Debris showers about the vessel as Bane directs it sharply upwards towards the exit of the sinkhole. Beneath them what was, until and hour or so ago, Kau'dan City, continues collapsing into a pile of dust and rubble. The ship narrowly avoids a final falling spire, before shooting out of the sinkhole and onto the surface of the planet. They are buffeted by a strong wind as Bane joins the rag-tag group of ships fortunate enough to escape the destruction. However, unlike the majority of the ships, which veer in the direction of Pau City, Bane directs the ship to follow the half dozen ships which are headed for the atmosphere and the expanse of space beyond.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:23, Mon 13 Nov 2017.

"Check the nav' computer," Bane calls to Zirak as they ascend, "What options have these merchants given us?"

"...Nav' computer?" Zirak says, delicately, after a slight pause.

OOC: Zirak Derasir rolled 5 using 1d20+2. Knowledge (technology).
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:36, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

Bane mutters something to himself, and Zirak thinks he catches the word 'useless'.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:10, Sun 15 Oct 2017.

"I happen to have lost my memories, as you know," Zirak says, bristling defensively. "Had you done the same, I am sure you would be no better off than I."

"Does someone know how to check nav' charts?" Bane ignores him tersely.

Zirak sends him a dirty look.

Sora Bulq opens his mouth, then closes it again, shaking his head.

Korr Sella doesn't seem to hear Bane. She sits slumped in a chair at the rear of the cabin, her expression flat and distant as she stares at the remains of the collapsing city far below.

"Of all the beings in the galaxy to get lumped with..." Bane mutters to himself.

R5-D3 swivels it's head in Bane's direction.

"Beep-boopity-bleep?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:53, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

Bane shoots it an irritated glare.

"I never said you weren't useful."

"Beep-boop-blip," the droid continues obstinately.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:53, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"All right, fine, fine! You are 'invaluable'," Bane snaps, "Happy? Now can you check the chart already?"

R5 gives a series of smug and mirthful beeps, before trundling over to the navigation computer and inserting an appendage.

OOC: R5-D3 rolled 27 using 1d20+8. Astrogate.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:53, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"I could husk you, you know," Zirak directs at Sella with a soft malevolence, "That, too, would ease the anguish you are radiating outwards and clogging up the room with."

Sella stares at the ruined city for a moment longer, before coming to herself. She rises quickly and approaches Bane at the front of the cockpit.

"How are we doing?"

Bane appears to ignore her.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:42, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

Sora senses some smug satisfaction from Zirak.

"Bane, how are we doing?" he repeats Sella's question.

"First of all, 'we' aren't a 'we', lady," Bane replies to Sella at length, not turning to look at her, "I've got just enough kindness in me not to space you, but you're getting dropped off on the first planet we land on. As for how we are doing," he directs at Zirak in a warmer tone, "that will depend on whether these Pau'an's have been doing business with some serious planets, or whether they've been doing relief movements to Serroco."

"Wasteful of you, Bane," Zirak tsks in reference to the bounty hunter's earlier statement, "Two of us require sustenance, and you are the only other sentient on board. How could you consider spacing her?"

Sora sends Zirak a frown.

"We don't know what this thing is with which we are afflicted. We would be wise to try to resist our hunger until we know more."

"One of us requires sustenance, then," Zirak amends, "Happy?"

"What are you talking about?" Sella asks blankly.

"Oh, you will find out soon enough. We are on a long flight, after all," Zirak smiles ominously.

Zirak thinks he detects a series of beeps that sound remarkably like a snigger from over by the navigation computer.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:53, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"Just make sure I am on the other side of the ship," Bane puts in darkly.

"I will do my best," Zirak promises. "You would not be my first choice of food, if it makes you feel any better."

"I feel so reassured," Bane says dryly.

"Food source?" Sella mouths at Sora looking mildly alarmed.

Sora rolls his eyes at Zirak, shaking his head.

"How are those charts coming along?" Bane asks R5.

