Ganymede Station. They call it the “breadbasket of the Belt,” because Ganymede is that rare body in the solar system with its own natural magnetosphere, protective shielding against radiation. It is what has made the moon’s argi-domes—fed sunlight from giant, orbiting mirrors—bountiful enough to supply food to the rest of the Belt and Outer Planets. It is also what makes Ganymede a favored place for Belters to give birth to children, minimizing the potential for birth defects. For generations, Ganymede has grown from one of the first colonies in the Outer Planets to a thriving hub of millions of people, and you are thinking of the challenges of finding just one person in that multitude—like a single, tumbling rock in the vastness of the Belt.

You and your crew run the Sommelier, a small cargo ship that makes runs throughout the Belt and Outer Planets, so you’re often bringing or taking shipments from Ganymede. One of your regular clients is Amalthea Ambrosals, a corporation based on Titan that supplies luxury items: wine, cheese, chocolate, and other delicacies from Earth and Mars. They sell mainly to the high-class spas on Titan and to anyone else able to pay what is a month’s wages or more for most Belters for what amounts to an expensive snack. Amalthea is run by the Dardanus family, and it seems they’ve misplaced their heir-apparent.

Kai Dardanus took off from Titan not long after his eighteenth birthday and disappeared. His family has been searching for him for a year now, without any leads or much hope of finding him, until Kai’s access codes were used to log into a company system. The login was brief, but traced to Ganymede. With your ship already en route for a delivery, you received an unusual tight-beam transmission, a message from Theo Dardanus telling you that if you recover his son and return him to Titan, you will be compensated with enough money to pay off the mortgage on the Sommelier.

Of course, Daddy Dardanus also made it pretty clear that, if you refused, you might find cargo contracts drying up awfully fast, and have trouble paying your docking fees, much less keeping your ship from being repossessed. Although the elder Dardanus didn’t say so, one other thing was also clear: Kai is a legal adult, and his family has no right to force him to do anything, but they want him back on Titan no matter what. This is less of a “missing persons” investigation and more of an authorized kidnapping, not that the distinction will matter much to Pinkwater, the corporation that handles security on Ganymede. So it’s best to watch your step and be discrete, sa-sa?

You have arrived at Ganymede Station and are searching for Kai Dardanus to.....persuade....him to return to his family on Titan.

How would you like to proceed?

As Tane finished his post landing check of the systems, he grabbed his jacket. It was an old UN Navy flight jacket, though obviously not regulation, so no one could mistake him for active military. Heading out to the hatch he slipped into his room to grab a few items, while calling up the local ordinances regarding weapons. He needed to know if he could keep his pistol visible or had to hide it.

As he was reading it one of the other crew walked by his berth.

This last bit opens up the other players to interact with Tane if they want to. Also GM what are the rules for the station and weapons?

Personnel on station are allowed to carry a non-military grade (ie not fully automatic) sidearm for personnel protection.  Knives, brass knuckles, blackjacks, etc are also allowed.

Security responding to altercations will generally not initiate deadly fire but will return it.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:20, Wed 05 Sept 2018.

Casey padded down the corridor with ample grace, the fluidity of a hunting cat on the prowl and alert for any danger. Strangely, as her crewmates had learned over time, this was her relaxed stance.

Though something smouldered within her eyes as she glanced into Tane's berth, seeing him, she stopped. The smile that flitted across her mouth was predatory. Her voice raspy, smokey, projected into the area even though she spoke softly as she asked, "So what do you make of this forced volunteerism that we find ourselves in?"

Tane looked up at Casey. She represented his old life, and it sometimes disturbed him how easily violence came to her, but she was a good crew mate, and easy on the eyes, so he had learned to tolerate a little discomfort.

He shrugged. "If it pays off the ship, we can begin to make real profit. One person's discomfort is worth it. We're not going to hurt him, so no worries. So what is your take?" He asked while strapping on his sidearm. He shrugged on his flight jacket over his tank top, covering his tattoo's.

He grabbed a pair of shades, slipping them onto his head but not over his eyes. he figured having them if needed would be better than not.

"You ready to go?" He asked.

Addy shut down the engines as they coasted into the station, letting the turbines spin down and the exhaust waft away into the blackness of space. "How are we going to convince him to go with us, though?" he asked, entering the corridor in time to hear the tail end of the conversation. "I mean, if he's running away from his family, he's not likely to go with the people who're planning on taking him back to that family. I don't want to have to knock this kid over the head and carry him off."

Disconnected from her crash couch and waiting for the others as they leave the ship Doris is not quite comfortable in the gravity of even a large moon, but she manages well enough that only those who know her can see the difference in her stance.

Although some of her old Belter accent can still be heard in her voice her vocabulary and speech pattern is almost entirely that of the educated elite of the system.  ”That is an easy fix, we don't need him to go home to his family, we just need him to get on our ship, so we find out where it is he wants to go and tell him we are going there.  By the time he knows any different we will be done with this whole thing.”

Tane looked at Doris, and nodded. "That could work." He grinned and added, "If I wanted to send us to deep space none of you would be able to notice it. At least not right away."

