Station security cordons off the area, preventing anybody from entering or leaving while they investigate. You will notice that security has yet to question any of you concerning the situation, focusing mainly on the non-combatants and any staff that were present.
A team of medical providers eventually makes it to the docking bay, assessing anyone for wounds and performing coroner duties on the dead.
Psyche starts by trying to keep the Fallen combatants from dying.
It's too late for the violet-jacket thugs. The scruffy ganger, on the other hand, is stable, save for a few abrasions from early wounds in combat and a nasty fall he took once his muscles seized up from the electrical current that felled him.
After this, she moves on to checking other passengers on the shuttle and passers-by who might have been hurt buy laser fire. She is carefully formulating her statement for the authorities, and is curious as to why they have not yet tried to get her to give it yet.
Nobody else seems to have suffered from any collateral damage from the firefight. Some shot nerves from a few folks, but overall everyone else is physically fine.
Station authorities are keeping a close eye on you and the others involved with the scuffle, though it is clear they are prioritizing the other bystanders first.
|
Dakes examines the fallen gang members closely. He has studied little of this criminal culture but being the curious sort he does at least read the scholarly articles about organized crime... and really anything else he can get.
If only this made sense. Why would the Starfinder Society be involved in a gang war? he thought to himself.
Dakes examines the fallen gang members closely. He has studied little of this criminal culture but being the curious sort he does at least read the scholarly articles about organized crime... and really anything else he can get.
Dakes' research into organized crime and his potential new home of Absalom Station aligned a few times. Though not historically relevant, he recalls that there have been news articles about two gangs on Absalom Station: The Level 21 Crew and the Downside Kings.
The Level 21 Crew are a street gang that claims (unsurprisingly) Level 21 of Absalom Station’s seedy lower decks as its territory. Their known criminal endeavors include theft, fencing stolen goods, gambling, prostitution, racketeering, and smuggling.
The Downside Kings are a brutal street gang that controls several decks of Absalom Station’s lower levels, or “Downside,” through a combination of intimidation and violence. They are known to engage in a wide variety of illegal activities, from extortion, fraud, robbery, smuggling, and theft, to drug and arms trafficking, kidnapping, murder-for-hire, and trafficking in sentient species.
Station security finally seems to be interested in gathering statements from the involved parties. An officer accompanies some medical team members over to the scruffy ganger (identified by Dakes as a member of the Level 21 Crew), while the remainder ask Dakes, Jax, Psyche, Nik-a-Nik, Sev, and Vilmeros to make their way over to the lead detective, a female human in her early 30's.
"I'm Sergeant Telver, Absalom Station Constabulary. So, we've reviewed the security footage, and it corroborates the story of the non-involved parties. I know you were acting in self-defense. Do you have any previous experience with Level 21 or the Kings?" Sergeant Telver takes a moment before pointing at Duravor Kreel. "Do you know the victim?"
"I am unfamiliar with either the Level 21 or the Kings that you mentioned." Sev responds coldly. "The deceased dwarf bore the nomenclature Duravor Kreel prior to his extermination as the result of acute head trauma. I was informed that he was a member of the Starfinder Society. The organization may wish to be informed of his death."
"I am unfamiliar with either the Level 21 or the Kings that you mentioned." Sev responds coldly. "The deceased dwarf bore the nomenclature Duravor Kreel prior to his extermination as the result of acute head trauma. I was informed that he was a member of the Starfinder Society. The organization may wish to be informed of his death."
Sergeant Telver takes some notes in the form of Sev's statement. "Two gangs that have been an absolute pain in the ass recently. The bodies over there," she points to the shooters to the east, currently being tagged by the coroners, "were Downside Kings. The gentleman over there," she points to the unconscious thug to the west currently receiving medical attention, "is from the Level 21 Crew. Or was. They may disavow him, who knows." Telver shrugs at the hypothetical question.
