She keeps her outwardly calm demeanor working on her computer. I am an executive assistant, so some of my duties are similar to a secretary, but I have far more responsibilities and a much higher pay. I am under no obligation to answer questions to a bunch of thugs. So no, I am not going to waste my time. We are a huge company, people love to make up things about us because they see us as "the man" and it is sensational to have dirt on us. But everyone like you who comes in screaming about something never has any evidence. You are just hoping I will say anything somewhat scandalous to post in your article. Which may I add, if you are recording this conversation without my authorization, you are breaking the law and if that recording surfaces anywhere, we will use the full force of the law against you.
She takes a breath before continuing, My employer is in the midst of a foolish legal battle that shouldn't exist, so they nor I have time for an interview. These sort of things need to be scheduled and to schedule a media interview, you have to have contacts and contentions. You demand things of us that are unreasonable, then fault us for not giving in.
She laughs at your claim that it is station security, I am not wasting station resources. We pay a lease to be in this tower and the tower has its own security force that gets paid through our lease. Plus, you are trespassing. As far as I know, that is a crime.
She sighs Where are these gosh darn security guards! Look if the story about your friend dying is true, I am sorry for your loss. I would help you out if I believed for a moment that Astral Extraction did it. But I am not sure if I believe your friend is dead and if he is, then I have no reason to believe my employer has anything to do with it. I don't know what lies you are talking about.
She seems to still be hiding that she is frightened and she doesn't seem to be deceitful any of the time.
"oh, did you think we were trespassing? we have not yet been asked to leave. You said 'I'll have to ask you to leave', but then you didn't. If I said 'I'll have to go pick some apples' but then didn't, I'm no closer to baking a pie than I was before. Please be precise with your language, you're a very important secretary."
The security guards show up. You are leaving now. Either by walking or getting carried while unconscious, which will it be. They are armed with rifles.
As we are leaving to the security detail.
"Thanks for assuming we were in the wrong without actually asking questions or doing your jobs."
"We are quite busy doing your jobs for you, in the future, try not to get in our way."
After remaining quiet for most of the walk to the Extraction's headquarters, and the duration of the conversation that transpired in the office, Alim walks quietly to the elevator. As they take it to the bottom floor, the guards push them out onto the streets. Alim looks back, quietly reviewing what has happened in his mind. He looks to the ground for a moment, and then looks to each of his comrades.
"I believe I will do a bit of shopping now." And with that, Alim walks slowly along the shop fronts. He finds a store labeled , and walks inside. Upon walking in, one realizes this is an adventurers paradise. It has different models of tents, various clothing for different environments, and even has some of their store brand rope draped from the ceiling, on which advertisements and aisle labels were hung. Alim bobs and weaves through the different aisles, and finds the few items he was looking for. He stops prior to check out, fascinated with the various options of clothing, and marveled at just how large of a section it took up within the store. Not only were there clothing options for both male and female, but also for each of the various races that lived on the Station. Alim had never seen such a display, and was intrigued by some of the various 'fashion statements' that different cultures and races enjoyed.
As he checked out, he was greeted by a brown haired human, with a goofy, lop-sided grin. His name tag read Jace.
Jace extends his hand, and greets Alim with an unusual accent.
Jace: "Hey ther' fella. Th' namez Jace. Like JAHHHHH ACE. Ya know? Lookz like yer got yerself 'r... uhhh... fewww handfuls o' stuff ther'... Ready ta punch out? Dur ya haf 'r rewardz card wiff us?"
Alim: struggling to understand this human, he stares blankly for a moment, before continuing. Alim takes Jace's hand, and shakes it, with his one semi-free right hand." I...ummm.. yes, I am ready to make my purchase. Here are my things, and my cred stick. I do not currently have a... what did you call it? Rewards card? I am afraid I am unfamiliar with this... but I will pass for now. I do not know how often I will be able to stop by here. But thank you for the most kind offer."
Jace:" Not 'r problem frien', not 'r problem. Letz git ya movin-long. Ohhhh 'r got ya a masif tent her'. That'lll fit like 'r..... counting on his hands...like 'r sevin persons! he displays six fingers Ohhh 'n ya got 'r maniclez fir... ohhhh I don't wanna know... 'n her' some alloooy rope...looks sideways at Alim... Yer inta some kinky shit, arentcha fella? Hey, ain't gunna judge. Keeps his head down as he continues to punch Alim out, checking out a beacon, two weeks worth of rations, hygiene kit, but looks back up when checking out the backpack...lookie her' sir, I don't wanna know whatcha up to, but if ya takin' 'r gurllll out on a hike on 'r 'nother planet... (whispers)shez gunna luv it!"
