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GM The Emerald Cities, South March 21, 2020 Some time around Midnight The cargo came in at night. They always did. There was something cloak and dagger about it all, but Frank Pulasky was being paid well enough that he didn’t see much reason to care about that. He was content to ship the big, black crates from the dockside warehouse to the little shop down on the corner next to Daniken and Arnold every night while ignoring the strange lights he saw in the sky just before every deliver and the way the stevedores seemed to never say anything. He just wanted to do his job. Unfortunately for Frank, his partner Shawna was a little more curious. “You ever wonder what’s in those crates?” Shawna said as she climbed into the passenger side of the cab, slamming the door shut behind her. “Hell, even what they’re made of? It’s definitely not wood. S’like… Some kinda weird… metal… glass… thing.” Frank sighed to himself, gripping the wheel tightly. “Not really,” he replied, already wanting to leave the conversation. “I mean, it’s all kinda weird,” Shawna said, freeing her little gas-station coffee cup from its holder and taking a sip. “You think this is all legal?” Frank rolled his eyes as he turned the ignition, hearing the roar of the engine as the truck came to life. “Who friggin’ cares, Shawna? It’s not like we can pass up the money. Unless you suddenly won the lottery or somethin’, I’m gonna suggest you just be happy you got the work.” Shawna sighed, leaning back in her chair. “I mean, if it is illegal,” she began to say, but Frank interrupted her. “If it is illegal, then our legal defence is we didn’t know. We lose that defence if you keep bein’ nosy.” Shawna frowned, but had no retort. Frank took that as a chance to start moving. He pulled out of the dock, and turned out into the road. For a while, everything was blissfully quiet. Until he heard something go bang in the freight box. He cursed, and Shawna looked behind her as if she would be able to see through the metal. “We should probably check that,” Shawna said, frowning. “...I mean, probably something just fell over,” Frank said, gritting his teeth. “Which is bad, Frank,” Shawna said. “What if they get mad about broken goods?” Frank sighed. This time, he was the one without a reply. He ground his teeth and grumbled some more, before pulling into an alleyway and slowing to a stop. He glared at Shawna. “Alright, we’ll make sure nothing’s broken, but you,” he said, pointing at her. “Are not going to do any snoopin’.” Shawna rolled her eyes. “Got it.” Frank left the truck in idle, and they both hopped out. Wheeling around to the back, the duo flung open the door to the freight box, and immediately, they were illuminated by a green light. One of the black crates had shattered, and nestled amongst the wreckage was a glowing green orb the size of a bowling ball. Frank cursed, the light almost blinding him, but Shawna was transfixed. She climbed inside, walking as though possessed towards the orb. “What’re you doing?” Frank hissed. “It’s calling to me,” Shawna replied, her voice an eerie monotone. She picked it up, staring at it for a moment, before turning around. Frank saw, to his horror, that her eyes were now glowing the same colour as the orb. “Shawna?” Frank asked, stepping back away from the crate. “Can you hear it, Frank?” she asked. “It’s alive. It’s talking to us. It’ll give us everything. We just… Gotta get it out of here.” “I… think you should put it down, Shawna,” Frank said, climbing up into the box to try and take it from her. “NO!” Shawna shrieked, and suddenly, a pair of beams erupted from her eyes, striking Frank directly in the chest. His eyes went wide, and he went sprawling as he gawped down at the two new, smoking holes in chest. Shawna giggled evilly. “Yes. I see now. You’ll make me powerful. With you, I’ll conquer this c--” She didn’t have time to finish her thought. Another beam came, but not from her. The pain was only momentary before she fell apart into dust, the green orb falling onto the bed of the trunk with a heavy clang. Stepping out of the darkness and stowing his blaster pistol, Rojek sighed. “Humans are goddamned weak-willed,” he muttered to his partner. “Now we’re gonna hafta to drive the truck ourselves,” Rojek said. His partner, Ageda, smirked at him. “And you didn’t want to tail them,” she said as she hefted the lifeless body of Frank into the back of the truck. “I thought maybe at least something on this planet might not disappoint me for once,” Rojek spat as he kicked the orb. “Alright, let’s get this to the shop before we get in trouble.” “Just gonna leave the car?” Ageda asked. “Sure, why not,” Rojek said with a shrug. “We can just steal another one if we have to. Clunky pieces of crap are everywhere, here.” Ageda giggled to herself, and climbed into the cab, and as she did, her appearance became that of Shawna. “Whatever you say, ‘Frank’.” Rojek rolled his eyes as his appearance turned into Frank, and he climbed into the driver’s seat. “Friggin’ Earth.” They drove off into the night, leaving nothing but a small pile of ash. Before anyone found or saw them, Rojek and Ageda were long gone.

