"I agree! Let's go!"
taking the time for the computer upgrade now might save us more time in the race
taking the time for the computer upgrade now might save us more time in the race
...but probably not enough. Let's go
"I thought of that as well, Chip, but I think we better not delay any further. Let's go. Besides, Kaz is thinking that we need to boost our weapon systems more than the computers. He may be right, you know."
Rygan Vuul’s place is in the Sparks, so the party grabs a taxi and heads straight there. There's enough time to search the 'Sphere on him and his place.
"I know a vesk who knows a ysoki who heard about Rygan Vuul. Let me see if I can find him."
Yeah, Aldo's heard a rumor alright.... Vuul espouses a philosophy he calls “singularity,” by which he means the pursuit of an infinite existence through undeath, and he prefers to sell his hand-crafted augmentations to fellow believers. As a result, many of his clients have become his followers, revering him as a living god.
Kaz already has a poor opinion of this person. But he is a professional and keeps his mouth shut. He will let the Captain and the others do the talking. His just will be to keep aware of the surroundings and potential danger. And to look scary enough that nobody wants to mess with their party.
”Im not sure I like the message of this guy, Vuul, but if we can make a little credit off of this job we can get some of those weapons that Kaz has been looking at. When we go in boys, let’s keep our eyes out.”
Angel examines the door and gives a listen.
"Seems fine."
Chip takes a look at the door.
Kaz will give a knock and open the door.
The door opens automatically. Immediately you feel like you're in a fishbowl as cameras jut out from every corner.
The double door to the southeast is flanked by small plants with blood-red flowers and segmented leaves that resemble finger bones. On the northwest wall, a computer with two large screens displays promotional videos and a user interface you can use to contact Rygan. When touched, the interface prompts:
"User to identify yourselves. If you have a scheduled meeting, please confirm with your code below. If not, please record a brief message and we will reply with as little delay as possible."
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Angel strides forwards.
"No worries, we have a scheduled meeting."
Angel does her best to hack the system and create an appointment for us.
Chip disengages his drone from his noggin, and it putters over to Angel to assist in the hacking with its pedipalps
Angel and Chip work as a team to enter in an appointment. Fortunately, there's a slot available in just a minute or so.
But that's not all. While this system isn't connected to the Infosphere, it does house a strange file locally... a recorded message from one "Otan Saema", expressing their admiration for Rygan and inviting him aboard the Harlequin’s Prayer, for an all-expenses-paid cruise.
While pondering the file, a voice breaks the silence. It's coming from speakers near the ceiling.
“Welcome. Come to the necroforge, and I shall show you what immortality looks like.” The door opens invitingly for you.
This small, bare alcove contains two 10-foot long holographic recovery units, small chambers that provide recovery simulations to promote healing for surgery patients. Both are empty.
“Welcome. Come to the necroforge, and I shall show you what immortality looks like.” The door opens invitingly for you.
"Well, it looks like the invitation is open. Let's move."
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you mean Culture check, right?
Can we grab a copy of that strange file? I'll try if we can...
Chip downloads the file for future use...
The party pushes on into a cramped chamber with an overhead robotic arm with an integrated lamp and medical imaging devices, all located on a track above a surgery table littered with implements and spattered with blood.
"This does not look like an appealing immortality. Is this all it is? What exactly do we do to get the goods?"
Aldo looks around the room looking for necrografts or anything of value or note.
Angel ponders the file we were looking at, a little late to the party.
Angel does her best to identify the equipment and ascertain its presumably gruesome purpose.
The party looks around. The items here are definitely for necrografting surgery. There's some sweet and unattended gear: A dermal stapler with a standard battery lie on the surgery table, as do two tier 1 analgesics, two tier 1 antibiotics, two tier 1 coagulants, and two tier 1 excitants
While the vesk does eye up this sweet and unattended gear, he glances at the others and makes sure nobody snags it. If things go bad here, maybe they can loot this place on their way out. But right now, it would be foolish to steal from a person they are trying to make a deal with.
Kaz leads the group into the next room.
"I'm not a doctor and can't really determine the worth of this stuff, but let's move on and see if you can find this Rygan Vuul."
