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After an emergency reboot of their core systems, Iseph comes back online, and back to the physical world. The android can hear a cacophony of metal and ceramic bashing against another, the odd crack of a laser ionizing the air. Looking to their side, Iseph sees a melee not five feet from where they lay.
Making as little motion as possible, the android grabs a serum from his battle harness, and jabs it into their thigh. A surge of energy flows through Iseph's body, as if they can feel any broken parts mend themselves. Nanomachines and stem cells; the pinnacle of battlefield medicine.
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Iseph opens one eye and notices the enemies near him. He quickly thinks of a plan, and is about to get his healing serum, when he receives a torrent of energy that renews him and makes him feel better and stronger. "This is my time."
With a rapid move he jumps up and slashes with his knife, trying to cut the thug's throat before anyone notices.
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The feeling of a cold breeze wafts over Jarkin's throat, as he clutches at it with vice-like grip. He sinks to his knees, then topples over like a bag of rocks.
A look of shock washes over Exegara's face, followed shortly by a look of astonishment and what could only be the memory of what pain once felt like. Run through by the solar blade, she too drops to her knees and clutches her side.
She looks up, and for the first time, you see something other than anger in her pallid expression. She almost looks... scared. "Okay, enough! I concede defeat!"
Gurge, realizing his chances of getting paid are slim to none, darts his head around looking for an exit. He sees his compatriot slain on the vat grounds, and sensing he's surrounded, drops his assault hammer and places his hands on his head. He spits on the ground, then grunts. "Guess you killin' us means you're better. Tough line of work. No 'ard feelins."
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Keskodai does not put the weapon away, as an animal cannot change its stripes and that which has bitten may do so again. After checking that all others are well enough to continue, including stabilizing the former enemies if possible, Keskodai continues communicating with Exegara. Sigils, you have found them and provided them for sale. We wish to know how you came to possess them, where the ship is.
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Keskodai attends to the injured thugs - using a combination of coagulating agents and minor mystical healing, he is able to stem the bleeding from Jargin’s neck. He is still unconscious, but you figure if he is taken to a medical facility, he will come out of it alive, albeit with a pretty gnarly scar.
Corvell? Well, Corvell is dead. Despite the breadth of Keskodai’s healing abilities, he hasn’t quite figured out how to reattach a human head to it’s torso. Shirren physiology is much more robust, he thinks to himself after glancing at the mess.
”Sigils, you have found them and provided them for sale. We wish to know how you came to possess them, where the ship is.”
”I was travelling with my crew on a Corpse Fleet vessel. About two cycles ago, we picked up a distress call on a desert planet while on patrol; figured it was easy pickings… Land, board, loot. Same as usual.”
She looks up at the group, examining your faces for pity, or perhaps contempt. ”And if it just happened to be a Starfinder veseel? Makes no difference. Dead things don’t need material objects. The undead do.” The tone and cadence in her voice give you the sense that those words were her attempt at twisting a proverbial knife in the wound.
”We gathered what we could, at least what was useful, or any scrap worth selling, and were getting ready to burn out-of-atmo. But that’s when we were caught by a bigger fish.”
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Korskal looks down at the half living creature "Caught by bigger fish? Seems like that's becoming a habit. Where is this planet? What was the status of the vessel before you started picking over its bones? Was anyone alive? And what bigger fish caught you as you tried to leave?"
After a moment of thought Korskal ask almost of himself but just loud enough for others to hear "Aren't most of the Corpse Fleet wanted as pirates?" He glances down with an almost predatory gleam in his eye.
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"Aren't most of the Corpse Fleet wanted as pirates?" (intimidate check)
"Call us whatever you want. We didn't join the Pact, because you'd only see us docile and toothless. Our mastery of undeath makes us superior, so why would we kowtow to the living? You bested me in combat, so do what you will."
Where is this planet?
"Damned if I know. Some dustball, way out in the Rim. We were on patrol for the Fleet, then came across the distress call. Wasn't too far out of the way from our usual route."
What was the status of the vessel before you started picking over its bones? Was anyone alive?
"All dead, from what we saw. Half a dozen, or so. Had a huge hole straight through the mid decks, probably shot down. Looks like they came in hot, no landing thrusters, no nothing. Normally, I'd say there's no way any of you... bloodbags could survive that kind of impact, but the distress beacon was activated at some point. Probably right before the crash."
Caught by bigger fish? Seems like that's becoming a habit. What bigger fish caught you as you tried to leave?"
"Yeah, a bigger fish. Damned pirates. Bigger than us, and caught us before we could jump to the Drift." Exegara hisses through broken teeth.
