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... When he finally reaches Iteration-177 again, he smoothly steps back into their conversation.
"So, before I left you, I believe you mentioned something about religious talismans? And, ... In fact, our histories say there was once such an aiudarra that led to lost Golarion, but it lies dormant now. Is there any faith in particular that you adhere to, if I may ask?...
The android pauses to consider this question very carefully. " The gods are a varied lot. Some so parochial; others selfish. A few are terrified of the universe despite the power they wield. I quite admire the Pact World's Iomedae. The defense of others is a noble use of strength and purpose which could be turned into something quite sinister if not properly channeled. But I wouldn't say that I adhere to her faith. I think I believe in myself and destiny."
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Alison giggles as she finally found a crack in Ykris' heavy plate armor. 'Oh mah goodneth. It appears I've gone and run all amok over tha nice gentleman callah. I should sprinkle him with a bit of sugah. Indeed, now seems as good a time as any to let go of...The Idea!'
"Actually, now that you mention it," she says, tantalizingly, 'some of my own, personal, research has shown that if someone, I don't know who, could be anyone, but if someone were to take an ordinary olfactory booster and transceive a polarity emitter to the broad-spectrum nanopulse scanner, they could isolate the tripolymer conduit. Then it might be easy to transduce the polarity amplifier, increasing efficiency of the multidirectional adjuster by an R of point 4!
I mean, I, even as a multi-talented and generally awesome Starfinder couldn't do it. On what they pay me I'd never be able to run a MK-33 nullifier converter assembly. But if, say, I had access to a large cyber-oriented megacorp? Well that would be an interesting line of research wouldn't you say?"
Naiaj looks up at the android quite seriously. "We can always use skilled pilots." She kind of sniffs and adds, " but until we get more resources, we won't be getting anything new and maneuverable. The T-16 Skyhopper's going to be the best flying ship in the fleet for a long time. But you know those little trainers are too small and fragile for field work ...."
Leaning in to respond to Naiaj, Zephyr says, ”I understand. Many pilots just want the thrill of flight and battle in the latest, most maneuverable ships. What we need in the society are pilots who can and will fly anything to get the job done. Sure, the perfectly executed flyby attack in the heat of battle is an impressive feat, but so is a smooth ride for injured passengers and a feathered touch down that mystifies the crew as to when we actually landed”
"...I quite admire the Pact World's Iomedae. The defense of others is a noble use of strength and purpose which could be turned into something quite sinister if not properly channeled. But I wouldn't say that I adhere to her faith. I think I believe in myself and destiny."
"Ah...then you sound much more like a dreamer. And that's where Desna shines the brightest, I think. She's all about individual freedom, but also standing strong against the evils that lurk among the stars," Jaeric returns, "I must admit it's been a pleasure to make your acquaintance tonight. Perhaps our paths will cross again?" The half-elf toasts their guest before taking his leave to move on to a different target.
As he begins to cross thru the crowd again, he looks about just to ascertain if anything might be amiss which could concern Radaszam. Security was also their secondary goal tonight, after all...
Deciding everything seemed in order, Jaeric then circles back to Royo, hoping he can pick up where they left off and continue to wear away at the gruff ysoki's demeanor by plying him with more discussions about ancient cultures.
"Ah! We meet again!" he says, smoothly insinuating himself back into the group, "I believe I'm going around in circles thru this dizzying crowd of faces, but it appears I've worked my way back to where I started. I trust the scholarly conversation is still going? Have any new topics arisen? No? Well, how about a new one then? I was just discussing matters of faith with another of our guests and we were comparing the philosophies of Iomedae and Desna. I myself follow Desna and felt her calling to explore the stars. Hence, joining the Starfinders holds both a religious and personal meaning to me. I was just explaining that elven history speaks of many times the goddess has stood against the evils lurking in the dark spaces between the stars. And I think it's an important goal for the Society to do the same. Alien artifacts, lost civilizations, dangerous hazards. Someone needs to find such things and deal with them in a manner that protects the Pact Worlds. You're all supporters...or in some cases, members...of the Starfinder organization. What do you think on the subject?"
