Scale: 1 Square = 100 Meters (Click image to see larger map)
Red Diamond Metrotel, Rushtown
Scale: 1 Square = 5 Meters (Click image to see larger map)
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Chapter 2: Rushtown
Rushtown, Red Barren
Scale: 1 Square = 100 Meters (Click image to see larger map)
With the Elysium pale safely docked, it isn't long before a trio of floating security droids hover across the ship, scanning for contaminants. Across the passive comm, a voice cracks throughout the ship: "Docking fee of 100 credits per day will be levied, payable immediately prior to departure. Failure to pay the fee will result in termination, courtesy of Davika Corporation's orbiting assault corvette. If you require assistance with cargo transport, the console at the bay door will connect you with today's transportation company of choice, Xpeedy Haulers. Port facilities are to the north and the city proper is a long or short walk to the east, depending on how many legs you have. Additional personal transportation options can be called from the console. Good day."
Red Diamond Metrotel, Rushtown
Scale: 1 Square = 5 Meters (Click image to see larger map)
Scale: 1 Square = 100 Meters (Click image to see larger map)
Red Diamond Metrotel, Rushtown
Scale: 1 Square = 5 Meters (Click image to see larger map)
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None of you has any memory of the time aboard the Elysium Pale prior to the firefight. Perhaps more disturbing, you cannot remember anything at all going back for several months, if the chronometer on the ship is accurate. How you all came together in these circumstances, and for what purpose, is a mystery.
ReplyDeleteOOC: If you're wondering, "When in the Star Wars canon is this adventure taking place?" I'll give you a vague clue. None of you know anything about Hoth or Tatooine. Those names would mean nothing to any of you if you heard them.
Otho gathers himself from the harrowing ordeal of the landing. His first priority goes to that of logistics: What supplies can be counted?
ReplyDeleteHe starts looking about the ship, starting with the cargo bay, and takes an inventory of whatever can be found.
He's specifically looking for better weapons, but he also wants to makes sure that everyone will have breath masks and survival gear, for when they have to go outside. And they may need trade goods in case they need money.
Otho finds the sliding bulk head door inoperable, but with some elbow grease he manages to persuade it to open wide enough for him to squeeze through. There's a smell of superheated metal, and sure enough, the area around the hole in the ceiling is still glowing hot. It appears that the damage could be repaired with a couple yards of durasteel and a plasma welder. The bulkhead door would probably suffice as the raw material, and every ship like this has welding tools somewhere.
ReplyDeleteAtmosphere is most definitely bleeding into the hold. Otho can smell the iron-tinge to the dustiness. If he had to guess, a simple cloth filter would likely do the job of protecting them from all bust the finest particulate matter. There is also the masks they woke up with, which could probably be re-purposed with a filter constructed from other areas of the ship.
There are no other weapons in the hold, but Otho does see the three blaster pistols on the dead raiders. Two of them still also carry vibroblades. A quick search of the captain's bunk space reveals the captain, alive but in serious condition, by your eye. Otho also finds in a drawer beneath the bunk a small hold-out-blaster and an ion grenade, useful for stunning droids in a small radius. These few things were easy to find. A more thorough search may uncover more.
Otho also finds Red and Java in the lounge, sucking down beers, a full case of which sits on the table.
OOC: If you want to keep looking for stuff, give me a Search/Perception roll for each area of the ship you want to spend more time investigating. Others can help look around.
OOC: Everyone on your character sheets can add a section for Inventory. Each of you has at least a Blaster Pistol and the clothes you are wearing. Technically, blasters need to be recharged, but I hate dealing with that sort of thing so just fire them as often as you want and it will be implied that you can charge them on the ship. Some of you may have special possessions based on pregame dialog when creating your character. Go ahead and list those.
DeletePage decides to poke around. The YT series is rumored to be a smuggler's choice. So you never know what'll be hanging around. He checks the flooring in the hallway. There is rumored to be an underfloor compartment kit for this particular model. There is also rumored to be some beer in the lounge...
ReplyDeleteOOC: 12+5 = 17
Page does not find the rumored secret compartment (you made a good roll, but it's going to take a success against a Very Difficult number , 21-30, otherwise the secret compartments wouldn't be very secret).
ReplyDeletePage does find the beer party in the lounge, and pops the top off a can of ale with the boys.
OOC: This would be a fine time for introductions...
ReplyDelete"My name is Red," red declares into his radio. "Why don't we all meet in the lounge and try to figure out our next move?" While he waits, Red sips his ale does a quick triage while making a mental grocery list of ship parts he'll need to make repairs.
ReplyDeleteBased on what Red knows of the condition of the ship, the top two items are the main power core and the hull breach. He'll need to rebuild the primary and secondary thermocouplers, which can be done with spare parts, but the core needs a new manifold, about a 5K part kit. He may be able to salvage one off a scrap YT-1300 if one can be found, at about half the cost. A sheet of durasteel will run a thousand credits, but as a patchwork fix the bulkhead doors to the cargo bay could be cut and repurposed as exterior hull. He would still need to inlay the shielding and coat it with thermal dampeners, which will run a couple hundred credits. The magnetic resonator on the hyperdrive will literally meltdown with one more jump, so that needs to be replaced, another 2K credits. Salvage resonators are a complete crapshoot. Repairing the gun turrets will take more time than anything, as they have to be deconstructed in place and unfrozen. That can be done with spare parts but will take at least a day each for the two turrets. Fire-linking them will require hardware and software upgrades, about 1K credits for each turret. General power and efficiency upgrades will take several days but can be done with parts on board. So the grocery list stands:
ReplyDeleteThermocouplers: no cost, 1 day
Manifold: 5K/2500, 1 day
Hull patching: 1200/200 1 day/2 days
Magnetic Resonator: 2K, 1 day
Turret repair: no cost, 1-2 days
Fire-linked laser cannons: 1K-2K, half to one day
General repairs/upgrades: no cost, 1 day
Red can make the Elysium Pale fly in-atmosphere with just the thermocouplers and manifold. It may also be possible to hack the docking bay and re-energize the emergency batteries. That would make it possible to fly short distances.
DeleteJek enters the lounge he looks at the beer, grabs one for himself... sits back and puts his feet up emitting pilot charisma. He looks around to see who is part of this crew...
ReplyDelete"So who knows what the heck is going on? The name's Jek, and I'm the guy who got us here... Unfortunately I don't know why I'm here... (after a pause...) so... any rebel sympathizers here?"
occ: I give an air of hoping to find some in the rebellion... like a young luke skywalker talking to ben kenobi. While I wait, I drink beer... the nurse the beer though, not planning on getting tanked...
"Nope. All Empire loyalists here," Page quips. "I don't really care that much. The Empire hasn't done much for me. But neither has the Rebellion." He shrugs. "I've pretty much tried to keep to myself. I"m pretty good at staying out of the way and out of sight of pretty much everyone when I want to. That goes double for stormtroopers." He grins. "Although, I've always wanted to get ahold of a Star Destroyer. Think of how much fun one of THOSE would be."
ReplyDeleteOtho takes some time to double-back and run a more thorough search of some more interesting areas. Having already seen what could be easily seen, he tries to dig around a bit.
ReplyDelete((OOC: Search roll: 8+5 = 13))
After hearing his belly rumble, he wander in the direction of the sounds of conversation and drinking bulbs. Finding the erstwhile crew at ease, he takes up a beverage for himself.
"Hi friends," he starts off, easily. Coolly. Like one used to talking to both get in, or out of, most any situation. "Name's Otho, but you can call me Otho. I'm a bit of an independant contractor, you could say. But I'm strictly small time. Wouldn't care much if it was the bucket-heads or the rebels that offered me work, so long as the pay was up to par, if you take my meaning."
Otho prompts Red to give them a run down of the status of the ship. He gives out a small whistle at the price. "Well, that's a lot of credits. Fortunately, it seems we're near civilized people, yeah? Well, if we all hang together, I can probably scrounge up enough work to keep us busy, until we've got enough beer an' scrap metal to get off this hunk of mud and into some right proper livin'.
Who's up for it?"
Otho takes another swig and waits for the group to answer.
While searching the area around the captain's bunk, and trying not to disturb the patient, Otho runs his fingers along the underside of the sleeping area and finds a recessed button. When he presses it there is a clicking sound that seems to emanate from under neath the prostrate man. It will be difficult to search the area more thoroughly unless the captain can be moved, for which Otho will require some assistance.
ReplyDeleteUpon re-entering the lounge, Otho pops the cap off a beer and introduces himself to the group.
Rex is there too, doing his best impression of a human staring in disbelief at the three dead raiders lying only a few feet away. His hemispherical head slowly rotates back at all of you.
"Bo bo beep!" he cries indignantly.
Then he motors over to the tactical station, nearly running over Red, and reinserts his interface wand. After a few spins the station comes back to life. Another spin and he's plugged into the spaceport's automated guide to the city. A map of Rushtown is soon raised on screen, followed by a dotted line from Bay 3 directly to the modest local medical center.
"Beep bop boo bop!" Rex exclaims. Jek understands him to have said, "Take the captain here fast!"
Java's professional opinion is that the captain is in critical but stable condition, and moving him presents its own set of risks. But the center would likely have much needed supplies.
"Hey, I didn't say I was for or against the rebellion... It's just that there is someone in the rebellion that would like to catch up with. Something of a personal hero of mine since I was a little one... Still... good to hear we seem to be not one-sided... Out for ourselves I say... best way to be!!!"
ReplyDeleteocc: I share what Rex said....
"Sounds like a good place to be. Rushtown... Bay 3... (looking around)... Ah, can this ship get us there??? Do we have enough left in the tank??? (Looking at Ortho), I bet we can get some work there... and we can patch up the captain to boot!!!"
(Looks at the damaged captain)
"So, what did the captain do to get raiders on his tail??? Is he able to talk??? (Making a sniffing smell)... "Air still smells good in here... We should do something about the raiders before I start to gag..."
occ: I will take care of the dead raiders... get em off the ship... I welcome any help... This will take time and give others what time they need to come up with plans ideas. unless someone comes up with a better plan, I would set the coordinates to Bay 3 or rushtown... I would also check how "seedy" the area is... can we walk around with blasters on our sides??? I will let others deal with the captain... I am curious as hell how we ended up like this... but I am trying to act like survival and moving forward is key... Though I may be shaking in my boots...
OOC: Jek, and everyone, please make sure to read the last 2 comments of Chapter one - you are already in Bay 3.
DeleteJek, how do you want to dispose of the raiders, exactly? Also, give me a Perception roll.
Java stretches his wiry 6'1" frame and smiles at the group gathered around the swill. He enjoys a beer or two to unwind, but keeps his pitch count low. If he wanted an escape, he has far more potent options in his medical kit.
ReplyDelete"So, my name's Java Lindell," he says with a smile, "and while my old 'mates back in the day called me Javelin, most stick with Java now. I gather you all know as much as I about how we got here, which is nil."
