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Having decided to follow up on the hospital story, you escort Vanecarsys off the shuttle and straight to their destination - ever vigilant for any sign of the shapeshifter attempting to flee. Once you arrive at the hospital, you discover Vanecarsys was being genuine. Payment is made from the casino winnings, which began as the money taken during the scams.
"Thank you, Starfinders. I know you had no reason to trust me after all I've put you through.... But I owe you a debt of gratitude for bringing me here to save my adopted mother's life. I guess it's time to face the music though."
You travel back to the Electric Prism to collect on your bounty. Trazhi has a look of shock when you walk in with your target. "Look that we have here. Come crawling back to pay up, did you? You guys worked fast. I'm impressed."
Trazhi seems less impressed when Vanecarsys admits that they are short on paying back the damages after spending their gambling fortune on hospital care. "You won how much at Venture Solaris? And it's almost gone?" he takes a moment to think. "Here's my offer - I'm looking at setting up some gambling machines here. You work for me, pay off your debts with some honest work. Or I'll have these guys drag you off to the Stewards. What do you say?"
Vanecarsys accepts, and promises to track down as many of the people that were taken by the scam as possible and pay restitution.
"Job well done, Starfinders. Anytime you need a place to hang your hat between missions, there will be a barstool open for you here. Here's your share, 200 credits each.
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"Danger, greed, love, and redemption--such is the life of a Starfinder!" says Vitellius, narrating the close of the segment to Cambot. "Ladies and Gentlebeings, you've just witnessed the first in a series of broadcasts documenting the fist-bumps and foibles of the Starfinder Society. And it's all brought to you in full spectra-colour, here on ASNN! But for now, Vitellius Korpopolis, signing off with a reminder: reach for the stars, and the universe will be at your fingertips!"
After instructing Cambot on what to do with the footage, Vitellius offers to buy his "documentary subjects" a drink at Electric Prism as thanks for their participation.
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"...with a hydrospanner, and a little luck."
"Ha ha ha, wow, hard to believe what goes on out there sometimes."
"It sure is, Doreen." Forced chuckle.
Turn to camera 2. "In other news we bring you to the Venture Solaris Casino, where violence erupted in the high stakes gaming lounge between gang members and security. Fortunately a group of off-duty Starfinders where there to step in. With more on action we take you to ASNN's own Vitellius Korpopolis with that report."
As part of Vitellius's broadcast begins, we move back from the vidscreen to see a disorganized office where a Shirren watches on with interest. After a few moments he reaches for the intercom and summons his personal assistant.
"See if you can track down these Starfinders from that Venture Solaris incident, if we strike while the iron's hot this could be big for our P.R."
A few days after your return trip to the Electric Prism (and subsequent night out there) you receive a message on your personal comm units from United Interfaith Engineering.
Greetings Starfinders,
We at UIE are currently seeking qualified starship crews to put our new prototype design through it's paces. This would be a one-time contact position. If interested please attend United Interfaith Engineering offices on Absalom Station…. and it goes on to give an appointment time and location, as well as some fine print legalese.
After a short wait a receptionist comes to lead you too an office. The office is a picture of chaos. Three different computer desks set at slightly differing heights have been pushed together to support four keyboards, seven holo-monitors, and no less than nine data ports. A mosaic of coffee stains covers the desktops’ surfaces. A chair that would look more at home in a vid-gamer’s den sits behind this haphazard workstation, while the opposite side hosts a retro velvet-cushioned recliner chair, a vinyl loveseat that has seen far better days, and a plush sofa that converts into a bed. Stacks of datapads and tech manuals cover almost every free bit of floor space. By contrast, a window at the back of the office looks out into a stark white room where engineers are carefully assembling a sensor array.
The office’s sole occupant is a host shirren wearing a wrinkled suit and a colorful bowtie. The shirren’s antennae quiver with excitement as they introduce themselves telepathically. “Please come in! My speech-name is J’scib, and I’m the lead engineer for the Grimshaw. Can I offer you some Randblaz?”
The shirren holds out an open bag of candy. “Each candy is visually indistinguishable but has fruit flavor profiles from dozens of worlds. Every bite is a surprise! The lime ones are my favorite!” J’scib hands out sweets while continuing. “We here at UIE want to bring an affordable starship to market that can handle the rigors of system exploration while still defending its crew and looking sleek in the process. As such, we’d like you to take our new prototype on a preprogrammed course to Liavara. Put the ship through its paces and test out as many systems as you can on the way. When you get there, transmit your flight records to our data relay station on one of the moons, then come back. The space lane you’re taking is regularly patrolledby Stewards law-enforcement ships, so the whole trip should be nice and safe. Come, let’s head to the hangar!”