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The party murmurs and bubbles, and mixes on.
Ykris' eyes, well actually Jhireu's, but we know who's driving the half-elf, narrow at Alison's implied proposal. He stares intently at her for a long breath before replying. "Interesting indeed. Do you consider the Starfinders a long term career?"
***
"You're right about that, Z-4," Naiaj enthuses. "Atmospheric landing can be especially tough. In my youth I was flying a decrepit old Windmaster. Coming in with emergency supplies on a crosswind landing. No instruments, the panel had shorted out." Her hands come out to demonstrate the approach. "Yawed off thirty degrees when the wind just dropped off like I fell into a hole in the atmosphere. Thrust had been holdin' me on line and now it was pushing me into the apron, and the droppin' lift was goin' to plant me there. I was just able to get the nose up, swing her around on differential thrust and dropped her, a little hard, I admit, on the runway centerline. Found out later the commander's steward had secreted a case of Saurian brandy with the supplies. Lucky I didn't break a bottle."
***
"Ah...then you sound much more like a dreamer. And that's where Desna shines the brightest, I think. She's all about individual freedom, but also standing strong against the evils that lurk among the stars," Jaeric returns, "I must admit it's been a pleasure to make your acquaintance tonight. Perhaps our paths will cross again?" The half-elf toasts their guest before taking his leave to move on to a different target.
"A pleasure to meet you as well, Jaeric Kem. I am sure we will all meet again."
Jaeric slides once more into academia. A shirren across the little knot of people takes up the elf's thread. "Not three minutes ago, I was explaining the same thing in a more mundane setting. When you work properly, whatever the task, there is a peace that comes from within but is not of you. That is the grasping point of Hylax upon you." A bit of eye rolling goes on amongst the group before Royo chimes in, "I am not much on religion myself. But the spiritual lens is yet another aspects of organic sentitent exploration and experience of the universe."
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Never sidles up to where Z-4 and Naiaj are enjoying a spirited conversation. She inserts herself awkwardly.
"Speaking of brandy, I made a still once out of coffee cans and a butane furnace, using hydroponic potatoes..." She quickly realizes she failed to capture the VC's imagination with that tidbit, and looks apologetically toward Zephyr.
Knowing that he had failed to connect with Royo, the mechanic goes back to re-engage with the Venture Captain. Hearing the discussions about atmospheric handling, he can't help but grin. "Always more'n one way to skin a cat, right? We can't afford to do nuthin' about the core designs we have ta work with, 'cause it's just too expensive. We can tweak the ships we've got, though. I would have ta take a look, 'cause I haven't played with the skin much, but we could add some extra thrusters to help overcome the lack of control surface, right?" Of course, the problem being discussed doesn't need additional thruster control, it needs control surface expansion and possibly an overlaid hull to alter the aerodynamics, but slowing he ship in exchange. Not that Lorne thought of that . . ..
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Alanna returns the serious question with her trademark Smile and Wink (#3). "Imma walkabout for a spell, yeah? Seed some wild oats, as they say. But we'll stay in touch. When I'm ready for a new scene maybe I'll find your oats more to my liking." She waggles her eyebrows once for a effect and fades into the crowd like a ghost, or a phantom, or a....
She corners a drink boy, takes all he has, pours them into an empty water glass, and drains the concoction, her internal fusion engine converting the sugar-fuel into awesomeness.
Now fortified, she scans the field and sees the remaining two targets. Since one is Royo and, sheyeah, that's gonna happen, she lets herself be drawn over to Naiaj, the dessert to top off the meal. It doesn't take lone into the current convo to get her going on her second fav topic.
"What a great point!" she says to Lorne, spring-boarding off his observation. "I was just thinking along the same lines. Mind you, the problem being discussed doesn't really need additional thruster control, it needs control surface expansion and possibly an overlaid hull to alter the aerodynamics.
I mean, at least that's how I would see it."
Something about how she says it just makes that thought that she had, herself, just now, seem so very apropos.
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Alanna returns the serious question with her trademark Smile and Wink (#3). "Imma walkabout for a spell, yeah? Seed some wild oats, as they say. But we'll stay in touch. When I'm ready for a new scene maybe I'll find your oats more to my liking." She waggles her eyebrows once for a effect and fades into the crowd like a ghost, or a phantom, or a....
