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Vetch loses sight of the Necroglider as Dash tries to get better control of the coil gun but can't seem to as Kcectic jerks the ship all around.
Kcectic finally gains the upper hand as he outmaneuvers the agile necroglider.
Captain (Soryn)-May act on any Phase
Engineering Phase (Abe)
Helm Phase (Kcectic- pilot)- Rnd 3 -26
Gunnery Phase (Dash-turret / Vetch-Fwd)
Hippocampus (Starboard shield -4)
Necroglider Stiletto (+2 AC/TL | Fwd Shield Down | -4 HP )
Kcectic steers the ship in a tight circle right around the nose of the necroglider, circling entirely around it and pulling their weapons up, point blank at the exposed forward section of the enemy ship.
"Shoot now while their shields are down!"
+2 AC/TL
Dash swings the turret around again, but his aim is not improving. His only consolation is that Vetch hasn't landed another shot.
"Oh, c'mon!!"
Abe quickly shifts to the Science Officer chair
He tries to rebalance the shields to protect their nearly open starboard flank. He calls on the computer to help him as the bonuses have been going unused by the rest of the party.
(computer) vs DC 17
"The shields are balanced to protect our ship Kcectic, Vetch, take him out!"
- - -
Round 3
Vetch tries again to blast the bad ship out of the...uh...'sky'.
to hit; (piloting,dex)
damage
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Soryn helps Vetch line up a shot with a bit of inspiration as Kcectic spins the ship around in a circle until the pair face each other at point blank range. Though his words of encouragement ring true, it is just not enough to get Vetch's attack to pierce the shields.
Abe rushes over to the the science bay and sets to re-balancing the shields all around the ship as power flickers.
Dash and Vetch both can't seem to land a shot as they weren't expecting the Stilleto to be so close.
At so close range the Hippocampus' forward shields flicker out as the enemies gyro laser distrupts them and burns a small hole in the shuttle's hull.
Setting it's thrusters in reverse the necroglider jets backwards,keeping the shuttle within sight.
Captain (Soryn)-May act on any Phase
Engineering Phase
Helm Phase (Kcectic- pilot / Abe- Science Officer)- Rnd 4 -27
Gunnery Phase (Dash-turret / Vetch-Fwd)
Hippocampus (+2 AC/TL | Shields; Starboard -1 | Fwd down | Port -1 | Aft -1 | HP -2)
Necroglider Stiletto (Fwd Shield Down | -4 HP )
Dash finds his shot lined up almost perfectly as the necroglider backs off.
"Keep it steady Kcectic... keep it steady..."
Dash squeezes the trigger and the coilgun flashes in the darkness of space.
Kcectic follows the retreating glider.
"Stay on target Dash! Abe I'm following them, keep an eye on the starboard shields and bring the forward ones up if you can."
He keeps evasive maneuvers up while trailing their target.
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Abe tries to shift the shields again, but this time he simply switches the aft shields to forward. ”Watch our rear there Kcectic, it’s exposed for now to protect our front!”
He again uses the computer because no one else is, even though it cost us a hit. He eyes Vetch frustratingly but says nothing, hoping his gamble will pay off...
(computer) vs DC 17
He shouldn't know that our aft is exposed. Likewise, we don't know for sure that his front shields are still gone - though we can find it likely as there's only the pilot and he's shooting back and flying.
GM Tyranius, is that your understanding as well?
- - -
Round 4
Vetch tries again to blast the enemy, trying to keep his aim despite the evasive maneuvers by the pilot.
to hit; (piloting,dex)
damage
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Soryn pushes Vetch to his limits, which seems to cause the Ysoki to perform.
While Kcectic follows the bony necroglider move for move Abe is able to re-position the shields so that the forward section is not left wide open to attack.
Dash and Vetch pull it out in a clench though. As the necroglider was put on the defensive it wasn't able to perform evasive measures and feels the wraith of the shuttles cannons.
The laser cannon and coilgun wreck havok across the necrogliders consoles as plating is torn away. From a short distance you are able to see several sparks flying from the interior's computers.
The necroglider's gyro laser continues to hold the weapon system steady as it further damages the shuttles forward shields and leaving scorch marks on the side of the vessel.
