The day seems nice when you wake up the next morning.  Finally, you will be out of customs and immigration, along with Charletta and LeGrange and a large other group.

Charletta tells you LeGrange said he might speak with her for a minute or two during the final customs inspection, so she waves to you and heads off to the bottom of the ramp where he will be coming down.

You have learned:

Gozzorf starport is owned and controlled by Vist'Lat trade house , who deal with the administration of the starport and provide customs officials. Following a KLC attack on the starport a fortnight ago, VL have contracted RIK (Ral'Ik'Ka) personnel to oversee security matters and provide trained guards.

Before you lies the starport with its administrative tower and landing bays. A ground transport is moving towards the ships and parked by the landing ramp are a ground car and a cycle. At the bottom, stand three uniformed Vrusk, one of whom holds a hand computer.

They are finishing customs procedures.

You stand in line waiting when one Vrusk executive remembers he left a bag in his cabin.  He and another Vrusk return for it, pushing through you.  This leaves you in the front of the line.  Finally, some good luck.

The customs officials meanwhile direct you to the Administrative block where your baggage is to be checked before your are allowed to leave the starport. Following the attack on the starport by the KLC, this is now standard policy and cannot be avoided; at present only pistols and melee weapons are allowed on Kraatar. All heavy weapons and grenades are held by Vist'Lat and are only returned when you leave the planet.

OOC: I think we mentioned this last point earlier, but please decide which melee weapons and pistols you are bringing, if any.

The approaching ground transport contains two Vist'Lat Vrusk maintenance personnel. They park the transport near disembarkment ramp and begin to inspect the ship's landing gear.  The three Vrusk waiting at the bottom are unarmed VL customs officials.  They are waiting for you to approach.

Charletta is at the far ramp waiting for LeGrange to disembark for customs.  Her recorder is ready.

The customs officials politely ask for people's names and ID cards, enter the names into their hand computers and await a reply from the main computer. This is merely a formality and delays you for a minute at most.

Just after getting past customs, you hang out nearby to wait for Charletta and LeGrange.

The following is a map of the area.

The Golden Dawn is your ship.  During immigration and customs lockdown, you have been staying in the building marked "5."  You had to go back into your ship and retrieve all supplies and get captain's clearance, and now you have just exited for final customs clearance on the southeast ramp (the little white square on your ship).  LeGrange and Charletta are at the southwest ramp nearby.

A ground car, transport and cycle are parked next to you.



As Legrange moves onto the lan-ding pad, a flash of laser light comes from area 1, striking LeGrange.  LeGrange falls instantly.  At the same moment, the two Vrusk executives (who pushed past you a few minutes ago) appear at the top of the ramp. Both throw a fragmentation grenade (8d10 points of damage) at LeGrange, his bodyguards, and the customs officials.

You are out of range, but Charletta is hit and falls, along with several others in the immigration line.  The Vrusk then produce laser pistols and shoot (4 SEU per shot) at the bodyguards. The bodyguards return their fire, while the customs officials hastily take cover underneath the starship, where the maintenance personnel are already hiding.



It takes you a moment to realize what is happening, and to understand that Charletta and LeGrange have just been murdered in cold blood.  It takes you only a moment more to realize that you are likely to be the next target of the executives.

But at just that moment, you see a figure moving near the transport at "1."  It is the assassin, a Vrusk female who carries a laser rifle.  Another Vrusk is waiting in the vehicle to drive off.

There are other vehicles parked nearby that can be "commandeered" if you want a chase.  The parked vehicles (a ground car, transport and cycle) are not locked. You can automatically enter and start the vehicles in 1 turn.

Otherwise, you can deal with the two executives who just threw the grenades.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:30, Mon 19 Mar 2012.

Hammer begins running to the nearest car to chase after the sniper, his laser pistol in one hand.

Desiraye is shocked on how fast the situation had went down the toilet.  Laser and grenade blasts now rocking the landing pad area and seeing the LeGrange and Charletta go down, Desiraye reaches and flips on her Albedo screen and activates the action on her new spring holster to draw her KE-1500 laser pistol.  She goes to kneel to steady her shot(s) at one of the Vrusk execs that started this whole mess.

