Escape Trajectory: Makkuro — IC

[ratwizard]

"Hm," Cass says, thinking over the pilot's info. "What did happen to this rock's navy? And I don't think a freighter's a good haul. Need something with a gun."

[Namelessjake]

Cass

[SHOW]

As is common knowledge among Idarete residents, most of the planet's ship traffic arrives and departs from the Idarete Platform, the large spaceport complex which orbits at the top of the space elevator in the centre of the city. Before the Diktat moved in, this was mostly Civillian Liners and Bulk Freighters, as well as the Idarete Government's limited navy. While you haven't been there since the occupation began, you assume it's now mostly being used by the Diktat Navy to bring in supplies for the occupation and to maintain their fleet in orbit.

Having been a resident of Idarete for a while, you know a little about the Idarete Navy - it being not much more than a handful of corvettes and patrol boats. You heard that when the Diktat showed up they surrendered rather than fight against the overwhelming odds, but you don't know what happened to the ships.

[Scratcherclaw]

Hikaru raises an eyebrow as Creed lists their options. "An old navy ship wouldn't be so bad, as long as they're not rust buckets by this point," Hikaru offers with a shrug, knowing the expense that usually goes into military ships. Not gonna be anything like a League ship, but it's better than a junker I guess. He sighs. "You think anyone would even miss those ships?"

[Fialova]

"If we can scavenge an old navy vessel that should be perfect," Tess responds, perking up a bit at the man's mention of his leads. "They always tend to have space for a decent number of crew members, and I imagine well maintained too. Great for us."

[FinalTemplar]

Creed would think about it for a minute. "I'm not sure where we would start though. As I said, no one knows where they went." He says, and starts the gravcar again and casually driving around town. "If anyone has ideas, feel free to speak up."

mechanics

[SHOW]

INT+Pilot to see if I know anyone who might know more about those ships: 10(3d6.takehighest(2)) +1 = 11

[ratwizard]

Cass slowly nods. "That... that could work. While tubjacking from the Diktat or League would get us something nice, I'm sure we'd be on the radar forever and a day. If we can find a patrol boat from back in the pre-Diktat Idarete days, we're golden." He turns to Creed. "Know anything like that? I've been here a while, but I haven't touched a ship in ages."

[Namelessjake]

Eridas

[SHOW]

As a smuggler you don't have any direct contacts with the Idarete Navy - your job being to avoid them as much as possible. However you do know of a bar that used to be frequented by the off duty crewmen called The War Room. It could be a good place to find some ex-members of the navy.

[FinalTemplar]

He thought for a moment as he drove. "Well, I do know one thing. There's a bar called 'The War Room'. I know some ex-navy drink there. Maybe Hikaru and Tess could help us there?" He paused. "No offense Cass, but you and I aren't the greatest t-talkers."

[Fialova]

"Drinking and talking up lonely soldiers to gain intel? That job is pretty much made for me," Tess says with a shrug and a smirk. "What should I be bringing up, though? I wouldn't want to come off too suspicious. I've only been on this ball of ice for a few days, so I don't know the first thing about its navy or the history here." Let's hope some of the ex-navy that hang out there are at least decent looking. And not overly macho.

[Scratcherclaw]

Hikaru raises an eyebrow at the mention of the bar frequented by ex-navy. "Never been much for the bar scene, but I guess I could pull it off," the pop star says with a shrug. "If I can handle dozens of preteens drunk on sugar, what's some navy guys drunk on the real stuff?" This charm can talk its way through anything.

He looks at Tess and shrugs, giving an exaggerated 'I don't know' face. "Get them comfortable enough and I doubt they'd be suspicious after long anyways." Just like the label did whenever the award show panel showed up. Probably no surprise our earlier junk still won big.

[ratwizard]

Cass narrows his eyes, a bit stung by Creed's off-hand comment. "Speak for yourself, Shakes. I'm ex-navy. I know my way around the type a lot more than you'd think."

