You are recent fast-tracked graduates of the Starfinder society academy. Having just endured (or perhaps enjoyed) your graduation ceremony, you have been ushered into the Lorespire Complex for your "Commencement" mission...
As the doors to the Lorespire Complex slide open, a green holographic image of a middle-aged human woman shimmers into view at the center of the room. “Greetings,” it says.
“I am Guidance. Please use the cheek swabs in the open receptacle to provide a genetic sample for Starfinder Society identification purposes. If desired, you may place your hand on the glowing panel to receive a subdermal implant further marking you as a member of the Society.”
The implant you can make glow as a swift action and helps reinforce any claim you make to be a member of the society. It is not compulsory to accept it.
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An android that looks to be a shell of its former self plashes a mock hand against the glowing panel as the implant marks into his body. Blue and red circuitry line his body made with mixed shapes and panels to fill age old gaps and broken exterior in a hodge podge sort of rustic way as the exterior skin has long been removed for several decades.
The top half of the Androids head is missing making it look flat in comparison as led lighting forms shimmering colors and holographic images that reflect something in the form of emotion. Where the mouth is has been replaced by an old speaker box to allow speech a pair of red eyes glow out. A badly programmed synthetic voice calls out. "I accept"
The implant takes a couple minutes as it fails on several occasions to link up with Y2K's programming but seems to take after another try.
Model Y2K: Implant
Jered: Declined
Kharos: TBD
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"It is fortunate to find a wise companion already. As much as the Society touts it virtuous ideas there are those that would abuse it. I'll have to pass on the implant as well, Guidance." says the well dressed Lashunta that walks in. His attire looks to be more at use in a business meeting then adventuring in space but from the size of him he can handle himself. Interestingly enough he doesn't seem to carry a weapon but a mote of pure darkness like a black hole floats over his shoulder.
"Kharos of Eox. Yes, that lovely planet covered in undead. They need a more welcoming face to help handle off planet matters. And you all are?" Kharos asks are providing a official yet lighthearted greeting.
In the corner, looking rather bored, a tall vesk leans on her weapon and stifles a yawn. Obozaya, she says gruffly. I'm good at what I do, though what I do usually isn't very nice.
Guidance ignores the quip and continues, "“It is our pleasure to officially welcome you into the Starfinder Society. Today is the commencement of your new role as a Starfinder field agent. It is our tradition, at the end of the graduation ceremony, for new graduates to present themselves to the heads of our most prominent factions and complete a task at those leaders’ behest. This allows the leaders of these groups to become familiar with all new Starfinder agents, and it provides a constant supply of agents for handling situations in our holdings on Absalom Station. While these tasks were formerly symbolic, the heavy loss of Starfinder agents in the Scoured Stars necessitates that these missions become something more. Please treat any tasks given with the gravity you would grant any other Starfinder assignment.”
A print out from Guiance on the Factions
The program speaks one last time, "Once you complete the faction leader’s desired mission, that leader will signal me to indicate the mission is finished. Once all missions are complete, return to the Lorespire Complex to finish their commencement and prepare for future missions."
Where to Starfinders?
Makes sense, the vesk replies, slinging her weapon back across her back and falling in behind the android. No better place to start than where you already stand, right?
Since you're already there, you opt to stay within the complex. The Lorespire Complex, home and heart of the Starfinder Society, is a striking campus dedicated to knowledge. Communal labs and historical departments study the Archives’ massive collection of artifacts and texts, gathered by generations of agents from across the galaxy. A quick search of the directory indicates Historia-7 frequents the Archives’ Cortex, a computerized matrix containing digital records of the Starfinder Society’s most prominent discoveries.
The android reclines on a raised chair and is plugged into the local infosphere when the doors open. The neural cables detach themselves from her neck as she swivels in her seat to address the new arrivals. “Greetings, Starfinders,” she says calmly. “I am Historia-7. If you are seeking a mission from me, please be aware that my request requires both discretion and speed. Do not accept it if you feel incapable of working within these parameters."
“I discovered someone recently hacked into Bluerise Tower’s computer systems and stole a large amount of sensitive data from the resident corporations. I wish to be privy to this information. I managed to trace the hacker’s location through many proxies and erased the trail so that station and corporate security should be delayed in their pursuit. This deception will not fool them for long, so you must move quickly to retrieve the data before they can recover it. I will leave you to decide what to do with the hacker afterward, but should it be feasible, I believe that person would be an asset to the Society.”
