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Moving to the first door in the hallway Chivix slides it open after disabling a lock within the door.
As soon you enter this room, lined with softly humming servers, you make a disturbing discovery: the lifeless corpse of Historia-6. A cursory examination reveals that his corpse has burned out from within.
The energy was vented outward through a grouping of small cuts in the center of his abdomen. The pattern of cuts on his abdomen match the connectors from the other strange piece of equipment in this room.
A sturdy cable ending in a connector with a series of retracted blades rests near the body. The cable is attached to a machine that stands apart from the orderly racks of servers in this room: a squat technological device with silver circuitry tracings along its surface nearly identical to those lining an android’s skin.
You identify this device as an Abrogation Matrix, a kind of hybrid technology used to control androids—a type of equipment banned in the Pact Worlds following the Thyst Rebellion in 154 ag, when androids were granted full citizenship.
You further realize that the Abrogation Matrix has been somewhat modified from its original function, enabling a kind of psychological bridge between the user and a target android.
Obozaya (SP 72/72; HP 62/62; RP 7/8)
Atticus
Chivix
Neon Ten (SP 48/48; HP 40/42; RP 9/10)
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Neon Ten looks at the device with disgust. “This is illegal tech, and someone has modified it. It is an Abrogation Matrix.”
“I remember doing a segment on these devices. They use a hybrid of magic and technology to enslave an Android. They were banned in the Pacts Worlds in 154 ag after the Thyst Rebellion.”
Examining it a little closer, he adds “This one seems to have been modified to provide a psychological bridge between two androids.” Shaking his head, he speculates “I am guessing at least some of the modifications are based on what we found in the Scoured Stars system.”
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The body of Historia-6 still has all of its own gear:
The data storage device contains various investment accounts dating back to 193 ag, though the owner’s information has been anonymized. Most of the funds have been recently withdrawn, but 10,000 credits remain in the accounts.
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Historia-6's office is unlocked. As Ziggy comes up, pausing to breathe heavily, he notes. {Historia-7 left her mentor's workspace untouched, as she didn't know his fate. She was always respectful of his memory.}
Despite Historia-6's return from the Scoured Stars, this workspace remains eerily clean and sterile.
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Looking over Historia-6’s gear, Neon Ten remarks “Nice gear.”
He removes the Hat of Disguise just to make sure it is Historia-6. Looking to Ziggy, he states “Seems like we should notify someone of this. How much further do you think we should investigate before doing so?”
In the office, Neon Ten attempts to help with the search, then moves on when there doesn’t seem to be anything of interest.
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Chivix opens the final door. Historia-7’s study is well-maintained, but not as immaculate as her predecessor’s. Most notably, her terminal has not one display but eight mounted in an array above the desk.
Back in the server room Neon Ten kneels down and removes the hat of disguise. The androids form doesn't waver or shift into anything else.
“Seems like we should notify someone of this. How much further do you think we should investigate before doing so?”
Ziggy lays a calming hand on Neon Ten's shoulder. "A few more minutes. I may have an idea."
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Reassured by Ziggy that it is alright to continue the investigation a little more, Neon Ten follows the rest of the group.
In Historia-7s office, Neon looks around to see if there is a computer here or if the displays just connect to the ones in the server room.
If there is a computer or storage device here, Neon Ten waves a paw over it and concentrates.
If there are none here, he states “I would like to go back to the server room before we attempt any hacking,”
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“There are the music and photos that I would expect on most people’s computers. No fan database that I can detect, but some files that show up as historical files.”
Rubbing his chin, he says “I can’t tell what sort of historical files they are.”
“If we think we will need to know more about Historia-7, it could be worth breaking in. She tends to be a pretty private person.”
Sounds like a plan oobouyz will wait by the door in case something comes while they try to hack the computer further.
