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An android walks in. He nods at the use of machine-person interface. He scans his data banks for the appropriate colloquial response.
"That is really hard core."
George then responds to the man's question which may or may not have been rhetorical.
"Good question. We will find out soon enough I imagine."
As you find yourselves relaxing on a Daiala-class ship drifting each of your comms begin blinking. You've been part of a mutli-week long tour the Starfinder Society has been undertaking to visit many of the more distant worlds in Near Space, serving as cultural ambassadors for the Society while trying to establish connections and undertake explorations on many of the 'charted yet not deeply understood' planets that occupy the systems comprising 'Near Space'. And now it seems First Seeker Ehu Hadif - who had spearheaded and championed this tour - may have another assignment for you before the ship returns home...
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The halfling Chip, followed closely by his rather taller bipedal drone called "Checker," had been fiddling with his handheld computer, but eagerly stowed it in favor of checking his armor's comm. He's practically bouncing.
"Y'know, for my first mission with the Starfinders I never left Absalom Station. Which was... not that different from what I was doing before that. I was worried about how long it would take to really get out here and see things--can't complain about that any more!"
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Another android walks in. Displaying long neon blue hair that divides in the middle, one would notice their face is also a divide of masculine and feminine features, if that matters. It seems that two bodies fused into one being if one would think of it. They have been staring blankly to outside of the ship they are in until their personal comm unit hums in unison with others perhaps. They join the others of what might be their first mission briefing as a Starfinder. "I am Felix Felicis." they introduce, with a voice that sounds like a combination of low echoey voice and a high pitchy voice speaking in unison. "Please bear my acquaintance with you all as this is my first humble mission with the Society." they add, as if they can act humble.
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A big, very green vesk, musculature outlined by microcord armor, stalks into the room. The mote circling his head proclaims him a solarian. A small pack and a long rifle complete his gear. It seems that he's never without them, even in the safe confines of the ship.
At the beginning of the flight he had proclaimed, "I am Nalotrunos. My friends call me Nalotrunos, but that is too long in a fight. Then you call me Ozs."
He hasn't spoken much since.
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A very violet female android rises from a shadowy corner to join the group. Her light brown skin is the only part of her look that isn't some dark shade of purple, and even that is covered all over with indigo and violet tattoos in delicate scrollwork and flowers to highlight her pale violet glowing circuits.
She slips fluidly into a nearby seat, intoning a greeting in a voice like warm honey, though strangely flat. "Hello everyone. Twila-5 here. My skill is infiltration."
Her eyes keep flicking over to George 09-23, as they have since she first saw him on board, though she hasn't approached him for a conversation yet.
The six of you follow the instructions sent to you and converge together in a nondescript conference room. There's a spread of pastries, meats and cheeses, and fruit laid out on a side table, while a vesk agent welcomes you as you get settled. "apologies." she says, suprisingly softly despite her tall and looming figure. "the first seeker was called away on an urgent matter. he did make sure to record this for you."
The vesk lays a projection device on the room's central conference table and a holographic image of Ehu Hadif appears floating above it. The kasathan first speaker begins, gesturing with his four arms as his words ring out.
Thank you for accepting this mission post-haste. I am sorry I could not join you to deliver this assignment personally, but I hope to cover everything you need to know.
With a gesture of his arm, Ehu's image disappears to be replaced by that of a gas giant with broad rings.
Chart a course to Xys, a planetoid orbiting the gas giant Preluria. The Xystrian Brotherhood has invited you to explore their planet. Playing nice with them could be the key to valuable future alliances, as they curate a collection of artifacts from different civilizations and have a reputation as information brokers.
Ehu's face reappears, his head tilted slightly downwards. The Brotherhood is known to have ulterior motives, however, and I suspect they are likely to ask you for a favor in exchange for the privilege of visiting their world.
Timely communication with the Society will be impossible, so if they do ask you for a favor, please agree to it, so long as it’s not something incredibly dangerous—or unethical. I trust your discretion. Please record anything the Xystrians tell you or allow you to see, as this is a rare opportunity to gather information about an otherwise inaccessible world and its culture.
The First Seeker's image clasps both sets of hands together and gives a short bow. I wish you luck agents. And I am certain you will do our Society proud.
