Chapter 6.2: Daring Rescue

Apr 12, 2024 11:41 pm
Trade Era 1235, Day 163

Solaris, Zyronis atmosphere

As the Solaris breached the planet's atmosphere near the equator, close to the Forbidden Regions, a sense of foreboding settled over the crew. The towering skyscrapers of Zyronis rose like monolithic tombstones, casting long shadows over the landscape below. The once-bustling metropolis in this area now lay silent and still, empty and with its buildings crumbling with age.

Nevertheless, Jil expertly maneuvered the shuttle through the narrow passages between the towering structures, her eyes scanning the darkened skyscrapers for any signs of danger. The crew remained vigilant, their senses alert for any hint of movement amidst the shadows.

Soon, her sharp eyes caught sight of the ventilation and ascension tunnels - a gaping maw ahead, a dark abyss yawning open like the maw of some ancient beast. She eased the Solaris towards the edge, the shuttle hovering at the precipice as the crew peered into the depths below.

https://i.imgur.com/zacFWnD.jpeg

Hank's jaw tightened as he surveyed the chasm, a sense of foreboding settling over him. This was the point of no return, the threshold between the familiar world above and the perilous depths of the lower levels. Either way, the Solaris edged forward, inching closer to the yawning abyss as the darkness enveloped them. As they descended further into the darkness, the walls of the chasm seemed to close in around them, the weight of the earth pressing down upon the shuttle like a suffocating blanket. Everything was abandoned long ago. The air grew colder, the silence broken only by the steady hum of the Solaris's engines. Each minute felt like an eternity as they descended into the unknown depths.

Finally, the shuttle landed with a soft thud, and a collective sigh of relief escaped the crew as they realized they had reached their destination. The air was breathable and Jil gave the thumbs up for the crew to exit the shuttle.

https://i.imgur.com/DSfWQOl.jpeg

Trade Era 1235, Day 163. 10:08 UTC

Underworld, Near the Forbidden Regions, Zyronis

Outside, the darkness stretched out before them, broken only by their own flashlights and the shuttle's headlights. Erin's eyes narrowed as she surveyed their surroundings, her gaze falling upon another shuttle parked nearby, powered down and seemingly abandoned. Its hull was scuffed and battered.

"There," Erin cautioned, pointing towards the shuttle. "It's probably from the salvage team. Stay alert".

As the crew approached the abandoned shuttle, a sudden loud bang reverberated through the cavernous expanse, causing them to freeze in their tracks. Hank's grip tightened on his weapon as he spun around, his senses on high alert for any sign of danger.

The source of the noise became apparent as the battered doors of the abandoned shuttle rattled and shook, as if something massive were attempting to break free from within. Peter, Erin, Mercer, Corbin, and Douklan instinctively raised their weapons, their eyes trained on the trembling doors. James just observed, making no sounds.
OOC:
What do you do?

Rolls

Time of landing - (1d12+6, 1d60-1)

1d12+6 : (4) + 6 = 10

1d60-1 : (9) - 1 = 8

Apr 12, 2024 11:50 pm
Has Hanks's Terminal Reflection triggered?
Apr 12, 2024 11:54 pm
OOC:
Not yet. What do you do?
[ +- ] Terminal Reflection
Apr 13, 2024 2:01 am
daryen sent a note to htech
Apr 13, 2024 2:32 am
Normally I would say I think we should set up a small camp, some sore of perimeter. But in this case I think we should have medkits ready in the Solaris, and on hand.
And be ready for a quick getaway.

Mercer makes sure his Lowlight goggles would be ready in a single motion and Atmofilter is set.
Hank, I've got pretty good eyes and am better with a blade than a gun. Where do you want me?
Apr 13, 2024 3:36 am
OOC:
I need the answer to my note before giving direction.
Apr 13, 2024 10:20 am
htech sent a note to daryen
Apr 13, 2024 1:47 pm
daryen sent a note to htech
OOC:
Do we have any information on the salvage team? Like codes to their shuttle?

BTW, since I left it open because he wanted to see the conditions, Hank is wearing the CFU, the pistol with cells, goggles and backpack. He added the rope, atomfilter, and pole to the backpack. He has his pistol out and ready. Shoulda had the rifle it seems.


"I am not a tactician. Peter, I need your expertise. That thing in the shuttle is big, extremely fast and powerful, and hostile. I don't know if it is intelligent. It is likely melee-only. How do we maximize our firepower to bring it down before it can get to us?"
Last edited April 13, 2024 1:47 pm
Apr 13, 2024 2:46 pm
OOC:
What else can I Notice? It's probably one thing but can we tell for sure? How it might it/they be? Is there any damage reminiscent of projectiles/acid/energy that might be from the creature?
OOC:
If that thing is able to do damage to a ship, I do t think any of us even has a possibility of surviving a bit from it.
_
I assume we didn't have any Heavy Weapons we could bring?
OOC:
Edit: Do we have any proof we need to open that door?That the crew is behind it?
Last edited April 13, 2024 3:04 pm

Rolls

Mercer Canaan Furio: Notice - Usual roll - (2D6+1)

(36) + 1 = 10

Apr 13, 2024 3:02 pm
Corbin brings up his laser rifle and sweeps the area before offering his opinion.

"We back up to our shuttle, climb on top, fire up the landing lights and take aim at the door. James can trigger the door to open and then stand very still. Whatever pokes its head out, gets shot, alot. The landing lights should obscure its vision of us, but our shots will guide it to us. We use the open ground and our position on top of our shuttle to land as many shots as we can. Hopefully we'll have it down before it makes it to us.
Apr 13, 2024 3:14 pm
htech sent a note to daryen
Hank doesn't have the access codes for the shuttle but he is pretty sure he can open it using his dataslab and a remote/wireless hack.

