Stell shifts to avoid the flames entirely.
Farvenzi looks visibly disappointed with this result.
SECURITY SHOWDOWN! - Round Seven Cont'd!
Chip -10 SP
Checker -29 HP
Farvenzi -89 HP
Dirk -54 SP | -27 HP | -1 RP
Spinjack -77 HP
Seldszar
Arachne
Stell -9 HP
Dirk goes full defensive.
hang tough
Finding himself surrounded, Spinjack attacks the drone!
Unpleased with the results as his attack as it fails to connect, he repositions himself.
SECURITY SHOWDOWN! - Round Seven Cont'd/Round Eight Begins!
Seldszar
Arachne
Stell -9 HP
Chip -10 SP
Checker -29 HP
Farvenzi -89 HP
Dirk -54 SP | -40 HP | -1 RP
Spinjack -77 HP
Seldszar
Arachne
Stell -9 HP
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Stell makes as if to run for cover from the dragonkin, then she spins and fires again, determined to put the bully down. Her gun makes a sound like sheet metal being ripped and shredded.
= CR affected.
Success: Target is flat-footed against the trick attack; if attack hits, add trick attack damage and Debilitating Trick.
Debilitating Trick: If using a sonic weapon, requires a DC 21 fortitude save (success = deafened for 1 round; failure = deafened for 1 min and stunned until the end of their next round.)
(range 30')[+2 bonus on attack rolls against creatures behind cover]
Due to her cunning trick, Stell manages to drop the dragonkin!
Seldzsar shoots Spinjack twice!
The drone strike kills the ryphorian!
SECURITY SHOWDOWN! - Round Eight Begins!
Chip -10 SP
Checker -29 HP
Farvenzi -100 HP
Dirk -54 SP | -40 HP | -1 RP
Spinjack -106 HP
Seldszar -13 HP
Arachne -13 HP
Stell -9 HP
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Chip disarms both assailants before helping Stell treat Dirk. "I don't suppose anyone carries restraints?"
He then takes the fresh battery out his laser pistol and slots into into his rifle. He pops the partially-expended batteries into his pistols and pockets the one that's almost dead.
"I doubt we're going to face anything else that resists fire, so I probably don't need it, but do either of them have spare batteries?"
He doesn't want to take the time to fully repair Checker, but he does what he can to get the dings out.
Acting quickly, Chip manages to keep Farvenzi alive.
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Stell suggests interrogating Farvenzi first. Then depending on what is learned from that, if anything, decide on what's next. Probably best to continue on to the research facility to do what we set out to do.
"We could contact the bad doctor and claim we came across Spinjack and Farvenzi injured by an attack by the locals and that we are bringing the injured back for medical attention, just to avoid a confrontation in case these two did not notify the lab about their attacking us."
Stell suggests interrogating Farvenzi first. Then depending on what is learned from that, if anything, decide on what's next. Probably best to continue on to the research facility to do what we set out to do.
"We could contact the bad doctor and claim we came across Spinjack and Farvenzi injured by an attack by the locals and that we are bringing the injured back for medical attention, just to avoid a confrontation in case these two did not notify the lab about their attacking us."
While Seldszar is working on Farvenzi (before the dragonkin is conscious), Stell asks what information the group should try to get from him. She is confident of her ability to intimidate. She can switch on her augmentation voice amplifier to sound more threatening.
Stell questions Farvenzi, looking stern and speaking in a preternaturally loud voice. "If you wish any mercy, tell us of any defenses we will face as we enter the facility and deal with the others. We will extend mercy only if you speak the truth and provide us with helpful intelligence."
Farvenzi holds back a laugh as she responds, "The defenses of the research station?" The dragonkin coughs. [b]"You're looking at them--or what's left of them. I am the head of the security and you killed nearly all of my security team--including my bonded partner!"
She spits. "The few who stayed back at the facility won't give you any trouble. They aren't adequately equipped or trained enough to fight you, even if that were their primary mission. Regardless, their interests lie elsewhere. That won't give you any resistance. In fact, I suspect that hey'll surrender to you as soon as they know that Spinjack is dead and that you've taken me down."
Stell concludes that the dragonkin is being truthful about the lack of threat posed by the remaining security guards. However, Farvenzi's reference to "interests" reminds the Starfinders that the Society is not the first organization to take an interest in Icefront.
"Why did you attack us in the first place? You obviously expect that we've learned something bad about the research station, but that expectation clearly wasn't universal."
