"Happy to go where I'm needed"
"Maybe can figure out where from this thing?" Kit shrugs, picks up the transponder again, and starts tinkering.
Between Kit, Wyrd, and Alice, you're able to determine the location that the astral transponder was connected to when it was last activated! You have a heliolocation identified in the Corona bubble, and a little bit of infosphere research should be able to get you a company name or address.
It's the company address for Cyro Gentics!
"Cryo Genetics! Same place! Those buttheads at the other end!"
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Nomyra hangs out, recuperating.
"Cryo Gentics, again," Puzzle muses, absently running a thumb over the passcard. "This cooling company, Mama and the Bloodshots - all the clues currently point toward the Corona bubble."
"It might pay to try and track down Sessil Hand and make sure he is, in fact, on Castrovel and in good health, and that that nothing more sinister has befallen him."
The party sends out a quick message to Sessil to check on his wearabouts. You probably won't hear back from Castrovel for several hours, though.
Meanwhile, Wyrd dashes onto the infosphere for some online sleuthing!
His research on Cryo Gentics reveals a Corona business called Meltdown Scrappers acquired Cryo Gentics last year. Digging deeper, he finds that more than one group of security professionals have marked the Cryo Gentics warehouse as a front for the Bloodshots! One group's notes state another gang called the Sirocco wants control of the warehouse for themselves.
Wyrd follows up on the "Meltdown Scrappers" as a potential lead. Perhaps not surprisingly given the name, the Meltdown Scrappers organization owns the Meltdown, a scrapyard and recycling center in Corona only open to the public a few days each week. The scrapyard is also listed in the Corona business directory as a pawnshop. Diving deeper, Wyrd learns the previous owner was a human man named Charik Lupradur, who died several years ago. Charik left the business to someone named Throsh Ved. The Meltdown is also flagged on some private security websites as being a gang-related site and the headquarters for Bloodshots! The site describes the Bloodshoots as a gang primarily of ikeshtis run by someone referred to as "Mama Throsh". The Bloodshots are suspected of smuggling and larceny, especially of vehicles and equipment the scrapyard can “recycle.”
Nib is pleased with your work. "Great job, team! Sounds like this whole thing might be pretty complicated, nevermind very dangerous. I'll leave it up to you how to procede from here."
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"Well it seems to me we need to visit this Mama Throsh and ask some question on why she send her Bloodshot thugs here...and get the data back"
Wyrd comments before taking a seat
"After we take a few minutes to catch our breath and gather supplies. Because I have a feeling this won't turn out to be a peaceful negotiation"
"Our primary objective is to recover the stolen data as quickly as possible, before it can be rerouted or the trail covered," Puzzle ponders aloud. "Which means we need to get to this "Cryo Gentics" warehouse as soon as we can. Once we have located the missing data, or should we lose the trail, we will have time and opportunity to speak with the Bloodshots about their involvement."
Turning to Nib, he continues, "You and Wyrd are both correct in your assessment; the path ahead will be dangerous. It is almost certain that we will encounter hostilities at significant personal risk. Are DCI able to provide additional supplies or resources to assist us in retrieving the data?"
Vedrir listens to Puzzle and waits for the response.
"Do you know if there are other gangs that could compete with bloodshots?"
Nib stifles a yawn and responds to Puzzle. "The DCI doesn't have much in the way of weapons or extra funds right now, as you know. But I can give you three mk 2 serums of healing from the emergency medical room - you'll probably be needing them before anybody slips and falls in the museum.
"And as far as other gangs, I really don't know. I haven't been over to Corona for years, and I have absolutely no experience dealing with gangs anywhere. I assume there are other gangs over there--it's a pretty rough place--but I wouldn't know the first thing about getting in touch with them. Wander down the wrong alley and I hear they'll find you."
"We should follow data! They might delete again!"
"Yeah, the data seems pretty at risk."
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Nib nods and clears her throat. "Good luck going into Corona. For folks that haven't been around the Burning Archipelago very long--like you--that bubble isn't as safe as beautiful Asanatown here. The solar shield over there is a bit... off. Malfunctions, sometimes, or is just weaker than the other bubbles.
