Session 4

Prev: Session 3
Next: Session 5

• Nsuoba
• Asper swims down to find the 3rd guy
  • Couple things here, cables, alongside someone that wasnt killed by the creatures unless they somehow had lasers. They were killed by electrical burns, laser shot through her stomach that caused her to fall into the then electrified water
  • Water makes it hard to see
  • 1 credits box that is currently in tact, emergency fund for such ships
• Pull her and the box up
• Slap her onto the muddy shore, go get the money
• Woman seems to be very dead but not bloated, they died within a day or so
• More worms in the trees
• They were attempting to take the thruster to power the ship, succeeded briefly before one yanked out the power
• Take the bodies over to the ship, dipping them in water first
• Kalervo Turred seems to be listening to something on the radio
  • Some sort of old timey music, almost entranced
  • Gives short answers
  • We’re outside of signal range for most radio waves
  • Odd static to it
  • We record a 5 minute video
• Their ship is across the beach
  • Not a spaceship, motorized vessel for sailing the ocean, bobbing up and down in the water
  • 15ft off the shore
  • Fresh paint, entire thing is very unweathered
  • They likely arent actually crash inspectors, actually local gang members who painted ship recently to go to islands off limit to the public
  • Board the ship
  • Sound of the bilgepumps churning away down below
  • Oddly humble, the lot of them did drink on the way in, still fresh
  • Ship has a few small components, took out the area where youd keep multiple people
  • Only 3 would fit on this thing, able to carry their stuff
  • Has 4 cryogenic cells in the back
    • Well loved, but well maintained
  • Ship has power, turns the radio on. Nothing but silence and static
  • Tune it for faint sounds of radio station as the sounds of good morning jingle, nowhere near the old timey tunes from our ship
  • No identifiable info outside of fake ids alongside department number that you should call should you arrest them
  • No notable things, but changes of clothing left on the ship
• Bring the ship back to our own
  • Radio, DJ Hoth, seems to be gone
• Open up the credits box
  • About 700 credits inside
  • Box did have standard internal flare if someone unauthorized tried to open
• The things didnt speak languages, dug into the brain to figure out the languag
  • If there are 2 of them, they figure out how to speak properly. Takes 8ish before it is able to speak
• Woman has been dead for about a day, probably less
• Xep hacks into their phones
  • 1 has a how to connect generator to ship
  • Other has diagram on how to disable ship defense systems
  • Buried deep in phone, hasnt been opened since 4 days ago
• Back to the clearing
  • The man that was supposed to disable it while the ship was off forgot to
  • nivaya disables the turrets (5 of them)
• Power up the ship, 1 turret shoots at us
• Ship begins a little jingle
  • Advertising ship for The Serenade
  • Person its registered to is “Graying Twilight"
    • Pseudonym, used by authors or spies
  • Various flight logs, it crashed and then kept burning
  • Water should be fresh water but it is salt
• Asper swims down again
  • Fish is seen, size of a quarter crack that goes underneath the island
• Turn their radio on to old timey tunes
  • Not the same model radio we have
• No belongings, not even candy wrappers
  • Either ideal of a boyscout, or had no need for such thing
  • Possible for ships to be autopiloted
• Lots of medpacks and propiarty software and schematics of the serenade
  • Software is what velu wanted
• Red for the Serenade, yellow for others
• Asper copies down the software and schematics
• Back to the ship, hes still listening to the radio
  • Turning on the ship turns off the radio
    • Did u enjoy the music?
  • “It was lovely.”
    • N: where did you find it?
  • “On the radio.”
    • N: did you turn it on?
  • “It turned on by itself.”
    • N: what have you been up to?
  • “I fell asleep a bit. I had some dreams”
    • N: what did you dream about?
  • “There were these women, right? Much like the house of hope i went to. But larger than me. And looking down upon me.”
    • N: did they do anything?
  • “They ran from me, in the fields, a rotund circular thing fell on me. With eyestalks.”
    • Describes a poker chip
    • (bug looking at people from the serenade crash?)
• Rest of the flight is uneventful
  • Hear the cracking of one of the flay worms as it is turned into ice
• Dwarven man looks at us
  • “Youre back. Sign here?” @ nivaya
  • (see a dog in the yard hiding underneath another ship)
• Go to Velu Shineleaf in Thorne
  • He is waiting for us, just woken up, he typically goes to work at night
  • “Now what i might do for you? Did you do what i needed?”
    • N: we took care of it. There were some unexpected issues.
  • “Bodies on the ship?”
  • “If they find bodies while youre on the ship, nivaya will go to his parents (Aurora Camacho, Emilio Camacho), xep will get executed, asper is connected to a murderer, and ripley cant pay for the bail.”
