Cor grins at the good doctor. "It's tempting, believe me. But I've been given responsibility for the ship, it wouldn't be right to hand it off to someone else. Don't have too much fun without me!"
"If the imperials call, the call can be transferred. But if you want to stay we can go see what we can figure out." Crastor says and then goes to prep his ship to head down and see what he can find out.
By the way, the remaining ship's officers (including you) have been invited to a reception at City Hall in 24 hours time.
Cor, are you declining the City's invitation to the ball?
Maybe you missed the City Hall post?
By the way, the remaining ship's officers (including you) have been invited to a reception at City Hall in 24 hours time.
There's no right answer here, Cor. Do you think things are going to blow up or run smoothly? If it does go to hell, do you want to be on the bridge of a cargo ship or with your crewmates?
Sundstrom and the most senior officers are on another continent right now.
City Hall invited Skander's senior officers to a reception. You are the most senior officer currently on the ship. You were left in charge by Sundstrom and Aldonov, but not ordered to remain aboard the ship. You will have to decide whether you think your duty requires you to remain aboard or permits you to perform diplomatic and mercantile duties.
Sundstrom responds to Cor's query with a short message.
"Mister Anders:"
"The ship and the interests of the expedition rest in your capable hands. I leave it to you, as commander on scene, to assess the best course of action. If you deem that the ship is in danger, you are to remain aboard and take appropriate action. If you deem the ship secure, leave a watchstander in command and proceed to the reception. Our relations here are important, as discussed in my briefing. The captain and I have faith in your abilities."
"Sundstrom out."
Nodding at the response, Cor summons the highest-ranking officer remaining onboard and notifies them he'll be headed to the reception with the other senior officers. "Keep a sharp eye on that Imperial frigate up there, especially. If it acts oddly, or if you intercept any transmissions, send me a message immediately."
With that, he makes one last pass through the ship on his way back to his quarters, to make sure all seems secure and running smoothly. Then he changes into his best attire and joins up with the others as they make their way to the reception.
After supervising the unloading of several tons of mail and ethanol from Skander’s holds, Zaeta heads out to check out the trade opportunities available on this low-tech but vital planet. Crastor goes with her, intent on prowling the brokerages for good deals and looking forward to unwinding in a pub or two in the evening. Freyjason comes along, convinced that he could make a fortune peddling medical supplies from further Coreward or indeed from Narsil itself. Cor busies himself with keeping the ship operating smoothly for the moment.
The city is large and active. Big internal-combustion vehicles bustle down the roads while people move about on wide sidewalks. Thousands of citizens go about their lives, barely sparing a glance for your strange offworld clothes. Humans of a dozen ethnicities walk side by side or argue over the prices of fruit and newspapers. The dress of these people seems to vary by sex. Women dress in colorful wide shoulders and narrow-waisted pants that emphasize an hourglass figure while men dress in straight-legged trousers and wide-brimmed hats, whether laborers or bankers, all in shades of gray or blue or beige.
You spot more police on the streets than you expected and at major intersections there are soldiers checking identification papers at checkpoints. This wasn’t in the briefing.
So, um, are you armed? If so, how?
Crastor is unarmed.
Zaeta starts out carrying her stunner and sword, but if it looks like they are checking for weapons at the first checkpoint they have to go to, she'll go back to the ship and leave her sword there. She'll still carry the stunner unless she knows for sure it is forbidden.
Frey would also be unarmed
Touching his collar to activate voice control for his vacc suit comp, Frey says, "Frigg: check local news chatter for any mention of police activity, martial law, or heightened enforement moves in the city."
Zaeta, the police stop you and get agitated when they find the stunner. "What's this then?!" but are soon mollified when they find you're an offworlder. "Oh, that's alright then. Non-military hardware is okay. Off you go."
Strange.
Frigg cycles for a few seconds, then responds. "There is little information available on the increased police presence, Doctor. But it would seem to correlate to reports of increased political agitation between the so-called 'Outlanders' and 'Zoners' - those from outside or inside the influence of the major cities like this one. There are scattered reports of fighting in some of the more distant cities."
Freyjason knows that low-tech Bularia doesn't have a worldnet per se. Frigg is getting her information from the downport's net.
"Team, we need to be careful. I certainly was not previously aware that there's local political unrest here: a weaponized version of the Country Mouse and the City Mouse fable as it were. We need to be mindful of the tensions. Could be an opportunity, could be a stumbling block. Do we send a heads-up to the Owner?"
