Rayjay leads Viridian, Ghent, Collyn and Taliesa to where the Life Support facilities are located. The deck plan of the Floating Palace is a giant oval. The Royal Stardock is on one side (port side if you put the Scholar's Tower at your back) while the civilian/repair dock is on the opposite side of the oval. Life Support is between the Stardock and the University (Scholar's  Tower).

Unfortunately it's also right across the Royal Stroll (walkway) from the Star Guard barracks. Fortunately, most of the Star Guard is in the outer system looking for an Aslan mining ship.

While the fastest route would be to take the perimeter Skywalk, it'd also be the most conspicuous. As long as you act normal, you should be okay.


Rayjay has probably walked past it several times without realizing it or paying particular attention to  it, but then that was the design. Rather than try to hide the sight and sound and smell of the Life Support systems, the admins back in the day embraced it... letting everyone know that this was part-and-parcel of their daily lives that kept them alive.

Thus, this wide section of building front looked more like a bank than an industrial work. It was a wall of floor-to-30-foot ceiling clear glass with colorful graphic displays of schematics, directions, information and reassurances. In the middle of the wall was a pair of doors that provided entrance. There are no guards here at the front, but the door has a badge-reader lock.

Two benches for seating flank the doors on both sides while planter boxes with blooming flowers provide the equivalent of end tables.

Beyond the doors, a walkway leads back to the rear of the facility and a crosswalk. To either side of this center walkway are a dozen shiny bright pipes of various diameters and colors. The pipes come up from below then head back under the floor, branching off here and there. Medium blue pipes are water, light blue pipes are air, and golden pipes are waste. Two workers dressed in goldenrod-colored jumpsuits move across these pipes cleaning and polishing them.

Another wall of glass separates the works and crosswalk from the rear office that has three desks--one straight back (the desk of the Head Honcho--the name plate says so) and two forward  and facing each other.

At each end of the crosswalk, though, there is a guard, dressed in the red-and-gold livery of the Royal Constabulary. They would to be security and limit access to the stairs that disappear into the floor at either end.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:56, Sat 06 May 2023.

Ghent’s eyes narrowed when he noticed the pipes and the workers polishing them. “In all my years on a ship, I don’t think I’ve ever sent two nimrods to polish the ship piping,” he said as he watched the two working. His eyes watched for signs that they were truly doing the work they were appearing to be doing. His hand reached instinctively towards his arc-field weapon, and pointed towards the pair so that others might see something he might not.

"Well, that's the place," Viridian commented after Rayjay led them to the Life Support facilities and continued past to the civilian stardock merely in the way of Recon.

"It's not the super-vault security Varca was expecting, but then again how much are we really seeing? As a paranoid Vespexer, I can see why he'd think that crime was running rampant here in the Palace. Still, with these factions going bonkers, I suppose anything's possible. On the surface, a concerted charge looks like it'd overwhelm those two guards."

He stopped at the cross path by the stardock and gestured around as if he was trying to decide something, all the while keeping his voice low.

"Do you know if there's another way in, Rayjay? There must be some sort of maitenance tunnels below deck, right? They can hardly haul tools and parts through the front door, can they?"

"Ha. Now it occurs to me that if Zhouth was here with us he could probably dig up some schematics for it. The alternative is to bluff our way in. We hardly look the part, but we can use that to our advantage. Got any juicy titles up your sleeve, Rayjay, that we can use?"

It's such an anomaly for Ghent that it takes him a minute to actually confirm that the workers are doing the work they appear to be doing. They dust, wipe, spray and polish the pipes, tap them with a small metal rod, and even run a small hand scanner over them now and then.

He also notes that there are no valves at this level.

He further realizes that though these two workers are really working and are dressed accordingly, they are also and more fit than they need or should be--they are an extra layer of security.


Rayjay is aware of the Underlinth, as it's called, which is a maze of access and maintenance tunnels that underlie the whole ground level of the Floating Palace. Generally, there is a two-story basement or sub-level to every structure on the Palace, used for storage. The Underlinth starts below that. It, too, is two-stories high, below which the true infrastructure and engineering begins.

While there is probably access to the Underlinth through the basements, the more common access point is through the courtyard/park/Commons of the University (Scholar's Tower).

"This is my first time here, Im here as muscle exclusively." he grins.

Ghent's manner relaxes slightly, meaning that his hand rests on the weapon's pummel, instead of outright wrapping his fingers around it and readying himself to draw it. He shifted his weight and waited for the group to decide their next move.

"Actually, I think those two workers are also part of the security team, Viridian" he said finally. "So if there was any actual trouble, they would likely join in and help defend the area. Interesting way to save money."

"You know the back way in RayJay? You know this place better than anyone."

"You don't say too much, do you Taliesa? Want to go for a beer when this is over?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:57, Mon 08 May 2023.

"Great idea! We should all have a beer once this is over!" Ghent said slapping Collyn on the shoulder, his mood lightening significantly.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:21, Mon 08 May 2023.

Readopting his Palacer accent, Rayjay reminded Ghent that this was in fact a city, and a Royal capital no less. "Well polishing every last pipe is certainly a bit excessive on a ship with a crew of maybe a dozen or so, but in a city of thousands of people, maintaining the decor can be a means to employ and give meaning to your subject's lives. In between the occasional celebration or holy day of course. After all, have either of you spent your youth's disaffected by the greater powers that be? Well here at the Palace, no such thing can possibly be permitted to shame his Majesty's realm." He said with a bit of a darker tone near the end.

