"Strident Reach, this is Okimoro. We are prepped to disengage airlock. Confirm?"
"Okimoro, zis is Strident Reach. Vie are alzo prepared to dizengage ze airlock. Can confirm."
"Roger that, Strident. Happy flying."
As they they float through the void, the shuttle Okimoro and the interstellar cruiser Strident Reach gracefully disentangle from each other and drift their separate ways. For the shuttle, this is an exercise it has performed many times today as it has gathered immigrants, businesspersons, tourists, and other travelers for the final leg of their journey.
As the newcomers shuffle about, trying to find a seat on the already-crowded shuttlecraft, a pleasant but professional voice chimes in over the ship's intercom:
"Attention passengers, this is your captain speaking. Those of you fresh from the Strident Reach, we welcome you to the Okimoro, a complimentary shuttle service provided by the Syndicsguild. Whether it's your first time visiting the Station or you're a frequent flier, we encourage you to check out the information booths supported by our corporate and faith partners, located on the observation deck. If you would like refreshment, the Oki-cafe is also located on the observation deck and provides a wide variety of high-compatible snacks and beverages at competitive rates.
"Our next and final stop will be Docking Bay 94 in Kalavasa's Arm. We appreciate your patience with the docking procedure; it looks like there's a bit of traffic and we may have a minor delay, but we hope to have you Station-side as soon as possible.
"On behalf of the Syndicsguild and the crew of the Okimoro, I'm proud to have the honor of welcoming you to our home - Absalom Station."
The Okimoro has three main decks. The highest, the observation deck, is covered in a near-continuous viewport arcing from port to starboard over the top of the ship, allowing passengers excellent views of the Station and the armada of ships arranged in a chaotic ballet of comings and goings. The passenger deck, situated below the observation deck, is full of efficiently packed seating, granting passengers somewhat comfortable places to discuss their travels or lightly doze as the ship hums away. The bottom deck is called the specialized comforts deck, and contains passenger cabins with adjustable atmospheres or other unique concessions, as well as space for large or non-humanoid creatures to exist comfortably.
All throughout the shuttle, passengers, crew, and representatives from influential groups on the Station mingle and swap stories as the Okimoro waits for permission to dock. A gaggle of Ysoki children run up and down the observation deck, pointing excitedly at the ships floating by and screaming with childish wonder. On the passenger deck, a diverse group of blue collar workers erupt in laughter at a joke from a young nuar with a corporate logo on her shirt. Down below, a collection of modestly-inebriated university students, mostly lashuntas, are aggressively competing at a game of charades with a collection of young barathus. There seems to be a strong sense of mirth and anticipation for most as their days-long journeys near their completion.
As soon as the shuttle disengages with the Strident Reach, Diedre makes her way to the observation deck, she's an attractive half-elf with auburn hair and light blue eyes. Her hair is pulled back in a loose pony tail that hangs down and partially conceals the tactical dueling sword strapped to her backpack. She's wearing a cream colored stationwear flightsuit with light blue flower patterns on the shoulders and knees. The backpack itself appears to be a genuine Salena the SkittermanderTM branded product.
Her face is a mask of wonderment as she takes in the tableau of Absalom Station against the stars.
She pulls up her personal comm-unit and can be seen speaking into it. It apparently has a camera attachment as she then turns the unit around to take in video of the space station as well as the crowd around her. She then turns it back to herself. After a moment she puts the unit away and walks closer to the viewport.
"Hey fans," she says with a friendly wave. "Didi here with the newest update."
She turns the camera and it pans around dizzyingly to show the observation deck of a fully occupied intersystem shuttle and then returns to a stable position looking at Diedre again.
"As you can see, we're going real-world for this post. Now don't worry, the next segment in the members section might take a little longer to show up but it'll be full of what you're all looking for. However, for the near future, my regular lifestyle updates will be done guerrilla-style wherever I'm at, because, as you can plainly see ... "
She reaches out to the camera again and the camera turns to see a reflection of Diedre holding her comm unit.
"Damn, too much light in here," the reflection says.
The camera turns back to the half-elf.
"I guess you can't see it. But I'm not on Castrovel any more; I'm arriving at Absalom Station."
She bounces in excitement.
"I'm joining the Starfinders!"
The camera jostles a moment.
"No they're not bothering me," she says to someone offscreen.
"Sorry, lots of kids running around. Anyways, I'm not sure what I'll be doing for them, but I will keep you all updated. So, until next time ... "
She waves.
"Oh and big thanks to Tom4747382 for the donation of the camera comm-unit. And SagMackFizz, your special request should be done soon, I think you'll enjoy it. Bye."
The camera jostles again and the feed ends.
After watching the station for a moment, she makes a small hop of excitement and then begins looking around to take in the just-as-exciting arrayed assortment of individuals.