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"Greetings all Vomatian there. I'm handy with computers." The Verthani glances at the vesk. "Please to meet you Ozs." then the android. "And Felix" then the halfling. "And Chip"
"Handy With Computers, are you not my friend? I am Nalotrunos." The vesk looks at the verthani with expressionless eyes, perhaps a byproduct of vesk's nictitating membrane.
***
Nalo inhales to swell his chest, stretches his neck upward, and widens his stance. Aside from trying to expand his appearance, he ignores her utterly.
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"That sounds sxciting!" says Chip, rubbing his hands together, "But... maybe a little ominous--but exciting!"
He gestures at the bulky robot behind him. "If we're going to be doing something possibly-ominous together, I should probably make sure everyone realizes... I gave Checker a name, and I think I sometimes call it a 'him,' but it is a drone I built for heavy lifting and possibly bodyguarding. It's not an especially shy SRO or anything. I'd prefer it to remain in one piece, but it's ultimately just equipment. I can make a new one. He's there to take punches so nobody else does."
Checker had nothing to add.
The First Seeker's image clasps both sets of hands together and gives a short bow. I wish you luck...Vomatian rubs his chin.
"Do you have anymore info on the Xystrian Brotherhood?"
The vesk in the room looks to Vomatin, then at the holographic image, then back to the verthani. "uh, sorry. that's all that was on the file they gave me." she says, apologetic. "but I've heard a bit about them. they're monks or pacifists or something, based out of Xys and i think they do most of the farming and food production around Preluria. or maybe that's another group - there's so many different groups all around Preluria's rings."
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George nods at the others and he heads over to speak to Twila.
"It is good to see a familiar face. I am sure that it is going to be a successful mission."
Twila-5's lips twitch: the only sign of how awkward she feels in this situation. "Yes. Thank you. Twila-4...thought highly of you. It was good to have someone on the team who wasn't completely disarmed when everything went bad. I look forward to working with you." There. That wasn't so bad. Not like last time. I wasn't re-opening a deep wound for him, like with Sturmvanger. It's okay.
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Cocking her head, Twila-5 dredges her memory banks for tidbits about the Xystrian Brotherhood, Preluria, and its orbiting planetoids, and shares what she knows.
"It sounds like we'll need to be at our most diplomatic on this mission. Is anyone here good at that? I'm...not, really." Why did he choose a team with three androids? That seems thoughtless.
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"Playing nice with them is not my strong suit but I will give the best that I can." Felix tells the holographic image of the First Seeker before it dissolves into nothing. The android then turns to the vesk that is briefing them the mission."Playing nice with them is not my strong suit but I will give the best that I can." they repeat flatly with the same dual voice in unison.
"As for the Xystrian Brotherhood..."
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"Ah, well I'm sure we could... I.. uh.. Hm. Well, I have actually done a little of that stuff, but I didn't do most of the talking. But hey! Meeting's already set, so that part's done. We just need to impress them by handling this favor skillfully, yeah?"
Chip leans back against Chester, which doesn't respond. "I'm no expert, but I've been doing some reading..."
While Comatian and Chip haven't heard of any of these places beyond as names on a map, George 09-23 does recall reading that Preluria has dozens of various groups spread amongst the massive gas giant's orbital rings. The millions of asteroids, mineral chunks, and planetoids that orbit Preluria - 23 of whihc are large enough to have their own natural gravity and atmospheres - have no central governing body. Instead those that live amongst the rings divide into huge numbers of organizations and factions that are frequently in open conflict with each other. Open wars rarely last long though: constantly shifting alliances and a tight web of interdependence and trade within the rings keeps all of the various groups bound together on the whole even as they may often despise their counterparts.
Felix and Twila-5 have heard a bit more about your soon-to-be hosts. The Xystrian Brotherhood is one of the larger factions within the Prelurian rings, along with the mercenary Volrath, the mining Freugan Salvage company, and the Prelurian Patrol (whose self-appointed role as peacekeepers commonly veers closer to vigilantism). The Xystrians are avowed pacifists and practice a serene and ascetic lifestyle on the verdant planetoid of Xys, centering themselves around meditation and selling the produce they farm to hungry populations around the rings. Xys itself also contains several high-end relaxation and spa facilities that make it a destination for the wealthy to travel too for pampered retreats. Felix has heard several rumors that the Xystrian's unassuming benevolence may not be the only side of the Brotherhood however: the Xystrian's reach and connections around the ring also provides the perfect cover for an elaborate spy ring of information brokers and saboteurs that work to undermine their rivals...at least if those whispered theories are to be believed.
