Ome extra comment may be good to toss out for their sakes before this Loyalty Test:

"I'm not familiar with your test, but if you damage the merchandise, you buy it. Sure you want to do that before negotiating the price?"

>>1027287
This.

>without some kind of distraction they are bound to get a shot or two off
Like, say, a slave seducing one of the enemy crew, if not the captain himself? It could be passed off as one of your collars "features".

>>1027350
I’m not sure that would work.

The pirate captain said he might keep Shara for himself, if she’s willing. That makes me think that he’d not really appreciate learning that the collars are forcing Shara into bed with him.

I don’t know, I’m just guessing here.

Kaktus 2022/03/26(Sat)18:01 No. 1027390 ID: 681cb5
File 164834291760.png - (175.34KB , 1125x550 , 49.png )

>…how big are the stun rods? Because if they’re not that big, then they might have them hidden by shoving them up their butts.
They are about 60cm, but they are collapsible, making them a lot smaller and portable. While they would be small enough to… fit there, you really hope that’s not the hiding place they chose… mostly because they can’t really retrieve them quickly, can they?
>A distraction? Like, say, a slave seducing one of the enemy crew, if not the captain himself? It could be passed off as one of your collars "features".
Hmm, while it might work, the problem is that you have no way of telling either Shara or Dante of this plan, do you? Though, by the looks of things Shara already managed to seduce at least two of them without even trying…
>The pirate captain said he might keep Shara for himself, if she’s willing. That makes me think that he’d not really appreciate learning that the collars are forcing Shara into bed with him.
These pirates do seem to have at least some morals, even if they are slave taking scum. Not that it matter at the moment anyway…
>First rule of slave trading is don't damage the merchandise. If they're fooled by the collars, they won't hurt our "slaves". Too much. Also, you'll be able to heal any broken bones.
Just because they can heal doesn’t mean you want to put them in unnecessary danger… but you’re right, they probably won’t hurt them too much.
>This is most likely designed to see if you’ll do something to try and save the “slaves”, which would reveal that they’re not actually slaves.
…or they are trying to get the slaves themselves to do something. After all, if they start fighting back then it just proves that those collars are fake, right?

>Trust in the plan, you're already in position.
Right, Dante is your son and Shara is a trained soldier, they can both handle a little pain. You simply watch as the pirate starts pinching their wrist between his claws, just enough to draw blood, while he carefully watches both of them for any reaction. Dante clearly stiffens up and tenses his jaw right as the test is about to start, to try his best to not show to much emotion, while Shara barely notice them drawing blood, instead keeping her focus on the pirates claw arms for some reason.

No reaction at all, sir.
Huh, I guess they got it on the maximum setting… not uncommon when you’re about to trade them away. Very well, knock them out so we can transport-
Aren’t we getting ahead of ourselves?
Huh?

>Start negotiations, and make a point to ask for more than they seem willing to give. Your goal is to bait the captain himself to inspect the slaves, to see for himself just how reasonable your exorbitant asking fee really is.
If you damage the merchandise, you buy it. Sure you want to do that before negotiating the price?
Hmm… you’re right… as we said before, you’ll get a ship and a slave each… as well as 5 units of OM and C.
These two are at least worth 25 of each.
Oh, now you’re just pulling my eyestalk, planetlubber. No, I’ll give you 10 each.
20.
…15.
… … …20. Take a close look at them, and you’ll see that they are worth 20 each.
…very well, 20 each. It’s a deal.
…deal.
As much as you tried, he simply refused to get closer to them.
But I want to see our part of the deal before you damage them any further.
Very well. Slaves, bring out the coffers. And Krachen, take the female booty to the ship before knocking the male one unconscious. I want to make sure I made a good deal today.
Aye aye, Capt’! Slave, follow me.
…are those barrels it? They seem a bit small?
Err… well, you see, they are actually-
AAAH!!

Kaktus 2022/03/26(Sat)18:02 No. 1027391 ID: 681cb5
File 164834292515.png - (198.18KB , 1125x550 , 50.png )

With a sickening crack, Shara outright rips off Krachen’s claw arms as she stomp him into the ground.

MY CLAWS!

This is not the distraction you were expecting, but it will do. You raise your hand to signal the others, catching the pirates completely off guard as they are still stunned from what just happened.

IT’S A TR-

Kaktus 2022/03/26(Sat)18:02 No. 1027392 ID: 681cb5
File 164834293420.png - (242.41KB , 1125x550 , 51.png )

The Shock rifles crackles in the air as your side fires on the pirates, taking out most of them before they can even get their guns ready. One of them manages to blindly fire in your direction, but the shoot goes wild and hit the ground far from your position, though it does make it clear how dangerous these weapons are as the plasma quickly eats through the rock and leave a sizable crater where it hit. Meanwhile, Dante shoves a stun rod at max setting right into the pirate captains chest, shocking him unconscious at the same time Shara is doing the same with the poor sod she’s standing on. It’s over in just a few seconds.

Kaktus 2022/03/26(Sat)18:02 No. 1027393 ID: 681cb5
File 164834294324.png - (160.98KB , 1125x550 , 52.png )

…home'ard… bound… blue sea…?

You watch as the last pirate drift into a serene slumber, no longer a threat to anyone one of you.

Everyone, report.
Everyone is fine, no one got hurt.
That was a bit nerve wrecking, dear…
I got one! Woo!
Bluh… remind me not to put one of these rods in my mouth again…
So, anyone up for some crab claws for dinner?

Putting your hand to your ear, you turn on your communicator and contact the fleet still in orbit.

Lt. Tozlan, anything to report?
We’ve had a bit of change in the situation, friend.
How so?
About a minute ago the ship we’re keeping tabs on started descending towards your location, captain. But I managed to convince them to stop, shut down their engine and have the pilot leave the ship in an escape pod, friend… mostly by having your lovely cruisers give of a few warning shots to explain what would happen if they didn’t. Their main ship has thus been naturalized.
Hmm… good work Lt. Tozlan. Keep your position and report if anything comes up.
Will do, Command.

Then finally you contact The Shed Scale himself.

Commander Doxy, report.
We’ve almost had a really bad situation up here, sir, but thanks to Eki and Zell we managed to avoid it.
…and this situation was what? Was it something serious like a cloaked pirate ship or has that horrible smelly fungus come back again?
Actually, one of the pirates was floating towards us with and EMP bomb, sir. It would have knocked out The Shed Scale completely if it wasn’t for Eki spotting them.
Floating? Like in a ship?
No, in a space suit. They must have jumped out of their own ship right towards ours, sir.
…at that distance? Either these pirates are crazier than I thought or… no, they are just crazy. But the situation is under control then?
Zell managed to destroy the EMP and capture the pirate gal, sir.
Good, good…

No wounded, all pirates captured alive, all loot unharmed… everything went as planned. Yet, you can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong… or is that just your paranoia?

If they're crazy enough to spacewalk with an EMP they're crazy enough to spacewalk to try to board the Shed Scale. Or the Cruisers. Tell everyone to stay on high alert until you've accounted for all the pirates, which probably involves asking their slaves how many there were.

Breach the landed vessel like you would if there were hostiles in it.

They were saying something about the barrels before the attack started. Perhaps those are less benign than we expect? Worst case scenario, they could be bombs.

They did try to spcaewalk an EMP to our ship even before we started firing on them. That implies they weren't planning a legitimate trade, so why would they bring legitimate goods?

Before checking on those, I'd restrain the unconscious pirates. Just in case one of them pretended to get hit, or wakes up quickly.

>Um… I’m super sorry, but I don’t think we have any weapons designed for my body type, so… I’ll sit this one out?
We should keep this in mind at some point, weapons for aliens. Not all of them will be able to use saks sakkilian weaponry.

>something is wrong
Well, obviously, they tried to pull a sneaky on you too. They were planning to dismantle your main ship from the beginning. So yeah, they might still have something else to throw at you. Maybe in the conteiners, maybe in space.
You need to secure the prisoners and regroup. Size the enemies ships and the "slaves". I would expect them to leave bombs hidden somewhere, or more kamikaze units around.

OR

Some other threat besides the pirates. In either case, you need to wrap this up pronto.

>>1027393
>Yet, you can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong…or is that just your paranoia?
Remember how the pirate captain was talking about how valuable Sakkilians are? He was probably planning on capturing everyone to sell them off and get rich. That’s why there was a pirate floating with an EMP towards the Shed Scale, to disable your main ship and prevent you from getting away or getting help.

Honestly, I’m worried about the “cargo” that you were buying from him. He started to get nervous when you questioned him about the barrels. Odds are, those are more EMPs or actual explosives. You’ll need to be careful when examining them.

The best way to find out what’s going on is to talk to the slaves you were buying. Since you’re freeing them, they’ll tell you what’s going on. You might need to lower the settings on their collars, since those might prevent them from talking to you.

……then again, the slaves’ collars could also be traps. I wouldn’t put it past the pirates to do something like put an explosive on the collars in order to kill anyone trying to free the slaves.

Let’s check the pirates’ pockets. One of them has to be carrying something useful with them.

>>1027393
>paranoia
We were guessing there's at least 6 pirates on their ship, so let's count how many we've encountered.

There's 4 pirates here (including the captain), Lt. Tozlan made 1 pirate leave their ship in an escape pod, and Zell captured 1 pirate floating towards the ship with an EMP. That's a total of 6 pirates, which should be all of them.

But like I said, we were guessing there's only 6 pirates. Keep your guard up, there might be 1 or 2 more pirates hiding somewhere.

Have the Shed Scale check for any more pirates floating towards any of our ships or any invisible ships.

>>1027394
>Breach the landed vessel like you would if there were hostiles in it.
Do this.

>>1027402
>possible traps
Yeah, be careful of any of these possibilities.

>>1027431
Also when checking the ships the pirates came in, make sure we also check the fake ships. Just because the ships are fake, that doesn’t eliminate the possibility that there could be pirates or EMPs or something in them.

Kaktus 2022/03/28(Mon)15:10 No. 1027544 ID: 681cb5
File 164850541655.png - (197.09KB , 1125x550 , 53.png )

>We should keep this in mind at some point, weapons for aliens. Not all of them will be able to use Sakkilian weaponry.
So far none of them will be able to really use them. This is something you’ve forgotten about, but you already have the means to solve it. After all, Vex already has his research into how they use tools, at least for most of the aliens we’ve already met, which means that when we actually get real weapons we can apply said knowledge and modify them properly. You’ll make sure to notify Doxy about it as well.
>Remember how the pirate captain was talking about how valuable Sakkilians are? He was probably planning on capturing everyone to sell them off and get rich.
…while they clearly are a greedy bunch, you’d think they wouldn’t be crazy enough to believe that they would be able to capture everyone on a ship the size of The Shed Scale. After all, were would they even store everyone? Their ship is already full as it is! Then again… they were crazy enough to throw themselves between two ships that were a million km apart.
>If they're crazy enough to spacewalk with an EMP they're crazy enough to spacewalk to try to board the Shed Scale. Or the Cruisers.
You’re sure you would have detected them if that was the case… not to mention, one or two pirates can’t really hope to board and take control of a ship like that. Then again, they are crazy…
>Some other threat besides the pirates might be around. In either case, you need to wrap this up pronto.
Right, let’s hope there aren’t any more pirates around… or worse. But no matter what, you rather not stay on this rock for any longer than you need too.