Captain (Soryn)-May act on any Phase
Engineering Phase
Helm Phase (Kcectic- pilot / Abe- Science Officer)
Gunnery Phase (Dash-turret / Vetch-Fwd)
Hippocampus (| Shields; Starboard -1 | Fwd Gone | Port -1 | Aft -4 | HP -3)
Necroglider Stiletto (Fwd Shield Down | -20 HP | Glitching (-2)- Engines (Pilot); Weapons Fwd; Life Support (Captain) )
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Kcectic keeps up evasive maneuvers as he circles around behind the stiletto.
"Good shots! A few more like that and we'll be done."
Worried about their shield situation Kcetic keeps close to the enemy ship trying not to expose their more vulnerable areas.
Abe worries, ”We’re running out of shields!” He shifts the port shields to the front, or tries to…
vs DC 17
"Try to trick him into attacking our Starboard Kcectic as he did before. Forward shields and aft shields are down!"
Activating the computer's targeting protocols, Dash keeps pulling the trigger. Unfortunately, his timing is way off.
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Soryn isn't able to connect with Vetch as the Ysoki isn't able to hear over Dash's coilgun firing round after round.
Kcectic gets back to the evasive maneuvers, but Abe isn't able to adjust the shields in time as the Necroglider swings around turning and burning, even with the engines glitching out.
Dash misses his coilgun as the agile necroglider flips throughout space and Vetch is left without a shot.
The necroglider fires back as the gyro laser remains ever steady in the flight.
The Stiletto simply gets luck as sparks fly from the laser, causing it to jerk on it's base, striking a lucky blow against the starboard side of the Shuttle.
Though the starboard takes a small beating it still remains intact, though barely.
Trying to read Kcectic's piloting the necroglider moves in for the kill.
Captain (Soryn)-May act on any Phase
Engineering Phase
Helm Phase (Kcectic- pilot / Abe- Science Officer)
Gunnery Phase (Dash-turret / Vetch-Fwd)
Hippocampus (| Shields; Starboard 1/5 | Fwd 0/5 | Port 4/5 | Aft 1/5 | HP -3)
Necroglider Stiletto (Fwd Shield Down | -20 HP | Glitching (-2)- Engines (Pilot); Weapons Fwd; Life Support (Captain) )
Kcetic swears telepathically to everyone as the damaged ship still manages to lock on to their position. When the stiletto appears in front of them he actually turns on the forward thrusters and moves directly into the enemy ships space.
"I'm giving you an opening Vetch!" He broadcasts, though there's an undercurrent of uncertainty in his "voice".
Kcectic manages to narrowly fly beneath the necroglider, positioning the forward gun for a brief shot at the enemies exposed front before flying passed and pulling up ahead of it, starboard side facing it's gyro laser and giving Dash an opening as well.
Round 5
"Roger!Roger!" Vetch tries again to blast the bad ship.
to hit; (piloting,dex)
damage
"Stupid computer!" Dash blames one of his distant cousins for his missed shot, and gives it a good smack to get it to do better. Somehow, it works and he gets a brief target lock.
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Kcectic feints the necroglider's pilot as he sets in for the kill and performs a flyby attack, allowing dash and Vetch to disable the undead vessel.
The necroglider continues to limp through space as it rushes towards the Drift Rock, crashing into its surface. A small cloud of dust rises from the surface.
The battle took place beyond the range of Absalom Station’s automated defenses, and any Steward ships currently on patrol were too distant to reach you in time.
With no more enemies rushing from the Armada you are now free to head to the Acreon undisturbed. The Acreon is an old prospecting and mining ship that has seen years of hard use in the asteroid fields and hard vacuum of the Pact Worlds and beyond. It’s a boxy and ungainly ship, and its patched and repatched outer hull bears the scars of countless micrometeorite impacts and is faded from exposure to the radiation of space. The Acreon floats alone in space, far from Absalom Station, its only companion the misshapen asteroid called the Drift Rock (see area D), which is tethered behind the ship on long tow cables. The Acreon’s transponder broadcasts a repeating message that the ship is under quarantine by order of Absalom Station security, warning away any curious onlookers and would be explorers.
It looks as if you can dock the Hippocampus with the Acreon directly or park the shuttle nearby in a matching orbit and spacewalk to the quarantined ship. You are able to gain entry through any one of the Acreon’s three airlocks. Emergency lighting within flickers on an d off with the minimal power.