As you think about the mission briefing, you recognize the shuttle as belonging to the salvage team. The serial number, colors, and ship name on the sides match.

Corbin that's a solid plan and great tactics.

Peter and Douklan, you notice that there is not much near the landed starship, just a lot of dust, plascret, some broken pipes, etc. This area was probably a spacecraft transit area, not meant for landing or walking but with resistant flooring nonetheless. So there is not much cover. This works both ways. The best tactic is probably to stay back and shoot whatever leaves the shuttle.

Peter, you don't know how Hank can be so sure of what's inside, to make him talk like that. There was nothing about this in the briefing or in the clues you had discovered so far that gave you this knowledge. It seems a little too specific for someone who is just making an assumption. But maybe he always talks like that, very sure of what is actually just a hunch. Anyway, you can leave it as it is for now.

Mercer, there are ways to enter the cockpit with a well-placed demo charge near the top pannels and it would avoid tampering with the doors. You've never done it, but you've heard some criminals claim they have. You don't see marks from fire or acid. Seems like blunt damage. Either it bumped into something before landing or something crashed into it (before or after landing). There is no proof someone from the crew is inside.
OOC:
Here is a gridded map, to help with tactics. The rectangles are the shuttles. The Solaris is in the north (B3 is the cockpit)
OOC:
What do you do?
Apr 13, 2024 4:08 pm
OOC:
It doesn't add up. Door closed, ship on this side, but no crew on this side? We need answers.
Last edited April 13, 2024 4:08 pm
Apr 13, 2024 4:23 pm
"Let's do Corbin's plan.

"James, place this data shunt on the door controls, then get back inside our shuttle.

"Everyone else, get on top of the shuttle with a good firing position.

"Jil, once we are in position, turn on all of the shuttles flood lights that bear on the other shuttle."


Hank the takes the opportunity to swap out for his laser rifle. Once the remote is in place, he opens the other shuttle's doors. Roll included in case it is needed.
OOC:
Honestly, I am expecting the smeared remains of the salvage team to be inside their shuttle.
Last edited April 13, 2024 4:25 pm

Rolls

Hank Heron: Hack shuttle's doors - (3d6h2+2)

(216) + 2 = 10

Apr 13, 2024 4:33 pm
While setting things up, Hank will further explain himself.

"In the stories of what brought the great world low were terrifying monstrosities that took things down. I am pretty sure it is one of those monstrosities that is trying to get out of their shuttle. I don't know what woke it up when we got here, but it seems likely it will free itself from the shuttle eventually regardless of what we do. As such, we should face it on our terms.

"As for the salvage team, I am expecting to find what little of them that remains on the shuttle. I hope I'm wrong about that."
Last edited April 13, 2024 4:33 pm
Apr 14, 2024 7:32 am
htech says:


Here is a gridded map, to help with tactics. The rectangles are the shuttles. The Solaris is in the north (B3 is the cockpit)
OOC:
What's the scale on the map? Or, if it's not to a particular scale, what's the approximate distance between the two shuttles?
Apr 14, 2024 9:23 am
OOC:
htech sent a note to daryen
Quote:
What's the scale on the map? Or, if it's not to a particular scale, what's the approximate distance between the two shuttles?
The map is to scale now. =) I will use my default scale because its used everywhere, even though SWN works better with another one.

So, 1 square = 5 feet (or 1.5 meters) now. Jil parked relatively close to the other ship, about 100 feet or 30 meters away from it.
Apr 14, 2024 3:19 pm
No... No we're rushing. That thing already killed a whole crew. And damaged a ship in the meantime. We don't even know if they hurt it. And we haven't even seen it, we know nothing. If it's even an it..
Mercer paces in the little shuttle bay.
we need an edge. And a backup plan.
OOC:
Is it possible to rig up a blast charge to go off a second after the door opens? Or somewhere between us on a remote? But also is there no way that "thing" isn't one or several of the crew. Or a loader of some sort?
We need a getaway plan before that thing, if it is a thing, does the same to us as that crew. Maybe something like being connected to the ship with climbing harnesses and lifting off if it gets close.
OOC:
see? This is why I was hoping we owned a heavy weapon we could mount on a stand.
Last edited April 14, 2024 3:23 pm
Apr 14, 2024 3:40 pm
"The other crew was likely surprised by the creature; we are not. The other crew likely didn't have a kill zone to deal with it before it could reach them. The other crew was smaller. Is it a risk; of course. But it's getting out sooner than later and we dictate the terms if we are the ones to open the door.

"And I don't know if anyone brought any explosives. I didn't."
OOC:
As a complete aside, what armor is everyone wearing, and what weapon is everyone equipped with? I don't remember seeing a full list of what we are actually equipped with.

Also, how smooth or rough are the walls? Would it be possible to climb the walls if one had sufficient ability? How about the "ceiling"?
Last edited April 14, 2024 3:43 pm
Apr 14, 2024 3:43 pm
OOC:
I did specify Mercer brought demo charges. We'll go with 5, the lower number I was suggesting.
You would probably know this.
Last edited April 14, 2024 3:44 pm
Apr 14, 2024 3:45 pm
Breaching charges would be pretty tough to time right. If this thing is as fast as I expect, it would likely be past the explosion by the time it was triggered. Those'd be tough to use correctly.
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