Raana shook her head and uttered a curse. "So this planet may have received word of Order 66 and if our identities as survivors has been disseminated we may very well flag a database at the very least or end up getting arrested the moment they check our ID. Is there any way you can see if Order 66 has made it out this way, K1? It's too late for us to just take off now."

  The droid switched her optical sensor focus back to the defacto Jedi leader. "It will be much more difficult trying to connect to the core computers that would contain that kind of confidential information regarding military orders, especially without a direct connection to the core system. This also makes an assumption that it is connected to a military data center where the orders would be dissemenated. It is possible, but the risk is much higher for triggering alerts. Are you sure you wish for me to attempt that?"


"That would be suspicious, indeed. I'm not sure there would be much of a response, though. The bigger problem is that we have limited options based on the status of our fuel. It will be riskier to travel to another system that would offer refueling services, and security may be just as strenuous. Droids are not required to carry id on this planet, so I may use any designation and have a high probability to clear security without issues."

[Private to Raana De'Fenn: See my PM about recognizing the ship. Its important for this scene..]

"That ship...I know that ship," Raana said, looking at a YT-2400 that was parked. "I can't recall from where though...K1-can you run that ship through known vessels and see if you can ID it? I know it from somewhere but I cannot remember where or who it belongs to."

  The modified protocol droid seemed to cock his cranial unit at the inquiry, but obliged Raana and interfaced again with the dataport. After a minute or two she elaborated on the results. "The vessel's transponder code identifies it as the Lucky Break. The Captain is a Rodian pilot, Brin Mosseq. The ship has been hired by the Republic on a few occasions during last part of the Clone wars, and was briefly captured by the Separatists on Sullust as a blockade runner before being rescued by Jedi Master Lum Edom."
  [Private to Raana De'Fenn: Master Elom is Raana's master, and Raana's first mission was to help get through a blockade over Sullust. A contacted ship was captured trying to get supplies to the resistance on Sullust. Master Elom and Raana went down to the surface to save the pilot. The Jedi craft was damaged badly, but they were able to make their way to Brin's impounded ship, retrieve it and the Rodian got them safely back to the Republic fleet. She remembered that Brin was a very good pilot, though he dealt in various smuggling operations, he had a code of honor to his dealings and didn't take jobs that hurt the Republic. He mentioned to the Jedi Master that he owed them one.] [Private to Brin Mosseq: This is what I sent to Raana's player, based on what we discussed. This should fit, let me know if it works for your character:  Master Elom is Raana's master, and Raana's first mission was to help get through a blockade over Sullust. A contacted ship was captured trying to get supplies to the resistance on Sullust. Master Elom and Raana went down to the surface to save the pilot. The Jedi craft was damaged badly, but they were able to make their way to Brin's impounded ship, retrieve it and the Rodian got them safely back to the Republic fleet. She remembered that Brin was a very good pilot, though he dealt in various smuggling operations, he had a code of honor to his dealings and didn't take jobs that hurt the Republic. He mentioned to the Jedi Master that he owed them one.]

---

OOC: 09:58, Today: K1T1 rolled 1 success, 1 advantage using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 2A 2P 3D 1B ((1(A), 2(A), 5(P), 10(P), 3(D), 1(D), 6(D), 2(B))).
This message was last edited by the player at 15:59, Mon 28 Jan 2019.

"I think I have a way around our identity issues. K1 please inform landing control we're having a coolant malfunction and need to set down outside the city to effect repairs. We'll repair the ship and contact them once we're going to continue our course in to check in with customs."

She pulled out her personal comm unit. "Lucky Break, do you read?"

Keilbrun leaned forward, his interest piqued. "So you know that freighter...and the pilot?," he asked, hope clear in his voice.

Leaning back, he let out a long exhale and ran his hand through his hair. "Lucky break, indeed," he said, quietly. "No truer words have ever been spoken..."

He glanced at the others. "We might have a chance, after all," he finished, a small smile on his face. Still, it was clear that he was ready for things to fall to pieces. He'd been a soldier long enough to see defeat pulled from the jaws of victory and slim glimmers of hope dimmed to nothing.

Aboard the Lucky Break, Brin Mosseq sat sprawled out on the couch near the holoboard in the ship's lounge. He stared warily at his opponent, a squat astromech droid named R2-T9---or "Art" for short. The droid was rocking back and forth, twittering off a series of whistles as a form of good-natured ribbing. Art was in a good mood, as he was winning.

"You're cheating again, aren't you?" Brin grumbled, to which Art gave an buzz as a reply. He was about to make a move on the board when his commlink sounded with a somewhat familiar voice.

Brin fetched the commlink from his belt, looking over at Art. The astromech gave out a low whistle, bobbing with the equivalent of a shrug. Brin flicked the commlink on with a suction cup-tipped thumb and answered.

"This is Brin Mosseq of the Lucky Break...to whom am I speaking?"

"Hello Captain. Remember Sullust." That was it. She said nothing more and it was a statement, not a question.

