It is the day after the official induction ceremonies, and though some of you may have gone on missions with the Starfinder Society before, this induction makes it official. You are Starfinders now!
As is typical for the Starfinder Society, the fist set of missions is intended to allow you to learn more about the Society's works, and the factions that make up the Society. You know from your discussions during training and earlier missions that you will be expected to align yourself primarily with one of the factions, but will likely be working for all during your career as a Starfinder.
You received a summons to the Lorespire complex, HQ for the Society at large, to meet with Guidance, the AI controlling much of the day to day operations of the Starfinder Society. Guidance will be responsible for tasking you out to the various faction leaders who may have some small jobs for you to do. This is your chance to make a good impression, and to see which faction you might want to align yourself with.
As you entered the office you were summoned to, you looked around to see yourself in an outer office. It was luxuriously appointed with comfortable looking chairs, a credenza, and an administrative assistant's desk, manned by an androgynous android with aqua skin.
"I am afraid that Guidance's attention has been called away for a moment to deal with matters of great importance to the Society. If you will all please wait here, I am sure it will be only a few more minutes. There are refreshments in that cabinet beside you if you wish. If you aren't familiar with the factions heads and their groups, there are handouts on the table there."
The blue-green skinned android smiled briefly at you and indicated a mahogany cabinet well stocked with non-alcoholic drinks and small snacks suitable for a variety of physiologies before turning his attention back to a data terminal.
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"no trouble at all, I can wait. He says as he look around "I see the others are taking there time as well."
he moves to the cabinet and pulls out a small bag a cookies and takes a seat with a handout.
he fiddles with his glasses and the handout appears in the lens of his glasses and he reads it from there.
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Professor core looks up at Gelub through the images still displayed on his lenses.
"well my good sir, if you don't like waiting, maybe we can chat" he says
"my name is Professor Adrion Core" he says standing up and walking over with an extended hand for a shake.
"it is nice to make your acquaintance."
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A female Lashunta half jogs in to the room, clearly out of breath she sticks one hand out to the wall to steady herself as she gasps out a few words
sorry...late...long way from... elevator!...
She flashes a brief smile at the half-orc and Lashunta with the lenses as she catches her breath, before inclining her head at the android behind the desk, then grabbing herself a cup of water as she scans through the handout. Nodding she returns her attention to the others, smiling
I’m Seren, retrieval specialist. And you?
Her free hand sweeps out to engage the two men and invite them to reply.
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Entering into the chamber, Rin starts at seeing the others. Damn, I thought I was making good time here. Better get to the snacks before they are gone. Strolling over the refreshment center, Rin scowls at the selection before selecting a strong caffeine shot and water. Turning back to the group he puts on his big smile.
”Greeting fellow Starfinders! Rin Jabo, technomancer and pilot of anything that moves under its own power. Looking forward to strapping in and tearing about the scenery with ya”
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A red-skinned human walks around the corner. He wears a dirty engineer jumpsuit and carries a jingling pack on his back, tools of his trade no doubt. His black hair is a mess and his face is covered in grease smudges and a 10 o'clock shadow. His face also belays a nervousness, the kind that non-social people have when they have to be social.
"Uh-umm....hello.." he eeks out with a very conservative wave. "I'm uhh..Freen.."
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Hi there Professor, what do you teach?
She nods to Rin as he smiles at the group
Greetings Rin, I'm Seren, good to know we've got a decent pilot. Judging by the crescendo of space junk collision noises coming from the hull, I swear the last shuttle I took was being flown by someone who got their license pre gap... she rolls her eyes theatrically.
Hi Freen, I'm Seren, I think we're waiting on Guidance to be free, there's drinks and maybe even snacks left over there
She points at the refreshment centre.
The assistant's computer chirped and she looked down, then back up at you. "Guidance is free and can see you now. Please, go on in."
As the doors to the Lorespire Complex slide open, a green holographic image of a middle-aged human woman shimmers into view at the center of the room. “Greetings,” it says. “I am Guidance. Please use the cheek swabs in the open receptacle to provide a genetic sample for Starfinder Society identification purposes. If desired, you may place your hand on the glowing panel to receive a subdermal implant further marking you as a member of the Society.”
Guidance continued, "It is our pleasure to officially welcome you into the Starfinder Society. Today is the commencement of your new role as a Starfinder field agent. It is our tradition, at the end of the graduation ceremony, for new graduates to present themselves to the heads of our most prominent factions and complete a task at those leaders’ behest. This allows the leaders of these groups to become familiar with all new Starfinder agents, and it provides a constant supply of agents for handling situations in our holdings on Absalom Station. While these tasks were formerly symbolic, the heavy loss of Starfinder agents in the Scoured Stars necessitates that these missions become something more. Please treat any tasks given with the gravity you would grant any other Starfinder assignment."
