The Lumu VacationDecide to head to the Lumu system, as a good point to meet most of our requirements. Lumu are a symbiotic relationship between the Lu (large T-Rex'ish creatures) and the Mu (small monkeys regarded as not fully sentient). Lumu civilisation very old. No significant interstellar presence, due to resource limits, but noted for science and manufacturing. Currently formally part of the Empire, although Imperial presence is historically low. Lumu society is dominated by various religious "orders". Each is for a specific "calling", so "The Order of Blessed Froothly" is the engineers, "The Order of Blessed Quifippi" the medical peope and so forth. Wake up Ruri and Pondri. Ruri seems fine, but Pondri appears to be seriously brain damaged. The Ambassador isn't clear on how to fix this. Ruri isn't impressed with the Ambassador's abilities and wants off as soon as possible. Agree to kick her out at Lumu home world. Latte takes the unknown hypnotape. Turns out to be a "Ninja Assassin" tape. Impacts of the tape put something of a strain on his relationship with Ku-na. Bnarch names the Lizard pirate's ship "Hausdorff's choice" Tsaijix spends time looking at info provided by Rufo. Includes transcript of Tsaijix's grandparents "immigration interview" after fleeing the Empire. Clear that the AI thing is something of a front. Some discussion between grandparents and officials about their contacts with "The Founders" and how this will be beneficial, but little exposition. Also some discussion about the Stroga family (the exterminated telepaths) and the experiments on their "genetic gift". Party plans for the Lumu systems:
Scanning system from outskirts, we learn that the Imperial presence is now significant. A new arrangement has resulted in a large Imperial hospital / military base station in orbit around the home world, which is now responsible for all Galactic medial care. Also learn that humans require various inoculations before heading outside the cities. Bnarch contacts the "Order of Blessed Froothly" to discuss buying a workshop. Details are more-or-less settled. Learn, from explosions in the background, that they are currently debating the exact categorisation of a particular discipline with the "Order of Blessed Scruflani" (mathematics / science). Lumuerian academic debate is apparently rather robust, and prone to artillery fire. Bnarch also contacts the "Order of Blessed Scruflani", and arranges to see some papers. Similar matter-of-fact discussion about the ongoing battle with the Froothly from them. Nikchub decides to risk the hospital as source of brain scan, despite warnings from rest of party. Latte and Ku-na accompany him to get inoculations. Nikchub queues for the neuro-imaging people, while Latte and Ku-na go an get injected. Meet Ziva, who administers the shots. Leaving Nikchub to queue, rest heads down to the planet. Tier heads off to find someone to learn weapon-making from. Bnarch heads of to acquire workshop, Utan goes shopping for parts, Latte & Ku-na head for the outskirts, Tsaijix heads for the archives and Shar signs on for a tour of the city. Standard transport seems to be being carried in a backpack by a Lu, with Mu acting as interpretor. Transport handled by the "Order of Blessed Zufu". Bnarch arrives to find a temporary cease-fire in progress. Arranges to purchase well-equipped tool-producing workshop for 1/3 our remaining minerals. Tsaijix visits the "Order of Blessed Nusra", the order of archivists. Attempts various queries about his family history, without any joy. Queries do attract the attention of Sister Quesla, who reveals that they have a somewhat secret archive donated by an anonymous Imperial donor, which contains a lot of classified information, and offers Tsaijix access. Tsaijix accepts. Queries into secret database reveal more information about proscribed subjects. Stroga telepathy very much clan based. Each clan was telephatic with other members of the clan and varying levels of telepathy with other clans or non-telepaths. Reasons for fall from favour not clear, but some indications of plotting with external forces. Tsaijix makes friends with Sister Quesla. Secret collection is a bequest from someone in the Empire (from about 40-50 years ago). Request is probably because Lumu viewed as safe location, due to minimal involvement with the Empire. She explains that the archivists are good at not attracting attention. "Try to make ourselves look as boring as possible". Quesla also complains about the fall in quality of care from the medical order, especially for galatics. Her opinion is this made it much easier for Empire to secure hospital arrangement. Utan acquires a mixed collection of various electronic bits & adaptors for the Albatross, and orders