Garland nods along with Jabaxa's words. "Of course, of course. I can get that done for you no problem. Just give me the ship's location within the armada and consider it done!"
Once Garland has been allowed to leave and is out of sight of the casino, he will send a quick text to the group.
Ran into some trouble. Do NOT approach King Gurney's Kasbah, especially Zetara. On a taxi heading back to dock now. Need to meet somewhere private away from prying eyes.
Zetara sends back a text:
Starburger? Why especially me?
Duanimon texts the rest of the group.
We should meet up + confer with Garland before proceeding. Starburger's good.
They then head back to Starburgers and await the others, watching for anyone who might be trying to observe them.
After sending an acknowledged to the Starburger suggestion Ehron pauses to sift through the infosphere with his computer looking into King Gurney's Kasbah. Before arriving and waiting.
Those of you that meet up at Starburgers do so with out further incident and no one appears to be following you. Ehron gets nothing but Pay to Play casino popups when he tries to look up King Gurney's Kasbah.
Kov'i will continue to hide and watch out for Scera.
Scera seems fine and they seem to be done eating.
Turning her gaze back to V'althoraisas he rose she said, "Here's my number to," she wrote on another part of the napkin and carefully tore it off for him as she handed it over, "Call me next time you're going to be in port as I'd like to meet with you again." As he rose to leave Scera got up as well and said, "Thank you for the date V'althorais, you cheered me up when I needed it." She leaned in and planted a kiss on his cheek then flushed as she realized what she'd done as she stood there looking at him nervously.
Zetara sends back a text:
Starburger? Why especially me?
They know who you are, and apparently sent someone after you, Garland replies back. Keep a low profile, I'll meet you all there.
When Garland arrives at Starburger, he does a quick check for anyone he saw at the casino hanging around or anyone looking suspicious in general.
Seeing no one, Garland sits down at the table with the others. "I ran into an old contact at the casino," he begins, keeping his voice low. "Turns out he's running with the Level 21 crew now. Well, running them to be more accurate. They were hired by the Hardscrabble Collective and were working with Kreel. They had sent some after you," he looks at Zetara, "Because of your attempt to stop the shooting when we docked. But apparently Kov'i caused a scene and made him back off? So they know the faces of the three of us."
The smuggler takes a breath and checks around again before continuing. "That's why I said not to go to the casino. I'm pretty sure the only reason I left in one piece is because, well, I agreed to do a job for him."
Hmm. Well, whatever you had to do to save your skin I suppose... what's the job? This isn't going to mess up our deal with the Starfinders, is it?
"Sounds like Kreel had some interesting friends. Maybe this means the Hardscrabble and the Starfinders interests align. Interesting" Ehron says returning to his computer yet again. "We should we be doing some more research before visiting them."
I'm worried about this situation. He appeared almost as soon as we landed, and targeted you. There are several groups that approach young women, talk to them, then get them alone and kidnap them. I have no doubts that you are capable, but I do not wish for you to be taken, either. So I remain, and will do so until we have rejoined the group.
"Yes, what is the job exactly? While this Level 21 Crew does seem to have good intentions, I for one have little interest in taking orders from a gang," Duanimon says to Garland. Addressing the group, they continue, "We definitely should get in contact with the Hardscrabble Collective. They seem to be in some kind of proxy war with Astral Extractions, possibly over whatever happened to the Acreon. A business deal gone awry, perhaps? In addition, if Kreel was working with the Level 21 Crew, I am curious why they seemed to make no attempt to save him at the gunfight earlier."
Duanimon makes a good point. Do you trust this guy to tell you the truth?
"Kreel had evidence of Collective miners being abused by Astral Extractions. Jabaxa wants Kreel's ship brought into dock while avoiding customs, and for the files from Kreel's computer on the ship to be hacked and downloaded."
After hearing Duanimon and Zetara's questions, Garland continues. "The Downside Kings were hired by Astral Extractions, in response to what Duravor Kreel had discovered. His ship is currently attached to a freighter belonging to the Collective, who know I'm coming. I think this is our best chance to learn more about what's going on."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Nodding and smiling, Ehron responds while sitting on his backpack on the floor, his long limbs folded up against him as normal. "Sounds like the two missions align. The information in those files are going to be something we would also like to see. Did you promise exclusive information access to your 'friend' Garland? We will want to be using it."
"Yes, that does sound pertinent to our current mission for the Starfinders," Duanimon says. "Unless anyone objects, we should meet up with Scera and Kov'i and then head to this Collective freighter." They then text Scera and Kov'i.
We have a new mission. Meet us at astrotaxi kiosk 47 on the eastern side of the station.
No objections from me.
Zetara finishes her Starburger and tots, and follows the group to Astrotaxi Kiosk 47.
Garland puts his hand up as if to say "hold on." "Given the stealthy nature of this mission, it's probably best that we don't bring the whole crew. I was thinking a two person job, to minimize suspicion when we dock. You and me?" He directs this question to Duanimon. "I know my way around a computer, but I'd rather not chance something going wrong with this. The rest can hold on the station if something goes very very wrong," he adds, expecting that that might end up being the case.
