A set of affixed plastic furniture stands across from the door to a room in the navigation chambers onboard the Master of Stars. A red light shines over the automated door, along with a strand of scrolling red digital text: Please wait here for briefing. Enter when the light turns green.
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The swaggering space-jock flashes a smile as she reads the scrolling text and looks around the space.
A pair of hip holstered semiautomatics feature mother of pearl grips inlaid with a pair of dice showing the 'one' pip, and the handle of a combat knife protrudes from the shoulder straps of her functional looking tacti-cool backpack. Her graphite coloured bodysuit appears to be carbon skin with depictions of vipers on it in darker tones. She seems to have handles of weapons all over her kit in easy to reach locations.
"First in, best dressed" she announces to no one in particular, then picks herself out the best looking of the plastic chair, and flicks her feet up on a second one. She drops her backpack, and a semi-folded sniper rifle she had slung on top of the pack.
After a moment of waiting idly, she starts scrolling through the infospere to catch up on current affairs.
The light turns green and the door opens. Inside, holographic star charts and starship schematics rotate above scattered datapads and other instruments that fill the workspace within Fitch’s office inside the Master of Stars, the flagship of the Wayfinders faction. Fitch, the Wayfinders leader and ship’s chief engineer , stands behind a desk near a large window that provides a view of a vast shipyard that has ships and industrial drones speeding through it like a swarm of bees. A spherical drone bumps against the window and stops to inspect the room, adjusting its ocular systems. Fitch’s nose twitches in annoyance as she flips a switch behind the table and the window turns opaque.
“Good, good, you’re all here. We have a great opportunity to open up new worlds for the Society to explore and finally complete the Master of Stars.” Fitch picks up a datapad from the table, and with a few quick strokes summons a hologram of a star system above the desk, further zooming to a purple gas giant and the green moon that orbits it. “All we have to do is travel to this moon within the Gideron Authority and convince a bunch of military dignitaries that we should all get along, not shoot at each other’s starships, and negotiate. By negotiate, I mean that they have a critical component for the completion of this ship, and the Society in turn could assist in exploring several ancient ruins within their space.”
She proceeds to rub her hands together and grins. “Oh, and the best part about this is that I’m coming with you! Finally, a chance to be free from… them.” Fitch eyes a trio of small ysoki children at the far end of her office who stand in a semi-circle around a working engineer, pestering the worker with questions and gestures. “Don’t get me wrong, being a parent is the most rewarding choice I’ve ever made, but a break from the nest is just what the engineer ordered! As for you, don’t worry, your skills should be well-suited to the mix of military bravado and diplomacy needed for this mission. After all, there won’t be any ruins to explore or monsters to vanquish this time."
"That’s about the gist of it. Any questions?”
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A young shirren man comes running into the room just as Fitch is about to begin. "Sorry, sorry! I got distracted talking to a new Morlamaw agent. She has the most fascinating carvings on her tusks! Anyway, I'm here now!" He wears a holy symbol of Weydan, and carries an odd, almost insectile pistol on his hip. My name's Shoo, by the way, he continues telepathically, so as not to interrupt Fitch. Shoo Fly. That's what the Drow called me when I was little, anyway, after my parents disappeared through that arch.
When Fitch finishes, he raises his hand. "Didn't you just say they had some ruins for us to explore, and that's what we were going to negotiate with?"
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"Gideron Authority huh? I don't suppose this will be a gala ball and we need to pack a little black dress?"
"When we get there, who is doing the talking, and what bargaining chips we going in with? I mean, this sound like us going to negotiate and offering lifelong friendships or something isn't probably going to pick us up a lot of influence. They seem to have all the things we want, what do we have for them?"
"Got a dossier on these people?"
Culture
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"Welcome gentlemen. Ladies. Whatwhat," says a vesk upon entering. "I am Q'Qwaan, First Senior Research Director, harum."
QQwaan is tall, even for a Vesk. He has many frills, scutes, and spines especially for a vesk. A pair of frills are curled into a handlebar mustache and his well-polished subtympanic scales peak from a brightly colored cravat.
