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"I am not your son," Jehir says with a glare. He reaches up over his shoulder and grasps the black smouldering mote that floats there, and black smoke seems to run down his arm and cover his body.
As the smoky wisps cover and trail away from his body, he continues. "And if you are connected with the Level 21 crew as you say, you know that their people survived the shootout and have no doubt returned with a tale of bystanders who intervened, and how three of the Downside Kings died..." Jehir slowly takes out his spear and with a flick of the wrist extends his spear to its full length. "...On the point of this."
He places the butt of the spear on the floor and looks at the drunken man, and then at the other gangsters.
"We are not here for entertainment. I am here as her bodyguard, and she is here looking for answers. Do you have them?"
I think you might have oversold yourself, Dee.
Diedre senses that her conversation partner is some fusion of ganger and mid-level manager - reasonably attractive, he could probably win over most of the women in here on status alone, and he seems to be going after Diedre for the thrill of the hunt more than anything else. At the very least, he doesn't seem to be an immediate threat.
"And if you are connected with the Level 21 crew as you say, you know that their people survived the shootout and have no doubt returned with a tale of bystanders who intervened, and how three of the Downside Kings died..." Jehir slowly takes out his spear and with a flick of the wrist extends his spear to its full length. "...On the point of this."
The man's eyes go wide and the leer melts right off his face. "I... I heard about the shoot-out. I dunno how many o' those damn Downsiders got axed, but I did hear that we lost a few o' our own to... to a crazy four-arms with a flyin' spear."
Looking around, Jehir belatedly recognizes the general dress of the patrons in this bar - he killed three similarly-dressed people just a few hours ago.
"So what can you tell an obviously harmless girl like lil' ol' me?"
"Look," the man stammers, sweat beading on his brow as the rest of the bar watches Jehir and Diedre with trepidation, "I don't want no trouble. I especially don't need a hole through my chest. All I know is that we were hired out t' provide protection to some mining outfit - the Hardscrabbles, or somethin' - 'cause they were bein' threatened by some corporation. When we heard that the suits had paid the Downside Kings to make a mess, we sent some boys to track 'em down. Never expected the whole thing to blow up topside like that!"
Glancing over at Jehir, the man continues, "You wanna axe some more Downsiders? Be my guest. You'll be doin' me a favor. Go find the Fusion Queen. Level 35. Burn the damn place down. We don't want no more beef with you, alright?"
Diedre works very hard on hiding her surprise when Jehir goes all smoke and threatening.
"Now see, Jehir, I told you we just need to find the right people to ask."
She smiles at the watching crew.
"So the Downsiders hang out at the Fusion Queen on level 35 and it sounds like they had a beef on for my friend."
She nods.
"We may have to have our crew pay them a visit."
She turns back to her conversation partner. She pulls up her comm unit and taps on it for a moment then reaches over and taps the man's personal unit with hers.
"That code will get you a half-hour free for episode one wherever you can find it."
His display shows the spash logo for 'Lana Lash and the Mind Control Ray' with a data code across the bottom.
She winks at him. Leaning in closer she whispers, "If you make a kissy face to the woman dressed in green in the first crowd scene it opens a hidden encounter. I think you'll enjoy it."
She pulls away to pay for her drinks, and then looks back. "Not quite as good as the real thing, I know," she says with a shrug. "But nothing ever is and we've got a bar to burn down."
She pays for her drinks and then walks past Jehir. Just before she goes through the door, she turns back and smiles.
"Thanks bunches, guys."
~~~
As the duo return to the main drag, Diedre finally relaxes.
"I'm sorry," she says to Jehir. "That really didn't go ... I was nervous and turned it on a little much. I'm pretty sure you saved our asses back there, thanks. We should update the others with what we know."
As Jehir and Deidre update the others, they notice that the hour is beginning to get late. They've had a tiresome day, and it's nearly 2200 Station time.
He makes eye contact with the bartender, hoping to give the impression he needs someone to talk to. "Know anything about either gang? I'd like to stay out of their way in the future."The bartender, an aging kasatha, converses with Miraj in an easy-going yet professional manner. "This is the second time I've heard that story today. Third, if you count the 90 seconds a Starfinder's death earns on the newsfeed." He gestures to the vid-screen in the corner with a third or fourth hand and a hint of disgust. "My condolences and apologies to you. Yesterday, I would have said that staying out of the Spike would remove you from the purview of such lawlessness, but today that is not the case."
