Act IV: Pandora's Planet

[Starbeard]

Coxa II: Inside the Slaver Outpost
Stardate 2271.3.24: 1835h

Countdown on Chowdhury's chronometer: 105 minutes

ooc: Apologies I haven't figured out the mechanics yet. What do I need to roll?

No worries! I'll roll this time, and also whenever it seems more expedient (like reaction rolls). The system is fairly basic, and plays about a bit like a tabletop skirmish game. You roll 1D6 to hit, and 1D6 for 'initiation' (=initiative). Both rolls are modified by stats, equipment and circumstances, and your target number depends on your DEX and the range. If you hit, then I'll roll damage, since for energy weapons it's based on the range to the target.

I took the liberty of rolling two rounds of combat here, the surprise round and a main combat round: shooters repeated their actions, and Ryerson and Li attempted to cower to safety as per their posts.



The Doctor and Mr. Li stumble backward, the blood-red lights of the corridor casting horrid, twisted shadows on their faces as the slavering beast towers over them!



The others respond immediately, forming a line and pelting the behemoth with disruption and plasma beams!



But it’s too late! The ursunoid snatches Ensign Li in its jaws and with a mighty roar whips its scorpion-like tail out, lashing him through his uniform. The bear creature continues to roar as it mauls the ensign, and ore phaser fire cuts through the corridor—when Commander Endilev, carefully leveling his plasma pistol at the beast, sends off a fireball that catches it straight in the gut and throws the monster back, scorched and exterminated, against the wall!

Ryerson quickly scrambles back to his feet and rushes over to Li. His equipment readings indicate that Li’s body successfully fought off a terrible toxin from the monster’s sting, but he suffered too many lacerations and deep cuts to survive. The ensign’s body lies on the ground next to the Coxan and the rabid monster, all of them lifeless.




Actions?

Rolls…

’Surprise’ Round
Endilev attack (plasma, DX 13): init [1d6] = 5, to-hit [1d6] = 6
Chowdhury attack (ph-2, DX 11): init [1d6] = 6, to-hit [1d6] = 1
Ursunoid init [1d6+2] = 4+2 = 6, melee to-hit [1d6] = 5

Initiative (after weapon modifiers):
8. Nadix fires phaser-II (1)

• Close range (6m) with DX 16: need 6 or less to hit
• Target is large (-2), moving (+1), partially obscured (+3): final roll 3 = hit!
• Phaser-2 disrupt setting = 3D at close range: Phaser-2 disrupt: [3d6] = 9 - monster defend [1d6+2] = 4+2 = 6
• 3 hits dealt to ursunoid

6. Ursunoid mauls! (5 + 2 strength + 3 stinger tail = 10)

• -1 to roll from having sustained 3 damage (total 9)
• Attacks 1-4) Li, 5-6) Ryerson: [1d6] = 3
• Li’s defending roll (1d6 + LK mod): [1d6] = 3 = 3 - 2 LK = 1
• Li takes 8 damage! He has taken at least 50% damage in one hit and is rendered unconscious! He will also be at -2 to DX until healed.
• Li must make a saving throw against poison (3d6 vs CT, ± LK mod)!: Li poison save vs 13 (CT 15, LK -2): [3d6] = 10 — Saved

4. Chowdhury moves up and fires phaser-II (1)

• Close range (6m) with DX 11: need 4 or less to hit
• Target is large (-2), moving (+1), partially obscured (+3): final roll 3 = hit!
• Phaser-2 disrupt setting = 3D at close range: Phaser-2 disrupt: [3d6] = 10 - monster defend [1d6+2] = 4+2 = 6
• 4 hits dealt to Ursunoid! It is now at -2 from damage.

3. Endilev fires plasma pistol (6)

• Close range (6m) with DX 13: need 5 or less to hit
• Target is large (-2), moving (+1), partially obscured (+3): final roll 9 — Miss! The plasma explodes and possibly causes friendly fire!
• 3 in 6 chance of rolling attack against Ryerson: [1d6] = 6 — safe
• 3 in 6 chance of rolling attack against Li: [1d6] = 2 — friendly fire!
• Attack roll (no mods, we'll invert DX so you accidentally hit on a 3 or less): [1d6] = 5 — miss!

- Li cowers, surprised
- Ryerson cowers, surprised


Round 1
Nadix attack (ph-2, DX 16): init [1d6] = 4, to-hit [1d6] = 5
Chowdhury attack (ph-2, DX 11): init [1d6] = 4, to-hit [1d6] = 5
Endilev attack (plasma, DX 13): init [1d6] = 1, to-hit [1d6] = 2
Ursunoid init [1d6+0] = 3+0 = 3, melee to-hit [1d6+3] = 4+3 = 7
Attacking… 1-4) Li, 5) Ryerson, 6) shooters: [1d6] = 3
Li initiation [1d6+1] = 1+1 = 2
Ryerson initiation: [1d6+1] = 2+1 = 3

6. Nadix fires (5)

• Target large -2, somewhat obscured by melee +3 = total roll 6
• Needs 6 or less, hit!
• Phaser-2 disrupt: [3d6] = 8 - monster defend [1d6+2] = 2+2 = 4
• Ursunoid takes 4 damage (11 total), now at -3 to attack rolls

3. Ursunoid mauls Li! (7)

• Li is unconscious, no ability to defend.
• Li takes 7 points of damage, bringing him to 0 and killing him!

