Hux finds the whole scene gaudy and her "prediction" seeing as so! Has already paid her for Half of the job and almost certainly told her what we needed. Actually, only one of us require your services. I won't be needing any treatment, but my friend alim here has a more pressing need of his strength. You may feel free to keep the half of the fee for my treatment you already received from zo! If you wish. I have no intention of telling him if you do so.
Since Hux was the first to speak up, he eyes shift over to Hux's. The lights flicker for a moment, The choice is yours, ysoki, but you tread in dangerous water. I believe there is more danger to this disease than you realize... but as I said, you don't want the service, you are free to not take it.
She smiles and looks back to Alim. You both seem to have another life force growing within you.
Alim makes direct eye contact with the Eoxian woman, and, for a fleeting moment, feels comfort in her eerie gaze. "Thank you kind one... I am grateful for your time and energy to perform this task for me..." Alim pauses, and looks to Hux. "Do you not fear what is inside of us...? Could you not take time to find more information on the internet, since we are back on the Station?... Maybe they would have more information... And you would decide differently..." Alim turns back to the Eoxian. "Please... Allow my friend to further research and examine the illness that has befallen us... And maybe then he would decide differently."
Alim sighs, and moves towards her chair in the middle of the room. It is ornate in design, and again covered in various shades of purple. He plunks down into it, allowing his arms to uncurl and rest in their natural state. With his eyes closed, he addresses the Eoxian. "I am ready for your healing, Madam."
Well all this is going on I am heading back to the ship I have something to take care of tool walk out and heads back to the ship.
The woman grabs Alims lower hands and begins casting a spell. The room starts to dance with lights and she trembles. Dark energy seems to be pouring from Alim, attacking the healer. Suddenly, it all stops and Alim feel fresh and renewed. The woman looks drained and sweating, That was some bad stuff, but you are cured. I can read the future as well if you would like. The spirits are very active right now so it is a good time. I won't even charge...but tips are always welcome.
The spell she cast would not ever cause the visual effects it did. The room appears to be enchanted with illusion magic to have different effects depending on her desire when cast spells. The enchantment is very expensive and she is obviously a powerful caster. But use a lot of theatrics.
Tool leaves the room before he sees the spell being cast.
The disease is how the Akata reproduce. When they bite, they inject you with larva which is the disease. If you die while diseased, you will turn into a zombie and this is the early stage of an Akata's life cycle until it is big enough to be it's own Akata.
An Akata is immune to; cold, disease, poison, starvation. They resist small amounts of fire damage.
They are especially susceptible to salt water.
They also seem to be deaf but they have the ability to sense things even when blinded.
Terrifying predators that dwell in the vast void of space, akatas make their homes on asteroids, comets, and dying planets, hibernating in cocoons for countless centuries. When a meteorite carrying an akata colony crashes onto a planet or another astronomical object that can support life, the akatas awake from their cocoons to seek out suitable hosts for their young. A typical akata stands 3-1/2 feet tall and weighs 400 pounds.
Akatas reproduce by implanting their parasitic larval offspring in humanoid hosts; this infection they cause, known as void death, functions as a disease and transforms its victims into undead void zombies. The cocoon an akata can create around itself is composed primarily of the starmetal noqual.
As the uneasy meeting with the Eox concludes, Dahlia excuses herself from the group.
Glad to have her feet back on the station, she Makes her way to the market, using the bustling crowd and noises and smells to center herself. When her calm is restored, she makes her way to the school, waiting patiently for classes to let out for the day before proceeding.
When Dahlia and Cristo see each other, a broad smile appears on both.
careful woman, you've no time for him, and he's done nothing so wrong that he deserves you. She thinks, before walking over to greet him.
"You look well, headmaster." she says, taming her smile.
"And you as well, my adventurous friend." Cristo replies, his smile now big enough for both of them.
"I have more of the 'assistance' we spoke about earlier." She continues, handing him a credstick with 900 credits.
