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Ferani, with streaked eyeliner, shakes her head. Pippimi walks her out of the room with a confident air. The group frantically gathers up the creds and gear then follows her. The club is still bumping, and those that do notice you don't see to care. At the door the guards look at the ground, afraid of Ferani enough to not question her actions. Ferani, scared of the little halfling behind her, does not try anything.
A tense transport ride later and the group is at the nearest Station Security station. (Six levels away! No wonder the Downlow is so lawless.) The bored officer at the desk looks up at you, bubblegum smacking. Then, startled, he looks at the wanted poster on the wall. Then back at Ferani. Then back at the wall. Then at the six of you. He slowly raises his radio and whispers, "Uh... I'm going to need backup at the front desk. And the special forces team. Just in case." Then he casually sets down the com and smiles. "Hi there. How can I help you today?"
"Hi hi! Pippimi is bringing in big-time bad girl Ferani, leader of Breakdown Kings! Here you go." She lifts Ferani up and puts her on the desk of the bored officer. "Oof. Also, Pippimi give you copy of Ferani business dealings records!"
She borrows the datapad they retrieved from the Fusion Queen and with a few taps has it dump a copy of its contents into an archive. She emails the dump to Station Security with the label 'Bad Girl Ferani Evidence - Courtesy of Starfinder Sosh'.
As soon as its on its way, she gives the officer a pair of thumbs up and says "OK! You can take from here, yes? Pippimi have other things to do. Bye bye!" and rolls on out of the station.
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Outside, she brushes off her fur and says "Pippimi ready to visit 21-ers, but she need rest. Can maybe get nice slow elevator to take?"
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Lenny senses the nervousness and shock of the officer and rolls his eyes.
I don't think you need to be overly concerned. Ferani here has learned her limits and is still recovering from an embarrassing... reaction. I think at this point she'll be happy to shower and rest in your custody.
Lenny waits until the special forces team shows up to secure her before heading back outside.
Outside, she brushes off her fur and says "Pippimi ready to visit 21-ers, but she need rest. Can maybe get nice slow elevator to take?"
Agreed. There's no reason to rush off on half a tank of gas. Lets freshen up and go give them our all!
Later at the Security Station Zoran can't help but to laugh at the personnel's reaction.
"It actually wasn't that hard to take her in. We might have a job as bounty hunters after this as well. What was the reward for her?" he asks with a smile.
He nods as the others want to rest.
"Hopefully they won't be as wiling to get into a gun fight."
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The overwhelmed security officer stammers a moment as he puts cuffs on Ferani. He watches Pippimi roll away and just shakes his head. "Wasn't that hard? Wow. Maybe I should train with the Starfinders." He looks at the wanted poster on the wall. "Uh... it says 1000 creds. Nice pay-off. You'll get paid after she's been put away. Which could be a while..." He shrugs his shoulders and smiles. "Well, give me your contact information and we'll make sure to get back to you with your reward."
The group takes a break at a small coffee shop, feeling much better after a little caffeine and rest. Then, the group decides to go down a few levels to get the other side of the story.
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The twenty-first level of the Spike is decidedly low-end, but not quite a slum. Certainly nicer than the 32nd level where the Fusion Queen was. It’s clean, with not a bit of trash anywhere. Everywhere you see evidence of attempts to brighten the place, from little flower boxes on the windows and container gardens on the street to full-out graffiti murals.
There are ysoki repair shops, stitchery shops, upgrade clinics and pawn shops. There’s a human-run beauty shop, a tattoo parlor and assorted other businesses including a stand selling off-brand augmentations and comic books. Finally, there’s a delightful smell of spiced potato coming from a local bodega with sign that reads MAMA FATS.
Rolling with an extra frenetic energy due to the caffeine, Pippimi chirps out "This going to be big news back in office! Pippimi solves all Absalom Station crime problems in one evening! Big skittermander hug muscle save day!" She raises all her furry arms and does a cartwheel into a nearby wall before righting herself and scurrying to catch up.
She peers way up at the sign. "Mama Fats? Is "mama" also type of frying oil? Sure smell good in there." She rolls on into the store to see if she can get herself a snack.
