"They do have communities," Biggs confirms, "Luke and I once came across one of their camps while hunting womp rats near Beggar's Canyon. I mean, we saw it from the top of the cliff we were on. We didn't get close, but through our macrobinoculars we could see their children running about with massiffs. Hard to believe they grow up into such monsters."

At Mittens' suggestion of what her Master would do, Biggs nods grimly.

"Yes, unfortunately violence does seem to be the only thing they understand. When they get too aggressive a bunch of locals usually have to go and hunt them for a bit, which keeps them scared off for a while afterwards. But they always come back eventually. My father had a friend once who thought negotiating with them was the solution. Took a couple of moisture vaporators and a translator droid and went off searching for them. He was never seen again."

He does seem amused by Angel's bounty hunter aspirations.

"Boba Fett had better watch out if you ever decide to take up bounty hunting," he grins, "Though honestly I'm surprised you don't like the military life. You're probably the most structured and disciplined person I know."

"Of course I'm not surprised to hear you aren't cut out for the military life," he adds to Mittens with a wry grin.

To Mitts' comment of already being bounty hunters, Angel shrugs a shoulder with a sly smile. "...I suppose. You aren't officially a mechanic without the credentials, but if you have the skills, you are a mechanic no matter what a bureaucrat says. If the shoe fits, as the saying goes..."

Kandji's words make Angel giggle. "Make us sound cool? Thanks. But no worries... I'll make sure to avoid Sandpeople as much as possible. I'm here to visit Biggs, not Sandpeople."

She then says, "Sorry to hear about your dad's friend, Biggs."

Hearing Boba Fett's name makes her raise an eyebrow. "Boba Fett? Guess you would know more about bounty hunters than I do, given where you live."

Angel shrugs. "It's actually because I'm structured, Biggs... when I inevitably see things getting run horribly and give helpful advice or get proactive, I am bound to wind up in trouble with those in higher rank either because they get offended that I had a good idea when they didn't, or for reasons I wouldn't know because as a general rule, plans should always be a need-to-know basis. In short, I doubt I would handle idiot superiors very well."

With Kandji down-playing herself so much, Mits is beginning to feel like Kandji is kindofa "What if Windy were a girl," but she dares not voice this thought lest she embarrass her and Biggs both.

"Repetition works wonders, Kandji.  I'll bet you'd make for a fine rebel soldier.  Probably would make Lieutenant.  That you know how to pilot a speeder puts you above many of the rest.  And being from Tatooine makes you ten times grittier."

Mits shrugs at Biggs' comment about Sand People.  "Meanwhile, people like Grand Moff Tarkin came out of the womb nasty little pink raisins bent on conquering the nursery by bludgeoning plushies with a rattle."

She looks surprised at Angel's not having heard of Boba Fett, then ohs.  "Oh that's right.  You weren't there with Dad and I when the whole bounty hunter cantina sang a ballad of 'Fearsome Fett' and his exploits.  Most of it's probably exaggerated, but he is a Mandalorian.  And Master confirms that Mandalorian armor really can turn aside even Jedi lightsabers.  He's from around here?  Awesome!"

On the topic of Mits' suitability for military, a little devil puppet answers Biggs, "Actually, Mittens is far more disciplined than she lets on.  Why, her Master disciplines her several times a day!"

Mits closes the mouth of the puppet with her other hand.  "Silence!"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:30, Tue 30 June 2020.

Kandji smiles at Mittens with a laugh.

"Thanks! I've never really imagined being a soldier at all. I've shot a rifle like twice in my life. But I can definitely pilot speeders. Though maybe not through Beggar's Canyon at two hundred and fifty kilometers per hour," she adds with a glance at Biggs.

"I love your puppet shows," she says to Mittens, glancing back to catch snippets of the performance as they race across the sandy dunes, "You're very cute!"

Biggs nods in agreement with Angel's statement about not being here to visit sand people. At her condolences for his father's friend he nods grimly.

