Donovan's 3rd torpedo continues to home in great, blowing away the drone target's starboard shields and leaving it limping about in space.
Amariel recovers their own shields, while the other drones do their own things.
The damaged drone makes a few tight arcs as the move around and turn to engage with you head on!
Round 4
Helm Phase
Raia's fancy flying does allow for a great passing shot to be made against the near-crippled drone as you move!
Meanwhile the untouched one flies around and continues to harry your port arc. The shields are back near full, but the drone suddenly not only launches a missile but also a coilgun's lasers lash out!
for
for
But Desna continues to smile on your Drake as all that means it it has two shots fail to connect.
Round 4
Gunnery Phase (where one of the shots can be your forward arc weapon against the Arc of your choice on Red)
Round 5
Engineering
Helm init
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!”
An unlucky round all around, even if Amariel keeps finding spare power here and there to patch the shielding.
The purple drone flies nimbly and turns to face you again, lashing out with its gun and a missile once more.
for
for
The red dron flies swiftly towards you until its uncomfortably close again. It's weapons seem still wrecked, but as you're manning your own stations a massive power spike flares up just before the damaged drone EXPLODES right next to you in a fiery display of self-destruction!!
Round 5
Gunnery Phase
Round 6
Engineering
Helm init (16 or lower, you'll move first)
The good news is that the other Starfinder starships seem to be a bit luckier than you, and a hole has opened up for the Stewards to reinforce the situation.
Indeed, the Stewards' sudden appearence seems to have done wonders for your morale as Staars shot and Donovan's both eradicate its forward shields and seem to damage its weapons.
Undeterred, the drone races towards you and takes a potshot of its own.
Purple Drone, HP 22/35, Shields F0, P10, S10, A20
Drake, HP 69/85, Shields F20, P11, S0, A20
[i]Round 6
Engineering
Helm
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.”
“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.”
Raia does manages to evade, but the drone's coilgun manages to scour depleted starboard side again nevertheless
Your power core starts fluctuating!
Round 6
Engineering
Gunnery
Round 7
Engineering
Helm init
The drone's focus on its stunt drew its processing power enough that it was unable to evade this round, and so Staar's shot just hits! It slices through the Drone's shielding and blasts into its hull.
...which also leaves a clear opening for Donovan to steer the Drake's final missile right into the drone. The craft buckles, and then explodes!!!
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.
|
Donovan looks at Datch and is clearly a little intimidated but he swallows his emotions.
“Believe me that we’re also not pleased about the mess you created! We will need to negotiate. So what can you offer us that will lead to a beneficial situation for the society? I hope that you know that you caused a lot of damage and this needs to be repaid as well!?“ Donovan says expectantly.
What can I offer? Hmmm. Datch takes a few moments to theatrically chew a bit more. Well *swallow* I guess I have some contacts around the Pact Worlds that owe me some favors. Or a good amount of funding that could be transferred over. After all, I'm one of the leading members in the galaxy's largest corporations.
Datch continues to politely smile at you. Then a frown as she raises a hand up to stroke the fur under her chin. Oh, wait hold on. I don't have any of that anymore because you and your group of space rangers decided to blow all of my positions straight to hell.
The ysoki shrugs and leans back in her chair. You wanted to 'negotiate' you should have done that before. I don't recall ever getting an invite to chat with your little Forum though. Not at the start, or even near the end. But instead you did what you Starfinders always do and fly around blowing up anything in your way - those drones outside weren't exactly cheap either you know - and so now here we are. You have my and get to get 'JUSTICE' she sits up and adopts a mock pompous accent for that last word. your way. And get have not a credit for it to deal with the rubble behind.
Datch sits comfortably again and pulls out a new apple to begin eating. Sorry, lied, can offer something. Want an apple? Got a few left here. Real good.
Staar whispers her thoughts but Amariel and Donovan determine that the Society has given Datch enough chances. A look flashes on Datch's face in the moment before she's taken down - surprise? respect? - but just for a moment before the lashunta and elf put a permanent stop to the rat's schemes.
As Datch drops, you hear a *beep* and a vidscreen on the wall behind her desk immediately blinks into life. A video starts playing of...Datch.