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Lenny looks around at the walls of the shops, barely noticeable tags on the sidewalks, and other surfaces on the level.
Funny. It's not enough that the gang has named themselves after the level they inhabit, but they put their kids-with-spraypaint-cans to work.
He begins drawing the attention of his teammates and pointing out various graffiti, discussing how some indicate artists just waiting to be taken off the streets while other examples are the more primitive output of thugs with little going on in their heads. He relays all of this with a bit of a sanctimonious air. (Because he pays his taxes dammit!)
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Davrin, who was still perceptibly unsettled after the encounter in the Fusion Queen, relaxes signicantly when he enters the neighborhood. "Certainly a much more welcoming environment. Relatively speaking of course." Reminds me a bit of home actually.
He quickly tunes out Lenny, while still nodding and uh-humming away, a skill he picked up in his years entertaining countless men and women to love the sound of their voices.
[b]"But wait? Perhaps not. What's that I spy with my little eye? A little spy? There was ratkin teen there. Spotted us and popped right into
Zulu follows the group quietly as they drop off the criminal, rest and head to the secondary gangster headquarters.
"Nice decor. Much more friendly looking. Still kill us in a second."
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Pippimi's initiative and Davrin's observations both lead the group inside the establishment known as MAMA FATS.
Walking into the bodega, it’s a corner grocery store like any other. Though it does have a deli with sandwiches and wraps and steaming pasties and rolls. “Hello, strangers,” the halfling woman at the counter greets you, a serious expression on her face. “Would you like coffee? Spicy potato rolls? Slip here told me we had visitors.” She nods to the ysoki teen, who’s standing behind the counter, arms out of sight - hands beneath the counter. “Well-armed ones, too.” She notes, as she looks you over. “We don’t often get well-armed visitors, so I have to ask... Are you folks looking for food or trouble?”
The teen’s com beeps urgently. He reluctantly lifts a hand up from beneath the counter. Seeing the message, he tenses up and looks very nervous. With slow movements, he shows the screen to Mama - careful to hide the screen from you all. She glances down, frowns, then forces a smile. ”Ahem. Food? Or trouble?”
"You are most likely correct, Zulu. If our research was correct they might just let us talk before making that foolish attempt at least." Zoran adds as the others head for Mama Fats.
I could go for some food at least!
"I am a bit hungry but neither of those things, truthfully. Information...possibly allies is what we are after. We recently lost a close acquaintance and had a unfortunate run-in with the culprits. We believe the local organization would be interested in talking about it, peacefully." he adds calmly and pointing out one of the spicy potatoe rolls.
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Yes, and no ma'am," Davrin sweeps off his extravagant hat as he gives 'Mama" an elegant bow. "Who could say no to such mouth savouring food? But we certainly do not look for trouble - unless they come knocking that is. We just want information - of the untimely death of a friend from the Collective. And a pasty would do nicely, too!"
"Oooh Hooo! Hi Hi! Pippimi take spicy potato!" She passes over some credits to get herself an appealing snack. "Pippimi never try before, but smell very good."
As she bites into the potato with gusto, she listens to her allies as they lay out the reason the party is here. Between bites of the roll she adds "Mmmf, pofato roll tafty! Zoran and Dafrun very right. We jufft come bak from Kingf nightclub" she swallows her current mouthful "We deal with Kings leader, maybe that mean you can rest easy for short while?" She ventures a guess that whoever this person is, they'll probably be more amenable with a bit more detail on which side of things the party is on.
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Mama Fats nods, handing out potato rolls and coffee. She looks at Zoran and Davrin curiously as she does so. "You sound genuine enough..." She glares at the teen beside her, and continues. “Sounds like you have serious business, a dead friend. If you’re seeking answers from us and not more bloodshed, I can set up a breakfast meeting here tomorrow with Jabaxa. Simple stuff. Eggs, potatoes, fried mushrooms. About 0830. If you come offering no tricks, we’ll do the same.” She looks down at Pippimi and smiles. "And I wouldn't use the K-word around here. Tends to make people upset." She looks at the teen meaningfully.
Zulu keeps quiet and watches, noticing that dispite the banal appearance of the shop there were high quality cameras, and likely more impressive hidde security.
