After a short trip to return to Paxel and show him the evidence you gathered at the Museum:
As if remembering something, Paxel stands and walks over to the window. Picking up a cup of steaming tea, he inhales deeply, savoring the rich smells of the hot beverage. “Spicy foods and fragrant tea are some of the few things I can enjoy these days. Every afternoon, that purple menace brings me a cup.” Taking a small sip, he sighs and replaces the cup on the tray. “Speaking of skittermanders, you should probably check with them. I have to admit, they are exceptionally good with paperwork, which makes my job both easier and harder, especially when it comes to tracking down the Hidden Hand. Anyway, we run a tight ship here at Command Prime. No one can import anything without the seeming of proper clearance. These Keepers might have attempted to legitimize your trinket by getting official transport papers from Import and ExportControl. Their office is located in one the dozen or so buildings that surround the main spaceport; I’d go check with them.”
"The Hand are not affiliated with the Keepers, as far as we know." Paxel curls a fist in frustration and angrily sweeps the mug of tea off the tray and onto the floor before taking a moment to calm himself. “Skittermander malcontents. They say they want to help, but THEY. ARE. NOT. HELPING.”
"I don't have a contact to direct you to in that office. They should have a functionary who's purpose is to assist you. Just ask for help. One should pop up."
The Starfinders follow Paxel’s directions to the offices of Import and Export Control for Command Prime. The building looks entirely nondescript from the outside, with only a small sign indicating the building’s purpose. Inside, the Starfinders are greeted by an office packed with skittermanders in a wide array of hues and shades, all bustling about and chattering to each other in a constant hum of purposeful activity. A night-blue skittermander behind the main desk welcomes the Starfinders with a broad, toothy smile. When the Starfinders approach, they see a small name tag pinned neatly on her crisp uniform: Tonkona—General Assistance.
“Greetings, visitors!” the skittermander behind the desk chirps. “My name is Tonkona and it will be my pleasure to assist you today. Can I ask what purpose brings you to Import and Export Control today?”
For those not familiar with bureaucracy and its innermost workings, the conversation between Marveen and Tonkona is unbearable. 15 minutes pass by as the skittermander informs Marveen that each request he makes for information requires a series of forms filled out, in triplicate, stamped and notorized, in proper sequential order, with proper color coding observed.
"Let's see here. Yes you have your Request for information about the request for information form, with proper background check, and requisite foreign national identification and waiver form, plus your non-vesk permit and applications form, ah yes your request for information form request to translate the form into common form, plus your non-vesk certification form, plus your declaration of non-aggression form, granting you access to the request for information form formally filled out..." She pauses, with a broad toothy grin on her face. "Its beautiful isn't it?" She stares lovingly at the stack of forms. "A place for everything, and everything in it's proper place!"
Tonkona provides the requested information, almost hesitantly, to Marveen. "It was a real pleasure working with you. Will you come back again?" she asks the Sarcesian with a hopeful look in her wide expressive eyes.
In response to Jinn's question: A horrified look crossed the skittermander's face. "We dont even have a form for you to fill out, granting you access to our systems. Oh no, oh dear, oh my! We will have to correct this immediately."
She places a stack of forms on the desk, roughly the size of Jinn himself, and says "Please fill out the required forms to petition for a new form for procedure not yet formalized, and return in six to eight months. Hopefully we can begin to process your request then."
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The efficiency here might be one of the most beautiful things I have ever saw. This is just absolutely magnificent and thank you for showing me all of this. Unfortunately we are on an important mission but if time allows it I would love to come back and talk more about this.
Marveen looks over towards the stack of papers in front of Jinn.
Isn't the efficiency great?
ion looking around for any one that can help faster for the documents to move fast to process.
This is the only skittermander assigned to help anyone who enters. If you're looking for another skittermander to assist you, I'm sure you could petition for one, but you'd have to file the proper forms of course...
The Starfinders are free to return to Paxel with another piece of information. " Hmm we're close to identifying the location of the Hand. Their leader, is an ijtikri named Oroubituun. He is known to be an adept technomancer."
“Hmm.” Paxel muses as he taps a claw on his desk. “I’m not sure if I should be even passing this on to you, but I suppose finding this traitorous cult is worth it.” Using a nearby pad of paper, he quickly scribbles a note down. Carefully extending one claw, he makes a small incision on the base of his scaly palm. Folding the paper, he looks up. “I’ve received a message from a pahtra who I believe has integrated themself with the Keepers. I haven’t been able to verify whether they will have actionable information, but it’s worth investigating. They’ve asked to meet at the Cenotaph of the Fallen. Bring this note with you—it will verify your legitimacy to this traitor. They’ll be wearing a dark-blue cloak.” The note contains only one sentence: The Dragon sent us.
A towering obelisk of pure adamantine surrounded by a paved plaza in the center of Command Prime, the Cenotaph of the Fallen is a memorial honoring all of the warriors who have died in battle during the Veskarium’s many wars and conquests. An honor guard of decorated vesk soldiers guard the monument 28 hours a day. Considered a sacred site by the church of Damoritosh, the cenotaph houses a shrine to the Conqueror in its base. Priests of Damoritosh maintain the site and host regular religious services in the shrine.
