GM Jhaeman's "Dawn of Flame, Chapter 3: Sun Divers" (Inactive)

Game Master Jhaeman

Jin's disk connects, and the holographic ksarik flickers for a moment. Wordlessly, the two security guards move in.

Jin's attack hit and did half damage. The guards missed (weirdly, the die roller turned up four 2s in a row!)

With a roar that sounds slightly static-y, the semi-solid hologram lashes out at one of the guards!

The hologram hit and did 9 damage to a guard.

INITIATIVE (ROUND 5)

Jin
Security
Ksarik
Zharis
Xylian
Tulgram
Hani

Bold should go!

Zharis backs up all the way to the front desk and says, glancing at Xylian, but mostly keeping her eyes on the hologram,

Everything okay here?

She stays on full defense, with her weapon drawn, just in case the hologram follows her because she scratched its projector (she might be a little paranoid).

Hani curses the creature and keeps firing.

to hit vs. EAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Xylian casually rests his carbine on the guest services desk to steady his aim and fires a shard of ice at the projector. "I do not believe I am in any immediate danger." He reassures Zharis.

Activate Combat Tracking (To track the inanimate object?!?!?) vs the projector. Overcharge and shoot
Ice Carbine: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
P + C Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + (2) + 4 = 11

Just in case the holographic ksarik follows her, Zharis stays ready. Hani fires a careful shot that causes another minor disruption in the integrity of the projection. Xylian's icy projectile slams into the projector, but only barely puts a dent in its metallic casing.

Hani's attack hit the hologram (even with soft cover) for half damage. Xylian's attack hit the projector, but only barely overcame hardness.

Tulgram is up.

Thanks for your patience, everyone--I should be back to a more normal posting schedule now.

Tulgram shoots a tiny dart into the back of one of the security guards; the dart contains adrenaline!

Botting Tulgram to do the thing that provides a +1 AC bonus for four rounds for Blue.

INITIATIVE (ROUND 6)

Jin
Security
Ksarik
Zharis
Xylian
Tulgram
Hani

Bold should go!

Jin moves around to avoid the guard's cover and attacks the enemy again:

Singing disk vs. EAC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Sonic damage: 1d4 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Jin and the casino security guards are relentless in their attacks on the living hologram, and it flickers with disruption and static more and more! But the living hologram, desperate to protect its projector, unleashes its full virtual fury on the security guards!

Jin hit. Each guard does a move action to use a "Boost" special ability and then attacks. Both hit. The living hologram full attacks, and hits both Black and Blue.

INITIATIVE (ROUND 6)

Jin
Security
Ksarik
Zharis
Xylian
Tulgram
Hani

Bold should go!

Zharis folds her arms, watching. They obviously were going to disable it temporarily and then try to repair it rather than destroy it. A mistake, as far as she was concerned. Rogue holograms were bad news. If only she had been able to do something more permanent about it, but no, she lost the battle of Zharis versus the Industrial Strength Projector, and all of her friends were apparently going for the temporary solution as well.

She examined her feelings of defeat and powerlessness thoroughly, knowing that this was excellent material for future roles.

Although if she was going to base a character on this scene, she really needed to workshop that title. Too clunky... Zharis versus the Evil Hologram perhaps? ... and in that version she comes up with a brilliant way to destroy it permanently. Fiction would triumph over reality once again.

Another shot merely skips off the hardened skin of the projector. Apparently the casino expected it to bear the brunt of many spilled drinks and intoxicated guests.

Ice Carbine: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
P + C Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + (4) + 4 = 11

Zharis watches introspectively as the battle rages on. Xylian snaps off another shot at the projector, but its armored casing protects it from any real harm.

Those of you trained in Engineering can now surmise that this projector must be hardened military-grade and probably involves some very advanced and restricted tech; it's certainly not the ordinary type of hologram-projector that would be present for everyday business use.

Hani and Tulgram are up.

Hani hustles around the statue to get to the far side of the hologram.

Double move.

Tulgram follows Hani to the far side of the statue.

Botting Tulgram.

