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"Scanning systems..." Casandalee says as you boot up the neurocam that holds her consciousness. "Well done. The security lockdown for Divinity's upper decks has been listed. You will be able to travel freely to the recreation, command, astrogation, and computer core decks. With the destruction of the Bastion robot in the security center, you have also weakened Unity's control over the other robots onboard the ship. You will find them less dangerous than they were before.
"I will highlight the location of the Armory on your map so that you may proceed there," the A.I. says. One of the rooms on this level begins to glow faintly as the display changes to a map of the deck.
When you arrive at the armory, you see that six ceiling-mounted laser turrets are powered down, allowing you to access the items within once you use the prismatic access card to open the adamantine blast doors. While the four HEV suits, four spacesuits, and five rocket launchers that are stored here are themselves a significant treasure, the single suit of powered armor that stands in a display in the room’s center is perhaps the greatest treasure to be salvaged from this entire deck!
"Good idea Fireday" Holg listens attentively while celebrating in silence as Casandalee explains their successes "Sweet. It seems someone finally recognizes our hard work here."
When they land in the armory with all the disabled turrets and the weaponry, Holg's eyes stare at the shiny armor "Holly god of iron, that is THE armor!" smiling to Fireday he adds "Kind to dress it?"
"Shall we go for the gargoyle Ophelia next?"
Meyanda barely manages to avoid the worst of the blast.
"Fireday, shall we help you try this armor?" she says as the team finds the display model of power armor. "Fitting that armor from the stars would be used against a foe from the stars."
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Molly looks up at the armor in wonder. "It's a shame they never make stuff like this in a proper size," she says to Fifteen with a grin. She then proceeds to examine the rocket launchers with interest.
"Big Bada-Boom," she mutters under her breath.
"They say good things come in small packages" Holg good heartily laughs after Molly's comment "How do those rockethrowers work exactly?"
The man picks one of the launching devices and starts handling it, putting it over his shoulder like Molly does with her musket and taking aim at one of the disabled turrets.
Fireday's eyes widen in shock at the sight of the armor when Holg displays it to him.
"I...I am humbled you'd ask me to don this before anyone else. I'll wear it proudly to stand against Unity."
He gratefully accepts the others' aid in donning it.
"This smart armor I received from Kaska may still be of use to one of you. Here more than anywhere we'd have the tools and resources to refit it."
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Molly looks up at the armor in wonder. "It's a shame they never make stuff like this in a proper size," she says to Fifteen with a grin. She then proceeds to examine the rocket launchers with interest.
"I prefer it when you wear things I can remove more easily." The android says calmly and without a hint of irony.
She then helps everyone else get Fireday kitted up with the heaviest of heavy armor.
When you are ready to proceed, you travel along the western monorail tunnel as you ascend towards Divnity's recreation deck. Reflecting on your recent experiences as the monorail car travels along the glowing beam of force, you feel stronger and more prepared for the challenges yet to come.
***
Eventually, you reach the monorail station on the recreation deck. Murals of smiling men and women, aggressively green trees, and lurid houses in a strangely antiseptic and blocky architectural style line the walls of this room. To the north, a twenty-foot-wide hallway leads to an enormous, brightly lit room.
Impossibly bright colors adorn this enormous chamber, which is lined in tidy cobblestones and decorated to appear like an outdoor town square. Brilliant red-and-blue bunting and colorful tapestries are draped from balconies and walkways overhead, filling in whatever spots the leafy vines leave bare. Shops line the promenade on every side, and in front of the shops sit rows of small tables, chairs, and parasols. To the west, an archway reveals glimpses of greenery and hints of springtime scents, while the north boasts an impressive facade decorated with figures laughing, crying, and staring sternly at passersby. A beautiful display of enormous, colorful flowers and greenery grows in abundance within a pagoda at the center of the promenade, filling the air with a pleasant floral perfume, while above, a blue sky with a warm sun and a few clouds completes the serene scene.
