As Kōlēfō discovered, this site has been abandoned, but not that long ago. There is evidence that several larger items such as a generator and mobile fortifications were expertly moved out of the cavern.
In the process of going through the site, Kōlēfō discovers some remaining pieces of sarcesian artwork. Most of these are odd, lasercut rock carved to resemble sites of interest in the Diaspora and idyllic mock-ups of the destroyed world Damiar.
While searching Keskodai notices some audio and video recording devices hidden within the various chambers of the cavern. They are all active and each attached to a small battery. You are unable to determine to where they are transmitting.
You are finishing up your investigation and heading back to the entrance when, with a burst of quick clicks and green light, a projection coalesces into the form of a large but lithe humanoid with an elongated neck, pointed ears, and dark eyes. The figure’s head moves around as though appraising before speaking in strangely accented Common. “Greetings. I am Fayetta. I am sure you have many questions, and I would be glad to answer them.”
"Given the recent actions of some of our former members, we felt it was best to abandon this base."
“I swear on the sacred remains of the Diaspora that I did not. My former second-in-command, Mengian, saw your excavation as a threat and ordered an attack on the new dig site behind my back. Once I confronted him about it, he took what few radicals he could from our group and left. The snipers in the canyon were among those he converted to his irrational cause.”
“Perhaps we should start with an introduction. I am Fayetta of the Wings of Damiar, sarcesians dedicated to watching over the duplicitous bone sages. Our people have suffered uncounted atrocities at the hands of the Eoxians, and the ruin of their world is but a minor satisfaction for the horror they inflicted on us. We know they will eventually break this system’s Pact, and we shall warn others when that dread day comes.”
“The Wings of Damiar bear no ill will to the Starfinder Society or your excavations in this region. We would, however, like to keep our group hidden from the bone sages. While we are willing to negotiate with you and your leaders to reach a mutually beneficial arrangement, sadly, we do not have the time for an extended negotiation. I know that Mengian is planning another attack against your allies, and that must be addressed before we can come to an accord.”
“Mengian has called on those Wings of Damiar faithful to his cause to meet at the site of your latest dig. That is the place where he executed those first members of your organization, and where you were exploring earlier today. I know only a small number of our group intend to join him, but they could still cause much harm unless you stop them.”
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Greetings indeed seem appropriate. As you know, we are of the Starfinders. I identify as Perimeter Plasma. Say we take you at your word, provide some...token that tell I your words are of steel. Then we will judge your story. Perimeter nods all awkward Androidy.
Text from Perimeter on your comm unit interface:
Could be a trick. NEED to confirm if threat is true. We should check right away.
"I have no proof that I can offer you, and perhaps you have no reason to take me at my word. But what could I gain by lying to you? Without my warning you would not know to try and stop Mengian before he does more harm."
"I shall give you a means to contact me after you've stopped Mengian. I suggest you hurry though." She provides you with a communication frequency that you can use to contact her.
You make your way back to the new excavation site, and as you approach form the east, all seems quiet. As you get closer though, a sarcesian appears standing atop the redstone outcrop. He calls out to you, "You must be one of the Starfinder patrols. Are your bone sage masters treating you well?"
"An attempt at humor from an android? My you Starfinders are advanced," he quips in reply.
"We know you are working for the bone sages. No doubt you are just the vanguard of the force they've hired to sweep the nearby caves and flush out the Wings of Damiar."
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The Starfinder's are here to investigate these ruins of Black Moon. The Wings of Damiar are well aware of the Starfinder's real intention and our reputation. How do you think we found out you lot were headed here? huh? If you were interested in resolution of whatever matter it is that has you so upset, you know full well the Starfinder's would at least engage with you fairly, before violence begins. That is also why the real Wings of Damair sent us here. To ensure no real violence breaks out. Would you like to stand down and work out some terms? Cause all this ridiculousness needs to stop.
"The real Wings of Damair," he snorts. "Fayetta believes your Starfinder lies. We know better. You and all of the bone sages' puppets need to pay."
At that he signals the two behind him and they raise their weapons.
You are prepared for violence, so not caught by surprise.
[u]Round 1[/u]
Kōlēfō - SP 14/14, HP 14/14, RP 4/5
Kal - SP 30/30, HP 27/27, RP 3/4
Perimeter - SP 10/10, HP 15/15, RP 5/5Mengian
Supporter (red)
Supporter (green)Keskodai - SP 5/7, HP 12/12, RP 4/5
Kōlēfō's shot misses Menigan, but Kal blasts him with the super charged artillery weapon. More than a little shaken, Mengian yells "Get that vesk!" before jumping backward behind the redstone outcrop.
His two supports run up, one throws a grenade behind Kal and Kōlēfō, hoping to catch Perimeter in the blast, while the other takes a shot at Kal.