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As Atticus plops down in the chair all eight screens light up with a rotating series of photos of a gray-skinned android with a shock of short, bright-red hair, each with a time stamp and the label “Historia-4.” Once woken from sleep, however, the computer resumes playing the Star Sugar Heartlove!!! album (at a far more reasonable volume than you heard from Zigvigix’s briefing)
While observing the photos. you notice subtle shifts in the pictured android’s expression and a transition in her circuitry’s color from bright red to silver, a progression of changes that took place over several weeks’ time. This suggests that the mental takeover of Historia-7 wasn’t instantaneous, and that there might still be time to intervene.
A box alongside the desk contains a stash of Eoxian equipment.
Historia-4 was widely known for cataloguing various aspects of the Corpse Fleet.
The box contains:
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Neon Ten replies “Sure! Do you already have the passwords?” He seems more curious than worried about it.
Looking at the pictures and the box, he remarks “Interesting! Historia-4 was well known for their interest in the Corpse Fleet.”
He spits the end of a datacable out of his cheek. Connecting it to the terminal, he leaves the cable hanging like a noodle out of the side of his mouth.
“I will run defense, you concentrate on getting past the protections.”
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As you dig deeper and deeper into Historia-7's files, you find more and more layers of protection. One thing becomes absolutely clear, though... The faction leader was obsessively investigating her prior namesakes, though much of the information was purged from the Society’s data stores. The only note, beside the images of Historia-4, are indications that files pertaining to Historia-3 were locked out by order of Guidance.
{I don't like this. We need bring Historia-7 back.} Zigvigix's mouth barbs twitch. {I might be able to use the psychological bridge the Abrogation Matrix provides to help you all enter Historia-7’s mind, combat the malicious entity directly, and lend Historia-7 strength by helping her hold onto her memories.} He reads the instructions from the cracked screen. {It says here that in order to send multiple personas, the device would require a psychic interface... Right? As a naturally telepathic being, I volunteer to take on this role and transition you all into Historia-7’s mindscape.}
Ziggy sits down, heavily. {Though this would require applying the connector to my own body, and the prospect of having to jab the connector through my chitin does not excite me. But... we've got instructions, and some of you have medical training, right? I think everyone here wants to help Historia-7, right? Are you ready to help get her back?}
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“I fear that I have no medical training.” Neon Ten admits with some embarrassment.
“I would like to help, but neither of us wants me inserting the device in you.” He looks to others here, hoping one of them has the requisite training.
At Ziggy’s mention of helping her maintain her memories, he reviews her music collection. He makes a copy of the metadata and her most played as well as selected favorite songs.
He then takes a copy of the instructions for the Abrogation Matrix and reviews them.
“I am ready once someone is able to do the medical procedure.”
I'm ready to help get her back.
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Ziggy admits. {I... am not as fit as I used to be. But if I am not anchoring all of you, I would be leading the charge in that mindscape to try and free our Historia from whatever that conniving predecessor has done to her. And would that be any better? From what I understand from these instructions, the injuries of the body carry over into the mind.} Ziggy meets all of your eyes, their antennae quivering. {Someone has to anchor, and I want our team to be at full strength. I refuse to risk losing her forever by waiting too long.}
Then they pause. {I will send a note to Naiaj telling her what we are doing... just before you crossover. It might be wise to have a backup plan. Now... who wants to help me attach the cable so I don't have to drill through my own chitin?}
Ziggy weakly smiles as Atticus steps forward to help drill the holes as Zigvigix sends a message out to Naiaj.
Ziggy insists that you all lie down so you don't fall. As Zigvigix warily watches Atticus attach the Abrogation Matrix’s bladed connector, the shirren’s mental voice buzzes urgently. {Please be careful, Starfinders. I won’t let anything happen to you on my watch, but please hurry!} Without further hesitation, you plunge you into the mindscape.
As you feel the world fade away, you hear Naiaj scream over a comm unit, "You're doing WHAT?! I did not authorize this!" But the gnomish Venture Captain's voice fades away with the rest of the world.
