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"Research Rat, coming through." Research Rat spits out his tool kit and goes to work.
Eventually RZMR dominates the lock on the door and gets it open.
Cheery red furniture contrasts with an otherwise austere sitting room. Portraits of androids, each with a cold expression and silver circuitry, adorn the walls. Beneath each is a plaque indicating a name. The largest portrait in the room is of Historia‑Prime. The other portraits are of later Historias, ending in a final, smaller holographic portrait of Historia-4. The north and east walls house fireplaces with softly glowing flames, while the south and west walls are bisected by metal doors.
A few moments after your group enters the room, the shimmering silhouette of a hologram forms overtop the table in the sitting room's center, resolving into the frowning likeness of Historia-4. “Starfinders, you're late. I've been expecting you to report for planar simulation training for quite some time.”
“Explain yourselves.”
The over-sized holographic head turns to Pervir and says “106 years. Clearly the Society needs me to adjust its priorities.”
“I suppose there hasn't been much call for planar missions of late. Which Historia is currently leading the Dataphiles? Five? Six?”
The hologram gives a solemn nod. at Zarzucket’s response. When Pervir speaks up the expression suddenly changes to one of delighted surprise as “Really? Not a Historia?” bursts from her mouth. The frowning countenance quickly returns and she says “The Starfinder Society must be a mess. I see you contacted me so that I can set things in order.”
She glares at Pervir and says “I’m sure you must be misinformed if you think I would have left a mess behind,”
With a dismissive wave, she refocuses and addresses the whole group.
“Enough idle chatter. On to the mission briefing.”
Your comm units chirp indicating an incoming message as the hologram says “I have prepared three planar simulation missions for you today, each to a different plane. In order to prevent misunderstandings I have sent the details to your communicators so you can refer to them as the mission proceeds.”
“I’ve found this an effective method for keeping missions on track.”
“The first mission is a simple retrieval mission in the abyss. No need for delicacy, retrieve the data and eliminate any problems.”
“The second mission requires you use discretion in data retrieval from Nirvana. The inhabitants are easily distracted, but do not underestimate them! Retrieve the data without their knowledge and leave. Dead bodies are not discrete.”
“The third mission is a test of your negotiation skills with the inhabitants of Axis. The information from the first two missions should interest them. Arrange a data exchange. Under no circumstances let them know how our data was acquired. Allying with these archivists could continue to provide vital data in the future. Their destruction is not permitted.”
“Take a moment to read the full details of the missions. If you need to, you may ask questions at this time.”
Although the hologram says you have time, their body language and expression is one of impatience.
While the mission briefing is happening you notices that one of the portraits changes.
The portrait shows a female android with slicked-back red hair and a disdainful expression gazes upon relics taken from the Corpse Fleet. This person clearly matches the appearance of the Historia hologram.
As the large hologram gives the briefing, the portrait subtly changes. The corpse fleet relics are replaced with pieces of art, Historia-4's circuitry flashes from silver to red, a paint brush appears in her hands, and her expression shifts from disdain to hope. Just as quickly, the image shifts back.
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"Did you see that?" she whispers at Zarzucket. She even blinks thrice to see if she is really seeing what she is seeing, but it is already gone now.
I actually have a question," Pervir raises her hand as if it is necessary to get the hologram's attention. "Were you or are you an artist? Like, do you paint with a paintbrush?" Pervir gives the hologram her usual smile, trying to understand what she just saw.
The hologram gives Pervir a look of distain and in a dismissive tone says “As the leader of the Dataphiles I have no time for such frivolous pursuits!”
You notice a sudden shift in one of the portraits as the hologram is responding to Pervir.
The portrait shows a female android with slicked-back red hair and a disdainful expression gazes upon relics taken from the Corpse Fleet. This person clearly matches the appearance of the Historia hologram.
Suddenly the portrait shifts. The circuitry going from silver to red. She is holding a paintbrush in one hand and quickly paints the wall behind her with a big, flamboyant YES! in glittery paint.
Less than a second later, the portrait returns to that of the silver circuited, stern android.
