|
Arching over the rest of the crowd, you see an olive skinned vesk who approaches the group. He looks very lean and sternly observes the group of starfinders in front of him. He reaches behind him to adjust the large tactical swoop hammer adorned with memorabilia on his back.
"Is this crew which I have been assigned to? Good. This will do. You're not like the toughs from Vesk V, but stay behind me, follow my lead - and I promise you - victory shall be ours on this day! I am Captain Rahdokama of the 74th V-battalion. I have been sent as an ambassador from the empire to liase with the Starfinder Society! Hmmph!"
A massive table-like hologram projector rests in the center of the darkened briefing room, its surface generating a three dimensional depiction of the galaxy. Nominated First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo stands cross-armed while surveying the starscape before her, her frame illuminated by the hologram.
“I appreciate your punctuality, as the lives of many Starfinders may depend on you. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you about the Scoured Stars incident.” Her eyes turn toward a large golden field in the hologram within which most of the Society’s agents are believed to be trapped. “But I’m glad to share that we’ve finally found a lead. Evidence from the library world of Athaeum suggests that eight groups departed the Scoured Stars in ages past, and that eight relics were removed following the same trajectories. My predecessor’s studies about one of these relics is what led us into the Scoured Stars, but I think if we can track down some of the people connected to the other relics—or, better yet, get our hands on a relic ourselves—we might find a way past this barrier.”
Elsebo waves a hand over the projector, and the entire hologram rotates; she then fans both her hands out to zoom in on a planet in the Vast. “Our closest guess as to where we might find some answers is here. Based on what I could find, it appears to be an unclaimed planet the Pact has labeled Icefront. There are no known civilizations affiliated with this planet, but its atmosphere supports life and it’s not far off the likely flight path of one of the eight escaping groups. I want you to take a ship to Icefront and find whatever you can about where this relic might be hidden. More importantly, see what you can dig up about the people the relic seemed to be chasing. Any questions?”
|
"Icefront, eh? Sounds like a chilly mission. Do not fear, all of you, for Mustachio Marino will lead us to victory! And if my good vesk here finds the burden of Captain-ship too much, I am well suited to seize that role. In fact, I already have. Surely you have all heard of my exploits, as Cap'n Mustache in "Live Exploration Extreme!" or Starfighter Pilot #6 in "The Adventures of Captain Flash and his Drunken Bros!" You have all lucked out this day, to be with someone who has acted the part of Captain in so many straight to television adventures! "
|
The android Kat5e leans back in her chair with her arms crossed and a scowl across her face as she listens to the briefing.
oof, we got some live ones here She thinks to herself as she listens to her crewmates boast. At least I know what to expect from Mustachio
As she processes the information from the First Seeker, she filters the information through her security algorithms to analyse the possible dangers they may face. When she decides she needs more input, she uncrosses her arms and raises one hand casually as she asks "What do we know about Icefront? Do we have any orbital surveys or scans to go off of?"
As a follow up she will also ask "How about the relics? what information do we have on the ones that have been studied already?"
“The Pact Worlds’ databases didn’t offer much since Icefront is so far off anyone’s sensors, but we have some basic specs. The planet has a normal atmosphere, lots of fresh water, and abundant plant life. It spins and orbits its sun slowly, so I’d guess that it has extreme seasonal temperatures, but otherwise nothing particularly noteworthy. The file even states that there are no likely deposits of valuable mineral resources. That makes sense, since that’s what Pact Worlds surveyors tend to focus on. I’ll forward the file to you, so you can prepare.”
She turns to Kat5e, "We don't have much, so we're interested in ANY information about the relic and its potential whereabouts. If there’s native lifeforms on the planet, then they’ll be your best chance for an answer. On that note, you might want to make sure you have some means of communicating with a new species. By this point in your careers, I assume you’re capable of that.”
|
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
"Ah! Not to fear. I bought a certified Tetrad translator from the Society not too long ago. Despite the one star rating on Abadar.com, and that the battery life sucks, and that it barely functions, I stand by my purchase because I am too embarrassed to try to return it."
Prerequisites: Wayfinders Tier 1
Cost: 2 Fame
Benefit: You acquire a Tetrad certified translator as if you had
purchased it, but you do not need to expend any credits.
Normal: You need to spend credits to acquire this item.
This elaborate datapad has several additional audio receptors to capture nearby sounds. If you don’t share a language with creatures
you encounter, you can activate this device to collect basic linguistic information. The device requires 10 minutes of observed conversation to gain enough information to operate. The device then acts as a rudimentary translator. It does not allow you to converse with creatures with whom you don’t share a language, but it can relate very basic information. Examples of statements the device could interpret would be: “come with us,” “lower your weapons,” or “leave immediately.” The device cannot parse proper names, including personal designations or the names of items and places. Some extraordinary complex or obscure languages might not translate clearly with this device. A Tetrad certified translator has 10 capacity and 1/hour usage.
|
|
Kat shoots Mustachio a knowing look when plant life is mentioned. "Great" she mouths silently. She is also relieved to discover his translator, fearing they would appear unprepared in front of the First Seeker.
"Thank you for the file, I'll go over it on route." She recrosses her arms and looks to the others to see if they have any further questions.
"To be honest, I don't know. You're experienced agents, maybe you can tell me!"
Fresh water in all phases covers the planet, likely supporting robust ecosystems year-round. Given the widespread availability of food and water, it’s unlikely that most of these creatures would interact with humanoids unless they were blatantly aggressive or edible.
|
|
Kat mentally accesses the file sent to her by the first seeker and processes the information about the planet's orbit. She correlates it with the holographic image of the planet floating in front of them. "Similar long seasons to the planet Triaxus. High humidity indicates possibility for heavy precipitation. Looks like we're going to be heading in during the winter cycle."
