Mika looks down at the table, not willing to meet anyone's eyes.  "My fault, seems I'm a better mechanic than a slicer."

Fiarr shook her head.  "My plan, my fault Mika.  You were unhappy from the start about going in without equipment or the astromech.  I forced you to improvise.  I focused on stealth at the cost of your needs.  The fault lies with me."

Heigren didn't sit with the team initially, he had nothing to really add.  Instead he busied himself with breakfast.  When Sheila offered to help he waved her out.  He'd tried to prepare food to each person's taste.  He'd enjoyed the challenge and even taken to giving them names.  Devon's breakfast was "Grease Pit", "Death by Protein" for Kyvarr, "Junk Food Overload" for Mika, "Assassin's Powershake" for Fiarr and so on.  He ensured there was plenty of caf and that the serving droid would keep it coming.

Then he dropped into his own seat.  Today he was enjoying "Tooth Decay Invasion" as he called it.  He'd need to stock up on the ship's supply of sweetener after this.  Waffles, pancakes, syrups, chocolate sauce, and various other delicacies were the order today.  He was wondering if he would have time to work off the excess fat later.  A workout with the Cathar would take care of that, but their ideas on what such a workout would entail would undoubtedly be different.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:47, Wed 22 Apr 2015.

Dohr was the last to arrive, not because had slept longer, but because he had taken his time to dry wash and fold away the Major outfit provided to him by Heigren. It had served him well, but there was no way he would be wearing it constantly. Perhaps he would need the uniform again one day, perhaps not. But until he did, he would be Dohr Veen, doctor of medicine. The Major had retired, again.

While the suit was in the washer, the Kel Dorian sat on floor of his cubicle in the mediation position his mother had taught him thirty years ago. Eyes closed, Dohr went through the events of the previous night in his mind. He knew he had done well himself, but at the same time he was well aware that he could not have accomplished much without the help of the rest of team. Sheila’s hacking and Heigren’s… personality, they were the perfect base he had been able to slowly build up his successful approach. But he still shook his head in disbelief as he thought about the coincidence of the General being the very same Rennek Horn he had studied as a young man a long time ago. There were other famous Corellian officers of course, but Horn had been a perfect target for their purposes. Unbelievable luck… Or as Mother would have said: The Force moves in mysterious ways.

Entering the kitchen just when Fiarr was giving her report, the Doc waited politely until she and Mika had finished before bowing customarily. ”Good morning everyone. Please forgive me for being late.” Dohr accepted a cup of caf suitable for his kind from Heigren, quietly took a sip and savoured the taste before sitting down. Before eating anything, the Kel Dor cleared his throat and spoke up. ”I am happy to see you three got out safely and no one got hurt. Do not blame yourselves for your lack of success, any of you. There was very little time to plan and complete the task and no time to do any research on the systems they are using.”

Dohr took another sip of the brew and nodded to himself. ”Fortunately, the gods of luck decided to smile upon us when we met General Horn. I had a longish talk with the General and managed to dig some information out of him without him realizing our true intentions…”

”As we already had guessed, it seems there really was a meeting between several "companies" specializing on our line of business here in Corellia approximately one month ago. Many important figures of the different groups were present, including the Imperial Senator, or formerly so, Garm Bel Ibis.”

Dohr stood up and grabbed something to eat from the table. ”Horn also said there had been a Jedi present in the meeting, but he knew nothing more about him or her. I find it hard to believe that a real Jedi would have survived Vader’s purge, but then again, the Galaxy is enormous. Who knows…” He could not help the thought of his sister rising to the surface of his mind from somewhere very far and deep. The sister he had never met…

”Vader… He was here. He brought a full attack fleet with him and caused severe damage to the resistance groups. Many people died in the attack and only a few got away. The leaders were in the middle of a meeting and were not able to avoid capture. Unfortunately for us and much to the disappointment of the good General Horn, the Imperials rounded up the captives and moved out of the system without informing the Corellians of their plans…”

There was an agonising silence of five or six seconds before Dohr’s voice was heard again through his vocalizer, this time with a hint of optimism in it. ”But luckily for us, the General has really talented and smart people working for him. One of his comms specialists had “caught” an Imperial transmission with their destination: the Atrivis Sector on the Outer Rim. Imperial.”

Kyvarr moved quickly and began typing away on a datapad before her.  Quickly a large screen she had set up in the dining room showed the ship's navigational data on the Atrivis Sector.

