Even with help, Seven of Eleven isn’t able to get through the firewall on their first attempt.
Haastaskin doesn’t find anything of interest in their search of the room.
Darkrunner and Chikasa work together and manage to break through the firewall on the computer.
The module contains a file with a list of names, dates, and locations, cumulating with an alarming entry: “Luwazi Elsebo; Lorespire Complex, Skyreach Room, gala” and the present date.
The two then spend a few minutes research using the local infosphere and ascertain that every individual on the list is recently deceased, save for Luwazi. The obituary dates and locations correspond with the dates and locations in the files, but the causes of death are widely varied. Most notably, those few that are documented as homicides all list radically different perpetrators: individuals of varying gender, race, and background.
The two of you realize that authorities would likely pay a reward for this information.
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"They would dare to to try to slaughter the First Seeker of the Starfinders! I will alert Faction Leader Radaszam right now!"
With that, the soldier attempts to contact Radaszam on the communicator channel she was given. If successful, she will quickly bring him up to date on what the group has discovered.
One of the Obsidean Spiders answers Haastaskin’s call, but it is soon after routed to Radaszam.
“So, what have you found out?”
Haastaskin gives a brief of what they have found. Radaszam asks for copies of the files, which I assume you forward. They ask a few questions.
Shortly after receiving the files, they note “Given the breadth of races they have evidently imitated, they most likely are either using magic or are a shape changer. The physical characteristics change too much for it to be just a normal disguise.”
“Make sure there aren’t any clues as to how they plan to do it, then come back to the LoreSpire. I will have my people alerted to the risk immediately. Call me as you are in transit and we can discuss the best means of handling the situation then,”
Seven of Eleven doesn’t recognize the fusion seal.
As other people are breaking into the computer, the rest of the group had time to search through the trash more thoroughly.
Vandor finds among the discarded wrappers a series of packaging for five industrial explosive devices.
The group make their way to the station transport so as to return to the LoreSpire. As you are about to board, a delivery drone approaches. After verifying your identities, it gives you a package indicating it is from Naiaj.
As the transport begins the journey, you open the package and find six Mk I Serums of Healing inside. Although she isn’t the most friendly, evidently you impressed Naiaj enough for her to make sure you had some supplies!
You contact Radaszam and tell him about the packaging you found.
“Well, at least we know what the assassin was doing near the stage then.” he growls.
“My people — the Obsidian Spiders — reviewed footage including the assassin. They found her spending a lot of time doing something in the stage area. Since we have a little time before Luwazi’s speech, I have ordered them to stay back so we can formulate a plan.”
He does something with his comm unit, then says “I have updated Luwazi, Naiaj and Royo of your findings.” With a predatory smile, he says “Right now, the assassin doesn’t know we have discovered their identity. We need to take advantage of this in order to capture her.”
He pauses for a moment, then says “As I see it, we can do this one of two ways.”
“The safe route would be to have my people take care of the suspected explosives under the stage while you confront and apprehend the assassin.”
“That said, the more daring approach would be for your party to handle the entire affair yourselves.” Showing his claws, he says “That would demonstrate that the Starfinder Society is well and able to handle its own affairs while also bolstering your personal reputations.”
“This approach is trickier, however; it involves simultaneously disarming the explosives while confronting the assassin. I will warn you that you will need to be subtle in your search for the bombs and keep the assassin distracted so she doesn't simply detonate them early.”
Thumping his chest with a closed claw, he says “I am responsible for the safety of the event, and it would make me and our organization look bad if I were to push you to undertake a plan you were likely to fail.”
“You are better able to judge if your group can handle the whole thing or not. If you think you can, I will support you. If however you want to take the safer path none of us would ever hold it against you.”
As Radaszam is discussing plans with you, you all receive a data message from Royo.
He recognized the type of explosive. This particular model of explosive is very stable to kinetic damage and can be safely disarmed by simply smashing it hard enough, but he notes that any kind of energy damage is likely to detonate them upon impact
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Chikasa raises a small, clawed finger and offers his own opinion on the matter, "It sounds like the explosives aren't too sophisticated though. If, say, Haastaskin could accompany me to deactivate the explosives through our combination of brains and brawn, and the rest of you keep the assassin busy, we should be able to pull it off. It's only one assassin after all!"
“You will need to find the devices before deactivating them.” Radaszam points out. “This sort of device is designed to be in obtrusive.”
“Vandor, I am sure there are other options. What would you suggest as an Option C?”
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If we can split up and reasonable cover the assassin, then I'm all for this option.
