GM Tyranius Live Exploration Extreme (Tier 1-4) (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

"Stiehle, I've got a serum if you need one."

-----

Eevee looks at the dwarves, she digs deep in her brain for some context of what's going on here Culture: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15. She tries to converse with them in Common, Akitonian, Castrovelian, and Eoxian. If none of that works, she tries to pantomime friendship.

"Anyone have a translator or spell by chance?"

Culture: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Taeon tries to decypher the language the dwarves are using. Then he tries some dwarven phrases he knows in Shirren, Castrovelian, and Akitonian. "We're explorers. Do you live here?"

Culture: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Ash waits trying to decipher what the woman said.

Stiehle glances up at Eevee. "Taeon's hurt, and Ash looks like he's still suffering a bit from that last encounter. I'd like for us to be at full strength before..." Then the dwarves appear and the operative rises slowly to his feet, his eyes locked on the female speaker. They don't seem hostile yet, and weren't dwarves and goblins enemies in the old stories?

Some of the others try a few languages, and Stiehle does as well, hoping to find common ground between their group and the dwarves before the situation gets tense. Hearing Taeon and Eevee using some familiar words, the operative tries others as well, including Aklo and Vercite, then a few of the others more common to the other Pact World races like Ysoki, Vesk and Kasatha.

If all else fails, he tries to use non-verbal communication in conjunction with the others to convey their peaceful intentions.

Culture Check DRR: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

At this, the eyes of the lead dwarf light up. "Com-mon," she breathes, drawing out the word. "Et merkelig utvalg, men også guddommelige budbringer? Critical error!" The last two words are accentuated with a deep bow. Her voice also changes dramatically for them, as if trying to imitate a robot.

She says something to the dwarves, who, already growing less wary, stow their picks and crossbows. She herself returns a large axe to her back, then starts speaking in a bunch of languages. Most of it is gibberish, but Aklo seems to do the trick.

Some of the dwarves in the back suspiciously eye the undead camera crew. "Do you understand me now?"

"Loud and clear friends! How do you come to this place? What language is it you speak normally?"

Zoey is a bit confused by the dwarf, with the bump on her head not really helping. She doesn't understand a word the dwarf says, but she knows all about being cute and friendly using body language.

When the dwarf utters some words of common, Zoey bows back and replies, cheerfully, with the opening sample of a popular song Please hold the line! A customer representative will be with you shortly!

While Eevee does the talking, Zoey stands back humming a song, rocking gently.

I must let you know - A sign for you, a signal for you
No reaction shows - A sign for you, am I coming through?

I'm winking, I'm hinting
For all to be seen
It is all of no use
Am I at all on your screen?

Are you reading me clearly, seeing me clearly?
Over, over, over, over!
Showing a signal, sending a signal
Copy, copy, copy, copy!

Lima and Oskar, Viktor and static...
Can't you send me an Echo?

If needed, Stiehle translates Eevee's question to Aklo. He gives Zoey a sidelong glance and wonders if she is suffering effects from the fall, but doesn't translate her song.

Not sure if the female dwarf is now speaking Common or Aklo? If the latter, he will translate, if nobody else speaks the language.

She is speaking Aklo. I am just assuming that you all are translating back and forth to save time with PbP of waiting for a specific character to actually translate if that makes sense.

The dwarves seem incredibly confused as Zoey begins to sing and dance around. Stiehle does the translation back and forth as he proves to be a decent diplomat.

How do you come to this place? What language is it you speak normally?

“We have always lived below ground, but a generation ago my ancestors answered Torag’s summons—a tremor that called on our people to seek what lies above in the Quest for Sky. There we shall do our god’s will on Golarion’s surface.”

Now, this doozy of an answer has the potential to leave everyone dumbfounded. These dwarves don't seem to have gotten the memo that Golarion disappeared 318 years ago. Where it once was now lies Absalom Station, as everyone knows. After getting over the shock, Wazasha grins, sensing the plot thicken.

