KotZ Posted February 2, 2020 Posted February 2, 2020 Kleeck turned to the party and whispered. "We should be cautious. Card games in dens can be high stakes; all the docu-holoshows tell you so. If we rudely interrupt their game, we could get into a debacle. I suggest we take it slow, ease our way in, and drink with them."
Classic_Spaceman Posted February 2, 2020 Posted February 2, 2020 25 minutes ago, KotZ said: Kleeck turned to the party and whispered. "We should be cautious. Card games in dens can be high stakes; all the docu-holoshows tell you so. If we rudely interrupt their game, we could get into a debacle. I suggest we take it slow, ease our way in, and drink with them." Agreed. I'll sweep the room - See who's here, what they're playing, that kind of thing. If I still had my frelling uplink with IRIS. . . Wait - How scuffed's that E-11? I might have an idea.
Duvors Posted February 2, 2020 Posted February 2, 2020 (edited) 9 hours ago, samurai-turtle said: /// I don't know why I am telling any of you, any of this. I am not 100% if these, stories are fully accurate, but these are the unconfirmed information from the War Bot network. It could all just be a way to instill fear from the creator. /// Sentient, that is up for debate. What makes you sentient, another possible debate. /// Can you imagine a "Demon" building an army just for his own purposes. /// Yes, have you ever heard of "Machine Learning"? For memory or brain it is crystalline in nature... I don't think understanding him is the problem it is his mass amounts of "powers" he possesses. /// As for "Dark Family" or Saturn the "story" goes like this. The creator found a tome called "Summon Mate". And in this tome was a list of 160 "monsters" with all sorts of information, one of families listed was Saturn. Looking over these "monsters" he realized, he was quite similar to them, probably not having much knowledge on what he is, he figured he belongs to the Saturn Family. The 10 known Saturn species are Devil Butterfly, Baphomet, Devil, Warrior Devil, Lady Devil, Satan, Warrior Satan, Giga Devil, Elemental Devil and Devil Bastet. I imagine finding an old book on these creatures might lead to more information. "I'm sorry, are you saying your kind was built by a Māra? This is... this is serious. Can you tell me what he looked like? What powers does he possess? Have you been consecrated or otherwise purified since you last had contact with him?" Enson's tone sounded worried, as if he was concerned for the droid's safety. 5 hours ago, Endgame said: The party descends down... As Enson finished speaking he realized that the group had reached the bottom of the stairs. Seeing the room before them and their quarry seated at one of the tables, he quickly composed himself and held up a hand to indicate they should stay back. 35 minutes ago, KotZ said: Kleeck turned to the party and whispered. "We should be cautious. Card games in dens can be high stakes; all the docu-holoshows tell you so. If we rudely interrupt their game, we could get into a debacle. I suggest we take it slow, ease our way in, and drink with them." "Yes, thats absolutely right." he said in a voice too low for anyone outside the group to hear, "Now to be clear, we shouldn't tell anyone why we're really here. We can talk about the egg, but we shouldn't mention who sent us after it, why we want it, or how we heard about it. We can try to subtly direct the conversation to the item and see if we can find out where they're keeping it so we can filch it before the auction. If we can get Jek alone we might be able to talk him down from this and get him to help us, but we shouldn't rely on that plan unless we're certain he's having second thoughts. Now if we can't find out where they're keeping it or if we think we can't get to it then we may have to bid for it at the auction. If it comes to that we may have to pool all our money so I suggest we don't gamble, we don't buy any drinks, and we don't bid on any other items. Now if we can't bid high enough then we'll just have to steal it from whoever did. I'm open to suggestions on that front honestly, but I think we should do it somewhere out of public eye and far enough away that the proprietors of this establishment don't come to see what the ruckus is about. Does that all sound good? Any suggestions, dissenting opinions, thoughts? I am open to anything you have." @Classic_Spaceman @Kintobor @Goliath Edited February 2, 2020 by Lord Duvors
Classic_Spaceman Posted February 2, 2020 Posted February 2, 2020 13 minutes ago, Lord Duvors said: "If we can get Jek alone we might be able to talk him down from this and get him to help us, but we shouldn't rely on that plan unless we're certain he's having second thoughts." No - He already has a buyer. I'll need to interact with the people here, though, to check for a linguistic match.
