Heigren chuckled.  "That's a whole lot of maybes there Mika!  Don't spread yourself too thin there!  I'm sure once a plan gets knuckled out our roles within will come together smoothly enough.  Then again, my usage in this situation is quite limited.  I lack the breadth of skills you clearly have."

After a moment or two, Heigren spoke again.  "If there's a major shipping lane we want to track could we just use our transports to monitor it?  I know you can disguise ships to make them appear different.  Could we have both ships at staggered intervals jump in, fly to the transit point, jump out, change codes or whatnot then come back in, staggering so there is no pattern?  Between two ships we could surely get a lot of good data and not make people too suspicious if we change codes every time."

”I believe, Heigren would be best employed as a spy in some spacer tavern, his ear to the ground on the routes and destinations of potential ships. He could even pose as representative of a no-questions asked passenger or two, who wish to purchase berthing on a ship going to the direction of the station. Those passengers would, of course, be important in disabling the ship and its crew enroute, which would give us the chance of seizing the ship. While flying along the lanes would be a good solution in long term, we have little time to find ourselves a ship to capture. If we go for it, then we need to have a strike group at constant readiness to jump in at a second’s notice.”
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 08:03, Tue 27 Feb 2018.

Fiarr looked to Lin.  "I'm not sure how you think Heigren getting passage on a ship going 'near' the station would help.  The ship has to actually be going to the station, complete with the appropriate flight clearances.  Getting a berth on an Imperial cargo hauler that happens to be going to the supply station would be hard going, even for him I'd imagine.

As for a boarding crew I'm thinking a pair of Y-wings, maybe three or four if we can borrow them for disabling and the Gamma shuttle with the task force's marines could serve as a 'ready response' force.  Ready to jump to wherever they needed, be it a ship the transports locate or something Heigren and such pick up."

Devon frowned as he tried to take in the ideas everyone was pitching.
"We need to know what sorta freighter we're hittin' first, then plan how we're gonna do it.  Although the theory of that is actually really simple..."
He paused a moment, considering.
"Well, its really simple once we get aboard... So first things first: lets go find ourselves a freighter.  We watch the spacelanes: local shippin'.  Whos flyin' where.  Maybe we spot one in transit and can plan an intercept.

Our more talkative types can head ground-side, maybe find where the Imps go on shore-leave - grease some palms, buy some drinks.  Get people talkin'.

Finally, we're gonna have to do some slicin'.  Help the ground team find where the Imps go.  Maybe slice shippin' records an' find us a freighter on the ground.  Bound to be other useful stuff they can dig up...

Once we have a target, we'll know if we're hittin' them ground-side or jackin' them mid-flight.  I'd prefer groundside, personally."

The shipjacker paused to look around the room.
"So lets get movin' - get the Ghtroc out there, watchin' the traffic.  Mika, you wanna fly that?  Cor, can we get your Voidsong out there too?  I'm not proposin' riskin' either ship - they simply hop between jump points, takin' note of traffic.

We're also gonna need to shuttle the ground team into position... an' before we can do that we gotta figure out where to send 'em.

So, slicers - on top of everythin' else, where's gonna be the best place to park our ships an' the ground team?"

Cor's M4 has been silent for a while, aside from the hum of its microrepulsor array, but now its mistress speaks up once more.

"It is impossible to determine where our ground team is needed without first identifying the vessels, along with any relevant freight companies, used to supply the station.  While that information is undoubtedly in the station's computers, our slicers are highly unlikely to be able to break into Imperial military systems without being on location at the station.

"Our first step therefore remains to monitor shipping lanes and to gather what intel we can from cantinas and similar locations.  A combination of transponder pings and word-of-mouth will undoubtedly garner the information we require; the only factor is the length of time it will take, though identifying the correct targets will almost certainly be the most tedious part.  Once we know which freighters we should be targeting, then we will have work for our ground and slicer teams."

She pauses briefly.

"The Voidsong is ready.  Training modifications to the Ghtroc will be complete shortly.  We can proceed with only minimal delay."

"I can leave any time." Heigren offered.  "I just need to know a location where Imperial merchant convoys often stop on this route and some transport to the system.  I can manage my own needs once I'm on the planet or station we decide is our best bet."

"I agree with Cor that we're most likely going to have to take this target in flight, mid-journey.  Even if our slicers could hack the system they then have to find a ship making the flight within the time window and then we have to prepare a plan to infiltrate and capture the ship before it leaves.  Even sneaking one person aboard to subdue the crew mid-flight will be exceedingly difficult given our time constraints."

