Each of you find yourselves in a corridor outside Venture Captain Arvin's office in the Lorespire Complex, and have been milling about for a bit talking.
The halls are crowded with other agents and visitors. A male lashunta gestures a group of agents into his office. “Go on in,” he says to them. “I’ll be right there.” But then he turns to you waiting outside, steps a bit closer, and lowers his voice. “Thanks for coming. I have a quick task for you, and from the outside, it doesn’t look like much. You just need to go to Bluerise Tower, where AbadarCorp’s financial review department is located, and speak with the director there, a man named Ebaki. He’s going to give you a datastick. Bring it back here. That’s it. That’s the mission, looks like you get off easy today. I admit that I don’t know what’s on that datastick. It’s important, but I don’t know why. And that’s why I asked for a team of skilled agents to handle a simple pick-up and delivery job.”
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Vecro spent few past weeks meditating on Idari. He needed that break after the last mission. His balance was lost and his wounds were still healing. He hoped for a mission that would slowly bring him back in the game, nothing crazy, no mission impossible.
Vecro waited in the corridor and liked what he heard from Venture-Captain Arvin and was wondering if he is sharing all that he knows.
Kasatha looks around him, he is rather tall and slim even that he is a fighter. His people are not very bulky. His two arms are crossed on his chest while one of his remaining hands holds a long pike.
He is dressed in dark clothing, in a traditional kasathan way his mouth is covered with a piece of material. Next to his head floats a sphere of constantly flowing darkness.
Before the Arvin came he presented himself by holding his right hand on his chest and saying in a calm and deep voice:
"My name is Vecro Asynti from the House Khadil, it is a pleasure to work with you on this mission."
Responding with a soft voice he asks:
"Do you know why are we suppose to bring the datastick? I wonder if there is anyone willing us to fail in that task."
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"Don't worry Venture Captain, we'll get the Datastick, more information is always good for the society!" a small moth like creature says in a squeaky voice to Arvin, while proudly displaying a Dataphiles patch inside the Lore Complex.
"Do you have anymore information for us Venture-Captain?" the moth creature asks.
He turns to the assembled agents, "Hi all! I'm Tiiny Stiirk, it's so wonderful to be here, I'm new to these parts, but I'm already loving the Dataphiles, isn't Celita nice? They help me channel my Technomantic powers, they're great!"
"I have no idea what information is on the datastick. This mission came from a higher-up in the Society who wants to remain anonymous, so I guess we'll find out together."
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Wearing patchwork--one would almost say self built--armor, a slightly surly looking dwarf grimaces. "Doesn't sound like much of a mission. Though considering you have sent me places where it took forever to get either dust or molten stone out of 'Dross here....I guess I can't look a gift Renkroda in a mouth."
The dwarf is flanked by a humanoid (?) robot. Humanoid at least from the waist up, it has 2 arms (one ending in a large sledge), a head and what appears to be a mounted plasma rifle on its torso. The bottom half appears to be what looks like a small mini-tank frame, including the treads for its mobility.
Nodding to the rest, "Name is Jagrur Cragsteam. Mechanic, roboticist, and all around nice dwarf...I guess." He smiles at his poor attempt at a joke. "The big fellow behind me is MechanaDross, Mk 2. Don't worry about what happened to mk 1. He is the comedian of the group."
'Dross just gives you all a cold (as in artificial) look. You can easily tell that Jagrur is once again trying to make a bad joke.
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"Naturally, Venture Captain, we will be quick and discrete in our charge."
The kasatha at the back of the group is tall for a kasatha with a leaner than average build. His demeanor is tranquil. His four hands are clasped together in front of his torso. He is most often dressed in dark grey business attire over blue skin tight light armor, and his lower face is covered with a black veil. His hairless grey skin can be off-putting to those more accustomed to human tones.
After the VC departs he introduces himself to the rest of the group, nodding to each in turn. He reserves a shallow bow for Vecro. "I am Kadef Hins Socriat of Clan Parsem, House Zebulan. Please call me Kadef. The Society delights in assigning me minor diplomatic missions. " He sighs.
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"“Bluerise Tower is one of the most secure office facilities on Absalom Station. I would say that no one is stupid enough to break in there, so you shouldn't have to deal with anyone else. Then again some people are pretty stupid. Be prepared for anything, just as any Starfinder should."
"Ebaki is the human director of AbadarCorp's financial review department. He shouldn't be difficult to find."