samurai-turtle Posted February 2, 2020 Posted February 2, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Lord Duvors said: I'm sorry, are you saying your kind was built by a Māra? This is... this is serious. Can you tell me what he looked like? What powers does he possess? Have you been consecrated or otherwise purified since you last had contact with him?" Enson's tone sounded worried, as if he was concerned for the droid's safety. /// I am sorry, I don't understand some of the terminology. I have never been face to face with the creator if that what you are asking. And like I said, I am not 100% sure on any of these "stories". I am not toxic or radioactive or some other way bringing harm by just standing near me. Unless I go into Combat Mode. /// So, where can I find out what objects are being put up for auction? Edited February 2, 2020 by samurai-turtle Spelling
Duvors Posted February 2, 2020 Posted February 2, 2020 1 hour ago, Classic_Spaceman said: No - He already has a buyer. I'll need to interact with the people here, though, to check for a linguistic match. "Yelana, this is an auction, you can't have a 'buyer' beforehand. That's not how this works. And anyway, I did say we should only try that if he was having second thoughts. Where did you get the idea he had a specific buyer lined up from anyway? Are you talking about that voice we heard on his data pad? Because that struck me as more of an organizer for the auction then anything else. Still, yes, we should find out who that was. Thank you for reminding us." 35 minutes ago, samurai-turtle said: /// I am sorry, I don't understand some of the terminology. I have never been face to face with the creator if that what you are asking. And like I said, I am not 100% sure on any of these "stories". I am not toxic or radioactive or some other way bringing harm by just standing near me. Unless I go into Combat Mode. "Sorry, a māra is a tempter, a demon, a spirit of evil, they're very bad news. And I'm not worried about radiation or anything like that, I am worried about your spirit, extended contact with māra or other unclean things from Outside can cause spiritual harm to a person. And if you were created by one he may have inserted something into you that allows him influence over you in ways other then the material." he paused pensively for a moment. "You know, I am an ordained priest. If I examine you and find anything wrong I can write a prescription for spiritual care if you need it. I would have to examine you first though, and it would still be best to get a second opinion before committing to any treatment." 53 minutes ago, samurai-turtle said: /// So, where can I find out what objects are being put up for auction? "Well as to that I'd suggest asking the dwarf, he works here and from his response to your question about antimatter I'd say he knows what is on sale today. And even if he does not know I am certain he can point you to someone who does."
Yzalirk Posted February 2, 2020 Posted February 2, 2020 2 hours ago, Lord Duvors said: "Yes, thats absolutely right." he said in a voice too low for anyone outside the group to hear, "Now to be clear, we shouldn't tell anyone why we're really here. We can talk about the egg, but we shouldn't mention who sent us after it, why we want it, or how we heard about it. We can try to subtly direct the conversation to the item and see if we can find out where they're keeping it so we can filch it before the auction. If we can get Jek alone we might be able to talk him down from this and get him to help us, but we shouldn't rely on that plan unless we're certain he's having second thoughts. Now if we can't find out where they're keeping it or if we think we can't get to it then we may have to bid for it at the auction. If it comes to that we may have to pool all our money so I suggest we don't gamble, we don't buy any drinks, and we don't bid on any other items. Now if we can't bid high enough then we'll just have to steal it from whoever did. I'm open to suggestions on that front honestly, but I think we should do it somewhere out of public eye and far enough away that the proprietors of this establishment don't come to see what the ruckus is about. Does that all sound good? Any suggestions, dissenting opinions, thoughts? I am open to anything you have." "I'm inclined to agree. No funny business and no twenty questions. Last thing we need is to start trouble by asking too many questions. Play it cool and blend in." Igaz whispers. Igaz motions to the droid for a drink. "That includes indulging yourself a bit." Spoiler I think with my 2 EXP points I will upgrade Intimidation for 1 to 2.
