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14:29, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff.

Posted by That Old FossilFor group 0
TwoOneBee
player, 292 posts
Medical Specialist Droid
Rebel to the core
Sun 6 Dec 2020
at 17:59
  • msg #319

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

"Ms Shira, it is so very good to see you," the old droid said to the Ghostling as he helped her climb up into the Walker.

"You are quite correct of course.  Unfortunately the Imperial Captain did not survive the destruction of his transport.  It is regrettable, but it was most likely also unavoidable, given his predilection for physical violence."

TwoOneBee's durasteel head swiveled to scan everyone crammed into the cockpit, his visual receptors lingering lastly on DeeJay.

"To answer your query, I do believe we are 'holding up well' if I understand the colloquialism correctly.  We are all still functioning within reasonably normal parameters and that is certainly encouraging.  As to your request to 'run for it' I believe Captain Ali is attending to the matter most proficiently."

They gave Celes what cover fire they could and when she reached the hatch the doctor likewise assisted her in climbing up inside.  He likewise greets the bounty hunter warmly and welcomes her inside, grateful for her return and scanning her thoroughly to ensure she was likewise unhurt.

"Thank the Maker you were not injured or worse, Ms Celes.  I must admit that was very brave of all of you.  I certainly could never have done such a thing.  Its quite beyond the scope of my programming."

As they made their way down the lift and into the shuttle bay, it seemed they might actually make it.  An unaccustomed glimmer of hope surged through the medical droid's circuitry, making him hum and whir enthusiastically.

Of course, that is when he noted the honour guard, through the AT-ST view-port.  Then he heard Mr Blissex utter the name of his daughter and he was reminded of their familial relationship.  The light of hope began to flicker within TwoOneBee, as his cybernetic cortex swiftly computed the chances of getting to the shuttle and out the bay doors without the ship builder's daughter noticing them and taking action to prevent it.

Engaging his psychological evaluation sub-routine, he attempted to understand the sorrow in Wallex' voice.

"I do not believe there is anything we may do to help her at this time.  I am sorry Mr Blissex but we will be extraordinarily lucky if we manage to escape with her watching from the Control Tower.  I do wish circumstances had been otherwise sir."

This message was last edited by the player at 18:05, Sun 06 Dec 2020.
Shira
player, 336 posts
Ghostling
Sun 13 Dec 2020
at 09:38
  • msg #320

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

Shira hugged 'Bee carefully. "It's great to see you! I'm just glad I'm in one piece. I thought that big walker would step on us or something."

"Brave? It was amazing!" Shira said enthusiastically about Celes, smiling at the bounty hunter.

She looked down at the honor guard skeptically. "I suppose sneaking is out."
That Old Fossil
GM, 590 posts
More Machine than Man
Twisted and Evil
Wed 16 Dec 2020
at 03:53
  • msg #321

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

A slight rumble of energy passed through the hull plating.  It was strong enough to be conveyed through the feet of the scout and then conveyed all the way up to the cockpit, almost as if the metal beast shuddered.

Outside of the scout, other seemed to notice and look around nervously.  Even the stormtroopers dared to turn their heads.

"The power overload is beginning.  We don't have long to get off of this ship." Blissex said, his handiwork becoming apparent.

Looking down from the control bay, Lira Wessex was also uneasy.  She toggled a comm unit.
"Lady Wessex to scout, Husband, are you receiving me?"  Her voice was now in the cockpit of the scout.  To her embarrassment, Ali almost jumped.

Lady Wessex idly began to play with screens and panels.  A nearby TIE fighter, still in its umbilicaled cradle began to power up.  Its targeting computer soon centered on the AT-ST scout.   Fired remotely, the TIE would be terribly inaccurate but there was something odd about this situation, Lira thought.

In any case, her fool of a husband had made a shambles of a Star Destroyer.  Kolaff's career was as crushed as, Lira guessed, his trachea would soon be.  But she needed just a little more provocation to play the grieving (but still possibly available) widow...

