Session 33
Into the Aurum Gate (2025-03-29)
Return to the Starport
After grabbing sandwiches and calling another automated taxi, the group—Mia, Det, Siz, and Chimes—heads to the Aurum Gate Starport. Chimes continues displaying jazz hands gifs on his screen. The starport looms like a massive, gleaming seashell, its surface rippling with light and rain. Warm rain falls as crowds move through the glowing plaza. A faint smell of fudge wafts through the air.
Familiar Faces, Unfamiliar Intentions
As they near the cargo areas, Siz spots two suspicious figures:
- A leather-clad woman and a giant capy-ton with an oversized weapon.
- They appear to be the same pair seen near the research facility early in their journey.
The group quietly acknowledges the potential danger but avoids confrontation. Chimes, unaware of the tension, excitedly asks to go in.
Inside the Starport
The team enters the climate-controlled interior, filled with clean air, glowing star maps on the floor, and views of departing ships. At the cargo checkpoint, they’re stopped by a proud-looking guard named Hauptschuhmann. Mia explains they’re waiting for Abrar Kraghide, and the group stands down peacefully. Siz retrieves her sandwich. Det reminisces on Ysoki ale.
Meeting with Abrar
Abrar arrives jovially and mocks being a "pirate" after illegally downloading music. He greets the trio warmly and leads them to his private office. Along the way, he sniffs the air around Det and questions Siz about the fudge smell and "fudgy elves". Siz suggests, cryptically, that perhaps it's the same elf each time, wearing many faces.
Reviewing Flight Logs
Inside his cosy office, Abrar listens to Mia's summary—leaving out the civilization-ending details. Mia explains they’re tracking mercenaries who likely used the starport or landed elsewhere on-world.
Abrar begins scanning logs and finds three landings outside normal zones:
- One at a remote mining site.
- One on a natural gas facility island.
- One in New Texas, linked to a mysterious consortium.
Chimes Responds
At the mention of the New Texas ship, Chimes chimes loudly—clearly recognising something. Mia asks for registration data and any trace from the galactic network. Abrar notes the ship already left weeks ago, but promises to dig deeper using his “pirate tentacles”. The group suspects this ship—and its corporate backing—might be tied to Magrete Steel’s abduction.