Classic_Spaceman Posted February 2, 2020 Posted February 2, 2020 1 hour ago, Lord Duvors said: "Yelana, this is an auction, you can't have a 'buyer' beforehand. That's not how this works. And anyway, I did say we should only try that if he was having second thoughts. Where did you get the idea he had a specific buyer lined up from anyway? Are you talking about that voice we heard on his data pad? Because that struck me as more of an organizer for the auction then anything else. Still, yes, we should find out who that was. Thank you for reminding us." You can, if you work out an agreement with the right person. Possible agreements aside, however, his contact seemed more like a buyer than an organiser. In their transmissions, Jek's contact seems nervous, like they're covering their tracks, and seems to know that the egg will sell. <Xi'adat Secc'a. . . Zh'ekor> On 1/24/2020 at 5:28 PM, Endgame said: I'm here. I made it. Can you finally tell me where to show? 567086: Yes. Couldn't do a long range transmission. Easier to intercept. I know. Out with it. You're wasting our time. It's been 15 minutes, are you going to tell me or not? I can't just loiter in my ship forever. 567086: Sorry, sorry, so sorry. Business came up. You know how it is. Commerce Row. Behind the visor kiosk, there's an alley. A left, a right, a left, and against the righthand side wall part of it merely a hologram. Step through, knock on the left four times. Wait a minute. Knock again. Follow these instructions precisely, Jek. See, that wasn't so hard. Why the wait before the fifth knock? 567086: Don't question that. Just show up as you promised. Destroy this data pad. But it's brand new. 567086: Sorry, sorry, so sorry, Jek. But you will be able to afford a new one shortly, yes? Fine. <An'yiv>
samurai-turtle Posted February 2, 2020 Posted February 2, 2020 1 hour ago, Lord Duvors said: "Sorry, a māra is a tempter, a demon, a spirit of evil, they're very bad news. And I'm not worried about radiation or anything like that, I am worried about your spirit, extended contact with māra or other unclean things from Outside can cause spiritual harm to a person. And if you were created by one he may have inserted something into you that allows him influence over you in ways other then the material." he paused pensively for a moment. "You know, I am an ordained priest. If I examine you and find anything wrong I can write a prescription for spiritual care if you need it. I would have to examine you first though, and it would still be best to get a second opinion before committing to any treatment." "Well as to that I'd suggest asking the dwarf, he works here and from his response to your question about antimatter I'd say he knows what is on sale today. And even if he does not know I am certain he can point you to someone who does." /// It seems highly unlikely I would have anything like that. But if it makes you feel better you should examine me when we are not busy. /// I will do that. Going up to the "card game table" and asked. /// Which one of you can tell me what items are up for auction?
Duvors Posted February 2, 2020 Posted February 2, 2020 3 hours ago, Goliath said: "I'm inclined to agree. No funny business and no twenty questions. Last thing we need is to start trouble by asking too many questions. Play it cool and blend in." Igaz whispers. Igaz motions to the droid for a drink. "That includes indulging yourself a bit." "Oh. Errm, do I have to?" said Enson a little sheepishly. He looked at the serving droid apprehensively. It wasn't that he'd never taken alcohol or psychotropic substances or anything like that, it was just that he'd never indulged in any of them. The whole idea of indulging in anything seemed a bit alien to him. Still he felt it would be best to at least try and fit in. So he sighed and nodded resignedly, hoping there would be something small and relatively inoffensive on offer. 1 hour ago, Classic_Spaceman said: You can, if you work out an agreement with the right person. Possible agreements aside, however, his contact seemed more like a buyer than an organiser. In their transmissions, Jek's contact seems nervous, like they're covering their tracks, and seems to know that the egg will sell. Enson thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No that doesn't follow. Yelana," he said, "the egg is a highly valuable object, the only one of it's kind in fact, that Jek stole from his workplace the smuggled to a planet whose occupiers destroy contraband upon acquisition to be sold at a illegal auction. Anyone would be nervous and trying to cover their tracks in such circumstances regardless of who their contact on the other end was. And again, the item is the only one of it's kind and incredibly valuable. That alone practacly guarantees it's sale. I admit that your surmise could be true, but the arguments you have presented as proof do not actually prove your argument. They are indicators, things that would be true if your surmise was correct but do not prove it correct in and of themselves. In fact I think it is more likely that the voice on the other end is an organizer because the people running the auction are the ones who arrange what's being sold in the first place. You can't just show up at the last minute and ask if they'd be willing to sell your antique toy firetruck or whatever for you. And anyway, if Jek had a specific buyer lined up for the object why not just sell to him directly? Why go through the auction in the first place?" He paused and rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a moment before speaking again. "Out of curiosity though, how would you arrange to make certain that a specific buyer got a specific item that was up for open auction?"
