The Dire GM's [SFS] #1-12: Ashes of Discovery (PbP Gameday VII) (Inactive)

Game Master CanisDirus

This is the gameplay thread for #1-12: Ashes of Discovery (Tier 1-4) as part of Play-by-Post Gameday VII). Feel free to "dot and delete" if you are part of the game, and look for us to begin in the evening of August 13th, 2018!

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A cluster of sleek black computers rests against the far wall of the meeting room. The Starfinder Society emblem at the center of the server cluster shines and begins projecting a stream of holographic light. The light takes the form of humanoid figure bereft of any definition, standing at the end of the meeting table closest to the servers.

“Greetings, I am Guidance. I have a new assignment for you. Please observe.”

The projection gestures a flicking hand to its side, and a stream of data detailing an outpost made of interconnected circular chambers scrolls beside it.

“One of the Pact Worlds’ most prestigious organizations recently discovered a dataset detailing the location of an outpost abandoned over two hundred years ago. The organization has requested that the Starfinder Society dispatch a team of agents to secure the site, along with any remaining equipment or data. Your team will travel to this outpost and retrieve as much information about it as possible. You should also salvage any relevant equipment, which the Society will take as part of its payment."

The data feed ceases. "Starfinder records indicate that this is the first time you have been selected for a mission together. Please introduce yourselves to your teammates. Then, if you have questions, now is the time to present them.”

For those of you I haven't worked with before, I am Darkrunner. Securing data while leaving behind little or no footprint is one of my fortes. It's good to work with all of you.

He looks over at Julakesh, hoping she forgets to add her take on his skills...

Turning back to Guidance: Are you at liberty to tell us who this organization is? What do they expect to find at this outpost? Would you like us to return any recovered data to you first, so you can decide what specifically to pass on to the client organization? Information is power, you know.

Gargalus is a well built half-orc with mutiple scars. Despite his impressive stature, he looks like someone you can talk to.

He wears an old heavy armor that seems to have had better days, on it the logo of VitariTech Bloodsport Team in Akiton.

Hi Guys! I'm Gargalus, Arena's champion of Akiton! Pleasure to meet you all! And you also Guidance!
If you need someone to punch guys to pulp, I'm your guy! If you need someone to talk I'm your guy too! I'm also used to repair my own armor and tool, but I'm not that smart, ha! he says with a big smile.

After trying to think he adds He! What about the locals?

Tall and lean for a ysoki, wearing a well-tailored suit of dark purple, Gab speaks up, "Pleasure to meet you guys. I'm Gabbers McTalkington, of Triaxus, but folks usually just call me Gab." He passes around business cards that read:

Gabbers "Gab" McTalkington
Freelance Consulting - Corporate Acquisitions & Negotiations
Stand-Up Comedy
As seen on Absalom's Got Talent
Com Channel: ##-GM-#####

"I'm here to help out, do the talking and draw attention, so you guys can get into position or hide or whatever you need to do your thing. Or just see if I can talk our way through a jam, before we get to the punching to pulp."

A fierce looking vesk with horns circling the top of her head like a spiked crown stalks into the room. Her scales are a mix of mottled black that never reflects light and bright white that almost seems to glow. She is well muscled and just under seven feet tall. Clearly a warrior. Curiously, the only weapon she seems to bear is a small laser pistol. On her back is a simple backpack, and attached to her belt are a wide array of healing serums. A glowing orb of bright white light orbits her head, following her wherever she goes.

With a wide, reptilian smile, the vesk stalks forward. "Greetings companions! I am Julakesh Starfist, a LEGEND among Starfinders!" Her white scales seem to glow with pride. "The honour is yours!"

Seeing Darkrunner, she claps him hard on the back. "Darkrunner, my friend! It is good to see you again! I am sure you have missed me! Fear not! You may now bask in my glow! Tell me! Have you caressed any puters lately?"

She looks around at the other Starfinders, then places her hands on her hips. "You look at least half-competent! Wonderful! If you're a quarter as capable as I am we'll be a formidable team!"

Apparently she considers this a compliment.

