Still in Joseph’s suite, a call comes in… from Kerri Lansing. She offers a deal to keep the crew’s good name intact, which is reluctantly accepted. From her, they learn that Ysala Rho had already visited the vault. Joseph reveals that his condition has worsened. He will stay in Tribon while Hadley goes to Bauble with the others.

The vault is swiftly located. Unfortunately, its contents have already been looted. The crew do find a gearwerk, thought to belong to Ysala Rho, which they rescue. More unsettling is the discovery of two klick artefacts, along with evidence of a potential klick installation nearby.

They hightail it back to Lison and inform Ambassador Cynthia Veil at the embassy in Tribon. She makes arrangements for a strike force to depart for Bauble the following day. The crew agree to accompany the expedition and proceed to make preparations and get some rest. Conrad arranges a safety deposit box with the local branch of a Bluefall-headquartered bank. He also convinces Sasha to stay behind with Joseph this time.

While out dining on Hughes Island, the crew meet Joseph Gallagher with his minder, Hadley Mazon. Joseph suffers from Lawkin’s Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes the body to degenerate, ironically triggered by rejection of the standard gene therapies used to prolong human life. His destination is also Oberon, where he hopes to recover funds his father left in a secure vault before the revolt over a century ago. It’s a long shot, but the only one he has left. He contracts the Sparrow and its crew to aid him.

On Lison, Conrad catches up with a few acquaintances. After an unproductive meeting between Joseph and Kerri Lansing, a government data administrator, he suggests a more clandestine approach. Gus rummages around in Kerri’s department’s systems and inserts a new appointment into her morning schedule.

The next day, Cinque, Conrad, and Gus meet Kerri again. This does result in a tenuous proposition, involving the retirement of the department head. Afterwards, however, they descend to the basement, locate the off-grid archival system, extract the required data, and hastily exit before security lock the building down.

Back at the hotel, Joseph confirms this is all the information he had hoped for, including the vault’s location and passcodes. Gus discovers Kerri had accessed the records on two previous occasions.

Starrising in Aegis, Conrad receives a message from Sam, in which she is being arrested by the Thuldans. The message is over two months old.

The Sparrow lands on Haven 6 and the crew rush to Alloy. After being filled in, he sends them to Haven 23, where Ahab agrees to arrange a meeting with a Thuldan official.

The following day, they meet with Vice-Administrator Abraham Montague Augstine on Filtrane. A deal is struck and both sides get to work. Conrad brings Alan up to speed and asks him to provide a sanitised version of the research data recovered from the lab beneath Islvych.

A day later, the crew return to Filtrane, hand over the data, and eventually leave with Sam and a favour owed to the vice-administrator. Back in chez Gus, they ask So’ledrei to join them ASAP as his name was accidentally dropped by Sam during the handover.

When he arrives, they recount events. He says he will get a new identity from someone he knows. Gus explains that she has taken over Ayla Vych-Taron’s funding of the railroad.

Sam is disappointed when she learns that Conrad is leaving so soon and asks to accompany him as she doesn’t feel safe staying on Bluefall. Mayhem invites everyone out for a meal.

Arriving in Lucullus, the crew dock at Highport. They go searching for Mayhem’s contact, Julius, in the dock pubs. A rather drunken Rigunmor in Heavy Metals mistakes Wayne for someone else and tells them about a “secret base” in Vethril, where enslaved “Reds” are being exploited. Conrad makes friendly with the locals. Mayhem falls prey to a local con artist. Cinque and Wayne go shopping to pick up a few essentials. Yala draws glares and whispers from passersby, prompting Conrad to ask her to stay aboard the Sparrow with Mayhem. Captain Bradley, owner of The Wheelhouse, pings Conrad to say their contact has arrived.

Julius explains they’ve shown up long after most of the shipments have been sent. The only one left has unreasonable restrictions that others have balked at, including a bond of 60k they must hand over, to be returned along with their fee upon delivery. Undaunted, the crew pay for the privilege of delivering the goods to Station S7-508B29 in Exile.

A single jump later, the Sparrow finds the station unresponsive. Boarding it, they discover the inhabitants have succumbed to an airborne necrotoxin. Digging deeper it is revealed that a vessel (possibly Inseer) docked shortly before the crew perished, though no one came aboard. VoidCorp had constructed the remote station as a staging post to manufacture Compound CH32eF45. This was to be delivered to Walin III, where it would annihilate the ecosystem and render the planet uninhabitable.

