“Three down, one to go!” Fitch’s voice exclaims over the static. “That’s the third checkpoint. Keep up the good work!”
Roddy comes up to the doors and finds that they are locked with an arcane seal of some sort over top. It'd likely take a high level spell and an extremely fast locksmith to get the door open before the arcane seal took back over. There must be a way to unlock it from somewhere though, as his sense of direction and distance points to this being the room with the elevators to the docking bay.
The group turns around and moves through the blue doors instead, arriving at the central hub of the building. This circular chamber is empty, save for an intricate mosaic on the floor depicts an emaciated rat with red eyes curled in on itself. Sealed metal doors lead outward in all four cardinal directions, with impressive double doors leading east and west, while single doors lead north and south. You remember seeing this on the way through here on the way to Datch's office.
Right before you enter the room, Api calls out and stops Roddy from stepping on the mosaic in the center. She notices it's raised slightly higher and a very fine magic circle is covering it and the surrounding area. With a moment to study it, she realizes the mosaic would press down and then complete the circle, summoning a series of spikes across the room.
Datch gives a smile at the display. "Hrm, seems someone has a good set of eyes. Why you're lucky she was here to save your behinds!"
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Nice. Lets just walk it on the edge. Joe, moving closer to wall towards next double western doors. Datch, surely, nearby.
This is poor position to encounter. Lets leave it. I am not an engeneer too. If one is here - let'em work, but everybody other - out! , - the vanguard respects security measures and tryin to open Yellow doors to get to the next corridor.
Api jams the trap so it never has a chance to go off, Roddy only able to hand off tools but not actually give any advice. Though the technomancer doesn't need any help with getting the thing disabled and keeps the trap from going off.
Joe and Bonra decide to press on, moving up to the three doors off the hallway. As the group gets closer to the room with three doors leading into it, Datch starts to sing a song, seemingly carefree about the whole thing.
♫"Beware the big bad witch,
The big bad witch, the big bad witch.
Beware the big bad witch,
Before she takes your head..."♫
Bonra and Joe both open the doors and find a cavernous chamber with towering forty-foot-high ceilings. The vault-like room is lined with hundreds of black metal filing cabinets that feature heavy duty locks. The room seems almost crowded towards the back despite the high ceilings as the cabinets have been stacked up to very nearly brush the top of the room. Large sliding ladders allow access to the higher files, while a few reading tables are arranged in the space near the doors. The room seems to get very little light, leaving it mostly in shadows.
Sitting at one of the tables is a figure sitting at the table, obscured in shadows. They slowly, elegantly stand up, their jet black armored suit reflects what rays of light it catches as their face comes into what little light there is in the room and revealing deep, bluish-purple hair and inky elven eyes. Their face is an elegant study in complete emotionlessness, that is until they spots Datch. Their mask breaks for a moment a flash of annoyance like one might feel over a mosquito. "I had orders to make sure all of you weren't to make it out of here alive. I was really hoping you'd finish Datch off for me. Never could stand people who flinched over finishing something."
Datch stops singing for a second, actually looking surprised at something for once. "Iroiveth, you were supposed to kill me!? But, but you were supposed to rescue me! Wait those orders were from your 'Organization' weren't they? Should have known they'd betray me." She narrows her eyes and glares at Iroiveth before realizing the agender elf is drawing a gun. She dives behind the nearest table, flipping it on its side and cowering from the elf.
Given her almost lackadaisical weapon draw, everyone gets the drop on the elf.
++++++++++++++++
Apikinzas 4/7 SP
Bonrakoru 4/8 SP
Ardoc
Roddy 18/22 SP
Joe 16/20 SP
Kaath 6/9 SP
Iroiveth
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Current map (Slide 7)
Joe moves and readies his taclash, as he asks the elf if they know about the starfinders. Iroiveth, with a blank expression and flat tone, states, "I know plenty about the Starfinders."
Kaath moves into the room and takes aim with his pistol.
Bonra drops into his stellar attunement as he dances around Iroiveth and tries to punch them. They watch with disinterested eyes as his punch goes nearly the wrong direction.
