The vesk replies matter-of-factly, "I killed one of the Downside Kings. Councilor, will that be a problem?"
"Self defence.... stupid flesh bags got warned." grimacing and narrowing eyes to see if the Councillor will take umbrage.
As your group outline that they took action in self defence, the Counciller’s antenna bob in a signal of agreement;
{There should be no issue. Your actions in self-defence would exonerate you regardless, but in this instance, acting against known criminal fractions opening fire on Station citizenry. You are more likely to be lauded for your decisive actions, and we will contact AB-SEC with your account detailing you are connected to our organisation. That in itself should be the close of the matter from their perspective.}
At Ed’s deduction, Chiskisk’s glitter in appreciation;
{Excellent. You already are identifying leads to follow… Should you of course take up our offer of employment and affiliation...}
The shirren taps furtively at his data-desk once again telepathically commenting;
{Should any of you be wary of this mission please also consider that there would of course be an obligatory signing on stipend to cover any “investigative expenses” incurred whilst acting on behalf of the Society. The sum of 200 Credits immediately transferred to each of your accounts should be sufficient yes?}
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Ed seems to glow with pride as he gives a rather showy bow. I would be honored to accept your offer to work for the Starfinders, Councilor Chiskisk. Desna blesses those who wander among the stars.
With First Protocol complete, mortician Teal then once again shrouds the dwarf’s body and the slab retracts back into the wall of bays.
”As they enter in birth, so too the mortal remains shall leave in death: Without burden. Without possessions. In completing the Second Protocol we shall free the soul of D/106_D.K-97B: Duravor Kreel. The flames shall cleanse and purified ash shall remain…”
Sallow presses the incinerator button as he repeats the same final phrase;
”The flames shall cleanse. Purified ash shall remain.”
Then both men, heads bowed in solemn reverence, utter:
”The soul is unshackled. For the Lady of Graves alone to judge.”
As they speak the small vent under the vent flares bright with plasma as Duravor’s corpse is ritually cremated.
After what is Sallow opens the vent and collects a small coring slug of solidified ash. He then carries it to Teal who waits holding an Pharasman Urn
Both men then turn toward your trio in unison and Teal offers up the flask sized urn;
”The Second Protocol is complete. The Third but a simple exchange: Here is a simple receptacle for his ashes – who will be its keeper? D/106_D.K-97B: Duravor Kreel did not designate an assigned caretaker of his ashes... Only their destination: The Diaspora."
I shall keep them for now. I hope is that they can be returned to the place of his origin.
Retsiji nods. "I accept."
Paeon nods his approval as Noah claims guardianship over the remains. He also strains his memory for any useful information of the destination,
Paeon shrugs to himself.
"Gatekeepers, were any of the remains of gang members part of the incident which caused Duravor's demise or their personal affects brought to you?
"I will assist Councillor, Duravor asked me here to help the Starfinders and it is only right I do so... Assisting in the investigation of his death is likely not why he invited us and the others he has here. Do you know why he brought us here?"
Koro smiles as Paeon blesses their friend, his 'motes' always makes her think of her childhood in the tumbling asteroids of the Diaspora.
With a wave of her hand she indicates her allowance of the First , then Second Protocol, arms clasped around herself, she turns away slightly as the plasma consumes the physical remains of her friend, Duravor.
She has an impulse to lay claim to ashes, but demures when Noah steps forth...
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Wiggling his nose in thought Kenta then gives a short nod "Okay... Kenta work for you. Send money now?"
As you give your collective agreement, Chiskisk chirps in what is likely appreciative enthusiasm;
{Excellent! Most Excellent indeed. Yes of course... the credits...}
The Councillor takes each of your credit sticks in turn and after some taps upon the desk returns them all with a nod of thanks;
{200CR in each of your accounts. Please keep us informed of any developments and should you encounter any issues with station authorities do contact us and we will assist however we can."}
The shirren studies his desk a final time, then adds;
{One final thing. In addition to potential Society recruits such as yourselves, Duravor also had two freelance retainers - a Lashunta and a human, as well as an android fabricated, to assist in his own personal operations.}
Chiskisk's antenna bob in unison as they continue;
{He had mentioned the possibility of them also joining the Society, but intimated that his own interests required manpower as well. Duravor maintained a sector-haus in the nearby Drifter's End neighbourhood for the trio... It may be they are seeking a reckoning for the dwarf? To pool resources and intelligence gathered would be our recommendation as a starting point perhaps..?}
Whilst the others draw a blank you keenly recall key data on both Verces and Eox from your childhood in the Diaspora;
Verces: The hub planet of the Pact World system and home to the famed Stewards peacekeeping force. Verdes is tidally locked, causing one side to perpetually bake under the sun (known as Fullbright) and the other to freeze in its shadow (known as Darkside). However, the band at the border of the two sides — the Ring of Nations - is among the most densely inhabited and technologically advanced urban areas of the Pact World’s system.
