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With George calling out that the hologram is tied to the projector, CYGPO sees it floating through the hazy steam and a bangle on their wrist begin to glow. Steam walls! Effective George. They burn and impede the enemy, but not enough to prevent counters like this...
They focus and raise out a hand towards the projector. Glowing sparks shoot out from the extended bangle and coalesce into three large motes. As they rocket through the steam and into the projecting device it looks for a moment almost as if the trio of blasts are tiny charging minotaurs.
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@DM Kludde - Yes and unlike Fred and George these two androids have different colour borders. Shame on you. ;)
George 09-23 runs out from behind the safety of the wall to just behind Cygpo. He joins in the Magic Missile action and releases two of his own targeting the projector.
"Focus fire on the projector!"
Iseph gives the hologram a smegging good beating while his twin and Cygpo launch volleys of unerring missiles at the projector.
Istilnar strikes back at the hologram, but misses.
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Istilnar
Solis
CYGPO
Antethriss
John/Iseph
George
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Hologram (36)
Projector (34)
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Ante's flying kick goes nowhere
The rampant hologram slams back at Antethriss, delivering a hardlight, full contact blow
The projector hurls some fireworks at Solis from behind the steam barrier.
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Istilnar
Solis
CYGPO
Antethriss
John/Iseph
George
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Hologram (36)
Projector (34)
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Solis' swing and the volley of missiles are enough to destroy the holographics projector. The hologram blinks a few times as sparks fly out of the projector, and finally the projection turns to black.
Among the debris, there's a diffuse hardlight hand wrap and some tactical tetrad rings.
Once the area is safe, Yichen comes back in, as do the skittermander, who make an extra effort to act safely this time around.
It's done, it's beautiful! Yichen says, lookign over the beautiful construction, automated components and safety inspection seal but I can't manage this float on my own, and I need a driver for the parade...
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With so many of his colleagues working to create a visual spectacle, CYGPO has the idea to attack another sense. Crouching behind one of the float's decroations they open us an access panel to tinker with some of the fuel lines. The result: irregular bursts of excess fuel that rev the engine loudly as it goes to make an oddly compelling beat...without flooding the thing or setting it on fire.
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Solis kicks the holo-projector across the ground as if it was a soccerball before picking it up.
Where did you guys GET this? she asks the other team.
Later on she she looks incredulously at Cygpo
Are you trying to add Wubs to the engine? she asks.
After thinking about it a bit she then adds Cool idea. Lemme help
She fiddles with the float's control computer
During the parade, she's dressed up as some sort of tight fitting superhero costume of red and orange, walking along the float throwing sweeties to the children.
Iseph pilots the float, which is a lot harder to drive than - say - a hovercar. He manages to get out of the garage, but with a few scratches on the outside. Fortunately, Cygpo makes it seem as if the noise is part of the plan, and the rythmically pulsing engine noise rile up the crowd.
George's billboards then people to 'DANCE' amid display of fireworks that Violet and Olive (on the float ahead) really appreciate! Augmented with the fireworks of Istilnar, it makes for a spectacular show.
Solis functions as the mascot of the float, and side by side with Yichen, she throws the candy, knowing that her computer controls are steering the rythmic backdrop.
Solis keeps an eye open for the person she sent the plushie to.
The Jeweled Flower has turned into an absolute fan favourite, and the previously dejected Yichen has turned into a brighter, happier version of himself That was so great! You've helped me so much, this was the best Newspark ever! Shall we do it again next year?
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The week progresses, and many more festivities are held. During this time, the Lorespire Complex hosts a concert, vidgame competitions for Drift Lane Racer and Apostae Special Team (a rather gory first-person shooter). For those less digitally inclides, there's numerous special courses, including a self-defense class hosted by former First Seeker Jadnura, teaching the four-armed defense technique secrets of the Idari.
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Thank you for your help with the Newspark Parade! Yichen’s been gushing over how you handled the hologram and what an inspiring show you put on!
