Several moments after A'kora sends a communication to the Firefly, her communicator crackles and pops, but a response message comes through.
"Runabout Halo, message confirmed. We picked up the ion storm as it hit you, but were unable to get a message through due to electrical interference. Your orders continue to stand, but amended as follows: Make any necessary repairs you need to get yourself back to the Firefly. Priority is still given to finding the research station and helping whomever may be left. The station might have supplies you can use to make whatever repairs are needed. If the station is not an option, let us know so we can coordinate a team to rescue you. Over."
Kotho tries getting the power up and running by herself, but for some reason she cannot seem to make it happen. Even with light flooding into the interior from the open door, a lot of the wires are just hidden in the dark. Fortunately for the group, though, T'kres gives a helping hand, and the Runabout's lights come on and the computer displays start to warm up.
T'Mirras and Hesk stand outside the Runabout, trying to identify where the sounds are coming from. And it becomes all too apparent rather quickly as a group of 4 strange-looking Neanderthal humanoids come rushing out of the treeline towards the Runabout, shouting and grunting. They all throw rocks at you and the Runabout, raising sticks in the air with their other hands as they lope unnaturally towards you, menacing and threatening. But the confusing part here is that they are all wearing what looks to be the tattered remnants of Federation-issue uniforms that a science team might wear.
A closer look at these humanoids reveals that one of them in fact has a phaser type-I in one of its hands, pointing it semi-backward, but in a threatening way towards you; it does not seem that it knows how to use the device.
MechanicsComplication: While there may be other repairs that have to be done (you will need to check the ship for that), the Runabout is grounded until A'kora can get the sensor package up and running. Because it was his error on timing, only he knows the calculations to fix it once power is restored. And he must do this without assistance. No change to difficulty (2), and it will be a Reason + Engineering roll when the time comes.
Threat: 11.
Momentum: 2.
Combat Zones: Inside the Runabout, Near the Runabout, The Forest/Treeline
Number of Enemies: 4
The Runabout, while it has power, cannot be used for anything other than Cover. Anyone using the Runabout for Cover gains 4 Cover Dice.