Altronus nods appreciatively to Raia, but declines to reach for any of the offered food.
You are most kind and hospitable. I regret that for reasons of Tradition, I am unable to sample your offerings.
Excrementa! Ten seconds in, and I have already committed a paux fas. I hope the Warden does not take offense.
He attempts to regain control of the situation.
My apologies, of course. If I may, our time is limited, as I'm sure yours is.
He makes introductions, introducing Raia as the First Mate and Quig and Obayaza as crewmembers.
We wish to interview one or your inmates regarding significant loss of Corporation property. We do not know yet whether they are suspect, bystander, abettor, or conspirator, but we have reason to believe they were at least an eyewitness.
His four arms gesture expansively.
Would it be possible to arrange a meeting with the inmate known as "Livewire"? Our employer will be most appreciative of your assistance.
Raise continues sampling the foods and making appreciative sounds.
Obazaya lets the others do the talking, not much of one for words.
She does, however, eagerly partake of the food, even though the stench is overpowering.
Quig stares at the Warden with curiosity. Never has he seen a creature with such bizarre features. He walks over to the tray, holds his breath as to not smell the stench so much. "Well, bottoms up." He raises his glass and quickly drinks the opaque, milky substance.
I hope this isn't what I think it is
"Yup! This is one amazing drink." He tries his best, but his voice is obviously shaky.
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"Visits with prisoners are prohibited I am afraid. Though donations to our maintenance fund are always quite welcome." The many tentacles waver towards an empty credstick.
After several minutes exchanging introductions and pleasantries, the Warden excitedly communicates via telepathy. "One of my constituent barathus had a career as an investigator. We are always excited to meet like-minded personalities! What are some of your proudest moments?"
I'm afraid my investigative career so far has been relatively short, and comprised of accounting audits, the details of which are boring even to myself.
Let us hope one of the constitutents is not a former accountant. Time to shift gears, if I can channel the spirit of Minister Reigun of House Tefflon to aid me.
I am surprised to hear that maintenance funding is needed, for the facilities I've seen so far are very well maintained.
Altronus removes the credstick from his pocket.
But I trust that you can make good use of a good-faith donation. The Corporation is always happy to support a worthy cause. Would you find a thousand credits useful?
Quig turns to the Warden and tries his best to stomach in the stench of foreign delicacies.
"Proudest moments? I could have shown you, but he's back at the ship of ours."
He seems glad to have been given the opportunity to talk about his drone.
"I customized myself a companion of mine. I call him Scout, and he has been a great help in my operations."
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The warden telepathically squeals with flamboyant delight at the outrageous claims.
"I think we can work out a meeting with Livewire at this point."The warden takes the credstick back.
The flotilla of guards returns and takes the group to a common area. Whereas the stench within the Warden’s office was bad, the stink in the common area is almost unbearable. Several half-naked, sweat-drenched workers of various species crowd around here. The barathu guards combine to form one larger, menacing amalgam creature.
After several minutes traversing through this sweat-slicked region, the barathu guard amalgam stops at a table where a ysoki sits. The ratfolk constantly licks her paws uncomfortably while grooming her drenched and matted pelt. With the guard’s arrival, she looks up and acknowledges an unspoken communication between herself and the barathu collective. In an instant, the barathu collective splits into its separate entities and floats off in independent paths throughout the complex, leaving the you alone with the sweat-soaked ysoki who looks up with cautious interest amid a timid introduction, “Hiya, the name’s Livewire. What can we do for each other?”
Altronus sits across from the damp ysoki and takes a friendly tone.
I'm told you know a little something about Salvation’s End. What can you tell us about it?
Raia will use her detect thoughts ability to try and read Livewire's mind. I will ensure that only Livewire is in my cone, so I will find out at least his intelligence score. If he makes a Will save DC 12, I can't actually read his thoughts though. I can only keep this up for 4 minutes, and I'd have informed the Captain before we got here of my intent, so he knows to make decently quick work of this.
Quig walks on over towards his comrades and joins in the conversation. He seems concerned that a fellow Ysokian is held in custody and is looking uncomfortable. He tries to comfort Livewire with his words.
"You don't look so good. As what my companion here has just said, we want to know all about what happened during your mission in Salvation's End. And maybe there's something we can help you with as well?
He looks to his companions for signs of approval from what he just told the prisoner.
Altronus quietly nods his thanks to Raia and Quig.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Raia is able to glean a small bit of information from the Ysoki. Though it takes quite a bit of time Livewire already begins to speak a bit more. Raia reads a few thoughts and believes Livewire will open up more with an excessive amount of Sauna’s most lucrative commodities: personal hygiene products.