However, as the trio take in the modicum of security both visible and unnoticed, Rajay would answer the question asked in about as indirect a way as possible, should anyone be listening in. "Perhaps I should take you on a guided tour to the Scholar's Tower then? There I could certainly show you in person the magnificence of the Palace's heart and soul." He said giving them a wry smirk before checking his direction before leading the way.

All the while he instinctively inspected the water and waste pipes along the way, keeping one eye on the blue and gold as he urged them along.

"A beer always sounds good, especially if it's cold and someone else is buying," Taliesa replied to Collyn.

"I'm a marine... a person of few words and many actions. Besides, I have a speech impediment at the moment--I'm not carrying any weapons--they normally do my talking for me."
'
"So, it's tunnel-crawling, is it? Hope not literally. Lead on, MacDuff." She directs the last to Rayjay as he takes them on a 'tour'.

Collyn smiled, "Sweet, yeah, I'll buy!" and follows Rayjay!

No one was ever quite sure why the University had a sunken courtyard in the first place, particularly one that had direct access to the Underlinth. Then again, the Underlinth may not have always been the 'Underlinth'.

The courtyard was built on three levels--the upper concourse, the mezzanine, and the lower courtyard.

The concourse was just the open area that provided access to the Scholar's Tower. It had benches and planters and art sculptures. No one was sleeping on the benches any more. A flight of stairs at each end and a broader one in the middle led down past the mezzanine to the courtyard.

Like the courtyard below, the step-backed mezzanine had once been part of the food court, with numerous eateries and a few shops to buy supplies. There was no longer enough student traffic to warrant that so the shops were all empty but left open for use. All equipment had long ago been salvaged for more critical needs; the remaining walls, floors and ceilings had then been cleaned up into stark, featureless modernity. What made it odd is that the plethora of ostentatious opulence was mostly all gone. There were still a few functional ornaments--light fixtures, benches, railings, and the occasional sculpture (the  gold-and-silver werringdoo (flamingo-like Drinaxian bird)), but the lack of more was actually refreshing and seemed to emphasize the importance of the Scholar's Tower.

Only a dozen or so people were coming or going at any given moment, but you still had the ubiquitous workers cleaning, polishing and maintaining the area. The two workers went about their business, with a nod and cheerful hello to the 'civvies'. One of them was accompanied by a robo-vacc... one of those round low-to-the-ground cleaners.

The mezzanine level provided access to the basement level of the superstructure, which was only local here for shop storage.

Access to the Underlinth was only through the Courtyard level via 4 tunnels outright but also through some of the shops. The tunnel entrances were covered by mesh gates decorated with gold, silver and ruby sculptures of birds, animals and flowers. These gates were all closed and locked with touch-card access. The shop interior doors were solid rather than mesh, had touch-card access as well, but two of them weren't fully closed.

As the group moves down the steps and across the courtyard, Rayjaynul recognizes one of the workers--Jayke Sullyvan. He served in the Navy with Rayjay a few years back.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:01, Tue 09 May 2023.

"Well unfortunately beverages will indeed have to wait till after the tour as the Tower sadly lacks such facilities." He informs the trio, still acting as tour guide.

Upon reaching the courtyard however, and noticing the closed gates, Rayjay was pleasantly surprised to find two of the shop doors being left ajar. Clearly left by some youth no less. Trust in instinct to create a way.

Before recognizing Jayke from his old navy days. "One moment, I notice an old navy friend of mine, give me a moment or two to reacquaint ourselves, then we can check the shops for souvenirs." He said, making no attempt to lower his voice as he approached.

"Jayke Sullyvan! Well met, how're the days treating you my old friend?" Rayjay asked, offering his hand to his hard-working acquaintance, still using his Palacer accent before explaining the situation a little. "Currently playing tour guide myself to a trio of Travellers no less." He said conspiratorially. "I don't suppose the shops are still open for memorabilia?" Before asking curiously to cement their reason for interrupting his duties, besides the opportunity to catch up of course.

"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes!" Jayke responds to Rayjay's greeting.

"Not that my eyes are sore... med-techs won't allow it. Good one. If you find any souvenir... other than a cobweb... in those empty shops, I could get a demerit. Remember Old Man Winston and his demerits... what did he call them? Ah, yes--hash! We kept 'hashing' up his record. Felt bad for the Daugg brothers, but with a name like that... at least it kept the Old Nan off our backs."

"When they closed up all these shops they even pulled the paint off the walls. No, literally! Make upstairs look pretty."

"About once a month I gotta dephase some holo grafitti off one of the walls. Kids. No respect."

"Last I heard, you were traipsing around out in The Borderland. You didn't get the gold mine but I hope you didn't get the shaft, did you?"

"So, which one of those four isn't the tourist?" he gestures to Ghent, Collyn, Viridian and Taliesa.

Ghent shrugs loudly. "I heard Collyn would love to get 'screached' in," Ghent said with a wicked smile as he pointed towards his 2IC who seemed more interested in mapping Taliesa's hips, than the work at hand. 'Hopefully that'll keep him busy,' Ghent thought with some satisfaction.

"Jealous Ghent?" and he was already back to business. He took in the large area, sad it was so stark.

"Nah. You're the one that asked for a place to drink, figured this guy would know all the watering holes worthy of a local," Ghent said, smiling pleasantly.

"Old Man Winston's still alive? Man must be fast approaching a century at this rate." Rayjay said honestly astonished that the old coot was still around a kicking let alone keeping up his management duties. "Well good on him, keeping the reaper at bay for so long."

