'There they go, pledging us to face danger and haven't even asked for credits to risk our skins, Robert thought, hiding his frown by scratching his beard. 'Bloody do-gooders.'
On the other hand... Robert did want to get to the bottom of the mystery of the ancient artifact they had found, so perhaps some free assistance and risk of danger could be justified by expediting them getting the next piece of the puzzle, this Dr. Solstarni, back.
"I guess we could go in as a couple of groups of customers, spend some time playing tourists with more credits than sense and ask questions," he sighed.
"Only on Absalom Station," Zadie shrugged with faux humility. "We're not interplanetary or anything ... yet."
Action 2:
Kamiya was somewhat used to having a camera on her so she volunteered to be one of the two wearing bugs. She wasn't surprised at all of the mention of a waiver. "I can't think this would be any more dangerous than what we've already faced without signing waivers but if you require one then I would sign."
Action 3:
Action 2:
"I will need to see the waivers first, and we'll also need you to indemnify us in the case that we are forced to do damage to property or people in the cause of defence of self or property." a slight pause "I am downloading the laws on deputisation and the rights and duties thereof as we speak."
Action 3:
"My skills at deceit are poor. While I am happy to wear a camera, I will need someone else to take the lead on our investigation. I will attempt to stay ready in case of attack." John patted his 'briefcase'.
Action 1
"Only on Absalom Station," Zadie shrugged with faux humility. "We're not interplanetary or anything ... yet."
"I wish," Robert muttered, glowering at Zadie's tone.
Action 3
John nodded at Oriana, impressed at her perfidy. "An excellent solution. I can look for physical threats, and Robert can observe for less mundane issues." He turned to Robert "We should work on our false identities, and construct a conversation for them to have. Perhaps we could discuss a local sports team and their recent status changes."
He turned to Robert "We should work on our false identities, and construct a conversation for them to have. Perhaps we could discuss a local sports team and their recent status changes."
"Yeah, that sounds like a great idea," Robert grunted, wondering if the Five Arches approached drinks with the same ballistic approach it did food. He could see himself needing something to kill off a few brain cells while waiting for the other party to arrive.
Oriana looked around, then said, "Perhaps we should go in two groups. John and Robert can go in and sit quietly, eat something. Then we three can go in together. We can order, but also use the "my sister is missing" strategy. If anything goes wrong, or anybody looks suspicious, you boys can back us up, or follow the others, or something. If Kamiya and John have cameras, then both teams are covered."
"Wait, who are we saying we're looking for?" Zadie questioned. "The professor or this Dr. Paqual? Because near as I can figure, she blew off the meeting and never showed. But maybe if we mention the fake doctor's name we'll attract the attention of whoever's behind him."
“Good evening ladies, did I hear you correctly? Are you perhaps looking to hire a local guide to show you around our beautiful planet?”
He smiled, “You’re in luck because I can take you anywhere.” He lowered his voice and winked, “I can even take you where you’re not supposed to go…”
Kamiya gave a huge smile and giggled, "I bet you say that to all the ladies." She then lowered her voice and leaned in, "So what kind of taboo places are you talking about? I must say that you've piqued my interest. I'm Kamiya and you are?"
Action 1
The female android seemed all over John, “Anything else I can get for you, sweetie?
Robert raised his glass to his lips to hide a smile, happy enough that the proprietor with the erratic culinary sense was focusing on John instead of himself. The smile shifted into a grimace in a hurry as he forgot himself and actually tasted the drink. The first attempt really should have taught him, but reflexes were what they were… he was in a bar, he had a drink at hand, and it was hot outside. Emptying his glass was the thing to do in such circumstances, right?
Except this drink he had ordered at random – well, as good as random considering the mystical names on the menu – had turned out to be a mix of rum and juice of some tropical fruit… with a real pretty swirly red pattern made with ketchup of all things. The taste had turned out to be… memorable.
Action 2
”One fish came to bite, unless he’s just looking for someone to share his bed tonight,” Robert murmured, keeping his voice low and using the ghastly drink to hide his lips moving in case someone or something was watching. He kept his own eyes open, scanning the restaurant just in case someone else was paying the girls and the man who had approached them too much attention.
"I've not had" John consults the menu 'Avian before." unpractised with the ways of deceit he begins to unload his entire invented convoluted backstory onto the poor waitress. "I am a statistician who worked offworld until very recently. I..." the story continues in intricately researched if improbable detail. "...she left me my second cousin called me to..." John cuts off as he catches the look on John's face. "Anyway, now I'm here."
Ended up camping, back online Tuesday
Kamiya gave a huge smile and giggled, "I bet you say that to all the ladies." She then lowered her voice and leaned in, "So what kind of taboo places are you talking about? I must say that you've piqued my interest. I'm Kamiya and you are?"“Good evening ladies, did I hear you correctly? Are you perhaps looking to hire a local guide to show you around our beautiful planet?”
He smiled, “You’re in luck because I can take you anywhere.” He lowered his voice and winked, “I can even take you where you’re not supposed to go…”
He smiled, "Adventurous eh? That's the kind I like."
"My name is Twonas En. At your service."
He now smirked, "Well, I can take you just about anywhere you want to go... if you have the desire and the... means to finance your trip."
His antennas weaved an intricate pattern as he added, "I'm sorry but I overheard you, that is my business as well, talking about someone I know, Dr. Eyrub Paqual. Do you know him?"
"I've not had" John consults the menu 'Avian before." unpractised with the ways of deceit he begins to unload his entire invented convoluted backstory onto the poor waitress. "I am a statistician who worked offworld until very recently. I..." the story continues in intricately researched if improbable detail. "...she left me my second cousin called me to..." John cuts off as he catches the look on John's face. "Anyway, now I'm here."
