Hmm's SFS 1-23: Return to Sender [Outpost II] (Inactive)

Game Master Hmm

Welcome starfarers! Please dot and delete as you join the campaign! Thanks!

Starting us out with some pre-game RP.

You all get a joint summons from both Radaszam and Historia-7.

We may have a mission for you that we will have to explain in person. Please meet up with The Spinneret at Docking Bay 77. We look forward to meeting with you.

A quick search of the infosphere reveals that The Spinneret is a shuttle that belongs to Radazam's mercenary outfit, the Obsidian Spiders. It's a classy looking vessel, but the ysoki crewman who checks you in just checks off each of your names.

"Sorry. I can't say where we're going. It's 'Need to Know' and the boss didn't tell me that you need. Get in, make yourselves comfortable. This is a sweet ride."

It is a sweet ride. Black leather and chrome predominate, but the chairs are really comfortable. As he climbs into the pilot seat, the crewman identifies himself. "Name's Rasca. So, who are all of you? Ever do anything with the Boss that I should know about?"

It doesn’t take long for Zeyram to find the shuttle. By now, he has visited every docking bay on Absalom Station that he is allowed access to.

After showing his ID to the pilot, he asks “Any chance you could show me more of the ship? I’m a pilot myself, and would love a tour of it.”

“I’m Zeyram. If you are a fan of the local junk races, you might have seen when Laboni bit off a bit more than she could chew. I was on the crew that helped her in that race against Rat Rod.”

“Other than that, I don’t think I’ve had any missions directly involving Radaszam. I’m more into exploration and starships.”

Rasca's mouth hangs open. "WAIT. You piloted for Laboni? That race was legendary!" He pumps your hand about three or four times. "Ratrod made the rest of us ysoki look bad. It was time he got his comeuppance." He grins, and then points a hand to the cockpit. "I'd be happy to give you a tour!"

As soon she hears the message, Layla Isabella Béatrice Radermaker Eight who is on her motorcycle abruptly changes to an opposite lane. She drives recklessly by doing slalom around the other cars and even use the environment to jump and to go over them.

That does not go unnoticed by a speed patrol. Rapidly, L.I.B.R.E. is being chased by a plethora of cars and helicopters. A feeling of excitation intoxicates the android as she evades the surveillance and escapes the chase.
She understands why they chased her. Not everybody has the same experience as her. Others could create an accident, but not her.

After a short time, she arrives at docking bay 77. She takes off her black helmet. A cascade of blond hairs falls on her shoulders and she walks toward the shuttle. With her green shirt with long sleeves and the jean, they cover well her circuits and her upgrade slot.
I wonder how many will think I am human.
------
L.I.B.R.E. hears the conversation between the Kasatha and the Ysoki and she decides to intrude.
” Excuse me! I’m Layla. I heard about a visit of this ship? Can I join you?”

Hearing the motor and the skid of the tires, Zeyram turns and looks towards the oncoming cyclist.

Well, someone likes to drive fast!

——

When Layla asks to join them, he cheerfully replies “I don’t mind, but this is a private shuttle. Best ask the pilot.” as he gestures with his lower left hand towards Rasca.

Saying that, he extends his upper right hand to the woman in greeting. “I’m Zeyram. I don’t think we’ve met before.”

Rasco's jaw drops again. "Are you a junk racer too?" Then he remembers to be more professional. "Hmmph. Don't have a Layla, only a L.I.B.R.E. Do you have ID?"

His attention divided between his comms and reading through the gate signage, a broad shouldered and muscular vesk boards as he closes his business call.

He gives a boistrious laugh as he looks over the vessel. "Spinneret ? Right? I must admit, I was expecting something with not even as polish as this. Your systems are more than a little impressive."

There is another moment as he appraises the ship as he tries to shift himself in his armor as his body strains against the heavy suit before the vesk withdraws his own ID for inspection. "Ivok Dracusk.
Personal Trainer, Explorer, and Warrior. Although I suspect the I'm more hear for the latter two."

"I only worked with Radazam the one time dealing with an assassination plot. Messy business but I got off to a running start learning how to disable their weapons from my companions. While is a horrible way to train, I must say matters of life and death offer more than a little encouragement to improve!"

L.I.B.R.E laughs gently and reveals a beautiful smile with white teeth at Rasco while she shows, her ID.

" A junk racer? No, Until very recently, I was just transporting marchandise from a planet to an another. I do have done some races here and there. But, that does not mean I am racer.