"Bleep-beepity-beep-boop?"
This message was last updated by the player at 23:53, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"Just the ones you can get time-stamps on," Bane replies, "I don't want to find out the chart was a month old and a that a moon or two have drifted across our route."

"Beep. Boopity-beepity-boop-bip-bleep." R5 replies matter-of-factly.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:53, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"Hmm," Bane replies, "Well everyone, it seems our only available destination is Denon."

OOC: Bane Malar rolled 21 using 1d20+7. Bluff.

"Beep-boop-dwoop!" R5 beeps indignantly.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:53, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"He would seem to disagree," Zirak observes.

"All right," Bane elaborates begrudgingly. "Our options are Denon, Eriadu and Malastare. But is it really a choice?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:00, Wed 17 Jan.

"Eriadu is nearest," Sella points out quickly, "Also, there is a Stratocratic outpost on Eriadu."

"Well, that rules Eriadu out," Bane says smoothly, "Our options are Denon or Malastare."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:15, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

"Which planet has more food?" Zirak asks, practically.

"Sora, trust me, the Stratocracy can help you," Sella looks at the amnesic weequay earnestly, "We are the most reasonable governing body you can turn to. Eriadu also has plenty of food," she adds over her shoulder to Zirak.

OOC: Korr Sella rolled 29 using 1d20+11. Diplomacy.
Korr Sella rolled 14 using 1d20+8. Bluff.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:19, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

"Food that can or cannot defend itself?" Zirak says shrewdly.

Bane gives a derisive snort.

"You're a wanted terrorist in the Stratocracy, Sora. The only 'reasonable' thing they will give you is a reasonably swift execution."

"Can," Zirak decides, "Eriadu is out."

"They will not execute you!" Sella retorts indignantly, if not quite honestly, "You will be given a fair trial. And the fact that you have turned yourself in will work to your favor."

"A fair trial for what?" Zirak asks, raising an eyebrow, "What have you been up to, Sora?"

"Yes, I'm sure Wilhuff Tarkin will be more than fair to the mastermind behind his uncle's death," Bane says sarcastically.

It is Sora's turn to look mildly alarmed.

"I know nothing of what you two are speaking," he says, raising his hands placatingly.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:25, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

Sora senses that despite his ignorance of the events, Zirak appears to respect him slightly more for his allegedly murderous past.

"Well," Bane says as they finally clear the atmosphere and enter open space "Allow me to educate you before you decide to turn yourself over to the governing body who has the most reason to hate you. Plug in Denon, by the way," he adds to R5.

R5-D3 swivels it's head expectantly in Zirak's direction.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:53, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"How much food does Malastare have?"

"Not much," Bane replies dismissively, irritated at being interrupted before he can begin upon his epic tale.

"Now that's not true at all!" Sella cuts in, "Malastare has a much lower ratio of sentient life, and so food is more plentiful. Denon is an ecumenopolis, so the food is all imported, and difficult to find unless you have credits and can afford to reside in the upper levels."

"Denon it is," Zirak says, seemingly satisfied as Sella stares at him in bewilderment.

"All right," Bane resumes meaningfully, turning to Sora, "You, Sora, are the leader of the Jedi Crusaders, a group dedicated to getting people to fear and take notice of the Jedi and the Force. You've battled and killed hundreds of Stratocratic soldiers throughout the galaxy, on Yavin IV, Naboo and Rhen Var, to name a few examples. But the most notable thing you crusaders have done -and full credit goes to you, Sora, since Depa Billaba had left by then- was setting off a large explosion at the SDMR which killed countless personel, including Ranulph Tarkin, uncle of the Stratocracy's favorite Wilhuff. Most of galaxy might be secretly grateful for his death, but the Stratocratic officials certainly aren't."

Sora is silent for a moment, looking shaken.

"Is this true?" he asks Sella at length.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:41, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

"You have committed crimes," Sella replies carefully, "However this is your chance to face your past and start afresh. If you run you will only amplify your guilt."

