All Alone In The Night: ConclusionsAnswers start to fall into place slowly but surely. First comes that data from the space station, which ultimately was the goal of the whole expedition. With some analysis from semi-purged databanks, paired with some specialized insight from a certain Jedi, one thing because clear. Yes, this place was once used by whatever people (likely the Atroma) created Venidelosia and trained the Agrii. But there was something more than that. A possible reason for what the He Rows have been experiencing.
Sure, the data returns information that this was the base Venidelosia was built at, and that there were experiments related to the energy creatures on the planet’s surface, but it’s also clear that much of that was abandoned. Research pivoted instead to the ‘singing star’ cores that were used later among the Drift Fleet, things that would later serve as the center of sentient ships that were more like being manifesting upon their own evolutionary path, with their own wills and desires. But the original purpose of research here was for the study of ‘inferior’ species that the Atroma were encountering.
Biological species specifically.
Ultimately the pulling up metaphorical stakes had some repercussions. As Cal came to sense, there was a section of discontented researchers, who did not like the pivot. Perhaps this caused a rift, especially since it’s very clear that some of the research done here, for there is clearly research on the storm elementals and how their biology could be replicated to interesting effect elsewhere, was taken from this place. Taken by angry, spiteful Atroma who intended to prove themselves better than their fellows. Who wanted to prove a point.
Searching on the surface has its own rewards. There were plenty of parts available to repair shuttles to get them airborne again. That in and of itself was a valuable success. But there was also much to be seen of the state of the planet itself. Dead, dessicated, broken. And, it becomes obvious as the underground facility is reached and inspected, a lot of that comes back to the native energy beings. Their distaste for technology has been made rather clear. That said, gear for advanced shielding from similar attacks was found and brought back. Reverse engineering that to harden already available technology seems quite promising and interesting to pursue.
As for the haunting…
Turns out the attempt to purge Venidelosia’s systems of malicious code was not quite as successful as one might have hoped. Veda, in her desire to better interface with her He Row companions had been working on a manner of holographic projection for herself, and during downcycles the malicious code in the system was making its own form of havok. Pulling the in progress system up along with He Row’s records, playing with the He Row Emergency Recovery And Supply System (used for Soup Lies and life saving purposes), and messing with atmospheric controls. Which was just bundles of fun for everyone!
Thankfully the hard work of He Rows in investigating led to discovery of the problem and working with Veda to quarantine the non-essential programs for the return trip, so that a more full diagnostic and repair cycle could happen upon return to Agra-10. Which of course is the matter of the day.
Transit back is peaceful enough, and perhaps all too soon (or not soon enough for some), the ships once more orbit Agra-10, here at the start of a beautiful summer season. Which of course means time to head back down to the planet with your new information to analyze it further and make new plans with Veda and Venidelosia as to where your next journey should be. Oh, and of course, to figure out how your new Agrii settlers are doing with their Plantkin guides.
Thankfully things seem pretty positive on that front. Summers have been brutal on the planet in the past, but thankfully that is not true this year on Agra-10. Sure, it's hot, sure it's sunny, and sure it's a bit dry, but hey, it's pleasant this year. Perhaps it's because in the month you’ve been away, the city has become quite green. Around the city the Agrii settlers move around happily with their Plantkin guides and teachers, planting plenty of shade plants around the edges of buildings, or digging up areas to turn into ponds or other water features. In a way the place is turning into a beautiful sort of get away. If you ignore all of the broken and falling buildings around the ruins of the former city that is.
There's a bit more comfort available to be had on the top of the
Civics Center or at the edge of the remains of the
Flooded Plain. Here the Agrii have clearly focused their work more heavily. Comfortable chairs from the Agrii ship have been brought down, there is a wealth of things to dry off with, and often trays of food laid out. New sources of water to frolic in are clearly not going to be passed up by this semi-aquatic race. It isn't uncommon to see them splashing around or to see pink and purple forms diving into the great depths of any bit of water they can get themselves to.
For those looking for a bit less of a crowded place to enjoy the summer heat, there is always the
beach south of Temba. Given it's summer the green lobsters are away from the beach and in the watery depths. Of course settling down here to enjoy the cool sea waters can be its own form of frustrating. After all, there are still the
Birbs to deal with. They're more mischievous than even the brightest Corvid. They will steal just about anything they can carry away if you aren't careful.
Then, of course, there is
Sh'Ka. The other city, having been forbidden to the Agrii by the local Plantkin, remains hot, dry, and unpleasant. Thankfully there's plenty of places to beat the heat once you're off the connecting train and waiting for a trip back. The stone buildings actually manage to keep the heat out pretty good, and there's also a lot of shade under the large stone trees. But maybe it isn't wise to hang out under the trees, as the local Deleon population is in herding part of the year. It is rare for them to gather as a herd, but when they do it's to protect their young. This makes them way more riled up and likely to attack anything they deem as a threat.
Your local Plantkin friends seem to be doing well, and a small group of Agrii, including Mu Ly and the translator twins will be present to greet the He Rows upon their return. Actually, the Wanderer will be there too, with a little change in their own appearance. It seems like they are going to have a bit of bud! There is green on the tips of many of its stems and twigs and it’s getting a shaggy look to it. Often Funfrond sproutlings are visible playing on and over its form, or bedecking it in moss or flowers. And, strangely enough, the Wanderer seems very at ease with this behavior.
While Mu Ly will speak at length about how good the Agrii are doing, those who are observant might notice the Wanderer has picked up a new He Row mannerism: rolling the glowing pits of its ‘eyes’. Maybe it doesn’t agree with how well the Agrii are doing on their own. But there will always be chances to isolate it, or other Agrii, to find out.
The Hotel area will prove to be very busy, with one of the first floor areas having been cleared out and converted into a dining area more to the style the Agrii are used to. Nothing of the calm diner environment the He Rows may be used to. No, it’s cafeteria style seating and the chaotic sort of kitchen the Agrii used on their own ship when they weren’t eating from food dispensers. And clearly the Agrii here are not making use of those. Though, interestingly enough, the heightened aggressive tendencies seem to have settled.
Or maybe just found a ‘better’ outlet. There is definitely no end to the options of meat, poultry, or fish heavy dishes in the Agrii kitchen, even if they aren’t cooked in what is always the most attractive manner. At least the Agrii are good at gathering their discarded waste and moving it to places for the Funfronds to access, as they had agreed to do. So it seems like things are going okay enough for now.
Though perhaps those He Rows living in the Hotel may be bothered to find out just how many new neighbors they have, given a second group of Agrii, all without faction sashes, have clearly come down to check out the potential of the ruined city.
If you have any questions about the return to Temba or before that, or need an NPC to interact with, please let us know in the comment below!
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