She peered at it wonderingly.  It was deep in the outer rim.  She knew nothing about the area but figured she would soon need to think about an assault.  If Mark and Zyra were alive, and she personally rated their chances slim, it was possible she'd need to lead a ground rescue team.  She'd never broken into a prison before.

Mika, feeling not so self-pitying with the news that it seems that Dohr got some useful information..... If it could be trusted.

"Sounds like some pretty detailed information for a dinner party.  You think we can trust it?  I'd hate to fall for a trap.  But who's this Vader guy you're talking about?  You say it like we should know who he I'd."

Fiarr looked surprised at Mika's ignorance of Vader.  The Bothan had far more access to intelligence than her, but Vader wasn't exactly low-profile.  "Seriously, you haven't heard of Vader?  Supreme Commander of Imperial Forces, Emperor's right hand man, 2 metre tall guy in full black body armour including helmet and cape?  Only person in the galaxy who openly wears a lightsaber?  Not sure if I should be surprised or envious.  Nobody who meets that guy enjoys the experience.  Rumour has it he's murdered more Imperial Admirals and Generals in the past 5 years than all assassins in the entirety of the Clone Wars!"

Dohr too was surprised. He would’ve thought everyone knew who Lord Vader was. Many of those murdered Generals had been Jedi... But not everyone cared about the core of the galaxy and what took place in the big world. Some people had more than enough to worry about in their own lives and rightly so. The galaxy was huge and the girl was young. She had not seen the Clone Wars or its aftermath. But Fiarr had said enough. There was not much else Dohr could tell about the man anyway.

”Can we trust the information? I see no reason why we couldn’t. We are little fish. There would be no need to arrange an ambush in a remote star system even if Horn was on to us. He could have had us followed and taken into custody or simply shot. Could it still be an ambush? Perhaps so. Perhaps the General is the best actor I have ever seen. However it may be, the Atrivis Sector seems to be the only lead we have right now…”

”But what seems strange to me is that the Empire knew exactly when and where to attack. It managed to take the resistance guards and scouts by surprise and the leaders had no chance of escape. Seems to me like there is a spy in their network.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:57, Fri 24 Apr 2015.

Devon nodded agreement with Dohrs comments regarding Fiarrs mission.  Sometimes you just didnt get lucky - didnt have the time you needed to do the job right.  But still, the lack of data was not encouraging.
"Good work, Doc.  And your team."
Devon paused long enough to drain his caf mug.
"Actually, good work all of you.  We may not have gotten as much information as we wanted, but it looks like we got away clean.  I'll call that a win."

In response to Fiarrs explanation of who Vader is, Devon added:
"Never met the guy, never even SEEN him except on the news.  Hell, dont think I ever been on the same planet as him.  But I've heard the rumours - he's one brother you dont wanna mess with.  Rumour says this guys got some kinda crazy magic going for him; spooky stuff.  Can read your mind, see the future.  Blasters dont hurt him.  Crazy things like that. 

Devon peered up at the screen Kyvarr had set up, trying to gather his thoughts, get the meeting back on track.
"Ok.  Lets assume they were at the meeting.  I figure there's three basic options to consider."

Devon started counting on his fingers
"Option one:  They were killed during the raid or captured and executed.  Would there be a way for us to confirm this?

Option two:  They were captured and are still alive.  So presumably they're where Vader is.  We'll need to track them more accurately and get on their trail fast.

Option three:  If they aint dead, and they aint in custody... they must have escaped some how.  Dohr said a few people made it out alive.  So they're on the run now.  And probably think they got Imperial Agents on their tail.  How do we track them better than the Empire can?

Did I miss anything?  And if not, tell me how we go about eliminating options and tracking down our people."

Mika shrugs.  "I'm a swoop jock, politics and wars and th news and all wasn't happening in my neighborhood, so I didn't pay it much mind.  But this Vader guy, he's one of the bad guys?  Got it."

She finds Devon's summation of the options pretty solid.  "Sounds like the Imps are our one stop shop then.  Killed, captured or on the run, the Imps would know, if we can find the right data stream to tap....."  She holds up a hand, palm outwards, to forestall objections, "I know, I know, I botched the slice, but I'm not the only person around.  We could hire a slicer, or..."

Her voice grows a little distant and her eyes seem to stare off into space.  "Or build one.  The right tools, materials, a bit of time....  I'm not the master of droids that Cor is, but maybe I could work something."