"No mine, but no shaft either, though I did wind up playing dock hand for a while. and if that's your none too subtle way of asking if the lovely lady here is my bride, then unfortunately I must disappoint. My wife remained on Torpol with our children as the trading lanes are still too dangerous for family adventures, but perhaps given enough time I'll be able to show her the Palace as it was meant to be, the crown jewel of a Drinax Empire reborn." Rayjay suggested proudly before chuckling deeply as he always did

"Wouldn't that be the day huh?" He said ribbing Jayke lightly. "Well I fear I've taken enough of your time, wouldn't' want the old nan shrieking your ear off, but if any of our old haunts is still operating, I'd love to catch up and buy you a round." He said, preparing to part ways and present the majesty of the Scholar's Tower to the four assembled travelers.

"Sounds like a plan," Jayke replies. "You can catch me at the Dragon's Maw after work just about any day. I wind down so I can wind back up. Have a little fun before I repeat."

With that, he turns back to his work and lets Rayjay continue his tour. He doesn't appear suspicious of you, nor does he seem overly concerned.


Rayjay is now in uncharted territory. If he's ever been in the Underlinth before, he's certainly never ventured to the Life Support section. Although there aren't exactly street signs directing you, there are colored decorative bands on the walls and beams that show you the way.

No glass windows down here, but the walls are painted to look like the ones above. Apparently, the admins didn't want the delivery or maintenance people to get lost or confused.

Access to the other side is through a personnel door with touch-badge lock and 3 electronic sliding delivery/shipping doors. No locks are visible. All doors are closed and locked--that is, they won't open just by pulling them.

"So RayJay, what do you want to do? You got a key card on you? I have a psionic sword, but it isn't a plasma cutter. What do you want to try?"

Rayjay clicked his tongue. "I do not, and I suspect it might be alarmed at the very least." He said looking over the badge lock, wondering if there might be a maintenance access to its internals.

"Look for the access panel, I might be able to get something working."

OOC - JoaT 2, Comms 2, Electronics 0, Computers 1

Breaking and entering wasn’t Ghent’s strong suit; he’d be the most likely to get them caught and might opt to slice through a side wall instead of using the door. No, Ghent had many fine qualities, but leaving Collyn and Rayjay seemed the best course for now, while he kept watch with Taliesa.

"Hmmmmm," Viridian mutters as he studies the lock. "The card-reader is the access panel, installed from inside for security, so that option is out."

"We'll just have to do an old-fashioned computer hack. Doesn't sound like any of us are particularly good at that, but I'd guess I've got a bit more experience at this sort of thing than any of you."

"I'll give it a shot...if any of you want to assist, that might help."

He uses his comm to find the lock's radio frequency, and then starts hacking the system for a valid access ID number. The main danger there is that he enters a number of somebody important. Also, if someone was actually monitoring the system, they might notice the delivery door was being accessed.

07:37, Today: Viridian Starfire rolled 11 using 2d6+2 ((5,4)).

In reply to Viridian Starfire (msg # 24):

Collyn tries to assist Viridian with his Jack of all Trades.

07:15, Today: Collyn Ramburton rolled 10 using 2d6+3.  computer hack
This message was last edited by the player at 20:30, Tue 16 May 2023.

Rayjay is quite impressed by his fellow crewmate's ingenuity; he was almost certain they'd have to use a cutting torch and just sprint for it, but with the lock hacked, then they wouldn't be on some timer then either.

Collyn was very unhappy with his efforts/results. He just hoped it was good enough to get through. He needed to work on his skills in the computer/electronic area!

"So, Taliesa, how many men does it take to hack a security panel?" Ghent asked with a wry smile as they stood watch.

"Three," Taliesa answered. "One to hold the light bulb and two to spin him around." She was clearly mixing her metaphors citing the traditionally 'idiot' joke.

She was keeping watch up and down the Underlinth passages, expecting a police siren to suddenly scream an 'intruder alert'.

"I'm surprised that there aren't homeless Palacers living down here. From what I've read, the Floating Palace was massively overcrowded after the Aslan bombardment of the planet. All the nobles fled to the Palace and then had nowhere to go."

Collyn had no problem assisting Viridian (an 8 was success), even if it wasn't needed, but it might just have been that edge that kept anyone on monitor duty from noticing.

The lock disengaged and the door swung open readily enough. There was a small office on the right and receiving/storage bays on the left. The bays are all empty.

Behind the mesh grid wall of the back of the bays, you can see the array of huge storage tanks. And, of course, all the pipes that interconnect everything. Most of the pipes are overhead but the majority of the system is below the floor.

Looking around, you find only one access point to the down below area--a a flight of spiral stairs behind a mesh door. This door is secured by both a card-reader lock as well as a sophisticated mechanical bar lock. Careful examination of the bar lock shows no signs of it having been used/opened in a long time. There's no rust, but it is a bit dusty, as are the steps leading down.

Even surprising himself, Viridian quickly and easily (?) circumvents the card-reader lock.

"Quick! Everyone inside!" Viridian snaps out. "If someone is actually monitoring the screen, the less time they'll have to notice it."

It was only after everyone was inside and the door was closed again that he had something to add.

"Keep in mind, Taliesa, that only nobles were on the Palace. None of them would have tolerated being 'homeless'. Oleb IV's arrogance may have brought the disaster down upon them, but I have to give him kudos for saving everyone... for what that's worth. He and Duke Shivando practically worked a miracle. The Duke knew what had to be done, organized everyone, and the King made sue everyone complied. He's the one that started making up new 'royal' titles to placate everyone."

"Okay, it doesn't look like the saboteur went into the engineering areas below. But then he didn't really need to. That makes our job a lot easier."

"We need to start following all these light blue pipes. We're looking for some cylinder that's been attached to one of these pipes. Let me correct that. There could very well be more than one cylinder. The scenario that Aaron and Zhouth came up with indicates that there should only be one, but better safe than sorry."

