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Assuming Responsibility; Hard Quest~ Osiris
Topic Started: Jan 27 2016, 04:08 AM (151 Views)
Osiris
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Pallor Lord
Roleplay Guide
Title: Assuming Responsibility

Location: Ruins of Cauldron/Suicide Station

Difficulty: Hard

Description: You've been working hard for Siberius and have gotten sick of seeing how easy Barnak, Siberius' right hand man, has it. It's time for a promotion. One way or another, get Siberius to acknowledge you as his new right hand man, or get rid of Barnak in a way that throws off suspicious- whatever works best.

Reward:
+1,000 zeni, +12 DP, +125 all stats, +12 Rp Credits, and -1 Alignment.

Bonus:+1,000 zeni

Requirement: Working for the Man quest complete.
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Osiris
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Pallor Lord
Roleplay Guide
Osiris sat back into an over cushioned chair like he owned the place, and in his mind, he did. His amethyst orbs rolled around inside his head lazily taking in the room he had already known almost every detail. After a moment, he gave up the charade of trying to look curious. He smiled at the large ruby resting on Siberius’ desk before locking eyes with it’s new ‘owner’.


You know, the galaxy is full of aspiring people looking for a cut of the cake. Most of them though, well deep down they are just cowards. They come here and grovel to me trying to get in my good graces like I care for flattery. I do not. But you, you my new friend, you know how to make an entrance. Granted, you could have done a little less damage to my station,” his voice was polite but lined with such a malicious pride the words felt slimy.


Siberius seemed like he would be just as tall as Osiris, but the massive chair he sat upon forced the Pallor Lord to look up slightly; it was no subtle attempt to mimic a throne. His clothes shone with fine silken thread so tightly woven the grey fabric looked almost like liquid steel draped across his shoulders. It went well with the alien’s light purple skin and deep coal colored hair bound into two long braids with golden clasps. He radiated richness with the deep violet gems hanging from his necklace, and studding his forehead.


I am sure the proceeds from selling that will be much more than is required to repair and possibly even make a few upgrades to your station. Blood rubies half that size are quite the find for any miner,” Osiris smiled at the uncut gem sitting in a golden stand as though it might smile back.


The crime lord chuckled a little, “Oh my, no. One does not sell a gift, especially as nice as this one was. I have a fund just for repairing the station if truth be told. These situations aren’t exactly uncommon, though I think this one will end much more happily than most.


Osiris allowed the fake smile to leave his lips, “You honor me, but if you don’t mind I would like to get down to business.


Siberius swiveled in his chair and stood up abruptly, “Yes, of course. This is a matter of business after all. Truth be told, in a matter of a few hours, you managed to obliterate my most profitable . . . investment procurers. They ensured that membership dues from the shop owners were paid on time, and our freight investments moved in and out of the system on time.


A yellow envelope hidden between a set of impressive, albeit seemingly unused, books was produced and set on the table in front of the lounging Osiris, “We keep rather strict records around here. I like to ensure everyone’s money is going to the right place. You will find our books are most reliable. But don’t worry about that. These are the accounts and holdings ae what your men secured in your little hostile take over.


Osiris picked up the folder and started flipping through the papers contained within. It was organized as an account tracking report, just like he had seen while living in Henex’s home. Undoubtedly, the old Keliouxian businessman had crafted these documents. There was nothing itself incriminating within the numbers and names, but their hidden meaning was plain to see.


I will be needing that back before you leave. Each day, we will send you a task list for your crew to complete. As you go along, simply check off the tasks you have completed. When finished, the program will close out and self delete. Barnack will come visit you from time to time to handle the physical investment transfers. But don’t worry, I like to have occasional team meetings to put in some face time for my most profitable associates.” the would be lord of Suicide Station smiled as if to reassure his new grunt that they were indeed friends.


Osiris nodded his head as he continued to study the file, “These are no small accounts, and there is no lacking in their numbers. It doesn’t seem that many of these are handled more than once or twice a month though. I was expecting a bit more work, I suppose.


