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"They did not left anything portable behind. So our list is one entry shorter!" eager to visit the other places Rhys climbs out.
Similiar to Tara, Rhys goes down to be more on eyelevel with the child. She offers her hand with a genuine smile "I am Rhys and we are happy to help you."
After her introduction Rhys will only chime in into the convesation to emphasize certain points and by giving her best to emit an aura to help making the child feel comfortable.
The little child's bodylanguage suggests the child is more at ease now, with Tara and Rhys in front and a group of adults all armed and just having climbed out of a building they casually broke into.
The child appears to be put at ease by Tara. He shakes his head, "I don't know where they are, but my ma received an augment here. It was supposed to make her better. It did for a few days, but now she is sick again. I'm really worried about her."
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Tara looks to the rest of the group.
"I would like to check this out but if any of you want to check out the other venders I'll catch you up, if not just tag along..."
Looking back to the boy.
Now what's your name? I'm Tara, I have some training in Medicine, If you would take us to your Mother we may be able to help her.
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"Of course i am all for helping!" not even a hint of hesitation from Rhys.
Tapping on her comm unit the group chat gets another message.
Let's help this boy and his mother! That's a brave little boy. Tara, i am happy to assist you further with any diplomatic situations. My healing magic works for usual combat situations not something more complicated. :( Or afflictions of any kind. I can only offer my time and expertise as a Counselor.
Her fingertips bend more then fingertips usally do from humans and you are not sure but anyone with knowledge about human physiology would guess instead of bones she has cartilage instead in her fingertips.
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Kat's Excocortex receives the message from Rhys, and she considers what Tara offered
"I have some medical training and protocols too. I agree, let's check it out."
The comm unit imbedded in her Excocortex sends the group a follow up. It's a good a lead as any. Maybe Philt's missing people are all out sick from these augmentations. We should try to learn as much as we can while we help.
The boy is obviously very worried about his mother. It doesn't take much to convince him to let you help. He leads you to his family home. The halfling apartment complex is only a short distance from the Freemarkets.
Inside jumpsuits and equipment belts hang from pegs, crowding the entryway. Farther in, the cluttered apartment is dimly lit. To the right of the entryway is a small kitchen, where an older male halfling is preparing food while assisting two adolescents doing schoolwork at the table. To the left of the entryway is a common area, full of worn but comfortable-looking furniture. A heavy, wracking cough echoes from deeper in the apartment.
The coughing comes from the boy's mother, Maija, in the back room.
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Following the boy inside (did he tell us his name?} Tara tries to pull her memories of halflings from her days on the cruise ships....
Pausing at the doorway Tara pulls out her data pad and enters group chat...
Careful here guys these people don't like augmentation's. Best not to let on we know or even that we know she is ill.
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The moment the little boy moves faster when being near the door to his home, eager to let those nice strangers help his mother, Rhys smiles bittersweet.
Rhys adjusts her professional Counselor clothing and cleans her right shoe with a casual casting of Token Spell.
Fingers fly over her comm unit and sending an additon after Tara's message in the group chat.
And better don't carry any medical equipment out in the open. I am sure we can use Tara's silvertongue to get some privacy with the patient.
Staying near Tara's side Rhys eyes the family members when this mixed group of Starfinder Agents is brought home by the little boy.
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Could be a secret between mother and son! Better be safe then sorry. Only one chance for first impression. Firing her answer back to the group chat.
"We just want to talk to Maija. No need to cook for us too, we ate before we came here. Although it looks like we will miss a delicious meal! " Rhys compliments the man preparing the next meal.
The older male speaks, "We don't need any help from outsiders," but the boy, Senndi, tugs on Tara's arm towards the back.
"Please don't listen to pa. Ma is very sick. She needs help. Please, you must help her!" He pleas as tears begin to form.
Senndi's father sighs then nods, "Very well, you may see her."
Maija lies resting in the apartment's larger bedroom, exhausted but lucid. Another adult female halfling tends to her nearby.
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Tara moves towards the bedroom but stops at the door and turns towards Senndi's father..
"Sir I know of your peoples custom's and traditions for once I worked the cruise liners and I encountered a number of them on my travels. My only priority here is to to ensure her recovery and that no others suffer as she has..."
Anything you can tell me of her condition would greatly aid us...
Maiji speaks up from the bed. "That stubborn old codger doesn't talk much. If you want to know about my 'condition' ask me instead of talking about me like I'm not here. I'm sick, not deaf."
