[SFS 1-01] GM Cellion's The Commencement (Inactive)

Game Master Cellion

(Delaying Rynner for now)

In response to Hesperrio's comment, you hear a voice call out from the woods (from the Red Goon) "We got a job to do here, shmuck. And we don't want to disappoint the boss. My paycheck's riding on this old fart!"

The red and yellow goons advance, the yellow one dropping prone and taking some minor cover behind the bridge's handrail. Both fire their pistols at the dangerous looking vesk. Crackling pulses zip through the air, one flying over Storyn's shoulder and the other striking a glancing hit on her leg.

Yellow deals 2 damage to Storyn

|||||INITIATIVE:|||||
Storyn (2 dmg)
Blue Goon
Rynner (Rynner may take their round 1 action)
Compucast
Hesperrio
Yellow Goon (6 dmg)
Red Goon
Mustachio
Breq

Round 1/2; BOLD may go

Breq reaches into her jacket and pulls out two tactical knives. Her circuits flare blue for a moment, and she rushes forward. "Four counts of Loitering on Public Property. That'll be a 12 credit fine. Or, we can settle this out of court. " Her cheeks lift in a macabre smile.

Storyn advances and continues firing on red...

Light Reaction Cannon: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 91d10 ⇒ 4 Pierce; Penetrating

Mustachio moves forward and fires out of range at yellow with his brand spanking new rifle.

Hunting Rifle w/ damage: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 - 2 = 181d8 ⇒ 2

Rynner switches over his A.I. to combat tracking and moves forward to stand behind Compucast, then draws his laser pistol.

Cannot edit map, atm.

I've moved you Rynner. Feel free to adjust yourself when you get map access.

Storyn's cannon kicks up a spray of dirt behind one of the three goons. Meanwhile, Mustachio's well-aimed shot pierces the prone goon's shoulder.

Ceren, seeing the three goons closing in, scrambles to hide behind your advancing line. She throws herself to the ground to avoid being hit by stray pistol fire. "You're..." she gasps for breath "late!" She lets out a wheeze. While she's clearly ragged from running away from these thugs, her eyes are shining with excitement.

The blue goon takes up partial cover behind a tree trunk and fires towards Breq with her pistol. The electric pulse strikes Breq square in the chest, sending jolts through her body! Critical hit for 5 damage, ouch.

Compucast continues forward towards Storyn and casts a spell upon the vesk's weapon. Supercharge Weapon on Storyn's next attack, for 4d6 bonus damage. Hope you don't mind me using one of your spell slots while you're botted Compucast!

Round 2; BOLD may go

Hesperrio charges across the bridge, ephemeral black flames trailing from the armor plates as he hurries.

(Delaying Rynner for now)

Hesperrio's rapid approach and ominous appearance causes the yellow goon to scramble to her feet in alarm. She levels her pistol at him at fires. The crackling bolt catches Hesperrio in the gut, the electrical pulses finding their way through flaws in his armor. Wow, critical hit for 6 damage.

The yellow goon's satisfaction at the solid hit turns to alarm when it doesn't seem to have taken the lashunta out.

The red goon continues to fire at Storyn, delivering a pair of energy bolts. One strikes the bridge's handrail while the other arcs through the vesk's arm. Single hit for 2 damage.

Round 2/3; BOLD may go

Mustachio runs forward another 30 feet and attempts to shoot the yellow goon again, though his vision is slightly obstructed by his friend Hesperrio.

Hunting Rifle w/ damage: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 171d8 ⇒ 6

Storyn snaps off two rounds back at the red bad guy...

Light Reaction Cannon: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 4 = 41d10 ⇒ 3 Pierce; Penetrating

Light Reaction Cannon: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 - 4 = 151d10 ⇒ 2 Pierce; Penetrating

Dang, you two are on the ball. :>

While only the second of Storyn's shots impacts the red goon (sadly wasting the Supercharge), Mustachio's shot against the yellow goon takes her through the hip. She spins with the impact but the pain and loss of blood quickly overwhelm her. She collapses to the ground.

Mustachio gasps in surprise. I've never killed anyone before. Is she really dead, or just unconscious? This... is most definitely not like the movies.

Breq runs across the bridge, quickly changing targets from the fallen mercenary. "Good shot, actor! Just like the movies. " The android approaches the wounded mercenary and swings her knife. Analyzing next move. Neck moving South, chin moving up. Gotcha.