More quietly to his companions, whispering I'm surprised they're even leaving the decision in our hands, with other resources likely available. The PR is not good if something goes wrong with either side of this, knowing the more might have been done. Explosives and at least one life targeted... Their reckless confidence aside I am confident we can handle this.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that last bit.” Radaszam says through the comm unit. “I’m glad you are confident you have all you need to handle this. I like teams that show initiative.”
“I will leave it to you if you want to ask for help from any of the guests. Overall, they are supportive of our organization.”
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"All right, all right. If we're gonna do this let's get it over with. Haastaskin, we'll obviously need your combat skills on the assassin, and since I'm not as skilled an engineer as the others I guess that puts me with you. Seven and one other can handle bomb duty, unless you think we'll need three there. Seems to me like we'd be better off with three of us fighting the assassin. Thoughts?"
At least if the fight doesn't go well
I can still try and escape, not so much if a bomb blows up in my face.
Your group receives a data package containing floor plans for the Skyreach Room and surrounding corridors.
The ceiling in the Skyreach room Is 60 feet up. The surrounding halls only have 15 foot ceilings, as does the AV room located directly above the stage. The floor plans indicate that there is a window between the AV room and the meeting room made of transparent aluminum which is covered by a one way holographic projector. While you were in the Skyreach room the projector must have been active since it looked like a blank wall behind the stage. The controls for the window and the projector are in the AV room.
The AV room itself also has a 15 foot ceiling and is fully soundproofed. It is about 15 foot above the level of the stage, 20 above the floor of the Skyreach room.
There are several dozen guests present in the room, including all the dignitaries you mingled with. Some of them are with various high profile news organizations.
You do not know yet where the assassin is located.
These sort of devices are typically connected to a detonator. If she becomes aware of anyone trying to disarm the devices, you expect she can trigger them to go off immediately.
There are several ways you can think of to handle this including creating a distraction or sneaking in to disable the devices.
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Seeing Chikasa earning the odd strange glance from the guests while he attempts to discreetly examine the stage area Vandor realizes the explosive-team might need a distraction. Grabbing a nearby bottle of wine off the bar Vandor hops up on a table at the far end of the hall. Imitating the stumbling, staggering posture of one who has a little to much to drink he begins to ramble...
"Uh, attention everyone. Attention. I know you all came here to...hic... hear the First Speaker's big announcement, and I'm gonna let her make that announcement. But first there's an announcement of my own I want to make. I am leaving the Society to become an... ACTOR! Meeting my hero Zo! has inspired me to finally chase my dream of being rich and famous. And what better way to announce my new career path than by reenacting the entirety of the famous ysoki playYamlet.. with every role played by myself. So here goes...
Vandor launches into his one-man interpretation of ysoki theater hoping this trainwreck is convincing enough to distract the crowd from the stage area...
Come on guys, find those explosives fast...
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Seeing his teammates not achieve the necessary subtlety in their search, Darkrunner attempts his own bout of stealth, disappearing through the crowd and emerging where he pleases behind any notice.
For the immediate attempt though, he's a bit too focused on avoiding notice to notice the explosives himself...
Vandor causes quite the distraction with his rendition of Yamlet. He gets several strange looks, but manages to keep the crowd’s attention on him. Having mentioned Zo!, Vandor realizes that they have made a career of keeping the spotlight on themselves. Perhaps if asked, Zo! could provide a distraction.
Although neither Chikasa nor Darkrunner-42 find any of the devices, Seven of Eleven finds one.
Chikasa and Seven of Eleven are fairly certain that no one matching the assassin’s description is in the main room.
Meanwhile Haastaskin patrols the hallway checking that the assassin isn’t amoungst the people there as they make their way to the AV room. They do not spot anyone matching the description.
Chikasa looks around a little more, but still doesn't find any of the devices.
Darkrunner-42 also fails to find any further explosive devices.
Seven of Eleven tries to disable the device, but isn’t quite able to. Fortunately the device doesn’t explode on them.
Vandor manages to keep distracting the crowd.
Haastaskin opens the door to the AV room. In there, they see the curly-haired woman from the videos. She is at the control panel, looking out at Vandor doing his act on stage.
The woman turns and looks at Haastaskin, saying "Sorry, only authorized staff should be up here. You will have to go."
Between the two of them, Darkrunner-42 and Chikasa find another explosive.
Having found two, they feel it is becoming slightly easier to find the others. Chikasa remembers they found packaging for five explosives.
Noticing what is happening, Ykris detaches themselves from Jhireu and sneakily skitters over to the explosive that the two just found.