Miraj sighs, nods, takes another sip. "Thanks. I'll figure it out after I get some sleep. So we got gangs fighting in public places. Who holds the power in this place? Is there someone who can be counted on to step up and put an end to this, or can gangs do what they want as long as they've got the fire power?"
"Let's actually head back to the hotel," Diedre says as she notices the time. "Then we can decide what this all means."
Miraj sighs, nods, takes another sip. "Thanks. I'll figure it out after I get some sleep. So we got gangs fighting in public places. Who holds the power in this place? Is there someone who can be counted on to step up and put an end to this, or can gangs do what they want as long as they've got the fire power?"
"The Station is run by the Syndicsguild. More or less." The bartender continues to chat with Miraj as he prepares several drinks at once. "Each syndic is elected by their district - some are actually representative; others, not so much. Gangs and their violence have been a part of Station life since the end of the Gap, and no one faction - topside or downside - has enough control over the others to change that, for good or for ill."
The bunk room is crowded, and has the familiar odor of too many bodies pressed into a tight and unwashed space. Perhaps a dozen persons are scattered about the room, half sleeping, half awake. About halfway across the room, a hammock hangs between two bunks with KREEL stamped prominently on the fabric and a small backpack hanging beneath. Unfortunately, a flat sheet of metal has been placed on top, converting the hammock into a temporary table for a game of cards. Two dwarves, an android, and a middle-aged human eye each other over their hands.
Aureum hangs back, looking around for something she can use to create a distraction, allowing her to dart in and grab the backpack: a ship’s alarm, a rickety bunk.
Aureum hangs back, looking around for something she can use to create a distraction, allowing her to dart in and grab the backpack: a ship’s alarm, a rickety bunk.
The room is choked with lose items, repurposed furniture, and exposed wiring. If Aureum wishes to create a distraction, she's got a lot of options.
".... All I know is that we were hired out t' provide protection to some mining outfit - the Hardscrabbles, or somethin' - 'cause they were bein' threatened by some corporation. When we heard that the suits had paid the Downside Kings to make a mess, we sent some boys to track 'em down. Never expected the whole thing to blow up topside like that!"
Looks like I may have picked the wrong side... but I can't back down now.
"So those fools were yours?" Jehir asks. "I would apologize, but considering that instead of offering 'protection' they started a shootout in a crowded docking bay, and killed my friend Duravor in the process, I suppose it's what they deserved."
"Who are these 'Hardscrabbles' anyway? And what 'suits' are you talking about? Was Duravor a target or not?"
"So those fools were yours?" Jehir asks. "I would apologize, but considering that instead of offering 'protection' they started a shootout in a crowded docking bay, and killed my friend Duravor in the process, I suppose it's what they deserved."
"Who are these 'Hardscrabbles' anyway? And what 'suits' are you talking about? Was Duravor a target or not?"
The man withers under Jehir's gaze. "I dunno man, I'm just tellin' you what I heard through the grapevine..." Scanning the crowd, his eyes light up. "Tenk! Get over here." A lean ysoki with gray-flecked fur ambles over. "What were you tellin' me about the Hardscrabble job? And what the Kings were doin?"
Tenk is a bit puzzled, but repeats the information for the sake of her comrade. "Uh, that protection gig that turned into a crap-shoot when three of our guys got axed by a... a crazy-lookin' four-arms with a spear?" Fully seeing Jehir standing there in seething black solar armor, spear at the ready, and the look of fear on the nearby faces, words start pouring out of the ysoki.
"Um, we was hirded by the Hardscrabblers - some miners, I think - 'cause they was havin' business troubles this big corporation by the name of Astral Extractions. Somethin' about a ship that they both think they own. Astral went and hired the DKs to do their dirty work, so the miners came to us. We stand up for little guys, ya know? An' we hate the DKs anyhow, so it was an easy job to take. Dunno what they was plannin' in the bay, but that don't matter, ya know? Just gotta get in there an' mess with 'em."
Tenk takes a half-step back. "That's all I know, I swear!"
"...when three of our guys got axed by a... a crazy-lookin' four-arms with a spear?"
"Yes, apparently they did."
"Why would the miners care what happens in a docking bay upstation?"
"Didn't Ophir message us that Duravor was chumming around with the miners?" Diedre says as she scrolls back through her comm messages.
