Level: 5
Start: Sergeant Diao Bu, Security, Taungoo Station
Introduction
An upcoming public debate will pit Anima Foundation figures against representatives of the Promethean Sect. Tensions are high. Will you help the authorities to spot troublemakers?
As you pass the Security office, Sergeant Diao Bu flags you down with a somewhat unusual request.
Sergeant Daio Bu says: Citizen, hello. A word, if I may. We're asking that all upstanding Consortium citizens be vigilant in light of the high-profile meeting of minds between Promethean Sect and Anima Foundation. Tensions are high. We ask that any suspicious behavior you may witness be reported directly to us.
The Sergeant locks you in her gaze, waiting for a sign that you've understood the message.
- Ask about the suspicious activity.
Ask about the suspicious activity
Me: Is Consortium concerned that something may happen?
Sergeant Diao Bu shakes her head in hopes of deflecting worry.
Sergeant Diao Bu says: Now, now… We're not certain that anything untoward is afoot. This is simply a preventive measure. Exchanges can become heated when two groups from different ends of the ideological spectrum meet to discuss ideas. We simply wish to keep the peace.
- Ask about the debate.
Ask about the debate
Me: What's the purpose of the debate?
The Sergeant opens her mouth to respond, then stops herself, as if choosing words carefully.
She says: The interrogation of ideas, by way of free debate, is healthy for a society. The Consortium Security forces recognize this. But… Sometimes emotions can run high. That's where the danger comes in…
Diao Bu pulls a face, as if having exhausted her supply of diplomatic phrasing. She cuts to the chase.
Sergeant Diao Bu says: Look. We've got a senior Anima Foundation figure, Victoria LaSalle, on one side. Then there's the reclusive leader of the Promethean Sect, Minos, on the other. He feels followers could be gained when they hear his words contrasted against the scientific calculation of LaSalle's. LaSalle hopes to see a spike in clone sales once the representative for the one-time terrorists organization, Minos, offers his justification for a doctrine that claims clones are evil…
The Sergeant pauses as if to give you a moment to conclude the obvious, before spelling it out for you anyway.
She concludes: Whichever way you look at it, the stakes are high for these groups. That might encourage some to contemplate stupid ideas. Violent ideas even, possibly. That's why we're asking for the public to help us…
- Avoid getting involved.
- Agree to look out for suspicious activity.
Agree to look out for suspicious activity
Me: Happy to do my duty, Sergeant. I'll keep an eye out for suspicious activity. You'll be the first to hear if I find anything.
Sergeant Diao Bu says: We just want to keep the peace, as I've said. We offer rewards for any information that aids us in doing so. Good day, citizen.
New goals: Check Taungoo station for any suspicious activity relating to the upcoming public debate on cloning.
You have accepted the "Symposium of Souls" mission.
Go to the Government Center
- Search the government center for suspicious goings-on.
Search the government center for suspicious goings-on
The lobby of the Administrative building is unusually busy with foot traffic. Anima employees cluster in what seems like arrogant, yet light-hearted banter while Kyarr, the local band of ruffians employed by Taungoo Administration, roam about and scan the crowd, as if on security detail. While passing through the lobby, you spot a couple of Anima staffers having a tense conversation in the corner. One sports a rather nervous frown as the other whispers forcefully, with the aid of a few pointed hand gestures.
- Look at Tamika Rossin
Look at Tamika Rossin
Go to the Government Center and talk to Tamika Rossin
Next NPC: Tamika Rossin, Government Center, Taungoo Station
- Draw close enough to listen in on the conversation.
Draw close enough to listen in on the conversation
Pretending to read a series of government notices along the wall, you sidle carefully along, until you're only meters from the strained exchange taking place just over your shoulder. You listen carefully, catching a few snippets.
Tamika Rossin says: …But it's like I told him. There isn't an opening for worry.
Julie Tate says: You're completely sure we have it, then? I mean, you've seen it, right, Tamika?
You peek quickly over your shoulder. There's an intensity to the tone of the one your CORETECHS identifies as Tamika, which is matched by an agitation in the words of the other. You stand, motionless, contemplating your next move.
