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You have been summoned by Venture-Captain Arvin once again to the the Lorespire Complex.
Venture-Captain Arvin stands before a hologram of a planet that appears to have been ravaged by some disaster; there is very little water and no obvious greenery. “Greetings, Starfinders,” he says, without turning. “You are looking at Elytrio, a newly charted planet in the Vast. While you might dismiss it as a lifeless rock at first glance, it
still has mysteries to plumb. The starship that discovered it was attacked by some kind of orbital defense system when it got too close; the vessel didn’t have the firepower to respond, so the crew made a prudent retreat. But we Starfinders don’t let these sorts of things go.” He pauses before continuing. “I’d like you to take a starship, travel to Elytrio, and discover all you can about it. If you find any inhabitants on the planet, do everything in your power to make peaceful contact with them. If the place is deserted, try to locate information about who might have built those defenses. Once you’ve got something interesting, report back to me here at the Lorespire Complex.
Any questions?”
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A slotted helmet shows only black orbs for eyes as a rebreather lets him keep his face completely covered. A ceramic breastplate, shoulder guards, bracers, and greaves protect him while facilitating the graceful kasathan close-combat style. as the red and gold scheme glint in the bright lights. The well-known colors of the Space Pirate Wraith Clan.
A gruff voice is heard from beneath the helm. "What kind of firepower we talking about here?"
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Albans, a pale, gaunt, middle-aged man, speaks up. "I have a question. Doesn't archaeology ever happen someplace nice? I'm still trying to get all that damned red dust out of my gear from the last mission." He grins, letting the venture captain know that his gripes are in jest. More seriously, he adds "So that's it, just information? We aren't trying to bring back any mystical relics or rogue agents?"
To Ruuk, Albans says "Always expect Madrigal to give a fight. Why, she's saved my life more times than I can recall." Touching his back where a ballistic/tempweave composite patch is sewn into his armor, Albans mutters, "And expecting a fight didn't do a damned thing to stop me from taking a laser in the back..."
Albans offers his hand for Ruuk to shake, "Where are my manners? My name is Albans, I'll be working with you." And you'll be protecting my hide, so we'd best be acquainted with one another.
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"What kind of firepower we talking about here?"
"The starship encountered some kind of hemispherical orbital defence platform. It seemed to be some kind of drone carrier - although it is weaponless, the drones it launches are armed with what we could determine are the equivalent of light laser cannon."
"... That planet, well, looks lacking in resources."
"That would appear so but the initial scans we manage to get were too brief, so until we get some feet on the ground, we can't be certain. The other Starfinders did report trace amounts of radiation in the atmosphere, so there is a distinct possibility the planet’s current appearance is not entirely natural.”
"I have a question. Doesn't archaeology ever happen someplace nice? I'm still trying to get all that damned red dust out of my gear from the last mission." He grins, letting the venture captain know that his gripes are in jest. More seriously, he adds "So that's it, just information? We aren't trying to bring back any mystical relics or rogue agents?"
The usually rather serious Captain raises an eyebrow, and quips back, "If the place is nice, it would hardly need archaeology, would it?" A faint grin on his face indicates he is similarly returning the jest.
"On a more serious note, we are merely looking to make first contact at this time, so do not bring back any relics or creatures. Unless of course given explicit permission by the inhabitants of the planet, if there are any." Pausing briefly, he grins and adds, "And with the way trouble seem to follow Starfinders, let’s not start any wars there, shall we?"
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An android with shoulder-length blonde curls and red mechanical eyes steps away from the wall. ”VENTURE-CAPTAIN ARVIN, do I have permission to disable the laser on the orbiting satellite?” Her tone doesn't hold any emotion. ”Or does that go against protocol?”
Lifeforms on planet ELYTRIO If Alice 002 had a heart, it would be pumping with excitement over the idea of meeting new lifeforms. Disappointed, Alice 002 promises: ”I will refrain from taking lifeforms back on the ship.”
After Albans introduces himself, the android’s entire body turns at a precise 45-degree angle to face Ruuk. ”I am Alice. Zero. Zero. Two. Do you like –“ Alice 002 pulls out a disk from her pocket, ”Strawberry Machine Cake? They are pleasing to the audio receptors.”