Firing 1-2 shots at [4] SEU (DAM: 4d10+8) at one of the Vrusks that threw the grenades.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:12, Thu 22 Mar 2012.

S'Krllk does not consider tactics, as he rarely does, anyway. He pulls out his needler with much less grace than those more practiced, and fires at the female Vrusk with the laser rifle. As he does so he makes inarticulate noises for some reason.

Grief strikes the doctor as Charletta and LeGrange are gunned down. But experience takes hold and the aged vrusk activates his albedo screen and draws his WarTech Frontiersman Heavy Pistol upon the two executives.

Whats the range to the two Vrusks? If its short Ill go for a stun setting on one of them ROF 2. If not Ill use the pump action starfire grenade and try for both.

Beam Weapons 45%

OOC: So it appears everyone is firing on the executives and only Hammer is going after the assassin.  Bartja is still AWOL.

Looks like it...

As he's forced to choose another target while tracking the female assassin with his needler piston, S'Krllk remarks, "Snooty matriarchal witch, anyway."
As a concession to the apparent chaos, he snaps a shot in the general direction of the grenade flinging executives.

OOC: I thought the female was the assassin, that was the target I chose. Realizing she got away, I wasted a shot on the other targets.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:26, Mon 26 Mar 2012.

She just got into a waiting car, so you'll have to chase her with a vehicle.  She had a laser rifle, so your pistol isn't likely to get her that far away in any case.

ROUND 1
There is a flash of of gunfire.  One of the bodyguards of LeGrange appears to still be alive, and he fires up.  His shot combined with Desiraye's kill one of the executives.

The other executive fires and kills the remaining bodyguard, but he is killed with holes as Kri'lik and S'krllk fire.  (66 dmg.  The straight line of sight and proximity gave bonuses to you.)

Hammer, meanwhile has jumped into the car and is pulling away to chase after the assassin.  He is about halfway to the original position of the assassin's car.  The assassin, however, has driven off to the east (right side of the map following the dotted line path).

The battle seems over before it began, though the chase is on.

"Desiraye use the bike and help Hammer!" Yelled the professor. "Ill look to these dead for clues and contact you soon." The middle-aged Vrusk was already running forward to the two defeated executives. Perhaps one yet hung on to life. As he reached them one hand was already looking for his medical kit while the other, still holding his heavy pistol checked the two for life signs.

Desiraye runs towards the bike and holsters her laser pistol before she starts it.  "You two are OK right?" she says turning on the engine and getting ready to pull off after Hammer and the other vehicle of Vrusk that have fled the scene.

S'Krllk is fiddling with his bodycomp, calling up the sensors. "We'll be fine, but if Hammer chases those two back to their hive, he'll probably be in over his head, so to speak."

Hammer continues chasing after the assassin.

Desi continues to ready the bike to follow Hammer and the assassins.

STATS: Here are vehicle stats:

ground car (Hammer): 100 kph
cycle (Desiraye) : 125 kph
ground transport (empty): 75 kph

You can make a 45 degree turn every 2 squares traveled without a reaction speed check.
(I can give you more stats if you want to be complicated, but these should do for now.)



A couple things happen at once.  Desiraye and Hammer are going off to chase the assassins.  At about the time they reach the circular area where the assassins started, you see a robot coming out of the place marked 'b'.  It is a specialized RIK robot that can move on wheels at extremely fast velocity.  At first, you think it will go after the assassin, but instead it turns its attention Hammer and Desiraye.  It looks like it will try to ram Desiraye.  It appears to have one arm that is a laser rifle and grenade launcher.

The second thing that happens is that the assassins get under a barrier (in the eastern tunnel) that is starting to close.

options: you can fight the robot or chase the assassins.  If you make two reaction speed checks you can beat the lowering barrier and make the hard turn.  If you miss either one, you might crash.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:04, Tue 10 Apr 2012.

Just as Desiraye is about to take the bike out, she spots the new threat of the robot and decides it better to try and take on the robot and let Hammer do what he's doing.  The robot looked like it was going to try and cut her off and there was a barrier coming down and her thought was her chances were better on the ground than on a bike.  Desi moves and takes cover behind the ground transport and begins to fire at the robot and use the vehicle as cover.  If Desiraye can use her chronocom, she gives a quick warning to the team, "Heads up!  Another threat attacking!"

