Star Wars STAR WARS: INTERVENTION (A story-telling style OT starfighter game)---Always taking new players!

IC: Cain Varss
Hanger, Skip One, Smuggler's Run

“Go ahead and get some rest. We’ll see you in a couple of hours from now,”

"Yes ma'am. See you in a little while, Varss out," said Cain over his comlink. Cain flicked the switch on the bottom to make the comlink as loud as an alarm when it went off in case he drifted into a deep sleep. With that, Cain put on his pilot helmet, pulled down the eye covers and blackened them. He double checked to make sure his cockpit was locked and his new carbine was still in a safe direction, then closed his eyes. Cain was almost afraid to sleep, mostly because he did not want to dream about her. But he knew it was likely inevitable, and the pain would all come flowing back to him. It was why he had not slept well in a few months. I guess I haven't slept well since that incident in general, actually. With those final thoughts, Cain drifted off into sleep, hoping he wouldn't find what he feared.

Tag: JediFalcon

 

IC: Beskaryc Taab
Luck's Gamble, Port Haven


"Let's get to work." Al'kesh flashed a sharp toothed grin at Taab's order, making the Mandalorian think that the Devaronian almost enjoyed this sort of ghoulish work. As for Taab it wasn't something he particularly sought after, but he wasn't squeamish about it either. The other pilot, Neb had stayed behind, ostensibly to provide security, but Taab would be putting him to work. Sometimes it was fun to force the airedales to get their hands dirty too.

"I gave him a once over when you brought him back, no explosives" announced Al'kesh as he started to go through the corpses pockets again. Good, Taab thought to himself, the man wasn't wearing any kind of suicide vest. Such things were always worrisome when dealing with a true believer, or someone with nothing else to lose. Taab wasn't sure if Two Thumbs had fallen into either category, but it was a relief to know that he wouldn't be exacting his own revenge from beyond the grave.

Al'kesh back away from the body now, "Nothing but lint." Taab grunted as he moved in, kneeling in front of the body, the blade still extended from his gauntlet. "Then we need to start looking deeper." The Sullustan gulped now, "You're going to do that here? Don't we have a medical bay or something?" Taab smiled grimly. "Yeah I suppose it wouldn't do to get the deck any sloppier than it already is." But he didn't retract the blade. Time for the flyboy to earn his keep. "You two, carry it to the med bay and have the droids get us a full workup on him. DNA samples, what he last ate, blood gas analysis to see what kind of atmosphere he has been breathing, the works." This wasn't Taab's first time having to examine a body for clues, and despite his rough exterior and crude demeanor, he was much smarter than he usually let on. He knew the tricks of the trade.

Using his blade, Taab quickly sliced off Two Thumbs clothes now, from his jacket down to his boots, stripping the body completely nude. It ruined his clothes, but Two Thumbs wouldn't be needing them anymore, and it made removing them that much easier. Standing up, he started sorting through them as Neb and Al'kesh took the corpse by the hands and feet, bringing him up towards the ship's small med bay.

Taab hoped that the droids would give them something to work with, because he wasn't finding anything unusual with the clothes. Though the small holster the man had used for his holdout blaster was decent enough though. Taab would keep that and repair it for possible personal use later on. Frustrated by his lack of results, Taab finally turned his attention to the man's boots. They were nice boots, but they were far too small to fit on Taab's feet, or even Atin's. No use in keeping them then. Taab tore into them with his knife, slicing them each into three pieces. As he did so something fell out of the left boot and clattered to the floor.

Retracting the blade back into his gauntlet, Taab reached down to pick it up. It was a small data-card. He looked more closely at the shredded footwear and found a cleverly concealed hidden compartment inside the heal, torn open by his blade. Good, they had found results already, hopefully it was something useful.

Taab went forward to where LER was still going over the briefcase. It had proven quite useful in dealing with the briefcase, maybe it could help with this now. "Droid, I found this data-card in the corpse's effects. What do you make of it?"

TAG: Bravo

---

IC: Atin Taab
Prime Idiot, Skip 1, Smuggler's Run

Rather than sit, Atin stood by silently as Streets sat down in the chair offered to him. Most of these types of dealings were still new to him. Not the meeting of seedy people in some far flung bar, that he had done dozens of times with his buir (father). But he had never had to try to actively recruit someone to his own cause. Normally it was the Mandalorians being recruited. So rather than get involved in the discussion he did what he thought his father would do and hoped he would appear to simply be a hired thug protecting Streets as the Chiss went about his business.

It wasn't far from the truth. With no further background check requests coming in, and Streets engaged in what seemed to be pleasant conversation, Atin used the 360 degree coverage his buy'ce (helmet) afforded him to continuously scan the area around he and Streets for any threats coming their way. He found nothing at the moment, but knew that could change in an instant. The Chiss handed over a recruitment flyer. "Listen to your blessings content."

TAG: Mitth_Fisto, Bravo again

 

IC: Chris Streets
Skip One, Prime Idiot

Looking at the Ryn he was wracking his brain trying to remember something about the species that could tell him how to answer, in the end after Atin's short words he simply shrugged. "What is right? Our current employment does have us at odds with the Empire, we can establish a safe zone for your family during this opposition, and the pay is nothing to stick your nose up at. Do well enough, you might even get others to salute you."

"We can accommodate certain spiritual and species based needs without docking your salary. Now what do you have to offer us?" Leaning forward he tapped the table with his fingers as he awaited the others reply his other hand softly patting the pad under the table. Hopefully Atin was trying to research this individual as more came to light.

TAG: Bravo, Bardan_Jusik

 

IC: Captain Yavscout, Delicate Delinquent bow compartment
Location: Hyperspace


Leaning on the yellow railings, and re-adjusting his forearms for comfort, Yav continued to look down at his shipmates down on the lower deck.

Jim lowered the comlink after calling his droids and looked up at Yav, "I can stand here and cheer-lead if you want. Or is there something more useful that I could do to help out?"

The elf raised an eyebrow. Palso had just completely ignored the comment from Bobob. Or maybe he felt that suggestions from junior officers were not worth his time.

