Recorva is able to access the datapad. It holds Dr. Lominn’s everyday administrative records, along with her documentation of the progression of the “illness” within New Elysium. She notes that many guests and staff members, including Filip Kallsner, have experienced hallucinations (with some clear references to the velstrac you faced in the mines), paranoia, and psychosomatic distress. The most recent entries note that all these symptoms have grown much worse: that guests are fighting each other and security personnel, the Buzzblades have taken over the server room, and Filip disappeared into the air ducts. The datapad also has a map of the resort’s facilities section and can serve as a key to access the server, although it can’t do so remotely. Further, it contains access to the medical facilities’ discretionary fund of 4,000 credits, which can be transferred from the datapad to a credstick or another account.
Once the data details are explained, Stefani walks over to where the sonic screamer rests on the floor. She reaches down and hefts it into position. "So, Server Room, then?" she asks in a voice devoid of emotion.
After looking at the rest of the group for a moment, Recorva begins swapping out the battery in her laser rifle, knowing that it only has a few charges left. As she does so, she says "Perhaps we should take a rest before continuing. From what the datapad says, the Buzzblades are in full control of the server room. That means that Lomer, Virlae, Beryldor, and even Yazevloya are probably all corrupted by this signal. As they have had several hours to fortify their position, we will probably want to face them with as much of our potential strength as possible." Glancing at the fallen figure of Rain, she moves over and crouches down next to him. "I also don't particularly want to leave Rain behind, and he is a bit too heavy to drag around as he is currently."
Shabad does not need to rest but she is grateful for a break after the intense battle. "Anybody need medical aid?" she asks before looking at the data on Dr. Lominn's computer. She transfers the medical data to a back-up drive on her computer as insurance against losing it should a stray shot penetrate the device in the fights to come. Then she studies the map.
"I suggest we try to get into the security center next door. If we're lucky, we can use the security cameras to see what's going on in the server room and elsewhere. Then, we can approach the server room from two directions."
With what time remains, she makes some notes on the behavior of the corrupted athlete and security personnel. She carefully takes a blood sample for future study.
"Fine. We rest," Stefani says curtly as she turns one of the chairs up onto its feet and drops herself into it.
As the others set down for a short period or rest, Recorva quickly moves over to the doorway and closes the door. She then performs a quick search through the room for something with which to cover the various bodies scattered around the floor. Once done with that, she takes a seat on the floor next to Rain, getting to work on restoring his minimal functions to working order.
Seeing Recorva begin the work to attempt to restore Rain, Stefani frowns and gets up from her chair.
"Hey," she says quietly, squatting down next to the Strix. "Umm... Is there anything I can do to help?" she asks.
Looking up as Stefani crouches down next to her, Recorva pauses for a moment to think over the request. Rain has been with her for almost nine years by this point in her life, and has been her closest companion and protector for that time. As such, she fells that it is up to her to do as much for him as she can when he is in a state such as this. However, knowing how having something to do can help with getting through various situations...
Recorva spreads out one of her wings, putting it around the human's shoulders in a sort-of hug. "Yes. Here, if you can hold this up," she says, grunting slightly as she pulls back a singed and dented armor plate, "it will make it easier for me to get to his inside components."
Seemingly relieved at being able to help, Stefani nods and does her best to assist where she can.
Shabad finishes her survey of the remains of the people who only a few days ago had been friends and professional members of the resort staff. She clears her throat and speaks to the group as they swap out batteries and repair droids, ”Before we go any farther, I want to say how proud I am of you all. We’ve all been exposed the these shadow transmissions as have the staff and guests, yet you’ve all kept it together through some horrifying experiences. Keep up the good work. I’ve got a feeling we haven’t seen the worst yet. Keep your emotions in check. No unnecessary violence. No gloating or taunting. Everything by the book until we get out of here.”
When you are ready, you move directly to the server room. Cool air blows through this dimly lit room. Banks of computer nodes behind rounded transparent doors occupy most of the chamber. Several lights in the eastern part of the room flicker on, revealing an alcove that contains Filip Kallsner. The halfling is hanging limply from several sets of chains. He is shirtless and patches of skin have been expertly and bloodlessly peeled from his body.
Wanting to avoid hitting her companions again, Stefani drops the screamer to the floor and readies her plasma fork. She then tips her head for Damonkayo to check the body while her eyes move around the room watching for threats.
As Damonkayo approaches Filip, the hulking form of Yazeloya emerges from behind a node near the halfling. She drags a heavy, spiked chain behind her. "There is nothing for you here," she intones. "Nothing but pain."
