Please dot in and delete.
Opportunity has knocked.
Though your business, relationships, and overall quality of life on Absalom Station is good, an old friend has extended an offer to you that could pay very well and with any luck be easy money.
Cedona is an android and former resident of the Gallery who has recently retired to a new AbadarCorp colony out in the Vast. Though it's been a number of months since any of you have seen her, she has reached out to you with an offer. The head administrator of this colony, a lashunta priest of Abadar named Madelon Kesi, is willing to contract with you to deliver a load of mundane supplies to the settlement of Madelon's Landing on the planet Nakondis out in the Vast.
He's willing to play you 5,000 credits upon delivery.
Cedona has been an important figure in your lives. She has offered advice, neighborly support, and assistance over the years. For most of you, the prospect of visiting her seems pleasant.
Chiaiese sat heavily and spun toward her second-floor window out at the Gallery. The chronometer indicated evening, and the Station affected a more obtuse tone, passively urging denizens to wind down or wind up, as it were.
The Nexus was gaining attention and a growing number of dedicated subscribers. Her first story on the discovery and reclamation of the Djinn Mirage was well-received, and because it promoted the mystery around its captain, hooked consumers into wanting more. The business was now self-sufficient and she had even managed to hire staff.
Flipping on the holovid, Chiaiese skimmed through stories related to the Starfinders, hoping to see news of her sister Rilynn's vaired exploits. Seeing her younger sister represent the organization in one of Zo!'s gameshows was amusing and gave her no end of ammunition with which to tease the younger Lashunta.
On queue, the personal comm lit up with a call from Rilynn.
"Your antennae burning?" Chiaiese asked with a smirk.
"Aww, is my big sister thinking about all the fun I'm having?"
"I'll never tell. Where are you in the galaxy, Ri?"
"Pleasure cruise with the new Seeker."
"Really? is he all that?"
"Let's just say he has four hands and knows how to use them!"
Both women laughed. "I thought I was the wild one," said Chiaiese.
"You were," chided Rilynn. "Is that new mission from Lady Kesh keeping you busy?"
"You have no idea. It's been good, but yeah, a lot of work just building the alias framework from the ground up. I never thought I'd have to learn so much about Absalom Station limited liability corporation legal and tax codes."
"Haha, that's our mother shining through! But hey, I crossed paths in the Vast with an Android named Cedona who said she lives near you. She's got an interesting story and I thought you could look her up."
"Her?" asked Chiaiese.
"She identifies female."
"Hmm. Thanks Ri. I'll do that."
"Well I gotta run. Duty calls."
"Stay safe out there, sis."
"Back at ya, Chase."
The connection terminated and Chiaiese touched the empty space where the hologram of her sister filled. But her mind was already tacking in the new direction, her interest piqued. The next morning she was standing at the door of an apartment on the other side of the Gallery. She pressed the comm buzzer, and the face of an android appeared on screen.
"Cedona? My name is Chiaiese. I--"
"Rilynn Rae's older sister," Cedona interrupted. "Please come up. I've been waiting to meet you."
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Several seconds of scrabbling and a yip brought him back to the moment. He turned to see Cubber perched on the couch arm, excitedly looking back and forth between him and a bright yellow ball lolling lazily on the floor.
“Okay, okay… ready?” The squox yipped again, then concentrated on the ball. Thak pressed a button on the tiny remote control sitting on the window sill. The ball took off across the floor in a zig-zag pattern. Cubber leapt after it in hot pursuit.
“You’re feisty today. Maybe you need to get out for a while. Hasn’t been too exciting here lately, has it?”
Watching the squox play always sent his mind back to that tiny temporary place he lived after the fire. It wasn’t much but that’s what Emergency Support had open right then, and Thak had been grateful for it.
He knelt down and the squox ran to him, licking his face and flipping over for a belly rub. “And if I hadn’t lived there, then you wouldn’t live here because I never would’ve met you and Cedona.”
Cedona lived nearby in a nice housing block filled with people who hadn’t just lost everything they owned. It was Cubber who introduced them. A piece of fruit fell out of Thak’s pocket during a lunchtime walk. Before Thak knew what happened, Cubber pounced and ate it whole, then spun around and yipped, hoping to get more. Cedona apologized profusely; Thak just laughed at Cubber’s antics and assured her it wasn’t an issue at all.