As you might know, Reunion Day is approaching. Reunion is a time for reaching out to distant family and friends and returning home to feast with your inner circle. Well, our fellow Starfinder, Alora Cembar, is having a rough Reunion. Her grandmother passed away this year, and she’s returned home to Akiton to mourn. She and her family are determined to celebrate Reunion “just like Granny would’ve” and I’m worried the pressure is too much for her.
While I’d love to help her myself, other obligations prevent me from leaving Absalom Station at present. I’d like you to travel to the Cembar homestead on Akiton and assist the Cembars in completing their preparations so they can focus on coming together as family. I’ve already booked you a shuttle, and your travel itinerary is attached.
All my Thanks,
Camellia
P.S. I think your friend liked the plushie
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You're right. It was. Solis replies to Yichen while tossing the inert holo-projector up and down in her hands. And maybe I will
During the week, Solis attends the self-defense class.
Now ...
I guess I'm off to Akiton
She sings quietly to herself on the way to the spaceport
Akiton is a planet
It is so very red
Akiton is a planet
Geologically it's nearly dead
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George 09-23 (not being human) does not make up silly songs about their destination. Instead he spends the time before their trip to find out more about the Cembar Homestead, the planet Akiton and the holiday of Reunion Day.
He uses the ample lead time to do some research connecting to the Infosphere from his personal comm unit.
30 Culture (on a take 20) to find out about Reunion Day.
30 Culture (on a take 20) to find out the Cembar Homstead.
33 Physical Science (on a take 20) to know about the geology and weather patterns of Akiton.
33 Life Sciece (on a take 20) to know more about the more prevalent life forms living on the planet.
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The week progresses, and many more festivities are held. During this time, the Lorespire Complex hosts a concert, vidgame competitions for Drift Lane Racer and Apostae Special Team (a rather gory first-person shooter).
CYGPO still is not fully familiar with NewSpark or many of the other holidays, but they try a few to get more into the 'holiday mood'. And they particularly enjoy the Drift Lane Racer tournament, placing respectably. .
Upon getting Carmellia's latest request, they make their way to the docking bays and are surprisingly happy to see the same familiar faces have received the same summons. It is amusing the mention as they go to the raxalite's shuttle despite being the closest world I have never visited Akiton before.
Not in this branch of reality at least. they add as a caveat after thinking it over for a moment.
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What do you mean? Not in this branch of reality? Solis asks, curiously.
Are you aware of the Myrrium CYGPO answers. It is one of the Society's artifacts. As best we can determine it temporarily transports individuals to unrealized realities caused by divergent changes along the timeline.
One of the Venture captains believes sending agents through rips in space-time to dimensions not our own is a good practice assignment for neophyte agents. they explain matter-of-factly.
Well, isn't George a walking encyclopedia? He quickly recounts that Reunion is an Akitonian holiday that developed in the first century AG in response to the thasteron bust, poverty, and mass emigration.
The holiday promotes generosity and kinship despite economic difficulties and great distances. Traditions include sending a message to distant family and friends, then gathering to enjoy a meal with close friends and family. Traditionally, Reunion Day meals were prepared with cheap ingredients, ingenuity, and lots of love—resulting in outrageous dishes many Akitonians keep on the menu for ironic or nostalgic reasons.
Time to get away from racing simulations and Apostae special command, and head out to the red planet instead. After the shuttle lands, it's a short overland drive to the Cembar homestead. Outside, since we're just a few miles south of the Winterlands, the planet is white, not red, covered in snow. The temperatures outside are oabsolutely freezing, but the overland shuttle is comfortably warm.
The Cembar home is just a tiny speck in the landscape. From outside, the sound of gathering can be heard over the howling of the cold wind.
After knocking on the door, two familiar skittermanders open up. Looksies, it's you! the purplefurred one says, with a sense of shock. She's wearing a knitted sweater with an 'O' on it. The other one says, Come in and enter! We'll hold the door for you! This green-furred skittermander is wearing a knitted sweater that has a 'V' on it.
We're really sorry for all the trouble we caused... Violet says. We were only trying to help... Olive says.
While the skittermanders stand there being apologetic, a shobhad, positively towering over the two small skittermanders emerges behind them. She's lookign slightly out of place in a frilly apron.
