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16:28, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Act 7: Blackout.

Posted by Master ServiousFor group 0
Cor Lambar
player, 687 posts
Talon Eleven
ID: 'Sola Numen'
Wed 12 Nov 2014
at 14:18
  • msg #23

Re: Act 7: Blackout

"Taking the recruits with us, yes," Cor answers.  "Taking them to the Talon Nest?  I would suggest not.  Not yet.  That could endanger both them and ourselves - the more people know its location, the more that can be forcibly convinced to disclose it."  She taps a few buttons and says something in her natural Umbaran.  Switching back to Basic, she continues.  "I suggest we confirm a rendezvous location - a planet or moon a system or so away from the Nest, perhaps - and have them assist us in datasearches and maintaining security until Talon Nest can be evacuated.  The team can then assemble at that rendezvous location and the searching can commence in earnest.

"There is a problem here, however.  We cannot simply evacuate the Nest.  Perhaps we can work out rapidly what we should take and what we should leave behind.  Perhaps we have enough manpower to manage this quickly.  Perhaps we even, thanks to some recent purchases, have enough space to store most of it - but this matter is not simple and it requires thought."
She taps a keyboard a few times.

"If we abandon the Nest we will need somewhere else to dry-dock our ships for repairs and refits.  We can hire a shipyard, perhaps, but for how long?  Our funds will soon dry up if we do that.  The more costs we heap upon ourselves the more mundane work we will need to do to fund it - and, therefore, the longer the search will take.  Another option is to locate a similar base, perhaps one already in use by pirates, head in, terminate the tenants and take over.  These are possibilities but they need to be decided upon before we commit ourselves to the hunt."
Mika Trake
player, 656 posts
Talon 10
Shore leave Kimy Stell
Wed 12 Nov 2014
at 19:54
  • msg #24

Re: Act 7: Blackout

Mika counters Cor's comment, "But if we're assuming that Talon's Nest is compromised, then it's already out in the open and we're going to need the added manpower to help gather up as much as possible.  And, if there's a warm welcome, then we'll need all the help we can get."

Mika's voice trails off as some other thought seems to hit her....

"You don't think any of them could be spies for who ever might have snagged Mark or Zyra, do you?"
Heigren
PC, 339 posts
Zeltron Male
False ID: Vyn Teckla
Wed 12 Nov 2014
at 21:30
  • msg #25

Re: Act 7: Blackout

Heigren shook his head.  "What could they say?  Even we didn't know where Mark and Zyra were going.  I don't even know what transport they left on.  Do any of you?  I suppose Fiarr could have found out but I don't see the percentage."

"I agree with Mika about needing extra hands to relocate.  I have had to relocate my community a lot of times in the past and the more manpower you have the better.  I've never been to this 'nest' of yours but I do know that you own a lot of fighters and a cruiser.  Given Devon here will probably want to stay in space covering us with his new toy, that doesn't leave a lot of hands on the ground, droids included."

"They don't have to know the location of the Nest.  Hell, neither do I.  Secure us in staterooms away from nav and sensors until we land and while we take off.  Then your secrets are safe and we can all help in rescuing Flash's prized teddy bear collection."

Cor Lambar
player, 688 posts
Talon Eleven
ID: 'Sola Numen'
Wed 12 Nov 2014
at 23:44
  • msg #26

Re: Act 7: Blackout

"I think you underestimate how many droids we now have," Cor says, "but I see your points.  However, if Talon Nest has been actively compromised then we will not be obtaining access.  These are not pirates we are considering, they are Imperials.  If we are important enough to them to capture and they know the location of the Nest then they will have our fighters and the Nightshrike already."  She shakes her head.  "We will need to scout the Nest out before approaching, obviously, or we may be walking into a trap.  Nonetheless I have left my medical droid at the Nest and it has not alerted me to any attacks there - it may have been overwhelmed and destroyed before being able to contact me, but I have sent it a message requesting a ful report of the status of the Nest.  I expect to hear back from it soon."

To Mika she says, "I do not know if any of them might be spies but I doubt it.  We encountered them some time before the Commander and Ms Jax would have been captured.  However it is a valid concern.  How precisely to confirm their allegiances is something I am open to suggestion on."
Devon Kismet
player, 848 posts
Talon 7
ID: Rian Cloudrider
Wed 12 Nov 2014
at 23:48
  • msg #27

Re: Act 7: Blackout

Devon shook his head too.
"I had considered it, but... put it this way:  snatching the boss and Zyra and NOT snatching us too makes no sense.  It can't be so that we would lead them back to the Nest - they could have the location of that out of Mark!"

