Iron Stars - crane-attempt-at-rescue

With the news of Crane's fate on Savita the Psionic Academy is abuzz through the month of June. 2670 has been a year of hardship for the Academy, and the loss of one of their supremely skilled biopsions and gaiapsions has been an especially intense pain point. Crane is thought to be the first person to develop Gaiapsionic powers in the wake of The Scream when so many of her compatriots fell to the synchronized waves of madness that followed the Scream Beast announcing its presence. In the intervening time Crane had become a staple of the Nova Academy on Gudrun, and had gone out of her way to assist the Taros and other psionics into finding homes within the ranks of the academy. Headmaster Fate is not willing to give up on his longest colleague so easily, and a rescue mission to the planet of Savita is requested. Messages travel the length and width of the UNW, lighting up compads and holo screens of notables from across the sector. The applicant pool is massive, and @Thulee Blue @Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun] @Gurk Samson | Glaikit | Gilbert @Aurelia | Venser and @Frewayne Wardav are selected to meet at Creusa, before boarding an Academy Runabout to head to Savita, and their mission.

8:26 AM

The incoming ships with each of you aboard are vectored to a special launch bay in City A on the planet's surface, and the black uniformed Academy ship crew is hard at work doing preflight checks as you each arrive in turn.

Kila waves off the crew of the Side Eye as they embark for some shore leave and heads to the rendezvous point. She's the first to arrive, so she takes a seat while she chit chats idly with the Academy crew. Her nerves are showing, as she sits bolt upright and jiggles one of her legs.

Shiftily, Gurk sits down at the table. He funded the previous expedition to Savita, but that doesn't automatically mean everyone is going to blame him for what happened. If they can rescue Crane, hopefully the academy will let bygones be bygones.

Frewayne is the third to appear after having handed off custody of his raptor to the Gudrun zoo and released his ship crew for rest and recovery. His equipment was bundled neatly into his pack or strapped to his body. Spotting the two other arrivals, the cybernetically-enhanced human offered a head nod in greeting. "Governor Stosk and Director Samson, I'm Frewayne Wardav," he introduced himself. "Pleasure to meet you both in person."

In a shimmer of purple, Venser materialises beside the group a few feet in the air before catching himself from the drop. The Wildstar can be seen being guided in to port in the background, piloted by an empty chair. He dusts off his jacket and checks the fastenings on two large revolver holsters sitting on each hip. Satisfied, he looks up and gives the group a little salute before introducing himself. "Venser Reach, I believe we've met at council meetings. Apologies, I've uh- been away for a while... what in the 'verse did Crane get into this time?" (edited)

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1

2

Thulee walks in sniffing the air of City A, sparking memories of his first meetings here with the Psychic Academy what feels like a lifetime ago. Mushk, his inordinately large cat follows, slinking behind. The two of them seem oblivious to the gravity of the situation. Mushk's eyes light up when they triangulate their shared senses on Kila and Gurk, and she pads over for a hello again and pet. " Hey there Kila, Gurk... good to see you." Thulee then notices Venser "Hey... been a long time Venser." He nods and offers a hand to Frewayne "Thulee, Thulee Blue. This here is Mushk, my minds better half." (edited)

Shaking Thulee's hand, Frewayne states, "Looks like the whole team is here now though I wasn't expecting a sixth." Six invisible tendrils of MES energy reached out to the gathered team, including Mushk, as he explained, "If you would indulge me, I'd like set up Symbiosis with you. It can only be done to willing subjects but comes with some strong enhancements. As long as one person is able to eat, drink and sleep, the rest of the group's needs can be sustained by it. We are also stronger against mental attacks since we can defend each other when attacked. And I can do some other tricks like briefly increase your speed and some healing to those connected." He glances over to Thulee and Mushk and finishes with, "Though I can only sustain six others. So if I need to connect to Crane, I will have to drop Mushk."

"We're good, you don't need to cover Mushk... my own powers can channel the effect to her." (Animal Companion Level-3: Psychic techniques that can only target the psychic can now target your bonded companion for no additional Effort cost)

Kila obligingly puts her hand out to Mushk and pets her indulgently. “Good to see you both again. And nice to meet you in the flesh, Frewayne and Venser.” She shivers a little as she allows access to the MES tendrils. “That’s never not a weird experience.”

Venser pats Thulee on the back. "Good to see you friend, and hi Mushk!" He offers a hand to beast, who can probably sense some traces of gaiapsionic energy from him as well. "Pleasure to be working with you all." Venser concentrates for a moment and Frewayne's tendrils begin to flow with a dark blue bioluminescence that works its way to each of the group members. "Thank you Frewayne, I'm piggy-backing off of that to unite our minds for this mission, allowing us to communicate and coordinate our movements with incredibly fast telepathic communication." There is a pulse of blue as the connection completes. Venser's voice echoes in their minds. "We should have unity now. Don't panic, I can't read anything you don't want me to. Just think of two separate spheres, one for your private thoughts, and one for thoughts you wish to pass to the group. It may take some getting used to..." (Basically telepathic comms, we are aware of each others position and someone gets an extra turn each round of combat.) (edited)

"Jealous, I can't do that particular telepathy trick just yet. So. Cool. Thanks, both of you. Feeling a little better about taking on a hive queen now that incorporated one of the strongest psychics I've ever heard of. "If no one has any other awesome tricks they want to share, now would be a great time for a full debrief of what we're up against. You were there, Gurk, right? If it's not too traumatic, it would be good to hear what happened first hand." She gives him an encouraging pat on the shoulder to let him know she doesn't blame him for what happened.

The Academy Runabout is a vessel designed to carry a large amount of people, a modest amount of equipment, and is meant to carry out both tasks with an emphasis on stealth. The ramp is lowered for you all to board and the crew waves you over, allowing you to get into the ship. The runabout is meant to carry 40 people in its current confituration, most of the cabins are empty, and will be repurposed into storage and ready rooms for each of you, separate from your personal cabins. There is an armored ATV explorer in the cargo hold. It is grav powered, meant to speed you over the sandy dunes to the Underhill caves as quickly as possible once landing is achieved.

Inside the ship, Gurk mulls over Kila's question. "In retrospect, I should probably have scrubbed the mission when Crane started bleeding from her eyes, but she seemed to know what she was doing. We made it quite deep into the caves before one of the most powerful creatures of the hive was able to make direct visual contact and take over her body. "I remember that we had just passed through an artificial structure featuring a very prominent eye motif - I retrieved a small necklace with the same symbol on it - and they came boiling out from beneath the surface. The caves were built around the ruins, and it is possible the ruins may offer ways of reaching Crane besides just walking through the main cave entrance. "The Hive let us leave peacefully. Whether that was just to avoid harm to Crane or because their future intentions are peaceful, I don't know."

"You'll get there Kila, I can feel how strong your mind is already, I'd be happy to give you a few pointers if you like!" Venser nods in acknowledgement and offers Gurk a reassuring look. "I'm sure you did the best you could mate, Crane's in there somewhere and we'll get her back. Hopefully the queen won't be as much of a problem this time, I myself am immune to unwanted assaults on my mind, and I can extend that protection to all of you for a time." He jokingly refers to Kila's earlier comment. "I can make everyone fly as well! If that helps?" He chuckles slightly. (edited)

After stowing his gear into his assigned quarters, Frewayne takes up a seat and listens to Gurk's accounting for what happened. "Every trick we can muster is going to be important," Frewayne replies to Venser. "I can only attempt to mimic what you psychics can do with my Free Nexus abilities and going after a compromised psychic makes this a bit more complicated." He takes a breath and then adds, "I think we can assume from the last contact with Crane that she's most likely still alive. Regardless of what it looks, I don't think it's that easy to scrub someone's psyche. And the fact that they build their colony around the ruins is promising. From my understanding, the Brotherhood of Fenris were a crafty bunch. No doubt there are secret passageways built. Though I am curious about the relic. The Brotherhood stole some maltech from Asgapur to gengineer servants. There are some victims of that technology still on Asgapur that I'm trying to help restore."

"Crane's bonded animal - a raven - was scouting for us when she was overwhelmed. We should keep an eye out during our mission in case it reappears. If we're sure she is still alive in some form, that would be the best option for her to reach out to us. "As for the artifact - here it is." The gold chain is battered and scuffed. An emblem of a wide, unblinking eye is the only decoration on it. Gurk deposits it on the table, to see if anyone can make something of it. "I don't know if this is of any use in figuring out a way in but it is the only thing we took from the site."

After listening intently, Thulee continues to stare at the Artefact. "Sound like you did all you could, Gurk. Not sure what help I can be, I generally just break things or put them back together. That said, I may be able to communicate with the creatures, depending on how animalistic they are." He tries testing the mental connection "So whats the situation with directly viewing the hive creatures... they can take over our minds? Not scary at all" A nervous chuckle flows through the connection.

They can now potentially, Frewayne broadcasts his thoughts to the rest of the group. Depending on how much control they have over Crane, it would be safe to say any ability she has can be used against us. Fortunately, we are a hard target as far as telepathy goes. Even if anyone managed to break through Venser's defense, they would also have to get through my Free Nexus abilities as well. Might be overkill but you can never be too cautious against someone of Crane's ability. Eying the chain, Frewayne ponders, I am not sure where to begin to analyze this. Would not surprise me if this was some sort of keystone to the structure you swiped it from. Anyone trained in postcognition or something? (edited)

"I don't have that particular one unfortunately. But I have some other ways to examine it, have you tried it on?" Venser concentrates for a moment as his eyes cycle through flickering with silver and gold energies. (Going to look at it with metapsi vision to check for any psionic or magic shenanigans and what it might do, also willing to use precog oracle if that doesn't work to ask "What would happen if I put it on?")

There is nothing arcane or nefarious about the necklace, it was crafted as a mundane symbol identifying someone as belonging to the Brotherhood of Fenris . This was an item commonly given to its serfs or particulatlly intelligent genegeeneered slaves. There was no evidence of any surviving slaves on the planet. With the death of their leader, Knight Commander Dagget, and with him, the destruction of whatever the Brotherhood was using to control the swarms of Undra drones and warriors, any surviving slaves quickly became biomass food stocks for the devouring swarms.

Venser relays the information and tosses it back to Gurk. "Well it's a nice piece for your archives, but nothing malicious about it. If we could isolate a drone, we could run some tests? Maybe a certain frequency or pulse would conk 'em out for a bit, give us a chance to get past."

(the Gudrun zoo has drones from two separate strains and has done autopsies on them and a warrior creature. It seems the method of communication between them is completely psychic. Crane was attempting to interrupt the connection between the hive and the drones when she went kablooey. No non-psychic approach - injury, repellent bombs, noise - seems able to interrupt the communication once a large hive organism is in proximity) (edited)

(ah, good to know thank you! I have access to psychic static but I'd need to use it on Crane/Queen/whatever hive mind is present to disrupt things between all of them)

"Not the information I was expecting but it is helpful regardless," Frewayne says aloud. He leans back in his seat and crosses his fingers behind his head. "Makes me wonder what the strain is doing for food on Savita. Would local wildlife alone be enough to sustain them?"

