if you need me i will be finishing off this bottle in my bunk. I owe you one B-Bop
if you need me i will be finishing off this bottle in my bunk. I owe you one B-Bop
"Wahoo! That was some amazing flying, B-Bop! You flew circles around those guys!" he cheered as the final fighter went down.
He agreed with the others that they should investigate the wreckage to try to learn more about their attackers and their intentions.
Looks like we are indeed on the right trail. I'll send a report about the increased activity of the Bone Fleet in the Diaspora... Speaking of which, I was given a promotion to 'Inspector'. So from here on out I think it's best if my identity as a Steward is kept a little more discreet... Let's consider, at least our time on Eox, an undercover assignment. If I could impose upon you Tiktik, can you alter my shield so as not to display the Steward's emble?... The new armor you are planning on fixing for me, likewise, can remain a tad bit more anonymous. Thank you...
Rags occassionally looses focus and lapses to silence as the ball of light passes in front of his face.
Now this, this is most peculiar. It was second nature to take hold of this when we were ambushed. It felt like a part of me that I've always had. Now that I have some time to absorb what this is and what I means... Well let's just say I wasn't expecting this. The gods work in mysterious ways...
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Rags message receives an immediate response.
"Ragabash!" A notably small Barathu appears on screen, incongruously wearing a khaki bucket hat and holding analog playing cards in a disturbingly human looking hand. He isn't wearing anything approaching a uniform, but the khaki hat does have a Deputy Director's globe and wings insignia. It appears this is Tlaxhosh, your commanding officer.
"How the hells are you! Productive! They just assign you to my command and you're already reporting in! Well, knock it off! Makes the rest of us look bad!"
Someone says something behind him in a language you don't catch. The Barathu manifests a seperate mouth and says something rude to them before continuing to speak with you.
"So, Corpse Fleet attack in the Diaspora! I'm on So Much for Subtlety out by Verces, and we're inbound to your position right now, in case any more of the dead bastards are skulking around out there.
"So get moving! Get to Eox and find me something I can shoot! And keep up the good work!"
The message ends abruptly.
Tiktik reassured the grumbling cat, "Don't worry, Mr. Boots, I think you did a great job of murdering those dead guys extra dead!" he said with a pat on the eponymous boots, that perhaps lingers a little too long on one of the shiny bits.
Afterwards he was quickly distracted by the spectacle of his newest friend's call from the boss. "Whoa! What was that guy? Did you see that extra mouth!? I want an extra mouth! Man, just think of all the stuff he could keep in there." he stared off into the distance for a relatively longtime for the motor-mouthed ysoki, but in all actuality not more than a second or two.
"So, that's your boss, Mr. Lupo? Reminds me of the no-nonsense chief from the Dr. SpaceCop holovids!" he chuckled to himself, "Yeah I better hide your badge, before he takes it away from ya for bein' a loose cannon! So did you wanna keep the skulls 'n stuff on the armor? People might think you're in a goth band, but they hardly give off a cop vibe!"
Finally he responded to the confirmation that their attackers were members of the Corpse Fleet, "Man, the bone brigade are super pissed at us! Neat! I wonder what that technolich ambassador guy would say about all of this? He's probably in cahoots with 'em! Ah well, I guess we'll find our next clues on Eox. Hey, aren't you from Eox, Talek?" he looked around and noticed the missing science officer.
"Anybody seen where Mr. Talek went?" the ysoki wandered off, hardly even waiting for a reply from Rags, in search of the missing android. Find the door to Talek's quarters locked, he smiled and shook his head as he casually disabled the locking mechanism.
"Hey buddy!" he said in his piercingly high-pitched, overly cheerful voice as he nimbly hopped up on the desk and swung his legs back and forth as they hung over the edge. "Whatcha doin'?"
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Whoa, I ain't never seen Supercharge get his circuits all sizzled like dat before. Cuz of goin' ta Eox? I had people tell me da inside atmosphere dere kinda smells a little bit weird but nuthin' worse den any other place where ya can get shot up. Oh, dat an' stay away from da prostitute scene dere 'cuz it's real different den da scene on other planets. Unless dat's what yer into, I guess.
A serious and intense look of contemplation crosses B-Bop's face.
Anyone think maybe we needs ta get Supercharge a prostitute?
"That might be a bit much for the little one to handle there B-bop. Especially if they are of the Eoxian variety you were speaking of. Maybe wait til we get back to Absalom Station before setting him on that path." L shifts to a maroon hue as he speaks, his tentacles swaying in the still water of the hydrobody.
Heya Tik, dont mind me just getting drunk over here. You want some? Talek holds the bottle out Wait, are you old enough to drink?
