You are all called to the Archive's Cortex for your next assignment!
The efficient hum of machinery fills the Archive’s Cortex. Projected images and text flit across multiple screens positioned around a raised swivel chair occupied by Historia-7, leader of the Dataphiles. Historia-7 swipes a finger to clear the feed and speaks without preamble.
My sources indicate that you are the most efficient and capable team the Starfinder Society currently has for my mission. I sincerely hope you do not prove this claim erroneous. I recently detected a discrepancy in the Society’s data logs. As you may be aware, my primary objective has been decoding information regarding the Scoured Stars incident. Before the incident, my predecessor, Historia-6, and other Society members extensively investigated several corporations as well as the Scoured Stars system. Much of their knowledge was lost to us. A recent ally, a skilled hacker named Ceren, uncovered multiple data links from what remains of my predecessor’s research leading back to a corporation known as the Arch Energy Consortium. When I compared these findings to our records, I found no mention of this corporation, and all data related to Arch Energy Consortium was somehow deleted from our records. My worst-case scenario is being realized: our data has been tampered with.
Historia-7 unhooks the neural cables from her neck and massages the attachment sites. I require additional information about this corporation. Arch Energy’s CEO, Ilia Tamm, has enough security resources and paranoia at her disposal to make a direct infiltration inadvisable. The weak link in this proverbial firewall is her son, Envar Tamm. His proclivities make him very suggestible, and I hypothesize that resourceful individuals could convince him to provide the information I seek.
Envar routinely attends gladiatorial fights on Arch Energy’s corporate space station, Brilliance. It will take you some time to reach Brilliance from here. During your journey, I want you to create false identities. Meanwhile, I’ll make sure that you’re entered into one of these gladiatorial matches as contestants. From there, you’ll need to get Envar to grant you access to his mother’s computer records. Acquire any data related to the corporation’s board of directors. Above all, this mission demands subtlety, as Envar has quite the media presence.
This is a secretive mission so a heavy weapons ship may not be advised as it may give your new identities away, you may pick which ever ship you would like. Any questions about the mission?
Culture (Recall knowlege) or Diplomacy (Gather information):
Envar Tamm is Arch Energy CEO Ilia Tamm’s only child. He is chief procurement officer of the Arch Energy Consortium, a corporation that manufactures and distributes solar batteries. Envar is a minor celebrity who relies on his money and connections rather than actual talent to remain in the spotlight. He dislikes being bored and seeks the company of exotic or famous individuals.
Envar owes his position within the company entirely to nepotism, and while he has an elevated level of security clearance and a matching salary, his mother employs a host of assistants to limit his influence on the corporation—and her bank account. On Brilliance, however, Envar usually travels unsupervised. Ilia Tamm and her public-relations team try to cover up Envar’s addiction to transdimensional pesh, but leaked videos of Envar’s drug-fueled antics occasionally slip through the cracks. One of the more popular videos depicts Envar nearly crashing a solar yacht in an attempt to impress the shirren icon Magisterial Chef Ghornak Ryzcech during his visit to Brilliance.
Envar owes a substantial amount of credits to the ysoki gangster Razor, the leader of a crime organization funded largely by the drug trade. Razor is known for her brutal methods of extracting credits from those reluctant to pay. Razor often uses gladiatorial matches to recruit hired muscle, and she plans to attend the event on Brilliance. She intends to collect Envar’s debt after the fight.
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Connor-3's eyes and dermal circuits glow with purple light as he saves the mission parameters to his Exocortex's archive. He takes a moment to check in to a few local relevant infosphere chatrooms to gather information about the task at hand.
Understood Historia-7. This is my first official mission as part of a Pathfinder Society team. Though I am used to working alone, I trust your algorithms when they indicate that we will be an efficient team for the mission at hand. You can count on us!
To the others,
Hello everyone! My name is Connor-3, though my professional designation is Connor-3.14. He forwards a digital business card to everyone's personal comm units. I am a P.I. Connor forces a canned chuckle from his mouth, concluding his go-to introduction.
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Pllar enters the conversation. ”False identities? That could be difficult for me, as I am fairly well known. I suppose I could change my hair to blue if that would help. As far as data hacking, I am no help.
Do they have a pilot already? Or, may my circuits fry, if someone gets hurt I can be of use.
