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A tall, handsome lashunta wearing a floppy hat with a big feather arrives on the scene.
"Aha! A crowd gathers. It is either because I, Mustachio Marino, star of the famous gritty televised serial "Star Ranger Ultra Paradox" was rumored to come to this location, or it is the start of another Starfinder Society adventure. Either way, I am happy to give out autographs."
He turns to FR10R-W4R. "You sir. It is a pleasure for you to meet me. I shall give you my autograph. You insisted, I complied. See that? That is my android speak."
Then he noticed the Ysoki..."Ah! Friend Ears! We are back together again. Surely, there will be no mooning or drinking on this mission, Ears. You must stay professional this time!"
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A tall, lean Vesk enters the room. His scales are dark shades of geen, brown, and black with his claws and spines standing in stark white contrast. With movements that are measured and formal he moves into the room, listening to the Mustachio's exchange.
With a glance to FR10R, "I was summoned by the Exo-Guardians, though the purpose was not stated," his voice lacks much of the lisping and hisssing of most Vesk using Common. With a formal salute, "I am Akkedis Dauðlaus, warrior of the Veskarium. I'm training in special operations, specifically alternative engagement strategies." Akkedis well-cared for heavy armor, carries several gleaming weapons and enough gear to cover a bevy of situations.
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Inside, an augmented host shirren watches a bustling crew move office equipment from several large pallets into a large warehouse, while other workers weld scrap metal to gaps in the warehouse’s walls. The shirren occasionally directs a crew member and makes a note on a datapad. The shirren, Zigvigix, notices their new guests and turns to telepathically project a greeting, especially warm to Akkedis and Mustachio.
Ziggy wears a set of shoulder speakers that blast out sugar-pop music from the band Strawberry Machine Cake. They bounce in place along to the music. “Welcome back! Isn’t this song the best? I’ve been playing it on loop for hours!” Behind the excited shirren, several grizzled-looking station workers, each carrying a side of a heavy-looking holotable, roll their eyes. The Exo-Guardians' leader isn't lying.
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“Thanks for coming — I hope you’ll understand if I keep this brief; we’ve got a lot of work to do to get our new headquarters up and running, and you are on a short timetable. A ysoki salvage barge named the Clutter Collector, captained by a ysoki named Winks, picked up a distress beacon's transmission in the Drift. Winks didn’t have time to check it out, but she sold the data to the Society when she reached Absalom Station. How nice of her!
“Well, it turns out that this beacon came from the Struggle’s Scholar, a kasathan ship that...” Zigvigix pauses for effect as their antennae wiggle excitedly. “...escaped from Sangoro’s Bulwark! If you don’t know, the Bulwark was the old base of operations for the Exo-Guardians. Now, First Seeker Luwazi wisely grounded us from investigating the Bulwark after all contact was lost with it shortly after the Scoured Stars incident, but we can’t pass up this opportunity to learn what happened there. We might even be able to find the coordinates to our missing headquarters. Wouldn’t it be joyous to have a large fortress to play loud music in?”
Ziggy hands over a datapad. “Here are the coordinates of the distress signal. It is unlikely any of the crew survived, or they’d be here by now. So be on the lookout for bodies. Since the crew is mostly kasathas, it would mean a lot to their extended families if you could bring back their remains or keepsakes to the Idari! Otherwise, salvage any data you can — especially the ship’s log — as it could tell us what happened to Sangoro’s Bulwark. This datapad also holds a one-time-use decrypter that will let you decode the Exo-Guardians ciphers used on the distress signal. Good luck!”
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"Why, Captain Ziggy, such a straight forward search and salvage operation will be no trouble for such a....er....ah...experienced? team such as this one. We will be back in no time! Come, friends old and new! To the ship! Captain M. Marino, that's me, will lead us all to victory! Surely you all saw me as the grizzled pirate captain in Live Exploration Extreme! Well, I am even more effective in real life!"
