Catch the Winds

Hey, you over there! Stop walking away from me.

That stride of yours has a southern style to it... Hehe, you must be an outlander.

Come here, now! Don't be shy!

I've got some rare items here that are perfect for a traveler like you after coming all this way.

Is he... talking to me?

That's kind of weird... Should I go say hello?

That Royan merchant... Who is he?

Hmm... I don't think I've ever seen him around before...

And you've been in the Academy for only how long now? How many Roya do you even know?

Well, I visit the market pretty often, actually. Oh, speaking of which, the merchants usually are all at the market...

But this guy's hawking around the Relay Station... That's a first.

Have you read the latest report? There's been another change in the Exoswarm numbers.

Yeah. The data's a little unusual... That level of decline doesn't seem to be from a natural cause.

Are you sure it's not a calculation error?

I doubt it. I cross-checked it with the Exoswarm activity readings... A few signals just disappeared without any indication.

So you're saying... it was human?

It's a little early to jump to that conclusion. But... intuition and experience tell me that may be the case.

If it is, then we need to report it immediately...

Yes, that's right. Over here.

Haha, judging by your unusual clothing, you're from the south, aren't you?

Since you've come all this way to Lahai-Roi, why don't you sit back and browse through my goods? Maybe something'll catch your eye.

Hah, you're an interesting one. You've got quite the eye for someone your age.

Everyone gets all sparkly-eyed in front of my items. But you're not even remotely interested.

I only sell genuine products. But as you know, not all the best stuff is found on the shelves.

Heh! What I'm trying to say is... You need the right source to get your hands on the right stuff.

For someone new to town, you'll need a guide if you want to get things done here.

It's all about "getting acquainted" in our line of work.

I've been in this racket a long time, so I know a few people. If you think you can trust me, I may be able to help you make some connections. I guarantee you'll get a good deal.

But as you know, nothing comes for free...

You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.

Sure thing, take all the time you need. You should always think twice when there's money involved.

(He's definitely not the run-of-the-mill merchant...)

(He sounded like he was sure that I'm new to Lahai-Roi... Almost like he's picking customers...)

(Let's see if I can get a little more out of him.)

You sure you can get me connected? Then how come I've never heard of you before? You're not making all this up, are you?

Oh, come on. Why would I waste my time on that?

Believe me or not... The choice is yours.

Just don't come crawling back to me, soaked in regret from your decision afterwards. There won't be another golden opportunity like this by then.

(He seems to be hiding something... He calls himself a merchant, but I'm certain he's into something shady.)

(I'll just have to play along if I want to get to the bottom of this.)

How about I give you half the payment now, and we discuss the other half once this is all done?

We only just met, so having some insurance is good for both of us.

Heh, you're pretty smart. All right, deal, we'll do it your way.

Well, you'd better keep that other half warm.

Hey! What are you doing here! Quick wandering around!

Looking around? Heh... You don't dress like one of us. You came here to do business?

Haha! Well, you've come to the right place. We've got plenty of good stuff.

Especially...

Especially stuff you can't find or buy anywhere else.

Of course. We've got rare items, like... Uh, forget it. We don't talk about that.

(That's a strange answer. He's avoiding important details.)

(All the more reason to get to the bottom of it.)

Hah! You came at the right time. But... Where's your sponsor? We don't do business with just any random person.

Well, why would we trust you if you don't have a sponsor? You could be a spy for all I know.

(I knew there was something off about this place...)

I have a sponsor, Sonam from the Relay Station. Does the name sound familiar to you?

Tch, you managed to get him as your sponsor? You know your stuff, huh?

Word of advice... Sonam's a slippery bastard, better keep your eyes peeled if you wanna get something out of him.

All right, you can come back tomorrow. Things have gotten a little sketch lately, so we've gotta pick our days if you wanna do business.

But if you ask me, the boss is just being paranoid. This isn't our first rodeo, so what's the worst that could happen?

Shoo! Go away! Can't you see I'm busy?!

Huh? Want to take a look at my wares, you say? Tch, no sponsor, no looksie.

Bring me your sponsor. If you want to do business, I'll have to hear what your sponsor's gotta say first.

I have a sponsor, Sonam from the Relay Station.

We're meeting at ten in the morning tomorrow.

Oh, him? Well, if Sonam said so, just show up with him tomorrow.