INITIATIVE (ROUND 7)

Jin
Security
Ksarik
Zharis
Xylian
Tulgram
Hani

Bold should go!

Jin keeps helping the guards, the situation completely under control.

Singing disk vs. EAC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Sonic damage: 1d4 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

I wonder if they playtested this combat, doesn't seem so

Jin's singing disk sends the hologram into temporary disarray.

Barely showing any emotion at all, the implacable security guards continue their relentless assault! As the second guard's cellular resonant gauntlet passes through the living hologram, the ghostly presence completely loses all structural integrity and vanishes in a flash of light with a loud POP!

Jin hit, as did the two security guards.

We are off Initiative.

Moments after the hologram is subdued, a large four-armed humanoid arrives on the scene, trailed by a small flying drone and casino staff. The shobhad eyes you all suspiciously before ignoring you completely and setting to work on the projector. Other staff set up portable holographic devices that project a waterfall pouring out of the ceiling onto the dais, masking the work site. Either the casino staff are extremely efficient, or they've done this sort of thing before.

Additional Vestrani staffers, smiling as though nothing happened, offer everyone present a complimentary stay in an "Ukulam Suite" and 1,200 complimentary chips. These gifts can be acquired at Guest Services, but there’s a catch: anyone accepting must sign a disclaimer indemnifying the Vestrani Gaming Complex for any injuries . . .

Zharis recognizes this as the normal way things are done, and plans to sign the form, just thankful that the event served as enough distraction to cover for Xylian.

However, before she does, she pushes a little for a better deal. She asks what an "Ukulam" suite is, hoping to get everyone private and very luxurious rooms if that wasn't already offered, asks how long the complimentary stay is for, hoping to get as much time as possible, asks whether they also have immunity from the gaming complex for any minor damage or rule violations committed by them as they were fighting the rogue hologram, just to be sure, and also in case they reviewed the recordings and came after Xylian for anything, and then finally asked whether the casino could throw in some minor healing items before they signed away their rights. She truly wants each of those things, but anything that seems too much and they refuse/don't seem flexible about as she goes along she backs off a little and says, Well, perhaps more chips could offset that... knowing that it was likely easier for the Casino to give them credit that they expected to win back than it was to give up anything else.

She does this all very politely and agreeably, just gently pushing, not demanding... trying to see what the limits are on the Casino's desire to hush this up and their impatience to get it done, and seeing if they can maximize that to their advantage before they give in.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 13 + (6) + 1 = 39

If you guys all want to aid my Diplomacy here, I think part of that spoiler means that your standing, at least with whoever we are negotiating with, will also go up. Plus, of course, we have a chance of overcoming a high DC here (if negotiating is possible in the story) because I rolled well. Aiding in this case might be as simple as refusing to sign until I work something out with them. (?)

- Bah! In any civilized place, they will do everything possible to hush up the incident and avoid public disgrace. Come on, come on, listen to what this patra says...

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 - Aid

Zharis (with a little help from Tulgram) is extremely persuasive, and before you know it, an additional 800 chips for each of you is added to the sum "as gratitude for your understanding."

After security ensures Xylian checks his carbine back in, an attendant leads you all to the elevators to show you the "Ukulam Suite". Each elevator’s walls are floor-to-ceiling vidscreens that display a 360-degree view of Castrovel’s jungles as though the elevators were on that planet, with the view changing realistically as you ascend.

The suite is a lush affair with spacious bedrooms, a hot tub, and windows that look out onto Verdeon. A rich assortment of complimentary, prepackaged gourmet food and drink are waiting in a basket on the table. "I trust everything is to satisfaction, please don't hesitate to contact Guest Services if we can be of any further assistance."

Each of you should keep track of the chips you've been given (and don't forget that exchanging chips for credits comes with a cost).

Once they are alone again in their luxury suite, Zharis asks

So, Xylian, what did you find out? Was the distraction helpful in getting us some information, or should we set up shifts to watch the entrances?

If Xylian tells them they have a way of contacting Lurien, Zharis is happy to pool money with Hani and anyone else and try her luck at Skimmer Cards:

Hand 1: She bets the max bet of 2,000 chips.

