Pixel Velloro goes down! Hope leans into Guidance, hugging her tight like a child clinging to an older sibling. After a few seconds, he opens his eyes and looks at you. “It's done! The reset command has been uploaded into Guidance's core program. The shutdown will take a minute and the corruption will send more malicious code to try to stop the reset. I'll stay behind to fight off further incursions, but you can't be here when Guidance resets! You must leave! Hurry, out the ventilation system. There's a back door out of the simulation past the machinery. Tell the Society what you've learned! And... offer my apologies to Celita! Tell her that she deserved better!”
As if on cue, a fractured hound appears and Hope-01 dispatches it easily with a glowing version of one of Nuva'gek's assault weapon. Behind him, other digital enemies are forming. “Run, my friends!”
A path of light with arrows at your feet in the color of Hope's eyes appears at your feet. "Run!"
The arrows lead you to a vent cover that Hope points a finger at. The door explodes outward, giving you access to an exhaust tunnel. On each end of the tunnel, the fans and other devices that normally circulate the air have degraded in the virtual space due to the corruption. An unidentifiable mass of digital refuse blocks the east end while fans, blowers, and chompers more akin to vidgame obstacle courses rather than ventilation space fill up the west end. As you stare at this imposing barrier, another Digital dog forms between you and the exit, snarling.
Meanwhile you hear Hope begin a countdown. "TEN!"
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
Nuva'gek
Pipel Pup Two: the Plagiarized Sequel
Grognard
Naitier
Triage
Gold Gus
Jekcedo
Click. Whirr.
Nuva closes the distance and hits with his assault hammer.
Nuva hits the snarling dog! The dog bites back!
The dog fails to trip but deals Nuva a terrible blow. The vesk is barely standing.
Hope calls out, "NINE!"
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
Nuva'gek (-18)
Pipel Pup Two: the Plagiarized Sequel (-4)
Grognard
Naitier
Triage
Gold Gus
Jekcedo
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before leaving Hope-01 I hope we meet again Hope-01
In the exhaust tunnel seeing Nuva'gek take a serious hit moves up behind Nuva'gek and draws a Serum of Healing, Mk 1
School abjuration (force)
Casting Time 1 standard action
Range personal
Duration 10 minutes/level or until dismissed (D); see text
You create a shimmering skin-like coating of mystical force
that covers your body, allowing you to reflect damage you
take back against your attacker. At any time during this
spell’s duration, when you take Hit Point damage from an
attack made with a weapon by a foe within 100 feet, you can
choose to dismiss the spell as a reaction. If you do, the armor
crackles with energy as it disappears, arcing through the air to
strike the attacking creature, which takes an amount of force
damage equal to the damage dealt to you at the time this spell
was dismissed (maximum 10). The target can attempt a Reflex
save for half damage.
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"Gah! Another dog?! I think Historia had a fixation!" Gus berates, irritated at yet another obstruction. Carefully he'll crouch down again to gain a better sight picture from behind Donkey. With laser pistol in hand, he fans the sparkplug at the back as though it were an old six-shooter.
"Get along, lil doggie!"
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"Whatever remnents of ye arr left behin', ah'm sure Celita will archive. In time mebbe we'll meet again..."
Grognard gives her a sharp salute, hops onto Donkey and takes off at full trot without bothering to use his turn signals. He dismounts as Donkey has to squeeze through the offices, then curses as he sees the dog. "Lassie? Shove..."
Donkey rushes forward and tries to tear off pieces of the pixel dog to hurl into the pixel fan.
Nuva'gek staggers a bit before he forces the pixelated pike away with a shove and follows up by putting all of that momentum behind some powerful attacks!
Jek heals Nuva'gek with a serum. Gus shoots Pixel Pup twice. Donkey rips off a bit of Pixel Pup and tosses it into the fan. Triage slides next to the machinery. Naitier's bull rush attempt misses, but Nuva manages to get a very lethal hit in and take the pup out.
Hope calls "Eight!"
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
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Jekcedo gets their tool kit out and starts looking for any safety controls to shut down the machinery for maintenance. "There has to be a way to turn these off someplace."
Next Jek looks for any belts that might stop the machinery from spinning if adjusted out of place.
If nothing else is working Jek looks for any gears that might jam up if you stick a wrench in them. spends resolve point for Communalism on the last role (best of 2 roles) "Running out of time, if you can't adjust it break it. How's that for a bug in the system!"
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"Still no rest." Naitier does their best to help clear a path through the remaining corrupted simulations of fans.
Naitier tries to find an open space among the wall panels and begins working through the wall panels in search for power or controls.