“I have full logs of our visit,” Gurk says. “It seems that they are seriously depleting the local biosphere, especially on land. Things were better at sea but generally only the very largest or smallest creatures seemed to be safe from predation - for now. Of course, food pressures might make the hive very keen to expand to other worlds if it can find a way of doing so.”

(feel free to continue roleplaying. I'm caught up, and didnt' want to just decide the scene is over now if we're still talking)

Frewayne grumbles aloud but speaks telepathically, Makes me wish I brought a nuke along for this trip. Unless their level of predation and reproduction can be curbed, any planet they can migrate to will die so we cannot let that expansion occur unchecked.

Thulee winces at the mention of a nuke but shakes it off, Frewayne is probably right. "Regarding actually locating Crane... could we keep it basic and track by scent? Gurk, do you have any of her personal effects or anything she had close to her?"

"Well that's a terrifying thought. I will be checking and double checking every part of the ship to make sure we've not got a stowaway when we leave. I'd prefer if we could refrain from genocide though." She turns to Thulee, "Not pretending I know how it works, but is it possible a human will standout in a hive of unfamiliar beasty smells, even without her personal effects?"

"I returned everything to the academy," Gurk says. "I assume some of it will still be in storage, here."

Thulee flares his nostrils, sniffing the air "hmm... good point Kilda, its gonna be quite the distinctive aroma if Crane is the only human here that's not us."

(if we have a meta and find her companion we could do mind tracing through it I'd say for this, otherwise we have plenty of her personal effects here )

"That seems like as viable a plan as any," Frewayne agreed. "Using Mushk to track her location has good odds. Though if push comes to shove, we could use a drone or something to psychically trace back to the queen. If I had to guess, Crane isn't going to be far from the queen. Though we might want to keep that one in the back pocket. Stealth is probably the order of the day."

(lets grab some effects then to get as good a scent lead as possible. A question - can you share senses through 'unity of thought'? Like can Thulee share Mushk's senses back to everyone so we can all see what's going on?)

(From the book - "This multi-person link is relatively shallow, and allows only the Instant exchange of thoughts, images, and sensory impressions." so I'm not sure, up to you Neko) (edited)

(it says sensory impressions, so I would say yes since that specifically is in there, if it didn't I'd have said no)

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"ok this could take some getting used to... we can share Mushk view when we need to" Waist high visual impressions flow across the unity bond from Mushk via Thulee as she slinks around. Darkness doesn't seem to affect the quality of the images, they are clear regardless (we can see in the dark).

Frewayne swings his hand together out in front of himself, cracking his knuckles. With a dark grin, he says, "This is going to look even weirder then." Sharing in brief flashes, he sends mentally a few images from his optical implants, enhanced to see various communication waves being broadcast about the port. "Got a few other tricks like seeing radiation and lasers outside the visible spectrum."

(Don't wanna cut this off, but if we're set to move out, I can get downtime together for us)

(Happy to move on)

(Same)

(good to move on)

(happy to move on)

(okay, we've got two days of downtime to apply as we travel. The ship is going to need four days here to scoop fuel, would we want to descend before or after that refueling?)

(I'd vote after, in case we have to make a quick getaway)

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(agree)

(After would also be my vote)

Upon arriving in the system the ship immediately heads for the system star, spending four days with all manner of scoops, probes and stellar energy catching arrays opened to refine the collected hydrogen into fuel for the reactor. After a long four days of round the clock activity, the crew certifies the tanks are once again full, and a spike drive back to Creusa can be initiated at any time. It takes six hours from this annoucnement to re-enter orbit over the planet in the Sativa system.

Gurk checks the quarantine beacon is still active, and begins checking the planetary data to see if there are any unexpected changes from when he last departed the system.

Frewayne spends the last six hours of the trip to the planet going over his gear and getting it set for the mission. Once he had everything ready again, he would wait near the cargo hold for Gurk finish the readings and their eventual descent to the planet.

Venser readies his gear and reestablishes a connection between their minds. "We all ready? If necessary we can drop from upper orbit as individuals, my telekinesis can give us an atmosphere and give us a smooth landing. I understand if that's not a very appealing option though..." He trails off, having made the dead drop several times himself. (Apologies for slow responses, just finished moving over the weekend so been a bit spoon deficient.) (edited)

Kila's eyes go wide and she sucks in a breath as she double checks her own gear. "That sounds both terrifying and exhilarating and I don't know whether to run and hide or head straight to the drop point." (I take it this'll be stealthier - does that give us an advantage at this point or will the hive be able to detect us anyway?)

Thulee double takes at the conversation in his head, he parses the gist as 'jump out of a spaceship in orbit with no suit, we'll be fine'. Is that sweat or did it just get warm in here? He nervously chuckles "Sure, sounds like a fun". (As Kila asked.. is there a benefit? If there is we should do it. Does it affect how fast we can get off the planet if we need to... as there won't be a ship on the ground?)

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"I suspect you can use your telepathy to contact the ship for rendezvous?" Frewayne asks while glancing over to Venser and then toward the airlock. "I don't have any long distance communications or beacons on my person. If we have means of reaching the ship, I would prefer to jump. We will lose the benefits of having an armored ATV with us but trade off is that we're likely going to be less likely to be detected. On that note, I have enough camo cloaks for everyone if anyone needs them. Between that and my haze field, we should have plenty of stealth." (I'd imagine a group of six is a lot less noticeable than a ship and/or ATV transport. It would let us get off planet pretty quick since Telekinetic Flight gives a half-dozen allies within 30 meters flight.)

(camo cloak would be great Frewayne)

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(Gurk is happy with an orbital insertion. And would like a cloak!)

(Kila will insist someone holds her hand, but she will jump. Cloak would be nice too)

(We don't know if its a benefit or not)

7:09 AM

(there's no way to know with how little we know of the Undra)

(Well it's a risk, but I doubt it can be less stealthy than a whole ship, up to the group - give me a

or

)

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(Orbital drop it is!) As the cloaks are passed out in the airlock, Venser preps the group. "Right, keep tight on me, use the unity for communication, and try to keep the screaming to a minimum - it doesn't half dry out your through, trust me..." He reaches out a hand. "Dear Kila, if you would like company on the way down I'd be happy to oblige, but that does mean you'll have to accompany me as the first ones to jump."

Kila extends a slightly shaky hand and lets out a little squeak of assent as she steps up to Venser. "Please don't let me go."

As the ship enters orbit, the airlock becomes a hive of activity as everyone grabs the gear they need in preparation from the long controlled glide from here to the surface of the infested planet. The lights begin to chime from amber to green, letting the group know the ship has reached a stable orbit, and the outer door will unlock as soon as the inner one is closed. You will all need to pack into the airlock for a few moments.

Red lights flash and servos whir as the airlock begins cycling. Venser concentrates for a moment and each member of the group feels slightly lighter, theres a hiss of air as a localised pressurisation bubble seals around each of them, leaving the air feeling a bit stale, but their bodies a little warmer. "For Crane." Is the last thought that echoes out before the outer door of the airlock slams open, imposing a deafening silence as the sudden process of pressure equalisation flings them out into the void above Sativa. Venser capitalises on the momentum and with his spare hand makes a small motion that curves their trajectory planet-ward, forcing them into a decaying orbit and letting gravity take hold.

For a brief moment after being sucked into the void, Frewayne can feel his stomach rise up into his chest for a moment before he adapts to the abrupt acceleration. We should try and make landfall somewhere near or on the ruins, he broadcasts his thoughts to the rest while cruising toward the planet. When we touch ground, I'll deploy the haze field so we can have some cover to get our bearings.

Thulee wills his muscles to relax as his insides are wrung out during ejection from the airlock. His mental connection to Mushk is closed to everyone as she makes the strangest cat-squeal as they are flung into space. Weightlessness is not her thing, although she adapts well... not being a corporeal entity and all. As Venser steers them towards their destination Thulee gets his first real look at an entire planet from space with his own eyes... Whoaaaaa, amazing he murmurs to himself.

(how far from the cave are we thinking, like a kilometer or so?)

(yeh I would say that's good)

(agree - it didn’t take long to be picked up last time so we should move quickly)

(That works for me.)

The jumpers reach the bottom of their elegant descending dive just a few moments after leaping into the air from a perfectly good spacecraft. There is a sandstorm beginning to brew as you hit the ground and the ship affirms it was not on their scopes when orbit was first achieved, and seems to be naturally forming, not in response to your landing here.

As soon as his feet hits the ground, Frewayne activates his haze field, creating a six meter dome of optical camouflage centered around himself. He would look about the area for any potential threats while messaging the others through their telepathic link, Sandstorm is going to be an issue. I don't think even my panspectral optics will let me see through it that well not to mention it will make moving and even breathing difficult if we get into the thick of if. We'll need to move quickly to get out of the storm and leave the breathing to just one of us.

Gurk keeps a careful eye out on landing: he is a good tracker, used to finding his way around difficult terrain, and makes ready to assist everyone in the direction of the tunnels.

The storm continues to build as the rest of you make your way to the ground. THis has likewise kept the Undra from making headway into exploring the sand dunes and salt flats around you, but is also keeping you from seeing them too.

Deactivating his haze field, Frewayne sends his thoughts to the others, Well, our visibility is going to be highly limited in the sandstorm but that works in reverse too. Anything out here is going to have a hard time seeing us out her. Lets push through the storm as cover.

Kila’s relief at being on solid ground is short lived and reflexively covers her mouth and nose to stop the sand, salt and dust. ”Agreed. Venser’s unity trick means we can sense each other even in the storm but let’s stick close, yeah?” She stumbles towards Frewayne , her legs a little wobbly from the ‘flight’.

"Sounds good." Venser does his best to part the storm with slashes of telekinesis, but nothing can stop the seemingly infinite barrage of sand and dust for long as they press on. (Can I sense Crane's mind at all? I feel like Venser has that familarity from Far Thought.)

Thulee feels terra firma under him and is immediately more comfortable. "Agreed, let's keep moving". Pushing against the blustering storm he moves along with the group. Mushk stations herself a couple of metres out ahead. She shakes her head trying to make sense of her muddled up senses in the storm. (Do we know where the entry is? As a backup Thulee could use whispering wind to try get bearings on general alien-ness emanating from the caves)

(Gurk knows where it is since they’ve been here before )

Gurk begins plodding forward in the direction of the main tunnel. "This way." He tries to form thoughts instead of words. "Word of warning: the entrance itself was solid but some of the deep tunnels were very unstable. Be careful with heavy firepower."

Good to know, Frewayne responds mentally while trudging ahead into the whipping winds. I think the aim is to avoid shooting altogether. I don't much like the idea of having to fight through a hive. Though knowing we could potentially make a tunnel collapse is useful if we need to make a desperate escape.

