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05:24, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy.

Posted by The ForceFor group 0
The Force
GM, 1077 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Sun 8 Dec 2019
at 22:07
  • msg #1

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

As You-Why goes off to find Kourene, the thoughts of the rest of the group turn to Tfalta Dawl.

While it is known than the Twi'lek is somewhere on the base, unless she is on a mission somewhere (or, more dangerously, out in the surrounding jungle), her exact whereabouts are currently unknown.  At least to anybody in the room...

So a plan may be necessary...
Shard
player, 1451 posts
Most days, I'm tired.
...or drunk.
Mon 9 Dec 2019
at 11:06
  • msg #2

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Still despondent, You-Why's predicament a stone about her neck, Shard moodily considers the baby.  There's not a whole lot they can do for their friend at the moment, but perhaps they might reunite child and mother.  "I have no idea where Child's mother might be," she slowly begins, "but Child might know."

Rhijans is going to hate this; rather, he's going to find it all a load of bantha piles, as he doesn't really hate anything but inefficiency, it seems.

"I strongly doubt I'm skilled enough to find her," she begins, somewhat neutrally, before throwing caution to the wind and just diving.  If people judge, so be it. "And I don't have any kind of real relationship with Dawl, other than persuading most of the others on the team not to shoot her."  Rhijans not included. "So I'm really stuck for reaching for her through the Force." Here, she turns her gaze on Haarmon and Child.  "Which isn't to say that others can't."

Haarmon might; he showed natural ability far beyond hers when first he touched Shard's mind.  But she won't decide for him to try; she's a teacher, not a 'master'.  And there is another.

"But Child's natural ability far, far outstrips my trained skill."  It's not so hard an admission to make as she once thought it would be; facts are facts, and Shard gave up balancing her self-worth on her connection to the Force a long time ago.  It just took a while for her ego to fully catch on.  "AND there's a distinct connection.  Maybe Child can find her."
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1394 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Mon 9 Dec 2019
at 17:16
  • msg #3

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans' face remained decidedly neutral as Shard spoke.  There was a time he would have dismissed the idea out of hand...but he'd seen enough that, while he didn't place any faith in the Force, personally, he had accepted that there was something out there that others called the Force, and there were things they could do with it.

Sometimes, anyway.  Their faith in it still hadn't overcome his drive for pragmatic measures...and they fell back on the pragmatic approach often enough that he had plenty of faith in that.

"Do what you need to do in here.  I'll go see if the Deck Officer knows if Dawl is on the base, or gone off-world..."

He started for the exit hatch, in no particular hurry.  There wasn't anything he could contribute to their efforts here, but he might be able to get some answers in a more practical method.
Haarmon Dak
player, 835 posts
Are you talking to me?
Tue 10 Dec 2019
at 16:38
  • msg #4

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Haarmon nodded and smiled. "Yeah, no point in faffing about looking for every secret on every level when you got the cheat code right here, yeah?" He gestured to the baby.

Whatcha thinking, little one? Can you sense where your Once and Future Teacher is hiding?

A pause.

And what do you think about a name? We can't just be running about calling you Child. Sounds like we're about to remonstrate you for using the wrong desert fork or something.

His heart dropped a little as he asked. He was starting to realize that he wasn't going to get to hold on to the little one much longer. For the best, really, all around.

But all the same, he'd gotten used to having her nearby.
Juragga
player, 627 posts
Wookiee Warrior
Bringing the Boom
Wed 11 Dec 2019
at 02:03
  • msg #5

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Somewhere nearby, in his cabin, Juragga finished off his third mug of jet-juice.
The Force
GM, 1078 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Sun 15 Dec 2019
at 20:52
  • msg #6

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

The alien child looks at Haarmon, and makes a sound like a cross between a belch and a giggle, before smiling at him.

A man's voice, very calm and clear, comes from a nearby wall console, "Captain Hannak, please report to the briefing room.  Captain Hannak to the briefing room."

The infant laughs and clumsily claps her hands...

Juragga, meanwhile, is finding his alone time somewhat unsatisfactory.  They just don't seem to make jet-juice the way they used to.  After three mugs of the stuff, he still doesn't feel like all his hair is falling out.  Or maybe they do make it like they used to, and he has just built up a resistance to it.  After all, it's not like he's sixty years old any more...

The intercom chirps... seems like the Wookiee has a call...
Juragga
player, 629 posts
Wookiee Warrior
Bringing the Boom
Mon 16 Dec 2019
at 06:52
  • msg #7

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Grumbling, Juragga stood and shuffled over to the communicator.

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrgh," he complained.  Whaddaya want?
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1395 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Mon 16 Dec 2019
at 18:32
  • msg #8

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans left the ship, looking around at first and then asking for the Deck Officer.  Once located, he proceeded with his typical brusque fashion.  "Any idea if Tfalta Dawl is on the base?  We have a delivery for her..."
The Force
GM, 1080 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Wed 18 Dec 2019
at 22:31
  • msg #9

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

"Hello?  Is that... where was it, ah!  There... Juragga?"  A pause, while Juragga answers, then, "Oh, you don't speak Basic?  Right, right.  Well... Reldan Jalt gave me your name.  Said you're pretty strong, and I need somebody  who can help me out.  I'm looking for somebody with a bit of muscle who also knows one end of a thrust chamber from the other."

"If you're interested, I'm in the north hangar.  Look for the Drunken Gundark.  I'm her captain, Halec Rett."
 

The Deck Officer looks at Rhijans for a moment, nodding, then glances around the hangar.  He points at a fighter, an older model, still in good shape and painted in orange and black.  "I believe that's her ship.  If that's here, then there's a fairly good chance she's about somewhere.  If you need to find her, there's a public address terminal just over there, near the blast door... you can put a call out for her."
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:30, Thu 19 Dec 2019.
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1396 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Thu 19 Dec 2019
at 02:07
  • msg #10

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans nodded a curt acknowledgment.  It can't be that easy, can it? he asked himself, and then shrugged inwardly.  They were certainly due for SOMETHING to happen the easy way.

He walked over to the PA and picked up the mic.  "Tfalta Dawl, please report to your ship.  Repeat, Tfalta Dawl, you are needed at your ship in the hangar."  His voice was crisp, the tones clipped...very business-like, even in comparison to his normal no-nonsense fashion.

He put down the mic and stepped away.  This was supposed to be friendly territory, but old habits died hard...he would wait and watch for her arrival, but he didn't want it immediately apparent that he was the one that had paged her.
Shard
player, 1452 posts
Most days, I'm tired.
...or drunk.
Thu 19 Dec 2019
at 10:17
  • msg #11

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

It seems Haarmon is getting somewhere with the child.  The question becomes, will the child have an answer?

