Session+8+-+Private+Investigations

**Session 8 – Private Investigations** ********** RECAP **********
 * The Other Side of Nowhere**

[17:24] <@ENGM> Last episode the crew went exploring on Crazy Ivan's. Nevka stayed behind to tend the ship and oversee the fueling process and take care of financial matters. The rest went looking for various implements of destruction on Crazy Ivan's 5 shopping decks.... [17:26] <@ENGM> The group made its ways up to level 5 which housed the casino, hotels and various high end restaurants. They were accosted by pamphlet hawkers shoving pieces of paper at them from all angles. Just before you broke free to the casino proper Dirk had something shoved in his hand..... [17:28] <@ENGM> It was a tarot card covered in a powdery substance. The card was of a tower with the tower x'd out and the slogan "The Towers must fall" scribbled on it. Dirk looked the card over and started to feel a bit queasy which led to the group searching out the medical deck.... [17:28] <@ENGM> Dirk received treatment for a minor poisoning and was discharged. The group headed back to the ship to plan their next move. [17:28] <@ENGM> Questions? [17:29] <+DirkVonTowers> ((wonder if we'd be able to look at the security cameras...)) [17:30] <@ENGM> ((You could always ask)) [17:31] <+DirkVonTowers> ((yeah, that's the plan once we start)) [17:33] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((hit the streets as well; try to learn if Tower rebels are here)) [17:33] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((Also, my taken skill; barter)) [17:33] <+DirkVonTowers> ((did we get another extra skill last time?)) [17:34] <@ENGM> ((yes, any basic new skill)) [17:36] <+DirkVonTowers> ((what counts as basic?)) [17:38] <@ENGM> something related to your field. nothing like battle dress, heavy weapons, biochemistry etc. unless that’s your profession [17:38] <@ENGM> like you it be things like brawling, computer, carousing, gambling, steetwise, a new gun skill etc. [17:39] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> rich people things [17:39] <+SamuraiHanson> actually, streetwise sounds pretty good, think i'll take that one if possible [17:40] <@ENGM> k [17:41] <@ENGM> It's 20 til. do you guys want to start or want another 5-10? [17:42] <+SamuraiHanson> might as well start [17:42] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> yeah

************ GAME START ************ [17:44] <@ENGM> The crew is currently at the ship. Fueling is near complete. the time is 1800 HRS standard Terra time. [17:44] <@ENGM> The crew is currently at the ship. Fueling is near complete. the time is [17:46] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "So, this interloper was possibly here to begin with, observed us and struck with the first poison he could buy." [17:46] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "A stroke of bad luck being spotted in the crowd. [17:47] <+Sebastian`> "Unless someone sold Dirk out on Dinomn or Dinom." [17:48] <+Sebastian`> "But how he could have arrived here before us would be a mystery." [17:50] <+SamuraiHanson> "We have another issue, we need to find out how long the station will be here, otherwise we will need another bit o' genius for the return trip." [17:50] * +DirkVonTowers shrugs. "It’s possible they were just here for another reason." [17:50] <+DirkVonTowers> "I wouldn't mind seeing any security footage, though I suppose the owners might object." [17:50] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Bonner did told me that the station would be here for a week or so." [17:51] <+Sebastian`> "It usually stays put for a week before moving on in it's rotation." [17:52] <+SamuraiHanson> "That's great if we're at the start of the rotation, but another story if we're at the end." [17:53] <+DirkVonTowers> "Surely there's information kiosk somewhere with the news" [17:54] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "The Dock master's office would have that." [17:54] <+SamuraiHanson> "Most likely, we just need to find one." [17:54] <+SamuraiHanson> "Dock Master, right." [17:57] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "We still have 92 minutes on the refuelling. shall we extend our stay more or leave as soon as capable?" [17:57] <+DirkVonTowers> "I'd like to try to get some footage. Never know who you might spot. But it’s up to the Captain." [17:58] <+SamuraiHanson> "How bad are we wanting to find a poisoner?" [18:00] <+Sebastian`> "Our destination is most likely not known by the assailant but there's really only three possible places we could be going, Ghandi, Dinom or Dinomn." [18:00] <+DirkVonTowers> "Well it is rather personal. And I'm hoping it was spontaneous so maybe they weren't as prepared for an actual assassination..." [18:02] <+Sebastian`> "It did seem rushed" [18:02] <+SamuraiHanson> "They could have bought almost anything here, but they gave you itching powder? Seems like there was a reason." [18:02] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Either a warning, or merely, the lack of funds or time to get something better from the poisoner." [18:03] * +DirkVonTowers nods. [18:04] <+DirkVonTowers> "Well, it probably wouldn't take long to check. I could do that while someone sees how long the station will be here." [18:05] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "It's dangerous to go alone after that." [18:05] <+SamuraiHanson> "I'll go to the Dock Master." [18:06] <+SamuraiHanson> ((it's dangerous to go alone. take this." [18:06] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((I know!)) [18:06] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Then I'll go with Dirk then." [18:06] * +DirkVonTowers glances around. [18:07] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "We will keep a comm channel open, just in case." [18:07] <+Sebastian`> "I'll go if you wish" [18:07] <@ENGM> ((you going to the dock master pr back up to level five to find the security cameras?)) [18:09] <+DirkVonTowers> ((level 5 for the cameras here)) [18:10] <@ENGM> ((and Thomas is with you? Did you want Sebastian too or do you want him to go with Sam. I assume Sam is going to the dock master)) [18:10] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((yup, sounds about right)) [18:10] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((me and Dirk, Sam to the Dock master..dunno about Sebastian)) [18:10] <@ENGM> ((Sam?)) [18:10] <+SamuraiHanson> ((yeah, I'm to the Dock Master)) [18:11] <@ENGM> ((do want Sebastian to accompany you?)) [18:12] <+SamuraiHanson> ((I'm good, Dirk needs all the help he can get)) [18:12] <+DirkVonTowers> ((heh)) [18:13] <@ENGM> Dirk, Thomas and Sebastian head back to the casino deck. [18:14] <@ENGM> Sam heads to the dock office. He's there in no time. [18:16] <@ENGM> ((Dirk?)) [18:16] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((Dirk, save the honour of the group!)) [18:19] <@ENGM> You make to level 5 with no problem. Once again your accosted by leaflet hawkers handing you cards, pamphlets, menus etc. trying to get you to eat/shop at their restaurant, boutique etc. [18:19] <@ENGM> You enter the casino proper. [18:19] * +Thomas_J_Atkins keeps an eye out and close to Dirk, looking for any trouble. [18:19]  ((like close protection deal)) [18:22] DirkVonTowers looks around for signs of people that work the casino. Pit bosses, etc [18:23]  After the initial barrage of hawkers you make it to the normal casino traffic. It's crowded but you can move unhindered. [18:27]  You’re looking for security? [18:29] <@ENGM> Dirk has a hard time trying to stop an employee to ask for directions. Servers go by, security goes by finally you stop a steward who points halfway down the fllor and to the left wall.