(If we're set to go we can head off to the tunnel. The way I read the haze field is it comes off like its at least on a tripod, so portable, but not easily so if its not broken down , so my assumption is we're dropping the field to travel)

(That is the plan. Frewayne already deactivated it. The haze field is not really viable being mobile since it drastically increases battery usage.)

1

Approaching the nest and cycling through the various awarenesses and vision modes available to you, even through the storm you can see that the rocky mountain the cave is built into hase pinhole like burrows allowing the nest to vent heat. You don't see any tunnels that aren't represented on the map the group's navcomp has made and things here do not seem to have changed in the internal since Gurk was here last. Stepping out of the storm and into the mouth of the cave, there is viscera on several of the walls but not the floor, along with some sad looking green ooze. You're not sure if the underhill are bothered by this or not.

"The goo will immobilise you and summon worker drones," Gurk thinks at the others. "Don't touch any of it." (edited)

Kila attempts to flatten the hair the storm whipped around to keep it out of her face now that she's dropped the clothing covering her mouth. She pulls her elbow in quickly which was dangerously close to the ooze. "Thanks!" She looks around the cave and keeps glancing up hoping to catch sight of the raven Gurk mentioned. "No sign of the raven. Should we try and reach out to her, or get further in?"

That's pretty clever, Frewayne communicated. They can catch prey in the goo and workers will come to dispose of the victims without resistance. He doesn't seem overly concerned about the layer of sand and salt that has coated his body as he had done nothing to wipe himself off. Given that the queen has some sort of mental control over Crane, trying to contact Crane will likely tip off the queen to our presence though not necessarily our location. If we have more discrete means of finding her location, we should probably do that. Though we should keep moving and try to avoid any patrolling bugs. The haze field doesn't work well indoors. The optical effect is too unreal.

Thulee looks a disheveled mess "Shall we get further in...? Muhsk and I might be able to pick up Cranes trail." Mushk looks back at the group expectantly, staying away from the walls.

(I think we need either a notice or survive /wis for Muhsk , but they could try to find a scent. She might smell different now given w hat's been done to her, but even an old trail from the last expedition might be helpful)

Thulee Blue

used /r

Thulee Blue Request: [2d6 +2] Roll: [6, 1] Result: 9 Reason: notice/wis

Crane has been here recently, and the cat thinks that the object of your search is in the southeastern reaches of the cave.

Thulee channels the feedback from Mushk to the group as he wrinkles his nose "Best we can detect is southeast inside this cave system. Smells like Crane has been here recently."

It's a start, Frewayne responded as he started to carefully sneak forward. Lets head to the southeast as quietly as possible. If nothing else, it will get us closer to the objective. (edited)

Enterinf the cave and moving south, you come to a crossroad in the tunnels where you can proceed east to the stone bridge- the raised area where Gurk had first found the emblem on its long chain, or south to a network of what was thought to be food digestion caves where Undra grubs and workers would deposit and eat the food the hive needed.

"East takes us closer to our destination, but it is a good site for an ambush - burrowers below and ranged creatures clinging to the ceiling. I haven't been south. I think we should make best speed and head east."

Frewayne takes a few glances about at the branching paths and then agrees telepathically, You're the only one with experience here, Gurk, so I will defer to your opinion in the matter. We'll just have to be extra careful moving ahead. Anyone have extrasensory abilities that will help keep us being surprised by anything ahead?

"Lead the way Gurk." Venser brandishes one of the revolvers at his hip. "This bad boy will glow gold if we're about to be ambushed or blown up, doesn't mean I can stop it from happening, but we can be ready." He spins it back into its holster. (The technique - "Terminal Reflection" is imbued into Force of Will from the Psionic Forge.) (edited)

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"Ooooh. Nice." Kila nods and moves as silently as she can not wanting to be the cause of an ambush attack. "Works for me." She pauses every now and again craning her neck upwards looking for any sign of a raven or the creatures Gurk mentioned and looking down at her feet for signs of whatever burrowers might be.

Gurk scuttles forward as nimbly as he can, retreading the now-familiar route towards the stone bridge.

Two Undra warriors are standing at the bridge, both of them looking at one another, though they seem to be tryting to sense the air somehow, as sentries do. (art incoming)

4:42 PM

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Frewayne narrowed his eyes at the sight of the warriors on the bridge. His brow furrowed while he formulated a plan. I would guess we can't just sneak past these big boys, Frewayne mused to the others. If they are like other hive bugs, they probably have more than just sight to navigate with so I don't think the cloaks will be full proof. Can one of you psychics get these two to move somewhere else? Otherwise, we could take a dip in the liquid and use Venser's flying and bubble trick to keep any potential poison off our persons.

Mushk moves to the rear of the group as Thulee realises she doesn't have a cloak. Her ears pin back at the sight of the warriors 'Mushk, no, no... just hang back here, please, yes... no, no... we don't wanna get possessed'. To the group "I can't help here without Mushk getting seen, she could distract them but our cover would be blown." He turns to the other psychics hoping they've got better ideas... (edited)

"I can hopefully give us a few moments of distraction, but we have to move quickly." Venser gives a small wave and concentrates for a moment, causing a random low level vibration to appears in the cave formation away from the bridge and their group, hoping to draw the warriors from their posts.

"I don't know if I can use telepathy on these beasts or not. I guess a time will come when we'll find out, but I'd rather not get us rumbled just yet if it doesn't work." She holds her breath, waiting to see if Venser has managed to distract them.

(I'm caught up, it just didn't seem like there was a consensus on a plan here, just lots of alternatives pitched)

(I think we're waiting to see if the warriors will get distracted by Venser's telekinetic vibration. That will decide what we do here.)

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The subtle vibrations travel through the ground, and it does not seem that the warriors sense it, or if they do, it does not trouble them enough that they go searching for the cause.

Feeling the vibrations Kila holds her breath as she watches the guards for any sign they’re bothered. When nothing happens her shoulders droop. ”Shame. I guess we could just ask them nicely to let us through.” She grimaces.

Not necessary, Frewayne replies while looking at the fluid pooled to the north, sharing his sight with the others. We go with plan B and take a swim. Venser, if you would, use your bubble and flight trick and we'll submerge and then come back out the other side.

Venser curses in his head at the failed distraction. "Certainly, it's still up from our drop. Just again, stay close. Lead the way."

(okay, so everyone is pressure fielded and we're going under the 'water' to the other side)

7:24 AM

The group slowly descends into the much. It is cloudy and viscous, like walking through green honey. The pressure fields hold, and the creatures do not seem to detect disturbances in it, since no living flesh is touching the goo. One by one , after a ten minute trudge that feels like moving in slow motion, you emerge on the eastern bank, past the warriors that have not left their posts.

Gurk sloughs off the goo and looks over the ground for signs of disturbance. (I think this is where the thing that got Crane emerged from its tunnel, so he's looking to see if the tunnel exit still exists, if the entrance has been closed, or if the entire thing has been filled in) (edited)

The tunnel in the floor of the chamber has been filled in. You can see that the soil is freshly packed and is not as worn down or compacted as the rest of the soil, but you do not think it is going to collapse if anyone steps on it.

Venser emerges unscathed from the goo. "Are we good to continue?"

(Gurk was just checking in case there was a shortcut we might use; since that's not an option he's happy to go forward)

While also starting to move on ahead, Frewayne nodded and responded, Yup. We shouldn't delay. The longer we linger, the more likely something is going to eventually detect us. Though good to note that it seems the goo does in fact only work if we physically touch it.

Kila scrapes the goo away from her face, needing to shake it off her hand a few times as it clings to her. "Yes, let's get moving." (lost track of where we are on the map. Do we have options for direction or is it just forward right now?) (edited)

(we are just east of the big stone circle/bridge area in the center of the map)

Aurelia | Venser pinned a message to this channel. 7/18/2023 3:11 PM

(Ty)

After a shaking off the goo, Thulee nods and continues with the group. Mushk continues to sniff the air trying to get a better lock on the scent of Crane.

(notice/wis for Mushk)

Thulee Blue

used /r

Thulee Blue Request: [2d6 +2] Roll: [3, 1] Result: 6 Reason: come on Mushk

There is a faint scent down to the south through the winding tunnels. It is strong in the patch of ground that was filled in, but there is no evidence of being able to dig your way through it, so you will have to take the tunnels

”Smells like Crane is somehow under that patch of ground that looks filled in. There’s a whisp of scent through the tunnels this way…” he indicates south. (edited)

If I had to guess, Frewayne began to ponder, they burrowed a direct hole to the heart of the hive, dragged Crane through and patched it up. I figure her trail runs south because drones moving in and out are carrying bits of her scent. He cradles his cutter rifle in his arms and begins carefully taking the south path. Keep your eyes peeled. I'd expect we're going to be heading toward a lot more traffic. (edited)

Kila takes a wide berth around the filled in patch, eyeing it suspisciously. As she passes Mushk she gives her a little scratch on the head, comforted by her presence. "Long way around it is, but it's reassuring that Mushk can smell her still." She looks at Frewayne's rifle and chews her lip nervously before following the path south.

You begin to move east, crossing a wooden bridge, and then turn south down the winding tunnel. Growths of blue crystals grow from the wall in complicated geometric patterns. The crystals give off psionic resonance

Frewayne's pace slows slightly at the sight of the crystals. Underhill crystals... We're getting close to where the queen nests if I remember the reports correctly. You can try and harvest some to store some psychic techniques for later but I have no idea if that will alert the queen or the hive.

Kila traces the outline of the crystals, not quite touching them. "I wonder if these have something to do with the hives' abilities? Disturbing them might alert the hive, destroying them might cause them problems. Don't suppose anyone brought any explosives?" She shakes her head. "Actually, Gurk said the tunnels were unstable so that's probably not a good idea."

Gurk looks around at the ceiling. "It's unlikely we will need explosives to set the place off, if it comes to it." As the group travels, he keeps an eye out towards the heat vents in the walls and ceilings, hoping to catch sight of Crane's bird.

8:02 AM

The crystals are left untouched. There is a subtle psionic pull to the north, and you can hear what sounds like a pecking sound of a beak on rock from a chamber there, glowing with some sort of bioluminesence.

Frewayne paused mid-step before turning completely around on his heels. Could be a drone but I am going to take a bit of a gamble here, he mentally notified them while moving toward the chamber in the north. Hopefully what I am hearing is a bird like I think it is.

Thulee feels the psionic pull to the north as Frewayne changes course in that direction. He moves to back Frewayne up as Mushk slinks up protectively alongside Frewayne. Her ears are pricked up towards the beak sound.

There is a molted crow pecking at the stone top of what looks like an altar or bench. The emblem of the Brotherhood of Fenris is carved into its surface. The bird is pecking at it, and looks up with milky white eyes to caw weakly at the party

"There she is..." Venser approaches with caution and offers a familiar hand to the bird. He also examines the altar to see if anything is recognisable or connected to ritual he has knowledge of.