Endgame Posted February 3, 2020 Author Posted February 3, 2020 (edited) MM Note: Got sick, recovered, watched Kyle Shanahan blow another Super Bowl lead, and now we are back to regularly scheduled questing! On 2/1/2020 at 10:16 PM, Classic_Spaceman said: Agreed. I'll sweep the room - See who's here, what they're playing, that kind of thing. If I still had my frelling uplink with IRIS. . . Wait - How scuffed's that E-11? I might have an idea. Besides the card table and the wait staff, the room was largely empty... there were two other figures chatting in hushed tones on the opposite side of the room, but they too went off with the rest of the crowd, huddling up and proceeding through a set of large doors leading into, according to the label, "Event Hall". There was another door besides the main door, leading to parts unknown. On 2/2/2020 at 12:38 AM, Goliath said: "I'm inclined to agree. No funny business and no twenty questions. Last thing we need is to start trouble by asking too many questions. Play it cool and blend in." Igaz whispers. Igaz motions to the droid for a drink. "That includes indulging yourself a bit." Hide contents I think with my 2 EXP points I will upgrade Intimidation for 1 to 2. MM Note: Upgrade noted. The droid initially rebuffs Igaz. The way he carred the platter, the bottles were constantly shaking and clinking together, and yet somehow they did not fall. "These drinks are for that table over there, and..." "Oh, hush, do you know where you are, tin man? Put the visor man on my tab, let them be merry. I don't believe we've met before!" On 2/2/2020 at 2:09 AM, samurai-turtle said: /// Which one of you can tell me what items are up for auction? The players look at the war bot. "Listen, mate, if you still want your anti-matter..." "Now now, Rafo. Who wouldn't want such an item. There are a number of items up for auction, some of which have been disclosed, some of which have not. There's a Cydonian artifact everyone has been wanting, a peculiar blaster, and Jek here-" "Haha, my thing is of no use to this one. War bots don't eat, now, do they?" "Always banging on about that damn egg, Jek. Why not just eat it yourself?" "Trust me, I wanted to, but I've been assured it'll be plenty lucrative." The Fangreak gnases his fangs in happiness. On 2/2/2020 at 4:13 AM, Lord Duvors said: "Oh. Errm, do I have to?" said Enson a little sheepishly. He looked at the serving droid apprehensively. It wasn't that he'd never taken alcohol or psychotropic substances or anything like that, it was just that he'd never indulged in any of them. The whole idea of indulging in anything seemed a bit alien to him. Still he felt it would be best to at least try and fit in. So he sighed and nodded resignedly, hoping there would be something small and relatively inoffensive on offer. Enson recognizes a bottle of Gamma-Belt Ale, a relatively inoffensive and light drink compared to the rest of the spread. "A fine choice. Although I would not overindulge. Sobriety is a valuable tool in bidding wars, and the auction will be starting before long." Edited February 3, 2020 by Endgame
samurai-turtle Posted February 3, 2020 Posted February 3, 2020 1 hour ago, Endgame said: The players look at the war bot. "Listen, mate, if you still want your anti-matter..." "Now now, Rafo. Who wouldn't want such an item. There are a number of items up for auction, some of which have been disclosed, some of which have not. There's a Cydonian artifact everyone has been wanting, a peculiar blaster, and Jek here-" "Haha, my thing is of no use to this one. War bots don't eat, now, do they?" /// It is obvious your company can not procure any anti-matter devices. I rather not completely wast my time... /// "A peculiar blaster" are you able to tell me more about said item? /// No, I do not have taste buds, but like any machine War Bots need fuel... An egg I probably could think something better to do with it than "eat" it.