"If we plan to take a freighter I think we're going to need to do a 'snatch and grab'.  Have our transport scour the transit points along major hyperspace lanes, spot a likely target then call in the assault force to disable and board.  A few Y-wings supported by the assault shuttle filled with either our people or the task force's marines would suffice."

"Then we pop the old crew off, insert ourselves in and fly to the station.  We proudly display our battle damage and explain how we somehow managed to fend off a pirate attack but suffered damage.  Damage that will 'unfortunately' require us to remain at the station a day or two to repair."

Mika nods, "Okay, I've got the Ghtroc, anyone flying with me or am I going solo?"

She got to thinking about Heigren's comment, maybe it would be a good idea to work out some sort of sensor mask, but one designed not to hide a ships emissions, but one to tweak it to look like something else.  Not that the Ghtroc would look like a star destroyer...  Or a tie fighter, but maybe like a scout ship.  Of course the better the sensor scan, the more likely to detect the fraud and the damn Imps have pretty sharp sensors.  Well, maybe not such an interesting idea after all.

Fiarr nodded.  "Mika you are clearly the smart choice to take the Ghtroc.  I would suggest taking Kira with you.  That way you can focus your attention on any transponder or emission modification you need to make, plus you can take turns at the helm.  You could be out there for a day or two before we act."

There is a slight pause before Cor speaks up next.

"Then we have our assignments.

"Mr Heigren, the Ghtroc shall drop you at a location suitable to your task: gathering information from locals.

"Ms Trake, you shall take the Ghtroc to observe space lanes after dropping Mr Heigren off at his destination.  Ms Kira will go with you.  Ms Daochi, you shall also be on the Ghtroc; a training system has been set up for you, as well as anyone else interested, to assess and hone your slicing skills.  Ms Trake, if you wish to take CC9 with you, do so.  If not, CC9 will return to my ship.

"Ms Melan'nel and Sgt Dulvan, you shall remain with the fleet to assess assault options and coordinate with the people here.  Work with the Brigadier and Colonel to obtain any equipment and ships necessary.  Keep our options as flexible as possible, because we will not know exactly what we will require until we have found our targets.

"Mr Kismet, your assignment is to requisition a suitable fighter and patrol your area of space.  Take Mr Endeel with you; it will be most efficient to assess his skills as you work.  In the unlikely event that either the Ghtroc or Voidsong encounter trouble you will be our first form of backup, so keep in contact and remain sharp.

"Dr Veen and Mr Blaque, you will join me on the Voidsong as we patrol our own sector.  Doctor, my medical droid shall assist you in assessing Mr Blaque's undoubtedly considerable knowledge and skill.  I am certain there will be much to talk about."

Her voice pauses again as Talon pads 'ping' with relevant information regarding the current missions.  Cor's been busy.

"Relevant sectors to be patrolled have been sent to the navigation systems of the Ghtroc and Devon's datapad.  This may take several days to complete; thoroughness and patience will be essential.  Are there any questions?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:41, Sun 04 Mar 2018.

And this is why I like having Cor around Devon told himself.  She keeps turning my vague ideas into actual plans - ones where stuff gets done.  He stood.
"Sounds like we got a plan then.  I'll go tell the boss lady we're startin' work an' see if she'll let us borrow a couple of fighters." Devon said.

Stretching, he scooped up his datapad and beckoned for the ex-Imperial join him.
"Hey Arcas, you ever flown a Z-95 or a Y-wing?  They both got things to offer over your average TIE fighter..."

Fiarr waved to Devon.  "When you see the Colonel, my wish list for the assault team is four Y-wings, the gamma shuttle and the marine squad from the other ship.  Thanks!"

Just before Devon stood, Heigren suddenly picked up on something and turned to Devon.  He gave the shipjacker and thumbs up and a knowing wink.  Then he looked over at Mika. Kira then Lin.

"So you three ladies are my ride?  I can be ready to go in fifteen minutes"

Devon gave Heigren a faintly puzzled look, then nodded to Fiarr.
"Anyone else got anythin' they want me to tack onto our wish list, nows the time to say."

Dohr smiled behind his mask. He’d been quiet for a while as he didn’t really have anything to offer into the discussion any more. Ship-jacking wasn’t really his forte. But that wasn’t why he was smiling. He was smiling because Cor was back. She was really back. This wasn’t the first time during the time Dohr had been part of the Talon organisation, when the rest of team was throwing around good ideas, but couldn’t decide which way to go. This wasn’t the first time Cor had spoken up and made the final decision.

Devon and Cor made an excellent team.

