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A cluster of sleek black computers rests against the far wall of the meeting room. The Starfinder Society emblem at the center of the server cluster shines and begins projecting a stream of holographic light. The light takes the form of humanoid figure bereft of any definition, standing at the end of the meeting table closest to the servers.
"Greetings, I am Guidance. I have a new assignment for you. Please observe."
The projection gestures a flicking hand to its side, and a stream of data detailing an outpost made of interconnected circular chambers scrolls beside it.
Site of an Abandoned Outpost
Diameter ×2/3; Mass ×2/3
Gravity x1/3
Location Near Space
Atmosphere Toxic
Day 1 day; Year 1 year
"AbadarCorp, one of the Pact Worlds’ most prestigious organizations recently discovered a dataset detailing the location of an outpost abandoned over two hundred years ago. The organization has requested that the Starfinder Society dispatch a team of agents to secure the site, along with any remaining equipment or data. Your team will travel to this outpost and retrieve as much information about it as possible. You should also salvage any relevant equipment, which the Society will take as part of its payment. If you have questions, now is the time to present them."
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Jaxon sits with his legs propped rudely up on a table, looking bored. He taps on his hand terminal and sends the data feed to his exocortex memory module. The module beeps and begins feeding the data into his synapses. He blinks several times and then sits up, suddenly more interested. "An abandoned outpost. Good chance for some salvage. And a toxic atmo means less chance someone's already lifted it. Low gravity would help with lifting out of there too. Not bad. Ok, I'm in."
The pilot grins and look around. A rifle is slung over his shoulder and a pistol on his hip. You can see specks of lights blink in his eyes as the exocortex module plotted various routes to the planet, cycling through various preferences including minimum time, maximizing fuel efficiency, taking advantage of high density shipping lanes, minimizing radiation exposure, etc.
"Toxic atmo, but is there any record of other life on the planet? Do we know why the outpost was originally put there?"
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A lashunta comes in with full E-Sports garb. He is bedecked with a deep blue jacket and on the right breast of the jacket is labeled "XxX-DeathSnipe" depicting his clan and gamertag. On the other side, a large logo of a familiar corporation "AbadarCorp" and underneath it a logo "Starfinder Society." Other spaces of the jacket are surprising blank... for now.
He has various longarms equipped on him and a longsword by his side that seems to be just be collecting dust.
He speaks in a smarky and childish tone. "An outpost, yeah? What do ya think used to be there?"
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A halfling strolls into the room dressed as if he can't quite decide where he's going to be heading, which is often the case with a Starfinder mission before you're briefed. He's presents himself smartly, like he just stepped out of middle management for a large corporation including suit and tie, but his shoes are looking like they've tracked through the mud a few times, and he has a pair of rifles strapped to the small collection of gear at his back.
He's wearing your classic gangster's hat, but you can still tell his hair is black and oiled back. In quiet he listens to the short briefing while looking over the rest of the people in the room to see who he's working with. "Well gentlemen, old or new I believe slightly modified friend is right, there'll be salvage, salvage equals profit, and profit makes everyone happy. Including particular business interests."
He rubs his chin in thought, then snaps his fingers. "Have we made certain we're the only ones with any access to this information, or should we expect claim jumpers?"
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Guidance replies to your questions in its usual dispassionate voice.
"Toxic atmo, but is there any record of other life on the planet? Do we know why the outpost was originally put there?"
"What life may or may not be present is uncertain. There is limited data on the planet’s inhabitants, if any. As always, endeavor for a peaceful first contact, and keep the reputation of the Starfinder Society and the Pact Worlds in mind."
"On the outpost itself, it was one of many sponsored by AbadarCorp during the post-Drift colonization rush. Why it is subsequently abandoned is unknown - in the intervening two hundred over years, records have been misplaced or simply not fully logged in. Existing records that AbadarCorp uncovered indicate the outpost confirmed its arrival and establishment with the hiring organization, but since then there have been limited communications. Otherwise, no reports have been received in a couple of centuries. Clearly, AbadarCorp deems the outpost as a low-priority endeavor, mostly due to its abandonment and relative lack of impact on their modern enterprises. They have, however, offered the Starfinder Society a contract to explore and secure the site, based on our excellent track record. AbadarCorp has authorized the Society to take any items or copies of data found at the abandoned staging area in exchange for providing the organization with any data they uncover."
