Following instructions sent to your personal communicators, each of you has arrived in the lobby area of the LORESPIRE COMPLEX, the headquarters of the Starfinder Society on Absalom Station. You arrive as recent graduates of an accelerated training course that has prepared you to become agents of the Starfinder Society. Now, only the final COMMENCEMENT remains to be completed before you formally become full agents.
The meeting spot in the massive central hall of the Lorespire Complex is perfectly positioned to allow you to observe the foot traffic entering and leaving the building. Though many of you have only heard stories of the Starfinder Society's heyday, the signs of its current low manpower are obvious. The few hurrying agents, and the mercenaries that seem to outnumber them, are dwarfed by the sheer size of the lobby you now wait in.
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A massive Vesk in resplendent armor stands among you. She, for it is obviously a female given her radiant coloration and larger than average size, wears armor bearing the markings of her clan and the accomplishments of many battles. The size of her cannon is only matched by the size of her doshko. You are quite certain that her addition to the team is not due to her intellectual or interpersonal skills.
”I ran into Raia in the corridor. She said something about you guys needing more brawn and less brains for this mission, and that I would be a great fit.”
Her voice is not as lizardlike as one might have expected. She has mastery of the common tongue, and she uses it loudly. "You must fear that there is danger on this mission, or else Storyn would not be here."
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A woman enters the room. Upon second glance, you can see a few of the tell-tale blue markings which mark her as an android. Dressed in a suit, she walks with a formal air and a straight back. Her head is on a swivel, taking in everything.
She pauses in the center of the large room and checks her personal comm. Looking over at the group with sudden interest, she approaches. "Hello, my name is Breq Torren, former slave of the military vessel, Justice of Torren. I am here to provide legal services as well as other, less civilized, methods of support."
She nods to the android, pausing for a moment, looking for any signs of past servitude. Then she turns to the Vesk. "I welcome your presence, ladies. Sometimes these missions can turn ugly."
As the last few members of the group arrive, a trio of projectors in a nearby pillar hum on. The green light emitted condenses into a shimmering holographic image of a middle-aged human woman. She takes a couple of confident steps (accompanied by the synthesized sound of her boots clicking against the floor) and then stands straight-backed in front of you all.
"Greetings recruits" Her voice is calm and even "Though I have met some of you before, I will introduce myself again. I am Guidance. As part of the final steps towards becoming a full agent, Please use the cheek swabs in the open receptacle to provide a genetic sample for Starfinder Society identification purposes." Guidance nods to one side as a panel opens up in a pillar, exposing a small bundle of cheek swabs and a narrow slot to deposit them afterward.
"As you will be representing the Starfinder Society shortly, it is also permissible for you to display our mark. If you desire, you may place your hand on the glowing panel to receive a subdermal implant that will mark you as one of our agents. This is not compulsory, but you may find that the Starfinder Society symbol carries a degree of respect on this station.” She waves a holographic hand to her right and a pedestal slides upward from the floor. A panel on its tip begins to glow a pale green.
SYSTEM:Hand
MODEL: Single
LEVEL: 1
PRICE: 150 (though if you accept it now, it has no cost to you)
This implant rests underneath the skin of the palm of one hand, or at the end of a tentacle or similar appendage in species that lack hands. The augmentation can be activated or deactivated mentally as a swift action. Activating the implant causes a rendition of the Starfinder Society’s symbol to glow underneath the skin. This augmentation acts as a mark, letting others know you are a member of the Starfinder Society. It also increases the light level within 5 feet by one step while active.
Once each member of the group has provided their sample and no one else seems to want to the implant, the panel for the cheek swabs seals up with a whirr. Guidance 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, once new members have completed their training and are ready to become full agents, for these 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." In the air around Guidance, holographic busts of four of the faction leaders spring into existence.
"In addition to allowing you to meet the leaders of factions beyond the one you are already closest to, this tradition serves a more utilitarian role. 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 incident necessitates that these missions become something more. Please treat any tasks given with the gravity you would grant any other Starfinder assignment.”
Guidance pauses to allow you all to take this in, and then says "Once you have completed missions for each of the four factions represented here, you will return to the Lorespire Complex to complete your commencement. If you have any questions about this whole process, you may ask now."
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"I believe that it's impolite to call an android a robot," a stocky korasha lashunta wearing a traveler's duster over microcord armor. "Although, I'm not sure how the Abolitionists feel about the term, given their opinions on artificial intelligence equality."
When the time comes to provide his buccal swab and receive the implant, Hesperrio does so.
"I'm looking forward to meeting the other faction leaders," he says to Guidance.
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A handsome lashunta, up till now dozing in a chair against the wall, jerks himself awake. What did I miss this time? Still, that was quite the graduation party!
"Oh, we are getting unknown implants injected into our skin? Sounds legit. Count me in."