The PA, however, rolls out another announcement, this time in Rhijans' voice.  Shard sighs.  "Leave it to Rhijans to find a more efficient method."  It's the best possible choice for finding Dawl.

"How'd he know she has a ship?" she murmurs.
Juragga
player, 630 posts
Wookiee Warrior
Bringing the Boom
Thu 19 Dec 2019
at 23:36
  • msg #12

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

In reply to The Force (msg # 9):

Juragga shook his head to clear it, frowning in his Wookiee way.  Once he parsed what was being said, he woofed an affirmative, albeit a reluctant one.

He looked forlornly at the potential FOURTH mug of grog he could drink... and then shouldered his toolkit and shuffled off to the north hanger, looking for Captain Rett and the Drunken Gundark.
The Force
GM, 1081 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Sun 22 Dec 2019
at 20:14
  • msg #13

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Minutes pass.  Rhijans watches as Juragga shuffles across the hangar, seemingly distracted.  On the far side of the large room, a figure in a grey hooded robe enters and walks, head lowered, across to Tfalta Dawl's fighter.  Whoever it is, they stop a short distance away from the craft and start examining the landing gear on a parked Z-95...

Aboard the Bantha, the infant suddenly stops making happy noises and waving her limbs about.  Instead see stretches out one arm and points to the wall.  The wall she points at is, perhaps coincidentally, a section of the ship's hull...
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1400 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Sun 22 Dec 2019
at 22:09
  • msg #14

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans began maneuvering an indirect route...not to the fighter, but to the gray figure.  As he moved, he kept his attention split between watching for anyone else approaching the fighter--or Dawl's sudden appearance--and watching the gray-hooded figure for any sign of threat or danger.

He was relatively certain the figure was Dawl, taking precautions after being inexplicably summoned in a decidedly unusual way...but there was always chance that it was someone else looking for Dawl, trying to take advantage of the summons.  Either way, getting closer to the figure served his purposes...
This message was last edited by the player at 04:54, Tue 24 Dec 2019.
Haarmon Dak
player, 838 posts
Are you talking to me?
Tue 24 Dec 2019
at 03:55
  • msg #15

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Haarmon stared at the kid, his brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed. Why'd she get so excited when the intercom started squawking? Why didn't she give him a name to use?

Well, whatever was going on in there, a point was a point was a point.

He looked over at Shard. "You up for a little follow-the-leader?"

He turned in a circle with the baby, to see if her little ravioli-fist would stay pointing in roughly the right direction.
The Force
GM, 1084 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Thu 26 Dec 2019
at 21:09
  • msg #16

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Juragga finds the north hangar easily enough.  AS he enters he notices the smell, which brings him a sudden flood of memories of home.  The outer door is open, giving a clear view of sky, and the jungle canopy moving in the breeze.

The Drunken Gundark turns out to be a YT-1300, parked near the outer door.  Halec Rett, her captain, is sitting on a folding chair at the foot of the ramp, but he gets to his feet as Juragga approaches.  A movement that brings a gasp from the Human, and leaves him standing with his back bent.  "Jalt says you know a little bit about ships.  See, I have this problem... one of the directional flow coils in the port thruster array is misaligned and needs straightening up.  Trouble is, the drives are an older model, and the coils are heavier than on newer designs.  So it takes a lot of strength, and a bit of tech know-how to realign one, and it's bit cramped in there for a crew of techs, but you could probably lay in the access crawlway and reach up to work on the coil, and you'd be strong enough to shift it alone,"

"Want to help me out?  I can make it worth your while."


Rhijans gets closer to the hooded figure, and a voice he hasn't heard in a little while suddenly comes from it...

"It's been a while Rhijans.  Do your friends still want me dead?"

As Haarmon turns, the infant continues to point at the same spot on the wall, near enough.  She also starts laughing again.  A couple of steps to one side, and it becomes apparent that she definitely isn't pointing at a spot on the wall, but to something beyond it... outside the ship...
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1402 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Fri 27 Dec 2019
at 02:26
  • msg #17

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

"Unless you've mysteriously shifted allegiance to the Empire, then, no...you're safe with us."  He eased forward, eyes still scanning the hangar.  Some might consider his behavior paranoid...but Rhijans regarded is as merely being prudent.  They'd already had to deal with one episode of base security being compromised, he wasn't about to take it for granted that there was no chance someone else here had dubious loyalties.
Tfalta Dawl
NPC, 9 posts
Always look on the bright
side of the light side
Sun 29 Dec 2019
at 20:56
  • msg #18

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

"No, I'm good with the Alliance, thanks.  So I think it's safe to assume that you called me here, and that you had a good reason for doing it."  Tfalta Dawl turns to study Rhijan's face, her expression one of barely repressed amusement, "Do you want to tell me, or should I just start guessing?"

"You seem jumpy.  Expecting a visit from Nimadda?"

Rhijans Thanus
player, 1403 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Mon 30 Dec 2019
at 02:06
  • msg #19

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

"Not particularly.  Just a case of knowing enough to never be really comfortable anywhere there are people I don't know."  He nodded in the direction of the Bantha.

"We actually have a delivery for you.  Pretty sure it's something you're going to want to see, and I'm positive it's something you're better equipped to deal with than we are."  He gave a humorless grin and added, "It's something that is utterly outside of my realm of expertise."  He started in the direction of the ship.
Shard
player, 1455 posts
Most days, I'm tired.
...or drunk.
Tue 31 Dec 2019
at 11:24
  • msg #20

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

"I'm game," Shard replies to Haarmon. "Better than standing around here...how much do you want to bet we find Dawl, only she's heading in our direction with Rhijans?" 

That said, she makes an elaborate 'after you' movement; after all, it's the child that's pointing the way.
Juragga
player, 632 posts
Wookiee Warrior
Bringing the Boom
Wed 1 Jan 2020
at 17:56
  • msg #21

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Juragga regarded Captain Rett for a moment, glancing to the Gundark.  Small wheels turned in his brain pan, despite the three flagons of ale he'd already consumed... Wookiee constitution was no joke.

Then, he woofed an affirmative.  But, he warbled in explanation, what he wanted in return... was information.  He still sought out his family, but activities in the Rebellion had kept him from making any headway of late...
The Force
GM, 1086 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Wed 1 Jan 2020
at 21:26
  • msg #22

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rett nods, straightening up slowly, "No problem.  Tell me what you're after, and I'll see if any of my contacts can come up with it while you work on the Gundark.  I have good contacts."

Tfalta Dawl frowns.  "A delivery for me?  I'm not expecting anything.  I don't think anybody outside this base knows I'm here."  A shrug, and then, "But fine.  Lead on."

