Outpost III - SFS 2-14 Data Purge (9-12) (Inactive)

Game Master Saashaa

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If needed you can contact me on Discord at Roc#1401.

Each of you get a message on your comm units:

Docking Bay 342

The Reliable - Thresker
Geological work

What are do doing when you get this message? What do you do once you receive it?

Killik is in one of the recreational halls in the Lorespire Complex. He is refereeing an inter Society zero-g dodgeball competition between teams composed of the various different factions. As his comm unit blinks he slowly closes his eyes and telepathically broadcasts deep sadness across the two teams. It seems I am needed friends, we must complete the match at a later time. Duty calls.

Furious ratcheting can be heard in a garage of the complex. The sound is broken by hoot and a whimsical beep. "No, I am not over tightening the valve."

A few more hoots are returned after several seconds of ratchet sounds and are followed by a couple flat beeps. "I thought I programmed you with at least a little optimism...you can clearly see that the all the tolerances are within specifications."

The argument is broken up by klaxon bell emanating from kAPP's custom rig. "Well, it looks like we got another mission. Think you can keep your cynical comments to yourself for at least part of it?"

A sarcastic whistle and a couple exhaustive hoots are released from Murco as he quickly folds himself into the pack receptacle on kAPP's back, "I figured that would be too much to ask for." A few electronic chuckles are heard as kAPP quickly organizes his tools and pulls the sheet over his new project, "Yeah-yeah, laugh it up. While your at it, run a diagnostic on the gear, we don't need an incident like last time."

A synthetic growl and more flat beeps are heard and kAPP taps the lock key pad and begins making his way to the docking bay.

A quiet Damaya Lashunta man sits in the corner of a Library in the Lorespire Complex, reading a rare physical book when his comm-link beeps.

Adjusting his glasses, he puts a bookmark in the book and stows it away, looks to the datapad and says to himself "Well, no rest for the wicked, let's see what they have in store this time." and he gets up and starts heading that way.

Not sure how you want to rule it, but as my Life Bubble lasts for 9 days, I basically cast it on myself every 5 or 6 days, because you never know when you'll need it. Are you happy for me to have cast it a couple of days before?

Not sure how you want to rule it, but as my Life Bubble lasts for 9 days, I basically cast it on myself every 5 or 6 days, because you never know when you'll need it. Are you happy for me to have cast it a couple of days before?

It's also one person per caster level, sojust cast it on the whole party? Normally when playing my mystic I'd cast it during Drift travel but this looks like it's a home game.

The buff korasha was just getting a quick tune-up of a set of elegantly luminescent tattooed lines on his chest that accentuate, maybe even enhance his muscle tone. Looking at the message he frowns.

"I wonder what that's about. Flip over a rock and see what crawls out from under it?"

He quickly slides into a big heavy suit of armor and meticulously checks to see if everything in it is properly installed.

The SROs rescued from the Perplexity mission carved a strange niche for themselves in Absalom Station. Well, in isn't quite correct...

A small cluster of activity is barely perceptible here, on the underside of one of the arms of the station, as sentient robots of all shapes and sizes weld, carry, rivet, and construct all manner of structures connected to an old and previously unused airlock. Solar panels for extra power descend from the strange settlement on a settlement, rotating with the passing of the Burning Mother.

Connected to one of these solar arrays is one of the first SROs to join the society after the rescue. His battery indicator sits at 3/4 power when his sleep cycle is interrupted by the message. The system start tone, a buzzing that reverberates through his chassis with the exception of an out of place purple right arm that has jinsul leg blades bolted to it, brings him to life.

His singular red optical scanner takes in the information. The solar power charging unit disconnects and he walks toward the airlock. Other robots move out of his way quickly before returning to work, shortwave communications around him broadcast "Two Tons is coming. Make way. Two Tons is coming. Make way."

The hustle and bustle of the Absalom docks assaults your senses as the wide variety of dock happenings are happening. Sentients and non-sentients bustle past each other and you as they go through their lives. Families meeting after being away from each other for a time and others clearly leaving each other for a time.

Dock 341 and 343 contain large cargo liners, likely the source of most of the current bustle. Between them, in dock 342, is a small, hodgepodge freighter that looks old and well used. Across it's hull are the faded words "Reliable". The cargo door is open and an older Vesk leans against the lift support looking irritated as he hits off of a smoking device.