It was no simple shop.
This fact he shares with the group when they leave for the evening in preparation of their morning meeting.
"Breakfast meeting have full catering? Pippimi is IN!" She finishes off her snack and steps towards the open doorway out of the shop. "Pippimi see you tomorrow Ms. Fats! Bring you good samples and no tricks. You appreciate, Pippimi sure."
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The next morning you set out for Level 21 bright and early. The kids are out playing again, and the teen is leaning against the wall of the bodega, smoking an e-cig. He reaches back and taps on the door three times when you round the corner.
“RORY! Leave them alone now.” Mama Fats calls from the door. She pokes her head out the door. “You all best go in. Best not to keep him waiting, now.”
She leads you into the back. The back room of the bodega is fairly nice, and clean. Although there are boxes and crates about, a number of them have been pushed together to make a table, and it’s been covered with a pretty red embroidered tablecloth. There’s even candles and cheery plates. A fat and somewhat frumpy looking ysoki is already sitting at the table.
Six guards are standing at posts throughout the room, but they don’t have weapons drawn.
The old ysoki studies you. “So, you wanted to meet with Jaxtaba. Well, I must admit a certain curiosity myself, so here I am. I've never eaten with my enemies before." He smiles at you, unnervingly. The guards adjust their stances, getting more tense. "But, Mama says she likes you, and I like Mama. She has made us one of her famous egg and mushroom dishes." He looks behind him at one of the human guards. "Go outside, Simon. Your finger is to itchy for breakfast." The man pushes past you, intentionally bumping shoulders with several of you. "Come, sit. We’ll eat like civilized people, and then business.”
Zoran walks in and clearly noticed the man on edge. He spares him a glance and doesn't respond as he bumps into him.
"It looks delicious but please do not refer to us as enemies. I believe it goes the enemy of my enemy is my friend." he says before taking a seat and enjoying the meal.
Afterwards he begins his negotiation.
"Now for the business. I believe the word must have surely spread by now that Ferani has been handed over to station security and there are a few less Kings working the streets. We didn't come to get involved in a gang war but their target was the Hardscrabble Collective and Duravor Kreel who happens to be an acquaintance of ours. All things considered us becoming closer going forward seems like a win-win."
Clank had been incredibly quiet through the initial conversation with Mama Fats, nursing one helish headache from his near-death experience. He also has the sense of diplomacy not to add to Jabaxa, At least it's better to eat with your enemies than to -eat- your enemies. He is definitely glad that Zoran is there to do the talking and eats the breakfast with exaggerated slowness as the Envoy does his thing.
<HOMP> <gulp> <swallow>. <BURP>
Ok, so the goblin at least tries to eat like civilized while chowing down the food so as not to antagonize the apparent gang leader. He does lick his fingers of the delicious food before grinning wordlessly at the Ysoki.
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With countless encounters with strangers through his professional career, Davrin quickly catches on the mood of the room. But he doesn't let that knowledge show his face. Hardly surprising, considering we did kill a number of their comrades in the shootout.
Whipping of his hat, he gives a deep bow to the ysoki. "Greetings, Jataxba. What a lovely name. Davrin Emalon at your service. And a fine service I offer, as my countless clients can attest to. As could have my dear friend Kreel could have, if he was only still with us today. May Lady Pharasma watch over his soul." He punctuates the last part with a deep sigh.
Turning his mood right back around, he continues, "But what is this talk of enemy? I admit, we were perhaps too hasty in returning fire when caught in the crossfire between your two gangs. For the needless loss of lives of your friends that were a result of our fire, I apologise on behalf of all of us. If we had known earlier, you can trust that we would have joined you in taking down the Kings. Perhaps Kreel would still be alive then. Hopefully, our work in bringing down Ferani would be some restitution?"
Pippimi rolls on up to the table with bright cheeriness, the struggles and fighting of the day before filed away in a report and then subsequently forgotten. "Hiya Hi Jatbaxa! We not enemies, so it OK! You not eat with enemies!" She settles herself in a chair and helps herself to some hash browns and fried mushrooms.
After a couple of pleased bites, she stares at the eggs on everyone else's plates and shakes her head before listening in to what the more chatty members of the party are saying.
