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You hear mumbling:
- "Hey, Lenine, they're collecting data. Think they'll pay for that? Or should I just shoot 'em?"
- "They say they come in peace? So don't shoot Trotsky... use your knife.
- "But they want to talk about our experiences. Think I can tell them about that time with Grita and...?
- "But stuff? Peace and... stuff? What's 'stuff'?"
Then two Copaxis stand up and step out: 'Hey y'all, what's cooking? Wanna talk?"
You see they have AbadarCorp weapons.
They look a bit disheveled, with raggedy clothes, but also one has a bandana on, and the other a big pink floppy hat.
Pink hat adds: "You payin' for this interview?"
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"There is enough to buy you fresher and cooler clothes," Laniakea says and then continues, trying to bait them into a revelation, "But can you not simply obtain what you like from your cities? These are Pact World credits, and as I understood our host, copaxi do not use currancy but work together for the good of the community."
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- "Clothes, man, now you're talking!"
- "PCWs are the thing, bro'!"
- "Pact World Credits are hot on the black market! Fork 'em over!"
- "We can get anything we want, but it costs a lot of cash. And not all get their share of the wealth!"
- "Rapid expansion enriched some, but sure left many financially struggling to keep up... hard times."
- "WE ARE THE 99%!"
- POWER TO THE PEOPLE!"
You see them high-five one another.
- "So. how much you payin' for us to show you where to look, and to hand over our bounty?"
- "Yeah, share the wealth! Redistribute your cash!"
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Numina looks at the copaxi's with growing confusion.
Are these children? Is this what Therseis meant about divergent behaviour? This is all very odd
She directs her facial muscles into something vaguelly resembling a smile and steps forward. Money, money is like so pre gap. We can show you whole now worlds. Have you heard of the vid gamer revolution? A chance to experience anything you can dream of and quite a lot of things you cant. Here, let me show you she says offering them each a chance to connect to her vid gamer equipment for a shared hologame experience.
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Speck looks upon the two with sympathy, recalling his youth, scrounging for scraps wherever they can find. "Yeah, the universe is so much bigger out there, but sometimes you just need someone to show it to you." He unconsciously raises his hand to hold his holy symbol. "Let us learn of your world and we will show you hundreds!"
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While one of the copaxi are distracted by the vidgame, Laniakea tries to persuade the other to back down on their price. "How did you make it all the way up here? Do you have a suborbital ship? We traveled here on a Drift--do you know what the Drift is?--enabled starship. If you would be willing to drop your price and shiw us around this tower, we could secure you passage on our ship to Absalom Station. If that sort of experiece interests you. There everyone has a chance. Or you could stay here. I do not want to pressure you into something that you are not interested in.
"I, myself, came from a protectorate world recently claimed by the Pact Worlds. The relationship allowed me the opportunity to see the universe beyond my watery home. I even joined the Stewards, a peace-keeping force, in their diplomatic corps so that I could meet fresh new cultures like your own."
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The two stop playing the game and look at Speck: "You the man! Now, you talkin', show us those hundreds!"[b/]
They turn to Hef Sadir: [b]"Right on, bro', since it's not valuable, just give us yours!"
Lenine and Trotsky are willing to sell you exclusive exploration rights to this area for 200 credits, allowing you to investigate without further trouble and no fight. For an additional 100 credits, these Copaxis are also willing to share what they’ve found here.
They just stare at Laniakea...
- "Yah, we have to all stick together."
- "And stick it to the man!"
You kindly give 100 Cr. to the duo who are super happy about these.
"Real Pact World dough, dude!"
And then you can't keep them quiet.
They just go on and on and on, explaining how they are flying some old jury-rigged barge up and down. How many Copaxis are fed up with the widening gap between rich and poor on Tabrid Minor.
- "Capitalism, dude, it blows hardcore!"
- "Down with the oligarchs!"
They believe their people’s rapid industrialization has done more harm than good and are eager to earn enough credits to buy passage to other worlds.
The scavengers know nothing of the secret history of the Copaxis, except for what they found at this site.
And this they happily hand over.
