Lasthunta is walking there and back in the waiting room. His years of fighting as a gladiator prepared him for waiting before stressful events happen, but it was his first time working with Society so he was unsure what to expect.
He did not see anyone around so he made few punches in the air followed by a roundhouse kick. He then stood and took a deep breath
"Ok Velloro , you got this. It is like in the arena just the punches are different."
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"I hear someone's got a salvage operation planned," a white-furred ysoki dragging a large case says as he enters the room. His ears perk up momentarily, then he adds absent-mindedly, "And maybe after, I can bring Nuya in to look at that panel. Something sounds off."
He then offers a hand to the Lashunta who got here before him. 'Name's Dwinite. Great to meet you." His handshake lacks strength, but makes up for it in enthusiasm.
You are directed to a briefing room and once seated, a short hiss precedes the opening of an adjacent door. A woman with a determined look steps through the opening, holding a datapad in one hand as she sits down at the table, takes a calm breath, and begins to speak, “Ah good, you made it. All of you come highly recommended. You have skills, and the Starfinder Society has credits.”
She pauses, looks over the group she has assembled, and continues, “How rude of me—introductions. I am Luwazi Elsebo, the elected First Seeker of the Starfinder Society, and I have an exceptionally fair sum of credits available in return for your specialized services. For this mission, each of you will represent the Starfinder Society, but hold no official title within our organization. As you can probably tell by the empty halls around us, I need to use mercenaries to act as temporary agents. If you agree to the terms, I would like to offer you all a job.
“The Starfinder Society endured a staggering setback several months ago when our previous First Seeker led a mission into a region of space known as the Scoured Stars. We lost almost all our experienced field agents and assets in that endeavor. What the Starfinder Society really needs right now is something to entice outside interest and investment. In short, we need to make a major discovery.
“Prior to the Scoured Stars incident, the Society acquired exclusive rights to explore a rather unique moon. The inhabitants of the nearby planet call it Salvation’s End and see it as a ‘false moon’ due to its visible metal components and underlying superstructure. There’s the potential that it’s nothing more than a mangled hunk of stellar debris on the remains of a moon, but there’s also the chance that the entire object could be one inconceivably large structure.”
Luwazi lets loose a devilish smile. “This is where you come in. I want you to go to Salvation’s End and explore the surface. First, you’ll need to make a quick trip to the moon of Varos, which orbits the nearby gas giant, Bretheda. There’s a high level security complex on Varos that has a survivor from a rogue prospecting mission to Salvation’s End. I want you to question the prisoner, find out what you can about the so-called ‘false moon,’ and then make way to Salvation’s End. Once there, you will need to see if the moon is worthless, or something valuable enough for the Society to announce. Understood?”
An Android trying to look inconspicuous but failing nods as Elsebo speaks.
"I assume we are expected at this high level security complex and do not have to make our own way in..."
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Not for the first time, Navasi wondered if she had made the right decision in coming back. It had been many years since she had left Absalom Station behind in search of a better life. Of freedom.
She gave a snort of derision and shook her head. She had been so idealistic, so naive. So young.
Well, that was a different time, a different person. She had a new name, a new look, a new life. The chances of anyone recognising that idealistic youth in the woman she had become was slim. Certainly not her parents nor any of their circle in Absalom's upper crust.
Not that it mattered. She had her crew to look out for, now. Her real family. That was why she was here; making new contacts and bring in some more lucrative jobs.
Roused from her thoughts by a beckoning attendant, Navasi stood and followed the man to a waiting room.
Entering the room, she noticed other beings already gathered within. Another interview panel? She groaned inwardly. They hadn't mentioned anything about that. Not to worry, nothing she couldn't handle.
With a flick, she adjusted the fall of her cloak, donned a well-practised roguish smile, and sauntered into the room. "Name's Navasi," she introduced herself. "What are you lot in for? she quipped.
A large and intimidating vesk looks at the others gathered in the briefing room and says, "You all better be good with a gun or a doshko if we run into trouble. I don't work with amateurs."
"You got the right man, boss," Dwinite responds enthusiastically. "I presume you're proving the ride. Any other tools or info you can give us?"