“Captain Palso, I am putting you in charge of checking the emergency hatches of pipes, as per your idea.” Yav indicated Bobob, who was standing by helpfully, several metres from Jim. “Take the Bridge Officer with you, and anybody that you need. Except for,” he indicated Vestor behind him, “anybody holding my synthrope.”

Tag: Palso

---

IC: Captain Sard, Lancer-class frigate, Hard Eight
Location: Ord Pardron


The atmosphere on the command deck of the Imperial frigate was tense as she climbed for altitude for the third time since her repairs had been completed, the first two tries having to be aborted when some unforeseen issue had threatened to rip her apart.

The view out of the cockpit windows changed from the bright of day, gradually dimming the higher they got, until they eventually burst free of the atmosphere.

Cheering erupted from the gathered officers and technicians.

“I knew you could get it done.” Sard congratulated his crew. “Right, get me that SG-12 fellow on the hypercomm.”

After several minutes, a foot-high holographic square showed the Sabre Guard seated in a swivel chair, with the elbow and knee of someone else at the left edge of the picture.

“Captain, good to see you. I take it your vessel is up and running?.”

Sard was busy looking round the Sabre Guard, rather than at him. “That ship you are on, looks pretty cramped.”

“It’s not a ship, Captain. I am not that lucky. Get this. They gave me a….hovercraft.”

Sard followed his eyebrows. “What, one of those ground things with the cushion of air to move, sort of thing.”

“The very same. Now, I sense you want to know about the Mercs, and those people that attacked you on Ord Pardron.”

“You sense wrong; I couldn’t give a sith about the Mercs. You got anything on the ship that attacked my people.”

“We tracked the Crusader to Malastare, where your Mando had a meet with an agent for, uh-” The holographic image looked sideways at a repeater screen.
“-a Kingdom of Jod. No intell on them yet, and no concrete proof that the contact was an agent, but he took a suicide pill rather than submit to questioning, which tells me he’s protecting something, or really, really bad at interviews. A capital ship of the same model that attacked you, turned up at Bespin, providing escort to a Merc recruitment drive, and we suspect it destroyed an ISB Patrol Corvette.”

Sard noted the Past Tense. “Too late to intercept them then.”

“Quite so. But my analysts reckon that the Mercs are recruiting at shadowports. I am trying to get the Navy to launch probes to check out shadowports, but no-one seems to want to listen to me.”

“Have you tried telling them that you are an Emperor’s Hand?”

It was the holographic image’s turn to look confused. “What is an Emperor’s Hand? And it better not be anything to do with the Emperor’s Sleeves.”

“You don’t know what a Hand is? Frag, you are new. Well, they turn up at some Moff's sector headquarters, say they are personal agents of the Emperor, and demand assistance with whatever mission they are on.”

“And people buy this guano?” SG queried incredulously.

Sard thought about this for a moment. The Saber Guard had clearly, or at least probably, used the same meet and greet as a Hand, and had gotten a hovercraft. “Alright, tell you what. Contact Arakyd Industries direct. They make the best probe droids, and, being civilians, will roll over for even your level of persuasion. Have them send probes to each known shadowports, and stream the data back to you. When you get a match on that capital ship, or recognise that the Mercs are there, call me.”

“Understood.”

The holograph dissipated.

Tag: no-one

 

OOG: Sith, you may NPC Palso's two droids if you want. They are introduced below to the scene.



IC: Rav Cater
The Hutt’s Scuttle, Skip One, Smuggler's Run


“We’ll be meeting in the hangarbay before heading to the meet up area. You’ll be given the cordinates there,” she handed him a card with her contact info on it. “Here’s my contact information. You can stick around us or meet us later. It’s up to you.”

Sal Brooks shrugged, "Probably should get some supplies. I'll meet you in the hanger," Rav was about to head out when the woman's comlink beeped and after a message, she turned back to him.

“You will be starting as soon as we get back to the redevue point.”

Rav smiled as he got up, putting his hands together, "Wonderful! All the better to not delay. Like I said, I'll meet you in the hanger after getting supplies," he headed out, angling towards one of the many local goods and supplies shops around. Entering the shop, the place looked as uneventful as any of the many other shops around the station.

Gathering general supplies, including a backpack with enough supplies and equipment to justify a trek through the wilderness for several days (and even several old paperback books), Rav looked at his current set of clothing and saw that it was fine:

• Standard brown boots
• Huttese Bantha hide leggings
• A brown Quick-draw holster around his left thigh with a DL-18 blaster pistol; he also had several small items including a comlink, spare blaster packs, and several pouches to hold other things, such as credits, on his blaster holster.
• A simple brown shirt
• A black leather jacket

Buying an old "Clone Trooper used" (as the sale sign said) DC-15A blaster rifle on discount---with the available blaster packs with it---Sal Brook as he was now known headed down towards the hanger the Mercs were supposed to meet at in a few hours. He would sit there and read one of the old novels he had bought. While he may be nothing more then a thief and criminal, he did have a knack for reading.


TAG ANY

---

IC: Jim Palso
Level Four, Bow compartment, Delicate Delinquent


“Captain Palso, I am putting you in charge of checking the emergency hatches of pipes, as per your idea.” Yav indicated Bobob, who was standing by helpfully, several metres from Jim. “Take the Bridge Officer with you, and anybody that you need. Except for,” he indicated Vestor behind him, “anybody holding my synthrope.”

"Will do," Palso said, hearing the turbolift doors open and his two droids stroll in; Palso forked a thumb towards Yav, "Help the Cap."

Hearing his droids say something---but not catching it all---Palso turned to look at Bridge Officer Boob and Palso smirked, "What did you do, get a free bowl of soup with those clothes?" [1]


TAG Sith-I-5

---

IC: Dom
Prime Idiot, Skip One, Smuggler's Run


"We can accommodate certain spiritual and species based needs without docking your salary. Now what do you have to offer us?"

