The Xaarb's eyes widen as Dalinar crosses his arms, and whimpers. As Dalinar watches the Xaarb's sign language, he realizes that the Xaarb is talking about a ship that visits the prison moon regularly, and that the folks who ride on that ship wouldn't hesitate to take you and him both and lock you both up for life. But Dalinar looks so fierce, the Xaarb asks hesitantly, "Growf?" His hands mimic one ship, and then another as he makes a few breathy pew-pew noises.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Prosper follows after Dalinar, returning to the Xaarb less out of an eagerness to ask it questions than hoping to help Dalinar with him. She leans around his shoulder (unconsciously using him as cover against the Xaarb) and tries to interpret the Xaarb's strange hand signals.
"Huh, I think he's saying we should follow the scary Azlanti ship and then breathe peas at it. I'm uh, not sure if that'd help, or if we can get Talmrin to make that kinda upgrade..." Her brow furrows. "Waaaaait, that might not be right. Hang on-"
----
After the discussion with the Xaarb, Prosper heads off to find Hassachir. Once she finds her, she gives the Wrikreechee a cheery wave. "Hey there Hassy! Quick question for you." She lowers her voice. "So, if you wanted to find out which Azlanti ships would be stopping by Outpost Zed and when, how would you puzzle that out? Totally just for my curiosity, of course! Not because we want to find anything out!"
Borrow? Half-Red flashes a dozen different colors. I might know of a supply ship named the The Relic that comes through here from time to time, and might be interested in doing a bit of business if I were to call them. But they are terribly important people, with terribly important schedules. They might not take well to be being borrowed, especially if they think that I have something to do with it. Half-Red's scales resolve into the image of a fish tank, with a dead cuttlefish floating on its back. None of us are as important as Azlanti, of course. What assurances do I have that you will take precautions when doing your borrowing?
Minos tries to put Half-red at ease. "I can vouch for myself that I am one prefers to use limited leatality in any engagement. But I can also comment on the rest of my team that we want to be more helpful than not. I am not sure if you heard that we helped Hasshachir deal with the infestation that was infecting him. Also when were we, here, beset by some of the local welcoming party we did ask them to stand down before we disabled them. We are not by nature a blood thirsty crew."
Minos thinks some more. "But I understand that you may want to keep yourslef distant. If there is someway that I could pose as that merchant that can keep your name out of this and keep you safe. I do have a knack of the value of trade items"
|
"No I do not think that is correct Miss Starr."
Dalinar returns his attention to the Xaarb, "I do not fear them. If the empire wants to come after my friends," Dalinar says this in a way that includes the Xaarb in his friend group, "They will receive a big 'pew pew' - as you put it - in return. I need to have this ship come here. Bring them."
|
Spec hurries back over to Half-Red (with RushLING in tow) just in time to hear her express her fears to Minos. Thankfully the mental voice he projects to the stelliferan shows none of the huffing and puffing he is otherwise visibly engaging in.
"Hello again dear one! Unfortunately my large bovine friend here is entirely correct as to our predicament. On the other side, we have absolutely no desire to put you at risk in any way. Would it be possible for there to be a legitimate reason to call the Relic here and you actually trade them something, and then perhaps in a completely unrelated location, I can "convince" Here Spec grins and flashes his feathers in a hypnotic pattern for a brief moment the captain that his crew has been sorely overworked lately and is in need of some R&R immediately?"
He looks over at Rush and Minos "Perhaps my overly technically gifted comrades here could find a way to implant a code in the Relic by the time we come back that indicates it was momentarily and legitimately appropriated by higher authority, all for the greater good of course!"
"Confirmation: Our part of the task would be simple for our capabilities."
"Sneeeaky.." Pon mumbles as he stares off into nothingness.
Both the Xaarb and Half-Red agree to summon the Relic.
Hassachir translates for the Xaarb as it makes ship and pew-pew gestures. Then it offers you a hand. "Growf."
Hassachir states, "The Xaarb will summon the Relic. Apparently there is a blackmarket for second-hand Azlanti armor amongst poorer Azlant familiies that are trying to cover the costs for sponsoring their children as cadets, and the Xaarb sells them such armor regularly."
Meanwhile, Half-Red makes her reply. I do have some interesting goods for it... and I would appreciate it if you do your 'borrowing' far from the furnace marketplace. I will of course be shocked, utterly shocked, at any interruption of the lives of such important people.
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
About a day later, both Merchants notify you that the Relic is en route to dock at Outpost Zed in an hour.
"Since we can get the drop on them, I suggest setting up in the docking area. Give them a quick chance to stand down all at once. Otherwise then we will need to track them down in the station and we can not easily control where that will be"
Minos also checks that his pistol is set to stun.
"They may not all come out of the ship. How do we get into the ship quickly and overpower anybody there?"
Prosper rummages through her pack while Minos and Wint are offering their suggestions. She pulls out a small, well-worn guidebook and opens a bookmarked page. "So... I'm thinking its going to be way easier if whatever we do happens while they're not docked. That way rumors and stuff don't go flying any more than they have to." She flips a page. "OK... so, how about... we trick them into letting us onto their ship." She scans the page.