His wardrobe includes a tophat, double-breasted waistcoat and a coat with tails. A monocle fits over one eye. The eyepiece has no glass but all the markings of a holographic overlay sight system. He leans on a big stick of some red alloy. The top of which holds several curving blades. "Class: Master in Form and Grand in Combat," he answers if any one asks about the weapon, but he apologetically adds, "But it's just a hobby you know. Whatwhat. Picked it up at the military academy." The researcher pauses for a moment as an idea pops into his head. "Military dignitaries whatwhat? Perhaps that is why you have requested the presence of a decorated Vesk."
He bows pleasurably to the Yoski. Captain Fitch, it will be an honor to have you with me, harum."
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Lucky wanders in like she's late and doesn't care, and quickly sets up in the corner, her eyes focused on her gear as she meticulously disassembles and reassembles it. She's dressed drably in a nondescript jumpsuit, her fire-engine red hair the only splash of color she's bothered with.
It's natural however for your eyes to be more drawn to her drone, basically an artillery emplacement with legs, that stands guard while she's busy. It spits out a series of clicks and whirs, prompting her to grunt. "Ugh. Fine Sparky. Yes, hi. I'm Lucky."[/smaller]
"Military dignitaries aren't really my circle either, but I know some people who help clean up after gear... falls off transports. Gideron Authority isn't immune to that."
Shoo recalls that the Authority values battle-readiness and, after the recent military coup, almost all citizens have gone through basic military training; they can defend themselves and the Authority, even if their duties keep them away from the frontlines. There’s also a higher than normal concentration of Drift beacons in the star system that Eye of Gideron resides in, making it a strategically important location. Because of this, the Authority maintains its largest fleet of warships in the area.
Fitch nods to Shoo. "They do, and we can leverage our expertise with archaeology to help with negotiations. Our focus is that we need their materials to finish renovations on the Master of Stars." She turns to Viper. "I doubt it. Most of the Authority are hobgoblins, and they value practical war attire over decorative clothes." She casts a sideways look at the vesk. "I do have some brief dossiers, I'll send them to you now. Use them to help with discussions and to try to make a good impression." She taps on a laptop keyboard, and all of your comms ping with incoming messages.
Fitch leads you to a Drift-capable shuttle chartered for the Eye of Gideron. The journey takes about two weeks, and your only encounter is with a small flotilla of vessels belonging to AbadarCorp. These ships are heading to the Near Space colony of Thosum’s Vault to deposit settlers and specialized mining equipment. The exchange is pleasant but unmemorable.
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Lucky pages through the dossiers with a look of mixed boredom and apprehension on her face. "Okay... I'm gonna need to make a call."
She taps an earbud and begins chattering away in Castrovellan into her comm. "Hey Crys? Yeah, go ahead and cancel the PR intern, this isn't going to be a damage control kinda situation. What? No not explosives! Do you even have those? This is more, uh, proactive PR. Why would that mean explosives either? Look, just send Amy! I'll get you the docking info."
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"The Overlord is a female whatwhat?" you mammals and your confusing secondary sex features.
"Drift technology harum? I suppose that will be quite useful to learn. I shall try and speak with this one. Surely she will respect my knowledge as SENIOR researcher Director. After all, it's just rocket science."
The Society starship exits the Drift and begins to close on the nearby moon known as the Eye of Gideron. A wing of sleek fighter craft peel away from a vast fleet holding station above the moon, confronting the new arrivals. The Society pilot transmits valid permits, and the fighters form an escort pattern around the ship. A rough-edged voice on the comms directs the Society’s shuttle to a landing pad within a dense rain forest.
A detachment of hobgoblin soldiers in military parade dress waits in the humid air outside the shuttle, and they lead the way toward the heart of the base and a monolith-like tower. Heavy weapon batteries stand at the ready throughout the base, and occasionally squadrons of fighters let out a scream as they pass above. Somewhere far away, a volcano rumbles as the tower’s double door slides open to reveal an elevator.
Fitch motions inside, “Well, let’s get this over with.” As she steps in, the doors close on a view of Authority troops marching in formation. The elevator speeds up towards the top of the tower as bombastic military music plays in the background
***
The elevator doors open to a foyer with a display on the opposing wall and a circular indentation before it on the floor. The interior is pristine, as are the uniforms of the soldiers that guard it. To both sides of the door stand several storage lockers, and beyond them are two exits from the room. There are panels in the ceiling that are large enough to hide turrets or other security measures.
All five persons of interest are present in the adjacent meeting room, scattered around between hors d'œuvre tables, holographic news screens, and decorative military decor. As you approach, two hobgoblin guards clear their throats. "No weapons permitted in the meeting room. You may stash them in the lockers here if you'd like, but you must undergo metal detection and pat-downs before entering."
