Level: 5
Start: Sho Sein, Inn, Taungoo Station
Introduction
A woman sits in anger. The patrons seem to know something is awry with her; they speak behind cupped hands. Sho Sein, an employee on the Inn, watches her with concern before offering you an expression.
Sho Sein watches a woman who sits with a nervous faraway stare of anger. Her secretive attention on the woman indicates that there is more to the scene than simply a disgruntled customer. The woman raps her fingers with sizzling rage while other patrons speak behind cupped hands with glances in her direction. She seems to have an interesting tale to tell, and in her state, perhaps a few creds for the trouble of an ear.
New goals: Approach the woman who sits alone and is watched by Sho Sein. Offer to listen to her woes.
You have accepted the "Freedom for the Press" mission.
- Approach her and offer to listen.
Approach her and offer to listen
Me: Are you alright?
Shana Long says: Am I alright? You aren't from around here, are you?
- Explain that you're not from Taungoo Station.
Explain that you're not from Taungoo Station
Me: Just passing through. I'm a traveler.
Shana Long says: Ah, I see. That explains it. Everyone on Taungoo, including some visitors, seem to know what’s going on, yet neither you nor I do, so that’s at least a common ground of ignorance.
- Disengage and end involvement.
- Offer to assist.
Offer to assist
Me: You seem like you've been through it,…or are still going through it. Is there anything I can do to help?
Shana Long says: Probably not. You don't even know me, traveler. Why would I ask you for help?
- Charm her into a conversation.
Charm her into a conversation
Me: You didn't ask for my help, I offered.
Shana Long says: It's absurdity, really. Do you know who Zhou Long is?
- Ask about Zhou Long.
Ask about Zhou Long
Me: No, I don't think I know who that is.
Shana Long says: He's a journalist. Technically, he is the face of investigative journalism for the Consortium news feed. He focuses on expose pieces for the news and has been on the wrong side of his corporate bosses a few times. But he's popular with the people, so knows a liberty that few do. He's gone missing, it seems. He's my father-in-law. I'm Shana Long.
- Keep speaking with her.
Keep speaking with her
Me: Oh, I see. Father-in-law.
Shana Long says: These people… I’ve lived on Taungoo Station my whole life. Tai, my wife… her family is from Taungoo too. Something is going on here and all anyone does is whisper and avoid! Zhou was a native of Taungoo and decided to come home to do a story on the rumors that our prison is inhumane. I told him not to. I told him everything was fine!
- Ask for clarification.
Ask for clarification
Me: Zhou Long was investigating Taungoo Prison, and is now missing?
Shana Long says: Exactly so! Now my idiot wife, just as headstrong as her idiot father, tells me to wait for her here while she sorts out whatever it is that the Security office wants regarding his disappearance. So, I sit and wait, not knowing anything about anything!
- Approach with logic.
Approach with logic
Me: Well, being asked by Consortium Security to answer questions about a missing citizen isn't so unusual, is it? Especially in a case involving a high-profile missing person.
Shana Long says: It isn’t just answering questions! Zhou was asked to cease his investigation by Taungoo administration. They even reported him to Consortium Security to keep him away from the prison. Then he goes missing?
- Ask for clarification.
Ask for clarification
Me: Taungoo Administration filed to have Zhou Long's investigation stopped? Did Security ever talk to him? Why would a Consortium Security office agree to intervene in a news piece for Consortium news?
Shana Long says: Protocol. And now, he's missing and my wife is being questioned about his whereabouts. And all I can do is sit and wait and know the whispers and jeers behind my back, Infuriating.
- Urge her to go on.
- I've heard enough. I don't want to get involved with this.
Urge her to go on
Me: Quite the complicated mess. So, Consortium Security is looking for Zhou, and they think that your wife, Tai, is hiding him?
Shana Long says: That’s about the sum of the parts, yes. I asked her to not go… I wish I had gone with her, but worry I would complicate the whole thing.
- Try to intimidate Shana Long to get to the point.
- Quietly offer to continue listening.
Quietly offer to continue listening
Me: You seem so angry…I want to help, but don't know where to start.
Shana Long says: I am angry, Angry and worried. It's just all of this sitting and waiting. I don't like being made to feel that I must sit and wait quietly…especially when people I love are missing or in danger. There is a frustration in the powerlessness. I wish Tai hadn't gone to security…at least not on her own.