”A pleasure Connor-3. I am Pllar-8. I welcome a fellow Android.”
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The big Vesk watched the interplay between all of the androids, waits for a break in the staccato rhythm of their interchange.
"I am Bagit, called Steelskin. I am proud to serve beside you."
As his com beeps he picks it up, looks at P.I.
He turns his head to the side missing the reference.
"I believe that I could pass as a gladiator, but I am not skilled in the creation of identities."
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In response to Bagit's greeting, Connor-3 perks up. "The feeling is mutual! I am certain we will make a formidable team!"
Turning to Pllar-8 with a spark of realisation in his eye, "And you are THE Pllar-8! I had not realized that you were a member of the Starfinder Society as well" He smiles and shakes his hand "Small galaxy."
"As for the issue of our false identities, I have some experience in fabricating false digital records for the purposes my investigations. Though we ARE short on time, I may be able to help build a digital history for any identities you come up with."
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“No, you may have a point. I do not think I would be a convincing gladiator, but I could pass as a promoter or perhaps an ‘in the ring’ technician. Though I am unfamiliar with the starship models in question”
“Landros, do you have any experience with the Drake or Pegasus models, either with their flight systems or weapons systems? Do you have a preference regarding what to use for our assignment?”
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A small halfling trundles into the room, a somewhat vapid look on her face as she pulls out a compact and checks her makeup in the mirror, though a closer look also shows her checking out the rest of the people in the room. After a second she puts the small object away and stretches, popping her neck and a few other joints, the large hoop earrings in her ears swinging. As she settles, the pure Absalom socialite façade she'd been wearing fades and she gives everyone in the room an unfeigned smile.
"Vyviane, with a 'y,' Isafira, at your service. Sorry for the wait, I just finished up my previous assignment. Thought I might have a chance to get a better gun, but lost track of the time! So what are we up to?" With this she gives Historia-7 a look that clearly says, "You MUST have been recording this. I wanna see."
After a second to analyze the video, Vyviane gives a smile, and a amsll clap of glee. "Well, you wanted 'capable,' and boy have you got it! Not only am I a halfling, which makes me capable by leaps and bounds, but infilitration's my speciality! This'll be a walk down memory lane. Also this proves a great chance to stick it to a rival company!"
After a second, she takes a look at all of the people around the room, contructing the identities they have given voice to. "So we have Titanfist, the pit fighter from Absalom; Pllar-9, the blue-haired Pllar-8 fanatic who... is there to patch up Titanfist's wounds?; I think Connor-3 might pass as our on call technician, ya gotta make sure the lighting for these events is perfect after all. Ummm, the fellow over there with the laser rifle, don't know if I ever got your name, sweetie, could do as our second gladiator, we could bill them as a tag team duo, one punches, the other shoots! And I of course would be your manager and publicity woman."
Vyviane reaches into her bag and pulls out a bright purple wig. While brushing it out, she comments. "Don't know if Weydan would be willing to bless me on this journey, but in case he doesn't..." She pops the wig on her head, frumps it up a little and then puts on an animated, lively expression. "Come one, come all, come and watch the amazing duo, Titanfist and Lasersight as they take on not one, not two, but three other teams on their own, protecting their title as the tag-team champs of Absalom!"
"Oh, and the Drake would fit this cover story best. We're here to convince people we're important and that they want to watch us... unless we want a different cover story."
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The door flies open in runs a cloaked Ysok. Sorry sorry i am late got working on a project and lost ... AK stops mid sentience when he sees Vyviane. Vyviane? My Caption Vyviane? AK smiles his big rat smile. HE can only pay 1/2 attention to everything that is said. He is more concerned with Vyviane. Hey Vyviane, Vyviane you where awesome fighting them pirates. a few things sink in AK hears a females voice in his head Envar Tamm is Arch Energy CEO Ilia Tamm’s only child. He is chief procurement officer of the Arch Energy Consortium, a corporation that manufactures and distributes solar batteries. Envar is a minor celebrity who relies on his money and connections rather than actual talent to remain in the spotlight. He dislikes being bored and seeks the company of exotic or famous individuals. the voice then adds Envar owes his position within the company entirely to nepotism, and while he has an elevated level of security clearance and a matching salary, his mother employs a host of assistants to limit his influence on the corporation—and her bank account. On Brilliance, however, Envar usually travels unsupervised. Ilia Tamm and her public-relations team try to cover up Envar’s addiction to transdimensional pesh, but leaked videos of Envar’s drug-fueled antics occasionally slip through the cracks. One of the more popular videos depicts Envar nearly crashing a solar yacht in an attempt to impress the shirren icon Magisterial Chef Ghornak Ryzcech during his visit to Brilliance.Vyviane you look lovely as ever. Thats about when AK realized the 2 Androids. AK's eyes get big Living machines 2 of them. this realization even took Vyviane from his mind.
