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You receive a phone call from Venture-Captain Arvin's assistant and are hastily summoned to the Lorespire Complex. When you arrive, the assistant ushers you into the elevator and upstairs into a waiting room. Once all of you arrive, you are ushered into the office.
As you enter the room you see a Damaya standing at his desk. The no-nonsense venture-captain quickly gets to the business at hand. The tall and confident lashunta man gestures to several functional chairs, inviting you to sit. “Thank you for arriving so quickly. As my assistant mentioned, we have an urgent opportunity to recover some critical information.”
He grabs a datapad and checks his notes. “Several months ago, a crew of Starfinders took a ship called the Unbounded Wayfarer into the Vast to explore a series of uncharted planets. They never returned. Earlier today, a vesk pawnbroker in the Downlow neighborhood contacted us, offering to sell us several Starfinder insignias. These insignias belonged to the lost crew of the Unbounded Wayfarer, and that immediately caught the Society’s attention. The pawnbroker—named Julzakama—doesn’t realize the true value of the insignias. We negotiated a purchase price in exchange for the insignias and information about the seller. We hope this seller can lead us to the Unbounded Wayfarer and its crew.”
He sets down the pad and looks at each of you in turn. “We’ve remotely transferred the requested credits to Julzakama. Now, we need you to collect the insignias and all the information you can from the Vesk regarding whoever sold him the insignias, and then track down that seller. Learn where to find the Unbounded Wayfarer and its crew. I’m worried that the seller might not be on the station for long, so act quickly. If you have any questions, please make them fast.”
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You can see that Dyukela is a Shirren. He has no hair, blue skin, big yellow eyes and some kind of glowing blue hologram above his head. In right hand he holds his battle staff. On the belt he has a lot of stuff and a gun. There is not much clothes on him.
He asks: "What do you know about that Julzakama?"
A massive Vesk in resplendent armor stands among you. She, for it is obviously a female given her radiant coloration and larger than average size, wears armor bearing the markings of her clan and the accomplishments of many battles. The size of her cannon is only matched by the size of her doshko. You are quite certain that her addition to the team is not due to her intellectual or interpersonal skills.
Her voice is not as lizardlike as one might have expected. She has mastery of the common tongue, and she uses it loudly. "You must fear that there is danger on this mission, or else Obozaya would not be here. In addition to the question asked by the bug, what can you tell Obozaya of the fighting capabilities of the missing Starfinders?"
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A... not-so-massive Vesk in brilliant technicolor display wearing armor that looks almost too big for them is about as opposite of Obozaya as one could imagine.
Oh NO! They sent HER here! WhatdoIdowhatdoIdoohnoohno!
They push their wire-rim glasses up on their snout a little bit and wince a bit as they see the massive soldier, keeping a respectful bit of distance and watching the exits warily.
"So, ah, I'm ah, um, ah... Flush... Gurdon. I'm, um, here to ah, provide ah, technical support and um, also ah, help as ah field medic and um, yeah."
Her tone is similar to Obozaya's but her mastery of Common seems to be punctuated by nervous stops and it almost seems at points like she's about to hyperventilate.
"So, ah, how far into ah, Downlow do we ah, gotta go? It's um, a kinda touchy place and ah, it's ah, good to have a couple of um, routes figured out just in ah, case?"
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An unusually stout Ysoki stands near the rear of the room. His armor and sidearm have seen obvious wear though all the damage seems superficial. On his left forearm is a device that seems much heavier duty and complex than a normal wrist computer. At his side is an equally worn and beaten drone that seems to be little more than three legs and a big gun. On its side MARK I has been stenciled in large letters.
Looking up at the venture captain "So he's already been paid right? Do we have something we can do to confirm he gives us the real things and not some knockoffs?"
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An android that appears to be fresh “from the factory” appears to be slightly distracted by Sal’s drone. Going into a quick trance and then back to awareness.
I wonder what M. A. R. K. I. stands for. It must be related to his obvious combat role or maybe his three legs….searching database…nothing found. Will assign a value: “Mobile Armament with Recoil for Killing with Indiscretion”.
