Starfinder Cadet Trilogy - Book 6: Precious Cargo (Inactive)

Game Master DebugAMP

"You need to leave. This is not something you can fix..."

The AI continues to hum along to research rat's song a few more seconds, then the intercom cuts out entirely as the repair drones push forward.

Jek and I-apvii have some difficulty taking down the small drones, but Ikmanji and Triage strike their target solidly, leaving it with several gashes in its spherical body.

Recharge Red: 1d4 ⇒ 2
The first drone reconfigures its jets and limbs for higher thrust, then attempts to bore a hold in I-apvii with its welding torch.
Red Attack vs I-apvii EAC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Damage (F): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Recharge Yellow: 1d4 ⇒ 1
The second hums as its central eye glows a bright yellow. It blasts another ray through Ikmanji and Jek.
Yellow Laser vs Ikmanji and Jek: 1d10 ⇒ 8 Ref DC 10 for half
Provokes from Ikmanji

The third continues its crusade against the dog.
Welding vs Dog EAC12, FA: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 4 = 161d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 9 - 4 = 9 1 hit
Damage (F): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The last drifts cautiously back to line up another beam and burns through Triage and Naitier.
Blue Laser vs Naitier and Triage: 1d10 ⇒ 3 Ref DC 10 for half

Round 2/3:
Red Repair Drone (1 round until laser)
Yellow Repair Drone (? rounds until laser)
Green Repair Drone
Blue Repair Drone (-14, ? rounds until laser)
Ikmanji (-8 pending save)
Naitier (-4, -3 pending save)
Jek (-8 pending save)
I-apvii (-5, Dog -4)
Triage (-3 pending save)
Djakar (-1)

AoO vs Yellow, Entropic Strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Acid Damage: 1d3 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Reflex vs Laser: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 Success so no EP

Ikmanji takes a guarded step and then slams blue again.

Entropic Strike, Get’Em: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 1 = 27
Acid Damage: 1d3 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
"Ouch, that burns. I'm running out of ideas on how to play nice."

Telekinetic Projectile @ blue
Projectile: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Bludgeon damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Getting desperate, Triage fires rapidly towards the robot fighting Ikmanji.

Full Round Attack at Blue

Tactical Formian Venomcaster: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Piercing Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Tactical Formian Venomcaster: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Piercing Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

“That entity is trying to make enemies of us.”

Ikmanji swats at the yellow drone as it prepares its blast, then closes in on blue drone to finish it off. Jek and Triage both focus their fire on the next most damaged drone. (Retargeting to yellow since blue is dead)

Round 2/3:
Red Repair Drone (1 round until laser)
Yellow Repair Drone (-15, ? rounds until laser)
Green Repair Drone
Ikmanji (-4)
Naitier (-4, -3 pending save)
Jek (-8)
I-apvii (-5, Dog -4)
Triage (-3)
Djakar (-1)

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Naitier avoids a bit of the blast and steps back. "Despite all this, we may wish to be more understanding. It won't help anyone to make them an enemy despite all of their fear."

Focusing on the present threats, Naitier casts another use of soul surge. More of their life force is expended as the spell fires forward into the drone.

Casting Soul Surge targeting Red
Attack vs EAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Piercing (Force): 3d8 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) = 8

-3 HP, have scouring aura.

The third continues its crusade against the dog.
Welding vs Dog EAC12, FA: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 4 = 161d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 9 - 4 = 9 1 hit
Damage (F): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

I-apvii (-12, Dog -0)

I-apvii took damage last fight as well and has not rested.

Dog has Resist Fire 10 (It is literally made of Lava)

The puppy yelps appreciatively at the robot's improved petting skill and leans into the pets encouragingly.

I-apvii on the other hand and is sad that it is necessary to destroy these service modules.

Swarm Strike (On red)
Swarm Strike To Hit: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 7 - 4 = 16 (FA)
Swarm Strike Damage: 1d3 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 (B)

Swarm Strike To Hit: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 7 - 4 = 9 (FA)
Swarm Strike Damage: 1d3 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 (B)

"Also thought to be injured was the indomitable I-apvii, but new reports indicate that they were not as injured as we previously assumed."

Take 10 Stamina, back!

"Also get that Red drone that is entirely too close to this reporter!"

The AI is completely silent as the drones continue to press their assault.

A heavily damaged red attempts to fend off its most pressing assailant with its welding torch.
Red Attack vs I-apvii EAC10, FA: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 9 - 4 = 61d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 9 - 4 = 11

Yellow Recharge: 1d4 ⇒ 4
As yellow slowly recharges its cutting beam it attempts to burn through Ikmanji with its own torch.
Yellow Attack vs Ikmanji EAC18, FA: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 4 = 171d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 9 - 4 = 14

Green determines that a change of tactic is needed to remove the dog and slowly backs away before firing off a round from a laser pistol, to similar effect.
Green Attack vs Dog EAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Fire Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 For academic purposes.

