Space is filled with barrages of missiles and beams, but all of the shots directed at you and the Goal Runner miss! The damaged raider fires its aft flak cannons to try to take down the missile, but Stefsni guides it past the flak and right into the raider's stern! Explosions rock the ship as it loses all power! The ship pursuing the Goal Runner just narrowly avoids the shuttle's laser net and Damon's beams!
The other ships attempt to maneuver to advantageous positions.
Sensing the fight was nearly won, Shabad shifts back to the science officer station and directs a scan of the remaining enemy ship. "Let's learn a little bit more about our contestant, shall we Johny?" She says as she works, imitating the host of a popular game show.
"Jackpot!" she exclaims, continuing in the voice of the host, proving that she does not need to speak with the accent of an AI construct. "Let's see what she's won!". She says as she watches her monitor fill with data.
"A little light reading for you," she says over the comm as she forwards the readout on the enemy.
DIASPORAN RAIDER
Tiny fighter
Speed 10; Maneuverability good (turn 1); Drift 2
AC 21; TL 20
HP 40 each; DT —; CT 8
Shields medium 100 (currently 86; forward 21, port 22,starboard 22, aft 21)
Attack (Forward) high explosive missile launcher (4d8), light particle beam (6d6)
Attack (Aft) linked flak throwers (6d4)
Power Core Arcus Heavy (130 PCU); Drift Engine Signal Booster; Systems basic medium-range sensors, extra light weapon mount (aft), mk 3 duonode computer, mk 5 armor, mk 5 defenses; Expansion Bays none
Complement 2
"Recorva, don't worry much about their weapons. Data shows about a 5% chance they can break through our shields. And their shields are evenly distributed, so any side we can hit will crack like an egg if we hit it."
"One omelet coming up!" Stefani calls out as she send another missile flying towards the damaged ship.
Knowing that the two raider ships can do little to harm them, Recorva simply keeps the ship in its same general vicinity. As before, she attempts to preemptively avoid any incoming attacks.
"Good to see you can execute when handed a solid advantage," Damonkayo quips, hiding his praise for Stefani's marksmanship behind a stiff tone, "Let's see how many we need to atomize before the rest give up." Damon swings the turret hard to port, attempting to neutralize the raider glued to the Goal Runner's tail.
Once more all the other ships miss, but your shots are dead on. The particle beams shear through the raider ship and the missile finishes it off in a spectacular explosion! Only one enemy ship remains.
"Well you can plant a big wet kiss on my 'solid advantage', if that's what you want to call it," Stefani laughs back as she feels the thrill only a decimated enemy ship can create.
Noting the position the remaining ship is in, Stefani calls out, "Hey, Damon! Think we should give them a chance to surrender?"
Another missile explodes against the remaining ship's shields.
"Oops! My bad!"
The woman's laughter echoes through the ship.
"Blow that waste of space out of the sky," Xio purrs into the comm, contentedly watching the destruction from the bridge. "At your leisure,"
Activating the reverse thrusters, Revorva moves the ship back a short distance. However, they haven't been worked on in a while, so they only supply minimal thrust. "There. We should be out of there front arc now."
Shabad stays at the science officer station and works on giving Damonkayo every advantage in hitting the last attacker, feeling only the slightest of qualms about the action. If they didn't wise up after their first ship was destroyed, they are fools or seriously evil. Evolution suggests either should be removed from the gene pool.
The missile detonates the raider's shields, blowing them out completely. The pirates are wide open for Damonkayo's particle beams!
"Speaking of solid advantages ... " Stefani shouts out to her Gunnery partner. "No need to thank me, just buy me dinner."
Damon rolls his eyes as he aims the turret...
...and cuts the enemy ship nearly in half!
"Alright, alright, fine! Next time we get to cut up some second-rate pirate ships, you can play with the big guns, Stef."
The two halves of the raider ship spiral in opposite directions. Your comms are flooded with the pirates' curses and the Buzzblades' cheers! "Zazdarovje! Nice shooting, Spirit crew! We owe you one!" says Yazeloya.
A few minutes later, the security ships from New Elysium arrive. A message arrives from one of the New Elysium ships. "Guest vessel, thank you for your assistance. Please proceed to New Elysium. We’ll handle the situation from here."
