"Imperials don't seem like the sort to use a lifepod on their prisoners. But you're the boss. Bosses." Shira said with her best attempt at a salute. "Uniforms look nice, but it would be so boring to wear the same thing every day" she said as she paused to adjust her uniform for the best fit she could get. Then she followed after Celes, trying to look like subservient Imperial flunky. She was so nervous, she didn't even notice how her feet hurt. She tried to have her weapon close to use without directly pointing it at anyone.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:15, Thu 11 Oct 2018.

Plans were made in haste, Thuraya was left behind to keep the traumatized Blissex out of harm's way and out of trouble.

The others moved cautiously forward.  It turned out that Imperial uniforms chafed even when they seemed to fit.  Perhaps that helped explain their unpleasant demeanor.  The control center was as they imaged it would be, what they could see of it.  Black smoke was rising out of a crack in the floor, the result of some unknown damage.

Only two guards were present, squinted through the thick clouds of fog, vaugely aiming their blasters in the general direction of the Rebels.  "Halt!  Who goes there?!" One of them said with an edge of uncertainty.

OOC:  I don't want this likely minor encounter to take up too much time.  There's better things to get to and play-by-post games are slow enough so I have made a few assumptions.  Your characters are well-disguised, either in uniforms or acting as prisoners.  You will find, as another trio of heroes once found, that you can deceive the staff for a short time but not forever.  It's knowing how long you've got before the jig is up that's the trick.  In short, you can start out guns a-blazing or you can use Con rolls to gain a greater advantage.  It is a little harder for anyone to blast anyone else due to the angles, cover and smoke.  And the Con rolls will get tougher because it will eventually become obvious that you 'guards' aren't the same as the guards sent to retrieve you not so long before.

I will interpret your actions and thoughts in the best tactical light to compensate for how poor text description is to your player's senses and good sense...

The green-haired Imperial guard kept her weapon out with one hand and the glowrod in the other. She moved like a woman on a mission who knew where she was going, even if she didn't actually know the layout too well. No one needed to know that detail just yet. When called out by the actual guard, she turned the light on him. Hopefully that would hinder their vision enough so they couldn't get a good look.

"TK-217, evacuating Lord Vader's prisoner before those damned terrorists can get him! The ship is under Rebel attack! We need to move! We've been ordered to head for a shuttle in Hangar Bay 5, and I thought you were supposed to be securing Hangar Bay 3 from boarders! Did comms go down here already? Get moving!"

[Celes is lying her semi-alien butt off. I'm gonna assume you'd like a Con or Command roll? They're both the same rating, in any event.

01:35, Today: Celes Varik rolled 8 using 3 dice with the WEG Classic system.  Con/Command 3D.

And 3D is not very good it turns out!]

"Move, move! If anything happens to Lord Vader's prisoner, Rebels are going to be the least of our problems." Shira shouted, her voice fearful. The fear didn't have to be faked; the Imperials might fear Lord Vader's displeasure, but Shira was afraid of running in to him too. She hoped that once if the Imperials thought that halting them meant crossing Darth Vader, they'd let them go out of concern for their lives.

03:07, Today: Shira rolled 26 using 6 dice with the WEG Classic system with rolls of 5,2,{Wild}4,6,4,5.  Con.

The old medical droid decided to remain with Thuraya and Mr Blissex.  His reasoning was simple; he remained where he was most needed.  He had seen his companions in similar situations before, and was confident in their ability to effectively deal with a couple of Imperial guards.  They were certainly far more accomplished at deception than a 21B surgical bot was ever likely to be.  Besides, when the time came to move, he would need to assist the poor traumatized Walex to ensure he did not further injure himself.

If his friends required him they could most certainly reach him via his internal com-link. It simply was the logical choice for him, and so he waited, anxiously as usual, for the signal to move while monitoring both the unfortunate ship designer and Thuraya as well.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:34, Sun 21 Oct 2018.

At the mere mention of him, the two guards almost fell over themselves by simultaneously saluting and vacating the Command Center.  They were gone so fast, Ali stood gape-jawed, half-expecting a peal of thunder as the air moved to fill the sudden vacuum.