STR/STA: 65/62
DEX/RS: 60/60

IM: 6

PUNCHING DAMAGE: 7
CURRENT STA: 62/62

SKILLS:
Beam Weapons: 6 [DEX:30 + 60 = 90%]

Firing 2 shots at [4] SEU (DAM: 4d10+8) at the RIK robot
This message was last edited by the player at 08:42, Thu 12 Apr 2012.

Professor Kri'lik continues to look over the dead Vrusk for any clues of who they are.

Hammer decides to crash directly into the robot before trying to turn left and pursue the fleeing assassin.

As a crowd presses forward around the dead, cameras flashing Kri'lik leaves the two dead Vrusk, having found what he might for clues, then moved quickly for someone of his age to the slain humans to look over them as well.

Looking for any clues as to who the killers are, worked for, etc. Looking for recording devices Id, Comm units (should have lots of info on them) etc. Same for the humans.

Kri'lik begins searching the bodies.

S'krllk is messing with his bodycomp sensors.

Hammer is in the ground car.  He rams the robot.

This is a standard RIK security robot, with a specially armoured (but not heavy duty), cylindrical body. The robot has 3 cameras mounted in a 3-sided pyramid above its audio-visual sensors. These relay visible light and/or infra-red views of its surroundings to the central computer terminal.

The robot gets 3 shots off with its laser rifle.  One shot hits the window of the car, fusing it and making it blurry.  The other goes wild into space, and the third hits the front of the cycle, causing Desiraye to almost lose control, but she gains it again.

The car hits the robot and veers off to the left, crashing into the wall marked "b."  (Critical miss by Hammer.)

Desiraye makes it past the robot on her more nimble cycle and begins down the east road corridor.  Hammer follows but is now behind Desiraye.

See map below.  Hammer is marked with an H and Desiraye with a D.  The dotted line shows the path of the assassin's car.

PLEASE SEE THESE NEW STATS. I HAD SOME ERRORS. THESE WILL HELP YOU NAVIGATE IN THE CHASE:

STATS: Here are vehicle stats:

ground car (Hammer): top: 10 squares per turn (accel: 6/turn; decel: 4/turn)
CURRENT SPEED: 3 squares per turn

cycle (Desiraye) : top: 12 squares per turn (accel: 10/turn decel: 4/turn)
CURRENT SPEED: 10 squares per turn

You can accelerate or decelerate in an amount per turn as shown.  Each square is 10 meters.

You can make a 90 degree turn every square traveled without a reaction speed check (up to top cruising speed).

If you are over your top cruising speed, you must make an additional reaction speed check in addition to any other reaction speed check.


HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS NEXT:

As you get past the robot, you see that there is a checkpoint at the place marked "a".  This is a reinforced plastic barrier across the road, and a booth containing two RIK Vrusk personnel.  Usually, you show ID cards to the guards, who will raise the barrier to allow vehicles to pass through.

As the assassins reach the first barrier, it is raised to allow an incoming ground transport to pass. The assassins swerve around the transport and under the barrier as it starts to close on them.  This makes the transport driver lose control and crash into the Administration Building (large building on the south marked "2").

Desi easily makes it under the closing barrier, and Hammer barely makes it.  (I went ahead and rolled these to complete this action round even though they technically occur next turn.)

(Please count your movement based on where you are on the map, not on where the barrier is at.  If you accelerate, you can move half the squares of your acceleration added to your current speed, rounded down.  EXAMPLE: 6 squares per turn, accelerating 4 more to 10 squares per turn: you can move 8 squares this turn and will be at 10 squares per turn on the next turn.)

(Downward arrow shows the direction of the transport that just crashed.)



I include the larger map here so you can plan your movements.  The assassins have gone straight and are turning right at the end of the current road.


This message was last edited by the GM at 19:28, Mon 23 Apr 2012.

Hammer accelerates to 9 and moves down the road between building 6 and 3.