"Yeah, here it is. If this Astral Extractions had a beef with the miners then sending the DKs to whack a Starfinder that was working with them would sure be one way to send a message."
The room is choked with lose items, repurposed furniture, and exposed wiring. If Aureum wishes to create a distraction, she's got a lot of options.
Examining a patch of exposed wiring, Aureum tries to determine if cutting one will trigger a ship’s alarm.
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Miraj pulls out his comm unit when it vibrates to indicate an incoming message. He reads over the report from Diedre and feels relieved. He had been a bit worried about the group. He harrumphs softly as he realizes he had mistakenly mixed up the two gangs. He tried to remember why had assumed the androids were the Level 21 gang, but shrugs, unable to recall. "Getting sloppy," he mutters under his breath.
Something nags at his memory as he pays for his drink. Duravor was involved with miners. What was that Chiskisk telepathed to us about current events?
After buttoning up his coat and donning his hat, Miraj heads toward the motel waiting room to meet the others as they return. He talks softly to his comm unit: "Search News Item, past week, incidents involving mining."
"Bingo!" he exclaims, as he reads about game activities of the Retired Miners of the Belt on Saturday night. Then he skims past that and reads what he now remembers Chikisk mentioned: "A mining ship popping out of the Drift with no crew to speak of and some sort of asteroid in tow."
Miraj settles in an easy chair to read about the incident.
"Why would the miners care what happens in a docking bay upstation?"
"I dunno, man! We just got wind of where the DKs were, so we went there to mess with 'em. Please don't stab me."
Examining a patch of exposed wiring, Aureum tries to determine if cutting one will trigger a ship’s alarm.
On a hunch, Aureum reaches out and pulls a thin wire, snapping it from the wall. An emergency light starts to flash, and a computerized voice begins repeating, "Caution: oxygen levels low. Caution: oxygen levels low..."
People begin to mill about in confusion. "Oxygen levels? We're open to the Station..." Some grab bags, others nudge sleeping patrons. "Alarms are alarms. Let's get outta here, man."
"Didn't Ophir message us that Duravor was chumming around with the miners?" Diedre says as she scrolls back through her comm messages.
Jehir looks at his comm, and reads the message.
"Well, he was staying on a mining ship at least," says Jehir. "That might be a connection."
He turns back to the gangers.
"These miners... did they come from a ship called the Thundercrack?" Jehir asks.
"Thundercrack..." Jehir mutters to himself for a moment. "sounds like a dwarven term for someone with flatulence."
On a hunch, Aureum reaches out and pulls a thin wire, snapping it from the wall. An emergency light starts to flash, and a computerized voice begins repeating, "Caution: oxygen levels low. Caution: oxygen levels low..."
People begin to mill about in confusion. "Oxygen levels? We're open to the Station..." Some grab bags, others nudge sleeping patrons. "Alarms are alarms. Let's get outta here, man."
Get the goods and get out: she’s good at that. The lashunta hangs by the wall until the room is mostly clear, and then darts in to grab the bag hanging under Kreel’s hammock. She holds it casually, not hiding it, not overtly displaying it, and joins the rest of the people making their way out of the ship.
She walks quickly, but not so fast as to arouse suspicion, towards the edge of the docking bay.
"Bingo!" he exclaims, as he reads about game activities of the Retired Miners of the Belt on Saturday night. Then he skims past that and reads what he now remembers Chikisk mentioned: "A mining ship popping out of the Drift with no crew to speak of and some sort of asteroid in tow."
Miraj settles in an easy chair to read about the incident.
Crew Missing; Ship Quarantined
0821 Arodus 15, 317
Station Security and docking officials alike were perplexed earlier this morning when the Acreon, a mining vessel titled to the Hardscrabble Collective, exited the Drift with a small asteroid in tow on the edge of Station space. A spokesperson for Station Security reports that they have been unable to contact the crew and have quarantined the ship for fear of exotic contagion under the Stardust protocol.
Since the appearance of the Acreon, both the Hardscrabble Collective and their contract-holder, multi-planet mining conglomerate Astral Extractions, have publicly clashed over salvage rights of the ship and its cargo.
Leshli Joss, a spokesperson for Astral Extractions, conveyed that Astral Extractions holds the rights to any and all discoveries of unexploited mineral resources identified by the Acreon, and that they feel they have a substantial claim to the Drift Rock and the abandoned ship.
The Hardscrabble Collective could not be reached for comment.
