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Sen nods at Gath's suggestion.
"Better make sure we don't give TOO much away of our plans...we don't want him to storm this compound in a panic with a bunch of ASS guys that could spook these culty types, right?" she adds.
At Gath's request about the goblins, her antennae perk up.
"You got a hero-dad? Cool!"
Locket nods his agreement with Gath. "I wanna check on Yon, too."
He looks Fikk over for a long moment before sniffing and turning back to Gath.
You end your day at Yon's. Sadly, his daughter remains missing, though he now has some hope because of the leads you now have.
There is some talk of calling station security, but there is little evidence right now that she is doing something against her will. Yon also considers station security, particularly the local officers in the Gateway District, to be corrupt and lazy.
Needless to say, you eat and drink compliments of Yon this evening. He also assures you that an appropriate reward is in order for the safe return of his daughter.
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After checking on Yon and enjoying a welcome dinner with the crew, Thak sits back in his chair and ponders the day.
Definitely not what I thought was ahead when I woke up… at…
He leans back in his chair and relaxes for a moment. His data pad beeps softly, and he pulls it out to read.
Flowing script in a vibrant green pops onto the screen. “Heading out with Rani for a while. See you here when I get back?”
A lopsided smile crosses his face and his free paw slides across the back of his neck, but he isn’t completely sure why the motion feels so good. He’s suddenly tired and rejuvenated all at once, awash in emotions as the day’s events jumble together.
He taps back “I’ll be there” and hits send.
”Goodnight all. See you tomorrow. I think I’m going to… relax and get some rest.”
Thak turns to Fikk as he stands, becoming very serious. ”You’re going to help make things right tomorrow. Don’t blow the chance. We’ll see you before the service.”
He heads off to his rooms to grab some fresh clothes, and then turns toward Nip’s place, humming to himself as he walks.
...
At Gath's request about the goblins, her antennae perk up.
"You got a hero-dad? Cool!"
Gath nods. "I come from a clan of warriors. My father led the clan until we were betrayed and ambushed by two other clans. We had to flee to Absalom Station.
...
”Goodnight all. See you tomorrow. I think I’m going to… relax and get some rest.”
Thak turns to Fikk as he stands, becoming very serious. ”You’re going to help make things right tomorrow. Don’t blow the chance. We’ll see you before the service.”
He heads off to his rooms to grab some fresh clothes, and then turns toward Nip’s place, humming to himself as he walks.
"Good night, Thak. Sleep well."
Gath sighs contentedly. He rises, gestures at the table and announces to the party, but in an unusually emphatic style that is probably meant most for Fikk, " It is good to help people, and to have comrades in the struggle. We build our reputation and honor. We forge friendship and trust. Tomorrow will be better for us being here."
Then he sits down, and mutters that his father often says things like that.
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Gath nods. "I come from a clan of warriors. My father led the clan until we were betrayed and ambushed by two other clans. We had to flee to Absalom Station....
At Gath's request about the goblins, her antennae perk up.
"You got a hero-dad? Cool!"
"Aw...that's sad," Sen replies, her antennae drooping. "I'm sorry to pull up bad memories."
Then her antennae rise again at Gath's words.
"Yeah! We're gonna kick their butts! See you tomorrow!"
She hops on her zoomboard and blasts off!
You all approach the docking bay, and see that there is a crowd of people, mostly humans and ysoki, but there are lashunta and a few shirrens as well. As they wait to enter the docking bay, you can hear pulsating, up tempo dance music coming from the docking bay. You smell a wide variety of culinary traditions. You see perhaps a half dozen security personnel scanning each guest for weapons. Those who have weapons are not turned away, but they are advised to leave their weapons in one of the lockers just off of the entryway that you saw last night.
A sign nearby says "No weapons allowed, as your safety is guaranteed by our staff".
Gath is up early the next day. He rolls into the warehouse and collects his pay, spends a few hours moving boxes and crates. He skips lunch in anticipation of the free food.
Upon meeting the group his first action is to pay Thak back for the drink yesterday. "Thak! I've got your credits. Thanks for the drink yesterday! It was just the right thing."