"On the table beside you is a handout describing the various factions within the Starfinder Society. Please visit each of the faction leaders and perform the tasks they set you. In doing so, you will learn more about the Society, and simultaneously show the faction leaders your various skills. Once a leader's mission has been completed, they will signal me that they are satisfied with your performance. Once all of your missions are complete, please return to me here to finish your commencement ceremonies."
"Do you have any questions for me before you begin?"
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"Freen, a pleasure to meet you." he looks him up and down with an understanding gaze and smiles and whispers to him "don't worry, I know I wont judge. and a skilled mechanic is always valued" and he pats him on the shoulder.
Professor Core replies, to Seren, that he teaches many things, mainly technology and magic based subjects, and he does give some instruction in how to use small arms.
When stepping into the room and receiving instruction he does place his hand on the pad, adding to his identification.
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Freen flinches ever so slightly at the hand patting him on the shoulder. He then approaches the glowing panel and looks it over before cautiously placing a hand on it. "This is safe right?" he asks as he looks to the others squeamishly. Afterward he slowly inches his way to a back wall to stand next to for comfort.
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An androgynous looking android enters the waiting area that clearly isn't following the Starfinder dress and deportment guideline. Dressed in tattered old leather jacket adorned with spiked armoured shoulder pads, opened to reveal a black band t-shirt underneath. Her lower body is covered only by her dark second skin armour and boots. Even more alarming than her attire is the spike of neon green mohawk, messily brushed off to one side revealing the buzz cut sides of her head. Across her face, head, and hands are the blue glowing circuits that she has rearranged from functional arrays to more decorative patterns. Her diminutive frame is surprisingly muscled, which is quite apprent through her tight armour.
She adjusts the laser rifle sling over her shoulder and greets the others waiting in the lobby. Perhaps most surprising of all is the flat monotone voice that comes from this elaborately made up character.
"Sorry I'm late. You guys can call me Kat5, or just Kat." She exchanges a few greetings and handshakes with everyone. The circuits around her right eye flash and pulse a little as she sizes up and scans each member of the crew. "I know some races are more concerned with gender, so just as a formality, these days I go by female pronouns. In case you couldn't tell from the boobs" She sais flatly as she looks down and adjusts herself a little bit. "Do you like them? I made them myself.
The assistant's computer chirps that Guidance is ready before anyone has to answer.
She gives a small "Ooooh, Implants" to herself before eagerly placing her hand on the panel. Otherwise she has no questions.
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"quite" Is the Professor's only response to the question of the android's parts.
and then he turns the teacher mode on for a moment.
"now, I know I've said this a few times, but with more people in here I feel it a good idea to start over with introductions.
one at a time please." and then he goes on to introduce himself for at least the 3rd time, but addresses everyone at once instead of just one person.
"I am Professor Adrion Core, I am a teacher at a small university here on the station. if you wish you may just call me Adrion. and I do hope to have a good time working with you all." and with that he gestures for someone else to introduce themselves.
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"Grr, that stings" Rin lifts his hand from the implant and rubs it slightly. Stepping over to the others, he downs another caffeine shot.
Listening to Guidance offhandedly, Rin nods appreciatively to Seren. Whsipering slightly and grinning, "Hey, for all you know I was flying that shuttle...I remember a time" and then Rin stops cold having caught the conversation from Kat and the Professor. Getting a little red in the cheeks, he refocuses back on Seren. "Well we'll save that story for another time. Better look like I'm paying attention in class."
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Sure thing Rin, we can trade stories later!
Seren listens intently to Guidance, then places her hand on the panel to receive the implant.
As Guidance continues, Seren again scans the handout and reviews what she knows of the various factions. She looks up and smiles as the others start talking.
Hi Kat, I'm Seren.
She leans in to the professor
It was a valiant effort to break the ice, don't feel bad!
She re-reads the handout and then shrugs
With nothing else to go on, perhaps we should simply go alphabetically?
Noting Kat and Gelub's suggestions she shrugs
We'll get to them all, no problem here with starting with the Exos.
Anyone who gets the implant finds that after a moment of playing with the muscles around it, that mere concentration causes the dermal implant to glow slightly with a clear representation of the Starfinder Society symbol. It should serve as both a dim light source, as well as an identifying marker to anyone who may require proof of Society membership.
After a brief discussion, it seems that you wish to start with the Exo-Guardians. After a brief consult with your datapads for directions, you head off to find the Exo-Guardians' leader. It didn't take long to find Zigvigix, though the shirren leader of the Exo-Guardians wasn't in a lofty tower spire, or fine set of offices. Instead, you found the shirren sitting on a park bench in the Downlow, a poor, but trendy area near the spire. Garbage littered the area, and Zigvigix seemed to be staring at an undulating metal sculpture covered in graffiti. Zigvigix was heavily augmented, and was forking a snack of some kind of grub from a paper packet into its mandibles. At the tremor of your footsteps, it looked up and a squeaky voice spoke in each of your minds, "Hello new Starfinders, and Congratulations! My speech name is Zigvigix, but you can call me Ziggy if that would be easier for you. Care for some candied ricegrubs to celebrate your graduation?" He held the paper bag out for anyone who feels up to the challenge.
