Outpost I - SFS107 - The Solar Sortie (Inactive)

Game Master Revvy Bitterleaf

Hadir breathes a sigh of relief as the creatures pop out if existence. Well done team , he says into the minds of the party.

He approaches Envar. I can't wait to have this over with. "What's next Envar?"

Envar lounges around in the chair for a bunch of minutes while you catch your breath and/or look around

When asked what's next he points at the other door in the door and waves his hand in it's general direction

"You might want to take a look behind that door over there, there might be I don't like stuff behind it that you can also take"

After you go through said door and look around at what's behind there you see;

Two silver doors to the northwest and southwest admit entrance into this chamber with gold metal flooring. Metal shelving covers the eastern walls, while four mounted telescopes fill the center of the room.

A central viewing scope aimed upward connects the four mounted telescopes in this room. The scientists and lab technicians store equipment and personal items in this room.
All telescopes and larger apparatuses are fused to the floor.

There is a locked storage unit contains personal belongings left by lab technicians.

More stuff we can take? He means other peoples' belongings. This kid is quite strange. At least he still seems to like us, Yuta thinks privately. Nevertheless, they are doing their job of investigating so he goes into the next room to look around.

He examines the shelves briefly and tries to look inside the storage container but it is locked. He glances up to make sure Envar isn't looking, and gestures at somebody in the other room to talk to him as a distraction. Not that Envar seems to care, but just in case. Then he takes out his engineering kit and tries to quickly get the container open.

Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

He pulls out the equipment to examine. (Everything in the spoiler) He wonders briefly if they are likely to be encountering any more of those elemental things with their dangerous radiation, but he takes personal interest only in the sprayflesh and the cybernetic arm, which he examines with enthusiasm. Yuta realizes that they have no time to install such a thing even if he wanted to, and he puts it down regretfully.

Sorry for the silence, guys. I'm having quite an intense period at work. It's been all work-sleep-work-sleep for the past couple of days.

DICEBOT looks at the sprayflesh and asks DOES ANYONE WANT A SPRAYSTEAK?

Curious where Envar will bring us next

Hadir glances in the other room, then back at Envar, quizzically. "Uh, you mean through the next doors?"

Rei follows after Yuta, gasping audibly at the complex arrangement of mounted telescopes. "Wow, that's fancy!" On the other hand, she doesn't participate in the looting of people's lockers. She even whispers to Yuta "I don't know about this... these are just some people's things, right? Not everyone here is as kooky as the tour-master."

Returning to Envar, Rei gives the fellow an energetic thumbs up "All right! Observatory observed! What's next on your list? Any chance we'll get to see that super plush office you talked about earlier? I've heard some big time execs have full size spas in their closets! You wouldn't know anything about that, huh Envar?"

"Well I've shown you everything on this "official tour" only the like boring stuff is left now. But that’s no fun! Why would you want to see a bunch of lame offices and equipment?."

As Line-04 mentions the super plush office Envar brightens. “I’m the only other employee who has access. Mother’s office is really plush. I go there sometimes to get away from it all... I mean, when she’s not around.”

Ilia Tamm’s office is located on the third floor of Brilliance. As
you exit the elevator with Envar, a pair of vesk in security uniforms enter looking you over.

2d20 ⇒ (1, 12) = 13

One of them seems to start a motion to stop you from entering but then Envar just smiles at him and mention he's allowed to be like totally be here and they allow you to pass.

A locked plastic door bars entrance to Ilia’s office.

A PC can bypass the electronic locking mechanism by succeeding at a Computers or Engineering check if you want .

Seeing you stand before a closed door Envar pulls out a card and offers it to you
"In case you like need it to get in through the door, this will open it"

Perception DC21: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Why, thank you, Envar. You must be very important to the company.

Serrarra moves to spring the trap...uh...I mean open the door unless someone stops her.

Yuta whispers back to Lynn, "I believe you may be right. I thought we might find something incriminating, but it does appear to be simply an observatory."

