"Jabaxa, you've been helpful, and we thank you for your time. If you remember anything else about the person who gave you the credstick, please let us know. They may have gotten you into some trouble - Kreel was a Starfinder, and the organization is very interested in the circumstances of his death."
"Rest assured, we will let them know your people did not pull the trigger, nor do we believe you went there to kill him."
"Thank you for your time."
He nods to the group, suggesting they depart and head to the Fusion Queen. He thinks to Kcectic,
- - -
Kcectic can initiate contact, say with me, which enables me to respond - but only to him. If the whole party is telepathically linked, we're all speaking to Kcectic and he's speaking to all or any sub-group of us. But my thoughts don't reach Soryn for example even if Kcectic was linked to both of us. Kcectic would have to relay what I said - making group telepathic conversation difficult, but private.
Is that about the size of it?
- - -
Vetch offers the usual Akitonian goodbye to the ysoki as he agrees it's time to go. He leaves the shop, pleased that no one started a fight.
"So...we should go to the Fusion Queen, right?" Vetch confirms. "Unless we want to speak with the Collective. Either way works."
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Dash is giving his usual goodbye as well. Which means he says nothing and just walks the f@&$ out.
Outside...
"Epoch f#@%ing Cass! This is like a f#@%ing episode of Law and Abadar! Dead bodies, hostile witnesses, and you know who did it in the first 10 minutes but have to watch the whole f#@%ing show before they get them."
Dash's tirade continues as the group heads off to see another gang. "These Kings aren't going to be as reasonable. Medical and funeral bills suck. Anyone have a plan to keep us from having to pay some too?"
Kcectics mandibles move silently for a moment as he considers everything including Dash's latest outburst when finally he does a very non Shirren gesture and shrugs.
"As you say Dash, we know who did it. We must go directly to their nest, but I do not intend to die there. We will get justice for Kreel and become Starfinders. If we have no other leads, let us find this Fusion Queen."
Kcectics thoughts come with an overwhelming sense of excitement and thrill, the Shirren's antennae quiver with anticipation.
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Fusion Queen is a nightclub located in the lower levels of Absalom Station, deep in Downside Kings territory. The neighborhood is somewhat depressed, but still considered trendy in certain circles, and the club is usually filled with patrons at all hours, day or night.
Lurid neon lights brighten the otherwise dingy space station corridor here, advertising the main entrance to Fusion Queen.
A pair of bouncers guard the front entrance of the nightclub. stopping anyone attempting to enter and searching them for weapons, as well as barring entry to anyone they feel doesn’t match the club’s usual clientele. A small club hangs loosely at their sides in case a customer gets too out of hand. A pounding beat thumps from the doors as they open and close with each person entering and exiting the nightclub.
Know (Culture)
Vetch stops the party, halting his limping and points to the sign.
"Do you see the sign? I think...I think I saw that in the pamphlets or when you were doing research...I think its the stylized crown of the Downsized Kings there. This is definitely the place," Vetch informs, his whiskers flicking.
"Doesn't look like they allow weapons," Vetch says, swallowing his gun into his cheek pouch. "But I might e able to sneak mine within. However, it might be smartest to send a few of us in to case the join without weapons first. Then, we might know better of the inside."
Vetch watches who enters the club and tries to see 1) if any Ysoki enter and if their mouths are searched and 2) how well the gears search for weapons.
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Vetch watches as a couple Ysoki enter the nightclub, though for sanitary reasons their mouths are not searched and the majority of the clientele are simply patted down quickly by the bouncers or merely observed for any signs of exposed weapons.
Vetch is not sure if it is the usual or if the bouncers are on higher alert for trouble as the pair's eyes scan the line of people awaiting to get into the club still.
"How many weapons can you fit in your mouth Vetch?" Kcectic asks curiously. "My weapon is not lethal, perhaps they allow pulsecasters?"
Willing to test his theory the Shirren moves to enter the bar and submits to the weapon search willingly.
"If I can not bring my weapons in, do you know where I can store them. I would rather not go all the way back to my living quarters." The shirren questions the guards. "Perhaps you have some place to store them here?"
Vetch shrugs his mental shoulders in answer to Kcectic's question.
