Zellgato finds out that a lot of the species that went extinct between 1990 and 2085 did not go extinct on this world, thanks to a team of super heroes known as the Planeteers.
He doesn't learn much about giant octopi or colossal squid other than that they still exist on this world. There was a decade on Zellgato's world where a lot of the corpses of these creatures floated to the surface and that was the only way people knew how many of them there had been lurking down there.
That never happened here. Perhaps the Planeteers deserve the credit for that one. On this healthier planet, there are probably a lot of very big creatures in the very, very deep places.
Nissa, being a religious person herself, decides to take Theo’s devotion to his divine uncle as a shining example. She’s pretty sure meditating in the form the Dawnflower granted her is proper worship…
But she’s not in a state of grace.
Instead, she asks for a private moment with L.C.
** spoiler omitted **
“I wouldn’t relive that day any differently. I mean… yeah, for Greer.” Nissa remembers what Scarlet said. “Actually, I was blaming myself for Greer. He was killed after I called out for you, but Scarlet insists that wasn’t when the gun went off.
“She said I should ask you about it. It’s okay if you’d rather not.”
L.C. looks upset.
“Oh! L.C., I understand. You’ve been keeping the same guilt bottled inside.” She gives L.C. a warm embrace, but now it’s Nissa comforting L.C. “You really aren’t at fault. I heard the next part of the exchange, and you told me—Greer insisted you give no information.
“L.C., it really isn’t your fault. Had you given them what they wanted, Ms. Gray would have no use for you. And that information would have endangered billions of people, or maybe trillions or more, taking time travel into account.
“Greer wasn’t afraid, was he?” she asks rhetorically.
With the T-detector complete, Kai takes some time to work on personal projects, putting on some chill instrumental music, turning off notifications on all devices and sinking into that state that is both intense focus and relaxing into well-worn practice. For a warm-up, Kai codes a few stylized octopi, multiplying them and animating them into an infinite pattern of gently spinning curls radiating from the center. The speed of their movement is subtly different, and letting your eyes drift unfocused over it creates the illusion of spinning circles that change direction.
That done, Kai puts it fullscreen on a tertiary monitor and continues with some more complex projects spread across two monitors, the dark background of the text processor soothing as the colored lines of code chase each other across the screen.
Scarlet Meadows sends Charles the address of Colonel Greer's ranch and a picture of a stable. One of the horses is photobombing the picture sticking out a tongue. There are heavily forested hills in the background.
Charles borrows a vehicle to head out to the ranch. Some time with animals sounds like just the kind of thing he needs after... everything. It occurs to him that he hasn't been out of Boston Theoretical for much other than superheroing since... well, since he'd gotten a bunch of animals mashed into him by a mad scientist. He'd have to come out here often.
Caring for the horses (and the dog) is soothing, though the horses are rather skittish around him--he suspects the cloak may not be masking the fact that he smells like a predator. Predators? Would horses even know what to make of the smell of space tyrannosaur (or whatever that part of him was)?
Somehow Charles got from that thought to wondering how horse tasted raw, and he shook himself slightly. He worried, sometimes, just how much he was still changing. He knew Boston Theoretical's scientists had said he seemed to have that kind of capability, but... he didn't really like the idea.
No, enough of that. Focus on the animals, he'd think about work when he got back...
Your trip back to the Bahamas is even more pleasant than the first. The danger is not as impending and you're taking a yacht not a suped-up cargo ship. The yachts in top shape and the staff seem unaware that their employers are currently being interrogated.
You've also all had a chance to get your head on straight before you left. Theo got right with Poseidon. Nissa cleared her conscience and the air. Charles found himself surrounded himself with animals at this beautiful little hobby farm Colonel Dyer Greer had made for himself, in a quiet space with nothing but acceptance. Kai got lost in lines of code and entered the zone for a couple of hours. Zellgato went down rabbitholes in this world's infosphere and discovered the much happier future his world missed out on.
The day is June 28th, 2219. It was a full moon last night. The Thin Spot guys insist this is significant, but they have only theories and none of the science to support their 'Atlantis' theory--unless you count archaeology.
Mackie stops the yacht at a certain latitude and longitude. It looks like any other patch of blue ocean with sunny skies above. Ian and Dann begin detaching the Starfish from the back of the yacht. They submersible's design allows the arms to be retracted. It doesn't take long for the arms to extend.