Skimmer Cards Bluff: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 14 + (3) + 1 = 33 (result +1)
Skimmer Cards Intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 (result +1)
Skimmer Cards Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + (1) + 1 = 26 (result +.5)

Holy cats, dicebot, thanks!

So, if you do winnings by the total modifier from all the rolls by your initial bet, that is 2,000 x2.5 = 5,000 chip winnings plus retaining original stake = 7,000 chips. (Has to retain the original stake because otherwise a modifier of zero wouldn't mean breaking even.)

Zharis' chips are now 7,730 up from 2730.

So, she is entranced, and decides to play a few more hands (sticking with max bet):

Skimmer Cards Bluff: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 14 + (4) + 1 = 31 +1
Skimmer Cards Intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 +.5
Skimmer Cards Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + (6) + 1 = 23 +.5

Winnings: 4,000 chips

Running chip total 11,730.

Skimmer Cards Bluff: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 14 + (6) + 1 = 34 +1
Skimmer Cards Intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 -1
Skimmer Cards Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + (5) + 1 = 26 +.5

Winnings: 1,000 chips

Running chip total 12,730.

Skimmer Cards Bluff: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 14 + (1) + 1 = 34 +1
Skimmer Cards Intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 +.5
Skimmer Cards Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + (6) + 1 = 17 -.5

Winnings: 2,000 chips

Running chip total 14,730.

At this point Zharis is starting to feel like she should be a professional gambler, so hopefully someone pulls her away to reconnect with reality for a bit.

So far winnings are at 12,000 chips, and all winnings will be split with the party evenly if we don't have to use them for the main plot. Also, since she doesn't really have to pool money with anyone because that first hand was so lucky, feel free to pursue your own gambling dynasties as well. :)

Hani enjoys the suite for a while. He jumps into the hot tub, and orders room service while he enjoys the hot water.

Soon a large tray of the finest Castrovelian seafood and all the trimmings arrives, and there is plenty for everyone.

A bit later he checks in with Zharis. When she informs him of her success at the Skimmer tables, he spits his drink out.

Zharis regales Hani with each hand and how it went.

... It's like the game is MADE for actors, really. You just have to convince the other people that you are going to win, or that you are going to lose, or that you don't know what you are doing, then they bet based on that pretense, and if you get them to bet too much or to give up, thinking they are going to lose, then you are very successful. I love it. I mean, I think I could be a professional gambler, at least at that game.

Jin walks about the place, making his presence known.

Zharis comes into your shared suite just after dawn, looking dead tired but delighted--her pockets are spilling out chips with every step!

Okay, here's how the skimmer tables work. Each wager represents four hours of time and several hands. If you gamble more than 8 hours in a day, any additional winnings that day are halved to represent getting tired and losing focus. I'm happy to assume that Zharis gets on a hot streak and gambles all night, returning in the morning with the Fatigued condition. Winnings from Round 1 are 2,500 chips, Winnings from Round 2 are 4,000 chips, and winnings from Round 3 are 1,000 chips. That's twelve hours straight of gambling overnight winning a total of 7,500 chips--nice! We have to call it there for now, but there'll be an opportunity for more skimmer later depending on what you folks decide to do.

Everyone beside Zharis, you can assume you got some sleep overnight. Please adjust taglines with daily resources and natural healing.

Okay, but why would the *first* round winnings (5,000 chips) be halved? 2nd round was 4,000, then 1,000 (which would be halved), then 2,000 (which has to happen a different day)... so shouldn't it be 9,500 rather than 7,500? I mean, it is your ruling, but I just don't understand.

Zharis comes in at dawn, laughing, and then goes to collapse into bed.

>Wake me up when it's time to go see Lurian< she messages everyone before falling asleep.

Still assuming that Xylian told us when we could contact her.

I got the amounts wrong. Either I can't read or I can't add. *sigh* Okay, so it's 5,000 chips for Round 1, 4,000 chips for Round 2, and 500 chips (half) for Round 3. So yes, 9,500 chips in total winnings.