I'd not want to risk damaging your weapon in my mouth, Kcectic. But I think I could hold a few..
"That's what she said." Dash adds to the oral-oriented conversation.
"I think sending in someone to look the place over is a great idea. I volunteer someone who didn't roast or run over one of their members in bay 94."
"Then I am the best choice. I only attacked the level 21 crew. If the guards will not let me in with my weapon then I will just give it to one of you and try again."
"Agreed." Abe nods to Kcectic and Vetch. "I'll hold onto your weapons for now. But should we all go in, I'll need to do something with my drone, and I'm not leaving her out here in this neighborhood. So either someone, and I'll volunteer, stays outside with our gear, or we head back to the apartment to store our stuff."
He walks around the immediate neighborhood while the others are inside to see if there are any good escape routes... just in case. Just a good route or two to get them a few blocks from the club quickly in case things go bad. He's watching for good routes where they can run, and not get stuck in a dead end.
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Abe stops Kcectic from going to the bouncers armed and instead decides to take a look around. There look to be plenty of side alleys and off roads just a couple blocks down in case he runs into too much trouble as the crowd hops from bar to bar which easily spills out onto the streets creating one massive party of lines waiting to enter establishments.
A young man bumps into Abe and spills his drink on Abe's shoulder. "Shorry bout that." He palms the liquid from Abe's clothing which only seems to make it worse.
Abe checks his credstick to make sure he wasn't just lifted, but otherwise simply nods to the drunk and heads his merry way, trying to avoid the worst of the partiers.
He's disappointed in the stain, but there's nothing one can do about drunks...
Vetch nods, thinking he understand the situation. "So, I'll go in," he chitters, mouth-palming his gun and handing his spare grenade to Abe. "Hold this for me. I doubt they'll let me enter with one." Except the one in my mouth, of course.
"Thank you for waiting outside, Abe."
He follows Kcectic to the line to be search and enter, his cane-club clacking on the ground as he limps.
Dash is only half-listening, his ear having caught the beat from the club. His shoulders have started bouncing, his feet tapping, to the beat. "Right, ok. You two check it out. Keep your coms on and let us know if things go pear-shaped."
When the two head over to the line Dash walks the street, window-shopping.
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Vetch and Kcectic hop in the line as they leave any sign of weapons with Abe. Though Vetch does keep a small pistol in the pouch of his mouth.
Abe finds a small little hovel to hang out and wait as he stows all of the firearms into his bag while Dash decides to check out some of the local shops and tourist traps.
You slowly make your way through the lengthy line to get into the club. Right in front of you the bouncers search and find an azimuth laser pistol on a man with a shaved head. Grabbing his arm he quickly begins to resist. "Let me in there ya Ass! I'm meeting ma girl..."
With the distraction and man fighting back the bouncers quickly wave you through into the club.
The dimly lit interior of the nightclub is filled with the press of sweaty bodies, a haze of narcotic smoke, and the pounding beat and ululating vocals of bakarang music blaring from the main stage in the northeast corner of the room. A sinuous bar winds around the northwest corner, offering a variety of drinks and drugs for purchase. Booths line the south wall of the club, facing the main stage in the northeast corner and the crowded dance floor beneath it. Gyrating dancers stand atop four smaller stages scattered around the club: one behind the bar, one in the center of the room, and two flanking the main stage. Wide double doors marked “Staff Only” exit the room to the west.
A small room that serves as a coat check stands just inside the club’s front doors to the left.
Meanwhile flashes of lights burst from a nearby bar as a tantalizing song is sung by one of the most beautiful voices ever heard.
You watch as the party continues to unfold out onto the street. Several street performers begin to set up shop on the edges as a mixture of exotic songs rise into the air. Out of the crowd a shirtless man circles around, trying to draw a crowd to himself as he lays out several small canisters of petroleum. "Come one! Come all! Check out the greatest show you have ever seen!"
Meanwhile flashes of lights burst from a nearby bar as a tantalizing song is sung by one of the most beautiful voices ever heard.
heading further in you look at a few of the local clothing shops in the area. One of which you find has a bit of the more local garb. Large chains with built in holograms of the local drugs that flash within, baggy clothing with the more popular gang tags etched within the fabric along senile postcard phrasing. "I survived Absalom Station and all I got was this lousy shirt."