OOC:  An easy Perception roll will notice the TIE beginning to awaken and the source can be easily guessed.   Between the building and imminent reactor overload and the delicate but twitchy finger of Lira Wessex, the characters don't have much time.   And Lady Wessex will not take the apparent silence of her husband for long...
Celes Varik
player, 349 posts
Trandoshan Bounty Hunter
Wait...Human?
Sat 19 Dec 2020
at 21:12
  • msg #322

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

<dargreen>"Thanks, but it was the girls who did the hard work."</darkgreen> Celes got herself remotely comfortable in one of the seats, quickly looking over the controls. "We're out of time. Make some plans quick." With that and a pained deep breath (as the blast on her side was still raw), the bounty hunter flicked the comm switch and leaned into the microphone.

"Your husband is dead, Wessex. I'm sorry for your loss. This ship is in worse condition than you think, and you've only got one chance to survive this. Come with us peacefully and we can guarantee your safety. Keep powering up that TIE fighter and we'll have to defend ourselves again. That didn't go well for Kolaff, and it won't go better for you. We're survivors, ma'am. Offer's open until you close it." She turned to the rest of the team.

"How do we reach the shuttle from here?"
Shira
player, 338 posts
Ghostling
Mon 21 Dec 2020
at 08:56
  • msg #323

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

"Aww, thanks!" Shira said about Celes' kind words.

She squeaked as Celes spoke to Wessex. "Oh, that's one way. Well, let's just storm over to it in our walker and give a few warning shots. They shouldn't be able to hurt us in this thing"


01:34, Today: Shira rolled 19 using 5 dice with the WEG Classic system.  Perception.

Do I see the TIE?

That Old Fossil
GM, 593 posts
More Machine than Man
Twisted and Evil
Thu 24 Dec 2020
at 03:53
  • msg #324

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

At Celes' words, conveyed by the comms and speakers, Lira Wessex caught her breath.  Her fool of a husband had been too premature in securing his own pleasure.  It was a flaw that has manifested in many disappointing ways.  And now her enemies had in some way freed her.  Were she capable of gratitude, she might have simply allowed the scum to leave on the shuttle.  The shuttle, the nearest way off of this now obviously doomed ship.

The warning shots were an effective display about how much power these interlopers possessed.  But the new widow had always valued shadowy guile over vulgar power displays.

"A tragedy about my poor beloved.  But he did enjoy a challenge and, for his sake, I cannot fault his victors."  Lira hoped her calculatingly shaken voice conveyed the requisite amount of grief.  "And yet, it would now seem we have a common goal and common conveyance.  I propose a truce, I will guarantee safe passage into the shuttle and then you will guarantee safe passage for me to a dreary cell on some desolate Rebel base, I suppose.   Disappointing but it certainly trumps adding to a cloud of superheated gas."  Lira's voice drifted through the scout's speakers.

"It's a trap!" Ali said in a voice to make Admiral Ackbar proud.  "But do we have any other choice?"  "Don't trust her," Blissex said without the slightest hesitation in regards to his own daughter.  It was an honest change from the naïve father that had originally boarded Starfall.  "But...," he smiled without mirth, "do trust her instinct for self-preservation."

OOC: What Lira Wessex is proposing is for all of you to leave in the remaining shuttle together.  She is of high enough rank effectively that no lesser personnel or stormtrooper would question this.  But is that what she really intends to do..?
TwoOneBee
player, 296 posts
Medical Specialist Droid
Rebel to the core
Fri 25 Dec 2020
at 15:42
  • msg #325

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

The doctor notes Celes' blaster wound and is immediately makes his way to her, which ends up being rather awkward (and probably somewhat comical) in the now overcrowded AT ST cockpit. Eventually, and with many apologies and pardons offered, he reaches her and waits for a pause in her dialogue so he can address her.

"Ms Celes, I do apologize for not noticing immediately that you've been injured.  If you would be so kind as to lift your clothing enough to expose the wound, I would be glad to treat it with a kolto spray, which should ease your discomfort until I can retrieve a Medpac."

