Suddenly, a squad of blue and gold starships emerges from the Drift, clustered like an honour guard around an impressive battleship. The massive ship glides into the fray and immediately disintegrates a group of nearby drones as it fires its powerful laser with surgical precision. “This is Stewards Overwatch battleship Steadfast responding to your call for assistance.”
A burst of light accompanies the destruction of the first drone. The rush of victory is short lived, as two more of the furious machines immediately engage. The First Seeker’s abruptly speaks through the ship’s comm unit, “Don’t lose hope, Starfinders. Your friends have messages for you. I’m patching the first transmission through now.”
The upbeat voice of Zo! blares through the speaker. “Greetings, future mega-celebrities! My studio just released the uncut edition of your episode of Pact World Warriors. I’ve got enough fan mail here for you to create another Liavarian moon.” Zo! clears his throat and begins reading from the fan submissions.
“I heard you saved AbadarCorp execs on Castrovel from dangerous wildlife. Did you prepare a meal afterward just like in the Combat Cooking Extravaganza? You and Zo! should open a restaurant and call it Live Ingestion Extreme!”
“I looooooooved your season, oh em gees! Starfinder merch when? Just take my credits already!”
“It’s me, your biggest fan in the Veskarium. Here’s some pics of my pet squox’s litter. I hope it’s okay that I named them after you.”
“I’m only six, but I want to be a Starfinder when I grow up. How do I join?”
Zo! stops reading and remarks, “They’re all cheering for you. Oh, and if you take footage of your ongoing battle, I’d be happy to use that as promotional material for the release. Call me!”
The crackle of static signals another incoming transmission. “Hello! Can you hear me?” asks a timid voice. “I’m Riika. You probably don’t remember me, but I’m one of the kiriintas you helped on Stabrisis-14. You inspired me to visit the Pact Worlds. I love it here. I even got a job as a researcher for an expedition studying the flora of the Liavaran moons. I came to Absalom Station on my vacation to personally thank you for expanding my horizons. I want you to know that even though I heard some nasty rumors about the Starfinder Society, I don’t believe any of them.”
MISSION: STRIKING BACK - WAVE TWO - Round One - Gunnery Phase Cont'd!
THE shot from THE Umbral Dawn burns away part of the shields of one of the drones .
The drones concentrate their firepower on the Starfinder ship!
A lucky shot with a nuclear missile deals a devastating blow directly to the hull of the Drake!
[
“Buddies! It’s me, Hemlock, from the Xenowardens on Aballon,” a synthesized voice drawls. “We Xenowardens are totally grateful for your help with cleaning up the Ice Well. The ecosystem is finally back in its groove after you Starfinders shut down that shadow gate. Things are chill back on Aballon, but I heard you’re having problems with some corporate spin doctor. Don’t let her harsh your mellow, and remember, not all of us believe everything we read on the infosphere.”
Officer Swizzers damages the enemy and ship!
Drake current status is updated on Slides.
MISSION: STRIKING BACK- THIRD WAVE - Round One - Engineering Phase Begins!
MISSION: STRIKING BACK - THIRD WAVE - Round One- Helm Phase Begins!
MISSION: STRIKING BACK- THIRD WAVE - Round One - Gunnery Phase Begins!
The confident tones of Firstsight Taksta, the leader of Zeyther-3’s quarantined settlement saved by the Starfinders several months ago, interrupts the radio silence. “I’m eternally thankful for what you and the lovely Dr. Monsylkis did for Glimmershield. Your efforts stopped the spread, and as a result, our gutmelt casualties were few. Even as we mourn our fallen friends, we know how many more of us would have perished without treatment. You risked your own lives to help us when the corporations refused. We might just be a backwater mining outpost, but Zeyther-3 is on your side no matter what.”
A final transmission echoes through the bridge of the battlescarred starship. This time, a low voice punctuated by insectile clicks addresses the Starfinders. “This is emissary Jontane of the formians on Castrovel. Your actions at the Meeting of Queens left a lasting impression on my colony. I rarely leave the collective, but I decided to make the trip to Absalom Station to observe one of your traditions—the elevation of your newest First Seeker. I had hoped to reunite with you there, but I was informed you’re away on an important mission. Please remain efficient and safe until we meet again.”
Bright explosions bloom as drones disintegrate into scrap metal. But for each enemy craft that falls, two more take its place. The dozens of remaining craft dart and buzz through the fray like a nest of angry hornets kicked by a foolish intruder. Suddenly, Steadfast releases an electrical pulse, and all surrounding drones simultaneously power down. The defensive barrier disappears, offering a direct path to the orbital complex’s docking bay.
A massive specialized EMP generated by the Stewards’ vessel Steadfast disrupts the remaining drones allowing you to enter Datch’s orbital hideout.
“Excellent work, Starfinders!” Luwazi Elsebo’s voice echoes through the comm units on each Starfinder ship simultaneously. “The Steadfast and the other Stewards will fall back and keep any remaining drones busy. Starfinders, you are authorized to use whatever means you deem necessary to neutralize the threat Datch presents to the Society and the Pact Worlds. Please act with consideration and be careful.”
Inside the landing dock, an elevator’s doors stand open in invitation. Pleasant music plays as the lift travels down into the bowels of the complex. The doors part and reveal the interior of the orbital complex, an upscale but otherwise mundane office building. A wide, well-lit hallway bisects this floor, and all doors stand open to allow easy passage.
