"Can't we just open it?" Ray asks Daneel.
Daneel shrugs. "Maybe. Or maybe if we do, it explodes. Who knows?"
While we are en route to Hernon's Claim, Daneel will give the luggage a thorough inspection - without actually opening anything. He makes use of whatever appropriate tech available (scanners to image the interior contents, chemical sniffers to check for explosives or biological agents, detectors to find radiation and electromagnetic emissions, etc).
[dice = Investigate + INT]2d6 + 1 + 1
[dice = Electronics(Sensors) + INT]2d6 + 1 + 1
The trunks contain several sets of clothing sized for a male Aslan and some books in Trokh, the Aslan language, as well as personal grooming items and a few military medals. Daneel has been around enough high-born Drinaxi to recognize wealth when he sees it. While all the items have seen better days, Daneel is struck by their high quality. Though paltry and few, these were not the belongings of a common warrior.
Nothing in the baggage suggests any danger or contains any electronics or high-tech.
Pssst...
"You're sure there's nothing here that is dangerous?," asks Jerry. "Before we do anything else, does anyone read Trokh or know anything about those medals? Just to get an idea of what this fellow is like, of course."
"Steph should look into selling our cargo on Hernon's Claim ... they might want electronics. If there's nothing else, I will be in my cabin."
As Steph guides the ship into an approach to landing pad 8 Left, Daneel replies to the hail. "Greetings, Hernon's Claim. This is independent trader Nemo. Here to pick up some cargo, and just maybe sell some. Although that might be optimistic, we'll see. Roger on 8 Left."
It's no metropolis, but with 30,000 people in one settlement, Hernon's Claim has a reasonable selection of entertainment possibilities, with bars, restaurants and a gymnasium chief among them. The entire complex is set into a series of armored domes with wide tunnels connecting them.
Immediately inside the docking area is a small complex of offices, warehouses, bars, a hotel and a transport buggy rental for those wishing to travel across the barren planet's surface.
How do you proceed?
"Before we do anything else, does anyone read Trokh or know anything about those medals? Just to get an idea of what this fellow is like, of course."
Steph speaks Trokh. Also, you have an Aslan marine on board. His name is Afaar'iy.
Ray examines the military medals, then flips through the books.
-----
"So, how are we gonna find this guy?" Ray asks the others.
"I will go hit some bars and see what I hear unless someone has a better idea." Byron offers.
Ray examines the military medals, then flips through the books.
Most of the books are military histories and seem to refer to events in the distant, possibly even mythic past of the Aslan race. Another is a field infantry manual and another contains the biographies of several famous ihatei, second sons who became famous through either conquest or self-sacrifice.
-----
"I will go hit some bars and see what I hear unless someone has a better idea." Byron offers.
Daneel checks the station logs to see what other ships are in port. He's particularly interested to see if there are any Aslan vessels.
Ray hits the streets, looking for intel on the guy they're looking for.
Steph asks the dockmaster about possible trades for the electronics they are carrying while the other members of her team go looking for their cargo. "We have some trade goods on board. Electronics. Do you have a contact we can speak to? We also have crew that will be taking shore leave. Is that acceptable?"
Daneel, there are six other ships parked at Hernon's Claim. An Imperial Scout (100-ton wedge design), two 100-ton traders, one 300-ton far trader (typically known as a "fat" trader), a 200-ton personal yacht and 600-ton ore hauler.
Byron, you examine the luggage and uniform and manage to get a pretty good idea of the aslan who owns them (see the spoiler above.)
Steph, the prices for electronics are not high here. But you learn that you could make at least some profit by selling them at Sperle, Falcon, Byrni or Hilfer. "Course, you could always sell 'em at The World. They'll pay a good price, but they won't buy that much. I'd take 'em to one of the other planets."
Ray spends the next six hours asking around about the missing Aslan. There are a few Aslan on planet, most of whom have been there for some time. The only newcomer is ‘some big surly guy who keeps to himself’. No one seems to know where he is staying.
