Tensions run high as the Invent FEST celebration of 'booter culture approaches. Can you pacify two squabbling participants?
Level: 12
Start: Pharaoh Byzantium, Bar, Sirius Jump Gate
Introduction
The murmur of the Sore Noggin is sharper than usual as arguing voices shriek over the background din. Two particularly odd-looking characters seem to be mid-dispute.
Pharaoh shouts: It's MY name! OK. Mine! Come up with your own moniker you void head!
A tequila - cup included - sails across the room by way of response, clattering off the wall. You wipe the liquid spray off your nose as the drink's thrower storms off through the crowd back towards the Noggin's exit. Her departure marks the end of the scene. The usual murmur returns as onlookers resume their conversations.
A flat disc-shaped cleaner bot shoots from its charging bay to mop up the spilled liquid. Pharaoh slumps back into his seat, seemingly still shaken from the clash.
You have accepted the "Invent FEST" mission.
- Approach Pharaoh.
- Leave him to his troubles.
Leave:
You observe the dejected figure for a few units more as he slouches on his bar stool, then continue on your way.
You have failed the "Invent FEST" mission. You can retake this mission and try again.
Approach:
Me: Hi there. Are you OK? I couldn't help but notice that blazing row you were having…
Pharaoh smiles wryly, gulping down a glug of his drink as he motions at the empty stool next to him.
Pharaoh says: Yeah I bet. Screaming maniacs and flying drinks always turns heads… Even in the Noggin.
He adds: When nomenclature is at stake, 'booters are a passionate bunch…
- Ask Pharaoh about 'nomenclature'.
- Ask Pharaoh about the dispute.
Nomenclature:
Me: Nomenclature? What is that?
Pharaoh says: Fancy-talk for a name. Appellation. Epithet. Handle…
Pharaoh says: Whatever you call it, that's the source of our little scene just now… Yep. That was a sobriquet squabble you just witnessed. That vac-brain that just stropped outta here insists on going by the same cognomen as yours truly here. Only hers has a few zeros and ones in it, instead of the vowels. And, get this: she wants ME to change MINE! Can you believe that? I'm the original Pharaoh Byzantium!
Dispute:
Me: Is that what caused the fight? Something about names?
Pharaoh cocks his index finger at you and winks.
Pharaoh says: Spot on, friend. A sobriquet squabble is what you just witnessed. That vac-brain that just stropped outta here insists on going by the same cognomen as yours truly here. Only hers has a few zeros and ones in it, instead of the vowels. And, get this: she wants ME to change MINE! Can you believe that? I'm the original Pharaoh Byzantium!
Either choice continues:
- Ask about 'booter names.
- Ask Pharaoh more about his name.
'Booter names:
Me: What can you tell me about 'booter names? They're different to what Consortium citizens tend to use.
Pharaoh says: That's the point! It's all about fresh perspectives here. Take what you see and make something new. Creativity. Independent thought, that's how WE do it… Not like in Sol, haha! No offence meant. They're all called 'Cosmo' over there, same blue jumpsuit, talk the same, walk the same… Eurgh! Whole thing reminds me of one giant clone vat!
Pharaoh smiles, clearly enjoying a discussion about a topic he has strong feelings on.
Pharaoh says: Forging the new is what we do here… Although some don't embrace the whole 'original thinking' concept as much as they should…
- Ask Pharaoh more about his name.
Me: Your name is interesting. Did you choose it?
Pharaoh says: Sure did. My parents raised me as 'Scamper', cos… well, you can prob work that one out yerself. Then, like most 'booters, I picked my own once I knew what I wanted.
Pharaoh chatters away between gulps from his drink.
Pharaoh says: See a Pharaoh was some sorta non-human animal, in the Before… Like waaaay before. Earth-before. An octoped, 12 meters tall. Hundreds of teeth, AND infra-red vision… Pretty cool. And Byzantium is a word I invented. Totally original syllables, understand? Literally no humans' mouth had formed that sound til I coined it.
- Query Pharaoh's claims about these words.
- Ask about the other 'Pharaoh'.
Query claims:
Me: Are you sure about this? It sounds strange…
Pharaoh nods confidently.
Pharaoh says: Oh yah. Trust me. I searched the Mesh a LOT. I'm pretty sure.
- Ask about the other 'Pharaoh'.
You vaguely gesture towards the puddle of tequila on the floor, being noisily slurped up by the cleaner bot's suction nozzle.
Me: The tequila-thrower is also called 'Pharaoh'?