*******************************************************************
The scenes that play out in a mindscape follow the same rules as in the normal world. In the mindscape, you have all the gear you were carrying when you entered the mindscape, as well as the same Hit Points, Stamina Points, Resolve Points, and other conditions. Damage taken in the mindscape psychically transfers to your body and remains even once you leave, as do any abilities or boons used in the mindscape—but not items. You can't rest overnight in the mindscape, nor can you recharge batteries, and you can't call upon resources or benefits from outside the mindscape—though companions like drones manifest in the mindscape just as you do.
As soon as you manifest in the mindscape, you realize one benefit of the semi-simulation: consumable items used within the mindscape are used up only in the mindscape, and the version of the item that exists in the real world is not consumed.
While immersed in the mindscape of Historia-7’s consciousness, you can spend Resolve Points to accomplish these effects:
Alter Terrain: Spend 2 Resolve Points as a standard action to change the terrain in 10-foot-radius area. This can make an area difficult terrain, turn difficult terrain into normal terrain, or create an area of hazardous terrain that deals 3d6 damage of a physical type of the player’s choice to a creature that starts their turn in the area. This lasts for a number of rounds equal to the PCs’ highest ability score modifier.
Change Recollection: Spend 3 Resolve Points as a reaction to reroll a single d20 roll you or an ally just made, by rewriting the psychic memory of that event. You must declare use of this ability before the results are revealed, and this ability can be used only once per d20 roll. If you have an ability that would already grant a reroll, you can use this ability to gain a +4 bonus on the reroll.
Draw an Item: Spend 2 Resolve Points as a move action to produce from your inventory a single consumable item that you had in your possession prior to entering the mindscape, such as a grenade, a spell gem, a serum or a similar item, whether or not you actually have any more of those items remaining on your mindscape simulacrum. This item exists only in the mindscape.
The white plastic walls of the Cortex slide away, replaced with a blank, electric blue like an unprogrammed terminal screen. A thin line appears, speeding across the visual expanse, turning and wiggling into a circuit-like pattern. As it continues, the shape resolves into a humanoid form whose features become clear as Historia-7 turns away from the lines tracing out a larger room. The image flickers and scatters periodically, and as she speaks, her voice is staticky and garbled. “It’s hard to keep track of everything,” she says. “I need your help—” her next words are lost in static. “—we can force Historia-Prime out.”
By the time she finishes speaking, the tracing circuitry behind her has drawn in a spacious office in the Lorespire Complex, where a sluglike humanoid sporting a Starfinder symbol on the lapel of his robes stands. Historia-7 turns to face him and speaks calmly. “I’ve traced the missing artifacts to your alma mater, which holds them in their museum and credits you with their discovery.” The slug creature waves a hand dismissively. “You can’t prove anything, Celita.” Historia-7 wordlessly hands over a datapad. After glancing over it, the osharu sputters in fury, glaring at the android—until that android’s image scrambles again and disperses in a scattering of silver light.
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Chivix assisted in getting logged into the computers and bypassing the basic security found there. He was sure there were deeper layers, but as a faction leader, Ziggy probably knew that as well, and the fact that he didn't think to point them in that direction was telling.
He helped Ziggy get in a comfortable position for the Abrogation Matrix, then pushed it through the brave shirren's chitin, with Atticus guiding it to the right locations.
Once the Matrix was in place, he laid down, just as intructed.
"Chivix and Gravy are as ready as we will likely ever be. Let's do it!"
As he entered the mindscape, Chivix watched the initial events play out, and before he knew what was going on, he shouted, "Stop that at once! We are here to return Historia-7 to herself, and we will brook no argument!"
The shirren strode up to the osharu and tried to snatch the datapad from him.
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Neon Ten finds a comfortable spot and reclines so that he can see Ziggy but will not fall over. He watches with trepidation as Atticus and Chivix attach the cable.
As the world fades away he wonders how this experience will compare to the virtual world he experienced in the Scoured Stars.
