>>209309
"What happened, where am I, where's the assailant, and how long was I out?"

Suggestion 2010/07/17(Sat)10:16 No. 209314 ID: 98ce68
File 127938697057.png - (153.36KB , 800x800 , 98.png )

HrgflhWhat am I, where happened, where was I out, and how long is the assailant!?

>If you accept suggestions, officer, calming down should be the first one of your priorities right now. You've been unconscious for almost two hours.

fffghh... Really?

Yes. And I'm interested to know how did you manage to break your own leg and tase yourself at the same time.

what? you mean you didn't see him? shit.

>>209314
"Dammit, he got away.
Wait, you couldn't tell from the impact site that my leg was broken with a sledgehammer?
Also, was there any blood on my clothes?"

"Where did you find me?"
"Did anything happen while I was unconscious?"

Hug the doctor.

Hugz fer da dok.

Suggestion 2010/07/17(Sat)12:25 No. 209340 ID: 98ce68
File 127939475096.png - (216.91KB , 900x675 , 99.png )

Damn, he got away. Didn't you see him?

>I didn't see anybody, because I haven't even been at the scene of your defeat. I finished analyzing the corpse and looked for Mogro, the Eng. assistant, to put the body in a better place, but I couldn't find him in Engineering. Half an hour later he came to my office carrying your wrecked body, saying that he found you unconscious in the Crew Quarters. He didn't mention anyone else.

Was there any blood on my clothes?

>Nope, no blood. You can see it yourself, they're on the chair, with the rest of your possessions.

Did anything else happen while I was unconscious?

>I wouldn't know, I've been here in the Infirmary finishing the blood tests. And yes, the blood and the corpse are of Reto Mikos.

Hmm...

>Well, if you're done with the questions I guess I should go back to your work now. I've sealed the broken part of the carapace with quick-action plaster, and the nano-analgesics should stop most of the pain. You should be able to walk normally, but don't force it too much.

...

>Did you just try to hug me?

Yes. No. Sorry, I guess I'm still a bit confused after the shock and all that.

>Right.

>>209340
"Say, was there anything wrong with Mongro's left shoulder? Was it favored or anything?"

Say, did you ever check the cabin of Reto Mikos?
Should be an obvious place to look for clues, assuming you still have the key card.
But check with the captain first, to get some status updates and be yelled at.

>>209344
After asking, tell him if he sees someone like that, suspect them immediately, but don't let on.

Suggestion 2010/07/17(Sat)15:12 No. 209394 ID: 98ce68
File 127940475456.png - (240.43KB , 900x675 , 100.png )

Tiak gets up and puts on his clothes, checking his pockets. Looks like everything is in order, he's only missing the broken scalpel. And yes, he still has the card for Mikos cabin

So, was there anything wrong with Mongro's left shoulder?

>Which one of them?

What? .

>Oh, didn't you know? He's a Sinarri.

Tiak's brain races as he recognizes the name. The Sinarri. One of the many races enslaved by the Maurian in the past. They're free now, but the Republic dried out most of the natural resources of their homeplanets and maimed their population. Now they're used as cheap workers, employed by the same ones that caused their downfall.

>Anyways, I don't scan everybody that crosses my way, and if it wasn't a serious wound, it would be easy to conceal. I didn't see anything wrong with any of his limbs, at least, at first sight.

Whoever attacked me got half of your scalpel up the left shoulder. Please, stay alert for any individual with such an injury.

>Alright, alright, I'll see what can I do.

Ok, what should be Tiak's course of action now?

Go see the captain, stuff might have happened.

>>209394
Were the pliers returned to engineering? Go check on our buddy there.

At first opportunity check that cabinet where the hazard suits were. They should both be missing, otherwise the engineer is highly suspicious.

>>209411

Disregard that I suck cocks.

Suggestion 2010/07/17(Sat)17:35 No. 209419 ID: 98ce68
File 127941334935.png - (179.00KB , 900x675 , 101.png )

[ Tiak still carries the pliers. I just forgot to put them in the inventory. Hurr. ]


Tiak goes into the captain's quarters to ask about the current status. Doesn't seem like much is happening, the captain seems to be asleep! Quite noisily too.

Wake him up as politely as possible and tell him about the thing. First though, feel his shoulder. Wait, is there any way you could have inflicted a wound like what you did on your race?

>>209421
Walk over, grab his left shoulder where you stabbed the attacker, and gently shake him awake.
He'll probably have nothing wrong, but it's best to be certain.

About your attacker.
Sure you didn't see him, but did he move like an Maurian or different? I mean he might he an alien, right.

>>209419
I don't think we REALLY have any reason to bother the captain. Can't we just go back to the security office and get that thing behind the force field?

Suggestion 2010/07/18(Sun)03:09 No. 209606 ID: 98ce68
File 127944776241.png - (195.68KB , 900x900 , 102.png )

Tiak discreetly touches the captain's left shoulder. The man automatically jumps and wakes up, mumbling out of a dream. He seems to be startled, but not in pain.

>ArfghNo! I won't take it in my ship! It's... It's... BELINT? What are you doing here!?

Just wanted to check on the current status, sir.

>Well, neither you or Trake have given me any reports, so the current status is: nothing happened! At least, for what I can tell, which isn't much without communication systems. And knock on the door before going in next time!

Yes sir, sorry, sir.

>>209421

The scalpel is very sharp and strong, obviously made to cut a Maurian carapace. It shouldn't be hard to inflict such a wound for Tiak.

>>209434

Tiak didn't see anything wrong with the way it walked. But that doesn't say anything, there's a lot of bipedal alien species.

Just at that moment, Tiak remembers about the Servo-camera he left hidden in the Janitor's cart. A quick check on his PDA reveals nothing but complete darkness. That's weird, the camera has night-vision mode.

>>209606
Let's go check on it.

>Kill the Captain
>Advicess13.svg
>Take his place

nah just go check on the camera.

Suggestion 2010/07/18(Sun)07:40 No. 209672 ID: 98ce68
File 127946402955.png - (182.31KB , 900x675 , 103.png )

Tiak leaves descends into the lower deck, going to check on his last servo-camera.

Seems that the doctor has got the corpse removed, after all, but the blood stains are still there (and inside the elevator). And that's not the only element missing in this room. The janitor's cart is gone, and the camera with it.

Unfortunately, the camera lacks any kind of tracking device.

>>209672
Well you can move the camera around right? Try moving it to see if it can get past whatever's blocking it.

Otherwise I guess we should check the janitor's closet or quarters or something.

>>209672
Maybe, just maybe, the janitor took the janitor cart to generally janitor it up.
There's also still the cabin of the victim you could investigate sometime, but no hurry of course.

>>209672
What's that white sealant on the elevator? Was that there before?

Suggestion 2010/07/18(Sun)11:17 No. 209733 ID: 98ce68
File 127947704762.png - (82.13KB , 900x675 , 104.png )

>>209674
The camera isn't remote controlled. It can be programmed to patrol any certain area, but that can't be done through the PDA, but in person.

>>209730
Tiak noticed that the first time he visited this room, before discovering the corpse. Someone has welded shut the doors of the old elevator going to the Zero Deck. It was still warm when he touched it, but it's cooled off now.

Tiak ponders about the possible course of actions while he crosses the lower deck, looking for the Janitor locker. He still has the card for R. Mikos cabin, which would be a good place to investigate. Although with his new security card, it wouldn't be necessary the passenger card. There are the Ziraneé diplomats too. The welder inside the brig. Mongro, the Sinarri, who apparently found him unconscious. And he still should give the pliers back to Trake.

Thinking about all this, he finds his way to the end of the Low Deck corridor. This one must be the Janitor's place. Tiak knocks on the door. No answer. He opens the lock with his card, but even with the green light confirming that indeed it's open, the door won't budge.

Wha... Something must be blocking the door from the other side.

>>209733
Force the door. This has 'bad news' stapled all over it.

>>209733
Give the door a firm pounding and say "Security! Open up!" Perhaps the janitor has barricaded himself in there out of fear.

Suggestion 2010/07/18(Sun)16:02 No. 209833 ID: 98ce68
File 127949413688.png - (102.05KB , 900x750 , 105.png )

Tiak pounds the door with his fist and yells "Security! Open up!", but still, no answer from inside.

Fearing the worst, he decides there's no time to lose, and tries to man up his way inside and force the door.

The results aren't quite as expected.

O...Ow.

>>209833
...don't those doors slide?

We don't seem to have anything in our inventory that would offer leverage, even if there's a gap. I don't suppose the welder up in the brig can be used as a metal cutter in a pinch?

Can you try to recruit you old buddy the engineer to open the door?

That was a bad idea, why'd you do that?

Go return the pliers then ask the engineer if he's got a cutter that can get through a door like that.

>>209841
A prybar would be a FAR better choice.

Suggestion 2010/07/18(Sun)17:58 No. 209914 ID: 98ce68
File 127950113310.png - (220.01KB , 900x675 , 106.png )

Tiak recovers his composure and leads his steps back to Engineering.

>>209841

Tiak remembers that he's actually seen a cutter before. It was in the Brig, and it mysteriously appeared there after the person in the hazard suit attacked him for the first time.