Their stash contains a journal preserved in a sealed container
translate these notes from Copaxi and learn the “scientists” stationed here were servants of Tabantria’s magical aristocracy; they observed the planet to learn how best to manipulate and exploit its natural and magical resources, especially copi. Most of the notes concern the process of cultivating copi to make objects—and even cities—float high above the planet’s surface. In the journal’s final pages, you learn that several of the scholars stationed here, and many others across Tabrid Minor, received the revelation of Drift travel. Instead of being celebrated, they were shunned and eventually executed after a failed coup attempt. The, author of the journal, a Copaxi named Juddass supported this decision and outed several colleagues to the government; they justified this action by predicting that the spread of Drift technology would cause rapid, irreversible, and damaging industrialization, violently disrupting the status quo. The final page of the journal states the author’s fears that further conflict seems inevitable, as the Signal could not possibly be passed off as insanity—a “Message of Madness”—forever.
- "Hey, fellow, any way you can get us off world?"
- "Hey, other fellow, what other games you got? Any battle simulations?"
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Numina flips through the journal, This has some interesting stuff about their history, seems like there was a real schism here.
Turning to the two eager copaxi's she grins, Boys, you have no idea, putting her arms around their shoulders she steers them towards the shuttle, the things you will see when we get to Absalom will amaze you, I have such sights to show you...
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"Hmm, I see," Speck mutters after he has his turn looking through the journey. "The Copaxi were gifted with magic but Triune's revelation of Drift technology caused a schism in the society, leading to the massive wars across the planet. Seems like the magic-using leaders were eventually overthrown, which explains the Copaxi's current resistance towards magic." He turns to his team. "Anything I missed out?"
"Hmm, doesn't explain the robot though? Ah, don't forget, we need to pick him up as well. Not going to leave him here after all he's been through."
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"Seems simple enough. People are often afraid of what they do not understand. When your formerly non-aware machine suddenly come to awareness and start wondering why they are acting as slave labor, ot can be quite disturbing, I imagine. If you are a magic-heavy ruling caste, then you don't want a technologically advanced society pushing you off your perch at the top."
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Suddenly, time seems to move forward and backward, and stand still... all at the same time!
_____________
When you meet with Therseis, the Copaxi scientist will once again be impressed by your having dealt peacefully with these young brethren of his.
Therseis explains: "Our government explains that the Signal was incomprehensible at first. But I think not. Maybe I am divergent. I think those who heard the Signal experienced distress from the supernatural message and were unable to clearly communicate the concepts they heard to the rulers of the sky cities. Maybe those rulers did not want to listen. Maybe they were divergent. Maybe rulers can be divergent, and those they call divergent can actually be right? May I ask you..." and he seems very interested, looking at each one of you: "What would you have been willing to do or sacrifice in order to attain Drift technology in the Copaxis’ place?"
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"You know, he continues", nodding sadly, "I am divergent. For I have come to question the sparse official story provided by the planetary government. I do not believe they speak for the gods nor hold the truth more than others nor can they declare who is divergent on a whim. I was told to not divulge more than our leaders wanted you to know. But seeing your actions I know I can share the truth with you, so, please ask, and if I can I will help you Starfinders piece together the history of the sky cities’ magical aristocracy, the exploitation of robot laborers, the silencing of those who heard the Signal, and the bloody coups that followed. Though I find this cover-up distasteful, and am guilty in helping perpetuate it out of fear of being branded divergent, I find solace in the knowledge that you might have an accurate view of Copaxi history. Furthermore, let me at least say that these actions occurred several lifetimes ago. This does not excuse the government for perpetuating these myths, but none of our leaders are directly responsible for committing these atrocious behaviors."
Therseis bows his head... and then raises it again, proudly: "Whatever the decision may be, I make one last request: to return with you Starfinders to act as an ambassador and, perhaps one day, to become a Starfinder myself."
Trotsky and Lenine start hooting: "Way to go, bro'! - Lead the revolt, man! - Power to the Divergents! - Down with the Man - You can't lie to all the microorganisms all the time!"
They cheer Therseis: "Let's all leave! We'll become ambassadors too! Video game ambassadors!"
_____________
Having learned all this from speaking with Therseis and your own investigations, you know you must decide on your recommendation to the Stewards.
Should you support or oppose the Copaxi petition for protectorate status?
You go back and respectfully pick up the sentient robot, and, thanks to Therseis, you know you must smuggle it from the shuttle to your ship, to evacuate it to safety.
"The others will order it destroyed, not be branded divergent. Me, I no longer care to be labeled."
Trotsky and Lenine hoot and applaud!