As for the name, L.I.B.R.E is an acronym. My full name is Layla Isabella Béatrice Radermaker Eight. You can call me Layla or L.I.B.R.E if you want."

I remember the time I was called Tg-0965. Horrible. I have my own name now.

" Ivok? The Ivok from the Star Team that were part of the rescue mission? I have read the article about you in the Homework!"says with surprise L.I.B.R.E.

But in the picture, he was better looking.

Intrigued by Ivok’s introduction, Zeyram asks “Was the attempt against anyone we would know?” Then he quickly extends his right upper hand in greeting and says “I’m Zeyram, by the way. Nice to meet you.”

Jasper gets his summons while he's in his room. He packs up his supplies and get the next ride up to Dockingbay 77.

He tall male lashunta walks into the Spinneret and introduces himself.

Hello friends, I don't think I've had the pleasure of working with you all in the past but it is great to meet you. Rasca is it? We may have met in the past, I've worked many missions with Radaszam and the Aquisitives.

A vesk riding a loud quadbike pulls up at the dock. A goblin wearing a red bandana and a pirate eye-patch (with a hole in it) jumps off the handlebars and starts pulling the luggage off the cargo rack.

"Yeah this looks like the place - 'The Spinneret'? Obsidian Spiders? I dunno" he asides to the Goblin "I guess they are some kinda drow agrosynth band and this is their tour shuttle. They probably want to do a co-branded Jims Jams special, I can see the appeal for them, hard for kids to get a start nowadays without an established celebrity to help boost the ratings"

"Buddy, you go get the bags stowed and get Buster ready for travel too - he can ride in the hold so he isn't in the way - make sure you put his mounted weaponry on SAFE until we touch down at the other end"

***

With everything in order and the Goblin and the Quadbike going to work, the vesk makes his way to the ID check. Rather than just hand over his ID, he hands over a signed 6"x8" signed promo photo "Big Jim of Jim's Jams" he announces to the Ysoki "That little goblin guy is my buddy Buddy and he's loading Buster, my co-star, into your cargo bay. Nice ship you got here."

He starts looking around for the refreshments area.

A female damaya lashunta steps into the dock, wearing a hooded coat over her stylized armor. A sniper rifle with the number 192 etched onto the side hangs from her back. Her eyes seem to have been replaced with a pair of devices that feature LED dot matrices. The LED dots approximate animated green pupils, articulating her eye movements as well as 'blinking' every now and then.

"Hey hey. I hear there's a job coming up. Real hush-hush. Must be important, eh?" She smiles. "I'm Navia. Navia Grace. If you've heard of me, then I'm not be doing my job right."

Navia boards the ship, followed closely by a little four-legged drone that glides across the floor without a sound. As she takes in the sights, the LED display on Navia's eyes changes to match her brightening expression. "Ohhh, wow. You weren't kidding when you said this was a sweet ride! I think it's about time we travel in style."

The lashunta wastes little time getting comfortable, sitting down and kicking up her feet. She hands off her backpack and her rifle to her drone before sending it away with a dismissive gesture. "Hey Xallis, this might be a long trip. Quick, snag me the best room."

Hearing the Vesk drive up, Zeyram turns around.

He waits until they have boarded, then comes up to the Vesk with his two right hands extended in greeting. “Big Jim! How have you been doing? Been quite a while since we worked together!”

——

When the lashunta shows up, Zeyram offers his upper right hand in greeting. “Hello, I’m Zeyram.”

Ivok sports a small grin thinking about to that mission as he responds to L.I.B.R.E. "Yes, I was proud to be part of that mission. I was just one of many though and I couldn't have done it without them spotting for me. The article was still a good shot to my own business. I got a number of requests for work after that. It has helped in the break between missions."

"Wonderful to meet you Zeyram." The vesk matches Zeyram's grip with an ethusiastic handshake. "Yes, the attack was on Luwazi Elsebo herself. One of many attempts I'm sure but hopefully I left a bit of an impression on anyone else that thought to follow up. I must ask, what you do when you aren't being sent on deadly missions for the Society?"

-

"Ah, Big Jim! Wonderful to be able to work for you. I've seen a great deal of you on the infosphere! You seem to have drawn a great fan base to yourself."

”I must ask, what you do when you aren't being sent on deadly missions for the Society?"

“The Stewards keep me busy.”