He turns to face Tess. "Well, for starters, don't start in on what kinda tubs they're running. We'll have to find a way to work it in organically. For a cover? Could pull a paparazzi angle, dipping into a stogie-ass navy bar to get free from prying eyes."

[Fialova]

"I've talked a lot of people out of delicate information," Tess responds to Cass. "As long as they are interested in what I have to off, I can probably get something out of them. And anyone not interested can go for one of you two," she continues, eyeing Cass and Hikaru. Though who knows, some might go for Creed too.

[FinalTemplar]

"I mean... I-I-I can't r-really help much. I d-don't t-think I could r-really get information out of them, but I can cart us around better than anyone else we'd find o-on this r-r-rock guaranteed." He smiles awkwardly.

[ratwizard]

"It's fine," Cass says, waving a hand in a placating gesture to the pilot. "We'll handle this." He pulls out his compad, looks up the spot, and flicks forward. The location of the War Room comes up on the gravcar's navigation menu. "If there's one thing I know about old ex-navy, they're drowning their sad lives away with shitty booze poured at places like that — and they're on the vet dole, too, so they don't have shit else to do. We'll find somebody worth our time, even this early."

He taps Creed's seat, getting his attention. "You good? Let's get there."

[Fialova]

"Sounds perfect," Tess says. "The less they have going on, the easier it will be for me to work my magic," she responds with another grin. We couldn't ask for a better place to gain information on a ship, if there are any lying around to snag.

[Namelessjake]

With the beginnings of a plan, you set off for the War Room. It ends up being about a twenty minute drive from Cass' apartment. The neighbourhood here is a newer one, carved out of the ice within the last ten years. However this makes it feels cramped and claustrophobic compared to the others older districts which have slowed expanded their pocket of space beneath the ice over the years. The ceiling here is barely 5 metres above you and the area is basically just a network of crisscrossing tunnels.

The War Room sits on a corner and you park up on the street outside - only a couple of the other parking spots are taken. From the outside it looks like any other building in the area except for it's door which is a large ship's bulkhead style door.

You each enter a couple of minutes apart to not draw attention to yourselves, although entering the relatively quiet bar before noon still draws some looks from the patrons inside, but they quickly go back to their drinks and their conversations. The bar itself is situated in the middle of the room, a mesh of holographic blue lights hovering above it in the style of a Ship's Ops room. A few people sit at stools by the bar, mostly drinking by themselves.

The outside of the room is lined with booths, the walls themselves decorated with other navy and ship paraphernalia - much like the bar's entrance. A few of the booths are occupied with small groups of people.

"I've just got to change the keg but I'll get to you in a minute," the bartender, a young but scruffy looking man, says to the first of you to enter as he spots you by the entrance, before he disappears into a back room.

[Fialova]

Entering the bar, Tess does her best to hide her reaction of disgust at the decor. Wow it is so tacky, she thinks, stepping in a bit to better take stock of the room's current occupants. She nods and smiles to the bartender as he leaves, scanning the room for signs of anyone who seems to have noticed her.

OOC

[SHOW]

What people do I see sitting alone, specifically? Do any of them seem to have glanced Tess' way?

[Namelessjake]

Bar Patrons

[SHOW]

Looking at the people sat around the bar you can see two younger men, late twenties or early thirties, with crew cuts sat next to each other. They're attention is mostly directed towards sports on one of the bar's TVs, with the two men exchanging the occasion words about the game. One of them glances at the group as you enter.

Two of the patrons by the bar sit alone. One is a balding middle aged man who sits nursing a beer, while he scrolls on his compad. The other is a young blonde woman, who appears to be overdressed for the bar, sitting with a cocktail. She eyes Tess suspiciously as she enters.

The customers sat in the booths very from groups of two to groups of four. The bigger groups pay you little attention, too engrossed in their own conversations, but one or two of the others glance in your direction.

You notice non of the patrons are in uniform of any description, however many of them have military style hair cuts and combat boots on. You also spot chains around several of their necks which look like they could be dogtags.

