The medics come over and with a nod from the Kasathas, they put the dwarf's body on a sling and carry it of the docking bay.

     "Very well, citizens.  Welcome to Absalom Station, for what it's worth.  Good luck with the Starfinder Society," she said with a half-hearted salute as the security personnel follow after the medics.

     Slowly but surely, the din of the station returns to normal, and the four of you are left to your own devices, which now seemed to include the handheld computer that Kairynn took off the dwarf.

OOC:

     Please let me know if you used any resolve points to recover Stamina.

     What do each of you do next?

"It would seem we are left to find another contact with the Starfinder society on our own", says Kairynn. "Perhaps the dwarf's computer will provide us with some manner of clue on the matter." She turned to look at Midge. "You certainly seem most eager to have a look at it."

[Private to GM: I will spend a Resolve point to regain Stamina.]

Midge tilted his head askance at the android, wanting to deny it but knowing that his skills were not in manipulating people he simply held out his hand,"Indeed, I came to join the Starfinder society it seems to contain the information I....we, need to achieve that end. If you don't mind?"

And it contained information about other people, some of whom stood right in front of him, and that meant he gained knowledge over his situation and he loved that more than anything except fixing things, programing things, eating things....okay he liked a lot of things.

Asher crossed his arms glancing at the dwarfs computer in midges hands, "I'm just wondering if we need to tell the Starfinder Society that the dwarf kicked the bucket trying to meet us? Hell I wonder if they will get pissed at us not having saved him?
This message was last edited by the player at 14:21, Wed 02 May 2018.

"It seems like we're all at least passingly interested in, and possibly impacted by, what's on the computer," Laelyn points out.  "Maybe we should go someplace quiet where we can set it down and look at it together?" she suggests.

"Reporting in with the Society would probably be nice of us, but I don't think either of those things are actually our responsibility.  The police will likely let them know what happened, and we tried, which honestly, considering we didn't even know who he was, is more than most people would have done."

     Midge took the hand computer from Kairynn-412 and saw that it had a very simple 'to do' list called up.  The first four entries included his name and those of the people around him.  Each name also had an additional file.  Midge's name and Asher were already checked off.

     The fifth entry merely said 'Chiskisk,' but a sub-task included an address on Absalom Station.

OOC:

Everyone earns 150 XP for their involvement or sneaky avoidance during the battle.

"This 'Chiskisk' seems like a fifth potential recruit. While it may be polite to inform him that his contact has met an untimely end, it seems to me that we should be investigating the chain upwards, towards whoever sent the dwarf, rather than downwards towards those he was seeking out."

Midge smiled up at the others before focusing on the hand computer, first thing first his mechanical hand was lifted, two fingers bending to touch the computer on his wrist and the other computer in his hand, small jacks sliding from both as he connected them temporarily.

He transferred the memory of the dwarfs computer to his own, reading all the files by each persons name and then reading the data on the address. He then scanned the computer for anything else of use, including what it's specs were....you could never have two many computers when you were away from the fleet.

"Alternately, Chiskisk might be where he was supposed to take us," Laelyn points out.  "After all, he arranged for us to all meet him, but apparently for him to then go meet Chiskisk.  That sounds like Chiskisk outranks us, and quite possibly him, at least in his estimation."

"You are, of course, welcome to go wherever you'd like, but I think I'd like to look up this Chiskisk."

She pauses a moment, watching Midge expectantly.  "So?" she asks.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:19, Tue 08 May 2018.

"You raise a good point - and furthermore, if Chisksk is indeed an additional recruit, then no harm is done from us seeking him out first", says the android.

She regards Midge's work, her interest displayed by the intensity of her gaze rather than the expression of her face.

"I'm cool with looking up this Chisksk guy" Asher said with a thumbs up and a smirk, "Who knows what we can end up finding out, might be fun"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:31, Tue 08 May 2018.

Midge frowned, shrugging,"Not a whole lot we don't already know. Basically our information and identities and pictures and the address for 'Chisksk'. I second the concensus, let's go check it out then we can find the Starfinder Society."

Some extra muscle would let him move around unmolested, and less likely to be noticed, now he was part of a group not an unusual individual.

     Kairynn-412, being a resident of Absalom Station, recognizes the address as being the Lorespire Complex in the Ring Section.  The haphazard friends headed for the nearest tramway station, and after a short time were approaching the complex.  While there were several buildings in the campus, the tallest and most prevalent was the tall Lorespire, which proudly displayed the circular, golden, four-pointed star seal of the Starfinders.



     Hundreds of sentients milled about on the streets and entry to the complex was easily discovered.  As the group steps into the entry foyer, a young brunette woman approaches you.  You can see other similarly-dressed sentients speaking with individuals and groups throughout the foyer.

     "Welcome to the Starfinder Society.  My name is Dallia.  How may I help you today?" she asked in a chipper tone.

Laelyn smiles back.  "Thank you!  We have an appointment with Chiskik."  Her smile fades, and she adds, "And some bad news, I'm afraid.  Where can we find him?"

Midge's furry eyebrow rose as he consider the person welcoming them, so they were at the Starfinder society? Why would the person sent to bring them to the Starfinder Society not know where it is? Why did they need an address and a name to meet?

So many questions, perhaps the dwarf was a hireling, servant or someone else that had been sent in the stead of the more busy...Chiskik?