The android was quickly bored with John's rambling. She interjected her offerings and got up when she realized that she could no longer sell them any more food. "Well, I'll come on by to get your more drinks. Enjoy the avian."
Luckily for John and Robert, the girls were close enough for them to follow the conversation.
--------------
Questions?
Game on!
"You know Dr. Paqual?" Zadie asked, doing her best to look starstruck. "I've read his articles about the elven ruins in Ukulam. Do you know if he has any archaeological expeditions planned in the near future? I came to Castrovel hoping to see some of the settlements, but it seems like it's really hard to get permission to go there."
No, no one else seems interested in the conversation the girls are having with the lashunta bravado.
"You know Dr. Paqual?" Zadie asked, doing her best to look starstruck. "I've read his articles about the elven ruins in Ukulam. Do you know if he has any archaeological expeditions planned in the near future? I came to Castrovel hoping to see some of the settlements, but it seems like it's really hard to get permission to go there."
The lashunta sighed and smiled, "Yeah, he wanted to go to Ukulam alright but it's really hard to get there."
He lowered his voice, "I, however, know some people that know some people... you know what I mean?"
He paused for a second and the continued, "I was able to get him the paperwork required for his little trip. Are you interested?"
Kamiya gave a huge smile and giggled, "I bet you say that to all the ladies." She then lowered her voice and leaned in, "So what kind of taboo places are you talking about? I must say that you've piqued my interest. I'm Kamiya and you are?"“Good evening ladies, did I hear you correctly? Are you perhaps looking to hire a local guide to show you around our beautiful planet?”
He smiled, “You’re in luck because I can take you anywhere.” He lowered his voice and winked, “I can even take you where you’re not supposed to go…”He smiled, "Adventurous eh? That's the kind I like."
"My name is Twonas En. At your service."
He now smirked, "Well, I can take you just about anywhere you want to go... if you have the desire and the... means to finance your trip."
His antennas weaved an intricate pattern as he added, "I'm sorry but I overheard you, that is my business as well, talking about someone I know, Dr. Eyrub Paqual. Do you know him?"
"Very pleased to meet you, Twonas." Kamiya's antennae swished around excitedly, "You have definitely made today more interesting. Even though I prefer my adventure to involve speed, unique destinations are a close second." His mention of finances was not lost on her. Part of her wondered if this was an elaborate robbery scheme. Ignorant explorers tell him that money is no issue and then they're followed and robbed by associates. Or maybe it was how he decided on how big his fee was.
The lashunta sighed and smiled, "Yeah, he wanted to go to Ukulam alright but it's really hard to get there."
He lowered his voice, "I, however, know some people that know some people... you know what I mean?"
He paused for a second and the continued, "I was able to get him the paperwork required for his little trip. Are you interested?"
Kamiya addressed the ladies, "Looks like it's our lucky day." Then she looked back at Twonas and smiled, "Resourceful as well as handsome." She nodded, "Definitely interested. But how interested will depend on what your resourcefulness will cost us."
Action 1:
He continued, “I can get you one visa for 500 credits and each additional one for 300 credits. I’ll need a day and payment upfront…”
"Fantastic!" Kamiya paused and then leaned in to quietly ask, "So how many additional visas can you get?"
When he asked for payment upfront Kamiya laughed lightly. "You must think us extremely naive to agree to paying you that much money upfront. We just met and it's not like we can check references or anything." She put her hand on his arm, "Surely you could accept half up front and we'll give you half on delivery."
Action 2:
Even though they'd had luck with finding a potential line on illegal visas, Kamiya was disappointed they hadn't gotten a lead on Dr. Solstarni. "I guess we should report back to the detective. Hopefully he had better luck with the Port Authority."
Even though they'd had luck with finding a potential line on illegal visas, Kamiya was disappointed they hadn't gotten a lead on Dr. Solstarni. "I guess we should report back to the detective. Hopefully he had better luck with the Port Authority."
"What you got out of the man should be enough to get him arrested, if the security can catch him delivering what you just ordered," Robert said, nodding his head. "Perhaps the detective is willing to offer him a deal for information concerning the recent activities of his close and personal friend, Dr. Eyrub Paqual. That should help us get on the trail of the kidnappers."
When John starts to walk towards Orianna's group, Robert steers him aside, prompting a quick flurry of comms messages. 'He's right' John reflected in awe 'They might have been watching them.'
@Zadie (since the others were informed in another thread)
I'm going to have to take a break from gaming. I guess I just can't do 'half-way' gaming. I either am very involved (posting every day) or I just lose interest.
The problem is that I don't have enough time right now to be fully involved and this shows.
Anyhow, I've taken breaks in the past and I always end up gaming again and you can be sure that I will reach out to you guys first.
Thanks for all the fun! I mean it.
Game on!
Fabian
Thanks for the experience with Starfinder, Fabian! I expect I'll still be around the boards when you come looking.
Be well, and God bless.
Thank you for all the hard work, and see you in a bit then.
Now, if anyone has a game that could use new players, please holler - got to find another story to write while we wait for Fabian to finish recharging his batteries :-)
Fabian - are you ditching Duncan too? If so, I've got room in my game, Jussi!
Fabian - are you ditching Duncan too? If so, I've got room in my game, Jussi!
Yes Angie; sorry about that but it looks like your game will be fine. ☺
Indeed! Thank you for all the hard work!
Fabian - are you ditching Duncan too? If so, I've got room in my game, Jussi!
That's one game sorted, then. Need to find only one more, then - two games at one time seem to be just about right for me ;^)
Angie, can you PM me with some sort of synopsis what's going on in the game at the moment?