[Scratcherclaw]

Hikaru takes a cursory glance around the bar as they walk inside, trying to figure out what sort of place they're working with. Well if I didn't know it was a navy bar before, I do now, the pop star thinks, trying his best to keep a straight face. He takes a deep breath, eyeing up any of the bar's patrons. Time to work my charm. Who'll be my first victim?

OOC

[SHOW]

Anyone looking at Hikaru? And any cute boys? :^)

[Fialova]

Taking in the sight before her, Tess' eyes situate on her fellow blond at the bar. Hm, so she's the only one to take notice, she thinks, unsure of how to take the suspicious look the woman gives. Young, well-dressed. I wonder what her deal is. Is she an officer?

She steps up towards the bar and takes a seat near the woman, leaving one space in between them. She glances to her and gives her a quick smile, before turning to face the TV as well. I will see if she talks first, if she's interested at all then she probably won't be able to resist.

[Namelessjake]

Hikaru

[SHOW]

A younger guy, around 20 or so, sat in one of the booths with a couple of others makes eye contact with you when you enter which lingers for a moment or two.

[FinalTemplar]

Eridas waits for a little while, he sits uncomfortably in the gravcar as he watches the other three walk into the bar. He tries to stay focused on keeping the car safe as he taps the wheel rhythmically. "They don't need me, I'll just get in the way. I'll just stay here, do my job, and keep watch, just like at the apartment. Right?" He goes silent again, getting more uncomfortable as the rhythm he was tapping gets more impatient and out-of-pace. "No, I'm not going in there, I don't like bars. I hate them. Beer is gross, and so are drugs and ---"

***

Eridas walks into the bar a few minutes after the other three enter. He tugs on his jacket uncomfortably and tries to find a place to sit at the bar.

[Scratcherclaw]

Hikaru meets eyes with the young guy and smirks. Guess that answers my question. He struts towards the table, a minor pang of nervousness hitting him. He tries to shake himself out of it. C'mon, Hikaru. Just think of it as a fan meet 'n' greet except you get to be yourself. With a deep breath, he steps to the table and attempts his best smile.

"Mind if I join you? I'm kinda new around here, don't know many people." He grins again, hoping the occupants let him. He looks at the younger guy in particular, knowing he's the key into this group.

[ratwizard]

Cass steps into the bar before Creed but after the others, doing his best to put on a bored look. He gives a cursory glance around the War Room, before stepping up to take a seat at the bar — leaving one stool between him and the balding man. Cass slips out his compad, browsing local feeds for a few moments while he waits for the bartender to return with the keg. Maybe I can catch this guy's ear.

[Namelessjake]

Tess

[SHOW]

The woman's expression changes from one of suspicion to one of confusion as you sit next to her, however after your smile it quickly dissipates, with her returning the smile with one of her own.

Up close you can see she is wearing a full face of makeup, chosen to complement the red dress, split at the thigh, she is wearing. "I was hoping something would liven up this rather dull day," she says after a moment before taking a sip from her cocktail. "You looking for some company or just here to drink away your sorrows?" She asks, now turning on her stool to face you.

The bartender returns fairly quickly, and after quickly surveying the multiple new customers, he makes his way straight towards you. "What'll it be?" He asks, leaning on the bar across from you.

Cass

[SHOW]

You scroll on your compad for a minute or so while waiting for the bartender. The man next to you continues to do the same, grumbling to himself from time to time. Looking over you can see he is on a popular casino app. The bartender soon returns to the bar although he makes his way over to Tess first.

"Fucking Bullshit!" The balding man suddenly exclaims, angrily tossing his compad onto the bar. He takes a swig of his drink, before turning his attention to one of the TVs, leaving his compad on the bar in front of him.

Creed

[SHOW]

With Tess and Cass also sat near customers at the bar, you find a spare stool away from them near to the two men watching sports. You recognise the game as vertex, a hand based ball game from Strocho which has the most popular sport on Idarete for quite some time. The two continue to talk about the game amongst themselves paying you little attention.

You spot the bartender returning from changing the keg, although he goes straight over to serve Tess rather than you or Cass.

