Nate nods approvingly at Shira as he passes her, helping Zekk up the ramp, and into the ship. Once Zekk is settled for take-off, he goes over and starts looking at the ship's weapons systems to make sure they're online, and charging up.

Grev hauls Snive high into the the air, the boots of the lieutenant a few feet off of the ground.  "Be very convincing with your report of the pirates that did this.  If our ship or any of us is indicated, I will return and rip you limb from limb before I kill you."  Grev then brings Snive eye to eye with him, forcing Snive to see that Grev is absolutely serious, and takes two deep breath through his nose to get Snives scent.  With a casual flick of his wrist, Grev send Snive to the ground, sliding several feet back onto the platform.  Once everyone else is aboard, Grev boards, having covered them.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:37, Tue 02 Feb 2016.

The girl smiled at Shira, enjoying the conversation.    "I am Thuraya Ul-., just Thuraya."  She said.

And with that Thuraya waved to the other ship.  The ship's passengers, eager to avoid Imperial entanglements, were quick to get aboard their battered vessel.  And that vessel, once loaded, was just as quick to leave the platform.  Thuraya watched the ship shrink to a rising point in the sky.  She then turned to her new friends as if the other ship had never been.  "We best be going.  The Empire will be chasing you soon."

This was true enough.  The crew, including groggy Orion and Zekk, along with Thuraya boarded 'Star, taking with them the holocron and perhaps a few stormtrooper rifles.  But not before Grev threatened Snive one more time.  Snive nodded in agreement so intently and quickly, Grev was amazed Snive's head didn't fall off.  And then for emphasis, Snive simply fainted.  Grev boarded 'Star.

'Star left the shuddering platform in plenty of time before its failure and heading for space.  Anathracite begin to blur below and cloudy day was turning into the endless night of space.

DeeJay had linked with 'Star's autopilot and was relaying critical information.  If there was anything a protocol droid loved to do, it was talk.  And DeeJay was a particularly expressive droid.  Over an intercom and internal commlink channel, her voice carried.

"(Triumphant fanfare)  We have successfully lifted off of Anathracite with no casualties and a new passenger (sound of applause).  We are prepping for hyperspace.  Comscan indicates that only a dozen TIE fighters at best (TIE howl, then explosions) can intercept us.  They would have to slow us down for over five minutes before we would face any other Imperial forces.  We have some small amount of time before facing the TIEs.  Use it wisely."

Across 'Star, crew took up positions and began the preparations for a space battle...

I am assuming that the crew plus Thuraya and the holocron are leaving Anathracite in 'Star.  If I am wrong, let me know.  We can always retcon minor past actions as a flashback or a reference.

It won't take much time for battle stations, much shorter than the actual distance from near ground to the hyperspace entry point.  So your characters have whatever time it takes to move from a planet to the jump point.  This was never established for sure in Star Wars canon.  So I would like your estimate on the time.  In A New Hope, it seemed that the Millennium Falcon could have taken anywhere from a minute to an hour to leave Tattooine before jumping to Alderaan.  Let me know what you think.

During that time, you can assume your characters are busy, but not so busy that you can't have character moments.  A few points:

You don't have the time to study the holocron in detail.  A thorough examination will take longer than this journey.  But some things may be gleaned even which such a brief examination.

Thuraya will simply do what she is told within reason.  She is looking for a community of Force-sensitives and believes she has found one here.

Let me know what you think and what you wish to do.  We are out of combat and have a little flexibility.  After a few posts, we will get to the space battle.  Who is flying 'Star, Ali will volunteer but would prefer someone else at the helm.  The intercom and panels will allow the pilot to be involved in conversations.  This is your time to plan and act.

Thuk settled himself in his nest, glad to be properly suspended once more. How the humans stood being on the flat all the time was beyond him. He could taste the Tie fighters howling in towards them like the bitter taste of iron on his tongue and he reached out to the Web, linking himself to the Ship then pulling the strands of Pack into that communion with careful subtly.

Battle Meditation is active. All PC's (and up to 20 significant npc's) receive a bonus of 3D to Mechanical and appropriate skills (piloting, shields, gunnery) for the duration. GM, the enemy takes that same 3d as a penalty to Mechanical.

Celes made sure Orion was safely aboard, discarding the stormtrooper's rifle as she climbed the boarding ramp. She suggested everyone else do the same as well, to those who tried to take their stolen weapons on. It wouldn't look good for them wherever they went, and they could just as easily pick up more if necessary.

