"Well, no, I can't rightly say that anyone else is foolish enough to take on Redthane, especially since Darokin has him in his sights," Kazgar replies.

"That'd be like shotting yourself in the head to keep from shooting yourself in the foot!"

"If the Admiral doesn't like someone, everyone else tends to keep away from them, too. That's not to say Redthane can't find any allies among the other pirates. Rumor has it that he was looking to challenge Darokin for the Top Dog spot. Not that the others haven't thought about it, but, so far, none of them have been foolish enough to mention it out loud or actually attempt it. Given Darokin's power base, anyone who tried to challenge him would almost certainly start a war. Here on Theev, that's a really bad idea. Bad for business. This place is hanging on by a thread most of the time as it is."

"I suppose the pirates would still keep returning, but they'd only offer someone a way off planet if they'd suffered losses. It could stop what little trade does come here, though."

"I can understand not wanting to get caught in the middle of a civil war here." Zhouth's hands made a wide arc around him to each side, then one went into a person-walking finger-wag while the other mimicked firing an invisible pistol at them. "It would mean lots of repair work, which is good for your business, but lots of shooting at the people coming in to get it, which isn't so good for staying in business!"

"Good thing if he doesn't get that chance, right? Getting out of here will also be a lot easier if we aren't all having to dodge warring factions all the way to the jump point!" Zhouth shrugged, then sighed. "I'd book you out for passenger rate credits. Money is always nice, you know? Working passage is okay too." Then one accusing finger pointed toward Varca to accompany his grumble, "But I know the scowler-in-chief here. He's like you: prefers mutual payment in bribes."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:09, Mon 22 Nov 2021.

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 58):

[Kallos Shipyard, Blacksand City, Planet Theev]

     Varca turns his helmeted head towards Zhouth...

     "Actually -- it just so happens..." Varca says, then turns back to Kazgar, "I do know of a little Class B Starport -- located on a pleasant, temperate world -- that might be looking for a new Chief of Operations."

   "And I can't say it would be a bad thing, to have a buddy who was in charge of such a place..."

One of Zhouth's hands made a lightning-fast snatch at the air just next to where it started, as if he was suddenly catching and crushing an insect, while with the other he rapidly swiped his comm at the same patch of air as if swatting at another - or perhaps the same one; it was rather hard to tell. Even his stance shifted, with his tail spasming forward and then straight again. Whatever had been floating around must have really given him a fright!
This message was last edited by the player at 12:16, Wed 24 Nov 2021.

While one might have thought Varca's offer would have produced an eye-opening look of wonder, surprise, and disbelief, Kazgar's expression is more of a scowl.

"You ain't trying to fox me, are you?" Kazgar replies to Varca. He casts a glance around the place speculatively if anyone notices.

"There's Uppers and Downers on Theev, though most people don't call 'em that. The Uppers generally have good thing going and aren't willing to give that up. Then there's the Downers, including me. We'd sell our mothers to get off this dustball."

"The scarcest and most worthless commodity on Theev is loyalty. Even if you get it, it only lasts until the money runs out. So, I got no loyalty to anyone here at the shipyard. Hell, Billibob over there has been eyeing my job for several months now. He either thinks I don't know or doesn't much care if I do."

"I guess you have to have a certain bent to your character or a lot of luck to get ahead. So far, I ain't got either. I won't strangle kids to have more food or break somebody's leg for a promotion. Not that either of those things are illegal on Theev. Hell, ain't nothing illegal on Theev as far as I can tell."

"So, yeah, I'm interested in your offer. If it's genuine. But let's just say I ain't gettin' my hopes up. Folks often make promises they can't keep. That's just life on Theev."

The smack of Zhouth's hand hitting his face - or rather, the armored plating of both doing the same - cut across the area at his only slightly exaggerated facepalm. As usual, his hand was immediately in motion again, finger-stabbing at the duo in front of him, then over his shoulder, then at several points skyward whose exact direction wasn't immediately certain. His tone was rather matter-of-fact this time.

"Okay, all joking stuff aside, let's do this the simple way. You know something to help us find Miria? Working passage for you, to wherever you want to get off along our route. I'd still recommend Torpol unless you're a hydrophobe. Nice tropical planet with lots of honest work that doesn't involve family betrayal on a daily basis, you know? But if you prefer somewhere such as Norricum?" He shrugged, and it was, likewise, only slightly exaggerated. "Well, your choice!"

He started tapping away on his comm as he continued to speak. "And if Billibob over there knows something useful? Offer is good for him too. Though..." He paused, and sighed, and a note of resignation crept into his voice. "If everyone here is about to parade past us offering solid information then we'll have to start cramming them into cryoberths to fit them all."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:19, Wed 24 Nov 2021.

Ingrid was a bit frustrated. In the Sword Worlds, publicly doubting someone's word like this would be dangerous. But she smiles and says "We mean what we say. It's a big of an oddity in this line of work, but honesty has its advantages."

     Varca silently nods his head, as he hears what Kazgar is saying.  But, before he can respond, Ingrid and Zhouth express support for the idea of offering to relocate Kazgar, but what Zhouth says also brings an issue back to Varca's attention, which he'd forgotten...

