welcome
"I am afraid that Guidance's attention has been called away for a moment to deal with matters of great importance to the Society. If you will all please wait here, I am sure it will be only a few more minutes. There are refreshments in that cabinet beside you if you wish"
The blue-green skinned android smiled briefly at you and indicated a mahogany cabinet well stocked with non-alcoholic drinks and small snacks suitable for a variety of physiologies before turning his attention back to a data terminal.
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An old halfling with a heavily wrinkled face, sparkling brown eyes and a wide smile enters the room. Her hair is gray, wavy, and pulled back neatly. She wears comfortable, well-tailored clothes, with long sleeves and a high neckline, cut in classic styles. At the hollow of her throat is pinned an elaborate brooch. Earrings jingle in her ears, rings adorn her fingers, and bracelets line her wrists — some of which look like they were made by a child. Her feet are bare and hairy. Her hands are bony and slender, with clean cut, practical nails. She doesn’t bear and tattoos, augmentations, or other bodily enhancements. She doesn’t even appear to wear makeup or dye her hair. Over her shoulder is a laser rifle, and on her hip is a large knife.
She smiles at the android. "No problem, dearie, I understand."
She wanders over to a stool in the corner, slow and leisurely. Her knees and ankles creak as she walks. She sits down on the stool and let's out a groan.
"Oh, it's good to get some weight off these old bones!" she remarks conversationally.
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A Ysoki, covered head to toe in random mechanical nick-knacks, walks in to the room next. You can easily tell that part of his head is mechanically enhanced itself and he is constantly fiddling with a controller of some kind.
Behind him, a robot bearing a massive cannon clanks into the room. It has spider like legs and swivels the cannon around as it scans the room.
The Ysoki stops and looks up at the group,"Yo, the names Gogglez got it? It's cause I always got my engineering do-dad goggles on my head." he says as he points to the goggles on his head, "and this" he says gesturing at the robot, "is hole-puncher version 1. He has a big gun and it goes BANG BOOM RAT-A-TATA-TAT", he says as he fails his arms widely around. "Take a look at my work and you can tell, I'm one of the best dang engineers out there."
*CLANK* *CLANK* *CLANK*, the sound of the drone walking in isn't easy to miss.
"No hostile actions detected" you hear in a metallic sounding voice, Initiating-....TAKING A BREAK FOOLS" the voice goes from the metallic robot voice to that of a recording of Gogglez voice.
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The door slides open, and a stout, bearded slab of a dwarf fills the threshold. Tightly braided hair sits both upon his scalp and adorns his face, with a mustache quite longer than usual customs.
He steps through the doorway, and it clasps shut behind him. Now in the flat, even station lighting, one can see every detail upon his wisened face. Simple clothes peek through under industrial overalls, his overall appearance is utilitarian and simple. Almost as an exclamation point, a simple, unadorned pendant is clasped around his neck on a string of what looks to be genuine leather; a hammer, with the handle pointing up. It looks to be a trinket out of a time long past.
The dwarf unclasps a pair of straps from his travelpack, and he sets to the side, out of the way. "Greetings. Name's Boz."
He nods to the rest of the assembled crew.
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Stepping in just a moment behind the dwarf is a bronze skinned man with amber, shoulder-length hair clumsily hangs over his skinny, reserved face. Narrow hazel eyes, set far within their sockets, watch impatiently over the lands they've rarely felt at home at for so long. A gunshot left a mark stretching from just under the left eyebrow , running towards his left nostril and ending on his left nostril leaves a compelling memory of fortunate adventures.
This is the face of Talc Bronx, a true opportunist among bounty hunters. He stands tall among others, despite his slim frame. There's something irregular about him, perhaps it's his friendly demeanor or perhaps it's simply his perseverance. But nonetheless, people tend to socialize with him, while making up bigger stories about him.
A quick glance about the room and he offers a curt nod to his fellow Starfinders with with a touch of his left hand to his forehead "Afternoon."
Turning his attention towards the android he offers, "Talc, checking in."
The android looked up from his station, did a quick head count, and frowned. "There were supposed to be six of you, were there not? Guidance indicates that it is almost ready to receive you, but I hate to send you in with one of your number missing. Well, I hope for his sake that he shows up before the audience with Guidance." He returned his attention to the data terminal.
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Ducking slightly to fit through the door with out hitting his scaled head, a Vesk steps into the room. Korg Starcrusher possesses a slightly intimidating frame. "Sorry for being late. Had issues finding the pla....I mean.... I got here when I meant to. " There was a moment of what seemed like a gentler person before what one would expect to see coming from the large lizard like man before them. "Nmes Korg. Korg Starchrusher. Now what are we looking at for this mission?" He crosses his large arms in front of him.