Calling out against the whirring machinery, Naitier worriedly says, "my magic is all worn away. I have no more power to break through these fans or restore the damage they might deal!"
Just as Hope counts down to Five, Naitier, Jek, Triage and Gus clear the path of the digital obstacle course blocking your exit, and you all dive through.,
The sounds of battle abruptly cease as you awaken, safe and secure in the virtual training room in the Lorespire Complex. A few seconds later, Guidance appears in her favorite feminine lashunta persona, looking temporarily dizzy and stunned. Slowly, her resolution improves and then she looks to all of you. "Can you please... tell me what just happened? I think I may have blacked out for a few minutes. This must be what a headache feels like."
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As he awakens, Gus shoots up and inhales loudly, relieved to be back in realspace. "Oouugh~! That was bizarre. Remind me to never jump into a computer again." he proclaimed.
As Guidance comes to, he adds, "What Jekcedo said. After you booted up that simulation, something got corrupted and threw us into some other program that gave us hell. We found a..." he trailed off, trying to find the proper word with great confusion. "Guy? App? We found someone who said he knew his way around, and he helped us figure out what was corrupted."
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Recalling that Guidance is fluent in Dwarven, among languages, he opts to give his debrief in his native tongue for clarity.
"Historia-Prime seems to have been poking around in your innards. Also seems to have a bone to pick with Celita. We encountered a program... the Hope-01 Jek mentioned. Is that a name you ken? Seemed to be... the anti-Historia-prime. I think they may have sacrificed themselves to stop the corrupted code from taking hold in your techno-brain thing."
He looks at his compatriots and then points at Gus. "Ann if ye wanna ken all ay tha, ask 'im tae translate."
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Naitier takes a moment to make certain all their polyps are accounted for before adding to what the rest of the party's comments, "what they say is all true. Historia seems to have been trying to corrupt your systems. It was only through the aid of Hope-01, a fragment of Historia-Prime, that we were able to stall the process and even escape ourselves. The last we saw Hope-01 was as they held the remnants of the hostile code off as we exited the system."
Guidance pauses a long time as you ask her questions about Hope-01. "I cannot answer some of your questions," she says finally. "However, my data assessment shows that you were right: Historia-Prime's digital fingerprints touched every piece of corrupted code -- both in the attack on me, and from the data scourge as a whole. Clearly more analysis is required."
She pauses. "But I owe you all my deepest gratitude for fixing me. If you had not... I would not still be here. Thank you Starfinders. You have my deepest gratitude."
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All three of Djakar's eyes widened with excitement as she smoothed out an imaginary wrinkle in her armor. She glances at her cameraman and general assistant, Research Rat, who nods and starts a countdown with his fingers. Three, two, one...
"Hello Pactworlds! I'm Djakar from the Dirindi News Network and I'm here to do an in-depth study of the Starfinder Society. We've all heard the rumors coming out of the last three turbulent years of the Society. Who can forget the conflict with Datch? This has been followed by recent revelations that the Data Scourge and the subsequent attack on Absalom Station were started by a disgruntled ex-Starfinder, Historia-Prime. And now rumors swirl about the current Drift Crisis, and whether the Starfinders could have caused it too..."
Djakar pauses, letting the moment stretch out before saying, "But the Dirindi News Network is not content with publicizing stale rumors. It's time for us to investigate more deeply, and find the truth. And I'm not talking about a short, ten-minute segment in between weather reports and cooking shows. No! I, Djakar, have decided to do an ongoing series on life as Starfinder, while embedded within the Starfinder Society itself!"
She extends her palm forward, showing off her subdermal Starfinder society graft. The wayfinder design lights up in her palm. "I've done the training. I've made the commitment. Now it's time to see just what the Starfinder Society really has to offer!" She points at an approaching group. "Hey, there's some more Starfinders coming in now!"
She holds out her microphone and smiles sweetly. "YOU. Can you tell me and the loyal viewers of the Dirindi News Network about why you became a Starfinder?"
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Jek looks back and forth at the microphone rocking side to side in an awkward motion, "Is that on? Oh OK, so just start talking, got it… Hello, my name is Jekcedo, Jek looks over to Djakar, "Should I wave, is that a camera too?" not sure what to do Jek waves at the mic. "I was training at the Gekken battle medic school on Verces to be a battle medic. During spring break I met a Starfinder cadet at a Bug Space concert at the Song Bird station." Points to Triage. "That got me thinking that becoming a Starfinder might lead to more choices than being a medic for a mercenary group. So after graduation, I signed up to be a Starfinder. I do have to say it isn't any safer being a Starfinder medic than a battlefield medic, but the options are good. Ok, that's it stop, or do I have to say Cut? OK, that’s all." Jek steps back looking a bit lost. Was that OK?