Perhaps it was a Shirren?

Asher crossed his arms, offering a small smile to Dallia.

He himself wasn't too good with words and such, so decided let Laelyn take point with him just standing nearby patiently.

Kairynn watched Laelyn chat up the brunette attendant impassively. Her point of earlier had turned out to be correct; she was curious to see where this trail would take them next. Was Chiskik the person in charge of recruitment?

The speculation was interesting, but irrelevant; answers would no doubt come presently.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:28, Tue 22 May 2018.

     Dallia smiled politely and guided the group to a small room and asked them to wait.  There were a couple of couches, a small table, refreshment dispenser, and a video display showing a news report about a large asteroid and a mining vessel floating near Absalom Station.  The report was labeled as as the 'Drift Rock Mystery.'  The report ended quickly and then moved onto a how-to segment for tourists on using the tram system.

     After a few minutes of waiting, Dallia returned and asked you all to follow her.  She then begin to lead the party deeper into the complex.  Eventually they were lead into a clean, but cluttered office.

     Several boxes filled one whole corner of the office, with only a few of them open and some items sitting on top or leaning against them.  Seated behind a polished and empty plastic desk was a Shirren in understated business clothes.  They stood as the party entered, they're antennae flexing from side to side.

     "Come in.  Welcome ... Ah," they started, moving around the desk and gathering chairs for them on the opposite side of the desk.

     "I am Chiskisk.  Sorry for the mess," they said as they and Dellia fished two additional chairs out of one of the boxes and set them up.  Once five chairs had been placed, Chiskisk returned to the desk and encouraged everyone to sit.

     "I'm sorry.  Where is Duravor?" they asked, looking a little perplexed.

Asher rubbed the back of his head before looking to all his companions "Yeah....about that."

Laelyn nods.  "Unfortunate news, I'm afraid.  There was a shootout between two gangs at the dock.  The Dwarf that we were there to meet," she looks down, her antennae dipping, "Never had the opportunity to introduce himself.  We only found our way to you because Midge is good with computers," she gestures towards the Ysoki, "And found your name in his.  We did try to get to him," she notes, "But it was a very unlucky shot that found him."

"He suffered an immediately fatal hit in the initial exchange of fire", added Kairynn-412. Her face was expressionless, her tone even and factual. "Please accept our sympathies."

Midge nodded along, not wanting to get into details, wishing Laelyn hadn't mentioned the computer but all the same it was what it was and he didn't want to go further down that path so he deflected,"While it is sad, there was a reason he was collecting us..what was that?"

     Chiskisk's body slumped slightly at the news, briefly shaking their head.  They then looked up at everyone, and a voice alighted in all of their minds.

     "I am sorry that I cannot welcome you to Absalom Station under better circumstances.  I assure you that such attacks are not a daily occurrence, though I realize that is likely small comfort too you.  I am pleased that none of you were seriously hurt, but I grieve for Duravor's death.  He was a valued member of the Society, and a friend.  May the Lady of Graves be kind in her judgement of his soul," they said before bowing their head again and closing their eyes for a moment.

     When they looked up again, their compound eyes were glistening.  "What puzzles me is the reason behind the attack."  Chiskisk tapped on the plain desk, which seemed to be a touchscreen.  The black surface lit up with various images, videos and documents.  They expanded one document and glanced it over.

     "According to the incident report just released by station security, two gangs were involved in the attack: the Downside Kings and the Level 21 Crew.  Gang wars are not uncommon on the station, but they usually confine themselves to the more lawless sectors like the Puddles."  Chiskisk leaned back and steepled their fingers.  "It is rare for street gangs to battle openly in public areas like the docks.  I cannot help but wonder whether all is as it seems.  There must be a reason why those two gangs were at Docking Bay 94 at that time--the time of your arrival, coincidentally.  But was it coincidence?  Were you and Duravor just innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire, or might you and he have been specifically targeted?  And if so, why?"

     After a moment to ponder, they leaned back over the desk and tapped through some other documents.  "My understanding is that you are each interested in becoming Starfinders, and since you were witnesses to the attack, I would like to ask you to investigate the incident on behalf of the Society.  Find out exactly what happened and why.  It may simple be a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time--I have no doubt station security will rule it so--but if Duravor was murdered, I would like to find justice for my friend.  At the same time, this will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your own skills and abilities and show the Society that you are worthy of the title 'Starfinder.'"

     The Shirren glanced at each of you briefly, awaiting your response.

Midge blinked, well that was not what he had been expecting, reaching up he scratched behind one of his ears with his cyber hand for a few moments before his tail lashed and he looked at the insect like alien,"So you want us to investigate a murder, involving too gangs that may, or may not, have been sent to kill us?"

Well, that sounded like a terrible idea to the little Yskoi,"Oh, please sign me up....I suppose we don't have a choice." Glancing at the others he frowned,"Don't suppose the Starfinder society has any pull with security on the station? We can maybe questions some of the members that were taken away?"

"I mean sure if that's what you want for us to do to get into the starfinder society, then I'm okay with poking around." Asher said with a nod.

"But uh any chance you could give us some start-up cash to help us...investigate, I'm not exactly rolling in credits at the moment" He said rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish expression on his face.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:58, Fri 08 June 2018.