You return to your rented room.  It has been a long day, and the local authorities are placing a curfew out until the riots are quelled.  All the public transportation will be shut down.  You are now stuck in the hotel, which has a bar and restaurant downstairs.

Bartja meets you in the lobby, and you catch him up while you get ready to spend another night here.

DAY 2

The next morning, you wake up ready to make plans.

This is the third day since LeGrange was assassinated, and your second day in the city.

You are at the hotel in Jedsis that is run by the Vrusk Ymen.  You are paying 10 credits per night each.  Ymen is a friend of Rezz, the unemployed shuttle pilot for Sik'Triksta who would take the shuttle to the mining colony on Tivalla, the closer of Kraatar's two moons. Since the explosion that destroyed the colony there, she has been working odd jobs as a technician.

OOC: Feel free to make plans or whatever.  Bartja is now back with the group, you are 10,000 credits richer, and the last night with the curfew seemed more peaceful than the previous one.

Here are the quest goals page to refresh your memory.  It also has a list of potential places to visit in your investigation:
link to a message in this game


Each player gained 2 XP.  Please adjust character sheets accordingly.

OOC: Pulled this from the list:
6) Jedsis: Talk to the non-Vrusk in Jedsis.  (Note: It is dangerous for Vrusk in this area which is heavily populated by non-Vrusk indigents.)

Figured since we're already here, why not knock this quest off next AND, we now have another non-Vrusk to help out in that aspect.  Our two Vrusk can stay at the hotel and try to do some research or make contacts from the room or dining room.

Still open for any other ideas...

Does Bartja need any credits?  i will give 500 cr if he needs some for spending.

Updated Xp and will cross off another 20 cr for the next two days for lodging.

Are there any places around that sells supplies, weapons, and or ammo?
This message was last edited by the player at 13:07, Tue 13 Nov 2012.

In reply to Desiraye Lipost (msg # 2):

Bartja is good on credits and I don't believe that includes a share (if any) of the 10,000 credits.  Unless we need to buy an Explorer, he should be okay.

Bartja adjusts his skeinsuit and slips a pair of brass knuckles into his pockets while  brainstorming aloud.

"This curfew sucks!  At least we have entertainment right here in the Inn, although I can't help but think we'd be wasting our time getting drunk.  NOT that I think it's a bad idea, just not moving us forward.

Let's hang with the locals at the bar or restaurant.  If they aren't coming here, let's hit the street and see where they go.

Once we get a feel for the local attitude here, we should definitely look up this Kirscht woman.  Remember her?  She's the human female who has a criminal record for theft.  She lives in Jedsis if she's not visiting granny in Quazzt.  Let's get our hacker dudes to find her domicile on the local web - or we could just 411 it.

Hell, maybe we find her first?  If we can't get local information on how to find her, let's ask around the district until we get a connection.  She can't be living in a vacuum, can she?"

Bartjas fingers slide in and out of the brass knuckles in his pockets with practiced ease as he talks, but the motion draws attention to his nervousness.  "I'm always a little fidgety in a new place, but it helps me think."

As the silence drags on, Bartja is distracted by his brassies and his thoughts.  Finally he turns to Des and with confidence announces his vote.  "Let's look up Kirscht, first thing today!  She's got a record, lives near here, and can probably give us a very good idea of how the local humans feel about all this.  Better than that, she probably has some shady connection who can help us to get a permit to speak with Nuna in the Kipur District!

By shady, I simply mean a local official.  They're the greatest crooks and cons of all, aren't they?"  Bartja grins a broad, toothy grin - half of which shows his titanium teeth in a smile that wasn't mean to be menacing....much.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:16, Sun 18 Nov 2012.

After some checking around, you find the apartment where the Kirscht woman lives.  You all go there, with Kri'lik and S'krllk being a bit uncomfortable in this highly non-Vrusk dominated area.

Her apartment appears empty, and she does not come to the door when you ring the bell.

