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[Toaster]

Deuce sighed.  'Okay, hang tight, I'm on my way.  Everyone, I'll be there after I get him out.  Shout if you want lights out.'

Head down and see what's going on.

[HighEndNoob]

I best leave the area before the creatures act rash, as they are prone to doing. The EMT's could help in this regard.

Follow the EMTs, whilst still pretending to be non-sapient. If the mob does not disperse, then rush into the elevator with the EMT's.

[_DivideByZero_]

Moravia Orbital Colony, Ulysses | 237d/3008AD | Von Hapsburg System

Megacity Time: 8:50

Alpha Lobby
Mobs (+1 Stealth)

Deuce sighed.  'Okay, hang tight, I'm on my way.  Everyone, I'll be there after I get him out.  Shout if you want lights out.'

Head down and see what's going on.

Maintenance pathways, eh. It looks like you've found a way past the main lobby. You grab your laptops and a flashlight, then look around for any signs of a maintainence pathway. You find a hall, which leads to a stairwell labelled "Atmo. Level," perhaps where the atmospheric control machinery is located. You start heading down.

[1] As you reach the bottom, you hear voices through the door, which is great, because you almost opened it. [4] They didn't hear you coming down the stairs, or at least aren't reacting to it.

Unknown: Careful when you open the door, he might be there...
Unknown: Yeah... we should probably grab a suit from that closet over there just for protection.

The voices sound similar to you, so you can't tell how many people there are.

...

Headquarters, Floor 3
Professional Atmosphere (+1 Intellect)

"We've made contact with a friend who's here with some sort of Duke, who may be willing to let us board his freighter. I'm sorry, but we really need to get going. Perhaps we could bring you along, but it sounds as if you already have plans, in which case, best of luck." Get out of there, bringing Akatin.

[6/1-2] The strangers accept what you say, and allow you to run off. They don't tell you, however, [1] that there is a huge line at the tram stations. There are only four trams for the entire headquarters, after all, and each one takes several minutes to travel. One is reserved for emergency use. You do see WARDEN chasing after some EMTs that are pushing a bleeding individual on a stretcher.

The trams themselves, though they lead to varying points on the outer ring, have all their entrances concentrated in the same area. This has caused a crowd and several long lines of dozens of people each to form. There appear to be three guards checking people in the line for infections.

Maintenance Shafts
Hidden (+1 Stealth)

[3] The EMTs notice you following them, and one of them asks the other why a police robot is following them. The other replies that it's probably trying to use the emergency elevator with them. You reach the emergency tram, but before the EMTs start it they call the local security office.

EMT: Hey, uh, we got one of your robots in the elevator with us here. Is it supposed to be here?

[4] The signal appears jammable with your interference tools.

...

Moravia Lab
High Security (-1 Stealth)

To the Duke. "Five or so. Of various sizes, a couple small enough that they will take up minimal space, one has clunky personal life support due to being aquatic. Maybe one or two more, one of my associates was attempting a recruitment drive. Not sure if they picked up anyone. I do have some cargo however."

"Size is not an issue my friend. I am a friend of the Guild, I would be willing to support your activities in whatever way possible. That said,I will warn you: A lot of people are trying to leave, and redeeming a code may take some time. As I recall, the loading facilities are being manned by my crew, and there is but a single clerk left on duty. The rest were pulled to help with riot control."

"Doctors, we will be taking our leave, they are about to lock down the headquarters and we have a ride arranged. Judging by how the situation is going, you may want to start looking for alternative employment. I'd imagine the Spaceinc PR from this incident would be horrid. Perhaps contact the KX9, there is a nonKX9/KX9 joint research project in the works. Researchers would be able to enjoy the post scarcity economic situation the KX9 enjoy, as well as a number of other benefits so long as they're working on something. You may find it of interest. And I can guarantee it pays more and is less prone to armed revolt then SpaceInc. Bit hard to beat post scarcity paygrades. Tata~"

Dr. Chance is long gone, but Bradley doesn't seem convinced.
"Post-scarcity society is a sign that resources are not being fully utilized. We are far from having a dominant position in the cosmos."
Dr. Bradley leaves as well, and you start heading back in the direction you came from about three hours ago.

Nerin waves before he and Valrak proceed to head to the docking ring and the ship. Avoiding major hazards via using the cameras,

The lobby is actually quite empty for now, even though the riot started here. The many levels have been cordoned off by police, and you spy a wall of pedestrian barriers behind which several maintenance workers and one guard are situated, all with plasmashock guns. The guard warns you, but does not stop you.

"Civilians! I recommend you avoid this area. Please head either to Alpha Complex or to the docking level, and avoid the mall. The path has been cleared for your convenience."