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Ruuk nods at Albans. "Good." Ruuk removes his helm to expose his scarred Kasathan face. "I am Ruuk of Clan Wraith." He makes his position well known as proclaims it proudly. "Must be a messed up situation if they are willing to outsource our sum again." You easily recognize the Clan Wraith to being associated with Space Pirates.
Ruuk turns to the android and looks at the disc. "Only if it turns some credits clanker."
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Standing in the back of the room, seemingly having troubles with one of his fingers, stands another android. Dressed in attire that seems appropriate for a professor with an apparatus of some sort worked into the shoulder, he scans the room for a moment before his eyes alight on Madrigal and Eli. His face, modeled off a human male somewhere in his mid thirties or forties, beard and all, seems to almost literally light up and, with an energy that might best be attributed to a small child, moves forward.
"Madrigal, Eli. It is... 'nice,' that is the most appropriate word for the moment, is it not?" His eyes seem to lose focus for a second, before he gives a nod. "Thank-you Suzuta. It is, with a 84% likelihood, 'nice' to see you again! Has anything happened to you since I last saw you? Are we going on a mission together again?" Unaware, a smile creeps onto his face.
Adressing the Venture-Captain, he asks with an excited air to him, "You wouldn't ahppen to know exactly how many of these drones the platform can produce? Is it possibly an automated factory or even self-replicating? And if it proves to be abandoned, can we study it?"
"And if we can't bring back actual samples, can we take video and notes?"
Questions asked, the android turns to Albans. "Were you part of the mission to Akiton? I read the report about it afterwards. It sounds like it was an interesting assignment. Also, I am Asier-23-7... I believe my next line should be 'It's a pleasure to meet you,' but... I'm not entirely sure if it is just yet."
Moving over to the other android in the room, Asier grabs out a copy of the Strawberry Machine Cake disk still in its wrap. "I do like their music! It's interesting how much they can vary the tempo in such a short amount of time, isn't it?" He galnces at the wrapped disk for a second before looking away. "Though I also bought a digital version, a waste of credits, I know, but physical media is rather inconvenient, and Asier-23-4 removed the disk player hardware from our right leg and none since ahs seen fit to add it back in..."
He finally trains his sights on Ruuk. "You seem to have a variety of scars on your face; would it be rude to inquire as to how you obtained them?"
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”VENTURE-CAPTAIN ARVIN, do I have permission to disable the laser on the orbiting satellite?” ...
"Well, you would likely have little choice in the matter if you are to approach the planet itself. I do hope the inhabits do not thus miscontrue that as an act of hostility, though."
"You wouldn't happen to know exactly how many of these drones the platform can produce? Is it possibly an automated factory or even self-replicating? And if it proves to be abandoned, can we study it?"
"And if we can't bring back actual samples, can we take video and notes?"
"Unfortunately, the earlier scout ship, not equipped for starship combat, had to flee almost immediately, thus failing to gain much intel about the orbiting platform's capabilities or functionalities. If you can manage to acquire useful information, that is certainly welcomed. But remember that your primary mission is the planet itself and its inhabitants, if any."
"Videos and notes? Of course!"
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A running pair of feet tapping on the floor can be heard from the hall. They come ever closer, until you suddenly see Eli slam her right shoulder into the door frame to stop herself.
"Come on, guys! I've been shot like 4 times on Akiton. You gotta give me some time to recover here!"
She drops her bag and helmet on the ground again, greeting the old and new faces in the room, offering the Kasatha a handshake. Just one hand, though.
"Oh - Twentythree is with us? Sweet. I need to tell you about the Veskmobile, dude. It was glorious!"
A few short moments later, she realises this is not a meet and greet, but a briefing. "Uh - right. Sorry for being late, sir. A rundown of the mission in 2 sentences or less?", she looks at Arvin, a bit nervous to ask him that question.
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Questions asked, the android turns to Albans. "Were you part of the mission to Akiton? I read the report about it afterwards. It sounds like it was an interesting assignment. Also, I am Asier-23-7... I believe my next line should be 'It's a pleasure to meet you,' but... I'm not entirely sure if it is just yet."