Chao frowned. “I still don’t like it overall. I may have done some dirty things, but forcing someone...” He raised his fingers and did air quotes. “home just burns me. I never had a real home, but when I left somewhere, it was for a reason.”

He turned to Doris. “Which by the way, do we have any idea where to start looking for sonny boy?”

"Either the boy is running from the Family defined destiny, slumming it, or some variation on the old theme: 'I am an adult now and will decide my own course.'" Casey's change toward a sarcastic tone was evident as she stated the last bit. The Texas drawl even more evident.

She glanced at the others having already added their own thoughts, "I am not sure we have any choice in the matter if we want to be able to keep earning as a crew."

Checking her gear one last time, "As ready as I can be." she replied to Tane.

"Good question. I don't suppose daddy-o sent along a dossier on his son?"

"It will be a few hours at least before we can get clearance to leave the station, so there is time to try multiple approaches," Ade said. His dark skin shone in the blue daylight cycle of the passageway. Among the Martians and Belters on the crew, there was no mistaking his Earther musculature and bone density.

So, a kid from a rich family larking about the Outer Planets trying to make a name for himself, he thought. That strikes a little too close to home for me. I bet with as much as we have in common, I can probably get something by just talking to this Kai Dardanus.

Doris turns Chao's question into a rhetorical one of her own.  ”Where would you look for any boy away from home and unsupervised for the first time?  Check the bars and brothels for some new sucker easily separated from his money and you will find him quickly enough, or at least find out who disappeared him most recently.”

Casey glanced over to Doris, "Any chance you could get into the recording feeds, specifically the archives and use some facial recog to perhaps track him as one avenue.

"Some of us can check those areas too though it might tip off anyone who may have taken an interest in him to the point as you say of disappearing him.

Doris deadpans her response to Casey There is always a chance.  But there may not be a central database for more than just a few hallway cameras in public areas, easy to avoid if they even work at all.”

None the less Doris gets started finding herself a way to jack into what passes for a local information network and take from it what it has to offer.

Casey tips her head to the side in acknowledgement, a brief grin flits across her mouth.

Turning to Tane, "Shall we hit the dives and slums that we such types tend to frequent on leave?

"Unless there are other ideas to float first?"

Casey glances around at the others gathered around.

Tane, finished with getting ready steps over to the airlock. Though they were docked on the moon, the airlock was still the only personnel entrance, and he prepared to open the door. "Well, let's get going."

Chao frowned.

“There are a few places I can think of where he might have gone, none of them what you would call... classy.  “

OoC: with Chao’s sketchy history here, what would be the best place to look for information on the boy, if not the boy himself?

09:51, Today: Chao Zhang Sokolov rolled 17using 3d6+3 (5 stunt points) with the AGE System (({5}, 4, 5)).

So, with the Knowledge Talent, that would be an additional piece of info if successful? And, are there any stunts appropriate for this since I have 5 to spend? LoL

Casey nodded, snugged her jacket closed and followed Tane out. Out of habit as they exited she checked who else was around and if any of them were taking undue attention in them or their ship. If anyone set off her threat radar ...

"Where do you want to start this party?" Casey asks Tane.

IGA:

15:28, Today: Casey Khatri rolled 9 using 3d6+1 with the AGE System with rolls of {3}, 4, 1.  Perception 1 no focus applicable.

Doris pulls up her data pad and runs a few scans of the station network.  Although they appear to be normal network traffic her software actually gathers a list of known vulnerabilities in the station's public systems.  In short order she finds some promising openings that the OPA has cataloged and guarded from public knowledge.  Of course, exploiting them from her own data pad would leave a neon lighted trail back should any intrusion-detection system be triggered at some point while she works.  She'll need a local network jack to make the actual attack and obfuscate the source.


Cho remembers an OPA run bar on level 9, The Inconsistent Moon, run by a Belter named Sax.  The chances of the man knowing Kai Dardanus seem slim but Sax was always a connections man; if the crew can make it worth his while he might be able to point them in the right direction.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:51, Fri 14 Sept 2018.

Casey heads to the bar whether she has others in tow or not, it kind of sounded like her kind of place. As she walked the station she made note of the places and the people along the way; various cross connected shafts and other places that could be useful if one needed to E&E.

As she arrived at the bar, she didn't slow down much but she definitely took in its scene trying to get a feel for it before immersing herself into its ambience and culture.

IGA: What all does she see as she takes in the place?

Without anywhere better to go Doris tags along to the bar.  Once they get to a booth table however she is mostly off in her own world, quite literally, as she plugs her own system into the bar network to use their hard-line connection to the rest of the station as a buffer for her own intrusion of the various camera feeds they need to track their wayward boy.

Tane scans the area looking for the target, but also looking to see what is around. Observing the area for potential trouble, opportunities, and anything interesting.

I'm not sure if I need to make a roll but if I do I have a focus in Searching.
SEARCHING: This focus helps Tane with finding things that are hidden or obscured, such as hidden compartments. This ability is Tane's capacity to pick up on and notice things using any of his senses.