Meanwhile, Trake doesn't seem to be in the first room in the Engineer area. Tiak wonders if he should look around for him (and where), or leave the pliers on the workbench and attend to other matters.

>>209914
Don't leave them there; things keep going missing. You can return them in person or not at all.

check that room on the left, to your right.

I think that file cabinet to your left is missing it's third drawer.

>>209850
Leave the pliers here and go get the cutter.

Suggestion 2010/07/19(Mon)13:32 No. 210181 ID: 09ea11
File 12795715664.png - (181.26KB , 900x675 , 107.png )

>>209926
That's actually a touch screen to input the password to open the cabinet.

Tiak decides to check the room to his right. It's the Atmospheric Control room. Tiak doesn't really know how does this work, but he understands that the air is recycled in this room and pumped back again into the air vents.
Nobody seems to be here.

But there are some drops of a strange glowing ooze over the main gate of the air ducts.

>>210181
You had better collect a sample of that ooze somehow. Got a bag?

Yeah inventory check please! Look at the ooze more, be prepared to jump back in case it has bubbles that pop at you or something.

>>210184
Or in case the source of the ooze is there, and is hostile. Not that there is much evidence of slime monsters so far, but I wouldn't take any chances.

Paranoia is our friend.

Suggestion 2010/07/19(Mon)15:12 No. 210195 ID: 09ea11
File 12795775647.png - (207.30KB , 900x675 , 108.png )

Tiak checks everything he's carrying at the moment.

Maybe it's a trick of the light, but Tiak would swear that the weird drops are moving. Not like they're sizzling, but... throbbing? Vibrating? It's hard to know.

Shouldn't you have evidence bags or something? Don't touch the living ooze. Try deflating the balloon and scraping a small sample into it, then tying it off.

Suggestion 2010/07/19(Mon)16:07 No. 210199 ID: 09ea11
File 127958082028.png - (122.15KB , 900x900 , 109.png )

Tiak isn't any sort of detective, and solving crimes isn't supposed to be one of his everyday duties in a low security flight like this one. So no evidence bags in his official equipment.

Tiak deflates the balloon and carefully scrapes the ooze off with the help of the plastic shards. The substance doesn't seem to be corrosive to plastic.

With extreme caution, Tiak drips the goo inside the balloon and ties it off. Now there's no doubt, it's wriggling inside. Not much, but it's certainly moving. And it doesn't look like it's eating through the balloon, that's something. Tiak puts it in his pocket.

Ok, what now?

>>210199
Get the cutter from your office so we can get in the janitor's room.

>>210199
Your best chance is the doctor. She should be able to analyze it and mystery stuff in the goddamn life-support system of the ship should be top priority.

It looks kind of like that bioluminescent tattoo that one little female had on her.

>>210203
...oh fuck. This could mean she's being mind controlled. Maybe we should check up on her next.

>>210208

I was thinking she just melted into protoplasm to squiggle around the ventilation ducts, and her tattoos rubbed off in the process.

Anyway, your best chance is the doctor now. He'll be able to examine the stuff. It's obviously some sort of biological.

Suggestion 2010/07/19(Mon)17:12 No. 210228 ID: 09ea11
File 12795847738.png - (183.46KB , 900x675 , 110.png )

Tiak walks all the way back to the Infirmary to try to get Dr. Labras to analyze the ooze sample.

But it looks like the doctor is out.

>>210228
Fine, let's get the cutter now.

>>210228

Loot his stuff!

Er, I mean, confiscate syringe, especially if it's got some liquid in it. Inspect red thing. Do any of the cabinets open?

>>210228
What was on the desk next to the syringe? It's gone.

Take a look at the little red thing.

>>210282
It was a scalpel.

Suggestion 2010/07/20(Tue)03:46 No. 210399 ID: f904d0
File 12796227628.png - (203.35KB , 900x675 , 111.png )

Tiak takes the syringe and puts it in his inventory, then he takes a look at the rest of the place.

He recognizes the red gizmo on the counter as the scanner the doctor used to analyze the blood of the corpse.

As for the other item on the counter, he doesn't have a clue about what it is. It's some sort of thin metal rod, with a crescent shape at the end.

Tiak checks the white cabinets. They're locked. And the grey cabinet with the Medic symbol on it doesn't even have any handles or visible ways to be opened.

>>210399
Let's go get that cutter!

>>210404
Yes, cutter. But, er, why are we stealing from the Doc without a clear purpose again? Do we like being shouted at?

Suggestion 2010/07/20(Tue)11:23 No. 210440 ID: f904d0
File 127965023059.png - (207.37KB , 900x675 , 112.png )

Tiak returns to his cabin and enters the brig.

In his way here he hasn't noticed anything unusual, except for that the Canteen door was wide open and he could hear someone talking inside.

With the security card, he disables the force field and gets in the cell, picking up the cutter. As he noticed the first time, it's a Sinarri piece of work, which is something strange to find in a Maurian spaceship. Changing the frequency of the beam, it can be used as a Welder too.

>>210440
Rush to the cantine and say hello.

>>210440

Cut open the lock!

>>210446
This.

Suggestion 2010/07/20(Tue)16:16 No. 210493 ID: 1ac37b
File 127966779615.png - (109.89KB , 900x900 , 113.png )

Tiak cuts the metal padlock easily. Someone has hidden something inside the cabinet .

It looks like part of a computer, or some electronic device. But Tiak can't identify it. He takes it with him anyways.

>>210493
I bet this is a missing piece from engineering. If we can find the engineer he could help us put it back.

Also, Mongro is a Sinarri, the tool is Sinarri made... Mongro had access to Engineering... HMMM, I WONDER WHO THE CULPRIT IS.

odd...

>>210495
obviously not mongro, it's so obvious that it must be a set up.

wordswordswords go check out the cafeteria the doctor is probably having lunch!

>>210564
Right good idea. Let's go to the Canteen.

Suggestion 2010/07/21(Wed)06:37 No. 210645 ID: 1ac37b
File 127971946898.png - (239.02KB , 900x675 , 114.png )

Tiak leaves the brig and his cabin and walks over to the Canteen. This time, the barman seems to be here.

He gives Tiak an apathetic look and gives him a distant nod as he comes in.

>S'up?

Hey, paper under the table. Grab it.

>>210645
Read barman. Hug note.

Suggestion 2010/07/21(Wed)09:03 No. 210678 ID: 1ac37b
File 127972822667.png - (108.15KB , 900x900 , 115.png )

Tiak notices the small piece of paper under table and kneels down to get it. The upper half of the note is missing, but the rest is legible.

It's a letter, communicating the addressee that it's the last chance to pay the a large sum of money lost gambling before more drastic actions will be taken.

It's signed by the representative of a well know authorized gambling corporation. But the name of the addressee isn't visible, must've been in the missing half of the note.

The barman speaks up.

>Hey, what are you reading?

>>210678
Be honest. Say hello and explain you found the note on the floor.

Suggestion 2010/07/21(Wed)15:17 No. 210759 ID: 74c92b
File 127975062495.png - (175.94KB , 900x900 , 116.png )

Hello. Oh, nothing, just a note I found laying around.

>A note? You better give it to me before one of those bossy bastards comes around yelling about "stolen items". Mpfh!

Tiak deliberates. Should he give the note to the barman?

>>210759

Tell him there is a very important investigation going on right now, and you don't want anyone contaminating the evidence.

You guys have fingerprints, right?

Copy the contents of the note, order a drink. You need a drink before you get knocked out again.

...this guy has a robotic arm. Didn't the guy we fought have a really strong arm? Ask to see his shoulder joint.

Suggestion 2010/07/21(Wed)18:21 No. 210799 ID: 48e178
File 127976168756.png - (116.21KB , 900x900 , 117.png )

Tiak cautiously copies the contents of the note into his PDA, just in case.

>>210761

Maurians have hard carapaces for skin, with moving plates and flexible joints. They don't have fingerprints.

Sorry, pal. I'm in charge of a very important investigation, and you never know what might be a clue! Can you serve me a drink?

>Fine, whatever.

The barman doesn't seem too happy about not getting the note. He searches under the counter for a moment and emerges with a shiny unlabeled bottle from which he pours a colorful drink into a glass.

Hey, can I see your left shoulder?

>...I beg your pardon!?

It's for the investigation. Seriously!

>No fucking way, man. If you want to humiliate me , you're gonna have to arrest me and chain me to the wall.

No need to be so melodramatic.

>>210799
>shiny unlabeled bottle

Uh. Ask him what's in the drink.

>>210805
Ask for a specific drink, instead.

>>210799

Explain that you're not asking because you want to look at his prosthetic, if that's what he thought.

Say thanks, and take the drink with you without drinking it. Ask what it is first though. Do his clothes look like he just changed into them?

>>210799
FFFFFFF- mysteriously coloured alien drinkings...


Take the glass but don't sip yet. Ask him who was in the canteen today and whether he noticed anything strange going on.

You've made copying the information pointless by not giving it back, possibly offer to give it back for a glimpse of his shoulder. He might be a little more cooperative with your questions if you aren't making his job harder in future as far as he knows.

