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Walking towards the middle of the arena, Xhochilt looks around at the crowd. Broadcasting to his companions, he advises 'This looks like fun! Lets see if I can rile them up!' before speaking aloud.
"You come to see bloodshed? You come to see carnage? Look to the gladiators with me. We have a killer mechanical duo! We have a Haan! I BREATHE ACID! Look at the beasts before you. The opponents don't stand a chance. They will bleed. They will fall. You will be the witnesses!"
"I can't hear you! What are you needs? Is it a hug? Hell no! YOU NEED BLOOD!"
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Uncertain of what to do in this situation, Ella moves towards a pole. Suddenly, a deep bass line fills the air and then transforms into a rapid techno screech, rising and falling around the andriod. She turns to look at the crowd and raises her arms to show shes the source of the sound. She makes a lame attempt at whirling around, but the noise provides a soundtrack for the gladiator.
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Haan enters the arena behind the others, his hulking form and pike scrapping against the competitor's entrance. He starts to chuckle at the sight of the bars and poles in the center of the ring. Finally clearing the entrance he stabs his pike into the ground and leaps towards the closet pole. Swiveling on the pole he does the splits and slides down blowing kisses to the audience. At the last moment he launches himself upwards onto another pole where he extends himself outward purely on arm strenght and begins to rotate faster and faster. At the pinnacle of his speed he releases and does a double backflip to land on the ground, arms upraised to receive there applause.
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Goose sees the crowd and revels in the attention. He immediately sprints toward an obstacle, zigging and zagging in an exxagerated manner, dodging and weaving, hopping and skipping, all trying to make his entry into the arena worthy of applause.
Once he comes to pole to climb, the ysoki deftly capers up while spinning around, finally coming to a stop at the top. He brandishes his weapons while pumping his tiny arms up and down in a show of bravado!
::Goose's acrobatics attempt:
"Are you not entertained?!?!" the ratman screeches, attempting to amplify his voice with his comm unit and the arena's PA system.
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The audiance gasps in amazement as T771-M4 puts on a deadly show. Xhochilt works them with words as smooth as silk and Goose appears to all but run up the pole to great acclaim.
Then the audience goes silent as a huge beast is prodded into the arena from the far side. Two Lashuntas and a vesk armed with stun guns guide a hardness and chained creature through the metal door at the north end of the arena. The group latches the harness clips onto either side of the door before hastily retreating. Once far enough away, the handlers remotely unlock the clips.
Stauts, bold may post
Mobius
Goose
Zochitl
Haan
LA6439F
Mnamae-6
Beast
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'Interesting looking beast' considers Xochitl as it attempts to recall the name of the creature. Unable to remember anything useful, it activates the black sphere floating around it.
Suddenly the inky blackness envelops the shirren, hardening into a crystaline skeletal coating over his armor. Glancing behind to see where Haan is, it scurries across the arena.
Controlled by its creator, the drone scurries forward rapidly on its six legs, which raising its installed tactical pike.
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Ella recognises this creature as a young Crest-Easter. Perhaps most importantly the large creature is highly venomous. It can deliver that by either bite or spit. The creatures shell is significantly more protection against physical attacks than energy ones.
Xochitl adopts a threatening position, while Mobius activates his combat tracking. Mnamae takes a shot but misses
Status, bold may post
Goose
Haan
LA6439F
Beast
Mobius
Xochitl
Mnamae-6
(T771) readied attack (8K/7)
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Goose is thrilled with the audience's reaction, but it is short-lived as the enormous beast is escorted in and left to accost the crew.
Seeing his teammates kick into action, the ysoki scampers around, getting an advantageous angle and range enough to maneuver, spitting a shiny laser pistol from his cheekpouch.
"Let's make this quick team!" he shouts as he moves to get a trick attack ready.
Trick attack attempt using Ghost stealth:
"Take this you menace!"exhorts the ratman as he fires his azimuth laser at the beast.
Ranged attack on beast:
Damage if successful on hit:
Trick attack that includes movement and attack. Move away from beast but within short range of laser pistol (80').
