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Altorin gets to work looking for anything important within the office as the others join him.
He quickly finds the datapads detailing the missing persons but he also spots a sprayflesh canister behind the desk.
"Hurondo has information on all of the missing individuals and it is pretty detailed. I imagine the facility keeps records on patients but this seems more focused like he had an idea of something going on. If anything we have a list of places to look into now." Altorin informs the others handing out the datapads to look over. He also holds up the canister of sprayflesh.
"Hopefully he had no reason to expect to need this. We can hold onto in case that need arises for us. I can patch up small wounds but if someone is more skilled they may want to bag it." he offers.
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"Ha! Well done, Itch!" Jaqweh laughs jovially as he claps the ysoki on the back in congratulations before heading back to the locker room to change. Shortly after, as he proceeds down the hallway to join his teammates, he, too, passes the door where the scarred android is still cleaning things up.
"Hello. Can I give you a hand cleaning up?"
He stacks a couple chairs and gathers up some trash as he initially makes small talk with the android, eventually leading to more specific questions about the Respite, Jiwalla and Hurondo, and the elusive "other place."
The android looks up in surprise, and then nods assent. "Yes, you may. Thank you. My name is Bygones-B." Bygones-B points to a row along one wall where the stairs are being stacked, and continues picking up while conversing with Jaqweh. "I have been working here for a short time, and I too have heard these rumors about another facility. I do not have any more information than that, I fear. I hope Hurondo can be found swiftly, if he is indeed missing."
When the room has been cleared up, Bygones-B says, "Please leave the room, as I need to set up for the next group session. Unless you would like to participate in a brief counseling session yourself? It helps to air your anxieties, I can tell you from experience. I extend the offer to any within your group."
Bygones-B facilitates a discussion that allows you to process and confront your feelings regarding any recent traumatic events in your lives. You get a +2 circumstance bonus against compulsion effects for the remainder of the scenario.
Itch finds that the door is not locked, and opens it very quietly. He reveals a large room with shelves and tables that display multiple types of vidgames and old fashioned card and board games. There are several extremely comfortable pieces of furniture, a coffee machine, and on a table near the door, a platter containing various finger foods commonly enjoyed by several Pact Worlds species.
A female korasha lashunta is the only occupant, sitting on one of the chairs with her eyes closed. She does not react at all when Itch is peeking in, but when Eralyn calls out she responds without opening her eyes. "I'm sorry, Hurondo's open gaming sessions have been cancelled for today."
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Jaqweh elects to pass on the counseling offer, but shortly thereafter hears Eralyn and Itch enter the gaming room.
Knowing that korasha are frequently more brash and less diplomatic, he gets right to the point. In Castrovelian he asks, "Yes, I would expect so. That's why we're here. May I ask when the last time you saw him or heard from him was?"
"Oh, you're not here for the session?" The lashunta opens her eyes and takes in the appearance of the three standing at the room's door. "I haven't seen him since he was last here at the Respite, three days ago I think. Nobody has, as far as I know. We're cancelling his meetings day-by-day, but it would be best to figure out where he is soon."
Coffee dispenses with the simple push of a button, and the lashunta makes no objection if Itch takes some. She brightens at the question. "Gaming can be very therapeutic. He offers different types depending on what people need, whether it's practice socializing, or... Take this, for example." She scoops up a deck of cards sitting on the table and spreads them wide. Each card has a holographic image printed on it. "It's a lashunta game called Qabarat Towers. The objective is for each player to place a card to build a structure, and manipulate it mentally to tell a story across each face of the card structure. Playing this game helps individuals focus, and work towards a common goal, and communicate through images. It's much easier to do those things while everyone is having fun together."
She smiles fondly and admits, "Hurondo, Jiwalla, Zigvigix, and myself also use this room for a game night, once a week. You're welcome to come play with us, after this is all over. I gather you're looking into his disappearance. Here, take this. I think you'll enjoy it." She offers the Qabarat Towers deck to Itch as recompense for helping to locate her friend.
Her comm unit emits a small chime, and she glances at it. "Please, excuse me, I need to take my meds on time." She walks briskly out of the room.
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At first Altorin is hesitant to partake in the sessions as it is more time away from the search but when Eralyn enters...he follows a moment later.
Altorin speaks about his time in the incident especially when he had to attack what remained of older Starfinders that had been trapped. The guilt he felt after finally finding them but having to fight his own due to unforeseen circumstances.
