While working on her helmet, Faridah does some research into the music label and discovers the name of her agent, among other things. She shares this information with Vae, who then researches things further. 

Faridah has a high-profile agent who is very particular about whom he works with. This agent also almost ended up in a fair amount of trouble before a used shuttle salesman helped prove he did not do what he was being accused of. His name was cleared and now he is even more reclusive online. 

Armed with that information, Vae does more research. Then she settles in for a long conversation with her mentor about what she should do with this bounty situation.

Sound effects by: Zapsplat

Theme music by: https://chesterstudios.net/

Check us out: https://pseudonymsocial.wordpress.com/

Follow us: https://twitter.com/PseudonymSocial

Support us: https://www.patreon.com/pseudonymsocial/

Buy me a coffee: https://www.ko-fi.com/briannajean

After getting the ancient engine secured, the party goes to check in with Meria to see what might have changed while they were gone. They learn that the bounty has been updated and the crew is taking every precaution. 

Tali gets to work finding a buyer for the engine. 

The party gathers in the mess hall to learn more about their situation and drink some tea. Spectra briefly calls Anima by another name, and Vae and Faridah get the feeling the name belongs to someone she lost long ago. Someone important to her. 

The Federation coverage of the Jaeger explosion continues to be very suspect. Vae gets the distinct impression that they are setting her up for something sinister.

Sound effects by: Zapsplat

Theme music by: https://chesterstudios.net/

Check us out: https://pseudonymsocial.wordpress.com/

Follow us: https://twitter.com/PseudonymSocial

Support us: https://www.patreon.com/pseudonymsocial/

Buy me a coffee: https://www.ko-fi.com/briannajean

After successfully completing the first two challenges, the party has reached the final part of the vault. It is a puzzle that they cannot solve alone, and it hints at how even good things can be dangerous if not handled correctly. They have half of the pieces, while Spectra has the other half. 

The reward for completing this section ends up being more than the party expected. More than Spectra expected. And hopefully enough to help buy them some breathing room. 

Sound effects by: Zapsplat

Theme music by: https://chesterstudios.net/

Check us out: https://pseudonymsocial.wordpress.com/

Follow us: https://twitter.com/PseudonymSocial

Support us: https://www.patreon.com/pseudonymsocial/

Buy me a coffee: https://www.ko-fi.com/briannajean

The party delves into the mystery of the Belare vault, Spectra taking one route while our trio takes the other.

First, they pass through a twisting maze whose walls are lined with a history wholely unfamiliar and old. It appears to be a tale of the origin of the universe.

Then the three are compelled to split up to face a more personal trial. The guardian of the vault challenges them, asking them why they are there and what it is they fight for. Then each person is left with a choice between helping themselves and helping another.

Passing that, they find themselves before the door of the third and final trial.

Sound effects by: Zapsplat, RPG sound effects bundle

Theme music by: https://chesterstudios.net/

Check us out: https://pseudonymsocial.wordpress.com/

Follow us: https://twitter.com/PseudonymSocial

Support us: https://www.patreon.com/pseudonymsocial/

Buy me a coffee: https://www.ko-fi.com/briannajean

The party continues to discuss the implications of the bounty situation. They go to Meria, who has been researching whatever she can find on who placed it and why. So far she has been able to uncover the username of the person behind the bounty, Trigger, but she isn’t entirely sure who they are. 

She and Trigger work on different sides of the same circle, so most of what she knows is just rumors. They don’t normally take this direct interest in specific individuals. They also aren’t someone you want to mess with. The last person who crossed Trigger (at least as far as she is aware) is still being investigated by the IRS. They also appear to be working with a very talented hacker, so it will take some time for her to figure out their identity. 

Meria is able to confirm that the pictures were stills grabbed from Cynfrith’s security, which is easy to hack. Those images are likely to be updated soon due to the incident at the bar. Some possibilities are discussed as to how to lure out some more information, but that will have to wait until after the vault.

After leaving the mess hall, they go their separate ways to gather their weapons. Spectra hands out some helpful supplies before taking the ship in for a landing. The vault, being a vault of duality, is located in a cliff at the edge of night and day. Now they just need to open the door.

Sound effects by: Zapsplat

Theme music by: https://chesterstudios.net/

Check us out: https://pseudonymsocial.wordpress.com/

Follow us: https://twitter.com/PseudonymSocial

Support us: https://www.patreon.com/pseudonymsocial/

Buy me a coffee: https://www.ko-fi.com/briannajean

The year 1927. Event: The "A Century of Progress International Exposition" also known as the Chicago World's Fair (pushed up 5 years from our reality, 1933). 

The topics of interest this year include a series of discoveries regarding a new natural resource in which there has been a significant investment. This resource is unnamed, however many people have been calling it "Gravitium" based on how it interacts with lifting things into the air much like airships. To this end, the entire Municipal Pier has been turned into an exhibition on small-scale applications of this material to various artistic or scientific ends. This is in contrast to the more industrial applications on display at Lincoln Park just a couple blocks north of the Pier. Each of these is guided by advances in research or archaeology funded by a series of magnates.

