COMPLETE Chapter 8: In the Shadows

Scene 1 The party returns to the Dancitron Backroom. Roulette is waiting for them.   R: I have to admit, that was pretty fast! I already got a call from Esmeral saying she's working out how to pay me. Which leads me to paying you-- or, where's Doubledown? Don't tell me he ghosted you.   R: Well, I'm just glad the job's done. Maybe if I put the money in your pockets, he'll be motivated to start earning and taking opportunities... Primus, I sound like a mother. Gross. Here, take the 15k.   Blackjack will also await their return, looking more nervous than before.   BJ: I'll talk as soon as you've got money-- you've got money, right? 10k and I'll spill the beans.   BJ: Dang, there it is. I'll finally be able to get off this rock, and in first class too. Thank you kindly. Now, about the Black Shadows. Yeah, I've got the dirt. Dude wandered into Dancitron a couple solar cycles back, definitely looked new in town, if you catch my drift. Well, I offered him a couple drinks, we played a couple games, made a few objectifying statements about femmes within optic range, you know. He loosened up enough and let it slip that he was with the Black Shadows. Of course, just about as soon as he said that he darted out, which I thought was a shame, because I wanted to put those drinks on his tab. He was quick, but I managed to follow him down to the spaceport. He checked himself into the hotel, and as far as I know, is still there. But he's probably in a hurry to get going. Gosh, I hope you don't miss him, or anything.   BJ: Oh, the guy's name is Ferak. A flier. Talks a big game about being a sharpshooter, so watch for that. Huge size, slick paint job-- ehh, red on white. Green kibble. Anyway, I'll catch you around. I've got some tickets to buy.   Scene 2 If the party reports their progress to Sentinel Minor, they will find him back in EarthCom, moping.   SM: Let me guess, he took the money and ran?   SM: Wait, what? Who?   SM: You mean that we've been tracking down Gigatron for fifteen stellar cycles, and you just happen to find and kill him on an errand?!   SM: No, hold on. I think there's a spin I can put on this. Anyway, that's excellent work, and one less grain of gravel in my skidplate. You deserve a promotion. Welcome to Rank 5. Feel free to call in on this frequency, and we'll deploy an Autorooper to your position as fast as possible, to assist you however they can. Just don't abuse the privilege. We're also equipping you with the Civil Threat List-- it's a compact datadeck that can help identify some of the empire's greatest Public Enemies. Bring them in alive, and you can earn yourself a handy bonus. Well, get out there. It sounds like you have a Black Shadow to catch.   Scene 3 The party heads for the hotel Blackjack mentioned. There, they find the hostess:   H: Oh, my goodness, Autobots! How can I help you all today?   H: Oh, we did have someone with that description check in earlier, though, they didn't use that name. Actually, he just checked out a moment ago, heading for the spaceport...   The party will head for the spaceport, where they will catch a glimpse of Ferak fleeing with a DC 15 Perception check. If they follow, they'll see him enter a cargo warehouse in the shipyard. Upon entering, they'll find what seems to be an empty warehouse with no visible exits. Only one light seems to be working, which he goes and stands under.   F: Aw, geez, you got me. I sure am stuck. Guess I'll turn myself in.   If a party member advances to cuff him, they will be ambushed by a paid Miner.   F: What, did you think this was going to be that easy? Get real. These boys have been down on their luck, but they agreed to help me out for a cycle or two-- provided I funded their next unemployment check. Now, I don't want to have to hurt anybody... but gosh, I sure seem to be cornered.   Ferak and x5 miners will fight the party in the dark of the warehouse. After just 2 rounds, the warehouse roof will split open as a gantry crane rolls into place. A large cargo ship is entering the colony, and the dome's roof is open.   F: It's been a blast, but I'm afraid fairer shores are calling. See you Auto-chumps later.   Ferak will withdraw and flee through the roof of the warehouse and then the dome, but can be pursued outside the colony. If the party reduces Ferak to 0 HP, he will fall unconscious, allowing them to take him into custody.   Scene 4 After bringing Ferak to jail, the party can question him.   F: So what is it that you want from me? I'm dying to find out, really.   If asked about the Black Shadows in general- F: We're a philanthropy group that visits sick kids and tells them they're gonna make it. We're thieves, you dipsticks.   If asked about his role in the group- F: The roster changes. I'm new. They like to make their heists with minimal loss of life, but every once in a while they need someone to clean up loose ends. That's my job.   If asked about the current lineup- F: Damn, you want me to snitch on all of them? Look, if we go down, we go down on our own. Survival of the fittest. I'm not bringing the rest of them here.   A DC 20 Persuasion check will convince them that they won't come to save him-- therefore, he has nothing more to lose.   F: No specifics, but here's what you want to know. Mindwipe is the frontman. He does the singing, and he writes the songs... if you catch my drift. Meltdown's his backup, but she also dabbles in some chemistry. Bruteforce is the technician. He makes sure all of the machines go up and make the sounds they're supposed to. I'm security. And Heavywing's the roadie. Man, our next show's going to be stellar.   If asked about what they plan on stealing- F: You're Autobots. Why do you need me to tell you?   If pressed further- F: Oh wait, you really don't know, do you? Tell me, how many cameras you got in here? How many microphones? Are they listening? I'm not asking for me.   F: I only know part of it. The whole heist, Mindwipe's keeping the details pretty close to his chest. I only know what I'm supposed to do, and what the quarry is. It's a secret weapon. Super-duper encrypted stuff. Maybe they've got it here on this rock because it's remote. I don't know what it is, I don't know what it does. But they're calling it Project Unicron. Now, you tell me what kind of gibberish that is... the hell is a Unicron? My job was to cover an escape from the mine, so I guess it's in there somehow. Seems like a dumb place to put a secret weapons facility, if you ask me.   F: That's all I know, honest. Somebody at this base probably knows more than me... but I guess you'd have to ask around to find out who. And I'd bet that wouldn't exactly endear you to the folks trying to keep that secret.   F: I sure hope you weren't ordered to tell your supervisors what I told you... that'd be real unfortunate.