"Ah," Dom said, stroking his long gray beard, "The question has been asked and now the counter question has been issued. What can I offer you?" The Ryn look out a pair of Chance Cubes, moving the blue and red colored cubes in his right hand as he spoke next, "Remember, every truth has some fairytale in it and every fairytale has some truth in it. Two red, I give you truth with some fairytale. Two blue, and I give you a fairytale with some truth in it. Opposite colored cubes and we end our conversation," Dom tossed the Chance Cubes and watched them settle on double red, "My name is Dom. I am excellent in translation of the spoken language; while not as extensive as a droid, my expertize lands more in the languages of the translation of ancient, long-lost, languages, which many you can still find in songs and dance on the Rim. I can hear beyond what others hear to find a lie or the truth, whichever you prefer. I can hear music and find the hidden, secret codes within, if any are to be found...and there are many, trust me. I am adept at the language of the scoundrels, smugglers, pirates, and other scum of the universe, as we are called. I am a traveler, a Ryn of the tides of the galaxy, but a Ryn that is sensing he needs to be with you and your group, with these Mercs. I can feel the galaxy's pull to bring me to here, at this place, at this time, to speak with you. But now the question becomes, will you have a Ryn aboard your ship? I am legal to be hunted and killed in many star systems."



TAG Mitth_Fisto, Bardan_Jusik


References

[1] Caddyshack (1980)

 

IC: Lieutenant Zotoman, Captain Yavscout, Bugger, Walking Library, Delicate Delinquent
Location: Hyperspace to Port Haven


The hubbub of voices within the dining area, where Merc and Jod and Block personnel mixed, was interrupted by the loud voice that drew their attention to a Jod naval officer, standing on one of the tables.
The place went silent.

"Block residents, this information is for you." Zotoman called across the refectory.

Everyone started watching, with the Jod and Block people taking more notice, although the former were more concerned that their officer was listened to, and respected.

The liaison officer continued, "In less than four hours, we will be at Port Haven in the Whendyll System, where you will be allowed to go to the surface, visit the shops, buy things." He stopped for the ragged cheer, then continued. "But wait. You have no money."

"Are you going to be able to help us with that?" One of the diners enquired.

"We might." Zotoman pointed to a line of blue-vacsuited Go Team-members standing against the far wall. "Those beings over there are running one-on-one training in the Gx-7 quad-laser emplacements that we have. If you volunteer for training, you will be presented with a certificate-"

"Ooooooooh."

"-and your very own credit chip pre-loaded with forty credits that you can you can spend on new clothes, toiletries, or whatever takes your fancy. And further to that, each time you man the guns during an alert, you will be paid another forty credits. Any questions?"

* * * *
Bow Section

"Will do," Palso said

Yav looked on as the two droids walked or rolled in through the double blast doors.

Palso forked a thumb towards Yav, "Help the Cap." He then looked across at Bobob and smirked, "What did you do, get a free bowl of soup with those clothes?"

The Bridge Officer stared back at Palso for a few seconds, then, "Sorry, I'm afraid I do not understand Corellian humour, sometimes." He looked up at Yav. "Captain, didn't you want me to look into the possibility of security surveillance?"

"Oh yeah." The elf sighed to himself. "I must be losing it."

"You're losing it if you think you are going over without levitating yourself first." The sergeant put in.

Yavscout looked back at his friend. "Point." He stepped back from the railings, and raised his arms to cast the spell. Hardly anyone bothered to watch, which he found pleasing. "How are my feet? Am I floating? I certainly feel lighter."

Vestor looked down at Yav's boots, seeing that they were not quite touching the platform now. He whistled, impressed.
"You are good to go."

Look back over the railing, the elf instructed, "Lieutenant, call the bridge, and get whoever is up there to look into this holocam idea. If Flavin is up there, tell him to order a replacement, and get some rest."

"Yes, Captain." Showing a 'please wait' palm to Palso, Bobob got out his comlink. "Bridge Officer Bob to the Bridge."

Yav looked over as Palso's astromech flew up for four levels on twin rocket jets, hovering before him over empty air.

"So, which one are you then? Bugger or Walking Library?"

Accompanied by a soft metallic stomp from stairs below where Yav and Vestor were standing, the taller droid taking the slow way up, they heard,
"That, Captain Yavscout, is Bugger. And I, the walking one, am the Walking Library."

"When you put it like that, seems kinda obvious."

Yav looked across to the floating astromech. He really wanted to ask if there was a story behind the name, 'Bugger', mainly due to an apocryphal story about his colleague Agent Nifesta, during an insertion with a group of GAR troopers during the Clone Wars, when the amused twi'lek had discovered one of the soldiers was named "Wrister".
Surely now wasn't the time though.

The droid whistled at him.

"Bugger says that he is wasting fuel, Sir. Should he land?"

"No. I will be joining him out there. I want him scanning the ceiling pipes for unusual electronic activity." Yavscout stepped up to the railing, put both hands on it to support his weight, and put a leg right over it so he straddled it like a horse, then brought his other leg over, so he was now facing Vestor and the newly arrived Library.

"Although I translate for Bugger, Captain Yavscout, you may issue instructions directly to him." The droid advised.

"Shut up; he knows that." Vestor indicated the synthrope. "And grab hold of this."

There was a metallic sound from Yav's right, as the Merc crawling among the pipe's foot slipped, but Nate was there to support the flailing leg, and push him back up.

The elf turned and ran out over empty air, maybe about twenty metres, then slowly lowering as he stood still, he pulled his S-5 ascension pistol, and fired a magnetic grappling hook tip up between the fat grey metal pipes to the ceiling itself.
With a small adjustment, the gun started to pull him up, while he had both hands on the barrel.
"Bugger, stay near me. I may need to grab onto you at short notice."

Bugger whistled and flashed dome lights, hovering closer to the elf.

Tag: Palso, and dining room patrons, Wolf, and Herc, etc

 

IC: Seira Trasks and Fress Colias
Hutts Scuttle Skip One Smugglers Run

Fress Colias stretched as another woman approached her causing her to frown. She wondered if she was also interested in working for the Mercs. The woman pushed the application over to her as she looked down and noted the name. She quickly sent off a message to Atin about running a background check.

//Atin, run a background check on Seira Trasks. //

As Fress waited for Atin to complete the security check she decided it was time to ask some questions. “You’re interested in applying for a position in the squadron?”

”That’s right, doll, name is Seira Trasks, one of the best pilots this side of Smugglers Run,” Seira answered with a grin. “I’m looking for a steadier job. I’m barely getting by now.”