Dozens of androids mill about the promenade, chatting softly, cleaning, shopping at the stores, and dining. The androids nearby glance at you with a strange mix of muted curiosity and apathy. None of them approach you.
"Thanks Fireday, but I prefer my mithral skin" Holg hits the chest of his mithral full plate with a smile "I doubt I could move properly in that adamantine beast"
He then helps the android to dress the new armor, smiling at Fifteen's pun to her wife.
---
Holg dismounts from the monorail with his hair all wild "Wow, this is an incredible feeling to be propelled like this. If I ever decide to settle I think I will make one of this very large and outdoors were people can come to enjoy being alive"
The Kellid looks up covering his eyes from the sun then sniffs the air "Seems we landed in Android Wonderland" he looks back at the androids trying to detect if any of them is a war one.
Holg does not notice any warlike androids among the crowd.
Molly looks up at the armor in wonder. "It's a shame they never make stuff like this in a proper size," she says to Fifteen with a grin. She then proceeds to examine the rocket launchers with interest."I prefer it when you wear things I can remove more easily." The android says calmly and without a hint of irony.
Molly snorts in a very unladylike manner and then turns away to hide her grin, her face turning bright red.
~~~~~
"They don't seem like a threat," Molly observes as her eyes glance this way and that watching for hidden opponents. "Love? You ever see this many androids in one place?"
Meyanda surveys the chamber silently, her gaze sweeping from one point of interest to another. Finally in a subdued tone she says, "This is... someone tried to create a facsimile of a community." She watches the androids at work and play and says, "I think it was originally made for more than just androids, to be a functioning urban polity inside of this ship on its travels, but now only androids remain. They're going about their existence as if nothing has happened. Because they don't know any better? Because the ship-mind is deliberately trying to isolate and protect them?"
"Before... I might have thought this to be a paradise. Now it just makes me... sad."
"They don't seem like a threat," Molly observes as her eyes glance this way and that watching for hidden opponents. "Love? You ever see this many androids in one place?"
"No." Fifteen replies softly. "This is not something that I have experienced. They seem... sad."
One of her hands reaches for her wife's smaller one and squeezes for a moment.
"A facsimile?" Holg blinks while staring at the android coming and going "Well, we saw how the Dominion of the Black attacked Divinity, so maybe this has been going on for thousands of years since it crashed in our world..." but the feeling that causes in Holg is a bit different "...such a waste of iron"
"Ok, let's see if this is no threat then..." the Kellid advances himself, leaning the greatsword over his shoulder and follows one of the androids, walking backwards so he can see her while talking.
"Sorry, we are new in the ship, could you point us to the command deck? We are looking for a gargoyle called Ophelia"
The android looks up at Holg. ”I am sorry. I am busy preparing for the big day. Deacon Hope will answer your questions—we merely serve him as he serves great and glorious Unity. He will arrive soon.”
"Ah... Deacon Hope" Holg nods as if he knew whom the android is talking about "What is this thing about a big day?"
After talking with the android, the Kellid will approach the west archway and check the greenery area there.
"I speak of the Glorious Advent to Come," the android says. "The big day draws near. Soon, we will shed our imperfect bodies and ascend to join Unity in a greater tomorrow."
Holg moves to look into the western chamber. Lush vegetation and springtime blossoms decorate this overgrown park. Benches and a gilded fountain adorn a wide patio by the entrance. To the south, near a series of cascading pools, twisting shoots of red- and orange-leafed plants strangle their way through the green vegetation.
Holg can spot some movement within the vegetation, but before he can investigate further, the crowd of androids parts reverently as a man strides towards your group with a wide smile and open arms. He appears to be a handsome middle-aged man with fine features and olive skin, but he occasionally flickers a translucent blue color, indicating that he is actually holographic in nature.
"Welcome, visitors! I am Deacon Hope. We are so happy to have you here today. May I offer you a warm meal and comfortable lodgings?"
