Your comm units chime to indicate an important and confidential message has arrived.
A second chime provides a time/date stamp in the near future.
Hours before the assigned time, the message suddenly unscrambles for any who had not yet deciphered it.
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Jyskos slides in Posh Kettle Tea and takes a seat, ordering a black tea with milk and no sugars.
He looks around awaiting the arrival of his fellow Starfinders.
"I wonder who Hilo Beruta is, never heard that name before." Jyskos thinks to himself, while waiting for the tea and the team.
Jyskos is a Drow, the once looked suspiciously upon race, who are now the weapon's dealers of the Pact Worlds and beyond. He is dressed in Freebooter Armour, with a Sonic Pistol at his hip, with a light Bayonet on it with a Tactical Sword attached, currently sheathed.
He had his hood up as he came in, which he drops to his shoulders, white hair flowing out, a symbol of Besmara comes out of the cloak, which he deftly puts back in and he looks around, watching, and waiting openly for his fellow team members to arrive.
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Bordle, dressed in a smart fitting and conservative business suit, entered the tearoom, ordering a pot fill and some sweet pasteries. This was actually one of her favorite places to have lunch when she was a corporate executive.
She is a Brenneri and settles down to read the latest financial news while daintily sipping at her tea. Only her new insignia marks her as a Starfinder.
As for decoding the message, all she had to do was look into alternate realities to find the translation - a neat trick she usually used to find fraudulant accounting practises.
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A dour-faced bleachling arrives, dressed in blue-scrubs dotted with teddy bears. Save for a few streaks of green, his hair is as pale as his skin. A crescent-shaped smearing of red, makeup frames his gloomy lips forming a shape akin to a smile.
"So, you lot are the assortment of 'fortunate assignees' mentioned in my message of mystery?!" Farsurrwag questions loudly. "Am I to believe, then, that you are Starfinders as well?"
"Frankly," he continues, "I wouldn't trust a member of organization that would admit the likes of within its ranks!"
With this, the bleachling laughs, rather pleased with himself.
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His face hidden behind a hood and most of his body covered by a long coat. A gangly humanoid enters Posh Kettle Tea. His arms and legs jut out from his body like the limbs of a tree. At around 7' tall he is jarring to look at. Quickly he seeks a seat in an out of the way area of the tea house. He motions for a waiter and quietly asks for hot water. As it arrives he begins to cough violently. From the folds of his coat he removes a small bag of an unknown substance. He sprinkles whatever it is into his hot water before he fitfully begins to drink it.
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A tall Ghoran covered in splotches of purple trots in to Posh Kettle Tea. The scent of a tastefully aged wine follows them as they move, and wafts into the noses of each of the nearby Starfinders. The vines coming off their head hang in a particularly disheveled manner, and their clothing looks dirty and covered in grass stains as if the ghoran had been sleeping the park recently.
"Oh, um, hello. My name's Arboreal, though some also called me the 'Blightborn Ghoran'. Don't mind the rot, it's perfectly normal for me. I was living in a forest back on Ghorus Prime and nearly lost my life to some unusual blight that apparently the Starfinders prevented. So I thought I'd give them a visit to thank them and they took me in to study what happened to me and started sending me and told me I could repay them all by helping out on these missions. I'm not really used to urban life yet so I'm glad to have you folk along to help me understand everything!
The Ghoran stares for a while at the tea some of the others seem to be drinking before deciding to shake their head and just sit without making an order. "I still haven't gotten used to tea. Just looking at those leaves scalding in hot water makes me nervous..."
The on-duty manager makes their way through the tables in the crowded tea shop. As she reaches each of the Starfinders she indicates a six-person table in the corner, "We have a table reserved for your group, if you would care to gather there."
When she approaches Arboreal and notes the Ghoran's distress, she adds, "Would some sparkling, clear rainwater be more suitable? Our current stock is from Castrovel."
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"There is a table for us? Then it would seem that I am not the only one who has some reservations pertaining to this whole set up!" laughs Farsurrwag as he follows the manager and takes a seat at that table.
"Hmm, quite the selection they have here. Black teas... green teas...," lists the bleachling with a few chuckles. He suddenly pauses.
"Alas, I should have known," he says, releasing a sigh of lament. "There are no guaran teas."
He gives a sly look over at Arboreal, then adds, "Nor, I hope, any ghoran teas!" The gnome punctuates his sentence with a stream of inane laughter.
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Now now Bordle chides as she moves herself and her consumables to the reserved table. It's not nice to make fun of other species. That's a 'report to HR' sort of offense - at least it is in the corporate world. How would you like it if someone made fun of your lack of colour?
She is also wincing at the puns. Reservations *sighs*
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Arboreal chuckles nervously at Farsurrwag's comment before turning back to the manager. "Sparkling rainwater sounds nice! I've never been to Castrovel but hearing that means I should probably put it on my travel list!"
