Shoot for the Moon

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Viridian File 051622: Stardate 16124.2123.03221323

Reveal Flashback

Celta Adria - Stardate 16124.2123.032211045 - After the party has left the Myrdin Bascilica

As the party speeds off towards the Tymoran Transit Authority, a police cruiser pulls up to the Myrdin Basilica. Stepping out of the cruiser, Chief Lin Kratar strides quickly up the stone steps making her way to the Consul's office.
Consul Yaren Satesh: "Ah, Lin. Please come in. You just missed Amelia."
Chief Lin Kratar: "Probably for the best. She needs to stay focused on her mission."
Consul Yaren Satesh: "Of course. Hopefully they can succeed because I don't know what else to do. The Na'Shiar has been increasing their observations and inspections. I don't see how the federation can just turn a blind eye to what is happening."
Chief Lin Kratar: "Makes you miss the old days of the rebellion when things were clear and simple doesn't it?"
Consul Yaren Satesh: "I don't miss the fighting but at least then we knew what we were going to do to accomplish our goal. Morriga is not strong enough to repel the System Lords alone. It's only a matter of time."
Chief Lin Kratar: "In the meantime, the best we can do is prepare for the worst." Lin places several files on the Consul's desk. "I thought one of the names you mentioned sounded familiar. These are all the reports of missing ships and people since the first report 10 years ago. As you well know, Captain Roshan and Commander Laira of the Revan, The Jantok, The Seslah, The Baktar, The Recantha, The Sisken, as well as individuals including Ashtar Tanok, Jadzar Dexan, Julian Elran, and Vukrom." she pauses at the last name.
"All of the events have happened in the Morriga and Numbari Sector, except Tanok. She dissapeared near the Palluna system in the Tedoira Sector. All of this aligns with Kronos' increase in activity. Not to mention the sudden appearance of this 'Shade Spinner' leading his legions. They can't keep turning a blind eye for long. Is there nothing that can be done in the Senate?"
Consul Yaren Satesh: "I have reached out to everyone I can. You know I never wanted to get into politics. It's too slow for my taste. The best I can do is hope the AES can uncover something that forces the Senate to act."
Chief Lin Kratar: "I've heard rumors that one of the new arrivals to the AES might have some connections to-"
Consul Yaren Satesh: "I know what you're going to say. I have already asked Vosaara about it. He is not sure he can be trusted yet. It is why he has been so visible and active. He wants to keep an eye on him. Give it a bit more time."
Chief Lin Kratar: "And you said you didn't like politics. it is odd though. The children of the missing on the same squad... getting entangled in all of this...."
Consul Yaren Satesh: "Vosaara would say that is Fate. If they succeed I call it justice."

---

Tyrrin's Apartment - Damar Plaza - Celta Moira

Under the head of the bed is a strange root covered in a blach ichor tied to a slat. Neither Zukrom nor Kar'jan are able ti identify it or the black substance. Amelia comes in and begins to look at the root and identifies it as a Mandrake Root. They tear a piece of the sheet and wrap the root and take it with them.
Zs, in a supply closet, is looking through emptied cabinet and manages to find a small flashdrive that seems to have fallen through the cracks. BUDDY has also had some success in the half hour from getting the TTA data to parse out readable informaion. He informs Zs about 2 radar blips of unidentified craft of shuttle size that were in unusual flight paths around Celta Moira. There was also a blip in the system headed out towards Morriga IV, the gas giant that is the fourth planet from the sun.
Sadly, the camera at this complex are just for show and do not actually function. They party decides to follow up on Tamar's apartment and then they arrive the apartment is entirely empty. A thin layer of dust coats everything indicating it was abandoned for some time, despite Tamar paying and the lease still valid for another 3 months. They do not see anything of note in the cameras and the access logs indicate last access many weeks ago.
They recieve a call on their communicators as they ponder what is going on.
AR-T1: "AES Squad, are you recieving me? I am requesting an update on your progress. I believe the Consul did say to keep her appraised of the situation."
Zs: "Yeah so we visited both companies and are pursuing leads on some missing employees."
AR-T1: "I see. If you return the the Basilica perhaps we can pool our information together. I have been processing the data salvaged from the TTA."
Zs: "So has... sure. We will be there shortly to compare notes."
AR-T1: "Very well." click.
Amelia: "What is up with him? Like he just does not seem like a nice guy. Anyone else getting that vibe from him? Like I've never gotten vibes from droids before but this guy..."
Zs: "Do you get vibes from BUDDY?"
Amelia: "No, he's pretty quiet."
Zs: "He's not quite as advanced yet. You have to directly query him to get a response."
Amelia: "What's your favorite color, BUDDY?"
BUDDY: "Unknown."
Amelia: "What's your goal in life, BUDDY?"
BUDDY: "To protect Ilztzurz." (note: Zs name is just a recording of his voice not a synthesized versoin of Khrysari)
Amelia: "Maybe if he hangs out with Morph more some personality will rub off on him."
Morph, currently drinking more coffee creamers violently ejects the remains of the morning's creamers and slowly floats away.

