Scera listened intently as the others dealt with the bug woman. She wasn't entirely comfortable in the presence of the Shirren but it seemed pleasant enough to them so far. When the offer was made for them to join the Starfinders Scera thought about it a moment. She'd been interested in seeing what was out there, and she had nothing left to go back to, so it seemed a good opportunity for her. Ultimately she nodded her head in agreement and said, "I'll join too." Scera continued to listen then as the discussion moved on and her eyes lit up at the mention of the advance. That would be very useful for now, she'd spent all her remaining money on food without thinking about lodging.
"fine, let's do this. Seems like the money is good anyways."
"Glad to hear it, sending advancement now. " Chiskisk taps into her computer while answering the question about the Astral Extractions.
"The Astral Extractions is a mining conglomerate. That is all I know."
Bowing to Chiskisk in thanks, Ehron then states. "I thought that name was familiar. Astral Extractions do a lot of work in the Diaspora, a powerful mining conglomerate. They are in the outer system a lot and more recently into the Vast. Apparently they hired a Hardsrabble Collective ship, the Aceron on one of recent missions. Perhaps we should make a call." Pondering a moment further. "It would probably be prudent to do some further research else we find ourselves on the wrong side of their security troops. Or more frighteningly, their lawyers."
Glad that her admission hadn't messed up the deal, Zetara grins and returns to contemplating what she will buy.
Garland smiles widely as the shirren deposits the advance into his account. Easy money. Well, until they have to visit the Astral Extractions.
... In order to get the two groups to stop shooting, I told them that we had been granted exclusive salvage rights to the asteroid, and offered to ... um, employ them. They aren't going to trust us... or at least me, and anyone associated with me, if we go in to question them.
He nods to Zetara. "You're right, you probably shouldn't show yourself to them. Though I think the only person they wouldn't have seen is Lakoon'ta," he adds with a chuckle.
Duanimon thanks Chiskisk before using their custom rig to search the Absalom Station infosphere for any information in the Hardsrabble Collective.
Lakoon'ta nods at Garland "I'm seen when I want to be. maybe those of us with some more grey backgrounds should take a walk in some less pretty areas of the station? Make some contacts, see what palms we can grease."
"Maybe we should all split up into groups and try to gather information about the various groups that were involved with the shootout when we arrived? It would allow us to cover the most ground the fastest, and something tells me that if we are dealing with some sort of shadowy cabal, if you will, then they are simply not going to remain still."
Shaking his head at Kov'i "While you are correct it would be faster, I think you are correct in that we mayhap have several groups also looking for us too. The gangs at least armed. We have strength in numbers if they find us first." Ehron says. "But let us go for a walk, spend some cash to loosen lips and see what we find."
Zetara tells anyone who didn't already know about the Hardscrabble Collective:
The Hardscrabble Collective is a bunch of miners that own ships, which they rent out to different companies, like Astral Extractions. The Acreon is a Collective ship, being used by Astral.
Garland nods in agreement. "Yes, I've heard that too about the Collective. From what I understand they use the Armada as a central meeting place. Maybe it would be best to ask around there for more information?"
Kov'i Lesk charges ahead with Ehron
A dwarf miner that looks like he just got off a shift approaches the party. He listens to Kov'i preach about Sarenrae briefly before interrupting him and extending his hand. "I saw you! You helped Duravor Kreel! I was with him on Dispora on a job when we were lads. He was a true champion of the people, though the Astral Extraractions don't see it that way." He spits on the ground. " Damn them, I bet they had a hand in this. "
"What do you know of this group? We would like to find out more information about them."
Backing up the large vesk, Ehron adds. "Aye, we sought to help Duravor. I too am of the Diaspora and heard of Astral Extractions. What is the hand they have in? We wish to follow Kreel's cause further."
Absolutely Zetara agrees to Garland's suggestion.
Zetara is interested in what the dwarf miner has to say, and listens intently.
"Since Astral Extractions is the group I know the least about, I would like to find more information on them by talking to people. We can all stick together if you like, but I don't want to stop anyone from asking around on their own. If we go to a market area and split up but stay within shouting distance of each other, we should be able to reach a happy medium of information gathered and security."
Ehron nods. "I agree friend Kov'i. Let us try the markets and find any extra rumors as well as about Astral Extractions or the Hardscrabble." Ehron plans on moving with Kov'i as before.
That is a good idea, Kov'i and Ehron. Let us act on your suggestion and proceed to the market area to check for rumors about Astral Extractions or the Hardscrabble Collective.
Zetara walks to the closest market area, waiting for her friends to accompany her.
Duanimon follows behind the others, on the lookout for any more trouble.
While walking to the market you notice some news holograms in the city talking about the incident at the docking bay. The reporters seem to have more questions than answers about the gang war, but they speculate it could have something to do with the mysterious Drift Rock and the derelict ship Acreon. One reporter claims that a third party has claimed ownership of the Acreon but can not confirm the source of that claim.
Zetara finds an elderly human woman selling trinkets on a hover cart. A sort of mobile kiosk that she travels with.
Leaning over to look at the trinkets Ehron speaks at a low level so as to not carry, but not a whisper. "Sometimes this place reminds me it feels like we are back a few weeks ago already."
Before continuing on slightly louder and more towards the elderly human "Have you seen all this happenings in the news? Gang wars, hope this doesn't spread... He asks trying to see how talkative the vendor is as he purveys the wares.
Noting Ehron's hands, Kov'i will whisper, "As always, I shall be your deflection against prying eyes."
Having said that, Kov'i will move to the center of the area and begin loudly preaching the good word.
As the group leaves their meeting and enrollment with the Starfinder Society Scera followed along with them. The sights around her were astounding and they distracted her a great deal from doing anything very useful. It was obvious to anyone looking that she was some back world yokel who hadn't seen anything like this before. She retained enough presence of mind to keep with her companions but she was just too distracted otherwise, both from the sights and the thoughts all around her.
