Let's play Star Ocean 3! Part 4

[paranoodle]

Male Soldier: We will soon be departing for Remote Station #6. The observation bay is located directly through the corridor leading out of this room. Please wait there until we reach our destination. Gravitic warp will get us there shortly.
Fayt: So this is a Federation transport ship...


Sophia: They're all watching something.
Fayt: Huh?


Sophia: Let's take a look.
Fayt: Okay.
Fayt: Oh no!


Fayt: It's worse than I thought.
Sophia: This is horrible!
Official Announcement: We are about to enter gravitic warp to escape the battle zone. I repeat: We are about to enter gravitic warp to escape the battle zone. All evacuees prepare for warp turbulence.




Sophia: Fayt...
Fayt: Oh, I woke you up. Sorry.
Sophia: No, it's all right.
Sophia: Where do you think we are now?
Fayt: I wonder? There haven't been any announcements yet.
Sophia: We should ask one of the crew.
Fayt: Yeah, good idea.

Now we can (mostly) freely walk around the transport ship. All the NPCs from the evacuation shelter are still around with us (including dolphin boy!) and we can talk to them to keep track of what they've been up to.



Once we've talked to everyone, returning to the room we started in starts a new cutscene.


(note: his full name is written on every text box but i'll spare you)
Commander: Computer, what caused the ship's warp field to collapse?
Computer: ... There is not enough data to determine the cause.
Commander: All right. Even if you can't determine the cause, how about a theory?
Computer: Prior to the collapse, sensors detected a space-time disturbance. Our database does not contain any record of such a disturbance, but there is a 77% probability it was the cause of the collapse.
Commander: Space-time disturbance? Come to think of it, Vendeeni military technology is based on space-time manipulation.
Computer: That is not an established fact, but the Federation Institute of Technology has theorized this is the case.
Commander: So, it was likely a Vendeeni attack that stopped us, then.


Navigator: Course entered!
Fayt: (So that's a Vendeeni battleship!? A rescue frigate's shields are no match for the likes of that!)
Sophia: Fayt...


Commander: Our gravitic warp engine has already been disabled, which means escape is not an option. All power has been diverted to our shields to buy us some time, but I wanted you all to know: our chances are slim.
Commander: I had hoped to transport you all the way to Remote Station #6, but it seems that is now beyond my power.
Commander: All evacuees are requested to proceed to the ship's escape pods. Please remain calm and follow the instructions of the attendant nearest you as you board your pod.
Commander: ... Good luck to you all.



Flirt: Let's get out of here!
Fox Tail Girl: Right behind you!
Elderly Rokian: Ohhh! We're doomed...
Male Blue Dolphin: W-w-whoa...! What will become of me... Ohh...


Fayt: We gotta go, Sophia.
Sophia: Okay!

We get to walk around and talk to everyone again. If we talk to the Rossettis, who are the only ones still standing in the hallway, they'll explain that they're waiting for the rest of the evacuees to go first so they can try to avoid getting separated. Once we go upstairs, everyone else is huddled in front of the door to the escape pods. Our friend dolphin boy has some important priorities.




Since the escape pods are currently blocked off, we can go wander around a little bit. We can make our way to the bridge if we want, where we can talk to the Commander and the rest of the crew. If we do, he explains that they're all likely going to die here because there aren't enough escape pods left for the crew once all the evacuees escape :( But in better news, there's a PA here because one of the NPCs in here (helpfully named "Slightly Obnoxious Guy") wants to know our blood type. Whatever you reply, he'll say his horoscope predicted his type a bad day and your type a good one.

Once we're done with that distraction, if we head back to the escape pods, they're now open. We can either go into that room and escape, or there's a PA if we decide to go back downstairs to tell the Rossettis that they're the last ones left and that it's time for them to evacuate too. Time to escape (again)!


Sophia: Fayt... I'm scared.
Fayt: Don't worry.
Sophia: But...
Fayt: A Federation ship will recover our pods in no time. I'll see you at Remote Station #6. Now get going.
Sophia: ... O-okay. You'll follow, right? Promise?
Fayt: Promise!

She gets in her pod and Fayt walks out of the room.

Male Soldier: This way, hurry! There's still a pod here!
Fayt: Right!








Fayt: Okay.
Computer: Search for life-supporting planets... Planet found.
Fayt: Where?
Computer: Vanguard III, located approximately 0.5 light years from present location. Axial tilt of 35 degrees results in extreme seasonal weather. Existence of humanoid life forms confirmed. The Federation has classified Vanguard III as an Underdeveloped Planet. Civilization level: approximately equivalent to 16th-century Earth.
Computer: Would you like to review the Underdeveloped Planet Preservation Pact?



[If we choose Let's check it out...]
Fayt: Yes.
Computer: The Underdeveloped Planet Preservation Pact was established in order to protect planets with developing civilizations. Contact with civilizations that have no reached a certain level of development is strictly prohibited by Federation law. This is due to the fact that contact with advanced civilizations has a high probability of greatly influencing the course of history on a less developed planet. All individuals and organizations belonging to the Pangalactic Federation are required to adhere to the tenets of this Pact, unless faced with a clear danger to life and limb. This Pact is one of the most important components of Pangalactic Federation law. It also serves as a guideline for civilian conduct in emergency situations. Violators will be tried by the Pangalactic Council.

Fayt nods.

[If we choose I'm sure it's okay.]
Fayt: No thanks. I already know it.
Computer: Affirmative.

[Both choices merge here]

Fayt: How long till we get there?
Computer: At our present speed of warp 6, arrival is estimated in 144 hours.
Fayt: Are there any foreseeable problems in getting to Vanguard III? How's our energy reserves?
Computer: No foreseeable problems. An adequate supply of energy and food is on board.
Fayt: Okay. I guess I'll get some sleep. Notify me if anything happens.
Computer: Affirmative.



Fayt: (So this is Vanguard III...)
Fayt: (Since they haven't contacted me yet, I supposed it will be a few days before they come rescue me.)
Fayt: (I better keep an eye out for danger. After all, this is an underdeveloped planet.)
Fayt: (Hmm? My quad scanner's picking something up... moving at 40 clicks. Might be an animal... I hope it's not dangerous.)
Fayt: (I should use my replicator to make myself a weapon, just in case.)
Fayt: (A sword would be a good match for this planet's level of development. I don't wanna get arrested for violating the UP3.)


Fayt: (Luckily, I've gotten used to this kind of weapon in the battle simulators.)
Fayt: (Not that I feel very lucky right now. I sure hope I don't end up having to use this thing.)

He takes an experimental swing.

Fayt: (Yeah, that feels about right.)
Fayt: (The sun will be setting soon. I better find some place safer to stay by nightfall... if there is any safe space on this planet.)


Fayt: (It's picking up humanoids. Based on this reading, I'd guess it's a village. If I start out now, I might be able to make it by nightfall.)
Fayt: Hmm... I'll go. I know it's a UP3 infringement, but this is an emergency. They'll probably cut me some slack if I keep a low profile.

New planet time! And our first time really getting to run around, complete with slimy enemies like slimes and noblemen. Things are still guided and easy for now but we're going to have a higher ratio of gameplay to cutscenes for most of this planet.

Next time: Fayt flirts with breaking the UP3 because he sure doesn't know how to with humans.