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You are on Absalom Station, having just returned from a mission or enjoying some well-earned time off. But there is no rest for an experienced Starfinder agent these days, and you soon receive a message on your com. Luwazi Elsebo requests your presence for a briefing within the Lorespire Complex. Come immediately.
You rush to the complex, arriving in a familar waiting area outside Luwazi's office. The half-orc secretary grunts at your arrival. "Take a seat, you know the drill. She's got two VIP's in there, and will let me know when she's ready for you." You look over at the row of six chairs, some of which are already occupied by what you assume will be your fellow members of this urgent mission.
Jack takes his seat feeling nervous about being with people he hasn't been with before.
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Duhm Kaoh is seated in one of the chairs already by the time everyone else shows up. He sits with his feet kicked up, and slowly is strumming a bass guitar he is holding.
A behemoth of a Nuar, Duhm Kaoh stands over 8ft tall with his horns. Wearing Hellknight plate armor covered in chains that are tightly welded into the plates, and bearing a large axe strapped to his back.
He just looks over at Jack, and nods. "Sup."
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Entering the room is a male shirren who is tall for his species, standing at just over six foot tall. Dressed in a set of reinforced clothing, they carry a rifle on their back and a small-arm at their waist, as well as a survival knife opposite the gun. Other than their backpack, the only other notable think on them is a nametag on their left shoulder, which reads Klysk. Following them into the room is a small spider-like robot, skittering into the room along the ceiling.
Looking at the two others who have arrived previously, Klysk gives a gentle bob of his head in greeting. With a flick of his antennae, he sends out a telepathic message. Greetings, fellow starfinders! My name is Klysk, and I look forward to working with you on this mission.
Jack not understanding the slang Sup responds with. No I didn't have supper, and I didn't cook anything either.
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Next to a large suit of unoccupied power armor were two individuals sitting there silently with their eyes closed: a robed purple skittermander and a inconspicuous gray android in a barely creased, white sports coat. Both appeared to have metallic badges of upside down ankhs.
After the telepathic introduction, the android's eyes flickered open and looked over the others. "Ah. My mission companions. I am App-L and this is my assistant, Podi. I do pray that you are better equipped to survive without my assistance than previous mission companions. You will need to agree to my terms and conditions in the event of... out of warranty repair."
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An athletic-looking woman enters, sporting short black hair and wearing civilian clothes. Her attire including gray slacks and a black tee shirt with the emblem of a yellow bird marked with a silvered '1' along with a bomber jacket to top it all off. She wears a steel longsword at her side like a trained professional.
She nods towards those assembled. "Godess' blessings. I am Lady Lanius Agria of the Church of Iomedae. But you can call me Shrike. Most people do."
She stops at that, looking over the group and sizing them up. The chain-covered hellknight armor causes her to raise her eyebrow, but she doesn't say anything.
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App-L scowled as he more closely examined the rest waiting for the briefing. "Nyarlathotep... The last time a mystical focus was needed was for a violent exorcism second Second Seeker Jadnura sent us on. I can not imagine that having a diverse pantheon resembled bodes well for why this party composition was assembled for this particular assignment."
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About five minutes after your meeting is supposed to start the door to the First Seeker's office opens and you are invited in.
“You’ve arrived just in time for the briefing. Please, join us,” Luwazi says, indicating the unoccupied chairs across from her. (Which are decidedly not power armor or Nuar sized) “I’m pleased you could make it on such short notice. With agents and resources diverted to other endeavors, I feared it would be difficult to get a team together. Still, it worked out that you were my first choices for this mission.” Luwazi gestures first to the vesk on her right. “This is Captain Yuluzak, of the Veskarium salvage vessel Honorbound.” She turns to indicate the android sitting to her left and continues, “I’m sure you remember Iteration-177. They’ve been indispensable to the Society, especially in helping with our return to the Scoured Stars. It’s time for us to return the favor.”
Luwazi taps the screen of her datapad, and a hologram of a demolished ship appears suspended above the center of the table. “Let’s get you up to speed. Recently, Captain Yuluzak stumbled upon some unusual flotsam in the Drift. Captain?”