Arrogant and confidant. Usually a sign that either she knew how to fly, or she knew how to make herself look good. Fress frowned as she studied Seira seeing herself in this woman, but she also noted there was pain hidden deep beneath the arrogant smile. “I see, how well can you handle yourself in a dog fight surrounded by multiple fighters? Can you handle different kinds of ships and fighters and how fast of a learner are you learning different fighters?”

“I can handle anything and am a fast learner. I can handle myself in dogfights. What kind of fighter are we talking?” Seira questioned with a frown.

“An X-wing,” Fress answered as she relaxed a little. “We occasionally go on ground missions as well as flying escort and dog fights, patrols. Depends on where our skills are needed the most. Pay is per mission. How well can you handle a blaster? Any military training is a bonus, hand to hand combat…”

“Do you have any military training?” Seira questioned with a raised brow. “Being out here, I highly doubt it.”

Fress paused for a second noting the question and the way it was asked. “A simple yes or no would suffice,” she answered with a serious expression. “I do have military experience. And the only reason I’m out here is because I left that life behind, that’s all you need to know.”

“No I don’t have any military experiance,” Seira answered as she stared at Fress. “What rank are you in the Mercs? The Squadron Leader or a pretend wanna be and who is really point in this recruit mission?”

“Next in line actually,” Fress answered as she kept herself calm. She felt like this young woman was testing her. “I’m going to be the new Squadron Leader as soon as we get back to the redevue point. I was made point in the recruit mission to prove how much I want the position. Do you have any other questions or are you done running your mouth off?”

“A woman in charge? That’s different, there are rumors you took it the Empire recently,” Seira pointed out with a frown. “After what happened to Alderaan I want a piece of the action.”

“I do too,” Fress sighed with frustration. “It was my home planet. And yes we’ve had our run ins with the Empire.”

“I’m sorry, didn’t know,” Seira quickly offered as she leaned back in the chair. “Were you Imperial? Or some other kind of military training? Alderaan isn’t known for their war tactics.”

“Clone Wars Squadron Leader veteran, and yes I was young,” Fress explained as she faught back balling her hand into a fist.

“Who was your mentor?” Seira questioned as she rose an eyebrow challenging. “I highly doubt it unless you are a Jedi.”

“Would you like a demonstration as I wipe the floor with you?” Fress questioned as she fought down her anger. “If this is the way you’re going to behave towards a superior then I don’t want you in the squadron.”

“Don’t get your panties in a bunch, it was only a question,” Seira defended herself. “I was curious.”

“Someone with a bounty hunter background would be,” Fress frowned as she studied the other woman. “I don’t know you well enough to trust you. I have a past that I prefer to keep in the past.”

“What’s your name?” Seira questioned.

“Kasha Sherland,” Fress answered easily.

“Never heard of you,” Seira frowned. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about unless you’re under an alias?”

Fress didn’t say a word as she picked up the application and went to rip it.

“I won’t ask anymore,” Seira was quick to say stopping Fress as she stared hard. “Maybe it’s painful to talk about.”

“Is this how you really are? Or is it because something painful happened in your past and the tough girl act is a screen?” Fress challenged as she watched Seira’s reactions and waited for an answer.

Seira’s face paled causing Fress to wonder if she hit a nerve with the youg woman. “I’ll tell you what. I won’t pry into your life anymore, if you don’t pry into mine.”

“Deal,” Fress held out her hand. “Still want the position?”

Seira held out hers and took Fress’s. “Yes, when I do start?”

“We still have a few hours to go before leaving Smugglers Run, you have sometime to get extra supplies and you can hang around here. We’re meeting in the hanger bay and you will be given the destination there. You start the minute we leave.”

“The sooner the better, wouldn’t be a bad idea if I grabbed extra supplies,” Seira said as Fress handed over her contact information. “I’ll keep in touch.”

Fress watched as Seira quickly left the Hutts Scuttle as she placed the application with the other two. So far the recruitment was going well.

Whitelight, Bravo, Coffee_Ninja, Mitth_Fisto, Bardan_Jusik

 

IC: Ler
Cockpit, Luck's Gamble, Port Haven (early afternoon)


Ler had just finished putting away the credits from the briefcase in small smuggler compartments he had hastily installed in the Sentinel-class Landing Craft's cockpit before the shuttle had been picked for this mission when Taab entered.

"Droid, I found this data-card in the corpse's effects. What do you make of it?"

Ler took the data-card and went over to the co-pilot seat; making sure the other ship's systems, such as sensors and communications, were locked down in case this data-card was wired to send a data-burst to the entire Imperial Military once activated, Ler inserted the card into the console board and watched as a life size imagine of Two Thumbs materialized in holograpic form in the cockpit.

"If you are hearing this message, then I am dead. This message is for Dmitriy Bekhterev; this message must get to him on Malastare. Dmitriy, you will know how to retrieve the information on this data-disk. My mission has been successful, but I am cornered in the ISB Central Office. Soon, they will find me and we both know I will die before I betray anything to the Empire. I have uploaded an Imperial agent program into my Human Replica Droid double, in hopes that he can slip past Imperial security and military with little resistance, and given him this data-card. I can only hope that the HRD can make contact with our Imperial Court contact on Bespin. And I can only hope our contact has not been sniffed out by the ISB and set up already on Bespin. If he has...I don't know what we are going to do."

The hologram ended and faded from view; Ler, instead, brought the hologram back up, running it at an extremely slow pace until he suddenly paused it, brought up a computer program, and literally stripped the hologram apart into nothing more then data code and numbers, then zoomed in on one particular area of the massive data code and numbers, and extracted out a sequence and as the rest of the hologram faded from view, the random list of numbers and data-code hung in the area now.

Ler explained, "He gave too much away to a person looking for the answer; he stated this Dmitriy's name and his planet to be located. So, clearly, he was using the obvious as a decoy to the intended, which was indeed Dmitriy, but Two Thumbs banked on the fact that this Dmitriy would see them coming if this data-card was intercepted before it got to him. So, the code wasn't anything Dmitriy knew, because if the agent knew, then the Imperials could get it out of his mind. Rather, if you watched the hologram closely, Two Thumbs kept moving his left hand's fingers randomly, which in themselves is not the code, but rather the location of the code, hidden within the holo message itself; Dmitriy never knew the code, he just knew how to look for the code. Very sophisticated and you have to know what to look for from the sender of the message to even find the code hidden in the holo message's construct code. Basically, the most secure way of two way communication...unless someone else knows what to look for. Like me. Never having a memory wipe and having Taller's upgrades over the years has prepared me for such a task. Now, time to unlock the message..."