^{COMM >>>} "Well, as you can see, Kazgar," Varca says, quietly, after a moment of thought, "My companions are with me, in our offer to help you get off Theev.  We're even helping your buddy Krrsh, here, to recover after the loss of his ship."

     "But my Furry Friend -- " Varca points at Zhouth, "Has caused me to remember that we're already pushing the life support limits of our ship.  But I really do know of an out of the way Class B starport that could use a new Chief Administrator -- tho' the place is a bit of a tech-drop, compared to what you've got here -- but it's a pleasant world, where you don't always have to watch your back.  And I'm sure you'll be able to make a lot of positive changes, there."

     "But first, we gotta finish a contract.  And getting hold of Redthane is part of that contract.  We get this job done, and -- let's just say that some influential people in the Torpol Cluster worlds will be owing us a few favors -- and we take care of our friends.  As soon as we get our payoff, we'll be heading back this way."

     "So, if you've got a tiny hint of how we can either find Miria -- or even just an idea about where we might find any information about Redthane, or any of his Crew -- or if you really got nothing! -- that's fine.  But in about three months, you start keeping a watch for us -- you watch for a ship named Vultan..."

     " 'Cuz we'll be coming back for you, and your family, and anyone else wants to move to a better world." ^{<<< COMM}

"Okay, I get it now--you want something for nothing," Kazgar replies. "Promises are like black sand--it's everywhere and totally useless."

"Throw in some credits, though, and I can tell you what I know. It ain't much and I can't vouch for anything I've heard, of course, but the scuttlebutt is that Redthane is offworld. There was one rumor that he was hiding out in Deepscar Canyon, but no one's taking that seriously."

"The best guess I've heard is that he's in the Palindrome system. Close but not worth Darokin's effort to go after him."

"Miria, on the other hand, would only be safe in the Scrapheap... cause nobody goes there. I suppose, with a bit of disguise, she could stay out of sight in Undercity, but I've only been there once. Once is enough. It's dark, dingy, dirty, gritty... and the people are worse. I don't want to say their the dregs of society, cause I almost wound up there myself."

In reply to Kazgar (msg # 65):

     Varca nods his helmeted head, as Kazgar gives what information he has,

     "More data than we had when we came in here, Kazgar.  Very Credit-worthy, I'd say ...", Varca says, then turns to look over at Zhouth,

     "Wouldn't you agree, Buddy?  I think that Kazgar, here, has earned a consulting fee from us, yeah?  Pay the man ..."

Zhouth walked up to Kazgar and produced another credit chip - this one in the slightly larger 100-cr denomination, and held it out in his palm, speaking quietly as he did. "Working passage offer is still good. Got a comm code? Will let you know when we're headed back Torpol-way."

The concealing helmet of his suit might have masked his expression, but his tone sounded genuine enough...

***

"That doesn't sound like a great place to wander around looking for somebody's street address," Zhouth observed once they were well away from the repair yard. "Especially since we don't know what it is. It's an awfully large area, right?" He held both arms out to his sides with palms forward, this-big style. "So maybe we should say hello to that other fellow who totally won't be off his rocker by way of potent substances." The smile was once again evident through despite the helmet. "Could work to our advantage if he's just awake enough not to recognize all those little words that he's letting go!"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:19, Mon 29 Nov 2021.

"Sure, I got a comm code," Kazgar answers. "It's Theev 7575919."

"I never turn down money. Hell, no one on Theev does... unless he's already dead. But, as I said, I ain't holdin' my breath for you to get back here. Hope's a luxury no one on Theev can afford. It's a killer if you do."

       "Wandering around which place, Zhouth?  The Scrapheap or The Undercity?" Varca asks, "Kazgar didn't exactly recommend either locale as being a tourist paradise.  Although ... didn't Trevor mention that his drug-loving, info-selling buddy made frequent visits to a club which Trevor said was near The Scrapheap, or something?"

      "Maybe it would be a good idea, Zhouth, to swing by that Brain Dimming place, and see if we can find -- what was his name?  Stitch, wasn't it?  Yeah.  Let's go find Stitch..."

"Both Brain Dimming and the Scrapheap are in the Undercity," Krssh informs the others. "Scrapheap is kind of between the two, but off to the east. It's a pile of wrecked ships. You need a part for your ship and can't afford to pay for it, there's a small chance you can find it in the Scrapheap."

"Been there a few times myself."

"Ain't been to Braindimming, but I know where it is. We used to have to pick Charik uup there after one of his binges. He'd set the time on his comm, and if he didn't reset it every so often, it sent a signal to us letting us know he was really fracked up."

"Besides the usual sticks and sniffs, you can also get a small supply of combat drugs. Always limited supply. No anagathics... that I ever heard of. Then again, that'd probably be super secret."

"Brick said he picked up a psi-drug there once."

