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The Starfinders, still confused about the situation and divided over the true loyalties of Therseis, take off towards the next site, the Inter-City Transport Station. Flying in from overhead, you can clearly see that at least half of the city's port fell away from the floating landmass in some great catastrophe. Upon landing, walking through the ruins, what you find remaining are a sprawl of checkpoints, landing platforms, and nonfunctional copi-hulled transport vessels.
Near the edge of the city, you stumble upon a stationary telescope.
You sees in the distance a spectacular view of a city similar to Tabantria, sundered into hundreds of pieces that move in a floating spiral. By spending a few minutes looking around, you observe several other cities with similar levels of destruction and instability — some completely upside-down, others on their sides, and all of them broken into many pieces. Clearly, Tabantria is significantly more well-preserved in comparison.
Turning the telescope to the surface of the planet itself, you observe that most of it is covered in sprawling, industrialized urban landscapes and massive, multi-tiered urban farms. Very little wilderness is visible.
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Zez'ka looks around with curiosity.
Focusing on the transport vessels she clacks her mandibles in a laugh. "These vessels have no means of propulsion! And there's no way to steer them, either! Interesting! Ah, and look at these forms! Beautiful but not aerodynamic in the least! Curious!" She thinks for a moment, antennae twitching back and forth. "OH!" she exclaims pointing a finger in the air. "Magic! Magic was used to propel and steer these! Yes! Certain!" With a clap of her hands she adds, "Well, that proves that they did use magic here long ago. Whatever else may be false or fabricated, these vessels are not." After a few moments of silence Zez'ka wonders aloud. "But if they did use magic to power their vessels and cities, why plant fake books on the topic here? Would there not have been real books here? Who did that? And why? Curious! ...Perhaps whatever caused the fall of these cities was something that tore down the magic users. Whatever that was, divine or otherwise, perhaps the survivors destroyed their remains of the magical teachings? But then... Who would have bothered to make new fake ones? Curious! CONFUSED!"
"I feel we have only part of this puzzle. More pieces are needed. Certain!"
Zez'ka approaches the telescope and screams as a mimic devours her eye and looks around. "Oh, how beautiful! Come and look! You can see the other flying cities. They are in much worse shape than this! Oh! That one is upside down! And another is shattered! Fascinated!"
Soon she aims the telescope elsewhere and her antennae droop. "Oh, dear. There is very little wilderness here. So urban. Worried!"
Zez'ka steps away from the telescope. "The natural ecosystems have virtually disappeared. The resulting lack of biodiversity leaves this planet vulnerable to ecological collapse. SAD!"
Zez'ka backs away so others can use the telescope.
Worried!"
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"I think it might be wise to make a trip back to the research station and talk about what we've found in person with the Copaxi. I can't be 100% sure since I've only been in radio contact with them and I might be missing some visual clues, but I have a hunch they are holding something back from us. And from what we've discovered..there's something strange going on here.They might know more then they are telling us."
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Having decided to return to the base camp, the Starfinders return to the shuttle and Chk'tarlsh takes off. It is a short and silent flight, as the Starfinders try to make sense of what has been uncovered so far.
When the shuttle lands, you find Therseis and Panacula waiting for you. Bryanisis is sitting at the research base looking through her notes, glancing up at you shyly. Gnaucara is initially nowhere to be seen, but once you lands, you see him pop his head out of their shuttle before returning back inside.
"You are turning from the Transport Station? What have you found?" Therseis ask rather excitedly, assuming that your return signals a significant find.
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"What?" the soft-spoken copaxi exclaims, for once so loud that Gnaucara pops his head out again, but seeing nothing that interest him, pops his head back again. "How do ..." She does not continue, and instead sits there thinking.
Therseis clearly senses something amiss. They dismisses Panacula to their chores and looking concerned, moves to join Archaius and Bryanisis.
"Is true? He say? Tabrid Minor biodiversity severely damaged! Might collapse!" Therseis looks at the fellow copaxi silently for some time, and sighs in concern. Therseis sits beside his fellow researcher, holding their hand. Although they could have spoken in copaxi, Therseis chooses to speak in Common. "I did not want you, any of you to find out like this. The top level of the Government is aware, hence the extensive funding into conversation and sustainability in recent years but they fear it might be too late." At this point, Therseis turns to Archaius. "This is part of the motivation to approach the Pact Worlds - in the hopes that your more advanced science and technology might be able to help. If so, then there is no need to alarm the population. If not, we just have to keep trying our best." Bryanisis stares at Therseis with an expression that you can't read, then bows their head grimly.
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Savoy tries to get a read on how the Copaxi are responding to our report
..going by body language since he's having trouble reading the expression on their/his face as he's staring at Therseis.
