The ships have no life aboard, however their logs appear reasonably intact.
After pulling a few data logs, without warning an unknown ship hails you... but scans detect no functional ships anywhere near the planet.
"This is Katryn Mathius of the Empyrean Eye. Who are you? What is your mission here?"
First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo addresses the Society through communication devices across the Scoured Stars: “Starfinders, thanks to your efforts, we have gathered a large amount of data about the whereabouts of several groups of survivors from the first mission to the Scoured Stars. We have analyzed the data and now know enough to start locating and evacuating our friends and allies. We still need more intelligence on other groups of survivors, however, and we must continue to run reconnaissance missions at the same time.”
First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo pings each of your comm devices. ”Our agents explored a starship graveyard on Agillae-5, where they found many more of our comrades kept comatose in stasis chambers. Our scientists are studying the strange technology so we can decide how to safely release them.”
”Hello there Katryn, we’ve come here to find some of our lost friends. They were separated from us and we were hoping to find clues or even survivors. Have you happened across any lost ships in the area?”
Helios-4 realizes that not only was it Starship weapon fire that did these ships in... it most likely came from a Starfinder ship.
Looking over the Empyrean Eye's hailing frequencies, it appears as though they are a Starfinder ship... although the ship itself doesn't appear on your sensors. On visuals though you see it, but the image is very glitchy, and the ship is showing as semi-transparent.
Katryn responds to Surge's query rather gruffly. "I do not know about others. These ships were already destroyed when we got here... a... few weeks ago I think."
She pauses, and after a few crackles of static adds, "You appear to be a Starfinder ship, but our sensors indicate you're phased out of the Material Plane. What is this technology?"
Xaric finds himself pouring over sensor data, but Katryn is rather impatient. Vecro and Helios-4 begin rambling a bit about reversing the polarity of the neutron flow, and she snaps back.
"You've come to kill me like the others did haven't you?"
After a thorough review, Xaric is pretty sure that THEIR ship has phased out of the material plane somehow... In fact... it seems as though this may literally be a ghost ship.
|
"Ughh this isn't working! What if we use the gravity generator to energize the neutron flow?" Frustrated, he gives a kick on a nearby console. "Whaddaya think, Vecro?"
The feminine voice rings on the comms and Helios clenches his jaw.
"Bloody hell. Way to greet a ship."
Helios-4 pops a chewing gum out of a packet and begins to chew vigorously. He presses the mute button and adds:
"Prepare the guns, I have a bad feeling about this."
”Whatever happened to you and your crew, we're not here to fight you, but if you are Starfinders, we could use your help looking for our missing people. Part of that whole cooperate piece of the motto”
Katryn simmers down a bit, but still seems incredibly suspicious. "I am willing to believe your good intentions, but I have no record of your vessel being a part of this mission. Turn back now and depart."
Relaying the broadest info on our current mission.
"And that is what brought us out here. Nothing more, nothing less. "
Telepathically in turn to our crew. <Has anyone run this name through our database? Or tried to contact back with the main fleet to see if they have a record of a Katryn Mathius or Empyrean Eye>
|
|
"Kathryn, we are here to help and nothing more. We came as a part of a rescue mission to aid fellow Starfinder agents. I am a Kasatha and I give you my word that our intentions are clear. If you know my people you should know how much we value honor and being honest."
Speaks Vecro using the comm unit, hoping to aid Surge and avoid the conflict.
"My science officer has confirmed that your ship has Starfinder identification, but the timestamps don't make sense... although with how this whole mission has gone that is the least of my concerns. We were on assignment looking for rare minerals on the First Seeker's orders when the field appeared. Several more ships went down to Bastair-2... a mostly barren but relatively safe planet... to establish an outpost for survivors. Find them, this mission is not over yet."
The flickering displays jump back and forth between several of the derelicts... a ghostly energy surrounding them as each sentence is delivered... then nothing. Silence...