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Jabrum looks to the ghoran. "It does sound a little like a joke....this should be something as easy as a one person job. " Jagrur shrugs. "If it allows me to get out and stretch my legs, and nobody is out to shoot me, hey, I am fine with it."
Mechanadross gives a look at Jagrur's back...you almost can her the 'They usually shoot at me first...' from the drone. That or maybe you are inferring on something that has yet to develop sentience.
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“That’s - that’s it? Ah… okay… I was hoping to serve Iomedae’s justice to wrong-doers… but we’ll go now then, sir. See you soon…” says an android in heavy armor, faceplate open. Through it you can see he’s clearly disappointed. He starts walking away, shoulders slumped.
Kadef says with quiet sincerity, "Don't be discouraged. Perhaps Ebaki has discovered some embezzlers that you can punish."
During the walk over to Bluerise, Kadef falls into step beside his fellow kasatha. "Honorable Asynti, I have few acquaintances among House Khadil. May I offer you the hospitality of House Zebulan when next we are both on the Idari?"
You make your way to Bluerise Tower and take the elevator to the floor that houses AbadarCorp's Financial Review Department.
As the elevator doors open, you're greeted by a brenneri in a loose, brightly-colored short-sleeved shirt, with a leather tie around her neck connected to a smooth polished stone. She looks up from her personal comm unit, stashes it in her pocket and gives you a broad smile. Greetings! You must be Arvin’s people from the Society. I’m Bordle. I work here, and the director asked me to meet you and walk you to his office. We have a lot of security, but just stick with me, and we’ll have you in and out in no time.”
"“First, you’ll have to leave your weapons with security before you can enter the main floor. So follow me. It’s just down this hall. "Oh, hey! I can show you the Smoker while we’re here.” She turns back and presses her hand to a biometric scanner adjacent to the door on the southeast wall. Instantly, it opens. Beyond is an octagonal chamber 30 feet across with a second door at the far end. “That’s the Smoker. As far as security systems go, it’s pretty fancy. There are vents in the floor that fill the whole thing with poison gas! Or, at least, that’s what I’ve been told. Never seen it in action, of course. No one would dare to break into this place!”
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“Hello, miss Bordle. Yes, we are here to pick something from director Ebaki… sure, these are just for emergencies…” Murgatroyd picks up his two handaxes and holds them down, in one hand.
“And what do you do with creatures that don’t breathe? Or that wear any armor… it’s fine… I prefer distributing justice in person… such methods, I don’t like them.” He speaks, in a monotone, head down.
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"Honorable Asynti, I have few acquaintances among House Khadil. May I offer you the hospitality of House Zebulan when next we are both on the Idari?"
"Honorable Hins Socriat, with pleasure and honor I accept your invitation and extend mines. I heard about your house a lot of good things, but this is my first to meet it's a member." says Vecro on his way to the tower.
When asked to give up his weapons
"Mister Bordle, is it necessary? We are Starfinder agents and not some sales representatives. We are supposed to carry an item of high importance and I prefer not to leave my weapons here."
"And what are the holes in the ceiling? Those that look like spray nozzles. " Asks pointing them with his pike.
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Jagrur nods to the brennari, though he doesn't do much talking, as it seems the rest of the group are chatterboxes. He just keeps his custom ring on his arm, controlling 'Dross.
"What about 'Dross here? I really don't want to have to take the 30 minutes dismantling his equipment, and another 30 or sot putting it back on. What if I just take off his arm , and pull the batteries from the plasma bolter?"
On leaving his weapons, he shrugs, has no problem leaving his pistol,bolter and axe.
"I don't know how exactly the smoker functions, but I assure you it greatly increases our security."
Bordle turns back towards the southern door and presses her hand to a biometric scanner, which opens the door. “The doors are all keyed to employees,” she says. “And of course some areas require special clearance. But I can get us to security.” She leads you down the hallway to the south of where you are now. It is 20 ft. wide, with a 12 ft. high ceiling. Cubicles alternate on the north and south walls, and inside most of the cubicles a single individual is working, their screens filled with spreadsheets and analytical tools. The carpet is a geometric pattern incorporating the key symbol of Abadar, and a suit of golden armor on a display stand bears Abadar’s symbol prominently on its chest. As she walks, Bordle gestures to the ceiling, where small hemispherical devices can occasionally be seen, on the northern or southern walls. “Motion sensors,” she says. “All tied into Argent, our security AI. Hey Argent!” Bordle waves to the nearest motion sensor. There is no response, but Bordle doesn’t seem to have expected one, and she weaves around the cubicles until she reaches a door at the far end of the hall.