Endgame Posted February 3, 2020 Author Posted February 3, 2020 3 hours ago, samurai-turtle said: /// It is obvious your company can not procure any anti-matter devices. I rather not completely wast my time... /// "A peculiar blaster" are you able to tell me more about said item? /// No, I do not have taste buds, but like any machine War Bots need fuel... An egg I probably could think something better to do with it than "eat" it. "Doesn't help that those imperialistic weirdos bagged half of us at security and threw us in a cell." "Still nicked their idol, or whatever the hell that thing was." The dealer hands out a few more cards. "As for the blaster... Sorry, sorry, so sorry, friend. Loose lips sink ships. You'll have to wait and see." If three dots could smile, they would right now. "Awh, and rob the rest of us a chance of getting a taste? That would be cruel, after all the hell I went through to get it. But hey. It's an auction. It'll be yours if you got the credits..." "Do we got time for one more hand, Trips?" "One more, yes. And one more round of drinks, I suppose?" "On it!" With the last hand being dealt, the party would have to make a course of action. Would they try to get the egg the old fashioned way, attempt some trickery, heist it from storage, or some other plan? With the last hand being dealt, there was just a bit more time before they would have to put their plot into action.
Duvors Posted February 4, 2020 Posted February 4, 2020 (edited) 6 hours ago, Endgame said: Enson recognizes a bottle of Gamma-Belt Ale, a relatively inoffensive and light drink compared to the rest of the spread. "A fine choice. Although I would not overindulge. Sobriety is a valuable tool in bidding wars, and the auction will be starting before long." "Ah, thank you very much." said Enson taking the proffered drink and holding it in a somewhat cavalier way, hoping to disguise the fact he wasn't actually drinking any. 30 minutes ago, Endgame said: "As for the blaster... Sorry, sorry, so sorry, friend. Loose lips sink ships. You'll have to wait and see." If three dots could smile, they would right now. Enson smiled to himself as he noticed the square-headed man's verbal tic. "There he is." he muttered under his breath. "Honestly," he said, seemingly as part of a conversation with his companions but loud enough for the gamblers to hear him, "I just hope that the items are being kept in a secure place. We went to a lot of trouble to find this place and I'd rather not have all that work be for nothing." Enson will spend two points to increase his Smarts to two. Edited February 4, 2020 by Lord Duvors
Classic_Spaceman Posted February 4, 2020 Posted February 4, 2020 (edited) On 2/2/2020 at 4:13 AM, Lord Duvors said: "Enson thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No that doesn't follow. Yelana," he said, "the egg is a highly valuable object, the only one of it's kind in fact, that Jek stole from his workplace the smuggled to a planet whose occupiers destroy contraband upon acquisition to be sold at a illegal auction. Anyone would be nervous and trying to cover their tracks in such circumstances regardless of who their contact on the other end was. And again, the item is the only one of it's kind and incredibly valuable. That alone practacly guarantees it's sale. I admit that your surmise could be true, but the arguments you have presented as proof do not actually prove your argument. They are indicators, things that would be true if your surmise was correct but do not prove it correct in and of themselves. In fact I think it is more likely that the voice on the other end is an organizer because the people running the auction are the ones who arrange what's being sold in the first place. You can't just show up at the last minute and ask if they'd be willing to sell your antique toy firetruck or whatever for you. And anyway, if Jek had a specific buyer lined up for the object why not just sell to him directly? Why go through the auction in the first place?" Enson: The auction's like a dead drop - Minimal interaction between parties, with the added benefit of a mediator to handle the transaction, no surveillance, and low chances of being a setup. As it is, the data pad is the only evidence of interaction between Jek and his buyer, which is why the contact was so insistent that Jek destroy it. I'm getting ahead of myself, though. I didn't say Jek seemed nervous - I said his contact did, which is indicative of someone unused to illegal activity. Anyone who organises an auction like this wouldn't be nervous about acquiring items for sale. Besides, the only organiser we've seen isn't a linguistic match with Jek's contact. Also, the contact mentioned that "business came up", which is something that someone with a day job, not the organiser of an underground auction, would say. On 2/2/2020 at 4:13 AM, Lord Duvors said: He paused and rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a moment before speaking again. "Out of curiosity though, how would you arrange to make certain that a specific buyer got a specific item that was up for open auction?" A few ways - The buyer could agree to outbid everyone else, or some kind of deal could be made with the organiser to keep the item in question reserved. 