Hearing Lira Wessex, the old droid was indeed in a quandary. He took note of Captain Ali and even Mr Blissex's objections, admitting to himself that their initial opinions were in sync with his own logic circuits.  His primary programming contained the Doctor's oath to 'do no harm' however, and so, in the end, it won out over all of his 'well reasoned' concerns:

"While I do have my misgivings, I believe we should allow Ms Wessex on board.  It is the most compassionate option and may also offer the best chance for us to exit the ship before it is destroyed.  While she may be an Imperial, I find that all living creatures have a fervent desire to continue existing, as Mr Blissex points out."

Celes Varik
player, 352 posts
Trandoshan Bounty Hunter
Wait...Human?
Sun 27 Dec 2020
at 20:52
  • msg #326

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

Celes closed the comm and turned to shake her head when the doctor offered to help. Her arm was tucked to her side, putting some pressure on the wound.

"You already did, Bee. Same blaster shot from before, I just haven't let it rest. I'll be fine when we get off this bomb." At Blissex's advice, Celes gave a sharp nod and then reopened the comms.

"Truce it is, we'll get you safely away from here. I'll remind you that your treachery when we first arrived is what cost the Empire this Star Destroyer. If I remember how the Emperor sees failure, your odds of survival are a lot better with us. Try anything, and we won't hesitate to die if it means stopping you from getting off this ship. You've seen some of what we're capable of and how far we're willing to go to get what we want. Don't test us or you'll see what happens when we get desperate." She closed the comm and turned to the others again.

"Try not to die stopping her from getting off this ship. You're more important than she is. That includes you," she added, looking at the prison guard they'd brought with them. "Keep an eye on her, but she's valuable to us alive. For many reasons." With another nod to Doctor Blissex, she waited for Lira to give the stand down order and prepared to open the hatch.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 10:15, Thu 31 Dec 2020.
Shira
player, 340 posts
Ghostling
Thu 31 Dec 2020
at 08:58
  • msg #327

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

"Oh, 'Bee! Take care of her" Shira said, worried about Celes' health. "We should make sure they lay down their weapons first. I don't think I'm really cut out to intimidate them in to not trying anything" she added with a flip of her silver hair.
That Old Fossil
GM, 595 posts
More Machine than Man
Twisted and Evil
Sun 3 Jan 2021
at 02:33
  • msg #328

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

Lira Wessex listened to that annoying woman's blather with the same slight smile and head tilt that got her through many tedious diplomatic dinners and conferences.  Still, the Rebels were not fools and neither could she be one.  If she had to, she would spend time on a Rebel prison world.  They were fool enough to keep their prisoners alive.

"Father?!" Lira said, "Do you guarantee my safety?"  Blissex answered without hesitation, "I would trust them with my life.  I realize that is an unfamiliar concept to you, my daughter."  Lira nodded without rising to the bait,  "Then I assent."

The simple truth was that she had been caught by surprise.  But Lira knew there were still some hidden cards in this situation the Rebels had not kenned yet.

And with that, Lira Wessex simply left her control tower and strode towards the shuttle.  The Imperial officers and stormtroopers were almost dumbstruck but their conditioning simply would not let them disobey.  At least not in time.

She strode up the ramp as an Empress awaiting her royal escort.  Before all of the assembled crew she said, "Permission to come aboard, my gracious captors?"