She follows after Rhijans, grinning when she sees their destination.  "Ah... the Dancing Bantha.  It's still flying then?"

Haarmon leads the way through the ship, heading for the exit.  With every turn of a corner, the infants arm swings to continue pointing in the same direction, like some sort of inertial compass...
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1405 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Thu 2 Jan 2020
at 05:20
  • msg #23

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans gave a dry snort that could perhaps have passed for a laugh.  "Well, we weren't told to bring it to you HERE, specifically...just asked to bring it to you.  We got into port, asked around, and found out you were here.  First damn thing about this whole last operation that's actually been simple."

He gave the ship an appraising look.  "She's still flying, although we almost managed to kill her this last time out.  But I think the ship is as stubborn as her captain...when she finally gives in to fate, it's not going to be on a scrap pile.  And she not only brought us back this time...we retrieved the Colonel off Nimadda's Star Destroyer.  I'm pretty sure the Empire is training a few new officers after that one..."

They arrived at the base of the ramp, and Rhijans called up, into the ship, "Shard!  Haarmon!  Coming in with a friend..."  He didn't figure they'd be too jumpy...but the kid had them both behaving a little oddly and it was best to not take chances.
The Force
GM, 1089 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Mon 6 Jan 2020
at 20:14
  • msg #24

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rett listens to Juragga, and nods.  "I can most likely find that out for you.  Probably not here though.  I'll need to ask around, which means getting my ship operational again.  Once that happens, I'll visit some acquaintances I have on other planets, and see what I can find out for you."

And with that said, he leads Juragga aboard the Drunken Gundark, and through to Engineering.  He points to a low crawlway with an open access panel just big enough for a Wookiee to push his way in, if he is laying down.  "You'll need to lay on your back and slide in.  About two metres in is a vertical shaft, and the flow coil assembly is at the top.  With those long arms, you should be able to reach it."

Tfalta Dawl stops at the bottom of the ramp, "Something odd here.  Something that I haven't felt before."  A moment's thought, and then, "Or have I?"
Shard
player, 1458 posts
Most days, I'm tired.
...or drunk.
Tue 7 Jan 2020
at 01:43
  • msg #25

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Shaking her head in amusement, Shard follows Haarmon through the ship.  "Don't actually need us, do they?  Aside from transport?"

Really, they're just along for the ride, here.  It's a worthwhile ride, mind; reuniting a mother and child is never a bad thing.

Ahead is the ramp, and Rhijans' words echo up into the ship.  Shard immediately rolls her eyes. "Called it," she murmurs, then raises her own voice to respond.  "We're coming.  Haarmon's ferrying our guest; I'm just the rag-tag follower."
Juragga
player, 633 posts
Wookiee Warrior
Bringing the Boom
Tue 7 Jan 2020
at 05:04
  • msg #26

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Juragga nodded, crouching to peer into the shaft.  Then, lying down, he got on his back and slid in, head-first, to asses the situation.
The Force
GM, 1090 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Wed 8 Jan 2020
at 21:48
  • msg #27

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Thje component is easy to spot, at least Juragga has seen one before, and can see that it is misaligned.  Whoever designed this ship needs his head examining.  While the access space is about the right size for Juragga to reach up and do the work, for a Human it would be just too far if the Human were laying down.  Sitting would be awkward, and standing completely out of the question. 

At the Dancing Bantha, there is a reunion of sorts, even if some of the individuals have never met before, and some are less than enthusiastic to see each other.

Tfalta Dawl cocks her head to one side, eyeing the bundle clutched by Haarmon.  "An infant from one of the... oh... I see.  Nuq Clade."
Haarmon Dak
player, 840 posts
Are you talking to me?
Fri 10 Jan 2020
at 03:53
  • msg #28

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Haarmon kept his distance from Dawl as she entered. But he didn't look like he was keeping his distance. He was... baby-toting casual.

He kept his mind open for any sense of anything that the little one might be getting from Dawl. He for sure wasn't super excited about her initial reaction. "Yeah, she's from the Clade. Why did you say that like you got a mouthful of bantha poodoo?"
Tfalta Dawl
NPC, 10 posts
Always look on the bright
side of the light side
Sun 12 Jan 2020
at 20:12
  • msg #29

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

"She's a little early is all.  I lived with Nuq Clade for a while, and by my calculation she would be born in about another half month.  I had planned to travel back to Yakusant about then, make sure everything went well with the birth, stay for a while, and give her some basic training.  Then I'd come back here and go to update her training every so often."

Tfalta Dawl sighs.  "I suppose the fact that she came here instead means that something went wrong at home.  I told her mother to find me if there was any problem. I would guess that her mother couldn't come, so she gave her daughter to a group of strangers, trusting them to find me instead.  That doesn't seem as if things are good there.  So bantha poodoo sounds about right."
Shard
player, 1461 posts
Most days, I'm tired.
...or drunk.
Mon 13 Jan 2020
at 01:20
  • msg #30

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

"All right," Shard murmurs as Dawl makes the situation clear.  With a sigh, she nods in agreement.  "Yes, things aren't exactly at there best where we picked her up.  'Something wrong' is a bit of an understatement."

Haarmon seems to want to keep his distance; with a shrug, Shard continues, offering Dawl up an abridged version of the story of How The Infant Came To Be Upon The Bantha. 'And that's...pretty much it," she finishes.  Turning, she studies the baby for a moment. "She's gifted, to say the least.  More than ten of me, though that's not saying much.  I would congratulate you, but what with what's happening with the child's people, it doesn't seem quite right."

Turning back to Dawl, she raises one thin eyebrow.  "Ready to take on the responsibility?"
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1407 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Mon 13 Jan 2020
at 04:29
  • msg #31

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans raised an eyebrow at Haarmon's reaction, though he said nothing, letting Shard field the explanation of the problems that had befallen Nuq Clade.

"We never saw her, but I'm guessing Nimadda was behind all the Imperial attention that was on Yakusant while we were there."  He shrugged minutely.

"I don't know anything about the Force...but the Imperials were just a little too focused on a specific section of dirt of that whole desert for me to believe it was just coincidence."  He looked at Dawl.

"She might not have been there, personally...but they seemed to know exactly where they were going."
Tfalta Dawl
NPC, 11 posts
Always look on the bright
side of the light side
Wed 15 Jan 2020
at 20:04
  • msg #32

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

"Yes, I'll take her now.  Once I have her settled in, I might swing by Yakusant and see if I can find out what happened.  I lived with these people for years.  I have contacts there, and a pretty good reputation among the Clades.  Which is why Nuq Clade are prepared to trust me to train a treasure that comes along once in... well... a very long time.  They might talk to me more easily than to strangers."

