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As the doors to the Lorespire Complex slide open, a green holographic image of a middle-aged human woman shimmers into view at the center of the room. “Greetings,” it says. “I am Guidance. Please use the cheek swabs in the open receptacle to provide a genetic sample for Starfinder Society identification purposes. If desired, you may place your hand on the glowing panel to receive a subdermal implant further marking you as a member of the Society.”
"Please introduce yourselves as you do, so that I may know you."
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Steev'Irwin, semi-famous star of pod- and vid-casts, steps up and swabs his cheek. He smiles at the ubiquitous camera drone that hovers after him. "Right here, this is me swabbin' my cheek for the benefit of identifying my remains should I die in a nasty way! Blimey! That would be a crackin' way to go! Now I'm putting my hand on the symbol," he pauses for affect as he places his giant hand on the glowing panel. "And getting some sort a' subdermal implant! Cor! That's a right pretty glowy implant there!"
The Vesk is short, but broad for Vesk standards. He wears khaki colored armor and moves his body expressively. His eyes are bright and almost insane with intensity, but his demeanor is kind, especially for the warlike Vesk. He bears a tattoo of some strange straw-colored human face, a grinning man's visage on his right shoulder. "My name is Steev'Irwin, and I am here to help!" He informs the computer.
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"And greetings to you, Guidance." responds a tall, imposing android. He removes a dark, blue helmet with a silver face-shield, to reveal a face covered with blue-toned skin. Faint outlines of circuitry can occasionally be seen pulsing beneath it. His armor sports a red, metallic sheen, accented with flashes of white that, when seen as a whole, convey a subtle shield motif.
"I am Aegis-9, Defender of the Pact Worlds and member of the Exo-Guardians. It is my honor to be recognized as a member of the Starfinder Society." Though clearly cautious, due to recent events, the android removes a black glove from his bluish hand and places it on the panel as instructed.
Turning to Steev'Irwin, he asks, "Tell me, do you come from the land, Downlow? Where men plunder and women glow?"
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"Well, mate, I wouldn't say no to some Vegemite, if you got some! I was born in the Veskarium, sent out on listening detail to the far edges of known space. Useta pick up strange broadcasts from this 'ere fella!" He shows off his strange tattoo of the yellow man. "Funny fella, useta hunt animals, but not kill them! Canya believe that! Well, one day his broadcasts just stopped, and I felt empty inside. So I resigned my commission, changed my name, and decided to be just like 'im! So now I joined the Society, figgerin' that might need a fella who likes to see new sights, eh! Whattabout you? What's your story?"
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A compact human male clad in brightly colored second skin armor enters the room, easily missed among the taller android and broader (and louder) vesk despite the large energy weapon he carries slung over one shoulder. "Guidance. An honor, hey?" He swabs his cheek and dropsr the sample into the first empty receptacle, then places his hand on the panel. "I'm James Patterson the sixty-second, give or take. Most recently from the Diaspora. One of my old shipmates mentioned that the Society was recruiting, and--" He shrugs. "--it seemed a better use for my talents than...well. What I'd been doing before, hey?"
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"Funny fella, useta hunt animals, but not kill them! Canya believe that! Well, one day his broadcasts just stopped, and I felt empty inside. So I resigned my commission, changed my name, and decided to be just like 'im! So now I joined the Society, figgerin' that might need a fella who likes to see new sights, eh! Whattabout you? What's your story?"
"Your commitment to your ideals is... admirable. My commitment lies toward the ideals of freedom foe freedom is the right of all sentient beings. Though my technoframe was built for war, I am an android of peace." Aegis-9 replies in a deep voice with a soothing cadence. He provides a swab as instructed.
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You hear a loud clang from the door just before it opens to reveal a ysoki in greasy overalls who appears to be removing some sort of VR contraption from his head. He looks up at the room's occupants sheepishly "Sorry about that - wasn't really watching where I was going".
He shrugs as he quickly dismantles the VR set and stashes various pieces away in his overalls except for a datapad which he holds on to.
