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Mahari carefully studies the video image of the Eoxian Captain as the rest of the crew suggest a deception play.
"Huh, what? Oh, you want shenanigans? Oh, I've got shenanigans for days, hon," she beams with joy at the prospect of a whole lotta fun.
With but a thought, her clothes instantly shift to be an exact match of Captain Inzevra's uniform.
And then in what seems like mere seconds, her face thins and turns ashen while her hair goes white. She looks like a halfling corpsefolk in a Corpse Fleet Captain's uniform. As Croaker applies a little enhancing makeup, and Nimh tweaks her image, she preps her story in her head and practices her vocalizations to match Inzevra's Eoxian.
"Captain Inzevra. This is Captain Linares of the Star Scythe. I'm pleased to see that you're still in one piece."
"Fleet sent us to find out what was taking you so long and to secure the data packet. When we entered the system, we didn't detect you and assumed you'd been lost. We've started the download that you failed to."
"Now, I don't know what's been preventing you from accomplishing this, so if you run along home to the Fleet, I can't gainsay whatever excuses you have for the Admiral. But in the meantime, we're in the middle of the download and a bit busy right now. Scythe out."
She cuts the recording and signals Nimh to do his thing and send it on its way, hopeful that the Congregation will simply bugger off.
You beam your response back to the Congregation. Their captain’s bone head tilts askance as she receives it. You can literally see her spine stiffen as Inzevra sits up further and tersely replies.
Our failure? To secure the data packet? If the Fleet wishes to pursue that breadcrumb after all this time that is one thing, but my crew has been monitoring for threats to the Aratosal outpost as assigned and successfully. You should have alerted the base as you emerged into the system: your own failure to detect us itself speaks to your crews capabilities and mine.
Now, which commodore has decided to jeopardize the Aratosal base’s concealment by continuing to poke around with an aging beacon. Already once this decade some treasure hunters needed to be dealt with. I am happy to seed that moon with more undead, but more traffic to this system would mean our staging base would need to be abandoned.
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"Aratosal base? Wow, talk about the left claw not talking to the right one. Nobody said anything about a Fleet outpost way out here."
"Sooo, your mission was never related to this thing? Huh. Sorry, I just assumed since you were out here that it was. The briefing was pretty light on details. Goes without saying that I'm gonna tear some folks apart when I get back over this." She flexes her tiny pointed corpsefolk claws and grins maniacally.
"Look, we're just following up on some other Pact Worlds intel and were sent to retrieve the data from this beacon. Truthfully, we were never told about your base or any details of your mission here. Sorry to get in the way, and we'll be out of here as soon as the download finishes."
She decides to stick to the truth this time. First rule of deception: the best lies are wrapped in the truth. And then coated in honey.
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Newly raised I assume Inzevra says through clenched teeth . The second life is ETERNAL. You will learn that to race into a task without preparation and understanding is a limitation of the living. As is the crutch of flippancy.
Your scanners pick up the Congregation engines power up further, but its course seems to be arcing away from you. Captain Inzevra continues on the comms. Get the transfer finished quickly. Every minute that signal is active could attract curious moths. Know I will also be asking why your commodore is assigning destroyers so bereft of instructions...
The other Corse Fleet ship begins moving away from the moon and in the direction of the planetoid Aratosal.
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Mahari takes a deep breath as the other ship arcs away. It’s her first real breath in nearly a minute as she’d been breathing extra shallowly to make herself look undead. It’s not particularly fun, but it’s part of the gig.
She turns to see what Nimh is doing.
”No, hon, close that bus tie and reroute power off that bus to to this one.”
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Croaker jumps up and down to relax a bit "I think they believed that. Well done!"
He looks at Nimh and Mahari working with the computers "Can we speed up the download in any way? Maybe we can reposition the ship? Or get on a Geostationary orbit? There has to be something that we can do..."
He gets back on his seat and calls for magic, his eyes begin to flow with purple light, "I will block their sensors if they try to scan us"
Nimh sweats as he tries to work the Sythe's systems to boost the download. It's tricky at first as Eoxian-based ships lack several amenities that could possibly be drawn on; its difficult to channel some of the life support into the receiver when there isn't a life support system in the first place.