>Tell everyone to stay on high alert until you've accounted for all the pirates.
…aren’t this all the pirates? We were only dealing with six of them, correct?
We’re guessing six of them, yes. So, we managed to capture four of them here, including their captain, Lt. Tozlan captured one who was piloting their ship and finally Zell managed to capture one who was attacking The Shed Scale. That’s six… but are we sure there were only six of them?
According to the information we have, their Pillager class ship only have room and food for a crew of eight, which is what we get if we count the two slaves as well.
It is possible that the slaves weren’t given a proper room… and only half rations.
Hmm… they don’t seem malnourished, though.
Malnourishment would only be noticeable if they did it for a very prolonged time. But it’s just an idea, that’s all.
Let’s be careful, either way.
>Restrain the unconscious pirates. Just in case one of them pretended to get hit, or wakes up quickly.
All of them have been restrained properly, though their different limbs did make it a bit awkward. They got both claw arms, smaller arms and four legs to deal with, which is a lot more limbs than necessary, if you ask me.
I’ve prodded all of them with my stun rod again, just in case one of these fuckers were faking it…
…I’d like if you refrained from hurting our captives, Shara.
Aw, you’re no fun.
>Breach the landed vessel like you would if there were hostiles in it.
Shara, with me.
Finally, so action!
It’s quite a sight to watch Shara and Dante dressed only in their slave garb doing a proper breaching maneuver wielding a shock rifle each.
Aw man, they are empty?
…no hostiles, captain. Both ships are empty. No one was hiding behind the ships either, so this whole island is secure.
>When checking the ships the pirates came in, make sure we also check the fake ships.
Those things are nothing more than a hunk of worthless scrap, dear. No way to get inside them… not that there’s anything worth finding in there. They clearly aren’t even worth turning into Basic Metals.
>Let’s check the pirates’ pockets. One of them has to be carrying something useful with them.
A few credsticks with pocket change on them, a snack, a really small knife… with the exception of the keycards for those landing ships they arrived in, there’s nothing of note here. Sorry dad.

>Honestly, I’m worried about the “cargo” that you were buying from him. He started to get nervous when you questioned him about the barrels.
They had only about 10 barrels with them, hun, which is clearly not enough to contain the OM we requested.
Hmm… it’s clear that they didn’t consider this a legitimate trade, what with the them spacewalking with an EMP even before we started firing, so why would they bring legitimate goods?
Then what do you think they contain?
Worst case scenario, bombs.
I don’t think that’s likely, dear, but I’ll be careful when I crack them open.
You watch, with the rest of the crew from a safe distance, how Regina carefully crack one of the barrels open from behind some cover.
Huh… a small layer of leaves and then just rocks? …but this one actually contained corrosives liquids that… no, wait, it’s just colored water.
I’m going to venture a guess and say it’s all useless.
That’s correct, dear. They clearly didn’t want to give us anything of worth.
So, no material and no ships… this really would have been a terrible deal.
‘fraid so, hun.


>The best way to find out what’s going on is to talk to the slaves you were buying. Since you’re freeing them, they’ll tell you what’s going on. You might need to lower the settings on their collars, since those might prevent them from talking to you.
I’ve already taken the opportunity to remove their collars, captain. No one shall be less than the rest on our ship.
…*sigh* I hope you at least checked the collars for traps first, Tara? Just in case they put some explosives in them or something similar?
…they didn’t look booby trapped?
*Huff* I feel all full of nippers finally getting the collar off, old chap.
Wait, you’re not going to just leave us here on this rock, are you?
Of course not. You’re coming with us.
…so we’re still shagged, eh? Just new owners, then.
No, you’re free men now. We will pass by a Flaûgnir mining colony in a few days, so feel free to fly with us until then and we can drop you off there.
Being stranded on a rock people planet with no credits, no job or even and ID? …honestly, I rather stay with the pirates… and least you had a job…
A job where the pay was grub for the day. You just want to go back because you got to dip your knob and get hammered all the time.
Hey, you’re just cranky because you didn’t get laid. Not that those gal tried to seduce you, repeatedly.
They weren’t my cup of tea, guv’. But… you’re actually letting us go?
Of course they aren’t Zerk. I have no idea what kind of species they are, but look at those teeth! They clearly are carnivores!
…and that’s relevant how?
You saw how the big one ripped the claws off one of the pirates! She even said she would eat them! THEY ARE CANNIBALS!
…we’re not the same species?
THEY ARE GOING TO EAT YOU… AND THEN THEY ARE GOING TO EAT ME! OH MY G-
*sigh* Put a sock in it, Togo…
WE’RE DOOMED! THEY ARE GOING TO EAT US ALIVE AND RAW!
I was actually planning on boiling the claws and add a bit of butter…
DOOMED!! AAAH!!!

Shara, no terrifying the freed prisoners.. You are free to terrify the slaver pirates however.

Let Togo know he is free to join the crew if he wants a job and let him know it's more then just grub.

Let Zerk know he is free to leave at any time at any port he wishes. Also if he desires a job give him the status as well.

>>1027544
Tell the ex-slaves you're not going to eat them. The flaugnir can find them jobs, if they don't want to join your crew. (at this point I think they're either legit or extremely good actors)
Honestly, you should reattach the claws to that pirate if possible because it's ethical to attend to wounded captives, but if not, waste not want not. I'm sure he'll get some cybernetics eventually if they're unfixable.

Ask both cruisers to report in. I don't think we heard from their pilots?

The main vessel could be boobytrapped. Be careful when we eventually board it. It could even be rigged to explode as soon as someone steps onto it...
Where did the escape pod go? If we can go grab that, that'll be optimal. It'll keep other pirates from finding out what we did, for one thing.

>>1027544
Someone get him to calm down.

Normally, I'd say we should scan the ship for any pirates, but that'd require the Shed Scale to get closer and that'd put it in range of the pirate ship, which is dangerous if there's still someone on board that can fire the weapons.

Ask the former slaves how many pirates were on the pirate ship. You've taken care of 6 of them, but you're not sure if that's all of them. You want to make sure they've all been taken care of before we can take over their ship and claim it and everything on board for ourselves.

Once it's confirmed that all the pirates have been taken out, we can take over their ship.

I say we slap him ourselfs.

They have two options, come with us to the next port and do what they please, or work for us as new crewmates.
Sakkilian are omnivores tho. And not cannibals... not anymore...

I do have to admit that ripping that pour guy's claws off was a bit overboard... but i don't like slavers. So fuck him. Good job Shara.

Kaktus 2022/03/31(Thu)13:23 No. 1027749 ID: 681cb5
File 164875820363.png - (177.11KB , 1125x550 , 54.png )

>At this point I think they're either legit or extremely good actors.
Considering they both have quite noticeable chafe marks from wearing their slave collars for so long, you’re going to go with that they were legit. These pirates clearly weren’t competent enough to do a con on this level.
>I say we slap him ourselves.
Yourself? You’re a captain, you have crew you can delegate tasks like that to.
Tara, calm this man down. Roughly if needed.
Instead of slapping him though, Tara simply places a reassuring hand on his shoulder and start talking to him in a calm voice…
Breathe, relax, think this through. If we wanted to harm you, why would we remove the collars?
Err… because… um…?
Exactly, we’re here to free those oppressed by those above them, be it literal slaves or those that are slaves to the system!
…I’m not sure what she’s banging on about, but she’s right about one thing. They clearly don’t want to give us a pounding before shagging us completely, at least not so directly as making us into tonight’s nosh.
Oh… um… well, I do like not feeling oppressed…
May I interest you about joining a Union?
You what?
*Sigh* You can talk to them about that later, Tara, when we’re back on the ship.
>Tell the ex-slaves you're not going to eat them.
See, told you they weren’t cannibals, mate.
…let just say that we don’t eat people that can tell us no and leave it at that for now. And we are omnivores, though we have a preference for meat.
Just… be careful around the one that’s grinning. She’ll probably bite your arm of if given the chance.
Grrr~
AAH!!
Err… I didn’t mean literally… at least, I hope I didn’t…


>Shara, no terrifying the freed prisoners.
To be fucking fair, I wasn’t even trying to. I’m just terrific on my own, heh.
Then try and be less terrific around them. Feel free to terrify the slaver pirates however.
Aw yeah, finally we can have some fun on the ship.
I would ask you to refrain from scaring them to much before we’ve gotten some information from them, Shara.
Stop being such a spoilsport, boy.
>I do have to admit that ripping that pour guy's claws off was a bit overboard... but i don't like slavers. Good job Shara.
Oh right, they were slavers. I just thought it would be funny to beat one of the fuckers to death with their own claws.
We need to teach you what non-lethal force means…
What? Everyone still alive, aren’t they? Even the little shit that spanked my bum without consent.
>Honestly, you should reattach the claws to that pirate if possible because it's ethical to attend to wounded captives.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but if I remember Vex report on the subject then Kelshin claws regrow quite quickly, don’t they? Otherwise we might need to reattach those claws.
Um… well, it will take some time, but they’ll regrow, sure…
The med-bay currently have no way to properly secure him for the reattachment procedure, so it would be a really bad idea to leave him there.
So can I boil them for dinner?
No. We’re not eating species that are part of the crew, Shara.
Aw…


>Let Togo know he is free to join the crew if he wants a job and let him know the pay is more than just grub.
So… what is the pay?
Really good, I’ve been told.
I mean, I guess I’m jobless right now…
I will still need to know what you can do, what your earlier experiences are and, you know, who you are..
Names Togokogi, but call me Togo. I’m a chef. Or… I used to be a chef? Worked on one of the colonies at the edge of the Free Ports, but… um… let just say I thought I had a really good roll on the bone claws but it turned out Captain Gold Mandible had an even better one. Problem was that I put more credits than I had on that roll… a lot more... so they took me as payment instead.
So you’re a chef, eh? Good, because I’m really hungry for some proper food.
If I keep you fed, you promise you won’t eat me, right?
As long as you keep my belly full you won’t need to worry, dweeb.
>Let Zerk know he is free to leave at any time at any port he wishes. Also if he desires a job give him the status as well.
I would have preferred if you dropped me of at a Raolme port, my good sir, but if the dosh is as good as you say, I might be up for some work. I am Zerkchankuin tol Kezzak, or Zerk of short.
…Zerk of Trade Clan Kezzak, if I’m not mistaken? Do you have any other titles?
That’s right, I’m from the Kezzak family, but no, I never earned any other titles.
And your specialty is…?
Oh… um… I’m just a janitor, guv’. I clean up after the kerfuffle. Use to work up north with the rest of the Kezzak clan, but a few years ago I decided to faff around in space for a while, to see the universe and all. It was all fine and dandy the first four year when I was just a janitor on a trade caravan, but then when we were on our way to Trade Clan Tauzaka a pirate ship managed to get it claws on the Merchant I was on and sucked me and two others right out from it. That was… I don’t know… a year ago? I think?
Well, I’m sure we can find a lot of work for the two of you. I’ll make sure Commander Doxy properly inform you about the job before you agree to it. But for now, welcome onboard Ensigns.
Thanks, mate.
>Ask the former slaves how many pirates were on the pirate ship. You've taken care of 6 of them, but you're not sure if that's all of them.
Um…there were three pretty gals… and the captain… and the one that always wanted snacks… and the jerk one… um…
There were six of them, guv’.
Then all pirates should have been dealt with.


>Ask both cruisers to report in. I don't think we heard from their pilots?
Because Lt. Tozlan is in charge of them. You don’t need to talk to every last crewmember, do you?
Lt. Tozlan, report. What’s the status of the Cruisers?
Unharmed and eager for more, friend. Both Tes and Shal are both ready for action.
>Where did the escape pod go? If we can go grab that, that'll be optimal.
We have already captured it, Captain. It is secured in our ship, pirate and all.
Not so though now, are you, you pirate scumsucker!
Tizli, stop trying to roll the pod over. You won’t be able to even nudge it.
Tsk, let me at least pretend…
>Once it's confirmed that all the pirates have been taken out, we can take over their ship.
Commander Doxy, prepare to board and retrieve that pirate ship. We have confirmed that all pirates have been naturalized.
That’s good news… but what if there are traps, sir?
Who would be crazy enough to rig their only escape with explosives? Zerk, Togo, is there any booby traps on the ship? Like explosives?
Explosives? No, they usually don’t have any explosives around… at least not for long…
No one is that crazy, guv’.
The only reason why someone would rig their own ship to explode is if they want to keep something like the technology in it out the hands of the enemy. Seeing how selfish pirates usually are… they probably don’t care.
Right. Doxy, send over the shrimp so we can cook that crab.
…what?
…send over Eki to grab that crab shaped ship.
I’ll send a small team with Eki over to commander it, sir.

Right, we’re done here. Tara, escort our new crewmates to our ship. Dante and Shara, ensure that all the pirates are coming with us. Iris and Regina, see if you can commander the two pirates’ ships. They might be worth some BM at least. Now move it, I wanted to be off this rock yesterday!