"When you are ready, I have two assignments for you. The first is to help me secure a new headquarters here on Absalom Station. I've been in talks with our station protectors, and the Stewards were kind enough to give us ownership of a building whose former occupants left station suddenly due to the presence of an alien entity that took over the building and kills anyone that steps inside. The Stewards say that if we want to deal with the alien presence and clear out the warehouse, then we can have it. Once the alien is gone, I have agreed to return the cargo housed there to the former owners, less a small salvage charge, and we can renovate it to our needs. So, go in there and dispose of the creature so we can get started!"
He stood, and it was clear from posture and the scarring on his chitin that the shirren had been grievously injured at some point in the recent past. "My second request is a bit mundane, but I would like for you to buy two..." It looked down at a credit stick in its hand and seemed to be thinking for a moment, then continued, "no, just one copy of the brand-new Strawberry Machine Cake album, Star Sugar Heartlove!! which is out today, and give it to Historia-7 when you see her. She is the head of the Dataphiles, so you should meet her today, if you haven't already. I wish I could do this thing myself, but I...I have trouble standing for long periods of time these days. Thank you very much!"
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Before approaching, Adrion looks around and mumbles "looks like a good service project for the students"
he approaches and accepts the challenge
"good nutrition" he says after a good mouthful.
He nods when given the order to clear out the warehouse.
but when it came to the album...
"sir, there is no shame in asking for a copy for one's self. my coworkers and students listen to it, and I can see the appeal, although it is not my style, I'm sure we can a get a copy for you as well.
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Hi Kat, I'm Seren.
"Pleasure to meet you, Seren.
Before meeting the head of a faction, Kat takes a moment to zip up her jacket and sweep her fallen mohawk neatly to one side. She has no regrets covering her band shirt when Strawberry Machine Cake is mentioned. Ugh, so mainstream. So damn catchy. she thinks to herself.
"I would be more than happy to deal with this entity for you" She sais, patting her new-to-her laser rifle. "I'm looking forward to it. Any intel on just what it might be?"
"sir, there is no shame in asking for a copy for one's self. my coworkers and students listen to it, and I can see the appeal, although it is not my style, I'm sure we can a get a copy for you as well.
"or I could get you the new Digital Junkies album instead."
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Seren grins as she feels the familiar sensation of telepathy from the Shirren.
Greetings Ziggy, thank you for the briefing about the warehouse and what we need to do, we're happy to assist!
She waves away the candied ricegrubs
Thanks but I'm trying to watch my waistline, fast or comfort food during ops can be murder on a balanced diet!
Whilst the rest of the team discuss music, she thinks for a moment before responding to the Shirren
Kat asks a good question, do we know anything else about the alien in the warehouse aside from it's death to anyone that enters? A rough description or anything at all? Anyone done any scans from outside the building?
"Well, you see this is a limited edition run. Strawberry Machine Cake's new album is the first to be premiered in hardcopy form in decades. So I am sure that the lines will be long, and they will most likely sell out quickly."
"There were a few frames of the warehouse's surveillance video that caught sight of the creature. I believe it to be a feather stalker, a predator far more unpleasant than its name implies."
A feather stalker is a large aberration that fires its feathers like harpoons at range, then moves in to finish off its prey with raking claw strikes.
Deciding to go after the warehouse first, and then deal with the dangers of a synth-pop release line later, you follow the instructions from the crippled shirren. Ziggy's directions led you through the Downlow to a dark warehouse. All in all, it wasn't a place place for the Exo-Guardians HQ. Around the warehouse is a holographic tape line, warning passers by that the building is under xenoquarantine. Station Security had four people on duty, and the lieutenant asked for your purpose before allowing you in.
"As soon as the Wardens told us that the Starfinders were going to handle this, we sent most of the crew home. We're mostly here to see that that creature doesn't push its way out. Be careful in there. It's dark, and there are lots of merchandise crates. Try not to blow them all up, eh? They'll be sold to pay off the former owners' debts to the Station."
When you were ready, the lieutenant let you through the force perimeter, then sealed it once more. The doors to the warehouse had been forced open, and so it was easy enough to enter. True to the lieutenant's words, you found the interior to be completely dark, which was a detriment to some of you, but not for others.
To the left and right of the warehouse entrance are metal stairs that lead up to catwalks running around the open space. To the left is a set of computer terminals. A musty smell fills the warehouse, a combination of dried blood and some animal musk.
In the darkness, something moved. No one could see it, but there was a definite clang of metal on the far side of the warehouse. In front of the door, about 30 feet in is a wrecked wooden crate. It appears to have been filled with soft material that is now shredded. A single arm-long feather lays in a pool of dried blood, it's barbed tip covered in the reddish-brown substance.