"It was a long time ago now, but yes, he was a good man, from what my father told me. My father tried to talk some sense into him, but he was convinced he could get through to them. I suppose he died trying to do what he believed in."

"Honestly I don't know much about Boba Fett," he admits, "I've heard the name once or twice from a mechanic who's done work for Jabba. Apparently he's not someone you want to mess with. Figured he was a local bounty hunter until I heard his name mentioned by one of the officer's at the Academy. If he's done work for the Empire then he must be pretty well known."

"Aha," he acknowledges Angel's explanation, "Yes, following orders blindly is kind of important in the army. And if you can't handle idiot superiors then I highly suggest never joining the Imperial Navy. We had this captain come to give us a guest lecture the other day, Ozzel I think his name was. Absolute idiot."

Biggs grins at Mittens' Tarkin argument.

"And yes, sand people aren't the only ones who turn into monsters when they grow up, I'll give you that."

Angel chuckles from Mitts' puppets and commentary, as usual. Concerning Boba Fett, she raises an eyebrow and says, "Sounds like the guy got himself a reputation. Mandalorian, eh? I always did wonder about those guys. How much of their reputations is real and how much is made up? Did they really attack worlds just for kicks? Does their armor really hold up to lightsabers? History is written by the victors, after all, so I am always skeptical of legend or even so-called commonly accepted historical facts. Though I also realize even myths can be based on the truth."

To Kandji, Angel smiles and says, "Yeah... Mittens is cute. It's one of her weapons against our enemies. Someone will see her, her pigtails, and her silliness and just assume she isn't a threat."

Mittens mews happily that her friends enjoyed the puppet!  She grins at mention of Biggs' more reckless stunts.  "Thankies!  Kandji is cute too!

"Sorry for your troubles with idiot Ozzel, but Mittens can't help but be very encouraged when hearing of the incompetence of Imperial officers.  This is good news for one so out-numbered and out-gunned."

Mits hugs Angel's arm from the kind compliment.  "Squee!  Blush!  Gratitude hug for flattery!"

She gazes toward the horizon, thinking on the "blindly follow orders" topic, and figures she'll build some on Angel's skepticism.  "Mittens follows orders.  With both eyes open.  She follows Angel's orders with a mind to maybe Angel was drugged.  She follows Dad's orders with a mind to his mental illness.  She follows Master's orders with a mind to maybe he's been replaced by a shape changer.  And she follows Alliance orders with a mind to the fact that they may have come from a double-agent.

"Should Master tell me to go rob Jabba's palace to sharpen my skills, or should Angel tell me that my latest idea for a stunt is perfectly safe and reasonable, I'll know something's up.  One should trust the trustworthy as far as they remain trustworthy.  Me and the military bosses may be like oil and water, but me and Dad trust them.  Conveniently, since I'm a 'special case,' I'm free to set my own schedule, and don't really need to worry much at all about taking orders."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:04, Wed 01 July 2020.

Biggs raises an interested eyebrow at Angel.

"Mandalorian is he? I hadn't heard that. They're some kind of planet full of warriors, aren't they?"

He grins at Mittens.

"Yeah, the Empire certainly has its share of incompetent officers. Of course, most of them compensate for it with cruelty."

He nods thoughtfully at her mentality regarding following orders.

"It is wise not to blindly follow orders," he agrees, "Although sometimes those giving the orders have knowledge that we don't. However in my experience it is the leaders who make you admire and trust them the most who are sometimes the most dangerous. And yes, agreed that robbing Jabba's palace probably isn't the best order to follow."

Kandji smiles at Mittens, and then squints as she turns back to the glare of the sun off the hood of the speeder in front of her.

"Getting pretty hot now," she points out, somewhat unnecessarily, "Times like these you wish you had a closed top speeder with air conditioning."

Angel returns the hug and plays with Mitts' ears and pigtails. "We need to have some anti mindcontrol code. Like a question-answer skit only we know and no mind controller could figure out."

