Red alarms wash the bridge. The Marine squad is close enough now that the hull sensors paint them as hard bright blips, sliding in fast.
Kaiju D Phoenix grips the helm as the artifact pulses in its cradle, each beat matching the warning lights. The crew waits on the edge of a bad choice.
Kira Dean
If we dump it, maybe we buy time. If we jump, we need to do it now.
Alias
Zannethix is the only clean jump window I can hold. Barely. Their lock is tightening.
Dr. Z
That beacon is still active. If they board us, they will find the source fast.
The Stranger
Then move. The signal is a spear now, and it points straight at you.
The artifact’s cradle flickers as the ship shudders under distant impact warnings. Ahead, the nav display burns with the route to Zannethix, and the bridge holds its breath for Kaiju’s command.
✓ Quest Accepted
Escape the Marines
✓ Quest Accepted
Enter hyperspace
“Can the ship survive the jump while the artifact is still active?”
NO (Unlikely, rolled 53)
The ship's navigation computer rejects the jump sequence, its logic circuits overwhelmed by the artifact's erratic energy spikes. The hyperspace drive fails to engage, leaving the vessel trapped in realspace as the Marine proximity warnings scream in a continuous, deafening tone.
“I throw the beacon out the airlock than emergency jump to Zennethix.”
YES (Likely, rolled 33)
The Stranger
The airlock release is manual, Kaiju. If you jettison the artifact now, the drive will clear the interference instantly.
Kaiju D Phoenix
The manual override lever is right there, glowing under the emergency lights.
“I jettison the artifact”
SUCCESS (Good Strength, rolled -2)
Kaiju yanks the manual override. The lever bites hard, the bridge shudders, and the artifact breaks loose from its mount with a metallic crack.
A warning siren spikes. The cargo rig’s clamps blow open, and the glowing object drops into the ejection chute as the outer bay seals start to part.
The Stranger
There it goes. Good. Now move the drive.
The artifact vanishes into the storm outside. The interference on the helm display thins at once, but the shot costs Kaiju a brutal wrench to the arm from the lever’s kickback.
Kira Dean
Kaiju, the drive is clearing. Say the word.
Alias
The Marines are still on our tail, but the window is open.
Dr. Z
I have a clean channel now. If you jump, do it immediately.
The helm steadies, the first jump-ready tones return, and the bridge hangs on Kaiju’s next command while the pursuit clock keeps ticking.
“I jump to hyperspace”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled -1)