Ykris reply is quiet. "Don't take too long. Science waits for no single researcher."
...
Never sidles up to where Z-4 and Naiaj are enjoying a spirited conversation. She inserts herself awkwardly.
"Speaking of brandy, I made a still once out of coffee cans and a butane furnace, using hydroponic potatoes..." She quickly realizes she failed to capture the VC's imagination with that tidbit, and looks apologetically toward Zephyr.
"Hardly seems conducive to proper discipline," is the Venture Captain's rather terse reply.
Knowing that he had failed to connect with Royo, the mechanic goes back to re-engage with the Venture Captain. Hearing the discussions about atmospheric handling, he can't help but grin. "Always more'n one way to skin a cat, right? We can't afford to do nuthin' about the core designs we have ta work with, 'cause it's just too expensive. We can tweak the ships we've got, though. I would have ta take a look, 'cause I haven't played with the skin much, but we could add some extra thrusters to help overcome the lack of control surface, right?" Of course, the problem being discussed doesn't need additional thruster control, it needs control surface expansion and possibly an overlaid hull to alter the aerodynamics, but slowing he ship in exchange. Not that Lorne thought of that . . ..
...Now fortified, ... It doesn't take lone into the current convo to get her going on her second fav topic.
"What a great point!" she says to Lorne, spring-boarding off his observation. "I was just thinking along the same lines. Mind you, the problem being discussed doesn't really need additional thruster control, it needs control surface expansion and possibly an overlaid hull to alter the aerodynamics.
I mean, at least that's how I would see it."
...
"Skyjumper, your efficiency proposal was interesting, but this gynoid understands aerodynamics." The gnome switches her attention to Alison. "Do you fly?"
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Zephyr looks between Naiaj and Allison, saying, Well of course she flies, right Alison? Knowing both piloting and engineering makes for some pretty effective innovations.”
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Never distances herself from the sudden crowd around Naiaj, who is well in hand. She casts her glance toward the technician working around the stage, longing for that solace of peace to work, the feel of hardware gliding under her fingertips.
She moves in the direction of Jaeric to find he is doing a masterful job with Royo. It seems like the team has nearly fulfilled all social requirements for the evening - exceeding them, even.
Then she think about Radaszam's warning. The event appeared to be going off without a hitch. What could possibly go wrong?
A bit of eye rolling goes on amongst the group before Royo chimes in, "I am not much on religion myself. But the spiritual lens is yet another aspects of organic sentitent exploration and experience of the universe."
"Exactly!" Jaeric snaps his fingers and points at Royo with the conviction of a scholar rather than a religious follower. "I don't seek to convert everyone I meet into a Desnan believer. It's not my mission to proselytize. Her faith is simply what inspired me to join the Starfinders. And our mission within the Society is to learn all we can about the universe and the civilizations within it, using whatever tools we have at our disposal. On Castrovel, lashunta and elves revere Desna side-by-side, though I'd say my own people have probably known her longer across our shared history. And, within the Veskarium, there can be no argument that the worship of Damoritosh has shaped their culture for a very long time. Even with the emancipated androids, I'm not surprised they gravitate towards Triune because they feel an affinity and a connection, and that deity's philosophy will shape them, just as Hylax often does for the shirren." He nods towards the shirren scholar everyone had rolled their eyes at...
"That's why religion is often a doorway to better understanding other cultures and species, whether still-living or extinct from catastrophes or the simple passage of time. Honestly, you have to look no further than their recorded histories on clay tablets, ancient scrolls, books, or even cave paintings...often of a religious nature...to understand how they thought and interacted with the worlds around them. That's not to say there isn't value in analyzing more secular or atheistic possibilities, too. But, I daresay if someone thousands of years from now takes the time to examine the ashes of our civilization, religion will serve as a spiritual lens into just how diverse and varied we all are...or were if we're no longer around."