“The unidentified vessel was completely destroyed,” Yuluzak begins, taking his lead from Luwazi. “But my crew found a strange object within the wreckage.” The holographic image at the center of the table morphs into an egg-shaped obsidian sculpture ringed by interlinked disks of various metals. “My contact, a local pawn broker named Julzakama, said it was a piece of alien art. He assured us his buyers would pay top dollar for the piece. We logged the location of the wreckage, sold what we could, and called it a day. But it wasn’t that simple. I think Iteration-177 can explain this part better.” Yuluzak waves a claw toward the android.
“Thank you, Yuluzak,” Iteration-177 begins. “When Julzakama reached out to me, I instantly recognized this piece of artwork as unique to the Kreiholm Freehold, a federation of several races that once occupied several worlds in the Scoured Stars system. There are no extant records of the freehold since their mass exodus from that system centuries ago. Discovering evidence of the Kreiholm Freehold is certainly cause for excitement, but the fact that Yuluzak found the piece on a destroyed vessel concerns me. Sadly, I can’t see to this urgent matter myself, so I contacted my friend Luwazi, and here we are.” Iteration-177 folds their hands on the table in front of them and smiles.
Luwazi nods. “Here we are, indeed. If Iteration-177 is correct, the Kreiholm Freehold could provide us with valuable information about the Scoured Stars, and perhaps the jinsuls. Of course, as Starfinders we always jump at the chance to explore a new system. You’ll leave Absalom Station as passengers on the Honorbound with Captain Yuluzak. He’ll retrace his steps back to the Drift wreckage and confirm the ship’s origins, then transport you to that system to investigate.” As Luwazi speaks, the holographic projection cycles through an image of a three-dimensional star chart. “We may be dealing with an unknown alien civilization, so please be diplomatic. “
“To recap: travel to this system, establish contact with their leaders, and find out what intelligence they have to share about the Scoured Stars or jinsuls. Any questions, Starfinders?”
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App-L seemed to relax after the infodump. "Diplomacy is something that we can do. Hopefully we can meet some living mentrasi. But if we encounter jinsuls again, should we continue that tactic or are we allowed to engage with aggressive diplomacy? And if we find another Tear in that system, should we attempt to acquire it?"
Jack holds up a thumbs up, he's got this.
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"I ain't takin' no bull from any Jinsuls if they come my way. I already rescued a lot of Starfinders than budgeted, thanks to those freaks." He puts on his helmet, altering his voice to sound even deeper and reverberated. "Until they come wavin' a white flag, they are getting what they did to us."
To reassure his allies in the room, he adds, "Don't worry. I know how to perform for a new civilization if we encounter a friendly one. This ain't my first rodeo."
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Luwazi chuckles. ”In my experience, the Jinsuls don’t give an option in that regard. I would consider them enemies at first sight.” She shakes her head. ”The first contact with them was, rough.”. Luwazi sighs. “Sadly, this is an area we’ve overlooked in our exuberance to interact with other cultures. We’re not a military or government organization, after all. We don’t have any official rules, but in general, my personal policy is to treat each alien species as a group of potential allies. They had a saying on ancient Golarion: explore, report... and get along. I think that applies to the Freehold, but not the Jinsuls, anymore.”. She nods to Duhm, appreciatively.
At Klysk’s question, Iteration-177 and Luwazi exchange a look. “Precious little,” Iteration-177 explains. “I found no records of contact—military or otherwise—in several centuries of data. Their current location is unknown but is likely an uncharted system somewhere in the Vast. The freehold has no known allies or trade partners.” Yuluzak lets out a hearty chuckle and interjects, “I think what they’re trying to say is, be ready for anything.”
There is a moment of silence, which the vesk breaks. “My contract specifies transport and protective services in space. If enemy ships threaten us, I have your back. Planetside, I’ll keep the engines running for you. But you have full use of my ship’s amenities for the journey. Treat my crew with respect, and they’ll do the same. On the Honorbound, we are family.” He nods, seriously. ”Let me know when you are ready to go.”
Yuluzak is the captain of the Veskarium salvage vessel Honorbound, and he is known for his exemplary degree of professionalism, loyalty, and persistence. Yuluzak observes ancient Veskarium codes of battle with unshakeable resolve, including the custom of the honor duel. A few months back, Yuluzak challenged a group of Starfinders to such a duel. The results greatly shaped his impression of the Society.
He respects strength but does not believe might makes right. Above all else, he values honor and loyalty. The Veskarium, family, and his allies are of the utmost importance to him, and he sees those who would betray such bonds as beneath vermin.