Suggestion 2010/07/22(Thu)03:12 No. 211015 ID: 48e178
File 127979352746.png - (247.39KB , 900x675 , 118.png )

Tiak holds the glass but doesn't drink the beverage yet. He examines the clothes of the barman. They seem to fit him and it doesn't look like he put them on in a rush.

Thanks. Uh... What's this?

>Danto wine. I keep it under the counter because the light spoils it. You better drink it fast or it'll become bland and tasteless.

I see...Who was here talking with you a few minutes ago?

He shrugs.

>People come and go, to eat and have a drink, and chat. And pretty much every person in the ship has come around the last few hours. They're just faces that pass by for me, I couldn't remember which one of them has been around recently.

[i]Will you let me take a look at your shoulder if I give you the note?

>No, but I would be really thankful.

By the way, I didn't want to see your prosthetic, if that's what you thought.

>So you just wanted to watch me shirtless? That doesn't sound any better, boss.

No, it's not about that... I mean it is but, not in that way... I mean...

>What's the deal with you and that obsession about my arm, boss?

sigh and say "someone attacked me earlier and i managed to stab them in the shoulder, so by letting me see your shoulder and seeing you have no wound i can officially cross you off the suspect list. but if you continue to refuse then i would need to put you in the brig"

>>211015
Eh, may as well come out with it. You're trying to eliminate suspects, and the person who assaulted you has an injured left shoulder. Take a sip of the wine, too. If it turns out to be drugged, you do have your tazer still. You can whip it out and zap him if you feel like you're passing out.

Also, we copied the note, so you may as well give the original to him so he can return it to whoever lost it if they come yelling.

>>211016
Erm. Are threats really necessary? Or even, useful? Someone has a copy of our card so they can just let him out while we're out and about.

>>211019
Yes, but he doesn't know.

We are responsible for the security on the ship, right? How can we do our work if we struggle to get a simple body examination?
It's not like we want to him to drop his pants, we just want to check whether he has a wound on his upper torso. Even say you can go to a secluded room, if he doesn't want to go topless in public.

His possibly strong mechanical arm makes him a suspect.

Tell him to let you look, it's vital for the investigation.

Suggestion 2010/07/22(Thu)05:41 No. 211033 ID: 48e178
File 127980250526.png - (92.61KB , 900x900 , 119.png )

Look, I'll be honest with you. There's been a murder and someone has attacked me. I couldn't identify the guy, but I managed to wound him in the left shoulder. I'm trying to eliminate suspects. I'm trying to ask you nice, I don't want to have to use my authority.

>Fine, fine. Jeez. So I'm now a suspect, just beautiful.

He takes off his jacket and exposes his bare upper body. It's all scarred and damaged, but the wounds are old, nothing recent.

>Happy now?

Yes, I guess so. Wow, this looks... painful. What happened?

>The war happened. Fucking Ziraneé and they black scaled hearts... You aren't so young, and the Security forces are militarized, you must've gone to war too, don't you?

Yes, shortly before it ended... But I don't want to think about it. The memories... I just don't want to think about it.

>Sure, sure... Your drink is getting warm.

>>211033

It's very doubtful that in the short amount of time of your nap that the assailant scarred up from his wounds, received a prosthetic arm, and continued to serve customers all day while being the criminal without anyone noticing.

I would eliminate him as a suspect unless evidence in the future directs us to him in any way at all.

Also drink.

>>211033
We should take the opportunity to get some backgrund information.

Ask him how he feels about serving on the Sparrow. What does he think about its current mission? How about the captain or the other crewmates? Is the working atmosphere good? Or tense? Does he know the janitor?
As a barman he surely heard some rumors.

Since he is not the attacker, we should try and be social. Don't tell him details about the investigation, but say it might be good to have a reliable war veteran on the side of the good guys. Ask him if he could keep an eye/antenna on anything suspicious.

>>211040

He hasn't got many antenna to spare...

Hey, drink up! He said it would spoil!

Suggestion 2010/07/22(Thu)11:12 No. 211052 ID: 48e178
File 127982234657.png - (105.91KB , 900x900 , 120.png )

Tiak nods and leaves the note on the counter, and takes a sip at his drink. It kind of tickles in his tongue as it goes up, and leaves a strange feeling of filling in his mouth. But other than that, it's very refreshing and tasty. Kind of sweet. Tiak keeps drinking while he chats with the barman.

So... How do you feel about serving here, in the Sparrow?

>It's bullshit. That's what it is. Half of my body is spread between Beta Radiace and Torei III, I've dedicated my life and my guts to serve the republic in combat, fighting those fucking lizards in every shithole of planet they could send me to. And suddenly, the war is over. I'm apparently too crippled to stay in the army and nobody has work for an old veteran. So you end up serving drinks in some forgotten transport ship, where even the kid with the shiny blue uniform can shove you around. No offense, boss.

Uh... I guess you needed to get that out.

>No shit.

Ah... And how do you feel about the current mission?

>My mission is to serve drinks and food to anyone that crosses that door. That's where my concern ends.

What about the captain?

>Nah, boss. I'm not dumb enough to be talking trash of the captain to other crew members.

Have you met the Janitor?

>Oh, yeah. Good ol' Mat. He's a nice guy, but he's not right on the head. He's scaredy like a little zublath. And it's always babbling crazy stuff. Don't mind him.

Alright, thanks for the help and for the drink. If you see anything or anyone suspicious, please tell me.

>No problem, boss.

Alright, thinks Tiak. Now what? He could try to check the Cabin of R. Mikos, or try to enter the Janitor's room, find the Ziranée diplomats, check on Trake, or maybe explore the parts of the ship he hasn't been in yet to look for clues.

!DReamEr2eU 2010/07/22(Thu)11:25 No. 211053 ID: 55c4cf
File 127982310642.jpg - (250.90KB , 600x424 , rmika.jpg )

Check R. Mikos place and see if they were hiding anything.

Like a secret wrestling costume or nightlife. Lord knows.

>>211052
Searching the cabin of R. Mikos, the murder victim, is very important. The longer we take the longer anybody else could rummage in his belongings.

Suggestion 2010/07/23(Fri)10:31 No. 211248 ID: 58908d
File 127990626064.png - (177.72KB , 900x675 , 121.png )

Tiak walks out of the bar and strolls down the corridor, towards Cabin 4, the one belonging to the late R. Mikos. He slides the card inside the slot and the door opens without problems.

Turn around fast, it's a trap!

>>211248
Turn around, yell "Who's there?".

Suggestion 2010/07/23(Fri)12:43 No. 211290 ID: 527bd9
File 127991423771.png - (167.76KB , 900x675 , 122.png )

FFFF... Trap!? Where!? Who's there?

Tiak quickly turns around, weapon at ready, but there's nobody there, only the cold walls and closed doors. He must've imagined it.

be wary, but go into mikos' room.

>>211248
There is somebody in Cabin 6 who was looking at you.
I would suggest you investigate that first, as they will likely leave if you search Cabin 4 first.

>>211313
i suppose.

Suggestion 2010/07/23(Fri)17:31 No. 211342 ID: f1823c
File 127993147715.png - (98.44KB , 900x900 , 123.png )

Tiak knocks on the door of the cabin 6, and after a short wait, it slightly opens. The room at the other side seem to be in complete darkness, and only part of the face of the person at the other side it's visible.

But there's no doubt. Those ayes belong to a Zirane.

A harsh, yet low voice raises from the gap, almost a hissing.

>What do you want?

Introduce yourself politely and with respect. This guy's very important.

Ah, may as well ask if he saw when Mikos last left his cabin, or if anyone went in recently.

Also, express concern over their well being.

What do Zirane look like exactly?

Get across the idea that you were more concerned that they wanted something from you since they were watching you, if they were just peeking out the door out of curiosity, then it should be alright. Make sure and note his response and demeanor, also if he gets defensive about you noticing his looking out at you.

Suggestion 2010/07/24(Sat)01:22 No. 211594 ID: f1823c
File 127995972394.png - (70.91KB , 900x900 , 124.png )

I'm officer Belint, sir, head of security. Just checking if everything is in order.

A soft laughter comes from across the door.

>Ah, the situation seems rather chaotic to me, officer.

Excuse me? Have you seen anything strange, have you suffered any threat?

>Depends on your definition of "strange", and my life has been under threat since I can remember, can't say that it's much different aboard this ship.

Uh... Well, I didn't mean to bother you sir, it's just that I noticed you watching me from the door and thought that you might wanted to talk with me.

>Oh, no, you weren't the target of my vigilance, if that's what worries you. Sleep with an eye open if you want to see the morning light again, say my people.

Did you see the passenger in the cabin in front of yours leaving it in the past hours?

>Maybe. Maybe not.

A bit of cooperation from your side would really help, sir.

>I don't doubt it.

"Is there anything I can do to change that to a 'yes' or 'no'?"

"is there anyway to get assistance from you or am i going to just need to look elsewhere?"

Suggestion 2010/07/24(Sat)07:20 No. 211759 ID: f1823c
File 127998122388.png - (177.94KB , 900x675 , 125.png )

Is there anything I can do to change your mind and help me out with this?

>Trust cannot be earned with words, but with actions. But there will be a time and a place for that. Until then, good luck, officer.