"I wish it was more, but my employer was quite insistent on his price."
"You are too kind, I do wish I had caught you before you left. I have something for you too." He says, producing a small computer attached to a bracelet. "I meant for this to help you on your quest, but you were gone so quickly.... But take it now. May it help keep you safe, and perhaps remind you of.....the children." He says.
Dahlia smiles as she sees the bracelets red and gold metal. "I will cherish it." is all she can squeak out.
Suddenly plunged into an ackward silence, Cristo is the first to recover. "Do you have time for tea?"
"Of course I do." she replies, attaching the gift to her arm.
They walk to their spot in the cafe and sip tea in the almost too peaceful silence. Watching the stars go by, Dahlia's mind drifts back to one of the few happy memories she has of her childhood. Soon she finds herself humming softly.
Her remaining tea is cold by the time she snaps back to reality. Seeing her startle, Cristo stands and offers her a hand up.
As they leave the hidden alcove, he simply says, "Come to the school anytime." then disappears into the crowds, leaving her to make her way back to the hotel on her own.
Tier 1 Wrist computer
Base 50c
hardened +25c
mini +5c
mini +5c
self-charging +5c
self-charging +5c
self-charging +5c
self-charging +5c
self-charging +5c
self-charging +5c
self-charging +5c
self-charging +5c
self-charging +5c
self-charging +5c
spell chip +154c
spell chip +154c
spell chip +154c
spell chip +154c
spell chip +154c
total 915 credits
As the Eoxian takes Alim's hands, he feels a... shift? Alim is unsure how to describe it, but he feels something inside him grow restless, almost irritated that this woman is touching him. As she begins her chanting, Alim feels whatever this illness is literally being dragged from his veins, from all his extremities, and exiting him through his lower hands. As it leaves his body, Alim feels as though his blood is boiling... as though this disease has dug its nails into Alim's soul, and doesn't want to let go...
Suddenly, it all stops. The heat, the discomfort, the exhaustion... Gone. Alim looks around at everything, as though seeing it for the first time. He looks at the Eoxian, clearly exhausted from dragging the disease out of him. Alim reaches for a nearby towel, and softly dabs at the Eoxian's forehead. Alim speaks softly to her. "Thank you for healing me... I don't know what exactly was inside of me, but I know it didn't want to leave... And you made it go away. I know we paid you for this but I could never thank you enough for what you have done for me this day. Thank you..." Alim sets the towel down, and looks back at the Eoxian, with life back in his direct stare. Her green glowing eyes stare back into his, and she can feel the seriousness of his demeanor. "If you are able to give us a glimpse of future telling, I would be most interested to hear what you have to say. That healing was far more intense than I ever anticipated, and any suggestions or insight into how to best handle any potential dangerous encounters would be greatly appreciated..." He pauses for a moment, and looks at the floor. He thinks a moment, and adds quietly. "... I don't know if I could handle that sort of physical and mental drain again..."
Alim sits back in the chair, posture returning to his completely straight-sitting position, allowing his upper hands to tuck back in comfortably to their normal resting position. His orb, which had become a dull yellow when he was sick, once again returned to its more vibrant yellow-orange color, and did a few short circles around Alim's head, before returning to its favorite spot a few inches about Alim's shoulder. He looks to the Eoxian, with clear excitement and wonder in his eyes, waiting to see what she would do...
The healer pulls out a deck of cards and has Alim shuffle them. I am glad to read the future of a paying customer. I can't promise for how clear this will be, but never the less, I will do my best. I have you shuffle because it allows the spirits to read you and maybe, hopefully, one will come out and help us today. When she finishes shuffling, she takes her deck back. I will flip the first card now. If it is an "archetype card" it means we have a spirit here now, if it is not, we will just advance with the typical Horrow deck reading. She flips the card and the word "Trickster" is written along a scroll on the top of the card with a picture of a jester.
