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Kris continues to dog the Necro craft aft quarter.....
Ed's antennae tense up with concentration as he fires at the fleeing foe.
;
Despite the Necroglider's evasion attempts Kris deftly pilots the Hippo to shadow the smaller vessel... allowing Ed to strafe their foe with laser!
Tiny interceptor
Speed 12; Maneuverability perfect (turn 0)
AC 16
HP -5/30 CT 6
Shields basic 10 (forward 3, port 2, starboard 2, aft 0)
Attack (Forward) gyrolaser (1d8), light EMP cannon (special)
Glitching Systems Engines (Pilot @ -2), Power Core (Engineering @ -2) & Weapons Array (Gunner @ -2)
The small vessel slowly spirals no longer functioning fully... your shuttle's sensor array detecting that Ed's surgical strike targeted the smaller vessel's power-core - which is now malfunctioning badly with its necrotic energy containment compromised.
Unable to evade the vessel drifts through the crosshairs of Retisji...
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Certain that the 'glider was going to keep on its flight vector, the vesk neatly puts a hypervelocity projectile where it would have been.
Smelling blood Noah sends power to the weapons.
Looking ahead Kris comments to the others.
"Acreon ahead, make sure if you miss you don't shoot the ship we're supposed to investigate."
moving to close on the Necroglider Kris tries to place the HIppo, in position to either incinerate the small craft or retrieve Clara's body.
Opening a channel to the other craft
"Clara are you ready to be slagged or would you like to tell us who sent you?".
Retsiji gives a sharklike grin. "Take the first choice."
The necroglider slowly drifts through space, slowly rolling on a trajectory that will take it clear of the Acreon but potentially impacting against the tug's payload - Drift Rock...
Kris deftly manuevers the Hippo to shadow the disabled vessel's path, sliding the big shuttle into its wake, whilst allowing her gunners clear shots upon the scarred aft of the interceptor.
The pilot's comms and Retsiji's taunt apprently work, as the Stiletto's pilot replies through cracking static;
"Br-vo. You --ers got l--ky.. <sigh> IF I -pill intel I want assur--ces. What wil- you gr--t m-?"
We could not trust this creature long term, but short term it could be more valuable to us alive than dead. Noah offers.
Ed makes sure the ship-to-ship com is off. "I'd like to know who exactly paid her to kill us! If she tells us all that she knows and swears to go far, far away, I'd agree to let her live."
"Captain.....?" Kris asks
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Retsiji shrugs and runs a hand over the gunnery console. "This'd be easier."
"Agreed but infinitely less informative."
As you discuss the merits of either path, the comms crackle once again;
"Let m- guess? N--d some... convincing? Dandy. M- name is -lara 247. My --vourite colour is re-. Favour--- vacation spot i- Cuvacara, V-rces. Hobbies inclu-- spa-e walks, --d long range wet-work--g."
As she speaks you all can hear the background collision alert heralding the close proximity of both the Acreon and Drift Rock as the necrofighter drifts past the former and toward the latter...
Shortly thereafter the Hippo's own collision alert kicks in;
<DANGER! DANGER! PROXIMITY ALERT OF QUARANTINED VESSEL... DESIGNATE ACREON. COLLISION NOT PREDICTED, BUT CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN IN FLIGHT PATH. AUTO PILOT ENGAGEMENT IS RECOMMENDED.>
This creature has tried to kill us twice. Noah reminds as he powers the weapons.
She either surrenders to us or I say we turn her ship to particles.
{We aren't going to get anything out of her if she is dust.}
Paeon mulls over the crew's chatter. Then opens up comms with the drifting ship.
"We can make no assurances of your long term future, but can assure you that we will not end everything for you now. Give us the information were after and determine your own fate going forward. Should we catch even a fraction of a fraction of a hint that you're still interested in our unlikely collective demise I have a couple gunners over here ready to blow."
In response to Paeon's ultimatum, there is momentary white noise, then the comms crackle in a broken reply;
"I hear yo- loud -nd clear Tel'dom--. Two-fold off-r. I spill on wh-- I know. You le- me -ive. I'll set this deadersh-- down o- the roc-. Come find m- and I'll -ive you and yours h-rd dataproof... In -xchange for safe passag-. Deal -n b-th or the intel dies- --th me..."
