Part 8: The Farmers and Ranchers of Norjaenn

Back in space, we receive a new message on the Federation Telecom:

INTERCEPTOR FORCE REPORTS NEW CLASS OF RAIDERS ATTACKING CONVOYS

Which means that, conveniently enough, the Federation has no new mission for us, and we're free to concentrate on the task at hand. And our task, as you may remember, is finding someone who knows the Sentinels' whereabouts.

New advertising and general info messages appear, too:

KIPPENHAGEN CRUISELINERS PROUDLY ANNOUNCES TRAVEL TO ATLANTIS AND MARS
CONSULT AGENT FOR SPECIAL TOUR PACKAGES AND RATES
EXPRESS DELIVERIES CAN BE PICKED UP AT BAILEY TRANSPORT OFFICES AT ANY GATE
GATEWAY FLIGHT 1820 NOW BOARDING AT GATE 131



We also attempt upgrading our ship's Lasers programme. In case of failure, it'll go down by one point, though, so we'd better save the game before we try.




This time, however, we're successful. Raider ships will be going down faster now. Not that it really matters, simply a nice bonus.



We have no specific clues as to where we should start searching for the location of the Sentinels, so let's try exploring Caldorre Tower 2 and see if anything comes up.



This tower's facilities are identical to those in Tower 1, but the layout is different.
As we go about, we attempt interrogating the locals, as well as the star pilots we come across, about the Sentinels:



Heard of the Sentinels?

Nope.

Heard of the Sentinels?

No, can't say that I have.

Heard of the Sentinels?

No.

Heard of the Sentinels?

No interest in them.

Heard of the Sentinels?

I'm not interested in hearing about them.

Heard of the Sentinels?

I don't have time to discuss fairy tales.



In an office area on floor 797, we stumble upon... an antique yoyo?



Finally, in the Wallace Bar on level 757 of Tower 2, we find that particularly talkative NPC we've been painstakingly looking for:



I refer to a race named 'The Sentinels'.

Historians say our system is named for the race that built the towers.

Do your historians believe the Sentinels still exist?

Our historians believe many things. It is possible.

Are you a historian?

No, I don't believe in much of anything.



Who built the towers?

The towers are ageless.

Who maintains these towers?

Those who live below operate the towers.



Hmm, mysterious!

Tell me about Caldorre.

What is there to tell? It is our homeworld.

Why don't you live on the planet?

I have my life in the towers.

Have you no sense of adventure?

It is far safer here.

Fair enough. She didn't seem to know where we could find the Sentinels, though, so let's keep on looking.



Level 793 hosts the Vylkka Club that you can only enter if the party leader's Strength equals 20. Alas, none of our characters meet the criterion.

And off to Tower 3, the last of the towers, we go.



In the Thompson Inn on level 799, we come across a character called Alex Kann. He must be related to Eckirrt Kann, whose corpse we found when exploring the BORKIN lab, but the game doesn't seem to acknowledge that: unfortunately, we're given no option to inform Alex about Eckirrt's fate.



I do not know. Supposedly they live here.

Here? In the towers?

No. If you do not know, let's discuss other matters.

I would love to, but not on those terms.



Umm, what? Ah, nevermind. Let's try again.

You look familiar. Where do I know you from?

Perhaps you have seen me on Norjaenn. My family lives there.

You do not live with them?

A rancher's life is not for me.

Are you here on business?

Yes, I seek a berth on a ship leaving the system.



Adventure is not what it is cracked up to be.

Maybe not to those who have grown tired of it.

We can't really ask him about the raids anymore for some reason (the game cuts us down to just one option, asking about the Sentinels, after we've discovered their existence), but thanks to the power of reloading an earlier back-up save I can include the raider dialogues in this update -- not only for Alex Kann, but also for other NPCs we're going to meet.

Do you know of the cargo transport raids?

They hurt my brother's business. He is a Rancher.

Do you know where the raiders are based?

I haven't a clue. That's your job, isn't it?

Do you know who is behind the raids?