GM Ardor asteroid belt just a few light years inside Lor Space Along the inner edge of the Perseus Arm Lor time mark 1881.7 [January 16, 2019 (Terran Calendar)] The Ardor asteroid belt was a collection of various sized asteroids that stretched nearly half a light year along one of the boarders of Lor Space. For centuries it has lay well away from any inhabited Lor systems and thus was out of the path of any regular trade lanes. However, that had changed several cycles ago, back before the Incursion, when a Quantum Dark Zone singularity had caused the belt to migrate, pulling it closer to one of the outer space lanes of the Republic. A team of Lor scientists along with Terran scientist Quentin Quill had gone to investigate the singularity. However, Quill was accidently pulled into the singularity during the investigation and the Lor science team eventually returned to Lor-Van. And then the Communion arrived. The singularity had been all but forgotten by the Republic during the Communion War and the aftermath. That was until almost one Terran year ago, when Quentin Quill managed to free himself from the singularity. But even then, the Lor had not resumed study of the anomaly and it was ignored once more. Less than one standard day ago, when the passive sensors of the Lor research laboratory situated on of the larges asteroids in the belt had detected a massive energy shift from within the singularity, sending the readings back to the Republic…

... All be aware that a special transdimensional craft, the Seeker of Perpetual Harmony [Image Enclosed] is active in the Sol system. A reward is offered for any data people can collect on the vehicle, especially if it can be convinced to return to the station. The vehicle isn’t dangerous but is single-minded in its mission across the dimensions... Praetorian Bulletin, CoVic Station Liberty Park, Freedom City, United States, Sol III System 09:00 EST 3rd January 2019 To those on the planet itself knew nothing of this craft, for all they knew it was a strange silver craft shaped vaguely like a Horseshoe Crab. Even though it was a new year it was more or less business as usual with the craft hovering just above the ground in Liberty Park. Apparently, it was waiting patiently for people to turn up to investigate its sudden arrival in this local. Not that it had to wait long in a city of heroes...

Interstellar Space Along the outer length of the Perseus Arm, near the border of Khanate Space Lor time mark 1795.3 [March 2, 2018 (Terran Calendar)] The Praetorian spacecraft Kavaca moved along through the dark void of space, currently moving a considerable speed, but not nearly at its top speed. Aboard the sleek silver spacecraft were several members of the Praetorians. Ha'li Ca'vur, an independent Grue that typically assumed the form of a Dordant female was at the helm of the Kavaca. Ha'li, or Hazmat as she was also known, found the sleek Praetorian craft to handle far better than a craft its size should, performing as well as a standard Starfighter might. Chlo'zel Elzak, also known as Galvanic, was also on the bridge of the Kavaca, seated at a science station. The Tempestian was monitoring the Kavaca's powerful sensors as they continued to scan the nearby regions of space as the vessel moved through the parsec. Also present on the bridge were Magnetar, who had magnetic control powers and the towering, eight foot tall reptilian Seresk. Magnetar was seated in another of the chairs on the bridge, handling the vessels navigation. Seresk was seated in an oversized chair at the communications station, monitoring for any transmissions. The four Praetorians had been sent out to this region of space near the Stellar Khanate to help patrol the area around several systems that had declared independence from the Stellar Khanate following the Incursion. For some time this region had been in considerable turmoil, with numerous pirate groups operating in the area, not to mention the power struggles within the Stellar Khanate. With the independent systems aligned with the Coalition worlds, the Praetorians had offered their assistance in protecting the region, working in conjunction with the Star Knights to help patrol the area and deal with any threats. Currently the region seemed to have stabilized some, the numbers of pirates seeming to have dwindled. But that did not mean that the patrols of the area had stopped, even if they had started to become generally less eventful. "Bring us around to heading mark 5." Magnetar stated to Hazmat. "That will take us toward the Alurian System. Anything on sensors?" He asked Galvanic.

