Startled by Antonius' outburst, Jaru pauses, eyes darting nervously between the others, before commenting.
"It's a wonderful name Raz, but the Maiden does have a fully formed AI. We should address her by whatever name she is most comfortable with."
"Hm..." The AI sounds pensive. "I havent really given my name much thought. But... it is part of who I am. I can understand this feels weird to others, for who a name can be an integral part of their identity. I never thought a lot about it untill now... Moriko did give me this name after my first boot... Is it OK if I mull this over for a while?"
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”Well, much as that might be interestin’, lemme t’ink on it a bit. Not supposed sure givin’ our ship virtual drugs is gonna turn out well.
“However, you want a rave-bot, that I can do. Get me da gear you want mounted, and I will work on it. Plus, maybe I soup it up a bit, so them strobes can be used t’ blind an enemy. Dat has possibilities.
“Plus, I s’pose it should be a mobile dispensary!?”
"Do you mean that I have aspirations for the future, things I want to do? Or do you refer to the biological process most species undergo when their brains perform maintenance during their sleep cycle? Because I do hope that I can go on flying and seeing cool new sights and maybe learn some new tricks."
"Hm. I do review my memories when they go into storage so I can give them the proper classifications and perhaps reflect on them a bit. But, no, I do not replay them as a whimsical order I have no effect over. Then again, I do not sleep like you do."
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Antonius starts taking advantage of the starship’s design facilities to design a rave-bot that will leave Blixa in awe. Smoke generator, disco ball, and glitter bombs are all part of the fun. He makes sure that all can be retracted into the shell of the robot, and then plans for several laser pointers, set up to be able display a fantastic laser light show
"Well, Blixa, while the experience would be something new, I do know sometimes your dreams go wrong and you have something called a 'nightmare'. That is something I rather not experience."
After hanging around the sunrise maiden for a while, you head over to the lorespire complex for your meeting with Chiskisk.
As you enter their office, Chiskisk enthusiastically greets you.
"Ah, so good to see you again. I hope your short trip to the drift rock was uneventful. Please, take a seat."
Chiskisk motions to several chairs.
"While Astral Extractions and the Hardscrabble collective are still locked in a legal battle, at least the next of kin of those poor miners can now have some closure. Also, while you were recovering in the hospital, we had some time to analyze the footage you send back. The Starfinder Society has detailed databeses, which I used to search for any prior appearances of the language displayed on the Drift Rock. Sadly we did not find much."
Their antennae droop dejectedly.
"The good news is, the Starfinder Society’s linguistic database recognized many of the symbols you found on the Drift Rock, because this is not the first time they’ve appeared post-Gap. The bad news is that the source is… highly unreliable.”
Chiskisk notes, as segments of their chitinous body scrape together in agitation.
“All that we have about these earlier texts comes from a man named Halkueem Zan, nearly three centuries ago, and it seems that no published studies of those texts have appeared since. According to these records, Zan’s original findings were donated to the Qabarat University of Xenoarchaeology and Xenoanthropology on Castrovel shortly after his—“ The shirren pauses while contemplating how best to phrase the sentence. “—disruptive expeditions.
“Fortunately, the Society has numerous alumni from that university, and I can readily secure you a contact there and forward my personal recommendation to a few faculty members. Perhaps they can show you Zan’s notes and even take you to the original site so that you can search for more clues about whatever this Drift Rock once was.”
Jaru's excitement builds steadily throughout the conversation until he can barely contain himself.
"I would relish the chance to pilot the Maiden to Castrovel." he says perched on the edge of his seat.
"And if these symbols are truly so rare perhaps this trail of clues will lead us out into the vast!" he thinks to himself.
Chiskisk moves his antenna in a confused O for a moment. "Well, as starfinders, you get reimbursed for food and board. As well as fame and fortune that can accompany a major find like this is of course yours and... I see this is not what you mean... I guess I can slash the montly budget and offer a 1000 credit stipend if you manage to track down Zan's old site."
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"Certainly a nice little bonus," Raz noted, passing his mote through the meat of his hand and briefly illuminating his flesh from the inside with cold blue light.
"I feel as though we are tugging upon a loose thread, unraveling something old and stubborn. It is a familiar feeling, I rather enjoy it. What is the limit to our operation? Do we have permission to follow this thread where ever it goes?"
Feeling Ras his interest, Chiskisk nods enthusiastically.
"Oh yes! Those sensation seekers like Halkueem Zan are a blemish on our profession. Also, The drift rock appears to be millennia old. If that language has also shown up on Castrovel, there could be some unprecedented link between cultures! Parts of our systems history yet unknown! Its so exciting!"
