Chapter 4: Dark Side of the Moon

[Marullus]

Taavi and Emile?

[greyarea]

Emile narrows his eyes and fires again at one of the fleeing guards.

SunShooter [1d20+4]=17+4=21 Damage: [2d6+3]=9+3=12 Range: 50m Magazine: Unlimited

[jemmus]

Taavi isn't sure of the current situation, so he follow's Emile's lead and fires the laser pistol at a fleeing guard.

[1d20]=7[1d6]=3

[Marullus]

The Hallway, outside the Security Station

"...Two runners!" yells Hansel from inside the room, rolling over to a firing position and shooting the injured guard in the back as he clears the doorway. He falls forward, slumping against the far wall.

"Something's wrong!" says Shadrach as several rounds of burst-fire strafe the second guard emerging into the hall, concerned for Báleygr behind them.

Taavi's shot goes wide, but Emile steps from the Security Station and his large-bore revolver thunders, blowing a hole in the guard's back and sending him sprawling as well. Immediately upon the gunfire, several panels fall open in the hallway and security station.

Hansel and Emile now face Shadrach, Taavi, and Dantes with two corpses on the floor between them. The arm extends further out to the fuel depots and docking areas described by Dantes, or back the way you came towards the welcome center.

Before anyone can catch their breath, little disc-like robots only about three inches across with long whip-like spider legs come pouring out of the opened panels, clambering down the walls within the Security Station room and in both directions of the hallway.


The Welcome Center

Okay... interpreting Báleygr's dramatic action. The terminals are on the interior of the large round desk that fills the middle of the room. I'm going to interpret that he runs and dives for cover inside the ring, which will also allow him to reach terminals while hunkered down. I'm going to count that sprint-and-dive as a "Full Defense" action which gives him a +2 AC (from 13 to 15 for this round). If he survives getting shot at, he can then attempt his Program action under cover.

...I will allow dropping his mask (I guess failing to maintain it doesn't take an action like assuming a new appearance does) and speaking dramatically. Suddenly becoming even more monstrous and inhuman in the face of people already shooting at you does not convince them to stop shooting at you. I will allow it to cause a Morale check (DC 10) to see if they pin you down and wait for reinforcements rather than approaching the desk and shooting you like a fish in a barrel. (If he survives to the end of next round, I'll keep and use that Program roll. It drops the lowest, though, so it is 11 and not 14.)

Guards morale check (DC 10) [2d6]=11
...passed.

Shooting Balygyr (AC 15*) [1d20+3]=11+3=14[1d6+1]=2+1=3[1d20+3]=19+3=22[1d6+1]=4+1=5[1d20+3]=17+3=20[1d6+1]=5+1=6

...sorry, man. One shot makes you critical, two makes you dead.

Additional damage inflicted on a mortally-wounded target will always kill them immediately.

Báleygr drops his human fascade, large fish eyes buldging out, his skin sloughing into slime-covered scales, his gills opening and closing on his neck. "Let us leave and you'll not see us again," he commands, hopefully. Small disc-like robots come pouring out of floor-level panels in the welcome center and it doesn't take even a full moment to realize they're still shooting at him. He runs, leaps, and dives, trying to make it behind the console.

The first shot hits him and he stumbles, the second shot knocking him sideways. He lands in a heap, gills gasping one last time.

[jemmus]

Taavi looks down at the bodies of the guards. Rended, bloody, and lifeless. His face saddens. They meant no specific malice against up, they were doing their jobs. But at the sound of shots behind him, tightens and his jaw tensely clinches. Baleygr. Nora and Oliver? It seems that being shot or swarmed by a horde of micro robots is imminent. He has no hacking ability, no psychic ability to counter the robotic spiders. And probably time for only one shot against only one of them. His body says to further out to the fuel depots and docking areas described by Dantes before him. But his mind decides against the craven dishonor.

He turns on his heels back toward the Welcome Center, ready to sight along his arm through the sights of the upraised laser pistol.

"Typical Greater Kumekha civil service management move," he thinks. "Send a softy desk lawyer to do an intelligence/special ops commando job."

If a guard is in line of sight: [1d20]=17[1d6]=5

[redwarrior]

Hansel lying on the floor, slides the laser rifle under his prone body, trying to hide it from visible light sensors Can't do anything about the clearly visible ones slung. and holds still for a moment as he sees the drones/robots and tries to wrack his brain for anything useful about them that he might know from his former life or anything he can discern from their movements & actions. And trying to get a rough count of them. Thinking to himself Where's the kid? He's clever!



Notice [3d6c1+2]=8+2=10

[Marullus]

*bump*

[greyarea]

Emile aims at one of the little robot-spider-things...

SunShooter [1d20+4]=10+4=14 Damage: [2d6+3]=6+3=9 Range: 50m Magazine: Unlimited

This doesn't look good, he drawls.

[Enoch]

"Damnit," Shadrach exclaims. "Where are Nora and Oliver? I'm going back for them." He pivots to face the drones between him and the cafeteria and opens fire.