06[18:29] * +DirkVonTowers sighs and thinks of how much easier this could be as he makes his way to the door

[18:32] <@ENGM> You make your way through the chaos that is the floor, through the ching ching ching of machines and the shouts and screams of players at the tables. Finally you are at the wall. Cut in the wall is a window and a security door. [18:32] * +DirkVonTowers knocks when he arrives. [18:33] * +DirkVonTowers smiles winningly at the window. [18:33] <@ENGM> ##Please come to the window sir## [18:33] <@ENGM> It's very similar to a bank window. [18:34] <@ENGM> There's an older woman in a uniform behind the window. [18:34] <@ENGM> ##May I help you sir?##

06[18:35] * +Thomas_J_Atkins keeps an eye out for anyone observing them

[18:37] <+DirkVonTowers> "Yes, my name is Dirk Von Towers, of the Von Towers you understand. I was recently accosted and an item...lost. I was wondering if I could have my man look at your security cameras so we may find the perfidious thief." [18:37] <@ENGM> ##Has a report been filed?## [18:38] <+DirkVonTowers> "Ah, alas I would quite rather this remained...discrete." [18:40] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((nice)) [18:40] <@DeskSeargent> ##Let me get my captain## [18:41] * +DirkVonTowers waits patiently like he owns the casino. [18:41] <@ENGM> The desk Sargent picks up a comm. You can't hear her behind the glass as she speaks into the receiver. [18:42] <@ENGM> A heavy set man soon approaches the window. The Desk Sarge talks to him and points to you. [18:43] * +DirkVonTowers looks at the new arrival. [18:44] <@ENGM>  ##I'm told you want access to our security tapes. We don't normally allow that without permission from the ship police force.## [18:44] * +DirkVonTowers nods. "Of course. I was hoping an exception could be made. I would rather this remain discrete of course." [18:46] <@ENGM> The Captain holds up a finger as saying "In a moment" soon he comes out the security door. [18:46] <@ENGM>  "What exactly is the issue?" [18:47] <+DirkVonTowers> "I was recently accosted. An item lost. We are simply looking for the face to go with the incident." [18:47] <@ENGM>  "What did you lose?" [18:48] <@ENGM>  "And when and where?" [18:50] * +DirkVonTowers gives the time and location. "As for what, that is..personal. And discrete." [18:51] <@ENGM> "I’ll look at the tape but you're going to have to show me a little appreciation" [18:52] <+DirkVonTowers> "Of course." [18:53] <+DirkVonTowers> ((what's a good bribe number?)) [18:53] <@ENGM> ((asking me or your pals?)) [18:53] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((5k for him, 2.5k for the sgt?)) [18:54] <+DirkVonTowers> ((5k is 5 times what it cost to get cured at a hospital from poisoning..that seems a bit..much..I was thinking 100, but I don't really know general currency...)) [18:55] <@ENGM> ((a credit is basically a dollar)) [18:55] <@ENGM> ((For 5k he’d probably give you the keys to the place :) )) [18:55] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((well, 500 and 250 then?)) [18:56] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((I mean how much would a olice captain take to wtch at some tapes illegally?)) [18:56] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((or..'on the side?')) [18:57] * +DirkVonTowers transfers 500 credits. [18:58] <@ENGM>  nods. "Follow me, your friends will need to stay here." [18:59] * +DirkVonTowers nods. "Of course." [18:59] * +DirkVonTowers turns to Thomas. "Stay here while I investigate." [19:00] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "All right." [19:00] * +Thomas_J_Atkins relaxes a bit, still keeping a lookout for any odd observers. [19:01] * +Sebastian` nods [19:02] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Well, things are going smoothly for now." [19:02] <@ENGM> The captain buzzes you thru the security door and down a plain white corridor. You pass numerous doors before he picks one. You hear the hum of machines in the background and see a wall full of screens. He sits down at a desk with a single monitor. [19:02]  "When and where again?" [19:04] * +DirkVonTowers gives both the time and location. [19:05] <@ENGM> He wizzes thru some footage until he’s satisfied he’s pulled up the correct time and date. He pulls up