A legal source not affiliated with either party told the Absalom News Network that the Acreon is likely to sit in quarantine for some time, as legal arbitration could take years.
Meanwhile public speculation has run rampant as to the value and potential contents of what many people are calling the 'Drift Rock', with unsubstantiated claims ranging from an impending Swarm attack to a piece of Golarion itself.
Absalom News Network will update this story as it unfolds.
"These miners... did they come from a ship called the Thundercrack?" Jehir asks.
"I dunno, I think they come from a buncha ships. Like a coll-ect-ive, or somethin'." The ganger stumbles for a moment over the polysyllabic word.
Get the goods and get out: she’s good at that. The lashunta hangs by the wall until the room is mostly clear, and then darts in to grab the bag hanging under Kreel’s hammock. She holds it casually, not hiding it, not overtly displaying it, and joins the rest of the people making their way out of the ship.
She walks quickly, but not so fast as to arouse suspicion, towards the edge of the docking bay.
In the chaos, Aureum slips in and out, grabbing the bag and walking free. She gets a couple looks, but no one speaks to her or moves to stop her, and within moments the alarms fade into the background as the lashunta leaves the docking bay.
Miraj forwards the link for the article to the others with the note, "I'll bet credits to crayons that our man Duravor was involved in this. When we're fresh in the morning, let's investigate connections between this miner's collective and the Thundercrack ship and this ghost ship with the mystery asteroid and cross reference these corps involved in the squabble over the salvage rights to our gangland friends."
When the others arrive back at the motel, the find Miraj asleep in one of the lounge chairs, gripping his cane beneath crossed arms, hat over his eyes.
"All right, let's get out of here," Jehir says. "We should meet up with the others and compare notes." He gives the gangers a long look before he turns to leave, retracting his spear and putting it away.
Despite her curiosity, Aureum does not stop to look through Kreel’s backpack just yet, instead making her way back across the station. She spots Miraj, asleep in the waiting room, when she arrives at The Moons of Sleep, and takes a seat in the lounge chair next to him. While waiting for the others to arrive, she finally opens the bag and begins to poke through it.
"You handled that a lot better then I did," Diedre says as they leave the bar. "Thanks."
Aureum reaches the Moons of Sleep on the heels of Diedre and Jehir, where they reconvene with Miraj and Entiren. After a brief conversation to ensure no one is severely injured, being hounded by gangers, or suffering psychological trauma, the prospective starfinders head off to bed, with an agreement to discuss their findings over breakfast.
Within the bar of the Moons of Sleep, little indicates morning has replaced night - patrons still mill in and out, the vidscreen still blares news stories, and drink still flows. If anything, the faces are a bit more tired and a few more people are eating, rather than drinking. For some, this is simply life on the Station; for others, the lack of a planetary cycle is new and disorienting.
In a tucked-away corner, five prospective starfinders sit at a compact table with an array of food and drink in front of them, quietly discussing their findings from the previous evening and deliberating their plans for the upcoming day.
Before they make much headway, all of their comm units chirp in unison:
Compatriots:
I regret to announce that I cannot join you on our endeavour as agreed. The leader Chiskisk has contacted me and requested my transfer to another project critical to the Society. It has been an honor fighting at your side.
- Orodolwa
Hey buddy! Things are pretty solid at the Image - just wanted to check in. Your Ma is all nervous because she read about some shoot-out on the Station in the news this morning. I told her that the Station's a big place, and that there's no way you'd be anywhere near it, but she made me promise to check up on ya. Shoot me a message so I can prove to her you ain't dead.
- Sketch
Try not to have too much fun, my friend. There are no Urgathoans here to bring you back...
After a moment, both note and envelope crumbled to dust in his hands.
"Hey boys, girls, and undecided, Didi here for a log addendum," Diedre says with a wave of her hand.
She's sitting on the bed in what appears to be a plain hotel room. She's wearing a towel and her skin glistens with moisture.
"It's been quite a ride here at the station. Things got a lot realer then I thought they would and really fast."
Her eyes go wide as if to emphasize the point.
"Here, let me show you ... "
The feed cuts to panning shots of the docking bay and the aftermath of the firefight. Security officers are wandering around checking still forms lying on the deck and questioning bystanders.
"It was pretty scary," Diedre says as the video cuts back to her in her towel. "It looks like it was a gang shoot-out but one dockworker died as well."
She looks thoughtful for a moment.
