Dr. Monsylkis raises an eyebrow. "Kind of a vague reason to fly so far from the Pact, no? I guess it's true, there are things to learn basically anywhere, but then why not stick to your home system? Unless you're looking for something specific?"
"I'm stationed here with a research team, we're looking into how genetic variation might affect adaptation and seasonal survival in domesticated plants. Our parent company wants to use our research to help with agriculture on Triaxus, so we needed to perform our studies somewhere with a similar climate and environment. It's not quite home, but we make do."
Human Female Operative (ace pilot)-10 (Spaceship speed +1 from sky jockey); init +10; SP 84/110; HP 84/84; Res 12/12; Reroll 0/1; Cloak 10/10; mk 1 healing serum 1 KAC29 ; EAC 28; (2d6 electrostatic field); DR 5/-; elect/10; Fort 8; Ref 13; Will 9; (immune to confusion)Perc +16; SM +16; Stealth +23 :T10=34 for trick shot)
Gunnz signals to Delea
So she works for DodgyCorp? Maybe ask how her research is going, but stress the society has no interest in the genetic research happening on the planet..
Gunnz keeps the Pegasus in orbit, but allows the ship to slowly drift around to end up 'facing' the other spaceship.
"Can anyone tell what type of craft that is?" she asks, curiously.
So she works for DodgyCorp? Maybe ask how her research is going, but stress the society has no interest in the genetic research happening on the planet..
Gunnz keeps the Pegasus in orbit, but allows the ship to slowly drift around to end up 'facing' the other spaceship.
"Can anyone tell what type of craft that is?" she asks, curiously.
@Gunnz & Rocket: There isn’t actually another ship around. As far as you know, you are the only ship in orbit. That said, Ba’hob’s reading is certainly concerning, and if you suspect that you are being followed then you can still turn your ship around to anticipate the arrival of potential tailgater.
Human Female Operative (ace pilot)-10 (Spaceship speed +1 from sky jockey); init +10; SP 84/110; HP 84/84; Res 12/12; Reroll 0/1; Cloak 10/10; mk 1 healing serum 1 KAC29 ; EAC 28; (2d6 electrostatic field); DR 5/-; elect/10; Fort 8; Ref 13; Will 9; (immune to confusion)Perc +16; SM +16; Stealth +23 :T10=34 for trick shot)
"Maybe ask the Doctor if they are on the planet, and offer to stay away from their facility" calls out Gunnz as she allows the ship to slowly twist around in case of an unfriendly exit from drift space.
Male CN Ysoki Envoy 8 | SP 56/56 HP 42/42 | RP 10/10 | EAC 24 KAC 25 | Fort +6; Ref +10; Will +7 | Init: +7 | Perc: +11, SM: +10+1d6+1 | Speed 30ft | Active conditions: none
Arratoi replies telepathically to Delea, "Yep, sounds like she's from that cutthroat Triaxian dragon corp, Frozen Trove Labs.
"If she knows we have no interest in her research and we're not rivals or competitors, maybe we can avoid hostility.
"Probably won't hurt to say that we believe there may possibly be sentient life on this planet and as Starfinders, we've come to explore and, we hope, make first contact. Has she already found any signs of sentient life?
"Whether we let her know that we're also searching for a relic, I don't have an opinion either way but I'm OK with letting her know since it appears we don't have any conflicting interests here..."
Host Shirren Operative (Detective) 4 |SP 28/28 HP 30/30| RP 6/6 | EAC 20 KAC 22| Fort +2 Ref +8 Will +5|Init +6|Percep: +8, SM +11 |Speed 50ft| Current Conditions: |
We would be safe to mention the Scoured Stars incident. It is well known, and it is the current Mandate of the Society. The details to what specifically about the relic can be left out. But we are here for information.
Lashunta mystic 7 | SP 56/56, HP 46/46, RP 8/8 | EAC 22, KAC 23 | F+6, R+8, W+10 | Perc +15 | Init +7
"Is there part of the planet you would like us to try to stay away from, where you are studying? We are here on rumurs there may be sentient life on this planet; do you know anything that might be helpful to us?"