Whoever it is for relieving the tedium around here.

The loss of life is a high price to relieve boredom.

How cynical of me! Then again, info isn't cheap..

(Offer Bribe)

Alex wants a 100 credit bribe. Bastard.

It must be one of Grager's enemies.

Does Grager have many enemies?

Anyone who owns system-wide rights has many enemies.

Which of Grager's enemies has the resource to sponsor raids?

You must ask him.

And that's all we can get out of him. Oh well. Let's continue our search.

Oh, by the way. Here's what happens if you attack a non-hostile NPC (a blue dot):



As soon as we report back to the ship...



...we're severely penalised, losing precious attribute points. That's why attacking civilians isn't such a good idea.



The lowest level of Tower 3 hosts the Sky Elk Club. "Only the swift may pass", i.e., those with Dexterity equalling 20. Luckily, we have Hiroko in our crew.



The only reason to enter the Sky Elk Club is its Armoury, though, and it only contains two Energy Blades and a set of Laser Reflector armour, so even if we couldn't enter it, that'd be no big deal.

But anyway. Remember the NPC named Ruawl in Caldorre Tower 1? I wonder if he knows anything about the Sentinels.



So you have never heard of the Sentinels?

Now I didn't say that. Can't seem to recall exactly, though.



"Can't seem to recall", my ass.



Oh well, whatever. A hundred creds is no big deal.



Where can I find these Sentinels?

On Norjaenn.

Where on Norjaenn are the Sentinels?

I can't seem to remember exactly.

Oh no, not aga--




My, you're greedy.



Where do I find Jason Depard?

At Mark's Cantina, in Tolte, on Norjaenn.

Well, we finally have the information we need. Not without some trouble, but we do. So let's head to Norjaenn.



Tolte, or Western Town, is the only major settlement on Norjaenn.



Looks rural and peaceful.



A dairy farm we can't enter.



Some cattle are in need of our attention.





There are two rival groups inhabiting Tolte, the farmers and the ranchers. The Wilson's Saloon is the farmers' watering hole.



They don't take kindly to ranchers here. I guess this town may not be quite as peaceful as it seemed at first glance. Let's have a chat with some farmers.

Just arrived. Any news?

I've got to go work.

Just arrived. Any news?

The raiders are winning. Do your job!

Just arrived. Any news?

Why don't you just leave?



You seem a bit bothered.

You would be too if someone burned down your farm.

Oh, I'm sorry. Who do you think burned it down?

Damned Ranchers. Who else?

Caught in the middle of another local conflict. *Sigh*

Surely there are ways to settle disputes.

With a leader like Grayper. Ha!

Have you requested assistance from the Federation?

Ha! Your help? You can't even handle the raids.

Ouch, that hurts.

Do you know of the raids?

The ones on the cargo ships? You bet I do!



Rancher ships are being destroyed by the raiders.

Sure. I bet those ships were empty, and headed for the scrap heap.

You truly believe the Ranchers can afford to hire the raiders?

Sure. They must have found a way. Old man Kann is filthy rich.

Why do you think the raiders are attacking cargo transports?

To put the Farmers out of business and steal our land.

Why would the raiders be interested in Farmer lands?

Because that's what they are being paid to care about.





Don't you think it would be hard to hide a starbase on a ranch?

Maybe, but some of those ranches are pretty damn big.

Starbases are huge, have you ever seen one?

No. But it sounds like you're just a Rancher sympathizer to me.

These farmers sure are a weird bunch.
In a backroom, we meet Grayper, the farmers' leader.



Are you from this town?

I certainly am. I am the largest grain exporter on the planet.

How is the grain business?

The growing end of it is fine, but the cattle are getting out of hand!

Can't the Farmers resolve this problem?

I try to keep the Farmers organized, but they're an unruly lot.



Have you considered moving away from this area?

(Now that's a stupid thing to ask.)

Bah! My grain can't walk. Their damned cows can! They should move!



Oops, I think we've pissed him off a bit. :P Reloading...