But The rest of the team chips in to aid. Kat tinkers with the core, Azara translates readouts, and Mahari severs s another pair of hands to keep everything moving. The download's progress speeds up significantly!
Just before it is fully captured onto your system, off in the distance the Congragations engines seem to slow for a moment, threatening to turn back around. But seeing this Croaker sends all of his consciousness and connections to the cosmos around the ship in a quick display of magical energies. The enemy ship continues on its path away, and with a *ding* the Sythe's computers show the beacon's data fully downloaded.
And with that, the Sythe's Drift Engine immediately can kick into gear. A few short minutes later, with a WHOOSH you are back in the Drift heading home to Absalom Station
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Mahari carefully sets the autopilot to track the Starstone Drift beacon back to Absalom Station. As soon as that's done, she takes a deep breath and lets it out with a little "Whooh!" She jumps up from the pilot's chair, sets her left hand on her hip, and pumps her right fist in victory. "YES!"
Mahari leaves her illusory Corpse Fleet uniform and physical disguise in place as she runs around the bridge, stopping to give everyone a high-five and a hug.
"You all were awesome!" she congratulates everyone, and you can practically feel her excitement at how well the con went. "Man, I love that, don't you?! Conning someone and getting away with the goods! Doesn't it get your blood pumping?"
"Who needs a drink? We did stock the galley with some booze, didn't we?"
When you eventually return back to Absalom Station a few days later, Radaszam is eager to meet with you for a full debrief. "Pahtfinders! Wonderful to see you. Well, was there something there?"
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Nihm is still missing some fur from the radiation. Definitely haggard and worse the wear from the trip.
I rate the place zero stars. Unfriendly natives, lousy weather, other unfriendly folks in the area, including some sort of shielded Corpse Fleet installation.
We found an old crashed ship, the Bliss of Pursuit operated by a middling Merchant Family.
We also found the Beacon and it had a data package. We downloaded the data, but it was big and heavily encrypted. We should be able to read it here, but it will take a while.
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"During our investigation, we also discovered evidence of corpse fleet activity in the system. It started in the crashed ship's logs and our own sensor data. Our suspicions were confirmed when a corpse fleet ship matching our own intercepted us during the data transfer. They mentioned that they seeded the frozen moon with undead creatures to deter adventurers from exploring the beacon, and made mention of a base on Aratosal. We only got them talking due in no small part to Croaker's resources getting us a crpyt maiden to fly, Nimh's skillful use of the ships computers to disguise our signal, and of course Mahari's excellent deception. If there's anyway that we can recommend them for some kind of commendation please let us know. Their actions were truely remarkable."
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Back in her normal outfit and appearance, Mahari joins the others for the debrief. She seems a little distracted as she flips thru messages and job offers on her comm unit. But she smiles and gives a heart-hands to Kat for her compliment.
Satisfied that she'll be able to sell this intel* inform the Stewards of what they found, she focuses back on the debrief.
"I can let the Stewards know about the Corpse Fleet base and their ship. I've got an FWB in Fleet Intel." She looks at Kat wondering if the android would be interested in joining, but decides not to ask lest things "get weird."
"Those bones were on top of us pretty quickly after we started the download. I think Nimh said there was a secondary signal that got sent when we started it. Must have been set by them so they'd know if anyone else came to investigate it."
She glances at her comms, sends a quick reply to her "friend," and sets the device back down.
"Looks like I've got a little time till he's off shift. Anyone up for a drink?"
"Corpse Fleet?!?!?" Radaszam reacts with alarm. As you explain the details to him he paces back and forth frowning. "Unsettling. Always unsettling when our agents end up encountering them of course, but I wonder if their presence there is an unfortunate coincidence or they may be the reason Rasheen vanished. We'll need to inform the Stewards immediately about it - they will need to investigate and uproot this base of theirs if its in the system." He looks to Croaker. "I must say it always struck me as unsettling having bonecraft in our hangers - bad for optics too - but I'm glad your insistence on keeping one on hand seems to have paid off in protecting you and your colleagues."
