PROLOGUE: A Song for Aram

Sani eats quietly, replying politely to any of the questions going her way. Once the meal is over, she washes her hands and mouth, thanks her host for the meal and her kindness and just waits for Khadija to start the business talk. The usual ritual. At the mention of Jina, she doesn't even blink. It's not that she knows anything about that place, mostly that she doesn't care. Planets have people and people have things, some of which Khadija wants. The question if, of course, what is it that she wants?

Zahra nods as Tarek speaks up, his knowledge of the place matching her own.

"I've landed there once," replies Zahra with none of her usual dry tone. The experience seems to have left a mark on her memory. "It's a rough place, and not somewhere one visits on a whim, that's for certain."

At Brahim's mention of coffee, a servant approaches with a cezve coffee pot and pours steaming black liquid into his cup.

Khadija looks to Tarek as he speaks. "You are correct," she says to the duelist. "The trivium ran out several decades ago, and no new veins have been found since."

Your host continues to pet the azuk's head as she explains. "For those of you who do not know, Jina has a single settlement called Aram's Ravine. The settlement was established by a man named Aram Bakkal during the early days of Firstcome expansion in the Third Horizon. Back then, there were many prospecting rushes as new worlds were being surveyed, and their resources discovered. Trivium is an important material in the creation of fusion reactors, which made Jina an instant destination for miners and adventurers. Despite the planet's dangerous conditions, the presence of trivium deposits made it worthwhile to settle."

"As your captain has rightly pointed out, Jina is a rough place. Most free traders skip the acid planet and instead go to the nearby luxury moon of Cala Duriha. Only the occasional mid-sized freighter stops at Aram's Ravine to haul away bauxite and salt, and to offload supplies or mail for the settlement. These irregular visits are the colony's sole contact with the rest of the system. Understandably, few crews want to go planetside on such an Icon-forsaken world." Khadija motions to the tabulas that have been provided to each of you. "These tabulas have some general data about Jina from the Colonial Agency planetary survey archives. I recommend familiarizing yourselves with the information..."

Once you touch the tabula, the black screen activates and displays a planetary profile for Jina. A picture of the planet is followed by pages of statistics, most of which is relatively technical. The symbol of the Colonial Agency is shown prominently on the top righthand-side of the report.

Khadija gives you all a brief moment to scan the data. "Recently, I came upon some information about Jina... information of great potential value. My father has a contact in Aram's Ravine, and this contact informed him of a unique find unearthed on the planet. Something important. An artifact."

Brahim wants to know about any other artifacts that have been found on Jina in the past. Since he prefers to interact with devices instead of people whenever possible, he looks for that information in the Colonial Agency planetary survey on the tabula.

Tarek leans forward in his chair as Khadija mentions the discovery. Could it be Icon related? If it is, and as important as you say, then we can expect to see all sorts of groups making a move on it.

Khadija looks to Tarek. "My father has paid his contact handsomely in order to keep quite about the discovery... at least for now. But that only buys us some time. Eventually, word will get out that an artifact was found on Jina. And that’s when the vultures will descend. So as you see, there is a brief window to act." Your host sighs in seeming resignation. "Currently, only a few individuals know about the artifact. Unfortunately, one of those individuals is my brother, Khalim. My father chose to inform both of us, since he believes in healthy competition. Khalim is rounding up his own team as we speak. Unlike the crew of the Riyad, however, my brother tends to recruit less scrupulous men to achieve his objectives."

At the mention of Jani's... unfriendly atmosphere, Sani winces. She wipes up and down the tabula to have a quick look through the information. It definitely does not look like a place she would consider visiting if it wasn't Khadija herself asking. So this is about an artefact...

She scoffs at the mention of Khalim. "Al-Sayyida, I'll make sure you brother does not lay a finger on the object of your desire." Sani bowls respectfully. She cannot understand what their father sees in Khalim. He is not the type for healthy competition.

