Retro fails to escape and attempts to evade the Lime Slime, but to no avail. It leaps inside him, snatches his body and instantly integrates with all of his systems.
The smell of citrus hangs in the air. Then the Lime Slime inside Retro Han Solo takes a five foot step back and turns to fire on Zargothrax. "I don't suppose you would all believe that it is me, Retro Han Solo, and that I'm perfectly fine?"
He glances up, hopefully, then looks around at all of you, then sighs with a disgusted look. "Ri-i-i-ight. Let's get on with this. I have a fabulous recovery to make from all the trauma of being in the Starfinder Society, and you all are in MY WAY."
vs KAC
What do you do?
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
Round 4
Active conditions:
Lime Slime (-19, within Retro Han Solo)
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Cavaler
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Android (-22, unconscious and stable)
Yellow Slime (DEAD)
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D'vost
Mech Coy (-6)
Darkrunner (-23)
Retro Han Solo (-7, bodysnatched)
Zargothrax (-1)
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Doctor Mech Coy moves into the room to a position where they have a clear shot and tries to hit Retro Han. “Forgive us, but I do not believe you received permission to join with Retro Han.”
“Please tell us if you decide to take the easy path. It would be less painful and I am certain if you just held still I could separate you two without injury.”
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Cavaler knows that wth the ooze possessing Retro's body he must act quickly. Removing a hand from his pistol, he once again pulls his smoke grenade from its pouch, but this time flings it at Retro.
"Heads up."
Zarg's bear hug misses on the grapple, alas.
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Shirren looks at the smoke annoyed and irritated. He sees only the shape of the hidden Retro Han, the enemy escape his vision making it hard to aim for him as well as to all others. But there are other senses...
His antennas detect the movement, the small movements while breathing or choking with the heavy smoke, there is no smoke thick enough to hide from this.
"He is right in the middle a bit to the left of Zarg, take him down, now!"
And suddenly calls a battle cry: a roar mixed with a strumming sound of an insect.
Retro is not able to free himself from the slime this round, but Retro Slime moves out of the smoke anyway. It double-moves and starts fleeing towards the front door.
What do you all do? Also, D'vost, if you would like to retcon your action and give me a shot through the smoke from last turn, you may.
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
Round 5
Active conditions:
Lime Slime (-20, within Retro Han Solo)
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Cavaler
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Android (-22, unconscious and stable)
Yellow Slime (DEAD)
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D'vost (2 turns)
Mech Coy (-6)
Darkrunner (-23)
Retro Han Solo (-8, bodysnatched)
Zargothrax (-1)
Zargothrax puts himself between Retro and the door, but misses with his pistol because of Retro's borrowed armor.
Cavaler hits Retro Slime. Dr. Mech Coy misses, but his text causes Bargai to close the doors!
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
Round 5
Active conditions:
Lime Slime (-22, within Retro Han Solo)
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Cavaler
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Android (-22, unconscious and stable)
Yellow Slime (DEAD)
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D'vost (2 turns)
Mech Coy (-6)
Darkrunner (-23)
Retro Han Solo (-10, bodysnatched)
Zargothrax (-1)
D’vost takes aim and fires his Azimuth artillery laser into the smoke at Retro Han.
He then follows the fleeing slime controlling Retro Han and fire again.
D'vost hits Retro Slime twice! Half goes into Han, half goes to the Slime. The damage is enough that the slime gets forced out, where it gets hit as it tries to rush past Zargothrax, being caught in the Vesk's claws!
Han finds himself woozy, but himself. (Though he still drips with sticky lime green citrus goo.)
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
You are left with two wounded comrades, two unconscious bodies and more places to explore. You discover the other two rooms are empty, but two of them have computers that you can explore.
What do you do?
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Zargothrax holsters his pistol. "Ya ok Han? Take a breather bud... that looked yucky. Imma take a look at their 'puters."
He cracks his knuckles and gets to work.
"Whooo boy... better make a copy 'o alla dis... bad stuff. The half-orc is Betts... the poor Shirren was a Starfinder named Clickers... and the android's name's Letofour... notta starfinder but a poor guy from the Spike. Been missin for weeks... ann I got alla the moneytrail too... Nah much to go on but enough to shut em down here... and keep eyes up for more."
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You might need a good shower after that Hans... or perhaps a service that wipes bad memories.
Darkrunner meanders around the now-peaceful rooms, accessing computers as he finds them along with Zargothrax.