"So, Rayjay, you okay with everyone spreading out to search?"

Rayjay agrees on the swiftness front, pushing the rest of the gang through the gate if need be, before pulling out his breather mask. "Don't see a better option, and remember, while t'e agent might be diffused t'roughout t'e rest of t'e palace, it probably concentrated down 'ere. So, wear ya' masks, and if someone asks, ya got lost on ya way to t'e shuttle bay to explore t'e surface." He chuckled, doubting the lie would hold for more than a second given their current location, but it could make the difference between getting shot on sight or detained.

Collyn dons his mask and hurries along as told. He kept his eyes on the line Rayjay had pointed out, looking for some kind of bottle sticking to the pipe.

There doesn't seem to be any internal security at this level, but at TL-14, most of it wouldn't be visible and obvious. Someone entering the area with explosives, for instance, might set off all sorts of alarms and security protocols.

There also does not seem to be any regular workers stationed here, though no doubt some get the maintenance duty now and then.

As you spread out through the Life Support Underlinth, the tanks and pipes get more and more complicated. The markings on them no doubt identify the source and destination but it's all coded; being able to read them wouldn't help you anyway.

Unless someone comes up with some brilliant approach to finding the cylinder, you each need to make 3 Recon rolls (TN 14; ten minutes).

OOC: Could I use Life Support to narrow down the possible search area?

Rayjay strikes a contemplative pose as he looks over the air pipes, being quite familiar with the water pipes he was doing his best to remember a rough layout.

Ghent had the overwhelming sense that he’d seen the same pipes like three to four times, and sighed heavily. “I’m not seeing anything out of the ordinary,” he said finally as he leaned against one of the walls.

Yes, you can add Life Science skill to the roll plus you get a Boon (roll 3 dice, drop lowest) for thinking of that.

02:35, Today: Taliesa Dieros rolled 10,11,5 using 2d6+2,2d6+2,2d6+2 ((4,4,4,5,1,2)).

After half an hour, Taliesa came up empty at finding anything suspicious. If necessary, she continues searching for another 30 minutes.

02:39, Today: Taliesa Dieros rolled 11,11,7 using 2d6+2,2d6+2,2d6+2 ((4,5,3,6,4,1)).

Still no luck.

Without any Engineering skill in Life Support systems, Viridian takes a different approach--he wracks his brain for some Medic knowledge that might indicate where the best place to put the gas would be: not too obvious but also someplace where it would be the most effective.

03:26, Today: Viridian Starfire rolled 13,13,14 using 2d6+6,2d6+6,2d6+6 ((2,5,4,3,5,3)). Recon check: Recon-3, Medic-2 (if GM allows it), INT-1.

So, possibly, if Rayjay doesn't find it first, Viridian might find a suspicious object at the end of a half hour of searching.

Collyn searched too. He didn't have too much luck though sadly.

04:57, Today: Collyn Ramburton rolled 11 using 2d6+4.  search.

04:57, Today: Collyn Ramburton rolled 10 using 2d6+4.  search.

04:57, Today: Collyn Ramburton rolled 9 using 2d6+4.  search.

Life Support - 2, Recon - 1, Medic - 1 or Int - 1

Using his memory to help narrow down the best possible spot to launch such a heinous attack on his beloved home, Rayjay is almost certain he knows of such a place.

8, 10, 9 Life Support, Recon, Int, Boon.

Rayjay almost finds something but his ADD diverts him down another pipe.

At the end of the half hour, Viridian spots an item that, if not outright suspicious, does seem out of place.

It's a wrap around cylinder placed at the base of one of the light blue pipes. Only about a foot high, it is three times the diameter of the pipe with a sealed top and, presumably, bottom. It is clearly large enough to hold more than one dispensing canister. There's clearly a hinge and a magnetically locked opening on the opposite side.

There does not appear to be any explosives attached to it, but there could still be some inside.

"I may have found it," Viridian comms everyone and directs them to where he is. Once they've joined him, he adds:

"I've never seen anything like this before. No medical application that I'm aware of. How about you, Rayjay? Some sort of Life Support module?"

"Doesn't look like it's booby-trapped, but then it wouldn't, would it?"

"This clearly wasn't thrown together on a whim. Although it does occur to me that it may have been intended for some other purpose and was than converted for here."

"We definitely need to remove it. If it belongs here, we can put it back."

"Anyone have any suggestions?"

Now that they had found something, Ghent sighed in relief that he wasn’t actually leaning on the wall that Viridian had found the canister. “Well, would you look at that…” he said as he bent down to examine the contraption.


18:26, Today: Ghent Bel-Andis rolled 11 using 2d6+3 ((2,6)). mec + int, what is that thing.?
This message was last edited by the player at 22:30, Fri 26 May 2023.

It looks like it holds 8 canisters and there's a mechanism that rotates each one into place at an appropriate time... presumably when one is empty, the next one is moved into position.

Based on other assessments, the effect of the gas inside would reach full impact in another two weeks.

Somewhere inside, a breach in the air pipe was made to feed in the gas. If you remove the device, you'd need to figure out some way to seal the hole. Otherwise, pressure would drop and set off an alarm.

Ghent frowned at the contraption, looking around for something that could possibly be used to plug the hole made by the device, when it dawned on him that he could probably leave the device and simply remove the canisters. “I think I have a solution, if anyone has anything that might be able to plug the hole, let me know, otherwise I’ll remove the canisters and leave the device,” he said as he set out to disarm the thing.

Collyn got on the other side and went to work helping with removing the cannisters.

Upon further and closer examination, Ghent determines that the canisters are on a rotating disc enclosed within the larger cylinder. When one canister is emptied, some mechanism rotates the next canister in place... probably air pressure.