The Jedi holds out her arms towards Haarmon, and the infant laughs and reaches for her...
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1408 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Thu 16 Jan 2020
at 06:51
  • msg #33

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

"If you go back, be really careful about who you trust.  And if you have any dealings with the Hutt or any of his people, probably best to not let on that you know us.  The situation we left behind was pretty...fluid...but depending on how it turned out, the Hutt Syndicate could potentially have a bounty on some or all of us."  He shrugged.  To him, it was merely the price of doing business.

"And one of the other Clades attacked Nuq Clade...hit their home location pretty hard, and killed a lot of them.  They were being taken out and lined up...looked kinda like a slaver operation, almost, but the ship that was on its way down was Imperial.  They had already asked us to deliver something for them...at that point, they were still being cagey about it, and knowing what they wanted delivered, now, I understand why.  But since they had been friendly and the others were decidedly NOT, we helped them start fighting back out in the open where there wasn't much of an advantage to be had by one side or the other."

He gestured to the child.  "That's when one of them handed her to us, and told us to find you...and not to wait around to see how the battle turned out.  When we left, THAT situation was still very fluid, as well.  And not knowing which Clade was the aggressor means asking questions could be very dangerous."  The words sounded like a tactical assessment, and not advice...he was reporting the situation as he recalled it, not offering suggestions on who to talk to or avoid.
Haarmon Dak
player, 841 posts
Are you talking to me?
Thu 16 Jan 2020
at 21:03
  • msg #34

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

The feeling in his mind as the baby reached for Dawl squashed whatever doubts Haarmon had. She was probably the best judge of character among them and, if she was into this, then it fine.

Truth be told, it squashed his hopes too. Not hopes, so much, but... dreams? Daydreams, anyway. He knew, he KNEW, that there was a precisely 0% chance that he would get to hang on her. And even if he did, his life made having her both impossible and dangerous (for her).

All the same, he would have given almost anything for another day. For a little while there it felt like he was... maybe... putting a little good karma in the bank to replace everything he'd withdrawn during his fractious and difficult childhood.

"You're welcome. You watch out for her. She's 10 pounds of trouble in a five pound diaper." He managed a smile. And he managed to almost believe in the smile as he handed her over. And then he tried to make it seem like maybe he forgot something and had to go, but it was a bad job. As he walked out of the ship and into the hanger, mostly he looked just like someone running away before anyone could see him tear up like a baby.
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1409 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Fri 17 Jan 2020
at 07:23
  • msg #35

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans watched Haarmon walk away, his face an inscrutable mask.  He understood sentiment, even if he rarely indulged in it, and it hadn't been hard to see how quickly Haarmon had grown attached to the child, even with the knowledge from the moment they'd received her that they would be delivering her to someone else.

For now, he let the young man go.  He knew enough to know that any advice he might offer right now would be rejected...either angrily or with forced humor, but either one was a denial of the real feelings there.  It wasn't hard to envision Haarmon wishing for the kind of future which Rhijans had already pretty much ruled out for himself.  In the extremely rare chance that Haarmon would listen to his advice, the counsel Rhijans had to offer would lead the youngster in a very different direction...would, in effect, quash and maybe even kill the parts of Haarmon that made him so definitively Haarmon.

And Rhijans just couldn't bring himself to do that.  The galaxy had enough jaded cynics, already...an overabundance, even.  Someone had to carry the torch of hope...
The Force
GM, 1092 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Sun 19 Jan 2020
at 22:04
  • msg #36

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Tfalta Dawl looks at the child briefly, as she settles into the Jedi's arms as if she had always been there.

Then she looks at Rhijans and frowns.  "The Clades have always fought each other, though the fighting has always been small scale skirmishes, out in the open, usually aimed at stealing from another Clade's scavenging teams.  An attack on a home nest isn't normal, and getting outsiders involved - Imperials, for example - is even less normal.  Too much risk that your allies would take some, or all, of your spoils."

"When I get a chance, I'll look into it... see if I can find out what's going on there.  I grew up on Yakusant, so I have an interest in what happens in my childhood home."

Rhijans Thanus
player, 1410 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Mon 20 Jan 2020
at 01:34
  • msg #37

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans caught himself on the verge of a disparaging remark, and stopped it.  Everyone grew up somewhere...  The fact that her childhood home had been downright inhospitable to them didn't make it any less meaningful to her.

"Don't know if the Imperials are still there or not.  If they went looking for the kid, and Nimadda realized she's gone, there's no reason for them to stay.  But if they're still there, be careful.  They may be searching for the kid, or they may be rounding up slave labor for their part of whatever new monstrosity the Empire is trying to produce.  That shield system we sabotaged a while back was designed to protect something massive...and we only slowed them down on one system of it, I'm sure they're still working on other parts in other areas."

He shrugged.  "Not sure which possibility presents greater cause for concern.  Nimadda raising that kid is definitely bad news...but if the Empire is close enough or desperate enough to start harvesting their own slave labor, rather than contracting it out?  Things could get very hot, all around the sector."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:22, Mon 20 Jan 2020.
Juragga
player, 634 posts
Wookiee Warrior
Bringing the Boom
Mon 20 Jan 2020
at 16:06
  • msg #38

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rumbling and half-complaining about how he could be drinking ale right now, Juragga set about his task to repair.  Should be an easy task...

08:05, Today: Juragga rolled 22 using 4 dice and +1 pips with the WEG Classic system with rolls of 1,{Wild}6(+6+3),4,1.  Space Transport Repair.
Shard
player, 1462 posts
Most days, I'm tired.
...or drunk.
Tue 21 Jan 2020
at 01:37
  • msg #39

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Void.

Rhijans is covering the situation in dry details; he doesn’t require any help from Shard.  Likely her pitching in her opinions would only get in the way.  Haarmon, on the other hand…
“Good luck,” she whispers to Dawl.  A nod to Rhijans, and the older woman hurries after the vanishing back of the younger man.

Shard, herself, doesn’t really know how she feels about the Child, which is telling; never one for children, she finds an impossibly precocious child to be nothing more than a particularly helpless adult they have encountered upon their travels.  No maternal instincts are triggered by its large eyes and tiny body; she has always been spare of such things.  Haarmon, on the other hand?  Shard might say he is her apprentice, and his well-being her responsibility, should she feel like obfuscating the issue.  The truth is, he is important to her and he’s hurting; nothing else matters.

Sadly, she doesn’t have a lot of experience dealing with emotional extremes; years of hiding in the bottom of a bottle will do that.

So the older woman paces after the younger man, catching up and keeping two steps behind.  ”Hard thing,” she awkwardly begins.    Hot void, Shard; do better.   Clearing her throat, she tries again.  ”This cuts deep, doesn’t it?  You and her really seemed to get along.”