OOC:  It can be that easy.  The Imperials are suspicious but are too well-'trained' to think for themselves.  You may write the shuttle as leaving Starfall without resistance as long as Lira Wessex is allowed into it without resistance.  Knowing the treacherous beauty, there is probably a little more to it than that.    TwoOneBee will have the chance to treat Celes' wound unless there is some kind of violence.  There are two Imperial pilots who might put up token resistance but will obey Lira who likely has no objection to them getting her off of this doomed ship even if that (sigh) involves getting y'all off the ship as well...
TwoOneBee
player, 298 posts
Medical Specialist Droid
Rebel to the core
Sat 9 Jan 2021
at 14:08
  • msg #329

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

TwoOneBee acknowledged Celes reminder of his previous ministrations, but also admonished her gently:

"Indeed, I do remember treating this earlier Ms Celes, but apparently it is still causing you some discomfort.  Rigorous actions, such as running into a blaster fight, can reopen or re-injure a previous wound, no matter how skilled the doctor who mended it initially.  Your actions undoubtedly saved all of us, so I do understand there were extenuating circumstances.  When this is over I shall, with your permission, apply a synthskin patch that should provide better protection while it heals.  In the interim please do be careful, and thank you for risking your existence and your health on our behalf, Ms Celes."

The old droid blinked his right optical sensor to the Ghostling.

"I promise I shall do so to the utmost of my ability, Ms Shira.  Let me scan you as well, are you unharmed?"

He did a quick bio-scan of Shira, seeming relieved that she was okay.

When Lira was about to board the ship, TwoOneBee sent a transmission to DeeJay:

"I believe it is in our best interest to appear as simple droids in front of Lira Wessex, at least for the time being.  I know you are a superlative actress and, while it will be a challenge to hide my considerable intellect I did learn a few tricks from my time aboard an Imperial Star destroyer many years ago.  I shall put them into practice now.  EmesseeOne does not need to pretend to be simple of course, so he should be fine."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:05, Sun 14 Feb 2021.
Shira
player, 341 posts
Ghostling
Tue 19 Jan 2021
at 08:15
  • msg #330

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

Shira nodded her assent to 'Bee scanning her. "Go ahead, but I don't think anything's broken this time."

"We'll have to share a shuttle with them. I hope they aren't too chatty. I like talking, but I don't think we'd have much to talk about with them listening in."
TwoOneBee
player, 300 posts
Medical Specialist Droid
Rebel to the core
Fri 29 Jan 2021
at 17:02
  • msg #331

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

"You are quite right, Ms Shira, it appears you are in good working order, which I must say is a relief."  The old droid replied.

"Oh I can promise you I will be most well behaved around Ms Wessex, but then I suppose I usually am regardless of my company; I'm simply programmed that way.  Even so the idea of sitting anywhere close to Ms Wessex overwhelms almost every logic circuit I have!  I agree that she is certainly not to be trusted, and if you need me to tranquilize her I shall happily oblige, Ms Shira.

However, one issue at a time is always the best method for dealing with complex conundrums.  At the moment it appears we may exit this Scout Transport and proceed to the Imperial Shuttle safely; so long as Ms Wessex is true to her word.

May I humbly suggest we all adjourn to the ship before our dubious ally changes her mind?"
  He scanned everyone's faces, a hopeful amber glow in his optical receptors.

Once they have determined it is indeed safe, TwoOneBee makes his way with the rest of the Rebels, climbing out of the AT-ST hatch and making his way as swiftly as his servo-actuators allow, up the gangplank and into the shuttle.  He settles somewhere near the back, where he can watch Ms Lira Wessex.
Celes Varik
player, 358 posts
Trandoshan Bounty Hunter
Wait...Human?
Thu 4 Feb 2021
at 19:36
  • msg #332

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

Celes held off on answering Lira as the group made their way to the shuttle. Once they'd caught up with her, the bounty hunter stayed behind while the others boarded, keeping her weapon at the ready while at the same time staying behind the officer as a show of good faith. Once the crew was aboard, Celes finally holstered the blaster and gave her response.

"Permission granted, ma'am." Celes followed her onto the shuttle, as further proof the team wasn't planning to just take the shuttle and abandon her.

Once aboard, Celes closed the hatch and gave one last look out at the soldiers she'd just condemned to a fireball, arranged Lira a seat beside Bee, across from the others, and headed for the cockpit.

