SWRPF Archive Casino Royale

OOGM: No one has responded in a week, Jango hasn't posted in three weeks, so I should probably take the sensible option and toss control over Halon to the rest of the party.

---

[b]Shinkai Abyss[/b]

As Ryn tossed the weapons into the raft, Halon grabbed the disruptor rifle and aimed it at the bow of the yacht. One pull of the trigger, and the transparisteel windshield was simply atomized, the seabreeze scattering the ashes into the ocean. With their new collection of pilfered items, the two agents climb through new exit and dart across the fuselage as it sinks beneath the waves.

Steering the life-raft back to the [i]Crystal Wake[/i] and transferring their possessions over to the other yacht, Ryn and Halon were faced with several questions as to what exactly they were going to do about their health, the [i]Wake[/i] and all of these new items.

[b]OOGM:[/b] Other players, feel free to chime in.

 

OOC: I'm really sorry for how inconvenient this is, but tomorrow I'm going away for a week. So Just assume that Markus tags along (reluctantly!) with whatever plan you guys come up with.

Once again, I apologise for the disruption this might cause. See you all in a week!

 

Stent Kannat
Grand Suite 703

It was not surprising to not find anything that he was looking for, Stent thought. So far, on this mission, it seemed that everyone else managed to find them instead.

The zeltron was growing weary with the lack of ideas. He did not want to risk calling his colleagues planetside, at least not yet. He found himself fiddling with the comm that connected him with one called Nexus. That seemed too extreme at the moment.

Stent decided that it would be best to try the path of least resistance first. If it did not lead to anywhere, well, there were certainly other paths.

"The Chuodana it is," Stent said as he stood up. "We might as well investigate, perhaps make some acquaintances that might be more useful once we learn that our colleagues do indeed have Zaron, something that I would expect to play in our favor."

And against us, he thought, but did not bother saying.

"All are free to join me. Markus, please tell me the directions to the establishment that the locator is giving."

TAG: lightwarden, any

 

Shinkai Abyss

A steadily vanishing supply of bubbles and a thinning wisp of smoke were the only signs of Salek Zaron's passing, rapidly fading away into the Abyss below. As the two agents pondered their next course of action aboard the bobbing vessel, the comm aboard their ship began to sound. Someone was calling. A rather unexpected turn of events. Was it the marina, cluing in to the theft of the vessel? A friend of the Wake's owner, calling to engage in some business? Or maybe the other agents had somehow managed to deduce the comm frequency of the yacht and were calling to inform them of a new development.

With so many unknowns, answering the comm might bring trouble. But not answering it could be just as suspicious if the caller was expecting the presence of individuals aboard the yacht. Perhaps the best course of action would be to answer it and bluff like mad if it was someone he hadn't met before.

"Good afternoon gentlemen. I lost the signal a few minutes ago and nothing I do will bring it back. What happened? And what sort of condition are you in?"

It was the voice of Jarus Dravaal, the INTERPOL detective whose information had brought them out to the Abyss in the first place. Apparently, not only did he know where the Crystal Wake had been berthed, but how to contact her as well.

---

[b]Chuodana[/b]

If it weren't for the locator, Stent would have missed it. The restaurant's sign was small enough that it wouldn't have been out of place sitting on someone's desk, and the exterior of the place was doing its very best to be as nondescript as possible. With neither windows nor advertisements, the only visible feature was the pair of oversized sliding doors, covered nearly top to bottom with some sort of tinted transparisteel that made it nearly impossible to see what was behind them. Beneath the small sign was a button, and with a single press the doors slid open, revealing a short (but wide) corridor with an identical pair of doors at the end of it. Stepping inside, the exterior doors slid shut behind him, the interior doors opening a second later.

He was in some sort of softly-lit, sparsely furnished lobby, with wide corridors branching off in each direction, each lined with more of those tinted sliding doors. The room was relatively empty, no beings sitting on any of the benches that seemed almost carved from the wall. The only other occupant was a tall reptilian being with a serpentine body and immense flowing facial hair who was coiled behind a podium- a Thisspiasian. The alien wound his way across the floor, carrying a small container in one hand and a datapad in the other.

"Pardon me," he inquired softly, "but are you lost?"

[b]OOGM:[/b] If any of you guys are with him, this question is also directed at you.

 

IC: Ryn Solass
Shinkai Abyss

If it weren't for the pain, naseau, and slight dizzyness that seemed ready to set in he probably would have been more surprised of the INTERPOL's agents call.