"So, some things you need to know. First, it's over 100 degrees over there, so most of you," she glances at Wyrd before continuing, "Will need to have your environmental protections up, or you'll be getting dehydrated fast. Those'll also help with the low levels of radiation in some of the parts of the bubble. Plus the whole thing is always bathed in this orange-yellowish hew. Not really any true blues, greens, or 'cool' colors in Corona.
"Second, in places like this, getting from one place to another inside a bubble is pretty easy. Once again, Corona's not like here. Despite being built on mostly functioning alien or god-created technology that's older than literal dirt, the place is a dump. There's no 'government' in charge of everything over there; it's mostly powerful merchants and their private security forces. So as you can imagine, nobody really cares about building codes or city planning, so there are buildings and streets just built on top of each other in a bunch of different ways. Navigating via your comm unit isn't always a viable option. The place's managed by a bunch of merchants that run the 'Brass Bazaar', not surprisingly managed by a lot of creatures that aren't bothered by fire. Assuming the Bloodshots or some other gang doesn't jump you at the linecrawler station, if you get lost or stuck, the folks at the Brass Bazaar will usually help out 'tourists' for a price. Be careful what that price is.
"Last, the DCI would be happy to credit your accounts with 1,500 credits, total, along with the mk 2 healing serums, just in case you need to pick up anything on the way. And the linecrawler tickets are on the Institute, too."
Nib stifles a yawn. "It's late, or early, and it's hard to get anywhere fast in Corona. Leave as soon as you can, but maybe take a few more hours to get ready," she glances at Nomyra. "Since they wore those silly gang insignias, they'd have to figure we'd try to track them down. Wore 'em anyway. Stupid, but that's one thing we've got going for us. Hope the ones they didn't send over here are stupid, too."
The trip over to the Corona bubble via Dawnshore is relatively uneventful. Leaving the Corona linecrawler station, an orange-yellow haze covers crowded streets. Before you is one of the entrances to the Brass Bazaar, the massive and anarchic market made up of hundreds if not thousands of haphazard stalls that sprawls across much of Corona. The market has several layers arranged like a crater composed of irregular tiers, much of it far newer than the ancient structure supporting it. Merchants on spires and balconies sell wares to traders naturally capable of flight or in flying vehicles. On the labyrinthine main levels, sales carts and tents of fireproof composite or metal fiber nestle between larger operations. Sublevels offer some respite from light and heat, but these bear more risk of other energy-related mishaps.
Nearest to the linecrawler station are several stalls selling food and refreshments, as well as others offering hovercycles for rent or purchase, as well as tours/transportation by "certified local" guides. You know that Cryo-Gentics is tucked away in an industrial part of Corona on the other side of the Brass Bazaar, but it's up to you how to go about getting there.
Nomyra is definitely down to go back to bed.
When you get to the linecrawler station, she looks for the largest and greasiest breakfast option she can find at the food stalls.
"So how do we find this Cryo-Gentics place?"
Greasy food is easy to find - you pick out a stall selling "Desert Meatsticks" - fried kebobs made up of what the ikeshti vender claims is a species of Akitonian snake. You're not sure about the snake claim, but the heavily-spiced meat is delicious.
Vedrir shows up after taking some rests and ask
"So Nib said that there could be up to 100 degrees? But which scale? I didn't want to ask her as this is embarrassing to point basic things to a fellow scientist."
"Yeah maybe we should find a guide to take us there."
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"But could we trust anyone around here?" Wyrd whispers in response to Vedrir's suggestion on getting a guide.
Before stretching his well rested and full recharged body.
"I think we could do with a bit of exercise and do some window (or stall?) shopping. I'm curious as to what this bazaar has to offer"
Unless someone brings up a good point in not doing it Wyrd walks forward and looks left and right to see what's on display while acting as a tourist (and totally not at a member of a crack commando unit trying to lay low while on their way to their next mission)
"Breakfast!" Kit joins Nomyra in acquiring greasy meat on a stick at the earliest opportunity, scarfing it down quickly before casually tossing the stick aside. After two steps away he pauses, rolls his eyes, slumps his shoulders, and trudges back over to pick up the stick and deposit it in a trash can. "Fine, we walk then. Let's go!"