While Venser checked out the crow and the altar, Frewayne looked about the area for anything else noteworthy. Anyone got any food? he inquired mentally. The crow probably hasn't had much in the way of food down here. Also, if anyone has any party tricks that would let us find anything about Crane from the crow, now's the time to give it a whirl.

"Does it eat?" Gurk wonders. "I had thought as a metadimensional creature itself it does not need foor or water. I left mine on the ship, I'm afraid." As he communicates he eyes the altar.

(is anyone here either a Gaiapsion, or a metapsion?)

(I believe Thulee is Gaia and I am Meta)

This is Crane's animal companion. It does not need to eat or drink, or breathe, as it sustains itself through their shared MES link. The creature is being starved of this energy however as the connection between it and Crane weakens, like a stretched thread gradually being pulled apart and fraying.

3

"Thulee." Venser thinks to the group as his hands curl around threads of invisible energies. "When we find her, I can connect with Crane's mind. But this... I believe you should take this one."

Got it..." Thulee murmurs to the group as he becomes sidetracked focussing on the Crow. He carefully collects the bird and cradles it gently in an arm. Mushk drops an ear in sorrow, extremely concerned for her literal kindred spirit. To the group "Would it be risky for me to try and communicate with Crane's crow... ?" (Could Thulee use Tongue of Beasts to communicate? Or even just directly due to similar Gaiapsion vibes?)

Probably, Frewayne responded bluntly, but out of all the risks we could take trying to contact Crane, this is probably the most subtle I can think of. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Thulee nods at Frewayne and turns to the sick bird in the crook of his arm. Wisps of MES energy tendril from his head to the crow as he communicates in emotions and images. 'Friends... of your master, Crane. We support, help. Where is Crane..? What happened after you last saw... Gurk'. (Tongue of Beasts if needed)

(Since it's not your bond, I think we'd need to use tongue of beasts here)

7:49 AM

"Taken. Not friend-self anymore. Friend there, but friend not there. Friend shares with something else. Other. Friend self is south. Down, Dark place in ground. "

(4/5 effort remaining) Thulee gives the Crow a reassuring mental hug and a real cuddle as he passes on the impressions to the group. "Poor bird is fading. Sounds like Crane is South and down..."

Let's start pounding ground then, answered Frewayne while starting back toward the south. This was a worthwhile detour. We have confirmed where we need to go and that Crane's still alive, both physically and mentally.

Kila reaches over tentatively to the bird and gives it a little stroke in the crook of its neck and murmurs, "We'll find her." She looks again at the bench. "Wish I was a post-cog right now, this might be important. I got nothing though, so unless anyone else does, let's do as Frewayne says and 'ground pound'."

Gurk nods. "We should still have the element of surprise. If we hit hard we may overrun them."

(lets get a sneak/dex for everyone as we push south)

Thulee Blue

used /r

Thulee Blue Request: [2d6 +1] Roll: [5, 4] Result: 10

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun]

used /r

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun] Request: [2d6+3] Roll: [5, 3] Result: 11

(16)

4

Frewayne Wardav

used /roll

Frewayne Wardav Request: [2d6] Roll: [4, 1] Result: 5

The ground has been disturbed here, and is pulsing slightly 20m ahead. Gurk remembers a burrowing underhill form with scoop like shovel hands and a wide maw with fangs. You believe there might be five of them here, resting or waiting.

"Got something nasty here," Gurk thinks at the others. "FIve burrowers, maybe. Dealing with them will make a lot of noise. We can try going round them or perhaps try flying over them, but if we go through them we will be detected."

Flying seems like the safest way to go here, answers Frewayne. Hopefully they can't see from under the ground. Probably need to keep an eye out for how they might move. We are underground so we have to consider all the directions.

(7) "Likely sensitive to tremors, so the more we can move through the open air, the better. Flight is still up."

(everyone sees the burrowers , buts its not clear if they see you, or if they sense via vibration. That's an educated guess. We can elect to fly over them if the group wants to go with that plan)

(flying is good with me)

(ditto, good to fly)

(Agreed)

(agree)

The group still has access to their flight capabilities and keeping boots a couple meters off the ground, the group passes over the submerged burrowers in the turned dirt. The flight does not create vibrations, and the burrowers do not attack. Entering the southern chamber on the eastern side, the tunnel begins to dogleg back west ending at a digestion pool where organic material is deposited, broken down into its base components, and then is used by the hive elsewhere for other projects. There is a tunnel you can see under the goo where some sort of organic membrane barrier periodically opens to allow small amounts of the nutrient liquid through to chambers below.

Frewayne glances down into the pool briefly, watching the membrane open and close. He pulls down his penetrating visual scanner down over his eyes and begins to share whatever he is able to see beyond the membrane with the rest of the group. Well, looks like the only way to go is down. I don't think we're going to be able to fit through when it opens so I think flexing Venser's telekinesis again is the way through. We'll continue using the bubble to vacuum seal ourselves into the goop and then use telekinesis to open the gap wide enough to get us through. If you have to tear through to get it done, then do it. Once through, Thulee will use the raven to guide us to Crane. Any objections? (edited)

"Sounds good to me, let's do it." Thulee nestles Crane's bird into the side of his backpack with its little head popping out, making sure its comfy before steeling himself for the bubble trip to the unknown.

Kila looks incredulously at Thulee. "Good!? I think you've gone cave mad." She gives him a little smile to make it clear she's joking. Well, mostly. She sighs. "Gross. I guess I'd rather go first then and get it over with unless it makes sense for Venser to get the lay of the land first?"

Thulee double takes " Umm, yeah... the feeling I'm getting from my gaia-senses is of being within a big womb. Emotionally its... surprisingly comfy." He trails off into his own mind realising how bizarre this probably sounds to others.

Gurk steels himself for the horrible, smelly, and probably gunky action ahead. (edited)

There is a squelching sound as one by one you all descend into the digestive goo. THere are assorted bones from humans and animals alike at the bottom of the pool, fizzing and slowly dissolving away as the toughest and most dense organic material takes the longest to dissolve. Approaching the organic 'hatch', there is a brief burst of telekinesis as planned, and it opens slightly to allow each of you to move through one at a time, to something that looks like a water slide made of sausage casing, down into winding dark chambers below.

Gurk activates his panspectral optics and looks out for hazards that may alert the creatures to their presence.

As he sinks into the apparently organic passageway, Frewayne turns on his penetrating visual scanner to see if he is able to look outside of the passage to get an idea of what was around the passage and where it was leading them.

THere is nothing but dense rock around this carved passage that winds and leads further below ground into the Undra nest. There are small worm like creatures that have made homes in the slurry, but it is unclear if they are a threat or not.

With too much rock to pierce with the penatrating scanner, Frewayne turned the goggles off to conserve the battery. If these worm things are larvae like I think they are, describing this as a womb is fairly apt. And this will lead us into the middle of the womb. Where Crane and the queen are almost certainly located.

Mushk shakes her head after popping out the other end of the weird slippy slide experience and focuses her senses, trying to smell out Crane down the winding dark chambers (if there are multiple options we are trying to work out which one). Thulee mentally reaches out to the bird in his backpack 'Feel your friend? Which way... help us rescue friend'.

There is a single chamber that twists around itself and leads down into the depths of the nest. This reminds you of something akin to a water slide but meant for the slurry of nutrient soup being processed above. Something large is rhythmically breathing in the darkness far below you, the noise carried up the tunnels winding passages to you (edited)

Looks like we're getting to the end of this tube, Frewayne messages the others. Just be ready for anything. I'm sure you can all hear whatever is down there so we know at least that we are going to find something living down there.

Kila lets out a shuddering sigh, shakes her shoulders and then soldiers forward. "Alright, let's go meet the alive thing."

(lets get a notice/wis from everyone as we take the most disgusting waterslide imaginable )

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun]

used /r

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun] Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [3, 1] Result: 5

Thulee Blue

used /r

Thulee Blue Request: [2d6 +2] Roll: [6, 5] Result: 13

3

(11)

2

Frewayne Wardav

used /roll

Frewayne Wardav Request: [2d6+3] Roll: [3, 1] Result: 7

Aurelia | Venser

used /roll

Aurelia | Venser Request: [2d6-1] Roll: [6, 4] Result: 9

You slide down the twisting tunnels and are able to avoid major hazards like spoil piles , forks of bone sticking out of the ground and walls, and other assorted unpleasantness that could harm you. The slide ends in a small reflecting pool made of the same digestive juice in an industrial sized chamber riddled with softly glowing Growths of the crystals known to adorn Undra nests where a major queen is present. The glow is soft, illuminating the outline of the queen and fleshy tendrils connecting to the limp body of crane. It senses you and retracts the tendril, keeping its psionic consort deep within an armored pocket inside.

8:12 AM

3

Kila picks herself up off the floor, brushing herself down and flatting her windswept hair a little. ”Did you see how she retracted that tendril? Possible weak spot if things get really bad. We should try and reason with her though. I can try telepathically contacting her or maybe Thulee can? Bit of a grey area on whether they are beasts or not.” (edited)

"Someone else can do the talking. Although, if my name comes up, let them know I am very disappointed that they lied to me."

At least the queen isn't a beast, Frewayne thinks after steadying himself on his own two feet and assessing the situation. We already know through Gurk's previous contact. And I suspect a lot of what's under the armor is a weak spot but we still have to get through the armor to get Crane out. The crystals are a concern. If my first instincts are correct, I think they might be spreading the queen's influence to the rest of the hive. Might be able to hijack it. Lets go with negotiation. I'll start verbally, if only to see if Crane gets pulled from the pocket to translate. Frewayne takes a step toward the queen and speaks aloud, "We're not here to cause any harm to you. We only want Crane safely returned to us."

Your Crane. Pitiful plaything it says with an aura of confidence and otherness. *Your Crane is the mouth of the Undra now. Here your Crane will stay"

3

His brow twitches slightly and his eyes narrow in response. A second later, he lets out a brief sigh and then inquires, "Why do you need her to be your mouth? You seem to be able to communicate just fine."

As the voice replies it is a mixture of the insect's chittering sounds that pass as speech, and then overlaid with the emotionless verbalizations of Crane. There is a slight background buzz that scratches at your ears as the creature also attempts to make telepathic contact with each of you

2

I am going to do something risky, Frewayne explains to the others mentally. I'll let the queen connect with me. If it tries something other than to communicate, I will resist it. If it looks like I am behaving dangerously, stop me. With that, Frewayne allows the telepathy to establish.

1

Thulee glances over at Frewayne with a wince and a nod, and then turns back again to the queen. Mushk, not sure who to protect from who, turns to Frewayne to keep watching.

(Mental save at -2 frewayne)

6

Frewayne Wardav

used /roll

Frewayne Wardav Request: [d20-2] Roll: [8] Result: 6

(Fail but Two Minds, One Flesh lets his Symbiosis partner also roll a mental save. A pass for them is a pass for Frewayne and a fail only means he fails.)