At the mention of the other ship on the moon, Radaszam nods and brings up his datapad. "The Bliss of Pursuit...ah, yes a Xinya family holding. I'm not sure I would exactly call them 'middling': their association with the Golden League gives them a sizeable network to draw on. In fact.." he looks pensive. "If they were there, and there was a seperate signal...its too speculative to assume, but it could be possible the Golden League might have some information on these beacons and coordinates as well. Our Society may have just found ourselves in a race."
The vesk looks back to each of you, grinning widely again. "But isn't that exciting! My theory now seems to be correct, and we're on the trail of one of the most legendary explorers of all time! Well done! Go and rest. I'll present the data package you acquired to the Dataphiles for full decryption. I know their leader has taken some "personal time" recently - very unlike her I must say - but whatever she's going through or investigating I hope will be wrapped up soon."
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"The easiest wounds to heal are those that are avoided." responds with his motto "I am glad Star Scythe proved useful. After all, it is all smoke and mirrors, sometimes that kind of stuff can give you an edge to avoid a fight."
Croaker is glad that they came out without a scratch from that. It is better to not push luck.
"Nice work agents. We did well!"
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"With some luck, skill and quick wits
Quick outsmarted dead
The prize gained without a fight."
Azara has little to add to the debriefing but will buy Mahari a drink and one for Croaker, too. He'll try out his latest stanzas on anyone at the establishment willing to listen (and even those who simply don't move away fast enough) to help spread the story of their success.
Azara really raced his newest work to the presses, but its still a bit over a week after that publication that Radaszam calls the six of you back in to meet. Not at a museum this time: no, the vesk's message bring you to the very depths of the Lorespire Complex. In a computer lab quite fmailiar to Nimh you find Radaszam standing behind the android Celita, who in turn is sitting in front of multiple monitors, analyzing lines of code that scroll by at blinding speed.
While Celita continues to focus on the information before her, Radszam turns to greet you with a wide smile as you approach.
Ah, excellent! I have good, bad, and mixed news - the real explorer trifecta. Come in, sit down. He gestures to several rolling chairs about the room as he himself plops his scaled body into one. Despite being office chairs the seating is remarkably comfortable - the Dataphiles really design for people who might be sitting in them for hours on end.
The bad news first. The Stewards sent several ships out to Arat after you reported Corpse Fleet activity there. They haven't returned yet, but my contacts say they did find signs of a starbase built with heavy Eoxian architectural influences. No signs of the Corpse Fleet themselves though. They say they'll keep an eye on the system for a while, but its possible a bit after your 'meeting' and departure they got skittish and pulled out.
The good news is, Celita - feeling better by the way? - He turns and gives the android a thumbs up, receiving an extremely small nod in return And her team Radaszam nods himself, to Nimh have finally managed to crack the encryption on the beacon packet you recovered. We finally have coordinates for the next leg of Rasheen's journey!
The vesk presses a button on his chair and a broad star chart is projected within the room. A flashing red line traces a path from Absalom Station out into a distant region of space marking the Arat system...and then another line seems to double back somewhat before stopping at a point in Near Space. According to the beacon's files Radaszam explains Rasheen then backtracked into Near Space. We have no idea why. Maybe she needed to make repairs or just got word of a likely treasure-hunting site. Whatever happened, the beacon we have points to Kizmatta, he taps another button and a planet flashes one of the two main planets of the Marixah Republic. Unlike Aratosim, this world is heavily settled. Honestly I'm a bit curious about how this next beacon hasn't been discovered already We've already reached out to the owner of the land around the coordinates, who tells us that they sit on an archaeological site, but he’s willing to help us get excavation rights if we play some local politics.