"I do indeed, Keilbrun. He's a smuggler but an honourable one and he owes me a favour. He should be able to get us new identification. He should pick up on what I said to him right away."

"I take it you're calling that in?" Brin replies, a grimace slowly spreading across his snout. He glances at Art, who again shrugs in response.

"Very well, meet us at Break's boarding plank. We can talk more once aboard the ship."

"I am indeed, Captain. I'll meet you there." Raana turned the craft and slowly set down as close to the Lucky Break as she could get.

"Everyone stand by. I don't want to overwhelm him when we all exit the ship. I'll speak with him and let him know what we need."

Once the other ship set down, the Lucky Break's boarding plank lowered. Brin, a tall, lanky Rodian, steps into view at the top of the ramp. He leans casually against one of the plank's support struts. Art, a small silver and green R2 unit, rolls up alongside him. They both wait patiently for their guests to arrive.

"I'll be back." Raana told the others as she lowered the ramp and walked out of the ship.

"It's good to see you, Brin. In more ways then one. I hate to sound rushed but I imagine you're aware of recent events? Would you like to come in and meet the rest of the crew? You too, Art. You're always welcome."

"Understandable," Brin replies. He and Art both walk down to meet her. Brin reaches into his pocket and cues the ship's computer to retract the plank once the pair clears it.

"I'm not sure how much help we'll be," Brin says to her as they proceed towards her ship. "Especially given those 'recent events.'"

"We have need of some of your special talents but we can discuss that inside, once you see the scope of what it is I'm asking you to give me a hand with." She replied as she led him inside the ship.

"I'll get the rest of the crew." She walked over to one of the intercoms as the hatch closed.

"Can everyone meet in the cargo area? There's someone I'd like you all to meet," she said on the overhead.

Keilbrun was not sure what to think of the situation, but this was potentially their best chance. Still, there were some logistics that would have to be worked out no matter how this played out. Who knew if this person was even going to sympathize with their plight? Who knew if they were not going to be swayed by a bounty?

When he heard the call through the PA, he headed toward the Cargo Bay. Arriving, he saw Raana and a male Rhodian standing together. He gave them both a nod, but held his tongue for the moment.

  The crew gathered together in the cargo bay area, as Raana introduced the Rodian. "Everyone, this is Brin Mosseq. He deals in... import and exports. He has aided the Republic on several occasions. One of those was to deliver emergency supplies to the people of Sullust while under Separatist occupation, as I mentioned before. Master Edom and I went to help and freed Brin from the prison there. We managed to work together to re-aquire his ship and return to the Republic fleet."

  "As far as our status, we were ambushed by clones while on the Chandrilla Station and tried to diffuse the situation. The clones stationed there were set to kill and not capture us. We had no idea what was going on, and thought these might have been saboteurs disguised as clones. But we verified that they were actual clones and re-inforcements tried to get in as well to take us all out. One of our Jedi Masters, helped us to escape the trap and flee here."

  "Keilbrun, here, helped us and sacrificed his career because of the wrongs that were happening to the Jedi, without trial or discussion. He called it Order 66. I'll let him explain what he witnessed as well."  She turned and motioned for Kyle to give his own recollections of events.

Brin chuckles at Raana's choice of words to describe his choice of career.

"It's quite all right to call us what we are," he says. "My first mate, Art here, and I are smugglers, which means we provide goods and services to those who desperately need them. And given the news that I have heard, and what you've just told me right now, I take it you're in need of one.

"Before we get too far," he cautions, "I should probably tell you what we've heard. According to the most recent news out of Coruscant, the Jedi Order attempted to assassinate Supreme Chancellor Palpatine in a failed coup. In fact, there is video of one of the Jedi Masters trying to kill him. If you take that news at face value, it means you and anyone associating with you traitors to the Galactic Republic---I mean, Empire. That is---if you don't mind my saying---a lot more trouble than any sane smuggler is willing to face, especially since I've got my own problems to deal with regarding the Black Suns.

"However," he adds, "I'm standing here for two reasons. First, I owe Raana and Edom one. Second, the only way to succeed in my business is to ask yourself 'who benefits' before making a deal. If you look at how the civil war has eliminated major alliances like the Trade Federation and other businesses, removed the Jedi Order's authority, militarized the Republic, and transferred the remaining power to the newly proclaimed Emperor, there's only one man who benefits: Palpatine. So, let's say I'm skeptical of what recent news reports are saying, and I'm willing to hear your side of the story before deciding how much trouble I'm willing to get into."

Keilbrun was about to respond when Brin replied with his take on the situation. He had to admit the man was savvy. Most folks look at things on their face. It was easier that way, especially if it fit a narrative they wanted to hear or was easy to believe, anyway.

