GM Crunch and the Cries From the Drift (Inactive)

Game Master Saving Cap'n Crunch

"Anyone else want a go with this? Kato, stay in the fight. Keep going! Everyone!" Mustachio holds out the force baton for anyone to use.

Inspiring boost on Kato, 10 SP back. Get em applied.

Fuelled by the encouraging words of Captain Mustachio, Kato stays on the front lines and puts all he's got into his next strike. A slight tremor of fear can barely be seen as his hand trembles. He pulls himself together trusting that he and his fellow star finders will be able to bring down the monster before it gets a chance to strike again.

Trick Attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29DC20+CR on success the creature is flatfooted to Kato
Attack, Force Baton, Get 'em: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 = 12 Please let that hit its FF EAC
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Trick Attack Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Flanking, Kato? With several of us next to him, we should move to flanking positions.

Well, flanking and trick attack apply the same penalty. Still, useful. But you hit exactly what you needed! So...

Injured, Kato swings back. The force baton glows, passing right through Yotto's head. She screams, a long, drawn-out wail that fades into nothingness as the ragged body follows suit. The driftdead is gone!

Combat over! Good work!

Oda gratefully puts the grenade away and exhales as combat ends.

"My appologies for striking at you Captain. That was-once-a-meat-sack had some hold over my neural network. I hope I did not jostle your faith in barely known acquaintances very much"

FR10R takes up a defensive position incase of any more supprises. "So is that it, can we get the items and return to the ship now?'

"Yes...let us depart...Uh...Akkedis? Akkedis? You are getting up, correct? Let's drag him back to our ship, shall we?"

"No poppa, I don't want to go to boot camp today... I don't feel good... "

The big Vesk's bleeding seems staunched, but it's hard to tell if he is unconscious, deeply asleep, or somewhere between the two...

Akkedis can likely be revived or simply dragged back. You have what you need, the ship's data and personal items from the crew. Now all that remains is to get away from this cursed ship! Your last view before entering the Drift is the Struggle's Scholar starting to break apart, consumed by the etheric storm.

1d6 ⇒ 1

It's a miraculous one-day journey back to Absalom Station, courtesy of the Starstone. Ziggy is still at their warehouse base, still blasting the same music. Hard to say if that has sped up or slowed renovations, but the changes are visible. The shirren is pleased as always to see you back.

“Perfection! I'm sure Historia-7 and her team can get the kinks sorted out. And I'll certainly have the crew's things delivered to close ones wherever they are. This is the first shred of truly good news that the Exo-Guardians have had in a long time! My many thanks for all you have done in securing this important data. Now, there is another important matter I wanted to bring up.

“Prior to the Scoured Stars incident, I was part of a group of loyal friends, like the team you’re all a part of. Right before that dark event, I bought some tickets for my friends and me to a major upcoming concert. It was going to be our big outing — a capstone to all our missions together. Now, all my friends are trapped or lost in the Scoured Stars, and who knows how long it will take before we find out what happened there. The concert is coming up in a few months, and I wanted to extend an invitation.” Zigvigix waggles their antennae in characteristic excitement. “No promises or anything; you might be on assignment, and field missions take priority. If you are free, though, I would be honored if you would join me at this concert. Think of it as a remembrance for my lost comrades and a celebration of a new generation’s camaraderie. “Oh! I just realized that I should invite Historia-7 too! Okay, well, thanks again. I should get going!”

"I will gladly join you, friend. I haven't been to a concert in quite some time. Plus I think I pick up one of there recording some time ago. Here send the details to my calendar. I will make sure not to book any life or death emergencies at that time."

"Another successful mission for Mustachio Marino! I was happy to be your commanding officer, and overall hero and savior of this mission. Don't forget, fans, you can find me on Star Rangers Ultra Paraxdox as Billy the Red Ranger. You can never get enough of Mustachio Marino!"

Mustachio tips his big feathered hat back, hands everyone another copy of his CV, and floats out the door...

Oda's face gets a little dark. She begins tapping out a message on her comm unit.

I will not be joining you. If you have tickets to Abysshead call me.

After the combat

Ears will pour a healing serum into Akeddis' mouth to get the vesk mobile again.

With Ziggy

Ears is solemnly silent during the debriefing. He tries to remain more so, and hopes that his fur covers his dismay upon hearing the shirren's offer. Who could possibly spend hours listening to that?! Recognizing the potential personal advantage of fraternizing with the Exo-Guardian leader, he makes a gracious murmured acceptance while planning to buy discreet noise cancelling ear buds.

Outside the debriefing Ears salutes his fellow crewmembers. He has a quiet word for each of them:

Oda, "You're brave and true."
Akeddis, "Right?!"
Kato, "You can fly any ship on any mission we have in the future. "
FR10R, "It's a dangerous world out there. Buy some guns, my friend."
Mustachio, "You proved me wrong. I thought you were a useless dilettante after the last mission. You really held us all together on this one."

Ears might be a trace snarky about the last mission, but I recognize Mustachio really greased the diplomatic skids on that one.

Akkedis scratches at his stitches and bandages, wincing occasionally as he gets too vigorous. "I have not attended a concert, it would be an interesting cultural event..."

Akkedis turns and gives the team a short, sharp salute. "It was an honor to serve with each of you. All performed admirably."