Lads, this puny excuse for a vesk is not worth so many words, I say we just beat the information we require out of him.
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Cora bristles at the vesk's words and arrogant attitude. Her anger only grows when he demands extra payment and everyone else responds with aggressive words. She bursts out, "You- you- you just try reneging on the deal with the Starfinders, and I'll show you what weak is!" With a word and a wave of one hand, she magically lifts a nearby trinket off the ground and leaves it hovering above her head. Her glare makes it clear that she's prepared to send it flying at Julzakama if it will make him stop smirking at her every other sentence.
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The Vesk's face pales. He drops his typical swagger for a moment. "Robo-ling, you speak true? The society puts these badges inside of you? And.. She cut them out?” He shakes his head in dismay. ”I thought she was a thief, I swear!” He is about to go on but gets cut off by Arratoi.
His face goes sheer white. You've never seen a Vesk throw up before, but this one may be about to. " Ok, ok! It was just a... a test! To see if... well, I'm sorry! Here. The seller was named Exegara, and she wasn’t from around here. Wore a fight suit, like she had come off a long trip. Once she had her money, she asked about where to purchase clean skeletons. I don’t carry goods like that, so I sent her to the Vat Garden. Oh, and was definitely an Eoxian. She looked like a man-ling, but didn’t breathe or blink or anything. "
After a moment's thought he adds. "You look like you can handle yourselves but you may want to know. She didn't have anyone with her but she did say she was going to spend the dough on some muscle. She just left, maybe an hour ago. You should go. Quickly." He looks like he might cry.
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"There there now...no need to cry. You did good!"
Arratoi hands him a very pink, very frilly hanky that he keeps around because he was hoping someday to see a macho Vesk break down and use it.
"Just go ahead and extort your next customer and you'll feel like your usual self again in no time! Well, so long as your next customer isn't a Starfinder." Arratoi thinks for a moment and adds, "...or a Ysoki!"
Once we leave the shop, Arratoi says to everyone else, "I mostly just plagiarized all that out of a novel about an organized crime family authored by one of my fellow contemporary writers. Funny yah? I mean, the Society would NEVER do anything illegal, questionable, or unethical, right? Uh, right? Guys?"
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Argon looks at the others in the party.
"An Eoxian? Who was looking for corpses? Maybe she's animating her own security. The Starfinders that owned these are likely dead then."
She turns back to the Vesk. At the Vesk's obvious contrition, Argon, nods, apparently satisfied.
"You did the right thing, calling us. Now you understand the stakes. If anyone else brings these to you, you know what to do."
Argon looks around the shop.
"Do you have security cameras in here? Maybe something that would give us a picture of this Exegara?"
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At the mention of the Vat Garden, those familiar with the area immediately think of the ysoki-operated garden which runs out of Level 18 of the Downlow. Their catchy jingle bounces through your head.
The Vat Gardens, Level 18's finest garden! Selling plants all over Station, beg your pardon!
Julzakama accepts the handkerchief and heads toward the back room to sulk. At Argon's question he stops. Through a choked up voice he mutters, ”This place look good enough for cameras? Besides, who sells questionable wares to a pawn shop with cameras.” With that he walks through the back door.
At that, the group takes a closer look at these insignias. They, despite what Argon insinuated, are not implants but badges which many Starfinders carry.
A quick search of the insignias reveal them to be datapads of some kind. There is no obvious datajack or port, nor a wireless connection.
However, upon deeper inspection it becomes apparent to a trained mind that they are meant to be slotted into a larger computer interface. Likely, this computer acts as a method of decryption or data transfer.
Domaya, intent on the next objective, finds the location of the gardens on the station map.
The station passageways open into an enormous sunken pool filled with a riotous growth of plants. A narrow walkway leading to other parts of Downlow encircles the overgrown vat, and a spire of some kind of machinery stands in its center. For such a busy section of Downlow, the area is surprisingly quiet. Two ladders and a steep staircase pierce the foliage and lead down into the vat. As the group walks through the final hallway, a voice can be heard echoing through the passage. ”Hey boss, I found a skull. You want it?”