Kaktus 2022/03/31(Thu)13:23 No. 1027750 ID: 681cb5
File 164875821046.png - (139.27KB , 1125x550 , 55.png )

The rest of the cleanup goes by smoothly, as you return to the ship with all the pirates in chains while Doxy ensures that all the loot is taken care off.

I’m ready to report, sir.
Very well, Commander, proceed.
We successfully managed to commander and land the pirate ship in our hanger, sir. Though, we don’t have the crew to actually man it nor the know how to actually use it properly yet.
[Gained a Kelshin Pillager class ship! Thanks to its size, it will take up 3 spots of the hangar. You currently have a maximum of 12 spots.]
We can have the R&R department look at it when we get the time.
We also managed to get everything that was stored on the ship, boss… which wasn’t a lot.
[+5 fresh food, +10 dry food, +10 BM, +5 NM]
…was that all? I was hoping for some more. Didn’t they have any corrosives or organic material on them?
Corrosives, no, but their storage room had some interesting crates in them. According to Eki, they are marked as dangerous, but when we scanned them we noticed living creatures and plants in them. Heavily sedated animals and plants. We can just… um… break them down to about 20 units of OM if you wish, but… I’m not sure why they had a bunch of dangerous flora and fauna on their ship, sir.
[+20 OM?]
Wait, was the plants also sedated?
And also apparently dangerous, sir. At least according to the crates.
I see… and the former slaves?
After seeing their new pay and a quick discussion of their duties they were eager to join, boss.
[Zerkchankuin tol Kezzak the janitor has joined the crew!]
[Togokogi the chef has joined the crew!]
Good, we need all the hands we can get… and the pirates?
They are all in the brig, sir. They should have woken up by now, if you want to give them a visit.
[You have 6 pirate prisoners!]
…I might consider it. Anything else I need to know?
Ensign Tizli has taken the day off, sir. Said she was feeling queasy.
Is she sick? Should I contact Vex?
No, sir, she said it was just… um… because of what you did yesterday, sir.
[Tizli has taken the day off because of her pregnancy.]
Oh, I see. Well, then I guess she deserve a day or two off. Anything else?
Not that I can see, sir.
Good. At least we’ve finally dealt with those pirates once and for all.

So, what are you orders, sir? The day is still young after all.

So we have two chefs now? Glad we have a janitor specialist, that lessens pressure on cleaning duty.

Okay, now that that's over, it's time for the rescue mission. Organize an away team, it can be mostly engineers because I don't expect heavy resistance and we need security officers on staff in the ship once the pirates wake up.

We need to find our lost sisters and brothers. They were in pods somewhere in the planet, right? Start scanning.

2 Farm: Add someone to the roster, we still need to feed our captives. Have them test the food you scavenged for poison, though.
1 Mess Hall: Keep our old cook at the mess hall, have the cooks take daily shifts.
3 Research
3 Security
2 Cleaning
3 Maintenance
Everyone else, form an expedition on the planet.

>>1027749
>Janitor
The most important job. Hire him immediately.

>>1027750
>loot
Did we not get any Mc or fuel from the pirate ship?

>jobs
We came here on a job, so let's finish it up. Assign someone to the scanners and scan the planet and its moons while we're orbiting it here.

Have Togo show us what he's got. Put him in the Mess Hall.

Have Zerk do some janitorial work.

Let's finish researching that Planetary Lander upgrade. Have the same 4 people that were previously working on it (Regina, Iris, Tara and Ikekeki) get back to work. They should be finished after 1 more day of researching!

And Vex isn't allowed in the Medbay for the rest of today, unless it's an emergency. So let's give him something to do.

>>1027774
All of this.

>let’s give Vex something to do.
We can have him work on the Crew Quarters Upgrade. We’re at 19/20 Crew, so we’re going to need to make room for more!

We should also have our farmer, Car Zuk, work on the Hydroponics Bay Upgrade. We’re going to need it in order to be able to provide enough food for all of our crew!

Kaktus 2022/04/02(Sat)10:06 No. 1028028 ID: 681cb5
File 164891921866.png - (209.74KB , 1125x550 , 56.png )

>So we have two chefs now?
…we only have one chef? You’re not sure who you think the other one is? People have been manning the mess hall, sure, but none of the crew is specialized in making food.
>Glad we have a janitor specialist, that lessens pressure on cleaning duty. It’s the most important job. Hire him immediately.
You’ve already hired him… and it is, funnily enough, a position you direly needed. Hopefully he can finally defeat that horrid fungus we picked up way back in the first system.

>Did we not get any Mc or fuel from the pirate ship?
Sadly no, sir. They were telling the truth when they said they had no credits, as even combining every last credstick we found it amounted to not even half a Mega-Credit. They do have some fuel, though, but it’s already inside their engine, powering it.
>We came here on a job, so let's finish it up. Assign someone to the scanners and scan the planet and its moons while we're orbiting it here.
Eki has shown quite a bit of skill with the scanner, so assign her.
Will do, sir.
>Have Togo show us what he's got. Put him in the Mess Hall.
I want to see what kind of food a proper chef can make.
Done, boss.
>Have Zerk do some janitorial work.
See if he can finally clean up this mess of a ship.
I’ll put him to work, sir.
>2 Farm: Add someone to the roster, we still need to feed our captives.
Keep Car Zuk there, obviously… and… hmm… Tes, maybe?
Car Zuk and Tes, got it.
Prioritize giving the food we scavenged to the prisoners… just in case they poisoned it or something.
I’ll make sure to tell Dante that, boss.

>And Vex isn't allowed in the Medbay for the rest of today, unless it's an emergency.
Of course.
>We can have him work on the Crew Quarters Upgrade. We’re at 19/20 Crew, so we’re going to need to make room for more!
I’ll divert our resources to the construction, sir. This will mean we’ll turn those dangerous animals and plants into material, though.
I don’t see what use we have for something that dangerous… besides, we’re orbiting a planet full of dangerous fauna and flora, and it’s not like we’re even making a dent in that ecosystem.
>We should also have our farmer, Car Zuk, work on the Hydroponics Bay Upgrade. We’re going to need it in order to be able to provide enough food for all of our crew!
You’d rather have Car Zuk work on making more food… so let’s assign someone else.
Put… Zell on that task.
Got it.
>And the rest.
Put Regina and Rosewater on research, so that we can finally finish those bio-shields.
Right, sir.
Dante and Shara on Security, to make sure the pirates doesn’t try anything.
Uh huh…
And… who’s left? That mushroom lady, Gherni, on maintenance?
Right… though, you still have four people left, sir.
Oh, I know… I got a plan for them. Tell them to meet me in the hangar as soon as possible, Commander.
Will do, sir.

------------------------------

Alright team, I know this might be a bit much right after our encounter with the pirates, but I need a specialized team for an important rescue mission. Our lost sisters and brothers are stuck inside a facility down on cracked planet and we need to retrieve them as soon as possible.
…it’s an interesting group you’ve made. I venture that you don’t expect anything dangerous?
Dangers? I’m sure there will be dangers. But I don’t expect heavy resistance and I rather have our hard hitters keeping an eye on the pirates.
But we won’t go down completely unarmed, will we?
We will have the same weaponry we had against the pirates. Our shock rifles should be able to deal with most dangers we might face down there.
Don’t worry, sir, I’m sure if we meet anything dangerous I can fuck it up.
…do you have more than just basic combat training, Shal?
No, but grandma has showed me a few tricks. Sure, I prefer to shoot down enemy ships, but it’s not that hard to crack some skulls.
I’ll keep that in mind, though currently we are in need of your piloting skills. There probably won’t be a nice and easy landing spot down there. As for the rest of you… Iris, we’ll probably need your engineering skills to get through the facility.
I’m happy to help, daddy!
Lt. Tozlan, seeing that you’re more of a local than we are, you’ll have to guide us a bit.
You can count on me, friend.
And Tara… you’re just well-rounded enough of a crewmember that you’re bound to be of use.
Hmpf…
Now, we’re leaving in an hour. Suit up, make sure all your gear is up to snuff and do whatever it is you need to do before we leave. That is all.

Kaktus 2022/04/02(Sat)10:07 No. 1028029 ID: 681cb5
File 164891923487.png - (51.33KB , 1125x550 , 57.png )

The five of you fly a cruiser over to the Cyan planet, down towards where you detected that energy signal earlier. On your way, you spot what is clearly ruins of old facilities and roads… and going by how they are laid out, it’s clear they were leading towards the ground zero of whatever weapon the IOD used on this planet.

Hidden under at least half a meter of dust and dirt, you manage to unearth an old steel gate meant for smaller space crafts. Shal makes short work of it with the dual Laz Cannons the Cruiser is equipped with and the five of you start making your way down the shaft behind it, the ship removing anything blocking the way with its weaponry.

Finally, after going through one last gate, you land inside a underground chamber still lit by artificial lightning…

Oxygen detected… no radiation or dangerous substances detected… this place seems to be in a lot better condition than I thought… keep your suits on and keep alert, team.
This seem to be some kind of hangar, but it’s clearly seen better days.
Tell me about it. All the other ships here are just heaps of shit.
Let’s see… according to the text on the walls, then there’s a security station to our right… and crew quarters to our left…
Hmm… the door to the crew quarters seems to both enforced and locked. Seems like they don’t want anyone going through there uninvited.
Give me some time and I might be able to cut our way through that door, dad.
Or we can just blow a hole in the fucker with the ship, just like we did with the front entrance.
Is it just me, or is there a way down under all that wreckage at the bottom? I’m not sure if it’s an elevator or if there’s a hole there, but I think we can go deeper into the facility there.
Well… I’m sure I can cut through that too… but it will be a bit harder.
Or we can just blow it up? With the ship?
We can’t just blow everything up, Shal.
Of course we freaking can! Let’s start blasting until there’s nothing more to blast already!
Hmm… let’s calm down and think this through, crew.

Let's not blow up the door with the potential people in it. Iris can open it up with some time. In the meantime we should clear the door to the right, since is not locked. Once we have that part cleared, we can try to clear the debris in the hole, if its not possible, we could use some light explosives. Check if there is anything salvageable here, but the priority is to make sure there are no hostiles first.

>>1028029
There’s a map on the wall downstairs. Let’s look at that so we can see how big this place is.

>Give me some time and I might be able to cut our way through that door, dad.
It might be better to go check the security station. Since this place is in better condition than expected, we might get lucky and discover that we can unlock the doors and power down any defenses that might still be active.

If that’s not possible, then we can let Iris try cutting through the door.

>heart rate
It’s interesting to see how different Tozlan’s and Shal’s vitals are from the Sakkilians vitals.

>>1028033
>the priority is to make sure there are no hostiles first.
Agreed.

Nice salvage.
Wait, if the passages are blocked off where did we get the reports of cryopods from? Maybe that rubble wasn't there before. That would indicate that is the direction we need to go.
We should check the security room first to see if we can remotely open doors.

>>1028062
>Wait, if the passages are blocked off where did we get the reports of cryopods from?
It was when Vex skipped out on doing maintenance and started doing that autopsy without our permission. He found a personal datapad in the stomach of one of the bodies.

And it was mentioned in these posts: >>1023738 , >>1024270 , that the personal datapad that belonged to the aliens had notes about how the aliens had found what was described as “frozen coffins”, which Doxy confirmed were actually Sakkilian cryopods.

>>1028070
Yes thank you I should have said "how did anyone get to the pods to see them"

>>1028113
Since the personal datapad we found was 40 years old, it's safe to assume that 40 years ago, there wasn't any debris blocking the passage.

The passage probably got blocked when the IOD cracked the planet, which happened after the aliens had already found the pods.

OH, shit I just realized we may have made a huge mistake.

How do we know those creatures the pirates captured aren't sapient? Also, we might be able to sell them for more than their raw materials are worth. We should hold off on chopping them up until we get back to the station and have someone look at them.

>>1028183
If they were sapient, the pirates would've put collars on them to make them slaves.

Also it's too late. We already gave the order to turn those things into building materials before we left the ship. They're currently being used to make upgrades on the ship while we're here looking for cryo pods.

>>1028183
>>1028195
I'm more with first comment. Even if they aren't sapient, the pirates must have found them valuable enough to not convert to OM right away. Would have said this earlier, but I was on break.