She reinforces their message with a "Zora and Davrin are very right! We also interested in your side of story. You hired to help Hardscrabble peoples? Why you take job when have to go against Kings? Seem very dangerous." She spears another mushroom and tosses it into her mouth.
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Right-o! If we were enemies we might have arrived with Ferani, I imagine with some joint plan we would have cooked up with her. You know, instead of fighting her and turning her over to security. After what we did to her I think she's happy to be alive and in custody. Keep calm, and we'll all be fine, Jaxabatabaja.
By the way, do you work out? There's this great routine, pilates. I can get you one free month at this snazzy new gym up-levels. You'll love the theme....
Sensing that the team hopefully had this negotiation, Clank can't help but chiming in: "I really am sorry that we were forced to neutralize some of your men, but to be fair, they shot me first! Outside of that incident I've always been impressed by your operation, but maybe you should give your men lessons on [b]"Don't shoot the innocent bystanders in a firefight?"
From his pocket he pulls out a business card and puts it on the table with a grin. "Just so there's no hard feelings, if you ever need Electrical work done I'm willing to personally give a 5% off 'Mistakes Were Made' Discount on a future job!"
Zulu stands in the back quietly, somehow understanding the emotions of the guards, for a change, and figuring that he'd let the smooth talkers do the talking.
As he does so he cycles his exocortex around the room, calculating chances and probabilities of violence and formulating action plans based on the probablilities.
When the human bumps his shoulder on the way out he simply looks at him blank faced and adds the confrontation to his calculations.
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“Mama Fats, this is wonderful as always.” Jaxtaba nods to the hovering halfling. “Garlic toast is one of the blessings of the universe.” He piles the eggs high on the bread and and takes a happy bite. Only then does he acknowledge Zoran’s comment. ”I believe those who take down my men count as my enemies.” He pauses to pour himself some orange juice, then smiles. ”But if you were the ‘smooth operators’ who took out Ferani, perhaps we have much to discuss.” He looks you lot over, and continues. ”Their target was the Hardscrabbles, eh? Pricks. We’ve been hired to protect their Collective. But…” The ysoki spits out a little biscuit as he laughs. ”That’s not why we were there that day! We were only there because we’d been tipped that the Kings were on their way to that dock.” He looks to Pippimi and answers. "Two reasons. First, I heard the contract would involve shooting some Kings. We do that for free anyway, so might as well get paid. They may own three levels, but our level is higher and brings in more dough. Second, I have a soft spot for the downtrodden, and the Collective seemed in rough shape. "
He turns to Davrin and nods. ”Hasty, indeed. But we can looks past some hasty bullets and bolts.” He looks at Clank and winks. ”Well, except for Simon, perhaps. His brother didn’t survive. But, let bygones be bygones. I’m sorry that they killed your friend. Hopefully I can help set the story straight.” He puts down his empty plate and folds his hands. ”So. My men had nothing to do with your Kreel’s death. That was a purely Downside act. What else do you want to know?”
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"Bygones be bygones. That is indeed good news. Peace and harmony is good for business. And pleasure. Unless it is with the Kings, of course. In which, brimstone and fury on them." Clearly, Davrin is not quite ready to let things go. "May we know your contact of the Hardscrabbles Collective? I feel some obligation to offer our assistance after what has happened with Kreel."
Pippimi dabs at her mouth with a handkerchief, "Kings ordered to go to dock to kill Dura, Ferani tell them Dura is Level 21 gang leader. So L21s get tip that Kings on way to dock. But L21s not manage to protect Dura... is that breach of contract?" She mulls it over for a moment while working two of her paws against each other. "Others not say, but we hear that Astral Extractions behind hiring Kings. Big corp. Be careful they not go after you too!"
She also nods rapidly at Davrin's question, before rummaging in her pack for a small box. She holds the brightly labeled container in her paws for a opportune time.
The sample box is a BLASTWERKS! Qwik-Snap Non-Medical Needler! TRIAL EDITION!!!
