Once the Wookiee had Rekara calmed enough for her to sleep they left her to rest. The Mon Calamari continued to clutch at the greenish rock in her hands and did not release it as she slept. Her ship was searched but they found few clues. The Sea Bantha a small jumpship, designed for quick passenger transport. The ship had been damaged by Rekara's reckless landing but had not suffered any recent damage from any space battle. The nav computer had the coordinates for Sedri as her last location.

It didn't take long for Alliance High Command to get wind of Rekara's return and the disappearance of Mors Odrion. Commander Tallon received immediate orders to recover the dignitary. In typical fashion he turned to the best Rebel agents in Neskroff the crew of the Alabak's Gold, a ship ideal for a multi environmental mission. By morning he had gathered them together and briefed them.

"High Command are desperate that the rumours of the Golden Sun are investigated and that Mors Odrion be recovered" the old commander began "you must take Rekara with you. She is beginning to recover and given time she should be able to tell you more details of what happened. We have her last coordinates" Tallon handed Lyla a datachip "take what crew and equipment you need. Good luck and may the Force be with you".

Lyla turned up to the meeting looking a bit green around the tails and more than a bit hungover. Of course, with three stomachs and other appendices, twi'leks could well hold their alcohol. Of course, they could also hold rather more alcohol, so it kind of balanced out. They could also hold rather more food too, so she was a little bloated-feeling, though the stored fat had padded nicely around her better curves.

*

An official banquet was no place to really party, nor pick up, so as the bunfight wound down, and Lyla remembered she'd moved onto a vibrant Neskroff cantina. After that, things got a bit cloudy, and she had to massage her tails to stimulate the memories. There may have been a drinking contest, which she'd likely won. There had probably been dancing. It may have been on a table. She'd certainly met a nice guy with a place to stay. She forgot his name, but little else. There'd been a different kind of dancing. Her lekku had gotten the attention they needed. She'd never taken her medals off. She'd slept like a dewback.

Early that morning, the call from Command had come at a bad time, and so had Lyla. She had time for a quick, cold stimcaf; a quicker, colder shower; and a last kiss before fleeing out the door.

*

Throughout the briefing, Lyla had been softly wincing, groaning, and sipping water to rehydrate, occasionally rubbing the bases of her tails to restore short-term memory and retain the details of the mission, while trying to recall what, if anything, she knew of Sedri.

She took the datachip, saved the coordinates to her datapad, then tossed it to Klyn to do the same and pass it around. 'Thanks.' she said to Tallon, wondering why this Force had to do with it.

'Ugh. Water world. We're probably gonna have to get wet. Again. And I'm not a great swimmer... I looted an Imperial seatrooper propulsion pack from the Wanderer though. That will come in handy. We should get other aquatic gear, and ensure our weapons will work underwater.'

Lyla glanced around the meeting room, seeing faces she didn't know. If they'd been introduced last night, she figured she could be forgiven for not remembering. 'So who else is tagging along?' She could remember being on the other side, a stranger added to a group of strangers by others. Now she was the one organising a team. There were a lot of hangers-on now. Lyla preferred a smaller team, where they knew each other well and could move discreetly, but she recognised the need to have greater numbers and a wider range of skills.


OOC: Does Lyla know anything of Sedri or the Golden Sun? Knowledge (galactic lore) 27 and Knowledge (life sciences) 22.
10:57, Today: Lyla Rahn rolled 27 using 1d20+9. knowledge: galactic lore.
10:57, Today: Lyla Rahn rolled 22 using 1d20+9. knowledge: life sciences.

Quantros had left the ceremony early, to return to what amounted to rebel assigned housing within the base to stay the night. He had picked up a datapad from the rebel quartermaster for his own personal use. He used it to not only catch up on the history of the past five thousand years, as it was known, but also to make notes of what to do now that he had awoken from such an unusually long carbon sleep.

Knowing the Jedi order was gone saddened him. The Sith had disappeared as well, but by all accounts. the current Emperor of this Galactic Empire was in all likelihood a Sith Lord.

"Well, at least there's only one this time around..." Quantros mused.

The rest of his evening was spent planning and posturing, making notes on his datapad as he considered what needed to be done to bring about the return of the Jedi. He'd need someone more knowledgeable in the Jedi ways than him to help complete Bron's training. He could only do so much on his own. Perhaps a holocron? Surely there had to be some sort of information left on the Jedi?

This quandary had kept Quantros focused so tightly for so long that he couldn't concentrate. Sighing, he resolved to be patient, and figure it out tomorrow. He gave himself an hour's worth of meditation, then proceeded to sleep.

---

Quantros was awake early the next morning. It seemed that Carbon Sleep had not affected his sleep cycle. Though, a call from Command on his new Comlink, again from the quartermaster, was not something he was used to. Thankfully, they had called him just as he finished breakfast, so there wasn't any major loss of comfort. As he had been assigned to have Tera and the others look after him, he first reported to the medical bay for a standard checkup, then sought out Tera and Bron to join their group.

Quantros had remembered a search and recover mission that he had undertaken during the Great Galactic War, but that one involved more Jedi and Sith. Listening to the briefing, he felt that the mission here would be good for him to stretch out, and recover the muscles he hadn't used in a long time. This felt like the perfect opportunity, a chance to get himself back into the game.

"I'll go," he spoke. "I intend to make myself useful one way or another, and any mission with a Force user on your side is going to turn out better. I must get myself back into shape somehow, after all."