That said, we are running in a food deficit soon. If they're just trophy animals, it's probably not worth hanging on to. If they're scientific curios, expect to hear from the good doctor soon, as local (and dangerous) flora and fauna are as good as research topic as any.

Kaktus 2022/04/04(Mon)10:56 No. 1028244 ID: 681cb5
File 164909499916.png - (63.31KB , 1125x550 , 58.png )

>How do we know those creatures the pirates captured aren't sapient?
You’d think they’d just use a pair of collars to enslave them if they were sapient… and while we can’t be 100% sure at the moment, it seems extremely unlikely.
>We should hold off on chopping them up until we get back to the station and have someone look at them.
A bit too late for that. Doxy should have already processed them by now… not that you can even contact her from your current location anyway. Currently, your comms can’t reach The Shed Scale, at least not to the extent required to hold that kind of conversation.
>We might be able to sell them for more than their raw materials are worth.
Now that’s a possibility that makes sense. Why were the pirates so interested in those life forms in the first place? They’ve spent days collecting them, after all. Might be prudent to ask them about it, to see if collecting more of them might be worth it.

>It’s interesting to see how different Tozlan’s and Shal’s vitals are from the Sakkilians vitals.
They are indeed quite alien. You do know that Tozlan supposedly doesn’t have a real heart, instead having a bunch of smaller muscles pumping the blood… and Shal… actually, you have no idea how a rock can produce a pulse that look like that…
>Wait, if the passages are blocked off where did we get the reports of cryopods from? How did anyone get to the pods to see them?
There seems to be a bit of a misunderstanding here. This facility was destroyed 40 years ago at the end of the IOD war. Right before that a comm-officer on one of the ships that was in protective orbit around this planet saw what we believe is a group of Sakkilian Cryopods being delivered here to be researched. We then found his personal data-pad and thus his diary of the events. Of course, this means that it’s been 40 years since these pods was last sighted, which means that even with taking their 100 years guaranteed functionality they might have malfunctioned by now. Or someone has moved them. Either way, we need to try and see if we can find survivors… or worst case scenario, get information on where they were found… or where they were taken if they were moved.


>There’s a map on the wall downstairs. Let’s look at that so we can see how big this place is.
There is indeed an old map hanging on the wall and it’s still readable even though it’s in a really bad shape. Though, you’re kind of worried that touching it will break apart the plastic even more…
Well, this will help a lot, friend. What were we looking for again?
Cryo-pods… though those that made this map didn’t know what it was.
Hmm… I guess we need to dive deeper then, all the way down the bottom mire.
“Alien artifacts” do sound promising.
Let just hope all those elevators and stairwells are still unobstructed. Then again, are we sure they are even here? The map points to other parts of the facility named A1 and C1 after all.
This is the only one we detected with the energy scan, so let’s focus on this one first.
Understood, friend.

Kaktus 2022/04/04(Mon)10:56 No. 1028245 ID: 681cb5
File 164909501528.png - (62.66KB , 1125x550 , 59.png )

>Nice salvage.
I’m sure I can get some BM and NM from these ships, if given time.
Just remember, we only got one shitty little ship, so our storage capacity will max out rather quickly. The way down here was fucking annoying and time consuming as well, so I rather no fly down here again just to get some stinking metal.
Our first priority is the cryo-pods. We’ll see about other loot after that.
>The priority is to make sure there are no hostiles first.
This place is a tomb, sir. Everyone is long dead.
I’m not sure… I thought I heard something move just a moment ago…
Are you sure? All I can hear is the hum of the electronics…
It might have been some kind of machinery deeper down that still functional?
It’s possible… just be on your guard, just in case a snapper is hiding in the sludge…

>Let's not blow up the door with the potential people in it.
Sir, with all due respect, I’m really sure that none of the people who manned this facility are still alive… or if they are, they clearly aren’t here.
Still, blowing it up seem like a waste of explosives…
Not to mention if any hostiles are here, we’ll definitely notify them of our arrival if we start using munitions.
Pff, come on guys, live a little.
>Iris can open it up with some time.
Just give me a moment to get my tools, dad, and I’ll have it open in five, maybe ten.
>Once we have that part cleared, we can try to clear the debris in the hole, if it’s not possible, we could use some light explosives.
Hmm… well, I might be able to cut my way through it, but I’ll need to see what’s below it as well. Here’s the thing, dad, cutting just a hole will probably make it difficult to climb down… and even more so to climb up again. Using explosives on the other hand will probably clear the blockage completely, but it make it collapse on whatever it is that’s below us… not to mention, I only got one blast charge with me as well.
And it might alert possible hostiles to our position.
And it will be sweet as fuck. And the ship has a lot of ammo, if you want to blow shit up, sir.
…I’ll consider it then. Continue with the door, Iris.
Will do, dad!

>It might be better to go check the security station. Since this place is in better condition than expected, we might get lucky and discover that we can unlock the doors and power down any defenses that might still be active.
Affirmative, Captain. Shal, let’s see if that what’s behind that door.
Hey, it’s still got power. Just need to press a button and we’ll-
Wait! Don’t stand in front of-
You can hear the swooshing of a door opening followed by a very loud beep from the other side of the debris pile, where the security office is located.
GET AWAY FROM THE DOOR!
GAH!
Something starts to spin and a quick succession of clicks follow. *click*click*click*click*
No need to shove! It doesn’t ev-
*BLAM!*click*BLAM!*BLAM!*click*BLAM!*Click*BLAM* the sound of projectiles hitting steel rings out around the hangar, as several shots are fired into the room.
Oh…
What’s your status?
Neither of us are hurt, we’re just shaken.
The sentry gun fires off a few final shots before it audibly starts to slow its spinning down, going into sleep mode once again as the door quietly slid close. Even if the it barely functions, it is still a clear danger to you all.
…at least we didn’t trigger an alarm or-
The sound of metal hitting metal echoes from below, followed by a uneasy silence…
You guys heard that too, right.
That definitely sounded like someone is moving around.
I’m not so sure… it might have been some kind of machinery down below? We might have activated something down there.
No matter what, we’ll kick it’s ass, don’t you worry.
…right, enough playing around. We just proved that this is a life or death mission, so focus people. Be alert from now on.

Good news, the security system still works… bad news, that includes roof mounted sentry guns.

[You make a quick check of everyone’s inventories.]
You are equipped with a sleep gun and a hidden stun “rod” in your left glove.
Shal is equipped with shock rifle and a remote control for the cruiser… which won’t be very useful outside the hangar.
Tara is equipped with a shock rifle, two concussion grenades and some simple tools like a crowbar.
Iris is equipped with a stun rod and engineering equipment for cutting through and removing obstructions and doors, as well as one blast charge for removing even worse stuff.
Tozlan is equipped with some kind of… sound gun that according to him liquefies your insides if you’re hit by it, as well as a data-pad capable of interacting with the terminals we might find down here.

Ok, lesson lerned: don't go oppening doors all casual-like.
We lost the element of surprise, so we have to be on the defensive. How should we deactivate the turret?

Ok, so, we're fighting machines. Half of our weapons are useless-- only the shock rifles and grenades will be any good. What's the ammo count like on those?
Hmm, I wonder if the turret would fire at a Sakkilian? Eh, it's probably coded to check the crew database.

Anyway, zap the turret then get into the security station. We need eyes on the rest of the ship.

>>1028244
>these pods was last sighted, which means that even with taking their 100 years guaranteed functionality they might have malfunctioned by now.
What exactly happens with a malfunctioning cryo pod? Does that just kill whoever is inside or does it open and release whoever is inside?

Because if it opens and releases, then we might get lucky and find a Sakkilian walking around somewhere. But depending on how long they've been stuck here, they might have gone crazy from being alone and they'll think everyone is a bunch of hallucinations, which might result in them attacking us.

>>1028245
>Iris working on door
Have Tozlan listen for any movement on the other side of the door before Iris opens it all the way.

>turret
That doesn't look like it's capable of shooting multiple targets if they're split up.

First thing we should do is find out if it automatically shoots when the door opens or if it shoots when it detects motion.

Get a piece of scrap from one of the other ships in here, then stand off to the sides of the door. Open the door and wait to see if the turret immediately shoots. If it doesn’t, then toss the piece of scrap through the door to see if it gets shot. If the turret shoots the piece of scrap, then we can toss another piece of scrap in there to distract the turret long enough for someone to shoot the turret.

>The sound of metal hitting metal echoes from below, followed by a uneasy silence…
What did it sound like? Did it sound like Morse Code or someone trying to get your attention to come to where they are? Or was it just a random sound?

>>1028245
There are stairs behind the turret. According to the map, we can go through the door Iris is working on, then go down and around to come up behind the turret and into the room behind it to turn it off. The downside is that this means that we’d have to deal with whatever other defenses might still be active.

But if we stayed here and took out the turret, we’d be able to get into the next room and turn off the defenses to make exploring the rest of this facility much easier.

The shock rifles should be able to short circuit the turret. But if that doesn’t work, we might need to just go through the other door when Iris gets it open and go around behind the turret.

Those defense systems must be rotted at this point. Grab some raw techscrap, jury rig some faulty robots, and hurl them into the rooms.
You can also use the pirates' Freeze Rifles to disable the turrets without dealing too much damage.

Kaktus 2022/04/06(Wed)16:22 No. 1028416 ID: 681cb5
File 164928736548.png - (157.63KB , 1125x550 , 60.png )

>What did it sound like? Did it sound like Morse Code or someone trying to get your attention to come to where they are? Or was it just a random sound?
It sounded more like someone dropping a toolbox down a flight of stairs… just a lot of loud noises.
>Ok, lesson learned: don't go opening doors all casual-like.
Lesson learned: Make sure the ensigns follow proper procedures while opening doors in hostile environments.

>Those defense systems must be rotten at this point.
They are clearly not functioning correctly, seeing as at least half the shots from that thing didn’t properly fire. Of course, this is both a good and a bad thing as it will make it easier to disable, but malfunctioning equipment might be dangerous in unintended ways as well.
>Hmm, I wonder if the turret would fire at a Sakkilian? Eh, it's probably coded to check the crew database.
Would they even know what a Sakkilian was back when this place was still manned? But no, it probably just fires on anything that moves. That’s the easiest way to program it after all.
>There are stairs behind the turret. According to the map, we can go through the door Iris is working on, then go down and around to come up behind the turret and into the room behind it to turn it off. The downside is that this means that we’d have to deal with whatever other defenses might still be active.
Going around like that will force us to pretty much go through the whole facility, making it kind of pointless to get into the security station in the first place.

>Ok, so, we're fighting machines. Half of our weapons are useless-- only the shock rifles and grenades will be any good.
The stun rod, if overclocked, will do the same thing as a shock rifle though only at close range. The sleep gun is useless though… and as for Tozlan sonic weapon…
A direct hit will vibrate that sentry gun into sludge, friend. In fact, I might even be able to hit it through the door, as the projectile will travel a short distance through walls.
Which means you might hit whatever is in the security station if you fire that thing as well. So no, stay your fire lieutenant.
>What's the ammo count like on those?
All your weapons have enough battery power for days of prolonged use. Ammo is not a concern.


>The shock rifles should be able to short circuit the turret.
We need to give that turret a bit of a shock next time we open that door. Anyone think they can make that shot?
I can make the shot, as long as that thing isn’t fucking riddling me with bullets.
>First thing we should do is find out if it automatically shoots when the door opens or if it shoots when it detects motion.
Everyone, take cover. I’m opening the door in 3… 2… 1…
Once again you hear the loud beep as the door slides open, followed the sentry spinning its gun again… but this time it doesn’t fire and instead goes back to sleep after a few seconds.
It think it’s reacting to motion, sir.
Use some scrap to distract it, so Shal can get a clean shot.
Armed and ready.
Tossing scrap in 3… 2… 1…
As soon as the scrap metal enter the guns line of sight it once more beeps and starts spinning it’s gun, and soon enough you hear it firing a few shots into the floor where the scrap landed before the familiar crackle of a shock rifles echoes through the facility. The sentry didn’t stand a chance against Shal’s aim.
Booyaah! Eat lighting and die!
Nice shoot, hitting a stationary target and all.
Oh, sod off.
Good work Shal and Tara, the sentry gun is offline. Keep alert, people, there might be more security measures ahead.

