Starfinder: Dead Suns

Game Master Simmyish

Will redo the previous post and include what Miles's Diplomacy check reveals

Redo:

The prisoner doesn't seem to respond to your bluff, but his thoughts portray that he was told by his gang to protect anyone involved with a company known as Astral Extractions from the other gang, that was his instructions.

End of retcon part

Having a look at his insignia, you notice that this is a member of the Level 21 crew, the other gang must reference the Downside Kings.

Discussing with him, you are able to find out that though the Level 21 Crew may be a criminal gang, they do have a long-standing reputation in their territory for promoting community empowerment, and many neighbourhood residents tolerate or tactically endorse their activities.

The thug continues "We've been working to help protect the marginalized and threatened groups on the station. Jabaxa is the one that they talk to hire us, and he told us the latest contract involved a company that had made enemies of someone, and we were told to be there in case the Downside Kings made a move - we were there to stop them, so before you accuse me of murder, consider that we might actually be on the same side, and I just didn't have a clear shot, and for all I know - he simply got caught in the crossfire.

If you want my opinion, it's bad enough that there are any of them are still walking, dead dwarf or not, those guys are bad news! Even if we did stop them, they would probably have just hit another time if that was their intention - they have a habit of not taking failure as an option," he says, with an obvious hatred towards the other gang, you have the feeling that had they had the opportunity they would have taken them out without being contracted too anyway.

"Besides, I can identify the shooter if I saw him again - the kings aren't good at hiding their work - they're proud of it," Just as the thug says that a station security guard comes up and says to the thug "Our reports say that your shot did not kill the bystander, your free to go, but stay on the station, we might have more questions. Seems you have friends in high places, and besides, the Kings have bragged that they got a kill in the station, and well - your a safer bet to send back down than our type, and we know that - and if I'm being honest - you actually make our job a little easier protecting the innocent down there," the guard says as he lowers the forcefield.

"I'm not going anywhere else, I mean - I live on this piece of metal, after all, now if you'll excuse me - I'll need to get back to my work," the thug said as he shrugged the guard away, and headed out of the holding cell towards the station lift that goes to the lower levels of the station.

Miles is a bit taken aback at the station security's even-handedness...where he grew up, justice was rarely served, and even then only if convenient. Of course, the mention of 'friends in high places' sounds really familiar. Maybe this time it can work in their favor.

"Hold up a moment. It sounds like ya Level 21 guys aren't so bad after all. Ya say ya got a good look at the killer? Well, my starknife and I did too," continues Miles, patting the weapon at his hip, "so we got a good idea of who done it. Maybe we can help each other out, yeah? From the sound of it, ya could use some extra muscle against the DK's."

The thug looks Miles over and says "that's not for me to say - that's up to Jabaxa... tell you what, if you wanna meet him then head to Mama Fats in the spike, she can set up a meeting with you - tell her that Mirtith sent you - and she will do the rest."

”Whaddya think, Netharan? Is this a solid lead, or should we run some others down first?” asks Miles.

Tetch had not said much as they were a bit fatigued from the day's events so far. Still, they had managed a couple of contacts that had the possibility of turning into something beneficial, at least in the short-term. While they also had a problem or two to solve, they also had things to look into that might provide some answers. However, they were not sure about the power dynamic on this station, and that was something that would take time to grasp. Currently being in a station for this locale's law enforcement was making him mildly nervous, though.

Hands in their pockets, and hunched over somewhat, they spoke up from where they had been standing, out of the way. "Is there information on the links that these names we have? Who associates with them can say a lot." With the Level 21 member departing, the Shirren was already heading towards the door after them, not wanting to spend more time in a station than they already had. "That, we can discuss elsewhere", they said, implying the walls of the station with a gesture of their head.

Looking to Miles, Netharan nods and says, "Well it is more than we had to go in before and he doesn't have any reason to lie to us. I think we should at least go check out this Mama Fats place and decide from there."

Miles shrugs his shoulders and follows along. "Sounds good ta me. Daylight's burning--let's shake a leg.

"Well done, Milo," said W-12 as they were leaving the holding area. "I was thinking about how to soften him up asking about his injury, when he was refusing to talk. How to slip in that I saved him, while avoiding that I had hurt him first... but it seems you said exactly the right thing."

Once he'd started talking, he'd been so forthcoming! Although Absalom security did seem far different from what they'd have expected--probably not a bad thing when one enters a new place and immediately engages in a fire fight with the locals.

"Now... is this Mama Fats a person? A business?"

