Feel free to introduce your characters here.
You will all have some familiarity with each other, having grown up in or near the Gateway District, or having done business with one another.
Please click on the maps, above, and let me know if you can see and interact with them.
Interaction confirmed.
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Big, shambling, and slack-jawed, with a oversized, tusked lower jaw broader than its cranium, the four armed shobhad does not give a first impression of intelligence. Its armor, surmounted by a fiber-rope harness from which hang openly displayed blades, and the long rifle slung on its back, coupled with its size, do provide a a definite impression of menace.
When it opens its mouth to speak, it confirms the absence of great intelligence, but belies the impression of menace. Its speech is slow, deep and softly gentle. "I'm Gath. Where's your favorite place?"
A massive shobhad peers across the Gallery, a bustling center of commerce, transportation, and culture aboard Absalom Station.
He dwarfs his two companions, a shirren and a pahtra who flank the shobhad.
They are perched upon a bridge overlooking The Gallery. Below them tracks for the "L.R.A." extend across the Gallery and beyond into one of Absalom's largest spaceports.
An L.R.A. train slowly approaches and stops, letting off several travelers who go about their business inside the shops and restaurants that make up this level of what most call "The Gateway District." The "gateway" most refer to is a primeval piece of architecture that the train now travels through toward the spaceport. There are enigmatic runes all about this arch, and most are proud to live and work in the shadow of such a notable and characterful edifice.
From either end of the bridge approach two more friends and companions, a brenneri and an android. They are likely leaving their places of business that are on this upper level.
The brenneri bears a tray of beverages for everyone, including one nearly the size of a bucket for the shobhad.
"... and I'm going there,someday," Gath concludes while looking at the receding train. He glances left then right, then focuses farther to the right. A toothy, grin characterized by hugely oversized lower eye-teeth broadens into a very genuine smile. He makes a show of rubbing his eyes.
"Thak! You are a sight for sore eyes. His gaze fixes on the bucket-like mug. He pats the pocket on his belt where he normally keeps his credstick.
"I'm a little short, but get paid tomorrow. Can I pay you back then?"
From previous association, a little short probably means flat broke, and if you agree, you will be paid. If you don't agree, he won't even take a sip until he's pan-handled whatever amount you tell me from passers-by.
"Don't want to stay here forever,"Locket replies to Gath, nodding in agreement.
He sits on the edge of the bridge; his arms hooked over the the barrier rail at the elbows and his legs dangle in the open space above the rail tracks below.
The lean pahtra turns at the same time as the shobhad, his ears pricking up. Tending toward serious at most times, his feline face softens in a rare smile as Goldenarms and Thak approach with the drinks.
"And to what do we owe this unexpected pleasure?" he asks wryly, accepting the offered drink.
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The group's conversation is interrupted by a piercing telepathic "COMING IN HOT!" followed by the THOOM of a crude plasma engine.
Barreling down the bridge is a short, dark-shelled shirren on a barely-safe-looking contraption. She's crouched down holding the plank with one hand while the other grips a large brown-paper bag for dear life. For a moment it seems she's going to barrel right into the three before she swerves at the last second and leaps off the device, which instantly stops. And then she lands on her feet.
"Awwww, yeah! Stuck the landing!" she thinks to no one in particular before approaching the group.
"Gotta delivery here for a Mr. Poorida! One of you guys him?" she asks, holding out the bag that you can now smell clearly has hot food in it.
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"There's always pleasure in friends and drinks, Locket! And the food's here -- right on time. Poorida, right here!" Waving Senkuviene into the group, he sets the tray on the table.
"Got you covered with your favorite size, Gath." He mock-struggles with the bucket, catching Gath's eye and silently acknowledging that they'll settle up sometime later. After all, everybody has their short days. Goodness knows you did no so long ago.
"I think they made it right this time, Locket. Give it a taste and see?" Nodding to Goldenarms, "And you already have yours, so we're all good."