Eox: The so-called "Planet of the Dead” - Thousands of years ago, the native residents of Eox went to war with the neighbouring planets Damiar and Iovo, then known as the Twins. Their most powerful weapon, capable of destroying planets, shattered the Twins into the asteroid belt now called the Diaspora, but also destroyed Eox's atmosphere and killed off much of its population. Eoxians used necromancy to survive, and today Eox is dominated by the undead and ruled by powerful necrovites known as the Bone Sages.
When Noah stoically accepts both the ashes and the task ordained, the two morticians nod and speak in unison;
”The Third Protocol is now complete.”
Sallow then pulls forth a holo-scroll and views its contents as the elf, Teal explains;
”The Final Step is bequeathment of earthy goods, bonds and wishes in accordance with the departed’s current RIProtocols… Sallow if you would…”
The human nods and begins to read from the scroll:
”The deceased, D/106_D.K-97B: Duravor Kreel left a meagre estate of 4633 credits in value. As per his wishes he has had 2000 credits apiece be transferred to the Starfinder Society and Hardscrabble Collective respectively. The remaining 633 credits is to be split equally among my “rough diamonds”: Paeon Tel’domah, Koro Tass and Noah…”
Sallow pauses reverently and looks up;
”That would be you three I trust?”
The mortician nods once again and continues;
”The sector-haus is owned by the society, and paid for until the end of the month, however contact Councillor Chiskisk should you wish to keep it on. Return their and enter the coding 233LiveFree on the wall safe. Inside you will find a pack containing some equipment, valuables and hard credits. All are yours. Put them to good use for good causes.”
Teal looks to you all;
”The Final Step has been taken on this journey. You must now walk your own path. Do you have any requests of myself or Sallow before we consider our service concluded?”
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Noah 2.0 experiences a strange mix of sadness at the loss and excitement for the future. He provided for us. Shall we go back and see what he has left us?
Paeon nods as the remaining protocols are completed. He salutes the Gravekeepers,
"You have my thanks."
To his companions,
"Yes, let us collect the remainder of what is left and perhaps erase any memory that we were ever connected to Duravor Kreel..."
Paeon begins to make his way out of the morgue.
Ed looks to the others. Let us visit the haus and find the others. A few extra allies for our visit to the Spike wouldn't be a bad thing.
The vesk shakes his head. "Got a better idea." He pulls out his comm unit, then looks down at the councillor. "Do you have a contact number for any of them?"
"If not it likely is within Duravor's data pad."
Kris fishes in her pack and begins searching for numbers for the other members of Duravor's collection. She is oblivious to any strange looks Chiskisk may give her.
At the mention of Duravor's wishes for his remains to be returned to the Disapora, Koro looks away from the Pharasmin, finding a blank piece of wall to look at as memories flood back.
She has a torrent of words on the tip of her tongue but refrains, allowing the sallow mortuarian to finish his 'protocol'.
She waves a hand in thanks, then accompanies Noah and Paeon on their way out.
"Makes sense that Dura' would want to be taken back to the Disaspora...I think he's rather be taken to Verces, nice along the terminus between light and dark. No way he'd want to be taken to Eox, lots of weirdos there. "
She frowns at Paeon as his last statement penetrates, "Why would you want to forget Dura', he was our friend...our mentor."
She nods to the attendant as she places her weapons back where they belonged, looking back to Paeon for his response.
As the trio walks along Paeon replies to Koro,
"You misunderstood Koro Tass, I mean not to forget Duravor but rather we should be careful in returning back to the house as well as collecting our belongings and moving residence in the mean time. I suspect that this was not an accident and chances are that those who sought Duravor's downfall may also have those connected to him in their sights. If we are able to remain unaffiliated we may have better success in seeking..."
His voice fades from her mind momentarily while he ponders his next words...
"in seeking... appropriate compensation for his death."
At Retsij's suggestion Chiskisk's antenna bob once more and they attempt to access some information - tapping at the data-desk.
{Mmmm. Nothing here. Just names... Koro, Paeon and Noah... Given time I could petition AB-SEC to release more details on them if they are on record?}
In contrast to Chiskisk's dead end, Kris deftly recovers a joint comms line used by Duravor for the trio...
Noah 2.0 looks thoughtful, as if the idea of taking revenge had not occurred to him before. Yes, that does make sense. The odds of a random shot critically wounding our mentor is astronomically low, so low it belies belief.
"Retsiji, I have a direct line to them here. Give me a second to adjust this here and.... We have it" looking around at the others she activates the direct comms line to the other 3, having set the data pad to its external speaker.
"This is Kris, I am reaching out to Noah, Koro Tass, and Paeon. I and my companions were to meet Duravor's today at Dock 94, he was killed and we are in the Starfinder Chapter house. Please respond"
Simultaneously Noah's, Koro's and Paeon's comms-units burst into life with an incoming call signal...
I believe we are being called. Noah 2.0 says, stating the obvious. Who would call the three of us at the same time? Shall we answer together?
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Noah recognises the comms_sig as belonging to Duravor... Ironically after just guiding your patron through the RIProtocols, you now find yourselves being potentially hailed from beyond the grave...
