"I could use some food and drink, if they have a cafe or the like." Orlam comments.
"I could use some food and drink, if they have a cafe or the like." Orlam comments.
"Let's get our report out of the way and then worry about rest and nutrition."
Valius' communication message goes through, and the robotic voice of a telepathic voice modulator commonly used by members of the shirren who do not like to speak using their natural voice echoes through the communicator. "Yes, this is Chiskisk speaking how may I help?"
Upon realizing that it is Valius speaking, the voice sounds genuinely relieved and excited. "Yes, yes! Please come in I was working late and I will let Dari'is at the reception desk know you are here to meet me," Chiskisk says before they terminate the call.
The reception lobby of the Starfinder offices is barren at this late hour, with only a single person, a half-elf with long platinum white hair and wearing casual stationwear, seated at the reception desk. "Hello, may I help you there?" she says, before a set of sliding doors open and the shirren Venture-Captain stands framed in the opening. The half-elf turns and nods, smiling at the group before returning her attention back to the terminal in front of her.
{"Please, follow me,"} Chiskisk says, broadcasting their voice directly into the group's minds. They turn and walk back towards their office, past the now mostly empty desks and terminals that sit silently waiting to be operated again. As the group enters the office, Chiskisk is already sitting down at their desk and pouring water from a carafe into several tumblers. {"I was beginning to worry, as I had not heard from you all day, and it pleases me that you appear to be well. How is your investigation faring?"}
"Well, we caught the gang leader who ordered the hit on our dearly lost companion. Apparently they got Duravor killed through a proxy contract with Astral Extractions. Probably to send a message to the Hardscrabble Collective over that giant hunk of rock that they're squabbling over. We couldn't contact the Collective, but now that Duravor has been avenged we might get back into contact with them soon enough."
He gratefully takes a water tumbler for himself, sipping and swallowing. "Oh, and I was shot for the first time today. It was just as fun as I assumed it would be."
He gratefully takes a water tumbler for himself, sipping and swallowing. "Oh, and I was shot for the first time today. It was just as fun as I assumed it would be."
"You humans must live sheltered lives," Xera mutters.
She turns back to Chiskisk.
"It's worth mentioning that we turned over the leader of the Gang that killed Duravor to the Stewards. Along with the evidence that implicated her in the conspiracy to kill Duravor. We made copies, of course."
"The Astral Extractions contacts were pretty well cloaked though. It will take a lot of detective work by the Stewards to actually prove that Astral Extractions was involved. I understand that they don't just act unilaterally here, so it could be a while before A.E. suffers any kind of discomfort."
He gratefully takes a water tumbler for himself, sipping and swallowing. "Oh, and I was shot for the first time today. It was just as fun as I assumed it would be.""You humans must live sheltered lives," Xera mutters.
Mysterra nods once, jerkily. "It's a natural effect of their short life spans."
---
Mysterra pulls out her comm unit and forwards the audio recordings to Chiskisk. Upon completion she states: "Other evidence will be forwarded to you directly."
Eye takes the hint and starts sending over the things he has saved. "Here's what I've got, as well as my notes on everything we did." He includes all the things he jotted down
While the files are transferring from Mysterra's and Private Eye's devices, Chiskisk nods their head intently and leans back into their chair. {"Yes yes, the Stewards and station security both will have their hands full I suspect, thanks to the evidence that you have provided to them in the form of these files and the leader of this gang who killed poor Duravor."} The sense of loss is keenly felt as Chiskisk projects these words into the minds of those before them. {"I feel it would be prudent if we leave the ramifications of Astral Extractions' criminal enterprises to Absalom Station's legal system - they have a powerful presence throughout the Pact Worlds, and I do not wish to see them turn that presence towards you as individuals."}
The shirren picks up one of the tumblers and places a small straw into it, sipping at the water before continuing. {"But this danger not withstanding, you have all done a commendable service in seeking justice for Duravor's death,"} they say, their antennae quivering in a shirren expression of happiness. {"I personally am proud to admit you all into the ranks of the Starfinder Society - assuming that you are still wishing to join, that is."}
Mysterra rises from her chair, standing tall and straight.
