[SFS 3-04] The Vast Experiment: Falling Into Deliverance (Inactive)

Game Master AFlashInTime

The constellation Ibra... it seems like that might matter soon.

He slings his laser rifle back over his shoulder and heads to the main terminal of the magitech devise to try to access it, learn about it.

Computers: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29

Here, let me give you a hand Sefel.
Computers to aid: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22

Also, I wonder at the purpose of this constellation.

some Knowledge check: 1d20 ⇒ 13 so, total of 30 if Life Science, 27 if Physical Science or 24 if Mysticism.

It's *probably* Physical science (astronomy), AND per Sefel's theme knowledge: reduce the DCs of Physical Science checks by 5 when recalling knowledge about astronomy

Ibra: Physical Science, DC reduced by 5: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

"Yeah, you guys check it out. Sounds good," Azara says, taking a seat and leaning against a wall as Yith helps him out.

"I'm just going to rest here for a few minutes."

Ten minute rest for me, please.

After healing Azara, Yith also ponders the meaning of the Ibra sign, from a primal star shaman point of view...

mysticism: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

I ...... have NO idea Rani remarks.

As the party (mainly Azara) takes a break after the grueling combat, you split up and investigate the room.

Conrad listens the door to the southwest, but doesn't hear anything loud enough to be heard through the solid steel door coming from the other side. He sees the door is unlocked.

Yith helps Azara heal up.

Sefel and Deckard investigate the magitech apparatus. They find that the apparatus is still functional, despite operating in low power mode. The apparatus has a host of controls, allowing operators to vent the contents, take exterior gas samples, and a variety of experimental functions. More importantly, the controls allow an operator to activate fan-powered vents, trigger electrical shocks, and generate small force fields designed to plug leaks (each takes a move action to activate).

Force Field: The apparatus creates a weak force field around a designated target within 30 feet. The target becomes staggered and flat-footed for 1 round before breaking free (Reflex DC 16 negates). While affected, the target gains DR 3/—. After activating a force field, the apparatus cannot do so again for 2d4 rounds.

Shocks: The apparatus can release a powerful shock that affects all creatures adjacent to any one of the secondary vats, dealing 3d6 electricity damage (Reflex DC 16 for half).

Vents: The apparatus opens numerous vents in the laboratory, drawing out gases from inside the room. This creates an area of strong winds inside the main lab, which continues for 3 rounds.

Sefel, Deckard, and Yith also ponder the meaning of the constellation of Ibra. While all are very well versed in matters astronomical, biological, mystical, and physical, none of you can determine a reason for the constellation's appearance here in the dissapating gasses of the ion ghost. Whether this dying manifestation indicates the ooze’s genesis resulted from Ibra’s influence, that Wehemothal itself has some greater connection to the deity, or points to some other mystery entirely remains unclear. Rani isn't sure either.

It seems as though the only unexplored area in the station is behind the southwest door!

Rani heads to the southwest door to examine it

Yith walks up to the door and looks back at the party.
"Shall we?"

"That stuff certainly would have been handy against that thing," Azara says as the functions of the magitech device are revealed.

Assuming they've waited 10 minutes, he nods in response to Yith's question, pulling down his stellar mote in preparation.

Is the door locked or shall we open it up? Deckard positions herself with a better line of sight through the door, but sufficiently far away to hopefully not get caught in any exploding trap or other hazard.

The GM said earlier it was unlocked so...

Rani opens it up and peers inside.

Yes, they certainly would have been useful before. All the same we'll remember these functions for what comes next.

Sefel draws his laser rifle and steps up behind Rani to back her up as the door is opened.

"It's go time!"

The door slides open!

Inside there are three beings laying on the floor, surrounded by supplies - two robotic anacites and a female wrikreechee: Dr. Tsi Tsorsk! A moment after the door slides open, the anacites emerge from a low-powered mode and stand.

"We are saved! Your appearance here suggests it is highly likely somebody heard our distress call and has come to rescue the station. Welcome to Indigo Deep! My name is BY7, and this is my counterpart Era-Orbit. Where are you from, friends? Have you managed to find any other survivors?"

Dr. Tsorsk lets out a low moan from the ground. The wrikreechee appears in bad shapes. Pausing for only a second, BY7 continues, "Dr. Tsorsk has been without supplemental hormones for over two weeks. Our low-powered mode has allowed us to experience a relatively unevental waiting period, after we took shelter from the strange gaseous ooze creature outside, but she has gotten weaker as time has passed. Is there anything you can do to help her?"

I collected her tablets Rani said as she kneels by the wrikreechee and gets them out. I guess I could try administering the correct dosage and see if that helps

Then we gotta figure out how to get back to our ship. There's a water tank there for her to get into. Hopefully it's all set up properly

As she speaks, she measures out a daily dose of whatever Dr Tsork needs and feeds it to her, along with water.