Needless to say, Alim is completely overwhelmed his emotions. Firstly, he feels appalled to have such assumptions brought upon him. Second he feels embarrassed because he hadn't thought about any of this stuff being anything other than necessary items for adventuring. Thirdly, he is apprehensive about what this Jace guy enjoys in his free time, and what sort of women he.. attracts? After an awkward half-nod, Alim gathers his items into his backpack, pays Jace the 245 credits he's owed, and heads out the door. As he leaves, he hears Jace mutter something about how he should upgrade his tent to something that would hold more people...
Rejoining the group, Alim has an awkward, blank look on his face. His skin also seems a bit paler than normal, and not nearly as shinny as it once was. His orb is fluttering around his face, seemingly trying to bring him back to reality and out of his uncomfortable place. Giving a slight, but visible shake, Alim looks from one comrade to the next. "Seems like we should go check in with Chiskisk."
After walking to the Spire, Alim and comrades once again find Chiskisk's office. They wait until he as a free moment, and then calls them into his office.
Alim begins. "Chiskisk, I believe we are in need of some guidance. As you recall, we laid out most of the information last time we were here. Here are what we have learned so far...Alim fills him in on all that has been discovered, from the groups research to their recent meeting with the Level 21 gang, and their encounter with the Extraction... We believe that Kreel's death was not an accident, but was intentional, but we do not know where to proceed from here..."
Alim looks at Chiskisk, waiting for a reply, or for other comrades to add in anything else.
"It may be worth noting that the secretary mentioned other groups accusing Astral Extractions of misdeeds. We could seek them out and try to find leads they were unable to follow." Dahlia offers in her most not-rude voice.
Chiskisk listens closely to what Alim and Dahlia have said, I see. This may of been a bigger plot than I expected. Astral Extraction is tough cookie. They aren't known for assassination, just being extremely greedy and have the power and wealth to take care of any opposition, normally non-violently. Well, I would avoid putting yourself as a target of Astral Extraction any more than you have. They will be dead end in this investigation. If they are guilty of anything, they will not slip up and let us knew, I can guarantee that.
He pauses to think for a moment, I believe the Downside Kings is our best option to advance this investigation. They are hired thugs so if you give them a reason to tell you information, they probably will. Unfortunately, I don't think money will talk to them. If they are being paid by a company like Astral Extractions, they are going to be getting paid more than I can budget this job for. But you may be able to talk them into giving you information or he pauses, trying to think of the best way to word his next sentence. Well, they likely have kept some form of evidence of them being hired. It is the only way that they could insure they get paid. So if you find someway to get into the bosses office, your evidence is likely in there. We are looking to see if the job was to just intimidate the Hardscrabble Collective or if they were hired to also eliminate Kreel. Honestly, removing the Downside Kings would probably do the station a favor but it would be safer if you find a way to do it without a fight. You are authorized to fight if you see fit. But no matter what you do, I would recommend going in with a strategy.
To Dahlia's addition, Well there may be some loose ends in that direction, I am not sure the use it would bring in this situation. Proving Astral Extraction is guilty of other crimes wouldn't make them guilty against Kreel.
You have done good work thus far and so I think I can authorize this. He plugs a cred stick into his computer and presses a few buttons. Here is another 1000 credits. It is your payment for completing this mission but I can pay you in advance so that you can gear up if you need to.
- Duravor Kreel was a midranking member of the Starfinder Society. Most of his work focused on mineral prospecting, but he also took an interest in mentoring new and prospective members of the Society.
- Kreel was a native of the Diaspora, the diffuse asteroid belt between Verces and Eox, and was known to have ties to dwarves and other mininggroups in the region. An outspoken champion of miners’ rights, Kreel was active in challenging large corporate interests that exploited individual miners and laborers, including Astral Extractions.
- Kreel had personally invested money in the Hardscrabble Collective. In addition, one of his cousins was a member of the group, but she died in a mining accident—the result of safety violations perpetrated by her contract employer, Astral Extractions.
- 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 public face of Astral Extractions is that of an ethical and respectable corporation, but outside of the public eye, some say the company uses hired muscle—corporate mercenaries, strikebreakers, and even criminal elements—as proxies to intimidate and threaten those who stand in its way.
- Following the arrival of the Acreon, Astral Extractions secretly hired a violent Absalom Station street gang called the Downside Kings to coerce the Hardscrabble Collective into abandoning its claims on the Acreon and the Drift Rock.
- 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 Level 21 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.
- Fearing retribution from powerful corporate interests, the Hardscrabble Collective has recently hired theLevel 21 Crew for protection.
- Leader of Level 21 Gang hasn't seen anymore than 8 members inside the Downside Kings hideout at one time.
- The leader has a Vesk body guard
Alim takes a look at Chiskisk, taking in all the information that he has relayed. Bending over, Alim picks up the cred stick. He clenches his lower right hand into a fist, and brings it diagonally across his chest. He bows slightly.
"Thank you for the guidance, Chiskisk. We will do our best to finish our investigation into Kreel's death in a timely fashion. We will also put our payment to good use."
