Not a huge surprise. Kaz doesnt navigate this well.
Neither Chip nor Kaz have any luck navigating the bureaucracy.
“Looks like whatever happens, we’re in it together! I'm out too!” she says, with characteristic optimism. “Once we do this thing for Sinjin, we’ll be independent at last! No one’ll tell us what to do. I’ll find you all the work you need—for a modest administrative fee, of course—and the universe will be your open road. I got a nice little package too.
If you check out your balance, I added some markers for parts and labor.”
Chip actually gives a small smile. Tarika, I had a feeling you would do this, but I didn't want to voice the hope. I'm glad you're with us.
He pauses, then adds Maybe we should start calling you "Charlie."
She doesn't understand Chip's reference, but she nods on the vid like she does....
The Horse Eye Orbital Plate derives its name from Aballon’s ancient nickname, “The Horse.” Although few call the world by that name now, the Horse Eye Orbital Plate was founded before the Gap by a coalition that included species from lost Golarion. Many corporations use the massive starship construction facility simultaneously, generally subcontracting to anacite firms for the actual construction. Only the employees and shareholders of the various corporations that use the plate are allowed entry; fortunately, most of you are now shareholders in EJ Corp.
Unfortunately, without a ship of your own, you have to pay to get there... Grand total, the trip costs 1,000 credits and it takes 5 days.
When you emerge from the Drift, you see Aballon, a small gray planetoid covered in enormous high-tech metroplexes separated by mountain ranges and the occasional crater. It takes a few hours to reach the Horse Eye Orbital Plate, a miles-long floating factory with a flat upper surface covered in solar collection panels forever angled toward the sun. Starships in various states of construction—most of them barely visible among scaffolding, robotic cranes, and a swarm of workers—hang like bats from the shadowed bottom of the facility. Among these vessels is a colossal bulk cruiser plated in gold—one of the legendary commerce barges manufactured by followers of the Prophecies of Kalistrade. Your passenger liner docks in the middle levels of the plate, where workers and guests are housed. An anacite worker briefly inspects your identification against a database of authorized visitors. As each of you is cleared for entry, the anacite checking their credentials informs you, “Shareholders are authorized to travel freely in the Horse Eye Orbital Plate, but some corporations maintain restricted areas. You must secure separate authorization for entry to each of these regions. The Horse Eye Orbital Plate is not responsible for injury or inconvenience resulting from failure to obtain this authorization. Do you understand?”
The vesk gives a curt nod to the anacite worker. Kaz carries his pack with extra weapons tied to the exterior.
As they step out of the swirl of people. Kaz whispers to the others So, where do we think this special ship would be?
The vesk keeps a sharp eye out.
Perception
“Looks like whatever happens, we’re in it together! I'm out too!”
"I am releived to hear you say that. Leaving you behind at EJ was my biggest regret. I would be delighted if you helped us find work on our own. In fact, if you could keep an eye out for a cheap ship to get us started, that would be super helpful."
"The Horse Eye Orbital Plate is not responsible for injury or inconvenience resulting from failure to obtain this authorization. Do you understand?”
"Yes. We understand and expect no less."
Aldo proceeds with his eyes wide open, looking at the security of the site and personnel in the area.
The party doesn't see any signs or overhear any chatter around their immediate area that would help.
Aldo tries to find out what he can about securing authorization to enter each of the areas.
Aldo starts asking around. Looks like there are five areas on the Horse Eye Orbital Plate that are both Company-controlled and have restricted access. Free tours are available for the station, so Aldo jumps in on one.
The tour gives a broad overview of the Horse Eye Orbital Plate. These tours do not enter any restricted areas, but they provide a convenient alibi for reconnaissance of Company facilities and, potentially, access to computers that might provide more information if hacked. It takes most of the day to do enough tours to catch all the locations, but on your last tour, you overhear something that pricks your thumbs.
As you visit the last of these facilities, located near the bottom of the plate, you spot a human woman dressed head to toe in white, walking and talking to an unusual, mantis-shaped anacite. As the woman walks by, ignoring you as simple tourists, her anacite companion says to her, “After so much overtime, employees are discontent and are beginning to pose a security risk. After so much overtime, employees are discontent and are beginning to pose a security risk.”
“Give everyone a few days off,” the woman replies. “We’ve come in on time and under budget. They deserve a chance to celebrate.”
The anacite comes back with a quick, “This is satisfactory,” as they exit through a secure door into a restricted area marked with the EJ Corp logo.
Her attire is striking, and likely identifies her station,
Aldo relays all that he has seen and heard with his companions, especially after recalling the striking woman.
"I don't recall anyone ever being quite so magnanimous by actually giving an EJ worker a few days off. Also, the security risk is interesting. I wonder if we can put any of this to use?"
"Sounds like an opportunity to me."
Aldo identifies the woman’s clothing as the uniform of a follower of the Prophecies of Kalistrade.
"Sounds like an opportunity to me."
Can you hack one of the computers, while we are on this tour?
Indeed, just need a Computers check.
Angel, you are more skilled in computers than I am. I will provide you assistance, though...
"I don't recall anyone ever being quite so magnanimous by actually giving an EJ worker a few days off. Also, the security risk is interesting. I wonder if we can put any of this to use?"
Chip quirks up one side of his mouth. Perhaps we're unfamiliar with EJ Corp's mangnanimity, because we've never come in on time and under budget.
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"This should be child's play."
