Jaxy's ears perk up as he hears about the free day to roam around the station. "Oh, we could go to that place we saw from the taxi and that other place we saw from the other side of the taxi and that place with the pretty butterflies and that one that had the amazing-looking food sign! But I agree seeing nice-secretary-lady again is not a bad idea, she was nice to hug for someone soo tall!"
Cha'Vishtyr heads out with Jaxy as he mentions checking out an amazing food place. "What's this place called?" He takes in all of the sites and sounds of Absalom Station. It is far more cramped and busier than he could have ever imagined.
Cha and Jaxy easily find a food bazaar, with foods from many different planets being sold from small stalls.
Loading up a plate full of Vercesian cold and hot cuisine and mixing it with the dry grey lumps being sold by the Exoian food stall, Jaxy gives Cha'Cha a wide smile. "Thanks for coming with me! This place is amazing! it has so many varieties and flavors and is fairly cheap, too! What's that you've got there? It looks tasty!"
============
As the two move about after lunch, Jaxy stops mid stride as he realizes something. "Wait, Cha'Cha! I don't think I've ever given you a hug! I can't believe I forgot the second most important thing about being a friend!" The small skittermander then latches onto the bigger Shirren for a good five minutes, before slowly breaking away and pointing to something behind Cha'. "Ooohhh! Look a War Musuem! That looks interesting! Let's go there next!"
"Hmmm...time to look around eh?" Glancing to Jaxy and Cha, she giggles. "More food huh? Have fun."
"I think I'd like to find two things...one I'd love to get me a book on how the hooman's live. You know, something to explain their strange culture and stuff.... Though appreciated, I wonder why they offer food to everyone they meet as a hello...." remarks Kotora.
"Oh! I'd also like to take a look at their ships and see how they are set up. Are they designed with the same layout as the Vesk ones from home? Or you know....just how's the cockpit layed out."
Kotora is easily able to find the book she wants at a bookseller, and is able to glance at the human ships, but only from a distance.
Jaxy finds more kinds of weapons in the museum that even he had ever seen before.
Cha'Vishtyr loads up on grubs and several other meats that still squirm. "This was a good choice." he converses to Jaxy mentally.
As Jaxy hugs Cha'Vishtyr his body stiffens. Not due to the hug but due to the nearby war museum. Flashes of his past continue to swirl in his mind and he shakes his head clearing them. "We should be getting back little one." He comes up with an excuse.
I have seen enough death.
On hearing Kotora's plans, Ack decides to tag along. Taking the opportunity to glean through some books and take in the full sights of some of the ships; marveling at their sheer size and architecture.
Skimming the tome, she glances towards Ack. "Listen to this! 'On the anniversary of the day of their spawning, hoomans rejoice with a traditional chant and a sacrificial cake. It is also customary to grant them a useless bauble in recognition of the occasion'. "
"What a strange ritual, don't you think?"
Jaxy's ears droop a little at Cha's words. With a sidelong glance at the museum the little creature gives a sigh. "Okay... If you say so."
As they start heading back, though, the peurple skittermander is soon distracted by something else and completely forgets the museum. "Ohhhh, loooook that man is selling floating rubber!"
As some of you are on your way to give the nice receptionists some more fuzzy hugs as she requested, your personal comms all go off, asking you to come to Chiskisk's office.
The receptionist, after enjoying the skitter hugs and making sure Ack has a nice treat, brings you into the office. Chiskisk is sitting at the conference table together with a bone sage, who he introduces as Ambassador Nor of Eox. He shares with you that Ambassador Nor was able to discover that the Downside Kings purposely killed Kreel. Astral Extractions claims they did not instruct them to do so. Then the Ambassador begins to speak.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. Thanks to your recent work, I believe we have found a way to solve the dispute between Astral Extractions and the Hardscrabble Collective over both the ship and the asteroid. The first step in this, of course, is learning the specifics of the opposing claims. Both sides are willing to have you do some investigation. You’re new to the station, you seem to possess a wide range of skills and abilities, and you certainly appear capable. In short, you’re perfectly positioned as a neutral third party that could cut through all of the red tape surrounding this issue and get to the heart of the matter. I would like you to go to the Acreon, find out precisely what happened to its crew, and ascertain the value of its asteroid cargo, as well as determine whether this Drift Rock is truly as 'mysterious' as the media claims."
