Noah nods to Kris to continue, also indicating that he has her back.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ed stays back with antennae nervously flexed to the rear to make sure nothing nasty creeps up behind them.
Kris activates the door-mechanism and the heavy doors open with a grind you've become accustomed to on the rough-and-ready vessel.
Beyond the bulkhead you all peer into the chamber beyond:
Inside a wide transparent alumino-silicate glass window stretches across the entire forward wall of this control room. Through this portal - in the far distance, a cluster of twinkling lights are all that distinguish Absalom Station and the ships of the Armada surrounding it, from the multifarious stars of space...
Your focus on the bridge and space beyond is short lived however, as your eyes and senses are collectively drawn toward the familiar bioluminescent glow of not one, two but three Akatas!
Akata
Ed
Kris7
Noah2
Paeon
Retsiji
Roused by the door opening, the star-beasts show signs of activity, but are not yet moving toward you all.
GAH! More Monster?! Ed reacts from the rear. He digs out a shock grenade. Here, Retsi. Throw this! He commands as he hands it up.
The big vesk accepts the grenade palmed to him, then lobs it into the heart of the nest with a hissing laugh;
:
:
Green: HP: 14/18
Pink: HP: 16/18
Gold: HP: 16/18
The vessel's bridge is illuminated by the grenade releasing a pulse of electrical energy on impact causing the creatures to writhe in pain and anger!
You all note two at the peripherals seem to experience a lesser effect than the Akata at the heart of the shock blast...
As Retsiji throws the grenade Paeon moves up through his forward companions to prepare to engage the Akata.
Noah targets the more wounded space lion with his arc rifle
Kris moves into the bridge area, ducking as a familiar metalic bouncing sound comes from behind her.
"That was a bit close guys, a little warning"
Between the pulsing blast of the Shok-Grenade and Noah's sniping shot the Akata are dealt a succession of electric hurt.
Green HP: 07/18 EDIT: 0/18 Down and Dying (as per below)
Pink HP: 16/18
Gold HP: 16/18
Rippling in pulses of red anger and white pain, the star beasts bolt towards the facilitators of their torment.
One snaps at Kris...
:
... but still somewhat dazed by the shock awakening it merely mouths air.
Its den mate , does likewise to Paeon...
:
:
... finding the big Solarian an easier target, and its needle jaws latch onto his shin - biting deep
As previously a DC10 Fort save mate
The furthermost Akata also eyed the Lashunta hungrily before Noah scoured it with electrical pain.
Instead it bolts towards the android enraged and heedless of the consequences!
As it lunges between Vesk and Solarian to get at Noah, both warriors seen an opportunity to attack;
:
:
:
While it proves too close for the hulking vesk to draw a proper bead, Paeon calmly changes his body angle and cleaves the star-beast open. It collapses with a final forlorn snap of its jaws before its bioluminescence fades...
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Paeon shuffles to the right to allow clear shots from the crew,
With the enemy engaged with is friends Noah fires to magic missiles at pink.
Ed lurks in the rear saving his spells for the inevitable wounds that will result from the melee.
Despite the throbbing pain in his leg wound Paeon hobbles toward another of the space-lions and hews into the creature with his glowing blade.
It bellows in pain, body rippling in bioluminescent belligerence before two glowing projectiles explode into the creature killing it instantly!
Faced with the final slavering star-beast, Kris attempts to shift and move from shadow to light as she fires her semi-auto pistol;
:
:
:
The bullet rips into the creature, as it too ripples in pain and anger.
Retsiji follows suit, shifting into a better line of fire and firing his reaction cannon with a toothy grin;
:
:
The shell thuds into the creature, opening up another wound... but defiantly it still stands...
Green HP: 0/18 Down and Dying
Pink HP: -2/18 Dead Jim
Gold HP: 08/18
As the battle rages, Paeon feels a sharp and rippling pain course up his leg. He moves sluggishly, unlike the dynamic style he usually exhibits, and appears suddenly ashen faced and ill...
The effect of the Akata's bite is as follows: You are now both Fatigued and Sickened. Additionally you will need to make another DC10 Fort Save to prevent your condition worsening...
Fatigued: You cannot run or charge; you take a –1 penalty to AC, attack rolls, melee damage rolls, Reflex saves, initiative checks, and Str- and Dex-based skill and ability checks; and you reduce your encumbered limit by 1 bulk.