She looks down, shocked at the card. This is a rare and dangerous one. He is always truthful, but often in ways that don't seem truthful till hindsight. He is misleading in his advice and speaks in riddles. I have seen people bet lots of money based on the trickster's predictions. It maybe safer for you if we end this now, but if you prefer, I will continue the reading.
When you agree, the lights flicker again and a faint jester laugh is heard in your head (like how Chiskisk talks). The lights go out completely for a moment then suddenly back on with a small scroll left on the table. That spirit has never managed to grow with the times... well here is what you wanted.
I am, I'm not. I visit young and old,
Some I make timid and some I make bold,
Unwise is the one who pokes fun at me.
Beware, for I am a shadow of thee.
She looks at it, This a warning of sorts if I can interpret it correctly, but it for you to decide what that means...
Hands I do not have, yet I grasp so tight.
I love darkness, my enemy is light.
Both the mighty and low know me well,
For in the hearts of men do I dwell!
I am not sure what his is going for here. Maybe the answer will give you insight into why he wrote this...
I drift forever with the current and flows to your everyday life i make living easy but i am good at killing people too what am i?
This is his last one. I would guess that this is meant to be a form of advice or something, but it may also be a trick... up for you to decide.
I am sorry he is the spirit who came, I do not know what to tell you about what any of that means... just don't go blaming me if you make a major decision based on what he said and it was wrong. As always, tips welcome!
Alim is in a sort of amazed and fascinated state of mind as he watches and listens to all of this unfold in front of him. I cannot tell if this is sort of trick, or if this is some intense magic, but either way... This is impressive... And so intriguing... I'll have to make a mental note to look more into this sort of magic... Alim feels the fine hairs on his skin stand on end as the Trickster comes and goes, and finds himself on the edge of his chair as he listens to the Eoxian read what the Trickster has left for him. His brain is turning with thoughts as the Eoxian concludes her reading to him. Alim looks her deeply into her eyes, an excitement found glowing within them. "Madam, I do not fully understand what has just occurred here, but I want to thank you for your time. Here, I know it is but a small payment for your troubles, but please take it. Your time and effort here has been nothing but greatly appreciated by me..." Alim gives the Eoxian woman a credstick with 50 credits on it, and rises from his chair for the first time since being healed. He feels strong as he stands straight and tall, a comparable height to the Eoxian woman as she rises to meet him. Alim bows slightly to her as he speaks. "Thank you again for your troubles, I will not forget your kindness."
With that, Alim turns to leave. He looks quickly to his remaining comrades in the room, Hux and Katara. He goes to speak with them, but also uses his communication system built into his suit to contact the others. "Let's meet back at the hotel before departing. There is much I think we need to discuss before leaving back to the Drift Rock."
Quickly, Alim runs into a weapons shop, and does a quick stop and shop. The store is fairly bland, made up of just white walls, lined with weapons upon weapons. The human that maned the front counter said nothing to Alim, and Alim wasn't sure if it was because the human was uninterested in starting a conversation, or if the numerous bite marks all over Alim's clothing and body intimidated the human.
Reaching the hotel that they have used as a base for the last few... Weeks? Days? Alim had lost track of time. However, when he returned, all his comrades were again in one place. There was some clear unspoken tension that Alim knew he would have to address, but this information was a pressing factor right now. He would address the other stuff later.
Alim looks around from comrade to comrade and explains the riddles that were told to him from the Eoxian woman through her fortunate reading. In explaining it, Alim confesses that he does not fully understand this sort of magic, but that he had ideas abut what the riddles meant. "... There were two riddles. The first one read something like-
I am, I'm not. I visit young and old,
Some I make timid and some I make bold,
Unwise is the one who pokes fun at me.
Beware, for I am a shadow of thee.