Player Name: Azuth65 Character Name: Hazmat Power Level: 10 150/155PP Trade-Offs: None Unspent Power Points: 5 In Brief: A free Grue who, after the Incursion, assumed the form a Drodant female to blend in with galactic civilization. Residence: CoVic Station Base of Operations: Mobile, currently based on CoVic Station Catchphrase: Alternate Identity: Ha'li Ca'vur, Holly Carver Identity: Public Birthplace: Kobalii Occupation: Mercenary, bounty hunter, junker, adventurer Affiliations: None Family: Meta-Mind (Distant ancestor) Theme song: Big Blast Sonic Description: Age: 30, late 1987 Apparent Age: Varies, Defaults to late 20s Gender: Fluid, prefers female Ethnicity: Grue, stays shifted in Drodant form Height:Variable (usually sits at 5'5”) Weight: Variable (usually sits at 139lbs) Eyes: White (Grue), Purple irises with black sclara (Drodant) Hair: None (Grue), Black (Drodant) Power Descriptions: Hazmat's non-Grue powers manifest in sickly yellow-green energy blasts and beams of hardened energy. Her ability to speak the languages of those around her is the only psychic power of her heritage to emerge thus far, though her morphing remains as strong as ever. History: The drone that would become Ha'li Ca'vur does not recall many, if any, memories of her life before being freed from the Meta-Mind. When Kobalii was cut free from control, she made a run for the nearest ship and got off world along with every other being on the planet near a ship. Unfortunately for her the ship she hopped aboard had a leak in it's reactor containment walls and in the time it took her to arrive at a safe haven the ship was so utterly soaked in rads it literally glowed in the darkness of space. For a while after the Incursion she spent her time doing odd jobs for whatever credits she could get, from being hired muscle for a group of ruin divers to the mundane job of longshoreman in the docks. Less than a year ago, while on an escort job help establish an archaeological dig site on Ajion III, her colleagues and clients were attacked by a band of Lor (specifically Piscean) pirates, calling themselves the Star Fins, who used the region as their safe harbor. Less than half her clients and all but two other mercs escaped Aijon III, since then she's had a vendetta against any Star Fins members and their leader Chah'o. Personality & Motivation: Ha'li, being a rogue Grue, tends to keep to herself as much as she can, being the strong silent type in most situations. She is working to better assimilate into the greater galactic culture, though without the majority of mind reading talents Grue are known to have aiding her, there have been some missteps (faux pas, incorrect slang, etc). Her primary motivators are keeping her independence and finding her place in the universe. Powers & Tactics: Hazmat has two combat settings, up close and personal and “carpet bomb from orbit”. While she is working to get a better handle on ranged combat, her default tactics is to rush into melee range and swing with the crackling manifestation of her energy swirling around her fists. Complications: Enemy: Chah'o, Star Fins, these pirates and their leader can make Ha'li lose focus on her current task to try and shut down their activities. Rivalry: Chris “Makeshift” Austin, a fellow junker and occasional mercenary. The two will happily take time to compare recent finds, new modifications to their ships, as well try and underbid each other for a contract if they know the other is trying for it. Secret/Prejudice: Actually a Grue Metamorph. Abilities: 4 + 4 + 4 + 6 + 4 + 4 = 26 PP Strength 14 (+2) Dexterity 14 (+2) Constitution 14 (+2) Intelligence 16 (+3) Wisdom 14 (+2) Charisma 14 (+2) Combat: 12 + 12 = 24 PP Attack: +6 (+10 Atom Splitting) Defense: +10 (+6 Base, +4 Dodge Focus) Initiative: +2 Grapple: +8 Knockback: -5/-1 Saving Throws: 6 + 5 + 5 = 16 PP Toughness: +10/+2 (+2 CON, +8 Protection) Fortitude: +8 (+2 CON, +6) Reflex: +7 (+2 DEX, +5) Will: +7 (+2 WIS, +5) Skills: 72r = 18PP Craft (Electrical) 4 (+7) Craft (Mechanical) 4 (+7) Craft (Structural) 4 (+7) Diplomacy 4 (+6) Disable Device 8 (+11) Gather Information 4 (+6) Knowledge (Galactic Lore) 4 (+7) Knowledge (physical sciences) 4 (+7) Knowledge (technology) 8 (+11) Pilot 12 (+14) Notice 8 (+10) Sense Motive 8 (+10) Feats: 9PP Beginner's Luck Dodge Focus 4 Equipment 15 (to Praetorian ships/HQ, from veteran award) Evasion Improved Initiative Luck 2 Powers: 26 + 4 + 6 + 9 + 4 + 8 = 57 PP (All powers have radiation and/or mutation descriptors unless otherwise noted) Atom Splitting, 20 PP Array (Extras: Accurate 2, Alternate Power 4) [26 PP] Base: Strike 10 (Extras: Alternate Save [Fortitude]) [20 PP] “critical fission” Alternate Power: Damage 10 (Extras: Targeted Area: Shapeable) [20 PP] “bombardment” Alternate Power: Dazzle 10 (Visual) [20 PP] "blue flash" Alternate Power: Drain Toughness 6 (Extras: Range [Ranged]) [18/20 PP] "breakdown" Alternate Power: Nullify Radiation 6 (Extras: Nullifying Field, Selective Attack) [18/20 PP] "scrub" Comprehend 2 (Languages) [4PP] (Psionic) Flight 3 (50 MPH/500 ft. per round) [6 PP] Immunity 9 (Life support) [9 PP] Morph 2 (Humanoids) [4pp] (Grue shapeshifting) Protection 8 [8 PP] DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC 17 Toughness Damage Critical Fission Touch DC 25 Fort Damage Bombardment Touch/Area DC 25 Toughness Damage Blue Flash Ranged DC 20 Reflex/Fort Dazzle Breakdown Ranged DC 16 Fort Drain Toughness Abilities (26) + Combat (24) + Saving Throws (16) + Skills (18) + Feats (9) + Powers (57) - Disadvantages (0) = 150/155 PP