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Conner-3, I am OK with either, but as I said I'm no savant. I can just get us there and out of minor jams as needed. I have good reflexes.
Looks down at halfling. Your idea may have some merit if they let me take this cannon into arean. (It's an artillery lazer)
Sits thinking for a moment: I vote for the Pegasus. We go in stealthy, and run away from a fight if need be.
You can go in with any identities that you desire, but for this ruse to work, you will all need to into the ring. So you can be the charismatic promoter, but you will be expected to fight.
Once you are done talking to Historia-7, you are taken to the ship of your choice to fly to Brilliance. It should be a short flight with or without the drift, so you can do either.
Historia-7 reminds the PCs to obscure their identities before reaching Brilliance. While traveling to Brilliance, the PCs can each attempt a Computers check to create a false identity or a Disguise check to alter their appearance, and they can use equipment or spells to bolster their deception. Rather than attempting a skill check, a PC can get another PC to perform the check for them. A PC attempting a check for another PC in this manner can use either skill, but he takes a cumulative –2 penalty to the check for each additional PC he attempts the skill check for. Each PC can use only one such check, either one he attempts or one attempted by another PC.
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I usually rely on others to create alternate identities for me; it's just not in my skill set. I also tended to skip computer class to attend rallies against the bourgeois station authorities. Landros spits. I can try to disguise myself if needed, but would appreciate help instead if possible.
Also, I'd probably be best as a pilot or gunner.
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Hair turned to a very different shade of orangey red, Pllar-9 is in full disguise! ”I second the motion for the drake,” the android says.
”Since we have a pilot already, I will take up a post as gunner should that be needed. I was a crack shot in medical school, if you will excuse the pun.”
We should all get along famously. What a great opportunity to gain some experience, and when this is all done and I drop my disguise, my fame is sure to grow! Pllar-9...
He chuckles softly as he moves around the room. The orange-haired dwarf examines the rest of his starfinder companions, from afar and not yet as a doctor. Imaginary laser wounds are not sufficient grounds for a full examination. They look healthy enough at the moment. No need to probe further.
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AK getting uncomfortably close to Pllar-8. Staring at the circuitry glowing just under its skin. [/b] Just look at that so perfect[/b] AK tiny hand starts to reach out to touch Pllar-8. How dose? Who made? Why? all his questions wanted to pour out of him at one. I would love to take you apart and see how you work. Realizing what just came out of his mouth. No disrespect. AK is to into the Androids to contribute much to the discussion.
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Connor-3's attention is diverted from his previous conversation with Landros with Vyviane's bombastic entrance and he listen's, wide-eyed, as she makes her introduction and expertly rounds out the plan thus far. "That was...Impressive!" After processing for a moment..."I'm sorry, but did you say you worked for a rival of Arch Ener- He's interrupted with AK's entrance and address to Vyviane.
"Living machines 2 of them"
"That seems...reductive. But I'm sure he's just curious about us."
"How dose? Who made? Why?...I would love to take you apart and see how you work...No disrespect"
"Ok. THAT...was uncomfortable. Still, best to make friends"
"Actually, our biological components would preclude our classification as 'machines' in the traditional sense. I would be happy answer any questions about Android physiology when we have a moment" eyeing the Ysoki's Exocortex I would, in turn, be curious as to the method you used to integrate your custom AI directly into your nervous system. Perhaps we could trade notes on AI architecture and...I am rambling. Sorry. I did not even catch your name"
"I happen to have a cover that I used for a case that I could reconfigure for our needs--R1ver-6: the small time weapons modder turned gladiator support tech. As I mentioned earlier, I can fabricate fake identities for any of you as well. However, doing so multiple times in quick succession from the same IP will raise some red flags, meaning it will be more and more difficult to cover my tracks after each attempt."