"I don't know what you know or what you don't know." Farvenzi responds truthfully. "Nor do I care. What I care about is the job. And our--" The dragonkin pauses for a moment. Catching a glimpse of Spinjack's body, she continues, --that is--my employer has a strict policy for security detail at this outpost: unexpected visitors must be executed and disposed of as quickly and cleanly as possible. We just waited until we could do so discretely so as not to compromise the contributions of others."
Farvenzi's words are interrupted by a cry from outside the walls surrounding the tower.
The source is Dr. Monsylkis. "What is going on here?!" she cries out. "I leave for a short research excursion off-campus and find--this?!"
Seeing the remains of one of the security guards, she rushes to the body to examine it. "Violence?! What is the meaning of this?"
Approaching the walls, she spies the Starfinders. "You? I welcomed you to the station. Shared my work openly. Did you do this?"
Farvenzi turns her gaze at the party, genuinely curious to see how the Starfinders will respond.
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Stell leaves her voice amplifier on as she explains a few things the the doctor.
"As Farvenzi has just explained, your employer has a strict policy for executing and disposing of unexpected visitors. Your guards tried to kill us and very nearly did kill one of us. We used violence in self defense. Assuming you have security cameras, they should confirm this. So much for your welcome. We've uncovered serious harm your work is doing to the native inhabitants and are here to insist you terminate all experiments and evacuate the planet. If you do not do so willingly, we are prepared to force you to comply."
Stell leaves her voice amplifier on as she explains a few things the the doctor.
"As Farvenzi has just explained, your employer has a strict policy for executing and disposing of unexpected visitors. Your guards tried to kill us and very nearly did kill one of us. We used violence in self defense. Assuming you have security cameras, they should confirm this. So much for your welcome. We've uncovered serious harm your work is doing to the native inhabitants and are here to insist you terminate all experiments and evacuate the planet. If you do not do so willingly, we are prepared to force you to comply."
"There are no security cameras out here." Farvenzi mutters smugly under her breath within Stell's earshot. "Did you [i[really[/i] think our employer would have hired us if we didn't know how to do our work discretely?"
With Farvenzi's words being indiscernible due to present distance, Dr. Monsylkis simply stands agasp for a few moments. Her face showing clear confusion over what she has just heard, she nearly trips over herself trying to fashion a response.
"M-my 'employer'?" Dr. Monsylkisstutters as she tries to comprehend the meaning of Stell's words. "Winterharvest?! My employer is an agricultural development nonprofit! Its 'policy' and purpose is research, not 'execution'!"
"As I told you when you arrived, my work is academic and humanitarian!" she continues, obviously exasperated. "If it were not, I would not be here as part of the research grant funded by Winterharvest! I know of nothing I have done to suggest otherwise! Your accusations are quite untoward and your use and continued threats of violence are abhorrent!"
"We may be outside of Pact World space, but I have contacts in the Stewards." The doctor warns. "You won't get away this!"
Farvenzi flashes Stell a toothy grin.
Stell senses that Dr. Monsylkis feels the Starfinders have breached her trust and is truly indignant about the accusations that her work is a source of harm. Stell also knows that her initial attempt to coerce the doctor through intimidation was unsuccessful.
Information received before arriving on the planet.
Knowledge obtained during your tour of the facility.
Conclusions reached about facility machinery.
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"We have documented the harm to the local residents. I will share that with you or we can take you to the community we visited where we gathered the evidence. We have samples of genetically modified plants growing outside your lab, which causes normally docile herbivores to become violent. The locals also report your weather control is extending winter weather longer than normal, which is creating harsh conditions for the locals. They also report when they are forced to eat your genetically modified plants they become addicted. How does all that relate to your research grant? Since we saw evidence of lab animals showing signs of addiction to whatever you are feeding them, I suspect you know all about this."
"Before we came, we received a warning that the Frozen Trove scientists are topnotch but their management is hostile and protective of what they think of as their property. We were attacked as we approached by a drone that attacked without provocation, just like your two security goons here attacked as we returned to talk to you about all this. Maybe you don't know, but I suspect a background check into these two will show them to be contracted not by your nonprofit organization but by the very profit centered corporation called Frozen Trove."
"Then when we were given your tour, the open-ended experimentation we saw doesn’t align with Winterharvest’s agricultural mission, meaning it shouldn’t be supported by any kind of tightly controlled research grant."