- Ask why she asked her wife to not go to Security.
Ask why she asked her wife to not go to Security
Me: Why? If they have questions about him, and think she might be hiding him, why shouldn't she go to clear her name? Your name too, from the sound of things.
Shana Long says: Two reasons. One is if Consortium doesn’t know where he is, then he’s probably the newest resident of the Taungoo Prison. Which means the thugs that work for Taungoo Administration, The Kyarr, have taken him. The second reason is Tai is a big mouth. I told you, she’s just like her father. I also told you that she’s an idiot. That was harsh. But I really am worried with how long I’ve been waiting for her here. I’m worried she got herself arrested for popping off at the Consortium officers.
- Inquire about the Kyarr.
Inquire about the Kyarr
Me: Taungoo Administration has a band of thugs working for them? How is this allowed right under Consortium’s nose?
Shana Long says: It isn’t so unusual that stations are managed by a native population, now is it? On paper, The Kyarr and Administrator keep the station calm and orderly. Under the surface though… No, I doubt Consortium can afford to peek behind the curtain.
- Ask if Zhou Long became a target of Kyarr.
Ask if Zhou Long became a target of Kyarr
Me: And you think that Zhou Long investigating Taungoo Prison got him targeted by the Kyarr?
Shana Long says: I know it did. Administration filed the initial complaint against Zhou. They asked Consortium to keep Zhou away from the prison. Now why would they do that?
- Ask if like they have something to hide.
Ask if like they have something to hide
Me: But, then… after bringing Consortium into it, they kidnap Zhou? Doesn’t it seem odd. Wouldn’t Consortium notice?
Shana Long says: Yes, and they have. I don’t think The Kyarr give a bushel of bolts whether or not Consortium notices. They grew tired of waiting for the lengthy bureaucratic process of Consortium diligence.
- Observe the danger in the conversation being overheard.
Observe the danger in the conversation being overheard
Me: Should we be discussing this in such a busy place?
Shana Long says: I'm as safe here as I am anywhere on my home station. If you want silence, you can leave,.
- Ask to hear more.
- Walk away from the whole ordeal.
Ask to hear more
Me: No, I suppose you’re right. I’m already invested by just stopping to listen. Can't unsay what's been said. Let's hear some more.
Shana Long says: That’s my feeling on it too. That feeling of being trapped in a situation that you truly do not wish to be in. The suffocating exhaustion is near unbearable. The not knowing is even worse. I hope Tai is alright…I should have gone with her. I know it’s asking a lot, but do you think you could go check on her for me? I promised I would wait…I’m so bad at waiting.
- Decline getting involved.
- Agree to help.
- Ask about danger.
Ask about danger
Me: I’d love to help, but you do understand the danger that sticking my neck out puts me in?
Shana Long says: I know it seems horribly dangerous, but if you think about it, the safest place on any station is supposed to be the Security building, right? I appreciate it more than you can know. I really am worried. The whole thing is just too odd. I’ll see that you get a little pay for your trouble.
New goals: Go to security office and see if anyone has seen Tai Long.
- Decline getting involved.
Go to Security and talk to Officer Lu
Next NPC: Officer Lu, Security, Taungoo Station
- Observe the exchange between the woman and officer.
Observe the exchange between the woman and officer
A woman is standing at the front desk of the crowded Consortium Security office in a one-sided heated exchange with an officer. She does not appear to be under arrest or detained in any way.
Tai Long says: But I don’t think you’re understanding what I’m saying. Am I using words that you’re not trained to comprehend? You’re accusing me of hiding my dad, Officer Lu! You’re wasting time that could be used to help him! You know that the Kyarr took him, yet here I am again answering the same questions as if I would finally say, oh, you know, you’re right, here he is…it certainly was worth getting on the watch list of Consortium and Taungoo Administration to hide my dad all this time!!
- Silently wait out the conflict between Tai Long and Officer Lu.
- Interject.
Silently wait out the conflict between Tai Long and Officer Lu
Officer Lu, although a professional, is clearly growing impatient with the intensity of Tai Long's temper.
Officer Lu says: Miss Long, I understand the frustration, but you have to understand that we’re doing the best we can do. Part of that is asking relatives when they last saw Mr. Long. If you were under arrest, you wouldn’t be yelling at me from over the front desk, I assure you.