He frowns at how simple the scene begins. When the details of the office come in, he is relieved.
As the Osharu sputters and glares at Celita, Neon Ten says “Now you have lost your temper as well. You greatly underestimated Celita’s ability to gather data.”
If anyone is good with computers, now is the time to restore memory.
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Neon Ten has read about this moment. After records of the discovery and existence of certain Starfinder relics were erased, Historia-7, traced the activity back to a senior Starfinder officer, an osharu, who had been stealing the relics and sending them back to his home world as his own discoveries to further his own reputation among the intensely academic osharu society.
The slug-like creature rears up aggressively. "Historia-7?" He shakes his head, dismissing the name. "You come into my office and accuse me!" He sputters angrily, slamming an appendage on his desk.
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“More than just an accusation.” Neon Ten says as he accesses the computer in his cheek pouch. He brings up the data about the stolen relics and displays it on screens around the room. Being used to simplifying complicated data, he links documents and has timelines showing the sequence of events.
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He keeps his datapad in his cheeck pouch, eeeew, that is disgusting. Remnd me never to "borrow" anything from him
Atticus examines the data provided by Neon and flips open his own datapad. I think if you examine this inventory of the Osharu cultural regime and compare it to this manifest of certain important cultural relics recovered by the Society you will find a number of similarities. If I am not mistaken this is your digital signature authorising their rlease is it not? I mean, you tried to hide it but the attempt was rather clumsy.
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Quickly thinking Neon Ten and Atticus are able to search through Historia-7's memories like a self-contained infosphere. The pair is able to pull up all of the records and events that Celita claims against the officer onto every screen in the room. This helps the memory stabilize momentarily.
The osharu becomes furious and Celita enacts her backup plan as a sonic feedback program goes off. The vibrations and sound stun the osharu as reinforcements she had lined up storm in.
A slightly younger Venture-Captain Naiaj arrives only a few minutes later, along with two Starfinders acting as security, to take the stunned osharu into custody. The bleachling gnome offers a rare word of praise before departing: “Outstanding work, Celita. With a demonstration like that, you’re sure to have the eye of some senior Starfinders. I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ll accomplish.”
Then all of you hear the calm voice of Historia-7 echoing through the memory. "Yes, that's how it happened." She says as the memory solidifies.
The empty office reverts to the same circuitry patterns it originally formed from, rewriting itself into the shape of Historia-7. “Historia-6 was impressed with my research,” she says, without further explanation. The light-blue circuitry under her skin flickers silver for a moment, before reverting to its natural blue hue. “The fact that I'm still here suggests the other Historias might also retain some aspect of themselves. Will you see if you can find them?” She vanishes except for the circuitry lines on her skin, which trace out the shape of a door on the bright-blue background.
The circuitry door opens onto a starship’s bridge, the view screens filled with the Drift’s unmistakable purple-pink clouds. The ship’s aesthetic is about fifty years out of date, but the bridge seems to be in immaculate repair. Two androids sit at the two forward consoles: one a perfect match for the lifeless body in the server room, save that this version of Historia-6 is in much better physical condition and the circuitry marking his android skin has a faint yellow hue. The other is a pearlescent white individual with androgynous features and a smooth, hairless head; their voice is similarly indeterminate. “There’s no reason to waste time instructing those who aren’t suited to the kind of work the Dataphiles perform,” they say, in flat, brusque tones. “But you have shown you have the potential to accomplish great things, and I can’t continue to lead the faction forever.”
As they finish the statement, the console under the pearlescent android’s hands flares with a silver light that reflects in their eyes. That same silver light races along the console and up the circuitry of Historia-6’s arms. Both androids stand and turn to face the door. “You shouldn’t be here,” the pearlescent android says, matter of fact, and Historia-6 adds, in an identical monotone, “You can’t be allowed to interfere.”
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“Interfere with what, exactly?”