As knowledge of the looming yet still mysterious jinsul threat spreads, Yuluzak reportedly has a dim view on these aggressive beings. He views the jinsuls as opportunistic, dirty fighters with no honor. Yuluzak makes no secret of his desire to fight the jinsuls and triumph.
Yuluzak doesn’t like to talk about it, but he’s estranged from his own biological family after a feud with his sister Karinazak. The core crew of the Honorbound have been a lifeline for him. Yuluzak adopts family wherever he goes, seeing weaker friends as younger clutchmates to be protected, and more capable allies as friendly sibling rivals. Becoming a member of Yuluzak’s extended family is easy for anyone who acts with respect for rules, either planetary laws or a personal moral code.
Jinsuls are chitinous, six-legged creatures with a set of robust forelimbs. Three rows of pincers line their mouths, each with tiny hooks to grasp their prey. Starfinders who battled jinsuls hand-to-hand report that most of the creatures bear a peculiar cybernetic augmentation: long sabers implanted into their first set of legs. The creatures use them with incredible precision and can cause severe bleeding with these blades.
Starfinder agents returning from a top-secret mission into jinsul space added significantly to the Society’s data concerning jinsuls. In addition to their deadly leg blades, some jinsuls are specialized to counter common types of combat training. So far, the Society has encountered anti-operative zealots and has reason to believe that other jinsuls may be skilled in fighting mystics and technomancers.
The Jinsul Hierocracy is a religious and militaristic society that worships an old god from the Scoured Stars system. Their leaders are priests who often command dangerous supernatural or magical abilities. Jinsuls are evil fanatics who cannot be reasoned with.
Jack talks peoples ears off getting information
Now if one of you could go with me to keep an eye out for smart people.
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Ally: Master Hireling Access +15 Bluff/Dip/Int
Faction: Dataphiles Champion
Personal: Devolved
Promotional: Promotional Reroll (OP Shirt)
Social: Izalguun Profiteer
Starship: Defender Of The Fleet
He looked to Shrike and nodded. "I do as well since running into dwarves who lacked the development to speak anything over than dwarf."
App-L gestured dismissively at Podi. "Help Jack out."
"If we have time, I can just plug into Space Wiki and get all relevant info."
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Abysshead Download: A digital copy of the drow albym Abysshead made its way on to one or more of my technological storage devices. When downloaded, the album infects every digitla device I have. While seemingly harmless, the album plays from devices at inopportune times.
Scoured Stars Survivor: When I slot this boon, once per day as a free action, I can reduce the number of Resolve points required to stabilize by 1 (to a min of 0 RP). Whe nI use this ability to stabilize, I also immediately gain 1d6 HP per every 2 character levels I have.
Champion of the Exo-Guardians: Reputation with the Exo-Guardians faction. A character with this boon slotted at the end of a successfully completed scenario gains Reputation as detailed in the primary and secondary success conditions of that scenario.
In addition, once per adventure when you successfully score a critical hit in combat against a significant enemy (Starfinder Core Rulebook 242) or succeed at Life Science check that is written into the adventure, you recover 1 Resolve Point, up to your Resolve Point total.
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The group knows much about the Honorbound and a little about the Jinsul enemy. With questions answered and your mission clear, you prepare to leave.
Once ready, you meet at the Honorbound at the specified time. You take the large green ship in. A typical Veskarium transport ship, it contains three cargo holds, a medical bay, and a recreation suite housing a gym. Captain Yuluzak stands at the bulkhead, waiting with open arms. Behind him stands the crew - a female vesk, a male pahtra and a female skittermander. They all cheer when they see Klysk again. The captain gives the shirren a big hug, and the rest of you handshakes. ”Welcome! Welcome, all! This trip is going to take some time, so let’s get you settled in.” He takes you to your quarters then meets you all in the center living space shortly after takeoff.
”Well, we’re going to be in here for over two weeks so we might as well get to know each other!”. He gestures with an open hand towards the other vesk. ”My first mate, Joyozalva. She’s a lot stronger than she is smart, and she’s pretty smart! If you see a stupid-looking rainbow bug flapping around here, just let it be. It’s her pet, and she’s just obsessed with the thing. “ The other vesk nods to each of you, saving a rude look for the captain.