New goals: Learn more of Tamika and Julie's conversation.
- Stay silent. Keep eavesdropping on the conversation between the two Anima executives.
- Bluff your way into the Anima executives' conversation.
Stay silent. Keep eavesdropping on the conversation between the two Anima executives
Blending in seems to be working. A few people take notice of you, but you're able to catch a few more phrases from the discussion.
Tamika Rossin says: It's incredible how … I mean, a genetic sample? From Minos? incredible.
Julie Tate says: I know! Can you imagine the utter giddiness of upper management? It's like holding the golden egg!
You're certain you're onto something!
- Continue eavesdropping.
Continue eavesdropping
You sidestep into a pocket of people lingering around the lobby. No one seems to think you're out of place. You catch another snarled whisper from Tamika.
Tamika Rossin says: Discrediting a pack of zealot psychos… it doesn't get much better than that.
As she says it, Tamika seems to notice your presence for the first time. Though your back is turned, you can see her staring by glancing at the reflection on the large black screen of the inactive wall slate next to you. You suddenly feel vulnerable and uncomfortable in the presence of the prowling Kyarr enforcers, patrolling the area.
- Linger a bit longer.
- Move away from the Anima executives.
Linger a bit longer
Despite Tamika's curious gaze, you decide to linger a bit more, craning your next towards the spot where she and Julie are conducting their conversation. But something's wrong. You turn to find Julie moving away, while Tamika is now whispering into the ear of a snarling representative of the infamously corrupt Kyarr guard! Before you can realize what's happening, another Kyarr grabs your elbow from behind.
Kyarr woman says: Now, what do we have here? Loitering, in a government space, Ser? We're gonna want to ask you some questions…
You look to see a malicious grin spreading across the guard's face as she and a colleague talk you by the arm and escort you from the building. You're been taken to the Brig by the Kyarr, who seem intent on wasting a few segments of your time with unfounded allegations of wrongdoing.
Improper conduct in a government building.
You were tossed into the brig, <name>.
New goals: Serve your sentence. Then either continue searching Taungoo for more evidence of suspicious activities, or report existing findings directly to Sergeant Diao Bu in Security.
Confined to the Brig for D/08:500
Go to Clones
- Explore the clone vats for signs of suspicious activity.
Explore the clone vats for signs of suspicious activity
The Anima Foundation HQ thrums with an evident efficiency. Technicians trot purposefully down corridors and across lobbies, examining various readings from the center's vast honeycombed array of green-hued pods, each occupied by a gestating form, of some genotype of other.
You file inconspicuously along the corridor towards a reception area, on the lookout for anything which might advance your knowledge of Tamika and Julie's plotting, but instead find only dozens of apparently diligent and dedicated employees, going about their official business. Aside from a few wall slates showing electronic notices of the forthcoming debate between LaSalle and Minos, there's nothing here even remotely out of the ordinary. You resolve to continue exploring elsewhere.
New goals: Continue checking Taungoo station for any suspicious activity relating to the upcoming public debate on cloning.
Go to the Inn
- Explore the inn for signs of suspicious activity.
Explore the inn for signs of suspicious activity
There's a warm and jovial atmosphere at the Broth Base and Seishu Pub as patrons from various walks of life recline in the foam-padded booths, tucking into steamy bowls of noodle broth. You amble about the room, eyeing its occupants for untoward signs, but find no cause for concern here. There are a handful of brown-robed Promethean sect members in the room, as well as some huddles of Anima staffers, but they seem more interested in noodles than ideology right now.
In the queue for one vendor, you even overhear some light-hearted banter between a foundation staffer and a sect member. You study their body language a little more, but it's clear that the tone is amicable. It seems that spicy noodles are evidently capable of bridging even the widest of ideological divides, at least for a short while. There's not much here that would interest Sergeant Bu. You leave the area and decide to continue the search elsewhere.
New goals: Continue checking Taungoo station for any suspicious activity relating to the upcoming public debate on cloning.