Survival Knife, vs KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Trick Attack (DC 20+CR): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Knife dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Trick dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 3

(Looks like no Rynner action for round 2)

Breq reads the red goon's movements like an open book and lands a quick slash with her knife. The goon lets out a strangled cry and holds one hand up to the bleeding gash. Trick attack successful!

The blue goon moves to get a clear shot on Breq and fires. A point blank range pulse catches the android in the side but is mostly dissipated by her armor. 2 damage

Compucast moves up and fires his pistol at the blue goon, but the bullet flies over the human's shoulder, striking a tree trunk.

"Breq, get back," Hesperrio says as he approaches the remaining two ruffians. Tongues of black flame dance across the black plates of his armor.

He swings his hammer at the [blue] closest thug while he waits for the android to retreat to a safe distance.

Assault Hammer: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
B, Solar: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10

(Delaying Rynner for round 3)

Hesperrio's deadly attack smashes into the ground well away from his target, and when he tears his hammer free, clumps of dirt and sod go flying.

The red goon backs cautiously away from Breq (Guarded Step), her face taking on a desperate cast. Her eyes flicker to the prone form of the yellow goon, she licks her lips and hisses "Y-you lot'll pay for messing with this job!". She fires another electric pulse at Breq, miraculously striking the android in the head. Luck is not on your side Breq! Thats another crit for 5 damage. :<

|||||INITIATIVE:|||||
Storyn (4 dmg)
Blue Goon
Rynner (Delayed, Rynner may take round 3 action)
Compucast
Hesperrio (6 dmg)
Yellow Goon (dead)
Red Goon (8 dmg)
Mustachio
Breq (12 dmg)

Round 3/4; BOLD may go

Mustachio moves 25 feet forward and fires at red goon, once again his vision obscured by Hesperrio.

Friend Hesperrio is pretty big, I'm sure I'll be able to continue to hide behind him and avoid getting hit.

Hunting Rifle w/ damage: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 161d8 ⇒ 7

Storyn continues firing at the red bad guy...

Light Reaction Cannon: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 - 4 = 11d10 ⇒ 6 Pierce; Penetrating

Light Reaction Cannon: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 4 = 71d10 ⇒ 4 Pierce; Penetrating

... hoping to scare them off, apparently.

If by some miracle Red is alive, please shift my attacks towards him.

Breq watches her target fall and mutters to herself. "Note to self: Bring more actors on combat missions. They appear to be quite proficient."

She moves forward and strikes at the final goon. In Starfinder, a Full Attack does not include a free 5-foot step, correct? I guess I'll Trick Attack again.

Is he drunk? His movements are erratic. Difficult to predict.

Survival Knife, vs KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Trick Attack (DC 20+CR): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 Nope!
Knife dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The red goon spins her pistol and is just about to gloat over their victory over Breq when a bullet takes her through the ribcage. She barely has time to be surprised before collapsing, unconscious. Indeed, Mustachio's shot just barely hit!

While both of Storyn's shots fail to strike their mark, Breq's follow up attack against the final goon scores a shallow cut.

Said goon twitches as the second of her allies falls. She backs up carefully (guarded step) and nervously spins from side to side as she tries to keep an eye on both Hesperrio and Breq. With a determined squeeze of the trigger she fires at the lashunta, but her hands are shaking too much to aim accurately even at such short range.

Round 4; BOLD may go

Compucast advances with pistol out.

"You should have just run" sighs the large Vesk.

attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

"I'm afraid she would have to die in any case, Compucast. No one must know that Ceren still lives." Pointing at the final goon, Mustachio yells, "Get her! For Ceren!"

Using Get 'Em ability as a move action, giving everyone +1 to hit for this round.

Mustachio fires.

Hunting Rifle w/ damage: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 1 = 141d8 ⇒ 7

Hesperrio chuckles as Breq refuses to fall back. "I see you have never fought with a solarian," he says, the tongues of black flame roiling and leaping hungrily across his armor.

He dodges under the remaining thug's shot and hustles behind him before erupting in a small tornado of flame. The grass in a wide swath around Hesperrio is singed, and the flames reach out for Compucast but do not quite make it.

Supernova (Fire): 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4) + 1 = 7 DC 11 Reflex for Half

Solar 4 --> unattuned after Supernova

If the enemy has survived, Storyn snaps off two more rounds...

Light Reaction Cannon: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 - 4 = 121d10 ⇒ 1 Pierce; Penetrating

Light Reaction Cannon: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 - 4 = 141d10 ⇒ 7 Pierce; Penetrating

Compucast and Mustachio's shots land in quick succession. Although the remaining thug does her best to protect herself from Hesperrio's burst of flame, when the fire clears her burned body is sprawled out on the ground, smoking slightly.