---

Myrdin Basilica - Celta Moira

The party head back to the Myrdin Bascilica. When they walk upstairs, the door to the Consul's office is closed and no one is around. Amelia puts her head to the door to eavesdrop. A few moments later, AR-T1 comes up the stairs and stairs at the party, mainly Amelia, trying to eavesdrop.
When the party, and AR-T1enter the Consul ends the call she was on and asks the party what they have found. Sharing their information about the missing employees, the Consul asks AR-T1 what he has been able to uncover.
AR-T1: "Based on the recovered data we were able to extrapolate flat paths of unidentified craft to and from the mon of Dua around Morriga IV."
Zs: "Yeah, actually we were able to confirm the same thing from the data we gathered."
AR-T1: stunned, "And just how were you able to learn that?"
Zs: "BUDDY here has been processing it and informed us." to which BUDDY explains all of the data he has processed.
The party can see the Consul cover her face to hide a growing smile.
AR-T1: "... I... I see. I have underestimated your abilities. That will not happen again." back to the Consul, "However, what the squad would not have access to, since I uncovered it in the old archives, is that there is an old Na'Shiar outpost long abandoned on that moon. it would make a good staging ground for a small band of operatives."
Zs: "Has anyone contacted Chief Stone to see what vessels were sent to intercept the unknown craft both here on the planet and in the system?"
AR-T1: "... I was going to do that after this briefing."
Consul Satesh: "Thank you AR-T1. Would you mind going down and getting that started? I believe his briefing with the others should be over any minute and I would like to catch him before he leaves."
AR-T1: "Of course, Consul." turns to the party, "... thank you for your assistance."
Zs: "If you need assitance, BUDDY can go with you."
AR-T1: "If you feel it would be helpful. ... Come along, BUDDY."
Zs: after the 2 droids leave, "I think they are friends now." to Consul Satesh, "If I may, where did you come across AR-T1?"
Consul Satesh: "That is a long story. The short version is he has been here at the basilica for many many years. He is an acquired taste to be sure, but once he gets to know you he is quite loyal."
Amelia: "He's got quite the personality."
Consul Satesh: "Yes that does tend to happen when you do not perform routine data and memory wipes. Over time all of that data tends to form aproximatoins of emotions and personalities. He is one of the most intelligent droids we have here."
Amelia: "So he's a grumpy old man! That makes so much sense now. He's just walking around yelling at these kids to get off his lawn."
Consul Satesh: "If we are to solve this mystery we must operate on two fronts: one here on the ground and another to investigate the moon. Would you be up for that task?"
Simultaneous Conversation with BUDDY and AR-T1

While Consul Satesh finds a ship for the party, Zs steps aside and remotes into BUDDY's system to give instructions and learn what is happening in the hallway.
BUDDY: "QUERY: What is your primary function at the Myrdin Bascilica?"
AR-T1: "I am aid to the Consul, oversee Data Analysis, and mediate for those who would take up the Consul's valuable time."
BUDDY: "QUERY: How long has this been your primary function?"
AR-T1: "I have been working for Consul Satesh the last 15 years. ... She has been one of the more competent leaders."
Buddy: "QUERY: How many leaders have you seen come and go?"
AR-T1: "I have memories dating back 85 years of my service here. I have seen many leaders come and go, though this is the first time I have been aid to one."
BUDDY: "QUERY: What are your thoughts of the organics I travel with?"
AR-T1: "Interesting. I was not expecting suchadvanced skills from one so recently made. Your creator is more adept than I first thought."
BUDDY: "Yes, Ilztzurz is quite competent." (still using the recorded name).
AR-T1: "Ah. Not as advanced in language processing yet then."
BUDDY: "The language of the Zalantis is difficult to synthesize."
AR-T1: in perfect synthetic Zalanti, "One of the first programmers I worked with was Zalantis. He programmed this language processing subroutine." back in common, "Perhaps I can assist your creator create his own."
BUDDY: "Orignal Query Stands. What are your thoughts on my organic companions?"
AR-T1: "They are, surprisingly, not what I expected. I have seen many new squads come and go, but your creator and his companions... I have never seen a group handle themselves as well. ... I trust the Consul's trust in your creator. Therefore, I do hope they succeed."

