Captain Gregorious Fhrumpinhime was a decent captain all in all. Though he left most of the piloting to his flight officer Zenna, he was meticulous about keeping the ship repaired and in order for the next cargo run. He always had a safe deal on the run, and though these were not the most lucrative of deals, all the crew members on the Hard luck got paid. Which was the most important thing. There was even enough to keep a maintenance fund for both the ship and the droid and even add a few modifications all of which he did himself of course.

But for all his decent qualities Gregorious was a nervous and sometime cowardly man. It was with great trepidation that he had taken the "easy" cargo run to Tatooine from the rodian. It had disturbed him when the ewok cabin boy Jubjub, had "accidently" discovered that the containers on board were filled with spice, and it had shaken him to the core when upon investigating the now open crates Brannexx the ships weapons officer had found a personal holo message to the salacious crime lord Jabba the Hutt himself.

So when the Hardluck exited hyperspace in tatooine system, and X2 the astromech manning the sensors beeped that an imperial Super Star Destroyer was currently in orbit around Tatooine, poor old captain Gregorius lost it. He panicked slamming his fist down hard on the the cargo-bay door override button, venting the damned cargo and almost the Galley and logistics officer Jett, into the dark voids of space.

Gregorious's fears in the end, were unwarranted, for as luck would have it a YT1300 blasted past the SSD, and with a far more interesting quarry at hand the empire had little time to focus any attention upon your small freighter. But the damage had been done. The cargo was now lost to the voids of space, and without enough fuel to make it to another system there was no choice but to land on tatooine, where Jabba's cronies were sure to be waiting to collect his cargo.

Sure enough after touching down upon the planet Some gangsterous looking toughs arrived to collect the cargo and the discussion was a short one with Grigorious informing them of the lost cargo and that it couldn't be helped. The toughs left and Grigorious said to you all that you wouldn't be collecting a cargo here in fact you all would be leaving as soon as the ship was re fueled. This was not to be. Before the refueling was finished 3o gangsters turned up and in a most unceremonious manner hearded you all into the back of a hover truck at blaster point.

You were taken into the desert many miles from Mos Eisley, to Jabba's palace. Where you all became a guest of Jabba's dungeons which was a far cry south from any of the most derelict establishments any of you had stayed in. When finally you were all dragged before Jabba in his throne room, Captain Grigorious was a broken man. Though he pleaded forgiveness for dumping the cargo Jabba had little pity upon him. Pressing a button on his throne a trapdoor opened beneath your venerable captain dropping him to his doom for in the pit a Rancor awaited it's evening meal.

Your captain dead Jabba turned his attention to the crew, his intention to sell you all as slaves to recoup some of his massive losses from the cargo Captain Grigorious had dumped. If it hadn't been for Jetts quick wit you all would have been on the slave docks right now. Instead you now had to pay back the giant slug the 100000 credits that Jaba said he is owed for the cargo plus a Vig of 1% a month, or you would be fed to the sarlacc. Not the best deal, but you were all still free.

Jabba's men returned you to town where you found amongst the captains things a few credits each, enough to pay for the fuel and maintenance on the ship + docking fees. In a somber mood you all (accept the droid) find your selves at the cantina toasting your previous captain and reminiscing how each of you had come to work on the ship. The captain had done each of you a favour, a solid, a good turn, and now none of you could repay that dept.

Zenna; Grigorious had taken you in as a teenager, a street rat with big dreams of the stars. You soon became a better pilot than Grigorious. He would often sit in the co-pilot's chair telling you all he knew of space as you flew.

Brannexx; On the run and with options rapidly running out, it was Grigorious that got you off Corellia before you could be caught and sentenced to death. After that he gave you steady work though he didn't have to.

Jett; On the run from the imperials blaster lost by the wayside. It had been Captain Grigorious who had taken you in and like brannexx got you off world, he even offered you a way to continue earning an income Bar to Bar, Cantina to spaceport all across the galaxy. You suspected he had a thing for you but if he did he never pushed the point he paid you well for your honest work on the ship and provided a quick exit when needed.