  • “Dont worry, theyll be back there. And if i find anything from the info you got, youll be compensated handsomely.”
  • Text kalervo to leave and join us for lunch
    • Should i let the men on the ship? Theyre already in
    • Yes that is fine
  • “What do you need info on? The murder?”
    • That would be agreeable
  • “Standard rate for this info would be about 1000 credits”
  • “Ill tell you what he was selling the murder victim. Ill give you 1 for free. Ill tell you how to find the base, idk where it is, they move frequently, and i can tell you where anyone might be assuming they are the murderers. Know you might want the evidence before you go in, and they arent the negotiating type.”
    • Who is it?
  • “The man youre supposed to meet. The murder victim Arroyo Cemsor. Hes into some shady business. Im sure youre aware, but you dont know how deep it goes.”
    • Hes angered someone?
  • “Last one went to Kiliv-VI, found some info, i oftered to buy it and he was murdered the day after. Idk what, or who, but he did find some juicy info and promised itd make me the richest person. The only request was that i didnt give it to the Concord of Aedryn but did it in accordance to the Aetherion Corporation.”
  • (the murder victim may have been the one who burned the info in the egg)
  • “The man wanted to be a small info broker, but im not a man of many morals im a man of some morals, i believe that Hollow Stars is the way it should be. The systems decide what is right for the systems.”
    • X: i dont have an opinion
  • “You should come up with one, youve been alive for 3 days, my mama spanked me 3 days into my life and i did.”
    • X: if we had info about what he was doing there is that anything
  • “Based on what he was researching, i believe its part of the serenade/a piece.”
    • X: where it is?
  • “That would be worth it.”
    • X: i will let you know he burned away some of the tracking info
  • “Then hes a true professional”
    • X: so you understand the value of the info youre buying before we transact.
    • X: people who want to keep it under wraps killed him?
  • “I doubt it. I believe the person who killed him wanted exclusive access to the info. If they wanted to keep it under wraps, this place wouldve been bombed”
  • (data sticks taken from the safe)
    • X: how do we find the base?
  • “Well. im glad you ask. Now there is this one group, the Hynarion Circle that has integrated itself with the base. It’s Elasalor Thara, shes working. She happens to have a dog, the dog wont go off planet. She wants nivaya. The dog wants nivaya. And i just say, let nivaya swallow a little smth smth to let out a signal, the dog wont be smart enough to know about it, follow said signal to where it goes.”
    • X: what makes you think they are responsible?
  • “They have been dealing with a lot, theres a question how they found out. They worked closely, and then suddenly withdrew from the city entirely. Except Ayla who just got back. Shes a bitch, but shes a loyal.”
  • Connections to her?
  • “She would kill me if i told you about it. This is a deep question.”
    • X: someone swapped the location of his bar and his venue. What benefit would it have?
  • “To the murder? None. but itd make sure that Siryu would be in the right place, maybe they didnt change back.”
    • X: frame siryu?
  • “Idk why. Shes a wonderful smuggler. She was here to pick up 1 android floating in space.”
    • X: she did not make the pickup. Do you know who i work for?
  • “That is a deep question. They have an assassination robot. If they have 1, id go to venture they have 4 more that dont ask questions.”
  • “My understanding, they are gone from the city but not from the planet. I assure you, they have the means to my end.”
    • X: do you know how long i have til someone gets on my ass?
  • “That is under siryu. Shes being questioned for the murders.” (xep killed 2 people)
    • X: what do you know about Zaera Allhaven?
  • “Allhaven is a missnomer. She uh, my understanding is she likes to collect bodies, the people i send out like to retrieve bodies. She sometimes buys them. I believe in capitalism. I believe in the free trade market. They believe in everything they want. No one was doing anything with those bodies.”
    • X: who else might be amenable to an android with 0 public exposure performing at their venue
  • “I dont believe theres any place in this world for a performer who cannot sing.”
  • (he doesnt like miku’s song on ripleys fucked up phone and the local Infosphere doesnt have info on here)
  • “I know that persons (copaxi) sibling went missing on the serenade. Im afraid the Otad Gang may have gotten to them.”
    • Otad Gang?
  • “Organization. Ill use your last one for this, i do believe they were behind the murder. My understanding is, they found one of the war ships from when aetherion and Solara Imperium took over the planet, they took it and turned into a floating roaming base of theirs. The guns do not work outside of the anti-air guns.”
    • X: can we take ur mens boat?
  • “Contractors, and if it survives, ill buy it off you for 300 credits.”
    • As: need an expert
  • “I could arrange this. How would you pay?”
  • “Now happen to say, you infiltrate a very illusive to me gang and get back alive, that would serve as proper payment. If you happen, and no offense, you seem liek the type to get a finger trigger. If you take the boat, id be able to cover up said murder in attempt to cover up siryus maybe murder, i could take the boat and the information, and youd get off scott free.”