Sickened: You take a –2 penalty to ability checks, attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, and skill checks.
To summarise...
-1: AC, Encumbrance Bulk Limit, Initiative Checks,
-2: Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom & Charisma based skill and ability checks
-3: Attack Rolls, Melee Damage Rolls, Reflex Saves; Strength & Dexterity ability checks, Strength & Dexterity based skill checks
Sorry bud :S
The remaining Akata snaps at Kris, attempting to make a final meal of its tormentor;
:
:
It sinks its needle jaws to her free hand, as its eyes flare hungrily!
Give me a DC Fort Save please
Noah moves for a clear shot and fires his Arc Rifle, but to no avail.
Noticing Paeon's turn after the bite, Ed casts Detect Affliction to find out what horrible fate awaits his companion!
Paeon sluggishly moves towards the last space cat and takes a swing,
Through his blurred vision his blade seems to have struck true.
-2: Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom & Charisma based skill and ability checks
-3: Attack Rolls, Melee Damage Rolls, Reflex Saves; Strength & Dexterity ability checks, Strength & Dexterity based skill checks
Something doesn't feel right beyond the normal pain Kris associates with getting injured, however now was not the time to dwell on it. The catlike creature in front of her was still trying to make a meal out of her.
Despite a pulsing pain, dully spreading through his body Paeon's stellar blade cleaves into the remaining Akata just as Kris blasts its head apart - glowing gore spraying over floor and combatants!
As Ed mulls on what blights Paeon, Kris is wracked with the same sickly feeling...
If either of you examine your wounds, you are shocked to see tiny pulses of bioluminescence wriggling under your skin around the bite radius...
Your magics and knowledge combine to diagnose that Akatas hold hundreds of microscopic larval young within their mouths, spreading their parasitic offspring to hosts through their bite. Only humanoids make suitable hosts for akata young—all other creature types are immune to this parasitic infection. This deadly affliction, that now ails both Paeon and Kris, is known as Void Death!
VOID DEATH
Typeᐒ Disease [injury]
Saveᐒ Fortitude [DC 10]
Trackᐒ Physical
Frequencyᐒ 1/Day
Effectᐒ No latent/carrier state. An infected creature that dies rises as a void zombie 2d4 hours later.
Cureᐒ 2 Consecutive saves.
In the aftermath of the Akata battle a deathly calm falls over the bridge...
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ed isn't sure what affliction has hit his mates. Hopefully, not the dread Space Herpes....
How do you feel? Ed asks the afflicted with concern. I could help you feel better, but not really treat whatever you have.
Paeon stumbles briefly after the Akata falls.
{I feel..}
He paws at the bio luminescent wound absently,
{...weakened. Their maws must carry some contagion.}
The solarion shakes his head to attempt to regain focus. A cold sweat forming a small amount of precipitation inside of his suit before ventilation clears it.
He brushes absently passed Edshirren.
{We must continue. Lead the way.}
-2: Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom & Charisma based skill and ability checks
-3: Attack Rolls, Melee Damage Rolls, Reflex Saves; Strength & Dexterity ability checks, Strength & Dexterity based skill checks
Lead on? We're at the bridge. Use the computers. Look for a log or something to figure out what's going on.
Kris feels terrible but at the moment that can't be helped, looking at her bite "ughh, something is crawling thru the wound, Paeon what about yours?"
As the other push to investigate the Computers, Kris steps up to the closest term AL and tries to access it.
-1: AC, Encumbrance Bulk Limit, Initiative Checks,
-2: Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom & Charisma based skill and ability checks
-3: Attack Rolls, Melee Damage Rolls, Reflex Saves; Strength & Dexterity ability checks, Strength & Dexterity based skill checks
Noah sits at a console and gets to work.
Paeon sits down and tries to relax while the crew works.
{I too see the infection Kris. I do not have the expertise to deal with it.}
As Paeon rests, Retisji keeps overwatch at the door with a scaled scowl.
Ed paces the bridge, antennae twitching in concern for his crewmates...
Kris shuffles to a terminal, whilst Noah does the same.
As you move through the chamber, your collective eyes note more noqual fragments - identical to those your recovered from C4 - Engineering.
Both of you begin to access the ship's database, noting that the Acreon possesses a Tier 2 model computer complete with secure data module, firewall and lockout countermeasures.
