The grenade makes quick work of the nest, destroying it in a loud explosion. Brigadier Teshgari nods with approval.
You head into the last room of the complex. This dismal garden is overrun by mold and fungus. A jumbled pile of bones and colorful fur is heaped in the center of the room, marking this site as a mass grave. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the west wall overlook the mess, which is accessed through a door to the south.
If examined, it’s obvious the corpses are that of skittermanders that have been placed here purposely but without care, and that scavengers disturbed the remains.
Only a few seconds after you enter the room, a powerful force slams the door shut behind you! Ghostly voices cry out, “We only wanted to help!” and “But, we’re your friends!”
Skrivix puts on his best smile and addresses the voices around the room, unsure of where to look or direct himself.
"Pardon? Would you mind opening the door so we can discuss this civilly? As friends let's have ourselves a friendly chat, eh?"
In a burst of light, a translucent green skittermander materializes in the garden, hovering over the pile of bones. “Shh,shh, shh,” the spirit soothes, shaking her head forlornly. “They don’t mean to hurt you,” she explains. “They’re just confused. All they remember is pain.”
She regards you, then crinkles her nose and points her finger accusingly at Harrac and Brigadier Teshgari. ”Why’d you bring these meanies into my garden? Haven’t they done enough?”
Skrivix puts his hands up cautiously. "They're not here to hurt you or your friends. We are on an expedition to help, uhh, cleanse the threats from this facility. What happened to you? Is there something we can do to help?"
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Prior to entering the last room, Rei makes Harrac and Brigadier very well known of her displeasure in their course of action. "I may not normally expose my emotions as frivolously as the rest of you, but I must object to his action. There are more logical approaches to how this situation could have been handled. We could have easily tasked others with migrating this hive to a safer location where they were no longer a threat to your or your people. I am going on record letting you know I disprove of this course of action. "
Upon entering the room, and seeing the spirit fly down accusing Harrac and Brigadier Teshgari. She first tries to get a better understanding of the spirit.
She then follows behind Skrivixx "I can assure you these 2 closed minded individuals were merely taking action in the pursuit of self preservation of our peoples as a whole. I apologize on their and all of our behalf's. As we were attacked by the skittermanders, we had no choice but to defend ourselves. For those few 'other' actions taken in cowardice, that will be dealt with accordingly. "
The skittermander ghost looks more closely at Harrac and Teshgari, ten breaks out into laughter. "Hey! These aren’t the vesk who killed me! Why didn’t you say so in the first place? Hi, nufriends! I’m Sprout! I was a gardener before I died."
Mimzy and Jomp smile and wave hello to Sprout.
“My friends and I were heroes called Allsix Assist. We helped the Veskarium do all kinds of stuff! Until the soldiers came and shot us–which was super rude! I died here. I’m not sure where my friends died, but when I woke, we were all heaped together. There’s something wrong with them, though. They’re not like me. They can’t remember anything.
"I think they’re perplexed because their bodies got mixed up and they don’t have any way to untangle themselves. Nothing they love, you know? Not like me! I have my garden! But their stuff’s all gone. Maybe if you bring them something they loved, they’ll get better! I’d like that. I miss them. Will you help?”
Rei deduces that Sprout has retained her identity because she has a spiritual anchor (her garden) that reminds her of her life. If the other spirits were given spiritual anchors–objects they loved in life–they might be able to reconnect with their identities.
Brigadier Teshgari scoffs. "Skittermander over-help is a recurring problem on Vesk-3 and must be carefully managed. Left unchecked it’s caused embarrassment, military disasters, and civilian death. If these skittermanders were attacked by the Veskarium, they did something to deserve it. Caused some catastrophe, no doubt."
Skrivix gives a skeptical eye towards Brigadier Teshgari. "Your position on skittermanders is well understood Brigadier Teshgari. I somehow doubt that skittermanders would be less mischevious in the afterlife. It would seem the best course of action for both the Veskarium and the Skittermanders would be to assist these spirits to reconnect. Malign spirits attacking everyone are not generally considered a good thing to leave around."
Turning his attention back to Sprout he asks, "Do you have any idea what things might resonate with these other spirits?"