You have two mecha, a submersible that can hold several passengers, several deep diving suits. Ian says he's going to stay on the yacht and 'keep an eye on things'.
The yacht does have equipment for monitoring what's going on below. Once you're over the sight Ian shows you the topography of the ocean floor. There are several ruined structures that they insist are buildings and then there's a crevice too deep for the Starfish. It was this area that RSL was supposed to help Thin Spot explore. It was in this crevice that RSL found the crystal shards and the giant octopus.
Charles' suit is specially made. It looks like the Boston Theoretical prep team took three suits apart to make this one. It pinches a bit in a couple of places.
Theo will take the submersible. He's be next to the largest window, keeping his eyes peeled for marine life, Poseidon, or mermaids.
"How do we want to do this then? Should I pilot a mecha, or drive the sub? I think I could manage well enough for either. I do, want a back upsuit in case of breach though... I don't know how these things work versus 'Terrors of the deep' Tales from the Crypt monsters." plantively states, while remembering one of the random things he's vidtubed lately.
The central chamber of the Starfish is a room with a reinforced glass ceilings. The arms fold up when the submersible dives to make it sink through the water. Each arm is large enough for 4 to 5 tourists to stand in and look out at the ocean life around.
It will take a while to sink into position.
Mackie and Dann can steer it.
"These high tech diving suits are amazing. You're still going to be hurting if you go down into the crevice in these."
The boys are correct. They looked into purchasing some suits like this, but they still couldn't let tourists out of the sub if they had purchased some.
When you are attuned or fully attuned, you ignore the environmental effects of being in a vacuum and receive a +4 bonus to all saving throws against diseases and poisons.
Nissa asks Kai, “Would you like to Pilot a mecha, or should I? Unfortunately, I didn’t think to ask the Thin Spot guys to add short-person accommodations, so I can’t do anything tricky without Legion.”
"You go ahead an pilot it, I can stay behind on the Starfish and keep an eye out on things," Kai offers.
“Thanks,” she says, followed by “Dibs in Big Blue!”—and a question…
Unless the Thin Spot guys, Kai or someone else can make an adjustment to the controls, Nissa will need Legion.
…she asks if an adjustment can be made.
“Thanks,” she says, followed by “Dibs in Big Blue!”—and a question…
Unless the Thin Spot guys, Kai or someone else can make an adjustment to the controls, Nissa will need Legion.
…she asks if an adjustment can be made.
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+2 via Biohack.
(Either solo work; or to Aid Another (+2aid +2 Enh biohack)
While working with, or after which, Zellgato ponders to ask Kai. "If you're staying on the Starfish; does your Robot have cameras, or repair tool/hands? I knew someone who used their drone to infiltrate with our team, while they waited on the aircraft. They did a lot of of the hacking or computer work for us.. Although I don't suppose Atlantis will have cooperative technology from what Wikipedia said."
When Zellgato offers to help modify Big Blue, Nissa decides to fix a cheese and cracker plate for him, and see what non-alcoholic beverages are available. She will serve anyone else (Kai?) who is working on the modification as well.
The robots Big Time and Small Fry do their best to 'get the party started' but soon retire to the armory, bored while everyone else works.
Ian releases the clamp holding the Starfish. It has turbines on each of the arms to guide its descent and, then, when it gets closer to the bottom and the arms are lowered, the turbines will slow its descent.
The Thin Spot guys sent you their preferred landing pad. Missing it could damage some of the structures they study or send the Starfish into the crevice.
Kai is happy to tinker with Big Blue over partying, brainstorming ideas with Zellgato.
"Legion has cameras and engineering tools, yes. And a manipulator arm, although it's not very good for finesse work."
Wanting to do something nice for Nissa, Kai goes way too fancy - talking 3D printed adaptive prosthetic-like extensions and other overengineered solutions that they lack both the time and the materials for.
Kai takes advantage of the vitamins to tinker with Legion some more to try and make sure that the drone can function well under water at the depth they are going.
As they dive, Charles struggles into his 'custom' pressure suit. He's grateful for the effort, even if the end product is a bit uncomfortable. He still wishes there was more he could do when they get to the deep chasm, but for now, he'll get suited up in the Starfish and see if there was anything interesting in the shallower area.