She was the only person in the neighborhood he really connected with during the few weeks he lived in that place. Thak didn’t know if the other neighbors never met a brennari before or if they treated everyone who lived in the rescue apartment as if they had a contagious disease spread through conversation instead of a temporary housing emergency.
I wonder how she’s doing these days. The new gig with AbadarCorp sounded awesome, but it was hard to see her leave. Cedona had asked Thak to watch Cubber a few times when she was away on business — although the details of what "business" she was in were never fully explained.
The squox and the brenneri quickly bonded. Cedona even commented once about their rapport as Cubber performed a trick Thak taught him during one of her trips.
The day before leaving for Nakondis, Cedona asked Thak if he’d adopt Cubber. “I can’t think of a better home for him. And he feels the same way, or at least that's what he said when I asked him last night.” Thak quickly agreed, and Cubber moved into his life.
After trips to several stores filled the tiny kitchen with piles of fruits and nuts that Cubber pointedly ignored, Thak finally found some answers in Don’t Eat Things That Eat You First: The Cook’s Guide to Asana’s Incredible Flora. They finally agreed on a functional diet and settled into their current routine.
When Cedona’s message arrived a few days later, Thak read it to Cubber, who marched up his arm and settled in around the back of his neck like a tawny fur collar.
“What do you think? Ready for an adventure, Cubber?”
The squox yipped, yawned, stretched, and went to sleep.
“Well, fine. I suppose we don’t have to leave just yet.”
Yoromishtali arrives at the L7 Bar and Grill promptly on time. Already, the place is filled with beings to say farewell to Cedona. He squeezes between Xic and a human discussing an android aid society. The vesk raises a hand in greeting to a few others he recognizes as he heads towards a table laden with gifts. Ironic he thinks, she will probably want to minimize her cargo, yet here we are, giving her new things. At least she will have a use for my gift.
He puts the wrapped box containing a vesk utility-blade perfect for cutting through vegetable matter, ice, soil (if a shovel is not available), and a wide variety of muscle, sinew, bone and exoskeleton. I think Aunt Avdikesh would be pleased with the gift I chose in both our names. I hope I can forge a decades-long friendship with someone like they did.
At the bar, Yoromishtali orders half a liter of a low-alcoholic brew then makes his way to the music designer. He peruses the songs available then selects two for the maestro to deconstruct and reassemble. It will be good to dance, he thinks passing the ysoki a tip. ”I anticipate your artistry.”
”Yoro!” his nickname is called from behind. He turns and gives a respectful bow to the android.
”Cedona, it is going to be sad not hearing you call my name,” the vesk says in greeting.
”I thought you were on Akiton.”
Yoromishtali scratches the top of his head, while shifting his weight from one foot to the other. ”I was there, but I couldn’t miss your farewell. It’s only proper to honor and thank you. You have done so much for me and my aunt Avdikesh. I’m sure we will keep communicating, but well, getting messages to the Veskarium takes long enough. You’re going to the Vast.”
Cedona nods in understanding. ”I know you film mostly on the Pact Worlds, but if you’re ever in the area, feel free to visit.”
”I will!” Yoromishtali wonders if he replied too eagerly to her invitation. ”I hope you find my gift useful. I’m sure you’ll know it’s from me and Avdikesh.” Yoromishtali turns his head to regard all the people at the L7. He nods to Cedona. ”You have many wanting to wish you well. I won’t keep you. Absalom Station will seem smaller without you. I hope to one day earn such respect.” He gives a deep bow with the word ”Farewell.”
The thoughtful comment came from the white-haired android with currant-colored skin, currently perusing the room filled with a vast array of images, all of them representing various planets, numerous biomes, and even shots of space, stars and planets both. They had paced around them all, but the image of the forest, shrouded in sparkling mist seemed to catch their attention more than the others.
'Only briefly', came the mental reply, equal parts slight amusement and a muted pride. 'The camera drones do most of the work. This one only selects the best images.'
In the exchange of leisurely comments, again the Android had returned to stand before the image of that misted forest. A tap of their hand on the image was registered as a purchase, and all the other images were swept away, replaced by the numerous other images of the planet and its various landscapes. Some had filters applied, showing the planet in various spectrums, overlaying or excluding the original image entirely.
"You've the talent for it, though. May I share your catalog with some of my contacts? Your work is too good to remain overlooked."
This time, the response was tinged with pleasure at the compliment and brightened by a touch of hope. '...Should you do so, it would be appreciated...'