<I>Spectacular, Shard.  Just...ugh.  Do better.

The Force
GM, 1093 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Sun 26 Jan 2020
at 21:05
  • msg #40

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Juragga's repair is fairly straightforward... a simple matter of forcing the unit back into its proper position, and securing it there.  The trickiest part of the job is handling the locking pins, which are small and fiddly for Wookiee hands.

Finally though, after about twenty minute's work, all are in place.  Juragga thumbs a stud on the side of the unit, there is a faint hum, and a diagnostic panel lights up with a series of displays showing green indicators.  After a couple of seconds, Juragga notices that his hair is standing on end. 

From somewhere near Juragga's feet, Halec Rett calls into the crawlspace, "Sounds like you got it working.  Great!  Listen, while you were doing that, I asked around.  It's like I thought, nobody here has the information you're after, but I'll be heading out within the hour.  I'll ask at my other stops, and next time I'm here I'll let you know what I've found.  Thanks for your help."

Shard goes off to talk to Haarmon, leaving Rhijans to watch Tfalta Dawl holding the infant.

The Jedi smiles and says, "She's hungry.  I'd better go and find her some food."  She sniffs, and makes a face.  "Some other things too."
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1411 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Mon 27 Jan 2020
at 03:26
  • msg #41

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans gave a perfunctory nod, aware, intellectually, of what she was talking about, but lacking any sort of experience to build an emotional reaction around.

"Have fun with that, I suppose."  There was no distaste or dismissal...he really had no significant experience with children, so his words were utterly neutral.
Haarmon Dak
player, 842 posts
Are you talking to me?
Mon 27 Jan 2020
at 03:55
  • msg #42

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Haarmon knew Shard was coming before she got there. Some of it might have been the Force business. But most of it was that he knew her pretty well by now and figured she'd come to see what was what.

Which was both a relief, and also horrifying. He was grateful for the company. But he was not excited about his ability to remain... level... for any length of time.

Not for the first time, he wished he had the emotional composure of Rhijans or Rags. Whatever needed doing, those two just dug in and got it done. He'd never had to go find Rhijans and give him a hug because he was maybe crying. That's for sure. And, while he'd seen Rags pretty torn up a time or two, the big lug just made it look cool when he did it.

So when Shard came up to him, he didn't hide or run off. He stood his ground. And listened and his heart broke all over again for her attempts to bridge a gap that wasn't her fault and wasn't her making.

"Oh, sweet Void on toast, Shard, you're sounding like me." He aimed for 'aloof and insouciant' and got maybe 65% of the way there.

A pause.

"I don't know if getting along covers it. She's a baby, even if she a genius mystical space wizard baby, and babies are pretty easy to get along with."

Another pause. Maybe a sniffle.

"It was, I don't know, like I was... some kind of... doing something that was good and right, and good and right, right now this second? Babies are like that. They hungry? You feed 'em. They stink? You wipe 'em down. They always make you feel like heroes. And this was  even more so."

A frown.

"Just felt like I was doing something right for a change, I guess."

A pause.

"Thanks for checking in. I guess my exit wasn't as graceful as I'd planned?"
The Force
GM, 1095 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Thu 30 Jan 2020
at 21:31
  • msg #43

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Juragga squirms back out of the crawl way, dragging his tools with him, and sits up.  If the information isn't here, then it isn't here.  He's just glad that Halec Rett is offering to try and find it for him - the man probably has a lot of contacts on various worlds.  The Wookiee warbles his thanks and gets to his feet.

"No problem.  I'm happy to help, and thanks again for fixing my ship."

Tfalta Dawl gives Rhijans a half bow and turns to leave.  Then stops and turns back for a moment.  "Thank Haarmon, please, for me and for her.  She tells me he looked after her well."

Across the hangar, as Dawl leaves, Rhijans can see You-Why shuffling towards him as rapidly as he can.

"Sir!  Sir!" the droid calls out as it gets closer, "Colonel Kourene would like to see yourself, and the rest of  the team, in his office as soon as possible.  He said it is a matter of some importance."
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1414 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Fri 31 Jan 2020
at 06:01
  • msg #44

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans sighed, imperceptibly, and responded, "Of course it is," in a soft growl.  He gave You-Why a nod and a comradely clap on one shoulder.  "Thanks.  Coming with us?  I know you're dealing with a lot, but your input would be appreciated, for whatever it is."

He looked around, not seeing Juragga at the moment, but spotting Haarmon and Shard close by.  "Shard, Haarmon!  Any idea where Juragga is?  The Colonel has sent for us..."
Shard
player, 1464 posts
Most days, I'm tired.
...or drunk.
Fri 31 Jan 2020
at 16:40
  • msg #45

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy


There comes a sigh, long and slow; an exhalation of pain, not relief.  Reaching out, Shard lays a hand upon Haarmon’s shoulder, light but nevertheless there. “If I sound like you,” she quietly avers, “then I’m pretty pleased.  You say some cursed smart and wise things, Haarmon.”

Moving closer, she throws one arm over his shoulders – it’s casual – and gives him a squeeze.  “Sometimes it’s easy to forget that the crap we get up to has a price – on us.  Maybe we’re doing something right for the galaxy, but people die.  Just need to look at Rhijans – void save him – to see what that can cost.”  The grey-skinned hunter has scrubbed his spirit clean of remorse – or hidden it well-away, and Shard suspects more the latter – to keep from breaking under the weight of his own deeds.  The older woman doesn’t know what he has done, but can guess; ‘bounty-hunter’ isn’t a trade in which one protects one’s innocence. “Get the chance to do something good and right – well-put, that – like protect a cursed baby, and…” Her free hand makes an absent wave in the air.

“It must feel like a gift.”

Void, how hard have I become?  I look at Rhijans, but how far behind him am I, if I need Haarmon just to remind me of this?


“I wouldn’t know a hero if one bit me,” she muses, now staring up, eyes blindly searching the past.  “But a decent, good person of solid spirit, that kind of thing I’ve seen before.  And that’s you, as well.  I wish you could have kept the child with you – become her protector, or something.  I could hand some ‘Force moves in mysterious ways’ Bantha crap to you, but…I figure you’d know I was full of just that.  Also, I couldn’t get it out without laughing at myself.”

Her lips tighten, and she leans to stare into his face.  “Life, right?  It just…”  Headshake.  “Anyway, no lesson to teach here or lecturing.  Just…talking.  I don’t have the cursed right to tell you what you should feel, or what perspective you ought to have on this.  That’s all you.  I’m just here to blather on, and maybe listen if you want to talk.”   One side of her mouth quirks up.  “I can shut up and manage that, promise.” </darkgreen>

Then she snorts, quite far from delicately.  “As for graceful exits, I’m pretty sure this isn’t your worst; I’ve fallen down stairs, and I bet you could match.”  But the amusement swiftly fades.  <darkgreen> “Nobody expects you not to feel, Haarmon,” Shard solemnly states.