He looks around. "Has Fikk showed up?"
Engaging security, Gath thanks them for the advice. He stows his spiked club, but retains his knife and rifle.
Locket waits impatiently for his friends to arrive - talking to strangers is not his strong suit. Ears flicking in irritation, he stands alone, arms folded across his chest, off to one side.
Even so, it is not long before he begins tapping a foot and gently bobbing his head in time to the music.
Locket seems to be less on edge as his friends begin to arrive. "'bout time," he mutters.
He shrugs in reply to Gath's question but gives a curious look around.
When the time comes, he shrugs and secures his pistol in the locker as requested.
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Thank check his comm unit. Again. Can this transport possibly move any slower?
It wasn’t the transport’s fault and he knew it, and he reminds himself softly as he watches the traffic pass. ”I just get so damned comfortable with her… and then I forget about time.”
Seeing his station approach, he hops to his feet for a quick exit, but can’t stop himself from assisting a aged Kasathan mystic whose teetering steps almost send them both into a young couple as the unit slows.
When they reach the platform, the mystic bows and folds two hands in front of his face as he regards Thak. Eyes smiling with appreciation, a thin voice sounds through the traditional Kasathan facemask. “May the warmth of Talavet’s blessings fill your hearth and heart. Thank you for your help.”
Talavet… Talavet… um, history, hearth, tradition, and wisdom… right.
Thak smiles warmly. ”I am happy to assist you. May the wisdom of the past guide you on this night and for many tomorrows to come.” Thak bows and leaves the elder, padding quickly toward the exit ramp and the corridors leading to Docking Bay 14B.
As he walks, he watches the crowd, looking for any sign of Fikk.
Arriving at the entrance to the Church of the Broken Chains, he sees Gath towering over the crowd and quickly finds the rest of the group.
Upon meeting the group his first action is to pay Thak back for the drink yesterday. "Thak! I've got your credits. Thanks for the drink yesterday! It was just the right thing. Has Fikk showed up?”
”Thank you, my friend. You know I’m always happy to help you.” He pockets the money and scans the area.
He stores his weapons in the locker as requested. He considers making an attempt to keep his knife, but thinks better of it as he looks toward the guards and their scanners. Well, that won’t work. It’s all on your wits tonight.
The doormen decline your request. "I'm sorry, these look...poinky. I'm sure you would NEVER use it as a weapon, but should it fall into the wrong hands there could be trouble. Here's a locker code--just step to you left, deposit your dart weapon, and then you can come right in."
Fikk has ditched you all.
The docking bay is large, and includes an enormous stage at one end. There are numerous chairs, benches, and empty crates that are being claimed by those filing into the room.
Tables to one side are set up with food and drink. Although the food is plain, it is probably quite a bit better than the protein wafers many of the poor and destitute attendees normally eat. The portions and generous, and there are many smiles as people enjoy hearty soups, breads, and beverages.
As the docking bay begins to fill up a DJ at the back of the takes her post in a booth. Upbeat music begins to play, and several attendees dance and sing with the music.
Near the stage there are three "ushers." These men and women appear to be dressed similarly as the ones out by the main door. They have formal jackets on. Though you don't see any weapons, it would not be hard to hide them under their jackets.
There is still a good 45 minutes until the Prophet Fayel Astor comes to the stage.
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Thak walks in and looks around, doing his best to seem interested and curious.
He taps his foot to the music, smiling at the dancing people as his mind interlaces them with the memory of he and Nip dancing last night. For a moment he wishes she were here, but that thought gets suddenly dark as he refocuses. It could’ve been her instead of Lon’s daughter. Bastards.
His smile slips for a moment, but he mentally pushes it back into place.
...
Engaging security, Gath thanks them for the advice. He stows his spiked club, but retains his knife and rifle.
A short discussion follows, in which Gath makes the following points:
"My knife isn't a weapon , it's a tool. How can a civilized being eat without a knife ?"
"This rifle was gifted me by my hero-grandfather. It is a antique..."
"How about I just leave the ammunition here?"
Finally with an anguished glance at the rest of the party...