Definitely.
She instructs the intelligent interface on her portable to forward the information, just in case he hasn't already learned of the issues.
Those of you seeking out information can narrate how you do it and make a roll. Broker is appropriate, as might be Streetwise, Investigation, Carouse or anything else you can convince the Ref of.
Crastor is just going to make a circuit of the area appearing non-descript but trying to hear conversations between the police and those they talk to. He keeps his own papers handy and freely works with any officer that stops to talk to him.
Satisfied that her weapons aren't going to be taken away from her, Zaeta proceeds to the building where the party is to be held, waiting outside until the others arrive so that they can go in together.
While she waits, she relaxes with her datapad, looking at it, but actually listening intently for the bits of conversation she might overhear from others queuing to go into the event.
It is not possible to say for sure when the Bularia rebellion started. At some point the cattle raids and general trouble-making became more organized and increasingly serious, until today there is a clear armed threat to the stability of Bularia. This arose out of differences between the people of the Inner Zone and at least some of those living in the outback. The ‘Zoners’, as the people of the Inner Zone are termed, generally thought the ‘Outlanders’ complained too much. The Outlanders found the Zoners arrogant and uncaring about their very real problems. Neither group ever really understood the other’s viewpoint, making it impossible to head off the rebellion by concessions and conciliation.
Many of the supporters of what has become a very nasty revolt were decent people who had no idea what was about to happen. Most gave a little money to their favored cause and talked about the evils of the present society because they thought they were exercising their right to dissent rather than funding a rebellion. Others got involved because it was chic to be a tough-talking revolutionary.
Bularia’s Defense Corps is organized in three ‘tiers’, each with a specific task. All Defense Corps personnel have law enforcement powers and also act as fire and rescue personnel. Far more time is spent on these ‘civic’ duties than on military operations with the exception of tier one personnel. As a result, Bularia’s armed forces are not well trained in combat operations, but have considerable low-level experience of dealing with crisis and disaster. The only purely military force is the high-tech tier one contingent.
Tier One: The smallest and most expensive segment of the world’s defensive forces is dedicated to the protection of the starport and government apparatus, and enforcement of laws on off-worlders. Its main asset is a missile battery and tracking station located close to the starport. This is manned by the Tech Company of the Defense Corps which, along with the Mobile Company, absorbs most of the world’s small defense budget.
Tier Two: The second tier is a small conventional military force intended to back up and support the tier one contingent. It rarely deploys outside the Inner Zone. Each city and major town has a small Guard Detachment of light infantry equipped with locally produced weapons, backed up by the Field Force. The Field Force is mostly deployed as small detachments to deal with local problems, with a couple of larger formations held in reserve.
Most mid-tech units are mounted infantry, i.e. light infantry using horses or kian for mobility. Each company has a couple of hydrocarbon-powered off-road trucks for support and supply purposes. In the towns there are also fire trucks, ambulances and patrol cars.
Tier Three: The Mounted Constabulary fulfills the same functions in the outback regions as the tier two forces in the Inner Zone and in addition patrols the wilderness. Most of the time the Mounted Constabulary deals with disputes between ranchers or yellow leaf growers or chases down criminals who have fled to the outer regions. It is supposedly a military force, despite the name, but in practice the Constabulary does not train for large-scale military operations. Its personnel are effective enough in small unit actions but could not take on a proper military force without taking heavy casualties.
Cor, Skander receives a briefing from the government urging that you arrive with "due pomp and attire." This seems to mean you should arrive in a motorcade, tuxedos or suits and evening dresses, and also to expect lots of local press attention. A discreet note at the end of the communique grants you "limited diplomatic status," which means you are entitled to bring security people who are discreetly armed.
In short, it's fine to wear body pistols and stunners. It's not okay to wear combat armor and combat rifles. Skander has three ground cars for just such an occasion. They're discreet and unmarked, but perfect for the occasion.
Given the tension in the city, you should plan exactly who you're bringing, how each of you are dressed and what you have with you.
Ten hours to the reception now.
Crastor will visit some merchants to see what he can find out about local markets.
Crastor finds an elderly man named Veliman, a semi-retired captain of a tramp trader out of the Five Sisters subsector. Veliman knows Bularia very well, having lived here for many years and for the price of a few drinks, is eager enough to share all he knows with the young Sword Worlder engineer.
