The cloaked figure awakens to find himself lying in some sort of puddle. His head aches, but his nostrils quickly inform him that he is still in the garbage chute. It is dark about him, but a sliver of light shines through what appears to be a small entrance twenty or so meters away. By the light of this source, he is able to determine that the walls of the chute are actually made of stone. In fact, the chute appears to be a cavern in which the rubbish from above is simply dumped.

He becomes aware of Bane, several meters away, who appears to be searching through the filth about him, as if looking for something.

The cloaked figure suddenly becomes very forgiving of the sharp, pointed object which is jamming into his back. Rolling over, he pulls the cube out from underneath him. He is also pleased to see Sora's lightsaber is still attached to his belt.

Bane glances over as he hears the cloaked figure move, and ceases his search as he spots the cube.

"Awake are you?"

"Aren't you observant. How long have I been unconscious?"

"Not long," Bane replies, beginning to clamber down the rubbish pile and towards the cave opening, "A couple of minutes maybe."

The cloaked figure also rises, and, after swaying slightly, begins to make his way down after Bane.

"You might want to grab him," Bane waves a hand back at Sora's unconscious form, lying halfway down the pile, "He is your friend after all."

The figure seems to feel that this is a fair comment, and begins to clamber back up the pile. Then, with Sora in the usual position on his shoulders, he begins to follow Bane to the exit.

Stepping outside, they find themselves at the very bottom of the sinkhole, and estimate they must have fallen nearly one hundred meters. They are suddenly rather thankful for the squishy, decomposing food which doubtless stopped them from being splattered across the cave after falling such a distance. Down here it is dark and shadowy, even though the sun is still a good couple of hours from setting. A little further down stands the mine entrance, and around them are hundreds of tunnels and holes, hollowed into the sinkhole as living quarters for the stumpy creatures.

"Well," says Bane, "Now all we need to do is to get back up there," he points a finger at a series of landing platforms far above.

"Indeed."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:40, Mon 15 Jan 2018.

"The question," Bane continues, "is how?"

"It is."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:40, Mon 15 Jan 2018.

Their planning discussion seemingly finished, the pair begin to trudge into the streets outside. A number of the creatures waddle about, mostly in identical mining uniforms. While the pair are thrown many strange looks, none of the creatures attempt to converse with them. The creatures instead seem content to whisper amongst themselves, glancing back at the unlikely pair long after they have past.

"The fact is," Bane observes as they walk, "that we need a way to communicate with these things if we are to find a way up there."

"As if you could communicate with the runts," the cloaked figure mutters, throwing a dark glance at the nearest creature.

"What we need," Bane continues, oblivious to the figure's comment as his eyes alight on a small stall with several damaged and battered droids beside it, "Is a protocol droid."

"A protocol droid?" the cloaked figure repeats, skeptically.

"Indeed."

The pair approach the stall, but to Bane's frustration the stall only has three droids available, and none of them protocol droids. One is an old mining droid, missing one of its claws, the second is a GNK-series droid, which looks as if it was dropped from the restaurant onto a pile of sharp rocks, and the final droid is an R5 unit, which, while covered in grime, seems actually in a serviceable condition.

Bane's initial dismay is replaced by a calculating air as he examines the R5 unit.

"An idea. I can understand Binary. Now, suppose this R5 unit has been programmed to understand... whatever it is that these creatures speak, which it likely has, assuming it is a mining cast off."

"Go on..."

"Well, assuming it has, then I can speak Basic to it, it can speak Binary to a one of these creatures who understands that, then it can respond to me in Binary, and I can translate it to you in Basic. A bit cumbersome, I admit, but if we cannot find an affordable protocol droid then it might be better than nothing?"

The cloaked figure looks as if he certainly agrees that this is cumbersome, but he doesn't seem to have any better ideas, and shrugs.

"I don't see any protocol droids around here."

"We're interested in this R5 unit," Bane says in a louder voice to the creature who owns the stall, patting the unit on the head to communicate his message.

The creature understands enough to know that there is a potential profit to be made, and gives a squeak before switching on the indicated droid.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:50, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

The R5 unit's motivator stutters slightly, but it successfully manages to start, much to the merchant's relief.

"Beep-boop-beep?" it beeps, interspersed with slight static.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:38, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"He wants to know what we want," Bane translates.

"The droid or the runt?" the cloaked figure frowns.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:02, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

The droid gives a mirthful series of beeps.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:38, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"The droid," Bane clarifies dryly.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:51, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

"Right, well tell him we want him as a translator."

"He can understand you," Bane explains, "You just can’t understand him."

"Beepity-beep-boop-beep," the droid replies snootily to the cloaked figure's question.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:38, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"He says he is above such tasks," Bane translates, "He was apparently built for more noble tasks than mining or translating."