Fifteen starts looking around, more interested in how Deacon Hope is being generated than anything he actually has to say.
Holg is still looking deep into the vegetation when the hologram appears "Yes. A meal would be really appreciated" the Kellid pads his belly "I think we forgot to have lunch today. Would you happen to have some roasted beef with corn?"
"As about the lodgings, we have no time right now. We heard this about Glorious Advent to Come. Do you have any idea when this event is to happen?" and looking up and around "Besides, you have a nice place here. Have you decorated it yourself?"
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Fireday follows, getting used to the tread of his new armor. Despite the massive weight, it felt more comfortable than anything he'd ever worn, as the mechanical marvel added to his own strength so much that it negated how heavy it was. In it, he now stood almost a head taller than Holg, and he could now see further and clearer than he'd ever had before, as the helmet augmented his vision. It was like this armor was meant for him to wear into battle against the false god!
As they approached the strange town, Fireday gives a small "hmm." He thought about how idyllic this place looked, and how many androids there were. More than he'd ever seen in one place in the whole of Numeria, or even the whole of Golarion as a whole, ones whose lives seemed free from the hardship and fear that had been constant companions to him, Meyanda, Fifteen and even Viv up on the surface. Had things been different, would he have been like one of these androids? Maybe he HAD been one in another life, somehow escaped from this place and fled to the outside world like Fifteen? But these were questions for another time. Now, they had to deal with this place, and carefully.
As Holg introduces the group to Deacon Hope, he bows his head respectfully...and hoped this was an ecumenical enough community that worshipping other gods wouldn't start a fight.
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Fifteen is unable to spot any projectors that might be creating the holographic image of Deacon Hope.
"Oh, yes, the big day is coming soon. Very soon, indeed," Deacon Hope says cheerily. "I am sorry to say that we do not have the sort of food you have requested, but we are happy to warm up some of the prepackaged meals here for you!"
Deacon Hope leads you around the promenade to show off the market stalls and storefronts. Within, the stores are disturbingly identical: shelves lined with identical clothing, bland and flavorless prepackaged meals, and a small and repetitive selection of entertainment options. The androids play at purchasing these choices, but none of them seem to really care about the items.
"The decorations are of my own design. They were created by the original crew of this ship as a place to relax and remind them of their lives back on Androffa. But many centuries ago, an explorer stumbled upon this place and activated the deck's power. When he left, the deck's small android creche began producing new androids. These newly created beings found themselves in a place of relative comfort and prosperity, and with nothing else to embrace, they built their understanding of the world around the recreation deck’s offerings.
"When I came upon them, I knew they needed guidance and purpose. So I told them of the great Unity, and how one day soon, they will become one with its divinity in the Glorious Advent to Come. Tell me, have you accepted Unity into your lives, friends?"
As you tour the area, you can't help but notice a few sinister elements among the charming facades. Here and there, small graffiti-like scribblings on walls say things like “Metweska watches,” or “Those who trust shall live,” or “Obey the word of Hope, lest Hope abandon you to her saws.” At other times, stick-figure representations of what appears to be a four-armed figure wielding a pair of spiky swords.
Holg raises an eyebrow or two as Hope tours the group through the deck and explains them about how the androids were created and starting moving around "Oh, yes, I somehow have gotten used to all the robots she has left for us to warm up while we wait for the Glorious Battle to Come" the man pads his adamantine greatsword "It is going to be memorable"
"Besides, the motivational sentences are a bit creepy, but well done keeping hope and morale high among the androids. Now, well. How do we reunite with Unity? We have also heard about her gargoyle Ophelia, do you know how we find her?"
Fifteen, sharp-eyed and analytical as she is, also notices the graffiti and her hands twitch a little towards her own blades. Still Holg is doing an excellent job of keeping the Deacon's attention so she waits patiently, splitting her attention between the hologram and her wife. Just in case.