"Who is in charge? You? I will leave my grandfather's rifle here, but if anyone touches it, you and me will have a reckoning."
Gath returns to the party muttering about cultural insensitivity.
At the buffet, Gath digs in heartily. And you can easily see his point about the knife. A trail of food bits and saliva forms a sullen, sluggish stream around the shobhad's large lower canines, and then a gruesome beard that drips from his chin. The stream surges every time he smiles, which is often.
You recall that at other meals together, he has always been particular about cutting his food into tiny pieces, spearing them with the knife, and dropping the pieces well back on his molars.
The shobhad goes into full making friends mode, announcing loudly and repeatedly that, "This is good! I worked all day without eating... What's your favorite color? ... Mine is blue. We didn't see much blue on Akiton. It was special .... Oh! I am sorry. Here, let me clean that off your shirt. They wouldn't let me keep my knife to eat with..."
"Have you been here before? What is the talk like? Do people come back often... "
His primary principle for selecting conversational partners is proximity. He does not discriminate on the basis of class, social or financial standing, or religion.
Locket makes the rounds, murmuring his thanks - and the occasional greeting - while sampling the fare and refreshments on offer.
While not exactly a social butterfly, the pahtra makes several attempts at small talk as he moves about.
"I'm sorry sir. I just can't allow you in with that knife. You see, it appears to be a weapon...yes, I know you need one to eat, but I think you'll find that a hearty and nutritious stew is being served, along with bread. I'm certain you won't need a knife for that...yes, please put it with your other belongings in the locker..."
Senk, at the moment you are far too engrossed by some of the current pop music favorites being played by the DJ. Is that a remix of a "Star Sugar Heartlove" song?
Goldenarms, you don't attract much attention. Although you look for someone to talk to, the other guests don't seem to be understanding your signals that you would like to chat.
Locket, you are treated similarly.
Thak, on the other hand...
You are able to chat up a family of ysoki who are here for the food and to hear Prophet Fayel speak. They tell you about the event they came to here just last week. "It's so generous of them to feed my whole brood. The kids even like the food--they had peanut butter sandwiches for the two youngest, and the rest of us love the vegetable stew! And that Prophet Fayel! He really leaves you feeling good when you leave here! He introduced some of his assistants last week. A nice looking lashunta man and another woman...a half elf maybe? They came on stage, but just for a minute, then they went back out that back door over there."
The ysoki mom points behind the stage, where you spy a door being watched over by two of the "ushers". To get to it, you would need to get behind the stage, and there could be more than the two ushers nearby.
Gath keeps eating messily, and talking to anyone around him.
Soon a formidable man, apparently human, takes the stage. His voice is amplified as he addresses the crowd. "I would like to welcome everyone to this afternoon's festivities. I just spoke with Prophet Fayel backstage, and he is excited to address you all once again!" With that, the crowd excitedly applauds. "We'd like to take a moment to remind everyone that your offerings are important to what we do here. Following Prophet Fayel's address, you will have the opportunity to give as you leave this evening. Whether you can only leave a few credits, or several hundred, know that it will be used to further the reach of Prophet Fayel. He'll be out soon. Meanwhile, enjoy more popular music from our D.J., and I'm told there is still some food and drink available."
With that, the man steps off the stage and the music resumes.
Could this have been the Lazlo that Fikk spoke of?
Gath moves away from the table and circulates through the crowd looking for the two missing girls.
Gath moves away from the table and circulates through the crowd looking for the missing girls. He asks everyone, "I'm looking for my friends, Tessa Galvano and Kevya Yonnick. Have you seen them?"
Locket watches on as the man warms up the crowd. He sniffs in derision. "Charlatans and thieves," he mutters, shaking his head.
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Thak finds a quiet spot in the room to put down his plate and message the group.
”I have a lead.“ He recounts what the Ysoki mom said about the prophet introducing “assistants” last week. ”They were on stage briefly, then went out through that door behind the stage guarded by a couple of bouncers.“
Hope and anger well up. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. So close. We’re going to find them and end this. And end whatever all of these trappings are covering.
