You travel back to the black market area and gather outside Ejidali's store.

(He was the one who sent you for the vial, and after you pay him the final 500 credits and give him the vial, he will give you two black market weapons, a pistol and a disassembling rifle, both dart-type weapons.)

The streets here are somewhat busy, since a lot of black market business is transacted in the evening.

The black market area is much more low tech, without any neon or high tech signs.  The plackard above the door reads "Ejidali's Wares," and it flaps in a slight breeze.  A sign on the door reads "CLOSED."


OOC (as a reminder): Ejidali had said,
"The weapon I acquire for you is...kind of dart gun, let's say.  I get you one rifle version that break down into components and fit in case, and one pistol.  Each hold 10 darts, reusable.  I get you 20 darts and chemicals to put in darts." 

Bartja looks to see that everyone was ready for the worst-case, then turned to knock on the door.  He steps to the side as they wait for someone to answer the door.  If no one does, he tests it to see if it might have been left unlocked (by chance).

Hammer has his laser pistol ready at his side as he dances from foot to foot. "Between the Qantariate, the Sathar invaded lab, and the black market, it's  been a busy day," he says. "Who should do the talking here? Desiraye? Bartja?"

Desiraye showers & changes her clothing and redresses for the meeting with their contact this evening.  She brings a wide range of her personal weapons and makes sure they're concealed properly and then switches out the partially used SEU clip in her pistol for a fresh new one.  "I'm a little pissed right now Hammer so I would think that anyone else but me would be a good choice to talk to Ejidali right now until we get more information from him.  If it's all the same to you, I'll carry the creds for this shit bird.  At least we know that the weapons we're getting are darts and they should hold the stuff we need to fight those creatures."

After a long steam bath to shake out the cobwebs and get psyched for the next phase of a most eventful episode, all of it entirely unexpected, Orvo joins the others outside the shop in the black market district.  Keeping to the back of the group, he feigns disinterest and a nonchalant demeanor in the event anyone is watching them.  Orvo doesn't want to appear observant.

In reply to Orvo (msg # 5):

Desirye walks over to Orvo when he's done with his bath, "You need a weapon besides your fists?"

You all have your weapons (the ones allowed, anyway).

Bartja knocks on the door.  You see a face peek through and recognize Ejidali.  He unbolts the door to let you in.  The lights are dimmed as he ushers you to the seats.

"You were successful, no?" he asks.  "You gets the vial?"

Ejidali is a Yazirian, and is middle aged or a bit older.  He rubs his hands together frequently in a nervous motion and looks over his shoulders from time to time.  He also speaks in a low voice quite often, which is not too uncommon here in the black market.

Bartja removes his ever-present shades in the dimmed room and takes his time getting comfortable as his companions do the same.  He then waits for a dramatic pause before nodding to Hammer to produce the vial.

"Before we hand this thing over, you may have noticed we have an extra companion with us tonight" he begins, nodding towards Orvo.  "This is not by accident and I'm sure you would be interested in hearing the tale, since it nearly cost us our lives as well as our reputations.

But before we regale you with our adventures, perhaps we should collect our pay.  After what we've been through, we're hoping for more than Credits.  We're suggesting that you be willing to reproduce this compound we have brought you and ensure the darts you are giving us will have a lifetime supply of it with them.  After what we've seen - or not seen as the case may be - we would really appreciate being prepared to face the Qantariate when next we meet....and we're pretty sure we'll meet one of them again soon."

Bartja leans forward, getting close to their contact as he adds for emphasis "unless you're working for them or the Sathar - in which case you're going to have a real problem with us."

He takes a step back.  "I cannot synthesize it.  Not me.  I'm just a mule.  But I will get your reward, yes.  I don't need stories.  I know nothing.  Of course it's dangerous thing to get.  That's why you get reward.  Big risk.  Big reward, no?"

Desiraye stands back and lets Bartja do the talking and then looks back to Orvo, and saying to the others quietly when Ejidali, "Maybe Orvo can confirm but, I believe him that he's just a mule.  We need to find out who this stuff is going to.  Or, we say screw it and take the reward.  We know this stuff works on those creatures."

Bartja nods in agreement.

"We know it works and we need it ourselves.  We need to know who its going to.  If the Qatariate gets hold of it - and they've already proven to us that they're after it - then they'll likely reverse engineer it so they can come up with a defense against it.

The truth is Ejidali, the Sathar are working with the Qatariate."

Standing up, Bartja approaches the mule and spreads himself out threateningly.  "Are you working for the Sathar?  Is that who is paying us to get this?  We have to know!"

Turning to Orvo, he adds "We need to know the truth.  Our new acquaintance here has a little injection we'd like to give to you, Ejidali.  If you speak the truth, then you won't mind a little Telol to confirm it!  If you speak lies, we would know it now."