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Hudathan picks up the battle pack and frowns. "This could have been something, with the right modifications. Too bad. Small. " He put a his longsword away, unblooded. I'm sorry, ancestors. I did you no great honor in this battle.
He picks up his artillery cannon and follows Raatchet, ready for anything behind this door. "Better not be more dwarves. Those guys are everywhere. "
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After seeing the terminal, Raatchet says with a quizzical look on his face, "Hunh. A simulation?? Intriguing... the level of tech within this planetoid is astounding! We've really gotta explore further to unlock its secrets..." Suddenly, Raatchet turns to the nearest camera and points into it exclaiming loudly, "Which we'll do in our next episode!! Stay tuned for more thrills and spills coming to you LIVE and EXTREME in the near future with your friendly neighborhood Starfinders!!! Brought to you by Zo!"
Turning to Holsin, Raatchet says, "Perhaps this is just another test, another obstacle for you and your people to overcome. Keep the faith buddy! Also, you and your people have an AMAZING story to tell. You've got pre-Gap knowledge and beliefs in your heads. To the right people, that's worth tons of credits! Imagine the book deals! The made-for-TV movies! The comic books! The action figure line named 'Pre-Gap Dwarves of Salvation!!' We'll make millions... maybe even BILLIONS of credits!! Errr... you don't know what credits are, do you you? Imagine... BILLIONS of gold pieces!! Whaddaya think?"
Later, when Wazasha calls for a group photo, Raatchet puts on his most iron-ical of Iron Rat poses!
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When they exit through the door, Remi forgets the cameras and even the dwarves for a few minutes as she takes off down the hallway, trying to read all the terminals and figure out what's going on here. What's being simulated, and by whom, and why?
They get the signal to wrap up the episode, and she can't resist a "Wait, but let me just..." She hears Raatchet's stylish and very icon-like closing line, and she guiltily returns to the group. "But how could we just stop there? Gah, I hate cliffhangers."
They line up for a promotional photograph. Although Remi didn't exactly make a fool of herself, she's aware that she didn't really get to show off her battle prowess for the show. So instead of acting tough she tries for a cutely attractive look. The audience would probably expect no less from a lashunta, after all. Let Zo! make of this what he will, if it will get her the opportunity to return for the next episode of Exploration Extreme!
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Later, when Wazasha calls for a group photo, Raatchet puts on his most iron-ical of Iron Rat poses!
Charisma=20
Chirrk just shakes his head, but claps Raatchet on the shoulder as only comrades in battle can, and says something to the effect of "Damn rat - always looking good in front of the cameras!"
But the cameras seem to love the unlikely duo, and the whirring of the auto-focus and digital exposures can be heard faintly as the rest of the crew take up victory positions.
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The android admires the lock, admitting defeat. Then Raatchet turns his tools on it.
Her face as the terminal readout is deciphered is... blank.
I wonder how much Zo! knows about this?
Kultanien puts her arms around the rest of the crew, and affectionately scratches Raatchet's fur.
"Tune in again soon. Same Zo! time. Same Zo! channel. I can't wait to find out what is behind those doors."
After the dramatic shot, the Ghast leads everyone to The Booth one last time.
"That was an amazing discovery? What do you think about the apparent Simulation?"
“Does this change our understanding of the galaxy’s history?"
“But do you think aliens did it?”
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"Huh! Simulation." Poppilo wanders around. He's heard accounts of how pirates started first by sailing on big floating tubs on vast stretches of waters and was always curious to see what that was like. But his attention is soon captured by snapping cameras...
He puffs up his chest and struts in front of the group. "Well, I certainly did a good job keeping people up alive. Too bad there were no more brains for me to blow out." He turns to face the camera again with his roguish grin, lifting his right hand up in the shape of a gun.
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Hudathan, not realizing he had to do anything to look particularly manly or fearsome, just stands and smiles at the camera. His from just looks foolish, and his weapons have slipped out of place.
"That was an amazing discovery? What do you think about the apparent Simulation?"
Hudathan laughs loudly, "Amazing? I suppose! Makes a lot more sense than some Pre-Gap shorties who magically made it out! I mean, c'mon! Everybody knows Torag is dead. " He shakes his head irreverently. " Just nonsense. "
“Does this change our understanding of the galaxy’s history?"
"What? Some simulation? Of course not! " He scoffs at the thought. "You don't see any Vesk in these cages, do you? Of course not! Now THAT! Would change history. A zoo is only as important as the occupants. " He pulls his longsword out and examines it in the light. "Of course, you would never see a Vesk in a zoo. "
“But do you think aliens did it?"
