The last thing you remember before slamming against the bulkhead of whatever starship you were in was the warning klaxon and hurried shouts over the starship's intercom. After that, nothing. What had happened or what was said you cannot remember, but as you slowly regained consciousness and your vision began to focus you were able to make out your surroundings.
You found yourself in a small, sparsely furnished room roughly 10 feet long on each wall. The simple bed you awoke on was far from comfortable, nothing more than a metal platform attached to the wall. A heavy-looking door stood at the one end of the room, and in the opposite corner there was a small in-wall privy.
After a few moments of examining your surroundings you realized your situation... you were a prisoner, possibly in an Imperium Prison.
Suddenly the door slid open revealing a glowing force field in its place in the doorway. On the other side of the force field stood two Imperium soldiers armed with deadly pulse rifles flanking a strange three-eyed alien with a vicious grin. After a moment, you recognize the alien as a Glirik--a devious and opportunistic species that willingly allied with the Imperium and serve as their chief scientists and researchers.
As soon as the force field dropped you sprang into action, planning to rush the three individuals in hopes you would either defeat them or perish. Life as an Imperium science prisoner was rumored to be particularly gruesome, and many considered death to be preferable. You would have succeeded in your efforts if the scientist hadn't pushed a button on a handheld switch that activated the control collar you were apparently wearing. Searing pain washed through your body and you dropped to the ground, your body convulsing uncontrollably.
"Come now," the Glirik said calmly, "The Imperium has plans for your species, my friend. You don't want to ruin the Imperium's plans now, do you? You and I are going to be good friends..."[b] he said menacingly with an evil grin and glare in his three eyes. [b]”Allow me to introduce myself. I am Doctor Qua’Rhee,” he pauses, letting his name sink in, “you may have heard of me.”
The rest of that day was hazy at best. All you can recall is pain, so you assume you were tortured pretty badly that day.
After roughly two months of his torture and experimentation, you almost start to give up hope. You have discovered, however, that you aren't the sole prisoner here. There are at least four or five others, all of different species. The Imperium is gathering intelligence on these species, but for what purpose you don't know.
Then one day, everything changed. You heard what sounded like pulse rifle fire in the hallway and a thump against the door. When the door opened, there was only one guard. As you sat there on your bed staring, your eyes widened in surprise as you watched as the guard removed their helmet, revealing a female whose species you immediately recognized--a Terran! They were the Imperium's primary enemy, and no Terrans were willing members of the Imperium. As she keyed in a few codes on the door's control panel in the corridor, hope filled your heart and mind. The now inert control collar on your neck fell to the floor and the force field dissipated.
"Major Alia Rocknell, Confederacy Special Forces," the Terran stated as she stepped back, allowing you to exit the cell. As soon as you exited into the hallway, you noticed the other prisoners exiting their own cells and two bodies slumped on the floor-both presumably the guards responsible for this section of the facility. "Your belongings are in the storage room at the end of the corridor. Gear up and gather what you can. It's time to throw a wrench in the Imperium's plans," she said with mischievous smile as she turned and made her way to the opposite direction of the storage room, pulse rifle at the ready.
After gathering your gear, you were finally able to see the other prisoners. Including yourself, there was: a Marjun with fierce looking facial tattoos; a strange blue female humanoid with an icy air about her; a Nekoji with grey fur and armor befitting a Deruteian conscript; a Terran with an air of nobility and physical features that seem slightly off; and what looks like a Vukii templar armed with their signature energy sword.
Major Rocknell calls from down the hall. ”Let’s move people, we have a limited window of opportunity here!” she says as she moves to secure what looks like an elevator lift.
The pale Terran takes his gun in one hand, and sword in the other, and falls in behind Rocknell in a practiced boarding formation. He forces a smile and says to everyone, "My name is Xim, if we have half a chance of getting The Butcher, I'm taking it... I suppose I am willing to settle for just getting the frell out of here."
Slowly moving out, and heading towards the room with her gear, Faejia looks at the two guards as her fingers assume a very sharp and menacing appearance. She looks like she contemplates killing he two guards if they even still live, sh quickly shakes her head and in a glacial voice says, "Not worth the time."
She moves into the room where their gear is and slides off what meager rags they left her in, quickly sliding her armor on. She looks at Lazarus as he speaks, "I thought I saw you too Xim, it seems we lucked out, any other time and we likely wouldn't have been rescued so soon." She has some trouble getting her armor done up in the back, "Close up the back for me Xim."