The task is to bypass the lock so that the cylinder will open giving access to the canisters inside. The timeline suggests that there are two full canisters left, so, yes, pulling them out will stop their release into the atmosphere.

Disrupting the magnetic lock requires a Computer check, and with Collyn and Viridian assisting, Ghent is able to get the cylinder open. The internal mechanism appears to be just as he surmised--mostly mechanical. It's also a fairly simple system--the canisters are designed to just pop in or out.

No booby-traps are spotted and Ghent is able to pop out the two still-unused canisters with no problem. Each one is about 12 centimeters long and 2 centimeters in diameter. They are clearly high-pressure canisters.

Ghent grunts, removing the final canister. "Maybe we should get these analyzed when we have a minute..?" he asked, unsure what to do next. In the back of his mind, he wanted to know what was happening with the other group, and he half expected that they'd need help.

"Definitely, remember to keep ya' masks on till we get back out into public, want to limit our exposure as much as possible, especially wit' such a concentrated source." Rayjay recommended, double checking his own mask's seal as they remove the canister's from the disk.

In reply to Rayjaynul Brown (msg # 50):

Collyn holds out a bag to carry the cannisters in when they leave. They don't want them seen because they would be blamed for them. They needed disposed of, dropped from the floating palace. He made sure ha had a good seal on his mask, he was ready to get out of here. He hoped the others were successful too.

"Kind of seems anti-climactic, doesn't it?" Viridian comments.

"What you mean, Kemo Sabe?" he directs at Collyn. "As long as you are carrying those canisters, if we're caught, they'll think you did it."

"Anyway, the intent was always to get the contents analyzed to find out just what that stuff is and maybe who made it. I suspect it will take some time for the former and the latter will be either inconclusive or a complete red herring."

He studies the mechanism for a minute before adding, "I don't expect there to be a second one, but we should look just in case. I could see scattering eight canisters around this maze, each on a timer, but that would have taken time on site. This way, it's one and done."

"I suggest we take a different route out of the UnderLinth."

"This may have been a boring task, but as far as I'm concerned, it beats getting shot at."

"It's going to take the others a lot longer to find the King, though I'm a bit concerned that we haven't heard from them. I think the UnderLinth may be blocking our comms. Plus, there was that raging storm down on the planet. Why the hell the King would want to go fly in that completely escapes me! Maybe he has a death wish!"

Unless someone objects or has a different plan, Viridian will lead the group out of the Life Support section and then a different way, heading to the Bazaar.

Not surprisingly, there are no color-banded arrows or codes painted on the support girders that make up the UnderLinth superstructure which direct you to the Bazaar, but then the Bazaar has only been around for 20 years or so. Instead, the black band directs you to the Civilian Stardock.

Once at the right location, a built-in wall ladder leads upward to the basement distribution and delivery level. Crates and racks and shelving units clutter the space up to the point where even finding the elevator let alone getting to it is a small task.

With the population of the Floating Palace split into three shifts, the Bazaar is nearly always busy, and no one bats an eye when you step out of the elevator.

Reluctantly removing his mask in the elevator Rayjay urges the group back to the ship via the most direct method. "Should be just across the way." He said once more adapting his palacer accent.

Exiting the elevator practically in the middle of the Bazaar, Taliesa was prompted to do a bit of shopping. After all, they had time to kill, so to speak--the Vultan was still down on the planet.

A ceremonial dagger that one of the Nobles had reluctantly parted with caught her eye. Yes, it was outrageously expensive, but the curved design appealed to her. After purchasing that, she then bought a more practical knife.

She added a pair of rose-tinted sunglasses, an advanced multi-tool, three glow-sticks, a pack of 6 bungee cords, a (very dusty) forensics toolkit, and a small pocket flashlight to her collection. Part of the reason for her shopping was to blend in.

"That's the Civilian Stardock," she reminded Rayjay in case he was referring to the docking bay by the Bazaar. "The Vultan was docked at the Royal Docking Bay on the opposite side of the Floating Palace. If they rescue the King, that's where they'll dock."

As she added a couple of tchotchkes to the pile, she did her best to observe the other customers at the Bazaar. Did they seem to be any more agitated or paranoid than 'normal'?

Then she spotted Rachando about the same time as he saw them.

Collyn removed his mask when he got off of the elevator too. He decided to blend in by being with Taliesa for a bit. He made small talk but nothing worth noting.

Not being from Drinax, Viridian wasn't wearing a filter mask as he didn't feel it was needed. Also, if all of them had been wearing masks, it would have looked strange... as well as suspicious.

He, too, joined Taliesa for a bit of shopping. He made only three purchases--a small practical non-metallic pocket knife (Pirate Rule #9), a King Oleb bobble-head dressed in a fancier-than-real Hawk Warrior uniform, and a 12" gold-and-red stuffed vultan toy. The last two, of course, were because his quarters had the spartan look of an itinerant traveler... which seemed to be coming to an end these days.

He was only mildly surprised to see Rachando heading in their direction. Once he'd delivered his warning and they'd fixed his ship, there was nothing to keep him from returning to the Palace on a similar vector. And he would have docked at the Civilian Stardock right next to the Bazaar.

"I wonder what he wants now?" Viridian mused out loud.

"The whole Palace is going to hell in a handbasket!" Rachando says without preamble when he reaches the group.

"And I don't even know what that means!"

"The King might be dead, Prince Harrick has gone to Asim, and no one can find Princess Rao! I'm not sure who that leaves in command! Lord Wrax? Oh, don't get me started! You'd think the admiral of the Star Guard would be more gung ho about fighting, but he sides with Harrick on 'peaceful negotiations'. That only works when you carry a big stick!"

