"Indeed," Stro'to fervently agrees.

"Don't even try it, Layla. Only we are getting the treasure location from this worm, he's not staying with you unless you come with us," Xizran sneers in the tone of a falleen who's fairly sure he sees straight through what this is.

"We should head to the nearest cantina," Fennec suggests, "With luck we shall find a captain willing to take us to Kashyyyk or wherever this treasure vault is," she narrows her eyes at Stro'to and Bane, "Without requiring anywhere to stay. If we must spend some time on this station then I suggest we find an apartment somewhere away from prying eyes and with a decent escape route in which to wait."

"There's been a strong Republic presence here since the Sith attack," Biggs informs her, "It is unlikely these friends of yours will try anything while we are on the station. Still, suit yourself."

"We will indeed suit ourselves," Xizran agrees. "I propose a deal, Layla. If the building run by the nice Exchange that is completely unrelated to the actual exchange has not been touched, we can assume Telosian security may actually be half decent and we will also have immediate access to a ship to get off-world. If it's been bombed too, then I see no reason to think that people who got past with high-grade explosives are going to have any trouble getting into one more hangar bay."

Biggs shrugs as they exit the hanger and move out onto the bustling corridor beyond.

"Well, I wish you the best of luck in escaping these pursuers of yours. I am headed up to the Republic base to report Kadon's death, so I suppose this is where we part ways."

"Thank you once again for your assistance," Layla nods graciously.

Biggs nods.

"May the Force be with you."

Layla smiles, though there is something clouded in her features and she does not echo the phrase.

"It wouldn't kill you to part with enough credits to let us pay for drinks at a cantina before we parted ways," Xizran sneers ungratefully. "Stingy carker. Anyway, Fennec, take us to the nearest holonet terminal. I want to see what's been happening while we've been stuck on that useless rust-bucket. Let us see if the reach of our enemies stretches as far as Telos."

Biggs eyes Xizran with increasing dislike.

"Do you need credits?" he directs at Layla, "I don't have many on me but if you do need some for a meal or a room for the night then they're yours."

"I believe the answer he is looking for is 'Yes, thank you'," Bane offers helpfully as Layla hesitates.

Biggs take Layla's pause as a polite reluctance to admit she does in fact need the credits. He reaches into his belt to withdraw a credit chip which he tosses to her.

"All yours," he nods, before giving a final wave and departing, "Good luck."

Layla catches the credits, watching as Biggs departs through the crowd. She then turns back to the others. She does not give the credits to Xizran, instead pocketing them in her own pouch.

"You really are the galaxy's most obnoxious slimeball," she shakes her head in disgust as she sets off towards the exit of the shuttle bay.

"Says the primary beneficiary of my actually thinking ahead and making sure we don't get stuck sleeping in a dumpster," Xizran scoffs, strolling after her.

Stro'to seems to weigh up his odds of a quick escape in his present circumstances, eyes Fennec, and wisely falls in line as well, sticking close to Layla.

Fennec, by this point, has located a public terminal outside the entrance of the shuttle bay. The middle aged human man in overalls who is presently accessing the terminal glances up as the party approach, hastily finishing up his session and hurrying on his way. Fennec narrows her eyes suspiciously at his retreating form as she moves forward to log into the terminal, using her body to block as much as she can from the view of curious passers by.

"Bumani was hit," she informs Xizran in a low tone as he arrives beside her at the terminal, before scoffing, "Large explosion levelled the entire complex. They're blaming it on a gas leak."

"And Telosian security actually swallowed that, which means we aren't safe going anywhere near them. I think we can all agree I made the right call in not staying on that Republic human's rusty trash heap."

Bane gives a grunt of agreement as he peers at the terminal screen between Xizran and Fennec's shoulders.

"Got to love Republic security."

"All the more reason to get off this planet as soon as possible," Layla interjects, peeved at Xizran being proven right, "Where is the nearest cantina?"

Xizran looks at Fennec expectantly.

"The nearest cantina in which we are likely to find anyone useful," Fennec corrects Layla, "Will be Zenran's Cantina in Module 72. The Bumani rarely frequented it so it is unlikely to be compromised."

Fennec appears to know her way around Citadel Station and proceeds to lead the others through the corridors and up and down a series of ramps and turbolifts. Most of the beings about them are human, and appear to be largely technicians or scientists judging by their attire. Officers of the Telos Security Force are stationed at the entrance of each module as they make their way through, and the party attract more than the occasional glance as they pass. Layla glances about keenly at their surroundings as she walks in toe with Xizran and Stro'to, while Bane brings up the rear.

At length they arrive at a shuttle corridor connecting a pair of modules which happens to be deserted and it is at this moment that Layla suddenly takes action. Her left hand snaps to the hilt of her lightsaber while with her right she gives Fennec a push with the Force.

Fennec gives a grunt of mingled surprise and annoyance as she staggers forward, managing to keep her balance as she glances around to glare at Layla.

"What in the-" she breaks off, her expression morphing into outright rage as Layla ignites her lightsaber and makes a lunge for the door controls.

OOC: Xizran rolled 20 using 1d20+2. Initiative.
Layla Secura rolled 19 using 1d20+7. Initiative.
Fennec Kang rolled 17 using 1d20+8. Initiative.
Bane Malar rolled 5 using 1d20+3. Initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:05, Sat 17 Sept 2022.