Zetara looks over the elderly woman's wares, and strikes up a conversation with her about the recent happenings at the station.
She tries to gather whatever information the woman might have on Astral Extractions or the Hardscrabble Collective.
Garland's face tightens at Ehron's message, but he refrains from any change in expression. He watches at Kov'i takes the center and lets a smile creep on his face, happy that the Vesk's very nature provided so excellent a distraction.
Garland approaches the old woman with Zetara and Ehron. "A merchant like you, you must have heard something about what happened, eh? I head the Level 21 crew were involved," he adds, trying to loosen the woman's tongue while only referencing the most obvious group involved so not to raise suspicion from whoever Ehron saw watching them.
The Elder lady looks up and smiles at Zetara, then whispers"Astra Extractions? I haven't heard of them, but I do know of the Hardscrabble Collective. A good group of lads. They look after one another and the community. " When Garland speaks about the Level 21 crew..."Well, its true some of them level 21 boys do work for the Hardscrabble Collective, and they got a reputation to be sure, but I have meet some of them too and I think they are just in a bad place trying their best."
While the others talk with the merchant, Duanimon unobtrusively sidles through the crowd, trying to get closer to a kasatha in miner's clothes so they can get a better look at the suspicious individual.
The Kasatha remains where he is.
Zetara buys a couple of trinkets. Thank you so much for you time, Ma'am. Have a good day.
For being a rather burly Vesk, Kov'i is actually a surprisingly deft speaker. Even those who are not religious can usually find themselves enjoying his sermon, as it is highly kinetic and full of well-spoken devotion.
As part of his service, he commands his mote of light to rise up out of a pouch on his belt. he catches it several times, only to have it escape moments later. His preaching culminates in a display of light as his armor ignites in bright yellow light, like the light of the sun itself. It is clear that he has practiced this. It's also clear that it has an effect on the bulk of the watchers, namely from the applause from the crowd as he finished. Several people stop to ask him questions, which he readily answers. Finally, with a glance in your direction to see you finishing up gathering information, Kov'i will finish up with a wave and then return to the group.
Garland nods along with what the woman says. "That always seem to be the case, doesn't it? I'm glad they have someone like the Hardscrabble Collective to help them. Just one more question... Out of curiosity, would you happen to know where we could find anyone from the Collective? Just in case any more trouble breaks out and we find ourselves in need of help?"
"Why of course. They can usually be found outside the station among the surrounding armada. They don't have a base of operations, they use their mining ships and meet people there. You could probably hail them on a com, but I have never needed their services so I don't know their number." The lady continues to talk about her trinkets and cats and reminds Garland that he should eat more.
Scera looked at all of the different people around, different species, genders, it was all so knew to her and so far from what she grew up with. She was still scared after all that had happened to her the last few months and she wasn't quite ready to talk to any of them yet. It was very tempting though and she knew that, before too long, she would likely be speaking with anyone who would talk with her.
Ehron continues to look around the vendors as Kov'i's proclaimations continue. Watching for those who may be paying the group too much attention and listening to if any tip their hand.
So nothing we don't already know. Great. Garland smiles widely at the woman. "Thank you very much ma'am. I'll, uh... I'll keep that in mind," he replies to the elderly lady's last remark.
Garland steps away from the woman's cart and lets her get back to her business. He approaches Zetara and Scera and says in a low voice, "Looks like we'll just have to go straight to the Armada and ask around there for anything useful. What did you buy from her?" he asks Zetara with interest.
Oh, I bought this necklace with a charm that is shaped like the station. Isn't it cute? And I got this Starburger(TM) pin. I just love Starburgers, don't you? No one does meat byproduct like they do.
We can't really go off to the Armada yet, can we? Our ship is impounded. Or... oh, you mean video chat. Do you know who to talk to?
If we contact the main line, they'll just give us the runaround.
Once the party extracts itself away from the crowds Ehron will suggest to the others. "As one from the Diaspora, home of many miners I could approach the Hard Scrabble or the Astral Extractions. Maybe ask about one of my cousins who was to work on this mysterious rock. Find what they want to say. Find who is maybe more friendly?" He says with a wink at the word 'cousin'. "I be thinking that the Hard Scrabble sound a might more friendly. There first?"
"Yes, contacting the Hardscrabble Collective does seem the most prudent course of action," Duanimon replies. "If Ehron is sure the miners will talk to him, he should contact them remotely. If not, we can always use an astrotaxi to reach the Armada. They should be less likely to turn us away if we arrive in person."
A half-elf approaches Scera. He has a boyish grin on his face, and stutters a little. "Hi, ah. My na name iis vla...vla.V'lathorais. Are you new to the st station?" Scera doesn't need to read his thoughts to know what's on his mind...
Garland nods in agreement. "Yes, an astrotaxi. There's a place in the Armada that would work well as a meeting place. It's called..." He hesitates, and lowers his voice. "Ehron, is the person who was watching us earlier still here? Maybe we should make our plans somewhere more private."
Garland stops talking as the half-elf comes up to the group and tries to strike up a conversation with Scera. Garland raises an eyebrow and, trying to hold in his laughter, watches to see Scera's reaction.
The lady had some interesting pieces but buying something like that wasn't something that Scera felt she should spend her limited money on right now. It all left her distracted at first and she didn't respond to Garland right away when he spoke to her. She was about to say something to the man when she sensed something, or rather someone approaching her.
As the young half-elf approached her and stuttered in nervousness at approaching her Scera turned to look at him and gave a shy smile in response to his words as she said, "Yes, I only just arrived a few hours ago." She held out her hand as she said, "I'm Scera."