Before Tiak can answer the doors slides shut, leaving him alone again in the silent corridor.

Well go check the room you came to check, we'll see him later it seems.

>>211759
Well, what a pleasent fellow...

To Mikos' cabin, full steam ahead!

Suggestion 2010/07/24(Sat)08:59 No. 211781 ID: f1823c
File 12799871885.png - (129.68KB , 900x675 , 126.png )

Tiak enters Mikos' room. It's pretty austere in decorations and commodities, but these rooms aren't designed for comfort; the passengers are usually in cryo during the whole flight.

Hmm, either someone has been here before Tiak, or Mikos was a really untidy kind of person.

>>211781

Scavenge obvious clutter of clues and plot devices/inventory objects.

>>211781

Door's open. She might be in the bathroom. But she would have responded... unless she didn't want to get out of the shower. Knock again.

If no response, might be a dead body in there.

>>211822

This is the room of the murdered male, not the small female. That said I wouldn't be surprised if you found her in the shower.

Check the briefcase. It probably has been stripped of any useful evidence, but you never know.

>>211781
Step 1 of investigating a possibly compromised area is always clear the area first. This room is clear, so move to step 2.
Step 2 of investigating a possibly compromised area is seal exits as you move. Since this room is clear you need to seal the door behind you and move on to the next area, which in this case means the open door.

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

Suggestion 2010/07/24(Sat)14:43 No. 211874 ID: f1823c
File 128000783815.png - (255.70KB , 1200x1200 , 127.png )

The door should be locked shut to anyone without an high clearance security card. Other than that, Tiak can't think of a way to seal the door.

He knocks on the bathroom door, but nobody answers.

Tiak cautiously walks in to inspect the first obvious place to do so, the open suitcase on the floor.

Papers, notebooks, memos... all scattered around. Most of them look like uninteresting bureaucratic stuff, declarations, certifications, etc.

Then a few sport magazines, and there are a fair amount of written speeches and letters to private associations and corporations. Tiak reads some of the titles of the speeches: "Science: already gone too far?", "Medicine and political alienation.", "Intellectualism: stop it before it's too late."

In one of the inner pockets of the suitcase, Tiak finds a rather nasty looking knife. Wow, you didn't expect to find THIS kind of thing in the luggage of a mayor.

The last interesting item in the suitcase is a picture. It's been made in a crowded street, and portraits who appear to be Zira, the same girl you found in Engineering a few hours ago. A circle has been marked around her head, and it seems that there's something hastily scribbled in the back of the picture. It says:

Confirmed to be in the Sparrow's list of passengers. Very dangerous, extreme caution advised. Contact Security. Avoid unescorted actions.

equip knife.

>>211874
Grab the picture and investigate the bathroom.

Also, you made what is often a fatal mistake: You failed to either clear or seal the bathroom, meaning that the area was not secure when you started your investigation. Go do that now.

>>211874
>Other than that, Tiak can't think of a way to seal the door.

Well, you do have a welder, and it looks like that worked to seal up the zero deck elevator, but it's probably not a great idea right now.

Suggestion 2010/07/24(Sat)17:37 No. 211943 ID: 84bc0b
File 128001826110.png - (129.02KB , 900x900 , 128.png )

Tiak takes the knife and the picture with him, and cautiously proceeds into the small bathroom.

It seems that there's nobody in, but a huge metal crate almost blocks the way in. The box lid is leaning against the wall, so Tiak doesn't have any problems peeking in. It's a pretty big box and mostly empty, except for...

Oh, shit.

Tiak doesn't know much about the matter, but he's convinced that this thing right here is a bomb. Fortunately, it seems to be disabled . For now.

>>211943
That looks an awful lot like
>>210493
Only the one we picked up is lacking explosives.

>>211943
Disabled? Good.
Cut the tape and rip the wires out of the bundle, then take them both. Go to doc and have him look at the explosive block with his visor and make sure that there aren't any secondary triggers in place.
He'll complain, but then you can just point out that this was neatly placed in the corner of a conspicuously large crate, and you need to know as much as you can if you're to disarm the rest.
Then take them both to the captain and inform him of your findings. You can leave the explosives with him, but take the timer to our friend the engineer so he can examine it.

Oh, and go pick-up Zira on the way. If she's dangerous then you should keep her close. If she's dangerous to the person with a crate of explosives then you should keep her close for entirely different reasons.

>>211943
Break the antenna. Then take it to an airlock and flush it into space.

>>211950
do this

Take pictures of it before you space it.

Suggestion 2010/07/25(Sun)02:51 No. 212138 ID: 84bc0b
File 128005146330.png - (141.14KB , 900x900 , 129.png )

Tiak snaps the antena and pulls off the cables at the back of the bomb.

He tries to remember if he's seen any airlock but he doesn't think so. There must be airlocks in the Evacuation Pods area, next to the elevators. But those doors only open if the captain activates the emergency protocol.

There must be another airlock somewhere, to make repairs on the hull and such, but he hasn't found it yet.

But he suddenly remembers! The spaceship is in Hyperjump mode, traveling faster than the speed of light. The airlocks will be well shut for security reasons. If one of them is open, the results will no doubt be interesting in a scientific and morbid point of view. But not really pleasant for the people involved.

Tiak pockets the bomb for now, not sure about what to do with it.

>>212138
Take it to engineering.
It's too bad you broke the antenna, since then we could have easily tested how long that antenna is and thus what frequency it's tuned to.
That would have made disabling remote detonation as easy as jamming those frequencies.

Oh well, no sense worrying over it now. Go meet-up with Zira so we can have a nice pleasant chat about her job in the counter-terrorist wing of your intelligence services.
No, not really. Instead you want to remove the explosives from the device and ask her what she thinks of it.

By the way, remember what I said before about the attacker being careless because they don't intend for the ship to reach port? Well, if chucking a 2kg chunk of mass out an airlock into hyperjump space would be a bad thing, what would happen if an explosive planted on the inside of the hull caused the hull to rupture and spread chunks out into space? Two explosives? Ten?

Showing her the device without context will tell us something. If she flinches, then we know that she knows what it does. If she doesn't, then we tell her we found it in our room. If that still doesn't do anything, then show her the picture and tell her that you don't care what she's here to do as long as she'll help save the ship's crew and passengers. Then offer to take her out for drinks after you hit port.

>>212145
>jamming those frequencies.
Unless I'm mistaken, the conventional means of EM jamming is to flood that frequency with strong noise.

Do you really want to take a bet that the bombs have fancy handshaking rather than just a simple threshold trigger?

>>212157
Handshaking? No. It would have a cue sequence, however, due to the very real possibility of the band being less unused than required.

Besides, a threshold trigger is very easy thing to test for if you have a working unit.

Suggestion 2010/07/25(Sun)13:40 No. 212237 ID: 512caa
File 128009042953.png - (164.71KB , 900x675 , 130.png )

Tiak walks over Cabin 2, Zira's one and knocks on the door.

There's no answer. Hmm, she might be sleeping or in the bathroom. Or not be in at all.

Suggestion 2010/07/25(Sun)13:41 No. 212238 ID: 512caa
File 128009046940.png - (88.73KB , 900x900 , 131.png )

Tiak takes a moment to write down in his PDA's notebook a "to do" list, with the latest pieces of information and things he should investigate.

(At any moment the PDA[b] can be checked, and it's possible to write down new entries about stuff you might consider important, and delete past entries.)

The PDA also has other features, such as the [b]Map, a list of the passengers and crew members he's met so far with annotations and the remote camera. Which is still in the darkness.

Time to decide what to do now.

>>212238
Map. Knowing the layout would do us immense good.

Suggestion 2010/07/25(Sun)17:24 No. 212308 ID: 512caa
File 12801038539.png - (91.79KB , 900x900 , 132.png )

Tiak checks the map of the current deck. Unfortunately, as it's been noted before, the mainframe is down, so Tiak doesn't have access to the complete layout of the ship.

The map only marks the locations Tiak has already visited.

>>212308
Enter the room and do a quick check to see if she's there or the attached bathroom.
If she is, tell her that you have reason to believe she is being targeted and that she should stay with you.
If not, then go to engineering.

Suggestion 2010/07/26(Mon)01:57 No. 212458 ID: 512caa
File 128013467288.png - (56.59KB , 900x675 , 133.png )

Tiak opens up Zira's cabin with his security keykard. Inside it's pitch dark, lights completely out and nothing can be seen.


Hmm... Zira, are you there? Hello?

No answer.

Damn. Okay, does your PDA have a backlight? Use that to illuminate the area a little better. Prepare to punch the crap out of anything that jumps out at you but make sure it's actually attacking you before you do so.

what is that little light near the roof?

>>212458
Turn on the lights.

>>212458
Uhm, wait a moment. We jut wanted to check whether she's there to warn her. I don't think she would have turned off the lights if she was still in her cabin / the adjacent bathroom.

She won't be happy about us entering her cabin.

I think we should leave her a message and go to engineering. i don't see what we can accomplish here beside getting other people angry at us.