Hikaru

[SHOW]

The guy's eyes light up as you make your way over to the table, he turns his attention back to his group but you notice him glance your direction a couple of times making sure you're still coming over. When you speak he runs a hand through his foppish hair before turning to face you. "Only if I can buy you a drink," he says with a wink, sliding over on the booth's seat to give you room to sit down.

The other two members of the group sat across from you are two girls about the same age as the boy. One has a short brunette pixie cut while the other has shoulder length black hair.

"I hope all your pick up lines aren't that bad Marko," the brunette says with a laugh, Marko's face turning red. "I'm Pia," she adds with a smile.

"Martine," the other girl says, giving you a puzzled look once you sit down. "Don't I know you from somewhere?" She asks you after a moment.

"What's your name? I'm Marko obviously," Marko asks, turning to you once he has recovered from his embarrassment, ignoring the Martine and Pia.

[FinalTemplar]

From his spot at the bar he tries to scan the room. Thinking of who would be good to try and talk to. He mulls it over, looking over at the two sports-watchers next to him; "H-how's the game going?" He asks, looking between them and the TV.

[ratwizard]

"Pisser, huh?" Cass says in a casual tone, nodding toward the man's compad on the bar-top with an empathetic grimace. "Lost a shit-ton of cred on those stupid apps. What's your poison — slots or cards?"

[Scratcherclaw]

Hikaru smirks at the cheesy pickup line, sliding into the seat next to the man. "Can't pass up a line like that. It's just bad enough that it works." He looks at the two others sitting at the table, smiling as they introduce themselves. The pop star grows a bit uneasy as Martine seems to recognize him, not quite eager to cause a scene. "I get that a lot," he says, chuckling lightly. I do, actually. Moments before they realize it's me.

He thinks for a moment, wondering how to introduce himself. Fuck, what was that terrible alter ego name management came up with years ago? His mind races. Oh! Right! Kaoru Taiyōkō. God, so bad, but it'll do."You can call me Kaoru," he says with a smile. "Good to meet you all. Thanks for the invite, Marko." He winks at the young man.

[Fialova]

Tess is a bit relieved when the suspicion seems to fade from the woman's face, becoming replaced with a smile. I wonder what she is so dressed up for. Drinking away sorrow, huh? Maybe she got stood up? She takes off her new beanie and places it on the bar, letting her own long blond hair show in full.

"A bit of both, I guess," Tess says to the woman, turning away from the TV to face her as well. "Though company is more preferable," she continues, before overtly glancing over the woman's attire. "What about you? You seem to be a bit more dressed up than everyone else here," she adds, with a sympathetic tone.

When the bartender steps up, she glances to him briefly, and says, "cider, if you have any." She gives the man a quick smile before turning her attention back to the woman. I really want to know what the story is here.

OOC

[SHOW]

Can Tess tell what the woman is drinking, if anything? Any food at her spot?

[Namelessjake]

Tess

[SHOW]

Looking at the woman's drink, she appears to be drinking what you would assume is a Bloody Mary, although with most cocktails you can't tell if it's alcoholic or not just by looking at it. You don't see any signs of her having ordered any food.

"Well that's good to hear, and for me it's the company obviously," she replies to you with a smirk and a wink. "Well I wouldn't make much money if I wasn't," she adds as you mention how she's dressed.

"Sure thing," the bartender replies to you, taking out a bottle of cider from beneath the bar, popping the cap off and placing it in front of you. You see a holographic tab appear on the bar in front of you as he does so.

Cass

[SHOW]

"It always is. Like everything this past year," the man agrees with you, drawing his attention away from the TV to look at you. "Slots. How about you?" He asks, taking another swig of his beer.

A few moments later, having finished serving Tess, the bartender approaches you. "Can I get you fellas anything?" He asks, leaning on the bar between you.

"I'll have another," the man beside you says, before taking a large swig to finish off his beer. The bartender nods, taking the empty bottle from him before looking at you expectantly.