Ray, give me a Recon+INT roll, please.
Ray, you've noticed a young female Aslan in the last several places you've visited... you're being followed.
Jerry nods when Steph provides the news about selling the cargo. "It would have been nice, but at least one of those worlds is on our way."
"You haven't found our passenger? Let me see what I can shake out of the lowlifes on this station."
Jerry prepares himself, drinking quite a bit of water and ensuring that he is well supplied with credits for drinks. Once ready, he leaves the ship and heads to the bars that serve the port.
While plying the locals with drink and refreshments, tipping the help well, he gently asks about an aslan male who recently arrived on the station.
Byron will go out with Jerry to make sure that he doesn't get in over his head.
"Not yet. I'll ask the business men of the area quietly, and see what I can find out. Be careful both of you." She turns back to her terminal and begins scouring the message boards, and listening to the local gossip on the comms for any mention of their missing passenger.
Ray wanders down a secluded 'alley' (or whatever passes for one here), curious if the Aslan follows her...
Partway down the alley Ray suddenly turns and grins like a madwoman. " 'Sup?" she asks, taking a few slow steps toward the Aslan. "You looking for a good time, or what?"
Daneel remains on Nemesis while the others try and pick up the Azlan's trail. He mans the comms and tries to keep track of the rest of the crew as they venture into the settlement.
In between brief conversations with the others, Daneel tries to dig up the manifests of the three traders in port to see what they are loading and off-loading.
Jerry finds many people who know of the big Aslan male who arrived here not long ago, but no one seems to know where he is. It is, however, an awesome party!
Ray confronts the Aslan girl, who freezes and then runs off into the warren of housing as fast as her legs will carry her!
Daneel learns that one of the three ships (the SS Betty Mae) is loading up on radioactive compounds, an expensive cargo likely bound for a planet with lots of manufacturing.
_______________________________________
About ready to call it a night, Jerry heads to a quiet bar for a last nightcap. He settles into a corner table and orders a last drink for himself and whoever joins him.
Then he simply waits. If nothing else, there passenger will soon hear that someone is looking for him.
Byron sits down to drink with Jerry.
Steph continues to keep an ere on the local comms. She's listening for news, and any reports that might mean she needs to go get Ray or Byron out of the brig.
In their quiet bar, midnight passes unnoticed for Jerry and Byron. Sometime after that, the bartender places a small disk on the table. It is a holographic comms device and there is a call waiting.
When Jerry and Bryon respond, the device projects the holographic image of an Aslan's head. "You have been looking for me, I believe," he says. "I am ready to meet at a neutral and public place. Hernon Robotics and Electronics opens at 0900. I will be there at 0930. Acceptable?"
Jerry leans towards the comms device.
"I will meet you there. Will you come alone?"
Depending on the response from the Aslan, Jerry will return to the ship for a short rest. Before going to the electronics shop, he meets with his companions.
"I can go in alone, if eequired. But we should have soem backup nearby in case there are others looking for this Aslan. Can you be somewhere nearby in case we need help getting out?"
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The Aslan bares his fangs. Maybe it's a smile, maybe not. "If you wish. Bring some credits. They make good robots."
"Express my respect to your warrior for not pursuing Ulil. She is young and female and they are easily frightened."
The comm shuts off.
"I will see you at the appointed time," replies Jerry. "I will express your respect to my companion."
Jerry informs his companions of the time and location planned meeting, again suggesting that plan on being nearby. After doing that, he retires to his stateroom. After setting his personal alarm, he rests until the buzzer wakes him.
To impress their passenger, Jerry dresses in his finest clothing. He decides against taking the captain's sword even though it is quite showy. It would only be a hindrance in a fight and he would hate to lose it. Finally, he takes some credits with him in case the rumored expertise of the shop in making robots is correct.