    • X: anyone in particular you want off the boat?
  • “Not really. I like ayla, but if she falls into the water, that’s fine.”
  • “The man youre lookin to me, the copaxi, hes not part of the gang. But i believe he has a friend there. He lives in the city if youd like to talk to him first before you turn yourself in.”
  • “Ayla is pretty amicable, despite words ive called her. Loyal, that one.”
  • “Id cry (if she fell in), but id be find.”
    • X: have we met before
  • He wont answer
  • The copaxis friend is a mechanic, in a warehouse
  • “He does, however, have a few guns, tried to learn his siblings art, but he has failed. So now he grows plants works on various guns and automobile. The guns make the money. Should you help him, im sure hed upgrade any sort of gun youd ask him to.”
  • He shakes all of our hands
  • Nivaya talks to him alone
    • N: how do you find someone who cannot be found?
  • “I need a name, a place, a something.”
    • N: someone from Ksate. Thats all i have for now
  • “Well then. Ill look into it for you. When i have an answer, youll have a price.”
• X: Nivaya what was the label on your bank transaction
  • Rain on hardlight sounds like a giant breaking through a sheet metal barrier
  • Nivaya avoiding the question
  • X: ill shoot ripley in the knees
    • N: whats the problem?
  • X: do you need me to repeat the question
    • N: my parents taught me not share bank details
  • Xep shoots ripleys knee
    • N: why do you need to know?
  • X: youre ignoring the question to talk to ripley
    • R: you didnt even tell me :(
  • X: we are going on an operation that requires trust
  • X: we wont ask you for what you just paid for, we are asking for that last word that we are missing
    • R: i thought you trusted me, man
    • N: i trust you more than them
  • asper removes nivaya from the bond
    • R, in lashunta: then tell me
    • R: gimme a minute. Im not trying to hold this necessarily
  • Xep starts counting down
    • R: it is….
  • xep has done this before to someone. Looks up at the roofs, sees the rain falling in an odd pattern, someone is pointing a gun, ready in case we do anything too hasty. The person is invisible. The rain gives away their silhouette.
    • R: maybe im a little too trusting, but i trust them. So like, be mad all you want, if its necessary, im telling them. I trust them. I trust ASPER, especially.
    • N: will it suffice if ripley knows?
  • As: how necessary is it?
    • R: not as scary or necessary as mine.
  • asper readds nivaya to the bond
• We go get lunch
  • He has so many appetizers its really unnerving
  • “Youre here! Just in time!”
  • “Appetizers are not the meal.”
    • X: have you ordered the meal?
  • “No, ive been eating appetizers, its what you eat before lunch. I consider you friends. Can i make love to you? (goes in for a hug)” (close enough, welcome back phenomaman.)
    • N: lets just have lunch???
    • X: the phrase make love is typically for reproductive phrases
  • “You dont need to talk.”
  • Menu is various seafoods, fish here are sleek and thin. Sliced open, laid upon grains of rice, then seared. No deep sea impurities
  • He pays for lunch
  • “My lady has procured me infinite funds.”
    • N: did she send more money?
  • “No, but if it goes negative then itll bounce back positive.”
  • (allhaven may be leeching money from the serenade.)
  • His portion comes out to 500 credits
  • Write down some things he might want to see in a city if its your first day on earth. Enriching places to explore
• Head towards the copaxi's friend
  • Fairly nice warehouse
  • Lights inside are warm/floresence, also floral smell
  • Creates for the first time, actual petrichor, despite constant rain
  • Xep knows the smell of faint rot, 1 day old corpse and petrol
  • 2 robots hovering around, immediately turn hostile
    • Advanced weapons
    • Xep almost cums from seeing such an easy kill (canon via zack bc neuron pathways were rewired)
    • Nivaya gets shot and feels something come to him, but isnt sure what
  • Ayla heals nivaya
  • The copaxi is dead in the cage, shot by the drones
  • Locked themself in here to avoid a grisly scene
  • Cameras in here not looking in here or any movement, creating odd geometrical shape
    • Some are following for all truth, something outside is telling them to ignore it. Will not exit unless given outside command at outside terminal or they are given sentience
    • Cameras are proto humans almost, but ram is too short to allow actual breakthroughs in theology
  • Copaxi given last rites, when they die they are given to the sea
  • Ripley notices that this person, while desperate to find sibling, didnt do overt criminal acts. No power has monopoly, that everyone must relatively trade info freely, no power was stronger than the other. Because of that, they were killed.
    • No allegiance
  • By the same expert hacker, most info on the computer is gone
    • Just the basics remain, enough to satisfy the police. Very impersonal, all of it.