Creed

[SHOW]

"Same as always with the Reds," one of the men replies to you. "Hernandez is getting dragged up and down the court non stop. At this rate if Sakai doesn't step up then they might as well call it off at half time," he adds gesturing angrily at the screen.

"Nah it's not Sakai's fault, her off hand is has never been her strong side and the Astrals know that. See how them keep forcing her onto it," the other chimes in.

Hikaru

[SHOW]

"Well nice to meet you Kaoru," Marko replies with a smile. The two girls offer up smiles as well although Martine has a look on her face as if she's still trying to place where she know you from.

"Are you just new to the area or new to Idarete?" Pia asks you after a moment of silence.

Meanwhile Marko flags down the waitress serving the booths. "We'll get another round - and what do you want Kaoru?" He says to her before turning to you.

[Scratcherclaw]

Hikaru can't help but notice Martine's continued focus on him but he tries not to think on it too much. We'll deal with that if we get there. He leans back in the booth, turning towards Pia as she breaks the silence before it grows too uncomfortable. "A bit of both," he says with a slight chuckle. "I've not been on Idarete long, but this area's brand new to me!"

He looks towards Marko, hoping to charm the man even more. "Your choice," he says with a wink. "Whatever you think suits me."

[ratwizard]

"Cards. Shit, I thought I was pretty good," Cass says with a shrug, only half-lying. "Course, that's what the house wants you to think. Keep you on the drip of low-cred payouts... draw you in further. It's a fucking racket. I bet you every one of those apps have rigged odds."

"I'll have what he's having," Cass says to the bartender. "Thanks."

He waits patiently while the bartender readies their drinks. I should cheers him. These stogies like that sort of frat-row camaraderie bullshit.

[Fialova]

Aha, how did I not guess that first? Tess thinks, as it becomes clear that the woman before her shares her profession. I guess this doesn't seem like the best spot to seek out high-paying clientele. Maybe she isn't the expensive sort of whore, though.

"I see," she says to the woman. "We've more in common than I thought, then," she adds, returning her smirk but not her wink. "I'm not on duty, though, so don't worry about me stepping on your toes," she quickly continues, not wanting to alarm her fellow courtesan. She'd never talk openly to me if she thought I was here to encroach on her territory. But maybe she will share a bit of intel if she knows we're the same.

She nods to the bartender as he passes her the drink, and she opens a straw to place it inside. She stirs it around a bit before taking a sip through the straw, careful not to ruin her lipstick. She gives the man a smile after the sip, before returning her attention to the woman next to her.

"These navy types must be a real rough bunch in the sack, huh?" she asks, lowering her voice a bit more to not gain the attention of the other patrons. "What's it like? My customer base back home is quite a bit different than the ones you're getting, I imagine."

[FinalTemplar]

Creed frowns. "S-sounds like the Reds got outmatched, eh?" He nods. "Sorry to hear that." He looks up at the screen, reading the score and listening to the game. "So, what kind of alcohol do you two drink? Mind if I buy you a round?" He asks, figuring that's an easy way into the conversation. "Might make up for how the game's going."

OOC

[SHOW]

He's offering to buy one drink each, just in case I'm not using the right phrasing.

[Namelessjake]

Tess

[SHOW]

The woman lets out a laugh as you reveal your own profession.
"And here I was hoping you were a potential customer. That would have been a nice change of pace," she says giving you another wink.

"Oh it varies, same as anyone I suppose. Most of them just want to talk," she replies assuming a hushed tone when you do. "Most of them are the closest thing this rock has to patriots and they lost the one important thing their Navy was ever involved in - not that they stood a chance," she says before taking another sip of her drink.

"Who are your customers then?"

Cass

[SHOW]

"Ha! You're probably right. Everything is fucking rigged! I was an XO you know," the man replies. "And now... what?" He adds with a deflated shrug. "The skills don't exactly transfer and I couldn't sign up with the Diktat even if I wanted to as I was an enemy combatant."

The bartender silently sets down two bottles of beer, one in front of each of you. A holographic tab appearing on the bar in front of you as he does so. He quickly makes he way over to Creed and the other patrons at the bar, clearly having experienced some of this man's angry ranting before.

