DK3
DK2
Breaker
DK1
Kasha
Xond
L21C
Blacklock
L21A
L21B
Buzzsaw
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Huh, they're shooting at each other.
Buzzsaw scrambles behind the boxes where Digdig is and orders the drone to move around the boxes and get to where it can move into a flanking position.
Dang, I'd rather not leave him exposed like that, but better him than me.
Buzzsaw reaches down to his belt and pulls out his magic starknife.
Blacklock's surprise shot chirps out of the pistol in a blinding flash, skillfully missing the halfling and drilling the thug in his hip as he curses out in pain before yelling, "We got some company Boys!"
Smoke rises quickly from his side.
Thoroughly confused, the scarlet thug glances in Blacklock's direction before moving in to finish the work against his opponent, . His shot strikes the arm of his opponent who is badly injured.
His partner hones in on the gangster, hoping to put the odds in their favor through a quick blast of his pulsecaster. His rushed shot misses his quarry and he too is more than a bit distracted by the interest of a group of odd onlookers.
He turns to look at them and yells, "Whatcha lookin at? Beat it!"
The thug being confronted by Xond takes a 5 foot step back to get a better shot at the halfling and aims his laser pistol at Xond's chest.
The shot lands dead center in Xond's abdomen causing seering pain and a smoky stench. The halfling is injured.
"Hey, come over here and help me wit dis runt!" the thug shouts to his injured mate.
Fairing poorly against his rivals and uncertain of the level of involvement of the halfling solarion, the injured thug takes a gamble and races around the crates to assist his fellow gangster with the threat.
He levels his pistol and hastily fires at the determined solarion, missing as the shot flies up into the ceiling of bay 94.
"It would appear the halfling is in a great deal of danger. Perhaps we should focus on assisting him?"
Breaker reached out with his mind to see the code of magic. He began moving his fingers and muttering what he needed to do as he manipulated the strands of magic for the desired effect. He felt he would need more power for this, so he took a little longer to increase the effectiveness. He then loosed his spell, and three missiles unerringly flew from his hands to the thugs that had surrounded the halfling.
Breaker's missiles takes one thug off of his feet and out of the fight and nearly knocks over Xond's assailant.
The farthest rightside gangster retreats to check on his friends and leave himself room to escape if necessary. He moves quickly backward before stopping to fire a shot at one of the red thugs.
The shot strikes the target in the torso as the dreg lets out a yelp of pain.
yells,"Got em! Ha, I'm coming around boss."
"Hey! He's mine!"
Xond's eyes and accompanying corona glow brighter.
Xond steps up and takes a swing with his sword. "You ain't gettin' away that easy!"
Kasha yells out her words of courage before taking her misplaced shot.
Xond's inspired strike creates a spray of blood as his longsword slices quickly through the suit of the gangster. The big lug falls quickly to the ground.
The farthest scarlet thug does a double take before yelling out to his boss.
"Hey boss! I think that is Kasha Lexas!"
The big thug seeking cover in the information booth replies."Who?"...Wot do you spend all night wit a vid strapped to yer face? Beat it! We got witnesses."
He takes a shot at the ground in front of Breaker and Kasha as a warning. "You never saw us, got it!
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Boris stands up from behind the crate and tosses his starknife at the thug hiding inside the desk. The magic blade streaks towards the thug, then arcs around and flys back towards Boris.
Boris's concentration is a split because he is also commanding Digdig to move into the desk, blocking the thugs exit. When the drone moves into position, the arm holding the assault hammer swings towards the thug.
Blacklock finds the baggage cart has no keys in its ignition. He will have to hot wire the cart to implement his plan.
Boris's starkife whizzes through the air striking the lieutenant in the back of the neck before whizzing away. He turns to flee and a giant vacuum cleaner appears to be blocking his exit. Before he can even begin to try and climb over the information counter, an arm extrends from the robot and slams him in the face with an assault hammer, permanently extinguishing his light.
It takes a few seconds, but Blacklock fires up the baggage cart. The remaining scarlet-clad thugs flee to an alley way on the left. The last DK gangster takes aim at Blaclock in the open-air cart.
Breaker found himself rather puzzled at the Dwarf's attack on the scarlet-clad crew. After all, they hadn't been shooting at him or anyone else. Maybe it was a personal grudge.
Turning his attention to the final gangster who had attacked them (DK1), Breaker leaves cover to try and get a better shot before firing off a bullet at the thug.
Unfortunately, his aim goes high.
The last DK thug is concerned by the ability of the stranger to easily start the unmanned baggage cart. As such, he aims to end him.
Firing his shot in a panic ensures that it goes above Blacklock's head.
Xond smiles and looks down at the body at his feet. "Who's the runt now?!"
As the last thug's shot rings out he flinches. "Sweet!
One more dance partner!" He dashes around the baggage cart and up into the thug's face.
"Pookaboo!" Xond swings his sword at the thug in a wide arc.
Kasha's shot burns a hole through the arm of the last DK thug just before Xond finishes him in another blood-spewing slice.