Hmm...I'll probably need a winter weight oil change before we head out..
|
|
So, we need winter clothes?
Rahdokama slaps his D-suit proudly, "Our armor should have an environmental protective unit built in, T suspect we will be fine as long as we remember to recharge it before stepping out!" He mediately smiles his toothy grin at the others, "Well met - Data-Z, and and Sir Ohmarc!"
"If there are no other questions, pick ship, and make good time!"
With a nod the First Seeker sends you on your way.
|
|
As the party leaves the briefing room, Kat greets everyone. When she gets to Mustachio, she sais "Yarr, Mustachio. Nice to see you again. I have to tell you, I watched your performance as Billy the Red Ranger in Space Rangers Ultra Paradox on the ride home from Tabrid Minor." she pauses for a moment where would would expect some praise or feedback. In her awkward android manner, she just nods and moves on to greeting the rest of the crew.
"Looking forward to working with you all. I hope we discover something of value here. If anyone wants an extra charge on their weapon if it gets hairy, stay close"
|
|
"Looking forward to working with you all. I hope we discover something of value here."
"Likewise. Kat is it? Certainly I hope that we can find the relics and discover some leads out of them. You don't think we will need to use weapons on this mission do you? I was hoping this would be a more peaceful task."
The party introduces themselves and boards The Drake.
Travel to Icefront takes through the Drift, and the journey is mostly uneventful. [ooc]Everyone pick your stations, whoever is the Science Officer, make 3 Computers checks.
|
|
Ohmarc will take the role of captain but likely more as that of an inspirational life coach. He plans to use diplomacy to get more out of the crew. He has few other skills to offer in a starship role. However, if Mustachio prefers to serve in that capacity, Ohmarc can always try his luck as a gunner.
During the 14 day journey, Z Data Z catches the sensor signature of another ship trailing behind. Before the android can get a lock or take action, the signature vanishes.
Curious.
You come out of the Drift over the planet without incident.
You detect intense weather patterns across the planet’s surface, with snowstorms in the southern hemisphere and rain in the northern hemisphere, as well as dense concentrations of plant and animal life.
You detect a massive number of creatures, roughly 40,000,000. You pull up a holographic image of the creatures. Scans show archaic technology and ahunter-gatherer lifestyles.
You spot a small variation in the overall weather pattern at the edge of the southern hemisphere, resulting in a cold snap that orbits an area with disproportionately high energy output...
|
|
"Aha! Yes, friend vesk. Why, when I played the Green Sniper in "A Nest of Trouble", which I am sure you have seen, I was the one using the bow with the explosive arrow to blow up the final boss' base. I am a total badass. It is good to meet a friendly vesk. Do you know how unusual that is?"
Rahdo smiles, "Indeed, my friend! Which is why i am here, and my brothers still serve the Veskarium."
After the scan, you are hailed by the surface. The starship’s video screen shows a strikingly pale humanoid face with short-cropped black hair and black bulging eyes. You all recognize her as a verthani, a native of the Pact World planet Verces. The verthani introduces herself as Dr. Monsylkis, a scientist stationed on Icefront’s southern hemisphere. Dr. Monsylkis is cordial of tone, but clearly is feeling out your chops, "Greetings. Welcome to Icefront. This isn't exactly a vacation spot. I assume you're hear as researchers?
|
|
"Indeed! We are ahem...ah... excuse me, got this tickle in my throat. We are from the University of Absalom. My name is Dr. Mustache. I'm sure you have heard of me from such publications as "Stars and Bars" and "Sun Digest." Our android here, Professor Data, got a sizeable grant from the er... Society of Stars... to write a paper on the Effects of the Scoured Stars on Radial and Telemetric Artifices... a very important topic, I'm sure you know. We had heard that you had a relic from the Scoured Stars region here on Icefront, and were hoping for a chance to study it. Oh, the others. They are just graduate students. You can ignore them."
"Interesting! I'm curious about your opinion on the similarities between telemetric triangulation and genetic flow in closed systems..."
Before Z Data Z can respond with a plausible thought, sensors start flashing. The ship’s sensors detect an unknown starship emerging from the Drift, and red klaxons flash and sirens blare that weapons systems have locked onto the ship!
Moments later you get a visual of a sea urchin-like starship ringed with multi-segmented, tentacle-like appendages each tipped with three-pronged thrusters, weapons, and manipulative tools. The ship’s design does not match any known blueprints of Pact Worlds starships.
Whatever it is... It's not here to talk!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
Ohmarc: Captain
Z Data Z: Science Officer
Kat5e: Pilot
Rahdokama: Gunner
Mustachio: ?
------------------------------------
0
All systems normal
70
Ohmarc (Captain): Encourage
Z Data Z (Science Officer): Go
Kat5e (Pilot): Evade
Rahdokama: Gunner Phase
Mustachio: ?
The comm cracks to life, the voice is metallic and artificial, "RESISTANCE IS FUTILE." It shakes you to your core.
The ship moves to try and keep the Starfinders in the forward arc . It closes distance with evasive actions and opens fire!
for
for
The lasers BLAST through the starfinder shields and damage the hull! The rocket isn't far behind. It slams into the ship. The shrapnel from the rocket seems to animate somehow, chewing through the hull! The Starfinders are in SERIOUS trouble. The missile fries some of the systems The Drake's Power core is now glitching.
Gunnery phase go!
------------------------------------
0
All systems normal
70
In a game of space chicken, the Starfinders give as good as they get!
------------------------------------
25
Sensors (-2 Science) glitch.
70