Stay on These Roads [ME4]

[Elaranu]

She picked it up and looked it over; A memoir? That was quite a thing to find. She wondered to herself how old it was.

[Daunt]

With no query, Daunt focused on the road to let her poke into the device and its content.

[Elaranu]

As she read more, the Chiss woman grew absorbed in th he narrative, staying silent as she scrolled through the pages at a rather keen clip.

[Daunt]

Daunt didn't rush her. It was a long country road.

[Elaranu]

Finally, she spoke up, "This... I wonder if this is a true account or a story. Either way, if it is true and not fictitious, then it seems quite old. Perhaps even older than what it was written on here."

[Daunt]

"Interesting. Does it carry any significance beyond belonging in the museum?"

[Elaranu]

"The tale, or this datapad?"

A very Elaranu question to ask.

[Daunt]

"Either. Both." Daunt was not one to agonise over semantics as long as the message got across.

[Elaranu]

"Well, the tale is hard to tell; I do not know enough about Bankor's history to place it, or verify how accurate it might be. The datapad itself... seems quite vintage, but it can not be that old, from the looks of it and its functionality. It is more mysterious than anything to me..."

[Daunt]

"Can side-research shed light on anything useful in that story?"

[Elaranu]

"It is possible; What little I have done so far would not begin to."

Sturned towards him more fully, brushing aside some loose hair that immediately blew into her face from turning away from the wind, "Were you researching into this yourself then?"

[Daunt]

"I'm not much of a researcher, but I would know someone who might be interested. Since, however, you're an intellectual type with some need for a trove of quality equipment and materials, I thought this has a potential to help you. You can copy the data if you want."

[Elaranu]

Her eyebrows went up a little, "But we just met. And are you saying you could not find a use for a trove of equipment and materials? Not to badger you about it, it just seems odd to me."

[Daunt]

"It's hard to explain, but... goals I have in life are not too closely related with material possessions. In my line of work there's also a lot of easy money I can get when I need them." He rolled his shoulders. "What I'd like is a challenge. I guess after you've cracked there'd still be some difficulties you'd need me for."

[Elaranu]

" I see. One of those sorts. Well, I will not begrudge you that much; Credits certainly do not make for a fulfilling life on their own. Even if they can open some doors. ...And you think this data could lead to something that would be fulfilling to you then."

[Daunt]

"Just on some general level. We live in a galaxy in which many things have been lost to time, making it lesser for it. Maybe one of those unearthed from oblivion would cut it for me? Who knows. No searching, no finding."

[Elaranu]

She thought a moment, turning back towards the direction the vehicle was going in. After a half a minute, she spoke up again, "So what do you want from me? I copy the data... then I am supposed to research it and get back to you? Not that I would mind that; I just wonder if you are expecting any obligations on my part."

[Daunt]

"None. Just offering you an opportunity if it's even an opportunity. Just like that." He shrugged. "I am not a contractual man. I do good and bad things, commit or not, and others make their own calls. It ain't too strange in my mind."

[Elaranu]

"A wildcard. I see. I have no real reason not to accept; These sort of things do genuinely interest me. History and the possibility of relics from past ages, that is."

[Daunt]

"Then it's something we share on some level." He focused on the road for a moment. "Is it anywhere near you wanted to drop off?" He asked as they were reaching the borders of wilderness.

[Elaranu]

Ela had been looking around as they drove along, but she hadn't spotted what she'd been looking for. The dark hadn't been much of a problem; It was still twilight, and a well lit twilight at that. Besides, she had eyes like a cat. But it had been too much to hope the traveler here was going where she was hoping to.

"I don't suppose you know the nearest settlement out here do you?"

[Daunt]

"There is no settlement around here, just hunting lodges and the like." He replied with an authority of someone who was often around here.

[Elaranu]

"I see. Perhaps I was misled by the Mandalorian then... I do not know any other way to contact them, so I suppose that is that. What of you; Are you going to one of those camps or lodges then?"

[Daunt]

"The Mandalorians may be having an enclave somewhere around here, but I don't think its location is public." He admitted. "Same with my lodge. There are reasons why people choose to live here rather than in Rygor or Jaklu, chief of them being appreciation of privacy."

[Elaranu]

"Really? I see... Well, I would not want to be a burden just to speak to someone again I suppose. What do you think I should do this evening then?"