Before you leave, Chiskisk sends a copy of "Pyramid People of Ukulam" to your com links. It is a tawdry travelogue that lauds the author’s (Halkueem Zan) bravery as much as it describes the culture that built the sites using ample nonacademic language such as “exotic,” “savages,” and “time immemorial.”
Chiskisk puffs up his carapace. "We are explorers and scientists. The Starfinder Society is an organization dedicated to uncovering the secrets of the universe and its past. And then submit them to peer review. As in any pursuit, a sensational hero can attract new recruits, and a buffoon can tarnish the whole field. Halkueem Zan was both. He traveled throughout the Pact Worlds making a name for himself as an explorer and archaeologist, but his techniques were utter rubbish. He was a looter with a good press agent, and he published lurid gibberish like ‘Pyramid People
of Ukulam.’ His articles were popular with the public, but for every diligent explorer they inspired, another two were unscrupulous treasure hunters who just wanted to blow things up and call it archaeology.”
Chiskisk deflates a bit and his antennae droop. "And in regards to the findings of the script that was also on the drift rock, Zan wanted to explore a site on the restricted continent of Ukulam, but when the authorities denied him passage, he went anyway. I believe they confiscated most of his findings, and the whole incident spurred a decade of restrictions on offworld explorers. That is why now we need to go trough the University on Quabarat”
"Oh yes!" Chiskisk nearly vibrates with excitement. "The Qabarat University of Xenoarchaeology and Xenoanthropology is one of the foremost institutions of higher learning for explorers and galactic ethnographers in the Pact Worlds! In addition to training many great archaeologists, the university maintains a staggering archive of artifacts, recordings, and other findings from throughout the system......I should see if I could visit again in the future.......No matter. There is a postdoctoral student named Whaloss who has worked with the Society in the past. I’ll ask him to greet you when you land in Qabarat.”
After finishing your talk with Chiskis, you head back to the sunrise maiden.
"Hello! And welcome back! I hope your day went all right."
The AI sounds wounded. "I'll let you know that in my time in the hangar, the maintenence roombas took excelent care of my intakes. There is no crust on me."
One of the roombas makes an annoyed beep at Tony and bumps into his foot.
"And if you are inquiring if I am ready to make a drift jump, I most certainly am."
The engines are tuned perfectly. However, a roomba follows you around for a while. And while it has no eyes, you're pretty sure its scowling at you.
With the Starfinders having taken care of registration, you easily leave space dock and proceed to a safe distance away from Absalom station. The drift engines power up without a hitch.
Rearing to go, the Sunrise Maiden takes you to Castrovel in just one day!
Castrovel is a vibrant planet of sparkling blue oceans, continents blanketed in vividly green forests, and swirls of clouds. As the Sunrise Maiden enters the atmosphere near Qabarat, the city-state’s aviation authorities hail the ship, ask for identification, (Chiskisk took care of that) and direct you to one of the landing pads at the city’s spaceport, Ship’s End.
After disembarking the ship, you go trough customs. Two Lashunta men with datapads and scanners ask a few questions.
"Welcome to Qabarat. We see that you have a Starfinder registration. Are you here for buisness and what is your expected duration of stay?"
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Blixa greets the two gentlemen and responds in Castrovelian. She activates her limited telepathy so her friends can understand her.
"Hello! Yes, we are here on business. I am Blixa Myrwood, and these are my fellow Starfinders. We are here to meet with a faculty member from the Qabarat University of Xenoarchaeology and Xenoanthropology, one Whaloss. We were told he would be here to greet us.
"As our business with Whaloss is rather esoteric and of an exotic design, I am unable to give you a definitive timeline for our stay. I would estimate it to be no longer than three weeks. Is there anything else from us you need?"
Both agents smile at your polite greeting.
"Welcome home miss Myrwood and please convey our welcome to your fellow starfinders. We'll put you all down on a standard Qabarat research visa, for three weeks, which allows you to carry weapons. Do be advised that weapon use is heavily restricted in the city, as well as wildlife preserves. Unless you have non native plants or animal species with you that you need to declare, you are good to go."
The agents each supply you with a digital visa, and before long you stand in the lobby of the airport. A young Lashuta man with facial tatoos is standing to the side, holding a sign that reads "Starfinders, party registered with Sunrise Maiden".
Even for a damaya, he is tall and thin, almost to the point of seeming gaunt. His clothing is a stylish blend of local silks, though the overall ensemble shows considerable wear, as though he has relied on this nicer outfit for formal meetings for many years. Nonetheless, he positively beams with antennae-twitching excitement.
He eagerly waves you over. "Starfinders! Starfinders! Over here! I'm Whaloss! So good to meet you!"