Doctor Duquette

"Like most of the other Solos within this city, he doesn't deserve the help I give him. And just like those same Solos, I give it anyway. But he's different. In both good, and bad ways. He's not typical or average- And of course, he's beyond terrifying. But I think I can safely say he's the only New Frontera native I've met that I can say I genuinely trust. And trust is a rarity around here."

"Shame about the cannibalism."

- - 

"I hate it here. I, hate it here. I hate the people who refuse help, I hate the air of this city, it leaves a grime that doesn't quite wash off. I want to see this whole urban region burned, flatten- Droids picking through the scrap that's left before it's turned into a parking lot. Yet, he when I told him this, he asked me if anyone was worth saving. And it was at the point, I realized who I forgotten I am for a moment. Worth saving? Very few. But I know that wouldn't stop me. Even despite the open, palpable vitriol I'll never stop trying."

"It'll be the death of me."

- - 

"There's an empty space in my bio-mechanical heart. The beats around feel hollow with it missing, as if it were ripped right from it's home. But I know it wasn't."

"I don't know who failed who. The eyes I'd stare in to, be it the beautiful organic originals. Or the cybernetic ones I'd replaced them with- I thought I'd seen compassion. A soul which was buried beneath the stress the city demands of anyone unfortunate enough to inhabit it's walls. But all I saw, was my own hopes and feelings, reflected right back at me."

"I'm gonna' miss having a friend."

Est. Value: 150,000Cr

"One of three, we're the last two that's left of the original trio. He lives an entirely different life than I despite us being on the exact same side- Which is a good thing. Someone like him around is a good thing, a sentient tank capable of listening."

- -

"He outlived Orso. It's- To be expected. But it's still a shame, everyone imagined a legendary fight between the two of them, only for those lurking in a den of greed and malice to squander the chance. Still. I'm proud of the progress I've seen Kaneshiro and I make here in the city. We're doing good work, the quality of life of those residing in this tower has improved ever since Aetherstone Biomechanics touched their lives."

Est. Value: 582,000Cr

"Terror. Fear. Inspiration. They're all things that man- That, entity makes me feel. Mind of metal, I don't even know if I'm allowed to even consider talking about him, let alone say his name aloud. I was naïve when I arrived in the city. But he was the one that set me straight. Corrected my reckless behavior one stern lesson after the other. He'd give me tasks, and I'd either not perform to the standard needed, or outright fail. I could feel my career crumbling in front of me yet again."

"But then he started assigning me roles of a different nature. What was once a palpable disappointment soon turned to a shocking praise. I won't lie, there's certain things in this life I'm not good at. But as always, he was able to identify what the problem was, and through more specialized tasks he found what I just wasn't good at, but in which I'd excelled beyond any expectation. With what I've performed, we're one step closer towards finishing my true work. A concept alone which will change life as we know it."

"A better future, through Aetherstone."

Est. Value: ??,¿¿¿,???Cr

"Merc' or a Solo? I can never tell. He was interesting coming aboard for ASF. I lined him up an interview and everything but he bowed out of it for some reason. It's all incredibly unfortunate considering he's a stand up guy. Capable, too. From what I can tell, any job he goes on tends to fair rather well."

- -

"I think he's a good person. No- A genuinely good person, the kind you don't just run into everyday in a place like this. Is it for money? Just for money, or is it something else entirely? I trust him. You shouldn't trust people here- But I do, and while that gives him the chance to bring about a better betrayal should he ever decide, if it ever gets to where we're at that point, I'll have bigger issues."

Est. Value: 25,400Cr

"One of the first I managed a conversation with since my arrival in Altura Heights. While I'd like to say me paying for her treatment is what did it, such a notion hadn't caused anything much similar from anyone prior. Still, she's a Solo in Tara's crew and I'll always be annoyed at some confusion that was laced within an old conversation. But I'm not sure if she wants to always be a Solo like most of the others I've met here. Oh man, she's also some sorta' Bruiser, even tried showing me how to properly throw swings. It's actually what makes me a bit sad, truly. Due to the nature of my job, I know the chances of me getting the spare time to use augments that'd make me stand out in a fight are rather minimal, thus the chances are that I'll ever get to humor an actual brawl with her are... Minimal."

- -

"It's a shame."

Est. Value: 82,220

"A reliable Solo. While I don't him that well at all, he's the kind of person you can tell is dependable. The first to purchase a RAP Rocket System, the only one for a while to have any faith in it. Luckily others are starting to see it's strength now, but he was the first believe in it."

- - 

"Miss him."

Est. Value: 52,700Cr

"At times, I wish I knew a better thing to say. We live entirely different walks of life, thousands of miles apart. Yet the interest to connect and mingle remains, however is one of minimal reality. The occasional conversation, always brief. Few and far between. Of course, he's with that club so I can't tell if that makes the situation better or worse. I'd like to think that it doesn't change anything, but I don't think lying to myself will do much. He's a career Solo, they all of some sort of demons in their closet. Yet unlike the rest he doesn't seem to be trying to make it everyone else's problem. In the end, I still wish him the best, whether or not I can help get him there."