Api copies the elf, doing a slow draw of her weapon herself. But instead of giving off the callous disinterest of Iroiveth, she adds a bit of magic to her weapon and starts it to spark and start glowing a red hot.
Ardoc moves into the room, drawing his pike. He lashes out at Iroivethm but they deftly parry his pike with their carbon steel curve blade, causing it to fly wide. They stifle a small yawn as they do.
++++++++++++++++
Apikinzas 7/10 SP
Bonrakoru 4/8 SP
Ardoc
Roddy 18/22 SP
Joe 16/20 SP
Kaath 6/9 SP Can take a standard
Iroiveth
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Current map (Slide 7)
Kaath gets his solar weapon ready as well, pistol in one hand solar weapon in the other.
Rossy moves into position across from Bonra and lashes out with a punch, hitting Iroiveth in the solar plexus and knocking a bit of wind out of them.
Iroiveth responds by then lashing out at Roddy and then Bonra. They slice through Roddy's armor and scours a deep slash into his skin, before continuing the swing in a deadly arc, slashing through all of the armor and protections Bonrakoru has on him and cutting deep into his flesh. After a moment's hesitation, just before Api can start to react, they twist the blade in Bonra and brings it back across the first cut they left on Roddy. They flick the blood off their blade and then impassively make sure no one else is closing in just yet.
++++++++++++++++
Apikinzas 7/10 SP
Bonrakoru 0/8 SP 5/13 HP
Ardoc
Roddy 0/22 SP 17/18 HP
Joe 16/20 SP
Kaath 6/9 SP
Iroiveth -6
++++++++++++++++
Current map (Slide 7)
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Joe give Datch a sign to sit there and shocked how quickly things escalated. So the vanguard turns his attention to the assasin, Antagonize:
You'd better pay some attention, mam. Unless you wanna feel your feet at your own a%#$###.
Joe provides some threat even from afar if you are interested in tactical advantages.
Joe prods the elf, causing them to give an urk of annoyance. "I am not a 'mam,' so please don't call me that."
Api takes a shot at the elf. They raise up their sword and then spin their wrist at high speeds, nearly deflecting the shot entirely, but Ardoc catches the high speed spin at the last second and the elf takes the full blast.
Bonra gets a quick kidney punch in but then misses with his follow up, the elf sliding out of his reach for a second.
Roddy, generating entropy, funnels the energy into a strike, but his punch is a bit too choreographed and misses by a hair.
Ardoc moves in, hoping to end this, but the elf is well aware of his deadly pike, and they dance out of the way of the pointy ended weapon.
Finally Kaath comes in closer and takes a swing at Iroiveth, scoring a hit against them.
They then turn and lash out at the people surrounding them. First they lash out at Kaath, hoping to take out the only accurate melee fighter, and slash a deep scoring cut across the kasathan's armor and chest, digging deep into the tissues there as well. They then dance closer to Joe, unable to get his words out of their head, but taking care to avoid any attacks that might come thier way from being careless. They then try to slam their blade into Joe's armor. They cut across it and slash the armor deeply, but the cut never reaches flesh.
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Apikinzas 7/10 SP
Bonrakoru 0/8 SP 5/13 HP
Ardoc
Roddy 0/22 SP 17/18 HP
Joe 6/20 SP
Kaath 0/9 SP 4/11
Iroiveth -18
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Current map (Slide 7)
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Kaath gets his solar weapon into he elf's side again, scoring a cut and a growl of annoyance.
Roddy tries to lash out at Iroiveth with another Glasz Cannon© but fails to connect again.
Api however is able to skim a shot of electricity past Kaath and into the elf sparking up their armor.
Distracted by the people hitting them from behind, Iroiveth pays no attention to Joe who whips out with his taclash and catches their curve blade out of their hands. He catches the lost weapon with a flourish and Iroiveth gives them a glare of furious contempt. Datch gives a squeak of approval the first sound she's made since the fight began.
Ardoc takes two fairly inaccurate swipes at the elf and they once again dance out of the way of his deadly looking pike.
Bonra punches out, feeling the weight of all of the starfinder's waiting on them getting Datch out of here and into custody pushing behind his punch. He leaves a devestating mark on the elf, and they certainly look close to toppling over.