"We didn't even fire a shot," he man adds, grabbing his beer.

Creed

[SHOW]

The two men quickly quickly look at each other and shrug. "I'm not going to say no to a free beer," one says with a laugh.

"Me neither," the other adds, waving down the bartender who you can see has just finished serving Cass and the man he's sat next to. "Same again for us, he's paying," the man says, tapping his bottle before pointing to you.

The bartender shrugs and grabs two more bottles of beer, putting them on the bar in front of the men. "What about you?" The bartender asks - tapping on a compad a holographic tab appears on the bar in front of you tracking what you've ordered.

Hikaru

[SHOW]

"Let's get you..." Marko says, looking you up and down while he thinks. "A mimosa!" He decides looking at the waitress who takes the order down before leaving to get the drinks.

"New to Idarete then. What made you come to this shithole?" Pia asks you.

"The War Room isn't that bad," Marko interjects. "At least with our discount," he adds before turning to you. "The owner was in the Navy waaay back, so enlisted and vets get cheap drinks, well we're all vets now I guess," he explains with a laugh.

"It's the only reason we come here," Martine adds for your benefit.

"Well if you'd both let me finish I meant the planet not the bar!" Pia says glaring at her two friends, before cracking a smile.

[Scratcherclaw]

"Good choice," Hikaru says with a grin, watching the waitress walk away for a moment before turning back to his tablemates. He shrugs towards Pia. "A change of pace, I suppose. Sometimes things seem too perfect and the people less genuine back where I'm home," he says, actually speaking the truth for once in this ordeal. The amount of fakes I used to deal with on a regular basis... This is nice, having real people around.

He looks towards Marko and raises an eyebrow. "So you were all part of the Navy? I've always wondered what that's like. I'm guessing nothing like the movies!" he says, laughing slightly.

[ratwizard]

"An XO, and they left you to rot here?" Cass says, surprised by that. Experience wasted by the churn. Guess the Diktat value loyal, fresh-faced cogs than anything else.

"Cheers to the navy life, and leaving it behind, then." He extends his beer toward the man, clanking necks should he reciprocate, before taking a sip. Fuck, I just shook the habit, he remembers, his throat tightening as he swallows. I'll... It'll be fine.

"Idarete Navy then, hm? Good thing, never firing. Less to think about at night."

[Fialova]

"That sounds hard. I can only imagine what it must have been like for them to have to just give in and let the Diktat take over. I can't imagine many of them went down easy," she says. Though the ones who are here are likely among the ones who took the easy route. I can't imagine the die-hard patriots survived that.

"Oh, they are quite far from here," Tess responds, taking a sip of her drink as well. "I am from Strocho. Well, at least I live there now. I'm only here for a short time on... business, ha," she continues. "They're mostly just businesspeople. Executives, lower level middle managers. Pretty average people, mostly. Sometimes I get some rich clients, though. They tend to be the loneliest. Same as you, a lot of them just want connections. Talking, having an afternoon together. Sex factors in a lot, but not as much as I'd have expected when I got into this line of work," she adds, twirling the straw in her glass, before turning to face the woman again.

"So what made you choose this place to find clients?" she asks. There most be a reason. Is she a patriot too, and wants to serve the fallen defenders of Idarete's honor? Is she just looking to take advantage of a group of lost souls who've reached rock bottom? I sure hope it's the latter, if I want any chance at getting some information out of her. "Is it very lucrative? Or just a fan of the clientele?"

[FinalTemplar]

Eridas checks his pad and after confirming what he has, he nods. "I'll have one of the same." He says, adjusting how he's sitting in the chair.

[Namelessjake]

Tess

[SHOW]

"They didn't even fight as it would have been pointless," the woman replies, her voice still low.

"High powered executives from Strocho. That all sounds very nice," adds will a small laugh. "It was lucrative. They'd be out patrolling the shipping lanes for a few weeks at a time which meant very eager customers. Now not so much though. I feel like I mostly just come here out of habit. Well that and the few regulars I do have is better than starting over somewhere new," she says, taking another sip of her drink.