The economy of Bularia is self-contained for astrographical reasons. Any port worth exporting to requires a jump-2 vessel and even then the route runs through underdeveloped star systems with poor starports. For this reason, among others, Bularia has never developed any significant exports.
The official Tech Level is 5; towards the lower end of the mid-tech range. This is a ‘mature’ technological capability and most of the items made by the world’s major industries are robust, well-designed and quite sophisticated for all their lack of complex electronic systems. Bularia does not have the means to create advanced materials or electronics but has benefited from the ideas behind more advanced technologies. As a result, much of the TL5 equipment made on Bularia is better than it would be on a world where the technology had been developed from the ground up and represented the most advanced concepts available.
Within the Inner Zone, Tech Level is a fairly uniform 5, utilizing advanced steam power for transportation and electricity generation. There is some higher-technology equipment available of course, mainly used to run the starport and create a communications net. However, visitors will find that their personal communications will only work properly within the Inner Zone. Beyond this its range is limited to a few kilometers as there are no relays in the outback or satellites in orbit. This means that citizen votes and information to and from distant settlements must use long landlines for voice communications and mid-tech radios in the field.
Bularia has a hydrocarbon industry and much of the fuel in use takes the form of a compressed coal/oil block that gives out a great deal of energy at a steady rate when burned. This is mainly useful on a larger scale, so the usual system is to run electrical generating stations using fuel blocks to generate steam, driving turbines. Electricity is then fed into a local grid to power the town. Smaller blocks are used to fuel stoves and household heating systems, although cordwood and locally obtained coal can also be used.
Fuel blocks are only produced in the Inner Zone, at three sites, and then transported to the end users. In the more remote areas of the outback it is more common to use less efficient locally available fuels and everyone has a stockpile of logs or coal as a backup.
Beyond the Inner Zone, technological capability drops off quickly. Most outback towns have a locally sustainable TL4 with some imported TL5 gear from the Inner Zone. Regions tend to be self-sufficient as the only connection to the Inner Zone is a long railroad link and telephone cables running alongside. Some of these links run for up to 1,500 kilometers with nothing but fueling and water stops along the way. Extensive use is made of steam-powered rail transportation on Bularia.
Visitors are often surprised at just how sophisticated the trains are. Rather than a traditional steam locomotive, Bularian trains are powered by an enclosed, high-efficiency steam turbine heated using fuel blocks fed in by a semi-automated gravity feed. Manual access is possible for emergencies and maintenance. Although the technology in use is bulky and mechanical rather than electronic, it is well made and lovingly maintained.
For local transport, animal power is common. Horses and kian are both used. Kian are large flightless birds native to the Spinward Marches and bred on many worlds across Charted Space. Attempts have been made to introduce poni, large eight-legged animals, as beasts of burden but these have not been a great success.
Bularia’s internal economy is mainly based on hydrocarbon/coal powered manufacturing for local use. There are few worlds that would be a good market amount of mid-tech produce in return for a smaller amount of higher-tech items useful to the Bularians and sell them on low-tech or underdeveloped regions nearby. However, the remoteness of Bularia makes this a marginal proposition at best.
Exports are few and therefore there is little offworld cash to buy higher-tech items or to invest in advancing the world’s own technological base. On the other hand there is little need. Bularia has a stable, workable society and economy, sufficient to keep most of its people happy or at least content. There is no real need to sink vast funds into pushing up to the dizzy heights of TL6 or 7.
Bularia does have some exports, however. Some agricultural produce is shipped out, much of it to worlds in the Five Sisters. The most important export, however, is yellow leaf, a paste or pulp made from the yellow-green leaves of a native bushy plant. Yellow leaf has slight medicinal properties. It is a natural analgesic, albeit a mild one, promotes restful sleep and has a slightly beneficial effect on the human (and some other species) immune system. Yellow leaf tea tastes rather peculiar when first encountered but most grow to like it over time and it has passed into what amounts to folklore that a cup or two a day makes for a healthier life.
In recent years, pharmaceutical researchers have begun investigating yellow leaf but have generally considered it not worth exporting. However, it recently gained popularity in athletic circles as sports nutrition experts suggested that it might have beneficial effects for those training while carrying sports injuries. This has led to increased demand, to the point where existing plantations are unable to keep pace. Most are expanding but this will take time. There is thus a move to start bringing in larger quantities of yellow leaf from the outback, where it is grown for local use.
