Diameter = 120 Kilometers (Click image to see larger map)
OOC: Each of you has earned 10 Skill Points! The cost to improve an Attribute is 10X current value. Cost to improve a basic Skill is 3X current value. Cost to improve a Skill Specialization is 2X current value. Remember that the current value of any skill you have not previously improved is equal to that skill's corresponding Attribute score. Ex. If your Perception score is 3D and you have not allocated any points to Bargain, then your Bargain skill defaults to 3D. To improve Bargain to 4D will cost you 3X the current value, so 9 skill points. Please update your character sheets with your skill improvements. Unused skill points can be saved and allocated any time. Make note of any unused skill points on your character sheet.
Caveat: You can only improve Skills you have used since the last time skill points were awarded. If you did not use a skill you had no opportunity to improve it. During downtime, if you want to exercise any of your lesser-used skills, simply post to that effect. Email me with any questions.
"Calla lily." The word echoes in your minds, unlocking a flood of memories...
ReplyDelete"Can you seal the corridor to the south entrance?" asks Otho, he manner hurried.
"The terminal just locked out by Central Command," answers a gray-haired man sitting at the computer console, frantically working its controls.
"Blast," Otho curses.
"Sorry to interrupt," Page interjects from his spot by the window," but this compound is going to be crawling with Stormtroopers in about one minute.
"The ship is ready to go," says Jek over the comm. "You guys better get here quick. Warming up the blaster cannon for ya, Ortho."
"When are you gonna get my name right, Jek?" asks Otho tersely.
"Huh?" replies Jek.
Java cuts in. "The Ambassador is running out of time. She'll need the services of a full med bay, and even then..." His voice trails off.
"Does she have the plans?" asks Otho.
"I've got them now," replies Red. "Working on decoding the encryption. Jammer, this key you found better work."
"I ripped it right off Tiaan Jerjerrod's personal database," replies the gray-haired man. He opens a kit and withdraws a needle-like device and inserts it into the console interface port. After a few frantic seconds, he claps his hands triumphantly. "Spiked 'em. We're back in business, but it won't last long. You guys make a brake for it and I'll clear the atmospheric traffic."
"We're not leaving you behind, Jammer," says Page.
"I'll slip out through maintenance. They won't notice an old guy like me in plain civies. Then I'll forge docs and catch a shuttle offworld." He smiles. "You guys are in way more trouble - you're gonna have to blast your way out. And you better get going."
With that the door to the data center of the Correllian Embassy opens and Otho and Page burst through into the corridor. They clear each section quickly, disposing a security droid, then breach to the elevated landing platform where the shuttle waits. Around them, against the backdrop of the illuminated cityscape on Tinnel IV, drop ships converge.
Jek routes the blaster cannon through the pilots console and targets the nearest ship, lancing arcs of superheated plasma at the Imperial security vessel. Gunmounts on the drop ships open fire, covering the platform as Stormtroopers stream out of the ships. Otho and Page fire as they run, scrambling up the shuttle ramp as blaster fire criss-crosses around them.
"Go, Jek!" hollers Otho into his comm.
The shuttle lifts off, blaster fire raining in on them. On the horizon, a trio of TIE Interceptors are moving closer, but just as they reach firing range, the nav screen lights up with a message from Central Command directing all ships to break off current operations and clear the sector. Following "orders," the TIEs peel away. Jek hits the ion drive and jets into the upper atmosphere. On the open channel from the Central Command operations tower, a furious voice screams at the TIE pilots to turn around - get that shuttle!
But by then your team is leaving Tinnel IV behind you, and when the hyperdrive kicks in you know you are safe. You can only hope Jammer got out of there.
After a second jump to lose anyone tracking along the hyperspace lanes, Jek engages the autopilot and walks back into the common area near the ship's galley. The group has congregated there and everyone has a beer in hand.
ReplyDeleteRed holds up a holo and triggers it. A schematic materializes. It shows a sphere with a dish inset in the upper hemisphere. Around it, line items point to things ominously labeled "EMPEROR'S TOWER", "DEEP ARMORY", and "SUPERLASER CANON WELL".
"This can't be good," Page says what everyone is thinking.
"The Ambassador didn't make it," says Java quietly. "But she said something to me before she dies. 'Kyber crystals' - Do you guys know what to make of that?"
Red pokes at the holographic image. "Look here, it says AMPLIFICATION CRYSTALS. That could be a connection."
"Jek, how soon 'til we reach our contact point?"
"Twenty-six hours," replies the pilot.
Otho fetches another case of beer and sets it on the table. "Then we got time to take the edge off."
The memory dissolves...
Java and Red come to and find themselves sprawled out on the floor of the tank room. Luckily no technicians came in during the brief episode.
ReplyDeleteOtho, Page, and Jek open their eyes to find that Taro has propped them up around the gaming table on the Lounge couch. A quick check of belongings satisfies you that nothing has been removed. Taro leans against the tactical station, watching.
"i didn't realize it would be so..." he searches for a word. "Jarring. I'm sorry I cannot give you more than that. I only know the one code word, calla lily. And now that it has had its intended effect, it will cause you no further distress."
"You're a team, you see, and a blasted good one. A Pilot, a Mechanic, a Scientist and Medic, an Infiltrator, a Security man, and a Computer Specialist. All but one of you survived your mission to Tinnel IV to steal decryption key from Tiaan Jerjerrod. And because I am not entirely familiar with which parts of your memories were just returned to you, I better explain who that is.
"The Empire is building a battle station, the likes of which have not bee seen in this galaxy since the lights went out on the Old Republic, more than a thousand cycles ago. Other agents in the Rebellion stole the plans for the station, but they were encrypted. So your team was assembled and sent to the home planet offices of the man that designed it, Tiaan Jerjerrod. You coordinated with the Correllian ambassador, who sympathized with the Rebellion, and ultimately you were successful in your mission, at the price of your computer specialist.
"When we realized what you had unlocked, we knew the Empire would be searching the galaxy for you. We could have split you up and scattered you in the Outer Rim, but frankly you're too good of a team, and the Rebellion needs good people more than ever.
"We have access to an old Jedi Master, one of the few that survived the purge a generation ago. A plan was proposed to lock away those parts of your minds which contain any memory of your work with the Rebellion. That way if you were ever found you could plausibly deny any knowledge, and hopefully survive an Imperial interrogation. And if you didn't at least you wouldn't reveal what you know. It was Major Silger's idea. He thought we needed to follow that lead about the kyber crystals - the Ambassador's last words. We think it has to do with the superweapon on the battle station. Of course, it would take incredible quantities of such crystals to have any usefulness for a weapon like what we found on that holo.
"Rebellion moles intercepted internal communications from the Davika corporation about crystals found on Red Barren. Davika doesn't know why the Empire wants them, only that it does, and it wants a lot of them. We don't believe Davika has a formal contract with the Empire yet, and it is likely warehousing all the crystals it finds somewhere on the planet.