From behind other server nodes, the remaining Buzzblades appear. Lomer and Virale lurk close to the entrance, blending with the shadows, though their muscles appear atrophied and withered. Beryldor stands close to Yazeloya, cradling a swoop hammer. Bloody gashes are sliced in his cheeks and his mouth has been slashed wide to give him a horrid rictus grin.
Before you can react, Virlae and Lomer move in. The lashunta nimbly clambers up a server node and leaps at Damonkayo, but her blade slashes only empty air. Lomer brandishes their solar weapon, the club glowing brightly as a corona surrounds the android. They rush at Damonkayo, battering him with the weapon.
Stefani flings one of the stickybomb grenades towards Beryldor.
Taking aim at Lomer, Recorva fires two rapid shots at the solarion.
.
Staying in position, Rain enters a defensive posture.
Before the fight begins, Shabad squints at Filip, flips down her camera goggles and shifts to IR. After a moment, she murmurs, "Filip's still alive, barely."
After the shooting starts, Shabad draws her semi-auto pistol and fires off a few rounds at Virlae.
Damon steps back and blasts Lomer with his rifle, then Recorva fires two blasts into the android's chest. Virlae leaps and twists, dodging Shabad's shots. Stefani's grenade entangles Beryldor, but Yazeloya manages to avoid the sticky resin.
Yazeloya howls and rushes forward, slicing Damonkayo with her chains. Shadows pour into the wound, chilling the solarian's veins. Beryldor trudges along after his teammate, staying close to Yazeloya.
Across the room, Filip stirs. His eyes widen and his mouth hangs open as he lets loose a bone-chilling scream!
After what they witnessed in the last room, this is what Xio expected to find in the server room, but the sight of Yazeloya still makes her hesitate. "Yazeloya, stop! You know us! You know you can't beat us!"
Xio's words cause Yazeloya to hesitate a moment, but her expression quickly turns into a sneer. "Maybe not. But we can hurt you."
Virlae misses Damonkayo, but Lomer scores a critical blow! Across the room, Fillip stops screaming and chuckles darkly, staring off into the distance. "She is pleased. Oh, truly, you are her instrument, android..."
Putting excess energy into her shot, Recorva fires a single laser beam at Lomer. She then makes a quick dash around the corner, not wanting to get as pinned down as they had in the previous fight.
Stefani, also, unleashes her weapon on Lomar. Hoping that being this close will ensure a hit, but knowing that in the heat of battle, nothing is assured.
”This is why I suggested we use both doors!” Shabad scolds as the buzzers block the group from moving into the room.
Frustrated at the many allies blocking her line of fire, she again conjures a swarm of nanites around the nearest, healthiest shadow-intoxicated athlete, wishing there were another way.
Plus 5 per turn for the next 2 turns
Damon steps to the side to get out of the flank. He dodges Virlae's knife as he fires on Lomer, but the blast goes wide. Lomer similarly dodges Stefani's point-blank shots, but Recorva's catches him in the gut, leaving him critically wounded. He swings his solar club at the strix as she jets past him, but the mechanic dodges and perches atop the server bank.
Shabad conjures a swarm of nanites around Virlae, eliciting a snarl of pain from the lashunta as they start to melt her flesh.
Yazeloya and Beryldor move in and attack Damonkayo, but the vesk's solar armor keeps him safe from harm!
As Damonkayo is attacked by the Buzzblades, Xio tears her attention away from Yazeloya and calls out to him. "Shake it off, Damon! We've had worse!"
Virlae leaps off the server bank and slashes at Damonkayo again, but once more fails to pierce his armor. Lomer takes a guarded step as their solar club glows with radiant light. The android slams it against the floor, causing a blast of flames to erupt around them, scorching Recorva and Stefani!
"Ah, the dark lady feels your pain. She tastes, it too... It is a delicacy..." Filip intones.
Shabad gives up hope that she'll be able to get past the scrum at the entrance to get some unobstructed shots with her pistol, so he draws out some junk tech gear she keeps for spell material and directs magical energy into it, transforming it into a long sword-like object. It has the shape of a sword, but with some extensions that give it some special properties. While it looks strange, the magic that creates it gives Shabad a smooth ability to wield it and deliver lots of hurt. She keeps her semi-auto in her other hand.
As Damonkayo is attacked by the Buzzblades, Xio tears her attention away from Yazeloya and calls out to him. "Shake it off, Damon! We've had worse!"
Trying to clear the pain from his head, Damon steps backwards, raising his microfusion rifle as he does so.
"You think some creepy shadow midget can show you pain? Try getting old!" The vesk douses Yazeloya, Beryldor, and Lomar with supercharged solar radiation.