His attention is drawn by the droid as it gesticulates about the bodies lying around. "Say, has anyone who can understand him interrogated Rex yet? Rex, I'll take care of your friend, the captain, again, so why don't you tell us everything you know about what's been going on. Who is this Taro Afar, and what did he want with us?
"Here's what I plan on doing near-term: I need to get the captain ... Silger" he says questioningly, glancing at Rex for affirmation "to a bacta tank if he's going to last much longer. Outback places like this, they tend to be rough, so local medical centers are almost always short-staffed. I'll bet they would be happy to trade treatment for the captain for the services of an experienced doctor for a few days. I'm sure I can get some credits out of it, too, as well as replenishing my medical supplies. There's no way they will turn down an extra pair of hands.
"Also, I can watch for injuries consistent with gangs, organized crime, or smuggling operations. I know exactly what ministrations will both help ease their pain as well as their tongues. There will be some good intel going through that clinic, you can be certain of that."
"So, unless there are strong objections, I'm going to get on that right away. The captain can't wait too long. I could use a hand getting the captain out of here safely. It might be good to keep in pairs, too. Anyone else have medical expertise?"
"Lastly, a couple of us should scope out this Red Diamond Metrotel for Taro Afar.
Java then tries to clean up as quickly as possible in order to be presentable at the clinic. Before heading out, he takes a few minutes to more thoroughly search for bartering or medical supplies. Then he contacts the port authority to request a medical gurney for the injured captain's transport to the clinic.
(OOC)
Search cargo bay: 17+4=21
storage bay: 9+6+6+6+1=28
cockpit: 14+4=18
hallway: 13+2=15
Planetary Systems for other info on Red Barren: 6+4=10
During Java's search of the ship, he was particularly searching for his medical assistant droid, IT-O2. While he would never consciously admit it, he missed the little white ball of antagonism. He would certainly be helpful at the clinic...
ReplyDeleteDuring his father's stint in Imperial employ (conscription), Jaden Lindell was entrusted with an interrogator (torture) droid to get uncooperative captives to inform on local insurgent pods, mostly non-humans. His outright refusal to employ the device was his first step on his path to being a fugitive. IT-O was a floating ball of pain, but it was incredibly good at keeping its victims alive. Java, seeing potential in the technological marvel, decided it would be better put to use as a personal experiment than gathering dust in his father's closet. After many months, he was able to crack the core OS and reprogram the droid to act as a medical assistant, thereby translating its understanding of physiology and biochemistry to saving life and easing pain rather than causing it. He now calls it IT-O2 (ee-tow-2).
The only downside is the old ball of pain retained it's condescending attitude toward fleshy creatures and can be a right pain in the ass at times.
Page turns to the others. "I'm not that bad, but I'm mostly a field medic. I'll see if they'll take me too. You'd be surprised how much information people who are under various concoctions will give up. And in a town this rough, it'll be a good way to figure out who's in charge. There's bound to be a lot of fights and action, so maybe I can glean something from who's coming in. Someone's bound to be nominally in charge of this hole."
ReplyDeleteOOC: What, if anything, do I need to roll for now?
occ: my bad... forgot we were already there...
ReplyDelete"Alright! Rex, what details can you tell us about our situation??? Help us Rex... you are our only hope."
pausing to look at (or in the direction of) the dead raiders....
occ: perception: 1 + 4 = 5....
"Ah... soooooo.... Now that we brought these raiders into Bay 3 with us... ah... uh... so how are going to deal with them... I'm... (looking dumbfounded)... ah... is there a trash compactor near by???... Something tells me that we are done if they find these bodies we are done for..."
(looking the captain and Java... "Uh... yeeeaaaa... take care of the captain... people were hunting him... he may get us into even more trouble than we already are in... (turning to rex)... Rex... spill the details on what is going on here...
occ: is the captain awake??? can we wake him up???
"Maybe I can rig up a refrigeration system in one of the cargo areas to keep the bodies... fresh. Then we can shoot them out into space if we ever make it off this planet. I'll see if I can whip up some sort of gurney or something that we can use to move the Captain."
ReplyDeleteOOC: Jerry-rig role: 24+4
Java pops the top on his second Corellian ale and starts poking around the ship. He finds the cargo bay in the same shape as Otho, but his further exploration of the storage compartments turns up an arc welder and spare canisters of Oxygen, Nitrogen, Hydrogen and Argon for mixing plasma gas. The tools appear to be in operational condition. He also finds a box with five 40ft lengths of synth-rope and tie downs, likely used to anchor the ship in unstable environments. Finally, he finds a gas-gun for driving spikes, with a dozen cartridges, and six spikes.
ReplyDeleteIn the cockpit he finds another holo of the Twi'lek girl - this one with animation of her twirling her headtails. Java is also stymied in the hallway - there may not be any secret compartments to find. His search fails to turn up his converted interrogation droid.
Red follows Java into the hold and sees the gas canisters. Within half an hour he has rigged one of the storage boxes with a compressor, piping, condenser and expansion valve, floods the system with the Nitrogen and rigs it with a bleed of electrical current. The space begins to cool. With Jek's help, the three of them stuff the raiders into the box. Before closing the lid, Jek takes notice of the insignia badges on each raider's left arm - a white circle inside a red circle inside a black ring.
Page and Otho work on the local environment of Rushtown, downloading a slightly more useful map from the tactical computer. In addition to the medical center, the map contains directions to the regional headquarters of the Davika Corporation, the Miner's Guild, the Rushtown Bazaar, something simply called "The Hole," and the Red Diamond Metrotel. The city looks walkable, for the most part.
As the sun sets and the red glow lighting the lounge begins to ebb, the group reconvenes and circles around Rex. It is quickly apparent that the droid can understand each of you perfectly well. When Java intones the name Silger, referring to the captain of the Elysium Pale, Rex, swivels forward and rolls his hemispherical head, the universal sign for, "No, you've got it all wrong."
Leaning back, the droid projects a holo, featuring the captain.
ReplyDelete"Listen, ahh, Silger, you know we can't get them there quickly right?" the captain asks a tall, straight-backed figure wearing a green longcoat and a frumpy billed hat low over his eyes.
"Let's not mince words," replies the taller man. "Secrecy is of the utmost importance with this job. I can't risk you taking the hyperspace lanes. If you get there in less than seven weeks my contact will know you broke the contract."
"What contract? I haven't signed anything. And what if that machinery breaks? Or what if they wake up? What do I do then?
"As long as the masks are in place they will remain unconscious and in no danger, so long as you arrive on schedule. Here is the first part of the payment." The tall figure hands a cred-chip to the captain. "You'll get the rest when you deliver the cargo to Taro Afar at the Red Diamond Metrotel in Rushtown."
"That's a lot of credits for a sublight drop." The captain examines the chip and then pockets it. Behind them, a train of hover sleds carries each of you up the gangway into the Elysium Pale.
"You're complaining, captain Ethgarnon? There will be plenty of risk once you get to Red Barren. Your reputation in the Rim is the only reason you're getting this job. We believe you can evade the net of pirates infesting the planetary reach. If you don't believe you're up to it..."
Another man steps into view holding a blaster pistol behind his back. Rex beeps, drawing everyone's attention.
"Is your droid recording us?" The tall man turns to face the camera. His irises are blood red, framed by a strong jaw and bisected by a scar running down the bridge of his nose.
The captain admonishes the droid. "No, of course he isn't. Rex, make sure the, uh, cargo is situated in the bunks!" The camera swivels away as Rex follows the sleds into the ship. The audio picks up the last of the exchange.
"So how am I going to connect with this Taro Afar? If the job is so secret there must be a code word or something, right?"
"He'll be watching for a light freighter at scheduled date, but when you go to the meeting place, look for him in the lounge after Killiam 2 sets. Order a Rancor Spit from the bar. He'll approach you. When he does, say 'This planet reminds me of the factory worlds around Tallus.' He will respond, 'Or the volcanic fields of Goreal 3.'"
There's a pause and then Silger is heard to say, "Captain, your droid."
"Rex!"
The transmission ends.
OOC: Everyone give me 3 rolls - Planetary Systems, Bureaucracy, and Streetwise.
ReplyDeleteBIC: An X-34 landspeeder with a tow-behind hover sled will be made available, and a fee of 75 credits per day will be added to your account. The proximity alarm sounds when it arrives. The droid pilot floats back into the port, leaving it at your disposal.
Planetary Systems: 9+2 = 11
ReplyDeleteBureaucracy: 10+4 = 14
Streetwise: 2+3 = 5
PS: 1+5=6
ReplyDeleteB: 6+1=7
SW: 3+1=4
PS: 13+4=17
ReplyDeleteB: 13+2=15
SW: 19+4=23
OOC: In addition to the rolls, tell me what you want to do.
ReplyDelete"I think I need to get cap Ethgarnon to the clinic with Red. Otho, why don't you take Rex to this Metrotel place and pose as Ethgarnon. Jek and Page can arrive before you and case the place, then provide backup if the meeting goes south. We meet back here tomorrow night. Agreed?"
ReplyDelete"Sound ok to me. Has anyone seen a holdout blaster?" Page looks around. "No? Sad. Well, then I'm going to check around this Bazaar. Someone there will probably have more information on the layout of the Metrotel. Probably even more information to be had over there. Jek, you want to come with?"
ReplyDelete"By the way, let's use pseudonyms. Apparently, someone tried to get us here all trusted up and drugged, so fake names and change your look as much as you can.
ReplyDeleteOOC: disguise: 9+4=13
Ooc:
ReplyDeleteps 2 + 4 = 6
b 1 + 5
s 4 + 6 + 4 = 14
"I'm good with some early scoping of the place... It may be good to hear the rumbles of the area... What is the word on the street... Where we can look for work... and where not to wander to get in trouble... (maybe we need a disguise when we are scouting ahead to fit in... I'm thinking Lando in Jabba's palace :P). I hope that we are not people who are going to stick out like sore thumbs... Worse yet, people are looking for us... Besides the raiders who are still licking their wounds for our earlier meeting."
occ... if Page & I scout ahead I will use my people skills to hear the word on the street.
what skill should I roll??? can I roll "sneak" to get into the area unnoticed & blend in???...
OOC: The Streetwise roll will take care of the word on the street. I believe a map is in order...
DeleteOtho drained the last of his bottle and stood up, stretching, and thinking. 'So, it's impersonation again, hmm? Well, this seems like quite the adventure, so it's a fair way to start. I'll need a plan. I'm thinking Two Guys and a Stranger, but let's play it by ear and see what happens.'
ReplyDelete"That's a fair plan, Java," Otho says, admiringly. "Jek, Page, we'll hit The Hole, but only after the meeting. This place looks rough enough that no one will look twice at a family-sized blaster on yer leg, so we'll look for a hold-out after we maybe have more credits to rub together."