The android sniffed - he actually sniffed - at Korg, then pressed a button. A moment later the door opened and the android stood and motioned you in. "Guidance will see you now."
As the doors to the Lorespire Complex slide open, a green holographic image of a middle-aged human woman shimmers into view at the center of the room. “Greetings,” it says. “I am Guidance. Please use the cheek swabs in the open receptacle to provide a genetic sample for Starfinder Society identification purposes. If desired, you may place your hand on the glowing panel to receive a subdermal implant further marking you as a member of the Society.”
Guidance continued, "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, at the end of the graduation ceremony, for 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, and 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 necessitates that these missions become something more. Please treat any tasks given with the gravity you would grant any other Starfinder assignment."
"On the table beside you is a handout describing the various factions within the Starfinder Society. Please visit each of the faction leaders and perform the tasks they set you. In doing so, you will learn more about the Society, and simultaneously show the faction leaders your various skills. Once a leader's mission has been completed, they will signal me that they are satisfied with your performance. Once all of your missions are complete, please return to me here to finish your commencement ceremonies."
"Do you have any questions for me before you begin?"
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Eralyn gets up from her stool with a groan. She leisurely walks after the others, knees and joints creaking in time with her steps.
At the sight of Guidance she smiles.
"It's been a long time. Things sure have changed since we first met." Suddenly, Eralyn looks a little melancholy. "It's an honour to be heading back into the field."
She dutifully performs a cheek swab, even though she knows she's already in the system. Then she shakes her head at the offer of the implant and moves on without further explanation.
"Oh, the Faction heads are all lovely people." Eralyn remarks to her fellow agents. "Very driven. I'm sure you'll all find one you see eye to eye with, so to speak."
Eralyn smiles at the handout, as if it amuses her, the looks around at Guidance and the other agents. Her smile turns distant, as if reliving old memories.
On the table beside you is a handout describing the four main factions, and their leaders.
Gogglez waved his hand about at the sting as the implant went in, then stared in rapt amazement as the Starfinder logo glowed briefly Guidance said "The glow indicates that the implant is acting as intended. It will shut off as soon as its self tests complete. If you wish to display the logo, simply concentrate on stretching the muscles in that part of your hand until the symbol appears. It will take practice, but you will soon be ab le to identify yourselves as agents of the Starfinder Society to anyone you choose. "
"As for where you start, that is for you and your companions to decide."
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.
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Korg steps forward and gives the swab sample and places it in the collection area. He walks towards the implant station and carefully places his hand on it. The pinch of the injection stings for a moment but goes away quickly.
Continuing on to the faction station, he slots his boon in for the Exo-Guardians. He knows that his size and strength can be useful there. Just hopes he doesn't break any thing in the mean time.
After this, Korg stands to the side waiting for the others to be ready as well.
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Initially wary, Boz sees the rest of the recruits accept the swab without issue, and falls in line. He tickles the roof of his mouth and the inside of his cheek with the fibrestick, then places it in the sealed receptacle. I 'spose as long as I'm not blinked out of existence or vapourized, they can at least send what's left of me back to the rock I came from.
He then accepts the subdermal implant, joking to the rest of the crew while he feels the slight sting. "Figure a night light'll come in handy some day..."
What can be called a smirked formed on Korg's lips before fading quickly . The one named Boz has a bit of wit on him.
Trying to summon up a tougher voice then normal, to Eralyn "Sounds good as any place to start. Lead the way"
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Eralyn smiles at the others and slowly leads the way down the halls of the Lorespire Complex to the office of Historia-7. Her knees and joints creak and pop as she moves. Every once in a while she lets slip a quiet groan.
"Pardon my pace. At my age you don't hurry unless it's life or death." She chuckles.
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A two-toned gray furred Ysoki steps through the doors. He has a laser pistol on this hip, and he has a nose that twitches like crazy. You can see a pommel of a survival knife sticking out of the top of his boot.
So, did I miss anything important? Was busy getting lunch, and lost track of time., as he wipes a few crumbs from his suit of second skin armor.
My name is Ketch, but y’all can call me Twitch. My nose got a mind of its own, and just wont stop. I’m a Ysoki of many talents, I know a little bout lotsa stuff. Computers, piloting a ship, engineering and how to wire something back together. I can even stitch ya back up if you get injured along the way...I’ve had to do that before.
He helps himself to some water and a snack, bits of snack flutter from his move bag whiskers.