It's a 30 minute stroll through the station and lifts to reach the bar.  This section of level 9 appears to be light industrial.  There's a mix of personnel but the vast majority are Belter of all ethnic descents.  Delivery, sorting, small repair, it's a mix of companies running operations from the locations you pass.

The Moon itself isn't much to look at.  This time of day there's plenty of room with only a few tables occupied.

With introductions made and a suggestion from Sax to use a particular booth, Doris gets to work.  She quickly recognizes that the port she jacks into sends her traffic through dozens of proxies; the chances of station security tracking any of it back to the Inconsistent Moon are minuscule.  Her evaluation of network vulnerabilities prove accurate and in short order she has access to surveillance footage going back months.  She's certain there is existing systems in place to run facial recognition scans (so common these days) but the ultra-level ones will be behind Station Security firewalls (Pinkwater Corp here on Ganymede).  It just comes down to a question of time.

At this point I'm assuming you've simply used Cho's familiarity with Sax to gain access to a secured network access and provided assurances you won't bring Pinkwater Security down on the bar.  Sax knows nothing more yet.

What do the rest of you do while Doris works?

Tane, you (and anyone else who'd like to) can make a Perception test, include your Searching bonus, to scan the area.

Doris, you get to decide if you use the available scanning software or look for something that will chew through the terabytes faster...
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:14, Sat 22 Sept 2018.

11:06, Today: Tane Henare rolled 16 using 3d6+4 (3 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {3}, 3, 6.

OOG: As per above she's checking out the bar to get a feel for it and see what she notes.

13:54, Today: Casey Khatri rolled 15 using 3d6+1 with the AGE System with rolls of {5}, 6, 3.  Perception.

While Doris sets up her facial recognition algorithms and begins churning through mounds of video footage the remaining crew takes in the bar and its patrons.  After 20 minutes Tane and Casey are fairly certain that at least 2 of the "customer" are permanent fixtures of the establishment.  One, a rough looking Belter, narrows his eyes at Tane before the pilot shifts his focus away.  Neither ever moves to have their glasses refilled; Sax remains behind his bar serving a trio seated there and any others who come up to place their orders.

The establishment has the standard video surveillance cameras and roll-down security shutters; nothing out-of-the-ordinary.  There are gender neutral bathrooms and a door behind the bar which presumably leads to storage, maybe an office.

In the meantime Doris' search suggests 2 potential matches which both prove to be false.  The search continues.

Any actions from the crew while the computer search runs?

Casey saunters into the bar with just enough swagger to indicate she can clearly handle herself as she makes her way up to the bar, nodding to Sax, "Beer."

She glances around again to see if anyone might have a game going at the table. After all, their boy may have come here to fancy a taste of more than a few things. Nonetheless, it was always better to put some money down before you started down certain roads.

After finishing her first beer, she orders a second, "Hey. I'm looking for a friend of mine. He and I have a long-standing bet that I'd like to settle. I'm wondering if you might have seen him or could maybe point me to someone who has. Last I heard from him he was hanging out on the station."

Casey, toss a Communications roll in for good measure

OOG: Because she has such a way with words and people. LOL!

12:54, Today: Casey Khatri rolled 8 using 3d6 with the AGE System with rolls of {3}, 4, 1.  Communications.

The aged eyes of the bartender rise to meet Casey's; so does an eyebrow.  Sax glances in Cho's direction before focusing again on Casey and shrugging, "I see a lot of people in here.  Can't say they always leave an impression.  You should be able to look him up on the station's net."

He pushes the filled mug in front of the ex-soldier.

Fail on the roll and only a 3 on the drama-die; Sax wasn't inclined to be more helpful.

Meanwhile Doris' algorithms continue their work....

"I'll be right back." Tane said standing.

He walked over to the bar and pulled up near the other permanent fixture, (not the hostile belter) Glancing at the bartender he ordered a mixed drink. Turning his head he asked the (wo?)man (you  weren't clear), "So I noticed you're not drinking much, and the bartender doesn't seem to care. So, I'm guessing security?"

Communications roll please

Tane Henare rolled 8 for communications.

Casey shrugged. Glancing at Sax, she chuckled. "I guess I will have to. Clearly he's ribbing me again. Can I get another beer."

She took a hard swallow of the first one and settled in at the bar.

The residents of The Inconsistent Moon prove to be an insular lot.  As Casey receives her drink Tane receives nothing but one word, non-committal answers to his questions.  The group soon finds itself gathered back at the table Doris has setup shop in to nurse their drinks and wait.

Hours pass.

Though the crowd has tripled as works come off shift looking for a few drinks before heading home there's still plenty of room in the bar.  The Earthers and Martians get a few hard stares, often from Belters with obvious OPA tattoos, but more than once you catch Sax waving off any questions and giving a sign that everything is okay.

It's then that the data pad chimes with a 98% match.