The thug falls lifeless to the ground as Blacklock positions his cart to run the dead guy over and decides not to proceed.
Down the corridor, a silent flash of lights indicate the forthcoming arrival of station sevcurity personnel, armed, irritated, and curious.
Blacklock notices a club, azimuth laser pistol with 17 charges on the battery, and a pocket containing a credstick.
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Knowing that he could never keep up on his own with his stout dwarven legs, Boris using his custom rig to order his drone to chase after the thug as long as it can. It's movement speed is 30, which is probably the same as the thug. Once its 2,500 ft. away from Boris, the wireless connection begins to get shaky and Digdig will begin to stall until Boris moves back into range.
Boris still has Digdig chase the thug down for as long as he can.
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Seeing the last thug go down and the following of flashing lights coming in the distance, Kasha puts away her laser rifle and runs over to Kreel to just confirm her fears that he did, indeed perish. She doesn't touch him, but tries to glance and see if he was carrying anything on him at the time in his arms.
"I-I think we should all just surrender here, right? I mean, I'm pretty sure we acted in self-defense so we should be fine!"
"You would be correct in that thought. I doubt surrender will be necessary, however, since we have done nothing wrong. You also seem to be a rather famous personality. That may also provide us some method of avoiding punishment for our actions." Breaker was very matter-of-fact in his assessment of their possible legal repercussions as it holstered its weapon. Indeed, one of the gang members had shot it. Breaker, too, bent down to check over Kreel and see if he was carrying anything, while looking for signs of life - breathing and such.
If he finds anything that might be important or related to the Starfinder Society, he will attempt to pocket it.
As the last thug falls or runs away, the golden glow suffusing Xond fades. [ooc]Unattuned as combat ends.[/b]
Xond sheaths his sword and deactivates his solar armor as he walks over towards the others. "As long as we stay calm and are truthful security shouldn't give us too much trouble. Xond chuckles, "Maybe if we're lucky they'll let us keep some of these thugs' stuff." He muses lightheartedly.
Dig dig ends the last scarlet thug with one fleeing. All of the Kings have perished.
Breaker searches Kreel discretely and finds nothing but his personal computer (Basic, small) with contact info about the new recruits and one other contact name, Chiskisk. The address to the Starfinder Society's famed Lorespire Complex within the immense station is listed. Other than that, Kreel has no personal info, gear, or creds.
Security personnel begin to arrive on the scene, and draw weapons on everyone.
Two security officers approach from the right and two approach from the left. One on the right lowers his pistol and commands, "Lower your weapons! I need to speak with any witnesses."
The officer behind him uses his comm to call for medics and then asks. "Who saw what?"
”I believe I can assist,” Breaker says, standing from beside Kreel. Hands up, he slowly approaches the officer asking the question. ”My name is Alpha-83. I received an invitation to join the Starfinder Society, and was to meet this man, Kreel, outside this docking bay. I arrived to greet him, and then these gang members,” he indicates the Kings at this point, ”arrived and fired a shot into his neck. They also fired at me,” he says, indicating his injury. ”At that point I acted to defend myself from further attack.”
Alpha-83 has no skill at dissembling - fortunately, he didn’t need to in this case.
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Boris comes back with Digdig and rushes over to the body of Kreel. He kneels down next to the body and tears start streaming down his cheeks.
He mutters over the body in Dwarven "I can't believe it...The first dwarf I've seen seen in years, dead...I never even got a chance to give him the customary greeting of my clan...Why are gods surrounding me with so much misfortune!?!? When will all the suffering and misery end!?!?"
When he sees the station police arrive, Boris stands up and wipes away the tears. "Aye, tis true what the android says. We were here to meet Kreel and these gangers came out a nowhere and started shooting. In a crowded star port, none the less." Boris points up at a security camera. "The whole station gots cameras. Why don't ya take a look at the footage?"
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Kasha nods along with Breaker and Boris as they explain the situation well and interjects with, "We'll answer any questions you need officers! We're here to help! Of course, it would be appreciated if you could give us any information on these gangs you could provide as well, if possible! We are recruits for the Starfinders after all!"
The lead officer approaches Breaker.
The Android should provide a truthful statement. Depending on experiences of course.
“Hello Alpha-83, I am Officer Gryl Hardawy, Absalom Security Force. What exactly transpired here?”
To save time he quickly adds, ”Are these others friends of yours?” referring to the halfling, the Lashunta woman, the mysterious thief, and the blubbering dwarf.
He thinks, the dwarf is correct. There are numerous cameras, we will have to check.
After his conversation with Breaker, he asks Boris, “How long after the bay doors opened did the gunfight begin?”
Some of his subordinates begin checking the bodies of the fallen gang members. As the medics begin to arrive, another one of the security guards approaches Kasha. The lieutenant seems to be eager to listen to Kasha tell her side of the story before adding boldly with as much confidence as he could fake, ”You have some Level 21 gangsters on the left here and it looks like a few of the Downside Kings came up from below to do business. Did you happen to see who killed the dwarf?”