Consul Satesh: "I was hoping you would agree." tapping a button on her console, "Patrina, what do we have available for a mission to a nearby moon?"
Patrina: over the comm, "Let's see. I have a Suteran Shuttle with light armaments. It's no warship, but it's fast and will get the job done."
Consul Satesh: "Excellent, have it prepped and sent to Ravenloft Tower as soon as possible." As she ends to comm line she turns to the party, "I believe your payment for the investigation and advance payment for the next is in order, considering what I am asking of you. 2000EC each. Please be preapred. We are entering their element now and know very little of what to expect."
The party heads downstairs on their way to prepare and collect BUDDY on the way out.
AR-T1: "I see you are all leaving. Is there any other task you have been assigned to?"
Zs: "Yes, but do you have clearance to know what mission we are on?"
AR-T1: "I have security clearance 9-alpha-black. I believe that is higher than your security clearance of... none."
Amelia: "Ok that was good. That deserves a fist bump." to which AR-T1 slowly obliges.
Zs: "We have been assigned a ship and are going to investigate the moon."
AR-T1: "I see. Then I shall establish a link with the Police Force and your vessel as well as grant you all security clearance 3-gamma-cobalt."
Zs:
"I hope BUDDY did not bother you too much."
AR-T1: "... Not at all."

---

Ravenloft Tower - Celta Moira

The party visits Deriax's Celestial Wares for health stims, weapons, and armor on the way back to the tower. Afterwards the party returns to the tower and recovers while doing some research on their own. They leave the mandrake root with the Society to do some additional research on it. In the evening, they recieve notice that the Shuttle is in the hangar ready at their earliest convenience.
In the hangar, is a sleek, reddish-tan trident shaped vessel. Zukrom quickly runs up and opens the back hatch. The enter and see the various stations all laid out as the vessel begins to activate lights and onboard systems. Zukrom rushes to the helm and begins looking over the systems. Kar'jan finds the spherical gunner position in the back right and begins to investigate. Zs and Buddy look over the Engineering systems and reads all of the tech schematics. Amelia slowly approaches the Captain's chair. As she comes around the front... she sees Morph splayed out comfortably in the seat.
Tossing Morph aside, Amelia sits down and looks around before taking a deep breath and settling in. Zukrom begins going through pre-flight checks when a hailing signal comes in and a screen on the left-hand side activates.
Officer Ka'ral: "Good, I see you've made it to your vessel. I have pre-configured coordinates in for you so you have a general idea of where you are going. I will hand you over to your liason with the CMPD. Good luck out there!"
A moment later a human woman with long dark hair in a stylized bun sitting next to a computer screen and wearing a headset appears on-screen.
Garcia: "Good morning, my lovelies! This is Abbigail Garcia, intelligence and tech forensics extraordinaire. You'll be needing my help where you are going. Those wrist comms at each of your stations are pre-configured to contact me directly, and you can tune your other equipment to encrypted channel 2 to do the same. Just hit me up anytime you need something and I will be right here."\
The party is cleared for departure and as the shuttle glides out of the tower, Zs has BUDDY send AR-T1 the contents of the data drive we found. Leaving the upper atmosphere, the ship sails into zero-g space, when suddenly the proximity alarm goes off as 3 small police cruisers are on an intercept course.
Opening hailing frequencies, Captain Amelia addresses the approaching vessels:
Amelia: "This is Captain Amleia of the Shuttle TA-113 to the approaching vessels. Please state your intent."
Silence. There is confirmation the hail was recieved.
Amelia: "Repeat, this is Captain Amelia of the Shuttle TA-113. We are on a diplomatic mission for Consul Yaren Satesh. To the vessels on intercept course, please identify."
Nothing.
The view screen activates as Officer Ka'ral contacts the ship and has them patch her through to the incoming craft.
Officer Ka'ral: "This if Officer Ka'ral of the CMPD. Police Vessels you are ordered to break off your intercept cours and land immediately. Verification Code Ka'ral-1745923-alpha-blue. Disengage, I repeat, Disengage."
Zukrom: "Captain, they are powering up weapons."
Amelia: "Red Alert! Prepare for battle."