"An outpost, yeah? What do ya think used to be there?"
The Guidance paused here, and if it could, it probably would have replied with a smile. "Well, that it was we hope you find out."
"Have we made certain we're the only ones with any access to this information, or should we expect claim jumpers?"
"AbadarCorp assures us that they have only engaged the Society to investigate this matter. They have been a trustworthy partner for many years, and I see no reason not to trust them in this matter. Nonetheless, I need not caution you to be cautious in approaching and investigating the planet."
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A dark-skinned human rushes into the room, half out of breath. She starts gulping air while she tries to stammer out an excuse. "I wasn't ... expecting an ... assignment call ... so soon!" She glances up and is startled to see Guidance. "I didn't realize you could be in two rooms at once!"
After a second to set down her laser rifle, she fans herself as she opens the front of her shirt to release some heat and exposing her second skin armor. Radiance then takes a moment to catch up on the briefing so far. "So we're ...tracking down this, uh, outpost? And it's a cen... uh, couple hundred years old? Hmmmm, I think Special Circumstances has it right. What's, uh, around the planet? Has there been any, uh, pirate sightings in the, uh, space-around-the-planet?"
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"Exactly how far off the beaten path is this site? Any other nearby systems that see regular pact world activity, or at least trade lanes?"
"It is quite out of the way from even any remote populated systems, nor near even obscure trade routes, which is likely why it was eventually abandoned. And forgotten for over two hundred years."
"What's, uh, around the planet? Has there been any, uh, pirate sightings in the, uh, space-around-the-planet?"
"Unfortunately, due to its remote location, there is no record of what dangers might be present around or on the system itself. Beyond the environment of the planet, you should prepare for many possibilities, such as pirates, large predators, hostile native cultures, or supernatural events."
"Eh, we'll move in and try and take an aggressive posture over the defense network. I can move the ship to bear weapons and blast the drone out of the sky. Thing's old, right? It can't be working as well now with no one to maintain it." Jaxon gives a dismissive wave.
"AbadarCorp assures us that, at least according to their records, they did not install any defence systems over the planet. They only had set up the colony before it was eventually abandoned. Alternatively, there is a chance that there might be sentient beings on the planet, and if so, they might advanced technologically enough to set that up. I find that highly unlikely. If there was a native species that had reached such technological level, the Pact Worlds would likely have made contact by now. I repeat though. If there are sentient beings, endeavor to make a peaceful first where possible. You are representing not just the Starfinder Society, but the entire Pact Worlds."
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"Now you have no further questions, for this assignment, you have been authorized use of a Drake or a Pegasus starship. Both starship frames can complete this assignment. Please consider the following advantages when making your decision: Drake frames have greater firepower, whereas Pegasus starships are equipped with advanced science labs and sensors. As always, to optimize the chances of completing the assignment, it is recommended that each Starfinder team choose a ship that covers any area of weakness. However, the final decision is based on your personal preference. Safe travels."
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After some debate, the Starfinders decide upon the Pegasus, easily swayed by its high maneuverability. After a short while to settle your gear and whatnot, you board the ship and set off. The journey to the destination takes days of uneventful Drift travel. Jaxon pilots the ship out of the Drift, coming out into Nearspace near the system.
As the destination planet appears on the starship’s main viewscreen, alarms suddenly blare. A slender form emerges from the distant void, slithering from out of the planet’s shadow. It moves directly toward the starship, as if drawn to it. Kultainen quickly focuses the ship's scanner on the approaching object, and transmit data of the scans through the whole ship. You can hardly believe your eyes at first, but soon it becomes apparent - the starship size object flying your way is alive!
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CAPTAIN Special Circumstances, that has a good ring to it. Pity no one would let him cristen the ship or buy into partial ownership of the mission for increased profits. And this particular new friend of their's didn't seem the home shopping network sort either. Best get to it, then. The halfling stands in his chair to add a touch of height to his presence, puts one of his feet up on the armrest so he can lean into it and tips his hat just a touch to the side.
"Right, Gentlemen. Probably best to do just that. You're good on those controls, Jaxon, and we don't know it's hostile yet. See if you can't put those skills of your's to good use and keep us at tentacles reach until we know what's what."
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~~~
Varag attempts to divert more power into the engines, but the power core is still warming up and slow to react.