An office comes into view at the end of the hall. Datch sits atop a desk and smiles. She tilts the shiny red apple she’s holding and speaks. “Welcome, and well played. I’d say I’m pleased to see you, and while I respect you, I most certainly am not pleased.” She sighs and takes a bite of her apple. “Your Society single-handedly ruined my plans. I worked so hard. You really have no idea. Ah well, such is the nature of the game. So, what’s your next move?”
Datch levels a piercing gaze at the intruders, but the polite smile never leaves her lips.
"Officer Swizzers, always so formal." Datch says. "No need to stand on protocols. Not after all we've both been through. Shared places. Shared experiences. It has been quite the ride."
Datch rises from the semicircular desk centered in the room, an ordinary office decorated sparsely in a modern style. The desk is positioned in front of a large screen faces the double doors to the west.
Map of office and complex now on Slides.
A worn brass statue of a rat perched on its hind legs adorns the northwestern corner. Offerings of fruit, crackers, and cakes are heaped at the base of the statue, and its outstretched paw seems to beckon for more.
"So, are you all here to arrest me?" Datch asks of the party.
|
"Dead or alive you are coming with us. THE Umbral Dawn would prefer it of you resist, because it will be easier to bring in your corpse than have to watch a prisoner, but you will not have a single hair harmed if you chose to surrender."
The lashunta flicks his wrist and the ribbon he is holding bursts in plasmic flames.
Datch, unarmed, smiles and holds out her wrists and allows them to be manacled.
Map of room is on Slides.
"It appears that I am trapped." she says smugly.
Suddenly, a cold, computerized voice booms overhead, “Initiating lockdown protocol. Self-destruct in sixty minutes.”
Datch continues to smirk. "But, at least, I am not the only one."
You find that it is locked tight!
"No charades," Datch assures Officer Swizzers.
The office lies the heart of the complex. A wide central corridor traverses the area, connecting Datch’s office to the lobby. The floors and walls are standard starship interiors, and the doors are made of airlock-grade polycarbon plate. The compound is well-lit and has 15-foot ceilings.
With the lockdown protocol initiated, the door is not only locked, but surrounded by a forcefield preventing the locks from being tampered or the doors from being damaged.
THE Umbral Dawn makes no progress. Estrel-4 concludes the the doors most likely can be unlocked only by accessing control panels hidden within the complex.
Carson of Downton and Kitane each notice a pair of concealed doors leading out of the office to the hallways to the northeast and northwest.
Locations of secret doors now marked in green on map.
A scan of the office's contents show it is sparsely decorated. A semicircular desk positioned in front of a large screen faces the double doors to the west.
Atop the desk, a worn brass statue of a rat perched on its hind legs adorns the northwestern corner. Offerings of fruit, crackers, and cakes are heaped at the base of the statue, and its outstretched paw seems to beckon for more.
"What are you going to do now, Starfinders?" Datch asks.
The sharp voice of Venture-Captain Naiaj erupts from all functional comm units. “Great job, team! You bypassed the first obstacle between you and freedom. Now, keep moving if you want to escape in one piece!”
Carson of Downton and Kitane each notice a pair of concealed doors leading out of the office to the hallways to the
northeastand northwest.
The once hidden doors stand to the northwest and southwest.
When Officer Swizzers makes the offering of food to the statue, its paw opens to reveal a tiny console. Estrel-5 has little difficulty activating the console to release the locks. The doors stand open.
|
|
THE Umbral Dawn stops smashing his shoulder against the door when he hears the other doors open. "Our will opens the way for us!" He grabs Datch by the shoulder roughly. "Do not think your deception will be forgotten! Your actions are only making your final punishment more severe!"
The lashunta heads to the southern door. "THE Umbral Dawn will lead the way out of this den of trickery!"
Following THE Umbral Dawn, the party ventures through the hallway, passing a white-hued door to the south. Officer Swizzers has Datch in tow.
Feeling cold emanating from the area and hearing the faint hiss of air escaping into vacuum, Carson of Downton and Officer Swizzers each determine that the white-hued door is actually a false door that opens directly into space!
A red-tinted door lies to the north. Forcefields bar the corridors ahead.
Partial concrete walls divide this large office into several cubicle workstations. A statue in the southwest corner is the room’s most prominent feature: a brass rat holding a curved dagger in its teeth. The statue is speckled with dried blood.
Location of statute now marked on Slides in blue circle.
OFFICE WITH THEIR HEADS! - Round One Begins!
Kitane
?
Carson of Downton
Estrel-4
?
Roméo
THE Umbral Dawn
Officer Swizzers
The android goes into analytical mode.
The door stands open revealing partial concrete walls dividing a large office into several cubicle workstations. A statue in the southwest corner is the room’s most prominent feature: a brass rat holding a curved dagger in its teeth. The statue is speckled with dried blood.
Location of statute now marked on Slides in blue circle.
OFFICE WITH THEIR HEADS! - Round One Cont'd!
Kitane
?
Carson of Downton
Estrel-4
?
Roméo
THE Umbral Dawn
Officer Swizzers
Forcefields bar the corridor ahead.
The avenues currently open for travel are the red-tinted door that stands open revealing partial concrete walls dividing a large office into several cubicle workstations, where a statue of a brass rat holding a curved dagger in its teeth stands in the southwest corner, the secret door from which you left Datch's office, and the white-hued door that leads to space.
OFFICE WITH THEIR HEADS! - Round One Cont'd!
Kitane
?
Carson of Downton
Estrel-4
?
Roméo
THE Umbral Dawn
Officer Swizzers