Liftt cuts his hand and squeezes some blood onto the statue. The paw opens to reveal another tiny console.
"Oh, look, you figured out to use blood on the bloody statue. Good to see the Starfinder Society is sending their best."
|
Aware there is a timer running, Lifft heads down the corridor. He winces slightly as Makai whacks Datch, but says nothing about it. Yet.
I hope that doesn't keep happening..
"Quick, quick. We are running out of time." he says into suit coms as he waits by the blue door for the rest of the team to catch up. Once they are there he is happy to open it.
The door opens to a corridor, which has another unlocked door at the end.
This circular chamber is empty, save for an intricate mosaic on the floor depicts an emaciated rat with red eyes curled in on itself. Sealed metal doors lead outward in all four cardinal directions, with impressive double doors leading east and west, while single doors lead north and south.
None of you find anything unusual in the room.
"It's good to know that I will die because Starfinders are too lazy to find a way out of the building."
“Three down, one to go!” Fitch’s voice exclaims over the static. “That’s the third checkpoint. Keep up the good work!”
As you pass through the room with the mosaic, you hear a number of clicks throughout the facility - including beneath your feet.
"Looks like your friends saved the day," Datch says dryly. "Perhaps not all Starfinders are hopeless."
The door next to Liftt is locked (as is the next one in that hallway).
The purple door remains locked.
Liftt is about to open the northern door, when Keskada yells at him to stop - this one also opens directly to space.
Partial concrete walls divide this large office into several cubicle workstations. A statue in the northwest corner is the room’s most prominent feature: a brass rat crouching defensively over piles of antiquated metal coins, paper currency, and credsticks. The statue extends an empty paw, as if requesting payment.
A robot lies on the floor, deactivated. The paw has been opened to reveal a console, as has happened with the other statues after you made an offering.
The three doors on the southern wall of the corridor west of the mosaic also have no rooms on the other side.
Three doors lead into this cavernous chamber with a towering forty-foot-high ceiling. The vault-like room is lined with black metal filing cabinets that feature heavy duty locks, and the area is dimly lit.
The vault’s single occupant stands at the center of the room, their features initially obscured by shadows. The tall, androgynous elf with inky eyes and bluish-purple hair wears a jet-black armored suit.
"My instructions are to see that neither Datch nor the Starfinders leave this facility alive," they exclaim without preamble.
Round 1 - bolded may go
Arthur
Krzysztofli
Makai
Purple
Liftt
Keskada
"Your escape route is clear.” This time, Radaszam addresses the Starfinders. “Drinks are on me at the elevation ceremony—I expect to see you there.”
*****
Days after their daring escape from Datch’s compound, the Starfinders return to Absalom Station to find the Lorespire Complex grounds completely deserted. Its chambers are silent except for the faint sounds of speech from a nearby hall.
Hundreds of diverse creatures fill the Hall of Discovery. Familiar faces appear among the masses as faction leaders, venture-captains, and friends of the Society gather around an illuminated platform. First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo’s magnified voice rings out over the audience’s excited murmurs. “Thus, it is with both sadness and pride that I step down as First Seeker. But before I can welcome my successor, Guidance has an announcement to make.”
A green holographic image of a human woman materializes beside Luwazi and addresses the room. “Greetings, Starfinders and esteemed allies. I have considered your nomination of Ehu Hadif Ko’ra Amares of Clan Tolar as First Seeker. I agree with your selection and have confirmed his elevation in my records. This is a day for celebration.” Guidance bows its head and dissipates.
The crowd erupts into thunderous applause as a kasatha clad in crimson armour strides onto the stage. He nods respectfully to Luwazi, who steps back to offer him her place at the centre of the platform. Ehu Hadif raises two of his hands and says, “Thank you for the warm welcome. I am honoured to accept the title of First Seeker, and all the responsibility that comes with it. First Seeker Elsebo has been our rock through countless hardships. Few First Seekers in our Society’s history has overseen so many successful struggles. Thanks to her, and the brave Starfinders who worked to outwit our foes, we now enter a time of peace. My goal during this time is to return our organization to its roots of discovery and exploration. My colleagues and friends, I invite you to once again turn your eyes to the distant stars. Together, I believe we can gather and preserve precious knowledge for the good of the universe.”
The Starfinder Society triumphed over Datch’s lies and schemes, and a new era of discovery under First Seeker Ehu Hadif is dawning.
Celita sends an invite to her personal office in the Archives’ Cortex. The leader of the Dataphiles speaks plainly, “After my initial investigations into the one known as Iroiveth, they are still a mystery to me. They were a member of the Society, though we have no records on their actions or their associations. Based on the information provided by other agents, we can tell that they joined the Society well over a century ago. I’ve started further investigations and will keep you updated as I learn more. That is all for now.”