Burst-fire: [1d20+3]=14+3=17, [1d20+3]=12+3=15, damage [1d12+3]=3+3=6
If this drops the swarm he moves back toward the cafeteria, calling out for them and covering the entrance to the Welcome Center with the bolt-thrower.

[Marullus]

Ambiance: Tank

In the security office, Hansel tries to lie still and fake out the security response bots, taking a moment to assess the situation. Each place where gunfire occured has released a half-dozen of the small robots. The robots are nimble with their whip-like spider legs, but skitter along slower than you could run. The arcing blue electricity on the tip of their stun rods is the obvious threat, but clearly is non-lethal. Individually, they would be no threat at all, but together as a group...

...but the security bots are not fooled by Hansel's sudden passivity after having just shot the security guard in the back to trigger their immersion. The small herd of spindly legs comes charging at him! He changes tactics and leaps to his feet to evade them, but not fast enough. Their stunrods buzz and arc (-7) as he leaps towards the door to join the others.

The swarm is attacking Hansel, so I am giving them an attack roll. They'll operate as a "swarm attack" from the WWN book - they are base +0 individually, but add a +1 to hit and +1 damage for each additional in the swarm. So, this attack is 1d20+5/1d6+5, no shock. As you pick off individuals, it will drop a +1/+1 off the roll for each one.

Swarm at Hansel [1d20+5]=15+5=20[1d6+5]=2+5=7

Taavi looks down at the bodies of the guards. Rended, bloody, and lifeless. His face saddens. Little bots crawl out of their hatches in both directions, complicating the group's choices.

"This doesn't look good,", Emile drawls.

"Damnit," Shadrach exclaims. "Where are Nora and Oliver? I'm going back for them."

"I think its time to blow this scene," agrees Dantes, "Let's get everyone in step together. Okay, 3... 2... 1... Let's jam."

Shadrach pivots to face the drones between him and the cafeteria and opens fire, Dantes on his heels providing additional cover fire. Charging forward, the group leaps over and plows through the five tiny bots that stand in your way as the other half-dozen make disconcerting clicking noises on the metallic floors coming from behind you. Shadrach is taking point as three of the bots leap at his knees, zapping him with their probosci. (-5) Dantes curses as one shocks his foot while he kicks it into the wall with his boot (-1), but they clear the way for Taavi and Hansel who are running on their heels, Taavi's laser pistol disabling another bot as he passes. Emile brings up the rear, a well-placed shot at one of the bots behind sends one small 'bot skittering away as a smoking husk, but draws the attention of the rest of them who leap at him as he withdrawls. (-1) The three swarms converging as you outpace them in yoru run for the Welcome Center, not quite a dozen bots skittering along the floor in pursuit...

When it is you trying to avoid the bots rather than the bots targeting a single character, I'll make it just an evasion save.
Hansel Evasion Save (DC 11) [1d20]=19
Taavi Evasion Save (DC 11) [1d20]=19
Shadrach Evasion Save (DC 12) [1d20]=10
Emile Evasion Save (DC 11) [1d20]=7
Dantes Evasion Save (DC 12) [1d20]=13
Emile [1d6]=1 Shadrach [1d6]=5
Dantes [1d6]=1

Special note for Shadrach - knowing you are about to charge through the swarm, you can Phase as an On Turn action before impact. That would allow you to take 1 System Strain instead of the 5 damage, leaving them shocking your incorporeal form but not having you taking a shot with your gun. Your choice.

The group rounds the corner at a run, coming up on the west entrance of the Welcome Center on your left. You see Báleygr, full fish-face visible, unmoving on the ground near the central consoles, four of the spider bots crawling on him and doing something with their spindly legs. "There!" yells one of the security guards, standing with laser pistols ready. One blast scorches the wall near Shadrach, the other two singe Hansel (-5) and Dantes (-3). "Merde!" curses Dantes.

Guards had ready actions to shoot.
Guards [1d20+3]=7+3=10[1d6+1]=5+1=6[1d20+3]=17+3=20[1d6+1]=4+1=5[1d20+3]=12+3=15[1d6+1]=2+1=3
Random targeting: Shadrach Dantes Taavi Hansel Emile
Targeting [1d5]=1[1d5]=4[1d5]=2
10 is a miss on Shadrach. 20 is a hit on Hansel. -5 damage. 15 is a hit on Dantes. -3 damage.

Coming from the guest arm and the direction of your rooms, you see Nora and Oliver coming at a fast walk, each of them wearing their own pack and carrying another backpack in each hand. Nothing seems to be chasing them, but they pause in alarm about 20 meters away upon seeing you all waving guns and being shot at...

Where to from here?

HP:

Hit Points:
Báleygr Gangleri (AC 13) DEAD / 6
Shadrach (AC 16, 18 Shadows) 10 / 15 (-5)
Hansel Shatner (AC 15) 14 / 26 (-7, -5)
Emile (AC 20) 4 / 16 (-1)
Taavi Perttu (AC 14) 14 / 14
Dantes (AC 14) 17 / 21 (-1, -3)
Nora (AC 13) 16 / 16
Oliver (AC 10) 3 / 3
Grimm (AC 15) 0 / 11

[redwarrior]

Hansel stinging from the whips snaps a shot at the little bots, but only succeeds in hitting the deck as the aftershocks of the electricity seize him.
Even so, he smiles at Dantes and says I guess we'll find out if we have the keys!