"Ceren! Are you unharmed? I'm glad we got here in time. This whole situation is just like when I played Yellow Evil Goon in the film "Old Lady in the Park."

Mustachio checks his gun and reloads it. "For a first go at this gun, I have to say I am pleased, though killing sentient beings does not make me very happy. Still, there was no choice."

Compucast quickly checks the thugs to see if they are actually dead, or just unconscious. "Let us hope they are not dead, that would be unfortunate and bring unwanted attention on us."

As he checks them, he also removes any weapons, id or other items of interest.

"Let us get you to your new accommodations"

”Indeed! Let’s go!”

"Do you want Ceren safe, or not? These three know she is alive. There is only one thing to be done."

Mustachio checks if any of the goons are alive. If any still live, he puts a bullet in their head.

Breq puts a hand up and stops the overzealous actor. "Friend. Article 271 of the Pact World Treaty states that unarmed enemy combatants are not to be harmed. They have clearly been loitering in a public park, with illegal weapons. I'm sure the police will be happy to take care of them. Legally." The android waits for Mustachio to take a step back, then cleans her blades on the grass. "I trust our cover. They won't be able to find her."

"The whole point of switching her with a dead woman is that they would think she is dead! We have the cover, yes, but that is only one layer of defense. We leave these goons alive, and they will tell their bosses she is alive. They won't stop looking for her. How long do you think our cover will really last? Should we put this to a vote?"

Despite Breq trying to interfere, Mustachio keeps his weapon trained on them.

"We'll just postdate her demise by a couple of hours. And who trusts the word of a thug who got beaten up in the park anyway?" notes Compucast.

Ceren pulls herself to her feet and brushes the dirt off her abaya. "That was... truly fantastic! Inspiring!" She gives out a whoop of excitement which turns into a series of wet sounding coughs.

She clears her throat and continues "Well, definitely brings me back to my youth. Thank you, all of you. Had I been twenty years younger I would have joined you all in fighting. Given those louts a good beating. Hah!" Suddenly, she stoops over and rubs her hip "Sadly, one fall to the ground these days and I'm already feeling shaky."

Despite her words, Ceren looks more energetic right now than any other time you've seen her. Clearly the adrenaline has done some good. While you begin to debate, she says "What next? Were you able to fake my death? Do I still need to go into hiding?"

When you check the bodies of the three thugs, you find that they are indeed dead. Finishing blows were all for lethal damage. Compucast strips them of their gear, finding pulsecaster pistols (3), tactical batons (3), and credsticks on each of them (total of 300 credits). Their comms seem to have already been scrubbed clean of any data, possibly remotely, and they don't carry any incriminating identifying items on them (though they do have a few personal effects).

---------

In interest of moving along, I'll assume you take Ceren to a safe place and report back in: Historia-7 meets you all again afterward, face impassive as you describe how you secured Ceren. After asking a few questions regarding Ceren's new identity and the thugs that attacked her, she coldly says "Thank you for your service recruits. Based on what you describe you have conducted yourselves as exemplary agents, both in terms of securing important resources for the Dataphiles, and in cleaning up loose ends that could have caused us trouble in the future. Good. You have my approval." She half turns away from you all in dismissal, and then turns back.

"I have already spoken with Ceren over the infosphere. She speaks highly of you, and seems inclined to aid the Starfinder Society if the opportunity arises. As you've done well to meet my request I have prepared some resources for you to use on your remaining missions. Please see the drone outside." At that she turns to continue her work.

Outside of the Archives, you find a drone waiting for you with a pair of packages. One is from the Dataphiles, and includes a datajack, a frostbite-class zero rifle, and 200 credits. The other one comes from Fitch and the Wayfinders. Inside is a small note that reads "Kieu Kein sends his thanks for finding his brats. This is yours. Don't fight over it too much!". The package also contains a Mk 1 Ring of Resistance.

Where to next?

Breq looks at the packages with little interest. "I have no need of these. Besides, they all go to the Society at the end of the mission anyway. No need to get to attached. Any who need them most should take them."

She looks around. "Any opinions? I care not whether we head to the Exoseekers or the fourth group."

"Let's go talk to the boss Vesk. Is he a relative of yours, Compucast? I bet he is tough and likes to insult people."

