<blockquote><div><cite>Sillyness wrote:</cite>“It’s rare for a governor to travel alone even in the most peaceful of times, what of his body guards? Were no other injured save for the governor? What information do you have regarding his death?” </div></blockquote><br/><br/>The marigold-furred fox furrowed his brow for a few moments, rubbing his chin while he worked to organize his thoughts. “Hmm... as your brother said, the suspected nature of Governor Hather's demise meant there weren't a lot of details to uncover at the crime scene. His home was a three-story compartment on the second deck, and he did indeed have many of his own bodyguards patrolling the entryway and the lower two floors. However, from word of mouth I've inferred Hather didn't like having others on the third floor for a number of personal reasons, and I suppose that neurotic behavior might have cost him his life. “<br/><br/>His hands folded on the table as he dug further back into his memory. “His disappearance was first discovered by his butler in the morning, and the only reason we could tell our predator had struck again was because of some foreign saliva on the bedsheets. We couldn't determine any signs of forced entry or infiltration, no prints or fur strands or other evidence, and none of the others in the house heard anything from upstairs. Either our suspect has the ability of a ghost, or someone with access to the building itself was behind it. That's why Mr. Ryas is of so much interest to us, even if he doesn't seem like one to devour others much.”<br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Sillyness wrote:</cite>“If we happened upon Ryas, would you like us to contact you before we interrogate? Or would you like us to bring him to you and let you do that yourself?”</div></blockquote><br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Kitts wrote:</cite>"So, this guy dissappeared, huh? Well, did you ever think that this predator pretty much got all the usefulness out of him he could, then gave him a trip down crud-creek as well? Or, is there some evidence that he's still alive as well?"</div></blockquote><br/><br/>Naya's hands soon slipped back up to his front where he then folded his arms over his chest, his eyes glancing first to Kahmori then Sheva as he rolled both inquiries through his mind. “That would be a decision for you to make when the time comes. Most lower-deck residents think poorly of us military folks, and since there is no hard evidence to suggest that Mr. Ryas is the culprit I would prefer not to use force and extenuate those circumstances. If you do interrogate him yourselves, I'd recommend doing the same, if for your own well being rather than his own. Those down below can be quite tightly-knit, and they're not afraid to throw a punch or two if confronted. Of course, if they are hostile to you right from the get-go... self-defense is a measure you got to take, hm?”<br/><br/>A soft chuckle escaped his lips before rapping his fingers over the open folder as his gaze turned back to Kahmori. “Even then, it really depends on whether your suspicions are correct. I've rolled that possibility through my mind as well, and it turns out to be the case... we're right back where we started. We'll just have to hope that isn't the case, and the only way to confirm is to go down and look for ourselves.”<br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">(After reading over the skill descriptions for Computers and Electronics, I'm personally inclined to think that searching for modifications on the holocom is more of a hardware issue and therefore falls under the Electronics skill rather than the Computers skill. For now, I'll give the Sheva the benefit of the doubt, but for future reference Computers will concern software issues while Electronics will deal with hardware issues.)<br/><br/>Sheva's knowledge of electronics would allow her to pick up the details of the holocoms' construction easily, making out the various aspects of the communications device with a quick glance or two. However, such a glance would reveal nothing remarkable about the two holocoms: the black casings were smooth and uniform, with no signs of modification needed to fit additional devices, and no unusual or excess parts were present anywhere on the holocom. From initial examinations at least, it seemed that there was nothing out of the ordinary about them at all.</div></div></div><br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Kitts wrote:</cite>"Ooo. Shiny new Holocom. Any more goodies for us? I don't guess you have lipstick that turns into a flamethrower, do you? Always wanted one of those..."</div></blockquote><br/><br/>The quips the larger kitsune made seemed to be a welcome respite from the serious nature of their discussion, a smile crossing Naya's lips before he could no longer hold back a chuckle. Despite his attempts to be professional, it seemed the vulpine was a great deal more laid back than most others in his field, certainly one to enjoy a joke when it came about. And because Kahmori was full of such jokes, the lieutenant found himself growing steadily more relaxed and good-natured in spite of the situation.