"Well" the recorded Datch says with a smug expression on her face. "So I guess that's how that went. Wasn't actually sure about that. Cant' say I'm thrilled about the outcome either, but hey a girls' gotta have a plan. Now obviously I don't know exactly how you did it - you with your guns and knives and vesk who could have just headbutted me to death - but just becasue I can't know doesn't mean someone else can't. however you did it, a video file's already been sent out to a few little news streams: CNN , EOX NEWs, the Ball Street Journal can't believe the bantrids got a major reporting arm going. Sure you won't mind, with your Society being all open and not secretive and all. Anyway, gotta run. Grandmother to see I guess. Enjoy any apples left, and the other thing."
The video blacks out. Then a loud computerized voice echoes from speakers in the ceiling:
If this would have made either of you change you position, let me know. Worst case we can do a minor retcon...but the lockdown and countdown is occuring either way!
With a countdown balring, you look about the room you're in.
This room is an ordinary office decorated sparsely in a modern style. A semicircular desk positioned in front of a large screen faces the double doors to the west. There is a computer system built directly into the desk, with Datch's body slumped over in the chair behind it. 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. There is a single door allowing entrance or exit from the room - the one you entered through - but it has been sealed shut.
Datch’s pockets contain a credstick, some keys to a shuttle (that don’t work on the door here), and a small unholy symbol of Lao Shu Po.
The desks drawers are also empty of everything other than general paperwork. The computer is powered, but password-locked.
Raia heads over and with practiced speed starts hacking into Datch's computer.
Lot of info here: a diary of sorts about Datch, some 'to-do' lists about her schemes. But I'm not seeing an override for the self-destruct. Or codes or ways to unseal the door!
Thanks Donovan! Here: apply some leverage there… Raia says as she passes the creepy rat statue and joins Donovan by the door.
Ah! No use! This thing’s stuck shut!
Amariel finds the door as solidly shut as the others.
But if there's one thing plumbers know about, it's cracks! Amariel carefully goes around the room and finds two other doors carefully hidden and built into the walls. Unfortunately, while he can get their general shape, there aren't any handles or clear mechanism to interact with or open them.
The plumber's eyes then land on the brass statue of the rat. He notices that there appears to also be some sort of secret compartment in its outstretched paw.
Staar places the unholy symbol onto the statue's paw.
The brass metal moves! The rat's fingers curl around the symbol as a tiny computer console pops out of the statue!
But a moment later, the brass rats jaws open, then shut once more, but tighter - giving the rat statue a more sinister and frowning appearance. As this happens, all four of you suddenly feel strong pangs in your stomachs.
I feel, a bit strange... Raia says as she winces. But Staar: is that a console?
The lashunta is able to manipulate the tiny controls and with a *creak* both secret doors slide upwards to reveal two door-lined hallways curving away to the northwest and southwest.
Donovan moves down one of the revealed hallways. You don’t see any traps, just a door to your left, then later one to your right. At the hall’s end it terminates in two more doors, both of which are heavily locked with no clear panel of mechanism to open.
Staar grabs some quick snacks from the stale and old food before following Donovan as the lashunta opens the door. It slides up to show a large office divided into several cubicle workstations by partial concrete walls. A statue in the northwest corner is the room’s most prominent feature: another brass rat! This one is sculpted crouching defensively over piles of antiquated metal coins, paper currency, and credsticks. The statue extends an empty paw, as if requesting payment.
Of course there is another, mobile element to the room that catches your eyes: a trio of metallic robots that turn to you as the door opens!
<Unauthorized entrants. Eliminate intruders>
Initiative
Donovan
Donovan does manage to bamboozle the bot quite effectively, and his shot scores a glancing blow across its metal plating.
In response, that robot raises a hand and blasts two quick arcs of electricity right back at him!
for
for
The robot in the south-eastern corners advances slightly while firing a single electrical bolt through the doorway at Amariel. Turns out electricity and plumbers don’t mix.
for
Meanwhile the robot farthest into the room moves forwards a bit as well. It’s single red ‘eye’ moves back and forth as it intones <Multiple unauthorized hostiles. Mass suppression protocols engaged.> A much larger burst of electrical energy blasts outward from it and arcs between Donovan, Staar, and Amariel
Initiative
Donovan ?/SP, need Reflex
Raia
Staar ?/32 SP, need Reflex
Amariel 17-/24 SP, need Reflex and Will