"I am overjoyed to join the Starfinders." she replies in a monotone voice. She doesn't sound overjoyed. But, then, she never sounds much of anything.
She does not sit back down.
"Joining up with the Starfinders is why I'm here," says Xera. "I'm in."
Orlam smiles at the shirren. "Yes, it is a great honor to be selected, Chiskisk. I gladly accept."
"Happy to be working with you. Now the formality is done, I think we could use some rest and relaxation, right?"
"Happy to be working with you. Now the formality is done, I think we could use some rest and relaxation, right?"
"Indeed! Some neurological intoxicants would seem to be in order!"
Chiskisk trills audibly, their antennae flickering and twitching from side to side. {"Excellent! This is pleasing news, and I've no doubt that Duravor would be proud as well. I am personally looking forward to seeing what you will discover and share with the Society in the future,"} they say, leaning forward and extending a clawed hand across the top of the desk to shake the hands of the newest recruits for the Society.
The shirren leans back in their chair, pressing the palms of their hands together and turning their compound eyes towards Valius. {"You are of course right - please take the next few days to rest and recuperate. We haven't any tasks for you at this stage, and undoubtedly you deserve to relax. That being said, please keep your eyes and ears open for any further news about the Acreon or its mysterious consignment that may be of interest to the Society."}
Chiskisk stands and smooths the front of their white coat. "{I will take the liberty of booking some efficiencies under my name at the Moons of Sleep, near to the Eye of the station, for your use for the week. I will speak in the morning with our Field Resources Co-ordinator to formalize your joining the Society."}
Mysterra smiles--or rather, she tries to--it looks more like a pained grimace than anything resembling joy. After a long, awkward moment her face reverts to complete neutrality.
"Thank you." she replies emotionlessly.
This is so exciting! Finally!
After having her hand shook by Chiskisk, Mysterra turns and leaves the room. Once in the hall she accesses the info-sphere and looks up directions to the Moons of Sleep. It wasn't far, but she did not want to get lost.
Mysterra easily accesses the public infosphere and with a few short commands punched into her custom rig she finds the location of the Moons of Sleep. It is a small hotel located within the Ring just outside of the Parkside neighbourhood of the Eye, and appears to have several one and two bed efficiencies.
"Thank you again. Sleep, and a shower and getting out of my armor sounds like a pleasant end to a pretty wild day," Valius informs Chiskisk, turning to his companions as they exit. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm pretty beat. I'm taking advantage of the rooms and sleeping until dawn. Some rest will do my body good."
That said, Valius heads towards the Moons of Sleep, ready to retire for the night.
Mysterra waits a few moments to see if anyone else is heading straight to the Moons of Sleep, before leaving with Valius to their motel.
Orlam is also eager for rest, but he is also quite hungry. "Does this Moons of Sleep have a restaurant, or a cafe? Or maybe you can recommend something nearby. Perhaps one frequented by other Starfinder agents?" The kasathas inquires.
"I wish to celebrate. If you people prefer to find your accommodations first to rest and freshen up, then perhaps we can all meet somewhere afterward?"
Chiskisk ponders for a moment before projecting towards Orlam and the rest of the group. {"I am unsure about any restaurant near to the Moons of Sleep, but I would recommend the Soaring Platter toward the edge of Drifter's End - they do a very nice menu that caters to many races within the Pact Worlds."}
The Moons of Sleep
The Moons of Sleep hotel is tucked into an alley between two tall apartment complexes that sit above open-planned cooperative storefronts. It is a three-storey building clad in a pale purple metal with a neon sign of three moons with closed eyes above its door. The inside of the lobby is cosily furnished, with a long comfortable L-shaped couch in the corner. A reception clerk sits in a small cubby room overlooking the lobby, dressed in a navy blue coat and white shirt.[/spoiler]
The Soaring Platter
The Soaring Platter is a low, wide establishment that is part buffet, part taproom, with an adjoining ale garden. A stage is set in the corner of the large eatery, on which a small trio of musicians play a set of bawdy music with off-world instruments. There is a set menu of varied intergalactic meals, as well as a buffet of general items that get ringed up at a counter nearby.