"So we arranged to get you here, to find out what you can about the crystals on this world. If they are kyber crystals, and where Davika is keeping them. I'm your runner for this mission. Whatever you find out, you let me know. Hopefully we can all get off this rock as soon as possible.
"By the way, the captain of this ship isn't in on the plan. He's an honest trader trying to make a living, and he took on a very dangerous assignment without specifics. He is entitled to his pay - that's how we work."
Taro folds his hands. "I am at your disposal. What else do you want to know?"
Experiencing a deep sense of loss feels strange without accompanying memories. Java only manages to get a few words past his almost numb lips: "What happened to Jammer?"
ReplyDeleteOtho, Page, or Jek will need to convey any questions to Taro Afar from Java or Red - he cannot hear them.
DeleteOtho works his mouth, making sure everything still works. He addresses Java first, "I ain't worried about Jammer. He got outa worse scraps 'n that. He ain't dead."
ReplyDeleteWhether Otho is saying that assure himself or comfort himself is unclear.
"Alright, so that's the plan? Find out what in the hell 'Kyber crystals' are and where Davika's big 'ol warehouse of them are? And then what? Can they be blown up? Or you want them stolen?
As far as stuff, I'd like some an armored vest and a pistol that packs a li'l more kick than this one.
And then I'd like a beer. I think we still got some in the crate. Anyone else want one?"
Otho actually expected himself to be tied up, but then he reminds himself that he's still among friends, and Taro is actually a contact--at least, according to his memories.
Otho gets beers for everyone. Including Taro.
Page cracks open another and takes a very, very healthy sip. Or guzzle. The returned memories torture his mind, like an unused muscle straining under exercise. To take his mind off his roiling thoughts, he looks at Taro.
ReplyDelete"What intelligence do you have on Davika? You've got to know more than we've been able to glean in a day or so. Any personalities? Internal politicking? Also, do you have a cache of supplies or credits? If this chip is going to the captain, what do we have to work with?"
Taro seems more relaxed now. "I doubt we'll be able to do anything to the crystals directly. From what our Jedi friend has told us, they contain no innate power source, but rather are used as focusing devices. The crystals likely have other properties we are not yet aware of. Nevertheless, if the Empire is interested in them, then they may have value to the Rebellion as well, even if we're not sure about the application.
ReplyDelete"Davika exists to enrich its stakeholders. We can use that to our advantage. The local operation is run by a man named Matok. If he could be persuaded that the crystals found on Red Barren are not high-quality kyber crystals and are of no use to the Empire, Davika would not be able to approach the Empire for a contract. To do so would be corporate suicide. If either the composition or quality of the crystals was suspect then the mining operation here would likely end, or at the worst Davika would go back to mining ore.
"There will be a central database in the Davika Tower. I imagine you could infiltrate the Tower and alter the database to show the crystals are worthless. Or you could find the warehouse and attempt to poison the samples with bad crystals. You'd have to figure out how to get those first, but it might be lower risk than breaking into Davika.
"Once Davika thinks the crystals here are worthless, we'll send in a couple 'buyers' to come in looking for the famous Red Barren 'diamonds.' We expect Davika will be all too eager to unload their batches of crystals. Any samples you can steal would be helpful to our technical teams. Understanding the unique properties of these crystals is the key to understanding the Imperial superweapon. The sooner we know that, the sooner we can plan how we're going to defeat it."
Taro eyes the case of ale on the table. "Do you mind?" He pops the top of a can and knocks back a long drink. He sighs loudly.
"Davika security is everywhere. You're going to need better weapons, although I recommend stealth whenever possible, and if you need to take someone down be sure there are no witnesses. Don't start anything you can't finish. Well, I don't need to tell you that. Assuming you follow through and pay this freighter captain, the rest of the creds on my chip are yours to use as you see fit. That amount will at least get you a couple blasters and maybe some armor. See what you can find at the Bazaar. You may be able to pick up some extra credits or trade items by making local connections. I had to come in lean, posing as a potential Davika customer. If you need to contact me, I'm checked in under the name Bellek, with the SureBar Construction Company. Room 303. Contact me every couple days with progress reports."
He finishes his beer. "Where are the other two? And where is the captain?"
"Captain's over at the hospital. The other two are over there. Speaking of which, we should find out what they've been up to." He keys the com.
ReplyDelete"Hey Java, how are you guys getting along? You guys ok?"
OOC: I explain what's happened to us and what Taro has told us. I also get updated and pass along what's happened so far b/t both parties.
"Ask him if he knows anything about 'the Family' or local politics. Or better yet, give him a communicator so Red and I can talk to him, too."
ReplyDeletePage hands Taro a comm link earpiece. Taro knows nothing about The Family. He says that there appears to be coordination between Davik and the White Suns.
ReplyDelete"I have a short list of names from Davika - people who go in and out of the Tower that I have met briefly in the Metrotel bar. I can send you the list. You should also each acquire a datapad with an uplink so we can send remote information. Remember that will be on an unsecured channel, so any mission-specific details should be delivered face-to-face."
"Jammer was a huge loss to this team. Do you need a replacement computer specialist? It's easier to get people in than it is supplies, frankly. It would mean I would have to leave the planet for a few days, and you would be on your own, but I think you can handle yourselves. What do you think?"
"I get it, you guys are a team - no sense risking that dynamic. Saves me a trip," says Taro, closing up his jacket. "As for the crystals, my guess is the warehouse is close to the mines north of town. Davika may also have a second storage unit at the bottom of The Hole. To get to the mines you can either arrange your own transportation or you could try signing up to work at the Miner's Guild.
ReplyDelete"If and when you try to infiltrate Davika Tower, you may be able to steal a pass inside. I've met a man named Buzik who plays pazaak most nights at the Metrotel in his private suite. He's some kind of big shot at Davika but he's also a degenerate gambler, as far as I can tell, always trying to hit the new off-worlders up for a game. Hang around the lounge late in the evening and it's almost a sure thing he'll send one of his handlers to ask you to play. He's hit me up but I politely declined. You'd need a pazaak deck. He would almost certainly sell you a basic set or you could find one at the Bazaar. I only know a little about the game, but unless you're very lucky you'll need to get some of the premium cards. Again, check the Bazaar.
"One last thing. We must assume that Davika plans to approach the Empire with the crystals soon. In my opinion, Major Silger's plan took far too long to get you here, but I'm sure he felt he was playing the percentages with your safety and secrecy. What's done is done. Our goal is to complete this part of the mission within ten days.
"Good luck, team. Glad to have you back in operation." Taro leaves the lounge and departs the ship.
Following the exchange with Taro, Red and Java get back to work on the bacta tank. There are a handful of nurses and orderlies checking patients throughout the complex, and one of the nurses makes a regular round to check the condition of the patient inside the one functioning tank. The guy looks badly burned on most of his body, but the fluid works to regrow the destroyed tissue at an incredibly accelerated rate.