So, y’all been on other jobs. I just got done investigating a ship, that was haunted by some nasty creature. Lucky for us the captain trapped the spooky invader in his suit of armor, but the captain had to give his life. Like that wasn’t enough, some multi-armed monstrosity made the ruined ship it’s home and tried to make a meal outta some of the others I was with. I’ll be happy if I don’t visit the ship graveyard anytime soon
Twitch keeps munching and sipping water.
Hole puncher clanks over to Eralyn, "Initiating carrying protocols...ERROR, carrying protocols missing..."
You hear from Gogglez, "Just sit on his back yo, you'll be fine."
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"Oh, I read that mission report. Nasty stuff." She shakes her head sadly. "Hmm? Oh, yes I've been on plenty of missions, but that was a long time ago. I was wounded in the field back in my younger days -- the kind of thing that mystic's can't cure, you understand -- and was moved to a desk job while I recovered. It was unbearable at first! Reading reports, accepting applications, and assigning agents to their VCs without ever actually getting to help. But, it took years to recover. And... Well, by the time I was healthy enough to back into the field things had changed. I had a husband, and a child on the way. So I just stayed at that desk. It's been decades since then!" she smiles fondly. "But, let me tell you, when you've got a gaggle of adventurous halfling toddlers running around, life at home is it's own adventure!"
Eralyn lets out a laugh.
"But, with the Scoured Stars incident... Well... I put those agents in the field. And I'm going to bring them home if it kills me." she gives a nod. "So here I am, back at another Commencement. Things in the Society are much different now that they used to be, of course. Oh, But don't worry. These old bones won't slow us down when the going gets tough."
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"Oh, you!" Eralyn replies with a laugh and a wave of her hand. "Such a sweet dear, you are, Gogglez! I suppose it might be alright for just a few minutes..."
She sits down with a creak and sighs. "Oh, these ankles! I swear, once you hit seventy everything starts to go at once!"
Holding on tight she gives Hole Puncher an affectionate pat on the head. "Alright, let's see what you've got, dearie. That way."
She points off down the hall for Hole Puncher.
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Talc places his palm and accepts the implant without reservation. When it's over he turns his arm over and studies the upgrade with a sly smile. "I guess it's official now, eh?"
So, y’all been on other jobs.
Chuckling to himself as he shakes his head slowly back and forth, Talc remarks as if he had been directly asked, "Nope! This is my first. Kinda excited actually. I can't wait to see what we who we're gonna come across out there."
As he strides down the hallway to catch up to those ahead of him, he remarks to himself Two ysoki's? We're in trouble...
As he makes his way besides Gogglez he asks curiously, "Hole puncher, huh? How'd ya come up with that one? I bet that's an interesting story, no?"
The Lorespire Complex, home and heart of the Starfinder Society, is a striking campus dedicated to knowledge. Communal labs and historical departments study the Archives’ massive collection of artifacts and texts, gathered by generations of agents from across the galaxy. Eralyn led you directly to the Dataphiles' section, and a quick search of the directory indicates Historia-7 frequents the Archives’ Cortex, a computerized matrix containing digital records of the Starfinder Society’s most prominent discoveries.
The android reclines on a raised chair and is plugged into the local infosphere when the doors open. The neural cables detach themselves from her neck as she swivels in her seat to address the new arrivals. "Greetings, Starfinders," she says calmly. "I am Historia-7. If you are seeking a mission from me, please be aware that my request requires both discretion and speed. Do not accept it if you feel incapable of working within these parameters."
“I discovered someone recently hacked into Bluerise Tower’s computer systems and stole a large amount of sensitive data from the resident corporations. I wish to be privy to this information. I managed to trace the hacker’s location through many proxies and erased the trail so that station and corporate security should be delayed in their pursuit. This deception will not fool them for long, so you must move quickly to retrieve the data before they can recover it. I will leave you to decide what to do with the hacker afterward, but should it be feasible, I believe that person would be an asset to the Society.”
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Stepping off of Hole Puncher with a groan, Eralyn straightens herself before striding into the Archives' Cortex. At the sight of the android, she smiles.
"It's a pleasure to see you in person, Historia-7. I hope you're gotten some sun, recently. It does wonders for the soul."
At the end of the mission briefing, she nods. "Sounds useful, if they can be trusted."
"What is the hacker's last known location?"
"Do you know their handle?"
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Gogglez walks next to Hole Puncher and Talc, "Well, I called him hole puncher cause he's got that big gun, see?" he says as he points to Hole Puncher's Light Reaction Cannon. "The gun's only going to get bigger from here as I take on missions with better pay."
>Now in front of Historia-7, "Smart-smart, find a good hacker, make them our good hacker. Earlyn speak-ask good questions yo, got any more info for us so we can take care of this for you?"