"Maybe we try to convince them we're traveling saleswomen... selling Azlanti ship bathroom facility upgrades... we lure them in with our complimentary Azlanti scented soap and bath gels..." She claps the little book closed. "Then! Just when they get interested we say we need their ship to disembark to show how a few simple configuration changes could make even their existing facilities 100% better - but they can only be adjusted mid-flight."
Prosper makes a finger gun. "And then BANG, we take their ship from them!"
Freen walks walks up dumbly toward Prosper with his pointer finger outstretched and then pokes. "Bang...pretty face..." he says slowly as he pokes their face.
|
|
Spec glances around at his comrades quickly before blurting out. "But wouldn't it be better if we could get the captain to voluntarily disembark his men?"
At the no-doubt incredulous looks he receives:
"No, seriously! If we can get the captain alone for a minute, he might be succeptible to some magical persuasion .... Such that he could be convinced that the entire crew would be happier and more loyal to him if they gotta bit of shore leave... Together..
And of course his new friends would be more than happy to secure the ship... It's not like anyone would dare to take it right?
and as an added bonus, when the spell wears off, he'll remember ordering the time off and leaving the ship... But not why he did so .... And if I were him, I'd not be eager to report that sort of weakness to any authority"
"and if it doesn't work, Dalinar's boarding is still viable"
Minos agrees with Spec. "I think we should try persuasion first. I would rather try to avoid any fire fight or boarding action"
"Sure, violence should ALWAYS be the last resort.
Maybe invite the captain to a party?"
"A party seems more reasonable than bath salesmen, at least to me"
"You think you could charm them, Spec? That'd be super if you could. And that plan with tricking the captain into thinking he ordered the shore leave himself is brilliant." Prosper grins "Plus, we can bring in the bath gels if it doesn't work and they get upset!"
"So. How do we lure the captain out alone?" Prosper rubs a thumb across her sharp chin. "Rather than a party... we have Azlanti officer clothes and can look like hoity toity Azlanti... maybe the moment they touch down we hail them for a video call. Say there's something that must be discussed with the captain. Something confidential, to be shared in person. 'Come quick if you value your standing in the Empire'. Something like that."
"We bring him or her to a nice quiet alleyway for Spec to work his magic."
"Party?"
You arrive at the docking bay where the Relic has landed. There appear to be a few crew members disembarking with cart for the cargo.
Pon having absently changed his appearance to a light-skinned human with black hair with a widow's peak on the way over. Also sporting a very noticeable head wrap/bandage, he waves at the crew of the Relic, "Hello."
One of the Azlanti crew turns to Pon. "What happened to you? Are you alright, Ser?"
Minos tries to keep out of site of the discussion until things go sideways.
I suspect a Skittermander might draw attention:-). So, I'll join the passel of PCs hiding out of sight
Prosper hangs out of sight for the moment, not really knowing what Pon is planning. She listens in to any conversation between him and the Azlanti crew and gets ready to jump in if the situation calls for it. While in hiding, she practices her "stern Azlanti officer" expression.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The pudgy professor comes up behind Pon at a huffing owl-sprint ... "Oh no, Interdictor Aldrox, you simply have not recovered enough to be out and about like this... oh dear, the mistress shall have my pinfeathers for this"
He fusses about around Pon before giving a noticable start upon apparently noticing the Azlanti crew
Drawing himself up with equal parts obsequiousness and servility, the little owl speaks officially to the crew
"Greetings honored crew of the Relic. My mistress sends greetings to the captain of this august vessel, and wishes to attend a formal invitation to such a distinguished individual to attend a civilized dinner this night, and to discuss matters of import"
He bows to the crew members.
"My lady also offers greetings to all true servants of the empire and would entreat them to attend as well if their duties permit. Obviously the tables of the highborn shall remain separated as is proper, but you are all welcome to suitable accommodation."
He steps forward and initiates a data transfer request
"Would one of you citizens be so kind as to convey the invitation to your captain?"
Prosper, time for another noble impersonation. Wint, go find us some part favors after all. Dal, can you find us a "house?"
The Azlanti immediately react to the title, acting instantly more respectful of Pon. One raises his eyebrows and grins, stepping forward. "Tell your exalted Mistress that Captain Tilldanec would be delighted to accept her invitation. Are you sure that you can escort your master safely back? Outpost Zed can be a little rough."
"Why!.." Pon begins while looking down, but not in Spec's direction. "I'm important and things and stuff!" He then turns toward Spec, seemingly having a significantly slow reaction time. "Quit flapping around so much and act more like a real person! Because..." He pauses for an unexpectedly long time, as if forgetting what he as saying, and then continues enthusiastically, "...dinner! And keep me away from those skeevy pipes! They'll be the death of my....hurt!" Pon pulls out his pistol and waves it about. "I can shoot!"
Prosper's in the middle of practicing her snooty glare as she gets Spec's telepathic comment. 'Got it. Uh, you're gonna need to tell me where we're going.'
Prosper looks at the others hiding with a panicked expression "Uh, a house? I don't think we've got the time to build a whole Azlanti manor here on the Outpost!? And I'm guessing they don't have one of those five-Credit-sign restaurants like Bluerise has back on Absalom Station!"