"I've about had it with this 'dark lady' b!+*&!##!" Stefani shouts back to the halfling. "Why doesn't she show her face so we can bust her nose in?! 'Cause she's afraid we'll do this to her!"
Revorva crouches slightly on the server to better shield herself from the supernova burst from Lomer, before coming back up to fire at their opponents. She prioritises him first, not wanting to leave him up to do another burst. If her allies have taken him out however, her aim shifts to Yazevloya.
Missing her shot , she then sends instructions to Rain.
Recieveing his instructions from Recorva, Rain activates his Storm Hammer and brings it across in a quick swing towards Yazevloya.
He then readies himself against any blows that may be aimed his way.
As Shabad conjures her junksword, Damonkayo unleashes a blast of radiation that causes Virlae's flesh to bubble and burn. Beryldor interposes himself between the blast and Yazeloya, taking some of the damage for her!
Recorva and Rain miss with their attacks, but Stefani's first shot burns a hole through Lomer's chest! The android falls to the ground, eyes staring blankly at the ceiling above! Her follow-up shot misses the other Buzzblades.
Yazeloya howls and slices at Damonkayo with her chains, his armor barely keeping the icy weapon at bay! Beryldor brings his hammer down on Stefani!
Shabad grips her new sword and concentrates on wounding Yazeloya.
She makes contact but isn't sure if she got past his armor.
"Hey Virlae! Catch!" Xio shouts, a callback to their fight at breakfast; except instead of throwing a non-lethal flash grenade, she shoots the Buzzblade with a laser gun.
"Argh!" Virlae grunts as Xio's laser burns into her. The lashunta sneers. "After I finish the big guy, you're next, sweetheart. I'll cut you open from gut to groin!"
She tries again so slice up Damonkayo with her switchblade, but still can't pierce the solarian's armor!
Shabad's junksword grates against Yazeloya's armor, leaving the vesk unscathed.
Deflecting blows left and right, Damonkayo roars at the pain-possessed Brutaris team. "Come on! I'm a seven-foot tall senior citizen and I'm standing still. HIT ME!"
Aiming her rifle at Yazeloya still, Recorva fires off a pair of shots at the vesk woman.
...and misses terribly with both.
Rain will attempt to hit Yazeloya, bringing his hammer around in a pair of semi-clumsy swings.
...that also both miss.
Stefani targets Beryldor with her weapon.
Damon's blast catches Beryldor and Virlae, wounding both! The lashunta Buzzblade is badly wounded. Recorva and Rain miss, but Stefani lands a solid hit on Beryldor.
Yazeloya follows Damonkayo, swinging ineffectually at him again. Beryldor swings his hammer in a wide arc, completely missing Stefani. The dwarf snarls and steps to follow Yazeloya, continuing to run interference for the vesk.
"Argh!" Virlae grunts as Xio's laser burns into her. The lashunta sneers. "After I finish the big guy, you're next, sweetheart. I'll cut you open from gut to groin!"
"You'll be disappointed! My insides aren't what you'd expect!" the shapeshifter shouts back, gesturing wildly with her laser pistol, and then lines up another shot at Virlae.
Virlae narrowly dodges Xio's laser blast as she launches herself at Damon again. This time, she scores a deep cut!
"Fill the station with a chorus of screams! A sweet symphony of pain!" Filip rants, rattling the chains that hold him up.
Having failed to hit Yazeloya so far, Recorva shifts her aim to Virlae.
Rain, with an enemy no longer in easy reach, leans down and picks up the LFD Screamer that Stefani had dropped to the ground. He then holds, ready to hand it over to her if she wants to use it soon.
Recorva blasts Virlae in the back, and the lashunta goes down hard!
Stefani continues to fire at Beryldor .
Damon snarls at Virlae as she stabs him, only to bark a harsh laugh when Recorva guns her down from behind. Sizing up Yazeloya and Beryldor, the vesk drops his weapon. As the aura around him brightens, he brings both claws up to rend at his solar armor, causing it to erupt in a harsh nova.
"Geez, Damon," Stefani calls out, shielding her eyes with her arm. "You could warn a girl."
"I'm going to check on Filip," Shabad calls out. Shabad advances cautiously toward Filip, pausing midway to scan for traps or other hazards.
Yazeloya dodges some of Damonkayo's supernova, but Beryldor is badly burned. Stefani takes the dwarf down with two shots of her plasma fork!
Shabad approaches Filip, but doesn't see any hidden dangers. The halfling turns towards her with his black-eyed stare. "Ah! Do you see now, Doctor? Do you understand? Her song fills our hearts with darkness..."
Snarling with fury, Yazeloya, the last Buzzblade standing, assaults Damon! He parries her first blow, but the second one slices through his defenses, chilling the solarian!