"Rot on that rock, maggots," answers a scratchy-voiced pirate. "May you join our mates what haunt its innards!"
"Did he say haunt?" Shabad says and checks the playback of the message.
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The playback confirms that he did, in fact, say haunt.
As Dr. Freebairn resumes work, running a scan for survivors while the ship is still in the area, a faint smile plays on her lips and she hums a tune of a melody by a synth-violinist she's fond of, Stell Z-Linn.
"I hope he means that figuratively," Xio mutters.
As they resume their course to New Elysium, she takes a moment to slip into her 'professional' disguise. Her body seems to soften and take on a jelly-like texture as she changes shape; her form stretches, becoming taller and slimmer, and her flesh darkens and loses its unnatural pallor. Straight black hair forms itself into loose curls, becoming several shades lighter as it does so, and angular features become softer and rounder as they slide into position on her face.
She solidifies into the new shape, becoming the spitting image of someone the others know well: their former crew member, and the same person they had caught Xio impersonating several months prior.
Even her voice is different as, poking and prodding at her new face with new fingers, she announces, "I think I finally got the nose right!"
Shabad's scan reveals two life signs among the wreckage of the pirate ships. It seems the security forces will have some prisoners to interrogate later.
The Goal Runner comes up alongside your ship, the pilot waggling its wings as a gesture of friendship. You approach New Elysium's docking area, a multiarmed facility on the side of an enormous asteroid. Above it, built into the spaceborne rock, is a sleek structure with countless windows, as well as a huge, clear dome. A computerized message plays from the comm unit.
"Welcome! Relax, and our automated docking system will guide you in. You'll be ready to disembark shortly."
True to the message, docking takes only a few moments. A mechanical clank and a sharp hiss accompany the station's airlock passageway linking to the ship.
"You are now ready to disembark. Welcome to New Elysium, a plane unto itself among the stars, untouched by sorrow."
The resort's airlock opens onto a short, polished hallway that, in turn, leads to a wider corridor that slopes gently upward. The Absalom Buzzblades emerge into the tunnel opposite you. "Comrades!" shouts Yazeloya, a hulking female vesk with a scar across her snout. She spreads her arms wide, offering a hearty embrace of friendship to anybody who gets within her reach. "It is good to meet you. Allow me to introduce the team! Well, the six of us who could make it, at least. The other seven are still recuperating from our last match!
"There's Beryldor, the new kid!" A strong young dwarf with close-cropped red hair and a trim beard. "Kofehsu, our rear-back." A lithe kasatha with several cybernetic augmentations. "Lomer, the center-back." A short and solidly built android with curly hair and skin the color of bronze with copper accents. "Virlae, our winger!" A female korasha lashunta of fine proportions. "And Zidhil, our forward!" A tall and broad human man with oiled black wavy hair and beard.
When the battle is over, Shabad puts the science and engineering consoles on standby and heads to her room to get what she packed for the stay at the resort. "What a relaxing way to begin a vacation," the android says. Her tone is flat as usual, so it's not clear if she means this seriously or ironically.
Shabad always keeps most of her essential equipment on her, her sheet lightning pistol in a holster at her hip, her computer tucked away into a compartment built into her second skin, with her data jack giving her continuous access. She carries a comm unit which she keeps isolated from her computer to keep viruses from infecting her most important scientific instrument. Also hidden away in her armor is a switchblade.
Her Starfinder backpack, half empty, is waiting on the floor of her room, containing a medkit, some scientific instrument kits, her personal hygiene supplies, a few extra batteries, and a serum of healing for emergencies. She puts the pack over her left shoulder and heads for the main hatch to meet the others. She is momentarily startled to see their old teammate from the expedition that won the group the fine starship they now fly, but then realizes it is Xio in disguise.
As the Buzzblades enter and engage the group in banter, Shabad hangs back and looks them over, avoiding Yazeloya's embrace and merely waves at any of the others who make eye contact. "Happy to help," is all she says.
"I hope he means that figuratively," Xio mutters.
"Knowing our luck, it's a 50/50." Damonkayo snorts derisively as he initiatives the cool-down sequence on the turret weapons.
Before disembarking, the vesk heads back to his personal quarters, stowing his weapons and but keeping his armor, which is easily hidden under a casual shirt displaying tropical flowers and a loose pair of cargo pants. He grabs a weathered backpack (standard Veskarium issue) with a few loose items and heads out, ready to enjoy his vacation.
