He looks down at his exiccate, and back at the slimes.
Okay... it sort of worked once before. Maybe again...
When Ajithu asks, the exsiccate swivels from side to side, then seems to spot the quantum slime. It wiggles its tendrils, but only to reach out to caress Ajithu. It doesn't show much interest in attacking the slime.
|||| INIT ||||
Achlyss (69 dmg) +15ft x2
Arc (111 dmg) +40 ft
Shocca (58 dmg, 2 neg lvls) +30 ft
Ajithu (81 dmg)
White Quantum Slime (178 dmg, flatfooted) +40 ft
Red Quantum Slime (178 dmg, flatfooted) +40 ft
As Achlyss' second thrown disc is about to hit the white slime, the two flicker and vibrate and the white one entirely disappears. The one that remains looks badly weakened by the assault it has endured thus far. Rather than continue to fight, it cautiously bloops away from Arc, and then seems to fold in on itself, plasma tightening and phasing parts of its mass out. It reduces itself to a single glowing dot and then with an audible "POP", it vanishes from your reality!
Combat Over!
It takes another minute, but the cosmic storm it generated fades, revealing the intact antenna once more. Occasional sparks run up its length and an erratic hum emits from its control panel, suggesting that both your earlier tinkering and the appearance of the quantum slime have not treated it well. However, it seems intact and functional enough that you could give disabling it another try.
Shocca blinks a few times, her adrenaline going down as she realizes the threat is gone. "Well done, everyone. That was something I had only read about in journals." She stretches out her shoulders and looks up at the antenna. "Now, back to saving the world." She stays up top to work with Ajithu on the mysterious control panel. "Alright, this time for real. Arc, let me know when you hit enter and we'll throw the switch on our end." She squints. "If we can figure out which one it is..."
Yes... that was something else. Now... where were we?
He ascends from the lower platform again to join Shocca at the antenna.
Arc enters the deactivation code as Ajithu and Shocca work together to manipulate the antenna control panel - Ajithu stabilizing its quantum shifts while Shocca manipulates the circuitry. After a quick series of minor adjustments, Shocca's able to throw the breaker switch and...
A current of rainbow colored light runs backwards down the antenna as the previously unstable energies realign and retract. The air around Ajithu and Shocca grows cold, then hot, then nauseatingly gelatinous, all in the span of a fraction of a second, before the reality warping wave passes and the antenna falls quiet! With slow flickers, lights turn back on inside the Spire. It seems the rest of the computers and technology within have weathered the surge of energy and remained intact.
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Shocca pauses a second, overwhelmed by the beauty and chaos, breathing deeply. She chins the comm and stutters, "Uh... not much, you didn't miss anything... probably.. But we fixed it. It's off." She helps Ajithu back down to the control center and takes stock of the situation.
"Alright. We turned off the antenna and saved the world. Check. We cracked the code of the mysterious other intruders within the tower and found out that they saw fit to leave an ancient video detailing a sivv-killing rebel on the terminal." She pauses. "Why would someone plant a video that appears to have been filmed here to begin with? Could it be a fake?" She shakes her head. "We'll get to that. We also haven't discovered who these other intruders may be." She looks over her shoulder nervously then checks that her rifle is loaded. "Hmmm... and we found out the reality-'ploding antenna was sending out an activation code to somewhere in the outer rim pact worlds -" She gives Arc a thoughtful look. "Maybe Hibb. TBD - and that code might have opened a backdoor to the WorldSeed... which somehow is a more imposing name than the Stellar Degenerator, since the Sivvs are involved."
"Then we've got these blasted codes that keep appearing everywhere. I've got 42 patents to my name and I haven't a groot-filtered-idea what they mean." Her casual arrogance is slightly relieved by the confusion on her face as she pulls up the codes on her HUD and begins to shuffle them back and forth to look for a pattern.
And... we cannot assume that the signal did not reach something or someone before we deactivated it. You're right. I suspect either something was turned on or someone is coming.