”Acknowledged, Cor. We will be right over.” Dohr finished his caf and turned to Aderek.

”I am ready when you are. We did not really have the time to unpack and settle down anyway.”

At Devon’s question Dohr stopped to consider. ”I do not know if it is possible, but I would not mind getting a new datapad. The one I have is ancient and very, very slow. Then again I can always buy a new one, if someone drops me at the nearest store. I would also like to see every member of the team supplied with a medpac, if you are not already… Oh and maybe a lightsaber, now that we a Jedi onboard? No? Ok.”

Dohr was probably one of the few, if not the only one of the team who had seen a lightsaber wielded by a living Jedi and not in some inter-galactic soap opera or historical document. There were actually two hidden away at the family mansion back on Dorin, but despite of being raised by former members of the order, the Doc had never even powered on one of the devices even after his parents had been murdered. Although he had inherited the powerful weapons, he felt they were really not his to use. He had considered burying the accursed devices with his parents, but the hope of finding the sister he had never met, had stopped Dohr from doing so.

"I believe it is best we go out together, all four of us. I just need us to drop off somewhere, I can obtain suitably scantily clothing for certain avenues of approach on getting the information from a freighter captain. Other than that, I am ready whenever you are. And Heigren, dear, I would rather you not referring me as your ride. That is rather rude, especially in public", the blue-skinned woman said with an air of mischief.

"I could use some components to set up a proper hacking tool with Mika's help. The pad I have right now is better than nothing, but most systems require a tad more sophisticated tools."

Fiarr grinned at Lin.  "I don't believe Cor mentioned you going with Heigren Lin.  Sounds like you're staying on the transport with Mika and Kira, unless I heard wrong."

Heigren shrugged at Lin's banter, his attention still mostly on Devon.  "If you take offence at me suggesting you are serving as my transport Lin, then I think you might be a tad oversensitive for this group."

"Besides, hasn't anyone told you it's hardly polite to use terms of endearment like 'Dear' on colleagues?  Can't have your cake and eat it to you know."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:32, Wed 07 Mar 2018.

Arcas had been silently observing the conversation since returning with Devon. He had never done an operation of this sort, although he had been involved in shipjacking, to a degree. That is, he had been in a TIE squadron driving off pirates. For the planning, he had nothing relevant to say.

Hearing his assignment elicited a nod from the ex-Imperial. "My family had an old Z-95 from the clone war, donated by a fleet captain. I learned to fly with it." He didn't comment on the advantages; While he appreciated the added shields and a smaller target profile, TIE fighters' added speed and maneuverability have won him over in his time in the Empire. What he really was happy about was the life support; The TIE flight suits were not the most comfortable things to wear.

Arcas fell behind Devon, assuming a military posture without really thinking about it.

Kyvarr considered Devon's mention of requisitions.  "I can't give you a firm list of what we'll need until we determine the type of assault we're conducting sir.  This could be a ground or ship board assault with numerous tactical variations.  I will put together some basic plans that can be updated as we know more."

Devon paused on his way to the door to make notes on his datapad.  He nodded as people shot requests at him.  Without looking up he said:  "Doc, I'm afraid to say I'm fairly certain that the only lightsaber in this fleet is in the possession of General Kota.  And I dont think he would lend it to us, even if we asked nicely."
He glanced up and grinned at the Kel-Dor.
"But you if you wanna go ask the creepy old wizard, you be my guest."

"Heigren, I leave it in your capable hands to assess Ms Daochi's skill with verbal sparring during your trip.  As long as she completes both that and her slicing assessment, which will likely take little time indeed, it is your call whether to take her with you on your cantina mission."  Cor's voice is precise, her tone calm and even, as it usually is.

"Should you decide to take her along, you are the ranking Talon and have both command and responsibility over her.  If both assessments are not completed by the time you reach your destination, or you have reason to doubt her skill with people, she will remain on the Ghtroc in a support position, under Ms Trake's command."

Kira sighed, relieved that a plan was set (Somewhat) in stone, and looked at Mika with a smile and wink. "Better pack our cards and data pads Mika...it's gonna be a long few days, especially the first day having Heigren with us." She stood, and stretched and then walked behind heigren, giving him a playful swat on the ear. "Behave yourself...your outnumbered on this one, and don't think that silver togune will help you."

She winked again at Mika with a smile

Fiarr snorted.  "If you think being cooped up with Heigren for several days will be boring then I seriously don't get you.  Have you ever actually had a conversation with him?  That tongue of his has many talents."  She threw the Zeltron a knowing wink.