Jason listens to the mission and tries to take in what he can. He isn't sure about the details of the mission, but the jist of it seems clear. Find out about this 'Golden Sun', and recover a lost operative. Straight forward enough. At least in essentials, the details will likely prove far more complicated.

Looking at Lyla, who's clearly in charge now that ranks have been established, he wonders if he's free to speak up, and decides that he probably is. Had this been the empire it would have been a different matter, but they were all traitors and insurgents, so he suspects there's a bit more freedom to voice your thoughts here.

"Well i'm not the best swimmer myself but i do know how to wear armor, so if we can get some kind of aquatic armor like that seatrooper armor I could use it. Or if nobody else wants it, I could use that armor"

He wonders how much pull Lyla has with these rebels, the commander said take what equipment you need, but surely there must be limits to what they can take.

"As for other gear.. Well having a starfighter along wouldn't hurt, it's an extra ship, more maneuverable than the Alabak's gold, and certainly smaller. But I don't know how thinly spread the ships are.. They might be needed elsewhere.."

Bron stands in the back, taking mental notes on everything and everyone. So the Twileek really is in charge, good for her His thoughts soon come around to Sedri and he realizes he knows only what has been said here. Making a mental note to research it on the way he continues nodding along.

When the briefing is over he finds his way to the quartermaster to acquisition some new equipment. Checking out a full set of Aquata Breathers for him and his apprentice, as well as some for anyone that might not thing of them.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:35, Sat 24 Oct 2015.

"Do you think we'd ever leave you behind?" Tera quipped at Lyla as she asked who was going along. "I'll need to get some meds for Rekara...and the rest of us. Hopefully, they'll help her recovery." she glanced nervously at Jason "I'm no swimmer either...we'll need to see how things go."

After he had made his mission statement commander Tallon exited the briefing room and left the Rebels to sorted themselves out. Lyla loaded the datachip details onto her datapad. The chip gave Lyla access to Rebel supplies, a report on Sedri, Rekara and the Golden Sun as well as the coordinates for their hyperspace route.

The data was sparse but supplemented her own meagre knowledge. The sum of the combined knowledge was records on her datapad memory.

Republic records log that a sublight survey droid reported the planet's location.

The planet Sedri is safe for all known races.

There are no large land masses evident.

There are indications of a power source that is unlike anything used in the known galaxy.

During less crazed periods Rekara has reported a race of seal people living beneath the golden waves.

The Golden Sun is potential weapon source that can not fall into Imperial hands.

Bron's attempt to obtain supplies was rebuffed flatly as the quartermaster questioned who's authority he was visiting on and where his identification was. He would need to come back with the datachip Lyla held.

Heading back to find Lyla and ask her for a copy of the data so he can get the needed supplies for the mission. He gets lost for a moments in the complex, but quickly finds his way back to her.

"Mrs Rahn, could I bother you for a copy of that data file. I would like to appropriate some equipment before we leave."

Chu-Shkar was not happy. He had been starting to enjoy the reception, having found a particular meat dish that he was really enjoying, when the information about Rekara's return had gotten to him. The shock of her condition had shaken him. After he had helped calm her, he hovered around medical in case she needed his support. That was, until called to the briefing. As Commander Tallon made his orders known, Chu-Shkar was livid. Marching up to the commander, he roared at him. [Language unknown: "Ho undundday se Initus omehoucon. Ulnand a ha minoelpr p m poncfiwi, pe erastihatund itri ulne tedst ver stmeos pr anlat ndoula ainredwhi m herentoulsom ledidi. Hathaseauith ardic p n ieilti ssilce acpa. Po waenen etec korst chnte een!"]

'I'm afraid it's only the propulsion pack, not the seatrooper armour itself. I dunno if the Alliance has collected any we could repurpose with a paintjob. The pack works independently, anyway, but not as fast or as stable.' Lyla explained to Jason what she'd learned on the device she'd found.

'We should also get some aquata breathers. With plenty of spares.' Lyla remembered those things. Swimming had never been issue in her work on Tatooine, so she usually ignored them when finding survival fear. Now she had to pay attention to that sort of thing. She'd have to find a bathing suit as well. A skimpy black bikini, maybe.

She passed around the datachips, and scanned the meagre data on Sedri. She'd heard of the planet from fellow explorers, but it was just the same rambling tales. There wasn't a lot to go on, only some vague mention of a power source slash potential weapon, this Golden Sun, which could just as easily be a local legend as an actual real thing. Like the Life of Isis or the Floating Rocks of Ryloth, it might have no relevance except to the natives. So, seal people, huh?

She passed the chip to Bron, surprised to find the street-magician in on this briefing. He must have joined the Rebels. 'Sure, but I think we'll all be heading to the quartermaster together.' she explained to the eager beaver (which was an actual animal on Dantooine).

She looked around the group, old faces and new and hangers-on. They really ought to get to know each other better before they went on this mission. 'So, who is on this mission? Tell us your names, your stories.' she invited. She might be in charge, but she was no formal officer-type.


OOC: The propulsion pack is from the Rebellion Era sourcebook, page 127.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:51, Fri 23 Oct 2015.

"Of course what would be really perfect is if we could get our hands on a submersible.. But I doubt there's one of those laying around.. maybe we can get one on the planet itself.."

Jason get's up to follow Lyla to the quartermaster, and tries to make a list of items in his head.

'Actually... the Alabak's Gold is a Mon Calamari ship. It's designed for underwater take-off, landing, manoeuvrability. She even has tractor-beam anchoring.' Lyla remembered. 'So, that's why we were chosen for this mission.'

