Ongie is ready explain the full layout of the colony, but first answers Gil-Oloth The Mongers works for the Order, they're just one and the same thing, so assume they're hostile. Not everybody in the village is part of them, though!
She then proceeds to give info on the various location:
“Founder’s Square is Braerton’s main hub. All the important buildings are located there, including the town hall, the hospital, and the church. There’s a statue of the town’s original founder, Berrla Tonhue, in the center.”
“The town hall is a multipurpose building located off Founder’s Square; it has a gathering hall, the town archives, and the offices of the government officials—that’s the mayor, the mayor’s aide, and the sheriff. The mayor’s usually a local puppet, but the others are Order patsies. The sheriff usually has a few folks locked up, but I’m not sure if that’ll still be the case.”
“Braerton’s hospital is small and outdated, but well maintained and well supplied. It’s located off Founder’s Square. The head doctor is named Ellemie-2. We weren’t close, but she always struck me as a decent person.”
“Braerton Sanctuary is the local church, which caters to a bunch of different religions. It’s small, with a main worship space and two small side rooms for gatherings. Last I heard, a cleric of Abadar was in charge. Nikeela, I think. I was never much of a churchgoer, so I didn’t know them well.”
“I don't know much about the community center. It was little more than drafted blueprints when I left. It was supposed to be built in Braerton’s west sector—that’s a residential area—and should contain a community center and sports multiplex. Reela was the architect in charge. She was a good person when I knew her. She wanted to get out of there and see other worlds.”
The landing pad is south of town, but that’s not where we’ll be landing. Our drop pod’s programmed to dump us in the farmlands east of town. The landing pad is well maintained, but not super modern. Only the Order’s allowed to use it. You should expect a strong enemy presence if your Starfinder friends don’t secure the landing pad before we get there.”
---
There's another loud, droning claxon that signals the Master Of Stars leaving the drift. A viewscreen in the drop pod displays the scene unfolding outside.
The sky above Kortus IV burns. From around the planet’s orbital ring, automated defense platforms spill a blizzard of drone fighters that fly into battle alongside waiting warships emblazoned with the black and gold sigil of the Order of Dawning Fate. Starfinder vessels light up space with searing blazes of laser fire. No sooner are the ships launched than the drones return fire. The comms crackle to life, and Ehu’s voice strains to conceal fear. “They… they were expecting us. All starship teams, target the platforms! Punch through! All gunners aboard the Master of Stars, target those warships! Take them down!” Explosions start to fill the sky like newborn stars.
Soon after, more ships emerge from the drift, and orbital drones and defense platform return fire. The situation is tense for a moment, until the comms crackle up with the familiar voice of Tara Nova You’ve got your opening, Blue Team! Launch now! Go! Go!
The drop pod laucnhes with an unnerving, uncomfortable jerk following by the slightly sizzling sound of the heat shield burning in the atmosphere. It's all gravity from here, and the weightlessness of plummetting down at terminal velocity towards the surface is unsettling. Ongie breathes a sigh of relief at the braking thrusters kick in, pushing everybody back in their seats in deceleration.
No sooner has the pod touched down than Fitch radios in. “Blue Team, we’ve got two squadrons already closing on your location. Get out of the pod and into town, fast!”
Ongie wastes no time getting out, We're in the farmlands, we must move west from here. Hurry and stay low! A few minutes later, an explosion sends shockwaves through the ground, signifying a direct hit from an orbital drone on the drop pod.
Immediately, there is gunfire coming from a squadron of Order soldier Stay low! Ongie says, We can't engage them, or we'll get pinned down. We're here to rescue, not to fight!
It takes a few minutes for the gunfire to subside, and Ongie again speaks up This is the moment, my father's farm is not far! Go! Go!
The farmlands are now a smoking, burning hellscape covered in debris. After crossing it, the group reaches a farm that’s been utterly destroyed, its farmhouse reduced to a mound of burnt debris and its fields blanketed with white and gray ash so thick it looks like snow. Ongie gasps at the sight.
|
Will shudders slightly.
Reminds me a little too much of that VR game... what was it called? Colony Holdout? You needed to survive against wave after wave of attackers (decided at random, from forces including Swarm Components, the Azlanti Star Empire, Vesk, and the Corpse Fleet), until reinforcements arrived at the end of Day 20. Man, that brings back memories...
Will's inner monologue trails off when he sees Ongie's reaction to the literally torched-and-burned farm.
Damn.
"Ongie. This doesn't mean that he is dead. Think. Where would he go if there was any trouble, and the farm was no longer safe? If he feared for his life, and those coming for him were amongst his friends and neighbors?"
Will tries to calm down Ongie, who just stands there without any words registering, staring in utter speechlessness at the charred ruins.
Gil-Oloth has some good news, relatively speaking: there are no ysoki remains in the ruins. Roget is not here. The elf does spot what looks like an unconscious ysoki half-buried in ash out in the field, but quickly sees it for what is actually is: a robot ambush!
Behind the furrow, a robot hides, and one of them play dead, disguised as Roget and obviously (to Gil-Oloth) bait. A third robot hides behind the combine harvester.