"As to taking them to the Nest?  I agree they dont need to know its location; but like Heigren said, thats easily solved.  And I think he's gonna be right about the manpower too.  The good news on that front is that Cor an' me recently bought ten DUM droids between us.  Between them, Cor's PK droids and us we should be OK."

"But planning how we're gonna raid the nest is the sorta stuff we will plan once we're on the way there.  For now we need to plan gettin' off Nar Shaddaa.  An the first step of that is the recruits - anyone got any objections on bringin' them in?"
Heigren
PC, 340 posts
Zeltron Male
False ID: Vyn Teckla
Thu 13 Nov 2014
at 00:01
  • msg #28

Re: Act 7: Blackout

"No objections as long as we explain the kind of danger they might be getting into I have no objections.  If they've been captured by Imperials you'll only get them back by attacking a prison colony and that's serious business."
Cor Lambar
player, 689 posts
Talon Eleven
ID: 'Sola Numen'
Thu 13 Nov 2014
at 01:12
  • msg #29

Re: Act 7: Blackout

"I would suggest that planning on how to occupy the Nest would be something to plan after it has been scouted," Cor offers.  "I have no objection to bringing in the recruits and they should be here shortly but I stress again that our focus needs initially - as well as securing the Nest - to be on gathering intelligence and obtaining funds.  We cannot search the entire galaxy, we need to narrow the field.  We cannot run the ships on good will and rainbows; the Nightshrike alone costs, by my estimation, between 150,000 and 200,000 credits for a month of continuous operation if it sees no combat."  She lets that sink in for a beat before adding, "The smaller ships add to that, of course, coming to roughly 2,000 credits a month each if they see no combat."

She shakes her head slightly.  "That Ms Jax has run finances on this operation as consistently as she has demands our respect.  We are no longer operating on a military-style budget; she would probably argue that we never have been."
Allen 'Flash'
NPC, 758 posts
Fake Name: Forim
Security Chief
Thu 13 Nov 2014
at 01:57
  • msg #30

Re: Act 7: Blackout

"Then let's scout it."  Flash growled impatiently.  "Give me a ship the cathar, the doombot, the doc and whatever heavy ordanance we have and I'll clear that place out for you."
Cor Lambar
player, 690 posts
Talon Eleven
ID: 'Sola Numen'
Thu 13 Nov 2014
at 03:14
  • msg #31

Re: Act 7: Blackout

"Flash."  Cor leans forward a little.  "I understand you are eager to get moving.  I am not exactly advocating we sit around and do nothing.  But as the Acting-Commander said we must do this right.  For that you are going to need to focus your energy on making sure our on-planet security is suitable; we do not wish anyone to follow us when we leave Nar Shaddaa.

"I would recommend you do a brief tour of our newly-acquired ships - a Maka-Eekai L4000 I have purchased and a Wayfarer-class transport that Devon and I have bought - in order to make certain they are secure.  If anyone has anti-surveillance equipment then I would ask you take them with you to sweep for tracking devices and bugs.  Examining the Ghtroc and Devon's new Firespray would also not go amiss.  Are you able and willing to do that?"

Sheila Masters
player, 946 posts
Janine Carstairs.
Talon 3
Thu 13 Nov 2014
at 04:40
  • msg #32

Re: Act 7: Blackout

"I'll help with sweeping the ships." SHeila volunteered.  Heigren was right, they would need everyone to help with the Nest, if they had to fight their way in or just to evacuate stuff.   "SHould we head off now for the checking, or wait till the others have come in?"
Kyvarr 'Hammer' Dulvan
Player, 179 posts
Thu 13 Nov 2014
at 09:57
  • msg #33

Re: Act 7: Blackout

"I think we'd rather you waited for us."  Kyvarr said to Sheila as she walked in wiping her hands on a rag.  She looked to Devon.  "CC9 said you wanted to see us sir.  Was just tinkering with Nijel in the cargo bay."
Allen 'Flash'
NPC, 759 posts
Fake Name: Forim
Security Chief
Thu 13 Nov 2014
at 10:02
  • msg #34

Re: Act 7: Blackout

Flash grunted but bit back the retort he had been preparing.  "Lend me your astromech and I can have the work done in half an hour.  By then you guys better have a plan."

The Duros stormed out.
Sheila Masters
player, 947 posts
Janine Carstairs.
Talon 3
Thu 13 Nov 2014
at 13:32
  • msg #35

Re: Act 7: Blackout

Sheila ignored Kyvarr and looked at Devon. Any positive sign from him, and she was going to help Flash.  Kyvarr had no idea what was going on at the moment, so her comment really had nothing to do with anything.  "Sir?"
Devon Kismet
player, 849 posts
Talon 7
ID: Rian Cloudrider
Thu 13 Nov 2014
at 14:30
  • msg #36

Re: Act 7: Blackout

"Yeah, go help him."  Devon told Sheila And maybe stop him from happening to someone he added in the privacy of his own head.  "Pick up Catch from my ship - he can help."
Devon quickly comm called his ship and told his freshly bought astromech to assist Sheila and Flash.