Suggestion 2010/07/26(Mon)03:48 No. 212486 ID: 512caa
File 128014129212.png - (63.01KB , 900x675 , 134.png )

Tiak uses the backlight of his PDA to try and illuminate the room a bit better, but it isn't really of much help, it's too weak. But at least it's better than complete darkness.

Tiak looks up, he thought for a moment that he saw a glimpse of light near the ceiling. But there's nothing there now. He must've imagined it.

He thinks about turning on the lights when he realizes that he's never seen any switch or anything like that in the rooms. The lights switch on automatically whenever there's someone in the room. These ones must be broken or something.

Tiak hesitates, not sure if he should invade Zira's cabin or wait to see if she's back later.

>>212486
Broken lights? Something to tell engineering later.

While you're here, throw a quick look into the bathroom. But knock first.

>>212486
Call out for her. Ask if she's alright, and say you think she may be in danger.

Wait, how do you turn out the lights when you want to sleep?

the bed is empty as her face glows. and we know she is bad at hiding.

>>212497
Or she's good at appearing bad at hiding.

Remember that the person who rummaged through the filing cabinet was her size, that all races encountered thus far have been of similar height, and that her condition is very rare.
Then there's the photo that identified her as "very dangerous".
The evidence clearly points to her being more than a simple passenger.

Besides a romantic interest, I mean.

>>212486
CSI Rules #20,951: death causes all light in the surrounding area to fail, so that corpses can always be in suitably thematically dim conditions and the investigators can use their torches.

Look for her body.

Suggestion 2010/07/26(Mon)10:15 No. 212525 ID: 512caa
File 128016451866.png - (113.95KB , 900x900 , 135.png )

Tiak leads his steps to the bathroom, hoping to find any clues there. But he doesn't get too far before someone jumps on his back, pulling him from behind, almost causing him to drop the PDA and almost lose his balance. Small hands grab him with a stronger grip than the size would've suggested, and a thin but really sharp knife is pressed against his throat. Before he can even act, he hears a familiar voice:

>Hah! Gotcha!

Shiiit! Zira! Cut it out, it's me, Tiak!

>I know it, you dummy. You're lucky I recognized your voice. I could've killed you!

She says that with a playful tone in her voice and a soft laughter.

...Could you let me go?

>Maybe~... Answer me first, what are you doing sneaking into my room?

>>212525
Cripes, she really is dangerous.

Tell her you were just checking in on all the passengers, and your room had its lights shut off, which was odd so you decided to investigate.

Don't mention the photo while she's got a knife to your throat.

>>212525
Tell her you were concerned about the security of the passengers. Then you discovered the broken lights in her cabin, you thought there was something suspicious goig on. Mention a probable sabotage act of the lights.

Suggestion 2010/07/26(Mon)14:22 No. 212561 ID: 512caa
File 128017934361.png - (61.54KB , 800x800 , 136.png )

I was checking on the passengers. When I saw your lights off, and it seemed pretty suspicious to me, so I came in to investigate.

>Hmm... Ok! I'll buy it.

She releases Tiak and moves to his front, handing him his PDA and opening the front of her helmet.

What happened with the lights, by the way?

>I broke them.

What? Why?

She shrugs.

>I'm not afraid of the dark, and for what I know, there's a murderer on the loose with access to any room in the ship. So I took precautions.

Hmm... It's funny that it's the second time we met each other and again it's in complete darkness.

>Hah, curious, now that you mention it. Do you think it means something?

Nope.

>Heheh, thought so too. Sooo... Wanted to discuss something else, or are you done with me?

>>212561
Hand her the bomb, and say the following as casually as you possibly can.
"I found this in a disturbingly large crate in Miko's cabin, as well as a decent sized blade, a photo of you, and some reading material about how science and society are the worst evils.
If the guy planting bombs on a ship is afraid of you then I know where to toss my lot in.
Oh, and how would you like to get a cup of coffee some time?"

>>212565
WHAT? no, we can't really trust anyone at the moment. miko's head was blown off, remember? just tell her "not at the moment. glad to see you are alright."

Yeah, there's one thing we'd like to discuss. Her tattoos are getting bigger. Almost like they're alive.

So, how cute did you think Zira is?

I ask as if she's not your type, you can't reply, "I may be done with questions, but I'd hope I'm not done with you. I'll see ya around, Zira."
That'd totally need a roguish grin, or whatever the closest equivalent guesture is.

>>212561
Ask her about the glowing spots.

>>212754
That's her luminescent tattoo. But good idea. Ask how the tattoo works. Also, show sample from atmosphere control and see if she's ever seen anything like it.

Suggestion 2010/07/27(Tue)03:02 No. 212808 ID: 857074
File 12802249515.png - (172.48KB , 900x675 , 137.png )

Tiak knows how the tattoo works, it isn't something uncommon nowadays. It's a luminescent bio-gel injected into the carapace. It's gelatinous, so it moves between the exoskeleton inner pores, so it gives the impression of it flowing under your skin.

The green ooze in the red balloon, though, squirms and wiggles like a living worm, and except for the color, it doesn't have anything in common with it.

Nice tattoo, by the way.

>Thanks! I think I've been using the green color for too long, but I'm a sucker for it.

It looks good on you. Well, I may be done with questions, but I'd hope I'm not done with you. I'll see ya around, Zira.

Tiak does his best to compose a confident grin. Zira giggles.

>Man, you're kind of weird. Here you are, flirting with the person that put a knife to your throat five minutes ago. Weird and cute. See you around, maybe we can have a drink later when you aren't so busy solving crimes!

Tiak gets out to the corridor again, the door closing behind him. From here, he can hear voices coming from inside the Canteen again.

>>212808
sneak towards it and see if you can tell who is in there.

>>212808
Step up to just outside the door on one side of it so they can't see you, and listen in.

Suggestion 2010/07/27(Tue)08:34 No. 212841 ID: 857074
File 12802448831.png - (243.99KB , 900x675 , 138.png )

Tiak sneaks to the side of the door and peeks in, enough to see that there's another person drinking at the bar, talking with the barman.

Tiak tries to hear what they're saying.

The man with the yellow uniform seems upset when he speaks to the barman:

>...kind of bullshit is that?

"Nothing, Dan, nothing. It's just kind of funny."

>I don't see how.

"Well, that Mikos guy, I know that you hated his guts. And as soon as his name appears in the Sparrow's passenger list, you volunteer to be in the crew. And then he's found with a smoking hole where his head was supposed to be. "

>Since when they pay you to play detectives between serving drinks, Mok? I don't like what you're implying.

"I imply nothing, Dan. I'm just a dead guy they took from the battlefield and put him to serve drinks in a pretty red uniform until the rest of his limbs fall off."

>Oh, great, here comes the self-pity number. You're getting repetitive, Mok.

The tone of the conversation lowers, Tiak can't make out what they're saying now.

>>212841
We have no indication that the saboteur, the murderer, and our assailant are one person. Let's chase this lead. Go in and let's talk with Dan. Ask him where he was at the time of the murder. After speaking with him, we are to have him come with us so we can inspect his quarters.

>>212844
Ask what the disagreement between them was before putting him totally on the defensive.

Suggestion 2010/07/27(Tue)11:24 No. 212879 ID: 857074
File 128025507910.png - (156.72KB , 900x900 , 139.png )

Tiak walks in casually, trying to conceal the fact that he's been eavesdropping the conversation.

The barman stares at Tiak for a moment before turning around to keep washing glasses.

The other man turns around. It's hard to decipher his expression, but at least Tiak doesn't have the need to ask for his occupation anymore. He must be the Navigation officer.

That device strapped over his eyes should be able to show him the status of the ship and any information related to its navegation while he's not on the bridge.

Hello, sir. I'm Tiak Belint, from security. Just checking on everybody during the murder investigation, I hope you could be of assistance.

>...

Where were you at the time of the crime, about five hours ago?

>That's pretty vague. I'm not sure. I guess I was at the bridge.

Was there any other person there with you?

>No.

Tiak has already figured out that this isn't going to be a cooperative one. What should he ask next?

He's the navigation officer might as well ply his trade. Ask him about the Sparrow's course, how much progress have they made in the journey. Where you are at the moment might lend some insight into the reasons behind the murder. If he knows the status of the ship, ask if he has any idea why the mainframe would be down. Also ask if he can tell if anyone boarded or disembarked from the ship mid-trip, or if he doesn't have access to that who does.

>>212879
Arrest him for drunk driving. :3

No, seriously, the computers are frotzed. What the hell is he doing relying on them for a task this important?

>>212879
Ask him about the victim!

Were there any CAMERAS, or computer logs, or anything like that that can confirm where he was?

Suggestion 2010/07/27(Tue)15:19 No. 212930 ID: deb942
File 128026914666.png - (188.51KB , 900x900 , 140.png )

Can you tell me something about the current status of the ship and its course?

>You should already know this. We're on route to the planet Tinosa II, one of the most influential and wealthy planets in the Maurian Republic. We should arrive there in two days, sixteen hours, more or less.

Tiak knows this, that's the ETA he's programmed in his PDA. He also knows that it's impossible to anyone to board or leave the ship mid-trip: they've been in Hyperjump since they left the Orbital Interception 46f.

Any idea why the mainframe is down?

>No. You better ask Trake or the Captain about that.