Then a shout echoes and Shard winces.  <DarkGreen>"Duty calls, apparently."
  Turning her head, she raises her voice.  "Not sure, Rhijans - we'll need to comm him."
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1415 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Fri 31 Jan 2020
at 18:43
  • msg #46

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans nodded at the response, starting to walk towards the pair.  "Can one of you do the honors?"  Anyone else might have sounded sheepish asking that...Rhijans managed to make it tactical, especially when he added, "I could tell him to meet us here, but if he's got any explanation for why he couldn't, I don't understand Wookiee, so I'd just have to get you, anyway."  It was one thing when Juragga was present, and there was body language and context to the assorted grunts, growls, and howls...but without any visual clues, they were mostly just noise, to Rhijans.

As he got closer, he added...in an almost-soft tone, surprisingly, "Dawl wanted me to let you know the infant was grateful for the way you took care of her."

Was there a hint of empathy in his voice?  It was hard to know...but it was a tone that he had rarely, if ever, used around anyone in the team.
The Force
GM, 1096 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Sun 2 Feb 2020
at 22:20
  • msg #47

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

You-Why follows after Rhijans, silently at first, but soon starts talking when they reach Haarmon and Shard.

"If anybody is interested, and I suppose there is a small possibility that they might be, my discussion with the Colonel was fairly successful.  That is to say, I think it was.  Or as successful as it could possibly be, given the circumstances."

The droid seems to be sliding back into his familiar sulky mood.
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1416 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Mon 3 Feb 2020
at 18:26
  • msg #48

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans paused and turned to the droid.  "What makes you think we wouldn't be interested?"  The words could have been taken as accusatory, but the tone was genuinely curious and non-judgmental.
Shard
player, 1466 posts
Most days, I'm tired.
...or drunk.
Wed 5 Feb 2020
at 02:43
  • msg #49

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

While Rhijans speaks quietly with Haarmon, Shard flicks on her comm. ++ Hey, Juragga.  If you’re there, we’re going to meet up at the colonel’s office.  You free? ++ Waiting for a response, she turns to the somewhat petulant You-Why and slowly nods.  “I’m interested, and I’m happy to hear about it.  How about you tell me what you and the colonel managed to work out?”   All true – she would like to know what You-Why is feeling, and doesn’t begrudge him his grumpy mood today.

After all, he’s heard the worst possible news: terminal illness.

“Really, You-Why.  What Rhijans says.  Let us in on what happened,” she quietly finishes, hoping for some kind of good news...or at least tolerable.  Haarmon is already dealing with a painful loss, and she wants the best for the droid.

Or at least, what You-Why considers to be the best, which is the only metric that really counts.
The Force
GM, 1097 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Wed 5 Feb 2020
at 22:47
  • msg #50

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Juragga responds almost instantly, indicating that he would meet the rest of the group at the Colonel's office.

You-Why emits a passable imitation of a sigh before explaining, "Nobody had asked me about it until now, so it was difficult to see that there was any interest.  I have observed that when organics, and Humans in particular, are unwell, then queries regarding their health, and any efforts to improve such, are usually the first order of business when they meet somebody they know."

"As for my own meeting with the Colonel... it was quite brief.  He listened to what I said, and then told me that he would speak to somebody who might be able to help, and then sent me to find you.  He said that he might, perhaps, have some news for me when I come back with the rest of you."

Rhijans Thanus
player, 1417 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Thu 6 Feb 2020
at 05:12
  • msg #51

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans got a look on his face that could have been amusement, of some sort.  It was hard to say, as he'd never really been openly amused about anything in the time the team had been together.  "In our defense, You-Why, you weren't here long enough to start asking questions.  First thing you said was that Colonel Kourene wanted to see us, and you expressed it in such a way that implied he meant right away.  Before anyone had a chance to ask you, you had already started talking about the meeting and implying nobody cared about the results."  He gave the droid an inscrutable look.

"We're only biologicals.  Our brains don't process information as fast as yours."
The Force
GM, 1098 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Sun 9 Feb 2020
at 20:21
  • msg #52

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

The droid is silent for a moment - or at least as silent as he can be with the constant quiet clicking, whirring and hissing that accompanies every movement of his servos.

Then he speaks again.  "You are right, I suppose, and I apologise for my hastiness.  I have been associated with this group for a some time now, and I have become so familiar with you that sometimes I almost forget how inferior you are."

"Ah, here we are."


The droid turns through a doorway, and into a room where Colonel Kourene sits talking to a woman who, judging by the tool kit on the floor next to her chair, is a tech.

Both look at the group as they enter, but it's clear that the woman's attention is focussed almost exclusively on You-Why.

Kourene nods, "Good... glad you got here so quickly.  Sit down, please, all of you."
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1418 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Mon 10 Feb 2020
at 04:02
  • msg #53

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

A ghost of a smile flickered across Rhijans' face at You-Why's mention of their inferiority.  It was there and then gone, so quickly it might have been imagined...but anyone who saw it might have perceived it to be, not just amusement, but even some degree of fondness.

He followed You-Why into the Colonel's office, giving a nod and taking a seat when directed, turning his focus on the unfamiliar tech.
Shard
player, 1468 posts
Most days, I'm tired.
...or drunk.
Tue 11 Feb 2020
at 02:05
  • msg #54

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Shard suppresses a sigh of irritation.  At times, You-Why's attitude grates against her nerves.  It's not a common thing by any stretch, and she wouldn't want it gone -- it's part of who the droid is, after all -- but it can be irksome.  Of course, You-Why might have a few things to say about her attitude, in all fairness; yet another reason why she should just keep her thoughts to herself in this case.

Rhijans handles it with aplomb, and by the time he and the droid are finished, they've arrived at the office.  Haarmon has been quiet -- that's worrisome.  Juragga said he would meet them, and there's no sign of the huge wookie...yet.  Instead, they're brought into a room with a woman Shard can't place.  And a tool kit.

Suspicions deepen.

"All right," Shard murmurs, moving to a chair.  She keeps one eye on the woman, whose entire attention seems on You-Why.  Getting a little concerned, here.

It's just your paranoia, Shard.

But what if it isn't?

Colonel Kourene
NPC, 44 posts
Commander of
Defiance Base.
Wed 12 Feb 2020
at 21:22
  • msg #55

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Once everybody is settle, Kourene gestures towards the stranger.  "This is Karra Hedine, she's a tech who has a fair bit of experience with droids."