Miraj, a darkskinned nearly hairless young ryphorian, remains seated as many others rise to go to the observation deck and gawk at the view. He reads the emergency evacuation instructions, dutifully notes the emergency exit hatches as well as operating instructions for activating the seat cocoon, which theoretically shields a person from the dangers of vacuum and some of the shock of collisions. As he does this, he fishes a telescoping tube from a pocket in his overcoat with a small mirror attached to the end.
He pretends to continue to read while he holds the mirror where he can surreptitiously observe his neighbors and those in other nearby rows. He makes a mental note of who is where and then stands, stretches, and puts his backpack on, then slips his overcoat over the pack. The pack is molded to be thin and contoured to somewhat disguise its presence. He does not have that much in the pack, but it is all he has so he does not want to lose it.
His overcoat has a holster built into the lining holding his semi-auto pistol, or as he affectionately refers to it, Alice. He puts on a fedora and finally steps out into the aisle with his elegant cane. He leans on the cane a little as he walks.
As he walks slowly to the observation deck, he makes glances back to see if anyone is following him. An Ysoki sits a few seats from the aisle browsing on his comm unit. He glances at Miraj and for a moment they make eye contact. Miraj looks away but as he waits for a shirren in an elaborate headdress to negotiate the cramped spiral staircase, he shoots a look back at the ysoki, who is still reading.
Miraj strolls the observation deck, focusing more on the people than on the view of the station. He is a handsome ryphorian, his distinctive ears shifting slightly as he notices unusual sounds. Dark feather-like notches decorate the top line of each ear, which is further spangled with small studs of silver and obsidian. He is slender and graceful except for his slight limp. His dark eyes are intense and constantly shifting to take in more of the view around him.
Eventually he finds a spot with a clear view of the space port and also next to an attractive young woman whom he pegs as a student, given her lack of corporate logos, ID badge, or efficient phone earbud for keeping in touch with her e-messages. This young brunette has a backpack and is scrolling through her comm unit.
"Zat must be vun interesting site to hold your attention while all this iz spread before you," Miraj says, with a smooth chuckle to indicate he is just joking. The woman looks up self-consciously and closes the cover on her unit and looks up at Miraj before looking at the space station. "Student?" he asks before she can make an excuse for the behavior he had chided her about.
"How did you know?" she asks, grinning. "I'm studying pregap archaeology at the Practan Institute for Advanced Studies," she adds proudly. Miraj purses his lips and nods to indicate he is impressed. "What brings you to A. S.?" she asks, warming to him slightly. Then before he can answer, "Oh gods, are you a Ryphorian? I thought you all had white hair!"
Miraj nods. "I'm bound for adventure far from Triaxus. Didn't see ze point off all zat fur, so I took zee treatment. My name is Miraj" His voice is low and mellow, with just a hint of his Triaxus accent. She introduces herself as Salliana.
She looks up at his ears and then gives an appraising look at the rest of him. Miraj takes the opportunity to take in her figure and then shoots a look around again to note who is nearby.
They chat on as the shuttle moves toward the docking bay and the station begins to loom over them. As the captain announces they will be docking soon and they are instructed to return to their seats, Miraj asks for her comm unit. She shows it to him and he taps his contact address into her screen. "Give me a call if you vant some company. Ve could explore zee night life together." Miraj arches his eyebrows slightly and gives her a sweet smile.
Salliana smiles and taps the address to send him a message, which automatically provides him with her contact address. As she does this, Miraj evaluates her body language and is opptimistic that she will call or will welcome his call. As they part, Miraj tips his hat and says, "Unt remember, fortune favors zee brave."
Diedre watches the interchange between the Rayphorian and the human with a knowing smile.
As young woman walks away, Diedre can't help but wander over and casually take her place.
"That was smooth," she says quietly looking out at the approaching station. "I know guys who'd give their left ... hand for game like that."
She then takes a step back towards the window.
Miraj glances at Diedre and acknowledges the compliment with a nod and a smile. Then as he continues toward his seat, he stops and turns back, feeling an acute sense of deja vu. ".... " Words don't flow. Embarrassment builds. "Thank you. Forgive my stare, but ..." Then he connects the face to some of the entertainment videos he used to ... while away the long hours of the trip from Triaxus to Absalom Station.
A grin breaks out and he distracts himself by looking away from the lovely half-elf and back out the window at the station. "What would those same guys give up to be in my place now, I wonder?" He glances back, double checking his good fortune. Yes, she is still there. "My name is Em... Miraj. Miraj Pavana. What may I call you and what, other than this fine vessel, brings you to Absalom Station?"
"My name is Diedre Lhashi," the half-elf answers with a smile. "Although I should warn you," she shrugs, "I've already seen your game. You'll have to come up with something much more original to get me to play."
She turns back to the station.