While the doctor examines the deceased as organic beings, S'Krllk scans the bodies as if they were not. For comparison purposes, he'll also scan everyone else in range (including himself) to look for anomalies.
He's not sure what he's looking for, but he is determined to be looking.

Desiraye is going to try and maintain her currnet speed and decelerate [1] in case of a turn but will otherwise try and keep up with the other car the best she can.  She pretty much understands that she can catch up to the escaping vehicle due to her bikes greater speed.

You continue the pursuit.  Suddenly, from the left hand side, an ambulance appears racing down the street.  (This is marked with the c.)  Desiraye flies wide to avoid it... and succeeds (reaction speed check successful).  Hammer also tries to avoid it...and barely succeeds.

I am now including the full map.  As you continue the chase, the assassins are following the dotted line.  They plan to escape out the area marked "e."

The area marked with a "d" is a narrow alley connecting the warehouse and the main gate.  This forces the assassins to slow down to a 5.

Any movement over a 5 will result in an extra reaction speed check due to the narrow alley, but it may give you a chance to catch up.


This message was last edited by the GM at 23:07, Wed 02 May 2012.

The current speed puts Desi at exiting the alley at the end of the next round and Hammer as entering it.

The assassins will be about 6 squares ahead of Desi at that time and will be traveling at 8 squares per round.

Desi is currently going 10 squares.
Hammer is currently going 9 squares.

Hammer will increase to 11 (going 10 this round) and will not slow down for the alleyway.

Desiraye will keep her current speed of 10 after the vehicle.  If she can, she sends a message to the two Vrusk back at the ship area.  "See if you can alert the port security.  I think they may be making a break for one of the gates around here!"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:41, Sat 05 May 2012.

Desi and Hammer go through the narrow alleyway.  Hammer doesn't quite make it, and he crashes into the wall.  (9 STA damage.)

Desi makes it through, pursuing the assassin's vehicle and getting closer since it was slowing down through the alley.

Desi is getting very close as they round toward the main gate (marked "e").  However, there are RIK vrusk guards there with laser pistols.

There is a large barricade there, which the assassins hit with their vehicle, slowing it severely.  At this point, the four guards open up on the vehicle.  Just as Desi approaches, the vehicle catches fire and explodes with the assassins inside.

Desi pulls her bike up next to the burning vehicle as the guards surround it.  There will be nothing salvageable and no survivors.

Meanwhile, Kri'lik and S'krllk have been back searching the bodies and using sensors.

The assassins were Vrusk, apparently belonging to RIK.

REMINDER:  RIK, a Vrusk security trade-house, has been hired to police the major centres of population.

This is of limited help, since the entire security team also seems to belong to RIK.  You find nothing else strange about the bodies.

Even as this is happening, you notice that the robot that had attacked Desi's and Hammer's vehicles is making its way toward you (S'Krllk and Kri'lik).

S'Krllk glances at the robot, and tells Kri'lik, "I think we may have a problem that could turn to our advantage. Let's see if we can't claim allegiance with this house so that the approaching robot does us no harm. If I can deactivate it, we may be able to glean some data from its memory to move towards clearing this muddy situation."
As he begins to search the dead assassins, he makes the counter-clockwise turning of the eyes that indicates how odd his behavior is, and explains, "After a certain number of blasts in one's general direction, some lines tend to blur, besides, it's not like we're earther ants! Just because the trail is there we don't have to follow it."

If it works, Hammer turns his car around and goes back to the starship.  If not, he exits the vehicle and walks over there, rubbing the pain in his head.

The professor glances over to S'Krllk and says, "Is it possible the robot has flagged us with the rest?" He glances back towards the robot and then to heavy beam pistol in his right hand.

What weapons did the assassins have that are now on the ground where we both stand?

"Yes, I suppose it is. It would just be easier to get data from it if it were in one piece. Besides, I'm a very bad shot."
Seeing nothing else, S'Krllk begins to hastily append a crude RIK symbol to his jumpsuit.

"You can disable that right?" Asks the professor. He was not the best shot either.

"It's easy to disable them, difficult to get to the mechanism to do so. If it appears hostile we should separate. I'll try to get to its access panel, and you run somewhere safe while shooting at it."