“The rogue prospecting mission survivor is a pilot named Livewire and the high security prison colony she's interred at is called the ‘Sauna’ — located on the volcanic moon Varos. Contact this prisoner, as she is the only survivor of the trespassing expedition to Salvation’s End. Once you establish contact, it’s a matter of gathering intelligence. We doubt this information is cheap, so we authorized a spending account for you to encourage Livewire to talk. We need to know why her team’s illegal salvage on the moon failed. Once you get this information, we need you to travel to the false moon. Touch down, scout for hostiles, and look for any indications that it’s more than a moon with crashed starships piled atop it.
“I’m able to provide a spending account of 2,500 credits for mission expenditures; this does not include expenses for personal use, but instead for dealing with Livewire and the other occupants at the Sauna to help in your mission. Upon completion of your greater mission to Salvation’s End, you will each receive 3,000 credits. In addition, you have use of a brand-new Pegasus-class starship for the mission. If we end on agreeable terms, you can count on the Starfinder Society for more work in the near future. Trust me when I say an ongoing partnership would be quite… lucrative, for both parties.”
An Android trying to look inconspicuous but failing nods as Elsebo speaks.
"I assume we are expected at this high level security complex and do not have to make our own way in..."
“The warden denied our requests to meet with Livewire. They indicated that our presence would rub salt in a fresh wound. So, whatever you do, do not let the warden or Livewire know that you are working for the Starfinder Society. I have set up a front to explain your meeting with Livewire: you are all investigators hired by an unnamed corporation looking to remain anonymous. You’re researching a rash of disappeared spacecraft that have gone missing when their flight path took them too close to Salvation’s End."
Luwazi then stands and says, "Please, come with me. We can walk and talk as I answer any other questions you may have. And if you have none, do you accept this mission?"
She begins leading the party through the Lorespire Complex corridors.
The android gives a quick side glance to the Vesk.
"We can be subtle when needed. The details seem agreeable to me."
"Anonymous?" The ysoki shrugs. "Not my usual style, but a credits a credit. Just let me stop at my pad first to grab what I wear when I am trying to dodge groupies and we're off!"
Luwazi says, "I'm aware that posing as a corporate employee may be ...unseemly... for you given your and your bandmates' views. But ultimately, the credits you earn from this mission can only help the group, correct? And besides..."
Luwazi stops walking to pull out her personal comm unit. With a wry grin, she show's Dwinite the first song on her personal playlist: 'Dock Punks'.
"...I'm a fan."
Luwazi winks, puts the comm unit away and resumes leading the party through the corridors.
"Anonymous, I don't like the sound of that. After this mission everyone on Salvations End will know that Obozaya is a warrior without equal!"
"Anonymous, I don't like the sound of that. After this mission everyone on Salvations End will know that Obozaya is a warrior without equal!"
Luwazi smiles in bemusement, "Or at the very least, everyone in the Starfinder Society will know."
The android gives a quick side glance to the Vesk.
"We can be subtle when needed. The details seem agreeable to me."
All of you arrive at a vast entry door. Luwazi opens it with a slight flourish to embellish the significance of the moment and then crosses the threshold into a hub of activity.
“Wonderful! I am so excited to conduct business with you.” With a renewed energy, Luwazi steps further into a large hangar bay containing a pristine ship with a stylized symbol of the Starfinder Society along its hull. Several engineers, laborers, and mechanics buzz about the hangar running diagnostics, polishing the vessel’s unspoiled hull, and finishing the last touches for a maiden launch. Luwazi looks up to the ship with beaming pride, reaches into the folds of her clothing, and pulls out an expensive vintage of champagne, and extends the bottle outward as she exclaims with a wide grin, “The ship is yours for the mission, it is only right you christen it! Tonight, we celebrate; tomorrow you sail off into the stars.”
As a part of the celebrations, you're taken on a tour of the ship, provided a breakdown of its capabilities and a description of its armaments.
Velloro greets Dwinite before Luwazi showed up
"I think I know you? Are you a fashion blogger? No... you are a musician right?" says Lashunta smiling
He listens to the briefing looking at the others. He never worked with anyone before, he was always alone in the ring, so that would be something new to him.