Vedrir nods to the idea of walking making sure that his environmental protection is on.
He walks forwards looking at the stalls.
After catching up on the interrupted sleep from the night before, Puzzle gathers their gear and joins their companions as they set out for Corona.
Arriving at the Brass Bazaar, Puzzle follows the lead of Nomyra and Kit, promptly purchasing a meatstick, which the android nibbles at sporadically as they journey through the Bazaar.
"We can trust them to look out for themselves," Puzzle murmurs around a mouthful of snake. "Maybe we can find out something while we walk."
Nomyra nods. "Walking sounds good. You learn more about a place that way, I think."
After grabbing meatsticks for a late brunch, the party enters the Brass Bazaar on foot. The temperature is scorching, or it would be if you weren't using environmental protections and/or relying on natural resistance to fire.
The Brass Bazaar is a crowded riot of floating platforms that bob up and down in the heat and radiation leaking through the Corona bubble's weak top and bottom. Connected by a series of stationary streets, enclosed tunnels, and attached bridges that move with them, these platforms hold a variety of stores and restaurants, all of which do a brisk business despite the bubble’s dangers. Humans, ysoki, and many other "standard" Pact World races mix with azers, ifrits, tieflings, and others with more fiery heritages. Even some efreet--twelve foot tall genies with red skin and black horns from the Plane of Fire--hawk wares to passersby, promising the highest quality goods found nowhere else!
As you continue in the general direction of Cryo-Gentics, the winding alleys of Corona open into a small plaza, where a throng gathers around a woman in flowing skirts and a sparkling vest that matches the supernatural glitter in her eyes. She catches sight of the party entering the plaza and extends a hand. The crowdparts like water, and she draws near with unnatural swiftness.
"Ha-ha! My new friends, no doubt these wearisome streets have run you raw, and I can only say that I empathize! They batter me down just as surely, and the only difference, my friends, between you and me is that I manage to greet every single morning fresh and renewed! Invigorated and ready! How do I manage such a feat, you no doubt ask? Not with pillows or pills! No! But with this wondrous device—the perplexing, penultimate patent in pain palliation, the attablossom!
"Yes, imported at great personal expense from the wondrous genie laboratories of the distant Plane of Air, this device blends magic and technology in heretofore-unexplored genius, restoring vitality as you sleep. Yes, with an attablossom, no injury is too great, no ailment too malignant. You’ll sleep like a baby and then awaken like one reborn!"
The silvery, iridescent sphere in her hand hums quietly, before sliding open like a flower. Nobody in the group has ever seen such an item before.
"Now, how much would you expect to pay to never need a doctor again? To never bother your neighborhood mystic? Would you pay five thousand credits? No! Four thousand? Preposterous! Not three or even two! No, today and today only, because I can tell you are injury-prone daredevils, I shall practically donate this wonder to you for a meager one thousand credits!"
She smiles. "So, how many should I wrap up for you?"
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Wyrd applies some charming veneer and goes around asking questions (but mostly just eaves dropping) while sorting out anything relevant from general rumors about what people's children are up to and how back in the day everything was better even if you had to walk up to mountain to to get to school twice a day - through a storm.
Wyrd doesn't know much about the device, other than it does look magical in nature. He thinks the question isn't so much could it do what she says (magic can do a lot), but does it? And he doesn't know.
Nomyra, still sore from the battle the night before, shrugs. "Could we get a demonstration?"
Kit sniffs at the gizmo, then makes a skeptical face. "Doesn't smell fancy..."
Vedrir stops when addressed by the lady and says
"It is fascinating, we got drift engines, built magnificent cities able to support thousands of aliens on an orbit near to the sun and yet we still have charlatans selling magnificent potions that will make your hair grow."