"But anyways," she continues, her ever-present cheerfulness returning, "I'm staying at these wonderful accommodations on the Starfinders credit. The rooms aren't super high-class, but the showers are pretty cool. Which you can see more of over in the members section so don't forget to sign up. Bye for now."
"Oh, and one more thing, to my new Ryphorian friend, if you're watching me here, that's cheating," she says with a smirk. "Trust me, the real thing is much better. But you're going to have to bring your 'A' game if you want to get access to that."
Hey Sketch. Check my newest site update and you'll see how far away I wasn't from the shoot-out. Don't you dare tell mom. I'll send her a message telling her we were on the other side of the station. Our Starfinder contact was a casualty and so now they're having us investigate it. Chatting up gang members in seedy bars is most definitely not what I thought I'd be doing here.
- *hugs* Didi
Hi Mom. Just wanted to let you know that I made it here safe and sound. The Starfinders have already put me to work. It's boring, mostly keyboard jockey stuff. I saw that there was some sort of gang kerfluffle on the other side of the station but it's pretty quiet here.
- Love Didi
~~~~
"So based on what we've found out," Diedre says as she takes a drink from her glass. "It looks like we have Astral Extractions on one side with the Downside Kings as their muscle and the Hardscrabble Collective on the other using the Level 21 crew. Kreel worked with the Collective, but we don't know for sure if he was targeted specifically. If he was, then why?"
Diedre nods at Miraj.
"Didn't you say that you found a news story about Astral Extractions and the Collective arguing over some ship or something? Could that be what this is about?"
Miraj is up relatively early poring over reports from the others. He orders eggs and bacon, some rift cakes with Nagasi syrup, plus lots of black coffee.
He greets each person who arrives with a nod and a tip of his hat. He shares his story of schmoozing for information on the D-Kings, their new leader, and reputation for organized crime. As others share and the connection with the mining corp and their contract to harrass the miners, he begins to create an evidence board on his comm unit.
As each person reveals more, he adds to the diagram, drawing lines that lead to or from the different gangs, corporations, collectives, and Duravor. Once he learns that the Level 21s were defending the same group of miners, he begins to see things more clearly.
He reads out loud the report on the derelict mining ship and asteroid. "Seems like ve need to investigate this ship and zee Astral Extractions and Collective and find out if Duravor may have some knowledge of what's on zat ship and in zat asteroid."
Once the contents of Duravor's backpack is revealed, he suggests, "Let's crack open zat data device." He looks at each person in turn. "Which vun of us scored zee highest on our computer science test?"
"I can take a crack at it," Diedre says around her cup of coffee.
She connects the data drive to her comm unit and scrolls through the revealed encryption information.
"Hmmm ... " she says as she takes another sip.
"I haven't had a chance to look at it yet." Aureum says, and passes the data storage device to Diedre.
She nurses a cup of black coffee, and begins to flip through the only other noteworthy item in Kreel's bag: the photo book.
"I can take a crack at it," Diedre says around her cup of coffee.
She connects the data drive to her comm unit and scrolls through the revealed encryption information.
"Hmmm ... " she says as she takes another sip.
The data drive is fairly standard, and carries no digital protection of any kind. Much of the content seems to revolve around Duravor's work as a recruiter for the Starfinder Society, but a significant portion of the files seem to be archived forum messages, news articles, and literature pertaining to miners' rights.
Most notable is a letter written to "the editor" about the arbitration of the Acreon. The electronic signatures on the letter indicate that Duravor authored it, and the contents show a strong distrust of Astral Extractions. The letter is paired with a rejection notice, with a simple message that "your contribution was declined on the basis of financial conflicts of interest".
She nurses a cup of black coffee, and begins to flip through the only other noteworthy item in Kreel's bag: the photo book.
It appears that Kreel was a fan of the selfie. Each image, printed on cheap paper, is a poorly framed snap of Duravor and one or two other people. Some were clearly taken in the Lorespire (Chiskisk is included), while others seem to be on rough ships or small stations with various miners.
One photo stands out in its quality. Printed on a thick, glossy paper, it bears an image of Duravor and a younger, female dwarf in some sort of cargo bay. On the reverse side of the photo are the words "In Memorium - Astra Kreel."