The whole field is covered in a foot of ash, and is difficult to move in. The broken remains of a combine harvester sit in the field, half buried under ash. The harvester’s header, reel, and threshing drum () are five feet high, while the harvester’s body is 15 feet high.
---(Round 1)---
Will
Roquefort
Rani
Gil-Oloth
SAJKFSOCSHDLOABIF!
---
Killer Robot
Killer Robot
Killer Robot
---
Verrek
---
Gil-Oloth identifies the robot as exterminator-class robot, tough robot with self-repair abilities, resistant armor but a vulnerability to fire. They have adaptive skin that can mimic any humanoid.
Will lifts off, but his shot is unsteady. Roquefort and Gil-Oloth aptly demonstrate the vulnerability to fire these robots have, as Roquefort's shot blasts a hole in the robot, and Gil-Oloth follow-up makes a critical of the servo core.
J'Shun marches in, while Rani provides cover fire ()
The robot lay cover fire, aiming at Rani and the incoming Admiral
---(Round 1)---
Verrek
---(Round 2)---
Will
Roquefort
Rani
Gil-Oloth
SAJKFSOCSHDLOABIF!
---
Killer Robot - Orange (DOWN)
Killer Robot - Red (8)
Killer Robot
---
---
|
J'Shun deflects the pistol shot from the bot with his shield and then pivots quickly to engage the last remaining one. Powered by his control over entropy he plows through the snow until he is up close with the bot. Raising Sun Crusher into the high guard position he yells a battle cry, "Summersword!" as he swings his blade.
As soon as it becomes clear laser fire hurts they robots disproportionately, the Starfinder rapidly gain the upper hand. Rani sears the outer layers of the robot behind the ridge, Will blast through him and Gil-Oloth finishes him off, allowing even for a second shot to go astray.
J'Shun then speeds up to the last killer machine while Roquefort pre-heats it with his laser pistol. The admiral cuts the robot with his blade, the acid being effective, but only to an mediocre extent.
---(Round 1)---
Verrek
---(Round 2)---
Will
Roquefort
Rani
Gil-Oloth
SAJKFSOCSHDLOABIF!
---
Killer Robot - Orange (DOWN)
Killer Robot - Red (DOWN)
Killer Robot - (65)
---
|
Verrek has been silent all this time. He had already been sentenced to life in the past for terrorism, so this dwarf had seen scenes no less terrible, although not so large-scale. It's just that he was on the other side that time. Verrek is silent and quietly makes a joint when there is a minute - for example, when we are hiding from the shelling of the Order's troops.
He doesn't usually smoke, but now seems like the perfect time. He creates a magical flame, as if ignoring a shootout with killer robots, and then lighting up, still keeps the flame on his index finger.
We don't have time for nonsense, right? He lets out a ring of smoke, and then points his finger at the last remaining robot, and suddenly the light flame on the tip of his index finger becomes a thin beam that pierces through the robot. Right.
He grunts, taking another drag and holding his breath for a while.
Verrek calmly lights the last robot on fire, and it goes down in a searing burst of flame!
Meanwhile, the battle still rages all around Kortus IV. Fragments of commands uttered by Fitch can be heard occasioanlly Yellow team, enemy fighters on your flank or Three mechs incoming from the south; Green Team, you’re in their sights. Pull back!
Although one of the robots was disguised as Roget, another search confirms Ongie's father isn't here.
they pass through a business sector On the outskirts of Braerton, there's a business sector with surprisingly large buildings for a town so small. Each of the buildings is already thoroughly damaged, with smoke pouring from the broken windows and debris littering the streets.
This sector was always off-limits Ongie explains only the Mongers and their cronies could go here. I believe they had their offices here, and other infrastructure
The buildings are now nothing more than smoldering skeletons, anything of value long destroyed.
Suddenly the search is disrupted by the whizzing of bullets, from some Order troop in a defensive position behind a building.
When looking for a place to take shelter, there's a familiar voice “Over here!”. It's the red team.
“You made it!” Tara exclaims, as she gestures down a nearby alley. Faelin and Markosi unleash a barrage of gunfire at the Order troops across the street, providing covering fire. “Keep it moving, Blue Team,” Tara urges. “That alley’s been cleared, and it’ll get you where you’re going. We’ll clean up these mooks! You keep going!”
Tara takes up position as the group moves down the alley. A message from Ehu crackles over the comms.
“A founder has been identified! I repeat: a founder has taken the field. Red Team, Green Team, and Orange Team, prepare to engage! Target is identified as Sozirenn! Undead dragonkin solarian. Electricity based powers. Highly dangerous. Blue Team, get out of there! Proceed with the missio...”
Even before Ehu can finish speaking, a loud blast rocks the surrounding building, sending an avalanche of debris hurtling down.
Will and Rani manage to dodge the falling debris, while the battle rages on. Red Team here. Visual on the enemy, we're engaging!
---
Rani (OK)
Will (OK)
Verrek [Save needed]
Roquefort [Save needed]
Gil-Oloth [Save needed]
SAJKFSOCSHDLOABIF! [Save needed]
---
Negative, Blue Team! Stay on mission!