"Anyway, they antagonize one another at every turn. We've had reports of disturbing the peace... a lot of posturing and foul language, but this is the first I've heard of outward violence. Judging by the witness statements and closed-circuit video, you were aboard the Okimoro and caught in the cross-fire, and acted out of self-defense. Officially, I must remind you that acts of violence on Absalom Station are not tolerated and will be subject to imprisonment, fine, or corporeal punishment."
Sergeant Telver leans in close. "Unofficially, bastards got what they deserved."
Telver closes her notebook. "You're free to go at your leisure. Say, you knew Mr. Kreel? Are you affiliated with the Starfinder Society?"
No, we were to meet Mr. Kreel for the first time. Well, whatever it is he wanted, he can't tell us now. I came to join the Starfinder Society, to be a part of it.
Sergeant Telver nods. "Well, I'm planning on sending a deputy to the Lorespire Complex to inform their leadership of the... news. If you're new to the station, we can certainly arrange for a ride."
Nik-a-Nik sighs sadly.
"Yes, the Dwarf had asked for my help, and I was happy to provide it. Now I will never be able to do so..."
He then brightens up as a thought occurs to him.
"Do you need help dealing with the troublesome gangs...?"
Sergeant Telver looks up from her datapad. "I'm not sure you want to get intermingled in this gang business. I can't condone any sort of vigilante justice, nor are we looking to deputize new arrivals. I would strongly encourage putting this behind you as soon as possible and just enjoy your stay on the station."
Sergeant Telver looks in the direction of Duravor Kreel. "What the Starfinder Society decides to do... they may mount an independent investigation... but you'd need to take that up with them. Station security has a good relationship with the Society, but they have to obey the law, too."
|
Jax looks over with a puzzled look and a curious face But this might be beyond the Dwarf and the gangs. Obviously he wanted us to do something because he knows something the gang didn't want him to reveal. Maybe if we negotiate a deal with the gangs. There has to be a reason why him. If the gangs are large, then Starfinder Society can't just go in and arrest dozens or even hundreds of men, they'd be met with resistance. A peaceful negotiation, might be the solution. Or we can investigate them, ie. spy on them without them seeing us.
Psyche is pleased to have a cordial relationship with the law officer. "I had heard that justice on this station is largely dispensed at the corporations' pleasure. I am pleased that this example has been so well set." She gestures to the fallen dwarf. "Would you like us to return the victim's mortal remains to his comrades at the Society, since we will be going that way?"
Sergeant Telver regards Psyche. "The stewards are here to keep the peace... you think AbadarCorp or any of the other money-makers around here care about local thugs? Unless they're directly effecting their profits?"
Telver's countenance turns quizzical when Psyche asks of the deceased's remains. "That won't be necessary. He will be interred at a local morgue until a decision is made about his rites."
Jax looks over with a puzzled look and a curious face But this might be beyond the Dwarf and the gangs. Obviously he wanted us to do something because he knows something the gang didn't want him to reveal. Maybe if we negotiate a deal with the gangs. There has to be a reason why him. If the gangs are large, then Starfinder Society can't just go in and arrest dozens or even hundreds of men, they'd be met with resistance. A peaceful negotiation, might be the solution. Or we can investigate them, ie. spy on them without them seeing us.
Sergeant Telver regards Jax. "I'd highly advise steering clear of the gangs. They're nothing but trouble, and the station doesn't allot too many law enforcement to the Spike. You were lucky not to get shot today. Your friend over there wasn't so lucky."
Telver sighs. "It sounds like you lot are hell-bent on helping. I can assure you there are a myriad of other, safer problems in this station you could lend your hands toward."
Sergeant Telver motions over to one of her fellow security officers. She speaks to the officer semi-privately.
"Officer Inalta, the vic was with the Starfinders. The third-party got off the ship to meet with him to become members, so they could use an escort. Could you handle that, and let their leadership know what happened to Kreel?"
Officer Inalta replies, "Yes, ma'am."
Officer Inalta escorts you to a large cruiser which takes everyone to the Lorespire Complex.
The Lorespire Complex, located in Absalom Station’s Ring sector, is a campus with multiple buildings and rooms, though its eponymous spire is what people most associate with the Starfinder Society’s headquarters.
