Lieutenant Commander Cadfael Peters: Curiosity
Zeph
The atmosphere in here made Cadfael nervous. He was fully expecting someone to jump out of the shadows and shoot them. Though as he looked around, he felt a bit nervous as he recalled the barkeep’s mention of electrical devices potentially not working as that meant his hearing might be affected.
Varik: Yeah, this manic looking fellow. Had a PADD and vest. Stick up his ass too.
Unknown Agrathi: And he didn’t show, which brings you to me. So you’ve come to sell or buy?
Peters: Maybe both, but is “connect” an option?
Varik: To connect with a supplier. We are here to buy. Are you selling?
Unknown Agrathi: And he didn’t show, which brings you to me. So you’ve come to sell or buy?
The gent behind the table snickered a little bit at Peters’ question, obviously amused in some small fashion by the notion that maybe they weren’t here to shop, but rather to network. Though how to fit that into his current empire was another matter entirely.
Unknown Agrathi: Maybe. Maybe not. Why don’t you three have a seat and tell me a bit more about what you’re looking for?
Here, Cadfael shut his mouth. He wasn’t leading this specific excursion, and his earlier suggestion was a bit on the weak side. Since Wes was in charge, he cast a glance over to the marine.
Greaves: Well, honestly we’re in the business of information.
Varik: The one thing the Federation can't scan or detect within us.
Unknown Agrathi: And Sonn was who you were going to for that? Why in the hell would you want to meet with Sonn. Guy was an idiot.
The engineer did note the man’s usage of the past tense, perhaps implying that he already knew Sonn was dead or else a Freudian slip. He had another sip of his drink, the amberish liquid within, almost reminding him of Mac & Jack’s African Amber from Earth; it was similar enough in texture that it could have very easily been that.
Varik shrugged.
Varik: I would not know. We did not get the chance to meet him but I am inclined to take your word for it.
Peters: I didn’t know him too well either.
Unknown Agrathi: (sighing and shaking his head) Starfleet... Did you find Sonn on a billboard somewhere?
Peters: No. Were we supposed to?
Greaves: I’m Wes by the way. You got a name?
Unknown Agrathi: I do, but I don’t know you. Call me JN for now.
Cadfael sipped his drink again, and considered what name to use. There was a momentary flash of panic, as he didn’t need to come up with an alias before. He did his best to keep his expression neutral, hoping the glass would hide his features for just long enough for him to think of something.
Varik: Oh are we doing initials then? Call me VT. The name in my native tongue is a mouthful so believe me when I am saving you time and money by not having to learn the whole thing.
Peters: I’m Elias Rook.
It was a weird name, but it was the first name that came into his head. He’d played an Essence20 character with that name before in one of his many RPG days back at the academy.
The Marine nodded, but didn’t add anything.
JN: Well, my intrepid Starfleet guests. Let's say I was hypothetically in the business of knowing things. What things would you be looking to know?
Varik: The kind of things that do not appear in port logs. (beat) Hypothetically, of course.
The Argrathi tapped his chin and presumably thought about this for a moment before responding.
JN: Hmm... Do I look like the type to know about port logs?
Varik: If not you, then who? Sonn?
Greaves: Response
JN: (shaking his head) Sonn will be of little use to anybody now. Forget about him. He is probably five systems away by now.
Varik: Sonn is dead.
Greaves: Response
JN: (alarmed) What?!
Cadfael could tell JN seemed genuinely surprised to learn of the news, and the bartender took another step into the room as though preparing for a fight. At this moment, the engineer set down his drink and reached into his pockets. While he had no hidden weapons, he was a martial artist. Albeit still an elementary one, though he hoped that his skill would be sufficient if they needed to utilize it.
JN: Choose your next word very carefully.
Varik: We watched it happen. He made it to the gangway of a small freighter. They shot him where he stood.
The Argrathi slammed his fist on the table, rage burning behind his eyes.
JN: Those treacherous sons of... (standing abruptly) Brelak was mine to protect. He trusted me. (through his teeth) Those double-crossing smugglers are going to answer for this.
Greaves / Varik: Response
Peters: What can you tell us about the smuggling ring?
JN / Greaves / Varik: Response
Cadfael didn’t want to pry too far into JN’s connection with Sonn, but they were here for information rather than booze. So, it followed that they'd already revealed news of the Agrathian’s death moments earlier to try and continue with their inquiry.
JN / Greaves / Varik: Response
Peters: Nah. We were just curious.
JN / Greaves / Varik: Response