"So, I think Master Royo has the right of it. Take heart in your beliefs, whatever they are...but, the greater lesson is letting them motivate you to a broader understanding of the cultures you encounter, even if they don't share your particular faith. The main point I would make is it doesn't matter what you believe in, just so long as you believe in something, and that that something is for the greater good of us all."
"And, of course..." He gestures with his hand as he casts a simple token spell. A constellation of hologram-like stars suddenly hovers in the middle of the circle of scholars, each one with miniature, multi-colored planets orbiting them. "...if it's the stars and other worlds that interest you, why not let Desna be your guide? She is the goddess of luck, too, after all..." He gives a warm smile in hopes of getting a few laughs at his small joke and magical display.
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Zephyr looks between Naiaj and Allison, saying, Well of course she flies, right Alison? Knowing both piloting and engineering makes for some pretty effective innovations.”
Allie's face suddenly perks like a kid at Mid-winter at the mention of flying. "Do I fly?!? Oh boy! See, this one time..."
She raises both hands, held flat, with one slightly higher and aftward of the other. "See, I was in a FLE-14 Flea and the other guy, the other guy had a 2475 Trooper. I had juiced my prefire subemissions and he _hadn't_ turned off his O2 scrubbers, so we were neck an' neck and I was all MMMMMEEEErrrrrooooooooowwwwwwwwwww and he was all WAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaoooo." She starts making starship noises and turning in circles. At one point she leaves her places entirely and runs around the group encircling the Venture Captain. Whether or not she gooses the retreating Never is a question left to the historians.
Coming back to her spot she exclaims, "But then I was all 'Imma neg the polarity in my fuel chamber safety field' and he was all 'Imma think I'm way cooler than I am but I'm not' so I popped into his six, jazzed the apter, and vapped that bitty box!" Her hands change position and the lead one suddenly flops around, as if to imitate a destroyed starcraft.
*whew*
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The tweed crowd around Jaeric chuckles politely. Royo, nods and hoists his pipe in acknowledging approval. Jaeric's comm unit beeps softly.
Naiaj smiles broadly and looks close to actually clapping. "Oh, well done. Now one -- " Looking past you, the gnome's expression falls. "It looks like Venture Captain Radaszam wants you." Behind you the vesk is indeed pointing at you and then to a side door.
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The vesk waits for you in the hall. Once you're assembled, the burly vesk doesn’t mince words.
“We’ve got a situation on our hands. I’ve been following rumors of a notorious assassin who only recently showed up on Absalom Station. I just heard from one of my contacts that signs point to the First Seeker as the assassin’s next target—and if that’s the case, the assassin will almost certainly make a move tonight.
“Now here’s the thing. I’ve got enough security here that no one’s really in any danger; and besides, Luwazi’s no stranger to a fight. But it’d look really bad for the Society if someone took at shot at her in front of all these high-ups, you know what I mean?
“On the other hand, if a team of crack Starfinders were to investigate the rumors and unmask the assassin, we’d be able to show that we can still hold our own and add some, oh, let’s say, gravitas to the First Seeker’s announcement tonight. Defeat this assassin in style, impress the investors, make yourselves look good in the process... What do you say?”
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Wraith finishes with a bow with a flourish, glad her story seemed to have put them over the top.
That was, of course, almost but not quite entirely not how that had gone.
She was on one of her first patrols for the Order of the White Angel and she had picked up a tail. She'd -had- to turn off life support for make up the speed, and it nearly hadn't worked out. If her last wheel-thread maneuver hadn't worked the guy wouldn't need to shoot her as she'd just pass out from O2 deprivation.
"Wiz-ARD!" she chirps as the mighty Vesk ups that stakes. "Natch on that," she echos, motioning at Never. "What's the paydata?"
"I'll back you guys up when it comes to a fight, but I'm less the investigator and more the enforcer--what's our next step?" asks Zephyr.
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"Good." The vesk shakes its head approvingly. "The assassin is known as Triloteya . I've traced her -- or him, no one knows -- to a rented engineering bay in Sparks. Check that out then contact me via comm unit and plan their next steps. You still got my number? Message me and I'll reply with the address. "
"Also, I'm going to try to find you some reinforcements. They will contact you."