The Cenotaph of the Fallen is centrally located in Command Prime and is easy to get to.The paved stones of the central plaza surrounding the obelisk are mirror clean, save for the odd film of cleaning agent on several of the outlying rocks. The faint outlines of scrubbed graffiti are barely noticeable in the sharp daylight. The shrine at the base of the cenotaph hosts several figures kneeling in silent prayer.
There are several hooded and cloaked figures at the base of the cenotaph, but only one is wearing a dark-blue cloak. When the figure sees the Starfinders approaching, he rapidly gestures for them to kneel beside them, mimicking the prayers under the watchful eyes of the priests of Damoritosh. Sitting next to the dark cloaked figure allows the Starfindersto see his face: large sky-blue eyes framed by tan fur.
He introduces himself as Qona and explains that he’s been a member of the Keepers of the Lie for only 6 months, but that he already sees the errors in his ways and wants to redeem himself and regain his Veskarium honor by bringing down the cult. I was not expecting you. How do I know I can trust you.
[ b ][ smaller ] whispers [ /smaller ][ /b ]
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Just before everyone leaves to move on, Lionel approaches Tonkona's desk to ask Tonkona a series of questions.
Am I forgetting anything?"
Responding to Lionel:
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Continuing in Vesk.
In response to Lionel:
Also I'm unable to process your declaration of the definition of 'domestic' form without a properly filed form of declaration of language form.
Unfortunately your request for authorization forms requests cannot be processed without a declaration of intent form.
I'm sorry to say I cannot proceed with your authorization of preauthorization background check agency inclusion forms until I have the properly filed notice of jurisdiction form.
And I'm sorry if you misunderstood me, but to request files regarding violations of duty implies a loss of honor on the questioned party. So to process your request you must first declare what agency or individual's honor you are questioning, and subsequently also sign the waiver for allowing them trial by combat, in order to process your request for information regarding any and all alleged misconduct."
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Continuing in Vesk.
Regarding the trial by combat forms, I have no desire to dual someone for the sake of honor for as you can see by my appearance, an attempt was made to take mine. I actually like the color green, though I'm not particular to yellow. The death of an individual is not justifiable just because someone's honor is on the line. If you ask me it is a very primitive way of going about things. The only way someone can be on death's door before me is if they endanger the lives of innocents or my fellow starfinders.
So, if you would be so kind as to provide me with a pamphlet of what I asked before, unless you're unable too regarding some paraphernalia form I'm sure, I'll be on my way."
In response to Lionel:
Mean while at the Cenotaph of the Fallen.
Marveen is very persuasive and convinces Qona to provide the needed information. Qona also slips the Starfidners a mkII serum of healing and provides them information about a potential trap in the Keepers lair.
Qona quietly tells you that he doesn't go in for all the old smoke and homkem mumbo-jumbo about facial markings being read by shamans deciding your path in life. It's a dying belief amongst your people. He wants to set out and make his own path.
He was roped in by the Keepers because, with all the confusion around the Gap, and feeling a little lost with what to do with his life, the Keepers teachings of the Gap being a lie and history didn't exist before the Gap has some sense to it. The Keeper preachers are very persuasive. But in the six months he was in the Keepers he saw enough evidence to the contrary collected and destroyed, to show him the error of his ways.
He hopes it's not too late to live in the footsteps of Teret Cahan, the great Pahtra High Despot of Vesk-3. Kavadroz, the High Despot of Vesk-6, has been very good to the Pahtra and is known to show preferential treatment to Pahtra military recruits. Qona hopes to join up and get paired to work alongside a Vesk partner in one of Kavadroz's elite squads and make a name for himself as a good soldier.
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Its true that shaman readings are a dying way of our past, but it can be great knowledge to have when one strays off the path of life. Old traditions can sometimes be resourceful.
If you choose to go down the warrior path, despite any differences I may have with the Vesk, that is one thing they have great respect for, our prestige in combat and war.
Should the military life not suit you though, the starfinders are always looking for new recruits. We've no shortage of fights and harry encounters in our adventures.
In either case, I wish you the best of luck.
"The Starfinders are just a spy organization the Pact Worlds Empire keeps at arms length for plausible deniability. Why you didnt choose to fight with your people, and for an enemy, I will never understand. But the Dragon works with you today, and so will I. Good luck."
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Before departing, Lionel responds. "Well before we move on, to help you understand I leave you with a bit of wisdom. Centuries ago, our ancestors and the Vesk faught as enemies. Now we fight along side each other as allies. Even now, whether as part of the pact worlds or the Starfinders, we fight along side each other as well as other races and ethnicities do. I side with the starfinders so that other nations get the same chance that we did."
"Tell that to the Jinsul. You invaded their sovereign space, you were repulsed for your imperialistic ways, then you amassed an invasion force and invaded again, crushing you enemies beneath your boot. The only difference between you and the Veskarium, is the Veskarium is honest about their intentions. Go. Complete your mission. But don't think the wool is pulled over my eyes."
As the Starfinders return to Command Prime they are approached by three Vesk, not in a security uniform with weapons drawn. One of them shouts, "I hear you've been looking for the Keepers of the Lie! You should have left well enough alone!"
Green moves and shoots at Lionel with a Flame Pistol.
Green
Lionel (-5 SP)
Ion
Marveen
Surge
Blue
Jinn
Xin-Haran
Red