ReplyDeleteThe nurse enters the large tank room while you are breaking down the two malfunctioning tanks. He's an unremarkable human named Sirf, and seeing what you're doing, ignores you completely. After he leaves you see on the log book that he comes around every hour.
Java and Red work together to identify the function of the components of the tanks. Red wires together a small box to test the electrical, switching current across the circuit boards along the pathways. Red wires the box through Rex so the board codes can be read off the droid's small display. Through a painstaking process of elimination, Red eventually determines which codes are missing between the two tanks and isolates the malfunctioning components of each.
Meanwhile, Java is sourcing the lab for chemicals to make his tank bomb. He knows that a medical center of this size should have a supply of nitroglycerin and an appropriate catalyst. Combined with a couple oxygen canisters it should produce a noteworthy explosion. It's easy enough to find the supply room, but it is locked and requires a key card to access.
Without adequate spare parts, Red cannibalizes one tank for the other, organizing the parts and, over the course of a couple hours, rebuilding one functioning tank. Sirf comes and goes on schedule, doing his best to pretend you're not there. With Java's help, the two men re-calibrate the tank and optimize the fluid circulation controls. With a little more effort you reconnect the tank on it's platform and fill it about two-thirds full with the bacta fluid. You run a cycle to see if it is working, but there's only one way to be absolutely sure.
"Beep, boo boo bop?" asks Rex.
OOC: Java and Red, give me perception rolls.
OOC: 5+4=9
DeleteOOC: 10+4=14
DeleteOtho gets a pad and pencil and starts scratching out a shopping list.
ReplyDeleteGuns, armor, datapad, pazaak deck.
He stares across the room at Page and Jek. "Well? Anything else? I think we should start at the bazaar and get these things, then we can have Taro send us the list of those names."
Otho leans back and smiles. "Y'know, I was qwuite the pazaak player, back in my day. The amazing thing was that I kept winning even though I had a HUGE disadvantage--I always had to go first.
With some decent cards and playing against a guy that lets me go second sometimes, it should'nt be too hard to impress him a bit.
Anyway, yeah, I'd be more comfortbatle with a little B&E to steal soem crystals, then poison some crystals--that can be done. A group along the Sword Coast used to poison iron, I imagine this would be similar.
Unless you guys really want to try your hand at rearranging the database? That's be easier, but, like the man said, without Jammer, we'd need an unknown, and I hate fixin' sumthin' ain't broke.
Well, shall we go shoppin'?
OOC: What time in the day is it? How much time would I have to meet Martya?
ReplyDeleteYou have about 6 hours until first sun.
DeleteJek chimes in to Otho's plan. "I don't really care about playing cards... but if that's what you want to do I'll go along and keep eyes on the people keeping eyes on us... I really need to find better clothes..."
ReplyDeleteOtho inwardly sighs. 'Ugh. The man is -still- going on about clothing. No, no. Must understand. His kind of people just have different ways about them. Ah, well, more women for me, I guess.'
ReplyDeletePage glances at Otho. "I've got to meet Martya soon. But in the meantime, I'll wander the Bazaar with you. I'll look for some rope and laser cutters to get us in. We're going to be ranging around for a while, so I'm probably going to need some supplies as well."
ReplyDeleteOOC: I'm also going to be keeping an eye out for probe drones or items that'll allow us to scout around.
Java notices that nurse Sirf carries a security keycard on a coiled lanyard around his wrist.
ReplyDeleteOtho, Page, and Jek set out into the night. The Port area is very well-lit, and with the suns down, the wind seems to have slackened off considerably. As they pass The Hole, they can see the phosphorus lamps blazing several kilometers below. Plainly, trucks move in and out of tunnels and massive wash pumps separate dirt from ore from crystals. No rails guard the perimeter of the incredible pit - there is clearly no safe way in or out without processing through the gate station on the far side, a surprisingly smallish and unremarkable building.
ReplyDeleteThe Miner's Guild is glowing with the sounds of working men and women enthusiastically drowning their aches and pains after a long day at the mines outside of town. A group of human females turn tricks in the shadows around the back of the building, indifferent of passers-by. More than a couple handlers attempt to corral you in for a quickie, but experience and common sense compel you onward.
The Bazaar is quieter now in the darkness. Coal fires burn outside the few vendors that are open. Page leads the group back toward the center of the markets where he and Jek were earlier accosted. This seems to be the location of most of the lingering activity, though there are hardly any buyers.
Jek wanders toward a stall with a couple of the longcoats hanging on the wall - not too dissimilar from the one he is already wearing.
"Are any of those coats armored?" he asks pointedly. The merchant, and older man who has seen more than his fair share of spacers, picks one off a hook and turns it inside out, displaying simple stitched padding bound beneath leather patches. It's probably better than basic clothing, but only just.
"Yeah right," says Jek haughtily. "Now show me your good stock!"
"Listen, son," begins the vendor, "I don't carry anything like what you want. But I'll make you a deal. I'll sell you this coat for fifty credits and point you in the direction of a friend of mine who has more of the serious wares you're looking for."
"Fifty? Forget it. This coat ain't worth that. I know when I'm getting hustled." Jek turns away and walks over to the next open vendor, leaving the old man shaking his head.
You hear him ask, "Hey, where can I find some decent food around here?"
In addition to the old man with the coats - he also has an array of boots and pickaxes of various quality - there's a slightly younger man with a table of trinkets, games, and other junk. Though the dust has settled, it still saturates the air with a distinct iron smell. Despite that, you catch a whiff of something delicious coming from one of the tents nearby.
Jek comes back empty handed. "There's nothing here, " he offers matter-of-factly.
Otho turns first his head and then his body as he reluctantly walks backward away from the flesh-mongers. Though of course he can't say for certain, he feels within him a calling of opportunity. Something about keeping 'morale' up.
ReplyDeleteHe sighs and walks in to the bazaar proper, looking about for his quarry. He approaches the man that Jek just rebuffed. "Hey there. Who's this friend of yours? How is it his has balls enough to sell the good stuff while you peddle padded petticoats. Oh ho! I mean no insult, friend. I would only wonder why you do not share in his wares.
I'll take the coat for 40, and tell me more of this friend.
Of course I don't mean to tell you that 'tis unwise to treat falsly a man you've never seen before and have no ken of. Why, if you tell me a fairy tale, I might be lible to do...anything. But if you have secrets worth hearing, I have coin worthy giving."
(Perception: Is Jek right and the man is lying? (10+5=15)
(Persuasion: 17+5=22)
Regardless of the outcome, Otho next sets his sights on the young man with the table of of tools of leisure. "Hi friend. I've learned not an hour hence that I'm to be play Pazaak. Alas I left my deck in my other starcruiser. Have you aught of this game? And more importantly, have you aught of quality?"