Albans gives a chuckle, and replies "That's quite alright, Mr. 23-7. It's always wisest to wait and get to know someone before you make assumptions. I shall try my best to convince you that this meeting was, in hindsight, nice." He beams at the mention of Akiton and his first successful mission among the Starfinders, "And I was indeed on the mission to Akiton! It's really too bad you had to read about our thrilling heroics second-hand."
As Eli dashes into the room, Albans quips "Eli! Nice to see you pulled through. And not a moment too soon! I would have been the latest one if not for you. Can't have people starting to think I'm irresponsible, right?" He turns to Arvin, "Looks like we're all here now. Don't worry about a thing, we'll be very diplomatic. Now, I understand you're entrusting us with a starship?"
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"From peaceful contact." Ruuk smiles a sharptoothed smile. "What's your model number Clanker? I am unfamiliar with it?"
Asier face puzzles over for a moment while he contemplates the Kasatha's words. "By definition that would mean there was no violence, bt there was still bodily harm. That must have been interesting contact... Is it some sort of ritual scarring? Or a way of proving yourself or your intentions with out violence?"
Asier tries to return a facsimile of the smile. "My name is not 'Clanker'. It is Asier-23-7, though some people call me 'Asier' or 'Twentythree' I don't believe I have a model number. I am the seventh soul to inherit the name of Asier-23, who was the one who built Suzuta, my... our exocortex, and was a Starfider of renown. It is assumed that he was the 23rd inhabitant of the body, but our records only extend back to Asier-11, so there are not gauratees on that."
Realizing the VC is talking to him, Asier faces the man again. "Well, I shall take the opportunity to take a much video and notes as I can. It will prove useful for Suzuta's databanks."
Later with Albans, Asier gives an almost sigh of relief. "Ah, It is good to find someone who understands that. I think I already am finding some 'enjoyment' from this meeting. It sounded like it was a brilliant mission, I wuld have prefered going but Suzuta had classes scheduled and could not leave."
Seeing Eli scramble into the room, Asier gives another unconcious smile. "Eli. It is 'nice' to see you. Are you okay? I have some knowledge on human anatomy if you want me to take a look. ...and a Veskmobile? What is that?"
When Eli asks for the summary, Asier takes a deep breath and without stopping spits out "We are travelling to the planet of Elytrio, which you can see on the monitor here, that, despite looking barren, seems to have something on it because a society ship without weaponry on a reconnisance mission ran into an unarmed orbital platform that produces an unnknown number of drones with light laser cannons. We are to get past the platform and, hopefully, peacefully engage with the natives, if there are any, without causing a war or bringing home any samples unless they were expressly given to us, but notes and video are permissible." After a second to catch his breath, Asier looks at Eli and somewhat innocently asks, "Is that good?"
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"Madrigal, Eli. It is... 'nice,' that is the most appropriate word for the moment, is it not?" His eyes seem to lose focus for a second, before he gives a nod. "Thank-you Suzuta. It is, with a 84% likelihood, 'nice' to see you again! Has anything happened to you since I last saw you? Are we going on a mission together again?" Unaware, a smile creeps onto his face.
Alice 002 turns to face the other android, her head remaining parallel to the rest of her body. ”Your exocortex includes a calculator for social success?” Alice 002 questions emotionlessly. ”Mine was overwritten by a combat statistics log. I am sad.” Alice 002 stares blankly at Asier-23-7 as she morns over the loss of data. Then, as if to change the subject: ”I have a 100 percent success rate with ALBANS, MADRIGAL SERAPHINE, EILIDH HALBI SCONE. We met all the parameters of our last mission.”
"I do like their music! It's interesting how much they can vary the tempo in such a short amount of time, isn't it?"
”Yes. That is true. I find our similarly aligned interests pleasing.” Blank-faced, Alice 002’s internal emotions bubble with happiness.
” Veskmobile? What is that?"
Staring at nothing in particular while she accesses a file, Alice 002 defines: ”A VESKMOBILE is what vesk call mining carts.”