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FR10R stared emotionlessly at Captian Marinio as the Lashunta waxed poetic, when the envoy stopped to take a breath FR10R spoke to Ziggy with his mechanical voice reverberating in echo. "Data recovery is something of a speciality for me. Flesh is weak so you should hold no hope for survivors but I will return their meat sacks if able, to appease the fragile psyche of their familial units."
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Akkedis raises his eye-crest slightly as FR10R-W4R speaks - hmmm, a very direct creature.
When the opportunity presents he asks, "I am not aware of the term Idari? What is this? Is there any record of the Struggle's Scholars purpose or what it was escaping from? How long ago was the ship lost?"
Once everyone has finished their questions, "If all are prepared, shall we begin?"
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A long-haired man, wearing a wide-brimmed and stained hat listens carefully to the Venture Captain. Once he is finished he says, "No problem VC, I am sure the team and I will be able to gather the required information. If there is nothing else, I am ready to get behind the controls of our ship. I was able to smooth talk the techs in installing an upgraded computer in our ship."
Kato begins the walk to the docks. Once they get on the ship he will hop behind the pilot station, unless someone speaks up.
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The shirren fishes a bag of rice candy from their pocket, grabs a few, and tosses over the rest to Akkedis. "The Idari is the kasathan race's world-ship! They aren't originally from around here; the Pact Worlds, that is. But they've been in the area long enough. Most of their kind live there, or have at some point. Closely-knit folk, kasathas. Some will surely have known the crew, and mementos will mean the world to them - and our relations.
"As far as we know, the Struggle's Scholar was on a quick mission to the Bulwark when the place disappeared. We assumed the ship was gone as well, so to find out otherwise - thrilling! That there is a distress call, the crew likely dead - sad!"
Ziggy doesn't look disheartened by this, but the tone of their telepathic voice is a twinge emotional. "Oh yes, which ship will you be wanting? As always, the Drake will help you weather the inevitable danger, while the Pegasus can keep you better informed - perhaps out of that trouble!"
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Then he noticed the Ysoki..."Ah! Friend Ears! We are back together again. Surely, there will be no mooning or drinking on this mission, Ears. You must stay professional this time!"
Ears draws his hands over his ears, then eyes, and off his cheeks, then speaks dryly, "Mustachio, still yourself I see."
"Ears, here. Paring the mission down to essentials: Find the distress signal source. Recover what we can from the Scholar. Return the crew's personal effects."
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Seeing a consensus has been reached, FR10R chooses not to needlessly add his voice. Instead he asks "What stations are each of you flesh units suited for? The computing power of my exocortex far exceeds a meat brain while in the science station, and my vast knowledge of engineering and ship systems allows me to properly diagnose ship errors while in engineering. Although I am nearly perfect I cannot as of yet do both."
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"Do not sell yourself short, Friend Android! You sound extremely competent and capable, thus I believe you entirely. You are a credit to your...er...race? As captain, I shall decide your position. You shall do all the positions except captain of course, and the other weaker members here shall sit in the cargo hold with their seat belts on."
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kato looks at the captain and says "Now I know we need a captain and all but I do not appreciate your pretentious attitude. I will fly this ship and I will fly it in the way that best benefits the team. I will not follow your orders. If I wanted to follow orders, I would have joined the Stewards, not the Society. I will listen to your well thought out analysis and your rationalized opinions but try to boss me around while we are on mission, and you will be looking at the cold side of an air lock, with all due respect captain. Is that clear?" Kato looks directly at Mustachio and then around at the rest of the group to make sure he is well understood.
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Upon hearing this exchange, Ears shoves a fist into one ear. He addresses the other members of the party very quietly, "Don't worry. This is exactly the sort of reaction Mustachio engenders in many people, but he's mostly harmless. Annoying but harmless. Our self-appointed pilot, on the other hand, seems to lack equilibrium on issues of authority. I hope he's as skilled as he is unstable."
