Jalyers winced at the unexpected answer, and was all too quick to intervene.<br/><br/>"Ignore the last statement! SDN 193XV27Y, Antimatter fuel!"<br/><br/>There was silence. Even the nervous Jalyers' breaths were held as they awaited their fate.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: anurati;">VIP Credentials accepted. You have access to the High-Efficiency Station. Have a materially productive day.</span></span><br/><br/>Everyone blew a sigh of relief.<br/><br/>"Woah, is that like the big energy place?" Solar Flare asked.<br/><br/>""It's for the high-priority vessels," Jalyers answered. "Looks like we lucked out!"<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">Jalyers Spaceship Expertise 25, Success by 2 Degrees (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=138667)</div></div><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/TB0LEUi.jpg?1)</div><br/>Utilizing their advantageous opening, the landing coordinates pointed to a base near a rocky fault line at an island of rock surrounded by a sea of metal. Large pistons moved up and down, generating seismic vibrations and splashing of water out of the cracks, cables along the surface glowing from the kinetic energy generated with each thrust. The base itself did not have many ships, although the ones present were docked dreadnoughts and solar galleons capable of housing small armies. The disguised scout ship could land and disembark without difficulty, the only signs of activity nearby service drones moving to resupply with antimatter charges. (https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a7/1a/7e/a71a7e58fa483cda715cf960d1f9bc76.png)<br/><br/>Princess Zaburshia smiled. "Such kind service, don't mind if we do!"<br/><br/>The facility itself was closed off to visitors, although their VIP credentials gave them some rather spacious privileges. The "rest stop" had an actual bunk bed and not the coffin re-energizing capsules common in barracks. The ground shook slightly but constantly from the literal sea beneath them, compounded by the rhythm of the building-sized pistons. There was one other docked ship nearby, a blue and white work of spherical beauty. An Aljorian vessel, the home planet of the infamous Blackstar but whose inhabitants are overall swell. A group of four guards bedecked in semi-solid regalia indicated that this belonged to some high-priority person of interest, but otherwise gave no heed to Jade and the party. A pair of Khanate soldiers could be seen up on a nearby balcony overseeing the courtyard.<br/><br/>Solar Flare was already conjuring snacks on the Materializer. "Woah, they can replicate fried catfish!" she exclaimed with widened eyes, the ambient atoms restructuring into a virtually-identical meal before her.<br/><br/>Princess Zaburshia gave a purposefully-loud cough.<br/><br/>"Oh right, the mission. So what's the layout?"<br/><br/>It was a large place, but the largest ships were docked near the pistons. Four, to be exact. To say that they were heavily guarded was an understatement: the courtyards adjacent had dozens of soldier of varying shapes and sizes, while aerial personnel carriers moved around. It would be hard to remain undetected. Hard, but not impossible.<br/><br/>Princess Zaburshia closed her eyes, tapping into the Green Network. "I sense...several control stations, and an indoor park in the visiting station. I see an engineer relaxing. He might know of weak points, if we can get to him."<br/><br/>Captain Jalyers clicked her tongue. "The pistons are big, but if they can be damaged or blocked off that should put a dent in 'em."<br/><br/><em>Instead of specific maps and ranges we will use theater of the mind. The VIP station is separated into four broad regions: visiting station, Courtyard, Piston Towers, and Rocky Surface. Only the visiting station is permitted for you to be at; anywhere else you'll be an obvious intruder. The Visiting Station looks over the Courtyard to the north and the Rocky Surface to the south, while the Piston Towers are inside the Courtyard.</em><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Possible Tactics</div><div class="spoiler_body"><strong>Self-service Station:</strong> Antimatter charges can be used for refueling, but they are also quite volatile. With a DC 20 Vehicles or Technology Jade can do either one of two things: Create a Rank 12 Damage (Burst Area Extra) effect with the Noticeable Flaw, or Enhance one of her ship's powers by 2. The latter bonuses last for just one scene/encounter/etc. Failure risks the chance of a premature explosion or frying your ship's circuits, reducing said power ranks by 2.<br/><br/><strong>Balcony Soldiers:</strong> The soldiers have Dodge and Parry of 5 each, or 3 if you manage to catch them unawares (DC 4, they rolled terribly) (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=138670) or move past them into a restricted area. They are minions and thus you can Take 10 on offensive actions, but depending on the type of approach may raise an alarm (a one-two punch and kick will remain stealthy, Jalyers' explosives not so much). Their Equipment includes Blaster Rifles (Ranged Damage 8) and Body Armor (+4 Toughness).<br/><br/><strong>Engineer:</strong> The engineer in the courtyard (a tall, long-necked purple alien) has a security card on their person (can bypass certain obstacles automatically), and may know of hidden features in the station. Attempting to compromise him will require appropriate rolls, DC 15 given that said alien is not particularly attentive or strong-willed.<br/><br/><strong>Distraction:</strong> If you do something to divert the soldier's attention, you may raise the alarm in an area, forcing -5 penalty on rolls to remain subtle. But characters in other areas gain +5 on their rolls to avoid detection. This means that the characters going loud will have to tangle with some enemies, however!<br/><br/><strong>Diplomatic Vulnerability:</strong> The Aljorian ship is currently inactive but guarded by 4 soldiers. Likely a diplomatic vessel of some kind, although the inhabitant and purpose is unknown. A mischievous or enterprising Jade may seek them out as a possible third wheel, whether activating their ship to cause a distraction (and likely interstellar incident) or try to find out what's inside. A likely DC will be 25 given the ship's defenses.<br/><br/><strong>Materializer:</strong> The Materializer is effectively a piece of Equipment with Create 2, Limited to harmless matter. But overriding the controls may allow it to produce other objects of interest. DC 20 in Technology or appropriate Power/Expertise.</div></div>