"Comrades!" shouts Yazeloya, a hulking female vesk with a scar across her snout. She spreads her arms wide, offering a hearty embrace of friendship to anybody who gets within her reach.
Damonkayo goes in for a handshake but is caught in Yazeloya's bear hug. Although he's a good six inches taller than the next tallest crew member of the Spirit, the female vesk is at least that much taller than he, and nearly twice as broad. Laughing despite his generally grumpy nature, Damon greets each of the Buzzblades in turn. "It's nice to see someone fun in this fancy-pants place. I was worried that everyone was gonna be too busy streaming live video of their breakfast to enjoy the damn resort!"
As the two groups mingle, Damon finds an opportunity to pull Yazeloya aside slightly. "So why, exactly, did you have three pirate ships breathin' down your neck? Was someone mad their team lost or somethin'?"
Yazeloya chuckles. "Perhaps. Or perhaps they just saw our shuttle was lightly armed and thought we would make an easy target. At any rate, thanks to your courage and strength, we made it through the attack unscathed. We are in your debt, comrade. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask it of me."
Yazeloya chuckles. "Perhaps. Or perhaps they just saw our shuttle was lightly armed and thought we would make an easy target. At any rate, thanks to your courage and strength, we made it through the attack unscathed. We are in your debt, comrade. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask it of me."
"You hear that, everyone? First round is on the Buzzblades!"
Stefani hops up from the Gunnery seat and spends a few moments bouncing around on the balls of her feet.
"Hell of a way to start a vacation," she comments to no one in particular. It takes a bit before the high of combat begins to dissipate.
"Remember," she says, pointing at Damonkayo. "You owe me dinner."
She returns to her quarters to don her armor and a clean tee shirt over the top of it. She throws her utility coat over the top of the whole thing and grabs the rest of her gear.
At the sight of the female Vesk, she elbows Damon in the side. "Remember what I said before about 'Sweet Talk'," she says.
"You hear that, everyone? First round is on the Buzzblades!"
"I love a man that buys me drinks," she says, giving Zidhil an appraising eye.
Zidhil is an older man, in the early throes of middle age, though he remains muscular and hale. Indeed, he's the second largest of the Buzzblades, only behind Yazelova. He quirks a bemused eyebrow at Stefani. "Indeed? I look forward to getting to know you better, Miss...?"
The urge to correct him with 'Sergeant' rather than 'Miss' pulls at her for just a moment before she beats it back down.
That life is gone.
"Mills. Stefani Mills. But you can call me Stefani," she responds with a wide smile and an outstretched hand.
"Stefani," Zidhil echoes, clasping her outstreched hand. His grip is firm yet surprisingly gentle.
Shabad consults her copy of Traveler's Guide to the Pact Worlds to see what kind of drinks might provide a pleasurable drinking experience for androids, not being someone who normally imbibes strong drink. She marks one that sounds intriguing, the Gravity Lens Cosmo Crush.
Xio happily returns Yazeloya's embrace, lingering in the Vesk's strong arms for a few seconds longer than is entirely proper, and offers each member of the team a handshake.
"Our pleasure," she says. "Mine especially," she adds coyly, meeting Yazeloya's and Virlae's eyes in particular.
Dr. Freebairn rolls her eyes and walks on into the resort, curious to see what the place looks like. "So this is what 'a plane unto itself among the stars, untouched by sorrow' looks like," she thinks. "I expect more than a few of us are bringing sorrows along with swim suits and evening wear. Most problems are portable."
"Care to buy a girl a drink?" Stefani asks Zidhil with a flirty smile.
Yazeloya grins at Xio, and Virlae meets her gaze and offers an enigmatic smile of her own.
Zidhil is about to respond to Stefani when four people stride down the corridor's slight slope. One is a striking verthani man with black eyes, slickly styled dark hair, and an expensive-looking charcoal suit accented with violet matching the illumination on his cybernetic right arm. The other is a halfling of athletic proportions, with conventionally handsome tan skin, curly hair, and trimmed sideburns. He wears dark business attire with a subtle crimson hue. The other two people, both verthani women dressed in black microcord armor, are clearly security personnel or bodyguards. They stand back as the two suited men come closer.