- Inform the Consortium Officer that you do not care for his tone of voice.
- Politely interrupt.
Politely interrupt
Me: Uh, excuse me? Miss Long…Shana sent me to see if you’re alright. She’s concerned about the wait.
Tai Long is instantly suspicious as her rage mounts.
Tai Long says: My wife? Waiting for me? Well, this doesn’t sound suspiciously like a Kyarr abduction attempt, does it? You people took my dad…if you took my wife too …
With a groan, Officer Lu mumbles.
Officer Lu says: Miss Long…please. Please just calm down.
- Explain that you aren't with the Kyarr.
Explain that you aren't with the Kyarr
Me: No, what? I’m not …I’m not… I’m just a traveler. I met Shana at the pub. She’s worried about you!
Officer Lu says: Best to return to your family, Miss Long. Obviously your wife is worried if she's sending strangers to fetch you. We’ll send word if there is a break in the investigation.
- Confirm that you were sent to collect Tai Long.
Confirm that you were sent to collect Tai Long
Me: Shana sent me to check that you're okay, Tai. She's worried about how long you've been here and didn't feel safe in coming, herself.
She waves an exasperated hand in Officer Lu's direction while she speaks to you.
Tai Long says: Yeah, worried? Well she should be! These by-the-book morons think I’m hiding my dad! They need to look for him at the prison!
- Ask the officer about the investigation.
Ask the officer about the investigation
Me: Zhou Long was investigating Taungoo Prison. Wouldn't it make sense to look for him there?
He heaves a heavy sigh.
Officer Lu says: Of course, and we have. We sent for the prison population rolls and found neither sign nor trace of Zhou Long.
- Remark on the effort by security.
Remark on the effort by security
Me: It seems like they are doing all they can, Tai. Let’s get you back to Shana.
Officer Lu nods gratefully just as Tai Long raises her voice even more.
Tai Long says: Doing all they can? How many times do I have to tell you, Officer Lu?! The Taungoo Prison is home to several anonymous prisoners! This is exactly what my dad was investigating! They won’t be on the records! It takes more than just looking through the rolls!
A frustrated eye roll escapes Officer Lu.
- She's going to get herself arrested if she keeps on like this.
She's going to get herself arrested if she keeps on like this
Me: We really should go, Tai. Let's let the officers do their job.
Just before Tai Long can speak her protest, Officer Lu interrupts.
Officer Lu says: I agree. You should go. I told you we’ll update you with whatever we find. But know this, your dad has active charges against him by station administration. Just vanishing is not a great idea. If he doesn’t appear to address the complaint, we’ll be forced to list him as a fugitive.
- Ask about listing Zhou Long as a fugitive.
Ask about listing Zhou Long as a fugitive
Me: A fugitive? But he's missing, not hiding.
Officer Lu tiredly replies.
Officer Lu says: All who are hiding seem to be missing… Every angle is being investigated.
Tai Long says: Yeah. You’ve said. A hundred times. As if I could end this all by the sound of your threat. I don’t know where he is, Officer Lu, but I suspect he’s in that deathtrap prison. Zhou Long would never vanish from his family, or his life’s work. If you need anything further, it seems I’ll be at the inn with my wife.
New goals: Either part ways with the Longs or offer to meet them at the Inn.
- Conclude involvement in the case of Zhou Long.
- Offer to meet at The Broth Base and Seishu Pub
Offer to meet at The Broth Base and Seishu Pub
Me: I’ll meet up with you two at The Broth Base. Maybe there’s more I can do.
Tai Long says: I would appreciate that. There is something I’d like to ask of you, if you’re willing.
New goals: Meet up with Shana and Tai at the Broth Base.
Go to the Inn and talk to Tai Long
Next NPC: Tai Long, Inn, Taungoo Station
- Observe on the absence of Shana Long.
Observe on the absence of Shana Long
Me: Where is Shana, Tai? I expected you both to be here.
She scoots an empty glass across the table with listless fingers.
Tai Long says: You just missed her. She left. Annoyed. Again. This whole ordeal is wearing us both quite thin.
- That's understandable.