The image is from 5 days ago, level 12, section 22.  A quick visual comparison with the image provided by the senior Dardanus and you're certain it's Kai.  He appears to have come out of La Cage.  Doris is able to back track further and confirm that he entered the business 45 minutes prior.  She tries trace his travel leading up to La Cage but cameras loose him after 10 minutes on level 12 when he moves through a section with malfunctioning equipment.

So, no luck getting chummy with the OPA here.  Tane rolled almost exactly the same as Casey, didn't beat the target number and drama die was just an average roll.  Could have been worse, could have rolled low on drama and started a fight!

What does the group want to do?  Try to spend more time tracking Kai's movements?   Or investigate La Cage and see if anyone there knows the target?

Sharing the still version of the picture with everyone over their private ship based communication system Doris updates those still at the table with more information.

It looks like he used to go to a place called La Cage, which sounds a bit french for my taste, but if some of you want to go there I can probably get just as good of a connection to the raw data there as here, and it is probably about time to change uplinks anyways before someone starts to notice the spike in bandwidth.”

Tane frustrated at not being able to get the man to open up, returns to his booth. And when the match comes in, he says to the others over the link, <Definitely. We know he's been there, and yea it might be five days ago, but he was there. Keep running the scan, but we should start there.>

Casey nods, a brief smile touches her lips, "Always best to keep moving unless defending an entrenched position. Given some of those looks cast our way, if not for Sax there this might have become one.

"Let's go check it out.

"If you feel it wise to move and continue from a new position Doris then let's do that. Get you set up and then we'll check out the place."

Casey pulls up what the public net has on La Cage to see if it could give them a bit more on the business.

Making their way to level 12 the crew of the Sommelier finds La Cage to be a brothel in a commercial area surrounded by numerous bars, restaurants and other businesses.  There proves to be a nominal fee for entry but once paid the crew finds themselves in the main lounge which includes a bar and a number of comfortable (and intimate) seating areas.  The rest of the establishment consists of small, private rooms used by the sex workers and rented out to patrons along with their services (TN 11 Income test to arrange these transactions).

Okay, social encounter to attempt to learn anything useful about Kai Dardanus.  Sky's the limit on how you'd like to approach this but you'll need to improve the staff's attitude to at least Very Friendly.

The adventure recommends possibilities including:
- Communication focusing on either Persuasion or Seduction (though several other specialization could also be used...Gambling could be impressive) (TN 12)
- showing off/impressing someone through Accuracy(Throwing), Communication(Performing) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) (TN 14)
- display of knowledge of an impressive topic using Intelligence perhaps related to Art, Business or Current Affairs specializations (TN 12)
- just being sympathetic and approachable using Perception (Intuition or Empathy) (TN 12)
- bribery using an Income test (TN 14)
- threats using Strength (Intimidation) or Communication (TN 12)

You have an idea of your characters; please describe how they might approach this situation and include the roll you think best represents that method.  Entertaining, inventive or well written ideas always offer an opportunity for a reduction in the TN to succeed.

Partaking of the establishment's services as a part of this effort are fine though no details are needed (the game's neither Mature nor Adult so fade to black when necessary ;) )

ALSO: if any has suggestions for the NPC crew members please speak up; otherwise I'll decide on their approaches
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:15, Fri 19 Oct 2018.

Is there by any chance a piloting simulator? Because I got nothing. The only focuses I have are Pistols, Piloting, and Searching.

After setting up her search program to run on the new bar's local systems Doris uses her own system to quickly build a hologram of the brothel done in miniature and goes about adjusting some of the details to make it both more interesting and more inciting to folks traveling from other parts of the belt, including a few cultural references to other major asteroid colonies without overpowering the local theme.  She then sets the whole contraption on the counter in front of the manager or floor boss, and makes him an offer he probably does not want to ignore even if he opts to not connect it.

”How would you like to see some tasteful improvement options?  I think you will find them quite helpful.”

Not having a specializations doesn't preclude a roll, it just means you don't get the +2 bonus to your roll.

Tane heads over to the pool tables, and begins shooting pool. He seems to go for tricky shots that require dexterous flexibility as he shoots. One particular shot actually required him to bend in a particularly weird angle to get the shot right.

15:39, Today: Tane Henare rolled 15 using 3d6+3 with the AGE System (({4}, 3, 5)).
This message was last edited by the player at 22:40, Mon 22 Oct 2018.

Casey starts casing out the patrons of the bar looking for the largest, toughest looking one of the bunch though not any who look to be surly as she is not out to start a brawl, at least not currently.

Upon determining an appropriate mark, she swaggers over, with a small, confident smile on her lips as she taps their table with a finger, "You look to have a few muscles on those muscles. Care to make a friendly wager over an arm wrestle, loser buys the next round?"

IGA:

22:16, Today: Casey Khatri rolled 15 using 3d6+5 (2 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {2}, 6, 2.  Arm Wrestle (Str+3 with a spec in Might+2).
This message was last edited by the player at 04:17, Wed 24 Oct 2018.

The Sommelier crew members spread out through La Cage and mingle with the staff and clientele; each making a impression in their own particular way.