”Next up is our engineer and cook! Shaakar ain’t no kitten, so don’t go around petting him. If you’ve never been to Vesk-6 before then you should know - a Pahtra’s bite is far worse than his growl.” The captain smirks along with the mechanic, who speaks up. ”Let me know if you have any dietary restrictions. And if you’re into vidgames. Been ages since I’ve had a good opponent on this ship.”
Yuluzak gets around to the skittermander. ”Finally, Suwalnazka. Our ship caster, good luck charm, general help, and wannabe-chaplain. Don’t talk to her against Damaritosh unless you’re ready to debate about it for a few hours.”. The skittermander rolls around the circle and shakes everyone’s hands. ”Don’t listen to him, nu-friends! It’s all in good fun! And besides, I have the best stash of liquor on this here ship! Yepp-yepp!”
Shaakar brings around some dinner and the Captain opens up conversation again. ”So! It has been a long time since Klysk bested us in honorable combat! And I don’t know the rest of you. So, give us a story! Tell us of a grand adventure you’ve conquered! He looks at each of you, obviously wanting a story from each.
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App-L tapped his lip thoughtfully, a mannerism that was completely unnecessary, but was still adopted from someone else. "During the return to the Scoured Stars system, we were attacked in space around Bastiar-7 by a massive jinsul fleet. But instead of engaging in space combat, they somehow boarded the ship. There seemed to be only one appropriate response to the dishonorable act, so I spaced them before they could sabotage anything."
He paused and gave a look at other party members who may have been there that day. "On the plus side, dealing with that quickly meant we were able to have actual space combat and engage with one of their capital ships instead. It was targeting our own carrier, so since we were free, we delayed them so our people could safely escape away."
Did I tell you about the time of the race?
Well, it was a close race, and we were getting dusted in third, up until about three fourths of the way through. We were at a huge disadvantage as we didn't upgrade our ship as well as we wanted too, we sucked at it. In fact in the beginning we were crashing, moving half speed and even getting shot at. Heck, I was the best pilot and I couldn't do much. Then in the last quarter of the race, while everyone is up there, and we still in third then in fourth for a brief moment, everyone else got overconfident and our allies laser blasted our rivals. Everyone started crashing or sliding out of control, even those not far behind us. Finally we just barely took first, and only by probably less than a second difference.
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Duhm Kaoh lights up a cig and takes a big drag from it, then strums his fingers across his bass guitar.
"There was a time long ago, I had to help out a bunch of Drow with taking out their traitors and cheats to the nobility. My team really wanted to do some sort of peaceful, quiet stealth based infiltration crap."
He starts playing a chord.
"Drow came after me left and right, I took no mercy I just kept to the fight.
The boss b%#$@ thought she could break me down, shame she didn't know pain is the best drug around.
I lead the assault with blood on my plate, taking out the weak that I love to hate.
No mercy for them all, even let one run away, the sniper let a bullet travel right through his brains!"
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The captain smiles and laughs along with your stories. "What a group of adventurers! We are glad to share your company on this trip. You know, a band of warriors like you would appreciate this." He reaches behind a seat and pulls out a small black box. "A black force field armor upgrade. I haven't installed it yet, so maybe y'all can borrow it till we get back to the station. Damoritosh knows I don't plan on getting out of this starship and risking my hide. We ain't getting paid enough for that!" He laughs, daring anyone to call him a coward.
The next week passes uneventfully and you mingle with the crew - out of boredom if nothing else. Joyozalva seems rather suspicious of you, but one day you pass the ship's gym and see her inside. She calls out to you brusquely. "Oye! It's tail day, if you're strong enough!" Entering the room, it is a sweltering 100 degrees and the routine is rigorous to say the least. The vesk shows you the moves and laughs as you attempt them. "Never skip tail day."
Most days, when not in the kitchen, Shaakar can be found in his room playing vidgames. Always eager for a new opponent, the pahtra constantly badgers you to play his newest game, Farley's Crossing. If you accept the challenge, he smiles and sets up the complicated VR gear. "Don't worry, mate. You can't be worse than Suwal! That square dances worse than a one-legged formian!"
Suwalnazka spends most of her time on the bridge, staring into the stars or praying. She is happy to debate anything religious and is constantly steering conversations in that direction. Despite her determination she is still quite lovable.