Do you speak for the Farmers?

As much as anyone can. I take care of my crop, first.

(I guess that's why the farmer was complaining about Grayper's leadership.)

Do you know of the cargo transport raids?

Know of the raids? Of course! They're destroying our business.

Who do you think is behind the raids?

Why the Ranchers, who else?

The Ranchers have lost shipments. Why would they hurt their own ships?

To fool the Federation. Ranchers haven't suffered like we have.



Do you know where the raids originate from?

Some secret Rancher base.

Have you seen a raid being launched?

Well.. no. But I know those damned Ranchers have a base somewhere.

Why are you so sure?

It's obvious. Farmers couldn't afford to build a base. Land's too precious.

What makes you think the Ranchers even know spacecraft technology?

Aha! The Kann boys -- Alex and Eckirrt -- both piloted spacecrafts.

Why do you think the raids are happening?

The Ranchers are trying to put us out of business.

Why would the Ranchers try to destroy you?

To get our land.



Looks like we can't talk much sense into him. Let's leave him be for now.



It looks like someone's preparing for a territory war.



Hey, another armoury!



Not bad, but not really good either.



An NPC called Taylor resides in one of the rooms of the Wilson's Saloon.

We just landed in town.

Are you stationed here? Or just visiting?

We are visiting. Do you live here?

I am here as an agricultural advisor.

Do you like it here?

I'd like it more if Grayper were a better leader.

Seems a bit tense in town.

The Farmers and Ranchers are at each other's throats.



We do our best.

Yes, but that may not be good enough.

What do you know of the cargoliners raids?

Not a whole lot other than that they are hurting the local economy. The Farmers' cooperative is in danger of bakruptcy..

Isn't there enough demand to keep the Farmers in business?

No. The Caldorrean tower folk have their own food source.

They don't get food from Norjaenn?

They don't buy food from Norjaenn. Maybe they import.

Where might the raiders be coming from?

Somewhere off-world would be my guess.

Could the raids come from Caldorre or Ceyjavik?

No. Ceyjavik's barren and Caldorre has a corrosive atmosphere.



Why do you think the raids come from off-world?

I know Norjaenn pretty well and have no knowledge of a starbase.

Do you know who's behind the raids?

Whoever it is wants to destroy Farmer and Rancher alike.

Who would want to destroy the Ranchers and Farmers?

Perhaps another agricultural colony.

Which agricultural colonies are near enough to launch raids?

I wouldn't know.



That's one strange reaction...

So you have heard of the Sentinels?

No.

Why did you react the way you just did?

I'm an excitable person I guess. Now I must be going.

With that, she cuts off the talking. We'll meet Taylor again later, in... different circumstances.



Indeed, the cattle aren't fenced in, from the looks of it.



An office building? Let's explore it!





Offices all around.





We find a vax grapher, whatever that might be, and a shotgun.







Nothing of interest here. Moving on.





Albert's Place is the ranchers' bar.



Where do you live?

I live on a ranch near here.

Do you come here often?

Used to be just for the auction. More nowadays.



What is the problem with the south side?

Them Farmers!

Don't you get along with the Farmers?

Nope. Too many of them and they take up too much land.



Any way we can help?

Protect our cattle shipments better!

Do you know of the raids?

Sure do. I've lost three shipments this year.



Why do you feel the farmers are behind the raids?

Because it's cattle shipments being destroyed, that's why.

Farmers are losing grain shipments to the raiders.

Pshaw! That's a lot of Farmer propaganda, that is.

We have seen grain transports destroyed by raiders..

That's a lie! How much them Farmers buy you for, soldier?

Why are the raiders attacking cargo transports?

To put honest, hardworking men like me out of business.

Why would anyone put you out of business?

Not anyone, you fool. The Farmers want me out of business.




This is probably as hilarious as this game's dialogue gets.

It would be hard to hide a base in a grain field.

You making excuses for those Farmer vermins?

Have you ever heard of the Sentinels?