"I hope this mission will provide us some honour! My last one great fun! Many things tried to kill me, but they could not!" She lets out a deep belly laugh and places her hands on her hips. "A-HAH! A-HAH! I AM UNKILLABLE! A-HAH! A-HAH!"

As Guidance starts to speak, Julakesh grins. Her grin slowly fades as Guidance uses long and complex words.

prest-a-jiss? Organ-something? Hmm...

Julakesh plasters a smile on her face and exclaims, "Greetings, Guidance! Good words! I get it! A-HAH!"

She does not.

She claps the half-orc on the back. "I also like to punch things! Together we will break bread and bones! Yes?"

Julakesh takes the card from Gab, starts to read it, and scrunches her face in confusion.... "You are a talker?" Suddenly she smiles. ""YES! THIS IS THE WAY COWARDS FIGHT! I know this, though I don't do it myself! Often are there meek and cowardly Starfinders who join me in battle! I will draw the enemy's fire, and you will hide, until an easy and weak target can be taken down by your guns and little blades! Yes? This will work well! This is how Darkrunner fights!"

She claps her friend Darkrunner on the back again. "This will be a fine team!"

"You always say we seem half-competent Julakesh, and then become impressed that the small squishy things have uses other than hitting big objects." Kima mentions leaning against the wall watching as agents move into the room and Guidance starts things off.

"It always seems your either sending Darkrunner to caress 'puters, or tossing myself at any half wit we need to impress. If you make this a third time I might not patch up your scales for you this time." She replies with a smile.

"I'm here on contract from Abadar Corp to see to your physical well-being." She mentions with an askance look over at Julakesh, "And perhaps general reference to applicable knowledges, observations, and as the Vesk would put it, talky things, and credits."

"So we're going to the marked site on the map, secure the site from hostile forces (including pesh induced solar elementals),"she adds under her breath. "Allow the data miners to get all the data, do not destroy, but gather and put back on ship useful equipment." She summarizes for those that don't like Guidance's speech patterns.

"Guidance, what areas of space are we headed to and are there any known socilo-, physico-, or astronomical threats and benefits we should be aware of and taken into consideration while in this area or in transit?"

"Does our 'benefactor' have any preference if all data is not obtainable as to which types of data or equipment they would rather have?"

Julakesh lets out a deep belly laugh at Kima's words. "A-HAH! A-HAH! YOU SOFT ONES ARE ALWAYS SO MOODY! A-HAH!"

With a broad smile Gargalus says to the Vesk. Lets meet on the arena and we will see who's the best! HA! while putting his massive hand on the Vesk's shouler.

Lets do a challenge my friend! The number of ennemies we killed during this mission. The one who's have the higher number wins. What do you say?

"A-HAH! A-HAH! YOU HAVE SPIRIT!" Julakesh exclaims with a grin at the half-orc. "A fine challenge! I accept! Now, let us hope we have many battles worthy of our attention!"

Julakesh lets out a deep belly laugh at Kima's words. "A-HAH! A-HAH! YOU SOFT ONES ARE ALWAYS SO MOODY! A-HAH!"

"Indeed we can be, according to standards of Common language, the tactic employed is archaically known to be given into moods or whims, a capricious sort." She smiles almost laughing. "I never knew you to be one that would read up on classics Julakesh! Congrats!"

Julakesh scrunches up her face in confusion.

Arkay-kly? Cap-rish-us?

Bah! Such words!

She places her hands on her hips and lets out a deep laugh. "A-HAH! A-HAH! A-HAH!"

Darkrunner rolls his eyes but gives in and plays along.

Of course Julakesh, I am always caressing the "'puters." They seem happy enough when I'm around, giving up their information.

Gab seems amused by his new companions, but turns his attention back toward Guidance. "So, boss, what's the word here? Darkrunner asked and I'm curious ... What's this organization we're subcontracting for on this job? What this dataset tell us about this abandoned outpost? Or is this one of those run-of-the-mill Society jobs where you know nothing and we go in blind?"