"On the subject of ship selection, my instincts tell me to go with the low profile approach of the Pegasus, but I will adhere to the selection of the group at large. In either case, I am most comfortable acting as science officer, but more than capable of serving as engineer if needed as well"
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Vyviane spends a few moments readjusting her wig and then tacking it down with some glue to hold it in place. She gives a slight start as Ak comes in and starts his fawning again, slightly surprised at the sudden arrival of the ysoki. "Oh, Ak, you're coming, too? Perfect! I was hoping I could see you again! ...but what to do about your cover identity? Hmm, we have a technician, but we could try edge by with a second one, but I feel like you could be more of a errand boy or lackey, or ammo runner for Lasersight... Any of those sound good?"
After a few more moments to finish her disguise with a few touch-ups here and there, and some practice at facial expressions pursuant to a vibrant, though extremely shallow persona with a great deal of low-cunning, Vyviane gives everyone a brilliant smile. "Ah, my darlings! As you obviously know, I am Francescha von Cheshka, your manager, promoter, ringside supporter, and captain, of course! If any of you little dearies need anything, anything at all, I'll make sure..." She takes a moment to look over at Ak dropping out of the overly syrupy voice of Franceshca, for a second, "Ka? gets it for you as soon as he can."
She turns to Ak, Bagit, Landros and Pllar-8, disguise kit in hand. "Now wich of you, my pretties, would like Momma-Cheshka to help them dress up? I've only got so much though, so if I run out of things there's nothing I can do."
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I look down at the half lung.
i would very much appreciate help making a disguise. I’d prefer if it were simple. Besides, I’m not well known outside Absalom. It probably doesn’t need to be too intricate.
To everyone: ill pilot whatever you want. I guess we’re going in heavy. At least it’ll make a good story.
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"I to would request your aid with a disguise, The larger you can make me the better, Feathers, chrome, & Warpaint.
Bagget pulls out his datapad and begins to scan for some of his favorite pit fighter for inspiration.
"I am a trained Engineer of the Veskarium navy,' He looks to AK and Conner, 'however I might best be used as a gunner on this mission"
While further preparations are being made, Connor-3 steps aside a bit, away from the murmers. His eyes and dermal circuitry start to glow with purple light again as he interfaces with his custom rig and Exocortex AI.
"EV, while were waiting to depart I would like to open a case file on this 'Envar Tamm'. Consider him our primary Person Of Interest for this case. I want to know as much as possible about him before we meet him on Brilliance"
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Vyviane gives a nod at the two people requesting her help to get dressed. "Oh, how lovely! I get to dress up my two champions! Come here dearies and let Momma Cheska get ya all rough and ready!"
She first moves over to Bagit and uses her disguise kit to highlight his fists and some of his spikes and then highlights his scales and almost makes him look like a female vesk. She then finishes off the disguise with a stretchy mask and forces his head spikes to poke through the material. Giving him on last look over, she frowns a second and then tells the vesk to tear off his sleeves, and show some muscle. "Ah there you go dearie! Now don't you look tough!"
Moving on to Landros, Vyviane scrounges through her bag and pulls out what looks like a lasertargeting system and places it over the man's left eye. She bears his arms too and then adds some fake laser burn scars to them. Finally, the little halfling coaches the man in how to frown in an appropriately intimidating way. "No, jsut a bit darker, narrow the eyes a little. Jaw forward... tidge more... Perfect! Now hold that for the rest of the trip!"
Vyviane tehn climbs aboard the now docked ship and claims the captian's chair. "Seeing as none of you dearies have the head for carrying the heavy burden of leadership, I guess I, Franceshcha von Cehska, have to bear it for you. Be glad I'm deigning to, normally I'd want to relax in my suite." She then gives an overdramatic, put-upon sigh, before breaking character for a second and giving everyone a wink.
You finish the flight to Brilliance, the satellite station to the sun. As you get cleared for docking, you are greeted by a female korasha lashunta customs officer. Hello! Welcome to Brilliance! I just need your names and to take a quick photo of you for our records. What brings you to the station today? Ohh wait, let me guess, you are gladiators in the fight? She seems to be happy to help you all with any thing you need.