"Is this level of incompetence normal for this establishment?" Xylian asks the desk attendant, reloading his carbine as the malfunctioning projector is shut off. He walks away, not waiting for a reply.

Xylian was intent on suing the casino for disrupting his work, but he values his time too highly to spend it in court, so he accepts the buy-off and leaves the casino.

While waiting for the sun train back to the hangar housing their ship, Xylian sends Zharis and Hani messages.

Since we're going into the sun and finding this chick tomorrow probably kicks that off, I expect this is the last chance Hani and Xylian will have to do what they were hired to. Honestly I don't know when Paizo expected us to get it done since the Sun Runner has been grounded the entire time we've had it.

With Zharis asleep and Xylian off on a scientific mission, Hani, Jin, and Tulgram have the morning free.

Xylian, you'll be able to make it to the Sun Runner without difficulty.

Hani, Jin, and Tulgram, would you like to do anything with the morning "slot"?

Jin isn't a gambling kanabo, he'll just keep vigilant waiting for the plot to hit

Hani hurries to catch up with Xylian--they've got satellites to deploy!

Meanwhile, back at the casino hotel, the morning passes quickly.

Hani and Xylian, you can go ahead and roll your five checks each to deploy and analyse the orbital satellites.

Zharis, Jin, and Tulgram, noon is approaching. What's your plan?

Hani whistles happily as he heads for the ship to get a bit of serious work done. He's flush with credits (or at least chips for now), and has enjoyed a night of pampering following the scrap with the hologram.

Hani will take 10 on the first check. That will give him a 24. Assuming that works, he will continue to take 10 until the job is done. Here are four more roles in spoilers if that first 24 won't do it.

Okay, just winging it here, assuming that she wakes up in time, that we never set up the watching the doors thing, etc.

Zharis gets up and looks at her messages and realizes that the two-word message from Xylian must mean that is where they are supposed to meet Lurian... or at least she hopes so. It could also be Xylian arranging a spa date with her, but ... nooo. That seemed unlikely. Must be Lurian.

She flies into a frenzy trying to get ready quickly... she shouldn't have spent all night gambling like that... although it *was* sort of fun.

She messages everyone telling them to meet her at the spa if they want to talk to Lurian, checks to make sure she can get back into the room card key or biometric scanner or whatever, and then she pops in the elevator and heads for the spa. She isn't sure from Xylian's message whether he contacted Lurian and arranged something, or whether he just knows where she will be, so she goes in and scans for her target.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Zharis rushes down to the spa. The bright, clean spa sits atop a raised circular platform surrounded by deck chairs. An array of pools takes up most of the space. Each can be modified in temperature and chemical content to match a wide variety of preferences.

A pair of kasathan masseurs are performing an eight-handed deep-tissue massage on a human woman with pink hair. As one of the masseurs moves the woman's long hair to the side to massage her shoulders, a distinctive helix tattoo is visible on the woman's neck . . .

@Hani: You can Take 10 or roll, but I only figure out the results after all 5 are attempted (and the checks don't all have the same DC). Like a gameshow, do you want to stick with 24 for all five checks or change your answer?

@Zharis: You can go ahead and perform your checks as well.

I will stick with taking 10 across the board for a 24.

@ Hani: Thanks, got it.

@Xylian&Zharis: Quick correction to my post above, I meant @Xylian can go ahead and perform checks.

Zharis is happy to see that they have such efficient rejuvenating beds here, and mentally tries to calculate how much gambling time she could get in if she only had to sleep 2 hours, and whether the cost would be worth it in terms of the money she would likely make...

Then she realizes what she is doing, and realizes that the gambling addict she had played previously could be much more true to life in a remake, since now she understands the draw much more.

She takes a seat and waits for Lurian to be finished, not wanting to risk taking her own spa treatment and missing her.

When she is done, Zharis stands and says

Lurian Straza? I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time. I'd like to discuss the possibility of renting or even obtaining the ingenious ship you invented, with or without you as pilot, depending on which you prefer.