He nodded in acknowledgment. "Aye, well, there is not even a sense of due process in this even if some Jedi did attempt to take the life of Palpatine. I witnessed my own clone troopers kill a Padawan, little more than a child barely in his teens. That is vengeance, not justice...," he began. "I was one of the Senate Guard before Palpatine seemed to want to push us off Coruscant and fill the slots with his own people. In retrospect, we should have seen this coming, or something like it. Too much power was given too quickly...," he went on before highlighting what he had heard and witnessed. (Episode 2 - Chapter 1 Return to the Core Msg #47 & Msg #68)

It was clear that by aiding the Jedi, Keilbrun had inextricably linked his fate with them. "We are in a difficult position at best, as is anyone that helps us."

"You know me, Brin. You knew my Master and, through us, the character of those who taught us. Do you honestly believe the Jedi would attempt to assassinate the Chancellor? The shroud of the Dark Side has fallen over the galaxy and emanates from Palpatine who I now believe had a very deep involvement in everything. I believe he orchestrated events to destroy the Order so he could take over the Republic and make himself Emperor."

She stopped and looked down for a moment, taking a few deep breaths before continuing. "The Order hasn't had its authority removed. It's been destroyed almost to the last. I'm not sure how many remain but it can't be more than a handful and those are being hunted by the very clones they fought beside." She looked up at Brin and he could see her eyes were red. "I'm not asking for your help because you owe me. I wouldn't drag you into this if I could avoid it. I'm asking you for help because I have no one left who can."

Brin nodded, giving Raana a sympathetic look. "I was wondering where your Master was. You have our condolences. Edom was a good man." He took a moment to put his thoughts in order before continuing.

"I'll do what I can to help you all, but what are you asking me to do? I can take you from place to place, point you towards some of my associates in the Underworld, and get you set up with some new identities. Other than that...well...Art and I aren't exactly equipped to take on this New Order."

Art chimed in, adding a few trills and beeps. Brin shot him an annoyed look before grumbling a reply.

"Yes, Art, I know that we're also 'broke as a joke,' but I didn't think now was the right time to bring that up."

Keilbrun listened to Raana plea and hoped it would be enough to push her former associate to assist in some fashion. Old debts were tricky things. Particularly when those debts put you in the crosshairs of the most powerful government in the galaxy. Further, a government that had declared the person you are owed an enemy of the state. Just how big a debt was owed?

He heard the measured and more than reasonable reply and offer and lifted a hand as if in consolation for Brin's not feeling like he could do more. "At this point, any assistance is helpful and we're grateful for it. Lying low, at least for a time, might be best. No one is planning an assault on Coruscant any time soon," he stated rather bluntly. "As far as what we can offer, we have some items we could offload if you have a buyer or know a fixer," he continued. He knew enough about criminal activity and behavior to understand how things worked if not knowing the actualy players.

He glanced at Raana and the other Jedi before going on. "Not sure if selling the ship is an option, but even with new transponder codes, it may be in our best interests to offload that as well." He looked back at Brin. "That is if you're truly willing to take us where we might need to go for a time."

Brin rubbed the jawline by his snout as Keilbrun spoke. An edge of his snout tugged into a sly smirk at the mention of moving the group to and fro.

"The Lucky Break has some modifications to help with that, so long as you don't mind hiding in some smuggling compartments should we get boarded. As for selling things, I might know some people..."

---

OOC:

@ GM: What would be the difficulty of an Underworld knowledge check to identify/find some sellers/fixers on the station?

Brin fished a commlink out of his pocket as he looked over the gear the group wanted to sell. "Let me try making a few calls to some associates to find a buyer," he told them. After a few minutes of talking with a few different potential buyers, he shut off the commlink and turned to the group with a grin.

"I think I've found a motivated buyer for you," he said.

---

OOC:
I'll use the bonuses I got for rolling (5) and (7) on the Awards & XP chart to add 1 success and 2 bonus dice to the roll.

15:02, Today: Brin Mosseq rolled 4 successes, 1 advantage using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 1P 2A 3B 3D with rolls of 7(P), 8(A), 3(A), 1(B), 3(B), 3(B), 5(D), 1(D), 6(D).  Streetwise-Find buyer.

That makes a total of 5 successes and one advantage.

"Thank you, Brin. You help means the world to me and could spell the difference between life and death for us all. We were afraid using our old ident cards would flag us in a database somewhere and send Imperial forces here to capture or kill us. We'd like to avoid any Imperial entanglements for a long as possible."

Raana bit back a yawn and slumped in her seat a bit. "Apologies. It's been a very tense period of time and none of us have slept well."

Keilbrun was relieved that it looked like they might be able to get something out of the small bit of equipment they had scavenged. This was a strange place for him emotionally. Robbing bodies of what were his fellow troopers in order to pay for some level of personal safety against the very people that he once fought alongside.

Glancing at the Jedi around him, the smuggler putting himself into harms way by his association, just as he had, forced him to recommit to their safety and survival. It was not the life he chose, but it was the hand he was dealt, and he would do his best to make it work and still try and live by the values and ideals he had committed to.

He glanced at Raana as she slumped into her seat, fatigue etched on her face. A flash of concern crept across his features, a small, encouraging smile given to the Togruta Padawan. She was holding up remarkably well for one so young, but then the Jedi were always a bit more mature than your typical member of any race.