another chair. "Ok what are you looking for?" He starts running the footage. [19:05] * +DirkVonTowers smiles slightly and sits down, looking for the footage. "Me at first." [19:09] <@ENGM> Dirk has trouble focusing on the screen. The Captain will run it again. After a few seconds he points you out in the crowd.as you exit the lift. [19:10] <@ENGM> "So that's you, who you looking for?" [19:11] * +DirkVonTowers leans forward and focuses on himself and tries to figure out how close they are to leaving. "I'll know them when I see them." [19:12] <@ENGM> the Captain will run the footage at half speed [19:12] <@ENGM> Thomas and Sebastian spend their time people watching [19:13] * +DirkVonTowers keeps an eye out for the point when he gets the tarot card. [19:14] <@ENGM> you reach the point in the tape. The assailant is roughly your height with blonde hair.. He was dressed in a casino steward uniform. His face is turned to the camera so you don’t get a good look at him from this angle. [19:15] <+DirkVonTowers> "Ah, there he is." [19:15] <@ENGM> The captain presses a button. [19:16] <@ENGM> He hands you a disc. [19:16] <+DirkVonTowers> "I don't suppose you have any other angles?" [19:16] <@ENGM> "This is time sequenced from when you left the lift to when your met your "friend". [19:17] <@ENGM> "Gimme a sec" [19:18] <@ENGM> "Sorry that's the best I can get." [19:19] <@ENGM> He tries changing the angle again but to no avail. [19:19] * +DirkVonTowers nods. "Of course. If you do happen to find anything else..." [19:19] <@ENGM> I'll tell you what if i have time I'll work on it. How long you here?" [19:21] <+DirkVonTowers> "Not very long. We may swing back by." [19:21] <@ENGM> "Ok, If we're done I'll escort you out." [19:22] <@ENGM> He hands Dirk a card with his name, rank and communicator number in it [19:22] <+DirkVonTowers> "If you do find something, I'm sure I'd be appreciative again." [19:22] * +DirkVonTowers takes the card and the disk with him. [19:22] <@ENGM> **Captain Julius Norris, Security Crazy Ivans Casino.** [19:23] * +DirkVonTowers thanks him again as they head on out. [19:24] <@ENGM> The captain takes you back to the security door and ushers you out. "I'll be in touch if I find anything. Where are you located?" [19:26] * +DirkVonTowers gives the information on the ship. [19:26] <@ENGM> The Captain nods and heads back thru the door [19:27] <@ENGM> ** time is now 2000 hrs STT ** [19:28] * +DirkVonTowers looks over Thomas. "Anything interesting?" [19:28] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Nothing intresting. Big crowd, so anyone observing us has good cover." [19:29] <+DirkVonTowers> "Blonde, wearing a steward uniform. No fac though." [19:30] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "So an employee then?" [19:31] <+DirkVonTowers> "Or a disguise." [19:32] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Hm. Anything else that must be done?" [19:34] * +DirkVonTowers shakes his head. "He's going to keep looking for a better camera angle. Other than that..." [19:35] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Do you have a copy of the footage?" [19:35] * +DirkVonTowers holds up the disc. [19:36] <+DirkVonTowers> "not all of it, but the man involved." [19:36] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Perhaps we can do something back at the ship with a little kno-how. I am certain that Samurai would be able to do something, those Scouts are clever ones indeed." [19:37] * +DirkVonTowers nods. "Good enough." [19:39] <@ENGM> ((where to next?)) [19:40] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((How much time 'til the refuelling's done?)) [19:40] <@ENGM> ((it’s pretty much done)) [19:42] * +DirkVonTowers starts back towards the docks. "Might as well see what's going on." [19:42] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Very well." [19:42] * +Thomas_J_Atkins follows, keeping his surroundings in check once again. [19:42] * +Thomas_J_Atkins also contacts Samurai "Samurai, any news?" [19:46] <@ENGM> Thomas sees the occasional person look at you as you head to the lift. You are once again mobbed by the leaflet people but you manage to get on the lift and head back to level 1 [19:47] <@ENGM> ((to the ship?)) [19:47] * +DirkVonTowers heads back to the ship.