"By the way, I am Ylga Tulgarst, daughter of Ulfrodi. I speak for the Marblehearts. Do you have names? I speak Aklo, Celestial, Draconic, Dwarven, Orc, and Terran."

Continuing to speak in Aklo, the operative responds. "I am Stiehle Darkwing, of the Starfinders Society, as are the rest of my companions." He introduces each of them in turn, advising the others in Common of the languages spoken by Ylga. If he remains the only one to speak with the dwarf, he gladly acts as translator for any questions posed by the others.

For the moment though, he has a couple questions of his own. "We encountered goblins a short time ago, have you had dealings with them?" Stiehle asks curiously. He also asks for more details about this tremor that occurred a generation past and their own recent history. "Did you ever learn of what caused it? Or at least where it originated? Have you uh... have you been to the surface yet?" The operative is hesitant to break the news that they aren't on Golarion anymore, but rather a small, apparently artificial moon of some kind. He isn't sure how they'll react to such a revelation, or even if they'd believe it if he told them.

Eevee, not much for discourse is fascinated by all this.

Diamond Blue remains silent, curiously examining the group of dwarves

Wow, this scenario really manages to hit all the blind spots in Zoey's skillset :-)

Zoey makes sure she blows a kiss at Stiehle when she notices him glancing her way. She's singing softly only, so as to not be too disturbing, and when the words of the dwarf are translated, she introduces herself (in common) with a deep bow.

Hello, I am bright and sparkling Zoey. I speak Common and Akitonian. I don't know about Torag, I'm with AbadarCorp Entertainment.

She then adds innocently the sky is really nice, but wait till you see the drift!

Have you uh... have you been to the surface yet?

Ylga explains further. "The Marbleheart clan is large, but we split into smaller groups to seek the surface more than a century ago, from a time before my memories. I now lead a band of 43 dwarves, though we are down to 29 after the orcs and earthquakes returned."

"We encountered goblins a short time ago, have you had dealings with them?"

The dwarf looks confused, despite being able to understand the phrase. "Goblins? I'm not sure about that turn of phrase. No one lives here but the Marbleheart clan - that is, us - and the orcs. The orcs fought us for centuries, but they fled upward long ago. I heard stories of their towering forms, green skin, and rage as a child, but we only saw them for the first time a few hundred forge-days ago. They are shorter than I imagined, but just as cruel. Also, they jabber in a language unknown to us, even though I learned the orc language as part of my warrior training.”

He also asks for more details about this tremor that occurred a generation past and their own recent history. "Did you ever learn of what caused it?

“Yes, there have always been tremors. They have just become stronger of late. Sometimes cave ceilings collapse, burying bystanders but opening up new passages.”

With a Culture modifier of +10, I auto-succeed on that check.

Stiehle frowns as he translates her words. "That's about a year ago." He calculates roughly, speaking in Common. "They are seeking a way to the surface, but I don't think they know the true situation up there. I'm afraid it will be... upsetting for them to realize the truth of what's happening, but it would be a crime to keep them in the dark as well. Quite literally. I am certain that the Pact Worlds would be happy to bring the Marbleheart clan into the fold, teaching them the truth about what's out there."

Turning back to Ylga, he asks in Aklo. "Did this area just become accessible to your band? Because of a tremor opening up a new passage? The path to the surface lies behind us. But you must prepare yourselves for what you will find up there." He warns.

Will give a small bit for others to ask any questions they want before pushing on.

Culture: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Ash has nothing to say, but he listen with all his ears! Encountering a "savage" people in a forsaken moon was strange enough.

Can you asks about the Gap? Did they know something about it! he asks Stiehle

Eevee waves her hand to indicate that this isn't an area she's confident in. "I can tell that there's something more to this story. I admit, the tremors pique my interest though."

Stiehle nods at Ash's query, intrigued by the idea, and asks the dwarf how far back her clan's records go, trying to determine if they might pre-date the Gap without referring to the event by name, since it likely would mean nothing to these people. He also tries to get a better idea of how long ago the tremors occurred, if there is any pattern to them, or any other clues before turning back to the others and translating any responses he might have gathered.

