You have arrived at the Lorespire Complex on Absalom Station, where you await the arrival of your contact, a woman named Luwazi Elsebo. The room is a lavish meeting space, with several couches and a central table. You are all mercenaries, each of you was contacted by the Starfinder Society for a secretive mission. It is obvious you are not the only one who was contacted as you find yourself in a room with five others...
Raia says hello to each of the others as they arrive via telepathy. Her smile to them is warm and engaging, "I am Raia, and it is my pleasure to meet you." she finally speaks aloud, though barely perceptible, her voice so soft.
Keskodai slowly makes his way in, seemingly chittering to himself only to react startled as Raia speaks up through the link. "Keskodai, pleasure to meet you..." With that he turns his head to Luwazi and chitters for a moment in excitement.
A short rodent - looking man steps in with a hover mechanism close behind.
"Quig" he replies with a slight bow. Jerking his thumb toward the device nearby, he adds "Tis Scout."
Looking around the room, he inquires "Any of you know what this is about yet?"
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An imposing Kasatha looms over the ysoki and nearly everyone else in the room. His lower pair of arms rest akimbo over his abdomen while his upper pair gesticulate when he speaks. "I am Altronus. It is my pleasure to be hired on this mission with you. Very hush-hush, which makes me very curious and very excited to learn the details of this assignment."
A tall Vesk simply grunts at the others. She checks the magazine on her rifle and replaces it. "Obozaya here. Anybody got an idea what this is all about? I was told to keep it quiet, but I don't risk dying over something I don't know anything about."
"Don't know yet." replies the short creature, staring up at the...woman?...
"I'm guessing they'll be letting us know soon though."
Raia looks at each of the others and finally breaks into a shy smile... Finally she lowers her head slightly and her antennae raise slightly as she blushes. Very softly, she speaks, "Oh my, we are quite an interesting group. This should be very interesting."
An android wanders in and smiles at the roomful of people, but you notice the hand drifting casually away from the grip of a pistol holstered on its hip.
"Iseph" it pronounces "Somebody needed a pilot?"
A short hiss precedes the opening of an adjacent door. A woman with a determined look steps through the opening, holding a datapad in one hand as she sits down at the nearby table, takes a calm breath, and begins to speak, “Ah good, you made it. All of you come highly recommended. You have skills, and the Starfinder Society has credits.”
She pauses, looks over the group she has assembled, and continues, “How rude of me—introductions. I am Luwazi Elsebo, the elected First Seeker of the Starfinder Society, and I have an exceptionally fair sum of credits available in return for your specialized services. For this mission, each of you will represent the Starfinder Society, but hold no official title within our organization. As you can probably tell by the empty halls around us, I need to use mercenaries to act as temporary agents. If you agree to the terms, I would like to offer you all a job.
The Starfinder Society endured a staggering setback several months ago when our previous First Seeker led a mission into a region of space known as the Scoured Stars. We lost almost all our experienced field agents and assets in that endeavor. What the Starfinder Society really needs right now is something to entice outside interest and investment. In short, we need to make a major discovery.
Prior to the Scoured Stars incident, the Society acquired exclusive rights to explore a rather unique moon. The inhabitants of the nearby planet call it Salvation’s End and see it as a ‘false moon’ due to its visible metal components and underlying superstructure. There’s the potential that it’s nothing more than a mangled hunk of stellar debris on the remains of a moon, but there’s also the chance that the entire object could be one inconceivably large structure.”
Luwazi lets loose a devilish smile. “This is where you come in. I want you to go to Salvation’s End and explore the surface. First, you’ll need to make a quick trip to the moon of Varos, which orbits the nearby gas giant, Bretheda. There’s a highlevel security complex on Varos that has a survivor from a rogue prospecting mission to Salvation’s End. I want you to question the prisoner, find out what you can about the so-called ‘false moon,’ and then make way to Salvation’s End. Once there, you will need to see if the moon is worthless, or something valuable enough for the Society to announce. Understood?”
"You've got the credits, I've got the skills and availability, it is a good relationship" the android lights up "I'm not much of an explorer in the scientific sense, but I am sure I can question a prisoner and take a good look around for you. What's the transport situation?"
"We will get to that later Iseph. We will take care of it."