6 hours ago, Endgame said: Besides the card table and the wait staff, the room was largely empty... there were two other figures chatting in hushed tones on the opposite side of the room, but they too went off with the rest of the crowd, huddling up and proceeding through a set of large doors leading into, according to the label, "Event Hall". There was another door besides the main door, leading to parts unknown. Hmmmm. . . <Gat'a A'ti-Xia> ["Tag them"] 6 hours ago, Endgame said: "Trust me, I wanted to, but I've been assured it'll be plenty lucrative." The Fangreak gnases his fangs in happiness. Assured? By whom? It's just an egg. I'm more interested in that Cydonian artefact - Any idea what, exactly, it is? 35 minutes ago, Endgame said: "As for the blaster... Sorry, sorry, so sorry, friend. Loose lips sink ships. You'll have to wait and see." If three dots could smile, they would right now. Indeed they do. . . Edited February 4, 2020 by Classic_Spaceman
Endgame Posted February 4, 2020 Author Posted February 4, 2020 4 minutes ago, Lord Duvors said: "Ah, thank you very much." said Enson taking the proffered drink and holding it in a somewhat cavalier way, hoping to disguise the fact he wasn't actually drinking any. Enson smiled to himself as he noticed the square-headed man's verbal tic. "There he is." he muttered under his breath. "Honestly," he said, seemingly as part of a conversation with his companions but loud enough for the gamblers to hear him, "I just hope that the items are being kept in a secure place. We went to a lot of trouble to find this place and I'd rather not have all that work be for nothing." Enson will spend two points to increase his Smarts to two. "Oh, don't you worry about that now, we got that stuff locked up reeaaaal tight. Samba's gonna be keeping a good eye on all of it..." "Yep!" says the woman, gesturing with her odd half-cybernetic arm towards the smaller side door. "We got this stuff-" "..." The silence is enough to encourage the lady to lower her arm and return to her cards. 4 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said: Assured? By whom? It's just an egg. I'm more interested in that Cydonian artefact - Any idea exactly what it is? "I know you humans experience flavor in such a bland way - using scent to taste, so damn primitive - but something that every species, everywhere, found to be delicious? That there is only one more in the galaxy? That's a huge status symbol? You better believe that's gonna go for a shipload of credits." "Prior data suggests that is the case, yes." "Does aaaannnyyyybody here even know what that Cydonian doohickey is? Honest question for you, Trips." "Trips" sighs. "You people. All of these events attended and still so impatient. It is related to their oh-so-beloved Sovereign. And I will say no more. Sorry, sorry, so sorry." Hearing it spoken, the verbal tic sounded more condescending than nervous.
Kintobor Posted February 4, 2020 Posted February 4, 2020 On 2/1/2020 at 4:58 PM, Endgame said: "Clan Matar, eh? An arcanist, then. Had a cousin in that clan once upon a time, if the ol' memory isn't failing me. Name's Draeyb Rayfo. Clan Alriza." The alchemist's clan... Draeyb gives a small bow back. "Certain circumstances made me take an early leave of absence, so to speak." "Clan Alriza, eh?" Dunola replies, scratching her beard. "Can't say I've heard of that clan before. No matter. Take me inside, kinsmen!"As she enters, Dunola draws in the vapours off of her e-pipe and takes in the shady grandeur of the establishment. She stands by the human woman in the green coat, observing the game. "Pardon the intrusion, my name is Dunola of Clan Matar. I noticed a number of introductions, but not yours. Who might you be?"
Classic_Spaceman Posted February 4, 2020 Posted February 4, 2020 51 minutes ago, Endgame said: "One more, yes. And one more round of drinks, I suppose?" "On it!" Droid: I'll have a Krysto Iced Whiskey - Vintage 567086, if you've got it. Thanks. So, "Trips" how do you manage to drink through that helmet, anyway?