Turning back to Senkuviene, he smiles and tilts his head playfully. "Impeccable service, style, and food. You make our lives delightful. This should cover everything and your tip," as he trades the bag for a credstick and slips into his seat.
"Who's hungry? There's plenty for everyone so dig in!"
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"You already paid for the order and the tip, since you used the app," Senkuviene replies. "The compliment on the other hand, is a nice touch. Most people are like 'HEY, WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!' like I'm not ALREADY watching and haven't plotted out the optimal course through traffic!"
She kicks up her board and holds it vertically.
"So what's the occasion, and why this location?"
Gath smiles acknowledgement at the brenneri and reaches for the big mug. He takes a long pull, draining a quarter of the bucket while Thak and the delivery shirren chat. That first draught is done in time for him to reply to the shirren.
"Goldenarms says this is the best view in Gateway. And Thak said to meet here."
"I'm Gath. What's your name? I've seen you around. You nearly hit me last week. Is your board easy to ride?"
There's no bitterness in ' you nearly hit me.' Perhaps he expects you to remember the near collision also.
Locket snorts in reply to Thak's comment. With a look of trepidation, he cautiously tests the drink.
After gently licking his lips several times, he responds, "It's not bad." The pahtra takes another sip.
Locket's ears flick as Sen glides to a halt nearby. His bright eyes watch as the delivery is completed.
"We were just discussing the need to install some speed humps in the area," he replies dryly to the shirren's question.
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Gath smiles acknowledgement at the brenneri and reaches for the big mug. He takes a long pull, draining a quarter of the bucket while Thak and the delivery shirren chat. That first draught is done in time for him to reply to the shirren.
"Goldenarms says this is the best view in Gateway. And Thak said to meet here."
"I'm Gath. What's your name? I've seen you around. You nearly hit me last week. Is your board easy to ride?"
There's no bitterness in ' you nearly hit me.' Perhaps he expects you to remember the near collision also.
"Senkuviene, or 'Sen' if you don't have time. Oh...that was you last week, huh...should have expected, there aren't many folks as big as you in this neighborhood. Sorry 'bout that, Gath. As for my zoomboard, it hasn't reached an 'easy-rider' stage yet. It's a work in progress. Hoping to get a hover-field installed on the body of it so I can get rid of these clunky wheels."
He squinches his eyes for a moment and rubs his temple. His whiskers tilt to the left.
"Yes. Right. Prepaid. Knew that. Anyway, I'm happy I could make you smile. Do you have time to join us for a bit? Drink's on me..."
Sen's antennae perk up at Thak's offer.
"Mighty generous of you! No booze, though, please. I'm a risk-taker, but even I'm not stupid enough to try and drive drunk!"
Locket snorts in reply to Thak's comment. With a look of trepidation, he cautiously tests the drink.
After gently licking his lips several times, he responds, "It's not bad." The pahtra takes another sip.
Locket's ears flick as Sen glides to a halt nearby. His bright eyes watch as the delivery is completed.
"We were just discussing the need to install some speed humps in the area," he replies dryly to the shirren's question.
Sen looks at Locket and makes a buzzing noise with her mouthparts reminiscent of a humanoid raspberry.
The Android's chuckle is a quarter second slow. "There have been some 'concerns' regarding pedestrian nuisances", they confirmed.
"I'm working on it. Once I get this thing modded properly it'll be a sight to behold!"
The device housing the board makes some tweeting and beeping noises.
"Well, it's true! You're my greatest creation!"
The board makes a happy-sounding beep.
The beverages are on point, and the company of friends and acquaintances is welcome.
During a lull in the conversation Gath notices a handbill digitally displaying the holographic form of a young human woman.
A series of words pop up in the display:
MISSING since yesterday! Please help! Kevya Yonnick was last seen leaving Yon's L7 Bar and Grill.
Yon's is a favorite watering hole in the Gateway District. You all can see it from where you're standing.