"I'm actually here to meet a Starfinder. I'm hoping it will be the beginning of a long relationship. How about you?"
She glances sideways at the rayphorian.
"Just conquering and moving on?"
Aureum hangs back after boarding the shuttle, not searching for a seat, nor joining the throngs of people immediately making for the other levels. She is of average height for a Damaya lashunta, at a little over 6 feet, and holds her long limbs close to her body, making her look a little ungainly as she stands there observing.
She waits a few moments for the busy motion around her to settle into a slightly more consistent background din before she begins to pick her way across the room, and ascends to the upper deck.
Her breath catches in her throat for an instant at the sight of the station through the huge, domed viewport. It is not the first time the lashunta woman has been to Absalom; she has attended various scientific lectures and award ceremonies here before, but the familiarity of it only makes it all the more welcome.
She pays little attention to her surroundings as she makes her way towards the edge of the observation deck, murmuring apologies as she awkwardly side-steps around people, narrowly avoiding collisions with several of them. She offers a small, polite smile to some other passengers nearby as she arrives at the edge of the viewport.
Aureum grips the railing, blue-green hair falling away from her face as she looks up, leaning forward and watching with acute focus as the twinkling lights of the space station creep steadily closer.
The pallid Kasatha with the papery skin and bloodshot eyes sits on a couch in the observation deck. He holds a magazine tablet in one hand but is only vaguely paying attention to it; he is distracted by the view and the bustling people around him. He watches the Ysoki children run by yet again, and beneath his face mask he smiles.
Children. It seems like a lifetime ago since I was around children. This all seems so... alien. But I must remember... THIS is the real world. The place I was... that was the aberration. This is normal for all these people.
His clothing is new and relatively plain; he wears a standard insulated Izundial™ Stationwear jumpsuit in charcoal grey with environmental controls at the collar and a basic comm unit built into the wrist. Beside his chair is a pack and a large rigid case much like that for a musical instrument. A small black spot floats over his shoulder, and seems to smoulder slightly, wisps of black mist coming off it and disappearing into the air.
He glances at the magazine again for a moment, when he overhears the word "Starfinder" coming from a couple behind him.
"Starfinder?" he says. "Er, sorry, yes, but did you say Starfinder? As in Starfinder Society?"
He stands up and offers his right hand to Dierdre. And his other right hand to Miraj.
"Your pardon; I'm Jehir. Honoured. The Starfinders are having a recruiting drive and I'm here about a position myself. Never been to Absalom Station before." He looks around. "It's all... so..." he seems at a loss for words.
"Awe inspiring?" Diedre finishes for the solarian. "Diedre Lhashi," she adds as an introduction.
Her attention seems drawn back to the view of Absalom Station.
"I've never been to the Station either. I'm from Castrovel. Born and raised there. So this is my first trip ... anywhere."
She turns back to Jehir.
"Did you say you were joining the Starfinders as well? Maybe we'll see each other around the office. Oh they don't really use offices do they? Well I'm sure some of them do so its possible, but as new recruits we probably won't get offices, but we could still see each around the cafeteria, but no we'll probably be going out exploring so ... "
She pauses to breathe.
"I'm rambling, aren't I. Sorry. My mother always says, 'Didi, don't let your excitement run away with your mouth.'"
She looks back again at the viewport.
"But it is so. Exciting, I mean."
Stepping up beside the lashunta woman at the railing, Entiren leans casually against the transparent aluminum viewport. Dressed in casual clothes, with a sleeveless faux-leather jacket over a simple white t-shirt and a pair of blue workpants. With cream colored skin and large, spiraling horns, he towers over most people in the roomat slightly over seven and a half feet tall. With a high quality backpack on his back, and a laser rifle tightly bound to its side, he is clearly a well traveled individual.
Clearing his throat before speaking, he begins with "So, ever been to the Station before? If you haven't, I would recommend that you avoid going to the Spike."
Aureum turns toward the voice beside her, and finds herself looking squarely at someone's chest. She slowly turns her eyes upward, and the long antennae that trail away from her forehead twitch curiously as she surveys the person that has taken residence beside her.
"I have been to Absalom before," she replies; her voice is soft, but clear as a bell, and she smiles as her gaze returns to the viewport, obviously excited to be here. "But not for a long time, so I'll have to take your word for it."
Several individuals walking around the observation deck seem to be neither passengers nor crew. One in particular, an android of indeterminate gender with silver hair and fashionable but modest clothing, seems to be making the rounds and conversing briefly with many passengers. They occasionally reference their datapad, and seem to be distributing some sort of handout from a small satchel on their belt.
The silver-haired android passes by the observation window with a smile on their face, clearly prepared to engage anyone who makes eye contact.
Diedre takes in the android without meeting their eye.