"Watch her, but be polite."
That Old Fossil
GM, 600 posts
More Machine than Man
Twisted and Evil
Sun 7 Feb 2021
at 03:33
  • msg #333

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

It happened that easily.  For the first time ever, the Rebels were treated like Imperial guests.   It took Lira Wessex to realize that her life depended on listening to these intruders and (sigh) allowing them to escape if she could as well.

The shuttle left.  The last glimpse the crew had of the Imperial troops left behind was that of Banthas being led to the slaughter, not quite true comprehension but a slow dread that would illuminate too late.

The universe turned white with dark spots of phosphene, completely opposite of Space's usual appearance as Starfall became an explosion and history lesson.

The small Imperial crew allowed aboard meekly followed the heroes' commands, desperate to follow anyone's commands.  The nearby Rebel fleet was overjoyed to hear from their 'lost' comrades (even if a few credits did change hands as bets were called due).  If Wessex was going to make her play, it would have to be soon.  The rendezvous with the Rebel fleet was just a few moments away.

Lady Wessex had taken this with a sense of noblisse oblige and a slight, patient smile.  Up to now, she had the air of someone quietly waiting for her drink and h'ordourves order to be taken.

"Noble Rebels, I wish to thank you for my rescue.  Not just from Starfall, mind you, but from my oaf of a husband, may he rest in peace.  I will tell our receiving Moff to treat you kindly, there are levels of imprisonment not normally allowed for 'rebel scum'.

At the less-then-expected gratitude she received, Wessex continued.  "You must understand.  I simply will not accept capture and imprisonment.  Your acceptance of this simple truth shall be rewarded."

OOC:  Wessex seems utterly confident.
Shira
player, 342 posts
Ghostling
Sat 13 Feb 2021
at 09:08
  • msg #334

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

Shira sat down in one of the shuttle seats. Ghostlings tired easily in normal gravity and she was very tired after their adventure, even with all the adrenaline in her body from their narrow escape. She closed her eyes for a while, but opened them at Lady Wessex's words. "You're welcome!" she said warmly before the trust of Wessex's statement became apparent. "Umm.... do you have invisible stormtroopers? I may not be the greatest fighter ever born but miss Celes is really quite impressive. For once, we rebels have the numbers advantage."
TwoOneBee
player, 302 posts
Medical Specialist Droid
Rebel to the core
Sun 14 Feb 2021
at 16:01
  • msg #335

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

Celes Varik:
Once aboard, Celes closed the hatch and gave one last look out at the soldiers she'd just condemned to a fireball, arranged Lira a seat beside Bee, across from the others, and headed for the cockpit.

"Watch her, but be polite."


The doctor inclined his to the bounty hunter, blinking one amber optical receptor at her in the approximation of a wink.

"Of course, Ms Celes, I shall monitor her closely.  It is one of the most fundamental directives of my programming to maintain a pleasant and meaningful dialogue with all organics, even Imperials."

He noticed Ms Shira's fatigue as she slipped into the shuttle seat.  He was 99.4% certain it was more than just the adjustment to the increased gravity that accounted for her lack of energy.  He made a note on her data file to speak to her about modifying her daily supplement.

TwoOneBee found himself quite in agreement with everything the Ghostling had said, but still there was something that did not make logical sense to him.  Lady Lira Wessex already knew she was outnumbered.  Why make a statement about a Moff treating them with kindness?  No there was something more here, information she knew that they did not!  He swiveled his face towards her (technically unnecessary but it always seemed to put organics more at ease) and replied:

"Excuse me, Lady Wessex, but can you please clarify your last statement?  It seems incongruous with our present situation."
Celes Varik
player, 359 posts
Trandoshan Bounty Hunter
Wait...Human?
Sun 14 Feb 2021
at 19:52
  • msg #336

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

Once in the cockpit, Celes relieved the pilot and ordered her back into the room with the others. She then took the seat and adjusted course appropriately while switching on the comms to a Rebel frequency.

