The Keeper |
Now that the desert is able to load again...
The party rides off for the designated location, wrapped up in their own thoughts. The barren sand dunes roll off, devoid of signs of life, for as far as the eye can see.
Until the buggies approach the coordinates, that is. Another pair of the Aspis security bots with Longshot's illegal control hacks stand at attention in a deeper hollow. As the buggies crest the hill, they grip unseen previously unseen handles buried in the sand and lift, hauling a huge stone slab upwards and revealing a ramp big enough for the jeeps to fit down. One of the robots raises a hand, pauses, moves the hand to the side, pauses - a poorly programmed equivalent of a wave.
The Keeper |
As the buggies enter safely into the ramp, the robots up above follow and begin hauling the stone slab shut, but not before everyone’s comms ding with another message from Longshot.
Got some bad news - you’re on foot from here in. Too much debris in places, and don’t want people starting to wonder why there’s the sound of crashing jeeps happening under their feet. Stamper will guide you in from where you are - stick close to him. These tunnels go on further than I’ve been able to explore and I’ve lost bots out on the outskirts.
Another robot approaches you, presumably Stamper. The design is drastically different than the Aspis security bots - only about 4 feet tall, with much thicker legs and stockier design. The leg joints face the wrong direction, and it looks like one of the arms was torn off - the one remaining arm is nearly as thick as the legs and only has three fingers to it. A spotlight, added to where the previous arm, serves to illuminate the area for anyone who doesn’t have darkvision.
With the spotlight, you start to see the surroundings - more of the masonry that you’d seen beneath Padre’s storage container, but without the modern additions. The space is cavernous, and the echoes from the engines continue for a few moments after you kill the ignition.
Upon approaching the party, Stamper spins about and begins marching in the opposite direction. It pauses after a few steps, as if waiting for you to follow.
Glitch__ |
"I guess we're taking a waalk then." Glitch comments. "This reminds me... were this old stuff on the footage that got aired?" Glitch asks Scrambles. "Maybe that is what they don't want to get known."
"Are there laws about colonising already inhabited planets?" he asks mostly himself.
Profession(Lawyer): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Glitch__ |
"I don't care too much about stepping on a law now and then. But we still got no reason, they want us bunked or dead. And if Aspis illegally seized this planet under false pretense that would be a pretty good reason to have us disappear, if we are discovering that s&&*." Glitch explains.
Zhor Vorakun |
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"More underground hidey holes. Hmmm. I wonder if this planet is riddled with 'em?" Zhor says as he follows the robot.
"Frankly though, if Aspis wanted me to keep my mouth shut about that, they could probably have paid me a lot less than their bounty hunters are charging."
Blask |
Blask is mildly surprised at how secretive and spec ops this is becoming. He shouldn’t be though as Prime is known to “eat and sh*t out the weak”.
He hops out of the buggy as instructed by the awkward drone butler before him.
So, how far do we have to go anyways to meet up with our employer? How many people are down in this place anyways?
He looks around, and sees more of the strange architecture and surroundings.
Hmm, looks like more of this strange rock. Wonder what Aspis really wants from Prime? Wonder if the stone is valuable, or can be made valuable. I’m sure Jink or Glitch could make it valuable it were possible, they got book smarts
Blask continues onward, taking up the front of the marching order as usual. He may not be the brightest, but he could probably take a hit better than most. He draws his azimuth laser pistol, checks to ensure its ammo is loaded, and the safety is off in case the others turn out to be not so friendly or welcoming. After the dwarfs turning out to be asshats, he is more skeptical of strangers.
The Keeper |
"I guess we're taking a waalk then." Glitch comments. "This reminds me... were this old stuff on the footage that got aired?" Glitch asks Scrambles. "Maybe that is what they don't want to get known."
Scrambles has unearthed a bag of trail rations and is munching contentedly on a triple handful of mixed nuts and berries. [b]"Dunno," he says philosophically, "Raw footage goes to Shurami and then the editing team smears their s*** all over my gold nuggets." The skittermander shakes his head in annoyance. "I ain't heard nothin' about the finished footage, though."
