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Captain Breem comes up to Jaxom as he's preparing to leave.
"I may have something to show you."
"I hope it has nothing to do with the investigation of this shooting," the Captain states gruffly as he stares at Jaxom. "Naw, just kidding, I don't care. Here," he hands a laser pistol battery to the technomancer. "We got this off one of those Level 21 fools. It's yours."
And with that, the Captain walks off, whistling a sprightly tune.
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August smiles blandly at Mari and calls after him.
"Oh I do beg your pardon - meatbags all look alike to me."
He'll turn back to Jaxom after disregarding Mari.
"No, sorry. I spent most of the last year on a deep space probe outside the Pact Worlds. The captain was a Shirran who filled the entertainment databanks with nature documentaries about puppies. He wants to retire and breed dogs on Verces so every waking moment not devoted to maintenance or work was spent watching these documentaries. However I got a lot of reading done ."
August will look at Diamaante.
"You haven't by chance written any novels? I find myself inexplicably attached to the noir crime novels of Akiton."
August will review the tablet with interest.
"Anyways, my name is Telion. I spent some time on my homeworld hunting wild creatures when they threatened people or their homes, before working in the Diaspora for a bit. Duravor and I were on the same ship in the Diaspora before he took off. After that, I ended up here, doing odd jobs various places. To be honest, the prospect of some new challenging work was what drew me down here."
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"I don't mean to burst your bubble my friend, and don't take this wrong, but while I am certainly aware of your fame and that of your show, I am not actually a fan. I respect your talent, but I find your employment of overused tropes, puns, and unlikely skimpy costumes to be a bit overdone. Apologies. So, um, back to the computer shall we?"
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Diamaante quirks an eyebrow at Jaxom. "It's rare indeed to meet a man who doesn't like unlikely skimpy costumes. But I can understand where you are coming from. All aspiring actresses must get their start somewhere, and for most that means shaking their goods in a battle bikini. A necessary evil to open the gateway to more substantial dramatic roles."
She takes the man's hand and smiles. "No apologies are necessary. I hope you'll come to see that there's more to me than what they show on the holos.."
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**************INBOX D CREEL #67116************
(read) Sender: slashfic7874 Subj: See 'Diamaante' like you've never seen her before!
(unread) Sender: Station 243 Subj: Overdue Log entry
(read) Sender: Mineral Prospectus Subj: Digest 12 - 'Chromium Making a Comeback'?
(read) Sender: Chskisk Subj: New potential Starfinders
(read) Sender: B, Chalangi Subj: Financial returns
(read) Sender: Topless Titans Subj: Diamaante enquiry
(unread) Sender: Organic Subscription Services Subj: Renew Today!
(read) Sender: Kitty Subj: Di Itinerary
*************************************************
Accessing the 'New potential Starfinders' email, Jaxom reads the following:
**************Message Begin*********************
Duravor - I cannot stress the extent to which the harvest of these new Starfinders would be a positive move for current Societal aims. You must determine if their talents are in keeping with the trajectory that we spoke of when we last met in my office. Bring them to me if you feel they are in keeping with our aims. I'll await confirmation of collection.
**************Message Termination***************
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"This is most interesting. Kreel was apparently communicating with one called Chskisk regarding the possibility of finding some new Starfinders. As strange as it sounds, at could be us."
He fiddles with the tablet, "let me see if I can find out more about this Chskisk fellow."
He tries to gather info such as pictures, addresses, how to reach him via comms...
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After collecting your belongings, you head for the Lorespire Complex, located in Absalom Station’s Ring sector. The Ring is the most residential, middle-class section of Absalom Station, made up of corridors and spires between the protruding docks of the Arms and the cosmopolitan environs of the Eye. The Lorespire campus consists of multiple buildings and rooms, though its eponymous spire is what people most associate with the Starfinder Society’s headquarters.
Your trip there is without incident.
You arrive at the Lorespire Complex and head into main reception. An android female stands near a computer terminal in the office, and turns to address you as you enter.
"Welcome to the Lorespire Complex. May I be of assistance to you?"
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The android cocks their head. "Chiskisk? Ah, yes. I'll inform them that you're here. May I offer you some filtered water while you wait? You may sit if you'd like."
The wait allows you and compatriots a few spare moments to make any formal introductions. Additionally, this would be a good time to describe what each of your characters looks like.