Obozaya grunts at the mission description. "You're going to use us as a recon force not because it's dangerous, but because you don't know if it's important?" She bares her teeth and her tongue flits out, a sign of displeasure among the Vesk.
"The prisoner interrogation might be a little fun, but do we know if anyone lives on this moon? If it's a lifeless hunk of rock or even if it's a metal core, there doesn't sound like many to oppose me. Earning creds without a chance to test our battle skills sounds like a rat's way of making a living."
She suddenly realizes Quig stands next to her. Her eyes shift towards him and she takes a step back. "Uh, Vesk figure of speech and all. Sorry, I just mean we're not earning it."
Keskodai blinked slowly at everything being said, not much in regards of a response was shown on the features. Once more a voice would penetrate everyone's head "Keskodai is ready, I am sure we can manage this and I will ensure we all get back in once piece, unless someone does something foolish..."
Smiling at the tall ones, Quig replies simply, "Who determines the 'appropriate' amount? Though I'm inclined to agree, it sounds like a simple task, I'll do most things for the right number."
"And no offense taken." he adds.
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"The Drift is not for the faint of heart, Vesk," Altronus states, "Taking a ship into it is a chance to test yourself."
He turns his gaze towards their patron, Luwzi, and asks, "What is this survivor's name and how do we gain access to him or her within the prison? Bribes, I assume. The Starfinder Society is already on everyone's dung-list, and if you hope to cycle back to prosperity, storming a legally operated prison would not be the way to do it."
The android listens carefully to the questions and answers.
"So we're to question this survivor and then visit the place ourselves... Do we have anything we can offer this fellow to encourage him to talk? It's not like we can give him his freedom or anything... and why is he there in the first place? Is he dangerous or violent?"
"I'm no pilot. Give me someone to beat down and I'll do it for you." Obozaya huffs. "But if we need to extract information from this prisoner, I can do that."
"What is this survivor's name and how do we gain access to him or her within the prison? Bribes, I assume. The Starfinder Society is already on everyone's dung-list, and if you hope to cycle back to prosperity, storming a legally operated prison would not be the way to do it."
Luwazi types some things on the datapad that she has in one hand "The prisoner is a pilot named Livewire, who is interred at the ‘Sauna’—a prison colony on the volcanic moon Varos. Contact this prisoner, as she is the only survivor of an expedition that trespassed on Salvation’s End. Once you establish contact, it’s a matter of gathering intelligence. We doubt this information is cheap, so we authorized a spending account for 2500 credits for you to encourage Livewire to talk. We need to know why her team’s illegal salvage on the moon failed. Once you get this information, we need you to travel to the false moon. Touch down, scout for hostiles, and look for any indications that it’s more than a moon with crashed starships piled atop it.”
"You're going to use us as a recon force not because it's dangerous, but because you don't know if it's important?"
She holds up her hand “No, that is not the situation. The warden of the Sauna denied our requests to meet with Livewire. They indicated that our presence would rub salt in a fresh wound. So, whatever you do, do not let the warden or Livewire know that you are working for the Starfinder Society. I have set up a front to explain your meeting with Livewire: you are all investigators hired by an unnamed corporation looking to remain anonymous. You’re researching a rash of disappeared spacecraft that have gone missing when their flight path took them too close to Salvation’s End.”
After you agree to the job Luwazi leads you to a large hangar bay “Wonderful! I am so excited to conduct business with you.” With renewed energy, she steps further into the hangar bay containing a pristine ship with a stylized symbol of the Starfinder Society along its hull. Several engineers, laborers, and mechanics buzz about the hangar running diagnostics, polishing the vessel’s unspoiled hull, and finishing the last touches for a maiden launch.
Luwazi looks up to the ship with beaming pride, reaches into the folds of her clothing, and pulls out an expensive vintage of champagne, and extends the bottle outward as she exclaims with a wide grin, “The ship is yours for the mission, it is only right you christen it! Tonight, we celebrate; tomorrow you sail off into the stars.”
"If we're supposed to NOT be associated with the Society, how do we get rid of that huge emblem on the outside of the ship... will be hard to seem unaffiliated with that so prominent."
"... how do we get rid of that huge emblem on the outside of the ship... will be hard to seem unaffiliated with that so prominent."
"That's easy"
The android strides over to the group of technicians and mechanics and rummages through their workshop for a minute, then begins striding purposefully towards the side of the ship shaking a rattle-can of spray paint vigourously...