After getting her gear on, she checks the charge in her pistol and then looks around at the others, "You can call me Fraejia, who are you?" Her voice sounds only slightly less frigid now than before.
Kunga stirred restlessly in his sleep. His nightmare was as real to him as the past two months of torture had been. "No. No! NO! There are four lights!" He awoke with a start, uncertain whether or not he had shouted these words in real life. Looking around the cell he was surprised to see what appeared to be a Terran woman standing in an open doorway urging him to escape. Is this really happening? He had had this dream before, too. Kunga blinked, but he could still see her standing there. He sniffed the air. She smelled human enough. Time to go! he thought, and he rushed down the corridor to arm and equip himself. He donned a tan flight suit and a backpack, strapped a gun belt to his waist, tucked a pair of tomahawks into the belt, drew an energy blaster and a semi-automatic pistol, made sure both were loaded, and joined the others at the lift.
"I am Kunga the Seeker. My tribe is originally from G'loot Praktaw, which humans designate Mars, and I am under onus to you, Major Alia Rocknell, for rescuing me."
Xim helps the Ice Queen with her armor, "Fraejia, I'm not sure we are quite rescued yet. I expect we are going to have to work for our leaving." Lazarus smiles at his own joke as the group heads to the lift.
"Thank you Xim, and I suppose you are right, how does that phrase go again, do not count your chickens before they are born? Where does that phrase even come from?" She turns and looks at the Alia, "Thank you for the assistance major, I really didn't want to spend the next thousand or so years in here."
When Kunga introduces himself, Fraejia offers her hand though after a brief pause, she realizes she still has her claws ready and shifts them back to normal, "This is the proper greeting is it not?" She will do this for each person here except Xim and it is easy to tell for those who accept that her skin is very cold, colder than most any living person could possibly be.
Chaali Thaalosso stares at the ground. All he remembers since before blacking out is being thrown into a cell containing aliens of many variations, including a fierce warrior with a face covered in tattoos, a Terran, a humanoid feline, and a blue female humanoid. He remembers The Butcher, the torture, spikes.
Suddenly, a Terran awakens him from his reverie, yelling at him to leave or get left behind. He issues a growl of sorts, HHHHHHRRRRRRRAAAAAA! that resonates throughout the cell.
He yells to his cellmates, "What are all of you sitting around for? Let's get the Hezmana out of here!"
He hurriedly gets up, rushing to the end of the corridor and get his gear, heaving a pack onto his back, clipping his energy sword to his belt, and donning his kilt.
Chaali turns to the Terran, bows, and says, "Chaali Thaalosso, at your service. I am a member of the Ordalis Templaris, and I thank you for freeing us."
Terz looks curiously at the woman, tilting his head to side quizzically, "Aren't you a little TER-an for Imperinati."
Terz realizes the collar is off and springs following his salvation. Once in the store room he quickly throws on his gear lingering on a black stone wich he throws over his head. After stashing several axes on his belt he grabs a spare rifle that everyone ignores and loads it grabing a few clips.
He turns to see the others he seems curious at Freajia greeting and mutters surprised at the cold. "Whoa cold."
When Chaali introduces himself a noticeable akwardness comes over him. I really need to get this armor painted blasted Imperium paint job. I wonder if the Templar will take offense to my armor. He looks wary, "We should move before they just gas us."
Kunga observed his fellow escapees. The furry swordsman looked familiar. He said, "Doctor Thaalosso? I believe we met once on the reservation. You were passing through giving medical aid to those in need. That is an impressive looking sword. I hope you know how to use it."
Kunga examined Fraejia's outstretched hand and remembered the classical Terran greeting. He took her hand and shook it awkwardly saying, "Yes, I believe this is the proper Terran greeting. Um, How do you do?" He was caught off-guard by the coldness of her touch. "Your skin is so cold. I have a blanket in my backpack if you need it."
Giving Kunga an odd look before she figures out what he means. Giving a laugh of amusement, "I am always like this, it is my nature. I am a mistress of cold, it does as I command, and infuses me with it's power." She holds her hand out and calls on the power of her essence, causing the moisture in the air to condense into little ice crystals and forms them into a small statue of Kunga which quickly melts away when she hands it to him. She watches it fade with a slight tear in her eye, "Sadly, I am not nearly old enough for my creations to last for long. One day though, I will be able to create wonders of cold and ice like you have never seen, and they will last as long as I will it to be so." Looking wistful, "That is a very long ways off though."