"Hi I'm Fidouris but most people just call me Fixit. On occasion, I like to fix things. Glad to meet y'all."
He takes a couple of grenades from his mouth before swabbing his cheek and then quickly pops them back in. That is followed up just as quickly by adding his palm print to receive his subdermal graft.
He sits quietly in the corner tapping away at his datapad as he waits for the rest of the team to arrive or the briefing to start.
The female Lashunta in the back seems to have waited in the shadows.
She steps forward with a calm stance.
"Hmmmm ... excuse my silence dear gentleman and respected Guidance. I am Raia and very pleased to make your acquaintance. I just recently joined the Starfinder Society and was assigned to this mission as a specialist on alien life forms and magical phenomena."
She proceeds to Guidance and stands in front of the devices that conduct the tests and insert the Starfinder implant.
She looks at all of you "I believe it is important to know each others history to jointly understand our future.
After completing my studies, I realized that my passion for studying alien life-forms was actually a calling, and my technomantic abilities were the currency I could use to fund my life’s work, exchanging my skills as a scientist and technomancer for berths on ships heading out to undiscovered regions of the Vast.
Similar to you all I assume, I believe there is a certain nobility in contacting an alien species for the first time and working to ensure that both they and the peoples of the Pact Worlds advance and improve from the relationship.
I know that many Starfinders, and I assume you too, seek out new technology and alternative magical techniques from the aliens they encounter, trading their own knowledge in exchange. That is also my goal.
Of course I hold no unrealistic expectation of noninterference in alien cultures, but I believe in doing the right thing and in always striving for honor, compassion, and justice."
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"It would seem then, Raia, that we share much in common." says Aegis-9.
The android looks at each of his fellow Starfinders, "Patterson... Fixit... Raia... Steev." he names each as he looks them in the eye. "It would seem that I am in good company on this most auspicious day." The android turns to Guidance, "Should we expect any additional Starfinders to be joining us in the ceremonies?
"It would seem then, Raia, that we share much in common." says Aegis-9.
"Then I am very much looking forward to our joint mission!" Raia replies politely and eyes the other Starfinders for any signs of agreement.
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Guidance continues, now that all of the Starfinders have entered and been identified. “It is our pleasure to officially welcome you into the Starfinder Society. Today is the commencement of your new role as a Starfinder field agent. It is our tradition, at the end of the graduation ceremony, for new graduates to present themselves to the heads of our most prominent factions and complete a task at those leaders’ behest. This allows the leaders of these groups to become familiar with all new Starfinder agents, and it provides a constant supply of agents for handling situations in our holdings on Absalom Station. While these tasks were formerly symbolic, the heavy loss of Starfinder agents in the Scoured Stars necessitates that these missions become something more. Please treat any tasks given with the gravity you would grant any other Starfinder assignment.”
"Of course Guidance, be assured that we will do our best! Who do you want us to contact?"
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"You should contact each of the faction leaders in an order that you see fit. Perform all of their tasks, and report back to me when you are done/ says Guidance.
Absalom Station is the cultural hubof the Pact Worlds. Races from every planet in the system, including those once prominent on lost Golarion, can be found on the station.
People around the station are increasingly amenable to Starfinders. They respect both the dogged veteran field agents who were not lost in the Scoured Stars disaster and the new recruits, whose presence brings renewed hope. Stating one’s association with the Starfinder Society is likely to garner support from the locals of Absalom Station.
A host of starships, known locally as the Armada, orbits Absalom Station. Ships from the Armada are often starships that have taken advantage of the station’s Starstone core—a mystical device that allows for quick travel through the Drift back to Absalom Station. The ships of this fleet are increasingly at risk of bringing back undetected alien life, simply because the policing Stewards lack the numbers to search every orbiting ship.
Everyone is excited about the upcoming junkrace. Apparently some nobody mouthed off to Ratrod, the reigning junkrace champion. People know that trash talking really gets under Ratrod’s fur and wonder whether there will be more harsh words exchanged before the race.
