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"Not from our employer, no." Raelis says with a sip of her tea.
"We're here representing a faction of the Starfinders named the Dataphiles. Their leader has taken note of our hackers abilities and wants to speak with them. I don't suppose you know anything about the person we're looking for, do you?"
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Ceren sighs. "Well then. In my youth I was an accomplished hacker, and broke into a number of corp databases. Sadly, age spares no one, and a degenerative disease took its toll. Now I'm dependant on some augments to keep the memory loss in check. Seems I recently had a memory lapse and reverted back to my more adventurous youth. I have the files you want right here," tapping her head. "I can't keep dodging the corps anymore, not at my age. I'll make you a deal. Fake my death and get Jubair a spot with the Starfinders, and I'll give you everything I took."
Jubair and Ceren begin gathering their things and saying goodbye, and Ceren points out a photo. "This was one of my favorite places to walk, the bridge in Jatembe Park. Meet me there in six hours."
Option 2: Pay a mortician to file a fake death certificate. 100 credits will cover the needed bribe, though you'll need to make a DC 15 Intimidate check to scare the mortician enough that they don't sell you out.
Option 3: File your own death certificate. Anyone with ranks in a funerary, medical, or security Profession can make a DC 12 Profession check to file the death certificate themselves.
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"Oh...I see." Raelis' smile falters but only for a moment as she sees the older woman is dedicated to this path. "Well, if it gets us a new recruit and furthers the goals of the Starfinders, then I will do what I can!"
Raelis leaves Dr. Bradbury to the computer work, trusting him to edit the medical records with ease given his expertise. Instead, she employs her own abilities as a diplomat to assist Ceren in creating a new, believable identity that can hold up to scrutiny.
She finds creating a new identity for the woman to be simple, as many older humans tend to be overlooked, they are easily placed in new neighborhoods without much notice.
Knowing how to speak to people is one of Raelis' greatest strengths, and she uses what she knows to find like minded and genuine individuals to act as contact and allies in keeping Ceren safe.
Unfortunately when she tries to pull some strings with some old political contacts, she discovers that older humanoids are generally passed over for the rigorous and often culturally challenging work that a diplomat is steeped in.
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Raelis marvels at her companions, glad she's been assigned a group so capable.
"I never thought we'd have to make a false identity for the Society, but if it furthers our goals and gets us more recruits, than it must be worth it!" She smiles at everyone warmly. "Now we just need to get them to let Jubair in, and then we can move onto to our next assignment!"
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Feeling very confident in your work on Ceren's new identity, you head out to the park for the meeting. Open to all citizens, Jatembe Park occupies a wide portion of the Eye of Absalom Station. Filled with lush trees and open grass fields, the park offers some natural terrain to the otherwise metal-clad station. Ceren’s meeting point is one such forested portion of the park, specifically a spot often ignored by citizens due to the winding path required to reach it.
As you arrive, you spot Ceren waiting for you on the bridge. She glances subtly in your direction and waits for you to get closer before looking at you expectantly. "Is everything ready?"
Just then, three scruffy youths emerge from the trees, shiny new pulsecasters hanging from their belts. "Oy, back off the old lady, berks. We're here to pick Granny up for tea." The other two chuckle loudly and grin.
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Malcom gives the men an incredulous look. "There is no reason to be so rude, son. We have important business here so please, go on your way before station security has to intervene."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Bit takes a step back, closer to Ceren. "Don't worry, we'll protect you..." Bit comments to the others toward the north, "Someone watch the other side of the bridge make sure we don't get surrounded."
To the guys near the bushes, "She can't be your granny... she's my granny... and I don't know you. Best move on."
Zefram takes a sneak shot from under his arm firing straight at the thug with blue surgical gloves on nailing the man straight in the chest.
Dr. Bradbury needs to refocus and recalibrate his exocortex
Delea attempts to fire at the thug with her shot shooting harmlessly over the head of the thug.
Bit’s careful aim proves true hitting the Thug wearing blue gloves solidly in the shoulder
The thug wearing blue gloves tries to take a pop shot at Zefram letting out a ”You will pay for going against us.” for all talk he is, his shot hits one of the trees next to Zefram.
Rather stylish with his Green Fedora, the thug moves around for a better shot at Raelis, landing a solid hit on on her side.
Round 3
Bit
Delea
Raelis
Blue
Green
Round 2
Dr. Bradbury
Zefram
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Red , Terikesh
Using his medical knowledge Dr. Bradbury places a carefully aimed shot that hits his target cleanly in the neck.
Bit proves they are the better gunner than the silly thugs present here today blasting the Blue Gloved man in the other should dealing a grievous wound, he falls seeing his life choices flash before his eyes as he hits the ground life escaping his body.
Using some guerilla tactics Raelis takes a shot at the stylish thug in green and skitters into her comrades to gain some cover.
Round 3
Bit
Delea
Raelis
Green
Round 2
Dr. Bradbury
Zefram
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Red , Blue ,
Terikesh
With your final shots ringing out across the bridge the final assailant falls to the ground. Amongst their belongings you find three flight suit (stationwear), three pulsecaster pistols with batteries, three tactical batons, and three credsticks (100 credits each).
Your efforts have proven to be fruitful. You escort Ceren and Jubair back to Lorespire Complex where they both become well acquainted with their new identities. Historia-7 offers her gratitude ”Thank you for operating within mission parameters. Although i would have preferred a little more discretion.. But I cannot fault you for the actions of others. Hurry to your next meeting.” Historia-7 does not entertain any queries at this point.
