Neskroff city. A Rebel safe haven built within a huge crystal mesa. A city where the families of Rebel and Alliance agents would be hidden and where supplies for the battle against the Empire could be stored and transported across the galaxy. Many Rebels came to or through it. The Alliance dignitary Mors Odrion, a leading member of the Alliance diplomatic corps, his job to search for supplies and converts to the Rebel Alliance was a regular visitor. Amongst his staff was Rekara their aide and constant companion. Also a Wookie Chu-Shkar focused to communications, intelligence and supplies for the diplomatic corps.

Habitually adventurous Mors Odrion and Rekara would complete daring missions. Recently returned from a mission at the Outer Rim he returned to the starport of Neskroff. The pair left behind them a number of strange objects for Chu-Shkar to study. Mors Odrion did not have time to study them himself as he again dashed off to explore the mysterious planet Sedri.

Of the objects left in the care of Chu-Shkar were some archaic carbonite blocks. What was in them was a mystery left for Chu-Shkar to unlock.

Sighing at the lack of info on these carbonite blocks, Chu-Shkar began by examining them. Reaching down he attempted to lift one to see how heavy they were.

The three blocks of carbonite were equally mysterious. To touch they were hard and cold. The blocks was about two metres long, a metre wide and metre deep. They had been transported to Chu-Shkar by repulsorlift sleds so could move them about and examine them easily. His examination so far have proven that the blocks were not identical but were marked, it was in no alphabet or language the Wookiee understood. Trying to date the blocks precisely had been impossible too except the conclusion that they were over five thousand years old.

Whatever the reason the contents had been frozen was unknown and the original containers had long since been lost to time or other scavengers. Now all Chu-Shkar had was the blocks themselves. With a few tools he would be able to released the time forgotten treasures as long as it had survived its long abandonment.

Moving the sled to the workshop, He deftly brought it to stop next to a workbench. Using a lift, he brought the first of the carbonite blocks to the bench. Then he took out his datapad and began to document the markings and description of the blocks. He then retrieved a holorecorder and made sure to get a thorough recording of all the blocks and their markings. Compressing that info into a datastream he composed a message to the R&D division of Rebel command. He compiled all of his notes into a burst transmission and set it to be sent with the next comm signal that was sent to higher. Now he was ready to begin to delve into the secrets of the carbonite blocks.

There, If anything goes wrong with my investigation, the higher ups will not be totally clueless. He thought. But how do I get inside. Cutting without knowing the shape of whatever is in there, could damage whatever it is. Melting it would probably work, but I need to find out what will trigger the dissolve of the carbonite, without destroying the contents.

The repulsorsled moved easily into the workshop. Pushing it against a bench Chu-Shkar rigged a readout monitor from his datapad and running an analysis program was able to give himself a continuous status update of the block's condition. It also provided the Rebel base's computer a direct link and record of the Wookiee's examination.

The computer analysed the markings on the block and although it too was unable to decipher them it was able to provide Chu-Shkar with new information. The language was archaic but did bear some similarities to High Galactic. The computer also informed Chu-Shkar of the most common use of carbonite freezing, the process which had been in used for over twenty five thousand years had long been used by space travellers to store organic matter over long periods. Organic matter which could then be later retrieved without little or no deterioration over time.

Fusion cutters could cut through the blocks to discover what was inside but could damage the contents. More conventionally the frozen tibanna gas could be released and the contents would hopefully be unharmed. Releasing the gas in such an archaic block could be problematic as whatever valves and controls that had been with the original container had long since gone so Chu-Shkar would have to guess how slowly or quickly to release the trapped gases by attaching a power generator and feeding a controlled pulse of energy into it.

Thinking for a minute and considering all the options, he decides to go with releasing the gas. Pulling all of the necessary tools and supplies he feels he'll need he begins to hook up the leads to the power generator, and monitoring equipment to regulate the flow of the energy. Hoping to gauge the release of the gas by regulating the flow. Once he finishes he waits, and consults the base database to see if any information can be found on how much the process might have changed in 5000 years. He then get's on the hypernet to search both archaeology entries, as well as the history of the carbonite freezing process. Any information will help in regulating the release and preventing the destruction of whatever is inside.