"Not only that, but we recognized some of the 'desired plant phenotypes' you showed us you were trying to isolate amount to ..." Stell pauses and pulls up some text in her notes, "'... organic workarounds of common antibiotics patented by pharmaceutical companies, similar to one breakthrough development introduced by Frozen Trove Labs six years ago that allowed Frozen Trove to upset and subsequently monopolize a major niche in the prescription drug market.' And then there are those addicted animals we saw."
Stell pauses but continues on before the scientist can interject. "Finally we discovered the native izalguun population have pretty sophisticated drug synthesizing abilities despite their seeming primitive appearance. Perhaps you didn't know that, but if you did, it looks like you may be deliberately trying to get them addicted so they could synthesize an antidote."
"Now we can discuss all this like civilized sapient species back in your lab where we can get your security goon some medical care. We could have let him die, but we are compassionate and don't like to take life unnecessarily. Perhaps you can explain how all this is in line with your nonprofit agricultural research, but we will report this to the Stewards of the Pact Worlds, which has jurisdiction over your corporation and Frozen Trove. If you want a merciful judgment, you should volunarilly shut down this facility, shut off that weather machine, come up with an herbicide to kill your mutant plants, and share some of the food rations you won't be needing with the izalguuns."
Stell closes her datapad with an air of finality.
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Life Science
Seldszar fixes the doctor with a sharp, predatory smile and lets his words fall with clinical contempt.
“As one scientist to another, your work would thrive on Nightarch - purely commercial, no heed for ethics or welfare. You’ve left a sentient species to rot in perpetual winter, turned peaceful fauna into addicts that lash out, and endangered the locals with your cheap, engineered drugs. All to reverse-engineer pharmaceuticals and sell them while sidestepping the labs that actually developed them under proper controls. Congratulations. Want a job? Apostae has plenty of room for people who operate like you" the last question delivered with chilling legitimacy as Seldszar offers over a business card.
"We have documented the harm to the local residents. I will share that with you or we can take you to the community we visited where we gathered the evidence. We have samples of genetically modified plants growing outside your lab, which causes normally docile herbivores to become violent. The locals also report your weather control is extending winter weather longer than normal, which is creating harsh conditions for the locals. They also report when they are forced to eat your genetically modified plants they become addicted. How does all that relate to your research grant? Since we saw evidence of lab animals showing signs of addiction to whatever you are feeding them, I suspect you know all about this."
"No, no, no--that can't be..." Dr. Monsylkis mutters as she considers Stell's words. "Those strains were only being modified for their medicinal properties. I understood that we hadn't yet reached the phase where we begin to explore potential side affects, let alone any possibilities for unexpected behavioral modifications."
"And the weather control was intended only to help manage our climate-sensitive experiments on facility grounds," she continues thinking aloud. "I'm not aware of it having any effect on the greater environment."
"Before we came, we received a warning that the Frozen Trove scientists are topnotch but their management is hostile and protective of what they think of as their property. We were attacked as we approached by a drone that attacked without provocation, just like your two security goons here attacked as we returned to talk to you about all this. Maybe you don't know, but I suspect a background check into these two will show them to be contracted not by your nonprofit organization but by the very profit centered corporation called Frozen Trove."
"Frozen Trove?" The doctor looks puzzled. "That is not an entity that I am familiar with." The verthani glances toward Farvenzi. The dragonkin turns her head away, her toothy grin having quickly faded when Stell first mentioned Frozen Trove.
"I assure you that drone that attacked you in orbit did not resembling anything that I've ever seen on this planet."
As Stell continues speaking and confronting the woman with evidence of the truth, the doctor just stands speechless.
Seldszar fixes the doctor with a sharp, predatory smile and lets his words fall with clinical contempt.
“As one scientist to another, your work would thrive on Nightarch - purely commercial, no heed for ethics or welfare. You’ve left a sentient species to rot in perpetual winter, turned peaceful fauna into addicts that lash out, and endangered the locals with your cheap, engineered drugs. All to reverse-engineer pharmaceuticals and sell them while sidestepping the labs that actually developed them under proper controls. Congratulations. Want a job? Apostae has plenty of room for people who operate like you" the last question delivered with chilling legitimacy as Seldszar offers over a business card.
It is the chilling offer from Seldszar that pounds the last nail into her resolve to continue her research.
