Dead Suns Episode 5

8th Rova, 317 AG
Absalom Station. The party wake up and head over to the docking by where the shuttle that Gevalarsk Nor had procured, The Hippocampus, a Upgraded Ringworks Wanderer. Originally a Ringworks Wanderer model, the Hippocampus has been heavily modified for station security use with upgraded armor, defenses, shields, power core, and sensors, and the addition of a turret-mounted coilgun.

Carmen presses the auto pilot button and The Hippocampus launches from Absalom Station towards the Acreon & the Drift Rock. Along the way, they get a good view of the exterior of Absalom Station, as well as the Armada, the endlessly moving fleet of independent ships that surrounds the gigantic space platform.

When the shuttle is getting near the Acreon, a lone a Interceptor flies towards The Hippocampus, charging weapons. Carmen takes direct control of the shuttle and pilots, and Riggs takes the weapons console and returns fire. Gentoo re-diverts power to weapons. Daevaethan gets on the comms and taunts their enemy.

The party eventually disable the Interceptor Necroglider and it floats off and hits the Drift Rock. The Drift Rock is tethered to the Acreon. Daevaethan scans the Acreon. It is a medium transport that can carry a full crew complement of six, but they get no life sign readings. The party go to dock The Hippocampus with one of the Acreon's airlocks. Riggs wans the party to go in with weapons drawn.

The party head inside. Artificial gravity is still functional. Signs of battle—bullet holes, scorch marks, and droplets of blood—are clearly visible on the walls and floors. In the middle of the corridor is the body of a dead Space Goblin. Then the party are attacked by an Akata. After the party kill the Akata, Riggs inspects the creature and finds it cold to the touch. Gentoo identifies the Akata not an undead but an Aberration, and they also travel in packs.

The party rest for 10 minutes then get back to investigating. The Space Goblin has been dead 2 days, but the ship has been quarantined for the past 8 days, so it was a space drifter who broke quarantine.

The party head into Engineering where there are 2 more Akata, that both attack the party. Carmen gets poisoned by one of the creatures. The party retreat from the Engineering room.