Desiraye grips the brakes on the cycle and screeches/skids to a halt.  She activates her comm button to call the others, "This is Desi.  Vehicle out of commission by security.  I'm on my way back.  OUt."  Desi will make her way back towards the ship they were on at the same speed that she was chasing the assassins at.

"Ah Desi, remember that robot from earlier its headed our way...We..we have a plan though..." Kri'lik looks to his Vrusk companion and starts to slowly put some distance between the two of them in case the robot was actually headed for them.

The robot begins firing toward you -- and the crowd.  Everyone begins screaming and running in all directions.  The RIK identity thing doesn't look like it'll work.  Either the robot is firing randomly at the crowd or is targeting you directly.  It is not apparently firing at the assassins.

Hammer gets his car to turn around and starts back toward the ship.  Desi does likewise, but it will be a delay until they can help the others.

S'Krllk attempts to dodge through the crowd and flank the robot. Putting his plan to disable it into motion.

"Ah crap..." The professor looks through the crowd to see if there are any other security personel that might return fire on the robot. Regardless he draws his heavy beam pistol and aims it at the droid but holds fire until its within short range.

2 shots 45% +aim at short range set at 5 SEU (5d10 dmg).
Frontiersman Heavy Pistol *      Powerclip x2 40      Var    2   Albedo
   - Damage: stun/5d10/10d10/Frag Grenade SEU: 2/5/10/10 each shot

You look around and see there are other security robots around.  However, they seem to have just shut off in unison, as though their power switches were simultaneously flipped.

The security robot launches doze grenades to the right and tangler grenades to the left, catching many of the fleeing civilians.  This also hinders S'krllk's plan.  He dodges one of the tangler grenades.  The zone of fire has caught Kri'lik in the crossfires of this robot as the citizens fall to its other nonlethal weapons.

Kri'lik fires on the robot, scoring a critical hit with his first shot but missing with the second.  (Double damage = 68 damage.)  This does away with the robot's albedo screen and puts a burn in its cylindrical chest.

It fires twice back and hits Kri'lik with both shots.  (58 STA damage, minus absorbtion to albedo screen.)

The robot is still approaching Kri'lik.  S'krllk is horizontally equal with the robot but about 20 yards away, so he can flank it next round if he can dodge more grenades.

"We're on our way back," Desiraye says as she continues back towards the landing pad where the rest of the team is apparently under attack.

Hammer will try to ram the robot again, assuming no one's in his way.

The professor was quite surprised at the effectiveness of his first shot. This was however short lived. As the two beams of focused energy struck him his mind briefly flashed back to the station they had recently been on and the fact when he tried to buy an albedo screen they had been all out...And that was the last thing he remembered.

35 STA -58 Dmg = -23 STA... Only inertia screen and skien suit both of which are for projecties.

Seeing Kri'lik go down, S'Krllk chitters as he runs a zig zag course to the robot. "figures. escape pirates, tentacled barbarians, deadly robots, and malevolent trans-dimensional pseudo-turtles* only to be done in by my own people's machines"

*He's been downloading earther video categorized as western animation and may have mis-interpreted a reference to those specific reptiles.

Kri'lik falls unconscious to the ground, wounded by the laser, and is dying.  (He is at -24 STA now.  SEE RULE POSTED IN THE PLAYER COMMENT THREAD ABOUT REVIVING HIM, WHICH MUST BE DONE WITHIN 10 ROUNDS)

Round 2

The robot continues toward the ship, launching more grenades at the fleeing populace.  S'krllk dodges the grenades.

S'krllk reaches the robot.

(What is S'krllk doing at the robot?  The robot will be turning to attack him at the end of the next round.  If S'krllk is in close, it will be forced to use its limbs; if he is at a distance, it will fire its lasers.)

Hammer turns the corner of the administrative building and begins driving toward the robot.  (He will reach the robot after one more round driving.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:09, Fri 18 May 2012.

The bold and brave stupid Vrusk hurls himself at the marauding robot, wielding nothing but his bare hands and the tools in them to prevent catastrophe as the robot assaults the crowd.
His shear audacity see first line is so astonishing that some of those in the crowd with weak hearts thought he should be wearing a sign. so did Bill Engvall Hopefully, this does not end badly for our insectoid hero.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:42, Sun 20 May 2012.