As Xylian watches the data stream in from the probes from the pilots seat, he collapses into the chair, slouching down and sighing deeply. Finally getting to the research he had been meant to do from the outset had relieved an angry tension that had been building inside him with each obstacle that had previously barred his path. Now he could accomplish something meaningful, instead of wasting his time thwarting government coups and shutting down criminal gangs.

He elegantly pilots the Sun Runner back to its slip to begin his research on the data Hani's probes had recovered. No doubt his brilliant mind would make several Pabaq-shattering discoveries. While he waits for the data to compile before digging in, he overrides the volume limiter on the ship's internal speakers and blasts music throughout the ship, then settles in in the lab.

The flaming majesty of Mataras is stunning as the Sun Runner orbits in order to deploy an array of scientific satellites. Hani carefully calculates distance and trajectory to ensure a high-quality scan of the Pact Worlds' sun will be possible. Once they're deployed, Xylian gets to work analysing the incoming data. There's so much to look at, it's almost overwhelming! Although at first glance Mataras might seem like an average star of its type, early indications from the sensor data are that it could be a very special star indeed. So much about it doesn't match what a heliophysicist would expect given the well-understand process by which stars form and change over time. Is it possible that Mataras has been artifically manipulated? Or is that just DCI-style wild speculation?

Meanwhile, back in the spa at the Verdeon Gaming Complex in Verdeon, Zharis instantly gets the attention of Lurian Straza as she dons a dirty leather flight vest after her message. She goes from looking relaxed to startled and suspicious in a heartbeat. "I recognise you. 'Zharis Incandenscia', right? Saw your show last night. Not bad. You want to talk, call me Lu and buy me a smoothie. I know a stall outside the casino where we can talk without the sunglass mafia listening in."

@Hani: Success! 5/5. You'll receive bonus XP equal to a CR 2 award in the next installment.

@Xylian: Success! 4/5. You'll also receive bonus XP equal to a CR 2 award in the next installment.

@Everyone: There will be a role-specific Chapter 3 bonus XP opportunity for everyone announced when you get to a certain point in the adventure.

A pic of Lurian Straza is up on the slides.

@Zharis: As you converse with Lurian, please give me a Diplomacy check. (and I think you have an ability that automatically bumps up a stranger's attitude towards you unless they start as Hostile?

Ah, yes, sorry. I'll roll for the initial meet and then later as we talk. Two abilities could be relevant, Diplomatic Nuance and Expert negotiator, but the first is only relevant if I fail a check (attitude does not worsen unless I fail by 10 or more). The other ability's applicable part is "If a creature’s initial attitude toward you would be unfriendly, indifferent, or friendly, you instead treat its attitude as one category higher."

Initial Diplomacy roll:

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 13 + (2) + 1 = 22

Zharis grins

You saw that, did you? I'm so glad you enjoyed it. You can drop the "Incandenscia" part. That's just a stage name that some people prefer. I'm just Zharis. Nice to meet you, Lu. Happy to buy you a smoothie, and a full lunch if you like. Just happy to have the chance to chat with you. Lead on.

Once they get to the stall, Zharis buys Lu a smoothie, at first fumbling with a big stack of chips before remembering that she is back in the real world where they use credits instead, and then she finds an outdoor seating area where they can have lunch or whatever is available around here without returning to the casino.

Part of the fumbling was to gauge Lurian's reaction... if she is a big gambler, Zharis figures that might show her that they are kindred spirits in some way. Also, just let me know how many credits I spend on smoothies and lunch for two... fairly high end price, but not like snobbish zillionaire show-off-your-wealth level, more normal-person high end.

There is the normal first-meeting banter, and ordering, etc., but then Zharis gets to the main issue.

So, about your ship? I get the impression you didn't want to talk about it in the Casino, but my friend has been raving about your ship, and the possibilities behind it, and I wanted to talk to you about the possibility of using it for a scientific mission. Is that something you would be open to?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 13 + (3) + 1 = 37

So, looks like there may have been traces that indicated that Zharis stayed up all night gambling and just woke up when they first meet (strange), but after she gets into her groove, she is as smooth as ever. :)

Oh, also, Zharis remembers to message the team and let them know that she is chatting with Lurian outside the casino, but will report back when she knows something.