Ajithu adds, regrettably.
Is the deactivation all on the computer systems, or does my mystic intuition help here like with the antennae?
Ajithu asks humbly.
He then turns his mind to his exsiccate, wondering how many questions we can get away with.
Hey little guy. How many more of you are there here? How long have you been here?
"Well, I suppose if the other intruders aren't about to jump out at us we can spend some time and work to get these drones shut down." She sits down at the monitor and cracks her knuckles. "Now I need to get into the mainframe, so this may take a minute. And... I might hit some obstacles along the way." She spends a minute typing away at the computer, working through firewall after firewall
You're able to rest and recuperate as Shocca works the systems. During that time, Ajithu attempts to engage the exsiccate in a series of questions, but just like before, the exsiccate doesn't show any signs of understanding him. The "friendly" creature starts hugging each of you with its tendrils as you rest, but with firm mental commands from Ajithu it never ends up tightening its grip enough to injure.
It takes Shocca only a couple minutes to work through the routines that lower the Spire's alert level. With a victorious keystroke, the terminal's readouts turn a neutral gray. Outside the Spire, you see the cloud of defensive drones whirl through the air in coreographed patterns for a moment before flying back into the base of the Spire and into their storage bays. It takes only a few minutes for even the most distant straggler to get back and into storage. The terminal confirms shortly afterward that the alert level is currently low.
Say... I wonder if we could rig up enough explosives in the drone bay while they're deactivated... It sure would be nice to be permanently rid of that problem.
Shocca takes another minute to attempt to lock up the system in any way she can. Don't want those intruders turning the drones on just as we make our way out of here... She looks over at Ajithu. "I like that idea. Though the drones are so well armored, I don't think our grenades will do much. Maybe if we could disable their hanger door..." She sighs and looks over at the pile of bodies for a moment. "We've left with about as many questions as when we arrived. Where was the signal going? Who else was in this tower today? What is the Worldseed? And what are these blasted codes for?" She shakes her head and looks at her companions. "Well, I suppose we should fly back, collect our paychecks, and get off this frozen hell hole."
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Say... I wonder if we could rig up enough explosives in the drone bay while they're deactivated... It sure would be nice to be permanently rid of that problem.
Shocca takes another minute to attempt to lock up the system in any way she can. Don't want those intruders turning the drones on just as we make our way out of here... She looks over at Ajithu. "I like that idea. Though the drones are so well armored, I don't think our grenades will do much. Maybe if we could disable their hanger door..." She sighs and looks over at the pile of bodies for a moment. "We've left with about as many questions as when we arrived. Where was the signal going? Who else was in this tower today? What is the Worldseed? And what are these blasted codes for?" She shakes her head and looks at her companions. "Well, I suppose we should fly back, collect our paychecks, and get off this frozen hell hole."
Arcalinte shakes his head.
"If I remember correctly, the readouts showed this wasn't the only tower on the moon, and the alert was moon-wide. It would take a lot of effort and coordination to essentially locate each tower, rig up each tower's drone bay for remote detonation, and we of course would run the risk of reactivating the alert with each tower visited, essentially reversing all our progress. I think Shocca's right: we need to return to the chalet and begin plotting our next move. I expect we're headed for Hibb next."
Once you're rested, you pack up your findings and return back to where you parked the battered Simplicity outside the Spire. With no drones flying about to intercept you, even the badly damaged ship can limp its way back to the temporary chalet command post. The situation there has calmed down significantly since you left, though you see a single news agency starship that attempted to lift off and was sliced to pieces by the drones. Other than the wreckage of that starship smoking as a backdrop, the chalet looks downright peaceful.
