The android stares with an unfocused gaze for a while before Sully manages to coax him into speech. The voice that emits from him is airy and slurred "Ah. Where? Something about a medical facility. A cheap memory wipe. After that, everything's hazy. Where am I?" The android shakes his arm, then reaches up to touch the thin slime still dripping from its mouth. "I was- watching? Watching someone else move me. Talk as me." He shudders.
While Sully works with the android, Domak checks the half orc. He finds that she's alive but medically sedated.
----
Khwam easily tackles the computer connected to the generators. He gains access to the 'medical' facility's power grid, but also finds many more confidential records regarding the facility's day to day operation. The total number of patients it processed numbered in the dozens and each one recieved the special 'treatment' of serving as a new host for one of the bodysnatcher oozes. And it’s clear that the Open Collective was in the process of ramping down their operations, having found homes for almost all of their ooze members.
The oozes within the clinic were the last two who had not yet received a host. Unfortunately, the computer has no information on where the remaining oozes and their hosts have gone. There are no addresses, no contact details, nothing.
----
While Khwam uncovers this information, the android's more recent history starts coming back to him. Remembering the oozes momentarily causes him to freeze in horror. Once he clears his thoughts and you explain that you've killed the oozes, he responds "You can't understand how horrible it is to remember this. Those two kids from the Uniters told me about a procedure here for memory alteration. I, I was desperate, and it sounded good. But yesterday when I came here, a friendly shirren doctor explained the procedure and then put me under sedation. The next I knew, something else was controlling me. It had me bring other patients in. Sedate them. And then bring over other oozes from the storage area. This half orc, she was going to be the last one. The last... Host. I'm so glad you found us when you did."
Khwam starts looking for information on green mind-controlling oozes . What he finds is a mix of rumor, superstition and useful fact. He identifies the creatures the party fought as Bodysnatcher Slimes - a type of ooze. These slimes are purported to originate from some kind of foul experiment during the Gap. They consist of an amorphous neural network that both grants them significant intelligence and forms the basis of their capacity to enter and enslave a living or recently dead creature. They're capable of taking the memories and skills of their hosts, making them incredible as fitting in with regular society.
The conspiracy theories and other stories on the infosphere talk of Bodysnatcher slimes stowing away in countless ships and spreading themselves across the Pact Worlds, Veskarium, and beyond. There's even stories of some of the Augmented on Verces willingly accepting Bodysnatcher slimes, seeing the slime as yet another biological modification. But reliable accounts of slimes showing up on Absalom Station are few to none. What you've discovered here is clearly important information!
Furthermore, when Khwam searches the computer in the office, he finds that it contains an annotated list of patients. Each file indicates the date of 'treatment' and the patient's status - either treated, untreated, or rejected. Analyzing the data, you quickly realize that it matches almost one for one with the names from Hurondo's office. One patient in particular catches your attention - a ysoki whose physical description matches that of the foggy-headed fellow you met back outside the Respite. His status is indicated as 'rejected', suggesting he may have gone through "treatment" but isn't currently a host.
----
You give the Open Collective facility another search, but find no more evidence of where the remaining slimes and their hosts could have gone. For now it seems to trail has gone cold.
You wake the half-orc back up and get aid for the android, then get back in contact with Zigvigix. Upon hearing the first details of your report, the shirren becomes horrified. He asks for your group to meet him back at the Lorespire Complex, where he's gone to the Respite to meet with Hurondo.
At the Respite you find Zigvigix, Hurondo and Jiwalla huddled in anxious discussion. Zigvigix turns towards you all and waves a hand in rushed greeting. "Hello, all of you! You've managed to uncover a nightmare scenario. Bodysnatcher slimes! Here on the Station!" the big shirren shivers visibly. "I've contacted the other faction leaders as well as the Stewards. They've dealt with Bodysnatcher slime infiltrations before, though never so close to home. We'll root them out, I know it. I just wish we knew how they managed to get into the Station with so many of their kind in the first place..."
"Regardless, you've done an incredible job. Not only found and rescued Hurondo for us, but brought us critical information for keeping the Station safe. And you managed to protect those folks at the Open Collective from the last two slimes as well! I can only imagine how horrible an experience being enslaved by one of these creatures can be." Zigvigix offers a mental trill of worry for Gulkyn.
The shirren turns to Hurondo and Jiwalla. "Hurondo, we're going to have a lot of people needing help soon. When can we get you back in action here at the Respite?" Hurondo however solemnly shakes his head. He quietly says "I'm afraid I'll be stepping down from running the center. When I think about all those people the bodysnatchers have... all those people I failed to help... I-" He pauses, choked up, and continues more quietly. "I feel like I'm back in the Scoured Stars. I think I might need some time."
Zigvigix nods understandingly, but Jiwalla looks stunned. Eventually she says "Hurondo, I'll do my best. And if you need to join us as a patient, please do." She extends a paw to the shobhad, which he takes gratefully. She adds to the rest of you "This was a horrible thing to uncover. If you'd like to join us at the Respite, you're always welcome, whether as a patient or to help others."
|
"Hurondo, I think Jiwalla is right. Even if you're not directing, stay at Respite. You've done a lot of good there, and I think it will help for you to see that daily."
Outside, with the team,
"Thanks, guys for keeping me safe on my first mission. I appreciate coming through alive. If any of you need a hand on a future mission, just give me a call. "