(Who is the other person rolling a save? )

(I guess it's up to you how it works. Because Frewayne has Group Symbiosis, everyone is connected to him and the only limit to Group Symbiosis is that abilities that use Effort only works on one target at a time and Two Minds, One Flesh doesn't use Effort.)

(okay, I think everyone will get a chance to make one save on your behalf then, but if somehow all the saves fail, however unlikely that result is, then it is an actual fail)

(Gurk passes. 12v9)

4

There is an overpowering sense of psionic will and dominance as Frewayne connects,falters ,and is about to likewise succumb before a pavis of mental will plays out from Gurk, allowing the group to break this connection and mentally take a step back from the psionically powerful Queen

Gurk remains very cross at being lied to by the queen, and continues to glare at her. (happy for folks to keep talking but seems like we're exhausting our diplomatic avenues here!)

(I’m sleepy but will try to craft something diplomatic in the morning though if anyone else wants to try anything before then

)

There is a flicker of dullness in Frewayne's gaze as he briefly yields to the psychic influence. The light returns to his eyes as the influence is repelled by Gurk, the first of many meshing layers of mental defense Frewayne weaved together. Eyes then darkened, shadows cast over them by his brow which furrowed so tightly that it created multiple creases in his forehead. "We were going negotiate because there might have been a chance you learned something from Crane's memory," he seethed through a nearly clenched jaw. "Now return Crane or else." While speaking, Frewayne mentally messages the rest of the team, If any of you can force the queen to spit out Crane through psychic ability, do it now. Failing that, we're ripping Crane out of the queen's corpse.

As Frewayne recovers from the psychic push and drops the ultimatum, Mushk turns back to the Queen and lets out a slow 'grrrrrrrr'. Unable to help free Crane with his psychic abilities, Thulee's eyes narrow as he searches for a physical weakness on the Queen. (Predator Instinct, 3/5 effort remaining)

(Maybe psychic static on the queen or even the crystals might disrupt her connection?) Worried that the shock of physically ripping Crane out will harm her mind if she doesn’t have the ability to detach from the queen’s control, Kila desperately tries to make contact. ”Venser, I’m going to try and reach Crane directly and then we need to get her connected to the unity.” She focuses on Crane’s body and her bird. ”Crane, my name is Kila. We’re here to bring you home. Your friend Venser is here, and we have your bird. Fight the queen and join our thoughts.”

(If we are going to start doing things with an offensive connotation to them, like trying to sever the connection , we should be getting into initiative )

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun]

used /r

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun] Request: [1d8+1] Roll: [7] Result: 8

(6)

Thulee Blue

used /r

Thulee Blue Request: [2d8 d1] Roll: [7, 2] Result: 7

Frewayne Wardav

used /roll

Frewayne Wardav Request: [1d8] Roll: [7] Result: 7

(I'll just pop intuitive response for this, sorry folks just been very spoon deprived from work lately)

4

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [d8] Roll: [4] Result: 4

(Venser, Kila, Thulee, Frewayne, Gurk, Queen)

1:35 PM

(for purposes of needing to know ranges for combat, the queen is 30m from you

(Venser also needs to nominate someone to have two main actions I think?)

"Understood. You get Crane, I'll distract the Queen." Venser begins to hover just above the ground in a swirl of wind. His eyes glow a neon blue as he stares down the monstrous Undra before him. "HEY! BUG!" He psychically screams. "Pick on someone your own size..." With that, he launches an all out attack in the psionic mindscape between them. (1 effort to extend Telepathy immunity to the group, I'll allow the Queen to connect and use two more effort for Telepathic Assault with Surge Momentum, mental save at -4 to halve 28 damage. Extra turn going to Kila this round, that's a full turn, movement and action.) (edited)

4

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [d20] Roll: [10] Result: 10

(10 vs 5, queen passes so takes 14 damage )

(oof saving throw of 5, my plan to use reflex response to make her give up Crane is a bit of a longshot then, but here goes main action #1) Taking advantage of the Queen's disorientation as the wave of telepathic energy assaults her, Kila summons all her will, grits her teeth and stares directly at one of the queen's eyes. "Release Crane. Give her to us unharmed." (Reflex Response 5/6 effort remaining) (edited)

(does queen get a saving throw? )

(Yes, sorry thought I’d put that in)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [d20] Roll: [5] Result: 5

4

(5 v 5, that is a pass)

7:43 AM

The queen does no such thing, shrugging of the telepathic assault.

(#2) Kila scowls and aims her rifle at the crystals, burst firing in an arc. ”Remember we gave you a choice about how this went.” (26/4, 17/20 ammo) (edited)

(if you are burst firing you get a +2 to damage as well)

1

(lemme know on that so I know what to apply but in the interest of time , we'll move on to Thulee. ) the queen looks distracted due to the psionic attacks it is fending off, but it seems no less physically deadly given the onslaught and slight wounds it has taken. Crystals shatter and you can hear distant creatures in the hive shrieking in sympathetic pain.

(4 damage, thanks Eish!)

As the hive shriek echoes around the hall Mushk turns towards the nearest crystals and continues Kila's work... slashing into them with her claws. (9/10 shock 3/AC18) She snarls and moves closer (10m), getting in between the team and the Queen. Thulee turns from the crystals to the Queen, hesitates, lets out a quick "Fu$k... hope I don't hurt Crane" and then opens up on the Queen, looking for her weakness. (17/13, 7/10 ammo) (edited)

The energy shots spark off the thick armor of the queen, and more of the crystals break. You can hear the soudns of burrowing distantly , reinforcements are on the way for the embattled Undra leader, but they're a distance away and won't be part of the fight for at least a short interlude. (Frewayne up)

Seeing the crystals break and hearing the wailing from deeper within the colony, Frewayne levels his cutter rifle at any of the remaining crystals and fires a burst of laser fire at them (8 to hit, 13 damage. 12/15 rounds left) He then focuses his mind on Gurk, enhancing his reaction speed briefly beyond their limits. (Reflexive Action on Gurk, giving him an immediate Main Action. 5/6 Free Nexus Effort left.) (edited)

THe shots strike the walls and floor at the quick aim , the gun bucks more than Frewayne is expecting, even for an energy weapon. ( Gurk, then other Gurk, then the queen gets to do stuff)

Gurk, buoyed by the strange nexus forces, rapidly unloads two blasts in the direction of the crystals. (17/18 21/17 13/15 ammo moving 10m towards the crystals)

More of the crystals break and distant bugs howl in psionic pain as the shards fall to the floor and turn to powder. The Queen looms over all of you, and there is a buzzing noise you feel in your mind as a pressure begins to build. (mental save for everyone to start, at a -2. She has other stuff shes also going to be doing so dont start blasting after we roll them, let me finish her turn)

(12 - pass)

(7 vs 6, pass, not sure if I get the +3 bonus or immunity from IPoW, but 7 was the roll at -2)

(pass. Venser, can't you give immunity to telepathy to everyone from IPOW? takes 1 effort I think to give to all allies within 50m)

(I did last turn ❤️)

1

(its not really telepathy. She's got some stuff she can do since she's an NPC that doesn't require telepathic contact. A mental save fit better than a physical effect or evasion given what she's doing,. Luck could have technically worked I guess but that one doesn't improve at the same rate as your other saves as you level, so that felt punitive) (edited)

2

(4/8 - fail but just need anyone else to pass in my place. Though ironically, Thulee just passes since I rolled 10/8 on my save to back him up.) (edited)

(Realized I forgot the -2 to the save and adjusted numbers according. Nothing changed as far as results.)

(16v7 pass)

1

The popping and pressure seems to go away as the queen unleashed whatever she had been powering up. It hits minds that are prepared for the assault and washes over you harmlessly. Her power extends to her body as well as her mind. She lashes out with claws, pounds the walls of the chamber, and splashes digestive acids with her thrashing. (Sending an attack to everyone in the room. I’ll roll the d20’s and they’ll apply in initiative order )

8:47 AM

(Will have to do this from my computer. Dice maiden be fighting

2

Nekosmash

used /r

# 69
Details:[6d20+7 (3 15 11 12 10 11)]

Nekosmash

used /r

# 9
Details:[d10+3 (6)]

There is a flurry of claws and jaws, and everyone is able to throw themselves out of the way, aside from Governor Kila, who is struck by a flashing talon in the side. Armor creaks and the undersuit sizzles as chemicals begin working away at it. (21/9. everyone else is a clear miss even with a +7. )

(and that brings us back to Venser)

Venser curses as his assault fails and he darts back in the air, narrowly avoiding a claw. Seeing the others go for the crystals, he instead spins both revolvers out of their respective holsters and fires off a barrage of caustic rounds directly at the Queen. (17/20 for Force of Will and 18/15 for Burnt Luck, Kila gets the extra turn again.)

(force misses but Burnt Luck hits)

1:14 PM

The Queen is lightly wounded. The creature is still dangerous ,and still perfectly capable of harming each of you.

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 8/19/2023 1:14 PM

(kila is up)

Kila hisses as the talon hits her armor, and looks worriedly at the vapour rising from the acidic bubbles. She steels herself again, and once again demands that the queen hands over Crane. "I said, give Crane back to us unharmed, now." (Reflex response - 1 effort. If the queen passes her first mental save, Kila will try a second time for another effort.) (23/32 HP remaining)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [d20] Roll: [16] Result: 16

(passes)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [d20] Roll: [14] Result: 14

(Also passes)

”Fuck. She’s seriously tough. Looks like ripping Crane out is going to be our only option unless someone has any other bright ideas.” Kila retreats a little to get a better view of the entrance in case of reinforcements. (3/6 effort remaining, nothing else for Kila to do this turn)

"Fresh out of ideas my end..." Thulee's mental communications are whited out as the impression of a guttural screech from Mushk flows across the link. Ears back and moving low, she charges at the Queen (move 20m...should be right next to her now) and lays into her with with claws flying. (24/7) As Mushk dashes forward Thulee unloads another burst at the Queen then moves forward himself (10m). (26/8, ammo 4/10) (edited)

Probably best to hold of on your abilities on other bugs if they get here before we can take her down. Frewayne tells the others while he points his cutter rifle at the queen and fires another burst at her. A surge of MES energy traveled along the connection to Thulee, causing his synapses briefly hasten. (16/12, Ammo 9/15. Then Reflexive Action on Thulee to give him another Main Action to use right now. 4/6 effort left.)

Thulee feels the MES surge from Frewayne and before he even knows what he's doing another spray of burst from his Shear Rifle targets the Queen. (24/11, ammo 1/10) (edited)

1

The Queen is moderately wounded after the intense spray of fire. Creatures continue to burrow close and you think you will see the closest of them entering the chamber from the walls and ceiling in a few seconds. Another blast wave of psionic energy batters the group, as she hopes to use your stunned states to pounce in a flurry of murderous appendages (mental save for everyone and then I'll do the multi attacks, just dont want to throw a wall of numbers up)

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun]

used /r

Kila Stosk | Konya [Nurrun] Request: [1d20] Roll: [10] Result: 10 Reason: vs 9

(just checking - Gurk hasn’t gone yet this turn is the queen cutting in or should he be doing something?)