- That seems a bit heartless
That's understandable
Me: She was pretty on edge when we met. She’s worried about you getting involved in the Consortium investigation in a way that could get you arrested.
Tai Long lifts a shoulder and quietly mumbles.
Tai Long says: It’s been too long since we’ve heard from my father. Very unusual. She asked him to not pry, just like she’s asked me to not pry…She’s frustrated.
- Ask if anything can be done.
Ask if anything can be done
Me: About that, I don’t know if Consortium is going to clear his name if he stays missing. Is there anything I can do to help?
While rubbing her face, Tai Long reluctantly speaks.
Tai Long says: You’re asking to get involved in something that is dangerous. I mean, I thought that you were with Kyarr when I first saw you. I thought the Administration sent you to shut me up. Everywhere, hazards everywhere.
- State again that you are not with the Kyarr.
State again that you are not with the Kyarr
Me: You know I’m not with the Administration, now, right?
Tai Long sighs and surrenders words.
Tai Long says: Shana said she trusts you. I trust her. I just don’t know what more I can do. If you want to help, I have someone you could talk to. I’d go, but I feel like anytime I’m not in a building, I’m being watched. Maybe being watched now…Maybe they already know everything. If you want out, I’d understand.
New goals: To continue on or to quit?
- Offer to do more.
- Conclude involvement.
Offer to do more
Me: I’ve come too far to turn back now. How can I help?
Tai Long says: You’re a justice-minded soul. Thanks for that.
- Ask about the next step.
Ask about the next step
Me: Where do we go from here? I understand that you think the Administration took your dad and put him in the very prison he was investigating?
She nods.
Tai Long says: Only after Administration filed a complaint against him with Security. A complaint that is still open…so his disappearance is …it’s difficult for a number of reasons for my family.
- Ask about Consortium Security.
Ask about Consortium Security
Me: And Security? They think you’re hiding him?
Tai Long says: They do. And really, I get it. Who would file a complaint on someone just to snatch that someone before the law got a look at them? The Kyarr run this place and don’t play by the same rules that Consortium does. And Consortium really does play by those rules.
- Observe the alleged actions of Administration.
Observe the alleged actions of Administration
Me: Seems so… brazen. They must have thought Zhou Long would uncover something incriminating.
Tai Long shakes her head, then nods. Her anger is muted, but evident.
Tai Long says: They’re smart and impatient. They’re vicious. Part of me hopes he’s dead to save him from the trauma of the prison torture. But his clone is gestating at Anima Foundation…
- Zhou Long is alive.
Zhou Long is alive
Me: Clone still gestating? He's alive somewhere…
Tai Long rubs her eyes. She takes her time to respond.
Tai Long says: It’s the question of where that concerns me.
- Ask what about what can be done.
Ask what about what can be done
Me: We have to do something about this. What do you need of me?
Tai Long says: Short of barging into Administration and demanding answers, which I’ve considered and decided against, I have an idea. I have a contact that I know my dad used as an informant. He may know something and I risk too much to go seek him out myself if I’m going to be followed every time I’m out in the open.
- Ask about the Informant.
Ask about the Informant
Me: Where can I find this informant? Let's get some answers.
Tai Long says: You’re not going to like this, but he’s down in the ruins. You know that place is cursed, right? Haunted…
- I'm not going into the Taungoo Ruins. I'm done.
- Agree to travel to the ruins to seek out the informant.
Agree to travel to the ruins to seek out the informant
Me: I think saving a man’s life is worth a few scares. I’m not afraid of the local legends. I’ll do it. Who am I looking for?
She exhales with a small smile.
Tai Long says: Oh, you have no idea how relieved I am to hear this. Thank you. Really, thank you. The man was a prisoner of Taungoo and survived. His name is Sing Ti Cao and he wanders around the ruins, scavenging to survive.
- Ask how to identify him.
Ask how to identify him
Me: There must be a way I can recognize him?
Tai Long says: When you enter the zone, there is a large hollow bowl of metal on the left. To signal to Sing Ti Cao strike it with a piece of debris. You’ll keep bad spirits away with the bowl ring. You will not see him at all. He stays hidden.
- Remark about 'spirits.'
Remark about 'spirits.'
Me: Taungoo Station certainly has a way with folklore.