"Red, what do you think about this plan? First, let's test our repairs on the guy in the other tank. We move him to the repaired one and put the ol' cap'n in the tank we know works. Time it so that the transfer happens while the orderly is in-between his hourly visits. Meantime, I'll prep some of my light tranquilizer from my "medicine" kit and when Sirf comes in, he'll undoubtedly be agitated about the patients. When he comes to check everything out, you help distract him more if needed so I stick him and put him out, take his passcard, get the supplies I need, then come back. The tranquilizer messes up the head enough that he won't recall exactly how he passed out, so we'll take care of him and when he wakes up, he'll be none the wiser. You and I can then finish the surprise in the tank while the cap'n heals up and get out of here for some rest and regrouping. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteRed scratches what would be whiskers on his chin and replies, "Sounds good to me Doc although, I feel pretty good about this here tank. I say we put El Cap. in there and put it on the spin cycle."
ReplyDeleteRed and Java - decide which tank you want to put Captain Ethgarnon into.
DeleteRed, give me an Improvised melee combat roll to hit Sirf with the tranquilizer.
We put the Captain into the known good tank.
DeleteOOC: 19+2=21
Otho retraces Jek's path, engaging first the old man. The man tosses you the padded coat and downloads 40 credits off the credchip from Taro (Note on your character sheet, please.)
ReplyDelete"Give me five minutes to close up here and I'll take you to the man I know," he says gruffly. He goes about closing up his tent and Otho moves over to the trinket peddler.
"Oy, ya muss be a beeg shot!" exclaims the feeble-looking man behind his table of junk. In the shadows in the back of the tent, a heavy-set man sits, watching.
"On' de beeg shotz play de p'zaak. Boo, s'your lucky day!" He moves in spastic lurches, limbs jolting into action then reaching in slow motion for an object more than partially buried. He manages to keep one eyes on Otho and the other on his stash. It's off-putting. He withdraws a well-played deck of standard cards and fans them out for you to see. It appears to be an intact full standard deck.
"Fo' de baseek deek, two creestal, or five-tee creedit. No leess. Then I showz you de preem cardz!"
Otho shrugs at the cards. "Too much. They're old and worn. If they were mint, maybe, but like this, no dice."
ReplyDeleteHe turns and walks away, approaching Jek and Page. He murmurs low to them, "I think we should give this armor-monger a chance. It looks like decent protection is gonna be hard to come by, with all the control here. Let's give this guy a few minutes to see if we can get some armor, then we'll go see your contact, okay?"
He truns back to the card dealer. "Alright, alright, my friend says you've got an honest face and I should give you a shot. Four-tee for the deck, and I promise to at least give your so-called "premium" cards half a look. Deal?"
((OOC:I have the 6K card from the Captain. I think Page has the 10+K from Taro. I'll deduct it.))
While he's talking with the gamemaster, he shrugs into the padded coat he just bought. 'Hmmm. Padded. Nice Brown Coat. The proper thing a Cap'n would wear. Now why do I think I need some suspenders to go with this?'
The vendor's hand darts to his face, where fingers slowly expand along his lips, widening his expression to one of grim satisfaction. With equal alacrity he shoves the deck at you. The transaction is completed for 40 credits. Then he snaps his bony fingers. The heavy man behind him lumbers to his feet, turning the wooden crate he's been sitting on to reveal a latch and keyhole. He digs down the front of his soiled trousers to extract a laser-cut key, inserts it into the key hole, and pops the top.
ReplyDelete"De preem cardz, Kozok!" requests the vendor. After some shuffling about in the crate, the large man - he stands two meters tall and half as wide at the middle - hands the vendor a tattered envelope.
Fingers flash inside, withdrawing three cards. He shows a +/- 4, a +/- 2, and the rarest of all, the +/- 1. To find such a gem on a backworld planet like Red Barren is almost unbelievable. The quality matches that of the standard deck, leading one to believe they were part of a set originally, though how this dubious wretch came into their position is unknown. On the one hand, not being premium quality reduces the value considerably. But on the other hand, the cards would blend in with the rest of the deck, disguising the hand from your opponent.
He raises the +/- 4. "Fo' deez, one hundreed." Carefully, he shows the +/- 2. "S'three hundreed." And finally, the +/- 1. "Seex hundreed. I make deel fo' all - Nine hundreed."
Otho's experience tells him the cards in that condition would go for one-third that price on a core world, but on this unlikely planet in the outer rim, the offered price is not outlandish.
Once the repaired bacta tank is mostly full, Java operates the crane system, extracting the patient from the first tank and dropping him into the second. After a few minutes the light codes stabilize. The tank appears to be working. Then Red and Java strip down Captain Ethgarnon, fit him with the breathing apparatus and set him in the rigging, then the crane ably lifts and gently drops him into the first tank. Again, the codes stabilize and the healing process is begun.
ReplyDeleteNo sooner have they finished the exercise then Sirf returns.
"What have you done!" he protests upon seeing the switch. "He holds his datapad at java threateningly. "You're not authorized--"
Red swoops in from the side and jabs the nurse in the neck with the tranquilizer. Sirf cries out and whirls around, but he keeps spinning all the way to the floor.
Java scoops up the key card and hustles back to the lab. With the key card he swipes his way into the supply room. He finds a metal carry case with interior padding, stuffs it full of nitroglycerin, and then in his arms he carries out four liter-canisters full of oxygen.
He quickly returns to the tank room where Red has hidden Sirf on a stretch, a sheet drawn up to the level of the unconscious man's eyes.
The two men repack the third, non-functional tank with the bomb. A quick test of the electronics makes it clear it will appear to function.
OOC: Red and Java, how do you want the bomb to be activated? You could attempt to use your comm link as a wireless remote, but you'll have a very short radio range, and the mountains could create restrictions. Or you could key the controls of the tank itself to activate the bomb on a given sequence. If your intention is to take the tank out of the medical center now, both of you give me a Sneak roll and a Strength roll to carry out the fluid. You can improve the Difficulty level for each roll be describing how you plan to get the tank and the fluid through the halls unnoticed and onto the hover cart you left outside the main entrance. Otherwise I'll assume you're just walking straight out with it.
OOC: my initial idea was that we bring a functional tank with the explosives concealed in the electronics. But the narrative says the explosives are in the non-functional tank, but it appears functional. What is meant by "appears"? If attempted to be used, how long can the appearance remain?
DeleteIdeally, I want to put the explosives into the repaired tank. So we take the guy out, put the bomb in that tank, put Ethgarnon in the fixed one, and the guy back in the original. We wire the explosives to the control pad on a timer based on the strength of the explosives (I want enough time to get out of the blast radius, plus a cushion. 15 minutes?). Once all that is done, we wake Silf with a story that we left some equipment lying around and he fell and banged his head pretty hard (we help make it realistic by knocking him in the noggin). I give him a little feel good narcotic to make sure he's still fuzzy on details, and we apologize profusely for leaving stuff out, though proudly show off the two fully functional tanks.
Then we leave. We need to rest, regroup, and plan moving the tank the following night, after the captain is back in one piece and we've won the thanks of the hospital for the working tank.
I run that plan past Red first, though, for buy-in. Maybe it's better if Silf disappears for a bit, since they could pin the missing supplies on him. I'm not the time to just eliminate people, but maybe there'soon another option. Red?