Celita interjects for the first time, though she still types as she speaks “Unfortunately, due to the beacon’s location, this mission may have some political ramifications. I believe this is what my colleague meant by 'mixed news'. The Marixah Republic has found itself embroiled in a border dispute with a neighboring power:the Gideron Authority, run mostly by hobgoblins and their kin. Among other issues, the Authority claims that hobgoblin ruins within Republic space are proof that those systems were ruled by their predecessors. Given the ongoing tensions between the two unions and the political and symbolic flashpoints ruins such as these represent, it is highly likely there may be objections to a third party encroaching on an ancient hobgoblin site. We have made a local contact - Vekkhad d’Salaz, the Director of the Heartfire terraforming corporation - who provided the following message in response to our inquiries."
The star map disappears and is replaced by a new hologram. You see an elderly but lively hobgoblin, dressed in fine grey and orange clothing while leaning slightly on a an elaborately-carved bone cane.
'A pleasent day to you Starfinders. As head of the family, as well as Heartfire, I am honored to be called to assist the Starfinder Society. The coordinates you have provided are in the center of an ancient hobgoblin archaeological site. Given the current tensions with the Gideron Authority, the Society would be well advised to go through the proper channels to acquire permission to excavate. If you are willing to send representatives capable of conducting negotiations and excavating quickly, I will do what I can to put you in contact with the appropriate people on Kizmatta. Next week Heartfire will be hosting a reception, which several officials in the relevant offices will be attending. Your representatives would be most welcome to open negotiations there.'
The hobgoblin's image winks out and the lights rise as Radaszam throws her arms wide in her chair.
So, it seems that this little adventure might require a bit more formality than the last. Oh well. I'm sure none of you find a little meet-and-greet more frightening than the reanimated dead.
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Croaker gets into the room and looks at Nimh's tired snout. He kicks some empty boxes of pizza and spots handful mugs of coffee. "Fun night?" he asks teasing
Then listens to the briefing. "Got it. Do starfinders have any previous connection with the parties? Any folks on the ground that we know and can trust to some degree?"
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You know Croaker, somebody's got to spend the and do the real work when we bring back data like we did. He gives Croaker a wry smile.
Actually, social situations do give me the willies. I'd rather face one of those multi-legged croc-faced things than a room full of people being "polite" while they sharpen their daggers to put into others backs.
Celita answers Croaker's question "The Society previously negotiated a nonaggression pact with the Gideron Authority to acquire essential components for the Master of Stars in preparation for our return mission to the Scoured Stars. This leaves us in a potentially awkward position in now negotiating with the Marixah Republic, as some of its contingent worlds are advocating for Pact Worlds intervention in the dispute. Please avoid committing the Society to any agreements, let alone the Pact Worlds — we have no governmental authority to do so. However, the Stewards are likely to take the Society’s reports into account when making such a decision if the situation worsens. Thus, keep your eyes open and assess the Republic’s stance. Any information you can gather on their military readiness, willingness to negotiate for peace, or support for intervention would be useful.”
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Azara is trying to pay attention, he really is, but the disappointing sales of Death and Undeath on the Ice keep distracting him, as do critiques suggesting that he has lost his literary edge.
"I should get around to finally buying some formal clothing," he comments. "I get sent to more of these sort of formal meetings and parties much more by the Society than I do because of my poems."
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Seated in one of the comfy chairs, Mahari listens carefully to the briefing, taking notes in her comm unit (or at least that what it looks like she's doing with her comms.)
"Yeah, I've had a little run in with the Authority before. Nothing really came of it, as far as I know, but they're very aggressive. Make most vesk I know look like squox kits."
"Ooh, a meet and greet! C'mon, boys, it'll be fun," she chides the two ysoki. "And always a good opportunity to dig up dirt.. I mean, learn about important people." She gives that predatory smile as her mental gears start turning.
Any information you can gather on their military readiness, willingness to negotiate for peace, or support for intervention would be useful.
"So you actually want me to spy? Double bonus! So who's going to be there, and what do we know about them?"
"I should get around to finally buying some formal clothing,"
"Shopping! Yippee! Let's get all of you the right clothes for this gig. And like you say, you'll use them again." She turns to Radaszam and makes big puppy eyes. "Give us an advance on our pay so we can get these boys dressed right, boss? Pretty please? We'll certainly make a better impression if they're more presentable," she pleads
Azara and Nimh have a bit of trouble recalling what makes these two Near Space entities different than the countless others. Planning an outfit at the same time probably isn't helping either.