Noting the indications of Abadarian worship, the half-elf's smile widens just a bit and she gets a twinkle in her eye. She catches the eye of the android and indicates that she'd be interested in a flyer.
Entiren notices the Android, and recognizes the significance of their scarf pin and trimmings. However, he decides to continue speaking with the green-haired lashunta.
"Thats good. At least you shouldn't be surprised or overwhelmed by everything you see." Shifting his weight from one cloven hoof to the other, he steps back slightly in to let the young lady he is speaking with not have to crane her neck as much to look up at him. To continue the conversation, he says "If you don't mind my asking, what would your name happen to be?"
The silver-haired android approaches Diedre, Miraj, and Jehir and greets them with a small bow and a smile.
"Greetings, and welcome to Absalom Station. Whether it's your first time or your hundredth, AbadarCorp hopes you have a fruitful journey. Please, take this as a small welcome token."
They hand Diedre, Miraj, and Jehir each a small item that looks remarkably similar to a credstick. It has an image of the AbadarCorp logo super-imposed on a seven-pointed star.
"Are there any questions you have about the Station I may assist you with before the ship docks?"
"My name is Diedre Lhashi," the half-elf answers with a smile. "Although I should warn you," she shrugs, "I've already seen your game. You'll have to come up with something much more original to get me to play."
She turns back to the station.
"I'm actually here to meet a Starfinder. I'm hoping it will be the beginning of a long relationship. How about you?"
She glances sideways at the rayphorian.
"Just conquering and moving on?"
Miraj focuses on a distant spaceship maneuvering around a swarm of smaller ships servicing it, considering the odds of another Starfinder striking up a conversation. He decides if someone were trailing him, it wouldn't be such a recognizable person as Dierdre.
Then he says, "I don't compare making a date to either a game or warfare. Just a negotiation of an evening's enjoyment. But if you vant a relationship with a Starfinder, I might be available; depends on how zee interview goes." He glances Dierdre's way and arches an eyebrow, then winks, a twinkle in his dark eyes.
"Yes, I was told that I would be able to draw on funds from my account on Castrovel here. Is that correct?"
Then he says, "I don't compare making a date to either a game or warfare. Just a negotiation of an evening's enjoyment. But if you want a relationship with a Starfinder, I might be available; depends on how the interview goes." He glances Dierdre's way and arches an eyebrow, then winks, a twinkle in his dark eyes.
"Ah, but I would say it's the best game," the half-elf responds with a lick of her lips.
"But on a more serious note, the long relationship I was referring to would be a business oriented one with a dwarf named Duravor Kreel - he's my contact with the Starfinders."
She makes a show of looking Miraj up and down.
"Not to say that a relationship with anyone else is out of the question. They would just have to play their cards right."
As soon as Jehir identifies himself as a prospective Starfinder, Miraj smiles and say only his name as he shakes hands. Times like this, he has found it best to listen first and learn from what others say before giving anything about himself away. Having so recently gotten out of the proverbial frying pan, he wants to avoid landing in any fires until he is in a better position to deal with the heat.
His attention is caught by the androids moving about distributing tracts and making pleasant conversation. He recognizes them for what they are, proselytizers for both the corporate culture and the religion of Abadar. Not one to burn bridges, Miraj keeps his skepticism about the gods and goddesses in check as one of them approaches.
"Greetings, and welcome to Absalom Station. Whether it's your first time or your hundredth, AbadarCorp hopes you have a fruitful journey. Please, take this as a small welcome token."
They hand Diedre, Miraj, and Jehir each a small item that looks remarkably similar to a credstick. It has an image of the AbadarCorp logo super-imposed on a seven-pointed star.
Miraj jams the stick into a quarentine port of his comm unit to check for viruses and malware. Once he gets the green light he scrolls through the offers and notes the map, which he already had downloaded before arriving.
"Got any special accounts for new Starfinders?" he asks.
Then he says, "I don't compare making a date to either a game or warfare. Just a negotiation of an evening's enjoyment. But if you want a relationship with a Starfinder, I might be available; depends on how the interview goes." He glances Dierdre's way and arches an eyebrow, then winks, a twinkle in his dark eyes."Ah, but I would say it's the best game," the half-elf responds with a lick of her lips.
"But on a more serious note, the long relationship I was referring to would be a business oriented one with a dwarf named Duravor Kreel - he's my contact with the Starfinders."
She makes a show of looking Miraj up and down.
"Not to say that a relationship with anyone else is out of the question. They would just have to play their cards right."
"Games have vinners and losers," Miraj observes. Relationships are more like dances. Partners can't compete vith each other or zey'll trip und get hurt.
I've heard Starfinders work in teams. So we might be on zee same team. Zat's a better vey to play games, on zee same side, working toward zee same goal. Both can vin!
Entiren notices the Android, and recognizes the significance of their scarf pin and trimmings. However, he decides to continue speaking with the green-haired lashunta.