Pharaoh says: Well. Technically she's Ph-four-ra-zero Byzant-one-um. Ph4ra0h Byzant1um. It's obvious the numbers are only there to get around the CORETECHS' duplication-checker… Pathetic right?
He adds: She's been hassling me 'bout it for a while. But it's worse now with Invent FEST coming up. Reckons she could win a prize for 'original thinking' or some such… If she gets me to change my name, that is. Which I won't. Obviously. She's the one who should change…
- Ask about Invent FEST.
- Offer to help persuade Ph4ra0h to change her name.
- Bid Pharaoh good luck with his dispute and depart.
Invent FEST:
Me: What's invent fest?
Pharaoh says: You've never-? Oh stars, you're in for a treat. It's a cyclical festival of 'booter culture. Right here on Sirius Jay-Gee. It's coming up in a few days. Peeps come from Congo and Heinlein mostly. There's tons of cool stuff. Seriously inspirational. We celebrate all the innovators pushing 'booter philosophy to the next level… Some parties too, of course. Hehe…
- Offer to help persuade Ph4ra0h to change her name.
- Bid Pharaoh good luck with his dispute and depart.
Depart:
Me: Nice chatting with you. I hope you and this Ph4ra0h manage to resolve the matter amicably. Bye.
Pharaoh says: Thanks for the company, friend. So long.
You have failed the "Invent FEST" mission. You can retake this mission and try again.
Help:
Me: I could talk to Ph4ra0h for you if you like? Try to persuade her to change her name?
Pharaoh says: Be my guest, friend. I gave up trying yonks ago… She's got strong feelings, as you saw. But I'd owe you mightily if you succeed. Despite what you may hear, we don't actually enjoy a scrap. I don't come the Noggin for a tequila shower, y'know?
Pharaoh pauses, as if expecting you to retract your offer. When you don't, he flashes a gummy, almost toothless, grin.
Pharaoh says: You can usually find Ph4ra0h out in the Ruins. She's got a shelter there. And, tell you what; you settle this for me and I'll make you something in return. Something totally 'booter!
Pharaoh seems genuinely excited at this idea and starts sketching something on his pocket slate. You leave him to designing this curious-sounding reward and head off to find Ph4ra0h.
Seek out Ph4ra0h Byzant1um in the Ruins on Sirius Jump Gate. Find a way to resolve the name dispute with Pharaoh.
Next NPC: Ph4ra0h Byzant1um, Ruins, Sirius Jump Gate
- Approach Ph4ra0h Byzant1um.
You approach Ph4ra0h, somewhat dazzled by the visual cacophony of the wearable slate screens which adorn her outfit. Psychedelic swirl patterns inter-cut sharply with seemingly randomized images from some sort of data library. A series of asteroid surface close-ups is followed by some technical drawings. Then there's a double helix, some hydroponic plants, and a short time lapse series showing rations being repeatedly de- and re-hydrated. Pulsing electro-beats blare from a wearable speaker on Ph4r0ah's shoulder. The effects is both jarring and captivating.
Ph4r0ah says: Pretty cool, huh?
- Tell her why you're here.
- Ask about Ph4ra0h's outfit.
Outfit:
Me: Your outfit is interesting. Did you make it?
Ph4ra0h says: Damn straight I did. With my mind first. Then my hands.
She says: I wrote a custom algorithm to curate the images. It's got fourteen yottabytes of media libraries as raw material. It'll never show the same thing twice as long as I live. I'm kinda proud of it, and I don't mind saying so.
Ph4ra0h smiles as the slate screens suddenly go dark, displaying a unit countdown until the next burst is due to start.
- Tell her why you're here.
Me: I'm here on behalf of Pharaoh. I saw the argument you had in the Sore Noggin.
Ph4ra0h says: Oh shucks. Just as I was beginning to take a liking to ya.
She says: So. What is it? An apology? Lemme guess. He finally decided to do the honorable thing and change his name?
- Offer Pharaoh credits to change her name.
- Try to persuade her to change her name.
Credits:
Me: How about we try to settle this matter with the aid of some credits?
Ph4ra0h scoffs with apparent disdain.
Ph4ra0h says: Forget it. Not gonna happen. You think my identity is up for auction? Honestly, you're wasting your time… and mine.
- Try to persuade her to change her name.
Me: Wouldn't it make sense for you to change your name, rather than the other way around? He was using it first after all. You're the one who copied hi—
Ph4r0ah says: Time-out, pal. That is incorrect information. Do I look like I follow the crowd, huh? I don't care what he says… I came up with MY name. Yeesh. How many times I gotta say it?