Mahari does recall a bit - her personal brush against the edges of the conflict bringing details more readily to mind. The Marixah Republic and the Gideron Authority are both single-system civilizations in Near Space populated by colonists from lost Golarion.
The similarities end there. The Marixah Republic’s population is extremely diverse, including humans, half-elves, and half-orcs, among many others. It is a democracy that deems itself a peer of the Pact Worlds, despite its small size and limited military reach. By contrast, the Gideron Authority is a rising military power ruled by hobgoblins and related species and eager to expand. A recent coup in the Authority overthrew its elected council and replaced it with an authoritarian regime.
That new regime has been pressing territorial claims against the Marixah Republic, in the face of whihc the more pluralistic society of that Republic has not yet fully committed to a unified response to the Authority’s aggression. Mahari suspects one factor in the divided attitudes towards the Gideron Authority on Marixah's end is that the Republic is currently at a resource and military disadvantage compared to their possible enemy - during the Swarm War in 291 AG the Marizans were barely able to muster a limited number of starships to support the Veskarium and the Pact Worlds in the conflict.
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Kat shudders at the mention of formal gatherings and the undead, recalling an evening early in her career with a notable Eoxian celebrity.
"Is formal wear requested by the society? The last time I had to go to something like this they wanted us to look like rugged adventurers. Although, it could be time to spend a little more money on myself. It payed off on my last purchase." she sais as she pats her rifle.
She listens to Mahari's information on the two clans on Kizmatta. "Sounds like a delicate situation there. I sure hope some of you are more chatty than I"
Required? Now. Radaszam reassures you. According to the guest list Director Vekkhad d’Salaz sent over, the reception you'll be attending isn't a grand formal gala. Many of them will be people associated or dealing with Heartfire, but there are a few dignitaries who may be of note for our current situation.
[b]There should be a civil engineer from the Department of Public Works attending; they'll likely have the most influence over the permit process, so you are well advised to focus your efforts there. Another would be the university representative, Professor Mason. Her connections to Heartfire are well-known: she has assisted Director d’Salaz in recruiting students for the corporation, as well as performing contract work for them prior to her appointment to the University. Her inclusion may be an attempt by d’Salaz to influence the negotiations in your favor. There is also someone from the government’s Protocol Office in attendance—this office is a subsidiary of the Marixah Republic’s diplomatic service. Why they should be in attendance we are not certain, except possibly to observe. Director d’Salaz himself will host.
The vesk tries to give a reassuring grin to Kat. I mean not being rude isn't something I should have to tell you. But kind words can only get you up to some doors. Proven competence can show you're worth being let in. Trust me: I've had to do enough events on behalf of the Obsidian Spiders to attest that being able to find a conversation partner able to keep up with deep discussions of tac details or renkroda breeds is a lot more memorably than the hundred empty flatterer.
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Kat almost feels a glimmer of disappointment at not putting on a fine gown. It's a confusing sensation for her, as she's spent her whole operating lifecycle in the same leather jacket that is becoming a little well-worn after many adventures. I'm not sure what that impulse was, I'm going to have to think about what that means. Did I want to dress up? Am I fancy? I've come a long way from the Downlow apparently." a part of her wonders.
"I will try my best, sir. I'm just used to more.. physical solutions to problems. Diplomacy is just so... Nonviolent. Mahari demonstrated what we can accomplish with words against the corpse fleet, so I will try to flow her example. At the very least I will try not to be rude on purpose."
She takes note of the persons of interest. "Have we got any insider information on the guest that we can use to our advantage?"
After a pause she adds, totally deadpan; "Any hot-goss?"
As she asks, she makes a wireless connection to Nihm's terminal and attempts to search the infoshpere for information on their targets.
Unfortunately I haven't been to the Marixah Republic myself Radaszam says. You'll need to pick up the latest local rumors and goings-on once your there. Or in transit: Director D’Salaz has gotten you all a business-class compartment on one of the Republic's state transports. It will be leaving Absalom Station back to the planet Kizmatta this evening, along with various diplomats and mid-level corporate personnel.