"don't worry. i'm sure you'll do fine." the vesk says with a faint and toothy grin.
You each have a chance to pack your gear before heading down to the ship's hanger where a small shuttle has been prepped for you to take out to Xys. The travel there is...longer than you'd like. The recent turmoil with the Drift has become an expected but still inconvenient drag on interstellar travel. Still, after days cramped together in your vessel your ship transitions back onto the Material Plane.
An intensely green gas giant recognizable as Preluria immediately dominates the viewport. Its rings sparkle against the darkness of space, massive even compared to those of the Pact Worlds’ own gas giants, Liavara and Bretheda. Xys itself is but a tiny speck within those rings, a planetoid caught in Preluria’s orbit.
When you first enter Xys’ atmosphere, several small one- and two-man craft appear alongside you, guiding you toward the appropriate landing pad. You dock to find a group of humanoids already standing ready to welcome them. Six stand a bit back from the landing pad, each wearing a light gray unadorned robe with the hoods drawn up, obscuring their faces. The seventh figure however is dressed in a dark gray tunic fringed with a silver trim. A human with smooth gray skin, this figure smiles and bows to you as you walk out, arms wide open.
“Welcome to Xys, travelers. I hope you had a pleasant trip. My name is Makao, and I will be your guide during your stay here. Your interest in Xys and the ways of the Brotherhood honors us.”
"I am sorry to hear that" Makao says with a frown at Vomatian's words. "But we can remedy that. Come - I can get you settled and you all can decompress in one of our spas first They are quite luxurious I can assure you, a perfect start to your visit!"
The Brother motions for you to follow him as he and the hooded brothers turn to guide you off the landing pad. It's just a short journey before you come to an extremely high-end hotel, where you each find yourselves given an elaborate suite. The spa you are then brought to is indeed truly relaxing, with baths, masseurs, and all sorts of other accommodations that are a sharp contrast in comfort to how you've spent the last few weeks.
Over the next several days, Makao greets your party each morning before taking you on guided explorations around Xys. One day he brings you away from the main city to view several large farms - "Our Brotherhood grows and supplies the nourishment for almost 78% of the rings. We work hard to practice sustainability and reasonable commerce practices so that we can continue to feed the Ring's hungry populations for generations to come" - while the next Makao takes you to observe some meditation circles - "We believe that life is both individual and universal: we are both unique selves and each a fragment of a single whole. Through meditations, we can better learn how to both break down the barriers between each other, and to also understand how those barriers around oneself then define oneself. It's why we commit to our practice of pacifism, as violence against another is violence against all."
Makao also brings you to some of the Xystiran Brotherhood's information vaults, giving you a curated tour through sections of the Brotherhood's gathered artifacts and documents. "Ah yes. That is the first draft of The Sun's Ashes One of the poet Drylis' great works about the Stardust Plague. You can see that this early draft has a much more sharp and angry tone than the elegiac final product. That? that's a container recovered from Preluria itself. We believe the psychic gas oozes that live down there use these in some sort of ritual, though less certain is where they acquired the metals involved in its construction. Of course you can transcribe some notes about it to bring back to your Society if you wish."
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Twila-5 makes nice, as much as she's able, mostly by keeping her mouth shut and attempting to mimic Makao's mannerisms. (She has read that this is often beneficial to positive relationships, though sometimes it has the opposite effect. So far, it hasn't backfired.)
She suffers through the spa (such extended pampering makes one soft in more ways than one), though she does appreciate the quiet spaciousness after the extended journey. She makes no conversation, as she suspects that the staff (or hidden microphones) could be used to gather information for shady purposes. She keeps her eyes and ears peeled for any such attempts in her vicinity.
On the farm tour, she keeps an eye out for who or what is doing which types of work. She's particularly concerned about sentient beings (of any sort) being abused for their labor.