Doris just happens to engage the owner, his double-take lets her know immediately he's interested though he tries to keep his cool.  The discussion that follows makes it clear he's been considering some changes to La Cage and turned down 2 designs already.  More than once he asks if Doris is in any way associated with the earlier designers, can't believe the coincidence.  For her part, Doris is able to answer his concerns and make immediate adjustments to the design.  By this point in the conversation he is talking price; its nothing outrageous but a modest sum.  Ade stands nearby, admiring Doris' progress and ready to assist if she requires.
Between this initial success, drama die and stunts Doris manages to strongly impress the owner.  2 levels of success on this path.  Only 1 more needed.

The pilot meanwhile puts his steady hand and keen eyes to the test as he joins in a pool game.  After the second game waitresses are intentionally taking a circular route to deliver their drinks just so they can watch the balls dance at Tane's direction.  There's no serious competition but no one looks upset at loosing.  In fact everyone's clearly having a great time.  Chao can be heard talking about Tane's piloting skill to a pair of patrons and a waitress while the game continues.
Success, drama die showed all reactions were positive.   2 more successes needed on this path.

The Martian Casey challenges looks ex-military, with plenty of gravity grown muscles under his civvies.  With a coy smile he offers her a seat across from his, the pair lock hands and it's on!  If the man expected a quick win with a woman who was trying to pick him up he hid his shock well.  Casey meanwhile kept eyes focused on her opponents...but inside realized he was even stronger than he looked.  When there was no winner immediately his friends think he's taking it easy on Casey.  After a minute they've gathered round and are shouting encouragement.  Staff move to ensure there's no fight, then hang close to watch the growing group....and the wrestlers.  After a full 3 minutes Casey finally manages to press the back of his hand to the table; her muscles are screaming.  Her challenger appears tired but impressed...but his eyes narrow dangerously when someone makes a derogatory comments about his loss to a woman. Addy is nearby, he seems to be scanning the crowd to see where the smack is coming from.
Success, lower drama die though, Casey has a potential situation building.  Will it lead to trouble or can she direct it toward a positive outcome?  Don't forget she as 2 points to spend on the Social Encounters table which may help.  2 more successes needed on this path.


All successes to start.  Again someone needs to reach 3 successes to have La Cage staff friendly enough to answer your questions about Kai.  NPC crew are in place if you want to request their assistance but given your current progress I'm leaving it to the players to bring this home.

Round 2 - post how you'll proceed from here and make the rolls to support.  Feel free to spend any stunt points earned immediately

Rather than engage in to much dialog about the local situation she knows nothing about Doris sets up her system to run an intrusion test of the local security system, doing some prep work while she talks to the owner about how this should work out for his benefit.

”It does not surprise me that you have had some invitations to do improvements.  What you have now is reasonably well done for armatures, but anyone with any professional design, or the slightest training in defense or protection would see this place either as a target or as a victim waiting to happen.  Most would try to take advantage of you to your detriment, but this is your lucky day, I already have a job and I just need your help with it.  For which I am willing to offer you some help in return.”

Once she is done both talking and setting up the assault protocols Doris turns her system's display in his direction to show him the last few seconds of his own security system being hacked and the cameras with the two of them clearly in view show up on the screen, playing what is obviously a real time feed of what should be his secure system.

Casey chuckled, "Clearly it is easy to make comments when hiding behind a crowd of others.

"I am a former marine and this man had the courage and the honesty to not judge me by my gender and given the test he gave me, he'd do well in boot and I'd be proud to stand with him on the line.

"Can you say the same?

"Do you have the courage to test me or are you just going to mutter words anonymously?"

IGA: Using the Social Stunt 'And Another Thing' to call out the mutterer to arm wrestle them.

Nice!  Please add a Communication roll to help determine how well you delivered your words.

OOG: I am still trying to get a grasp on how all of this works and interacts. This wouldn't be a place where I could use my Crew of bonus would it as it isn't really helping another crew member.

15:37, Today: Casey Khatri rolled 11 using 3d6 (4 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {4}, 4, 3.  Communications.

Not sure if I succeeded there but if I did could I use the 4 points to lighten the mood as per the Social test 4 point spend but with the intent to get the crowd to back down while elevating my original opponent's pride/mood as my intent is to raise him up with the compliment.

That way it takes away the mutterer's support from the crowd.

The owners mouth hangs open for a good three count before he takes a deep breath and frowns at Doris thoughtfully.

"Okay, those designs are...good.  Okay they're great.  And I get that our security has some holes in it.  Expensive to keep up with the latest updates; mostly figure, well why would anyone bother really with this place.  So, much as I like all this, what kind of help do you need and what's it going to cost me to give it?"

He waits to hear more.
Owner's a bit cautious but still interested.  Overall this is a success.

Meanwhile a cheer and laughter goes up from those gathered round Casey.  The Marine appears to relax, gives her a smirks and nods, "Hoorah."  A rough looking Belter steps forward amid jeers.  He's not pleased having his words turned back on him, probably been drinking.  The Marine slides from his seat, steel eyes on the Belter and moves to stand at Casey's right.  "Les see wha' yu got yeah?  'ow 'bout we 'old hands?" he mutters though a thick accent.
And another success.  Marine is calmed as is all of the crowd except the troublemaker.   Roll for another arm wrestling contest?