You enter to an almost empty common room - the press are nowhere in sight. A New Horizons secretary waves you over and leads you up to the second floor and Eisyfina's office. The elderly project manager cuts off a video call with a curt "we'll finish this later" before waving you all to the stools she has in front of her desk. "Excellent work out there. Truly excellent. This project was on the verge of falling apart, and not only is our interceptor drone problem solved, but we're no longer reading those strange signals coming from the Spire either. While it is very tempting to simply move on, given how behind schedule we are..." She rubs her temple with her thumbs "That would be neglectful. We saw much of your initial foray into the tower, but not what happened after the camera drone was disabled. What did you discover within?"
I think we should leave the exsiccate here. I befriended it... frankly to keep it from killing us. Eventually this will wear off and it won't do well back where we started, with so many civilians around. All things must end.
While they board their ship, Ajithu commands it to stay.
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On their way out, Arcalinte retrieves the damaged camera drone, and brings it with them as they return to the chalet.
When they're escorted to Eisyfina's office, he bows politely.
"We discovered these structures were part of a moon-wide Sivv defense network and research facility, and the reason for its alert status was because in the last moments of the Sivv empire, it was under attack from within. Throughout the structure we discovered dead bantrids, and from the evidence we've recovered it becomes clear that the bantrid people were slaves of the Sivv, but when the war against the Kishalee turned against the Sivv, the bantrids took advantage of the opportunity to rise up against their oppressors, and turned what was to be the Sivvan means of surviving the war into salvation for their people: The Worldseed. The bantrids...are heroes," Arcalinte says proudly.
"From what we've been able to put together, the Worldseed was some sort of 'arkship' or colony vessel, intended to allow some Sivv to escape their empire's collapse and begin anew, but the bantrid rebels appeared to have somehow hijacked or disabled it, which presumably allowed them to colonize Hibb and put themselves in stasis until their recent emergence. Unfortunately, in the process of shutting down the defenses, we determined that the Spire was sending a signal of some sort, and got a crude indication that that signal was bound for the Pact Worlds, most likely to Hibb. I'm afraid your instincts are correct, Administrator: the Worldseed has woken and this is only beginning."
Shocca nods and adds in pertinent details to Arc's explanation. "Additionally, there was someone else in the tower who planted the bantrid rebel video for us to find." She shrugs. "I'm sure that will come to bite us again later." The ikeshti shakes off the idea. " So, are you having second thoughts about abusing this poor planet?"
Also, I kept one of them as a pet for a time! They are very fearsome creatures, so having one of them on our side was nice!
The last remaining exsiccate waves goodbye to Ajithu with its cluster of tendrils. You see it roll up to the highest balcony as you start to fly away and it stays still there, seemingly watching you, as the Spire grows smaller behind you.
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Eisyfina types out your accounts as you deliver them, asking a few clarifying questions, then wrapping up the notes with a few lines of her own. She gives a weary sigh when she's done. "With the media presence here, I expect many of these details will leak out before long. On the positive side of things, it appears that your efforts have calmed this Sivv defense network. From here, the best move for the eventual success of the project would be to put the construction on pause and conduct a detailed investigation into this network of Spires and their current status. Especially these dimensional portals you mention, Achlyss, and the third party you mention, Shocca. Just one Spire waking after guests arrive would likely be the doom of the whole resort. However, I also expect the investors will be looking to push the schedule back on track..." She signs again "That however, is for me to worry about. You've all solved this admirably."
"I can't say much to the historical implications or the meaning this might have to the Bantrids of Hibb, but I'm sure they will want to know. The full story, including the heroism of their distant ancestors. As for this Worldseed vessel, I've included your descriptions of it in my report. The archaeologists and Pact Worlds leadership are likely to have a conniption over the whole concept, so soon after the whole close call with the Stellar Degenerator. As far as I'm concerned, they can have at it." She sets her tablet down and looks at Shocca "I've been having second thoughts about this whole project ever since we discovered the first of the ruins. But we've dealt with each challenge that has arisen so far, despite the naysayers, and we're not about to give up." The elderly woman scowls stubbornly, then softens.