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Soryn follows Vetch and Kcectic into the club, staying quiet and calm. Into the lion's den...
Using his own telepathy, he imparts a few thoughts to his collegues.
"I am going to hang by the corner and see if I can get a glimpse of what is behind that door as staff come and go. Call if you run into trouble."
Vetch limps around the club, uncertain and not comfortable in the surroundings. He keeps his eye out for things of interest, but is not yet ready to interact with anyone. He will act as if he looking for someone (and he is...like one of the thugs from the fight), but is mostly just wandering.
After about 20 minutes, he'll go back outside to report back to Abe (and whomever else isn't dressed to embarrass the party) what he noted inside.
He will nod at Soryn and Kcectic when he is leaving.
* * *
"Abe...do you want to go inside while I wait out here? Well...lemme tell you what I saw..."
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Soryn positions himself near the doors as he waits for waitstaff to pass through. It takes some time but eventually one of the bartenders passes through to restock a few bottles allowing Soryn to catch a small glimpse into the back store room.
This large storeroom is filled with supplies for the bar outside, including bottles of hard alcohol, kegs of beer, and boxes of food and recreational stimulants. One corner holds amplifiers, musical instruments, and costumes for the club’s entertainers. A single door stands in the north wall.
Sitting at the table are three men playing cards.
Vetch wanders around the club, not able to see any sign whatsoever of the Downside Kings as the packed club seems completely legitimate. Within moments the Ysoki is thrust out onto the dance floor by a Lashunta woman that grabs ahold of his paws and whirls him around into the middle of the crowd.
A waitress quickly approaches as Vetch escapes the Lashunta's grasp. "Can I get you a drink?" She yells over the music as she leans in close.
Perception
"Can I get you a drink?"
Vetch startles at the question despite the noise and crowd around him.
"Uhm...yes! I have time for a quick one, I think," Vetch offers up his credit stick and orders a 'Flumph Juice Flambé' off the drink menu. While he waits for his drink he looks around.
When his drink arrives, he will blow it out and sip it gingerly.
- - -
He sees Vetch walk up casually and relaxes. He hears his report, "Hrm. So it's a crowded place huh? Not likely to be much violence in the main areas, but if we're invited back into the bowels of the building, who knows?"
He considers, "Sure I'll see if I can get in and check it out. Hold these will you?" he hands over the parties gear and his own laser rifle and club. He leaves his drone outside and stands in line to get in.
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Dash fully intended to sit out a plan that felt to him like the equivalent of jumping out a leaking airlock into open space. But the last time he had gone clubbing androids were still second class citizens, relegated to the back rooms of venues, or employed as novelty go-go dancers at best.
The beat was calling, and Dash just couldn't let it go to to voicemail.
But walking into the club as he was was a bad idea. He needed a disguise of some kind. The stores seemed to have Kings fashion in good supply, though "fashion" was probably a poor descriptor. But he could work with it, add some color, and flare.
A few minutes and a wardrobe change later...
Dash passes Abe's position on the street, depositing a pistol in his lap as he boogies toward the line into the club. Glammed out for a night in Absolom, he is dressed in a mix of vintage costume garb a century out of style, oversized eye shades, and a gaudy belt buckle bearing the King's gang sign.
Once inside the club he heads straight for the floor where he throws himself into a pelvic thrusting power dance like a peshed up Vercitrash socialite.
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Vetch leaves the pelvic thrusting club with a drink in hand as he heads over to swap places with Abe. Swirling his color changing drink Vetch swills it into his mouth pouch to saver the flavors for hours. Handing over the bags Abe hops in line only to see Dash saunter past, in new clothing and shaking his android hips as he cuts the line.
While most of the clientele gets patted down the bouncers whisk both Abe and Dash through the line un-searched during their random checks.