The area itself is rather hazardous. The planet is rather large and has higher than normal gravity for routine landings. Approaching too close in a skirmish could be disasterous. The rings themselves have large floating ice chunks which require a bit of skill to maneuver around without them falling apart and peppering your hull. Starfinders returning to perform any evacuations should certainly be warned.
You're able to spend some time getting the rest of the logs from the derelict ships... one of which bears the name 'The Empyrean Eye.' Probably best to report this back to Zigvigx.
Historia-7 nods as you report once again in for duty. “Greetings, Starfinders. Our initial recon teams found dozens of our colleagues held in stasis on Agillae-5. Forcibly removing their bodies from the stasis pods would leave their minds are trapped in a virtual world, which means we’re sending you in to release them. Our specialists have put together a digital tether that allows you to enter the virtual world without getting trapped like your colleagues did. Still, you must careful. Even though nothing that happens in there is real, dying in the simulation might kill you.”
A team of Starfinder computer specialists waits at the facility. The lead specialist approaches you. ”Everything is ready. All you have to do is plug in.” he grabs your shoulder. ”Good luck.”
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
Jacking in you instantly find yourself in a Cantina.
♫ Life could be a dream, life could be a dream
Do, do, do, do, sh-boom
Life could be a dream (sh-boom)
If I could take you up in my starships up above (sh-boom)
If you would tell me I'm the only one that you love
Life could be a dream, star friends
Hello, hello again, sh-boom and hopin' we'll meet again
Bom ba,
Hey nonny ding dong, alang alang alanga
Oh oh oh oh dip, a dibby dobby dip ♫
“You can call me Jodain,” The bartender tells you, as he sees you looking all about and in near shock. “Relax, have a drink. Or even eat something good and not worry about a thing. What’ll you have?”
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
The Bartender Jodain waits patiently as Xaric's antennae wave at his colleagues. "Shirrens often love the sweeter honey wines. Would you like me to pour some for you? I promise, it's excellent." Jodain brings out a large tray of sandwiches of various types. The sandwiches look and smell amazing, with perky-looking tomatoes and a variety of meats and toppings. "Or if you would like something non-alcoholic, I have coffee and some delightful tea."
Then he looks at your faces, and smiles reassuringly. "Or perhaps you have some questions, and I can help you settle in and find yourselves."
Jodain pours out the honey wine that Andromeda ordered and answers. The wine is thick, golden-colored, and slightly syrupy. It tastes like the wonderful wines served at Ollie's Option Bar in the spike, but the labels -- while the same color and general hexagonal shape -- are slightly wrong. Instead of the working shirren that appear on Ollie's label, the name on the wine is 'Jodain's' and it features a trio of dancing shirren.
“This place doesn’t need a name — it’s just ‘The Place’.” Jodain beams. “If you're not hungry yet, maybe you can look around. Why don't you go and meet all the friendly folks who live here. Maybe find the place that you fit in. But remember, we're all happy here, so don't say or do anything that might upset them.”
He gestures outside, where you see a group of bikers happily congregating with tools and vehicles in the parking lot. Across the street, there is a library where another more scholarly group is chatting on the steps. Down the corner, there is a picnic where people are happily feasting. “The Place is a great place,” Jodain beams. “Go, socialize, and find where you belong."
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
|
|
Helios listens to Historia-7's briefing with unusual attention. He grins at the mention of going into the virtual world and whistles. "Yeah, now we're talking. There better not be any bugs this time." Grinning at his own joke, he walks to the lab and gets ready for the mission.
"Plug me in, boss!"
Helios appreciates his surroundings for a while, flexing his fingers. "That sure is a lot better than the VR they have down at the arcade, huh? This place is amazing. With a few more cursing peeps it'd feel like Absalom Station." The Android feels his pockets, and lets out a sigh of relief when he realizes his packet of gum is still there. He begins to chew one and hails the bartender. "I'll have a drink. Surprise me." After a few sips, he speaks again. "The Place, huh? You sure do look pretty happy, I'll say."