Theoretically Chu-Shkar knew what he was doing. It was a simple process of science. It was never going to be that easy though. The age of block made it unstable like an unexploded bomb and the tools at Chu-Shkar disposal were second rate, whatever the Rebels had stolen or scavenged. The Wookiee set up the carbonite block in the workshop and began the process. The Force knew what he would find inside the interior.

The sensor and computer-driven monitors beeped as they sent read outs to the Rebel. As the block began slowly to dissolve until a roughly man sized shape appeared then that's when things started to go awry. Screens flashed red and tibanna gas hissed loudly as the rate became uncontrollable. The long frozen gas filled the workshop and hampered left Chu-Shkar virtually blind except the eerie flashing lights of the machinery in the vapour filled room, the klaxon of alarms screeching in his ears.

Cold. Dark. Two words to describe his world right now. He felt cold, and saw nothing. Yet, he was awake. How long had it been since he slept? How long had it been since his enemies closed in on him, and tried to blast him down, wanting nothing more than his death? One thing was certain. It had been too long since the galaxy felt the presence of the likes of him. His body unmoving, Quantros reached out with unseen limbs, into the very essence of the galaxy. Where was he? We're any of his allies or enemies still alive? He would find out.

OOC: Quantros Starbound rolled 23 using 1d20+7. Use the Force.

Attempt to find force signatures on the current planet, and life forms in the immediate vicinity. In that order.

Life returned to Quantros's body. Trusting that his body was safe he reached out his mind in meditation. He let his senses roam but found nothing but blankness.

On the workshop bench the defrosted body did not move and the misty vapours around it did not stir.

OOC Quantros senses no Force users within 100km and can not sense any allies in danger within 10,000 light years.

Quantros mentally frowned. He knew that the likelihood of allies or enemies being alive when he awakened were low, but he didn't expect such...emptiness. There were no force users in a large vicinity around him. Should he be appreciative? Nevertheless, someone thawed him out. Well, time for introductions. Likely, the Tibana gas was creating a haze around him, as sometimes happened when he observed a thawing in the past. With a little concentration, Quantros willed a bit of a push to clear the air.

OOC: Quantros Starbound rolled 22 using 1d20+7. Use the force.

Freed from his long prison once Quantros felt no threat nearby he pushed out with the Force. The room erupted in noise and chaos as probes, datapads, laser welders and various tools, wires and cables were sent flying across through the air. Blinded by the gases Chu-Shkar was unable to dodge the many sharp and dangerous projectiles as they flew out of nowhere toward to him. A hydrospanner hit the Wookiee across his hairy brow and scored a nasty gash. Many other tools crashed into the walls all around in a cacophony clattering bangs.

The result of the unnatural whirlwind had upended the contents of the room and left everything scattered in a wide circle around the workbench. The tibanna gas was now dispersed enough so that Chu-Shkar could finally see what he had uncovered. Laid in the centre of the destruction was an unmoving humanoid in dark robes.

OOC Chu-Shkar takes 5 points of bludgeoning damage from the projectiles in the air.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:38, Sat 22 Aug 2015.

Chu-Shkar had wondered what he would find in the carbonite, and as the gas formed it blocked the view of whatever was inside. Waving his hand to try and disperse the gas he started to see a figure, when everything exploded. As various thing began to hit him in the chaos, he reacted. In surprise and pain as the flying objects impacted, he leapt back while crying out in pain.

[Language unknown: "Venortainsan seday outr wil"]

as he held his side where a heavy object, probably the hydrospanner, had left a large bruise he continued to growl, and curse, in pain. To those who understood Shyriiwook it was obvious what he was saying, but to anyone unfamiliar with it it sounded like a large, wild animal, was very angry, and in pain.