“I had dealings with them as I first started my Tempering, and liked what I saw. Not quite as much travel as with the Wayfinders, but they are there protecting civilization. I like to travel, but it is also important that I have someplace to return to!”

"Zeyram! Geez wow! Been a long time since we had that small incident here on Absalom station eh? Glad to see you buddy, obviously keeping well. Any idea what this is all about? They seem hush hush, probably trying to keep it under wraps so some other network doesn't get the jump on their exclusive. Oh well. Did you see if they had peanuts on this ship?"

***
Jim gives Ivok a meaty handshake, the rough hand made even rougher by years of heavy manual labour and working with tools.

"Brother Vesk, pleased to meet a fan" Jim takes a shot on his selfie camera with Ivok and punches it straight onto his Flitter feed (#truefan #Veskbro #keepingitreal #blessed #humble #Bamfordtools #JimsJams #BigJim #Buster #Buddy ) "We will be working together sure, it's going to be great - geez check out the muscles on you - STACKED - lemme guess, you are a personal trainer-influencer with your own multi-level marketing nutritional supplements sideline? It's all about the passive income channels amirite? If you aren't then I have a great agent... we can talk later"

***

Jim gets to greeting the rest of the of the team "Hi folks, Big Jim of Jim's Jams glad to be working with you all, for sure this is going to be great!" - he pauses for photos and hands ou more of the 6"x8" photos.

Rasca greets Jasper and Big Jim like they were old friends. "Jasper, I heard about you! Yeah, you've done a lot of work for Radaszam... " The ysoki also welcomes Navia. "Not everyone appreciates quality! Glad you can."

However, he's absolutely star struck when he meets Big Jim. "Oh, the guys are never gonna believe that I met Big Jim!" He pauses for a selfie with Big Jim and Buster.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

The cabins are comfortable, the food excellent, and once you're in the Drift, Rasca takes time off to socialize with all of you for a bit. You have several days travel to your undisclosed location before Rasca pulls down the shades on all the passenger windows, and glides you in. There's a slight buzzing and a rumble in the ship, but Rasca assures you, "Never mind that. It's always a bit bumpy going through portals, you know?"

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Once at the base, Rasca quickly leads you to your destination -- a high end rented conference room -- and leaves you there. "Good luck, Starfinders. It was nice meeting all of ya! I'm glad you were a lively bunch and not a bunch of stick-in-the-muds."

Radaszam, leader of the Acquisitives faction, stands before a large window in this briefing room, observing small ships come and go through a diminutive blue portal in the distance. As he watches, a hunk of ice emerges from the portal and travels directly toward the base. At the table in the center of the room sits Historia-7, staring at a hologram of a purple starship that does not appear to be of Pact Worlds design. Radaszam turns from the view and addresses the new arrivals. “Greetings, Starfinders. I trust your journey here was relatively peaceful and that the portal did not give you much trouble when docking?”

L.I.B.R.E. shrugs. That travel wasn't that bad. " Not much. Why the briefing is so far?"

Radaszam gives a knowing smile. “I find this asteroid—formed from shards of ice that come from the portal outside—to be a valuable base of operations for the Obsidian Spiders. Proximity to the Plane of Water is useful for many things.”

Historia-7 makes a motion with her hand, and the small purple starship disappears and is replaced by a larger hologram depicting a trinary star system. “Let's get started,” she says, “As you know, over a year ago, a large number of Starfinders were trapped in a trinary star system called the Scoured Stars. However, thanks to diligent work and keen investigation by the Society over the past year, we recently discovered a device that let us take down the barrier and we were able to send in a rescue mission.” She flicks her wrist, and the purple ship reappears, replacing the star system. “However, our rescue mission was interrupted by the arrival of a fleet of alien ships piloted by a race calling themselves the jinsuls. We were not prepared for the overwhelming force of these aggressors."

Historia taps the screen some more, providing a close-up of the ship. “During the incident, we recovered a jinsul starship, and our technicians have spent the last weeks going over the ship from top to bottom. Last week, we finally made a breakthrough: we discovered that this particular ship is programmed to return to an outer shipyard within the Scoured Stars system for prescheduled maintenance.”