The dwarf grins as they get the quick details. "I'll be more comfortable there than here. Should recognize anything too far amiss, too, I think."
"Good." The vesk shakes its head approvingly. "The assassin is known as Triloteya . I've traced her -- or him, no one knows -- to a rented engineering bay in Sparks. Check that out then contact me via comm unit and plan their next steps. You still got my number? Message me and I'll reply with the address. "
“Will do,” Jaeric replies. He gestures towards the rest of the team. “We leave in 5 minutes. Meet outside the Lorespire with whatever gear you’ve got. I’ll secure transport to the Sparks. One of you start running an infosphere dump on Triloteya. See if there’s anything on the assassin’s prior protocol that we should be aware of. It’s best we go in prepared, so run it by me and I’ll see if there’s any clues we can piece together.”
"Sure thing, Cap'n. See if I can find out anything."
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“We leave in 5 minutes. Meet outside the Lorespire with whatever gear you’ve got. I’ll secure transport to the Sparks. One of you start running an infosphere dump on Triloteya. See if there’s anything on the assassin’s prior protocol that we should be aware of. It’s best we go in prepared, so run it by me and I’ll see if there’s any clues we can piece together.”
Radszam interjects, "Before you go. There's a case with some spare weapons outside around to the right. Elsebo threw a couple things together and there's some spares from the Spider's gear."
"Sure thing, Cap'n. See if I can find out anything."
"Do your research on the way. There's no time to hang around here."
Triloteya is an individual associated with a years-long series of crime reports and wanted notices from throughout the Pact Worlds. No records of the assassin include an image of Triloteya.
"Alright, everyone!" Jaeric announces as the team is gathered around Radaszam's cache, "If anyone has subpar armor...because you dressed up for the gala...I recommend taking the stationwear and suiting up on the way down the Spike. I'll take a grenade, someone else grab the other. If anyone can use the arc emitter, pick it up and add it to your gear. It's electrical, so it might help short out any countermeasures or surveillance we encounter. I'll bring the credits as a bribe, in case we need to win someone over."
With that, Jaeric leads the way to the lifts so they can start the hunt...
Zephyr grabs the arc emitter and the other screamer grenade. Nodding to Jaeric, he says, ”Works for me. Let’s go.
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"Ooooo!" Allie screams as she becomes a blurred flash toward the armor. "Stationware! I love them! Some say that Macrotechnology makes better stuff than them but I disagree because anyone who says that is dumb."
She holds the suit up to make sure it looks like it would fit. Her eyes flicker from the suit to Jaeric a couple dozen times before she finally laughs saying, "Sheayah you wish," and disappearing around a corner. She re-emerges in the high-fashion armor 2.3 seconds later, her omnipresent pistol retrieved from it's-better-not-thought-where.
"Let's ride. Hey Lorne, where'd you try to look up the bunny?"
On the way there she compares notes with Lorne on where he looked to try and find data on the bunny. Surrounded by neither cushions nor caffeine, she let's Mechanic take the lead on this one, and contents herself with suggesting a plethora of not-exactly-legal sites to check for more details.
"Well, where doesn't matter, much, except for the fact I didn't learn nothing we don't already know. Dangerous assassin known only by her work and the given designation. No imagery, species, age, nothing."
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Wraith giggles uncontrollably at Lorne's witty quip. "HAHAHAHAHAHA! Haha! Hee, yaq got that right!" she exclaims before calming down and wiping her eyes. ('Whoa. The 'ware even keeps my laugh-so-hard-I-cry feature. Wizard!')
"Sheayeah. Of course that was all they scan. 'Cause they don't know. Here."
She taps her comp and waves Lorne half-a-dozen netsites. "These all got a non-zero sphincter factor, so they might have more juicy bits.
Just, ah, make sure yer 'wall is up to natch."
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After the journey through increasingly industrial elevators, the PCs arrive in the rough-and-tumble neighborhood of Sparks. The air carries a distinctive metallic tang of mechanical industry,sharp chemical smells, and the stale odors of countless living beings crammed into too-tight spaces. The corrugated metal corridors are cramped, with ceilings only 10 feet high and lit only with stark LED lighting strips; the grinding, clanging, clattering sounds of countless engineers at work carry through the halls.