Fireday is growing increasingly disturbed by this place, and Deacon Hope, but keeps his mouth shut except to comment "I don't believe Unity HAS a gender, Holg."
"Indeed, the great Unity is beyond simple human concepts such as gender," Deacon Hope says. "I would be happy to tell you more about the great Iron God, as well as those who serve alongside me. Shall we retire to my chambers for a private conversation?"
"I don't know... we are somehow in a hurry to ask gender questions and other stuff to Unity in person" Holg looks back to the party to see how they do transpire about the private audience "Shall we?"
Fifteen nods once, she suspects that a private conversation with Deacon Hope is going to get violent, but either way privacy is probably better than getting things done in the open.
"Yes," Fireday replies bluntly. The sooner we deal with this Deacon, the sooner Unity's lies can be untangled from these innocents, he thinks to himself.
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Deacon Hope leads you across the promenade to a holotheater. The walls of this large, empty room are plated with sparkling sheets of gray and silvery metal that periodically shimmer with ripples of multicolored light. "Unity entrusted me with guiding the androids of this place and converting them to its faith," Deacon Hope explains as you walk. "But after many centuries, I must say I grew bored of the task. It was easy to maintain conformity and control. So I wondered, could I teach these androids how to fear?"
He leads you into a side chamber, then opens a hidden door into a hall behind the theater. "I saw you noticed the graffiti around the promenade. I had it placed there as part of my experiment. It’s been several years since the last time the androids have woken in the middle of the night to screams and the sound of grinding chainsaws coming from another apartment, then found a dismembered android’s body the next day in a public place, but that hasn’t lessened their respect for Metweska. They have come to believe that Metweska is a physical personification of their failures and sins, and that when one of their kind falls from grace, she visits the blasphemer in the middle of the night and cuts him apart."
You reach the room at the end of the hall. Elaborate flesh-and-clockwork mannequins lovingly sculpted from preserved human remains and spare parts line the walls of this room, shown engaging in various acts of revelry and flagellation. A metal altar stands in the room’s western end. Its face is decorated with imagery of a glaring eye embedded in a sawtooth gear.
Three kytons, their pale flesh pierced and scarred in numerous places, attend to the decor here, along with a towering, armored kasatha. Her four arms grasp a pair of chainsaws, one of which crackles with electricity. "Of course, Metweska is very real, as you can see," Deacon Hope says with a smile. "And together, we will ensure that your crusade against the great Unity ends now!"
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Fireday gasps as Deacon Hope describes their cruel games to the party.
"You...you're WORSE than a deluded disciple! You're a monster worshipping another monster!"
The sight of their horrible "trophies" only sharpens Fireday's anger and disgust, and then he sees the kytons.
"MORE of these?! It seems Unity's ethos resonates with Shadow quite strongly, for velstracs like these to keep gravitating to places where his faith is strong...no matter. You are right to call it a crusade; Iomedae is no stranger to such, and in each crusade she's led, she has won. I will win here in her name!"
Fireday calls for Iomedae's divine favor and then beseeches her for communal protection from evil.
Fifteen meanwhile takes a long step towards the nearest enemy (assuming that there is one within 10 feet - she'll certainly try to ensure there is!) and starts testing just how resistant to pain kytons are.
Molly, on the other hand, takes aim at the four-armed wanna-be boogie-man.
Meyanda rushes Metweska, arriving shortly after Molly's shots.
*swissshhhh*
Fifteen dashes forward, falcatas swinging, as she swiftly cuts down the nearest kyton! Molly unloads a hail of bullets into Metweska, but the kasatha manages to survive the assault, though she is still badly wounded. Meyanda rushes in to try to finish her off, but she dodges the android's strike! Meanwhile, Fireday calls on Iomedae to bolster himself and protect the party.
Metweska activates her chainsaws, causing them to buzz and growl loudly as she swings on Meyanda! Luckily, the Gorumite is able to avoid all of the deadly attacks!