Cass

[SHOW]

"Fuck em I wouldn't fight for them anyway. Cheers," he replies, clinking his beer against yours and taking a large swig.

The man nods, taking another swig of his beer while you talk. "15 years, INS Winter Storm, one of the corvettes too not just a patrol boat," he says with pride in his voice.

"When I see one of their patrols go by I definitely wish we had. I wouldn't be here if we had of course, they brought one of their fucking Battleships. We were outfitted for anti-piracy patrols, we probably wouldn't have even scratched their armour," he says, shaking his head.

Creed

[SHOW]

The bartender nods and puts another bottle of beer in front of you, the holographic tab updating to reflect the third drink.

"Cheers Beratna," one of the men says once you have your drink, raising his own towards you before taking a swig. The other copying him a second or two later.

"I don't think I've seen you around here before. What brings you to the War Room?" One of them asks you after a moment of silence.

Hikaru

[SHOW]

"Yeah it's how we know each other. We all served on the Unspoken Word, one of the patrol boats," Marko replies.

"Before he starts trying to impress you with war stories, he wasn't anyone important. We were all just crewmen," Pia says with a smirk.

"I don't even have any. It's a lot more boring than the movies. We just spent most of our time chasing pirates away from the shipping lanes," Marko says.

"And that's even more boring than it sounds. They'd turn tail and run as soon as we popped up on their sensors," Martine chimes in.

"Well speaking of boring we all work in a factory nearby now - just finished a shift actually. What do you do?" Marko asks.

"Hey! I got you the job, you didn't have to take it if you didn't want it!" Pia says giving Marko another glare.

[Scratcherclaw]

"The Unspoken Word, huh," Hikaru says, committing the ship's name to his memory. I wonder if they know where it's stashed. He laughs as the three speak of their surprisingly mundane time in the Navy. "Hey, I'm sure it was more exciting than you give it credit for! And if nothing else, you can say your scared off pirates."

The pop star frowns as Marko mentions their state of affairs now, confined to factory work. "A handsome guy like you shouldn't be stuck in a factory all day. Maybe I oughta take you home with me," he says with a wink. He struggles with Marko's question for a moment, however. Can't just give up the whole charade... "I've worked in the entertainment industry awhile. Kinda between things now though. Figuring out my next steps."

[ratwizard]

Cass suppresses a grunt, uncomfortable to be speaking so openly and negatively about the Diktat. Shit, this guy might hate those fuckers more than me.

"The Winter Storm? Fitting name for an Idarete tub," he notes, taking a swig of his own beer. Raising an eyebrow, he nods casually toward the man. He leans a bit closer, lowering his voice, almost unintentionally. "Did the Diktat commandeer all your ships once all that shit blew over? Or scrap 'em? Never thought about it til now. I only see the pomp of the Diktat battleships flexing nuts around here these days."

[Fialova]

That is tough, both for her and these ex-navy, Tess thinks, listening as the woman speaks. They lost their livelihoods, their honor, and their spirits. Now their loss has caused her own job to lose its luster. What a depressing ice cube, Idarete. She uses her straw to take another sip, before placing her glass on the counter.

"Hey, how about we get out of here?" she says, shooting the woman a smile as she says it. "I'd love to pick your brain a bit more, but from one working girl to another, I know it's not fun to have your time wasted. What is your rate?"

[Namelessjake]

Tess

[SHOW]

"Well that depends on what you want to get up to," the woman replies with a wink. "If it's just a chat then let's call it 20 credits for 15 minutes?" She offers, taking a large sip of her drink in anticipation of leaving the bar.

Cass

[SHOW]

"As far as I know," the old XO replies, not lowering his own voice. "They probably scrapped the older ones. The others are probably impounded still or they've undergone a refit and are flying under the Escrocian flag now," he adds. Clearly not happy with the concept, he takes another large swig of his drink.

Hikaru

[SHOW]

"Maybe you oughta," Marko reaffirms, returning your wink with one of his own.

