At the Defence Ministry

[NorthernTraveller]

Ok, let's call departure 48 hours after we load stores and have everything ready to go. We can have some time in town and rest a bit before setting off

[BackworldTraveller]

Emmylou
Emmylou splutters slightly into her drink and looks at Hagan. Ermmm...

[AndyS_66]

Hagan

I’m sorry Captain Drake but the Dog-Tag is currently laid up for the next two weeks for repairs. I also have a family commitment that I can’t get out of. How about I check with the ship yard and my wife and we can firm up a launch date?

[NorthernTraveller]

Ok, we can find a way to amuse ourselves until then. Let's check back in 10 days to confirm a new departure time.

[BackworldTraveller]

Emmylou - How about a party - Your ship and ours? I know a good club and I'm sure we could get the balcony if we book shortly.

She looks at the two captains

We could meet at 8pm. I can't do earlier as I'm meeting the Angels for tea this afternoon. And I can use my Grav Bike - That always makes an entrance!

[NorthernTraveller]

Drake is skeptical, but on the other hand, there are more ways to gather information than patient observation...

Sounds outrageous, count me in!

Now, what to wear?

[BackworldTraveller]

Emmylou
She looks imploringly at Hagan.
Do you think Nyla would come? I can't see the crew declining.

[AndyS_66]

Hagan

Tell you what, why don’t I give Corbus first refusal? I have no idea what he gets up to these days and it might be good for a little father son bonding. It might be his only chance at a bachelor party; even with the Old Man around. I know that Otto and Gil will see he has a good time.

[BackworldTraveller]

Emmylou contacts the proposed venue - confirms the booking and then begs off saying she needs to head back to pick up her bike and prepare for her tea-party with the Fallen Angels!

As she leaves, she passes the security guard commander in charge of protecting John's ship. He knocks, and on being granted entry announces that he's wanting to update the two captains regarding the security situation.

It seems that while you were away, the security teams have apprehended three more special action groups from the Aegzagangnthoegngvang and that the survivors have suggested that there were 8 teams active. The leader, Asoks Anorvogh, is still at large and said to be living in Den Town or Howlands. He is thought to have three of the original teams left - maybe now just nine or ten individuals. He may have local recruits, but they will be relatively poorly trained. He is no longer thought to have heavy artillery to deploy, or even large quantities of demolitions, but that isn't to say that improvisation isn't possible. So, Be Careful.

And the security service has provided teams to keep watch on the Dransfield household and works.

[AndyS_66]

Hagan will call Corbus and ask if he would like to attend the party. He will also inform the security guard commander of their plans so that his teams can be briefed.

[NorthernTraveller]

Drake will pass on the latest security information to Asokoezka.

[BackworldTraveller]

Hagan will call Corbus and ask if he would like to attend the party. He will also inform the security guard commander of their plans so that his teams can be briefed.

Corbus is curious
I wonder whether your crews will mingle so well with me there. Or do you need someone to divert attention from you and fill in on small-talk?

[AndyS_66]

Hagan

I had not thought in those terms. I just wanted to take the opportunity to spend a bit of time with you whilst I’m on planet. I’m sure that the crews will mingle and I’m looking forward to meeting them. I thought that you might like the opportunity too. It’s all up to you.

[BackworldTraveller]

Corbus
That's fine - Happy to drain your credit on booze at any time.

The Makhangan's Crew
The news of a Party is an excuse for the crew to get new clothes and make up and shoes and Asokoezka mentions something about "a bit of a clip and style". Any objection to heading into town?

Security Officer
After all the conversations, the Lieutenant mentions that the security team have a Droyne in the guard house. Talking to John he says: "He claims to have a message for you alone - Would you know anything about that?"

[NorthernTraveller]

I am happy for the crew to have a bit of fun.

As for my Droyne friend, I will say that we ran into some Droyne when we crashed and I wiould be happy to see him now if he is available....

[BackworldTraveller]

The Security Team escort a Droyne towards the ship and ask to be called when the creature wishes to leave.

The Droyne introduces itself as "Watcher for the Last, at your service" saying that his Droyne name never sounds correct when pronounced by Humans, and Vargr just don't get the esses right.

However, he addresses John, apparently unabashed by the presence of others

You may recall the day that you first met the members of our Dreskay. At the time we sought to confirm the correctness of our path through our Coyns. We are rapidly approaching another juncture in our destiny - our final one - and we have been thwarted. Our Coyns have gone. This outrage was reported to your seekers for misplaced things and we have been informed that the loss has been registered and "should they turn up, we will let you know". I don't think they understand the outrage felt by the Dreskay and the consequences of our intervening in the search directly. Thus we seek your aid - to avoid any incidental miss-understanding.

He looks at the group in the background

This outrage cannot last for long - for our task is almost at hand and we will have our vision restored even if we have to recover our Coyns from the ruins of this city.

[NorthernTraveller]

I reply to the Droyne:

We shall remain here for two weeks before departing on a mission that could take many weeks. I will render any assistance I can before we depart. Please send me any information you have that can assist me.


Drake starts to think up a story to explain this exchange to the others. He hopes his crew wil pick up on this and play along, or at least say nothing that requires more explaining...

[BackworldTraveller]

Watcher for the Last
The Droyne looks agitated - or at least the shifting from one foot to the other might be interpreted that way were it Human

We are unable to provide much information. Whoever removed the coyns did so without being seen and without our searchers finding any trace beyond the box having been cut with a plasma torch!

Such a game cannot have been played by anyone who knew nothing. And those who know something are not from here.

[NorthernTraveller]

Time to take this meeting behind closed doors.

That is not much to go on. Were there no witnesses? A plasma torch is not very subtle!

[BackworldTraveller]

The noise and flare should have given the break-in away

The members of the Dreskay in the building should have given the break-in away

The trackers should have found tracks

Nothing - This baffles us.

The Seneschal should protect our heritage

Nothing - This also baffles us.

Any help we can give we shall, but how shall we watch for the last if we cannot see?