Zatteh is unarmed (unless you count remote controlling rock bears). Ah, you found the mine. So what? We trade ore and minerals with some local smugglers. Do you think we rely on you for income?
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Back in the village, Sheriff Rin looks at the shackled Zatteh and says Well well well, what do we have here? Did this one step out of line?
Well, well Sheriff Rin says, glaring at Zatteh, who immediately starts talking Yes, you're right! Rock Bear Robots! And I almost got you too! You and the Mayor were never supposed to run...
It's at this exact moment that Mayor Aliorno arrives What's this, you have returned? Did you deal with the rock bear threat?
Looks like we have our threat here the sheriff says, pointing at Zatteh, and looks like we have more than a few wild animals to deal with. A full-fledged coup! Shall I lock him away, sir?
Yes, immediately the mayor responds, and you! Thank you for exposing this corruption! Where would I have been if it hadn't been for your thankful presence!
Spike doesn't sense anything untoward here...
The sheriff turns to Zatteh, and says, while rubbing the superficial bear claw wounds Zatteh, you are under arrest. Anything you say or do can and will be held against you. You have the right to an attorney, if you can find one in this town.
Mayor Aliorno adds I can't believe my close aid was a traitor! What you did was very brave! You truly live up to your reputation! Let us celebrate tonight, before we send you on your way!
The 'celebration' is a remarkably short affair, nothing more than a dinner with Aliorno and first hunter Redozoko that is somehow kept to minimum duration, with Aliorno and Redozoko mostly talking between themselves about trivial local affairs.
After the dinner, it becomes clear to the group that any further presence would be regarded as overstaying a welcome...
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As the group packs up to leave, the elderly Ysoki shape of Roget comes up to the group, holding a box.
I wish to thank you for what you did for this village he says, sounding more reasonable than before. It means a lot to me that you dealt with those dangerous bears, he says with a tone that implies he completely recognises the true nature of the 'Rock Bears' I'd like to give you this he says as he hands the group a cardboard box that smells of baked goods. It's an old akitonian recipe. These cookies are freshly baked, but they need some time to cool down. They taste better after a day, he says, and adds with extra emphasis so wait until you're on the road before you eat them. Good travels on your way home. He then leaves in silence.
At the very bottom of the box of cookies is a handwritten note, in a familiar handwriting, quite the same as the warning notes Umbro received earlier: "Ongie made it out. Find her.”
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[via comms]"They're all in on this together, no one is going to miss the overly large spaceport being frequented by platforms taking away large amounts of mined materials - this whole place is a sham and they're clearly all in on the thing - best we can do is play along for now, unless we want to destabilise the while community or end up with a bloodbath. We know the term 'Mongers', we have some samples, and we know there is a bigger picture going on"
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Verrek shrugs his shoulders. There are so many strange, dark, mysterious and unfair things happening in the galaxy. Why should this place be an exception and why should they think they can change something? We will be paid money for this mission and that's the main thing. Deep down, Verrek does not agree with these thoughts of his, but too deep down...
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Croaker hugs the farmer and heads towards the ship, as they fly away he looks at the planet "I could reach out to my former squad of mercs, we could come back here and do some cleaning..." he wonders out loud, if the farmer would appreciate it, and if the state after would be anything better than the current one.
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At the very bottom of the box of cookies is a handwritten note, in a familiar handwriting, quite the same as the warning notes Umbro received earlier: "Ongie made it out. Find her.”
"A case of missing persons! The old farmer didn't hate us after all - let's get back to the Society and tell them the place stinks to high heaven, and we need to track down this Ongie"
The psychic-detective finishes the out-brief "Another case closed, nice working with you guys - if you ever need a hand just call my number" Roquefort makes some finger pistols in the air miming shooting lasers, then waves as he heads off.
After returning to Absalom station, the debrief with Fitch and Ehu causes some concerned glances.
Ehu says “These people went to a lot of effort to make sure that we wouldn’t be interested in returning. What is it that they’re
really trying to hide?”
“It must be more than simple trade—someone erased all records of Kortus IV from the Pact Worlds!” Ehu stays silent for a moment as he ponders the situation. “This isn’t right. Rest assured that we’ll get to the bottom of this. We’re not done with Kortus IV.”
Fitch adds “I’m glad that you left when you did. Who knows what those people might have done if you had stayed longer! Who knows how deep this reaches…”
“So, this Ongie person is out there somewhere? Girl’s got moxie. I’ll ask Celita to track her down. If she can get us a lead, I can put a team together to pick her up. If Ongie’s still alive, she’s got information we need.”
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"So we took the job from the farmer to find the girl, then took the job from the girl to find the farmer - and we did both"
"Too bad about the planet"
The psychic-detective finishes the out-brief "Another missing person found, Another case closed, nice working with you guys - if you ever need a hand just call my number" Roquefort makes some finger pistols in the air miming shooting lasers, then waves as he heads off.