Instead of Two Thumbs, a series of imagines appeared floating in mid air with the hologram. In a loose of group of no particular order there were several imagines of:

• the planet of Axum
• Brass Soldiers of Axum
• A ancient book that looked strangely like the one in the briefcase

And that was it. Then the message ended.

After the hologram faded, Ler turned to Taab, "Well, that was a brief message. I guess what we have to go on is Two Thumbs, whoever this Dmitriy fellow is, Axum, the Brass Soldiers of Axum, and what the Empire wants out of this whole deal. First thing first, Chief of Security, do you have any information or helpful experience from anyone or location I just listed? I'm sure Captain Lasso---being the historical minded person he is---could help shed light on this mystery. But, right now, he's busy with new recruits. So, we're it."


TAG Bardan_Jusik
OOG: Went through 3 drafts of this post, before settling on this one, which felt like it fit the best.

 

IC: Rav Cater
Mercs' Hanger Berth, Skip One, Smuggler's Run


Sal Brooks found the Mercs' hanger berth; strange, no security or other persons standing guard...at least those visible. And right there, for the taking, was a Corellian freighter and several X-Wings. If it wasn't for his slavery to the Hutts, he would gladly pick any of them...or maybe all of them. A ship thief never became a good ship thief without knowing a few tricks here or there to highjack several ships at once. But, Rav sighed, he would have to explain to the Mercs already why he broke into their hanger, past the security locked door. Well, no sensors or holo cameras would catch him doing anything more dishonest then sitting down against the wall by the door inside the hanger bay and reading his book. If that squadron leader lady asked any questions, he was just displaying his skills at bypassing locks and his honesty by not touching anything that wasn't his.

A ship thief always had to know the best time to strike. And the prize wasn't a freighter and a few X-Wings...it was the Johnny Boy itself. So patience was necessary.


TAG Coffee_Ninja and JediFalcon and Mitth_Fisto and kommando104

---

IC: Jim Palso
Level Four, Bow compartment, Delicate Delinquent


Palso was still waiting on Bridge Officer Boob after the "wait" signal as he talked into his comlink, while he watched Yav---finally after ignoring the air flying Captain at first---as he did his "thing".

"Well," Paslo commented to himself, "I thought I saw it all in this galaxy. Then I see a an Elf running across thin air and flying through the rest with a grappling hook. What will I see next, the Empire defeated by a farm boy? Oh wait, that's already going to happen."

Palso had to admit as he crossed his arms over his chest and watched Yav, that the Elf captain had some skill. Some real skill. Jim let his mind wonder briefly about what life would be like with a smuggling partner who could do tricks like Yav...the space lanes would be theirs unchallenged! A course, trying to convince a up-standing ship captain like Yav to go into smuggling was going to be quite the task indeed.

But...what about Xan? The man had some skills with the Force. Palso could use a quick shot on the quad turrets when things got hairy. Maybe the other elf-looking Merc would be up for some R&R in the smuggling circles with Palso? After all, the Mercs had to take a break at some point and when they did...Palso could get in a few runs with Xan on smuggling and see what this guy was really all about...after all, Palso's Force vision did include his brother and Xan after all. The more information Palso knew about Xan, the better.

Speaking of Xan, Palso was beginning to wonder where the pilot had wondered off to. He grabbed for his comlink and keyed it on, "Xan, Palso here. You heading down to the bow section? You doing alright buddy?"


TAG Sith-I-5 and CPL_Macja

 

IC: Havah Jeth
Hutt's Scuttle, Skip One

As the parade took a brief pause he leaned in toward their missions leader. "Speaking of supplies, you think you can handle things while I pick up the docs order?" It might actually look like he owed the man something after all, at least for getting out of playing the idiot human meat shield for a little bit.

How he was supposed to smuggle back the family members though was still a touch of a mystery to him.

TAG: JediFalcon

 

IC: Fress Colias
Hutts Scuttle Skip One, Smugglers Run

"Speaking of supplies, you think you can handle things while I pick up the docs order?"

Fress glanced at Havah with a nod and smiled. “Sure go ahead. Everything seems pretty calm here,” she wondered what kind of supplies they were or if it maybe something else. She wasn’t sure of the supplies story yet. Time would only tell.

Mitth_Fisto

 

IC: Cain Varss

Kate’s head rested gently on Cain’s chest as the two lay in bed.

“This is nice, isn’t it?” he asked.

“Too bad it can’t last,” she said.

As she spoke the words she disappeared and dimly lit quarters transformed. Cain found himself in the cockpit of his TIE Fighter staring at a lone TIE Fighter racing toward the planet’s surface.

“Don’t make me do this!” shouted Cain.

“I’m not making you do anything.” said Kate.

The roaring of twin ion engines mixed violently with green bolts, and ended with bright red, yellow, and orange flashes that flickered only for a moment, then were lost to the vacuum of space.

“KATE!”

---
Hanger, Skip One, Smuggler’s Run

“KATE!” shouted Cain as he jerked awake in a panic. At least the canopy is closed. The nightmares weren’t new, but were becoming more and more frequent.

Sweat found his shirt and pants as bead after bead came off his nose and face. His breathing was heavy and ragged; his heart was racing. He checked his chronometer. I was asleep for...sithspit, that’s it? I might not be getting any measure of sleep for a while if this keeps up.

Cain realized he was still looking into blackness. He undimmed the visor on his pilot helmet and took it off and grabbed a rag he kept handy, dampened it with water from his water bottle then wiped his face off as his breathing and heart rate returned to normal. We both should have been vaped...but I wasn’t. Cain pushed the thoughts out of his head as best he could. Sleeping was a bad idea. He decided getting to know his new coworkers better would be a more appropriate use of his time.