DeleteOOC: Java and/or Red give me a Con/Fast-Talk roll.
DeleteThe bomb is in the functioning tank. The tank that only "appears" to be working is not actually working but would fool a layman, at least until someone was dropped into it.
"Yeah, let's not try and kill people who don't have it coming. I want to get back to the others soon."
DeleteOOC: Fast Talk roll 3+2=5 :D
OOC: Fast talk: 10+5=15
DeletePage watches Otho carefully. The cards aren't cheap and he's not sure how good Otho actually is. In the meantime, he keeps an eye on the armorer.
ReplyDeleteOtho keeps his face passive, as if carved from stone, but inwardly he gives an appreciative whistle. Yeah those...those are good ones. But they're not cheap, and, really, he's kinda out of practice. No telling how good he'd be. Still, those cards would flat out make someone better.
ReplyDeleteHe can't do the walk-away-then-back trick. It looks like it's down to pure, hard haggling now.
"Ouch. Where is your dagger, that you would rob for such la su? In the core worlds they'd go for a third that price! Ugh, tell ya what, I'll take them off your hands for five hun'ert. An I hate charities."
Otho knows he's lying. He'd take them at 900 if he can't make him budge on the price, but, fortunately, he specializes in this kind of Debate.
((OOC:Persuation(Debate): 21+6!+1typical = 27))
The merchant's pliant face slacks, and for a moment threatens to fall off. In the nick of time he catches it with another whip-like movement of his hand, pushing it back up into its normal position. He chews his tongue for a minute, screwing his eyes sideways as he attempts to look into Otho's soul.
ReplyDeleteThen the flicks the envelope into Otho's breast, transferring 500 credits. The transaction is complete, the mercenary's powers of persuasion having won the brief negotiation. It's also likely that 500 credits is equal to half a year's rations, and it's not often that someone comes through looking for pazaak cards.
Kozok returns to his seat, and the merchant bids you goodnight.
About that time the older man who sold the coats sidles up. "Follow me close." He draws up his collar and pulls his cap down.
The Bazaar thoroughfares meander chaotically, and the old man weaves around dozens of closed-up stalls and tents - only a few remain open at this dark hour.Page feels like they are getting close to the area of the secret underground meeting chamber used by The Family Elders, but he cannot yet be sure.
Just when your patience is running thin, a familiar voice calls out from one of the tents. "Millik, who have you brought into this sanctum?" Page recognizes the gravely voice of Desaraek.
"It's no business of yours," replies the man leading you. "I've a transaction to complete with these men."
"I know of these men, and of their business. They are infiltrators. You disgrace The Family by bringing them here, and you are not the first to do so."
"The transaction must be honored - it is our code! Desaraek, you alone defy the elders so!"
From around you, a group of four men emerge from the shadows. One of them kicks Millik to the ground, then threatens to kick the older man. Millik cowers into a ball to protect himself, but does not flee.
"Stay then," taunts Desaraek. "But stay out of the way." You still cannot see Desaraek inside the dark tent. "Martya was wrong to bring you here and to allow you to speak with the Elders. If she had just allowed us to take your ship, we would have spared your lives. Your blood is on her hands!" Clearly, Desaraek is in no mood to talk. Armed with vibroblades, the men rush to attack.
OOC: Initiative (Perception), Tactics, and Strength rolls, please. Then also give me first round actions.
Initiative: 11+3 = 14
ReplyDeleteTactics: 9+1 = 10
Strength = 2+6!+4 = 12
Page moves sideways closer to Millik and drops to a knee. Bracing his arm, he sights in on the second onrusher, counting on Otho to do something about the first attacker. Preferably something messily violent. The hold-out blaster in his sleeve comes up and fires once at the second man. Turning quickly, he fires once more at man who just kicked Millik. If the armorer comes out alive, he might be a little grateful.
Hold-Out Blaster @ Second attacker: 4+6!+6!+1 = 17
Hold-Out Blaster @ Man standing over Millik: 7+2 = 9
Damage 3d6:
DeleteSecond Attacker: 8+6!+5 = 19
Man near Millik: 5+6!+4 = 15
Initiative: 6+5 = 11
ReplyDeleteTactics: 8+2 = 10
Strength = 1+6!+5 = 12
Otho expected this to come to blows from the first spite-filled sentence. Unblinkingly he quick-draws his own blaster and dispassionately launches a pair of blasts at the two attackers that Page didn't hit.
Blast1: 19+2=21 Damage1: 5+5=10 | Blast 2: 22+2=24 Damage2: 9+2=11
Otho and Page spring into action, moving with tactical precision, splitting the attackers two and two. Page deftly drops near the prone body of Millik, firing into the chests of the young thugs at point-blank range. His first blaster bolt finds the center of his target, blasting a hole straight to the man's heart. He crumples before he can even scream. The second bolt is not as well aimed, but strikes the thug in the pelvis. He spins and falls, screaming in pain and clutching his immolated hip. He writhes uselessly on the ground.
ReplyDeleteExpecting exactly this outcome, Otho is already leveling his blaster as the assailants converge. In quick succession he bullseyes both targets, clearly wounding both men. They stagger, and seeing what happened to their friends, make the most of the few seconds they have left in life to flee the scene. It's obvious in the light of nearby phosphorous lamps that the attackers were but boys with knives - they had no chance against professionals with blasters.
Jek, seeing the immediate situation well in hand, rushes into Desaraek's tent. The brawny pilot emerges a few seconds later with the old bastard in a choke hold, his prominent nose broken and gushing blood. Jek casts him down roughly onto the dusty ground.
Desaraek wipes at his face and coughs. "What are you waiting for? End it already! I won't endure another minute on this wretched planet. Blast the Elders for bringing us here! Blast them and blast you!"
Red starts to stutter on about the Captain in the tank, but Java bails him out, weaving a tapestry of deceit which seems to de-escalate the tension with Sirf. He checks the Administrators log, and sure enough, Karl noted that if the bacta tank could be repaired then the new patient would get the first swim.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long evening, but both Red and Java finally exit the medical center, with Rex close behind.
Just when the two of you are contemplating where to go get something to eat - you are suddenly famished - you hear the sounds of blaster fire erupt over your comm links. You know your teammates are in the Bazaar, but trying to find them in that labyrinth may be tricky.
Otho spares a look at Page, and nods, making sure that Millik isn't dead. Convinced that there pending business transaction is still pending, Otho holsters his blaster and approaches Desaraek. "Ha ha! End it? Oh nooo. We've got much too talk about, you and I. Now, you don't know me, so I'll tell you something that anyone else would've figured out by now: I'm the kind of guy that, if you want ten years of war then I'll give you ten years of war. But you get tired of that and want peace you shall have peace and I'll invite you for tea.