(nat 1, fail)

5

2

(The results for Frewayne's rolls in alphabetical order- Frewayne- Fail. Gurk- Fail. Thulee- Passed with a nat 20 if that makes a difference. Venser- Pass. Gurk can still pass if his actual save succeeds. Frewayne can still succeed if anyone rolls a success for him.)

(ah sorry, go ahead Gurk )

1:04 PM

(i saw a big blockof turns and it looked like everyone had gone)

Gurk keeps plugging away at the crystals ahead of the swarm's arrival. (12/20 on crystals rolled 2 saving throws - one for Gurk one for Frewayne - passed both, 15 and 16)

A few of the crystals break due to the packed density of them in the local area (I'll wait until all the saves are good, and we'll go from there!)

(Pretty sure we have passes on all fronts now. Thulee is the only one left and he can't beat the 20 that Frewayne rolled.)

(3v7 fail... really hope that doesn't matter!) (edited)

(Nope. Still a pass.)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [6 d20+7] Rolls: [18] Result: 25 [20] Result: 27 [4] Result: 11 [1] Result: 8 [15] Result: 22 [10] Result: 17

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [5 d10+1] Rolls: [5] Result: 6 [8] Result: 9 [4] Result: 5 [6] Result: 7 [2] Result: 3

(25/6 on Venser, Crit / 14 on Kila, Thule is missed, frewayne is missed, 22/7 Gurk, 17/3 Mushk) The queen lashes at the attackers and continues smashing into the walls, doing what can be done to scatter the group cause wounds from falling debris and ruin group cohesion.

2

7:52 AM

(top of the order with Venserooni )

3

(25 still misses against my 27 AC, so I'll use reactive telekinesis on that Neko baby please to start)

(Queen has to reroll the attack twice against herself. If one hits, the queen takes 6 damage. If both would hit the Queen's AC, then the damage is maximized to 11)

(Also, since this is looking like it's going to be a big turn for Venser, I would like to use Reflexive Action as an instant action on him as soon as his ability resolves to give him another standard action.)

1

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2 d20+7] Rolls: [7] Result: 14 [17] Result: 24

(she hits one and misses once, so she takes some damage)

7:56 AM

Pressure begins to build along the bulbous flanks of the queen as a sickening green light flickers into existance within. (okay, queens turn is done done)

(Extra round going to Thulee this round, for my first turn:) Venser is about to whacked with a claw before it comes to a shuddering stop beside him and has its momentum violently reversed. While weaving around the Queen and harassing it with occasional revolver fire, Venser once again engages the enemy on the metaphysical battlefield. He attempts to reach out with his mind, past the Queen, to Crane, a very familiar presence as the one that first taught him the basics of telepathy and how to control the endless noise around him. All his power, all his training, and all he can do in this situation is hope his mentor hears him.

(Point of order here, if you are going to establish a new Telepathic Connection, your UOT fades and cannot give a bonus round to anyone until you re-establish it)

1

(Oh good point, okay UOT fades but Venser would have prefaced it with a telepathic message saying he was going dark, no bonus round so far then.)

1

You sense Crane , but Crane is a very small part of a much bigger presence that exists in the same mind. Durkti laughs at the similarity, and wishes your will was more like that of Crane's , whos has shattered under immense pressure. Crane's small shard of personality within this screaming hive-mind is a dim, broken, crying presence and you get the image of someone curled in a child's position, trying to shield themselves from further harm.

4

(Still have the whole turn left to reestablish UoT if you wanted since that would've been the bonus Main action Frewayne gave you.)

(What helps with our mental saves… ? If that’s UoT we want up I think)

(That's Frewayne's Symbiosis stuff. So our brains are still fairly safe.)

(I think that's it for Venser then? If so, then we're up to Kila)

(sorry I have just been at work end of yesterday and start of today, couple hours I'll have the second half)

Venser floats down to the child-like image of Crane, unphased by the swirling vortex of hunger that surrounds then. He appears glowing, almost angelic, blinding is the radiance of his metaphysical avatar, reflecting how far he has come. He reaches a hand down to Crane as Durukti sits on his shoulder like a devil, laughing. "You once found me, tortured and alone. You raised me up, gave me discipline, purpose, resolve. You turned me into something far stronger than I ever thought possible, than anyone ever thought possible... You are one the strongest people I know - mind, body, and soul. Now please, let me do the same for you. Take my hand. Come back to us Crane. Fight." (I'm going to attempt to use biopsionic healing on Crane through the connection, no idea if this will work, but here we go!)

2

(you can't see her, she's inside the plates, so that will not work)

7:29 PM

(psychic powers need unaided sight of their intended target unless explicitly otherwise noted)

(damn, well I tried it, thats the end of my turn)

(kila up)

Kila reels sideways as she takes the brunt of something big, it's hard to tell what it is in the confusion of the thrashing queen. She fumbles in her bag for a medpak as she retreats as far from the queen as she can (20m away from where she already was). (I go stowed to ready this turn then use it next turn, right? 9/32 HP)

(sounds right to me Kila) Thulee feels Venser reach out to Crane and fail to make a metaphysical connection. With a nervous grin a plan forms in his mind... "I'm gonna try open up the Queen with my toolkit..." he stops realising that there is no longer unity of thought. 'fuck... okay doing it anyways' he says to himself. He takes advantage of flight and triangulates the best position he can get to at the foot of the queen. He's aiming for the convergence of where Crane's bird is directing and the weakest point according to his Predator Instinct (move 20m). Once grounded he dives into his pack, grabbing his Postech Toolkit (un-stowing). Mushk swings around to screen him as best she can (total defense. Mushk 18/21 hp)

(Yes, It goes stowed -> Readied -> used )

Frewayne moves forward ten meters and focuses on Kila. Her wounds begin to rapidly close. (Kila heals 4 health. 2/6 effort left.)

1

(if we're back to Gurk, how damaged are the crystals looking?)

(There’s a lot of crystals in this cavern. About a third have been smashed to powder) (edited)

Gurk continues to destroy as much of the crystals as he can ahead of the arrival of the swarm. (dirty 20/16)

The swarm is closing in and many of the burrowing bugs howl in sympathetic pain as the crystals are broken. Some howls are suddenly cut off as the psionic overload fries lesser creatures with simpler minds unable to handle the strain

(okay, same thing as before so its not wall o math rocks, Lets get a Physical effect save for everyone this time as she uses the ability she was charging )

(18v9 Pass)

(3 is a fail)

(16, pass)

(7v7... I can't remember if that's a fail or not?)

(that's a success ❤️)

1

(yeah its meet or beat, so that is a pass)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2d8] Roll: [4, 3] Result: 7

A jet of acid sprays across the cavern as the group scrambles for shelter. The rain descends from the cavern roof, burning the ground where it touches but the drops fall unevenly. Some of the group is able to stay ahead of the spray, others get closer to the queen where the acid is not falling. Only Kila is not quite fast enough (7 damage on kila, queen is gonna dish out some multi attacks now)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [5 d20+5] Rolls: [5] Result: 10 [14] Result: 19 [3] Result: 8 [9] Result: 14 [17] Result: 22

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2 d10] Rolls: [10] Result: 10 [5] Result: 5

(19/10 on Thulee, 22/5 on Gurk ,everyone else be missed. Kila be havin a bad time so I didn't swing at them this round. That is it for the queen) (edited)

In all the chaos of battle, Venser's mind is still as he pulls back from the helpless Crane, somewhat defeated, and weaves the groups minds back together instead. "I'm sorry, I couldn't save her from the Queen's control, I think our only solution is to physically remove her." With the instant exchange of thoughts, Venser can see what Thulee is attempting to do. "Keep going! We will cover you!" (Unity of Thought back up, extra turn going to Thulee. 5 effort remaining.)

Kila gives him a sad smile and nods, hoping that whatever the queen has been doing to Crane isn’t yet finished and that they don’t cause any harm ripping her out. She returns her focus to her medpak and stabs it into her leg, feeling a little relief. (Heals for 8, 16/32 hp 1/14 strain)

(Thulee is up!)

Thulee cries out as acid sprays across him from the Queen's jet. A small pall of smoke rises off him as he swings around his toughest burner / jaws of life combo and applies it to the spot he's targeting on the Queens side. It's a tool he's previously used to open up hardened mega-farm machinery back on Rawhani. Crane's bird is invigorated and tries to help triangulate, feeling that Crane is close. "Alright... here goes nothing..!" he sends across Unity as he applies heat and tries to open the Queen like a can... (Aiming for an int/fix here... that work?) (edited)

(Yes, even with a success it won't be an instant pulling her out, you'd need to commit this action over a couple turns, but we can try it)

(11 . Understand, I have another turn from Venser also, can I do the same again?) (edited)

(I was using turns and rounds interchangably in this fight which I shouldn't have been doing with all the psychic stuff and bonuses going on. We will need to spend a few subsequent rounds performing this same action) (edited)

7:59 AM

(11 is enough, we have to spend two rounds after this one trying to pull her out, but you're able to wedge your tools in through the plates)

(Got it. Thulee is committed to continued action for another 2 rounds. Don’t think I can do anything with this extra action this turn, it would be a diversion. I’ll just do Mushk) As Thulee starts to get purchase on the queen, Mushk stays out of the way and slashes out at nearby crystals. (8/2)

(How much did Thulee get wedged open? Would it at least be enough to catch a glimpse of Crane?)

(We can tell she's in there but not how she's doing. We also can't TK her out since she is technically being 'worn' by the queen) The cat's claws slash at the Queen but are not able to get through the toughest armor the beast is attacking. (edited)

(But is it enough visibility for Frewayne to connect with Symbiosis? I have a Plot Point in my back pocket. I wanted to use it for Crane to wake up and accept the Symbiosis link.)

(By the book this is not seeing her with unobstructed/unaided sight, but the plot point should mean something. The plot point is only supposed to be a minor change in the scene, so you can wake her up , but her wits wont be collected enough to accept the link for now We'll need a good post though, not just "i do it" ) (edited)

Frewayne glides as close as he can toward one of the unbroken crystals and grips it in his left hand while awkwardly holding onto the grip of his rifle with his right. His chest expands as he sucks in a deep breath before yelling, "Crane! This Frewayne Wardav of the UNW! Accept my connection and we will all break the queen's control together! You are not alone!" His digits dig into the hard crystal and he tightens his jaw. Break the crystals. I don't know if touching them will affect me like the bugs but maybe Crane might sense something different in this hive network, he messaged the rest at the speed of thought. To emphasize his request, he turned his rifle as best as he could toward the crystal and fired a burst. (edited)

4:28 PM

(Spending plot point and using my once a day ability from Authority Level 1 on Crane. Rolled a 10 on Cha/Lead roll versus her morale to get her to do something for me.)