"We hailed them to no answer. Transponder came up as a pleasure vessel, which was an obvious fake. This ship was loaded with guns. Tried to hail it a second time, and that's when they hit us. Took us from behind, targeting our Drift engine. We fought back the best we could, and jumped as soon as the drive spun up... but not before catching their callsign, painted on the side - "Lawblight." Probably the same ones who downed your friends, too."
She looks to the group, then to Gurge beside her. "Those three were just hired guns. They got nothing to do with the insignias, but do with them whatever you will. I paid them to defend me from anyone who tried to stop me, and they failed, so I'm sure as hell not paying them."
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"Well, I can understand not wanting to comply with a treaty. Though I chose service to my people even if it means working with weaker nations, your choice is your own." Korskal shakes his head. "But that's neither here nor there. Do you have records of the location we could use to find it? Did you salvage any of the ship's records? Have you heard of this ship, the Lawblight before?"
After a glance at the bodies, living and dead, and the one still awake "Too weak to win the fight and too stupid to see it until it was too late. I suppose it would be a mess to kill them, maybe strip them of their gear and send them running? Maybe by the time they get more they'll have learned how to use it, or when to run at least." Korskal looks at the others around him to see their thoughts.
I wonder if we might not be able to make better use of their equipment? she ponders out loud.
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Did you salvage any of the ship's records?
"We didn't bother stripping the computers. What systems that weren't broken would have required too much time."
Have you heard of this ship, the Lawblight before?"
"Never before. Pirate attacks are common enough in the Rim, but they caught up completely off guard. We were barely settled on board before they were on us."
Do you have records of the location we could use to find it?
"Me? No." Exegara's eyes narrow, and a slight smile appears on her face. "But the Threnody would have the co-ordinates of the desert planet in its navigation computer... if you let me go, I can get you the last-known coordinates of the Threnody."
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Korskal looks around to see what the others want to do. "That doesn't sound like too bad a deal. I don't suppose you'd come out with us? It'd be a shame if there was a misunderstanding and you no longer had a ship to serve on." Korskal whispers over the comms to the others. "I agree, it could easily be a trap. But I'm not sure what other options we have. Maybe we can get some guidance from the Captain?"
If no one objects Korskal will try and reach Venture Captain Arvin through his suit's com system while the others consider. And if successful update him on the situation.
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"Yeah... she could lead us there, grant access to her ship without us being fired by the crew. And she could as likely command them to fry us once she's surrounded by her men. Well, men..."
Iseph thinks carefully about the possibilities.
"Maybe we should bring her to the captain and see what he thinks about this. Maybe he wants to have a chat with her."
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Korskal puts in a direct comms request to the Lorespire, and quickly gets a response back. On the other end of the link is Venture-Captain Arvin himself. The vesk soldier updates the Captain on the situation and how it has unfolded. Pleased with the details, Arvin requests that Korskal broadcasts the link for all to hear.
”Excellent work, team. Your speed in tracking down the seller is quite remarkable. Given her recent history of hostility, I would certainly advise caution in transferring her as a prisoner. If you wish, I can arrange a team to transfer her into the custody of the Stewards. Or..."
With a slight pause, Arvin comes back to the conversation. "It just occured to me that this Exegara was looking to head back to her ship stranded in the Drift anyways, so perhaps you could give her a… friendly ride there. If you wish to do so, I can have that same team come to the docking bay to ensure she has proper restraints and undergoes standard protective procedures for the trip to the Drift.”
A small chirp comes over the comms as the Venture-Captain sends the co-ordinates of a Starfinder docking bay in one of the arms of Absalom Station’s outer section.
”Your next orders, if you wish to accept, are to meet me at the location I’ve provided. If for some reason any of you are exhausted, there are reserve Starfinder agents who are primed for active duty, and will serve your team to the best of their abilities. Either way, I’ll see you in 2 cycles. Arvin out.”
The comm blips to static, then nothing. Before you have a chance to collect your thoughts, you hear a cry of joy come from the catwalks above. A half-dozen ysoki crowd around the stairwell and the north ladder, curious to see what strangers lie in the vat garden.
One of the ysoki, a squat, older woman, slides down the ladder, and approaches the party.
”I knew Grandmother Rat would deliver us swift justice. Thieves with evil hearts are rewarded with evil ends.” she says, while eying Exegara with murderous intent. She hisses, and spits at the Eoxian.
”This foul one, she sicced her thugs on us and ran us off our property when we wouldn’t agree to deal with her. I prayed to the Grandmother that some harm would come upon her, and it seems I have you all to thank.” She motions over to the small crowd of ratfolk, and a youngling comes forward, carrying a cloth bag. Inside, you find a bunch of plant bulbs. ”We have not much to offer you in terms of reward. These seedlings are a potent antitoxin, and are used in many traditional ysoki antidotes. But even when chewed raw, they will help to purify the blood. For your future travels. May you be safe in them.”