The Shirren ushers you out of the office and into an elevator. As the doors close J'scib turns to you all and asks "Say, does anyone remember their first pet's name?"
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Vitellius arrives in the office a few minutes late, wearing a brand-new, highly-stylish, and very impractical designer flightsuit. "Sorry, sorry everyone! Let me just adjust this lighting. Saratur, those shiny tusks of yours really put up a glare, but I guess you can't help it. Everyone, please return to your spots and repeat absolutely everything you've just said, word for word. Pretend I'm not here! Cambot, start rolling."
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...Everyone, please return to your spots and repeat absolutely everything you've just said, word for word. Pretend I'm not here! Cambot, start rolling."
"Oh, I don't remember what I said. Did... Did you want any candy?" The Shirren shakes the bag at Vitellius.
"Well, fly on a ship, report progress. Sounds simple. Have I told you how Saratur on his homeland sailed huge easter current? No? Ah, first pet's name is seahorse!"
"How about your mother's maiden name, or the last 4 digits of your pilots license...that was the first test! And I'm afraid only our Strix friend here passed..." motioning towards kiikarah "...by default, it seems. You've got to be careful with I information like that, you could easily be hacked! We can't have that. I'll be giving you all a shared password to the Grimshaw, which you will need to operate the ship during your flight. It expires shortly after your expected return date, or if you stray to far off course. We trust that you are honourable Starfinders, but we must anticipate corporate espionage or theft!" Please don't share your password with anyone! Or the details of the ship, until our promotional campaign begins, and the airing of your coverage Vitellius. It's good that you have previous experience, Saratur. Tell me more about that!"
"So why us? What do we bring to this project that your own test crews do not?"
“By having different crews test the Grimshaw, we can obtain a robust data set regarding its performance before it goes to the production line, not to mention the potential for word-of-mouth advertising! You’re going to be the first to fly it now that our test-pilots ensured it was safe. But as to you four in particular, well.. you've got a bit of heat with you, being in the news recently. If we can get some good press with this test flight, we can get our foot in the door with the Wayfinders. They've been making starship purchases recently. It would really help us break into the market of this goes well!”
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Vitellius rubs his chin. "Well, I really need to get a shot of the ship lifting off. But if I'm standing outside it, then I won't be inside it if something exciting happens. Cambot, little buddy, you're going to have to stay outside and record the launch. I'll narrate some voice memos from inside the cockpit. If the ship explodes and we all die, don't forget that career highlight reel I made last week--I want that playing on a loop at my funeral."
...Cambot, little buddy, you're going to have to stay outside and record the launch.
"You'll be gone a few days, perhaps I can share some footage from the docking bays cameras for you so your assistant can come along. Or you can get the footage you need and then retrieve it. We're amenable, and looking forward to your publicity!"
Let us spread the wings and try to catch some wind in them."
"Funny you should say wings! The overall design comes from the best explorer in all the known universe: the fly, which exists on many planets that support life. More specifically, it’s design is inspired by a species called grimshawi. The name was a bit hard for non telepaths, so my assistant Drosxan shortened it to the more stylish-sounding Grimshaw!”
The elevator dings and the doors open to reveal the docking bay. Ahead of you rests your test ship on its landing legs - literal legs. The entire ship resembles a giant insect.
"My friends, The Grimshaw! he excitedly takes you to the ship for a quick walk around, pointing out various features that can be added during construction to aid in scientific studies and stored in the ship's "Thorax". He is especially excited about the ship's wings, which can be configured to act as solar panels, solar sails, or vectored to generate lift during atmospheric flight.
He brings you aboard and to the bridge. "I'll input my access code to start the automated navigation systems and data recorders. This will take you to your destination once you are clear of the station, and record your tests for our assessment. If there aren't any more questions, I'll leave you to your pre-flight checklist!"
J'scib goes to take his leave. "Good luck! Once you get to Liavara you can send back your collected data at the unmanned UIE relay there. Remember, if you get into any trouble along the way, the Stewards patrol along that route, they should be able to provide assistance."
With the crew roles settled, the Grimshaw takes off from the station at the hands of Vitellius, until the automated navigation takes over along the route to Liavara. Becuase the drift engines aren't yet equipped, travel will take days. This leaves you with ample time to complete your shakedown of the ship.
- Captains (Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate) can test the intercom systems to run timed drills, or to conduct surprise inspections on their shipmates.
- Chief Mates (Acrobatics, Athletics) can test the starship’s structural integrity via its manual override systems, or can conduct safety checks through organizing timed evacuation drills to the starship’s escape pods.
