Magic missile the one who missiled me back
Lyle will continue firing at the one he failed to drop.
rapid shot
7/20 stamina
Upon seeing the spell slam into her teammate, Tori attempts to get line of sight on the mage and take her shot.
Lenesel joins Lyle in keeping the pressure up.
Meat spun in place, attempting to use his shield to hide his backhand as it came around right for the cadet's face.
Entropic Pool: 1/3
When combat begins, you gain 1 Entropy Point at the beginning of your first action.
As long as you have at least 1 Entropy Point in your entropic pool, you gain a +1 enhancement bonus to your Armor Class.
doubled, arc to:
Outside of the brig the cadet "oofs" from the impact of Meat's entropic force. He tries to bring the knife across the Vesk's arm but cannot find an opening in his defenses.
Lyle and Lenesel both deliver flesh Wounds to the cadet in the open. Though neither wound is lethal, the shock and bloodless proves too much for the man. He drops dying to the ground.
The other cadet presses a button on the command console. Two blocky white boxes with glass faces spin around to face the open door. Each strobes brightly for a few seconds, delivering an intense, nearly blinding Lyle and Aleon. The cadet then takes aim and Lyle and fires once. Lyle is caught dead in the chest with the small caliber round.
Tori's projectile impacts the chair the mage is using for cover, but Aleon's spell slams hard into him. The Azlanti spellcaster curses in accented Common and adds, "I will not be slain by a nonsentient, soulless thing!"
He braces himself and snaps off two rapid shots of electricity at Aleon. Despite the cover, one of his shots hits Aleon in the shoulder. A bolt arcs off the android striking Lyle!
Tori takes another shot while the mage spouts bravado...
and growls under her breath as he dodges around behind his chair, chambers another round. "Palladia! We're running out of time here; give that caster something to worry about!"
Len focuses her will upon the mage.
"In your arrogance you leave your mind exposed!" she calls in Azlanti, to make SURE they understand her.
Aleon splits magic missiles, the soldier off to right almost dead gets 2 and the other one slightly hurt gets 1
Lyle will rapidly fire at the target to the north then step back into cover.
rapid shot
Stamina 0/20
Meat was starting to get frustrated. This was taking too long. He didn't need to get held up escaping by one guard, he needed to get out of here quickly. He swung his fist again at the guard.
Entropic Pool: 1/3
When combat begins, you gain 1 Entropy Point at the beginning of your first action.
As long as you have at least 1 Entropy Point in your entropic pool, you gain a +1 enhancement bonus to your Armor Class.
Palladia moves in and slams her shield into the senior cadet who tries to return fire in a panic. One of his shots hits and grazes the woman.
The mage finds his mind clouded by Lenesel's magic and fails to make a move.
In the brig, the cadet finally lands a hit with his knife, slashing at Meat.
Kyle will engage the target to the north with rapid shot.
Tori takes a moment to line up her shot on the distracted mage.
Hearing her rifle ping as empty, she reaches for a fresh clip and slams it home.
Meat snarled as the cadet's blade drew blood. He could feel the entropy building up inside himself. With a deep breath to steel himself, he reversed the flow of energy and expelled it through his strike, letting it rebound into his adversary.
Entropic Pool: 1/3
When combat begins, you gain 1 Entropy Point at the beginning of your first action.
As long as you have at least 1 Entropy Point in your entropic pool, you gain a +1 enhancement bonus to your Armor Class.
Each time you take damage equal to or greater than twice your character level from a single attack or effect (after applying any ability to reduce that damage, such as DR, energy resistance, or the mitigate class feature), you gain 1 EP.
As a move action, you can expend EP to boost the damage of the next entropic strike attack you make before the start of your next turn. You must decide how many EP to expend when you take this move action, and you can’t expend more EP than your level. If the boosted entropic strike hits, you deal +1d4 damage for every EP expended.
Lenesel sends another mental assault to the mage. Every moment they weren't casting a spell was a moment the others could continue firing!
