Ask Some Questions, Get Some Answers (?)

[airlockedmods]

[The Stardust Nebula is a large cloud, sprawling pink and purple across the dark void of space as you approach. There are no planets here, not even a planetoid, but that hardly means it’s devoid of life. Kip will easily be able to navigate to the place in question, a small collection of interconnected spaceports orbiting near the edge of one of the nebula’s hazy, rose-tinted tendrils. Floating signs hooked to these advertise “AIRLOCKED! Q&A”, with arrows leading towards what appears to be a convention center. A dome encloses the area, much like the one around the Fantasy Sweet, but there does not appear to be any kind of security restrictions on the port; it will open as soon as any ship pulls up to it.

Inside, there aren’t too many inconspicuous places to park your weird flotilla of offensively-shaped ships. You may just have to settle for the back of the docks, behind a large news van or something like that, and consider not sticking around the entire time. Getting inside was a quick process, so you shouldn’t have any trouble doing it again, especially with a military navigator staying with the ship. A line has already formed in front of the entrance, at least partially due to the scanners flanking the door. A large weirdly baby-faced alien in some type of uniform is standing there, apparently manning the machine, checking peoples’ belongings, and generally directing them. There’s an unfamiliar symbol on their uniform, clearly not the InterGal 7 logo. Despite being alone, they seem to be handling the line fairly efficiently - even if they occasionally appear to intentionally loom over some of the smaller aliens attempting to enter. There are a few cosplayers among the crowd, of course, but this time the majority are in plainclothes.

Some people are skipping this line and walking around to the back of the building. They’re all wearing or carrying badges, which do have the InterGal 7 logo on them.

For the moment, no one seems to have taken notice of your arrival.]

Comments

[scourgingstars]

[Internally, Ardyn was suddenly very aware he was carrying half the contents of a raided space mansion in what was effectively his pockets.]

[Shit.]

[But he didn't miss a beat and fixed the officer with a look that was equal parts concern and just casual conversation, hands loosely on his hips.]

Pirates, no kidding. Sounds like an exciting job--been chasing them long?

[theoverwatchers]

A few years, give or take. Mainly just one slippery bastard and his crew though. Every time I get close they find a new way to slip out of my hands.

[scourgingstars]

[@ a pentatheon minus bahamut: thank you]

[Ardyn had the distinct feeling they probably needed any information they could get,
but the question was how to get it. He was an excellent liar, but an excellent liar that usually dealt with complete idiots. Not to mention he was making an effort not to talk like himself, which was never entirely easy even when using illusions.]

Anybody we should be looking out for? The last thing we need is to run into any trouble like that, from the sound of it.

[Why did Gladio talk like that, have some decorum you're a damn Amicitia for gods' sake.]

[theoverwatchers]

[Moses reaches into the pocket of his vest and pulls out what looks like a very thin, very advanced-looking smart phone. He taps the screen a few times, bringing up an image that he shows to Ardyn.]

If you ever spot a ship flying these colours, get out of there and fast.

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn looked over the image and committed it to memory; maybe it wouldn't be relevant to the problem at hand, but if they were going to be out in the middle of nowhere they may as well know what else they'd need to contend with.]

[...'Space pirates' was not how he expected this day to go, and it was not a phrase he ever expected to cross his mind at all, much less an an actual potential threat.]

[What in Shiva's name was his life now.]

Got it. You're incredibly helpful to us, I'm sure our whole group appreciates it.