Within the cargo bay is some salvage from the wrecked Ardent Seeker. You can spend a few days studying the wreckage to learn more.
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When it comes to story time, Shrike remains fairly quiet. "It's funny.... The whole reason I'm where I am is because I didn't follow my old merc team in the scoured stars job. My history is a bit more humble than most."
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Shrike responds to Joyozalva's challenge with a grin and a flex. "Well, I don't have a tail, but that doesn't mean I can't kick yours." She does a few stretches as she prepares to show off a little. "Did I ever tell you about the training I underwent for high-G aerial maneuvers? It can get pretty intense."
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"VR Flight sims? I wouldn't mind giving that a shot. I've been picking up some flight training as of late, and I could use a good ass kicking to learn a lesson or two." She dons the gear and engages in the simulation."What was it that my last trainer said? 'If you can pilot the Drake without getting yourself killed, then a jetpack should be no problem.'"
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Shrike makes time to meet with Suwalnazka, joining her in prayer. Happy to debate, she speaks of the merits of Iomedae. "There was a time when I was lost. When those who I cared for were taken from me, and I felt completely helpless in the face of an uncaring universe. But it was then, by fortune, that I found my way to the church. There, I was given purpose. Tales of heroism gifted me with a perspective on my responsibilities to protect others. Training forged my emotions into a keen battle instinct. And then, with the blessings of the goddess, I found the courage to strike back at those who sought to harm us at the battle of the Scoured Stars. Praise be to Iomedae."
She smiles warmly to Suwalnazka. "I serve as a military chaplain. I would have offered to bless the ship before our voyage, but I didn't want to intrude."
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"If no one else has the armor slots for the upgrade, I do. But I'd rather it go to someone else since I am already doing well in the defense department."
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App-L completely ignored the offer for working out because, well, he wasn't biological and couldn't get sick gains the traditional way. That's what the power suit was for. The others struck his interest.
When challenged by Shaakar, he pulled out his grenade and for a daily use during the voyage to summon his pocket monster to distract and entertain Shaakar while he made his attempt at the game. "Had some experience with this as well recently. Apparently, one of our leaders got himself trapped in a simulation. Modded the game to make the final boss manageable."
"I need to download stuff off of the Nexus. RPGs are more my style."
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After failing at the game, he made his way towards the bridge and stared out at the expanse with Suwalnazka. "The universe is mad. Never minding the science on what gravitational problems should arise to a system that suddenly loses a large celestial body. It is absolutely bonkers that the races that lived on a planet that is no longer there go on living their lives as if their home was never that planet to begin with. Understandable, since many of them have not been alive that long, that this new existence is all they know. But for so many to not ask why that is and just accept it is mad. Sure, I assume that many think it is beyond them, but like the Starfinders, the collective can accomplish more than just the one."
He turned back to her and made some effort to emote as he grasped his religious symbol. "To just accept this and be like everyone else, doing absolutely nothing to solve what is arguably the biggest mystery that 'we' have been present for... is completely illogical. It would be irresponsible for me to do anything of the sort. That's why I've turned to divine help as I did. Never mind inspiration to drive and inspire us, Nyarlathotep and secrets are where the true power lies that governs our future."
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The android spent some time in cargo bay, looking at his data screen and trying to reference what had gone with the wreckage with his past field reports and what others had logged that he had downloaded.
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Suwalnazka spends most of her time on the bridge, staring into the stars or praying. She is happy to debate anything religious and is constantly steering conversations in that direction. Despite her determination she is still quite lovable.
Duhm Kaoh engages in debate with Suwalnazka. He discusses the expression of teachings and prayer to the Dark Lord..
... "As the preachings of Zon-Kuthon teach, all pain is meant to deliver a lesson. Either grow to accept the pain, learn to avoid the pain, or die. I grow to accept it, and then convey this in my music that I write. Every song I play is a prayer to the master of pain and chain!"The differences between religions and expressions between them...
... "I don't usually kill anyone who disagrees with me, just the ones that piss me off and choose NOT to surrender. More often, I share with them the teachings of Zon-Kuthon by inflicting serious pain on them."
And what he has learned from other faiths...
... "Look, the followers of Gorum think the best way to handle conflict is by slaughtering everyone in sight until there is nothing left to disagree about. When pain doesn't work to convince someone, their thinking has some merit to it."