Zahra turns to look at each of her crew in turn. "Sounds like we’ve got a race on our hands, my friends."

She turns back to Khadiya, her smile cool. Her eyes light with the impending challenge. "We will be ready to start at your command, Al-Sayyida. What else should we be aware of before then?"

Brahim will next search the Colonial Agency planetary survey to determine what special environmental gear may be required on Jina. Specifically he wants to know if his exo-shell can handle the acid atmosphere or if special technology will be required to leave the habitats.

Tarek takes the job information in stride. At the mention of Khadija's brother being involved, a quick grin appears on his face. In regards to your brother... how should we handle his team?

Sani, reacts as per instinct "The Icons only gave us one way to handle Kha..." she quickly stops to correct "... this issue". She quickly glances at Khadija, making sure she did not overstep her welcome. She would think her patron shares the same feeling about the situation. However, she could't be sure as, after the accident, she can barely tell what others may be feeling without using an analytical djinn.

Sa'id raises an eyebrow when Khadija mentions the artifact. He listens very carefully now, but does not interject.

After he finishes pouring another cup of tea, he raises his eyes to their employer. "Al-Sayyida, is there anything we know about how and where this artifact was found exactly? Was it on the surface, deep inside some mines? Was there anything else of interest, about the place? Its surroundings?" He makes an unconvinced expression "In my experience, artifacts don't just pop out of the rocks, isolated. Not after this long." He raises his shoulders, looking at everyone. "I mean, why now? Jina has been bled dry for years and so far nothing interesting has turned out..." He tilts his head, remembering the vast amount of trivium that actually did come out of it. "well, nothing archaeologically interesting, at least..."

He takes a deep breath. "I've seen my share of people claiming to have found an artifact. Sometimes it is just blessed ignorance; the poor old włopaczyk thinks they've found a long-lost device that turns out to be their great-grandfather's pocket calculator. Sometimes it is active malice. Somebody decided to make a few birr by selling a nicely counterfeit piece of technology that could look like an artifact. Or worse, these people might be claiming to have found an artifact for far more sinister motives. There might be people out there that don't like how successful and accomplished you are, Al-Sayyida. Envy is an ugly beast. Especially when it goes along with good business." He offers an apologetic smile.

"All I am saying is. This looks... suspicious. And in my opinion it should be addressed with caution and a healthy dose of skepticism. We should be prepared for everything and have contingency plans. I'm not buying it yet. I won't, until I see this artifact." Having said so, he goes back to add a couple of small desiccated leaves in his tea and proceeds to stir it slowly.

Khadija looks at Sani and smiles at the spy's remark. "Thank you, my friend. I know that I can count on you."

She then looks at all of you. "These are your objectives. First, go to Jina and meet with my father's contact. Confirm that the artifact in question is actually an artifact and not a hoax or major mistake. I've only seen images of the item; no one I trust has yet laid eyes on it." Your host shifts her gaze to Tarek and her tone grows icy. "If it turns out that this item is NOT an artifact, then please convey my sincere... displeasure to those involved. Show them that there are consequences when you waste the Jubal family's time."

She turns her attention back to the entire crew. "Next, find out everything you can about the artifact, especially the exact location where it was found." Khadija motions to Sa'id. "As our resident archaeologist can tell you, archaeological finds rarely occur in a vacuum. Where one artifact is located, there are sure to be more. Establish this potential site, secure it, and take measures to make sure any locals who might know about it remain quiet. I'll provide you additional birr for bribes, if needed."

Khadija takes a sip of tea and continues. "Lastly, bring the artifact back to me. If there's more than one, bring them all. If you uncover Portal Builder ruins, or cannot transport all artifacts from the site for whatever reason, then send me a transmission. Keep the site secured until I give you further instructions." She returns her attention to Tarek and Zahra. "This is indeed a race of sorts. Khalim usually hires mercenaries; he's always preferred the hammer to the scalpel. His team will likely be less diverse and flexible than your crew, but very combat-oriented, so take care if you run into them. Now, it would be ideal if you can avoid or outmaneuver my brother's men. After all, confrontation leads to such a needlessly messy operation. Still, you have my permission to do whatever is needed to be done." Khadija doesn't leave much need to read between the lines. "Just make sure that Khalim's mercenaries don't get to the artifact first. That's your top priority."