The latest prerelease song from sugar-pop sensation Strawberry Machine Cake is about to be released. Unlike previous releases, the band is putting out a limited-edition physical copy prior to the concert when the released single and additional tracks are scheduled to debut and become available in digital form.
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Reviewing the tasks, Aegis-9 notes, ”Three of those we seek can be found here on Absalom Station; the fourth requires a short trip through space to the Armada, that host of starships that orbit the station, utilizing that mystical device within this station, the Starstone core, for quick travel through the Drift and back.”
“Unfortunately,” the android notes grimly, calling upon recent experiences, “the Drift poses its own risks, not the least of which is he risk of bringing back dangerous and deadly lifeforms.” The member of the Exo-Guardians tenses for a moment. “The fact that the policing Stewards lack the numbers to search every orbiting ship only increases the threat of harmful, alien lifeforms arriing into the system undetected.”
”I suspect also that Absalom Station to be more of a flood of activity than usual.” the android continues, now with a more calming cadence. ”As the cultural hub of the Pact Worlds, the Station is often busy providing homes and services to races from every planet in the system, including those that once called lost Golarion their homeworld. Yet, our Commencement tasks coincide with two other, far more prominent events: an upcoming junkrace and the latest prelease song from Strawberry Machine Cake in a special limited-edition, physical format. Either, or both, of these events could pose difficulties in navigating the already busy avenues of Absalom Station.”
”Nevertheless,” Aegis-9 suggests in an effort to be reassuring to the other new Starfinders, [b]”At least our new recognition as being Starfinders is likely to aid us in completing our tasks here on Absalom Station. People around here are increasingly amenable to the Society, respecting. both the dogged veteran field agents who were not lost in the Scoured Stars disaster as well as new recruits, like us, whose presence brings renewed hope. Identifying ourselves as member of the Starfinder Society is likely to garner support from the locals here.”
“Given the challenges to completing our tasks both on and off the station, it is not readily clear to me just which we should try to complete first. Do the rest of you have any preferences or suggestions?”
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Patterson nods. "That seems a reasonable plan, hey? It's a short walk to get there, though we have no particular guarantee that the errand will be similarly short."
"I suppose, then, there is only way to find out." agrees Aegis-9.
"Starfinders", the android cries out dramatically, as he heads towards one of the Lorespire's elevators, "Let us transport and move out!"
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"Starfinders", the android cries out dramatically, as he heads towards one of the Lorespire's elevators, "Let us transport and move out!"
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Once on the elevator, Aegis-9 seems to struggle for a moment locating the button for the correct floor within the expansive tower complex. "Pardon me for a moment," the android says as he fumbles and attempts to spot the correct button, "but when it comes to transporters, there's more than meets the eye."
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The Lorespire Complex, home and heart of the Starfinder Society, is a striking campus dedicated to knowledge. Communal labs and historical departments study the Archives’ massive collection of artifacts and texts, gathered by generations of agents from across the galaxy. A quick search of the directory indicates Historia-7 frequents the Archives’ Cortex, a computerized matrix containing digital records of the Starfinder Society’s most prominent discoveries.
The android reclines on a raised chair and is plugged into the local infosphere when the doors open. The neural cables detach themselves from her neck as she swivels in her seat to address the new arrivals. “Greetings, Starfinders,” she says calmly. “I am Historia-7. If you are seeking a mission from me, please be aware that my request requires both discretion and speed. Do not accept it if you feel incapable of working within these parameters.
“I discovered someone recently hacked into Bluerise Tower’s computer systems and stole a large amount of sensitive data from the resident corporations. I wish to be privy to this information. I managed to trace the hacker’s location through many proxies and erased the trail so that station and corporate security should be delayed in their pursuit. This deception will not fool them for long, so you must move quickly to retrieve the data before they can recover it. I will leave you to decide what to do with the hacker afterward, but should it be feasible, I believe that person would be an asset to the Society.”