You are met by a receptionist, whom Officer Inalta shares a few brief words with before excusing himself from the building. The receptionist waves you over.
"If you would kindly take a seat, someone will be with you shortly."
A while later, a functionary arrives to lead you through the complex to a cluttered, but clean office.
Seated behind a polished and unadorned plastic desk is a host shirren, wearing understated business clothes and nervously nervously flexing their antennae from side to side -- a shirren expression of perplexity.
"Welcome, welcome! Please, have some refreshments and a seat! I'm Chiskisk, and it is a pleasure to meet you all. I must say, I find it peculiar you made it here without Duravor. He really looks forward to orienting the new recruits!"
"Doravor has been terminated." Sev says flatly.
Chiskisk releases a small gasp at the revelation.
"I am 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 realize 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.
"What puzzles me is the reason behind the attack." Chiskisk taps a few commands into their computer. "According to the 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. 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?"
"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.' Good luck."
Chiskisk taps away at their datapad for a few moments.
"I'll be transferring some credits to each of your accounts. Consider it a signing bonus, plus expenses, for handling this particular task."
"If you're looking for a place to stay, there's a small hotel nearby called 'Moons of Sleep' that has historically offered discounts to Starfinders."
Sev accesses a local terminal for access to information.
Psyche attempts to use her personal computer to access the station infosphere, but there is interference and she gives up before finding a good connection. Instead she heads to the recommended hotel, Moons of Sleep, and rents herself an Efficiency room.
Once she has checked in, she heads to the hotel bar. She buys a drink and tips generously. She also buys a few drinks for anyone who seems interesting. She presses the staff and clientele for information about these gangs.
Try as she might, Psyche is unable to connect to the wireless service on the station; a problem for another time.
Psyche is able to get a fair amount of information concerning the Downside Kings with her prying.
Psyche also makes decent headway gathering information about the Level 21 Crew.
Crew may be a criminal gang, but they have a reputation in their territory (and neighboring levels) for promoting community empowerment, and many neighborhood residents tolerate or tacitly endorse their activities. The gang has also been known to hire itself out to defend marginalized and threatened groups or factions.
A grizzled ysoki called Jabaxa currently leads the Level 21 Crew.
[Dice=Computers re Kreel]1d20+7
[Dice=Computers re Level 21]1d20+7
[Dice=Computers re Downside Kings]1d20+7
Sev accesses a local terminal for access to information.
Sev is successful in accessing the local datasphere, though is only able to scrape the surface as far as information goes.
"Kreel was a mid-ranking member of the Starfinder Society, who took an interest in new and prospective agents." Sev reports. "Otherwise, his role was... miner."
Keeping quiet with the law enforcement, unsure how it all exactly works here in the pact worlds, Vilmeros follows the rest of the group from the Okimoro to the Starfinder headquarters. Showing the letter of introduction to the agent behind the desk, the Vesk sits through the meeting with Chiskisk in measured silence.
"I am glad that the society will not let such a dishonour stand. I will be happy to resolve this." The warrior tells the Shirren Captain, before setting off.
Having found a room within the Moons, Vilmeros travels with the strange medic android in order to find out what they can.
Psyche carefully 'pens' a detailed note on her findings to her colleagues. She sends it, then returns to her drink and conversation.
Psyche's correspondence mentions both Astral Extractions and The Hardscrabble Collective; two new leads for information gathering.
Having found a room within the Moons, Vilmeros travels with the strange medic android in order to find out what they can.
Vilmeros accompanies Psyche, though their combined efforts do not seem to yield any additional information.
Sev notes to Psyche, "Your missive identified two apparent rivals of which I am unfamiliar: Astral Extractions and The Hardscrabble Collective. The latter, at least, would appear to be an organization. Perhaps we should approach Chiskisk and see if the Society had any involvement with these entities."
Sev sends Chiskisk some questions concerning Astral Extractions and The Hardscrabble Collective.