"Fine work you did out there with those pirates," the verthani man says in clipped tones. He nods politely.
"Indeed! Welcome to New Elysium! I'm Filip Kallsner, the resort's host and social manager! It's an honor to have both the Absalom Buzzblades and the famous Dr. Freebairn aboard!"
The verthani turns to Filip. "Everything seems to be in order. I must depart for Verces. I leave things in your capable hands." He shakes the halfling's hand, then turns back to regard you again. "I hope you all have a fine stay here." Then, he and his guards head down a side corridor to a waiting starship.
Returning to her room once the ship docks, Recorva will put on her armor over a fresh t-shirt and pants, leaving the helmet off for now. Leaving her rifle on the ship, she picks up her pack of gear, which includes her knife, and nestles it on her back between her wings. As she walks to the exit ramp, she utilizes her custom rig to message Rain. Come on up to the exit ramp. You may as well get to partake in our vacation as well.
As they meet the Buzzblades, she keeps out of reach of Yazeloya's crushing bear hugs. Of the rest of them, she mainly pays attention to Kofehsu, due to his cybernetic augmentations. She is on the verge of approaching him to ask about them when she notices the four individuals approaching.
Walking out from the engine room of the ship, Rain walks out into the resort on his four legs. Once out there, he stands back from the group slightly, tailing Recorva at a distance of about ten feet, and slightly off to her left side.
Shabad shakes Filip's hand and says, "Thank you for inviting us all. This is the capable crew of Spirit of Lady Lonilai." She gestures to the others as they fraternize with the athletes. "We did not expect we'd have to dust off our guns but when we saw bullies at work, well, we felt it our duty to help. If you need our help investigating the attack, we'll make information available. In fact, I wouldn't mind a word with any of the survivors before they get shipped off to whatever prison pirates like that deserve."
Once pleasantries are exchanged and before Filip leaves the guests to explore the resort, she speaks to him. "Let me know the schedule for the lectures. I'll be happy to give the resort a plug on my blog later. Is there someone I can talk to about the history of the project, someone who knows how things developed from site selection down to room decor?"
Filip nods. "Of course. We'll handle the tedious business of their initial processing, but we'll give you a chance to speak to the pirates tomorrow before we hand them over to the Stewards. And I'll be happy to answer any questions you have about New Elysium's history then as well, once I've seen to all of our guests's needs.
"In the meantime, Paradise Resorts is grateful for your intervening on behalf of the Goal Runner. We'd like to offer to facilitate upgrades to your ship during your time here, free of charge." The halfling makes a few gestures on his datapad. "I've also sent each of you a 5,000-credit gift allowance for use in Elysium's shops or via infosphere with one of Paradise Resorts' many partners."
Damonkayo steps up behind Freebairn's shoulder as she introduces the crew to Filip. When the halfling offers the ship upgrades and the gift allowance, he nods in thanks, not wanting to divert the conversation from the doctor's inquiries.
As they begin to make their way into the resort, Damon nudges Stefani (if she's done flirting by now). "What're ya blowing your 'gift-allowance' on? I'm thinkin' I might get some of these old joints replaced or somethin'."
After the exchange of niceties and rewards, Filip invites you and the Buzzblades to follow him. He talks as you walk. "One reason you've all been invited to our little resort is to be the first to experience an upgrade to our amenities," says Filip. "We have maximized guest comfort by way of software integration. Our Keys to Elysium app is your personal concierge, putting everything we offer at your command with a touch or a word. Here."
Using his datapad, Filip calls up a 3-D icon shaped like a silver key and flicks it. Each of your comm units asks permission to accept the download of a new program.
Filip smiles. "There. Now, anything you want here at the resort is as close as your comm unit. Your free stay is predicated on you using the app and allowing it to send us relevant data. You can also use it to send us feedback in real time and, if you like, anonymously. We're sure you'll love it. You can give the virtual personality any name you wish and it will respond, though it defaults to 'Keys.' The app is voice-activated, so simply ask for whatever you need, like so.
"Keys, please allow our guests to choose their rooms."
The program chimes pleasantly. "Yes, Filip," responds a cheerful, androgynous voice. The app then offers you a choice of rooms, presenting you various configurations, such as suites or individual lodgings, as well as opportunities to reside together or have accommodations close to one another. It also prompts you to configure any settings, such as the name it will respond to and whether it should respond with text or voice.
