The greenhouse air is thick with the scent of synthetic fertilizer and ozone. Nahuli crouches behind a glowing hydroponic vat as the overhead speakers crackle to life with a jagged transmission.
Captain Kaelen
You are running out of air and options, Nahuli. This entire sector is a rigged cage. I can see your reflection in the observation deck glass right now.
Nahuli
The broadcast frequency matches the station maintenance channel.
The Botanist
Quiet yourself, little technician. If you keep moving like a spooked prey animal, you will trigger the perimeter sensors before you find your dampener.
A hooded figure steps from behind a row of bioluminescent ferns. She holds a heavy-duty pruning laser with the casual familiarity of a veteran soldier.
The Botanist
I am not here to help Kaelen, but I will not have my life's work vaporized by your sloppy tactical mistakes. Follow me if you want to bypass his cameras.
+ Scene Quest Added
Bypass Captain Kaelen
“I want to get somewhere safe. I can bypass the cameras if I can find access.”
SUCCESS (Great Security Systems, rolled +1)
Nahuli
The paneling behind the irrigation manifold has a bypass port that ignores the central security hub.
Nahuli deftly clips his diagnostic scanner into the port. With a series of rapid inputs, he cascades the encryption key, effectively blinding every overhead lens in the sector.
The Botanist
You are faster than you look. That bypass will grant us a ten minute window before the system reboots.
Nahuli stands, pocketing his multi-tool, and glances at the now inert red security light above.
A soft chime echoes from the Botanist's hidden compartment. She slides a small, cylindrical dampener across the floor, its activation light pulsing a steady, rhythmic blue.
The Botanist
Take it. If you want to disappear, get to the coolant ventilation shafts. Kaelen cannot track what he cannot see, but you have exactly three minutes before his guards arrive to investigate the sudden power drop.
Quest Complete
Find a signal dampener
+ Story Quest Added
Get to the coolant ventilation shafts
+ New Item Acquired
Signal Dampener