"My commendations, Team.  I will put this in my future memoirs but I don't think anyone will ever believe it."

OOC:  Honestly, the mere mention of Vader's name put the fear of choking death into the guards and worse into their starched undies.  Since I included Vader in this adventure, I figure everyone is afraid of the Dark Lord of the Sith, especially since one of his own Master's shiny toy ships is now in such poor shape.

In any case, two guards wouldn't be much of a challenge against you heroes but it might take several weeks to process the actual game posts to determine that.  And there's is nothing really the guards can tell you that the computer in this control center can't.

Unless you stop them, the fleeing guards will leave the Control Center and not otherwise impact this adventure.  There might be some awkward moments for them should they reach the real Vader and explained that they were only following 'his' previous orders.

I'm looking forward to what you do in here, there is a lot of useful resources here and y'all can start acting instead of reacting. :-)

Once the stormtroolers have left beyond vision and ear shot, Grev moves quickly to close and lock the accesses to the command center.  Then he searches the command center for any weapons that might be there.  As he does, he growls out.  "Search the controls and computer for a map and options."


07:39, Today: Grev Longtooth rolled 13 using 4 dice and +1 pips with the WEG Classic system.  Search.

The Rebels quickly filled the empty Detention Control center.  Beyond it was a short corridor to the turbolift, the doors of which had just shut in front of the two exiting guards.

Bitter experience had taught the team where their effects were likely to be held.  A brief toggle of the panel stud opened the door to reveal all of the group's missing possessions, labeled and neatly stored.  Through skill, instinct or just bad memories of a different Imperial prison led Grev to open another panel revealing rations, two medpacs, two comlinks, a glow rod and fifty meters of synthrope.

Grev and Ali started working the computer monitors and screens.  The digital chaos was anything but the dull but consistent order the Empire usually maintained.  Ali began to summarize, at times stating the obvious, "There has been an attack on Starfall....Both sides seem to be dead in space but recovering...Large areas of the ship have been abandoned due to damage or to concentrate existing resources on critical systems...There is a great deal of confusion about where the droid forces are..."  Now that was a mystery.  Usually droids were added to a starship to handle the emergencies that the living were not best for.  Starfall should be crawling with droids but all that crackled through the rushed, random reports was very human wonder at their absence.

OOC:  A little interlude as I had some extra time.   All of your missing equipment is now available to you, even Thuraya's lightsaber.  Wearing or carrying the heavy stuff will work against your cover as 'fellow' Imperials.  Your characters are fighting for every scrap of information from Starfall's internal communication network.  It seems you are just barely more informed than the Imperials.  Even a dying Imperial starship should be run better than this.

Those who wish may roll a Perception roll to learn something else...

With a nod to Grev, Celes hopped onto one of the computer consoles and started working to bring up some basic information on the ship. If she could find out which hangar bays to avoid based on guard presence, that would be valuable. If she could find which hangar bays had shuttles in them ready to go, that would be even better.

She noted where her gear had been found so she could strap on her equipment once the computer work was finished.

[10:31, Today: Celes Varik rolled 10 using 3 dice with the WEG Classic system.  Perception 3D.

About as basic a roll as it gets. :P]

Once he had received word all was clear, TwoOneBee carefully helped the wounded Mr Blissex into the Detention Control Center, relieved to be out of the hallway and reunited with his companions.  He requested assistance from Thuraya, although he was capable of guiding the unfortunate man, simply because they were all much safer if they moved in groups.  In such a situation it was impossible to predict all the potential dangers, there were simply too many variables.  The medical droid's programming demanded his patient's safety be his primary responsibility in this situation, so he needed an escort.

Once safely inside, he examined Walex more carefully.  Perhaps he could assist in their escape.  He was an expert in starship design; if anyone should know the layout of the ship, it was him.  He needed intravenous fluids and bed rest but until they were in a more secure area there was a limit to what TwoOneBee could do.  However, if he was stable enough, a measured dose of epinephrine might be enough to bring him to a state of lucidity, at least long enough to answer a few questions.  The information would be so deeply imbedded in his memory it should not be at all stressful to him to respond, provided he was asked in calm manner.