The PCs’ objective is to impress as many Authority representatives as they can within the allotted time (and possibly impress Ceobarn as well, if they deem that necessary). The PCs can influence an individual dignitary by succeeding at skill checks via roleplaying. The PCs must succeed at a specific number of skill checks against an NPC to earn that NPCs’ favor.
Repeated tactics gradually lose their effectiveness: each use of a skill that has already been used to influence a single NPC incurs a cumulative –2 penalty on subsequent uses of the skill. Meanwhile, repeated failure runs the risk of offending the NPC or demonstrating incompetence; after a certain number of failed attempts to influence a given NPC using the same skill, that dignitary is no longer interested in interacting with any of the PCs and cannot be influenced.
Each social round, each PC can attempt one check to influence a single dignitary. Alternatively, if a PC is not sure which skills can be used to influence a given NPC, they can learn about the NPC’s background, interests, social standing, or personality by making conversation and attempting a Sense Motive check. Finally, a PC can choose to use their turn in a social round to aid another PC’s skill check, instead of attempting to influence an NPC directly or learn what skills might influence them.
Compelling roleplaying is encouraged, and may be mechanically rewarded by GM discretion.
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Shoo shrugs, drawing a number of small arms and light melee weapons from various holsters and pouches about his person and setting them all into one of the lockers. "There we go! I think that's all of them." After a moment's consideration he unslings his whole pack and stuffs it into the locker as well. Probably won't need any of that in here.
I'm going to go talk to Commander Imako, I think we might have some interests in common!
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Kultanien approaches the legate.
"Good day!" she opens, with a smile.
"I'm so glad we could meet together in this way. Too often does the unknown get treated with guns rather than words. And after the opening bombardment.. well, the noise stops words working at all."
She takes a tray and offers the legate something to eat.
"You must have had a fascinating life and seen some wonderful things and met many interesting people and cultures. Would you be willing to tell me a bit about them?"
Shoo and Huckle make their way over to Commander Imako, who finishes placing a drink order with a female hobgoblin attendant dressed in server's garb. Imako is over 6 feet tall and muscular but not bulky. His humanoid features include bright-red skin, piercing yellow eyes, pointed ears, and a wide mouth filled with sharp teeth. He’s dressed in a black military uniform without rank insignia. "Terminus whiskey neat. Nothing fizzy please, even if the order comes from another. It rots your teeth, you know." He turns to face you and nods without smiling. "Starfinders, welcome to the Tower. Tell me about yourselves." He listens patiently and inordinately quietly as Shoo gives general details about his life in the Pact Worlds, but even though he's engaged it doesn't seem all that interested; his expression suggests he's taking mental notes as though he were expecting a quiz later, but not in a subject that stimulates him. "I see. This must be something of an adjustment to you then." He looks over at the hobgoblin server, who is still standing there listening. "Do you mind? I ordered a drink." She starts and continues going around taking orders. Huckle's bravado similarly doesn't get a rise out of the stoic kanabo. "I didn't think I had to be tough. I just have to be competent."
Meanwhile, Kultainen approaches Legate Goryu, who is tall and wiry, making his round hobgoblin head seem too large for his body. He quickly flashes a wide smile to her, one that somehow manages to be charming despite his sharp teeth. Goryu is dressed in a finely-cut red uniform that stands out from the black battle armor and Authority uniforms otherwise present at the base. He accepts the food offered by the Starfinder, which she plucked from the hands of the same server Imako shoo'ed away. "Welcome, friend! You're a sight for eyes sore from squinting at light reflecting off battle armor. I mean, we all have darkvision, but would it hurt to have to use it once in a while? Seriously, though, I couldn't agree more. Too many hobs have heavy tongues but light trigger fingers, if you catch my drift. Makes gatherings like these a rare but fun treat. And girl, do I have stories, but I'm guessing yours are WAY more exotic!" The two hit it off, swapping tales of archaeological exploits gone awry and curious characters they've encountered in their careers.
Huckle Jim
Lucky
Kultainen
Shoo
Q'Qwaan
Viper
Goryu: Diplomacy 1
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Lucky briefly flirts with the idea of trying to sneak a weapon in, but decides that having Sparky outside, ready to blast a hole in the wall was probably better anyways.
