We check the bar on Strategio, but there's nothing new being said by the bartender or our friends. We pack up and ship out, completing the circle back to Kashtano.
>>Kashtano
Nothing new here...
>>Kranio
Yuri reaches Rank 79 (~22000) and the next reward tier.
You're now in the top 80 of the rankings! Congratulations! As a reward, you got blueprints for the following modules:
Radar Room 7
Shop 4
Thruster Control Room 5x
ox
x
ox - Radar Room Lv 7 - Attack Range +7500
oox
oooooo - Shop Lv 4 - Livability +16, Cash Income + 20
ooox
ox
ooo - Thruster Control Room Lv 5 - Mobility +20
oooIt's going to be a long time before we use some of these.
Somewhat anticlimactically, when we get down to the surface, the Black Bazaar is now an option.
>>Tavern
>>Talk to your friends.
Leo: Hm? You people are going out again? In that case, would it be all right if I went out, too, and took a look at the bazaars again? I heard they have some new parts in at some of the junk shops.
Yuri: Sure, go right ahead. As long as you're back before we leave port, I don't see a problem.
Rhea: Yeah, right! That'll never happen.
Yuri: Huh?
Rhea: Once this guy enters a junk shop, he's there until somebody kicks him out. He loses all sense of time. He'll never make it back before we ship out!
Yuri: Hm. Maybe you'd better go with him then, Rhea, to keep an eye on him.
Rhea: I was afraid you were going to say that.
>>Black Bazaar
Yuri shows the black pass to the merchant. As if to say "follow me," the merchant thrusts out his chin and starts walking.
Yuri: ...
The party follows the merchant and arrives in a gloomy, sour-smelling alley.
Merchant: Okay, now whaddya want? As long as you got the money, I can get anything for ya. And I mean anything, if ya know what I'm saying.
We have only one illegal interest at the moment, so...
>>Ask him about IDs.
Nia: Can you get us some IDs?
Merchant: IDs?
Nia: Yeah. If possible, important people IDs. Ya know, bigwigs!
Yuri: Nia, wait just a minute here. You're not really gonna--
Nia: Hush, Yuri. Well, can ya do it for me or not?
Merchant: Yeah, of course I can do it! I told you. I can get you anything. What, do ya have wax in your ears? But rich people's IDs...? When you've got status, your IDs are gonna have at least two or three security features on 'em, you know. You won't make it through the door unless you can get me a really good example for me to copy from.
Now, who might have one of those...Nia: So you need an example, huh?
Katida: Why don't you use mine, then?
Katida Lanco takes out a copy of her ID.
Nobelo: Miss Lanco?! Do you really think--
Katida: This is my decision to make. Yuri obviously needs my help here. This should do as a fine example, wouldn't you agree? I'll pay your fee, whatever it is. Please have the IDs made up immediately.
Merchant: Well, well! A Lanco family ID, eh? That's quite a kicker. Just hang on for a little while.
The screen fades and returns while we wait.
The merchant goes to the back of the shop and returns about thirty minutes later. He holds four IDs in his hand.
Merchant: Here you go. I made them out for members of the extended Lanco family, working for the Lanco Interplanetary Liaison Department. I won't ask what you're gonna use them for, but I can pretty much guarantee that nobody is gonna find you out with these.
You got some IDs!Yuri: Katida, are you sure about this?
Katida: I already said that this is my decision. It's what I want to do, and I'll do it. And besides, it's kind of exciting, like we're spies or something!
Yuri: Well, as long as you're sure... We really appreciate this, Katida.
We have fake IDs and fancy clothing. I think we're ready to crash that party.
>>Zefiro
>>Tavern
>>Talk to the bartender.
Bartender: I hear the spaceport is filled to the brim with the ViPs' luxury passenger ships. I caught a glimpse of some of the female VIPs, and I have to say... Even the beauty of Zefiro pales in comparison! I wish ladies like that would look at me. My life would be a lot easier if I had a rich, gorgeous wife!
>>Trade Hall
Yuri: Wow.
We now know who's going - Cico, Yuri, Nia and Katida.Nia: Whaddya think? Not too shabby, eh?