Mysterra leads the way to the Moons of Sleep. She approaches the receptionist. "I request access to the accommodations registered under Chiskisk. I am checking in."
---
Once she's found her way to her rooms, Mysterra washes up and changes into some clean clothes. They're plain and utilitarian. Made from a black sturdy material with no added decorations, or designs, they give off a vibe reminiscent of a work uniform. Finally she brushes her hair, straight back and loose. Thus prepared she leaves the Moons of Sleep and walks to the Soaring Platter.
---
When she arrives at the Soaring Platter she stands at the entrance and looks around, attempting to discern if her companions have already arrived. Seeing no one, yet, she waits in the front lobby, standing completely still, straight an silent. She looks completely bored.
Socializing! This is very exciting! I must remember to be polite. Say hello again, even though I know them...
Private Eye also checks into his room first. He hits the three S's - actually as an android he skips the shave - and puts on the same clothes he was wearing before, armor included. He replaces his handgun into his quick release sheathe and heads out.
Once at the Soaring Platter he sees Mysterra. "Evening Mysterra. I don't know about you but I'm hungry. Let's grab some grub, the others can find us."
...actually as an android he skips the shave...
Mysterra nods once, jerkily at Private Eye. "Hello, sir," she replies in an obvious attempt to be polite. She smiles--a terrifying, awkward grimace--then her face reverts to normal. "Yes. Let us purchase sustenance."
She follows Private Eye into the restaurant.
Loram checks into his own room and cleans himself in the manner of all Kasathas, then heads to The Soaring Platter to meet with the others and celebrate their success. Though he is in clean clothes, the soldier still wears his armor and carries his weapons - if they are allowed into the establishment.
The celebrations at the Soaring Platter go well into the evening and before long the group of newly recruited Starfinders make their way back to the Moons of Sleep for some well deserved rest. The rooms at the Moons are pleasant - certainly moreso than those found at the Hillitt Rooms - and have two single beds per room, along with a kitchenette and sitting area, and a modestly sized shower room.
15 Lamashan 317AG
The next day is a quiet one, allowing the group to come to take stock of their actions from the previous night, as well as sell the remaining items that hadn't been claimed from their raid on the Downside Kings' hideout, buy new gear for themselves, or work on their own projects as they please.
16 Lamashan 317AG
The next morning as the group prepares for their morning tasks and rituals, there is a knock on each of their doors. Opening the door reveals the concierge, apologising for disturbing them so early. He has a small stack of thick paper, each as black as the void of space. The silver writing on these pages seems to float above the pure darkness of the paper it is written on, and each is addressed to Orlam, Valius, Private Eye, Mysterra, and Xera individually.
We would like to extend our hospitality and request for you to attend a meeting with His Excellency, Gevalarsk Nor, on this day the sixteenth day of Lamashan at midday at the Eoxian Embassy.
Each of the invitations has a pewter coloured wax seal with the official emblem of the Eoxian government stamped into it.
Hm, the chief ambassador from Eox wants to meet me. That doesn't sound good.
Xera sets her comm unit to conference and calls the others.
"Guys, I just got an invitation to the Eoxian embassy to meet with the ambassador. You think that's good or bad?"
Mysterra heads out shopping in her free time, to purchase extra ammunition, healing serums, and a compact computer. Content, she returns to her room to toil away the afternoon searching the info sphere for information on Absalom Station, in an effort to rekindle lost memories.
---
Mysterra accepts the fine invitation without surprise.