He looks at the camera, confused. "The only aliens I know of are the Swarm. And THEY are not clever enough to handle this. " He stares at the camera, hard. "My money is on the Lashunta, though. Those pretty princesses probably wanted to watch their enemies in secret, instead of fighting them LIKE TRUE WARRIORS! "
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Raatchet replies, "What do I think? I think a little four letter word comes time mind... CREDS!!! Oh, hold up a second..." Raatchet counts his fingers as he silently mouths letters... "...five? FIVE letter word!! CREDITS!! Err.. no wait!! Bah whatever... This discovery means A LOT of money!"
"As for what I think about this simulation, I think it's GROUNDBREAKING!!" Raatchet then ponders with deep thought, "Look at the technology behind it! I mean, this simulation incorporates organic life itself as a part of its operational matrix! I bet, given time, this place can generate the question to life, the universe, and everything!!"
Shaking her head, Wazasha continues, "Does this change our understanding of the galaxy’s history?"
Raatchet thoughtfully replies, "It's not certain but there is a possibility! The fact that we came across pre-Gap dwarves is astounding. With more exploration, perhaps we'll discover more pre-Gap knowledge. Who knows...? Maybe we can even discover what caused the Gap itself!"
Wazasha asks her final question, "But do you think aliens did it?"
Raatchet nods his head affirmatively, "You mean did aliens build this place? Oh for sure!! All this stuff is not Pact World tech. When we were exploring around before encountering those first set of goblins, we noted how the construction of this place is alien in design and materials. As we continue exploring this place, perhaps we'll learn more of its creators."
"So for all you viewers at home, stay tuned for future episodes!!"
On that note, Raatchet poses his final Iron Rat of the day. A second later, having mistakingly believed that the camera has stopped recording, Raatchet drops the pose and says to Wazasha, "So about that dinner date with me, your favorite living being...."
*camera cuts out*
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"That was an amazing discovery? What do you think about the apparent Simulation?"
"I have to admit I'm suspicious.. it almost feels like a set up. And if not.. who made this... is all of the moon a simulation? The whole galaxy? This asks more questions than it answers. I want to see inside the other doors... and where the corridor leads"
“Does this change our understanding of the galaxy’s history?"
"If it is real. I have my suspicions though. Did the "gap" tie in to us all appearing in the simulation? There may be answers here, and I'm sure we are as keen to find them as the audience is."
“But do you think aliens did it?”
"Someone or something with a huge amount of resources did this. The dwarves certainly seem to think they were on Golrian not on a moon. Perhaps their deity saved them. Torag I think they said his name was. That seems more likely than aliens."
She smiles at each of the other members of the team as she comes out.
"Well done everyone. I'm really pleased with how we all pulled together. Not one of us could have done this by ourselves. It just shows you what can be done by Cooperating while we Explore. " she offers a wry glance toward the cameras "I think the Reporting aspect has been already handled for us this time!"
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- "I am both intrigued by the engineering accomplishment demonstrated in these habitats, and disturbed that someone would put these dwarves in here like laboratory experiments, to be observed and studied. We are free creatures, not molds to be experimented upon."
“Does this change our understanding of the galaxy’s history?"
- "No. Hopefully, this discovery will actually aid our understanding of what life was like before, and maybe during, the gap. We must explore deeper!"
“But do you think aliens did it?”
- "We are all aliens in one way or another..."
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"Oh, we're doing this again?" Poppiplo gives a short wave to the camera, and again, pops out his roguish grin.
"That was an amazing discovery? What do you think about the apparent Simulation?"
"Yes, indeed most amazing! It can bring you places! Anywhere, ANYWHEN, you want! Imagine being a knight slaying dragons! Pilot a fighter and blow up a moon! Be a hobbit sneaking through hordes of demons! The possibilities are endless! And imagine if they could shrink the technology and put it on a ship. The boring days of travel through the Drift who go by just like that! Ah, I'm calling dibs on the patent. Hmm, let's call it the ... holo-level!"
“Does this change our understanding of the galaxy’s history?"
"Um, what history is that?"
“But do you think aliens did it?”
"Aliens? Of course it's aliens! But isn't that a relative term? We're all aliens to each other..." Poppilo pipes up with a sudden burst of insight.
"I'll leave you that food for thought! Be seeing you around. And remember, pirates are your friends!"