"My friends? Oh, they’re the best! Prismacora loved to sing and make music. Viverivim was a great painter! He was married to Bixby, you know. Bixby was a visionary! He thought if we helped skittermanders join the Veskarium’s family we’d be the greatest helpers ever! Too bad it didn’t work. I guess we didn’t help enough… Tipps loved cartoons and was really great with computers. They even made Compy! Compy used to be in one of the small rooms down the middle hall. Razzlefrazz was old and clumsy and had a really long beard! He loved to make fireworks and see things explode! He got blown up, though. I’m not sure he liked that.”
Skrivix smiles and thanks Sprout, then gestures towards the door.
"Shall we?"
You return to the living quarters of Allsix Assist and gather up items that have spiritual significance--Prismacora’s triticale, Viverivim’s paintings, Bixby’s wedding ring, Tipps’ toys, and Razzlefrazz’s sparklers.
When you return with the items, the spirits of the other skittermanders appear, with glowing auras the same color as their fur. They hug Sprout as they appear and give you a happy wave. Once all six skittermander spirits appear, they cheer and dance around, ecstatic to be reunited.
Mimzy and Jomp cheer and dance as well. Brigadier Teshgari just looks annoyed.
"Thank you, nufriends! Thank you!" Sprout shouts with joy. "Now we can be together again forever!"
"We're done here," Brigadier Teshgari declares. "Let's gather up the broken warrior and depart."
***
On the way back to the surface, Brigadier Teshgari gives you each a stern look. "I would like to request that you keep the information you have uncovered down there a secret. Leave it buried in Gadravech where it belongs. Revealing classified information, particularly intelligence that could tarnish the Veskarium’s reputation on Vesk-3, would wound the relationship that I and the Veskarium have recently begun to cultivate with the Starfinder Society."
Keeping Allsix Assist and their demise secret goes against the Starfinder Society’s core values...
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Harrac returns Brigadier Teshgari's look, "with respect ma'am, the decision to classify our mission is well above our pay grade and would be a Society determination. I'm sure there's common ground where the Allsix Assist are honored for their ... contribution and the Veskarium's reputation is unharmed. You've shown you are someone who leads from the front and does not dodder in the back trying to manage what other people do and say. Think of this as an opportunity to craft the message with the Society."
"Hmph. Very well," Brigadier Teshgari says, seemingly mollified.
You return to the surface and bid farewell to the general and her skittermander aides. You take the shuttle back up to the Brass Clutch, where Radaszam congratulates you on a job well-done. He promises to ensure that the undead vesk Adrovor makes it to a facility where he can get the rehabilitation he needs. Radaszam believes you have made a positive impression on the Veskarium, and your actions will no doubt help the Starfinder Society in the future!
The Scoured Stars Incident left a lasting scar on the Starfinder Society. When First Seeker Jadnura discovered the Tear, a two-foot-tall golden obelisk, he set in motion a series of events that would change the Society forever. His research uncovered the connection between the Tear and the Scoured Stars, an area of space thought to be filled only with misery and monsters, urging Jadnura onward to the Scoured Stars through nondescript dreams and random flashes of inspiration. Not wanting to lose such a fantastic opportunity for discovery, Jadnura dedicated most of the Society’s assets and agents to a massive expedition inside the Scoured Stars, only for the fleet to be trapped within an immense golden energy shield dubbed the “Godshield.”
In the past year, nominated First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo tracked down another Tear that could pierce the Godshield, allowing access to the Scoured Stars. She, along with various up-and-coming Starfinders, mounted a successful rescue mission inside the Scoured Stars to retrieve the marooned Starfinder agents. First Seeker Jadnura was among the stranded to be rescued. Since then, Jadnura has deferred to Luwazi in her capacity as First Seeker, while he re-acclimatizes to the current status of the galaxy. However, the mystery of the Scoured Stars still haunts him...
***
A message arrived for each of you this morning:
This is First Seeker Jadnura.
You have shown yourself to be an exemplary agent. As such, I have need of you for an urgent and highly classified mission. Do not speak of it to other agents, faction leaders, or even First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo. I need you to meet me at the attached coordinates, inside the Lorespire Complex. It’s under construction, but it is quite safe. The date and time have already been entered into your comm unit.
When you arrive, you find Jadnura waiting for you. “I’m glad you could make it. I apologize for the secretive nature of this briefing.” Jadnura paces a mostly empty meeting room, with only a single table in front of a force-field shielded viewing port. He looks each of you in the eye. “I want you to know that I hold the fine work of First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo in the highest regard, but if she knew I was assembling Starfinder Agents for missions, it would complicate the already difficult situation of having two First Seekers. What I ask of you is of paramount importance to the Society, you see I—how do I begin?”