In truth, the cost of the ship and drones was somewhat daunting, but true ownership was still a ways off. More exposure meant more potential purchases, and that would help speed that along.
"Call me Cedona, please." A gesture of her closing both hands together collapsed the displayed images into a DOT(Data Object, Transferrable), and the lights came up in the display room.
Your instructions were to find this ship called...the Fomalhaut? In docking bay 94. Cedona had contacted you and said that her pilot and this new ship should be arriving today, and that you should be make final preparations for your trip and be ready to leave tonight.
Of course three of you have worked together before. Anton, Chiaiese, and Yoromishtali of late had taken care of an insurance matter for businessman on Absalom from Nearspace. This resulted in finding a ship that was forgotten and lost--the Djinni Mirage. Last you knew, the Mirage was still stuck in that old blocked off hold down below the Gallery. Hopefully your contact will be able to maneuver through the bureaucratic red tape to open a bulkhead or two and get the ship out. Even if he can't, he'll break even if he can salvage the upgraded drift engine.
The fourth member of your crew is the Brenneri named Thak. Though he wasn't in on the Djinni Mirage job, he is known to the Yoro, Anton, and Chiaiese as a resident of the Gallery. Rumor has it he was part of the rescue of several people who had fallen in with some sort of cult, including the daughter of the owner of the L7 Bar and Grill.
A small yapping furry creature follows Thak as you near Docking Bay 94.
Now, where is this ship, and who is this mysterious pilot you're supposed to be meeting?
"Wow, that's a very, umm, bold choice of green," Chiaiese says as the Fomalhaut rounds into view along the docking row. "And those reds..." Whoever painted this ship had a seething hatred for the color-blind.
Nevertheless, it was a good-sized starship, and appeared to be well-equipped for the unexpected.
Chiaiese recognized the Stellifera for what it was, having accompanied her mother while receiving a delegation on Castrovel before her time at Academy.
She approaches the hydrobody environment for the final member of the crew and offers a short bow with antennae down. "You must be our pilot. I'm Chiaiese, the company Xenoseeker. A pleasure to make you acquaintance."
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A small hoverbot quietly whrrrrrs over to the overall-clad water creature, and seems quite intent on staring and analysing whatever the lifeform is that resides in the torso and looks out on the world through their unzipped opening.
*beep* *beep* *bop* *boop*? the droids asks, as if it will ever get an answer.
"Vivian...." a jogging/panting engineer pads up next to the droid. "That's not how we say hi to new people. Um, hi, Neap," he says sheepishly to the mind-talking water-being. "I'm Anton, I kind of fix things. And this,"
*beep*, the hoverdroid interjects.
Anton sighs. "...is Vivian. Don't mind her. She's annoying but mostly harmless."
*boop* *boop*
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One glance at the busy docking bay convinced Thak that letting Cubber walk on his own was a bad idea.
“C’mere, Cubber. Up and in!” He knelt down and held an arm out to the squox. With practiced ease, Cubber ran up his arm and hopped into “his” pocket on Thak’s suit. The squox shifted around until he was little but a furry head, two eyes, and a nose peeking out above the fabric.
The Fomalhaut proves easier to find in the array of ships than he expected. The sleek lines make it stand out among the boxier, service-oriented vessels.
As he nears the loading ramp, he sees a Lashunta and Human conversing with a… Stellifera? How delightful! Looks like an interesting voyage ahead.
He smiles and approaches the group with a bow. “Greetings, all. I’m Thak. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” After a friendly yip from his pocket, he adds, “And this is Cubber. Sorry about that, my friend.”
“Are we all of the crew?”
Chiaiese returns the bow to Thak. "I am Chiaiese. A pleasure - I've seen you around the Gallery. I operate The Nexus newsfeed.
"We're waiting on one more, our friend Yoromishtali. Should be here momentarily. Does anyone have any more details from Cedona on why we were summoned for this simple supply run?"
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”I am Chiaiese. A pleasure - I've seen you around the Gallery. I operate The Nexus newsfeed.”
Thak nods. “Ah yes, I knew I recognized you — from the newsfeed AND the Gallery. It’s a pleasure to meet you officially. I work with many in your profession. We must swap stories as we travel. I’m sure we know some of the same ‘casters.”
Thak turns to Anton. “And aren’t you often in The Gallery as well, Anton? I feel like I recognize you from there. So many faces, but some stand out.”
Finally, he faces Neap. Thak inclines his head and makes eye contact, waiting for him to initiate a connection. He carefully measures his message for economy and meaning.
