Chapter Eight: Breakfast on the Queen

[The Bindoner]

Run.

Nālani decides speed is of the essence. Get to the police or hotel as fast as possible and either find help or escape danger. We are outgunned, outnumbered, and out of time. She is used to avoiding observation and interception, hopefully those habits will be useful.

Streetwise: [_2d6]=(4+2)=6 +2 Skill (+2 Int?)

[BackworldTraveller]

Moving along quickly, the three reach the road. Miya seems surprisingly buoyant after her brush with the death, Dodging between cars, they cross between the shape of the retreating police cart - which is pulling up by where the crowd has formed about the stunned body left by Miya - and another just arriving from the plaza. Behind them, three figures can be seen appearing from the ruined stairwell. Moving quickly, you head up the side-alley opposite your crossing point. You can see fire-exits, but they appear to be closed. But there is one with a light. Staff entrance?

It is! There is a small porch into which the three of you fit, with nervous glances behind you, but the door is opened when you ring and (although they are unhappy to let guests in this way) they do admit you. You are escorted to the lift. Heading upstairs, you get to your room uneventfully and tumble through the door.

Miya goes straight to the phone and orders three bottles of Apo from room service, then carefully strips off her top. The fabric is no longer soft which makes it hard to remove. And it quite clearly has a hole in near the left shoulder. Her back is bruised, and her shoulder bleeding from a graze.

I thought I'd pee myself when that cannon opened up and there's me only armed with a stun-stick! And that top is ruined. It was bloody expensive, but worth every penny, it seems.

She tries to look at her shoulder, but can't.

That is starting to sting.

[The Bindoner]

Nālani gets up from reassuring Hoshiko that the strangers in the room are friends and fetches paracetamol and a sterile wipe from her toiletries bag. Inspecting Miya's shoulder she comments I am a pilot, not a ship's doctor. Do not expect much.

I owe you my life I think. Thank you. And whoever tasked you with doing so. May I know who that is? It is hard to repay a debt without knowing who the creditor is.

[BackworldTraveller]

I work for Ankokudzura (A friend to Assana), although the chance to poke the Cavalheiros in the eye was enjoyable as always. I wasn't expecting them to be carrying an armoury. I hope you have lost their comms and gun - you won't want to be found with those.

Bhekumbuso works for me. Helps out.

Bhekumbuso, despite the gruff exterior, seems taken with Hoshiko, and merely grunts in response to his name. n.b. Bhekumbuso's coat (which he has not removed) looks like it has something long and heavy in the right pocket...perhaps 12-guage.


Ankokudzura keeps an eye on the Cavalheiros because they have a grudge against independents, and have tried to undermine his business several times. And he has an interest in Assana as she is just brilliant - He rates her as the best up and coming talent on this rock - and clean so far too. And as you seem to the best hope of keeping her out of the clutches of the Establishment, he now has an interest in you too. I'm sure he will be happy to acknowledge your debt - don't worry, he wont get you to do anything you wouldn't already do. Mostly.

She pauses while the drinks are delivered by Room-Service (checking who is outside before opening the door)

So anyway, what did you do to have the Cavalheiros hunting you like an animal? I mean they had three teams on your tail. That's serious effort for a bunch of lazy money-grabbers. And what's so important that you had to come back here?

With that she takes the first bottle of Apo into the shower, takes a big swig, and uses the rest of it to sterilise the shoulder wound; The then takes the glasses from the fresher and pours two glasses from the second bottle - she offers you one. Bhekumbuso settles in so he can watch the door.

We're supposed to keep an eye on you until morning. We can do that from outside if you want, but in here will be less conspicuous. I don't think anything will happen unless you go walking. This place has been turned over too much and the security is going to make access by another team difficult.

Miya definitely looks like she has no wish to move

And if you are heading back to the ship, that long, almost empty corridor really makes getting near tricky and getting away trickier, but watching is all to easy.

[The Bindoner]

I work for Ankokudzura (A friend to Assana), although the chance to poke the Cavalheiros in the eye was enjoyable as always. I wasn't expecting them to be carrying an armoury. I hope you have lost their comms and gun - you won't want to be found with those.

Nālani has not yet "lost" them, she intends to forensically clean them to remove her DNA before dumping them in a public bin.

Bhekumbuso, despite the gruff exterior, seems taken with Hoshiko, and merely grunts in response to his name.

Nālani is happy that Hoshiko has a new friend.

Ankokudzura keeps an eye on the Cavalheiros because they have a grudge against independents, and have tried to undermine his business several times. And he has an interest in Assana as she is just brilliant - He rates her as the And what's so important that you had to come back here?best up and coming talent on this rock - and clean so far too. And as you seem to the best hope of keeping her out of the clutches of the Establishment, he now has an interest in you too. I'm sure he will be happy to acknowledge your debt - don't worry, he wont get you to do anything you wouldn't already do. Mostly.

She pauses while the drinks are delivered by Room-Service (checking who is outside before opening the door)

So anyway, what did you do to have the Cavalheiros hunting you like an animal? I mean they had three teams on your tail. That's serious effort for a bunch of lazy money-grabbers.

Ankokudzura. Well, I am glad Assana has more friends than I to look over her.

The Cavalheiros are being paid, and they are unlikely to be the only ones looking for me. All the old crew of my ship are on a list. I don't know why. Possibly because we can identify someone.

And what's so important that you had to come back here?

Nālani looks wide-eyed at Miya and gestures to where the cat and Bhekumbuso are: Hoshiko of course.

Also, my tools are here. They are not the sort one can buy. My wardrobe too. Some of those pieces you cannot find anymore. she looks around My life is here. Fortunately most of it is packed.

I have to take all this to the Queen. Do you know a reliable transport service?

With that she takes the first bottle of Apo into the shower, takes a big swig, and uses the rest of it to sterilise the shoulder wound; The then takes the glasses from the fresher and pours two glasses from the second bottle - she offers you one. Bhekumbuso settles in so he can watch the door.

We're supposed to keep an eye on you until morning. We can do that from outside if you want, but in here will be less conspicuous. I don't think anything will happen unless you go walking. This place has been turned over too much and the security is going to make access by another team difficult.

Miya definitely looks like she has no wish to move

And if you are heading back to the ship, that long, almost empty corridor really makes getting near tricky and getting away trickier, but watching is all to easy.

Nālani produces a tumbler of her own from her Autobar and happily accepts a drink.I am not moving until dawn, I must finish packing and then I need sleep. You are most welcome to stay.

[The Bindoner]

As she packs Nālani chats to Miya and her friend, and drinks along with them. If more is needed she orders from room service.

One line of enquiry she opens is Do you know anything about the Blue Monkey and the people who work there? Not the, ah, "entertainers". The casino side.

[BackworldTraveller]

Blue Monkey - Nepenthe Club. The Casino Side - not really. Been there as a bodyguard once. How about you Bheku?

He looks at Miya scathingly

Joanne works there. Are you mad?

Miya grimaces

Ah - Joanne. She'll know all about the place, but she won't tell. And getting to her wouldn't be easy.