- I was thinking... And hear me out... I am, I am not. This could mean that they both exist, but at the same time they do not. Can it not exist in the same moment? Then the visiting young and old... Maybe that this does not discriminate between those of any age? It does not have a preference? Some I make timid, and others bold... so some are afraid of it, while others look at it more courageously? Unwise is it to poke fun... So this is something that no one should take lightly, or should be joked about... I am a shadow of thee... So, what is always following us around...? Okay, hear me out, but I think this riddle is talking about death! Think about it... Death exists, but it does not exist in the realm of the living, as one cannot be alive and dead at the same time... Unless one is an Eoxian, but they seem to defy a lot of 'natural' histories... Death is something that can happen to both young and old, and to anyone in between. Death is an intimidating thing to most, but there are some, like soldiers or warriors, that greet it like an old friend. People should not take death lightly, and death is always following us around... Like a black shadow..." Alim pauses, to let what his thoughts are on it to sink in.
He then moves on to the next riddle. "And if that riddle is right, then I think what I came up with for this next one makes sense, too... Okay, so that riddle went along the lines of-
Hands I do not have, yet I grasp so tight.
I love darkness, my enemy is light.
Both the mighty and low know me well,
For in the hearts of men do I dwell!
- This one I started at the first and last line, because together they made the most sense together. The last line says that it dwells in the hearts of men... and while I'm sure it means more than just men, it refers to all species, it got me thinking, what lives in our hearts? I thought of emotions... feelings. It was one of the first things we learned in warrior training, my instructor saying, 'Trust your training, do not overthink with your head, nor feel too much with your heart'... But I digress. Feelings live within one's heart. And then the first line reads how this does not have hands, but it holds fast and tight... so a strong feeling. Then the following line reads how it dwells best in the dark, but hates light. And again it is known to all. So it is an emotion that is known to all. And I was thinking... Why dark? What emotion is evoked in the dark, but vanishes in the light?.... Fear. Fear is the emotion. Fear has no hands, but it takes hold of one's whole being when it arises. It thrives in the dark, playing on one's imagination of what lives in the darkness, but in the light, one can see clearly what surrounds them, and there is nothing more to be afraid of. Everyone has known fear. And it lives within all of our hearts... And this emotion makes sense when paired with the previous riddle! Fear and Death go hand in hand for so many...." Again, Alim pauses.
Then he addresses the final piece that was disclosed to him. " Those first two pieces seemed to be a warning to us... Though, I will be honest, I am not sure how to interpret that, nor how that would help us in preparing for any upcoming fight... None of the texts I have read, nor any of the histories I have come across have suggested any such beasts that dwell on these factors... But this final riddle seemed to be sent in hopes of a solution, or maybe something that may aid us? This riddle went along the lines of-
I drift forever with the current and flows to your everyday life
I make living easy but I am good at killing people
-This one, I came up with two options, and I think both make sense. The first option I came up with is water. Water flows and has a current. Water makes living easy, and can also kill people... But then, when I was thinking about it, I recall looking around the Eoxian's room, filled with candles. And the thought crossed my mind. Candles are a very primitive method of lighting a room. Typically, we use electricity... And then I thought that maybe the answer could be electricity. It also has a current and flow, thought it is typically less apparent than water... But. It does make our everyday life significantly easier, and can have awful effects that can lead to death in some... And then, once I came up with the other riddles, I thought that maybe electricity fit better than water. Because, electricity can produce light, and light is something that fear cannot dwell in. So maybe... Electricity of some kind will aid us on the Drift Rock?"
Alim pauses, and looks around from comrade to comrade, allowing his gaze to linger in each of their eyes a bit longer than normal. As he comes full circle, he lays his newly purchased Static Arc Pistol on the table. He addresses the group, but as he does, his tone is soft. "I very much want to take necessary precautions going back to this Drift Rock... This last battle was eye-opening for me, and I now realize that there is a time and place to fight with my sword. Though it may be a habit that dies hard, I realize I cannot ignore the need to be prepared. And while I am still unsure about this reading, I know that the conclusions I have come to with the riddles presented to me have led me to presume some sort of electricity may be of use in whatever fights we may be facing on this Drift Rock. I also have a lantern that I can present during any fights, if whatever we fight on this Rock fears the light... I can no longer depend solely on the histories I have read about. I now need to learn from the histories I make as I go, and based on just a few hours ago's history, having some ranged weapons will come in handy..."
