Venture-Captain Arvin stands next to the entry ramp of a sleek-looking starship. He waves his hands over the side of the starship affectionately.
“This is the Loreseeker, a Pegasus-class ship that’s one of the fastest and lightest in the Society’s fleet.
We know that a lost Starfinder vessel, the Unbounded Wayfarer, was discovered by undead creatures from a starship called the Endless Threnody. We’ve pulled some strings with our more reputable Eoxian contacts to get more information, but they’ve disavowed knowledge of the Endless Threnody entirely; this likely confirms our suspicions that the Endless Threnody is connected with the Corpse Fleet, a group of Eoxian separatists who refuse to work alongside the living.
We have the location of the Endless Threnody in the Drift, courtesy of the information you brought us. Its Drift engine is incapacitated, so it’s unable to escape the Drift. Take the Loreseeker into the Drift, cripple the Eoxian ship—as a Corpse Fleet vessel, they won’t be open to negotiations—and recover the location of the lost Starfinder vessel.
Oderon's toothy smile is as wide as can be once he sets his eyes on the Loreseeker - "We have a ship now" - he mutters to the others.
Venture-Captain Arvin stands next to the entry ramp of a sleek-looking starship. He waves his hands over the side of the starship affectionately.
“...(stuff)...Take the Loreseeker into the Drift, cripple the Eoxian ship—as a Corpse Fleet vessel, they won’t be open to negotiations—and recover the location of the lost Starfinder vessel.
"Sir, if I understand correctly we are to disable the Eoxian vessel and its crew? So we are allowed to use the necessary force, correct?" - Odo inquires.
Arvin smiles at the vesk
Always to the point, right?
He then turned a more serious look
Yes, the Corpse Fleet is a terrorrist organization, one of the most dangerous in the system so use all force necessary to get the information we need.
He looked worried for a bit, maybe thinking he might scare you. But he grinned again
Also, remember: they're already dead
"Understood Sir" - Odo smiles.
Also, remember: they're already dead
"Not dead enough" - the soldier grumbles.
Oderon hisses at his companions, impatiently.
The Loreseeker departs Absalom Station, and takes you into the Drift.
If you want to engage in any activities during the flight, you can.
Hey there fellas. Not sure the venture captain already told ya, but I'll be coming along as well on this mission.
Quigonius' the name but most just call me Quig.
So we got a Pegasus did we? Well, now that I'm aboard, she'll get us there. I'm the best mechanic around, if I do say so myself.
During flight I just get to know the rest of the crew.
"Hello Quig" - the huge vesk soldier nods - "I am Oderon - you can call me Odo once you have proven yourself in the field of battle" - then offers the Ysoki his hand for a shake - "I will be the ship's gunner"
A pleasure I'm sure, Oderon.
I shake his hand vigorously.
Battle isn't really my forte but I'll do what I can to earn that favor.
Then I point to my drone.
And this is Scout, my trusted friend and companion if there was ever one made of nuts and bolts.
He'll probably earn that distinction sooner than me, I say laughing sincerely ;)
"The drone is your companion?" - Oderon seems puzzled - "The machine? And it knows how to fight, you say?" - he keeps staring at Scout, arms crossed over his chest.
During the trip Oderon seems to be 'in the zone' - he pays constant attention to the weapons array - "Combat readiness needs to be guaranteed at all times!" - he explains.
Apart from that, he eats like a giant, and is always available/inviting his companions for combat training.
"And why did you guys join up for this?" - he blurts out one evening while they go through the travel rations which, he has made abundantly clear for several times, are a piece of crap. Not in the least comparable to slow roasted Rothe (some sort of pack animal from his home planet).
"The drone is your companion?" - Oderon seems puzzled - "The machine? And it knows how to fight, you say?"
You bet. Couldn't ask for a more loyal companion.
He can definitely smoke some villains, but not as much as you I'm sure.I'm Navasi and it seems I'll be the pilot of this ship.
Good to meet you mate. Let's be on our way then!
"And why did you guys join up for this?"
Actually I kinda do this for a living.