Rather than force Amethyst to do all of her work for her, Lucky first heads over to Premier Noraka, trying to get a brief peep of what she's working on before plunging into a practical discussion of dealing with Drift-driven abnormalities in the wavelengths of nugen protective fields. "...Well, at least in their startup-cycle. You're just bleeding power trying to keep those things optimal. I've found a couple patches, but nothing I'm satisfied with yet..."
Drawn to the most commanding presence in the room, Huckle Jim goes toward Overlord Vaska. Vaska stands 5-and-a-half feet, which is tall for a hobgoblin. Vaska has the demeanor of a seasoned veteran and can still crack skulls on the frontlines when the need arises. There’s a battle scar running down the left side of her face that is broken up by a cybernetic eye that gives off a red glow. The eye resembles more of a scope or a camera than it does a natural eye. Her pristine, black military uniform is decorated with red accents and a platinum badge depicting a sword, signifying her rank. She chuckles as Jim makes his play. "Ten points for cajones, I'll give you that much. But tell me, stranger, why is it you think you can enter my tower and introduce yourself by looking down on my military prowess?" The chest-puffing eventually gives way to mutual respect as the two swap riveting tales of battlefield experience.
Lucky approaches the one Authority human, whose eyes are glued to a datapad. Premier Noraka is a skinny, dark-skinned woman seemingly in her mid-twenties who stands just 5 feet tall. Her buzz cut and a dark grey pilot jumpsuit make her seem more like a mechanic than a lead scientist. Noraka’s eyes quickly take in her surroundings as if she is calculating all the variables that are in play, unless she is focused on research or taking notes on her always-present datapad. She makes no eye contact as Lucky seamlessly enters the conversation, scoffing slightly at her input. "Well of course you're bleeding power, any ship with decorative fins trying to make a planar jaunt is going to have an inefficient startup cycle. I don't know why people whose cultures have been spaceworthy for generations still have this compulsion to add vestigial steering apparati to outer frames, all it does is interrupt the wavelengths of the transdimensional resonances." Lucky is surprised at how quickly and thoroughly she gets in the weeds about Drift travel, but the woman is clearly impressed that the android can keep up. The hobgoblin taking drink orders listens in again and is clearly dizzied by the technical jargon.
Huckle Jim
Lucky
Kultainen
Shoo
Q'Qwaan
Viper
Goryu: Diplomacy 1
Noraka: Engineering 1
Vaska: Intimidate 1
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"Military Prowess?" Viper picks up on the conversation with Overlord Vaska.
The hotshot fighter pilot swaggers over to the table in the usual cocky manner displayed by fighter pilots of all kinds throughout the multiverse "How have your fly-boys been faring against the Jinsul fleet? They're fast customers in the air but so far I have smoked them each time - and overall I'd say the Society pilots have been doing all the heavy lifting on this shared menace. I have seen your ships, they sure are pretty, but what I want to know is whether all that flash and dazzle is going to be seen on the front-line of what is our shared battle, or whether they are just ships left in port because they can't weather the storm"
With that, Viper provides an analysis of the relative strengths and her thoughts on how the hypothetical encounter would play out
Viper waits to see how the Overlord reacts.
Intimidate
Overlord Vaska doesn't give Viper the same warm reception as Jim, her expression cooling somewhat. "I can't say we've ever crossed paths with this supposed 'shared menace.' Sounds like more a 'you' problem to me, we've got plenty of hostile starship activity to quell in our own system. I'm sure a hot shot pilot like you can handle it, though."
Q'Qwaan
Huckle Jim
Lucky
Kultainen
Shoo
Q'Qwaan
Viper
Goryu: Diplomacy +1
Noraka: Engineering +1
Vaska: Intimidate +1, -1
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Kultanien allows the conversation with Goryu draw to a natural conclusion. "I hope we get a chance to meet again at some point, and discuss some of the finer matters that our people may have in comomn."
She does keep a bit of an eye on the waiter who seems more interested in the conversations going on than the job she has been hired for.
I wonder what is going on there?
Seeing her companions gathering around Vaska, the android also approaches him.
"Good evening overlord" she says, offering a genuine smile.
"I'm so happy to see that a woman can rise to such a rank in your empire. I've crossed swords with a number of people in my time, although I generally find that I prefer crossing words."