"I can think of little more to ask them. We should press on, and be wary of these orcs - or whatever they are. I suspect they might not be orcs as these dwarves know them, as their physical appearance is not quite right, and they apparently do not speak the correct language."

GM, what choices do we have as far as moving onward?

In response to Eevee, the operative answers. "The goblins are obviously up to something, these tremors that the dwarves are reporting must be results of the explosions that we just saw down there." Stiehle points back the way they'd come. "Maybe they're looking for something in particular, or just enjoying the destruction they cause. Who can tell?"

"Orcs? You mean goblins?" Taeon calls for one of the undead crew to play back parts of the last fight. "Those little ones?"

You were good to move onward Stiehle. I was just giving a small chance for others to ask questions in the discussion if they wanted.

"Did this area just become accessible to your band? Because of a tremor opening up a new passage?

"Yes, we heard the tremor and came to investigate the new passage."

Can you asks about the Gap?

The dwarves all look confused and begin muttering. "But we are here. On Golarian. Our records go back to the beginning." She points to her head as if that contained the records.

"Orcs? You mean goblins?" Taeon calls for one of the undead crew to play back parts of the last fight. "Those little ones?"

"Yes, exactly so!" Ylga responds as Taeon describes the so-called orcs. "Our tales and few pictures make them out to be much taller and more burly. Perhaps something on the surface changed them, do you know?"

"Please, come to our camp," she adds without waiting for a response. Wazasha nods excitedly at this prospect. She whispers to Zoey. "Now is a good time for the booth" the ghast notes quietly. The large robot rolls forward, ready to shine. "Zoey, if you'd join me there? And how about you, Miss...Ylga?" Despite coaxing and translation, Ylga will not enter the booth. All four dwarves seem a bit leery of the undead, but not outright hostile.

Zoey turns on one foot as her name is called, and forgetting the situation, she answer Sure! when she is asked to enter the booth.

Stiehle nods distractedly, trying to figure out what's going on here. It seems that these dwarves have mistaken the goblins for their ancient enemy, despite the obvious differences between the two species. Did something happen to the orcs that left for the surface so long ago? Are these dwarves the only survivors on this rock - other than the goblins that are apparently invading and blowing up sections of the asteroid for their own reasons?

Still thinking on these questions, the operative motions for Ylga to lead the way, following behind her.

Zoey watches as the producer plays around on her comm unit. A sparkling heart and soundbyte plays as Zoey blows a kiss to the screen leaving the booth behind. Several hundred likes begin to float across the screen.

Once she exits the booth with Wazasha, the team departs, following the dwarves. After an hour or so of boring trek, the unlikely company reaches a larger clearing. In it lies a dozen stone buildings, rough but complete with reinforced doors and arrow slits. One of them, which looks similar to a squat church, has a massive boulder smashed over the front. A hole in the ceiling suggests it came down, and recently.

A large gathering of dwarves is trying to shift the rock, but scurry over upon Ylga's return. They have a long conversation, in which the new party pays you little mind. The leader turns back to you, looking concerned. "A cave-in occurred while I was away. That boulder has trapped our high priest, Holsin Nolskrit, in the Temple of Torag. If you truly mean well, help us now."

"You could try to assist in shifting the boulder, or-" Instantly after translation, Wazasha is tapping at her datapad, creating a poll. She does her job well. "-My comrades said the fissure created some crawlspace. Given the proximity, there's likely a way into the temple. You might be able to squeeze through. It'd be uncomfortable-" the votes for the latter option shoot up, "-and filled with an odd viscous fluid." Again the votes jump that way.

Wazasha smiles knowingly as she shows a graph of the results, which of course favor slogging through the crevice. By a heavy margin. "You don't have to follow the votes," she consoles. "But in that case, you'd do well to put on a show."

Which would you rather do? If you wish to push the boulder, you'll also have to make social checks indicative of your stage persona, or the fans will get angry with you.