A shiver and twitching shoots up Eddie's purple arm, a nearly imperceptible ripple as it seems to reach out toward the organics walking around him. It stays still enough, but periodically it jerks slightly toward a human, or lashuntan, or anything else made of blood, bone, and brains, leaving a slight trail of shadow in its place before returning to normal. Optical sensors read The Reliable and he makes a direct line toward the ship.

When he arrives, he looks the craft and its Vesk over before announcing himself. perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Organic designate, Thresker. This one has received notification of geological mission. You are contact. Request: mission parameters." The voice comes out glitchy, dropping into low tones and warbles, primarily toward the end of the statement. It almost sounds like its angry, but robots can't be angry.

The Vesk looks irritatedly at the SRO and then gestures inside the freighter. "Get in. I take you there. I don't know nuthin' else," he says gruffly.

Perception to see anything out of the ordinary

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

"Good day, I presume you are Thresker?, I am supposed to report to you for a geological mission? Do I just get on the ship?" the crisp, slightly nerdy tones of Valgard state as he approaches the Reliable.

Rakisan gets out of a cab, thanks the fan who brought him over, shakes his head to clear it of all the fanboy stories he just had to hear, and walks up to the ship.

"I'm here." And then notices Valgard and slaps him on the shoulder, careful not to knock him over. "Hey, that's been a while since I last saw you. How are you doing man?"

You don't notice anything out of the ordinary.

The Vesk looks irritatedly at the two and then gestures inside the freighter. "Get in. I take you there. I don't know nuthin' else," he says gruffly again.

Killik descends the stairs into the docking area, having arrived using the public travel system. He loves to travel on busy public transport, squeezed in the press of bodies, his mental tendrils gently seeking out minds to soothe, to make those connections he so enjoys. Leaving the packed train is a jolt for him, the end of a long and intimate experience.

He approaches the vessel that is to take them to their destination, his mind seeks out that of their contact, his mandibles clack and a little drool dribbles from his chitinous mouth pieces.

You are the one I seek yes? We are to travel together, we will be friends. It is not a question but rather a statement of fact.

The Vesk flinches at Killk's contact and then gestures angrily inside the freighter. "Get in. I take you there. I don't know nuthin' else. No more of that mind sh$% and we will not," he says.

Killik reflexively recoils from the mans hostility and then, almost, presses forward with his mind to charm him. Anything to smoothe over such disagreements but something stops him. No, these cretures do not understand the joy to be found in the joining of minds. A pity, I could give him a far greater appreciation of the infinite variety to be found in life...

Killik makes his way inside pausing before the man, Apologies, no offence intended but I find this physical communication difficult, as he speaks he sprays the man with spittle from his clacking mandibles.

I do apologise he says, spraying the man with yet more spittle, before handing him a tissue and heading quickly inside.

The vesk mutters things under his breath as Killk enters onto the ship as he wipes his face with the given tissue. After more muttering and wiping he takes another hit from his smoking device and takes a lean once more.

Sailing in with his drone jetpack, kAPP sees the group and the ship he is supposed to board. He cuts off the pack slightly early to do a hero landing to a knee. He stands up as the exchange with his party members and the large vesk happen. Murco's head pops up over his shoulder with a whistle and hoot at the vesk's harsh statements.
kAPP reaches up to touch the side of his hooded helmet to activate his visor. Ralveen's visor with X-ray, Aura & Motion He takes a scan of the vessel to notice anything "off" about it and to check it's viability.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24
Engineering: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (4) + 23 = 27

He will note any information to himself, regardless of the result. He then touches his face mask to disable the visor and detach it to pull off his hood, exposing his face while having Murco unmeld and rest on his shoulder.

Striding up to the vesk, looking at each other agent in sign of greeting, he tells the vesk, "Greetings, I am kAPP and this is Murco. Might we at least ask the name of our fair captain?"

The vesk looks completely unimpressed at kAPP's entrance. He once more give a gesture into the ship. "Thresker. Get in. You're the last." At that he stashes his device in a pocket of his jacket and moves to the cockpit of the vessel.

Thresker taps quickly and efficiently on the controls. The engine hums to life and the bay door hisses as it closes. With a few words on the comms The Reliable is thrusting away from Absalom Station into space.