Alim pauses, clearly concerned as he continues. "I ask you all to please truly reflect on what we have just gone through, and please consider the words I have spoken... While I cannot tell you what to believe, I ask for you all to be as careful as you can going forward. And also realize that we are a team. A unit. When we fight, we fight to protect one another. We fight to make sure we all make it back in as much of one piece as we can... While I am striving to respect you all, I admit that I falter from time to time, and I apologize. But now is not the time to take misspoken words to heart. We need to take into consideration the team, and while I acknowledge I may not have always done that, I ask that going back to the Drift Rock... That you do. We cannot fight as individuals. History shows that great nations fall when the individual values themselves over the group...Please. Heed my words. If words need to be said now, may the air be cleared. Let us all put to rest any unspoken disagreements. We need to all be clear-headed and focused on our mission. Not on petty words spoken out of frustration."
With that, Alim ceases speaking. He waits for any anger to be spoken, for additional thoughts to be said, and for any remaining knowledge be shared.
Dahlia is slow to return to the here-and-now. Staring off into space as Alims story begins. She thinks for a moment before addressing the Solarian.
"As far as I can tell, you paid a snake-oil salesman to spin a fancy riddle at you. If you want to read some meaning into it, you are welcome to." She replies.
About their trip to the drift rock, Dahlia seems more agreeable.
"We should continue to fight as a team, I'm not so sure we haven't been. I am both amazed and proud of the combat prowess displayed by this group so far. As to disagreements, I'm not sure I have any with this lot, but if I find any, I'll be sure to set them aside like you said."
i don't know about your riddles but the info on these dam thing i found on the NET they don't like salt water. i have some makeshift grenades with salt water and and 2 water pistols. Hux really should get to a Dr. and get fixed up there larva is growing inside you. the info i was able to find is...Akatas reproduce by implanting their parasitic larval offspring in humanoid hosts; this infection they cause, known as void death, functions as a disease and transforms its victims into undead void zombies. The cocoon an akata can create around itself is composed primarily of the starmetal noqual. there are larger Akata but nothing to imply that every group has a larger one. they also don't have a social structure like a Queen or a leader. The only real creatures that are around them are the void zombies. So the other thing the crew saw i dont really know what it would be. on that note iam going to turn in and prepare for tomorrow. Tool picks up his things and goes to his room.
Katara listens to the riddles recited by Alim and his thoughts on there meaning before giving his own input.
Well put explanations Alim, I have to say I agree with your solution to the first two as they are pretty straightforward. As for the third, I can't say I agree with you on that one, neither of those answers seem like they truly work. I think that based on the solutions to the first two being more on aspects of life it would be fitting for the third to be as well instead of physical things. Personally, I think that it might be complacency that the riddle speaks of. It fits the description of drifting through everyday life and making life easier, it can also lead to untimely deaths for those who work in more dangerous fields such as ours. That is my thoughts on the matter anyway, feel free to critique them.
As for working as a unit, I think we have been doing that quite well so far and I for one intend to keep it that way. I just purchased a new weapon. Katara brandishes his newly gotten pike for his comrades to see. This should offer me the ability to fight at more of a distance from those nasty akata. Katara turns and faces Hux If you would allow it I would prefer to fight behind Jib as he is immune to the akata's poison and due to the extra reach of my pike I would still be able to safely deal damage to them.
