The group crosses over the log and continues their exploration.
As you continue your search, one of the aforementioned dangerous predators comes prowling out of the underbrush to the south of the group - a 12-foot-long quadruped made up of dense plant matter. Its head is immense and stocky, comprising approximately a dozen feeding tendrils that obscure its underdeveloped mouthparts. Its eyestalks project from either side of its head.
The first two of the starfinders' shots hit but Eclipse-22 can't quite keep out of sight of the creature or land a hit on it.
In an impressive burst of speed, it lopes close and reaches out its writhing mouth tentacles to lash at the snack sized halfling.
It scores a hit and, even as you watch each of its tentacles splits, forming five little fingers and some of the damage Max and Floquet inflicted heals up.
First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo’s voice rings out. ”Our agents have captured a freighter carrying an unauthorized shipment of drone parts under Datch’s orders. We’re now working closely with the Stewards to determine the source and destination of the confiscated shipment.”
After accomplishing their own missions, a few ambitious Starfinder teams rush to support their allies still on the ground.
First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo once again summons her chosen agents to the Hall of Discovery. Workers bustle about the chamber, oblivious to the urgent meeting taking place. Luwazi addresses the gathered agents.
“Congratulations,” she begins, grinning proudly. “You’ve met the objectives outlined in my first meeting. Thanks to your hard work, the AbadarCorp board refused to pass the vote of no-confidence Datch initiated against Iseki-Okaibo. The executive archdirector’s position is secure, and our new allies proposed a counter-motion to remove Datch from her position, pending investigation.” Luwazi pauses for a moment to savour the first true victory over her adversary.
“Datch isn’t the sort to cooperate with an investigation, unfortunately. As I predicted, Datch already fled to her private hideout, a secure compound orbiting Verces. She’s absconded with an armada of automated battle drones, and I’m sure that’s not her only line of defence. Thanks to the evidence you helped collect, the Stewards have authorized the Society to engage the drones and oversee Datch’s arrest.” Luwazi glances around at her assembled teams, an expression of triumph on her face.
“Starfinders, this is our first opportunity to act against Datch directly. I know many of you want this, so I don’t need to tell you how important this mission is. Using the elevation ceremonies as cover should give us the element of surprise, but let’s not waste any more time. Travel to Verces immediately, and be ready for anything.”
Gava can't quite remember anything other than the Ksarik's name. Benacu remembers a bit more. Aluradux knows pretty much everything and reacts accordingly.
While not able to kill it, she manages to convince it to seek out easier prey and it lopes back into the underbrush. It is easy enough for them to then find the executives and get them back.
Even as they're pulling up, they get a message from First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo and a quick jaunt back to Absalom Station and they're getting their briefing.
It's back out into space, then and they load up on their ship, strap into their stations and off to Verces.
As they approach Datch's compound they discover her next level of security. A veritable wall of drone ships await them. As the Starfinders approach, wave upon wave of them break off and engage.
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"No you don't!" Benacu says with a grin as the ksarik retreats. "Although I'd still hope you'll save me from any more jams we run into."
The kalo looks very perturbed at the sheer number of drones that await them. "At least we're not alone on this one. But do most Abadarcorp heads have these provided, or is she just that rich?"
The two drones maneuver around to come in on the Starfinder vessel's Starboard side. They both fly erratically to make themselves hard to hit.
The nearer one then fires a burst of rapid but small projectiles at the Starfinders.
The other launches a mass of tiny missiles at them, the projectiles so fast they close the distance in a few seconds.
Both miss.
A burst of light accompanies the destruction of the first drone. The rush of victory is short lived, as two more of the furious machines immediately engage. The First Seeker’s abruptly speaks through the ship’s comm unit, “Don’t lose hope, Starfinders. Your friends have messages for you. I’m patching the first transmission through now.”
The upbeat voice of Zo! blares through the speaker. “Greetings, future mega-celebrities! My studio just released the uncut edition of your episode of Pact World Warriors. I’ve got enough fan mail here for you to create another Liavarian moon.” Zo! clears his throat and begins reading from the fan submissions.