Go to Local Shuttles
- Explore the shuttle area for suspicious activity.
Explore the shuttle area for suspicious activity
Still troubled by your discoveries in the Government center, you continue the search for more information. While passing beneath a large electronic info board in the Local Shuttles area, something catches your eye.
Off to the side, with one hand outstretched to lean on the bulkhead, a man in sect robes is keeled over, rambling somewhat dementedly to himself.
- Look at Brother Marcus
Look at Brother Marcus
Go to the Local Shuttles and talk to Brother Marcus
Next NPC: Brother Marcus, Local Shuttles, Taungoo Station
- Get closer to the man.
Get closer to the man
Brother Marcus says: No, no …no… Great star to guide us all, free us of this trembling weakness.
Having noticed you, he wipes tears from his face. With a hand upraised, he motions toward you for mercy, pleading for something, though you know not precisely what.
- Forcefully demand an explanation for his blathering.
- Gently inquire about his welfare.
Gently inquire about his welfare
You implore the man to confide in you. Eventually your soothing tones seem to achieve a breakthrough.
Me: You seem troubled, Promethean. Are you alright?
Brother Marcus says: We long for home, traveler. Yet our home is every thread of the galaxy… we wish to be away. Your kindness shines on us as sun-rays to a dying thing. A swansong; we fear it is far too late for this one.
The man looks down forlornly shaking his head.
- Ask him about his state.
Ask him about his state
Me: Promethean? What is too late? What's been done?
A deeply troubled look of panic grips his half-crazed features.
Brother Marcus: Abject failure, traveler. We had been touched by the eyes of great Minos… and squandered his will. All gone, …our time is short.
- Ask him to help you understand.
Ask him to help you understand
The man reacts strangely to your pleas, keeling over further and gurgling a few strangled gasps as he struggles to formulate a sentence. It dawns on you that he is clearly very unwell. With his other hand, he clutches at his chest in a series of jerky spasms. You implore him to divulge more information. Finally, he twists his head and fixes his unblinking stare on you.
Me: I don't know what you're saying, Promethean. You are clearly very troubled, I want to understand, maybe help you…
Brother Marcus says: There is no helping, my choice was made. In cowardice or bravery, I have ingested the very poison made to kill the Anima woman, LaSalle. For our One Life is sacred… She would return a husk… This, saves us both.
- Inquire about the poison.
Inquire about the poison
Me: Poison? You ingested poison? You need medical attention!
Brother Marcus says: My One Life I give to this… disobeyed Minos. Yet, …the father of life …could brew a blend to end life… why would this be….so? Why would he… vanquish a thing so sacred…from even an enemy?
The Promethean man slumps in death, emitting a guttural groan as he expires. It's a grisly end to his One Life. You step quickly away as others flock to his prone form, calling for assistance.
Amid the sudden heightened activity, you notice a strange man staring intently at you. He wears some sort of unusual hat, and points at you from afar, then turns his pointing finger at himself, before rubbing his fingers together in the air as if to signal money. He winks at you, points at the Port, and then disappears into the crowd of curious onlookers, milling about Brother Marcus's motionless body.
New goals: Follow the mysterious stranger to the Port.
Go to the Port
- Search for the strange man in the Port area.
Search for the strange man in the Port area
You wander hastily around the Port, glancing about for a sign of the odd fellow in the strange hat. Suddenly, a voice cuts through the bustle.
A voice: Looking for me, I presume?
Startled, you spin around to see him, standing by the roughly-chiseled rock of the nearby wall, between a pair of garishly-colored noodle ads. Behind him a scrap ship is noisily unloaded. You suspect he chose the noisy spot on purpose, keen on the cover it would provide for a surreptitious exchange.
- Look at Foster Tafts
Look at Foster Tafts
Go to the Port and talk to Foster Tafts
Next NPC: Foster Tafts, Port, Taungoo Station
- Ask why he was watching you.
Ask why he was watching you
Me: You were watching me. Why?
The bizarre fellow grins broadly.