Maiji goes on to explain that her lungs were damaged from working long hours in a chemical plant and that she needed a variation of a respirator compounder to continue providing for her family. A halfling acquaintance persuaded her to seek out a biotech augmentation, which would be less obvious than standard cybernetics. As it happened, this acquaintance had recently received his own augmentation—a high-density datajack—from the Renew-You clinic. This friend claimed his graft had taken almost immediately, without problems or scarring, and he had returned to work just days afterward. Her friend Tanit (she points to the adult female halfling tending to her now), accompanied her to the Renew-You clinic 2 weeks ago. A shirren male-female couple operated the clinic. The male, whose name was Vrisken, explained the procedure and booked the appointment.
According to Vrisken, his partner had personally crafted the augmentation with components from "a new source" that would enable rapid recovery. The female shirren performed the operation; Maiji was unconscious for the actual implantation and can't remember her name. The operation took less than an hour and she was back to work in 2 days.
Unfortunately, she began feeling ill again 5 days ago. She went back to the clinic to ask about follow-up care but found it closed down. The family has been unable to afford another doctor, so she has been bedridden at home for the past 3 days.
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Hearing that Tara wants to examine Maiji, Rhys offers her help. "I can check for any magical auras and provide my knowledge about Mysticism if there are maybe some connections but Medicine is not my field of expertise."
Being a counselor by trade Rhys eyes the whole situation should someone needs the help of an expert although close-knit communites like those Halflings normally are ashamed if they get any help from the outside. So only observing and expecting a all in all healthy family and friends.
Senndi's father (Hermot) speaks up "If we could afford magical healing we wouldn't have resorted to augmentations at all."
Tanit adds, "The clinic didn't offer magical healing, but I think the shirren who handled the operation might be a technomancer. I saw her using telekinesis to manipulate tools as she prepared the room."
"Maiji, have you spoken to your friend who referred you to Renew-You? Did they also get sick after their procedure?"
"I... I don't think we've heard from him in a few days. Do you think he might be sick too?"
The only signs of the augmentation Tara notices are two small scars one on either side of her trachea. Tara knows that a skilled surgeon could remove the apparently defective augmentation, and probably save Maija's life in the process, though she would still need a new augment within the week. Tara is not sure her skills are up to the task though. Alternatively 250 credits should cover the cost of both the new augmentation and the services of a medical professional to perform the replacement.
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Tara knowing the pride of the Halfling people surmises that offering to pay for the replacement procedure will result in refusal, so decides on another tack.
"I'm prepared to fund the operation to remove and replace this malfunctioning augmentation. But I will require the removed contraption so it can be studied and the name and location of this friend of yours as he may be able to help us further.
The Starfinders provide funds for a replacement augmentation, which the halfling family accepts, and a doctor is found to perform the replacement. Fortunately she has an immediate opening for emergency procedures such as this. The faulty augmentation is provided to the Starfinders in a jar for further examination, but the doctor comments "The augmentation was originally a set of adaptive biochains mimicking a respirator compounder. However, the biochains continued expanding unchecked like cancer within Maija's lungs. She is fortunate you brought her to me when you did."
"Thank you Starfinders, you've saved Maija's life." Hermot tells you as Maija recovers. "I am sorry for my earlier behavior. The halfling who recommended Renew-You is named Shenge. He is a bit 'shady' but supports the local halfling community. Shenge has contacts in the local gangs as well as the Freemarkets and would likely know how to find the owners of Renew-You. He lives in a nearby workers' lodging camp," he says giving you the address.
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Before they went to the doctor Rhys transfered her share of the costs to Tara.
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Hearing the doctor "That sounds horrible. Her little boy, Senndi, made us help her in the first place. Not afraid to ask strangers for help, he has a big heart. So if he is still waiting outside with his father you can thank him too."
With a confused look Rhys passes the jar to Kat5e "I was just the nearest person standing here. I don't know anything about something like that."
Shaking her head Rhys reaches a hand still with her gloves on to Hermot
"Don't apologise! I totally understand how it is to grow up in a close-knit community which is like a different world to outsiders. Your brave little boy has great potential. Just give him all the opportunities to learn how he can recognise trustworty people in your community and outside your community and he can achieve anything and everything." Looking Hermot straight in the eyes "We will investigate this adress, share our findings and will visit you as soon as we can. I am eager to see a fully recovered Maija!"
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Kat accepts the mason jar from Rhys. and takes a closer look.
"Don't worry Rhys. I've gotten my fair share of augmentations, and I'm not even to sure what I am looking at. Better to hand it over to the society for their top men to look at"
To Hermot and Maija: "I'm glad we could help, but we're also glad you accepted our help. We are aware of your customs around health care, and promise discretion about what's gone on here. You just focus on recovery now."