As they begin to make their way into the resort, Damon nudges Stefani (if she's done flirting by now). "What're ya blowing your 'gift-allowance' on? I'm thinkin' I might get some of these old joints replaced or somethin'."
"Since it's 'fall-outta-the-sky' creds, I might just get something cosmetic," Stefani responds with a suggestive grin.
When the comm unit application is introduced, Stefani looks at it suspiciously. "I'm not going to start getting tons of messages about 'generic herbal supplements' once I do this, right?"
She looks at Filip with a half-joking frown. "I mean, I've fallen for that before. No plans to do it again."
Filip chuckles. "Well, you will see some advertisements pop up when you visit the marketplace or watch entertainment in the resort. The app will customize those ads to offer something you might like, based on your demographic information. But I assure you they will be subtle and unobtrusive."
"'subtle and unobtrusive'... yeah, I've heard that before as well. We'll see," Stefani says before pressing the control on her comm unit to accept the application.
Xio, still in her disguised shape, eyes the program suspiciously. "And you said it can be anonymous? Completely?"
"Of course. Nobody ever need know who you are," Filip says, oblivious to the irony of the statement.
Shabad eyes the keys rotating on her comm unit waiting for permission to download unknown software to her system. She's very protective of her personal computer and never links it directly to anything that she has not thoroughly tested for viruses, which is why she keeps a comm unit for trivial connections. Still she is cautious and accepts the program with a telepathic message and makes a note not to connect her datajack to her comm unit while here.
She watches as information about the resort populates various parts of the screen. Since she's here in part to schmooze for sponsors interested in funding her research, she uses her real name when necessary. She does not, however, talk to the unit or give it a cute name, preferring to send instructions telepathically. As an android, she's not as amused as some folk are with programs that imitate a person.
"Let's get rooms in the same area. I think I'd prefer my own room, if you don't mind. I wouldn't want to get in the way of anyone's fun." She gives Xio and Stefani a glance and a wink. "What are our choice of views?"
Damonkayo grunts as the silver key appears on the comm unit mounted in the inner forearm of his armor. Flicking to accept it without another thought, he selects a room close to Shabad's. The room isn't particularly large, but it does have an expansive window looking out into space. His only adjustment to the settings is to mute the chattering voice in favor of text readouts.
Xio shrugs and downloads the program.
"Separate rooms are a must," she agrees, nodding to Shabad, and begins looking through the selection. She eventually chooses one close by the others, fully equipped with a large bed, full-length mirror, and jacuzzi tub.
She smirks as she moves on to the virtual personality's personalization options, presumably changing its name to something rude.
The app indicates most suites have a great view of the space around the asteroid, though there are interior rooms available if you would prefer. After some debate, the Buzzblades decide on two adjoining suites. Once you have made your selections, Filip leads you into the resort proper.
An extensive domed area opens ahead, replete with smells of fresh water, grass, and honeysuckle. The dome overhead mimics a partially cloudy sunset sky, lighting a broad meadow interspersed with trees, a creek, and a pond. Other guests lounge or play in the park. To the rear of the park is a gigantic cliff around a cave, which has a waterfall on its back wall.
Filip turns and smiles. "Welcome to Green Fields, the resort's park, with an Absalom-standard day-to-night ratio. Our asteroid rotates slowly, so the sun isn't visible through the dome during our night phase, but the River Between is. Green Fields has everything, from swimming to a trail we call the Loop. Even a bar in the Grotto there! Traversing the Loop takes you all the way around the facility with a spectacular view the whole time!"
He laughs. "Sorry, my enthusiasm is running away with me. Keys to Elysium can provide you details on our amenities. You can also use it to contact me or other resort staff. If there's nothing else, I'll leave you to enjoy your evening."
With that, the halfling nods and begins to walk away. He passes by a willowy half-elf woman with long silver hair who is tending to the plants. "Good evening, Vori!" he says with a wave.
"Oh, good evening, Filip," the woman replies with a nod before returning to her work.
Your Keys app beeps and displays a message reminding you of the welcome gala tomorrow night at 6:00 PM. With a tinny trumpeting noise, it begins a celebratory countdown to the big event. Until then, you have free run of the resort.