"You all know I'm not one to listen to gossip let alone repeat it, but the rumor I just heard was saying Prince Harrick has kidnapped Princess Rao! Isn't that absurd? Why would he even do that?"

Having delivered his angst-laden message (again), he now turns to business.

"Excellent choice, Taliesa," he compliments her purchase of the ceremonial dagger. "It belonged to the Chief Lord High Justice of Farnsworth. Upon his death three years ago, his wife, First Sun Lady Nirvana of Farnsworth, felt it was important to feed her seven children than to keep the dagger hanging on the wall. After all, you can't eat the dagger. I made her a generous offer and she--reluctantly, I'll admit--accepted it."

"A soft spot for soft toys, Viridian? Half the time I can't keep them in stock, and the other half, they just sit and collect dust. Figuratively speaking, of course--Noshabkeming forbid that any real dust settles anywhere in the Palace!"

"With the return of your ship, I'm hoping to unload the rest of these. Thinking of changing the next batch to a plush starship."

"Rumor Harrick kidnapped Rao, oh that is bad. I have a bad feeling we'll be going to Asim to rescue her if that is true! I'm sure the king will be very upset!"

As purchases are finalized, you notice that a few of the other customers are getting a bit agitated, get involved in a heated discussion and then hurry away from the Bazaar.

A minute later, Rachando approaches you again.

"I can't believe it's happening! The coup is underway! Or is that 'coups'?" Rachando informs you. "I don't know how many exactly, but several factions have made a move... taking over some area as a base. The most significant one is the Prince Harrick faction... and he's not even here!"

"We need to do something! Well, you five need to! I'm not important; nobody cares which faction I support. As soon as someone realizes you support the Princess, they'll make a move on you... try to use you as leverage."

"I think there are a lot of people still on the fence. You could try and sway them over to your side. Get enough of them to still support the King and the other factions will collapse."

"My two credits. Or you could just wait it out and see who wins. Probably what I'd do. Of course, if your faction doesn't win, you could lose that fancy ship of yours. Everybody knows Admiral Wrax wants it for his Star Guard flagship."

He cautiously looks around to see if anybody is close enough to have overheard him... or otherwise paying attention to them. He spots no one that would fit into those categories, but there are several people still shopping... for a dress, gourmet cheese platter and an Aslan bobble-head.

Since none of you are wearing Vultan uniforms (they would have been way too conspicuous for your clandestine mission), the average Noble citizen isn't likely to know or recognize you.

"Ha-ha--that's funny, Rachando," Viridian replies. "Coups? Here on the Floating Palace? Someone going to shoot King Oleb XVI?"

His words were meant to allay any suspicions Rachando might have if he saw them emerge from the basement elevator. Viridian was pretty sure he had seen them--he seemed to have eyes and ears everywhere! Maybe even a nose.

"He's already in exile. Hmmmm. Some of the people do seem to be getting a bit more agitated... like they aren't happy with the King. But to actually do something about it... Boggles the mind!"

"So, let's say you are right. Any faction folk here in the Bazaar, other than customers? How about over there in the Stardock? Or Stardock command? Wouldn't want to leave an enemy behind us, now would we?"

"Can we contact the Vultan? What about the Highport? Think it is safe up there?"

Seemingly turned around by their time in the tunnels, Rayjay kept quiet but nodded along, clearly not as familiar with his home as he had once been. "I have my suspicions that our dear friend will tell us that shuttles to and from Highport have been delayed indefinitely until after a resolution to these coups." Rayjay suggested flippantly.

"But swaying hearts and minds may be good for our health and future wealth, after all we can't be daring privateers without a ship. Let alone one so grand as the Vultan." Rayjay added before turning to Rachando.

"Don't suppose you know where we might find the swayable masses?" He asked curiously, seconding Collyn's own questions.

"Sounds to me like Admiral Wrax might be the one we need to slow down," Ghent finally said as he followed the group in silence. He rarely cared for local politics, however there were lines he didn't like crossed, and someone taking over the Vultan was one of those things. "I mean, sounds to me like he's the one who'd profit the most from the chaos if he hasn't already."

"We need to contact the ship and find out how they're doing, or if they succeeded or not, and where they are so we can meet them. I think it's time to get back together! Viridian? Ghent? That would be up to you guys, you're in charge, I think!" He hisses in a whisper so as not to be over heard by bystanders.

"I've been trying to contact the Vultan," Taliesa says after tapping at her comm again. "There was no signal down in the UnderLinth... I guess unless you have the right frequency or authorization."

"Remember, too, that the ship was heading down to the surface to rescue the King... and that's one hellacious storm raging down there. Lots of ionization causing interference. And the Vultan may be on communications blackout until they know what the situation is."

"We're on our own. Teddy and Varca sent us here because they trusted us to get the job done. Admittedly, it looks like a lot different job now. So, are we up to it?"

She glances around at the others, at the Bazaar and those in it, and then over to the Stardock.

"This would be quite funny if it wasn't so fraggin' serious! It's up to this little motley crew to stop the coup! Not just one, but... what was it? 7? It sounded like most of them will collapse if the core ones get shot down. The others are just vultures--looking to swoop into the void and claim a fait accompli."

"We have a couple of advantages on our side... mainly that the Prince isn't here. Whether that was intentional or not, it sounds like his supporters may be acting on their own. With Wrax's support and some of the Hawk Warriors, though, that's a major threat."

"We also have the King. Status uncertain."

"However, the Princess seems to be missing, which means we'll be doing the same thing as the Prince's faction. Only we're going to do it better."