ReplyDeleteHence, two paths are before you. One, you get over whatever existential misinformed bullshit led you to believe that a brace of beardless boys had anything for me, and you'll start to realize we're on the same side. Hell, from what little I've seen of this la su planet, I might be your savior--you're very own personal Jesus Christ come to drive the bad men to the hot place. You start to play ball an' accept me as a prodigal son come to set the wrong things right, an' I think there might be fun and profit in it for both of us. Ain't that right, guys?
Or, two, you could be a tight-lipped hard-assed Imperial man holding to some kind of personal war against free, and handsome, men such as myself, and we spend some quality time together, where you tell me every dirty secret you ever knew or hoped to know while you cry your eyes out begging for something soft like mere pain, or the sweet, sweet release of a death that I am too much of a bastard to give you.
Your call, really."
OOC: laughin me ar$e off right about now 😂
ReplyDeletePage immediately stuns the wounded assailant and grabs his vibroblade. He goes over to check Millik. The kick could not have done any good to a man that old. He administers first aid if required. If it's more serious, he coms Java and Red for input.
ReplyDeleteThen he checks on the wounded and stunned assailant. He administers first aid if possible. If it's serious, he looks at Otho to see what kind of progress he's making on Desaraek. Higher priority is information. Maybe the man can be used as leverage.
DesaraekIn either case, if the man is dead, there is only one thing to do. Go through his clothes and look for loose change.
OOC:
First Aid for Millik: 14+3 = 17
First Aid for Assailant: 20+3 = 23
Perception: 6+1 = 7
Picking his way through maze of the Bizaar, Red starts making his way to see if there's anything he can help out with
ReplyDeleteOOC: I'm gonna be gone for the next two weeks. I'll try to check in but things will be pretty busy and my access to the interwebz intermittent.
Page pickpockets the dead boy, but finds only the vibroblade and a single small crystal. The wounded attacker, now stunned, is gravely injured - looks like he's going to lose that hip for sure. First aid helps to at least stabilize him. Millik crawls to his feet and dusts himself off - he's alright.
ReplyDeleteDesaraek spits into the ground. "Colm, Dath, get back here! It's over." he croaks. Within a few seconds, the wounded attackers stagger back into the area. They clutch themselves, but will recover. "Get a sled and take Hok and Jurree to the Med Center. Tell them it was a mining accident. Here." He reaches into a pocket and withdraws four small crystals, handing them to the least-wounded boy. Then the two lift and drag their accomplices off into the night.
About this time, Red, Java, and Rex arrive at the scene. (OOC: Java's excellent streetwise score and use of the comm helped him navigate the group through the Bazaar + GM's desire to get the party back together.)
"Ten years of war? Ha!" Desaraek spits again. "Savior? Ha! As you so ably point out, these were but boys with knives. I underestimated your group, yes, but don't get cocky. Imperial? Double-ha! Like any such self-righteous Imperial scumbag would risk soiling his starched grays on Red Barren.
"Profit motive, now that I respect! And I admit that we don't see many freight crews who can handle themselves like you can. Not any, actually. So you got that going for you. Help me up." He lifts a bony hand at Jek. The pilot shrugs and pulls the old curmudgeon to his feet.
"Millik, you were taking them to Halem, is that right?"
"What do you care?" Millik counters.
"I hear he's got even less time on this dustball planet than I do, and I haven't seen my brother since the last white perihelion. I'll walk with you."
Millik sighs. "Suit yourself."
"There was a time when Halem accepted my council, but that was before Davika moved in. The Elders thought we could work with them - somehow benefit by turning in vagrants for credits, but I knew that wouldn't last. Sure enough, when Matok showed up the tables turned against The Family. If you ask me, we should have been fighting Davika from the start - bombed their headquarters building while it was under construction or something. But Halem and the others though the spaceport would be a good thing. Ha!"
ReplyDelete"The port was good for us!" replies Millik. "At first anyway. Brought in a lot of things we needed here. And it brought people. The Family was getting a little too familiar, if you know what I mean."
Desaraek clears his throat. "We could have shipped in Twi'lek if you wanted to have some fun, and nobody was stopping anyone from leaving."
"You know that's not how it worked."
"Anyway, it's done," says Desaraek, apparently pulling rank to close the argument. "Now we have a common enemy, and it's time for common tactics!"
He changes the subject. "I wasn't exactly telling the truth to you earlier," he says to Jek and Page. "The crystals here aren't diamonds, but they aren't worthless, either. At least not to Davika. I was the first to find that out because I was the only one around here against the Elders decision to fleece the slums. The folk in there respected me for that, so I know what's going on down in The Hole better than anyone else topside."
He reaches back into his pocket and pulls out a small handful of the pea-sized crystals. "This is what filters up to the surface. We use them when we got nothing else more useful to trade, like credits only they're no good anywhere else I know but here in Rushtown. This stuff is like gravel - they churn it out by the truckload and store it north of the city somewhere. Matok's looking for something bigger, and I heard he's found it. I heard it's a crystal so big they haven't dug out the end of it yet.
"You want to change the fortunes here on Red Barren, and make one for yourself?" The Hole is where you'll find it."
The group arrives at a larger, more permanent dwelling southeast of the Bazaar, in the general living quarter of the city. Millik raps on the door. After a minute a middle-aged woman answers. "Millik, Desaraek? What are you doing here at this hour?"
"I have a transaction to complete," explains Millik. "These men have credits and seek armaments for their personal use."
The woman eyes you suspiciously. "And what say you, Desaraek? Halem will not see you."
"I hoped he might, but it makes no difference, really. If it matters at all, I vouch for these men, to a point. They may already have a contract with the Elders."
"I have not heard of it, but I will ask Halem. Wait." The woman closes the door and the group waits in silence for several minutes. Red and Java are fiercely hungry by now. At last the latch clicks and the door opens. The woman appears, steps out, and locks it behind her. She proceeds around back.
"Farewell," says Millik, heading back to the Bazaar.
Desaraek follows the woman and you follow him. She leads you to a shed and unlocks another door.
"Halem has heard of this group," she explains, "and he has permitted them to purchase from his personal supply. It isn't much, but we are spread thin, and supplies like this are almost impossible to acquire lately." She flips a switch, illuminating the modest armory.
Inventory:
ReplyDelete2 Heavy Blaster pistols
3 Blaster Pistols
1 Heavy Repeating Blaster
1 Ion Pistol
3 Suits of Simple Body Armor (2D)
1 Frag Grenade
"I see my brother has not been generous in preparing our boys for war," scoffs Desaraek. "He's kept the best for himself! Well, seems like Martya made a spectacular case for you boys!"
OOC: If you want anything from the inventory, make your selections and make an offer. It won't do any good to try to intimidate or fast-talk the woman or Desaraek. You'll need to roll Bargain if you attempt to haggle or low-ball on price.
OOC: can you tell us how the blasters differ from each other and general cost for standard items like these? Would a "blaster pistol" specialization work for the "heavy blaster pistol"?
ReplyDeletePage speaks up, "Nice stuff. But I'm looking for things that'll help me get in and out of certain places quietly. You got any good duracord or jammers?"
