The remainder of the journey passes without incident, and soon enough they are exiting hyperspace above the planet of Telos. The planet's surface glows a dull barren brown with the exception of the satellite structure of Citadel Station which sprawls across the majority of the northern quadrant. Beneath the station a small section of greenery is visible from its restoration zones.

"There she is," says Biggs with a smile, seated in the pilot's chair once more as he directs the ship towards the planet.

"Indeed," agrees Bane, seated beside him.

"Ah, fair Telos," Stro'to says, squinting down to see if he can spot from this distance where all the alternative docking stations on the station are.

"Don't even dream of it."

"Unfortunately as our communications array is not functional I've got no way of contacting the TSF or Republic forces on the station," Biggs informs the others, "I'll take us into one of the public hangers and use the short range comlink from there."

"A public hanger is preferable anyway," Fennec informs him firmly.

"It will be reassuring to know Telosian's finest security is keeping us safe," Stro'to says agrees dulcetly.

Xizran scoffs and keeps an eye on the station as they approach, memorizing the layout.

Biggs descends towards the sprawling space station. Beneath them the neatly organized gridwork of gleaming durasteel buildings spreads as far as the eye can see, full of large freighters importing and exporting everything from fuel to advanced shielding technology to foodstuffs. At length the Biggs drops into the traffic before slowing to take them into a hanger built into the side of one of the buildings. The landing struts descend as the freighter settles down with a hiss of its landing vents.

"Well," says Biggs as he glances into the captain's quarters to ensure Xizran has taken all his belongings, "I guess this is where we part ways."

"Correct," agrees Fennec briskly as she strides past on her way to the boarding ramp.

Xizran seems to indeed have taken all his belongings. (Not to mention some of Biggs'.)

"Indeed. Out you get, Stro'to."

"I do not see why we need to part ways so soon," Stro'to objects. "I for one am short on credits to pay for an apartment. Staying here until we find another ship to get off-world and using our credits to instead pay for things like the public mesh-cleanser and a new set of clothes seems to me a much more sensible use of our funds. Assuming, of course, that our Republic friend does not object. But I do not see why he would. With the ship in this condition, nobody else would be renting it."

"Technically this ship is property of the Republic which was loaned to me for my mission," Biggs explains as he presses the panel to lower the boarding ramp with an unhealthy rumble, shuddering to a halt halfway down.

"But, uh, yes," Biggs continues, as he punches the panel once more and the ramp reluctantly finishes lowering to the ground, "I don't believe they are in any particular hurry to have it back."

"We will certainly need access to credits if we are going to find passage off world," Layla agrees, sticking close to Stro'to as they descend the ramp.

"There is a good chance our enemies know the transponder code of this freighter," Fennec argues with a dark glance at the ship, "That Toydarian on Ord Mantell certainly wouldn't have put his neck on the line to keep that information private. The sooner we leave it behind us, the better."

"No one is stopping you and Xizran from leaving," Layla shoots back coolly.

"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.

Xizran lets out a startled curse and fires at Layla's lightsaber with his hold out pistol.

Xizran looks like he's thinking of firing again, but after a split second of hesitation he steps backwards, moving to make sure he's behind Fennec.

"Backstabbing cretin. And to think I was pleasantly surprised by how civil all of us were being."

"Civil? I didn't think that word was in your vocabulary," sniffs Layla as with a fluid stroke she slices through the door controls, sealing the blast door between them even as Fennec raises her rifle to fire.

Fennec gives a snarl as the door seals, hurrying forward to try the controls on her and Xizran's side of the door which spark and do nothing.

"Karking... backstabbing... cheating... curn!" she yells, kicking the dead controls with each word.

Layla, meanwhile, turns her lightsaber on the remaining pair of Stro'to and Bane.

"All right Stro'to," she says evenly, "We both know those two were going to kill you the moment they had their vault. I however, have no particular quarrel with you, and while you may be a sleemo there are certainly worse beings out there. Therefore, take me to the vault and I promise to let you go free. And don't you try anything," she adds to Bane.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Bane replies delicately, raising his hands placatingly, his gaze on the lightsaber pointed at him.

"Dear lady, you had me at 'ditch Xizran'," Stro'to says hastily, eying the lightsaber and oozing as much compliant obeisance as possible. "But as to the matter of a ship..."

"We will be taking Biggs' ship," Layla informs him, "I took note of his passcode on the way out and with no credits it is our only option. I am sure Biggs will understand, and it is not as though the Republic will miss it."

