Idir swivels his gun after Nyizin and looses a shot that impact just in front of her. She swerves to avoid the burst of debris, then she swerves again and finally has to stop to avoid shots from the other racers.
Kuozar can't believe Ratrod evaded a nearly perfect shot. He's so upset that his aim and timing are off and the nuar's next shot is harmlessly high. The ysoki chooses too tight a line through a curve and the back tire skids. He loses traction and speed.
Orsis and Lemgem both have trouble controlling their racers. Orsis shied away from Nzizin, his racer wobbles unstably, then scrapes the wall on the left side of the track. Lemgem is concentrating so hard on firing her weapon that she doesn't see a half-destroyed security bot lying in the track, and bumps over it. She temporarily loses control and speed.
Nic nack boldly ignores the shots from Ratrod and skillfully guides Laboni's racer forward.
Well in the lead, Velocity coasts below his top speed.
Attack v DC 16
Piloting
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Someone of races wanted to quit in a hot way, in a spectacular way. , - nods Thundergun tryin to remember who was it. Hi's still fascinated
Tundergun will give a try to remote control and shoot at current forward - Velocity .
The technomancer predictibaly missing but likes to have control over this game.
Velocity and Lemgem bracket Nyizin with a pair of shots. Once again the Ryphorian loses speed dodging explosions of debris in the track. Orsis hits an exceptionally bad lump of junk and swerves and bumps across the track. Lemgem continues to struggle to control her bulky racer, and loses more ground.
At the back of the pack Nyizin gets straightened out and hits her throttle. She zooms past Orsin and is closing fast.
A sudden lurch of the racer spoils Kuozar's shot at Ratrod. The ysoki winds up his engine and closes fast. As he pulls abreast of Laboni's racer, a well placed shot causes Nic nack to brake momentarily.
The shirren recovers and starts to regain momentum, but Ratrod lurches ahead.
Orsis, Idir, and Thundergun rain shots on the leader, but none of them threaten the android's driving precision. "What are you doing!? We had a deal!" Velocity's angered shout can barely be heard over the tremendous roar of the racers. The android twists his throttle and he begins to open up his lead. Even though both Idir's and Thundergun's shots were wide, the android's energy weapon swivels around to point at Laboni's racer.
Attack
Idir misses, Thundergun misses. Kuozar misses.
Piloting v DC 16
Nicnack (18) full speed
With Ratrod gaining so rapidly, Velocity has a change of heart and target's the track ahead of the ysoki. The android's rounds do nothing to perturb Ratrod. Kuozar's shot, on the other hand , forces the ysoki to swerve onto a series of moguls made of metallic frames crushed into cubes. Ratrod curses as he loses speed and is even thrown jarringly against the dashboard of his own racer.
Lemgem, Orsis and Idir once again rain shots on Velocity, but the android dodges with minimal changes in course and continues at high speed. The android raises a fist in victory as he approaches the finish line.
Nic nack initiates Velocity's speed-boost upgrade. Laboni's racer squats as it passes Ratord and accelerates toward the finish. Lemgem follows at top speed, but still loses ground to the incredible burst the shirren has coaxed from the engine. A hundred meters from the finish line, something in the engine cracks. The racer begins to lurch and vibrate, but continues rolling on.
Behind you meanwhile, Orsis and Nyizin trail Ratrod.
Attack
Piloting v DC 16
-6
-6
Botting:
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Nick nack pushes the junk racer to it's limits.
But sadly the engineering of the scrap racer was flawed and when he hit the power boost, not only did he loose power, but the machine started to drop parts onto the raceway. The Hydroelectro condenser drops out from the bottom. And the flux copastor springs high into the air like someone pushed an ejection button. The racer sputters and slows to a crawl. As he watches the other racers zoom on past to the finish line.
"No, no. no" Nick nack says as he watches the racer go slower and slower.
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Xikko sees the Nic Nack struggling to keep the racer going while he clenches his fists. The globe circling his arm begins to glow brightly as the tension rises. He then lets out a loud sigh as he realizes the inevitable outcome and relaxes his arms and lets out a large sigh. If Ratrod was insufferable before, this is going to make things much, much worse.
Guns fire, energy arcs, slugs create fountains of debris, and the drivers negotiate it all with small graceful turns that slow them not one whit.
Except for Velocity, the android tried to cap his victory with concentrated fire from all his weapons on the fast gaining Ratrod. The android is distracted by his own shooting and plows into the junk stirred up by a shot from Lemgem. The android limps cross the finish, but in sole possession of the lead.
Despite the intense gunfire from Velocity, Ratrod demonstrates his mastery and maintains his speed.
But sadly the engineering of the scrap racer was flawed and when he hit the power boost, not only did he loose power, but the machine started to drop parts onto the raceway. The Hydroelectro condenser drops out from the bottom. And the flux copastor springs high into the air like someone pushed an ejection button. The racer sputters and slows to a crawl. As he watches the other racers zoom on past to the finish line.