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Koro's forehead smooths at Paeon's explanation, she nods, "Could be....could be, " she mutters, frowning again.
"Well, if his death's suspicious, we owe it to Dura' to figure out who did, and why..." she declares, but any other comment is inturrupted by the chime of her comm, with the familiar code of Duravor's interlinked circuit.
She looks from Noah to Paeon, a look of incredulity on her face, nodding ....
...with a flick of her wrist, Koro answers the comm request, immediately opening the channel to herself, Paeon, Noah and whomever was on the other side.
Koro's head cocks to one side as the speaker, Kris, introduces herself and her situation, "Hello....Kris, was it? " she says, her voice cool, calm and collected, "This is an interesting development, you say you're at the Chapter House? Stay there, we're on our way."
With that, she ends the comm.
Koro looks at the others, "Let's go. They're either the one's Dura' was meeting ...or the ones that killed him. Doesn't matter which, we need to see them."
Paeon looks to Koro with a "I told you so" expression and with a shrug of his shoulders,
"Lets go then."
I would have preferred to meet these people at Duravor's apartment. It is known to us and we would have had a home field advantage in case of trouble. Buy it is decided. Let us go and see if we can ascertain if these newcomers are friends or foes.
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Ed shrugs upon being told to stay still, grabs some more protein bars and water and sits back in his pod to nibble.
At the conclusion of the call, Retsiji's fangs show quickly in what might be a grin. "I don't want to spend our credits on more cab rides. Those snacks...." He emits a rumble of displeasure.
Kris nods with a satisfied look, it was logical, contact them from Duravor's data pad and they would come. Sitting back in her pod with legs crossed she waits for them to show up, beside the 44 functionary bots here would solve any trouble they might try to bring, not that her friends couldn't defend themselves when needed.
This is an interesting development, you say you're at the Chapter House? Stay there, we're on our way
I jest of course. Although I did mull throwing in Rise of the Robo-Takio side plot... ;)
Koro looks to her friends as she summons a grav-cab, "Do you want to swing by the apartment and gather up our inheritance first?"
Back at the haus you find all as you left it...
Keen to meet up with the potential witnesses of Duravor's murder and custodians of his data_pad you quickly access the safe using the code provided: 233LiveFree
Inside you find the following:
- 1 x battered suit of Estex Suit I armour (c/w Radiation Buffer upgrade) bearing a faded "HC" logo.
- 1 x Industrial Backpack
- x2 Weeks Field Rations
- x1 Gear Clamp
- x1 Mining Tool Kit
- 50ft of Titanium Cable Line
- x2 Pallasites meteor stones
- x1 Peridot semi-precious stone
- x10 Hard Credits (in 1 credit “bits”)
At the news that Duravor's three former retainers were incoming, Chiskisk antenna flex and their eyes glitter;
{Most excellent news! Once they arrive we can ascertain if they have additional insight into the unfortunate events we are now all caught up in...}
The shirren pauses, then continues with enthusiasm;
{We understand that while you all undertake this endeavour for the Society and our departed representative you may collect and accumulate items and goods. While you are more than welcome to keep these as ES or "Earned Seizure" as the Acquisitives faction of our Society prefer to call it... We can also facilitate a fair credit or equipment trade for such items should you not wish to hold them.}
As Chiskisk notes Ed continuing to consume the offered refreshments, the Councillor frets, mandibles flexing agitatedly;
{Oh my. Perhaps our incoming visitors would also like refreshments?! Perhaps we should call the Catering_Bots?}
Rummaging around in her pack, Kris lays a club and the cred stick out on the table, "Speaking of 'Earned Seizure', did you gents collect anything before you ran out of the docking bay? ... I'm keeping the pistol, the cred stick and the club are in the pot." She states as eyes invariably drift towards the pistol still at her belt.
"Yes lets collect what is left for us, then meet our guests."
Noah 2.0 does just that. He places what will fit into the backpack and shoulders it. [b]Who can best use this armor? Its not quite as good as a Second skin except the two upgrade slots and the radiation resistance upgrade. I think that upgrade could be moved to a second skin too.[/ooc]
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Councillor, as we wait what can you tell us about The Hardscrabble Collective? It seems Duravor was well vested in it, would this have put him at odds with the Starfinder's purpose?" Kris ask matter-a-factly
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As Chiskisk notes Ed continuing to consume the offered refreshments, the Councillor frets, mandibles flexing agitatedly;{ Perhaps we should call the Catering_Bots?}
Ed seems a little disappointed that they will not have the immediate opportunity to inspect Duravor's quarters, but at least the incoming contacts may know more about their deceased benefactor. His antennae perk up at the mention of a proper meal. Yes, please!
Chiskisk's own antennae bob in agreement at additional nourishment being required and he taps at his desk;
{Foodstuffs have been ordered from the Starfinder Catering Corps. Enough for 8 and growing grubs like Ed there!}
"Councillor?"
Retsiji produces a second cred-stick from somewhere in his armor and sets it down next to the other. "Any of you need a lasgun? I like the solid rounds, personally."