“I heard you saved AbadarCorp execs on Castrovel from dangerous wildlife. Did you prepare a meal afterward just like in the Combat Cooking Extravaganza? You and Zo! should open a restaurant and call it Live Ingestion Extreme!”
“I looooooooved your season, oh em gees! Starfinder merch when? Just take my credits already!”
“It’s me, your biggest fan in the Veskarium. Here’s some pics of my pet squox’s litter. I hope it’s okay that I named them after you.”
“I’m only six, but I want to be a Starfinder when I grow up. How do I join?”
Zo! stops reading and remarks, “They’re all cheering for you. Oh, and if you take footage of your ongoing battle, I’d be happy to use that as promotional material for the release. Call me!”
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Zo! stops reading and remarks, “They’re all cheering for you. Oh, and if you take footage of your ongoing battle, I’d be happy to use that as promotional material for the release. Call me!”
"Oh my goodness that's a shining idea! I should totes livestream this as well. Mr. Fancypants, please begin a livestream of the battle. Make sure to include the bridge cam as well as all the external cams"
A squeaky voice emerges from Aluradux's new computer.
"Right away milady."
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After discussing the best way to man the ship, Max heads to the missle turret but is surprised to see Gava already there. "How did he get there so fast?" he thinks to himself as he moves to the coilgun. Not wanting the drone ships to get too close, he fires at the leading ship hoping to add to Gava's hit.
The two Starfinder Gunners work together, Gava tearing through the closest drone's shielding and leaving it heavily damaged and Max following through with a shot from the coilgun to finish it off.
The remaining drone continues to have the advantage when it comes to positioning, though.
The crackle of static signals another incoming transmission. “Hello! Can you hear me?” asks a timid voice. “I’m Riika. You probably don’t remember me, but I’m one of the kiriintas you helped on Stabrisis-14. You inspired me to visit the Pact Worlds. I love it here. I even got a job as a researcher for an expedition studying the flora of the Liavaran moons. I came to Absalom Station on my vacation to personally thank you for expanding my horizons. I want you to know that even though I heard some nasty rumors about the Starfinder Society, I don’t believe any of them.”
Benacu doesn't quite learn all the things about the drones from his scan but he comes pretty close.
Classification - Tiny Interceptor
Speed - 8
Maneuverability - Perfect ( turn 0)
AC and TL - 14
Total and Current Hull Points - 30
Shield Points in each Quadrant - 5
PCU - 70
Weapon - Flak Thrower, forward arc 3d4 damage
One thing he learns that everyone can figure out is that it is fairly fast and VERY maneuverable. It easily angles around behind the Starfinders and fires with its Flack Thrower.
This time, it scores a solid hit.
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"We're hit but not bad. I'll see what I can do with it."
Aluradux pulls up a series of schematics on her console and frowns as she studies them for a moment. Finally her face brightens and she taps her panel several times.
"Aha! There it is! They've dinged the aft electro-ceramic repeller. If I can just invert the isotopic bipolar collector..."
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The crackle of static signals another incoming transmission. “Hello! Can you hear me?” asks a timid voice. “I’m Riika. You probably don’t remember me, but I’m one of the kiriintas you helped on Stabrisis-14. You inspired me to visit the Pact Worlds. I love it here. I even got a job as a researcher for an expedition studying the flora of the Liavaran moons. I came to Absalom Station on my vacation to personally thank you for expanding my horizons. I want you to know that even though I heard some nasty rumors about the Starfinder Society, I don’t believe any of them.”
Aluradux opens her comm and replies.
"Oooh studying the flora of the Liavaran moons? That sounds totally hyper! Good for you Riika. I'm totes jelly though. You're going to have to send me your findings. I could use some interesting reading. This is Aluradux Hass by the way. If you want to watch the battle in real time from the front lines check out my streaming feed at Hasshaspizzaz.abstat.com. Thanks for your support it really means a lot."
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Zo! stops reading and remarks, “They’re all cheering for you. Oh, and if you take footage of your ongoing battle, I’d be happy to use that as promotional material for the release. Call me!”