I really wouldn't put any stock in what the old eox said. Hux seems to brush off the thaughtfull analysis like a child in a poetry lecturer. I having encountered any major disagreements with any of you but I'm hesitant to say I'd risk my life for the "greater good" of the group. Hux turns happily to tool as he presents this new and seemingly reliable information. excellent I'm glad to have that information, but as for the need for a doctor it seems all I have to do is not die and I was already planning on doing that. [Ooc] while he is out during the day his will pick up 1 Semi-auto pistol, Tactical (260 c) 2 Frag grenade I (70 c) [ooc]
I don't mind that change to our marching order
Everyone wakes up in the morning after a much needed rest from the LONG day before. Everyone feels fresh and renewed (with maybe a few new scars), except Hux. His night was long will little sleep. Between his fever and cold sweats. he is look a bit rough. That being said, it doesn't seem any worse than yesterday either.
Everyone gets their new gear together and heads to the docking bay for the embassy. Ambassador Nor and Zo! are there to great you. Nor speaks up first, Glad to see you all decided to come this morning. I know yesterday was a long long day, but it is a sign of a good future that you will show back up asking for more the next day. Good work will not go unrewarded. So I came with a present for you. He pulls out a serum. A medical supply company likes to give "random" free trials to new products to the ambassadors and members of government in hopes of buying votes. They are smart and do it using products not yet on the market, so that there is no market value, essentially walking in the grey area of bribery laws. I accept the "trials" for the product because I don't let it influence my vote and often they are actually an insult. For example, who gives an Eoxian a blueberry flavored healing serum? First, I lack taste buds. Second, healing will hurt this body of mine! Regardless, they make great gifts... so here is a new serum that is in it's final stages of being tested. It is supposed to restore people to better health. He hands the serum over.
Zo! speaks up next. You guys did a great job yesterday! If you weren't disguised, you would be HUGE! HUGE I tell you. I hope to see it again today. The responses I have been getting on this show have been marvelous! I think that a deal for this show and the Starfinder Society can be worked out. So, I will set you up with your cameras again while my makeup artist does the disguises again... Unless, you don't want them this time? You could be celebrities!
With that both the make up artist and Zo! get to work. Within two hours, everyone has their body cams and disguises all set up and have clearance to take off. You are able zoom right by the Armada and no assassin's come after you this time. Now time for the 3 hour flight out to the drift rock!
Tool wakes up and gathered his things together. Laughing to himself when he picks up the water guns. My back up weapon is a kids toy. This should make for some good TV for my superior Zo. Amused with himself Tool finishes getting his thing in order.
Alim thanks the Ambassador for the healing serum, and again is disguised. Once on the ship, everyone seems to settle into their seats.
Alim situates himself as close to Tool as possible, which doesn't seem to be an easy feat, since Tool is and has been actively avoiding him since Alim's verbal assault on most of his fellow comrades.
Once seated, Tool turns sharply to Alim, clearly pissed off that Alim has been so adamant about speaking with him. He glares at Alim, not saying much.
Alim takes a deep breath and then exhales. As he breathes out, he looks deeply into Tool's eyes, as though trying to see into his soul. Speaking, Alim's tone is soft. "Tool, I know you have a great deal of feeling upon your heart, and I can feel that most, if not all of it, is directed at me. So, before I speak much more, I would like to ask you to open up to me. Tell me what is on your heart and mind to make you feel and act this way towards me...?"
Tool not to happy this is happening right now. Flying ships is the time that Tool feels most at home and at ease. Tool looks back into Alim eyes. I have been talked down to, told what to do, how to do it my entire existence. I had to keep quiet and do as i was told. I made a promise to myself i will never let anyone treat me like that again. I don't care who they are. Your precious balance you are always going on about isn't any concern of mine. I live my life for E1518 not for you or anyone else. Your beliefs are yours not mine. you want to get upset with me because i am not willing to risk my life or the life of my party members. I did what i thought was right and best for the party. We are going around blind out here not one of us knows what is really going on here. If pissing someone off to keep myself and my friends safe i am going to do it. If you can not handle the fact i do not follow blindly we can go to the starfinders and have me replaced before we take off. Tool stops his per launch prep, and looks to Alim to decide what she wants to do.