It is so fascinating to see socially adept people not frell up basic interactions! Atrios pays close attention to Miles and Nerathan as they deftly extract information from the gang member.
Should I take notes? No, that would be weird. Would it be weird though?.

"Do they have deep fried soylent chips at Mama Fats I wonder?"
He didn't say that put loud did he?

Those from Absalom Station know that Mama Fats is a bodega located on level 21 of the Spike, and is right within the heart of Level 21 Crew territory. It's in a run-down, crowded part of the station.

Miles is ready to go if the others are.

yes

Ready.

Based on the comments in 'Discussion', it seems that the hour grows late and we should perhaps rest for the night before heading to Mama Fats.

Yep, it is getting on a bit at this point, as also mentioned, there is the Moon and Stars where for a week advance you can get a discount, something Kreel arranged before you guys arrived on the station and he died, so they do have your names, at least the ones that Kreel knows

"Well I think we have had quite a bit of excitement for one day. Let's check out the Moon and Stars for some rooms and meet up in the morning to go to Mama Fats," Netharan says to the group.

As they arrive at the Moon and Stars, Netharan gives the desk clerk his name and pays for an efficiency for the week, paying the 16 credit cost. Upon getting to his modest room he calls up a few of his old contacts and begins trying to get some information on Jabaxa, wondering if this being has any bounties on there head. He also tries to get more information of the leadership on the Downside Kings, specifically their leader and any outstanding bounties on them.

For Jabaxa, I'm using the Bounty Hunter Theme Knowledge to lower the Culture DC by 5.

Culture, Jabaxa: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Culture, Downside Kings: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Regarding Jabaxa, there isn't much information on him. His name doesn't seem to come up on any bounty lists, and there is hardly any information about him. If there is anything to hold him up against, it is either well hidden or non-existent.

Using his bounty hunter knowledge, the information that can be found out about the Downside Kings is the same as already known, a brutal street gang that controls several decks of Absalom Station's Lower levels, or "Downside", through a combination of intimidation and violence. Based on that, people are typically tight-lipped about them and there isn't much that can be gleaned from the culture of the station, however you feel that more information could be pried from your contacts.

One thing is for sure, they seem more concerned of the repercussions that the Downside Kings would bring upon them if they say the wrong thing than of a bounty hunter that comes and goes - knowing that they may be in more danger after you leave.

Tetch said little on the trip over to the place that Kreel had arranged for them. Considering where he may have gotten his information from, Tetch did not use their current name, but the one he had used prior— albeit with some hesitation– "Ductus". A space for a week was quite fine with them, and the room was a quiet space away from everying that had occurred prior. They shed their jacket and bag, and began testing the limits of the provided AtmoScene™ Suite. What the room offered was quite acceptable to them, and they did spare a moment at the apt description of "efficiency". It was certainly efficient.

A thorough grooming later, Tetch was fatigued, but went about what was habit for them. They had names on some of the shadier groups on the station, and went about setting their system to looking into what they could in the channels they knew before the lack of sleep became detrimental. Inquiring with a personal touch could wait until tomorrow.

Their next waking would find Tetch having changed out of the traveling clothes that they had been wearing for a professional suit that looked neatly pressed, but the Shirren made it look just a touch unsavory, somehow.
________________________________________
Culture@ Level 21 Crew: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16*
Culture@ Downside Kings: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27*
* Outlaw Theme Knowledge- DC -5
Culture@ Durevar Kreel: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
(I'm aware that this is likely to return duplicate information, it's just for the routine, as Netharan may be coming in from one side, and Tetch the other.)

Miles will go rent a room for the week and get some rest himself. Hopefully this job leads to more credits eventually, or he will be out on the street again soon...

As the hours passed, W-12 had become slightly concerned about finding a place to stay while they were on the station. Still, as they had notably less need for it compared to their biological companions it was certain one of them would suggest it first, and that proved true.

The efficiency was more than sufficient. While cleaning off one's body and gear was important when traveling, a robot did not require all of the bathroom's fixtures for that task. And the bed wasn't strictly necessary, though it seemed silly not to lie on it for their sleep mode since it was available. Converting short-term memory to long-term, and long-term power supply into short-term for the next day, didn't require physical comfort in the same way that biological sleep did.

W-12 also took the opportunity to connect their internal comm unit to Absalom's infosphere--a process that took an embarrassing amount of effort. But they didn't really have the knowledge base to know what they were looking for, beyond looking up the address for Mama Fat's.

