Each of your comm devices begins going off all throughout the day as First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo’s voice breaks the silence. “Starfinders, if you’re receiving this transmission, I’m requesting that you cease your current missions and return to Absalom Station at once. I have obtained urgent information regarding one of our foe’s activities. If she succeeds, she could tip the balance of corporate power within the Pact Worlds and possibly even destroy the Society. I’ll explain once we convene at the Lorespire Complex.”
The Lorespire Complex’s familiar grounds are in a boisterous state of flux. Hired workers set up pavilions and booths on the lawns, courier vehicles dart back and forth down the adjacent streets, and janitors hustle to prepare rooms for occupation throughout the compound’s buildings. Dozens of early guests loiter nearby chatting excitedly. The festive, yet chaotic, atmosphere persists in stark contrast to the First Seeker’s ominous message...
As you arrive, Venture-Captain Arvin, a lashunta man, strides forward to intercept you. "Welcome back, Starfinders!"
He greets you all with smiles and hearty handshakes as he continues telepathically, "First Seeker Elsebo plans to meet with the agents involved in her operation shortly. She’ll announce when she’s ready—listen for the code phrase ‘pest control.’ It looks like Luwazi is finally going to have us strike back at Datch, the architect of our past year of credibility woes. Regardless of our foe’s machinations...
...We’re hosting several weeks of conferences and parties to honor Ehu Hadif, and there’s plenty to do while you wait. Let’s get you checked in, shall we?
"Who do we have here?"
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A kasatha woman with a surgical mask covering her mouth scans everyone going by with a strange computer wrapped around her upper left arm.
"So many different species represented here, it's amazing...oh yes, hello! I'm Pamatea, and I'm a biomedical researcher. But I can certainly assist with the event planning! What do you need done?"
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With perfectly combed hair and a beaming smile, a human in an all-white suit reaches out a hand to shake Pamatea's, then Arvin's. "A pleasure to meet you! My name is Quentin Tower. And yes, before you ask, I am indeed that Quentin Tower of Kintan Pharmaceuticals. But that's all in the past now," he says that last bit with a hint of hope in his voice. "My skills are those of a CEO familiar with the intense, high-stakes negotiations you'll find in a board room. But I've recently decided to broaden my horizons and... well, let's just say this is quite the occasion to do so. Planning an event can't possibly be more complex than running an earnings call or meeting with auditors. I'm sure I can help."
A look of pure, weary exasperation flashes across Venture-Captain Arvin's face at Quentin's blithe assurances, but he opts for an explanation instead of a lecture. "Oh it seems everyone needs some help! Venture-Captain Naiaj has some sort of Buffet Crisis, Celita's been trying to get her Dataphiles to give Ehu's elevation a Media Boost, meanwhile Radaszam's using that Acquisitive savvy to do a little Spin Control with some of Datch's propaganda. Plus Wayfinder Fitch needs to run a Sound Check, Zigvigix has been voxing about some kind of Valet Pileup, and I need help to Roundup some missing VIPs!"
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"Sorry I'm late! Was in the middle of a match when the Seeker pinged me." Catching up to the group is an elvish woman, tall and broad-shouldered by the standards of her ancestry and gender. Her hair is an eye-catching shade of reddish-pink, and she wears beautiful custom-made lashunta ringwear of a similar shade with vivid green bands decorated with thorns. A heavy sniper rifle is latched at her back for easy access. Marks on her face suggest surgical augmentation, and one of her eyes is layered with ruby-red while the other seems to glitter with datafeeds. "Ralliadlara, but everyone calls me Rally Rose. Maybe you've caught my streams?" Her gaze flicks over the medical researcher and the besuited CEO. "Or, uh, maybe not."
Rally's ears twitch as she listens to Venture-Captain Arvin's rapid-fire explanation. The elvish girl grins and snaps off a salute. "Media Boost? That sounds like my specialty! On it, sir!" Then she's on the move.
As Rally scans the area for the Dataphiles' leader, she kicks her custom rig into gear, linking to her social media accounts as her fingers dance across the hardlight touchpad at her wrist, and fires up her personal recsuite. Within moments she's got a stream running. "Rally Rose here! Doing something a little more lively than Legends of Lost Golarion today, gamers. I'll be bringing you live action from the Starfinder Society itself! But first, I need you all to share this upcoming vid from the Society. Really get it out there, break through the noise. And don't forget to hit Like and Subscribe while you're there." Rally grins into her recsuite's facecam. "That's all for now, gamers, but get ready for more action! Rally Rose out!"