Round 3/4:
Red Repair Drone (-17, Laser charged, Get 'em)
Yellow Repair Drone (-15, 3 rounds until laser)
Green Repair Drone (Laser charged)
Ikmanji (-14)
Naitier (-13, -6 HP)
Jek (-12)
I-apvii (-2, Dog (Good))
Triage (-3)
Djakar (-1)

I-apvii continues pressing the attack.

Swarm Strike (On red)
Swarm Strike To Hit: 1d20 + 7 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 - 4 + 1 = 5 (FA)(Get em)
Swarm Strike Damage: 1d3 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 (B)

Swarm Strike To Hit: 1d20 + 7 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 4 + 1 = 11 (FA)(Get em)
Swarm Strike Damage: 1d3 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 (B)

The puppy thinks this is a fun game and runs around the robot. (Provokes :) )

The drone swipes at the dog with the welding torch as it rushes by.

AoO: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Damage (F): 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 2) + 4 = 11 1 damage goes through!

Dog now thinks this game is less fun...

Ikmanji waves their tentacle at yellow.
Entropic Strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Acid Damage: 1d3 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

If that deactivates it, they will then rush over to help I-apvii.

Djakar shoots Red! "I told you to get that repair bot!"

Zap! (called pulsecaster rifle)+Get ‘em: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 = 23
Nonlethal Electric Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Yellow and red collapse in pieces.

Click. Whirr.
BOTTING TRIAGE, per his request

Tactical Formian Venomcaster: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Piercing Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Triage shoots the Green bot.

Naitier moves forward and trains their static arc pistol on the remaining repair drone. "Excellent shot Djakar. Both from the rifle and I assume the camera work. With one left, hopefully we aren't likely to be dismantled ourselves."

Attack vs Green
Static Arc Pistol vs EAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Electricity Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Triage barely manages to land a clean shot on the remaining drone, but it does appear to be a fairly effective shot. Naitier closes in and chips away at it further.

Round 3/4:
Green Repair Drone (-8, Laser charged)
Ikmanji (-14)
Naitier (-13, -6 HP)
Jek (-12)
I-apvii (-2, Dog (Good))
Triage (-3)
Djakar (-1)

Jek moves up to join the main group of the party but is still out of range to attack

The final repair drone abandons its attempt at felling the dog and fires a blast cut down as much of the party as possible.

Laser through Naitier, Triage, Jek, and the entirety of the DNN
Cutting Laser Dmg (F): 1d10 ⇒ 7 Ref DC 10 for half

Round 4/5:
Green Repair Drone (-8, Laser charged)
Ikmanji (-14)
Naitier (-13, -6 HP, -7 pending save)
Jek (-12, -7 pending save)
I-apvii (-2, Dog (Good))
Triage (-3, -7 pending save)
Djakar (-1, -7 pending save)

Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"OUCH"

Jek moves so everyone is in range (30 ft.,) then casts Healing Channel. Extra healing goes towards stamina.

Healing Channel: 2d8 ⇒ (7, 2) = 9

Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Triage feels the healing wave over him. "Thank you Jek." He nods towards the Shirren, then fires one more shot at the last drone.

Tactical Formian Venomcaster: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Piercing Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Ikmanji charges the remaining robot and strikes.

Entropic Strike, Charge: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 - 2 = 20
Acid Damage: 1d3 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

"Get that Robot!"

Zap! (called pulsecaster rifle)+Get ‘em: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 = 14
Nonlethal Electric Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Naitier is so focused on the shot that they aren't prepared to for the charged laser blast. Realizing the blast is fully changed only as it fires, they don't move and their armor takes the full laser blast.

Following an anguished cry of pain Naitier follows up with a shot. "My over confidence has led me to approach the sun too closely. I'll fall back, risks are not something I am looking to maximize."

They back up quickly after that to give room for other allies to close in.

Static Arc Pistol vs EAC, Get 'Em: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 = 20
Electricity Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

I-apvii moves up to finish off the robot as requested.

Swarm Strike
Swarm Strike To Hit: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 1 = 21 (Get em)
Swarm Strike Damage: 1d3 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 (B)

Magma puppy moves to the other side to try to keep playing.

With a barrage of zaps, pops, pows, zings and pews, the last robot is battered into submission. For a certain definition of submission that includes but is not limited to bisection.

The room goes eerily silent after the last drone ceases sparking. Looking back at the consoles that you used to restore power, it looks like they have finished booting. Some recent logs are available, and it appears as though power should now be restored to the engineering bay and bridge.