She eyes up the overlords cybernetic implant. "I bet there is a fantastic story about that. Do you find the augmentation an advantage?"
Overlord Vaska's face sours at Jim's bluster. "Let's keep it professional, friend." Evidently the intimidation tact has lost its charm with her.
Her attitude did not seem to improve despite Kultainen's genuine effort to make a connection. "It seems like you're implying that women aren't respected or trusted with positions of leadership in your society. Pretty backwards if you ask me. Maybe that's why you're missing a chunk of your agents to a massive failed mission while the Authority is booming."
Shoo also struggles to stay focused on any one dignitary for long. On the plus side, Lucky's namesake holds true as she digs deeper into the weeds with Premier Noraka, swapping code for Drift navigation algorithms.
You're right: the server is paying way closer attention to the surrounding conversations than her job entails, only rarely receiving or delivering accurate drink orders.
Q'Qwaan
Huckle Jim
Lucky
Kultainen
Shoo
Q'Qwaan
Viper
Goryu: Diplomacy +1
Noraka: Computers +1; Engineering +1
Vaska: Diplomacy -1; Intimidate +1, -2
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Kultanien nods "There are very backwards aspects to many societies. Ours is slowly coming right, but it takes time."
She gestures toward the servant while she is with someone else. "Did you notice your waiter over there is spending longer listening in on our conversations than they are serving drinks. You may want to keep on eye on them."
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"Take care of that," the vesk says handing over the doshku. "Once wielded by three different chancelors of Vesk Prime, whatwhat.". He almost casually tosses his pistol into a locker by comparison. He then flexes a muscle in his arm and a thin scute springs out. "What do you recommend I do with these?" he says to the guard. "A vesk is never unarmed," he quotes as if everyone has heard the catchphrase from an obscure broadcast show. He makes no mention of the augmentations to his subtympanic glands.
Scientist to scientist, he chats with the lone human as best he can. His skill is not great with drift mechanics, but he does manage to draw a comparison to many different animals. "Ahh. The Callistrian Sugar Viper enters a severe state of metabolic dormancy right before it leaps. This directs its energy to the senses allowing it to find currents and 'swim' through the air much like a ship entering drift travel loses many other functions..." or "...the greatest adaptation of the turtle is the simplist and the grey sea turtle of Brethada is the best; with a shell that can withstand the same pressures Mach II titanium hull can." The comparisons serve only to allow him to drop obscure information into the conversation, while keeping it on the topic of ships.
The Vesk approaches the decorated war hero saluting with a stiff arm salute of his acadamy. Though he entered the Academy like all Vesk must, his military successes come in area of militarizing augmentations and ..."and after my third year as intercollegiate champion of the Doshku I was awarded my splendid weapon. Which is of course, no longer here. He lamentfully squeezes a fist wishing he could show the Overload his trophy.
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Premier Noraka gets Vipers attention, the buzz cut and a dark grey pilot jumpsuit leade Viper to make a few assumptions.
The hotshot pilot channels her spiritual inspiration and heads towards the engineering & computer specialist with the typical arrogant swagger of a fighter pilot "Viper 6"
"So you're in a head to head against a Jinsul ship, are you the type to bet on the fast thrusters of a Pegasus and try and use the speed and nimbleness of the elegant design to defeat the foe, or do you prefer the brutal and simplistic design of the Drake to simply punch through?"
"I'm a pilot, so I fly what I am given, but I'm also familiar with the computer and engineering capabilities of our fleet - so, by the suit I take it you share the same interests..."
"So...'Guns, gear, and fo fast', what is your hot take on it all?"
Engineering
The hobgoblin guards smile toothy grins at the vesk as he shows off. Q'Qwaan hears one mutter "Nice" as he walks inside.
Unfortunately the human is far less taken with Q'Qwaan's presence. She never makes eye contact as he draws his comparison, then replies speaking very quickly. "I'm not keen to take examples from animals bound to a single planet for Draft travel. If the animal is not spaceworthy, it's not discussion-worthy."
Q'Qwaan then tries to get a read on Overlord Vaska, but at this point her dander is up and she plays things close to the vest. Viper tries to segue into the chat with Noraka and smooth things over, but receives a similarly chilly reception: no eye contact, and a curt response of "Another one of my interests is high competency, which I'm not sure we share. Can't say I'd ever go head to head with a jinsul ship, I don't have much respect for engineers who self-destruct their own art out of paranoia. The whole thing is disrespectful."