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Mustachio looks at Kato for a while, not breaking eye contact any more than Kato breaks eye contact, then pulls out a pen and pad of paper and starts writing in it.
He mutters, "Human pilot...overly confident...disrespects chain of command... two demerits to be given out following completion of mission..."
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Assuming Kato has nothing to say about his demerits so strong that the group dissolves, it is time to be off. The Pegasus is waiting at a nearby dock. Another ship, a freighter called the Promise of the Future, is departing at the same time. Even as both vessels enter the Drift, it hails you.
"Hey there! Starfinders, right?" The face onscreen is green, with massive, luminous eyes - a kalo. "So are we. The Manta Corps, get it? We're embarking on some hush-hush work, but if you wanna chat before we split up..."
The connection remains stable for the next two days before you are too far away from their ship. The Manta Corps consist of:
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Akkedis lets out a bellowing laugh, "An emotionless android... Crazy Lashunta... Boastful human... Tinman, scarecrow and lion! When does ZO! come out with cameras Zigvigix?" Rice candy crumbs fall from his mouth between chuckles.
He clasps Ears on the back as he heads to the door, "No apologies Ears, we can only be who we are. Now, let's all go find a wizard." Akkedis continues to grunt quietly as he makes his way to the ship... "ZO!, Wizard... I must be a flying monkey! This WILL be an excellent time. hahaha..."
As the ship moves through the Drift, Akkedis will engage with the Manta Corp whenever time allows... Trading stories and sharing tactics. He'll also take time to get to know the other team members.
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Ears also spends much of the two days talking with the Manta Corps. He realizes it's best to take advantage of outside social interaction now. No doubt we'l all learn too much about each other during the remainder of the voyage.
When talking with the kalo, he is mostly interested in their home world, and the creatures found thereon. Therefore he always makes himself available when Allugoth is on the line.
Afterward, he asks all the party members if he can take apart their gear. And after working his way through the equipment of everyone who gives permission, he starts 'borrowing' equipment that he was not given permission to disassemble. The equipment is always returned fully assembled, looking very clean, and well lubricated where lubrication is appropriate.
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Mustachio is unceasingly on the comms, in particular trying to get Wavetreader Vhoosh to speak of her experiences.
"Yes, Wavetreader Vhoosh, it is I, Captain M. Marino again on the line... Wondering if you saw that one time I put a snipers bullet in the eye of that Vesk from 1000 yards. The Green Sniper, that is what they called me. Yes, yes, I realize it was a movie, but I did all my own stunts including but not limited to holding a gun and pulling the trigger. The Green Sniper? You really didn't watch A Nest of Trouble? Pah, I bet you haven't killed anyone at all. I have killed thousands, many on screen and 1 or 2 with the Starfinders."
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While performing ship duties, Akkedis moves with a quiet, ordered precision and military formality. He spends a fair amount of time familiarizing himself with the weapons systems on the ship.
During free time, Akkedis is practically jovial. Not much of what he does is quiet, he is often singing old Vesk songs or humming the tunes. He often cracks awkward jokes or tells (what he believes) amusing stories... "Thank you Ears, I don't believe my equipment was this clean when I bought it! Is the Captain always so, energetic?"
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During free time, Akkedis is practically jovial. Not much of what he does is quiet, he is often singing old Vesk songs or humming the tunes. He often cracks awkward jokes or tells (what he believes) amusing stories... "Thank you Ears, I don't believe my equipment was this clean when I bought it! Is the Captain always so, energetic?"
"Unfortunately. On my other mission with him, he was indispensable. We worked with a similarly energetic contact and Mustachio handled him quite adroitly. We had a bit of ship combat too. Mustachio was effective in motivating our crew, but his methods are harsh. I'll be watching to take over the conn if our pilot decides to kill him instead."
"You're very welcome on the equipment, Akkedis. I am trying out a theory that if I familiarize myself with equipment beforehand, I can more easily maximize its output."