- -

"A mixed basket of a man. He's a good soul in him, definitely stands out among all the Solos in the city. Sure still, he'll always follow the money but that's a vice of people I'm going to have to learn to live with."

Est. Value: 62,700Cr

"When I was in college, for lunch some friends and I would lurk off to a nice sandwich shop near the border of the district. It stands out to me, because I remember if you went outside it, just near the back there was a cat- Not a kitten, but not a full-grown cat. Couldn't have been more than a year old, the poor thing was alone. Starving. Helpless. But you couldn't feed it, at least not directly. It wouldn't get close. Sure you could chuck some synth sirloin at it, and maybe after a while it'd poke its head out, look at it, then look at you. But it would have easily rather starved to death, than accept anything from anyone else. My friends always found it odd my fascination with the creature, wondering why I'd try so hard to help a thing that clearly didn't want it. But I think that's just the kind of guy I am."

"Tara is the quintessential Solo. At least, the kind I've grown to expect from here. But even that doesn't do it justice. Thousands, I've sunk into her treatment, ensuring she stays alive. And sure, it's just money, yet I still feel as if the time and effort I've dedicated to keeping from harms way- Not even including the illness, will never be appreciated."

- -

"I can't help but find it strange. It's as if they were in a pit they couldn't climb out of, and when I offered a hand out- Instead of taking it, they just dug deeper. And deeper. And deeper... The light above is lost to them, to claim so hard that everyone else is the problem, but to kill innocent lives is a clashing moral compass."

- -

"I suppose even when pushed to an absolute limit, people still feel the need to lie. But it's not like me to deny assistance, no matter the case. Still, to have lied and actively gas-lit for so long, to pretend to be someone's friend for a malicious cause- Only for money. Just for money. There's no honor among thieves. But is that a surprise to anyone at all? Seems the bridges that Tara tried desperately burning between the both of us she'd already begun doing with a lot of the others within her circle. I wonder if my position in life has spoiled me, because no matter how much I try to rationalize it, I'll still be never able to imagine myself willing to go through such lengths for something as intangible as money."

"Like for the best I didn't say the rest of what I knew. The less issues the better."

- -

"Seem she's finally gone. I'm not sure if it's surprising, maybe only the way in which things played out. It's almost funny, one of the last things she said to me was exactly what I was going to say to her. I could pretend to be mad, or angry about it all, but I've never been one for faking anything. In a way, I do wish I knew of methods to help better- Suppose that's not entirely accurate, I do. Did, maybe. But they'd all always fall on deaf ears. Hopefully she's happy."

Est. Value: 117,500Cr

"Yet another in Tara's ensemble. I wonder if she's told him all that I know about it, clearly he's aware of most given his obvious distrust over me. Under normal circumstances, I imagine I'd announce my irritation with his behavior. However, he was the single person at the Void that would humor the discussion to get Deo unbanned, a kindness I likely won't forget for some time."

"I do feel as if he's changed since our arrival in the new district. Yet I think what's more likely is I have- Visually. The status quo demands demands a half-hidden contempt for anyone who looks like they can afford to feed themselves more than a single meal a day. It begets an atmosphere that emboldens the divide between those who can have, to those who can't."

- -

"He wants out of the Solo life. One of the few in that line of work I've seen ever openly admit it. It's for the best- Overall. Less Solos in the world, the better. But even on a personal level, it's good. He's managed a way to make some safe, legitimate money through his royalties on the weapon design he sold. He's still recklessly tense in any conversation, for reasons I'll fail to understand, but I'm sure if I spoke with him enough he'd manage to justify it. More than he already has."

- -

"From what I can gather, he wants his meddling with Corsair to not catch up with him- I mean, who could blame him? His blame for it looked to be to try and fast-track a job into becoming a Corpo for Achille's. Very nice. To take a step away from the lower scum of the city is what everyone says they want, but very very few actually make the effort to do so. He's also appeared to be less malicious as of recent, I can only assume the dissolvement of Tara's Emotional Support Group had something to do it. The moment that whole thing fizzled out everyone seemed to be doing better. I can't say what the future will hold for him, but if he continues at this pace, I won't even say the sky is the limit."

"I know his middle name."

Est. Value 152,000Cr

"The undeniably delightful Delilah."

"Oh man, she's something. She speaks with the same creeping contempt Vass does, yet she's much nicer about it. Likely gave the first, if not only truly riveting conversation I've had since getting shipped to this city. I don't think she's a fan of me, personally, but given her and her sisters crew, I doubt I can blame that mindset. I'm not sure if she's expecting me to eventually give up, as when it comes to people who can carry a conversation, they could likely have a gun to my head and I'll still try keep it going. Or a sword in this case. Ah, I'm just a moth to a flame."