Alice 002 returns her attention to Asier. The android’s voice, consistently devoid of emotion, continues: ”I am ecstatic to be on a mission with another android. I cannot wait to exchange information.” Alice 002 pauses so the other android has time to respond.
”I have recording of two vesk named HAKRINAG OF THE BONECRUSHER FAMILY and HUDATHAN SWARMBAIT if you wish to copy my data. I was instructed by HAKRINAG OF THE BONECRUSHER FAMILY to LEARN A THING OR TWO. Did you know vesk give names to inanimate objects? It is also important to avoid bull vesk during a double fullmoon after the Winter Solstice.”
”May I ask you a personal question, ASIER. Dash. Twenty-three. Dash. Seven?” Alice 002’s faintly-glowing red eyes adjust and focus on Asier’s face. ”What is your favorite lifeform you have encountered?”
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Arvin raises an eyebrow when Eli finally joins in the briefing, albeit rather belatedly. He waits for Asier-23-7 to repeat the mission briefing then he sums everything up in two sentences rather wryly, although much briefer than Asier-23-7's attempt. "Explore Elytrio. Don't die."
"...Now, I understand you're entrusting us with a starship?"
"Of course." With a few quick taps on his datapad, Arvin pulls up the hologram of two different starships, staple of the Starfinder Society. "You have the choice of the standard Drake class or Pegasus class starships. The Drake class is better armored while the Pegasus compensates by being more maneuverable. The two ships are also armed dfferently. Drake has a missile mounted on the turret which while packing a powerful punch, has limited fire. The Pegasus carries instead a coilgun on its turret. In addition, the Pegasus is also armed on all arcs except aft, while the Drake can fire from front and aft.
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Alice 002 discusses with her companions: ”I find the slimmer look of the Pegasus pleasing. Some lifeforms believe red makes ships travel faster.” Alice 002’s mechanical eyes focus and adjust like a camera lens. ”My exocortex has calculated the Pegasus system has a higher chance of success at disabling the orbiting laser… unless we want to handle the satellite the ‘vesk way?’” Alice 002 turns her entire body to face the Drake, examining the various weapons.
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Albans gives a wide smile and rubs his hands together upon seeing the ships and their schematics. Immediately, he points towards the Drake. "Now this is a ship designed for first contact. In my experience, people are a lot more willing to talk when they know that fighting won't end well for them."
"The 'vesk way' did let a single planet conquer an entire solar system. It might not be elegant, but you can't deny that it works. Still, we should leave the orbital defences intact if we can. Disabling them temporarily is fine, but given the costs of putting them in place I doubt that they are there for no reason."
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Eli starts considering responses to the questions aimed at her, but the ship diagrams and schematics take over quickly. She moves in to inspect the ship designs and technical information on the vessels and this takes he full attention for a short moment.
"From a pilot's perspective, I am inclined to go with the Pegasus. If nothing else, there is the speed factor, which would allow us to simply outmaneuver potential threats."
"But if you have concerns regarding firepower, I can understand. I can make either work.", she adds, as if boasting.
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Ruuk holds his data pad up as the outline and statistics of a ship float in the air. "Or how about you loan us the Sunrise Maiden?" He pulls his fingers apart to zoom in and blow the display for all to read. "She should do everything we need."
everyone at the table must agree to you slotting this boon. When you slot this boon, rather than choosing the standard
starships presented in the Starfinder Society Roleplaying Guild Guide (such as the Drake or Pegasus), you can instead
choose to take the Sunrise Maiden. The statistics for this hull are presented below. This ship can be further upgraded
with Starship boons from other characters in the group as normal.