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Abe scans the ship and drift rock from the safety of their shuttle.
He considers what he knows.
"The ship is smaller than I imagined, only a medium transport for a crew of 6. I can't get a lock on any lifesigns though, so there may yet be survivors. That said, the aft airlock is open to vacuum, so unless there's an internal bulkhead, they're cooked. Powercore is ticking over so we'll have gravity and life support once we close that rear airlock."
He turns his attention to the Drift Rock and continues, "Well, uh." he bangs on the console a couple times, "Well, our equipment seems to be functioning OK, but I can't get a reading on the rock. There's some metal, no atmosphere, but that's it. I think the rock itself might be interfering with the sensor readings, which in itself is kinda cool."
He concentrates as their ship circles the rock. "Hey, check that out. Kcectic, bring us around a bit won't you?" he points to the side of the rock, which seems to be sheared cleanly off - as if it was once a part of a larger planetoid or celestial body.
"That in itself is also cool, but take a look at the surface of the rock as well. No pitting. No impact craters. It's as if the thing has been protected from the ravages of space for millions of years. Interesting right?"
Abe can't help be be excited. He wants to get down to the rock and check it out for himself, but first things first.
"Let's dock at the aft airlock and get the life support in good order, that'll make everything else easier I think."
He zips up his suit, checks his gear, makes sure he's loaded and ready, and gets Messalina in the air.
"...take a look at the surface of the rock as well. No pitting. No impact craters. It's as if the thing has been protected from the ravages of space for millions of years. Interesting right?"
Dash checks Abe's homework, nodding in agreement with all but one thing.
"No way to tell when that surface was sheared off. Or how. Or by who..."
Dash lets that hang for a beat, then shrugs. "Guess we'll just have to get a closer look after we loot, I mean explore, the Acreon."
As Kcectic guides the Hippocampus in to dock, he reflects for a few moments on his present situation. He joined the Starfinders because they were hiring. He expected to be stuffed in a library somewhere doing research, taking a modest paycheck. He didn't expect it would lead to an adventure like this and a mystery of galactic proportions.
The excitement had ignited some of the old passion he had as a younger android. Adrenaline nanites in his synthetic blood were awakening reflexes long dormant. Old memories, buried deep in his neuralware for the last century, were starting to surface.
With a laugh he smacks Vetch and Soryn on the arms and heads toward the airlock.
"Let's go search this b!tch!"
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Kcectic docks the Hippocampus alongside the aft airlock of the Acreon. Setting the locks in place the group dons their suits for the hazardous environment. most of your suits will only protect you for a single day.
The airlocks are mostly identical, though the auxiliary aft airlock (area C1a) is crammed between the ship’s main thrusters and is therefore smaller than the two main airlocks.
Flickering emergency lights do little to dispel the darkness inside the derelict ship, and the sense of abandonment is only heightened by the apparent lack of any movement or life inside its airless corridors. Artificial gravity is still functional, however, so there’s likely still power to run essential systems and possibly restore life support and atmosphere to the ship. Unfortunately, there are still no obvious clues as to the fate of the Acreon’s vanished crew.
If you so desire, you can easily close the aft airlock using the controls in any of the airlocks or on the bridge, though they’ll need to go to the bridge to repressurize the ship with a breathable atmosphere, a process which takes a few minutes. In addition, tow cables are attached to the ship’s hull near the aft airlock, mooring the Drift Rock to the Acreon.
In dim light, you can somewhat make out shapes, but
you can’t see precise details well at all. Dim light includes
moonlight outside at night and bright starlight, or a starship’s
emergency backup lights. An area just beyond the range of
a light source has dim light. Creatures within an area of dim
light have concealment (20% miss chance; see page 253)
from creatures without darkvision or the ability to see in
darkness. Because dim light is not ideal for observation, if
you’re in an area of dim light, you can attempt a Stealth check
to conceal yourself from creatures without low-light vision,
darkvision, or blindsight. Dim light does not affect creatures
with low-light vision, which can see in dim light as if it were
normal light.
"I dig the mood lightning." Dash transmits over the comm. "Let's make for the bridge so you guys can breathe."
Vetch thinks about the situation and the best way to proceed, trying to find fault or fruition in Dash's words.