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{I'm not the most athletic of individuals, nor do I possess a tail. However, I am always willing to try something new.} Klysk then attempts to work through Joyozalva's workout routine.
{I think I need to go lie down for a while.}
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After recovering from the session in the gym, Klysk will meet up with Shakaar sometime the next day. {Hmm. Farley's Crossing, I don't think that I have gotten to play that yet. Does it have any options to adjust it for those who lack hearing? I should be able to do alright either way.}
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Letting the more devout of the party speak to the ships chaplain, Klysk will head down to the cargo bay. Looking over the salvage, he will attempt to find out as much as he can from it.
Jack takes on as many challenges as possible. I'm feeling good, so good, so good, I've got it. He sings it with each task
+15 to each
But when he goes to study the wreckage very carefully he signs, Whistle while you work
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Joyozalva gets turns up the drow death-punk she’s been listening to and gets to work. Shrike and Jack keep up with the intense work out, doing squats and jumping up on exercise balls to the quick beat. Klysk however, struggles. Ten minutes into the workout the shirren needs to run out of the room, hands over his mouth. He spends the rest of the trip waddling around the ship, having a difficult time walking. After the hour of exercise, Shrike and Joy celebrate the victory – looking over at Jack. The man’s singing has stopped, as he passed out from the work! She shrugs and winks at Shrike. ”Follow me.” She leads you to a chest in the back of the room. ”Anyone who can keep up with me can take care of a good weapon. Take this down to the surface with you. Might help.” She pulls out a yellow star plasma rifle and hands if to Shrike.
One room over, Shrike and App-L struggle to keep up with the odd game mechanics. Klysk and Jack pick up the game with no problem, though! Diving through virtual hoops and taking out Swarm battleships with ease. Shaakar smiles and laughs. "Well done, you two! It’s good to have a challenge, for a change! Let me make you a snack! It’s not all Peak Dew for us gamers, you know!” He takes both challengers to the kitchen where he cooks up a delicious meal from Vesk-6.
Suwalnazka loves the conversations, savoring each one. ”Sarenrae has her heart in the right place, that’s for sure. But her priorities are just wrong! Clearly victory, loyalty and honor are more important than healing and redemption!” The skittermander shakes her head at the silly notion. ”And Nyarlathotep? Really? Surely you want something more clear than that! Who wants a bunch of chaos to guide them?” Suwalnazka gets particularly upset, very passionately debating App-L. ”That is a wise interpretation of Zon-Kuthon’s teachings! Many of his disciples are more intent on the pain than the purpose behind it! The same goes with honor. It is the intent that matters, not that act.” So happy with the conversations, Suwalnazka gifts each participant with a veracity serum and presents the party with a spell ampoule of mystic cure (3rd level).
Down under, most of the party is stumped. Klysk, however, recognizes the damage as that typical with the ships after the most recent Scoured Stars mission. This damage was created by the Jinsuls!
After about sixteen days of travel through the Drift, the Honorbound approaches the scattered wreckage of a ship of unidentified origins. Yuluzak is at the helm, and nods. ”This is the ship we recently salvaged.” It appears the main hull was left behind, and only major pieces of technological relevance were secured. ”This will take a full day, looks like. We need to penetrate the wreckage field and extract coordinates from the ship’s damaged computer—an impossible task had Iteration-177 not provided us with decryption codes.”
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Shrike graciously accepts the gifts for her participation. If no one else is a longarms person, she will take the plasma rifle as a tertiary weapon. However, she'll enthusiastically hand it off to anyone else who wants to use it.
Shrike is more than happy to gear up head out into space, assisting with the salvage.
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You all head out with the crew on the space walk. Welding torches in hand, you make quick work of the wreckage. Within just a few hours you break into the center of the ship to get the black box. Back on the Honorbound, you decrypt them. The recovered files reveal that Ardent Seeker was a military scouting vessel returning from a routine patrol of the nearby region who was ambushed on route. The ship’s destination coordinates point to the nearby Saaruq-Ruaan system.
Captain Yuluzak looks over the coordinates with a frown. "There's nothing out there. Nobody's ever gone." He gives you a toothy smile. "Should be fun!" He drops into the pilot chair and punches in the coordinates. "Strap in!" He slaps the controls and you shoot into the Drift!