Nia Lochlain is wearing the party dress Yuri bought for her at the White Bazaar. Wearing the fancy dress, and with her hair styled elegantly, Nia looks like a completely different person.
Yuri: ...
Nia: What's the matter, Kiddo? can't get over my stunning good looks?
Doesn't look like it.Yuri: Oh, uh... I was just thinking about how much a person can transform if they have the right outfit. It's kind of scary.
Nia: Ha ha ha! Well, with our IDs and if we're dressed like this, we shouldn't have any trouble getting in there.
Yuri: So, just like we said, the four IDs will be used by you, Katida, Cico and me.
Nia: Right. You boys will go as our bodyguards. It's kind of a stretch, but at least it explains why you're dressed that way. Once we're inside, we split up and search for some LMC bigwigs that look like they might maybe listen to reason. Everybody got it?
Yuri: Got it.
Nia: Okay, then.
Nia: Ahem. Shall we proceed, then? Master Yuri, if you would be so kind as to escort me?
Yuri: Huh? Oh... yeah.
I think he's still a bit awe-struck.Nia: Heh heh!
Inside...
Gentleman A: Ah, what beautiful young ladies! Just as one would expect from the distinguished Lanco family.
Gentleman B: I would like to invite you both to take a cruise on my private ship later.
You're no gentleman.As soon as the party enters the hall, Katida Lanco and Nia Lochlain are swarmed by various predatory young men. Nia, especially, receives the admiration of various men, as she plays the part of the refined young lady perfectly.
Yuri: (It doesn't look like Nia will be able to get herself out of this for a while. I'd better go by myself and find someone who'd be willing to listen.)
We have three choices of who to talk to.
>>Old man in blue.
Zanetti: ... You're not really a member of the Lanco family, are you?
Hey, no reason to assume that just because Yuri is albino!Yuri: What?!
See, now you offended him.Zanetti: I happen to know the Lanco family very well, including all of its extended branches.
...Oh.Zanetti: And I don't recall ever seeing a young ruffian like you among its members.
Yuri: Oh, well, I...
Zanetti: I don't know what you're up to, young man, but you'd better not get in the way of our business negotiations!
Yuri: But...
The old man gives Yuri a stern look and then walks away.
Yuri: (He's not going to report me?)
Well, that went awkward. Oddly, half-way through he switches from being ? ? ? to being Zanetti, without his name being dropped.Zanetti is gone, and a blond woman takes his place in the list.
>>Blond woman.
Woman: What's the matter with you?!
The blond woman is scolding her attendant.
Yuri: (I'd better not try to talk to this one right now.)
>>Middle-aged man in red.
Kompaso: Well, well! So you're members of the extended Lanco family, are you? I'm Michjo Kompaso. My Kompaso Corporation is thinking about exporting to the Small Magellanic Cloud in the future. I hope the Elgavan Central government will quickly reconsider its stance on the exchange rate agreement.
Yuri: Uh huh, right. (I doubt it would do much good to tell this guy about the Lugovalian threat.)
Kompaso: By the way, how is the president of Lanco Warship Manufacturing doing? I heard he was starting a campaign of exchange between Nova Nacio and Kalymnos.
Yuri: Yes, that's right. He sent his granddaughter, Katida Lanco, to Kalymnos recently.
Kompaso: What a fine, upstanding young lady she is, involved in international politics like that from such a young age! Yes, indeed! I'm very impressed!
Well, that's three out... one more to try.
>>Young man in black.
Yuri: Huh?
Yuri suddenly notices that, in a corner of the hall, Cico is talking to a man who is dressed in black. The man appears to be about ten years older than Yuri and Cico, and carries himself with poise and dignity. What the man is saying must be very interesting, because Cico appears to be listening with rapt attention.
Yuri walks up.Yuri: Hi, Cico. Who's this?
Cico: Oh hey, Yuri. You've got perfect timing. We were just talking about you.
Bastian: So you're Yuri, are you? My name is Bastian Schneizer, and I'm Captain of the Royal Fleet of the Republic of Regeinland.
Yuri: Regeinland, sir?