"We will take things from here, but you're all welcome to stay if you'd like. On top of the credits I pulled together for you, the least I can offer is complimentary stays at our facilities here, both now and after they're built. I'm also looking to pull some strings back in the Pact Worlds to get you all something a bit more substantial. It seems to me that you've grown into quite the fine team, and I'm sure there is more work to be had for problem-solvers of your caliber. Be on the lookout for a message from Verces in a few weeks."
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Shocca nods in appreciation of the promised credits. "Yes, we'll all be reporting back to our home organizations, I'm sure. It seems what we've discovered and dealt with here will have ripples across the galaxy." She can't keep herself from smiling a little at that.
Looking around at the group, she sips from her hot chocolate before continuing. "Well, I'm not one for the cold. I'm looking forward to getting off this rock after I try out the spa and have another mug of this stuff." Another sip. "I know our official mission together is done, but this Worldseed is itching my brain something fierce. What if we head back to the Pact Worlds, , check in on our private affairs, then see about taking a little jaunt to the outer rim?" She smiles devilishly. "Could be fun!"
Hmm, I don't mind the cold. But, I could use a body of water on this planet. Do let me know if you discover a subterranean ocean of sorts. That would be very welcoming to my kind. He points to his helmet.
Maybe we could include a watery tank in our new ship?! He looks at the others hopefully.
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Achlyss smirks with the side of his face that works.
"I don't feel the cold anymore," he says, staring out a window at the icy planet where he had died.
"I'm not sure I've had all the answers I'm looking for. I will want to see this through--if for nothing else than to avenge my squad."
After a few moments, he says "the media that was here--they left before we returned. Where did they go?" he asks.
Eisyfina raises her hands "Ah, Ajithu, if you intend to stay here for a while, I understand that the weather modulation has made the equatorial regions almost temperate. You'll find the oceans in those regions brisk but swimmable. Once this current project is complete, I suspect the next phase will be developing some islands into resorts. For now however, there's very little infrastructure down there."
To Achlyss and Arc, she says with a small smile "We managed to corral the media into their respective vehicles and starships. For their own safety of course. Certainly not to get them out of my hair." She winks "We'll have to let them out soon now that the crisis is over, so you're welcome to return the broken drone to Ms. Lantrell. Though be careful. She may very well try to hold you for an interview by force."
Shocca preens a moment. "Yes, we must get a little time in front of the cameras. Publicity helps with grants." She turns to Eisyfina. "So the infosphere is back up then?" The ikeshti turns to Achlyss and Ajithu. "In that case, I don't mind hanging out a bit longer. Either in the temperate zone, or doing some digging here. I can answer mail from anywhere after all." She spends much of the next few days writing down notes on the possible implications of recent findings on the evolution of Bantrid physiology.
Island resorts! Who needs that when you have nice cold waters? Well, it's enough for me knowing that option exists here on Jedarat. I won't keep my colleagues from the Pact Worlds though.
Over the next several days, you split up to handle your individual duties and responsibilities, as well as getting some well deserved rest and relaxation. Shocca finds the media to be more than happy to interview her regarding the Spire and the rest of the situation on Jedarat. The local infosphere is soon back up, but even before that the media package and send their reports via long-distance Drift comms back toward the Pact Worlds. Ajithu finds he has enough time to take a light skimmer down to the equatorial regions while the rest of the team tackle their own tasks. Achlyss finishes up his report for Eisyfina and then takes his own R&R. Arc sends out his warnings to the Starfinder Society and his other contacts, but thanks to the comms Delay out here in the Vast, he doesn't hear anything back over the next few days. On the other hand, that gives him plenty of time to assemble a full report on Jedarat's secret and ancient legacy.
A week later, you all assemble once more for the flight back to the Pact Worlds. The ship you take back is much less fancy than the one you arrived on - thanks to the Starstone's pull, the return trip is bound to be fast no matter what starships are available. The New Horizons hauler proves comfortable enough over the two day journey.