Rynn was glad to have a water-tight ship that could handle the water. He didn't like getting wet; wearing a wet body suit over your face was not unlike getting water-boarded, an interrogation technique used by the empire to great effect. "If we have to acquire things planet-side for the good of the mission... I'm ok with that." Rynn said with a smile in his voice. He thought for a moment about what he might need on this mission, or what he'd want to have in the long term.

"I need to find something to swim in. I think it's pretty much a given we're going to get wet on this planet. Time perhaps to trade in my blaster for a swimsuit." Tera wondered if the commissary would have anything like that in stock. "Speaking of the mission, Lyla, I'm a little concerned about bringing Rekara along on our mission. She's obviously not doing well, and she's not providing any coherent information. Can you have a word with the Commander and ask that she remain behind for this one?"

Lyla frowned, not wanting to the hard-tail or put Rekara in danger, but she agreed with Tallon on this. 'She's the only one who what knows what happened, what that green rock is, what's going on on Sedri. If she recovers or remembers something, then we can't wait on a hyperspace holo from Isis to find out... And something there could help her. Can we care for her on the Gold?'

"No, or at least not effectively. I can bring along some medications for her, but I'm a surgeon, an ill trained psychotherapist at best. The best I could do would be to keep her sedated except for when we need her. Going back to the same place where she developed these issues would be ill advised. It's likely to make her worse and we don't have the facilities to isolate her if she becomes violent." Tera shrugged "Put it this way. She's unresponsive to everyone here. What makes you think she'll provide any useful information if you bring her along. She's more likely to just pet her rock and say 'the light is shining bright today' than 'Mors is on this island'. I honestly believe she'd be more of a hindrance on this mission than a help. It's largely irrelevant whether or not she can help when in her current state she can't. You're putting a lot of hope on her somehow recovering enough to be lucid in the short time we'll be travelling to the place where events made her as she is."

"She's not unresponsive to everyone. The wookie seems to care for her, and in turn, she seems comfortable with him. I think the primary responsibility of looking after her should go to Chu-skar." Quantros Looked over to the crewmate in question. "If you can promise no harm will come to her, and see to it any equipment and supplies that she needs for her care are with us, I think we can entrust this task to you."

Tera nodded "She reacts better with him than with others, but the potential damage to her psyche by forcing her to return to where this happened? While she's still not coherent or lucid? It's entirely unwise."

"Which is why she needs to be in Chu-Skar's care. If I had to guess, something about Chu-Skar makes her feel safe, as if he were some giant, walking security blanket. Having her with him would make the shock have much less of an impact."

"Your observations may be more accurate than you realize Quantros. She knows him, knows what he can do. Something about him triggers the safe and home reflexes in her mind. If she has any hope of recovery, it may well be in his presence if not his care. I do not believe that we can afford to leave her and take him with us, not without dire consequences to her well-being at least."

Looking to his apprentice, Bron continues "Tera, while I have little to know medical training it would seem to me that she stabilizes around the Wookiee, in your professional medical opinion, would this be enough to bring her along, with the added sedatives and other medications that you might need to supplement her care?"

Tera raised an eyebrow "In my professional medical opinion, she needs professional medical care. Something that cannot be provided for on a search and rescue mission. She needs to be safe, not hauled back to the fire which has caused her to end up like this. In fact, I'm having difficulty believing anyone is proposing to take her back to where this all started for her." Tera shook her head "Medication and sedatives aside, this is not a good idea. The needs of the patient should come first. If Chu-Shkar has that comforting an effect on her then he should remain behind with her, while we go to investigate."

"I'm not sure your master has told you this, Tera, but sometimes, professional training doesn't take into account the ways of the Force. Trust your feelings, and your instincts. Mine are telling me that her presence is instrumental to the success of our mission. My instincts have never steered me wrong. And I've used the Force for a lot longer than you have."

Bron nods along, agreeing in earnest before responding saying, "While I do agree with your astute reasoning, I have a feeling that Chu-Shkar is going to be an integral part of this mission. I would not suggest bringing her with us, if I did not believe there was any other option. Yes leaving here would be that other option, but it appears that it is not one being given to us."

Tera turned to Quatros indignantly. "You've also been frozen in Carbonite for millennia. The galaxy has changed and by your own admission your powers are weaker. I wouldn't be surprised if my own connection to the Force is stronger than yours is now. I don't particularly care what you were in your time, you're in ours now. We've been fighting the Empire successfully for a long time without the Force. My priority, first and foremost, is in the needs of Rekara. Bringing her along, when her behaviour, lucidity and character have changed and on a critical mission for the rebellion is the most insane idea I've heard."

Tera sighed heavily "She needs to be safe and somewhere she can recover and get better. That's never going to be on a tramp freighter heading back into the chaos that made her this way, even if Chu Shkar is there."

Quantros let out a small scowl, then sighed. "My powers may be weaker, but from what I sense, the powers of you and your master equal mine. Even weakened, I still have the wisdom of the old masters. And while I appreciate that the rebellion has gone on long without me or any other force sensitives, this mission is different. It isn't your run-of-the-mill search and retrieve mission. I believe the survival of the rebellion depends on the success of this mission."

Quantros steps forward, and puts a hand on Tera's shoulder. "Never believe the will of the Force isn't felt in your actions. The Force is everywhere, and is intrinsical in all aspects of our life. When you comprehend this, you will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine. I applaud your conviction to your cause, but remember, your passions can be made to serve the Dark Side."

