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Gunnery Phase:
The Maser drills into the exposed port of the Starfinder ship but the rockets are thrown off by Carson's piloting.
The Starfinders rip into the aggressive ship as the shields on the front section power down in a shower of sparks.
---
Starfinder Azata
HP 28/65; DT —; CT 13
Shields: 120
-Forward 30
-Port 0/30
-Starboard 30
-Aft 30
Enemy Vessel
--Front Shield (20 Damage)
--Hull 14 Damage
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As the battle continues, it appears that the Doctor is trying to break through the scramble of the enemy jamming systems.
Scanners show that defense systems on the planet below have started to cycle their power.
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Starship Combat Round 3:
Any Phase: Captain
Phase 1: Engineering
Phase 2: Helm
Phase 3: Gunner
---
Starfinder Azata
HP 28/65; DT —; CT 13
Shields: 120
-Forward 30
-Port 0/30
-Starboard 30
-Aft 30
Enemy Vessel
--Front Shield (20 Damage)
--Hull 14 Damage
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Starship Combat Round 3:
Any Phase: Captain
-Starfinders: Encouraged DICEBOT
-Enemy
Phase 1: Engineering
-Starfinders: Shields Boosted
-Enemy
Phase 2: Helm
-Enemy
Phase 3: Gunner
---
Starfinder Azata
HP 28/65; DT —; CT 13
Shields: 120
-Forward 30
-Port 9/30
-Starboard 30
-Aft 30
Enemy Vessel
--Front Shield (20 Damage)
--Hull 14 Damage
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With the Starfinders so close, the ship instead whips around and opens fire.
The Azata begins to crumble under the maser fire and vandal rockets as all systems begin to flicker, the ship barely holds on before drones delivered via rockets s~#& the ship down completely.
It only takes a moment longer before the opposing ship starts to extend glowing tendrils towards the powered-down Azata but emergency power is enough for a muted message from the Dr. Their expression is panicked but you can make out a few words, "Hold----incoming----brace yourself."
Within seconds you realize what they were saying as the stations satellites light up and turn lasers on the ship, they rip through exposed hull as the ship quickly retreats in a shower of purple liquid and sparks.
From the station below a cargo ship makes its way towards the ship and helps tow it in. The air is filled with tension as the satellites whip and wheel about scanning for the ship to possibly return but you are dragged into the bay without further incident. You catch a glimpse of the planet below from the cracked bridge windows.
The churning gray clouds of Icefront’s outer atmosphere eventually give way to a wooded area blanketed with snow. Much of the planet’s surface appears untouched by civilization, save for a small complex of artificial structures: a landing pad, greenhouses, satellite towers, rows of irrigated crop fields, temporary humanoid shelters, external generators, and biodomes outfitted with all manner of measuring devices. A tall scaffold tower sprouts from a walled enclosure far from the other buildings, its length regularly pulsing with blue light.
Inside the bay, a team of winterborn ryphorians quickly begin evaluating the ship and beginning repairs on critical systems. Three more figures including the Dr. await the disembarking Starfinders. Dr. Monsylkis, who stands just shy of eight feet tall and whose pale skin is laced with cybernetic augmentations designed to insulate heat; a short winterborn ryphorian wearing a suit of armor that appears to be a technological masterpiece of its own; and a towering dragonkin, whose sharp features naturally form a perpetual scowl.
"Welcome to Icefront Station. I am delighted you survived...and I have countless questions as you probably do too. This is Spinjack and Farvenzi." she says introducing the ryphorian then dragonkin.
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"Ohhh well...that was my most obvious question. We haven't seen anything like that here or ever for me. I would have guess you knew and that it chased you here. Still, would you like to see all the wonderful work we are doing at Winterharvest facility here on the station while we talk? We have a greenhouse, laboratories, quite spacious housing, and the tower that keeps the weather here at bay." she says offering them a tour of the facility.
"If you don't know what that ship was, what brings you here?" she asks. Her two companions remain silent.
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"Oh you probably saw that when getting pulled in. It is remarkable!" the Doctor says, elated that the group is finally showing interest in the facility. She appears to be very proud of her work here.