"Sella," Zirak tsks, "Are you possibly trying to guilt-trap my friend right now?"

"I am helping him," Sella replies firmly, "I am making sure he understands the consequences of each decision."

"Consequences?" Bane cuts in, "Simple. Eriadu; you get lynched, Denon; you have time to find out who you are, and to think things through."

"I will vouch for you, Sora, I promise," Sella says, once more assuming her most earnest expression.

"I am feeling hungry," Zirak says, eying her expression, "Are you, Sora?"

"I'm sure that will instantly convince Tarkin not to have you killed on route to your trial," Bane laughs, "The word of a female, junior officer."

Sora frowns in silent debate.

"I will go to Denon," he says at length.

"Good man... er, weequay," Bane says bracingly.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 01:28, Thu 23 Nov 2017.

"What species am I?" Zirak asks curiously.

"You are a... 'near-human'," Bane decides.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:50, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

"Fair enough," Zirak shrugs, accepting that.

"But we will not harm her," Sora adds to Zirak after a moment, jerking his head at Sella.

"You heard them," Bane calls to R5, "Let's punch it for Denon."

He presses a series of buttons as he says this, and with a rumble the stars about them begin to speed into lines. A few moments more and they become a blur and the ship appears to be travelling along a corridor of rich hues of blue and purple.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:54, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

"I shall go to explore the ship," Sella says abruptly, rising, "Would you like to accompany me, Sora?

"You'd better go too," Bane says to Zirak, still punching buttons.

"True. In the event of a hyperspace accident, I would prefer to husk them," Zirak agrees.

Korr Sella walks with Sora to the large cargo hold, and has made a show of examining the contents of the crates which are stacked within. As she does so, she watches Zirak out of the corner of her eye. The crate is filled with blaster power packs. While it is impractical to count each one, they estimate each crate holds roughly one hundred packs.

"Well, we won't be running out of ammunition in a hurry," Sella muses.

Sora opens another of the crates. It contains the same power packs as Sella's crate.

"It seems we will not be," he agrees.

OOC: There are ten crates, each filled with one hundred packs, so there are one thousand power packs in total.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:03, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

The trio have wandered about the ship and hold for around an hour before Zirak begins to lose interest. He has found his way to a secluded section of the cargo hold, knelt down, and begin meditating.

As soon as Zirak begins meditating, Sella has gently steered Sora to the chute and out of earshot.

Zirak, not the most perceptive meditator, has not noticed.

To his disappointment, Zirak has not had any visions or further memories resurface. He sees nothing aside from the back of his eyelids. The journey to Denon, Bane informs him when he later returns to the cockpit, should take around three days. The first day is relatively uneventful. Sora spends his time trying to glean information about the galaxy from his companions. Bane answers the first few questions shortly but honestly, before resorting to making up extraordinary tales, deriving amusement from Sora taking them seriously. His interest swiftly subsides as Sella begins to tell him off each time, and point out to Sora when he is bluffing. After a while the bounty hunter begins to remain obstinately silent when questioned by the amnesic weequay, and so it falls to Sella to fill him in, which she has done with all the tender patience and care that might be expected of one trying to win another over to their side.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:31, Thu 23 Nov 2017.

Things are going as smoothly as they can given the passengers on board, until partway through the second day. Sora is sitting in the rear of the cockpit, questioning Sella about Jedi of the galaxy, when all of a sudden he begins to tremble, and his pupils begin to dilate.

OOC: Sora Bulq rolled 12 using 1d20+5. Will Save.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:20, Sun 15 Oct 2017.

Sella glances at Zirak doubtfully.

"Is... he all right?"

Zirak has also risen, and with a hungry gleam in his eyes he reaches out a hand towards Sora. A dark energy, like a palpitating shadow, passes out from Sora, and seems to hang, suspended in the cabin between the pair.

OOC: Zirak Derasir rolled 25 using 1d20+7. Will Save.