"He was, was he?" the cloaked figure says grimly, "Well, tell him it isn’t too late for us to change our minds, if he won’t cooperate."

The droid's head swivels to the merchant and back.

"Beep-dwoop-dweep," it beeps reluctantly.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:38, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"He is prepared to translate, if you are certain that is what you wish him to do."

"Beep-boop-beepity-beep-beep-boop," the droid adds, its snooty tone returning once more.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:38, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"He apparently has no doubts he will be a superior translator to any of those 'plebeian' third degree protocol droids."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:41, Mon 16 Dec 2019.

"All right, droid. How does one access the upper levels from this festering pit? I assume you were not always stuck down here?"

"Beep-boop-dwoop-beepity-beep-boop-boopity-boop-beep-boop-beepity-dwoop," the droid replies.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:38, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"He would like to clarify that his identification is R5-D3, not 'droid', just so you know. And indeed, he was not always stuck down here, or so he claims. The way out is simple. You just keep going up. However there are four barriers which separate each section of the city. Kau'dan City, in case you are interested. The sections are as follows: we are currently in the Mining District, above is the Residential District, then the Commercial District, and finally the Administration District. You can pass through the Mining and Residential Districts freely, however to progress further up requires authorisation."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 04:44, Mon 15 Jan 2018.

"...What sort of identification? The sort-" a pause, while the cloaked figure takes the conversation outside and away from the polishing merchant, "-that you can get by killing the runts, or more advanced identification?”
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 03:15, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

"Beepity-boop-beep-boop."
This message was last updated by the player at 23:38, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"Only if you looked like one of them. 'Utai', the creatures are apparently called."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 04:44, Mon 15 Jan 2018.

"...Damn. All right, are there any loading bays on the lower levels?"

"Boopity-dwoop-dweep."
This message was last updated by the player at 23:38, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"Only in the mines, which are as heavily guarded as the barriers."

"Who runs the mine?"

The droid pauses, before giving a distasteful beep.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:38, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"One Dian Vevor."

"Not a good creature, one gathers?"

"Beeping-beeper."
This message was last updated by the player at 23:38, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

The cloaked figure does not need a translator for that one.

"Beepity-boop-dwoop."
This message was last updated by the player at 23:38, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"He was apparently the former owner of this droid, at a certain point in time."

"One gathers he was not impressed with your services?"

"Beepity-beep-boop."
This message was last updated by the player at 23:38, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"It thinks it has already explained that he was an idiot."

The merchant, meanwhile, has edged a few surreptitious centimeters closer. It gives a series of decidedly obsequious squeaks.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:46, Mon 15 Jan 2018.

"Beepity-dwoop-beep-beep?" R5-D3 translates.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:38, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"The merchant trusts we have ascertained the quality of this droid?"

"We have," the cloaked figure says approvingly, "But we don't have credits... How are we going to pay for it?"

The droid translates this to the merchant, who squeaks something in response.

"Beepity-dwoop-bleep..."
This message was last updated by the player at 23:38, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

Bane glances at Sora's lightsaber, hanging at the figure's belt.

"Unless the merchant is mistaken, that is a lightsaber hanging at your belt. Assuming it is functional, he would be willing to trade the droid for it."

The cloaked figure glances at the lightsaber, unclipping it from his belt.

"I'm sure Sora would understand..." he says as he passes it over.

"Of course," agrees Bane, as the utai removes R5-D3's restraining bolt.

OOC: R5-D3 has joined the party.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:11, Fri 02 Nov 2018.

"All right," says the cloaked figure as they make their way away from the merchant, "Well, are there any medbays down in the lower two levels?”

"Beep-beep-boop-beepity-dwoop," R5 explains matter-of-factly.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:39, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"There are three serious hospitals," Bane translates in an equally matter-of-fact tone, "One is in the mine itself. Another is in the Residential District. It is the central hospital for the utai. The final one is for the pau'ans in the Residential District. That is apparently the most prestigious of the three."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:36, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

"Does the droid have any training in medical knowledge?"

R5 gives a derisive snort, followed by a series of beeps.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:39, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"It claims that it has limited memory space, and cannot waste it on such trivialities. If you wish its opinion, your best bet would be the mines. Off-worlders are not commonly encountered in the residential district."

"And unfortunately," the cloaked figure agrees, "we have made something of a habit of slaughtering them, and our wanted poster is likely hanging on their walls. Not, you will agree, conducive to them happily offering us aid."

"Beepity-beep-boop-beep-boop-beep..."
This message was last updated by the player at 23:39, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"Really?" Bane says, sounding pleased, then, "It appears this droid was not, in fact, used by Dian Vevor for mining operations. Rather, it was used for forging pass codes and identity cards for less than legal purposes..."