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Seeing something bigger and uglier that him Haan instantly recognizes it as an enemy. Having retrieved his tactical pike the monstrous starfinder will charge towards the enemy weapon forward. Now Haan time to shine!
Roaring to the audience as he charge eighty feet towards the foul creature, "This make you happy? Pointy end go in bad thing!"
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"Databanks indicate this is a young Crest-Easter. It possesses venom sacs in its mouth and can spit it at a considerable distance. Its shell is resistant to physical attacks. Energy attacks may prove more effective." Ella's hand crackles with energy and it seems to transfer to her laser pistol. The pitol suddenly lights up and seems to be pulsing rapidly.
Controlled by its master, T771-M4 steps forward to within striking range of its reach weapon, and jabs into the exo-skeleton of the monster.
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Having some of his pack move in close makes things a bit tougher for Goose's shot, but nothing to worry too much about. He flits across the arena, moving to line up a shot on the large creature without having a teammate block his shot.
"Hurry, before this thing eats our lunch!" he shouts as he moves to get a trick attack ready.
Trick attack attempt using Ghost stealth:
"Take the fight to it!" screams the tiny ysoki as he fires another laser bolt at the beat.
Ranged attack on beast:
Damage if successful on hit:
::Trick attack that includes movement and attack. Move towards beast to line up non-blocking shot but within short range of laser pistol (80').::
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As the beast's saliva lands off target, Xochitl eyes the creature with concern. 'Why is it retreating?' it brodcasts to it's companions. 'That isn't going to make for a good show.'
Moving closer to the opponent, the black sillouet still surrounding the shirren, it broadcasts to the creature alone. 'Come out here and fight. We've got a show to put on!'
The black pulsating energy enveloping the host seems to thicken as it stops.
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T771 flies forward, but can't manage to land its attack through the beasts thick skin. Mnamae doesn't manage any better.
Goose fires off a quick blast, scoring a moderate wound, but the canny beast was going to be difficult to catch flat footed. p
Haan steps up with his pike and delivers a vicious blow to the horrible beast, but it is still up and fighting. Well, it is until Mobius incinerates it.
The crowd erupt in cheers!
As you are escorted out of the arena an attractive, muscular korasha lashunta with reflective glasses greets you.
"Like wow, that was fantastic, like a totally cool cookout. Do you guys like BBQ? Anyway that was amazing."
The nearby guards don't quite roll their eyes at his behaviour, but it is close.
Taking out a small phone be grabs a quick selfie with the starfinder team.
"Awesome! I'll see you get a bonus transferred into your accounts. I'll have the bones rended down into weapons for you guys. You'd look even more badass with Crest-eater armor!"
“Stellar[b],” the lashunta man slurs. He glances at the floor and his smile changes to a look of disgust. He takes an exaggerated
step over the bare ground as though trying to avoid an object there
and trips, falling face-first into one of the metal pillars on the arena floor. He immediately springs back up and dusts himself off.
“[b]You killed two of those things? That’s amazing!”
The man holds out a hand in greeting. “I’m Envar—Envar Tamm, you’ve probably heard of me. I know, I know, I’m way more handsome in person. It’s a pleasure to meet me, I’m sure. Now, tell me all about you; I want to know all about my new best friends.”
Status,
LA6439F
Mobius
Xochitl
Haan
Mnamae-6
(T771) Goose
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'OOOO!' Rings out in the group and Envar's head, as the shirren psychically screams like a school girl. 'It is such a pleasure to make your accountances! Yes, yes. We would love to get a chance to visit with you privately. Would you be interested in getting to know us better?'
Glancing towards it's counterparts, the compound eyes wink. 'It was really nothing, I promise. Just too bad their weren't three for us, though I suppose that would be showing off too much.'
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Haan wipes his pike clear, the gore sailing into the audience much to his amusement, and then follows the rest of the group out under escort.
"Haan like BBQ" he says to the lashunta with glasses, "You take Haan get BBQ once get shiny new bone armor? Want to know about Haan? Hm.... Haan put pointy end in bad guys till stop moving, and eat lots"
He pauses as the poor lad gets up from his face plant, "Yes you pretty, red your color" he says with a chuckle indicating the trickle of blood from the Lashunta's head.