"How about Executor for the name of the ship? It is not only about executing prisoners but executing orders, visions." Suggest Velloro
With lowered voice he speaks to Dwinite
"If that ship is no good, we can make a prank and recommend it to Starfinders. Imagine the hundreds of agents having to fly some trash can." Velloro smiles at his own prank
The next morning you depart Absalom Station for Varos. The trip is uneventful and the distance between Absalom Station and Bretheda requires only a few days of standard space travel.
During the trip, some research reveals some information about The Sauna...
When you arrive in orbit over the colony, you're hailed on comms, "Please state your captain's name, ship name, registry and purpose for visit."
"Executor sounds very aggressive. We are supposed to be a group of investigators... Maybe something interesting yet less... provocative?"
As they get close to their destination and are hailed he looks to Navasi, "I think that's you" with a smile.
I like The Alcyone. Soliel would also be good. It is kind of like a circus..."
"This ship is just a tool for us to use to complete the mission. Its name means nothing. In the Veskarium we don't waste time with fancy names. Our planets are simply designated Vesk 1 thorough 8, easy to remember and efficient," Obozaya says smugly.
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Navasi leaned back in her chair, her smile never faltering, and casually crossed a leg over the other as she met Obozaya's gaze. The motion brought attention to the sidearm and survival knife holstered to her thigh. "To the point, I like that," she says in reply to the vesk. "I agree - shoddy work gets people killed."
Navasi listened intently to Luwazi's briefing, making note of important details on her comms. "Anonymous?" She shrugged. "The credits are good. That's enough recognition for me."
"Executor?" Navasi pulled a face. "Sounds more suited to a destroyer in some sort of starfleet."
"Yes, numerical designations are certainly efficient," she agreed with Obozaya. "I think we are in need of something with a bit more... flair. Fortune's Runner or Freedom's Gambit or some such."
"Alcyone," she says, testing the name. "Not bad," she replies, nodding.
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When you arrive in orbit over the colony, you're hailed on comms, "Please state your captain's name, ship name, registry and purpose for visit."
The control tower responds, "Acknowledged. Please remain in a holding pattern while we authorize your landing request."
A moment later, a new, fawning voice comes over comms, "Hello Navasi and crew! I am the Warden! Visits from well-funded corporations are always welcome!! My staff are now sending you coordinates to a landing pad cleared for your use.
"It is standard operating procedure that visitors leave behind all armaments and contraband on your ship. This means weapons, food, toiletries or anything else that may tempt prisoners.
"However, credsticks ARE allowed into the complex as our facility always accept gracious donations. All such contributions will go a long way in order for our organization to continue providing an appropriate environment for all inmates, reforming them and preparing them for reintroduction to society at large.
"So really, a donation to me... errr.. to our organization is in actuality a donation to society!"
Once docked, an organic bridge connects the pad to the structure itself. As soon as the party disembark from your ship, extremely hot air (over 120 degrees Fahrenheit) blasts the party, and while your armor should protect you for your jaunt towards the Sauna, it becomes evident that any prolonged exposure outside the prison is foolhardy.
A flotilla of four barathus—floating, iridescent masses of flesh with draping tentacle appendages—wordlessly greets you and escorts you to the nearby Warden’s office.
The halls and rooms of the Sauna are entirely organic, comprised mostly of fleshy blue walls replete with pulsating green veins. Tunnels take odd angles, sometimes sloping up or down, which is a nuisance to you as you walk along these halls but not an impediment to the floating barathus. The other standout feature of the Sauna is the horrible, unceasing reek of sweat. The the heat and humidity ensures the stench never diminishes.
When the party arrives at the Warden’s office, several hard, plastic chairs await arranged in a semicircle around a matching table. Upon the table are several trays of a gray mush and glasses of an opaque, milky substance.
Opposite the table floats the Warden, an almost comical creature that looks like a dozen of the barathu guards mashed together into a floating mass of iridescent flesh and tentacles.
The Warden gestures to on the table and communicates with you telepathically, "Welcome! Welcome! Please, help yourself to these complimentary refreshments! On the house! We're known as the Warden. What are your names?"
While these refreshments look welcoming, especially the drink to help cool off, the ever-present stench makes the idea of eating difficult.
The Warden then excitedly engages in further telepathic conversation, "Like yourselves, one of our constituent barathus also had a career as an investigator! And so we are always excited to meet with likeminded personalities. Please tell us! We'd love to hear stories of your proudeset moments as investigators!"