Siberius suddenly clapped his hands together amused, “The previous group had three times your manpower, and you want to do MORE? Ha ha, you are an ambitious lad. Barnack kept pestering me to only give you a fraction of these accounts until you proved reliable. The man worries more than a mother hen. It took me almost an hour to assure him this was going to be a most advantageous partnership.


They had three times the men. They had nowhere near the man power I can bring to bear. Efficiency will be my calling card, I assure you.” The Pallor Lord sat back, finished with his reading. He considered for a moment the mention of Barnack’s resistance. The feeling of inevitable conflict tingled at the base of the Pallor Lord’s skull.


Excellent. I have need of a more professional workforce.” Siberius pulled out two crystal drinking glasses inlaid with gold leaf, “You would do well to be an example for my other investment teams, I think.” He poured a thick red wine into each glass, “I took a lot of risks to get where I am at, Osiris. You would do well to remember that, and to remember that I outlived every one of those risks. So, you can be assured that I appreciate the risk you took in coming here.


The well dressed crime boss slid the glass towards the Pallor Lord, “Do not think though, that your ambition exceeds mine - in reach or merit. The eyes and ears of this station are mine, and more hands then you might imagine. So, please, do not cross me.


Osiris picked up the heavy cup of wine, “A toast then.


Siberius’ smile accented the slight lines of surprise around his face. Clearly, he wasn’t used to having toasts after threatening a man. “Ah, you beat me to the punch. What do you recommend we toast to?


That our ambitions may make us closer than blood,” the pale, clawed had lifted the drink higher into the air. A vague sense of double meaning radiated from the up raised hand. At once it promised elevation, a friendly tide - and at the second it promised the descent that would inevitably follow, the fallen dagger and betrayed expectations.


Smiling, Siberius lifted his glass and for a moment the humming sound of crystal striking crystal resonated inside the chamber. Everything seemed so relaxed as they both took deep drinks. The lighting in the room was warm as if it were lit by a dozen candles, and the soft seats could ease a man to sleep. It was more than that though.


Putting his empty glass down, Osiris eyed the uncut gem resting in its elegant cradle with a faint smirk on his lips. How far a little dark magics could take a man in such a short time. It was lucky so few were studious enough to master even the lowest levels of its practice.


Having some sellers remorse?” Siberius was smiling and pouring himself another glass of overpriced liqueur.


One does not sell a gift,” he held his own empty glass out when his new ‘boss’ offered another round.


Excuse me, gifter’s remorse I should say then.


He could see it then, more clearly than ever before. Siberius was not just susceptible to the influence of the gem, and the Sanguimpicus within . . . he was made especially vulnerable by his greed. So badly he wanted the great ruby to be his prize, that he opened the door way within his mind for the little imp waiting inside to take advantage.


No no. I am glad you have it now. I would have never thought to give it such a beautiful stand to rest in. I can only imagine how radiant it will look when you have it cut and polished.” If Osiris was smiling in earnest, it was not for the cause of Siberius’ company. As he peered through the bottom of his once more empty wine glass, he could see the future in that mysterious devil egg: the Saoirsen would rise once more.


Rubbing his chin with a thoughtful expression, “I do think I like it the way it is now. I feel, it represents this Station. Rough around the edges, but worth more than the normal man could even conceive. It’s poetic.


Osiris nodded his head in agreement, “I can’t argue with you there. I would say it does indeed represent the future of this station: profitable,” in his mind the Pallor Lord added the final words to the sentence, for me.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Three Weeks Later: Seventh Commerce Deck.


Going about asking for protection money had a tendency to be light work mostly, and a huge pain in the ass occasionally. Most of the patrons had become so habitually trained to simply give up the payment that they might as well have been ATMs. Others though, the stubborn ones always seemed to be plotting something - - - seeing new faces working the shops seemed to inspire them to try those plots. Today was one of those days.