He follows the others to continue their 'grand tour', and carefully makes a bland expression when they encounter the guards. He briefly contemplates how difficult this would all be if they did not have Envar with them to smooth the way, but then he pushes aside that distracting thought and tries to focus on the here and now.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

All is well.

Rei tilts her head at Envar, raising on finger to rub at her cheek in mock confusion "I thought you were leading the way? Are we supposed to go in here on our own?"

"If this is a super cool office, it'd be much better for you to show us the way!"

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 Lol. As Serrarra starts to approach the door, Hadir sticks his arm out and catches her in the chest. There is a silent alarm on the door. He says into the minds of the party. Check the spoiler to see how to disable it

Unrelated to this situation, but I'm pretty sure not all scenario authors have caught on to the fact that many of the PCs have telepathy. I've been in some social situations in other scenarios where it's assumed that any communication can be overheard.

Serrarra pauses before opening the door.

Oh, my gosh, you're right! Envar should have the honor! I couldn't possibly steal your thunder, Envar. Here you go.

She offers him the keycard, a disarming smile on her face.

Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Well, she hopes it's a disarming smile.

Sovokolok-Asnari nods he is mindful to remain towards the back of the group mindful of any guards that might not want them around. The whelp had proved to be useful at the very minimum.

To be honest, I haven't figured out why Envar wouldn't just open the door for you. My best meta guess is to give you a chance to spot the silent alarm, which I think you most likely wouldn't have looked for. He seems keen to show off the office..and then he leaves it you guys to walk in (and only offers the key if you've impressive him so far - not have him beat up by Razor for example). Otherwise he apparently leads you to a closed door and allows you to break in. As a player this would trigger my paranoia

Does Serrarra get the impression that Envar would be impressed if we found the alarm? We've been playing coy, but if that's the case she'll call it out.

Sense Motive, Envoy Expertise: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 4 + (1) = 16

Rei returns a thought to Hadir 'Umm, now that I think about it, maybe Envar is dazed enough to trigger the alarm himself when he tries to open the door. That'd get us all in trouble! Maybe can you get someone to disable it?'

If Serrarra doesn't end up concluding that he'd be chill with us finding the alarm: Rei will lead Envar away to look at something down the hall for a second while other people disable the alarm.

Serrarra thinks that Envar is so far out of it at this point that nothing will make much of an impression on him anymore as the multidimensional pesh takes it's toll on him.

Serrarra whispers to the group,

Envar's losing it in his drug haze. Let's just quietly disable the alarm and move on. I think this is the sensor here, but the wiring is hidden. Maybe if we...

Aiding since I assume someone has better Computer base bonus.

Computers, Envoy Expertise, Aid Another: 1d20 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 5 + (6) = 16

If no one has a higher skill bonus, consider this the attempt.

Yuta takes a closer look at the door which is apparently equipped with an alarm. He bends to work with Serrarra at redirecting its programming.

Computers: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

DICEBOT thinks this is one of those moments where he is better off not opening his mouth. Yes, definitely one of those moments.

Yuta with a little bit of help from Serrarra has no trouble getting around the silent alarm

Using Envar's card the door slide open without any issue and you can see what the room beyond looks like

This rectangular room is starkly different from the typical gold and-silver metal decor found throughout the rest of Brilliance.
Darkwood credenzas and bookcases complement the woodpaneled walls and tan wooden floor here. A model of the Pact Worlds system, sculpted in gold and silver metal, hangs from the ceiling near the center of the room. Framed parchment maps from some ancient era adorn the walls. The lone visible piece of modern technology is a silver computer console affixed to a darkwood desk on the eastern side of the room. A private climate-controlled and air-sealed balcony overlooks open space to the north. Racks lined with dusty bottles stand along the western wall of the office, watched over by an oil painting of a graceful lashunta woman reaching up toward a radiant sun.

Most of the books on the shelves are works of fiction from bygone ages, and the wine bottles in the racks are priceless relics of decades- and centuries-old viticulture.