>In just 3 EASY steps, TWIST, SNAP and CRYOFUSE your way to a fully assembled needle dispensing projectile weapon! This one-use trial product includes a fully sterilized hypodermic needle, not to be removed from this product or used for any medical purposes! FIRE NEEDLES RESPONSIBLY!!!<
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Jabaxa looks at Davrin and nods. He pulls out his datapad and sends you some contact info. A quick glance at the digital business card reveals:
Captain Otal Serissi
Owner of the Dust Runner
Member of the Hardscrabble Collective
The ysoki nods. "Otal. Nice lady. I gave her the nice lady discount on our services. " He furrows his eyebrows. "Don't tell anybody that exists." He shakes his head at Pippimi. "Don't worry about contracts. My men tell me that Kreel was family of the Collective, but not a member. Otis won't hold that against us, so feel free to tell her I sent you."
As Pippimi continues, his face darkens. "Men, leave us. Now." After the guards vacate the space, he continues. "We have heard those rumors as well. It appears the Astrals did not want anyone looking into the Drift Rock. Gangs or Starfinders. Well, I plan to stay well away from the whole thing. To big for us. But your superiors may think differently."
After a bit more conversation, the meeting dies down and Jabaxa gladly accepts the trial sample. "Uh, thanks. I'll be sure to check it out."
As you have their comm frequency, it is easy to set up a meeting with Chiskisk. You have to collect your pay, after all!
Once you get together, the shirren excitedly waves their antennae, communicating telepathically. "Tell me, what have you found?"
"Blastwerks not give 'nice lady discount', but Pippimi think that very good idea. She bring back to bosses. Maybe she qualify too?" Her broad, winking grin at Jabaxa and then the rest of her party shows that for once one of her strange comments is actually meant to be a joke.
"OK, we go talk to Otis. Thank you for all information 21s Boss Man. And thanks to Mama for very great breakfast!" She pokes her head out of the room and repeats the praise directly to Mama if she can, before looking back into the meeting room and saying "Please enjoy sample. Pippimi recommend very much!"
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After a relaxing night, the group heads back to the Lorespire Complex, home of the Starfinder Society. Having scheduled beforehand, the quirky gnome secretary waves you on in, whispering, "See, I told you I'd remember you."
Once you get together, Chiskisk excitedly waves their antennae, communicating telepathically. "You are back! And so soon! Tell me. What did you find?" They pick a datapad, ready to take notes.
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Well, by now you're probably aware that Ferani is in station security custody. When we went to pay the kings a visit, we got a pretty hostile welcome. Bit of a shootout there, but we held our own. She'd told them that Kreel was a Level 21 gang leader, but it turns out he simply has association with members of the Hardscrabble Collective. Jabaxa of Level 21 was more reasonable. She pointed us to Captain Otal Serissi, also of the Collective. So, that's who were off to see next.
"Lenny right! Downside Kings were behind hit on Dura. A corp called Astral Extractions hired them to make sure Dura died in firefight. All to send 'message' to small mining company! Blastwerks NEVER do underhanded strategies like that. Just honest and open battles to death with rival company executioners when problems become intractable." Pippimi nods sagely, as if this is the only proper way to settle problems between corps.
"So Astral Extractions is big behind-scenes string puller. We have evidence!" She pulls out her comms device and sends Ferani's files wirelessly to Chiskisk for perusal in a folder labeled 'Big-time Pippimi Info-haul'
"We do good job? Help alot? Society very impressed?"
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"We've taken down the hands, but the brains behind is still in operation, though. Astral Extractions. And it seems all this is linked to Drift Rock that the Collective had salvaged. Much as Astral Extractions would want to keep everyone else's hands off, well, mine are getting a little restless." Davrin says all this with a wide innocent grin.
"That does sum up most of it. I do recommend reaching out to the Level 21 as they can be reasoned with and have some positive aspects. That and the fact that the Kings have an anti-Starfinder opinion. That is for the future but we have to handle the present which is the Astral Extractions issue." Zoran follows up with the others.
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Zulu simply nods as his group covers the pertinent facts admirably.
