So Nyk, why shouldn't we just go to the police with the video?
We didn't do anything wrong and we're ready to cooperate with them to find out what happened.
We just delivered some cargo. It's not the responsibility of the delivery boy to check the safety or anything else about its contents.
Why would the police feel otherwise?
That way, SFS's honor is kept or even increased by our cooperation with law enforcement.
I'm dead serious on this, and I expect that shows on my expression, so I just look him in the eye and wait for his response.
Nyk shifts nervously
Well, what are you going to say? You were hired by someone you didn't know to take a crate with something you didn't know what it was and take it to some guys you didn't know? You'll be in jail for weeks while they check your story!
That may very well be the case, but the way I see it, we do what you ask and get dragged even deeper into this muck.
I've not asked you anything but your thoughts on the matter, friends. If you think that's our best approach, I'll follow your lead - he scratches his head looking resigned
That's right, you got me there Nyk.
I just assumed, from previous entanglements such as this, that you were about to ask us to track down this... erm... unkown3324, and try to reason with him. And when that failed, maybe be... unreasonable with him. Wink
But I'm glad we're all keeping our options open.
I wait for the rest of the crew to speak their mind.
"This is the consequence of allowing ourselves to get entangled in such dealings" - Oderon nods.
Navasi studies Nyk but he seems to be speaking the truth
He then asks for the video and the ysoki sends it to his datapad.
He studies it for a while but finds nothing strange on the recording itself
What he does notices now is the behaviour of the group that received the package.
Coincidently or not, their faces don't show on the recording, they are allways with their backs turned or blocked by something
"Seems like they were setting you up from the start - you and US" - Odo waits for Nyk's reply.
I was having a little trouble with my business so I did something stupid and asked for a loan from a... less than honest guy. - he shifts in his chair looking unconfortable again - As expected, I had a little trouble making the payments and the troubles grew. Some goons started to appear in my shop making threats and I began to really worry.
Then I received a message from an unknown sender. It offered to settle my dept for a little service. I know it was stupid... - he shrugs - ... but I had no ideias and when you're given a shealdr, you don't look at their finn, right? You guys know the rest. You had just bad timing, I was looking for a way to have some muscle if things went wrong
"Hurumph!" - Oderon shakes his head - "Nice mess... Very well, what are you paying us to get you rid of it?"
Nyk jumps in his chair
Pay you!?!? I have no money, did you no hear my story? - He looks offended - Besides, you're in this trouble as I am. We're in this together friends.
He starts pacing around the table
As friends I can give you special deals in my store, of course. We'll thrive together! - He ends with a big smile
"Let's not get lost here Nyk - YOU got US into this mess." - Oderon does his best to remain calm - "And that is the only reason why we are in this 'together' - because of your dealings with shady people, if that is even the truth" - he adds flatly.
"So for me it is simple - either you pay us something upfront, perhaps in gear from your store? Or I say we go to the authorities and we're done with you"
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I try to figure out if Nyk is telling the truth
Nyk, you always have to pay this kind of deals and with interests!
You thought that someone was going to pay your debt for a simple delivery?
Since you didn't have enough money to pay your debt, I say even if you give us all the equipment you got in your store is still going to be a good deal for you. And it would teach you something.
But talking for me, I would like to clear this loose end.
So I'll go and see what he wants.
This time I'll be wearing a mask and surveillance equipment. You got that, right?
"Let's stop at your shop then to grab some gear we may need? We have a deal?"
Nyk crosses his arms looking offended and raises his voice
If I'm going to be extorted anyway, I might as well go and speak with them myself!!
He stomps away with his chin exaggeratedly high
"Fine by me" - Odo shrugs while finishing his drink.
Nyk appears to hesitate for a bit, but then continues on and leaves the place
I go after Nyk and when he is 30ft from me I talk to him telepathically.
Nyk, we do not want to abuse you man. Odo sometimes is to direct and skips the bargaining part. We just want to borrow some equipment to be prepared if a fight breaks.
Quig's been observing quietly, since he already spoke his mind.
When Nyk leaves he speaks again.
Well, I'm not sure quite what to make of this, but it seems his leaving is the worst of an already bad situation.
Whether we like it or not, we're implicated in this situation and we can't leave our reputation in his bumbling hands.
Not sure why you guys made such a big point of getting gear from him. What do you need? Maybe I can help you scrounge something up.
Hmmmm, the way things are now I'm even more inclined to go to the authorities.
Either that or we take matters into our own hands, which is the lose/lose situation I was mentioning... not only we do all the work and take all the risk, but we also get no reward.