Round 3

Unfortunately, since this is a security robot, it is protected against people just jumping on it to turn it off.  A shock runs through S'krllk as he is hit by the electrified body of the robot, and he flies off, landing about 10 feet away.  (13 dmg.)

Hammer flies forward.  He will hit the robot with the car next round.  The robot sees this and fires its lasers at the car.  They have little impact on the vehicle.

Desi will arrive in 2 more rounds (on round 5).

OOC: It's actually Bill Engvall that does the "here's your sign" jokes. ;)
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:46, Fri 18 May 2012.

Hammer yells out of the window of the car to S'krllk, "GET OUT OF THE WAY!" as he barrels forward directly into the robot with the car.

Hammer slams into the robot, sending it flying.  It lands on its back, firing tangler grenades randomly.  One of the tangler grenades hits the robot itself, strapping it to the ground.  So it begins firing its lasers randomly.

Desi arrives on the scene on the motorbike.

Kri'lik is nearing death...and needs a stimdose.

Desi speeds up her arrival to the scene as she watches Hammer ram his vehicle into the security robot and it goes flying.  She can clearly see that both of the Vrusk are unconscious on the ground but, unsure of their status.  Desiraye steers the bike over to where Kri'lik is, dumps the cycle to the ground and runs over to where the medic is lying very, very still.  If she can assess his wounds quickly, she tries to help him with whatever she can use in his kit.

Desi gives Kri'lik a shot of staydose and biocort.  The doctor blinks his eyes and warily wakes up.  (That brought him to 5 STA.  He is very weak.)

The car seems to have done in the robot.  It flails a few times and then drops its arms.

A couple minutes later, RIK Starport Security is running over -- finally.  They appear to be chasing a Vrusk, who runs toward you.  It drops to the fallen robot, looks back at Starport Security, then at you.

Then its head explodes.  To you, it looks like the Vrusk set off some sort of self-destruct device that blew its head open.

Starport Security stops.  They look down, and one says, "The two assassins did the same thing."  You watch as security riffles through the now dead Vrusk and pulls out a RIK security access card.

A security guard in charge begins barking orders.  He orders security to take any wounded to the medical facility in the administration building.  They come to take Kri'lik for medical assistance and ask if anyone else is injured.

By now, four ground cars and a ground transport have arrived and are offloading security to the area.

The security leader says, "We will want to ask you questions about what you observed here today.  Let's get you to the administration building, get your wounds fixed up, and talk for a bit."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:44, Tue 22 May 2012.

Hammer says, "I got banged up in the car.  I could use some work." He follows them to the admin building

Desiraye keeps her hands away from her weapons as the RIK security forces appraoch from all angles.  After just seeing the Vrusk's head explode near the robot that Hammer just took out with a car, she's willing to go and talk to someone who may know what's going on around here.

"You've got our complete cooperation so long as my team gets some medical attention!"  She then looks down to Kri'lik now that he's awake, "You took a pretty good shot there Doc!  I didn't think yo had it in you.  You were lucky.  We'll get you patched up in no time because you got to patch us up, right?"

"I knew....knew, I needed an alb..bedo screen."

S'Krllk stands and walks, somewhat wobbly, to the others. When the security people ask if anyone else is injured, he responds, "I've been cooked."
But he makes no move to go anywhere without prompting.

"All the more reason to work on your weapon skills!  We should see about getting you a screen Doc!"

At the administration building, Kri'lik and the others are all brought to full health and you are ushered into a room where a Vrusk is waiting.  Your equipment has been taken to be searched for security purposes, and you are assured that it is standard procedure that they are doing to everyone in the vicinity.

The Vrusk is Ral'Ik'Ka Zzik'Ti, the Vrusk in charge of RIK Starport Security. RIK Zzik'Ti is very apologetic about the incident, and em-phasises that this has never happened before. He offers his sympathies for the death of Charletta and undertakes both to contact Pan-Galactic Holo-News, and to arrange for the body to be returned to her homeworld.