They raise their pistol to take a shot at Kaath, taking down the last and the weakest among the starfinders, but everyone in melee range gets to take a swing at Iroiveth, taking them down for good.
With the elf out the party is able to examine the room and the elf more closely.
As you rifle through the documents in the room you find that they all seem to deal with details about Pact Worlds organizations or individuals. 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, net worth and even favorite sock colors; to shocking personal secrets such as a secret battle with hemorrhoids or a paralyzing fear of spiders.
Throughout the examining of the room, a slightly shocked Datch starts to rattle off to no one in particular. "I had my suspicions on Iroiveth’s background and motives... But they had pledged support and consultation on testing and improving the drone ships.... originally been based on technology taken from the ghibrani home world of Elytrio.... Taken out easily by the Stewards, which shouldn't have happened.... They also talked about a potentially useful substance harvested from the morlamaw world of Arniselle... Was that a trap too? Damnit!"
“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.
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Kaath stops, still sore from the injuries.
He will ponder the mysteries as he prepares to rest.
Odd. From this level of detail, I would think it is less useful for real-world applications than I would expect it would be for a spiritual application of some sort.
If no further interruptions, Kaath will take a 10min break to recover a bit.
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Now everything is under control. And I have some clue, we could possibly use this on the previously seen statue - declares Joe via Comunit and then sharing his thoughts.
Joe happy about evacuation. He is still beside Datch and listen for her talkings. This might be useful. Keep a tongue closer... , - remembers Joe breifings as far as Satrfinders return back to Absalom, victorious.
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Still a little hazy from the adrenaline, Roddy holds his bruised side as he rifles through the documents. "What practical application could any of this nonsense have? Ugh, I think maybe this elf was spying on these people with divination magic." He shudders at the thought of someone watching him without his knowledge.
He nudges the elf with his foot disdainfully. "These implants are way above my pay grade. I don't think I've ever--" He pauses, frowns, and lifts the elf's hand. "Is that...?" He glances down at the back of his own hand, where a faint subdermal implant can barely be detected. He makes a fist and concentrates, and an image of the Starfinder Society insignia pops up on his hand. He looks back down at the elf. "They... they were a Starfinder?? What in the Nine Hells is going on...?"
He sighs and shakes his head. "Maybe somebody else can figure it out. I'm exhausted. Let's get out of here."
At Datch's mention of the Ghibrani in her ramblings, Roddy gives her a sharp glance, but says nothing. The bug guys seemed alright. Surely they're not working with... whoever these people are? But even if they just got their hands on the drone tech, that'd be dangerous enough.
***
At the ceremony, Roddy smiles and claps at the elevation of the new First Seeker, but the events of the mission have left him with more curiosity than he's used to, or comfortable with. After the announcement, he searches for a few familiar faces to go get a drink with. Maybe he can block the questions by getting hammered.
With a bit of time to examine the room, the party gets a warning on their coms systems that the barriers have been hacked down, and they can get you of this place before it blows.
Datch seems to catch sight of Roddy's insignia and calms down a bit for a moment, "AH, Yes, Iroiveth was a former Starfinder agent. But it seems they joined some mysterious organization. Had a real vendetta but some good if outdated information." She seems to relax some and starts taking deep breaths as the group moves to the exit.
In the elevator, Datch pulls an apple out of somewhere and takes a bite, but the slight shake to her paws belies the poise she seems to have regained. "Well, that was meant to push you but I guess you weren't quite up to the task."
She goes calmly as the party hands her off to the Stewards, and the Maiden Is right where you left her, ready to get you back to the Lorespire Complex as fast as possible.
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So, a former Starfinder. Or maybe even betrayer?! I suppose that could worth making investigation. Thank you for information, Datch. Or desinformation. The time will judge. , - Joe takes the apple from Datch as soon as he see she try's to eat. And then searches her one more time.
When you try to bite a Starfinder, try not to choke on'em. ,- Joe demonstrates Datch the stick which previously has rat-steak upon it when she being taken off by Stewards.
The vanguard taking his teammates to leave for Absalom.