<3 to all of you for the roleplay

Guidance responds first to Darkrunner's question. “AbadarCorp is the largest corporation in the Pact Worlds and has many subsidiaries underneath it. The outpost was one of many sponsored by AbadarCorp during the post-Drift colonization rush. They are the organization that has contracted us for this task.”

"The outpost itself is a prefabricated modular outpost made by Veylen Enterprises. These outpost models used to be quite common. However, the presence of unfamiliar modifications is very possible.”

In response to Kima, “The exact reason remains unknown—and part of the reason you’re all needed to investigate the site. Records indicate the outpost confirmed its arrival and establishment with the hiring organization, but since then there have been limited communications. No reports or responses have been received in over two hundred years.”

To Gargalus, “There is limited data on the planet’s inhabitants, if any. As always, endeavor for a peaceful first contact, and keep the reputation of the Starfinder Society and the Pact Worlds in mind.”

And then to Gab. "AbadarCorp surveys suggest that this world has low gravity and a thin atmosphere, and had a population numbering in the thousands, prior to communications terminating and records being lost."

Low Gravity: On a low-gravity world, where the gravity is no greater than a third of standard gravity, PCs can jump three times as high and as far and lift three times as much. (Movement speed, however, stays the same, as moving in great bounds is awkward and difficult to control.) Thrown weapons have their range categories tripled.

Thin Atmospheres: Thinner atmospheres tend to cause a nonacclimated creature to have difficulty breathing and become extremely tired. A typical thin atmosphere requires such a creature to succeed at a Fortitude save each hour (DC = 15 +1 per previous check) or become fatigued. The fatigue ends when the creature returns to a normal atmosphere.

Guidance continues, “Beyond the environment of the planet, it is unknown what threats may exist at the outpost. You should prepare for many possibilities, such as pirates, large predators, hostile native cultures, or supernatural events.”

Finally to Julakesh. “For this assignment, you have been authorized use of a Drake or a Pegasus starship. Both starship frames can complete this assignment. Please consider the following advantages when making your decision: Drake frames have greater firepower, whereas Pegasus starships are equipped with advanced science labs and sensors. As always, to optimize the chances of completing the assignment, it is recommended that each Starfinder team choose a ship that covers any area of weakness. However, the final decision is based on your personal preference. Safe travels.”

Having exhausted Guidance's available information - You may now finish introducing yourselves to each other and slot any boons. You must also select whether you wish to select a Drake- or Pegasus-class ship.

The Maraquoi slinks in to the briefing, the low jingling of the tiny bells adorning his clothes and the tap on the floor of the tactical pike he leans on being the only announcement of his entry.

Taking a seat and sitting comfortably cross-legged in the chair, the pike seamlessly transitions from hand to tail which he uses to gently lean the pike against the wall behind him.

Not particularly interested in Guidance itself, his silken fur perks up as the computer mentions the prospect of visiting an unexplored, possibly under developed planet and the possibilities therein.

When it comes time for his introduction he does so in a heavy accent. Gareetins, fella stafindas. He pauses for a moment and then very slowly and concisely speaks doing his best to lessen the accent. I am Rafikki of the tribe Lissi on the moon Marata. For the tribe I commune with the animals and help my people maintain the harmony. I hope to do the same for the starfinders.

Julakesh scrunches up her face in confusion and tries very hard to listen to the words of the puter guy who liked to dance. (Guidance)

Sudsy-dairies? What? Soapy milk? No, that couldn't be right... Ignore it. Stupid order anyway... Prefabri-what? Esti-termi- something... BAH!

Peaceful first contact?! YES! I KNOW THIS!

Suddenly Julakesh breaks out into a wide grin. "A-HAH! A-HAH! I UNDERSTAND! Yes, I have made many 'peaceful first contact's before! I made many soft bug-people my friends on Elytrio, and the funny lashunta with stupid drug dealers became my friend on my last trip to the sun! I AM VERY GOOD AT THE FRIENDSHIP!" Julakesh lets out a deep belly laugh as she beams with pride. "A-HAH! A-HAH!"

When it is time to pick ships she grins and thumps her hand on her chest. "We are WARRIORS! We will take the Drake! Our enemies will fear us and wet themselves with their urine when we approach!"