Says Kasatha looking at the device
"Medicine recalls numerous attempts at immortality or even prolonging one life and they all failed. The advances of science are great which resulted in minimizing casualties related to accidents or illness. And I will say that magic also allows for some impressive things, but they don't take shape of a weed costing 1000 credits." Shares his skeptical point of view kasatha
As the group makes their way through the bazaar, Puzzle drinks in the spectacle around them. The android chats to vendors as they examine their ware, keeping their eyes and ears open for tidbits of gossip or rumour, particular those relating to the gangs, people and places they are heading toward.
hours
"Yes, I am also interested in a demonstration of the device's capabilities before we discuss any potential of purchase," Puzzle says in agreement with Nomyra. "And we would love to hear about how such a device works; my friends and I have more than passing interests in areas such as these."
With a flourish, the woman walks back and forth in front of the crowd, answering you but speaking to all.
"A demonstration? My friends, this magnificent device works while you sleep, and I can't go just handing them out! I'd never see any of them again! Let me be your demonstration. I use this device nightly, and every day I awake energized and ready for the Bazaar. I want the same for all of you!
"Ah, but of course, you are curious. How could such a thing be? The device works by emitting enchanted infrasonic vibrations. The attablossom emits an aura of calm, healing and restoring those that sleep near it. While you will not benefit from the device in the short time you are near it, watch as the attablossom is activated!"
The woman holds the device aloft. As a hush passes through the crowd, the attablossom begins to hum pleasantly and almost inaudibly.
You are filled with a sense of ease. You also suffer a -2 penalty to Perception checks and saving throws against sleep effects due to your calm demeanor.
"There you have it my friends! The best sleep of your life, the best health of your life, all yours, all today only!"
"I feel sleepy, oh! Now I see what this device does. It is a super expensive sleeping pill replacement! And you may never overestimate the value of good night sleep. "
"Well, that feels nice, and I feel like I could use a nap, but I don't think it healed my injuries any."
*YAWN* "When it gonna do something?"
A hint of a frown begins to show on the woman's face. "The device has curative powers!" she insists.
Resuming her cheerful demeanor, she addresses the crowd again. "Of course it only works while you're resting, but it works, have no doubt. Friends, for you, a special offer: only 750 credits, as I can tell you are people who live hard lives and have a discerning eye. I'll even throw in these two mk 1 serums of healing!" she says, pulling two serums out from a bag at her side. "With the attablossom, I don't need these anymore!"
Despite being skeptical, Puzzle remains open to the possibility the device performs as advertised. Attention firmly on the device, the android lets the hum and sonic vibrations wash over them in order to evaluate the device's effectiveness.
The android's shoulders relax as an unnoted tension leaves their body and they momentarily close their eyes. "It is relaxing," Puzzle concedes. "However, the curative qualities of the device still remain to be seen," they continue, opening their eyes.
Turning to the woman, the android pontificates loudly in her favour before the crowd. "You are correct, of course. The soothing qualities of white noise are well-documented and - as my friend Vedrir has said - the health benefits of a good night's sleep cannot be denied."
"It is only understandable that you are reluctant to reveal the secrets of your intellectual property. Perhaps you can explain the processes in a way that does not reveal any sensitive details, yet allows for our 'discerning eyes' to arrive at some understanding?"
The woman approaches Puzzle, a look of concentration on her face. She lays her hand on their shoulder and studies their face intently.
"You have great things ahead of you. I sense it!"
She turns to speak to the crowd, though still talking to Puzzle. "You are about to enbark on a journey that will take you far from here, to worlds unknown! You need this more than I do!"
With a flourish, she collapses the attablossom back into its spherical shape before pressing it into Puzzle's hand.
"What good fortunate our paths could cross today! Though I do not forsee them doing so again, as your journeys will take you far from my humble stall in the Brass Bazaar. May Sarenrae guide your travels!"
She turns from the group and walks back into the crowd as people part for her to pass. "But not all of us are so touched by destiny, and we all have to make a living! Come inside, see the attablossom, experience it for yourselves!" she exclaims, pushing aside a curtain into a stall and beckoning the onlookers inside.
You notice that despite sensing the great journey ahead of you, she never actually gave you those serums of healing.
"Wait, that it? Don't even need to buy? *YAWN* What it do, anyway?"
If Puzzle will allow, Kit will examine the thing a little more closely, applying his knowledge of gizmos and gadgets to try and figure out how it works.