I don't play. I vote for pushing the boulder, it's the most efficient way to help.

Says Ash.

Eevee once again grabs the camera for a close up, "Cooperate!
Isn't that in our mandate?" She then slinks over to the other dwarves, pantomiming a body builder flexing muscles, then motioning to push the boulder. She gives them a big smile and goes to help. Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

Stiehle suspects he will be of little use in moving the boulder physically, as the dwarves seem much stronger than he. Perhaps Ash can help tilt the balance, but the operative figures it wouldn't hurt to look at the alternative.

"If the dwarven team has been unable to move it physically, this fissure might be our best bet." Stiehle suggests to the others. However, if the others are keen on trying to move the boulder, he'll help as best he can.

My STR is only +0, so I won't be of much use there. I can use my Bluff again to put on my backwoods persona and maybe spin some yarn of when I was in a similar circumstance to maybe win audience favor for the decision. That said, I'm for checking out the fissure, but will go with the majority decision.

@GM can we try to make something to help the dwarf moving the boulder with an Engineering check? Like in a A-Team episode?

Ooh! I call Murdock! I can get a whole split personality thing going and maybe get locked up in a sanitarium, brought out only when the Starfinders need my services. Or if we want to make it more exciting the team will have to break me out at the start of each adventure! :)

I don't like to fly!

I don't like to fly!

It's okay. Here, drink this milk.

Zoey puts on a child-like voice and pleads to Diamond Blue with exaggerated, drawn-out syllables: Mister Android, will you push that boulder for me? I don't want my dress to get dirty. You look really strong, will you do that for me? Please?

She adds some big round eyes to the mix, trying to draw attention away from the fact that she is, in reality, wearing a spacesuit.

Diplomacy, Take 10: 10 + 8 = 18

@Ash- You can most certainly use engineering and get creative like the A-Team. Go all out :).

The group begins to push on the boulder as the negative comments and votes begin to roll in through the comments section. The infosphere trolls really seem to come out of the woodwork as they become demeaning and hateful.

Zoey and Eevee work on calming the hoard, saving only themselves a bit of fan favor as the rest of the fans shift focus to the others.

Everyone else can also perform a skill check that reflects your persona to present an endearing reason to ignore the vote.

Watching the pair speaking to the strange camera-device causes them confusion as they motion for help and assistance.

To push the rock you need to succeed at 3 of the following checks.
(Athletics)- Push the rock out of the way.
(Diplomacy or Intimidate)- Rally the other dwarves as a team.
(Engineering or Survival)- assemble scavenged material to help grant a mechanical advantage in moving the rock
(Perception or Physical Science)- identify weaknesses in the stone to break it apart.
(Profession checks, such as architect, miner, or orator)

Eevee - safe fan favor
Diamond
Taeon
Ash
Zoey - safe fan favor
Stiehle

Stiehle goes to help the dwarves move the boulder, and when the camera comes close, Stiehle speaks in the drawl that he reserves for his other personality - apparently his 'true self' when he's not acting in his official capacity has a Starfinder. At least, that's what he's trying to pull off...

"Well heck, ya see what we got here is a grim situation where the most direct route into the trapped building is what's required. Ya see, some folk might think that shimmyin' through that crevice is the best way to go about this rescue op, but what happens when ya get inside an' the dwarf priest is too big to get back out the same way? Then yer stuck bad, an' maybe the fella's dyin' and there's no time left to move that boulder before he kicks off! Yep, reminds me of this time back in Akiton when the Fireforge Number Three collapsed, trappin' a passel o' miners back in an area that was not only unstable, but also slowly fillin' up with toxic gas..." The operative launches into a story to hopefully sate the desires of the angry, unseen audience and the unhealthy, greedy look in the eyes of Wazasha. What is it with these entertainment-starved people hoping to witness disaster and death? He thinks cynically.