Cain hopped out of the cockpit, leaving his new EE-3 carbine and put his backpack in the storage compartment of his Z-95. He thought about taking off the armor torso piece, but he figured that it would be better to keep it on. Cain liked being prepared. Cain scanned the hanger and saw Book standing around gawking at some X-wings and a YT-1300. Something tells me that is the ride the Mercs came in on. He kept looking around. Something caught the corner of his eye. Kate? Varss turned his head for a second and saw her standing across the hanger. He did a double take and she was gone. So I’m also losing my mind. Wonderful. Cain fought back the guilt and decided he needed another drink. He would go to Sherland and pick up some more details on his new life.

---
Hutt’s Scuttle

Cain entered the Hutt’s Scuttle, and made a stop at the bar picking up a glass of whiskey, then made his way to the back booth. He saw the man in the group that had only spoken a few words talking with Sherland.

Cain approached the booth overhearing the last few words between the man and Sherland.

“...while I pick up the docs order?"

“Sure go ahead. Everything seems pretty calm here,”

Cain took the opportunity to interrupt. “Mind if I sit down, ma’am? I couldn’t sleep,” he said, “and I thought I would take the chance to ask a few more questions about the job.”


Tag: JediFalcon, Mitth_Fisto

 

IC: Fress Colias
Hutts Scuttle Skip One, Smugglers Run

“Mind if I sit down, ma’am? I couldn’t sleep,” he said, “and I thought I would take the chance to ask a few more questions about the job.”

Fress nodded as she gestured to the seat on the other side of the table. “Sure go ahead. What questions do you have?”

Mitth_Fisto, kommando104

 

IC: Atin Taab
Prime Idiot, Skip 1, Smuggler's Run

As Streets and the Ryn continued to converse the pad vibrated again slightly. Atin picked it up without a word from where it sat on the table and checked the message. Another background check, this time on a Seira Trasks. Atin started the same process he had used before, and was quickly greeted with new information. Trasks had a criminal record with a few arrests. Smuggling and even a hijacking charge. Atin flagged that last one. She could be very useful if she could be trusted. If not, well Atin would hate to have a ship hijacker among the crew if they weren't trustworthy.

He was pleased to see that she also had a record as a bounty hunter. There were numerous payouts for handling debt collections and escort missions. Atin knew not every bounty hunter could be trusted, but to his mind it helped. At least he knew he had something in common with her. He sent the data off to Fress along with the new recruits other vital information, age, place of birth and so forth. This was such a boring job running the background checks, but while he was at it he started trying to find out whatever he could about the Ryn.

He didn't have a name, but he knew that the Ryn weren't a common sight in the Galaxy. They were a nomadic species, not unlike Atin's adopted people, the Mandalorians. The few times his father had mentioned them he had shown a respect for them and their abilities as mercenaries. If this one checked out he could also be a valuable addition.

His checks into a Ryn in the area yielded a few results, but nothing major. There was one that had been reported in several locations in this grid square. A Ryn named Dom. Atin acquired an image along with the name and a few other vitals from an police report on Ryloth. Checking on the image, it certainly looked like their Ryn. But that was where the trail ran cold. It seemed much about him would remain a mystery until the being decided to reveal more about himself.

Atin slid the pad back onto the table in front of Streets, the information he had pulled about Dom still displayed. Maybe the Chiss would find it useful in his interview.

TAG: Mitth_Fisto, JediFalcon, Bravo

---

IC: Beskaryc Taab
Cockpit, Luck's Gamble, Port Haven

Taab watched as the droid went through its analysis of the message they had found on the data disc. He didn't show it, but he was genuinely impressed with LER's abilities. When Taab left this contract he would do his best to find a way for the droid to acompany him. He blionked at the information that was finally displayed. Axum, statues, and that shabla (screwed up, impolite) book.


After the hologram faded, Ler turned to Taab, "Well, that was a brief message. I guess what we have to go on is Two Thumbs, whoever this Dmitriy fellow is, Axum, the Brass Soldiers of Axum, and what the Empire wants out of this whole deal. First thing first, Chief of Security, do you have any information or helpful experience from anyone or location I just listed? I'm sure Captain Lasso---being the historical minded person he is---could help shed light on this mystery. But, right now, he's busy with new recruits. So, we're it."

Taab responded slowly. "I have been to Malastare a number of times, never ran into any Dmitriy Bekhterev though. Still it is a haven more meet and greets for those that don't want their business broadcast over the HoloNet." He took the name and entered it into various databases, unknowingly going through the same processes his son was on Skip 1. While they waited he closed his eyes.

"As for Axum..."

​

"... yeah I've been there too," he opened his eyes now, "but not since the war. Nothing important."

Taab let that hang there silently for a few minutes as the computer continued its search. Finally a ping announced that it had a result, It wasn't much, just a work permit as an Air Taxi driver in Pixelito. Taab brought up a copy of the permit on the terminal and his eyes hardened a bit at the image presented there. Dmitriy Bekhterev, the man who the real Two Thumbs was in league with, had been Taab's contact with the Kingdom Of Jod.

Shab. The KoJ had made it clear that Taab was to hide his real reason for being here, the protection of Jason Lasso. The connection of their agent to Two Thumbs would make that more difficult. It also hinted that there was a lot more going on here then they had let on. Taab dismissed that thought. He had an assignment, a simple one really, and he was being well paid for it.

He indicated the work permit to LER. "Doesn't look familiar, or extraordinary. But an Air Cab driver is a pretty good cover for information brokers."

TAG: Bravo

 

IC: Chris Streets
Prime Idiot, Skip One

Listening to the Ryn and stifling his own bodies desire to turn his nose away he listened openly to the man, after all the dice were rolled in his favor. Only a hint of a fairy-tale to a tale of truth, considering most spacers simply told fairy-tales with a hint of truth it was a nice turn of conversation. The pad that the armored man slid to him he simply glanced down and skimmed as he leaned back as though to consider the man's words.

A linguist was not really something on the list they were looking for, and to be honest they had several Jedi in training which should be better suited to telling whether someone was lying or telling the truth. Yet something about this seemed appealing to him. Tapping his fingers on the table top he nodded, "Alright. We could use someone like you, why don't you head to where this flyer states, you can assist the scout with feeling out potential recruits. Tell her Streets sent you."