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"Persuading others to see the proper course of action is my specialty. We will bring this hacker back ready to cooperate." Kharos says with confidence after hearing the briefing.
"This is time sensitive so we should be off quickly. Any last information you can give us on this individual? I don't want to walk in on a violent person without being ready." he asks as he readies his gear.
"I wish I did. I don't like having this little intel. That's why I'm sending you."
Historia-7 gives you the address to a flat in Drifter’s End, a district in the station’s Ring known for providing cheap housing to vagabonds of all sorts....
The coordinates that Historia-7 gives you point to an apartment that resembles a cement cube, with several tomato plants in plastic barrels sitting on an otherwise barren porch. Easily seen inside the door are boxes of nutrient broth, gardening tools, and various cultural knickknacks clutter the floor of the flat, leaving barely any room for visitors to sit down. The plants are being hand-pollinated by a young man.
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Kharos beckons the group over out of sight and speaks quietly but quickly.
"How do we wish to proceed? I offer up the idea of trying to talk this out peacefully but having someone look around for a back door if he chooses to run. If he doesn't cooperate then we can apprehend him. Anyone against said plan?"
Does "apprehend" mean "beat up"? Asking for, um, a vesk friend, Obozaya inquires.
The boy stops what he's doing and comes over to Y2K, "Can I help you? It's just my gran in there. I'm not sure why you guys would need her."
Before you can answer him, the door opens and an elderly woman steps out. "Yes? Can I help you?"
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Kharos is taken by surprise by the elderly lady but composes himself quickly.
"Yes ma'am, you can help us. Would you allow us to come inside and ask a few questions. It is rather time sensitive and could be of great importance to your safety." he states with official urgency while inviting himself into the house.
"It is possible there has been a data breach that is tracked to this household. We are here to help you before corporate security arrives. I dare presume you know something about this?" he asks letting compassion drive through when stating their intent to help.
"Data breach? Oh deary me. Oh boy... Ummmmm Nubair, can you leave us?"
The woman pours tea which is far too sweet for ANYONE. Once everyone has a full cup, the old woman's eyes flicker back as you see she has some kind of neural implant. After she examines her neural implants she turns back with a frown.
"I'm assuming you're after the files I've stolen... Oh dear. I had no idea that I did that. I was indeed a hacker in my earlier years—one of the best of the best in her field. However, old age brought on a degenerative brain disease, which forced me into retirement. Augmentations in my brain halted the damage and keep me functional, but I still have large lapses in memory and am no longer as capable as I once was. I must have slipped into a younger mindset, performed the hack, and forgotten about it."
She looks at her grandson and frowns even deeper. "I am happy to give you the files.... in exchange for your aid. Since I am guilty of stealing from Bluerise Tower, it is only a matter of time before corporate security hunts me down. I have no hope of evading agents in my state..."
The frown turns to a wry grin, "Help me fake my death to get her out of the hot water I'm in and give Jubair Society protection. Do this and we have a deal."
"I'm not lying. I promise you. The "upgrades" that keep my memory and mind working are not infallible. I would have lived my whole life not knowing if you didn't give me reason to check my systems."
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"Alright, we will help your boy and if the Society can't I will work my political connections to get him somewhere safe. More importantly we or rather our contact will help you. If anyone can fix or get to the bottom of those "upgrades" it is her. No point in faking your death if this becomes a reoccurring issue." Kharos lays out the plan to take her back to the Dataphiles after being given the data.
Hopefully those corporation guards are still figuring out the trail long enough for us to get her back.
"If those terms are agreeable we should move out immediately so Obozaya doesn't have to beat up some hunters coming for you. Let's grab Jered from the back door."
"Well it's been a while, so I'd rather just bug out. My condition is degenerative and permanent. So I'd prefer this route." she takes a deep breath and holds it long enough that you begin to become concerned. Finally she speaks, and quickly. "This shouldn't be too bad. You'll need to manipulate data to convince the station systems that I'm dead. You also need to provide me a new identity..." her rapid rattling continues for a few minutes, but in the end you've got a rough idea of your options:
Playing dead
- Use your knowledge of medicine to disguise a body. (A simple bribe of a coroner should score you one.