"I think we need to establish life support systems first, like Dash suggests."
Vetch gears up to enter the vessel.
As his maneuver works Kcectic lets out loud buzzing noise from between his mandibles, the Shirren equivalent of "Woohooo!".
Not having anything handy to assess the Drift Rock or the Acreon, Kcectic just pulls the ship into dock and as they prepare to move from ship to ship he activates his armors environmental controls.
Not knowing what to prepare for, Kcectic attempts to sense any vibrations in range that may be from any humanoids before nodding to Soryn or anyone else who intends to step onto the ship first.
Abe flips down his infrared sensors even as he instructs Messalina to dig out her flashlight and turn it on (I knew those extra arms would come in handy!).
Remember too, comms have a 15' flashlight .
He replies through the comm, "I agree, let's head to the bridge first and get things more ship-shape for our comfort. Can we lock the door to our ship so no one gets in and takes it away?" he worries a little about who, or what, might be here, lurking in the dimness.
Vetch, with low light vision, is happy to scamper in and scout once he is sure his armor can support life for a while.
When the party is ready, Vetch will take a look as he limps in, trying to be quiet. He limps, but does not bang his walking stick into the ground as he does.
Perception
Stealth
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Listening to the doors leading into the ship, Kcectic's antennae twitch as he feels for the most minuscule vibrations. The slightest tremor happens and Kcectic feels vibrations from something moving around in the room just on the otherside of the door.
Vetch and Abe both hear the sound of a small, dull thud of something metal striking the floor followed by an otherworldly growl.
Abe says through the comm, "Guys, we're not alone here. Something growled."
If he hadn't already, he now takes out his laser rifle and double checks the ammo on Messalina. When the group is ready, he'll open the door.
Vetch draws his pistol, but not before hiding , as the door opens.
"Yes, I can feel it moving." Kcectic agrees, drawing his own pistol as well. "It seems like it may already know we are here."
Dash steps away from the door. "I'm not sure whether to be impressed or terrified of something can f@#%ing growl in a vacuum. Abe, how about we send the drone in first?"
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Surrounded by machinery, this long chamber stretches across the width of the ship. All of the Acreon’s main engineering functions can be operated from this room, which also contains a tech workshop expansion bay. The ship’s power core can be accessed through maintenance panels in the forward wall.
As the door slides open two sets of bright yellow eyes glow out from the flickering darkness. A pair of hairless blue lions with twin tentacular tails twitch. Dozens more thick tentacles quiver and twitch where their manes should be.
the creatures hunker down, ready to pounce as they bear rows of sharp teeth with a throat as black as the void of space.
besides the airlocks doors you quickly notice that all interior doors, unless otherwise noted, are stuck open. They look to be able to be closed manually as they still function, just simply low on power requirements.
Kcectic
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Monsters (DC 11 Life science)
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Abe
Vetch
Soryn
Dash
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Soryn recognizes these creatures as Akatas. Soryn recalls that they are susceptible to salt water.
Terrifying predators that dwell in the vast void of space, akatas make their homes on asteroids, comets, and dying planets, hibernating in cocoons for countless centuries. When a meteorite carrying an akata colony crashes onto a planet or another astronomical object that can support life, the akatas awake from their cocoons to seek out suitable hosts for their young. A typical akata stands 3-1/2 feet tall and weighs 400 pounds.
Akatas reproduce by implanting their parasitic larval offspring in humanoid hosts; this infection they cause, known as void death, functions as a disease and transforms its victims into undead void zombies .
The cocoon an akata can create around itself is composed primarily of the starmetal noqual. One bulk of noqual worth 500 credits can be harvested from the remnants of an akata cocoon.
Kcectic looks at the Akatas and concentrates for a moment. He tries to remember the feeling back in the club on Absalom Station when he lashed out with his mind. He chitters quietly while his antennae twitch and suddenly he sees it again, the black void of space in his mind's eye.
Tapping into that feeling, Kcectic raises a single finger at the Akata he can see farther ahead and fires three bolts of shimmering starlight from his finger tip at the beast.
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Know (LS)
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Peeking through the darkness Kcectic releases a trio of magical missiles, through the derelict vessel and into the reddish Akata. As the orbs flitter through they momentarily light the walls of the Acreon in a ghostly glow.