Meanwhile, Kultainen does catch Vaska's attention, and she subtly turns to look at the server. "Hmm. This seems like something Commander Imako would like to know. You should speak with him, quietly if you can."
Huckle Jim
Lucky
Kultainen
Shoo
Q'Qwaan
Viper
Goryu: Diplomacy +1
Noraka: Computers +1; Engineering +1, -1; Physical Science -1
Vaska: Diplomacy -1; Intimidate +1, -2
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Kultanien offers a nod to Vaska. On her way toward Inako she passes by other members of her team, and quietly lets each one know to be careful what they say in front of the waiting staff.
When she gets to Commander Imako she offers another slight bow. Again, waiting until the staff are out of easy listening distance she says.
"Excuse me commander. At least one of your waiters seems to have an inordinate interest in the conversation going on... more so than in waiting. You may want to have a discussion with them..or the company you hired them from."
She subtly indicates the member of staff she has the most concern about.
Noraka doesn't visibly respond to Viper's snipe, staring at her datapad either vacantly or with such intent that she doesn't hear the response. Meanwhile, Imako listens keenly to Kultainen's concern, then takes a glass of whiskey and uses the reflection to observe the server for a little while. "Pardon me a moment." He walks over to the server, then guides her out of the room. Shortly later, he returns and nods at Kultainen. "Good eye. Thanks for the tip."
Meanwhile, neither Jim nor Shoo get a good read on the dignitaries.
Various delicacies and glasses of liquid cover four tables placed in each corner of the space. A large display rests on the left wall of the room with two smaller curved displays standing in the chamber’s center. The displays loop videos of Authority insignias, still shots of various hobgoblin figures in striking poses, and imposing warships. The display directly in front of the door plays a video about a commando squad called the Frost Wolves that took control of a Marixah Republic starship during the battle of Kaskadar Verge. The audio repeats every few minutes, “They serve with honor. As shall we all. Serve the Gideron Authority.”
Huckle Jim
Lucky
Kultainen
Shoo
Q'Qwaan
Viper
Goryu: Diplomacy +1
Imako: Special +1
Noraka: Computers +1; Engineering +1, -1; Physical Science -1
Vaska: Diplomacy -1; Intimidate +1, -2
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The biotechnician studies the overlord's augmented eye even as his diplomatic skills fail him. "Permission to speak directly Overlord?" Assuming the permission is granted, Q'Qwaan asks about the eye. Was it replaced after the natural one was lost? If so, was it lost honorably? In service to the Gidiron Authority? Tell me more of the battle? The red glowing eye, might be something he recognizes and can identify some of the specs, and will direct the conversation in that way. If augmented ahead of time what strengths did she gain? or how has has it served her so far. He is asking about her exploits more than looking for anything that might seem like military secrets or prying for a weakness. "Professional courtesy, whatwhat," he states.
Moving from the Overlord with a brief salute the vesk hopes to see something of the various military victories on display.
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Viper wanders over to one of the slideshows featuring the still shots of various hobgoblin figures in striking poses, and imposing warships near Ceobarn Zeizerer
"You know here's the thing, these guys all seem to stand there looking pretty with fancy looking ships straight out of some movie set, but if you really want something that looks good and is made to kill with brilliant efficiency then you buy Drow, accept no substitute"
"It's been a while since Nightarch and that bit of trouble you had with the shipment. Whilst the person responsible is now full of holes, I trust the relationship and arms trade with the Starfinder Society is still solid despite the hiccup. How's the Family, I trust all is well again with House Zeizerer? Looking to do a deal with the Marixah?"
She knows Ceobarn is a scheming manipulative jerk, but under all that he did at least loan her a car and a spare sniper once to go kill one of his enemies, so it's not all bad right?
Vaska responds openly to the vesk's questions. "Nothing special, just keeps my depth perception intact. I lost the eye during a glorious battle in service to the Authority, back when I was still an infantrywoman. I wasn't some primmed elite, you know; I earned my badge of office through competency on the battlefield numerous times. I consider this cybernetic scar to be a similar badge of office in that respect." Unfortunately, she's still a little closed off, and Q'Qwaan can't get a strong read on how best to grease her wheels.
