After a few weeks of R&R, you start feeling the itch to get back into the action.
Over the intercom, a chime sounds, followed by a computerized voice summoning all agents on site to a mandatory meeting in the Hall of Discovery.
Looks like the itch was a premonition.
The Forum’s meeting space is a massive hall with rows of tiered seating facing a central stage. Wide walkways cut through the seating area, providing ample space for crowds of people to file in and out of their seats. About two hundred Starfinders, including most of the Forum, are currently present. While many make themselves comfortable, a few groups mill about in the aisles talking to each other. Several venture-captains and faction leaders stand near the stage, holding conversations in hushed tones.
You pass by a large group by the door, clustered around Royo, a well-respected scholar in a tweed suit chewing on a pipe (rather than smoking it indoors). Everyone in this group carries analog or magical equipment. Many are towering izalguuns and dwarves in archaic attire.
Nnone of the Starfinders in this group have computers or visible cybernetic augmentations, and some carry books, notepads, pens, or other physical writing material.
The group is talking about whether Guidance and other artificial personalities can be trusted after the events of the past months. Royo lectures about how much information could have been lost if Guidance had been fully compromised, to which an irritable jububnan Starfinder adds, “How do we know it wasn’t?”
Royo is more polite than some of his companions, and he soon turns to greet those of you who join in. He explains that "... my companions are all members of a growing anti-technological movement within the Starfinder Society that’s increasingly vocal because of the Data Scourge. The movement includes many Starfinders whose lives have been altered for the worse by technology or by an over-reliance on technology, including the izalguuns and the dwarves rescued from the Salvation’s End simulation." He gesters to the group. "We believe the Society is overly dependent on technology and think tech-reliant factions like the Dataphiles have too much power in the Forum. While some of our members proselytize about the benefits of a tech-free or tech-light lifestyle, the group’s main aim is to reduce the Starfinder Society’s 'dangerous over‑reliance' on technology. We want the Society to transition to a multidisciplinary approach to innovation, operations, and problem‑solving that refocuses on a mix of natural, magical, and analog methodologies to form a balanced and secure foundation."
Royo proudly informs you that, "This group is planning to file with the First Seeker to create a recognized faction within the Forum!"
The conversation eventually peters out as some of the group members take their seats.
"Right now we've got a leading idea.... but I don't want to put the hovercar before the sidhrath."
On stage are the other faction heads. They're open for questions, but not so much with the small talk. Before you can really engage though, the room starts to quiet down. You're close enough to the leaders that you have a better view than most.
Ehu Hadif strides down the aisle, the hush hanging behind him as he approaches the stage. There, he stops and whispers something to the assembled leaders....
She’s right,” Naiaj grumbles. “Prime is a monster we helped create. Stopping him is our responsibility.”
“We’d be leaving the Station defenseless,” Ixthia argues.
"So do our agents!” Naiaj interrupts.
Naiaj crosses her arms and glares back at the android.
“Your attention, please!” Ehu remarks sternly. “That’s enough speculation. This matter’s already been settled, and I’ve called you here to tell you what I know.”
He walks onto the stage, leaving the group of frustrated venture-captains and faction leaders behind. Grumbling, they settle into empty seats in the front row.
Ehu speaks into a microphone:
“Starfinders, I’ll get right to the point. We know where the Data Scourge code is coming from.”
Whispers spread throughout the crowd.
“I’m sure you all know by now that we have reason to believe Historia‑Prime, the former Dataphiles faction leader, is responsible for the Data Scourge. Historia has tried to control the Dataphiles for years by using illegal technology to steal his successors’ bodies. We lost him in the Scoured Stars, only to find him again on our return expedition. We thought he was dead, but he’s still out there trying to manipulate us. With your hard work and the cooperation of the Church of Triune, we’ve located the source of the Data Scourge code. That means we finally know where Historia-Prime is.”
“What are we going to do?” a Starfinder shouts from the crowd. Murmurs trickle through the hall.
“Nothing.” Ehu says. “The Stewards are already on a mission to those coordinates. They have the firepower, training, and authority to deal with this. They’ve worked with us in the past, but this time the Stewards don’t want us involved. I’ll be honest: I don’t like it, but I understand it. The Stewards are the defenders of Pact Law. Going against them would have repercussions for us. For now, we—”
The building shakes, knocking the microphone over with an ear-piercing whine. Ehu stumbles, and the crowd ripples with nervous energy. Frantic voices in the hall call out in alarm, and the doors fling open. The power flickers, then goes out.
All at once, everybody wants out!
Ohmarc gets bruised a bit.
Outside, Starfinders and other locals gather in loose groups, gaping in awe at a terrifying sight overhead
The artificial sky above the complex flickers, revealing a hectic battle scene! Dozens of starships swoop and whirl through the black, firing at a cylindrical silver vessel that swims through space with strange grace. Absalom Station’s armada and automated defenses continue to confront the attacker, but the enemy craft is fluid. It shifts shape to avoid and absorb attacks, fighting back with whip-like tendrils that lash out from its body. Ships explode in gouts of flame at each tendril’s touch.
The protective dome surrounding Absalom Station’s Eye whirs into action, enveloping the sky in steel and blocking all view of the skirmish above.
With the view gone and no idea what’s happening above, the crowds panic. Most people run for cover, but a few spring into action, with plans to join the defense in their own ships or to get a better view elsewhere.
Ixthia the Unbreakable stands beside you, their antlered head cocked in curiosity.
“My starship is in a nearby hangar. We can get there quickly if we hustle. Come. Help me defend our home.” Ixthia breaks into a jog. "FOLLOW ME!" They lead you to the Society’s hangars where they board Defiance, an elegant shuttle with a blue and gold paint job.
"Strap in!"
Endre (SP: 56/56): Recall Knowledge
Eselar (SP: 45/45 ): REF + Recall Knowledge
Iseph (SP: 56/56): Recall Knowledge
Ohmarc (SP: 48/56): Recall Knowledge
Tanila (SP: 36/36): Recall Knowledge
Trylara (SP: 64/64): REF + Recall Knowledge
Ohmarc immediately gets as much of a feel for the situation as one can possibly expect.
Endre (SP: 56/56):
Eselar (SP: 45/45 ): REF
Iseph (SP: 56/56):
Ohmarc (SP: 48/56):
Tanila (SP: 36/36):
Trylara (SP: 64/64): REF
In space outside Absalom Station, the hundreds of commercial and private craft that compose the station’s armada are losing the battle against the massive enemy craft. Some starships are retreating while others hang suspended in masses of silver tentacles. Debris floats nearby, indicating more starships have been destroyed or severely damaged. Even stranger, the silver craft has changed shape and now resembles a platform rather than a starship. Buildings begin sprouting up from the platform before your eyes like mushrooms after rain—all completely silver—creating a near-perfect copy of the Lorespire Complex and the surrounding structures on Absalom Station.
"Approaching this thing won't be easy. I'm a warrior, but I'm no pilot.
Do one of you think you can get us there? I'll keep the ship safe while you infiltrate! Any takers?"
One party member: Piloting check
Endre (SP: 56/56):
Eselar (SP: 37/45):
Iseph (SP: 56/56):
Ohmarc (SP: 48/56):
Tanila (SP: 36/36):
Trylara (SP: 64/64): REF