"Of course!" the thirteen year old ysoki eagerly swipes the bottle and takes a drink, then promptly coughs and chokes out, "Ugh, that tastes like engine degreaser! Why would anyone... whoa. I feel heavy." he says suddenly swaying in his seat.
Talek takes the bottle back and takes another drink. it isnt that bad... takes another drink Ok maybe it is, but it gets the job done
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As Tiktik takes his time patting Jax's boots, he would be sure to notice the sinister smile on his face looking down on him.
To Tiktik,Admiring my boots again buddy?
To B-bop, I'm going to have to agree with L on this one B-bop. During my past life, I've come across many... acquaintances... in my time and there are far better places than Eox to find... a friend... for our companion. I know this to be true though it's best you dont ask.
"Oh yeah, sorry, I just noticed this came loose again." he says with big innocent grin as he hands over a small jewel.
Squinting his eyes and looking around lazily, eventually Tiktik takes the bottle again and absent-mindedly takes another swig.
"Ugh! It is nnnot better the sssssecond time. But man," the ysoki's speech had slowed to almost normal human speed, as he slurred his words,"I thhhhink I feel kinnnnnda good. Sssso why ya drinkin'? Are ya celebratin' our vic-- ...our victo-- ...our win?"
not celebrating, mourning the death of my escape from Eox. Talek takes the bottle back and finishes it off. i think thats enough for you tonight. Eox is a terrible place my friend.it made me who i am and not in a good way.
"What? No!" he protested as he reached out for the bottle, overbalanced and tumbled on to the floor.
"Ow."
As he picked himself up, Tiktik seemed to ponder the last sentence for a while, as the thoughts kept getting jumbled in his head. "But I ooo-ogled," he giggled, "that'sssssa funny word. I ogled your cccccir-cuity bits when--when we first met. You're beautiful-- he hiccuped, "'n ssssuper nice. But I thhhink you're right," his words and blinks growing longer and longer, he stumbled to the door, "I should bed to go. Talky-talk tomorrow."
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Overhearing their conversation, but it is what you make of yourself after such experiences. Do you let your past control you or do you control your past? Nearly every being in this galaxy goes through hard times... well except Skittermanders, nothing upsets them it would seem... but it is what you do afterwards that defines who you are. Whether good or bad that is something you have to decide on how it will effect your life. I say make the most of it.
But let's not toil on such hard times. Today was a victory and we should be drinking to that. We're all alive to fight another day and that my friends is something to drink about!
Rags, a little perplexed by the interaction with his new superior, composes himself and replies to B-bop. Agreed. Let us make haste to Eox. The Corpse Fleet and the Cult have a lead on us already. We have to move quickly.
Agreed and the faster we can get to Eox and leave the better.
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Jax makes his way up to B-bop at the pilots deck. Hey B-bop, just before we head to Eox, would you mind making a quick stop at these coordinates? It just so happens to be near by. It's a small asteroid pirate cache.
Jax hands B-bop the slip of paper and whispers to him.
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What's dis? We gotta stop ta pick up hooch? Huh, think we needs some more liquid courage ta take a trip ta Eox. Well, I ain't afraid'a no ghost.
But I guess we could always use some more party juice on dis ship. Crew morale an' all dat. I know. Back off, man. I'm a scientist.
B-Bop holds out his laminated field scholar card and nods sagely as he programs in the detour coordinates.
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To B-bop in a hushed tone, Just be sure to keep this quiet. Think of it as a surprise for the crew, plus I owe you and Lupo a bottle, well two for Lupo. Plus Besmara is a greedy woman. Cant let her get thirsty, ha ha ha.
After a brief pause, Plus I dont know if I can trust Lupo to not give up the location to the cache to his Stewart buddies. That's what I'm mainly worried about.
Jax then takes a seat next to B-bop. In any case, I'm going to co-pilot this one with ya. Just in case some... old friends... come up on the radar. I'll be able to help if that situation arises.
What's this about a detour? Time is of the essence. The fate of the Pact Worlds, maybe the whole galaxy, is at stake! For booze? For Besmara, that two credit tramp!?
I agree with Ragabash, we can't detour. Chiskisk told us to go to Eox so we should head right there, especially after we were just attacked by the Corpse Fleet.
Rags collects weapon off the deck, removes the battery, and tucks the unloaded weapon in his belt.
I was beginning to tolerate you as well Wolfwood. Yet you insist on taking us to secret coordinates in the Diaspora, a known haven for smugglers, pirates, and thieves. You, a follower of the Pirate Hag. Highly suspicious activity. When the crew clearly chose another destination. I think it best you stand away from the controls, or I will contact the So Much For Subtlety and have them tail us throughout the Diaspora.