Angel has no problem getting in whatsoever, though it does require bypassing a firewall AND catching a hidden alarm. Chip looking over his shoulder is just icing on the cake. Not only does Angel locate the correct building, he even finds a map of it!
This is alittle more awkward over pbp.
Do we know when the company is giving most of these people some time off. So we can pull this off with minimal security?
We have the map.
Any other thoughts? Should we try some sort of disguises, or just wear our EJ flight suit/uniforms?
The party couldn't find any information on the security itself.
What about the ship itself? Does it have a physical key? Or do we need apasscode to get it going? He looks at Angel, Chip, and Vizinni. Or can you guys hack/hotwire it no problem?
Aldo looks for places where Angel may be able to access the security system information on a computer network. Are there alarms that can be deactivated?
With a little luck, he hopes he can find some employee that may be able to give him some of that information.
Aldo doesn't really make headway, though he can answer Kaz's question that it shouldn't require a password...
”Yo, let’s just take a walk, like we belong here. Standing around is gonna attract unwanted attention. ”
Alfonse starts the team off scoping out the building.
Walking like you belong there, it's a short trek from the end of the last tour to the building. There's a sign out front, Closed! Our amazing and hard working staff have earned a day off. No visitors today. Come back tomorrow."
Alfonse takes a look around, specifically looking for cameras and guards.
"Sounds like the perfect day to let ourselves in for a look around."
Angel investigates the lock, if there is one. If it can be hacked, she does so (assuming there are no cameras around).
Alfonse doesn't see any security cameras outside, which is actually a bit worrisome. He does manage to find a small sliver in the window opacity film that lets him see inside. There's a very bored looking android at the main entrance desk. His feet are up on the desk, and it looks like he's counting ceiling tiles.
"Yo! This might be the perfect time to fast talk ourselves past the front desk guard. Let me get up a good head of steam, and I'll have that android's head spinning! You guys just need t' back me up! Whatchoo all think?"
"Why not? What could go wrong?"
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"Never ask that question!"
"I can back you up, Vizzini, but you've got to tell me your story. What's the deception? What are you going to say when they ask you what we are doing here?"
Kaz shrugs his shoulders and gives a nod.
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"So, we're a new crew that just came in last night, and we left some of our gear on the ship. We're just gonna go in and quickly grab it. Was kinda critical, as it ha our receipts and stuff, and we ain't gonna get paid unless we have the docos, if you know what I mean!
"How does that sound?"
"Sounds good to me. What's the worst that could happen?"
"That sounds reasonable. We could sell that pretty easily to most of those security agents. However, Angel, could you kindly not ask what the worst is that could happen? I would prefer not to contemplate that."
This oddly shaped room boasts a two-story ceiling. Two doors lead out of this chamber behind a podium. Several chairs line the front wall on either side of the door. The door on the left is clearly labeled, "Eline Reisora, Executive Vice President”.
The android at the desk immediately puts his foot down and stands up, "Excuse me, you can't be here."
Kaz looks very casual and lets one of the others take the lead speaking with the android security.
"Hey, how's it going?"
"Excuse me, you can't be here."
"You got that right. We need to be out of here enjoying our 'free' time. Don't get me going. Unfortunately, we're the one crew that has been assigned work duty on the Oliphaunt when they are releasing all those other employees! I mean, what the hell were they thinking? Can you actually believe that they would treat us like that?! You would think they would save their maintenance for another day. So, my dear, let's get this work day over with. Open the door so we can get in and get our job done before they dock us pay for being late."
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What about the ship itself? Does it have a physical key? Or do we need apasscode to get it going? He looks at Angel, Chip, and Vizinni. Or can you guys hack/hotwire it no problem?
Chip tips his head sideways, looking directly at Kaz for about half a beat too long. Then he hitches a half smile...
If hacking in is required, I can do it...
...and his voice deepens a bit.
”Yeah, yeah, it’s a bloody tragedy. I wuz just tryin’ to get some time to go visit the family. Never enough time for that when you have over a hundred nieces and nephews. Wuz all great, had my tickets and everything, when we got the call to come in. Celebrate the employees, is it? I’ll bet most of them are gonna spend their day off spending their paycheck in the company canteen, anyway. ”
Aldo's attempt to diplomatically bypass the guard seems to be failing, fast, when he switches to a bit of high speed savoir-faire. The guard.... buys it!
"Just be quick in and out, but make sure you sign in here."
Aldor keeps up his performance and goes over and signs in by scribbling the name of "Jakmar Lanceshaw", the nastiest slouch on the factory floor. He then proceeds to the door where he holds it open for the others.
The question is.... which door?
The center door that leads onward into the complex.
The white walls and metal floors throughout Project Oliphaunt are kept spotless. Looking at the various paths available to you, you spy the "janitor".
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Aldor keeps up his performance and goes over and signs in by scribbling the name of "Jakmar Lanceshaw", the nastiest slouch on the factory floor. He then proceeds to the door where he holds it open for the others.
chip pauses for the briefest of beats before writing Harvey Manfrengensen
Aldor keeps up his performance and goes over and signs in by scribbling the name of "Jakmar Lanceshaw", the nastiest slouch on the factory floor. He then proceeds to the door where he holds it open for the others.chip pauses for the briefest of beats before writing Harvey Manfrengensen
Kaz scribbles "Guy Hemipenes" and casually walks in with the others.
Alfonse signs the register as "Twitch" and moves on with the others.
”Well, let’s go do our ‘critical testing’, so I can get back to the family. You got this, Guy?”