The information vaults are truly impressive. Surely the Starfinder Society would love to have access to them. Even so, every collection of knowledge has its dark bits of history. The container from Preluria sparks her interest. "It's from Preluria itself? Impressive. How was it obtained, and how long ago?" And do the psychic gas oozes *want* you to have it?
Throughout all the tours, she's aware that the Sartfinders are only being shown what the Brotherhood wants them to see, but is unable to read between the lines to determine what else there might be. Then again, for a diplomatic mission to establish relationships, perhaps it's better to avoid muckraking. Right?
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Felix follows along as they are guided to different places by Makao. Lots of interesting things can be noted around Xys. Their mind is somewhat relaxed after the spa treatment they were given them after the long trip they had.
But their multi-day tour seems to detour them from their purpose. Felix increasingly notices that while their guide Makao is friendly, they feel that the tour he is giving them is extremely 'guided'. They may want to follow-up questions about grander things but for sure they might meet with roundabout answers or excuses that they are 'not important' or 'not currently open to visitors'. Felix also believes that the tour through the archives in particular seems designed to give a tantalizing taste but they realize they're just being given access to a mere fraction of the Brotherhood's knowledge and resources.
"Your hospitality is well-received and we are honored with your request to let us explore your planet." Felix begins. "What about we talk about the Xystrian Brotherhood itself, its existence. What is the Brotherhood's role in Preluria? Your aspirations or goals, maybe? Perhaps we would like to also see your base, if you don't mind. And we would like to know more about what the Brotherhood knows that would perhaps the Starfinder Society." he says flatly.
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The spa was a welcome change after weeks on a shuttle, but Chip continues to wait for the other shoe to drop.
Torn between relaxing calm and a state of heightened awareness for days, he's curious about the emphasis on pacifism. That definition certainly didn't sound like it would allow for them to request someone else to do violence on their behalf. Which, clearly, either meant that was definitely not the favor they were hoping for or that it was definitely the favor they were hoping for.
He's almost startled at the suggestion of taking notes. Oh. Right. He'd been focused on the expectation of a request for reciprocity that he'd almost forgotten the stated purpose of the visit. "Oh yes," he said quickly, "thank you for the opportunity."
His very-homebuilt computer was quickly in his hands, as he typed and recorded.
Hmph. Well. To be expected, really.
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Nalotrunos thoroughly enjoys the pampering and does his best to play the interested emissary during the tours, etc. He realizes that there is much here for the Society to learn, and understands why the First Seeker was so anxious to get a team here as soon as possible. Soon enough we'll learn about ulterior motives and favours, why worry about them now?
Surprisingly perhaps, the vesk is very intrigued by the meditation circles. Their techniques are similar to some solarian ones, and the goal of personal inner peace is shared, but the vesk diplomatically refrains from pointing out that the Xystrians are reaching a false conclusion. The universe is inherently violent, all life is dependent on continuing catalclysmic creation that few beings could survive without the shelter of ships, stations, or atmospheres.
On the farm tour, she keeps an eye out for who or what is doing which types of work. She's particularly concerned about sentient beings (of any sort) being abused for their labor."It's from Preluria itself? Impressive. How was it obtained, and how long ago?" And do the psychic gas oozes *want* you to have it?
"I woud need to do some research on the exact provenance and get back to you." Makao says with a smile. "Though it was quite some time ago. The oozes on the planet have a complex society but have continually been actively disinterested in engaging with outside life."
"Your hospitality is well-received and we are honored with your request to let us explore your planet." Felix begins. "What about we talk about the Xystrian Brotherhood itself, its existence. What is the Brotherhood's role in Preluria? Your aspirations or goals, maybe? Perhaps we would like to also see your base, if you don't mind. And we would like to know more about what the Brotherhood knows that would perhaps the Starfinder Society." he says flatly.
"Our role?" Makao cocks his head. "Well, our purpose is of course to live our beliefs, and to offer spaces for those who wish to join us to be able to do so safely. But of course, with millions of people living amongst these rings, we've found that using our blessings and resources to help provide food to many of those helps provide that safety and stability, amongst other methods."
At Felix's prodding, and as the other Starfinders seem to be wrapping up their notes on the artifacts displayed, Makao looks wryly at your party and comments. "Well, we hope that your Society will be able to find learning about our teachings useful. You are a scholarly institution, yes? Still..."