You catch the portrait changing again. The circuitry once again goes from silver to red and the paintbrush returns to her hand. She quickly paints the wall behind her with a big, flamboyant YES! in glittery paint.
Less than a second later, the portrait returns to that of the silver circuited, stern android.
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Expression betrays the deepest desires of the soul RZMR remarks as he notices the backdrop change, then proceeds to lecture the stern android through artistry, the individual expresses creativity, and through creativity, collective experiences progress.
RZMR is not sure about the shifting portrait, and from his seat looks around to see if he can find the origin of the holographics projection.
Anyone can tell that there is a holographic projector embedded in the table. There is no effort to conceal it. Furthermore the frames for the pictures are fairly standard decorations where you can stream the hologram or a static image. They are rather limited, not being able to project the hologram out into an area. The frames create a hologram that starts at their surface and fakes depth.
Perception to find hidden projects and other such things.
You don’t notice anything hidden.
"I don't have any problems with doing these missions, but how are we going to get to these locations? Also, a question. You said no dead bodies, but is knocking someone unconscious permissible?"
“It is a planar simulation. You will walk through those doors…” she looks to the west “…into the prepared simulation.”
“Unconscious is less than ideal, but better than dead. A properly trained and prepared team should be able to do the second and third missions without combat.” She stresses the word properly, suggesting that your team may not be properly trained.
"Why would we accept missions from this android? We are here to clean up a mess, not do training missions..."
"We are here to explore this complex," Chance notes to Tad. "Maybe doing these missions will help us do that?"
“If you are not here for training, leave now. I will make sure your insubordination and failure are noted in your evaluation.”
Chance raises a hand to Historia. "Um, artist lady or grumpy person or whomever you are... Do you know if these missions are going to be dangerous?"
“Call me Historia-4.”
“I hope so. I'm not here to coddle you.”
Suddenly the circuitry and the expression on the big hologram’s face changes and in an excited, bubbly voice she says “Completing the course will get you our special Starfinder backpacks with the Dataphiles logo!” As quickly as it changed, it resumes the frowning silver circuitry grumpy countenance.
"Are you, um, glitching or something?" Research Rat asks, fascinated.
"Are you, um, glitching or something?" Research Rat asks, fascinated.
“Of course not. I was programmed by Historia-4. I'm perfect.”
“That should be enough questions. The mission parameters are clear.”
“Do not disappoint me. There's no reason to waste time instructing those who aren't suited to the kind of work the Dataphiles perform.”
With that the doors open. As the doors open on this foreboding room, demon overseers and chained damned souls are frozen in place amid a horribly hot manufactory. The whole scene remains a tableau.
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Pervir draws her weapon after seeing such dramatic welcome they have. "Well I guess there is no turning back now." Pervir murmurs under her breath. "We have nothing to worry about. They are just simulations, right? Nobody dies in simulations." but her voice cracks just saying that.
She then looks around for signs of unusual movements and whatnot.
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“Of course not. I was programmed by Historia-4. I'm perfect.”
Did RZMR just snort? There's clearly some tension in the air between the flawed construct and the perfect, immortal construct.
When RZMR sees the frozen demons, he utters
Our purpose here is to retrieve the data, battle not with monsters RZMR repeats the mission instructions. he switches into his public service announcement voice Please do not gaze into the Abyss, then proceeds to do exactly that.
Neither Pervir nor RZMR notice anything hidden in the planar simulation room.
You have the two robotic demon overseers supervising chained souls making cheap and shoddy counterfeits manacles. These robotic demons superficially resemble real demons, with common features like horns and fangs, but their exact set of features doesn't match any commonly known type of demon.
There are cranes in each corner of the room, one of which is in the process of hauling away a shipment.
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A cheap counterfeit, no doubt little match for the real deal. RZMR says, while trying to figure out the technicalities of the simulation.
The true Abyss is the destination of the corrupted soul, those with neither the inclination to contribute to society, nor with regard to the glory of the greater good.