As the group avoids the rubble and moves through the alleyway, it possible to catch glimpses of the battle with Sorrizen. A towering dragonkin with sickly, decayed wings hurls an arcing bolt of electricity into Red Team.
Tara, Faelin, and Markosi are knocked back, the dwarf colliding hard with the half-collapsed wall. Sozirenn stretches their crackling, electricity-shrouded claws and strides towards the team, scooping up Markosi by the throat. With a terrifying bellow, they breathe a stream of electricity straight into Markosi’s body until it smolders. Without a moment’s hesitation, they toss Markosi’s corpse into another team of Starfinders.
The comm channel becomes increasingly disturbing, with command being intermingled with shouts of pain. This is orange leader. Green Team is injured! and Tara furiously yelling, Red Leader. Markosi is down! I repeat, Markosi is down!
Another explosion completely collapses the building that separate the Blue Team from the battle, obscuring the Orange, Red, and Green and their opponent from view. Founder's square is just ahead Ongie urges, and presses on.
“Green Team in need of medical attention, Orange Team is down, founder heading north. Tara breaks what feels like ages of radio silence, I repeat, Orange Team is down, and Green Team needs medical assistance. Red Team in pursuit of founder.”
Copied, Red Leader Ehu responds Medical team, divert to assist Green. Red Team to perform a civilian sweep in the surrounding area. Purple and Black, move into position to ambush Sorizzen further north. Blue Team, stay on mission!
Founder’s Square is a small public park centered on a monument that displays a lacquered statue of Berrla Tonhue, original founder of Braerton. The streets surrounding Founder’s Square host several important buildings, including the church, general store, hospital, and town hall. Signs of devastation are obvious, with many buildings damaged or partially collapsed. Blood, laser burns, and bullet holes mar most surfaces, rubble is mounded in the streets, and there are gaping holes in the earth and concrete. Dozens of bodies are strewn throughout the area, lying as they fell on the sidewalks and streets. In the center of the park, a clump of panicked civilians cowers in fear, hands over their heads and hiding as best as they can in the shadow of the broken monument.
Most of the corpses are of civilians, but that at least a dozen of the most recent are fallen Starfinders.
Gil-Oloth and Will spot a sniper hidden at the top of the monument, quite obviously using the huddling civilians as bait.
---(Round 1)---
Will
Roquefort
Gil-Oloth
Rani
Verrek (+That save from previous encounter)
---
Sniper
?
---
SAJKFSOCSHDLOABIF!
---
|
|
Looking at the corpses around her, Gil-Oloth has a thought for her dead comrades as well as the civilians that will not be able to continue to dream, even if they dreams will continue on their own…
Time to put an end to this.
She commands her couch to fly towards the sniper, and indeed the couch starts some thrusters build into its frame and gets Gil-Oloth in the air!
While on her flying couch, she concentrates and point at the sniper. HOLD!
|
Blue Team acknowledging sir Rani replies.
Seeing the sight, Rani starts to feel ill.
This ends ... this ends now
She double moves to the fountain and dives in the water, intending to sneak up on the sniper and take them out from behind. Fortunately, she has the breath holding capability of a Brenneri.
Will takes a shot at the sniper from afar, and though he doesn't have the scope and gunsight the sniper has, he still hits with uncanny accuracy.
Gil-Oloth's spell doesn't seem to affect the sniper, though the shooter remains nearly motionless as he takes aim.
Rani takes a swim in the monumen't basins, while Roquefort lands a lucky shot.
A shot rings out, hitting the admiral, but not from the expected direction. More shots follow, and quite soon it becomes clear that the whole area is crawling with snipers..
---(Round 1)---
SAJKFSOCSHDLOABIF!
Verrek (+That save from previous encounter)
---(Round 2)---
Will
Roquefort
Gil-Oloth
Rani
Verrek
---
Sniper - White (59) [Roquefort]
Sniper - Red [Admiral]
Sniper - Orange [Rani]
Sniper - Cyan [Gil-Oloth]
---
|
|
Maybe J'Shun hadn't noticed that Rani was no longer nearby to obey that order. She had already swum to the back of the fountain and was now sneakily climbing up to take the sniper out. She had reached the last tier when she got shot at so she ducked under the water before returning fire and ducking again.
I'm probably going to have to replace this weapon after this
Will retaliates for the shot on the Admiral, while Rani emerges from the basin, fires a shot at the sniper, and then finds that the water covering the exit lens of the laser causes the beam to lose coherence.
Gil-Oloth tries the same spell again, with largely the same effect. The flying couch lashes out at the sniper, and just barely misses.
J'Shun takes off, getting closer to the sniper's rooftop.
---(Round 1)---
SAJKFSOCSHDLOABIF!
Verrek (+That save from previous encounter)
---(Round 2)---
Will
Roquefort
Gil-Oloth
Rani
Verrek
---
Sniper - White (59) [Roquefort]
Sniper - Red (44) [Admiral]
Sniper - Orange [Rani]
Sniper - Cyan [Gil-Oloth]
---