”It looks like the festivities are about to start. That’ll give us a chance see where everyone is and how the bouncers move. It might help us figure out how many there are too.“
”That guy who did the introduction… think he’s Lazlo? Seems to fit the bill.“
Thak silently curses Fikk for the umpteenth time in the last few minutes. Fikk could’ve told us, given us a positive ID. He would’ve been helpful tonight, but he also could’ve gotten us spotted or warned the “church” people. I had hope for him. Still do. But it’s misplaced sometimes. I hate that…
”Once dinner is winding down, want to spread out and find seats up front? That way we can see what’s happening and take action fast when we have a plan. We might even catch some info if they’re careless around a hot mic. Thoughts? Ideas?
Anything you computer people can hack into if they have connections or cameras in here? Maybe we could see something backstage. Maybe they shot some video of the service that we could use as evidence.“ I hope they don’t think that’s a stupid question…
Gath's head pops up and looks around. He sails a path through the crowd to Thak. "Nobody seems to know Kevya or Tessa. You think that was Lazlo? Where do you want me to go? "
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Senkuviene sees Gath's head pop up and makes her way towards him like a starship following a Drift Beacon, nibbling on a leafy treat.
She listens to Thak's assessment of the situation and nods.
"Takin' a while for this "Prophet" dude to show up...the heck is taking so long?" she comments. When he asks if she can hack in, she waggles her antennae in the affirmative. "Like that plan...and if things get hot, I can call my zoomboard in as a distraction."
She pulls out her comm and gets to work.
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Gath's head pops up and looks around. He sails a path through the crowd to Thak. ”Nobody seems to know Kevya or Tessa. You think that was Lazlo? Where do you want me to go?”
Thak smiles at Gath. The Shobhad is so open and sincere. I wish I could be like that… but it wouldn’t exactly help my business most days. Does that mean I need a new business?
Thak rubs his eyes for a moment and then looks up at Gath.
”It could be Lazlo. It certainly seems to match Fikk's description. Hmm... let’s grab seats up front since they can see that we’re together. We’ll just keep going with that. If the rest of the team spreads out, then we’ll have better coverage and more information. C’mon with me.“
He turns and looks at the room setup, choosing a spot closest to the door that the Ysoki mom pointed out. He settles in, moving his chair a bit to make room in the row for Gath’s larger frame.
Soon after Lazlo's brief message, the music builds to a fevered pitch, increasing both in volume and tempo. The crowd is enamored with the music, waving their hands and dancing.
The house lights dim, and bright stage lights illuminate the stage. Additional "ushers" take their position near the stage.
A group of men and women in matching stylish closthes walk out onto the stage, positioning themselves near the rear of the stage. They are smiling and waving at the appreciative crowd.
Tessa Galvano and Kevya are indeed among this group of 6. There are two men (one possibly the lashunta you are aware Fikk introduced to Lazlo), and two other women, one a human, one possibly a half elf.
The stage is well guarded, and there is a fevered crowd. It's likely very difficult to get them out of the way to rush the stage.
A moment later, the music reaches a crescendo, the stage lights brighten, then focus on a podium that has been wheeled into position. As the music stops, Prophet Fayel walks on to the stage to a momentous round of applause.
He takes his position at the podium and begins:
"Greetings to you all! It is so good to many new faces, AND many who have returned after being with us last week and the week before. I am happy that you are here to listen to my message, friends."
"I am joined on stage by six men and women who have stepped forward to help me in my mission. They have been tireless in their assistance, and have been very willing to learn my teachings. Another round of applause for them, please..."
The crowd gives a polite round of applause at Prophet Fayel's bidding.
"Thank you again. All of you are special in your own ways..." (Prophet Fayel continues with several minutes of feel-good, motivational speaking ). The crowd hangs on every word.
His speech culminates with this:
"This space station does not offer the freedoms we all deserve. I am leaving tomorrow."
The crowd is dismayed and there is a disapproving murmur.
"HOWEVER! I go to prepare a place for all of you! Soon, I will establish a representative here, and I will send for everyone to join me on a moon in a distant system where you will live a life worth living!"
The crowd cheers wildly.