Tane if you have any follow-up actions feel free to post.

Casey smiles but it is the smile of a predator, "Oh... Yes please. Let's do that." she replies with a slight edge of sarcasm. Rotating her wrists then rolling her head around, her neck pops as she settles in and cinches up her grip.

Her grip is firm, tight, and testing as is often the case when a person attempts to dominate in a handshake between alphas.

Today though she feels her alpha and she plays to the crowd as they settle in for the next round.

IGA:

21:26, Today: Casey Khatri rolled 15 using 3d6+5 (4 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {4}, 2, 4.  Arm Wrestle (Str+3 with a spec in Might+2).

If I win, I would like to use the stunt points to do the four point stunt from Exploration Stunts (With a Flourish) to impress the crowd and hopefully make them amenable to opening up.

Tane had stopped his showing off when it looked like a fight might break out, though he didn't get aggressive, anyone trained could have seen that Tane was holding the pool stick in a manner that would have allowed him to use it as a weapon if a fight did break out. Now that the scene seemed to have calmed down he went back to shooting pool.

Lining up his final shot he attempted to shoot from behind his back, while having to lean back to reach the shot.

03:08, Today: Tane Henare rolled 20 using 3d6+3 (6 stunt points) with the AGE System (({6}, 6, 5)).
I would like to do both the Speed Demon and With a Flourish if possible? Basically getting lined up and also knocking it in stylishly while barely taking any time to do so.

The Belter strains against Casey's grip and slowly he begins to push her back.  A crooked smile spreads across his face, his complexion reddens with strain as he presses home for the win.  And then, at approximately 8 cm from the table top, all progress stops.  As her opponent grunts and strains...Casey just watches him calmly.  An amused grunt comes from behind; she can guess the Marine recognizes what is happening.  A mummer spreads from the onlookers, then grows until finally loud enough the Belter looks up and recognizes he is being toyed with.  With murder in his eyes he begins to spit out a curse, and that's when Casey strikes.
 Smoothly, forcefully, leaving no room for doubt, she presses her grip across and down, defeating her opponent.  She doesn't release immediately, simply watching the Belter's eyes.  Waiting.

After a heartbeat he relaxes and looks away.  As another round of cheers erupts and bodies press forward in admiration and congratulations, the Belter fades into the crowd and away.  A waitress brings over a drink Casey doesn't recognize, "You've got at least 5 drinks waiting from different guest and a couple staff.  That was amazing. If you need ANYTHING just speak up."
Very nice success with the stunts; Casey definitely makes an impression on the crowd.  Plus you manage to shut down the heckler without ending in a brawl.  That's 3, crowd is Friendly to Casey.  Don't forget your +1 to future opposed tests against them should the situation arise

Meanwhile Tane (or the Budda of Billiards as he may be referred to hereafter) puts on a display of skill seldom witnessed.  Twice he runs the table, directing the spheres into motion that seems impossible.  There is regular applause after each of his shots.  Briefly there are side bets whether he'll miss....that quickly dries up when he consistently doesn't.  At the end of his last run one of the staff approaches and asks, "Where'd you learn to play like that.  You're fantastic.  You wouldn't be interested in coming in once a week, would you?  Either offering lessons or maybe putting on a show?"
So, not only did you get a 6 on the drama die; great success, but add in the stunts to go with it and I'm not certain you can get a much higher success.  Treat this as 2 successes, the crowd is Friendly to Tane.  As with Casey, don't forget your +1 if needed later

Okay, apparently beating 14 on 3d6 didn't end up as difficult as expected.

So now that their receptive....what do you do to try to get a lead on Kai?

Casey smiles pleasantly accepting the congratulations good-naturedly, accepting hand clasps and returning the occasional shoulder pat as she broke through the crowd. The pleasure of a great set of contests clearly writ upon her face.

Nodding to the waitress to acknowledge her statement, "Perhaps you could help me with something after all if you have a moment or two."

Taking a few moments to catch up on the progress of the others as they make in roads with the various customers Doris makes no effort to disguise her inspection or the mischevious smile it brings to an otherwise fairly mundane conversation with the owner.

”The cost and the help are one and the same.  I will be needing unrestricted access to your records, and all the live feeds you can get around the station."

"Well luv I might be able to put on a show every now and again, but I'm a pilot. So my duties do keep me away." Tane said to the woman. "I could give you lessons if you would like? And of course if people watched they might learn something as well."

The waitress sets Casey's drink down and smiles, "Sure, I've got a minute or two.  What did you need?"<blue>
Waitress is friendly, just needs to know what you're looking for

Meanwhile the owner frowns and holds up a hand to Doris, <blue>"You want...what?  No.  Look I'm not sure what you're after and, as interested as I am in those designs, it's not worth it to just let you run through our data store.  I've got the privacy of our customers to consider let alone our finances and personnel records.  Can't help you with any of the station feeds; we've got a few here but that's all we have access to."  He points to a small monitor eye in the ceiling; pretty standard in most establishments.
That was a tall order.  You'd need more than just Very Friendly to get what you've asked for.