As the group proceeds, Mustachio says, "I wouldn't mind trying out that zero rifle. Seems like it would be a good fit for me. Unless someone else would like to?"

"The Vesk are, if not without counting, large in number. I doubt he is a relative." opines Compucast. "But it is a possibility."

He shrugs when Mustachio suggests taking the rifle. "I have my battle staff and a pistol. If you are a good shot, by all means take the rifle. Did I not see "Green Sniper" in "A Nest of Trouble" in your biography?"

"Yes, but... it pains me to say this, the Green Sniper got killed in the first act after he drops his gun and shoots himself in the face. The Green Sniper causes the titular Nest of Trouble actually."

Whispers, "Don't tell the others. I think they are starting to believe in me."

”Well done on that mission. Where next?”

Breq smiles. "Ah, the Green Sniper! Funniest role in the whole movie. Those war movies are always so serious! " She pats the actor on the back, in admiration.

She shrugs. " I vote we head to the Exo Guardians, but I don't feel that strongly about the order we proceed. "

"I wouldn't mind seeing what the Exo-Guardians are up to," Hesperrio says.

Mustachio looks a little chagrined. "Ah friend Breq, there is so much to teach you about humor. But, thanks for your appreciation in any case."

OK, two votes for exo-guardians, good enough.

The Exo-guardians don't currently have a headquarters in Absalom Station, but their leader, the shirren Zigvigix, has left instructions directing all contact to a park in a poor but trendy neighborhood of the Downlow.

You enter the park to see a perfect example of untidy-chic. Garbage litters the ground around this cement lot, a public space filled with undulating metal sculptures covered in graffiti of grotesquely adorable creatures. The sounds of music and chatter drift over from the nearby clubs, chronically interrupted by the roar of the local gangsters’ engines. A heavily augmented host shirren is sitting on one of the park benches, eating a simple meal of cold grub-noodles and rice candy. Their antennae perk up and turn at the tremor of approaching footsteps.

"Welcome, new recruits! I peeked at the vid footage and you're doing great so far!" the shirren’s voice telepathically projects to all of you. "My speech-name is Zigvigix, but feel free to call me Ziggy, if that would be easier for you. Have some rice candy to celebrate your graduation! Today is your big day!"

"When you are ready, I have two assignments I could use assistance with. The first is to help me secure a new headquarters on Absalom Station. I’ve been in talks with our station’s protectors, the Stewards, and they were kind enough to give us ownership of a warehouse here in Downlow for that purpose! The current owners no longer want it because a vicious alien took it over and kills anyone who goes inside. Once the alien is gone and the warehouse cargo has been returned to its owners, we can start installing desks and computers, so please go in and incinerate the creature!"

"My second assignment..." Zigvigix twitches their tooth barbs for a moment and then holds out a credstick. "Please buy the brand-new Strawberry Machine Cake album, Star Sugar Heartlove!!!, which is out today, and give it to Historia-7. I wish I could do it myself, but I... I have trouble standing for long periods of time. Thank you very much!"

Storyn shakes her head, ”the first mission seems reasonable for that faction, the second seems laughable. Well, let us off to destroy the monster.”

Breq looks at the host in confusion. "Of course, a trespassing and violent creature must be eliminated. I am glad the orders are to kill and not capture. We've already done that with a peaceful alien and it was... difficult. " The android's frown deepens. "But this album. Is this a Shirren joke? I must confess to having little experience with Shirren humor. "

"This album thing... appeals to me as a person of the arts, but offends me greatly as beneath the dignity of the leading man. Blagh. Yes, friend Storyn, let us off to the kill the monster. Now that is worth of a hero like yours truly."

"We will destroy the alien." says Compucast seriously.

"And if our mission is to acquire the album, then we will do that also." he pauses. "Do you require the original, or will a download suffice?"

Ziggy quivers with what could possibly be mirth at Breq's comment. "Not a joke. Historia has been through a lot recently. The Scoured Stars incident took away her mentor along with many of her... friends. She hasn't been the same ever since. I would like to cheer her up, and I don't know a better way than through the super happy power of sugar-pop!" To Compucast's question the shirren sends "Right now 'Star Sugar Heartlove!!!' is only available as a limited edition physical disk. Very exclusive, you know."

"Would you like coffee at the same time?" he asks mirthlessly.

"Let us head down to this warehouse and test ourselves against this alien. We might look forward to relative ease of buying a record after that."

"Contending with teenage girls to get a limited edition disk may be a scarier prospect, Compucast. I know. Oh believe me, I know."