"I am assessing his condition to see if I can aid Mr Blissex to a more lucid state.  It appears his knowledge of starships could be of particular use at this time.  I believe he is suffering from neurogenic, as well as psychogenic trauma but, until we are in a proper medical facility there is a limit as to what I can do for him.  And he does require one soon, if I am to ensure there is no permanent damage.  It may be possible to alleviate some of his symptoms, provided I do so with care.  His blood pressure is dangerously low, but I can administer a vasopressor to encourage circulation and raise his pressure gently.  Hopefully he will respond in a few minutes, please stand by."

22:48, Today: TwoOneBee rolled 18 using 6 dice with the WEG Classic system.  21B First Aid for Walex Blissex.

04:41, Tue 30 Oct: TwoOneBee rolled 13 using 3 dice with the WEG Classic system with rolls of 6,3,{Wild}4.  TwoOneBee Perception Check.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:07, Sat 03 Nov 2018.

Shira smiled, very pleased with herself. "A stroke of genius, if I do say so myself" she said proudly as she gathered up her possessions. "What could have attacked a ship like this? It'd be a very aggressive play by the Alliance. But I can't think of anyone else who would."
Once she had retrieved her gear, she grabbed a ration bar and started snacking on it. "Goo idea Eee" she said aground a mouthful of rations. "Anything I can do?"

Grdv sought out a ship map, snd ovrrride controls.  One of his contingency plans called up in his mind.  He slso sought for a current damage and personsl report, numbers and pisitions.  If he could gain control of the ships systems, they could pull a victory from the hands of trechery.

06:42, Today: Grev Longtooth rolled 18 using 3 dice with the WEG Classic system.  Perception.

To TwoOneBee, his comrades worked like the organs of a swift predator, parts making a greater whole.  The team would be thorough and quickly with this area.

Blissex was quite passive but unresisting, obeying commands blankly.  This was in fact a good sign.  It meant that, deep down, his mind was devoting most of its power to recovering from the fading hypnotic drugs.  He just needed time.  But did they have it?

Celes was the first to be fully equipped but the group's personal equipment was incongruous with the Imperial uniforms they wore.  There were storage bags and manacles nearby but that would slow the use of that equipment and hands.

Ali had to smile at Shira's optimism and loyalty.  The ghosting was praising her side's victory even if she was on their targets.

Grev played the consoles like a Bith keyboardist but the damage and confusion all over Starfall's network would not offer any more.  At one partial, momentary display of a random deck, Blissex said aloud, "Cargo Section 27, Ventral Access." and then turned inward again.

DeeJay whistled.  She knew astromechs that couldn't recall that completely and quickly.

There was a screech of metal and screams of men, muffled through other metal.  The sounds then receded downwards to silence.  Thuraya and Ali ran to the turbolift doors, now suddenly locked with warning lights.

"They fell, poor devils." Ali said.
"Good." said Thuraya.
Ali gave her a sharp glance.  Callousness was never a good sign in a companion, especially a Padawan.
"If it hadn't been them, it would have been us." Thuraya explained.

OOC:
Grev has the right idea and the right skills but the computer network is too unreliable to give much more information than the preceding post.  To summarize:
1. Starfall is trashed, enough that there isn't a good report on how much Starfall is damaged.
2. Almost all personnel have been removed to protect critical areas.
3. Repair droids are not at their assigned stations and cannot be otherwise located.

Blissex revealed that he has a photographic knowledge of this class of ship.  It will improve over time.

Shira exclaimed in joy on the discovery of her blaze bug in its little cage. "My blaze bug! I thought I'd lost it. How would I remember Datar without him?" the ghostling said happily. She put her gear in one of the storage bags.

She knelt down by Blissex. "Mister Blissex, sir. Can you point the way to the docking bay? That's what we need. Or escape pods."

She looked up at Thuraya, concerned.

Thuraya's attitude didn't seem to register with Celes, who was fine with discarding the Imperial jacket now that it wouldn't serve as much of a disguise. As she did, her whole demeanor shifted back into the Celes the crew had gotten used to: stiff posture melted past relaxed and into a more coiled tension. The officer was gone, replaced by a predator.