"Really?" it is the cloaked figure's turn to sound maliciously pleased.

R5 begins to relate the story of its history with the mining administrator.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:39, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"He was configured off-world for his unique role and used for a couple of years," Bane explains, "However, a few months ago the city Administrator performed an investigation into corruption within the mine. The local utai and pau'an mining technicians did not have the knowledge or skill to erase its memory completely, so Dian attempted to destroy it. He had him thrown into one of the compactors. However, unfortunately for the mining magnate a scavenger found the droid. He took him and eventually sold him off to the utai from which we purchased him."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:46, Wed 17 Jan 2018.

The cloaked figure eyes the droid with ever increasing respect.

"So in fact, not only do we have a good chance of forging false identifies fur ourselves, we also have some fairly solid blackmailing material?"

The droid beeps with cruel satisfaction.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:39, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"I think we might be getting into that mining medbay after all," Bane predicts.

Another maliciously delighted beep from the droid.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:39, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"Thank you Sora for your generous contribution," Bane remarks, sparing a final glance at the weequay's lightsaber, before it is tucked away into a safebox, "We'll tell him it was lost in the garbage chute."

"Indeed," the cloaked figure smirks.

"Well," says Bane, glancing at the stalls around them, "I suggest we get ourselves a couple of disguises and head over to the mine as soon as possible."

"Agreed," says the cloaked figure, "Cloaks? Or shall we go for a more sophisticated disguise?"

"Cloaks."

"We've still got a couple of blasters to trade, haven't we?"

Bane clutches his holster defensively.

"One, perhaps."

"One," the cloaked figure agrees, pulling out the blaster pistol from Sora's belt.

A few minutes later Bane, the cloaked figure, an unconscious Sora and R5-D3 arrive at the entrance to the mine, a couple of cloaks richer and a blaster pistol poorer. There are no guards outside the large door which serves as the entrance, however a battered TT-8L/Y7 gatekeeper droid extends from a hatch as they arrive.

The droid seems to be programmed with Basic, fortunately for the party.

"Who are you and what do you want?" it demands.

"I am Trask Bongo, and I wish to see Dian Vevor," Bane says confidently, stepping forward.

OOC: Bane Malar rolled 19 using 1d20+7. Bluff Check.

"You want to see Dian Vevor?" snickers the droid meanly, "Who do you think he is?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:46, Mon 16 Dec 2019.

"I think he is someone who is going to give me and my friends here exactly what we want," Bane replies with dangerous softness.

"Oh, you do, do you?" the droid laughs once more, then ceases, "Wait! You are those fugitives from the Merchant District, aren't you? It looks like my master will be getting a little bonus this month..."

"Indeed," Bane says, his voice lightening, "I'm sure the Port Administrator would be more than happy to dispense that 'bonus' personally, wouldn't you agree, R5-D3?"

As he says this, he steps aside to reveal the astromech to the guard droid for the first time.

The guard droid's tone changes abruptly.

"R5... D3?" it repeats, uncertainly.

"Beepity-beep-boop-beep-boop-beep..." R5 replies nastily.

"Er, one moment," the guard droid says, before hastily disappearing into the door once more.

"Take all the time you need," Bane says smugly.

The droid reappears a minute or so later.

"Please enter immediately," it says, "Make your way to the conference room. Dian Vevor will meet you there. You remember the way, R5-D3?"

"Beepity-boop-dwoop," R5 replies confidently.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:39, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

The door to the mine opens, and a long corridor extends before them. R5 brushes past Bane, and leads the way down the corridor, taking a left turn at the end, then a right, and then a final left. They arrive outside a modest office into which a twelve-seater table has been squeezed. The party make their way in, Sora being plonked onto the table, and Bane seating himself easily into a chair.

OOC: Bane Malar has advanced to level 4.
R5-D3 has advanced to level 5.
Sora Bulq has advanced to level 4.
Zirak Derasir has advanced to level 4.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:35, Fri 15 Dec 2017.

The party have been waiting only a couple of minutes when a chubby pau'an enters, looking rather harried at present. His extravagant outfit and the pair of security guards who flank him identify him as the administrator.

"R5-D3," he smiles obsequiously, "You don't know how pleased I am to learn that you survived. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"All right, cut the bantha poodoo, Vevor," Bane says, rising to place a restraining hand on R5, "As you can see, we haven't been having the best of days, and are not particularly in the mood for fluffing around with you."

"I beg your pardon?" the administrator blinks, his smile faltering slightly.

"We know everything," Bane continues, "R5-D3 has told us all about your little forgery business, and unless you want to be sharing the containment field next to us, you'd better do exactly what we tell you."