"Are there laws about colonising already inhabited planets?"[/b] he asks mostly himself.
There are not - not enforced out here in the Vast, anyways. With that sort of activity being extralegal, though, there are still potential consequences - groups of "freedom fighters" instigating revolutions, mercenaries fighting proxy wars on behalf of corporations attempting to secure resources, or just bad publicity back in the Pact Worlds. Many companies try to keep potential unsavorty activities quiet, even if it's not technically illegal.
Stamper leads the way through the tunnels, making a few turns on occasion. The tunnels become smaller and smaller, going from the massive tunnels into shorter, ten-foot tall and ten-foot wide tunnels.
Blask: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Glitch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Jink: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Nilan: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Caloo: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Zhor: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
As Stamper leads the party through a 4-way intersection, there’s a series of keening screeches from down the hallway. Those of you with darkvision scan the hallways for a moment, confused as the hallway seems empty - but then you notice the skittering shapes on the ceiling. Pale, vaguely humanoid shape, but without any eyes, only large gaping mouths, clinging to the ceiling with thin, sinewy arms. One of them hisses and they all being to scramble across the ceiling towards you.
Simple map added to the Slides - Nothing but a hallway intersection. 10-foot tall ceilings, so you'll be able to join in melee even if these guys never leave the ceiling.
Glitch
Monster 1
Blask, Jink
Monster 2
Caloo, Nilan, Zhor
Monster 3
Zhor Vorakun |
"What the hell are those things?" Zhor gasps.
Which knowledge applies?
The Keeper |
While these things are like nothing you've ever seen before, there are some common characteristics you can suss out. Not having any eyes, it's likely they use some other sense in order to track and see. They're clearly carnivorous, as you can see the needle-thin teeth from here, but they look like "dragging teeth" instead of fighting teeth - they kill you some other way, and then drag you places, so they're likely some sort of hunter. You're guessing that the engorged glands in the things' throats indicate some sort of chemical spray - and as one of them opens it's mouth and the hissing splash, you assume it's acidic in nature.
The Keeper |
Glitch blasts a hole through the lead creature with fire, catching it on fire and damaging the one behind it. The leader retorts by running across the ceiling, still on fire, then turning and opening it's mouth wide, spraying a plume of acid at Glitch.
Burn damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Damage (Acid): 1d4 ⇒ 4
Glitch
Monster 1 [-7 hp]
Blask, Jink
Monster 2
Caloo, Nilan, Zhor
Monster 3 [-2 hp]
Zhor Vorakun |
I'm not up yet but I'll post my action now to speed things up.
"Phlegmbeasts! Yeah, watch their spit."
Zhor lashes out with his spear.
If I am in melee range I will attack in melee, otherwise I will throw the spear at the nearest creature. Then I will take a guarded step away to the south.
Returning Spear: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Spear Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
The Keeper |
Blask connects solidly with the lead beast, who falls off the ceiling writhing and quickly falling still.
Jink's shot goes wide in the narrow, cramped tunnel.
The second beast seems more cautious, it's long neck sinuously weaving it's head as it claws carefully forward. It shoots a steam of acid at Blask, possibly in vengeance, or hunger, or establishing itself as the alpha.
Attack v. EAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
...but the shot goes wide and the acid hisses on the wall.
Glitch [-4 SP], Blask, Jink
Monster 2 [-3 hp]
Caloo, Nilan, Zhor
Monster 3 [-2 hp]
The Keeper |
Nilan lands his shot, though the creature doesn't fall.
The third creature fires at the Akitonian gunslinger.
Attack v. EAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Stamper turns back and begins to make a loud siren sound - the two still-living creatures both hiss angrily, as though they recognize it, but keep pressing their attack.
Glitch [-4 SP], Blask, Jink
Monster 2 [-9 hp]
Caloo, Nilan, Zhor
Monster 3 [-2 hp]
Blask |
Blask ducks out the way as the acid flies past him and splatters against the wall. He calmly walks up to the creature who now drew his ire and tries to punch it like he did the other.