The grenade does little damage , but the laser sets Kal on fire!
Keskodai runs up to get some cover behind one of the diggers and takes a long shot with his pulsecaster pistol.
[u]Round 2[/u]
Reflex DC 10 to avoid taking 1 point from the grenadeKōlēfō - SP 14/14, HP 14/14, RP 4/5
Kal - SP 23/30, HP 27/27, RP 3/4 Burn 2. Reflex DC 12 to put it out
Perimeter - SP 10/10, HP 15/15, RP 5/5Mengian - 23 damage
Supporter (red)
Supporter (green) - 3 damageKeskodai - SP 5/7, HP 12/12, RP 4/5
Everyone avoids getting damaged by the grenade - must have been a dud.
Kōlēfō misses his shot, but Kal scores a hit and then Perimeter's magic missiles finish off the sarcesian. Kal is able to easily put out the fire on his side.
"Get that Skittermander! yells Mengian before throwing a starknife at Kōlēfō.
The knife slices Kōlēfō and begins to fly back to Mengian.
The remaining supporter runs up and swings their doshko at Kōlēfō.
But misses the nimble skittermander.
Keskodai moves up and mind thrusts the supporter.
Dropping him instantly.
[u]Round 3[/u]
Kōlēfō - SP 7/14, HP 14/14, RP 4/5
Kal - SP 23/30, HP 27/27, RP 3/4
Perimeter - SP 10/10, HP 15/15, RP 5/5Mengian - 23 damage
Supporter (red)
Supporter (green)Keskodai - SP 5/7, HP 12/12, RP 4/5
Kal's shot sends Mengian spinning to the ground, where his slumped body smolders.
Mengian's starknife returns to his body and falls to the ground.
You search the excavation site and find no evidence of further sabotage. The bodies don't have any computers or data pads, and nothing provides any clues of what else they may have planned. Among the gear they are carrying is:
Casual stationwear (w/jump jets), returning tactical starknife, static arc pistol, flash grenades I (3), credstick (600 credits), hidden soldier armor (2), ember flame doshko (2), azimuth laser pistol (2), frag grenade I, grappler (2)
Keskodai, noting that the storms have cleared, suggests reporting in to Taylehm.
Kōlēfō contacts Taylehm and updates her on the situation and the Wings of Damiar. She indicates that she trusts your judgment on how to proceed with them, and will wait on your decision.
Fayetta is reluctant to meet, and risk exposing herself to the bone sages, but is very eager to resolve things. She is relived that no one else was killed by Mengian and his followers.
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Perimeter proposes that Fayetta makes her concerns known to the Starfinder Society. Instead of subtlety, Perimeter proposes that Fayetta join the expedition. This gives their goals voice and may lead to uncovering relics at Black Moon that are pertinent to Sarcesian society or, prove them unwarranted.
I am sure the Starfinders would want to work to bringing the facts to light, and it is better to be on the team than not.
Perimeter will vouch on the condition that Fayetta exposed the violent streak of her own team. She knows that cooperation brings success etc.
Fayetta understands and accepts Mengian's death, but she refuses to join the expedition, as that would reveal the Wings of Daimar directly to the bone sages who run the expedition.
"Is that a threat? Does this mean you intend to reveal our presence to the bone sages?"
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For the last time, we are part of the Starfinders. We do not work for the Bone Sages. You and your minions have been interrupting the Starfinder's sanctioned activities with their mission here. Innocents have suffered and died. If you are not going to work with the Starfinders to address your grievances openly, than I can only logically assume you are going to recruit more violent team members and continue down this path of violence. All of your organizations activity is going to be shared with the Starfinder association so they can take the necessary security measures to protect their interest against your organization. I suggest you work with the Starfinders. You can see they are quite capable.
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Kōlēfō notices that things are starting to get heated, reaches up and places a hand as close to Perimeter's shoulder as he can reach. "Surely there are better ways to treat our nufriend." he says. "Fayetta knows little about us and lots about the Bone Sages. We can find a way to respect her wishes to remain in the background while still keeping the expedition safe."
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Kōlēfō pulls up a record of our previous conversation and plays it.
“The Wings of Damiar bear no ill will to the Starfinder Society or your excavations in this region. We would, however, like to keep our group hidden from the bone sages. While we are willing to negotiate with you and your leaders to reach a mutually beneficial arrangement, sadly, we do not have the time for an extended negotiation. I know that Mengian is planning another attack against your allies, and that must be addressed before we can come to an accord.”
"That doesn't sound to me like a terrorist, especially in light of the intel she provided us that allowed up to stop Menigan's attack. Surely accusing her in this way is not the way to start a successful negotiation? Let us find a time, place and method that will be mutually agreeable to her and our superiors!"