ReplyDelete((Happy Independence Day, everyone! =)))
ReplyDeleteOtho suddenly perks up as the equipment is brought to light. He takes his time inspecting each weapon, hoisting it, aiming down it, opening the magazine hatch and turning it upside down looking for signs of wear.
In time he selects a heavy pistol, the ion pistol, the grenade and a suit of armor.
Then he hudles with his comrades and whispers, "I assume you shall all want some gear, yeah? At the very least we should walk out of here with all the armor. Do any of you have a tongue for Bargaining? If not, I will make the attempt."
If none have a better skill than him, then after their selections are all made, Otho will step up to the woman. Good even'tide to you. Have you a name? Since it seems the Fates have determined that we are to be friends forevermore, then 'twould be meat to make an introduction. I am Otho, and Desaraek speaks true: We are here to change the fortunes. I would not ask you to give us equipment for free, but I would council that, if ever change is to come, we are perhaps your best hope, and any aid you render us is to your own benefit.
Hence, do make profit on us...but do not gouge us. That is all we ask."
((Bargain:7+6!+4 = 17))
"I am Twyla," answers your hostess. "Halem would sell these items to you at a fair price, but there is something about your manner... I believe that you and your friends may be able to help us where others have cut and run, or have simply fled from the White Suns. It is no secret that Martya has spoken passionately on your behalf." Her eyes grow distant, then she closes them tightly, holding back tears.
ReplyDeleteShe clears her throat and sniffles. "For the Heavy pistols, 600 credits a piece. 450 for the standard pistols and 350 for the ion pistol. The grenade I can sell for 125. The body armor is a lot harder to come by, and I need to charge appropriate for each suit - 2000 credits. The repeater has to be tripod or vehicle mounted, and Halem wants 3000 for it. You'll have to find your own mount." (OOC: It is a Light Repeating Blaster, not Heavy.)
If anything, most of these prices are actually less than you would find for the same items at a Corellian market.
Page motions towards the wares. “Throw in some duracord and we’ll take everything off your hands except the Repeating Blaster and the Blaster Pistols.” He hands her the credit chip and picks up his purchases. “Otho! Call Red and Java and have them swing by with the landspeeder. Might as well get some use out of that rustbucket.
ReplyDeleteTwyla accepts the credchip and removes 7675. She motions for you to take the items you have purchased. Meanwhile, she rummages through a box of odds and ends and finds 30 meters of duracord and hands it to Page.
ReplyDeleteOOC: Red, Java, and Rex are already there. They had to leave the landspeeder at the Medical Center - the thoroughfares of the Bazaar are often to narrow for the vehicle to navigate safely.
"I'm going to head for the ship. I need some sleep and food. Anyone going with me?"
ReplyDeletePage picks up as much as he can carry comfortably and starts for the ship. The meals looked pretty terrible, but just about anything will do right now. He wraps the duracord around his waist for easy access. And now, with a more fleshed-out plan in mind, it's time to scour the ship for more items that'll help his infiltration and make chaos. Given the rather unpredictable nature of Corellian freighters, there is always a fairly extensive toolkit around. Specifically, I'm looking for a servodriver, which is pretty common. And lastly, some sleep would probably be a good idea before meeting Martya. Although stim-pills are probably available somewhere.
Blast, it happened again. That familiar tingling sensation signals the memory dump completed, the past X months of life erased forever, as if it never happened. Well, almost. The stitching below the ribs on the left side is fresh - the incision less than two days old. Another pound of flesh surgically removed, replaced by something mechanical. Looks like a kidney this time. Now they match. No doubt the new model will better regulate electrolytes and pH balance throughout the body. What could be more important?
ReplyDeleteBut that twitchy section of her brain that remains stubbornly organic could not handle the pain again - never trust anyone with general anesthesia - and then the more reliable computational wetware did what it was programmed to do, and dumped the RAM. Permanent memory remains intact. Joyhal Bowewil still functions.
There are protocols in place. First action, diagnostic scan. The implants beneath her skull plate send electrical pulses through the major organs and into the extremities. The new kidney is functioning, as is everything else. Condition: nominal.
Second action: check personal possessions. Clothing, recording rod (formatted), datapad (wiped). That's disappointing. Why would she do that?
Third action: ascertain local conditions. Square room, metal walls, simple bed, table, chair, door. A prison? Try the door. It's not locked. It opens. Corridor, more metal, more doors. Left, forward, left. Elevator. Call the lift. Down.
The ground floor of the building features a large entrance hall, a lounge and restaurant, and a desk. A tired-looking human waits behind the desk, bored nearly to death. The sound of patrons inside the lounge filters out into the hall. Beyond the glass doors which lead outside, all is dark.
A man walks out from the lounge and catches your eye. He looks surprised, or relieved, and moves to intercept, speaking quickly but softly.
"Glad to see you've come around. You gave everyone quite a shock running in here with that blood coming out of your side. You're lucky I was here - you were drawing some awfully severe looks from the Davika stiffs. No telling what they were thinking." He meets your quizzical stare directly. "You don't remember, do you? I'm Taro Afar. We didn't have time for introductions earlier - you seemed out of it when I led you over to the medical center. After treatment I helped you with a room here at the Metrotel. It's not Alderaan, but it's the best we can do on Red Barren."
He leads you to a set of chairs in a corner of the entrance hall. "Now maybe you can tell me who you are and how you got yourself into that predicament in the first place."
You can't.
Otho takes off his longcoat and puts on a suit of armor. He tucks his normal blaster into the small of his back, and puts a heavy blaster into his holster. He puts the coat back on and slots the ion gun into an inside pocket of the longcoat, and the grenade follows it.
ReplyDelete"Well, ma'am it has been a pleasure doin' business with ya. I certainly hope that your faith in us will bring us all rich rewards.
Now it seems that we have other matters to attend to, but I certainly hope to be in touch in the future."
((OOC: Java, do you need me to come with you to the hospital, or should I go with Page back to the ship?))
She numbly notes a green image in the bottom right of her vision, subtly reminding her that her flesh to steel ratio is now only at 34%. The image is vanished with a casual thought. She'd have to search through the imperial database at some point to make sure her records are still falsified and listed at 57% organic, as she’s becoming dangerously close to not even being considered human.
ReplyDeleteMost of the cyber-mechanics she visited were trusted, kept things off record so long as you had the creds, but the fact she's currently missing an indeterminable amount of time from her memory banks sent up at least a dozen red flags. If people knew just to what extent her modifications went, it would make things at least 41% more difficult. There was also the 94% chance that she'd be jailed, or at least fined, for lying to the empire about her status. The other 6% is reserved either for being executed, or the 0.0005% margin for the minutest possibility they'd let her off scot-free. Joyhal knows where she places her expectations here.
The cybernetic woman follows the strange man, her processor working as fast as it can to try and cross-reference the man's face and name to anything listed within her databanks. There’s nothing. Even the night she apparently arrived here is missing. Just what is going on?
