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Seeing the grenade explode, the undead personality seems to erupt with enthusiasm. "Did you see that! Did you see that! That girl has quite a SHOT!" Light seems to glint off his well-polished teeth. "A SHOT at being a STAR, that is!"
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Feriac approaches Naiaj. “ Good evening. I am Feriac. I am lead to believe that you have an interest in computing technology? I happen to have a set of hacks I programmed for my comms unit that improve it functionality in a few ways. I can share them if you wish.”
Feriac shows Naiaj the display of his comms unit as he demonstrates the features of his hacks, such as an improved word guessing algorithm for quickly creating text messages.
Feriac shows Naiaj the display of his comms unit as he demonstrates the features of his hacks, such as an improved word guessing algorithm for quickly creating text messages.
"Just the sort of competence that I would hope to see among a team of Starfinders." The gnome looks like she is almost about to smile, but then she becomes distracted again by an incoming signal.
Kadef approaches Ykris, or rather its host half-elf. "I hope you are enjoying the evening. As an honored guest, First Seeker Elsebo wanted to be sure that you had a pleasant and productive evening. She's most appreciative of the funding you've been able to secure us from CeriCorp…"
An iridescent, segmented insect clings to the scalp of a cleancut, immaculately dressed half-elf man. Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that many of the creature’s spiny legs pierce the man’s skin and deeply into his flesh, particularly along the base of the man’s skull and down the back of his neck.
As if on command, the half-elf turns to look at the kasathan. After a moment, the mouth of the half-elf opens to speak, "I'm sorry, are you addressing me? You are one of the new Starfinders are you not?"
"I just hope I'll be able to be a help in the field."
Naiaj remains distracted by the data coming over the feed. "I should have known that drow ambassadors would be a difficult to work with. I guess you can't spell "ambassador" without as..."
The gnome glances up from the feed and looks surprised for a moment, her mumbled word cut off in mid-thought. "I'm sorry, recruit. I didn't realize that you were still here, until I heard you mentioning 'the field'."
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"If you will excuse me, captain, there are other people I would like to meet this evening. Perhaps we can talk again later?." Feriac bows politely and makes his way over to Royo.
"Good evening. I am Feriac a new recruit to the society. I was lead to believe you had interests in the sciences. What areas of science interest you? I find the science behind analog devices fascinating myself."
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Kadef approaches Ykris, or rather its host half-elf. "I hope you are enjoying the evening. As an honored guest, First Seeker Elsebo wanted to be sure that you had a pleasant and productive evening. She's most appreciative of the funding you've been able to secure us from CeriCorp…"An iridescent, segmented insect clings to the scalp of a cleancut, immaculately dressed half-elf man. Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that many of the creature’s spiny legs pierce the man’s skin and deeply into his flesh, particularly along the base of the man’s skull and down the back of his neck.
As if on command, the half-elf turns to look at the kasathan. After a moment, the mouth of the half-elf opens to speak, "I'm sorry, are you addressing me? You are one of the new Starfinders are you not?"
Igna and Feriac are unsuccessful in discerning any more information about certain guests.
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Embarrassed by his failure with Ykris, the kasatha retreats to safer ground. He keys the mic to inform the others.
"I am sorry. I was unable to ascertain how we might impress Ykris."
He finds himself less confident and drifting between the small knots of conversation. Remembering his advice from earlier, he decides to engage 'a sympathetic ear' to recover his confidence.
"Venture Captain, Naiaj, might I seek a moment of counsel? Which guest do you think I should approach next? ... And why would that be, sir?"
Kadef really wants to try to read the VC's response and gain a clue to what would impress Naiaj.
"Venture Captain, Naiaj, might I seek a moment of counsel? Which guest do you think I should approach next? ... And why would that be, sir?"
"Luwazi gave you this assignment, so she would certainly be the better one to ask. Though, if she gave you a list of time, I imagine she'd want you to approach each one of them." She looks Kadef in the eye. "When you are out in the field, Starfinder, it is often up to you and your team to make the calls on how exactly to proceed."
The stern exterior of the gnome cracks for a moment and she seems to ease up. "Trust your team. Work together. While I doubt its a good idea for all six of you to descend upon one guest altogether, you might find it useful to move together in smaller groups, especially those of you who may be less confident. Definitely, those with similar interests as your 'target', so to speak, might find it helpful to work together. But really, this is a social event. You would just have to go with the flow."