No offense, but why are you still using those goggles or however are they called if the computers are dead?

>You said it, they're dead. That means we have no means to control the ship, change our route or communicate with anyone out there. The only reason we haven't jumped out from the airlocks and get over with it is that the coordinates were already set when we went into Hyperjump. If nothing alters our course , we'll get to our destination in the estimated time, just like nothing happened. If you don't count the whole murder and the incoming war because of it, of course.

Yeah, but the googles...

The Navigator shrugs.

>They don't serve much purpose, sure. But I'm used to have them on, I kind of feel naked without them.

Alright, another thing... Do you know anything about the victim?

>No.

Nothing at all?

He shrugs once again, finishing his drink.

>Only that he was some poor fat bastard and that one of those Ziranée hiding in the passengers rooms blew his head off. Now, if you excuse me, I have to get back to my post. Thanks for the drink, Mok."

He gets up and walks past Tiak, leaving the bar without much ceremony. Now what, thinks Tiak.

>>212926

With the mainframe fried, all the cameras and logs are inaccessible.

THE GOGGLES... THEY DO NOTHING

>>212930
Well, he's lying but that doesn't prove much. His build is wrong for the attacker and he's using his left arm normally. Head back and keep checking on the passengers.

Tiak, how flexible are your antennae?

Suggestion 2010/07/28(Wed)01:49 No. 213122 ID: 2d8361
File 128030694183.png - (166.76KB , 900x675 , 141.png )

Tiak exits the bar and checks his PDA for the list of clues and things to do.

http://quest.lv/kusaba/quest/src/128009046940.png

He has the vague idea of checking the passengers, but he doesn't know which one, or if he really should do that now, or try to do something else more urgent.

>...

Hm, that's weird. For a moment Tiak thought that he heard a faint voice. But it's gone now.

>>213028

Tiak's antennae are usually in a fixed position, but they're actually quite flexible.

>>213122
You're in a corridor. What general direction did the voice come from? Head that way and keep your eyes and ears open.

Mongro. Sinarri should be investigated, one of them may well be your aggressor.

>>213122
Incoming from the north. Is that the envirosuit guy?

Suggestion 2010/07/28(Wed)13:53 No. 213245 ID: 2d8361
File 128035040310.png - (110.76KB , 600x600 , 142.png )

Tiak isn't sure where the voice came from, it was really low, like a whisper. For a moment he thought that it was coming from behind him, but then... He's not really sure he's even heard it, to be honest.

>>213189

That's actually Dan, the Navigation Officer, who left the canteen just a couple of seconds before he did. He's going towards the elevator, and Tiak decides to follow him, in his way to the Engineering Area, to see if he can talk with Mongro.

The two get into the elevator, and Tiak decides to be polite and let Dan push the Upper Deck button first. The elevator starts moving upwards.

>M... ive.. ack... ine...

I beg your pardon?

>What?

Didn't you just whisper something?

>Whisper? No!

Oh... My bad.

This is starting to get unsettling, Tiak is almost sure that he's heard a faint, broken voice, whispering close to him.

... awwww shit, the goo is talking.

Ignore it. For Now.

Ask why he hated Mikos.

Shit. We forgot about the goo, we need to get that to someone ASAP to find out what it is.

...wait. What if the goo is on top of the elevator, about to come down through the hatch? Step away from under the hatch...

>>213248

No. Don't ask "why do you hate Mikos?" Ask what's so awful about Mikos. You never knew the guy. You don't want to get on Dan's nerves any more.

Suggestion 2010/07/28(Wed)15:03 No. 213271 ID: 2d8361
File 12803546365.png - (167.32KB , 600x600 , 143.png )

Tiak must've seen too many bad horror flicks, how's anything going to be on top of the elev-

CLANG!

AAAAAAAA-!

>WHATTHEFFFUUKK!

There's an awfully loud noise outside, and the whole elevator shakes, almost throwing its occupants out of balance.

And then it stops. The elevator isn't moving anymore.

Doors. Do they open?

>>213271
First thing to do is push the emergency button. Second is to try to get the doors open. Third is to open that hatch to see if you can do anything up there like grab a maintenance ladder or something.

>>213280
There's probably no ladder, but if you can't climb up that hole, even with goggles there helping you, then you're in the wrong line of work.

Suggestion 2010/07/28(Wed)16:54 No. 213306 ID: 2d8361
File 128036125562.png - (145.42KB , 600x600 , 144.png )

Tiak tries to pry the doors open, but they won't budge!

He presses the emergency button. A piercing high-pitched noise drills his ears for a few seconds, then dies. He pushes the button a few more times, but nothing seems to happen. He tries to talk to the emergency mic.

"Help! The main elevator is stuck and we're trapped inside! Hey! Can anybody hear me!?.

>...

Doesn't look like it.

And Tiak can't reach the hatch on the ceiling, it's too high for him. Who designed this piece of crap!?

Meanwhile, Dan is starting to panic.

>Oh, shit. Oh, shit, shit... It isn't going to fall down, isn't it? I mean, these things are sturdy and the cables are strong and there are a lot of security systems and emergency brakes and we're not going to fall, right!?

tell dan to calm down and give you a boost to the hatch. after you are up you will help him up as well.

>>213308
Alternatively, avoid making stupid horror film mistakes and just sit tight. If it's the main elevator, and the only other one is the welded zero-deck one, then if nothing else someone will realise that it's not arriving when they call it.

On the other hand y'know the security officer is trapped in an elevator which means that whoever's responsible has free reign of the ship.

We need to get out of this thing asap.

>>213306
Grab the goggles while he's panicking.
"Dan, it's physically impossible for us to fall. Now help me on top of the car so I can start getting us out of here."

Really. You have no idea how secure elevators are.

>>213311
I mean modern elevators. With space elevators like this they can just turn off the artificial gravity in the area so that it's actually impossible for the elevator car to fall.

Suggestion 2010/07/29(Thu)10:31 No. 213575 ID: 19702b
File 128042468396.png - (133.60KB , 900x956 , 145.png )

Tiak tries to reassure Dan, but none of his arguments seem to calm him down. But as soon as Tiak reaches to get his goggles, the Navigator reacts.

>Hey, those are mine.

I was just going to keep them safe while you are busy panicking.

>Well, I'm better now. Gimme that.

Sure. Can you boost me up to reach the hatch?

>...Are you sure about that? Oh well, try not to kill yourself.

Tiak opens the hatch and climbs on top of the elevator. Here the ship really shows how old it is. The walls of the shaft are rusted and damaged, with holes and scratches that haven't been repaired in nobody knows how long.

The surroundings are pretty bare. There are some pipes running up parallel to the elevator. The door of the upper deck is over Tiak, just high enough so he can't reach it, not even jumping. But they're closed shut anyways. Under the door there's another ventilation tube, closed as well.

But Tiak only notices all this briefly, as the main attraction and cause of the breakdown is right over him. The huge compartment over him contains the Anti-Gravity engine that operates the elevators. And it's literally pouring green ooze, the same kind of ooze he's carrying in the balloon in his pocket.

And the voices are clearer now. There are multiple of them, a real cacophony, broken, awkward. They mumble more than talk, as they aren't capable of produce noises closer to Common speech.

>...Whole... hief...ours...eparated.

It's really hard too make out what are they saying over the loud sizzling noise coming from the engines. Uh oh, that doesn't sound good, actually.

>>213575

Fuuuuuuck they fried the elevators trying to get your sample back! Yell at them that if you damn kids don't want to get separated, stop being so oozy and separable! Then throw the balloon at them.

Then panic.

>>213575
Climb up and listen to the balloon.

>>213575
Grab your buddy and pull him up to the top of the elevator. You and him will want to grab hold of the red pipes so that you don't DIE HORRIBLY.

Unless you can immediately get the ooze to stop eating the cables and shit by telling it you'll return the piece you took. Say you didn't know it was sentient.

Suggestion 2010/07/29(Thu)17:30 No. 213714 ID: 1f3258
File 128044983094.png - (149.54KB , 900x956 , 146.png )

Tiak climbs on top of the elevator ceiling and applies the balloon with the goo sample to his ear. Nothing. It doesn't seem to be making any sound, but it's wiggling and moving inside the balloon, frenzied.

The voices are now more numerous and it's even harder to understand what are they saying. Tiak only manages to make out the word "whole". Or was it "hole"? "Mole" sounds kind of stupid...

Hey! I'm sorry, I didn't know you were sentient, I didn't want to take your... baby!?

>WHAT!?

I'm not talking to you, Dan.

>Then who are you talking to!?

This huge slime alien that is eating the elevator engines.

>...ggg

No time for gargles, I'll pull you up here, we might have to jump.

>No. Fucking. Way. I think I have more chances of survival if I fall inside of this box than jumping over the elevator shaft and fighting monsters up there!!

Actually Tiak has never been what you would call an athlete, and he's kind of clumsy. He doesn't feel too confident about making such a jump.

Tiak looks up. The ooze is slowly coming down towards the elevator. But that's not the worst part. The sizzling sound continues and Tiak is already able to smell molten metal.

>>213714
Stephen Fry tells us that your best chance of survival in a falling elevator is to lie down on a fat person.