Mustachio stands up. He exudes confidence and charisma, the type of person that automatically draws every eye in the room. He takes the implant and allows the cotton swab.
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Mustachio walks over to the group. He stands about six feet tall, muscular but not overly so, and has a graceful gait.
"Greetings, fellow graduates! The name is Mustachio Marino. I know what you are thinking- literally, I could read your minds- but I won't... I know what you are thinking, "This guy looks familiar." That is because you probably remember me from such films as 'Undead Lover of Eox' and 'Attack of the Shirren'. Pleased to make all your acquaintances, but please, no autographs at the moment. I am here to do a job, as are you, so let's stop all the yap yapping and get down to things."
for what is buzzing around the infosphere
for the culture check
Mustachio continues to talk, sharing all of the above pieces of information with the group, prattling on and on and on.
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Ignoring the robot comment, Rynner looks up from his personal tablet and listens quietly, then stands and moves forward to provide a cheek swab. He then extends his right hand to receive the implant.
Listening to his fellows discuss option, he says. "I have no opinion on the matter. I will go along with whatever the majority decides."
He then goes back to running a quick diagnostics of his functions.
Guidance's green outline flickers slightly as your group discusses its first stop (among other topics). After a while she says "Very well. Good luck agents. I look forward to hearing of your successful missions."
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As some of you are familiar with, the Wayfinders are a highly mobile faction, preferring to keep to space and distant planets rather than being anchored in one location for long. As a result, the headquarters for the faction is the Master of Stars, a massive starship that is currently part of the Armada orbiting Absalom Station. The Master of Stars is currently undergoing extensive repairs, but can be reached by shuttle from Absalom Station proper.
Your group takes one of these shuttles. The station’s Armada can be seen from the shuttle’s view screen as it takes off, gleaming figures standing out against the emptiness of space. The Master of Stars immediately stands out from the rest, as layers and layers of scaffolding obscure its hull. Tiny lights flicker among the metal beams as distant figures weld plates and heat shields to the ship’s exterior. The shuttle smoothly glides closer until it reaches the starship’s docking bay, slipping through the magic field that keeps the hold pressurized with breathable atmosphere. As the shuttle doors open, a small drone flies in and pops up a holoscreen, displaying a harried-looking ratfolk.
“Finally, fresh meat!” the ysoki exclaims over the screen, sounding pleased. “Alright recruits! Name’s Fitch — pleasantries over, time to get to work. I had some trouble earlier with the lights flickering on the ship, and now E-deck-" A sudden jet of steam narrowly misses the ratfolk's ears in the video. Fitch swings out with an arm and there's an alarming clank of metal on metal before the steam jet abruptly stops. "Ya see, both the lights and computers have suddenly gone out on E-Deck. No idea what’s causing it, but you work this job long enough and—” Fitch’s attention flicks to something offscreen, and she shouts "Kirkath! The welding torch is not a toy! You wanna go in the toddler’s pen with the other kids?” She snorts dismissively before continuing, “Sorry, some of these pea brains would cut off their own heads if I let them. Anyway, it could be that any one of my lunkheads here screwed up the wiring, but it looks like too big a failure for something so simple. Be a good test for you lot to find what's causing the problem. And in the off chance someone's sabotaging the ship, you muscleheads could take care of it! If it’s nothing serious, great, just get the power back on if you can. If there’s something suspicious, use your comm units to report in to me. I’ll give you the access codes, so — Selicha! If you touch that panel I will staple you to the hull!”
The vid-drone retreats into the ship proper, leaving you at the docking bay. Each of your comm units beeps as you get Fitch's contact data along with schematic maps for the Master of Stars. Those of you who take a look at the data see that basic access codes for the computers on E-deck are also included.
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Breq swabs her cheek without question, and obtains an implant. Before leaving the complex, the android takes time to change out of her suit and into some more appropriate adventuring attire. She returns in armor.
The android turns her head to the side after Fitch is done speaking. "Hmmm... Ysoki have interesting methods of raising children. Note: Don't staple children to walls. They dislike it."
Turning to the group, she blinks her eyes twice. "I am familiar with both computers and machinery. Hopefully I can be of help. Let us hope that there are no... living reasons why the ship has failed." Turning to Mustachio, "Though, I have never played an electrician on the Net. Perhaps you can teach me something."
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Mustachio stammers at Compucast. "But.. what... how... You mean you have never even seen the cult classic 'Undead Lover of Eox'?"
Mustachio grows unusually quiet, more than a little upset to be marginalized by the Vesk Technomage.
Remembering Fitch's warning that the problem could be caused by living creatures, he quietly pulls his rifle off his shoulder and checks that it is loaded as the group continues to head towards the E-deck.
Despite being angry about what Compucast said, Mustachio knows that the leading man always goes in prepared.