The Belter cocks her head to Tane and purses her lips in thought, "I can't now, duties you know.  But I'm off in a couple hours; maybe you could give me a few lessons then?"
Tane realizes she might have mistaken his statement as a pass at her.  Course, she didn't say no...

Tane, who had been suggesting what she thought, smiled and said, "Well I look forward to seeing you then."

Doris doesn't seem overly surprised by the manager's paranoia, rather than resist it she adds fuel to the fire by way of a parting comment as she walks over to an empty table that is well away from any windows or cameras.

”I will be sitting over there, looking into other similar clubs on this rock that will be more inclined to be helpful, let me know if you change your mind before I leave."

Casey smiled; open and friendly filled with the joy of victory, "I am looking for a friend of mine. I had heard he was hanging around the station and particularly around here. I'd like to surprise him since it has been a few cycles since we last caught up. You would not happen to know Kai Dardanus or at least heard of him?

"Though he some times uses other nicknames."

Casey provides a description of his physical features as well just in case her new favorite waitress recognizes him more from his looks.

The staff member smiled to Tane as she returned to her duties; clearly looking forward to the end of her shift.  Everyone around the pool table area was still in high spirits and the pilot has no shortage of friends in the meantime.  A few new challengers stepped up but they appeared to be more interested in another show than any real high stakes wagers.
You secured a date for the evening if you're up for it.  The staff is still Very Friendly toward you.  Another approach to tracking down Kai?

The owner frowned in mild confusion as Doris takes her seat and began to focus on her data pad.  He disappeared through a door marked "Staff Only" for a few minutes; during that time Doris identified other brothels around the station similar in style to La Cage.  After roughly five minutes the owner slid into the booth across from Doris, set his own data pad in front of him and asked, "Listen, maybe we can come to an agreement.  You let me know what you're interested in and, assuming it doesn't compromise our club or potentially make us liable for some kind of suit, I can pull it up for your from our files."  He folds his hands and awaits Doris' response.
Doris' move

"Kia? the waitress' face lit up to Casey, "Sure, he worked here but he's been gone for a couple months now.  He was popular; the young and pretty types always are.  I heard he caught himself a nice "sugar daddy".  Hope he's living the good life; he was nice."

She frowned for a moment in thought, "I wasn't really close to Kai but I can ask around; see if any of the staff might know how to get in touch with him.  I'll let you know."

Once the waitress walked away the Marine raised his glass to Casey, "We never formally introduced ourselves.  Stanis Lopez, MMC retired.  I'm serving on the Mekong.  Don't suppose you're looking for employment are you?"
Congrats, you've got someone in La Cage pulling together info for you.  You also handled things well enough that you made an impression on Stanis.  Regardless whether you just make small talk or what you can treat him as a potential contact while you're on Ganymede Station.

Looking up from her work as the owner sits down Doris makes him wait for just long enough to be clear that is what she is doing, but not quite long enough to become uncomfortable before replying.

”I am looking for someone who got himself in a bit of trouble, what I will need is every piece of information you have about him, and everyone who interacted with him, particularly the nefarious types.  Nobody is going to know you gave it to me unless you tell them."

Casey nods her thanks to the waitress, "Interesting." Smiling, she added, "He did like to be taken care of. If you would please, it would be appreciated."

Nodding to the marine, she pulled up a stool and sat, "Pleased to meet you Stanis. Casey Khatri. Possibly. I have a few prior commitments I need to see finished first. That said, what did you have in mind?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:31, Wed 05 Dec 2018.

Doris and La Cage's owner dance around the information exchange.  Once he understands that it's Kai she is interested in he is able to provide some of the details: contact data including place of residence, employment period which ended roughly 2 months ago, pay history, and Kai's list of clientele during the period.

Interestingly in the last month and a half of Kai's employment only one client's name is listed: Orn Aquilo.
anything else Doris needs from the owner?  if not, does she provide the designs as agreed?

As Casey and Stanis chat one of the staff interrupts then, introducing herself as Elyse.  "I was told you knew a friend of mine.  Can we speak privately?"  Assuming Casey excuses herself, Elyse leads her to a back room (and any other crew members Casey chooses to include in the discussion, including Doris if she's so inclined as her discussion with the owner can conclude prior).

Once alone it's evident Elyse is worried. "How do you know Kai? I think he's in trouble but he wouldn't tell me anything," she asks.