Biggs' comment about the nice ones being the ones you need to watch out for takes Angel by surprise. She thinks highly of Biggs, but didn't expect him to be quite that shrewd, for some reason. She smiles. "...one of the reasons I like you so much, Biggs, is insights like that one."

To Kandji, Angel says, "Air conditioning is great, yes. But there is much to be said about acclimating to one's environment and becoming hardy. Though you could always try to slap a roof on and install an AC unit."

"Mittens ponders Biggs' insinuation, that one has less reason to be cruel when one is competent.  Or that one has more reason to be cruel when one is incompetent.  Yeah.  Makes some sense.  Will have to get Master's take on that one.

"As for the Mandalorians, it's hard to separate fact from legend.  But most sources I've looked into agree that they used to be a warrior race from planet Mandalor.  When they were defeated by the Old Republic, the surviving warrior types dispersed throughout the Galaxy and became a secretive cult that either worships killing for fun, or earning honor by protecting the weak, depending on whom you ask.  Either way, they're drawn to violence like a moth to flame.  Pretty much everyone agrees that to be allowed to be called a Mandalorian, you have to be at least commando level in combat.  Something I find to be very likely.  Because most every killer in the Galaxy would love to brag that they killed a Mandalorian, so those who claim to be one and can't back it up don't last long."

Mits thinks on Angel's idea.  "Let's see.  How's this?  'Sure is hot.'  'Like a tricked-out speeder with AC?'  'Like someone so awesome they don't need AC.'"

Kandji grins at Angel.

"Yeah, an AC unit would definitely be nice. Unfortunately most aren't made to withstand Tatooine conditions, and the heat, sand and dust destroy most of them within a month or two. The ones that can survive the climate here usually cost a small fortune. I think your dad is the only one I know with an air conditioned speeder," she adds to Biggs.

She giggles at Mittens.

"I don't know about 'awesome', but yeah, you do kind of get used to it."

Biggs gives Kandji a slightly bashful smile when she alludes to the affluence of his father, and then gives Angel a humble smile and nod at her compliment. Then he moves onto answering Mittens.

"Well, I'm not saying that competence excludes cruelty by any means. But yes, incompetent officers have to be bullies in order to get as far as they do. Of course, there is a certain amount of cruelty all officers must have in order to enforce the Emperor's orders."

He breaks off as he says this, staring darkly at the sand racing by beside them for a few moments before turning back to the girls.

"That would explain why people seem to hold the name 'Mandalorian' in such high regard, though 'killing for fun' and 'protecting the weak' are at quite opposite ends of the spectrum. Either way, they don't sound like someone you'd ever want to cross. From what I've heard Boba Fett certainly isn't big on protecting the weak..."

Angel chuckles at Mittens idea for a code. "That's a good one for starters, Mittens. We can work on it some more. Maybe make more than one just in case."

Angel ponders. "How does one go about *becoming* a mandalorian, I wonder? You got me curious now, Mitts. I'm gonna have to look into them and see what their deal is for real."

Angel ponders telling Kandji about her own parents' affluence, but decides against it for now. Though she quietly wonders how much Biggs has told her about... well why not ask, "So what all *have* you told Kandji about us, Biggs?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:11, Tue 07 July 2020.

Mits ohs at the explanation for why she sees so little in the way of AC on Tatooine.  "Well perhaps the money would be better spent on adding pop-out guns, then.  Or slapping a droid's head on the front.  Oooh!  Add a hyperdrive!  That'd be the best upgrade!  'Yup!  This baby is literally outta this world!'"