The cold beer bottle that Helios gets handed reminds him of Hoppy's beer, a pretty iconic brew that he'd tasted once while touring Qabarat. But although the taste is dead on, the label reads 'Happy's Beer'.
Motioning to the barkeep, then gesturing towards Ardoc’s cup as if to say, one of these, Surge then nods to Ardoc.
”Works for me.”
He flexes his hands a bit and checks to make sure all his equipment is still ready, just in case.
|
Andromeda loves the taste of the familiar wine but is a little confused when seeing the label.
Telepathically to the bartender <Thank you sir for the wonderful drink and your information, you been most helpful.>
Telepathically to the group <That sounds like a good idea Ardoc. Us shirren are not always the best of talkers because people say our telepathy freaks them out but I will help were I can.>
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
Ardoc and Surge get handed two warm and steaming cups of steaming black synth coffee before leading the way to the bikers. The coffee reminds them of the Eoxian Black Brew served at the Poshkettle Tea Stand, though these mugs say, 'Jodain's Java.'
As you approach the cyclists, there's sounds of music and laughter.
♫ Life's like a cycle, it's got tools
Learn to fix it, and learn the rules
Sometimes you bend and sometimes you stand
Sometimes you polish your ride with your hands
There's no world out beyond that door
There's no need to go off and explore
Where friends are loud and the beer does pour
Take pride in your ride - you need no more
There's time to laugh and time to wait
Make our bikes the best to date
There's so much time left today
Life is a skyway
Someday I'll fly it all night long
If you're going my way
Someday I'll fly it all night long ♫
Five Starfinders—a human, two lashuntas, an ysoki, and a vesk—wear leather jackets and protective clothing. They tune-up expensive-looking enercycles. "So... I've been thinking that what I really want to do is soup up this bike's burrow speed, add a few null space storage pods, and racing stripes," The vesk enthuses.
The ysoki pulls some more tools out of his cheek pouches as he clambers under his bike. "Racing stripes? Naw, man. Go with a full out flame design. I swear, it makes the enercycle faster."
The others laugh. "Wouldn't that be nice if all it took to go fast was a sweet paint job?" The lashunta grins. "Still... Pride in your Ride, right!"
"Pride in your Ride! Pride in your Ride! PRI-I-I-IDE IN YOUR RI-I-I-I-IDE!" They all chant and shout, pumping fists in the air. None of them seem to be in any hurry to actually go anywhere. There are half-drunk beers, and tools strewn all over the place, while they go on and on about how great the bikes are.
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Helios walks over to the bikers, blowing a bubble of gum. He smiles at the enercycle like a kid in front of a christmas toy. After greeting the bikers he bends over to examine the bike.
"May I?" He says, pointing at a wrench on a nearby table. Without waiting for a reply, he snatches it up and begins toying around in the electronics.
"That's a pretty darn cool cycle." He begins. "But see here." He takes off a screw with a twist of the wrist, and part of the engine comes off... With a handful of wooden clockwork gears!
"Haven't seen any clockwork vehicle running lately, 'cept in old history books. And look there." He points at the place where the engine's battery is normally hooked up - except it isn't. In fact, it doesn't even have a socket. "You ain't gonna go far on an enercycle without a battery port, I tell ya."
The bikers all gather around, stunned. "Vooden gears? Vhat?" The vesk says, his jaw open.
The ysoki looks at his bike, tail twitching in confusion. "Huh, mine seems to be missing a battery port too." This leads to the others checking their enercycles, puzzled.
Smiling as he approaches and picking up on the distraction Helios created.
"Oh man, these look like some classics, but yeah, what Helios here was saying is, and it looks like you all are starting to catch on to, this place isn't exactly what it appears to be. Sorry folks, but you're in a simulation. Now, I get that may be hard to believe, but we're hoping to convince you to come on back out of this place, even though it's pretty dang cool in here."