Once Orion was seen to by the TwoOneBee, the bounty hunter gave Nate and Shira nods and took note of the new girl's name. Thuraya something-likely-important. Interesting.

"Welcome aboard. I'm Celes. That's Nate. Shira. This here's Orion." The list was long, and they didn't have time for it. Celes stopped introductions there. "Get to know us after we deal with company. Shira's a ghostling, so very fragile but knows how to avoid getting hurt. Shira, can you get her someplace safe? Nate, guns? Take Orion when his head clears." Celes's place was the cockpit, speeding up the automatic processes as best she could. They needed to be gone five minutes sooner.

[Space Transports 3D+2, which may be the best we've got since Shen left. For the moment I'll take either pilot or co-pilot seat, but I'm pretty sure this baby needs way more crew to operate normally. And I'm assuming Nate and Orion have the best pewpew skills of the group. Don't take Celes's orders as actual orders, so much as suggestions. She ain't cap'n, just tactically minded. And besides, ordering a teenager someplace safe, I assume she's gonna end up in the cockpit anyway. :P]

Nate gives Celes his sly smile, "Prepped and ready. C'mon Orion, you look like you had a starshine surprise. Shake it off, I'll need a bit of help on the other gun. I'm taking topside." He looks up at the girl, "Yeah, hi. Uh, gotta man the guns." With that, he runs off in the direction of his turret.

The effects of the stun bolt slowly wore off. Zekk blinked and found that his friends had brought him aboard. He was still clutching the holocron in his hand. He turned as gave the young woman a weak smile. "Welcome aboard." He got up and looked around, "Where's Ali?"

---

As the crew made their plans to escape, he found himself heading to the cockpit. "Celes? Taking your turn to pilot us out of here." Zekk sat in the seat next to her, "Well - I'm going to be your copilot." He cast Celes a sidelong glance. "Of course I trust you. But I'd rather have Ali fly... By the way, have you seen Ali?"



Well I got 3D+1 so Celes you can be the pilot :)

Shira smiled at Nate's approval and Thuraya's friendliness. She escorted Thuraya up the ramp on to the ship. "Welcome aboard the Fabled Star, miss Thuraya! You'll love the Star, it's a great ship! And the crew are very friendly." she gushed.
Once safely back on the Star, she returned her holdout to its holster and kicked off her boots, returning to the tiptoe posture of the ghostlings. "Right!" she said to Celes. She trusted the green-haired woman with her life, after her rescue.
Shira found a seat for Thuraya, and made sure the girl was strapped in. "I bet you're still rattled from that fight back there. We'll get TwoOneBee to scan you once we're safely on our way" Shira's own seat was all but covered in additional cushioning, straps and other protective gear, and she hopped into it. "A couple TIEs will be following us, but the crew will deal with them" Shira promised with the easy confidence of the naïve. "We'll keep you safe"

After dropping off some gear in his locker, Zane felt a bit lighter and more comfortable.  Grabbing a small flask he decided now was as good a time as any to start with the medicine, in this case being any variety of adult beverages, and then the comms squawked to life.  He listened in amusement to the announcement over the ships Comm system and shook his head.  "Guess a drink will have to wait until we hit hyperspace."  He mumbled as he dropped the flask into one of his many pockets.  He ambled into the cockpit and saw that Celes and Zekk were both there.  He dropped into the 3rd seat which was for various ships systems.  "Looks like you kids beat me to the party."  The older smuggler started to look at readouts for the ship, making sure that everything was as it should appear.

I've got 5D but I'm really doubting that it's too important considering this is the first fight (or flight) .

Grev moved to one of the less critical posts.  He was not as familiar with starship weapons as some, but good at least lay supressing fire.  The rifle he took from the Stormtroopers still with him.

Orion raised up from where he was laying his body ached from the stun blast. His body seemed not to be responding as he wished, but he could tell that the effects were gradually wearing off. "Thanks 2B1. Is the girl safe?"

The old droid turned at the sound of Orion's voice.  His photo receptors pulsed brightly and he stepped towards his current patient.

"Indeed she is Mr Orion sir, everyone is safely aboard.  I do apologize for the restraints, but it was necessary to secure you for departure.  We will undoubtedly be pursued by Imperial ships and I would not want you to be injured.  The rest of the crew is dealing with them now, I believe."

Thuk's perceptions continued to expand beyond the Flat; full of the Ship and Pack and then the tiny, metallic swarm of TIEs, sweeping past them like so many gnats.  But there was something else just behind his perceptions.  Like a tiny itch on still flesh or a small dust devil on a still plain; activity where there shouldn't be.  Having been around humanoids long enough, Thuk placed the aspect he suddenly felt as mocking feminine laughter...