Zhouth waved one hand, fingers flicking open and shut, in the direction of the Undercity. "Well okay, take the lead to this Brain Dimming place, and we can go poke around the Scrapheap afterward if that person isn't around, or isn't conscious." Then there was a noticeable pause, as if part of what Krrsh had said had only just registered. "Brick got a psi-drug? You had an actual psion among your crew?"

In reply to Zhouth (msg # 71):

     "Yeah, sounds like a plan." Varca agrees, "Go to Braindimming first, then the Scrapheap after -- unless we get better information."

     During the walk to the Braindimming locale ...

     "Hey, Krrsh!  Something I've been meaning to ask you about ..." Varca says to the Vargr ex-Pirate Captain,

     "I've been sorta assuming something, ever since we found you on that old space station ... which is, just how you came to be there, in the first place?  What I mean is, did Redthane catch up to you, and do it?  Did your old crew mutiny, for some reason -- and if so, do we need to be keeping an eye out for them, while we're here on Theev?"


OOC: we may have already asked/gained this info -- I just can't remember the answers >_<

"Can't say I'm fond of psions" Ingrid said.

"You've said that before!" Zhouth declared cheerfully, pausing for a split second before giving curious voice to a related - and thus far unanswered - question. "Have you ever met one, though? Well, one that you knew was one, since it's not like they all wear 'Hello, my name is Psammi the Psion!' tags, or things like that!"
This message was lightly edited by the player at 10:54, Wed 15 Dec 2021.

Ingrid thought a moment before answering. "I've never met a Sword Worlder psion that I knew of... but my father used to speak to Zhodani military and diplomatic personnel, before the war, and of course I would act as hostess."

"Really? What did you think of them?" Zhouth's curiosity had only deepened. "Were there any legitimate mustache twirls performed?"

Of course he mimicked the action, using an invisible set of whiskers that extended well beyond the bounds of his helmet. And well beyond the bounds of any reasonable mustache-width!

"Oh, they're our allies, so naturally I loved them, our dearest friends" Ingrid said, fake-sweetly, before admitting "In spite of being allies, they frightened me. Which made me worried that with their mind powers they could tell I was scared even though I was being polite, which made me more scared... not my favorite guests. Still, if they noticed they were polite enough to pretend they didn't."

Zhouth spread his hands wide, behold-wise, and looked at Ingrid slightly sidelong. The lopsided grin, while hidden beneath the helmet, was not the least bit hidden in his tone. "Well, that also tells you that they weren't poking around in there all the time, right? If they'd been doing that, you wouldn't have been afraid because of all of the happy thoughts they'd replace it with instead!"

"Was it just the mind power that bothered you, or was it something else that actually made you all knock-kneed?" he continued, resuming a less dramatic pose.

"You have a funny way of cheering me up" Ingrid responded, although she smiled. "I guess that's true."

"The mind power was enough, but there's something rather... I don't know, intimidating about them. And you don't expect scary things at home with family."

One hand twirled its way off toward the sky while the other engaged in a vague, slow swirl before tapping the side of his helmet. "Some cultures? That's the most dangerous place. I think the Zhodani are mostly happy-home types, though." The twirling hand stabbed in a point in three directions as he went on. "Gets a bit more varied throughout the Imperium and the Extents, and, well, Aslan protocols can be a bit sharp, you know?" Then a fourth one toward Varca. "And he's told us all about his!"

"But it sounds like things were stable for you. That sounds rather nice, considering some of the alternatives." He shrugged. "Well anyway, with all of the ones that I worked with and worked on, I don't get quite as worried about the whole mind powers thing, and very few of them actually act like the vid villains that everyone watches." A little more quietly, he added, "That stuff is mostly nonsense, and the parts that aren't are deliberate suppressions propaganda. I know that for a fact because I was consulted about it on occasion." Once again his hand was in action, miming the use of a pen. "Even wrote a few lines!"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:21, Mon 20 Dec 2021.

Krssh leads the group out of the shipyard and back towards the city but makes a detour to the right about halfway there. This turns out to be a well-traveled path down and around the edge of a cliff and leads to a plateau ledge where the Undercity sits. At a guess, maybe half of the city is on the ledge and the other half has burrowed into the side of the cliff. Even Undercity is several stories tall as you can see lighted windows up the side of the cliff, including a few balconies. There appears to be a dead body hanging from one of those balconies.

Krssh leads you down the streets of the city, kicking up black sand as you go. Nothing 'outside' is protected down here--you venture outside at your own risk, which explains why you don't see too many people on the streets. The architecture here is crude at best, very ramshackle, with buildings built on top of buildings, sometimes with ladders leading to the upper building. Building material is primarily black concrete or black bricks, with some metal structures built on top. This helps explain why there's a 'darkness' to the Undercity.

You pass a few shops that have names handwritten on the wall or door. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to the names, though. You see Scrotums, Underblack, Guns Guns Guns, and Crash, among others.

Krssh only gets lost once and has to retrace his steps before he finds the correct street. You find yourself in front of an almost imposing building, two stories tall, made of black concrete with slanted walls. It looks like it's been built in stages, with half a dozen add-ons to the original building.

There's no sign, a dirty window flanking each side of the door that has a crude image of a brain painted on it.