When Bordle reaches the end of the hall, she presses a button by the biometric lock on the door, and a moment later the door unlock, triggered by the security agent within the room. She opens the door and ushers you in.
Beyond the door is a simple square room 20 ft. on each side. A door leads out to the west and a large metal locker fills the southeast corner of the room. A kasatha in a black suit sits at a desk, but rises as everyone enters. “Hello,” they say, their voice muffled by their traditional mask. “You can place all your weapons in this locker. They will be safe here for the duration of your visit.” The kasatha presses one of their hands to a biometric lock on the locker, which opens.
To questions with regard to leaving weapons, the kasatha says, "I must insist you leave them. If you do not, I will have to ask you to vacate the facility immediately."
"You are welcome to keep your drone with you; however, any parts of the drone that could be considered weapons must be removed. Please take your time. Security is our highest priority."
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"Ah why thank you, do I also get a receipt for storing my weapons? Wouldn't want them to be misplaced you see!" Tiiny enquiries of the Kasatha.
"An AI you say? Any chance I could take a look or talk to it, always interested in robotics and AI!" Tiiny asks Bordle before sticking his head back out the door and saying "Hi Argent!" and waving at the security camera.
Tiiny knows these motion sensors inside and out, and tells the rest of the party telepathically. (You can read the Spoiler within!)
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Jagrur gives the small Kiirinta a nod about the sensors.
Jagrur has no problems giving up his bolter, pistol and axe, however, when the kasatha says dismantling his bot...."Look....to remove the sledge is a simple thing, I take the whole arm off...just a few minutes. Removing the plasma bolter takes longer, like an hour or two to remove and or install. I can remove the internal batteries from it to make in inoperable. If that doesn't meet your criteria for safety, I will just leave the whole bot here--powered down--next to my items in your storage area. I do not need him following me."
"Removing the battery from your drone's gun will be sufficient, as long as you have no other compatible batteries on you our your companions."
As you hand over your weapons, the kasatha places them in the large storage locker in the corner. They pick up a wand-shaped device from the desk and pass it over each of you to verify that each of you has handed over everything. Seeing that you are free of weapons, the kasatha nods. Bordle moves to the western door out of the room and waits. The kasatha presses a key on the desk computer and the door opens.
Bordle leads the way through the door, into a very large workspace filled with cubicles. The ceiling is 12 ft. high, and the floor is covered in the same Abadar-themed carpeting as before. Dozens of cubicles fill the space, with AbadarCorp employees working at most of them, crouched over computer terminals. “This way,” she says, waving a hand as she begins to walk west, between two rows of cubicles.
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Jagrur shrugs, pulls out the batteries for the plasma bolter, tosses those into the drawer...and then pulls out and tosses the 2 batteries that were in his cargo pants pocket into the bin with his guns.
Though thinking to Tiiny (hopefully) mentally 'If anybody else has batteries on them that they should keep them on their persons.'
Again thinking to Tiiny so that they can relay to others 'there are motion sensors here too....this place is rigged so that nobody can get around without tripping them. I would hate to have to try to get in here.'
"They help us protect our data. We have to protect our financial records. The security AI can't activate them when an employee is present, so don't worry. Everyone is very safe."
Bordle continues west past another suit of golden armor resting on an ornate stand. “Hey Becky,” she says, waving to the armor as if it were alive. “I named all the Abadarmors.” As Bordle speaks, she gestures to each wall of the work area, where more suits of armor are on display. Each one is decorated with Abadar stylings, including a golden crossbolter weapon attached to the arm. “This one’s Becky,” she says, “and the others, they’re Almond, Carnation, and Denty.” Bordle leans in confidentially, her voice lowering to a mutter. “I named him that because he has a dent in his head. He’s a little sensitive, so try not to stare. But I tell him it doesn’t matter.”
“But let’s go. The director is probably wondering if you all died in the Smoker or something.” About fifty feet to the southwest is a door, and Bordle approaches it before pushing a button on the biometric lock. A voice comes from the lock. “Yes?” “It’s Bordle, mister director, sir. I have our guests from the Starfinder Society.” The door unlocks and opens, and a voice from inside the room says, “Please come in.” “Take care!” Bordle says, waving as she wanders north. “I’m gonna check in on the secret lab.” As she says the words secret lab, she draws quotation marks in the air. “Those people could probably use a break.”
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Yes Jagrur, I always keep a battery on my person for Technomancer things, so no dramas there, I have no idea if it's compatible. Tiiny mentally prods Jagrur, and then the rest of the team relaying the information to them.