Athletics Check DRR: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Ha! OK, I posted about a minute after your post GM, and saw what skill checks were needed. Figure my text up there is flavor for the audience, but he'll help with the actual skill checks to move the boulder rather than do a Bluff check to gain fan favor. I misunderstood what you were looking for until after I posted and then saw your request for skill checks

After re-reading your post, it appears we can make a skill check to try and mitigate the fan hate? If so, and if Stiehle can go ahead and make the Athletics check above, here is the Bluff check I'd been intending to make with my yarn-spinnin' above. :)

Bluff Check DRR: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Alas, it appears that didn't go as well as intended...

Is it either the fan favor check or the skill check for helping? So if you're placating the crowd you can't help with the boulder?

More used to organize engineering operations than crawling for the pleasure of some dumb audience, Ash start giving orders to build something to help moving the boulder with some makeshift material of his choosing.

Engineering: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

He shows his organizing talent and his ruff personality.

@GM Is my "perform" could be an Initmidate check?

@Taeon. Nope you do both. Spend a short moment mitigating fan hate for choosing against their vote and then helping the dwarves. Or you can choose not to and lose Fan Favor.

@Ash- Yup a skill check that matches your persona. More than likely something charisma based but as long as it matches your character persona it will be good.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Ash shows his personality, giving orders as if in operation, taking charge of things.

"Eevee is right! One of our mantras as Starfinders is to cooperate with each other. Now, what better way to see that than for us to work together with these dwarves to save their chapel? Can we do it? Will we think of a genius way of moving the boulder? This will be a battle of wills versus physics!" He tries to play up the drama.

The Doctor turns back to the dwarves. "But don't just stand there! Help us! You want to save your priest? Get moving, now!"

Bluff (fans): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Intimidate (dwarves): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Diamon sees one of the cameras focusing on him from the corner of his eye - ”Leave me alone” - he growls not too loud - ”you think this is easy? Try do something productive with your lives instead of just sitting on your fat asses playing with the fate of real people. Do something with your lives instead of living it through others and let us do what we know best!”

Intimidate (fans): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7

”And you “Rocket Girl”, there are more useful ways to help than using your muscles” - he adds answering to Chloe. The Android then proceeds to gather some material to move the rock.

engineering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Everyone seems to save face with the fans, except for Diamond and Stiehle. The Android and Human attempt to bluff past their intelligence, treating them as if they wouldn't notice and the group quickly begins to focus all of their hate and discontent into the men. -1 Fan Favor.

As the hateful comments roll in Taeon and the group focuses on getting the boulder out of the way.

Diamond and Ash begin to work on a device that can be placed just underneath the rubble. Placed in such a way that it will give the group a bit more leverage to move the stone.

Taeon snaps and the dwarves immediately move into position and help push. Little by little the boulder is pushed, just enough out of the way to get through and enter the temple. The dwarves give a small cheer as they fist pump the air.

The clan’s temple befits its community: small, practical, and enduring. Its hall of worship bears several lovingly carved likenesses of dwarves performing great deeds of forging and warfare, though much of the room’s surfaces are bare. An archaic forge lies to one side, and the temple also includes a dormitory for its priest and several multipurpose rooms with large niches for storing supplies. The fissure has destroyed a third storage room, partially collapsing it.

The community’s chief priest of Torag, Holsin Nolskrit, is trapped in the entrance, where a fallen chunk of the room’s supporting arch has pinned him to the ground. Holsin became the clan’s priest several decades ago.

The fluids that have filled the nearby fissure have leaked from the massive mechanisms that gradually break apart the “lowest” portions of the simulation’s Darklands, manufacture new tunnels “above,” and shift the entire system to make room. Altogether, the process functions much like a huge conveyor belt, constantly creating new areas for the dwarves to explore as they migrate upward in their simulated Quest for Sky. The latest tremor burst several of the pipes, leaking tons of lubricant and coolant. This included several globules of autonomous fluid programmed to seek out leaks and saboteurs to remove them. Several of these have slithered into the temple, where they have begun sealing the leaks and are preparing to turn on Holsin next.