She nods sagely to Biggs' clarification.  "Agreed.  Now that said, I guess I should warn you on a certain taboo within my family.  Although Dad has no illusions that the Alliance is perfect, one must never ever suggest to him that the Empire can do any right.  Part of his trauma-induced mental illness.  To point out even the tiniest, or most obvious example of an Imperial doing some good, like, say, 'Biggs, a former cadet in the Imperial Navy, helped save my life once,' will get Dad ranting about how, (a puppet that resembles her Human father appears), 'You'll notice that he did so in spite of being a member of the Empire, not because of it.  Take for example Sergeant Major Callum.  A good man like him can't stand to be in the Empire for long, so he defected...' ...yes, yes, you've told me the story, thank you, Dad.

"Though I'm touchy on the topic of the Empire, Mittens at least will not deny that there is the occasional well-meaning person within the machine.  And not every rude person within the Empire is an absolute monster.  But I've heard far too many tales of 'Kill one civilian every 10 minutes until this city gives up the Rebel that they're harboring,' to believe that a well-meaning person can remain so forever within the Imperial Military before sooner or later you'll have to choose between following an order like that or being killed for refusing."

Mits smiles that Angel approves of her code exchange idea.  "Sadly, Mittens is probably a no-go for becoming a Mando.  Chances are she'd go Darkside if she did, even if with the best of intentions."

A cat puppet appears and explains for Kandji, "Mittens' Master is convinced that should she be exposed to too much violence, she'll become a bonkers badguy.  A side-effect of one of her weird talents."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:13, Tue 07 July 2020.

Kandji listens to the conversation about Mandalorians, but not knowing anything about the race she is content to let the experts discuss the topic.

She does grin at Mittens' suggestions of potential speeder upgrades.

"A droid head would be fun. And a pop out blaster would certainly be useful, though maybe better suited for the adventures that Biggs and you guys are likely to have rather than for everyday use in Anchorhead. A hyperdreive would be great if we also had some shield plating to pass the atmosphere and sublight drives to operate in space. And a closed roof would probably be kind of important. But having a intergalactic travelling speeder does sound kinda fun!"

She glances expectantly at Biggs to let him to the talking about what he has told her.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:42, Mon 13 July 2020.

"I haven't told her that much," Biggs smiles at Angel, "Just that you two are a pair of loyal, kind girls from Coruscant who are very skilled in adventuring. I told her about those slavers who were trying to capture you and how you made short work of them. I did forget to mention your puppet shows!" he adds to Mittens with a laugh.

"As for becoming a Mandalorian, sounds like you'd just need to beat up a few of them, in which case you should get in pretty easily. But I agree with Mittens that they might not be the sort of group you want to join..."

He nods grimly at Mittens' warning about her father's Empire feelings.

"Noted. I am sorry that he's had to suffer so much at the Empire's hands. And I know he's not the only one. I'd like to talk to you in more detail about this topic once we reach my father's estate."

Angel blushes lightly at the "loyal, kind girls" comment. Angel then shrugs at Mittens' comment about going dark side. "Wearing mandalorian armor won't turn you dark side, though. So we'll totally have to try taking some off one of them."

She idly scritches Mittens behind the ear. In a candy-sweet voice tone, she says to Biggs, "You make it sound so easy, Biggs. "Just" beat up a few of them. Heehee.."

"Mittens is stunned and impressed with Kandji seeing her hyperdrive and raising her shield plating and sublight drives!  Most who bother listening to Mittens' ideas dismiss them as silly and simply quit the game.  Kandji is a definite keeper!"

Kitty leans into Angel's adorable affection with a big smile and quiet purrs.  "As I recall, it was us two with the help of the three loyal, kind heroes of Tatooine who are very skilled in manliness: Tank, Enigma, and Grand Krayt Dragon."

Master Puppet pops up for Angel.  "'Wearing Mando armor is an invitation for violence.  Somethingsomething that means you'll go Darkside, Mittens.  Any other student would probably be just fine.' 

"But yeah.  I like Biggs' 'beat up the badguys' thinking.  And am eager to twist his arm to join the Alliance using the encrypted counter-propaganda on her datapad.  Kandji too."

(( OOC: I vote we skip the scene forward to where we arrive at Biggs' place. ))
This message was last edited by the player at 10:48, Tue 14 July 2020.