Just after the camera crew takes the last set of pictures, Wazasha asks aloud, “How about we hear how they’re wrapping up the event in the studio?” She pulls up a program on her wrist computer, which plays the live audio feed with Zo! shouting excitedly.
“What a discovery! What a destination! What a band of unlikely heroes! What could lie deeper in Salvation’s End? Find out on the next episode of Live Exploration Extreme! when the Starfinder Society returns to—”
“What?” shouts Luwazi with alarm from near Zo!’s microphone. “That was not part of our deal, Zo! You can’t just add a sequel when we haven’t—”
Zo!’s voice insistently cuts back in. “Ha ha! And now a word from our sponsors!”
A booming add for Nova Solutions blares out of Wazasha’s computer before a montage from the expedition plays set to Dramatic Finale Music. Several action shots show each party member posed dramatically in and out of the middle of combat. Chirrk slicing a red arc in the air with their sword, Hudathan’s laser retort. Raatchet’s “Iron Rat” and first contact with the dwarves. Remi’s “Oops” pose and firing stance. Popillo’s mental domination of a goblin, Kultainen firing on a Fluid. A few extra pictures are spent on the “grease dip”, and are rounded out by a still of the looming goblins in the mist, and the opening of the Simulation door, then the row of other doors yet unexplored.
At the very end is a note “No beasts were harmed in the filming of this vid”, with the word “No” crossed through with an apparently hastily added “some” below it. Wazasha closes the program, rolls her eyes, and orders the teams to retrace their way to the surface. Even though there are all sorts of interesting places to explore in the simulation gallery beyond, Wazasha warns them that there are likely more deadly threats beyond, and that Luwazi Elsebo would want to give them a proper debriefing before sending them deeper into the unknown.
Furthermore, there’s still the question of what to do with the Marbleheart dwarves. The gaping hole through which the group arrived and the open door into this chamber shatter the artificial existence in which the dwarves have lived for at least a century, and the existence of a larger galaxy beyond their tiny world may inspire some to travel the stars. For others, the stress may be too much without patient mentors to guide their path. It’s clear, though, that given the malfunctioning machinery, remaining in the simulation isn’t a viable option.
Back on the Exemplarion, Luwazi seems somewhat frazzled as she meets with the PCs to hear their un-glamorized accounts of their expedition. She reports that Zo! is desperately trying to negotiate for additional filmed excursions, but so far she’s left him with a curt “We’ll see.” Prior to dismissing the group, Luwazi asks for the group’s thoughts on whether Live Exploration Extreme! should return for another episode or not.
Otherwise, you are free to partake in the endless festivities on the Exemplarion, where you can bask in the fame and infamy of your respective performances.
The group arrive back at Absalom Station shortly after the live broadcast reaches the Pact Worlds. You each get invited as guests to a host of programs, game shows, nightclubs, and other events. Sadly, the fame only lasts for about a week, after which the news cycle quickly latches onto new short-term celebrities. It’s only a matter of time before the PCs receive their next call to explore the galaxy and make a name for themselves.
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Raatchet says too Luwazi, "Oh yes, you most definitely should continue filming! What are the downsides? The public's perception of our discoveries may get a bit tainted through Zo!'s show, that much is true. But if you can lock him down contract-wise to ensure his portrayal of Starfinders will always be positive, then you have a lot of upside.
"You get tons of publicity. You get tons of funding from Zo! You have the potential to spark interest in exploration and academics from the viewership. The show will probably even attract new recruits to the Starfinders and in our current state, the more recruits, the better! And considering they're a bunch of undead, they really know how to layout a yummy spread for the living! Have you tried this shrimp cocktail? Or that chocolate cake? DELICIOUS!!"
Sometime later back on Absalom Station, once his 15 minutes of fame has died out, Raatchet will sigh to himself and say, "Well, I guess it's back to the 'ol TPS reports..."
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Kultanien also nods.
"There is a lot to be gained from the filming. We want to raise the profile of the Society. Surely this will see a flood of recruits. Maybe even some of those dwarves we found will want to join us."
She looks at the rest of the team. "Of course without such a good team, the result could have been a disaster, so this is a high risk strategy. But without risk there is little reward, and the Society is known for embracing risk, not fleeing it."
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Now that the cameras are put away (or at least focused elsewhere...) Chirrk gives each member of the group a firm, four-armed embrace (which is especially challenging with the vesk!) "You are true comrades - the best our Society has to offer. I am proud to serve with you! Now I need to get these wounds cauterized..." and with no other ceremony, he departs for the medbay!