Otho takes a stride and stands next to the droid. Looking down on him he add, "Alright, looks like I need you t' make me look a 'legitimate. You any good at picking up chicks?"
Without waiting for an answer, Otho turns back to the group. "All set? Shall we head out for the lounge? I'm in the mood for some Rancor."
Also,
ReplyDeletePlanetary Systems: 12+6!+6!!+3 = 25
Oh WHAT THE HELL??? =3
Bureaucracy: 4+6!+2 = 12
Streetwise: 10+4 = 14
"Sounds good, Jav. I'll help you get to the clinic. Hopefully he already has a tab started!"
ReplyDeleteOtho sits down again, but then stands up immediately, wrapping one hand around to his lower back. With a smirk of remembrance, he pulls out a small weapon. He walks over to Page.
ReplyDelete"Oh, hey, I found this while I was scrounging around. Totes forgot about it. Not really my style, but since you asked about it, I figure you can use it better 'n me."
Otho hands Page a small hold-out blaser.
Java and Red rig the gurney again and with a little effort get Ethgarnon moved carefully through the ship, down the gangway and onto the hover sled behind the landspeeder. Rex beeps and blurps, and even without Jek's translation it is obvious the droid insists on accompanying the captain to the medical center. With the droid in the back of the T34, the rest of the group will need to make their way on foot.
ReplyDeleteThe hexagonal freighter bay is private insofar as no one else is currently inside the sixty-meter wide hexagonal structure. The wind churns around the Elysium Pale like a cyclone, blasting the offworlders with red dust. One can breathe only by raising the hem of his shirt to cover his nose and mouth. Breathing masks is at the top of the list of details forgotten after the case of beer was discovered.
The Bay doors roll to the side as the landspeeder approaches, powered on rusty gears which screech as they wind. Beyond, the bustle of the port is no less noisy. Hundreds of people and droids push, pull, and drive all manner of machinery in every direction. Though Killiam 2 has not yet set, powerful chemical lamps blaze the massive yard with orange light. Directly ahead is the Port Authority building, a hemispherical dome as tall at the apex as it is wide - more than ten storeys. Around its perimeter are dozens of large doors through which more people, droids, and transports move in and out.
On either side, huge containers with ore and salvage are placed with minimal attention to efficiency and maximum indifference to safety. piles of rock and ships parts litter the ground around the freighter bays, such that anyone not paying attention to the immediate space in front of them would surely get hurt. Java determines that spending time trying to figure out the flow of the port is not helpful to the captain's condition, and with a little extra pressure on the thruster the T34 skims east.
OOC: You can pilot the T34 at moderate speed in open ground without a roll. If you choose to floor it or get into tighter quarters you'll need to roll Repulsorlift Operation.
Rushtown proper rusts about a kilometer from the port. The towering Davika HQ is stacked like a ziggurat, tapered at the top and crowned with a spire. A short distance to the north is the Medical Center, a two-storey complex remarkable only for its obvious neglect. Approaching the south entrance, Java and Red are intercepted by a medical droid.
"Boo bo bo bop!" exclaims Rex.
"Of course I can see that. I cannot accept new patients without advance payment. Furthermore, two of my three bacta tanks are in need of repairs, and the waiting list for the one that is operational is currently seventeen standard months. I doubt this one will survive."
Turning to Java, Red says, "You seem pretty good with a wrench. Maybe between the two bacta tanks that aren't working we can scrape together enough bits for one good machine. That outta be worth enough to patch up this bastard."
ReplyDeletestreetwise: 1 + 2 = 3... ah yeah...
ReplyDeleteocc: I don't know exactly what to bring... knife, rope, communicator, what $$$ I can... some breathing filter, sweet goggles.. Ehr, if there is anything I obvious we should bring, please let us know...
"I want to go to the bazaar... I need to pick up some local clothes a plain outfit that is designed for this rust storm of a rock we are on... (I look for $$$ or things of value to trade)... After looking the look, we'll walk the walk... I hope to find a used outfit... like I have had it for a while..."
"After having 'the look of of local' then I'll be ready to head to Metrotel... Maybe I'll learn something in the bazaar (streetwise = a roll of 3 ick)... I would still like to ask around for some additional work. and then see the meeting place ahead of time... Am I missing something team???"
occ: since my character has no clue on what is going, I am really excited to scan ahead of time... Not much of a thinker...
oh my... and I'll keep my eye open for the raiders symbol...
DeleteOOC: There are some fairly obvious clues in this thread where to find a couple things of value on the ship. As it stands, no one has any money on them. When you figure out where to look, give me a Perception roll. (Hint: Otho could just go get it without a roll. Ok, that's way too much help from the GM. Please read comments thoroughly.)
ReplyDelete"ah, anyone know what is useful around this ship??? (clunking my heel as I lean my back against the ship)... We need credits... or something to trade, and we need it pretty quick."
ReplyDelete"Let's start over. I'm Doctor Green and this is my medical assistant Professor Plum. We're visiting for a few weeks and would be glad to exchange our medical expertise for accommodations for this poor bloke here. He's only alive because of the emergency assistance I gave while on the floor of a moving vehicle with nothing but a first aid kit and butter knife. So you can see I have skills that would benefit this Center. As the good professor suggests, we may be able to repair one of your tanks as well. Space to keep this man stable for a short time is well worth another physician and working bacta tank, wouldn't you say?"
ReplyDeleteAs Jek starts prattling on about clothing, Otho thinks to himself, 'Wow. This guy is -really- shallow. We've got a hole in our ship and we need to steal the identity of our captain to meet with a galactic slaver, and he won't shut up about his look.'
ReplyDeleteOtho says out loud, "Jek, tell ya what, why don't you go check out the storage lockers in the engineering section. I'm sure you'll be able to find some goggles there. And maybe even a pair if jumpers.
If you find some rages, hang on to them. We can tie them around our mouths to use as masks. At least until we get time enough to modify the breathing masks we woke up."
Turning to Page, Otho says, "Could you go sniff around the galley? There's no telling how long we'll be gone, so some stolen rations will be needed. You'll be by the three bunk rooms, so then check in there for trade goods. We're the only hope this ship has, so we're officially commending anything our former captives may have called theirs.
Then we'll meet up here and go scout out the meeting place."
Otho then goes to where he found the 'click'. Now that the captain is out of the way, it should be easier to search there.
"Yeah, I assumed we could find basic things to help with breathing, but what about useful things to sell... we need to blend in... to get some "normal" outfits for the area... I don't want to walk into a place where we were to be potentially sold for some reason unknown to us... We are up to our neck with problems... and I don't need any more... We need to get this behind us, get some credits (and a lot by what is seems), fix up this junker, and start putting our lives together...
Delete"speaking of more problems... why are we considering pretending to be someone we have never known meeting with people who seem to be the kind that shoot first (Like Han Solo) and ask questions later... We never learned anything from the droid expect for what it wanted to show about the captain and the meeting with the very tough-looking people... I don't know what is going on here, but I do know I don't want to walk out of one frying pan to only land in the fire..."
The medical droid, incapable of detecting guile, seems almost to straighten when Java introduces himself.
ReplyDelete"Why didn't you say you were a doctor to begin with. We are in very short supply of medical knowledge here. I am unable to admit this patient, but I will bring you to the Director now." It turns and lumbers back into the center.
Rex zooms ahead of it, and a few seconds later returns with a man-sized hover sled in tow. The medical droid tries to stop him, but Rex leans forward and guns his little wheels, forcing the clumsy upright medical droid aside. Red and Java quickly move the captain and Rex tows the sled inside.
While the engineers of the structure thought enough to construct double sets of doorways in the same vein as an airlock to keep the dust out, the hvac is clearly inoperable, and every time the inner doors open the dust is sucked through. The entryway is a chaotic space filled with battered and, in some cases, bleeding bodies of miners who have suffered a variety of scrapes. In the space between them, half a dozen small droids whiz through the air and along the floor, busily and noisily sucking up dust.
From behind a desk cluttered with datapads, an overweight, bearded man shouts past the group at the medical droid. "Emtoo-Fore, you can't let unregistered droids run off with out sleds!" Then he looks Java and Red over, and finally glances at the captain. "Did they pay?"
"They did not, Adminstrator Karl," responds the flustered droid. "But this one is a medical professional, and this one is a mechanic. I suggested they could meet with Director Skoff."
"You don't have the authority to do that. If you can't do your job right I'll have you scrapped."
"Yes Administrator. I will remove them from the premises at once."
"No, wait," Karl lifts his massive frame, his sausage fingers knocking a stack of datapads onto a passing floor-sweeping droids. It squeaks angrily and spins around to coral the mess. "You say you're a doctor, heh? And I suppose you did your best to patch up this poor fellow but didn't have the equipment to do the job, right? So here you are and you don't have any creds but you expect to use our bacta tank. You have no idea how many times I've heard that story. Every spacer that ever set foor on this forsaken pit has told me that one."
He leans forward, exposing the bits of gristle between his yellowing teeth. "So I devised a system, 'cuz if ever a real doc walked through those doors I'd be thrown into The Hole for turning him away. You clear out this room, stitch and set all these saps and get them out of here, and I'll take you to the Director.
"And you," he turns to Red, "You fix my bacta tanks and I'll let your man here take the first dunk. Emtoo-fore, bring the gearhead to the tank room and get him what we've got for parts. And you, there's some supplies in that closet. There isn't much, but these guys aren't hurt too bad. Mostly stitching and setting. There's an emergency room that way you can use that we try to keep clean. You can use it but make it quick. And I'll be watching as these guys come out."
OOC: You guiys can choose to take the administrator's offer or not. If you comply, I'll need 9 Medicine rolls from Java. Given the available supplies and the condition of the patients, some will be relatively easy and others will be a little more difficult.
From Red, for the bacta tanks, I'll need, in order, 1 generic Mechanical roll, 1 generic Technical roll, and 1 Computer Programming/Repair roll. As an experienced mechanic, Red knows that medical equipment requires a high degree of precision. If he had Java's assistance, it would still be a difficult task. It will be very difficult without assistance from a medical professional.
OOC: Java, you would certainly have the opportunity to interact with the patients, if you choose.
DeleteOtho heads back the captains bunk and rolls up the blood-stained sleeping pad. Sure enough, there's a rectangular cutout. Having depressed the secret latch, a panel pops up and can be lifted out. Inside, Otho finds the captain's credit chip with the first part of the payment from Silger, in the amount of 6000. There's also another holo of the Twi'lek girl, this one of her in the nude with her back turned, tossing her head tails and smiling seductively over her shoulder. Emblazoned in the corner are the words, "With affection, Sri'tel - Tanissar, Ryloth." With his diverse experience of planetary systems, Otho immediately recognizes the name of the prominent off-worlder resort city on the home planet of the Twi'lek.