Speed 10; Maneuverability good (turn 1); Drift 1; AC 13; TL 13; HP 55; DT —; CT 11
Shields Light 60; forward 15, port 15, starboard 15, aft 15
Attack (Forward) gyrolaser (1d8); Attack (Port) light laser cannon (2d4); Attack (Starboard) light laser cannon
(2d4); Attack (Aft) flak thrower (3d4); Attack (Turret) light particle beam (3d6)
Power Core Pulse Green (150 PCU); Drift Engine Signal Basic; Systems basic mid-range sensors, crew quarters
(good), extra light weapon mount (aft), mk 3 armor, mk 3 defenses, mk 1 duonode computer (tier 1, artificial
personality upgrade); Expansion Bays cargo holds (2), escape pods, recreation suite (HAC/gym)
Modifiers +1 to any 2 checks per round, +2 Computers, +1 Piloting; Complement 1–6
Boons Slotted this Adventure :
Ally:
Faction: Exo-Guardians Champion
Personal:
Promotional:
Social:
Starship: Sunrise Maiden (Above)
Slotless:
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"I don't know how you got loaned that ship Ruuk, but I SOO want to captain it!"
Ally
Faction Wayfinder Champion
Personal
Promotional paizo.com/organizedplay/perks Promotional Reroll (I have a messenger bag)
Social Factions Friend 0/3 (1-01)
StarshipHero of the Stars (SFS Quest Into the Unknown)
Slotless Starfinder Insignia (SFS Quest Into the Unknown)
Slotless SFS Carepackage (Welcome to SFS Boon) Spellgem Cache 0/3
Slotless Marked Field Agent (1-01)
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"That is all, then. You may proceed to the docks once you have prepared."
A small robotic drone intercepts the Starfinders as they depart from their briefing. The The drone projects a holoscreen with the image of a confused looking ysoki child, whose head is quickly pushed out of the screen by an older ysoki woman. “Fitch from the Wayfinders here. Sorry about Kirkath popping on the screen; kids always like the holoprojectors. Good to see you how far you've come since you helped resolve the issue back at Deck E. Anyways, long and short, I hear you’ve been assigned to explore Elytrio. First contact is important. Need to make a good impression. Wayfinders specialize in this sort of thing, so I wanted to offer some help! The drone has a translation module strapped on its back. It’s not as reliable as some magical solutions you might have, but if you’re in a pinch for communicating, it might help!”
As promised, the back of the drone has a Tetrad certified translator. It waits for you to retrieve it before it departs.
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Eli looks pleasantly surprised with the ship. She walks into the cockpit and performs the necessary system checks. Her least favourite part of the job, but it has to be done. She goes over one switch after another with a pen and a sheet of paper in her hands, ticking boxes on the paper as she does her thing. Once that is done, she sits down, straps in, and punches the comm console.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard the Sunrise Maiden. I'd like to personally welcome you to our flight to Elytrio. My name is Eli, and I will be your pilot for the next few days. The remainder of the crew consists of the Captain - Madrigal, our engineer and science officers - Alice and Albans respectively, and our security detail - Twentythree and Ruuk."
She flips a few switches over and the hum of the engine sneaks into the ship's halls. "I would like to ask you to remain seated during the launch phase, for your own safety. Once we clear Absalom's orbit, I would let you know. Unfortunately, we do not have anyone to deliver a security presentation for now, so if you are not familiar with standard practices on such trips, please consult the ship's database accessible through your datapads. In case you are feeling uneasy or thirsty, please head off into the cantine after launch, and while you are there, bring your pilot a shot to spice up the flight. I wish you a pleasant trip and a successful mission."
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Alice 002 turns to face the other android, her head remaining parallel to the rest of her body. ”Your exocortex includes a calculator for social success?” Alice 002 questions emotionlessly. ”Mine was overwritten by a combat statistics log. I am sad.” Alice 002 stares blankly at Asier-23-7 as she morns over the loss of data.
Asier shakes his head and hands back and forth in three precise motions. ”No, Suzuta has a good text search program and Asier-23-3 loved his romance novels enough to put most of them in permanent storage. It can be problematic, as I have been informed they sometimes can start playing when I shutdown for the night.”
Then, as if to change the subject: ”I have a 100 percent success rate with ALBANS, MADRIGAL SERAPHINE, EILIDH HALBI SCONE. We met all the parameters of our last mission.”
”I have had a 100 percent success rate with Madrgal and Eli as well. However, as we have only had two missons together, I don’t not have enough information to draw a cause or effect relationship, but I would like to think they are why.” Asier turns to the two women and gives them what might be called a slight smile in the right light.