The dimly lit interior of the nightclub is filled with the press of sweaty bodies, a haze of narcotic smoke, and the pounding beat and ululating vocals of bakarang music blaring from the main stage in the northeast corner of the room. A sinuous bar winds around the northwest corner, offering a variety of drinks and drugs for purchase. Booths line the south wall of the club, facing the main stage in the northeast corner and the crowded dance floor beneath it. Gyrating dancers stand atop four smaller stages scattered around the club: one behind the bar, one in the center of the room, and two flanking the main stage. Wide double doors marked “Staff Only” exit the room to the west.
A small room that serves as a coat check stands just inside the club’s front doors to the left.
Dash quickly makes his way to the packed dance floor and hurls his body into the mass of thrusting and grinding bodies as the music pumps and beats with each blast of bass.
Interesting." Kcectic says, trying to make sense of the various goings on. "The lashunta bar tender shouts instead of using their telepathy to take orders. Why do you suppose that is?"
He wanders a bit more, watching the other humanoids enjoying themselves. He looks for any Shirren at the bar and makes note of what they're ordering, wondering if he should have a drink himself when Soryn's message reaches his mind.
"I may have an idea." The insectoid moves toward the coat turn in, standing far enough away to look as though he's waiting for someone, and peers into the back, trying to see if there are any coats with the Downside Kings logo on them.
When he recovers, he tries to tune out, at least a little, and tries to get to the task at hand. He moves around the club casually, trying to get in with the rhythm so he doesn't look as out of place as he feels. He walks all over, paying special attention to the walls in case there are any hidden passages.
Then he takes a little chance and makes for the double doors. If they're unguarded, he quickly walks to the doors, opens them, and passes within, striding confidently like he knows what he's doing. If there are guards there, he walks up to them and gestures to the doors, "Bathroom?"
He tries to gauge how quick they are to stop him either way. Tries to see how talented the protection is.
- - -
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Kcectic searches the coat room and glances about quickly but can't manage to locate much of anything with the Downside Kings logo. Something catches his eye as he sees Abe barrel past and through the set of double doors into the storeroom.
This large storeroom is filled with supplies for the bar outside, including bottles of hard alcohol, kegs of beer, and boxes of food and recreational stimulants. One corner holds amplifiers, musical instruments, and costumes for the club’s entertainers. A single door stands in the north wall.
Three men are sitting at the table playing cards. As Abe crashes through one of the men stands up, letting Abe get full view of the Downside King's logo on his belt buckle. "This look like a f#&+ing bathroom. Get outta here." The thug points back out to the dance floor.
Vetch waits outside, keeping his eyes open for trouble. He hopes the scouting efforts of the party are successful.
He spends a little time in the place, absorbing the vibe, before heading back out to Vetch.
- - -
"So I went into the side room to see what was there. Looks mostly like storage for the club, except for another door and the three Downside Kings guarding it. I figure they're the ones we want to talk to. Let's wait for the others and see what we can do."
- - -
He waits outside for everyone to leave before continuing.
- - -
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Dash tears up the dance floor, flailing and gyrating like a patient in the dying throes of devil shakes. He's an indiscriminate party animal, making his way through the crowd and mingling with clubbers and thugs alike. He keeps an eye out for, and avoids, any familiar Kings, like ones with full-body bandages or limbs in casts. But eventually he seeks out someone with the gang symbol, shimmys up, and tries to break the ice.
"Yo!" He shouts over the music. "Heard we rolled some 21'ers today upstairs. F@$% those guys, am I right! I bet the Fusion Queen is throwing a party! I want to get sh!t-faced bro! You heard anything?!"
Vetch waits outside, re-tying some of his colorful bands of computer cabling around his arms and legs. Then he makes sure the matching cabling is well wound around the hilt of his club-cane.
He keeps watch up and down the street, waiting for others to come out.
"I figure they're the ones we want to talk to. Let's wait for the others and see what we can do."
Vetch nods and waits.
"Might be we wait until they 'close' and go in there. Might be morning. Or afternoon, we'll see if they ever close."
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Regardless dash decides to strike up a conversation with a sweaty man dancing in the corner with a pair of women. The man first looks at Dash confused and quickly turns to annoyance before he shoves Dash away, pushing on the androids shoulder. "Go find your own kind droid! These are mine." He shouts the it isn't heard over the beat of the music.