<br/><br/>“Flamethrower lipstick huh?” he laughed, leaning back in his seat and slipping his hands behind his head. “Alas, even the Alkarom Alliance weapons engineers haven't managed to make anything like that yet. Maybe I should forward that idea to them and see if  I can't make that wish come true...”<br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Kitts wrote:</cite>"Vacation? You kidding me?!?! Hell, relaxing for a day before jumpin' in this thing would be great!! Geez, we could go swimming, or maybe see if they have any roller coasters, or swimming, or see a movie, or go swimming, or maybe see if they have any neat clubs.....or we can go swimming!!"</div></blockquote><br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Sillyness wrote:</cite>“Thank you for allowing us to stay and enjoy the town a bit. I hope we are able to quickly put an end to the cities troubles”</div></blockquote><br/><br/>Again, the big kitsune's enthusiastic response sent a chuckle running through the fox's chest, his fingers running through his hair before he slipped his hands behind his back. Kahmori was quickly growing on the lieutenant despite the short time they had been acquainted, the first ray of sunshine the vulpine had been allowed to experience throughout the course of his investigation, it seemed. Naya made no attempts to hide his appreciation as it spread with his smile.<br/><br/>“I don't know about roller coasters, and the movies and clubs are a good walk from the hotel, but a swim might be doable indeed if you're so fond of it,” he laughed. “Of course, I don't know how many of the pools will still be open at this hour.” His eyes drifted down to the watch on his holocom, and if Kahmori and Sheva saw the same they would notice that the time was well into the 19th hour.<br/><br/>His attention then shifted to the other kitsune as she spoke, a great deal more mysterious to the fox than her companion. In Naya's mind, she was the professional serious one of the duo, certainly a good match to the genial playful male who always seemed to have a joke up his sleeve. However, from her interest in the prospect of interrogation he noticed, the vulpine couldn't help but detect a sense that there was more to the attractive young lady than met the eye, an ability behind her innocent demeanor that really could make a big impact on the investigation... a power that seemed to grow the more her beautiful eyes bore into him...<br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Naya's opposed Mind roll vs. Sheva's Telepathy<br/>2d6 + 4 = (1,5) + 4 = 10; Failed<br/>Sheva can now detect Naya's intense thoughts as long as she remains within 10 meters of him.</div></div></div><br/><br/>Fully unaware of the connection the kitsune made with his mind, the fox closed his eyes and rubbed his temple to clear his head, soon returning his gaze to her. “Whoo, sorry about that, been having a bit of a migraine... Anyway, from the way you two have approached things thus far, I believe you two certainly have the instincts this investigation could use, and I hope you enjoy your stay on Kiwara station however long you intend to stay.”<br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Kitts wrote:</cite>"...You did say you'd pay for food, huh? So, how about a loaner so we can pick up something tasty...?"</div></blockquote><br/><br/>For the first time in their entire exchange, Naya's grin would falter for just a moment, his brow furrowing as he thought. He tried his best not to make his apprehension too obvious, but little did he know that Sheva had a way of looking past his physical cues...<br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Sheva's mind link allows her to glean the following...<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">”Eesh... I guess I wasn't thinking through how much this would set me back... It's going to have to come out of my own pocket, since the higher-ups would hate it if I spent their money on something so renegade, and I'm already running a bit short this week paying for other resources. But... egh, I really don't want to blow this! There's something about these two... I don't know what it is, a hunch or something... I think they really could make progress with this. More progress than I could ever get with those damn commanders and their pretty-face protocols.... *sigh* I guess it's another week of cup noodles for me..."</span></div></div></div><br/><br/>It wouldn't be long before the fox perked up again, his smile again stretching over his muzzle as a soft sigh escapes his lips. “Of course. The hotel I'm setting you up with, the Dawn Star, has a number of fine eateries within it, so you'll surely find a good meal there. Just forward my holocom ID to them, and I'll take care of the payments. Here, I'll send it to you right now...”<br/><br/>The vulpine's device certainly appeared a bit more sophisticated than the two the kitsunes received, silver-colored and outfitted with a good number more buttons, wires, and parts. Before long, Naya had brought up a orange holographic keypad from the electronic's main lens, and after a bit of typing the two black holocoms would let out a soft pair of beeps. “That ought to do it,” he said with a grin, promptly before his own gave off a shrill chime of its own.