What is THIS?! Wow! Nice stationary!
After reading the note she nicely folds it back up and places it inside her backpack.
Mysterra thinks back, deep in her memory banks. There's a flicker of a memory there. She's been to Eox, but she cannot recall when, or why.
Accessing the computer clipped onto her wrist, Mysterra does a quick search on herself, curious if she happens to be a wanted criminal or celebrated hero on Eox. Finding neither is the case she replies to Xera.
"I have received the same message. Being neither a fugitive nor a diplomat, I cannot discern why we are being summoned. Are any of you wanted criminals on Eox? Or, perhaps, foreign celebrities?"
Clearly, Mysterra has no idea as to the invitations purpose, although she has been invited.
Orlam is feeling well-rested and ready for a new assignment, but frowns at the invitation as he speaks with the others. "I have heard a bit of Eox, it is a planet of undead, correct? The idea is somehow... repugnant to me, but I suppose the inhabitants of the world did what they had to do in order to survive. Still, I myself would like to think I would have preferred death instead. Do either of you know anything more about that world, or of this ambassador?"
The Kasathas finally shrugs, and then mentally activates the subdermal graft implanted in his left hand and stares at it for a moment, as if to remind himself of his new responsibilities. "Well, in any case, they are Pact World citizens, and it is our duty now to assist our allies when required. Perhaps this ambassador has heard of us and needs assistance in some matter. There is only one way to find out. I for one plan to attend this meeting." Orlam declares.
Considering that he was built and not born, Private Eye doesn't see why people get bent out of shape about the elebrians. Alive, undead, what's really the difference?
"Yeah, I got the same thing. This Gevalarsk Nor guy is the head ambassador so it seems we've garnered ourselves some notoriety. I'd guess it's a good thing but we'll just have to see".
Valius looks over the invitation briefly, wondering why they would be invited to speak with the representatives of the dead planet. He listens to the others before speaking up, shrugging his shoulders.
"I don't see the harm in accepting an invitation like this, so long as we let Chiskisk know where we're going first. Though Mysty, if you can do us a solid and check to see if this Nor character has any connections to the Hardscrabble Collective or Astral Expeditions. Seeing as that's the common link between us I'd like to know if we're meeting a friend or a potential adversary."
Mysterra gets to work right away, researching any possible connections between Nor and Eox with the Hardscrabble Collective and Astral Expeditions.
Connecting to the station's infosphere, Mysterra searches through various engines and news sites for any sort of connection between the Eoxian embassy and either the Hardscrabble Collective or Astral Extractions. After a short while of searching, the android cannot find any connections between Nor or the government of Eox and the two mining/exploration companies.
Mysterra informs the others of her (lack of) findings. "They have no connection I can discern."
Orlam nods. "Perhaps they are entirely unconnected. It might be that our mission success has brought us to the attention of the ambassador in dealing with whatever trouble he has. Assuming this isn't simply a social calling." The kasathas grins, as though that particular idea is quite unlikely.
"Well, as an Embassy the place has its own laws. Station laws don't apply there. That makes me nervous. But if we inform Chiskisk that we're going there at least someone will know, in case we don't come back out again."
"I am curious to find out what it is they want."
Mysterra nods once, like a jerky marionette. "My interest is also peaked."
"Let's be careful we don't end up insulting the Eox, go over some basic etiquette dealing with them." Valius suggests before going to suit up in his armor.
The group finishes getting ready and makes their way the relatively short distance towards the Parkside neighbourhood of Absalom Station. Situated in the Eye, the wide streets here are lined by well-tended trees and bordered by perfectly manicured lawns, and gleaming apartment towers of steel and glass rise towards the immense shielded dome above. The interior of the dome projects a realistic holographic representation of a beautifully clear sky, the Sun's light peeking through the hologram enough to add to the realism. Wealthy citizens of the station walk or are driven in small lozenge-shaped robotaxis, and the neighbourhoods opulence and luxury presented are in stark contrast to other regions of Absalom.