They pick the glass up from the counter and sidle up next to Bordle. "By the way, I can technically eat just about anything to try the taste but really what I need for energy is sunlight. Or well, I guess a UV light does in a pinch, too. This station is a lot more... covered than back home."
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It's not nice to make fun of other species. That's a 'report to HR' sort of offense - at least it is in the corporate world. How would you like it if someone made fun of your lack of colour?
The bleachling's face turns dour and stern. "Why, I wouldn't like that one bit," he mutters with a gruff, oddly serious tone.
Then, as if a switch had been flipped, the gnome bellows out in a gleeful fit, "Such behavior would simply be "
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"I find your lack of tact aggravating gnome. That being said, those who must rely on an HR department to settle their disputes are equally as pedantic as you."
"What I lack in tact, I make up for in height," the short-statured gnome whispers back. "You're right about HR, though. 'Humorless Responses', am I right? But, then again, what do a bunch of humans know about how to handle relations anyways? They can't even get along amongst themselves, let alone with other sentient species!"
"Say, anyone know who Hilo Beruta is? Are they new?" he looks around, smiling.
"Can't say that I know this, 'Hilo'," notes the gnome. "But, from the name, I suspect they are someone caught between extremes!"
Comm units begin to chime and each member of the team receives transport directives.
After arriving on the Fairweather Foe, the team are directed to the VC’s office.
Venture-Captain Hilo Beruta sits at a desk surrounded by technomagical instruments. Despite all the sophisticated equipment, the most dazzling item in the room is an orrery with lustrous gold circles and orbs depicting an unfamiliar star system. It spins and gyrates in a calming, hypnotic pattern.
“Fascinating, isn’t it?” Hilo murmurs. “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to this soon enough.” He gives it a wistful look, then turns back. “I’d give you a firsthand tour, but duty calls.” He waves his right hand to indicate a sloppy pile of data slates.
“We need inquisitive members of the Society to interact with this orrery, which I call Myrrium. Myrrium can take you to alternate versions of our universe. Any number of details may differ from ours, some small and others quite large. The orrery has a mind of its own, and it’s difficult to determine what the world you step into will be like—but Myrrium makes sure you’re always prepared.” He smiles warmly at the golden artifact.
“Your mission is to explore and experience whichever world Myrrium takes you to, then report back to me with any interesting observations you made about that reality.”
Hilo reaches over to his desk to grab a sleek black case a little larger than his palm. Opening the case, he displays a silver clockwork key. “To activate Myrrium, simply insert the key while each of you touches the orrery, which attunes you to the device. Then depress the arms to get underway. When you’ve gathered enough information, or if you’re in extreme danger, simply touch the key again and visualize this location to return here.”
“I’ll be here when you arrive, but for now... it’s time to see things differently.” Hilo smirks and gestures towards the orrery.
“All you need to do is touch Myrrium and your trip will begin.”
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Being a witchwarper myself sir, I am quite used to peering into alternate universes although my reach usually extends into those that have ..... erm ..... diverted from ours in the near past. I presume Myrrium's reach is much further.
She pauses and stares at Myrrium intently to see if she can perceive it in alternative nearby realities.
So ... where was it found sir?
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"How do you that what you are observing with Myrrium is an alternate universe rather than some illusion?" Farsurrwag inquires, before his tone turns more accusing. "For that matter, how do we know that this isn't just an illusion?"
The bleachling points at the Myrrium and then the entire surrounding starship.
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Arboreal stares at the Myrrium, somewhat dumbstruck. "Um, I don't really understand technology very well. Are you sure traveling through this thing is safe? I know danger is inevitable in this particular profession but I'm not going to end up like torn apart and shredded into a perfect salad, right?
"I'm doing the morbid death and destruction thing again, aren't I? Boy this blight magic really does make me negative sometimes..."
”Whoa, that’s a lot of questions. Let’s see if I can cover them all.
“Yes, Myrrium has provided me some unexpected experiences that seem quite divergent from our reality. During my time studying Myrrium I visited realms I can only describe as alternate realities. I’m no stranger to these kinds of worlds, but in your case, you’ll need to stay vigilant. Myrrium may take you someplace completely foreign, or it could lead you somewhere unsettlingly familiar. The device was found during an exploration of a currently uninhabited planet, perhaps I will have a chance to show you at a later date.
“I will say, illusion does seem to be involved sometimes, though mostly when Myrrium has helped me blend into a new environment. Everything else seemed quite real, unless, as you say, everything is just one big illusion.
“The orrery itself is safe to use, but the locations may not be. I’ve yet to be sent to anyplace overtly hostile to life, however. No black holes or the heart of a volcano, for example. If things become too dangerous, just use the key to return to the Fairweather Foe.