The Warden floats/tilts forward towards you, a sign that they are earnestly and eagerly awaiting your incoming response.
Velloro leaves his weapon on the ship, he fights with his bare hands anyways.
"Wow this Warden was asking for a bribe. How... honest of him." comments Lashunta as he gathers to go out.
He looks at the refreshments with a blank stare. And looks for the others to make the first step.
But soon he takes a glass and takes a sip...
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"This feels like that time we played a gig in the Archipelago," Dwinite mumbles to himself as he disembarks.
He takes a glass of something colorful and cold-looking. "Some people think that investigations have to be all about yelling at suspects and whatnot. When you're barely bigger than an amp, no one's going to confess to anything, right? But if you keep your ears open, listen, man, really listen, you find out all sorts of things."
Dwinite tries to speak in generalities rather than claim to have done a specific investigation, but can't seem to help turning everything back to acoustics in some way.
While still on the ship... "Well, I have to say that is surprisingly refreshing to see such an obvious attempt at graft. Oh well..."
Ispeh leaves all his weapons behind. Hoping this will be peaceful.
Ispeh eyes the food. He samples both.
"Ah, interesting flavor template. My compliments to your chef!"
Ispeh eyes the food. He samples both.
"Ah, interesting flavor template. My compliments to your chef!"
"Excellent! Excellent! We're pleased that you enjoyed it! We're all about caring and sharing here... We care about our inmates! We share with them the opportunity for reform and betterment of themselves! This food and drink, they are symbols of our sincere wish for a better life, a better community... don't you agree??"
"Some people think that investigations have to be all about yelling at suspects and whatnot. When you're barely bigger than an amp, no one's going to confess to anything, right? But if you keep your ears open, listen, man, really listen, you find out all sorts of things."
"Oh... very, very wise! We cannot agree more! Seeing what others do not see... Hearing what others do not hear... Understanding what others do not understand... All are important skills critical to an investigator! Just as importantly critical as..."
The Warden's voice then lowers a bit in volume and changes to a more serious tone. "...being well-funded. *AHEM!!*"
His voice resumes it's normal volume but his tone remains formal as he continues speaking.
"So! Pleasantries aside, let's discuss the matter at hand..."
The Warden telepathically sighs and states, "Unfortunately, visits with prisoners are forbidden. Buuuuuut.... weeeeeeell....... Nothing is ever one hundred percent absolute, is it? Exceptions can be made under appropriate circumstances..."
The Warden gestures to one of their many tentacles, holding an empty credstick.
"By the way, on a separate topic, did we mention that donations to our maintenance fund are greatly welcomed????"
Looking at his Diplomacy modifier, Iseph keeps his mouth shut and looks to Navasi.
Obozaya, reluctantly leaves her arsenal of weapons on the ship. Not much for talking, she listens intermittently to the conversations between the warden and her teammates.
"Roger that, Varos Control. Alcyone standing by for further instructions."
"Thank you for the warm welcome, Warden," Navasi replied to the eager Warden. "I will ensure my crew comply with your requests. You'll have no trouble. I assure you, we are very interested in the betterment of society. See you planetside."
Navasi leaves her prohibited items onboard the ship.
A friendly smile fixed in place, Navasi samples the questionable fare.
"Mmm, that's unlike anything I've ever tasted before," she says. "Surprisingly refreshing."
"Due to legal reasons, I can't delve into the specifics - as I'm sure you can appreciate," Navasi begins her recount to the Warden. "One case that comes to mind involved learning of a plot to hijack a medical supply shipment. Fortunately, my partner..." Her voice quavers slightly and catches. Clearing her throat, she continues, mostly regaining her composure. " My partner and I were able to intervene and thwarted the criminals before they could launch their attack."
Navasi listens as the Warden speaks, nodding along to the key points of the barathu's speech.
"Absolutely, Warden," she begins. "We understand the need for rules and regulations in maintaining a well-run facility such as this and ensuring the safety of those in your care. Our humble benefactor would never ask anything that would place you or your changes at risk. My entire crew and our noble patron are philanthropists at heart and solely seek to improve the situation of any being in need."
"Please accept this donation on behalf of our benefactor." She transfers 500 credits. "Perhaps a tour of the facilities can be arranged in celebration? Along with a small meet and greet with one of those whho stand to benefit from this investment?"