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Looking at the insignia outside Ash discovers what they really are! Hey guys! The insignias are datapads of some kind. I don't see any datajack or port, nor a wireless connection but I think they are meant to be slotted into a larger computer interface. Once slotted the computer will act as a method of decryption or data transfer. Clever right!
Hearing the voices, Ash says One in the front, I think their leader is in the back. We can take them by the two side.
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Cora looks around at their surroundings, a little nervous from the strange quiet. When they hear a voice up ahead she tries to creep a little quieter and then whispers, "We want information, right? Should we try to talk with them? Or... don't you think they'll be friendly?" She frowns a little uncertainly. Cora has never interacted with an Eoxian before, but there is something quite unsettling about anyone who would go scrounging dead bodies.
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In a low, hushed tone, Arratoi says, "Yes, we just want to know where Exegara acquired these insignias and whether he/she/it knows the location of the Unbounded Wayfarer and her crew. No need for violence, if Exegara will talk. I suggest we move in to get a better look at them and see if they'll talk to us."
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Eoxians are well aware of other races' dislike of them. That is why they initiated the creation of the Pact Worlds in the first place. In general, they take a proactive approach to fitting in with their living neighbors. Their world gets along with other worlds quite well, and hosts both living and unliving. However, their were some rogue elements of the race's military who split off and have been wandering the Vast ever since. These rebels hate the living and live a very militarized life, fighting everyone they meet.
On the way, Argon calls Venture-Captain Argon. ”Aye, those are the insignias! Well done, Starfinders. Those will fit into the computer on the Starfinder's ship to unlock the ship AI. Keep them close. Please go apprehend this criminal. Though, I care most about the information leading to the Starfinders, not the Eoxian. BUT. If she killed them, go to any measure to bring her in.”
The group hears a female voice from within the garden vat. ”Gurge, I've found the first half. Bring them to the cart.”
The group hears a male voice from within the garden vat. ”Sure thing, boss.” Another male voice speaks up. ”Hey, are small ones ok? This one looks a little ysoki to me.”
Hedd whispers to the ground, "Time to charge in, lads?"
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As the sneakier members of the party enter the room, they see the vat in all it's glory. Full of all sorts of plants and trees, it is difficult to see within. However, the room is well lit and those inside are easy to make out. Three human mercenaries are rooting through the undergrowth as an Eoxian woman is counting a small pile of skulls in the center of the room. As Ash walks up to the edge of the ladder, two of the mercenaries look up. ”Hey boss, those Ysoki snitched on us!” The Eoxian, clearly a ghoul, looks up. A disgustingly long tongue emerges from her mouth.
The ghoul looks at the human and an evil smile creeps across her face. "Look boys, fresh skulls! Get 'um!" With that, the ghoul tosses a skull towards the group but it gets caught in the foliage.
Ash
Argon
Hedd
Foe
Arratoi
Cora
Domaya
Hedd will move up to the square next to the ladder (20 foot move speed as a dwarf) and will shoot my laser rifle at the blue guard.
And whoops forgot damage
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Hedd, a man of few words, lumbers up to the edge and shoots down into the vat. His laser flies true, scattering some leaves before it scorches the front of a mercenary's breastplate. He looks up in annoyance. ”Hey, I just shined that!” Argon follows her dwarven companion and flanks the ladder. Unfortunately, she was consumed with questions about skulls and their position as garden décor, causing her to shoot the harmless tree next to a mercenary.
Ash slides down the ladder and approaches the northern mercenary. Leveling his enormous laser cannon, he lets loose a large bolt of plasma into the man's chest. The mercenary lets out a heavy breath as he fights off the pain and remains standing, somehow.
The southern mercenary lets out an angry grunt, pulls out a hammer and runs toward the nearest ladder. The eastern mercenary moves forward and uses the obelisk as cover. He then lets out a howl and aims his pistol at Hedd. ”Dirty Squat!” The small laser just bounces off Hedd's thick armor.
The final mercenary holds his stomach with one hand and pulls out a n electric hammer with the other. Running at Ash, he swings at Ash's head. Slow on the uptake, Ash takes an enormous blow to the head, rattling his brains a little.
Meanwhile the ghoul hisses and moves further back into the shrubbery, firing at the dwarf as she goes. She hits him mid section and some damage leaks through his armor. ”Dwarven skulls will do...”
