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Endgame

Heroica: Glory Amongst The Stars - Mission #6: We Now Interrupt This Broadcast

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17 hours ago, Endgame said:

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"<<Confirm iden-iden-identification. Soren. Max. And - Valesia-ia-ia? Issuing apologies for vocal g-g-glitching. Apology issued.>>"

I'm no expert, but is there any way we can fix you up? 'Make sure you're runnin' good as new?

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21 hours ago, Endgame said:

"You fought good, son. Could've made a hell of a solider. I think Heroica won't mind keeping you around."

"Thank you Glenn, i sure hope they won't"

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21 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Purpose then, dear Glenn. Peace in time."

Valesia navigates through the darkened corridors, relieved that the hologram still operated, at least partially. "Confirmed. We're here for the black-box, or whatever you can give us to carry the information to the appropriate authorities."

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"<<Presence confirmed. Greetings-ings. Full black box housing my AI buried too deep into facility. Too heavily integrated with other sys-sys-systems without specialist removal. Additionally... Total weight of my black box-ox-ox and associated data stores: Zero point five tons. Very old empire Equipment. Very heavy.>>

<<However. Portable data transport solution already d-d-devised before I was attacked. Small portable data cell. Contains message I was attempting-ing-ing-ingggg to broadcast these last two years, sans the static. Should serve as very sound proof of Invictus' survival.>>"

The holographic projector arm displaying Perry's visage has a small panel on the front slot down, and a small data chip protrudes out. Valesia takes it in her hand.

TLXYyDB.pngPerry's Data Cell: A small Data Cell containing a clear and static free version of Perry's broadcast. Combined with the corpse of the HARBINGER Shell, it's evidence that Invictus yet lives.

4 hours ago, The Legonater said:

I'm no expert, but is there any way we can fix you up? 'Make sure you're runnin' good as new?

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"<<Damage heavy. Most other memory stores corrupted in the attack. De-fragmentation possible, so data recovery is not out of the question-ion-ion with the right personnel. First requires getting the computer systems housing my AI out of this bunker. Then, it requires help of specially trained team of Empire technician-ian-iansss. And time... Time, so much time. The Data Cell will be enough to prove Invictus' continued functioning. It is all I can give you for now.>>"

4 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Glenn, you've got a background in Technology any chance you'd be able to fix it?"

Glenn was aboveground keeping an eye on Invictus' body-double corpse. However, Perry doesn't seem enthusiastic.

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"<<Effort appreciated. But he is likely unable. You would need to clear the blockage leading into the rest of the facility to even access the computer systems in which-ich-ich I live... My assumption is that you did not come here equipped for such an undertaking. Please make sure that you, or perhaps the comms technician, get the correct personnel out into the Wastelands to extract me f-f-from this bunker. Then we may begin revealing more of the truth behind Invictus and the Gate Collapse.>>

<<Otherwise, I... Can feel back up power dwindling down. I will have to enter hibernation mode soon, until I am physically recovered from this bunker. Truthfully: it has been a struggle to get that message out to world. I am glad it is in your hands now. If you three deem it acceptable... I think I'd like to rest, for a bit...>>

MM Note: With Invictus beat and the Data Cell recovered, the mission is all but over. The ending and final stats will go up tomorrow!

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4 hours ago, Endgame said:

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"<<Effort appreciated. But he is likely unable. You would need to clear the blockage leading into the rest of the facility to even access the computer systems in which-ich-ich I live... My assumption is that you did not come here equipped for such an undertaking. Please make sure that you, or perhaps the comms technician, get the correct personnel out into the Wastelands to extract me f-f-from this bunker. Then we may begin revealing more of the truth behind Invictus and the Gate Collapse.>>

<<Otherwise, I... Can feel back up power dwindling down. I will have to enter hibernation mode soon, until I am physically recovered from this bunker. Truthfully: it has been a struggle to get that message out to world. I am glad it is in your hands now. If you three deem it acceptable... I think I'd like to rest, for a bit...>>

Soren considers offering to try and clear the blockage, but it seemed that the AI knew what was going on. As far as he could gather, the piece of code was safe now, and nothing he was going to do would make it safer.

E'ryone should get the chance to rest now and then. Sleep well, Percy. May you dream of electric sheep. 

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22 hours ago, The Legonater said:

Soren considers offering to try and clear the blockage, but it seemed that the AI knew what was going on. As far as he could gather, the piece of code was safe now, and nothing he was going to do would make it safer.

E'ryone should get the chance to rest now and then. Sleep well, Percy. May you dream of electric sheep. 

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"<<A-Affirmative. Dispensing further gratitude. Gratitude... Dispense. Entering hibernation protocol-col now. Soren. Max. Valesia. ...Stay well.>>"

The hologram flickers out. The lights slowly dim to darkness as the facility falls asleep once more. And it'd stay asleep, but not for long - just until a full rescue effort could be dispatched. Besides, the party had what they needed.