It takes another 2 days to reach Saaruq-Ruaan from this part of the Drift. The Honorbound exits the swirl of colors and half-formed images that is the Drift and emerges into open space above a blue-green planet. Numerous ships with designs completely unknown in the Pact Worlds form a protective grid around the world below. Around and above them, hundreds of sleek fighters wheel in tight formations. Three massive rhomboid battleships position their guns to lock on to their targets while smaller black-and-purple ships with triangular frames dart among them, firing mercilessly at their foes. Some of you recognize these as typical Jinsul designs. The Jinsul are attacking this planet!
It’s initially difficult to tell which side has the upper hand, or even how many sides exist, in the chaotic battle. A Drift portal opens near Honorbound’s starboard side, and dozens more of the dark, triangular ships pour through, ignoring Honorbound in favor of other targets closer to the surface. These ships appear to be outnumbered but not outgunned as a flash of light signals a crippling explosion in the side of one of the jinsul battleships.
Captain Yuluzak’s attempts to hail nearby combatants meet with radio silence until a loud burst of static signals an incoming transmission. On the bridge, Captain Yuluzak flips a switch and a frantic message filters through the ship’s intercom. The brief message repeats twice in an unfamiliar language, before playing a third time in perfect Vesk: “Hospital bombed. Ground troops overwhelming our position. Request for immediate aid!”
“Starfinders!” Yuluzak barks, addressing his passengers. “I don’t know what this battle is about, but you want to meet this system’s inhabitants, yes? Someone down there speaks our language, and they need help. If the Veskarium has allies here, it’s our duty to intervene. Honor demands it!”
The distress signal is certainly coming from Saaruq 5. Captain Yuluzak speaks calmly. "I have no desire to rush headlong into a war I know nothing about, but the distress signal is a problem we can help resolve." He orders his crew to prepare for landing on the nearby planet and the three jump into action. He turns to you. "Got a problem with that?"
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The android gave a look at his assistant and the skittermander clapped its two sets of hands together in glee before clambering up to rest on his shoulder. App-L started double checking his weapons and equipment to make sure that everything was ready for use and ease of access. "We are quite prepared for an opportunity to impede jinsul machinations again."
He nodded at Shrike. "If you desire, I can carry the rifle. I have not needed to reload mine outside of the usual charging while we walk. Probability seems higher than normal of that changing today."
I agree to helping them with the distress call, maybe we can find out what the war is about, ask them.
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Shrike stands at attention, her old habits kicking in. "I'll be ready for combat in two minutes, sir. We'll get those people out."
She turns, marching towards the cargo hold where the bulk of her equipment is stored. She nods back as she passes by App-L. "Hang onto it. We can always swap on the field if need be."
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With the planetary defense force distracted by jinsul ships, the Honorbound enters Saaruq 5’s atmosphere uncontested. Shaakar locks onto the message’s exact origin: a hospital on the outskirts of a large city that appears to have endured a recent bombing. It appears that indiscriminate bombing destroyed most of the facility’s southern wing, but left the rest standing. A few jinsul dropships patrol the skies above the area but do not engage the Honorbound. Captain Yuluzak directs his ship to safely land west of the ruined hospital. You all watch the screens to take in the situation.
You notice jinsul patrols surrounding the building. The only visible uncontested entrances are the front door (oddly enough) and entrance to the ruined southern wing of the hospital.
The ship lands only a 5-minute walk away from the hospital, where it will not attract immediate attention from the jinsul patrols. The captain addresses you. ”Well, you’re here to investigate and make friends, right? Seems like a good chance. You lot head out there and do your thing. My crew will keep the ship ready in case the jinsuls get any ideas and attack the ship.”. He smiles, toothily. ”We’ll be ready for ‘em if they do.”
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App-L took the opportunity to look around and didn't appear terribly pleased with what he found. "We need to come from the west or the south. Jinsuls are about everywhere else. Getting into combat when it is unnecessary is foolish. If there are anyone with weapons holed up in there, they may be using the front door as a funnel and shoot anyone coming in. But if we try to breach through the south, then we may cause further damage to the building and the people inside."
His eyes started darting around the area for some sort of cover he could carry to shield himself and the others. "We can just press our luck and walk through the front. Someone inside speaks vesk. I can announce our presence and hope they do not shoot help."
okay we see it anyway