"Time to go," Jerry informs his companions. "I am going to meet our passenger."
Hernon Robotics and Electronics has a modest storefront but a large repair and demonstration bay, where various pieces of robotic machinery are under repair while others are ready for demonstration.
A male Aslan in a modern jumpsuit greets you in Anglic. "I am Khtiiyaheieao, the proprietor. You are here for the passenger. But first, a demonstration, in case anyone is watching."
For the next forty minutes, Jerry (and crew?) sit through demonstrations of heavy cargo loaders, automatic fuel servicers and industrial drills. One possibility does strike you as a realistic purchase, if you're interested. The Stewaid robot is a general maintenance and cleaning robot designed to free ship's crew from routine tasks.
At some point during the demonstration, Jerry senses someone else in the room. Glancing over his shoulder he sees a tall Aslan with a quiet and confident bearing.
"And that concludes the demonstration," says Khtiiyaheieao, stopping the demonstration mid-sentence. "I do hope you will consider making a purchase." Bowing, he leaves the maintenance bay to you and the new Aslan, who eyes you steadily, as though sizing you up.
"I understand you may be able to arrange a discreet transport offworld for me," he says in passable Anglic. "Anywhere will do, so long as it has a decent port. I need to get home soon."
Ray leans against a nearby table with her arms crossed throughout the demonstration, looking like a bored bodyguard or merc following along her rich boss.
Sheesh, where did Jer-Bear get the creds for those threads? Could've kept her hip deep in booze for a month! Longer if she was back home....
She gives the Aslan a nod, but leaves the talking to Jerry for now.
Steph stays on the ship just in case they need to make a quick get away. She keeps monitoring the communication chatter. Listening for any mentions of a fight or a runaway Aslan. She also keeps a channel open so her team can communicate with her if needed.
Jerry considers the robot, wondering how much it would cost. Anything to deal with the hassles of passengers would be money well spent, in his mind.
"Discretion we can do. We were told to take you to Tyokh. Would that be acceptable?," he asks of the Aslan.
"If it is, we should get underway soonest ... others might have noticed our searching for you."
Byron keeps an eye on the room to see if anyone he doesn't know is paying attention to their table.
Daneel takes a position outside, where he can keep an eye on the approach to the store and check in regularly with Steph. He looks around to make sure no one else is scouting the building.
"Told?" says the Aslan, suddenly tense. "I didn't... Who told you to find me?"
"A brokerage firm offered to pay for your passage. They said there was a tight time frame to get you there and some potential issues that might occur. Did you not want to take passage to Tyokh?" Byron asks the Aslan somewhat surprised that he did not know people where working to get him passage.
"You're going to take me to Tyokh? Yes, that's where I'm headed, but I did not know I had allies. Are you truly here to help me? I have learned that there are others looking for me. How do I know you're not with them?"
"You don't," Ray replies bluntly, crossing her arms. "Gonna have to take a leap."
He regards you levelly and with what you interpret as a sour expression.
"Fine," he says at last. "I have to go to Tyokh and I have to go now. As quickly as possible. Where is your vessel?"
Byron stands and says, [b]"Right this way. We should hurry in case anyone else is looking for you." Byron starts leading the way and pauses at the door to look and see if anyone might be watching the doorway.
Steph listening on the comms starts to prepare to leave the station as soon as she hears the group heading her way. She requests a launch time from the Station Master.
Notified that the Captain has the cargo and is headed out, Daneel scans the street and buildings around the store for anyone suspicious.
If he doesn't see anything to worry aobut, he radios in that it's clear. If he does see something out of the ordinary, he radios for the team to wait before heading out.
Daneel, there are plenty of people in the streets, any of who could identify that a large Aslan is leaving the building and heading to the docks.
Daneel radios, "There's a lot of eyeballs out here on the street. If we want to keep our new passenger off the radar of the people looking for him, you might want to check for a back way out of there. Or find a good disguise."