She looks at Devon, determination in her eyes.  "I think I could do."

Fiarr was unpreturbed by Dohr's suggestion of spies.  "Of course there are spies Dohr.  Every organisation of sufficient size has people who will share valuable information for money, for women, for revenge, for fun.  You don't even need special training for that.  Of course in this case it seems logical that Imperial Intelligence would track such a group of dissidents.  Imperial spies are no fools, though they're not as good as Bothan spies of course.  Bothan spies would never fall into a trap so completely."

"As for Devon's options, I believe we need to move with the belief they are captured.  If they're dead there is nothing we can do.  If they're on the run I believe they would find a way to contact us.  I believe we run with option two.  So if Vader has them and the General's information is correct, they are, or at least where in the Atrivis Sector somewhere.  That seems to be our logical next step.  Either we research the Sector or we go there.  Or both."

Kyvarr looked to Devon.  "So should we set a course for the Artivis sector Commander?  Surely an Imperial battle fleet won't be hard to track, even after a month.  They'll be seen, will have to refuel."

Dohr smiled behind his mask and bowed to Fiarr. She was right of course. Spies were everywhere, especially Imperial ones… and Bothans of course. But it could be worse. There might be a traitor in the midst of the leaders of the resistance forces.

Resistance forces…, the Doc considered his though.  Was it really something so big already? Were they planning to unite their powers to form an open rebellion against the Empire? Would it even be possible so soon after the disintegration of the Republic? It had been his dream for a decade now… That one day those under the oppression would rise up again and strike at the Empire to get back what was rightfully theirs. But twenty years… What was twenty years in the history of the Galaxy? Nothing changed so quickly. Or so it been for centuries, millennia even. And then, against all odds and practically in one day, the whole world had turned upside down. The Jedi were no more… or rather… there was only one Jedi left and he was the manifestation of evil itself.

”I agree with Fiarr. The second option is the only we can influence in any way. Atrivis Sector should be our next destination. But!” Dohr raised his hand to indicate he would continue after the sip of caf. ”But we should not simply jump into an Imperial sector even if it is on the Outer Rim. We need to have a legitimate reason for going there to avoid any unwanted attention from the border control.”

”We have two mid-sized ships one made for carrying a lot of cargo and the other suited perfectly for defending both. It would, I believe, be plausible for us to assume the roles of intergalactic vendors, would it not? We could try to find out what would be a good merchandise for us to carry; something that is not illegal or limited, but still needed in the sector. Medical supplies could be one now that Heigren has studied that line of business. But medical supplies are very, very expensive.”

"Border control is only a problem if we're approaching a heavily populated area.  A sector of space is too big to police.  I imagine there are plenty of stations where a pair of trading vessels could land and refuel no questions asked.  Whilst I'm sure finding a cargo to transport would be a better cover, and help offset our costs, I hardly think it's necessary unless we go to a system of high security."

Dohr nodded to Fiarr. "You are right of course. I have no idea whether Atrivis is a high security system or not. But I would hate to us see go there unprepared even if the Imperials have not placed a heavy guard on the borders. Should we decide to drop the cover, then let us at least find out as much as we can about the sector before we make the jump. I would prefer losing some time in overreacting and overpreparation than be caught pants down."

Fiarr smiled.  "Hey I'm all about getting in somewhere quietly.  I agree we need to be careful.  Maybe you and Heigren could hunt for a cargo job that heads in that direction while the slicers see what they can dig up and I tap my own sources."

Heigren looks up from his second mouthful of the triple chocolate caramel mudslide shake that was accompanying his breakfast.  "Cargo job to the Atrivis Sector?  I can find out where the local guys drum up business.  I assume it has to be legal cargo if we're planning to stay low profile?  Are we looking for enough cargo for both vessels or just one?"  He wasn't sure if the Nebula Drifter was to act as escort or wether they should try to fill her with cargo too around the fighters.

"As long as we're at it, we might as well try to earn a few creds, I'd say enough cargo to fill both, though we still need to be able to get the fighters launched if we need to.  And yeah, you're right, it should be legit cargo."

Kyvarr frowned.  "I'm no expert but I don't see how we could load much cargo on the Wayfarer and still be able to launch ships.  The cargo would have to be strapped down, able to withstand vacuum and stacked in a way it didn't get in the way of the ships launching.  If we wanted to fill it with cargo we'd be better to leave the fighters behind or perhaps have people fly them as they're both hyperspace capable."