(If you’re trying to get her to also accept the connection this round then that check is not going to be valid. I made a point of explaining how that will work for that reason. I won’t count the burn of your ability for the day , but she’s not going to do anything but wake up. If that ability cost you your main action I’ll let you spend it on something else )

(Just to get her to start waking up. She couldn't even if she wanted to because I need to be able to see her.)

(I’ll let you use your main on something else then since you used the plot point to get her up)

(Could I shoot the crystal myself or just too close to try?)

(You could shoot crystals )

(23 to hit. 11 damage. 6/15 shots left.)

4:44 PM

(Edited the post to include the shot attempt.)

The shots break more cystals and some of the incoming workers are mentally flash fried seconds before they are going to break into the room. (the reinforcements will appear on the queen's turn)

With the swarm about to arrive, Gurk continues to focus his firepower on the crystals. 24/16, Gurk now on 16/28 HP 10/15 ammo)

The drones and burrowing grubs that were on the way here have been fried by the psionic releases of the smashed crystals. The queen is weakened ,and the rescue of Crane is within sight. Four Underhill alphas enter the chamber, and these look to be something entirely new to this swarm based on the secrets they've uncovered through crane

6:33 PM

6:34 PM

Their long spindly fingers clutch strange looking organic weapons, a blade in one hand, and a carbine like device that seems to be loaded with some sort of sharpened bone ammunition. Forming around their queen as an honor guard, they lay into the fight

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [4 d20+4] Rolls: [4] Result: 8 [13] Result: 17 [16] Result: 20 [1] Result: 5

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2 d10] Rolls: [10] Result: 10 [4] Result: 4

(20/10 on Venser , 17/4 on Gurk) (Queen has to swing yet but I don't want to drown people in numbers so I'll make a divider here -------------- Queen Multi Attacks

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [5 d20+6] Rolls: [1] Result: 7 [10] Result: 16 [20] Result: 26 [16] Result: 22 [15] Result: 21

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [4 d8] Rolls: [8] Result: 8 [6] Result: 6 [4] Result: 4 [8] Result: 8

(16/8 Thulee Cirt/10 Frewayne . 22/8 gurk and a 21 I think misses venser so that's it)

(Thulee is AC 18 so I think thats a miss) (edited)

(one hits, one misses. Gurk now on 8HP!)

1

(sounds good to me I just added the ones that looked like they might be close to hitting, Venser is back up)

(How we doing with the crystals?)

(Most destroyed, these elites seem like they're not much bothered by it)

2

(Both miss me, reactive telekinesis on them if either were melee) Venser moves to screen Thulee from the Alphas as he works to retrieve Crane. He fires multiple rounds into the group in an attempt for them to focus on him. "COME AT ME YOU CHEAP KNOCKOFFS!" (24/21 and 16/20, Gurk takes the extra turn this round.) (edited)

1

(The 16 misses) One of the Alphas is shot through the head, staggering several steps like a drunk before collapsing onto its knees and then face down onto the ground

(Kila up?)

(Yes, Kila up!)

Kila chuckles at Venser's battle cry and, mercifully healed up somewhat, takes advantage of her second wind. She throws as much MES energy as she can muster at one of the alphas. (Telepathic assault, 14dmg, halved if it passes its saving throw 1/6 effort remaining) (edited)

(do you make telepathic contact as an on turn action now instead of a main action? ) (edited)

(ah...I need to commit an extra effort, but yes. fixed the effort) (edited)

(gotcha, no prob , was more thinking about the action economy, so if its on turn all is well!)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [d20] Roll: [20] Result: 20

3

(He passes, so he will take 7) One of the Alphas staggers as though suddenly afflicted with splitting migraines, not enough to down it, but enough to give it a terrible morning. (It's taken 7, theres technically no crits in sWN so saying thats a crit pass/ no effect is scummy) (edited)

8:03 AM

(Thulee)

Zoned into his task and oblivious to the carnage around him, Thulee continues to open up the Queen with his tools. "I'm getting there... I reckon two thirds the way. I need a little more time.". As he is fashioning an entry to get to Crane he tries to give line of sight to Venser and Kila. (Thulee 24/34hp) Mushk is is well aware of the threats around them and takes the opportunity to pounce on the staggering Alpha. She lays in with her claws and goes for the neck with her teeth. (12/11) (Mushk 18/21hp)

The Alpha's rigid chitin holds, for now. (Frewayne)

Frewayne cradles his rifle in both hands and swings it toward the staggering alpha, opening fire on it with a burst of laser shots.

9:46 AM

(22 to hit, 4 damage, 3/15 rounds, 11/21 hp.)

The wounded alpha is quickly dispatched by a trio of tight laser shots into its chest. Frewayne makes a grouping that would make any veteran marksman jealous, but the fight rages, and there is little time to laud the expert handiwork.

6:37 PM

(gurk)

Gurk shotguns the nearest alpha and quickly applies a medpak. (21/17 using a medpak with the bonus turn, Gurk now on 12hp)

The Alpha has a large section of its middle shot away and its weapon arm goes careening across the chamber ,leaving it with just a blade. Its inhuman resilience allows it to continue standing, but the blow is severe and it will not survive long beyond the fight.

8:51 AM

(so we have the queen, and two remaining alphas, one of whom only has a melee weapon by my tracking)

(Think so!)

(i meant to come back to this yesterday and then I just got totally drowned in work both then and today. Queen turn now!)

2

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [5 d20+4] Rolls: [2] Result: 6 [8] Result: 12 [6] Result: 10 [1] Result: 5 [1] Result: 5

The queen continues its ramapge in the room, but it is weakened and unable to move as mcuh as before due to the active use of tools on its armored carapace, and it fighting to maintain some sort of failing control over Crane. The remaining two alphas continue fighting, one of them charging Gurk, while the other steadies itself, firing a pair of shots at Venser

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [d20+4] Roll: [8] Result: 12 Reason: sword

(miss, no shock due to AC)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2 d20+4] Rolls: [13] Result: 17 [17] Result: 21

(I think Venser's aC is a 22, if so, they miss, and its up to Venser)

(Yeh they miss) Venser continues to dance around the alphas in a spectacular display of telekinetic mastery, he brings both hammers of his hand cannon's back and lets them fly once again. (19/9, 23/12, extra turn for Kila this round!)

(Are those on the same target of different targets?)

(Different targets if I'm having to specify)

(You do because I need to know what damage to apply to who) The sword wielding alpha falls to the ground shot through the chest and head by the hand cannon shot. The remaining alpha with the gun is wounded but not downed

1

7:53 PM

(Kila up)

Kila looks around at the beaten up group, everyone seems to be bruised, battered and generally flagging. Well, except for Venser, who is awesome. "Great work, Thulee. Hang on, Crane." She rails her rifle at the last standing alpha and let's out a burst of laser fire. (26/5 14/20 ammo)

1

The Alpha's thick armor plating is strong, but not strong enough to withstand the concentrated laser fire. The Alpha is badly wounded and acidic blood leaks from its many wounds.

8:17 AM

(thulee)

(3rd round on this task - figure I get to Crane this turn. Let me know if this isn't accurate and I'll adjust) As shots reverberate around him, Thulee continues to hack his way into the enormous bug's carapace. The opening widens and he manages to push himself through all manner of goop to get inside the exoskeleton. "Weirrrrrd.. what the f..." falls out over unity as he is enveloped by the bugs insides. Cranes bird seems to come alive in proximity to its master and helps direct Thulee to the broken figure of Crane, a literal Matryoshka doll... inside a bug, inside a womb, inside a hive, inside a mountain. (edited)

(Your main this turn is extracting her so you’d have a move still but your main as narrated is perfect )

(so can I get her out this turn or just leave it at that for now?)

(She is free of the queen but prone. She will need a move action of her own to stand up)

As Thulee tends to the prone Crane, Mushk senses an opportunity to do some real damage from the inside. She doubles back into the gap created by Thulee, peels off away from Crane & Thulee and dives claws first into sensitive looking weak spots from the inside. (24/2)

(Damn, just realised I missed that Kila had an extra turn. If she can still take it she’d shoot the alpha that’s still up 26/6, 11/20 ammo)

(Yeah go ahead. I’ll write a bridging post for both of these actions shortly when I wake up)

1

(Ty ❤️)

Mushk dives inside the beast and Kila continues her suppression fire of the remaining Alpha. The humanoid Undra collapses, ddefeated by intense sprays of high energy laser fire. The Queen's armored body shrivels and writhes as Muchk does what they can from the inside.

8:43 AM

(frewayne)

With Crane free of the queen and the alphas deceased, Frewayne will extend MES energy to Crane to connect her through his Symbiosis ability. (Symbiosis is a main action so not much to do this round.)

(Gurk is up. Crane will accept the link and that happens normally )

(is Gurk close enough to assist Crane to her feet/drag her away from the queen?)

(Yes)

Gurk takes hold of Crane as best he can and tries to assist her into a standing position, placing his body between her and the queen. (he has his storm armour, so +4 strength for any encumberance calculations. If she's lucid enough he'll try to walk her at least a couple steps away from the queen)

(we didn't really establish how close you were ,so we can say getting crane maybe 5m away from the queen is a fair split?) (edited)

(sounds good to me! I take it she is completely unarmored?)

(yeah her gear is gone. We don't know what the Undra did with it. They've been studying it somehow given how the Alphas were created and how they look, but with how dangerous things are right now and with no guarantee the other parts of the nest aren't responding, taking time to find the gear would be very dangerous)

(got it - he will just try to shield her then)

(so move and then basically trying to screen?)

(yes)

The Queen is badly wounded and with Mushk tearing away at their insides focuses its attention on the most severe of the threats at cost of striking at the rest of the party. Its own talons dig into its broken armored body, doing little hurt to try to stop a much bigger one.

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Rolls: [6] Result: 9 [16] Result: 19 [15] Result: 18 [19] Result: 22 Reason: mushk hits

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [3 d10] Rolls: [7] Result: 7 [10] Result: 10 [2] Result: 2

(19/7 18/10 and 22/2 on the cat)

3

4

(That’s Mushk vaporized… takes one for the team

)

3

(If they’re a gaiapsionic companion you can summon them back tomorrow )

(Yeah I know, not the first time we’ve been here

)

(Venser is up)

Venser spins around from the fallen Alphas, filled with hope as Thulee pulls Crane away from the best. He levels his revolvers at the Queen's monstrous head for what he hopes is the last time. "Eat lead, bug." (22/13 & 23/14, extra turn to Thulee)

The Queen screeches as it’s eye clusters are destroyed and it thrashes in pain as it deals with grievous injuries both within and without. It is weakening and doesn’t have much fight left within it

5:12 AM

(Kila)

Kila glides over to where Gurk is sheltering Crane aiming to provide some additional cover for the injured and disorientated woman. She once again let's her laser rifle rip in a series of bursts towards the queen. (22/5 8/20 ammo)

The queen struggles for a moment, trying to weakly flail at Venser before the laser shots from Kila burn the large bug's brain cavity out. There is a plume of dust as the creature falls to the ground dead.