Or perhaps you would like to hear about an interesting formation of asteroids I observed in the Diaspora.
Feriac goes on to explain how the formation moved through space and that he had never seen that before.
"Well, I can't imagine that there is much to be said..." Royo begins to say, initially being rather dismissive of the artificial life-form. However, as Feriac speaks, it is clear that the android has managed to grab the attention of the circle of scholars surrounding Royo and the elderly ysoki begins listening more intently himself.
Once the android has concluded, Royo stands somewhat stunned, yet manages to say, "Well, those are some rather fascinating insights, indeed! Do tell us more!"
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"Thank you, Venture Captain. I believe that is excellent advice. I will act on it right away."
Kadef heads for the center of the room, talking over comms on the way. "VC Naiaj suggests that we work in groups rather than individually. I was able to discern that he will be impressed by teamwork, angineering, and first class diplomacy."
"Igna, Zo! is quite taken with your athleticism and dexterity. Perhaps I could help you try something really spectacular?"
"Captain Naiaj, what do you think of the newest models of Azimuth laser rifles being made by AbadarCorp that have the built in Friend-or-Foe detection? The design seems to make it much more user friendly for squads, but I wonder how effective it is in a live setting."
"An excellent question, recruit." Naiaj responds, actually looking up from her display. "Initial reports suggest that the prototypes performed quite well, but that the weapons do not perform as well in the field--most likely something in the mass-production process has led to a discernable glitch. But, rest assured, I am working on making sure that our agents have the best tech available. Which reminds me..." The gnome glances back down at the data feed on her pad.
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Igna saunters past Zo!, and then suddenly stops, and stares at a spot above the undead.
"KADEF! Give me a hand!"
Light Halfling Igna jumps up unto the proffered hand, and then onto another, then onto a third, then onto... the fourth Kasatha hand!
From there she does a back flip, and claps her hands over an imaginary fly: "Got it!"
Before dropping to her feet.
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Kadef agrees to Igna's plan and positions himself near Zo! with his back to the undead to make his preparations less obvious. He stoops a little and braces his legs. When Igna asks for his hand, he gives her one, then another, a third, and the fourth, creating a dynamic staircase for the halfling to rise to her launch point.
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With some assistance from her multi-armed companion and by adding her own flair, the halfling manages an impressive display.
Boney palms clamber together at Zo! breaks into applause, "Wonderful!Magnificent!" shouts Zo! "I've heard of one causing another to fly off the handle, but that was the first time I've seen the handling of another to off a fly!"
"Who's to blame for such talent? The Society, I say!" the undead announces through his perma-grin. "This fine pool of talent known as the Starfinder Society has my... undying support!"
The ears of the be-spectacled ysoki seem to perk up, at least initially, as the android begins speaking about the "amazing features" of life. However, as the artificial life-forms provides more clinical details, Royo's interest appears to wane.
When Bisig adds some additional details from his field experience, the scholar openly expresses his disinterest. b]"That is all and good, I suppose."[/b] he says, dismissively, before turning to one of the other guests, "That reminds me, have you heard of the recent rise of a most peculiar sect of Pharasmins that engage in the ritual cutting of tissues and the ceremonial breaking of their own bones prior to the reception of healing magic? Apparently, the sect performs these acts as a form of public worship, which has caused them to gain some traction among some of the more economically depressed neighborhoods on the Station."
There is no unusual chatter on the comm feed.
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Bisig returns to Naiaj and brings up the topic of piloting again.
"Captain, what are some good formations for flying in formation in an atmosphere, assuming your team is flying in fighters as opposed to all being on one ship? Most of my flight experience is out of atmosphere and I'm curious on your opinions of the differences flying in and out of atmosphere.
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Kadef follows Igna back to the other Starfinders. He puts aside the little speech that he had planned to use on Naiaj, and falls into the conversation that Bisig is already developing.
"That's an excellent point, Bisig, that I have never considered. We don't fly atmospheric craft on Idari. Venture Captain, how will the maneuvering asymmetries created by aerodynamic and gravitational forces affect squadron tactics?"