"Entertainment industry? Is that why I feel like I recognise you?" Martine asks, this time the question feels more playful than suspicious, with Martine apparently warming up to you.

The waitress finally reappears with your drinks, setting them down on the table. "Well to new friends I guess," Marko says raising his glass.

[ratwizard]

"Impounded, scrapped, or refitted," Cass repeats, nodding solemnly. "Guess that makes sense. Shame, huh?" He sighs in unison with the man's deep pull of his beer, taking a sip of his own. "Guess retirement ain't so bad, then." The junkie waves a hand around the War Room with a shrug. "Worse ways to end up around here."

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Connect/Int to see if Cass is aware of where Diktat impounds or scrapyards might be: 7(2d6) = 7

[Namelessjake]

Cass

[SHOW]

You aren't aware of any Diktat impounds or scrapyards on Idarete.

[ratwizard]

Cass slips out his compad, firing off a quick message to his companions.

Text - All

[SHOW]

Might have a lead. Diktat probably kept some Idarete navy ships in lockups or impounds instead of scrappping or retrofitting. Not sure where. Sounds cleaner than snagging a tub on active duty.

[Scratcherclaw]

Hikaru smirks as his charm seems to be working on the man. "I'm not sure these two would let me though." He lets out a slight laugh.

Turning to Martine, he grins and shrugs. "Either that, or I've got an evil clone running around," he responds cheekily. Honestly possible with all the strands of hair I've had stolen. "But that clone's missing out on a fun group if he's real."

He raises his glass, joining Marko in the toast. "To new friends," he echoes, taking a sip from his mimosa after the toast. Cheap champagne. I don't know why I expected any better. He looks towards Marko, a slight grin on his face as he takes note of the man's raised spirits. But it's the thought that counts when it comes from the heart, I guess.

He sets his drink down and looks over his three new friends. "So what was life like aboard the Unspoken Word? Did you have specific jobs as crew or did you just do whatever some arrogant old dude told you to do?"

Text - All

[SHOW]

I got the name of a patrol boat. The Unspoken Word. If it's still there, that's a good option. Might have someone with insider knowledge on it too, if I can convince him.

[Fialova]

Tess

[SHOW]

"Let's say chat, we can always see where things head though," Tess responds, removing the straw from her drink and quickly downing the rest of it. She pulls up her compad to pay, but sees the texts from Cass and Hikaru. She thinks for a moment about flaking on the woman, but guilt keeps her from doing so. She has already helped me this much, and I already offered. I couldn't do that to her. She sends her own quick text response before transferring the 20 credits to the woman. "So, where shall we go? Do you have a place nearby? "

Text - All

[SHOW]

I am following up on a lead of my own, should only take about 15 minutes tops.

[Namelessjake]

Tess

[SHOW]

"Sure thing, follow me - I've got a place just across the street," the woman replies before quickly finishing her own drink and gathering her things before standing to leave. She quickly pulls out her compad and with a couple of taps pays her bar tab. Before walking towards the exit.

Once outside she leads you across the street and into a small side door advertising itself as a hotel with a faded sign. Stairs lead up from the door to a small reception where she gives a nod in greeting to the receptionist before leading you to a room a few doors down the main corridor. She tabs her compad against the lock and the door slides open revealing a modest hotel room. She takes a seat on the bed and pats a spot beside her indicating for you to sit down.

"So, what did you want to pick my brain over?" She asks you with a smile. "My name is Laelia by the way," she adds.

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Your bar tab is 3 credits. So you've spent a total of 23 credits.

Cass

[SHOW]

"True it could be worse," the man replies as he continues to drink. "I'm not out on the street without a credit to my name - at least not yet anyway," he adds.

Hikaru

[SHOW]

"Ah that must be it," Martine laughs as you mention your hypothetical evil twin.

"We were pretty low ranked, but we were mostly maintenance," Marko explains.

"There were certainly a few arrogant officers though. You'd think we were serving on a Diktat Battleship or something from the way they'd act," Pia adds with a laugh, the others snickering too at some shared memory.