Hedine nods, and smiles nervously.

"I called her in after UY-3PO came to see me.  I'm hoping she will be able to do something to help him, preferably without wiping his personality, which has, quite frankly, proven useful on occasion.  Simply put, this droid has developed some traits which make him a unique resource."

There follows a brief conversation, in which Kourene and You-Why describe the droid's situation, with additional details from the rest of the group.  During this discussion, Juragga enters the office and squeezes himself into a seat.

"I just have to say," says Hedine finally, "that I think this problem can be corrected, to everybody's satisfaction.  The main issue is that I don't think I can do it.  I do, however, believe that I know somebody who can.  But he isn't here, on Mothessh."

"He is actually a prisoner of the Empire."

Rhijans Thanus
player, 1419 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Wed 12 Feb 2020
at 21:30
  • msg #56

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

"Of course he is..." Rhijans muttered.  The look on his face was plain to read, however...he was going.

"It might be best if we take something other than the Bantha...after spring the Colonel from Imperial detainment, I'm sure she'd draw some attention."  If there was any doubt about his expression, his tone cleared it up.  They were going, it was just a question of how to get in and out.
Shard
player, 1469 posts
Most days, I'm tired.
...or drunk.
Sat 15 Feb 2020
at 13:06
  • msg #57

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Excellent news, that there is a possible 'cure' for You-Why's 'condition'.  "I think it's to You-Why's satisfaction that the problem needs correcting," she muses.  "His choice on this.  But if there's someone who can correct it -- and You-Why is in agreement with this course -- then I'm all for going. To...to..." Her brow furrows. "Where exactly is this person being held?"

Rhijans has already begun strategizing; she leaves him to it, sure he will better clear the details for that than herself.  Her eyes shift to the droid.  "You-Why; I figure you probably want this problem fixed, but...asking might be a good idea.  Do you?"
The Force
GM, 1099 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Sun 16 Feb 2020
at 21:51
  • msg #58

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

You-Why sounds surprised as he replies to Shard's quiestion.  "Oh my.  Yes.  If I can be restored to full integrity, then that is definitely what I want.  Part of my core programming... any droid's core programming, in fact... is to ensure that we keep ourselves at peak efficiency."

"The last I heard, my brother... oh, sorry... that's who we're talking about here, my brother, Najdo.  He's the one who can fix your friend.  The last information I had is that he is being forced to work at the deepdock on Ord Mantell." Hedine smiles hopefully.

Kourene, however, isn't smiling.  "Ord Mantell?  That's half way across the Galaxy!"  He lowers his head and takes several deep breaths, before looking up again.  "If your brother can help You-Why, then that's where the team will need to go.  That's all."

"I can find you another ship to get there too."

Rhijans Thanus
player, 1420 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Mon 17 Feb 2020
at 02:49
  • msg #59

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

If Rhijans was at all surprised by the announcement that they needed to go to Ord Mantell, it didn't show on his face.  "That might actually make it easier, for us.  We've been involved in enough actions, in enough places around the sector, that sooner or later, we're going to be recognized."  He didn't say it; but a quick glance down at the gray skin of his hands and his eyes shooting a glance at Juragga said plenty...there weren't that many gray-skinned humanoids travelling with Wookiees in the galaxy.  Haarmon and Shard enjoyed the relative anonymity of being human and, therefore, practically omnipresent throughout the galaxy.

"When's the last you heard anything about your brother's status there?" he asked.  Current intel was always useful...but rarely available.  Unsaid, but lingering in the tone of the question was another...Are you sure he's still there?
Shard
player, 1470 posts
Most days, I'm tired.
...or drunk.
Wed 19 Feb 2020
at 02:49
  • msg #60

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

“I figure it’s everyone’s programming – instinct for us – to want to keep ourselves working well,” Shard muses, considering You-Why’s shocked response.  “Course, sometimes something goes wrong in the programming…or our heads, same thing…and we don’t care as much about that any more.”  Her smile is lopsided, a crooked thing hanging on her face, like a once-glorious, now-faded painting left askew on its hook.  “Good to hear that’s not the case for you.”

Hedine parleys out some information regarding her brother, and the colonel is less-than-pleased by what she reveals.  Even so, he acquiesces, offering a ship to boot.  Shard, however, still remains uncertain; it wouldn’t be the first time she has been hoodwinked by someone with personal reasons to play her false.

Keep it steady, Shard.  This could be You-Why’s only chance…only easy chance, anyway.  ‘Easy’ being relative.


If one person can do it, so can another…but this is the only one of whom they have any information.  Sneak out an Imperial prisoner, or search a galaxy blind?  The former edges the latter by a hair.

More questions from Rhijans follow, leaving Shard waiting for answers.
The Force
GM, 1100 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Wed 19 Feb 2020
at 22:54
  • msg #61

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Hedine shakes her head, "Not too much real information.  The deepdock has tight security, as you'd expect at a place where the Imperials build star destroyers.  Najdo was being transferred to Ord Mantell, and another prisoner tried to escape when the ship they were on developed a fault, and the prisoners had to be switched to a new one.  In the confusion Najdo managed to pass a message to a transport captain in the hope that he might actually deliver it.  That's how we learned where he was being sent.  That information was from about two months ago."

"My guess would be that they have him building computer systems, or programming construction machinery.  Probably under heavy guard, since either of them would be  sensitive areas.  Or they might have him working on sanitation, but that would be a complete waste of his abilities."

Rhijans Thanus
player, 1421 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Thu 20 Feb 2020
at 01:56
  • msg #62

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans snorted softly.  "That actually leads me to think he might be working sanitation.  The Empire isn't exactly the model of efficiency that they'd like us all to believe.  If they were, we'd have been dead a long time ago."

He shrugged.  "Two months isn't as recent as I would like, but as intel for an operation like this goes, it's not bad."  He looked at Kourene, and added, "If we had some kind of computer spike that could scramble their construction processes while we're there, it would be a pretty significant strike for the Alliance.  It'd have to a be a really good one, I'm sure they've got a pretty tight security system on their network there...but it would potentially give us a window of chaos to get back out."  Not that he had any good ideas on getting in, really, although the past trick of dressing him as a stormtrooper, with Shard and Haarmon as techs or officers, had held up pretty well.
The Force
GM, 1101 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Sun 23 Feb 2020
at 21:08
  • msg #63

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

The Colonel ponders briefly, then nods.

"That's a good idea.  If you can do some damage while effecting the rescue that would make the expedition even more useful.  I'll assign a team to create a spike for you.  I'm sure Haarmon can take care of using it."