Tai Long says: Folklore, noodles, torture chamber prisons. Yeah, Taungoo has something for everyone. If you want leisure, go to Cirque Centauri. The only happy things here are things you can eat or the clones of those that make the food.
Nodding, Tai Long flips her hand with her words.
- Agree to find Sing Ti Cao.
Agree to find Sing Ti Cao
Me: I’m off to the ruins to find out what I can find out.
Tai Long says: Thank you so much. Good luck.
New goals: After speaking with Tai Long, you’ve learned of an informant, Sing Ti Cao, down in the ruins. Tai said that you've to strike a bowl shaped piece of metal found on the left past the ruins entrance.
Go to the Ruins and talk to Sing Ti Cao
Next NPC: Sing Ti Cao, Ruins, Taungoo Station
Me: Hello?
A voice says: Whoooo….
Finding not a living soul, you notice the bowl-shaped metal and pole. You take up the pole, but could turn around and leave, ending your assistance and involvement in the disappearance of Zhou Long.
- Strike the bowl-shaped metal and call out into the destruction and darkness again.
- Drop the pole and leave, ending mission.
Strike the bowl-shaped metal and call out into the destruction and darkness again
Me: Hello?
Sing Ti Cao says: You are not him.
- Examine the darkness for the source of the voice.
Examine the darkness for the source of the voice
Shadows obscure from the small hints of light that pierce that dingy place. Nothing seems to move, all is still.
Me: Him? Zhou. I’m not, no. I’m here about him. Are you Sing Ti Cao?
Sing Ti Cao says: You will not find me Kyarr. I won’t go back.
- Speak to the unseen voice.
Speak to the unseen voice
Me: I’m not Kyarr, Sing Ti Cao. Zhou’s daughter Tai is worried that Kyarr took him.
Sing Ti Cao says: Likely, they did.
- Ask for assistance.
Ask for assistance
Me: Because Taungoo Administration filed complaint, Consortium is also looking for him. They think she’s hiding him. Can you help?
Sing Ti Cao says: Unlikely.
- Leave Sing Ti Cao and go to the prison.
- Aggressively demand Sing Ti Cao's assistance.
- Explain your desire to help the Long family.
Explain your desire to help the Long family
Me: This whole thing, the Consortium investigation, the Administration Kyarr, Taungoo Prison it all seems really bad.
Sing Ti Long, still obscured by darkness, quietly remarks.
Sing Ti Long says: It is really bad. Astute.
- Ask for his help.
Ask for his help
Me: So, can you give me any assistance?
Sing Ti Cao draws in a slow breath.
Sing Ti Cao says: Doubtful.
- Try to pull out more information from Sing To Cao.
Try to pull out more information from Sing To Cao
Me: Doubtful? So you’ll give me nothing to help Zhou Long? Wasn’t he trying to help you?
A chuckle melts into a slight guffaw.
Sing Ti Cao says: Forgive the laugh, but he was trying to help himself.
- Ask for him to clarify.
Ask for him to clarify
Me: How was he trying to help himself? He came down here to speak with you. He was obviously interested in what you had gone through.
Sing Ti Cao says: And yet, not what I go through. Yes, this is so, he wanted to know about how I survived Taungoo Prison. He wanted to know about how Administration uses Kyarr as a weapon again the Taungoo people… how all this comes and goes under the over-stretched nose of Consortium. He wanted to have the gore in the details, the story of the hardship of the waiting in the dark, on ice-cold floors. The bony bodies huddled onto bony bodies marinating like little Taungoo noodles in a broth of intermingled human waste. The opening and closing of skin for the amusement of guards to place bets on infection. Zhou Long wanted my words for himself…for his own prestige and glory.
- Reply to the claim.
Reply to the claim
Me: You think he’s making a story of your experience, then?
Sing Ti Cao says: I do. And when all I asked in return was safe passage to charter an emergency vessel to Tau Station, …he laughed, and told me to wait until his story was done. I dare not walk Taungoo alone. I was in there and released, yet …if they find me again… they need little reason to leave me be.
- Ask for clarification.
Ask for clarification
Me: He won your trust, you trusted him and …Told him all of that and he …he said wait?
Sing Ti Cao says: He said wait.
New goals: Try to persuade him by offering to help, rationalize with him, or to try to intimidate him.
- Rationalize a reason for him to offer help.
- Offer to help him.