"If we're supposed to NOT be associated with the Society, how do we get rid of that huge emblem on the outside of the ship... will be hard to seem unaffiliated with that so prominent."
"I agree," says Altronus.
Luwasi sighs "Oh come on! That is just there for the christening of the ship! It is a special paint that will easily come of after a special spray is applied to it. Please Iseph, set that can down and enjoy the festivities."
The next day you are finally able to leave Absalom station. Luwasi has strongly advised you not to use the drift engine for the short hop to the "Sauna".
The Android pauses, eyes looking over the logo once more, then returns the spray-can to the workbench "As you request".
Iseph enjoys the festivities, but one eye is always on the pristine ship "New ship always means new problems. I look forward to pushing that thing hard enough to find them"
"Oh. Very clever, First Seeker." Altronus' eyes seem to express amusement.
"I will be of little use anywhere other than the comms or the guns," Altronus confesses, "But I hope that we will have no need of the latter."
Obozaya grins a toothy Vesk smile. "Oh, you didn't say that I'd get to fire starship cannons at other ships! Now, I'm all in."
"Being new though, hopefully it holds together well. I suppose we'll find out soon enough." grumbles the ysoki in response to the android.
Giving a quick once over, he bites his lip. "I suppose there's little else can be done till we're spacebound."
The next morning, you have time to complete any last minute tasks or preparations before embarking on the trip that will last three days at standard engine speed. As Iseph predicted there are some minor issues, that Quig and Raia can easily resolve.
The Pegasus pulls into sensor range of the volcanic, tidally locked moon of Varos. The terminal pings softly as automated systems quickly exchange data, including the ship's call sign, cargo, and weapon array for the moon's local date and time, weather forecast, and a copy of the prison's mandate.
Once you reach orbit, you are hailed and a synthetic voice (programmed to sound however the crew would like) transmits through the speakers. "Welcome to the Sauna. This is the Warden. What is your business on Varos?"
Twittering in excitement and exploring the ship when he could Keskodai seemed to be enjoying this trip. When they were hailed he looked up from one of the consoles and grinned. He would let the pilot handle this, she was the one flying the ship...
"We are investigators following a lead regarding ships disappearing near Salvation's End. May we meet to discuss interviewing one of your prisoners?" Altronus communicates back.
With the comms off, Altronus raises an eyebrow and looks over at Quig. "What did you do to the voice setting? Would you please put it back to factory default?"
Iseph keeps the ship on course, flying 'casual', but with an eye out for any trouble...
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With a sly grin, he looks towards Altronus. "What? The Aussie accent too much? It's from an ancient civilization but I like how it sounds."
"Give me a moment though and I'll reset it for you."
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Obozaya looks up from her targeting computer. "Did he say 'the Sauna'? Maybe it's nice and warm down there?" She shivers with the thought of basking in a hot and humid locale.
"Okie dokie," says the transmitter while Quig is fiddling with it. The console pings again as your ship receives the coordinates for a landing pad. "You are welcome to meet with us. Weapons and other contraband--food, hygiene kits, photographs, albums, and other luxuries--are prohibited. Violation will result in internment at the Sauna. Credsticks are allowed. We are always happy to accept donations to our worthy cause of rehabilitation through hard labor."
The Pegasus rumbles as it breaks orbit and enters the atmosphere. A short time later, it lands on a floating pad, and you all disembark. The stifling heat of Varos slams into your faces like a fist when the ship's airlock opens. It is clear that spending more than a few minutes out in the open would be a miserable and possibly dangerous situation.
Four barathu arrive and wordlessly escort you across the organic bridge and into the bizarrely designed administrative complex. The odd angles and rolling rise and fall of the halls confirm it was designed for creatures that do not depend on legs. The smell of the blue-green, pulsating walls is also rather rancid.
When you arrive at the Warden’s office, several hard, plastic chairs await arranged in a semicircle around a matching table. Opposite the table floats the Warden, an almost comical creature that looks like a dozen of the barathu guards mashed together into a floating mass of iridescent flesh and tentacles.
"Welcome," a monotone telepathic voice echoes in your minds, "Please, share in these terrestrial-based refreshements."