If it's been two weeks... it might take more than one dose. I suppose we can see what that does though.

Buuuut, Sefel doesn't have medicine to really know for sure.

Too much at once could be bad Rani replies. I'd rather not do that

"Yes, you should be safe now. Let's see if we can figure out the best way to get the good doctor back on her feet..."
medicine: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

I'll take that. Good time for a 20! :)

While Yith looks like a stellar class doctor atr the moment, Conrad tries to play assistant as best as possible.... just in case. Aid Medicine: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 He looks around, "I hate to bring this up now, but we still have some kind of Great Old One outside. I'd LOVE to get back. Ideas? Doctor?"

Please make sure she is all right Yith.
Medicine to assist: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (17) + 17 = 34
Are there any other beings on this station? I wonder what it would take to get the power fully back up so we can take it into orbit.

Wow! +17! That's what I get for not looking to see if anyone has a better skill. :)

Yeah, Operatives are viable skill monkeys in this game, to an almost absurd extent with a little effort.

Oh yeah, very true. One of my characters is a mechanic with one operative level. Just crazy....

After the party feeds Dr. Tsorsk the medicine, the wrikreechee coughs before pushing herself into a half-sitting position.

"Thank you... for coming. What has happened to the station? I remember a shuddering crash, like something had slammed into us, or the station crashed into... I don't know what. Minutes later, these centipede like creatures were inside the station. We fought off many of them, but... it wasn't enough. We were fighting a losing battle. We sent out distress calls, then another crash, and then another... We took whatever supplies we could carry and hid here. Then the station dropped into lower power mode. Then nothing."

She shudders.

"When we tried to come out, there was a gaseous ooze that we feared would kill us if we left. So we've stayed here for days... weeks. I'd almost given up... are we all that's left? And a Great Old One outside? Surely you can't be... please, tell me everything that you know."

The two anacites look on with a mix of interest and concern.

I suspect it is not an actual great old one. It seems very unlikely they would concern themselves with us. From a guess, I would say it is a very large creature and these beasts you were fighting and we've fought as well are it's young and it's decided the station makes a likely nest. I don't know whether it realizes they are gone or how it will react once it does.
She looks around at the group here in the corner of the station.
We need to talk to our ship to advise on progress and the current situation. Do you know if there is any way to restore power enough to get us into orbit?

Rani tells the story of their adventures, starting with their arrival in the system, skydiving onto the station, then their exploration of the station.

Well we're not sure it is actually a Great Old One .... but that was a HUGE eye.

Yes, we could use your expertise to get this station, are part of it anyway, moving in the right direction.

Sefel thinks some more.

So this large creature, truly there were no signs of it before now?

As everyone tells their story, Yith only intrudes to add any pertinant facts.

"Fitch! We found the doctor and two others. Is that giant thing still outside somewhere?"

Azara listens in as the rest relate their shared story.

"I fear the station as a whole may be a loss. At the moment, I would be content with a method that can reliably get us back to our ship if you know of one, Doctor. Our priority has to be keeping ourselves alive and escaping," he chimes in.

Fitch gets back to Yith quickly.

"I've got the creature on the Pegasus' sensors. It's floating underneath you all now. I don't have a visual, but I'd prioritize getting yourselves off of there with any survivors and as much data as you can, quickly!"

At the end of the update, Dr. Tsorsk lets out a mix between a wheeze and a sigh.

"I don't think this ship can make it into orbit. With our power reserves being low, and our hull integrity questionable, at best, we..." she breathes slowly again. "We have to find a way to get as much data off the ship as we can. Such a loss-years of work! Now all..."

She takes a moment before continuing. "The ship is unimportant. We can restore full power in the ship's core to enable the transfer as much of the data as we can to your ship. Then..."

BY7 chimes in. "The space platform! It's big enough for all of us, and if it's only a little ways to the ship, we can all ride it up and then get out of here!"

Dr. Tsorsk nods through a pained expression. "If there's no way to dock the ship that might be our best option. Especailly if we want to make sure the creature doesn't try to take your Pegasus out, too."

She sighs again.

Yes. We'll go to the station core to restore full power. Go to the computer terminal to begin the transfer of data. Then go to the platform and get to your ship, and hope the creature doesn't notice."

Understood Doctor. Rani replied. Erm .. if you have no objections, it might be faster if we carried you.

I assume the nearby terminal is sufficient for that.

Sefel nods and immediately runs back into the larger room to begin transferring data via his datapad.

Computers: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21

I think we needed a tier 3 or 4 computer to be able to receive the transfer ourselves, which none of us have at the moment. It sounds like what the Dr is talking about is transmitting to the ship directly after powering up.

Computers: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (17) + 17 = 34

You're going to trigger countermeasures like that Sefel. You need to sudo first, then start mucking with permissions before getting the files out.