Endgame Posted February 4, 2020 Author Posted February 4, 2020 (edited) 20 hours ago, Kintobor said: "Clan Alriza, eh?" Dunola replies, scratching her beard. "Can't say I've heard of that clan before. No matter. Take me inside, kinsmen!"As she enters, Dunola draws in the vapours off of her e-pipe and takes in the shady grandeur of the establishment. She stands by the human woman in the green coat, observing the game. "Pardon the intrusion, my name is Dunola of Clan Matar. I noticed a number of introductions, but not yours. Who might you be?" "We're a small bunch. And we don't advertise much, what with us trying to keep our little recipes so secret. I was never happy with the wole set-up, to be honest... whole lotta this and that, very backwards. So me and the Alriza folks are on somethin' of an extended vacation." The woman in green beams. "Oh! Another dwarf, ol' Rayfo might actually make a *hic* friend for once! You can call me Myra, nice ta meetcha. And you are?" 20 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said: Droid: I'll have a Krysto Iced Whiskey - Vintage 567086, if you've got it. Thanks. So, "Trips" how do you manage to drink through that helmet, anyway? "Closest we have is 557083, I believe. I shall check." The butler ambles off with his tipsy-topply platter in hand. "Who says I am drinking?" he says, motioning to the lack of beverages on his side of the table. "Furthermore, who says this is a mask?" Edited February 4, 2020 by Endgame
Classic_Spaceman Posted February 4, 2020 Posted February 4, 2020 7 minutes ago, Endgame said: "Closest we have is 557083, I believe. I shall check." The butler ambles off with his tipsy-topply platter in hand. No, no. That's OK. I only ever have the 567086. It brings back. . . memories. What else is good? Jek: You say your sense of taste is refined - Have you got any recommendations?
Duvors Posted February 4, 2020 Posted February 4, 2020 4 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said: Enson: The auction's like a dead drop - Minimal interaction between parties, with the added benefit of a mediator to handle the transaction, no surveillance, and low chances of being a setup. As it is, the data pad is the only evidence of interaction between Jek and his buyer, which is why the contact was so insistent that Jek destroy it. I'm getting ahead of myself, though. I didn't say Jek seemed nervous - I said his contact did, which is indicative of someone unused to illegal activity. Anyone who organises an auction like this wouldn't be nervous about acquiring items for sale. Besides, the only organiser we've seen isn't a linguistic match with Jek's contact. Also, the contact mentioned that "business came up", which is something that someone with a day job, not the organiser of an underground auction, would say. "The insistence on destroying the datapad is, again, something that would be the case either way. Remember, this is an illegal auction, the organizers don't want a paper trail leading to it any more than anyone else. And honestly i don't see any indication in that transcript that indicates nervousness on the part of the contact. If anything it sounds as if Jek is the nervous one and the other person is trying to calm him down. And the phrase 'business came up' is so vague and generic that it could just as easily mean criminal business as honest. And even if it was a normal job (which it does sound the most like to be honest) it still doesn't mean anything. Criminals often have perfectly legitimate businesses as fronts for their activities." 19 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said: A few ways - The buyer could agree to outbid everyone else, or some kind of deal could be made with the organizer to keep the item in question reserved. Enson shook his head again. "I'm sorry Yelana, but I just don't see that happening. It seems too much of a gamble pull off without the participation of almost the entire bidding audience, which would sort of undermine the initial point. There's just too many unknowns and too many moving parts to be worth the risk. Now I can see the organizers having dummy bidders in the audience who will make bids to artificially raise the price of some items but drop out before the final bid. And I could see members of the audience forming a bidding pool, an arrangement where a group of bidders will only bid against outsiders but not other members of the group. But what you're suggesting, while it might sound fine in theory, wouldn't actually work in practice." 26 minutes ago, Endgame said: "Oh, don't you worry about that now, we got that stuff locked up reeaaaal tight. Samba's gonna be keeping a good eye on all of it..." "Yep!" says the woman, gesturing with her odd half-cybernetic arm towards the smaller side door. "We got this stuff-" "..." The silence is enough to encourage the lady to lower her arm and return to her cards. "Oh! Sorry." said Enson with a bow, "I didn't realize you could hear me. My name is Ensonvilterayquis (or Enson if you prefer), and I presume you fine people are the ones responsible for this event?"