"My name is Joy-"
As soon as the name starts to slip out, bright red warnings flash all across her sight. Blast. She'd just given a strange 23.08% of her name, a dangerous amount, there was no telling if he’s at all experienced enough to determine her full name and look up her records from that, but luckily her face remained covered. She makes to correct herself before he can press it.
"You may refer to me as Honey."
Part of her current codename, invented... at least five years ago. Possibly more, considering that she has no idea how much of her memory was gone. There's a chance it's been compromised, but she doesn’t have time to construct a new alias yet.
"I don't know what happened," she admits. "Part of my memory is missing."
Risky.
"That's unfortunate," replies Taro, obviously distracted as his eyes wander over "Honey's" visible augments.
ReplyDelete"At the risk of being presumptuous, I bet you know your way around a security system. Would you be willing to come with me to meet some friends of mine? There's likely a job in it, if you're looking for work, and since you're obviously not with Davika I assume you are."
Taro winces at his own words. "I'm sorry. I'm being forward, and we don't even know each other." His voice quiets to a hushed whisper. "Look, my friends and I are here conducting surveys of some interesting materials found on Red Barren by Davika. The job may be dangerous. Alright - it will be dangerous. But it's important, which is more than I can say for what most people do for a living on this dusty backwater."
Sensing your trepidation, he tries another tack. "I can't tell you who I work for, but I can promise you that if we complete our job here, you will be taken care of, and I can arrange transportation for you to any system in the galaxy. What do you say?"
(ooc) Question posed: How much does Honey know about Red Barren?
DeletePlanetary Systems - 20 (4,4,4,4... Not sure how I managed that.)
Streetwise - 14 (6,2,3,3)
Honey has never heard of Red Barren, and has no idea how she got here.
DeleteCombing through her internal catalog of planets and systems, it comes up empty. She's never even heard a snippet of this planet, be it from background conversation or direct research. That left a huge unknown variable, making it hard to determine just what course of action she should take. Several simulations were played inside her core processor, all of which having wide varied results. It seemed clear to her that she needed something more concrete, and a quick look around at the weathered and dust-worn patrons, perhaps taking up his offer would be preferable.
ReplyDelete"You're assumptions are correct," she started. "As far reaching as they were based on my apparent status. You need someone with a... 'strong connection', regarding computers and the workings. I can provide that. I will need more information about what you expect shortly."
A pause.
"What I request as payment, in addition to safe passage to somewhere more known to me, is help. Someone tampered with my mind, I need to discover who, what, and why. 'When' is also an outstanding question, but that can be answered simply. What is the date?"
She requests that last one, ready to compare it to the date she thinks it is in reference to her most recently recalled memories.
The stardate that Taro offers puts Honey at 53 standard days since her last memory.
ReplyDelete"I know someone that can help with that," answers Taro. "In fact, the team I mentioned has the same problem, although their memories were intentionally blocked to protect them. I cannot speak to your situation. Assuming you still have your long-term memory in organic tissue, I promise do my best to help you.
"As for what I expect, the team is heavy on muscle, and lacks finesse. Quite frankly, it wouldn't hurt them to have a woman's intuition help them stay focused."
Taro looks hopeful. "I know it's late, but like you, they've only recently arrived at their full faculties. It would be best if I could bring you to meet them now." He stands. "Well, will you agree to meet my team?"
Two months. More then she'd like, but less then she expected overall. A massive gap of unaccounted time, that at this moment she had no way to recover. At least the people this man wishes her to work with would be having a similar problem. Something they could relate with.
ReplyDeleteA smile formed under her mask, "I can provide that then. If you wish for us to meet right now, then we may."
She stood up to follow him out, hands behind her back. She didn't what would come from this arrangement in the future, but for now it would be something to keep her grounded. Keep her secure. And if it resulted in her slicing a system or two, then all the better.
Taro and Joyhal slog through the night quickly and quietly, keeping eyes down to avoid the stares of the Davika HQ Security officers as they pass.
ReplyDeleteThey arrive at the Elysium Pale shortly after the rest of the group. Jek opens the ramp and they come aboard.
Taro, first moves to shake the hands of Java and Red. "I assume you are up to speed on the operations we are conducting, yes? If you need clarification on any points, please ask."
He gestures to Joyhal. "This is, uh, Honey. I believe she has a remarkable skillset that will aid in your mission here. Feel free to divulge any information you wish. As of now I am extending full clearance to her for the duration of the mission."
OOC: You are all together now on the ship. Java and Red can return to the Medical Center when they wish but for the purpose of party integration it makes sense at this point to have all player characters in the same place. Abbreviated introductions would once again be appropriate - feel free to roleplay.
Page looks at the newcomer. She seems rather quiet. "Hi, I'm Page. I'm the sneaky one. That's Otho, the crazy one. That one's Red. He's probably the best mechanic of the group. Java's the doc. And Jek's the pilot." It's probably best to be a little vague. Taro might have the key to their memories, but that doesn't automatically make him trustworthy.
ReplyDelete"What's your story? Why'd Taro say that you'd be a good fit?"
She appraises them silently, attempting to match up their faces and names to anyone she's seen previously. The mild frustration at receiving blanks again, as expected as it was, continues to persist beneath the surface. "A doctor, and a mechanic. My kind of friends." She intones, amusement playing through her soft voice which is almost jarringly feminine considering her outfit.
ReplyDelete"My story I have a similar problem as to the ones you have. Your friend brought me here do to my abilities, regarding technical systems." This Taro may've offered to help her retrieve the missing data, but that by no means she should be giving out full details here. It's likely for the better to remain vague on the details.
(ooc) I just had to right a parallel to that. It makes so much sense.
Page frowns, but leaves the newcomer alone. It makes sense that she'd want her secrets. He starts down towards the repair bay, looking for the servodriver. Some food and some sleep would probably be good.
ReplyDeleteOOC: So, I'm trying to bring myself up to speed. Taro is our "handler" and has access to a Jedi. We are looking for kyber crystals. The samples we've seen from the mines are junk but there might be something groovy down there. The Captain is soaking. Our memories are more or less intact. We are a crack team. Honey is a new, mysterious PC. We have acquired some gear. Anything else I should know about?
ReplyDeleteRed eyeballs Honey, "Always nice to have another set of hands. If something breaks I try to fix it and I usually can. I am also pretty handy if things go pear shaped." He looks as if he hasn't slept in some time and his personal hygiene could use some work. "My Name is Red." He mutters as he extends his hand.
OOC: Your memories are still mostly missing, but other than that, spot on. Welcome back!
ReplyDeleteI will have the next post out on Tuesday.
She takes it with her own, her smaller hand only covering a small portion of his own. She dosn't put much effort into hiding the fact that it seems wholly prosthetic. "Charmed. I know that this may not be the most ideal meeting, but I do hope we'll all get along in the end. Our mutual acquaintance hasn't revealed much regarding this operation, but if my talents are needed it does put forth a certain amount of... secrecy."
ReplyDelete