"No, no. no" Nick nack says as he watches the racer go slower and slower.
Attack
Piloting v DC 16
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Standing nearby Nic, the technomancer uses his augumented reality helmet to Transfer Charge from a battery...
I'll try to maintain good connection. Lets try to drop the booster. And shoot backwards everyone!
Thundergun decides to bring some energy into Nic's remote controller as they are actually nothing to lose. He also sends a quick voice message to Lemgem, suggesting to ram Ratrod or at least use his analog weapon to shoot.
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Smoke starts to form around the junk racer. Nic nack remembers that there was a slight down hill grade and if he has enough speed the racer may just roll across the finish line.
"Come on, please don't make Laboni get out and push you across the finish line." he says and he watches the racer slowly moves forward on almost no power, other than the will of it's racers.
Lemgem replies to Thundergun's message, "Nothing to lose." Her gun pivots to sight on Ratrod's junkracer.
Ratrod fires and blows out one of Laboni's racer's tires. The junk racer lurches to the right.
Meanwhile Kuozar lines up a shot right in front of Ratrod that opens a tremendous hole in the track. The ysoki's racer noses into the hole and stops dead. Its rear wheels spin high in the air.
Nic nack fights the controls to get the racer back on line and crosses the finish line trailing more parts. Nyizin and Orsis nearly catch up.
Attack
Piloting v DC 16
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The first thing Idir does is approach the victor, Velocity. He shakes the android's hand.
"Congratulations on your victory, Velocity," and then he leans in a little more closely and speaks in a low voice. "And I would like to offer a personal apology for the...unpleasantness along the way. You must understand, even though our deal was in place we couldn't let it look like there was one to Ratrod, he could have declared the entire proceedings illegitimate. And besides, it didn't seem to impact your triumph all that much. Are we...as they say...cool?"
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Thundergun is pleasant by this race, his mood rises. Which can not be obvious because of his helmet at least.
Anyway, the technomancer go down to see what happened to the Dawnbreak and take some useless part as a reminder. Maybe say couple words to Laboni and discuss her future inventions.
After this Thundergun sends a message through a group chat Ready to move back to report. You?
The android is smiling, happy to be in the winner's circle for once. Idir works through the crush of fans surrounding the victor. Velocity nods when he hears Idir's comments. "This is incredible! Of course we're cool. I wouldn't have won without the extra speed mod your team told me about. "
Laboni pulls herself out of her junkracer. She thanks you all for your help before going to congratulate Velocity herself. The other drivers also crowd around the silver android to acknowledge his win, before returning to their own machines. Only Ratrod doesn't congratulate the android; he is busy supervising the recovery of his racer from the hole.
When you report back to him, Radaszam receives the news with disappointment. "I was hoping that a team of you would be able to win the race. Still, I suppose I can take comfort that you defeated Ratrod."
Because the Exo-Guardians do not currently have a headquarters, their previous headquarters on a world in the Vast was destroyed or abandoned, their leader, Zigvigix, a host shirren, runs the defnesive arm of the Starfinders out of his home in the poor but trendy neighborhood of Downlow.
A long-standing member of the Exo-Guardians, Zigvigix suffered severe injuries prior to the Society’s expedition to the Scoured Stars, which prevented them from taking part. RUmor has it that Zigvigix became overwhelmed with survivor’s guilt for not being present for the ill-fated expedition. Eventually, they took up leadership of the remaining Exo-Guardians on the advice of First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo.
Garbage litters the ground around the district’s largest art park—a cement lot filled with undulating metal sculptures and covered in graffiti of grotesquely adorable creatures. The sounds of music and chatter drift over from the nearby clubs, chronically interrupted by the roar of the local gangsters’ engines. A heavily augmented host shirren in heavy armor is sitting on one of the park benches, eating a simple meal of cold grub-noodles and rice candy. Their antennae perk up at the tremor of approaching footsteps. “Welcome, new Starfinders! And congratulations!” the shirren’s voice telepathically projects. “My speech-name is Zigvigix, but feel free to call me Ziggy, if that would be easier for you. Have some rice candy to celebrate your graduation! Today is your big day!
“When you are ready, I have two assignments I could use assistance with. The first is to help me secure a new headquarters on Absalom Station. I’ve been in talks with our station’s protectors, the Stewards, and they were kind enough to give us ownership of a warehouse here in Downlow for that purpose! The current owners no longer want it because a vicious alien took it over and kills anyone who goes inside. Once the alien is gone and the warehouse cargo has been returned to its owners, we can start installing desks and computers, so please go in and incinerate the creature!