ReplyDeleteFinally, there is a hardcoded data pad with the registration of the Elysium Pale in the name of Captain Perenian Ethgarnon. Cred chip in hand, Otho returns to the group.
Jek's search does indeed turn up some additional clothing, but everything seems fitted for the captain - short and wide. Along with the arc welder, there are a pair of welding goggles. He can grab the synth rope if he wants to. It's also possible to strip the dead raiders before they freeze solid, if you want the three jumpsuits of that clan. They look like they would probably fit, and the holes and stains could be patched over.
In the area of the bunks, Page finds the masks that were affixed to each of you when you awoke less than an hour earlier. With little effort, the masks can be re-purposed with crude filtering to protect against the harsh environment of Red Barren. Page also finds a stack of MRE's (official designation in any galaxy), and hands a couple to Otho and Jek.
OOC: Each of you now has a breathing mask. The goggles are not going to be helpful at night, but you can squint for a time and try to find appropriate eyewear at the Bazaar.
OOC: I think you three are ready to head out, and I think you're going to the Bazaar. It would be helpful for one of you to consolidate the final plan for me. If you are going to the Metrotel - not entirely clear to me that you are - you'll get a map when you get there. If you are going to do something like case the joint, I'll want a Tactics roll, but I also want you to describe how your characters go about doing it. If you go to the Bazaar, imagine it is like a very large public market with possible black market activity. I know you're looking for plain clothes, but what else?
DeleteOnce you leave the ship, and tell me where you're heading first, everyone give me a Perception roll.
everything on this is occ:
Deleteso do we need to search the entire ship again for things we can sell to make $$$... I'm still trying to figure this out... I"m not going to meta-game knowing that Brian found 6000 credits... he can do with that as he pleases... only fair...
So far I feel we have found some things but nothing we can sell... just a couple of things to make traveling useful... which is good...
so...
here is my dnd 101 search the ship roll... this time I am specifically looking for things worth selling
search: 5 + 5 = 10...
re-reading this whole thing again, it seems as if the doctor is the man with the plan... and he is not here right now... Jek is not up for taking charge of any of this... Jek is interested in Ortho's plan of working and getting credits...
I think that 3 of us are still on the ship... and I don't feel that anything is happening between the three of us... So until I hear otherwise, I'm just going to slowly search the ship... then consider going to town to get some fit in clothes... and then consider our financial objectives... I'm more interested in fixing the ship than pretending to be someone in a meeting to deliver... us... Jek is nothing special, so I am under the impression that we were nothing more than low-end slave sales... Yeah... I don't want to walk into that again... get a new local look... make some $$$... get this or another ship and bring life out of gutter...
I am not a leader in this game... I act boldly in a crisis... and get bored when I'm not in a gun fight/flying... I wanted to make a wisecracking pilot... who will go with the flow and have a blast with it... This may help with how the game is played....
OOC: I won't go so far as to encourage meta-gaming, but it would be perfectly acceptable for one character to approach another character and say, "I didn't find anything, did you?" It's realistic you could ask that even though you as a player know the answer. It doesn't bother me if a more pointed question is asked, like Page asking if anyone found a hold-out blaster, knowing that Otho did. He could also have said, "Please keep an eye out for a hold-out blaster, I'm particularly fond of that style of weapon." Either way.
DeleteIn a perfect world, we'd all be sitting around a table sucking down our third case of Mountain Dew and this would happen in real time, but given the play-by-blog and everyone's busy lives, actions are going to happen out of turn. Hence the need for improved communication by all to keep things moving.
Red goes into the room with the bacta tank and waits for a everyone to clear out and then pulls out his comm link (if it has enough range.) "Hey guys, how're things going on the ship? The meat shop is in rough shape but if I can get one of their bacta tanks up and running I think we he'll pull through."
ReplyDeleteAfter examining the machines, he decides he'd better wait until he's got some help from Jav.
"Hey J... er, Dr. Green, let me help you patch up some of these goons. I'm gonna need another set of hands with the tanks."
Following Doc's directions, Red helps where needed while trying not to get in the way. He chats up the patients to help keep their mind off the pain and in hopes of learning more about this rock.
OOC First Aid assist rolls:
10+6+4=26
9+1=10
16+4=20
5+4=9
9+4=13
13+6+2=21
15+6+2=23
10+2=12
8+1=9
OOC: Red and Java are a little bit ahead of the others in the timeline. I'll wait for Java's rolls and then update you guys.
Delete(OOC) Red and I are on the same wavelength -- I was just going to suggest we stick together and work the patients, then the tanks.
DeleteRed voice hisses and cracks over the comm links, at the very edge of its one kilometer range, and barely cutting through the atmospheric interference.
ReplyDeleteJek, while still in the cargo hold you find nothing of particular value, but it does occur to you that you could try to sell the ship itself.
OOC: Mike, follow Todd's example above of giving me a Perception roll for each area of the ship you are searching. You've already used your roll for the hold. Also, based on your character description, I can't imagine Jek wanting to waste a lot of time mulling around the ship. He sounds like a man of action!
Roll for the Cockpit, Main Hallway/corridor, and the Lounge. As a pilot, Jek knows that many of the ship's components could be scrapped, sold as salvage, or stripped of precious metals. Knowing that is easier than actually tearing things apart. The escape pods could also be sold as-is. You could check the hyperdrive - it's an x2 but that sort of thing is easy to sell.
DeleteAs you alluded to, you can also sell your services i.e. get a job, legitimate or otherwise. It seems that, based on your likes, the ideal gig would be to fly for the Rebellion. You just need to find the Rebellion.
As the three gather briefly to size up the MREs, Otho turns to Jek and Page, holding up the Captain's cred chip. "Alright, we can stop searching, I found the only thing of real value.
ReplyDeleteI say we dress up in those raiders, and waltz into town like we own the place. Let's case the joint, and get to our meeting. As far as I'm concerned, the package--that is, us--has been delivered, and that payment belongs to us. If they need some convincing, so be it.
I don't know about you guys, but when I think someone has something that belongs to me, I am t' take it.
Now if we hurry, we can get those uniforms patched and reasonably cleaned, and still have time to get to the meeting.
What do you say?"
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOtho seems a bit crestfallen as Jek is completely dismissive of the idea of confronting their kidnappers, and even Page seems to other plans in mind. "Fine! You wanna go find a nice moisture farm and squeeze some pennies out of it you go do that! -I- plan on finding them what did this to us and making them PAY. Time is valuable, so they gots sumpin' what belongs t' us. You want some o' that, you wanna watch my back, then great. Come with me an' lets go get into trouble. We can always try dirt farming later, but right now there's a paymaster who owes us big time!"
ReplyDeleteOtho straps on his gunbelt, ties a primitive mask around his face, and makes for the lounge.
OOC: Page and Jek can act as they see fit, and can catch up to Otho or set out on another course entirely. I would appreciate if both of you guys could post asap.
ReplyDeleteCred chip in hand, Otho is quickly on his way. The breathing mask is helpful, and does not significantly encumber or restrict movement. Otho's sense of the street is that he is relatively unnoticed once he leaves the area of the Port. Guards give passive stares as he strides by the Davika building, but none move to interfere. Otho knows these hired goons see spacers every day. The fact that his jumpsuit is relatively clean is the only thing that sets him apart from the standard rabble traversing the area. Even the blaster at his side provokes no obvious response. Potassium lights flood the thoroughfares in an eerie orange glow. The Red Diamond Metrotel looms ahead.
(See the map at the top of this thread.) Notable entrances include the Main Entrance to the Lobby, the Receiving Dock, and a couple smaller doors to the guestrooms. A Xpeedy Haulers truck is parked at the Receiving dock, and the large door is open to the warehouse.
OOC: Otho, let me know how you want to handle the meet. If you choose a stealthy approach, give a Sneak/Perception roll. If you anticipate needing to be Persuasive… you get the idea. Give me a Perception roll when you get to the Lounge, assuming that is your destination.
Java surveys the sorry lot and turns back to Administrator Karl.
ReplyDelete"This lot shouldn't take long, but that bacta tank could be another story. The Professor and I can team up and clear this room in a jiffy, then set to work on that tank. I would guess it will take more than a wrench, so Plum and I stand a lot better chance working together. Unless there's a better spot, we'll just wheel this body (gesturing to the captain) in the room. C'mon Professor, let's put some people back together."
(OOC)
Persuade, if needed to convince Karl to let us stick together: 5+2=7 (ick)
Doctor Rolls: I'm going to include 2 rolls (totals only), the first is Doctor, the second Streetwise to try to gather local information about who's in charge in this town, who the local power brokers are, and what street drugs are common. I also whip together a set of 6 "rorschach test" blobs, one of which is the symbol the raiders had on them. I ask each of the patients to say the first thing that comes to mind for each picture, under the guise of making sure they are not reacting funny to the meds. I watch for special reaction or answers to the raider symbol. I also see if any have a similar tattoo, and if so I don't do the test with them!
Doctor, Streetwise: + means a wild 6 included, - means a wild 1
16, 24
18, 19
22+, 21
24, 24+
20 (yahtzee in 4s!), 11-
18, 14-
18, 21
21, 12-
20-, 20
"Ortho... when you get in trouble, gimme a call on the com... I'll keep one, having it fully charged... maybe I'll be close by enough to help you out! Good luck with your revenge... Nothing is gained from it."
ReplyDeleteJek sighs and shakes off all the confusion of what is happening around him... Not knowing anyone of these people, or why they are doing what they are doing... He sets up his make-shift filter (try to make it look cool like Wrath of Khan) & not wearing a bloody raider suit, secures his blaster, basics, and what food/water (that is available) he can comfortably store with him... He turns to Page...
"Well, I'm off as well... I'm heading to the Bazaar... Time to blend in and learn what are the going ons on this rock... Sometime the pulse of a city can tell you more then you expected... You should come with me... You made an excellent co-pilot, and seem good in a battle. Jek is no more... From here on out, you can call me ROH."
I start to wander in the direction of the city confused and needing to find direction... (Just like Fin did in episode 7 after getting up from the crashed tie fighter and heading into town... actually I feel a ton like that right now, so it totally fits...)
OCC: Ehr, I don't know what I need to roll... let me know...
Page watches Otho's retreating figure. While he wouldn't mind a good scrap, the last thing to do is usually rush in. The more information, the better. Besides, Otho seems to be the best fight of the group....he can take of himself.
ReplyDelete"I've done it that way before. Usually didn't turn out well. Ok, let's hit the bazaar. But let's keep an eye out for explosions in this direction."
Likewise, he checks his blaster.
"I'm going on the other side of the street. I'll keep an eye on you if you keep an eye on me. I want to find some clothes other than this raiders suit. They obviously are known and feared, but unless we find their base, this getup will just get us noticed."
Page starts towards the bazaar. He'll strike up a conversation with the talkative merchants and eye up the wares. But there's usually someone with a little extra something around if one looks right. And usually they'll bargain.