Hi! Welcome! she says, I'm Alora, let me give you a tour of the house!
It turns out the place is a lot larger than it looks from the outside, most on the building being underground. In the living room, Olive and Violet watch over six young ysoki—Bitts, Flutter, Grubby, Popper, Scamp, and Slicer. My turn! Waaah! they are fighting over whose turn it is to play “Junk Race Jitters,” a popular two-player racing vidgame.
The ultra-spork goes on the right! Were you raised by pahtras? In the dining room, three hykli—Becca, Cass, and Orence—bicker over how to properly set the table. Lastly, the half-elf Agner naps in the den, their pet squoxes Musa and Gator curled at their feet.
When the group reaches the kitchen, Alora shuts the door behind her. She releases a deep breath as she struggles to retain her composure. “Well, that’s my family. The Cembars might be odd, but we chose each other, and I love them dearly. Right now, though, we’re falling apart. We lost granny earlier this year, and things have been rough ever since. Granny was the glue that held us together. Since she passed away, we’ve been lost. This is the first time we’ve all been together since the funeral. I thought Reunion would bring us together, but it’s pulling us apart. They’re all so determined to make today perfect in honor of Granny—to do everything exactly the way she would’ve done. So here I am, in an apron, with no idea what to do!”
Alora sniffs at the air. “Smells like smoke,” she remarks. Her eyes widen, and she dashes to the oven, removing a baking sheet covered in an unidentifiable charred lump. Alora’s lip quivers, then she screams, tossing the ruined meal into the sink. “I quit! I can’t focus with them bickering, and this is hard enough on its own!”
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Solis just stares in shock at the two skittermanders. Oh Come ON! What are the odds She then regains her composure and smiles Well I guess you weren't to know that the holoprojector was infected with alien code. My techie friend said it was left over from the Data Scourge ... seems I missed a lot when I was off station.
In the kitchen.
Look. Camellia sent us here to help. So, what can we do to help?
Alora is in complete and utter meltdown mode, and is not answering the groups question. Maybe it's just the kitchen, but there seems to be actual steam emerging from her ears.
Alora () calms down slightly when Solis speaks, the steam moving away from her head a bit.
I was given “the privilege” of preparing dinner she explains, and everybody is expecting me to recreate Granny’s recipe of roast arabuk stuffed with stone-stored apelos, served on a bed of sticky rice and topped with gravy. And all I have is this... she points at what can best be described as a charred disaster. Alora takes stock of the remaining ingredients in the house, and says needless to say, I don't have any spare arabuk after I burned this one. The only solution I see is if you go arabuk hunting. I'd also need some fresh herbs, for the taste, if you can find some.
Though she doesn't have much cooking experience, Alora does have hunting experience and some spare equipment. She has an old rifle and hunting gear: an advanced shobhad horizon striker and a warleader shobhad harness.
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@DM Kludde - Exactly how cold is it outside anyways? George 09-23 is good to -50 F with his Thermal Capacitor but standard armour only protects to -20 F.
"I guess we can bring back an arabuk and some herbs? Which herbs do you have in mind?"
@DM Kludde - George did plenty of research about the common lifeforms (33 with Life Science) on the planet before leaving. I can have him roll if you like or you could just tell me what an arabuk is. :)
Alora readily offers some protective gear You can borrow those of the guests... if you can find the right size. Pleae keep it in one piece... There's a coatrack with protective gear of skittermander size, human size, as well as two large shobhad sized coats, one rather old-fashioned looking That was grandma's Alora says with a sigh.
Outside, the blistering, blistering cold feels truly inhospitable. Even worse, the sum is setting, and reddish purple glow in the sky does little to soften the dropping temperatures.
"The environmental protections on your armor should shield you from the cold," Istilnar says bluntly.
"No, Istilnar armor is only rated to -20 F. Check your online manual if you do not believe me."
Isephs, Solis and George are quick to pick up a trail of animal footsteps. Eventually, the group manages to sneak up on a particularly majestic specimen, just grazing at some exposed grass.
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George
Antethriss
Istilnar
Iseph
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Arabuk
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CYGPO
Solis
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