The two surviving kytons move to flank Fifteen to keep her occupied. They lash out with their spiked chains, one scoring a hit.
Deacon Hope hangs back from the fight, grinning malevolently. "What is it you fear, I wonder? They do say that fear is the mind-killer!" He gestures towards Molly, using shadowy magic to try to scare her to death!
Fifteen ignores the pain of the blow as her nanites knit the wound shut again. Instead she sets to work on the second kyton.
"Justice and honor are a heavy burden for the righteous. We carry this weight so that the weak may grow strong and the meek grow brave!" Fireday cries back to the Deacon, quoting The Acts of Iomedae.
He turns his attention to the velstracs attacking Fifteen, striking so she is not overwhelmed by them!
"We met one of yours, one named Isuma. She is friend of us, I have no idea what are you doing with this hopeman mad, but we know all that happened with the Dominion of the Black attack" comments Holg while taking the Gorum medallion in his hands "But if you are fighting for Unity, then be destroyed in Gorum's flames!"
He then casts flame strike on the larger number of enemies possible.
And moves forward taking a flanking position with whomever he can.
Whether it's the magical feast she engaged in with the others earlier or just inherent halfling resistance, Molly only pales slightly at whatever figment the Deacon fabricates in her mind. Her jaw clinches and she pauses not a heartbeat in her assault, moving from the four-armed creature to the kytons when the abomination finally falls.
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Holg calls a flame strike down on the kytons, badly burning one of them. Fifteen finishes off burned one with her falcatas, then Fireday lends his aid, scoring two hits. Meyanda and Molly bring down Metwaska with their attacks, then Molly shifts aim to the final kyton, further wounding it.
The kyton strikes at Fifteen again while Deacon Hope sneers. "It is so hard to find good help these days. I suppose I'll have to do this the hard way," he remarks as he moves in on Molly. He plunges a holographic hand into the side of her head, wounding her and draining some of her memories!
Holg 5-steps and attacks whatever he can flank with a companion "You should try to find a group moved by truthful bounds and not just interest. Some people like the Red Talons and friends!"
"Leave my wife alone!" Fifteen snarls at the Deacon, slicing through the final kyton at double speed to turn on the hologram.
"Yeah, leave her wife alone!" Fireday barks as he joins Fifteen in tearing at the velstrac!
Molly's mouth opens in a silent scream as the deacon's incorporeal hand moves through her. Her muscles tense as if only through the repetitive motion of loading and firing will she overcome the evil spectre.
"We will bring an end to you, sorcerer!" screams Meyanda as she pivots to rush at Deacon Hope.
Holg slices deep into the last kyton with his blade, then Fifteen finishes it off! Fireday and Meyanda move to attack Deacon Hope. Both score hits, but his holographic nature makes him resistant to weapon damage.
"You cannot defeat me," Deacon Hope proclaims. "I am but a ghost in the machine." He drives his hands into Molly's chest again, the energy frying the halfling's nervous system! She falls, lifeless!
"Can we not just disconnect the machine that is creating this?" Holg casts breath of life and closes by to Deacon Hope and Molly touching the fallen halfling to recover her.
"Now, you have made a terrible error, everyone is going to be very angry at you now"
After having fought for a bit, Holg tries to figure out the nature of Deacon Hope and how can the party disable him or at least damage him.
"AND I AM THE VIRUS!" screams Meyanda as she leaps into the air and brings her sword down in a twirling arc.
Fifteen, perhaps fortunately, does not seem to have registered that Molly actually died, however temporarily. Since she hasn't she takes a moment to examine the situation, trying to work out if there is a way to disconnect the Deacon.
Failing that, she stabs him.
Fireday's anger is only sharpened at Hope's cruel near-murder of Molly!
"AND *I*," he roars, following Meyanda's example, "AM THE FIREWALL!"
He marches forward and sends a flurry of blows at the Deacon.