Ph4r0ah seems agitated by the suggestion she's not as creative as she appears. She scowls at you, awaiting your response.
- Ask why she's so attached to her name.
- Ask how she chose her name.
Why attached:
Me: I don't understand. What's the big deal? Even if you invented the name, can't you just invent another? You already changed it once, from whatever it was before, right?
Ph4ra0h says: You don't get it, do ya? I came here so I could finally be free. Live MY life. If I wanted to be told how to live, I'd have stayed on The Maid of Orleans, OK?
Ph4ra0h's expression has soured somewhat. It's not far off the tequila-lobbing frown she was sporting back in the Bar.
She says: I made it all. This IS me now. Name included! One tenspan in, after I got here, I made it. Didn't copy nobody else. I hadn't even met that tedious barfly who sent you here!
- Ask how she chose her name.
Me: I'd like to understand what made you choose this name. How did you come up with it? It's so unusual…
Ph4ra0h seems hesitant for a moment, but clearly can't resist sharing this info.
She says: It all started nine cycles ago. Up until then I'd been unhappy Helene Arlaix, living as a rations clerk on the Maid. I'll spare you the deets, but I'd had enough of my crappy life and finally decided to do something about it.
She continues: When I got here, the freedom was kinda overwhelming. From no choice, to endless choice. Ya follow? It was a shock at first. And scary. I hadn't expected that. Everyone says they want freedom but then… How much is too much, y'know? I was kinda lost those first few tenspans here…
Ph4ra0h pauses for dramatic effect, leaning in for the conclusion of her story.
She says: Then, hungry and exhausted, I was scavenging out in the Wrecks. Looking for something to sell, for supplies… But I kept pulling out old media drives of some sort. Half corrupted. Useless… And it made me mad. Like, real mad! Imagine! Is this what I expected freedom to be? I had a little breakdown there, I guess. Kinda teary, I scanned the next drive I found and it was more corrupted junk. Some sorta old knowledge library. Totally corrupted. Only two filenames legible. Ph4ra0h, and Byzant1um. The whole drive. Just those two words repeated a jazillion times!
Ph4ra0h continues: In that moment, I had a little epiphany I s'pose… I had to embrace this whole new chapter or it was gonna destroy me… Before I'd even found who I really was, ya follow? Since then, I've been Ph4ra0h Byzant1um. Not because of the words. But to remind me of that moment, and what I learned… I pronounce it Pheerow Bye-zant-eeum.
- Tell Ph4ra0h you like her name.
- Ask if she knows the prior meaning of these words.
Like:
Me: That's a cool story, thanks for sharing it. Sounds like your name means a lot to you. I like that.
Ph4ra0h smiles warmly again, just as the unit countdown on her slate screens hits zero. Another riot of intercut imagery and sound follows. She grins proudly, nodding along to the beat.
- Ask if she knows the prior meaning of these words.
Me: Do you know anything about the origins of these words?
She says: Like I said, the words themselves are a trigger for a really important memory. So it's not really about their original meaning…
She continues: But yeah, of course I know about that too. Ph4ra0h Byzant1um is the name of the first ever space-faring vessel that humanity ever build, way back in the before. It was the vessel that first took us outside the Earth's atmosphere. Cool, right?
- Confirm Ph4ra0h's claims.
- Contradict Ph4ra0h's claims.
- Query Ph4ra0h's claims.
Query:
Me: How can you be sure? It's so hard to prove anything from the Before.
Ph4r0ah says: Educated guesswork. Based on some old data drives I found once. They were only a teeny-weeny bit corrupted… And nothing I've found on the Mesh since proves otherwise.
Contradict:
Me: I'm pretty sure that's factually inaccurate.
Ph4r0ah says: Oh yeah? You know something nobody else does do you?
Ph4r0ah challenges you with a pointed stare.
Ph4r0ah says: Look. I'll admit I'm not 100% certain. Who is? About anything that's ancient history… But it's educated guesswork. Based on some old data drives I found once. They were only a teeny-weeny bit corrupted… And nothing I've found on the Mesh since proves otherwise.
Confirm:
Me: Yes, that sounds plausible.
Ph4r0ah says: Yeah? I mean, I've heard others say the same… Of course… It's ancient history. It's hard to be sure about anything from the Before but…
Ph4r0ah's shoulders hunch in an uncertain shrug.