I expect you to be here on time. Just play by the rules and don't cause any trouble.

That's an unusual outfit you got on yourself. You're from the south, aren't you?

Since you've come all this way to Lahai-Roi, why don't you sit back and browse through my goods? Maybe something'll catch your eye.

Well, that's a first.

Usually, I'm the one picking the customers, but this time, the customers come knocking.

All right, spit it out. Who sent you?

Hehe, an acquaintance who recommended my services, huh? I guess that justifies being your sponsor then.

But rules are rules. If you want me as your sponsor, I'll need a show of "sincerity."

Hmm...

How about you give me 50% as an advance? You can settle the other half once the deal is done. This way, we both have some form of insurance.

(Something was off about the camp at Fangspire Chasm, and considering how this "sponsor" of mine is hiding something from me... These guys are definitely into something shady.)

(Now that he's taken the bait... might as well play along and get to the bottom of this.)

Well, you're here mighty early. Looks like you're really eager to seal the deal.

The deal's not quite ready to go down yet, though. Have a breather.

Oh, right. A bunch of people are coming, things could get real hectic, real quick, so keep your lips sealed and your head down. Don't cause trouble.

Looks like it's about to go down. Remember what I said earlier...

Now, listen up: You look at the goods, then make your offer. No backtracking.

We'll start with the B-grade stuff...

Two Spacetrek Collective Void Storm research reports, from a reliable source. Starting bid, fifty thousand.

Tch. That's a lot of money for some lousy paper.

What would you know? Those are Spacetrek Collective internal documents. The kind of stuff credits can't buy.

(How would Spacetrek Collective research reports end up in a place like this?)

Heh, a lot of new faces here. Sweet-talking won't get you anywhere if you want to do business on my turf.

Cut the chit-chat. If you're paying, move the left. If you're browsing, move to the right. If you got no money, then beat it.

C'mon, stop trying to screw us with the cheap stuff. We know you have the good stuff.

Yeah, do you know how much it cost me just to be here? If you've got anything good, bring it out now so we can see if it's worth the trouble.

Hmph... You've got some nerve trying to get your hands on those "goods."

Very well, let's see how you like this.

Bring out the "live ones."

There you have it. The latest and greatest of our stock.

Why do they all look diseased? There's nothing wrong with them, is there...?

We only got these. If you want livelier ones, come back with deeper pockets next time.

Hehe.... You think I don't know what's going on in your heads? If there's anything more valuable on Exoswarm, it's Exostrider parts.

The "lively" ones will just get in the way.

(Those Exoswarm...)

(No true Roya would ever harm Exoswarm. These people must be Outcasts in disguise.)

(I have to put a stop to this... These Exoswarm can still be saved, but it's up to me alone. These trades must be cut off at the source, or else they'll keep happening...)

(I've gotta get the Spacetrek Collective involved... I need to find a way to leave so I can get the message out.)

What's up? Why are you looking around like that? Not impressed with the goods?

No, no, no, this stuff's really impressive. It's just... Well, nature calls, you know? I drank some water on the way, and now I...

...Goodness sake.

Just go. And make it quick.

(This seems like a safe spot.)

(I'll contact the Spacetrek Collective on the Terminal and explain everything.)

My name is Rover. I am a student at the Rabelle College.

I've discovered a group of Outcasts disguised as Roya running an illegal auction in Fangspire Chasm near Sundermere.

Goods include internal Void Storm research reports and captive Exoswarm that are in bad shape.

Message received. Pulling up recent eco-monitoring records now...

...Discrepancy in Exoswarm count confirmed.

Please provide the coordinates of your current location.

Got it. Sending the coordinates now.

I'm currently at the scene, and it's getting tense out here. The situation may change at any moment.

Location data received. Please stay hidden and avoid contact with the targets.

We've dispatched armed personnel to the target location. ETA: 15 minutes.

Do not alert them. Leave the protection of the Exoswarm to us.

Hey, all done?

Well, hustle up, will ya? If something happens, you're not the only one who's gonna be in trouble.

The final item: 300k Shell Credits. Any takers?

A deal like this doesn't come around very often.

...

Hey, Sonam, that's one chill friend you brought to the auction. Hasn't even made a single bid yet!

Hey, you. First time here?

I like new faces... How about I give you a “new customer" discount: 280k. How's that sound?