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Connor-3 steps up first and speaks to the customs officer with a slightly lowered tone of voice and uncharacteristically using contractions in his speech "You got it, Lady! You must have a good nose for us fightin' types. Name's R1ver-6." He pauses and poses for the picture "So where's the arena anyway? I'm itchin' for a payday"
The lashunta lets out a giggle, Ohh don't you worry, the fight is starting very shortly. The arena is in the auditorium; I will have someone show you the way. The whole station is excited to see what you guys can do!
A few guards who are all too excited to be on gladiator duty step forward and lead you to the arena. Before entering, one says Good luck! I got some credits riding on you guys. I hope to walk away with some extra cash. He smiles and you enter the doors of the arena.
The nearby sun blazes against a backdrop of inky space through the transparent ceiling of the arena. The glare obscures the faces of the roaring crowd crammed into bleachers towering above the floor. Overhead, six suspended holoscreens loop images of the arena. Metal pillars rise like jagged teeth from the bloodstained arena floor, and an announcer’s voice booms, Are you ready for some carnage? The crowd echoes the refrain as the silver metal door to the north grinds open.
A team of two male korasha lashuntas and a female vesk armed with stun guns guides a harnessed and chained cresteater through the metal door at the north end of the arena. The group latches the harness clips onto either side of the door before hastily retreating. Once far enough away, the handlers remotely unlock the clips.
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I glance around at the crowd, and remember that I look like a space pirate. I turn to the crowd;
I have blazed a path through the Diaspora to come entertain all of you tonight. I have braved the corpse fleet and trampled upon armed merchantmen, just so YOU I find someone in the front row to gaze straight at can experience what it is like to be so close to a true artist of bringing swift death. We will make short work of this beast for your viewing pleasure. Perhaps you will be lucky, and we won't cross paths in the deep!
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Vyviane smiles as she realizes just what this opportunity is and how much fun she can have playing around with it. She keeps the broad, almost off-putting smile as Francheska, it fitting her flamboyant and overly expressive attitude precisely. With a clatter of giant glitzy but cheap jewellery, a fwoosh of her big purple hair and the wafting of her overly cloying perfume, the halfling strides towards the center of the coliseum, her best announcer voice blaring. and what a wonderful evening it is for tonight you get to see us perform!”
“First we have He’s stronger than an enraged Ellicoth and meaner too! While his fist don't look all that big they still hit like a meteor! Why don't you give them a growl, Titanfist? Show’em just how strong you are!”
With her movement finally taking her to the center of the ring, Vyviane takes center stage and gives everyone an encompassing look. “And over here we have He's the space pirate who's very name sends shivers down a shipping captain's neck! The man's raided over a thousand ships and taken down hundreds of captains singlehandedly! I mean just look at that steely glare, would you want him atari g you down the barrel of his laser?”
”And then that brings me to me , the owner of this gladiator group and tonight's MC! I might not be the best of fighters, but I'll give you an up close, personal, pulse-pounding BLOW-BY-BLOW! Now get ready for the best gladiator fight money can buy as Titanfist, Lasersight and company take on this massive beast!”
"Is that it?" Connor-3 loudly proclaims as he strides up next to 'Titanfist'.
"Thats hardly hardly a challenge for the two of you, let a lone the whole team! Tell you what... He spends a move action activationg a holo-visor over his right eye (cobat tracking) To make it fair, I wont even use a lethal weapon. Under his breathe to Bagit That was for the crowd. Please do not let me die
He draws his pulscastor pistol and tosses it high up in the air, he then gets a running start and dies a one handed cartwheel to land behind the opposite piece of cover to Landros'. He extends his hand out and catches his falling weapon.
The crowed is going wild in anticipation of this fight! You do not think they could get any more excited waiting for the last of the binds to be broken on the creature.
Given Connor-3's bounty hunter research, he recognizes Envar Tamm in the box seats of the show. He is going wild with the rest of the crowd!
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Francheska turns to watch as Connor-3 does his impressive trick with the laser rifle and gives a small nod. "Oh what's this? It seems our very own technician turned fighter is so confident in everyone's abilities he's not even going to use a lethal weapon! But you can sure see he's go the skills to use one right! I mean just watch how he handles his self made gun! He'd certainly be one to watch in this fight! There's no telling what he might get up to!"
After a moment to play up the other two, Francheska gives the nearly freed beast a look and then moves back behind a pillar. "Ooops! Almost got left in the line of sight. Now it wouldn't do for your commenter to be in the sights of the beastie over there!"