Otho steps in the door and looks around, taking his mask off and putting in his pocket. He first heads right, as if he's looking for the men's room. He nods to himself. Emergency exit, supply closet, stairs. All good options or exit points. By habit he gives the supply closet a subtle check when no one's looking, just testing to see if it's locked.
ReplyDeleteAfter a fashion he walks into the lounge and looks around....
(Perception = 8 + 2 = 10)
Java and Red settle into a routine, the experience of saving the captain while under attack the basis for a quickly formed bond. After making sure the captain is stable, they scrub up in the modest facility and affect an appropriately professional bedside manor just as Emtoo-Fore wheels in the first patient.
ReplyDeleteBeginning the routine, Java asks the man his name and occupation while Red sets up the basic supplies and readies an antiseptic cloth. The man seems a little put off by the questioning, but admits he was run over by a Xpeedy Hauler truck last night when the dust was up. He has significant bruising and a broken foot. When pressed for his line of work, he spits out "Town drunk, if you must know!" Java runs a scan and internal bleeding is modest and diminishing. The foot will take surgery to heal but just as Java is settling in for a very long and tricky procedure, Emtoo_Fore returns with a datapad that he hands to Red. It reads, "Non-payer, set him and forget him." Given Karl's instructions, Java does his best to affect a quick cast and sets the man back in the wheelchair with instructions to keep his weight off and stay home for a month, if possible.
Patients 2 thru 5 come in as a group, with obvious 2nd and 3rd degree burns covering limbs and faces. They give their names and explain they were all working in Port warehousing when one of the containers set for export, containing explosive gas, a byproduct of the planetary mining, ruptured and ignited. They are in serious pain, and Red administers I/V's with imported alkaloids while Java carefully cleans and patches the burned skin. Red slips each man a couple pills and sends them on their miserable way.
Patient 6 is a escorted in by a security guard of a sort. The guard answers for the patient: "SN20341C5, Occupation, criminal. Now fix him so I can take him back to The Hole. He's got three years left of hard labor and losing his hand is not going to change that." Java looks at the man's left arm, the end where the hand should be heavily wrapped in what looks like a filthy shirt. It doesn't take long to determine he has an infection and the mangled hand is lost. Red asks how that happened. "You must be new here. It happened the same way it always happens, he wasn't paying attention and his bore tool jumped and caught him. Just chop it off and give him the stock prosthesis and we'll be out of here." Emtoo-Fore, seemingly waiting at the periphery, struts in and open a drawer full of overlay prosthetic hands, a simple mechanism that grips and releases when the arm is extended or retracted, with straps along the forearm and biceps. Crude, cheap, and effective. The patient/prisoner is administered a low dose general anesthetic and the hand is removed and sewn up. Java finishes the stitching and bandaging and the patient is wheeled out to an adjoining recovery room. The guard looks pretty upset that his charge needed to be knocked out. "I can't believe I have to wait here for this guy. Next time I'll just let him bleed out."
Patient 7 comes in coughing terribly, and Java recognizes the obvious sounds of bronchial inflammation. He orders an x-ray but Karl shouts back, "Don't bother. That's Red Barren's number two killer. We just call it the Little Red Death." A feeling of horror hits Red and Java at the same time, but Karl starts laughing. "It ain't contagious unless you breathe the air without filtration for a few months. Java gets his meaning and explains it to Red, who sighs heavily with relief. The man's lungs are purged and he is given a couple doses of the pain killer and sent on his way, his time running out, but at least for a few hours he'll breathe a little easier.
Red tidies up and stretches while explaining the predicament with the Bacta tanks. Then Karl yells in, "Last two - these just arrived!" Emtoo-Fore comes in leading a pair of men, one supporting the other. Both wear stained jumpsuits sporting unmistakable badges on the shoulder, a black-ringed red circle with a white dot in the middle. The worse off patient is bloodied about the head and cannot put weight on his left leg. The other man has burns along the right side of his face and neck, and most of his hair is molted.
ReplyDeleteRex beeps excitedly. Red and Java exchange a look. Java swallows and gets back into routine.
"Another new doctor, hey?" Says the burned raider. He adjusts the blaster at his hip. "White Suns, the pleasure is yours. Now if you can focus on doing your job, my friend and I have to report back to Tiora before first dawn. Trust me, you do not want her to come looking for us."
"Pills," the bloodied one says under his breath.
"Oh right, and we need all your killers." He points to the bottle of narcotic alkaloids. "Gimme those."
(OOC) What's the value to the hospital of the pills? Are they expensive or hard to get?
DeleteVery likely the Medical Center would be rationing almost all supplies. Narcotic painkillers would be among the most sought after of any such supplies. Java's expertise may allow him to fabricate new NSAIDS, if he could obtain the raw materials.
DeleteJek and Page set out through the main shipyard of the port, heading northeast toward the Bazaar. Truck after truck arrives from the north, carrying worn out miners from the great iron ore pits of Red Barren.
ReplyDeleteTheir route takes them close to a strangely darkened area which they realize is an incredibly cast pit. The Hole. Stepping cautiously to the edge, they peer into the depths. down a thousand meters or more, lights flood what appears to be the bottom of the open pit mine. ringing the pit all the way down are structures built into the rock itself, lights like pin pricks shining faintly, outlining the helterskelter of man-made structures. In the dust it is impossible to see what activity is taking place at the bottom. Looking around on the surface, they can faintly see a stout reinforced structure on the north side of the pit.
Moving on, they pass the Miners Guild, currently abuzz of activity as the day shift ends. Almost immediately they see the the rows of tents and other soft dwellings which make up the sprawling Bazaar. Conspicuous for their relatively clean outfits, Jek and Page need to fend off the pesky child merchants and the more desperate and less mentally stable, who are eventually swatted away by the more persuasive professionals attempting to sell all manner of total junk. The only items of value that Page or Jek carry are their blasters, a fact which quickly becomes evident to the practiced fences and carpetbaggers of the Bazaar. Neither of their street smarts help them, and Jek is forced to consider the trip a failure. He feels lost.
Then, as they pass into the deepest area of the Bazaar, they are approached by an older man. Much older. Perhaps it's the withering climate of Red Barren, or simply his advanced age, but the man appears gaunt and heavily wrinkled, stooped and stricken by a belligerent tick of the fingers on his right hand.
"My young friends, you are out of sorts, no? I recognize that look. I used to wear it myself. Come to Red Barren figuring you'll make some quick credits hauling in water and taking out a load of diamonds or some such nonsense..." He balls his right hand into a fist and then shakes it out vigorously. "This planet will be the death of us all," he explains, looking down at his briefly steadied hand.
"Now, you have a ship, yes? Of course you do. And I have a family which needs transport out of this accursed place. And I have money - 2000 standard credits, for their safe transport to, well, anywhere. I hear Ryloth is nice." He ushers you both into a rare permanent building. Inside, two young women and three men in their late teens are hunched over a collection of baubles and trinkets. "My grandchildren," says the old man by way of introduction.
Page perks up at the mention of the Twi'lek homeworld. Its the worst-kept secret in the galaxy that Twi'lek girls are often sold into slavery and shipped offworld.
OOC: Both of you roll Perception and tell me what you want to do.
The lobby at the Red Diamond Metrotel is relatively busy. Most of the clientele look like they are either spacers or bureaucrats. Otho's asshole detector rings loudly in his head as he watches the stiff middle-aged men in their clean suits pass from the lifts into the Lounge. He follows in a pair of particularly closely-shaved men and surveys the scene.
ReplyDeleteAbout half the tables are full. Otho gathers this is the popular evening meal time, and a full service of wait staff operate between the tables and booths. The booths are all taken, half by groups and the other half by single men, any of which could be Taro Afar. Otho notices nothing conspicuous about the setting.
He approaches the bar and orders the prescribed Rancor Spit. The attractive Twi'lek bartender looks at him as if he'd reached across and struck her. "I don't even know what that is!" she exclaims, appalled. "Hey Jiss, this guy just ordered a Rancor Spit. What's in that?" The other patrons at the bar have all either started laughing or are looking curiously at Otho. Perfect. "We don't know what that is," the first girl explains. "You wanna Balrog Blaster instead?" She reaches under the bar and brinks out an unmarked bottle of oily black liquid, mixes in something red from a bottle labeled Hellfire Whiskey and then reaches into a cooler and pulls out a live squid-like creature, slices its head off and squeezes the viscous fluid out of it and into the mixing jar. She shakes it vigorously and pours it into an iron mug, then shoves it toward Otho. "Want to start a tab?" she asks, nonplussed.
Otho stares at the concoction in front of him, considering whether actual Rancor Spit might be less unappealing. The Twi'lek girl, and everyone at the bar, are still watching him. Otho grabs the mug, passing off like he's been there, done that, and tilts the mug over his lower lip. The drink feels like salt on an open wound, scorching his throat as it goes down. He coughs and sets the mug down roughly, exacting hearty laughs from his fellow clientele. The girl flips her head tails and retreats to help another customer.
After a time, the novelty expires, and the patrons turn over. An hour passes. Otho is about to leave when from behind him a voice says, "Rancor Spit, now that's a drink I don't hear called for often enough." He sits at the open stool next to Otho. The man is perhaps in his mid-thirties, handsome by galactic human standards, with a tussle of lightly graying brown hair and a three-day beard. The bartender returns and he orders the equivalent of a sugar water, a shockingly expensive drink for these parts. He seems tired and stares quietly at his glass.
Otho is still bugging Page at the back of his mind. "Let us think about it." The fact that they don't have an actually functional ship probably isn't good to mention right now. "What about the Metrotel? No body has tried helping you there?"
ReplyDeleteOOC: I'm trying to get some information on the hotel. I still feel bad about abandoning Otho. Especially since the Bazaar kind of struck out.
Perception: 7+6+5
perception: 1 + 5 = 6
ReplyDeletePage notices the butt of a blaster pistol inside the short of one of the young men.
ReplyDelete"The Metrotel!" The old man seems aghast. "That place is flush with pompous Davika dignitaries and young spacer fools who think they'll kick over a few rocks and fly out of here with a hold full of diamonds." He points his flailing bony finger in Page's face. "Let me tell you something. There are no diamonds on Red Barren. Only rusty rocks and rustier men. Now if you're finished insulting us, we really need that ship of yours. I suggest you drop your blast--" He stops mid-sentence and straightens as a figure swoops in behind him from outside.
"They're not alone, Desaraek," says a measured feminine voice.
"Martya, this is Family business. You stay out of it."
"The Family agreed, Desaraek. We have a common enemy. Have you forgotten?"
"I agreed to nothing, and The Family takes care of its own first!" Desaraek spits in obvious disgust. He turns aside, revealing the lithe form of a small human female of indeterminable age. She holds in her hand a common knife, handle extended. The old man scoffs. "Well at least I know you didn't mean to kill me. Look at these two - we could easily take their ship."