- Aggressively insist that he's just a criminal.
Rationalize a reason for him to offer help
Sing Ti Cao says: You must have mistaken me for a kind man, traveler. A good man with an upright sense of justice and virtue? I only agreed to help the journalist once he agreed to help me. He broke his word by deferring it into the impossible. The conditions in the Prison are worse than you or he could ever imagine. I did not survive on kindness, alone.
- Rationalize a reason for him to offer help.
- Offer to help him.
- Aggressively insist that he's just a criminal.
Offer to help him
Me: Give me some assistance and I’ll get you out of here.
Sing Ti Cao says: And I should trust you, why?
- Point out your patience.
Point out your patience
Me: I’m not Zhou Long, Sing. I’m not here for the same reasons. I just happened to meet a woman who needed help and agreed to help. Now, I’ve met you…and I want to help you too. If by helping you, I’m helping her, then that’s a good day’s work, I think.
Sing Ti Cao says: When and how would this assistance transpire?
- Plainly promise assistance.
Plainly promise assistance
Me: Tell me how to find Zhou Long, Sing. I’ll go straight to Consortium Security from here and ask the officer who is looking for Zhou to escort you to the emergency shuttles.
Sing Ti Cao says: Why do you think Consortium won’t just hand me to Kyarr? This is Taungoo Station.
- Explain the fact that Consortium isn't Kyarr.
Explain the fact that Consortium isn't Kyarr
Me: Because you said you served your time and survived. If you aren’t part of any active investigations… then you’re a stranded Consortium citizen. They will want to help you, Zhou. They can protect you and get you off-station.
Sing Ti Cao says: … … And you would send a Consortium officer here, to me, right away?
- Insist on finding Zhou Long first.
- Agree to fetch a Consortium officer.
Middle 1
Insist on finding Zhou Long first
Me: Not right away. I have to find Zhou Long, first.
Sing Ti Cao says: We have no deal, ser. These words and promises are hollow. You may well never find him. And really, offering me a life only after you get your way is not a true offer at all, is it? Take, take, take, …maybe give later. You speak like Zhou. We have nothing to trade one-another, so I wish you luck and give my goodbye.
New goals: Either return to Tai Long at The Broth Base and Seishu Inn with the news about the informant or go to Taungoo Prison in search of answers. If I go to Taungoo Prison, I better have some credit, just in case.
Middle 2
Agree to fetch a Consortium officer
Me: Right away. You have my word.
There is a slight delay to the response of Sing Ti Cao, but when he finally speaks, he speaks with relieved gratitude.
Sing Ti Cao says: … … … He is most certainly in Taungoo Prison.
- Confirm.
Confirm
Me: That much was assumed, Sing. Is there any way to make that known? To get him out?
Sing Ti Cao says: You may have a chance at it, as you’re a stranger to Taungoo. Sneaking in for a rescue is out of the question, the guards are everywhere. But the guards are Kyarr, not the most …ethical. You may be able to threaten or bribe for his release. Their main concern is keeping him quiet. So …any hint that he would publicize his trauma, which, I’m certain he will, will keep him locked away.
- Respond with a plan.
Respond with a plan
Me: Alright, I’ll need to talk him out, then. It will take either threats or bribery.
Sing Ti Cao says: I want you to understand that it will not be easy. You are likely to fail at this. Whatever Kyarr you speak with will know that he or she will have to answer for the missing prisoner. If you push too hard, you may well end up with him.
- Confirm, then make good on the promise of getting security.
Confirm, then make good on the promise of getting security
Me: Thank you Sing Ti Cao. I’ll go to security right away. You understand that they will have to see you to escort you? Don’t hide from them when they come.
Sing Ti Cao says: Send them before the monsters come.
New goals: Return to Consortium Security and explain to Officer Lu that if he helps Sing Ti Cao in the ruins, you have a chance at producing Zhou Long.
Go to the Security and talk to Officer Lu
Next NPC: Officer Lu, Security, Taungoo Station
- Wave down Officer Lu.
Wave down Officer Lu
Me: Excuse me, Officer?
Officer Lu notices you out of the corner of his downcast and busy eyes; he sighs.
Officer Lu says: You again? You came to get Miss Long out of here, earlier? That worked well. What do you want?
- Give information about Zhou Long.