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Ella turns back to examine the crest-eater and ensure there wasn't a second one she had missed. She opens her mouth to say as much when she sees the shirren's wink. She decides this part of the deception and accepts the premise.
"Your face is quite symmetrical, making it pleasing." She smiles her wide grin. "It is exciting to meet you. I never thought that a celebrity such as yourself would see our performance! "
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Envar nods to Xochitl "MAn, three of you. That would have been rad!" he says. Turning around he appologises to some thin air before listening to Haa. "Yeah man, BBQ is sweet. Unless the sauce of off. That is bad." he shudders and then jumps sideways, wiping his face in a mock 'that was close' gesture.
When LA speaks he nods. "YERah babe. Lots of chicks find me hot. And who am I to disagree with such discerning women? "
He glances off at the others "And how did you all become, like gladiators. That is so Rad."
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As soon as the monster is destroyed, Mnamae-6 calls his droid to return to his side, standing there unmoving until it returns. Only then does it was in step with it to the exit.
He studies the rather exuberant man with some discomfort, uncertain how to go about the subterfuge that his faction leader has requested. His medical training and experience did not prepare him for such a situation.
But he couldn't very just stay silent with a direct question from him. His positronic brains runs through millions of computations to come up with a plausible story. Intoning in as deadpan a voice as he can (which is not difficult coming from an android), he says, "My name is Wumin Roku, and this is Tilly, my personal construct. I was built as a field medic and I built her in turn to protect myself. When the unit was disbanded I turned to this."
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Upon success in the arena, Goose hops around, pumping his fists rapidly and taking in the adulation of the crowd. He does a slow spin, ensuring everyone gets a chance to see him.
"That was awesome!" he cheers as he moves towards the exit.
He saunters up to Envar and greets him enthusiastically. "You're Envar Tamm? THE Envar Tamm? The famous Envar Tamm, known across the entire galaxy? We are so not worthy!" he spouts, fawning all over him.
"I'm Sprocket, the aspiring ysoki gladiator. It was this or the criminal underworld. Not sure if it was the better of my choices, but it's a living." he offers, winking at the lashunta icon.
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"Ohh... medic!" says Envar. "So do you have any.. ahh.. medicine on you?" - his eyes clearing for a moment as he eyes up a new prospective hit.
To Goose the man just smiles. "Like yeah, I mean it's not like I come in six packs!" he turns a dazzling smile on LA "Although I do have one!"
He leads you out of the arena and into the station proper.
"Smile!" he says, grabbing another selfie with you and posting it to the Infosphere within seconds.
"I'm like the chief procurement officer here. Very important. While you are here, do you want to check out the place? My personal tour covers all the hot spots. If you want it VIP treatment, then come with me!"
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"For Sure!" giggles Envar, though at what precisely is uncertain.
Envar leads the you out of the auditorium and down a hallway to the elevator. A holo-projection of Ilia Tamm pops up in the hallway as you pass, reciting a canned message: “Security is important to Arch Energy. Remember to reset your computer passwords once a week. Use a 16-character password that does not contain any recognizable words or patterns to increase its security.” Envar rolls his eyes at the projection and sighs, “I told you, Mother, I can’t remember all those letters and numbers. That’s why it’s still— Wait, where’d she go?”
Most of the areas and elevators in the space station are protected by locked security doors that require both a key card and retinal
scan to operate."
Envar explains that “We don’t let just anyone into the VIP areas,” before unlocking the first security door to the elevator.
"Where to first?"
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Oh, yes. Most definitely want to see the sights!" echoes in your heads. "Well, why not show us those VIP areas that visitors don't normally get to see? I'd love to see what keeps this place such a hit.'
'Aside from the Bar-B-Queing and the wonderful arena, what do you enjoy around here?' Pausing a moment, it's mandibles clack loudly. 'Oh, where do you live? Is it back here somewhere too? I bet you have such amazing games!'
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Envar leads you through the station, nodding to everyone. They all seem to know him although you suspect he is tolerated rather than loved.