"And then what?" asks Martya rhetorically. She reels the knife back and with a flick of her wrist it shoots forward, landing between the legs of the young man reaching for his hidden blaster. "Not this time, Kell," she warns him.
"Blast you, Martya, says the old man, suddenly oblivious to Jek and Page standing dumbfounded in the middle of some abstract territorial squabble. "I want to take down Davika as bad as the next elder, but we can't do that without resources, and to get resources we need ships. Blast the fools who wander into the line of fire!"
Martya eyes up Jek and Page. "Look at them, Desaraek. They're too young to have their own ship. They're part of a crew. Are you willing to risk raising the alarm against us by trying to take down all of them?"
Deasraek looks at the two of you with disdain, then slowly he begins to see the reason in Martya's words. "You've wandered into a thicket, my young friends," he says to you. "Very well," he replies to Martya,"but now we can't very well just let them go, can we?"
"Do you ever consider being well-intentioned, old one?" asks Martya.
Dasaraek shakes his hand and his head. "Too much practice doing the opposite." He pauses to consider you. "Besides, now I've spoiled it, haven't I?"
Martya intervenes again before the old man can come around to his original plot. "Please accept my apologies on behalf of The Family," she directs to Jek and Page. "We need help," she looks around at the others, then back at you. "Davika rules this planet with an iron fist.
"A rusted iron fist," Dasaraek interjects, put off by Martya's meddling.
She ignores him. "They control the water, so they control our lives. The Family has been smuggling in water, but now Davika has enlisted the White Suns to help with their crackdown. Our operations have been--"
"Crushed!" says Dasaraek. "They're squeezing us to death."
"We can pay fairly for work," continues Martya. "We need water. If you can smuggle it carefully while appearing to conduct legitimate trade, the Port Authority will leave you alone. You'd only have to worry about the White Suns coming or going. But if you're here now, you've either already dealt with them or.." She trails off.
"No, I feel I can trust you. I guess the question is, can you trust me?"
Otho accepts the offer of a tab and busied himself ordering some of the rough, local fare that was offered. He didn't feel hungry, but who knows how long it had been since he ate? And if the meet went south, he'd hate to die on an empty stomach.
ReplyDeleteAs the man approaches and makes small talk, Otho's heart starts beating rapidly. 'Alright. I guess we're gonna do this thing.'
"Oh, there are some places where it's ordered all the time. Still, what they served me wasn't half bad. Tasted like it was meant for solid, hearty folk that can make a livin' jus' about anywhere. Indeed, this planet reminds me of the factory worlds around Tallus."
Having dropped the catchphrase given to captain Ethgarnon, he felt no need to continue, and waited for the man's reaction. It can go easy, or it can go hard. Either way is another piece to the puzzle of the FRAK happened to them!
"Or the volcanic fields of Goreal 3," he responds, his demeanor significantly more positive. "I wasn't sure you would make it through the raiders. They let registered freight and passenger liners come through and attack almost everything else they think they can handle." He leans closer to Otho. "And they're working for Davika," he whispers.
ReplyDelete"But you made it. Is the cargo safe? All hands accounted for? Of course we should proceed immediately to your ship so I can take possession and you can get paid. We'll have to walk, unfortunately. Are you ready to go?"
OCC: They seem to know we have a ship... sounds like people have been brought to this planet this way before... many times... possibly like how people become stranded on this planet to work for pennies the rest of their life... can't leave without a working ship.
ReplyDelete"Wow... sounds like things are quite the mess here... Name's Jek... and it seems as if trust and our skills are our only currency. Let me tell you how we got here... I woke up to... (Fade to rehashing of the story so far)... We bumped into the some raiders... who we now suspect are the White Suns near the planet...They had a white circle inside a red circle inside a black ring... A boarding party came in to take over. I stood there steely-eyed as we faced-off in a firefight and ultimately defeated the boarding party with help (looks over to Page suggesting us as a team)... then I took to the controls of the freighter. With Page at my side, I flew dodging enemy fire. Page was managing the shields and bypassing what little energy we had, and we brought in the minimally functioning ship with a successful landing... (fade more into story so far)...
OCC: I do mention others were with us, but they decided to go different directions. no specific details on what or where they are... Just in case... I do make it clear they did help, and are not enemies...
"You need help around here smuggling water, You've got it! and you also have my trust... Ah... Unfortunately our ship is about as useful as a pod racer without a coupler to stabilize the engines. The ship we heroically landed is nowhere near flight ready... Many repairs are needed..."
"I have no love for the White Suns... and this guy Javika... (Shakes his head)... This guy sounds like the kind of guy to try to squeeze every drop of water out of a dry rusted bucket... (Getting butterflies in his stomach for thinking about how this is like a mini-rebellion against a rusty empire... Jek sits up straight and bold...) We'll help with your struggle against the oppression of Javika..."
occ: We have a get to know you conversation... during these conversations... I include the following questions:
1. Has what happened to us (part 1 of the game) happened here before??? Who on this planet would do such a thing???
2. History of the struggle between them and Davika...
2.5. History of the White Suns and their possible connection to Davika
3. How we can get equipped to blend in...???
4. Where to go to get parts for our ship???
5. What can we do to help?
6. (if we get Martya alone)... seems like there is some friction between you and Desaraek... Where is that coming from?
6.5 Are you (Martya) single???... Uh, I only ask because my buddy Page is shy... and wants to ask...
Do you want me to roll anything???
Otho replies, keeping his voice low. Or at least low enough. "Davika doesn't scare me. I've seen enough two-bit warmongers come and go to know what real power looks like. Davika ain't it.
ReplyDeleteStill, won't lie t' ya, we took a few love-taps on the way in. Might need parts an' a greasemonkey t' look at her. You know anyone good?"
After the small talk of a known parts-merchant and shipwright are handled, Otho moves on to business. "Heh, well, thats the real trick now, isn't it? I'm here an th' ship's here, so th' state o' cargo should be obvious. However, as pretty as you are, I'd feel powerful comforted if'n we could catch th' color o' your coin, if you take my meaning?
Trust but verify an' all that rot.
Oh, will it be just us walkin' to th' ship? Or you got some boys t' help in case we run in to some extra-curriculars? Can't be too careful, times bein' what they are."
"No," says Martya to Jek and Page. "I've never heard of anyone coming to Red Barren as an unconscious cargo on a light freighter. "In case you haven't caught on, look around. The dust soils everything, and you guys have clean jumpsuits on. I spotted you as a new arrival instantly."
ReplyDeleteShe changes the subject to address another point of confusion. "Davika is the mining corporation which runs this planet. Although if I were to pick the individual who singularly manifests Davika's corruption, it would be Vice Chairman Matok. He showed up two years ago and turned The Hole into a prison, and then began throwing everyone he could into it. The only reason The Family has escaped imprisonment this long is that the Elders originally struck a deal with him to harvest workers from the Slums. But now that he's enlisted the White Suns and cracked down on our smuggling, we've switched sides."
"Kell," Martya motions to the young man. He stands and returns her knife.
"This is foolish, Martya," warns Desaraek. "You've told them too much. You should let me deal with them."
"No, old one. I take them as my charges. And I accept the consequences if my judgment is poor, but I do not believe it is."
"This decision is not your to make. If you will not obey me, then we'll call a council of Elders."
"Very well," agrees Martya. "Kell, alert The Family and bring the Elders together." Kell nods and runs off. "Kell is my son," Martya explains. "His father was in The Family. As a widow and outsider, I lost my claim, but Kell is Family by birth. Come." She turns to leave the hovel.
"The Family are the original claim holders on Red Barren. They came here despite the terrible climate, and the very real risk of death by exposure to the dust. It was only after word of the first shipments of ore reached the Core Worlds, and other prospectors found similar success in the mining that Davika arrived and setup their operation. They nearly put us out of business by cutting the price of ore below our cost point. Enough to say that it was the Elders determination and turn to smuggling that kept The Family solvent."
She stops at a stand and grabs a couple dusty long coats from the rack and hands the proprietor a small crystal, abut the size of a pea. "Put these on, you'll blend in a little better, at least from a distance."
She continues to walk through the darkening Bazaar. The suspicious looks in your direction are noticeably diminished. "The reason I believe your story is because you described the female pilot of the leader raider ship. That can only be Tiora, leader of the White Suns. That you faced her and lived to tell the tale is proof enough that my faith in you and the rest of your crew is well-placed. It also means that she'll be looking to finish you if she sees your ship leave the planet. We'll need to get your ship functioning and then consider a diversion."
At a stall a little farther down, Martya purchases two loaves of bread, handing them to Jek and Page and paying again with a small crystal. She answers your unspoken question. "Desaraek spoke the truth. It's not a diamond and you won't find any. But these crystals are the things that Matok has the prisoners in The Hole looking for. From the Bazaar they are sold through the black market to traders who then sell them to Davika. It has become our most common currency. I have very few, but these are spent well, I believe."
You eat, suddenly famished. After a little while Maryta points to a nondescript tent. "Follow me closely." She enters exchanges a few words in a dialect you are unfamiliar with, and a chair and rug are moved to reveal a large trap door. "The Elders will meet down here," she says and leads the way down.
Taro Afar reaches into his pocket and pulls out a credchip. "Tressa, I'll take care of my friend's tab."
ReplyDelete"Sure, Mr. Bellek," says the Twi'lek with a toss of her head-tails. When she hands it back to him, he signs the datapad with a tip, then flashes the balance at Otho. 10575
He seems a little put off by your manner. He speaks low so only Otho can hear. "I can't assume the state of the cargo, and it's just me. But if you're not who you present yourself to be, you should know that I'm prepared to take whatever precaution necessary to protect the identities of the people on that ship. I will kill us both right here if need be." He leans in close. "I have a thermal detonator." Given Otho's experience, it's almost shocking how jumpy this guy is and how unprofessional he is at the cloak and dagger stuff.
"And assuming you are who you present yourself to be, I suggest we move out quickly while we still have the dusk. As for mechanics, I don't know any but I'm sure after you get paid you will be able to afford a professional at the Port."
He rises to leave. "Let's go."
Otho nods in a reassuring manner. Maybe he's just new, or maybe the cops are on to him. Either way, his inexperience should bode well.
ReplyDeleteAs Otho gets off his barstool, he grabs his leg and starts to limp. "Ach! When we took a hit to the manifold, I got jostled I've got a deep bruise. We'll still get there, just not as speedy as I'd like."
Otho exits the lounge, then says "Alright, now that I know that you're all professional-like, I know you'll excuse me a moment so I can give my boys the signal. You know how it is--I give the signal they come slow, I don't give the signal they come quick. I'm sure you understand. Just give me a sec, it bein' a secret signal an' all."