”Yes. That is true. I find our similarly aligned interests pleasing.” Blank-faced, Alice 002’s internal emotions bubble with happiness.
”As do I. We should listen to them together during our long, empty and to be blunt, boring travel through the drift.” Asier replies, already thinking of a way to handle the long weeks of space travel.
Staring at nothing in particular while she accesses a file, Alice 002 defines: ”A VESKMOBILE is what vesk call mining carts.”
”That is an interesting name for a mining cart, thank-you for the information.”
After getting asked about his favorite lifeform, Asier freezes, staring of into the distance as an audible whirring sound comes from his head. After three seconds he turns back to face Alice, blinking a few times to remoisten his eyes. ”I cannot specify one lifeform I like the best, but I can show you a video of the one I find the most interesting. It was a species called Ulmarid Mantis Crystallipatella Strigibus Skreebara. It was an insectoid creature with crystal plating we encountered on Ulmarid. Before I start playing it, I would like to ask you your favorite lifeform.” Asier listens to her response as he sets up the projector worked into the shoulder of his outfit.
Asier takes a look over the three ship’s statistics and nods at everyone’s words. ”I agree. The Sunrise Maiden looks like the best choice.”
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After the group is dismissed, Asier heads to the commissioner’s to change his armor, buy a ring and, at the last second, decides to have an enchantment added to his rifle. Showing p on the flight deck, the android has changed out of his professional gear and into a looser fitting freebooter armor.
He gives Fisk a longing look through the tablet. ”Is it permissible to disassemble the translator, learn how it works and then reassemble it? Please? I will be very, very careful.”
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Ally: None
Faction: Dataphiles Champion
Personal: None
Social: Factions Friend 3/3 left (1-01)
Starship: None
Slotless: Starfinder Insignia (SFS Quest Into the Unknown)
Slotless: SFS Care Package (Welcome to SFS Boon) Healing serum 1/1 left
Slotless: Marked Field Agent (1-01)
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Albans raises an eyebrow at Fitch. "Dare I ask what happened on E-Deck? Perhaps you can tell me on our way through the drift."
To Madrigal, he says "Fine by me. I've always hated computers."
To Ruuk: "Wasn't that that rock that spent a few weeks out in the Armada? You were involved in that? Nasty business, from what I've heard."
Finally, when Eli makes her announcement, Albans walks onto the bridge holding a platter covered in glasses of clear brown liquid. He offers the platter to the crew before taking a glass for himself and strapping into the most comfortable looking chair. "Way ahead of you, Eli," he says, taking a sip. "Since the Starfinders are funding our travel expenses, I thought I would make sure we get the most of good Ruuk's acquisition. And let me tell you, this is the good stuff. Not like that dren on Akiton."
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Asier listens to her response as he sets up the projector worked into the shoulder of his outfit.
Outdated parts, Alice 002 observes the other android.
Albans raises an eyebrow at Fitch. "Dare I ask what happened on E-Deck? Perhaps you can tell me on our way through the drift."
”We rescued two children. A shipping container broke, releasing a dormant lifeform. The creature buried itself in the ship’s hull and we had to dig it out... Lots of teeth.” Alice 002 recalls in a monotone voice.
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"Wasn't that that rock that spent a few weeks out in the Armada? You were involved in that? Nasty business, from what I've heard."
"They don't call me in for anything good, that's for sure. That rock was the nastiest thing I have seen in a long while." Ruuk swings the turret around in a wide circle to make sure it was still functional.
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Fitch snaps back at Asier-23-7. "No you may not! It's Starfinder property on loan. Bring it back in one piece!" With that, she snaps off the communication.
---
The flight through the Drift took days and as usual, is largely uneventful. Along the way, the Sunrise Maiden passes a ysoki salvage barge named Clutter Collector. The ship’s captain, a ysoki named Winks opens a communication link to talk to the Society starship, more out of boredom than anything else. She thanks the Starfinders for the conversation before having to end the link an hour later as her ship moves out of range. Finally, the Sunrise Maiden re-enters normal space and the ship computers indicate less than a few hours’ travel from from Elytrio.
As the Starfinders approach the plannet, suddenly the comms squawk to life, filled with a crackling robotic voice in an alien language.