He informs you that the operator of the security robot which attacked you was a technician who, as you saw, committed suicide by blowing her own head off. She had worked there for 8 years with an exemplary record.

RIK Zzik'Ti is genuinely upset and shocked at the murder of Legrange. Legrange was certainly an outspoken person, but it is not the Vrusk way to deal with opposition in such a bloody manner.  However, the evidence clearly shows that Vrusk were responsible for Legrange's death — and RIK personnel at that.

RIK Zzik'Ti feels that something is not right, but he is unable to tell exactly what.  He says, "I feel maybe you can help me with some inquiries into the matter, particularly with non-Vrusk in--"  A chronocom call interrupts him.  He excuses himself and disappears into the next room.

When he returns his attitude has changed: he is more abrupt and seems a little more suspicious.  "Just what was your business on this planet?  What was your relation to Charletta?  And just how did you know LeGrange?"

S'Krllk answers his questions, ticking them off on his digits. "We wanted to talk to LeGrange about a strange piece of technology we've come across. She was being used to get to talk to LeGrange. By reputation, and a little less than two dozen statements he made concerning the tech we're researching."

After the Vrsuk comes back and changes his attitude, she propmptly does the same.  "With all due respect sir, if you give us the opportunity to answer one question at a time, perhaps this would go somewhat easier!"  Desiraye takes a moment to compose herself and then begins to answer the questions with the rest of the group and can give their own thoughts.

"We were on a research vessel that was destroyed and trying to get crucial information to be deciphered by someone in Void Corp, a Tarriel Nuna.

We met Charletta on the ride over to here and she had hired us as her aides to try and get an interview with Mr. LeGrange.

We only met Mr. LeGrange after we met Charletta.  We were informed by Mr. LeGrange that Tarriel Nuna could help us but, she was away on business somewhere."

"Easy my friend. We are not the aggressors here. Did we not just moments ago assist in neutralizing the assassins? You wanted our help," Kri'lik moves closer to the Vrusk and winces in pain from his recent injuries. "and..and I have a feeling yours and our needs maybe intertwined."
Persuasion 30% +25% from empathy implant

He ponders your words and finally calms down.  (Persuasion roll success.) "My apologies.  It is just that you were with LeGrange, a known...and Charletta...she was doing a story on him, and we have come to distrust those associated with LeGrange, as I'm sure you understand."

He dismisses his guards, and speaks to you in a confidential manner.  "Look, we need to gather information, and given your situation, you can help us.  You were under suspicion of being LeGrange's agents, but I can clear you if you are willing to help.  I can pay you each 50 credits a day."  (Kri'lik empathy implant successful.)  He says conspiratorially, "If you don't help us, I'm afraid they will suspect you further and may confiscate your gear and ID, leaving you abandoned on this planet until they can find some evidence against you."  He leans in close.  "And they will find evidence."

He leans back again, more easygoing.  "Things are very unsettled here on Kraatar, in case you hadn't noticed.

RIK Zzik'Ti wants to know who is responsible for Legrange's killing, and what the motives are. The Vrusk executives, he informs you, were Clik'Aqat personnel and Zzik'Ti will suggest that this is a good place to begin the investigation.

He says he will let you in on recent events on Kraatar, and he repeats some of the history previously reported.  (This is a good time to review that.)

He mentions that weapons captured from the KLC are all of offworld manufacture, made by the Stysor Arms Company of Madderly's Star.

Should you need any assistance later, he tells you to contact him directly at the starport. He does not want Vist'Lat trade house to know of his "deal" with you, and if they find out that you are working for him, he will be forced to deny everything and leave you on your own, at which time the authorities will probably resume their suspicions.

He says you should probably start by finding some accommodations and begin your search in Gozzorf City.

He says, "Let me give you a rundown on Gozzorf City to help you," and he reveals the following:

GOZZORF CITY

LAW ON KRAATAR

All weapons other than pistols or melee weapons are illegal. Characters found in possession of other weapons will be arrested, have their weapons confiscated and be fined 500 Cr each. In most areas of Gozzorf, RIK personnel maintain a low profile. Should you be arrested, you will be taken to the RIK headquarters for questioning, and this will lead to an unfortunate and embarrassing issue of RIK Zzik'Ti being contacted and trying to secure your freedom.