"It was difficult enough to form bonds being transitional on Triaxus but seeing what happens to your allies. Hearing the stories from comrades that lost their battle-bond. I don't want someone to feel that pain for me so why not stay detached and protect them from a distance." he spills with sadness and anger intertwining. He then speaks further on just wishing for a simpler time enjoying the sunlight but he can't go back to it when people need help.
Leaving the meeting with Eralyn and seeing the gameroom he nods.
"Yes, let's find our ally and all of the others." he agrees looking through the addresses for the closest one.
Having found a lead, you leave the Healing Arches and head towards the area of temorary residences in the Spike. As you're exiting the Lorespire Complex, you notice two humans talking to passerby and distributing pamphlets. One of them is explaining to a lashunta who appears to be trying to diplomatically escape: "It's a new medical clinic, open in the Spike. We can ease your burdens and erase painful recollections of traumatic events via a state of the art memory modification procedure."
The other human loudly chimes in, "It's 100% safe and effective! You won't regret giving it a try!"
The thoroughfare here is long and narrow, 20 feet wide, and crowded with creatures travelling to and from the Lorespire Complex and various other locations. The area contains different types of flora commonly found on the native planets of the major species that call Absalom Station home, many sealed in atmospheric containers.
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Jaqweh's instincts tell him something is amiss here. They're hiding something. Why am I not surprised? he informs his teammates telepathically, before he approaches the two men.
Good day, I am Jaqweh from the Laubu Mesa. When I tap you on the shoulder, just walk away from these criminals. he tells their lashunta target also telepathically.
With his preparations complete, he strides up to the two humans and touches the lashunta gently on her back while meeting her gaze. As she turns to make her escape from them, he steps slightly forward and into their path should they try to pursue her.
“Gentlemen, I've seen a bit of action in my service. You say can help with easing traumatic stress? “
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Itch turns as he hears Jaqweh in his head and grins. Con men! Oh, let's see what they're peddling! He follows the Steward towards them.
"Art of memory modifications? What is that, some new fangled meditation technique? Maybe my sister needs one! The detective's nose wrinkled and he scratches it as he prepares to sniff out their game.
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"Oh, dearie me..." Eralyn mutters under her breath. Clearly she finds the thought of memory modification extremely distasteful. With a worried look she watches the other people who appear interested in such a surely dangerous procedure...
With a shake of her head she tries to force herself to smile. She had a job to do, after all. She hobbles her way over to the humans a few steps behind Jaqweh.
"Are you sure it's safe, dearie?" she asks. "Are the doctor's well trained?"
The lashunta takes the opportunity to slip away. One of the humans looks like he wants to go after her, but then focuses on Jaqweh when he expresses an interest in what they're saying. He nods eagerly to all the questions. "Yes, it really works! 100% success rate!"
The other man walks over and chimes in, "I haven't tried it myself - got no trauma to erase. But maybe someday! We're new recruits for the Uniters." He says this with some pride, and the other one nods along.
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Criminals. I was right.
{Gang members. Either they don't know who the Uniters really are, or they're so painfully stupid that they'd admit their membership to a Steward,} Jaqweh telepathically informs the others.
"One hundred percent, you say? I'd very much like to see this place and your techniques. Who is the head of your facility? Is it a famous doctor - someone we've heard of? And as my friend says, though, are you sure it's safe?" He asks all this with true curiosity and a warm smile.
One of the Uniters takes to Jaqweh right away, but he frowns at Eralyn. "Of course I'm sure. I don't know what you're thinking, but the Uniters aren't like that." He turns back to Jaqweh, and his eyes narrow. "We're always recruiting, you know. We could use someone like you. There's something interesting at our base right now, too. Might be worth a trade?"
The other young man is handing one of the pamphplets to Altorin and Itch in response to their questions, but he spins around when he hears the other conversation going on. He grabs the man's elbow and hisses, "Hey, Jordin, we're not supposed to talk about that with random strangers. They haven't agreed to anything yet." He glances nervously at your group and looks like he's considering bolting.
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"Jordin, is it? I'm Jaqweh. Pleased to meet you," Jaqweh begins and puts out his hand to shake before turning to the other one. "And you are...?" The way he leaves his hand out and the look in his eye make it clear he won't leave the question unanswered.
"I'm always interested in interesting new things myself," he says with a slight smile at his own little joke. "What exactly would I and my friends need to agree to in order to get more info?"