Fine. You could have told us that before though. I'm going back to Starburger. You coming Scera? You can tell us all about your date.
She grins.
"Sure, I'll go with you," Duanimon responds to Garland. "However, I am somewhat curious how precisely you plan to avoid customs."
"Just remember we are only a comm away if you have an issue. We can help from this side as well." nods the sarcesian. "If this was the Diaspora I could offer more pertinent advice, and not stand out so much around you shorter beings." he finishes with a shrug.
"I do not like people going off on their own, but you have a valid point. Stay in contact at all times and if you need help, ask for it. We'll find a way to get to you."
Scera exited the bar with V'althorais and turned to face him ignoring Kov'i's presence for the moment. "Thank you for taking me out V'althorais, I really needed that." She felt a niggling connection to something, a hint that she was missing something, and asked, "Are you able to receive calls while traveling on your freighter or would I have to leave you a message if I tried to reach you?"
Once V'althorais had left to catch his flight Scera turned and realized that Kov'i was right nearby and nearly jumped as she felt a gut reaction at seeing the Vesk standing so closely. She edged slightly away before relaxing a little bit and standing quietly as she watched for the others. She was worried that she'd have to speak with him when she saw the others arrive and wondered what they had found out. She gave them a smile of greeting and responded to Zetara with a blush, "S-s-s-sure, I'll come with you, just don't expect me to eat anything right now."
"I can take a message. Not sure how far I am going this time. " V'althorais says as he parts.
After Garland and Duanimon depart...
You see a downside king gangmember that looks to be hiding behind a couple of vending machines and an Abadarcorps Credit Machine making a com call.
To Scera:
She grins. Food is optional. Just come along. We want to hear how it went.
Scera nodded in understanding and said, "Alright, thanks V'althoris." With that she watched him go as she still tried to remember whatever was nagging her about him. She turned and went with Zetara and said, "Good, I don't think I could eat anymore if I tried."
"We should go to the docking bay and observe their practices for incoming ships. See if there's any chink we can slip through. It's been a while since I've been to Absalom." To the others, Garland says, "Be careful on this side. Keep a close eye out." With that, Garland leads Duanimon to docking bay 88, and watches.
Duanimon follows along with Garland, meticulously observing the procedures for receiving ships.
As the pair moves out for the ship Ehron leans over to Zetara and suggests. "Maybe we should make a contingency for something going wrong. Maybe hack into a taxi to silence its comms and transmit a distress beacon? Dangerous, but having it available if our companions are held up could be invaluable. You are the more skilled than myself, but I could help..."
Zetara stops and asks Ehron what he means.
Do you mean as a distraction if they are going to be caught? A distraction is probably a good idea, but maybe we should wait until they are trying to dock--? Or did you mean something else?
"I am glad you made a friend." is all Kov'i says on the subject as he smiles politely. "We should probably rejoin the others."
Ehron answers while focusing on his computer and hacking kit, not surrounds. "I meant create one we can trigger. Then trigger it if we find we need it. If they are caught." He tilts his head a little as he ponders. "Perhaps also we should be listening on the customs comms channels if we can."
To Ehron:
I still don't understand who we would be signalling with the distress beacon, but that's enough for me to help you with the hack.
Zetara accompanies him to a waiting astrotaxi, which she then datajacks into and attempts to make it so that Ehron can trigger the distress beacon from his handheld.
Nodding to Zetara. "If there are some authorities starting to take an unhealthy interest in the ship we are bringing into dock we give those authorities something else to do."
Ehron and Zetara are working on hacking a taxi while a group of Downside Kings walks down the astrotaxi lane and everyone moves out of the way. There are six total, carrying light laser pistols and light armor. The one that is speaking has two laser pistols on his hip and some obvious augmentation."Hacking a taxi is illegal, I thought you corporate types would know that. Just glad my friend noticed you and called it in. Made a name for yourself right off the docks didn't you Zetara. That's impressive. Now, Zetara if you come with us quietly we will let your friends live...today at least. Kinda hoping you resist to be honest."
Downside King 1 23
Downside King 2 21
Kov'i 19
Gang Leader 17
Downside King 3 16+
Downside King 4 16
Zetara 16-
Ehron 6+
Downside King 56
Scera 5
Zetara stops what she is doing and steps away from her friends, so as not to get them killed.
I'm happy to go with you. Lead the way.
Duanimon leans over and quietly informs Garland, "It looks like one of the customs officers is willing to take bribes to let ships through with minimal scrutiny, so we should be able to get in fairly easily. Anything else you want to do before we take an astrotaxi to Kreel's ship?"
Standing up straight over everyone as Zetara steps away Ehron says "Are you sure?" before addressing the spokesman. "What is the purpose behind this 'request'?"
Kov'i steps forward as Zetara offers to go with them and says "Zetara, I don't want you to go with them. They plan violence against you, and you are my friend."
Kov'i's mote flies out of his belt pouch and merges into his armor. He then draws his new weapon and hefts it menacingly.