"Dudes. I know just the place to start the tour! The after-hours lounge!"
He takes you to a gray metal elevator with a glass window that allows you to watch employees at work as you descend to level two. A holoprojection of Ilia Tamm announces each level as you pass, "I've been here before Mother!" says Envar. A chime sounds as the glass doors slide open to reveal a dimly lit hallway ending in glass double doors emblazoned with a crescent sun and the word “Eclipse.” As you approach the doors, another holo-projection of Ilia Tamm appears and announces, “Your rest cycle and mental health are important to your productivity. Please enjoy your recreation time responsibly during your noncontracted hours.”
A small foyer leads to a large open room furnished with hovering black marble tables and dark-orange leather booths. A semicircular bar occupies most of the north wall, its multiple tiers backlit in blue and purple neon where glowing, flaming, and frothing drinks are served. A small holoscreen above the host stand in the foyer broadcasts an image of a scowling shirren in a white chef’s hat accompanied by the text “Chef Ghornak personally endorses Eclipse with a five-nova review!”
"You want a bite?"
A male android clad in a white suit and orange tie greets you from behind the podium and offers to check your coats and weapons.
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"Ohh... medic!" says Envar. "So do you have any.. ahh.. medicine on you?"
Mnamae-6 gives Envar a detailed up and down. "You do not look injured. What medication would you need?"
---
As Envar leads the party on, Mnamae-6 studies carefully the layout of the place and also where he keeps his key card. Although Mnamae-6 wonders how he would tackle the retinal scan.
---
Mnamae-6 stares at the android for a few uncomfortable nanoseconds. "I'll be holding onto that," he says as he holds on tight to his rifle.
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Envar rolls his eyes at Mnamae. "The good stuff, man."
The android bow "Very well." Envar pipes up "My good friend, Magisterial Chef Ghornak Ryzcech featured the Eclipse Lounge on his reality broadcast and provided his own downloadable hospitality interface for all android employees!"
The android host rolls his eyes and comments, “It’s completely degrading. Sadly, anticorp hacktivists got their hands on the
program, and now I have an excuse to be rude to customers. Oh, my apologies, may I offer you a hot towel?” The android beckons you to enter the lounge.
Behind the glass doors, an all-android waitstaff and a kasatha bartender cater to customers in the Eclipse Lounge. Tolara, a kasatha bartender with two additional cybernetic arms, mixes and serves drinks to patrons with all six arms. She turns to the PCs and asks,
“Would you care for a cocktail, or perhaps service at our premium gas bar? We carry oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen— whatever suits your pleasure.”
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---
Haan looks at the android, looks at his 15ft pike. Looks at the android once again and then the pike. With a shrug he hands over his pike hopeful that it will fall over and make him look stronger.
---
As they enter the restaurant proper, Haan shakes his head and says to Envar "Sorry not have good stuff. Haan 100% natural".
He turns to face the android and requests several towels. Not one for social edict he begins to wash and wipe down his entire body, "Fighting sweaty work".
Finally to the Kasatha he says, "Haan would like Shirley Temple please, with extra grenadine."
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The android, obviously used to somewhat unusual attendees, deals with Haan with aplume. The Pike is difficult to fit in a storage locker, and is thus carefully placed behind the bar. The Shirley Temple however tastes wonderful.
LA64397F is handed a canister of nitros, although she is a little dispointed to find out it has been premixed with oxygeon. Envar grabs one as well and moments later his voice starts to squeak badly and he breaks out in giggles.
Unamused in the Ysoki who stalks forward toward the young man. "Move if you don't wanna be collateral, smoth skins." she demands of the team before glaring at Envar "Where are my credits?"
Envar, giggles and reaches out to pet her "Aren't you soooo fwuffy!" The Ysoki is unimpressed "Seize him!" she scowls.
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Ella pulls Envar back away from the Ysoki. Her voice inflection loses any of it's charm and returns to a flat intonation. "Envar, I don't think that's such a good idea."
She looks at the Ysoki. "Who are you? Don't you know who he is? You'll barely get out the door with him before security blasts you to rat-bits."