With the encouragement from the Captain, Jaxon immediately reverses the thrusters to send the Pegasus drifting straight back to buy the team more time to figure out the best strategy. That was likely a good thing as the Besmaran whelp charges through space directly at your craft, while weaving about to dodge your potential attacks.
...
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~~~
Kultainen's scanners probe into the creature, but due to the foreignness of examining an organic creature instead of a starship, the equipment is only able to discern basic information.
Deathsnipe turns the turret towards the approaching beast and let's loose with the coilgun, just as Radiance also powers up the forward light laser cannon. However, the enormous beast just "swims" out of the way of the shots. It then opens its enormous maw and breaths out a large beam which Kultainen's sensors pick up massive radiation energy. Jaxon brings to ship to a dive and just manages to scoot below the path of the beam.
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"I stand corrected, folks. That thing is entirely hostile. And I hate being shot at for various reasons I consider entirely appropriate." He straightens himself up after trying to duck behind his own chair while Jaxon is barely avoiding blasts of... of bad breath? Doesn't matter. "Good work, Jaxon. You know you're stuff."
With that said, he leans over the edge of his chair and glares at Deathsnipe. "But you! You're suppose to be the best vidgamer Abadarcorp is sponsering this season, and this is the best you can do? You either show that thing we're not to be messed with or I'm making sure you lose your funding for the next tournament." His voice is that measured, level tone someone uses when they want to be threatening without being loud.
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~~~
With the swiftly approaching monster, Varag attempts to channel more power to the weapons but the controls jam and he can only curse at them in response.
Nonetheless, the rookie pilot shows the good control he has as he swiftly flies the ship away from the approaching beast, while taking evasive actions against its impeding attack. Meanwhile, Kultainen doggedly continues sending his probes to study the alien creature, and this time, manages to configure the readings to churn out much more meaningful information.
With the ship in position, the gunners fire away! Deathsnipe, only through the needling by the captain, focuses sufficiently for the coilgun rounds to smash through the creature's hide. Despite the distance, Radiance's shot hit the alien as well, but that's when the Starfinders discover something unique about this Besmaran whelp. It's skin is partially crystalline, repelling part of Radiance's laser shot! The gargantuan beast opens his giant maw in a roar, silent though for in space no one hears you scream.
Thanks to Jaxon's flying, the Besmaran whelp is facing the wrong way and unable to return fire. For now.
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Radiance gives a grumble as her shot gets reflected at her and wonders for a second if Sarenrae's Blessing she cherishes so much might be able to help here, before shaking her head. There's no way she would openly condone what we are doing. The beast did attack us first, but we should try subduing it if we can!
She takes a second to line up her third shot and allow the computer to make a few micro-adjustments in hopes it doesn't get deflected as badly as last time.
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Jaxon seems supremely pleased with himself while the sensor data is fed to his exocortex. "Hey, that worked pretty good! I'm going to keep our distance. Something tells me those teeth would be way worse to see up close."
The pilot banks and hit the throttle. "Putting her on the starboard side! She'll be coming up fast!"
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Kultanien calls out through the intercom "It's not a spaceship so much as a living creature of giagantic size. Lets try to keep our distance, that mouth will drain our systems.!"
She continues to try and can it for futher information and to get a feeling about how badly hurt it is.
"Good shooting!" she entheuses.
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Special Circumstances gives Deathsnipe a little salute and turns his grump facade onto Radiance instead. "I can't take any funding away from you, but I can shove you out an airlock if you keep wasting battery power. Do some damage to the thing, will ya!" The halfling may be threatening everyone to get their job done, but it sounds like he's having more fun with this than anything. Nevermind the large, toothy creature and Jaxon's concerns about it.
"You heard the science officer, get all fancy!"
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Jaxon keeps the starship flying away from the giant beast, whilst taking evasive actions. The Besmaran whelp chases after the Starfinders, similarly weaving about in anticipation of the coilgun and laser fire. Kultainen, with his earlier success, continues deciphering the swarm of data he is gathering about the creature, and quickly transmit it to the rest of the crew.
The captain continues breathing down the neck of the gunners, this time on Radiance. Not that they needed it. Although part of the laser shot is reflected away, the attacks were empowered by the engines and tear into the beast, one shot damaging key muscles and another grazing its heart. Again, it roars in a silent scream before opening its maw to breath out another radioactive beam. Jaxon's good flying dodges the shot, however.