The scorpion tattoo on Ceobarn's cheek crawls up his face as he smiles at Viper. "Back home we call flattery the invisible currency. You know well that its market value is pretty consistent across planets. Nice to see you're still in one piece; most of the family is too, or at least the ones that are still useful. As for Marixah, once they start moving visible money around with some consistency—like the Authority, or dare I say the Starfinders, do—perhaps I'll consider opening some markets. Would certainly help with prices among these Authority types."
Huckle Jim
Lucky
Kultainen
Shoo
Q'Qwaan
Viper
Ceobarn:
Goryu: Diplomacy +1
Imako: Special +1
Noraka: Computers +1; Engineering +1, -1; Physical Science -1
Vaska: Diplomacy -1; Intimidate +1, -2
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Viper sticks with Ceobarn - as a mercenary arms dealer, demon worshipper, and someone happy to 'prune the family tree' when required, he's probably the most likeable non-Starfinder in the room "Consider opening a market? I would have thought these guys were an easy sale for some fast coin - they seem to like posturing a lot with fancy gear - not surprised the hot air extends to their business dealings as it does their military prowess, they sure are good one-way talkers happy to tell you how good they are. So as a bunch of past customers, how can we help you here today? We need to do business with them too, so what's the angle?"
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Lucky glares daggers at the dolts interfering in the most interesting conversation she's had in cycles!
"I know exactly what you mean. When I'm heading into eh... hazard pay kinda areas, I bring a warbot with me, and it took so long to deprogram all the heroic nonsense that came preloaded! Like I need a gloryhound bodyguard?! Still, if the chassis is good enough, you can mod almost anything to be satisfactory."
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Q'Qwaan removes his monocle at the words 'primmed elite.' "It is not quite true that all vesk serve and train as soldiers. I chose to enter the academy and serve as a pilot, whatwhat." He taps a button and a small holographic projection emits from the eye piece. The image rotates through an armored quadruped, a biped covered in feathers and a long necked beast before settling on the insectile jutskin "It was with great Honor that I defeated these foes and helped to rescue hundreds Starfinders trapped by the Scoured Stars incident. My skills as a pilot were secondary to those as a bio-technition. Like your sacrifice, it was a great honor to serve."
He thumbs back to one of the beasts. "We did learn quite a lot from these beasts. Perhaps we could improve your 'badge' if you would be interested? See farther perhaps, into the infrared, or one that employs predictive battlefield algorythems?"
Before she can answer "Perhaps Overlord, you have no want for such improvements but maybe you can tell me what you do want? How can the Starfinders help the Authority with, whatwhat? Some troublesome Marixzaih problem you can't deal with directly perhaps?"
Vaska snorts slightly at Kultainen's question. "Apologies, I just hate that title. It's top-heavy and bloated with self-importance. I never see overlords laugh or relax, surely because of how dense that title is. 'Overlord' is just the highest officer position in the Gideron Authority's government. I command the second largest fleet in the Authority’s navy, and I sit on the military council. I earned this title by fighting the Authority's enemies within our own system when we overthrew the previous, ineffective government. I led my battalion to the capital through the jungle's hottest, most humid summer in living memory, and we didn't even have the batteries to run our environmental protections once we engaged the loyalists. Now I'm in charge of certain aspects of our conflict with the Marixah Republic." Q'Qwaan listens carefully, suppressing for now some interest in Vaska's take on the conflict between the Authority and the Marixah Republic, and notices how proud Vaska is of her battalion's survival in adverse conditions; sharing similar stories might garner her respect.
Ceobarn taps the side of his nose, then speaks slowly and softly. "Street dealers go for fast coin. Kingpins give out free samples. If the Authority feels they've won the war, or that subterfuge is the way to win it rather than conflict, they stop buying weapons. It's all about the long game, child. Now are you going to keep whining about how mean the hobgoblins are, or are you going to walk me through how a collaboration between your Society and this government will help my business?"
Meanwhile, Lucky continues working Noraka's intrinsic interest in all things technical. The human still actively eschews eye contact, but she bounces with visible excitement and interest as the dialogue gets more and more detailed.
Viper
Huckle Jim
Lucky
Kultainen
Shoo
Q'Qwaan
Viper
Ceobarn:
Goryu: Diplomacy +1
Imako: Special +1
Noraka: Computers +2; Engineering +1, -1; Physical Science -1
Vaska: Diplomacy -1; Intimidate +1, -2