samurai-turtle Posted February 4, 2020 Posted February 4, 2020 5 hours ago, Endgame said: "Doesn't help that those imperialistic weirdos bagged half of us at security and threw us in a cell." "Still nicked their idol, or whatever the hell that thing was." The dealer hands out a few more cards. "As for the blaster... Sorry, sorry, so sorry, friend. Loose lips sink ships. You'll have to wait and see." If three dots could smile, they would right now. /// You must have skills if you are already out of containment. /// Let's hope this idol is not some how alive. /// This blaster better not be some "lame antique". /// Where would I wait until the auction starts? And do I need to register for a representative for my company?
Yzalirk Posted February 4, 2020 Posted February 4, 2020 12 hours ago, Endgame said: The droid initially rebuffs Igaz. The way he carred the platter, the bottles were constantly shaking and clinking together, and yet somehow they did not fall. "These drinks are for that table over there, and..." "Oh, hush, do you know where you are, tin man? Put the visor man on my tab, let them be merry. I don't believe we've met before!" Igaz takes the drink and snarls at the droid. "Thanks, droid." He then lifts the drink to show the woman gratitude and approaches her. "Thank you, miss. I don't think we've met either. My name is Igaz, pleasure to make your acquaintance." He takes a rather big sip. Spoiler I meant to respond earlier but I got sidetracked.
Endgame Posted February 4, 2020 Author Posted February 4, 2020 20 hours ago, Classic_Spaceman said: No, no. That's OK. I only ever have the 567086. It brings back. . . memories. What else is good? Jek: You say your sense of taste is refined - Have you got any recommendations? "Pyrutus Rum, best anyone can ask for." 20 hours ago, Lord Duvors said: "Oh! Sorry." said Enson with a bow, "I didn't realize you could hear me. My name is Ensonvilterayquis (or Enson if you prefer), and I presume you fine people are the ones responsible for this event?" "Me n' Trips here are... auction hands, so to speak. A couple of many. The other two people here happen to be acquaintances." "Yes, carrying on the legacy of our dearest, and, unfortunately departed, Madam Umbra. Shame, shame, such a crying shame." 16 hours ago, samurai-turtle said: /// You must have skills if you are already out of containment. /// Let's hope this idol is not some how alive. /// This blaster better not be some "lame antique". /// Where would I wait until the auction starts? And do I need to register for a representative for my company? "Not out, mate. Evaded. Cydonians didn't even care that I smuggled an egg in - they scanned it and it didn't match with their database of invasive or harmful creatures, and so I was through. Not bad eh?" "Yeah yeah yeah. You and your perfect crime." "You won't have to wait much longer at all, things will get underway very shortly. As for registering... No. That is not a practice we do here." 15 hours ago, Goliath said: Igaz takes the drink and snarls at the droid. "Thanks, droid." He then lifts the drink to show the woman gratitude and approaches her. "Thank you, miss. I don't think we've met either. My name is Igaz, pleasure to make your acquaintance." He takes a rather big sip. Reveal hidden contents I meant to respond earlier but I got sidetracked. Myra lifts her glass for a cheery toast. Whatever she had, just a whiff of it let Igaz knew it was strong. "Myra! Nice to meet ya. Hopefully you and I don't get into a bidding war, haha. Might just have to kill you if we did!" Was that... a joke...? The hand concludes, and Jek chuckles, apparently victorious. "Yes, yes, very good. We may resume at a later time. For now... We have an auction to attend to." "See ya on the showroom floor!" Draeyb nods, and heads out towards the main doors with Myra. The butler droid follows suit, clanging behind them with plenty of refreshments. behind the doors, the murmur of a crowd and the shuffling of seats was evident. Trips and Jek forego the main doors, and instead go to the side door. They chat in hushed tones as Trips reaches into his suit pocket for something. What would the party do?
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