“My second assignment...” Zigvigix twitches their tooth barbs for a moment and then holds out a credstick. “Please buy the brand-new Strawberry Machine Cake album, Star Sugar Heartlove!!!, which is out today, and give it to Historia-7 when you see her. She is the head of the Dataphiles, so you should meet her today! I wish to do it myself, but I... I have trouble standing for long periods of time. Thank you very much!”
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The android is smiling, happy to be in the winner's circle for once. Idir works through the crush of fans surrounding the victor. Velocity nods when he hears Idir's comments. "This is incredible! Of course we're cool. I wouldn't have won without the extra speed mod your team told me about. "
Idir smiles.
"I'm glad. Again, congratulations Velocity. Enjoy this victory, you've truly earned it!"
Laboni pulls herself out of her junkracer. She thanks you all for your help before going to congratulate Velocity herself. The other drivers also crowd around the silver android to acknowledge his win, before returning to their own machines. Only Ratrod doesn't congratulate the android; he is busy supervising the recovery of his racer from the hole.
When Laboni comes to thank them, Idir shakes her hand and congratulates her. As he does so, however, he does admonish her to avoid antagonizing important figures like Ratrod in the future. They'd been lucky this time and she'd survived with her pride mostly intact, but the Society needed every Starfinder it has left.
He congratulates the other racers one by one, offering apologies to Lemgem for their plan not working out and expressing immense relief that Nyizin had survived several close calls during the race, before trotting out to Ratrod and offering his most diplomatic "good game" speech. He hoped that, given his loss but Laboni's not-complete-win, both of them had been humbled enough to make the next race, whenever that was, a truly civil and sportsmanlike contest.
When you report back to him, Radaszam receives the news with disappointment. "I was hoping that a team of you would be able to win the race. Still, I suppose I can take comfort that you defeated Ratrod."
"Our primary concern was Laboni's life and safety, sir," Idir replies trying not to sound at all nervous. "I imagine you'd agree that the preservation of the Society's assets, materiel and personnel, are worth far more at this juncture. Besides, we have taken the opportunity to make connections with a number of the racers, and I imagine they may prove valuable allies in the future."
When the others discuss seeing Zigvigix next, Idir agrees. The less time spent in Radaszam's...imposing...company, the better in his mind.
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Because the Exo-Guardians do not currently have a headquarters, their previous headquarters on a world in the Vast was destroyed or abandoned, their leader, Zigvigix, a host shirren, runs the defnesive arm of the Starfinders out of his home in the poor but trendy neighborhood of Downlow.
A long-standing member of the Exo-Guardians, Zigvigix suffered severe injuries prior to the Society’s expedition to the Scoured Stars, which prevented them from taking part. RUmor has it that Zigvigix became overwhelmed with survivor’s guilt for not being present for the ill-fated expedition. Eventually, they took up leadership of the remaining Exo-Guardians on the advice of First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo.
Garbage litters the ground around the district’s largest art park—a cement lot filled with undulating metal sculptures and covered in graffiti of grotesquely adorable creatures. The sounds of music and chatter drift over from the nearby clubs, chronically interrupted by the roar of the local gangsters’ engines. A heavily augmented host shirren in heavy armor is sitting on one of the park benches, eating a simple meal of cold grub-noodles and rice candy. Their antennae perk up at the tremor of approaching footsteps. “Welcome, new Starfinders! And congratulations!” the shirren’s voice telepathically projects. “My speech-name is Zigvigix, but feel free to call me Ziggy, if that would be easier for you. Have some rice candy to celebrate your graduation! Today is your big day!"
As they travel back to the Spike, Idir seems less nervous than he was the first time, but he still visibly winces when a loud engine rev startles him. When they finally reach Zigvigix, he shakes their hand and accepts on of the candies, popping it in his mouth and chewing thoughtfully.
"Idir, of the Herd Fernas, formerly of the Absalom Huddle, at your service, Venture-Captain," he says politely.
“When you are ready, I have two assignments I could use assistance with. The first is to help me secure a new headquarters on Absalom Station. I’ve been in talks with our station’s protectors, the Stewards, and they were kind enough to give us ownership of a warehouse here in Downlow for that purpose! The current owners no longer want it because a vicious alien took it over and kills anyone who goes inside. Once the alien is gone and the warehouse cargo has been returned to its owners, we can start installing desks and computers, so please go in and incinerate the creature!
Idir gulps.
"Was...any description of the creature provided, Zigvigix? Forewarned is forearmed, of course, so we can equip ourselves to dispatch the beast most efficiently," he asks. Preferably before it has a chance to eat me, he thinks to himself.
“My second assignment...” Zigvigix twitches their tooth barbs for a moment and then holds out a credstick. “Please buy the brand-new Strawberry Machine Cake album, Star Sugar Heartlove!!!, which is out today, and give it to Historia-7 when you see her. She is the head of the Dataphiles, so you should meet her today! I wish to do it myself, but I... I have trouble standing for long periods of time. Thank you very much!”