Jubjub; You would be Dancata Fodda now if it wasn't for a chance encounter with Captain Grigorious upon your home moon of Endor. Having landed to do some minor repairs upon the moon, it was pure chance that he came across you trapped by the beast about to become lunch. He had scared off the creacher with blaster fire placing you in a life debt to him for saving your life. He took you with him to the stars where you have seen wonders you never thought possible.

X2; The Captain found you floating in space, he cleaned you up, and since then you have been an integral part of the ship. He worked you hard but treated you well it could have been much worse for a droid. you could still be floating in space not receiving monthly oil baths.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:33, Sat 06 Apr 2019.

As you all down yet another drink a Devaronian approaches your table. He doesn't introduce himself instead inviting himself to sit down, saying,

"I have a delivery request from your debtor. You are to transport 1 tonne of cargo to corellia collect payment and return here. For this you will be paid 8000 credits. You are expected to be back within a 4 weeks the details of the delivery drop point are on this data stick. I wish you luck and I wouldn't be venting this into space unless you want every bounty hunter in the outer rims looking for you."

He nods drops a data stick on the table, gets up and leaves.

Meanwhile back at good old docking bay 86. X2 you are polishing your grav sled when a weedy human and 2 gramorians show up with a flatbed trailer upon which is a sealed cargo container. The man gets out of the cab and shouts at you.

"Oi Droid here is the cargo where do you want it?"

Not wanting them in the ship you indicate on the grav sled (at least then you can get rid of it if needs be). The gremorians move it to your sled and they all leave. Leaving you with a cargo crate and your crew all "drinking" at the cantina.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:20, Sat 06 Apr 2019.

 Brannexx sat with the others, drinking. His liquid poison was something called a "Hutt Brewsky". The bottle's label showed a picture of Jabba the Hutt waving. Leave it to Jabba, to find another way to make a profit. Muscle in on a local brewery, and slap a  new label on the bottles,and everything was clear profit.

  After he took a long pull from the bottle, he regarded his companions."Well, it could always be worse, shipmates. We could of ended up in the pit with the late lamented Captain Fhrumpinhime." But even as he said those words, he felt the loss, for the Captain had been good to him.

Zenna leaned forward as the Devaronian spoke. She tried to put a name to the alien. She didn't pick up the data stick until after the Devaronian left. "You're right there, Brannexx. We could be worse off. But I never would have thought that we'd fall so far... so fast." She picked up her drink, a Yelsain Ale. "Let's have a drink to our Captain Fhrumpinhime. We should go back to the ship and see what's on this data stick."


[Private to GM: rolled 0 (3 excluding the wild die) using 2 dice with the WEG Classic system with rolls of {Wild}1,2.  Streetwise]

"I have a bad feeling about this," Jett said, as the data-stick slid across the table. With her hallikset in hand, she played an ominous-sounding riff to underscore the moment with music, before breaking into a bittersweet and crooked smile. "But when have I ever let that stop me."

Then, she raised her third shot-glass of the night, "To the Captain." Prior to joining this motley crew, her own escapes, from Imperial entanglements and otherwise, had always been close calls. But not since she first boarded the Hard Luck had they cut it so close, however. And without a proper sidearm, she'd had to talk their way out of it, rather than shoot her way out. Unfortunately, the Captain's luck had finally run out. Jett was glad hers hadn't... yet.

Sure, she had felt Gregorius' eyes on her, several times, but he'd been a gentleman about it. Or at least fearful. Lucky for him too. If he had tried anything, all he'd have to show for it would be a black-eye and broken ribs. Gregorious was not without his faults, but she could tell he was trying. This time discretion had proven to be the worse part of valor.

Another life lost. One hundred large owed. Yikes. Still, they'd lived to fight another day.

"Better the devil you know," she says in toast, loudly enough to make sure the Devaronian hears it. "Than the devil you don't," she finishes with a flourish, before downing the shot.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:49, Sun 07 Apr 2019.