Time: 10:30 a.m.

In reply to GM Heath (msg # 4):

"Maybe the Dralasite, Blirdor was it?"

Stepping back from the apartment door, Bartja looks in all directions, taking in the neighborhood with a practiced eye.

"Well, I see two options.  Now that we're here, we could always go on in and take a look around.  Not very upstanding for us to do, but we're not really citizens here anyway.  I guess that comes down to a question of how badly do we want to see with this lady might be hiding.

Second option is to talk to the locals.  Might as well start here in her area and see what the general opinion is - both about Kirscht and the friction we're seeing here between the Vrusk and the rest of the planet.

Perhaps we should go as two groups?  That way, we can distance ourselves as Vrusk sympathizers and maybe get a different picture.  We should stay close just in case some bully decides to take out his frustration on our friends."

As if he belongs here and without pausing any longer (which may draw suspicion), Bartja tests the door to see if it will open before they move on.

The door is locked.  It is a manual lock, not an electronic lock.  It could be forced open, but that might draw attention to you.

Desiraye smies at Bartja's suggestion of a B&E into the dwelling.  "With everything going on around here, it might not be so out of place for something like that to happen!

We're going to have to be very careful if we split up.  We should be good in the Hman controlled sections and they should be OK in the Vrusk.  We should be able to gasin some more Intel that way.  It's a risk and I would to like ask them if they want to take that risk.

"Kri'lik, S'Krllk!  Are you two interested in splitting the group and checking out the Vrusk sector to cover more ground?"

Current Situation:

You are on the second day since the assassination of LeGrange.  Yesterday, after a lockdown and curfew, the riots have somewhat been quelled, though it is still likely dangerous on some of the streets.  You were able to give the broadcasting company enough confidence about whom to suspect that you got your reward and they were able to start broadcasts again.

Now you have a new day.  Security protocols are still tight, but you can look in the goals thread to see your possibilities on where to go next to search down the assassin and the plot behind the assassination.

Your suspects so far are one dralasite and one Vrusk who seemed intimidated.

You are now at the apartment of the potential female human suspect.  You found her door locked with a mechanical (not digital) lock.  You could force it and potentially get unwanted attention, or do something else.

It is currently about 10:40 a.m.

Bartja smirks at Des and takes another look around to see if anyone is watching them stand here at the door. 

"I have some sophisticated picks in my kit, but I also have a pry bar which is much faster, yet brutish.  If there's a security system here, I haven't noticed it.

What are our chances of escape if we do draw attention to a break-in?  How much time do you figure we'd have if someone calls in heat?"

OOC: Given the preoccupation of the cops with the riots and other things, and that it is the middle of the day, you will have 10d4 minutes, if noticed.

Reaching into a pocket, Bartja pulls out his pocket tool and motions for some space around the door.  "Okay, let's do this!  Step back and keep a sharp eye while I work some makication on this archaic lock.  If anyone asks, we're just repairing the door from a previous break-in."

Bartja takes one last look around, then bends down and inserts a thin blade from his Tool into the lock and a second small knife beside it.  Jiggling the two for a moment, he turns the knob and the door seems to open!

Unable to suppress his grin, he turns to his companions and wriggles his ears twice before swinging the door open and motioning for them to step inside.  "I'll just be right here fixing this door..."

OOC: Bartja Nemuco rolled 9 using 1d100. Open Locks (80).]

In reply to Bartja Nemuco (msg # 12):

Desiraye quickly moves into the the apartment and gives a quick look around to make sure that there aren't any more alarms in the place before moving into the bedroom to begin a search.  Once everyone is in, she calls out, "We're on the clock.  Fifteen minutes and then we're out of here!  If you have gloves, put them on.  Be mindful of your gear!"

"Try not disturb much but, try to be thorough."