Jason nods to Lyla as she mentions the Alabak's ability to go underwater.

"It is? Well that's excellent then.. No doubt that will come in handy.. Can it fire it's weapons underwater too? I'm not sure what effect water might have on blasters, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't do lasers any good.."

But before he can discuss the weaponry on the ship anymore, he becomes distracted by the discussion going on nearby, about the woman's mental state and whether she should come or not. In truth he thinks the whole matter should be left to Tera, she's their resident medic and he certainly doesn't know anything about psychological care. But something else bothers him.

"You know, i'm pretty convinced nowadays that the Jedi got a bum deal when the empire declared them enemies of the state and hunted them down. But I do remember my father telling me about the biggest problem with Jedi. How they would do whatever they want, and then justify it by saying it's the will of the force. Listening to this reminds me of what he used to say"

Jason stands up and stretches but keeps his eyes mainly on Quantros.

"We aren't the Jedi order, and frankly I don't trust you as far as I can throw you, because I don't know you. Maybe one day I will. But right now we have a chain of command, which means it's Lyla's decision. Maybe you really do have a greater understanding of the universe, but do you realize how it sounds to us normal people? We're not bumbling idiots bouncing off the walls without Jedi guidance. Tera's our resident medical expert, Lyla's in command. That's where my faith lies. I've had about all the 'it's the will of the force' I can stomach for one day"

With that he sets off towards the quartermaster to wait for the others there. He doesn't feel like getting into a big argument with one of the last jedi. But he doesn't like things that he can't see, or touch, or shoot. This whole force business gives him a headache.

Not willing to let his wisdom be undermined by naysayers who felt the need to speak up, Quantros began reinforcing his point to Tera. "There are things at work in this universe that is beyond the understanding of even the Masters. You must remember, not all your companions feel the Force around you, as you do. You may be a doctor, but you are also a Jedi, now. And the path of a Jedi is a commitment that is not so easily broken. It will call you to places you would rather not go. It will put you in situations you'd rather not be in. Your comrade there does not understand that. You've already taken your first steps into a larger world. It's too late to turn back, and you must remember that the Force is greater than all of us."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:18, Fri 23 Oct 2015.

Tera stepped back from Quantros. "My dedication is to make things better for those around me. Part of that is the Force, but it is not the be all and end all of who I am. It does not make me inherently better than anyone around me. I choose to walk this path, I will never make anyone walk it for me, or anyone walk it beside me. It is my choice." Tera pursed her lips "If you think the problem is Jason, you're wrong. The problem is not only that my friend over there does not understand us. It is also that you do not understand them or me either. The mantra that emotions lead to the dark side isn't necessarily true. Lack of emotions leads to callousness, lack of empathy. It is no wonder the jedi were destroyed when emotional detachment from everyone and everything around them seems to be one of your leading philosophies. I am neither emotionless, nor belonging to the dark side. It is possible for a healthy balance to be maintained. By making it into an 'us versus them' situation you're not improving matters."

Surprisingly, Quantros smiled at Tera's assertions. "Then you are wiser than I give you credit for, Tera. It's possible that you, better than anyone would understand my variation of the teachings I was meant to uphold. But allow me to clarify. I do not think Jason is a problem, at all. He does what he feels is right, but his experiences are not those of someone attuned to the Force. Soon enough, you'll see and feel things which will come as a complete shock to you. You must be prepared to make difficult choices, and as you say, the choices are not all black and white."

Lyla listened on as the conversation swept past her. She was bemused to hear of the wookiee being described as a soothing presence; well, he was literally a gigantic teddy bear, but she figured the claws and fangs would be rather offputting. She tried to balance the various views and the needs of the mission and of Rekara, but when the robed weirdoes came to dominate the conversation and over Tera, she grew increasingly annoyed, her hangover turning into a full-blown tail-ache. She remembered the Goddess's teachings, to ride the storm rather than try to defeat it, the twi'lek habit of not taking a stand. But things went on and on, and she realised being in command meant taking a stand on issues. And she was too stubborn for the old virtues anyway.

Finally, she raised her voice over the argument. 'Enough! When the Force or your feelings gets a medical degree and sits down here and talks, then we'll consider them. Until then, mystical guff has no place in a mission briefing or patient care-plan. Leave your religion at the door; I did.' She didn't believe in this Force, but Tera did now, it seemed, so Lyla would accept that. It concerned her, but Tera had a good head on her. Suddenly they'd been swamped by Jedi wannabes trying to take over. Why Jedi, those arrogant old warrior monks? Why couldn't the Dim-U be the hot new religion of the Galaxy? Banthas you could depend on.

'And Tera doesn't have to be your Jedi padawan – either of you. If there is a Force, then there are other ways. She can be a Dathomiri Witch or a priestess of the Nine-Tailed Goddess or of the Great Bantha, or some new kind of Force healer, whatever she wants. But right now, she's a doctor, and it's her opinion only I'm taking to Commander Tallon.'

Lyla grimaced at her headache, rubbing the base of her right tail. She sipped some water to moisten her mouth. She hated to say it, but she still saw benefits in bringing Rekara along, and had to present the arguments Tallon would, playing Devaronian's advocate. 'What Rekara needs is a fancy mental hospital on Mon Cala or Coruscant. That's not an option. Neskroff Base can't offer anything near that.'
This message was last edited by the player at 05:21, Sat 24 Oct 2015.