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Spotting the new person as they enter the room, Kotora gives a slight wave with two hands. Suddenly, she notices the lack of food and stops mid stride. 'Meeting new person...hugs and food are customary...' she ponders.
Her eyes going wide suddenly as a thought creeps in 'OH! Perhaps I should off the food this time!' Quickly, she digs out a piece of ration from her pack and makes her way to the newcomer. With a quick hug of his ankle, she holds up the piece of jerky. "Pleasure to meet you. I am Kotora and these are my comrades."
Stepping back, she smiles. "Now that proper procedure has been followed...Was there a particular reason they wanted him killed? That doesn't seem very friendly to me...though Jaxy here has been trying to explain why sometimes that is a friendly thing...hmmm..."
"I don't see a reason we couldn't take a look. Sounds like fun, and I'd love to see the cockpit of the vessel. So, what what are the pacif...spec-if-ic claims we should know? Are we sure the crew isn't just hiding aboard on the ship?"
Jaxy strides into the room with a happy smile plastered on his face. is belly was full and the receptionist was fun to hug as always. Catching sight of the new creature in the room, his eyes widen. With an avid fascination, he rushes over and introduces himself. "Hi, new person! I'm Jaxy! What's your name? ... and what are you? If I can ask you..."
Distracted by Chis's spiel and the person he finds out is Nor's explanation, Jaxy listens with enthusiasm. "Wait is that killing the 'good' friendly-killing or the 'bad' murder-killing? But we can explore a ship! Ohhh, that sounds fun! When do we go? What's it called? ...Is it purple?"
After a few seconds of bouncing excitedly Jaxy realizes he knows almost nothing about about Nor's people. He sidles up to the bone sage and when there's a good lull in the conversation quietly asks, "Uh, can I ask you a question? Do you die like other people? I should know about that for work in case one of your peoples asks me to help..."
Dribble ponders for a bit and then speaks up
"Yes, that sounds like the best thing to do. I am sure it is all just one big misunderstanding. We should go and figure out what the ship and rock are all about so you can explain it and then everybody can be friends again. Of course we will do that!"
Cha'Vishtyr had been hearing all manner of reports concerning this rock. Cha'Vishtyr links mentally with the Bone Sage. "Of course we will investigate the Rock. A Starfinder was murdered over it. It must be of some importance."
Besides these Skittermanders will need someone to watch over them so they don't hug the wrong person. He thinks to himself.
The goblin made his way at the back of the group, munching away on the snack offered to him.
How do we get to the Ceron? Where is it currently? It sounds familiar, but as you said, we're new here.
Nor looks at Kotora. His odd eyes seem to see right through her.
"We don't know, that is why we are sending you."
He then looks at Jaxy. "My people are already dead. We cannot die again, but we can cease to be."
To Ack, the Ambassador only says "A shuttle will take you there if you agree. That is all you need to know."
"Agree. Though what is the pay as this sounds a bit dangerous?" Cha'Vishtyr asks politely.
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Jaxy stops everything as an almost fundamental part of his world is shattered with a few words. After a few seconds of barely even breathing the skittermander glances at the larger creature next to him. "You're.... dead?... No way! ...you're still moving! .... but you do look like someone who died.... is she really dead?.... How?" After a moment of thinking about it and judging the situation, Jaxy slowly gets excited again. "....That's SO Do you still have the 'pain an' sufferin' of life'? How did you do that?! Can I do that? Why doesn't everyone do that? Wow!"