OOC:  In the interests of moving things along before Flash starts setting fire to things, I am going to assume that Fiarr and Dohr have arrived too. :)


"Siddown, you guys." Devon told the three new arrivals.  "I'll keep this as brief as possible."

"Long story short - we're leaving Nar Shaddaa as soon as we can be ready to do so.  Our boss and XO were supposed to have been back in contact a week ago, an' we dont know whats happened to them.  Worst case scenario is they've been captured by someone who wont have our best interests at heart.  So we're breakin' trail by getting off Nar Shaddaa soon as we can.  After that, we're gonna check if our main base is still secure, grab various supplies an' go looking for our buddies - might be they need rescuing."

Devon paused for a moment, eyeing the three.
"I'm tellin' you all this because this is your last chance to back out.  One way or another we're gonna find out whats happened to our friends - an get them back if we can.  Don't matter whos holding them."

Devon watched the three expectantly.  It was decision time.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:15, Thu 13 Nov 2014.
Fiarr Melan'nel
player, 166 posts
Thu 13 Nov 2014
at 21:11
  • msg #37

Re: Act 7: Blackout

Fiarr was dressed in greasy overalls and looked messier than Mika after a 3-day non-stop maintenance bender.  "Any ideas on what they were doing?  I could do some digging if I had more specifics.  Otherwise I'm ready to go when you are."
Dohr Veen
player, 288 posts
Thu 13 Nov 2014
at 22:18
  • msg #38

Re: Act 7: Blackout

Dohr was having what had become his customary lunch at a quiet cafe near the docking bay the merc ship was at. Things had been very quiet for a few days now, but that was fine by him. Busy times for the doctor more often than not meant that someone was hurt and probably in a bad way too. Had someone asked the good Kel Dorian, he would've replied he was doing just fine.

But when the familiar figure of a battledroid walked in the door and gave everyone else a fright, the Doc found himself smiling behind his mask. Since CC9 was clearly looking for him, something was happening. The mercs had his comlink code, so they would've called in case of an emergency. No. No one was hurt. This was something else. Maybe they have made up their minds about Kyvarr, Fiarr and me.

Before the droid could reach him, Dohr had already stood up and nodded a greeting. He knew Idaya would not be coming. She'd called him and let him know she would be trying her luck with another group who seemed to (in her words) understand her better. The Doc shrugged at the thought. Probably best for them all. He'd kind of grown to like her, but would not call the Chiss a friend. Perhaps their paths would cross again... perhaps not.

Being the last to arrive to the Ghtroc, Dohr bowed apologetically and took his spot by the wall and sat down to listen. He nodded at Fiarr's words, stood up and looked Devon in the eye.: "I will gladly accept your offer. I feel honored that you would consider taking me along even in such a dire situation. I am sure the decision must not have been an easy one to take, but I will do my best to be worthy of your trust. And I will certainly do everything I can to help you unravel the situation."
Kyvarr 'Hammer' Dulvan
Player, 180 posts
Fri 14 Nov 2014
at 00:10
  • msg #39

Re: Act 7: Blackout

Kyvarr ignored Sheila's slight, she wasn't even sure it was one.  She reflexively came to attention as she responded to Devon.  "Sir, as long as you do not serve the Imperials or commit similar acts of atrocity as them I will fight for you."
Devon Kismet
player, 850 posts
Talon 7
ID: Rian Cloudrider
Fri 14 Nov 2014
at 02:44
  • msg #40

Re: Act 7: Blackout

Devon was silent for a moment, looking from one 'recruit' to the others.  Then he nodded slightly.
"Well, OK then."

"I'll explain the situation more once we're away from here.  For now, lets get moving."

Turning, he point to Cor - or rather her hologram.
"Everyone - I'm promoting Sola to co-command.  I'll lead on the ground, her job is oversight and co-ordination if we have multiple independant teams operating.  When we're in the thick of it, she'll be watching the bigger picture and making sure we have the data we need to keep moving in the right directions. Got it?  For you new guys, Sola is also our droid expert."

"Fiarr: Forim and Janine are checking our latest purchases over to make sure theres no unexpected surprises - go help 'em out.  You got four ships to inspect and I want their pilots in them starting pre-flight as soon as possible."

