[SFS/Shifty] Veskarium (B) (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

"You’ll be representing the Starfinder Society at the Vesk-6 Victory Gala."

"Please remember that you are our representatives, and other attendees will be looking to you to understand who the Starfinder Society counts as their best and brightest, and what we as an organization stand for."

I don't think protecting a terrorist will serve the society's best interests when it comes to improving their relationship with the Veskarium

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"The Veskarium only directly rules over Command 6; elsewhere, they appoint consuls, both vesk and pahtra, to cooperate with local pahtra nations, whose treaties with the empire granted them unusual autonomy. Nevertheless, some groups remain hostile to vesk rule, seek to reclaim Pulonis for the pahtras, and have come into conflict with vesk peacekeepers."

"The Starfinder Society may be willing to help argue your case, but we have no authority here release you or take you."

Looking like equal numbers of hand her in (even if arguing her case) and trying to sneak her out, SFTD - what is your call?

Your comms light up, it is Jex "Tassada Kor is on the way over, please meet her at the Security Office for a debrief"

Speaker for the Dead addresses his allies. "This one does not wish that one's story to end in a Veskarium prison, but instead as a hero of reconciliation." Speaker for the Dead helps her escape, knowing he is partially responsible for whatever consequences come.

Voting to release her.

You arrive at the security room, Jex is still busily getting his guards to calm passengers down and get people back to their cabins in an orderly fashion after the 'technical difficulties' in the auditorium.

Tassada awaits "So! The Starfinders have delivered! Please give me your report, what took place here?"

"This one can relate to that one that there was an attempt to sabotage the vessel involving explosives. Those ones directly responsible for the explosives have been apprehended, and the vessel is now safe."

"Yes I know about the attempt to sabotage the vessel, but how can you be certain we have rooted out the whole threat? We have two dead pathra, but what evidence have you collected?"

"These ones may be able to explain better than this one." Speaker looks over at the other Starfinders, hoping they'll be able to put the pieces together better since he was absent from the first emergency response.

Murgatroyd remains silent, unable to cope with the release of the third terrorist.

We found this Kyra replies, handing over the datapad.

Tassada examines the datapad, "Veskarium issue. And what is this message, it identifies that there was a third agent -“Infiltration successful. Plans changed from demonstration to assassination. Agent 03 probably collateral. Give regards to Vesk Prime.” - so was there a third agent or not?" the vesk looks at you questioningly.

You'll need a Bluff

Presumably there was, yes, but they were prepared to sacrifice that agent. Kyra replied.

bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Kyra has no ranks in Bluff

Speaker for the Dead feels very uncomfortable about this whole situation, but decides that giving Miyuu a chance at redemption requires him to do something he is very unfamiliar with: lying. Drawing upon the memory of a halfling smuggler he once met, Speaker for the Dead begins talking in a strange, fast accent. "Yeah, that's right. Or maybe the whole datapad wuz a plant ta get you runnin' around lookin' silly and disruptin' the uh, whatchamacallit, festivities, and interrogatin' everyone to find an agent that ain't maybe even exist! Pretty clever these spies is, ain't they?"

Bluff (Aid Another): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Spending 1 RP to access the akashic record for some ranks in Bluff.

The vesk looks at you all for a moment and in a flat voice asks "Is there anything that you might want to tell me, right now?" her fingers tap on the datapad as her eyes narrow.

Kyra sighs.

Not really .... no .... besides, I got blown up in the face, twice, today, and I am not in a good mood. My ceremonial robes are ruined and once we're done here, I intend to visit Vesk-2.

I just wish there was a way to reconcile Vesk and Pathra so your two races can share the planet without all this senseless violence. I have lived a long time and have seen similar situations. It never ends well

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

"The third 'agent' got away. From the evidence they were unaware that their superiors had changed the mission from a demonstration to an assassination. I suspect they were some naive individual being used by the others. Probably scared away from this 'rebellion' as a result."

Bluff: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

"This is a disappointing turn of events, I have already surmised your companions were lying to me and concealing information. I question your report, and I feel some of you seem very willing to lie to your superiors, and perhaps to each other. I will report your failure - and the displeasure of the Veskarium - to the Society under separate correspondence. Return to the Society and take your secrets with you" Tassada dismisses you with a wave.

You already got caught with two failed Bluff checks, that was the chance to come clean

Bummer, though I thought we only had one bluff check (and one aid) so far. Still, Gulkyn wasn't going to try and change course on the team - rather try and support the path that got chosen.

Oh I have no intention of lying to my superiors. In fact I will be transmitting a full and accurate report as soon as we are done. If the Society disagrees with this turn of events, so be it, and if it turns out I am wrong about this, I vow to return and hunt this agent down myself.

But hear this before you go. Turning someone into a martyr only leads to the opposition using that as a rallying point to incite more and bloodier violence and I am sure neither of us want that. Sarenrae teaches forgiveness and I can assure you, this third agent was NOT involved in any of the sabotage here.

In for a copper, in for a platinum Kyra thinks to herself. I just hope we did the right thing. In my heart I am sure we did but ... I sense repercussions to come

Tassada waves Kyra away, on the verge of exploding with rage at the hubris of the dishonest Starfinder trying to lecture her on ethics.

Despite the ruined reputation with Tassada and the High Despots, you are still treated as heroes by the Grand Mezzanine’s guests and staff. You receive complimentary room upgrades, tickets to the next three shows on the Grand Mezzanine and are treated to as many drinks and delicacies as they can handle.

A few days after the gala, you are wrapping up your stay at a luxury resort in Starlance. Playing on the screen behind the checkout desk is a news briefing.

“Officials state that the terrorist incident on the Grand Mezzanine was handled quickly and efficiently by the Veskarium military and allied Pact Worlds contractors. There was thankfully no loss of life, but this reporter wishes our soldiers good luck at locating these unknown attackers and hopes that this reign of anonymous terror is at an end. Next up on our program, lashunta scientists debate: how much thought-slang is too much?”

Headlines scroll beneath the image of the vesk reporter, including the following messages: “Terrorists suspected of receiving funding from outside Near Space,” “Vesk-8 leader suspended following investigation,” and “More digital attacks rock Pact World system.”

The end!

Murgatroyd walks out in silence, ashamed of his very existence.

No infamy? I'm shocked

Kyra does try to council Murgatroyd, even though she too doubts whether or not they did the right thing. She does inform the Starfinder Society exactly what happened, taking responsibility for the subterfuge.

She also digs a bit to find out what happened on Vesk-8, before leaving for Vesk-2.

Kyra's Dayjob if not already done
Counsellor: 1d20 + 12 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 5 = 18

Speaker for the Dead is pensive as he says his farewells to the other members of the group. "This one still believes these ones made the best of the unfortunate choices fate incorporated in this tale. But this one cannot say for certain. In a clash of mercy and justice, only the gods could feel confident about how such a dilemma should be resolved."