"Alliance fleet, this is Imperial Shuttle Subjugator-1138 requesting immediate escort. We have captured an Imperial officer and I doubt her people are going to let her go so easily. I repeat, this is Imperial Shuttle Subjugator-1138 requesting immediate Alliance escort for a high-value captive."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:21, Mon 22 Feb 2021.
That Old Fossil
GM, 602 posts
More Machine than Man
Twisted and Evil
Mon 22 Feb 2021
at 05:02
  • msg #337

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

Her honeyed threat hung in the air.  The traitorous rebels could not have responded worse for themselves.  They had ignored her.  Her!  Lira Wessex decided she would have to invent new interrogation droids just to show this scum her gratitude for such indifference.

But for now was the simple matter of escaping.  She moved her body slightly and subtly, to an untrained observer, it would seem she was simply moving as living things had to constantly do, no matter how slight.  But this was a form of discreet communication for those that knew.  It wasn't exactly expressed in words natively but a translation would have worked like this.

DROID, HELP ME OVERTHROW THESE TRAITORS.

To which, T-3PO responded with just a subtle replies.  APOLOGIES, MISTRESS.  I CANNOT DO SO.

Lira hid her annoyance and turned into an interrogative.  EXPLAIN!

T-3PO seemed to hesitate.  DeeJay responded for him  MY MEDICAL DROID FRIEND EXPLAINED THAT YOU MIGHT TRY A VERY SUBTLE FORM OF COMMUNICATION.  A POSSIBILITY, I AM ASHAMED TO SAY, I DID NOT CONSIDER A HUMAN TO EMPLOY.  YOUR GAME IS UP, MILADY.

Lira Wessex openly gasped.  She had been outplayed.  There was one last sabaac card to play, her first and most effective since her earliest memories.  "Father," she said, "surely you will not allow me to be so treated."

Blissex regarded his daughter with a sad expression.  "My child, no parent really wants their child to grow up.  But the job's not done until your child stands apart.  Your decisions are finally yours.  You have grown up.  I have done my duty.  Your fate is truly of your own making."

"But you love me more than anyone!"
"But not more than everyone."   And with that, he turned away from his daughter.

Lira Wessex screamed and protested, begged and pleaded for a few moments more.  But it was for naught.  And soon she was slumped and silent.

In the cockpit, Celes was explaining to nearby Rebel starships and not a moment too soon.  The swarm of fighters that soon surrounded the shuttle was understandably twitchy.  The shuttle was guided into a hanger on one of the larger Rebel ships and soon dropped its ramp among friends.  The Rebels were home, at least as home as Rebels could be until the struggle was won...

OOC:  Well done, you guys guessed my trump card! :-)  1138, great shuttle prefix!

Assume the Rebels do a full check of your story and, of course, you are proven to be genuine.  Lira Wessex is finally caught and imprisoned.  The Rebel fleet is able to jump away to safety before the inevitable Imperial fleet jumps in far to late to avenge Starfall.

This adventure is essentially over but for any role-playing you wish to do.  There may be an epilogue I will post that will answer some lingering questions.

Celes Varik
player, 361 posts
Trandoshan Bounty Hunter
Wait...Human?
Mon 22 Feb 2021
at 22:32
  • msg #338

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

While the team escorted Lira away, Celes spoke to her in the curt tones of a trained soldier.

"Don't worry, ma'am. We don't treat Imperials the way you treat us. You'll be in good care. 'Bee, can you look over the girls? That was a lot more intense than they've been prepared for, particularly Thuraya. She seeemed more on edge than the rest of us. Captain, DeeJay, I leave these three in your care. Go on ahead, I need to check a few things aboard the shuttle first."

The three she referred to were the prison guard, the pilot, and T-3PO. They'd be fine, surrounded by other Rebels. Once she was alone on the shuttle, Celes looked around at the nothing she was surrounded by.

