As the team readies to finish off the last two rat demons, another group of Starfinders hurries down the hall. Seeing the combat, they pile on and the enemies are cut down in moments.
"Don't say we never gave you nothin'!" one of them, a vesk, says with a toothy grin, giving a salute before hurrying on.
Hustling to the next room, the team finds that three doors lead into this cavernous chamber with a towering forty-foot-high ceiling. The vault-like room is lined with black metal filing cabinets that feature heavy duty locks, and the area is dimly lit.
The vault’s single occupant stands at the center of the room, their features initially obscured by shadows. The tall figure takes a step forward, revealing an androgynous elf with inky eyes and bluish-purple hair wearing a jet-black armored suit.
"Oh good, Iroiveth. Please be so kind as to kill these people for me. There's a good dear," Datch says.
The elf is silent for a moment. "Them and you too," they say. "My instructions from my true leader is to make sure none of you leave this complex alive."
For the first time since you've been with Datch in this complex, she actually seems nonplussed. It might be a nice moment, if the elf didn't move to try to kill you.
The poison wracks Eclipse's brain one more time before his constitution is able to overcome it.
Max manages to pull one over on the elf and his round hits them, though she swings the sword she's carrying and narrowly avoids blocking the shot.
Benacu's smirking interferes with his shooting and he misses.
Gava is also able to pull a fast one and it barely allows him to hit.
Aluradux scores a particularly firm hit.
[spoiler=Super Secret GM stuff]
They cross the room with inhuman speed and grace and swing at Max.
They come extremely close to hitting him.
Although one of them manages to get the drop on them, neither of the halflings is able to hit the elf with their pistols.
And, as the other Starfinders have bravely gotten as far away from them as possible, Iroiveth lashes out at Max, again.
They continue to not live up to their perceived threat level.
Everyone opens fire on the elven figure and everyone except for Aluradux hits them.
They're still not down though, even after that hail of attacks.
They follow Max but change targets, swinging at Aluradux.
They have much more luck against her, cutting her twice.
Gava, Max and Eclipse each hit the elf and they grit their teeth as though WILLING themselves to fight on. But then their eyes roll back in their heads and they collapse at Max's feet.
A few seconds later, there is a hiss and fizz and odd foam comes out of their mouth.
"Excellent job, Max and Max's friends. Maybe I picked the wrong side the whole time," Datch says, for the first time her delivery unadulteratedly honest.
"I had my had suspicions about Iroiveth’s background and motives, but the elf had pledged support and consultation on testing and improving the drone ships you so handily overcame to get here. They were originally been based on technology taken from the ghibrani home world of Elytrio. They also provided me with some quite interesting information on a potentially useful substance that could be harvested from the morlamaw world of Arniselle. And, you know, you can't pass up a good source of information and aptitude."
The cabinets are arranged in alphabetical order, and each contain information about a Pact Worlds organization or individual. AbadarCorp, Iseki-Okaibo, the Starfinder Society, and each of the Society’s faction leaders have their own files, among others. The files include everything from mundane trivia,to details such as blood type and net worth, to shocking personal secrets.
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"Should have cut off some fingers before they started to act reasonable." Eclipse mutters with sincere disappointment as they look over the room, breifly lookin in the cabinets.
"At least these aren't going to be a huge loss. Lack practicality and were probably kept for a more spiritual reason. Royo is going to have a breakdown if he finds out they were blasted into dust, though." he shrugs and gets ready to find their way out.
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Aluradux turns to Benacu and her eyes and mouth open wide in astonishment. She glances at Datch and regains her composure. All of the starfinders hear her voice in their heads.
**Benacu says that there is a hidden subdermal graft on the elf’s right hand that is a century-old variant of the modern Starfinder Society graft used to identify agents. As for the files, well, the spiritual value of these files transcends their practical use."**
You aren't able to discover anything more about Iroiveth here.
The purple forcefields remain stubbornly in place. Even more frustrating because you can see through them and can see the elevator waiting just across the lobby. It would take only a short walk and a slightly longer elevator ride to get back to your ship and fly away.
This opulent chamber is a temple to honor Lao Shu Po, and its décor represents a drastic departure from the aesthetics of the surrounding complex. The transparent ceiling forty feet above exposes a spectacular view of space. A twenty-foot-tall statue of Grandmother Rat presides over the room atop a stone plinth. The steps, plinth, and statue are carved jade, and the statue’s eyes are flawless rubies. Velvet drapes of purple and green hang behind the shrine, and a patterned rug partially covers the ivory floor tiles. Candles are the only illumination in this room.