Perception
DC 15 Computers to unlock datapad
Remembering that Exegara had a bag she dropped before attempting to flee, Keskodai wanders over and searches it to find a few spare bones, and a datapad. With little trouble, Raia hacks the simple computer, and discovers that the Eoxian was indeed telling the truth: the only things of note on the datapad are a standard military log, detailing the events of the attack on the Endless Threnody by the Lawblight, and jump coordinates to where the Threnody is stranded in the Drift.
Swapping for New Character?: Yes / No
Exegara: Come With / Stay Behind
Purchases: (list here, along with cost)
[ooc] No, staying with this character
Bring
Fine with what she has [/poc]
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You must choose to which of your characters the credit will be applied at the beginning of the adventure. Credit from a 1st-level pregenerated character can be applied only to a 1st-level character. Credit for playing higher-level pregenerated characters must be applied to a Starfinder Society Roleplaying Guild character of a lower level than the pregenerated character or to a 1st-level character.
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You all arrive at the docking bay that Venture-Captain Arvin requested to receive your next orders. The Venture-Captain himself is standing next to the entry ramp of a sleek-looking starship, alongside two well armed field agents. He waves you over, and greets you with a beaming smile, and a clap of approval.
"Excellent work, team. I can't say it enough. After the Scoured Stars incident, the Society is need of more agents such as yourselves. I trust this is our Eoxian friend? Exegara, was it?" He waves the field agents over, and they produce a set of what appears to be heavy duty prisoner restraints, which they begin to fit over her hands.
"I trust you'll be a model attache for the upcoming journey, fostering good relations between my team and your compatriots?" says Arvin.
Exegara hisses at the lashunta's patronizing tone. "I promise nothing. You think of me as some sort of military genius, but I am but an errand runner. I was sent to collect supplies for repairs, and nothing more." The Venture-Captain smiles. "I'm sure you're being modest. You get my team the co-ordinates to the Unbounded Wayfarer, and perhaps everyone can walk away with what they want."
Arvin then regards the party with a warm smile. "Team, this behind me is the Loreseeker, a Pegasus-class ship that’s one of the fastest and lightest in the Society’s fleet." He runs a hand over the hull of the vessel affectionately. "Thanks to your investigation, we know that a lost Starfinder vessel, the Unbounded Wayfarer, was discovered by undead creatures from a starship called the Endless Threnody." He glances with a touch of disdain towards Exegara. "Now, the council has pulled some strings with our more reputable Eoxian contacts to get more information, but they’ve disavowed knowledge of the Threnody entirely - this goes hand in hand with Exegara's claim to be a member of the Corpse Fleet." The Venture-Captain steps forward.
“We have the location of the Threnody in the Drift, courtesy of our ghoul friend. We've scoured the combat log in her datapad - the Threnody's Drift engine has been incapacitated in the attack, so it’s unable to escape back into regular space. Your mission is to take the Loreseeker into the Drift, and cripple the Eoxian ship if negotiation isn't an option."
He looks at Exegara, then back to the party. "As a Corpse Fleet vessel, they won’t be very friendly to the living. Though having one of their own on-board as prisoner may help to come to a peaceful resolution. Either way, your primary task is to recover the location of the lost Starfinder vessel.”
He snaps a quick salute, then addresses the party once more. "Agents Iseph and Keskodai, I understand you wish to remove yourselves from active duty. I thank you for your service in the latest matter." He then nods at the two field agents off to the side, who step forward.
"These two Starfinder agents will work with you to the best of their ability. I know they will serve with distinction, as they are productive Society members in their own right."
"So, if you have any questions, now's the time. Otherwise, I've transferred the launch codes to the Loreseeker to your capable hands. You'll want to sort out crew positions, but I'll leave you to decide that on your own terms. Good luck, team."
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Ian steps forward and offers his hand. "Good day. I am Ian, and I'm here to offer you support in and out of combat. It's a pleasure to share a spot with you all in the mission." Ian has the appearance of someone who's been working for the Sociaety for long and knows his place. A rifle is hanging from his shoulder and he wears clothes fit for action.
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An Elf arrives, in standard gear and looking equipped for any manner of pursuit. "I am Jaxen Styar. I am capable as a science or engineering officer for a ship, and should we find ourselves in a violent situation, you can trust that I will see to it our aims are met." He chooses not to elaborate, but the various devices on or attached to his person seem to support his claims. "Additionally, I will be keeping a full data log and accounting of all activities and encounters on this trip, for the better information of the society and for records." This is not meant so much as a threat as a warning, particularly in case anyone (Exegara) tries anything.