RZMR quickly determines that the demon overseeers are mere robots with some unusual abilities meant to emulate demons. They have the same immunities that all constricts have. They also have the same vulnerability to electricity and critical hits that is common in Pact World robot designs.
Unusual for robots, these have a minor resistance to acid, cold and fire. They also have huge jaws with jagged teeth obviously meant for biting. They have a ranged weapon option to spit acid. He notices that under the ridiculous wings there are turbo fans to allow them to actually fly.
DEMON ROBOTS
CE Small construct (technological)
Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (Ex, average)
Immunities construct immunities; Resistances acid, cold, fire
Weaknesses vulnerable to critical hits, vulnerable to electricity
Melee bite for piercing damage
Ranged integrated bruiser decoupler (Acid damage, critical demoralize)
When RZMR examines the chained souls he finds they are simple holograms. He can walk right through them.
Looking around the room RZMR recalls that Droskar is the dwarven deity of toil, tossed out of the dwarven pantheon by Torag for copying the work of others. Droskar hates sloth and loves to cheat his clients.
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RZMR looks around for any sight of the data package, while warning his team members The true master of disguise recognises the ruse while preparing his own. These demons are but construct meant to emulate the planar dwellers, and come with the same flaws of all construct. Completely devoid of any self-reflection, he then goes on to explain all technical details of the weaknesses and capabilities of constructs.
---
This is a message from AbadarCorp Entertainment. Due to many positive responses and to align with industry standards, we are today announcing the following enhancements to our travel experience, which are retro-actively reflected in our terms and conditions:
- non-essential NPCs are no longer offered for free.
Please look forward to many more program enhancements from AbadarCorp Entertainment.
---
Intense heat radiates from the floor around the central worktable. Embedded into its tabletop is a bright red datapad. Guess this data is really hot!
That makes two pictures that are weird!
Zarzucket recognizes that this is supposed to be someplace on the Abyss, but doesn’t recognize the exact local.
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Pervir enters the hot scene and looks around too after learning what RZMR has found.
"If there is a way we can retrieve it..." Pervir ponders the situation while staring at the datapad in the center of the room they are in.
"Does anyone recognize the equipment or machines in the corners of this room? Might help in getting that thing." she asks the others after not coming up a solution in mind.
"Careful, we don't know if that might be trapped."
Delikie pulls a probe out of her medkit and gently prods the datapad. Assuming there is no reaction, Delikie then picks it up.
Delikie gets near the floor surrounding the workbench and realizes it is so hot that it will burn her.
Historia-4 raises an eyebrow, points to the open door and states, “Training will begin when the whole team is present.”
Pervir thinks it would take someone with engineering or a profession that works with heavy equipment to figure out if the cranes can be used somehow.
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"But.... I don't wanna go into the death dungeon!" wails Research Rat. "Sometimes, I really hate my hireling contract."
Standing in Chance's shadow, Research Rat glances over at the crane that Zarzucket pointed to. "Yeah, that could be interesting!"
Research Rat tells everyone that they are computer controlled cranes. Right now they are in stand-by but once active they could pick heavy things up. He also thinks that once activated, it should be possible for someone with the proper skill to jam or take over the crane. You would want to be next to the crane to do this.
They are pretty big cranes, should be able to reach out 20’ from the base.
The hologram glares directly at Tad and points to the open door to the simulation. “A minute ago would be good. Are you planning to make me wait another 106 years?”
The hologram glares directly at Zarzucket and points to the open door to the simulation. “A minute ago would be good. Are you planning to make me wait another 106 years?”
RZMR finds where he could hack the cranes. Unfortunately they are not activated right now so there is no way to take control until they are.
As soon as Zarzucket moves into the room, the doors slam behind him. At that point things start to happen!
Damned souls in heavy chains wail as they labor in a stiflingly hot underground manufactory. The air reeks of sweat and sulfur. Clanging and hammering sounds echo against the oppressive dark stone walls. Four robotic cranes, each in one corner, periodically drop supplies or remove finished products, swinging with no regard to worker safety. Intense heat radiates from the floor around the central worktable. Embedded into its tabletop is a bright red datapad.