Looking at Halon, he decided it was probably best if he spoke up just then, "Oh, you know...drinking poison, explosive welcomes, and general lack of health insurance while playing with Eels. How about you?" Though he was able to largely keep his voice upbeat with a hint of underriding pain.

TAG: Light, Halon

 

OOC: Hello everyone! Back from holiday and raring to go

---

[b]IC: Markus Carfax[/b]
[i]Chuodana[/i]

With Stent making an executive decision to visit the Hutt restaurant, Markus decided to go along with him. After all, there wasn't much else to do besides sit in their room and twiddle their thumbs until news of Halon's latest disaster reached them. So he had taken his Locator and helped navigate Stent to Chuodana, which was just as discreet as advertised. He was almost beginning to wonder if the Locator had taken them to the right place when the Thisspiasian addressed them.

[i]"Are you lost?"[/i]

Markus put on his most businesslike expression.

"I most certainly hope not. My client and I were due to meet a prospective investor here but were unavoidably delayed- the size of this ship makes it so difficult to find where you are going. Tell me, is this Chuodana?"

[b][TAG Any][/b]

 

OOC: Sorry to double-post, I'm afraid I'll be away until Friday, so Light has control over Markus until then, if that's alright.

See you guys then!

 

Stent Kannat
Chuodana

A slight feeling of defeat came over the zeltron when he saw the empy room. Coming to the restaurant while the ship was in port probably was not such a good idea after all. Perhaps there was a back door to another room somewhere, even more inconspicuous than the restaurant?

Stent regarded the Thisspiasian with a more calmer demeanor matching that of his greeting rather than Markus's eager, cut-to-the-chase response.

"Yes, my good being, is this Chuodana? Even if it is, I am afraid that we already missed them. It seems that everyone disembarked for the waters planet-side."

He began to wonder where Markus was going with his statement, saying that they were to meet an actual prospective investor here. It be just their luck if the Thisspiasian asked who it was...

And it was then that Stent inwardly cursed at himself for not doing any research before showing up. He could have browsed through the computer or even the holo-net to glean any information, if any, on what kajidics would likely be aboard, or even specific individuals. One continuously learns on the job.

TAG: any, lightwarden

 

Shinkai Abyss

"Oh, you know...drinking poison, explosive welcomes, and general lack of health insurance while playing with Eels. How about you?"

"Sounds as though my day has been relatively event-less in comparison. Well, no one ever said that dealing with him would be easy. Still, it sounds as though you've been in better shape. Can you get the Wake back to the Marina in one piece? If you can, there's an Action Transport on Docking Pad 2525 at the spaceport- we should be able to take care of you there. If you can't get the Wake back without suspicion, then we might have some bigger problems."

---

[b]Chuodana[/b]

[i]"I most certainly hope not. My client and I were due to meet a prospective investor here but were unavoidably delayed- the size of this ship makes it so difficult to find where you are going. Tell me, is this Chuodana?"[/i]

[i]"Yes, my good being, is this Chuodana? Even if it is, I am afraid that we already missed them. It seems that everyone disembarked for the waters planet-side."[/i]

"Well gentlemen, you certainly have come to the correct place. Pardon my earlier skepticism, but we so rarely find humans who are... open-minded... about our patrons' culinary traditions."

He gestured towards the branching hallways.

"It's one of the reasons that all of our dining chambers are fully enclosed."

It was hard to tell given the Thisspiasian's abundant beard, but he seemed to be smiling.

"The other, of course, being the [i]zesty[/i] nature of some of our courses."

The headwaiter studied his datapad.

"If you will give a name, I will check to see if your contact has arrived or departed recently."

Coiling his tail around the box, he tapped the surface with his now-free hand, causing the lid to slide open. Inside the container was a small mound of fat, white, wriggling grub creatures of some kind.

"Appetizer?" he asked, clearly gauging their reactions.

[b]OOGM:[/b] Don't worry sprint, I'm certain you can come up with a good answer. Or just bluff.

 

Stent Kannat
Chuodana

This was not the first time that Stent was offered live food - as a matter of fact, he has tried the delicacy before. The opportunities that one had while serving in the diplomatic corps were quite unique. However, eating live food was not an experience that he wished to re-live, although being in this establishment would probably fix that for him.

"Oh, no, thank you," Stent smiled at the thisspiasian headwaiter. "I have a typical weak zeltron stomach."