- Or use your knowledge of computers to hack into a hospital records to attach Ceren's name to a Jane Doe.
- Just straight up bribe a mortician to cover your tracks, but remember anyone willing to do that for money would be willing to sell you out if they had no reason to stay quiet...
- If any of you do this kind of thing professionally the whole thing might be simple...
New Identity:
"I'll need to tie up some loose ends. Let's meet in Jatembe park.... call it 6 hours?"
So Starfinders, what's the plan?
Obozaya nods. If someone in the know needs to be, er, convinced to keep quiet, I'll be happy to help.
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Kharos sighs at his failing to talk her into going to see Historia but he will have another chance and his mood is brightened when his ally offers his expert services.
"Perfect, Jered, looks like killing her is up to you. I wish I shared your knack with computers." he says with pleasant surprise.
He starts thinking about the other things she said about a new identity.
"Contacts won't be a problem but getting those documents is out of my reach. Historia would probably hire her if we can't find her something. And I take it dealing with the station government files will be a small task for you and our android Y2K?"
Feeling bad that they haven't had any way for Obozaya to stretch her muscles he offers his apologies. "Sorry, that went over more peaceful than even I expected. I am sure we can get into some trouble with our next task!"
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Kharos starts making some calls to contacts and explaining the story sometimes requiring the reminder of owed favors.
Not sure if he feels comfortable getting her a job in the political realm he looks for something in case they run out of options and he still can't talk her into working for the Dataphiles.
It take Jered a bit of time, but he manages to link Ceren to that of a Jane Doe. Meanwhile Kharos sets to work. He manages to find her contacts and a job with those contacts, no problem.
Ceren still needs:
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"My records show a few places that might be able to set up new documents." Model Y2K's eyes shade out to red as his processors roll over the data. Small holographic images flit up from his sensors on his head. What looks to be numerous images all pop up one after the other on top of another. As one closes, two more open in it's place.
Though the process is slow Y2K is used to the plethora of pop-ups that seem to assault his systems anytime he uses his computer and he completes his task witha bit of patience.
The new documents are easy, but the station records.... not so much.
The party spends a fair amount of time, but gets the work done before the appointed meeting time with Ceren....
Open to all citizens, Jatembe Park occupies a wide portion of the Eye of Absalom Station. Filled with lush trees and open grass fields, the park offers some natural terrain to the otherwise metal-clad station. Your meeting point is one such forested portion of the park, specifically a spot often ignored by citizens due to the winding path required to reach it.
Ceren is already waiting for you with a smile...
And your timing couldn't be more perfect as three thugs seem to be approaching from the other side....
Obozaya moves forward to the bridge, stepping on. She's not yet sure whether it's wise to trust Ceren — this could all be a set-up, since everything could be a set-up, after all — but if she's not affiliated with the thugs then she's a sitting duck.
You lose your way, friends? she asks, deliberately pointing past Ceren. I believe you're supposed to be anywhere else right about now. Her hand rests on the stock of her light reaction cannon, half drawn and plainly visible.
The trio of thugs stop advancing at Obozaya's threat, but they do draw pulsecaster pistols! One thug turns and runs, the other two look ready for a fight.
Round 1:
Y2K: Go
Thugs: TBD
Kharos: TBD
Obozaya: TBD
Jered: TBD
Y2K rushes in to take up a more advantageous spot.
The thugs respond with pulsecasters, both going after the massive vesk
Miss!
Round 1:
Y2K: Prep
Thugs: ATK
Kharos: Go
Obozaya: Go
Jered: Go
Wrong answer, McFly! Obozaya shouts, almost giddy as she moves toward Blue, drawing her tactical doshko on her way in!
But Obozaya is overly concerned about not hitting Ceren and misjudges the agility of her foe.
Smoke sizzles from the bridge where Obozeya strikes.
Round 1:
Y2K: Prep
Thugs: ATK
Kharos: Go
Obozaya: Miss
Jered: Go
Kharos settles himself into a word few understand while Jered hits, barely, his target.
Round 1:
Y2K: Go
Thugs: TBD
Kharos: TBD
Obozaya: TBD
Jered: TBD
Red: 1