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The Bulwark is the only structure on the unknown planet. Left by some ancient race, it is massive, both above ground and in many underground complexes. It bore enormous equipment stores for Starfinders to resupply with on missions, but its location is always encrypted.
Not long after the Scoured Stars incident, an unknown force hit the Bulwark, leaving no survivors or other information - until now,. Not even Luwazi Elsebo knows where it is. Guidance might, but it has ignored any requests to bequeath the information. Some say the area around it in Drift and Material space is prone to strange anomalies.
Suulhu-Huur takes an interest in Akkedis and his obvious strength, sharing a few stories of the Manta Corps' grisly fights on assignment in underwater locales. "...But when it got really intense, I switched on my trident, full-blast! Could've fried us all, but I got that vortex shark first either way."
Alluguoth loosens up slightly at Ears' interest. He mentions how Kalo-Mahoi set the precedent for moons of the Pact Worlds to gain independent membership, and how the kalo are prolific in the fashion and fine art scenes.
"Think what you will. I think I'll enjoy our sparring session." Vhoosh gives Mustachio a borderline wicked grin as she says it.
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Kato spends most of his time plotting courses and ensuring that the ships systems are well functioning. He chats with the crew and they find he is easy to get along with (as long as they don't try to tell him what to do) and has a good time sharing flavored dilute ethanol and playing card games in the evenings.
He goes to visit Mustachio in his quarters, Ears speaks highly of you. I do not know you. You seem to have a way with words but actions are what matter. I have seen many desk jockey officers get better men killed for little more than recognition and possible promotions. If you want my respect, then you need to earn it. Show me you care about more than your ego and self image. Take care of this crew and I will be on your side. Otherwise, well...
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He also chats with Manta Corps. Specifically with the wavetreader and the Deepspeaker. Tell me more about your selves and your mission. Have you heard of anything strange going on in the drift?
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Kato is privy to about the same information as Ears, though likely from different channels.
Alluguoth is on the line. "I haven't heard of anything particularly strange in the Drift lately. There will always be something weird lurking in some corner. As for us?" He heaves a bubbling sigh before continuing. "We're a band of mercenaries, effectively. Employed by the Society, they do good and do us well. More inclined to fight than most kalo. Even me, I'll admit; I have no love of violence but I can and often must partake. When it means bettering ourselves and our positions while keeping our worst selves at bay."
"Good to see you opening up," Vhoosh says, swimming silently into view and surprising her colleague. "He has most of the details right. As for our mission - well, like we said, hush-hush. The more boisterous among us will probably talk to you about it afterwards if we can pull it off. Which would be much more likely were you to keep your hands away from that ridiculous 'Muncher,' Ushuul." She directs the last sentence at the off-screen Mantarider.
"The channel's starting to break down, or so our resident techie says. We'll be out of range shortly, then. Best of luck."
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"Roger that, random mercenaries. Be safe; don't pull any bits of Hell into your ship. M. Marino, out."
Earlier, to Kato. "Wow! Really? You've seen desk jockeys get people killed and get promotions for it? That is interesting. Tell me about these desk jockeys and the proper palms to grease. I have a lingering "legal" situation that could use a bit of help."
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It isn’t much longer before the Promise of the Future moves out of range. The Manta Corps make their friendly goodbyes beforehand, with varying degrees of enthusiasm. It’s another 13 days of Drift travel to the signal’s location. Hopefully tension in the ranks stays normal for that time!
Soon enough, the distress signal is close. The Pegasus drops out of Drift space. The beacon can be seen over viewscreens, its constant digital blinks picked up by your computers. Two other anomalies get your attention before you can do anything. The first, around two dozen asteroids surround the source. They can be flown around without much effort. The second, another ship is already here! It approaches the asteroid field at top speed before stopping outside, on the opposite end from you. Each side is ablaze with three bright thrusters, which resemble the blades of a plasma doshko.
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FR10R Spent most of the time in the drift working alone. He did not try to get to know any of his fellow starfinders nor any of the Manta Corps.