Unlike the other statues, there are no obvious offerings around this one.
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"No!" Benacu blurts out, despite the fact Gava probably doesn't like the sad fact he just said either.
The kalo's awkward pause gives him a moment to remember more about Grandmother Rat than he did earlier. Still, he isn't quite sure what to make of the room. "...Stuff hidden in plain sight...ate a dead god...um, your 'grandchild' is here?" He tries to address the statue at the end of the run-on sentence. Before it can respond and scare him senseless, he starts checking behind the drapes instead.
"Oh no, friend. I'm not giving away any of Grandmother Rat's secrets," Datch replies to Gava.
"You see how they've turned on you?" she asks him, purposefully misinterpreting Eclipse's comment with a wry smile.
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"Woah," Max says at the sight of the large rat statue and opulent shrine. Not knowing much about religion, he listens to what Benacu has to say about it.
"Well, I'd hardly call this small and unassuming and definitely not hidden either. Although I do agree that you can't trust any of their worshippers," he says looking over at Datch. He uses his fingers to point to his eyes and then to the yoski, doing it several times.
"At this size, maybe the self-destruct mechanism is inside the statue. Someone keep an eye on Datch," he says as he begins to search the room.
“Now that you’ve deactivated the fourth barrier your escape route is clear.” This time, Radaszam addresses the Starfinders. “Drinks are on me at the elevation ceremony—I expect to see you there.”
Days after their daring escape from Datch’s compound, the Starfinders return to Absalom Station to find the Lorespire Complex grounds completely deserted. Its chambers are silent except for the faint sounds of speech from a nearby hall.
Hundreds of diverse creatures fill the Hall of Discovery. Familiar faces appear among the masses as faction leaders, venture-captains, and friends of the Society gather around an illuminated platform. First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo’s magnified voice rings out over the audience’s excited murmurs. “Thus, it is with both sadness and pride that I step down as First Seeker. But before I can welcome my successor, Guidance has an announcement to make.”
A green holographic image of a human woman materializes beside Luwazi and addresses the room. “Greetings, Starfinders and esteemed allies. I have considered your nomination of Ehu Hadif Ko’ra Amares of Clan Tolar as First Seeker. I agree with your selection and have confirmed his elevation in my records. This is a day for celebration.” Guidance bows its head and dissipates.
The crowd erupts into thunderous applause as a kasatha clad in crimson armour strides onto the stage. He nods respectfully to Luwazi, who steps back to offer him her place at the centre of the platform. Ehu Hadif raises two of his hands and says, “Thank you for the warm welcome. I am honoured to accept the title of First Seeker, and all the responsibility that comes with it. First Seeker Elsebo has been our rock through countless hardships. Few First Seekers in our Society’s history has overseen so many successful struggles. Thanks to her, and the brave Starfinders who worked to outwit our foes, we now enter a time of peace. My goal during this time is to return our organization to its roots of discovery and exploration. My colleagues and friends, I invite you to once again turn your eyes to the distant stars. Together, I believe we can gather and preserve precious knowledge for the good of the universe.”
The Starfinder Society triumphed over Datch’s lies and schemes, and a new era of discovery under First Seeker Ehu Hadif is dawning.
Celita sends an invite to her personal office in the Archives’ Cortex. The leader of the Dataphiles speaks plainly, “After my initial investigations into the one known as Iroiveth, they are still a mystery to me. They were a member of the Society, though we have no records on their actions or their associations. Based on the information provided by other agents, we can tell that they joined the Society well over a century ago. I’ve started further investigations and will keep you updated as I learn more. That is all for now.”
Datch is temporarily taken into custody by the Stewards. Shortly after Ehu Hadif’s elevation, the Stewards offer to transfer holding custody to the Society, and Datch is placed into confinement within the Adamantine Prison on the grounds of the Lorespire Complex.
She sits in a call with restricted infosphere access. She tosses a ball against a wall.
"Max...and friends! So nice to see you again. It seems like everything has come up roses for you. I can't say that I haven't been well fed down here, but you know, there's been one thing missing."
She pauses, a sly smile on her face. "Would you be so kind as to bring me some apples? For old times' sake?"
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Benacu is just glad to have this whole affair over with. To the point where he's rather annoyed to be faced with more of Datch.
"You know, I'm working out a quick-and-dirty way to induce temporary allergies. A little combat and party trick, you know," he says, talking over her and as if she was interested. "I'll bring you some apples when I'm done. No need to thank me."