Get the hell out of my shop!” The short little woman with blueish skin was already yelling at him when the Pallor Lord stepped through the door. Her voice was shrill and as her uninvited guest came closer, her commands became more obscene until finally it seemed all her angry words were out.


Osiris simply stood in front of the transaction counter and looked about the store without much worry. This had not been the first time one of the owners resisted, and he didn’t blame them. Still, this shop actually interested him. Herbs, and roots, and whole plants the likes of which he had never seen were crammed into the humid little storefront.


The woman had finally fallen silent, a small smirk on her face as though she had finally gotten to do something she always wanted.


This place, this was a place the Pallor Lord liked. That was not something he could say about most of Suicide Station. He had been to brothels, and bars, and parts dealers, and weapon vendors, and half a dozen other shops that did not suit his taste. To those owners, he had found a harder time being so kind to them as he had made a custom since taking this ‘job’.


I understand your displeasure, but there are no exceptions on Suicide Station, ma’am.” He looked down on her with an apologetic frown which was almost honest.


The shopkeeper snorted and threw her head back disdainfully, “Well why don’t you start making exceptions before this little old woman has your scrawny pale ass kicked!?” A row of dull white horns protruding out of her head cast shadows across her nose with a single nostril. She looked very peculiar, and Osiris could not place what race of peoples she may have hailed from.


Ma’am, please, do not make this situation any more difficult than it needs to be. You have a very lovely shop here, and I would hate to see these plants wasted” He stepped away from the counter and started looking over some of the flowers. Many were vibrant hues of blue and purple and red . . . but others looked ugly with muddy browns and even a few seemed completely black and lifeless.


No, I am done paying that tyrant his fucking protection money. I won’t stand it any longer. I dealt with scum like you on Cauldron, I should have known better than to think Siberius was an honest man. Mining station, bah! This place is just a bunch of flies feeding on a corpse.” She pulled out a small energy pistol from behind the counter and leveled it at Osiris’ face.


The Pallor Lord shook his head slowly, “That won’t do you much good. I am glad I came to handle this one today. My men might have tried to snatch it out of your hands and gotten someone hurt. I came from Cauldron too, you know. I had to deal with people worse than me. Please believe me when I say I take no pleasure in this. It is simply a necessity. All things have their purpose, a fact easier to see with time or would you disagree?


A pale finger reached out and touched one of the black flowers ever so slightly. Almost instantly he could feel the tip of the index going numb. He understood why this woman had come here to do her trading now. Many of these plants must have been illegal under almost every government, except maybe the PTO . . . but even they had restrictions.


He doesn’t sound like any thug I have ever met, Kella” A gruff voice suddenly called out from the back of the shop. In the next moment a rather short Keliouxian (from their standards) stepped through a curtain located to the right of the sales counter.


I told you not to come out until I called for you!” The little alien woman seemed dismayed that her surprise had been ruined. There was a certain pernicious quality to the herbalist, or perhaps that was just an impression emanating from the myriad of fragrant toxins.


Osiris looked over at the sturdy old keliouxian emerging from the drapery . . . except he wasn’t old, he was ancient. Only a few strands of blue lingered any longer. Instead his well brushed hair and beard shone almost silver with highlights of faded cobalt catching the light here and there.


Who are you boy?


For a moment, the demonic vessel said nothing. He couldn’t say anything. He was lost delving the deep well of pain in this mysterious man’s eyes. The quiet passed, “I am Osiris.


The watery golden eyes widened in surprise, “You? You are Osiris, truly?


Yes.


The keliouxian’s eyes suddenly narrowed, “Did you know a Commander on Cauldron.” His voice was guarded now as he tried to not give away too many details.


Yes, Commander Javier. He was as honest a man as I ever met. I miss him.” the Pallor Lord had inquired who among his friends were dead and alive. He remembered the list Juku had made for him. It was burned into his mind, the sorrow it had brought had had many dimension to it. To the youth’s shame, he had not worked up the courage to contact the few survivors, especially those that had been close.