Orion and Zekk were slightly concerned with how enduring the shakiness, flashing and pulsing of their senses remained.  Was the stun effect not wearing off?  Perhaps TwoOneBee was needed.  But with a few more seconds, their full consciousness returned and the situation became fully clarified.  They weren't in a bad way, 'Star was.  Nate and Celes quickly explained the situation and invited Zekk to the bridge.

Zekk was able to shake off the stun fully now and join Celes in the bridge.  Little more conversation was needed, this wasn't their first space battle.  And the strategy was the same for all of them, fight until you could flee.  Up to today, that had always worked.  As Zekk and Celes took their seats, Ali also entered the bridge.  Glad that some real pilots had shown up, she was happy to take an auxiliary position.  She quickly hugged the pair, as much as she could rushed and with them in their seats.  She then lekkued to Zekk like a kind of human wink ~It is always nice to be asked about.~ Ali said affectionately to the entering Zane.  "It's not a real party until you show up."


With the bridge attended to, DeeJay left the bridge, maintaining a wireless connection with 'Star's autopilot.  She headed to the common area where that young child likely was.

In that same common area, Shira was settling and reassuring Thuraya.  The girl smiled back at Shira and said with utter such utter assurance, "Yes, we will survive." it seemed as if the victory had already happened.  Somehow this confidence seemed unsettling to Shira.  TwoOneBee had removed Orion's restraints while affirming that the young human female seemed to be in good health.  There hadn't yet been time for a thorough examination, which pained the droid's methodical circuits but a glance from TwoOneBee was better that most doctor's full exams.

On the bridge, an contemptuous voice came over the commlink, "This is Captain Gravann of the ISS Blackthorn.  By order of the Empire, surrender and prepare to be boarded."  DeeJay repeated the message over 'Star's intercom and then added, The Empire always seems surprised that no one accepts their kind offer (applause) to be tortured and then killed in a perfectly procedural manner (dull voice reading off regulations).

Having made sure the ship was secure, Grev felt that the best place for him might be the guns.  There were plenty of weapons on 'Star but they were light retrofits.  It would take some skill to lance a TIE with those dull beams.  The advantage was that 'Star had a great deal of them.

Back in the common area, Thuraya's eyes caught what seemed to be a very pretty insect flitting about the fixtures.  Impossibly, the tiny thing alighted onto a the headrest of an empty chair.  None of the others seemed to notice.  "Hello." The tiny bug seemed to say, its little wings seemed to convey the word, the slight buzzing sounding like crystal chimes.

Long ago, shipbuilders learned that modern starship sensors could best convey their data as sound to use the wonderfully evolved ears of most species.  DeeJay sent recording of 'Star's guns across the intercom, familiar to this crew ('Star's guns firing) To get you in the mood crew, our weapons are charging.  The next sound DeeJay didn't have to recall, she simply relayed what 'Star's sensors were picking up now, Incoming! (the relayed howls of TIE fighters).  Outside the viewports, the tiny steel swarm could now be seen, spitting dashes of fire toward 'Star...


1.  This is a reply to a blend of posts.  I am assuming I have placed you all correctly in times and places.  If not, let me know and we can retcon.  The starship combat is about to begin.  But assume you still have enough to attempt any quick actions I might have missed and place yourself anywhere in the ship.

2.  'Star has retrofitted, light laser turrets (1D Fire Control, 4D Damage) aboard.  Don't worry about arcs of fire for this simple combat.  Assume in the usual whirl of Star Wars space battles, you will get a chance at a shot.  There are enough turrets that everyone who wants to can use one.  However, this should be a very simple combat by design.  This first encounter is merely to set the mood.  At the end of the first round, a moderate Astrogation roll or easy Instinctive Astrogation roll will put you safely in Hyperspace.

You can just declare a TIE blown up, or, using minion rules, will blow up with the slightest damage.  Some characters may not feel their place is in a turret and the combat does not seem that serious.  If there is not enough interest in this fight, I will just declare you jumped with a few more scorches on the hull.

It may seem that 'Star is a kind of porcupine, bristling with weapons.  I wanted to give every possible character a chance to be involved in space combat, even if the weak guns don't do much singly.  A historical precedent would be the warships of old, with banks of inaccurate cannons going off in a broadside.