Kit investigates the attablossom. The device is an iridescent sphere that opens to form a flowerlike structure when activated. Activating the attablossom is a standard action, causing it to vibrate and hum pleasantly and almost inaudibly, filling a 20-foot-radius spread with a sense of ease. A creature in this area that fails a DC 13 Will saving throw takes a –2 penalty to Perception checks and saving throws against effects that cause sleep. An attablossom operates on its own power for up to 1 hour per day, but any activation uses 10 minutes of this time. The device has a timer allowing it to activate automatically and to time its activation to a specific length.
You judge the device is probably actually worth between 100 and 200 credits. The shopkeeper must really have wanted to not continue the discussion!
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As you move through the Brass Bazaar, Wyrd and Puzzle ask around for rumors or news. You find the following information:
-Some dwarves from The Diaspora arrived in the Bazaar recently and set up shop selling rare metals and ore they say has magical powers. Bunch of swindlers if you ask me.
-Some efreeti merchants were complaining about some big political spat on the Plane of Fire. Seems some noble's trying to conquer half'a th' place, so weapon supplies going to stay low in the Bazaar until it gets sorted out.
-After that business in Asanatown, you'd think you'd be seeing less of the Brass Dragons. But they're as active in the Bazaar as ever, and paying with platinum. You only ever see efreet pay in platinum!
-Have you heard about the shortage of weapons in the Bazaar? I heard the drow houses have been waiting for this moment to try to muscle their way into the Bazaar. They're even working with the Dragon Corps!
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As the party exits the Brass Bazaar maybe three minutes from Cryo-Gentics, suddenly four ash-skinned individuals with a touch of extraplanar blood, much life tieflings or aasimar, ride up enercycles . The group is dressed in flightsuit stationwear with longswords and rifles, and all have a red-and-yellow whirl tattoo visible on their arms or the back of their hands. The four block your path with their bikes about 15 feet in front of you, and one dismounts, sneering.
"Well well, looks like some out-of-towners got lost! Maybe we can interest you in some directions to make sure you get home safe. For 100 credits, we'll make sure you get where you're going safely, understand?"
The other three nod, hands resting on their sheathed weapons as they await your response.
"We good at navigating! Don't need directions, just ugly slow bikes out of way." Kit nods to emphasize his point, then smiles a toothy grin that's less friendly than it might be.
Vedrir looks at the biker group and tries to stand still not showing fear.
They should be pretty close to the bloodshot territory. He wonders if the gang members that broke into DCI had such tattoos?
Puzzle comes to a halt before the spokesman, thumb hooked casually through the strap of the rifle slung over their shoulder. Head cocked to one side, the android regards the gang members blocking their passage.
Eying the tattoos, the android nods slowly in recognition. "Thank you, Sirocco. You are correct in that we are not from Corona, however, we are not lost. In fact, our destination is only a short distance ahead, at Cryo-Gentics. We have business with the proprietors," Puzzle says, tugging meaningfully at the rifle's shoulder strap.
At the mention of Cryo-Gentics, the gang member seems genuinely surprised. His demeanor changes from mocking to curious.
"You're going... at Cryo-Gentics? What business have you got there? Nothing good comes outta that place!" He says, spitting on the ground.
"Let us just say that they have taken something that did not belong to them and it is our intention to get it back," Puzzle replies.
The gang leader looks at Wyrd, an unfriendly smile crossing his face.
"Oh really? Well, turns out you're in the neighborhood for the right reason. Just go four blocks up and it'll be on the left. Good luck! And tell the Bloodshots that Sirocco says hello."
The man nods to the group. The get on their bikes and ride off, leaving the path clear to Cryo-Gentics.
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Just as the gang member indicated, four blocks later you come upon a warehouse that looks like it has seen better days. Pale blue-gray paint peels down the sides of the building like streaks of ashy sweat. Large windows provide a view of a dated office interior a story high, while large loading doors open into a much larger, two-story facility in back. A smiling snowflake on the sun-bleached sign out front proclaims, “Cryo-Gentics. Keep your cool!”
From your vanatage point you see the front door area of the facility is to the left with the door to the warehouse on the right. You have Vadak's keycard with you, and both doors have a keycard reader.