You break into the human female's apartment.  Kirscht is apparently a bit of a hoarder.  Her apartment is filled with various nick-nacks in a jumbled mess.  None of them appear very valuable, and there is no rhyme or reason to them -- ceramic miniatures, old portable phones, a box of empty wallets, another box of keycards, and jewelry stacked in a jewelry box.  She is messy and unsanitary, by the look of things.  She seems slovenly and poor, though the jewelry is probably worth something.  You don't find anything related to your investigation, but you don't expect 15 minutes is enough time to sort through all this collection of junk.

A note is on her kitchen table that reads, "Dear Kirscht, Come visit me in Quazzt when you get a chance.  It's been a long time, and I know you're tired of those bugs down in Jedsis.  The thug bugs are such a pain in all of our arses.  I can also help you with your problem.  Love, Grandmother Elaine."

About fifteen minutes has passed, so it may be time to go if you follow Desi's advice.

Kri'lik takes a photo of the note then shakes his head indicating he has'nt found anything of interest.

S'Krllk spends the fifteen minutes scanning the dwelling with his bodycomp, to see if there are obscured areas that could be used for hiding places.

Bartja rises from his position at the door and looks around the neighborhood to see if anyone is coming or watching these goings-on.  He then quickly steps inside while hold the door slightly open to speak with his comrades.

"Photo that note and let's beat heat out of here before a patrol comes along or something.  Maybe we should head over to Quazzt and visit granny too, but right now we just need to stay out of jail.

Any ideas on what her 'problem' might be?"

Bartja returns to the door and pretends to finish the repairs, then motions that it's time to end the search and get out of sight.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:44, Wed 12 Dec 2012.

S'krllk doesn't really find anything unusual in the apartment.  It appears to be a small rented apartment of someone not very well off, without modifications anywhere.

You head out the door, Bartja finishes the repairs, and you are on the street again.

OOC: Where to next?

"Let's go out on the town while we're here and see how the local humans feel about the Vrusk, the unrest, and the Legrange murder.  Maybe we can still find someone who can get us a pass into the Kipur district."

You talk to the people, who generally dislike the Vrusk but don't want to talk too much to those with Vrusk in their company such as you.  They are for the most part ambivalent about the murder of LeGrange, seeing it as a burden on their lives with the curfew and riots.  But they don't really want to talk much to strangers.  Jedsis is fairly well dilapidated and has slums.  There is distrust among everyone.

You eat lunch and try some more.  Finally, an antique shop owner gives you the name of "Ejidali" and some directions on how to find him.  "In the Black Market area," he says, giving you directions there.  Then a customer walks in the door, and he quickly shuts his mouth and promptly ignores you and walks off.

Stepping up close to Desi and the Vrusks so they will not be overheard, Bartja can't help but feel they've gained a small victory here.

"I'm tempted to buy a useless vase just for that tip" he says, indicating the shop keeper who has abandoned them to wait on the other customers.  "Shall we head to the Black Market area and do as he has suggested to locate this Ejidali, or are we walking into a trap?

If it turns out to be some sort of trap, is that all bad?  Should we not find a way to get in touch with the underground elements on this planet?"

"Its the best lead we had at the moment. I say we go check it out, and if it is a trap...well we have been through worse."

You follow the shopkeeper's advice.  It takes an hour of walking, and gettinga  bit lost at times in Jedsis, but you eventually find some back streets.  On the front, it looks like people selling everyday items -- fruitstands, magazine racks, small cafes.  But it seems a little more serene here, as if the crime rate here is kept artificially low by someone other than the law.

You find Ejidali, and he denies everything.  Then you explain you are offworlders, and he seems to look at Kri'lik and S'Krllk in a new light.

"Okay, okay," he says.  "I can get you passes.  They'll seem legit.  No problems with security.  The total cost will be 1000 creds and I need you to...well...lift something for me.  I'll have someone get it off you as soon as you're out.  You won't have a problem with that, will you?"  He seems to wait for a response, looking at you closely to make sure you're on the level.

It is now mid-afternoon.

"As long as the passes will work, you got a deal."