Your employer has hired each of you to attend a ball at the Grand Ballroom at the end of the Municipal Pier. It is being thrown by many of these magnates who are seeing great income from this event. Now, not to dance mind you. He needs you to grab something from the Exhibition after hours. he said he would find you there, white-tie formal dress required, and he neglected to share the subject of his interest.

'Wandering eyes have a tendency of finding value in selling information you see, and we can’t afford to be discovered...It's for the safety of humanity you see...'

Part of the way through the party, a group of people slipped out of the party to sneak into the exhibit hall to find a particular item. They end up finding more than they bargained for...

Sound effects by: Zapsplat, Freesound

Music from Audio Alchemist's Haunted Atmosphere music

Party music: Hot Swing by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3885-hot-swing

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Check us out: https://pseudonymsocial.wordpress.com/

Follow us: https://twitter.com/PseudonymSocial

Support us: https://www.patreon.com/pseudonymsocial/

Buy me a coffee: https://www.ko-fi.com/briannajean

Things have gotten complicated aboard the Opal Star, with the recent announcements in the Federation. The crew finds themselves in need of more funds to get their loved ones to safety. The good news is, Spectra has a lead on a Belare vault. They have traveled to Aebos to meet with her contact at his bar. 

Tali, Vaelena, Anima, and Faridah relax at their table as Spectra goes to handle the negotiations. For a while, things are fine. That is, until something happened that caused certain individuals in the tavern to take notice of the party. Vae noticed first and warned the others before going to casually collect Spectra. 

Things escalate quickly and they all nearly get taken by thugs. Spectra provides a distraction and they are able to escape, Tali grabbing one of their phones on the way. 

On the way back to the ship they discover there is a price on their head. Somebody wants to talk to them. They need the money from the vault even more now. 

Sound effects by: Zapsplat

Theme music by: https://chesterstudios.net/

Check us out: https://pseudonymsocial.wordpress.com/

Follow us: https://twitter.com/PseudonymSocial

Support us: https://www.patreon.com/pseudonymsocial/

Buy me a coffee: https://www.ko-fi.com/briannajean

The Federation has declared the crew dead, putting their loved ones in a potentially precarious situation. Meria and Spectra mention knowing people who may be able to get them out safely, but it will not be cheap. They need money and they have recently been made aware of a way to get that money. 

One of Spectra’s archaeology contacts is offering to give her the first go at a recently discovered Belare vault. These vaults offer tests of skill that, if passed, leave you with a gift of ancient tech. Druindaria explains to Vaelena that the vaults were left behind to safeguard technology that could help the future. The Belare and their allies created them during a time when they feared none would survive. These vaults hold history as well as tech, and they want them to be found. 

Once the item has been retrieved, Spectra and Tali will find a buyer who will take the tech and learn from it. 

Sound effects by: Zapsplat

Theme music by: https://chesterstudios.net/

Check us out: https://pseudonymsocial.wordpress.com/

Follow us: https://twitter.com/PseudonymSocial

Support us: https://www.patreon.com/pseudonymsocial/

Buy me a coffee: https://www.ko-fi.com/briannajean

The news of the Jaeger explosion reaches an unsuspecting party who has an interesting reaction.

Special theme: Deadly Roulette by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com/

Promoted by MrSnooze https://youtu.be/iYOvAO1rAM0

License: CC BY 3.0 https://goo.gl/Yibru5

Sound effects by: Zapsplat

Theme music by: https://chesterstudios.net/

Check us out: https://pseudonymsocial.wordpress.com/

Follow us: https://twitter.com/PseudonymSocial

Support us: https://www.patreon.com/pseudonymsocial/

Buy me a coffee: https://www.ko-fi.com/briannajean

It is time for the new crew members to start their combat training because things are never dull on this ship. Tali takes them through how to use the external guns. Then they try out the shuttle simulator before practicing their hand-to-hand combat with Tylrish. 

Then comes the unexpected news they were waiting for. The Federation has officially declared them dead and they are going to be running further investigations. No accusations have been made yet, but they may be coming soon. Vae’s mentor goes to ground as a precaution. Faridah’s parents drop some code phrases hinting that they suspect all is not as it seems. They specifically warn her to not come home. 

The party may be needing money soon to pay for their loved one’s safe transport out of the Federation. The good news is Meria knows a few people that they can ask for help. And Spectra has recently learned of a rare opportunity to earn some money, fast. A Belare vault has been found, and Spectra is going to try and get first dibs on the coordinates.

Sound effects by: Zapsplat

Theme music by: https://chesterstudios.net/

Check us out: https://pseudonymsocial.wordpress.com/

Follow us: https://twitter.com/PseudonymSocial

Support us: https://www.patreon.com/pseudonymsocial/

Buy me a coffee: https://www.ko-fi.com/briannajean