Carefully, you and Tozlan make your way further into the security corridor. Just as the map said, there’s a stairwell here leading down deeper into the facility as well as upwards towards what you assume is the security station proper. There’s also a door leading forward as well, but it’s been completely destroyed by some kind of overgrown flora.

What kind of plant is this? The roots have smashed right through he door.
I’m unsure of the exact species, friend, but seeing as the Hydroponics bay is supposedly on the other side of that door, I’m going to guess it might be something artificially created for oxygen and food production.
Hmm… the automated systems seems to be taking care of them a bit too well… will we be able to traverse it?
Unlikely, friend. I don’t see how we’ll even be able to get that steel door open easily, as it’s been completely consumed by the roots, and that’s not even considering what kind of kelp thicket that will be waiting for us on the other side.
Dad? Are you just going to leave me here all alone? I’m still working on this door…
Don’t worry, hun, I’ll send someone over to babysit you.
Dad!
I’m just joking, geez…

Kaktus 2022/04/06(Wed)16:22 No. 1028417 ID: 681cb5
File 164928737405.png - (66.33KB , 1125x550 , 61.png )

>We lost the element of surprise, so we have to be on the defensive.
We can’t get bogged down either, sir. We’re not here to fight.
Indeed, so let’s remember our mission. Find those cryo-pods and get out of here. Still, we can’t expect to sneak by any hostiles anymore, so keep your weapons ready.
>Have Tozlan listen for any movement on the other side of the door before Iris opens it all the way.
… … …can’t hear anything but foam, sir.
Keep listening… and keep an eye… um… ear on Iris while she works.
Will do, captain.
Just give me another minute…


Tara, keep an eye on the hangar. Shal, you’re with me. We’re heading up to the security station.
Affirmative, sir.
Let’s fucking go!
Be careful in the stairwell, it’s an ample spot for an ambush.
The stairwell is secure, sir.
I’ve never trusted stairs… they are always up to something.
… … …right, sir… moving on…

The two of you make your way up the stairs without incident and find the control room for the security. There are two empty weapon lockers on the wall, as well as a large terminal filled to the brim with different screens… and finally some really old… you believe they are Raolme bones on the floor, but you’re unsure…

Aw man, all the weapon lockers are already looted…
But the cameras are still working, look.
The whole A1 facility seems to be offline, leaving only the ones in B1, though… and even then only five out of nine seems to be functional as the rest has gone to shit.

Kaktus 2022/04/06(Wed)16:23 No. 1028418 ID: 681cb5
File 164928738433.png - (58.04KB , 1125x550 , 62.png )

The only cameras that are still working are the ones in the hangar, the trapped security corridor right below you (both which aren’t of interest to you right now), as well as the ones in the Mess Hall, Storage and Lab B1. Your gaze quickly gets stuck on the screen showing the lab, barely even throwing a glance at the other monitors.

There, look! Sakkilian Cryo-pods!
They are located in Lab B1.
And at least two of them seem to still function. We need to retrieve them as soon as possible.

>What exactly happens with a malfunctioning cryo pod? Does that just kill whoever is inside or does it open and release whoever is inside?
It depends on the malfunction. If possible, the pod will start the thawing procedure and wake up its occupant, just as it did on The Shed Scale. But if that’s not possible… well… let just say it isn’t pretty if someone is taken out a cryo-pod without said procedure.
>We might get lucky and find a Sakkilian walking around somewhere.
Possible, but unlikely… but let’s keep an eye out on any signs of Sakkilian activity, just in case.

Alright, we have found our target. We need to get down to the Lab at the bottom of this facility.
[Dad, I’m almost done. Shall I wait with opening the door or…?]
The fuck was that?
What was what?
No, I… I just thought I saw something move… but it was just a shadow of something swaying around in the storage bay.

Why would anything be swaying? There's something down there I bet. Looks like eggs in the mess hall. Seems some sort of creatures made a nest here.

Is the door to Comms open? That'd be a better route than trying to go through the infested Mess Hall. Can we unlock any doors from the security station? Can we move the cameras around?
How are we going to get the cryo pods out? Maybe we need to get the freight elevator working... which means we should try to remove the debris without damaging the shaft.

I think we might actually want to stop trying to open the crew quarters, if we can get through via Comms.

Can you control the cameras? Make them move up and down or are they stationary? Someone should keep an eye on these things.

We already knew there was somthing there. Just don't know what exactly. Either way, we need to go top the lab, so get ready for hostiles, probably feral creatures.

>>1028418
Check to see if there’s anything you can do from security. Are there any defenses you can turn off or doors you can unlock?

>Sakkilian Cryo-pods!
One of them is open. Maybe there’s someone walking around down here?

>No, I…I just thought I saw something move…but it was just a shadow of something swaying around in the storage bay.
Whatever it was, it wouldn’t start swaying around on its own. There’s most likely something in storage that bumped into whatever Shal saw start swaying.

Actually, if you look at the bottom left of what’s visible in the storage bay, you can see a small yellow thing. It kinda looks like it could be part of whatever infested the mess hall.

>>1028416
>Lesson learned
Here's another lesson: Get armor and real weapons. You better hope that your team's current equipment will be enough to handle any potential hostiles that can't be stunned by your stun guns!

>>1028418
>cryo pods
>We need to retrieve them as soon as possible.
You might need to get the freight elevator unblocked in order to get them up here.

>[Dad, I’m almost done. Shall I wait with opening the door or…?]
"Wait a moment. The security cameras are showing some sort of infestation in the Mess Hall and it's leading up the stairs into the Crew Quarters. Shal and I are going to see if we can find an alternate route through the Comms room over here. If we can't find anything, wait for us to come over there before you open the door."

Hopefully there's nothing blocking our route in the Comms room.

>>1028463
>Actually, if you look at the bottom left of what’s visible in the storage bay, you can see a small yellow thing. It kinda looks like it could be part of whatever infested the mess hall.
Yeah, I see that and I think you're right. Whatever that is, it's on the left side of storage, closest to the Mess Hall where the infestation is.

>>1028418
"Wait on opening the door. There's something alive here that's neither us nor on ice."

Regroup. There is 100% something alive on this station other than your crew and the plants. Make sure everyone stays together, but no so close than one wide attack could hit all of you. To your knowledge there is nothing time sensitive about the mission, so safety is the #1 priority.

I'm sure your shock rifles can scorch the plants down to ash if need be.

Opening the mess hall is DEFINITELY not a good idea.

Kaktus 2022/04/14(Thu)17:06 No. 1029297 ID: 681cb5
File 164998119386.png - (118.79KB , 1125x550 , 63b.png )

>Here's another lesson: Get armor and real weapons. You better hope that your team's current equipment will be enough to handle any potential hostiles that can't be stunned by your stun guns!
Sadly, you simply haven’t had the necessary equipment or the time to properly outfit your crew with decent weapons. Remember, The Shed Scale only had the absolute necessities on it when it made its emergency launch.

>How are we going to get the cryo pods out?
They should have a portable mode with functional anti-grav systems, where you simply pop out the cryo-tube with the Sakkilian in it and move only that part. As long as we get them to our own cryo-pods within 30 hours, they should be fine.
>You might need to get the freight elevator unblocked in order to get them up here.
Using the freight elevator would be the easiest way to get them up, but it will require you to be in the open for an extended time. It would also be possible to get them up the stairs, given time, but it would make you a prime target for an ambush. Hmm… no matter which route you chose, there are pros and cons.
>One of them is open. Maybe there’s someone walking around down here?
How long would a naked, alone and very confused Sakkilian even survive down there? ...and something tells you the things moving around down in the Storage bay isn’t a Sakkilian either… no, chances of one of your kind just walking around in here is rather slim.
>I'm sure your shock rifles can scorch the plants down to ash if need be.
…you really don’t want to start a massive fire inside an enclosed space like this. There has to be a better way down.


>Why would anything be swaying? Whatever it was, it wouldn’t start swaying around on its own.
Maybe it was some kind of machinery that moved?
Or someone is down there… or something. Doesn’t matter if it is a dangerous creature or dangerous machines, we need to be on our guard.
>We already knew there was something there. Just don't know what exactly.
Well, why don’t we go down there and kick their ass?
…and if there are more than one thing down there?
Then we’ll kick their fucking ass too!
*Sigh* You’re just like your grandmother…

>Wait on opening the door. There's something alive here that's neither us nor on ice.
Affirmative, dad.
Are you sure, friend? I can’t hear anything from here.
The security cameras are showing some sort of infestation in the Mess Hall. There’s a lot of green goo and… some kind of eggs hanging from the ceiling, I think? Either way, we’re definitely not going to go that way. Lt. Tozlan, do you have any experience with this kind of... “infestation”?
Green goo? Um… I don’t think so? I’m not an expert on Xeno’s, friend…
Does it matter? Green goo and eggs means “No thanks”. No way am I going down to the mess hall if that’s the case!
Then what are your orders, Captain? Where are we going?
>Regroup. There is 100% something alive on this station other than your crew and the plants. Make sure everyone stays together.
You heard the Captain. Everyone, to the security station.
On my way!
W-wait for me!
It doesn’t take long for the others to join you and Shal in the security room.
Everyone are present, captain, what are your orders?

>To your knowledge there is nothing time sensitive about the mission, so safety is the #1 priority.
The more time we spend down here, the bigger the chance are that we wake up whatever is infesting this facility.
Which is why we need to take our time. No need to start swimming and waking up the sludge snappers when we can just float down with the current.
…I for one don’t want to spend a minute more than necessary down here than we have too. Ugh, just looking at all that goo makes me want to bury myself in the sand…
…let just nuke it from orbit? It’s the only way to be sure.
Let’s calm down and do this properly. If we are careful we might just be able to quickly grab the Cryo-pods and leave before anyone notices us.
>We need to go to the lab, so get ready for hostiles, probably feral creatures.
Feral creatures? Are you sure?
I don’t think a non-feral alien would turn the mess hall into that mess… unless I’m wrong, Tozlan? Are there a sentient alien who make those kinds of nests?
Um… I… I don’t think so, friend? At least, not that I know of? I mean… um… I’m not an expert on anything non-Raolme…

>Check to see if there’s anything you can do from security.
My datapad should be able to interact with this terminal, friend. Just give me a second and I’ll unlock it. There, now everyone should be able to use it.
So… what can we do from here? Can we move the cameras? Unlock any doors? Are there any defenses we can shut down?
The cameras seems to be stationary, so no, we can’t move them around.
I believe we can lock/unlock all the doors in this sector from here, daddy. Though, going by these readings, then the doors between the Mess Hall, Storage and Comms are all broken… as well as both doors into the Hydroponics bay. Currently, the door between the Crew Quarters and the Hanger and the door between the Artifact storage and the Lab are locked, as well as the one into Comms from here.
There’s another functional sentry gun located in the storage bay, but it’s currently offline, though I can easily fix that if you want to, captain. There are also a lot of anti-ship cannons outside the station as well… though they have all been destroyed. Hmm… I was expecting more defenses in a place like this.
If the enemy finds this place and manage to penetrate the facility it’s already over. The doors and sentry guns are just there to give the lab downstairs enough time to destroy all the data before the enemy gets their hands on it. Let just hope they didn’t succeed.
The cryo-pods seem to still be online, so they didn’t at least destroy those.
>Someone should keep an eye on these things.
If someone is staying here we’ll need to split up. Which one or ones are staying here, captain?

>Is the door to Comms open?
It is open now, dad.
>See if you can find an alternate route through the Comms room over here.
As a group, the five of you slowly make your way down the stairwell with weapons drawn. Shal is taking the lead and is thus the one who opens the door into the Comm station.
Area secure, no fucking hostiles around as far as I can see.
Then what are you seeing? This stairwell is too small for the rest of us the really get a good look into Comms.
It’s a shit show, sir. Everything has been ripped apart, there’s major tears and even holes in both the floor, walls and ceiling… and finally, I’m pretty sure the door into storage have been ripped open, though I have no visual into that area from my current location, sir. Do you wish-
Shh!!
…?
There are definitely something moving around in the storage bay, something that’s alive. Though, I don’t think they know we’re hiding in the seaweed just yet, friend.
Orders, sir?