You know it's funny, here I am hacking computers with a vesk. I was once told by a mighty vesk ally that my activities amounted to "caressing the puters." I don't suppose you know that expression?
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Doctor Mech Coy checks over Retro Han to make sure he is alright. Cleaning off the slime, they try their best to treat Han’s wounds. Unfortunately they are not able to heal the damage.
They then attempt to treat Darkrunner.
Finally they attempt to help the Android and Betts. There they have much better luck treating the injuries.
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Cavaler is busy speaking into his comm unit. "Laurana, inform the local media that I led a group of Starfinders in a breaking up a nefarious operation, attempting to implant oozes into the minds of Absalom station residents. Schedule a press conference through my office for later tonight. Have a suit and tie ready for me to change into as soon as I arrive. I should be there in a few hours. Prepare all my social media accounts to broadcast a video of the conference as soon as it is over."
Once informed of the Open Collective's true purpose, Zigvigix is horrified and immediately informs the various faction leaders as well as Absalom Station security and the Stewards. The presence of bodysnatcher slimes on Absalom Station is of paramount concern, but little evidence found within the Open Collective speaks to the slimes' origin, causing the trail to run cold. While the Stewards and the Starfinder Society laud all of you for your actions, representatives from both organizations remain concerned regarding when (not if) the slimes will resurface.
Ziggy is delighted at Hurondo's recovery from his imprisonment by the Uniters and immediately asks when he can resume his normal duties at the Respite. Hurondo, however, solemnly shakes his head. "I'm stepping down from running the center. While no harm ultimately came to me, recent events caused me to again suffer from some severe anxiety and depression. I think I need to seek help from the Respite as a patient before I can handle the facility's management."
Ziggy pats his old friend on the back. "Brought back memories of helplessness?"
Hurrondo nods.
"Then rest. You have our understanding and heartfelt well-wishes."
Jiwalla looks stunned. "Ah, man. How am I supposed to run this without you?"
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Looking to Jiwalla, Doctor Mech Coy says “If you need extra help, I think you should to talk to Bargai.”
“He was looking for legitimate ways to earn money. He wanted to create a community center for the deaf.”
“Seems to me, the two of you could help each other. You get some additional people to help run the Respite, he gets your guidance on how to run the community center he wants to create.”
——
When Doctor Mech Coy files their mission report, they make sure to include all the medical information they can. They point out that pain may be an effective way to drive the slimes from a host. They include notes on what they observed and mention Sparks being someone who was able to drive off the slime, although exactly how is not clear.
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As things start to settle down, Doctor Mech Coy visits one of the temples of Sarenrae and asks to speak to someone doing community outreach. They make a pitch to the church as a way to help reform a gang and create a safe place for people to find community. “I am concerned that with all the focus on the slime it would be easy for The Uniters to get forgotten. They thought they were doing something to help people and intended to use the money to create a community space.”
“The Stewards and others are focused on the slimes. I think it would be good if someone could help Bargai and his people find a path to the redemption they were seeking.”
If they can get the church interested, they introduce Bargai to the proper people within the church.
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Knowing that communication can be vital when treating a person, Doctor Mech Coy starts looking into the sign language that Bargai and The Uniters used.
Bargai and her followers are delighted to help out with a clinic that really helps people, and Jiwalla proves an invaluable consultant to Bargai's work in trying to get together a Deaf community center in the Spike. The Church of Sarenrae takes an interest too. Although Bargai becomes a very busy person, she does start investigating the possibility of becoming a Starfinder with your encouragement.
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"Whelp..." Zargothrax puts extra emphasis on the 'h.'
"Bummer we couldn't find a lead ta shut 'em down fer good... but at least they're outta here! Ann if we see more body snatchin' oozes... well... we can get right back on their tail!"
With the news of Hurondo's 'retirement' Zargothrax gives him a firm handshake. "Ahm awful glad yer able to come out ann say it like that! It means a lot... ann I shore hope you can share that with all o' da others at Respite. In fact ah think ahm a gonna come down there mahself and lend a hand when I can. Keep in touch with y'all... and make sure Bargai's folk aint slippin back inta any old ways. They good folk... and with luck maybe even Starfinder material... once they can make ammends for the whole ransomin' thing."
His eyes light up as he has a thought. "Hey Hurando! Ex-sir-size is a big thing at Respite... wanna go jog over there now? I've got some good marchin songs from the Veskarium I can teach ya on the way..."
Thanks for playing with me!
Hmm