"Indeed. The location I traced the hacker to was Block F18, Unit 227H in Drifter's End. Not exactly the neighborhood where I'd expect a hacker of this quality to be hanging out, but that is where my own investigations led."
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Boz scratches at the short whiskers underneath his jaw. "Naw... job sounds simple enough, we just have to be smart-like about it all."
The dwarf then glances over his shoulder at the three soldiers in the crew, and the mech with a reaction cannon bolted to its hardpoint. "... 'sides, if things do end up sideways? We're likely to have a bigger gun than the other guy."
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Talc nods along with the questions and answers between Historia-7 and the other Starfinders. "Sounds straight forward to me. We'll get the job done, no problem."
Thinking about the location they were just given, he considers requesting additional information. "Historia-7, do we know who owns unit 227H in Drifter's End?"
"Well, the entire F Block is owned by a human named Honor Harrington, but it is essentially a set of subleased apartments. There is no legible name on the 227H lease, or I would have provided it."
"And Gogglez, I should not have to remind you that Absalom Station Security frowns on heavy weapons being carried openly without the appropriate safety procedures. However, I am indeed reminding you, and asking that, for the sake of the Starfinder Society's reputation, that you fit your robot's weapon with the required safety plugs, at least while you are in the main spaces of the station."
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Ketch agreed to the magical marking. He put it on the furry palm, than covers it back up with his glove.
He listens to the job tasked to him, and wonders as well why a hacker, who was able to breach the security of the residents and companies was traced back to a slum apartment.
I presume that it’s an accurate trace? Her resources and capabilities must be far superior compared to the hacker. The hacker was able to erase their name, digital signature, and whatever else they wanted. This may prove to be more difficult then Krog thinks. Maybe I can learn a thing or two
In general agreement, you head out into the station towards the low-end apartment block known as Drifter's End. The address that Historia-7 gave you lead to an apartment block that resembled nothing more than a cement cube with doors and small windows. Unit 227H's doorway had several tomato plants in plastic barrels sitting on an otherwise empty porch. Boxes of nutrient broth and gardening tools spill out onto the porch from within the small apartment.
The tomato plants were being hand pollinated by a young human male in his late teens or early twenties with sandy brown hair.
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Gogglez presses some buttons on his game controller, "Oh right, I always forget that not everyone likes seeing my AMAZING creations." he says as he laughs. "Activating discretion mode." With that, Hole Puncher's gun does some mechanical transformations before it finally winds up looking like a Suction-dart gun, complete with suction darts.
Gogglez then follows Eralyn, making sure no one dangerous gets too close to her by using Hole Puncher as a shield.
**** At the Apartment ****
Gogglez makes sure to show off his mechanical creation and skills with Hole Puncher as he tries to talk to the human, "Hey man, whats up. I'm with the Starfinder Society and were looking to hire a good hacker. You are man? The pay is great, promise, it's how I can afford these cool toys." he says as he points to the suction-dart gun of Hole Puncher.
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Walking over to the plant, Korg tries to gently rubs one finger on the plant. He does his best not to damage them, like he does so many other things. "Nicely done. Always had issues with plants myself. A bit of a black thumb you can say" at this he holds up his hand which has small black scales on it. Just as he said it, he remembered the role he is trying to play. He strigntens up and puts on a stern face again.
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Tomatoes... Bozril's mind wanders.
... times were, down in the rocks, all we'd live on for days was wortroot and endercaps...
Station life was a relatively new paradigm for Boz; practically a second lifetime now. Memories of subsisting on nothing but cave fungi and rootwater were still carved into his very being. He figured that the stomach–like any other organ–had to have some sort of memory. If muscles could have memory, surely the stomach could; and his stomach remembers all too well the days of having gone without anything to eat at all.
... but those were the beforetimes, thought Boz. Before the Awakening. Everything's a little more complicated, but in lots of ways, it's easier. Surely that means it's better.
The dwarf fidgets a bit, adjusting the strap of a spreadgun under his cloak, but does well not to make a scene of it. His eyes dart left and right, as he hears his compatriots address the young man.
... big juicy tomato'd be awful nice right about now.
The young man looked nervously at you, and the more you talked, the more nervous he got. "I-I-I d-d-don't know w-w-w-what you're t-t-t-talking about," he said with a heavy stutter. The young man turned to run into the house just as an older woman Came into the living room. She was in her 70s, and wearing a blue and white abaya.
She stopped when she saw you, and said, "Jubair, what's wrong? Who are these people? Why are they here?"
The woman kept her eyes on the six of you and stepped forward protectively to put herself between the boy and you. "What are you doing here, scaring my grandson?"