[SFS/Shifty] #2-21: Illegal Shipment (D) (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

Tik nods and moves to get a clearer shot before firing again. His foot slips, though, and the laser shot goes into the ceiling.

Laser attack vs. EAC, including get 'em: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6

With th eparty bolstering, but not necessarily hitting, the creature continues its assault on Hei!

Attack 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Hei is hit!

***

survival knife 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Damage 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

survival knife 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 2 = 26
Damage 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

survival knife 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 = 22
Damage 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

The gangers manage to get some blades in nicely - the creature is now looking in an awful state.

R3
Hei
Xoni
GANG - acted
Istilnar

R4
Tik
Alejandro

R 24

Alejandro continues his encouragement, "Got it on the ropes now. Go for the sweet spot, right... there!" His pistol flashes and the bang reverberates in the room.

Get 'Em up again, Shoot.

Anchoring Semi-Auto Pistol vs. KAC + Get 'Em: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9 for Magic/Piercing + W.S.: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Alejandro continues egging people on- but the gunshots are less inspired!

Exasperated at his inaccuracy, Tik carefully aims at the last remnant of the Swarm. Even though his target is aware of the attack, the ysoki strikes a vital spot!

Laser vs. EAC, incl. get 'em: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 = 25

Stealth check for trick attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

Laser damage, incl. crit: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6
Burning damage, if/when applicable: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Istilnar, draws a wheezing breath and stumbles toward Alejandro. The Swarm's poison still seems to be affecting him. He then fires his plasma claw again.

Plasma Claw vs. Swarm EAC: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 - 2 = 6
Electricity/Fire Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Since no one seems to need her out of the way, Heiuxin continues her attack on the swarm creature!

Flame doshko, flank, get em: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 12 Damage (F), calibrated: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Xoni struggles to find the sweet spot Alejandro urges her to hit. But she is encouraged that the gangers are helping and the swarm survivor is looking worse for wear.

Tactical Doshko vs KAC, Get'em: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 = 15
Damage, P: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

A wave of blows rains down, some catching, some bouncing - but the ysoki seems to abandon all attempts at stealth and simply places a devastatingly effective shot right between the eyes of the creature - resulting in a spectacular, but catastrophic (for the swarm) outcome.

The beast simply lays there flaming away - clearly dead.

The gang look pretty satisfied with themselves - "We'll be in touch for the reward" they aside as they start wiping their knives and wandering off, throwing you a few peace signs as they go.

The swarm is defeated - what do you want to do?

"Alright then, search everything here to make sure the swarm is gone then... let's go report our success?"

He glances at the bodies, "We should probably burn all the bodies, right?"

"And search for eggs, and any signs of other Swarm creatures that might have left from here."

"Indeed. Burn it all," Hei says, as she pants trying to recover from the fight.

The ysoki pauses before beginning his career as an arsonist. "Do Fitch or Zigvigix want any samples?"

Istilnar, uses his comm unit to begin documenting the evidence of the Swarm infestation.

A good search of the area shows the swarm has been focused on the 'nest' and has not wandered away from the place - unfortunately the whole warehouse is completely infested with swarm 'bio machinery' that covers all the walls and floors, and contains a nest that you determine is also a hazardous area that emits a strongly acidic vapour.

Heiuxin has the real answer - burn it all. You leave the warehouse (and swarm corpses) as a bonfire.

***

You return to the Master of Stars and find Fitch and Zigvigix waiting for you - "Well, do we have a problem?" they jointly enquire.

Alejandro gives his smuggest lie, "What problem?" He glances back at his very battlescarred allies, "I don't know of any problem. You guys know of anything? I mean, there was a fire we saw earlier. But I don't think anything of value was harmed. Certainly nothing important."

Heiuxin, still nursing her wounds and suffering from the Swarm's poison, grins. "Besides, if there were any sort of problem, you're looking at the right crew to deal with it."

Xoni lets her fellow Starfinders give smug but vague reports for a moment. Her matter-of-fact upbringing compels her to add, "We located the place where the swarm was starting to establish a nest. After dispatching a flying outlier, we killed the rest of the swarm in an abandoned warehouse. The last one was killed with the help of some of the Six Tip gang. I believe they left with a positive impression of the Starfinders. We burned the warehouse to be sure no swarm matter remained.

"We did not lose anyone, although Soryn got separated from us early on. We are not sure of her whereabouts.

Xoni is weary, wounded, and anxious to pick up her litter from the child care unit. She fidgets through the rest of the debriefing.

Istilnar, just stands off to the side brooding and saying nothing.