The warden listens intently to Navasi's story. The formality of his voice returns to the previous, exuberant tone...
"Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic! The drama! The action! My compliments to you and your partner. Wonderful, noble work the two of you performed!
"Which leads us to the great work at hand here, today. Work that, you all have now also generously contributed to with your donation!
"Yes! A tour is most certainly in order! And such an event would be incomplete if magnanimous benefactors such as yourselves weren't afforded the opportunity to meet with individuals whom you are directly benefiting!
"From this day forward, let it be known that you, we, all of us are forever and eternally friends with a common cause and ideal!"
The Warden's voice once again lowers in volume, "...and as friends, you may bring your credsticks in with you. You may need it to further your investigation."
The Warden calls in guards and instructs them, "Please take our visitors here on the eternal friend tour!"
Turning to the party, the Warden says, "Best of luck! The guards will attend to your needs. Farewell!"
You inform the guards that you'd like to meet Livewire and the previous flotilla of barathu guards escort the party through the facility to a massive common area. Whereas the stench within the Warden’s office was bad, the stink in the common area is almost unbearable. Several half-naked, sweat-drenched workers of various species crowd around here. The barathu guards combine to form one larger, menacing amalgam creature, ensuring the party remains safe from confrontation.
After several minutes traversing through this sweat-slicked region, the barathu guard amalgam stops at a table where a ysoki sits. The ratfolk constantly licks her paws uncomfortably while grooming her drenched and matted pelt. With the guard’s arrival, she looks up and acknowledges an unspoken communication between herself and the barathu collective. In an instant, the barathu collective splits into its separate entities and floats off in independent paths throughout the complex, leaving the party alone with the sweat-soaked ysoki who looks up with cautious interest amid a timid introduction, “Hiya, the name’s Livewire. What can we do for each other?"
Obozaya, looks bored by all the talking going on. Once they run into Livewire she looks at Navasi with a blank expression on her face.
Since no one speaks up, Obozaya turns to the ysoki and says,
"What's your story rat man?"
Velloro looks at the Ysoki
"It is so hot in here, I sweat like a thief in a prison."{/b] laughs Velloro
[b]"What did you found on the moon? Secret facilities? Ancient civilization artifacts? Any life forms?"
asks the Vanguard
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"What's your story rat man?"
"I'd like to know the same thing," she says. "After all, everybody in here is innocent. Didn't you know that?"
"What did you found on the moon? Secret facilities? Ancient civilization artifacts? Any life forms?"
"And there it is... the real reason you're here to see me... That frackin' moon that I wish I'd never heard of!"
She gets excited, ranting without directly addressing Velloro's question, "Y'know, I didn't even want to take that job!! The mission leader Borgor was a selfish pruck who always had to have things his way, even when we all knew he was obviously wrong! And what happened when any of us pointed out any of his obvious mistakes? Confined to quarters for 72 hours!!! Pruck of cosmic magnitude... AMIRITE?!?
"I mean, the ONLY reason I took the job was as a favor to the second mate, Bago. He was a good guy I totally get him, you know? And he gets me. This job's payout was gonna be enough to finally free Bago of Borgor's awful grip. After that, Bago and I were gonna start over. Strike out on our own and begin an honest living. That was the plan...
"And the rest of that crew, heh! They weren't much better than Borgo. Snips was a cutthroat and Xalak-don was all brawn, little brains - to say the least! But they were both dangerous. In fact, they were planning to mutiny against Borgor once the job was done (which woulda served him right, by the way). Bago and I were gonna slip away during the chaos of the mutiny.
"But none of it went according to plan. You see, I manned the ship while the rest of them went down to the surface. And that was the last I saw of any of them. Ultimately, our ship crashed down onto that godsforsaken place. There are audio logs on the ship that will confirm everything I've said so far."
After her initial rant, Livewire calms down and regains her composure. "But look guys. If you want to know more about what happened on that accursed place, info doesn't come free, y'know? Look at where I'm at. This place... well... this place blows. Now, I know I ain't gettin' outta here anytime soon. But that doesn't mean you can't make my time here a bit more comfortable, amirite?