Kevya is the owner's daughter.
Gath is looking around, when he suddenly stops and points to the handbill. "Hey, guys, look at that. Kevya's missing. Yon's daughter."
Locket regards Sen for a moment, bright eyes unblinking. With the flick of an ear, the pahtra turns his attention back to the Gallery's vista.
He lifts his drink to take another sip. Was that the beginning of a small smile glimpsed just before the raised cup concealed it from view?
At Gath's remark, Locket turns to look at the handbill. "Nowhere's safe these days," he laments.
"Any of you seen her recently?" he asks, turning to look at the small group.
Yon's L7 Bar and Grill is well known around here. All of you have been there on a regular basis. You probably know the owner Yon, known to be a friendly and charitable soul.
"I saw her working in the bar, but that was a few days ago," he adds.
Gath latches onto Locket's question. He rubs his stomach with his lower hands.
"I don't think so. I haven't been out for over a week. No credits."
"Maybe she's just out with friends?"
Gath lays a gentle, but heavy, hand on Sen's shoulder.
"I'll be your friend if you let me ride your zoomboard. Is it hard?"
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Gath lays a gentle, but heavy, hand on Sen's shoulder.
"I'll be your friend if you let me ride your zoomboard. Is it hard?"
The zoomboard responds with an alarmed beeping noise.
"No disrespect meant, big guy, but I don't think its structural integrity's at a point where it can support you. Like I said, work-in-progress."
"Maybe when you fix it then?" Gath's deep voice mixes disappointment with hope.
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"Maybe when you fix it then?" Gath's deep voice mixes disappointment with hope.
"Oh, HYLAX no, BUT what I COULD do is see about developing a separate shobhad-sized one in my spare time!"
She pulls a small tab on the computer-rig on her arm to reveal a Pact-World-standard measuring tape, which she quickly uses to begin measuring Gath's dimensions.
"Hmm...yes...fascinating...yep...kewl!"
"You might be right," Locket says in reply to Gath, downing the rest of his drink. "Barely been a day, so far," he adds, disentangling himself from the bridge rails.
"Can't be too careful these days," he continues, pushing himself to his feet. As he leans forward, a suit of second skin armour is visible beneath the outer layers of loose-fitting casual clothing. "Doesn't take long to make someone disappear."
"Might be worth making some inquiries." the pahtra looks toward Goldenarms expectantly.
Goldenarms does some checking on his comm device. Accessing various social media outlets, it seems Kevya was quite happy with her life. She often bragged about how great her Dad was, and there are several pictures of the two of them together. She worked several nights a week at Yon's L7 Bar and Grill, and seemed to enjoy both the regulars and itinerant travelers who came through.
It seems unlikely that someone like Kevya would simply disappear of her own volition.
Seeing more pictures, all of you are sure you recognize her from Yon's.
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"Maybe when you fix it then?" Gath's deep voice mixes disappointment with hope."Oh, HYLAX no, BUT what I COULD do is see about developing a separate shobhad-sized one in my spare time!"
She pulls a small tab on the computer-rig on her arm to reveal a Pact-World-standard measuring tape, which she quickly uses to begin measuring Gath's dimensions.
"Hmm...yes...fascinating...yep...kewl!"
"Would you do that for me? Already you're a good friend, Sen," Gath seems quite pleased with the reply. He tries to hold still while the shirren takes his measurements, but can't help squirming a little.
"Tickles"
***
... it seems Kevya was quite happy with her life ...
"See, she's a happy girl. Call her friends and I bet we'll find her. I wonder if Lon is giving a reward. Maybe free drinks?"
Gath, you feel certain that Yon would AT LEAST be good for free drinks should you assist in finding young Kevya.
"Well, let's pay Yon a visit and see what more we can learn," Locket suggests. "The official channels take a while to get into gear. If something has happened to her, it could be too late to do anything by then."
"All right then! Let's go!"