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"It happened right away as we was working down the ramp. I think those gangers are the ones that shot Kreel, the ones you all are calling the Downstairs Kings, but I ain't sure. All I know is that these guys pulled guns out and started shooting at Kreel. I don't know if they was shooting at him and he got caught in the crossfire or if they was shooting at him on purpose. All I know is he's dead now." Boris points over at Kasha and Alpha-83. "I think one of those guys got a better look."
”I believe I can assist,” Breaker says, standing from beside Kreel. Hands up, it slowly approaches the officer asking the question. ”My name is Alpha-83. I received an invitation to join the Starfinder Society, and was to meet this man, Kreel, outside this docking bay. I arrived to greet him, and then these gang members,” it indicates the Kings at this point, ”arrived and fired a shot into his neck. They also fired at me,” it says, indicating his injury. ”At that point I acted to defend myself from further attack.”
"The shot that killed Kreel - and the one that wounded me," it gestures to the arm wound, "came from the right, the direction of the Downside Kings. I believe them to be the ones responsible for his death. I have not met these others prior to this, but I believe they, like me, were to meet Kreel to be taken to the Lorespire Complex and join the Starfinders. The Level 21 gangsters appeared to be more interested in shooting the Downside Kings than us - in fact, one of them even told us to, I quote, 'Get lost'. Kreel was shot before the Level 21 and the Downside Kings started shooting at each other - whether the Downside Kings were hired to kill him or if we just happened to have poor timing in our meeting to get caught in a gang skirmish, I can only speculate. I can state unequivocally that the first shots were fired at Kreel and myself, and came from the direction of the Downside Kings."
Breaker gave as truthful a statement as it could, based on what it knew. One of the others might be able to fill something in.
The officer asks to see any documentation that confirms the recruit’s invitation for membership in the SFS. Once he is satisfied, he solicits any witnesses not with the new recruits. A Ysoki woman comes forward and verifies the stories told by Breaker, Kasha, and Boris.
He rounds up all of the gang’s weaponry and then once the medics have declare the fallen to be deceased, the are loaded into a small electric van to be transported to the morgue. They include Kreel in this transport, but Officer Hardawy gives a holocard to Breaker and says that once his group makes contact with the SFS at the Lorespire Complex, they can send somebody down to claim Kreel’s body.
Officer Hardawy concludes, “As far as I can tell, this looks like a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.” He goes on to add, “I doubt that you are in any danger, but if you want, I can provide a security detail to escort you to the society’s Lorespire Complex, headquarters of the SFS on Absalom Station if you wish?”
If the party refuses the escort, he provides them with a map to the head quarters and adds, ”By the way, don’t leave the station until we have reviewed the security footage. A few of those Level 21 guys look inexplicably shredded.”
"Thank you, but I do not believe we will require an escort. I think we should be alright. I do not think we will be leaving the station immediately, and I, at least, will likely be found there."
Turning to the other recruits, it says, "Thank you for helping me. My name is Alpha-83. If you would prefer a more human-sounding name, you may call me Breaker. Shall we proceed to the Lorespire Complex?"
Even though your directions indicate this, the helpful Ysoki woman begins to offer help in the form of directions.
She begins,”The Lorespire Complex is located up this arm in the Ring and to the right in a neighborhood called the Drifter’s End. It won’t take to long to walk there, or you could wait for a tram.” She smiles then matter-of-factly goes about her business as if she did not just witness a gunfight.
The Drifter’s End neighborhood surrounds the Lorespire Complex and earns its name by catering to alien ambassadors from newly discovered worlds, explorers, long-haul cargo crews, and spacefaringvagabonds of all sorts. Housing is cheap and temporary, bars are noisy and full of stories, and patrons looking to hire experienced scouts and first-contact specialists clog notorious”Drifter” hangouts such as the Hard Burn, Kristoff’s, and the Last Good Run.
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"Agreed! I think getting there and just reporting the tragedy that happened here is obviously our first priority," Kasha said bleakly. She then perked up with a smile, obviously trying to not look sad in public. "Hopefully we'll get some answers there too! I wouldn't mind learning more about the whole point of that fight either..."
She remembered reading about the Drifter's End neighborhood as well as a bit about the Lorespire Complex. It certainly reminded her a bit of her home in Akiton...just a lot less sandy.
"Tally Hoe!" Xond shouts and points off in the direction he starts walking.
We can always go find the answers if we don't get them. The sooner we get to the Lorespire Complex the sooner we can hit the bricks." Xond stretches his shoulders and back with an assortment of groans.
A big smile crosses Xond's face, "Drifter's End sounds like a great place to dig for info about those gangs."
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Boris morosely wipes the gore off Digdig's hammer arm. "Digdig, you're such a mess. That's a good boy, just let me me get you cleaned up. We need to look nice for the people we're going to meet at the Lorespire. Maybe there will be another dwarf there. Or a maybe there will be a Xorn there for you? That would nice, right?"
Boris sighs deeply and follows the rest of the group to the Lorespire Complex.