Otho moves off a bit and speaks low into the communicator. "Um, hey uh guys. And I mean everyone. I'm walking to the ship now with -one- guy. It's the guy who was going to pay for us, and so the guy who probably knows a LOT of stuff about why we're here. And he's got a metric butt-ton of money on him. And we're walking there reallll slooow.
So, um, if you can use any trains, planes, or automobiles to get the ship right fragging now, that, uh, that would be great.
Or else it's just gonna be me and this one guy. And I don't know how that will go. So, uh, like show up, an stuff!"
That done, Otho gimps back over to Tara. "Tally ho!" and walks on, going to the ship, at 75% normal walking pace.
OOC: Everyone, your timelines are almost synced. I'm going to give Java and Red a chance to deal with the White Suns and Jek and Page can decide whether or not to follow Martya into The Family's inner sanctum. After that you'll get Otho's request on your comm links.
ReplyDeleteOOC: How portable is a bacta tank (empty, of course)? Could several people load one onto a vehicle? If it was functioning to begin with, could it be relocated?
ReplyDeleteIf one were careful with it, a team of four could reasonably load one onto a truck for transport and installation. Two very strong people (4D Strength in Game terms) could lift and move it. Transporting the fluid would only require an appropriately sized vessel or multiple trips.
DeleteRed turns to face the two injured men. "We can fix you up and get you on your way but we don't work here. If you want meds, take it up with the tin can and Karl." He points to Emtoo-Fore then begins to gather some supplies to take care of the worse of the two. Red keeps one eye on his work and his other on the blaster, ever ready to either knock it aside or step into melee.
ReplyDelete"What do you mean, you don't work here?" the less-injured raider asks and gives Red a funny look. Then he pushes past the mechanic, grabs the bottle of pills of the counter and pockets them. He points his attention at the medical droid. "'Too-Fore, what's going on here?"
ReplyDelete"I assure you, sir, these men are proficient in medicine. I have personally overseen their work."
"Oh, ok," responds the raider. Then he looks at Rex. "What's with the astromech? What would a pair of hot-off-the-ship medics need with an astromech droid?" He turns to his companion. "What do you make of that, Ven?"
Ven groans. "Cal, I don't care as long as they can stitch us up and get us out of here."
"You don't think that's odd?" The raider knocks on Rex' shell. "Hey you, you with these guys? What ship did you come in on?"
"Beep?" replies Rex, looking to Red and Java for an answer.
"What I should have said is that we are only temporarily helping out here and any business relationship you have is between you and medical center. You two are our last customers." Pointing to the other patrons, "You can see the quality of our work. We can either patch you up or be on our way but judging by the conditions when we arrived, you'd likely die of infection if you go that route." Red smiles kindly at the two ruffians. The smile turns into a grin as he imagines a screwdrivers sticking out of their necks.
ReplyDeleteRed, give me a Fast-Talk/Perception roll.
DeleteFast-Talk: 2+2=4
DeletePerception: 6+6+1=13
Page eyes the trapdoor uncertainly and fingers the hold-out blaster, now in his sleeve. Any 'family' that spurns outsiders, ditches its widows, and sells workers to save its own skin is definitely one bent on self-preservation. And a family with 'elders' always means family politics. He turns to Jek and whispers, "We'll have to be very cautious. Be neutral until we can figure out the family dynamics." Page carefully enters the trapdoor and descends the ladder.
ReplyDeleteThe stairs are hewn from solid rock, with some attention paid to the quality of the chip work as to prevent uneven footfalls and sprained ankles or worse. Still, it's a cave, with a healthy volume of red dirt to make the floor passable. Arc lamps light the way, casting harsh shadows. Martya leads Jek and Page into a chamber about the size of the hovel they were just in. It is not spacious but can accommodate half a dozen people in a round. Chairs and a small table are all that ornament the space. For a few minutes the three of you wait.
ReplyDeleteThen Kell reappears from the passageway. "Mother, I have Elders Aresh and Sasti."
"And Halem?" asks Martya.
"His sickness has returned."
Two men follow Kell in short order. They are not old, but clearly the climate of Red Barren has a withering effect on people. The two sit and turn their attention to Martya."
"It's late," says one.
"This better be good for you to bring outsiders into our protected space," says the other.
"Elders," Martya begins, "These men can help us against Davika. They have a ship--"
"Men? These are boys, Martya!" exclaims the first.
"They are part of a crew," she defends. "On a freighter docked at Port."
"How did they get past the Suns?" asks the second.
"They killed a boarding party and then fended off Tiora herself."
"Tiora? Ha! Well that's quite a claim. Did they tell you that?"
"This one, his name is Jek. He described the encounter in a way that I believe.
"Bah," replies the first. "If you insist, standard water contract. One-hundred credits per ton, paid on delivery."
"Their ship is damaged," Martya admits, her normal resonance fading.
"And I suppose they want us to fix it for them or front them the credits?" says the second.
He looks at Page and Jek, his eyes bloodshot eyes. "This planet runs on trade. You've got a broken ship. We have the means to fix it. But you're going to need a helluva lot of luck to make it past Tiora the next time, or you're gonna need us to help get you past the raiders. We need water, and we could use guns, too, but water is the first priority. But the way I see it, the balance hangs in your favor. So we need to level it before we can trade our credits for your services."
He looks at the first elder and sighs. "What I really want is Tiora's head on a plate, but that is too big of an operation. I'll settle for more intel on the White Suns - Who are the lieutenants, how many men and how many ships. Whatever you can find out about the place they hole up in. If you get me the terms of their deal with Davika that might be helpful too."
The first elder leans in. "I want one more thing. The Suns have two of our men."
"You don't know that, Aresh," Martya interjects.
"I believe it!" He hollers back. "Find our men, Timo and Dall, and bring them home. Do that and we'll take care of your ship and make sure you get off this forsaken planet."
"Martya, since this was your idea, you and Kell will go with them. Show them the lay of the land and make sure they don't get buried in a dust storm. Return to this council in three nights with what you have learned."
Martya turns to Jek and Page. She seems hopeful. "Do you accept the Elders terms? You may ask questions."
"But be brief about it," Aresh suggests gruffly.
Java sees the situation quickly deteriorating. Better to get information than spark a conflict.
ReplyDelete"That droid? I won him in a bet off some spacer a couple weeks back. The guy was desperate for parts after his ship got messed up trying to get off this rock. No luck selling him yet. You guys need a Droid? We could make you a decent deal, but he's in good shape."
Java starts prepping to fix up the burned guy.
Quietly, he says "what are the Sunset doing in this rat hole anyways? Don't you have your own Doctors? Tell you what, my associate and I would love to hook up with an organization like the Sunset. We'very got a lot to offer: he's a skilled technician and I'm the guy that can fix you up after all the trouble you get into. To sweeten the deal, we could get you a working bacta tank. Just think of how it would look to your boss if you single-handedly solved all your medical problems. You would never need to come by this hole again."
"All we ask is the chance to get connected and out of this dump."
While talking, Java is prepping. He also pulls a vial of his special stash. This particular narcotic is strong enough to loosen tongues, with the subject blissfully unaware of what happened afterwards. He's ready if the Raiders don't take his offer seriously.
Java, give me a Fast-Talk roll, please.
DeleteOOC: fast-talk: 12+5=17
ReplyDeleteOOC: yes, random.org gave me 6,6,5,4,5 on 5 rolls. Dang, that was kind to me!
DeleteThe raider scoffs and points a Red. "I knew you weren't no doctor. But a mechanic, eh? That looks right, I can tell by your hands. This other guy has delicate hands," he says gesturing at Java. "More useful for meat stitching."
ReplyDeleteHe gives Rex a couple taps with his boot. "He looks sturdy enough."
"Bo bo beep!"
"Here that Tannen? This droid thinks it can tell us where to go!" The raiders laugh; the burned guy, Tannen, winces. "Astromechs sure are mouthy," adds the first. Then he lowers his voice. "Between you and me, Director Scoff has been pushing his luck lately with that bacta tank. Tannen here really needs a bath in that gunk, but Scoff says we gotta wait our turn. It's like he's not living up to the arrangement we got.
"If you can patch us up and then make good on your offer, I'll introduce you to Tiora myself."
Java works on Tannen while Red tends to the other one, and by the end of the hour the two of them are ready to head out.
"Name's Kyto. Go south sixty-K and look for three peaks on the range. You can't miss 'em. Our base is on the plateau on the other side. Don't take too long." He knocks on Rex's shell as he leaves. "And bring this chatter bucket. We'll put a bolt on him and shut him up."
After they leave Karl comes in and sees the two of you cleaning up. "The Director is gone for the night, of course, but you did alright. After you fix that tank if you want to come back in the morning I'll make sure you get a good recommendation. We could use a steady hand around here." He hands Java a credchip with a balance of 200.
"Your split for the evening's work. I'm leaving for the night too. Emtoo-Fore will take you back to the tanks and will stay with you while you work." Karl puts on a jacket and struts out the main doors, whistling a cheerful tune.
"Elder, we will look into the White Suns and learn what we can about them (Standing with confidence, and looking around at key people)... We will look for your two missing... Finding them is worth the risk, even if it is not confirmed (giving a piercing look of determination). I have a bone to pick with these White Suns, and would love to pilot against Tiora on even terms and not in a beat up freighter.
ReplyDeleteMy only question right now deals with what you know about the White Suns... How long have they been here??? Seems like you have much more history on this planet of Rust...
Page and I will need basic supplies, outfits to blend in (not belonging to any family or faction), Some crystals for trade... As for a guide, I do not believe we need an elder to come with us... Unless you feel there is a strong advantage to that... Kell would be acceptable. (long pause, and turns to stare at Matrya with confirmation). Actually, I believe that Matyra would be ideal to help us... (Looking and talking to Matyra)... If you don't mind helping out the two of us...
OCC: Page... if you can back me up on this...
persuasion in asking Matyra: 5 + 5 = 10
Whenever we receive the call from Ortho... We shall answer it... and tell whoever we are with that we need to address this... Ortho will be of great help, and helping him will assist un against the White Suns... and then will head back towards the ship... As I told him I would do so... Honoring that promise!!!! (and to help kick ass!!!!)
If I ever feel alone with Page, I talk about the following:
1. I don't want to get too deep in this planetary politics... these elders seem to be on their own political agenda which may or may not be a just path... though some of the people in their group may be good.
2. We should learn more about the Javika company from a different source... Still focus on the White Suns... I'm after them...
3. Doesn't it seem strange that the elders don't know that much about the White Suns??? Some of the questions seem pretty basic... Like they don't know anything about the White suns... Almost like they are a new Threat... hence... my question...
Sasti addresses Jek's questions. "You're either very brave or very foolish if you want to fight against Tiora on even terms." He chuckles. "But either way, that's exactly the kind of attitude we need."