3.  The dark presence that Thuk is sensing and Thuraya is noticing has not yet had a chance to work her will.  It didn't quite flow this post but next post, all Force-sensitives will have a chance to notice the intruder before she can really act.  Whether you can do anything against her remains to be seen.

4. Once in Hyperspace, we move to non-combat.  Both here and at the Rebel Base, your characters can then be together and spend some time on character interaction and learning more about the holocron and Thuraya.  I know you have been itching for that.

"Let me talk them. I can stall them. We should plot a course toward them looking like we are surrounding. Calculate a course towards them out of the arc of tractor beams. Use the time to calculate a jump. If, lucky we can jump without shooting a shot. 21b help me to the comm." Orion tried to get up from the table, but he was still restrained to for his safety.

"Of course sir, if you believe it will help.  The comm is this way sir, I'll assist you," TwoOneBee promised as he made certain all the restraints were undone and then helped Orion to his feet.  He allowed the still groggy man to hold onto his scratched metallic chassis, supporting him with one metal arm extended behind his back.

It brought the old medic considerable amusement to hear DeeJay's insightful commentary on the standard Imperial command cease and desist order.  Not that TwoOneBee ever underestimated the Empire and its determination; he'd witnessed first hand what they were capable of, but he also had seen the 'Star's crew in action many times.  It was indeed inspiring to know that DeeJay shared his assessment of the situation.

OOC: Most certainly 21B will not be assisting on the ship's guns; it would take a far more desperate situation for him to willfully take the life of another sentient.  Instead, once he has safely delivered Mr Orion to the comm station he will return to the ship's common area, strap himself in and await the outcome of the battle, doing his best to keep the rest calm, as per his primary programming. In other words I'm a doctor dammit not a gunfighter :)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:10, Sun 07 Feb 2016.

"This is Centauri Quax, Captain of this vessel. We are willing to stand down to the proper authorities. I was not on the platform, but when the criminals boarded the ship my crew apprehended them, and we are willing to turn them over to the Empire. My primary pilot has been shot. A secondary crew member with rudimentary skill is moving into position to pilot the ship so we can be towed in by your tractor beam. We are working to restore the Helm position. I would like your assurances that the criminals will be dealt with in the harshest manner." Orion hoped that his combination of bluff and feigned cooperation would give the time to plot the necessary astrogation coordinates.

OOC:


21:01, Today: Orion Pax rolled 13 using 4 dice and 1 pips with the WEG Classic system with rolls of {Wild}4,6,1,1.  Persuasion.
 

TwoOneBee could hear the com chatter on the bridge even while being strapped down elsewhere.  'Star, at least, had been exquisitely customized to its droids.  The best course of action the medical droid could take was to keep from being damaged so as to fix the damaged later.

Orion's smooth talking had almost convinced the old droid that 'Star might even be overrun by criminals but only for a few processing cycles.  Organic could bend the truth in so many unpredictable ways.

On board the Blackthorn, Pax's words had actually caused some hesitation in the otherwise standard verbatim and familiar Imperial threat to fleeing ships.

23:10, Today: That Old Fossil rolled 18 using 3 dice and 2 pips with the WEG Classic system.  Imperial Captain's resistance to Orion's persuasion.  A valiant effort.

But an insectile buzzing tickled the Captain's ear, A trick, Captain, what we seek is aboard that vessel.  Captain Gravaan nodded to his subordinates, indicating to them to continue with the attack.

Negative, surrender and prepare to be boarded.  The denial was carried through 'Star's intercom.

The TIEs continued to approach and spit fire...

Orion's idea was good and considered but the dice were against him and the distant and mysterious Dark Side agent suspects the truth...

Zane didn't need to hear any more before killing the comms to the Blackthorn.  Further communications would have been... unproductive... to say the least.  "It was worth a shot Pax." He said before tapping his ear piece which turned on his hands free comm.  "Gunners, you have permission to fire at all will.  All TIE Fighters are now considered hostile. Light 'em up."  He tapped the earpiece again to cut his transmission.

Grev takes aim at one of the TIE fighters, firing off several shots at it.

21:17, Today: Grev Longtooth rolled 13 using 3 dice with the WEG Classic system ((3,{Wild}4,6)).

Shira had expected she'd have to keep reassuring Thuraya and she was silent a moment in surprise realizing Thuraya was even more confident than she was. There's something odd about this girl. When she recovered, she sang out "That's the spirit!"
She smiled at TwoOneBee when he scanned the girl. "Thank you for the assistance, 'Bee! You're a lifesaver, like always"
She frowned when the Imperials weren't fooled by Orion. "It was worth a try, mister Pax. Do we need another gunner?" she called out. She let out a loud squeak when the first TIE fire hit the ship's shields.