<br/><br/>“Oh, excuse me,” the fox answered quickly, pressing another button before bringing the earpiece up to his head. He stood up and walked to the window as a deeper voice sounded, the vulpine running his fingers through his hair. “Ohh... hello sir... No sir, I'm not available right- … No, I'm not actively working on the investigation... Well, I'm sorry then, there's only so much we can do within the boundaries of protocol given our current leads...”<br/><br/>A frustrated sigh escaped his lips. “No, I am not mocking you sir... A... a report? There isn't anything to-... Sir, I said I am not avail- … Egh, alright sir, calm down. I'm coming.”<br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">From Sheva's mind link...<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">”Oh, what the bloody hell does he want now?... Of course I'm not working on the investigation, what can I do with him cockblocking me everywhere... Oh for heaven's sake! Blaming me for not doing anything when HE's the one taking control of MY investigation team!... Psh, mocking him? That's a new one... Erf, now he wants to hear about the progress we didn't make so he can chew me out again. Fine, time to get another earful...”</span></div></div></div><br/><br/>The loud clack when the fox thrust his earpiece back into place would likely be a good indication of his flustered demeanor, along with the long breaths he took before facing his guests. The cheerful look on his face had been replaced with a tired forced smile as he rubbed his temples between his fingers.<br/><br/>“It looks like my commander wishes to... discuss something with me,” he grumbled, closing his eyes slightly. “I'm afraid we'll have to part ways for now. Do call me or send me a visual message if you have questions about the investigation. I'll set you up with the Dawn Star on the way to my meeting, and I'll put it under your name, Mr. Ittsoro.” He smiled at the two before offering his paw to both one last time. “Thank you again for agreeing to help me out, you have no idea how much it is appreciated.”<br/><br/>He trotted to the elevator once again and pressed in his code to call it. “Just press the 'G' key to get to the ground level. Once you exit the station, just follow the ring to the left for a while. You can't miss it. You go on ahead, I'll need to clean up my office a bit.”<br/><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Back at the shuttle station...</span><br/><br/>Upon stepping out of the elevator, the first thing that would become clear would be the emptiness of the landing zone they had just stepped out of, the other passengers of their shuttle long haven descended to the lower decks and the other soldiers haven dispersed per Naya's instructions. In essence, there was nothing left to keep Kahmori and Sheva from entering Kiwara Station for real, and with a final knowing smile from the lingering attendants in the booth they were free to complete their arrival at last.<br/><br/>The first thing that would immediately become clear about the ring's structure would be its size, stretching four floors upwards and curving out of sight far into the distance. Although the structure was composed entirely out of the same steely-blue metal they had seen since their arrival, a multitude of neon shop signs, holographic billboards, and advertising screens added a spark of life to the otherwise drab interior. Rows of storefronts bordered each side of the wide ground pathway and the smaller walkways lining the sides on each floor, wide windows displaying the various goods they had to offer.<br/><br/>A short walk from the shuttle zone would quickly bring the kitsunes into the main flow of people wandering the floor, a wide assortment of individuals and groups mingling about and walking quickly to their next destinations. Most were dressed in casual, if plain, clothing, simple shirts, pants, and the occasional backpack hinting at their middling status. The stores themselves would reflect the same feeling, as a multitude of small grocers, butchers, and delis appeared around them rather than the restaurants and entertainment areas they might have expected. The overarching atmosphere would be that of busy bustling life, of normal folks doing what they could to live and survive within their circumstances.<br/><br/>It wouldn't be long before Kahmori and Sheva attracted some attention from a few passing individuals, their gazes drifting involuntarily to the two as they passed by. A good number of younger males found themselves eying the female kitsune despite their better judgment, awkward grins and shifty gazes quickly illustrating with parts of her beauty captured their attention. Many looked as if they wanted to chat up the attractive canine, share some flirts before asking for certain favors, but Kahmori's presence was more than enough to make them think twice. Beyond that, however, their arrival would cause a remarkably mild splash amongst the residents around them, most simply carrying on with their business after acknowledging the arrival of a few new faces.<br/><br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">(Now that you guys have settled into things, I'm going to introduce a new feature here to help you guys keep track of information that you pick up during your adventure. It'll be called the “Mission Logger”, and it'll contain any quests, leads, and other data for you guys to work with. I'll copy it into each post I put up so you won't have to go digging back through previous posts to find some data you're looking for. A brief explanation of the format I'll be using will follow here.)