"Perhaps, it is best that I do leave the planet and spend some time examining the impact of my work before proceeding any further--if not abandoning it all together." Dr. Monsylkis acknowledges of her own accord.
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Stell has already laid out all of the evidence so carefully, and Chip knows he isn't the most convincing speaker, so he mostly lets her words stand.
He does make a couple of notes, though. "Doctor, if we were the ones attacking people unprovoked, why wouldn't we just attack you now? You seem to be a noncombatant, and we have you badly outnumbered. We aren't doing that, because it's not a thing we do." Shaking his head, he adds, "And I'm not sure why Farvenzi assumes we don't have cameras of our own. We do have two combat drones that they engaged."
Checker doesn't make recordings, but for all Chip knows Arachne does.
"Doctor, if we were the ones attacking people unprovoked, why wouldn't we just attack you now? You seem to be a noncombatant, and we have you badly outnumbered. We aren't doing that, because it's not a thing we do." Shaking his head, he adds, "And I'm not sure why Farvenzi assumes we don't have cameras of our own. We do have two combat drones that they engaged."
Dr. Monsylkis listens carefully, then tries to put the pieces together. "True, I certainly am no combatant. That is why, when I learned that the research grant required security, I was quite happy to leave those details to be handled by others."
"You, on the other hand, seem to be quite capable at combat," she continues, displaying genuine interest and curiosity. "If wages attacks is 'not a thing you do', then why are you so well armed? Your colleague from Apostae certainly seems well-versed in weaponry. So, just what is it that you Starfinders do?"
"Right as Stell said there's things that don't add up with align with Winterharvest’s agricultural base. So what gives? And we were attacked by security"
"Are you suggesting that Winterharvest hired me under false pretenses?" Dr. Monsylkis asks, pensively. Before one can respond, she postulates aloud, "If my research parallels work by this 'Frozen Trove Labs' that you mentioned, and if that that corporation is as lucrative as you have indicated, then is it possible that Winterharvest is actually a shell company for Frozen Trove Labs? Could that corporation have been monitoring--perhaps, even guiding--my research and using the station to conduct illegal experiments for commercial exploitation?"
"If that were the case, I could see why you stated that my 'employer has a strict policy for executing and disposing of unexpected visitors.'" The doctor concludes. "Frozen Trove Labs almost certainly have taken measure to prevent outsiders from discovering their research activities. Farvenzi and Spinjack acted like Winterharvest employees, but I am beginning to suspect that, in reality, they werere Frozen Trove’s on-site agents and covertly guide my research to further their company’s agenda."
"Regardless, it would seems that my research here has reached an endpoint. I wonder what I will do next. I can't go back to Winterharvest and I have no desire to be a puppet of Frozen Troves Labs." Dr. Monsylkis wonders aloud. Then, she turns to the party and asks, "So, what are the chances that I might join your organization, the Starfinder Society, instead?"
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Stell smiles and offers her hand to shake as she says, "I cannot speak for the society, but I believe your willingness to see reason and change course shows you have what it takes to achieve the various goals of the Starfinders. Those goals put Starfinders in dangerous situations, which is why we are so well armed and trained in combat."
Then she talks to the rest of the team. "Can we help you shut down that weather machine first and deal in a compassionate way with those lab animals we saw? We'll also want to secure Farvenzi and give him medical treatment as we'll want to take him as a prisoner back to the authorities to face the consequences of his actions. Perhaps he can earn leniency by cooperating and giving testimony as to the true relationship between Frozen Trove and Winterharvest."
"Once we have things settled here, would you consider traveling with us to the izulguun community we visited to help them deal with the consequences of the genetically modified plants in their area and confirm for us that you are shutting down the research station? We have an additional task, our primary reason for coming here, which they have promised to help us with if we can help them with the consequences of the research station's interference."
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"The Starfinder Society's core mission is exploration," says Chip. Did they ever tell her they were with the Society? Farvenzi had obviously figured it out, she may have told her. "I might have some pamphlets." He rummages in his backpack a bit. "...or I could send it to you digitally.
"It's a dangerous galaxy. Our field teams run into," Chip glances at Farvenzi, "dangerous villains, hostile wildlife, demons sometimes, all kinds of things. We need to be prepared to defend ourselves. We do have plenty of noncombatant researchers and scientists and archeologists and things. Sometimes a field team checks out a site and clears it of danger, and then the academic types come in after. I used to be more IT, but I kept finding myself in, uh, situations and I decided I'd better learn how to handle a rifle. There was this one huge shobhad--" the halfling shudders, "Sorry, off topic.