Radaszam spreads his arms and grins, revealing long rows of white teeth. “This is where the fun begins. If you don't mind, Historia, this is my favorite part.” He turns to the table, shifting the hologram to an alien starbase with a busy maintenance dock. “This is the station where our jinsul craft is scheduled to dock. We'll use this opportunity to send a message to the rest of the jinsul fleet: the Starfinders and our allies are not a foe to be taken lightly. Now, Historia-7 tells me that since the jinsuls' technology relies so heavily on automation, we'll be able to stow away on the returning craft and board the station without detection. Our mission—yes, Historia and I are going with you—is to clear a path to the primary reactor deep within the base and rig it with explosives.”

Historia-7 illustrates the mission with several animated explosions, and then returns to the original diagrams. “Starfinders, the bomb we are bringing—the jinsul craft's original self-destruct unit—requires onsite modifications to correctly interface with the jinsuls' power reactor. Radaszam and I will remain behind on the spacecraft while you scout a path to the reactor and clear any obstacles. This is an opportunity to investigate jinsul technology firsthand, and whatever you discover could be invaluable on our mission planning regarding the jinsuls. Once you secure safe passage, contact us with your communicators and we'll bring the bomb and set the charges. I imagine we'll need to depart fairly quickly after that to avoid detection. Do you have any questions about your mission?”

On the trip out, Zeyram is friendly and cheerful.

He lets you all know that his technical skills are not the best, but he can usually handle the simpler tasks so that others can concentrate on the big picture. He has trained extensively in zero G and knows quite a bit about starships.

He does warn you of one problem though. “I had an experience that seems to have left a mark on me. If you are bleeding, you will want to stay more than 15’ away from me or the bleeding will be worse.”

Personal Boon: Stain of the Perplexity. When another living creature takes bleed damage while within 15 feet of you, that creature must roll the damage dice twice and take the higher damage result.

“I have some medical training, but I did want to warn all of you.”

——

As he enters the conference room, Zeyram’s eyes immediately lock on to the ship in the hologram. In a distracted manner, he answers Radaszam “Rasca is a good pilot.”

Then he points to the purple ship and blurts out “Who built that?!?”

——

Drawing his eyes away from the hologram, Zeyram asks “Just how much automation do they use?”

Ivok shakes off the shock of seeing such a big celebrity as he tries to avoid tantalizing hooks of wealth Big Jim is leaving. "I deal more on one on one care and building a network of people to help people personally. I tried looking into the nutritional end, but it is hard enough to keep up with the variety of people for one species much less who lives within Veskarium or the Pact Worlds. I'll have my people call your people though, maybe we can still work out something that helps everyone."

---

The plan is nothing but staggering to Ivok as he takes in the full weight of the plan pushes down upon him. "Well I was going to ask why this plan was so secret, given we don't normally leave station without a schedule. What you are saying makes it the reasons obvious, I've charged at things a dozen times what I can lift off the ground and this still feels more dangerous that anything we have sent off to do by far."

He tosses his worries and lets a toothy grin fill his face. "Still, I agree that this seems like a great way to let them know that they don't want us as a sparring partner."

"Automation or not, don't you think they will question an empty ship coming back to them?" Ivok looks over the holographic display looking for details as he warms into the discussion. "On this triathlon of scouting, sabotaging, and falling back, what is the plan to escape? Should the chaos of the explosion cover us or do we need to make sure we have a clear exit as well?"

L.I.B.R.E. jumps into the air when hearing she will have a travel with the faction leaders.

" Oh yes! I am so happy. I will know more about you two! Historia-7, we must have a room for just the two of us! As my junior, they are things you must know!"

She stops for a moment as she lets the others words of historia-7 enter her mind.

The questions Yes! I almost forgot about them!

First, you said we must not be detected... I remember that those are aliens were insects. We don't have shirrens with us. Also, we don't know their langage. I don't think they are written in common! "

What Ivok said, I'm all for the mission but how do we secure ourselves getting to the dock and then also what are we using to get out before we get caught in the explosion

”Thats quite a bold plan, I like it. Could you detail the exit strategy again?”

He does warn you of one problem though. “I had an experience that seems to have left a mark on me. If you are bleeding, you will want to stay more than 15’ away from me or the bleeding will be worse.”

Personal Boon: Stain of the Perplexity. When another living creature takes bleed damage while within 15 feet of you, that creature must roll the damage dice twice and take the higher damage result.

Back on the ship Ivok goes deathly quiet hearing Zeryam's condition. After a sigh and a push forward he shares as well. "I carry a similar scar to Zeryam. Blood flows more easily around me. I don't have medical training, but I will be doing my best to keep my fighting far from all of you to keep any of you from being affected."