Kcectic tilts his head as Abe rushes passed, moves into the storage room and instantly runs back out. His curiosity piqued, the Shirren follows the bald man outside, ignoring the coat room now that it's proven useless.
"Abe? What di-"
"-d you see?" He chitters inquisitively as his antennae move up and down in a curious motion, as though looking for something different on his friend.
"Did they frighten you off? Did they fire at you? I could not see or hear but you moved very quickly." His mandibles open and close excitedly as he looks over his shoulder, wondering if the Kings might be behind them.
When everyone joins the group outside, Abe greets them warmly, ”So what did everyone learn? I went into the side room to see what was there. Looks mostly like storage for the club, except for another door and the three Downside Kings guarding it. I figure they're the ones we want to talk to, but maybe not during working hours as Vetch suggested earlier.”
”I don’t like the idea of being relieved of our weapons, and I don’t like the possibility of collateral damage if we start a fire-fight with so many innocents around. Not that they’d notice with that pounding music.” he frowns lightly, wondering if his ears will bleed tonight.
"I did not see much I'm afraid. I was hoping to find some Downside Kings Jackets to use perhaps as disguise but there were none. Dash was dancing. He might still be dancing."
His feelers move thoughtfully as he considers Abe's information.
"Is it possible we can negotiate with them? I don't know if we have anything they want, but they may not want to be on the wrong side of the Starfinders. Perhaps if they are willing to provide information about their employer, we can promise to stop pursuing them for Kreel's death?"
Vetch scratches his nose.
"Negotiate? Maybe...but maybe we can wait here until one of them leaves, then follow them. We might catch one alone and be able to ask them some questions," Vetch offers and wishes he had a nice rat-hole in which to curl into.
Vetch continues to wait for Dash...giving the 'droid another 30 minutes before going in to find him.
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All but Dash exits the club and meets back up with Abe. The night grows quite late as dash continues the dance to the rhythmic beat coming from inside the club.
The group watches several acts of colorful holographic images on the street as a flame breathing dragon of old dives above a watchful crowd, ducking to the realism of the show.
Vetch continues to watch the ever steady crowd enter and exit the nightclub and doesn't remember a hours of operation sign being posted anywhere within.
About 30 minutes later...
Dash comes stumbling out of the club and lurches to a halt before the group.
"Did you see that?" He says with wide eyes, breathing hard like he just got chased halfway around Absalom.
"That place f$&%ing ROCKS!!"
Abe laughs as Dash walks up. "Well done Dash, g!!#+&n well done."
"That opens up our options a little. Dash here could claim he's escorting us to see the boss. Try and bluster our way past the thugs without violence. I'm assuming there's a boss behind that door, though it'd be good to know their name, or nickname, I suppose we can manage without it."
"Alternatively we can wait until they close, and go in with weapons out and ready. Force our way in to see the boss. Assuming they stay late to close the joint. Uh, if it closes..."
"Any other suggestions to get in? Once we're there, we question the head person, and see what we can learn about Kreel's death."
"Huh?" Dash rubs his ringing ears. "What thugs? What door?"
"Oh, right, sorry. I mentioned earlier, but you weren't here. I poked my head in the double doors by the coat check. Three guards waited there, along with a bunch of storage for the club. Seemed more like they were guarding the next door - some inner office I'm guessing - not he club gear."
"I think whoever is in that next office is who we want to talk to. Or the three thugs, but they didn't seem to be at the top of the food chain."
Vetch's whiskers flutter and flex as he thinks about the options.
"Well, I'm disappointed that this place doens't seem to have an opening or a closing. That means that our chances to isolate a thug is diminished and difficult for us to time without days of reconnaissance," Vetch grabs his cane-club and walks around on the street, thinking.
"Abe, you mentioned speaking to the boss. Why? What would you say? What would you ask? We'll be going in underweaponed and surrounded. That doesn't seem too safe to me."
"It is unsafe. That is why I believe the diplomatic approach is necessary. Abe seems to agree. I have suggested negotiation, unless we go back into the club and do more searching but I can not imagine what else we could find among the patrons. Perhaps the bartenders can give us more information about the leaders?"