Bartja nods his head in eager agreement with Kri'lik.  "Yeah yeah!  The problems you guys are having here aren't universal and we're not hear to save the planet...

...at least not that we know about anyway."

His tone changing somewhat to a friendly banter, Bartja continues; "If you don't mind, I have a couple of questions - although I'll preface them by saying we want to do this for you but it almost feels like we're paying to play when it's usually the other-way-round for us.  We normally get paid for jobs like this - and I dare say we're good at it!

Sounds risky, so maybe we do this job for you and we get the passes as payment?  We'll put up the 1,000 credits for security, but we'd like to get it back once we perform the job to your satisfaction.  We don't get out with your prize and you get the thousand cred.  We get out, hand over the prize, and we get back the thousand.  We would be willing to leave it with someone we both can trust - if you can think of such a person.

So here are my questions, and I think they're prudent.

What is it that we will be lifting?  Also, we want to be sure we're prepared for the heavy stuff, if you know what I mean.  Do you have any samples of your work or recommend someone who can verify that your passes won't land us in prison?"

Desiraye looks around and then addresses Ejidali, "A thousand shouldn't be a problem and if they work, even better.  How long is this going to take and is there any shops that sells weapons around here while we wait?"

OOC: Okay, guys, hopefully we're all back and ready to go.

RECAP:  You are in the black market talking to Ejidali.  He will get you passes to get past security for 1000 credits and bringing him back something.

When Bartja questions his work, he says, "Hey, you came to me, right?  You want my help or not?"  He won't budge on the 1000 credits, but says you can put 500 up front and 500 when you get back, and then he'll give you a weapon that could prove useful, even though it's not technically legal.

When asked what he wants lifted, he says it is a vial and syringe in Lab 148, marked as "V180984."  It is small and will go unnoticed if you get past security.

"Best to go in the morning," he says, "when everyone's going in to work. I'll get your passes ready in a couple hours, and I'll get you some lab coats too, if you want."

Intrigued by the prospect of a new weapon, Bartja concedes. "Sounds like a plan! Just humans going in? I'm thinking on this world, my presence will stick out like a sore digit."

"Half up front and the rest on delivery sounds reasonable.  What kind of weapon you got there for us?  Is it to get in or out of the place?

I guess you and Hammer will be our look-outs.  If the Doc and S'Krllk can't get in with me, I'm nominated to go in.  Not sure if that's the best idea but, I'm probably the best one to shoot their way out," Desiraye says with a sly smile to Bartja.

"If we must do this to get what we want then lets go."

Ejidali says, "You going into research labs and high society area, right?  Your race matter not a whit there.  No discrimination, or so they say.  I go not there myself.  The weapon I acquire for you is...kind of dart gun, let's say.  I get you one rifle version that break down into components and fit in case, and one pistol.  Each hold 10 darts, reusable.  I get you 20 darts and chemicals to put in darts.  Good deal, no?  Should be peaceful.  No shooting.  Just don't get caught stealing, or I never knew you."  He grins.

Bartja flashes him a toothy grin in return.  "Once this is done, no matter who asks, we never knew you either!" 

Looking at Desiraye, he asks "Is that a weapon you're good with?  I'm not much of a marksman myself, but I like toys!  I would like to reverse engineer one of these dart guns and see if I can't make some small improvements to it.

But for now, are they something we could sneak into this lab without getting caught - just in case we need to defend ourselves once inside?" he finishes, turning back to Ejidali.

"We planned on forgeting about you when we were done with our business.  However, if we needed your services again, we would keep you in mind!

Once we have a chance to look at them Bartja, have at it.  I'm thinking the rifle may be too big to bring for this kind of task but, I have another less than lethal option in my suitcase back at the room that may serve us well.

I prefer laser weapons but, I've had some training with gyro and projectile style weapons.  I can always get better," she says to her companion.

"So I assume given these dart guns our pistols we have now are not allowed in the 'high society' area?"

