With Chiskisk’s help, you are able to make contact with the Hardscrabble Collective.
One of its members, Otal Serissi, invites you to visit his ship, the Dust Runner, out in the Armada. The Dust Runner is a working tramp freighter, practical and utilitarian, with little in the way of luxury or even comfort. Yet Captain Serissi, a red-skinned human from Akiton, takes obvious great pride in his ship—which is also his home and his livelihood—a fact that is plainly evident as he affably escorts you on a tour of the vessel before sitting down with you in the galley. Pouring cups of hot black coffee, he inquires with obvious interest, ”What brings your interest in the Hardscrabble collective, Starfinders? Not that I object, but in the recent past your organization has had little interest in dealing with our Clan. Has this changed?”
|
"The universe is always changing, sometimes this is a good thing and sometimes it's bad. As the society has had some troubles recently we're hoping for some good fortune to come our way."
Jadzia takes a sip of coffee as she tries to think of the best way to continue the conversation.
"Unfortunately one of our members has recently got caught in the crossfire of a fight between two gangs. Maybe you saw the news about the fight at dockingbay 94. Our ally was a Dwarf called Duravor Kreel and we're investigating what happened to him. He may have had links to the Hardscrabble Collective, did you know him at all?"
Captain Serissi seems a bit taken aback at the strange metaphors and allusions the conversation held so far, latching onto something he knows. "Yes, Kreel was a member of our Clan, and I am saddened to hear of his loss. Even though he wasn't my blood, he was still family. What have you found in your investigations to date, and what might this have to do with the Collective?"
|
"I see," Thomagar nods solemnly in response. "He was a member of the Starfinder Society, and his loss is felt deeply by us as well. We share in your grieve." He goes silent briefly in respect.
"He was gunned down in a gang war exchange between the Downside Kings and the Level 21 Crew, seemingly caught innocently in the crossfire. But we suspect that there's more than that. We have learnt there is some... interactions between the Level 21 Crew and the Collective?"
The Captain sighs. "It's a delicate matter. There have been a few credible threats against our members and this wouldn't be the first time that a larger corp wanted to put the 'hostile' in hostile takeover. So we hired protection for some of our members. I really shouldn't say more than that." He glances over the group appraisingly. "Look, I appreciate you investigating what happened to Duravor, I'm not sure how much more I can help. But it took some doing to get out here, so if you suspect something, why don't you stop beating around the bush and tell me what you're looking for?"
|
|
"I think you're answered our questions quite well. I apologise for our vague enquiries, but sometimes that's the best way to get people to tell you things in their own words without leading them to the answer they think you want to hear."
Jadzia downs the last of her drink as she looks around at the rest of the group. "If no-one else has any further questions I think we're done here. Thank you for your time captain."
Lurid neon lights brighten the otherwise dingy space station corridor here, advertising the main entrance to Fusion Queen.
As you approach, the nightclub, you see Two Downside Kings guard the front doors, stopping anyone attempting to enter and searching them for weapons. You also see a pair of rough looking ysoki barred from entry, with one of the two guards yelling, "Get lost, you sketchy looking rodents!"
The gang members appear particularly alert for trouble as you come near, and both have clubs drawn. "Whadya want?" one snorts as he looks you up and down.
|
|
-5 to DC of Politician Checks
Tinker notes the logo of the establishment and states, ”Observation: this is the place.”
—————————
Upon being challenged by the guards, Tinker approaches, ”Statement of fact: We are come to serve vengeance for the death of a friend. All who stand in our way will be vanquished.”
The usually stoic gang members nearly soil themselves at the brutally efficient and honest statement the android gives. They scramble over themselves to get out of the way, both running down the street in opposite directions, giving you access the the nightclub.
The dimly lit interior of the nightclub is filled with the press of sweaty bodies, a haze of narcotic smoke, and the pounding beat and ululating vocals of bakarang music blaring from the main stage in the northeast corner of the room. A sinuous bar winds around the northwest corner, offering a variety of drinks and drugs for purchase. Booths line the south wall of the club, facing the main stage in the northeast corner and the crowded dance floor beneath it. Gyrating dancers stand atop four smaller stages scattered around the club: one behind the bar, one in the center of the room, and two flanking the main stage. Wide double doors marked “Staff Only” exit the room to the west.
|
|
Thomagar crinkles his nose at the smell. "Gah. What a horrid stench. How do people stand places like this?" His attempts to breath shallowly fails to keep the stench from overwhelming.
He grins, however, at RZMR's joke. "That is a good one. Well, certainly." Taking the lead, he pushes the door open and enters, waiting for the rest to follow.
|
|
Glancing over at Thomagar ”Perhaps the smell is pleasing to the species that frequent this club? One should not rule out different perspectives brought about by biology in these matters. I’m certain for instance that there are smells you enjoy which I would find just as distracting. None the less.” Cestkion quietly activities his environmental seals and sighs presently as the scrubbed and recirculated air starts flowing and replacing the local atmosphere in his suit. Cestkion will continue to follow along and try to keep a watchful eye for trouble.
You receive a few odd looks by the patrons of the club, but no one stops you as you approach the Employees Only area and push open the door. The large storeroom you find is is filled with supplies for the bar outside, including bottles of hard alcohol, kegs of beer, and boxes of food and recreational stimulants. One corner holds amplifiers, musical instruments, and costumes for the club’s entertainers. A single door stands in the north wall.
There are three men in gang leathers playing cards. One clearly looks to be about to win pot of chips in the center of the table and puts half-hearted effort into “Employees only, scram..” before another looks up from his cards and notes your appearances, throwing down a losing pair and shouting, ”They have weapons!” All three stand up at once brandishing Azimuth Pistols!
Silhouetted by the doorframe, Tinker7 makes a great target and one of the two Kings manages to connect with a shot!
[ooc]Active Global Conditions: None.
The Shirren and Android make relatively inoffensive movements relative to the gun fight around them.
The remaining ganger steps forward and sends a glancing shot at Thomagar
|
|
Jadzia flinches slightly as the shots hit her allies, but she tries to focus on outsmarting the gang members in front of her.
"We work for the same boss you idiot! Stop firing!" she yells over the bakarang music.
While the gang member is distracted she draws her stun pistol.
|
|
Thomagar grunts as the laser shot clips him, burning him in his side. "We did not wish to fight but you have taken that decision out of our hands!" His right arrm starts glowing a brilliant orange as he rushes into the room. He slams an open palm into the chest of the leftmost man with a mighty blow.
Blue falls in a crumpling heap, knocked unconscious in a single blow as Thomagar decides to join the party in explosive fashion!
Red is suddenly distracted by Jadzia's cunning feint.
Seeing the spectacular results that Thomagar had on his companion, one of the guard attempt to fire at the Solarian.
The bolt flies wide, however, smelling of ozone as it strikes a food processor unit.
[ooc]Active Global Conditions: None.
The combined attack from the Shirren and Android cause red to go down! There is only one guard remaining, cornered by the Solarian.
Thomagar's anticipated attack swings wildly, missing his target. Almost like a grungy, deadly ballet, the gang member moves back, and fires in Thomagar's face. In turn missing.
Pangea fires wildly, though one shot strikes a glancing blow (a polite way of saying he hurt himself shaving once.)
Jadzia's attack gives the ganger a jolt, though the other volleys miss him.