"And you do know how to astrogate your way to Kashyyyk?" Bane enquires dubiously, "Or do you plan to steal Republic flyboy's astromech as well?"

Layla frowns, considering this.

"Do you know how to astrogate?" she asks at length.

"No," Bane lies.

Layla narrows her eyes, pointing the lightsaber a few centimeters closer to the bounty hunter.

"You're coming with us."

“I would as soon fly in a ship chartered by you, Bane, as date a wookie. No offence, but you cannot even inject a medipac. May I suggest an alternative, dear Layla? I happen to know dear Fennec crossed Czerka last time she was here, and Czerka are plentifully supplied with ships. If you gave them a tip-off Xizran and Fennec were on the station, I’m sure they would pay you handsomely— especially since dear Xizran has a rather large bounty on his head. I balk at stealing the human’s ship I confess. He was kind to us, and it seems churlish to return kindness with treachery,” Stro’to says, with dubiously honesty.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:59, Sun 18 Sept 2022.

"It's not my fault medpacs hate me," Bane retorts, crossing his arms, "I can assure you I am a highly skilled pilot and have even been described as-"

"Enough," Layla says firmly, thrusting her lightsaber even closer to Bane before turning to Stro'to, "You really think Czerka will supply us with a ship for a vague, unvalidated tip-off? Xizran and Fennec could be anywhere by the time we reach Czerka and we have no proof. Doesn't sound like a good plan at all to me."

"I think it sounds like a much better idea than stealing a friend's ship," Stro'to says virtuously. "It's not going to encourage people like him to do me favours like fly me for free if it gets out that I steal people's ships when they do it, and unless we knock him off, it will most certainly get out."

"There is no need to pretend you're oh-so-noble," Layla shoots back evenly, "Biggs isn't here to impress, and I am sure he would understand if he knew the circumstances. Besides, he himself admits the ship is a piece of junk the Republic wouldn't miss. Now, let's get moving before our friends find a way to-"

She is interrupted at that moment by a pair of TSF officers who round the corner, their eyes widening in surprise.

"Is there a problem here?" asks one of them as his hand strays to where his blaster is holstered.

Layla sighs impatiently, waving a hand at the officers.

"There is nothing to see here," she says firmly, "You should continue your patrol."

OOC: Layla Secura used Affect Mind (DC15).

The officer frowns.

"This is hardly what I would call 'nothing to see'," he says grimly, drawing his blaster as his gaze alights on the seared control panel of the door behind, "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to put away the lightsaber and come with us."

OOC: TSF Officer rolled 17 using 1d20+1. Will Save.

"Officers," Stro'to says, inching forward to place them in-between himself and Layla, "You have no idea how timely your arrival is. This crazy lady was trying to force us to steal a Republic ship. Please do take her in to Republic custody. I shudder to think where public safety would be without such upstanding officers as yourselves keeping the rest of us poor aliens safe. You are truly the reason the rest of us can sleep at night."

"Indeed," agrees Bane, "I think she may be some kind of Sith agent."

The officer glances at his friend, swallowing as he tightens his grip on his blaster.

"This is your last warning," he orders Layla tersely, "Put the weapon down now."

Layla sends Stro'to a cold glare before sighing.

"I really was hoping to avoid any unpleasantness," she says regretfully before reaching out with a sudden movement to send the officer soaring into the wall behind to land heavily on the floor.

OOC: Layla Secura rolled 21 using 1d20+7. Initiative.
TSF Officers rolled 4 using 1d20+1. Initiatives.
Layla Secura used Force Strike on TSF Officer (DC15 Reflex Save).
TSF Officer rolled 21 using 1d20+1. Reflex Save.
Layla Secura dealt 2 points of wound damage to TSF Officer.

As the officer groans and attempts to groggily pick himself up, his partner raises her own blaster, speaking into her comlink as she does so.

"We have a code delta at Module 46 east entrance," she says quickly, "I have an officer down and subject is armed with a lightsaber. Immediate backup requested. Repeat code delta!"

As she speaks she fires a hasty shot at Layla, who easily deflects it as she advances.

"Erm," Stro'to says, inching back further, sending the Republic officers a supportive (and indeed effusive) look. "All the best with that. Truly, the streets are safe only through the efforts of law enforcement officers such as yourselves."

With this, Stro'to shamelessly bolts.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:03, Sat 24 Sept 2022.