The common area remains quiet after Damon’s return. Station vibration passes through the deck in a steady tremor, while Pell’s shift terminal details and contractor locker code wait untouched.
Serai
Vessa and Orun favored borrowed access, short windows, and people who could be discarded without notice. A contractor transponder fits them precisely.
Serai studies the copied information on the terminal display without touching it. Her pale features remain composed, but her attention keeps returning to Pell’s name.
Serai
That does not prove Pell belonged to them. He may have sold access, followed instructions, or never understood what the equipment enabled.
Serai
The locker is safer than the terminal only if no one is watching it. The terminal may reveal who contacted him, while the locker may show what they needed.
Serai
They chose his freighter because it was ordinary, isolated, and unlikely to be defended by anyone important. That calculation may still be guiding them.
She lifts her gaze to Damon, leaving the lead between them rather than claiming it. Outside, cargo haulers groan against their docking clamps, and no alarm disturbs the ship.
Director's note
Keep this investigative and methodical. Damon does not access restricted station systems, confront Pell, or open the locker yet.
“Damon studies the information for a moment. “Then we start with the locker—but we don't walk straight up to it just because we have the code.” He pulls up an ordinary station directory rather than accessing restricted records. “First I want Pell's public shift schedule, the locker location, and the normal traffic through that section. Cameras, security patrols, maintenance crews—anything that tells us when someone could notice us.” He looks to Serai. “And you're staying aboard for this part. If Pell is innocent, I don't want him seeing you. If he isn't, I definitely don't.” Damon intends to scout the locker area as an ordinary captain arranging repairs, without opening the locker yet. He wants to establish a safe window before touching anything.”
SUCCESS (Fair Investigation, rolled +1)
Damon Ryder
Then we start with the locker, but we don't walk straight up to it just because we have the code. First I want Pell's public shift schedule, the locker location, and normal traffic through that section. Cameras, patrols, maintenance crews, anything that tells us when someone could notice us. You're staying aboard for this part. If Pell is innocent, I don't want him seeing you. If he isn't, I definitely don't.
Damon opens the ordinary station directory and searches public facilities, contractor services, and posted personnel schedules. He avoids restricted records and leaves the locker untouched.
Serai
That is prudent. Observe the place before you let the code announce your interest.
The directory places Kestrel's contractor lockers in a service annex beneath the auxiliary freight concourse. Public notices show Pell on duty elsewhere during the next shift cycle.
Traffic data reveals a reliable quiet period between cargo rotations. Two visible cameras cover the corridor, a security patrol passes every eighteen minutes, and maintenance crews use a parallel access route.
Damon Ryder
I have a window. We can reach the annex during the lull, avoid the patrol, and keep the locker unopened until I know who is watching.
Serai
Then go as a captain arranging repairs. Return before Pell's shift changes, and do not let the station learn that the locker matters.
✓ Quest Accepted
Determine whether the contractor locker is being watched
Director's note
Damon is scouting for surveillance or a watcher, not opening the locker yet. Keep this tense and investigative; he does not access restricted systems or confront anyone.
“Damon nods. “Then I don't touch it until I know who else cares about it.” He leaves Serai aboard and heads for the service annex during the quiet period, carrying his engineering multi-tool and behaving like a captain checking repair options. He does not approach Pell's locker directly. Instead, Damon walks the surrounding corridor and parallel maintenance route, noting the two station cameras, patrol timing, sightlines, nearby terminals, workers lingering without obvious purpose, and any device or sensor positioned to observe the lockers independently of station security. He passes through naturally rather than stopping to stare. If nothing seems unusual, he will make another ordinary circuit before deciding whether the locker is safe to approach.”
SUCCESS (Fair Investigation, rolled +2)
Damon Ryder
Then I don't touch it until I know who else cares about it.
Damon leaves Serai aboard the Wayward Star and reaches the service annex during the scheduled lull, engineering multi-tool clipped at his belt. He moves like a captain comparing repair access, never lingering.
The two corridor cameras cover the locker approach and the stairwell, but their overlapping fields leave a brief blind angle beside a utility junction. A patrol passes on its expected eighteen-minute cycle.
Damon Ryder
The visible security pattern is routine, but the blind angle is too useful to ignore.
Damon follows the parallel maintenance route, noting a service terminal, a vent-mounted motion sensor, and a dormant contractor badge reader. None shows signs of recent tampering or independent transmission.
Two workers cross without watching the lockers. A courier pauses at the junction to check a manifest, then continues. Damon completes a second ordinary circuit and confirms no dedicated watcher, hidden sensor, or unusual traffic.
The locker remains unapproached, but its surroundings are mapped: cameras, patrol timing, blind angle, maintenance access, and a clean route for a later inspection. Damon turns back toward the ship with the reconnaissance complete.
Inspect Pell's contractor locker
Quest Complete
Determine whether the contractor locker is being watched