All this time, Tulgram quite calmly spends chips on fine food in a restaurant, sleep in a local hotel (there is one here, right?) and SPA (but at a different time than the diologue above is happening now). He knows how to enjoy life, and he considers gambling a frivolous matter.

"They'll call me as soon as they sniff something out."

I will also wait for development of the plot... I have nothing to do on the ship, everything goes by itself here too.

Sipping a brightly-colored drink made from local Verdeon fruit, Lu answers Zharis' query about her ship. "It’s apparently not my ship, as those goons’ll tell you. Hell, all I did was design and build and fly the thing. I figure they have it stashed in a garage somewhere. They’re probably scratching their heads right now about what to do with it. Gods, the morons’ll probably chop it up for parts.” She lets out a sharp, cynical laugh. “Not that I'm blameless in the whole thing. One night some days back, I came by the complex to celebrate my recent success, and I got on this huge roll! I could not lose! It was incredible. I had a good tip on an enercycle race, so I put up the Sun Diver for 75,000 chips, y’know, so I could really cash in. But the racer piloting my cycle pushed too hard, blew the core, and lost. So, sure enough, those bastards took my ship. And if I don’t get it back, it’s as good as gone.” She starts to tear up a little before snorting at her own sentimentality and taking a long drink.

@Tulgram... you have a free room at the hotel in the casino, in our big suite.

Zharis is disappointed to hear that the ship was lost, but is hopeful that it can be recovered... could she make that much gambling? Maybe?

Okay, okay... so, they will give it back to you if you redeem it for 75,000 chips then? If I could get you that much, could we work something out so that my organization could have an ownership share in it perhaps... while still allowing you full access, since it is your invention? We're very interested in supporting your work, and at least that way it would be available to you and we could use it for scientific missions instead of having it be sold for scrap. ... Do you have any idea how long we would have to redeem it before they just junk it?

Also, just curious... how were you able to bet 75,000? I've only been able to bet much smaller amounts. If you know how to get them to raise the stakes, maybe we could redeem it much faster.

Oops. Sorry. Forgot the diplomacy roll again. Adding it below.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 13 + (1) + 1 = 23

Let me know if that fails. If it is by 10 or less it shouldn't make things worse, but not sure what the DC is for all of this.

"So you're with a science team? I thought you were a travelling entertainer. What a combination! But anyway, I'm willing to work with you as partners. I think we'd have to come up with at least 50,000 chips for them to take us seriously. I've only got about 4,000 left. They promised to wait until my prepaid-stay at the casino was over before they "deposed" of the Sun Diver. So let's see . . ." She looks at her wrist chronometer. "We've got eight days left to make a deal with them, or the best gift to science since the telescope ends up as an illegal sunskimmer robotaxi." Lu smiles wryly.

Zharis explains that she had been taking time off from performing, but just did this special one-night only show as a favor.

When Lurian agrees to work as partners, Zharis smiles.

Okay, Lu, agreed. Eight days... it isn't long to raise that kind of capital, but I think we can do it. Here's my current Comm Unit information so we can stay in touch, and this is the group address that goes to the whole team. Can I get your information as well?

After they exchange information, Zharis adds

Also, you didn't say... do you have an in with someone who will allow us to bet more than the max amounts?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 13 + (5) + 1 = 24

Zharis is eager to go back to the casino with a perfectly valid excuse to gamble more, and she needs to update her team, but if there is a way to get into a higher-stakes game as Lu/Lurien obviously was able to at some point, that would likely save them a lot of time, so even though she didn't get an answer the first time, she risks asking again.

Lu shakes her head. "The high-stakes stuff was invite only. Like I said, I was rolling high before my big fall. Anyway, I'll be around. Where else am I going to go? Let me know if you really get close to what we need. But be smart. You do not want to mess with the Vestranis. They aren’t known for their sense of humor." She finishes her smoothie and heads out for a stroll through the park.

Meanwhile, before long, Hani and Xylian have done what they can to deploy the satellites and start interpreting the data.