"This is dire news. It might have been better if you would have been upfront about this. I'm sure there would have been people out there who would have wanted to help you, but now I'm sure there are people who will dislike that you have tried to trick the Pact Worlds into letting you join. You do realized that this will end up in our report?"
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"We did not trick the Pact Worlds. Our Government has shared this information with the Stewards as part of our application. I understand though that their intention is to provide your team with as little information as necessary so that you can come to your own independent assessment and recommendations. I did not see the need as I felt it would only have been a matter of time before you figured that out. You just have to look down when the smog clears. But I can only follow along as instructed. As soon as you found out, I would have explained the situation to you." Therseis turns to look at the morose Panacula. "This is one reason why I wanted to go with you alone, to spare the grief of what you discover from the rest of my team."
Therseis then places their hand on Panacula's shoulder and speaks to comfort. "This is not as much a disaster as it seems. We may be able to fix things in time through the hard work of scientists like you. And if not... Did you know that in the Pact Worlds, there is a giant flying spaceship called Idari? Tens of thousands of kasathas live inside it and I've seen pictures from their transmissions. It is filled with extensive greenery and natural life! If they can do it with an unliving metal craft, why can't we who still have our planet? If the worst happens, we will restore the ecosystem. Even if we have to do it ourselves."
Bryanisis looks up up Therseis then turns to look at the Starfinders. Although still mournful, they look somewhat consoled. "I... understand. I ... need time. I won't say now though. To the rest." They get up and retreat back to the living quarters.
Therseis stands to face you. "Is there anything else you wish to ask?"
Throughout this exchange, Savoy senses that Therseis is being truthful. Despite their forthrightness, you do sense a tinge of shame and embarassment over the state of their ecosystem, and how the Government has handled this, and possibly other matters. Compared to when you first met them, and despite how upsetting this exchange must have been, they seem to feel you worthy of trust - that you would not hesitate to uncover the truth. But especially after this encounter, there is some level of wariness.
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Satisfied this isn't going to end with conflict, Burnham decides to chip in hopefully. "There's not just Idari. I grew up in the Diaspora, the asteroid belt. People live on rocks no bigger than Tanbantria surrounded by nothing but hard vacuum. It's a lot like living aboard a ship, but people have lives. You can make it work."
"Therseis is one helluva politician. I'm not worried about a knife in the back anymore, at least not over technical subjects. I'm not as sure about magic and Savoy's and Archaius' backs.
"What do you say to letting Therseis ride shotgun with us tomorrow? I'll keep an eye on him."
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"An' I grew up in a big ol' bank of simulation chambers," Ivan adds. "Their tech made food, environment for us. Later on it started glitchin' out and made big blocks'a meat and poison gas, but that happened because no one was there ta upkeep it."
Later, the dwarf expresses conflicted thoughts on bringing Therseis along. "I'm gettin' less sense that he's cover for incriminating stuff. But now th' higher government seems shady. And who knows what new info we'll stumble into? Still, probably for the best if he comes along, just maybe a bit behind."
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As the others chat about the eco-system, Zez'ka pulls Therseis aside, stares at him, and speaks into his mind. < "You cannot hide your secret communications from me. Tell me, who is it you contact that you do not want your companions or us to see? Curious! I highly recommend you be truthful. I will know if you lie. And your honesty is integral to my assessment. Important! >"
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Chk'tarlsh follows most of the scientific and ecological discussions, but has little experience in such fields.
"It'sh good to hear the truth of the matter," he tells Therseis after the copaxi confirms the Starfinders' observations. "I undersstand the need for our invesstigation to remain unbiassed," he adds, antennae slowly circling. "But it ish a very different thinkh should important detailsh be deliberately hidden."
He agrees with Ivan's suggestion. It will ease our communications. And allow us to keep an eye on him, he sends telepathically to his companions.
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Therseis turns to stare at Zez'ka in alarm, but he calms down after a few moments. "You spoke in my mind! I have read that Shir-Ren and La-Shun-Tas can do that, but experiencing it myself... I'm used to having only one voice in my head." They then study the shirren in concern, and with a tinge of anger, "Do you read my mind also?"
"Anyway, I know not what you speak of. I was not secretly contact anyone." Therseis stops and ponders briefly, then seem to realise what Zez'ka might be referring to. Quickly looking around to make sure none of the other copaxis are looking, they pull out what appears to be a patched-work comm unit. "Uh... I have been tinkering with this with our technology and also with what I could glean of Pact World technology. But the Government might not look kindly at this, so I have kept it from the rest... I hope you can do the same. It is not relevant for your investigations anyway." Therseis quickly stows it away and even should anyone ask, will refuse to bring it out for further inspection.