The guide begins walking away, towards a side conference room, gesturing for you to follow. Once you enter, Makao's demenaor shifts slightly away from his blandly pleasant attitude into a more business-like attitude.
“While we do actually hope your stay was much to your liking, and that you send glowing reports back to your Society, I would be lying if I said inviting you here was just part of a cultural exchange. We hope you can help us discreetly solve a disappearance of ours"
"One of our agents has gone missing on the nearby Vault of Vorlath, and we’re concerned for his health. We have his last known coordinates, and of course a detailed description of him. Your organization’s increased presence in Near Space, combined with your outsider status, makes you the perfect candidates to investigate this matter.” Makao slides over a datapad. “In return for your cooperation, my organization will provide monetary compensation as well as inroads to a future alliance. We understand if you are hesitant about this mission. I can assure you that our agent wasn’t initially involved in anything illegal or dangerous, though I can make no such guarantees about his current situation. Ultimately, we need a neutral party to investigate the situation on Vorlath, and if you accept, we will owe your organization a debt.”
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Makao's reassurances seem to add up, but Twila-5 can't help but feel there's something under the surface that would paint a very different picture. *Nothing* is this perfect. *Ever*.
When Makao relays the Brotherhood's request for assistance, it stuns her. Ah. Well, that...sounds less sinister than I suspected. There's probably still unsavory stuff under the surface, but this is an "in", as it were. "Get them in debt to you, and use it well", as they say. "Agreed. What can you tell us about the Vault of Vorlath?"
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"Is that all?" Chip's computer was in his hands again as he leaned back on Checker, quickly adding every detail he heard.
He quickly tries to look more concerned. "That should be in our wheelhouse, but very concerning for the victim." If he's even alive, goes unstated. Chip thinks of the weeks on the shuttle. "He's been lost for.. a while, yeah?"
"Of course" Makao turns on the datapad and taps on it to display an image and full description of the missing brother - Firiz. He’s a human of average height with brown hair and eyes. The datapad also contains his last known coordinates, taken from a tracking device built into his comm unit, nd lists come security codes.
"Those codes should allow you to decrypt any messages Firiz left behind" Makao explains. "He has been away from us for a while, but we started to worry a week after he failed to check in. Although it’s not uncommon for agents to go quiet for a while, they have several subtle ways to get a signal to us. None appeared. We contacted your First Seeker at that point. Had our agent reappeared before you arrived, this would just have been a pleasant holiday for you. However with Drift travel now being what it is, it has now been over a month and there’s still no word from him. We fear the worst."
Looking to Twila-5, he explains. "Firiz's last known coordinates are close to one of the major spaceports on the Vault of Vorlath. Vorlath is another planetoid within Preluria’s rings, one governed by the Vorlath Mercenaries, a cutthroat company that hires themselves out to the highest bidder. They’re... less hospitable than we are here on Xys. Most members of the company are worlanisi, a small, blue-skinned species of humanoids, but they've been recruiting other species into their ranks over the last decade. The planetoid itself is nothing much. Mostly deserts, rocks, hovels, and terrible bars.”
To Naltrunos' question he merely answers "Firiz was checking in on one of the Brotherhood’s many interests.” Makao declines to elaborate further about his mission itself, but confirms "If you can recover Firiz and he is still alive, bring him back to us. And if he isn't...well please collect his body for proper rites."
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"Firiz was checking in on one of the Brotherhood’s many interests.”
Hah! There it is. And what top secret things would a pacifist be doing in a den of mercenaries, huh? It is fortunate that Twila-5 isn't much for making facial expressions, else Makao would easily pick up on her skepticism. With effort, she keeps her questions focused on less prickly subjects. "Are there any different cultural norms there of which we should be aware? We don't want to accidentally make this mission harder. And how should we communicate to him that you sent us? Is there a code phrase or something he'll know to trust?"
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Felix silently listens as the full tapestry of the Brotherhood's invitation to the Society unfolds. And there it is, at the very corner of the veil revealing the true purpose. Good thing, it is an invitation of request to help them, with a positive result at the end if the request is well-received and turns successful.
"That explains all of these then. You can count us into the work, given that we are pampered with all the nice things you had for us recently." they tell Makao. "Any information you would like us to tell if we get to deal with anyone from the Vorlath Mercenaries?"