Cursory searches and readings indicate that you are headed for Lliavara.

The Reliable is a small freighter compared to many you have been on. It has a cockpit in front, one crew quarter behind, the engine room next, and then a large cargo bay. The cargo bay is where you are.

With Lliavara as your destination, the trip is liekly to take at least a couple days. What do you do during this time?

kAPP shrugs off this vesk as another organic lifeforms that isn't swayed by pure action, though his time on a pirate ship reminds him that he should not ignore Thresker either.
His natural sense on a ship leads him to the engine room. He tries hard to ignore the shoddy workmanship of the engine and finds a corner next to a makeshift desk where Murco pops down onto. kAPP retrieves his maintenance kit and begins to work on both Murco and his pistols.

"Rakisan! Buddy! Boy am I glad they got you on this mission, makes me feel safer already. Here, as we're going to be on this ship a couple of days, let me cast Life Bubble on you all, never can be too careful I've found!" Valgard follows this with some laughter, pointing to his wings as he says this.

"Liavara hey, haven't been there in a while, say, Thresker, can you give us any info on this mission please?" Valgard asks over a comm unit.

While waiting for a reply, Valgard banters with Rakisan about previous missions.

"Hey everyone else. I'm Rakisan, but you probably know that already. And before you bring it up. I'm sorry about the 'the only good bug is a dead bug' posters. I was young and stupid. The Qabarat cadet corps was a different organization back then."

You'll have seen his face on posters a lot, you know the "we can do it" kind of military recruitment posters. Big bug, lots of muscle, wrench in one hand, sword in another kinda posters.

"So I dunno what this is all about but I'm guessing it's not just looking at rocks. Since we'll be traveling together for a couple of days, what about we do some training routines together so we can figure out our teamwork?"

Pushing some crates around he'll try to improvise a basic gym in a cargo hold. He's clearly in the physical/brawny category, although given how he actually organizes the hold and how he turns some spare parts into improvised gym apparatus, he's also good at engineering.

Killik spends his time aboard getting to know everyone and making their makeshift crew quarters as comfortable as possible. He rarely speaks out loud, much preferring telepathic communication.

He is obsessively tidy, making up everyones sleeping pods each "morning" and cooking team meals. He encourages people to have meals together and brings out a selection of games each day to entertain people. He eagerly joins with Rakisan in his impromptu gym and suggests group calisthenics each morning to keep everyone limber for the trip.

When not seeing to the needs of the crew or clucking like a mother hen around the party he spends some time researching Lliavara and puts togther an info packet for the group.

Culture if relevant: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28

At Rakisan's mention of his past he comes up and places his head against his. He shows him images of his past as part of the swarm and his journey to escape to the freedom of Absalom Station and the Society.

I understand, the fear is real, I forgive you he says into his mind.

Valgard greets the newcomers, "Nice to meet all of you, my name is Valgard, and I'm the techie on this mission. My job is make sure all the Computers work properly, and make them work if they don't. Also I'm very interested in Science, so happy to discuss both aspects of Life or Physical with you all." and he goes off to read his physical book in the corner.

He joins in for Acrobatic activities, but stays out of Athletic ones, they aren't for nerds like him. Better for Rakisan, he's built for it.

Also Culture if relevant: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35

Killik will gently chivvy Valgard to take part in all of the exercises. It is not the succeeding that matters but the taking part in activities with ones clutch brethren he whispers telepathically to him as he demonstrates an almost complete lack of balance, form or physical skill. You should never be afraid to show weakness to your family, we are here to help and suppport one another. When we know each others strengths and weakneses we are better equipped to work together he says as he utterly fails to climb a rope attached to the cargo bay railing.

After walking into the ship, Eddie takes stock of the various rooms in the layout, then selects a gunners post. After that, the only team member he acknowledges is kAPP. All others are summarily ignored if he's approached.

Killik makes an extra special effort to get Eddie to join in with the rest of the team, seemingly oblivious to his indiffeence.

Murco will egg kAPP on into joining the Exercises and provide motion cam footage though kAPP is not one for small talk and focuses on his movement.

"No," is all the response that Valgard gets.

The trip takes about 3 days.

On the 'morning' of the fourth day Liavara takes up at least half of the view screen. Thresker gives it a turn and heads for a small chunk of something in the distance.