Madrigal quickly activates the translator, but subsequent recurrences of the message stutter and distort like a corrupted audio file, eventually cutting off with a loud burst of static before the device manages to decipher. But by then, the Starfinders' attention is drawn elsewhere.
Simultaneously, a hemispheric vessel comes into view from behind one of the planet’s moons. It approaches the Sunrise Maiden, and while it seems to bear no visible weapons, it does emit a ring of red light from the edges of its flat bottom hull.
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Alice 002 listens with excitement. New lifeforms! "What are they saying? Is it a distress signal for help?" Alice 002 asks in a robotic monotone voice.
"Oh. Look, the satellite." Alice 002 points to the hemispheric vessel approaching the Sunrise Maiden. "It appears to be automated. No lifeforms are present." Alice 002 stands from one of the console chairs, "I will proceed to the engineering bay."
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Albans listens to the broadcast for a moment:
"I have no clue what they're saying, but I've been thrown out of enough establishments to know that we aren't welcome here."
Albans scans the vessel and agrees with Alice's assessment. "And there is the welcoming committee. Let's see if this ship's defenses are as good as its bar!"
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Not detecting the Starfinder ship retreating, apertures open on the platform’s bottom hull as the vessel enters a combat posture!
The orbital platform hovers towards the Sunrise Maiden, weaving around as it approaches, creating a more difficult target the gunners. At the same time, Albans firewalls detects a computer incursion. He manages to repel it eventually, but not before it had downloaded the ship's general info, defences readings and weapons systems data. From the open hatch at the bottom of the hull, a small spherical drone starts to exit.
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As Eli starts to comment about not having someone to do the flight safety speech, Asier pipes up, "Oh, Oh! I can make another Flight Attendant suit! What size do you want?"
Asier spends most of the 24 days, 24 days, almost a sixth of the time he'd been alive, roving about the ship, bored to bits. He spends large parts of the days with Alice, exchanging information and stories. He also spends some more time working on a flight attendant uniform. But for the most part he seems to wander staring at the walls. At one point he finds some paint, covers the bulkhead with it and sits to watch it dry.
When the ship finally returns to nomral space, Asier is on the bridge, almost crowding Eli out of her chair. "Are we there yet? Is that Elytrio? What about that?"
================
Asier spends some time listening to the message, but seems to not catch much of the meaning, distracted by the newness of the language. He does however head to a gunner control at Eli's directions.
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In the gunner's seat, Asier takes a cable and connects it to the back o his neck and the gunner controls. "Okay Suzuta the target is that platform. We need to wait for Eli to get us in close before we have a shot, but we can pull from the onboard targeting programs."
When Madrigal chimes in over the comms, Asier responds. Aye, Aye, Captain! It's probably nice to be working under you again!"
__________
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Eli laughs when Twentrythree suggests making another uniform. "Please do. We only have a Vesk size at the moment, and some in-flight entertainment might be good. How about you make one for the Captain? Boost the spirit a bit?" She winks at the Android, smiling, and then continues to do her thing with the piloting mechanism. Once they emerge, and Twentythree comes up with questions, she leans back into her chair. "Well, these are the coordinates.", she points towards a planet in visual range. "I assume that's our destination.", she says as te approaching vessel plays its message. "Aaaaand I have no idea what that means. Doesn't sound good, though." She punches the internal comms: "Everyone buckle up!"
Eli quickly straps in and attempts to fly around the object while dodging anything it might shoot at the Maiden.
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Alice diverts power to ship's scanners, providing a power surge to computers, allowing it to punch through the firewalls of the orbital platform. Albans manages to hack and download all the attacking ships specifications.
Meanwhile, Eli does some fanciful flying, coming up next to the platform, while taking evasive actions at the same time. As soon as the ships draw near, Ruuk turns the turret, blasting the particle beam into the orbital platform's starboard which almost but fails to dodge the attack. The weakened starboard shield disintegrates as Asier-23-7's light cannon, which also tears a small hole in its hull.
By this time, the spherical drone has exited the platform completely, hovering behind it. Its turreted laser cannon swivels to face the Sunrise Maiden.