Seeing the table open, the Sullustian speaks.

"I am Slan Naun, mechanic on the-  well, former mechanic on the Saratoga.  My current situation seems a bit- delicate, and that's what we're here to discuss.  Among if I can trust you or not, and what your intentions are in this sector, and what hostilities you hold against the reigning authorities."

With that, the ball is back in Four's court.

Quickly thinking back to the reasons why they came to Hydia IV lets out a sigh. He looks directly at Slan Naun and says:

"Let me make this brief as some of the reigning authorities you mentioned are in pursuit, and we are trying to avoid further confrontation. We are, as you have probably guessed, mercenaries. It was our intention to get rid of some slavers, acquire their ships while keeping the slaves safe. It was not our intention to get the authorities involved as we have no hostilities with them. At present we just want to get out of this sector to somewhere of relative safety." He pauses for a moment. "If you can tell us what the correct answer to Authenticate Beta-465 is, we might just get out of here without having to engage the pursuit. It is up to you. I need an answer as time is not on our side."

Exilim waits for a response hoping that asking for the code was not the wrong move, but if they could just delay the pursuit long enough they might get away with no one else getting hurt.

Slan sighs.

"So, just mercs after another shady group's resources.  Well, at least mercs with a conscience.  Those slavers were wrong, I don't care if it IS legal.  *pause*  The authorities will be looking for you.  I don't have the codes offhand, being an engineer, but if I could get to a command terminal I might be able to find them, if they're within reach of my clearance and slicing skills.  I'd do whatever I could to help you- I'd be ensuring this crew and the other vessel's safety.  You'd have to do something for us, though.  IF you let the crew and ship go once you escape, we'll concoct some story about driving you off.  They'll have no way to look for you, and no clue where to.  It's above my authority to authorize, but it's the best I can do.  Or, you can let the crew go, but then we'd be compelled to tell everything we can to the authorities.  Without either of these, there's no help I can even begin to offer."

Slan looks slightly disappointed in being involved in inter-gang warfare, but at least chose to side with morals over regs.  He has his arms crossed, waiting for a reply.

Exilim resisted the urge to smile, Slan was willing to help them out of their current predicament. Opening up a little more Xil hoped that Slan might rethink his attitude towards them, after all, another mechanic on the team would make life that little bit easier.

"If only it were that simple, one group of mercs after another groups things. If that were the case the slaves would all be dead, or held on board here, not allowed to walk around let alone hold weapons. I'm not too sure our Allied employers would have been happy if we killed them or left them there to die."

"'If only it were that simple'?  You sound as if you almost regret the complication.  I'm sorry if I offend, but all you've told me is you are mercenaries, you raided a slaving group for their ships, and care about the slaves.  On that information alone, I am willing to violate my orders and work with you for a time.  While I admire that you are getting rid of slavers, could you expect more of a man in my situation, in the hands of self-admitted mercenaries with unknown employers who had just managed to aquire the ship he is-  ... was, working on?  After all, so far my only concrete knowledge of you is the slaves in your possesion and the 'liberation' of this ship.  I'd say, all things considered, I'm giving you quite the benefit of the doubt!"

Despite his captured condition, the contained... anger?  Frustration?  Of swallowing his pride and doing what he thought best for the good of both parties and being asked not only to help but to fully trust and moralize with this stranger are a bit much for his already strained nerves.  He composes himself, and speaks again.

"I'm sorry for that outburst.  You must understand, this has been quite the stressful day."  A ruefull smile.  "I've offered what I can, and am trusting quite far as it is.  If you accept my offer, then from there perhaps I'd be more in a position to trust, and you more in a position to trust me, and offer proof of your good intentions.  Your point about the slaves is much of what leads me to trust you, but any man has the right to reserve a little hesitation about fully trusting the men who forcefully took over the ship he's on."

With that, he leans back a little, a bit emotionally drained.  He stars at the Officer, trying to gauge his reaction.

Remaining calm after Slan's outburst he says "That's ok, it's to be expected after what has gone on." He was a tiny bit disappointed though, he had hoped with the reference to the ex-slaves treatment and allied employers a connection may have been drawn to the Alliance...too subtle perhaps, or just not there given our current cicumstance he thought to himself, maybe I should have got Jamie to do this, he probably would have had it sorted by now the thought continued.


Putting a friendly smile on his face he says "You're right we are needing to trust each other with little foundation beneath it. However, I give you my word, that once we are in a safer position I will attempt to build that foundation. Perhaps then you may re-evaluate what you think of us." Exilim pauses for a moment before adding "Shall we go and see if we can prevent further casualties? Where is the closest terminal that would suit your needs?"

"Thanks.  Is should be not too far from here, at the <gm please instert closest place I think would work>"

And with that, they head out.
This message was last edited by unknown at 05:12, Fri 30 Nov 2007.

As the Sullustan works on the computer console, Exilim close behind him.  The sniper is distracted as he hears Jek over the comm:

"Those Cloakshapes are really hoofing it.  They're going to be in weapons range within a minute.  That corvette is not far behind.  Hope you guys are ready!"

Slan quickly begins typing in codes.  Exilim notices that after a few moments the screen opens up with:

Authorisation accepted - user 75436.  Engineering Level 1 subcodes unlocked.

Slan types frantically at the keyboard, trying to use every trick he knows to dredge out those verification codes.