Alim stands, returns his hand to his side, and turns to look at the group. After looking at each of them in turn, Alim goes to step back outside. Knowing he is far enough ahead and no one else is around in the lobby area, Alim takes the apple turnover from his upper hand and slowly breaks it in half. He mutters some words to himself, and his orb makes slow spirals around the food held in his lower hands now. As his orb completed its rounds, Alim takes his lower left and meticulously slips his hand under his scarf, making sure none of his mouth shows to the public. He stands and chews slowly, and as he does, his orb glows a slightly yellow-orange color. After chewing the one handful, he again raises his right hand to his scarf, and is precise in his movements, not displaying anything under his scarf. As he finishes this bite, his orb becomes a full orange color. Alim closes his eyes, and slowly lowers himself to the floor. He connects his feet into a triangle shape, and again mutters softly to himself. His orb seems to somehow be doing something similar, as it has sunk into the middle of the leg triangle that Alim has made, and floats lowly to the ground. As Alim finishes his mumbling, he opens his eyes to look at his orb. His orb slowly rises from the center of his legs, until it's at eye height. It grows slightly, and shakes as it does so. In the middle of the orb, one can see what seems to be a bright white fleck, with a small black dot in the center of it. The orb continues to shake, until in one swift moment, the orb flashes through a color change. The white light in the center of its orange body explodes to make the whole orb a brilliant white color. Inside, one can see the black dot grow, and inside the black dot, seems to be multiple smaller white dots. And just as soon as it began, it ends. The orb gives itself a final shake as it returns to its yellow color, caresses Alim's face, and resumes its place on his shoulder.
By this time, the group is around Alim, and Alim rises from his seated position. He takes a moment, and begins.
"I believe we are now set to confront the Downside Kings." He nods to the cred stick. "We have earned payment in advance for the completion of this task. I am okay if we share in these funds collectively, since we have all put in extensive amount of time and resources. We can also divide this up, and allow each to their fair share of it. However we decide to proceed with this, I do believe we need to make sure everyone here is well-equipped, and anyone that needs to work on upgrading themselves should do so, for the benefit of the team."
Alim looks around at his comrades. "The Downside Kings are not a kind gang, it would seem. We have heard nothing but of the evil this gang has done, and is capable of. I believe their history has shown that we must be well-prepared to fight. However..." Alim pauses, figuring out how to word what he wants to say while being sensitive to his group. ".. My history that I have studied, and my training in the Solarian ways would rather we attempt to try and speak with them first. What may be a wise idea would be to send in one of us to attempt to talk to them. Perhaps a one-on-one conversation would see less like a need to fight... Also. It is a nightclub. Dahlia, nightclubs... isn't that something where humans gather socially...? Would it be possible that one of us goes in to be the more intimidating or diplomatic, depending on how we want to play it, while the rest of us go in and be... social? Do you think there could be a way to blend in with the rest of the crowd that enters the club? And while the rest of the group hangs back, we could check it out and see what the situation looks like? Then, if we figure out where we can get the proof that they work for the Extraction, we could use that against them, for leverage for more information...?" Alim takes a moment and looks at his comrades. Clearly, Alim is out of his element with just what they could make do at a nightclub, and is looking for suggestions.
"I have an idea."
"We need to get the upper hand with these thugs. But I, and probably others, would be uncomfortable ambushing them out of the blue. We need a way to catch a few of them by surprise, but still be sure they are up to no good." She takes a deep breath as the plan formulates in her mind.
"If they thought we had proof that they were up to no good, or could prove that the Hardscrabble Collective had a rightful claim to the rock, they would send their thugs to capture or eliminate the threat. We can set an ambush for their ambushers." she smiles as she considers the irony.
"First we need a place to spring the trap. A good place to spring the ambush. Then maybe some hirelings, to help sway the combat balance. The level 21 gang may be able to loan us 2 or 3 riflemen. Lastly, we need to spread the word that we have the proof we need. This task should fall to Hux or Tool. Go to seedy underbelly of the station and find someone willing to bet on the outcome of the rock dispute, tell them you have inside info and want to place a large wager on the outcome. A 'little bird' told you that dour human woman found something that will blow the whole case wide open, and she's going to announce it tomorrow."
"You need not actually place the wager, just poke around long enough that the info gets back to the gang or Astral Extractions."
Fusion Queen is a nightclub located in the lower levels of Absalom Station, deep in Downside Kings territory. The neighborhood is somewhat depressed, but still considered trendy in certain circles. In front of the club, lurid neon lights brighten the otherwise dingy space station corridor here, advertising the main entrance to Fusion Queen. The group recognizes the logo for the club is a stylized version of the Downside Kings' symbol.