"Jedi? If you made it off that ship, now's the time to let us know. Thuraya needs help I can't provide." She'd wait a while to see if she could get any response.
That Old Fossil
GM, 605 posts
More Machine than Man
Twisted and Evil
Sun 28 Feb 2021
at 05:55
  • msg #339

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

For a few moments, Celes' words hung in the air as any words spoken alone might.  And there was a sensation of presence and understanding...

OOC:  Well perceived, Celes! :-)  There will be a following post that reveals a little of the mystery of the missing Jedi.

In the meantime, your characters are free to interact with their Rebel friends.  Lira Wessex is taken, babbling in protest, away for legal processing.  Her father doesn't even look back...
TwoOneBee
player, 303 posts
Medical Specialist Droid
Rebel to the core
Sun 28 Feb 2021
at 20:41
  • msg #340

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

The old Medical Droid turned towards the Bounty Hunter as he was addressed.  He listened to her request, then replied with his usual matter of fact tone:

"Affirmative, Ms Celes, I agree with your assessment of the overall stress level we have recently endured.  I shall give them a most thorough bio-metric evaluation you may rest assured.  And I shall naturally schedule you for one as well, at your earliest convenience of course."

His optical receptors turned in DeeJay's direction and, as always, every circuit in his chassis lit up with delight.  Just being near to the protocol droid really did occasionally disable his cognitive functionality (he never had been able to discern the nature of that particular malfunction).  And now that they had indeed survived the destruction of the Subjugator (in spite of TwoOneBee's computations to the contrary)he hoped that they might now, spend at least a little time in more quiet, peaceful pursuits.  Perhaps he might even finally get her to download the rules to Pazaak.

He watched as they removed the protesting Lady Lira Wessex.  He felt a twinge of sympathy for her, his empathy sub routines would not allow him to disable it.  She had lost everything, her ship, her command, her dignity, even her father.  He quickly pulled up his schedule and determined a time when he could visit her.  She would need psychological care to undo the emotional and mental damage the Imperials had done to her.  The old surgeon droid was entirely too familiar with such things and thought he might be able to help her.  No one was beyond redemption with the right professional therapy and time to heal he reminded himself.  He would do what he could for her.  Likewise, perhaps he should consider scheduling some time for Mr Blissex as well...

Of course right now they would need to see to reprogramming T-3PO and MSE-1 to allow them to purge whatever biased coding the Imperials had embedded with their matrices, and to retrain the human guard, but these things were certainly not difficult tasks for the Rebels.  For the moment, they were home, or at least the closest thing to such that they had known for a very long time.  That was good enough for 21B.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:59, Sun 28 Feb 2021.
Shira
player, 344 posts
Ghostling
Fri 5 Mar 2021
at 08:21
  • msg #341

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

Shira watched the drama with Lira curiously. "You win some, you lose some. Except miss Celes always wins."

When she pads off the shuttle, she waves frantically to the rebellion personnel. "We're not really imperials, we just took their uniforms at one point" she states, probably not necessary given her non-human hair color. She kicks off her boots; Ghostlings tended to walk on their toes, and she found wearing boots too much uncomfortable. "That was a wizard showing, 'Bee."
That Old Fossil
GM, 606 posts
More Machine than Man
Twisted and Evil
Tue 9 Mar 2021
at 03:30
  • msg #342

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

The Imperial shuttle simply waited until the Rebel fleet had distorted into hyperspace.  It was simply easier that way.  He felt Celes' question and hoped he sent assurance as a reply.  The Force-blind bounty hunter could challenge a Jedi.

Jedi Master Eli Sundancer watched them go from the shuttle's viewport.  He was grateful his young padawan and his friends had escaped Subjugator.  For all his power, he could not have helped them.  From the moment of their betrayal upon first boarding Subjugator, Sundancer knew they were on borrowed time.

Himself, and young Thuraya, were prizes the Empire could not resist or allow to be free.  The moment they were captured was the moment they were reported.  And Sundancer guessed at the hound the Emperor would send to fetch his prey.  He knew the half-man by reputation only.  Had Sundancer actually met him, the old man would have been either dead or another of His Majesty's puppets.