Dr. Monsylkis tilts her head. ”You mean the izalguuns? They’re peaceful, but I don’t know if they were worth weeks in the Drift. You probably won’t learn too much from them. And you don’t have to stay away from us! We don’t need much space for our research, and landing someplace with actual spacefaring technology might be safer than plopping down in the wilderness. I know I could sure use some fresh faces around here, it feels like ages since I talked to someone from the Pact who didn’t arrive here with me.”
Male CN Ysoki Envoy 8 | SP 56/56 HP 42/42 | RP 10/10 | EAC 24 KAC 25 | Fort +6; Ref +10; Will +7 | Init: +7 | Perc: +11, SM: +10+1d6+1 | Speed 30ft | Active conditions: none
Arratoi listens and attempts to determine the doctor's sincerity and truthfulness.
Sense Motive:1d20 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 5 + (5) = 11
Arratoi texts the following to the party: "I can't tell if she's lying but she has a good point about landing zones. But given what we know about her corp, I suspect she's in desperate need of help. Otherwise, we wouldn't be so openly invited to her facility."
Human Female Operative (ace pilot)-10 (Spaceship speed +1 from sky jockey); init +10; SP 84/110; HP 84/84; Res 12/12; Reroll 0/1; Cloak 10/10; mk 1 healing serum 1 KAC29 ; EAC 28; (2d6 electrostatic field); DR 5/-; elect/10; Fort 8; Ref 13; Will 9; (immune to confusion)Perc +16; SM +16; Stealth +23 :T10=34 for trick shot)
"You have a good port for landing at? And something to drink that doesn't taste like like recycled waste water? That is an offer that is hard to refuse Doctor!"
She turns to the group "Captain, should I bring us in to land?"
Do we reveal our hand here, and that there is an unknown anomaly appearing on our sensors? I'd prefer not to be in a landing position and have someone open up on us.
Host Shirren Operative (Detective) 4 |SP 28/28 HP 30/30| RP 6/6 | EAC 20 KAC 22| Fort +2 Ref +8 Will +5|Init +6|Percep: +8, SM +11 |Speed 50ft| Current Conditions: |
Telepathically, "I concur with Arratoi. Let us take the invitation at a face value and in the friendly spirit it is offered. I also suspect they may ask a favor in return, but that is the way of trade."
Lashunta mystic 7 | SP 56/56, HP 46/46, RP 8/8 | EAC 22, KAC 23 | F+6, R+8, W+10 | Perc +15 | Init +7
"Thank you for the offer of the hospitality of your landing zone. We will be down as soon as we look into an anomaly on our sensors, which will hopefully take only a few minutes. I look forward to meeting you in person, if possible."
Dr. Monsylkis nods, although a brief glitch in the video feed causes a momentary disruption. "Sounds good, looking forward to meeting you as well! I'll have my staff clear the orbital satellites from our landing pad, if you land just off center there should be space for both your ships."
The increasingly glitchy video feed cuts out, and all the Pegasus's interior speakers suddenly shriek with deafening feedback. Ba'hob quickly kills the audio to silence the sound, and his sensors detect a starship emerging from the Drift. Gunnz's early rotation payed off, as the craft emerges from an explosion of colorful Drift energy directly in her forward arc.
The ship appears to be a sea-urchin-like vessel, with multiple long spines protruding from a central body ringed with numerous multi-segmented, tentacle-like appendages, each tipped with three-pronged thrusters, weapons, and manipulative tools. Aboard your own ship, red klaxons flash and sirens blare, alerting you that weapons systems have locked on to your position.
Top slide is the encounter map, your ship is red. @Gunnz: since you anticipated an ambush, you may choose your heading (I assumed you'd want to start out facing the enemy). You also all gain a +1 bonus on your starship combat checks due to anticipating an ambush.
PCs move first. Take your Engineering and Helm phase actions. Captain Delea may interject anywhere, and computer defaults to adding +2 to Pilot and Turret.