Julakesh obviously votes for the ship with the big guns. lol

When the monkey introduces itself, Julakesh grins. "Greetings, Rafikki! I am Julakesh Starfist! A LEGEND among Starfinders! The honours is yours!" She claps the maraquoi on the back. "I have not met your kind before, but its makes no difference! Come! We will speak of violence and death and become as kin! Have you many fierce battles to speak of? Surely you must have some tales to tell if you have been given the honour of joining my team!"

She waits with a wide smile, clearly waiting to hear some of the maraquoi's epic exploits...

Gab begins a quick inventory of his gear, checking that he's got the grenades and other things that he needs. Maybe a quick supply run might be in order.

Armor environmental protections are sufficient to deal with thin atmosphere, right?

To Julakesh he says, "The Drake is fine with me." To the broader group, he says, "Anyone mind if I claim the captain's chair? Don't worry, folks, I'm a benevolent leader."

Julakesh looks Gab up and down. "Yes, you will make a fine captain! You look soft and squishy. Our enemies will think we are meek and puny with you in charge! A-HAH! A-HAH! We will surprise them because that is not true! A-HAH! A-HAH!"

She claps Gab on the back a little too hard. "Come! Let us leave! I desire to shoot something and return to my place in the stars!"

Gab gives a thumbs' up to Julakesh. "That is one of my key tactics, definitely. You're smarter than you look, Julakesh. I think we'll make a great team. Just follow my lead, and I'll be sure you get tons of glory out of this mission."

A small metallic band on his wrist beeps, and he touches a key on it, beginning to speak into the comms built into his armor. "Howie, baby, how's it goin'? Yeah, I'm about to go off-station. What's the word? Really? Whose birthday party?" He holds up a finger to the group, then says softly, "I'll meet you guys at the ship. It's my publicist." Louder, back into the comm, he says as he walks off, "Howie, I don't know, sounds like you could talk 'em up a bit from that price."

Darkrunner nods to Gab. I have no problem at all if you would like to take the role of captain. I can do it in a pinch but I much prefer to defer it to one willing such as yourself. I think I am best suited as science officer or engineer. It is a natural transition from hacking computers and information to a starship!

Off guard by the large vesk's hardy clap, Rafikki all too easily slips back into the heavily accented common, "No doubt'n aye do beeg seesta, but there ees a tyme an place. We ken sayve it for de sheip."

Turning to guidance regarding ship selection and cleaning up his speech to the best of his ability he gives a perfunctory response. "The decision has been made." He then turns to the fellow starfinders and adds, "But I will be of little help. My time in the stars is limited. If the computers at the science station are empty, I can try to use them."

Sounds like the Drake wins!

You head to the hangar, where your ship awaits. Your ship is prepped for each of you, including astrogation information for the planet in question and the general coordinates of the outpost belonging to the society's clients.

After 3d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 3) = 12 days of travel through the Drift, you arrive in-system, approaching a world known to your computers only as Colony 753-MD. As the destination planet appears on the starship’s main viewscreen, alarms suddenly blare! A slender form emerges from the distant void, slithering up from out of the planet’s shadow. It moves directly towards your starship, as if drawn to it!

As it comes into range of your viewscreens, you can see that this is no starship...but rather a colossal shark-and-worm-like space creature!

Xenoseekers can reduce the DC of the below check by 5

Battle Stations!
(Youtube/audio link)

Your ship starts 3d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 6, 3) + 5 = 16 hexes away from the creature that rapidly approaches you, its electrified double-row of teeth facing your front arc!

Starship Combat rules are in the Discussion tab if you need to refer to them, or ask me any questions.

STARSHIP COMBAT!

ROUND 1 - Map Updated!
Drake: 0 Damage
Unknown Creature: Status Unknown

Life Science: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Fascinating. A Besmaran Whelp. They're generally thought to not exist. Darkrunner answers his teammates additional questions about it. Look under the spoiler above.

Seeing Rafikki take the science station, he heads to the engineering console.

Your GM forgot to add that there seems to be some sort of radioactive buildup in the creature's eyes.

Also...

Your crew may now act!