Everything about this location and the people here were fascinating, but W-12 wasn't sure how impressive they seemed compared to the others... Hopefully they'd get a chance to be more useful the next day--although given that they'd be most useful in the event of somebody being hurt, perhaps that wasn't a good thing to hope for. Maybe there'd be a chance to demonstrate their skill with wild things and wilderness, but not likely tomorrow.

The unfamiliar programs on the entertainment unit did provide an interesting distraction.

I rent an efficiency room from the Moon and Stars

Atrios is glad to have some time alone in the modest room he's rented in the Moon&Stars. He checks his messages on his device and practices SpellCode for a bit before settling into his greatest pleasure.

Elves don't sleep but they can dream. These waking reveries form worlds upon worlds that Atrios explores with abandon. The day has been so full! It exhaust him to be so inundated with newness and intensity. The Daydream state affords release from overwhelm, it always has. Ever since that day when as a child, Atrios, encountered one of the Dreamers on the beautiful gas world of Liavara.

Oh, the word beautiful is inadequate to describe Liavara's skies! Words fail Atrios generally. He has never been able to describe the things he sees in his mind's eye. Whenever he tries it comes out so awkwardly and pushes away potential friends.

He won't talk about this to the others. Wiz and Miles and Tetch and Netharan. He likes them. He likes them! If Atrios keep quiet and his dreams, then maybe they will like him too.

Tetch: For The Level 21 Crew and the Downside Kings, you learn nothing that isn't already known. However, for Kreel, you can find that he has no family on the station, very few close friends, and no known enemies, along with the following information that the Starfinders have for him.

Duravor Kreel was a mid-ranking member of the Starfinder Society. Most of his work focused on mineral prospecting, but he also took an interest in people who wished to join the Society and typically was their mentor when they first began.

He was a native of the Diaspora, the diffuse asteroid belt located between Verces and Eox, and was known to have ties to dwarves and other mining groups in the region. He was an outspoken champion for miners' rights and was active in challenging large corporate interests that exploited individual miners and labourers, including a company called Astral Extractions.

He was also an investor in a mining company based in the Armada, the Hardscrabble Collective. In addition, one of his cousins was a member of the group, but she died in a mining accident - the result of safety violations perpetrated by her contract employer, Astral Extractions.

You all go to rest in your efficiencies after taking care of your various business, and those that sleep eventually find themselves asleep after a very busy and eventful day.

The next morning, you're all gently woken up by a ping on your datapads as you each receive 200 credits, referenced as "Starfinder Expenses and signing bonus," and you regroup and prepare yourselves for your second day aboard Absalom Station.

Miles is all smiles in the morning with a padded bank account. ”Top of the mornin’ fellow recruits! Ready to put the hurtin’ on them what whacked Kreel?”

Atrios waltzes into the common room with his earbuds in singing along to an Ysoki popsong called "I'm walking on Starshine" complete with air guitar. The hints of music that come through is in fact a funereal death metal dirge from Eox.

Miles looks at Atrios with a look of confusion, then seems to retreat into himself a bit and back away from her, his cheerful mood subdued somewhat.

"Reckon Mama Fats serves breakfast?" he says to whomever has made it down to the common room. Thinking for a moment, he adds, "Best not chance it," and begins casting about for nourishment.

"Well I'm sure Mama Fats serves breakfast, but it will take us a little while to get there," Netharan says as he enters the common room, pulling on his shoulder holster and jacket. "I'm sure they have food here though," he adds, being a bit hungry himself.

He is freshly showered and has cleaned his clothes as best he could given the room he had rented.

Miles looks up from his breakfast, smiling at Netharan. "You ever dealt with gangs a'fore, Netharan? I've tried to steer clear of 'em me-self. Though these Level 21 don't seem so bad. Pull up a seat if'n ye like."

"Yeah, I've had some indirect dealings with gangs before, been a while though. I've had a few kidnapping cases on Castrovel where they would try to bargain with local leaders for a quick buck. Usually they stick to there own though, unless they are having a turf war, which could possibly be the case here," Netharan says to Miles as he sits down to eat a quick breakfast of reconstituted eggs and coffee.

A couple of extra credits was not much of a pain if it meant that the food was going to be something a bit more luxurious. That did mean there was a bit of dithering to be done at the NutriSuite, but the result was worth the expense and time.

"I may have more..." There was a pause as Tetch adjusted a slider after hitting a few buttons "'direct' exp̷͂̾̚ͅerience that can b̵̢͎̤̓͂e of use here", they offered casually over their shoulder, scrutinizing the screen intently as a hum started from the food installation unit that took up half of the wall. As the hum continued, with an occasional whirring sound, they adjusted something else upwards and then continued. "I am not unfamiliar with dealing with the lawless typ̷͂̾̚ͅe of individuals, and can front our interactions with them, if my attention to their kind of nuance would be favorable."