Laser rifle [1d20+3]=6+3=9 Damage [1d10+2]=8+2=10

[greyarea]

Emile fires at one of the guards.

SunShooter [1d20+4]=7+4=11 Damage: [2d6+3]=3+3=6 Range: 50m Magazine: Unlimited

What are they doing to Báleygr?

[Enoch]

Shadrach will forgo firing on the robots, instead phasing through them to get to Nora and Oliver.

Shadrach skids to a stop before Nora and Oliver, briefly aiming his bolt-thrower back toward the disc-like droids. "We need to get you someplace safe. The rest are just beyond. Once you're safe, I'm going to capture a Director and get us off this station."

If the droids are in sight, Shadrach will fire on them:
Burst-fire: [1d20+3]=19+3=22, [1d20+3]=14+3=17, damage [1d12+3]=3+3=6
Otherwise, he'll draw his knife and slice down his forearm, hoping the dripping blood will be enough to summon Grim:
summoning damage: [1d6]=6

[jemmus]

Taavi fires the laser pistol at the nearest crab droid thing.
[1d20]=1[1d6]=5
I hope SWN is a roll-under game, I can't remember if it is or isn't....

[Marullus]

Hansel and Taavi pause short and turn backwards, firing blasts from laser rifle and pistol at the oncoming swarm of bots clicking down the hallway behind you, but the little buggers are just too small and fast. (miss, miss)

"What are they doing to Báleygr?" asks Emile as his revolver thunders, but the guard ducks away while he is distracted by this fish-friend's fate. The bots appear to be extruding high-tensile line, which they're using to truss your unmoving friend.

Shadrach continues past the doorway to the Welcome Center and skids to a stop before Nora and Oliver, briefly aiming his bolt-thrower back toward the disc-like droids. "We need to get you someplace safe. The rest are just beyond. Once you're safe, I'm going to capture a Director and get us off this station."

Emile alone stands before the Welcome Center door, the confidence of the gunslinger in his preternatural ability to avoid harm apparent. From within, the three guards blast away with their laser pistols, having ducked behind the cover of the large console. Emile dodges right, then left... the blastmarks on the wall behind him accumulate. But then one shot hits him squarely. (-4) In the hallway, the others see Emile crumple and collapse to the floor...

"Emile!" cries out Oliver in fear, Nora reaching for her satchel instinctively, but both pause and look uncertainly to Shadrach, unsure if they should approach their fallen friend, still in the line of fire.

Actions!

HP:

Hit Points:
Báleygr Gangleri (AC 13) DEAD / 6
Shadrach (AC 16, 18 Shadows) 15 / 15 (1 Strain)
Hansel Shatner (AC 15) 14 / 26
Emile (AC 20) 0 / 16 (-4) Round 0
Taavi Perttu (AC 14) 14 / 14
Dantes (AC 14) 17 / 21
Nora (AC 13) 16 / 16
Oliver (AC 10) 3 / 3
Grimm (AC 15) 0 / 11

OOC:

Shadrach will forgo firing on the robots, instead phasing through them to get to Nora and Oliver.

Okay, so he's still at full hit points (15/15) but has taken a System Strain.

Otherwise, he'll draw his knife and slice down his forearm, hoping the dripping blood will be enough to summon Grim:

If a companion is banished by damage, it can be re-summoned after 24 hours have passed, but the PC needs to do it some favor or give it some gift appropriate to its nature and desires before it will serve again.

Guard shots:
Guard Laser Pistol: [1d20+3]=12+3=15 to hit, [1d6+1]=3+1=4 damage
Guard Laser Pistol: [1d20+3]=18+3=21 to hit, [1d6+1]=3+1=4 damage
Guard Laser Pistol: [1d20+3]=1+3=4 to hit, [1d6+1]=6+1=7 damage

9/15 robots remain coming behind you, 5/5 remain in the welcome center along with the three armed guards.

[redwarrior]

Hansel flips the selector to burst and lets fly at the approaching bots while slowly walking backwards. Unfortunately, his foot catches on some unseen debris and sends his fire uselessly into the ceiling.

Laser rifle burst [1d20+5]=4+5=9 damage [1d10+4]=10+4=14

[Marullus]

while slowly walking backwards.

Checking - are you entering the field of fire for those in the welcome center, where Emile's body is? I gave benefit of the doubt that you stopped short to fire back up the hallway, but that'swhat "walking backwards" will mean.

[greyarea]

Emile will try to not be dead

[jemmus]

Not fully taking in the entirety of the complex situation, Taavi can only fire the laser pistol at the nearest robot.

[1d20]=15[1d6]=2

[redwarrior]

while slowly walking backwards.

Checking - are you entering the field of fire for those in the welcome center, where Emile's body is? I gave benefit of the doubt that you stopped short to fire back up the hallway, but that'swhat "walking backwards" will mean.

Yes, I would have stopped short of entering another line of fire. Maybe hearing the pews is what made me stumble!