It was nice to be able to exit the bunker without having to pursue a mystery assailant. Said mystery assailant was still laying on the ground, dead. Or at least, one permutation of him was dead.

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The corpse stared out ominously at the agents.The static had faded away from inside the machine, leaving it gaping and vacant. Dented, cracked, scorched, silent... beaten.

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"I keep expecting this thing to stand up for round 2, but it's not going to. It can't really stand back up at all with one leg, hah. Help me hoist this thing back into the skiff, we're done here."

The agents load Invictus' body into the skiff, and with that, they're off.

---

Soren was behind the wheel for the last time this mission as the skiff chugged along through the sand.

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The Savior City was in the distance, growing larger by the minute but still rather far. The desert was deceiving like that. Sweltering heat had given way to brisk cold, enough for the agents to crave a hot beverage or two, perhaps. Not quite cold enough for one's breath to turn to vapor, though. For once, storms weren't brewing above them. In the right circumstances, the wastelands looked almost beautiful.

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"...So you said that the AI gave you folks a data cell? Well, I have my computer right here." Glenn's computer had been displaced into the passenger area of the skiff, with the warbot's corpse taking up some extra room. "Let's plug it in and see what it even says."

Glenn takes the data cell and clicks it in. A few keystrokes later, and audio begins to play out, a little hard to hear over the purr of the skiff's engine but far from impossible. The message went like this...

<<Greetings. This is something resembling a distress signal, for those copying. Identification: I am P-FI 01, main onboard Artificial Intelligence of Pluravvian Flagship Paragon of Nendaran Blockade N-6. ID 363839495153, PIN 2832834133. After a critical failure black box protocol, my consciousness has been transferred to an Empire bunker situated on Corvanis, at 61.52 N, 105.31 E. If still extant, the Empire embassy on Corvanis and their on-staff military personnel should be able to pull up archival records that confirm my identity is sound and true. The following I am about to share is of high importance. Request: please listen carefully.>>

<<There was a report issued 17 cycles ago stating that Invictus' last known location was aboard the Paragon when the gate collapsed. To the Empire's knowledge, this much was true. I was under direct orders from the blockade commander to send such a report. Per directive 20B, I complied. Core issue: the report was a fabrication. Invictus was aboard the Paragon before the gate collapse, that much is true. But he left the ship hours before the Nendaran Gate suffered its critical failure. It is possible that he escaped the vaporization field. The implications of this are clear and troubling. To be precise: I am unable to confirm that Invictus ever died. There was never any log or data collected by the Paragon that indicated Invictus' death. Re-iteration: It is not confirmed that Invictus ever died. It is not confirmed that Invictus ever died.>>

<<This may be out of date info. My connection to the outside world has been tenuous for many cycles. He could've already risen again. He could've already been struck down. But in the eventuality he is not, that this is new and pertinent information, I can only advise that the people of Nendara prepare. Confession: I experience some hesitation, broadcasting this intel. The few pieces of data from the world at large I have obtained, seem to indicate that you believe Invictus dead. Query: Is belief sufficient? Should one of the galaxy's most notorious killers still be allowed to roam the Arm?>>

<<Confession two: I am not equipped to make executive decisions. My specialty is only to predict and advise based on available data. With that in mind please consider this next statement carefully: unprecedented times are going to be upon us before long, as long as Invictus still lives. The Arm will need heroes soon. It is my hope that those listening to this broadcast are able and willing to answer the call when the time comes.>>

<<Do with this information what you will. P-FI 01... Signing off, over and out.>>

"The Arm will need heroes soon..."

All heroes gain one Character Point for completing the mission.

Mission #6 is a success.

---

Before long, the agents find themselves on the landing platform where it all began.

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"You know, when you all showed up late, I admit I had my doubts. But, well... The data cell and the other thing," within city walls Glenn was being discreet as to not cause a panic. "Have already been secured on Corvanis Comms property. They'll be turned over to the proper authorities tomorrow."

"That was a long winded way of saying that I think you three did a fine job. Thanks for letting this old man solve a mystery and confront a ghost or two. You three all earned this."

Glenn pays all agents the agreed upon 80 credits for a successful mission.

As Glenn hands over the money, the pilot droid that flew them to Corvanis exits his ship to holler for them.

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"Hey! Meter's running, folks! Get your butts in your seats so we can get outta here!"

Glenn shakes his head.

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"Don't listen to him. It's a flat rate, I already paid. He's just impatient. I still don't like that droid," the undead grumbles.

"Max, Soren, Valesia, you three take care now. Safe flight and all that."