Tera sighed, still wondering why anyone thought it could possibly be a good idea to have Rekara join the crew. "Lyla, my medical advice is to leave her here. They might not have much here, but what they do have is distance from whatever caused her to be like this. Taking her back to the source of her condition cannot end well....but if she must come with us, she should be made as comfortable as possible. I'd recommend sedation and an environment around her that reminds her of where she grew up, moisture content, noise. Anything that would make her feel at ease and at peace."

'The Alabak's Gold is a Mon Calamari ship. The environmental controls are still in place. We can flood one of the cabins, redecorate it, put up some seashells, make her feel at home. She never has to leave.' Lyla proposed thoughtfully, hoping that would do for Rekara's comfort and state of mind. 'Alright, I'll find Tallon and tell him your concerns. Hopefully he'll change his mind. If not, well, we can be prepared and keep her comfortable.'
This message was last edited by the player at 05:28, Sat 24 Oct 2015.

Bron does not let his emotions show, when Lyla blatantly disrespects him and his 'hokey religion'. Not even looking in Lyla's direction he continues talking to Tera saying "I value your professional opinion, and if you feel she is better left here I will stand behind you padawan. But I ask that you search your feelings on this decision before committing to it."

Closing his eyes Bron takes a moment to search his own feelings about what to do with the Mon Calamari woman.


OCC: 23:40, Today: Bron Tolgo rolled 27 using 1d20+13 with rolls of 14.  Use the Force: Search Your Feelings.

Tera shook her head "No, Bron. My recommendation has to be for her as a health care professional and completely unrelated to the Force. I don't care if the Force thinks we need to have her along. I want what is in her best interest. Whatever trauma has caused her current condition, it's not a good idea to reintroduce her to it until she's had some time to heal and come to terms with it."

"Everything is related to the Force, Tera. You'll understand that soon enough, or you will fail as a Jedi." Quantros began noticing a common theme in the people he interacted with. He knew something had to be done. This in mind, he pulls Bron aside. "I need to speak with you. Privately."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:00, Sat 24 Oct 2015.

Bron looks to Quantros, nodding he excuses himself from the others and follows Quantros to a secluded area.

Looking to the Jedi, Bron speaks in hushed whispers

Klyn looked pretty tired as he arrived at the meeting.
After his little talk with Jason, he couldn't get his ideas out of his mind so he walked toward the Gold and began his work.

Getting the shield upgrade was pretty easy but there was still some hesitations regarding the canons.  For the moment he upgraded one of the twin to make a quadrilaser and linked the last twin set to the cockpit.  With three people on the blasters, they should manage to at least hold the enemies down.

The best shooter at the quad while the two others mostly did 'distracting' shots to keep potential enemies at bay.


OOC: this could still be changed, but it seemed quite a few people had some skills with those weapons.

At the meeting he had trouble keeping awake but as the exchange heated, he noticed that the 'trickster' and the 'odd guy' were going to go with them... first bad news.
To add to that annoying fact, they were trying to manipulate Tera and going against Lyla, or at least not seeing her as the one in command.

"Lyla, this might be a bit complicated to do" he said when she talked about the modifications the Gold.

Seeing the two 'Jedi' moving in a corner and whispering he frowned and said to Tera and Lyla.  "Do we really have to get those two?  I really dislike people who think they know better just because of some title... and while that Bron fellows appears nice enough, the Quandro one is really getting on my nerves, especially as he can't stop criticize you two."
He knew all this Force talk was way out of his area of expertise - and his confort zone too - but he valued Tera's and Lyla's opinion infinitely more than whatever those two could say.  Jason, and Rynn, on the other hand, had largely proved themselves in his eyes.

"On another subject, do you think you could requisite T3 for this mission? I miss the little lad..."he asked Lyla
This message was last edited by the player at 18:41, Sat 24 Oct 2015.

Quantros sighed, calming his mind.  Quantros put a hand to his mouth, thoughtfully.

Nodding along as Quantros speaks, he interjects here and there


Taking a moment to think, Bron opens his mouth again

Taking a deep breath, Bron sheds a single tear as he talks.

Quantros sighs again. This time, more remorsefully.  He shakes his head slowly.

Bron looks at Quantros before sighing and nodding

Quantros taps his head thoughtfully.

Tera looked apologetic as she talked to Klyn.

"I don't know about Quantros, but this lightsaber stuff? Bron knows what he's doing with one... and they're fantastically useful devices. They both have weird ideas, but what they talk about is real...to me at least. I realise it might seem like they are talking about something intangible, but to me it's not....you might see more benefit with time after I've had some training. I'm inclined to give Quantros a bit more leeway. the guys been stuck in a block of carbonite for millenia. I think he'll come around, it's just he's from a different time where it's obvious he was one of the ones in charge. I think once he realises that Jedi as a religion and people who can feel the Force are almost completely gone and certianly not in charge, he'll get better."

There was a time and a place for the dramatic. In the briefing room with all the team was not the place. When Chu-Shkar vented at the commander the response from Tallon dispassionate "Chu-Shkar report to my office" the old commander gave Lyla a passing glance when he strode out of the room expecting order to be restored.

At the hangar Klyn began his work. The workshop was well equipped, there were many technicians and work droids on hand to help. One droid was missing, the eccentric but versatile droid T3-M8 had returned to the service of his old master the commander Tallon. This did not prevent the quick and efficient work of the Alabak's Gold's pilot and mechanic. The shields from the ISV Wanderer were installed and modifications to the weapons arrays were started, upgrading the top deck cannon and fitting a pilot controlled cannon beneath the central cockpit of the turtle-shaped jumpship.