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August will graciously decline the water and look around for a no smoking sign. If he doesn't see one he'll head to the nearest air vent so he can pull a wrinkled plasticene pack of cigarettes out of a pocket and light one. If anyone else wants a cigarette he'll offer them one as well.
August stands just under six feet and has a lean build, looking like he's in his mid to late twenties. His face is unremarkable in feature except for being somewhat off-puttingly symmetrical.
The most obvious giveaways to his artificial nature are his colorless, slightly luminous irises and his bright white hair which he wears cut short. His skin is a healthy, fleshy pink unlike the gray or artificial tones some androids have which accounts for the racist cop's initial confusion and there's absolutely no trace of stubble on his face.
August is dressed in what seems to you to be somewhat archaic clothing - he's wearing a white button down shirt with a dark brown knit tie, heavy khaki pants clearly designed to be worn outdoors and brown hiking boots that have obviously been on a lot of planets based on the scuff marks. The tie is pulled down just far enough that you can see the Second Skin armor he's wearing underneath his clothes. August seems to be leaning on earth tones to offset his artificial nature.
Jaxom recognizes August's reinforced hooded, black-and-gray weatherproof coat as being standard Starfinder Society issue and as he leans back against the wall you can see his heavy pistol, baton and a knife arranged on his belt for fast access as well as a spot that looks like it once held a badge.
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Diamaante sips the water as she sits and waits. She is a tall lashunta, standing just over six and a half feet tall. Her antennae rise above her blue and green dyed hair, which is currently pulled back into a long ponytail. She has wide, expressive green eyes, a button nose, and full, sensuous lips. Despite the heavy coat she wears, hints of her impressive curves are visible beneath it. Anybody who has seen her holo vids has assuredly seen much more of her body than is currently on display.
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Jaxom comments as they pass some of the vids, "it is a shame about those Acreon folks that are gone missing. I am led to believe that some sort of war might be about to erupt regarding the ownership of that thing they discovered."
Jaxom wears a fairly standard outfit for a tech. Comfortable clothes that are also businesslike enough. Large pockets in multiple places, some of which appear crammed with kits of various sorts. The "extra" battery he got from the guard was stuffed into one of these pockets. The credsticks were stick into an inner pocket of his jacket and zipped up tight.
Jaxom is 5'o, 145, dark skin, brown eyes, short hair that is black but graying, and the same goes for his mustache and beard. He carries a laser pistol, which he clearly has some proficiency with, and a baton hangs from a strap over his shoulder. Although he has spent his life on the station, he isn't one of the soft ones that isn't expecting trouble.
"What do you suppose this 'Drift Rock' is? I thought there were plenty of rocks floating about the Drift, since it ends up munching up the outer planes when ships pass through."
While they waited, Telion leaned up against the wall and took the opportunity to reload his pistol to capacity. He was shorter than the other lashunta, and with broader shoulders and a strong jaw slightly obscured by a week-old brown beard. He wore a blue-black full-body jumpsuit with silver threading that fit snugly against his muscular physique, protecting without impeding mobility. In addition, he had a pistol holster at his hip and a thin pack on his back that blended in with the jumpsuit itself, except at the edges where it connected with small latches designed to be jettisoned in emergencies. Finally, he had a small, two inch orb of purple-black darkness that floated above his shoulder that seemed to bend light around it as it slowly bobbed in place.
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Idar accepts a cup of water, expressing his thanks in Kasath. He produces a shiny metal straw from an inner pocket, sits, and sips, tucking the straw under his mask.
He is dressed in a full-length hooded poncho, in the red-brown of Akiton's deserts. Underneath is layered fabric in the same colors, meant to keep dust out and moisture in. A half-mask of filtercloth covers his mouth - there is no dust here to screen, but he is Kasatha. The draping of the fabric shows that he is typically Kasatha-gaunt, and his exposed skin is a deep olive tone.
He sets his bag, with the protruding rifle, in the next chair.
"I am not knowing, but interest in mercenaries is...increasing. Not all as reputable as Starfinder Society. Strange things can happen when lives between money. Bad things."
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The android returns and bids you all follow. They lead you onto a large lift in the main heart of the building and press '4'. Immediately, the lift goes down, taking you deep into the lower floors of the compound. Once arrived, you are escorted into a cluttered anteroom of an even-more cluttered office where a shirren greets you all telepathically, their antennae flexing from side to side. (IMAGE)
"I bid you welcome to the Lorespire Complex. I am Chiskisk of the Starfinder Society. I understand that you have been offered filtered water, and I can do the same. You may also sate your hunger if you'd like." Here, Chiskisk gestures at a tray of processed-protein wafers on a side table. "I would ask your names, if you please."