Alim sits there, taking in all that Tool has to say. Speaking again, Alim is soft-spoken, and goes slowly, choosing his words with thought. "... Tool, I am beginning to understand that we all come from different places... And all have our own pasts... One's that could never be found in a history book... When I get frustrated, which I seldom show, it is because I am overwhelmed with the lack of knowledge of the vast amount of histories out there... However, what I forget is that we all have our own personal histories, too... "
Alim trails off, and breaks eye contact for a minute. He looks out the front of the ship for a moment, looking at the Station before them, and the vast Universe beyond that. He again speaks to Tool, but gazes out the window as he does, lost in thought. "I know that not all see the Universe as one that has balance in it... Nor would I ever try to force that on you. If you feel that I have, I am sorry... However, I will not apologize for vocalizing my feelings or beliefs. Just as you are telling me now how you have chosen to never be silenced, I am telling you that I will always speak to my training and learned history, both from text and personal life. We may disagree on it, but I always ask that you seek to hear out my side, or anyone else you may not agree with. It is something I am challenging myself with, because I realize now that life out here is more than just what I have been trained... More than just the Kasatha ways. I ask that you challenge yourself, too. Not to go against a promise you've made to yourself, but to be willing and open-minded to hear the other side's thoughts on different topics... You may not agree, but there may be a better way to make a compromise..."
Alim continues to look out the window, but pauses to see if Tool has anything to add or say back...
Now isn't the time to hash this all out. We have gone this far lets finish what we set out to do then we can work on ourselves when we are done. Tool goes back to his preflight. This time Tool forgoes the turn and burn or any other tricks to worm up the ship. The excitement and joy has been suck out of the return flight. Plus after the last attempted ambush he wants to be a little more on guard.
The flight to the drift rock goes without an issue. You arrive in the expected 3 hours. The Drift Rock is a rocky asteroid only a few thousand feet in diameter with an unremarkable, irregular surface.
The asteroid has no atmosphere and is primarily composed of rock and metal. Strangely, the sensors can pick up no additional information, as if the Drift Rock itself is interfering with the sensor readings.
You can use the scanners to make a visual survey of the asteroid surface.
Hux scans the rock
these readings are weird, the scanning should have worked but there's hardly any data here. Take a look at this.
One side of the Drift Rock seems to have been sheared cleanly off, as if it was once part of a larger planetoid or celestial body.
Unlike on most asteroids, no impact craters mar the Drift Rock’s surface, as if it had been somehow protected from the ravages of space for millions of years.
You find a rocky overhang concealing a cave entrance that seems to lead inside the asteroid. It should be easy enough to the land the ship on the asteroid near the overhang.
Alim, trying to shake off Tool's dismissal of the conversation at hand, shuffles back to his seat. His head is filled with thought when he hears Hux's surprise at the lack of information picked up by the Rock.
Alim turns his head towards the Rock, and looks at it, but soon realizes that he's zoned out, and wasn't truly seeing anything except his thoughts. He shuffles back over to his seat, and sits back down. He leans over and rests his head in his lower hands. His eyes close, and he softly begins chanting to himself. The chant is soft in the background of the rest of the crew's prep to land on the Rock, but the faint smell of a calming aroma can be found lingering around Alim. As Alim chanted, he drew from his backpack some of the oils that Naziha had given to him and placed a few drops on his wrists. Alim sits quietly, chanting, and attempting to refocus his energy and mind to the pressing task at hand.
there is a overhang and a cave over there do we want to land there seeing we can't get much of a reading from the ship?
The ship is easy to land close to the cave that Tool spotted. There is no atmosphere inside the asteroid. There is also no light coming from the cave.
The astroid does not have any gravity as well so you will be needing to act under 0 gravity rules. The cave walls have hand holds enough to be able to move out of combat with out much issue.
The cave tunnel has a ceiling 15 foot high.
You move into the cave a little bit and you already find your first fork in the road.
Dahlia has no input on direction, we will explore it all so which way we go first matters not.