"Anyway, since our field teams are effectively some of the best--or at least best organized--adventurers around, we also end up doing some, uh, other stuff." Chip holds up his hands. "I don't mean we're mercenary, we don't hire ourselves out. Kind of the opposite, we respond to a lot of requests for aid."
Chip points at Farvenzi. "If it helps, we're not as dangerous as they are, I'd say. It's just that the two of them attacked the whole group of us. Numbers matter a lot in a fight."
Then she talks to the rest of the team. "Can we help you shut down that weather machine first and deal in a compassionate way with those lab animals we saw? We'll also want to secure Farvenzi and give him medical treatment as we'll want to take him as a prisoner back to the authorities to face the consequences of his actions. Perhaps he can earn leniency by cooperating and giving testimony as to the true relationship between Frozen Trove and Winterharvest."
"I will accept any help that you are offering," Dr. Monsylkis concedes. "I've already sent some messages, informing members of the research staff that we will be abandoning Icefront and to start packing for departure."
The doctor looks at the dragonkin. "As for my former colleagues, I may have been stretching the truth somewhat when I said I had contacts in the Stewards. I just have one. And we aren't that close. Just the sibling of an old classmate of mine. Still, we should see that justice is done."
"You've heard all that you're ever going to from me." Farvenzi hisses defiantly. "But do what you will. I am not afraid of you or the Stewards." She pauses of a moment, then requests, "But do take care of Spinjack. He deserved more than the end that he got."
"Once we have things settled here, would you consider traveling with us to the izulguun community we visited to help them deal with the consequences of the genetically modified plants in their area and confirm for us that you are shutting down the research station? We have an additional task, our primary reason for coming here, which they have promised to help us with if we can help them with the consequences of the research station's interference."
"You are in league with the natives? Those primitives?" The verthani responds with some surprise. "I am don't mind going with you to speak with them. But, I doubt they would be able to understand what I have to say about my research, no matter how small I might keep my words."
"The Starfinder Society's core mission is exploration," says Chip. Did they ever tell her they were with the Society? Farvenzi had obviously figured it out, she may have told her. "I might have some pamphlets." He rummages in his backpack a bit. "...or I could send it to you digitally.
[b]"I think I would like one of those pamphlets" Dr. Monsylkis replies eagerly. "Hard copy or digital are fine." She pauses for a moment and eyes the halfling. "Say, you aren't just trying to slide into my DMs, are you?"
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"You are in league with the natives? Those primitives?" The verthani responds with some surprise. "I am don't mind going with you to speak with them. But, I doubt they would be able understand what I have to say about my research, no matter how small I might keep my words."
"Do come with us," Stell answers. "They are not so primitive as you may think if you did not interact with them. We witnessed fairly advanced technology and pharmaceuticals of a sophisticated nature. They are certainly civilized and were able to communicate with us using as many big words as you or I."
"Do come with us," Stell answers. "They are not so primitive as you may think if you did not interact with them. We witnessed fairly advanced technology and pharmaceuticals of a sophisticated nature. They are certainly civilized and were able to communicate with us using as many big words as you or I."
Stell's words cause Dr. Monsylkis to skeptically raise an eyebrow, but she agrees to the party's request.
"Yeah they have nice technology. You should see"
"Technology?!" The verthani cannot hide her skepticism.
Seldszar seems happy enough with the outcome.
"Let's go see the locals, and explain what is going on"
No changes to the approach, the Izalguun have asked the Starfinders to do a job - which they have - now Seldszar is there to report back and close the deal.
With the successfully removal the scientists from the planet already in progress, the party is able to return to the izalguun camp.
Naarma greets the party upon arrival but is somewhat alarmed to see the verthani scientist with you.
"Is this not one of the scientists from the research station?" she inquires sharply. "What is she doing here? And why did you bring her here?"
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"We're here to complete the deal, and this scientist is now our scientist. We have done our part, now it is time for you to do yours. She gets to be here to see what the 'research' has done and some of the damage caused - unlike some of the other people in the research station that need never worry about anything ever again"
At this point, the Drow seems a touch expectant and slightly impatient with the izalguuns demanding attitude "Perhaps you could have saved us the trip and brought what we required to us, rather than expect us to do all the errands and all the walking"