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Grognard looks at the reporter and rolls his eyes. He mumbles something to Donkey then stomps over.
"New starfinder eh? Ye want tae ken whit th' Starfinder Society pure has tae offer? Weel someain in their in their infinite soddin' wisdom decided we shoods dae trainin' mission in a computer program while everythin' was glitchin' it. A wonderful idea! An' surprise tae absolutely soddin' nobody, things went tae heel in a handbaskit! Weel haur we ur, an' Ah STILL AINT GOTTEN PAID! Sae whit dae they hae tae offer? Idiotic ideas an' a payroll slower than tugboat in a desert!"
Donkey nuzzles him and he sheepishly turns on his translator. He begins to simmer down and sighs. He begins to speak, his translator speaking in unison making his accent at least a modicum more understandable. "Weel Ahm here coz they busted me out of the past an into tae future today. Was stuck in a bubble livin' my days in the pre-gap time. Now here ah am continuin' the Quest fer Sky. The groond still rumbles, so up ah go"
His com pings and he quickly opens it up. "Ah! There's mah creds! Donkey, we're eatin' good tonight!"
"Naw, I'm the one that says 'Cut!' says a short ysoki piloting a camera drone. He gestures to Jek. "You smile and act natural, or whatever it was that you were doing there. I edit and make you look good."
"Sheesh... Newbs."
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Djakar's eyes twitch as she listens to Grognard, unable to understand a single word he says. Then she turns back to the camera and smiles. "Have we mentioned that the Starfinder Society is diverse? Recent statistics suggest that members hail from dozens of different home worlds, many speaking a language other than common for their mother tongue. Once we find a translator for this new recruit, we'll be sure to interview him again!"
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"Translator? Ahm speakin' soddin' common, nay Aklo! Ye wanna talk diversity? We ain't just from different home worlds... nay. We from different time-lines to! You said ye took the trainin and got yer fancy light?"
Grognard flashes his own Starfinder insignia.
"How 'bout you tell your story? I'd bet good creds if ah pick three Starfinders outta a pub ann asked them how they got their lights half'll give th same story! Ann none of em were on the mission together! Why? time-lines! Ya ken?"
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A grey-shelled Ijtikri in concert shirt for something called Magical Ribbon is getting tea from the stand across from the Lorespire Complex as Djakar begins waylaying people to interview. They watch and try to time their entry so that the reporter is in the middle of an interview as they go into the complex.
Unfortunately there just are not that many Ijkitri on Absalom station and the crew cuts a different interview short and rush over to talk to them.
Blinking their eyes, they stall by asking “What stream did you say you were with?”
Lifting themselves up a little higher with their tentacles, they swivel their body a little so they can see both the reporter and the camera-rat.
“Yes, I am a Starfinder. Been away for a while, just reporting back in. Joined during their big recruiting drive. Given one of their leaders is from the Veskarium, that shouldn’t be a surprise.”
“I figured joining them would be a great opportunity to explore oceans on other worlds.”
Once more you come together outside Lorespire Complex, some of you with months of experience as well as more recent individuals that have joined the Starfinder Society. Your attendance was requested for a briefing from the First Seeker.
Progress still continues forward as mechanics and members of the Dataphiles move about Lorespire complex reviewing, repairing, and replacing any any all equipment in the complex. You see a few places where wired camera installations are still missing and only a portion of the informative screens are operational.
Some of the hallways are more crowded with maintenance teams, but it is still a quick journey to the First Seeker's office. The wood paneled room is clean and comfortable, with warm hues across the paneling and décor. At the center of the room are a set of comfortable leather chairs and a wooded desk before them. Sitting at the desk is First Seeker Ehu Hadif and he is speaking with a technician who is in the process of reconnecting the First Seeker's vidscreen when you enter.
Quickly noticing you, First Seeker Ehu Hadif nods respectfully in greeting to you and gestures toward the leather chairs. "Greetings. Thank you for your time today, Starfinders. Give me just a moment—this computer is almost restored from a pre-Scourge backup." As soon as he says that the technician gives wave to the First Seeker to indicate the work is complete. Edu enters a few final keystrokes before bidding the technician
farewell and settling back in his chair. The technician packs their gear quickly and gives you each a nod as they move out of the room.
Ehu gives you each time to settle yourselves and get comfortable before he continues, "I apologize for the delay. We’re still working on restoring the complex to full technological operations. Now that the Data Scourge has been resolved—thanks to the efforts of Starfinders such as yourselves—we're able to re-install the equipment we locked away. The thorough inspections take a good deal of time and effort, but I think you’ll agree they’re worth it."