After meeting with the other senior officers left aboard as well as his crewmates, Cor figures that Security Chief Grete Haugen and Johannes Sogard should accompany them in the motorcade. Chief Pilot Yukio Shimada is left in charge of the Skander, and Cor asks them to notify him immediately if the Imperial frigate does anything unusual.
He suggests that everyone take sidearms and batons, but reminds them that under no circumstances are they to antagonize any government troops or officials. This rebellion that brews in the outlying areas are none of their concern. Who is right and who is wrong cannot be determined by their own limited intelligence on the situation and their orders as dictated by Sundstrom must be followed.
Zaeta wears a stunning evening dress and has her stunner in her clutch purse, which she keeps with her.
She sends a message out to the group, detailing what she has learned about the rebellion from listening outside the gate.
Standard tux/suit, but comfigured SEXI
Frey needs to be the fashion icon
Even his sidearm, the laser pistol, looks black tie
The casing and everything is hard to see against his reconfigured tux
The reception is at the City Administrative Compound and it is obvious that the locals have pulled out all the stops to impress their visitors. Crowds (small ones and carefully selected, given the travel restrictions) gawk at your motorcade as you drive to the central administrative building and camera lights flash as each of you steps out of the vehicles.
"Over here!"
"Look this way!
"Who are you wearing?"
"Can we see a pose? Um, no, I meant her."
"Show us some Sword Worlds swagger!"
Your hosts lead you into the building, away from the cameras and crowds. You are treated as visiting dignitaries, your armed security personnel standing discretely by.
Zaeta waves to the crowd, smiling and posing as asked. She feels fairly confident that her subdermal armor will protect her from most of what this tech level has to offer, so she doesn't tuck her head and hurry in or anything, but she does get in between the crowd and any of her friends if they seem worried or want to rush in... she's happy to be the distraction and take the unwanted limelight.
Cor does his best to convey the confidence he should be exhibiting as an officer, but he isn't at ease with crowds and the like. His years as a scout refined his self-reliance and preference to be alone for long periods of time. Still, he is also a professional and his time spent in the Army serves him in maintaining self-discipline and following orders. This is just another mission, after all. He gives several perfunctory waves with a smile on his face, but doesn't try and feed the crowd. In fact, he is watchful for any signs of potential danger as he surveys the people surrounding the building.
The reception is at the City Administrative Compound and it is obvious that the locals have pulled out all the stops to impress their visitors. Crowds (small ones and carefully selected, given the travel restrictions) gawk at your motorcade as you drive to the central administrative building and camera lights flash as each of you steps out of the vehicles.
"Over here!"
"Look this way!
"Who are you wearing?"
"Can we see a pose? Um, no, I meant her."
"Show us some Sword Worlds swagger!"
Your hosts lead you into the building, away from the cameras and crowds. You are treated as visiting dignitaries, your armed security personnel standing discretely by.
"Kind of a shame wouldn't you say?"
Freyjason smiles and waves expansively: EVERY person in that crowd felt waved to
"Kind of a shame the party is ONLY black tie ..."
The energy rolling of of him had raised millions for the hospital, it was palpable
"Kind of a shame no one raised the ante ... am I right!?!?!? Kind of a shame no one thought, this could be like a state dinner! They could've billed this party as ... White Tie!"
Pure mischief plays across the doctor's face
Frey winks at some nearby journalists, touches his collar and says, "FRIGG, White Tie Protocol, now" ... then whirls 90' towards the upcoming stairway, just like the James Bond gun barrel sequence, his tux now bright white, his laser pistol pitch black, and the deep deep red of his sighting laser striking the steps ahead of him.
"Sword World's Swagger, as requested!
The crowd loves Zaeta and Freyjason and doesn't seem to mind Cor's stoic demeanor. Cameras whirr and buzz and the small crowd seems electrified... these people are starved for entertainment, clearly!
Inside, the reception is held in a large echoing hall with polished wood and dramatic marble staircases. It takes you a moment to realize that this used to be a train station. A small band plays classic in one corner while dozens of government employees and politicians rub elbows with business and civic leaders, eating canapes carried about by waiters in black tie. It's not the most exciting party you've ever been to but it's clear that the local leaders have really pulled out all the stops to impress.