At commander Adar Tallon's office the commander was sat with Rekara when the Wookiee walked in. Tallon directed Chu-Shkar to sit and began his explanation "Rekara has made it clear she wishes to return to Sedri."

"We must stop the crying" the Mon Calamari added, her words still made little sense but her mind seemed rational.

At this point Lyla interrupted as she came to discuss the matter.

The commander directed Lyla to another seat and then continued.

"Our intel is that the planet is crawling with Imperials"

"Swimming. Not crawling. Sedri is all oceans, no land at all."

"As you can see she is recovering and can provide you with valuable information. I'd like to you stay with her" he ordered Chu-Shkar and looked at Lyla "I expect you to look after these two and do what must be done. You're proven yourself dependable sergeant Rahn. The Alliance needs people like you."

Chu-Shkar was stunned at Rekara's improvements. [Language unknown: "Thafi nd lar Sheressan? Outredunddin plre oeren poos voroutentine thioit ac dayestvor."] He asked in a subdued manner.

Finishing his conversation with Quantros, Bron excuses himself from the room and heads back towards the quartermaster, this time with the approval he needs to obtain the items for the mission.

Upon reaching the quartermaster he smiles and shows the data pad with Commander Tallon's approval. Bron asks for a variety of items, including but not limited to the aquata breathers.

The greenish rock cradled in her hands there was still something out there which disturbed her. She nodded to Chu-Shkar "sad, it is sad. We must rescue poor Odrion" despite her sadness and her cryptic words her reply was plain and reasoned.

Lyla sighed. Her first mission in command, and it already felt like it was falling apart. Well, she was sergeant, dealing with people was her job now. 'Maybe they don't realise, maybe they don't intend it. But they just come off as so patronising. I guess they've never been out of the temple before or something. Sheltered.' Wait, frozen in carbonite? Really? 'Anyway, Command wants them to tag along, for us to show these newbies the ropes. We're a popular, successful unit. So we'll give them a chance. We can always push them out on Tatooine if they don't work out.'

She regarded Tera, wondering at her new belief in the Force. They hadn't known each other long actually, maybe she'd always believed in it. But Bron and now Quantros seemed to be having an influence on her friend, and she didn't like it. 'I just don't like them pressuring you like that. All that "search your feelings until you change your mind and agree with me" pudu, using your faith against you. It's manipulative. I disagreed with you on Rekara, but I took your word for it. I wouldn't pull that.'

'I know I don't understand this Force stuff. But you're interested in it, you believe in it, and I support that. I just want you to find and choose your own path, sis. I won't let them push you.' she promised her friend.



'I think they've got him on other duties now.' Lyla said sadly. 'Another astromech would be very useful, but the water will be a problem on this mission. I'll ask.'

Seeing Tallon looked at her before heading out with Chu-Shkar, Lyla excused herself from Tera and Klyn 'Excuse me, I think that's my cue.' She raised her voice over the briefing room. 'Alright, boys and girls and others, no squabbling until I get back.'

*



Entering Tallon's office, Lyla was surprised to see Rekara there, having not yet met the Mon Calamari. Reports of her mental state seemed to have been exaggerated, or else she had made a significant improvement. She was still odd though, and remained a concern. Lyla sat, listening and catching up. 'The Alliance does, sir. Thank you. I'll do my best.' she promised, though maybe she'd had a different meaning to what Tallon had intended.

She looked from Tallon to Rekara, speaking carefully 'Are you sure you want to come along? My medic believes returning to Sedri could be... upsetting for you. You'll be more comfortable staying here in Neskroff, relaxing.'

Turning to Commander Tallon he says, [Language unknown: "Mannd Ee ek i i redingughour lo eraus Venastatiere Her a a ha nton nencal Pe Korlinany. Icaillvir we vor ssec avesanyin ovehatnot Latatekorrut orethewas, andncered ameul a ati llreta."]

"We must find Mors Odrion" Rekara told Lyla with a nod of her head.

"Yes go along with the Alabak's Gold, our intelligence is that an Imperial garrison is on Sedri. Investigate the Imperial activity on the planet and learn what this Golden Sun is" the commander ordered Chu-Shkar.

Lyla had no idea what the wookiee was growling and barking. She hoped that wasn't going to be a problem on the mission, that someone aboard knew Shyriiwook. As that was probably Rekara, this would be one hell of a game of Rodian Whispers. At least Tallon understood Chu-Shkar, else this meeting would've been going nowhere. 'Sir, do you want us to get rid of the Imperials while we're at it, or do you want this to stay quiet? Any guidelines on what to do with this Golden Sun when we identify it? Or is this strictly scouting and search-and-rescue?'

Now Lyla had actually met Rekara, she was coming around to Tera's thinking of leaving her on Neskroff, out of concern for her well-being. 'We can look for Mors Odrion ourselves.' she told Rekara, pressing her to consider her coming along. 'You seemed... very disturbed when you arrived, like what happened on Sedri was really upsetting. You don't have to go back there. You can just tell us what happened.'

Quantros scowled openly. He appreciated that Lyla was taking charge of the mission, and had to admit, he couldn't do much better himself. However, knowing that she had no knowledge of the Force, or how it could impact this mission concerned him greatly. He could attempt to explain what the Force exactly was to these people, and describe it, but he nixed the thought. If by some miracle, they were interested in anything he had to say, it would be like describing color to the blind. And while he appreciated the concern the others put forth on behalf of Tera, they didn't realize how greatly their interference would alter her destiny. In a worst case scenario, in his mind, Tera would have a lack of faith in the Force where she would need it the most, and it would cost her life.

