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The shields no longer regenerate due the the extensive damage done to the power core. The power generator pulsates irregularly as the orbital platform attempts some patches to bring it back online.
The orbital platform, finding the Sunrise Maiden directly in its path, decides not to attempt the risky flyby maneuver but instead turns its thrusters to its side and glides portside. Not able to regnerate its shields, the AI transfers some of its existing shields around.
The two drones at starboard side continue hovering there, while one of those at the rear chases and comes up from behind.
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"It looks like it's falling apart! Keep it up, guys!"
The Sunrise Maiden simply moves forward to mirror the platform's trajectory.
"And - I don't usually say this, but - Ready your backsides, boys!", she points out the drones on the aft - "There's four of them behind us. Some protection might be useful."
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Alimony continues pumping energy into the aft shields...
A good thing cos the remaining drone flies up to the Sunrise Maiden's rear, just as Eli pilots the craft to come up right in front of the orbital platform.
Satisfied with blowing up the power core systems, Albans now transfer his attention back to his original target, and hacks into the enemy ship's drone launching system.
Ruuk fails to connect his shot despite the close proximity and Madrigal's encouragement, and starts shifting the blame to others. Neither does Asier-23-7 manage to land his shot.
The drones, however, have no problems this time, as three blasts of laser cannon punch through the recently powered up aft shields, and takes out a chunk of the hull.
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The power generator continues to pulsate unevenly, as the AI continues to try patching back up the power core system but there does not seem to be any noticeable change.
The now very clumsy orbital platform again attempts to slide past the Sunrise Maiden but one of its thrusters shut down unexpectedly at the last moment and the ship ends up flying right overhead!
At the same time, the AI attempts to hack into the ships power core system but this time, Albans manages to fend it off.
Two of drones dashes up to the Starfinders' port and starboard.
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Asier jumps up and curses silently as he sees his shot go wide. He rushes into the hallway, trying to think of a better way to try shooting the dang platform. Once Eli brings them in line with the platform again, he jumps into the correct gunnery booth, and takes a shot.
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Alimony boost energy to the shields, bringing the aft ones back online.
Ruuk opens fire as the orbital platform passes, but he was caught flat-footed and misses the opportunity.
Eli doggedly flies the Sunrise Maiden after it, coming back to the front of the orbital platform while evading enemy fire. At the same time, Albans hacks into its computers, scanning for its current status.
Two of the other drones were reactive enough to catch up with Eli, one coming to the aft and the other to starboard.
Ruuk opens fire again, this time managing to land the particle beam squarely on the enemy ship's front, taking out the shield and damaging the hull. Asier-23-7 attempts the same with the starboard laser cannon but he fumbles at the controls and misses the shot. If it is any consolation, Eli's amazing flying causes all the drones' shots to miss completely.
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The power generator of the orbital platform continues to pulsate weakly, as the AI's patches fail to take effect.
It still however manages to fly the ship with some control, this time manage to slide past the Sunrise Maiden instead of flying overhead. It also attempts to hack into Albans' computers but again, he fends it off.
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"If I have to crash this ship into it, it will happen."
"I'd...rather it didn't come to that. But don't let me influence your decision." Alimony dithers around with the shields a bit more, thinking.
"But if you do end up going with that, some advance would be nice. I'd like to hit up the HAC."
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Despite being new, Alimony demonstrates his fine control of the power systems, once again boosting up the shields.
Eli twists and turns the Sunrise Maiden, once again bringing the ship right to the front of the orbital platform. At the same time, Albans targets and hacks into the drone launching system.
Meanwhile, one of the drones manage to anticipate Eli, and flies right up beside her starboard.
The four drones fires off their light laser cannon but only one shot manage to hit, weakening the starboard shields.