Quantros listened. He was in a room. There were metal instruments and computers everywhere, by the sounds. As well as...a beast? Looking at it logically, there wasn't any way there would be a wild beast inside a place with so many tools and computers. Furthermore, there was no way it was a pet, since no aliens were speaking with it, trying to calm it down. Therefore, chances were good the angry snarling he heard came from an intelligent animal. To confirm his suspicions, Quantros calmly and quickly sat up, before looking over at the source of the sound. He couldn't actually see, but his head turned, and that would be enough to let whatever it was know that he was awake and cognitive.

After the turmoil the room had suffered then the silence after was unnerving. Everything laid when it had been flung, then the figure moved and Quantros's head turned to view Chu-Shkar. The face was young and framed by brown hair.

Still smarting from the bruise he received, Chu-Shkar calmed down and noticed for the first time the man sitting up. The young man was human, and wearing archaic style robes. Though they were well made they were so out of date as to be ancient or some sort of costume. [Language unknown: "And Pe olckhi ing urofunma hatat stlese ineau out oselie readerich, ileknt Ll alalolro iclapl utsaseck ai reeeonun. Re ble wasil?"]

Seeing the incomprehension from the man, Chu-Shkar reached into his satchel, and pulled out his vox box. Pressing a button, the following message is said in Basic: "Wait, I need a translator." Which comes out in a highly mechanical voice.

Not waiting for his response, Chu-Shkar gets on the comms and calls up one of the communications people he knows actually understands Shyriiwook. [Language unknown: "En som to llanacal ureau ev reaha vorainrea'dinall hoti, she unpe ma thoatevenconnot plndan. Fo linil un fiha ndehoutho nde urcapl p atiiveinebut reous utis onsthenti utven notallbutame. It maprme wer i utalca convirwhe ho whe."]

Quantros listened to the grunts and growls. He didn't understand a word of it, but it sounded like whatever made the noise was trying to communicate. Then, he heard a droid's voice. "Wait. I need a translator." Quantros said nothing, merely nodded slowly. Those words sounded like Galactic Basic, but if there was a droid here, it would have reacted to the whirlwind. Patience. The best thing to to was wait, and say nothing.

Unable to speak with the mysterious man made Chu-Shkar lament the absence of Rekara, the Mon Calamari aide to Mors Odrion, served with the Alliance diplomatic corps. Rekara was absent from Isis, off on another off her daring missions. The Mon Calamari was an expert in cultures and languages. Without her the Rebel slicer would need to rely on whoever the Rebel base could muster. After a few attempts he succeeded in locating someone who could understand Shyriiwook. Isis was a safe planet and not all were military personnel. A gambler and he'd most probably been a pirate in his time too he was an old man now, Birdan had travelled the galaxy and had learned Shyriiwook, although he'd never told Chu-Shkar how or why.

The old man replied "be with you a few ticks Chu. Plenty of sugar in the stimcaf" he hinted before he cancelled the call, not waiting for Chu-Shkar to try and get out of making him a drink. The comms system in Neskroff used fibre-optics because of interference caused by the crystal. Quantros was able to hear the conversation between Birdan and Chu-Shkar over the com-box.

Grumbling at Birdan's mooching stimcaf off of him, Chu-Shkar walked over to one of the benches where a thermos of stimcaf was sitting. Chu-Shkar never drank the stuff, but someone here did. As he poured the drink he was accosted by the thermos's owner. "Hey that's mine!" Chu-Shkar simply glared at him, and the man remembered a saying he once heard. "Let the wookie win."

Chu-Shkar couldn't find any sugar, and the guy apparently drank it black. He found it appropriate that Birdan would not get exactly what he wanted. Well beggars can't be choosy. He thought

Quantros listened to the exchange with mild interest before swinging his legs over, letting them hang off the side. He was glad that the creature who was with him thought to call a translator, but from the sound of things...

Quantros sighed, not being able to put off speaking any longer. "I believe introductions are in order." Quantros' words were Galactic Basic, and had a heavy Imperial accent to them. "I am Quantros Starbound. With whom am I speaking?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:07, Mon 24 Aug 2015.