"Thats good. At least you shouldn't be surprised or overwhelmed by everything you see." Shifting his weight from one cloven hoof to the other, he steps back slightly in to let the young lady he is speaking with not have to crane her neck as much to look up at him. To continue the conversation, he says "If you don't mind my asking, what would your name happen to be?"
Aureum releases her grip on the railing, extending a delicate hand to the stranger in a polite gesture. "Aureum Ophir. I'm here to join the Starfinders," she explains. "...I hope. And you?"
Taking the extended hand, Entiren gives a gentle, yet firm, handshake. "My name is Entiren Vraken. And it would seem that the stars have aligned, as I too am traveling back here, to my home, in order to join the Starfinders."
Her interest piques at this, and she regards him with an almost scientific curiosity.
"Your home is here on the station? Have you known Starfinders before? I've only met a handful, what are they like? What are they looking for in a candidate?" The questions tumble out dizzyingly quick before she catches herself, closing her mouth with an apologetic smile. "I suppose I'm a little nervous."
"Games have vinners and losers," Miraj observes. Relationships are more like dances. Partners can't compete vith each other or zey'll trip und get hurt.
I've heard Starfinders work in teams. So we might be on zee same team. Zat's a better vey to play games, on zee same side, working toward zee same goal. Both can vin!
Diedre smiles again.
"See? You're making my argument for me. If you're playing the right game, everyone can get what they want. But the excitement is sustained by the fact that victory isn't guaranteed - it's only gained by focused and effective effort."
She taps a button on her comm unit and reaches over and touches her comm unit to Miraj's. A contact tag appears on Miraj's display.
"Feel free to focus and continue your effort," she adds with a promising smile.
Diedre then takes a step away and focuses her attention on the approaching station.
Miraj accepts Diedre's number graciously. As Diedre steps away he turns so only Jehir can witness him clench his fist and murmur, "Score!" He then gives the Kasathan a wicked sly smile and says, "So, another Starfinder hopeful. What's your story?"
Her interest piques at this, and she regards him with an almost scientific curiosity.
"Your home is here on the station? Have you known Starfinders before? I've only met a handful, what are they like? What are they looking for in a candidate?" The questions tumble out dizzyingly quick before she catches herself, closing her mouth with an apologetic smile. "I suppose I'm a little nervous."
The corners of his mouth twisting up in faint amusement, Entiren is clearly not insulted in any way by the barrage of questions aimed at him. Putting one of his hands on her shoulder in what he hopes is a comforting gesture, he says "Well, Aureum, there is likely little reason for you to be nervous. From what I can tell, you are highly inquisitive, which is doubtlessly one of the traits that they look for. I haven't personally met all that many of them, though, as their missions often take them far away from here. As for your other question, yes, I was born and raised here on the the Station. However, I left a couple years ago to train to be a pilot, so I expect some things have changed since then."
"A 'coup-stick'?" Jehir chuckles, nodding to the AbadarCorp rep. "Where I grew up that term meant something very different. But thank you."
"But on a more serious note, the long relationship I was referring to would be a business oriented one with a dwarf named Duravor Kreel - he's my contact with the Starfinders."
"Really? Mine as well. He must be some kind of recruiter."
He then gives the Kasathan a wicked sly smile and says, "So, another Starfinder hopeful. What's your story?"
"Well..." the strange-looking Kasatha hesitates for a moment. "Ever heard of a place called 'The Halls of the Living?'" Jehir watches for a moment for the spark of recognition in his companions. "It is a place on Eox, where the living participate in a variety of games, in order to... well, mainly to go on living. Bloody games. There are prizes to be won, to be sure. Money, fame, and so forth."
"Through a variety of misfortunes I found myself there with a big debt to pay off. I was stuck in the games until I paid it, more or less. Fortunately, the training I received in my youth was of great value there. We Kasatha are taught to survive."
"Once I was able to leave I got on the first ship out. And then I got this message from the Starfinders, and it seemed as good a place as any for a fresh start."
"Yes, I was told that I would be able to draw on funds from my account on Castrovel here. Is that correct?"
The silver-haired android answers with a professional enthusiasm, "That is correct, you have ready access to your AbadarCorp account from nearly any corner of the Pact Worlds, and many locations beyond as well. I would recommend, however, that if you wish to transfer large sums of credit, you either move your account's residence to Absalom Station or set up an automatic recurring transfer, as verification of such transfers between planets can take the better part of a day."
"Got any special accounts for new Starfinders?"
"New Starfinders? Congradulations!" The android pivots smoothly to the ryphorian's question. "We have special offers for members of many organizations all throughout the Pact Worlds, and the Stafinder Society is no exception. If you would like to get a new account set up through the Society, please speak with an AbadarCorp representative at the Lorespire Complex and they can start you on that process."