A soft chime heralded the production of whatever it was that was ordered by Tetch, and a globe of something was extruded by the 'Suite, about the size of a double handful, and seemed akin to a spiced, loose, reddish-brown slurry sealed in a transparent pouch. There was a bit of juggling as Tetch picked it up, and as they passed by to take a seat, some of the others could feel a bit of heat radiating from it.

As they sat down, two small 'pops' could be heard from their mouth puncturing the globe, though thankfully, any other sounds were absent as it began to deflate.
_______________________________________________

Miles has experience with living on the edge of society and barely scraping by, making allies where he could. These gangs seemed quite different than the slave groups he was used to—it is good several of the people in the group seem to have some experience in the area.

”Well, then, I’ll follow yer lead, gents.”

Miles finishes breakfast and looks around to see if everyone has joined up in the main room.

"I'm ready to go," says Atrios. He is so very relieved that Tetch and Netharan are able to take the lead on the encounters ahead. His own Elven aloofness works to hide the awkwardness but would not serve them well in dealing with gangs even ones as seemingly benevolent as Level 21.

”Oh, there you all are,” said W-12, hurrying over to the table. ”Oh. Yes. Of course. Food.” None of the others had said anything to suggest they had any particular expertise in nutrition, biology, or related fields. That didn’t mean they were entirely ignorant, but it was probably a safe bet W-12 themself was one of, if not the, most knowledgeable among them on the subject.

Still, actually experiencing the phenomenon firsthand did lend some insight, if not technical knowledge. “We want to eat breakfast before investigating more,” was apparently an area where lacking that insight led to a glaring oversight.

”I do have directions to Mama Fats’, though I suspect all of us got that far? It is with some embarrassment, given that I am one, that I must confess a lack of expertise with computers.”

Atrios couldn't help but smile at Wiz's self-deprecation. They were joking right?
Oh, you're so much more than a computer. Maybe your soul gets in the way!

Finishing breakfast and making your way towards the lifts that navigated the station, heading towards the central part of the station and home to the lower parts of the society in the lower decks, the Spike.

Taking the lift down to level-21, it arrives in a very different view from that where the Moons and Sleep is located. This place has much less technology for luxury, and looks much older with computers only performing the most basic of functions.

Heading around to where the location was told, accompanied by suspicious looks from some rougher looking people from the more luxurious "Eye" you left behind, you find a bodega in a crowded, rundown area with a sign that reads "Mamma Fats'".

Miles keeps his guard up, carefully assessing threats as they arrive, but not acting overtly worried. His weapon and cred-stick are tucked tightly within his clothing, and he moves with the wary grace of one used to combat as a way of life.

Following along behind the others, Miles keeps overwatch and continues to scan the surroundings for active threats. He hangs back and let the others speak as necessary, the better to quickly respond to an attack.

Miles gestures towards the bodega, looking at Netharan and Tetch, as if to say, "this is your show...go ahead."

The closer they got to the bodega, the more that Tetch found themselves relaxing. Up top, there was the clean city, all business and professionalism, with the appearance and implication of order. The illusion that everything was shiny and clean, with no real hint of disorder. The air was clean, the views were beautiful, and in some places one might think that they were approaching perfection. Neat, controlled, orderly, and planned. Even the sound was helped by subtle speakers and harmonic design.

The lower one went, the more disorder one found. Less planning, and more living. The professionalism was there, depending on where one looked, as well as the business. That had not changed. However, there was certainly less glamour, less shine, and perfection may play many roles around here. Certainly, there were pockets of order— after all, this was a closed environment, no matter how large– but those were maintained with a purpose, all the more shining because of the surroundings.

The smell of the level made Tetch sigh with nostalgia, this kind of area being familiar to them. Miles' movement caught their attention and shook them out of the slight reverie, the shift of their shoulders settling their suit jacket, and they started to saunter towards the shop like they belonged there.

"Just going to ask questions, right?", they said rhetorically, hands going into their pockets casually.

Exiting the lift, Netharan glances around. This looks familiar. Most of the Spike looks like this, so even though I haven't been to this particular level, it doesn't seem completely unfamiliar.

Keeping his head around him, he nods to Miles and follows Tetch to the bodega indicated as Mama Fats. "Just questions, Tetch," he responds to Tetch's query. He checks his cred stick and makes sure his pistol is still discretely in his shoulder holster.

