All'ok shoots #1 while Cygpo keeps the fire on 2 and 3. Cygpo then sends magic missiles at 1. Hellih doesn't quite connect.
2 and 3 climb up on top of crates!
Initiative!
Ratatat
H1, -24 hp
All'ok
Hellih
Cygpo
H2 (spiky), -7 hp
H3, -7 hp
Kiss, -10 SP
Eddie
Kiss, Eddie, and Ratatat up!
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After what seems like hours of frantic defense, the tide of planar energy finally, mercifully recedes. As the last sounds of chaos recedes and peace returns to the Starfinder camp, Bennock asks the surviving agents to gather in the central clearing.
“Great job, everyone! The extraplanar energy levels are dropping fast. The monitoring team says the planar energy is finally diffusing into the planet, which should prevent another buildup like today’s.”
Bennock’s comm unit chimes to indicate an incoming message, but he ignores it to continue his speech. “I can’t tell you how proud of this group I am. When things got tough you all stepped up in a big way, just like you have since we first landed on this planet...well, I say ‘landed,’” he adds with a grin and some air quotes. “I don’t know how long it will be before the Society can come get us, but I know that with you all here, working together and watching out for each other like you did today, we’ll be just fine.”
Before Bennock can continue, his comm unit chimes again, and then again. He rolls his eyes, apologizes, and pulls it from his pocket. He stares at it for a long moment, then looks up at the assembled Starfinders once more as a wide grin spreads across his face. “Scratch that. I do know how long it will be! A dozen Starfinder ships just arrived in system! They’ll be here in a couple days with supplies, reinforcements, and, most importantly, a ticket home!”
The crowd burst into a cheer, which quickly swells to and echoes throughout the camp! Jubilant Starfinders celebrate in a dozen different ways. Some share long-hoarded food or beverages rescued from their crashed ships, others bursting into song and dance in dozens of different styles. Some even rush to begin packing, eager to be ready to leave the moment the convoy makes orbit.
-------------
The next few days pass quickly as Starfinders celebrate and prepare to depart. On the day the Starfinder flotilla is due to arrive in orbit, Bennock asks the camp to assemble one last time.
“I’ve been in contact with the fleet, and they’ve been able to tell me a little bit about what’s been happening in the wider galaxy. It seems we weren’t the only ones to have Drift troubles a few months ago. In fact, it sounds like the Drift itself crashed, and hurled out just about everyone traveling through it across the whole galaxy all at once! Some clever folks finally got some measure of Drift travel working again after a while. I’m sure you can read all about it on the way home.”
Bennock pauses to look fondly around the camp. “I know this place wasn’t what any of us had in mind when we set out on this trip, but honestly, it’s grown on me a bit.” He turns his attention back to the assembled Starfinders. “I can’t speak for anyone else, but this place and all of us here together...it’s been more than just a place to weather the storm. It’s been home.”
After one last glance around the camp, he claps his hands and grins. “Now, who’s ready to get out of here?”
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The journey home through the partially-restored Drift is anything but uneventful. Power to ships’ drift engines fluctuates erratically, making the trip far longer than normal. At one point, the ships of the convoy experience a strange magnetic field and turbulence from an unknown source. Later, a portal to the plane of fire opens suddenly, far too close for comfort!
Eventually, though, despite many close calls and harrowing moments, the whole convoy arrives back at Absalom Station. Grateful Starfinders–and your new Weydanite friends–eagerly disembark. Drift travel may not be safe and reliable as it once was right now, but for today at least, your journey is at an end!