"A 'coup-stick'?" Jehir chuckles, nodding to the AbadarCorp rep. "Where I grew up that term meant something very different. But thank you."
The android smiles, either missing the dark tone of Jehir's joke or choosing to ignore it. You're quite welcome! I hope you have a successful trip, and that you enjoy your time here on Absalom."
With a nod and a smile, they turn and walk towards the next group of travellers. "Greetings, and welcome to Absalom Station. Whether it's your first time or your hundredth, AbadarCorp hopes..."
Seated with the group, though not obviously interacting with them, an imposingly large vesk sits with the group... and floating in front of him, a small metallic looking ball that he seems to be intensely focused on. Every so often, his gaze shifts ever so slightly one way and than the other, and the metal ball follows his gaze, before returning to its initial position. Though the distractions cause him to shift his focus once at a while, and the ball sinks before he regains his focus and seemingly lifts it back up.
But perhaps the most fascinating thing is that the armor he wears is not of vesk design, but kasathan. However, it's obviously modified to suit his... imposing stature.
When the shuttle docks, however, he immediately grabs the ball from the air and stuffs it in a pouch at his hips, before standing and following the group. As the AbdarCorp android spoke about deals for new Starfinders, he clenched his hands and placed them together, bowing respectfully, before practically looming over the others and nodding.
"Fortuitous encounters and honored tidings, fellow Starfinders." he finally said, his voice a slick, yet booming baritone. "I offer my apologies for my lack of introductions, but when a warrior sharpens his weapons, he must finish his task before engaging in others. I am Orodolwa, of Vesk Prime."
The corners of his mouth twisting up in faint amusement, Entiren is clearly not insulted in any way by the barrage of questions aimed at him. Putting one of his hands on her shoulder in what he hopes is a comforting gesture, he says "Well, Aureum, there is likely little reason for you to be nervous. From what I can tell, you are highly inquisitive, which is doubtlessly one of the traits that they look for. I haven't personally met all that many of them, though, as their missions often take them far away from here. As for your other question, yes, I was born and raised here on the the Station. However, I left a couple years ago to train to be a pilot, so I expect some things have changed since then."
She nods her head in an appreciative gesture, taking a long breath. ”For me as well; my work has taken me away from the central worlds for the last several years. I am glad to be back, but, it’s all a bit overwhelming.”
“I’m an archeologist,” she elaborates. “I’ve been... freelancing, since I left Castrovel, but I’m hoping to collaborate with Starfinder and it’s members to further my work.”
With a nod and a smile, they turn and walk towards the next group of travellers. "Greetings, and welcome to Absalom Station. Whether it's your first time or your hundredth, AbadarCorp hopes..."
Aureum recognizes the religious symbols adorning the android, but is too focused on watching the approaching station and speaking to Entiren to give it any further thought.
"Attention, all passengers." The crisp yet welcoming voice of the pilot chimes in over the intercom. "We've just received clearance from the Station and we will be docking shortly. We will be unloading in Docking Bay 94; please gather all belongings in preparation for disembarkment. We thank you for choosing the Okimoro for your shuttle trip and we hope you have a lovely time Station-side."
"I offer my apologies for my lack of introductions, but when a warrior sharpens his weapons, he must finish his task before engaging in others. I am Orodolwa, of Vesk Prime."
"Another Starfinder!" Jehir smiles. "I am but an applicant hoping to join up. But it's a pleasure. I'm Jehir." he offers his hand.
"You say you were 'sharpening your weapons.' Is that metal orb a weapon? Or is it some sort of concentration ritual, to be prepared for a battle?"
"We're going to Absalom Station, the heart of the civilized worlds. I'm sure we won't have to worry about battle here," Jehir chuckles.
Orodolwa took Jehir's hand firmly, his grasp almost too strong for a handshake, but shake he did. Perhaps not realizing his own strength... or perhaps used to sturdier hands. "The orb is merely a method of practice. The true weapon is the mind that holds it aloft. I seek to meld mind and body into a singular tool of war. It is the path I have chosen to tread, and I walk it alone. Many of my kind see knowledge that does not pertain to the arts of war as needless. I disagree. It all depends on how one wishes to define 'battle'. In broadening my mind, I have in turn broadened the scope of what I can conquer."
Orodolwa looked up and nodded, before bowing respectfully. "It would seem our destination is at hand. I seek the Starfinder Kreel. Perhaps our trails run together for a time?"
Miraj travels light, so he makes no move as the announcement is made. He exchanges comm unit addresses with the others while the shuttle makes the last few meters to the spaceport dock.
"Good luck to you all," he says. "I suppose they might turn a few applicants away, but they lost so many in that Scoured Stars debacle, I don't expect they can be all that picky. Might be a lucky break for a bum like me, I suppose." He shrugs his shoulders and starts to walk toward the nearest exit, tipping his hat to all. "Ta! See you all on zee other side."