"The salvaging mission to the false moon most of all. I was reluctant to even accept the mission. My dislike of the mission’s leader, Borgor, was the biggest influenece. He was a cruel and selfish captain who ruled with a heavy hand. The only reason I took the mission was as a favor to the second mate, Bago, whom I saw as a kindred spirit. I freely offers that with the mission’s loot, I was going to help Bago free himself from Borgor’s influence, and that we were planning to start a more honest living."
Livewire also describes the other crew members: Snips (CE female human operative) and Xalak-don (NE male vesk soldier). "Snips was little more than a cuttthroat while Xalak-don was all brawn and little brains. Dangerous the lot of them. They were planning a mutiny after a successful mission, however, me and Bago planned to use this confusion to slip away and disappear forever. After we went down to the surface with Bago and Borgor, I never saw my crewmates again." She sighs, looking down at the table. "There are audio logs within the ship, Archer, with more detail that should confirm my story."
Altronus looks concerned.
That sounds horrible. We will be glad to make a donation to your amenities account in recompense for your assistance. Where can we find this ship you speak of, and where can we find the rest of your crew?
-Posted with Wayfinder
"What did you see when you made it down to the surface?" Obozaya asks. "Could you tell anything about this false moon?"
Quig nods upon learning Livewire's thoughts from Raia.
"While you're talking about the events that happened on that false moon, is there anyway I can help out with your current situation? I notice that you're feeling uncomfortable here. Can I get you something to feel more comfortable?"
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Raia knows, from reading the Ysoki's mind that the way she speaks of Bago, they seemed more of twin siblings.
"While you're talking about the events that happened on that false moon, is there anyway I can help out with your current situation? I notice that you're feeling uncomfortable here. Can I get you something to feel more comfortable?"
"I would be far more comfortable if I could get some of Sauna’s most lucrative commodities: personal hygiene products. Though they are considered contraband here." The Ysoki frowns.
I think we can help each other.
Altronus leans in conspiratorially.
Would 500 credits worth of hygeine products make you comfortable enough?
He looks to his crew for guidance, not being used to the role of chief negotiator.
"Hygiene products?" Obozaya says unhelpfully. "Like, a toothbrush?"
Quig turns to Obozaya and nods appreciatively.
"Yes my Vesk friend, we could start with one of those."
He then turns his attention to Livewire.
"We'll do what we can to get you those commodities. Even though they are considered contraband, I'll bet the Warden will look the other way given the proper donations."
Altronus "donates" 1000 credits.
He thanks the warden and Livewire for their assistance and returns to the ship.
Quig shudders at the thought of goblins and tractor beams.
"Bah, goblins!" He growls, sounding revolted.
"Looks like we gotta watch out for those nasty things. Assuming that your ship survived the incident, what do you want us to do when we find it?"
Quig looks at Livewire and gives a long sigh before bidding farewell. He scampers off towards the rest of his companions as they return to the ship.
Obozaya looks at the miserable ysoki.
"Yes, I can see you are suffering here without your basic needs met. This should help get you some good stuff. Hopefully, you will be able to return the favor..."
Quig walks on over towards his comrades and joins in the conversation. He seems concerned that a fellow Ysokian is held in custody and is looking uncomfortable. He tries to comfort Livewire with his words.
"You don't look so good. As what my companion here has just said, we want to know all about what happened during your mission in Salvation's End. And maybe there's something we can help you with as well?
He looks to his companions for signs of approval from what he just told the prisoner.
As the Captain went back to the ship, I guess I did also!
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As you depart Livewire stops Quiq. "A moment." Once alone she gives one last plea to the Ysoki. “No matter what, please let me know what happened to Bago. If the old lunk’s still alive, tell him I miss my ‘Hairless Monkey.’ If you find it in your hearts after exploring that damnable false moon, please put in a good word for me with the authorities. I’m not sure I can last here for my entire term.”
At that, Livewire watches you leave the common area with crocodile tears welling within the corners of her soft eyes.
***
Boarding the ship you set back out into the vastness of space. As you leave the Sauna Luwazi Elsebo opens communications. "I trust you were able to glean a small bit of information?"
Altronus responds,
It would seem that some renegade goblins have scavenged a very powerful tractor beam. Whether they're using it to create new salvage or some other party controls it, we don't know yet.
His four arms cross themselves over his chest.
But we're going to find out.
Helm, set course for Salvation's End. Take it wide -- maybe we can come in on the back side and avoid becoming more salvage ourselves. In any case, I want everyone in a vacuum-appropriate suit 24/7 as soon as we get within a day's travel of it.