A few minutes after exiting the complex a rudimentary courier robot greets you holding out a small gift box containing a standard datajack and 200 credits. A simple electronic message from Historia-7 indicates that the datajack is a token of thanks from the Dataphiles; there is a postscript that reads Jubair also offers up the enclosed weapon for your use. The society requests you return it when you are finished accomplishing your assigned tasks. the weapon mentioned is a frostbite-class zero rifle.
Your next mission takes you into Downlow to meet up with Zigvigix. You make your wall down the central lift of Absalom Station the doors open and you enter Downlow district garbage litters the ground around the district’s largest art park—a cement lot filled with undulating metal sculptures and covered in graffiti of grotesquely adorable creatures. The sounds of music and chatter drift over from the nearby clubs, chronically interrupted by the roar of the local gangsters’ engines. A heavily augmented host shirren is sitting on one of the park benches, eating a simple meal of cold grub-noodles and rice candy. Their antennae perk up at the tremor of approaching footsteps
“Welcome, new Starfinders! And congratulations!” the shirren’s voice telepathically projects. “My speech-name is Zigvigix, but feel free to call me Ziggy, if that would be easier for you. Have some rice candy to celebrate your graduation! Today is your big day!
“When you are ready, I have two assignments I could use assistance with. The first is to help me secure a new headquarters on Absalom Station. I’ve been in talks with our station’s protectors, the Stewards, and they were kind enough to give us ownership of a warehouse here in Downlow for that purpose! The current owners no longer want it because a vicious alien took it over and kills anyone who goes inside. Once the alien is gone and the warehouse cargo has been returned to its owners, we can start installing desks and computers, so please go in and incinerate the creature!
“My second assignment...”
Zigvigix twitches their tooth barbs for a moment and then holds out a credstick.
“Please buy the brand-new Strawberry Machine Cake album, Star Sugar Heartlove!!!, which is out today, and give it to Historia-7 when you see her. She is the head of the Dataphiles, so you should meet her today! I wish to do it myself, but I... I have trouble standing for long periods of time. he pats his prosthetic legs Thank you very much for your help!”
With the shirren’s excitement over the new single being dropped, especially in an old archaic form; It's clear that despite their downplaying of not being able to stand in line themselves it is obvious they desire a copy, an oddity for the highly individual shirrens.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"Has anyone tried to reason with the alien? Perhaps diplomacy can prevail where combat did not?" Raelis notices the Shirren is particularly excited about the Strawberry Machine Cake album though she doesn't mention anything to the others while he's still in range.
"Yes, let's get in line for this album. I wonder if they also sell the album digitally? I don't think I have anything that plays cee deez."
When the Shirren is out of range she smiles to the others. 'And Ziggy obviously wants one of these too, we should pick one up for him as well. It'll be a nice surprise."
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Dr. Bradbury nods. "The album will be easy enough to handle, but the alien may be an issue. Do you have a physical description of the creature? I may have information that will make removing it easier."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Zigvigix explains through his subtle telepathic communication ”Very good question doctor we believe the creature is a feather stalker, a predator far more unpleasant than its name implies. As far as the Stewards have been able to piece together, a two-bit crime lord illegally imported the creature, and the beast promptly ate him. Here let me show you,” Zigvigix pulls out a datapad switching it to holo display mode as a holorecording of the incident taken off the station’s security cameras plays showing a gruesome scene as it flits through images of it sending out harpoon like feathers into the crime lord. ”Rather unsightly we believe.”
You know without a doubt that this alien is a Feather Stalker. Its a Large Creature able to send out Feather Harpoons at anyone within range with a great accuracy.
”The lines we have heard can be quite long getting the copies but yes, Raelis was it, They allow for digital copies.” Zigvigix further explains.
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Your group comes upon a rather raucous queue that stretches down the length of Drifter's End the beginning of which seems to be coming from Absalom Towel Records. As you approach the end of the queue you see a hovering billboard adjusting its position with the line. On it you see clips from some of Strawberry Machine Cake’s music Holo-vids, some friendly reminders of line etiquette, a disclaimer stating all persons are only allowed to purchase two copies of this special edition and finally scrolling across the bottom you read the words Average Wait Time from this point: 6 hours.
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You have made it through the very long line and are at the check stand and noticed the credstick that Zigvigix gave you only has enough to purchase a single copy of the single Star Sugar Heartlove!!!.
You find yourself fatigued from standing in line so long
On your way out a group of teenages who clearly have ditched school to be here for the launch come running through the front door running straight into your group.
Having been unable to dodge and subsequently trampled by the teenagers you take some boots to the head.
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While standing on line Raelis considers the information they received about the creature in the warehouse.
"Based on that image, it's definitely a Feather Stalker like Zuggy said. Those are large creatures able to send out Feather Harpoons at anyone within range with great accuracy. Unfortunately that's all I know about it. I hope it's nothing too problematic."
Raelis seems unfazed by the long wait in line, though she does occasionally slip into low-power mode to reserve her energy. By the time they reach the counter she smiles at the clerk and hands over her own creds to buy a copy of the album. "I can't wait to get this loaded on my comm!" She says excitedly.
As the teenagers excitedly rush passed Raelis smiles and waves them on.
"They're so excited! It's nice to see music bring people together." As her companions are trampled she helps them to their feet. "They could offer a little more of a berth though."