"Both Istilnar and Heiuxin were poisoned by the first Swarm we fought. You could probably learn something about Swarm venom from studying them while they're recovering. We also got some information about how the Swarm got out. If the Six Tip ganger wasn't lying, they were going to play it straight--pay for the frozen Swarm and take them. The gang was going to use the threat of the things to pry loose their boss. What they said, though, was that one of Zelrai's crew freaked out and shut off the freezers. Not that it matters much who did what...the only things to get out of there alive were the Swarm and one torn-up halfling."

Ziggy seems calm - "Terrible fire, problem solved. Interesting news about the Gang members. We will also put a search party out to locate Soryn - she didn't fall victim to the swarm or you'd have seen it, maybe just lost in Fogtown"

Fitch pipes up "So, what are your thoughts on turning Zelrai in to the authorities? Doing so could needlessly hamper the Society’s and other organizations’ ability to come and go from Absalom Station, and if we don't hand Zelrai over to station security, the ferran owes the Society an enormous favour"

"On the other hand", Zigvigix interjects "Zelrai’s greed threatened so many lives and cost several, and worries that letting her get away with shipping Swarm creatures could merely embolden her toward more further dangerous activities".

Cast your votes!

Heiuxin is honestly torn, especially when Zigvigix voices their concerns about the future safety of Absalom Station. In the end, she leans back on her own sense of honor, ingrained in her by her brutally strict upbringing on Triaxus. "While I appreciate the potential benefits of someone like Zelrai owing the Society a favor, I agree with Zigvigix. Our first duty is to keep the Swarm and other threats at bay. We should turn Zelrai over."

Alejandro hemms and haws a bit, "Listen all, it's simple. A mistake was made and he immediately tried to fix it. If I screw up, I'd certainly like a second chance. I say we give him one. Also, on the practical side, it's smart to keep people you know in your employ than to turn them in and have to trust in complete strangers."

Tik considers for a moment, then shakes his head. "Greed, I understand. But she has a terrible track record for picking people to trust: her gunner went around her to make a separate deal, and if the Six Tips story is right it was someone from her crew who panicked and let the things loose. Put all that together and I don't think we should trust her judgment. Turn her in."

Two for hand in, one for keeping it in the family

From deep within the folds of his hood Istilnar says, "She cannot be trusted. Turn her in."

"Talevet tells many stories of the power of forgiveness but in this case, I think our Exo-Guardian oath pledges us to protect the Pact Worlds from external threats. Bringing this swarm into the station put everyone at terrible risk and cost several lives. I would turn her in for the pursuit of justice and the example of what will happen to those who endanger society for private gain. My children were close to where the swarm was growing. I'd like to think the person responsible for that is given justice."

Xoni sounds sad as she says this, not happy to have to mete out harsh justice.

Ziggy looks rather happy.

"Your well informed and considered opinions are highly regarded - we shall make our decision"

With that, the pair go back to debating - leaving you to see your own way out.

***

The end!

The elder human claps his hands together, "Alright, that's resolved then." He shows no disappointment his recommendation was voted down.

He ushers everyone out of the room, "Alright, let's get you all checked out at the local clinic, then get some rest. Why don't we all meet for brunch tomorrow once we feel a bit better? We can decompress a bit and get some good food, my treat. Talk about what happened or just never talk about it again. Either way, it's good to get some downtime together."

Thanks all for the good run! I was quite concerned there about our odds.

"Thank you, Alejandro. That would be nice. I haven't had time to make many friends here yet."

Then she addresses the group, "It was an honor to work with you all. May Talevet tell your tales of heroism and courage. Happy endings, all."

Xoni skips the stop at the infirmary, trusting her wounds to heal with rest. She is anxious to get back to her family.

"That sounds like a good plan, Alejandro. I'll see you tomorrow! Xoni, hope the family is doing good. Hei and Istilnar, hope you get over the poison quickly. I'm going back to Nurkop's for another drink--it's silly, but the place got me feeling homesick." The ysoki saunters off, quietly humming a Strawberry Machine Cake tune.

Hei smiles at Alejandro's offer, "Yes, some relaxation together does sound like just what the doctor ordered, right after I sleep off the effects of that dratted Swarm's venom. And speaking of relaxation, Xoni, if you're ever in need of some time away from your brood, look me up. We could spend some time sparring if you're up to it.

"Careful you don't cause too much trouble at Nurkop's, Tik. The folks there seem pretty on edge."

Istilnar, disappears back into the shadows where he came from, not saying a word to any of the rest of the party.