Gath throws back his mug, some of the golden liquid dribbles around the edge of the mug and down his cheek while he gulps in most of it. The errant liquid rolls down his skin, slipping under the hide harness that holds his rifle, knife, and club. He brushes at it with his three other hands.
A bright neon sign is lit up above an otherwise non-descript doorway on the Gallery. The door opens to a long corridor that leads past a service hallway and a few mechanical rooms. Ahead you hear music and hear people enjoying themselves.
Inside Yon's, it appears that the establishment is relatively busy. Yon seems to be missing from his usual spot behind the bar, though there are other familiar faces there, including Cherry, a hard woman who rumor has it was once a Starfinder. Now she helps Yon by waiting tables and tending bar.
Gath strides into the bar, pauses momentarily to look around, then steps quickly toward Cherry. On the way he alternately shoulders people aside, then apologizes sincerely as he moves past.
" We heard about Kevya. We are here to help. Where is Yon?"
Beyond his initial emphasis to get the woman's attention, Gath's voice is pitched to be heard above the bar noise.
Locket follows Gath into bar, navigating his way through the crowd with minimal difficulty.
The pahtra leans on the bar beside the shobhad, noddingz once to Cherry.
Cherry looks around, then quietly wanders over to Gath and Locket.
"Yon is out looking for Kevya. Not much to go on. She left here with a friend heading for a ysoki techno club down in botscrap two nights ago. Hasn't been seen since. Honestly, it's not looking good. Station security doesn't seem interested in putting in the needed hours to do a thorough search. I've got the security footage of her leaving if you want to see it...."
Gath continues talking to Cherry. "My father says botscrap is a proving ground inhabited by the honorless. Not a good place. Who's Kevya's friend? Is she missing too?"
Cherry responds to Gath. "No one knows who HE is. Young guy. Looks like a partier. Authorities could probably figure it out, but they are notoriously slow around here with things like this. Yon says they still think this about a rebellious young person running away, and that she'll be back anytime."
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"Wow!" Goldenarms hears in their mind as Sen seems to stare at the D.E.A.R.S. doing their thing. "How are you doin' that? It's cool!"The realization that they may have shown something to an individual that may just have ideas of applications somewhat outside of its initial design intent came when they noticed the... 'awe' in the tone. A response was stuttered as attempting to reply in the same manner that the query was received did not work. However, they did display the unit and indicated the attendant projectors.
"It- it is an accessory display unit. Emitters—" he indicated the metallic pieces that sat like eyebrows on his hairless head as well as the jewelry that could have been mistaken for link bracelets and earrings of the same type. "–are synced to your comm unit to know your personal area, and project a wide variety of... enhancements."
To demonstrate, he had it project a panel onto his shirt of one of the preset haute-couture patterns, that of an animated fractal pattern that ran around his cuffs and collar. The colors were muted and tasteful for his shirt, but it is obvious that they did not have to be so.
"Woooow!" Sen replies, and for a moment it looks like she has little stars in her multifaceted eyes. "Is it expensive? Where'd you get it? Is it a prototype?"
Her attention quickly shifts, however, when she overhears mention of Botscrap as Kevya's last known location.
"Ooh, rough neighborhood. Go there to scrounge parts sometimes, but I always try to keep such trips short. I can take a look at that footage if you want. I record and analyze footage of my stunts all the time for practice purposes, so I've got a good eye for the little details!"
"No one knows who HE is. Young guy. Looks like a partier. Authorities could probably figure it out, but they are notoriously slow around here with things like this. Yon says they still think this about a rebellious young person running away, and that she'll be back anytime."
"HE, then," Gath agrees affably. "What is the club's name?"
He looks at Locket and points at the pahtra.
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The footage seems somewhat blurry, though it does help. The subject is obviously a human male, and somewhat young and slight of build.
Pictures of Kevya are readily available.
Cherry indicates that Kevya said something about "Lolo's Tail Shake" down in Botscrap.