There will be a planning meeting in two standard hours. Come with your best ideas, if you please.
"Aye aye captain, a wide course it is!"
Raia does as instructed.
Thank you, Raia. I know I've been acting as Captain, thanks to your quick thinking, and I appreciate you all respecting my authoritae...
Altronus uses the traditional Kasatha pronunciation, despite it not being quite accepted in the Pact Worlds.
...but we are, in fact, a meritocracy of equals. With that in mind,
He looks to Obozaya.
if things get rough on the way to our destination, I'd prefer your leadership. I'm afraid my experience in space combat tactics is lacking, so I will take control of a gunner position where I feel more comfortable. Is that okay?
Don't you worry about a thing Livewire, we'll get you out of there.
Quig then starts monitoring the computers and makes sure that all are working at optimum levels. He skitters towards Scout and inputs a few programs in preparation for their trek on the false moon.
"Wakey wakey Scout, a family member needs some saving.
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The First Seeker congratulates Altronus on getting what information he could from Livewire. "That is good news to hear. I am giving authorization to enter the Drift to get to Salvation's End as soon as possible. Hopefully you will have as much success there as you did at the Sauna." Communication cuts out as a the ship lurches into faster than light speed travel. A kaleidoscope of colors covers the display as the drift takes of the extraplanar void. The Drift is a void of swirling color without substance, a mostly empty place of mutable laws, thought by some to be the quantum foam underlying all creation.
Quig reads his programs as the route is plotted. It will take roughly 9 days to reach Salvation's End. Best to get some rest.
Altronus gazes at the Drift.
I never get tired of watching this. Nor do I ever cease to be afraid of it.
He sets a meeting for the following day to plan strategy and tactics, then retires to rest.
During the voyage he catches up on his light reading list: Applied Psychodynamics Journal, Investigative Reports: Xenobiology, Structural Hydrology of Class-K Dwarf Star Coronal Ejecta in Binary Conjunction with a Newborn Black Hole, and Shirren Love Stories, Part II.
"May I say that this ship is an absolute dream to fly? She reacts nearly before I give the commands!"
Raia will spend her time in the Drift helping a bit with engineering. You know, fine tuning the engines, cleaning the air filters, those sorts of things.
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After several days in the Drift, you exit close to the false moon
of Salvation’s End. Quig's coordinates were spot on. In the distance, a great metallic structure breaks the bleak monotony of space. Massive in size, the grandeur of this planetoid is hard to take in all at once. Before the scale of the moon sets in, a shrill song pierces through the ship’s communications system. As the first notes of the song shriek out, a pair of vessels blink on the sensor screens, followed swiftly by a warning alarm klaxon.
A terrifying song comes in over the transmitter.
"Jam your sensors, you be blind,
All our targets we will find.
Sitting duck depleted shield,
You go BOOM in our starfield!"
Engineering Phase (Quig)
Helm Phase (Raia)- If you get under a 27 then go ahead with your action.
Gunnery Phase (Altronus / Obozaya)
Our ship gives +1 to Piloting, and I am using one of the +2 for any check. Still, I lose...
Ok, I may have made us a little bigger, grabbing things on the iPad is rough. I gave us a turn to starboard and aimed us back at the bad guys. Our shields and weapons are identical in every arc, so I didn't see a reason to favor a particular side of our ship.
"Alright you space maggots!" Obozaya says as she takes the com. "You want to live, do what I say!"
"It looks like two bogeys on our six, I am taking evasive maneuvers to starboard!"
Altronus is pleased that someone is taking command.
Right! I'm strapped in and working on target lock.
I wonder who she's yelling at?
Quig scans the monitors and tries to divert power to the ship's weapons.
"Everything's stable at the moment. Let's show those goblins what we got".
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Obozaya gives a rousing speech as he tries to intimidate the goblins, though he forgets to open the line of communications back to the singing green menaces as they continue to laugh.
Quig frantically pushes a series of buttons as he diverts a portion of the power to the main guns.
The goblin pilot's twist through space as they close in on the Starfinder Pegasus.
From Salvation's End come's the pull of a tractor beam at the Pegasus class ship.
The tractor beam pulls your vessel closer to the goblin junkers as you lurch through space.
The goblin vessels are just out of range of firing as they close in.
Captain (Obozaya)
Engineering Phase (Quig)
Helm Phase (Raia)
Gunnery Phase (Altronus)
Altronus steadies his aim, but finds the nearest goblin ship just out of range.