"So I'll tell ya what. If you gather up some items of value for me, I'll fill you in on my whole story. What items? Well, look around at this place. Hygiene, hygiene, hygiene!! Get me some toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, anti-perspirant, mouthwash, soaps, talcum powder, disinfectants and so on. Anything to help with the crazy-ass stench of ass!
"Also, there's one other thing you can do for me. If you're heading to that place, there was a tool harness on our crashed ship that I wasn't able to grab before the situation really went down the crapper. It 's a family heirloom with sentimental value. If you promise to return it to my family for safekeeping, I'd be a bit more inclined to help you out.
"Whaddaya say?"
"Sounds like that Borgor was a real piece of work," Navasi chimed in. "Got what he deserved. Probably better than he deserved." She shook her head, smiling wryly. "Worked for more than a few sods like that myself. And got myself into more bad spots helping a mate than I care to admit. And don't get me started on my list of last big scores..." She rolled her eyes in self-deprecation.
Navasi paused, her expression turning serious. "I'm sorry about Bago," she said softly. "If our investigation on the moon turns up anything on Bago, we'll get it to you."
Navasi chuckled as Livewire named her price. "Understandable, understandable. We had noticed the subtle bouquet. We'll see what we can scrounge up for you. And, if you help us with that moon, we'll look out for your tool harness... And Bago."
Obozaya, just scratches her head.
Ysoki, problem with them is they talk to much.
Again, she looks at Navasi, hoping that she understood what the ysoki was talking about.
"If we find your family heriloom we shall bring it back. We are not scavengers. With regards to toothbrushes, yeah sure. And why exactly are you here? Is entering that moon forbidden?"
Navasi glanced over at Obozaya while Velloro spoke with Livewire and gave the vesk a reassuring wink.
Obozaya, just scratches her head.
Ysoki, problem with them is they talk to much.
Again, she looks at Navasi, hoping that she understood what the ysoki was talking about.
Livewire looks at Obozaya in bemusement. "Heya big guy... errrr.. big gal. Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?"
"If we find your family heriloom we shall bring it back. We are not scavengers."
Upon hearing this, Livewire's face softens, "Thank you. That's a relief and it really does mean a lot."
"And why exactly are you here? Is entering that moon forbidden?"
Livewire sighs at the thought of her ill-fated job, "Yep, it is. Well, legally forbidden anyways. That's why this job was gonna pay off big! You ever heard of the Starfinders? Well those deep-pocketed bigwigs sittin' on their high horse think they can own everything, y'know what I mean? These Starfinders somehow acquired exclusive rights to that moon and technically anyone who sets foot on it without permission is breaking the law. So when little guys like us try to head that way and take a tiny, itty, bitty nibble of the cheese wheel...WHAM!!! The man slaps you in chains, amirite??"
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"Sounds like that Borgor was a real piece of work," Navasi chimed in. "Got what he deserved. Probably better than he deserved." She shook her head, smiling wryly. "Worked for more than a few sods like that myself. And got myself into more bad spots helping a mate than I care to admit. And don't get me started on my list of last big scores..." She rolled her eyes in self-deprecation.
Navasi paused, her expression turning serious. "I'm sorry about Bago," she said softly. "If our investigation on the moon turns up anything on Bago, we'll get it to you."
Navasi chuckled as Livewire named her price. "Understandable, understandable. We had noticed the subtle bouquet. We'll see what we can scrounge up for you. And, if you help us with that moon, we'll look out for your tool harness... And Bago."
Livewire replies excitedly, "Yah, Borgor definitely got what he deserved!! It just such a raw deal that Bago got dragged down as well.
Anyways, thank you in advance for keepin' an eye out for Bago and that harness. As for the items, I'll be right here when you've got the goods. I ain't got no place I gotta to be... HA!"The party sets off to procure the requested items and upon returning, Livewire looks noticeably happier and takes on a very cooperative tone.
“People call Salvation’s End a ‘false moon,’ but that can’t be true. I’m pretty sure that floating metal hulk is actually some kind of really old starship caught in the nearby planet’s orbit. I don’t know what happened to it, but its signature and style don’t match up to any Pact World design.
“There’s a noticeable spire rising from the false moon’s outer hull. It’s teeming with activity. Crude painted symbols are all along structure’s exterior. Inside, a hive of space goblins flourishes in one of their misbegotten makeshift nests. The goblins sneak out to rummage for scrap metal and other junk found on the false moon’s exterior.