[ooc]You must succeed at a DC 23 Bluff, Profession (smuggler), or Stealth check.
Please have one do a check, and the others Aid Another if they wish.
Pulling that off gets the head back to Absalom Station safe.
If you fail:
The other three researchers notice and are alarmed to see a dangerous robot wandering around and existing.
Seeing that the robot demonstrates intelligence, the Copaxis shift from alarm to scientific zeal, voicing their desire to study the robot further.
You understand this means dissecting and wiping it.
The implication is that they intend to take the robot back to a state-sponsored facility for extensive experimentation.
Not wishing to betray his robot sympathies, Therseis makes a point of not interfering either way.
You try to convince them to release the robot into the custody of the Pact Worlds.
As a last ditch effort, you can pull a gun on them, and they will relent if threatened outright.
By learning the full truth of Copaxi history by earning at least 5 Influence and speaking with Therseis, you fulfill the Secondary Success Condition, and earn 1 additional Fame and 1 Reputation for any factions associated with your current faction boon.
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"What would you have been willing to do or sacrifice in order to attain Drift technology in the Copaxis’ place?"
"Everything!" Speck's eyes turns towards the sky and the stars hidden behind it. "To have your world open up to infinity..." His hand again unconsciously creeps up to his holy symbol.
When he eventually wakes up from his reverie, he sees everyone staring at him. "Of course, I don't mean literally everything! You know what I mean," he squeaks.
"Whatever the decision may be, I make one last request: to return with you Starfinders to act as an ambassador and, perhaps one day, to become a Starfinder myself."
Speck stares at Therseis for a moment or two with questioning eyes. "You know what, I didn't think much of the Copaxis. And I still don't. You're right. Whatever decisions made by the leaders, the people cannot escape responsibility." There's a strange catch in his voice here, but he moves on. "But meeting these two kids gives me hope. And 'sides, you're not that bad. And how are you going to open your eyes if you not out there. I say you're in."
---
Turning to the rest of the team, he continues, "What say you? The Copaxis still have quite a bit of way to go to address the mistakes in the past, but which of the other members haven't. I mean, look at Eox. So I say they're in, on the condition that the recognise the rights of ALL sentient creatures."
---
"Which brings us to the problem of our robot friend? What's say I mask it with an illusion? Should make smuggling him out a breeze? Disguise him as one of backpacks or something?"
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When you meet with Therseis, the Copaxi scientist will once again be impressed by your having dealt peacefully with these young brethren of his.
Therseis explains: "Our government explains that the Signal was incomprehensible at first. But I think not. Maybe I am divergent. I think those who heard the Signal experienced distress from the supernatural message and were unable to clearly communicate the concepts they heard to the rulers of the sky cities. Maybe those rulers did not want to listen. Maybe they were divergent. Maybe rulers can be divergent, and those they call divergent can actually be right? May I ask you..." and he seems very interested, looking at each one of you: "What would you have been willing to do or sacrifice in order to attain Drift technology in the Copaxis’ place?"
Hef thinks for a moment and replies, "I uh... well that is a really difficult question. I put my life on the line every mission because I believe in lifting up the fallen and shining a light even into the darkest hearts. Drift technology has the power to bring together all races for peace and for ill, but I would likely have been willing to lay my life on the line as it represents freedom to all."
_____________
Personal Report Summary: Approve of Tabrid Minor’s admission into the Pact Worlds as a protectorate.
"The race of Copaxi on Tabrid Minor are responsible for numerous acts of horror in their past, and any that can be legitimately tied to such actions shall be punished. However, through just a very small amount of time with several Copaxi individuals, it is clear that they are like all sentient beings, capable of both good and bad. Denying them protectorate status would significantly harm their culture's opportunity to grow as a people and would prevent the ability of forces of good from helping to guide them on that path."
______________
Hef figures subtlety is better than blatant lying, so will attempt to aid efforts to Sneak the self aware robot off the planet.
If that fails he will attempt to help explain their rational in a calm manner, hoping the Copaxi see reason.
If that fails, he is willing to risk infamy to save one life and would resort to the THREAT (but not act) of physical violence to save the self aware robot's life.
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"What would you have been willing to do or sacrifice in order to attain Drift technology in the Copaxis’ place?"