When Cha' comments about getting paid, Jaxy's excitement jumps tracks and plunges ahead, the momentary station=shattering revelation form earlier forgotten. "Wait, we're getting paid on top of getting to explore the ship? That's amazing! What are we waiting for let's GO!!!"
"You will be given 600 credits for a careful and complete investigation."
The next morning, you meet up at the docking bay. The ambassador has sent you a message, telling you he has arranged a ship for you. Attached to this message is a second, encrypted message. The encrypted message is as follows:
There is one additional detail that I’d like to ask your help with. Among its other cargo, the Acreon was carrying a package destined for the embassy. Of course, with the ship being quarantined, the package has been undeliverable. I’ve been eagerly awaiting its arrival, and I’d consider it a personal favor if you could find the package and bring it to me when you return to the station. It’s clearly marked, so I don’t imagine it will be too difficult to find. It is my personal property, and breaks no laws. Please bring it back, and return it to me, unopened.
In the docking bay, you find a ship, clearly intended to take you to the Acreon. You also find a small observer robot, which will accompany you and send images to all interested parties.
You board the ship, and the ship travels without incident to the Acreon.
Dribble waves towards the observer drone "Hi, I am Dribble."
She then looks at the spaceship "Oh, I am not really that into spaceships and their stuff. Although I am good at making a team better, it is my experience at the kindergarten"
Cha'Vishtyr reads the encrypted message. "So this is why he really wanted us to investigate it. Always comes down to personnel reasons with the political types." The shirren relays to the groups mind as he sits in the Science Officer's seat.
Seeing the Acreon come into view Cha'Vishtyr begins to set up the parameters on the scopes and scans the vessel.
Jaxy excitedly bounces in his new armor and gear, almost looking like a mechanical porcupine with all of his gear and pointy bits. He only stops moving for the second it takes to read the message, but his excitement visibly tingles down his spine as he finishes it. "Oh, oh, oh! If we give him his package, do you think he'd tell us his secret of being dead?"
When he catches sight of the drone, he trundle up to it. "Hello! I'm Jaxy! I like weapons, like the one right here! It's an Azimuth Corp, Artillery-Class Heavy Combat Lazer with an extended CFar scope and a custom made..." The little one then starts to give nitty-gritty details about each weapon in his stock for about 15 minutes. "...And aiming for the legs with a taclash is a good idea! Oh, look we need to go! Bye!"
The bundle of fur, metal, and batteries then rushes up into the space ship, checking out the main gunner's chair before joining everyone on the bridge.
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"But if it breaks no laws....why doesn't it already have the package?" remarks Kotora. Shrugging she smiles. "I suppose we've no reason not to pick it up on our way out."
Giggling as Jaxy drones out, she waits till he finishes. "He just might, if you ask nicely."
Eyeing the ship as it comes into view, Kotora jumps up and down in anticipation. "Ooooo I do hope it's set up with normal sized people like us in mind!"
Dribble takes the captain's seat "Allright, Kotora, wait a second with our final approach while Cha scans the Acreon"
Taking in the sights of the ship that was to transport them to the Aceron, the others seemed to be taking to their roles rather quickly; with the exception of Jaxy making conversation with the drone.
The presence of the drone triggered a habit for Ack to cover himself more, and keep his back to the drone when looking in his direction. Dressed in his new armor, with an old and tattered shawl and discolored scarf covering his head and neck, he came to the console that displayed the information for the engines and integrity of the ship itself and took a seat as they were preparing to take off.
You settle into your chosen roles on the ship, which uneventfully travels to where the ship, the Acreon, is floating in space, a tow cable connecting it to a small asteroid.
"Looks pretty from the viewer." remarks Kotora. "Can't wait to touch her controls.....Oh...ah...what's it look like Cha?"
Jaxy gives an excited triple fist pump as he sees the ship. "It IS purple! Yes! I like it! ...but how are we getting over there?"
Standing up, the small skittermander then tries to jump and grab ahold of the drone and train it's camera on the view screen. "See that? That's where we are going! Isn't it great? It PURPLE!"