From a craggy, nameless moon in Liavara’s orbit, space stretches infinitely outward. The ship kicks dust into the thin atmosphere as it lands under the guidance of its pilot, Thresker. Outside rests a pile of metal poles, clips, wires, and geological equipment in front of a small, shabby tent. As if on cue, an icy wind cuts across the barren landscape, wresting a large booklet of papers out from under a tumbled mess of wires. Thresker watches it flutter away on the lunar wind before turning to speak. “I imagine those were the instructions you need to collect.” Thresker then shoos you onto this rock, reenters the shuttle, and takes off without any other conversation.

kAPP steps onto the bridge as the ship touches down. Murco, on kAPPs shoulder, lets out a flat beep and starts whistling at kAPP to do something about the oversized, grumpy gecko.

kAPP waives Murco out towards the hatch and glares at Thresker as his hood begins to lift itself over his head. He catches the faceplate and locks it into place engaging the the screen shield, all the while not breaking eye contact.

Simply turning, he heads to the hatch and engages his environmentals. He then begins to survey the area for any details of information as to their next step of the mission while sending Murco after the the paper Thresker pointed out.

Perception (wanting to add scanning kit w/ +4 if applicable): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23

Valgard accepts the No stoically, then participates in the exercises at the urge of Killk, and feels better for it.

He gets up as the ship touches down, and is about to fly after the booklet when he sees Murco going after it.

He follows kAPP's lead, pulls out a scanning kit and tries to find anything else that might be of use.

Perception (also with +4 Scanning Kit if possible): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30

As they land on the desolate little moon Killik looks around, Surely some mmistake has he starts t say as the ship takes off. Well, how rude, I am sure he is a nice person really, probably just the stress of a lot of long space travel. I do wonder if he plans to come back for us at some point or this may become a rather uncomfortable trip.

Making sure his armour seals are in place Killik also takes out a scanning device and begins to search through the sad little camp.

Perception, scanner: 1d20 + 23 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 23 + 4 = 35

<<<THIS IS WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU USE PAPER>>> Rakisan telepathically screams at Valgard as he runs into the sky to chase the book.

Those who chase the papers catch it together. When you look at them, each page has one thing on it:

Patience

--FSLE

Other searching reveals nothing except that the disassembled poles and wires likely make up a complex fragile device.

"Patience? FSLE? Must be First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo. I guess we just stick around until something comes up?" Valgard says, looking back at the device.

"Or, we can try and fix this thing?"

"Not sure if we're supposed to assemble it already. But we could see if we can deduce what it's supposed to be?"

Eddie looks at the pile of poles and wires and runs through his memory banks to see if he has plans or images of this stored in his drive. engineering: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24

Killik looks around the desolate moon and grins. Well, just because we are stuck on a desolate moon with no redeeming fetures doesnt mean we cannot enjoy ourselves. Anyone for an invigorating games of moon volleyball? How about four dimensional chess? He already has his null space chamber open and is rooting around for possible multi player board game options and wondering how to make sure the pieces dont float away. I am sure I have a magnetic board in here somewhere. I do hope the former First Seeker isn't too long.

"I'm up for 4D Chess, let me just examine this Device!"

Valgard looks at the device, Engineering: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33

Murco returns with the paper he gathered. Seeing kAPP read it and immediately discard it, Murco begins to hoot and beep in a sign of panic as Thresker begins to disappear with their transport.

"Calm down, we've been in worse spots." He reaches up a grasps Murco's head in a reassuring pat, following with, "Why don't you begin surveillance of the area. Remember to stay in range."
5,000 ft range

Murco soars off and begins circling the area.
Murco's Perception of the area: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

kAPP walks over to the others, particularly Valgard handling the geological device. "Seems like you have this under control, I would be happy to help if needed.
Though I am concerned about why we are dropped in the middle of nowhere with no direction.
Do you think Arvin or any of the other Venture Captains will jump out with a shout of this Gozran Fool's Day? I would dislike that greatly."

He unclips his hand cannon, and begins to walk away, "I will walk the perimeter and monitor Murco's reconnaissance."

Neither Eddie nor Valgard recall anything about this device, but surmise that to put it together would likely require an in depth knowledge of geology (Physical Science) than engineering.

kAPP finishes a lap and comes by the group. Seeing them struggle a bit with the tech, he ponders what he sees.