Orion new that their had to be a hole in the Empire's net. He look at the lay out of the ships on the Ship's computer as well as looking out the ship's forward window. He did some quick calculations. He was no pilot, but he had year's of training, and the best teachers his father could bring. He hoped that he could determine the best tactic to allow the ship to receive the less fire from the incoming enemy.


OOC: 04:33, Today: Orion Pax rolled 12 using 4 dice with the WEG Classic system ((2,4,4,{Wild}2)).

I thought that the wild dice added one dice. Is the dice roller set correctly. I have a 4 dice skill in this

Nate lines up the first tie to enter his field of fire, and squeezes the triggers.
[OOC:10:53, Today: Nate Stryker rolled 10 using 2 dice and 2 pips with the WEG Classic system (({Wild}2,6)). ---you have no idea how much I wish that 6 was the wild die.]

"We will not die this day. We will live to fight again, failure against the Empire is not the destiny of the Fabled Star. We just need to hold them off long enough to get the astrogation coordinates. Fight, on my fellow lost boys." Orion moved towards one of the turrets. His voice intense fueled by the ghosts of his planet. Each time he fought; he fought the battle that they could not fight.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:53, Thu 11 Feb 2016.

On 'Star's bridge, a holographic projection of complex parabola and sweeping curves drew itself in a red shade that was irritating to most humanoids.  The complex mathematical formula was a symphony of astrophysical beauty to those who could appreciate such things.  Its beauty was marred by the distortion caused by the too-slowly receding sphere that represented the still too-close world of Anathracite falling behind 'Star.  Bit by bit, the arcs and plots were moving from angry red to soothing green.  But not soon enough, the buzz and howl from the speakers was getting louder...

On each turret, similar holographics were drawing up darting arrowheads against a simple grid of light.  But there was no need for the alerts, the chrome bow-TIEs were now visible through the viewports, now in combat range...

OK, our first space combat and I want you to win it handily.  Why?  Because, technically speaking, you have already lost.  Your tiny group of Rebel jedis has now been definitely pegged by the Empire where before you had only been diffuse rumor.  This was not the fault of any player character.  Thuraya's very clumsy use of the Force plus the screaming holocron made the detection inevitable.  It is not even really their fault, either, you will learn they were both in a bad way.  This is the plot crisis that starts this story in media res.  I will get back to the non-space battle inner ship next post most likely.

Anyway, back to the space combat...
1.  It is difficult to pace fluid action with sequential posts.  So, you may start your next posts in your turrets, guns a-blazin' if you wish.  You may even, as others have, have already taken your first shot.
2. The TIEs have been given the impossible order to disable, but not destroy, your ship.  This requires a level of precision this combat does not readily allow them, putting the pilots at even more of a disadvantage.  Being clones, they will still obey until death (likely seconds away).
3.  Because of this, you have Initiative (some of you have already taken your first shots).
4.  Because of this, the TIE are trying to close as fast as they can.  They are sacrificing dodging and firing for speed, not firing until firing upon.  If it was up to them, they would fire from a meter away.  In short, your characters are choosing the range (and difficulty number) for this first round of combat.  You can decide what this will be among yourself or just declare for each character.  For example: if a PC makes a six on a gunnery roll and simply declares this a hit, it is a hit.  So the lowest roll that hits is the base difficulty number for this combat until a ship changes range.
5. If wished, 'Star can dodge.  The piloting roll will be added to the TIE pilot's difficulty to hit but will be the only piloting action this round.  Astrogation will have to wait until next round.  As I remember from previous editions, this dodge roll is added to the 'Star's gunners difficulty, but I cannot find that specific rule in the REUP rules.  If this is so, I recommend the ship does not dodge because...
6. For this combat, the slightest damage will blow up a TIE fighter.
7. For this combat, I will allow the more generous interpretation of the Battle Meditation skill.  You may add 3D (as I recall) to your piloting and gunnery skill, or you may not, as you choose.  I want you to win this combat.  I want you to win the combat quickly.  I want you to go into Hyperspace where you can finally act instead of react and this game will finally begin.
8.  For this combat, you can simply declare a TIE blown up by your character.
9.  As not all characters are involved in the gun battle, this combat may be curtailed even more.
10.  Questions, just ask.

"Zane, you'd better take over here. We need a better pilot and both of you are better than I." He got up to switch seats.