"... Keil." The young man reluctantly answers. He declines to shake hands and starts edging away, his eyes flicking between Jordin and Jaqweh. His companion, however, is more willing to talk.
"Come meet our boss, Bargai," Jordin says boldly. "If you promise no funny business, I'll tell you where the headquarters are."
Jordin seems like he's hoping to get something out of this, but the offer is genuine. If you approach non-violently he believes that Bargai will be willing to talk.
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“Well, Keil, it's good to meet you,“ Jaqweh answers completely nonplussed by the human's refusal to shake.
“Come now, my friend, you seem to be a bit on edge. What can we do to ease your mind that we're just interested in getting information about your incredible healing techniques? “
Turning back to Jordin, he nods in agreement with Altorin's assurance that there will be no funny business.
“I think we'd all like to meet Dr. Bargai, Jordin,“ fully expecting Jordin to either correct him or explain who Bargai really is.
Jordin has fully warmed up to Jaqweh now, and he waves one hand in negation. "Oh no, she's not a doctor. A good type, though, yeah. Here, you go to the Spike, and then this way..." He gives directions to one of the poorer areas of the Spike. Keil too has started to relax and makes no objection, though he does tug on Jordin's sleeve. "Hey, we need to get back to work." He brandishes the remaining fliers to remind Jordin of their assigned task.
"Right. Okay, just go the way I told you, and let her know we sent you." He starts to move off with Keil, and he can barely be heard mumbling, "I mean, she should know who we are by now, right?"
If no one tries to physically stop them from leaving, they quickly slip into the crowds.
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After they've moved off, Jaqweh begins to head in the general direction of the Spike, but pauses to grab a drink from a vending machine once he's certain that the two Uniters aren't nearby. Popping the lid of the tiny beverage, he turns to the rest of the team.
"So, which do we do first? Go to see this Bargai? Or do we go check out the list of patients from Hurondo's datapad? They're both in the Spike either way," he finishes, sipping on his can of iced caff and soy milk.
"Eh, not very good. I'd've preferred a Wonda-caff, but you take what you can get."
He comments that it would be his vote to check out the patients first. Evidence at those locations might get contaminated, whereas Bargai isn't likely going anywhere.
You make your way to the Spike, and though you don't have specific directions, you are able to find the area that is mentioned in the datapad. The address of one of the missing people brings you to a temporary housing building. It does not look fancy or expensive, but is reasonably well-kept. Knocking on the door produces no response; it appears no one is at home. The other few addresses have the same lack of results.
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Altorin doesn't want any legal trouble breaking down the doors but looks for other ways or if there are signs of someone being around recently.
If the group exhausts attempts to break in to the homes he suggests looking into the other lead.
"Looks like it is time to pay our criminal lead a visit. As much as those two seemed harmless we should be ready for trouble. Can I see the pads while we head there?" he asks.
While they move to the next location he looks over the datapads trying to find anything to link the missing Starfinders if any exist.
Altorin and Garven see no signs whatsoever of suspicious marks. All the tracks that are visible are consistent with normal usage of a residence, except that none of them have any signs of being used recently.
Following Jordin's directions brings you to a ramshackle apartment building with a hanging sign in one window, indicating in various languages that the building is scheduled for demolition. The front entrance door hangs crookedly in its frame, and graffiti—both scrubbed and half-scrubbed—adorns the walls. The smell of sewage intermittently wafts throughout the area.
Standing outside the open door you see a vlaka and two humans. She is holding the hand of one of the humans and making some tapping and sliding gestures on his arm in what appears to be a tactile language. As you approach, the other human is facing in your direction, and he taps her on the shoulder and points. She turns to look, and then gestures an instruction to the other two. They move towards the door to enter the building, and she faces your group with a cautious and defensive expression.
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Having seen her use a tactile language, Jaqweh considers how best to communicate with the Vlaka. Unsure of the situation, he opts to try spoken Common first, and if she does not rspond he switches to telepathy.
“Hello! “ he opens in his best cheerful and friendly voice. “We were sent by Jordin and Keil to see Bargai. Is that you? “
The vlaka has no reaction to Jaqweh's spoken words, though her hand starts drifting towards a pistol at her hip. But when he switches to telepathic communication, she pauses, then nods cautiously. She makes a few gestures in the air.
She then turns toward the doorway and looks back expectantly, as if she wants you all to enter, and then passes into the building herself. The two humans have already gone inside.