I don't know much about either. I don't believe either group has had dealings, officially at least, with the Starfinder Society. They've both been in the news quite a bit since your arrival because of that drift rock -- strange that these gangs or Duravor would be mixed up in that mess. Please see attached information I was able to collect from the infosphere.
---
Astral Extractions is a powerful mining conglomerate with business ties throughout the Pact Worlds. Most of the company’s operations are centered in the Diaspora and the rocky moons of the outer planets, but it has also begun sending scout vessels into the Vast in search of new claims. The company recently hired one of the Hardscrabble Collective’s ships, the Acreon, for one of these exploratory missions.
The Hardscrabble Collective is a clan of asteroid miners that operates primarily among the scattered planetoids of the Diaspora. It has no offices or base of operations, but the clan members usually view the Armada — the ever-changing fleet of ships that orbit Absalom Station — as a central gathering place. Collective crews hire their ships out to a wide variety of business concerns,
including Astral Extractions, which recently employed the Collective ship Acreon to scout for new mining prospects in the Vast.
"It would appear that the two rivals were once working in conjunction with one another." Sev notes. "Perhaps, we should go looking for this Jabaxa on Level 21 and find out why Kreel was targeted."
"It would appear that the two rivals were once working in conjunction with one another." Sev notes. "Perhaps, we should go looking for this Jabaxa on Level 21 and find out why Kreel was targeted."
You make your descent into the spike; the 21st deck to be exact. The neighborhood is low-end, but not quite a slum, and many of the flat surfaces in the area have been tagged with graffiti of some type.
There is one notable shop: a small neighborhood grocery store, "Mama Fats'" among what is largely a residential area.
Having little interest in graffiti, psyche enters the grocery store. Before she speaks with anyone, she has a good look around the the room and building. She is looking for security measures, exits, and any potential dangers. Once she is satisfied that the room is not a trap, she opens her comlink to communicate with the rest of her team and informed them of this.
Mama Fats' is a small convenience store tightly packed with goods, accentuated further by the narrow aisles. There are a significant number of cameras in the store for a business of its size, and the only two doors visible to you are the entrance and a lockable door behind the counter. The lone employee, a halfling woman smoking tobacco and watching a vid on a screen behind the counter, has a hand-cannon holstered on her waist.
Psyche approaches the person who she believes is most senior in the hierarchy of the grocery store. She politely introduces herself as psyche, of the starfinder guild.
The halfling looks up from her vid (a documentary discussing the making of Strawberry Machine Cake's newest album) to address the potential customer.
"Starfinder guild, huh? Been a hot minute since one of yous has been to my shop. Hot minute, indeed. Read on the news one of yous got shot today. That's no good, no good at all."
The halfling takes a drag from her pipe.
"Name's Mama Fats. I figure I know why you're really down here, but there's a system, ya know? You leave some contact information on the counter, it gets passed along, and then you get a call in the near future, ya follow?"
Following the other into the grocery store, Vilmeros stands at the back of the quaint store, seemingly out of place in such a slum district of the spire. Keeping an eye on the street outside, the Vesk ensures that people aren't paying too much attention to their group, at least not more than can be expected of a group of strangers in their neighbourhood.
The Healer seems comfortable in this setting, it seems prudent to let them lead for now they think, drumming a clawed hand on their thighplate.
Sev analyzes the old woman, determining how long it would take to disassemble her.
"Forgive us. We're new to the Society and not familiar with the customs. I'm afraid I must insist. The matter has already seen several sentients dead and threatens to escalate. If you have any love for the Level 21s and the good they do for the community, you must help us."
Psyche places her hands together in an entreating gesture. "I was built to kill, but in my existence I have learned that life is precious. If you are truly a mother, a Mama, you must surely agree."
Mama Fats takes another long drag from her tobacco.
"Honey, if you believe life is precious, then you need t' learn down here, the less you know the better."
Mama turns to her vids.
"Please don't involve me in whatever it is you're about to get yourself into. Beyond giving me some contact information, ya follow? I'll make sure the right people see it."