OOC: I'm assuming here the cargo carrying is done in the 'pod'.  So that would mean cargo and fighters are loaded in the same area.   

"Considering how well I botched the last thing I did, maybe I shouldn't be saying anything, but maybe I should have gone, since slicing is one of the things I do.  I should have said something before you left on your adventure."  Her voice has an odd note in it and her face has colored in embarrassment.  "I can start the information hunt on Atrivis and the fleet."

(OOC, I know RL has been hitting, so the player screwed that up, not sheila, now I just have to play it.  )

"Enough!"  Heigren cried, banging the table and spilling the remnants of his shake on the table.  The Zeltron was distressed by the negative emotions.  First Mika was beating herself up about her supposed failures and now Sheila was seemingly caught up in what she could have done.

"We're alive, we're healthy and we're on track.  No Imperials are hunting us and you have a semi-eadible breakfast before you.  Let's not focus on what we could have done better.  Maybe a mission could have gone better, maybe you could have volunteered to go.  Maybe I should have drawn three cards instead of two and won the country estate with 500 acres adjoining or put more Corellian three-spice in Devon's eggs.  It's done, it's passed.  Let's look forward."

He stood.  "As morale officer I order everyone to think forwards and enjoy their breakfast. Seconds are permitted, even encouraged.  Anyone caught feeling sorry for themselves will be forced into a physical training session this morning.  It involves naked wrestling in chocolate source in front of the spaceport maintenance crew."

He sat down again.

Fiarr couldn't help but smile at Heigren's antics.  All his innuendos aside, the guy really did seem to care about people's feelings and moods.  She couldn't help but admire it.  It didn't hurt he was incredibly easy on the eye too.

"You know, you're right Heigren.  I'm soooo sick of Kyvarr's constant complaining and depressive behaviour.  I think she should put in a double session of your physical training today."

Kyvarr gave the Bothan a fixed stare.  "If you want to challenge me to a wrestling match, be my guest.  Clothed or naked, I promise you won't like the end result."  Her mouth took on a predatory grin.

She looked at her now-empty plate and looked to Heigren.  "Delicious.  You said something about seconds?"

Devon tried to cover his grin at Hrigrens proclamations and waited for everyone to get seconds of food or whatever and settle down again.

"OK, so if they're dead we cant do anything about it.  So assume they are not till we can prove otherwise.  If they are on the run, same problem.  So we keep working the 'prisoner' angle, yes?"

Devon looked at the sector map that Kyvarr had pulled up.
"So I guess we we are going to Artivis sector.  Right, we leave in 48 hours - Dohr, Heigren - find us a cargo that lets us go where we wanna go.  Dont get anything thats gonna draw unwanted attention an' dont get so much that we have to leave the fighters behind - check with me or Mika if you're not sure.  An' for the record, Dohr: neither of our freighters is really combat capable.  That's why we bought the fighters along.

Everyone else - learn what you can, we're chasing the scariest guy in the galaxy aboard his own personal Imperial Star Destroyer.  Lets not stumble into this blind - why has he gone to Artivis?  Why did he take our people there?  How do we get in and out without getting captured or killed?"

The shipjacker stood.
"Ok, everyone - lets get to it.  I'm gonna see if we cant squeeze a little more free space out of the Drifters hanger.  Maybe we can load more cargo if we rearrange some stuff..."

Devon paused in the galley to make himself a sandwich out of the remains of the 'Grease Pit' and grab himself another mug of caf, then he headed down to he hanger and got to work.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:02, Fri 01 May 2015.

Catch had clearly decided to include himself in the 'everyone else' part of the mission.

The droid warbled and quickly plugged into a wall mounted SCOMP socket, and data began flickering across the connected screen.

[Language unknown: "A si shearentiuresta se urplwi po ive nt ndto streauman enilekfoil as Seunfi ectounany paad notof en thoon whdieeulou.  Asil'onmo rom acncmani reaconithhat artavetin.  Ionomeenc ilstof.  Alldayatende ticos:  enouev, stiomeresder, thothuousven, ththtrnt, yinichame, Ousaveres, Ol Urnitrnt, Heitth, Ngdilaet, thihassti, ineundestnte.

It trarutain venul ulul estwerore ndehermen ceerpric ce palat e fiecsttr n unasthus."]
This message was last edited by the player at 10:57, Fri 01 May 2015.