Firas shook his head.<span style="color: Blue">Why would a thief kill a Shadow Broker agent?</span><br/><br/><span style="color: SeaGreen">It does seem rather reckless, doesn't it?</span>Forrun sat back in his seat.<span style="color: SeaGreen">As it happens, the package that was removed from the Bekket and my slain colleague are related. The package that you are looking for is a relic from a recently uncovered archaeological site in the Skyllian Verge. Recently, a particular artifact of great interest was removed from the site without anyone's knowledge. Our agent on Lorek was investigating who took it and why. </span><br/><br/><span style="color: SeaGreen">We located the artifact on board a cargo freighter owned by one Ren Kalga. Apparently someone had payed the Volus to have the device smuggled off of the planet, though to what destination we didn't know. Whoever it was that purchased the artifact's removal hid themselves very well. All that we had was a trail of middle men and proxies. It took us weeks just to find the trail abruptly end. Fortunately, we were tracking the transport as well. However, as you are aware, it never reached its destination. Something, or someone, intercepted it and took the artifact. Not long after, Sarto, our agent on Lorek who was investigating the event was killed... and the last ship the Bekket encountered was on Lorek at the time.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: SeaGreen">This is a disturbing turn of events, to be sure. But, to be honest, neither the loss of the artifact nor the killing of my colleague disturbs me the most.</span>Forrun looked down at the information on his desk.<span style="color: SeaGreen">What disturbs me the most is that the Bekket stopped when it was hailed.</span><br/><br/>Ashana's mind lingered back to the information they had gathered.<br/><br/><span style="color: SeaGreen">If I was a smuggler and I was carrying an extremely valuable artifact, I wouldn't stop for anyone. I would carry that cargo to its destination, take my credits and be done with it. But... according to this ship log, one ship sent one transmission to the Bekket... and the Bekket immediately stopped and allowed the ship to dock with it.</span><br/><br/>Forrun stared unwaveringly at the group before him.<span style="color: SeaGreen"><i>That</i>... disturbs me.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: SeaGreen">And now we both are in an uncomfortable position. I, with a dead agent and a lost abject on interest, and you with a contractual obligation to find it. If the one who took the artifact was capable of tracking down the specific Shadow Broker agent responsible for it and then eliminate him, I would imagine that individual is capable of learning what we learned, if they haven't already. For all we know, Sarto told them exactly what we know. </span><br/><br/><span style="color: SeaGreen">Now we are in need of information. We want to know who did this, but as this individual has managed to evade us entirely, we must resort to a new measure.</span>Forrun paused.<span style="color: SeaGreen">The trail of middle men between the artifact and its purchaser ended with the Human Vega Antoli. He is a contracting weapons developer on Bekenstein. If we cannot trace the buyer past him, then no one can. We have already contacted Vega on the subject and he has agreed to a collaboration. It seems he is as concerned about this assassin as we are. We have agreed to set a trap to ascertain the identity of your thief and capture him. If you assist us then we will have the information we want, and you will have completed your agreement with Ren Kalga and be payed for returning his lost cargo. Do you agree to these terms?</span><br/><br/>There was a long silence in the room. Ashana and Firas looked at the others in the group. Ashana was dumbstruck by what had just occurred, and she was struggling to wrap her mind around it. They had brought a registry number and had received, in return, a murder plot.<br/><br/><span style="color: Purple">What do you mean... assist? What trap?</span>She stammered out.<br/><br/><span style="color: SeaGreen">Vega will provide the details, I'm afraid.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: Purple">But I don't... I mean... why would anyone -</span>Ashana's bewildered response was cut short by Forrun.<br/><br/><span style="color: SeaGreen">This is a great deal of information. In the simplest terms, we are planning to trap the one you are tracking. You may assist us, or not.</span><br/><br/>Ashana looked at Firas, but he seemed as beleaguered as she was.<br/><br/><span style="color: SeaGreen">You are not obligated to us. We are not going to kill you for learning this. Neither will Vega. We all have simply found ourselves with a common objective and as you have proven yourselves resourceful and able thus far, we offer you the opportunity to join us and find a resolution. Go to Bekenstein, speak with Vega Antoli. Learn what he intends - then you may make your decision.</span><br/><br/>Ashana nodded slowly. It seemed reasonable enough... but then, everything had<i>seemed</i>reasonable enough when this began. So far, though, nothing had been.<br/><br/><span style="color: Blue">Fine.</span>Firas spoke up and Ashana looked at him, in part relieved that someone had said something, though he looked at Ashana for a moment. She looked back and nodded slightly. She didn't know where Bekenstein was, so it was probably going to be a long trip and they would have plenty of time to mull over the situation without the threat of a dozen guards waiting outside.<br/><br/><span style="color: Purple">Yes, we'll agree to at least hear Vega out. After all,</span>Ashana took a deep breath,<span style="color: Purple">We do share a common purpose, as you said. </span><br/><br/>Forrun nodded, though he didn't smile.<span style="color: SeaGreen">Then if that is all -</span>He motioned to the door.<br/><br/>Ashana turned and started away, trying t not think about what had just happened until it had time to settle in.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>