Cico: Regeinland's one of the most powerful military nations in the LMC. It's known for its great military officers. The captain was just telling me a little about navigation and leading fleets and stuff. I'm really learning a lot!
Bastian: Ha ha! Oh, you flatter me. So I hear you two are trying to work your way up in the rankings. Is that right?
What try? 79 and climbing!Yuri: Yes, we're traveling together now, but we're really more like...
Bastian: Like rivals, eh?
Yuri: Yeah, I guess that just about sums it up.
Cico: What do you think, Captain Schneizer? In your opinion, which of us two would make a better captain?
Yuri: Cico!
Cico: hey! When will we get the chance to hear the opinion of a brilliant officer like this again? Don't you wanna know, too?
Yuri: Yeah, I guess I am a little curious.
Bastian: Hm... That is a very difficult question. But based on what you've told me so far, suppose I'd have to say...
Cico: ...
Yuri: ...
Bastian: Yuri would make a better captain.
Ha, in your face Cico!Cico: What?! Get outta here!
Yuri: Me?!
Bastian: Of course, I can only judge based on your situation at the moment, and all that you've told me just now.
Cico: ...
Yuri: Why me?
Bastian: Well, it sounds like Yuri's relationship with his crew is one of trust and reliance. Whereas Cico at the moment only seems to think of his crew as personnel to run his ship. That's the main difference I see. The effective management of a ship requires a large number of people working together in cooperation. A ship run on the strength of only its captain doesn't pose much of a threat to the enemy, I'm afraid.
Yuri: ...
Cico: ... Ha... ha ha ha ha! Well, I guess that's one way of lookin' at it. Thanks for your opinion, man!
Yuri: Hey, Cico...
Cico: I gotta get some air. 'Scuse me. I must be tired or something.
Yuri: Hey, Cico!
Cico turns his back to them and gives a little wave of his hand, then disappears out into the garden.
Bastian: I'm afraid I hurt the young man's feelings. I'm terribly sorry about that. We Regeinlanders have a habit of expressing ourselves rather bluntly at times.
Yuri: No, not at all. I'm sorry about Cico. (This might be a good person to talk to.) Captain Schneizer?
Bastian: Yes, Yuri?
Yuri: There's somebody I'd like you to meet.
Bastian: Hm?
The screen fades out and in while Yuri finds Nia and she lays out the whole story.
Hey, Nia got a custom sprite for this event.Nia: ...And that's the whole story. I have a copy here of the data that was recovered.
Bastian: Hm...
Yuri brings Nia Lochlain to talk to Bastian Schneizer, and when she is through, the captain stands reflecting, his arms folded.
Bastian: And are the Central Elgavan Forces acting on this?
Nia: Well, in their own way... They're seriously underestimating the threat, though.
Bastian: Yes, I agree that, if what you're telling me is true, underestimating this enemy would be very dangerous indeed. Could you tell me how you know so much about this Lugovalian Empire?
Nia: Well... I don't...
Bastian: Oh, that's quite all right. I'm well-mannered enough to know not to press a lady when she doesn't want to talk about something. Not even a Regeinlandic soldier would be so brutish.
Yuri: So, do you believe us, Captain/
Bastian: I don't think it should be a matter of whether I believe you or not. When a person talks about belief, personal opinion, biases and agendas are always involved. No, I think this should be a matter for objectivity. I want to have this data analyzed and find out the truth for myself.
Nia: That's fine with me. Here, I'll give you this copy, and you can have it thoroughly checked out yourself, if you want.
Bastian: All right. Thank you. I appreciate it. If this Lugovalian Empire is as you describe it, I imagine it will post a very large threat to the LMC, as well.
Nia: I'm sorry to say that you're probably exactly right.
Bastian: I will have this data thoroughly analyzed as soon as I return to Regeinland. You have my word on that.
With that, we can leave the trade hall. We've finally found someone willing to listen to us - hopefully Regeinland doesn't have rose-colored glasses on when viewing an empire capable of intergalactic travel without the aid of void gates.
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Topic: Let's Play: Infinite Space (Read 109405 times)