Looking forlorn at the man, he just didn't have a way of telling him anything useful.
Pressing the button on the vox box again, the same message, "Wait, I need a translator." came out.

After Quantros had made his introduction the old spacer Birdan arrived. The old human swept back his grey and greasy hair as he stared hard at the unknown man sitting on the workbench. He sucked in a deep breath, held out his hand for the stimcaf. Took a big gulp of the hot beverage and tutted loudly "guys older than me I'm guessing Chu. Where you dig him up and does he speak Basic?"

Quantros grew annoyed at having to wait, but assumedly, a translator was on the way. And then, he arrived. At least, that's how it sounded. He'd forgive the man, but it shouldn't be assumed Quantros was a know-nothing. "Of course I speak Basic. Communication is paramount in my line of work." Quantros tilted his head, listening more closely to the translator. "Your accent is Republic, is it not? What has happened to the Republic, now? Have they driven back the Sith Empire, or has the might of the Empire proved too much for them?"

Sipping on his caf the old gambler sucked his lips as in heard Quantros talk "there's only one Empire and that one don't follow any ancient hokey religion" he enlightened the woken man "there ain't been a Republic for over twenty years either, how long you been sleeping? You probably gone and lost half your brain getting into one of those thing, you must a'been crazy".
This message was last updated by the GM at 21:10, Mon 24 Aug 2015.

One Empire? Ancient hokey religion? "So...the Republic is gone..." There's an air of sadness about him upon hearing the news. How long had he slept? And what was he doing inside the carbonite? Well, the second question he had the answer to. "I had little choice in the matter. My enclave was attacked by the Sith Empire. We tried our best to defend it, but it was a battle we were not meant to win. In order to preserve my teachings for a later generation, and perhaps hoping that allies would one day come and find me, my apprentices encouraged me to be put in carbonite sleep, and launched into space. It was year 31,498 after Tho Yor Arrival."

OOC: For reference, that's about 4,955 years before the battle of Yavin in A new hope.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:28, Mon 24 Aug 2015.

Chu-Shkar was remembering the old stories of his youth, and finally spoke up. [Language unknown: "A ngeiet loth haaiio in ivtrto tatolo ta ou ee Tiie omthel ove. Atiwe pl un thu waseauhou een."]  Looking at the man's clothes. he realized it wasn't a costume, but probably those of some sort of holy-man garb. [Language unknown: "A ncioul anmo t artessreable. Hawhth reno no Oul."]

The old man scratched at two day old grey stubble, his fingernails grimy "sounds crazy to me" he alternatively blew and sipped on his hot caf "you got any questions for your subject?" more thoughtfully he added "he seems kinda sad, maybe he is one of your Jedi".

[Language unknown: "Allev po thi not atditi ad ouniveyinres? To ntulli hat si?"]Chu said.

Listening to the big Wookiee growl out his question the old man looked small and frail. His question for the ancient sleeper were spat out in a strong gravelly voice however, the old spacer didn't look like he was fazed by much "furball here's askin' where you been and what you remember before you been sleepin'".

Quantros was somewhat confused by the question. "The answer to the first is obvious. I've been sleeping in carbonite, but for how long, I don't know. What I remember? In terms of galactic events, The Sith Empire had just taken several planets from the Republic, and looked like they were on the verge of a major push into Republic space. However, a Jedi Knight and his companions succeeded in killing the Emperor. With no one on the throne, the command structure within the Sith Empire stalled, and it gave the Republic an opening for a counterattack. As for the events leading up to my slumber, I was reviewing a report of a possible Sith artifact brought to me by my apprentice. We were discussing the implications of its presence near our enclave when we were attacked. The enemy was too well coordinated. Try as we might, my followers and I could not push them back. My apprentice was cut down by a powerful Sith Lord, and my lightsaber's crystal had broken during the assault."