The PCs are hardly alone in the clamor of a working sector that never truly sleeps, but they attract little attention amongst the residents and workers who have little interest in tasks other than their own. It takes the PCs only a few minutes to traverse the corridors to the address Radaszam provided.
The stained plastic door of this engineering bay is no different from the dozens lining the grimy hallway. A glaring LED lighting strip illuminates the address code imprinted along the doorframe. Every few econds, this light, along with all the others along the corridor, flickers briefly. Though the sounds of industry still echo through the corridors, this section clearly sees less traffic and is currently devoid of passersby.
The two plastic doors are each locked with a simple electronic lock. ( Engineering or computers to disable).
SUgar! Work is catching up with me. Will get you a map Thursday night.
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While her teammates probe the aether for information about the would-be assassin, Never contemplates the Starfinders. Radaszam hardly seemed worried, and Luwazi was certainly in-the-know, meaning the plot to kill her was the easiest thing in the galaxy to sidestep. And yet, the gala continued apace, with Luwazi smiling from stage, entertaining the bigshots like nothing interesting was about to happen.
She decides to exercise her new social skills a little, and strikes up a conversation with Jaeric. "This is a setup, right? Like, the killer is getting setup." Never combs her hair with her fingers. It's unusually clean. "I wonder how Radz found out about it. It's all so--I don't know, convenient, I guess. You know?" Not smooth.
When the team arrives, the layout of the hideout only reinforces her suspicions. "It's a kill box. Two doors that lead to the same corridor, no other exits. We split up, kick in both doors, and trap it between us." It's too easy, she thinks but does not say.
Never takes a position at the south door and assists with disabling the lock, as quietly as possible.
Never decides to exercise her new social skills a little, and strikes up a conversation with Jaeric. "This is a setup, right? Like, the killer is getting setup." Never combs her hair with her fingers. It's unusually clean. "I wonder how Radz found out about it. It's all so--I don't know, convenient, I guess. You know?"
"It's certainly a setup for someone...possibly even us," Jaeric says aloud for everyone to hear, "Radaszam has Luwazi's trust, but I don't know that much about him myself. I've got nothing against vesks. They're fascinating people. And their war-like reputation no doubt lends a bit more gravity to Radaszam's focus on security during a time when the Starfinder Society is at its weakest. But we should be on guard. Not just for external threats like this assassin, Triloteya. But also internal ones. I don't mean to cast suspicion Radaszam's way. The 'convenience' of this situation may just result from his loyal diligence in protecting the First Speaker. I'm just saying it doesn't hurt to keep both eyes open. And make sure we're all watching one another's backs, yeah?"
"As for the matter at hand," he adds, "We don't have any ID on the assassin. Or even any info on this place where they supposedly holed up readying the attack. Regardless, with the gala in full swing, odds are Triloteya's either already there or enroute. So, we need to sweep the area, secure any intel we can find inside that'll help us identify both the assassin and the threat to Luwazi. We get anything solid and I'll share it with Radaszam as we head back to stop it."
When the team arrives, the layout of the hideout only reinforces her suspicions. "It's a kill box. Two doors that lead to the same corridor, no other exits. We split up, kick in both doors, and trap it between us."
"Maybe," Jaeric responds, "Before we go kicking in any doors, though, let's take stock of what we're up against. Any volunteers for scouting the exterior and assessing the facility's security protocols? This assassin has a successful reputation and must be pretty savvy to stay incognito. So, be prepared for any countermeasures and stay alert. We have no idea who or what the assassin will turn out to be. So, anyone could be a suspect in that place."
"If ya want, we could break onna the doors so the electronics won't open it, 'n' then use the other? Don't fancy trying ta open two doors and hide the fact ones open while working the other, ya know? I'll wait fer the scout if ya want."
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"Maybe," Jaeric responds, "Before we go kicking in any doors, though, let's take stock of what we're up against. Any volunteers for scouting the exterior and assessing the facility's security protocols? This assassin has a successful reputation and must be pretty savvy to stay incognito. So, be prepared for any countermeasures and stay alert. We have no idea who or what the assassin will turn out to be. So, anyone could be a suspect in that place."