He then turns the camera to point at Cha, "And Cha'Cha, our science-y officer-er, probably knows all sorts of things about it!"
____________________
Cha'Vishtyr taps the screen. "Something is disrupting the signal but it doesn't appear there is anyone left alive the Acreon. The aft airlock is open and all weapons are armed but not active which is strange. The power core seems to be at minimal power, though enough to support life support, gravity and some basic computer functions, though little else." He relays the information to the rest. "Your god might have his work cut out for him yet Jaxy."
"Allright, Kotora please dock us at the aft airlock."
Dribble looks at the others "Remember to activate your suits protection mechanism to be able to breathe. Jaxy, you take point. Do not shoot anything, unless it tries to eat your face"
Dribble waits until Kotora has docked the ship at the aft airlock and then stands up. She activates the protection features of her spacesuit and follows Jaxy into the other ship.
Fiddling through his pack Ack starts to pool some of his rigging tools to the top; after which he searches his suit for the protection mechanism.
On pressing the button the open parts of the suit cover themselves in a thin film; forming a bit of a large bubble around the head that would look rather similar to a fish bowl. A childish and toothy grin could easily be seen behind the loose scarf; holding a rubber gripped hammer that looked like it was grabbed straight from a repair shop.
"Aye Aye captain!" giggles Kotora, offering her cousin a sideways salute.
Circling the ship twice in a slow spiral, she creeps closer and closer. 'It IS quite a pretty vessel. No wonder both of them want it.'
Finding herself out of excuses to delay, and really getting too excited to stay off the vessel, she pulls up to the aft hatch and eases into it. "Ah! Just like a buttered pancake butt."
Leaping from the pilots console, she rushes to the door, hopping up and down with excitement. Noting the others activating their suits, she pauses just long enough to press the button. "Ok. I'm ready. Lets movemovemovemove! Tehe."
Jaxy stands up straight as Dribble gives the orders for him to take the lead. With a traditional Vesk salute, and an unexpectedly serious tone, he crys, "Yes, Sir!" He then relaxes slightly and gives a sigh. "Awww, I like shooting things... If it tries to eat off other people's faces, does that work?"
As the craft is expertly guided back on to the airlock, Jaxy gives his equipment a once over again, before stroking a few of the iridescent scales on his armor. It shakes slightly before producing something that almost looks like a soap bubble that rapidly expands to cover Jaxy's head and any of the other places that are exposed. After they expand to a good size the liquid quickly hardens into a clear solid.
As the ship finally docks, he giggles and leans over to Ack. In a whisper that wouldn't be out of place in a elementary school he says, "She said 'buttered!"
Jaxy then makes sure to jump in front of Kotora. "It's dangerous and Capt'n said I have to go first!" He then cautiously moves onto the ship, his cannon and taclash in hand.
Cha'Vishtyr activates his suit's protective measures. Grabbing his staff he slowly walks behind everyone, taking up the rear. "Let's salvage what we can and bring them home." He mentions the more than likely dead crew.
"Awww, I like shooting things... If it tries to eat off other people's faces, does that work?"
Dribble clenches her fists, unclenches them, counts to ten and then answers "Yes Jaxy, if it tries to eat any part of any one of us you can shoot it. And affectionately nibbling does not count!"
Jaxy again snaps to attention, "Yes, Sir!" He then gets a wistful look in his eyes as he thinks about affectionate nibbling and being able to help things pass on to the afterlife.
You pull the ship that you were sent here in up close to the rear airlock, and then climb into the airlock. The various doors that make up the airlock are all open. Flickering emergency lights do little to dispel the darkness inside the derelict ship, and the sense of abandonment is only heightened by the apparent lack of any movement or life inside its airless corridors. Artificial gravity is still functional, however, so there’s likely still power to run essential systems and possibly restore life support and atmosphere to the ship. Unfortunately, there are still no obvious clues as to the fate of the Acreon’s vanished crew.
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