"And then it looks like we'll have to go to Asim to rescue the Princess! All in a day's work for the Vultan's crew, right?"

"And that brings me to two questions. Rachando, which faction do you support? You don't have to support Rao, but be forewarned--if you tell us you are and then betray us, we will kill you." Delivered in an icy calm tone... no trace of humor.

"One way or another, we're going to Asim; that was our next port-of-call anyway. Ghent... maybe you and Rachando can rustle up some cargo to take with us."

"So, Rayjay... does that all sound like an accurate assessment?"

She wasn't trying to step on his 'authority' shoes, but it seemed as if they were all in pseudo-shock.

"Rescue the Princess by ourselves? Just us? Uhhh, I didn't see you bump your head, and we ain't had that drink yet. How we gonna do that? We don't know where on Asim for starters where they are, it's a big planet, then throw in logistics and a ship. Captain has Vultan. Planning on taking Rachando and using his yacht?"

“Sure, we can try to scrounge up some cargo as a cover story and attempt the rescue,” Ghent nodded in agreement when Taliesa suggested it; between the six  of them, they might have enough of brawn and brains to get it done. “Time to show us your stuff, Collyn. We might as well develop a good sweat and deserve those beers you offered, yeah? That said, your friend suggested the Dragon's Maw, Rayj, maybe we can get our ears on the ground before heading out…”
This message was last edited by the player at 22:08, Thu 08 June 2023.

"Indeed, we do appear to be without transportation otherwise, unless our good friend wishes to stay here and see what terrible fate awaits those who didn't pick the winning team?" Rayjay asked Rachando, not expecting he would care to remain aboard the palace when blades and lasers started cutting the air. "Though honestly acting like nothing is going on may be even more suspicious than simply abandoning ship with what supplies we can wrangle, so to speak. Either case, I suspect that if we do find the Princess, we may put a damper on many a coup, though the Admiral might remain a threat beyond our immediate capabilities. But better one coup than seven, so long as the others don't immediately jump aboard his conveyor in turn." Rayjay said, speaking under his breath so as to not call unwanted attention to their little party.

"I think we need to find a nondescript place where we aren't in the open, and make plans for what we're going to do next. We need to contact the Captain and Cdr. Varca too to see if they found the king yet. Any place private we can go Mister Rachando?"

"Indeed... could maybe introduce you to the family. Or we could find lodgings instead?" Rayjay suggested helpfully, also curious how the old man was at this point in time. Probably crazier than most to be honest.

"That sounds good Rayjay. Might make a good hide out until this blows over."

His first impulse was to slap Collyn on the back of the head for what he said.

"I didn't mean just us, but the rest of the crew, too... so naturally when they got back with the Vultan," Viridian says. "But borrowing Rachando's yacht isn't a bad idea."

"Technically, we're already a week behind, so minutes aren't going to matter much."

"If Harrick has any kind of power base on Asim, the VIPs will know where it is."

"Besides, I thought we were going to stop these coups ourselves? Now's the time to do it... before any of them can get a foothold."

"The two duty personnel in the control center are Rao's men. I wouldn't go so far as to claim them as fanatics," Rachando adds.

"The two Star Guards on duty in the docking bay are Harrick's men. Still, take them out and you control 20% of the Floating Palace."

"I'm not expecting any kind of running gunfight... Drinaxians just don't think that way."

"Indeed, one could perhaps use a formal duel as pretense to subdue the guards, or perhaps spread a most vicious rumor that their patron's will not keep their vows could perhaps sway their hearts. Not that random violence wouldn't work, but it might also make the situation more tense and unstable. But mostly I just offered a place to better strategize than out in the very open. Though I suppose our good friend Rachando's vessel is just as good and closer at hand." Rayjay said, wishing the group would decide a more appropriate setting to plot and scheme.

“Could your house be involved in the intrigues, or at the very least spied upon to find out? I’m not sure your ancestral home would be the wisest choice to keep things quiet, however the tradeoff might be better information,” Ghent chimed in. “Either way, I suggest you lead the way, Rayjaynul. I wouldn’t know where to go.”

"Possibly, but we're only Baronets, so I very much doubt my family would be wrapped up in the intrigue, let alone spied upon. But given the message I received from my father; I can't say so with certainty either, after all I've been away from home for over two decades." He said with a shrug. His father might be more knowledgeable of the recent events, he might not, their home may be bugged, it might not be, really Rayjay had been away for far too long to offer any assurances either way, but he was willing to offer the option all the same. After all, what were the chances that Rachando wasn't being closely observed either?

"Someone lead the way somewhere. We can't stay here. Viridian? You're in charge, please make a decision." Collyn is getting agitated at being hung out in the open, not knowing who is friend, and who is enemy.

OOC: Please remember that, at this time, "GM Starwolf" has no more Access than any other Player.  Tho' I'm pretty sure if you Send Private Line to Starwolf, I'll see it, I won't see Private Lines between Players--so don't expect me to be looking over your shoulders for a while.  I'm working on it!
     StarMaster had established that King Oleb was so injured that he would have to spend "a week" inside an AutoDoc -- inside Vultan's AutoDoc, to be exact. (it seems the "salvaged" AutoDoc that was purchased on Palindrome is slightly better than the Imperium-made AutoDocs aboard the GeDeCo-run Highport; TL15 vs TL14).  The GeDeCo Doctors are adamant that The King's treatment remain uninterrupted, and they will not even allow a short "wake up" so that The King can make a statement confirming he's alive.
     Thus...