Another opportunity one had while serving in the corps was plenty of practice to become adept in remembering faces and names, since one of the largest components of diplomacy was the social functions. The better you were at remembering, the more beings you impressed. And Stent just impressed himself as a name immediately shot to his mind.

Stent's face turned inquisitive.

"Yes, our meeting is with Ri Elon. Is she dining here at the moment?"

TAG: Lightwarden

 

OOC: Just a note to let you know that I am back again, but I have been mega-busy so unable to spare the brainspace for an update. Normal service will resume shortly!

 

OOC: I'm really sorry this is so last minute, but my internet has been down for the last week. I'm going away for a week and will be back next wendesday. Until then just have Boz tag along with Stent and the rest. Sorry again about this.

See you all soon.

 

OOC: Unfortunatley I have to bow out for a while as well as a power cut in my area has basically crippled my home internet and I won't be able to get online again properly until at least Friday. I'm really sorry to leave you like this but I will be back! Just have Markus tag along with whatever happens.

(and thank you Stent for pulling our collective whatsits out of the fire with that name!)

 

OOGM: So it's basically down to sprint and Mitth for a few days?

---

[b]Chuodana[/b]

[i]"Oh, no, thank you, I have a typical weak zeltron stomach."[/i]

The headwaiter looked somewhat skeptical at the refusal, but said nothing more.

Stent continued.

[i]"Yes, our meeting is with Ri Elon. Is she dining here at the moment?"[/i]

"One moment please."

He wound his way back over to the podium, consulting a viewscreen for a few seconds before tapping an unseen button.

"Lady Elon is dining in chamber three at the moment. I'll have Dyani escort you there."

While the others were speaking with the headwaiter, Boz heard a faint sound coming from somewhere to their left. Turning, he noticed a female Togruta, garbed in what appeared to be the uniform of the wait staff, striding almost silently down the hallway. To the others, the waitress appeared almost out of nowhere as she suddenly bowed and spoke.

"Right this way gentlemen."

She quietly led them down the corridor she had emerged from, stopping in front of another of the tinted sliding doors that were ever-present in the restaurant. Like Stent had done at the entress, Dyani pressed a small button next to the door, causing the doors to slide open and reveal a small entry chamber with another set of doors inside. As the group stepped inside the entry chamber, the outer doors slid shut, and Dyani silently walked over to a small control panel mounted near the inner doors. Holding a glowing green button, she spoke again.

"Lady Elon, there are visitors here to see you."

Releasing the button, she turned to face the agents.

"One moment please. The Lady will see you when she is ready."

About thirty seconds later, the inner doors slid open, the Amaran merchant displaying a toothy smile.

"Ah, Misters Tyler, Hunt, Stent, and friends. Ri is honored to make your acquaintances once more. Ri was wondering if any would take her up on her invitation. But please, come inside."

The chamber swas almost completely unfurnished and remarkably silent; aside from some sort of wall-mounted control panel near the entrance, the sole feature among the bare white walls and floor was a low table that was almost a small platform hewn from the ground, a single silken cushion seated beside it. The table itself was bare except for a single large plate, its lumpy contents shrouded by a red-flecked white napkin.

"Ri has just finished a course, but she always has time for a meal amongst friends," she said, as she sat back down.

The Togruta handed them a small datapad.

"Simply call when you require something."

She bowed, and then exited the room.

[b]OOGM:[/b] And after double-checking Wookieepedia, it's "Amaran", not "Amara" as I posted when I introduced her.

 

OOC: So my internet came back earlier than expected! Which means that we dodn't lose as many players as originally thought

---

[b]Markus Carfax[/b]
[i]Chuodana[/i]

Markus tried to conceal his nervousness as they followed the waitress towards their supposed client. He had really been flying by the seat of his pants here- all of the carefully planned inaction had been getting to the slicer somewhat, and he had decided to approach this assignment along more old-fashioned lines. It had been very lucky indeed that Stent actually knew of a Hutt that they could have met. It was luckier still that she was actually at the restaurant. He was beginning to suspect that Stent might know more than he was letting on- one couldn't have spent that much time in high society and not pick up [i]some[/i] contacts.

Entering the room, Carfax saw the plate and coughed to suppress a gag. It would be highly unlikely that he would sample anything from the restuarant's menu. Sitting down, he looked over to Stent for his next move.

 

Stent Kannat
Chuodana

Stent took the datapad from the togruta and turned his attention to the room. He could only guess what meal was on the table, but he had a strong feeling that if they were going to get anywhere during this meeting that at least he would be partaking in the meal.