X5 sits down in the nearest chair, pulls a laptop computer out, and begins to take notes. CD1, a tracked drone with a light reaction cannon, maneuvers next to X5 and instinctively covers the entrance from any unannounced and unwanted intruders upon the mission briefing.
Understand vesk pawnbroker is the target. Do not kill target until information about Starfinder crew and ship is extracted. We have an honored Shirren, two non-colluding Vesk, a Ysoki, myself, and a dark figure in the corner as assets. In addition to the information my companions seek about the Vesk, what can you tell me about the ship we seek to find? Please be as detailed as you can about the make, model, modifications, crew size/roles, last known engineering status, known systems/security codes, …
X5 realizes that the surrounding company is all staring at him because of the lengthy, detailed question.
My apologies. I am still learning how to communicate with species that do not have a memory buffer built in. Please proceed to process.
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The Lashunta stands up from his desk and paces as he answers your questions. He seems like he has a lot on his plate. " Julzakama? He runs a pawnshop called Julzakama’s Loans and is an unusually arrogant vesk." He stops for a moment and looks at both Vesk present. "No offense. Ummm... I don’t know him, but I get the impression that I wouldn’t like him much if I did. Here, hand me a datapad." He types an address into your computer as he answers the next question.
"This was an elite group of Starfinders. Very seasoned. Hence your presence, Obo." He nods to Obozaya in respect. "As far as the Downlow, it's never a walk in the park. However, you shouldn't see any trouble on the way there. It's respectable, on the Downlow scale."
He stops and checks his datapad for a moment. "X5NSA, you passed Commencement, yes? Compare the insignias to your implant to ensure their authenticity. Speaking of, you're fresh off the line, huh? Some humans." He spits on the floor. ”Sorry. X5, I'm sending you the specs for the Unbounded Wayfarer now. Hopefully those aid in your investigation. Now, I must get back to work.”
His assistant ushers you out of the room and on to the street. The datapad says the fastest way to the shop is via public transit. As you board the shuttle, you have time to introduce yourselves during the hour long journey to the Downlow.
The large vesk nods approvingly, ”do not apologize android, it indicates weakness. Your brains are welcome on this team. I am Obozaya. I am pleased to work with you.”
Outside the office Obozaya shakes her head and asks, ”What did he mean by ‘unusually arrogant?’ The implication was obvious even to me.”
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The shorter Vesk pushes her glasses up her snout a bit. She really should invest in a strap for them or something.
"Um, well, there's ah, a certain reputation that ah, Pact Worlds Sentients attribute to ah, our people because ah, we ah... can be a bit rough around the edges to their ah, way of um, thinking?
So um, I'm ah, thinking that ah, this ah person we have to er, deal with has um, a chip on their shoulder probably ah, because they either didn't get enough um, glory in ah battle back home or um has ah, something to prove and ah, tries to prove it through money rather than ah, force of arms?" Flush offers.
It's not too different from how I'm trying to prove myself, so if that's the case it makes perfect sense.
"I could ah, be wrong but that's ah, what I'm er, working with until ah, proven otherwise?"
"So, ah, where did you ah, work in the Veskarium, again, Obozaya?"
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X5 looks up from studying the Unbounded Wayfarer’s specs on his computer. “I…think…it is a pleasure to meet and work with you Obozaya. My name is X5NSA and this is my combat droid, CD1.”
CD1’s snaps its cannon to point towards Obozaya and seems to give a sharp “nod” of respectful acknowledgment before going back to scanning the area for targets.
“As to your question of arrogance, I believe the Lashunta is referring to the fact that the accumulated data on your species indicates a tendency to be slavers and seek positions of power over what they perceive as lesser species. I can only surmise that is exacerbated by the fact that a pawnshop customers are usually in desperate need of credits. Therefore a Vesk that runs such an establishment has undoubtedly developed and extreme personality of arrogance, as alluded to by your shorter companion, and we should expect Julzakama to be dismissive of our requests for assistance. Since we require information that only the target Vesk seems to have, I would suggest that someone more skilled in the art of negotiation and culture of social interaction be our asset that engages Julzakama. I am still in the process of accumulating appropriate social interaction data and have had limited success so far. Perhaps one of you two can negotiate with your kind, or” he looks to the others in the group "...or are any of you trained in this art?"