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Zez'ka 'smiles' at Therseis with a clack of her mandibles and a happy quiver of her antennae. < "No, Friend Therseis. I cannot read your mind. Nor would I want to. All beings have their secrets that they may hold close. Prying would be 'the rude'! I spoke into your mind to preserve your privacy. If you prefer I can revert to audible speech. I do prefer to hear my own voice aloud! Happy!" >
< "Oh, what ingenuity, Friend Therseis! Have you tested it much? You may attempt to contact me on my comm unit with it, if you desire. Oh! You do not want to tell your fellow copaxis? But surely you must have told someone about your delightful device? How else would you test it? Curious! ...I suppose you may keep this being to yourself. I hope they are a good friend to you." >
After a moment of thought Zez'ka tells Therseis mentally, < "We have discovered some anomalies in the sites. A few minor details out of place here and there that have made us suspect someone has tampered with the flying city -- perhaps so that we may find it and uncover false truths. You understand my curiosity with your secret communications now, yes? I do not believe you or your team are the perpetrators who are attempting to deceive us -- if indeed it is us they were trying to trick -- but without knowing more of your people and world it is difficult for us to determine whether many someones or someone acting alone are to blame. I hope you understand why -- in this instance -- knowledge of your current political and social landscape is important to understanding this excavation. Context! Rest assured we will get to the bottom of this mystery and uncover the truth of Tabantria. Confident!" >
With a final nod to Therseis, Zez'ka steps back to rejoin the others. "Friend Therseis, we invite you to join us at the next site we visit that we may benefit from your knowledge -- if you wish to share it. Would you like to come? Curious!"
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"I... I have said too much already. I cannot bias your investigation."
Unaware that Zez'ka is mentally addressing the issue, Burn soldiers on. "Your enthusiasm to keep us unbiased is commendable, but it only applies to our study of Tabantria. You're the only source we have for current events on the planet, unless you want us to drop to the surface and start conducting sentient being on the street interviews. So you can answer the question, or I can make one of two conclusions -- that you don't want to help, or that your government doesn't want you to help."
"I'll even swap questions with you one for one."
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< "Oh, what ingenuity, Friend Therseis! Have you tested it much? You may attempt to contact me on my comm unit with it, if you desire. Oh! You do not want to tell your fellow copaxis? But surely you must have told someone about your delightful device? How else would you test it? Curious! ...I suppose you may keep this being to yourself. I hope they are a good friend to you." >
"I ... uh... test it on my other comm unit... I do not want to discuss this further," Therseis says uncomfortably, looking at the other copaxis in case they draw near.
... "Friend Therseis, we invite you to join us at the next site we visit that we may benefit from your knowledge -- if you wish to share it. Would you like to come? Curious!"
"I... I understand. I would like to uncover our past as well. As would many copaxis. And yes, I would like to come."
"Your enthusiasm to keep us unbiased is commendable, but it only applies to our study of Tabantria. You're the only source we have for current events on the planet, unless you want us to drop to the surface and start conducting sentient being on the street interviews. So you can answer the question, or I can make one of two conclusions -- that you don't want to help, or that your government doesn't want you to help."
"I'll even swap questions with you one for one."
Therseis stiffens and stares back Burn for a few moments silently and expressionless. "The arrangement between my Government and the Stewards was for your team to investigate Tabantria, and that alone. Should you decide to fly down to our planet directly... well, I cannot speak for the Stewards' response but I believe that would lead to a very strong protest from our Government. What I am tasked, and obliged, to share is similarly restricted to what is related to Tabantria itself. I would not have spoken on the ecological situation so openly if you had not confronted my team member so directly, but perhaps it would be better if I had just kept quiet. Whatever conclusions you draw of our world and our people from your investigations is entirely up to you." He then deliberately turns his back on Burn.
"Manners, Friend Burn!" Zez'ka exclaims. "I apologize for him, Friend Therseis. He is 'the rude.' "
"There is no need to apologise. I still have my mission as do you. I understand his eagerness."
"We would be glad to have you along to share the experience and learn from each other. But please be careful. It would make for a very bad sign if you would get hurt while out exploring with us"
Therseis thaws considerably talking to Savoy. "Thank you, I will be glad to learn from you. I am not trained in combat and will try to keep out of your way."
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It was an awkward flight as the Starfinders together with an additional passenger make their way to the next destination, the Gardens. It is a short journey, not enough time to get any serious conversations going. You set down on a clearing and exit the craft, with Therseis following you some distance behind. "Be careful. We were shot at somewhere in the Gardens."
Even from the air, you can see how badly the place is overgrown. Weeds and ugly vines extend along these silent stone pathways. Crumbling statuary and collapsed walls, riddled with bullet holes and scorch marks, stand testament to a great conflict long ago. Dented helmets and battered, rusted vehicles stand in stark contrast to their stone surroundings. Hundreds of grave markers and monuments dot the landscape, each covered in old inscriptions that the years have worn to the point of illegibility.