Jadnura looks out the vast open port at the stunning view of The Eye of Absalom Station. His hand dances across the force field window before he continues.
“I have failed the Society. Over a year ago I discovered an artifact called a Tear on a small moon known as Kukanou-2b. It guided me to the Scoured Stars trinary star system. I dreamt of making impressive new discoveries, perhaps even some protected from the ravages of The Gap. In my excitement I had forgotten caution. For that, the Society lost so much.” He takes a deep breath, then exhales slowly. “Resources. Lives. So many of those under my command were trapped or killed behind the Godshield that enveloped the system.
“I need to make amends, that much is certain. But I also need to find out where I went wrong. What vital clue I must have missed. For that, I need you.” As he continues speaking, he looks at each of you meaningfully. “You are the finest group of agents that I can assemble, each with an impressive service record. I need you to go to Kukanou-2b, where my folly began. Retrace my steps and find any clues to the Tear, the Scoured Stars, or anything else that can make sense of this catastrophe. If you find anything illuminating, return to me at once. Do you have any questions before you depart?”
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Karyn looked at the others at Jadnura's words. These were the finest group of agents he could assemble? Well, if he was on the outs as much as he should be, then she supposed that was correct. They probably were the best he could get ahold of.
"How about some background on this moon? What is the environment like? What sorts of dangerous creatures and/or constructs did you find there? Sir, you've given us practically nothing to go on."
Jadnura nods. “The destination star system has only two planets orbiting around a blue star. The first is almost entirely molten rock, the second is a gas giant with various moons. You’re heading toward one of those moons. Kukanou-2b once had a liquid core but met some seismic catastrophe that rendered it lifeless. I found the Tear in a carved-out chamber near the surface, perhaps left there by smugglers or, as with the Tear Luwazi found, hidden away by the civilization it was intended for. I encountered no resistance, but that's not to say that you will have an easy time of it.”
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Talc's proudly wears the biggest s+#&-eating grin of all time. "Damn right we're the best! I was wondering why we'd been on desk duty these last few months, ha! It's cuz you pulled these strings to set us up on the most important mission of all time."
Nodding along with his words as he talks, he starts to rub his hands together as he cooks up his next question. "So. What type of ship can we requisition for this trip, sir? The most important missions should probably get the best in the fleet, eh? I think a huge cruiser will probably be alright."
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Rei stares blankly as Jadnura talks of using us as the finest group of agents. Un-phased by the comment Rei merely puts her head into her datapad and begins searching - looking to find more info about the tear, and what happened at the Scoured Stars trinary star system. She speaks up, more than normal after a briefing as such.
"Who here is surprised that Talc's only focus is which ship we get? Though his query this time is not unwarranted. Depending on more details of the tear, and the history of the Scoured Stars trinary star system, we may need all defenses we can get before going in blindly. "
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Harrac rolls his eyes at Talc's obsession with "piloting" everything he touches. He finishes typing up a post and hits submit, "had to let my fans know I was going to be offline for a few days. Don't want them to worry!" He looks up at the FIrst Seeker, "with all due respect, sir, I assume our Starfinder careers will be done if someone finds out what we're doing? Do you expect anyone else to be there? At all?"
"A swift transport will be assigned to you," Jadnura says. "I am not expecting you to encounter any resistance until you reach the surface of the moon."
The kasatha turns to Harrac. "Nobody else should be there. But rest assured, we will present the information to Luwazi Elsebo once we have something to show for it. I also don’t want it to look as if I’m usurping her role. I’m still trying to figure out what my role will be in the Society going forward.
"The Tears are about 2 feet long and resemble an obelisk or prism made of some golden material. I’ve now seen two of them, and they each look similar, but unique. As if they were custom made to fit some purpose. We think there are as many as eight such Tears, one for each civilization known to have departed the Scoured Stars. Again, anything you can find will be helpful. Thank you, and good luck!"
***
Travelling to Kukanou-2b takes 12days through the Drift and into the Vast. As you exit the Drift, you find a small system around a blue dwarf star. After heading toward the blue-and-green gas giant, you locate the second moon, Kukanou-2b. This black and grey rock spins silently with ash storms marring its lonely surface.