They won the Fed basketball title from '76 through '82. Great team!



We were referring to some other Sentinels.

Oh. Nope, can't say I have. Why aren't you boys out killing raiders?



Alright, we won't. Let's rather see the boss.





Everything's so old around here.



And the land is what matters most.



Here's Robert Kann, the leader of the ranchers. Another relative of Eckirrt.

No, sir. We're new around here.

Welcome to Tolte. It's a congenial spot, generally.

Generally? Are there problems?

(Faking ignorance, we are.)

There are annoyances. Drunk farmers occasionally shoot this place up.

Are there no local authorities to deal with this?

Are you offering?



Are there other towns here?

Hardly. Norjaenn is vast but unpopulated.

Is Tolte prosperous?

By and large. The troubled skyways have hurt us slightly.



Do you know who is behind the raids?

I don't really know. Most folks blame their favorite enemy.

Who do you blame for the raids?

Privately I hold the view that it is a trade war.

Who stands to gain from a trade war?

Anyone but Grager.

How often do convoys leave?

As often as we find pilots foolish enough to fly the transports.



Do you know where the Raiders come from?

No. Reports say they just seem to appear and vanish at will.

They could easily warp in. But from where?

From another system, as you did.

No, we slept during the long voyage here. They must be local.

My ranch hands cover a lot of ground and have seen no starbases.



Have you lost shipments?

Yes, several. I hope your mission is successful. Good day.

Hmph, whatever.



Let's now head to the Mark's Cantina, the place where strong men sing drunk songs and where, following Ruawl's advice, we're supposed to find Jason Depard.





A hangout for star pilots and other travellers. That purple-haired star pilot... She looks different from the rest.



Do you know who's behind the raids?

No. I'm too busy dodging blasts to worry about that..

Don't you wonder who's shooting at you?

Sometimes. Mostly I wonder whether they're going to hit or not.

We can't stop them till we know who they are.

I reckon. All I care about is surviving two more shipments.



Do you know where the raids are coming from?

Outer space. The raiders just appear.

Do you have any ideas why the raids are happening?

Someone doesn't like the folks in this system, I guess.

Are you from Norjaenn?

Not originally, but I intend to stay here when my eyesight goes.

Do you find Norjaenn to be a good world?

Yes, I made friends here when I was delivering cargo to the colonists.



A would-be rancher, then.

Have you found Norjaenn to be peaceful?

For the most part, yes. There is currently some strife.

Strife? What seems to be the problem?

(Faking innocence again.)

The Farmers and Ranchers compete for the same pieces of land.



How can the dispute be resolved?

They need to talk to each other.





Jason? The one we've been looking for.







Found him!



How is business?

It's been better. Between the supply problems and the local disputes..

You seem to have many clients..

A captive audience perhaps. But not as happy as they once were.

Are you from Norjaenn?

Yes. My family has been here for nearly four generations.

Is Norjaenn a nice place to live?

It is troubled now, but a fine place to spend one's life.



What are the two sides angry about?

They won't share the land. It's a shame, they're all good men.

Doesn't the land support colonization?

The land is fertile and vast. The problems lie with the people.



Do you know where the raids are coming from?

No. I have tried to find a starbase, but Norjaenn is a vast planet.

You think the raids originate on this world?

I don't know. They could originate anywhere.

Do you know who is behind the raids?

I do not know who, but I know what is behind them.



Spooky!

What is the nature of this 'evil'?

Discovering that is your task, not mine.

Why are the transports being raided?

I am not sure, but I do not believe it is to hurt William Grager.

Why do you think so differently?

While the trade rights are valuable, think of the costs of the raids.

Are you suggesting that the benefit does not match the effort?

Precisely.

Then why would someone raid the transports?

I told you I do not know.



Who do you think they are?

I know who they are. They exist.

If they exist, then where are they?

Ahhh. Good question. I could tell you, but..

But what?

(Read Paragraph 9)


Oh gosh. Just tell us, dammit!



Whatever you say...

Next time: things get messy.