Alzandre answers..."My profession as a Xenoarchaeologist takes me to different worlds, so Drift technology is mandatory to do so, but I would not lie to gain it. As is evident today, most lies are eventually found out, and the person that told the lie loses the trust of those they lied to. That being said, I am just one person, not a whole world."
"Whatever the decision may be, I make one last request: to return with you Starfinders to act as an ambassador and, perhaps one day, to become a Starfinder myself."
Alzandre answers..."Your actions today show that you are able to evaluate and adjust to events being different than what you have been taught to expect. That is a good sign of you being able to help negotiate for your people. You should do well as an ambassador."
Alzandre's report will show approval for the Copaxi. The study of the Copi could prove very useful to the Pact Worlds, and the Copaxi people will benefit from Pact World technology to help stem the damage they are doing to their world.
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"I am not certain what I--or my people--would give to gain Drift technology," Laniakea says. "Woioko engineering can produce some amazing architectural feats, but we had only developed suborbital transportation before Heicoron IV was colonized and we began to travel off-world through Pact-built starships. Star travel is amazing, and I have had the opportunity to meet so many new people and cultures. I certainly would be disinclined to give that up, but if I had never known it, well, the woioko are very content with our seas."
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"I would be happy to have you return with us and the young copaxi to Absalom Station," Laniakea says with a smile. "If you think yourself divergent simply for questioning authority, then that is not so bad a thing."
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Summary of Report: Copaxi of Tabrid Minor
'The Copaxi appear to have suffered a prolonged Dark Age following Triune's revelation of Drift technology. As a magocracy and culture heavily dependent upon magic, those who received Triune's signal were ostracized and labeled as insane (either due to an inability to understand the technological basis or in order to ensure the dominance of the mages, archaeological evidence is unclear). The robots used as a labor force at the time also spontaneously gained sentience, likely as a result of Triune's interventions. This event was poorly understood by the Copaxi of the era and resulted in the mass murder of sentient robots. What followed was a period of rebellion and technological and arcane regression.
'The modern Copaxi history is likely based off of imperfect records and myth. Although intentional deceit across the generations is certainly possible, their intentional restriction of both magic and robotics suggests that the current government has learned from their mistakes, if implementing those lessons in a rather crude fashion.
'Of strategic note, the Copaxi and the wild copi possess an impressive ability to manipulate gravity. This resource could prove valuable to the Pact Worlds and should be protected to prevent use against the Pact Worlds by external aggressors. The Copaxi do not appear capable of defending their world on their own.
'Assessment: Accept the petition by Tabrid Minor as a protectorate of the Pact Worlds.'
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Upon return, in order to help his colleagues smuggle the robot onto the transport shuttle, he approaches the remaining scientists. He spreads his arms out, palms upwards, and spins in a circle.
"Greetings, my new friends. Let me tell you about the many interesting findings that we were able to discover so that you may compare it to the data you have so far," Laniakea begins, distracting the scientists with his report.
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Numina looks at Therseis oddly. Draft technology allows us to explore the very stars themselves. It opens up entire new worlds, new ways of thinking and understanding the Universe and outselves. I think, had I been in your place, I would have done almost anything to obtain it. It is what sets us free from reliance on our own closed world systems.
You may or may not be divergent, I am not sure what matters. I would also caution you against assuming you know very much at all. We have pieced together a few fragments of your history, but it is a tiny fragment and tells us very little of the lives and stories of the people who lived here. Be cautious about making too many assumptions. Yes, terrible events happened here in the past, but that is true of most places. You biological organisams seem to be capable of appalling acts of violence and bloodshed, but you are also capable of creating wonders. Just look at these Sky Citadels, your people built these marvels. Imagine what else you ar capable of. Of course you can come with us.
Turning to the other two, You two can come as well, I will introduce you to the vid halls, show you how to play and then crush you mercilessly on the tournament scene.
Later, on board the ship Numina compiles her report.
Initial findings of the Copaxi homeworld suggest a highly stratified and rule vbound society which abhors differences in thought. Their history is marked by periods of exteme aggression and violence, a cultural schism over the use of magic and technology however encounters with various members of their society suggest that change is possible. Exposure to new cultures, differrent ways of thinking and the place both magic and sentient technology is likely to lead to cultural shift over time. Denying them protectorate status risks regression, further stratification of their society and possible renewed conflict, in part from the reveltions we have made here. I would recommend they be accepted.