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Standing up from the pilot seat, Jax turns to face Lupo, clapping his hands slowly.
You have me all figured out now, don't you Lupo. I could stand here too and shout insults to your god or goddess or whoever you follow but that would be like insulting your mother or father just as you have done to me.
You're right, the Diaspora is chuck full of the scum and villainy you speak of but to us, it's our home and we try to make the best of it. Not all of us choose this life you know. It's a way of life just the same as yours with maybe a few less rules.
But let me get back to my point here. The Diaspora may have been my home once, but I have come to find the company of my new friends to be my home. Sure, we may not all agree with each other all the time but we still try to maintain a family presence. I simply want to show some gratitude by making a quick stop to a cache that was near by. No offence to B-bop, but we could use some quality liquor around here.
But no, we cant trust a follower of Besmara, and Ex-pirate, criminal. He's leading us to some secret location so his former crew can ambush us or worse. Well Lupo, if your head wasnt so far stuck up your ass, maybe youd see I was wanting to surprise you all with a token of my friendship. I did say I'd split a bottle with you and your fallen mates, but apparently I'm not to be trusted.
And if anything you should be so lucky that I used to be a pirate. If anyone were to come near Sunny, I know some of the old codes used to safeguard us. I know this system off the back of my hand after all.
Jax makes his way towards the airlock, but first plucking the loose gem off of his boot.
Lower the ramp, Sunny. We're already here. I'm going out there whether you want me to or not. I promised your fallen mates a drink and I damn well aim to keep that promise. It will only take me 5 minutes at most. If you wait for me, we'll all get to honor your mates, but if you leave I'll know just the kind of friend you are and likely be better off without you. Oh...
Jax shoves the gem into Lupos hand.
If you intend on leaving, make sure Tiktik gets this. It keeps falling off my boot anyway.
Jax steps into the airlock, turns on his environmental protection suite in his armor and exits the ship.
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After a brief stop for supplies, the ship continues on to Eox.
After four days of drift travel you re-emerge into realspace, bits of granite and feldspar from the plane of earth floating off in your wake.
Ahead, the dead planet of Eox looms. Drab, gray rock, cracked and lifeless, without a drop of water or hint of green to be seen. As the planet rotates the Facinora Basin, the massive, mantle-exposing crater on the planets northern hemisphere, is just coming into view.
Eoxian authorities grant the Sunrise Maiden permission to land in Orphys.
Eox's largest city, Orphys maintains a breathable atmosphere throughout most of the city, although its sterile environment and bland, shelf-stable food are hardly welcoming to living outsiders.
The undead authorities inspect your papers and clear you to enter the city. Your destination is the Ministry of Eternal Vigilance, in a sector of the city called the Splice. Still, while not as large or commerce-centric as Absalom Station, the shops in Orphys are well stocked, particularly in things Starfinders might like to buy--weapons, armor, and upgrades. Of special interest for living outsiders are Necrografts, special augmentations made of undead flesh.
Lovely imagery B-bop. Thought you're not wrong. As someone who uses his sense of smell to find his way around, this is far from ideal.
Heres your Stun pistol and battery back Tiktik, thank you for their use. Also you may find this Thunderstrike pistol more useful than I do currently, Jax.
Well guys I will be indisposed for about 10 hours while I'm getting some upgrades, then we can see what these guys want. See you guys in a while
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Thanks for that, Mr. Lupo. I'll be sure to make good use of it.
Jax takes the firearm and holsters it.
I'm right behind you Bepo!
Before the party splits up to take care of their needs, Jax grabs their attention.
Now, once everyone has gotten their provisions and hardware, I have something special planned for everyone. Jax raises his hands. No tricks! I promise.
After Jax is finished with his upgrades, he makes his way to the market place and sniffs around for the black market location.
Now just where are you hiding?
”I’ll come with you Bepo. Wouldn’t mind checking out their wares as well.”
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Jax makes his way back from the markets to the ship with what seems to be a piece of meat sticking out of his mouth and a large wooden crate held with both arms. Jax mumbles to himself, I can't believe how hard it was to find some decent grub around here. Just about every corner had a soup shop with a bone broth or marrow stew as their special.
Jax continues on to the ship and once boarded makes his way to the cargo hold.
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The ramshackle shop is filled with dubious-looking refrigeration and preservation units, all patched through an unsafe looking patchboard into the cities power supply by means of dirty and fraying power cables.
The proprietor, a corpsefolk with grievous facial damage is possibly smiling at the Pahtra.
"Welcome to Vilkot's Fine Foodstufs! I am Vilkot! Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?" It takes a minute to understand his speech, as the damage to his cheeks makes his jaw wobble severely as he talks.