Allie taps her cheek cutely. "Um, which is exactly why we shouldn't aught-a send one person to scout it out. If this pro is worth half her rep, if the scout gets sniffed out, they'll get snuffed out, if ya know what I mean.
Also, that's a good idea, Lorne, but neither of us could say we could brick a thing so bad what some other teh l33t haXXorZ couldn't un-brick it. I like Never's idea of a Pincer.
Also, splitting up means things can get interesting!"
Figuring it's easier to lock an open door than open a locked one, Wraith glides to the Northern door and sees if she can pop it.
"Um, which is exactly why we shouldn't aught-a send one person to scout it out. If this pro is worth half her rep, if the scout gets sniffed out, they'll get snuffed out, if ya know what I mean."
"I didn't mean that a single person should scout it, Allie. I was merely asking for volunteers with expertise in security protocols and countermeasures," Jaeric explained, "We've worked together long enough now that I know at least some of you have those skills...and even I can do so in a pinch. I'd like our experts to determine what we're up against before we go charging in...and the rest of us can cover them."
"...I like Never's idea of a Pincer....Also, splitting up means things can get interesting!"
"It can also lead to some of us of getting...how did you phrase it?...snuffed out," Jaeric responds as he checks the action on his gun. When he looks back up, he notices Allie is already circling back towards the northern door and shakes his head. "That girl's gonna get us all killed someday," he mutters to the rest of the team, "But I guess we've got our volunteer."
He looks over to Lorne and then nods towards Never's position. "See if you can help Never with the backdoor. Let me know if you think you can break it or jam it, but don't do so until we know what we're dealing with up front. Zephyr and I will follow Allie to give her some backup. You guys do the same for one another. Don't breach the apartment. Just assess and disable anything that seems dangerous."
Zephyr readies his weapons and stays at the main entrance, saying, ”I am not the most stealthy, but I can cover you with heavy weapons should the need arise.”
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Alison touches control pad at the side of the door, and it explodes into sparks. The lights dim as electricity arcs into her, silhouetting her in the view of Jaeric and Zephyr.
[ooc] Might have been prudent to examine the door for traps before trying to open the door.
The lights recover. A tiny gap can be seen between the door's halves.
Zephyr rushes to the door and stands by the prone Wraith, looking into the room and searching for the described enemy!
Watching the electrical display, The dwarf shakes his head. "No surprise now, fer sure. Thanks fer the warnin', though."
"Well, now, ye want the door open 'r sealed?"
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Forewarned, the dwarf discovers that the power feeds to the door have been jumped to a device within the walls. His doors have also opened slightly as a result of the trap discharging against Alison. All the doors hang slack and can be easily pushed open.
Looking inside:
Rusted crates and plastic barrels crowed this cramped workspace. Discarded R2E packaging, beverage pouches, and packing material litter the space. A ledge along the south wall holds a stack of rubber mats in an approximation of a bed beside a high-quality industrial backpack. Ragged wires droop from an exposed conduit along the northern wall, occasionally showering the room in sparks as the lights flicker.
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Figuring it's just about impossible that the presence of the Starfinder team is unknown to the inhabitants of the safehouse, Never warns her team of the winged bogey in the NE corner. "Weapons hot, team!"
Beginning Entropic Pool: 1
The Vanguard bursts through the door, creating a tactical shield of pure entropy on her left arm, and lets fly her singing disk at the winged creature.
and target is Confused
Ending Entropic Pool: 2 (AC +1)
"Zephyr! Breach!" Jaeric directs, "I'll get Allie back on her feet. Go help Never and Lorne deal with whoever's inside. We'll be right behind you..." The half-elf moves quickly to the electrified android's side. He mumbles a soft prayer to Desna, the goddess of luck to mend her singed flesh.
"Sounded like a 'Go! Go! Go!'" So he does.
Lorne spots the same creature as he moves into the room. Taking cover behind some boxes, he tries to shot the thing off the ceiling.
Zephyr rushes into the room and looks for the enemy Never is firing upon.