It's on the second day that you discover a stowaway on board. Nifri-2, having snuck aboard while the cargo was being loaded, gets a hold of you all to ask for advice about what to do once the ship reaches Absalom Station.
Regardless of what you decide with Nifri-2, you soon find the hauler docking at Absalom Station. The center of the Pact Worlds seems much as you left it, a riotous mess of factions, species, and special interests living in relative harmony all things considered. Whatever might have been discovered out on Jedarat in the Vast, the news hasn't shaken the day-to-day life here. Or at least, not yet.
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The kalo is as surprised as anyone else to find the Second Nifri on their ship.
We really need to start doing inspections before takeoff...
Oh, hello. Were you able to procure some manner of identification before stowing away on our ship? I suppose you're going to need some suggestions for things to occupy your time. I do NOT recommend a job as a long-haul freighter. I've heard terrible things about that line of business... But I digress. I know a gym you could work at.
Ajithu shrugs in resign, knowing this may not be the most attractive option for a quantum double who can likely make anything of their newfound life.
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Arcalinte is less surprised than Ajithu-Ko at Nifri-2's stowing-away. They had invited him with them, and he'd needed to be discreet so as not to cause problems with his "twin," so it really had been the only option available for him.
"I also have some contacts that may be able to assist you. If you'd like to do some soul-searching, I can get you in touch with Jelico Kent of the Desnan church. He piloted for us during the latter part of the Dead Suns Crisis, and he can assist you with traveling further should you wish."
"There's also Spectre and Isu, if you're not afraid of some...shadier assistance. Spectre's criminality's more than a career for him, it's his life, but at least he's honest and he's completely trustworthy where credits are concerned. He can probably help you secure new identity credentials or at least get you in touch with someone who can, and I'd be happy to help you financially to secure his assistance so you can keep your hands clean. Isu's a reliable and friendly guy, kasathan like you, but he's got some eccentricities, especially in regards to pizza."
"Ted Under's another technological whiz, and he stays on the straight and narrow more than Spectre. There's also Sydney Jordan if you're interested in piloting and stunt-flying. She's a talented star-jockey, but she decided to part ways with us mid-Dead-Suns-Crisis. My father's also a Dean with the Qabarat University of Xenarchaeology, and I'd be happy to write a letter of introduction should you wish to pursue studies there. I...won't recommend the Starfinder Society, as you may end up crossing paths with your "twin," a scenario I imagine you'd BOTH like to avoid. If there's anything else you might want assistance with, please, let me know."
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Nifri-2 is initially disheartened when Ajithu offers little helpful advice, then listens intently as Arc provides an array of options. He nods "You're right about the Society. When I feel very much at home in those halls, the risks are just too great. Of all your suggestions, Qabarat University seems the most attractive, but I don't dare try to withdraw any of my own funds - or I suppose the other Nifri's funds - in case someone catches on. No, it's best that I find a way to use my talents elsewhere. The Desnan Church supports all who wander, and I expect could use a scientist and explorer among their number. Even one with a mysterious past." He nods, taking down Jelico's contact details and accepting the referral.
Once you're docked, he pulls up the hood of his coat and heads out into the Station, taking the first steps of his journey to meet with Master Kent.
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"May the stars guide your path to a new sun...Nifri," Arcalinte says to bid him farewell.
He turns to the others.
"Alright...with that out of the way, I've got a few errands to run: I'm going to alert my fellow Solas at the Cosmonastery of the Empty Orbit to what we discovered on Jedarat. If the Worldseed is a technology on the scale of the Stellar Degenerator, it's something the High Sola will want to be ready for. Then to the Lorespire Complex to rendezvous with "Nifri Prime" and the other Starfinders, specifically Chiskisk and Grixx. Grixx was the shirren who got us to Jedarat, remember? He'll be able to pass on information to his "allies" from Eox, and I imagine they'll be able to provide some extra firepower should the worst come to pass. Once that's done, I'm visiting one of the Society's docking bays...I think there's a ship there that's just wrapping up a retrofit and upgrade, and I think she'll fly us to Hibb beautifully: The Sunrise Maiden."