Ph4r0ah says: Look. I'll admit I'm not 100% certain. But it's educated guesswork. Based on some old data drives I found once. They were only a teeny-weeny bit corrupted… And nothing I've found on the Mesh since proves otherwise.
All choices continue:
Ph4r0ah continues: Although… I've always wanted to know even more. There IS someone on Tau Station who researches stuff like this. Professor Octagon or something? Octopus-… Octavia! That's it. She's a proper boffin… But Consortium policy means she can't pursue queries from non-Citizens… But you ARE a citizen. And you seem interested in my name… See where I'm going with this?
- Ask for payment to help Ph4ra0h.
- Offer to contact Professor Octavia on Ph4ra0h's behalf.
Payment:
Me: I could help you. For the right price.
Ph4ra0h says: Seriously? Do you think of nothing but credits? Fine. 200 creds. Now, did you understand my request?
- Offer to contact Professor Octavia on Ph4ra0h's behalf.
Me: I can put two and two together. You want me to contact Professor Octavia on your behalf. To submit a research query.
Ph4ra0h says: Affirmative! She leads some of the Consortium's public archive-salvaging efforts… Piecing together info about the Before. She's literally making history… At least. The bits which aren't classified by Department Z or whatever. If anyone can tell me more about my name, it's her!
Contact Professor Octavia on Ph4ra0h's behalf to research more about 'Ph4ra0h Byzant1um'.
Next Area: Ruins, Sirius Jump Gate
- Contact Professor Octavia via your CORETECHS.
You contact Professor Octavia via your CORETECHS and explain your query.
If you did side job Encyclopedia Editor on Tau
PROF. OCTAVIA: <name>! So good to hear from you again. Of course, I'd be happy to help, especially after all the fine work you did here a while back with editing our new public Encyclopedia. Humanity's very first space-faring vessel, you say… We don't have a lot about ancient Earth history but of course, some Cat survivors knew about these things… Perhaps it came up in the post-Cat knowledge debriefs… Of course, it's all very tricky these days. Etymology… When one doesn't have the historical data…
If you didn't
PROF. OCTAVIA Hmm… Thank you for your query, <name>. Humanity's very first space-faring vessel, you say? We don't have a lot about ancient Earth history but of course, some Cat survivors knew about these things… Perhaps it came up in the post-Cat knowledge debriefs… Of course, it's all very tricky these days. Etymology… When one doesn't have the historical data…
Both continue
PROF. OCTAVIA: But, like I said, we have our ways. And a fair few recordings from Cat survivors… Full of strange references to things which mean little to us now. Perhaps this Ph4ra0h Byzant1um vessel is mentioned. Leave it with me.
You bid the Professor farewell and await the results of her investigation into the origins of these words.
Return to Pharaoh Byzantium in the Sore Noggin, the Bar of Sirius Jump Gate, and update him on your progress.
Next NPC: Pharaoh Byzantium, Bar, Sirius Jump Gate
- Return to Pharaoh Byzantium.
As you make your way through the Sore Noggin, you notice that holo-boards on the walls are flashing ads for the upcoming Invent FEST. A few of the other regulars seem to be dressed even more adventurously than usual, perhaps in preparation for this special event. You weave through and find Pharaoh, swaying gently in time to the Noggin's music.
- Update Pharaoh on your progress.
Me: Pharaoh's odd outfit glints under the Noggin's soft mood lighting. You interrupt his dancefloor trance and update him on your progress with the name dispute. He nods along to the beat as you tell him of your encounter with Ph4ra0h.
Pharaoh says: Told you. There's no getting through to her… And that space ship thingy? That's a load of rehydrated baloney, right? She's just covering cos she stole the name from little ol moi.
Pharaoh adds: Whatever. I'm over it. Just wanna enjoy Invent Fest. Not gonna let anything spoil it… You like the tunes? The Noggin always does THE best pre-party!
Pharaoh continues bopping along to the music as he speaks, motioning for you to join him on the dancefloor.
- Join in.
- Observe the scene.
Observe:
The unusual music continues, splicing between different time signatures and keys in a way you've never heard before. Somehow it works, and the the Noggin's modest dance floor comes alive with local 'booters enjoying themselves. Pharaoh weaves his palms in front of his face, eyes closed, rocking along to it all. A large slate display above the bar, usually reserved for drinks prices, carries some sort of video clip compilation of previous cycles' Invent Fests.
While you're observing this colorful instance of local Booter culture, your CORETECHS alerts you to an incoming message from Prof. Octavia.