So the decision was easy to make but hard to bear.  With many waves of hands and whispered words, the Jedi became temporarily forgotten by those that knew and beheld him.  It took all of his skill with the Force.  He could do little else but walk.  Through the strain of effort, Sundancer could hear the Dark Side call out to him.  Was that enough?  Merely to be tempted or was true acquiescence required?  He did not assent but he was tempted.  And then his task became possible.  Was the victory really his?  Or was he merely fallen and deluded.

In any case, once the others had escaped Subjugator, so could he?  He asked for mercy from different Imperials, posing as their prisoner.  Most denied it and were then reluctantly cut down.  The few who had offered it became his shuttle crew.  He did not begrudge them time on a Rebel prison planet.  Every soul could be saved, Sundancer hoped.

Now that so many peering minds were gone, Sundancer could relax slightly and began to set the coordinates for the nearby Rebel base instinctively.  Just a few more moments and they all would escape...

Through the Force, he knew before the shuttle's sensors informed him.  A tiny vessel had just emerged from hyperspace.  It was a rare, if not unique, model of TIE fighter.   The pilot was just as singular a man.

Jedi.  Yield yourself and your padawan to me and live.  Your cloaking of you both was impressive but not sufficient.

The rasp and labored breathing were not needed for this form of communication but they persisted.  The fear they engendered were now part of the creature's aspect.

You are too late, Lord Vader, we will escape and hide again.

Today, perhaps.  But know that it was not you we felt across the stars.

Sundancer activated the hyperdrive, the universe began to fall away in every sense.  But just before the icefire corridors, Vader's last thoughts came through.

Her rage called out to us.  We will meet again...

Hyperspace boiled and rippled now across the shuttle.   Sundancer was chilled with a cold realization.  He had two choices now, training if the girl was still reachable, and one other solution otherwise.

He regarded the cold and quiet other solution clipped to his waist, hoping it would never be needed...
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:31, Tue 09 Mar 2021.
That Old Fossil
GM, 609 posts
More Machine than Man
Twisted and Evil
Sun 21 Mar 2021
at 03:36
  • msg #343

Re: Starfall - Episode One:  Blind Man's Bluff

Lira Wessex could barely muster a sneer to Celes' words.  Her father was already yards and forever away from her.

In Binary, DeeJay thanked TwoOneBee for his successful idea of how Lady Wessex might have tried to subvert her capture.  Expecting another excellent suggestions, she began to read Pazaak.   She reindexed her profanity files.  This was even more complicated than Twi'lek lekku.

Shira was glad to be free of the boots and just walk, high gravity and all.  On this ship, her quarters could be programmed for a lighter gravity and that lightened her spirits.

T-3PO was examined by the best techs and found to be absolutely traitorous but with a strong streak of self-preservation that rivaled the living.  By appealing to that, there was a chance the wicked droid could be reprogrammed with a finer sense of duty and empathy.  DeeJay was glad that there were more alternatives than destruction for something that had really been built to be nothing else.

Emessee was too distractible and attention-challenged for complicated duties.  But the team explained to the little droid that there was a Very Important Mission involving finding some missing 'Flightline' and the little MSE droid was happily devoted to that mission and thus Saving The Galaxy.

It was later that the heroes found themselves in a situation of contrasts, a grubby mess hall and a table all to themselves.  But outside the viewport was the Galaxy and infinity beyond that.  Ali hoped that would never become mundane and them jaded in their great calling to save it.

Thuraya simply watched out of the viewport, mentioning only that her master would be joining them all soon.  She called a drink to her waiting hand  rather than simply walking and taking it like the others.  There was no point in hiding her differences any more.   Somehow she felt her destiny might be on a different path than her friends.

They toasted, strong if not fine liquor in their mugs, the droids were included in the gesture.  An oil bath awaited them later but the others wanted to make sure that they were included as friends.  And then each contemplated the universe outside, grateful for a moment to simply reflect before their battles continued...
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