"I think in this instance that it would be good for us to incapacitate someone rather than a deadly force option.  We want to steal something and get away fairly clean with no dead bodies.  Warm, sleeping bodies should recover quickly enough."

"Likely you are correct." Looking down the Frontiersman Heavy Pistol strapped to his left leg the doctor adds, "Good thing this blaster has a stun setting then!"

He clarifies his offer:  "I'm sorry, but you do not receive the guns until I receive the syringe.  It's my insurance to make sure you'll actually come back to follow through on the deal."

"Agreed then.  We will get you your stuff.  I understand the trust isn't there yet but, if this works out for us all, maybe we can do some more business together?"

"I prefer using a needler, myself. There's some sort of irony in replying to lethal force with a non-lethal alternative that makes me feel one step ahead of the universe that's trying to kill me."
"Strangely incompetent, this universe we're in."
S'Krllk fiddles with his bodycomp, "Maybe this time they'll be better."

Bartja nods in acceptance and cracks his knuckles.  "Well, I prefer not to use weapons if it can be avoided.  Hell, I don't even like fighting much, but we'll do this for you.

Just promise me you're not going to unleash a deadly virus on the Vrusk population.  No, wait!  If you are, I don't want to know anything about it..."

Bartja turns to go, then looks back.  "Do we have the directions and the ID's?"

"I plan on going in using nothing but less-than-lethal force, IF we even need too.  I would prefer not to but, I'm not ready to meet my maker yet or being told what to do and when to do it in a penal colony.  If you don't feel comfortable getting your hands dirty, leave it to me.

We had a discussion when we got off of Volturnus about cross-skills training for all of us.  I think I'm the only, trained military person we have in our group.  We seem pretty sound in most of the other technicsal areas.  Personally, I think we could use another operator dedicated to either a military PSA and or one from the biosocial background, maybe environmental?"

Bartja taps the artificial side of his skull.  "Learning to shoot is hard!  Rigging up robotics and programming them to help my shooting - much easier.  If there's a lot of blasting our way out, you're the one to take the lead there.  I'll do what I can, but can't promise much accuracy when push comes to shove.

Now if we find any fancy robots in there, those I might be able to handle.

Are we going to be able to take in a toolkit?" he asks before they leave.

In reply to Bartja Nemuco (msg # 43):

"I get what you're saying Bartja.  I'm just saying that I'm only one person to shoot back!  We all have our expertise's within the group.  I wouldn't even know which screw to turn first to open up a robot so, maybe we need to look into utilizing robots o our side for support?"

"It seems that would be a good idea. I've some expertise in the area, and I believe one of us has a more personal connection. It shouldn't be too hard to suborn any we come into contact with, but it would probably be best to beware the source. Some of the trade houses are almost militant with respect to their property."

Looking to the two beam pistols strapped to either hip the aged Vrusk says, "Well for a doctor I have been getting pretty good at using these things. One for each hand too if needed."

He says to you, "It'll take a few hours to be ready with the IDs.  Why don't you come back here tonight after dark, and you can use them tomorrow.  Go home and get some rest or something in the meantime.  Here are two free passes for the monorail for each of you.  On me.  I'll see you tonight."  He quickly takes a digital photo of each of you for the IDs and then heads back into his "cover" store to get them processed.

"We'll see you tonight then.  Oh, by the way, can you tell us what the place is to do little homework before we go?  How about any cool weapon or gear places around here?" Desiraye says as she gets ready to leave and go to get something to eat with the others to kill some time.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:29, Wed 23 Jan 2013.

"They are laboratories of various sorts," he answers.  "Just like the person you seek is a scientist.  I am not privy to information on what is inside.  Weapons? Maybe.  Could you get of there and conceal them?  I doubt it."  He leaves to go get started on the IDs.

OOC: Since it is getting into late afternoon, you can return to your room for a few hours or something else before returning.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:58, Wed 23 Jan 2013.