She thinks back to what she's seen of Outpost Zed to think if there's ANYTHING that might pass for high enough class for a Azlanti to dine there.
"Yay! A Party. Ok, so we'll need at least 2 cases of Azlanti Champerauvignon Blanc. A case of Astri Spumontoni. We'll need canapes for 15. Lets see, ........."
|
|
Spec responds to the crewmen
"Thank you for your concern sirs, but I assure you that even an injured Interdictor is more than sufficient to dissuade the riffraff on this station. On that note however, my mistress dearly wishes his return so I must comply. Please take your time going about your business so that you may enjoy the dinner later"
in a stage whisper
"If you have never sampled the fare from a noble family's singing chef, I assure you it is like no other"
With another florid bow "Ahem. Good day sirs." And he attempts to usher Aldrox out of the docking bay.
-------------
Once out of sight, he quickly consults his culture chip for Azlanti trends.
And finds what he thinks is a reference to the popularity of industrial-chic restaurants among young Azlant nobles "slumming" away from their core planets
"Does anyone remember any relatively clean mechanical spaces that Wint, the majordomo, and the chef can convincingly present as a catered industrial-chic dining hall? Ideally one with a small space where the Lady could invite the captain for a brief moment of "higher" discussion?"
"Request: Hello again, Madam Hassachir. Perhaps you can help with the predicament we have placed ourselves in. We require a facility, compound, or whatever structure we could disguise to look like a fancy enough shindig to fool some Azlanti. Would you happen to know anything that could meet our requirements, and if so, would you help us to temporarily loan it?"
Minos takes in the sudden change of events and stammers. "I can do small things. If we get some space I could maybe set something quick to make it look good. I have the auto chef and some ideas"
Minos heads off with Rush back to the central area. And asks Red where if they know of anything suitable.
Pon follows Spec's ushering while muttering things like "I have a pistol." and "I'm very important.".
Wint starts to drag all the others who don't quickly enough into his preparations for a party.
Canapes, buffet, desert, it all takes time and effort.
"I'm not sure what music to present. I'm inclined to go with the Singing Chefs Opera selection. Does that seem ok to everybody else?"
Prosper rushes back to the ship and finds the singing chef. In Azlanti she calls out "Chef! We've got a fancy, high-class food and drink based crisis that only YOU can save us from! We need food fit for a casually elegant azlanti get-together and we need it yesterday!"
She realizes the chef might take it literally "Uh, but not actually yesterday. An hour or two from now is OK. Actually just hors devours... no, uh, hours de'vers? Whatever, the little snackish things that you get at fancy places. That's probably all we'll need for now if you don't have time for a full multi-course thing."
"Oh, and we could use your singing voice!"
Hassachir has just the place. I have a storeroom just off the main floor that I will lend you if you help me clean it out. It's large and shiny, and still has Azlanti symbols stamped in its metal trim from the days of the occupation.
Meanwhile the Singing Chef is delighted at the possibility of providing both dinner and entertainment at a formal dinner. It will not even consider limiting itself to hors d'ouevres, but starts planning something truly epic. "And for the sixth course, mushroom fireworks!"
Prosper gives the Singing Chef a thumbs up (though internally she has *no* idea what the mushroom fireworks are going to be) and leaves the robot in Wint's capable hands while she heads for Hassachir's storeroom. Once there, she jumps into clearing the place out *just* enough for it to potentially look like a dining room that's seen better days.
With anyone else there helping, she asks "So, once we get this party started... are we planning to just distract them for a bit - or do we want to capture them so they can't send word ahead to any other Azlanti ships nearby?"
LINGSTON pings the others.
"Report: Rush and I have made contact with Hassachir, and she will take us to a place that should manage for the location. The decoration should have Azlanti logos and symbols on it, granting us an advantage."
Then LINGSTON's eye returns to the other Wrikreechee.
"Pleasantry: Lead on, my dear!"
She could swear the Exo-Cortex Eye winked at her.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"What if you , in your high-and-mighty-Azlanti-noble guise, can convince the Captain to meet privately with you for a moment while his crew is being served, so that he may be briefed on the service you require?
I can be concealed nearby and cast a charming spell on him (repeatedly until it sticks), and we can convince him that his vessel is urgently needed to return the Interdictor to Azlant space for a critical task. The captain and crew would be "compensated" for their invaluable assistance to the Empire, but would have to remain here in this location as to not betray the mission by being sighted by those darned rebels. And I'm sure teh chef would be mortified if he wasn't able to leave them with enough fine cuisine to last them their stay."
Spec nods in a satisfied way
"The best part is that when the spell wears off, the captain will remember giving the order to stay put and assist but not why he did so. We can likely rely on his sense of self preservation to delay the thought of breaking the confidence of such powerful Azlanti until we are long done with the Relic .... and who would he report to that wouldn't kill him for his failure?"
"What do you think?"
Minos heads over to the place we secured and quickly cleans as much as he can, with Token Spell. Then will assist in setting up the majordomo and chef as needed.