Maybe that Abrogation Matrix has been used before? Historia-4 was an Android as was Historia-6. How many other heads of the Dataphiles have been Androids?
Over the comm unit, Neon Ten sends a text message.
If that white Android turns out to be Historia-5, I think we have a problem in the Dataphiles leadership. I really hope that Abrogation Matrix hasn’t been used to pass down a portion of the leadership.
Yeah, same here intimidate, look like I'm in charge
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As you watch, the silver lines keep creeping up Historia-6's arms, dousing out the yellow. His hands appear to be stuck to the console, and he spasms for a moment as all the color washes out of him. Then both Historias say in unision, "I don't recognize... any of you. How odd. I thought that I made sure that everyone was gone. I only want what's best for the Society and its agents. Don't you agree that is an important goal?"
Neon Ten assesses the situation a bit and realizes that this other android can only be Historia-5 passing along to Historia-6.
"I am who I always have been, the Society's most dedicated guardian." The two androids say to Neon Ten.
Then they look at Obozaya with eerie mirror-like silver eyes. "You do not understand. I am the very best of mentors. What Starfinder would not offer their lives to save others? You caught me at a poor time. I had to rush this. You know what I discovered today? Evidence of a threat from before the Gap, rearing its emerald green colors." The androids shake their heads in unison. "This crisis will need to be handled by the very best... I need to 'transfer power' now, The Society deserves to have the very best leading them."
Historia-6 looks regretfully at Chivix. "It is too bad we did not meet under other circumstances. I could have guided you. Groomed you. Given you confidence. Introduced you to all the right people, and helped you along the way." A corruption seems to flow between the pair as they jerk violently. Both stand, raising hands in a threatening manner. "A waste, but sometimes we must make sacrifices."
Atticus
Obozaya (SP 72/72; HP 62/62; RP 7/8)
Chivix
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Historia-5 (Red)
Historia-6 (Green)
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Neon Ten (SP 48/48; HP 40/42; RP 9/10)
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"Chivix is not interested in being sacrificed today. Perhaps when your mind is made better, Chivix can talk with Historia-7 about a mentorship program. In the meantime, Gravy, track the one on the left, please."
Chivix brought his rifle up and sighted on the leftmost Historia. The moment his targeting reticle turned violet, he pushed the overload stud on the barrel and fired.
+
Obozaya double moves into melee.
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Atticus' handcannon blasts into the Fragment of Historia, ripping right through the circuitry. Obozaya stomps up onto the platform, closing the gap as Chivix levels his rifle off and fires into the side of the platform, narrowly missing Historia-5's leg.
Mental energy begins to assault Atticus' mind, overloading his mental faculties.
Atticus fights back, steeling his mind from the intrusion. Historia-6 slams a pair of fists into Obozaya's chest.
With noone else near a jolt from Historia-6's energized slam inot Obozaya arcs out into Historia-5.
Atticus
Obozaya (SP 49/72; HP 62/62; RP 7/8)
Chivix
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Historia-5 (Red -19)
Historia-6 (Green)
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Neon Ten (SP 48/48; HP 40/42; RP 9/10)
Obozaya will retaliate with her Melee blaze flame doshko
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Neon Ten's static arcs across the platform's floor as it misses its target. Atticus also finds it a bit more difficult as his own handcannon fires wide.
Obozaya retaliates against Historia-6 as the flaming doshko slices through the android's frame, exposing a large chunk of the circuitry within. Chivix splits his field of fire, scorching Historia-5's shoulder.
Historia-5 continues to assault Atticus' mind with psychic rays as Historia-6 slams into Obozaya.
Obozya easily deflects the blow.
Atticus (SP 42/56; HP 44/44; RP 9/9)
Obozaya (SP 49/72; HP 62/62; RP 7/8)
Chivix
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Historia-5 (Red -31)
Historia-6 (Green -28)
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Neon Ten (SP 48/48; HP 40/42; RP 9/10)