Kunga nodded to Fraejia in understanding. He replied, "Fascinating." He wanted to ask her some questions and learn more about her species, but Terz's words reminded him that time was of the essence, so for now he just let it go.
"Yes, that's me, Sir Marjun. I think I do remember you... Kunga, is it? And yes, I do believe I can wield my energy weapon well enough to help us escape. I find your lack of faith disturbing."
Chaali turns and hurries toward the lift where most of the prisoners were headed, thinking about how cold it suddenly seemed being next to the strange blue female, and how fortunate it was to be freed from yet another Imperium ship.
After everyone had gathered their belongings and grouped up, Major Rocknell took measure of the (soon-to-be) former prisoners. After sizing everyone up she turned back toward the lift and opened the lift doors. The lift was surprisingly large, providing enough room for all six of you. After everyone entered the lift and the doors closed behind them, the Major slid a security card and depressed a button on the lift controls, sending the group upwards an untold number of floors.
"You five are the only prisoners who survived The Butcher's research here," she stated grimly. "You were being held in one of the deeper sections of this facility, apparently unknown to most employees here. I'm not sure why the Imperium was so interested in you folk. Regardless, we have to hurry. It will be only a matter of time before we are..." As if on cue, the lift abruptly stopped and the facility's klaxon blared loudly, accompanied by an announcement over the facility's intercom:
"ATTENTION! PRISONER ESCAPE FROM DETENTION BLOCK CHALIK-FOUR. THIS IS A LEVEL ONE EMERGENCY. SAFETY LOCKDOWNS ARE IN EFFECT. DEADLY FORCE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED! REPEAT! PRISONER ESCAPE FROM DETENTION BLOCK CHALIK-FOUR. THIS IS A LEVEL ONE EMERGENCY. SAFETY LOCKDOWNS ARE IN EFFECT. DEADLY FORCE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED!
"Frell. I thought we'd have more time. They've shut down the lifts and activated their security protocols. No time to lose, we move now!" The Terran woman slammed the butt of her pulse rifle into the crevice between the doors, parting them just enough to pry them open.
After help from the stronger members of the group, the doors were fully opened, revealing a long, wide corridor littered with crates and lit only by the red security lights. The lift stood somewhat below the level, the floor of the corridor being three feet up from the lift's platform. It was little challenge for the group to exit the lift with Major Rocknell assisting each member out. As the last person was exiting the lift, it started shuddering.
"Quick, get to Docking Bay 49. There's a transport waiting..." Before she could say any more, the lift suddenly dropped, taking her with it. Her screams could be heard as the lift descended uncontrolled down the shaft. Only when the lift slammed into the ground was the scream silenced.
Realizing the lift is about to plunge, Fraejia lunges to try and grab their rescuer out but fails to reach her in time. She kneels for a moment, and where her hand touches the floor, it begins to freeze over. She quickly rises and turns to the rest of the group, her expression one of something akin to utter rage. "Let's go, and may whatever gods the pathetic a sound like massive glaciers colliding and grating together believe in take pity on their worthless souls because I won't!" Once everyone is ready she will start down the hallway, taking a place near, but not at, the front.
As the klaxon blares Terz mutters, "I got a bad feeling about this. "
"Docking bay 49."
Kunga had no words. The sudden death of Major Rocknell took him by surprise. If he managed to escape, the onus he owed to her in life would now be paid to her people - to the Terrans and the Alderian Confederacy. First they had to escape. "Let's move out! Follow me." Kunga took point with weapons at the ready. He scurried down the corridor ready to take cover should the need arise.
another +1 to avoid surprise
Terz steps in behind Kunga rifle ready as he moves forward he asks, "Who's on 6?"
"I can be the sweep." Xim falls in, ready to scan the flanks and behind them as the group moves forward.
(Probably with a minimum -5 penalty for normal movement.)
Chaali mourns the major's death . Although only knowing her for a handful of microts, he feels obligated to say a few words of respect, then catches up to the rest of the ex-prisoners, on his way to Docking Bay 49 and freedom. He holds his energy sword, unactivated, at the ready.
As you slowly make your way forward down the corridor. There is little of interest, save for the various sized crates scattered here and there. Most of them are quite large, and would provide plenty of cover if need be.
Suddenly, two gun turrets emerge from the walls down the corridor and take aim on the group.
Terz notices others trying to move into a stealth positon, "They know precisely where we are, do you think they just demolished all the elevators? Probably have cameras on us or . . . " Terz seems confused by those who spring to action he turns his attention to the mechanical sound from down the hall and sees the turrets his eyes go wide.
