The Nova hums low in its dock over Tahk, blue water light sliding across the living quarters. Diechee steps into the cabin as a psionic amplifier spits sparks and a half-finished transmission flickers above the workbench.
Sena is braced over the controls, fingers moving fast, jaw tight. On the deck beside her, a thin, battered holotank throws up the image of a dying prophet, one hand lifted as if trying to hold the signal together.
The Prophet
Diechee... you are late...
The Prophet
The Emperor is dust, but his successor already moves. They mean to tear down the peace you hide behind.
The image gutters. The prophet turns his face toward Diechee with what is left of his strength, the old familiarity cutting through the static.
The Prophet
Do not wait in the shadows. Not this time.
The holotank dies in a burst of white noise. Sena kills the amplifier before it burns out completely, then turns from the console and fixes Diechee with a hard, urgent stare.
Sena
You heard him. Are you finally coming out of hiding, or do I keep patching messages together while the galaxy closes in?
✓ Quest Accepted
Align with Sena against the looming threat
✓ Quest Accepted
Keep the Nova's messages patched together
“Can we trace the origin of that transmission before the signal dies?”
YES (Likely, rolled 38)
Diechee
The signal is not just noise. The frequency signature is distinct, echoing the old imperial relay stations in the Outer Rim.
Sena
Look at the data stream, Diechee. The origin point is still pinging back from the coordinates of the dead sector.
“I study the red coordinate with Sena”
SUCCESS (Fair Investigation, rolled -1)
Diechee studies the red coordinate with Sena at his shoulder. The pulse resolves into a corridor of dead space, and a second marker hidden inside it. The damaged amplifier spits a sharp crack, and its casing scorches under Sena’s hand.
Diechee
It is a relay pattern, not a natural beacon.
Sena
So it is a lure, and a map. That means someone expects you to answer it.
Diechee traces the route, and the console overlays three linked jump points before the display flickers. The star map spits out a warning, then settles.
Sena
We go together. I will not let you face this signal alone.
Sena pulls a spare power cell from the shattered amplifier housing and hands it over. The cabin lights steady, but the console emits one last dry chirp, as if something on the far end has noticed the reply.
Quest Complete
Align with Sena against the looming threat