The dwarf reaches out, speaking in a strange foreign language. Though the motion can only be identified as a common sign for help.

Round 1
Stiehle
Diamond
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Ooze
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Eevee
Ash (SP 4/7; HP 8/11; RP 3/4)
Taeon (SP 8/10; HP 9/16; RP 3/4)
Zoey (SP 3/6; HP 10/10; RP 4/4)

With fast reflexes, Diamond takes his weapon and shoots the ooze nearer to the dwarf

laser rifle azimuth vs. Red Ooze: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
fire damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Stiehle calls out to the dwarven work crew in Aklo. "Help the priest free himself! We will cover you!" Diving toward a position near the trapped dwarf, the operative draws his energy pistol and fires at the nearest 'blob'. In the split second he has to make a decision, Stiehle opts for the energy weapon, deciding that it might prove more effective against these oozes.

Membrane Pistol Attack DRR: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20 vs EAC [Red Ooze]
'Ghost' Trick Attack DRR: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20 vs DC 20 + CR [Red Ooze]
Pistol Damage DRR: 1d6 ⇒ 2 energy + Trick Attack: 1d4 ⇒ 1 damage

Move 30' to current location on map and shoot the red ooze using Trick Attack full-round action

Though Stiehle isn't able to trick the ooze, his membrane pistol does manage to burn away at the synthetic compound. Diamond joins in on the flank and only manages to land a shot as the slow moving ooze due to it not having time to react to the new threat.

The synthetic fluid slips across the floor, slamming into Stiehle and Taeon.

Red Slam vs Stiehle KAC 18: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Damage (B): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Green Slam vs Taeon KAC FF 13: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Damage (B): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Taeon is caught off guard as the ooze slams into his side.

Round 2
Stiehle
Diamond
--------------------------------
Ooze (Red -7)
--------------------------------
Eevee
Ash (SP 4/7; HP 8/11; RP 3/4)
Taeon (SP 2/10; HP 9/16; RP 3/4)
Zoey (SP 3/6; HP 10/10; RP 4/4)

Ash is near one of the ooze so he drops his laser free, draws his new doshko move and swift for the audience and strike at it.

Doshko: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Damages (F): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Trick attack:
Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20 for an extra DMG: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Azimuth Pistol: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 for F: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Eevee moves in for a quick trick, but fails...

Life Sciences: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Taeon tries to examine the oozes while he takes a guarded step away from the ooze attacking him. He pulls out his autopistol and fires on the one threatening the priest.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Piercing Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Hoping to learn any immunities or resistances of the oozes. Also, can Taeon determine if they have an Int of 1 or higher? That applies to his improvization.

Is there any specific mechanic behind fan favour that we should be aware of? Any actions we can perform?
---

Earlier

Zoey bursts into laughter as Diamond Blue tries to be intimidating. When she becomes the target of his ire, she reacts Ooh, Uncle DIamond, why are you being like this?

She starts to tease him a bit with a verse from her song:

Don't stress me out, you're a black hole with your worries
Your cosmic dark rays make me feel so sorry-sorry
Fly off to space - space! Don't you ever come round!
I can't trust casa-novas, or what you say with your mouth

Beep-beep-beep-beep I'm a rocket girl!
Beep-beep-beep-beep I'm a rocket girl!

While singing, she tries to rally some of the dwarves to to help out in moving the boulder. (Already succeeded, just added that for flavour)

Mind you, Zoey's singing is not full-on belting. This is just a girl who has songs stuck in her head all day, and is just dancing and humming to them.

----

Later

Zoey is caught out a bit as she fumbles for her pistol. She checks her surroundings, and seeing the dwarf being threatened, she tries to figure out a best way to help him. (Waiting for my turn)

Five.. four... three.. two... one.. And fire!
Radio check and... Here we go, ooh!
The night is bright The sky our goal
So long, oh, ooo-oh

Beep-beep-beep-beep I'm a rocket girl!
Beep-beep-beep-beep I'm a rocket girl!