Alim exits the ship, and immediately notices just how much brighter his orb looks at his side. Thinking fast, Alim dives into his backpack. After shuffling a few items around, Alim's upper arms lift out a giant beacon, and the sudden burst of light causes everyone in the group to cover their eyes. The 100 feet diameter of the beacon brightly illuminates the walls around them.
After a few moments of adjusting, Alim takes the beacon and raises it above his head. "I think this should be of some help to us here..." Alim trails off as he notices the fork in the road already. He pauses, and thinks quietly to himself."I think we should go Northward... but for no particular reason. I'm willing to go South if someone desires, but North is my vote."
North it is lets go tool has his laser pistol out and keeping a eye behind them as they move through the cave.
The group decides north is the way to go. The tunnel quickly opens up into a cavern. A dead humanoid body floats in this cavern.
The corpse is that of a human male. It’s still wearing an estex suit with a patch that reads “ACREON,” identifying it as a member of the mining ship’s crew.
There is a exit to this cavern to the east.
"Well, at least the families may get some closure. If this one is dead, the others have probably not fared well." Dahlia says as the corpse floats by. "We can collect him on the way out. For proper interment."
Tool gives the body a once over looking for cause of death and anything that may help us. he didn't turn in to a zombie he diad another way
The wounds seem to be bite marks like from an Akata. While searching you the body for cause of death, you find an estex suit I with a backup generator armor upgrade and he is holding an empty survival flare gun.
The crew member has clearly been killed by an Akata but does not have have the void death. He must of been attacked but saved against the void death.
Heading to the east room, the tunnel is short and opens into another cavern. Four tunnels exit this cavern to the north, south, east, and west. Strangely, however, while the south and west passages are hewn rock, the north and east passages are finished and lined with some sort of polished, metallic plating on the walls, floors, and ceiling.
This room also has a dead body in it, but the body seems to be animated. The prospector is wearing a space suit, but the lower half of its helmet is shattered, and a repulsive, bloated blue-gray “tongue” hangs from the remnants of the zombie’s lower jaw. It is clearly in the mood to fight.
Unfortunately for him, you guys seem to be far more ready for a fight than him. Everyone acts before the zombie besides Alim.
A creature in a zero-gravity environment can’t take move actions to move its speed, crawl, or take a guarded step. If a creature is adjacent to or in the same square as an object (including a wall, floor, or ceiling) or another creature one size category smaller than itself or larger, it can take a move action to push off that object or creature, moving at half its land speed in a direction of its choosing (as appropriate); if that object or creature is movable, it begins moving in the opposite direction at that same speed.
A creature that moves in a given direction continues to move in that direction at the same speed at the beginning of its turn each round (without taking any action); it must move the full distance unless it is able to change its motion by latching on to an object or creature, pushing off in a new direction, or creating thrust of some kind (all of which are considered move actions). If a creature runs into a solid object during its movement, it must succeed at a DC 20 Acrobatics or Athletics check to safely stop its movement; failure means that creature gains the off-kilter condition. If a creature runs into another creature during its movement, both creatures must each attempt a DC 20 Acrobatics or Athletics check to avoid gaining the off-kilter condition. A creature anchored to a solid object (such as by the boot clamps available with most armor) receives a +4 bonus to this check. An off-kilter creature in a zero-gravity environment can steady itself as a move action that requires a surface to grab on to or some method of propulsion; alternatively, that creature can throw a single item weighing at least 4 bulk (for Medium creatures; 2 bulk for Small creatures) to reorient itself and remove the off-kilter condition.
Thrown weapons have their range increments multiplied by 10 in zero-g. In addition, all ranged weapons no longer have a maximum number of range increments—their wielders simply continue to accrue penalties the farther away the target is.
Tool Quick draws his brightly colored water cannon and lets some salt water fly.
Dahlia draws her newly acquired flame pistol and moves to where she can get a clean shot.
for
Dahlia wiggles her way through her allies and takes a shot at the zombie and hits it! It hisses as it gets burned and Dahlia starts to drift across the room.
Hux advances 15'