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Chiskisk replies to Jaxom: "Yes, you are the Sandstrom scion. Your parents' service to the Society has been noted. I have not met them myself," they reply.
"I was here to meet Mr. Kreel in order to discuss further work for the Society."
The shirren turns to August.
"Yes, I was expecting Duravor to be accompanying you...?"
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"I understand your confusion," Diamaante says aloud for the benefit of her companions. "There was an unfortunate altercation in Docking Bay 94. Duravor was caught in the crossfire of an apparent gang war and was cut down. I didn't know him well, but I am sorry for your loss. I am Diamaante. You might know me from my holovids."
"Telion. I wish we were meeting under better circumstances, but it is true. We arrived just in time to see Duravor killed in the crossfire of some kind of gang conflict," Telion replied telepathically to all present with a solemn expression.
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The shirren sits down at the news of Duravor's fate.
"YOU are sorry? I should be the one that is sorry that I cannot welcome you to Absalom Station under better circumstances. I assure you that such attacks are not a daily occurrence, though I realise that is likely small comfort to you. I am pleased that none of you were seriously hurt, but I grieve for Duravor’s death. He was a valued member of the Society, and a friend. May the Lady of Graves be kind in her judgment of his soul.”
The shirren bows their head momentarily, then looks up, their compound eyes glittering, then begins tapping a few commands into a hand-held device. Chiskisk waves the device across the desk, and a holographic image of their search results is displayed for all to see. The shirren accentuates their speech with gestures at different Sphere files.
“What puzzles me is the reason behind the attack. According to this incident report just released by station security, two gangs were involved in the attack: the Downside Kings and the Level 21 Crew. Gang wars are not uncommon on the station, but they usually confine themselves to the more lawless sectors like the Puddles. It is rare for street gangs to battle openly in public areas like the docks. Nevertheless, it appears that Security has dismissed this as gang warfare and are not planning further investigations."
The shirren makes an audible cracking noise.
"I cannot help but wonder whether all is as it seems. There must be a reason why those two gangs were at Docking Bay 94 at that time—the time of your arrival, coincidentally. But was it coincidence? Were you and Duravor just innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire, or might you and he have been specifically targeted? And if so, why?"
Chiskisk waves their device over the desk and the holographic image disappears. They continue to tap into their screen.
“My understanding is that you are interested in becoming Starfinders, and since you were witnesses to the attack, I would like to ask you to investigate the incident on behalf of the Society. Find out exactly what happened and why. It may simply be a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time—I have no doubt station security will rule it so—but if Duravor was murdered, I would like to find justice for my friend. At the same time, this will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your own skills and abilities and show the Society that you are worthy of the title ‘Starfinder.’ Consider this a test.”
The shirren makes a brief rhythmic clicking noise.
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August nods at this line of thought.
"I believe in coincidence. Coincidences happen every day. But I don't trust coincidence."
August smiles, thinking of an old friend who once told him the same thing when he first came online back home.
"A couple of points: First in case there was a connection between Kreel and the gunfight can we gain access to his apartment? Second, does station security have a gang task force and does the Society have a contact with that group we could speak with? Third, do you have information on a neutral location where we can find the Level 21 crew or Downside Kings or a fence or associate who can set up a meeting? Fourth, do we have any standing in this or are we working strictly sub rosa?"
He mentally reviews his notes.
"Fifth, I might need more ammo, or possibly a new sidearm depending on how actively we're pursuing these gangsters. Does the society have some sort of stipend or are we self-funding?"
He waits for everyone else to chime in.
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-5 DC to identify rare creature
-5 DC to identify rare creature
"It is a sad thing that my first task undertaken on behalf of the Starfinder Society should be yo investigate the death of one of its members. 'All service is honorable,' my father is fond of saying. I will do my best Chiskisk, as I hope the rest will."
"Hunting down information can't be much different than hunting down dangerous beasts, though I'm probably not expected to kill the information when we find it. Sounds like the Puddles might be a good place for us to head to first, so we can learn more about these gangs. What's the best way to contact you when we learn more, Chiskisk?"