Deep lines suddenly formed over the Keliouxian’s face as he grimaced with a disdain to such a magnitude that few had bore witness to, “What the hell is the leader of the Saoirsen doing here?!


The low growl puzzled Osiris. So few seemed to know who he was anymore . . . why did this man?


I asked you a question boy!” Hushed anger flowed from the elder’s tense body.


I am not inclined to answer the demands of a stranger. My reasons are my own. What business is it of yours?” Subtly, the youth widened his stance defensively.


With a few marching steps, the greyed keliouxian was just within arms reach of Osiris. “Javier was my brother. Before he died he talked about you like some kind of savior of Cauldron. You were the entire reason he was placed in martial command of the entire world, and yet now you are here working for the very scum that had you shackled back there? What a disgusting farce!


Osiris suddenly understood what was going on, and relaxed himself. His clawed pale hand extended forward, the one he had not unintentionally numbed. “If Javier truly did speak to you about me, then you should know better. You should mind your tongue in a place like this . . . I don’t recall getting your name.


The back of the elder’s hand smacked into the Pallor Lord’s palm with tremendous force - - - but not enough to move it. Instead of swatting away the handshake, the two were suddenly locked into an awkward one. Though it took much of his strength to keep his grip, the youth had no intention of releasing the hand until he made his point.


Listen, if you are who you say you are . . . well then let’s talk. But for today, who we are makes no difference. Take this,” Osiris slammed a business card into the man’s hand and then let go of it. “Now, I will take what I came for and be on my way.


Stepping past the one confronting him, the demonic vessel looked across the counter and waited for the woman to act.


Pay him, Kella.” His voice was still gruff, but it had lost much of its anger.


But - - - this is why you are h,” her indignant question was cut short.


Just pay him. Things are different now.” Without saying another word he solemnly marched back from where he came.


What happened next was silent and filled with frustration. Several hundred zeni were taken from the cash register and deposited into Osiris’ hand. He didn’t wait around to look at anymore of the planets. He would be back though, and not just for another payment.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Two Days Later: Docking Port Alpha 345.


These are not up to specks. Grell take command of their cockpit. Branish, Hansel make sure they don’t do anything stupid, like try to get away.” Nellic spun around to look at her Captain, “The weight is right to make up for their last shipment coming in light. But the weight comes from cutter . . . not actual merchandise we are paying for.


“You are lying bitch! You are just trying to steal our snuff!” One of the smugglers was yelling, until Branish slugged him across the face so hard he went sprawling to the ground.


Osiris stood there for a moment. He hadn’t minded doing the protection collections. It gave him a chance to see if anyone on this miserable space station were worth recruiting. Most were not. As far as handling these drug shipments though, these he detested with all his will. Smugglers and dealers made nothing for recruits . . . they were just cancer.


I thought this might happen,” A familiar voice sounded from behind the demonic vessel. “For some reason they don’t seem to realize we test every shipment.


Henex was walking towards the group with a digital reader in hand. He looked, a little better, but not much. All that had really changed was his hair. It looked as though he may have actually washed and combed it, and his beard had grown thicker to look more proper. The thing that drew Osiris’ attention, was the small black marble hanging from a necklace.


It’s nice to see you again, Henex.” The Pallor Lord nodded a greeting towards him.


The business man waved his greeting away, “Maybe if it were in a bar with a drink in my hand. I hate having to come down here and close out accounts.


Even though he was curious, the youth merely stepped aside to allow the man to do his job.


You two,” Henex gestured towards the two ugly green skinned aliens, “This is the second time you have brought an inadequate shipment of goods to this station. Any and all trading relations you may have are now canceled. To pay off your debt, Siberius will now be taking possession of the freight goods along with your ship. You may stay on the station, but if you cause any trouble . . . that will be a third strike. Now, Osiris, if you don’t mind, please have your men take this vessel to Docking Port Beta 687. They can unload it there. If these gentlemen try to stop you in any fashion, the order is that they shall be summarily liquidated.