Zirak's eyes begin to dilate, as the dark energy begins to be absorbed into him. But even as it does so, Sora stretches out his own hand, and the energy moves back into the center.

OOC: Sora Bulq rolled 20 using 1d20+5. Will Save.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:38, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

"Oh dear..." Bane murmurs, ducking a little lower in his chair.

A look of extreme annoyance passes across Zirak's face as he reaches out a second hand, and the darkness is once more drawn toward him.

OOC: Zirak Derasir rolled 18 using 1d20+7. Will Save.

Sora also reaches out a second hand. The darkness hangs evenly between them for a second longer, then all of a sudden it is absorbed into Sora, who gives a roar of fury and then, suddenly the darkness is gone, and both he and Zirak are thrown backwards onto the ground, and the room about them returns to normal. Sora rises slowly, giving Zirak a grateful nod.

OOC: Sora Bulq rolled 18 using 1d20+5. Will Save.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:50, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

"Next time," Zirak pants, also rising, "Try to do that when you are alone with Sella and not when you are with me."

Sora seems to interpret Zirak's words as a joke, and grins good naturedly.

Bane cautiously resumes his position at the pilot's seat.

"Just... try to hold it until Denon."

"If I find I cannot, I will corner Sella in the engine room before I kill you, Bane."

"Very noble of you," Bane replies without a hint of sarcasm.

Zirak smirks.

"So," says Bane, after a minute or so has passed, resuming a lighthearted tone, "I'm thinking of naming this ship 'Malar's Fist'. What do you think?"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:57, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

"It doesn't already have a name?" Sella asks skeptically.

"Well, yes, it's registered as 'Dactillion's Claw'," Bane responds, "But that certainly won't do. I mean, not only is it the worst name of a ship since the 'Obesidon Harrier', but it is also likely in databases which may connect it with Kau'dan City's destruction."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:22, Sun 15 Oct 2017.

"We aren't going to keep the ship," Sella retorts flatly, "It is technically stolen property. Once we reach Coruscant we shall return it."

"I don't know which of your illusions to shatter first," Bane replies with a long-suffering sigh.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:24, Sun 15 Oct 2017.

Zirak snickers meanly.

"Firstly," Bane continues, "The owners are probably dead. Second, my own ship was probably destroyed in that mess, or taken by someone else, so it's a case of what goes around comes around. And finally, we'll go to Dathomir before we go to Coruscant. No offense," he adds to Zirak.

Zirak, who seems to have taken Bane's statement as an order of events rather than a metaphor, doesn't seem to understand why Bane is apologising.

"We should call the ship 'Kau'dan's Legacy'," Bulq suggests thoughtfully, "In respect to the city."

"Because that will make the city feel heaps better," Bane replies dryly.

"This ship is stolen property," Sella repeats firmly.

"The 'Stolen Property'," Bane repeats, "It has a certain ring to it. Of course it might raise a few questions from port officials when we enter systems. Personally I'm still going with 'Malar's Fist'."

"Conceited though it is, I agree with Bane," Zirak says, "I would prefer not to cringe whenever I scanned in my ship ID into a docking port system."

Sella merely rolls her eyes.

"Beepity-beep-bleep?" R5 suggests.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:53, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"Because no one would respect a ship called 'R5's Fist'," Bane replies exasperatedly, "And you don't even have a fist!"

"Beepity-boop-beep-boop?" R5 suggests, unperturbed.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:53, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"If that was 'R5's Claw' it would not sound good either," Zirak says.

"He actually suggested 'R5's Appendage'," Bane replies idly, "But either way; no."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:12, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

R5 has sulkily gone back to examining the ship's systems.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 23:53, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

Zirak has done his best not to smirk too obviously.

"Anyway, where was I?" Sella asks Sora, deciding to resume what she considers to be a more adult conversation.

"Alone in a secluded room with him, waiting for him to get hungry?" Zirak suggests.