You wander briefly around the grave markers when suddenly you notice movement to the west, near a broken down fountain. Three figures rises, two wielding old rifles and one holding a deadly-looking spear . They look like copaxis, but badly deteriorated and half-melted ones. Therseis gasps in horror and quickly ducks behind a large gravestone.
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Ivan finds himself a bit exasperated with Therseis and the difficulty of trusting him and his superiors, but stays calm. Upon finding trouble, he swings himself into the horse's saddle with surprising agility and draws a hammer. "Stay back," he says unnecessarily. "Explain later if'n you know what this is."
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It was an awkward flight as the Starfinders together with an additional passenger make their way to the next destination, the Gardens. It is a short journey, not enough time to get any serious conversations going. You set down on a clearing and exit the craft, with Therseis following you some distance behind. "Be careful. We were shot at somewhere in the Gardens."
"If shooting starts, find some cover and watch our backs. We'll keep you safe. Confident." Burn winks at the copaxi.
You wander briefly around the grave markers when suddenly you notice movement to the west, near a broken down fountain. Three figures rises, two wielding old rifles and one holding a deadly-looking spear . They look like copaxis, but badly deteriorated and half-melted ones. Therseis gasps in horror and quickly ducks behind a large gravestone.
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Burn hustles forward, unslinging his reaction cannon.
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"Well, this may prove to be a problem in more ways than one. Our 'enemies', such as they appear, are quite dead. If I am correct, they are resistant to standard non-magic weapons." Archaius looks toward the team as he nods his head toward Therseis. "And I thought we decided to be careful how we handle some...arcane things.
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Noticing Therseis running for cover Savoy is relieved that Therseis most likely won't be getting involved in this combat he asks over his shoulder while drawing a weapon and pointing it in the general direction of the dead creatures
"Therseis they look like copaxis, but badly deteriorated and half-melted. What can you tell us about them? From your reaction you seem to know something about them?"
"Dead doesn't always mean hostile...are they hostile?"
Savoy seems to take a second to consider something
"If these are Copaxi they won't likely speak our language..Therseis can you ask them what they want? Maybe they'll understand you"
" oh..and just in case they are hostile..are you ok with us destroying them? I don't want to get into a blood feud because we destroyed someone beloved ancestor"
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"Come alonhk for the ride," Chk'tarlsh invites Therseis.
"Hold on tight," he advises the copaxi researcher. "To your sseat and your lasst meal," he adds, antennae twitching and snapping his mandibles in amusement.
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Chk'tarlsh looks around the garden, taking in the signs of past battle. Bowing his head in silent respect for the fallen, the moment of deference is interrupted by movement to the west.
Seeing Therseis' reaction, the shirren soldier reacts on instinct, drawing his laser rifle as he moves closer to the cover of the fence.
"Hold your ground! We aren't lookinhk for trouble. We will resspond to any ssign of threat with hosstility," he calls out to the trio.
- - - - -
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Although Archaius has not encountered copaxi undeads before, he assumes that they are similar to regular ones. Undeads are not known to have any particular weaknesses and these do not appear to have any special abilities or attacks beyond being walking corpses. They would thus likely be immune to cold, and many other effects that would typically affect the living.
Therseis has a look of terror and horror on his face. "I've ... I've read of undeads, like in Eox. And heard rumours ... wild stories, that evil magic can bring dead copaxi back to unlife. But ... but this an abomination! Everything within is gone - just the outer copi shells are left! Abominations!"
At this time, you also notice despite the overgrowth plants, there are no signs of any animal life whatsoever.
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"Hello strange, friends!" Zez'ka exclaims with a wave. But, as it Therseis explains that these beings are not simply undead, but soulless shells, Zez'ka's antennae droop. "Ah, they are the maim, murder, and bring great pain kind of undead. Yes, I have fought many of those kind of undead before. Sad!"
Zez'ka hurries outside the fence, drawing her static arc pistol as she moves. Then she fires off a shot at the red undead.
"If there is any intelligence left in you, Sad Copaxis, I beg you to lay down your arms. There is a lovely planet where you can move to and be welcomed! Let us take you there!"
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The undead copaxis are definitely not friendly. They show no signs of understanding what you are saying, as they raise their weapons. A flurry of shots go flying towards them. Most prove rather random, as Ivan, Burn, Savoy and Zez'ka's shots go wild, destroying the gardens even further if that is possible. Chk'tarlsh partly makes up for it with a precise shot that smashes off a large chunk of the leading undead's head but also sets it burning. Archaius follows up with three magical bolts to slam into the same target, knocking off more pieces of it.
The badly damaged undead raises it spear and totters foward a few steps but the fire consumes what's left before it can do much. The other two aim down their rifles and each fire twice in rapid succession at Ivan and Zez'ka in front of them. Ivan is hit once while Zez'ka takes both bullets fired on her.
Therseis meanwhile is cowering behind the large gravestone. There is little danger of them seeing what Archaius, or anyone is doing.