Asier-23-7's shot goes off tangent this time despite the close proximity. However, Ruuk finally seems to have gotten the hang of the turret weapon system and blasts into the exposed front hull with deadly accuracy. This triggers the worm Albans inserted, causing a blowout in orbital platform's drone launcher. At the same time, the extensive damage not only blows out whatever patches had been laid in the power core system, but also sets off a chain reaction that blows out the ship's sensors!
At this time, however, whatever system shortage that knocked out Alice earlier recurs, blowing a circuit at the captain's seat, knocking Madrigal unconscious.
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Again, the orbital platform's power generator sputters back somewhat, as the AI controls attempts to re-patch them back.
The orbital platform, to avoid the looming Sunrise Maiden, manages to slide the ship to its port front. Three of the drones jump the gun and race towards to Starfinders.
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Asier, hearing te souds of explosions, turns on his comms again. "I heard an explosion. Were we hit again? Dangit Eli, you're supposed to avoid those shots!"
With frustrated sigh he tries to correct the varience in the targeting screen and the actual dang platform.
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Alimony also goes a bit pale at this news. "Keep it together for a bit longer and we'll figure this out!" In the interest of ending the fight quickly, the ysoki charges up the weapons.
Hopefully we don't have another lovable scoundrel of a stowaway aboard, he finishes, doubting the others will appreciate levity at this time.
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The Sunrise Maiden swoops back in front of the orbital platform with the Eli's skillful flying, evading the laser shots by the drones. Asier-23-7 first opens fire but fails to land the shot. Ruuk follows immediately after, and the particle beam punches right into the hull. This sets off a chain reaction, as multiple explosions tear through the orbital platform. It lists lifelessly to one side and just drifts through space, the central AI destroyed in the process. Something similarly also almost immediately happens to the drones. As soon as the central AI is destroyed, they similarly cease to function properly, and just drift off into space in whichever direction they were flying before.
With some more careful flying, Eli pulls up next to the now defunct drone ship, looking to see what can be salvaged.
With peace settling down now, you examine two of your crew, Madrigal and Alice. Concluding that there injuries are too serious for now, you place them into cryogenic suspended animation, so as to receive proper medical help when you return to Absalom Station.
For now, the planet Elytrio looms ahead of you...
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"Would you look at that!", Eli mutters, looking at the scanners. She sets up a few dropes to pick up the relevant debris and stores seemiingly useful data on a clear memory drive, separate from the Sunrise Maiden's software.
"Yeap, it's toast. Speaking of which...", she quickly unstraps herself to help others in checking Alice and Madrigal.
"Guys, I'm no doctor, but this doesn't seem good."
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Asier gives a stretch. "I don't know if comparing them to toast is the most appropriate. Roast might be better." He grabs one of the ship's emergency medpacks and rushes up to the bridge.
"I have minimal knowledge on healing people, but I might be able to help." He spends an extremely engrossed minute picking, prodding and probing the wounds on Madrigal. "That is fascinating! Did you know she bleeds more if you put pressure on her wounds? So interesting! However, my recommendation is we put her in cryostasis, as I have no clue what is wrong with her."
He then moves onto engineering, grumbling something dark about ALice and taking pratical jokes too far. In the doorway to the room, he however is stopped short. His vocal processors start to cycle as he takes in the downed Alice and obvious ysoki. "Wa... wa.... wai.... Wait! Alice was not playing a joke? You are actually a stowaway? Uh uh uh"
He does finally catch sight of the downed Alice and rushes over. "Dark words. that does not look good." After a moment's investigation he stands up. "Okay it looks like she just got a nasty gash and a shock that fried her nanobots. We'd have to fabricate and program her a new set and we don't have time for that. The ship should have some basic nanobots programmed with a maintenance routine. They will have to do for right now."
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As Alimony sets up a basic routine to process worthwhile salvage and the like, Asier comes in. "Yeah, I wasn't lying," he says darkly, indicating Alice. "I'm a techie, but I figured someone else'd know more about android repairs. But yeah, doesn't look good."
Once everyone is patched up as best they can, the ysoki believes it time to ask. "So, mission. What exactly are we doing here? Never seen this planet before."