The aberrations rush in, biting at Soryn as they block of the doors.
+ Void Bite
The red Akata bites into Soryn's armor plating in his forearm. he certainly wasn't expecting them to be this fast.
Kcectic (ST 12/15; HP 17/17)
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Akata (Red -10)
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Abe
Vetch
Soryn
Dash
Round: 1, Initiative: 14
Resolve: 4/4 Stamina: 14/14 HP: 16/16
Weapon Equipped = Azmuth Laser Rifle
Conditions = None
Psychokinetic Hand = 3/3
Ranged: Attack: BAB +1, Dex +2 Damage: +0 Battery: 12/20
Melee/Thrown: Attack: BAB +1, Str +0 Damage: +0
Messalina (5’ up)
EAC: 15 KAC: 15 CM: 23
HP: 20/20
Weapon Equipped = Semi-automatic pistol
Conditions = None
Ranged: Attack: BAB +2, Dex +3, Weapon Focus +1 Damage: +0 Rounds: 8/9
Melee/Thrown: Attack: BAB +2, Str -2 Damage: +0
"Don't let it bite you!" Abe calls out too late...
He takes a shot at the injured red one trying to drop it before it gets any closer!
(cover)
Messalina, on command, takes a guarded step back over Abe’s head and shoots the same one. Remember Messalina is shining a light in her arc of fire so both creatures should be well lit.
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Abe knows a bit more about these Akatas. For one he knows that they have a scent that goes some distance and are able to detect life around them. With no need to breath they are perfect predators to live in the vacuum of space. Also being immune to cold, disease, starvation and poison.
Abe recalls that Akatas are resistant to fire and that their bites 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. The disease makes the host a latent carrier. If the host dies from any cause it will quickly rise as a Void Zombie hours later.
Messilina's bullet is able to pierce the Akata's flesh, though Abe's laser doesn't seem to have any effect.
Kcectic
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Akata (Red -16)
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Abe
Vetch
Soryn (ST 12/15; HP 17/17; Need Dc 10 Fort save)
Dash
Round 1, Init 14
Vetch considers firing at the creature, but seeing that Abe's blast was less effective, reconsiders his tactics. Instead, he follows the lead of Kcectic, casting Not-Magic-Missile, sending computer cables of force at the wounded Akata.
force damage
S: 6/6 HP: 8/8 R: 4/4
EAC: 15 KAC: 16 CMD: 24
Fort: +0 Ref: +3 Will: +5
Spells cast: 1/5
Right Hand: Club
Left Hand: Pistol
Mouth: Serum of Healing, Frag Grenade
Melee: [ dice=Club]1d20-1[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=(B)]1d6[/dice] damage
Ranged: [ dice]1d20+3-4[/dice] to hit; (cover)
[ dice=(F)]1d4[/dice] damage
"Akatas! Dash blurts out upon seeing the creatures. "Well, that explains the growling." He adds, as if that nugget of useless information explains everything.
Manipulating photons in the area he arranged them in the form of two large red hounds with flaming teeth behind the akatas.
Level 1
School illusion
Casting Time 1 standard action
Range see text
Area see text
Duration see text
Saving Throw Will disbelief; Spell Resistance no
You weave nearby photons into illusory holograms that can take almost any form you can imagine. These holograms are usually effective against cameras, robots, and living creatures.
1st: When you cast holographic image as a 1st-level spell, it produces a purely visual hologram at long range (400 feet + 40 feet/level). The image has no sound, smell, texture, or temperature. The image can’t extend beyond four 10-foot cubes plus one 10-foot cube per caster level. The image lasts for as long as you concentrate. You can move the image within the limits of the size of the effect.
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Computer cables of force lurch out and shock the wounded Akata, dropping the aberration to the deck.
Dash manipulates the reality just beyond the Akata's, forming a pair of large red, flaming hounds behind the remaining Akata. Seeing a flicker the aberration turns to see what snuck up on it.
Kcectic
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Akata
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Abe
Vetch
Soryn (ST 12/15; HP 17/17; Need Dc 10 Fort save)
Dash
Seeing Soryn in trouble Kcectic forgets about his abilities for a moment and steps up beside the Lashunta, then attacks with the small battle glove he keeps on his right hand, hoping to distract the beast long enough for the others to finish it.