Ash 0/7 SP, 3/11 HP
Argon
Hedd 4/7 SP
Arratoi
Cora
Domaya
Blue -2 hp
Green -10 hp
Pink
Ghoul
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"I think Hedd and the two tails can handle that one."
Argon slides down the ladder and steps out into the garden.
"Get it? Because traditional coins have one side called 'Heads' which is similar to the name 'Hedd,' and another called 'Tails,' and Ysoki have tails. So I am referring to the three of you. It is a play on words, which is a type of joke."
She takes a shot through the bushes at one of the mercenaries.
"I believe you will laugh after you consider it for a moment."
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"Oh no, Ash!" Cora squeaks as she watches the human take a hefty blow directly to his head. She takes a couple reflexive steps towards the ladder down, but in her peripheral vision notices that one of the guards from below has climbed up and is bearing down on them. She briefly considers Argon's joke, but fails to find it all that funny. Not wanting to hurt the android's feelings, she replies, "Yes dear, that's very clever, but maybe we can work on your delivery. When we're not being attacked, that is," she hastens to add, and then fires a shot.
She then quickly falls flat and peeks cautiously over the ledge to see how Ash is managing.
Hedd climbs down the ladder and takes survey of the situation down in the garden.
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Domaya points out the closest threat while Arratoi yells at a different target. Thankfully, the group can focus on more than one thing at once.
Argon's shot is as good as her stand-up comedy, hitting the mercenary in the chest. Going against the group's good luck, Arratoi's shot misses and hits a branch.
Cora, proving that size must not matter, pulls out her small laser rifle and sends a shot at the approaching mercenary. It hits his cloak, which bursts into flame. As the flame spreads up his body, his noxious hair gel bursts into a fiery blaze. Screaming, the human leaps from the edge of the walkway. He is dead before his crispy body hits the garden floor.
Ash, his head still ringing from the mighty blow, sends an enormous burst of laser fire into a suspicious looking tree. Despite his fears, it was not trying to kill him. Hedd moves down the ladder, breathing heavily. Being a natural sprinter, but not a climber, his aim is poorer than usual.
The mercenary yells in anger. ”GURGE!” Blinded by hate, he runs at Cora. Caught up in the fury, the final mercenary runs at Cora as well. Both swing at Hedd, angry that his presence is stopping their vengeance. Each blow of the baton carries the unbridled fury of lost family and Hedd begins bleeding from a large gash in his head.
The ghoul sidesteps a tree and shoots a shot at the android. ”Your skull is no good, 'Borg'!” The shot goes into Argon's back as she fights the mercenaries.
Ash 1/7 SP, 11/11 HP
Argon
Hedd 0/7 SP 2/12 HP
Arratoi
Cora
Domaya
Blue -2 hp
Green dead dead dead
Pink -2 hp
Ghoul
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"I'll keep an eye on that Eoxian, but first get the blue guy!
Move Action: Move further south and to the edge of the walkway to get a view of the mercenaries down below (note: Get 'Em on Pink is no longer active)
Swift Action: Drop prone (+4 AC vs ranged attacks, -4 AC vs melee attacks)
Standard Action: Put Get 'Em on Blue (all attacks on Blue get +1 morale bonus)
"Laddie, I will stay and absorb the blows, besides, there is no where to withdrawal to that will not get me beaten on."
Hedd appears visibly upset that it has come to this. His hand begins to glow and he shifts his weapon to one hand and touches himself and appears to look a bit better.
Hedd will also guarded step into the woods next to the blue guard if possible.
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Cora sighs with relief to see that Ash is okay, but she's a little taken aback to see both of the fighters come rushing toward her. She'd thought they were just mercenaries, but they seem to have taken the death of the third one personally. Then it's Hedd's turn to take a severe beating, but at least he manages to magically heal some of the damage.
Cora doesn't feel confident that she can hit the right target between the violently shaking branches beneath her, so instead of readying her laser rifle again she waves her left hand and sends some magic directly into the mind of the one on the left.
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Arratoi, continuing to assist, points out a particularly irritating mercenary as a target. Then, like the courageous leader he is, he drops to the floor and hides. Ash, ignoring the good advice, goes for the leader. His green shot has a direct hit. The Eoxian cries out, her sharp teeth shining in the light.