"GibiHubGUB nardug. DA Grigorious!"
_{May his spirit rise. TO Grigorious!}

Shouts the Ewok half pissed on some purple beverage that he thought was berry juice. his hand snakes out to grab the data stick just a little slow due to the drink. Zenna picks it up, leaving Jubjub smiling cheekily at Zenna, turning on that Ewok charm.
Jubjub says,

"Digo nug gohung Te Zenna. Chocho UgDrag bo hig nan."
_{You are right Miss Zenna, Back to the skydragon.}

Jubjub looks around as they leave the cantina his eyes peeled as always for shiny things of interest carried by others that he could acquire if they are not perceptive enough. Seeing nothing of note he returns to the docking bay with the others.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:10, Sun 07 Apr 2019.

In reply to Jubjub (msg # 6):

There are too many eyes. All the patrons are scrutinising each other in an establishment like this.

You all return to Ol’ 86 to find X2 inspecting a large crate 3m x 1.5m x 1m weighing 1 tonne that has been dropped off by some goons. The crate is made of a shiny dark grey plasteel with rounded corners and metal clasps at the front. Some glossy black paint has been used to cover what may have been identifiable marks on the crate. The crate has a simple electronic locking mechanism that requires a 4 didgit code to open.

 Brannexx saw the cargo container and frowned." We need to get this thing loaded ASAP. But a more important matter is a matter of the ship. Does any have the knowledge on how to splice us a new ID for this bucket? If we are stopped and boarded by the empire, they will want to know where the captain is, etc, etc.I think we would rather not provide the answers."

As they left the bar, Jett cast an eye around the cantina, particularly toward sussing out the proprietor. With this place in particular boasting the rare, (relatively) honest reputation in what was otherwise a Huttese den-of-sin planet, she looked for the being who might be the owner — or at least someone who could say yes.

Everybody on this rock must be tired of the Modal Nodes by now, no? Should they return here sooner rather than later, picking up a gig might help — at least, to ease her mind, if not put a few more credits into her pocket. Especially with most of their incoming earnings soon to be jettisoned out the airlock of debt, on the regular.

15:15, Today: Jett rolled 11 using 4 dice with the WEG Classic system with rolls of 1,5,{Wild}2,3.  PERCEPTION check: see who seems to be in charge of cantina.


Once they make their way back to Docking Bay 86 and laid eyes on the new delivery, Jett walked over to X2 as the astromech inspected the crate.

Seeing the lock, Jet gave the crate a light tap with her knuckles. "That's it, huh? Well, now I'm curious. I mean, we have to confirm the condition of incoming cargo and all that, right? Make sure nothing happened in transit that they can pin on us?" She crouched down next to X2, nods toward the lock and whispered, while spinning her finger, "Work your magic, X-2."

But Brannexx had just made a good point, "Definitely switch it up. I mean, Z's the de-facto Captain now, right?" she asked. "So... is running with the theme too obvious? From Hard Luck to... Miss Fortune, maybe?" Jett joked.

Then Jett looked up at the YT-2400, a share of which was now hers. It was a hot-rod compared to the bulky Aurore-class freighter she'd grown up on, though for Preigo's Traveling World of Wonder shows, the Dug ringmaster always dolled the ship up with bunting and lights so that it served as a serviceable circus stage.

Jett never thought she'd even be with this "new" crew long enough to begin thinking of calling the ship home, but now here she was...
This message was last edited by the player at 00:54, Mon 08 Apr 2019.

 "No, I don't think we need to be to curious as to what Jabba wants transported. But what we can do, is see if we can score another cargo  on the side. Our destination is is a major planet, we might even score a passenger or two. Every credit helps."

 Brannexx had no real experience in how to run a merchant ship, but he had seen the late Captain in action, so he had a rough idea. "One of us can check the star port computer here and see if anyone needs a ship to take a cargo and the same for a couple of passengers to our destination. Now lets get this crate into the cargo bay,and lock it down."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:46, Sun 07 Apr 2019.