After the team departs, Kat tells the team "We'd better not delay getting to Shenge. If he recommended Renew-You because he got an augmentation there as well, he'll be much farther along if these biochains are spreading in his system as well."
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Tara nods, Then tries to remember what she knows of the area...
She sends Oda and Meme to deliver the removed augmentation to Arvin then hopes he will dispatch a suitable replacement in time to meet us at the dwelling.
"Yes thanks!" She say's to the family, "I hope you recover quickly as Kat say's we will drop in to see you." She says to Maija.
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Once the team is on the way to the adress of Shenge's home Rhys opens and closes her right hand to a fist. "Usally i am always armed and this glove is a glamered battleglove. Thought that would come in handy!" She can't help but laught at her own attempt at a joke.
A shy look how the others react follows.
"So as we enter a more shady area of Absalom Station i expect at least one hostile encounter and should someone sneak up be assured i am not helpless." Visible gulping "This is my second mission ever so i am a bit nervous and all the reports i have read in the Lorespire Complex point towards a mysterious law that at least in one point for every mission for a Starfinder Agent there will be a fight happening. I wonder why?"
Shortly before they enter the area of the adress provided by Hermot, she looks at her fellow Agents "I prefer to take prisoners and give them ONE chance for redemption! If i don't see the will for redemption a swift and merciful death will be needed, should they don't surrender." Rhys emphasizes her belief with gestures.
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If the jar holds any more clues they elude the Starfinders' investigation.
As you make your way towards the address provided for Shenge your comms beep with a message from Venture-Captain Arvin.
"This is Venture-Captain Arvin. I am afraid Meme and Oda have been reassigned. I am sending you a replacement though. I understand your investigation has turned into a missing persons case, which is a little more dangerous than I originally intended so I'm sending one of our best available agents, Obozaya. She may not contribute much to the investigation itself but when trouble arises there are few more proven to make sure our agents make it back safe. She will meet you at your next destination."
Obo meets you at Lodging Camp 66, Located a half hour away from Maija's apartment, Lodging Camp 66 is one of several scattered camps throughout Absalom Station that provides basic housing for those unable to pay the heightened rates for proper station housing. While Maija lives in a predominantly halfling area, this neighborhood is more mixed.
Foot traffic is low in this neighborhood, and most of the roughly dressed citizens ignore newcomers and expect to be ignored in return. Short halls connect several basic square lodging units together in simple patterns, while exterior areas with open tables and chairs act as communal gathering points. Few people walk the dirty streets here, and many of the doors are unnumbered with multiple locks installed.
The address Hermot provided is one of six single-occupant dwellings crammed together. From the outside each appears to be an approximately ten-foot-cube chamber with a single door. Some of the chambers have armored windows, though each of these is covered by posters or shaded over by crude spray paint. A communal restroom unit is located near the center of the accommodations.
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It's hard to tell if Rhys' joke worked on the android, but she does offer "Smart move. I spent all my life down in some of lower absolom before the starfinders. It can be rough at times, but looking like you can defend yourself will ward off most of the thugs down here. Just look confident, keep to yourself, and keep your big stick handy. If things go bad, I will try to protect you."
She considered their next move. "Let's tread lightly talking to this guy. People around here might not like authority types. Maybe we should lead with being friends of Maija."
When the group meets Obozaya, she sizes her up for a moment. "You'll do. Nice to have you along. Never worked with an all female crew. That is, if you consider me female. I got to choose."
While they make their way through the lodging area, Kat gives anyone their distance, while secretly using her Excocortex to size up their threat level to the group. Details about them flash across her visual overlay. The telltale glow from her circuit designs give a little clue that her processing capacity is running higher than normal as she runs her security protocols.
Each 'apartment' has a single steel door. Shenge's apartment has a transparent aluminum window that is covered from the inside. Unlike the Renew-You clinic it does not look like it could be easily opened, or even that it was designed to open at all. The walls are a think sturdy plastic. There is nothing stopping you from walking right up to the front door.
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Reliefed the first reaction is not so bad "Well like our Captain said having an ace up your sleeve or very literal in your arm is useful for covert and diplomatic operations. The idea to infiltrate an evil cult for example and not having something ready and at hand if things go south is scary."
Absorbing the general mood surrounding the team in this enviroment "Well as long as we are not behaving like a squad of Stewards on a razzia we should be fine. This Shenge is known to be shady even in the more innocent areas of Absalom so a visit by armed strangers at Shenge's residence should be nothing out of the ordinary here."
Seeing the heavy armoured Vesk Rhys smiles."Welcome Obozaya! Glad to have you on our team." Rhys offers her hand for a handshake.