W-12 had been considering Atrios's words. They weren't "just" a computer, true enough, but they hadn't said so. Being more then "just" a computer didn't mean they weren't one at all, no more then elves being more then "just" living creatures suggested they were not.
But then, they had felt the need to be apologetic over their lack of skill with computers while no humanoid had ever been expected to be knowledgeable about biology just because they were made of the stuff.

To focus on the present situation, though...
"Are we planning on doing that openly, directly stating our purpose?" W-12 asked, that familiar inquisitive curved shape lighting their face, reminiscent of a question mark or raised eyebrow. "Or are we going to observe first acting as customers, and try to do that more subtly?"

"Well, we got ourselves a name of the one what's in charge -- Jabaxa. An' we can tell her Mirtith sent us, then see what's what." Miles speaks quietly to Wiz as they approach, adding with a wink, "though if'n they have some good second breakfast, I'll be obliged to be a customer too."

Heading into the bodega, you find yourselves standing in what is no more than a grocery shop. Standing behind a counter, currently stacking shelves behind it, is a female halfling. A slightly portly halfling with red hair that curls down to her shoulders and a small number of freckles on each side of her nose.

As you enter she looks around and says in an uncharacteristically raspy voice "Hey there, what you lot of sweet cheeks lookin' for?" in a voice that could be compared to a stereotypical southern accent.

Casually entering with a hint of a swagger, Tetch looked around the bodega, not particularly inclined to buy something at present since they had just eaten. Despite that, they did pluck a pack of some sort of snack off of the rack that they had passed by, and brought it up to the counter. "Heya b̷͋̕ͅack, following up word with an acquaintance about a guy. Is the b̷͋̕ͅig b̷͋̕ͅoss in?" There was no threat in their tone, and their mannerisms were about as casual as they could make it, knowing that any trouble here was definitely not recommended.
______________________________
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Miles looks around the shop while they converse, trying to see if he can find anything good to eat, especially if it looks like a halfling delicacy.
Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2

Looking around, Miles doesn't see too much other than the general store, and some other general shops, but nothing specifically for halflings. Meanwhile, Tetch approaches the bodega and the halfling woman inside.

"Your after the boss man? What for? You don't look the sort of types he gets asking about, I'll inform of the visit, we'll look into ya, and if he wants to meet, he'll be 'ere tomorrow for ya," she says quietly over the counter. "He won't just meet with anyone, you might want him dead or somethin'," she chuckles as she comments.

Miles moves over and chimes into the conversation, ”Be sure ‘n tell the boss that Mirthith may’ve seen the Downer what kilt Kreel, but I stuck the miserable sot like a pig all up close ‘n personal—an’ I’m lookin’ to finish the job.”

Strolling casual through the aisles and listening to the conversation with Mama Fats, Netharan pays attention to her responses without looking like he is listening.

"Looks like Tetch has this conversation under control, I'll just try and make sure she isn't trying to pull a fast one over on us. She could be the boss for all we know about Jabaxa."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"Of course, of course", Tetch agreed, waving away any offense that might have been given, completely understanding the protocol. They did not have any of the pull necessary to get a face-to-face with the leader just by walking in. Miles' addition was acknowledged with a nod and a gesture as if to say "there you have it". The others seemed content to let the two of them talk, and that was as simple an exchange as it could get. There would be inquiries and some follow-up, but hopefully none of them had done anything that might make the boss decide that they were better off dead.

They paid for the packet of snacks easily, and made to leave, nodding positively to the others. "Tomorrow morning, then." A bit of a wave was given over their shoulder before opening the snack packet on their way out of the door.

W-12 was prepared to follow Tetch's lead if they wanted to agree to the later meeting. But they wouldn't want Jabaxa to think of them as potentially hostile...

"We'd heard Jabaxa's people were trying to prevent an attack at the landing bay," they said, "We were there, and we're trying to figure out what happened and what they knew before the Kings attacked."

The halfling woman smiles warmly towards W-12. "Then it can wait another day," she responds. "I mean, the Landing Bay isn't under attack now, and if it were, you wouldn't be here dealing with it, you'd be there still. I stay here, I run this shop - I have no business at the docks.

I don't get told the darker side of the business. And I like it that way, so I can't help. You'll have to wait until Jabaxa will see you, and that will be tomorrow," she responds simply.

Miles finishes his shopping, coming up empty-handed. Looking at the tall folk, he asks, ”So what’s next? Wanna head Downside and see what shakes loose? Or you smart guys have us another lead?”