You see the group waver for a moment. "Simulation? Are you sure?" one of the lashuntas asks.
"But... our bikes aren't ready yet!" the ysoki looks like he's blinking back tears.
|
|
There better not be any bugs this time
"It is not nice to call our Shirren friends bugs! I recommend some cultural sensitivity classes Helios."
Vecro lets himself be connected giving instructions to make sure that his Hireling could be communicated when in the virtual world.
Kasatha looks around the bar taking one coffee being surprised with the taste of it. Then he notices a Raven sitting on his arm.
"Raven is that you? Can you hear me?"
The bird turns it's eyes towards Vecro and responds
"Yeah Vecro? Why are you looking so weird? The communication works well enough for me to help you."
|
|
Vecro follows other agents towards the bikers thinking to himself:
"Eloritu, help us unravel this mystery and free our friends. Their minds seem lost and trapped here."
He seems off, thinking about some other things. He listens to arguments brough by Helios and Surge. And after some time he adds from himself:
"Hey do you recall the junk races on Absalom Station? The turn that caused the most difficulties to the drivers was the one preceded by the hop. I recall discussing it with a really good driver and he told me that a way to drive through it well is to ..."
Which is followed by a not so accurate description on how to drive a racer.
”Yeah, once we get you folks outta here, we can get a real race going. I’ll see you on the track some time, we can put your moves to the test”
Surge will pantomime riding an enercycle.
A light starts to dawn on the Vesk's face. "All this time prepping, and ve vere going novhere. This is not who I am," he thumps his chest, "nor is this who any of us vere, is it? Ve vere Starfinders! Ve vere explorers!"
He kicks over his useless enercycle. "Someone vill pay for these games. I am Silask."
"How long have ve been down here?" He paces, his long tail twitching. "Vell, however long it vas, I learned how to build stuff and tinker with equipment in this 'Place'. Let me share a few tips."
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
It's time to hit up another group.
♫ Day after day
With hours to kill
The scholars debate for hours
A Golarian drill
But nobody knows the planet
It fell in a mysterious gap
And they never find the answers
Perhaps they never will
And as the talk winds down
Chalk dust calculations
Set the worlds spinning round ♫
As you approach the scholars at the library, you see five scholarly Starfinders — an android, a damaya lashunta, a kasatha, and two shirrens — engage in a heated debate about Golarion. "Clearly it's the most diverse ecosystem," the android insists. He pauses in the debate only long enough to gesture to you to join their circle, patting the seats on the steps next to him. "Welcome, fellow scholars. We were discussing interplanetary politics, economics and alliances."
In front of them is a rather detailed chalk drawing on the sidewalk before the steps. Disconcertedly, the images in the chalk drawing are moving. It shows the Pact Worlds system -- the worlds and all their satellites -- including, oddly, Golarian. The planets are rotating, their satellites spinning around them.
"Most politically and culturally diverse, I'll grant you. So many of the gods arose from there." One of the Shirren points to Castrovel. "But most ecologically diverse? Have you been to Castrovel?"
The lashunta looks thoughtful. "There's something special about Golarian, though. It's the most important world in our system. An economic powerhouse, a center for the arts..."
The Kasatha snorts. "Overrated, if you ask me. Where's Golarian's respect for tradition?"
|
|
Kasatha bows to Silask recognizing now who he is.
After parting with the bikers Vecro walks towards the new group his mote of solar energy looking a bit weird in this virtual reality. The ever collapsing micro-black hole is a bit less smooth and more rectangular. Odd indeed.
Listening for a few moments to the arguments given he responds:
"Golarion, oh yes the famous Golarion. That was an amazing planet. Was as it disappeared in an incident known as THE Gap. I am certain that such an important and world-shaping incident was not lost on the sharpest minds of the universe like yours. "
He eyes the scholars slowly looking at the gathered aliens.
"You must recall that, as in the place of Golarion is now Absalom Station."