Give information about Zhou Long
Me: Yeah, that’s why I’m here. I might know where her dad is, but I need your help before I check up on the info.
Officer Lu says: Check up on the info? Is that how you think this works? No, ser… You should turn over any information you have and let the professionals do their job. Things are convoluted enough without free-lancers mucking up the works.
- Appeal to Officer Lu.
Appeal to Officer Lu
Me: I got information from someone in need of help. He’s stranded down in the ruins.
Officer Lu says: Stranded?
- Continue explaining the plan and needs.
Continue explaining the plan and needs
Me: Yeah, he is certain that Zhou Long is in the Prison…He is afraid.
Officer Lu says: …Oh, here we go…
- Explain what Sing Ti Cao is dealing with.
Explain what Sing Ti Cao is dealing with
Me: He was once incarcerated, but did his time and is now afraid to roam anywhere where Kyarr may be.
Officer Lu has come around to listening with interest.
Officer Lu says: Damn Kyarr…And this guy served his sentence?
- Confirm.
Confirm
Me: Yes! Served and survived. He just wants safe transport off-station to Tau Station.
Officer Lu says: … … …Okay, fine. No one should be terrorized into living in the ruins. What’s his name, where can I find him.
Officer Lu's demeanor softens with a nod.
- Tell Officer Lu how to find Sing Ti Cao.
Tell Officer Lu how to find Sing Ti Cao
Me: Sing Ti Cao, …there’s a bowl shaped piece of metal on the left… you have to bang on it with a pole. I left the pole sitting nearby.
Officer Lu's eyes widen. He takes a single step back.
Officer Lu says: Sing Ti Cao?! Seriously?…Do you know who that is? He was the last Taungoo Administrator. He vanished a long while back and his clone was ordered for destruction in the Anima lab before it had a chance to wake. Everyone assumed he fled the station. He’s in the ruins?!
- Confirm that Sing Ti Cao is in hiding.
Confirm that Sing Ti Cao is in hiding
Me: Yeah, hiding from the Kyarr. He was in Taungoo Prison, Officer Lu.
Officer Lu says: …Not in the database, he wasn’t. Hmm. Alright. Thanks for your help. I’ll get him myself.
New goals: Either go to the prison to continue or return to The Broth Base to conclude. There may be more to this story, but is it worth the obvious risk?
End 1
Go to the Brig and talk to Kevi Nyo
Next NPC: Kevi Nyo, Brig, Taungoo Station
- Wait until the front guard is alone and then approach him.
Wait until the front guard is alone and then approach him
The Prison gives all the outward appearance of an average prison, save the unprofessional guard hooligans that strut about with an air of deviance. A small group of Kyarr congregate and loudly laugh boasts to each other. Slowly, most dissipate, leaving one man alone at the gate.
Me: Excuse me, are you a guard?
Kevi Nyo: I am today. What's it to you?
- Ask about arranging a prisoner's release.
Ask about arranging a prisoner's release
Me: I know someone in there, in the prison, and I was told to speak with a guard about payment for early release.
He yawns before replying.
Kevi Nyo says: Do you really? Who told you to talk to a guard?
New goals: Try to offer him a bribe while cleverly lying, try to threaten him with mention of Consortium Security, or try to appeal to him with rational truth.
- Offer the guard a bribe and a lie.
- I'm here because Zhou Long's family is worried.
- Threaten to get Consortium Security involved.
I'm here because Zhou Long's family is worried
Me: Zhou Long has gone missing. His family is worried, and Consortium is looking for him. I think he may be in prison.
Kevi Nyo: Worried? Oh, no! Really? His family is worried? Oh, hold my gun, I’ll go run and get him right away!!
- Frown at his laughter.
Frown at his laughter
Me: It's a pretty serious issue, actually.
Kevi Nyo says: Not to me it isn’t. Get lost. What enemy of yours told you to come bother a guard with this?
New goals: This doesn't seem to be working. I could try to bribe him while lying (Intelligence), or Threaten him with exposure to Consortium (Strength).
- Offer the guard a bribe and a lie.
- Threaten to get Consortium Security involved.
