Knowing full well a sniper was nothing with which to show any sort of hesitation, Chemosh is already keying in the quick command on his computer as he moves. The air about him crackles and snaps as a potent force-field is raised around his person. The Chiss was no fool to trust in such things alone though, as he moves for cover in the same motion.

Tervax had his massive rifle off his back and out in the ready position so quickly it would be hard to believe that it wasn't in his hand to begin with.  He activated the electrobinoculars mounted into his helmet and the surrounding area was suddenly converted from shadows and dark colors to multiple shades of green and black as the equipment lit up the night through his visor.

"Get cover!"

He pushed the Duros towards the nearest wall, and watched with appreciation as the blue-skinned alien began moving towards cover.


12:06, Today: Tervax rolled 14 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 3. Initiative.
12:06, Today: Tervax rolled 22 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 15. Perception to locate sniper.

15:30, Today: Tehrk Ridonal rolled 16 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 7. Perception
15:31, Today: Tehrk Ridonal rolled 24 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 15. Initiative
15:31, Today: Tehrk Ridonal rolled 15,5 using 1d20+5,1d20 with rolls of 10,5. Attack 1 and 2 (Attack 2 takes -5)

As the sniper bolt came whizzing by, Tehrk instinctively went for cover, diving behind a wall and peering around to see if he could notice anything of the sniper's position. Although there was little room or time to waste, Tehrk acted on instinct and fired a few shots at the general area where the shot had come from, hoping to provide enough of a distraction to disturb the aiming of the would-be assassin.

Without hesitation Eso folds the force around herself. bending light to mask her presence from everyone. She then heads up the alley, seeking the person that fired on them. she wastes no time flittimg from one point of cover to another. Instead she simply keeps to the side where she is less likely to interupt any combatants field of fire.

(sorry for the delay. having some difficulty getting comp time during year end here. So this is coming from my kindle. I can not copy paste my roll but i am using Cloak to run up the alley.

"Run Pugwis!! DAMNIT!!!" someone yelled from the darkness ahead of you, but Pugwis simply walked in daze. "You're all surrounded, I suggest you all turn around nice and slow and walk away... do ya hear?!"

[Private to Eso Terra: You see the outlines of the ship in a hangar, several places where people could be hiding between the narrow alleyway and the open space beyond.]
[Private to Tehrk Ridonal:
You see the outlines of the ship in a hangar, several places where people could be hiding between the narrow alleyway and the open space beyond, but you're not sure where that shot came from.]
[Private to Tervax:

You see the outlines of the ship in a hangar, several places where people could be hiding between the narrow alleyway and the open space beyond. You're pretty sure the shot came from the hanger, more importantly what could be the ramp access, but those other hiding spaces give you pause...]

Tervax took a chance.  He wasn't the talker, but there the chance that their good Captain's crew had seen him coming, walking in a daze, surrounded by four heavily armed people and drawn exactly the conclusion he would have.  So, he set out to fix that impression.  He turned up the volume on his external speakers and replied.

"We're your cargo, bucket-brain.  Your captain wasn't proving amenable to leaving tonight, despite assurances, and proof, we are able to obtain permission to leave earlier."




OOC:
21:43, Today: Tervax rolled 22 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 19. Persuasion.

The person seemed to hesitate a moment. "Ehh... then why's the captain acting weird then?" the voice called out, "just stay where you are and no sudden moves or someone will get hurt."

As the exchange takes place, Pugwis continues to head towards the ship.

"Too much booze was a start, and then he offended a Jedi with a few choice remarks... odds are his mind is clouded or something silly. We saw him on the road as quickly and most directly as possibly to the haven of his Ship, Crew, and our own consequent destination." Chemosh supplies loudly from the safety of his Force Field and the covver provided by nearby debris. He leaves unsaid that the offended Jedi was in their mix. It just didn't seem like a constructive element to the story at present.

"Check the ships communication logs, you'll find the updated Departure Approval in your inbox. Courtesy of your cargo's strong desire to get off this planet at our leisure, and on our way... A feat your Captain felt would prove quite beyond my means."