Ivok has the same Personal Boon.

Navia continues to be her bright and chipper self, enjoying herself in this floating lap of luxury as they make their way to the destination. She's also happy to chat it up with her fellow starfinders, at least until....

He does warn you of one problem though. “I had an experience that seems to have left a mark on me. If you are bleeding, you will want to stay more than 15’ away from me or the bleeding will be worse.”

"Oh. You were there too?" She clutches her rifle close to her chest, running a finger over the number. "I'm... I'm glad you were able to make it back."

The lashunta excuses herself from the conversation. For the rest of the trip she keeps to herself, staying in her room as much as possible. Her drone is seen around the ship every now and then, fetching her meals or generally stalking around the shadowy corners of the ship.

Navia has the same boon.

------------------------------------------------

Navia listens to the mission briefing, nodding along. She manages a wry little smile. "Really? You'll be tagging along with us? I'm giddy at the thought!" Her lenses display a 7 over one eye and a pixelated vesk's face over the other. "And above all, we get to cause all sorts of mischief for those guys that tried to sucker punch us? I'm in."

She looks over at the others, pursing her lips. "What? We know how to set a timer with enough time to get out on our own. Besides, I'm curious.... just how much of a boom is this thing packing?"

Q & A

Drawing his eyes away from the hologram, Zeyram asks “Just how much automation do they use?”

"Automation or not, don't you think they will question an empty ship coming back to them?" Ivok looks over the holographic display looking for details as he warms into the discussion. "On this triathlon of scouting, sabotaging, and falling back, what is the plan to escape? Should the chaos of the explosion cover us or do we need to make sure we have a clear exit as well?"

“What Ivok said, I'm all for the mission but how do we secure ourselves getting to the dock and then also what are we using to get out before we get caught in the explosion.”

“”That's quite a bold plan, I like it. Could you detail the exit strategy again?”

“I’m hearing a lot of questions about how we exit. Fair enough.” Historia-7 notes. “Yes. Once we're safely docked, we'll disable the autopilot program that brought us there. Timing will be important, but timing is one of my strengths. Once we're done, we'll leave as fast as we can. Once we're out, BOOM. We've been doing some long-distance reconnaissance of the starbase, and I feel confident that we can accurately mimic the flight path of the ships coming in and out of the dock for maintenance.”

She looks over at the others, pursing her lips. "What? We know how to set a timer with enough time to get out on our own. Besides, I'm curious.... just how much of a boom is this thing packing?"

“Enough,” Radaszam and Historia-7 say in unison, and then laugh.

“First, you said we must not be detected... I remember that those are aliens were insects. We don't have shirrens with us. Also, we don't know their language. I don't think they are written in common!"

“You’re not there to treat with them. You’re there to kill them.” Radaszam gets up and paces, big tail thumping as he steps. "They greeted us for the first time with fire and death. They talk and negotiate by murdering our people without mercy. When defeated and offered peace, they 'surrendered' by launching a suicidal attack meant to destroy our flagship. They're fanatics totally dedicated to wiping our society from the galaxy, and they are the closest thing to pure evil that you will encounter outside of the Abyss. If the Devourer of Hope had avatars on this plane, they'd be jinsuls."

Historia-7 nods. “Not being able to read signs might be difficult, but we have very few scholars in the society who can read jinsul. Maybe someday, you can number among them. Besides, shirren can’t talk to them either. Whatever jinsuls are, they weren’t connected to the swarm.” Historia-7 looks at L.I.B.R.E. and says, “Besides, isn’t that what spell gems are for? Comprehend Language and Tongues are invaluable.”

"And if you didn't think to buy them before you left," Radaszam says, "you can purchase some from our Obsidian Spider's quartermaster. I assure you that we keep stuff like that in stock for occasions just like this."

Navia listens to the mission briefing, nodding along. She manages a wry little smile. "Really? You'll be tagging along with us? I'm giddy at the thought!" Her lenses display a 7 over one eye and a pixelated vesk's face over the other. "And above all, we get to cause all sorts of mischief for those guys that tried to sucker punch us? I'm in."[/b]

“Well, not precisely with you every step of the way.” Historia-7 gently corrects. “I'm afraid you're on your own for this one. It's going to take me and Radaszam working together to correctly interface the ship's self-destruct with the station's mainframe. We'll keep the lines of communication open so you can hear us, but we'll keep you on mute unless you specifically call for us. You're experienced, which means we don't just trust you with tougher jobs, but also that we trust you to keep on-the-job banter confidential.”