Sighing out his frustrations yet again, he went to a corner, and knelt down to begin meditating. All this doubt towards the teachings he had grown to appreciate had caused doubt within himself. He needed to find his center, and reinforce himself in that he was making the right decisions. He stretched out with his feelings, using the Force to sense whether or not Rekara's presence would have an impact on the success of this mission.

(OOC: 23:16, Today: Quantros Starbound rolled 14 using 1d20+7.  Use the Force: Search Your Feelings.)

"Recover Odrion and discover the secret of this new weapon sergeant. From the Alliance spy network the Imperial presence will be significant so I don't expect you to liberate the planet. Focus on the mission, the details I leave in your hands."

"Odrion was captured. We must rescue him and stop the crying. I must go back."

'We'll focus on the search-and-rescue then.' Lyla agreed. Ideally, she wouldn't face the Imperials at all, if she could help it. They weren't the priority, and getting into a scrap would only threatened their lives and the mission.

She frowned at Rekara's response. She seemed single-minded, almost obsessive, about recovering Odrion. It could actually be dangerous to leave her behind, but more dangerous to take her along, if she proved a liability. Lyla knew what Tera would say, but couldn't see an argument out of this to persuade both Tallon and Rekara. Especially since most arguments ultimately came down to "I don't want the crazy Calamari coming along because she might muck things up." 'We'll do what we can. Just leave it to us.'

'Oh, Klyn was asking for another astromech for the ship. We were hoping to get T3-M8 back. They work well together, and the little droid has saved our tails too many times.'

"I have need of T3-M8. Check with the quartermaster and take what droids you need" Tallon replied "may the Force be with you" he dismissed the three of them and focused his attention on his desk and computer.
This message was last updated by the player at 13:23, Mon 26 Oct 2015.

'Alright.' Lyla shook her head slightly in bemusement at the Force-based farewell. Couldn't he just say "Good luck"? 'We'll go with the wind.' She tried out a curt, military-sounding 'Sir.' nodded and departed, making sure that Rekara and Chu-Shkar were following. Babysitting two members of the Diplomatic Corps she couldn't understand; this was going to be a long mission.

*

Returning to the briefing room, Lyla locked eyes with Tera, then cocked her head at Rekara, giving a helpless, I-tried look. 'Madame Rekara wants to come along and help us search for Odrion.' she explained diplomatically. 'And I'm afraid Commander Tallon has T3-M8 on other duties now.'

Tera responded with a deep sigh and a "well, don't blame me if things go pear shaped" look. Tera nodded resignedly to Lyla, the nod she hoped would be enough to reassure her that Tera would try to make the passenger comfortable. "Madame Rekara should not be coming along. Would it help matters if I placed a formal medical objection for this?" Tera didn't think it would since Commander Tallon seemed rather pig headed about the affair. She started filling in requisitions for medical supplies, including some powerful and long term sedatives, firmly believing that the woman would suffer from severe psychological stress in the middle of their mission.

"Do we have any planetary data? How's the gravity? Is the sea safe for immersion? Any known hazards in the environment? I'd like to give everyone boosters, just in case."

Quantros came out of his meditation with a much better grasp on the situation, more certain than ever the Force was with him. He gave off an air of contentment, and haqrbored a plan in his head. Looking around for Tera, or Lyla, he spotted both of them conversing about the mission. He stood, and walked over, before patiently waiting for an opportunity to speak.

Once they did notice him, he gave a bow of his head in respectful greeting, before speaking. "I realize neither of you have faith in the Force. I won't bore you with the details of my experiences with it, but I want you to consider something. For over five thousand years, the Jedi went on missions and planned entire operations based on what they sensed through the Force. And only recently has that failed them, meaning an outside influence had to have interfered with their senses. If nothing else, I believe taking Rekara along is the right decision. And if things do go wrong due to her presence, then I will take full responsibility for all failures." He bowed his head again. "Thank you for your time." He then turned, and moved to leave.

Alliance reports confirm Sedri as safe for all known races and that the oceans are safe for the Alabak's Gold to travel either atop the waves or beneath their surface. Recent intercepted communiques indicate an increased Imperial presence on the planet. The only reports of indigenous inhabitation comes from Rekara who claims that a race of seal people live beneath the golden waves.

"We live in the time of the Galactic Empire. If the Force is as infallible as you suggest, then clearly something the Empire does is interfering with it, which makes it unreliable at best, and downright dangerous to rely on at worst. I feel the Force. I don't rely on it. I rely on myself, my knowledge and my experience, which also includes an element of the Force. The mere fact she can't explain in clear terms what happened to her and Mors Odrion is enough for me to keep her here on Neskroff. If the Force guides all of our paths, then it is also guiding me to be here and tell you that bringing her along is a bad idea." Tera sighed "But all of that is no matter. It has been decreed that she is to accompany us. I'll need to run a full medical workup of you and Bron and the others joining the crew."

Quantros stopped at Tera's assertion of the Empire interfering with the Jedi. He considers it for a moment. "Infallible logic, Tera. However, this is based on the assumption that the Empire has some sort of technology or method which can interfere with the Jedi's connection to the Force. Having fought in the Great Galactic War millennia ago, I have seen such technologies, and if they do have their hands on some of it, it would require a Sith to maintain and operate. They would have to use the Dark Side of the Force in order to pull off such a feat. But such technology isn't necessary, as there are already techniques available to the Sith that can interfere with the senses and Force connections of the Jedi." Quantros had considered pointing out the fallacy in Tera's logic about the Force, but decided against it, as he wasn't feeling confrontational. Instead, Quantros turned back to the door. "If anyone needs me, I'll be on the ship."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:13, Mon 26 Oct 2015.

