S'Krllk considers, and asks, "is it possible the Sathar have, themselves, been invaded from another dimension? That would explain a lot."

Desiraye holsters her laser pistol and looks at the Sathar, and then to Vadim.  "Secure him and gag him Vad.  I think the risk is to great to this point.  We can always come back and get him once we've accomplished our mission.  Look around people and find something that'll work.  Anyone think otherwise, speak up now please!"

"What I was hoping to hear," Vadim says, "What sort of species is virtually homogenous warlike fanatics?  At least without some sort mind control?"

The scout relaxes his grip on the Sathar as he stands up, "I think the Sathar should go with us because otherwise it could be left behind and implanted anyway.  It's about as important as the primary mission... a living free Sathar working with the UFP to help free the rest of their species.  Think of it.  It must be protected."

"Who's up for babysitter?"

"I'll protect it."

Desiraye nods, "You got it Vad.  If it becomes a problem, I'll let you handle it."

She turns to everyone else, "We done here so we can move on?"

Here is the map again. You are at 15. The prisoners are at 10. Remember the green are security cameras and the sweep arc.

The young Sathar offers to stand directly in front of a security camera (which is at eye level), while you pass behind him. This would be south of 15. He says you will then need to go to the center (18), southwest (toward 7). Prison cell lock controls are at 8.

He says no one will be in the 7, 8 or 9 area.

Vadim nods and looks between the Sathar and Desi.

"OK, look.  I think that if we follow our young friends advice and his route, we're going to be exposed and out in the open.  I'm not a big fan of trusting our new youngling and his helpful insight.  I think we need to go back the way we came and proceed that way.  Thoughts or other suggestions on how to proceed?  I think we're coming into a time crunch so, let's here it?"

Orvo says, "I believe him. His route is the straightest way to the controls for the cells, and with only one security camera in the way."

Desi nods, "Ok, how sure are you Orvo?"

"This is a sign of good faith," the Sathar says. He goes and blocks the security camera to the south, letting you hold him so he can't escape.

Vadim keeps a protective eye on the Sathar as the others pass and then he follows.

Bartja watches the interactions with stunned interest, saying little or nothing until it's time to move.

"I do believe the young Sathar to be sincere.  It does concern me that the brain implants seem to be the source of all control of all species we've encountered thus far.

What bothers me most is that I carry a lot of implants myself.  How much exposure to alien control have I had?

Promise me that if you see me turn murderous, you'll take me out before I go complete ape-shit."

He pats the young Sathars shoulder as he walks behind it towards their next goal.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:20, Sat 13 Aug 2022.

In reply to Bartja Nemuco (msg # 168):
Desiray sighs and says to Bartja, "We've been through a lot together since we were on Volturnus old buddy.  I trust you and Orvo on this, even though I am still very skeptical.  Let's not worry about it coming down to you going 'Ape shit' right now.  I'll take care of it if you do old friend.

My orders still stand Vad, OK?"

Desi reluctantly shimmies past the young Sathar and moves past him following Bartja.

Vadim nods, and looks to the Sathar.

The young Sathar leads you around across the northeast platform to the center area. You look down as you cross the bridge and see a huge vat of bluish liquid. At first you thought it was water, but it is too dark, and a bit too viscous.

Then you see creatures floating in the water. Several of them appear to be Sathar, almost as if in suspended animation. In other places, you see black amorphous orb-like areas that seem to expand and retract as if breathing.

The youth does not pause. He continues to lead you around the center control panel, down the southwest platform, and down to the circular doors that lead to #7.

"It's just in here," he says, waiting for everyone to cross the bridge.

So far, you don't see any guards or alarms sounding.

"Is there a special code or key to get in?" she asks to their young Sathar tour guide.

The Sathar says he can get you in. No code or key since they thought this area was practically impenetrable and inescapable until Dr. Appleburg's escape recently. Hence the installation of security cameras and laser barriers.

Desiraye shakes her head and throws her hands up slightly.  "What the hell?  We're already expecting the worse!  OK, might as well at this point," is all she says in disbelief that they're having a Sathar seemingly help them.  She readies her rifle before they enter the next room.

Bartja watches the blackish orbs in the pool, wondering on their source, strengths, and weaknesses.

Vadim nods in agreement.

"Am I the only one who thinks the sathar in the pool might have begun as sticky spots of darkness?
He commences to scan the tank and its contents with all of his sensors.


18:11, Today: S'Krllk rolled 4 using 1d100.  scan tank.
Yep, just as I figured.

"Your guess is better than mine S'Krllk!  Document it best you can and let's get our people."

If everyone is ready, Desiraye will lead into the room, with the approval of their Sathar chaperone.

The young Sathar is keying in a code and waiting for biometric scanning as you talk.


S'krllk scans the tank. The Sathar are suspended in a viscous liquid that appears to keep them suspended in time as well as seemingly only partially in this dimension. The viscous liquid may be a communication or transportation method, but it is not totally clear.

It seems like it is taking a long time for the young Sathar to open the door, but at last it slides open.

He sprints within, yelling "Enemy!" and pointing back at you. Past the doors, you can see Sathar reaching for their guns.

Vadim, S'krllk and Bartja shake their heads as if coming out of a reverie--or more accurately--hypnosis.

You now have a new entry related to the Sathar:


Hypnotism
A Sathar can hypnotize a character by talking to him in a non-combat situation.

The character must make a Logic check; if he fails, he is hypnotized. A hypnotized character will think the Sathar is his friend, and will want to cooperate with it. He will see things the way the Sathar describes them, if his other senses do not contradict what the Sathar tells him. (For example, a character would not believe that a fire was a pool of water). A Sathar can command a hypnotized person to do something at a specific time, and to forget that he has been hypnotized until that time. For example, a character could be commanded to turn off a security system at midnight.


But you have bigger problems now. You stand in front of the round area into the room leading to #7. Inside, you see that the Sathar there are not only armed but also wear some sort of armor.

There are 8 of them total--3 on the left, 3 on the right, and 2 of them at the far end of the room. (We can label them 1 through 8, respectively.)

The two at the far end (directly in front of you near the chairs 45 feet away (#7 and 8)) turn to their computer screens, possibly to raise an alarm or some other interaction.

Since they are all just as surprised as you, no one gets surprise (normal initiative rules apply). Since this is a combat situation, there is now no chance of hypnotism. They are clearly hostile.

Then there is Sathar #9. This is your friendly naked adolescent Sathar, who is retreating to the southwest. He is still unarmed, but you get a glimpse of this room.

There are weapon storage lockers, computers, and computers. This is a guard station. That's why they are already armed and armored. These must be the Sathar assigned to guard the facility--or at least the prisoners.