Join:
(Agility check)
Instinctively you step forward and start moving along to the beat. The unusual music splices erratically between different time signatures and keys in a way you've never heard before. Somehow it works, and the the Noggin's modest dance floor comes alive with local 'booters enjoying themselves. Pharaoh weaves his palms in front of his face, eyes closed, rocking along to it all.
You sway your hips, gradually synchronizing with the strange pulsing sounds. After a few units, you find you're getting the hang of it. Your limbs take on a life of their own, moving in ways they've never done before. The new experience is invigorating!
- Keep dancing.
(Agility check)
You swing and lean as the music swells to some sort of climax. The more you do it, the more it feels natural and logical; no longer strange and unfamiliar. You find yourself enjoying this small time out from the day's usual hurries and worries, smiling as the track modulates into a giddy crescendo.
As you dance, a large slate display above the bar usually reserved for drinks prices plays a video clip compilation of previous cycles' Invent Fests. The Noggin's punters cheer as the clips toggle close-ups of colorful 'Booters showing off their creations from cycles gone by.
While you're observing this instance of local Booter culture, your CORETECHS alerts you to an incoming message from Prof. Octavia.
Either choice continues:
Listen to Prof. Octavia's message.
Next area: Bar, Sirius Jump Gate
- Listen to Prof. Octavia's message.
You take yourself off to the side and open it. Prof. Octavia's avatar shimmers into view on your CORETECHS display. Her pre-recorded message starts to play.
PROF. OCTAVIA: Sorry for the delay, <name>. We're working flat out to fill the gaps in humanity's knowledge here and, well… The gaps are big! And that's just present-day stuff. Once we start talking about the Before… Well. It's pretty much all gaps, haha… Still. Gives us something to get out bed for, right?
PROF. OCTAVIA: We ran your query through all our databases and… There ARE matches in the domain of ancient Earth history! We cannot say what exactly but these words did signify something to our ancestors.
The Professor's voice quickens, clearly excited to impart the results of her research further.
PROF. OCTAVIA: We can however debunk your theory about the space vessel! See, we think humanity's first space-faring vessel was called the Vostok 1… A Cat survivor over on Yards of Gadani mentioned this in his testimonies… He'd been an enthusiast of ancient history and had named his own ship with this name as homage…
PROF. OCTAVIA: Oh. And one last thing. That Pharaoh creature idea, very tall with lots of teeth… That seems low probability. We have some text databases of old Earth species… It IS safe to assume that once, long ago, many non-human species existed… But not one known as a 'Pharaoh'. There's simply no incidence of that word in the relevant databases… I've attached our sources and findings with this message. You can take a look for yourself.
Take a look at Prof. Octavia's findings.
- Open the attached files Prof. Octavia sent.
You open the files from Professor Octavia. The report makes it pretty clear that on balance of probability, both Pharaoh's and Ph4ra0h's understandings of their names' histories are wide of the mark. Beyond that the specifics seem hard to ascertain, although Prof. Octavia does seem fairly certain that the info about the correct name of humanity's first space-faring vessel - the Vostok 1 - is accurate.
It's clear that the report's author considers reliable information from the Before to be a highly precious - and hard-won - commodity. You get a sense of the methods used to delve into humanity's pre-Cat history; half-guesswork and half-deduction based off partial and often corrupted datasets. Prof. Octavia has more in common with Wreck runners than it first appears. She too scavenges among the ruins of our old civilization, trying to salvage things of value.
- Share Prof. Octavia's report with Ph4ra0h Byzant1um.
You share the information with Ph4ra0h, forwarding Prof. Octavia's message and report to her via your CORETECHS.
Once it's sent, Pharaoh Byzantium dances across over to you again. He points over at one of the Bar's holoscreens, flashing with a countdown to the start of Invent Fest. Only units remain, as the counter ticks down into single figures.
Pharaoh says: Five! Four! Three! Two! One! And… we're off! C'mon. The opening ceremony is starting over in the Junk Yards.
Pharaoh dances off, beckoning you to follow him. The Noggin's other clientele also start drifting towards the exit, joining a growing stream of bodies heading down the station's central walkway towards the Wrecks.
Go to the Junk Yards, the Wrecks of Sirius Jump Gate, for the opening of Invent Fest.
Next area: The Wrecks, Sirius Jump Gate
- Follow the crowd.
People stream into the Junk Yards, spontaneously taking up viewing positions wherever they can find a perch on the rubble. The area seems to have been decorated for the occasion with items salvaged from the rubble. A pair of wreck-runners are putting the finishing touches to an improvised display in the center of a clearing, forming the words 'INVENT FEST' from scavenged electrical cabling and steel wiring.