Khadija listens as Sa'id offers his opinions about the artifact find. She nods her head in thought. "Your concerns are noted. I am skeptical, as well, but there is a possibility that the item is a true artifact." Your host motions to the tabulas. "In addition to the planetary survey, you'll find some data about said artifact. Several detailed scans were sent to my father, who in turn sent them to me and Khalim."

As Khadija indicates, there is indeed some data about the artifact. It's 3.23 in/8.204 cm in diameter, 1.08 in/2.7432 cm thick, and weighs 2.64 lbs/1.197 kg in Jina's gravity. Along with a high resolution 3D holographic image of the item, the tabula lists the results of multiple spectroscopic tests and composition analyses.

Looking at the artifact, the image makes it seem to be nothing more than a piece of common sedimentary rock. In fact, what's perhaps most surprising about the artifact's appearance is how unremarkable it looks. The item is a small round stone with a relatively flat profile, a brownish-black hue, and a smooth surface. It looks not unlike a large skipping stone. The top face of the item is engraved with a strange tribal-esque symbol inlaid with pink. For a supposed relic from an advanced alien civilization, the sight is a little underwhelming.Many of the test results reveal nothing unexpected for a rock - there is no radiation or abnormal energy signatures being emitted by the item. Likewise, imaging scans indicate that the artifact seems to be solid; there's apparently nothing inside it. However, certain other tests came back as "inconclusive." This is particularly in regards to chemical analysis and material composition. It appears that, although the artifact looks like it's made of stone, it doesn't register as stone.

"What I know is that the artifact was recovered near the bottom of the ravine that gives Aram's Ravine its name. Supposedly it was found somewhere along the banks of the Desera River, a river of sulfuric acid that cuts through the local terrain. It also seems that the item, whatever it is, is resistant to the acid environment of Jina. As you can see from the image, there is no apparent acid damage. Yet it's possible that the item simply remained buried for most of its time on the planet, and thus, protected from the acidified atmosphere."

Tarek places his hand on his chest. Your will be done.

As the briefing goes on, Tarek leans over and politely whispers to Zahra. Once we are done here, I'll head back to the shipand start preparations to depart.

Farouk sips his coffee and reads through the tabula. He listens quietly to Khadija discussing their mission to Jina. The idea of stepping foot in such a place is not very appealing. If there’s any planet that’s Icon-forsaken, it’s certainly that one.

The Mystic puts his cup down and clears his throat. "What’s known about the factions that operate in Aram’s Ravine? Are there local groups or movers-and-shakers that we might need to be concerned about?

Zahra nods to Tarek, placing a hand lightly on his forearm to silently acknowledge his words. Farouk's question grabs her further attention though, and she listens carefully for the answer.

Khadija responds to Farouk’s question. "The Syndicate has no real presence on Jina, so I must admit to not knowing much about the political landscape. What little I do know is that most workers on the planet are part of the Free League, which isn’t very surprising. Technically, Aram’s Ravine is under the protection and management of the Consortium’s Colonial Agency, but in reality, the Consortium lost interest in the settlement a long time ago. Nowadays, leadership of the settlement is divided between a couple of small-time oligarchs. There’s Lhorac Ignazu, a bauxite ore baron who was once involved in the trivium trade but lost most of his fortune when the veins depleted. The settlement’s salt industry is controlled by Rania Nur ul-Huda, known more commonly as the Salt Widow, a merchant whose husband supposedly died under mysterious circumstances."

Khadija shrugs apologetically. "Aside from that, I can’t really tell you anything else."