“Ooh Den go no shoa.”
_{Ooh like shiny box.}

Says Jubjub as he runs his hands across the smooth surface of the box before inspecting the lock that he has no clue about. He pulls out his dagger and is about to try and wedge it int the side of the crate at the seam of the lid. When Brannxx says to stow the box in the cargo hold.

“Gib hadva cho Den binnen”
_{Shouldn’t we find out what’s in the box?}

He asks.

"No JJ. We don't need to see whatever is in the box. That's Jabba's cargo. We're only the delivery crew. We don't need to cross Jabba unless we want to join our late captain." Zenna walked up the ramp to the ship. She waved the data stick over her shoulder, "I'm going to see where we're supposed to take our cargo. And Brannexx has a good idea. Let's see if we can find other cargo to take with us once I find our destination." She shouted over her shoulder.

 "Brannexx frowned down at JubJub. " Little friend, put away your blade, if you please. Do you want to end up like our captain did? One does not tempt the fates, when it comes to Jabba the Hutt. Now someone help me get this crate into the cargo bay." Dragenn fired up the cargo sled to guide the crage into the ship.

As the crate is dropped off, X2 chirps off a message over the comlink to the others, letting them know someone dropped off cargo, then left without telling him much of anything.
As the others arrive, he indicates the cargo on the grav sled, His series chirps and warbles seems to indicate a distaste for the potential of the cargo, and of the one he knows is probably their employer.  A small crane lifts the droid up into the driver's slot, the Captain having had the grav sled modified so that only an astromech could pilot it.  He drives it up into the cargo hold.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:28, Tue 09 Apr 2019.

Seeing that everyone was busy, Zenna announced, "I'll be in the cockpit checking this data stick." She popped in the data stick and began to read its contents.

 Brannexx followed X2-D9 up the ramp into the cargo bay. He was trying to brain storm, how they where going to hide this thing,from the prying eyes of imperial customs types, if they where boarded. " We need something to hide it behind, or blend it in with other cargo containers. That is far as my thinking takes me."

"Am I the only one interested in secrets and lies?" Jett sighed aloud, while privately resolving to see if she *could* see. See in. See if X-2 would be willing to somehow... X-ray that mystery crate. But that could wait.

"Hey Z," she said, calling after Zenna. "Oh wait, I meant, Captain Kern, sir. M'am, I mean," Jett said, tongue-in-cheek. "I can canvas the cantinas, after seeing if the local HoloNet feeds have any leads on desperate, but deep-pocketed souls who may be in need of safe passage." Then Jett half-smiled, "But don't worry, I won't tell them we can't provide the 'safe' part."

And at least the second mystery would be easier to solve. Having caught up to Zenna — and once she'd gotten the latter's full attention, Jett made an elaborate show of raising two fingers. Then she pointed at her own two eyes, before swiveling those fingers around to point at the data-stick. "Mind if I join you first?"

This message was last edited by the player at 04:44, Tue 09 Apr 2019.

"Sure. Come on. Let's get this done." Zenna replied when Jett got her attention.

In reply to Brannexx Dragenn (msg # 17):
Looking the cargo over as it is lifted from the gravsled and placed on the floor, ideas begin formulating in X2's processor, the ancient astromech chrping and warbling as his thought process piece together at least one idea, though he is not sure if they could put it together in a short enough time frame.
He beeps out an answer, his sounds being translated through Brannexx's commlink.
We could disguise it as a tank of water.

“Ibja no do! Choba Geneva hup nogoi bajato wanna go cha chup chup wanak gido.”
_{Good idea! If you hoist it to the roof and make it look like the sky dragons inner belly, that would work well.}

Says the ewok pointing to the cargo bay roof.

X2 lets loose with a series of beeps, chirps, warbles, and whistles that go by quickly.  It seems to have something to with paint, welding, and the coolant tubes running along the celing of the cargo bay.
The commlink translation, however catches it all.
We need to paint it to match the interior, with lettering naming what we want them to think it is.  We can weld it up by the coolant pipes to make it look like they go inside.  We say there was a problem with overheating and we had to provide additional coolant to the engines.
X2 can use the grav sled to hold it up there for welding once it gets repainted.