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Rynner listens to the dronecast of the Ysoki as his eyes dart across the bay taking in all the engineering and mechanical sights. Once the drone leaves he heads for the nearest elevator that will get the group to E-deck.
As the party finds its way to the deck, he remarks. "Finding the source of the problem should pose no obstacle. I am competent with the majority of electro-mechanical systems."
Once arrived, he looks for a terminal to access.
Compucast leads the way to the lift and brings the group down to E-deck. As the elevator squeals and shudders to a halt at the desired floor, its lights seem to dim slightly. The inner doors of the elevator slide open, but those that are part of E-deck itself stay stubbornly shut. You pry them open by working together and soon find yourselves looking out into a dark corridor. The dim light of the elevator illuminates a marking on the wall that confirms that you've reached E-deck.
The hall ahead, and any adjoining chambers, are quite dark. It seems even the emergency lights have failed here. A faint smell of ozone hangs in the still air. Distant clanking echoes through the ship's hull.
Unfortunately, a quick tap of their interface panels reveals them to be just as unresponsive as the others you've come across. It seems that it'll take some technical skill to reboot them manually.
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Breq taps her com unit and a small 15 foot cone of light spreads out.
Moving forward through the dark, the android follows the mustachioed man. "This reminds me of a film about a baby alien adopted by a ship of plucky humans. It did not end up well for the humans. Or their chests. "
Upon arrival at the panel, she approaches the film "star". "For an actress, you sure know a lot about technology. But perhaps you could use some assistance. "
Breq opens a panel on the terminal and swiftly disconnects and reconnects some wires inside before throwing a hardware switch. Mustachio's energetic improvisation makes the procedure look a lot more complicated than it is.
With a hum, the terminal boots back up. It quickly fills up with red error messages. <POWER FAILURE> / <CRITICAL FAULT> / <ELECTRICAL DAMAGE> warnings flash insistently on the screen until Breq clears the majority of them away. With a few deft strokes she restores emergency power to all but a few critically damaged rooms. Dim red lights now flood the security room.
Further investigation of the terminal reveals that the power faults originate from chamber E-40-909, an area currently marked as 'Auxilliary Storage'. Unfortunately, the security cameras for that room are busted, though the temperature sensors seem to be reading 5degF (-15C for our metric using friends). A quick lookup on the terminal reveals that the chamber of interest is nearby.
Also of interest is the adjoining chamber (E-40-908), as its security camera appears to still be operating. Strangely enough, you see two small humanoid lifeforms huddled together for warmth in one corner of the room, behind some storage containers. They appear to be human children.
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"I concur there is a relationship here." adds Compucast.
"Perhaps the humanoids have activated heating systems and are drawing power from the rest of the deck. Though surely not that much power is required. "
He thinks. "I wonder if these are from the Yoski day-not-so-care centre."
He joins the group heading toward the nearby chamber. "I don't see your camera man around." he adds dryly.
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Breq turns, after her work is complete, and stares at the actor. After a moment of thought, she responds. "I see. You are male. It is often difficult for me to comprehend the conception of gender. I was under the impression that those with long hair, soft flesh and make up were female. I will adjust my parameters. "
After examining the tape, Breq nods. "Agreed. We should evacuate these children then move on to the source of the disturbance. Does anyone have a stapler? Fitch said that was the best way to hold children. "
The android follows the group, catching up to Rynner. "Did you know our travelling actress is actually a man? Lashunta genders are very curious. " She drops her voice to a whisper. "What about the other, Hesperrio? I do not wish to offend another party member. "
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Walking along and scanning his surroindings, Rynner glances up at Breq's report and question. Thoughtful for a moment, he shakes his head. "I hadn't taken notice. The musculature does seem to correspond to the female of the species..." He pauses in his speech to turn and examine both lashuntas.
.....while the other seems to better adhere to the defined physiology of the male variant of the species."
Rynner stops speaking and continues to walk down the corridor.
Fifty or so paces later. "I usually take little notice in the sexual dimorphism of species, though I have found it can sometimes act as a marker of predictable behavior patterns of a species."
With conversation on gender serving as an echoing accompaniment, the group makes their ways through the red-lit hallways of E-deck. It seems the emergency power has been sufficient to restore lighting and restart the air circulation systems, but little else. The doors still require a manual touch. The maps and directions obtained from the terminal prove reliable and soon the group is levering open the door to E-40-908, the room where they'd spotted the children on the security cameras.
As the doors open, a wave of cold air billows towards you. Looking around the chamber, you see that the ground is covered in a thin layer of ice. Frost covers the storage crates and barrels and a thin mist hangs in the air. To the west side of the room is an open doorway leading to another chamber, one that the icy mist seems to be coming from.
Rynner, Breq, Compucast and Hesperrio, as you step in, you hear two quick intakes of breath from the north east corner of the room, and then silence.