Shortly afterwards, dinner begins an Lady Smythe's servants bring forth a feast of boiled crab, butter-simmered sturgeon, goat cheese, and hard bread, washed down with copious amounts of wine. "So what do you all do? You don't particularly look like ship salesmen."

Gin immediately digs right into dinner, shoving pieces of crab meat into her mouth as she reaches for the sturgeon. When the lady questions them, the lashunta looks up and gulps down her food. With a glance over to Toni she says, “We’re scavengers. Found that ship and, uh, brought it back to life! An easy fix thanks to Dani there. Her work is amazing by the way. Ever need something fixed or enhanced or something, she’s your girl for sure!”

Deception (will roll twice in case Toni wants to help for adv): 11 | 22

And just in case - Silver Tongue - When you make a Charisma (Persuasion) or Charisma (Deception) check, you can treat a d20 roll of 9 or lower as a 10.

Ashley gives Gin a very obvious look, as if not expecting that answer at all. Unless someone stops her, Ashley's face will wrinkle, and she'll say, innocently:

"That is not exactly true. Have you not been paying attention to our intentions or activities in the last few days? I am confused. Perhaps you suffered head trauma and require medical attention?"

Dani looks up at the mention of her name. "Excuse me, Ashley, watch what you say about my work," she says with some asperity. "Let's not forget who improved that wand of yours." She rolls her eyes as she cuts herself another piece of fish. "Cool story, how we found this ship, actually. We were sailing near the edge of a system and we spotted this massive rock..." Dani gestures for either Gin or Toni to pick up the story, and once attention is focused on the Lashunta, leans over to Ashley and whispers very quietly while moving her lips as little as possible, "Scavengers is a cover story. Just go with it for now, I'll explain when we're back on the ship."

Then she steals one of Ashley's rolls as cover for the lean.

Thrash would be distractedly eating and drinking for a while before realizing he was missing out on the conversation. After quickly wiping his mouth with the back of his hand he would give a wide grin. "Yeah. I don't let nuthin go to waste. Dani here turn bits of rock into the shiny armor some of us are wearin... Even upgraded my disintegrator pistol here. I tell ya, If I had to list members of me crew I would wanted to eat in order... she'd be towards the bottom cause'a being so useful." Thrash would add as he takes another bite of his meal, looking as though he had just given her a huge compliment. "So what kinda things you folks like to buy. Ya know we come across all kinds of things in our travels. Perhaps we can work out an arangement or sorts."

At first Ashley was even MORE confused, but then got the jist of what Dani was attempting. She nodded vaguely, as if lying and deception was not something she was used to.

"Well, we don't have too much use for scavenged goods here, but maybe she could upgrade the cannons, or at the very least the equipment that our guards are using?"

Dani shrugs. "Let me take a look and I'll see what I can do. Probably'll have to make a supply run once I know what I can do - I didn't come prepared for a full station upgrading."

"After we finish dinner, we can take a look at them and you can tell me if you can do anything."

Dani tosses Smythe a casual thumbs up before popping the last of her roll into her mouth.

After dinner, Lady Smythe shows you the armory. The small arms are nothing too complex, sets of Freebooter armor and Azimuth laser rifles are the standard here. As for the larger defenses, you see that the station boasts large cannons that could blast into the hull of a warship, as well as rapid-fire turrets that can keep up with smaller, sleeker fighters. While it's not the cutting edge of modern weaponry, the station's defenses would hold their own against an external invasion. "So, what do you think?" 

Dani does some legitimate investigation, learning everything she can. "Pretty good, but I can make it better. Going to need to do a supply run, though, if you want me to do more than one or two."

"Okay then. How much do you usually charge for this sort of service? Or is it a different rate every time?"

"Well hold on a minute." Thrash would pipe up as he holds up a clawed hand. "Now... I'm all fer makin some extra creds by havin one of my very gifted crew fix up yer defenses and all... but I got a question that I don't thinks been answered." The lizardfolk says as he adjusts his tricorn hat. "What are ya all doin on this rock? How are you makin money? What are ya gainin from holdin it?...... who are ya all workin for?" After rattling off his questions he pauses for a few moments and picks a piece of meat from between his sharp teeth. "ya got the creds to buy our ship, and ya got the creds to pay to have yer weapons beefed up... but ya can't eat weapons... so how ya gettin food?.... how ya getting creds? and if yer sellin goods than ya need ta work on yer advertisin."

"Did you want me to write all of those questions down?" Ashley offered. You can't tell if she's being sarcastic or not.

With no more questions for Lady Smythe, you depart from Tidestar Station, in search of resources that can be used to take the rock, either by taking it by force on the outside, or by infiltration and deception. You fly off and it is not too long before you stumble upon a large freighter ship currently being attacked by a pirate cruiser that looks like it will be in position to board soon. Currently, neither ship has made any indication that they have registered your presence, as they are likely too occupied with each other.

Gin watches the sight of the two ships with wide eyes. “Ooh, should we hang back, see who wins, then attack the winner?” She suggests with way too much enthusiasm.

Dani nods. "Definitely seems like the best option."

As you watch the two ships fight, it becomes very apparent that the pirate cruiser will defeat the freighter and be able to loot it with little issue.