Threaten to get Consortium Security involved
Me: Consortium Officer Lu from Security told me to find a guard…
Kevi Nyo says: Little Lu? We grew up together. His ma makes the best dim sum. The array is incredible. Her noodles are some of the best…
- Officer Lu…
Officer Lu
Me: He seems like a good man on the right side of this.
Kevi Nyo says : He’s a nothing. He’s a Consortium nothing. He turned his back on his people when he signed up for the badge.
- Officer Lu is not a nothing.
Officer Lu is not a nothing
Me: He’s the guy that knows to come looking for Zhou Long here. He’s building his case and will come with the full force of Consortium to figure out what’s going on. Do you know how much Zhou Long strengthens Consortium financial status? Do you think they’ll just let him rot somewhere?
Kevi Nyo says: While I’m a big fan of the moral of the story here, I can’t find a way to give you what you want. Maybe he’s not here, right? Maybe he is and those cams all around us are feeding images back to Administration. What do you want me to do?
- Here's an idea.
Here's an idea
Me: Call to your bosses and tell them I’m here and why. Tell them I’m trying to help keep Consortium from digging through the trash. They want Zhou Long. They won’t stop till they find him. Let me pay for his release. Then, you have 100 extra cred, we never had this talk, Zhou was never here.
Kevi Nyo says: Wow! 100 whole extra cred? Wherever would I spend such a boon?
- Quietly listen as the guard calls Taungoo Administration.
Quietly listen as the guard calls Taungoo Administration
Me: … … … …go on, I'll wait.
Kevi Nyo groans, but is keen enough to get rid of you that he dials a contact in his CORETECHS.
Kevi Nyo says: …I need to talk to the boss. …Hi, boss. I have a situation with the newsy. …uhhuh…yes ma’am.. He does have a clone? No, so we can’t… right. Yeah, Consortium. …okay.
- Wait until the guard disconnects from his call, then ask.
Wait until the guard disconnects from his call, then ask
Me: …Well?
His words are matter-of-fact and terse.
Kevi Nyo says: She said you can leave or die.
- Question the threat.
Question the threat
Me: That's an awfully violent threat from a prison guard.
Kevi Nyo says: Not a threat. An order.
New goals: If I attack him, I doubt I could win. Those that guard the prison have me badly outnumbered. Return to The Broth Base or Initiate Combat.
- Attack the guard.
Attack the guard
You wake in Moemedi Clinic to the report of having been badly beaten. There are no signs of any of the Long Family on Taungoo Station. Officer Lu suspects they’ve fled; fleeing would be better than if Kyarr found them.
You were transmitted to the sickbay, <name>
You have completed the "Freedom for the Press" mission.
End 2
Go to the Inn and talk to Sho Sein
Next NPC: Sho Sein, Inn, Taungoo Station
- Ask the bartender if she’s seen either woman.
Ask the bartender if she’s seen either woman
After looking around the busy Inn lobby, it is evident that neither Shana nor Tai Long are present. Sho Sein, the woman wiping down the drink bar, makes intentional eye contact and nods in your direction.
Me: Excuse me, I was asked, by Shana Long to do a favor for her wife. Have you seen either of them lately?
Sho Sein says: Shana is my cousin, you know. That’s why she hung around here. She felt safe with all of the stuff going on with Tai’s family. I saw you chatting with her…then with Tai.
- Ask about Shana Long.
Ask about Shana Long
Me: Do you know where she is? Are you expecting them back at a particular time?
Sho Sein kneeds the cleaning rag and twists it while speaking.
Sho Sein says: I don’t know what to tell you, ser. They’ve vanished. Sound familiar? Consortium officers came around thinking they ducked into whatever black-hole they were accused of hiding Zhou in. Said they’re on the run now.
- Ask about why they would be on the run.
Ask about why they would be on the run
Me: …That doesn’t sound right. They wanted to find Zhou Long, clear his name…
Sho Sein says: Don’t I know it. Sad truth is, they three probably really are in a black hole: that prison. I suppose Shana offered to pay you?
- Confirm payment.
- Decline payment.
Decline payment
Me: I didn’t do anything to win any pay.
Sho Sein says: That’s kind of you, but …you did stick your neck out. Just take this and be safe of your travels. It’s just one of those things: the deck was stacked against a happy ending from the start.
You have received 7.00 credits.
You have received 1 'HoS Leather Jacket'.
You have completed the "Freedom for the Press" mission.