"Lady Elon, thank you for the offer." Stent made a courteous bow before he sat on the floor. "Forgive us for the intrusion, but we hoped to have found you here after you mentioned your love of this establishment during our sabacc game in the Aspre Plunge."

Stent smiled and began to sound more businesslike as he continued.

"We were hoping to discuss a possible business proposition with you. We are starting up a landspeeder customization business, and among the aesthetic enhancements we plan to offer, upholstery is one of them. I recall that you are in the textiles business, correct?"

TAG: lightwarden, livi, twinky

 

IC: Ryn Solass
Shinkani Abyss

"We can make it..." looking at that darkened visor he felt his own heart sink, "Maybe. Best if you could send a disguised cabby, ambulance, or something to pick us up, otherwise I think we might be able to hobble out convincingly drunk and rattled before colapsing."

He winced slightly as he entered the return cooridinates. Knowing they had to stow the weapons in the hold for the owner of this boat to come back to after they're wiped down. He could carry the two bottles and Halon whatever he thought he could disasimble and carry to the pad with him discretely of importance beyond the pad.

TAG: Light

OOC: Sorry for the delay, having some DRL issues this past week and barely been keeping up to post in the tournament along with one additional in other games. But have no fear by the end of this coming week I should be back regulary without more than a day or two max between reply's.

 

Chuodana

"Lady Elon, thank you for the offer. Forgive us for the intrusion, but we hoped to have found you here after you mentioned your love of this establishment during our sabacc game in the Aspre Plunge."

"Ri is not troubled at all. She was hoping that some would take her up on her offer."

"We were hoping to discuss a possible business proposition with you. We are starting up a landspeeder customization business, and among the aesthetic enhancements we plan to offer, upholstery is one of them. I recall that you are in the textiles business, correct?"

"Yes, while the Elon family's largest trade is in silks, they deal in enough leathers, cloth and other other fabrics that Ri is certain that any other order could be matched. What scale would you be looking for?"

---

[b]Spaceport[/b]

[i]"We can make it... Maybe. Best if you could send a disguised cabby, ambulance, or something to pick us up, otherwise I think we might be able to hobble out convincingly drunk and rattled before colapsing."[/i]

[i]"Consider it done"[/i] was the detective's reply before the channel went silent.

It was a quiet trip back. As Ryn concentrated on piloting the [i]Crystal Wake[/i], Halon used the tool kit to break down one of the rifles into a series of component parts. Of course, though the rifle was designed to be disassembled somewhat for easier storage, getting it to a level where he could carry the pieces on his body required an even greater degree of work. Still, with an hour and a great deal of care, he had eventually stowed the entire rifle in various locations in his clothing. He'd still need an hour or so of work and a tool kit to put it back together, and he wouldn't fool the scanners aboard the [i]Empress[/i], but he and Ryn were able to walk out of the marina with barely a second glance from the guard, the Balosar's pocketing of Zaron's toxins seemed positively innocuous in comparison. They had stowed what was left of the equipment they took from the [i]Crystal Wake[/i], with any luck the yacht's owner wouldn't miss the remainder until long after they were done with their mission.

As they walked away from the marina, a rather dull gunmetal gray robohack pulled alongside them, doors sliding open to reveal an empty interior.

[i]"To the spaceport, gentlemen,"[/i] came the robotic monotone. It was less an inquiry and more of a statement- this was almost certainly the vehicle sent by Detective Dravaal. Given their present condition and the lack of any visible threats, the two agents climbed aboard; the vehicle traveling in silence save for the vapidly nonthreatening mood music that was softly drifting through the cab.

The hack's doors swung open in front of a Corellian Engineering Corporation Action Transport. Resembling a flying brown tool-chest with white detailing (complete with convenient carrying handle), the bulk freighter was ideally sized for the small business owner with only a few employees, but tens of thousands of tons of product (or similar spacial requirements).

The robohack rumbled off into the distance as the detective stepped out from the shadow of the hundred-meter vessel. Waving a hand in greeting, he knocked on one of the ship's struts once, thrice, than once more. The loading ramp descended, and he waved them aboard.

They had entered a rather dimly-lit hold, but there was a clearly-marked path leading straight ahead to a turbolift.

"This clinic is used by those who'd prefer to pay for secrecy rather than explain their condition at the local hospital. It could be the result of a firefight, or it could just be a drunken executive who'd rather not explain what he was doing to his irate wife. Either way, if you're not certain that you'll stay safe the next time you're planetside, it's probably for the best if you don't go nosing about. It's best to avoid getting on the proprietor's bad side."