Kai sticks the landing, putting it right on the mark the Thin Spot guys requested. To the untrained eye, the ocean around you is an oddly bumpy terrain with hills and ridges all around. The Thin Spot crew insists these were once stone buildings, that have become filled with mud, minerals, and silt. It is certainly possible. These could have once been buildings and this area could have been a small town.
The Starfish has a 'start tour' button that is flashing. It activates their video and audio tour of the area. You don't need to listen to it.
The crevice is just to the North of this village. Thin Spot found the crevice too deep and jagged for their Starfish, which is why they invited Red Shirt Labs to partner with them. Red Shirt Labs took over the investigation of the crevice and it is there Channer and Tosh claim to have been attacked by an Octopus after finding the shards with their TD-Rad Detector.
The crevice is 500 ft. deeper than where you are now.
Now on the bottom, Theo starts to don his deep diving suit.
"So.. How do we want to procced? Seems Flank guards around the Starfish; but does the Starfish lead with us on the sides, does a mecha lead. Or. Do we want to just cluster together and keep an eye out? Some Octopoda of this ocean manifest the ability to campoflague, and some still are active hunters. Futher; if those two aren't schooled on marine biology there is also the possibility of cephelapod; some of which can turn translucent, whilst others still glow. Much less the possibility of ink screen coverage. In both creature cases, there are signs and implications of solo hunting as well as nesting or "pod" hunting. Thus we can not make any assumptions about any hunting patterns there of that could exist if they arer mutated or naturally occuring entities......" and so on continues Zellgato; who spent far too much time researching creatures in this area and their biodiversity as well as quarks and potential adaptations if they happen to be from a different world or timeline.
Easily speaking far more than any of you had heard previously.
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Senses darkvision 60 ft., blindsense 60 ft., low-light vision;
Init. = Operator's Init.
DEFENSE
Hit Points 42
Shield Points 11 (Regains 4 SP beginning of each turn)
Hardness 1
EAC = 21
KAC = 25
Immunities Mechs are immune to ability damage, ability drain, bleed, death effects, disease, energy drain, exhaustion, fatigue, mind-affecting effects, necromancy effects, negative levels, nonlethal damage, paralysis, sleep, and stunning. They are also immune to any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless that effect works on objects or is harmless.
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft. Swim 60 ft. Reach 15 ft.
Spear 9 + the operator’s BAB or ranks in Piloting (2d8+9 P)
Spiked Flail 9 + the operator’s BAB or ranks in Piloting (2d8+9 B; Cleave); Chain can extend for additional 10 ft. of Reach
Harpoon 9 + the operator’s BAB or ranks in Piloting (2d8+9 P)
Dual Strike (1 PP) When making a full attack with two different weapons mounted on your arms, you attack twice with one of those weapons and once with the other weapon. You take a –4 penalty to these attacks
Saves +5
Skill Modifiers A mech’s skill check modifier equals 5 + operator's ranks; for Athletics checks, also add the mech’s Strength modifier (+4).
"When performing a Strength- or Dexterity-based skill check, a mech can instead use its operator’s ranks in Piloting to determine the mech’s skill modifier."
Nissa is impressed by Zellgato’s vast knowledge of… a lot of stuff! When she can get a word in, she says, “Flanking is good, but any formation you suggest, I’ll run with it.”
The two large mecha land on the ocean floor.
From both the mecha and the submersible, you can see a ring of mounds. It doesn't look like much, but there's an obvious pattern to them. The mounds are about 10' to 20' high, but many seem collapsed. All of them are covered in layers of mineral build up and silt.
The crevice is on the other side of the village. The Thin Spot guys chose a cautious landing spot, far from the crevice.
Charles, now suited up, follows after the mecha and looks around the area. He doesn't think he'll be much use if there's a fight like this, but... he's here, and he's another pair of eyes, which is something.
Does Charles want to carry the TD-Rad detector? He does have the extra arms.
Sure, sounds good.
Zellgato will hand over the Detector "Good plan actually; leaves the mecha as first conflict response unit. So.. Do we spread out and search or head right for Octoterritory? Mecha aren't the best for fine toothed archeology."
(edit pressed enter too fast)
In the mean time, Zellgato will do a quick pass, flying up a bit, and around the outskirts. Mainly looking in case anyone else landed; as well for any hints of a camoflagued octoenemy.
A voice comes over the comms.
It's Ian's.
"Hey all. We've got eyes on all of you and can hear you loud and clear. Try not to step on Atlantis with those great big mecha. That's history right there."