his right antanna with his normal hand. Forgetting to introduce himself, he continues.
{By the way, you're the Drift Rock Five, right? Where's Yon?}
"Interesting deduction Professor," Dee replied finding the information the Contemplative intriguing. Now the Elf-droid knew exactly why this information wasn't sitting well with the rest of the people here. "True, however knowing your audience is probably the logical sense here. If you insight hate and discontent, that is probably the emotion you'll find at the forefront of your intuitive research findings." It's not that Dee didn't agree with findings in research, but how it was presented to the public that wasn't right.
{Ah, I thought as an Android with clear logic you would understand. I was not trying to coddle my students with untruths. I was just analyzing the past, and decisions that where made based on emotions. I was not attempting to push any modern attack on the Formians, but looking at battle strategies and how they fell short because of lack of true logic on the part of the Lashuntas.}
You all feel like you hear a sigh in your head, {I just wish the staff here, could separate pure logic and the past, with current mentalities. People should know where they came from and what decisions got them here}
The voice gets louder for a second {What do you thing guard boy Lashunta? Would you have chosen stronger measures when dealing with your enemy? Or would you have played soft and let the war rage far longer than normal with far more deaths?} He seems to be talking to the cybernetic armed stout Lashunta out the door.
Zam thinks quickly, trying to reconcile what she's hearing with what they were told by Muhali.
"Reason and emotion are often at odds," Zam agrees with Ailabiens 21:2's general assessment, "and sometimes lead to conflicting conclusions. The reception to your analysis, logical as it is, is a testament to that. But, in practice, the emotional conclusion is often the one with more power, especially in a society where opinions matter. And, like it or not, opinions matter a great deal. That's not to say I think your conclusions are wrong or inaccurate, only that your detractors also have a vested interest in the outcome of this conflict."
"And so," Zam continues, "where reason and emotion result in a deadlock, even the most logical of minds can accept that a compromise may be necessary. You mentioned that you'd like this incident stricken from your file. Muhali can do that. Muhali wants something from you in return. Could you forego pride and offer a public apology, acknowledging that your rational conclusion defies the sentiment of the community, in exchange for a clean record?"
{I happen to think the same as I thought before Professor: that we should've glassed all of them, but also that using fightin' words in your speech is a bad idea and you should feel bad.} Zhelaeuss replies to everyone while leaning over to peer into Ailabiens 21:2's office, apparently still not properly explaining the meaning of the phrase 'fighting words'.
{And quit that 'Lashunta boy' crap, it's Mr Ah to you, brain boy. I get enough crap from Muhali.}
...like this assignment...
Lefty straightens before looking down at Sybil again. "That reminds me: You can call me Lefty." he says, while presenting his rather oddly customized left arm.