"Oh yes! I am so happy. I will know more about you two! Historia-7, we must have a room for just the two of us! As my junior, they are things you must know!"

Historia-7 stares blankly before replying. "It'll be cramped in there. There will be no way to arrange such a room." Then she considers, and says bluntly, "My predecessor was also full of suggestions for how I can improve. I was hoping this trip could be a break from such input."

What do you know before you go?

LIFE SCIENCE (RECALL KNOWLEDGE)
Based on the results of a Life Science check, you might know some things about the jinsuls. You learn all of the information below whose DC is less than or equal to the result of their check.

You may now also slot your boons.

And if there's anything you forgot to purchase, the quartermaster at this top secret Obsidian Spider base will be happy to sell it to you!

Jim turns to Buddy - ”Hey little guy, what’s your professional opinion as the production advisor?”

Life Science 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27

The Goblin puts down his jar of pickled tadpoles he was munching on and gives everyone a masterclass on the Jinsul menace. He then goes back to devouring the little delicacies.

”Jeez thanks Buddy, going to have to think on that”

Feel free to read all the spoilers

“This sounds like it is going to be a really challenging expedition.” Reaching into his pack, he pulls out a package with Skyfire Legion iconography on it. “I had expected that might be the case and am glad I called in a favor before coming.”

Looking to Historia-7, Zeyram tries to reassure her. “Only you can decide what is an improvement for yourself. Keep that in mind when listening to the advice of others.”

Looking to Radaszam, he then asks “Is there a reason we are launching the operation from this base?”

Ivok mulls and grinds his fangs a moment as he mulls thoughts together before stating, "Historia-7, it is more than a little out of line, especially after asked for no suggestions, but once we are back on Absalom Station let me know if there is anything I, or any of my contacts, can do to take a bit of that burden from you and give you a real chance to relax. A hike, sauna, anything you want. Because, and apologies again, if this is your break," directing toward the holographic display of the jinsul base, "to infiltrate a hostile base and blowing it back past the Gap, then no one deserves even the briefest chance to relax more than you. Don't consider it a suggestion, but just an offer."

"I remember a lot of the jinsul. Even in the short sets I matched against them. None of them managed to land that serious of a blow on me, but given time I'm sure they would have. Even if they don't communicate it, they are intelligent and well trained warriors."

Turning toward Radaszam, Ivok rubs his hands together as he stretchs his muscles as he begins to warm up to the idea of this assault. "I'm going to take advantage of what your quartermaster has to offer. I'll be armed and ready for whatever these jinsul set up for us."

Purchasing 2 spell gems of comprehend languages, 2 mk 2 stickybomb grenades, 1 mk 2 shock grenade, and 1 mk 2 serum of healing.

"Sneak in, solve any problems, clear a path, strap in a bomb, skedaddle out of there, kick the Jinsul right in the pants" Jim checklists out loud "Sounds great!"

4 x Mk1 Serums

Jim is ready!

"Huh. Those things sound pretty dangerous. In that case..." She points a finger-gun out of the window, her eye screens turning into target reticles. "...it's a good thing I can put one on the brainbox before they get a chance to get anywhere near us."

You, along with Radaszam and Historia-7, all board the recovered jinsul starship. The journey is less-than-comfortable for all involved; everything aboard the cramped ship was designed to meet the needs of jinsul physiology. The dark-blue interior of the ship is dimly lit with glowing purple lights that run in lines along the corridors, which cut away at strange angles through the mazelike interior of the ship.

From the moment Radaszam brings the ship online, the autopilot engages. Without further prompting by the pilot, the ship effortless leaves the docking bay and moves off. With a brief shudder, the ship engages its Drift engine, and the blackness of the world outside is replaced with the aurora of the Drift.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Feel free to tell us what you're doing during the two days of cramped travel, or roleplay amongst yourselves. Those that haven't done so yet, may continue slotting boons or making a couple retroactive last minute purchases.

I'd like to purchase another High Capacity Battery and Long Arms Rounds for a total of 405 Credits

Although always willing to talk to the others, Zeyram spends a portion of his free time exploring the alien vessel. He crawls through the various areas, looking at the alien systems. He doesn’t try to change anything, just wants to know what is where.