Shocca is quite surprised at seeing Nifri-2, mumbling to herself, "I do need to be checking in on my notes more often... Totally forgot about this one..." She shakes the thought away. "I have my contacts throughout the Pact Worlds, mostly legal with a dose of friends outside the conventional. Mostly on Castrovel and the Absalom Station, if you have something specific in mind." She also bids Nifri a warm farewell on the Station after a few close days on the ship.
"I have a shopping list of my own, so I'll be over at the Eye for the afternoon. Then it's over to the foundation's headquarters to share the updates from our visit. Good news, I've got all sorts of records of corporate malfeasance over there on Jedarat. Their destruction of the native habitat is what triggered those defenses and led to such unnecessary death... Bad news, they'll be back at it if we don't stop them." The ikeshti shrugs softly. "And if we have time before leaving again, I'll be spending the rest of the time under my heat lamp at the apartment." She eyes Arc. "Hopefully this Maiden has a sun room that inspired her name." Would make the travel to Hibb more pleasant."
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Though his companions are thorough in giving their stowaway some options for a new life, Achlyss adds just a couple of his own.
"I've worked with that Spectre droid a few times--securing military-grade equipment that's a little--difficult to secure. He's good. But I may also be looking to put together a new squad. Let me know what you could add and I'll consider your application."
"Arc, you outdid yourself on this one once again! Nifri back safe and sound, a potential disaster averted with those Sivv defense drones, and some critical discoveries regarding the ancient Sivvs. We'll take over the continued investigation of Jedarat from here, building off the work Nifri and you accomplished." Chiskisk nods excitedly, then grows more somber "We're in agreement with your inclination to investigate Hibb next. There's not enough yet to tell for sure what might remain of this Worldseed, but it seems Hibb might hold the answers. I'll pull together a group of agents, though they'll be working in parallel with you over there. Good luck Arc! I'll be looking forward to hearing what you find!"
> Excellent and efficient work on Jedarat, as always. In interest of showing my appreciation for our continuing mutually beneficial working arrangement, see the attached file. I hope you will treat the details of the discoveries made on Jedarat with professional confidentiality, at least until the full story is out.
Checking the attached file, you see that Eisyfina has wired you an additional 20,000 credit bonus for the work on Jedarat.
"Our missing team are back and safe - I got the report from Talla just yesterday, and we have you and Ajithu to thank for that. On top of that, your work gives us the ammunition we'll need to put a halt to the whole project, assuming we still have a chance. I can't thank you enough. My only regret is that the project is so far along. When I think about all the animals on Jedarat we never even identified, eliminated thanks to Abadarcorp's first wave of terraforming..." She shakes her head. "Still, we do what we can."
Ajithu spends much of his time back on Absalom station visiting with his old friend Lenny, at the gym he owns. He finds the exercise and self-improvement routines of the "dry races" very odd, and the pirate-y theme of the gym even far more odd than that. However, he's not one to lose a long friendship over such obesrvations.
In-between these visits, he takes his time to write up a detailed report to the Xenowardens. In it, he details the commercial exploitation of Jedarat, and how it may deter the enterprises involved. However, he writes, the grim planetary history and connection to the stellar degenerator situation bears further investigation.
His Xenowarden contact writes back that this may even end up taking precedence over the commercial activity of Jedarat, given a potential scope of destruction beyond one planet.
Shocca is delighted that the Xenowardens are taking her report seriously. "I'm so happy you think this will help. We may have missed out on so many species, but there are many still alive on the planet that we can still save. Oh, to think of the knowledge we have lost already to their corporate greed."
She arrives back at the ship a few days later with an even lighter credstick than before the team landed on Station. She is itching at a few new cybernetic augmentations and hefts a backpack of medical supplies as some aeon stones gently loop around her bare head. "Alright, I feel much better prepared to take on the unknown."