Foster Tafts says: Don't need no life stories, do we? So I'll keep it lightspeed. I'm willing to pay a fee for whatever it is you learned from that unfortunate dead eye over there…
Leaning against the hull of a scrap ship, he smirks while smoothing down a wrinkle in his vest.
- "A fee? Who are you?"
A fee? Who are you?
Me: A fee? Who are you?
Foster Tafts says: Foster Tafts. Pleased to make your acquaintance, little star hopper. You may have heard of me, some think I'm a terrible criminal, but really, I'm just a boring ole information trader. Now, listen, I saw you chatting to that dead Promethean… And, well. Right now, with the debate coming up, info about unusual goings-on is worth a few creds. Give me what you know, keep it just between us, and I'll see you're well paid. Deal?
You eye the man carefully. He doesn't seem threatening, and there's plenty of other people in the area which would deter him trying anything untoward. But he's certainly no official. In his bizarrely ragged jumpsuit, and oddly rounded hat, he sticks out as a rogue. Everything about his manner suggests a Freebooter affiliation.
- "Fine. If you pay more than what Security is paying for tip offs."
- "No thanks. I'm off to Consortium Security. I suggest you get out of my way."
End 1
No thanks. I'm off to Consortium Security. I suggest you get out of my way
Me: No thanks. I'm off to Consortium Security. I suggest you get out of my way.
Foster Tafts says: Hmmm. Was worried you might be dafter than you look.
He taps the edge of his hat with a bow of his head.
Foster Tafts says: Suit yourself, kid. See you round sometime, maybe…
He steps aside, letting you pass in the direction of Taungoo's security office.
New goals: Report all of your findings to Sergeant Diao Bu at Security on Taungoo.
Go to Security and talk to Sergeant Diao Bu
Next NPC: Sergeant Diao Bu, Security, Taungoo Station
- Report your findings to the Sergeant.
Report your findings to the Sergeant
You find Sergeant Bu in the Security office and quickly report verbatim the exact details of your findings, from the Anima and Promethean plots, to the strange Freebooter in the Port. By the time you finish, the Sergeant's face has drained most of its color and her mouth is stuttering, struggling to formulate actual words, as a mild panic grips her.
Sergeant Diao Bu: Anima has his what?! And down in the Shuttles?! Oh, my… Thank you citizen. Please accept this reward on behalf of Consortium Security. We must follow up on this, right away!
Sergeant Diao Bu's face is deadly serious as she uses her desk slate to authorize a payment for your intelligence, then dashes off frantically about the rest of the office, tapping colleagues on the shoulder to rouse them from their desks. Within a few units, almost a dozen officers are huddled around Diao Bu, listening intently as she issues instructions for acting on your tip off. It sounds like a serious security operation is kicking into gear.
As you leave, you pass on-call officers entering, evidently roused from their slumbers, rubbing tired eyes and preparing for a long shift of peacekeeping ahead.
You have received 90.00 credits.
You have completed the "Symposium of Souls" mission.
End 2
Fine. If you pay more than what Security is paying for tip offs.
Me: Fine. If you pay more than what Security is paying for tip offs.
Foster Tafts grins and nods.
Me: Minos wants the head of the Anima Foundation killed. Brother Marcus was involved but had a er- … change of heart. Oh, and the Anima Foundation has Minos' genetic data… Think they might wanna off him and clone him somehow… Shouldn't be possible without consent but… It's Anima. Maybe they have ways around these things?
Foster Tafts purrs with pleasure as you speak, nodding as he takes it all in.
Foster Tafts says: Chaos is currency, kid. I won't forget this. Lotsa valuables there… It's a frosty war between those two, Anima and the sect, always was… No matter what the official line says. Interesting times ahead for Taungoo. I better get to work. You're a good snoop. Here's your pay, treat yourself. You earned it.
Tafts switches attention to his CORETECHS momentarily, initiating your payment. Within a unit, you receive a notification of it on your own CORETECHS. The doughty info smuggler flashes you one last grin, before ambling off into the distance, no doubt seeking the next instance of profitable chaos elsewhere.
You have received 105.00 credits.
You have completed the "Symposium of Souls" mission.