As Chemosh explains the situation, Pugwis walks catatonically towards the ship and stops 5 feet from the landing ramp. From your vantage point, his silhouette looks up at the ship, scratches its head and places both hands on his hips. "How the heck did I get here?" he grumbles in confusion, "Vertuba..?" he mutters, pretty much at the same time as Chemosh finishes his explanation…



"What?! When did you get here? And how did you find the ship? Bloody furies..!! Never mind... Vertuba, it looks like the cargo's here, so let them in and power down the security before they get sizzled..."

At that, you hear the powering down of weapons (plural) and a dug jumps down cautiously from his perch between the landing ramp and the inside of the ship. Reassured, you advance to get a better view.

As you walk, the hanger's lights go on and you can now clearly see a horribly beat-up old Corellian YT-1300 that looks like it's being held together with several rolls of mesh tape, is what you assume to be The Black Comet herself. Behind the Comet, sitting placidly not too far next it are two used V-Wing starfighters (from the Clone War days from the looks of them), probably the 'payment and escort' General Madine spoke of at the briefing.

"They're early..! Wasn't expecting them before tomorrow morning given the launch permit..?" Pugwis says as he gives you all the once over. "Vertuba, can you check the comms?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:40, Sat 02 Apr 2011.

The dug disappears for several minutes as Pugwis strikes up some small talk. "I hope you guys packed light," he chuckles, "we don't have cargo room for more than 2 tons of gear. Assuming our permit hasn't changed, the Black Comet will head straight for Koshibal at 0900 - well, as straight as one can get..."

Pugwis explains that any direct hyperspace path to Koshibal is blocked by a large asteroid field, which takes so long to go around, that no freighter wants to do it. But the likes of Pugwis desn't have a problem with a two-tiered hyperspace jump, "We'll be dropping out of light-speed and navigting through the asteroid belt manually, then re-entering hyperspace for the rest of the trip to Koshibal. It's very dangerous - but since few are willing to make the trip, I can get excellent prices on my shipments," he says pointing at the two V-wings. "These too... and I'll need two of you to pilot them to Koshibal for me. I hope you don't mind flying escort..." he grins, indicating that leaving the v-wings behind wasn't an option.

"Don't worry though, I've managed to get a pair of hyperdrive rings that are waiting fer us in orbit, so the fighters will be able to travel with the Comet through hyperspace. The hyperspace journey is gona be arduous, cause them fighters need to replenish life support every 15 hours," he added with a shrug as he noticed Vertuba returning.

The dug looks up to the group and then back at Pugwis, "Looks like they're correct.. the flight permit has changed, we can leave immediately."

"Alright then," Pugwis said looking impressed, "who's jumping into the Vs? Time's money... "


Will let you all do one last bit of RP (ie: pilot checks for those of you jumping into the fighters or just plain rp for those that choose to board the commet) before we move on

The Chiss moves to go up the ramp without further word or thought. To his experience, such a trip seemed simple and standard enough... but where he was from, pilots and technology were a bit more advanced than Republic standard. He does wonder with mild curiosity just how dense the Asteroid field can be if it's thick enough to convince most to circumvent, but not so dense as he's willing to take the YT1300 in under his own control AND allow his 'payment' to be piloted through by relative unknowns.

At the top of the ramp he considers offering to fly one of the old klunkers through, but then thinks better of it. He'd seen vids of those fighters in action, and really just wasn't ever impressed enough with them to be willing to climb into one just for curiosities sake. Provided two of his group breaks off to fly them accordingly he proceeds onto the Comet.

00:02, Today: Tehrk Ridonal rolled 11 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 2. Pilot Check

Climbing into one of the pilot seats of the arranged fighters, Tehrk displayed a momentary lapse of ability as he seemed to have a lack of understanding of what controls did what. Fortunate as he was to have done some piloting in his earlier years, piloting a scavenger ship was much simpler than a fighter and it was clear he was somewhat lacking in the overall knowledge of a fighter's specifications. Regardless, Tehrk did what he could and followed basic procedures and focused on trying to see if he recognized any buttons or methods that would simplify his attempts at piloting the craft.