He does ask Ivok for more details about the Jinsul. “I missed the big rescue operation, so most of what I know about these Jinsul was given at the mission briefing.” He also works with Ivok on exercises they could do in the cramped quarters.

When with Big Jim, Zeyram asks how he and Buster have been doing. “I’m glad you found a place for Buddy to fit in.” nodding towards the goblin. In a much more amused tone he asks “Do you still have to give him constant lectures on safety?”

He does try to start up a conversation with L.I.B.R.E. comparing the different ships they have piloted and some of the stranger ones they have encountered. He tells them about having fought a starship sized creature in space.

He does try to make small talk with Navia, gently asking “So just how many different augmentations do you have? The eyes are obvious, but given your introduction I suspect you have some that aren’t so obvious,”

He also approaches Jasper, asking “So what is your specialty? You didn’t really say during the trip out or the briefing.”

Jim, Buddy, and Buster get themselves into every nook and cranny of the Jinsul ship. Jim takes copious notes and footage for a future broadcast special - Jim Jams it up the Jinsuls.

“I’m glad you found a place for Buddy to fit in.” nodding towards the goblin. In a much more amused tone he asks “Do you still have to give him constant lectures on safety?”

"Ever since we saved the little guy from the space lions he's been a great member of the team. You can't teach a crab to walk straight, so a goblin is going to be a goblin some days, but that little fella came home and started working on the set of Jim's Jams as a general hand but became completely addicted to binge streaming documentaries on Zo-Flix and how-to videos,now he's a real trivia whiz. He won't ever understand Safety properly, but at least he still has his 'lion killing' salt-water filled water pistol which he can't cause too much trouble with"

Shaking his head, Zeyram admits “Those space lions were nasty! My experiences there convinced me I needed to learn more first aid.”

“That whole trip convinced me I really needed to expand my training. It is embarrassing how unprepared I was for zero-G back then!”

He does try to make small talk with Navia, gently asking “So just how many different augmentations do you have? The eyes are obvious, but given your introduction I suspect you have some that aren’t so obvious,”

Navia seems to be a lot more chatty than earlier. She taps her eye augments from the side, smiling. "Well, not much more than these. Kind of had to happen, since I went blind in an accident. I got replacements installed, but they weren't all that great, so I made my own.

The lashunta flexes her arm. "Besides that, and a couple permenant upgrades to increase mental capacity and reflexes? Not a whole lot. I've thought about getting something put in, but I'd prefer something that I made myself, you know? It just feels more reliable. How about you? Anything from the shop?"

“Cybernetic tendons along with synaptic accelerators to allows me to move faster. I also have a bio mod, allows me to talk to animals.”

“I don’t have the talent to make anything like that, but I did get a good deal on the cybernetic tendons after helping AbadarCorp with a problem they had.”

Layla is sad to not able to tell Historia-7 of all the wisdom she gained from the "thyrst rebellion" she was part of. But that will be in an another time.

During the travel, she talks to Zeyram about the type of trucks she had used since the gap. She describes the models in general term. But with 315 years of trucking, that means you have ride a lot of trucks. Even The legendary X-plod! The that could explode by accident if you open the gloves compartment while the keys where more than 1 meter outside the vehicule as security mesure.

She have also been part of a fight with a space shark. She show him the picture of the corpse.

-------------------
Outside of the interaction with Zeyram, L.I.B.R.E. stays into her room and read her notesbooks from Qabarat University.

I can't believe that you just need to save a professor to be accepted into a prestigious university. If I knew this earlier, i would have search for professors in danger!

This was a new experience for the android woman. To have a diploma at the university of Life is not something you can be proud of.

And I almost refuse it because I thought i was too old for this. There no age for learning!

If someone enters her room they would a chip in the corner of a table.

Ally: Elite hireling Access(set 2. Dip,inti, bluff) Maggie
Faction: Exoguardian faction
Personal:
Promotional:
Social: Pact world defender +2 morale bonus to all adjacents!
Starship:
Slotless:

Ivok has a difficult time on the vessel trying to moderate his desire to remain active as he it constantly itching to move stretch, while also tempting to become such a nuisance that he would be ejected out of an air lock. Still he wakes up early in an effort to do a set of exercises before most are up and moving.

The rest of the time he is referring to articles on physical health for various races, charts reflecting various business matters, and documentation on the machine life on Abbalon.