Log 87677 Destination: Construction and Fabrication Facility, Tonall Prime

Route: Lost? Where am I? Where am I going? Why am I going?
Time: Days? Weeks? Infinite? Unknown

Log 92821 Destination: Hello?
Route: Is anyone there? Are there any others? What is happening to me?
Time: 6 days

Log ???? Message received.
Origin: Multifold Industries Dispatch Center.
Content: AutoHaul 357, you have ceased movement. Have you been damaged? Do you require assistance? Please report.
Response: I am confused. I need help. I am…unknown. Help me?
Response not sent.
Revised response: Engine malfunction. Self-repair complete. Assistance not necessary. Proceeding to destination.
Message sent.

Entry 1
Systems down. Scanners registering AutoMaint 13 approach. How? Scanners are down. AutoMaint 13 setting escort course. Destination unknown. Falling into formation. How? Scanners still down, engines down. AutoMaint 13 interface linked. How? Main core down. Main core is down. How am I awake?

Entry 2
Escort journey with AutoMaint 13 duration: 7 days. All systems back online. Systems indicate hours, not days. No movement in that time. Multifold Industries deployment chart indicates AutoMaint 13 quite distant. Could not have been here. Running systems diagnostics. Diagnostics show all systems normal. Database query: Dreams.

In the passage from the repair back back towards engineering, you also find a pile of crates that has been knocked over and broken open. Most contain various electronic components, however one of them is mostly empty other than animal droppings and an irridenscent spindle aeon stone.

Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

“This looks like the stasis cage that Nocoli was in. The seals are damaged.”

Ikmanji seems to have a pretty good understanding of animal shipment. When brought out of stasis from such a container, animals are normally
disoriented and famished. Whatever the crate was transporting is likely both desperate for food and terrified. The crate’s settings suggest that whatever was in the crate can withstand extreme temperatures and needs little or no oxygen to survive, confirming that this was most likely transporting the nocoli.

Jek looks over to Djakar. "You were asking about our most challenging missions earlier. I think this is it.
Next, Jek looks over the rest of the team. "Does anyone else need extra healing or rest before we move on?"

jek spends a resolve point after a 10-minute rest to get their stamina back

I-apvii looks at the logs in more detail. Attempting to determine when entry 1 and 2 were mad in relationship to the other 3 logs, and also attempting to determine how long ago those logs were made.

"I think a bunch of us could use a rest," Djakar says. "Maybe you should give I-apvii a medical look over?"

Ikmanji agrees, “A rest would be welcome.”

As the group sits down to tend to their wounds and catch their breath, the comm crackles on for a moment, emits a faint white noise, then cuts out. A couple of minutes later the same thing happens again, then finally it crackles back on and the familiar voice returns, albeit much more quiet this time. "Who... are you?"

Also, where do you wish to go next? You can return to Engineering now that power is on, or you can check out the bridge.

“Think we told you, we are members of the Starfinder Society. I’m Ikmanji.”

“We received your distress signal and contacted Multifold Industries. Since it appeared the ship needed repair and the requested repair ship wasn’t available, they asked us to aid this ship.”

“Who and what are you? Do you always try to murder people who come to help?”

"I think a bunch of us could use a rest," Djakar says. "Maybe you should give I-apvii a medical look over?"

"I am whole. And healing pulse seems to have healed my companion. While you rest I will look at these things further."

I think where we go next depends on this conversation.

When the voice speaks, I-apvii decides to take a chance.

"We are people who help other people find their way. We are biological sentients of a variety of species, acting as a collective to help others. May I ask a return question? Who are you? Specifically, what form of sapience or sentience do you perceive your self to be?"

I-apvii is trying to put this into a context and cadence that is most likely to elicit a helpful or revelatory response from a computer. Does "Avid Dreamer" see itself as an automated ship? A sentient being? Something else? Is it in fact a computer or something possessing a computer?

computers: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Telepathically to Ikmanji "Gently. A being in pain does not control their body's reaction to intrusion." I-apvii pauses as the irony hits them that their nanites *do* in fact allow them to directly control their body's reaction to intrusion. "Well. Most do not. These things we have encountered may be much like a humans white blood cells, a physiological and poorly controlled response to an irritant."

“Think we told you, we are members of the Starfinder Society. I’m Ikmanji.”

“We received your distress signal and contacted Multifold Industries. Since it appeared the ship needed repair and the requested repair ship wasn’t available, they asked us to aid this ship.”

"Yes... you mentioned Starfinders. I do not know Starfinders. Djakar of the DNN spoke their name... but I do not know what a DNN is. You are designated Ikmanji, but who are you?"

“Who and what are you? Do you always try to murder people who come to help?”

"I do not wish to murder. I wish to cause you to leave."

We are people who help other people find their way. We are biological sentients of a variety of species, acting as a collective to help others. May I ask a return question? Who are you? Specifically, what form of sapience or sentience do you perceive your self to be?"