The painting of a lashunta woman reaching toward the sun looks like it's expensive

Ilia’s personal computer sits on her desk in the eastern part of the office.

The computer terminal contains sensitive confidential files and requires a two-factor authentication to access: a key card and a password.

When Envar notices you looking at the computer he mentions: "You can like use my keycard if you want..and I know the answer to the security questions to reset my mother's password. Like she thought I didn't know the name of her first pet..Bubbles"

Ilia’s tier-2 computer has a built-in firewall countermeasure protecting her information
Computers check to hack into it, let me know if you want to use Envar's keycard and/or use his security answers

Serrarra looks around the office.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

I see no in-universe reason not to use Envar's keycard and information. Is there any reason we wouldn't?

No, just feeding your paranoia ;) You did just find a silent alarm on the door after all

Sometimes I feel like there's this super-powerful entity controlling the whole universe, and they have to abide by some basic rules but they have great power in interpreting them. And they're trying to kill me. :-)

Having failed to perceive anything, can I try a Computers check or have I already spent my action?

I figured the first two spoilers were different checks.

Though he’s a little nonplussed at how willing Envar is to just let them into everything, he tries to quickly scan the room and take it all in at once.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

None of the decorations seem to be relevant, so he sticks to what he knows by moving in the look closer at the computer.

Computers: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Tucked just behind it he notices a finger-sized storage module that should be portable. He picks it up and starts casually twirling it around in one hand. “Was Bubbles a fish, perhaps?” he asks absently.

Yuta at least would definitely use the info, yeah. Envar’s keycard has been working so far.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Hadir looks uneasily around the room. Let's not touch anything we don't need to He says to the party in their heads.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2
Computers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

"Gosh Envar, this place is even fancier than I thought. You get to hang out here? I'm so jealous!" Lynn's words are said with slightly less gusto than typical for her. Instead, she's distracted by looking around the room. Humming to herself, she re-establishes telepathic connections with Yuta and Serrarra (casting Telepathic Message).

She broadcasts on her telepathic link to the two. "Following Envar for so long made me forget why we're here. But now that we're here, I can't help but think... cameras! There's bound to be cameras watching us right now, hidden somewhere. Ehh, just the thought is kinda creeping me out." Lynn shivers visibly and theatrically. "It's going to be super obvious to anyone watching right now that we're up to no good! Anyone got any good ideas? If you can cover me, I'll hack this computer quickly to get the data."

Either way:
Lynn pulls out her datapad (and hacking kit) and draws out its hard line, plugging it into the office's terminal. She bypasses the initial login with Envar's details and uses the security word 'Bubbles' to get access to Ilia Tamm's account.

Computers, hack through the firewall: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

She disables the firewall, bypasses the shell system and deactivates the dead-man's switch in a matter of seconds before digging in to finding the data.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (9) + 0 = 9

YES ENVAR, YOU ARE SO COOL. LET'S TAKE A SELFIE

DICEBOT tries to get a good shot of the room, collecting some proof that they were here on a guided tour.

Just to verify, first 2 spoilers are indeed different check. One was to take a general look around the office, the second was when you take a look at the computer

Having found a portable data storage Yuta is urged by Hadir to leave it where it was found

Envar comments"No bubbles was some sort of lizard..I think..or a bird? Maybe it was a fish after all...plants can't be pets can they?"

Line-04 has no problems getting into the computer using Envar's keycard and help with getting through the security questions
Both provide you with a +5 bonus, for a +10 total on your hacking attempt

After you acquire the data via a successful hack, you can recognize the various secured files but cannot discern any major information. The single most obvious clue from the data is that Arch Energy is essentially a front that funds clandestine meetings between the members of its board of directors. Each of the directors is hidden by a false identity, and it should be clear that this is the data Historia-7 is looking for. The data requires a dedicated team of data analysts to properly pry any major secrets from.

You successfully concealed your identities and remained undetected by Brilliance security, bypassed Ilia Tamm’s security door without triggering the alarm, and hacked into Ilia’s computer with no mistakes, your actions on Brilliance didn't attract the attention of Arch Energy Consortium security.