Your deft hacking skills allow the accessing of the ship's systems and internal diagnostics which provide the following information :
C2ᐒ Lighting functioning compromised due to damage. Only emergency lighting available.
C3ᐒ Door locked. No environmental or maintenance issues reported.
C4ᐒ Aft airlock now closed. Maintenance access hatches unlocked.
C5ᐒ Door locked. No environmental or maintenance issues reported. Cargo container uncompromised.
C6ᐒ Open plan. No environmental or maintenance issues reported.
C7ᐒ Doors locked. No environmental or maintenance issues reported.
C7aᐒ Door mechanism damaged and jammed. No environmental issues reported. 2 life forms detected.
C8ᐒ Door mechanism modified - set closed but no longer locking. No environmental issues or life signs reported.
C9ᐒ Door open. No environmental issues reported. 5 life forms detected.
However to circumvent the ship's firewall and properly access the secure data module (and view the ship’s logs) will require deeper hacking of the system.
You both note that your consoles have slots for key cards, that when inserted often bypass or limit system countermeasures. However no such computer cards have been encountered, or seem present.
Kris, give me a hand with a deep dive. If I am not successful perhaps we should look for key cards. I do not want to lock out the computer.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Like a computer savant Noah easily hacks into the Acreon's data module - accessing the ship's log files and recordings. Diagnostics indicate that some have been corrupted, most likely by the geo-static emitting from its asteroid payload.
As you all gather round his screen, the Technomancer begins to sift through the files attempting to discern what befell the Acreon’s crew...
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ed watches the vid display with increasing concern. That doesn't sound good. Is there anything worse than the creepy space lions still aboard or do you think everything is inside the asteroid now?
Apologies - just noticed an oversight in the internal scanning/diagnostics:
C3ᐒ Door locked. No environmental or maintenance issues reported.
This should have read...
C3ᐒ Door locked. No environmental or maintenance issues reported. 2 Lifeforms detected
Well, this is not encouraging. I recommend we secure the ship before exploring the asteroid. Noah goes on to note where the life forms on the ship are and what doors are locked.
Lifeforms detected does mean they are alive, right? Do you have access to cameras or locks from here?
I am locking all doors and enabling the ability to unlock remotely from my datapad. Noah states. Fewer surprises that way. Are we ready to explore the rest of the ship?
Maybe starting with uncompromised containers? Ed suggests.
Noah successfully manages to configure all doors to locked, with the exception of Area C7a which still shows following maintenance message:
ᐒ DOOR MECHANISM TO CREW QUARTERS DAMAGED AND JAMMED, NO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES REPORTED. 2 LIFE FORMS DETECTED.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Paeon nods along as the crew discusses. Ready to follow.
Kris shakes her head as she realizes that the captain's log has completed and Ed and Noah are discussing searching the ship., She was lost in thought watching the sub-dermal blue dots burrowing further into her arm <sigh>
"What are you guys talking about?"
reviewing the screen in front of her.
"We should check out the malfunctioning doorway, not sure about lifeforms meaning they're alive Ed. The captain purged the ship to the vacuum of space, could be more of those cat-like creatures they didn't need an atmosphere it appears."
There could be something useful in compartment C5. Let's go there first and then check on the quarters. Maybe there are survivors that locked themselves in before the ship was purged and somehow survived? Ed offers hopefully. He looks on his bitten companions with concern. He casts remove lesser condition on Paeon to see if it makes a difference.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"We'll pass the crew quarters C7A on the way to hold C5, however nothing in there bothered us the first time we came up the hallway , perhaps we'll remain lucky. To the hold"
The nauseating feeling that persisted seems to lift as Edshirren calls on his deity for assistance.
{The sickness has faded Ed, the exhaustion however remains.}
Paeon leans against a railing as the crew decides where to head to next, cool beads of sweat lining his brow. The weight of walking seems immense.
Pushing off the railing Paeon follows Kris and Edshirren..
Ed's healing energies relieve some of Paeon's symptoms as Kris focusses on pressing onward.
Retsiji listens stoically from his overwatch, before adding his own gruff take;
"Sweep the ship as we go. Don't want surprises on my tail."
The big Vesk hefts his Reaction Cannon and moves to the crossroads, tracking the barrel to each of the directions available;
"Crew Quarters and Crew Storage? Or the life signs, Quarters and Galley?"
He rumbles a chuckle;
"Galley may have food Ed. You ever tasted spacer-rations?"