In reply to GM Heath (msg # 49):

"I was referring to weapons or equipment stores around here to kill some time, not what was maybe in the labs."

He says, "Mostly what you will find around here are foods, spices, drugs, things banned but not too bad."  His lips purse, as if he may know more but doesn't trust you enough yet to betray his friends in the black market, just in case you are narcs of some sort.

"OK, we can talk later about it if you think of anything we can use."

If nothing else, I think it's time to go and relax for a bit until it's our turn to do our part.

You relax for awhile and return.  He gives you the IDs and they look good.  It is now getting toward evening.  You remember there is still a curfew out and you may want to return to your hotel unless there is something else to accomplish here.

Desiraye takes out the 500 cr from her personal money to pay for the ID's (she knows that the party will give up their portion when they get back to the hotel).  She hands them out and tells Ejidali, "How do we contact & meet once we get the items and you get the other halof of you credits?"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:30, Fri 25 Jan 2013.

"I'll be here," he says.  "This is my shop."

(Assuming the party is going back to the hotel now..."

OOC: Of course

Bartja goes with the other back to the Hotel where he gathers the gear he presumes he'll need.  Most notably, he carefully inventories and packs his robcomkit.

"This may be our best chance to snag an assistant or two" he says to those watching with curious glances.

"Agreed.  Let's see what you two can come up with."

You go back to the hotel for Bartja to get his robcomkit and for everyone to restock and rest until the next day, when you finally may get some answers about the mysterious invasion from a parallel universe...or whatever it is.

When you enter your hotel rooms, your jaws drop.  The rooms have been ransacked.  Someone has been looking for something.  All your things are spread around, the mattresses and cushions have been cut open, and the furniture is overturned.

Looking at the ransacked room Krilik comments, "Can it get any better than this?"....then he adds, "l thinks we need a new room."

Hammer had been silent, falling into the background running diagnostics. "First things first. Is anything missing? We must conduct a thorough search."   His metallic head and glowing eyes begin searching the room.  He moves to start searching his room.

"Good call Hammer.  Let's see what's missing and how much if so."  Desiraye begins to go through her gear and lend everyone else a hand once she is done with hers and if the other's need it.

Bart joins the cleanup effort with no small amount of frustration evident. As he inventories what is left, he also reassembled his tool kits. "I guess we need to leave a rear guard our take everything with us. Any ideas here? Does the hotel have security cameras that might have gotten a good look at who is following us?"

Picking up his personal items the Professor says, "This just got personal!" He then laughs as he realizes the irony of what he just said. "Well there goes our deposit on the room."

You do a detailed search of everything.  Oddly, nothing at all seems to be missing.

It is now getting toward late evening.

Desiraye stands around with her hands on her hips after all of their ger has been been accounted for and says to everyone, "You don't think this clown we're dealing with had anything to do with this or am I missing something?  Well, actually, I'm not missing anything at all, gear wise.  We'vbe got a pretty good amount of gear with us and nothing is missing.  Either we didn't have what they were looking for or nobody appreciates a gun that can shoot through walls!"

Hammer says, "Or maybe they had to leave in a rush and didn't get through with their search.  Is there anything we did have but don't have anymore that someone might want?"

"Yeah, the Legrange interview is one thing.  The cube may be another, unless I'm forgetting something else."

Bartja picks up his toolkits and signals to leave.  "Are we going to pick up those ID's or did we need to make another stop?  We could always ask if he had anything to do with this, but of course he'll deny it.  Let's do our side job, get our ID's, and continue investigating.  Maybe I'll buy some pinhole cameras while we're out and set them up in our room next time we leave.  Maybe then we'll get a look at who's snooping around."

OOC: You already picked up the IDs.  As you may recall, I asked if you wanted to come back to the hotel or wait around to pick up the IDs.  Had you come back to the hotel first, you may have caught the burglar in the act.  (That's specifically why I asked that question.)