Even at this advanced distance, Ba'hob expertly scans the incoming ship for some valuable information.
Basic Info: Medium transport(?), Speed 4, Maneuverability average (turn 2), Compliment 6. The frame does not resemble any known Pact Worlds starship model, but it is closest in size and shape to a transport class starship.
Base Defenses: AC 17, TL 17, HP 85, Shields FS 20/SS 15/PS 15/AS 20, PCU 130
Highest PCU Weapon: twin laser (forward arc, direct fire, long range, 5d8)
2nd Highest PCU Weapon: 1d2 ⇒ 2 paired coilguns (turret, direct fire, long range, 8d4)
@Delea: Since Rocket already gets +2 from the computer, let's assume your +2 for inspiration goes to I-5. That way both guns get a +2 bonus.
N Android Solarian 3 | SP 14/14; HP 18/18 | RP 2/2 | Jump-jet 7/10 | Attuned: Graviton 3 | EAC 16; KAC 17 (+4 vs AoO from movement)| Fort +3; Ref +3; Will +3 (+2 vs disease, mind-affecting, poison & sleep) | Init: +2 | Perc: +5
"The dance is on! Lady guide us through this to whatever you have in store next." I-5 solemnly intones, while he has the intercom channel open. He then focuses on the weapons console, ready to bring up the weapons screen for the direction where he can take a shot.
Human Female Operative (ace pilot)-10 (Spaceship speed +1 from sky jockey); init +10; SP 84/110; HP 84/84; Res 12/12; Reroll 0/1; Cloak 10/10; mk 1 healing serum 1 KAC29 ; EAC 28; (2d6 electrostatic field); DR 5/-; elect/10; Fort 8; Ref 13; Will 9; (immune to confusion)Perc +16; SM +16; Stealth +23 :T10=34 for trick shot)
"Tighten your harnesses boys, this is going to hurt. Darnit, I hate it when they get the drop on me."
More klazons blare as Gunnz jigs to port and sets the Pegasus through a series of evasive maneuvers.
Piloting:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20 Twin Laser Attack:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 Twin Laser Damage:5d8 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 3, 3) = 12 EDIT: Retroactive captain action to encourage coilgun. Dicebot result was 4 with result of 8; no change in results. Paired Coilgun Attack:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 Coilgun Damage:8d4 ⇒ (1, 1, 3, 1, 1, 2, 4, 2) = 15
Oof, lousy opener for the mystery ship >.<
The attacking ship’s thrusters were clearly designed for maneuverability over speed: it advances only slightly into the void, but spirals into some impressive evasive maneuvers. With you both in each other’s forward arcs, sprays of weapon fire erupt in both directions. Both of your gunners’ attacks hit home, repelled by the forward shields but still accurate. Gunnz’s evasive piloting also pays off: although your ship’s shield gets grazed by a twin laser strike, the attacker’s coilgun barrage flies off harmlessly into space.
PCs move first (second time you’ve tied for initiative, but they have the higher modifier)! Take your engineering and helm actions now, and the captain can jump in anywhere.
Human Female Operative (ace pilot)-10 (Spaceship speed +1 from sky jockey); init +10; SP 84/110; HP 84/84; Res 12/12; Reroll 0/1; Cloak 10/10; mk 1 healing serum 1 KAC29 ; EAC 28; (2d6 electrostatic field); DR 5/-; elect/10; Fort 8; Ref 13; Will 9; (immune to confusion)Perc +16; SM +16; Stealth +23 :T10=34 for trick shot)
GM, The computer bonus for Gunnz should give a total of +17 for our initiative, which would have us win this turn wouldn't it? I'll hold off moving on the map for the moment. But if we do I've put in a green outside of the ship
"Darn it, not again!" mutters Gunnz. Thruster monitors all red line as she continues to corkscrew around, bringing the Pegasus around in the space-equivalent of a handbrake turn.
evade DC 16:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26
@Gunnz: The computer bonus only applies to individual checks, not to types of checks. You could apply it to your initiative check if you’d like, but then you wouldn’t get it on your actual helm phase Piloting check, which is what I assumed you wanted.