"We cannot let the hacker get away with such an aggressive act! We will follow the trail and find them! Be assured!"
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"The Bluerise Tower is a private office structure maintained by multiple corporations and legally protected to the point that even the station’s Stewards have difficulty entering. Why these corporations need such absolute sovereignty over their own affairs is a question of great interest to many people, including myself" she says. "I believe the companies know more than they let on, and that the Society needs to stay informed in its vulnerable state."
She gives you the address to a flat in Drifter’s End, a district in the station’s Ring known for providing cheap housing to vagabonds of all sorts.
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"We cannot let the hacker get away with such an aggressive act! We will follow the trail and find them! Be assured!"
"Agreed." says Aegis-9 in response to Raia's outburst. "However, if I understand Historia-7's request correctly, then we are not being asked to catch a hacker, but to aid one."
He turns to look their android patron directly in the optic sensors. "Unless I am mistaken, what you are asking of us is that we engage in what appears to be an illegal activity. What is the nature of the information that you expect to obtain? And why would you seek to employ a noble organization, such as the Starfinder Society, to obtain it?"
"Surely, this station holds enough criminal gangs and other organizations who specialize in such things, but the Society is an institution of prestige and honor. It seems..." the android struggles to find a diplomatic, yet suitable, word, before settling on,"ill-advised to have Society members engage in such activities, particularly when it is making strides to rebuild itself after the Scoured Stars Incident and when the funding and assistance of outside organizations would seem to be so crucial to the Society's continued existence and prosperity."
"We cannot let the hacker get away with such an aggressive act! We will follow the trail and find them! Be assured!""Agreed." says Aegis-9 in response to Raia's outburst. "However, if I understand Historia-7's request correctly, then we are not being asked to catch a hacker, but to aid one." [/b]
“Dear, Aegis-9, I understood the briefing correctly. We ... again ... we ... are to decide what happens to the hackers after we retrieved the data and I will let the laws of this station decide what happens to them! But first we have to apprehend them for the good of the Starfinder Society and Absolom station!”
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Historia-7 simply smiles at Aegis-9, as she explains, "Were things different for the Starfinder Society, I might agree with you. However, modern times require modern methods, and I am concerned that individuals or corporations might not be as... forthcoming... with information about the Scoured Stars incident as they should be. Sometimes we need to go to extraordinary measures to save our companions, and this may be one of them.
"Aegis-9, if you have qualms about this mission, you are free to sit this one out. However, it may put your companions here at risk."
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Listening to Raia and Historia-7, the android concedes, "Despite my concerns, far be it from me to place the lives of any of my companions at risk "
Aegis-9 then affirms his devotion to justice, "Let us see what this hacker has done. And if it be for ill, then I also will see to it that justice is done."
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The coordinates that Historia-7 gives you points to an apartment that resembles a cement cube, with several tomato plants in plastic barrels sitting on an otherwise barren porch. Boxes of nutrient broth, gardening tools, and various cultural knickknacks clutter the floor of the flat, leaving barely any room for visitors to sit down.
Out front, hand-pollinating the plants, is a young human man.
"Let us approach with stealth and diplomacy. I would suggest to first check out the exits to the building with stealth and split the party to patrol the exits. Then our face approaches the young man to find out what he knows." Raia says over the comlink.
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"I am generally reluctant to split the party as I believe that one of the Starfinders' strength is in its numbers." cautions Aegis-9 over the commlink.
"However, I also realize that a party is only as stealthy as its most conspicuous member." the android continues, eying his own bulky frame and that of the vesk. "And, as there are multiple avenues of exit, I agree that your proposed strategy is, indeed, viable. How do you all suggest that we best approach this young man tending the plants?"
Raia moves around the house and stands in position to capture somebody that exits through a window.
Raia is slightly surprised as she believed to be very stealthy. But such a polite man that asks if he can help deserves and answer.
"Yes, you can help indeed. We are looking for a computer specialist that is supposed to live here who can help us with a problem that we need to solve. Do you know who that might be?"