>doors, locked/broken
I don't suppose we can tell if the broken doors are open or closed?
Hey, one door was unmentioned. What's the status of the door between Crew Quarters and Mess Hall?
>who stays at the security station?
Tara, I think. Her heartrate is still elevated.

One of the cables hanging from the ceiling is moving... and there's green stuff in the corner. Peek up as you enter. Move quietly.

Oh, and what about the door between Storage and Artifact Storage?

>>1029297
Make sure she looks up when she enters. She can’t see directly above the door from where she currently is.

I do not like how that vent is completely open. It makes me think that whatever is down here could be crawling around in the vents!

>>1029299
>One of the cables hanging from the ceiling is moving...and there's green stuff in the corner. Peek up as you enter. Move quietly.
Do this.

Let's try to be careful here.

>>1029297
Is that wire next too the vent moving?

Kaktus 2022/04/22(Fri)17:09 No. 1030036 ID: 681cb5
File 165067257721.png - (105.01KB , 1125x550 , 64.png )

>Tara, I think. Her heart rate is still elevated.
Yes, because making me stay in a very enclosed space looking at creepy cameras all alone will lower my heart rate.
There’s only one door into the security station and it’s lockable. You’re a big girl, Tara, you’ll be fine.
Fine? She’ll be missing out on all the ass kicking we’ll do!
I’m sure I’ll live, Shal. But here, Captain, take these concussion grenades. They won’t be of any use up in the security station.
Thank you, Ensign. Now start moving.
On my way, sir.

>I don't suppose we can tell if the broken doors are open or closed?
They were all marked as closed but… well, seeing the door to the comm room was marked “closed”… let just say we can’t be sure what status they are in, dad.
>Hey, one door was unmentioned. What's the status of the door between Crew Quarters and Mess Hall?
It wasn’t on the list. I guess it can’t be locked?
>Oh, and what about the door between Storage and Artifact Storage?
Also not on the list. I’m guessing the freight elevator is controlled from somewhere else… probably from a console in the storage bay.

>Make sure she looks up when she enters. She can’t see directly above the door from where she currently is.
No hostiles spotted. We’re green.
As far as I can tell, the comm room is empty… but there is definitely movement in the storage bay and beyond, friend…
>I do not like how that vent is completely open. It makes me think that whatever is down here could be crawling around in the vents!
Those vents are way too small for anyone to fit in, dad.
We’re dealing with aliens, Iris, it’s possible they are far smaller than us.
These vents would explain the echoing sounds we’ve been hearing.
There were a pair of fuckers in the hanger as well, in the corner, near the ceiling.
There’s probably vents in every room down here… be on your guard, everyone.
>Is that wire next to the vent moving?
It’s a panel from the ceiling that’s hanging lose, sir, but it is indeed swaying.
Which means something down here made it start swaying. Do you see anything else?
Can’t see shit, capt’. It’s possible something scampered into the vent just before we arrived, but it’s impossible to tell now.

Kaktus 2022/04/22(Fri)17:09 No. 1030037 ID: 681cb5
File 165067258888.png - (126.24KB , 1125x550 , 64Zoom.png )

>And there's green stuff in the corner.
Huh… it’s some kind of… organic material? It’s not slimy and gross like I expected, but… it feels like touching plastic? Really hard plastic, the one that doesn’t bend when you press into it. I was really expecting it to be easy to remove, but I’ll need my tools if we want to go through this.
And why would we want to go through it?
There’s several holes here, in the wall… and a bigger one in the floor. In fact, I’m pretty sure I see some kind of light down there as well.
…Tozlan?
Don’t ask me, I have no idea what this sludge is, friend.
If we cut through this, we might be able to get down to the floor below us... if the light is anything to go by.
Will my fat arse even fit down that hole?
I’m sure you’ll fit, if I just get this green gunk out of the way first. Um… I mean, Captain, do you want me to try and cut through it?
Hmm…

Sir, there is definitely moment in the Mess hall now. There are these… small insect like creatures skittering around in there, about a half of your size, sir… what are your orders?
Yeah, what’s the plan, Sir.

[You make a quick check of everyone’s inventories.]
You are equipped with a sleep gun, two concussion grenades and a hidden stun “rod” in your left glove.
Shal is equipped with shock rifle and a remote control for the cruiser (Including control of its Laz-Cannons).
Tara is equipped with a shock rifle and some simple tools like a crowbar. She also currently have control over the security of this place.
Iris is equipped with a stun rod and engineering equipment for cutting through and removing obstructions and doors, as well as one blast charge for removing even worse stuff.
Tozlan is equipped with some kind of… sound gun that according to him liquefies your insides if you’re hit by it, as well as a data-pad capable of interacting with the terminals we might find down here.

>>1030037
Half the size of a Sakkilian? Ask our two native aliens if they know what the bugs are. It occurs to me that these things might be sapient. Maybe. Let's not start shooting them with turrets or whatever until we're sure they're hostile. (even if like every narrative/UI element is indicating we're going to have to fight)
If they just kinda peek at us, as if they're afraid or curious, don't shoot. If they charge at us with clear aggression, then by all means activate the turret. Possibly fire a warning shot first.

>cut through the green resin?
Erm. Hold on. We can go down there if we cut our way through, but... can we fit the cryo pod through that passage? If we can then yeah, that looks like a good way to avoid pissing off the bugs.

>>1030036
>there is definitely movement in the storage bay and beyond, friend…
If there’s movement, then that turret in Storage should be shooting at it. Since it’s not shooting, that means the turret should be powered off.

The Freight Lift seems to be stuck in the upward position. Good thing we didn’t try to blast that debris out of the way, since that might have also broken the lift! We should try to access the terminal to see if we can get it moving. It’ll help us get the Cryo Pods upstairs.

And be careful, it looks like there’s something yellow behind the boxes on the left side of the lift in the Storage room!

>>1030037
>There are these…small insect like creatures skittering around in there, about a half of your size, sir…
Tell Tara to listen for anything that might be moving through the vents. These bugs might try to come through them.

It looks like there might be something hiding behind the box directly under the turret in the Storage room. Make sure you look up when you go in.

……is it just me or does it look like there’s some kind of yellow bug right next to Iris? And it looks like it’s got its arms raised and is ready to strike! You better turn around and save Iris!

What's that light green stuff on the floor in the security room?

>>1030138
Bones of a long dead alien.

I see something between the bottom to creates in the next room

Kaktus 2022/04/29(Fri)17:08 No. 1030783 ID: 681cb5
File 165127728635.png - (146.39KB , 1125x550 , 65.png )

>What's that light green stuff on the floor in the security room?
It was an old skeleton of what we believe was once a Raolme. Not really important at the moment, as you have no use of old bones in your current situation.
>If there’s movement, then that turret in Storage should be shooting at it. Since it’s not shooting, that means the turret should be powered off.
We already know that the sentry gun is turned off inside the Storage bay, as the security console said as much. Of course, if we want it to start shooting, you can just tell Tara to activate it from the security room.

>Half the size of a Sakkilian?
If not even smaller, sir.
…small enough to fit in the vents?
…possibly, sir.
>Tell Tara to listen for anything that might be moving through the vents. These bugs might try to come through them.
You hear the sound of metals scrapping against metal from Tara’s comm…
Tara, what is your status?
I’m just moving the security station… so that it is blocking the vent. If those bastards are going to try and ambush me I’m not going to make it easy for them.
Will you be alright up there?
The door is locked and the vent is blocked, sir. I should be safe… and I can survive some stale air for a bit.

>Ask our two native aliens if they know what the bugs are. It occurs to me that these things might be sapient.
Um… why would I know anything about these fuckers, sir? I got the same academy education like the rest of the crew!
Insects, you say? Let’s see… I’m sorry, friend, but sis was always the one who was interested in alien biology, not me, so my knowledge won’t be pearl in the foam.
Anything you know will help, Lt. Tozlan.
Hmm… I haven’t met one myself but… it might be a… what where they called? Tool? Tal? No, it was Tuul I believe?
Who gives a shit what they are called. How to we kill the bloody gits?
Are they sentient? Can we talk to them?
Um… the insect bodies are technically… um… not… but the main Tuul body is?
…technically? Tozlan, just tell me how they work in a simple way, no need for any details.
Well, friend, they are… odd. The Tuul themselves are… um… I guess the best comparison is a brain in a jar… and they take control of these insect drones to actually do the swimming, which they grow from their body or something? So the insects are more like claws, I guess? Claws that… lives?
So if we kick the arse of the brain jar, we’ll win?
Or we can just talk to them?
I guess? Though, I don’t think anyone who’s been stuck down here for the rivers know how long will be very sane, friend.


>We can go down there if we cut our way through, but... can we fit the cryo pod through that passage? If we can then yeah, that looks like a good way to avoid pissing off the bugs.
Hmm… I’m not sure. If the tunnel is consistent with this size all the way down, then yes, though it will be rather cumbersome.
Can you tell if it gets tighter further down from here?
I can’t, sorry dad… but… going by how the hole is a near perfect circle and how even the edges are… was this made by a drill? Hmm… no, it looks like... acid? Maybe? And why make a hole big enough for a sandstrider to fit in?
>The Freight Lift seems to be stuck in the upward position. Good thing we didn’t try to blast that debris out of the way, since that might have also broken the lift!
You know, if the lift still works we might just be able to remove the blockage by simply lowering it. That would be way easier, right?
…but it’s way more fun to blow it up.
Uh huh… of course it is…
>We should try to access the terminal to see if we can get it moving. It’ll help us get the Cryo Pods upstairs.
…with Tozlan’s help I might be able to get it to move… if it still can move… though, I don’t think the terminal that’s closes to us is actually working, so I’ll need to get all the way over to the other side of the Storage bay to access the terminal over there.
…and there’s definitely something moving over there.
I’m sure I saw something move near those crates just now too…
Hmm…

>I see something between the bottom to creates in the next room.
There those indeed seem to be something moving around those crates…
Yeah, there’s definitely something moving behind those things. You think those dirty cowards are planning an ambush, sir?
>It looks like there might be something hiding behind the box directly under the turret in the Storage room. Make sure you look up when you go in.
…and was that a pair of antennas sticking up from behind the crate right next to the door as well?
…and there’s one too. This is definitely an ambush, sir.
>…is it just me or does it look like there’s some kind of yellow bug right next to Iris? And it looks like it’s got its arms raised and is ready to strike! You better turn around and save Iris!
And I think I… w-wait, IRIS!
Huh, wha- AH!!

Right as the creature strikes with its tail you manage to grab Iris arm and pull her away, narrowly avoiding the wicked looking stinger burrowing into her neck. It screeches loudly when it notice that it missed its prey, probably to alarm its brethren in the next room, before it raises it tail for another strike.

Kaktus 2022/04/29(Fri)17:08 No. 1030784 ID: 681cb5
File 165127729631.png - (327.64KB , 1125x550 , 66.png )

Get down! I got it i-

Then the deafening sound of complete silence drown out everything. It is like nothing you’ve ever experience, as not only is the world around you silent, but the sound your own body, your own breath and beating of your heart, is absent as well. You watch as the alien insect starts to vibrate intensely, its outer shell cracking under the pressure and cyan ichor spews from its mouth as the it’s surrounded by something bending the very world around it. Then, the sound returns to the world as it fall over, clearly dead.

-nd kill steal, you sod! That one was mine!
Ensign Shal, we’re in a combat zone! Act like it!
Is it dead!?
Unless it can live with liquefied insides, I’m going to go with yes, sir.
Holy crap, that was close!
Are you okay, Iris?
I’m… I-I’m fine, dad… just a bit shaken.
Good. Now, these things are clearly hostile and willing to use lethal force, so we better-
Sir, whatever you just did, it woke up the stinger nest.