He gives a glance toward the vidscreen before returning his full attention to you. He takes a moment to ponder for a moment before asking, "Before I begin today’s briefing, I have a question for you. Is there anything I can help you with? Any issues that have been troubling you lately or anything that you believe the Society needs to take a closer look at?" He settles himself and devotes his full attention toward the group.
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Raising a tentacle, the Ijtikri says “Would it be possible to have the cafeteria review their menu? I know that I would like a greater variety of seafood options — kelp smoothies or maybe a few plankton power drinks.”
“I’m also looking forward to trying some of the other aquatic races traditional dishes, but haven’t found a good way to highlight such offerings. I suspect that may be my lack of computer skills.”
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Triage had been notably absent from the Lorespire until the most recent summons. The scourge had unfortunately erased most of his work, and he has been busy working through his notes to recreate what had been lost. Upon reaching the office, he lets out a worn, but tired smile from behind his mask. "It is wonderful to see you all again. I hope the stars have shown upon you in this tremulous time."
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After Triage finishes speaking Jek raises a hand, and stands up when it's their turn to talk. "I know some think Hope-01 sacrificed themself to save Guidance and our team. Hope-01 as was... is a good program, Hope-01's story reminded me of the Shirren getting free of the swarm, so I just can't give up on hope. If there's even a tiny option that Hope-01 survived I'd like to help in any way I can to
Find,
locate,
help,
aid,
salvage,,
rescue,
restore,
reconstruct,
regenerate,
reproduce,
recreate,
recover,
reclaim,
reboot,
replicate,
reassemble,
recode,
reprogram,
or retrieve Hope-01
were the Starfinder Society there's got to be options, right?"
Jek sits down.
Focused on Ikmanji Ehu nods with understanding and responds, "that is a fair suggestion. I can see to resolving that by communicating that to the cafeteria team as well as communicating with the media team to be better able to share your dishes with other Starfinders. If you are available and willing, they may wish to contact you about options for you to share to help with training on the more obtuse portions of the Starfinder Infosphere."
Ehu takes more serious look toward Jek regarding Hope-01. "I will forward your request toward the Dataphiles. I believe there is some work in attempting to investigate what can be done, but there is caution dealing with Guidance's core code. There are skilled data analysts investigating, I will let them know that you are volunteering to aid their efforts. They should coordinate with you if they have a way for you to aid."
Ehu gives another nod of understanding as he looks about your group. "I appreciate your candor, agents."
He then settle forward, leaning forward and clasps his lower set of arms on the desk. "While the threat of the Data Scourge is over, I must confess that all is not well within these walls. I'm not sure how much you keep up with current events, but public opinion of us is dire, to say the least, and many of our own agents have responded to recent events with concern, fear, even outrage."
For the briefest moment, a trace of concern flashes across the normally stoic face of the First Seeker. He hesitates for a moment longer as he considers his words before saying, "Historia-Prime has wronged the Pact Worlds, this station, and the Starfinder Society. With Prime destroyed, many direct their anger and grief at us. My goal is to ensure that we emerge from this crisis stronger than before. I've always believed in listening to all agents and providing an open door to any who wish to raise concerns, though I admit I’ve been rather occupied as of late. As such, I’d like to ask you to act as my agents today."
The First Seeker gestures toward his screen, but looks away from it once he finds that is still running through a gauntlet of progress bars as the system boots. He continues speaking directly to the group. "In recent months, I've been made aware of three factions growing in popularity within the Society. I'd like your group to visit the leaders of these factions to speak with them, figure out where their interests lay, and see if you can aid them in feeling welcomed within the Society. My hope remains that inter-faction outreach can help spread understanding between factions and remind our agents that we’re all in this together. When you're done, report back to me with information on how best to aid these factions and what their goals are. As soon as my computer finishes updating, I'll send you the data I have on these factions. While we wait, do you have any questions for me?"
"Actually, I'd like to express another concern," the rat piloting the camera drone looks at Ehu Hadif. "What about us hirelings? We go on all the same missions as the agents, but do we get respect? Or even benefits? Heck, most people forget we're there unless they need us for somethin'!"
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Jek stands up and gives a nod to the Research Rat, "I think you have a good point, Starfinder missions are not always the safest places to be, and we all have to have each other's backs, perhaps a proper introduction would help, is Research Rat your name or tile? What are your favorite options? and I'm curious just how many books can you stack on your head and still walk around?"
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Then Djakar raises her hand. "A chance to speak with the various factions of the Starfinder Society? Of course I'll take this mission. But I also have a question, First Seeker. First, after this mission can you grant me an interview? The viewers of the Dirindi News Network would love to know more about you! Second, what is the Starfinder Society doing to prevent future problems from high-ranking officers like Historia-Prime? What are you doing to fight corruption in your leadership?"