Kunga took aim and shot at one of the gun turrets as naturally as breathing air. He spoke urgently and as loudly as he dared to his companions saying, "Seek cover!" while following his own advice and diving behind a crate.
(includes trait bonus to damage)
Xim dives for cover... if he has the opportunity, he will pull Chaali down with him. "Turrets, Get down!"
Surprised at the loud, sudden noise, Chaali jumps. Confused and realizing how foolish it was of him to not come into possession of any firearms, Chaali takes cover behind a crate with Xim.
Fraejia lets out a sound like ice scraping across metal and springs into action.
Kunga was the first to react to this new threat. His shot was exceptionally accurate, striking the turret at a vital spot. The cold energy played havoc with key internal electronics, causing the turret to shoot randomly before shutting down.
The other turret, however, was fully operational and opened fire on the group.
- /
The turret's shot fired high and blasted a chunk of plascrete from the wall above Terz's head.
Xim shoots at the other turret. Ready to dodge if the turret fires at him.
/
As Xim's shot strikes the remaining turret, the rounds chipping away at the turret's protective armor, Fraejia dives behind cover and launches a bolt of ice condensed from the moisture in the air. Her shot misses her target, striking harmlessly against a metal crate.
Chaali, recovering from his initial shock, rushes towards the remaining turret, activating his energy sword as he rushes recklessly towards it. He takes a swing.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
(roll 5 ft sideways)
* +2 to atk & dmg for constructs, possibly -4 to attack if Chaali counts as being in melee with the turret.
Kunga was glad to see the templar living up to the reputation of his order. Kunga rolled to the side and, if there was anything left of the turret following Chaali's charge, opened fire with his semi-automatic pistol.
Angry that she wasted that burst of cold, Fraejia draws her pistol and takes a shot at the remaining turret.
Terz' eyes dart around as the shots are exchanged.
Terz moves fast. He rushes past the others to a crate nearest one of the turrets and he slams into the crate pushing it forward and trying to close the distance down the hall hoping to close the distance with minimal exposure.
Xim moves forward to the 75% cover he can reach that is closest to the turret, and takes another shot at the functioning turret.
(if Chaali is in melee and blocking the shot, Xim won't take the shot and he will double move to cover closer to the turret end of the hall, scanning for new adversaries.)
/
Chaali's slash with his energy sword sliced open the protective armor of the turret, giving Kunga a clean shot with his pistol to the vital electronics beneath. As the bullet demolished the sensitive electronics, showering Chaali with sparks as the turret shuddered, finally ending the threat currently facing the group.
The group waited quietly and at the ready for nearly a minute, ensuring that there were no more immediate threats to them.
Looking past the downed turrets, the group could see that the corridor extended for another 40 or so feet. It was hard to make out anything past that, as the security lights appeared to be off that far down the corridor.
"Come on, we need to get out of here. They probably know those turrets attacked something and got destroyed for it."
(another +1 to avoid surprise)
Kunga took a second or two to admire his and the templar's handiwork before Fraejia's comment reminded him to make all haste. He clapped his hands twice to activate the nanites in his facial tattoo, which began to light the way with a warm, soft glow. "Onward," he said, and proceeded down the corridor.
Chaali admires his handiwork. "My my." Then, he turns to Lazarus and says, " It's dead, Xim."
Even with Kunga's tattoos, Chaali feels flips on his flashlight.
Terz looks out from the crate that he was pushing toward the turrets to see them already destroyed. He nod in approval. As he falls back in line he finds himself bumping into Kunga or stepping past him. "Speed beats stealth when they know where we are. Docking bay 94." He catches himself and shakes his head like it would put a thought train back in line. "I mean 49. But we should hurry."
As you make your way further down the corridor you come upon a junction. Through a set of open doors lies a room with three other sets of doors, all closed and labeled with writing in the Deruteian language. A small door control console sits on the wall next to each set of doors, their screens black from lack of power.
The doors to the right are labeled "Belkar-Level Security Center - Docking Bay Access Lifts"
The doors ahead are labeled "Belkar-Level Power Junction - Maintenance"
Examining the three consoles, Fraejia finds where to plug a power source in to get them going and realizes that only one can be opened with a power pack. "I can open this one," she points to the door straight ahead, "If someone has a spare power pack."
Terz looks at the doors. "Docking bay Access Lifts to the right." He points making his words more precise. "But I think we should see if we can get into the maintenance tunnels. We have seen what they do with lifts."
He looks at the door labeled maintenance. "Probably can rig this door with a power pack."