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Chiskisk listens to each of you intently. ”Wow. You have been busy. This news of the Astral Extractions acting against us is quite disheartening. They are an enormous corp, with far more funds than our organization. We cannot afford to fight them head on. I must ask you to avoid them and their representatives for the time being. We do not want to aggravate them. Of course, we must do our best to find a way to investigate this drift rock, now that we know it is so important to our enemies.” The Shirren nods gravely. "It is ironic. That Durovar might have been killed to prevent Starfinder actions only brought Starfinder action. You’ve dethroned a gang and helped solve my a loyal agent’s murder. For that, I am very thankful." They go on to tell you that given all you've learned, there is likely sufficient cause for a further raid that will generate any physical evidence that might be required. Their antennae flick solemnly as they regards you all. "Thank you, Starfinders. It means much to me that my friend will have found justice. You have more than proven the trust the Society has placed in you all and this is not a deed that will be soon forgotten."
They opens the drawer and pulls out six small medallions. Speaking carefully, and out loud, they speaks. ”Now, I don’t do this very often. But I must make a physical example of my gratitude. If you will accept it, I would like to offer each of you a field commission to become fully fledged members of the Starfinder Society.”
Afterwards, you make your way out of his office, past the colorful gnome, and into the Society sleeping quarters for a well earned rest. You’re not sure what’s ahead, but it is sure to be full of adventure!
PART ONE COMPLETE!
Clank raises a brow at the proferred insignia. I didn't realize that Starfinders were so desperate as to recruiting a motley bunch such as us... Still it's not a bad gig... Plenty of food and opportunities for blasting..
Clank smiles and takes one of the insignias, only managing to stab himself once as he pins it on.
Pippimi pushes a button on her branded comm device, exchanges a quick whispered conversation with someone on the other end, and then offers "Sorry Chiskisk, Pippimi heard from legal department. She can't become Starfinder, but she can still help! Especially if Society is willing to sit and talk about potential weapons distribution contract with Blastwerks."
She winks a huge eye at the shirren "Actually, between you and Pippimi, she going to help even if you not sign contract. Pippimi see Society need lot of help, so she not stop." She rolls over and shakes one of the shirren's claws with a paw.
Zulu steps forward and accepts the badge, "Starfinder, fascinating. Explorer, scholar, problem solver. More interesting than crew on a deep space freighter. I accept."
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Chiskisk shrugs his shoulders at Pippimi's rejection. "That is fair. I appreciate your continued assistance. As the leader of our Exo-Guardians, I do have a certain sway over which brands my agents prefer. We'll talk." The host winks at the little ball of blue and hands out badges to the rest.
---
A few days after your confrontation with Ferani Nadaz and the Downside Kings, a messenger arrives at the Starfinder lodgings with an invitation. The paper is as black as the void of space, the letters so white they almost glow.
Your company is requested for a meeting with His Excellency Gevalarsk Nor, ambassador of Eox.
The meeting is set to take place at the Eoxian embassy in Absalom Station’s wealthy Parkside neighborhood in the Eye. The embassy is normally restricted to Eoxian citizens and foreigners with official business, but your invitation explicitly gives you authorization to enter.
The public transit system into the Eye is less expansive as that going into the lower levels. Instead you call an automated taxi, which delivers you at the given address in little time. The Eoxian embassy has been decorated in a style reminiscent of traditional Eoxian architecture — black marble and bone-pale limestone, vaulted ceilings, sepulchral furnishings, and disconcertingly organic architectural details. The gates are guarded by four well armored skeletons who, oddly, are unarmed. Before you can put a credstick into the taxi, a skeleton steps forward and waves a metal wand. ”You are expected. Your fare has been paid. You’re welcome.” The skeleton steps back into place, almost as if it had never moved. After a few tense moments, a second guard raises a bony finger. The bony white gates creak open, revealing a path to a jet-black doorway.
Inside, a pair of undead skeletal attendants in lush black velvet robes lead you to a spare but well-appointed office that feels something like the inside of an ancient mausoleum. The sole occupant of the room, Gevalarsk Nor’s elongated cranium marks him as an elebrian, a native of Eox, and he is clearly undead—his skeletal countenance displays no scrap of flesh, and an eerie light burns in his otherwise empty eye sockets.