As the shuttle approaches the docking bay, Diedre steadies herself.
Just Relax. It's not like you've never had a job interview.
She takes a few calming breathes.
And I even get to keep my clothes on for this one.
She smiles.
Although I'm not sure if that makes it easier or harder?
With a confident stride, she begins walking towards the disembarking ramp.
”Here we are.” Aureum smiles warmly. The friendly conversation has done her good; she looks definitively more at ease than when she had first boarded the shuttle. “I’m sure we’ll meet again. Excuse me, I’d like a bit to get my bearings on the station before my appointment.”
She turns, brightly colored hair glinting in the lights of the station, and joins the growing tide of people making for the exit.
Bowing slightly as Aureum moves to leave, Entiren says to her "I am sure we will. And, with Desna's blessing, hopefully both as newly certified Starfinder agents." Entiren will then lean against the viewport, taking one final look at the majesty that is Absalom Station, before turning back and following the crowd out of the shuttle.
The passengers on the observation deck watch as the Okimoro slips gently into its berth - a fully enclosed and pressurized hanger bay, build to take ships of all shapes and sizes. Before long, a slight metallic rumble indicates the gangplank has been fixed to the airlock, and passengers begin streaming out into the station.
"Please remember to take all your belongings. Once again, we thank you for choosing the Okimoro".
At the end of the gangplank is a second airlock, and the passengers entire Docking Bay 94. The brightly lit dock is abuzz with activity as travelers bustle by, preparing to board or disembarking from starships bound to or from any of dozens of worlds. Brash and swaggering starpilots, scurrying ysoki mechanics, and expectant colonists mingle with enigmatic kasatha mystics, hard-faced asteroid miners, imposing vesk mercenaries, and more, creating a microcosm of the abundance and variety of life in the Pact Worlds. New arrivals meet friends, loved ones, or business contacts, and are whisked away into the humming activity of daily life on the vast space station. Beyond them, ground crews tend to the docked ships, and dockworkers in mechanized cargo lifters load and unload freight and baggage. A sharp tang of ozone hangs in the air — a byproduct of electrical discharges from the docked ships — but underneath, the station’s atmosphere has a slightly used aroma. The docking bay’s deck plates thrum beneath the feet of the new arrivals, though whether it’s from the passage of innumerable feet or the vibrations of the station’s power conduits and air recycling systems is impossible to say.
The six hopeful Starfinder applicants, owing to their close proximity on the Okimoro, reach the end of the gangplank into the docking bay at roughly the same time. Although the bay is full of people moving in all directions, Duravor Kreel is easy to spot, about 60 feet away, holding his datapad at arm's length from his face and squinting.
Kreel is tall (for a dwarf), with a bristly, iron-gray beard and deep-set eyes beneath bushy eyebrows. With his patched and stained coveralls, the dwarf looks like just another dockworker, but a badge bearing the symbol of the Starfinder Society stands out brightly on his chest. Seeing familiar faces exit the gangplank, a broad smile splits his face, and he waves one hand in the air, shouting, "Ho there!"
Before any of Kreel's contacts can respond, Docking Bay 94 explodes in a storm of laser blasts, screeching through the air with hot rage. Bystanders scream and flee in terror, diving for cover or milling about frantically. Kreel freezes, paralyzed with fear.
In the ensuing chaos, most of the passengers escape injury, including the six Starfinder applicants. Not everyone is so lucky, however. Across the docking bay, Duravor Kreel lies face down on the metal plating of the walkway, his datapad a few inches from his outstretched hand.
Block 1: red combatants, purple combatants
Block 2: Diedre Lhashi, Entiren Vraken
Block 1: Aureum Ophir, Jehir Jahanet'ai
Block 2: red combatants
Block 3: Diedre Lhashi, Orodolwa
Block 4: purple combatants
Block 5: Entiren Vraken, Miraj Pavana
Fighting the urge to join in the screaming, Diedre chokes down the panic and moves forward to take shelter behind a shipping canister.
They're shooting at us!
Seeing Miraj next to her, she looks up at him and says, "You might want to take cover."
This is definitely NOT how Lana would handle this.
Entiren barely has time to register the two groups of people before the shooting breaks out. Seeing Kreel on the floor, he mentally berates himself Damn it! If only I had been able to react faster! Knowing that he can't alter the past, however, he quickly retrieves his laser rifle from his back and powers it on.
Although Diedre and Entiren are a hair faster than the others, it's not long before everyone's embroiled in the battle...
Block 1: Aureum Ophir, Jehir Jahanet'ai
Block 2: red combatants
Block 3: Diedre Lhashi, Orodolwa
Block 4: purple combatants
Block 5: Entiren Vraken, Miraj Pavana
"We're going to Absalom Station, the heart of the civilized worlds. I'm sure we won't have to worry about battle here," Jehir chuckles.