- Engineers (Engineering) can test the vessel’s damage control procedures through simulations, or by conducting emergency power core scram / shutdown drills.
- Gunners (gunnery check) can test the state-of-the‑art weapon system by firing at passing asteroids, or through pinpoint targeting of space debris launched out of an airlock.
- Magic Officers (Mysticism) can test how well the starship’s layout aids scrying by reaching out their senses, or can meditate on if the vessel’s aesthetics help it connect to galactic leylines.
- Pilots (Piloting) can push the engines to conduct speed trials, or can perform fancy aerobatic maneuvers around passing asteroids.
- Science Officers (Computers) can calibrate the starship’s complex surveying sensors, or can test how fast the computer recovers from a simulated electronic warfare attack.
You can also devise tests using Life Science or Physical Science, gaining the +2 circumstance bonuses provided by the Grimshaw’s robust scientific expansion bays.
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Vitellius cracks his knuckles as he prepares to put the ship into overdrive. "Experiential journalism at its best, folks!" he announces, gripping the throttle. "If we set a new speed record, we might all become famous! Or, in my case, even more famous!" Vitellius puts the peddle to the meddle, taking the Grimshaw through its paces.
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Kiikarah pops open the maintenance panel, "Let's see how well it handles manually rerouting power" he comments as he begins to flipping switches and moving connectors.
"Not too bad. Could be better though." Kiikarah moves to the engineering controls to see what he can do with the extra power.
But the answer is mostly sparks...
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What could be better than testing new means of destruction? Antethriss carefully examines the control panel, manual and everything else that can be useful. The range of the shot is a little strange. Too close if a real fight starts. On the other hand, we are quite maneuverable and fast... Hmm! We'll see.
Draelik shoots at asteroids, but almost misses them. He tries in different ways, uses bonuses from guidance systems, in the end even asks Vitellius to make a dead loop... but still just can't hit.
My conclusion is that weapon systems work terribly, everything needs to be redone.
You manage to push the ship as hard as you can and feel that you have collected a good amount of data . While Antethriss is a little concerned about the weapons, the rest of the ship seems fairly capable.
The rest of the trip goes off without incident and after the better part of the week you arrive at the Liavara system. Your auto navigation system points you to the moon S-413, where the UIE relay is located. As you establish a connection to the relay and begin the data transfer, a sudden electromagnetic wave buffets the ship, causing havoc amongst the ship's systems and ending the transfer.
The ship's scanner reveals the cause - two adolescent voraijas are moving directly towards your ship. They emit a powerful electromagnetic starsong to communicate.
These creatures appear lost and hungry. You are suddenly struck by a thought - your ship looks awfully edible.
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"Will you look at that!" says Vitellius to no one in particular. "Adolescent voraijas. I remember reading in the newsfeed that pods of them had been seen recently in Liavara's upper atmosphere. Sometimes tourist ships come through here, but those schmucks have to pay for what we're seeing for free!" Suddenly the journalist's voice raises an octave. "Though come to think of it, those ships are always protected by xenowardens--and these voraijas look hungry!"
Vitellius decides to start some evasive action!
Vitellius tries to evade the creatures but his darting back and forth only seems to entice the voraijas a little. They appear to be keeping pace with you as you move about. It doesn't appear you'll be able to outrun them.
Vitellius knows from his successful culture check that the main pod is typically located in the upper atmosphere of Liavara. If you would like to try and lead them back to their territory - you can attempt a few rounds of fairly high DC checks to lead them along, or you can just try to survive until rescue arrives. Just remember - this is a prototype test ship. The UIE would ideally like it back in one piece.
Saratur broadcasts his own brand of star song. The voraijas seem to pick up on the electromagnetic transmission - it seems to be to have a calming effect on one of the adolescent creatures.
Kiikarah sends a transmission of his own to the Xenowardens informing them of their location and situation.
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"I've got an idea! In broadcasting school, they taught us all about holographic tech so you could look like anything you wanted on camera. Maybe I could put something together so we look a bit more like a voraija!"
"Though on second thought, if you they swallow us, Cambot would get some amazing footage from inside them before we die!"
Saratur directs the wrong pilot, luckily Antethriss has a masterful knowledge of insect movements and simulates the erratic movement to lead the voraijas on. Vitellius prepares Cambot for death
The crew struggles to try and keep the Voraijas docile as the ship maneuvers towards Liavara. They seem to be growing agitated again.
Antethriss keeps up the insect like movements of the ship and keeps the Voraijas interested in following the ship with curious interest.
Your communication system lights up - a signal from an incoming Xenowarden ship responding to Kiikarah's distress call. You think if you can buy a little more time you may be able to survive this without knowing what the inside of the Voraija looks like.