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As you all board the Loreseeker, you take note of the various stations and seats in the ops deck.
There is a single seat at the helm, the pilot's yoke calling out to a pair of deft hands.
There is also a single seat at the CIC station, slightly raised up and looking over the other stations. The captain's chair demands a steely resolve and quick wits.
The Loreseeker has 300 degrees of gimbaled light laser cannons (one on the fore, and one each on both port and starboard sides), and a turret that houses a long-range coilgun.
A ship will inevitably take damage in combat, and the Engineers will be there to repair subsystems and push the ship beyond its usual operating limits.
A ship also needs a good set of eyes and ears. Science officers can balance defensive shields, scan ships, and target enemy ships' subsystems.
Exegara is strapped to one of the crash chairs in the ops deck, away from any information panels or controls of any kind. (Not that she can do much with her hands completely bound and encased in titanium manacles.)
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With no-one else stepping to the pilot's seat, Ian sits down, finding the impact gel cushioning conforming to his specific weight and posture. With little trouble, he disengages the docking clamps, retracts the landing gear, and the Lorefinder is soon exiting and cruising away from Absalom Station.
Once well free of the station by a few kilometers, a voice from Absalom Landing Control Tower 3 pipes in over the ship's comms. "Callsign Loreseeker? Standby for incoming message."
A pang of static, and then a familiar voice greets you. "Loreseeker, This is Venture-Captain Arvin. You are free from station mass lock, and free to proceed with Drift drive spin-up. Good hunting out there."
With that, Ian enters the co-ordinates of the Endless Threnody and spins up the Drift engine. After a small moment, the ship begins to move, and the stars surrounding the ship turn to streaks of every hue and colour imaginable.
In a moment, you find that the cold, inky blackness of space has turned to a kaleidoscope of geometric shapes, and patterns. You find it difficult to focus your attention on one feature or another, because from moment to moment, what was once there is gone and another aurora-like burst of colour takes it place.
To those first experiencing travel in the Drift, it is unlike anything you have ever seen in your life.
The navigational computer notes that you are finally approaching your destination, and so the crew is assembled to their respective seats in the operations deck. Korskal escorts Exegara from her quarters to the spare crash seat off to the corner, and straps her in before taking his seat. The drive whines to a halt, and with that, the deceleration process kicks in, with the ship pulling a considerable amount of Gs to come to impulse speed.
Once the ship is settled into a pleasant cruising speed, and everyone's stomach shifts back to their correct positions, Ian calls up the main viewscreen, only to find no Eoxian ship at all. There is a small amount of debris floating around, the only notable feature in the vast expanse of the Drift.
Ian double-checks the coordinates, and there is no mistake; this is where the Threnody was to be.
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Korskal frowns and moves to man the main guns. "I don't like this, feels wrong. Jaxem, can you take a look at that debris with our scanners? It could be what's left of the Threnody, though there doesn't seem to be enough of it for that. But if so we need to figure out what killed her. Exegara, I hope you'll enlighten us if you know what's going on? I'd hate to have to remove you from the ship. You migh survive it, but given how long a walk it is home from here, I suspect you'll regret that fact. And if we're in danger you're in danger."
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Ian smells something funny on the situation. It could well be, though, that the Threnody has just finished what they wanted and gone, but... without their captain?
"Stay alert, guys..."
From his sit, Ian tries to predict and prevent every possible situation.
"Pilot, be ready to evade whatever situation we might find."
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Jaxen scans the debris, and is able to scan the wake from what must be the Threnody's impulse engines - the Corpse Fleet ship managed to limp along a little bit in the Drift, and is about 3 hours’ travel from your current location where Exegara left it.
After a short bit of travel, Jaxen's screen lights up - the Threnody is dead ahead, limping along at a slow pace. The Eoxian freighter is a massive vessel made of bone and steel. The front of the ship is a single enormous red lens, appearing as a sullen, bloody eye. The ship bristles with bone protrusions, as though it were some horned, skeletal beast. Some of the bones are charred and broken, indicating past battle damage. Laser cannons protrude from the front and sides of the freighter; but its rear weapon mounts are a twisted wreck. Gaps between the bones show the ship’s interior, but this is not from battle damage — Corpse Fleet ships are rarely intended to accommodate living creatures.
Jaxen also identifies some significant damage sustained by the Endless Threnody in its fight against the pirates; magnifying the image on the main viewfinder, you see the extent of the damage to the ship's aft. The ship's Drift engine and rear weapons weren't taken out by mere lasers or cannon fire - the pirates used heavy missiles or torpedos.