I'd also hate to have to get out Jagrur... after acknowledging the comment about people getting in.
Tiiny takes an extreme interest in the suits of Armour.
"So Bordle, what can you tell me about these suits of Armour? Can someone get inside or are they constructs? I'm super curious"
I flutter into the office afterwards, "Hello, my name is Tiiny, Director Ebaki I presume?"
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Vecro follow the others, looking with mild interest in the small cylinders over the cubicles.
But the Abadarmours are completely different beast. He approaches the closest one
"They use crossbolters that is an interesting weapon of choice. It would be regarded on Idari. Do they use other weapons?" asks with interest.
It the things turn dire, a lot of devices here should be using batteries. We should be able to salvage some.
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Jagrur will look at what Kadef motions to.
As Tiiny looks at the armor, Jagrur will also, as they do appear to be of fine construction....like anything Abadar does...it does with style and money.
Looking at the armor, he remembers that Abadar used to love crossbows. Apparently the armor symbolizes that.
When they walk into the Director's office, Jagrur will just nod his head, still a little irked that he had to pull the batteries out of 'Dross.
'Dross just looks sullen as it has only one arm, and that is the one that now mounts the uncharged plasma bolter.
"You can't wear the Abadarmor. They're part of our top notch security."
Bordle continues walking to the northern door as you enter to talk to Director Ebaki.
Director Ebaki’s office is spacious and well-furnished, including a broad and handsome wooden desk and comfortable chair, a table in one corner surrounded by a few chairs for more casual conversation, and even a fully-stocked bar along the northern wall. A side door also leads north and a large handwoven carpet in bold geometric pattern fills the center of the room. A transparent aluminum bulkhead gives an impressive view of the Armada outside Absalom Station and the countless stars beyond. The man seated behind the desk looks up and says, “You must be the people Arvin sent. I’m the person who sent for you.”
He withdraws a small datastick from his desk drawer and hands it to Vecro. "This needs to go to the Lorespire Complex, Arvin will know what to do with it." In response to Vecro's question, he says, "It is information for Arvin." He looks back to his computer screen and begins to type, resuming his work.
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Jagrur shrugs at Vecro. "I think if anybody is going to jump us...they wouldn't think we would hide it on a front line person. They will likely go after the 'egg-heads' as you say. So keep it with you."
Thinking to Tiiny, 'You saw those cylinders...those things could be NASTY. I think if I had one, I could overcharge them to almost be like a dangerous electrical grenade or something. Abadarcorp does seem to take their security seriously."[/b]
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"I mean no offence by this Vecro, but I would prefer to have the datastick with someone that can fly, you never know when you need to fly away. Of course, if you want to keep it, I totally understand." Tiiny says, next to Vecro
"Director, am I allowed to make a backup of this datastick as well? Just in case? Absalom Station is a dangerous place." Tiiny turns back to the Director
"I agree Jagrur, if we need to, we might need to Engineer one out. But of course, let's hope it doesn't come to that." Tiiny says, telepathically.
The director replies to Tiiny, "Please don't do that."
As Murgatroyd reaches for the door handle, the lights in the office go out, and Ebaki's computer dies filling the room in complete darkness, save for starlight beyond the external window. The sound of several small explosions can be heard from the main work area, through the sealed door. Screams of pain and terror follow, only to be cut short. The distant noise of something large and heavy grinding to a halt, like a closing blast door, resounds from beyond the office. Ebaki panics behind his desk. “What was that? What’s happening? Oh no… it’s the information on that datastick! They’ve come for it! They’re going to kill us all!”
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Until now Kadef has remained in the background. His compatriots were handling the transfer smoothly. Now, however, he might be more useful. He steps forward and speaks calmly. "Director Ebaki, you must reamin calm for the good of your employees. My comrades are highly qualified agents. They can handle any emergency. Who are coming? Do you have access to communications or security controls?"
Aside he asks the group, "Can someone find Bordle?"
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Jagrur looks around. "Why do I feel that we are in some kind of 'Escape room'...but more serious?"
With that he looks to Kadef, who seems to be trying to get the Director under control. "Kadef, does he know any override codes or somesuch? Anything? Also, is he armed and armored?"
Looking at the rest of the party. "Didn't that cute otterfolk say they were going to the 'secret' lab? What is in the secret lab, and where is it?"
Finally, Jagrur also asks...."Anybody got 2 spare batteries? I can at least get 'Dross's gun online...it will take 10 or so minutes rigging slightly different batteries in, but nothing I can't handle."