The turbolift came to a stop at a much brighter, sterile white hallway lined with blank white doors. One suddenly slid open, and the detective steered them in to what was unmist

 

Stent Kannat
Chuodana

A silent cry of success went through Stent's mind as Lady Elon not only accepted their company but also gave them an audience for their "business plan." It was still unknown to the zeltron if talking to the amaran would get them anywhere, but at least it was a start. Finding out her connections and making other acquaintances were the objectives for now.

Stent did not let himself get too excited, however. After all, he was merely at the threshold, and depending on how he handled himself now would determine if he would be let through the doorway.

"Yes, while the Elon family's largest trade is in silks, they deal in enough leathers, cloth and other other fabrics that Ri is certain that any other order could be matched. What scale would you be looking for?"

"We are planning to handle approximately 9 complete vehicle interiors a month. We calculated an estimate of 400 square meters of leather needed just for that, with about 50 square meters for carpeting. Of course we are interested in different qualities and colors for the fabric. We were also looking into suede, which would cost more and have less of demand. The estimate for that is 88 square meters for 2 of those 9 vehicle interiors having that option. How does this sound to you?"

As he spoke, Stent began to wonder if the scale that he was giving was too paltry for Lady Elon to bother with.

TAG: lightwarden, anyone

 

IC: Ryn Solass
Spaceport

Keeping silent as he listened to the 'mind your nose' speech he quietly took in the sights as much as possible. Which was impressive in it's own way that such a center was located at a spaceport, but it did make since as it could relocate easily.

How it kept future clients appraised he guessed he might never know. Then the spiel changed speakers to someone that made him think of Ho-Din, who gave the medical disclosure spiel.

"Just one for each." piped Ryn after a moment of hessitation, "Mild paralytic recently ingested as for medical points from this bottle onboard, and could you decern this bottle's contents?"

TAG: Light

 

Boz Girange
Chuodana


Boz had followed Stent's decision to look into meeting with the Hutt. There was, after all, little else they could to until the otheres returned.
As they entered the resteraunt, Boz kept quiet, letting the others do the talking. Instead he took in their surroundings and had noticed the Togruta waitress before she made her presence fully known to the group.
They were led in to meet Ri and Boz accepted the datapad gratefully and with a friendly smile. Waitressing was a strange occupation for a Togruta from what Boz knew of the species. He dismissed it though as they had to get down to "business".

Stent took the lead in the negotiations, enquiring about the Elon textile business.

"Yes, while the Elon family's largest trade is in silks, they deal in enough leathers, cloth and other other fabrics that Ri is certain that any other order could be matched. What scale would you be looking for?"

Boz had no need to come up with the nessicery figures as Stent answered.

"We are planning to handle approximately 9 complete vehicle interiors a month. We calculated an estimate of 400 square meters of leather needed just for that, with about 50 square meters for carpeting. Of course we are interested in different qualities and colors for the fabric. We were also looking into suede, which would cost more and have less of demand. The estimate for that is 88 square meters for 2 of those 9 vehicle interiors having that option. How does this sound to you?"

Nodding appreciatively before noticing that Stent seemed worried. Was it the number for the deal? Boz had an idea and spoke up.

"There is also, my dear Ri, a lot of potential for orders concerning our custom jobs. Various customers will be after fully personal jobs and this will cover the interiors as well as the exteriors. These orders won't be as large, but most of our customers who order custom designed models will be after the highest quality componants. componants which I am more than sure you will be able to provide."


TAG: any in Chuodana

 

Chuodana

Ri listened carefully as the two agents made their pitch.

"A certainly manageable order- the Elon family would have no trouble in filling it. It is not of a size where a significant discount can be leveraged, but Ri shall see what can be done for a friend, rrr?"

She tapped the datapad with a dark-nailed finger.

"Now that business has been settled, we are free to eat. Have you considered what you might order?"

---

[b]Spaceport[/b]

[i]"Just one for each. Mild paralytic recently ingested as for medical points from this bottle onboard, and could you decern this bottle's contents?"[/i]

"Well," said the blue-skinned alien as he waved the device over Ryn's body. "A preliminary scan isn't revealing any long-term effects from it, whatever it was. However, I'll analyze it for you."

He studied the agent for a moment.