Yes, you still have the sphere.  I had actually not thought about where it might be kept.  I'm assuming you wouldn't leave it in the hotel room or carry it around town, let's say you left it with your remaining companions in the rooms on the ship during the quarantine.  So you'll need to go back and pick it up if you want to take it with you in the morning to the labs.

"Who would want that?  It was only an interview that didn't go too far.  Anyway, do we need to go and get the shpere b efore we go?"

Bartja just shrugs.  "Who else knows we're here and what other interesting matters have we stirred up since we've been here?  Maybe we should take a much closer look at that recording - maybe compare it to other recordings to see if there are any obvious digital alterations in that interview or other weirdness.

Having our room ransacked but no valuables taken rates highly on my scale of weirdness."

"It means they were looking for something and didn't find it. Whether it was something they wanted to steal or something they wished to confront us about is a question I do not wish to answer."

At that moment, there is a knock at the door to the room where you are at.  You hear a voice say, "Maid service.  Would you like turn down service this evening?"

Bartja signals for the others to "get ready", then opens the door.

"Please, do come in!  We were just wondering if there was a service such as that here.  Do you mind if I ask you a quick question?

Are there any times during the day that maid service or the bellhops are not in the building?"

It occurs to Bartja that whomever ransacked this room had a key and was not unobserved by someone.  Walking through the walls was not entirely out of the question, but it was more likely that they bribed someone, they were someone from the Hotel, or they were known by the staff and were let into the room to search.  This could be figured out if it were pursued...

When the door is opened, you see a Vrusk maid standing there.  Upon seeing the destruction of the room and the furniture, she mutters a surprised and shocked response in some local dialect that is not understandable even to your Vrusk companions.

She ignores the question.  "You must pay for damage," she says in Pan-Galactic.  "You destroy rooms.  What are you, rock stars?  This is not acceptable in Gozzorf.  I must tell management right away."  She backs up, almost fearful of you, and into the hallway.  Then she answers the question from Bartja.  "We are always just a phone call away," she says, as if reciting a mantra or jingle, "but we don't clean up mess like this.  You must speak with manager on duty about paying for this."

Bartja moves to follow the maid, now very interested in speaking with Management himself.  "Yeah, someone's going to pay for this - but in the end it isn't going to be us!"

She says, "He's coming."  The maid has apparently already called on her wireless communication system.

A few moments later, the Vrusk manager approaches.  "How can I be of---" He breaks off when he sees the destroyed furniture.  "What in the name of Kraatar's moon happened here?" he exclaims, stepping into the room and looking around.

"Someone broke into our room or was 'let' into our room while we weren't here.  THAT sir, is what's going on here," Desiraye says as the manager inquires.

Bartja nods in agreement with Desi and puffs back the Rage building inside him. "So if you don't mind, we'd like to review your F&$* security tapes to see just who the....just who was let into our room today."  He wasn't proud of his language slip, but he was angry and didn't care if it showed right now.

While waiting for a reply from the manager, Desiraye emakes sure that her weapon(s) are visible but, her hands are no where near them!

The manager steps into the room, responding without looking at you.  "We pride ourselves in respecting the privacy of our guests.  We do not keep security cameras."  He is looking at the damage, appraising it.  "It appears to be about 2000 credits of damage."  Then he looks at the door.  "There is no sign of forced entry."

Finally, he looks at you.  "As I see it, there are two options.  Either you can pay for the damage, file a report with the police, and continue staying here.  Or you can leave this establishment immediately, and we will file a report with the police and our insurance."

He sees Kri'lik and Krllsk, your two Vrusk companions, and says in a more measured tone, "Even if this damage was not caused by you, your presence has attracted attention that will cost us serious credits.  If you will not pay for whatever damage is caused by those who have an...interest...in you, then I'm afraid you just can't stay.  My insurance premiums will skyrocket if I have to report this."