In response to Kat5e's musing "If you see yourself as female then you are." It's in a a matter of fact tone.
Seeing the situation unfolding before her eyes, Rhys has a suggestion. "We can split up in two and two and one team knocking at the door and the other checking the window in the back i think that one over there should belong to our adress here." A nod with her head towards one of the windows. "I can magically heal myself it's very rare to be knocked out with the first puch or shot. If we surround that 'apartment' i can help to be a friendly face at the door. Breaking in with hacking or so is not my expertise."
Rhys moves up the stairs and looks back at the team "So all of us up here or at least one checking the window? Time is ticking that augmentation had some time to do damage if Shenge was a patient too and is sick too!"
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Tara contemplates for a moment.
"With the little we learned from the halflings, Shenge's is unlikely to leave his dwelling unprotected I would recommend approaching carefully and checking for possible traps I have some skills in that area though probably not a patch on a skilled mechanic."
She beckon's for Kat5e to take the lead..
Obo advances to the door. "Come comrades. Who has made you all so paranoid? Does anyone have skill to pick lock, or should I 'knock'?" She says hefting her doshko.
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Kat walks up to the door with Obo.
"She's right, why don't we start with knocking."
Still, her Excocortex scans the door in the nano second before her fist rises up to pound on the door.
If she doesn't pick up on any red flags, she will bang on the door twice with her fist.
"Hello? We're looking for Shenge. We're friends of Maija" She will call through the door.
Unfortunately no one noticed the wire attached to the metal floor grate under Kat5e's feet, and knocking on the metal door completed the circuit.
DC 15 Reflex for Half, don't forget +2 from Tara's Watch Your Step
Fortunately the circuit shorts out quickly, or maybe the battery only had enough juice for one charge, in either case setting off the trap also disabled it. No one responds to Kat5e's knock... or the shout that no doubt came after, and if anyone checks the knob carefully they find door is unlocked, the trap appears to have been the only deterrent against unwelcome guests, or maybe Shenge was just tired of annoying solicitors.
Only Kat5e needs to make the save.
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The android twitches as the current runs through her circuits. She shakes her arm out and curses, taking a moment to collect herself and run a quick diagnosis. "Nothing Permanent. Youch that stung"
Kat takes a moment to analyze the simple trap. to confirm that it is disabled, and push the door open without entering to see what they can see from outside.
"Shenge?"
The interior of this cramped dwelling reeks of death. Sweat-stained bedsheets completely cover a three-foot long lump on the bed. A computer terminal and associated desk are bolted to the west wall.
The computer is a tier 3 device that PCs can attempt to hack. A lockout countermeasure activates after three failed attempts.
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Rhys offers to cast Token Spell on Tara's scarf after she has made her Exo-Guardians pin on her own collar smell strongly like space-cedar. It only is just a matter of a few seconds to cast this handy little spell.
"What a shame. Glad we were not too late for Maija."
Peeking her head in from the door and casting a Detect Magic to cover the tiny room Rhys concentrates to filter out magical objects from her fellow Starfinder Agents in the room.
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Having shut off her olfactory sensors while entering the apartment complex to deal with the plumbing situation Rhys commented on, Kat walks into the apartment unphased. She moves to the bed to look with Tara.
When her exocortex detects something strange, she reaches down and turns over his left wrist. "There's a discreet datajack implanted here. I've never seen one like it."
Leaving the body, she moves around the apartment and to the computer.
"Well, it's not 'password'. Anyone else want to try?"
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Tara nods to Rhys at the offer of something to distract from the smell.
once Kat points out the data jack she examines it she turns away from the body.
"Darn things virtually destroyed his brain its just kept growing more and more connections.. Quite horrible!
While Kat is examining the computer Tara searches the desk...
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After trying the easy option first, Kat settles in to try to break into the unit with her custom rig.
"Bingo, were in. Let's see. I have shenge's appointment calendar here. Here's where he has Renew-You visits, I see a couple. This last one has a memo attached... 'meet with Vrisken to discuss promotional activities'... With an address. Looks like it's farther out in the ring."
"There's another firewall here.... Let's see"
While Kat5e works on the computer, the datajack on Shenge's body begins flashing red as the corpse stands. "Braaains..."
Combat! Tara, Kat5e, & Obo may act in any order, followed by the zombie. If one of you would like to post for Obo please do, if no one else does I will roll for Obo just before the zombie. I moved Rhys back outside the door to make room, I assume she was not standing on the body.
Init
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24 Kat5e
17 Obo
16 Tara
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9 Shenge
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3 Rhys