"Likely due to your species's physiology. Balosar, no? It looks as though I'll have to up the dosage on the anesthetic."

Pulling out a comlink, he tapped a button on the top. The door to the room slid open, and in trundled a rather tall and cylindrical droid of some kind. He pressed his thumb against against a small indentation on the droid's side, then entered a series of information into a computer. The droid hummed for a moment, before opening a compartment in its side. Pulling forth a canister with some sort of breath mask attached to it, the doctor offered it to Ryn.

"Breath deeply now..." was the last thing Ryn recalled him saying as he drifted into unconsciousness.

[hr]

Ryn awoke in the same chamber, the chrono in the room indicating that it hadn't even been thirty minutes since he'd last checked. He was certainly [i]feeling[/i] better, without any trace of aches or pains. A quick self-assessment revealed no bandages or scarring, with only the pale pink of newly-generated flesh to even indicate where he'd been hit. He smelled faintly of bacta, but given the turn-around time it was unlikely that the alien doctor had just stuffed him in a tank. His possessions were all in order, though his clothes seemed to have been cleaned, with the blaster-scoured segments ripped free in order to conceal the incident beneath the guise of mundane happenstance.

In the same room, Halon was also stirring to consciousness as the doctor re-entered the room.

"The substance in question is concentrated Pergane venom, taken from a minor predator that lives in these waters. Normally, it just numbs your average human-sized being, but in this dosage it could bring about full paralysis in a minute or so, modified by age, weight, species and other physiological concerns of course."

He handed the bottle back to Ryn.

"Your companion has opted to cover your expenses for this visit, but if there is anything else you need, feel free to ask. If not, well... I shall be following the [i]Empress[/i] from port to port- you are more than welcome to stop by my clinic in the future, though I sincerely hope that you would not have the need to."

He made a short bow.

"Thank you for your patronage."

 

Stent Kannat
Chuodana

...and there it is. Time to dine on live food. Live food. Oh, the things one does for the betterment of the Republic.

"Actually I have not, Lady Elon. I am quite inexperienced in dining in live food. I did partake in eating some live insect larvae when I spent some time on Sriluur a few years ago, but that is it. Perhaps you have recommendations along those lines?"

"I am afraid my dull teeth would not be appropriate for dining on thimiar. I recall you saying that you enjoyed that here at this establishment." Stent began to laugh at the last comment, trying to play off of his own short-comings in his dining abilities.

TAG: lightwarden

 

Ryn Solass
Spaceport

Bowing slightly in return though still groggy from his new found state. "It is our hope as well. Thank you." with that he retook the bottle and his things, getting into a more reputable state.

Looking about he made his next priority to find Halon, then to find their way back to the spaceport. Most likely Halon had left the rifle with the fellow law inforcement agent, since it was unlikely they could take it successfully with them back to the ship.

It was time to regroup with the others, they had done all they could do. In one of the worst amounts as well.

After regrouping if the other agent was still around he wanted to ask if there was anything else the man could tell them before they headed back to the liner.

TAG: Light

 

Chuodana

"Actually I have not, Lady Elon. I am quite inexperienced in dining in live food. I did partake in eating some live insect larvae when I spent some time on Sriluur a few years ago, but that is it. Perhaps you have recommendations along those lines?"

"I am afraid my dull teeth would not be appropriate for dining on thimiar. I recall you saying that you enjoyed that here at this establishment."

Ri smiled another toothy grin.

"Ri does not see the problem Mr. Stent, it does not have to be living. The Chuodana serves fresh food for many different species, and can prepare them as well. Perhaps a stuffed Plavonian starfish, or a platter of fleek eel wrapped in grains, or a collection of claws of silver crab served with several sauces, or fresh Karkan liver still glistening with fat and dusted with spices, or..."

She paused, as the agents' comms buzzed. It was Ryn and Halon, having returned from their side trip, but without a locator they'd find it remarkably difficult to meet up with the agents, requiring the other agents to come collect them.

Graciously excusing themselves, Stent and the others left the Amaran, who explained that she would still be at the restaurant for another hour or so if they wished to continue dining after they met up with their companions. Ten minutes later, and the MI5 agents were fully assembled once more. With the aid of Ruana's disruption bubble generator, they could have a conversation without fear of eavesdroppers, and figure out both what to do about the results of Ryn and Halon's expedition as well as decide what approach they were going to take with

OOGM: If you want to, you can have exchanged comm frequencies with Detective Dravaal so that you can contact him the next time you're on the same planet or vice versa.