"Please stay in touch over the infosphere. As I said, myself and my attendants will soon be leaving for a new world, but our time is only just beginning! I will see you all soon!"
Once again the music begins playing. Fayel waves to the crowd, then exits the stage behind several guards and the six "attendants".
The house lights come up, the music softens, and Lazlo once again addresses the crowd. "Thank you all for coming. As Prophet Fayel said, soon we will once again have a presence on this station, and we will be happy to receive all of you again at that time. The ushers will be happy to receive any offerings you may wish to give, and please take more food, already packaged for you, on your way out."
The music plays softly as people begin to leave.
Fayel and the six attendants almost certainly exited through the door that was spotted behind the stage.
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Sen is clearly unimpressed by Fayel's words.
"This is basic self-help khefak-s***, how are these people convinced by this?" she wonders to the others. She IS troubled by seeing their missing persons up on stage with this guy and apparently going with him to some moon someplace!
She fiddles with her comm a bit more, trying to see if there's something, anything, she can hack into.
...
The house lights dim, and bright stage lights illuminate the stage. Additional "ushers" take their position near the stage.
A group of men and women in matching stylish closthes walk out onto the stage, positioning themselves near the rear of the stage. They are smiling and waving at the appreciative crowd.
Tessa Galvano and Kevya are indeed among this group of 6. There are two men (one possibly the lashunta you are aware Fikk introduced to Lazlo), and two other women, one a human, one possibly a half elf.
...
Gath stands up and, with powerful lungs that developed in the thin air of Akiton shouts, He waves to get her attention and announces to Thak and everyone in a thirty or forty foot radius,
And then quite forgetting that she doesn't know him at all, Gath continues to wave and calls out,
He's excited, but not so out of control as to rush the stage. At least not until someone tells him to.
Gath stands up quickly. "What now, Thak? Let's go see Kevya."
He doesn't really wait for the brenneri to reply. He just steps over the row of chairs in front of them on his way toward the stage.
Both security, and some of the more polite elements of the crowd, look at Gath side-eyed during his outbursts. Nothing more is done so long as Gath did not approach the stage.
Interestingly, he did get the attention of the attendants, at least for a moment. Kevya and Tessa in particular turned his way, then returned to their "eyes forward, smile nicely" posture at the rear of the stage.
Gath stands up quickly. "What now, Thak? Let's go see Kevya."
He doesn't really wait for the brenneri to reply. He just steps over the row of chairs in front of them on his way toward the stage.
As Gath once again begins to create a scene, he attracts the attention of the ushers. First two, then a third, and then a fourth usher approach Gath. One bellows out "Sir...SIR! I'm going to have to ask you to step away from the stage. It's off limits. Might I recommend you grab some more food and head home? Tonight's festivities are finished."
The four ushers are attempting to insert themselves between Gath and the stage, and the situation has the attention of most of the remaining audience. The Prophet and the attendants are being rushed off the stage toward the back door.
Gath stops when confronted. He points toward the back of the stage. His voice is still loud, but friendly. "That's Kevya Yonnick. Yon's daughter. He fed me dinner last night. She's been missing for days. Her family is worried. I just want to talk with her. And that other girl is Tessa Galvano. Her family is worried too."
He raises his head and shouts right over the top of the guards.
Gath's requests of Prophet Fayel are ignored as everyone rushes of the stage. The ushers, however, do not ignore Gath. More continue to gather near him, shouting for him to exit the hangar.
Gath stands in front of the stage with his feet planted solidly. He lowers his voice, and smiles in a friendly tusk-baring way. "I have no fight with you. I will leave after I talk to Kevya. What are you afraid of, that I can't talk to Kevya?"
[ooc] I am ready to move on, if everyone thinks we're done here.
Locket fidgets throughout the show, his agitation increasing with each passing moment. "Some people will believe anything," he mutters. Especially those most in need of hope or searching for some meaning to their lives, he adds inwardly, concerned about the potential new victims.
As Gath causes a scene, Locket checks the response of the ushers, particularly those near the back door.
If the coast appears clear, Locket will attempt to creep over and slip in behind the prophet and the attendants in the confusion to peek backstage.