Quantros opened his robes to reveal a long, silver, cylindrical object. It was easily twice as long as a standard lightsaber, if one had been seen before. There were two emitters on either end, each surrounded by three prongs. "With no weapon, and my allies dying around me, I had no choice but to run. I got out as many followers as I could, telling them to run, get off planet, and head for Republic space. But I knew that my enemies would hunt me to the ends of the galaxy. I intended to make a final stand, but the commander in charge of my enclave's security urged me to go into carbon freeze. He had been one of my closest friends in my life, and his words carried great weight. So, at his insistence, what remained of the security forces held off my enemies long enough to freeze me, and launch me into space."

[Language unknown:  "Ek seng essne n ion we ess. Ncur Undter-soment ntive ha ntfor, men ngncie ursaad ngund ileeurpe vir rea ckpawack. elwe p anteenive son Seelsttrsi Acelicen virnterutmanday uswh iou Me po oulatiarenot as ure notar, trai wit ame uresomestwittic ne. Tr iv Thapl cetr e Herallwit Linintint. Ureicahasnte loli inatnc ceine sheanddayera the t Chinta. Tho lo ildilo insili."]  Chu-Shkar said sadly.

There was a fair degree of scepticism in Birdan's face as he listened to Quantros talk and he gave a dry laugh at the Wookiee's response. Having most of his life on the wrong side of whatever government was in power the old pirate found politics largely tedious. He however made his best attempt to translate Chu-Shkar's words "there's been a Republic for a long time. I never thought it would change" he nodded "Chu-Shkar here says there were lots of war over the millennia. Never followed history myself. I know what's happened in my lifetime. Twenty odd years ago the Republic turned into the Empire and the Jedi were slaughtered for betraying the Emperor. Not so sure myself. The Republic had its flaws but I've lost plenty of friends to this new Empire. Dangerous times and the Imperial Navy and its stormtroopers rule the galaxy through fear and might" he moaned.

[Language unknown: "Nde ca p we tiourelatconnti but utrea!"] Chu-Shkar grumped.

"Huh, you get what you pay for" he answered the Wookiee sarcastically as he looked at the stimcaf in one hand and the other empty hand.

"So the Republic has been overthrown." Quantros casts his head downwards, seemingly mulling something over. He looked up at the translator, despite still not being able to see. "Your accent...it is not Imperial. If the Empire dominates the galaxy, then you must be private citizens, or indoctrinated into the Empire. Otherwise, who is left to fight the Empire?"

[Language unknown: "T eiitof urom eauterthu. Ni our mi wil ar tick Esutsi Witivevenich."] Chu-Shkar hoots with pride.

"We ain't part of the Empire" Birdan replied to Quantros "the Empire hasn't yet seized every planet in the galaxy. There's resistance. That's where these fellows come in" the old pirate nodded to Chu-Shkar. The Wookiee says "we fight the Empire. We are part of the Rebel Alliance" the old man sighed "he can speak for himself. I ain't part of no political agenda, me I just wanted to be left alone. Empire won't leave anyone alone though".

Birdan left his empty palm outstretched toward Chu-Shkar, waiting for the Wookiee to reward him.

[Language unknown: "Tic eenbutomeestain."] The wookie muttered as he fished out of his bag and slapped into Birdan's hand a ten credit chit. [Language unknown: "Werin nd i ous ll oerri te he e wilromstr iostr n ulwhom, reun ss m tho nglar tiut enwhcela."]

As soon as Chu-Shkar had parted with his credits they vanished into one of Birdan's pockets. The pirate nodded with much more enthusiasm, took a mouthful of the now cold caf. He licked his lips and concentrated "Chu says we need you to go down to medical for a checkup and then to see the base commander".
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:41, Fri 18 Sept 2015.

[Language unknown: "Ilos str est asfionro seofst moure se naekalan, eveac Us whiromeau hipa lin enwi, artarelar nd tr me St mi i le rodin onil nc ur ntiratoutare acsinc oun oung."] Chu-Shkar continued.