A trim lady in a white gown approaches. She appears to be in her 50's, with silver-gray hair. "Good evening and welcome," she says. "Thank you for coming. I am Heleana Burke, Minister for Offworld Affairs. Please, enjoy the reception. I'm your host for the evening. I would be pleased to discuss the trade situation with you after you've had a chance to make the rounds and taste the wine."
She spots two Imperial naval officers nearby and says "Oh, may I present the representatives of the Imperial Navy. Lieutenant Carstairs and Lady Estrella Harben-Erataria who is, I am given to understand, a cadet in his Majesty's Navy. Both are from the cruiser in orbit, the Mnasippus."
Carstairs is a ruddy-faced young man who looks uncomfortable in his crisp dress whites while the even younger Lady Estrella looks both relaxed and graceful in hers. Each wears a sword belt, but the swords are not in evidence.
"Pleased to meet you," says Carstairs courteously. Lady Estrella smiles and puts forth her hand. "It's lovely to make your acquaintance," she says. "I'd very much like to hear more about your mission. It sounds exciting."
"Lady Estrella, clearly named for the stars she outshines, " Frey takes the offered hand, bows over it ever so slightly, placing the barest of kisses on it before raising his head to look into the Cadet's eyes. "Dr. Freyja of Narsil, FreyJason son of Freyja; You will dance with me later, yes?"
Would you like to dance? Zaeta asks Carstairs.
... Divide and conquer, as they say.
Cor bows to Heleana Burke and responds. "It would be a pleasure. Thank you for inviting us this evening."
When introduced to the two Imperials, he salutes (or whatever the usual protocol would be for such an introduction) and gives Lady Estrella a small smile as Freyjason responds with his usual enthusiasm. "Corellon Anders, First Officer of the Skandersvik. I'm afraid a trading vessel like ours would fail to live up to your expectations of excitement. Unless you dabble in accounting, I suppose. I rather think you'd have much more exciting stories. Are you and Lieutenant Carstairs here on Imperial business or for pleasure?" As Carstairs doesn't seem to be interested in chit-chat, he directs his questions toward Lady Estrella.
Cor makes small talk as needed, but talks little about their own mission save for the well-known knowledge that Magnus Sundstrom is making one final voyage to re-visit the life of an intergalactic trader before settling down for good with his vast fortune. In return, he will try to gently probe as to why the Imperials are present here on Bularia.
Cor bows to Heleana Burke and responds. "It would be a pleasure. Thank you for inviting us this evening."
When introduced to the two Imperials, he salutes (or whatever the usual protocol would be for such an introduction) and gives Lady Estrella a small smile as Freyjason responds with his usual enthusiasm. "Corellon Anders, First Officer of the Skandersvik. I'm afraid a trading vessel like ours would fail to live up to your expectations of excitement. Unless you dabble in accounting, I suppose. I rather think you'd have much more exciting stories. Are you and Lieutenant Carstairs here on Imperial business or for pleasure?" As Carstairs doesn't seem to be interested in chit-chat, he directs his questions toward Lady Estrella.
Cor makes small talk as needed, but talks little about their own mission save for the well-known knowledge that Magnus Sundstrom is making one final voyage to re-visit the life of an intergalactic trader before settling down for good with his vast fortune. In return, he will try to gently probe as to why the Imperials are present here on Bularia.
Another cadet would probably be embarrassed and defer to her superior, but Cadet Harben-Erataria is also Lady Harben-Erataria and she doesn't hesitate. "It's a routine patrol of neighboring systems. Bularia is an Imperial ally and lies only two parsecs beyond Imperial borders. So we show the flag, support our allies, suppress piracy and get trained all at the same time. Mnasippus is what I believe the Sword Worlds call a frigate, but the Imperium calls it a 'vanguard cruiser' because of its multi-role capabilities and usual posting on the borders."
"Yes," adds Lieutenant Carstairs. "Allies are reassured to see an Imperial warship from time to time, but almost nobody wants a battleship showing up in their system. So the vanguard cruiser is a happy medium from their point of view."
"Lady Estrella, clearly named for the stars she outshines, " Frey takes the offered hand, bows over it ever so slightly, placing the barest of kisses on it before raising his head to look into the Cadet's eyes. "Dr. Freyja of Narsil, FreyJason son of Freyja; You will dance with me later, yes?"
The cadet smiles at the gallant doctor and offers her hand. "Why wait, Doctor? There is no time like the present!"
The cadet quite properly allows the older and more senior man to lead, but the noble lady has clearly had training on the dance floor.