ReplyDelete"Tiora came to this planet some time ago, a freighter captain with ambition, and she worked hard. She was the most reliable hauler we had. Made her runs on time and her ship, the Ilum Skylark, has a x1/2 hyperdrive and a 150 ton hold. We were lucky to have her leading the fleet, such as it was. Then Davika showed up and started regulating freight. They charged a surtax on loads over a hundred tons, effectively crushing Tiora's advantage in favor of their corporate fleet. She started smuggling on the side, bringing water and other perishables into Red Barren and taking ore out. She was profiting from all sides and making a name for herself. It wasn't long before Red Barren was swarming with small-time smugglers looking to make a quick credit.
"Davika couldn't have that. They needed to control everything. So they brought in that big frigate up there and squeezed Tiora out of the ore business. Ever the strong-minded captain, she started bringing in the other smugglers onto her payroll. For a while it was sport to get smuggled goods past the frigate, and she was good at at it. Eventually, when Matok showed up he cut her a deal. It must have been good because she flipped fast.
"We were forced to employ our own smugglers, but times got lean, so we cut a deal with Davika to run bums out of the slums into The Hole for their new operations - mining them crystals. But Matok is a greedy bastard, and so now The Family is enemy number 1."
"It was my fault," interjects Aresh. "I sent Timo and Dall on the water run. Tiora captured them - that's her play. But most people she drops into the slums or The Hole. She must have figured they were ours, and now she's got them in her hideout in the southern mountains. We haven't been able to get close to the place. That's why we need you."
Martya addresses Jek and Page. "I have taken you as my charges. I will be your guide."
Your comm links ring with Otho's message (only you can hear it through the ear buds. Jek briefly explains the situation.
"Kell and I will prepare for the trip. I'll secure transport and meet you both by the Port south of Bay 6 at first dawn."
Red and Java get Otho's communication just as Karl leaves the med center. It's their best chance to get to the bacta tanks with only Emtoo-Fore supervising. There are about a dozen orderlies and nurses roaming the center checking on patients, but nothing they couldn't work around.
ReplyDeleteOOC: Red and Java, decide if you're going to rendezvous with Otho, Jek, and Page or stay at the Med Center and work on your other plans. Captain Ethgarnon still needs medical attention, although he's stabilized for the time being and will probably survive the night.
"Hey Doc, looks like El Cap will hold out for now. Let's head back to the others and see what's going on." Red gathers up his gear and gets ready to head back to the others.
ReplyDeleteOOC: I'm not going to be available until Sunday night. Ehr, feel free to take any actions with my char while I'm away.
Here's the bacta tank repair rolls should we make it back:
1 generic Mechanical roll: 11+2=13
1 generic Technical roll: 12+5=17
1 Computer Programming/Repair roll: 10+4=14
Wow, them's some crummy rolls.
"Red, this is our chance to fix that bacta tank, which is our ticket into the Suns' base. Let's get that done and get the captain fixing up."
ReplyDeleteOver the com: "guys, Red and I know where the Suns' base is and are one repaired bacta tank from having a ticket to see their leader. I think having someone inside is invaluable. We would need to fix this thing and then could use help transporting it. Can your contacts help with the haul? We are staying for a bit to fix it and help the captain, then we'll head back to the ship. We can grab the tank tomorrow night, if that's still the plan after we rendezvous."
OOC: I'll deal with Red and Java and the bacta tanks soon.
ReplyDeleteJek and Page hurry back to Bay 3 and the Elysium Pale, returning ahead of Otho and Taro Afar.
Taro is quiet during the slow walk. He seems somewhat agitated about the pace but keeps it to himself. The two reach the port unaccosted. The gangplank to the Elysium Pale lowers, and Otho lumbers inside.
Taro Afar follows. "Alright," he says, withdrawing his cloak. "Where are they?"
Over the com: "Guys, this Taro Afar might not be against us. For all we know, we are the ones who arranged this transport to begin with. Without our memories, we have no idea. Proceed with caution; he may be an ally or an enemy."
ReplyDeleteOOC: Assume a comm channel is open and Red and Java can both hear what's happening on the Pale and respond to it. In the future, we may assume that, unless a character specifically closes his comm link or is out of range (about one kilometer), the other characters can hear what's being said.
DeleteOOC: I have a chance to make rolls and such now, but I will be on the road all day tomorrow. So let me know what I should roll against for the bacta tank repair work.
ReplyDeleteIf the hospital has chemicals for it, I want to hide explosives in it when we do the repair. Preferably with a remote detonator, but a timed one programmed into the tank controls will do. I want enough pop to at least cause a diversion, with more all the merrier. :-)
OOC: Make two Chemistry rolls. The first for the bacta tank repair and the second for the explosive. Then also give me a Computer Programming/Repair and a Medicine roll. Finally, give me a Demolitions roll to complete the explosive device with detonator.
DeleteOOC:
DeleteChem: 17+2=19, 19+3=22
Computer: 14+4=18
Medicine: 19+5=24
Demo: 13+5=18
For the bomb, I keep the detonator with the tank parts and unarmed. The plan would be to setup the tank in its new location, arm the bomb and remove the remote switch that detonates it. I don't want any of that on me when we arrive, and the bomb parts should disguise pretty well with the internals of the bacta tank.
Otho enters, but slowly, still maintaining the pantomime of a bum leg. At the sign of the empty ship he starts to panic, thinking that no one responded, but then he notices some dirt on the entry ramp. Fresh dirt, newly trod in. Good.'
ReplyDeleteOtho hobbles inside, calling out as if to rouse a slovenly crew. "Alright you good-fer-nuthin' mutton heads! Stand up and stand to! We got us the for-real buyer of all them guys what done got grabbed an' got in storage. Now come on! Get out here an' let's show the man the treatment he deserves!"
Otho is on pin needles. At the first sign of aid, he's ready to spring into action!
Upon reaching the ship before anyone else, I think this is an excellent time to quickly hide inside the ship near a blind spot of the main entrance... (ideally with the door shut, so we know when Ortho and company shows up...)...
ReplyDelete"Page, hide yourself and be ready for anything!" (holding up my blaster to the side of my head....) "Sounds like this could become aggressive negotiations... with a blaster."
OCC: I hide near the main opening in a place where I have the best advantage I can get while being hidden... blind side of people entering... So they can't see me at all... Once I can hear them inside the ship and/or Ortho gives us a sign, I begin to sneak to a more advantage point if need be. If possible I would like Page and I to be in flanking positions where we don't shoot each other... Shutting the door would be such a benefit!!!
hide: 2 + 6 + 2 = 10
sneak: 1 + 2 + 2 + 4 + 5 = 14
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ReplyDeletePage carefully sneaks over to the engineering station and hides, readying his blaster (not hold-out) and hiding against the bulkhead. He sets the blaster to stun. We can always shoot him properly later.
ReplyDeleteOOC: I'm also waiting for a cue from Otho.
Hide (Perception Roll?) = 12 + 1 = 13
Sneak 12 + 3 = 15
I follow Page's lead...
Deleteblaster set to stun... I'll still keep blaster out... they'll understand our need for protection...
Taro Afar follows Otho into the ship, around the main corridor and into the Lounge.
ReplyDelete"Enough of this, there is nobody else here." He huffs loudly, is agitation mounting. He reaches into his pocket and fingers something unseen.
"Please don't make me ask again."
Page steps lightly from the station and eases behind Otho, motioning for Jek to follow. He moves quietly, using Otho's body to shield himself from the man's view. As the intruder's agitation rises, Page steps out from behind Otho to flank him. He keeps his blaster visible, but down. His hold-out remains hidden in his other sleeve.
ReplyDeleteOtho turns, a smile on his. "Ah! There's my lad. You see, my friend Taro? Already does my slovenly crew rouse themselves to join us and see that you get that which is coming to you. Ah, but you're scaring the poor lad with your hand in your pocket. Will you at least remove your hand from so scary a place? Then my lad will put his little pistol up and we can get back to the business of making money. Yes?"
ReplyDeleteif needed: PurrrrswAshun: 15+6!+4 = 25
ReplyDeletePage winces inside. It's only been a standard day and it's clear that Otho is insane.
ReplyDeleteTaro Afar slowly withdraws his hand from his pocket, carrying with it the promised thermal detonator, his finger on the triggering button.
ReplyDelete"You're either the galaxy's worst freighter captain or you're not the captain at all. I'm sure I don't have to guess at that. But then who are you? Those White Suns? I don't think so..." He straightens, looking at you quizzically. Then, as if no longer taking you seriously, he brushes past Otho and Page, wheels around Jek in his hiding place and disappears briefly into the sleeping quarters. He returns with one of the masks in hand and tosses it at Otho. The thermal detonator is back in his pocket.
"I thought I recognized your breathing mask," he says. "You can holster your weapons, I am no threat to you. It appears that not all wen according to plan. We were afraid the captain might not be able to handle the raiders, but the chance was worth taking. What did you do with him, and where are the rest of you?"
Otho nods a stupid grin still on his face. "Alright, now isn't that more civilized?" Then, contrary to the man's request, he draws his blaster. "Well, it seems the only thing you're right about is that not everything went according to plan. But you are a threat to us.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you have something that belongs to us. We here are th' ones you done shanghaied. Now, much as we might appreciated gettin' kidnapped an' put under, we did have to put off a few minor appointments, such as living OUR GORRAM LIVES!
This can go a couple ways. First things first, though. We're on a planet, and broke. And far as I'm concerned, the cargo is delivered, an account o' all of us bein' here on this planet. Hence, payment is required. My accomplice here is gonna relieve you of both credstick an' thermal. You do anything other than nuthin', then this goes a might harder.
But don't think of it as bein' robbed, think of it as a down payment. You still got employees, they just look different. We need work an' more pay, you probl'y needs things done. There are better ways to start a relationship, but there are worse ways too.
And now answers: Yur Cap'n got hurt. He got took to th' hospital. He's alright, prob'ly gonna live.
And now questions: What was your plan? Plans. What were you gonna do with us? And what was your next employment for the Cap'n?
An' I don't know nuthin' but no White Suns. I was somewhere not here until recently, so that I'm gonna hafta humbly beg you to fill us in on that."
Once either Jek or Page has releived the man of cash and bomb, Otho listens attentively to him speak.
"Excellent," Taro responds. "You are the security man - Otho, correct?"
ReplyDeleteJek and Page approach Taro and he makes no move to resist. Jek retrieves the thermal detonator and Page finds the cred chip. Beyond that he is unarmed and carries no ID.
"In a few minutes you'll likely want to give the captain his cut, assuming he's still alive. That's who you are. But I realize nothing I tell you now will have any credibility until you get your memories back. Unfortunately I have the key to only a portion of what has been hidden inside your heads, but here it is. You may want to sit down."
Taro pauses for effect. "Calla lily."
Everything goes black.
Moving to a new post...
DeleteSeriously :P I expect a cliffhanger and to have to wait until next week on my favorite TV shows, but here! :) Lol.
Delete