Kat doesn't find the local infosphere much more helpful regarding new gossip than Radaszam's words. Teleemo however does recall reading an article not long ago that the Marixah Republic might not be the total pushover they seem from the outside. The Republic allegedly partakes in privateering from Gideron Republic ships. Additionally, a Marixah hobgoblin spy was recently caught infiltrating a key Authority military installation. There are also some indicators that the Republic has been building up its own fleet to advance its claims to diplomatic parity with the Pact Worlds, motivated in some part even before the recent tension with the Gideron Authority as the Marixans were stung by criticism of their contributions against the Swarm decades ago.
Once readied, you all reconvene at one of the station’s hangers where a shuttle takes you out to the Frenata – the moderate-sized Republic shuttle ferrying you to Kizmatta. While true to expectations you six are provided your own modest but comfortable compartment for the day journey, in addition to the pilot and crew there are several dozen other Marixan officials and residents aboard the ship as well
When the Frenata eventually reaches the Republic’s core star system and lands on the planet Kizmatta you find a figure waiting a bit off of the landing pad to welcome you. A half-elf waves you over, dressed in dark red business clothing and with a phoenix half-mask covering the upper half of their face. Starfifnders, yes? Welcome! I hope your trip was pleasant, accommodations up to standards? I am Tioran: the Protocol Office here on Kizmatta has sent me to welcome you to our world, and to assist you should you need a guide for some of our local attractions.
I’m sure the journey must have gotten you a bit cramped up. Come, you can check in and drop you bags off there first if you would like; you’ve been provided rooms at the Azer Road hotel just a block away from the Heartfire corporate headquarters.
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Azara chats up the passengers and crew on the Frenata, talking about the trip, the reasons the people are going from one place to another, their experiences, and handing out (often unsolicited) autographs.
"I've definitely travelled in worse ships. Sometime I'll tell you the story about when we went out in a corpse fleet vessel," Azara answers Tioran.
"We can at least check in at the hotel before going about our business."
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Over the course of the two week long trip, Mahari gets to know all the movers and shakers among the other passengers. The famous Marixan aura-physician, Dr. Matafa-Hanz, shares everything he knows about the various government officials aboard, and his consort, Zesha, has all the latest gossip. The esteemed witchwyrd businessman, Zretipexth, traveling to Kizmatta to close an important arms deal, fills her in on all the businessfolk once she convinces him that her supposed cosmetics business is not a competitor. But it's when she phishes the lonely Ensign Bronwin's login and password to the ship's mainframe that things get really interesting...
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Mahari arrives on Kizmatta wearing what appears to be the latest local fashion, having copied it (with subtle changes) from what the well-heeled residents were wearing on the ship. She fakes a tearful goodbye to the Ensign and promises to check in with Zretipexth when she needs weapons for her entourage (that'd be you guys). Her farewell to the Doctor and Zesha is a bit more ... intimate, and it's a good thing that is was in private in their quarters.
Stretching her legs as she crosses the landing pad, Mahari's got a smile on her face as she looks forward to even more intrigue /fun.
Protocol Office. Hmmm. Sounds like we picked up a babysitter.
"Tioran, hello!" she greets their guide minder. "Yes, the accommodations were quite nice, thank you. Sure, let's drop off our gear. When is the reception, anyway? I tend to lose track of time in the Drift."
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Nimh spent most of the trip in his cabin, catching up on his technical journals.
He will try to chat up the engineering staff for gossip about the system.
Definitely not the worst ship I've been on, and it was a bonus that I didn't have to fix the engines along the way.
Stopping by the hotel sounds like a good idea.
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Kat decides to spend part of her time in transit brushing up on her social protocols. She tries to make small talk, which is something she's read about on the infoshpere.
"You, Marixan, will spider season be over before we arrive on Kizmatta?"
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Once planet side, Kat exits with her crew. She remains silent while she takes in her new surroundings. She doesn't need to drop any luggage off at the hotel, as she has everything she owns in her coat and the rifle on her back.