Sorry for my silence, I wasn't able to post yesterday due to the site :'(

Not able to do much in a spaceship, Gargalus lights his cigare and wait to see if he can be of use.

just +5 in engineering if nobody can do that

Life Science: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Gab whistles. "That's a whelp, is it? Let's hope it's mamma isn't around here."

He turns toward Darkrunner. "Sorry, buddy, but no one's spoken up for the job and judging from our drills, you're probably our best pilot." He points at the screen. "Just keep us away from those electrical teeth. They don't look good. You got this, though. Let's give it a wide berth, get behind it and let Jalukesh shove some missiles up its butt."

"Gargalus, looks like Kima and Jalukesh have the guns, so if you could be ready in case that thing starts messing with our systems ..."

Phase: Helm
Role: Captain
Action: Assuming that Darkrunner accepts being pilot, I'll use the Encourage action (described above, whether the roll succeeds or fails).

"Yes!" Julakesh exclaims. "TO BATTLE!"

Julakesh hurries over to a gunner's console and gets the weapons up and running. As the guns hum to life, she thumps her chest rhythmically and roars, waiting for this whelp to come within range of her guns! At the sight of it she lets out a roar of excitement! "YES! A FIERCE OPPONENT! A-HAH! A-HAH!"

Phase: Gunnery
Role: Gunner
Action: Julakesh aims the turret and fires a missile at the Besmaran whelp! (She'll use one of the floating +1 modifiers on her attack).

Hi hi Captain!

Gargalus tries to divert the power of the core reactor into the spaceship's thrusters.

Phase: Gunnery
Role: Gunner
Action: Waiting... nothing in arc range.

LS: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

"Hitting it hard and fast might be a good idea, it's speedy and well armored. Don't know what that EMP is likely to do if it gets a hold of us."

As a reminder, there can be multiple gunners, engineers, and science officers, if you're not sure what to do during ship combat.

Phase: Helm
Role: Science Officer
Action: Scanning

Rafikki engages the sensors and attempts to make sense of the readings as he sifts through the data.

Computers: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

The site has picked the worst times to be down today. Sorry all for the delay.

Darkrunner watches the team settle into various spots on the ship and then considers Gabs suggestion.

Fascinating. I do have training as a pilot, but for various reasons the role has never been available in my Starfinder society ventures so far.

He takes the chair and looks over the ship's maneuverability controls.

and to top it off site eats first attempt at post here... Starship action coming in a couple of minutes

Phase: Helm
Role: Pilot
Action: Evasive flying. Darkrunner gives it some throttle and takes a wide angle.

Your Engineer, Gargalus, diverts power to your engines, boosting your speed. The space creature tries to do the same, pumping adreneline to its tail, but is unable to increase its own.

Your Captain, Gab, encourages your pilot to fly better than the beast!

Your Pilot, Darkrunner is forced to maneuver before the Besmaran Whelp, and only thanks to the Captain's encouragement, is able to Evade and makes it harder for your ship to be struck! (Moved you a bit more since you had the movement from the Engineer)

The creature, however, is able to fly right up to you with amazing speed!

Your Science Officer, Rafikki is able to glean a little bit of information from the scan:

• Besmaran Whelp - Medium starship aberration - Speed 12 - Maneuverability Good (Turn 2)

Perhaps because of the proximity, your Gunner, Julakesh, fires a high-explosive missile that misses and spirals off into space.

Your other Gunner, Kima, is able to land a direct hit with the heavy laser cannon!
Damage: 4d8 + 1 ⇒ (8, 2, 6, 8) + 1 = 25 (Wowsa!)

Kima's solar-power-enhanced shot is so damaging that it causes *two* critical hits against the Besmaran Whelp!

The Creature lashes out with its claws in an attempt to *grapple* your ship - but it barely misses!

ROUND 2 - Map Updated!
Drake: 0 Damage
Besmaran Whelp: 25 Damage
Kima: Please roll 1d100 and a 1d4 for critical damage!
Julakesh: Please roll 1d100 and a 1d4 for critical damage!