Rei scans the planet with your ship's sensors, learning a large amount of useful information:
Kukanou-2b’s atmosphere is thin, humid, ash filled, and contains a toxic level of carbon dioxide, so spending more than 24 hours on the planet would be unhealthy. The high heat is intolerable for most creatures. The ambient temperature on the landing zone is 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Underground the temperature drops to a cooler 110 degrees. Environmental seals on armor are necessary to sustain the wearer. Scans detect no other starships.
Most of the moon’s surface is made of volcanic rock such as basalt, andesite, and obsidian. The ash-filled atmosphere makes it nearly impossible for plants to survive; the surface has no life signs and no active energy or magical signatures. Fault lines on the surface suggest a catastrophic seismic and volcanic event. All volcanic activity has ceased, though quakes continue to ravage the surface, and the core of the moon is cooling rapidly.
Scans show a vast series of tunnels in the crust, but indicate they were flooded with magma and sealed with volcanic rock. Some traces of alloy metals and complex compounds in the volcanic rock suggests modern technology was on the surface and in the tunnels at the time of the catastrophic event. No active settlements or vehicles can be detected.
Penetrating scans show clusters of dense metals buried within the volcanic rock, indicating large underground settlements that are now buried. Scattered debris or alloyed metal embedded in the surface’s volcanic rock suggest technology that was buried in sudden eruptions. Extensive excavation would be required to gain more information.
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"Great. Suits on, and environmental seals up. I need a few minutes to swap out the needles in my weapon for longer tips. They'll be less accurate at longer ranges, but should penetrate armor better."
Karyn made the necessary modifications to her equipment, then spent some time going over her reagents to make sure she was ready. Once all that was done, she lined up at the door of the shuttle, ready to cause some mayhem.
Jadnura's information provides you with a safe landing zone. The descent must be done blindly, using only sensors to navigate as the ash in the air reduces visibility to 50 feet, but with Talc's expert piloting skills, he is able to easily land the ship. The directions to the chamber where Jadnura found the [i]Tear are easy to follow and are about an hour away by foot.
You descend into a carved-out chamber, shielding you from the constant ash and blistering heat of the surface. The plain rocky walls are occasionally highlighted by black mold that emits a pungent musty odor. The remnants of a camp indicate the former presence of sentient life, including a portable self-pitching tent. A single set of humanoid foot prints stand out starkly against the undisturbed dust and ash.
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Rei takes our her datapad and starts scanning the surrounding area. "There are medium sized lifeforms here, and according to these tracks it seems they left in a hurry. Based on the cracks in the walls it might be to recent seismic activity. We should continue and follow the tracks. Talc, Harrac - you are on point. The rest of us will take up the rear.
Lets go."
As you start to head deeper into the caves, the rocks begin to shudder and shake. A green glow suffuses the stone as two hulking earth elementals rise up to block your progress!
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Karyn already had her pistol out and ready once the tracks were found. She was looking at the cracks in the tunnel wall, and remarking about how recent they were when the tunnel seemed to come to life in front of them. Quickly, she fired off a shot at the nearest elemental, trying to bog it down with goo. then, she moved behind Harrac, just for a little cover.
Skrivix waves his pistol around with some sweet half-dance moves in an attempt to juke out the elemental nearest the group, then busts a move to the back line.
Karyn's needler has no effect on the earth elemental. Rei's spell proves effective, causing one of them to trip and fall. Skrivvix successfully feints the standing one, and Talc blasts it with his plasma rifle.
The elementals prove quite nimble. The one Talc shot moves through the grease and swings a stony fist at Harrac. The other one stands up and moves a bit closer as well.
Skrivix exits his spin and blasts at the elementals. Too much style and too little substance drove his aim off and his shot blasted into a rock near Talc's foot.
"Did you see that? I got the baby one, it was RIGHT on you Talc!! Don't worry, I got you buddy."
Harrac is the only one to score a hit, melting a large chunk of the elemental to slag. Both creatures swing on the vesk, but only one hit gets through his armor!
Skrivix waves his pistol around firing shots well wide of the hurt elemental in an attempt to corral it into a more vulnerable position for attack.
Harrac slices into the damaged elemental with his burning blade. Karyn boosts his defenses before Talc blasts the elemental to shards of rock with his supercharged plasma rifle! The green glow suffusing the stone fades away.
Skrivvix feints against the remaining elemental before Rei batters it with magic missiles. The elemental attacks Harrac again, crushing him with a pair of heavy blows!
"Keep it up Harrac! You're chopping 'em to pebbles!"