3

8:11 AM

Shrieking and howling from other parts of the hive signal the connection has been lost, and the surviving Undra will become even more dangerous

Kila blows some rogue hairs out of her face as she turns to the others. "That got a bit hairy for some of us there." She throws the queen a disgruntled look. "If only she'd listened to reason. Suggest we leg it out of here, five minutes ago. Crane, probably a silly question, but how are you doing?" She watches Crane in case she falls over, hovering near, but not wanting to crowd her.

Crane gives a weak thumbs up. Her skin is red and rashy and her throat is covered in a scaly looking infection. She coughs up some green slime like mucus and gives a faint raspy. “Let’s move”

As they speak Gurk switches out his kit, reloads his gun, and applies another medpak. (Gurk now on 18HP. Ready to move out. Now have poisonous bait and wildlife repellent bomb readied)

Frewayne loads a fresh battery into his cutter rifle before slinging it over his back. His brow furrows at the insectoid corpses Venser, if you can use your telekinesis to carry one of the humanoid ones out of here with us, please do so. Otherwise, we need to follow Kila's advice and fly out of here immediately. I suggest reloading weapons as needed. He then started to hover toward the weird, biological chute they used to get there.

Thulee flicks bug shell and other goop off himself and reloads his shear rifle. There are still tendrils of MES energy wafting around his head, a leftover from Mushk returning into his mind after being decimated by the Queen. His head seems to twitch a little as he goes, straw hair standing mostly on end. All of a sudden he turns around to the queen and gives her leftovers a kick... "You BITCH. That was from Mushk." He then gives Crane a nod and turns a little so Crane's crow can say hi from his backpack. He then goes about applying a medpak to a goop free spot. "My mind is a bit weird right now... yes, let's get the fu$k out of here." (31/34 hp 1/15 strain Readied; shear rifle, mag pistol, medpak, grapnel launcher) (edited)

Kila nods at Crane, pats Thulee on the back - careful to avoid the goo, then floats after Freewayne. She hovers in the doorway, anxiously peering out as she changes up her gear and stabs herself with another medpak. (1 medpak left - now readied Power cell changed, ammo 20/20 Stun baton now stowed 8 healing applied, 24/32 HP 2/14 strain)

The tunnel leading back up is empty for the moment but distant bug sounds slowly come closer, and you will be surrounded if you do not move quickly.

Venser shoots into the air lifting the carcass of an Alpha with him. There is no time to speak but Crane and Venser locks eyes for a moment and a burst of warmth floods through the familar telepathic connection between them. "Come on lets move! Anyone seriously hurt?"

Frewayne starts to zip up the chute as quickly as the telekinetic flight will allow. His armor is spattered with dark patches of red that were the result of blood seeping through after the queen caught him with a serious blow. I've got just enough energy left in the tank to heal someone up on the fly, he reported mentally. I don't think we have any time to stop and treat. (11/21 hp left. 1 effort uncommitted.)

(Frewayne is right. Just to underscore the scene)

Gurk flies forward at flank speed, looking for incoming trouble as the group retraces their flight path to the edge of the cavern network.

(notice/wis gurk)

(8)

There is a leathery flapping sound outside on the higher levels. At least some of the winged forms of the Undra have survived the psionic backlash.

10:53 AM

Gurk, using their background as familar with animals thinks its a hunting group of at least eight

Gurk relays this to the others. "They're probably faster than us. Not sure what kind of mental state they are in. Weaker creatures respond to repellent bombs and may go for the poisoned bait if we set a trap. If their minds are intact still they may not."

”I think if they were anything like that thing…” she jabs her chin towards the creature Venser is controlling. ”…they’d have come to the Queen’s aid, so I’d bet on the trap working.”

"Better than taking them on in some sort of hit and run. Even with a revengeful wild animal inside my head that seems like a bad idea. Gurk, I can help you lay the trap"

We're not going to have time to properly lay a trap, Frewayne grimly reminded the group through their connection. They're a handful among the entire hive. Whatever time we spend setting a trap is more time for the rest of the hive to catch up with us. We should move out of here as quickly as we can and, if these fliers catch us, hope that the bait, repellant and concentrated firepower will drive them off.

(Gurk's suggestion here is something simple - if they're coming towards us dump the tempting meat sack somewhere obvious and if they go for it, hit them with the repellent bomb. Neko, do we think the flyers are ahead of us in the tunnel or catching up behind us?)

(Theyre ahead in the tunnel either waiting for you or flying toward you)

(How about we try to sneak up and if they're coming, dump the meat somewhere inviting? If they don't go for it we can shoot em or sneak past then)

(I’m down with that plan, as long as we are moving forward. What does everyone else think?)

(works for me)

(Also fine as long as we keep moving.)

(sounds like we can spend aminute detailing your plan IC here Gurkie)

Gurk cautiously moves through the tunnel, looking for an outcropping where he can deploy the poison bait. The creatures have consumed almost all the life on the island and may be starving - if he can place the bait where the air currents will carry the smell to them they may not be able to help themselves. If not it will at least be visible when they pass by. (He will try to keep quiet as he does this and rejoin the group until we can see if it is working. He has the trap master focus if that is relevant here) (edited)

(I think it is relevant. It can apply to lethal traps at GM discretion and I think this counts for sure.) There is more movement in the tunnel behind you, but the flying creatures seem to flock to the bait and one by one begin trying to bite and claw their way into the bag, no longer interested in your group ,or the weakened Crane traveling with you, instead focused on the native fauna they believe is inside the sack.

2

"Seems like a good time to sneak onwards," Gurk thinks. (since the tunnels are unstable he'd vote to sneak forward instead of try to kill them while they're distracted)

(+1 to sneak past)

I agree, Frewayne responds with a thought. Lets quickly bypass them. If they notice us, we drop repellant and make a break for it. The longer we stay in the hive, the less likely we escape.

Kila wraps her cloak around her a bit tighter and nods. "Works for me."

(9xp, 200,000 credits each) Crane is secured. Reaching the sunlight and the surface there is a powerful downdraft as a psychic academy flyer with space fittings arrives to ferry you to safety, back to the waiting ship in orbit. Weapons flash as Undra in the surrounding area are cut down, each of you ascending above a swarming pack of the spider like destroyer creatures with your precious cargo, impowered by telekinetic flight. You can see the crew has been shooting for a long time on entering the troop bay. The muzzles of the various weapons glow red hot. Spent shell casings and energy cells litter the decking, and as the doors roll closed, hazard lights glow red.

7:25 AM

The ship begins to ascend, giving a last burst from its nose cannons to cut down several of the winged Undra forms, blazing a clear path to the heavens.

6

(thanks neko, and everyone, that was intense and fun! Neko, does this count as a mission for the psychic academy?)

(Yes it does)

1

(Gurk would like to speak to Crane after she has cleaned up and gotten some rest but for now he is going to keep a bit of distance in case she is mad at him)

After narrowly escaping the pursuing Undra and managing board the flyer, Frewayne lets out a heavy sigh before spitting out some commands, "We need to get just about everyone here some medical attention. Crane is first priority. Also, make sure we secure the Undra sample we brought with us. It is vital we can keep it preserved until we can have some studies done it."

The flyer continues gaining altitude and the Undra ,even the flying ones, are unable to follow. There is a hiss as the cabin pressurizes, followed by more as several very rare vials of Lift are pumped into Crane's system to begin working on any less obvious injuries she may have internally.

(if she's hooked into emergency med treatment, can we check she is not stuffed to the eyeballs with alien parasites waiting to burst out of her?)

(heal/int)

(11)

There are no otherworldly creatures , parasites or otherwise bad things inside of Crane. She is host to a legion of germs slowly being irradicated by the emergency medicine she is recieving. Any wounds are non-permanent physical ones, and the more serious psychological ones sustained during her time as part of the Undra swarm. She has lost conciousness but is alive.

"Well, I figure this is the end for this Undra strain," Frewayne comments as the flyer starts to break out of the atmosphere. "Without the queen to keep them in line and us outside of their ability to reach, they're probably going to start cannibalizing each other and eventually starve to death. We just have the corpse of this new Undra type to study and guess what the aim of the queen was but, if my assumption is correct, it's for the best that the queen is dead."

Thulee has brought his backpack around in front of him and is gently stroking Crane's traumatised bird as it watches its master get pumped full of drugs. "Yes, she was a nasty piece of work that queen, glad to be rid of her." He pauses, looks at his left shoulder and flicks another bit of her goo off himself. "This planet is quarantined, right?"

"Yes," Gurk says, "there's a beacon warning people not to land. It looks like a lot of the native life has already been consumed. I don't believe there's any way for the Undra to get off the planet but I don't know what will happen with the queen dead."

One of the pilots advises you that hazard buoys have been left in orbit, and around the system jump points so that those who enter here know the planet is dangerous. Void Warden patrols also pass through the area regularly but do not have a permanent presence in the system.

Frewayne nods at the news, "Well, that should be enough for now anyways. Though we may want to drop by on occasion to see how things are here. The appearance of this new humanoid type makes me concerned that the queen was trying to achieve space travel which is one thing the Undra must never be allowed to do. I for one would want see this strain end here on this planet." He let out a sigh, "Also slightly disappointing that it seemed that there wasn't anything left behind by the Brotherhood of Fenris. But at the very least Crane is recovered and that was the important part."

Kila nods her head vigorously at Frewayne’s words about the Umbra. “Never. Should we inform the Void Wardens? They may want to increase their presence.” She surveys Crane. “There’s the possibility that Crane might have caught glimpses of the Queen’s plans. For the sake of her mental health, we probably shouldn’t make her relive the this until she’s ready, but maybe…” She approaches Crane and makes telepathic contact, asking wordlessly what the Queen’s plans for hive expansion were. (Telepathic contact level 3, 0/6 effort remaining Edit: Crane gets a saving throw to resist) (edited)

(crane is unconcious so she can;t resist but there's nothing going on in there. Her body and mind are wrecked. It would be like listening to the static on a TV in between channels)

3

(Ok!)

(if we've confirmed she's not about to burst into a parasite swarm + needs sustained medical care, Gurk votes we get her + our corpse to a good medical facility/lab. We could plan to take her to Gudrun - the zoo and the Tortie labs may be able to help with the autopsy)

(up to the group, if people want to stay for the autopsy we can roll into that mission and their characters can stay here, if we want to break off into our own things again we can do that too. Crane is going to need a couple weeks to recover before we can get anything from her, poor psychic has been through a lot)

(I'd probably want to stick around for the results of the autopsy.)

(I'd like to spend some time with Crane, can do that at some point in the future. Will roll back to my personal thread for now. Was quite the rollercoaster... epic mission)

(Same, might invite her to Alcibiades if she wants some time away, but for now I'm heading back to Kila's thread. Thanks everyone

)

2

(Hey mission team, we're going into #undra-alpha-autopsy if any of you want to investigatr this further. I know we had some loose interest)