Remember to post outside of spoilers if you have an effect on another crew member's roll - thanks! :)

Your crew may act!

Again, Gargalus tries to enhances the ship with quick fixes with the engines to make it go faster.

Not to ruin a great damage roll ... but are we using the Tier 4 Drake or the Tier 2?

"Nice shot, Kima!" He glances at Darkrunner in the pilot station. "Nice flying, but if we could stay away from the teeth, that would be great. Pilot and Gunners, don't forget to use the navigating and targetting computers." Raising his voice, he shouts down to the turret control console, "Julakesh, there's no glory for shooting like that. Are you a vesk or a mouse? Show that thing you're more than a little soft nibbly-bit!"

Phase: Gunnery
Role: Captain
Action: Encourage Julakesh on gunnery check.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

crit: 1d100 ⇒ 74
d4: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Phase: Gunnery
Role: Gunner
Action: Shooting what ever comes into range if our pilot is this awesome.

1d100 ⇒ 24
1d4 ⇒ 4

"WHAT?!" Julakesh exclaims, shocked that she missed. "TRICKERY AND TRICKS WON'T SAVE YOUR FOREVER!!" she shouts at the enemy creature. She lets out a growl and gets ready to fire another shot. "BRING YOUR FACE TO MY GUN, YOU COWARD!"

Phase: Gunnery
Role: Gunner
Action: Julakesh aims the turret and fires a missile at the Besmaran whelp! (She'll use one of the floating +1 modifiers on her attack if there's one available).

Phase: Helm
Role: Science Officer
Action: Scanning

Rafikki continues to try and make sense of the read outs. As he does so he chants something rhythmically to himself in his native language.

Computer: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

"Nice flying, but if we could stay away from the teeth, that would be great. Pilot and Gunners, don't forget to use the navigating and targetting computers."

yeah, I thought I was describing a different flight path to go around it.

I'm assuming Drake 2, not Drake 4

Phase Helm
Role Pilot
Action Darkrunner attempts tight maneuvers to swing round behind the whelp and face the Drake's forward guns directly at it.

Darkruner - you were swinging around to the side, like you described, but because it moved second it came right at you...sort of what's happening again this round because my piloting rolls have been insanely high.

The beast's heart (engineer actions) and tail-slap (aft weapon) take critical damage!

Your Engineer, Gargalus, diverts power to your engines once again!, boosting your speed. The space creature is able to match that, despite the damage to its heart!

Your Captain, Gab, tries to encourage Julakesh, but the vesk gunner is so incensed at missing her last shot that it has no effect!

Your Pilot, Darkrunner again has to maneuver before the Besmaran Whelp, and is forced to attempt a flyby maneuver to avoid a collision (and an attack of opportunity) with those missile-sized teeth! Thankfully, Darkrunner is up to the task and brings you around behind it.

Unfortunately, the creature manages to improve its turn radius, allowing it to turn quickly enough to charge up to your ship once again!

Your Science Officer, Rafikki tries to get more information from a scan, but the electric field the creature puts out disrupts his attempt.

Adjusting for distance this time, your Gunner, Julakesh, scores a direct hit right in the creature's face for 17 Damage, which is enough for another critical hit!

Your other Gunner, Kima, takes another shot with the solar-powered laser cannon, but fires a bit wide this time.

The Creature tries to bite the front of your vessel, but it misses by a wide margin!

ROUND 3 - Map Updated!
Drake: 0 Damage
Besmaran Whelp: 42 Damage
Critical 1: Heart (engineer), Critical 2: Tail (aft weapon)
Julakesh: Please roll 1d100 and a 1d4 for critical damage!

Remember to post outside of spoilers if you have an effect on another crew member's roll - thanks! :)

Your crew may now act!

All picture files and rolz logs mentioned in this post can be found at HERE. Thank you for all of your patience with the paizo website downtime!

Julakesh's crit made its starboard claw attack glitch! (picture file)

Your Engineer, Gargalus, diverts power to your science officer, giving Rafikki a better (+2) chance at scanning for more data! (picture file) The beast boosts its engines once again.

Your Captain, Gab, encourages Darkrunner's flying to avoid the creature's attacks!