3. Ryerson runs to safety
2. Li can't run to safety, being dead!
2. Chowdhury fires (5)

• Needs 4 or less to hit
• Total roll after modifiers = 6 — miss

-1. Endilev fires (2)

• Needs 5 or less to hit
• Total roll after modifiers = 3 — hit!
• Plasma gun (charged 1 round): [3d6] = 10 - [1d6+2] = 2+2 = 4
• Ursunoid takes 6 damage, killing it!

• Gareb Endilev — DX 13 (+1), MN 9, LK 13 (+1), CT 15/15 — HtH 4, plasma pistol (12/12)
• Nadix Ar Eth — DX 16 (+4), MN 14 (+2), LK 9, CT 12/12 — HtH 2, phaser II (24/24)
• Dr. Ned Ryerson — DX 13 (+1), MN 7 (-2), LK 12, CT 12/12 — HtH 3, phaser II (24/24)
• Ensign Li— DX 13 (+1), MN 9, LK 7 (-2), CT 0/15 — phaser II (24/24) KILLED BY URSUNOID
• Ensign Chowdhury — DX 11, MN 11, LK 17 (+5), CT 13/13 — phaser II (24/24)

[Captain Kinkajou]

Mr. Li and Mr. Chowdhury

Mr. Chowdhury looks aghast at his fellow ensign's tragic demise and, in a somewhat un-Star-Trekly fashion, zaps the ursinoid's body a few more times for good measure while cursing the creature under his breath. The reek of burned fur hangs thickly in the air.

Having given his life protecting Doctor Ryerson, Mr. Li stares accusingly lifelessly up at his superior officer, his blood pooling on the floor.

[Inferno]

Commander Nadix Ar Eth, Science Officer:

For a moment, Nadix is silent.

[rredmond]

Commander Gareb Endilev

”Scorpion tail? Huh.”
Commander Endilev sees the good doctor is tending to the Ensign, and moves to the side of the open door to safely (with some cover) look in to ensure no other creatures were preparing to jump out at them.

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Ryerson:

The doctor looks up at the group with a solemn look up at both Commanders "He's gone. His injuries were too severe."

[Starbeard]

Apologies, I've been bedridden the whole past week.

Coxa II: Inside the Slaver Outpost
Stardate 2271.3.24: 1836h

Countdown on Chowdhury's chronometer: 104 minutes



Dr. Ryerson does what he can to give Li and the Coxan priest some repose in death, and Chief Gareb Endilev scans the doorway for more assailants. The room inside is dark, but splashed with just enough blood-red light from the corridor to silhouette a few toppled containers and the form of another giant ursunoid, which does not seem to be moving.

Actions?

• Gareb Endilev — DX 13 (+1), MN 9, LK 13 (+1), CT 15/15 — HtH 4, plasma pistol (12/12)
• Nadix Ar Eth — DX 16 (+4), MN 14 (+2), LK 9, CT 12/12 — HtH 2, phaser II (24/24)
• Dr. Ned Ryerson — DX 13 (+1), MN 7 (-2), LK 12, CT 12/12 — HtH 3, phaser II (24/24)
• Ensign Li— DX 13 (+1), MN 9, LK 7 (-2), CT 0/15 — phaser II (24/24) KILLED BY URSUNOID
• Ensign Chowdhury — DX 11, MN 11, LK 17 (+5), CT 13/13 — phaser II (24/24)

[Inferno]

Commander Nadix Ar Eth, Science Officer:

One of Nadix's three hands points down the corridor, signalling that they should continue their search for Room J.

[Captain Kinkajou]

Ensign Chowdhury

Ensign Chowdhury looks regretfully at the body of Ensign Li for a moment longer. He'd always liked working with Li. Li had always been a take the lead kind of guy, whereas Chowdhury never had. Still, there was nobody else now. He was the security team, just him. He flexes his grip on his phaser, takes a deep breath and moves off in the direction Nadix has indicated.

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Ryerson:

The doctor draws the poor ensign's eyelids closed and folds his arms over his lifeless body before proceeding forward with the rest of the landing party to prevent the death of the whole planet.

[rredmond]

Commander Gareb Endilev

Nodding, Commander Endilev follows Ensign Chowdhury, weapon in one hand, tricorder in the other.