X5 goes back to scouring the details of the starship specs on his computer.
”I am certainly not afraid to interact with the one we seek, but if meaningless platitudes are called for in this interchange, then maybe others are better suited to it?”
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Below the eye level of the Venture Captain's desk, a curly, brown-haired halfling in a green and brown second-skin strolls into the mission briefing. On his back is a longarm that seems to be about as tall as he is. He listens to the Lashunta, then the party's questions, turning his head from one side of the gathering before chiming in with his own. "Heya! So, is there anything else super important that might be useful for us to know? I know it should probably go without saying, but you never know when some mission critical details like 'don't let anyone know you're Starfinders' or 'whatever you do, don't start a fire in the exhaust system' somehow slip out of the mission highlights." He beams a broad, guileless smile as he looks up at the Venture Captain.
Later, catching up with his newly assigned party (through some prodigious pumping of his short legs... though thankfully the marvels of modern footwear allow him to keep up with his longer legged compatriots.) He interjects, slightly out of breath, "Heya, my name’s Brobdingnagian, which means ‘marked by great size.’” He pauses a moment. ”I know, I know. Halfling and ‘great size’ don’t usually match. Though I’ll have you know that height isn’t the only measure of stature.” He flashes another guileless grin. ”I did just get my captain's commendations, so I guess you can call me 'Captain Brobdingnagian', but that might be a bit of a mouthfull." He looks at the Shirren. "Or mandible-full. Actually, that's an interesting though. Is that hard to say telepathically?"
Obozaya shakes her head, probably not for the last time on this mission. ”Captain it is, that other business is too much for me to say. Are we off to shake down a pawnbroker now?”
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X5 completes the review of the starship’s specs and closes the computer up. “To be precise Captain Brob, we also need the insignias back in addition to the information. I would also offer that given your earlier question about other mission critical details, I would recommend that those of us with the implants should conceal them from the target Vesk. Additionally we should talk about what our plans are going to be if the insignias turn out to be fakes or the Vest wants more credits…More talk, draw weapons, bribe more, etc. Not that I expect it, but my preference is to have a plan for every contingency.”
Obozaya smiles at the prospect of one of the contingency plans involving weapons.
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The Lashunta chuckles. "I suppose you should know that these insignias are no mere trinkets; they can be used to encrypt or decrypt information that the Starfinders want to keep hidden.”
The shuttle hits a large bump. Out side the windows can be seen a block in the midst of a gang fight. The bump appears to have been a member of the Downside Kings, a local gang. A voice comes over the intercom "20 minutes to Level 18." Those who are in charge of directions recognize this as the stop for Julzakama’s Loans.
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“To be clear…” X5 looks at the group and settles on Capt Brob “…I have no credits for bribery, and I generally make things worse particularly with Vesk by talking. So if you are asking for input, I would be happy—along with CD1—to help remind the target Vesk that violating the terms of the agreement that it has already been paid in full for…will be met with the harshest repercussions. And guessing by our current discussion and the Ysoki's drone companion: Mobile Armament with Recoil for Killing with Indiscretion…I think you, Capt Brob, are our best chance at the talking option, given that we are arriving soon. ”
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"Oh, ah, hi there. I uh.. um... almost didn't see you because you're um... not very tall?" Flush offers to Brob nervously, tilting her head down to see the diminutive humanoid and almost causing her glasses to go shooting off her snout.
"I'm ah, Flush. Flush Gurdon. Um, I'm pretty good with engineering and um, am a certified Repair Technician." She holds up a wrench that looks like it's been used in a lot of percussive maintenance and maybe some humanoid maintenance (ie, melee combat) as well.
The petting of CD1 goes without incident, well, aside from some rather disturbing 'baby-talk'...
"Um.. who's a cute um little death machine? You, uh, are!"
MARKI won't get left out either, but Flush will ask permission first before petting it.