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A squat, bald male with a square jaw who can be best described as a full grown human compacted down to half it's height without loosing any of his volume looks at the rest of party.
"Hello, my name is Charrrrlie. Pleased to meet you all" He says with a rolling pronunciation of his r's
"Not surrre I'd be much help with a buffet Crrrisis, but I think I can manage to lend a hand with something that's causing a pile up"
Charlie seems to reconsider
"Well...actually, that round up sounds more up my arrrea of experrtise"
Charlie stomps of to physically wrangle up some VIP's
"Excuse me Sir, Ma'am..if you would come this way please there's people waiting for you." Charlie manages to mention before grabbing hold of an elbow (or in case of other alien species it's equivalent) and start to tug on them in a more of less friendly manner while making his way to the designated area.
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Rally Rose's existing popularity as a noted streamer and her easy familiarity with the realities of trends make her uniquely suited to getting a #StarFound tag surging throughout the local infosphere to Celita's clear delight! While that trend persists you should have an easier time getting people to believe the Starfinders are on the up and up.
The harried Venture-Captain Arvin's is thrilled to send over his list of lost luminaries to Charlie-X for collection. "Let's see... Zo!'s shuttle has been delayed, and Envar Tam- Oh this is ridiculous! If they're not late, then they're 'fashionably early!' See if you can sort this out."
Charlie's methodical search finds the missing VIPs, some of whom are simply lost, and others who required a bit of extrication from potential local troubles and are quite grateful...
The magnainimous Zo!, an undead gameshow host/reality vidstar, is particularly helpful. "Tell me Charlie," he asks in a warm rasp*, "I can see that you've got that X-factor going on. Have you ever thought about taking that Strong Silent thing to the big stream? Well if you or your friends ever do, here's some of my cards. Don't be afraid to flash 'em around. The shops around here take good care of friends of Zo!"
Radaszam's PR trouble proves to have some very humanoid faces when you report to him at the Lorespire Complex. A group crowds the main walkway, hoisting signs with anti-Society slogans. "Looks like these people bought in to Datch's propaganda," the sleek vesk grumbles, "They've been here all day. We're not going to make them disperse-please talk with them and work out a peaceful resolution."
Quentin's soothing words are clearly having some effect. Probably they'll be enough to talk the crowd into leaving, but there are definitely still hearts and minds to sway!
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Looking at the rest of the party Charlie reaches for an extra healing serum
As Zo! addresses him Charlie's brow breaks out in sweat and as he accepts the card offered to him he scuffs his feat while averting his eyes mumbles
"..if I ever do I'm sure to let you know, thank you.."
Charlie is clearly more at easy doing something physical then talking to a big time media guru.
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"Yes, powerful weapons arre good. In the rrrright hands, luckily we all got at least one rrright hand...and a left one as well"
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Rally Rose looks over the crowd with a look of mild uncertainty—she's really not used to dealing with people in-person. But damned if she's not gonna give it a try. How bad could public speaking be?
"Hey there, folks!" the elf girl calls out with a smile. "I know you think we're the problem here, but I'd reconsider if I were you. Anyone this big makes enemies, and just about everyone's got their own agenda. I promise you the Society's just doing its best to help people and gather knowledge!"
As Rally turns from the crowd, she glances at the others with a nervous smile. "Hopefully that did us some good."
EDIT:
The peaceful, albeit misguided protest disperses, but it's clear that for every protestor here, there must be many more in the Pact Worlds that still distrust the Starfinders - so it's a good thing you've gotten practice defusing crowds!
Inside the Lorespire Complexes kitchens, Venture-Captain Naiaj leans despondently against he wall. Workers clad in white chef's smocks rush past carrying covered trays which the bleachling gnome eyes longingly. Her eyes narrow as she turns to you, "Have you ever seen such disarray?! I came here to get my snack on and found the caterers in an absolute panic! They don't have enough food prepared to handle the guest list, and they're struggling to accommodate some of our attendees' unique dietary needs. I'd hate to see our new First Seeker's big day spoiled by an empty buffet line so get in there! If you don't know how to cook, I'm sure you can at least cut things or wash things or... look just squeeze in and help!
"Sorry, sorry I'm just hungry..."
Pamatea's extensive knowledge of xenobiology serves her in good stead as she spots some potentially embarrassing mismatches of ingredients and dietary needs, but the caterers could still use some more help to make things really shine!