Thankfully, it looks like the navigator has been on the donuts. Tiak, you get to live!

>>213700
Bwah? The cables are just there so it can move.
A loss of tension would result in a secondary break system kicking in - the simplest form of which is an upside down V with a spring; the cable pulls on the tip which keeps the V closed, so when the cable fails to provide enough force to keep the spring closed the V flattens and jams itself into holes in the side of the shaft.
Even if those were to somehow fail, the bottoms of elevator shafts are equipped to safely catch a falling car.
The worst case scenario would have them falling, what, three floors? Not a concern.

On the upshot, we now know what was on the zero deck.

>>213719
Oh, right, what to do.
Gently pour the slime out next to the cable.

>>213714
What? You don't need to jump. The red pipes are within reach.

Suggestion 2010/07/30(Fri)03:25 No. 213865 ID: 1f3258
File 128048554329.png - (61.94KB , 900x900 , 147.png )

>>213719

There are three decks, yes. But the distance between one and another is rather large, mind you. It's not an apartment building. And the Zero Deck is pretty deep down there.

Suggestion 2010/07/30(Fri)03:26 No. 213867 ID: 1f3258
File 128048558881.png - (195.54KB , 900x956 , 148.png )

Tiak carefully empties the balloon next to the cables.

The little sample of goo falls on the elevator ceiling, and to Tiak's surprise, it starts jumping and wobbling around, still in an apparent over-excitement state.

Still bouncing, it gets too close to the edge and it plummets down the shaft.

The big mass of goo eating the engines seems to let out a gurgled scream and pours out of the holes, directly after the smaller sample. The green glow promptly fades away as it descends into the darkness.

Well... That didn't go as expected, but it solved the problem.

Suggestion 2010/07/30(Fri)03:27 No. 213868 ID: 1f3258
File 128048562331.png - (116.40KB , 900x956 , 149.png )

And, surprise, the elevator engine, now free of the invader, is working again. And the elevator is going up with Tiak still on top of it!

The hatch closes itself with a loud bang, and Tiak cannot help to notice that it has no handle at this side. Tiak finds this detail annoying.

The muffled voice of the Navigation Officer comes from inside.

>Oh shit! It's working again. And I can't reach the hatch by myself!

Tiak is going to do something about this bothersome situation. And fast.

stand between the cables so you go through the hole in the roof.

>>213868
Is that a hole in the side of the shaft? Dive in there.

Do we have the cutter?

Cut through the joint on the hatch :V

>>213868
That's a hole in the wall there, right? Jump through it!

>>213868
Unless I'm grossly misunderstanding the art and you people build strange elevators, there's a huge amount of space above the top of the elevator in its top position. Sit down before you fall off, and you can always cut the hatch hinges once it's stopped if the navigator can't find anyone to help open it.

Suggestion 2010/07/30(Fri)07:54 No. 213960 ID: 1f3258
File 128050165520.png - (80.57KB , 900x900 , 150.png )

>>213914

(I completely fucked up the perspective due my complete inability to draw. Sorry.)

Tiak dives into the hole in the wall next to him. It's pitch dark inside, and for a moment of panic, he falls into the darkness. But the descent isn't long, and Tiak (painfully) finds himself in some kind of tunnel or shaft. It's pretty small and he's forced to crawl if he wants to move around.

Aw shoot. PDA light again?

ponder why a space ship has so much unused space. get a light of some kind.

>>213960
Pull out your crappy makeshift flashlight (the PDA) and look around.

Suggestion 2010/07/30(Fri)10:36 No. 213983 ID: 1f3258
File 128051136546.png - (101.54KB , 900x900 , 151.png )

Tiak turns on his PDA and it dimly illuminates his surroundings. It looks like he's in one of the old ventilation shafts, now unused.

It's a good moment to explain that the Sparrow is a pretty old ship, probably more than a century old. The Maurian Republic has been keeping a War Economy policy during war against the Ziranée, and one of the most accepted Maurian sayings is "If it still flies, it will fight.".

They've been recycling and reusing their spaceships for generations, patching them up, adding new weapons, compartments, decks... but still the same old ships. Even now, with the truce, the government is reluctant to abandon this old habit.

The Sparrow was originally a Colonization Ship, used to transport hundreds of colonists to new worlds. The three main decks of the ship are actually pretty small in comparison to the entire Zero Deck, now closed and sealed. It used to be where the colonists lived during the years of hyperjump travel. That's why 4/5 parts of the ship are actually hollow and empty. A pretty lousy work, would say Tiak if they asked him. Only that he wouldn't say that because he wouldn't want to be accused of being a traitor.

Back to the problem at hand, the tunnel he's currently crawling in splits into two different directions. One to the left, descending. The other to the right, ascending. The path to the front ends abruptly in a metal wall, for what Tiak can see.

>>213983
Go left!

>That's why 4/5 parts of the ship are actually hollow and empty.

>"Imperial ships are so vast and huge that often, there are bulkheads behind which lay forgotten sections of the ship. Full of madmen, heretics, aliens, mutants, or all of the above, it is best to let sleeping dogs lie and keep sealed bulkheads... sealed."

...

well shit, no wonder all this weird shit is in here.

>>213992

?

>> where the colonists lived during the years of hyperjump travel

That doesn't sound like madmen, heretics, aliens, mutants, or all of the above.

Nonetheless Tiak is in trouble! If that hole goes to the sealed section, it might be the only way out. At least there's atmosphere in here. Maybe he can find a rope ladder of some sort to get back up to that hole.

>>213999
It's a Warhammer 40K quote about the Imperial Navy.

Left!

>>213983
You've got a cutter, and the elevator with zero-deck access is sealed.
Gee, I wonder what to do...

Get the lights working.

Suggestion 2010/07/31(Sat)10:50 No. 214242 ID: 3bdf0e
File 128059862122.png - (61.03KB , 900x900 , 152.png )

Tiak takes the bifurcation to the left. He notices that these old vents are bigger than the new ones he can see in every room, where he wouldn't have fit.

The tunnel descends for some minutes in the most absolute silence, with the only light of the PDA to illuminate its tedious path. And even that small help is going to be denied to Tiak soon, the flashing battery icon means that he has only between half an hour and an hour of batery left.

After descending a bit more, Tiak estimates that he must be at the same level than the Middle Deck again. And like reasuring this thought, when he turns around the next corner, he notices a small hole below him, in the conducts. There' s dim, red light coming from it, and Tiak can hear someone talking at the other side.

listen to the hole then look in it.

>>214242
Turn off the PDA and listen.

Also, would the cutter/welder get through the ducting?

Suggestion 2010/07/31(Sat)13:14 No. 214296 ID: 807deb
File 128060728630.png - (84.38KB , 900x900 , 153.png )

Tiak crawls over the hole, turning the PDA off and peeking in. He can't see much from here, just a bit of the floor in the room below. It doesn't look like any floor he's seen in the ship so far, it has a few cushions and a soft carpet down there, a warm red light shining over them.

Tiak can hear two different voices talking down there. One is male, the other female. The first one to talk is the male, and Tiak immediately recognizes him. It was the Ziranée that talked with him at the door of cabin 6. His tone of voice is infinitely more servile and humble than when he talked with Tiak

>...Navigator apparently survived, my Z'slyb.

The second one sounds way more authoritarian, and it's the female . Tiak vaguely recalls the Ziranée society being matriarchal.

"So the Security Officer is dead?

>Looks like it. The fat one said that the one called Belint climbed up the shaft and started ranting about green ooze.

"Interesting."

>Then the elevator went operative again before the officer could have time to descend to safety. They didn't find his remains, though, so they think he fell all the way down the shaft.

"You don't say..."

>Something on your mind, my life?

The volume of the conversation decreases, making impossible for Tiak to hear the next few exchanges. When they raise their voices again, is the male one who speaks louder first.

>Are you sure you don't need my assistance?

"Worry not. I can handle this by myself. Leave me now.

>As you wish.

There's a soft shuffle noise and the sound of a door opening and closing again. Then there's a minute of silence.

"Are you going to stay up there forever, little ghost?"

...

Even when he can't see her, Tiak is pretty sure that she's talking to him.

Say no, since you kinda want to get back to the rest of the deck. Also, ask what the heck is going on.

"I don't intend to, but first I have to find a way back into the main parts of the ship. Rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated. Maybe it would be handy to keep it under wraps for this investigation, though."

>>214296
"Err... I'm kind of stuck in here."

Suggestion 2010/08/01(Sun)13:00 No. 214597 ID: d58d8f
File 128069284325.png - (220.09KB , 900x900 , 154.png )

I don't intend to, but first I have to find a way back into the main parts of the ship. Rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated. Maybe it would be handy to keep it under wraps for this investigation, though.

>Oh, but I insist, I've never had the pleasure of speaking with the undead. And besides, maybe I can be of some assistance in your investigation, yes?

Sweet, but also I think I'm stuck in here.

Tiak hears a deep giggling.

>I think I can fix that.

FFFFSSHHHHXXX

Woah, what! Watch out!