"And um, it's not always good to bribe someone because ah, sometimes people like to ah, get paid twice for the ah, same job?"
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The voice comes over the intercom once again. "Level 18, only stop on this level."
Stepping out of the shuttle doors, the group is awash in the sights and smells of the Downlow. Following the directions on the datapad, getting to the shop is pretty easy. Although some areas of Downlow are clean and trendy, this level is dirty and dank.
Upon arrival at the shop, you see a narrow alley of concrete and metal buildings which drip with oil and sparking wires. A wide, red neon electric sign reads “Julzakama’s Loans” on a building sandwiched between a Kuthite sensation house and a derelict building covered with graffiti. The shop’s solid metal door contains a single, small window too grimy to peer through.
The door is locked. However, you can see a light through the window. Someone must be inside. You notice a large black buzzer on the right side of the door.
Obozaya shakes her head, ”and you’re not even the smart one!”
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The buzzer rings once, then a second time. A few moments later, a loud lick can be heard as a lock is disengaged within the thick door. The door swings open on automatic hinges and the shop is revealed. The interior of Julzakama’s Loans dimly lit and crammed with shelves containing all manner of near-valueless items, from small appliances to VR game consoles and jars of colored powders. The shop has the acrid smell of a reptile house that has not been cleaned in months.
A massive vesk in a muscle shirt stands at the rear of the shop, behind a low desk and a series of heavy metal bars anchored into the ceiling. There is a small slot cut into the bars, presumably for the exchange of items and credsticks. The only entrance to the cage seems to be a door into the back of the shop. The vesk, who you assume is Julzakama, is carelessly disassembling an old computer when door opens, but he looks up from his work as the group enters.
The vesk opens his mouth and speaks with a swagger. ”Hey you two, why you slumming around with such a band of weaklings?” It is apparent he is speaking to Obozaya and Flush. He continues, this time speaking directly to Obo. ”So, what can I do ya for? You need cash? You selling the bot?” He looks at X5 with a critical eye then adds, ”Is it a bot or a droid? I don't buy androids. To much work.”
”What is the going rate for pecks,” asks Obozaya pointing at the Captain as she enters the shop.
She chuckles, ”Look, we are here to pick up some merchandise that is already paid for. Starfinder insignia apparently. Do you have the goods?”
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Flush is smart enough to realize that speaking up after Obozaya has taken the lead could be seen as a challenge to her authority, but also realizes that being asked a question they have to provide a *proper* response.
"They are providing compensation for our stature and time." she says in a somewhat clinical and mechanical tone in reference to 'slumming' with the rest of the non-Vesk party.
Definitely NOT the same tone as she was stammering through before. Her expression is also a little glassy-eyed yet intently focused on the broker.
Don't push the issue, please don't push the issue.
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just as I expected. I hope these two can handle it. I would hope that an information gathering mission doesn't end in an unfortunate misunderstanding of species.
"Good to hear you do not trade in the sell of my kind. That will make things less problematic...
X5 and CD1 train their "gaze" towards the target Vesk.
"Oh...and we aren't selling any 'bots' either." X5 manages a "grin" for the first time.
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In the train
Salvo will look around at the individuals he's working with "Nice to meet you all. My name is Salvo, but most call me Sal. I handle emergency repairs, emergency construction, emergency explosions, heavy fire support, and anything else my squad needs done in a hurry. Or at least I used to, not sure what my duties will be here in the Starfinder Society. But I wanted a chance to work on Mark." When Gurdon ask about petting Mark I Sal will nod and wave him to do so before addressing X5NSA's comment on its name "I wish that's what it stood for, but honestly my designs are really in the experimental stage. It just means this is the first prototype of its model or version. I'll change its designation as I perform major design alterations. And I wil need to, right now it has a tendency to fall over and discharge its Artillery Laser when touched too hard or from the wrong angle. I think I need to increase the limbs for stability." This last bit is said just as Gurdon is in mid pet.
At the shop
Sal will stay silent and peruse the various items on display while the negotiations are handled. Mark will follow a bit behind him occasionally nudging items that Sal will then take another look at.