Will post the enemy’s move and gunnery phase once I’m home.
Human Female Operative (ace pilot)-10 (Spaceship speed +1 from sky jockey); init +10; SP 84/110; HP 84/84; Res 12/12; Reroll 0/1; Cloak 10/10; mk 1 healing serum 1 KAC29 ; EAC 28; (2d6 electrostatic field); DR 5/-; elect/10; Fort 8; Ref 13; Will 9; (immune to confusion)Perc +16; SM +16; Stealth +23 :T10=34 for trick shot)
I'd much rather get the bonus on my initiative than on the stunt. Initiative is the single most important roll in the battle. If you can get into a good position it makes everything else much easier.
Lashunta mystic 7 | SP 56/56, HP 46/46, RP 8/8 | EAC 22, KAC 23 | F+6, R+8, W+10 | Perc +15 | Init +7
Yep, I agree about that initiative roll being the most important one. I would be trying to also aid that, but someone showed me in the rules that doesn't quite work, although it sounds like they intended it to work.
SP 54/54 HP 44/44 RP 8/8 EAC 16 ; KAC 17 Fort +6; Ref +6; Will +5 Init+9 Perc: +2
"Man..they have some serious firepower"
Anyone else feel outclassed by this thing? Their weapons deal way more damage then ours and they have more hull points and shields..the only thing we seem to have on them is speed and maneuvering..and that's only of use if they have a dead zone where they don't outgun us..which with their massive turret isn't easy. Our only hope is that they don't turn out to have more weapons and try to stay in a "safe" arc
Okay, I’ll apply it to initiative moving forward. Since ships haven’t moved yet, we can retroactively say you won initiative this round. I’ve moved the enemy ship, so you can move yours now. I’ll resolve the enemy’s helm and gunnery phases once I’m at a computer, likely the whole round since I have your gunnery actions too.
Human Female Operative (ace pilot)-10 (Spaceship speed +1 from sky jockey); init +10; SP 84/110; HP 84/84; Res 12/12; Reroll 0/1; Cloak 10/10; mk 1 healing serum 1 KAC29 ; EAC 28; (2d6 electrostatic field); DR 5/-; elect/10; Fort 8; Ref 13; Will 9; (immune to confusion)Perc +16; SM +16; Stealth +23 :T10=34 for trick shot)
Gunnz redlines the engines, trying to get out of the deadly forward firing arc of the horrible ship. Lights flash over the ship and overhead lockers that were not properly secured crash open sending gear tumbling into passage ways.
"That thing is a warship. Ask the ground folk if they can help, it doesn't sound like they knew about it either."
I-5 launches a powerful particle beam, but the enemy ship's evasive maneuvers allow it to dodge the attack. Rocket, on the other hand, scores a direct hit on their port shields. The enemy turret returns fire, however, and peppers your ship with enough coilgun ammo to break through your fore shields and damage your hull.
Human Female Operative (ace pilot)-10 (Spaceship speed +1 from sky jockey); init +10; SP 84/110; HP 84/84; Res 12/12; Reroll 0/1; Cloak 10/10; mk 1 healing serum 1 KAC29 ; EAC 28; (2d6 electrostatic field); DR 5/-; elect/10; Fort 8; Ref 13; Will 9; (immune to confusion)Perc +16; SM +16; Stealth +23 :T10=34 for trick shot)
"Wooo...." cheers Gunnz as sparks fly from the overhead cables as the Pegasus's forward shields overload and shut down.
Still, she manages to bring the ship closer, still facing into the vulnerable left side of the massive warship.
"Do you want me to try and keep facing her or give our front shields a chance to recover?" she asks the rest of the team.
Really for next round, and assuming that we win initiative.
She continues to send the Pegasus through a tight series of twists and turns, hoping to throw off the deadly turret fire of the warship. "Don't forget the vomit bags. I ain't cleaning up after any of you." she whoops through the intercom.