Jehir's words come back to haunt him, and for a moment he stands paralyzed.
Then he sees Duravor sprawled on the floor up ahead.
"Duravor's down! It's a crossfire! These idiots are shooting through the crowd!" he shouts. The mote of darkness hovering over his shoulder begins to smoulder furiously. He runs for the cover of the nearby crates.
As he runs, he reaches behind him, and the large grey case over his shoulder seems to sense the presence of his hand, and the plates of the top slide back automatically to reveal a metal shaft. He pulls it out and with a twist the shaft telescopes to a 6' length with a keen-looking leaf-shaped blade at one end. The metal glitters silver with a hint of a bluish tint.
Once behind the crates he levels his spear and hurls it with a grunt.
In an instant the spear reaches it's target, and then it reverses and spins through the air, returning to Jehir's hand.
At the sound of laser fire, Aureum bolts for the nearest cover she can see: some crates nearby, and lets out a breath of horror and surprise as she crouches beside them.
"Damn," she gasps, and grabs for the laser pistol concealed at her hip, activating it and holding it at the ready.
Hesitant to fire in such a crowded space, she glances around, making herself aware of where the other passengers have taken cover, and searching for the attackers; she struggles against the panic rising in her throat as she becomes keenly aware of how many people are in the area, screaming and scrambling for cover.
Once behind the crates he levels his spear and hurls it with a grunt...
Jehir's spear arcs cleanly over a crate and a pair of pressurized cylinders, finding a home in the chest of a grizzled ysoki. Already sporting a pair of laser injuries, he looks down at his new sternum piercing in confusion for a moment before his eyes roll back and his body goes limp. Before he hits the ground, the spear leaps backwards like a rewinding video to land in Jehir's hand, spattering his face and chest with blood.
Jehir turns to see a group of ysoki children, fresh off an interplanetary journey to a new home, huddled next to an information kiosk and staring at him with wide eyes and open mouths. The smallest, a young girl not two feet tall with bows in her fur, whispers "That was radical..."
"Damn," she gasps, and grabs for the laser pistol concealed at her hip, activating it and holding it at the ready.
As Aureum looks around, she sees people running in all directions, and hears a SLAM as the hanger airlock is shut behind her by a quick-thinking crew member, sealing the rest of the passengers off from the bay.
As Jehir's spear flies back across the room, a cry goes out. "Some rando just shanked Bardie! Get that four-armed freak!" The cloud of laser bolts shifts partially to hammer the solarian as rough-dressed combatants focus on avenging one of their own.
The crate in front of him isn't enough - Jehir is blasted by laser bolts from two of the combatants.
Block 1: Aureum Ophir, Jehir Jahanet'ai
Block 2: red combatants
Block 3: Diedre Lhashi, Orodolwa
Block 4: purple combatants
Block 5: Entiren Vraken, Miraj Pavana
Block 1: Aureum Ophir, Jehir Jahanet'ai
Block 2: red combatants
Block 3: Diedre Lhashi, Orodolwa
Block 4: purple combatants
Block 5: Entiren Vraken, Miraj Pavana
"We don't want to fight both sides, do we?" she asks Miraj. "How do we know which side ... "
Her words stumble off as she sees Jehir's spear eliminate one of the shooters.
"Nevermind then - one less decison."
Oh gods! I'm gonna die in the middle of a gang war!
She takes a breath in preparation and dashes forward towards the nearby kiosk. Once there she pulls her sword from its sheath.
"Hey kids," she says to the young ysoki near her. "Keep your heads down ok? And never try this at home."
Come on Didi! You've done this lots of times. Just pretend those are props.
Leery of moving until he knows where the shooters are and who they are shooting at, Miraj remains stock still scanning the room.
Oro, despite the sudden flare of activity and combat going on around him, seems fixated on the fallen dwarf. His expression makes it difficult to tell if he is silently seething with rage below the surface, or wholly indifferent to the entire scenario.
After a moment, however, he taps the side of his helmet as he turns to the offending gang members to his left. "Ms. Lhashi. You will not be taking point - I will. My armor is more suited for these situations... and these disreputable vr'shreks need a lesson in honorable combat." His helmet sealed itself up over his face, his HUD displaying his targets inside his visor as his voice took on a robotic tone. "You may address what is left when I'm finished."
The chaotic din of the battle is broken and given rhythm by the steady *THUNK* *THUNK* *THUNK* as all 7' 5" of battle armored vesk began to march in large strides towards the nearest gang member. "I will begin my lessons with you, neophyte. To begin, a warrior must proudly display the weapon he wishes to use, not hide it like some private shame. You choose... that. I... choose this." His hands begin to crackle with electricity as he walks.