"The thing is," Jehir says after settling in with a very strong coffee, "Duravor was involved with some miners and a mining collective called 'Hardscrabble' was behind the Level 21 Crew's presence at the docking bay. I don't want to jump to conclusions, and we don't have any proof yet, but it would be a hell of a coincidence if the miners Duravor were involved in were anyone other than this Hardscrabble Collective."
"The Level 21 guys didn't know who Duravor was though, which seemed strange. Their goal was to interfere with the Downside Kings' plans, whatever they might be, and the Downside Kings did have some goal at that docking bay, and that goal almost certainly had Astral Extractions behind it. Either it was to kill Duravor, or it was something else they may or may not have achieved."
"It doesn't really matter what the dispute between the Hardscrabble Collective and Astral Extractions was about. What matters is that we get either some kind of confession from one of these Downside Kings that they were sent to kill Duravor, or we find some communiqué from Astral Extractions to the Downside Kings ordering the hit. And if I was them I wouldn't put that in writing."
He shakes his head.
"It's still possible that we're wrong, but it looks like we need to get down to the Downside Kings headquarters. We know where it is. We could try to sneak in, but if we have to go heavy I don't think too many people will shed tears over the Downside Kings if anything... bad happens to them."
Diedre listens to Jehir as she continues to scan through Duravor's files.
"He definitely was not a fan of Astral Extractions," she says without looking up.
"I think you're right. We should head down to the Fusion Queen and see what we can find out. Maybe if we find the right person and ask nicely, they'll spill."
"Diedre has zee right idea. I'd say ve investigate--as a group, since ve know zee miners have ruthless enemies--zee miner side of things. Ve visit their ship, see vhat zey know about zee Acreon, what it vas looking for. Maybe later ve work over vun of zee DKs for intel, but footsoldiers are not often told why zey are doing what zey are sent to do."
Wait, what?" Diedre says in confusion as she looks up from perusing the dwarf's files. "I was just saying let's check out the Fusion Queen - the nightclub. That's the DK's front. That means there's gotta be at least mid-level bangers there. If we schmooze the right one, we might even get to talk to one of the bosses."
She looks back at her comm unit.
"I don't think the miners are going to tell us anything we don't already know."
Miraj looks again at his evidence board and realizes he connected the night club to the wrong faction. He makes an adjustment and shrugs.
"Better to approach the dangerous foes with as much knowledge as ve can get. If ve know what interests zee Downsize Kings, ve vill be better able to draw zem out. Better zee safer option."
After he says this, Miraj adds, "Zat's just my humble opinion, of course."
"Even the miners are not likely to know what Astral Extractions' orders are to the Downside Kings. If they did, they probably would have given more specific instructions to the Level 21 Crew."
"Either the Downside Kings were sent to the docking bay to take out Duravor, or they were there for some other reason and Duravor was killed by accident in the crossfire. But only the Downside Kings and Astral Extractions know which, and I think taking on a corporation might be a bit beyond our means."
"If you want to try to 'schmooze' the Downside Kings, go right ahead. But I believe that at some point we will have to kick down doors and drag some people out by the hair. If we are smart about how and when, we might be able to give ourselves an edge."
Working his way through a small pile of bacon and eggs, as well as a cup of coffee, Entiren has so far remained silent as the group around the table discusses the plan for the day. Slightly raising one of his hands to show he wishes to say something, he takes a quick drink to clear his throat before he speaks up. "I agree with this plan of action. However, we may not wish to all go in to the Fusion Queen. After all, the Level 21 Crew eventually recognized Jehir, and the Downlow Kings may just as easily recognize those who attacked their goons. As I am fairly recognizable," gesturing at his horns and hooves, "I would likely be seen, which would not be good. I would suggest that Aureum, Diedre, and Jehir go in, as they may have been recognized as having fought the DK's enemies. Meanwhile, Miraj and I should probably wait outside, but still within distance to back up the rest of you if necessary. Miraj, you might be able to to go if you could disguise yourself, but that would be up to you."
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"Ve still need to know what Kreel's connection was to zee Hardscrabble Collective. That should not be hard to find out, as they should have no reason to withhold zat information from us. Zat might explain why zee Downsize Kings were seemingly focused on attacking him. Zee miners can also tell us more about zee Acreon and what it might have found. Perhaps the mission of the soon-to-depart Thundercrack was related to zat."
"How about zis? We go over look for information about zee miners, zee Collective, and so forth. It is early und most self respecting gang members are probably asleep right now anyway. Ve head for zis Fusion Queen after supper, when it is more likely to be full of people ve want to meet. Entiren und I should hang back, as he suggests. I vill wear some different clothes, but zey still might recognize me."