He then moves over to the other carbonite blocks. Using the same settings he did for the holy mans block he begins the thawing process on the other two.

Noticing that they are still there, he asks; [Language unknown: "Io me ate na m ss ing artartnce?"]
This message was last edited by the player at 09:02, Sat 19 Sept 2015.

"Furball here says the blindness should only be temporary, but he doesn't know how long, since as far as he knows no one has ever been in carbonite freeze so long."

When Chu-Shkar abandoned his subject and interpreter the old pirate shook his head "you want me to lead the blind man to the Commander Tallon?" he asked.

The other carbonite blocks are similar to the one that held Quantros and should be easily opened up. There contents are unknown.

Quantros was deep in meditative thought, considering all that he had heard. His eyes were closed, mostly because he didn't currently have sight, so he didn't see much point in keeping them open. His connection to the Force had been weakened by the unusually long carbon sleep. Perhaps, he felt, he could regain what he had lost with a bit of practice. His attention was drawn to the question posed to him. "The Force does not respond to me as it once did. Were I back in my time, a little blindness would be a mere nuisance, but now, I feel I need to rely on others." Slowly, he stood, using the table for balance. "I apologize for the inconvenience. Please, guide me to your commander."

Sighing, Chu-Shkar shook his head.[Language unknown: "P is P wififi fo plwa sepaulusne unriwe O on wh maurwi li ersdayforrutone Ulenfoecet. Ivno ntore Rat ch tin."] Walking over to him he takes the Jedi's hand and places it on his right shoulder. once he knows that the Jedi understands, he'll head to the commander's office, leaving the other two blocks to continue their thaw.

Feeling the hand on his shoulder, Quantros understood the intent. Such as he was, he wouldn't do to wander without a guide. "Let's go, then." He felt the heavy presence of the being beside him, deducing that whatever it was who was guiding him, he had to be much taller, and much stronger than him. But without his sight, Quantros would trust the creature to be his eyes, for the moment.

The three of them left the chamber and began their journey through the Rebel base. Base was built into a huge crystal mesa. The corridors and rooms dug out of semi-clear stone, artificial lights shone throughout making the whole city glow. For Quantros despite his blindness he sensed the abundance of illumination in this world of brightness. The trio walked corridors and up turbolifts before reaching the command quarters.

At the entrance was a grizzled marine. Standing over six foot in height and built of muscle he was nearly a match for the Wookiee and clearly not intimidated by Chu-Shkar's greater size. Several scars marked his face. Chu-Shkar knew that the veteran was new to the base and had come with the renowned Commander Tallon.

"Report" Ares Kendet stated plainly expecting compliance.

[Language unknown: "Om pl liwios i Tra Illck pawhe al asar wilio com undicathenti lioflo. Of outeeniou dires onsdincomand ti ore t hooer ofwa."] Chu-Shkar states humorously.

After Chu-Shkar had spoken the old pirate nodded to Ares "the big hairy guy says that he just thawed a holy man out of five thousand year old carbonite block. He thinks the commander will need to see him".

Quantros listened to the exchange between the two, but never spoke. He felt it would be best to listen, and wait until he felt it was necessary to speak.

The big man crossed his arms. He appraised the stranger and his odd robes "I'll notify the commander" the soldier reached back and flicked the doors controls. The doorway swished open and he turned around. He walked into the chamber, an antechamber with desk with a com-box and computer terminal, the only way to make internal communications inside the crystal mesa. He stepped up to the receiver and dialled "commander a member of Alliance diplomatic corps" he paused and looked back again and shook his head "says he's got a five thousand year of holy man, just been thawed out of an old carbonite block" a moment later he hung up the receiver "commander Tallon will be with you soon" apart from the desk, a single chair and a holoprojector in one corner the chamber was empty. Kendet waved that the guest were welcome to enter and wait for Adar Tallon's arrival.

[Language Shyriiwook: "Thank you Ares."] Chu-Shkar woofs politely.

Continued in Trinus of Jedi.