Split missiles between the two really injured ones, more missiles on the more injured one
As bullets and aging fly, the cadet to the north succumbs to multiple wounds. The officer to the south is nailed by Tori, hut put down by Palladia as she leaps across the room.
On the security camera the crew can see the vesk slam hard into the Azlanti Cadet. The cadet goes down and the civilians in the brig cheer.
Lenesel breathes a sigh of relief as the battle seems to end, and makes her way into the room.
The sound of banging pots outside the fortress proceeds angry screeching from the hobgars. The banging gets older and the hobgars noises become faint as they're chased away from town. The security device continues to operate, but is disabled by pressing the same button that activated it.
The computer systems are essentially unlocked, but everything is in Azlanti. Screens flash red warning flag and messages indicating significant damage has been done to the overall structure.
On the monitors the crew sees Aibretta marching forward with a large wrench in her hand, accompanied by Jellik, Quorsica and her sons, and a handful of other colonists.
"Hobgars are gone, any sign of our people?" She shouts from just outside the doors.
Exhaling, Tori lowers her weapon slowly, eyeing the downed Azlanti for signs of resurgence. Satisfied they are in fact out of the fight, she slings her rifle and hurries into the room, scanning the instrument panels for whatever looks like door controls. "Where is there never just a big red button..."
With Lenesel's help translating, Tori is able to gain control of essential security functions including doors and the alarms. The comm system is completely wrecked, as are long range sensors. The signal jammer remains operational and can be easily disabled.
Rather beaten up from the fight, Lyle finds a seat to get a bit of rest.
Lenesel naturally helps Tori with figuring out her way around the Azlanti programs. She's no real help with the actual technical aspect, but she does the best she can. Meanwhile, Cubber pops out of the squox pocket and scampers around.
"Hang on! We're opening things up now!" she calls to the other rebels.
Cubber approaches the brig door, smelling strangers behind it and starts yapping to get the others' attention.
Aleon will get a 10 minute rest if possible to regain Stanima.
After a bit of tinkering, Tori manages to extract the signal jammer, shutting it down and stashing it. She glances over at the unmoving mage. "You don't mind, right? Good." She ensures the alarms are off and security functions are disabled to allow free movement. If she's able to find the controls for the brig, she opens those too.
Hopping out of the control chair, she makes for the door, then stops to scan her comrades a moment. "You lot take a breather; the neighbors and I can probably finish up here." She then heads for the front door to meet up with Aibretta and the colonists.
Before Meat can attempt to open the door it buzzes and flashes green. Kesi nods and the colonists exit the brig. They pass through the control center in a hurry, eager to return to their loved ones. A middle aged lashuntaan approaches the command center and simply says, "Thank you, whoever you are. I believe we were moments away from execution."
Cubber rushes up to the lashunta man, eyes bright and tail wiggling.
"Happy to help. We're friends of Cedona's. My name's Lenesel Jyehor Vaimateo of Great House Rohaine, at your service," Lenesel replies with a bow. "Cubber seems to like you!"
The administrator bends down to scratch Cubber behind the ears, "I am Madelon Kesi, of AbadarCorp, Administrator of the colony. Cedona? Have you seen her? Lieutenant Sharu took her a few days ago." He looks around the command center and at the cameras. "She's not here. That means there is still a detachment of Azlanti on the planet, including the Lieutenant! They may have Cedona, and even if they don't, they're going to be trouble. We need to find them! Please, we will assist you, pay you, even! Track the remaining Azlanti down and...make sure they no longer pose a threat."
He pauses a moment and stands, "Um, why are you here? Are you the supy ship? Just our luck you were capable enough in a fight to take on the Azlanti!"
Lenesel nods.
"Yes, we're the supply ship's crew. I used to petsit Cubber for her back when we were neighbors on Absalom Station. I personally signed on as part of my Tempering because I knew Cedona'd moved here and wanted to visit her, so it was more than just a job for me and Cubber. I can only speak for myself, but I will see this through to the end and help make sure the Azlanti are driven from here. And I imagine my friends aren't the type to leave jobs half-done..." she says, giving the rest of the crew an "Am I right or am I right?" kind of look.