Crew assignments:  I'll be flying Moonshadow out of here - she's the smallest ship we got so it'll just be me and an R2 in her.  I already loaded all my crap, so no worries there.  She's ready to fly once Forim says she's clean."
Devon consulted a datapad strapped to his wrist as he read off peoples assignments.
"The Wayfarer - she's called Nebula Drifter - will be flown by Kimy with Janine as co-pilot; Dohr and Vyn will also be aboard.  Dohr - get any medical gear we got and move it to the Wayfarer, set yourself up a medbay.  Vyn - help the Doc.  Once thats done, move anything Kimy and Janine want taken aboard too."

"The Ghtroc will be flown by Forim.  Kyvarr: you an' Fiarr will be aboard.  Get your stuff loaded.  All those guns we looted on Det Akari are aboard, so I'm puttin' you in charge of our armoury, such as it is.  Keep it organized." The Corellian grinned suddenly. "An' one additional duty for you 'an the Bothan - Forim may not give a damn but I'm sick of constantly callin' that ship 'The Ghtroc'.  Come up with a name for it."

Devon looked round the room.
"Anyone find themselves with nothing to do, comm Sola for new instructions.
Everyone know what they're doing?  OK, lets go."

Mika Trake
player, 657 posts
Talon 10
Shore leave Kimy Stell
Fri 14 Nov 2014
at 04:11
  • msg #41

Re: Act 7: Blackout

Mika digests the rapid changes stoically.  She obviously doen't like something about Devon's orders, but she keeps it to herself.  To Dohr and Heigren, she adds.  "I've got to gather up my gear, won't take too long and then I'm off to the 'Drifter on my swoop.  Once there, I'll start on systems checks and per-flight.  What about you guys?"
Sheila Masters
player, 948 posts
Janine Carstairs.
Talon 3
Fri 14 Nov 2014
at 05:18
  • msg #42

Re: Act 7: Blackout

As soon as Devon told her to go, Sheila was up and out of there.  She listened to the conversation as Devon explained everything to the new ones and as she chased down Catch and found Flash.  "I'll take that one." she said to him,  Indicating one of the ships that Flash had not started on.  "We can meet in the middle.  Or better, we can each check each ship, just in case."
Fiarr Melan'nel
player, 167 posts
Fri 14 Nov 2014
at 06:29
  • msg #43

Re: Act 7: Blackout

Fiarr listened and watched with interest.  She was surprised Sola had been listed as co-commander.  Not because she thought her incapable, far from it.  The Bothan had actually assumed Cor was the true 'power behind the throne' and Rian merely the public face.  For Sola to openly share power suggested either her theory was wrong or things were more dire then had been explained.

She hadn't missed Kimy's obvious dislike for some component of Rian's instructions.  Fiarr had her suspicions but it bore watching.  But now was not the time, seeing Janine running out the door she followed after her, calling over her shoulder.

"Kyvarr, since you're not busy could you grab my stuff from the Golden Nebula Sleep 'n Go?  Fifth Floor, Cubicle 39E.  Here's the code."  She tossed the Cathar a code cylinder then followed out the door.
Cor Lambar
player, 691 posts
Talon Eleven
ID: 'Sola Numen'
Fri 14 Nov 2014
at 06:58
  • msg #44

Re: Act 7: Blackout

"If people need any assistance with packing or hauling, I have multiple PK and DUM droids at your disposal.  They have been given orders to follow your commands."  She taps a few more keys.  "I am already installed aboard my Make-Eekai L4000 and have no more gear to stow.  Ready when you are, Commander."
Allen 'Flash'
NPC, 760 posts
Fake Name: Forim
Security Chief
Fri 14 Nov 2014
at 19:54
  • msg #45

Re: Act 7: Blackout

"We'll do all four together."  Flash said firmly when asked by Sheila.  "It won't take much longer and if we're going to do this we should do it properly.  Janine and Catch can scan while Fiarr and I do the physical search.  Let's get this done."
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:05, Sat 15 Nov 2014.
R2-B7 'Catch'
NPC, 1 post
Fri 14 Nov 2014
at 20:42
  • msg #46

Re: Act 7: Blackout

Hooting what could possibly have been a greeting, the R2 rolled over to Flash and looked around, its dome spinning to focus its sensors on the various people present.

When Flash gave his orders, Catch immediately warbled its understanding and tailed Flash towards the first ship - almost bumping into the back of the Duros' legs when Flash stopped moving.  The droid certainly seemed eager to get to work - even by the standards of R2 units in general.

Perhaps it came from being factory-new...
Heigren
PC, 341 posts
Zeltron Male
False ID: Vyn Teckla
Sat 15 Nov 2014
at 22:54
  • msg #47

Re: Act 7: Blackout

Heigren secured the services of two labour droids to help him move his gear from the hotel to his assigned ship. He'd purchased a fair - sized wardrobe on planet and needed help to move it. Once moved he found Dohr and assisted him with whatever he needed him to do.
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