Making a back handed gesture to the Mando, as though letting a situation pass he stood and brushed his hair back. "Lets resume." He simply stated as prepped to leave and seek out some other supplier in the corner of this rolling rock.

TAG: Bravo , Bardan_Jusik

 

IC: Cain Varss
The Hutt's Scuttle, Skip One, Smuggler's Run

“Sure go ahead. What questions do you have?”

Cain sat down. "Thank you." He took a sip from the glass of whiskey and set it down on the table. "First, am I still going to be flying my Z-95 in the squadron or something else? If I'm not going to be flying her, then I might consider selling her. Second, are you the squadron leader? Third, once we get where ever you'll be taking us, what kind of quarters am I going to have? Will I be sharing a room or anything like that?"

Tag: JediFalcon

 

IC: Fress Colias
Hutts Scuttle Skip One Smugglers Run

"First, am I still going to be flying my Z-95 in the squadron or something else? If I'm not going to be flying her, then I might consider selling her. Second, are you the squadron leader? Third, once we get where ever you'll be taking us, what kind of quarters am I going to have? Will I be sharing a room or anything like that?"

Fress frowned as she studied Cain while processing the string of questions in her mind. “I would hold onto your fighter, most of us are flying X-wings but you’re given the option of which fighter to use. If you decide to leave the Mercs, the X-wing stays with them. I wouldn’t sell your fighter. I’ve been told I’m taking over as Squadron Leader soon. That’s also why I’m point in this recruit mission. We don’t share rooms. We each get our own quarters.”

Fress’s comlink beeped as she glanced down and read the info on Seira Trasks record. She reviewed the information and the only thing that stood out to her was hijacking a ship. That did concern her a little. She would have to ask Seira about it more in private. She also seemed to want to take it to the Empire after the destruction of Alderaan. It seems destroying the planet is causing everyone to band together instead of acting fearful.

// Run this information by Chris Streets about the hijacking of the ship. Make sure he’s okay with this hire. Good job Atin. //

Fress hit send as she turned her attention back to Cain. “Do you have any other questions?”

kommando104, Bardan_Jusik

 

IC: Cain Varss
Hutt's Scuttle, Skip One, Smuggler's Run

“I would hold onto your fighter, most of us are flying X-wings but you’re given the option of which fighter to use. If you decide to leave the Mercs, the X-wing stays with them. I wouldn’t sell your fighter. I’ve been told I’m taking over as Squadron Leader soon. That’s also why I’m point in this recruit mission. We don’t share rooms. We each get our own quarters.”

Cain watched as she looked down. Recruitment must be going well.

“Do you have any other questions?”

Cain took another sip of his whiskey. "X-wings huh? I have been wanting to get in the cockpit of one for a while now. My Headhunter is good, especially with all the extra upgrades I've invested into her, but the X-wing is a class up and from everything I hear a superb multi-role snubfighter." Cain paused and took another small sip to choose his next words carefully. I'm not sure I feel comfortable signing on knowing that she hasn't been a sqadron leader before, though she has been flying with them for a while it sounds like. Instead of putting the glass back on the table he leaned back and cradled it in his hands.

"So you're a new Squadron Leader? Have you had any background or experience leading a whole fighter squadron?" Cain tried not to sound concerned, and in truth he wasn't too concerned, only a little. Their reputation was enough for him to sign on even if a blind womp rat was in charge.

Tag: JediFalcon

 

IC: Fress Colias
Hutts Scuttle Skip One, Smugglers Run

"So you're a new Squadron Leader? Have you had any background or experience leading a whole fighter squadron?"

Fress heard the concern in his tone and knew she had to choose her next words carefully or he could walk. She had a feeling he thinks she’s new at the squadron leader position, but the truth is she wasn’t. She smiled and nodded. “I’ve had experience before,” she gave a slight grin. “I’m a clone wars squadron leader veteran. Training also included hand to hand combat and leading troopers on the ground. My squadron and I were assigned aboard the Defender.”

Fress leaned back in the chair with a frown as she took out her id badge and slid it across the table. “You’re bound to hear others refer to me as my real name, I prefer if you keep that info to your self at the moment. I’ve had to hide all of these years because I refuse to serve Palpatine. He even offered me a general position. No, not after what he did.”

Commander Fress Colias
Blue Squadron Leader
Republic Military

“I also worked as a CorSec intelligence officer for the past ten years. Any other questions?”

kommando104

 

IC: Cain Varss
Hutt's Scuttle, Skip One, Smuggler's Run

Cain took a moment to take in the information and process it, running through scenarios trying to make sense of it. He wasn't surprised she had used an alias, it was a way of life out here on the Outer Rim. You couldn't take it personally. If you lied it was for your protection in many cases, though malice was also a common reason. She lied about her name, big deal, and she has some solid experience. The only thing I can't figure out is the age thing. Cain thought of any reason why a teenager would be leading a Republic military squadron in the Clone Wars. Cain was only 7 when the war began, but he remembered it, and he had studied it extensively. The only people fighting for the Republic and leading squadrons that would have been teenagers were...there's only one real answer. Especially after she mentioned refusing to serve Palpatine.

"I remember you mentioning that you were a Clone Wars vet. I don't mean to put you on the spot, ma'am. Judging by what I perceive as your age, either you have aged extremely well, had some seriously expensive reconstructive surgery, or you were a teenager during the Clone Wars..." Cain paused, grabbed a napkin and a pen and wrote a J on it, then slid it across the table to her. "I knew you Mercs were special, but I had no idea that you were this special, if I am right. Don't worry, your name is safe with me, as well as any other information. I'm old enough to remember the good that the order did before the Clone Wars. I want to be here with this outfit, and I don't want to cause any trouble. I have my own score to settle with the Empire..." or die trying. "Anyway, the main reason I brought that up was, though obviously you have quite a bit of experience under your belt, I was a squadron leader too for 3 years if you recall. Far too young and I probably made every mistake in the book at least once. I'm sure you have plenty of people to go to for advice, I just thought I'd put my name in the bucket too, though I suspect that will rarely be necessary if at all," Cain said with a genuine smile.

Beyond everything he had just learned, Cain felt something he hadn't felt in years. She trusted me. Somebody trusted me, and with some apparently serious information to boot. She barely knows me. Cain felt a twinge of comradery, and while he didn't lower his guard any, he became a little more comfortable.