The Warden points towards several gray PVC trays holding styrofoam bowls of gray mush and transparent plastic cups containing an oily white liquid. The condensation on cups informs you that the liquid is cool, which would be refreshing in the oppressive heat within the administrative building. The smell, however, leaves much to be desired.
SM
Bluff (+2 Vs sense motive)
The Android takes a sip, assuming that this is the social expectation or they wouldn't have offered it.
"Thank you for your kind welcome" Iseph offers in a slightly programmed and robotic manner.
Obozaya eagerly takes some of the drink, not even stopping to consider the contents. The taste leave much to be desired however, and the Vesk hisses as the disgust of the smell of the room and the taste hits her.
"Oh-keedoh-kee?" Altronus raises a bald eyebrow at the fiddling ysoki.
Altronus leaves all his gear in his locker on the Pegasus and steps out into the heat. "Greetings," he says to the barathu guards and follows them through the strange, organic structure.
"Thank you, your plurality, for meeting with us," he says as they file into the Warden's office. He takes a seat on one of the plastic chairs and eyes the offered meal.
He cocks his head to the side and then glances around at the others. Caught between his own culture norms and whatever these beings expect of him, he pulls his face scarf forward only far enough to spoon some of the gray mush into his mouth.
Regrettably, the texture of the mush and the ambient stench make it difficult to swallow. His eyes water and his throat bobs several times as he forces himself to swallow. "Thank you for your hospitality, Warden," the kasatha wheezes.
Grinning mischievously, as the computer continues to speak, the man frowns at the thought of walking into the den of thieves unarmed. Glancing towards his mechanical companion, the frown deepens.
'Is it worth the risk?' he ponders. Quig thumbs his chin for a long moment before ultimately concluding 'Oh, I suppose not.'
Sighing deeply, he quickly stows his armaments in the locker he'd previously selected. Stashing his mechanical companions ammunition alongside his own. 'I really don't want to remove those turrets just to step into this place. Surely being empty will suffice their needs.'
Quietly following the guards a ways, they bounty hunter finally stops. "Good..uh...basatha? My companion here does have turrets, but I have emptied the chambers to abide by your rules. They are currently harmless. Is this acceptable?"
Once in the office, he looks around the bleak room. Grimacing at the thought of drinking the concoction as he watches his companions gag on the fluid. Stiffling a gag, he manages to down the strange substance. Granting their host a weak smile, he waits on one of his more suave teammates to smooth the interaction.
Raia watches the others' reactions to the food, then tentatively tries it herself. "Mmm tasty.. thank you!"
Following the group silently he listens to the wardens, occasionally broadcasting something to his companions as he takes a sip from the concotion that is being handed to them. Gasping for air and in hopes of something to get rid of the vile taste he remains silent, his companions on the other hand hear him curse, gag and wishing the Warden to be taken by the undead from Eox for making him taste this vile brew.
The telepathic voice sounds again in your head "We hope you enjoyed those refreshments. One of our constituent barathus had a career as an investigator, and that one is always excited to meet with likeminded personalities. Please tell us, what your proudest moments as investigators were."
"Although my quest is long from finished, my most important moment was when I discovered the gray alien conspiracy," Altronus begins. "Bulb-headed gray aliens have infiltrated the Pact Worlds and are planning some nefarious scheme. 'Phase Three' of whatever they have planned has begun. It all began..."
The kasatha is more than happy to go on and on about his conspiracy theory.
"I'm just the pilot" the Android shrugs apologetically.
"I have no one special most important moment in my travels... Each time I've met a new alien life form has been equally thrilling and revelatory. Of course I'm still relatively new at this, so I've only met a few so far... but I just know there are unlimited species out there, waiting for first contact!"
Thinking a long hard minute before opening his mouth the ysoki is grateful his companions spoke first. "I've have worse beverages." he answers honestly.
"As for my experience? I had one bounty for a child. That bugger was a sneaky one too. Took me a whole week to find the childs lair. Then....getting him out? Well, lets just say Scout here had a big hand in that. The bounty wasn't even that high, but it was one of those that stick with you, ya know? The ingenuity of that one....took all my wits the capture him." getting lost in his memories, the man trails off.
After a time, he mumbles "Hmm...never did find out if he was actually guilty..."
"Oh, but of course, we are here for other purposes." he finishes, with a broad grin.