Once he hears Neap’s mental knock, he responds. “It’s my pleasure meeting you. Here’s to working as partners.”
Taking in the three of them, Thak shrugs at Chiaiese’s question. “Perhaps Cedona is lonely for old friends in a new place. Who knows how she thinks… or even what she’s really doing there. I never could figure out her business exactly. Whatever it was, it kept her away enough that Cubber and I got to be best friends. I hope she’ll be pleased to see the little guy again.”
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Your trip, which days through the drift, is both uneventful and enjoyable. The five of you are able to enjoy yourselves and have some leisure time both together and apart. So far, this seems to be easy money.
On day 13 you exit the Drift and arrive in orbit around Nakondis. Immediately alarms on the bridge begin beep, flash, or blare. Sensors indicate two small ships are approaching at a high rate of speed in an aggressive manner.
1. Engineering phase.
2. Helm phase.
a. Piloting check for initiative
b. Additional piloting checks for maneuvers
c. Science Officer
3. Gunnery Phase
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"Heh, yeah, I guess I do get there a bit," he answers in his eternally sheepish manner to the envoy. "I do outwork at the Sweet Doomed Angel on, like, pods and things, and I'm always scurrying around doing orders for customers. So, yeah, that could be so."
Anton spends much of the time onboard futzing with various technical equipment, be that either his ever-curious hover drone, or just about the ship, either trying to understand it, or fix things (regardless of whether or not they actually needed fixing).
"Um, guys?" he calls as the alarm klaxons start singing their song, "we've got what appears to be automated craft closing on us. Fast. I'll try and get more data on them."
Swapping posts for the moment (since nothing is broken. Currently.) Anton activates the ship's sensors and sees what kind of pings he can get back on them.
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The Fomalhaut
And here's a handy cheat sheet for starship combat.
Professionals all, the crew of the Fomalhaut settles into a steady rhythm. In truth, this was the longest Chiaiese had spent on a starship since she left Academy, and she didn't realize how badly she missed it. In her youth she had spent months on her father's cruiser, learning every aspect of the vessel, every function and role, taking pride in the Colonel's easy command style. Now she finally had something that felt like hers, even if it wasn't, really.
While the crew quarters were simple, the diversity of the crew meant few awkward encounters, not that she knew shame.She worked out daily and split active duty time between the Med and Tech Bays and the small Bridge, relaxing afterward in the holoden and trading stories of adventures still to come.
Chiaiese is already on the Bridge when the drift engines wind down and the Fomalhaut re-emerges in real-space. Her cup of Castrovelian milk tea sits nearly empty on the console in front of her. Her foot taps an allegro beat in the air and she suppresses the urge to chew her lip. Now they will finally get some answers from Cedona... hopefully.
The sensors light up and the pair of small ships appear on an intercept course. "Drones," she quickly surmises. "I've seen these before - or ships like them. Azlanti Star Empire attack drones. Red alert - Weapons stations!"
"Alright, Osamiri - it's showtime. Pick one to close with and keep the other at range, and push the sublights to the max. Let's see what this beauty can do."
(+2 Piloting check)
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As the conversation winds down and the crew begins heading in different directions, Thak touches Chiaiese on the sleeve.
“May I ask a favor? Please help me say your name correctly. I struggle sometimes with Lashunta pronunciations, and names have power and meaning to ourselves and others. It’s important to me personally and professionally that I get them right.”
He smiles. ”Would you please indulge me?”
Although he anticipated plenty of new and exciting experiences on this trip, seeing two drones speeding toward the ship -- apparently with weapons hot -- when the Fomalhaut entered the system wasn't on the list.
He darts up to the bridge, ready to jump in wherever needed. A gunner's position sits open, so Thak slides into the seat and starts the targeting system.
“I hope this isn’t Cedona’s idea of a holiday adventure…”
He nods at Chiaiese and Anton. ”You’re still looking healthy since the last time I saw you.”
He regards the stellifera and the brenneri with relaxed body language, looking from one to the other. ”Greetings! I think I might have seen you at Cedona’s party months ago, maybe not. If you have a problem with any of my behaviors, please let me know. Let me get this stowed aboard. Anything else I need to do to prepare for departure? Like maybe checking out the turret before we’re attacked by pirates?”
Yoromishtali is reading on his bunk when the alarms sound. He drops the tablet onto his bed, then takes his laser rilfe from the case and heads towards the turret. ”I’ll be in the turret! Got my rifle in case we’re boarded.”