I'd just as soon leave her on the drift and let Desna have mercy on her. Getting information on her employer is pretty important though.
Kris reviews the systems to see if there are grappling lines from the Hippo's previous life for towing cargo.
"We didn't completely destroy the Downside Kings and if Clara had wanted you dead earlier Ed we wouldn't be talking without the use of the necromantic sciences. I say we find out what she has to say."
"besides afterwards if she does something stupid we'll send her to the scrap bin and recycle her soul."
if a tow hook can be located, Kris will maneuver and try to hook the necrocraft up in a towing configuration.
It seems a waste of resources to kill her. Let us retrieve her AFTER we explore the Acreon. Noah says as he turns the ship's scanners towards their query.
This console seems to be malfunctioning.
"I don't want to leave the ship while she's out there."
Me either! Ed agrees. What's to stop her from ambushing us and trying to steal our ship?
Kris notes that any towing capability has been removed in the shuttle modification.
Docking with the necro-craft is also not an option. Your shuttle can dock with larger vessels and stations, but small interceptors are meant to be exited and entered via the cockpit.
As you discuss, the Necroglider and your shuttle drift past the space tug Acreon - behind its silent bulk sits looms the distant Drift Rock.
A quick telemetry check suggests that the disabled necrocraft will likely be wrecked with a crash landing on the rock, but there is a 96.4% chance that the pilot should survive...
Ed peers forward at the big rock and gives a shrug. Clara had a chance to make nice. At this point, she can just cool her heels while we investigate and if we still have questions, we'll let her know.
Paeon nods,
{Let her cool off on the rock then. Let's head to the Acreon.}
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]b]Agreed. We can just lock up before we depart.[/b] Noah says as he tries to scan the Acreon again.
"Clara, scans report you will impart the asteroid but with the skill I know you have, probabilities indicate you will survive. After we investigate the Acreon, we will pick you up. Any aggression will be dealt with severely."
Maneuvering the Hippo, Kris sets up for docking with the space tug.
As the necroglider continues to creep toward the inevitable impact upon the surface of the hulking asteroid, the comms once again crackle to life in response;
"If thi- pi-ce of sk-- survive- the --pact I'll -e wait---... Enjoy t-- explor---on."
Meanwhile Noah conducts a full scan of The Acreon
You find your sensor scans struggling to overcome interference, which you deduce is from the Drift Rock asteroid itself.
Basic information you harvest is that the vessel's power core is outputting minimal energy levels - enough for life support, gravity and emergency lighting. Weapon systems are offline, but the nature of their inactivity cannot be discerned. Life signs cannot be read, though this may also be due to the scanning hindrance being experienced.
You recall from conversations with Duravor on Drift mining that some minerals and materials that originate from the Drift have been documented as having innate qualities which are not compatible with standard Pact World technology. A source as large as the asteroid could explain the Hippo's sensor array having struggling to producing clear readings.
As Noah consults the scanner arrays findings, Kris skims your shuttle around the larger, static vessel allowing all of you to visually observe the lifeless tug.
The ship’s aft airlock is open, exposing the interior of the ship to vacuum of space...
As you manoeuvre around the Acreon the Hippo's HUD brings up schematic data on The Acreon .
The display shows The Acreon is a medium deep space transport/tug. Standard crew compliment is 6. Access is via 3 docking points - located on the Port, Starboard and a smaller one on the Aft. Both the Port and Starboard will allow the Hippo to clamp on and you can board directly. The Aft is tighter due to the tug's engines and will require an umbilical channel to be attached between the two docking points (most smaller Pact World shuttles and freighters have these and they can be latched on and engaged with relative ease).
Ed peers closely at the abandoned space tug. Look there. The rear airlock is open...
" Yeah and it's open" Kris says looking at the docking station. "wouldn't hurt to pull up and close the opening if nothing else, Noah, think you can lock on when I pull up"
Retsiji makes sure his gear is ready for a quick advance into the lock, then braces for impact.
Kris easily moves the Hippo into position and the air lock umbilical is ready to be deployed...
Noah operates the engineering controls with little difficulty.
Noah's deft skills with the guidance system allows the Hippo to dock successfully with the Acreon's aft.