When I'm not tracking a bounty I join up with some space crew or other, to make ends meet.But I can already tell this won't be like the other missions... I burst with roaring laughter!
Am I right Scout me boy?
Scout nods and then shivers
HAHAHAH I knew it!
I spend most of the trip hanging out and scavenging parts and knick knacks.
If I happen to find some decent food I bring it to share with Oderon and the crew.
And why are you fine gents aboard this bucket of bolts?
"And where else would I be?" - Oderon smiles widely, still chewing on the damned rations - "The forefront of any endeavor is the place any Vesk should strive to occupy" - he roars and hits his chest, then pauses for a moment.
"Here we are less bogged down by political intrigue and behind the stage machinations, and we are and shall be recognized by our actions, and nothing more - as it should be" - the vesk adds, and resumes his meal.
After a few more bites in silence., he gets back at it - "The machine is loyal? Doesn't it simply do what you order or program it to do?" - he questions
After a few days travel, you arrive at the specified coordenates in the Drift
... but there's no ship in sight
"You have brought us to the wrong location Navasi..." - Oderon shakes his head in disappointment.
The machine is loyal? Doesn't it simply do what you order or program it to do?
Not at all dear fellow.
But let's entertain the thought that's all it ever did, like a weapon in the hands of a trained soldier such as yourself.After it saved your life countless times and got you out of the thickest jams, would you not grow to think of it as a loyal and trusted companion?
I let this rest and turn my attention to the situation at hand.
I use the ship's computer and scanners to look for any sign of the ship's former presence here.
Fiddling with the ships sensors and analyzing its data, Quigonius not only finds the missing ship but he also realizes it’s also scanning them
Soon it appears on you screens:
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—this ship was never intended to accommodate living creatures.
It looks like you’ve been able to spot them first so you position yourselves for the best approach
"Get us into position!" - Oderon roars at Navasi with a sidelook glance at the captain, then moves to initialize the weapons systems - "I'll take care of the rest" - he moves off laughing.
More information about space combat in the discussion section
And you still haven't said what you want to do
Ok, I want to hail the enemy ship.
Endless Threnody! This is the Loreseeker, hailing you on behalf of the Starfinder society.
We demand information about the Starfinder vessel, the Unbounded Wayfarer.
Our weapon systems are locked on your ship and we will open fire if you do not comply or if move from your current position!
Crew, stand ready. Oderon, blast them to hell if they move.
I'll be manning the shields.
Then I wait for their response for a while, 10 seconds or so.
Keskodai my dear fellow, I think I speak for everyone when I say you should be our Captain.
Your Wisdom and Diplomatic skills have no match among us.
Though I'm impressed by the way you ran that scan of the ship! You should show me later what you used...
The reply comes short and fast
So good of you to deliver the skulls we need for our repairs
Alright this is it, boys and girls... time to smash some bones!
Pouring some extra juice on the weapon systems. Kick it Oderon!
I divert auxiliary power to the weapon systems.
"Contaaaaaaaaaact!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" - you can hear Oderon's voice resounding through the Loreseeker's intercom system, as the linked coilgun opens fire from the vessel's turret.
The concentrated electromagnetic beams pulse easily through the vacuum between the Loreseeker and the enemy ship, leaving a bright bluish radiance in its wake.
Yes Quig my thoughts exactly but my intimidations skills are lacking and we are facing undeads so I thought I could help doing something else.
You can hear in your comms the enemy captain taunting you
Death is coming for you fools, and what a sweet embrace it is! Your puny weapons cannot kill what's already dead ahahah!!
Fortunately, none of you seems to be affected by the taunts
Then, the Endless Threnody begins to move, a sudden burst in its engines boosting its speed as it turns around
Navasi boldy faces his enemies head on and a smile creeps to his lips as he hears the Vesk cry of success
You score a hit on you enemies but they fire back, its powerfull front cannon burning with energy.
Your ship tremples and shakes with the hit as your front shield crumbles away
In the meantime, Keshkodai manages to get some information about the enemy ship
This round I divert power to the shields, restoring 8SP to the front quadrant.
Pumping up the shields for the second round!