Tori rolls her eyes and steps up beside Lenesel. "We're actually here to pick Cedona up...and unless she's tucked into a hidden panel in the walls here, then..." She looks at Len a moment, then sighs, "Then yeah, the job's not done. We should comb this place over, take what's useful to everyone, learn what we can and see if we get a lead on this lieutenant."
The last room left unexamined is a tidy office has a wide desk made of pearlescent material that’s polished to a reflective sheen. A computer sits upon the desk, but it is otherwise bare. A curtained alcove stands in the northwest.
The computer is still logged on as apparently the last user was in the middle of working on a report when the crew attacked. Skimming the information provides some key facts.
Meat felt the energy in him waver as he let the shield dissipate. He reached down and grabbed the cadet's knife, sliding it into his belt before he pulled the cadet up and slung him over his shoulder. He looked back at Madelon. "Well, time to go."
Carrying the unconscious cadet, and the cadet's rifle with his tail, Meat Shield headed for the door, silently hoping that the Administrator would be right.
"I guess we know where we're going. We head for the crash site. "
Tori's eyes light up at the data regarding the ship. "FTL? Without the Drift? That's definitely pre-Gap technology. If azlant learned how to go FTL without the drift they could--" She immediately grabs downloads of the maps and files, mumbling to herself as she packs up and reloads her rifle.
"Couldn't be simple. Couldn't possibly be that simple. Just had to pick up ONE passenger and drop off some crates. Milk run. Easy. Even get paid twice. Nope, had to throw in ancient technology, xenophobic imperials and a super-special ship to bait me in, didn't they..." she finishes her reload, slamming the last round home for emphasis. "It's like they WANTED to get shot." She rests the butt of her rifle on her hip, biting her lip with a furrowed brow. Do we just grab Cedona and let them have the damn ship? Do we secure the ship and threaten to blow it to pieces if they don't give her up? And if the ship's her whole reason for being here, what if she doesn't want to go without it? Best ending's if we get her AND the ship off-planet but THAT'S not gonna happen...maybe she just wants to keep this rune drive out of their hands. "DAMNIT! Pa's never gonna let me live this down..."
Slinging her rifle over her shoulder, she heads for the door, speaking aloud to the whole group without looking. "We're getting paid extra for this if I have to hold all of Absalom station at gunpoint." As her path coincides with a burly Vesk curling a rifle in his tail and an Azlanti on his shoulder, she lifts an eyebrow. "You know, field rations are generally easier to carry...and don't usually have bones in them."
Meat paused. "Well where do you get your calcium intake from then?" he asked with a grin.
"I guess Madelon was right about the cavalry. Good timing. I was getting bored. And this..." he said, nodding to the body draped over his shoulder "has many uses. Madelon said it might open doors." He shrugged. "Not sure how that works. I'm not sure she's all there to be honest, nice enough lady though" he said as he glanced back over his shoulder.
"It's also ablative armor, makes a nice poncho, a step stool, and can even hold the elevator open when needed. Oh hey, you haven't seen a set of graphite carbon skin armor have you...about my size?"
The last room left unexamined is a tidy office has a wide desk made of pearlescent material that’s polished to a reflective sheen. A computer sits upon the desk, but it is otherwise bare. A curtained alcove stands in the northwest.
The computer is still logged on as apparently the last user was in the middle of working on a report when the crew attacked. Skimming the information provides some key facts.
The logged user, likely the mage in the command center, was Master-at-Arms Olaraja of the Imperial Fleet.
The Azlanti came under orders from a Sardat Zolan Ulivestra aboard the starship Barazad to secure ancient Azlant technology crashed on Nakondis centuries ago.
Barazad was dispatched to chart the entire star system, it is expected to return in a few days.