“You’re qualified Starfinders. If we didn’t think you could handle it, you wouldn’t be here. I wish it was me going,” he says earnestly, “but if I did, I’d be neglecting my lodge and those who look to me for leadership. You’re trailblazers, seekers of the unknown—you’re Starfinders, after all! Myrrium could take you anywhere, or nowhere. There are some among our colleagues who believe the orrery has a will of its own, though what purpose it aims to achieve is a mystery. It seems to help those who travel its pathways, however, so I’m inclined to believe it’s intentions are good.
“The more data we collect on Myrrium’s destinations, the closer we get to understanding its true purpose. Also, be alert for any context clues as to your whereabouts; especially if you can place yourselves relative to the Pact Worlds. This won’t be an extended trip, so don’t worry about camping out at the location. A quick look around to observe should be fine. No need to overstay your welcome.”
The damai pauses for breath, looks at the group and smiles. ”Did I cover it all? You have the opportunity for a grand adventure that few will ever experience. Step up now and let’s get this research underway.”
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Arboreal stands wide-eyed for a moment.
"I'll be honest, I don't think I understood most of what you said. But if it's safe and well intentioned then okay. I guess it could be fun, after all I think I was put on this mission since I haven't seen a lot outside of this station and the forests back on Ghorus Prime yet. So it'll be a good test of my nerves, at least."
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"OK, thanks for answering the questions. I just have one more." Jyskos says as he approaches the Myrrium.
"How do we know you're not an Alternate reality version of yourself? Sent back after something happened to our version of you?" Jyskos asks, tapping his forehead with an index finger, "You never can be too sure anymore!"
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"How do we know you're not an Alternate reality version of yourself? Sent back after something happened to our version of you?" Jyskos asks, tapping his forehead with an index finger, "You never can be too sure anymore!"
"Now that is a conundrum that is enough to drive one MAD!" cackles Farsurrwag. "And I should know. I've been driven there so many times that I now have enough mileage points to redeem for a sizeable moon!"
Hilo chuckles as the junior Starfinders work themselves into a mental knot. ”A delightful question and one without answer. Similarly, how will I know it is really you, not an alternate you that returns?”
He makes a slight shooing gesture to encourage them into their places and watches indulgently as they activate the device.
As the orrery begins to spin, lavender light suffuses the area. The rotation accelerates quickly, and with each turn, the light grows brighter. Soon, the world peacefully dissolves into nothingness. It all rushes back in a pulse of soft cyan light. As quickly as the old universe ended, the new universe presents itself. The cyan light falls away, revealing a busy space station marked by utilitarian furnishings and sleek surfaces.
A quick glance reveals the clothing of each has taken on the appearance of unfamiliar uniforms.
You recognize these as military uniforms of a type you’ve never seen in Near Space and identify the military logo on the arms of the uniforms as the symbol of the Stewards’ Overwatch branch combined with vesk military iconography.
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Arboreal ponders this idea for a moment. "Huh... well that's certainly different, I think. So does that mean here we're supposed to be members of the military?"
They quickly search through their gear, checking to see if any of the rest of their gear has changed to support this new possible profession.
Some of the team recall that the Stewards are strictly a Pact Worlds institution that maintains order and peace within those boundaries; the Stewards’ authority doesn’t extend into Near Space solar systems like the Veskarium. They also know the Veskarium was once at war with the Pact Worlds but has been at peace with them ever since the two sides had to band together to defend themselves from the Swarm.
You have the feeling that Myrrium placed the team in uniform to help them fit into this environment. You are unable to tell why, but the sense the orrery wants to help them is strong.
People look at your uniforms and immediately become playful and dismissive: “We’ll take you more seriously once you finish your first combat mission” is the repeated refrain.
You notice a large war poster depicting a powerful vesk with many small scars on her defiant and determined face, shouldering a plasma gun. The text is a patois of Vesk and Common.
The name of the station is Kamak’s Triumph. There are plaques discussing Kamak’s heroism in fighting the Azlanti and keeping them from entering the Veskarium in the year 291 AG.
What’s different: You recall that in 291 AG, a simultaneous invasion of the Pact Worlds and the Veskarium by the Swarm, an all-consuming horde of constantly evolving locust creatures, was a pivotal event that resulted in the treaty between the Pact Worlds and Veskarium. In this universe, this event appears to have never occurred.
The people milling about the station reflect the diversity of the Pact Worlds but with a much higher density of vesk, who are clearly the majority here and seem to hold the most important positions of security and administration. Everyone’s clothing blends the general style of Pact World Stewards’ uniforms with bold accents of Vesk military iconography.
What’s different: You recall that while the Veskarium has an alliance with the Pact Worlds, they don’t share a military or police force.
Most people can’t conceive of the idea of an independent Pact Worlds. Those who are familiar with history don’t have much positive to say about it; they believe they’re much better off with the strength of the Veskarium to protect them from the Azlanti threat.