With the shuttle airlock secure you make final preparations to board this vessel that has taken almost mythic status in your lives. Whether you close the aft lock or enter will be the question...
You might want to share some of the spoilered info from your scanning - to help the team prepare fully. :)
"We don't need air. Let's go in this way, scout it out first, then repressurize if we need to."
I am reading a lot of interference. That asteroid in tow, its made of something that interferes with my ability to scan. I cannot tell if there are life forms anywhere on it or the attached ship. I can tell the power core is outputting minimal energy levels - enough for life support, gravity and emergency lighting. Weapon systems are offline, but I cannot tell the nature of their inactivity.
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"Entering here gives a bit of space to work, were coming in at the Port and Starboard access points will have anything here able to come at us from two directions. Lets go. I'll lock up the Hippo before joining you. Want to make sure Clara doesn't have a chance to leave without us."
Kris will wait to see what the other do, however if they go in, she'll lock down the Hippo.
"Ughhh, what'dya mean access code invalid, you gotta be kidding me. Noah/Paeon have you changed the access codes." Turning to Ed who first sat in the captain's chair. "Edd just what did you touch while you were in the captain's chair."
<sigh> Noah, wanna take a look at this? Doesn't seem to want to lock the system down very well."
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It helps to connect the datapad to the console. Let me give you a hand.
"True, true, must have come loose during the fight with Clara." Kris says levelly
Paeon remains eased into the captains chair,
{Cant say I was much use during all that crew.. you all performed beautifully.}
Paeon pats the armrest on the captains chair,
you did great too girl
{Ready to move when you all are.}
The lashunta stands with a stretch and makes his way to the airlock.
I didn't do it. Ed relays defensively. Let's take a look. I'm ready. I don't need a space suit. Desna protects me from the vacuum of space.
Between Noah and Kris... (well mostly Noah) the umbilical lock is successfully engaged.
You prep and ready, knowing there is no atmosphere but little else of what awaits onboard the silent hulk.
Paeon gives a final look to you all then opens the Hippo's airlock...
Through the plasti-membrane tunnel you collectively gaze beyond: Flickering emergency lights do little to dispel the darkness inside the derelict ship, and the sense of abandonment is only heightened by the apparent lack of any movement or life inside its airless corridors...
In dim light, you can somewhat make out shapes, but you can’t see precise details well at all. Dim light includes moonlight outside at night and bright starlight, or a starship’s emergency backup lights. An area just beyond the range of a light source has dim light. Creatures within an area of dim light have concealment (20% miss chance; see page 253) from creatures without darkvision or the ability to see in darkness. Because dim light is not ideal for observation, if you’re in an area of dim light, you can attempt a Stealth check to conceal yourself from creatures without low-light vision, darkvision, or blindsight. Dim light does not affect creatures with low-light vision, which can see in dim light as if it were normal light.
The void of space is effectively empty of matter, and this vacuum is perhaps the greatest danger of outer space. A creature introduced to a vacuum immediately begins to suffocate (see Suffocation and Drowning) and takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage per round (no saving throw). Because a vacuum has no effective temperature, the void of outer space presents no dangers from cold temperatures. A creature retains its body heat for several hours in a vacuum. Sound doesn’t travel in a vacuum.
Decompression occurs when a creature suddenly transitions from a pressurized environment to a vacuum, such as by being flung out of an airlock or being inside a sealed structure that becomes heavily damaged. Such a creature takes 3d6 bludgeoning damage (no saving throw) in addition to any suffocation damage.
Noah has both low light and dark vision. While in armor he can exist in vacuum without suffering too many consequences as well. He shoulders his Crossbolter and takes the second rank. Perhaps we can get inside, shut the doors and re-establish the atmosphere. But until then I guess we will be pretty quiet. he says through the com.
Kris will move forward to scout, pistol hanging loosely by her side.
However getting to the first corner is an exercise in frustration as the grav-boot function seems to be catching, could be she's not rolling off right. It's been a while since she went space walkabout. Good thing we're not making noise.
Lead on, Paeon. Ed encourages as he glides along at the rear like a beautiful butterfly. An irridescent field surrounding him and sustaining him as he explores in the airless void.