Kaktus 2022/04/29(Fri)17:08 No. 1030785 ID: 681cb5
File 165127731508.png - (138.43KB , 1125x550 , 67.png )

Tara, report. What’s going on?
The mess hall just woke up, sir. There are tons of those insects running around in there… and the eggs are hatching, making even more of them. It’s clear that something you just did pissed them off, sir.
We just killed one, of course they’ll be rather cross with us.
Well, you better get ready, because they seem to be grouping up.
We got hostiles, sir! Several of them in the storage bay!
Tozlan, can you try and talk to it?
Greeting friends, we apologize for the misunderstanding, but-
All the insects in the storage bay screeches loudly in unison at you.
What did it say?
I have no idea. It’s just screaming like an animal at us.
Sir, I just saw something big move down in the lab below you. Something the size a freaking sandstrinder. What are your orders, sir?
Yeah, what do we do, boss?

>>1030785
The drones hatch from the Tuul's body? But we can see eggs, they're not attached to anything that looks like a body... Does that mean this green stuff is its body? Or is it more like a structural framework and the eggs were just placed in the mess hall after being born by the main Tuul body?

Well, whatever. We got attacked, fired back, and then tried diplomacy. Drone bodies are expendable so I think we should just snipe the one at the turret, turn on the turret, then lay down a wall of fire to *actively discourage* further aggression on their part. We will not be attacking the Tuul's main body though, we're just going to clear out the storage room and use the lift, because these tunnels in the wall aren't safe-- there's something else in here that made them.
Oh, and someone keep an eye on that vent, or wedge something into it so a drone can't get through.

Oh god I just realized, this Tuul didn't come from nowhere. It was probably here all along, kept captive by the people who ran the lab before. So it hates us, because it thinks we're responsible for its imprisonment.
Can we communicate that? That we're not from here, and if it wants freedom then we can help it escape?

>>1030785
Activate the security turrets.

>>1030785
Better take out the bug directly under the turret so it doesn't destroy it when we turn it on.

>something big
Sounds like something bigger than the bugs we can currently see is on its way up. Better thin thier numbers before it gets here!

>>1030849
This

Kaktus 2022/05/04(Wed)17:18 No. 1031230 ID: 681cb5
File 165170990127.png - (185.17KB , 1125x550 , 68.png )

>The drones hatch from the Tuul's body? But we can see eggs, they're not attached to anything that looks like a body... Does that mean this green stuff is its body?
Err… well, friend, I… don’t… know? I know those small scumsuckers makes the green goo but… um…
It is organic… and I’m sure I’ve seen it move on its own… it’s possible it’s alive?
It is possible that it’s part of their body, somehow, but sludge if I know.
…so if we shoot it, will it hurt the Tuul?
I highly doubt it, friend, seeing that the green stuff is all over the place. They would have a hard time not getting hurt if it should feel pain through all of this goo.
>Or is it more like a structural framework and the eggs were just placed in the mess hall after being born by the main Tuul body?
That’s… that’s also a real pearl of an idea, captain. It’s possible, but I can’t say for sure.

>This Tuul didn't come from nowhere. It was probably here all along, kept captive by the people who ran the lab before. So it hates us, because it thinks we're responsible for its imprisonment.
…the Confederation of Mrruul, which most of the Tuul species are a member of, was a part of the Grand Alliance of the United Stars… you know, the scumsuckers that was running this place.
…so it’s more likely they were part of the crew then?
That’s the most likely scenario, friend. They are a crew member that survived the initial IOD attack and… I guess went a bit mad or something? They’ve been down here for… what… 40 years?
>Can we communicate that? That we're not from here, and if it wants freedom then we can help it escape?
You know, we might not have made the best first impression if that was what we wanted.
We got attacked, fired back, and then tried diplomacy.
Exactly, which might explain why it doesn’t want to talk. Besides, even if we was able to start a conversation, they’ll probably believe we’re just some raiders here to steal the stuff in the lab… which is technically true…
I wouldn’t want to talk if you shoot me in the hand either.
Drone bodies are expendable…
And bloody annoying.
It’s even less than a hand, more like a… um… something you can grow yourself? I… don’t think you have anything like that, do you?
Still, it’s really rude?


>Activate the security turrets.
Tara, activate the sentry gun in the storage bay. We need to lay down a wall of fire to *actively discourage* further aggression on their part if possible.
Affirmative, sir, activating it now.
>Better take out the bug directly under the turret so it doesn't destroy it when we turn it on.
We will not be attacking the Tuul's main body though, we're just going to clear out the storage room and use the lift
Shal, take down the bug right under the sentry, before it does something stupid.
Just give me a clear shot, you little shit…
A small beep echoes through the storage bay as the sentry gun is activated… followed by a far louder beep as it detects it targets and takes aim. The gun barely manages to start firing before one of the Tuul drones jumps out from the crates right under it, about to strike it. With a crackle, Shal fires a bolt of lightning and hits the insect while it’s still in midair, frying it and filling the room with the smell of cooked meat, it’s clearly dead body falling down onto the crate while sizzling quietly.
HA! GOT IT!
…have you increased the power on your rifle, Shal?
No, sir? It’s still on the standard safety setting. I think those fuckers can’t handle some greased lightning, sir!
Hmm… I have to remember that the shock rifle is lethal to them, even on safe settings.

Kaktus 2022/05/04(Wed)17:18 No. 1031231 ID: 681cb5
File 165170991568.png - (140.19KB , 1125x550 , 69.png )

The Tuul drones stand no chance against the sentry gun, especially seeing how this one is fully functional, compared to the one upstairs. The first two insects it targets quickly become smears on the floor and crates, while the rest tries their best to flee from it. You’re sure you see several getting wounded from stray shoots, but only two of them seem to have died from their wounds. Another thing of note, none of them were helping each other, or even reacting to the other drones getting hurt or outright killed… which makes sense if they are just some kind of non-sentient creature.
All target neutralized, sir. No more hostiles detected.
I can hear them scampering away in the vents, in the opposite direction from us.
Sir, I can several wounded insects entering the mess hall. Its seems like they are regrouping in there.
Do it look like they are planning a counter attack?
No sir, I think they are fortifying their position. They are currently defending the mess hall.
Which is good, because we’re not planning in going there anyway. Very well, the coast seems to be clear. Though be careful, that sentry gun will fire on us as well.

>Oh, and someone keep an eye on that vent, or wedge something into it so a drone can't get through.
Um… do you think we can get some metal junk stuck in there? I don’t think it will hold for long but…
We have a pair of grenades. Just booby trap the fucker!
…Iris? Any ideas?
Huh? Oh, no I… sorry, dad, but there’s something here that needs your attention.
>Sounds like something bigger than the bugs we can currently see are on its way up.
Not only can you hear it, but I can actually see the green goo moving further down. Something is definitely making its way up here… something big…
Oh, finally a real challenge! Let’s kick it’s arse!
We might want to get into a better position, friends. What’s your orders captain?
Hmm…


[You make a quick check of everyone’s inventories.]
You are equipped with a sleep gun, two concussion grenades and a hidden stun “rod” in your left glove.
Shal is equipped with shock rifle and a remote control for the cruiser (Including control of its Laz-Cannons).
Tara is equipped with a shock rifle and some simple tools like a crowbar. She also currently have control over the security of this place.
Iris is equipped with a stun rod and engineering equipment for cutting through and removing obstructions and doors, as well as one blast charge for removing even worse stuff.
Tozlan is equipped with some kind of… sound gun that according to him liquefies your insides if you’re hit by it, as well as a data-pad capable of interacting with the terminals we might find down here.

Alright move into the storage room and clear it properly; make sure the turret won't shoot at you. Tozlan can work on the terminal to get the lift working once the room's secure.
Zento should stay near the comms room and toss a concussion grenade once the thing from below arrives. I'm assuming those are nonlethal? Apply sleep gun afterwards if it's still standing. The shock rifles will proooobably be nonlethal on the big one, so depending on the situation we could shoot with those too. Just don't let the turret shoot the big one, and don't use the sound blaster on it either. I think we can assume it's another crewmember.

Since we're going to be standing near the mess hall, we'll be near more Tuul drones, at which point someone can again reiterate you wish to parley. Maybe mention you are not raiders, you are on a rescue mission.

>>1031239
Seconding this

Kaktus 2022/05/06(Fri)12:30 No. 1031409 ID: 681cb5
File 165186542762.png - (140.17KB , 1125x550 , 70.png )

>Make sure the turret won't shoot at you.
Tara, deactivate the turret. We’re going in.
Affirmative, sir. Deactivating it now.
The sentry gun emits a soft beep before going inert, it’s barrel noticeably lowering a bit as it powers down.
>Alright move into the storage room and clear it properly.
Shal, you’re on point. Make sure there are no more bugs hiding behind any of those crates.
On it, sir.
Lt. Tozlan, keep us updated in case you hear anything we can’t see.
I can’t hear anything moving in here, friend, though there are a lot of sounds coming from the mess hall… and from that hole in the ground behind us.
>Tozlan can work on the terminal to get the lift working once the room's secure.
The terminal next to the lift is clearly broken, but there is another one near the mess hall.
Right next to the Tuul nest… well, sludge… just keep me covered, Shal.
I got you, I’ll fry any insect abdomen I see into a crisp, no problem!
>Since we're going to be standing near the mess hall, we'll be near more Tuul drones, at which point someone can again reiterate you wish to parley. Maybe mention you are not raiders, you are on a rescue mission.
Um… they didn’t seem to be in the mood for a conversation, captain. But… I’ll try?
Dad, are you coming?
I’ll catch up. I just need to do one more thing…

>Zento should stay near the comms room and toss a concussion grenade once the thing from below arrives. I'm assuming those are nonlethal?
They are less-lethal, as in if you put it in your mouth before it detonates you’ll probably get more than just a headache afterwards. Well, you’ll probably never have a headache again, but you digress. Its main function is to knock out and disorient people though, so whatever is down there will probably not die from it, no.

The green goo vibrates as the creature approaches, the skittering of its legs echoing through the tunnel. You ready your grenade and watch as the weird green membranes moves aside, as if opening the way for the creature below, though at the same time giving you a golden opportunity to lob your gift down the tunnel unobstructed. The concussion grenade explodes in a flash of white, the massive bang making your ears ring, yet still you can hear something scream in pain and fury from the tunnel. Apparently, you managed to hit something. Or someone.

Kaktus 2022/05/06(Fri)12:30 No. 1031410 ID: 681cb5
File 165186543798.png - (148.19KB , 1125x550 , 71.png )

Before you can even turn around and run, a huge monstrosity lunges out from the hole into the comm room, crushing the computers and monitors inside it beneath its body. Its huge claws sweeps across the room looking for whoever just hurt it, forcing you to nimble dodge out of the way as it passes. A burn mark across its face plate combined with its blind flailing indicates that you did indeed hit this thing with the grenade. Not that it seems to slow it down by much… if anything, you just made it angry. How did this thing even fit in that tunnel!?

…how… how big did you say these Tuul drones can grow?
…not… that big?
…I’m going to need a bigger gun…

>Apply sleep gun afterwards if it's still standing.
There’s no way a sleep gun will do anything to that monstrosity.
>The shock rifles will proooobably be nonlethal on the big one, so depending on the situation we could shoot with those too.
You have to agree with Shal… we’re going to need something bigger than a shock rifle to bring that thing down.

The creature finally focus on you and screams, splattering heavy gobs of sizzling spit on the floor in front of your feet. While it’s clearly still disoriented from taking a grenade to the face, it knows that you’re there, that you’re the one that hurt it and now it very, very angry… you really don’t want to be standing here right now…

>>1031410
Well, it's obviously Tuul in origin, whatever it is. Maybe the lab here did experiments on drones to make a bigger one? That's not what a Tuul's main body looks like, right?!

Captain, retreat to your fellow squad members.
Fellow squad members: everyone fucking shoot that big thing. The sound blaster might be able to take it down... but only do that if that's verified to not be the main Tuul body.

>>1031410
>we’re going to need something bigger than a shock rifle to bring that thing down.
Iris has that blast charge. You can throw it at the big bug and detonate the blast charge.

Or you can set it on the ground and lure the bug so it walks over the blast charge, then blow it up.

>>1031414
>but only do that if that's verified to not be the main Tuul body.
Screw that! We don't have time to verify if it's the main body or not! And even if it is the main body, we're not going to try talking to it now!

We tried being peaceful and that didn't work, so now we're going to kill it since it's trying to kill us!