After you are seated he speaks in a low, dry tone. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. I’m certain you’re aware of the recent interest in the prospecting ship Acreon and the asteroid being referred to as the ‘Drift Rock,’ and I believe you’re also acquainted with the dispute between Astral Extractions and the Hardscrabble Collective over both the ship and the asteroid. Both parties are currently awaiting legal arbitration, but the wheels of justice often turn quite slowly. As a result, I have offered my services as a mediator in hopes of finding a solution that is equitable to both factions.” He opens his arms wide, smiling with his lipless mouth.
“The first step in this, of course, is learning the specifics of the opposing claims. Reports of your recent endeavors in dealing with some of Absalom Station’s most notorious gangs have led me to believe that you might be useful in this undertaking as well. 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.” He looks at each of you meaningfully, perhaps a second too long.
“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. I have been advised that I can offer each of you a sum of 600 credits for this duty. Will you agree to it?” A trained politician, he is hard to read. But you can tell he wants you to say yes.
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Davrin is his usual carefree self, and indeed, the faint shadow that had been hanging over him with witnessing the death of Kreel seemed to have finally cleared; he seemed to have made peace.
Eoxians... Hmm, tricky clients... To whomever would listen, Davrin purses his lips as he comments, "Haven't had any Eoxian clients before. Service would be... kind of tricky if you know what I mean. Know them more by reputation than anything. Oh well, let's see what he needs."
He nods politely to the guards along the way, strange as they appear. In his line of business, he has learnt to courteous and anyone. And anything.
Not having an idea what to expect, Davrin keeps a fixed gentle smile as he listens to be briefing. At some point, he adjusts his eyepatch slightly (and that's when you seem to recall that he had been wearing it on his other eye before). Finally, he coughs softly. "Indeed it an honour to be addressed by His Excellency himself, and on such a high-profile case no less. But ah... you know, we halflings are cursed with curiosity. Not letting things go when we should. You see, I can't quite understand why the high ambassador of Eox would be interested in a mining dispute between a private coorporation and cooperative?"
The night before the meeting Zulu recharges his partially spent laser batteries for rifle and pistol.
In the morning he takes a quick jog to the markets to purchase two grenades (frag I, Shock I) and two more healing serums.
Heading to the meeting he simply sits back and listens as his custom, eying the undead with fascination as he very little interaction with their kind in his many years.
"Explore derelict ship, mysterious asteroid. Sounds fascinating."
Zoran pauses for a moment to think on the offer then nods his head.
"I accept. If it lets me guide people to safety when others would leave them stranded...what choice do I have." he replies while clutching the insignia before stowing it away.
There is a time and place for wearing something like this.
He smiles and wonders how things would have been different if he had protection on his pilgrimage.
---
As he reads the letter he goes paler...which is surprising as his complexion is already rather sickly.
"A honor...we will see." he mutters as they read the invitation.
The next morning he forgoes his disguise and it is clear his flesh is not truly living. The group can see the dark energies that course through the veins under his paled skin.
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"Your Excellency, how could I as someone who once called this place home deny this request. That and negotiating the difficult areas inbetween is my specialty." he says bowing his head. His muscles are tense giving way to actual apprehension on the topic.
Never liked the Eoxians... how do you kill that which has no life?" Clank tries super especially to be good in the presence of the dignitary, knowing that he might start a pact-wide diplomatic incident by letting slip something such as commenting about how the elebrian must be compensating for something with the size of his head. Through tremendous willpower he sits through the entire mission debriefing. When Nor reaches his conclusion Clank smiles with a toothy grin of innocence and asks simply, "So, if we take this mission we wouldn't be responsible for any damage incurred to the ship or Rock, right?"
Pippimi peers at the card with a "Oooh, fancy! Pippimi like their stationery choices. Very classy undead." She listens to Davrin's comments and adds "Pippimi agree. Worth at least stopping by to see what Ambassador want with us. She waiting for full negotiations with Starfinder Society to be done anyway. Can spend small time on 'extracurricular' activities!"
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Pippimi squirms a little in her seat as he explains, trying to avoid making a comment that would interrupt the important ambassador. As he's wrapping up, she can resist and chirps out "Pippimi can tell you want us to say YES! She not very sure why you think we good people to help you with this. Pippimi and friends not big-time investigators, many others on Station must be better than us."