STQK: EP.8 (Duck..Duck..Goose..)

20 Jun, 2026

New to the ongoing blog series called STQK "Would you like to know more?"

Hello there,

We continue with the next episode in the Suldokar's Wake system.

(Content Warning: Violence, Gore, Traumatic Events, Alcohol)

Scene 1

The drones fly overhead getting a clear image of the intruders to the station. The holograph image was transmitted to the nearby Reconnaissance Company hired by the Empire to protect the station. A sniper having¹ the group in his sight gets confirmation from his com to take² the first shot. While 2 other soldiers were ordered to run to their position.

Round 1³: The sniper perched up on the roof of the station lines up 4 figures in his scoop. Fires, but misses. One soldier circles in and tries to slash at Nathal(⇟∲⇟) but also misses. Clearly this night has affected the squad's vision. The last soldier stands behind some icy slate and chucks a grenade hoping to hit anyone in that direction.

Round 2⁴: Ashka charges towards the soldier with her blade and locks into a heated sword brawl but missing everytime. Ysah teams up with Ashka and swings his instrument towards the soldier's head making a direct hit. Nathal(⇟∲⇟) and Onfi(∫⋢≬) both try to reach the soldier throwing grenades but can't pass the local blasts.

Round 3⁵: The blast from the grenades subsided, Onfi(∫⋢≬) sprints towards the other soldier and slashes him down with one blow to the torso. Ysah runs past the bleeding hunched over body and swings hard to hit the grenade throwing soldier, knocking his supply on the ground. Ashka meets in the middle and slashes the soldier leg as he starts climbing to higher ground. Nathal(⇟∲⇟) tries to prove the higher ground is meaningless but misses and falls back.

Round 4⁶: The last ground soldier shows his might and strikes Ysah down, as he tumbles unconscious towards the hill side. The elevated terrain gave the Sniper on the station a clear shot and hits Nathal(⇟∲⇟) in the leg, the bullet goes straight through but causes immense pain.

Grieved with the sudden loss of her companion Ashka rushes with all her might and slashes⁷ the last soldier down with one swipe. Knowing that the sniper is going to have another clear shot, the group was able⁸ to get to cover while dragging Ysah towards the main entrance of the station.

Scene 2

As they open the rusty door into the station the group hears the clanking of a mech droid wandering the halls. Ashka thought the building itself is in good shape⁹; someone is spending some serious coin to keep this place running. Once the coast was clear¹⁰ each member ran towards the nearest staircase, not to attract any other commotion.

Climbing up the steps while carrying Ysah was no easy feat. The room they came to appears to be a study; Books on the shelf look barely read, dust on the desk and a chair facing the window, for brooding purposes. An un-penetrable door labeled terminal room faces one side while a wooden door is on the opposite. Onfi(∫⋢≬) still recovering from his previous mutation try, could not attempt anything for some time or face death, so on the group decided to try the next room.

The dining room had a lingering smell of old food; a pillow fort was built around what appears to be a television. Nathal(⇟∲⇟) could hear¹¹ muffled music coming from the fort. Within the vast walls of the fort, lay the caretaker of this station like a one does at a lighthouse. The stench of liquor filled the air when the group approached the gates.

"Wake up mister, we have questions for you" stated Ashka in a stern voice. In a confusing tone, the caretaker starts to slur some words barely making any sense. "The enemy is all around us. Scheming, I don't know what it's intentions¹² are."

The caretaker finally snaps out of it, and is willing to help¹³ as long as you stop making so much noise and leave him be. He hands Ashka 2 passwords one for the un-penetrable door and the other to get past terminal security. As Ysah was still recovering, the caretaker did not mind¹⁴ if Ysah stayed a while as the group pressed forward.

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