Calmer now, Bartja considers the managers predicament and mulls it over.  "It wouldn't hurt moving on if we can shake whoever has such a keen interest in us, and I suppose it would keep you out of hot water with your insurance.

Suppose you arrange another establishment for us and pay for our first nights stay and we'll help you cover these damages once we're satisfied.  Otherwise, we'll find our own way and you can duke it out with your insurance."

Besides, they had a lab to break into and time was wasting...

S'Krllk raises his head slightly, and says quietly to the manager, "I'm sure we can arrange to pay for the damages, but I must implore you. I'm very much a non-person, anyone that has an interest in me could have an interest for only one reason. It's a reason we share. You should look into this, and ask your staff if they saw anything. Not for me to know, but for you to be wary of whoever's interested."

The manager looks at Desiraye's sidearm, here's S'Krllk's statement, and says, "Just please pay the 2000 credits and we can all keep this quiet.  I assume you don't have a credit card since there's not one on file.  If you don't have the cash, I can talk to the owner about a substitute form of payment."

Bartja looks at his companions knowingly and says in a lower tone of voice, _{"not a bad idea right there.  I'm sure the Owner will have some form of work we can do for him that would be best kept quiet.  Something compatible with our profession perhaps?"}

Speaking to the Manager directly, he adds "Make it happen.  Get us the owner and we'll speak to him about this disgraceful treatment we've had in his establishment and see just what sort of agreement we can reach to make it all happy.

But for the moment, we have a temporary job to go to, but we'll be back tomorrow to settle this with the owners.  Sound fair enough?"

He says, "I better get the owner in here now. I think he's down in the bar."

OOC: You're not leaving for the lab until the next morning anyway.

The owner is Ymen.  He comes up to see what is going on.  You recall that after you saved Rezz's life, she referred you to Ymen and this hotel.  He has been very kind to you so far and offered you discounted rooms.

Ymen surveys the damage.  "Because you are friends with Rezz and saved her life, I am keen to help you.  But as 'owner,' I am really only part owner and control belongs to the trade house Yrrti'K, which controls all such establishments here in Fioust."

He excuses the hotel manager and says to you in confidence, "If you can pay me just 300 credits, I will report this as vandalism caused by the riots and hope that it blows over.  The increased premiums for the next six months will be about 300 credits.  Otherwise, I have to report this to the trade house, and they will cause us both no end of troubles as they investigate.  They will probably contact the local RIK forces and have you placed under temporary arrest -- or at least the non-Vrusk -- until another perpetrator is located."

In reply to GM Heath (msg # 87):

"We'll also be happy to give you a written statement to back up your claim if you think it will help," Desiraye offers with a satisfied smile.

S'Krllk mutters, under his breath, "trade house, let's just paint a new sign on the door and let the rival trade house clean up the damage"

Quite honestly, Bartja was surprised to recall who the owner of this fine establishment was and feelings of guilt washed over him.  Inwardly agreeing with S'Krllk, he outwardly reaches out to Ymen.

"That sounds more than fare to me.  Anyway trouble can be avoided with Trade Houses is the best way to go, especially if RIK might get involved.  Quite frankly, I suspect RIK is the perpetrator anyway, so in the scenario you paint, we would not see daylight for a very long time.

So, let's make this all just go away but figure out how we can keep it from happening again, shall we?"

Ymen accepts that and seems relieved.

(Please deduct 300 credits from someone, or split the difference.)

Ymen leaves, and you overhear him telling the hotel manager that he will take care of this problem and report the vandalism.

OOC: It is now nighttime, and you can rest or do something else until tomorrow morning when you will use your newly acquired IDs and go to the lab.

Krilik hands over the credits and thanks the Vrusk for his understanding and generosity.

Bartja finishes organizing his gear then gets some sleep. The lab job was going to be plenty stressful and he wanted to be fresh and sharp when it got intense.

Desiraye will follow suit like Bartja is doing.

OOC: Sorry for any delays.  Computer and RL problems going on.