He does ask Ivok for more details about the Jinsul. “I missed the big rescue operation, so most of what I know about these Jinsul was given at the mission briefing.” He also works with Ivok on exercises they could do in the cramped quarters.

"Can't say much about them as the most conversational one was screeching something as it was trying to stab me through the chest with one of its claws." He tenses up as he thinks on the battle and stretches his arms before relaxing once more. "Hard to get a measure of a people from just the warriors, but they seemed be born and bred for battle. Like some have done in the Society, augmenting themselves with the most deadly arms to be always ready for battle, except almost all of the jinsul are shaped by battle. They remind me of the most devoted of Damoritosh. I can't tell if the jinsul have any code of honor, but I each one I have fought have always pressed toward victory at the cost of their lives."

He sighs as breaks up his focus on the jinsul. "All things considered, the Society has sent me up against worse enemies and I can be thankful for that."

Following that Ivok expresses an interest in any kasatha stretches or meditation techniques that Zeyram might be familiar. "I'm getting more kasatha viewers, but I'm barely able to get any idea off the ground to advice them given I can't get how it feels to outstretch both two pairs of arms away from each other."

Purchasing a 4 more Mk 1 Serums of Healing

Chuckling, Zeyram admits “We always wonder how so many other races get by with only two arms.”

Thinking a moment, Zeyram says “The meditative exercises should work fine. Most of those use nearly identical positioning of the upper and lower arms.” He demonstrates a variety of the solarian exercises he learned on the Idari. Many are minor variants of isometric exercises which Ivok is familiar with.

“The more dynamic exercises are where we often have six points. Even there, you will often have a lot of symmetry.” He demonstrates with a cart wheel, where the upper and lower arms are at different locations on the wheel.

“Pushups tend to alternate arms in a pattern.” When he does these he starts with both upper, then both lower, upper and opposite lower, and on in a sequence. The sequence ends with doing a one handed push up with each arm.

“Climbing, well that is where we always wonder how other races manage it with too few arms...”

He also shows Ivok some of the classical exercises used in solarian training.

“I hope that helps!”

“Cybernetic tendons along with synaptic accelerators to allows me to move faster. I also have a bio mod, allows me to talk to animals.”

“I don’t have the talent to make anything like that, but I did get a good deal on the cybernetic tendons after helping AbadarCorp with a problem they had.”

Navia raises an eyebrow. "Oh, those guys? Funny thing, that. I was on a job around Akiton. Mostly Society stuff. And there happened to be some guy from AbadarCorp in the area up to their own business."

She raises her hand, showing a bare palm before rolling her wrist to reveal a sudden credit stick in her grasp. "Couldn't help myself. They were too easy of a mark. Mission went off without a hitch, but let's just say I'm no longer on their 'preferred customers' list." And with another flick of the wrist, the credits are gone.

Slight of Hand check for funsies: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17

This guy is certainly a tricky one...

“I don’t know anything about your situation on Akiton, but I would think that is the sort of thing that could limit your options in the future.”

With a shrug, he admits “May not be that much of a deal, given how many opportunities there are out there, but I figure you can never have too many friends.”

After two days of travel, the stolen jinsul starship disengages the Drift engine and emerges on the outskirts of the Scoured Stars system. Approaching what briefly appears to be a planetoid, you see that it's not a stellar object—it's a bustling spherical starbase hundreds of miles across. Jinsul starships, some the size of the one captured by the Starfinders, and some many times that size, busily move in and around through the many maintenance and loading docks that dot the outside of the base. As the starship nears the base, a blinding flash of purple light emerges from a docking bay on one of the base's upper quadrants and locks on to the jinsul ship. The ship quakes and trembles for a moment as the autopilot disengages and the starbase's tractor beam slowly brings the starship down toward the docking bay.

Radaszam claps his hands. “Showtime!”

Mechanical arms reach out and grab the starship from the space just outside of the maintenance dock, and the tractor beam disengages. The starship is ferried through a long, rectangular room, past dozens of other identical starships and placed on the ground by doors that seem to lead farther inside. Fully automated robots busily attend to the other starships in the dock, some of which show damage from heavy firefights.

Radaszam gives you a thumbs up and mouths, GO. You slip out and make your way along a corridor until you reach a door with a clear glass pane in the middle.

Everyone but Navia and Zeyram can see through the pane and spot a pair of jinsul mechanics working on a torpedo. What do you do?

I assume you rolled perception. Did Xallis get to roll?