Tsk, what's that supposed to mean? You trying to stir up trouble?

Or... are you trying to lowball me?

You carefully. Anyone who comes here, whether they buy something or not, is going to part with their money—that's the rule.

(I knew it. They're all in on it... Crooks stealing from other crooks. This auction was just one big setup from the start.)

Well, well, Sonam. That customer of yours has some guts for tipping off the Spacetrek Collective. And all this time I thought you were one of us.

What?! No! It wasn't me! I've been right here this whole time...

I saw it! It was {Male=him;Female=her}! {Male=He;Female=She} was snooping around camp earlier!

Heh... So it was you.

Get {Male=him;Female=her}! And I want this place cleaned up before they get here!

These people really don't know when to quit.

If they want a fight, I'll give them a fight.

Okay, okay. You beat me. Kill me, torture me, whatever, just get it over with.

Or... how about we make a deal? I know more than you might think.

Rover!

Looks like we're late to the party.

Well... Although I generally don't want to encourage such risky behavior, but... Well done, student.

Don't you worry. We'll hand these Outcasts over to the Collective's Security Department, then we'll initiate investigations and questioning according to protocol.

As for these rescued Exoswarm... Rest assured, the Research Institute will take care of them.

So things are even more complicated than what the reports indicate...

Those crooks weren't just running a black market. They also target buyers and use coercion and threats to drag unsuspecting victims into their mess.

Those "innocent" participants then get too scared to speak out after they've gotten their hands dirty... No wonder these trades have been rampant till now.

As for the leaked internal documents... We've verified that it's just preliminary research conducted on Void Storms by the Institute. The content is long outdated.

But the fact that they got that far—and that they knew we were coming paints a grim picture.

The lead you provided is crucial. We'll be launching a full investigation into their entire operation.

And we're particularly grateful that you took action when you did. You not only saved the Exoswarm, but you also prevented more people from going down the wrong path.

Now, you get yourself some rest. I'm sure the truth will surface soon enough.

Meet me at the camp in Fangspire Chasm, near Sundermere, by ten in the morning tomorrow.

I'll show you around a bit.

Great opportunities also come with their share of risks. Just remember: No questions. Come alone.

Great! I like the cut of your jib.

Then it's settled. Meet me at camp in Fangspire Chasm by ten in the morning tomorrow.

And keep a low profile. You come alone, okay?

That Royan merchant... Who is he?

Hmm... I don't think I've ever seen him around before...

These are the packages for today.

It's quite the cargo. Be careful.

I got this. I've been doing this for years. Still worried I can't handle myself?

Have you read the latest report? There's been another change in the Exoswarm numbers.

I have. The data's a little unusual...

Is this...?

Evans Occupation: Spacetrek Collective Research Institute - Research Assistant Codename: Gray Shadow Role: Transmitting internal scheduling and personnel deployment information Most recent transaction: ██████. Amount unknown. Marlian Occupation: Unknown Codename: Nightshade Role: Providing Exo-Bionic spectrum and activity path monitoring data Note: Unable to recognize communication log. Content deleted Content deleted Content deleted Content deleted Content deleted [Uncategorized Entry] If discovered, immediately destroy the original. Don't let them on the scent. —S.

Hey, did you find your wallet?

Well, hustle up, will ya? If something happens, you're not the only one who's gonna be in trouble.

The final item: 300k Shell Credits. Any takers?

A deal like this doesn't come around very often.

...

Hey, Sonam, that's one chill friend you brought to the auction. Hasn't even made a single bid yet!

Hey, you. First time here?

I like new faces... How about I give you a “new customer" discount: 280k. How's that sound?

Tsk, what's that supposed to mean? You trying to stir up trouble?

Or... are you trying to lowball me?

You carefully. Anyone who comes here, whether they buy something or not, is going to part with their money—that's the rule.

(I knew it. They're all in on it... Crooks stealing from other crooks. This auction was just one big setup from the start.)

Well, well, Sonam. That customer of yours has some guts for tipping off the Spacetrek Collective. And all this time I thought you were one of us.

What?! No! It wasn't me! I've been right here this whole time...

I saw it! It was {Male=him;Female=her}! {Male=He;Female=She} was snooping around camp earlier!

Heh... So it was you.

Get {Male=him;Female=her}! And I want this place cleaned up before they get here!