"Look at this," Aureum says, sliding the photo forward on the table. "His daughter?"
At Miraj's suggested plan of action, she nods in agreement. "We shouldn't overlook the miners; they could have critical information."
"Ve still need to know what Kreel's connection was to zee Hardscrabble Collective..."
"No, we don't. We really don't."
"Unless you think that the Level 21 Crew were the ones that really killed Duravor, and that the Hardscrabble Collective hired them to do so, nothing they have to say really affects our investigation."
At Miraj's suggested plan of action, she nods in agreement. "We shouldn't overlook the miners; they could have critical information."
"Let's not lose track of what our assignment is. If the miners had proof that Astral Extractions hired the Downside Kings to asassinate Duravor, then that would be relevant. But they probably would have gone to the Stewards with that information by now."
"We know that there is a dispute between Astral Extractions and the Hardscrabble Collective. And we have heard that Duravor is connected to some miners which may or may not include these Hardscrabble guys. But if Duravor was a member of this Collective, that doesn't prove that Astral Extractions had him rubbed out, and if he wasn't a member that doesn't prove that Astral didn't have him killed."
"The only way we can prove who killed him is either getting a copy of the communiqué between Astral and the Downside Kings, whatever form it took, or getting a confession. A nice record of a money transfer between Astral Extractions and the Downside Kings might work too. But if the Hardscrabble collective had any of these things, I think they would have come forward by now."
"Oooo ... " Diedre says as she reaches out to take the picture. She notes the caption.
"Astra Kreel, huh?"
She begins tapping away at her comm unit.
"My vote? Nightclub," Diedre says, raising her hand without looking up.
"Oooo ... " Diedre says as she reaches out to take the picture. She notes the caption.
"Astra Kreel, huh?"
She begins tapping away at her comm unit.
Astra Kreel is a difficult name to find on the net, but Diedre is able to pull up two news articles.
Astra "Ash" Kreel
7th Parast 273 - 1st Neth 312Astra "Ash" Kreel of the Star Citadel Heorrhahd passed away late Fourthday evening. Born to Eydell Fournhaul and fathered by Gerrisk Kreel, Ash spent her childhood learning the traditional mining and forging methods of her people before taking up the mantle herself. She is survived by her father Gerrisk and her cousins Fletch Fournhaul and Duravor Kreel. Ash will be remembered for her quick wit, steadfast talent, and ready smile. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Diaspora Stoneworkers' Fund, which supports the dependents of those lost in the line of duty.
Families of Fallen Miners Move to Sue Astral Extractions for Unsafe Working Conditions
14:57 Neth 5, 312The families of several mine workers killed in an accident at an undisclosed asteroid within the Diaspora have opened suit in Absalom Station against Astral Extractions, the conglomerate with legal ownership of the facility, alleging insufficient safety measures.
"If the required safety measures had been put in place, my daughter Ash would still be alive", said Gerrisk Kreel, one of the members of the suit.
Absalom News Network has reached out to Astral Extractions for comment.
"Yeah, Duravor really didn't like Astral Extractions," Diedre says. "Astra was his cousin. He blamed them for her death. I imagine he took great pleasure in being as big a thorn in their side as possible."
She looks up at the others.
"They targeted him - I have no doubt. We just need proof."
She smiles widely.
"I really wanna visit the Fusion Queen. I'm sure we'll find what we're looking for there. We just have to know the right way to say 'Please'."
"All right," Miraj says, raising his hands in surrender. "Fusion Queen it is. Are ve in a hurry to get to zem as soon as possible? If not, let's select zee best time to do it. And if zat best time is not within zee next four hours, how about I see what I can learn about Duravor in zee meantime? As a detective, I can assure you when going into a dangerous situation it always pays to know as much as you can about zee players. 'Sides which, I'm curious about zis asteroid."
"I wouldn't want to hit the place until there's a good size crowd," Diedre says. "So we probably should wait until later this evening."
She looks back at her comm unit.
"I wonder if I should find something else to wear. Oooo ... maybe they have a recommended style guide."
"I don't think there's any deadline, and it makes sense to find out as much as we can before going in."
"Do construction permits need to be issued for buildings here in the station? There may be some kind of office where floor plans of buildings are on file. It would be handy to know how big it is and where the exits are."