"Her and Vass like motorcycles, I wonder why."

- - 

"Second verse, nothing like the first. I imagine her cordial candor was likely to scope me out during the initial conversation, as she's been notably curt even since. Yet I can say it dissuades my interest. A fount of knowledge, I feel as if I learn something new about these people every time I speak to her. Hopefully I can find a way to get over this hurdle being employed gets me with everyone."

- -

"Her and her sister. Likely two of the more interesting cases I've met since my arrival. I can never tell if she's hot or cold, never fully know what's going on in her mind. But! I still love picking at her brain- Even if it bothers her so. The continued contempt for Aetherstone is bizarre but par for the course among anyone around here. Sour grapes I imagine- But I'm sure she has some creative excuse unlike most. She still keeps up with the occasional lies, be they outright fabrications, or just omissions. All the same, deceit never works too well for most."

Est. Value: 158,250Cr

"Solo. Solo. Solo. Or a merc'? Is there a difference? I don't know the difference. Is it training? Military training? I'm rambling, but dear old Sonny is a treat. not many get past the whole, I'm employed and therefor evil thing, so he's a delight to see whenever he's around. Fairly certain I watched him to a man into pulp as well, so I'm happy to see he doesn't hate me too much."

- -

"What a unique man. He's cut from a different cloth than the rest of the citizens cast to this city. He abuses profanity, yet he's a beacon of a nice attitude. I don't understand it. --I do, but I don't. I'm not complaining, but it still comes as a surprise, as a nice demeanor is in short supply within this tower."

Est. Value: 58,890Cr

"The pinnacle employee. Rare is it do you find a soul capable of a true and genuine work ethic. Let alone in a pit like this place. Tirelessly, he aims to impress with every action he does. And still he does not relent. Inexhaustible, he is Atlas, holding the world up. The gold standard, for an employee of the month."

Est. Value: 4,400Cr

"Another bright soul, somehow living among the rabble of the tower. Unlike most, he provides a service- Not to just benefit himself, but for the community as a whole. Rare. I consider him a local celebrity, fueling the body and spirits of those under the many under the roof of this habzone. He deserves his success."

Est. Value: 10,000Cr

"One of the man Solos of the city. He's a habit of getting into spats with Kaneshiro for some reason, yet I can't for the life of me ever figure out truly why."

"He's odd. But that's okay. He attacked me at the end of a clinic session. And that's okay too, I didn't get too hurt in the end, I'm still walking I'm still talking. I hope he doesn't end up doing it to anyone else though, they might not react to it with the same patience I did."

- -

"Still an odd fella'.

Est. Value: 19,210Cr

"One of the very, very few people to also tolerate Deo. It strikes me as odd, I don't know what she's after. What she wants. Something about her feels off, the whole thing is... Different. Very different than everyone else in the tower. Too amicable to be among this lot. She's from space- Space people are always some brand of nice in my experience. Man I'm gonna' hate when that track record gets broken."

"She wanted to know more about me than anyone else. I wonder what they're paying her."

- -

"She's friendly. Still, she's friendly. From the best I can tell, she's not working with anyone. So she's nice for the sake of it. Which, is, strange... But Deo likes her, and trusts her. So I suppose I can as well given how much she's been helping him. Apparently she has her own droid business now, not sure how it's going but I do wish her the best."

- -

"She was the one there during ground-zero of the last Deo disaster. Looking back on it, I still feel racked with guilt. I could have done more. Should, have done more. It's only by mere luck she still talks to me- But, she's one of the beacons of hope in the habzone. I don't know what she's doing here, she's too good for this place. A better person than I. 

Est. Value: 52,000Cr

"Oh man! He had to have HATED me. But I do hope I was wrong, I'd hate for his last memories of me to be with worry and woe. I still remember how I first met him. Back.. In the original district! He was looming above the tunnel to the tram. And there I walked up- Alone, unarmed and helpless, the dear old Doctor from the Aetherstone hospital. Truly, I was a sitting duck- Much to his shock. Within that confusion he couldn't understand why I'd willingly place myself in such a position, yet I tried not to stoke such flames. A conversation! The Helios Borg... It fascinated me. I was intrigued beyond belief, and it likely made even a mountain of metal like him uncomfortable. But I just HAD to talk to him. I had to! Don't tell anyone."

"Even after he appeared to shed most of his Helios banners, he was still always so tense with me. It made for difficult conversation every time, and I'm sure neither of us had the best of times we could have had otherwise. I think my biggest regret was not being able to give him his gift- Ah! When I first met him, when he was up above the tunnel entrance, he was eating a granola bar. He could hate them for all I know, but I bought a whole crate for the guy.
It's a shame. Every time I buy someone a gift, it's a coinflip on whether or not they'll live to see it."

"I'm sorry they got you killed."

Est. Value: 550,000Cr