Yith will help with the preparations as best she can and when the time comes she will gently carry the doctor...

"Do you have any idea what is attracting that creature? perhaps something we can use to lure it away while we escape?"

"To the station core, then," Azara says.

He takes the lead while the others help the good doctor in her weakened state.

"No time to lose!" Conrad isn't strong, but he'll help with the doctor as much as possible.

Keeping the Computer rolls because you're rolling for Computers at the station core anyway.

Though capable of walking slowly, Dr. Tsorsk consents to be carried as time is of the essence. The two anacites also follow along closely as the party returns to the station core.

"Oh, you're back!" exclaims the platypus/computer personality. [b]"What can I do for you?"

Upon saying you want to raise the power level, the station/platypus responds, "Are you sure there's adequate cause for that. I recommend..."

The computer trails off as Sefel and Deckard get to work. Sefel is unable to find the right protocol, but Deckard successfully orders the ship to restore operations to full power.

"Well okay, but be quick," the platypus urges. "It's likely you'll only be able to operate the station at full power for... not even a full 24 hours before we start losing altitude with catastrophic results."

With full power restored, darkness and emergency lighting is replaced by normal spaceship lighting, bright in comparison. Other systems begin coming online as well.

Your comm units crackle with FItch's voice. "Everyone, there's..."

The station lurches briefly before resettling.

"...the creature coming toward you. I have Indigo Deep up on the Pegasus's scans, but it looks like that got its attention. Whatever you have to do, do it now!"

The Doctor's next recommended stop is to go to the upper level for the computer banks that have access to all of the data on the first floor. You're able to collectively reach the top, but it'll be more Computers checks to find/transfer the data quickly, and you might be on a bit of a time crunch...

Computers: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23

Without thinking, Sefel rushes off to do as the Dr. suggests, heading upward to begin data transfer.

Rani helps the best she can

computers: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Conrad rushes too, giving a pep talk on the way, "Think of the stories we can tell over drinks! Come on! Let's go!" Once there he also helps, Computers Aid: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

"I hope we don't have to fight that thing. I may have access to the power of the stars, but I don't think it's enough," Azara comments as the space station is rocked.

"Don't worry, pal, we're going to get everyone off this station. Everyone," he says to the platypus.

Computer (Aid): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

He tries to help out with the computers but gets confused about which is RAM and which is ROM.

"One is some kind of animal and one is a space knight but which one..."

Let's get as much information as we can out of here. Historia 7 would want nothing less.

Computers: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29

Yith, knowing she's useless with the computer skills, watches and carries the good doctor around. She does point at the virtual platypus, "Can we take him with us too?"

She then follows to the upper level, ready to sprint to the platform.

Be nice if we could Rani replies I'm sure Celita would love a pet

I forget to mention it, but Dr. Tsorsk also pulled a few prototype devices from the area that she and the two anacites were sheltering in. Resurgent technologies will compensate you for retrieving them, assuming you survive to make it back home.

The party rushes to the computer terminal and begins uploading data modules to Fitch on the Pegasus. Deckard quickly uploads two modules on her own, while Rani helps Conrad and Sefel transfer a data module each! The modules uploaded include Engineering Initiatives, Meteorlogical data, Probes, and Station Status. The station AI also takes a ride up to the Pegasus during the transfers. The entire processs takes a total of six minutes of time at the computer.

The station shutters again and the lights flicker. Warning lights begin flashing in addition to the normal lighting.

Fitches voice comes over comms. "The thing just took a bite out of the station! Maybe the power emitted by the data transmission antennae affected it in some way, but it..."

The station shakes again, for slightly longer than before.

"Now is a good time to leave," Fitch continues. "I'll get the ship as close as I can. Get to a place you can launch from, and I'll tell you when it takes another bite. As soon as it's distracted: GO!"

The next step in the escape is scrambling up to the space platform, and there just might be some skill checks involved in the escape attempt. I'll leave things here for now (assuming you're going to the space platform and preparing to launch towards Fitch); if you'd like to try a different plan, feel free to suggest it! Then I'll lay out the various checks for the escape next post.

Is there time to swap the jetpack back in? And at full thrust .. is that enough to get back up to the Pegasus?

Rani wastes no time in following Fitch's order.

Yes, there's time. Coincidentally the space platform flies at exactly the same speed as a jetpack by default (who knew), but if something were to happen to the platform the jetpack could be used as a backup. Fitch plans to get the Pegasus close enough to the ship that one jet pack should be able to make it there, assuming nothing happens that would cause you to have to expend charges manuevering.

Not having a better idea, Sefel follows behind Rani, rushing to the space platform.

"It's time to get OFF this ride. Everyone return your tables to the full and upright position!" Conrad, making sure the doctor is able, makes a break for the platform.