"You seem to misunderstand me Quigonius friend - I do not trust Nyk, and I believe he is AGAIN playing us for fools, and clearly using half truths to fulfill his own agenda" - Oderon explains - "I do not believe he cares in the least about us - he is only trying to save his skin" - he adds - "Yet this is indeed a mostly shitty situation as humans would say, and thus I agreed on assisting - however again I think Nyk is playing us and trying to place the full weight of the situation over our heads - what will he be risking or sacrificing to get this situation sorted?" - he looks around at his companions - "Exactly! Nothing! Demanding he 'pays' for it in some way - with gear was simply an option since he has a shop full of it - seems more than reasonable to me, and a way to show him he is definitely in this with us, and shares a HUGE amount of the responsibility" - Oderon drinks again.
"Bottom line, that is the reason why I made a point of getting gear - it is a matter of accepting some of the guilt in all of this. something I have not heard him do even once" - he pauses - "That being said, I believe we should take the footage with us , go to Arvin, explain the situation simply for the sake of politeness and allowing him the option of not getting involved, explain our intention to go to the authorities, and do exactly that"
Nyk doesn't slow down anymore and leaves
"Already pointed that out" - Oderon shrugs.
Sounds good to me. Let's be off then.
He's expecting us tomorrow, to continue our assignment right?
We should try to reach him today, so it's not a last minute surprise.
"Ok then - let's move out" - Odo grunts - "That bastard didn't even pay for the drinks" - the Vesk adds, while taking care of the tab.
Fine by me Odo, do the call.
"Bah, I'm no talker or diplomat - I am a warrior!" - Oderon thumps his chest, then shakes his head at his companion's inaction - "Very well then, I shall call the Captain"
Arvin answers with an annoyed face
Oderon, it's kinda late, what's going on?
"Yes. Good evening Captain - we have a big problem in our hands and would need to speak with you as soon as possible Sir" - Oderon explains - "Would you be able to see us shortly?"
Arvin hesitates for a bit then shrugs
Ok, you can come to my place, I'll send you the directions
Shortly after you hang up, you receive the captain's location on you datapad
"Let's go" - Odo nods at the others, then moves off.
You travel to the suburbs of the Ring in an area near the higher levels of the Spire. It's a nice enough area and you arrive without incidents.
You are welcomed by Arvin who doesn't look very happy about this situation
The house is small but looks well cared and confortable and you all stand cramped uncorfortably on the entrance hall
From a door ahead a small children peeks at you and is scolded by Arvin
Jir, go back to bed! I'll go there in a minute
He then turns to you
Starfinders, I don't have the habit to bring work home, What's going on?
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Good evening Mr. Arvin.
I'm sorry to bother this late at night, but a situation has evolved that we believe you needed to know as soon as possible.
We need to talk to you about a situation regarding us, Lik One Eye and the Society.
As I'm certain you remember, we talked with Lik so that he would help us with a certain gadget.
He accepted to help us but in exchange, he demanded that we would be the muscle in a delivery that he had to do to one of his customers.
Well, it turns out that Lik was set up and along with him we are also involved.
It seems the crate that we delivered was used in the bombing of AbadarCorp ship on the dock 113 last week.
And there's a video of us delivering the crate as well as a video of the crate exploding.
We didn't have any idea on the crate contents, neither can we be sure if someone changed whatever was in the crate, nevertheless, this may come back to bite us and possible the Society.
Arvin stares at you dumfounded
What the hell have you done?? - he starts to pace back and forth - You know that the Society is in bad shape now, this is the last thing we need!
The kid appears again peeking on the door - Daddy?
Arvin goes to the boy and picks him up. Send me the video and present yourselves tomorrow as planned. I'll see what I can do to solve this mess, you can see yourselves out.
After you leave, before he closes the door he adds
Understand that if the choice is between the Society and you... - he lets the though linger a bit in the air - you're just initiates after all
The sound of the door closing seems strangely ominous to you
Understand that if the choice is between the Society and you... - he lets the though linger a bit in the air - you're just initiates after all
"Yes Sir. Understood sir"
----
"Well... That went well I guess..." - Oderon shrugs, turning to the others - "Just make sure the Captain receives the video guys, let's get out of here and hit the sack"
Next morning you report in as usual
In Arvin's office there's another damaya lashunta in the corner and no introductions are made.
Welcome, welcome. First of all I have to congratulate you for a job well done with the Threnody, but the mission continues.
We've found the coordinates for planet Ulmarid and researched some information. It's a desert world with breathable atmosphere but is
devoid of intelligent civilization. A cloud of asteroids—leftovers from a collision of the planet’s moons long ago—surrounds the planet, so you must carefully navigate your ship to the surface to find the crashed Unbounded Wayfarer.
The Odyssey is ready, you should leave immediatly.
Any questions?
"I presume The Odyssey has provisions as usual Sir? If so, I am ready to depart"