Biggs grins.

"All in good time, Mitts. All in good time."

The group continue their lively conversation as they race across the hot sand in the direction of the Darklighter Estate. After an hour or so the conversation dies down as the suns reach their highest point in the sky and the throats of the travellers become thoroughly parched.

There is not much in the way of scenery throughout their journey. Dune replaces dune, with the occasional rocky outcropping. It is well into the afternoon by the time the moisture vaporators on the outskirts of Huff's estate begin to come into view on the horizon. More and more appear as they begin to pass through the machines, dotted about the flat, sandy landscape, tended to by the occasional droid.

Within fifteen minutes the homestead appears, a series of domes rising from the sand ahead of them. Luke's battered X-34 landspeeder is already parked outside.

"Home sweet home," Biggs smiles fondly at the home as Kandji pulls up the speeder beside Luke's.

"All right, who's up for a glass of iced water and frozen pika?"

You don't live on the biggest vapor farm around without security.  So it goes without saying that Mr. Darklighter was informed of the approaching speeder as soon as it was visible.

That speeder couldn't come fast enough as far as Luke was concerned.  Every moment spent alone with Mr. Darklighter was a moment too long.  "Show some respect for your elders, boy," "Sounds like Owen knows you better than you know yourself," "You don't know how rough it is for a parent to sacrifice for their own blood, let alone someone else's," "If you were one o' mine, I wouldn't be so gentle as he is.  He tells you to get your head out of the clouds, I'd tell you to get it out of your rear end," and on and on.  From an adult's point of view, Mr. Darklighter was being as friendly to the punk kid that got his son into trouble more often than anyone else ever did as a parent could ever be expected to be.  From a teenager's point of view, an Imperial interrogation would be preferable.

So if it seems strange that Luke is standing in the shade of the front entrance in the Tatooine heat rather than inside where it's cooler, think again.

Luke tries to look cool, leaned against the wall, arms folded.  "Welcome back, Biggs!  Just like you to be cruisin' along with three ladies first thing, Mr. Popular."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:33, Wed 15 July 2020.

Endure elements would be a nice spell to cast on her friends right about now.  But sadly, that's not in Mittens' arsenal.  So as soon as parched throats becomes a thing, she pampers the others (mostly Angel) with frequent offers of water from her canteen.  If Angel doesn't insist on Mits staying in her own seat, (are seat belts even a thing in Tatooine speeders?) she'll perch herself over her buddy's lap to shade her from the blazing suns.  And while not as vocal, she still manages to keep conversation going by passing around her datapad with written messages on it.  For Biggs and Angel, at least.  To keep Kandji from having to read while driving, she whispers in the girl's ear, being careful to avoid tickling the pilot with her fuzzy face.

Upon arriving she leaps out of her seat like a coiled-up spring that's been tied down in one spot for far too long.

"Wheee!  Frozen pikas!  Thankies!!  Ohai, Enigma!  Just like you to be hard at work trying to sound like a disapproving parent first thing, Mr. Jealous.  Still, it's only right to be jealous of one who gets to enjoy a long ride with Kandji and Angel.  I'm so jealous of myself!"

Mits pretends to strangle herself.  Luke rolls his eyes, but chuckles.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:14, Wed 15 July 2020.

Angel didn't play seatbelt police. She does keep talking to a minimum overall, soon as the parching starts setting in. Not that she's especially talkative anyway.

To Biggs offer, "Oh my GOSH yes." is what Angel is THINKING, but what comes out is a calm "Yes please."

Angel goes to pull Mitts' hands away from her throat. "Hey! No strangling my friend! And you should know strangling someone over mere jealousy will lead to the darkside." she teases.

Angel says, "Hello, Enigma." and walks over to Luke. "How kind of you to wait outside to see us in. Did you miss us?" she gives him an endearing smile.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:44, Thu 16 July 2020.