"All right, all right!" hisses Dian hastily, sending a fearful glance at the security camera above them, "What do you want?"

"For starters a refresher," Bane begins practically, "Followed by a meal we can actually eat. We then need medical attention, do you have a bacta tank?"

"We don't have a bacta tank," Dian replies, "Do you know how much those things cost? But," he continues hastily as the cloaked figure clenches his fist, "I can give you medpacs and a room in which to stay until you are healed. I will keep the authorities clear of you."

"And we need transportation to the Merchant District," Bane adds firmly, "We will leave tomorrow morning, healed or no."

"Of course," Dian replies, wringing his hands with oily servitude, "I shall make the necessary arrangements immediately."

A dark glare at the security camera accompanies this.

"Oh, and Vevor," Bane says coolly as he rises to follow the administrator from the room, "We have already passed on R5's information to our utai contact outside, so if you try to swindle us, it will be the last business decision you make."

OOC: Bane Malar rolled 25 using 1d20+7. Bluff Check.

"Of course," Dian whimpers, "You can be sure of my discretion."

OOC: Dian Vevor rolled 19 using 1d20+5. Sense Motive Check.

The cloaked figure sends Bane a smug smile as he follows the others from the conference room.

"Beepity-boop-dweep-boop?"
This message was last updated by the player at 23:39, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"Ah yes," Bane adds as they walk, "And I'll need some tools and fibrecloths to clean up R5 a little."

"My people would be more than happy to give him a proper do-over," Dian replies with a calculating hint in his voice.

"I'm sure they would," Bane replies coolly, "But no. I shall do all the work myself. Have the tools sent to our quarters."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:49, Mon 16 Dec 2019.

Dian mutters something which the party take to mean acquiescence.

Dian leads the way to the medbay, out of which he orders all his workers. He then sets up a private room for Sora, getting a pau'an doctor to put a number of bacta patches on his wounds.

"Now, this way to your quarters," Dian says to the others.

"No, no," objects Bane, "We all stay together. Have Sora moved to our quarters."

"Come now," Dian replies, "I have given you my word. Surely you can trust that I will not try anything."

R5 gives a stubborn beep.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:39, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"Exactly," says the cloaked figure, arms crossed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:58, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

"Move him," says Bane.

Dian places a finger to his forehead.

"What did I do to deserve this?" he whines to himself, gesturing for his security guards to lift Sora on a stretcher.

R5 looks like it can think of several things...
This message was last updated by the player at 23:39, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

At length the party are led down to a set of private guest quarters, typically used for visits from off-world merchants and traders, R5 informs them. Best of all, there are no security cameras. The guards leave them, and at last they have some privacy.

"Well," says Bane, "All in all, not bad for an afternoon's work."

"Quite so," the cloaked figure replies, patting R5 on the head appreciatively.

R5 beeps smugly.
This message was last updated by the player at 23:39, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"So," adds the cloaked figure, more pragmatically, "Who is using the refresher first?"

"Flip a credit for it?" Bane suggests.

The pair do so, and Bane wins, heading off to shower in his armor. The cloaked figure sits down to meditate as he does so, and has a vision. The room fades around him, and he finds himself in the room in which he and Sora awoke. Only it is not in disarray. He stands in the doorway, and before him Sora stands, eyes closed, along with the twi'lek and togruta Jedi. Between them, in the center of the room, a dark object spins at lightening speed, appearing almost as a blur. As he watches a gold light begins to glow. He ignites his lightsaber, and steps forward.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:12, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

The twi'lek suddenly opens his eyes and turns.

"Master Bulq!" he says, "We have an intruder!"

"Focus, Farna!" cries the togruta, "I... cannot... contain it..."

The twi'lek, meanwhile, has ignited his green lightsaber.

"You shall not take it from us, Sith!" he cries.

Sora's face contorts with exertion and pain.

"Almost... complete!" he cries.

The twi'lek charges forward, slicing at the cloaked figure, who effortlessly parries the blade, before slicing the twi'lek down.

Even as the figure charges at Sora, there is an explosion of darkness, and he is thrown across the room by a powerful force, which seems to to be sucking out his very soul. He cries in agony, and then suddenly he awakens on the floor of the mining guest room, panting hard.

Bane stands, frozen at the entrance of the refresher, his armor glistening with water.

"Are... you all right?" he asks cautiously.

"I'm fine," the figure grunts, rising and brushing past Bane and into the refresher.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:27, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

"Beepity-boop-beep-boop."
This message was last updated by the player at 23:39, Thu 14 Dec 2017.

"You said it," Bane says with feeling, sending a final glance after the cloaked figure before snatching up the tool kit and beginning work on the droid.

OOC: End of Chapter II...
This message was last edited by the player at 03:55, Mon 16 Dec 2019.