The one smuggler who was still conscious stood there glowering, but didn’t seem to have the bravery within him to say a word . . . or move.


Tri-pack, take the ship over to its new hangar and unload it. Nellic, please stay with these two until the ship has left this docking port. Escort them to one of the fine hostels on the lower decks, unless they would prefer to leave immediately. Ships come and go constantly, there are no shortages of opportunity to contract a planet hop.


But - I don’t have any zeni!” The sinking realization he was about to be stranded on Suicide Station, friendless and poor, pushed aside the smuggler’s initial fear. His scaly green flesh twitched sporadically, “We put all of our money into this shipment, we brought everything we could! How does that not count for something?


Nellic eyed the desperate green creature with a cold professionalism. There was no keeping the mild sense of disgust from her voice though, “You entered a contract. You broke it. Be glad you are still alive to learn a lesson. I will show you to the Smelter’s Guild once you have a room. They are always looking for fresh meat to feed the furnace.


There was no response, the smuggler just stood there and gaped.


Osiris had seen that look before - literally watching the freedom drain from a man’s life. They all took it for granted, especially those living on the fringes of law and order. The circumstances fell just short of slavery - but damning this alien, from some backwater planet no one gave a shit about, to an endless succession of debt was close enough. Suicide Station got it’s name for more than once reason, and the Pallor Lord could see another victim in the making.


Without having to say anything, the two turned their back on the rude theft and started to walk towards the lifts. Another set of engines added their voices to the constant thrum of activity echoing through the Docking Port Alpha 345, but only for a few moments. Once the cargo bridge detached the now confiscated ship, any sound was devoured by the void. Another profit made.


It wasn’t until they were actually in the small mobile room that either one of them spoke.


I have been thinking about what you said. About the fire of Cauldron.” The words seemed to hang in the air uncomfortably. There was an anxiety in Henex. An open rift where once his confidence as a businessman was married to the love for his family and home.


I need it now, Henex.” The Pallor Lord stared straight ahead without actually looking at the half broken man beside him.


Henex shook his head almost in disbelief, “You are already preparing to strike? It has only been a few weeks.


No, it’s not that simple. This will not happen in one fatal blow. It has to happen in two. First, I need to take Barnack out of the picture. More accurately, I need to replace him.” This time he did turn his amethyst eyes on the keliouxian, there was enough intensity in that gaze to burn through a man’s soul.


There is no way you will be able to get Siberius to trust you so quickly. It is impossible.” Those sad amber eyes were staring down at Osiris, but still managed to seem lower.


Normally, I would agree with you. Things are not normal though. I have spoken to him a few times over the past three weeks. Enough seeds have been planted along with more unusual methods of manipulation. Barnack though, he is still suspicious of me, and likely wants to see me gone.” Osiris new this much for a fact actually. For some reason Barnack was deeply loyal to Siberuis. A galvanizing feature which kept the Sanguimpicus’ influence over him minimal. Unfortunate really. Everything could have gone so much smoother if those two had simply killed each other over the huge ruby.


I don’t even want to know what you mean by that . . . But taking Barnack out will undo anything you have done to make Siberuis like you. He has been the boss’ right hand man since the very beginning.” Henex leaned back against the wall as though his burdens were too great to bear any longer. “I think they might have been friends even before the Station was an idea.


You have been here longer than I have. Tell me, what kills a man around here other than someone else?” It had been a while since Osiris played his hand at assassinations, but his skills were not completely rusted. In his mind, he had already worked out a hundred ways to be rid of Barnack. Now it was just a matter of matching the right ones to fit the circumstances.


The old businessman was not lacking for cunning, even in his depression, “Himself usually. Other than that, an overtaxed fuel cell going critical. An accident with the smelters claims more than that actually. But Barnack isn’t exactly a welp, or a debtor - and that’s all you find down there. Overdoses are pretty common no matter how long you have been on the station. Ah, about six months ago, we had a guy put his hand through a wall while arm wrestling. He managed to hit a power conduit which promptly electrified his veins and seized his heart.