The Azlanti did not expect to find a Pact Worlds colony here. They recognized the settlement was new enough that the cadets aboard the ship should be sufficient to subdue the world.
The Sardat believes the crashed Azlanti ship is a vessel called Royal Venture a test craft for a type of faster-than-light space travel that did not use the Drift. They called this a Rune Drive.
The Azlanti discovered an android (left unnamed, but clearly Cedona) located the ship. There are no indications that she told anyone about her discovery, but the Azlanti have been systematically interrogating (torturing) the colonists for more information.
Cedona was picked up by a fast-courier ship, transferred to a location named "Gulta" two days ago, just before Lieutenant Sharu left with a small detachment if cadets to examine the crash site.
A map of the crash site is attached to the report.
Lenesel's eyes widen as she reads the data and the realization sinks in: "She's gone...they took Cedona off-world. To some place called "Gulta."
Cubber gives a mournful howl. Lenesel looks over to Tori who's CLEARLY not in a good mood at how this job seems to be getting more and more complicated with each passing hour.
"You'd...be surprised how often something simple can have far-reaching consequences. The Record's full of moments like that...connections...we just happen to be uncovering those connections as we go. That you're willing to keep going...even knowing it's probably going to get a lot worse before it gets better...it shows you're a good person, Tori," she offers.
Then her eyes widen again as Meat comes into view.
"You must be why the Azlanti couldn't bring their full force in here to bear against us. Thank you."
She tacitly decides not to comment on the discussion of eating the person, hoping to every ancestor he and Tori were just making a macabre joke.
The crash site lies about 12 miles northwest of the colony, however due to the thick jungle, it seems farther. As always, the weather is simply misty with a chance of hobgar lightning. The small critters can be heard hooting and chattering all over the jungle.
Close to the site flagged by the Azlanti maps is a small crater containing pieces of green metal and scattered electronics. This must have been the probe that Cedona was chasing when she discovered the ancient Azlanti ship, and the one that brought the world to the Star Empire’s attention. Like the orbital drones, this device seems to have detonated a self-destruct feature upon completing it's mission to avoid technology falling into non-Azlanti hands.
At the crash site itself is a large starship that appears to have crashed many, many years ago in this clearing now resembles an
overgrown hill. Only a few crumpled exhaust ports and a rear stabilizing fin jut from the ground, indicating that the bulk of the vessel must now beunderground. The visible portions of the ship are all heavily weathered and
corroded, except for a hatch between the exhaust portsand the fin. The hatch is currently open, and the inside of the hatch gleams with the shine of polished metal; clearly, the interior of the ship is in better shape than its weathered and overgrown exterior.
Near the open hatch is the prone form of an Aeon Guard Cadet. A pool of blood muddied the ground near her throat.
Dismounting from her ride, Tori readies her rifle, scanning the area as the team pulls up behind her. The bloodied soldier tightens her expression. blood looks fairly recent. "Eyes open, people. We're not alone." She moves to cover the open hatch while the team finds position.
Lenesel is silent for most of the ride, looking sadly at the crashed probe that had seemingly gotten her mentor into this terrible situation. Cubber whimpers a bit too, sensing her mood and worrying himself. Worry turns to concern when they arrive and find one of their enemy already dead.
"Another piece on the board, it seems...but whose hand plays it?" she wonders aloud.
Lyle notices a pretty tree.
Tori steps forward as the other start to get the creeps by the sight of the dead Azlanti and no sign of anything. Before she can get very far, a blue worm, about three and a half feet long and perhaps two feet thick, emerges from the ground with a quiet hiss. Nearly transparent tendrils surround it's wide mouth and it rears back showing dominance.
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Tori sighs, shaking her head at the blustering worm--which is no bigger than her--and shoulders her rifle. "Anyone want a piece of this thing? Feel free to scare it off; I'm tired of wasting ammo on the wildlife."
Cubber approaches the worm and raises his hackles, his tail curling as he yaps at it.