01[19:48] <@ENGM> The group makes good time back to the ship. They find Sam and Caleb in the lounge when they arrive.

[19:48] <+DirkVonTowers> "Well, that was useful." [19:51]  "What was?" [19:53] * +DirkVonTowers shows off the picture. "Hopefully if we stop by again we'll get a better look." [19:53] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "We haven't been followed. That we could see." [19:54] <+SamuraiHanson> "I didn't expect you to come back with a photo. But if it helps, I did get a list of all ships that came within the last 24 hours." [19:55] <+DirkVonTowers> "It might, if we can trace them." [19:55] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "What of the Station's rotation?" [19:56] <+SamuraiHanson> "6 Days, plenty of time." [19:57] <+DirkVonTowers> "Perhaps by then we'll have more information." [19:57] <+DirkVonTowers> "Or a better picture at least." [19:58] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Ah yes; perhaps we can manage to clear that picture ourselves?" [20:01] * +DirkVonTowers slides the disk into the middle of the table. [20:02] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "I would assume you would have some knowledge of computer imagery being a former scout, Samurai." [20:03] <+SamuraiHanson> "I can try" [20:04] * +SamuraiHanson takes the disk and slides over to a terminal [20:04] * +DirkVonTowers looks over curiously. [20:05] * +Thomas_J_Atkins approaches as well. [20:06] <@ENGM> Sams able to sharopen the picture up a bit. The perpetrator is still faced away from the camera but you can see his left cheek and it has a 1" scar on it. [20:07] <+DirkVonTowers> "Well, more than we had before." [20:08] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Anyone you'd know with such a mark?" [20:08] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Anyone you would know with such a mark?" [20:08] <+SamuraiHanson> "I don't imagine too many people have a shiner like that." [20:10] <@ENGM> Dirk, you don’t recognize anything unusual about him. The scar seems mundane. [20:11] <@ENGM> but Sam can save this shot for reference [20:11] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((your everyday facial scar, it's the new fad.)) [20:12] <+DirkVonTowers> "I don't think I've given anyone a scar like that." [20:12] <@ENGM> The scar could be from a knife it could be from falling in the shower [20:12] <@ENGM> hard to tell [20:12] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((a shower of knives?)) [20:12] <@ENGM> it’s not symbolic or ritualistic [20:13] <+DirkVonTowers> "not a ritual scar. Well, not one I'm familiar with anyway." [20:14] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> "Well it is a start at least, something to pay attention to." [20:14] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((anyone tht I ssaw looking at us had a scar?)) [20:14] * +DirkVonTowers nods. "Hopefully it leads to their downfall." [20:14] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((when we were returning?)) [20:14] <+Sebastian`> "At worst it's distinguishing so he can be ID'd if we encounter him again." [20:15] <@ENGM> You'll be back in 2 weeks or so you hope depending on the Ivans schesdule and Sam has that. [20:17]  ##Locking us down for the night. Everyone aboard?## [20:17] * +Thomas_J_Atkins goes to a comm #All aboard Nevka.# [20:17]  ##Roger That## [20:17] <+Thomas_J_Atkins> ((I think we're good to fly off as well?)) [20:17] <+SamuraiHanson> ((we should be)) [20:18] <@ENGM> You hear the hydraulics of the hatches start to whine and the ship is secured for the night. *********** SESSION END ************