Numina will attempt to assist the efforts to get the robot off the planet by showing the other researchers the many different vid games played on Absalom Station.
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"Me personally? Kasatha-lejune are honor-bound to live according to custom, tradition, and above all, honor. There is much that I would give to give my clan the freedom of the stars, but not everything. Honor, for one. Faithfulness for another. To think of cutting off part of my clan to profit for the rest...well it is not something that I like to consider. in every likelihood, the minority would cut themselves off to profit the whole, but I would not make that decision for them."
"As for coming with us, I would welcome it. You have been an interesting companion thus far, and it seems that you need to the freedom of choice that the Pact Worlds can offer."
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Rastar's report was concise, but described their experiences with enough detail to base a decision on. In the end, he recommended protectorate status for the Copaxi, but with enough social oversight to minimize the upheaval that was sure to come with exposure of the copaxi people to sentient machines.
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To Therseis’ explanations about their "government explaining that the Signal was incomprehensible at first” and what you would sacrifice, Speck states he would sacrificed “everything to have his world open up to infinity, and Numina6 says that she too, well, “almost” anything! And Hef Sadir would’ve been willing to lay his life down for that.
Laniakea talks of Heicoron IV and remains on the fence, seeing good and bad in the Drift. Which is like Rastar’s decision, that is balanced, about the benefit versus honor, the individual versus the group.
On the other hand Alzandre states that he would abide by the truth, and no lie to obtain this.
So, it is a balanced answer, two in favor, two down the middle road, and one against.
_____________
To Therseis asking to return with you to act as an ambassador and become a Starfinder, a moved Speck votes yes, and is seconded by Alzandre and then “thirded” Laniakea. Numina6 is in favor too, as is Rastar. Only Hef Sadir abstains giving his opinion.
So, a big vote of confidence for the Copaxi.
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To the question of whether to support or oppose the Copaxi petition for protectorate status, the following approve of Tabrid Minor’s admission into the Pact Worlds as a protectorate: Speck votes Yay ; as does Hef Sadir in order to help them grow. Alzandre joins those in favor, as does Laniakea, to help them in their defence, and Numina6 as well, to help them progress. And Rastar votes Yay too, but with a recommendation for social oversight.
A unanimous approval!
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As for smuggling the sentient robot off-planet, you see that not being the discreet group, hiding it would not work, so Laniakea takes the route of deception, to bluff your way past. Numina 6 tries to bolster Laniakea’s choice, but androids are not always the best at poker… no dice this time. However Hef Sadir, who was even ready to gain Infamy to save this sentient robot, does help.
So, although Alzandre is too busy thinking of the scope of archeological studies to be carried out here, to be of any help, of any sort! And despite the fact that Rastar does not seem to care one way or another, you manage to slip the head past the other three Copaxi researchers, who notice nothing.
Speck was there, hanging in the shadows, ready to cast a spell, and then slowly walk along, concentrating so the holographic image disguising the robot would last as long as needed… but it is not needed.
But Speck should be happy to know that this would have worked perfectly.
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You all depart the planet, and see Tabrid Minor disappear in the distance.
Therseis is moved, happy, nervous, to be leaving with you, but you see that he will live up to expectations. Or at least will not give up.
Just as you enter the Drift, you hear—
Oh, no… it is not a fight, it is Trotsky and Lenine, smuggled on board by Numina6, who are trying to help reactivate the robot head by pumping video games into it.
”What? Gaming opened our minds, dude! It has to be of help for this guy!”
_____________
A couple weeks later, after the Drift travel with crazed Copaxi youngsters, followed by days of reports and paperwork, you are all finished, and Venture Captain Arvin gives you your walking papers, and the final assessment: ”A great success, but don’t let it get to your heads!” He then gets a lot more technical:
In the months that follow, your reports are leaked to the media, and Zo! has a whole show about you, which spreads the word of the Starfinder Society’s good judgment to the Copaxis, and many come to Absalom Station, and a handful of Copaxis even try to join the Society!
Will they be accepted? The answer is yours:
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Months later, wherever you are at that moment...
Each of you, independently, is contacted via Comm Link by the Android Abolitionist Front.
"Friend! We have heard about your actions. Thanks to you, Less Than Three has recovered and found a healthy place in society. This is a reward for you, taken from Less Than Three's first pay check."
58 Credits are added to your account.