Physical Science: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 20 = 31

"Ah wait a minute, this is more Geological than Engineering. Let me pull out the other manual"

Physical Science: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 37
Am I allowed to use a Library Chip for a +4? If so, add +4 to the result please.

kAPP check out the equipment and thinks that he could put it together and then Valgard manages to do it first.

The distinctive humming of an approaching spacecraft echoes louder and louder across the emptiness of the rocky, barren moon. The craft lands nearby with an aggressive thud. Suddenly, the shuttle doors glide open to reveal First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo, who surveys the scene with a discerning gaze. She looks at the constructed device, gives an approving nod, and then Celita, faction leader of the Dataphiles, emerges from the vessel.

“Greetings, Starfinders,” Celita begins as she hastily descends, “First Seeker Elsebo and I have selected you for a delicate and dangerous mission. You may well be wondering why we have transported you here on an odd, and luckily false, mission. The answer is that secrecy is of utmost importance to your true mission, and this is one of the few safe places for us to speak. [b]“The very core of the Lorespire Complex has been compromised. Someone has hacked into Guidance, gaining surveillance throughout the building and spying our every move. After a great deal of research and observation, I have learned enough about this systemwide infection to formulate an antivirus.”

Celita pauses, giving Luwazi time to interject, “Celita has put together a datapad that contains a sophisticated virus purge for the infected systems. Unfortunately, the only way to administer the purge is to attach the datapad directly to Guidance’s servers. [b]“Since the security systems are compromised, we can’t just walk into the server rooms without alerting whoever hacked the system. So, we need you to break into the Lorespire Complex using rarely used maintenance tunnels, allowing you to reach to the server rooms undetected. Almost certainly you will be met with resistance by our infiltrator. To minimize their knowledge of your mission, and thus contribute to its success, it’s vital that you maintain secrecy. You may have to confront other Starfinders who know nothing of your mission. Avoid lethal force at all costs, and tell no one of your mission, even other Starfinders. If messages of your whereabouts enter our communication systems, Guidance, and thus the infiltrator, could learn of your mission.”

Celita interjects, “We have delayed you long enough. Take this datapad and return to Absalom Station. If you need supplies, get them from locations away from the Lorespire Complex. Then, make your way with all haste to the tunnels. The safety of the Starfinder Society depends upon you.”

kAPP's eyebrow raises as Murco returns to his shoulder. "Ms. Elsebo, I am glad you have trusted us with this task and I would be grateful to complete it for you.

He reaches up to accept the datapad and asked, "Where should we start? Do you have any clue as to the identity of the perpetrator?"

Valgard holds a hand formed as fist over his chest as he sees his Faction Leader Celita walks down the ramp. "Ma'am, thank you for entrusting me with yours (and the Starfinder Society's) safety again, I won't let you down."

He turns to Luwazi, "First Seeker, do we know the identity of the attacker? And I'm guessing that Invisibility spells will help but they have better defences than that I assume?"

He shakes his head, before speaking to the group, "I know it's not going to be easy to fire upon our fellow Starfinders, but we must do so non-lethally and as quickly as possible for the good of the Society, no-one can know of our presence."

And with that, he takes the Datapad, and accesses it to see what he can find.

The massive korasha looks glum at the thought of having to go in and fight his own.

"To be clear though - obviously we don't want to injury any Starfinders, or innocent bystanders for that matter. But when you say avoid lethal force, does that extend to any 'foreign' resistance we encounter? There may be a tradeoff between speed and secrecy on the one hand, and being careful to take enemies alive."

As the mission is laid out for them Killiks eyes very slowly blink, once, twice, three times. Our home has been invaded? Our family has been THREATENED!. The mental communication gets gradually louder and louder. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS! I WILL FLAY THE SKIN FROM THIER HIIDES AND CONSUME THEIR ENTRAILS. THEIR MINDS AND THOUGHTS WILL SPIN IN EVERLASTING TORMENT AS THEY ARE SLOWLY DEVOURED BY THE SWARM. FOR THE QUEEN!!!!!!

He stops, clearly shaken and radiates waves of embarassment. I do apologise for that, I err, appear to have had a small flashback. Of course we will help and I shall make sure that any Starfinders we meet along the way are not harmed in the process.