With due care, the station is plundered of data and weapons, then set to self-destruct. As the crew watch the fireworks, a message is received from SK, who has just starrisen into the system and is somewhat unhappy with the situation. The Sparrow starfalls for Aegis before the LKA-444 gets near enough to express his displeasure less verbally.

While Wayne seeks solace at the bottom of a bottle, Lara ferries the others to Afterglow. They pay a visit to the legal worker who authorised the writ, A’avu Tenivo, Junior Minister of Frescos of Aquatic Sheyan Molluscs. A’avu says she was blackmailed into signing by Arnold West of Transtate Industries, who claimed he would have VoidCorp’s ambassador send a report back to Catalog stating that her family had helped her flee the Stellar Ring. This would result in their contracts being reviewed (and likely terminated). She later provides images of Arnold West from the building’s security system, which the crew recognise as none other than Jeff Lakons…

Gus calls in some (more) favours from the Inseers aboard Afterglow Superport, who match the images to an individual that visited both the vacated October Corporation office and the VoidCorp embassy. The crew pick up A’avu to get her offworld. Gus sends a message to the Insight embassy with deliberately broken encryption, leaking that they were after Jeff Lakons. An Insight grid pilot notifies her that there has been no increase in activity around VoidCorp’s embassy fortress, but that he has matched the security images to a VoidCorp embassy staff member – Deputy Ambassador OP823 23KIK (Jeffrey Rogers) – and that there is an outbound flight booked under that name in 16 hours.

The crew notify Commandant Griswold, who redirects them to a military ship entering orbit. A’avu is left aboard and a squad of marines is placed at their disposal as they make plans and return to the station. Gus asks Insight to delete the VoidCorp delegation’s entry from the passenger manifest shortly before boarding. This gives the marines a pretence to step in and escort the ambassador away.

Once Rogers is in custody, the Commandant makes contact. The mayor has agreed that all charges against the crew be dropped in light of their willingness to bring VoidCorp’s plot into the open. A’avu will testify anonymously before a military judge as a vulnerable witness. A trial will be arranged before a military court, although he suspects things will get political before that happens. He directs Apple to jab Cinque with a hypospray.

All sides agree that this incident never happened. There was a convenient failure in the station’s security camera system at the time the operation was carried out. The Commandant says he would not be opposed to working with them again, but suggests that they don’t return to Dewi any time soon. Gus makes a note to try to get A’avu’s family out of the Stellar Ring.

Lara ferries the crew to the Sparrow, which had been waiting in orbit around Arles for the past two days. Reunited with Mayhem and Yala, they make starfall for Lucullus.

Mulling events over while in drivespace, Gus realises that the individual they met initially was right-handed, whereas the one the marines arrested may have been left-handed…

Putting investigations of smugglers and ghosts on the back burner, the crew leave Mikoa to meet Jeff Lakons in Dewi. The October Corporation are owed millions by the moon-state of Lousanne but the mayor, Bastone Apple, refuses to acknowledge a writ of summons. He is holed up in a private compound just outside the abandoned city of Old Clearmont in the Cembria Highlands. Bounty accepted, they leave Afterglow Starport aboard a modified shuttle, piloted by Lara “Lightning” Harmeen.

After some orbital reconnaissance, a night assault is decided upon. As plans derail, Cinque and Gus turn the compound’s turrets against the defenders. Just as they the mayor is captured, several Dreth ships arrive. With things unravelling, the crew produce the writ of summons, but Apple protests his innocence. Commandant Griswold takes everyone into custody until he can get some straight answers.

The following day, he reveals the writ is spurious, although issued by someone within Torpoint’s legal system. The October Corporation is apparently a shell company; its only assets in the system being an empty bank account and the shuttle, which was imported last year for Transtate Industries. He tasks the crew with tracking down Lakons, reminding them that they stand guilty of multiple crimes against the state, so their performance will determine their fate. As further incentive, he reveals that Cinque was injected with nano-capsules while undergoing medical treatment for injuries sustained during the raid. These will release a neurotoxin in 96 hours. Conrad requests that a body-double for Apple accompany them, which the Commandant arranges. The trooper, codenamed Apple, might actually pass for the mayor at a distance. With the clock ticking, Lara flies everyone back to Afterglow Starport and the investigation gets underway.