The bounty hunter slipped on her stun gloves and gunbelt, checked over her blaster for any tampering, then holstered it and kept hold of the stolen blaster she'd picked up. Then she made sure the ghostling had the weapon that had been specially tweaked for her.

"Shira, make sure to check your blaster. See that it's loaded, the charge is accepting properly, sights are good, all that. Should be able to do it in the dark like this. Don't trust a weapon until you look it over." After that, Celes turned to the guard they'd brought with them.

"We've gone peacefully as far as we can. From here out we're going to have to shoot to freedom. It's gonna get ugly, but no uglier than whatever's already going on. Can't give you a weapon again. You understand. Delicate situation, right?" Her attention moved on to the group's other hunter.

"Grev, got a map for us?"

As always, TwoOneBee's circuits were warmed by the Ghostling's compassion and optimism.  No matter how dire the situation, she always approached it with enthusiasm and hope, which the old droid found refreshing, as such was often in short supply among most of the war weary rebels he knew.  As illogical as it seemed, TwoOneBee had learned that such determination and anticipation of a brighter future was the greatest strength the Alliance had in their struggle against the Empire.  If anything could win the war, he was somehow convinced that was it.

"I believe he simply needs rest while his body deals with the interrogator's drugs, Ms Shira.  Your gentle coaxing and reassurance will, most likely, be helpful to Mr Blissex on a subconscious level.  Numerous studies have proven the value of positive emotional support.  He is unlikely to reply, however as all his resources are devoted to fighting the foreign chemicals introduced to his system.  However, that is encouraging; that he is still fighting them.  If you can assist me with his guidance, I would very much appreciate it.  He is dependent on us for his safety for the time being."



The doctor was as astonished as anyone when Walex spoke!  It was clear that something had triggered a memory in him.  Most likely he was not even conscious of having said it, but that did not mean it wasn't important.

"Mr Grev, I believe Mr Blissex statement might be relevant.  Can you determine what is in that particular section of the ship?"



"Indeed DeeJay, an astromech would be extremely useful at this particular time.  I do find it odd that we have not encountered or even observed any so far.  Perhaps the current crisis aboard the ship is demanding all of their attention?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:47, Wed 14 Nov 2018.

The little bug seemed as happy to see Shira as she was to see it.  It showed happy pictures of being fed by Shira, being petted by Shira, being protected by Shira.  Still, Ali thought, at least Shira was partly in its thoughts.  She caught the glance Shira gave to the grim Thuraya.  The death of her parents would be tough for any child but there were still moments of joy in the young girl's life.  At least there used to be.

Answering Shira's question, Blissex blankly pointed to the closed turbolift doors.  He had taken the question literally, getting through the turbolift doors would be the first step to getting anywhere.  Still, he was responding more quickly and cogently than before.

Ali was a smart enough leader to know when to defer to her crew.  It was reason why she had never been 'shot from behind' when leading her team.  Celes knew what she was doing and Ali didn't want to think about how costly that education had been.  The guard simply nodded at Celes' words.  If he was smart, he would obey her orders.  But your average Imperial wasn't recruited for brains.

Grev was able to wring a few more bytes from the console and then pour it into a datapad.  The map was incomplete, outdated given Starfall's battered condition, and quite possibly corrupted.  But it was better than nothing.  And Blissex was beginning to awaken, slow as that was.  A round of applause emanated from DeeJay, "Your efforts are impressive, Mr. Longtooth, giving the console's incoherent conversation."

"The lack of droid chatter in general over the network is more disturbing, you are correct, TwoOneBee."

After working at the door panel for a few moments, Thuraya said, "It will take some muscle or maybe all of my lightsaber's charge to get through these doors.  And there will likely be more doors after that."

OOC:
1.  Grev has squeezed all that can be squeezed out of this computer console.
2. Three characters can make a combined Strength roll to get those doors open.