Domaya, reaching over the edge of the walkway, fires two shots in quick succession. One, miraculously, hits the mercenary, pushing him off his prepared stance. Hedd, moves out of danger and heals himself with the mystic powers within him. Just in time, too! As soon as he steps out of the way, a blast of fire bursts into the garden plants and the two mercenaries.
The two mercenaries scream out in harmonized agony. ”WHY IS THERE SO MUCH FIRE?!” Bending over and breathing heavily, the two men look up in sync. The man on the left speaks to Argon through gritted teeth. ”Why are...” The man on the right continues the sentence. ”you so...”
At this point, the northern mercenary grabs his head before he can finish the sentence. Blood begins leaking from his nose and tears well up in his eyes. The man wipes his eyes and turns back to the ladder. ”Ysoki. My name is Corvell Monpoyo. You killed my brother. Prepare to die. ”
Both men parkour up a tree and surround little Cora. Batons out, they swing low. Hitting her fluffy little body, the noise of crushing bone echoes throughout the room. Bruised and bloody, and having a hard time breathing, the small Ysoki stays upright and strong.
Returning to the back of the Vat, the ghoul slips her long tongue at Ash. ”If you wish to offer, yes. Your skull will be fine.” Her pistol rises, and the laser burst hits the strong soldier in the knee.
Ash 0/7 SP, 7/11 HP
Argon
Hedd 0/7 SP 9/12 HP
Arratoi
Cora 0/6 SP 1/8 HP
Domaya
Blue -11 hp
Green dead dead dead
Pink -6 hp
Ghoul -9 hp
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Cora squeaks in pain when the two shower her with blows. She just barely holds onto consciousness and does her best to cover her head with both hands while cowering on the deck. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!" she whimpers. "I did mean to kill him, but not to make you so upset, I mean..." she has trouble putting together a coherent thought but wants them to stop attacking her.
When Argon shouts out, she reacts instinctively, "Oh yes!" and steps carefully backwards. She then summons some magical energy from within herself to heal a few of her wounds.
"You should not mess with the little one, you have earned my wrath and the wrath of Angradd, this shall not stand."
Hedd looks up at Cora and the now one guard and blasts of light shoot from his bald head casting shooting stars (star shaman mystic magic missile) as a full round action.
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Humans must be the most arrogant race in the galaxy, because these two mercenaries certainly made a mistake going up against this rag-tag group of starfinders. A fusillade of laser fire brings down the Northern mercenary. His large body falls and the final human's face fills with agony. ”BROTHER!” However, before his grief-filled scream could finish, Cora dodges out of the way of a blast of fire which envelops both humans. The fallen soldier is crispy beyond recognition, but the last human is standing, somehow. His face, covered in 1st degree burns, turns to Argon. ”Bots never deserved their...” Hedd didn't want to hear whatever slanderous words were about to be said, sending magical bits of stardust straight into the man's brain, scrambling it irrevocably. His body falls to the metal walkway with a thud.
For a moment, silence fills the room. It is interrupted by a rustling of branches. The ghoul creeps out of the bushes and into the walkway, hands held high - her pistol pointed towards the sky. She looks at Ash with wide eyes. ”Alright, 'umie. I give up. ” She spits. ”Never trust the help.” The undead woman's unnaturally long tongue whips out between words as she steps out into the light.
Ash 0/7 SP, 7/11 HP
Argon
Hedd 0/7 SP 9/12 HP
Arratoi
Cora 0/6 SP 8/8 HP
Domaya
Blue dead dead dead
Green dead dead dead
Pink dead dead dead
Ghoul -9 hp
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Arratoi stands up (swift action) but keeps his laser rifle trained on the ghoul.
It's a shame. There really was no need for bloodshed - we only wanted to talk about where you picked up some Starfinder insignias, the ones you sold to Julzakama. But now, we respectfully request that you toss your weapon and your pack out to the human there with the big gun, then submit yourself to restraints. Do this and I promise you won't be further harmed. And THEN we can talk like civilized sentients about those insignias.
Ready an action to put Get 'Em on the ghoul if she does anything aside from what was stated.