Rerouting reserve power to thrusters.
with a little effort and some tricky maneuvers, you are able to hone in on the weak distress signal and avoid any pirates or space goblins.
approaching the ship originating the signal, It looks almost like a derelict ship. it seems to have no power at all. the orbit appears to have decays somewhat and it's just a matter of time before it crashes onto the surface.
if you want, the Phantom is equipped with the ability to tap into the other ship's computer but it will be a DC 15 computer check
a faint life signal is picked up from on board the ship, it appears that there is someone still alive in the medical bay maintained by a weak battery back-up.
As you approach closer to the derelict ship...
you can make out figures in space suits standing on the outside hull of the ship. they are not moving. Just standing there
K’teskt Valls over his shoulder, ”Somebody’s still in there! I’ve picked up weak life signs from that ship’s medical bay. They must have been the one who set off the distress signal.” A few moments later, he leans into a display. ”Whoever’s down there, they aren’t alone. Looks like there’s a group of people in space suits on the hull of the ship.”
Antennae twitching, Kek nods. A trick Kek learned from humans.
"K'teskt speaks true. Moreover, the figures are not moving. Odd."
The Phantom maneuvers closer. approaching a docking port along side the drop command ship.
to those keeping a lookout as the ship docks... you can see some of the figure on the outside of the ship begin moving.
the people in the space suits have no helmets, their faces are covered in space ice. their skin pale and ashen.
they seem to be wearing magnetic boots to keep them attached to the hull.
some seem to be moving toward a maintenance hatch.
His antennae now flicking rapidly back and forth, K’teskt turns to the rest of the crew. ”I don’t know if there was something weird in my field rations, but it looks to me like those people in the suits are dead. And some of them are headed for a maintenance hatch.” K’teskt points out the moving figures.
"Greaaaaat. Ok, heavies, get ready."
Kek becomes agitated, either with anticipation or being unable to make out clearer details.
"Walking...dead? Perhaps they are not inside the ship...yet. We might prevent them gaining access?"
"I will go and see." says Fenrus as he cycles the airlock and steps outside without a suit. He then begins flying towards the beings in suits.
K’teskt makes sure he has his rifle on hand before they finish docking.
"HOLY G*!#@* F**#ING S&~+EATING QUEEFGOBBLING S%&%!" Stagg curses fluently while finding a spacesuit.
Not completely discounting the something-weird-in-his-rations theory, K’teskt prepares to activate the environmental seals on his armour to disembark once the ship has docked.
The ship docks without a hitch. Rex shares his observations in his robotic voice, Master, the ship has no life support systems in operation. However, as standard SDF protocol, the system should be simple enough to gain access to from here.
Melody arrives on station, currently the Phantom only has two space suits available for use, I recommend we proceed through the airlock and secure the drop ship bridge. assuming we can get life support back on line.
Fenris makes his way across the void of space toward the outer hull of the drop ship. from his new vantage point it seems that there are approximately 3 of these zombie like figures on the hull. they are wearing standard SDF issued gear and appear to have once been SDF marines. most likely before becoming their current state they were most likely trying to launch a navigational beacon satellite into orbit.
"Just my luck. I'm having some trouble accessing the HVAC systems. If anyone else wants to have a go, I'd appreciate it." After failing to restore atmosphere to the other ship, K'teskt will try again if he can , and if not then he draws his rifle and follows Fenrus.
Fenrus will fire shooting stars at one of the undead.
Taking position on the derelict ship, K’teskt takes a moment to use his exocortex to lock onto the zombie nearest to the hatch, takes aim with his rifle, and squeezes the trigger.
Fenrus and K both shoot at the zombie nearest the hatch and both hit. the thing is definately injured but still standing. the others turn toward the group and start to approach.
the wounded one remains by the hatch trying to open it.
Fenrus will draw his tactical baton and then attack the closest enemy.
Though the approaching undead fascinate Kek, and obviously warrant an in depth and up-close investigation, Kek decides scoping one with a laser rifle and seeing if its insides can get outside and what that might look like might be just as interesting or, more to the point, prudent with regards to future safety of possible un-undead inhabitants of the space vessel Kek is currently gamboling about on. To whit: Kek shoots at the zombie by the hatch, but is possibly a bit distracted.
Round 1
[+2 BAB, + 2 Dex, +1 weapon focus]
[azimuth laser base dmj + fire]
Stagg tries shooting as well.
Fenris moves up toward an approaching zombie, but the vacuume of space makes the swing awkward and is unable to connect.
Kek, on the other hand, manages to fire a laser at the one by the hatch. and hits and with a small shower of sparks from the zombie's space suit, it stops moving and drifts off into space.
Stagg takes a shot at one of the remaining two zombies hitting it, but it only manages to damage its space suit.
a zombie now beside fenris tries to pound him.
but the slow movement of the zombie allows Fenris to easily dodge.
Fenrus again swings his weapon at the nearby zombie.
Stagg tries to figure out if his pistol is useless against this suit.
the zombie's space suit has a minor force field to protect the wearer from the cold of space (assuming the person was living). while it does block some damage from energy weapons, it does have a limited resistance. perhaps another shot or two could destroy the field.
that will not kill the zombie but will make it easier to hit.
Fenris attacks again, with the second hit there are sparks as the zombie's space suit appears to be severely damaged.
the magnetic field around the boots of the space suit become de-energized and the zombie starts to drift away from the hull.
Fenrus waves at the zombie as he goes drifting off before turning his attention to the others.
Kek finds that zombies do inside have insides that can come outside, and tries to make it happen again, and, seeing as Fenrus has dispatched his irritant, fires at another by the hatch...
Round 2
[+2 BAB, + 2 Dex, +1 weapon focus]
[azimuth laser base dmj + fire]
K’teskt takes aim at the nearest zombie to the hatch and squeezes the trigger once again.
The Phantom pulls along side of the SDF drop command ship. the docking air-lock must be operated manually the ships power is completely dead.
Mel turns to the group, I managed to get some minor life support operating. it seems at though there is damage to the primary power core. If we can get that running we should be able to restore everything else.
Once the airlock is open, the passageways are dark save a few emergency lights here and there. the whole ship has a very ominous look and feel.
I reckon that there is only about two hours of air available before I will be required to sever the power connection with the Phantom.
Kek nods, and readies to enter. Then, if none else present, Kek will head in, spotlight in one hand and flare gun in the other.
K’teskt follows Kek, rifle still in hand.
"OK, let's do this quick."
You make your way into the ship, Mortimer and Mel stay back at the phantom. with rex at the ready to lead a rescue if needed.
if you stay together you will only have time for one of the two options
option 1 head to the power core in engineering to make repairs or option 2 is to head to the cryo chamber where the only life readings were found.
K’teskt opens up a communications channel with the rest of the group. ”Two hours isn’t enough to explore the whole ship. Doesn’t seem like we have any way to tell if there are more of those zombies on board, but that’s a risk we’ll have to take. I say we split up: I can go to engineering with someone else, and hopefully get the power back online. Everyone else can check out the life signature.”
"I will check on the living to see if they need aid."