<br/><br/>&gt;&gt; <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #008000">A Newly Received/Updated Mission</span></span> - These are larger overarching plotlines that the party will pick up during their travels. Most of the time, these are standalone stories for you to pursue and represent a larger ultimate goal for you all to accomplish. Descriptions and known data related to the mission will go in this text field. Green text indicates newly-received or initiated missions and will represent things that were introduced within the last few posts, or missions with which the party has found new developments or data regarding it.<br/><br/>&gt;&gt; <span style="font-weight: bold">An Active Mission</span> - These are missions you have already received but are still active, meaning the overarching goal or objective they involve hasn't been achieved yet.<br/>--&gt;&gt; <span style="font-weight: bold">(I) A Sub-Mission</span> - Most missions will be made of a series of smaller missions indicating stages or side-missions the party can take during the pursuit of a main quest. These will typically lead from one into another, and the roman numerals will indicate which sub-missions follow which (II leads from I, III leads from II, etc.). Sub-missions with the same numeral index indicated choices or options the party can take, and sometimes they'll be able to explore both options while other times they'll have to take a single pick.<br/><br/>&gt;&gt; <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #0040FF">A Newly Completed Mission</span></span> - Any completed missions or sub-missions in the last post will be marked in blue. An explanation of what their completion entails will accompany their descriptions here.<br/><br/>&gt;&gt; <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #80BFFF">A Completed Mission</span></span> - A list of the missions you have finished will be appended to the bottom of the logger for reference. Sometimes new missions will involve information from older ones, so it'll be easier for you to check back here in such cases!<br/><br/>(Something I want to make clear is that these are NOT instructions for how the players are to go about things. This is merely here to keep track of the current information you have and the options presented to them. Players are encouraged to do missions at their own discretion and to feel free to devise their own ways to handle the situations. The mission logger is not meant to stifle creativity in the slightest, so do let me know if it has any effect as such!)<br/><br/><br/>Mission Logger:<br/><br/>&gt;&gt; <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #008000">Circles and Spirals</span></span> - A serial predator had been on the prowl in the upper rings of Kiwara station for the last three weeks, causing quite a panic amongst the residents in the area while the segment of the Alkarom Alliance stationed on the ship struggled to uncover the culprit. The investigation had thus far proved unfruitful, the predator doing a remarkably great job covering up his tracks and a frustrating lack of leads complicating things further. A Lieutenant and investigator of the Alliance, Naya Sunei, has enlisted the help of the party in exchange for a bounty the Alliance had put out. He is hopeful that their lack of military status will allow them to make more progress in the investigation than he and his team had thus far, believing they would be better able to work with the divided class structure present in the ship.<br/>--&gt;&gt; <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #008000">(I) Gone Missing</span></span> - Naya explained his only current lead in the investigation: a lower deck resident by the name Eric Ryas. Ryas worked as  gardener for the latest victim, a governor named Hather, and was noted in an anonymous tip as having conversed with an upper-deck resident before the incident. Although Naya doesn't think he's the predator himself, he suspects that he could have served as a conduit of information for the real killer and thus wished to talk to him. However, upon looking for him at his residency in the lower decks, one of his fellow investigators discovered he had disappeared, and none of the other residents on his block were willing to disclose information regarding it. Thus, Naya has asked the party to venture down there themselves in the hopes that non-military individuals will be more likely to elicit cooperation. He's given the party the green light to handle the situation at will, but he's requested that they return to him with any new information they could glean regarding the case.<br/>--&gt;&gt; <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #008000">(I) Welcome to Kiwara Station</span></span> - As part of their agreement for their services, Naya has opted to obtain a hotel room for the party as well as take on any expenses they would incur through the investigation. He has arranged a room for them at the Dawn Star hotel, placing the reservation under Kahmori's name. The hotel can be reached from the ground level of their current ring by heading to the left upon exiting the shuttle stop.</div></div></div>