If you can coerce it to under the lift and use the machine to pin it down, you can use the turret to try and deal some good damage to it.

>>1031414
>sound blaster
We were told that the sound waves can go through walls. If we aim upwards at this bug's head, that might put Tara in danger of getting hit by the soundwaves!

>verify it's not main Tuul body.
Doesn’t matter if it is the main body or not, we're in danger of being killed if we go easy on it, so we need to kill it to ensure our safety.

>>1031479
I don't think the lift can drop that fast.

>>1031410
Everyone shoot the giant bug!

Kaktus 2022/05/08(Sun)16:49 No. 1031609 ID: 681cb5
File 165205375713.png - (172.56KB , 1125x550 , 72.png )

>Well, it's obviously Tuul in origin, whatever it is.
And with your complete lack of knowledge of this Tuul species, you have no idea if it’s normal for them to grow into gigantic, acid spewing worms, or how to deal with them.
>Maybe the lab here did experiments on drones to make a bigger one?
It’s possible, though seeing as this facility was marked as “Alien artifacts laboratory” and not some kind of bio-lab, it seems unlikely. Of course, you have no idea what this Tuul has been up too after this facility was destroyed.
>That's not what a Tuul's main body looks like, right?!
Tozlan described it as a “brain in a jar”, which would indicate that the main Tuul body can’t actually move on its own. But you’re not an expert on alien biology, so who knows!?
>Doesn’t matter if it is the main body or not, we're in danger of being killed if we go easy on it, so we need to kill it to ensure our safety.
This situation became a kill or be killed deal quite a while ago. We can’t put your own lives at risk for some unknown alien’s life.
>You can use the turret to try and deal some good damage to it.
The sentry gun can also deal some good damage to you and your crew. It fires at everything that moves in here, remember, which at the moment includes most of your squad.


>Captain, retreat to your fellow squad members.
As soon you regain your balance you start sprinting towards the door with the giant monstrosity right on your tail. You’re just lucky it’s still disoriented from that grenade, as otherwise you would have been bug food right now. Though you might still be, as it’s gaining on you fast!
>Everyone fucking shoot that big thing.
Before you can even say a word a bolt of lightning crackles right past your head, hitting the massive insect square on the face plate. Though it barely notice it, as its armor plates keeps it insulated from the shock.
SHIT! THIS ISN’T WORKING! TOZ, FIRE ON THE DAMN THING!
I can’t! The captain is in the way! I’ll hit him as well!

>Iris has that blast charge. You can throw it at the big bug and detonate the blast charge.
Iris! Blast charge! NOW!
Err… on it… I j-just need to set it up?
>Coerce it to under the lift and use the machine to pin it down.
TOZLAN! ELEVATOR! PIN IT!
Huh? Oh, right, the lift!

The freight lift whines as it once again is activated, forcing itself with sheer power to dislodge itself from the wreckage that was wedged inside the entrance to the hangar, spilling the now lose metal scrap and ship parts down into the room below. While the falling debris does slow down the Tuul behind you, a large chunk of a ship almost crushes you as well as you run under the descending elevator.

Kaktus 2022/05/08(Sun)16:49 No. 1031610 ID: 681cb5
File 165205376983.png - (93.73KB , 1125x550 , 73.png )

Right as the large creature is about overtake you the freight lift smashes into the top of it, pinning it down. While you can hear the armor plating of the Tuul cracking, the elevator is clearly not handling it well either, as the machinery screams bloody murder and sparks sprays everywhere. You have no idea who will give in first, the bug or the lift…

Shit shit shit!
DISTRACT IT! I’M ALMOST DONE!
GAH! Those scumsuckers are coming out from the mess hall!
They are breaking into the security room! Both from the vents and the door! I don’t know how much longer my barricade will hold!

And all hell is breaking lose. The monster on its part opens its mouth wide and start heaving, as if it’s trying to puke…


[You make a quick check of everyone’s inventories.]
You are equipped with a sleep gun, one concussion grenade and a hidden stun “rod” in your left glove.
Shal is equipped with shock rifle and a remote control for the cruiser (Including control of its Laz-Cannons).
Tara is equipped with a shock rifle and some simple tools like a crowbar. She also currently have control over the security of this place.
Iris is equipped with a stun rod and engineering equipment for cutting through and removing obstructions and doors, as well as one blast charge for removing even worse stuff.
Tozlan is equipped with some kind of… sound gun that according to him liquefies your insides if you’re hit by it, as well as a data-pad capable of interacting with the terminals we might find down here.

>Laz-Cannons
Uh, can those fire precisely enough to hit the giant bug without vaporizing everyone near it? Destroying the lift at this point would be a shame but if needs must.
The bug and lift together are probably shielding the rest of you from turret fire and it will likely shoot at it as a priority target anyway, so turn on the turret.
If either of those work we can spare the blast charge.

Get the FUCK out of the way, it's about to spit acid.
...how did the bugs get to the security station door? Well, once the big one is dead we can move to extract her from that room.

Step aside and have Tozlan shoot the big one with his sonic gun, it’ll probably harm it right through it’s carapace
Also have Tara hold her ground in the security room with her shock rifle as it’s likely safer in there than the outside.

>>1031609
>giant bug’s size
Ok, I agree with Zento. How the fuck did that thing fit through the tiny hole it came out of?!

>>1031610
>GAH! Those scumsuckers are coming out from the mess hall!
Have Tozlan use his sound gun to liquify all of the bugs in the Mess Hall! There’s no risk to any of our guys if he aims in that direction!

>The monster on its part opens its mouth wide and start heaving, as if it’s trying to puke…
It’s going to spit acid!

Take advantage of its open mouth and throw your concussion grenade in there! And its open mouth is unarmored, so Shal’s shock rifle should be able to stun it if she gets a clean shot.

Or if Shal can aim the cruiser’s Laz-Cannons down the hole where the lift is, she can use that to kill the giant bug!

>>1031610
Tell Tara that we're on our way to assist her!

Will Iris' blast charge still work if we throw it instead of setting it on something? I'm thinking we throw the blast charge into the giant bug's open mouth!

>>1031627
>concussion grenade in bug's mouth
>Tozlan sound gun mess hall
>Shal use the cruiser guns
All of these sound like they could work.

Kaktus 2022/05/10(Tue)09:21 No. 1031782 ID: 681cb5
File 165219968956.png - (156.94KB , 1125x550 , 74.png )

>Ok, I agree with Zento. How the fuck did that thing fit through the tiny hole it came out of?!
Either that tunnel was way larger than you thought, or that thing can squeeze through places way smaller then it, like a rat. You’re going to bet it’s a bit of both.
>...how did the bugs get to the security station door?
There’s probably a vent, tiny crack or some other small opening in the stairwell that you didn’t see. These things are already in the walls, after all…
>Will Iris' blast charge still work if we throw it instead of setting it on something?
Let the one who’s actually got training in demolition handle the big explosives. If she says she needs to set it up, then it needs to be set up. You really don’t want to get blown up by mishandling your own bombs. That would be embarrassing.

>Have Tara hold her ground in the security room with her shock rifle as it’s likely safer in there than the outside.
*Crackle!* It’s not like I get can get out anyway! *Crackle!* I’m just lucky that the door seems to be holding.
>The bug and lift together are probably shielding the rest of you from turret fire and it will likely shoot at it as a priority target anyway, so turn on the turret.
No can do. *Crackle!* They broke the security console trying to get in. Gah, EAT THIS! *Crackle!*

>Have Tozlan use his sound gun to liquify all of the bugs in the Mess Hall! There’s no risk to any of our guys if he aims in that direction!
On it, friend! DROWN IN SOUND, YOU SCUMSUCKERS!
>If Shal can aim the cruiser’s Laz-Cannons down the hole where the lift is, she can use that to kill the giant bug!
Fucking finally! Though… I probably can only hit its arse from where the ship is parked and-
JUST FIRE!!
Right, right…

>Get the FUCK out of the way, it's about to spit acid.
You almost jump behind a crate on instinct to take cover, but realize right beforehand that your baby girl Iris is sitting right in front of that thing. She just slightly too far away for you to grab and pull to safety in any reasonable amount of time as well.
>Take advantage of its open mouth and throw your concussion grenade in there!
In one quick motion you grab your last grenade, activate it and lob it right into the mouth of that thing, making it choke on it as it get stuck in its throat.

The air snaps and a wave of heat washes over you as two pillars of red light pierces through the lower body of the monster, boiling its insides as well as melting parts of the both the elevator and the gate to the floor below. It tries to scream as the molten metal from the elevator splatters on it, but the only sound escaping its maw is a muted explosion, followed by its throat bursting open showering the floor with blood and acid.

But the Tuul is simply too stubborn to die, as it managed to finally break out from under the elevator and lunge towards Iris!

There! It’s do-

Kaktus 2022/05/10(Tue)09:21 No. 1031783 ID: 681cb5
File 165219970304.png - (182.05KB , 1125x550 , 75.png )

-GAH!!

You grab her right as the monster’s giant claw crashes into the spot she was sitting on, barely managing to drag her out of harm’s way. Neither of you dare to look back as you start running like madmen, while the giant claws of the creature audibly swings behind the two you, desperate to catch you. Luckily, all the wounds seem to have slowed down the beast substantially. Unluckily, you’re about to run out of room to run. It screeches in pain as it forces its body to lunge towards you one final time…

But the screech is cut short from the explosion behind you, as Iris activates the blast charge as soon as you’re a safe distance away…

Kaktus 2022/05/10(Tue)09:24 No. 1031786 ID: 681cb5
File 165219986903.png - (134.05KB , 1125x550 , 76.png )

As the smoke clears the only sign of the creature is a huge hole down to the floor below, which is now full all kind of debris, including a whole freight elevator and several of the cargo that was stored here. While there’s no way that thing survived the explosion and the subsequent crushing, neither did whatever was in the room below. A shame, but it was necessary.

Everyone… *huff* report…
Woo! What a kill!
The Tuul is pulling back. They aren’t attacking anymore…
Sir, what did you do? Those bastards just started screeching and ran away all the sudden. What is going on?
Dad? Are you alright?
Huh? Oh…
As the adrenaline starts wane, you feel a sharp pain from your leg and on closer inspection you find a nasty looking cut on your tight. You must have been a lot closer to those claws than you thought you were.
It’s… it’s just flesh wound, nothing more.
You still need medical attention, dad! Here, let me patch you up.
By the eternal dark, that was a close one…
The security station is secure, Captain, though it’s unusable now. Shall I join up with the rest of you?
No hostiles detected, sir.

…and what’s that smell?
Flash fried Tuul monstrosity, by yours truly.

>>1031786
>Sir, what did you do? Those bastards just started screeching and ran away all the sudden. What is going on?
Tell her about the giant Tuul all of you were fighting. And no, you're not exaggerating its size. It really was that big.

Then tell her that you think they ran away because of the loud noise of Iris' blast charge exploding. Or the little bugs know we killed the big bug and have run away because they don't have the confidence to continue fighting without the big bug to back them up.

>Shall I join up with the rest of you?
Yes she can regroup with us.

If the hole in the floor for the freight elevator was made bigger by the explosion and no one can walk around it, tell Tara that she'll need to go through the hangar to meet us.

Which means that we'll need to go through the mess hall and up to the crew quarters so that Iris can finish cutting open the door leading to the hangar. That way Tara will be able to rejoin us if she can't go around the hole for the freight elevator in storage.

>>1031786
Alright, regroup and see if you can climb down.

>>1031786
Yeah, Tara can regroup with us. Just make sure she watches the vents in case anymore bugs try to ambush her.

Suggestion 2022/09/04(Sun)01:38 No. 1042822 ID: f62ced

Is this quest over?

>>1042822
It is impolite to ask that. The quest author will get to it when they feel like it. Please be patient and wait.

>>1042822
Questions like these goes in the disthread:
https://tezakia.net/kusaba/questdis/res/134609.html#134609

And no, it’s not dead, it’s just been put on hold until I figure out what I want to do with it. My original plan didn’t really work so I have to rethink a few things… and oh, I’m having way to much fun with Lascivious Labyrinth to really focus on this one at the moment, but I’m sure I’ll be back here eventually.