Elyse, along with the rest of the staff, is already impressed with the crew so it takes little prodding to learn what she knows of Kai.  She and Kai became good friends while he worked at La Cage and she confirms that he was very popular.  So popular, in fact, that he caught the eye of Orn Aquilo, who practically became Kai's sole customer.  Kai left La Cage a couple months ago to move in with Orn.  Elyse didn't hear from him much for a while but then Kai go back in touch last week saying he needed a place to stay briefly.  He didn't give Elyse details but it was clear to her he was scared, nervous, and didn't want anyone to know where he was.  She put him up briefly at her place but he also made it clear he had a plan to fix things and move on.  She doesn't know what it was, only that she hasn't seen Kai for almost 2 days.  She heard him mention "57-D" on a comm call, but doesn't know what that means.
And that's pretty much all Elyse knows.

So, one new name & one odd phrase from a comm call.  What would the crew like to do next?

Doris does send the owner the designs as agreed, once he finishes providing the information stipulated in that deal, any records about clients in particular the Orn Aquilo that he has access to, either professionally or personally.  Incomplete payment gets him nothing.

La Cage does not keep details on clients other than name and credit account to charge for services rendered.  He could show other employees Orn has also hired in the past but that's about the extent of it.

Casey excuses herself motioning the others to follow her discretely. Finding a quiet place to hold the conversation where they could not be overheard or approached without being noticed, Casey turned to Elyse, "Thank you Elyse. My name's Casey. These are my friends.

"We met in passing and hit it off some time ago and I had heard he was here. I thought it would be nice to catch up. After all, he does seem to know how to have a good time."

As Elyse opened up, Casey gave the woman her full attention, listening carefully. At the end, she placed both her hands on Elyse's shoulders, "I think you are correct. My friends and I will look into Kai's situation and if he's in trouble, see what we can do about it." Casey replied with a calm, assured confidence and reassuring tone.

"What do you know of this Orn Elyse?" Casey asked quietly.

She listened to what more Elyse had to say before adding, "However, lets keep this between us for now. Once we know more, I will come and let you know that he is safe. Thank you again. Probably best for you to return to your rounds now." Casey stated with a warm smile. She gave Elsye's shoulders another quick squeeze then let go.

"So we have two avenues. We need to look into this Orn and this phrase. It might be a section of the station. Can you find that out or eliminate that as a possibility Doris?"

Well aware of the preference for privacy in places like this Doris allows the owner to convince her that he really has given up all the information he can quickly access, although she lets him squirm long enough to think he has done a good job of making a deal that benefits him before she sends him the files indicating how to improve his business almost up to the level of quality one would expect anywhere else in the system.

Taking the details on Orn and all the other clients that interacted with her target she sets about comparing all the known information about all of them, anything publicly visible, to get a picture not only of who they are but how they interact with a place like this, and who else they may be able to put a young boy in contact with if an emergency inspired them to do so.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:12, Fri 28 Dec 2018.

Doris: Please include either a Communication(Investigation), Intelligence(Research) or Intelligence(Security) check for your search of Kai's former clients.

Tane: any input to the crew's next step?
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:17, Fri 28 Dec 2018.

Elyse shakes her head when asked about Orn, "He was rich but I don't know what his business was.  I don't think Kai ever mentioned it.  He stopping coming here after Kai left.  I asked Kai if anything had happened between them when he showed up but he wouldn't answer."

Doris begins to work her way through the list of Kai's clients during his employment at La Cage.  Although he had a number of repeat customers many are easily eliminated (off-station, one is deceased, etc..).  When she begins researching Orn Aquilo things get interesting...

On a hunch Doris hits the station news archives and pulls back numerous reports from years past which allege Orn Aquilo to be a ruthless crime boss involved in extortion, smuggling and bribery while others paint him as an upstanding member of the Ganymede wealthy.  Station security have arrested Aquilo twice years ago but in both cases charges were dropped.  There are no news files on any illegal activities or alleged involvement of Aquilo in the last 4 years.  Orn main residence is spin-ward 3 levels down but he also owns several other properties including one on this level only a short distance from La Cage.

EDIT: My bad Casey, not sure how I overlooked your question.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:32, Tue 08 Jan 2019.

Tane stays out in the bar while they speak with their leads, one to appear unconnected, but mostly to keep watch in case there was any betrayal. He trusts his crew to get the job done and knows they will update him when they leave.

Casey puts her hands on Elyse's shoulders, "Thank you Elyse. All of this is helpful. Pending on what Kai wants and needs we will do what we can to help him. I certainly don't want to see him in trouble or troubled." Casey reassured Elyse.

"One last thing, do you happen to know where Orn hangs his cape on the station?"

Elyse shakes her head in response to Casey, "No I don't really know anything about him."

Casey reassures Elyse one last time before sending her back to work having taken up her time.

Nodding to those that came with her, "I think we should all meet back at the ship to discuss things. It's quieter and less errant ears. We can comms the others to head back while we are on our way, if that works for you all."

Casey looks at the others as they finally gathered elsewhere, "So we need to scope out each of Orn's places but I think we need to keep it quiet. No additional queries for the moment. Just take a look around at each and see if we can spot our Lost Boy before this vampire consumes him.

"I would suggest we take a quick walk by the establishment he has nearby. That work for you all?"

Not seeing anyone offering a dissenting opinion or another course of action, Casey heads toward the location given on this level that Orn is known to be involved with.