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Albans helps with salvaging parts from the dead station, musing about how much they would be worth in various grey markets throughout the Pact Worlds.
In regards to both Alice and Madrigal, Albans shrugs. "I don't know what's wrong with them. They seem stable, so I say we put them on ice and let the docs back on Absalom Station work it out." Seeing Asier poking and squeezing their wounds, he adds dryly "It would be really embarassing if we tried to help and killed them by accident."
Albans sums up the mission for Alimony. "...In short, they want us to come here, see the sights, and make contact with the locals. Preferably without anything or anyone else getting shot."
"So, the way I see it, we have a bit of a problem. With the captain out of commission, we need someone to be in charge. Or at least to blame if things go sideways. Any volunteers?"
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"Could be first contact, eh?" Alimony looks excited at this prospect. "I know a few languages. I'm not as good a talker as I am a motivational speaker, though." The ysoki chuckles.
He seems a bit surprised, yet understanding, as Albans suggests the need for a commander. "My teams've played this sort of thing by ear up until now. And I'm not one to take the blame." He looks at the assembled crew, sizing them up. "But the best kind of boss, you don't need to blame, 'cause they're not bad. Besides, what you're looking for is a big guy. Tough-looking, can take or deal out some punches and shots." That's when his eyes fall on Ruuk.
"Him! Doubt you could knock him over with a water cannon! He'd keep us in line, too; with those muscles he could murder us all if we tried to pin something on him. Not that he'd necessarily have the wherewithal, or the desire...."
By this time, everyone here who has put up with Alimony and his rapid-fire speech so far is entitled to a medal upon entering the next life. They've also likely spent time aboard a ysoki scrap ship.
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The Starfinders do what they can to help their unconscious ex-teammates be as comfortable as possible, and salvage what they can (which was quite a lot) from the wreckage. They then turn their attention to Elytrio, the destination for this journey.
As Eli set the Sunrise Maiden on a slow orbit the planet, Albans directs the computers to complete a comprehensive scan of the planet. The computer churn out a whole series of data, revealing that it has a breathable atmosphere and standard gravity. Hoever, there are elevated levels of radiation, thought still at safe levels.
While most of Elytrio shows little sign of life, the ship’s computers eventually picks up a large energy output from what appears to be a fully functional city in the southern hemisphere! Keeping low on the horizon to avoid detection, Albans redirects the scanners to study the apparent city. The readings that eventually return indicate the city has a level of technology that is comparable to that of the Pact Worlds albeit slightly outdated. More critically, the computers detect life! Active lifeforms are moving within the city, and interacting with the technology, clearly indicating intelligent life! Is this to be a first contact?
Setting a course for a cautious approach, the Sunrise Maiden enter Elytrio’s atmosphere keeping low to the ground while scans continue. Initially appearing to be just some anamoly in the energy reading, as the Starfinders come closer, it becomes more and more apparent. The city and a half-mile radius around it is encased in a powerful force field! Circling the force-field as discreetly as possible, the Starfinders find the protection complete - there is no way to approach closer the city by ship. Eli finds a safe landing zone fairly close to the edge of the force field, and sets down the vessel.
The team of intrepid adventurers exit the Sunrise Maiden with care. A scene of utter wasteland greets them. The harsh terrain of sand and rock stretches in all directions to the horizon. You saw much of this while flying overhead but the utter desolation that greets you now that you're on the ground still fills you with some trepidation. Slowly, you start trudging your way in the direction of the city...
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"Essentially...", Eli attempts to sum up the objective of the mission again - "...this planet is supposedly a new discovery. The ship that found it was driven off by that platform, so they couldn't find more. That's where we come in. Find out who built it, maybe contact the inhabitants if possible, and report. Sounds simple enough."