This request prompts a confused "Hrmph?" sound from Idir. Regaining his composure, he continues. "We...did meet with Historia-7 earlier today. She actually sent us on assignment down here. Did you...wish us to inform her this is a gift from you, or did you wish to remain anonymous? Nevertheless, it should be a simple task. I'm a dromada, I know how to queue!"
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Nic nack turns to his companions "I am sorry for making the choice to use the booster too early, but wasn't it exciting? I hope we did well enough to bring honor to the Starfinders."
With the meeting with Radaszam, Nic nack drops his head when hearing of the disappointment. "It is may fault sir, if I made a better choice on the track. The out come could have been better. Please don't blame the entire team for a choice that I made."
"I have a question, is there only a choice to kill the creature? Or can we make another choice to capture or maybe make a deal with the creature? he questions.
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Thundergun remain silent. He probably watch some content within augumented reality helmet as the team comes to Zigvigix. The technomancer surely will use candy but obviously look for more proper food around.
This music album sounds so delicios. Can we grab the real cake somewhere nearby?
In general Thundergun agree with a question about creature-to-eliminate specification.
"Was...any description of the creature provided, Zigvigix? Forewarned is forearmed, of course, so we can equip ourselves to dispatch the beast most efficiently," he asks. Preferably before it has a chance to eat me, he thinks to himself.
"I am glad you have chosen to ask friend, Idir. I have better than a description. I have footage." Zigvigix transfers a video to your comm units. The silent moving images show the back of a burly man in a long coat. He's using a crowbar to open a large crate. The images are grainy; the action, jumpy. It's clearly not a professional film job.
"We believe that the man is a criminal who smuggled the creature onto Absalom Station. Watch this!"
The man in the video pries off one side of the crate. The view of its interior is blocked by his body. Suddenly feathery black and white tendrils fly out of the crate and wrap around his shoulders and waist. He's pulled into the crate. His head snaps back violently when it hits the edge of the crate. From behind and to the right of the camera a laser fires into the crate. From the shadows of the crate something like a feathery arrow flies out. The image spins and lurches crazily. You get a crazily tilted glimpse of two humanoids running for the door. Then the camera stills, pointed at the shadowy raftered ceiling. Video ends.
Surprisingly tough for such a light-weight looking creature, feather stalkers exhibit resistance to energy based attacks. The resistance of any particular creature seems to be based on its environment or frequently encountered threats.
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Idir immediately regrets asking his question as Zigvigix shows them the footage. He watches grimly and listens to the others discuss the creature they're up against.
"What possible use could this man have had to bring this thing onto Absalom Station?" he wonders aloud. "And why wouldn't he have been more prepared for it to do something like...like THAT?!"
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Xikko starts shaking his head slowly.
"Either the guy in the video had no idea what he was dealing with, or he was a fool. These things are no joke and definitely don't belong on Absalom. I wonder if this was a deal gone south and the guy in the video had no idea what was in there. Maybe Thundergun can find something out."
Thundergun spends a few minutes checking local security video feeds. The earliest video shows the men outside the warehouse, unloading the crate from "Stillwell's Transport Company." The izalguun expertly pierces the transport company's flimsy firewall, and traces the shipment back to Docking Bay 94. What happened there is a mystery, but Thundergun can tell the records for the docking bay have been altered.
His infosphere research on feather stalkers is more fruitful. The creatures are a type of crinoid found on many world's in a wide variety of environments. Their appearance can very greatly, from small aquatic hydra-like (the small water animal, not the multi-headed monsters) specimens to large carnivorous animals that appear to the casual observer to be giant ferns. They are highly adaptable. As Xikko related they change to meet their environment. Some featherstalkers are sedentary, but many are ambulatory. Intelligence for all known species is very low.
After a short stroll through Downlow, the party arrives at the warehouse. Absalom Station Security has setup a forcefield as a cordon around the perimeter of the warehouse. The officers on duty look you up and down. "So you're the Starfinders? We've set up this cordon because the doors aren't working. You can just push them open or closed. We don't want whatever's in there getting out. You sure you're ready? We're going to reactivate the forcefield after you go in."
When you're ready, they lower the forcefield to let you pass through, then activate it again.
The warehouse ceiling is 30 feet high, and a catwalk runs 15 feet above the floor. The crates and vehicle are approximately 5 feet tall, while the cylindrical containers and the crate-filled scaffolding are 10 feet tall. A pit in the warehouse floor is 10 feet deep. The scattered junk on the floor around a large opened crate, creates an area of difficult terrain.
The lights on the catwalk are not bright enough to illuminate the area, leaving the warehouse in dim light. Although the north east side of the crate is open, you can't see into the shadows within.