Damon leaves the service annex through the public maintenance concourse, engineering multi-tool clipped at his belt. He keeps his pace unhurried, studying posted repair notices like any captain comparing options.
The concourse carries enough traffic to hide a casual question. Cargo handlers steer lifters between pedestrians, while station announcements blur beneath engines and machinery.
Near a parts kiosk, the station mechanic from the loading spur finishes inspecting a coolant manifold. Oil-dark hands and a blue service jacket mark him easily in the crowd.
the station mechanic
Back already, Captain Ryder? If you are comparing repair crews, Kestrel's contractors are inexpensive, but their schedules are loose.
The mechanic lowers his voice only enough to be heard over the passing freight carts. He gestures toward the concourse without indicating any particular office or locker.
the station mechanic
Pell handles access calls, old cargo interfaces, and emergency substitutions. He disappears during rotation changes, usually on jobs nobody else wants. His badge activity can be irregular, but that is common with Kestrel.
Aboard the Wayward Star, Serai remains concealed and waiting. Damon receives no urgent message, leaving the ordinary inquiry and its implications entirely in his hands.
Director's notewhole tale
Damon uses the Wayward Star’s genuine damaged cargo interface as cover to learn Pell’s normal schedule, dispatch chain, and work habits. He does not mention Serai, Vessa, Orun, the transponder, or the locker. Keep the interaction casual and investigative; Damon is trying to determine whether Pell’s
““Inexpensive and flexible sounds about right for me.” Damon gives the mechanic a faint grin. “Pell might actually be useful, then. My hold has an older interface and I’d rather have somebody who knows those systems than somebody learning on my ship.” He glances toward the maintenance concourse. “You know when he’s usually around, or who dispatches his jobs? I’d rather catch him between calls than put in a request and wait half a shift.””
FAILURE (Fair Investigation, rolled -2)
Damon Ryder
Inexpensive and flexible sounds about right for me. Pell might be useful. My hold has an older interface, and I’d rather have someone who knows those systems than someone learning on my ship.
Damon Ryder
You know when he’s usually around, or who dispatches his jobs? I’d rather catch him between calls than put in a request and wait half a shift.
The station mechanic’s expression shifts toward caution. A cargo lifter rolls between them, forcing him to wait before answering, and the passing traffic breaks the conversation’s easy rhythm.
the station mechanic
Usually? No reliable answer. Pell takes overflow from whichever Kestrel coordinator is short-handed, and the rotation board changes too often to trust.
the station mechanic
You can ask at the contractor dispatch window, but they will log a service request and route it formally. That will not put you in Pell’s path today.
the station mechanic
There is one practical angle. Pell often checks the old-interface parts bins before taking a call. The bins are public, near the lower freight lifts. You might catch him there without filing anything.
Director's note
Keep this low-key and investigative. Damon recognizes that his questions made the mechanic cautious, so he deliberately stops pressing him and avoids creating a formal service request.
““That works. Thanks.” Damon gives the mechanic an appreciative nod. “If I catch him, great. If not, I’ll figure something else out.” He leaves without asking anything further and heads toward the lower freight lifts, keeping his engineering multi-tool visible and treating the trip like an ordinary search for compatible parts. At the public old-interface bins, Damon browses components while quietly studying the area: entrances, exits, cameras, traffic patterns, and anyone who appears to be waiting or watching. He does not ask for Pell or approach anyone suspicious. If Pell appears, Damon intends to observe him first before deciding whether to make contact.”
FAILURE (Fair Investigation, rolled -3)
Damon Ryder
That works. Thanks. If I catch him, great. If not, I’ll figure something else out.
Damon gives the mechanic an appreciative nod and leaves without pressing further. He heads toward the lower freight lifts, engineering multi-tool visible, another captain seeking compatible parts.
The old-interface bins sit beneath a service gantry, open to public traffic. Damon browses worn couplers and obsolete control boards while mapping entrances, exits, cameras, and passing lifters.
Damon Ryder
The nearest camera covers the bins, but the freight lift blocks its view every few seconds.
A lean man in a stained Kestrel jacket enters from the lower lift and checks several parts bins. His badge reads Pell. Damon keeps examining a relay housing and watches through its scratched casing.
Pell notices the visible multi-tool and the Wayward Star’s service tag, then abruptly abandons the bins. He crosses into a camera-covered access corridor before Damon can establish his habits or see whether anyone follows.
The observation has failed quietly but decisively: Pell knows a repair-seeking captain is nearby and has avoided contact. Following now would turn routine browsing into a conspicuous pursuit.
✓ Quest Accepted
Leave the lower freight lifts without attracting Pell’s attention
Director's notewhole tale
Damon does not follow Pell, hurry after him, or visibly react to his departure. He prioritizes preserving his repair-captain cover and leaving the lower freight lifts naturally. If Pell is observing Damon, Damon should appear to have found a part and simply finished his errand.
“Damon doesn't look after Pell. He keeps his attention on the parts bin, turns the relay housing over in his hands, and mutters, “Close enough.” He selects an inexpensive component plausibly compatible with the Wayward Star's damaged interface and completes the purchase like that was his reason for coming. Then he takes an ordinary route back toward the ship without checking whether Pell is watching.”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled +0)
Damon keeps his attention on the parts bin, turning the relay housing beneath the freight-lift noise. He shows no sign of noticing Pell’s departure.
Damon Ryder
Close enough.
He selects an inexpensive interface relay with compatible fittings and carries it to the kiosk. The purchase posts as an ordinary repair expense against the Wayward Star’s account.
Damon Ryder
The relay should serve as a temporary bridge.
Damon returns through the public concourse at an unhurried pace, following cargo traffic and posted route markers. He neither checks the access corridor nor looks back toward the lower lifts.
The Wayward Star receives him beneath the docking lights. He secures the relay with his other parts, then cycles the airlock and enters without attracting notice.
Serai
You found a component.
Quest Complete
Leave the lower freight lifts without attracting Pell’s attention
+ New Item Acquired
Interface Relay