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Ehu nods in response to Grognard's incredulous laughter, "I am serious, issues are bound to result if I look for only one perspective on this or any matter. I want your distinct outlook rather than discount it outright. Part of the discord within the Society as of late has been, in part, as result of agents feeling that their concerns and opinions are not being heard. Your outlook is as important as any other."
Hearing Triage's question the First Seeker looks toward the terminal to see it caught at the end of the loading screen before turning back to answer, "Zigvigix is leading the Advocates, they formerly led the Exo-Guardians before their captivity and recent recovery. Royo leads the Cognates, and a significant voice within the management of the Starfinder Society. Harmony of Many is the current leader of the Manifold Host, but there are a great number of individuals that have put years of effort behind that group."
The Research Rat's statement draws a bit of surprise before he settles into a understanding, serious nod. He thinks for a moment as he responds, "that is a matter that hasn't seen enough attention. There are some allowances set aside for those like yourself, but there are fewer avenues of organization and communication established for non-agents. I'll see to it that HR gives attention to the issue. I don't want to give the impression that would be an easy matter to organize, but I assure you that we will do our best to make certain your time and effort are given the attention and reward they deserve."
"My time is fairly limited as of late sadly," Ehu runs his sets of hands against one another as he considers his time. "I can certain participate in a short interview, but if you are looking for a longer and in-depth interview might not be viable for sometime."
The other matter is far more grave and Ehu stills himself and focuses as he answers, "as to the issues regarding Historia-Prime and other issues of corruption, I do believe an open dialog and understanding may help cut off the worst. I believe the Starfinders work best when working together and by doing so we can see to it we do not have isolated agents acting against the interest of so many like we have seen as of late."
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As Ehu mentions the Datascourge and their agents' responses to it, Gus shrinks. The memories of sleepless paranoia don't assuage him of shame. He opens his mouth, about to comment in response, but thinks better of it and shakes his head to himself.
He perks up a bit as Grognard laughs about being an envoy, chuckling due to infectious laughter. As Ehu makes his gravity clear, he shuts up. Waiting until all his points are done, Gus will break the silence. "Yeeaah, we're not so good at the pretty talkin'. We're better in a scrap. The most I can do is be honest and pray that's enough." Gus admits, motioning to the newer looking starfinders in the room. "Luckily they look like they got a good head on their shoulders!"
"Uh..." He trails off, deflating as he realizes that metaphor probably doesn't work for the squid looking fellow. [B]"...pardon if this is rude, but do you have shoulders? Or a head?"
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Ikmanji chuckles at the dwarf’s question.
“As it happens, I don’t have shoulders. If you consider the head to be where the brain resides, then that would be my mantle.” They tap their hard shell with their tentacle.
“In any case, time for us to go find these faction leaders and deliver our First Seeker’s regards.”
Seeing the terminal final finish a last set of updates the First Seeker sends a list of data on the factions to your comms.
Please visit the following minor faction leaders and report back to me on their goals.
"We're here for you!"
Leader: Zigvigix (they/them), a host shirren. Formerly head of the Exo-Guardians, recently returned from captivity, recovering well. Currently working out of their old office in the Lorespire Complex until a new space can be prepared.
"Diversity in knowledge, unity in purpose."
Leader: Royo (he/him), an older ysoki. Current member of the Starfinder Society forum, former professor at Zesh University. Interested in scholarly matters; spent much of the Data Scourge providing invaluable assistance regarding physical media.
"We who welcome all."
Leader: Harmony of Many (they/them), a barathu collective. Along with their protocol drone Major Sixth and colleague Charla Ritzpan, has spent the past few years welcoming new species into the Starfinder Society.
With the transmission sent Ehu informs you, "let me know if you have any questions about the information. They are likely not lacking work that needs to be done and by helping them you are certain to learn more about them than otherwise."
Rising from the desk the First Seeker gives you a salute as he says, "I am grateful for your assistance Starfinders, as I am always. This is the first time some of you have encountered one another, I might suggest you introduce yourselves as you discuss which of the factions you wish to speak with first."
Virtually everyone among the group likely has familiarity with the system of factions the Starfinder Society has ingrained into their culture.
You know that members of the Starfinder Society typically choose at least one faction to support. A faction is a group of Starfinders dedicated to a particular goal or ideal. The factions work within the Society to help it align more closely with their values but rarely find themselves in opposition with one another. Minor factions occasionally spring up and either grow into full factions or fade into the background, depending upon the amount of interest they garner.