Aldor follows Kaz onward.
This massive room features a circle of eight 10-foot-long translucent glass capsules, each containing a corpse. The
capsules seem to be infusing the corpses with something coming from the circle inscribed on the floor. Overhead screens display images from the building’s security cameras; Rygan glances at these screens as he works. A pair of power generators stands against the east wall. The ceiling is 25 feet high, but rafters 20 feet above obstruct the top of the room.
He's accompanied by a trio of cybernetic zombies.
He stops and looks at you, "I don't remember an appointment, but apparently my calendar says I do. How can I improve you?"
Aldo attempts to secure the deal with Rygan regardless of how repugnant the aasimar finds the undead and his singularity philosophy.
"Oh Immortal Rygan Vuul, I am Aldo Cygnaurius here at your service. We are here to pickup a shipment of necrografts and help deliver your singularity throughout the universe."
"That's strange... I don't have any. Do you have a PO number?"
Kaz squints his eyes a little. He is pretty sure this isnt a job for him. He lets his laser rifle hang w/in grasp of his hands. But he is careful to keep his hands from touching it.
But at the slightest signal he is ready to start shooting or clawing…
"I'm sorry to hear that you do not have any necrografts. I was hoping we could do something to support your business and do something that would be mutually beneficial. You look like you have a successful business going on here."
Aldo is careful with his words and does not yet attempt any deception. Instead he tries to make a good impression and improve his relationship with the undead.
Chip, normally quiet when Aldo takes the wheel, chimes in. We understand you could MAKE some. Is that the case?
Angel waits to see if Aldo's sweet words have done the trick.
"If I have an order, I can make them, yes."
"Naturally, you need the order. Yes, we can supply you with that, no problem."
Aldo gives Angel the 'look' to see that he uses his computer skills to follow up on his bluff to create the invoice needed.
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"Hmmm.... well, it will take me two days to fabricate that number. I can get it done though. You'll need to leave me be though."
"Very well. We will leave you to your work."
Aldo turns and leaves the room with the others.
Chip uses his drone to help Angel's computer hacking skillz, so that he can run interference if necessary
It's a frustratingly long 48 hours, as the Wintermourn has a head start. After an eternity, you pick up the necrografts from Rygan. It's time to head to Vesk-2!
With your Engine and computer it takes you half of
The Wintermourn has a 3 day head start. It takes them...
When you arrive at Vesk-2, you emerge from the Drift amid a dense swarm of hundreds of immense creatures floating in space. The creatures have massive tentacles that radiate bright bioluminescent colors and translucent, gelatinous bodies that flash with inner fire and electricity*. Beyond the swarming pyrozoa lies Vesk-2, an ocean planet dotted with sprawling islands.
you recognize the creatures as pyrozoa — magical beasts whose amorphous bodies produce and vent superheated plasma through their pores.
After a few moments, the Wintermourn arrives in the system, well within range of the Oliphaunt’s sensors. The crew of the rival starship immediately attempts to establish video comms with you....
The vesk looks at Aldo. Do you want to speak with them Captain? Its plain that Kaz doesnt seem to care either way. He isnt overly talkative with people trying to steal their jobs.
"Yes, we do want to talk to them. We just don't want to be stuck talking to them while they make the deal. Perhaps we could engage them in conversation while we make the deal under their noses. You know, give them a little taste of their own medicine."
As if on cue, they hail you...
It's Jinx “Can’t say I’m surprised to see y’all again. Had a feelin’ you were on the same job we are. I’m impressed you managed to beat us here, though. What say we settle it with a race?"
As if on cue, they hail you...
It's Jinx
“Can’t say I’m surprised to see y’all again. Had a feelin’ you were on the same job we are. I’m impressed you managed to beat us here, though. What say we settle it with a race?"
Chip turns his head toward Aldo more rapidly than usual, his eyes getting just a bid wide. He jerks his head in a tiny, but eager, nod.
"First one through this cluster of fire jellies and on planet is
first in line to talk to the buyer. Deal?” Jinx does NOT wait for an answer!
The Wintermourn ignites its thrusters and surges toward Vesk-2, weaving deftly between the pyrozoa.