Spider season? a half-orc replies with a harrumph to Kat. I would hope those drow houses wouldn't be brazen enough to try and offer their 'assistance' here. How much gear and weaponry they're selling to Gideron would be the reason for some of the need in...oh he trails off, looking at the andorid confused. You're asking about a literal spider season? Well then...yes. There isn't a plague of spiders you'll need to worry about on Kizmatta.
Nimh does get some good talks in about the Frenata's specs. The transport ship's engine is well-designed, which according to the crew members is a common point of pride for Marixan craft. Much of the shielding around it in a much more recent model than the base frame though, implying it has recently been upgraded.
Azara makes a few new networking contacts and chums. None of the passengers seems familiar with your work, though at least one does sound intrigued and takes down your contact info 'I guess words and stuff are cool. You read them fast though, right? Anyway to pad them out? My fave Envar hasn't posted a new stream in forever. Really left a content void.' The lashunta also chats with a few ambassadors about some chatter around Vesk-8.
'Archeologists? I'm surprised. Normally the Veskarium puts out calls for gun-hands, not those carrying shovels.'
'I know. But apparently some big higher-up there found something strange out there. Maybe the fact they're better at blowing things up than studying them is the reason they're trying to find some outside assitance.'
Mahari is truly the life of the ship's party party during your almost two weeks aboard. But even the happiest party can sometimes have a down note: over several, several drinks an off-duty ensign confides. Gotta say, glad *hic* glad I pull this leg. Pact Whirl n' back is fine and safe. Me mate's stuck runnin *hic* the Acalata route. That's where gettin real spicy. Gid's pushed us off Sansorgis, then bombed the old sites on it anyway. Just ta show they *hic* could. No tellin what'll do next there...
Tioran smiles at Mahari. The Heartfire reception is late afternoon, at 16:00 local time. If you're tired from the journey you can rest in your rooms of course, but I would be delighted to show you some of the area if you would like. The Kizmatta University has an acclaimed performing arts academy that is holding a dress rehearsal today, and of course there is the Settlement Hall dedicated to Kizmatta's history and colonization.
They will bring you to the hotel swiftly. It's a nice place, fairly upscale with lots of earthen colors and crystalline elements integrated into the decor. Each of you has your own room, which contains a large comfy bed, workstation, shower/bath, and its own balcony with a view overlooking a nearby park. And no bugs!
this is the way
A human aide arrives to Teleemo's room quickly, with a couple of differetn pillow options in a cart: 'different species sometimes can have very specific preferences for softness'
As you pick one and get to chatting, she mentions Yes, and anything else you need, let us know. Everything has been paid for by Director d'Salaz She smiles. They're quite the established family here you know. Vekkhad runs Heartfire now, but his ancestor was one of Kizmatta's earlier immigrant's. Got great success on ore prospecting and some say a few treasure hunts on the side, though you didn't hear it from me and used the riches to found Heartfire Coproation. His heirs then partnered up with the Marixah homeworld's government to help terraform this whole planet to mitigate some of its bad weather. Was the real kick off that made a whole big wave of immigration over here possible - and that was really the start of the Republic's having a lot of non-homeworld interests getting rep'd in the Convocation Hall and the government! She seems quite proud of this last bit.
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Like the ever efficient Kat, Mahari doesn't have anything to drop off. She keeps all her gear in a null-space chamber, and her clothes are a single illusory item that she changes at her whim. Makes living the "nomadical" Starfinder and freelancer life soooo much easier.
She pops by Teleemo's room and sees that he's busy, so she swings by the two ysokis' rooms next. She tells both of them what she noticed about Tioran's mask and asks that they maybe surreptitiously include him in a detect magic sweep at some time. Maybe at the museum, as they're looking at a display and wanting to learn more about how it works or something.
She then bustles them out of their rooms, grabs Kat and Azara, makes sure Teleemo's done flirting, and heads out to find Tioran.
"How about you show us around? Always best to have a local show us the area. Don't be surprised if one or more of us wander off though. These boys can be hard to wrangle," she adds jokingly. In truth, it's far more likely that she'll be the one to wander off if she sees something especially interesting.