Gus disappears upon receiving a message during breakfast, taking the remaining crystals with her. Moments later, there is a news segment about a hidden colony of mind-walkers discovered by traders operating under the Hatire banner. The Galactic Concord has urged caution as representatives of the other stellar nations turn their attention to Mikoa B. Already, there is talk of Administrator Wayne Rice delaying the Lighthouse‘s departure if necessary.

Gus reappears and explains that Insight, along with the Borealis Republic and the Regency of Bluefall, is backing a bid by the Orion League to offer the colonists citizenship and guarantee self-governance. This is spearheaded by Senator Bruce Hale, a likely presidential candidate, who would love to return to the Stellar Ring with good news. The Sparrow heads over to Mikoa B1 with secure comms equipment to set up a remote dialogue.

The colony’s council – Boris Kalavych, Zuzka Endrova, and T’vilian – agree to the proposed meeting. While the exchange starts off well, it is interrupted by a few armed youths, who object to the colony’s isolationist ways. Conrad talks fast to diffuse the situation, leading to a tense peace. Negotiations are moved to the Lighthouse.

After some concessions are secured by the Nariac Domain, the Hatire Community, and the Thuldan Empire, they join the Borealins, Insight, the Regency, and Concord in backing the Orion League’s proposal. Just as agreement is reached, Ambassador VK532 04MIN (Marcus Hammond), who had been conspicuously absent, barges in. He announces that VoidCorp have claimed eminent domain over the entire system, based on a previously-forgotten exploration mission pre-GW2. Chaos erupts. The meeting is adjourned.

Gus reveals that the crystals are regular X3Ds tumbled through a mass reactor and planted by Insight before the Lighthouse’s arrival with the intention of causing VoidCorp trouble. The Inseers weren’t aware of the hidden colony. She leaks a report to VoidCorp revealing the crystals are fabricated (though not their origin). In short order, prices begin to fall as large quantities are dumped onto the market.

When negotiations resume, Hammond seems unexpectedly upbeat. He says VoidCorp will magnanimously relinquish its claim on the system, in return for mining rights to the gas giants around Mikoa B. With this condition added, the modified Orion League’s proposal passes unopposed.

Two days later, delegates gather at the Colosseum, from where a formal announcement of the Mikoan Accord is to be grid-cast. The crew help foil an assassination attempt by a lone CFN gunman. Councillor T’vilian is shot but survives and the announcement goes ahead after a slight delay. The Lighthouse starfalls on schedule.

Mayhem stays with the Sparrow while the others board the Lighthouse to meet Galindria Sunfire in The Corner. They tell her about stumbling across the colony on Mikoa B1. Unfortunately, there is not much any of them can do about whatever happens after the Nariac patrol vessel reports back.

Employee NQ771 SKD9B, aka Sato Klaude Dexter, delivers a friendly warning about the perils of working for Insight. Shortly after SK leaves, a sesheyan hesitatingly introduces himself as Eju Pe’tarah, Minister of Sculptures of Extinct Sheyan Arboreal Rodents. Claiming to know Meganbit, he has been asked to relay a bounty to Wayne, for a corrupt official who hides behind his position. They are asked to contact Jeff Lakons of the October Corporation once they arrive at the superport orbiting Torpoint in the Dewi system.

After the Nariacs investigate further, rumours begin to circulate about 3Ds growing underground on B1. Concord and Insight contract Wayne and Gus, respectively, to fetch samples for examination. During collection, they discover some of the colonists are using their abilities on groups of newcomers to avoid detection.

A portion of Insight’s report, which found transmissivity on par with consumer grade X3Ds, is leaked, prompting every available trader to beeline for the crystal caverns. VoidCorp publicly advises caution while (allegedly) working overtime to secure exclusive supply contracts in the background. Speculation drives up prices. A few altercations occur both aboard the Lighthouse and in space between the system’s two stars. A visiting VoidCorp assault ship altruistically offers to patrol the route.