It seems that a lot of the passages around the edge of the lobby have been blocked and manned by armed guards and drafted workers. Row of traffic cones, which have been curiously stockpiled on the station despite the lack of cars, mark out a path to either Alpha Complex, the nearest "city" area, or the docking level. You proceed to docking, and find a lot of people crowded around security checkpoints and entrances. There appear to be only four guards managing customs, while there are several dozen people lined up. It's quite easy to pick out moments when all four are occupied, although there doesn't seem to be a way to sneak around without just cutting through the line.

The guards are using x-ray scanners and automated analysis software. It seems like an inefficient process, however, because each machine almost inevitably calls for a search. This causes each person to take a full minute if not more to pass rather than a couple of seconds.

[WillowLuman]

"Oh, piffle. Do we have time to simply wait in an orderly que, you think?"

[~Neri]

Nerin and Valrak approach one of the guards.

"I assume you're scanning for infections? We are KX9, we have the requisite sensor suites and implants to speed up the process considerably. We also just spent the last several hours aiding in containing the outbreak in the lab complex and are aware of the signs of infection. If you require verification. Call the research module.. Ask for either Dr. Chance or Dr. Bradley."

[_DivideByZero_]

"Oh, piffle. Do we have time to simply wait in an orderly que, you think?"

"I reckon that most of the people here won't be getting off. I do wonder when that lockdown is actually going to occur."

[WillowLuman]

"Oh, piffle. Do we have time to simply wait in an orderly que, you think?"

"I reckon that most of the people here won't be getting off. I do wonder when that lockdown is actually going to occur."

"Well, it would be a shame to be caught in that. But being rowdy is unlikely to result in success..." Atlos looks around for a means to cause a distraction.

[HighEndNoob]

I AM ESCORT UNIT 07. I AM ENSURING THE PROTECTION AND SAFE EXTRACTION OF THE INJURED PERSONNEL.

Jam the signal and pretend to be an escort bot. If no trouble arises, join them up the elevator.

[~Neri]

I AM ESCORT UNIT 07. I AM ENSURING THE PROTECTION AND SAFE EXTRACTION OF THE INJURED PERSONNEL.

Jam the signal and pretend to be an escort bot. If no trouble arises, join them up the elevator.

((PLEASE ASSUME THE PARTY ESCORT SUBMISSION POSITION. THE PARTY ESCORT BOT WILL ARRIVE SHORTLY.))

[_DivideByZero_]

Nerin and Valrak approach one of the guards.

"I assume you're scanning for infections? We are KX9, we have the requisite sensor suites and implants to speed up the process considerably. We also just spent the last several hours aiding in containing the outbreak in the lab complex and are aware of the signs of infection. If you require verification. Call the research module.. Ask for either Dr. Chance or Dr. Bradley."

[3] The guards designate one of their own to deal with your request, and he appears distraught, most likely due to the situation and workload. He seems ill-inclined to negotiate, at least until you give him the lollipop you purchased earlier. The guard, vigor renewed, gladly double-checks with the doctors in the lab and grants you authority to screen people.

Your results are as follows:
-No unusual changes in the thermal signatures of the 64 civilians in the room, and rigging the x-ray scanner to sweep the room does not reveal anything noticeable. Radio scan is unhelpful due to interference from cell phones.
-You detect a noticeable number of blades hidden under the jacket of one large and rotund alien who is 4th down your assigned line of 22 people, waiting to be cleared.
-The person in front of you is a woman wearing a thick scarf, a scarlet cloak, and a breathing mask with a large, transparent visor. She warns you that "she saw some of your kind in the von Karling system, who ran into some trouble with authorities," and suggests you do not pass that way for fear of backlash against your species. Probably justified, given that a pseudohivemind can be used to conduct quite the insurgency.

Also, on the news monitors scattered on the walls, you see a giant space whale attacking the headquarters. You wonder if this has anything to do with the "atmospheric bloom."

((See below for a visual description of the whale))

"Oh, piffle. Do we have time to simply wait in an orderly que, you think?"

"I reckon that most of the people here won't be getting off. I do wonder when that lockdown is actually going to occur."

"Well, it would be a shame to be caught in that. But being rowdy is unlikely to result in success..." Atlos looks around for a means to cause a distraction.

This is a luck roll, so no bonuses or penalties
[4] You ponder ways to distract those in the room so you can just slip by, but it... it just doesn't seem possible. That is, until a large rumbling noise shakes the hull of the station and causes civilians to bounce around and drift to one side--the ring is now tilted. Something just hit the station! You look at the monitors on the wall, where the news stations have gone wild reporting what just happened.