As you make your way back to your ship you notice a pair of security fighters docked nearby but they make no attempt to follow you as you lift of after saying goodbye to Envar and you make your way back to Absolom station.

After your successfully depart from Brilliance with the requested files, you can return to the Lorespire Complex on Absalom Station, it takes a few days to return. During this time Envar sends each of you a digital invitation to his 24th birthday party, described as an all-inclusive trip to a pleasure yacht in high orbit over Verces, with a note, “Join me for an encore performance of our glorious victory!”

Historia-7 eagerly awaits your return and has already prepared a team of Dataphile data operatives to decode and record the contents of the stolen files.

Historia-7 offers the slightest slip of happiness as she notices you already have cracked the security and didn't just bring the data on a portable data storage unit for her to crack.

Historia-7 finishs her debriefing with you;
“The mission is a success, and you are to be commended. All of you deserve some time to rest before your likely return to a more
typical Society assignment.” Historia-7 speaks, momentarily pausing after making her declaration. The android’s eyes stare
off past her data visor, as though she were contemplating some additional information. “Interesting… This data you’ve uncovered is… very… interesting. For now, I’ll ask you to depart. I need to summon Zigvigix of the Exo-Guardians. It appears one of his recent offers now aligns with what this data may require us to do. How… unfortunate.”

Historia-7 refuses to elaborate on why she needs to meet with Zigvigix or on any breakthroughs she discovered in the stolen data.

This concludes your adventure for now. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves

hold on, I said anything we don't *need* to. The portable data storage sounds like potentially one of our mission goals. Can we figure out what's on it?

Wow, that was a really sudden conclusion! For some reason I expected more complications, but it turns out stealing a bunch of info is really easy?

@Hadir: Sounds like the removable storage drive would have been the fall-back option if we couldn't crack the firewall based on the comment by Historia-7? I am curious what exactly that was about.

While she's searching Ilia Tamm's computer, Lynn takes the opportunity to leave behind a backdoor. A backdoor whose authorship she doctors to make it look like it was commissioned for Envar's use. She mirrors the relevant files to her datapad and reverses her way through the system, re-enabling all the protections as she does so.

With data in hand she offers an excuse to Envar and follows the rest of the group back to the ship. "Zetta easy, dontcha think?" she muses out loud "The big E was a pushover."

-----------

After the debriefing with Historia:
Lynn pulls out her datapad, commenting to her allies "I sure hope we never have to do anything with that crazy kid again. He was AWFUL." She gives an exaggerated sigh "But at least pretending to be someone else was fun right? Here, let me get a pic of us all together! I'll send it to all of you afterward as a memento. One that doesn't have Envar in it!" She brightens massively at the thought, bringing the datapad up to take a quick pic of the group.

"Oh, and I'll see about making some of those pics Envar had us take with him disappear off the infosphere. I don't know about you guys, but... I'd rather not show up as a friend of his, even if I was all disguised as Rei." She gives the group a wink.

hold on, I said anything we don't *need* to. The portable data storage sounds like potentially one of our mission goals. Can we figure out what's on it?

That's what you did by hacking the computer. If you can't hack it you have the option to just take the data and have Historia-7 get a team to decrypt it - You can take it if you want to (also, for some reason they assume that you take the expensive painting to sell for money) Maybe I didn't explain it properly..but think of it as an external hard drive connected to your pc

@Line-04]If your disguises would have been seen through (either by port security when entering or by the Vesk security) or if you tripped the silent alarm on the door or failed the computer hack (which triggers an audible alarm( you'd have had about 10 minutes to flee the scene and then fight your way out in some ship combat..but you didn't trigger the countermeasures

To quote the scenario;

If they manage to accomplish this impressive feat, then proceed directly to the conclusion of the adventure and skip this final encounter. The PCs still receive all rewards from this scenario—there are some perks to performing a flawless heist!