[Starbeard]

Coxa II: Inside the Slaver Outpost
Stardate 2271.3.24: 1842h

Countdown on Chowdhury's chronometer: 98 minutes



Shaken by the sudden and senseless loss of another promising young officer, the party moves on in search for Room J. Their feet drag against the floor like lead, wondering at the point of it all.

A full circle is made, and no Room J is found. Once again they stand before the short corridor leading inward, to Rooms I, K and L.

The low hum of warning bells continues as the corridors are bathed in the swirling red lights that seem to emanate from within the very walls and ceiling.



Actions?

Rolls…

[1d6] = 1 x 5 = minutes wasted as the party collects themselves from the shock of Li's death.

• Gareb Endilev — DX 13 (+1), MN 9, LK 13 (+1), CT 15/15 — HtH 4, plasma pistol (12/12)
• Nadix Ar Eth — DX 16 (+4), MN 14 (+2), LK 9, CT 12/12 — HtH 2, phaser II (24/24)
• Dr. Ned Ryerson — DX 13 (+1), MN 7 (-2), LK 12, CT 12/12 — HtH 3, phaser II (24/24)
• Ensign Li— DX 13 (+1), MN 9, LK 7 (-2), CT 0/15 — phaser II (24/24) KILLED BY URSUNOID
• Ensign Chowdhury — DX 11, MN 11, LK 17 (+5), CT 13/13 — phaser II (24/24)

[Inferno]

Commander Nadix Ar Eth, Science Officer:

The alien science explorer finally speaks, focusing his mind on the task at hand in order to forget the latest senseless bloodshed.

"One would theorize that Room J would be adjacent to both Rooms I and K. Let us try one, then the other."

[rredmond]

Commander Gareb Endilev

”Room ‘I’ first? Carefully.”
Commander Endilev agrees with the Science Officer, with a quick glance back to their recently fallen Ensign.

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Ryerson:

"Yes, carefully but quickly as well. We don't know how much time we have left or how much time it will take to disarm the self-destruct."

[Captain Kinkajou]

Ensign Chowdhury

As the only remaining member of the security team, Ensign Chowdhury summons his courage and leads on once again. He nudges his Phaser up to maximum and holds it out ahead of him, ready to shoot at the slightest hint of a killer ursanoid rampaging towards him. He doesn't intend to take any chances. Then he approaches room 'I' and cautiously opens the door.

[Starbeard]

Coxa II: Inside the Slaver Outpost
Stardate 2271.3.24: 1843h

Countdown on Chowdhury's chronometer: 97 minutes



The door swooshes open and Chaudhury steps in valiantly. It is some sort of computer laboratory, uninhabited. A large metallic ring, glowing with a faint purple shimmer, hangs from the ceiling in the middle of the room and bathes the laboratory in its light.

The room's walls are covered with large computing machines, all deliberately sabotaged as though someone wanted to render them unusable. No other exits are seen.

In the center of the room, under the ceiling light ring, stands a simple desk. It holds a single computer terminal and a discarded Slaver energy belt. As the party enters, the table computer hums to life.


Actions?

• Gareb Endilev — DX 13 (+1), MN 9, LK 13 (+1), CT 15/15 — HtH 4, plasma pistol (12/12)
• Nadix Ar Eth — DX 16 (+4), MN 14 (+2), LK 9, CT 12/12 — HtH 2, phaser II (24/24)
• Dr. Ned Ryerson — DX 13 (+1), MN 7 (-2), LK 12, CT 12/12 — HtH 3, phaser II (24/24)
• Ensign Li— DX 13 (+1), MN 9, LK 7 (-2), CT 0/15 — phaser II (24/24) KILLED BY URSUNOID
• Ensign Chowdhury — DX 11, MN 11, LK 17 (+5), CT 13/13 — phaser II (24/24)

[Inferno]

Commander Nadix Ar Eth, Science Officer:

Nadix examines the strangely shaped room with no other doors. Assuming that the outpost's design continues with its symmetrical theme, he asks, "Perhaps Room L should be next?"

Then he sits at the computer table to learn what havoc Ursula has wrought. Universal translator in one hand, his other two hands access the terminal to locate Room J, and see what orders were last entered at this station.

[Captain Kinkajou]

Ensign Chowdhury

Tightly gripping his phaser like a talisman, Chowdhury cautiously does a circuit of the room to check that no threats are lying in wait for them. As Commander Nadix moves over to the central computer table, Chowdhury eyes the glowing ring with suspicion. It's probably just some form of lighting but he wonders why it would be different from what they had seen elsewhere; a projection system perhaps? Or something more sinister? He tries to stay generally alert, while keeping one eye on it, ready to spot any change.

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Ryerson:

"This is getting us nowhere. We're running out of time. We should split up and search for Room J."

[rredmond]

Commander Gareb Endilev

”Agreed doctor. Though let's not split up too far apart.”
Commander Endilev stays in the hallway to ensure no one comes up behind them, and takes a gander and a listen at door "L".