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Flush will carefully respect the fragility of Sal's 'baby' and look at the construction with a critiquing eye.
"So, ah, you are ah, set on limbs for ah, locomotion? Had you ah, considered an airborne, ah, variant? I mean, you ah, wouldn't be er, able to carry as much ordinance but it could provide a logistical advantage in the er, field?"
Flush is used to machines having very finicky calibrations. She has had to calibrate many in the past.
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Sal brightens up at Flush's interest. "I suppose it could but really a flying variant would loose a lot of the advantages that I'm looking for in my design. I'm aiming for a self contained unit to provide fire support, ideally longer range. The complexity of flight means that the AI would be over taxed trying to maintain balance in flight while firing even a small weapon. So it would require me to assume partial control or it would have to land first, thus forfeiting that very advantage. This way I can build a sturdier frame, provide a heavier armament and it can work in closer cooperation with other weapon crews. I'll admit that my thought process is probably colored by all the time I've spent working with Artillery crews, but it's working so far."
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"Um, rule number one about ah, engineering is to 'not fix something that isn't broken', so ah, I ah, totally understand the dynamics you're ah, trying to er... work with here. Had you ah, considered a few additional movement limbs to allow for ah, redundancy while ah, addressing the stability concerns you had? And ah, how smart is the little one? Do they have full autonomy or do you need to er, hold their hand sometimes?"
The Vesk pushes her glasses up her snout a bit. Her coloration is a bit brighter as she gets technical in the discussion with Sal.
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When Obozaya mentions the Starfnder insignias, Julzakama gives a wide smile. He slides a metal box through a gap in the bars, "Aye, I already got paid by Arvin. Be sure to thank him for his business. " The box contains seven insignias bearing the compass-like logo of the Starfnder Society. When compared to the implants, the insignias prove real. As the group inspects the contents, Julzakama speaks to Flush. "We all got to get paid, yes? Even by the weaklings. " He specifically looks at Brob as he finishes. "And yes, Robo-ling, I may be an insufferable prick, but I'm no slaver. To bad about the droids though. "
He laughs openly at Dyukela's comment. "Ren-ling, if I gave away information about my sellers then I wouldn't be in business long would I? " He winks at Flush. " They're not always as nice as me. But I'll tell ya what. " The vesk scratches the scaly skin between his bony beard- spikes with a clawed hand and says, “Seems I’m now fully paid for those trinkets there. But I remember Arvin said something about wanting information, too, and I can do that. But information costs extra. " He looks at the group with an outstretched hand.
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"It is true we must get paid.
It is also true that you can increase your gains with that hardware you were disassembling by a good quarter if you isolated the parts by lot number and shape.
That already has earned you a twenty-five percent gain over your productivity when you started this conversation.
Would you like me to examine other possibilities in your shop for increased potential?" Flush offers in a very precise tone.
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He shakes his head again. "Ren-ling you must have left your senses with the Swarm. 10 credits may jostle my... hmmm. You're right. That would make this cursed repair go much faster..."
He nods towards Flush. "Typical vesk brilliance. 5 credits will be fine, Ren-ling. " He accepts the creds then continues. " The seller was named Exegara, and she wasn’t from around here. Wore a fight suit, like she had come of a long trip. Once she had her money, she asked about where to purchase clean skeletons. I don’t carry goods like that, so I sent her to the Vat Garden. Oh, and was definitely an Eoxian. She looked like a man-ling, but didn’t breathe or blink or anything. "
"We appreciate the information clutchmate. Do you happen to know anything about any of the Eoxian's associates? Does she have any bodyguards, or other toughs, that travel with her?"
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"We appreciate the information clutchmate. Do you happen to know anything about any of the Eoxian's associates? Does she have any bodyguards, or other toughs, that travel with her?"
He chuckles at this. "Afraid your companions can't hold their own? We'll you'll see! She didn't have anyone with her but she did say she was going to spend the dough on some muscle. "
In Vesk, ”Would that I had more such as you by my side, but I am left with robots, a bug, and the half-mammal”