The King's Recovery:  Day 1
Planet Drinax, On The Floating Palace, outside Rachando's Bazaar

     Rachando--feeling confident that he's done his due diligence to assist the Special Servants of his good friend King Oleb--assures the Vultans that he will keep his eyes and ears open and let them know if he hears anything that might be useful.
(OOC: old navy tradition, members of a Ship's Crew are often referred to by a nickname based on the name of the ship--in this case, the ship's name is "Vultan" so the crew members would all be called "Vultans", or "a Vultan".)

     "Everyone talks to their good friend Rachando!" he enthuses, as he escorts you to his door and ushers you out onto the street, "With the Shuttleports being locked down, and comms off the Palace being jammed, I suggest you find a place to hole-up, for now.  Don't worry about letting me know where you are--if I hear anything ... I'll find you.  Now, Go In The Emperor's Grace and be careful!"

     This part of the Floating Palace is the Retail Bazaar, located between the Royal Docks and the Royal Apartments and Court Chambers.  The "street" is 10 meters wide, laid out and decorated to look like a stylish urban retail district--with strategically located benches near urns full of decorative plants.  Small snack kiosks are conveiniently scattered around.  There is a crysteel roof 8 meters abouve the street which allows a view of the sky abouve (or holograms doing the same, where there is no direct access to the sky).






     As Rayjaynul is about to respond, he realizes that he's being watched.

    Across the street, there is a young man leaning against a building, at the corner of a side street.  He is dressed well -- who amoung the Palacers isn't -- wearing a common style of clothing that combines elements of high fashion with the rugged requirements of "work clothing".


     His hair is an almost-auburn shade of brown, cut collar-length.  His skintone is a Vilani-like "light golden tan".  While clearly the lad is, at most, in his middle-teens, he is a bit tall and lanky for that age.

     A mere few moments after the lad has caught Rayjaynul's attention, everyone else turns to look at the lad -- who has been staring straight at Rayjaynul the whole time.

     The lad--still slouching against the wall, as such youths are wont to do--grins and raises his left hand to offer a slight wave of greeting to the group.  Then, he straightens up from his slouch, gives the group a small nod of his head, indicating they should follow him, then he walks around the corner and out of sight.

Collyn looks from face to face, with a questioning look in his face, he shrugs his shoulders and moves to follow, mostly from curiosity.

"Hmph, some young noble trying to get our attention," Ghent said as he shrugged his shoulders. "I guess it can't hurt if we find out what he wants." He gave Collyn a nod and gave Rayj a look that could be interpreted as 'do you know that guy' before following his 2IC.

Rayjay raised his left hand in greeting in return before following, puzzling over the young man's face, as he spoke in hushed tones to the others of his group. "He's wearing my family's crest... though I can't for the life of me remember his face." He said, torn between skepticism and embarrassment as he couldn't seem to place the face, till it finally dawned on him, his stepmother's children.

But even with that minor revelation he couldn't seem to remember the young man's name, which wasn't much of a surprise given that he left shortly after his father remarried. "My half-brother I believe?" He said wrinkling his brow as he struggled to remember their names from the few letters he received in the navy. _{"Amelie? No, she'd be older I think, and a woman. Francis? Maybe, but I thought he was older."} He muttered to himself, struggling to remember the young man's name before he had to make an ass of himself before his kin and ship mates alike.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:58, Tue 25 July 2023.

In reply to Rayjaynul Brown (msg # 82):

     "Close Family, huh?" Viridian chimes in, following along with the group, "Then maybe your Father sent him?  With a message too sensitive to trust to comms?"

     "No, wait, you said Half-Brother -- meaning your sibling but from your Fathers second Wife...?  Then maybe this is a trap, y'know, the new Family looking to wipe out the old Family...?  Succession fights can be like that, I've heard."

     As the small group of Vultans follow Rayjaynul round the corner and proceed down a smaller side street (5 meters wide, rather than 10) they see the young lad standing several meters down the street, waiting for them.  He gives the group a nod of acknowledgement, then steps forward into what looks to be another side street.

     "I called it!" Viridian whispers, sliding his right hand into a pocket of the light jacket he's wearing, "It's a trap."

     Cautiously now, the group approaches the corner, observing as you get closer that the turn doesn't lead into another side-street, but is actually an alcove set back about 3-meters-by-6, with benches and a potted shade tree for pedestrians to pause for a rest.

     The lad is standing there, waiting, with a nervous smile on his face.  This close, you all can see that he's wearing a VR Ocular over his left eye (OOC: think a half-pair of glasses, with a bridge over the nose, a largish "monocle" over the eye, then a thick "arm" that goes back and over his ear; i.e., a variation of the Personal HUD)--and it's clear, now, that the gloves he's wearing are I/O Gloves, linked to the Ocular.

     "Hello, Brother Rayjaynul." the lad says in a clear Palacer accent, giving Rayjay a rather formal bow of his head,

     "You probably don't recognize me -- as you'd left The Palace long before I was born.  I'm your brother Jaques, the youngest of Father's children..."

     Jaques' cheeks redden a little bit as he adds, "Mother sent me..."

Collyn, who was a bit on alert after what Viridian said, visibly relaxed after Jaques introduced himself.

"More or less." Rayjay replied softly while giving Viridan a questioning glance and refraining from commenting on the potential insult one could construe from asking about the strength of family bonds, particularly after he shared his conspiracy theory, which may or may not have merit.

Returning the formal bow in turn Rayjay embraced his half-brother before resting his hand upon the boy's shoulder. "Well it is wonderful to meet you at long last Jacques. Kandice did try her best to keep me informed on the family, but with how naval deployments are not every missive reaches its intended destination. Though I do hope dear Jenavieve is in good health." He said congenially before giving the lad time to inform him of his purpose, clearly not intent on holding the awkwardness of the situation against him given his age and relative innocence.