The group is led through some hallways and out into a fenced area that houses the scaffold tower. Farvenzi follows closely behind the group and stares intently at each of them while Spinjack walks in front with Monsyllkis, only glancing back periodically.
"This helps us maintain the ideal weather for our research, I can't wait to show you!" she says beaming, pointing at the tower.
It seems quite obvious that the machine is beginning struggling to maintain function due to it keeping the area locked in winter when spring should be arriving.
The location of the fenced tower is isolated from the rest of the facility, likely due to the noise but it is also at a chokepoint that leads into the forest.
The group doesn't get to stay long, as Spinjack begins to usher the group back towards the facility.
"You aren't equipped for this weather are you? Back inside before I have to take some of you to the infirmary." the Ryphorian says nudging them forward.
Spinjack's pleasantries are barely veiled as he is contemptuous ansd superior even to the Doctor he assists.
---
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"Actually, each of us is still wearing our back-up environmental control gear in case our ship lost integrity. Which it nearly did, sadly. The cold of this winter shouldn't really register while the suits have power. Can someone tell us why the tower was built up from inside this close point instead of up there where it would have greater elevation? That seems like an obvious poor design choice."
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"Actually, each of us is still wearing our back-up environmental control gear in case our ship lost integrity. Which it nearly did, sadly. The cold of this winter shouldn't really register while the suits have power. Can someone tell us why the tower was built up from inside this close point instead of up there where it would have greater elevation? That seems like an obvious poor design choice."
"That is fantastic to hear, I wouldn't want any harm to come to anyone here. I sadly do not know the main reason, this facility was built before I was hired. Having the noise a bit further away is nice though." Doctor Monsyllkis replies.
Osuro also notices that Farvenzi and Spinjack are connected, possibly through telepathy but they are in sync in emotion and action.
---
Do you get any wild animals here? DICEBOTS asks, wondering if they would be tasty.If you can't stand the cold, get out of the refrigerator DICEBOT says, before asking the doctor: what is the ideal weather for you?
"Wild animals? The Izalguun are about as good as them. Always in the way and slow to move." Spinjack says with spite, but Monsyllkis interjects.
"They aren't any trouble! And any weather is fine if I get to do good work."
Farvenzi grunts at the comment.
---
Something isn't right here, but I need someone more versed in physical sciences to take a look with me...
Even the cold android sees through Spinjack and gives him a bit of side-eye.
Can't we just look a little more closely at it? We are already here.
Spinhack's brow furrows, "No, perhaps it is time that we help these fine people on their mission instead of wasting their time?" he replies before attempting to suggest the Doctor move the group along.
During this interaction, Darkrunner also notices that Spinjack has a fairly sophisticated custom rig. The ryphorian glares at Darkrunner.
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"It is the nature of security everywhere to shuffle people along and cut conversations short, but, we ARE Starfinders, exploration and learning are the core of our mission. If the good doctor has the time to share more with us, learning what we can is what we are SUPPOSED to do, not just shuffle along."
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For a moment the doctor almost agreed with Spinjack but Darkrunner brings them back, much to the chagrin of the ryphorian.
"These are our guests, and we don't get many out here so let us give them proper treatment. And one of them already said they were interested in the greenhouses, my favorite place!" the doctor states before moving the group along.
The group follows the winding hallways till a set of double doors open into the greenhouses. Here is hosted botanical experiments, where the researchers appear to be working on various plant types.
"Here my lovely colleagues are attempted to bio-engineer new plants and extract phenotypes to better provide food to cold-locked regions! Fantastic work that we get to accomplish thanks to some generous research grants."
[spoiler=Life Science DC 22
You believe this kind of open-ended experimentation doesn’t align with Winterharvest’s agricultural mission, meaning it shouldn’t be supported by any kind of tightly controlled research grant.
---
[spoiler=Medicine DC 22]
You recognize some of the “desired plant phenotypes” the scientists are trying to isolate amount to organic workarounds of common antibiotics patented by pharmaceutical companies, similar to one breakthrough development introduced by Frozen Trove Labs six years ago that allowed Frozen Trove to upset and subsequently monopolize a major niche in the prescription drug market.