Slan suddenly stops and turns to the officer, an excited and deeply worried look in his eyes.  He seems quite adgitated and stressed.
"If I help you fully, with all the power I can, will you give me and any who wish to join you protection and at the very least passage to another system, if they want it or you don't want them???"

Damn Exilim thought to himself as he heard the comm message.
"We will protect them as best we can, given our current circumstances. As it is, we are trying to get to another system so they are all along for the ride anyway. We have about a minute before they catch us."

"Maybe less than that.  Someone with access codes is trying to access your systems.  It has to be pretty high up, because ship's can't be controlled remotely by just anyone, for obvious reasons, but they're there all the same.  If I'm to stop it, I'll need to get to the computer station, it's on the top deck..  I've sent my engineering codes down to your engines, it should unlock some of the functions needed to repair them.  But let's go."

With a few last taps on the keyboard to confirm the sent codes and log off, he starts to walk to a turbolift.

ooc:  This is assuming Exilim lets Slan go tot he computer lab.  If you decide not to I will adjust this post accordingly


Exilim and Slan move to the turbolift and quickly ride up to the computer room.  The tactical station is flashing with warning of incoming missiles, power directions to weapons, all shield status and various other tacticaL updates.

Bypassing the tactical chair, Slan sat himself at the computer stations and began logging in.

Slan sat down, at a loss for what to do exactly.  He was an engineer, not a computer specialist!  Still, he'd give it his best.  He started typing furiously, hoping something would come to him as he went.

Working as he quickly as he could took its toll on Slan's work as his attempt to bypass security and log in was rejected.  Already the remote hacker was into the system and could at any moment start powering down or taking control of primary ship functions.  Time was running out.

Being kicked out of the system irked Slan, and he started typing with a renewed sense of urgency and a little anger.  He quickly bipassed the security.

Successfully slicing the system, Slan quickly ascertained the situation.  The mysterious hacker was already into the root directory and was accessing the slave system controls.  He was going for the engines.  Added to which he'd only need another 20 seconds or so and he'd have them.

OOC:  Okay if you want to try to lock out the slicer you're gonna need to do an opposed computer use roll (against the hacker).  Or if you have another plan, fire away.

Slan worked furiously with the unfamiliar system, trying to lock the remote hacker out of the system.  The problem was his opponent knew what he was doing and Slan largely did not.  Still he was on the home ground and that gave him the advantage.  Controlling systems at the source was easier then a remote slice.

These advantages, along with Slan's dogged determination were paying off.  Whilst he had so far been unable to eject the slicer, he was able to halt his progress, throwing up firewalls that were preventing the slicer from accessing navigation and engineering.  How long they would hold, Slan was unsure.


OOC:  Essentially this will be an opposed computer use roll between you and the enemy slicer until someone 'wins' (ie. gets sufficient successes over the other) or something changes (slicer gives up, locks you out, loses his connection etc)

Keep it up!  The Talons may not know it but you're the one fighting the biggest fight right now!

Four's voice is heard over the ship's comm.

"Slan, what's happening with our systems?"

Slan was so involved with his work that he didn't immediately answer when four contacted him.  Whoever the guy was on the corvette he was good, very good.  Slan panicked momentarily as he struggled to find a subroutine in a system he was unfamiliar with.  This was all the time the slicer needed.  On the screen a message flashed:

Remote access established - Hyperdrive systems powered down.

The slicer was not resting on his laurels though.  It looked like he was trying to access the ion drives next.



OOC:  He beat you on the last opposed Computer Use check by quite a bit

Exilim switches to the ships comm "Slan report." he almost yells.

As Jek walked into the computer room and saw the Sullustan at the computer station he rapidly drew his blaster pistol and flicked off the safety.

"Now there friend, you can lift your hands up where I can see them and tell me what you're doing here."

Jek moved over to the other console, always keeping an eye on the Sullustan as he began to bring up a status report.

"Jek to bridge.  We've got a Sullustan down here playing with our systems.  Please tell me he's supposed to be here.  It looks like we've already lost our hyperdrive and our ion engines are being hacked."

mmmm thought I mentioned I put Slan in the computer room.. Exilim thought to himself

"Four here, his name is Slan and yes he's supposed to be there.We've an external hack going on. Maybe the two of you can prevent any further damage to our systems." he replied to Jek

"No problems Four.  On it."

Jek holsters his pistol and slides into the next chair next to Slan.

"Sorry, had to check.  Can't be too careful and all.  Name is Jek.  Let's see if we can't give some slicer a run for his credits huh?"

Jek starts doing whatever he can to help Slan with the hack.

Jek and Slan working side by side manage to combine their skills and halt the enemy slicer's progress, locking him out of the ion drives. . .for now.  There is no time to rest on their laurels as the enemy is persistant.

Of course matters aren't helped by the ship lurching everytime it is hit by a turbolaser blast.



OOC:  Doing well.  A few more successes and you'll eject the slicer from the system

Whilst the battle had been fairly even until now something had clearly happened.  All of a sudden the enemy slicer had vanished!  It was almost as if he had left to have a smoke break or something.  Whatever had happened the slicer had disappeared from the system.


OOC:  What you don't know is that Jaime's ion cannon assault has knocked out the corvette's computers, hence the slicer's system has been disabled.  All you know is that you're system is no longer being sliced.  The hyperdrive is still offline but at least nothing else is gonna go out