"Yoda and the Dantooine Enclave," Sora replies firmly, ignoring Bane's snigger as he and Sella resume their conversation.

"So I was," Sella replies, as she and Sora once more resume their conversation.

The party, such as they are, are fortunate enough not to experience any more incidents for the remainder of the journey. The following day they arrive in the Denon system. The 'Dactallion's Claw', reverts to realspace, and the planet of Denon is visible, like a tiny, sparkling pearl in the distance.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:39, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

R5 approaches Bane in the cockpit as they approach the planet.

"Beepity-beep-dwoop-beep," it informs him matter-of-factly.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:53, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"Really?" Bane replies, sparing the droid a calculating glance before returning to the task of directing the ship into the traffic about the planet, "Zirak, apparently power packs have a resale value of seventeen credits per pack on Denon. R5 has counted one thousand packs, so we stand to make seventeen thousand credits from this cargo once we arrive."

Zirak looks impressed both that the traders managed to pack exactly one thousand cartons (and that R5 managed to count them that quickly.)

"Well, as you say, what goes around comes around. I assume R5 is up to forging us the necessary credentials to sell them?"

The crates appear to have been designed to fit the power packs, and R5 has spent the past twenty-four standard hours carefully removing each pack from each crate, and then repacking them once more.

“Beep-boopity-dwoop,” chuckles the droid gleefully.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:53, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

Sella shoots the plotting trio a disapproving glance, but seems to have decided to pick her battles, and does not waste her energy attempting to dissuade them.

Zirak looks almost disappointed to be denied the chance to belittle her opinions.

"So, what are we going to do once we reach Denon?" asks Sora, staring out at the approaching planet.

“Uh, haven’t you been listening?” Bane replies, “R5 just suggested one thousand things we will be doing.”

"We will also be feeding," Zirak adds, with a nasty smirk.

"You know what I meant," Sora replies sternly, "How are we going to go about trying to discover our identities and what happened to us in Kau'dan City?"

Zirak looks unimpressed by this line of thought.

"We already know our identities. I am a near human, you are an alien war criminal, and both of us happen to find other sentients edible. I don't see what else there is to be curious about, or what you think we would find out about it on a different planet that isn't on the holonet already."
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:57, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

"Why are we like this?" Sora presses, "We were clearly not always this way, and no one has heard of the symptoms we possess. Something happened to us, and we need to find a way to reverse it."

"All in good time," Bane replies dismissively, "First we need a landing pad, a place to stay, and some food that doesn't taste like gundark droppings."

This last line is accompanied by a dark look at a packet of cake-like substance discovered in the galley.

"You've tried those, have you?" Sella says dryly.

It is Bane's turn to shoot her a dirty glance.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:02, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

"...What is a gundark?" Zirak frowns.

"Not a creature you want to meet," Bane assures him, "Just picture Sella here, about twice as big, a couple of extra arms, and a tail. Oh, and looking a little less sullen. And red."

Sella glances at Bane incredulously.

"Seriously, Bane?"

Zirak nods, apparently satisfied, looking like he has no trouble picturing this at all.

"But if you ever meet one," Bane continues to Zirak, "Don't tell them I likened them to Sella. Wouldn't want them to get offended."

Zirak snickers meanly.

"You mentioned a landing pad," Sora says, sending Sella an apologetic glance.

"I did, didn't I?" Bane replies, "Our best bet is the Talani Sector. Lots of places to lay low, and not a lot of nosy people asking questions."

"You mean lots of criminals," Sella mutters under her breath.

"Though one or two overly nosy people would not be unwelcome," Zirak reminds him.

"Lots of places to lay low, and only an appropriate number of nosy people," Bane amends.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:29, Fri 13 Oct 2017.

Zirak makes an approving noise, a hungry glint in his eyes.

Sora sends him a concerned glance.

R5 gives a chuckle.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:53, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

And Bane takes the ship in for a landing.

OOC: End of Chapter IV...
This message was last edited by the player at 01:28, Thu 23 Nov 2017.