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Rally Rose listens to the gnome's rant, remembering that she didn't have lunch either. Perils of hyperfocusing on ranked matches. But it's her first day, and Rally's not going to do anything less than her best.
Unfortunately, it's a crowded kitchen, and heavy armor is more hindrance than help here. Before too long, Rally sighs and updates her mission from "get in there and help out" to "get out of the way of actual professionals", occasionally halfheartedly getting something off a high shelf for someone.
A chime sounds throughout the Lorespire Complex and its surrounding grounds, followed by a broadcast of First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo’s resonant voice: “Pest-control workers, your presence is kindly requested in the Hall of Discovery.” Spurred by the announcement, junior and experience Starfinders file into the Forum’s meeting space.
As the last of the summoned Starfinders enter the meeting space, Luwazi stands atop a stage at the centre of the hall. Radaszam and Zigvigix position themselves behind the First Seeker, warily surveying the crowd. When the doors shut behind the final Starfinder team, Radaszam steps forward and whispers in Luwazi’s ear. She nods as he offers her a microphone.
“Thanks to your courage and resilience, Starfinders, we have overcome adversity time and again. Two years ago, we embarked on a mission to rescue our lost agents from the Scoured Stars. Last year, we returned to battle the jinsuls and won. Today, I stand before you for the last time as your First Seeker and invite you to accept a very different challenge.
“I trust you are all familiar with the individual called Datch. For the past year, Datch orchestrated a slanderous media war against the Society for reasons incomprehensible to us. We’ve recently learned more about our enemy and realized that the Society is not her only target. As a member of AbadarCorp’s security department, Datch used her connections to manufacture a media smear campaign against us. She did so to gain power within the corporation, and her next target is Executive Archdirector and CEO Iseki-Okaibo. Yesterday, Datch instigated a vote of no-confidence against him. If the motion passes, Datch stands to take advantage of that power vacuum.”
Luwazi frowns at the assembled Starfinders. “We cannot let that happen. We can’t directly challenge Datch—not yet. If we’re going to stop her, we must beat her at her own game. While Datch positions herself to seize power, I plan to use Ehu Hadif’s elevation and the presence of our most veteran agents at the elevation event as a cover to send you on covert missions throughout the Pact Worlds. The missions vary, but your primary goals are to disrupt Datch’s ongoing activities and convince AbadarCorp executives not to support the vote of no-confidence. I’m counting on you, Starfinders.”
Encouraged by the First Seeker’s words, the chosen Starfinder teams prepare to depart the Lorespire Complex for various destinations across the Pact Worlds. Society leaders direct smaller groups of agents into specialized briefings, where they present information about each covert operation. After a year of enduring Datch’s merciless attacks against their organization, the Starfinders finally have the chance to retaliate.
Though the Starfinders have certain culinary limitations, your knowledge and assistance is still enough to avoid disaster! Thankful for the help, the head caterer gifts you with a vac-sealed, spoilage resistant takeout container full of scrumptious food!
Zigvigix is the one to enthusiastically brief you all at a table in the corner of the hall. "There's a lot of moving parts involved in this operation, and I'm thrilled to assign you to this particular mission!" Zigvigix beams at you all through their pedipalps.
"Cloudview Resort's famous corporate retreat is taking place right now on Castrovel. Corporations from all over the Pact Worlds send executives there for networking and"- Zigvigix chitters reverently-"team building. Several AbadarCorp board members are attending the retreat. If you join them, I'm sure you'll have plenty of opportunities to make friends with the executives. Hopefully, you can persuade them to support Iseki-Okaibo and not Datch." Zigvigix clacks for a moment in contemplation before adding happily. "The team-building exercises may be useful for us too, so enjoy yourselves and learn all you can!
"I've already... procured tickets for the retreat, and you should receive them on your comms shortly. There are vouchers for access to the workshop, complimentary meals at Geranium and rooms for two nights! Have fun!"
***
After flying to Castrovel's Qabarat spaceport it's still a few miles up Yaro River through the coastal jungles to get to Cloudview. The path is too overgrown in parts for vehicles, so that means a bit of a hike. The air is humid, only cut by the chirps and thrums of insects and birds, but thankfully you aren't accosted by anything predatory before you reach the resort.
You break through the treeline to see the sprawling complex of Cloudview Resort where it sits atop a riverside cliff. Your trail leads straight to some sort of visitor's center amid loftier terracotta buildings with expertly thatched roofs. An androgynous android concierge greets you there, dressed in a lightweight, but still formal looking drape that looks very cooling in this heat.