All around you, people seem to have made a special effort for the occasion. Unusual outfits and strange display objects can be seen everywhere. Some sport the logos of 'Booter groups from Congo and Heinlein on their outfits. Everyone seems to be bringing something to the party.
- Continue observing the scene.
The whole scene comes alive with activity. The central 'Invent Fest' display flickers alive. Hundreds of small lighting strips have been used in its construction and they now flash in a series of accelerating patterns, drawing cheers from the crowd. The strange sounds you now recognize from the Sore Noggin start playing here too, loud and heavily distorted by the debris-filled area's uneven acoustics. Things organically develop into some sort of spontaneous free-for-all party.
Up ahead you spot two familiar figures. One is dressed in striking silvery long coat, adorned with dangling objects hanging from hooks, while the other wears an outfit kitted out with flashing slate screens whose visuals seem to synchronize with the pounding beats which now fill the space.
Next NPC: Ph4ra0h Byzant1um, The Wrecks, Sirius Jump Gate
- Approach Ph4ra0h.
You approach a small huddle of 'booters. Pharaoh and Ph4ra0h stand side-by-side in the middle of them. To your surprise, they're not arguing, but instead seem to be engaged in some sort of joint presentation. Ph4ra0h is speaking through her lapel mic, with the sound coming out of her wearable speaker. It's just-about audible for those huddled nearby, above the general din of the wider party, now in full swing in the background. Ph4ra0h seems to be sharing a personal story on the festival's invention theme.
Ph4ra0h says: Like many of us, I came here as someone else… Someone I didn't want to be any more. In fact, it was Invent Fest that made me choose this very station as my new home. I'd heard stories about it, but I didn't really understand it fully. Even up until a few days ago, I didn't really get it. I thought I'd found the new me - Ph4ra0h Byzant1um - but there was still something of the old me inside. I wanted to be the most original, the most creative. To WIN at being the new me… And then, finally, I got a fresh perspective, and I let go of that last piece of the old person I used to be…
She pauses for a moment, spotting you in the small huddle of listeners. She gives you a friendly wave and a thumbs up before continuing.
She continues: Invent fest brings us together. All those who value freedom, openness. Creativity. We share ideas. Celebrate. Reflect… And so. I want to tell you how I became Ph4ra0h Byzant1um and how, eventually, I found peace in my new self… I've invited a friend, called Pharaoh, to do the same. Full disclosure; I used to hate his guts. Until very recently. Until I finally let go of wanting the new me to be all tidy edges and clean lines…
Ph4ra0h and Pharaoh continue their talk, telling their stories of personal invention and subsequent squabble, lobbed tequilas and all included. Somewhere along the way, the sheer messiness of the present, and the haziness of the past, seems to have prompted a liberating reassessment.
Ph4ra0h concludes: See. In the end. I realized what mattered wasn't that I was the ONLY Ph4ra0h… It didn't mean that I was still living my old life, just because I wasn't totally unique in every way… All that I cared about was that - this time, here in Sirius, I'd chosen who I wanted to be. And I liked what I was. What I am. That's the main thing…
A ripple of whoops and cheers emanates from the small crowd. The speakers take a short bow, before someone else steps forward to say a few words. All around you, the party thrums and pulses with a refreshingly positive energy. Pharaoh and Ph4ra0h approach you.
- Speak to them.
Me: It sounds like Prof. Octavia's findings helped you resolve the dispute?
Ph4ra0h says: Yeah. They kinda triggered an important realization… Helped me finally 'get' what it means to be a 'booter here, for me at least.
Beside her, Pharaoh too is smiling and grooving along to the music in his own inimitable way.
Pharaoh says: Thanks muchly for your help, <name>. Turns out neither of us knew quite as much as we thought in the end… Not that it changes how we feel about our names. I think the weirdness of the story makes it even better! Anyway, here's something to remember us by.
You have received one 'Freebooter's Chimeric Handgun'.
You have received 200.00 credits.
Pharaoh hands you a strange looking object, resembling an improvised firearm of some sort. Shortly after, you also get a credits transfer from Ph4ra0h as thanks for submitting the request to Prof. Octavia's team. The pair give you a friendly hug goodbye and then return to their revelries. All around, the Junk Yards thrum and throb with the energy of hundreds of people coming together to celebrate and revel in a shared moment of gratitude and optimism. The atmosphere refreshes and energizes you as spend a pleasant segment or two taking it all in.
You have completed the "Invent FEST" mission.
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