Vecro closely observes the reactions.
He turns to Kasatha scholar and brings his face closer to his saying:
"Muistat varmasti matkasi tuntemaan muita rotuja ja tapoja. Eloritu johtaa kansamme selvittämään, mikä on piilossa. Olet parempi kuin tämä, kasathaa ei voida vangita!"
"Surely you recall your journey to meet other races and their customs. Eloritu leads our people to unravel what is hidden. You are better than this, kasathas can not be imprisoned!"
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Ardoc feels a bit out of place among these folks, but he gives it his best.
"Yes, indeed, its a shame its gone. But all things pass, and we must eventually move on."
"Eh? Eh?" he elbows Vecro and Andromeda, to make sure they caught his unbelievably subtle and apt analogy.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Helios approaches the scholars with his hands shoved in his pockets, and for once he doesn't seem too at ease. He listens to his teammates speak for a while.
He thinks for an instant, then begins hesitantly. "Yeah, as Vecro is saying, Golarion's gone. Don't tell me you haven't read Hawthorne's treaty on gravitational waves anomalies surrounding Golarion's former orbit?" Thinking of another example, he insists. "And Dr O'Connor made a speech at the last Pact Worlds Science Congress. Sayin' how certain weird phenomenon could be explained by quantum entanglement with qwarks still located on Golarion. C'mon, you have to remember this, it was just before the first expedition to the Scoured Stars left!"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"All this talk of old planets and Gaps. Isn't that where you find dragons? Either way, it's not really something I know much about. What I do know is that this place you're talking about, it's not real. This whole place is not real." Surge gestures around to the various bits of the sim that can be seen. "I like tech and all, but this place is starting to creep me out a little bit."
As you all watch, the chalky Golarian blows away from the solar system, leaving only Absalom Station.
With all this data, all the Starfinders seem shaken out of their complacency. The android scholar appears perplexed, his eyes glittering with an intensity that is uncomfortable to watch. “What is this feeling that I am experiencing? Emotions are so confusing...” He stares at the new image of Absalom Station, and then points to it, blinking. “I awoke there in a renewal creche. Actually, how many creches was it? So many lifetimes... WAIT. I had a mission, something crucial that I was doing.”
Then when Surge says that the place is not real, the android's eyes widen further. “I remember. I REMEMBER.” He reaches out and grabs Surge urgently. “Listen. We can’t leave the simulation. Not yet. We’ve all been bound in here too long. You need to hurry up and detach us, just like you’ve been doing. Keep at it, and don’t give up. I have WORK that I need to get back to!”
The android wavers, and then says, “I think I remember my name. Historia-2? 3? No. It was 6! I was... someone important, I think. A leader? YES! The Society needs ME!” He's shaking now, almost overwhelmed. "Who has been leading you why we've been here?"
Then he shakes his head, as if clearing the cobwebs away. “I have something you can use while in the simulation, a secret technique.” Historia-6 whispers in your ear. “Open your eyes to see beyond this illusion, and you can learn about your opponents.”
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
With the scholars coming out of their stupor, you head off to the picnic!
♫ Going on a picnic, time to go and play
If it doesn't rain, we'll stay all day
Did you bring the sandwiches?
(Yes I've brought the sandwiches)
Did you bring the tea cakes?
(Yes I've brought the tea cakes)
Ready for a picnic, here we go ♫
Six Starfinders — a dwarf, two kasathas, two humans, and a shirren — enjoy a picnic in a park that looks about as realistic as a children's cartoon from Absalom Station's children's network. There's happy singing flowers, and little birds that chirp winsomely. The Starfinders are all wearing lacy fashionable clothes as they lounge about on the grass. They have a picnic basket filled with sandwiches, crackers, fruit and an old fashioned tea pot.
The group marvels at the beauty of the natural world. “Ain’t it great to be outdoors, smell the flowers, feel the wind and sun on your face?”