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 151d4 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Zhor Vorakun |
Nilan lands his shot, though the creature doesn't fall.
Did my previous attack hit? I don't see it mentioned.
Zhor hurls his spear once more. "Keep at 'em! They can't spit on you if they're dead!"
Returning Spear: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Spear Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
The Keeper |
Nilan opens fire on the last remaining creature and scores a hit, and then Zhor's spear takes the thing in it's open, screeching mouth. It slips from the ceiling with a wet 'splat.'
Stamper's klaxon stops sounding through the narrow caverns, and the robot turns and resumes walking down the hallway as though nothing happened.
Yes, Zhor, your previous attack did also hit - had it calculated into the damage, but forgot to say anything in the post. Nice mop-up of the fight, everyone!
The Keeper |
Stamper leads the way through a few more miles worth of tunnels - you pass more hallways and the occasional suite of rooms, but there are no signs of any habitation or personalization of the areas.
Eventually, Stamper stops cold and the spotlight points down at the ground - the robot's arm points to indicate a tripwire across the hallway. The robot very carefully lifts one leg, then the other, over the tripwire before continuing forward. Built into a hole in the wall above the tripwire is a scattergun, and judging from the pockmarks on the opposite wall, it has been triggered before.
Finally, you begin to see signs of life. Cameras begin to appear at corridor junctions, and Stamper has you stop a few more times for other assorted jury-rigged traps. More of the hacked Aspis security bots stand at attention or walk through the corridors, intent on other tasks.
Finally, you reach what appears to be the hub of the entire operation - you can catch the flickering light of a cacophony of monitors, and walk into a nest of wires, screens, and consoles, all looped together in confusing and seemingly redundant circuits. Sitting in the middle, a young halfling woman, barefoot, dressed in a mechanic's jumpsuit, with a long blond pony tail, frantically inputs commands into the multiple UIs clustered about her stool. In the corner, a holographic projector has clips of Kindu floating about, with calendar programs open with certain days highlighted and lines drawn to assorted articles from fringe publications about reptoid physiology and psychology.
The halfling whirls around in her chair and takes a pair of goggles off of her head, revealing a striking set of green eyes. "Well look at all of you in the flesh!" she chirps cheerily. "Welcome to my humble abode!"
The Keeper |
Longshot looks askance at Jink’s greeting for a moment. ”Tell you what, I’ll do us both a favor and assume that’s a compliment,” she says matter-of-factly. She turns on her stool and gestures to the place. ”Welcome to Longshot’s Lair! Mostly kidding on the name. This is where I’ve been keeping an eye on all of you - and most everyone else too. In fact I -”
She suddenly pulls out a grenade and presses the arm button. A “boof” occurs and everyone’s comms give off a feedback crackle for a second. Scrambles yells ”HEY! What’s the big idea!!” Turning back and looking reveals that he had been unfurling the cambot, quietly too.
”No recordings,” the halfling says seriously, putting the goggles back on. ”I have not made it this far without ensuring some precautions. It’s just an EMP, everyone but that walking security breach shouldn’t feel a thing. Everyone want some grub?” She hops off her stool completely unphased by the skittermander sputtering angrily as she leads you off through the caves.
The goggles must give her some sort of darkvision, because she walks into a nearby room that doesn’t have any lights and begins rustling about. There’s a “clunk” as she manhandles an old food synthesizer, a few generations out of date. ”You can trust this - I make a replacement UPB gel out of a mold I find down here. It won’t form true food yet, but I think I’m almost to an algorithm that the old hardware can carry out - for now we just get nutritious gruel. Well, almost gruel. I usually try to get the bots to find some seasonings and condiments when they’re out, it almost makes it palatable.” She begins passing around bowls of the “almost gruel.” It does not look palatable at all, though it is, at least, devoid of smell.
”So I bet you’re wondering what I know about this whole thing. I don’t want to repeat myself - so what do you think you know right now?”