Aluradux replies:
"Heya Zo! Aluradux Hass here, hasshaspizazz. We've got some stellar footage so far. I'll have Mr. Fancypants beam it all to you once everything's finished. If you want some real time action though you can check out my feed. Just do me a solid and link back to me 'kay?"
Suddenly, a squad of blue and gold starships emerges from the Drift, clustered like an honour guard around an impressive battleship. The massive ship glides into the fray and immediately disintegrates a group of nearby drones as it fires its powerful laser with surgical precision. “This is Stewards Overwatch battleship Steadfast responding to your call for assistance.”
“Buddies! It’s me, Hemlock, from the Xenowardens on Aballon,” a synthesized voice drawls. “We Xenowardens are totally grateful for your help with cleaning up the Ice Well. The ecosystem is finally back in its groove after you Starfinders shut down that shadow gate. Things are chill back on Aballon, but I heard you’re having problems with some corporate spin doctor. Don’t let her harsh your mellow, and remember, not all of us believe everything we read on the infosphere.”
The Starfinders come exceptionally close to obliterating the drone, cracking open its shields and seriously damaging several systems, including, noticeably, its engines.
But, it still manages to get the drop on them.
The drone's engines sputter and crackle then cut out entirely for a couple seconds. For a moment, it drifts and it seems like the starfinders have earned a victory. Then, the engines light back up, smooth and powerful as the when they came off the assembly line.
It closes the distance with the Starfinder vessel and takes another shot.
And it scores another hit, though a weak one.
The confident tones of Firstsight Taksta, the leader of Zeyther-3’s quarantined settlement saved by the Starfinders several months ago, interrupts the radio silence. “I’m eternally thankful for what you and the lovely Dr. Monsylkis did for Glimmershield. Your efforts stopped the spread, and as a result, our gutmelt casualties were few. Even as we mourn our fallen friends, we know how many more of us would have perished without treatment. You risked your own lives to help us when the corporations refused. We might just be a backwater mining outpost, but Zeyther-3 is on your side no matter what.”
A final transmission echoes through the bridge of the battlescarred starship. This time, a low voice punctuated by insectile clicks addresses the Starfinders. “This is emissary Jontane of the formians on Castrovel. Your actions at the Meeting of Queens left a lasting impression on my colony. I rarely leave the collective, but I decided to make the trip to Absalom Station to observe one of your traditions—the elevation of your newest First Seeker. I had hoped to reunite with you there, but I was informed you’re away on an important mission. Please remain efficient and safe until we meet again.”
Bright explosions bloom as drones disintegrate into scrap metal. But for each enemy craft that falls, two more take its place. The dozens of remaining craft dart and buzz through the fray like a nest of angry hornets kicked by a foolish intruder. Suddenly, Steadfast releases an electrical pulse, and all surrounding drones simultaneously power down. The defensive barrier disappears, offering a direct path to the orbital complex’s docking bay.
A massive specialized EMP generated by the Stewards’ vessel Steadfast disrupts the remaining drones allowing you to enter Datch’s orbital hideout.
“Excellent work, Starfinders!” Luwazi Elsebo’s voice echoes through the comm units on each Starfinder ship simultaneously. “The Steadfast and the other Stewards will fall back and keep any remaining drones busy. Starfinders, you are authorized to use whatever means you deem necessary to neutralize the threat Datch presents to the Society and the Pact Worlds. Please act with consideration and be careful.”
Inside the landing dock, an elevator’s doors stand open in invitation. Pleasant music plays as the lift travels down into the bowels of the complex. The doors part and reveal the interior of the orbital complex, an upscale but otherwise mundane office building. A wide, well-lit hallway bisects this floor, and all doors stand open to allow easy passage.
An office comes into view at the end of the hall. Datch sits atop a desk and smiles. She tilts the shiny red apple she’s holding and speaks. “Welcome, and well played. I’d say I’m pleased to see you, and while I respect you, I most certainly am not pleased.” She sighs and takes a bite of her apple. “Your Society single-handedly ruined my plans. I worked so hard. You really have no idea. Ah well, such is the nature of the game. So, what’s your next move?”
Datch levels a piercing gaze at the intruders, but the polite smile never leaves her lips.