Would you like to dance? Zaeta asks Carstairs.
... Divide and conquer, as they say.
The lieutenant blushes and seems surprised. "Ummm, yes," he says, clearly uncertain. "I suppose that would...be... nice."
Carstairs is probably a good officer and engineer, but he is no dancer. Zaeta has her work cut out for her. On the other hand, he seems grateful that she knows what do and is trying not to look foolish for the honor of his ship and service.
Cor will make the rounds and 'taste the wine' before making his way back to Minister Burke. In particular, he speaks to a few government officials and a few of the civic leaders to get their take on the Imperial presence, as he does his best to steer the conversation in that direction after a bit of small talk. Though Cor is normally reticent by nature, the scout and ex-Army man does know how to have a good time at these sorts of parties (usually once he's had a drink or two to calm his nerves a bit) and he has many interesting stories to relate. In any case, he tries to get a good idea of what the local government and other political leaders think of the Imperial presence by pointing out the very striking Lady Estrella and Lieutenant Carstairs - the latter of whom almost seems to defer to the lower ranking cadet during the party - in an effort to steer the conversation in an organic sort of way without seeming as though he's trying to gather such information purposefully.
Eventually, he makes his way back to Minister Burke and gives the older woman a smile. "A very fine party indeed. Again, thank you for the invitation. Shall I gather the others to speak of those trade considerations you had mentioned earlier this evening?"
After dancing with Carstairs and others, trying to gather information, Zaeta also returns to Minister Burke to discuss trade.
"Lady Estrella, clearly named for the stars she outshines, " Frey takes the offered hand, bows over it ever so slightly, placing the barest of kisses on it before raising his head to look into the Cadet's eyes. "Dr. Freyja of Narsil, FreyJason son of Freyja; You will dance with me later, yes?"
"Milady, tell me, the Navy! I certainly know why I ended up serving as a doctor on Narsil, but yourself: why the Navy? I'm not even suggesting that you could simply have been beautiful, as much as maybe even inquiring what drew you to Naval service? You had to have had many choices ..."
Frey smiles, quite earnestly in fact. In his own case, medicine was the family business. He had to wonder if this young lady was from a naval family ...
Crastor has trouble with all of the attention as the group enters the area. When they are in he drifts towards where he can get a drink and then slowly make his way around the room trying to just get a feel for those in attendance.
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"Milady, tell me, the Navy! I certainly know why I ended up serving as a doctor on Narsil, but yourself: why the Navy? I'm not even suggesting that you could simply have been beautiful, as much as maybe even inquiring what drew you to Naval service? You had to have had many choices ..."
Frey smiles, quite earnestly in fact. In his own case, medicine was the family business. He had to wonder if this young lady was from a naval family ...
"Public service is considered an important aspect of training for a life of privilege in my family, Doctor. We have a tradition in the navy going back to the Civil War. I will probably serve until I am a Lieutenant and then retire to my family's estates."
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The mood in the great reception room changes suddenly. A wave of small beeping noises announces that many of the important people in the room are receiving urgent messages.
A rattle in the distance is clearly gunfire. A muffled explosion whumps through the air not far away. A large display screen flares to life, looming over the crowd, revealing a shocking scene. A distinguished looking gentleman in an expensive suit is making an announcement. It is terse but threatening.
"The Bularia First movement is now in control of the capital and the governmental apparatus. Citizens are advised to remain indoors and await instructions. Military forces are ordered to stand down and return to barracks. Those who comply will be offered amnesty. Further information will follow."
The broadcast repeats at intervals, with images of surrendered government forces playing in between.
One of the serving staff suddenly brandishes a submachinegun and climbs onto a table as others draw handguns.
"This building is now under control of the Bularia First movement," the bogus waiter declares. "Surrender your communication devices and weapons. No harm will come to you if you comply."
His associates gesture at a table, indicating items are to be placed there.
Your comms...and those of Lady Estrella and Lieutenant Commander Carstairs... begin indicating incoming calls.
Cor immediately ducks into a side passage, if there is one nearby. He will look for any makeshift weapons as he answers the comm quietly - especially if he can find a room (bathroom, unlocked door, etc.)
Crastor will play along with the "waiter" for now while he waits to see what the locals in the room do.
Zaeta flips her comm unit to silent and slips it into her handbag.
She then sits down on the floor in a pose of meekness, not making any moves for now, and waiting to see how things fall out.