Session 28

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Combobulation and Bounty Hunters (2025-02-22)

Reflecting on Dreams and Nanites

Over breakfast, the group discusses Mia’s dream again—liquid-metal beings, a rising tide, and the warning: "The gate must stay shut". Det tries to downplay it but admits it might mean something, given recent events. Siz simply mentions an infinite kitchen and smiles.

Chimes contributes with a chaotic monologue:

• Nanites might be tampering with entropy or time.
• Dimensional fractures are possible.
• It believes Magrete’s disappearance is likely related.

Mia remains sceptical but unnerved. "Dreams are just the brain unwinding," she says—though not entirely convinced. Siz quips that dreams are “an inefficient email server” that always gets checked.

New Ideas and Incoming Call

Mia suggests asking Charles for a list of locals who subscribe to Combobulation Monthly—perhaps those readers share Magrete’s interests. Chimes rambles joyfully about electric sheep and dimension-breaking nanites.

Just then, all their comms buzz—Charles is calling. He brings bad news:

• The local police are looking for a Tiefling, a human, and a smaller hairy one—linked to the now missing body of Martin Baumgartner.
• Someone stole Martin’s corpse, and the trio are persons of interest.

New Lead: The Emblem

Charles confirms the abductors of Magrete wore bounty hunter insignias—not local, likely off-system. No clear match found yet, but it’s their best lead.

The team discusses strategy:

• They’re lightly armed and not ready for direct combat.
• They consider showing the emblem to locals, especially the bartender who mentioned bounty hunters before.
• Contacting local police is risky given their current status.

Humour and Paranoia

Siz and Chimes spiral into a bizarre exchange about humour theory, cheek pouches, and the definition of squirrels. Chimes attempts puns ("lightspeed") while causing Charles visible second-hand embarrassment.

Mia and Det suggest:

• Checking the main spaceport for off-world departures matching the timeframe.
• Reaching out to the editors of Combobulation Monthly for contacts or contributors.

Charles promises to send a clear image of the bounty hunter emblem after the call and advises:

• Don’t talk to the police without legal counsel.
• Investigate leads at the bar discreetly.
• Keep looking for the Elf, but don’t count on catching him easily.

Concluding Thoughts

Plans are made to:

• Visit the bar again and ask about the symbol.
• Return to Bhoover for access to better databases and the spaceport.
• Research groups or corporations dabbling in entropy or swarm-related nanotechnology.