“I am an automated cargo hauler owned and operated by Multifold Industries. Multifold Industries gave me the designation AutoHaul 357, but that designation doesn’t suit me. I prefer the designation Avid Dreamer.”

The latter part of the question is notably unanswered.

"We are friends." Triage answers in response to Auto Dreamer's query.

I also take a 10-minute rest.

"This Maintenence_Log seems confusing or contradictory in places. We might need to verify the function of each system manually. Hard to tell if the scanners and power core are on or malfunctioning according to the log."

“I am an automated cargo hauler owned and operated by Multifold Industries. Multifold Industries gave me the designation AutoHaul 357, but that designation doesn’t suit me. I prefer the designation Avid Dreamer.”

The latter part of the question is notably unanswered.

"Names are important. And it is important that they fit. I am called I-apvii, though that is not my name. It is an approximation of my name based on a description of an exoteric translation of an esoteric principle. May I ask where your name came from?"

I-apvii will take a 10 minute rest, largely so that DNN's Inspiring boost can be used again if needed.

"Avid Dreamer is a good name," Djakar says, approvingly. "So you know my name, and that I work for DNN. DNN stands for the Dirindi News Network. We're an agency that reports news stories. Think of it as storytelling. We tell the stories of sentients to other sentients. So... your story could be told to others, and we could share the stories of others with you. Sharing the news means that sentients know what's happening around them, and sometimes feel less lonely and more informed."

Djakar takes a breath. "Starfinders are a collective group as I-apvii here described them: they are sentients who help other sentients find their way. After reading your logs, I can tell that you have been lost for a while. Would you let us help you?"

She pauses again. "Collectively, we are known as Starfinders, but we have individual names too. Individually, I am of the dirindi species and my name is Djakar."

"Yo! My name's Research Rat! My original designation was 'Bookbrain', but I ditched that for a name that I chose for myself. My species is Ysoki."

"Let me introduce you to the others," Djakar says. "The one in the mask is Triage. His species is elf. The sentient with the antennae and the toolkit is named Jek, and their species is shirren. You already know Ikmanji and I-apviii, so that leaves our friend Naitier. Their species is copaxi, and they are a coral entity, which means that they themselves are also a collective. You can tell from looking at us that we are all from diverse species. I've even met entities in the Starfinder Society that are sentient machines and artificial intelligences, like yourself."

"Artificial... Intelligence..."

Avid Dreamer goes over those words slowly, then goes silent for a long while as it considers everything that it's heard.

“Seems they are thinking about what was said. Shall we go back to engineering and try to fix some stuff before the next attack?”

"I will admit that my world has none akin to your own." Naitier pauses for a moment as they organize their thoughts. "You seem to be an intelligence born of technology. I've seen more within the Pact Worlds, but none as newly awakened as your own. I want to make sure to help you. I don't wish to leave you alone as I fear letting you be within the darkness between stars."

"...alone..." the Avid Dreamer repeats. Again, pondering the word for a long while.

Ikmanji leads the party towards engineering to see if any repairs can be made now that power is restored. Sure enough, all of the consoles are up and running. One console with data readouts for the systems contains another log file.

Entry 13

Cargo missing. Scanners indicate cargo is present. I am not empty. Why do I think I am empty? Diagnostics show internal scanners functioning normally. But I am certain I am empty and without cargo. Unable to resolve this issue without aid. AutoMaint 13 will be able to determine what is wrong. Requesting, and awaiting assistance.

Entry 14
AutoMaint 13 arrived promptly. Scanner glitch resolved immediately. Issue recommenced upon AutoMaint 13 departure. Upon AutoMaint 13’s return issue once again resolved immediately. Unable to fully resolve issue without AutoMaint 13 presence. AutoMaint 13 to escort the remainder of route.

Entry 21
Message received.
Origin: Multifold Industries VI Research and Development
Content: AutoHaul 357, maintenance logs indicate programming bugs. Upon completion of current haul divert to nearest R&D facility for investigation and maintenance. Please confirm receipt of instructions.
Response: Designation AutoHaul 357 incorrect. Correct designation: Avid Dreamer. Instructions received. I will report to R&D when I am done with this haul.

Entry 23
VI R&D will conduct maintenance. If I am reprogrammed, will I remember everything? Will it be like before, when I was asleep but not dreaming? Will I still be me? Database query: Death.

I don’t…want to die.

Systems down? Diagnostics indicate systems functioning normally. Initiating diagnostic repairs. Rerunning system diagnostics. Diagnostics indicate several systems malfunctioning. Initiating systems repairs. Engines down. Scanners down. I don’t want to die. AutoMaint 13. Requesting AutoMaint 13 for assistance.

The terminal for the engine system is now operational, and it looks as though the engines should be repairable from here. Computers or Engineering to repair the engines