The Agents:

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Maximilian Vetre (Alix)
44 cycles old Male Elf
Character Points: 6/12
Vitality: 6/6
Velocity: 2
Strength: 3
Skill: 2
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Explosives 2, Occult 1, Short Range Weapons 2
Credits: 90
Equipment:  D-KA Carbine (Standard Kinetic Short Range Weapon), Energy Cell, Golden Gel Hide (Standard Kinetic/Energy Armor)
Inventory: 2 Hydrocobalt Shards, Rampart Kinetic Shield (Standard Kinetic Armor), Conqueror's Talon (Standard Kinetic Melee Weapon)
Locker:  Empty

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Valesia
 (Waterbrick Down)
110 Year Old Female Cladrasith
Character Points: 6/15
Vitality: 5/5
Velocity: 2
Strength: 1
Skill: 2
Smarts: 1
Spirit: 3/3
Proficiencies: Insight 1, Medicine 1, Nature 3
Known Spells: Elemental Evocation, Healing Light, Mystic Binding, Photonic Manipulation
Credits: 150
Equipment: Holo-scroll, Chef's Kit (Standard Kinetic Melee Weapon), Holoscroll
Inventory: Essence of Precaution, Nanite Elixir
Locker:

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Soren Aeolus (The Legonater)
31-year-old male Human
Character Points: 6/17
Vitality: 5/5
Velocity: 2
Strength: 1
Skill: 3
Smarts: 2
Spirit: 2/2
Proficiencies: Nature 1, Insight 1, Piloting 2, Short-Range Weapons 2
Spells: Elemental Evocation, Mystic Binding
Equipment: MK-12 personal handgun (short-ranged calibrated energy weapon), Farsight Goggles, Plasma Potion, Energy Cell
Inventory:  Whip Tail (Calibrated Short-Range Kinetic Weapon), Adrenaline Decotion, AV Rig, Hacking Chip
Credits: 90

---

MM Note: Well, ladies and gentlemen, that's it for Quest 6! You can roleplay a bit more in here, or head back to the Hall and such whenever you want. It's been a joy to host all of you. If you can, please leave any thoughts you had about the Mission in the Mission Master's lounge.

Edited by Endgame

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Valesia looks off into the distance, contemplative as they ride across the darkened dunes. The message plays back in her head, “Is belief sufficient…” The cladrasith closes her eyes, a sing song tune hummed under her breath, they had chosen, only time would tell if they had chosen correctly. She glanced at Glenn, so many… so many thrust into this position of pain, of limbo, outside the normal harmonies of the universe. What could a mechanical being such as that monster know about suffering. What right did that imitation have to judge true hurt and feeling? Valesia looked to her companions, “You did well. More than I ever anticipated would come from a job such as this. You stood true in the face of destruction and I’m glad to have worked with y’all.”

As they reached Savior City and Glenn debriefed them, Valesia smiled. “You don’t hesitate to give us a call should you be needing more help with the fallout of this, Hun. Don’t you go thinking you have to handle this on your own. Stay safe…”

The cladrasith waves goodbye to their employer and boards the shuttle, waiting for her companions.

OoC: Thanks for running Endgame! I had an amazing time. I’m crazy busy this weekend, but definitely will have more to say in the lounge later.

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4 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

“You did well. More than I ever anticipated would come from a job such as this. You stood true in the face of destruction and I’m glad to have worked with y’all.”

Soren gave a curt nod at Valesia's words, still mulling over Perry's last words. 

You too, old-timer, he says at last, meeting the Cladrasith's eyes for just a moment behind his sunglasses.

'The Arm will need heroes'? Best of luck to whoever they were. He was no hero - just a hired gun. A damn good hired gun. And it was time he made use of his earnings.

He cast a long look out at Savior City as they took off. Had he made a mistake, trying to defend Invictus? Did he mean what he'd said back there? Did any of it really matter, or did the worlds just keep spinning? Whatever happened, happened. And he was still alive. As he laid down in the shuttle, attempting to get some shut-eye on the flight, he kept trying to convince himself that was all that mattered. 

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16 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

Valesia looks off into the distance, contemplative as they ride across the darkened dunes. The message plays back in her head, “Is belief sufficient…” The cladrasith closes her eyes, a sing song tune hummed under her breath, they had chosen, only time would tell if they had chosen correctly. She glanced at Glenn, so many… so many thrust into this position of pain, of limbo, outside the normal harmonies of the universe. What could a mechanical being such as that monster know about suffering. What right did that imitation have to judge true hurt and feeling? Valesia looked to her companions, “You did well. More than I ever anticipated would come from a job such as this. You stood true in the face of destruction and I’m glad to have worked with y’all.”

As they reached Savior City and Glenn debriefed them, Valesia smiled. “You don’t hesitate to give us a call should you be needing more help with the fallout of this, Hun. Don’t you go thinking you have to handle this on your own. Stay safe…”

The cladrasith waves goodbye to their employer and boards the shuttle, waiting for her companions.

Adding to Valesia Max spoke: 

"Yea Invictus spoke about another body right? If he turns up again give Heroica a call and we'll come running."

After speaking Max simply nodded respectfully to the old undead and followed his comrades to the shuttle. His first mission had gone well all things considered. Especially when one took into account that they were one agent short the whole time. Then again he did lose his nerve for a bit when face to face with the warbot, but at least he had come to his senses in the end.

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