"With Madrigal in the freezer, I'm willing to take the blame for- Erm ... Stuff that might happen.", she continues as the Sunrise Maiden descends to the surface. "I trust you are all competent enough to apply a laissez-faire approach to this. If anything goes south, just point to me and I'll deal with the consequences."
As the ship lands, she looks over the horizon. "Looks like a tomb world. Can you check for radiation outside, guys? I'll try to find a suitable landing spot."
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Ruuk taps his armor and a protective field forms over his entire body with breathable air.
"Afraid you might grow another arm human?" Ruuk chuckles as he waves his four around. Looking off to the horizon he points to the direction of the city. "We need to reach it before night falls." He leaps from the door and begins to make his way down the sandy wasteland. "Walk single file. It will mask our numbers."
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"I'm actually more concerned about my fab locks.", Eli laughs, and puts her hand towards her scalp to imitate the motion of wading through her hair.
"Seriously though, being a balding woman in my age is no joke. Let's press on."
As she walks, she scans the area visually for anything interesting or noteworthy.
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The Starfinders form a single row, and trudge cautiously through the sandy terrain in the direction of the city. Their eyes are peeled for any danger. Wait, did that pile of sand shift, ever so slightly?
Suddenly, with an incredible roar, a massive creature burst forth from the sands in front of Ruuk! The creature looks like a muscular lion with its beige-colored manes, but the rest of its body is covered with dark brown scales that allowed it to camouflage into the sand. It has a stubby face and a segmented tail. More of note is the large fanged mouth, ready to chomp on a Starfinder meal! Most of the team, however, are ever alert, and only Eli was caught by surprise.
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Trudging along with everyone, his long rifle in hand, Asier tries very hard to find some kind of plant or animal life. "The sands here are very different, but I don't have much interest in them."
When the sands start to move, Asier excitedly sets Suzuta to recording and then spends a moment to compare the creature to Suzuta's database. "Suzuta has no data on this lifeform. It might be new! It probably evolved from something similar to pre-Gap Golarion lizards. WE might want to be careful about shooting it with lasers though, as that scintillating rainbow coloration suggests, it might have light diffraction properties."
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Asier-23-7 rapidly computes the wavelength of the initial roar released by the sand brute, and reaches a conclusion. If the beast should choose to modulate it somewhat and also exert greater effort, the subsequent effect can set up a low frequency vibration within living beings, affecting their nervous systems directly and inducing a fear effect.
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Alimony trudges on, looking around and mentally cataloging what little there is to see. "I don't like sand. It's all coarse, and rough, and irritating. And it gets everywhere," he chortles, hoping someone will get the reference. "You know, I was an extra in that movie...."
When the sand brute emerges, the ysoki breaks his short silence with a mild "Eep," then grins and stares intently at the beast. "What's that? Your children are in desperate need of medicine?" Pause. "I understand the haste, sir or ma'am, but racial slurs won't get us anywhere..." Pause, coupled with the drawing of a pistol. "Fine, be that way. Okay, we can kill this thing."
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Albans gripes as the party marches one by one through the desert. "I know how important and noble it is to bring up the rear-" -and less likely to get me eaten by a space monster- "-But you folks really do kick up a lot of dust. I'm going to have to spend every credit I earn out here on dry-cleaning."
When the monster shows itself, Albans points his semi-automatic at it and fires.
As usual, he misses and lets out a string of curses in Akitonian.
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Albans swiftly lifts his rifle but stumbles when he presses the trigger, sending the bullets flying everywhere except for his target. And thankfully, the other Starfinders.
The lion-beast lifts up his maw and lets out a tremendous loud roar, so terrifying that it sets your hearts palpitating in terror!
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Though Ruuk tries not to show it his hands shake as the creature let's out the terrifying roar. From one of his hands springs forth a black and red miasma handful of tendrils, that twirl and writhe all about on their own.
The black and red plasma-like energy wreathes around his body as he charges into the beast. He knows he has to get in there and get in close to the beast before it causes anymore damage.
Ruuk swings his writhing tentacles into the underbelly.