Your Science Officer, Rafikki is able to learn a little bit more about the whelp's offensive abilities! This Besmaran Whelp can fire radioactive beams from its eyes at medium range (4d4 damage), and its bite causes no damage per se, but its EMP-like electrical fields instead automatically cause one or more of your systems to glitch or malfunction! Its claws are strong enough to dig into your hull, if they get past your shields. If it latches on, your pilot would need to take special actions to pull away from it! Rafikki reports that only its forward eye beams have any range whatsoever beyond being adjacent to it. (rolz log)

Your Pilot, Darkrunner is finally able to read the creature's movements and maneuver after it! The whelp, hoping to attack with both bite and claw, uses the Slide maneuver to shift slightly. Darkrunner takes this opportunity to punch your ship into high gear, and rather than evading (based on what Rafikki learned and your desire to get behind it, this covers all bases) performs a flip-and-burn maneuver to get behind it, allowing both of your gunners to fire with your best weapons! (picture file)

Your Gunner, Julakesh, lines up with razor-sharp focus and (with a natural 20!) lands a critical hit with her missile, dealing 25 damage to the Besmaran Whelp, causing it to thrash in wild death throes! (picture file)

Your other Gunner, Kima, fires with the solar-powered laser cannon and hits for 15 damage, making absolutely certain that this space-shark is truly dead! (rolz log)

As the creature stops twitching, the only source of light or activity beyond your view-screens is the green-tinged planet ahead of you. You are now out of combat!

Having expertly fought and killed the Besmaran Whelp, you will all earn the Star Monster Slayer starship boon on your chronicle sheets!

"Great work." He points at the image of the green planet ahead. "Let's get down there, in case that thing has any friends hanging around." To Rafikki, he says, "Keep up the scans for any other threats."

With the space borne threat neutralized, you are able to make your way towards the green-tinted planet ahead of you. As Darkrunner brings you into the atmosphere, a dangerous storm suddenly interferes with your ship's sensors and systems - the Drake's scientific equipment was decidedly not sensitive enough to have detected this anomaly in advance!

Science Officer: Make a Computers or Physical Science check to see what you can learn about the biome of this planet during your descent!
Up to three additional characters may attempt to aid this check using the Computers or Physical Science skills.

Pilot: Make a Piloting check to navigate your atmospheric entry in the midst of this storm!
Up to three additional characters may attempt to aid this check using the Piloting skill.
The Captain may instead use the Diplomacy skill as per the "Encourage" task.

Darkrunner relaxes a bit as Kima's final shots ensure that the whelp is truly dead. He frowns slightly. I was just getting used to its flight patterns. However, this repetition will still help me the next time we encounter such a creature in space.

He nods at Gab in agreement and begins to steer the ship towards the planet. Hmm, brace yourselves. We've got a storm to pass through on the way. I'll do my best to keep our path smooth and steady... He gets to work programming control adjustments into the flight path.

Piloting, navigate planetary entry in storm: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Soooo... funny enough it actually kept my rolls from the screenshot post. Should I add two more rolls to cycle through to a truly new roll or take this as a prize of surviving the downtime? :P

Julakesh leaps to her feet and throws her fists into the air.

"YES! I HAVE TRIUMPHED AGAIN!" She places her hands on her hips and lets out a deep belly laugh. "A-HAH! A-HAH! A-HAH! WITNESS MY MIGHT!"

When Darknrunner mentions the storm Julakesh lets out another laugh. "A-HAH! The weather cannot defeat me! I am INVINCIBLE!"

Piloting to Aid: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

She claps Darkrunner on the back. "No! Do not hide from the storm! Challenge it! Look into it's eyes like a wild beast and CONQUER!!"

She laughs again, then takes her seat.

"A-HAH! A-HAH!"

Computers: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Rafikki's eyes glaze over as he realizes his brief time in computer training in the Lorespire Complex after leaving his native moon is serving him poorly.

Well done all! I've surprised myself in my ability to work with the equipment here!

Not able to do much to help, Gargalus stay on his seat, buckling his belt and ready to brace for impacts.