Following the directions found on the infosphere, the five Starfinders find themselves standing in front of an imposing structure constructed of steel and black marble, surrounded on all sides by a tall black fence. A pair of banners with the Eoxian emblem hang stiffly from tall poles affixed to the opened gates of the embassy, beyond the gates a pair of skeletal guards, dressed in armour of what looks to be polished obsidian and metallic bone, stand unmoving just on the inside of the gate. Each of the guards is carrying an imposing rifle, jagged and sharp with no discernible trigger.
As the group approaches the gate, both of the bone guards appear to animate from their statue-like positions and steps imposingly in front of the opening, blocking the path to the embassy. "Halt," one of them states in a low tone, its thick Eoxian accent emanating from where its voicebox would be had it been alive. As it speaks, its jaw moves open and closed as if trying to form the words with a tongue and cheek flesh that no longer exist. "Please state your business on Eoxian grounds."
Mysterra presents her invitation.
"We were invited to the Eoxian Embassy by His Excellency, Gevalarsk Nor, on this day the sixteenth day of Lamashan at midday."
Despite the starkly grim aspect of the building and its grounds, Orlam is slightly awed at the exotic magnificence of the Eoxian Embassy. The kasathas turns to face the strange, skeletal guardsmen that bar his passage and he too presents his invitation.
As they approach the building, Xera whispers to her companions.
"Just treat them like anyone else, and don't act like you are afraid that they might eat you. Even if you are. They are Pact World citizens and expect to be treated as such."
Xera presents her invitation at the door.
"I believe we are expected."
"Yeah, I get that. I really do, but there's just something really wrong with corpses that walk and talk and think like that. Even androids eventually pass on." Valius comments to Xera as they approach.
He withdraws his invitation as well, smiling and waiting to be shown inside.
Eye is still confused by people's distaste with the undead. "Are all living things not corpses that walk and talk? I mean, you're just bones and meat too."
At the door he flashes his invitation as well.
The first bone guard gives a cursory glance over the invitations with empty eye sockets, noting the seals and the stationary used, and nods. ”All appears to be in order. Please proceed,” it says as the two guards step aside in unison to allow the group to pass through the courtyard. Leafless trees with gnarled branches twisted into narrow spires reach high towards the skydome above, surrounded by manicured lawns bordered in blackened stone.
Their footfalls echo on the marble steps as the Starfinders make their way to the building. Another pair of bone guards stand rigidly here, moving only to open the doors in almost perfect unison, revealing the expansive interior of the building. Presenting more like a mausoleum, the large foyer feels more enclosed than normal due to the use of black marble tiles along the walls, floor, and ceiling. A single gold and white crystal chandelier in the centre of the roof provides the majority of lighting in the room, assisted by wrought metal candelabras and upturned lights spaced along the walls. Rich, deep red curtains hang over the windows, and heavy wooden doors the colour of burned oak can be seen set in the walls, leading to other chambers of the embassy. In the corners of the room, four more boneguards stand in the shadows.
A semi-circular reception desk sits in the centre of the eerily quiet room, a skeletal form in a dark pinstripe suit seated behind it She is clearly elebrian, with an elongated skull and glowing points of blue-green light where her eyes would have been. As the Starfinders approach, the elebrian woman turns her head to face them, the bones of her spine cracking disconcertingly with the single movement. ”Hello, can I help you today?” she says, her voice light with an unearthly echo to it.
"... Even androids eventually pass on." Valius comments to Xera as they approach.
"Sure," Xera whispers as they go through the corridors. "But most androids have been re-animated many times."
...As the Starfinders approach, the elebrian woman turns her head to face them, the bones of her spine cracking disconcertingly with the single movement. ”Hello, can I help you today?” she says, her voice light with an unearthly echo to it.
"Greetings. We have an appointment to see Gevalarsk Nor." Xera hands her invitation to the receptionist.