Suggestion 2010/08/01(Sun)13:02 No. 214599 ID: d58d8f
File 128069295347.png - (243.43KB , 900x900 , 155.png )

The metal below Tiak falls, and Tiak goes down with it. It would've been nice if he landed just two feet to the side, on the soft cushions. But he guesses that it would be asking too much.

When he looks up, he finds himself looking at a female Ziranée, leaning back on a pile of cushions, the red light reflecting on the scales of her hide. She's holding a plasma pistol, still smoking, the one she must've used to open the hole in the shaft Tiak was hiding.
She's looking at Tiak with an amused expression in her face. Or hungry. It's hard to tell.

>I see that you're a bit speechless at the moment. Let's begin with the presentations, that usually helps breaking the ice.

Urfh... Tiak Belint, Head of Security.

>Nayria V'yrian, Matriarch of the Yrian house. At your service.

The last three words hang in the air with a ring of mockery on them. Tiak remains silent for almost a minute, trying to assimilate the short but astonishing phrase.

"A Queen?? One of the queens of the five houses?" thinks Tiak. "That's not Diplomatic Class 2! At all! What's a queen doing in this second class flying junkyard? Without an army of bodyguards or anything!? There's some weird shit going on here."

The said queen is enjoying Tiak's daze. She finally breaks the silence.

>I have a proposition for you, but I know that you have a lot of questions ready to jump from your mouth. Ask first...

>>214599
Does a plasma pistol fall under the category of things that might neatly vapourise someone's head?

Or weld up the zero deck elevator, assuming the one in the brig/your inventory wasn't used for that?

Ask the obvious. Why is she here, and the head of security not informed? You're not an unimportant person here!

>>214599
Muse philosophically on the likelihood of all space-faring lizard species having tits. Pity you don't have a beard to stroke.

On a more serious note, pull the regular investigator routine: where, when, what, etc.

Suggestion 2010/08/01(Sun)16:51 No. 214638 ID: d58d8f
File 128070667484.png - (127.31KB , 900x675 , 156.png )

>>214601

It might be powerful enough to burn flesh, but the beam isn't wide enough to vaporize an entire head in just one hit, and even less damaging the wall behind the victim so badly.

Also it's a weapon too powerful to be used as welder. It would just cut through the metal.

She's currently playing with the weapon, idly passing it from one hand to another with her wide grin on her face.

No offense, but why are you here? I mean, a queen! In this... ship, just by yourself? And why did nobody tell me? I'm Security, dammit!

>Hahaha, aw I'm sorry, but I can't give you a straight answer for that. See, you've probably guessed it already, but there's something going on. Something big. There's much at stake, much more than the peace or war between our species.The gears of fate have started to roll and now nothing, nobody can stop them. Just try not to get crushed~.

...That still doesn't answer why nobody told me about this. Nobody tells me anything, to be honest.

>It must be quite frustrating. See, you've arrived to a party you weren't invited to. You aren't supposed to be here, you are the wild card. That makes you dangerous.

I don't understand.

>I'll give you a clue, just this time. Check the crew files and registers, they'll give you some interesting pieces of information.
Tiak ponders about her words and about the strange forms of her alien body. He doesn't know much about alien anatomy, and it's actually the first time he sees a female Ziranée. They're very rare and elusive, for obvious reasons. The fleshy bags hanging from her chest are particularly curious as Maurians don't have anything like that. Nayria notices Tiak's examination and if he's not mistaken, her grin becomes bigger. It's pretty unsettling.

...Uh. Well, let me ask the routinary questions. Like where were you at the time of the crime, and did you know the vic-

She interrupts Tiak before he can end the sentence.

>I was here, alone and yes I knew him. That's all I'm going to answer for now. It's not like you could trust me to tell the truth anyways. Not like anyone in the ship so far has given you even a small bit of truth.

>Now, before I tell you anything else, indulge me answering this simple question? What do you think it's more important? Peace? Honor? Or the truth? You can only choose one.

You know what? I don't care about any of that. I just want to do my job, and keep the ship safe and secure. I might hope that she doesn't start up a war on arrival, but I'm not a diplomat and it's not my business to deal with that. But between the murder, the living green goo screwing up the machinery, the rest of the crew lying to an officer, up to and including the point of breaking my carapace while apologizing for it, then leaving me to die in the elevator shaft, and now you telling me weird riddles, I'm having an awfully hard time doing my job!!

>>214638
We're a security officer. Truth might be tempting if we were more of an investigator, but our job description surely is the prevention of violence. Peace.

>>214642

Yeah, but if we pick peace she's gonna kill us on the spot so that we can be real peaceful, so I wouldn't go for that.

Anyway security officers forego peace so that others don't have to.

>>214638
truth. always truth.

Truth. Followed by honor, then peace. What use is peace if it is without honor and built on lies?

Is honor genuine if it's built on falsehood?

Truth is important. That's why it's frequently hidden.

>>214638
I'm going to go with peace.

peace seems like you would hold it quite high, though truth as well. honor to a lesser degree. I would say that peace is your mission, and therefore the most important to you.

>>214638

"You can't disassemble them like that. Honor and truth are interconnected; but war is sometimes the unrelated factor of economics or greed, the latter of which can be prevented by honor and truth."

Truth...


Knowledge of the Truth can give Honor to an individual or even restore one's Honor, and can take honor away from those who don't deserve it.

True Peace is only attained upon the foundation of Truth where as, Peace based on falsehoods and hearsay brings about violence and chaos.

And neither Peace, with it's ever calming air, or Honor, in the brightest of glory, could ever bring about Absolute Truth.

Peace founded on lies is still peace. Peace is the most important thing.

truth.

Truth.

Suggestion 2010/08/02(Mon)11:00 No. 214851 ID: d58d8f
File 128077200261.png - (113.94KB , 900x900 , 157.png )

Truth.

>Aaah, a seeker, hm? Really interesting. You're probably alone here, but you must be used to that. Truth is a rare element, and notably hard to harvest. We'll see if you stay faithful to it when the right time comes.

Awesome, more riddles... You mentioned something about a proposition.

>Yes, it's pretty simple.

She takes the crescent shaped trinket hanging from her blouse between her fingers and lifts it so Tiak can see it.

>See this little knickknack? It's a key. There are other two people in the ship with other two keys like this one. They might be bigger or smaller, but the heads have the same crescent shape. I want you to get the other two keys and bring them to me. If you do so, I'll give you vital information about the murder. You won't regret it.

>And before you think of it, it's not stealing. Each one of us were given the key as part of a common agreement. They've broken their part of the deal and they will try to take my own key for their own purposes. They won't doubt to resort to violence. Either you find find the keys, or you'll have another bloodbath under your responsibility. What do you say?

seems like everyone wants their own personal errand boy on this ship, eh? well, no sense in refusing the nice snake-lady, it's crescent hunting time.

>>214851
I don't think doing what she says is necessarily a good idea... but I think not doing what she says is almost certainly a bad idea. So, well.

>>214851
I can keep an eye out for them, and if I come across them, I can try to recover them. However, I hope you understand that I must continue my investigation as well. With the way this case is shaping up, I'll probably be all over the ship anyways.

>>214851
well, we certainly can't decline at this point.

Goddamnit, uh, can we switch to peace?

Guess you don't really have any other real option than agreeing...

What does it unlock?

Suggestion 2010/08/03(Tue)08:52 No. 215167 ID: bbaaf3
File 128085073344.png - (163.48KB , 1000x750 , 158.png )

I can keep an eye out for them, and if I come across them, I can try to recover them. However, I hope you understand that I must continue my investigation as well. With the way this case is shaping up, I'll probably be all over the ship anyways.

>Hmm, I knew you wouldn't disappoint me~. And do not worry, you will see how the murder itself has a lot to do with the keys and their owners. Now, I don't want to keep you away from your investigation. Good luck, late officer Belint.

She lets out a soft laughter and the door of the cabin opens. Huh, Tiak didn't thought possible to open the doors remotely.

Tiak adds Search the Crew files. and Look for the two Crescent keys to his notes in the PDA. The words of the queen has also reminded him that he's believed dead by the rest of the people in the ship now. What should be his next steps?

Get a disguise. Anonymity could be very usefull.

Do you have a spare set of clothes, or know where to find some? Make sure to wear something that covers your face. Bandages are a classic.

>>215167
Well, if you don't want to immediately give away that you're not dead, get back out of the corridor to somewhere private.

Are we lucky enough to be next to the security room that seems to double as you cabin, and did you remember to get your old, stolen keycard invalidated?

Suggestion 2010/08/03(Tue)13:54 No. 215257 ID: 4c2bc6
File 128086886130.png - (282.48KB , 1000x750 , 159.png )

Tiak sneaks back to his cabin/security post in order to think about course of action without being noticed.

He doesn't have a second set of clothes here. There should be a Supply room somewhere in the ship with more outfits, but Tiak hasn't found it yet.

He doesn't have bandages either. He guesses that the right place to find them would be in the infirmary, but he would probably expose himself in his way there. He could try to use toilet paper too, but that that won't probably do as fine.

Besides, he doesn't think that the bandages idea would really work anyways.

>>215175

Trake couldn't get the old card invalidated because the mainframe is down. He had to rig a bugged card in order to make Tiak a new one.

So, what now?