Naiaj looks up from her datafeed in response, carefully explaining the multitude of factors taken into account while entering into and navigating around planetary atmospheres. "You seem to know your stuff, recruits." Naiaj responds, almost cracking a smile. "Together you were able to recognize the many potential pitfalls and provide ready suggestions for means of compensation. Such teamwork will serve you all well in the field, I am sure."
Not long afterward, you each catch a glimpse of Luwazi Elsebo, as she casually summons each of you up to the stage to converse with her. "How does your assignment?" she asks. "How are your interactions with each of the guests proceeding? Do you feel confident that you can sway them each before the event is over?"
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"I was also able to make an inroad with Royo. He seemed very interested in my observations of the Diaspora. However, I was unable to discern any other interests he may have. I also spoke to Iteration-177 and while I wasn't able to make progress with them, I did learn they are interested in religious relics."
"Ah, First Seeker, I feel we are making good inroads with Naiaj as well as Zo!. How much longer is the party going to continue do you think?"
"Inroads?" Luwazi notes with a smile. "I think Zo! made his pleasure with the Society quite well known. As for Naiaj, if you were able to get her to give you anything closely resembling a smile, then I am sure you've won her over."
"As for the length of the party, it is still scheduled to go on for a few more hours, at least." she says with quizzical look. "Are you telling me that you aren't having any fun? Sure, it's not delving into ancient ruins on an alien world or blasting threatening beasts that spawn in the Drift, but it is important work nonetheless."
"I was also able to make an inroad with Royo. He seemed very interested in my observations of the Diaspora. However, I was unable to discern any other interests he may have. I also spoke to Iteration-177 and while I wasn't able to make progress with them, I did learn they are interested in religious relics."
"The ysoki can be a tough, old nut to crack." Luwazi concedes. "He is known the Forum as being pretty set in his ways. In fact, the reason he has to wear those spectacles of his is because he has repeatedly refused corrective surgeries. He complained about the number of days, or even hours, in which he would be unable to read following such a procedure. Don't expect him to be interested in anything that isn't older than his jacket!"
"Iteration-177 is a bit of a mystery even to me. Though a relative newcomer to the Aspis Consortium, it seems that they petitioned that organization to supply the Starfinder Society with funding and resources after the Scoured Stars incident, which helped the Society to survive. Just why they did so and the reason for their interest in the Starfinder Society are unknown." notes the First Seeker. "They always seem to be asking me about upcoming Starfinder missions. I suspect that if you could regale them with tales of Starfinder adventures, they would be certain to show to some interest. But, I might be a little wary about providing too many details."
Igna listens intently to Luwazi Elsebo.
»Is everything else going well for you? »
A little nervous about my speech, I suppose. But otherwise, I am fine." responds Luwazi. "Your success in winning over key guests should make my announcement go over a bit easier."
"The symbiote is an enigma."
"That's a bit of an understatement." Luwazi deadpans. "Jhireu has served as Ykris’s host for nearly a decade—an unusually long tenure given that Ykris can change hosts effortlessly."
"Still, I am sure that you'll be able to glean enough from Ykris to win it over." the elected First Seeker continues. "Ykris has been a valuable aid to rebuilding the Society. A representative of CeriCore Labs, it spends much of its time on Absalom Station lobbying and connecting with agents from other cybernetic and biotech firms, but it has shown a personal interest in the explorations of the Starfinder Society and has lobbied its company to back my efforts to carry the Society forward after the Scoured Stars incident."
"I have full confidence in you, Starfinders." notes Luwazi as she sends you back out onto the floor.
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Igna struts over to Ykris, shrugging her shoulders: "Okay, let's just do this... Starfinders take gambles!"
Arriving in front of the duo Igna tries to bow both before the host and the symbiote ate the same time.
"Greetings Jhireu, greetings Ykris! It is an honor to meet you both who have been together for so long, and are a duo, a team, that is an inspiration to us Starfinders who must cooperate in the field.
Going to the Scoured Stars with such interconnected efficiency is a great help for us, even more than the monetary help and backing you have been bringing us.
I hope we can repay you in kind one day!"
Igna is perspiring, but feels she correctly addressed Ykris... I am good in worm etiquette is her fleeting thought!