Concord contacts Wayne with another job offer. The crew meets Wesley Woodsworth, a low-ranking Concord admin, and sign on as temporary security personnel. They spend the day being sent to deal with various incidents – a trade dispute in Sendir Park, the hijacking of the Donath right out of Low Dock by a cadre of freebooters, and attempted sabotage by a group of Concord Free Now operatives.

Conrad receives a blackmail demand, which Gus recognises as being sent by a grid-shadow called Spider. After involving Cinque and their Insight contacts, they figure out this is none other than Donald Gettys. An arranged meet goes a little bit sideways, with both parties walking away, Gettys ensuring his freedom with threats against the Vych family. They do learn that Gettys is in league with V0RL, who they now suspect is a VoidCorp AI. How the Nariacs fit into things is no clearer than before; their aqua-laser imports having apparently been endorsed by the Regency. Alan Quinn begrudgingly accepts the stalemate, having traced Gettys getaway car to the VoidCorp embassy building.

Conrad shows up late for his first day of intensive power-armour training. Alloy sends The Cleaners round to Immersive Visions. Gus decides to relocate offices to Haven 6. Ms Fenrir and Gerry Atoz likewise take up residence there. Demon proclaims Abigail to be partially sentient.

Mayhem invites the crew out to dinner, offering to buy out their share as he knows they have aspirations of ship-ownership. While they had intended to follow a lead on the Free Trade Guild, Mayhem wants to make a small detour for a rush deliveryfor the Nariacs, requiring them to beat the Lighthouse to Mikoa, to which the others agree. Just before they leave Aegis, Gus gets a message with familiar encoding…

## A little bird tells me you’re chasing the Lighthouse. It’s all fun and games until someone undertakes an updated survey of Mikoa B; then it’s absolutely hilarious! — Doc P. ##

Arriving in Mikoa, cargo is unloaded at the M3 Orbital Production Facility orbiting A3 and the Sparrow travels to the system’s secondary star. A Nariac patrol craft hails them. Gus seems to not make a good first impression and the vessel adjusts course to keep an eye on them.

Of Mikoa B’s seven planets, only the innermost draws attention. An energy signature near the north pole leads first to caverns containing crystal growths that strongly resemble 3Ds, and then to a hidden colony of isolationists, originally founded many decades ago by refugee Nariac nonconformists, psions, and mutants. Following a relatively cordial encounter, they are given the name of a trusted agent aboard the Lighthouse – Galindria Sunfire. The crew hastily get off-world and land on the other inner terrestrial worlds in an attempt to distract the patrol ship tailing them. After meandering through the rest of the system, the Nariacs enter orbit around B1 for an hour before heading back to the main star. By the time both ships arrive back at Mikoa Three, the Lighthouse has arrived.

The convoy finally arrives back in Aegis. After Conrad and Gus are briefly delayed at security, the crew make planet-fall and split up.

Cinque, Conrad, and Gus meet up with Alan Quinn, who reveals that he is actually a CIB (Concord Intelligence Bureau) agent, though he was technically working undercover for REC when they last met. Donald Gettys remains a person of interest. Sharkie has been scouting traders for transport runs from Lucullus and Alan suspects the Free Trade Guild are again involved. Mayhem later secures a contact on Highport from Sharkie.

The trio visit Alloy with gifts. Mayhem gives them a lift to Sirensea in the Diandes Archipelago, where they meet Deputy Ambassador Naar al-Haq. Information is exchanged, goodies offloaded, and rewards promised. A cryptic suggestion sends them back to Haven 6, followed by a trip to the officially non-existent Haven 23, where Conrad buys some new toys.

Gus meets with someone at a legal firm. Turns out Ayla Vych-Taron had come through with contact details for Michael Taron’s secretary, Ms. Angela Fenrir. However, they were included as part of a contract, which resulted in Gus taking ownership of Immersive Visions and Ferrous Equine Holdings. The first turned out to be Michael’s personal company; the second, a shell used to funnel money to So’ledrei, who collects funds to help sesheyan escape VoidCorp territory. Checking out VI’s office does not go as planned. A hasty retreat is beaten after Gus naively reconnects offline systems, drawing unwanted attention. However, they do learn of a VoidCorp operative codenamed V0RL. Cinque recalls that the Nariac cyber-mariner encountered beneath Islvych mentioned “Veezro Arel”, which sounds suspiciously similar.