"Welcome! Will you be joining your coworkers in the Workshop? They should just be commencing in the nature preserve. Not the one with the Renkrodas."
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"Ah, yes, yes we will! Are the renkrodas off-limits, though, I've studied them but never seen one up close and I'd really like to..." She trails off as she looks at her colleagues. "Yes, we'll join our co-workers!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On the journey to Castrovel, Pamatea asks each member of the party for a small sample of their DNA. "It just part of some biomedical research I'm doing, and there's nothing like data from the field! Side effects are minimal and include headache, nausea, terrifying visions of your own doom, and on one occasion, skin turning purple. All pretty standard. I have medical release forms here for you to sign."
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Charlie spins around as Pamatea sticks a needle into him trying to look at every part of his body at once to rule out him immediately having turned purple.
"Uhm..if you say so. I'll take your worrrd forr it"
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Charlie shows the ticket he's got on his datapad
"Yes, that's us. Herrre for the Worrrkshop...in the nature arrea."
before nodding a few times to emphasize his point.
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A shocking scene greets you as you reach the preserve - the once pristing jungle along the resort's outskirts has become a war zone! Guerilla soldiers in khaki fatigues fire on one another indiscriminately, some organized into small fireteams while others battle on alone!
Amid the chaos a human man in goggles and a ghillie suit pops up from a nearby trench and beckons you over with a hurried gesture.
"What department are you with?"
"But none of you are from Accounting, right? Archdirector Suzi wins this thing every year, and I'm sick of it - the last thing she needs is a bunch of ringers coming in to swing things to her side. Oh, forgive me, I'm Archdirector Yalus, Advertising."
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"Uhm, sure. Normally I'd need to have an NDA signed by you, but... nevermind, it's fine. I have to remember I'm not running a pharmaceutical company anymore, and this isn't a clinical trial."
Quentin grins. "We did a team building event like this at Kintan once. It was fun, but our Accounting team was deadly too! What is it with accountants that makes them so bloodthirsty??"
"Just raw, pent up aggression, right?"
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"Um... sure, you can have some DNA for your research. I can also give you a full medication list, since some of them are likely to affect your results." Rally does look rather anxious at the mention of medical release forms, though. "Uh. I don't have to put my legal name on these... do I?" Eventually, though, she does work things out with Pamatea.
"Archdirector Yalus? Ralliadlara Rose, from IT. Rally is fine." Rally grins, hefting her sniper rifle to her shoulder (and surreptitiously flicking the stun setting, if one exists). "And you've got nothing to worry about with me here. In my league, they call me the Army of One—one shot, one kill." Rally does not mention that her "league" is for the online shooter Call of Damoritosh. "We're going to send Accounting crying back to their books."
"Great, great! Suzi's all dug in down in the ravine. I'll see about scouting up some reinforcements for a second wave, but if you bring her down without us... Well by the keys, I'd certainly owe you one!"
***
Suzi's ravine is quite far into the jungle in a deep ravine that pierces the heart of a bowl-shaped clearing. There's a cluster of ancient looking stone ruins near the center.
It looks like they've recently been reinforced with deadwood and crude sheets of corrugated metal and-
Charlie
Pamatea
Suzi
Rally Rose
Quentin
Pamatea's dart goes wide as Suzi ducks back behind the towering barricade.
She chuffs out a quick "Hur hur hur!" But is a bit too far away to telepathically elaborate...
Charlie
Pamatea
Suzi
Rally Rose
Quentin
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Rally is rather shocked by the whole BEAR thing, hesitating for a couple of moments before snapping the stock of her Diasporan tactical rifle to her shoulder. She sights carefully through the scope before firing off a single shot.
Unfortunately, Rally didn't account for the heat haze when aiming, and the laser harmlessly hits the wall above the ursine accountant. The elvish girl pushes the hair out of her eyes and huffs in annoyance, muttering to herself. "Noijitan jungle. This is why I left."
As Charlie hustles through the dense undergrowth he has a sudden moment of alarm as he hears an expertly concealed pressure plate **click** beneath his foot!
Suzi roars with laughter at the loud **bang** of compressed gas and leans around the corner, lobbing a grenade at Charlie as she projects, "Welcome to the party, pal!"
The grenade detonates in a broad spray of sticky resin - even less pleasant in the heat!
Charlie -4? Entangled?
Pamatea
Suzi - Get 'er! (+1 on attack rolls vs. her)
Rally Rose
Quentin