  • Still have wallet, various symbols, thing sibling sent of the serenade. In front of their id
    • Shalvex Aruun
      • Postcard “Remember: youre my family when i win it big!”
  • Carry the body through the sewers, let them go to the sea. Let them go for the last time
    • ASPER Hears: “This will be my home” from silent voice, body twitching like a snake would
    • Nivaya: “The geometry of my home is shifting, and has gone with my death.”
• Another being is staring at us, from before the water rapids, ayla stares down at nivaya
  • “Arent you tired from running?”
    • N: does now look like the time.
  • “No, but i’m tired of waiting.”
  • “Could you sleep and then come with me? Ill offer 1 last night of freedom. Meet me at your ship, and i’ll drive you back home.”
    • N: alright, thank you.
• Sleep, the soft rain is pleasant for everyone but ripley
  • Gentle tickle on the skin. Is nice. Reminds us that we’re here. Against all odds, we exist.
• Meet with ayla
  • Hands ripley a number for Camacho Family
  • “They should answer you for this. But understand, i am doing what i need to do.”
    • R: i understand, youre doing your job
  • “Im doing it to ensure i have a place here.”
    • R: i dont like it, but i understand
  • “You two want a last moment. Ill close my eyes for the next 30 seconds, dont attack, my nose and ears are much better than my eyes.”
    • Ripley hugs: dont go where i cant follow
    • N: ill see you as soon as i can
  • She opens up the car door for nivaya, long old fashioned car
  • He gets in, she takes off. Rolls down her window, begins smoking
  • Smoke mixes with the rain
  • “I know what i means to have abusive parents, but yours are much better than mine.”
    • N: should i go back?
  • “Its the best way for all of us.”
    • N: i disagree
  • “I get rich, you get to go as a noble. If you want, you can follow my path.”
    • N: your path?
  • “I killed my parents. After they broke my leg.”
    • N: ill keep that in mind
  • “Of course. Maybe youll awaken one day. Be able to change yourself, as it were. Cigarette?
    • N: yeah, ill take one
  • “Do you think this is where life wouldve brought you?”
    • N: i couldnt have predicted this at any time in my life. What about you?
  • “I was born here. I never got to leave it. I was found on the beach by my parents.”
    • N: anything before that?
  • “I was young. Too young, and then they took me in. its kinda how it goes here.”
    • N: i understand.
  • “Just a beach-washed dog.”
    • N: i think youre very strong.
  • “And he did too. I was put to work.”
    • N: father?
  • “Yeah, adoptive. Idk if you have blood relation, but im sure you consider them your parents”
    • N: in a way
  • “Youll make your way, and return.”
    • N: making your way in the circle?
  • “Ill be able to leave when youre turned in. i dreamed of the stars. I was able to change form, but i wasnt able to change where im from. I had to pay for what i did.”
    • N: what you did with your parents?
  • “I killed them, yes. They did break it, and it never healed. Its from when i first transformed.”
    • N: im sorry it never healed in the way you wouldve hoped.
  • “I had no hope, i had to learn anger. I killed on the first thing.”
    • N: hope now?
  • “I had hope back then, but i didnt know of the world back then”
    • N: it can be cruel
  • “It can be. Its where i learned cruelty.”
  • Darker forest, the others are a few miles behind, guided by asper
  • “I transformed and i learned cruelty.”
    • N: i like you. If we ever cross paths again, just know, id like us to be friends.
  • “We’ll see if we can be friends.”
  • “I think we could, but we dont have enough in common. Youre a noble son, and im someone found on a beach. Im someone i wasnt, ive transformed, and youve only grown older. I dont think you understand what its like to lose what you used to be. Do you understand what it means to learn cruelty?”
    • N: i understand better than you
  • “I dont think you do.”
    • N: we’ll have to see
  • “When i was born, i was found on the beach. One of my forelegs. My father broke it. I had to transform to learn cruelty. I grew to look like him. I was covered in his blood. I cant go back to how i was for more than a few minutes at a time.”
    • (there is an easy question here: did she become a dog to kill her own dad?)
    • N: were you a dog to kill your dad?
  • “No, i had to learn cruelty. Dogs dont know it. I had to become like this.”
    • N: i know… youve suffered a lot in your life. I know you struggle with the form youre in right now. I… just… want you to know that i think your ability to change, your ability to become who you want to become, is beautiful.
  • “I dont have that ability. Im stuck like him, only a woman, but i have the advantage than my own ways. Elf ears are so much longer than dog ears.”
    • N: ayla. I imagine im going to be cooped up for a long time after this. Could we exchange contact information?
  • “Yes, but i imagine ill change my phone number soon after. I’ll be free.”
    • N: new number? Its up to you
  • Gives current number
  • She fiddles with the radio, turning to old tunes. Not the same song as before