Glitch__ |
"This nice uninhabited planet with this sprawling city that the benefactor of the universe - the Aspis Consortium - has set up here on the fronteer of humanity, is some monster infested s#%@hole and they want to make sure this fact doesn't interfere with their nice tourism advertising?" Glitch suggests.
Zhor Vorakun |
"That and there seems to be tunnels that pre-date Aspis' colonization of this planet. Seems like Aspis doesn't want people to know that. Don't know why yet, though it might invalidate some of their claims here, maybe. Not that this planet is worth the half a credit they got it for. But maybe there is something valuable here and they don't want to share."
The Keeper |
Longshot smirks knowingly. "Right? No way that some big megacorp like the Big A C themselves don't have a big fat stack of hush money somewhere! Paying off contractors is practically above board for them. But they've been doing things like this for years." She hurriedly jogs back into the situation room she'd prepared for herself, over the holographic projector.
"So it gets me thinking, right - that it isn't acting like a megacorporation at all. As a matter of fact, you start looking at the big picture, you see this little subsidy isn't acting like any of it's compatriots at all. You get stories about artifact sales. Villages being overrun by the dangerous wildlife. All sorts of convenient little coincidences." She's skimming through files now, embedded video and disturbing pictures. "Except none of that is happening here. There's no local species to exploit. No relics to sell off at a huge profit. No resources of any kind, really. Small time operation, compared. No real value of any kind, beyond being just barely profitable - but not anywhere near so profitable as to be noticed." Longshot nods knowingly. Her voice is getting a little alarming.
"So this little planet just sits and does a little bit - just enough to make a little profit without looking too appealing to anyone, inside and out. Make a little entertainment-only economy, keep folks strung out. That's a real alien power, that - the ability to turn a whole planet invisible. That's why there's only one group who could be pulling it off." She's dropped to a low whisper now.
"Reptoids. Shapeshifters. Masters of domination and deception." Longshot's voice is pinched now. "Perched at the highest rungs of the Aspis Consortium, running the whole game from deep in the shadows. We're here looking at hands of poker, and they're playing 8-Dimensional Imperial Warfare with the very hearts and minds of whole empires." She flips up her goggles, and you notice, maybe for the first time, how much she stares at you when she talks. She turns back to the holograph UI, flips to the videos she had saved of Kindu. "Thought that the action hero guy was an agent of theirs - little too insane, right, him just moving out to here - but you were with him too long for him to have stayed shape-changed. So he's likely not one of them." She pauses for a second, looking thoughtful. "I mean, that doesn't mean he's not a species traitor. Or a dominated thrall."
Scrambles makes a choking sound. "I can't believe I'm not getting this," he says in pained awe.
Zhor Vorakun |
"So the reptoids are behind a conspiracy to keep this crappy planet from turning a profit?" Zhor shakes his head. "I don't get it. What's the point? If you wanted to sneak into the leadership of the Aspis Corporation, wouldn't you want more money?"
The Keeper |
"Reptoids, you say? What are those? Do they have good genetic material?" Caloo asks excitedly.
"Infiltrators and spies," Longshot says, all hush-hush. "They've got shapechanging capabilities and psychic magic that allows them to dominate minds. So yeah, genetically they're interesting - if you think you can find one of them before they find you and replace you."
"So the reptoids are behind a conspiracy to keep this crappy planet from turning a profit?" Zhor shakes his head. "I don't get it. What's the point? If you wanted to sneak into the leadership of the Aspis Corporation, wouldn't you want more money?"
"What good does a reptoid have for money? They can already be anyone, make people do whatever they want - No, reptoids want something else. We just don't know what that is yet." Longshot taps her temple. "And it's not that this place isn't turning a profit - it's making some scratch - but this isn't some Hardscrabble Collective outpost scraping by we're talking about here. The Aspis likes making tons of cash - and this place just makes enough to not get the axe, but not enough that anyone with a lick of sense would want to come here. No offense meant, of course. We'd look at s$&% like this all the time when I was in the Starfinder Society, follow the money, see what not's making sense. Something's rotten on Incubation Prime - I just don't know what those sneaky lizard bastards want out of the planet." She furrows her brow deeply.