Eso melts back out of the shadows part way through the captain's monologue about the perils of going through the asteroid field. She gives the two fighter craft little more than a passing glance. While she had been behind the sticks in a fighter, just like every other Jedi, her species wasn't known for their piloting abilities and she didn't seem to be about to break that notion. Instead she heads inside the YT and takes a look at the condition of the interior. If the Force is with them, the ship will look better on the inside than on the outside.

Waiting for someone else to jump in the other V-wing was getting on his nerves, so he jumped up onto the ladder and climbed into the cockpit.  As he dropped into the cockpit, he must've bumped something, because as he started the ship, it stalled.  Sithspit...


OOC:
21:58, Today: Tervax rolled 8 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 2. Pilot *crosses fingers*.

Eso and Chemosh make their way up the Black Comet's boarding ramp, leaving Terhk and Tervax to figure things out with the antiquated star fighters under Pugwis' careful and watchful eye. Both fighters give a shudder as their engines stall and the pilots eye each other in embarrassment, which get them a growl from the Duros who is so far looking displeased at the piloting skills so far displayed.

Within the Comet, Vertuba is busy prepping the engine for liftoff, and soon gets the thrusters online. Thankfully, that's about the same time that the v-wings stall a 2nd time (which goes unnoticed due to Comet's engines going online), but  finally flare on their third attempt. Pugwis shakes his head, as if about to say something before he hears the fighters humming to life. Done with the two rookies, he turns his attention on a last bit of cargo on a repulsor lift which he adroitly pushes into the comet and out of view.

Minutes later, the comet and her escort blast off. Pugwis hoping that Chemosh's attempt to breeze through Coruscant's port authority wasn't going to give them further problems...

Will post again soon.

[Private to Tehrk Ridonal:
You notice something interesting about the last bit of cargo they put into the hold. It had your shipping co.'s logo on one of the crates.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:15, Wed 06 Apr 2011.

02:35, Today: Tehrk Ridonal rolled 17 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 8. Pilot roll again.

Attempting to get a bit of the engine started before pressing anything else, Tehrk seemed to make a bit of progress, though slow as he tried to walk himself through the steps. It was when the cargo was going on board that he noticed something almost unnaturally amusing.



This logo was plastered on several crates and it was considerably inspiring to see that these individuals had good business sense. The logo could of likely been better, but Tehrk had been in a rush when he had to consider his options and, therefore, settled on the fact that being a kid wouldn't hurt him too much. Besides, it had something of a ferocious nature to it, so pirates might think twice before attacking.

It almost brought him a shred of joy to know that a few more mouths would be fed because of it as well, though that was minor in the woes of the world at this point. Looking for the communication device, Tehrk did what he could to ask a few questions about it.

"Hey, Duros buddy (speaking to Pugwis if he picks up on it)... What's in those particular crates there? The one with that mask-like logo on it? If I'm not mistaken, those come from a Ridonal sect company, don't they?"

The Duros' voice goes over the comm channel, staticky but clear: "In my line of business, we don't ask questions that might get us into more trouble than the cargo's worth. I suggest you mind your business, fly the fighter and leave my business out of it, especially over the airwaves, rookie." With that the comm-chatter is cut short, and the Black Comet slowly rises from the ground and expertly exits the hanger, rising through the Coruscanti night.

Not far behind, Tehrk manages to follow, though less smoothly, leaving Tervax to figure things out on his own. The Mando manages to get the fighter off the ground and pushes a little more speed from her until he finally catches up with Tehrk's six.

Pugwis' voice comes over the Comm again, "Coruscant Port Authority, launch permit Alpha - three - Bravo - Niner - Niner - Two - Fife; main vessel and two escorts waiting authorization to leave the planet's gravity well, over."

"Alpha - Tree - Bravo - Niner - Niner - Two - Fife; this is Coruscant Port Authority," came the controler's voice in response a few heartbeats later. "Please correct your heading by OH-Fife degrees, and remain at your current altitude, over."

"Coruscant Port Authority; this is Alpha - Tree - Bravo - Niner - Niner - Two - Fife," Pugwis responded, "correcting heading by "OH-Fife degrees, maintaining altitude over."