Cain decided to change the topic, "Speaking of trouble, now that I'm a part of this group, did you hire Book?" Please say no.

Tag: JediFalcon

 

IC: Fress Colias
Hutts Scuttle Skip One, Smugglers Run

Speaking of trouble, now that I'm a part of this group, did you hire Book?"

Fress frowned as she studied Cain and could sense his astonishment through the Force at being trusted. If he wanted to get back at the Empire then she knew he could be somewhat trusted. She wondered about his question, some of Books feelings came through to her again almost negative. “Yes, but I’m not entirely sure he can be trusted. I suspect the reason your asking is you have suspicions of your own? I planned to discuss it over with someone from the command staff before we leave.”

kommando104

 

IC: Josch Decinchi alias Zieleb-Xan ‘Mac’ Macja
The Delicate Delinquent, enroute to Port Haven

"Hold on a sec buddy,"

As the tired pilot waited for a response from either Palso or Yav he walked across the hanger bay to the nearest exit. Unexpectedly, a familiar presence brushed past Josch through the Force, it was Aurora and she was upset, he could feel it. Part of him wanted to go over to her and apologize, but he didn’t, he didn’t even glance over towards the Theta-class barge.

"Hey buddy, head down to the Bow compartment, level four. We need all the hands we can get." Palso’s voice chirped from his comlink.

“Great, I guess there’s no rest for the weary.” Josch mumbled under his breath to no one but himself. He felt like he had been going non-stop since joining up with the rag-tag group of Mercs. Even for the young Erphae like himself he would need to bed down, for longer than a few minutes, eventually to recharge. “Maybe when we get back to this Port Haven I’ll get a little break.” He ambled at a slow pace towards the exit, but paused when he heard the voice of Aurora’s companion.

"Come on, back to bed you."

Well at least she’s going to get some rest. As he made his way towards the bow compartment, Josch thought about what had happened with him and Aurora. He did like her, but he somehow knew that the moments they had shared with one another were nothing more than the result of the emotional comedown from combat. His mind kept coming back to the image of the woman from his dream. There was a familiarity about her that he just couldn’t shake.

Then again, it could just be the exhaustion.

CHIRP!

The call of his comlink and Jim’s voice snapped him out of his daydream.

“Xan, Palso here. You heading down to the bow section? You doing alright buddy?”

Josch remembered that he forgot to respond to the pirate’s first message. He looked around and realized that he was just around the corner from Palso’s location. So he decided that he would answer in person instead of over the comlink.

“I’m doing fine, how about you?”


TAG: Bravo Sith-I-5

 

IC: Cain Varss
Hutt's Scuttle, Skip One, Smuggler's Run

“Yes, but I’m not entirely sure he can be trusted. I suspect the reason your asking is you have suspicions of your own? I planned to discuss it over with someone from the command staff before we leave.”

Cain took another sip of his drink then placed it on the table. He didn't need much time to think. Cain leaned forward a little and dropped his voice slightly, "He's too glib and too eager to discuss sensitive topics. Both of us know there are bounties out on key members of the Mercs, yet he's throwing around the name like it won't get him killed or tortured for information. Other than that, I don't see anything objectively wrong with him. He also seems desperate for work. That type can be very useful, but they can also be dangerous, especially with his other characteristics. The question that should ask is how bad are you hurting for crew? If every volunteer is needed, then he qualifies." Cain paused for a moment, then remembered something to add, "On a more personal note, obviously I haven't played nice with him, though I will if I must. He just rubs me the wrong way."

Tag: JediFalcon

 

IC: Kabriela (nrc), Arakyd Industries' Customer Services
Location: Vulpter, Deep Core


The Neimoudian working in Customer Services, worked in the dark, her repeater screen illuminating her face and the keyboard.
This was her choice, to minimise any stimuli that might trigger the flashbacks.

A new call came through, the image before her changing to show a grey metal helmet, with an illuminated T-visor. The helmet sat upon armoured shoulders of the same hue.

"Arakyd Industries. Customer Services. How can I be of assistance?"

"This is an official request, on behalf of the Empire."

Kab' sighed as she took in the image. "Is that you, Chris? Cos I am not in the mood."
Truth to tell, she had not been in the mood for a couple decades now, since the day Arakyd sent sixty AAD-4 assault droids into Viper Sensor Intelligent Systems, where she had worked before, to stop them producing some exploration droid.

Look up overkill in the dictionary, and you'll see an Arakyd logo next to it. She thought, dimly aware that the customer was vehemently denying being Chris.

"-though coincidentally, it is the name of my ship, now you mention it.."

"Oh, I do beg your pardon, Sir." Kab' checked the carrier signal meta data. Wow, pretty long range. From Malastare, up in the Mid-Rim. Military signal.
She sat up a bit straighter. "So, uh, what can Arakyd do for you, Sir?"

"In the name of the Emperor, I require the immediate dispersal of a batch of your finest probe droids. To the list of locations that I will relay to you now. Do you have a stylus? And before you ask me what century I think this is, like you, I am not in the fething mood.

"Yes, yes sir. Alright, what are the locations?"

Tag: no-one

 

IC: Fress Colias
Hutts Scuttle Skip One, Smugglers Run

"On a more personal note, obviously I haven't played nice with him, though I will if I must. He just rubs me the wrong way."

Fress nodded in agreement as she glanced around and noted Kasumi was not too far away. If she levitated her id back to her she knew her friend would sense it. She turned her attention back to Cain as she absorbed his questions. “We’re in need of a crew, we lost about a quarter or so when Soal threatened to kill our families if we did not back down. They walked not wanting to chance it. We’ve had to rely on the Jod military since to help fill in for the crew that walked. Nothing much showed up on a background check. The way he throws his name around means one of two things. Either he’s really new to this or it’s a well-done alias. Considering what he’s told me, I suspect it’s an alias and not someone who is new to this kind of establishment. Proving it will be a challenge. His background check didn’t add up to what he was telling me.”

“I’ve rubbed the odd person the wrong way or vice versa. It’s just something that happens and sometimes can’t be helped. The best thing to do is to talk it out with him.”

kommando104