some more manufactured to meet his needs. Hyperspace engine bits aren't available on planet and will require a visit to the gas giant factories to obtain. Shar signs on for tour of the city, with complimentary drinks. Ongoing disagreement between the Froothly and Scruflani is touted as a rare and note-worthy highlight to the tour. Tour goes through a lot of the city. Most manual labour being done by small groups of Mu. On tour, Shar notices several oddly behaving Mu. They spend time observing, rather than being obviously engaged in some activity. Also don't have order markings. Give off a strong "Not right" vibe. Shar makes friends with a fellow tourist, "Lt. Commander Torrin", who takes her for a drink after the tour. Latte is setting up the camp for a romantic evening when he hears someone approaching. Attempts a ninja assassin stealth move to get behind them, but doesn't pull it off, and lands very heavily and noisily. Intruder is medic from the station who gave the shots (Ziva). Z: "Your friend is in trouble. He says they're going to kill him and asked me to tell you. Now I'm leaving". L: "I don't think you should leave" Ku-na arrives with sharpened stick to investigate the noise. Conversation attempt happens, but it doesn't go well due. Do establish that Nikchub's bracelet was taken and manage to persuade Ziva to provide some info, but she doesn't have high clearance, so may be issues there. There is some mention of Imperial military on the planet. Ziva leaves to return to her shift. Latte makes awkward proposal to Ku-na, and gives her jewelry made by the Mugrokans, and then informs party of Nikchub issue. Shar pumps Torrin for info. "A lot going on here, will be good for my career". Aim is to get info from the Lu. "A lot of unused research", "Friends of the Empire are helping us". Also learn that there's a Lab in the jungle that sees extensive use. Returning to shuttle, Shar notices a group of unmarked Mu carrying part of our payment to the Froothly. although they are far from the temple. Attempts to engage leader in conversation. Doesn't learn much. Asks leading Mu favourite temple: "Order of Blessed Gresli", order of striving for perfection. Shar goes into the nearest bar and briefly discusses the strange Mu with the bartender. Others have noticed them, but no-one has any knowledge about their origin or meaning. Tsaijix inadvertenately reveals to Sister Quesla that humans don't have the same perception of spiritual calling related to careers, and can indeed lie about their jobs. This does not go over well, and is a source of much upset. Sister Quesla goes off to take to other members of her temple as they decide how to deal with this revelation. Utan and Latte take shuttle with purchased supplies (sans workshop, which still has to be delivered) to the Embassy with Ku-na. The Ambassador informs us that it cannot deactivate Nikchub's bracelet, as it's out of range of the deactivation signal, and appears to be on the surface of the planet. Arrange to take a Ku-na clone to disable bracelet from planet surface. Utan stays on the ship to coordinate with ground party and patch electronics into the Albatross. Bnarch has a talk with the one of the mathematicians, Sister Murath. Bnarch secures a few interesting papers. Some discussion about local interactions reveal that the medics have had most contact with the Empire. Bnarch contacts the local Quifippi temple, and arranges to meet with them in exchange for a genetic sample. Based on bracelet tracking of Nikchib's signal, Tsaijix finds a map of a likely candidate town to the South. Town is Quifippi temple, and is quite isolated. Map is old, but does show local terrain. Most recent map available (25 years ago), shows signs of large excavations. Evidence suggests Lab may be build underground? In the absence of Sister Quesla, her Mu gets more and more distracted and less helpful. Sister Quesla returns, and awkward conversation with Tsaijix follows. Order is very upset that their records are now incorrect due to possible lies by humans on the entries. Learn that several Empires have interacted with the Lu, and that the concept of a Lu betraying their home world is unthinkable. We also learn that the Lu communicate with the Mu via nigh ultrasonic speech. Avenue for someone else to control the Mu? Sister Quesla agrees to alert various people, including the "order of blessed Susli" (the war god) if it appears we've failed in your mission (i.e. we don't contact her soon. Contact Ziva, get some maps and notes from her. Also learn that Nikchub has been moved, so may well be on the planet. Arrange to meet up with Ziva on the planet surface, with shots for the untreated party members (Shar, Tsaijix & Ku-na clone), as we may need to go jungle bashing. |