"Thank you."  Grev said laconically to Deejay.  Then scowled as the computer sparked out.  He had tried to commit the directions to memory, and the location of any engineering consoles along the way.  Then he approached the doors, driving his claws between their seems and pulled them apart.  His muscles tensing as they flexed agsinst the would-be stubbourn doirs.

15:50, Today: Grev Longtooth rolled 22 using 5 dice and +1 pips with the WEG Classic system with rolls of 6,6,{Wild}4,2,3.  Strength roll.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:56, Fri 16 Nov 2018.

Metal groaned and screamed like a frightened thing as Grev applied his strength.  It seemed he might do the job himself.

OOC:  Not quite there but Grev has more than accomplished half of what is needed.  Quick post as I have spare time and while we are waiting for other (likely?) Strength rolls. :-)

Shining her glowrod on the door, Celes could see Grev just needed some help. She got beside him and dropped to the ground, using her foot to brace and her hands to grab the door, glowrod set down so it shines on the scene. Once ready, she put her whole body into it.

[12:03, Today: Celes Varik rolled 24 using 3 dice and +2 pips with the WEG Classic system.  Strength.

Oh man, now I'm regretting not pulling from the top bit where it shows the numbers. That's not half bad.]

There was a shriek of agonized metal as the doors finally slid apart under Celes' and Grev's gentle pressure.  And then there was another shriek as the air equalized between the now-revealed empty elevator shaft and the detention center.  Fortunately, the difference was slight and no one was either knocked over or, worse, sucked into the empty shaft.

The heroes could feel the downward pull of gravity on an outstretched arm.  The shaft was malfunctioning.  Its normal null gravity seemed to have defaulted to the ship's general downward gravity.  The darkness, up and down, extended beyond the glow rod's reach.  A dropped coin disappeared into the darkness, it's distant and delayed clink of landing indicated a fatal distance down.

"Up is Command Section which is a harder climb and likely more guarded, down is Engineering which is easier and probably less defended."  Blissex said before trailing off and staring away again.  A maintenance ladder ran up and down the visible distance of the shaft.  "Glad we found some rope."  Ali said.

OOC:  I think you have all the information you need and can probably find.  But let me know if there is something I missed.  Blissex will need help navigating the shaft putting the helper(s) in slightly more jeopardy.

Celes nodded to Ali, then turned to the rest of the crew.

"Grev, got Blissex? Deej, Bee. There's a ladder. Can you handle it? Shira, all set?"

“Yes ma’am!” Shira to Celes said with another salute. Perhaps the uniform had an effect on her. She holstered the imperial blaster and loaded and carefully checked the custom sporting blaster Celes had made for her. By now, she’d put away her recovered gear (including her blaze bug’s cage; she’d never forgive herself if the little guy got hurt) in a bag, and put on her blast vest and grave harness. “My blaster’s good to go, and so am I. Let me at ‘em!” she said with unearned confidence.

“Right, ‘Bee. I just wish I could do more to help mister Blissex” she said to her mechanical friend. She moved to help TwoOneBee with Blissex’s guidance. “Maybe I should have been a nurse or something.”

“Don’t worry, mister Blissex, we’ll get you out of here” she reassured him.

Shira shifted from foot to foot, embarrassed, as the others worked on the door. She’d just be a burden in such a strength-based task, but she felt embarrassed she couldn’t do anything to help. “Go team!” she offered.

“Down and engineering sounds better. I don’t like the idea of climbing up; and anyways, there’s nothing good in the command section. Command of what at this point? The ship's a mess. And we’d be more likely to encounter… him” she advised, staring into the darkness.

OOC:  If it helps, the goofy grav shoes Shira tried on at Bespin are available.  I assume y'all were able to find a reliable OFF switch and the shoes are quite comfortable.  Powered up, they may offer some wonky support.  It is up to Shira.

Feel free to roll Climbing/Jumping for all of the characters.  Is any character sacrificing a die or two to help Blissex up?  Ali will volunteer if no one else will.

Don't forget you have a rope to make a 'suicide pact' with.  It's a mountaineering term, if the right people stay on the mountain, they can help the wrong people back up. Otherwise, they all go...

OOC: I will post in a day or two.