In front of the building, their are two "bouncers" for the club. They are clearly members of the Downside Kings.
beep Jib powers on
The first thing to note is the lack of security down here. In the two days, you have not seen a single member of the station security.
Without going inside, finding other entrances and exits is not the easiest because it is attached to the other buildings next to it. But there only appears to be the main one that is ever used. Everyone you seem come into the building also leaves using that same door.
The club seems to be a popular place. It is closed during the day, but within an hour of opening both nights, they have about 50 patrons.
During business hours, it looks like there are 5 members of the gang at the club (not including the boss and her bodyguard, whom you have not see enter or exit the club at all). There are the two at the door that switch shifts half way through the night, and 3 who are inside.
During the day time, there seems to be around 8 members in the club (not including the boss and body guard). All are inside the building at that point.
You notice that the bouncers seem to check anyone they do not know for weapons before letting people into the club.
so in two days we have found 10 members in the hide out and we were told there are never more than 8 at a time. Figures, you can't trust the word of gangsters.
A young human is pushing a cart down the walk way, looking all around like he is ready for danger to pop out at any moment. His expectations hold true when a group of well armed strangers approach him.
I would prefer to approach him alone, but understand if that's not possible.
"Good evening young man. Tell me, is there a way some shy friends of mine might be able to attend the club quietly? Perhaps a less used door or a something? My friends are quite shy and wish to be discreet. Also, they would be happy to well compensate someone who could help them."
He is clearly scared when you start talking. Well... umm.. there is only one door I know of and it is the front one... that's why they make us... ummm... take the trash out this way... but... I have... umm... helped someone sneak their own booze in before. Is that why your friends are shy? They don't... ummm... want to be checked at the door? I can help with that for the right fee.
The whole time he doesn't stop moving the cart. The bosses will be suspicious if I am away too long so I got to keep moving.
"I think that might work for my friends. Would 100 credits properly motivate you to get a crate in for us?"
He shakes his head. Sorry ma'am. I can't do creates. He hands you a garbage bag. 100 creds for a bag. I can't sneak any more than that in without it getting...ummm... suspicious. I will be back out in about 10 minutes. Load up what you want into the bag. Work for you?
"Fine, 50 credits now, 50 inside." Dahlia says as she takes the bag
Once the lad leaves, Dahlia opens the bag, drops is her pistol, and holds the bag for the others.
Alim comes out of the shadows, and walks to Dahlia. His orb floats closely behind him.
"If you would be so kind as to put my pistol in there... I will not be torn up if it gets lost. If I am to battle, I prefer it be by my blade..." Alim takes his gun off of his holster, and places it into the bag.
Alim looks at his orb again, and mutters "Min aldaw' 'iilaa alzalami, tusbih 'aemaa lileayn." With that, the orb shakes a little bit, and as it shakes, the golden-yellow glow falls from its shape, until it is no longer visible. The yellow dust floats around Alim's head, and as he nods into it, the dust clings to him for a fleeting moment, before it vanishes.
Alim looks at his comrades. "Once inside, what do we intend to do? Are we staying close to one another, or separating slightly and seeing what we can hear or observe? Both can be beneficial for if combat begins... I just want to get a consensus of where we all stand, since this plan is moving, and we have less than ten minutes until the boy comes back. "
Hux dropes his gun into the bag I'd prefer to be close to everyone. Once fighting breaks out the scene will probably get really chaotic, best if we can watch eachothers backs.
So far, we have 3 pistols in the bag (0 bulk (3L)). The waiter pushes the cart back into the night club. What else is going in the bag?
Tool gives up his weapons to go in the bag as well
The waiter comes back with the cart. He throws the trash away, and puts your bag in the cart. Once you are inside, ask the bartender "where the garbage is". He will tell you wear to find the bag or will just give you the bag. It depends on what we can manage to do once inside. Nice doing business with you. And he walks away with all your weapons in the waiters cart.
The bouncers stop you at the door. Hey there rich kids. You are looking a bit "fresh" to be coming in this joint? What brings you done to these parts. Better yet, you don't need to answer if you pay the cover charge for getting in. 5 credits for your group. The thug smiles knowing that today is going to be a payday for him. While you are fishing out the money, let me check you for weapons. Never know what you sneaky rich folk try to smuggle into the club.
It is pretty clear that the cover charge is just because you look like you have money.
Alim steps forward, and looks the bouncers over once.
Alim gently reaches into his scarf, and pulls out 5 credits worth to cover his comrades. He hands it to the bouncer who is currently speaking with the group. Alim then opens his hands and turns slowly, showing that he has no weapons on him. Alim remains silent the entire time the check is taking place, figuring there is little that needs to be said.
After Alim has been checked over, he waits for the rest of the group before proceeding inside the club.
Tool let's them check him and also waits for the rest
Katara submits to the check and then waits while Hux, Dhalia, and Jib are checked.
Dahlia submits to the check, but waits to be the last one in.