Several minutes go by, and those of you in the Comet see the impatient Duros drumming his fingers on his pilot chair. His red eyes meet Chemosh's and they narrow slightly. The meaning was clear, 'this stunt of yours had better work.' The look is short lived however, and the Port Authority crackles an answer: "Alpha - Tree - Bravo - Niner - Niner - Two - Fife;  you are clear to leave, Coruscant Port Authority, out."

Not needing to be told twice, Pugwis gives the command to head for the stars...

The next step is to dock with the hyperdrive rings. Pilots, feel free to describe it... I'll let the others RP the details of the ship and how you go about the flight.

IE: Will you be taking turns in the v-wings, etc..?

"Between you and me, Captain, I'd appreciate less skepticism in the future. When I say I'll get something done, it gets done." The Chiss says with a bit of smugness before rising to his feet, and offers the Captain an expression that indicates he'd like to be dismissed from the small cockpit. "If you don't mind, I'll retire to the back. I doubt you'd appreciate my backseat driving."

Provided the Captain doesn't object, The Chiss does just that.

"No offense, but in my line of work that's seldom a trait we find," he said, nodding respectfully. "Thank you for untangling it for us; the quicker we get there, the quicker I can sell my cargo and off to make more money."

Krystoph finally got the hang of the V-wing and managed to bring it under control before he ran into anything... expensive.  He brought the heavy fighter into formation with the battered freighter and maintained it, waiting for their authorization to clear the grav well.

Once that was accomplished, he followed the freighter to their desitantion and managed to bring the fighter to an efficient, if inelegant, dock with the hyperspace ring.  He opened a channel to the freighter.

"V-wing Two docked and ready for hyperspace.  Awaiting your coordinates."

OOC:
15:30, Today: Tervax rolled 18 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 12. Pilot to dock with the hyper ring.

Shortly after the two v-wing escorts are docked with their hyperdrive rings, the Black Comet sends over a stream of astrogation data which flashes on your screens before finally ending and the nav computers synch with the Comet's chronometer. Minutes later, the hyperdrives engage, and the group leaves Coruscant behind.



The hyperspace journey is arduous and long for those of you in the v-wings. A few days go by (and 71 some hours of flight time in the fighters) go without incident. Well, the pilots might tell you differently, but otherwise the Comet and the starfighters are on their final stretch, the fighters more than ready to dock with the Black Comet to replenish life support, and giving Tehrk and Tervax a much needed chance to stretch their legs / vent their frustrations over some hot meals and drinks after a much needed stint in the freshers before making the final leg of the journey. The pilots eye their chronos and the minutes stretch out impossibly long before, finally, it's time to disengage.

The stars field stops streaking and the three vessels find themselves a few hours away from the famous asteroid belt.

Inside, Pugwis interrupts the crew who are relaxing in the mess. "We've just arrived," he intones. "If you want a nice view before Koshibal ruins it all for you, I suggest you come to the cockpit for an eyeful," he says with a grin before turning back the way he came. Those that follow are greeted by the view outside the Comet, and to the disgruntled sounds of the pilots trying to dock with the Comet one final time.





Will let you all RP the next few hours and describe the 3 days if you like before moving you all into the asteroid belt for our first skill challenge.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:18, Mon 11 Apr 2011.

As Tehrk stepped off the V-Wing inside the Comet, he made a beeline straight for the showers. As much as he enjoyed flying, that craft smelled funny and it seemed to have rubbed off on him, which was never pleasant. Although he could of likely anticipated this, it was beyond his ability to focus on such things when he was already somewhat miffed. Either way, for the first part of their relaxing time on the ship, Tehrk would take in the food and chance to freshen up before going to explore the ship a bit so that he knew where things were and where he would have to run in the event of a meltdown.

Tervax was one of those soldiers that followed the old axiom:  "Never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lay down, and never stay awake when you can sleep."  He was patient enough that he could sleep for a large portion of the time they were in hyperspace, and the rest of the time in hyperspace he spent field-stripping and assembling his heavy rifle.  He was already excellent at the task, but it never hurt to practice some more.

Once they were landed, he too spent a precious few minutes taking a shower to remove the ripeness that had crept into his flight suit over the duration of the trip.  Once he was done, he met with the rest of the group at their agreed meeting point.