---
---
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"The research? Oh, I want to help make food that is sustainable even in the most dire of locales. Between helping exploration to boosting the societies of other planets." they say with little hesitation.
Darkrunner attempts to grab a plant with the distraction but is spotted by Farvenzi, who places out a claw to have him place it back. Osuro on the other hand slides one away easily for study later.
Spinjack begins to lose his cool as one Starfinder continues to irk him, he turns to the doctor once more.
"They need to leave now. They are a risk to our research here...look at them taking precious samples." he growls holding up the clipping.
The doctor shakes their head, unsure, before talking again.
"I would have gladly let you sample some of the plant-life but perhaps Spinjack is right. The Izaalgun may know more about your mission that I don't, they have been on this planet longer than I have." they say, a tinge of sadness in their voice.
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We just wish to inspect and learn... Darkrunner states meekly, a little wary of drawing more of spinjack's ire.
Surely you've hosted collaborators previously. At this point he is standing away from the samples with his hands in plain sight.
Might as well buy more opportunities for Osuro. They're going to keep their eyes on me...
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"I understand the touchy nature of security, but I have a couple of specific questions for you. The first is simple enough. Do you believe us when we say we are Starfinders and not part of another corporate conglomerate? If so, and you are aware that the Starfinders do not compete against corporations for profit, looking instead to find and return lost or new tech from out there, then you know that our curiosity poses no threat to your corporate profits or research. Right? And, yeah, poorly phrased, wasn't it? But that was the second question."
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The group almost convinces the doctor but the pressure from Spinjack is too much.
"Perhaps we can try a tour again after you visit the Izaalgun. They might be able to help you with your reason to be here...they are peaceful and calm creatures. I hope they can help." they express with a bit of disappointment.
---
The group is lead back to the scaffold tower and past it, into the forest area. The ambient noise of the research station fades into the distance, muffled by the snow. The path through the trees, their long branches and fan-like fronds coated in white, is still and serene. In the distance, the sound of branches snapping shatters the quiet, and a guttural mix of roar and moan echoes through the wood.
Vision is poor but the group can tell there are massive creatures lumbering nearby.
---
---
Darkrunner
Dicebot
Izaalgun O
Carson
Osuro
Izaalgun G
Monster Y
Monster R
Monster B
---
Ongoing Effects:
-Squares with trees provide cover to Large or smaller creatures occupying them; Large or larger creatures treat such squares as difficult terrain. Ongoing snowfall provides creatures with concealment beyond 60 feet.
-Life Science: To identify.
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The group can identify the two creatures in the middle as Izaalguun that appear to be hunters, barely through the snow. The two hunters appear to be protecting a downed elder Izaalguun.
Carson and Osure can quickly identify these creatures as some type of huge sloth with giraffe-like necks, a megzoloth, which are typically docile herbivores but are acting far more aggressively. Their long claws are curved to harvest plants from the canopy line but if used against an predator it can Trip them easily. Their time in this climate means they are resistant to Cold. They also utilize their equine snouts to navigate better in storms via scent.
---
The group prepares to fire on any threatening creatures approaching, as Carson takes initiative due to the abnormal behavior of the creatures. His shot pierces the long arms of one of the creatures as it roars in pain.
The two hunters use their large bows to fire off arrows into the woods.
Both arrows clatter harmlessly, set off course by branches.
---
The megzoloth crash through the trees to get to the closest creatures. The yellow furred one starts moving towards Carson, Osuro attempting to fire at it but missing just barely, as it then swings through the trees at the Lashunta Envoy.
Carson is able to avoid the claw as it gets caught on various branches.
The other two continue to pursue the Izaaulgun hunters, flattening trees to reach them.
---
The last hunter scores a serious hit, as an arrow sticks out of the red furred megzoloth, blood clumping in the coat.
---
---
Darkrunner
Dicebot
Izaalgun O
Carson
Osuro
Izaalgun G
Megzoloth Y (-6)
Megzoloth R (-8)
Megzoloth B
Izaalgun P
---
Ongoing Effects:
-Squares with trees provide cover to Large or smaller creatures occupying them; Large or larger creatures treat such squares as difficult terrain. Ongoing snowfall provides creatures with concealment beyond 60 feet.