The monitor displays a large, snake-like organism wrapping itself around the headquarters ring of the station in three loops, suggesting a length of around two hundred meters. A giant. This creature looks quite unlike any terrestrial organism, with skin textured like a giant cosmic cantaloupe and dotted with pores that eject gas to move around. The monster has two fins which are both as long as its tail, which are dangling in space like giant ribbons. The creature itself is using its mouth to try and break into the headquarters, but the station armor prevents it from doing so.

The announcer is speechless at the sight.

With all this, the room is in disarray, and the whole crowd tries to push through the security checkpoint, all 53 people. The guards do not fire their weapons, but unfortunately the trams can only hold ten people each.

I AM ESCORT UNIT 07. I AM ENSURING THE PROTECTION AND SAFE EXTRACTION OF THE INJURED PERSONNEL.

Jam the signal and pretend to be an escort bot. If no trouble arises, join them up the elevator.

[4]
Other EMT: Oh that makes sense, great that they've thought of that...
EMT: Damn it, I'm only getting static. I guess we're fine, though.

The tram slows to a stop a much higher gravity than before, and you are able to exit the tram as you wish. The emergency tram dropped you off fairly close to alpha complex, although it seems a lot of pathways are cordoned off...

[WillowLuman]

(Rtalis) "Great Zvotl! How fascinating! Yet horribly inconvenient! You'd think someone what have noticed that inbound."

[~Neri]

Nerin thanks the woman for the advice and sends the data through the Worldgate to eventually be relayed. Valrak points out the alien with blades. "None have noticible signs of infection, although it is technically possible for certain strains of the biomatrix to lay low and not fully assimilate. Only really possible to test that in a medical facility. As was shown in the lab, they are potentially sapient. As far as can be scanned, they all have a clean bill of health. Of note though, that one is carrying an abnormal number of bladed weapons."

"..Is that a whale?" Nerin asks while pointing at the TV.

[_DivideByZero_]

(Rtalis) "Great Zvotl! How fascinating! Yet horribly inconvenient! You'd think someone what have noticed that inbound."

(Rtalis) "I'd honestly say they did see it coming. Perhaps our hosts held an interest in keeping this sight away from the citizenry until it was too late?"

Nerin thanks the woman for the advice and sends the data through the Worldgate to eventually be relayed. Valrak points out the alien with blades. "None have noticible signs of infection, although it is technically possible for certain strains of the biomatrix to lay low and not fully assimilate. Only really possible to test that in a medical facility. As was shown in the lab, they are potentially sapient. As far as can be scanned, they all have a clean bill of health. Of note though, that one is carrying an abnormal number of bladed weapons."

The alien with blades hears you, almost as if he was expecting to be called out. In a harsh, gravely voice, he rebukes you:
"Ever seen a Galorian ribcage? If you want, you can come on in for a closer inspection!"

The alien clenches its fists, flexing its rows of orange scales providing natural ablative armor against high-velocity weaponry.

"..Is that a whale?" Nerin asks while pointing at the TV.

Most of the room is also observing the whale thing. Nobody has anything to say, however. They must be just as perplexed as you are. Maybe it's a movie being shown on the wrong channel?

[WillowLuman]

(Note: The Rtalis word often translated as "Serpentine" would translate more literally to something like "Rtaloid")

(Rtalis) "It somewhat reminds me of my uncle Avlakos..."

(Team) "A tremendous serpentine organism appears to be attacking the headquarters. The stranger and I may be delayed."

[~Neri]

"You know, the nice thing about being a bred and built for combat is anything short of an antitank round would to jack shit due to my regenerative abilities. Another nice thing about that, is I can overstress my muscles as much as I want without any real damage. Not to mention being able to turn off my pain receptors on demand. I highly advise that you don't provoke a fight. You cannot win. You have a large number of bladed weapons. Provided they're your property. I personally give no fucks about them. There is an atmospheric bloom soon and I would rather not be stuck on the station with a Highly Infectious Biomatrix because you decided to pull a stupid and assault a Combatform. Common sense dictates that you deal with the issue quickly and efficiently. Aka behaving, locating whatever ship you're flying on, and skedaddling. Like any sane person would be doing when on a station with a plague."

".. Attention People. I have received word that that whalesnake is both real and attached to the Headquarters Module. As nobody here appears to be infected and we lack the proper equipment to do bloodtests. I recommend that everyone get a moveon and get to your ships and or departure terminal. Person with the knives. Don't be stupid. Just get moving. I can see your ribcage. I don't need to come close to see it. Implants are useful."

Nerin then messages the team. "Move as fast as possible, Odds are is the headquarters will be depressurized if it constricts too much. Everyone move. Fast."

Nerin then messages the Duke. "..There appears to be a whalesnakething attached to the headquarters module. Mayhaps you will want to get out of there.."

Nerin and Valrak then proceed to head towards the ship.