"No crews to worry about; those are just flying guns out there. Target with extreme prejudice. Let's do this quick."
ORBITAL DRONES (2) TIER 1/2
Tiny racer drone
Speed 12; Maneuverability perfect (turn 0)
AC 15; TL 15
HP 20 each; DT —; CT 4
Shields none
Attack (turret) light laser cannon (2d4)
Power Core Micron Light (50 PCU); Drift Engine none; mk 2 armor, mk 2 defenses; Expansion Bays none
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Automated (Ex) An orbital drone has no crew, though it has an on-board computer that can perform most crew actions. The on-board computer can perform pilot and gunnery actions as if it has a crew of two. When an Azlanti drone takes a critical damage effect, it instead loses 2 Hull Points.
The two enemy ship criss-cross, passing by your port side. They fire lasers as they pass!
1. Engineering phase.
2. Helm phase.
a. Piloting check for initiative
b. Additional piloting checks for maneuvers
c. Science Officer
3. Gunnery Phase
”Affirmative Thank,” Yoromishtali says into the comm. He selects the yellow highlighted drone and launches a missile at it.
1. Engineering phase.
2. Helm phase.
a. Piloting check for initiative
b. Additional piloting checks for maneuvers
c. Science Officer
3. Gunnery Phase
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Anton analyses the data his scan tagged off the enemy.
"It looks like we've got equal speed of our enemy, so we can't open up to give our better weapons the range they need. Well, we can't if tings stay the same. I'll try to fix that."
Anton whirls over the engineer station and examines the power flow. With a deft flick he cuts power to the trivid holo and tries to divert it to the engines.
1. Engineering phase.
2. Helm phase.
a. Piloting check for initiative
b. Movement and Additional piloting checks for maneuvers
c. Science Officer
3. Gunnery Phase
The two drones fire at you.
1. Engineering phase.
2. Helm phase.
a. Piloting check for initiative
b. Movement and Additional piloting checks for maneuvers
c. Science Officer
3. Gunnery Phase
Fomalhaut shudders from the first pair of hits, but then Neap has her sprinting and turning, closing with one and keep the other at long range.
"Nice driving, Neap!"
"Thak, jump over to the starboard gun. Yoro, switch back to the turret and blast that drone to the stars. That's an order, Mister!"
(+4 Bonus to Gunnery/To-hit this round for Yoro)
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Thak’s fingers move across the weapon station controls and the tactical display switches from an empty star field to a targeting grid squared on the yellow drone.
“Firing!”
The drone shoots and misses, but slips over Thak's shot. Hmm… they never moved that way in the simulators. I’ll need to allow for that.
He taps a few more buttons and twists a knob to adjust the system before the next shot.
”It’s like my time on the simulator was a waste,” Yoromishtali grumbles. He takes a long breath through his nostrils. He cancels the target lock and selects the drone again ”Another missile launched!”
Chiaiese shrugs. "Or whatevs. That works too."
Thak misses, but so far the missile Yoro launched seems to be on target.
1. Engineering phase.
2. Helm phase.
a. Piloting check for initiative
b. Movement and Additional piloting checks for maneuvers
c. Science Officer
3. Gunnery Phase
1. Engineering phase.
2. Helm phase.
a. Piloting check for initiative
b. Movement and Additional piloting checks for maneuvers
c. Science Officer
3. Gunnery Phase
”What was that Captain? Use the laser net?” Yoromishtali looks at the panel to switch the weapon functions. He presses a few buttons. ”Affirmative!” He confirms the near drone is within range and the appropriate arc and fires.
One of the drones crosses in front of the Fomalhaut, once again ending up on the starboard side.
The other ship attempts to slip past the missile that was fired seconds ago, but the missile makes an agile turn and continues to bear down on the drone.
The two drones fire at you.
1. Engineering phase.
2. Helm phase.
a. Piloting check for initiative
b. Movement and Additional piloting checks for maneuvers
c. Science Officer
3. Gunnery Phase
The control module for the port coilgun sparks and smokes. The situation was becoming more dire. The ship could take a beating, but not for long. It was past time to land a hit on these drones. While the crew waited on pins and needles to see if the missile hit its target, Chiaiese turned her attention to the starboard coilgun.
"Thak, steady those paws. We need a hit!"
(+4 Bonus to Gunnery/To-hit this round for Thak)