“Lots of ships disappeared while flying too close to Salvation’s End. Until recently, this phenomenon was kind of an urban pilot legend, but I know what it is! There’s some kind of really powerful tractor beam on that moon. It was strong enough to reel in the Archer, and I only got my whiskers out of there by crashing into the damn thing and ejecting an escape pod right before impact!
“On our first flyby, we ended up skirmishing with a few goblin junkers. After the battle, we detected a strong signal emitting from underneath the space goblin spire, and even thought our sensors could barely penetrate the tower, the source of the signal was just under the surface of Salvation’s End. There’s something down there, I swear it!"
“No matter what, please let me know what happened to Bago. If the old lunk’s still alive, tell him I miss my ‘Hairless Monkey.’ If you find it in your hearts after exploring that damnable false moon, please put in a good word for me with the authorities. I’m not sure I can last here for my entire term.”
At that, Livewire watches the party leave the common area with crocodile tears welling within the corners of her soft eyes.
Luwazi Elsebo opens communications right after you leave the Sauna. After hearing the intel you gathered from Livewire, she says, "Good work! If Livewire's claim of a strong signal from underneath can be corroborated, then perhaps there truly is something valuable there. As discussed, please proceed to Salvation’s End and perform an initial survey. But be on your toes when you arrive - an old starship infested with space goblins operating a tractor beam, if true, will be hazardous!"
At this point, the party activates the Alcyone's Drift engine and enters the Drift - an extraplanar void of kaleidoscopic colors that allows for faster-than-light travel throughout the known galaxy. After days in the Drift, the party exits close to the false moon of Salvation’s End.
In the distance, a great metallic structure breaks the bleak monotony of space. Massive in size, the grandeur of this planetoid is hard to take in all at once. Livewire was right, that's no moon! But before the scale of the Salvation's End sets in, a shrill song pierces through the ship’s communications system. As the first notes of the song shriek out, a trio of vessels blink on the sensor screens, followed swiftly by a warning alarm klaxon.
Jam your sensors, you be blind,
All our targets we will find.
Sitting duck depleted shield,
You go BOOM in our starfield!
While caught within a tractor beam, a ship cannot move; however, a PC currently acting as a pilot can escape from the tractor beam’s hold at the start of the helm phase by succeeding at a DC 20 Piloting check. If the pilot fails this check, then the ship remains caught in the tractor beam and cannot move, and the tractor beam can apply one of its effects without needing to attempt a gunnery check that round.
If the tractor beam rolls a 1 or a 2 on its gunnery check, it instead ensnares a nearby goblin junker. Let the players choose which goblin ship is affected and which of the tractor beam effects occurs. The tractor beam lets go of any held goblin junkers at the start of the helm phase.
Round 1 initiative:
For some unknown reason, the unfathomable purple and orange goblin ships don't move this round! Only the red junker moves!
Everyone may declare your actions and take your rolls! After everyone has posted their actions, I'll compile and post the results of round 1 then move us into the next round.
Whomever takes over as pilot this round:
Dwinite's fingers fly across the console, resulting in the scanners spitting out nearly everything there is to learn of the red ship!!
Tiny starship racer
Speed 12; Maneuverability perfect (turn 0)
AC 14; TL 14
HP 20/20; DT —; CT 4
Shields basic 20 (forward 5, port 5, starboard 5, aft 5)
Attack (Forward) light laser cannon (2d4)
Attack (Aft) light laser cannon (2d4)
Attack (Turret) flak thrower (3d4)
Power Core Micron Ultra (80 PCU); Drift Engine none; Systems budget short-range sensors, mk 1 mononode computer, mk 3 armor, mk 3 defenses; Expansion Bays none
Modifiers +1 any one check per round, Piloting +1; Complement 1
"Let us focus fire on one of those flying coffins. "
Says Velloro as he turns on one of the guns and takes aim at the top most 'ship'.
Iseph checks the small ships out and then diverts power from some non essential systems to the weapons.
"Hit them hard! Let's see if we can knock one out quickly!"
Obozaya, enters a firing solution for the light particle cannon into the ship's battle computer and then slams her fist down on the fire button.