Chu-Shkar stops at the quartermasters office and looks for the quartermaster. [Language unknown: "Di her sta ho ulliilta rourriad llout pl esiefosi allne to eaueenour?"]

Lyla lowered her voice, replying 'I agree, but I doubt it. This was Rekara's idea – she seems fixated on returning and finding Odrion... I dunno; working on this could help her clear her head. Being stuck on Neskroff won't get her anywhere.' She shrugged, shoulders and tails, thinking of her own trek through the canyons of Isis in search of peace. 'I understand the need to move forward.'



Lyla looked over her datapad and the records on Sedri. 'Holonet says standard gravity, Type I atmosphere, 18-hour-day. That should be safe for all of us. The oceans are liquid water, they just cover the entire planet. Usual range of sea creatures, so some predators to watch out for...'

Then she was interrupted by that Quantros guy again. She frowned, feeling he was mistaken about her, her faith, and the Force. But he was already leaving, and she shook her head, not wanting to argue about it. 'Let's head down to the Quartermaster and get ready.'

Bron waits patiently while perusing the items the quartermaster has, a couple items catch his eye and he adds them to the list he gave the quartermaster, three waterproof lightsaber casings. Bron was actually surprised that they had them, when was the last time a Jedi came through here. Maybe it was just stuff they had collected over the years fighting the empire.

For lightsabers being part energy, and part Force, they can be finicky things sometimes. That reminds me, I need to move my activation switch to the inside so it can only be activated with the Force.

Bron got lost in his own thoughts for a while.

While the others were talking about the next mission, Klyn went back to the Gold to check a few things. On his way his made a stop at the quartermaster.

The quartermaster shook her head at Chu-Shkar but took a step back as she did so. Never worth upsetting a Wookiee. The computer on the Alabak's Gold would have to suffice the slicer.

Quick to smooth things over the quartermaster fetched a repulsorsled and pushed it passed the counter. On the sled were eight boxes labelled 'underwater breathing suit', on top of the boxes she put two SG-4 blaster rifles "commander said to give you these" she smiled and looked to Lyla "need anything else sarge?"

OOC
Treat 'underwater breathing suits' as Flight suits with Aquatic Adaptation.
Sealed against pressure of deep ocean travel, can filter breathable air out of water indefinitely. Fins and small jets allow swift and easy motion. Gain swim speed of 1/2 walking speed. Additionally can reroll a failed Swim check (keeping better) and take 10 on Swim checks even when rushed or threatened.

Sighing, Chu-Shkar picked up the equipment and nodded. [Language unknown: "Ur, resencble of pautan."]He then started back towards the ship...
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 03:07, Wed 28 Oct 2015.

Sarge. She liked the sound of that. 'Oh, sweet, you got some.' Lyla reached over the crate and lifted the SG-4, switching it from blaster operation to a harpoon launcher for underwater operation. This was an Imperial Seatrooper weapon, stolen by the Rebels, and she figured it would come in handy on the Sedri mission, one way or another. 'I'll take it.'

Lyla also selected one of the dive-suits, an aquata breather as back-up, and a waterproofed video recorder, which she figured would come in handy in regular scouting and surveying work. She also purchased a holster and license for one of the scavenger blaster pistols, intending to have a back-up weapon. She'd lost her Girl's Best Friend rifle, and the SG-4 was a military-grade weapon she ought not to have, so not something to carry in public.


OOC: Purchasing/ordering:
* SG-4 blaster rifle/harpoon gun, 400 credits
* Blaster pistol license, 50 credits
* Hip holster, 25 credits
* Aquata breather, 350 credits
* Videorecorder, 50 credits
* Underwater breathing suit, 1000 credits
Total: 475 credits.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:35, Thu 29 Oct 2015.

Quantros had carefully considered what he knew of the mission. He had only been to one watery planet before, and it wasn't a pleasant experience. He had a flaw that could easily be exploited in this mission.

He couldn't swim.

Well he could at one time, but his muscles had atrophied with a lack of use. This meant that he'd need assistance. And the Underwater Breathing Suit he was looking at seemed to be exactly what he was thinking of.

Taking the suit off the Quartermaster's hands, he packed it away as a requisition. He had no intention to use it beyond this mission. If there were underwater missions in the future, well, he intended to have his fighter back by then, so it made no difference.

Bron found himself again as Lyla was requisitioning equipment, walking over to the sled he picked up one of the suits, looked it over and sighed saying "Well it is a water planet isn't it" he gathered the rest of the items he found that he might possibly need and cleared them with the quartermaster before heading back to the ship.


OCC:
Underwater breathing suit
Waterproof casing - 0cr
Recording unit, holo recorder - 100cr
Recording unit, audio recorder - 25cr
Recording unit, video recorder - 50cr
Force-Activated Switch (If available)- 0cr

Total Cost 175cr

This message was last edited by the player at 15:04, Thu 29 Oct 2015.

The stockmaster laid more boxes on the repulsorsled as Lyla and Bron made their requested. She ticked inventory off on her datapad.

OOC Yes a Force-Activated Switch is available but Bron's lightsaber can only have one modification active at one time, so either waterproof or Force activated. Changing from one modification to the other will take at least an hour's work.