Osiris raised an eyebrow, “The conduit wasn’t insulated with proper shutdown protocols?


Henex shrugged a little, “This station was built with profits in mind. It does not adhere to any building regulations except the ones Siberius thought was important.


Do you think you could get me a schematic of the entire station?” The Pallor Lord ran his fingers along the hard spine of the tome at his hip. He could feel a plan solidifying.


Next week,” the old keliouxian’s voice picked up a little bit, “yes, next week, Siberius has an outside company coming in to expand the permanent residential sectors. It would be easy to make a duplicate while I access the files for them.


When this is done, Henex, I will still need you.” A glimmer of the Pallor Lord’s true age seeped into his voice softening his tone, “I won’t make the same mistakes I did before. . .”


Seeing you again - it must just be the memories, but it almost feels like she is still around.” As the doors to the lift opened up to an upper tier of the Station filled with restaurants and some of the more expensive shops, Henex tried to shake his own words from his ears. “You make it hard for the rest of us to be numb.


Before Osiris could think of something to say, his old friend was gone, the doors closing between them.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Thirty-five minutes later: Seventh Commerce Deck - Kella’s Herbal Haven


A little early to be coming back for another payment. Kella did not like Osiris in the least. Though if he was telling the truth, the youth really had no idea why. Compared to the stories he had heard from some of the merchants around the Station, he was a calming factor in an otherwise chaotic system.


Maybe that was the problem though. Amid a little chaos, a poison vendor could do well. Some people, even if they weren’t really bad, still thrived better within turmoil. Still, there was much potential in this little shop, even if the glare of solar lights was unpleasant to the Pallor Lord.


This is a personal errand, not professional.” The lie came easily. Everything was professional for Osiris. He couldn’t understand the distinction. Every move was apart of the calculation. To think otherwise was a fallacy - a treason against progress.


Well, what do you want?” She huffed oddly from her single nostril.


Curiosity was getting to the Pallor Lord. So many different species seemed to collect on Suicide Station. Most of them he was vaguely aware of, or had seen elsewhere. Others, like Kella, though, did not fit into his database at all.


I need a few spore pods if you have them. A fungus indigenous to Cauldron, relefare, I believe that was its common name. It grew in large orange stalks along the calderas, and had hard silicate thorns.

Yes yes. It’s also quite potent - not to mention difficult to cultivate. Why would you want a thing like that?” For all her impatience, at least this time she didn’t try to pull a weapon.

The Pallor Lord casually walked over to the same black leaf plant he had inspected on his previous visit, “Sentimental reasons, I suppose. The spore pods, left on their own, are harmless. Beautiful even with their swirling reds and blacks. I remember seeing a lot of dried and lacquered ones being solid as souvenirs. It would be a nice piece of nostalgia for me.

Kella huffed again from her single nostril. The noise was oddly musical. The woman’s nose was a series of ridges, and from the fluttering notes those ridges must have existed in the nasal cavity as well. Osiris wondered what it would be like to hear one of her race sing.

You are too young to be nostalgic.

The demonic vessel shrugged slightly, “I won’t argue your point. However, it does not dissuade me from seeking it.

The herbalist did not lose any of her initial incredulity, “If you came to see Lench, he isn’t here.

If I wanted to speak with Lench, then I would have gone down to the Alloy Alehouse where he is having a meeting. I do have a fondness for herbal shops. I find myself a patron to at least one every time I move to a new locale.”Osiris leaned closer to one of the jagged black leaves and inhaled deeply, “It’s sweeter than I expected.

Kella worked her fingers against a wrinkled palm, “The nethelfan nemvarius grows on my homeworld. It fertilizes its own soil by attracting small creatures, insects mostly, and then killing them with its toxins. You can probably empathize.

For a little bit, the hum of grow lights was the only sound. Even that was quite, the plants seeming to drink in the noise as much as the light.


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