When the Pegasus comes out of Drift space, FR10R takes position at the science station. He quickly runs the ships scanners at the unknown vessel.
"Be warned the Asteroids are reading high levels of explosive molten cores. We should try to avoid them if possible. Also the Unknown vessel is reading significantly lower power signatures then it would appear. I believe the thruster array is merely decorative."
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"Explosive cores...eh? This reminds me of a situation from "The Adventures of Captain Flash and his Drunken Bros" in which I, Mustachio Marino, starred in as Starfighter Pilot #6. In this seminal, very highly related flick, Captain Flash shoots at a fuel vessel to cause a chain reaction that blows up enemy ships. Keep that in mind...let's use these asteroids. And at the same time, don't get too close, eh Pilot sir? That is assuming that this ship goes to attack positions, but I have learned to expect this on Starfinder missions."
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Ears hops from one foot to the other. "Those asteroids aren't natural. Their cores should have cooled long ago on a planetary evolutionary time scale. And their composition is too pure. I believe they may be from the elemental plane of earth. Maybe ripped here as part of a ship's Drift jump."
When the other ship is detected, Ears stares at it.
"They've an overblown sense of style. Those side thrusters can't possibly be effective. There's insufficient structure holding them to the hull to support a real burn."
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Mustachio gets on the comms.
"Hail and good day, unidentified ship. This is the Starship Mustachio, named after me, Captain Mustachio Marino, and I'm sure that name scares the living daylights out of you, because of course at least YOU must have seen me as Starship Pilot #6 in "The Adventures of Captain Flash and his Drunken Bros", even though no one.."...and at this point yells over his shoulders..."in my OWN CREW seems to have seen it. Regardless, unidentified ship, I am sending you my C.V. through the comms as well our good intentions for a nice peaceful, diplomatic talk."
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"The engine flares are for show, the burn resembles the symbol of Damoritosh. A god of my people, who serves war and honor. This is likely a a Vesk ship." Akkedis shares over the comms as he settles into a gunnery position.
Listening to Marino hail the other ship, the Vesk grins "If it is a Vesk ship, I hope they appreciate your bravado as much as I Captain." What slows like a low, quiet laugh follows.
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A vesk's voice comes back over the comm. It starts in his native tongue, before a quick pause and a switch to Common. "Greetings, SS Mustachio! I am Captain Yuluzak of the Honorbound. Are you Starfinders? Your vessel is one of their classic frames. I consider myself an expert in such matters." Yuluzak sounds downright jovial, not at all perturbed by his counterpart.
"Truth be told, I do not bear a mission so glorious or honorable. Our ship scours the Drift for any tech or information of value. But it is still important, as we must investigate all options with which to fight the Swarm and other threats. Our work is necessary, if nothing else! I am curious about your histories as well."
Following any information given, he claps, both in thanks and as a return to business. "We are mandated to return any finds to the Veskarium; this distress beacon, for example. You are here by no coincidence, even in the vastness of the Drift. Per the mettle your captain has shown, you will not back down either, if you even can. So I propose a duel! In this way, neither side will suffer ultimate defeat, among a few other rules to preserve our honor. What say you?"
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Kato is programming potential flight manoeuvres into the ship's computer and is analyzing asteroid orbits making sure when the fight breaks out they will be ready. Thanks Ears. Give me all the juice it's got and I will place the ship right were the gunners need it, and by the way, we are not calling it the SS Mustachio. I vote we call it the Starship lead by the burned-out B list actor Mustachio, or SLBTBOBLAM for short. It rolls of the tongue don't you think. He looks around the bridge to see if what the rest of the crew thinks.
Also the SLBTBOBLAM is ready for combat manoeuvering, Captain.
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Akkedis runs a quick series of tests and powers up the coil gun turret, "Sometimes I miss home! Let us accept, and bring honor to the Starfinders, our ancestors, and ourselves!" Starting with a growl and stomping his foot to keep time, a deep, low singing echoes through the ship.