Should you kill any RIK personnel, you will be securely locked away to await trial. RIK Zzik'Ti will unable to help you in this situation and if convicted, you will be jailed for life or executed.

A GUIDE TO GOZZORF CITY

GOZZORF has a population of about one million (divided more or less equally between Vrusk and Humans, with only a few Dralasites and Yazirians) and is the largest settlement on Kraatar. It was here that the first Human settlers landed, and it is still the site of the planet's starport. Gozzorf is zoned into a number of districts, connected by monorail and roads:

A) Starport — the starport is run by Vist'Lat trade house.

B) Jedsis — is the name of the area containing the starport and is home to numerous transients, plus indigenous Humans and Vrusk who have opted to stay outside mainstream Vrusk society. Attitudes to Vrusk vary here, but it is an unwise Vrusk who ventures out alone at night. Following recent attacks by the KLC, Jedsis is frequently patrolled by groups of four RIK personnel, who stop and interrogate anyone acting suspiciously. There is a 45% chance that the PCs suffer some form of harrassment from an RIK patrol each time they enter Jedsis.

C) Business District -- located on the shores of the Yatiz Sea, the business district includes numerous shopping plazas, several well-appointed hotels and important office buildings. Most Vrusk trade houses have their offices here. The business district is usually crowded with Vrusk and Humans.

D) Industrial District — the majority of factories and warehouses are located here. A small number of workers actually live here, but most Vrusk and Human workers commute here every day on the monorail.

E) Pstriztz'kipur -- this is where the majority of Vrusk executives live. It is a beautifully ornamented area. Open park-lands and gardens are common, and its wide boulevards are lined with statues and sculptures pleasing to the Vrusk. Following terrorist attacks by the KLC,this area is out of bounds to anyone who does not hold an entry permit. RIK personnel can be found at the checkpoints leading into this area.

F) Fioust — the majority of Vrusk and Human workers live in this area. Although not as picturesque as Pstriztz'kipur, Fioust is still a pleasant area. Most of the workers live in three-story houses.

The Monorail
The monorail is run by Sik'Triksta trade house and links all areas of the city. Trains run every 15 minutes and a ticket, valid for a day's unlimited travel within the city, costs 1 Cr.



You are currently at the Starport.

ZZik-Ti waits to see if you accept his offer and if you have any more questions.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:50, Thu 31 May 2012.

Desi lets Kri'Lik's words work on the RIK officer and tries to play off of the effort.  "We certainly understand you have a very volatile situation going on here Zzik'Ti.

I believe we can help each other sir.  As we mentioned, we're here for a situation that is quite 'unsettling' to us and perhaps the rest of the galaxy.  If you can look into finding Tarriel Nuna of Void Corp, we will do some investigating and look into the assassination and what you have going on over here.

And unless it gets real bad, we will try and do our best to operate with discretion and not get you involved."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:19, Mon 04 June 2012.

"RIK Zzik'Ti, it is as Desiraye says. We are on a very important mission but I believe your issues may be connected to ours in some as of yet unknown way. We shall looking into Clik'Aqat. But first I must ask where can someone purchase some defensive gear such as screens?"

He offers to provide any of you a screen from the RIK security stock if you want one.  "Probably hard to find them out in the city, given the laws against weaponry.  Supply and demand, if nothing else."

Kri'lik happily takes an albedo screen. "Could have used one of those not to long ago." He says as he put it screen around his waist. Turning back to their host, "Anything particular we should know about Clik'Aqat before we head that way?"

"I take it we have a deal then?" Desiraye says as she stands and extends a hand towards the RIK officer.

"I'll help you as much as I can," he says.  "I suppose that's a deal.  Not much to tell about Clik'Aqat.  You'll figure it out as you go, I'm sure.  I'll contact you if I get further information."

With that, he lets you out on your own, either to begin walking or to take the tram.

"We're going to have to find a place to stay for a couple of days it would seem?"

OOC: Sorry for delays. I've been on vacation.

Not a problem