Then, after a short pause, he adds, "Just remember the rescue is the important part of this.  If you need to get out without using the spike, then do it.  The rescue is the main priority."
Shard
player, 1471 posts
Most days, I'm tired.
...or drunk.
Mon 24 Feb 2020
at 01:05
  • msg #64

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

"No worries on that part, colonel," Shard quietly returns. "Without getting her brother out, we've nothing to help You-Why, and that's a tad more important to me at the moment." Her liPs quirk in a mirthless grin.  "We'll try to deliver the package, but...yeah, getting the tech out takes precedence."

Any existing amusement -- faint it might be -- fades from her voice.  "So, we're getting a different ship.  Maybe different clothing, or armor, or something.  Right now we're rather...recognizable." Between Rhijan's skin, her clothing, and Juragga, they stand out; it's rather bizarre to say that You-Why and Haarmon are the most normal looking of the lot of them.  "And we'd better do it fast - two month-old information is getting a little stale."  Best not to think of the possibilities, only consider that their knowledge of the situation might be grossly incorrect.  And leave it there.

And now her expression definitely sours.  "And we're working on a timer, to boot."
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1422 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Thu 27 Feb 2020
at 01:14
  • msg #65

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans nodded.  "If there's anyone that can slice some decent Imperial IDs, we can always go in that way again.  I know we've done it before...but it's a big Empire.  Easy for a handful of individuals to disappear in the masses."  He glanced over at Haarmon.  This sort of thing was definitely more in Haarmon's part of the universe...

"Might even be able to plant some orders telling them to expect some kind of specialist, his or her assistant, and some new manual labor coming in under guard, so we're at least not an unexpected sight coming off whatever ship we use, if orders like that would fit in."  He gave a minutest shrug, indicating that he wasn't familiar with Imperial protocol.  If the right name was on the order, it wouldn't matter if they were unexpected...people would go out of their way to NOT notice them...but he didn't know whose name would have that kind of power.
Colonel Kourene
NPC, 45 posts
Commander of
Defiance Base.
Thu 27 Feb 2020
at 21:07
  • msg #66

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

"I'll get you whatever you need, just let me know.  Work out among yourselves what you expect to have a use for, and I'll get you a ship.  A pilot as well."

Hedine clears her throat, and raises a hand.  "I'd like to go along too, Sir.  I can recognise my brother, even at a distance.  Even if he's not in the best of health, or if he's grown a beard again.  And they might need a tech."

Leaning back in his chair, Kourene thinks briefly, then, "I'll leave the final decision on that up to the team.  If they say you can go, then, as far as I'm concened you can.  But you do so on condition that you do whatever they tell you to, and don't do anything stupid."

"Yes Sir.  I can live with that."
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1423 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Thu 27 Feb 2020
at 21:31
  • msg #67

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans snorted softly at the advice to not do anything stupid...as most beings in the galaxy would consider a fair portion of what they did on a fairly regular basis to be pretty stupid...but said nothing until the exchange concluded.

"Any experience in combat?  Or life-and-death crisis situations?"  It wasn't a judgment, although it could potentially have been taken as such.  Those familiar with him would recognize the tone, however...assessment.  How much were they going to have to carry her along?  As far as he was concerned, unless she was a total disaster under stress...which was unlikely, or Kourene wouldn't have brought her in for the conversation...the mission would be a lot easier with her than without her.  He was just trying to figure out how much easier.

"And have you been involved in anything that would potentially make your face recognizable to the Empire?"
The Force
GM, 1103 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Sun 1 Mar 2020
at 21:07
  • msg #68

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

"Well, yes, kind of." Hedine says, with almost no hesitation, "When I was younger a unit of militia troops were stationed in our town.  A defence unit, intended to protect the town if the Empire landed and tried to conquer the world.  Well, they came, and our family was forced to flee while a battle went on around us.  We made it to the port and got onto an evacuation ship."

"I don't think the Empire would recognise my face though.  I was ten years old when that happened, and I've kept my head down since then."

Shard
player, 1472 posts
Most days, I'm tired.
...or drunk.
Mon 2 Mar 2020
at 02:04
  • msg #69

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Shard quietly laughs.  "I would guess you're correct on that one.  Though I don't think being part of a firefight that long ago would qualify for combat experience now."  She studies the woman for a moment, a deep sadness welling up within her.  Ten years old...and part of a militia.  Void.  Fault of the Empire?  Or fault of those who made the militia?

Either way, it was a crime against this woman.

"Knowing that you're short on that kind of skill, we'll be better able to work in tense situations," she continues, her voice still low.  "That's not a cut against you, it's just fact.  We don't 100% require everyone on the team to be great shots when the blasterbolts are actually flying."  She waves a hand, first at You-Why and then, with an ironic smile, at herself.  "Cases in point."

People wouldn't actually qualify Shard as even a decent shot at the best of times; she'd be lucky to be judged 'barely trained', and years of diving into a bottle -- any bottle -- hasn't helped steady her hands.

Though recently, the shaking has disappeared.

"I don't personally take issue with you coming, as long as you keep the colonel's words in mind -" this with pointed glance toward Rhijans, his snort having been noted and understood "- but it's not just up to me."
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1424 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Mon 2 Mar 2020
at 21:07
  • msg #70

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans nodded.  If he had any sort of emotional reaction to the news of her serving in a militia, his face betrayed no sign of it.  "Then it might be best to have you and Haarmon go in as tech specialists of some kind...maybe with Shard as a supervising officer.  Make the rank high enough and it gives her a reason to have a stormtrooper as a bodyguard and her own personal Wookiee..."  He glanced at Shard, calculating.

"A captain,or maybe a major, if we go Army.  No higher than captain, if we go Navy.  If we can finagle an ISB cover, we could do just about anything, but I'd still stay third-grade, rank-wise.  ISB is the most likely to instill fear and the least likely to get questioned, unless there's already ISB present for something.  Navy is probably the most generic choice.  If she's a Commander or captain, there's enough of them out there to still be not worth noting...once you move into Commodores and Admirals, people get suspicious if nobody recognizes your name."
The Force
GM, 1104 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Wed 4 Mar 2020
at 20:55
  • msg #71

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

"No, not really combat experienced.  But I think I kept my cool pretty well, for a ten year old kid crossing a town that two armies were happily turning into a battlefield around me." 

Kourene listens in on the discussion, while checking information on his desk terminal.  "Bear in mind that this is a shipyard.  ISB and Navy are likely your best choices for disguises.  Navy is less useful unless I can get you an Imperial shuttle, but ISB sometimes draws too much attention from other ISB agents.  A fair bit of low-key in-fighting in the ISB."
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1425 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Thu 5 Mar 2020
at 06:17
  • msg #72

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans nodded.  "Let's see if the resources are available for a Navy cover ID...maybe with a secondary ISB ID for someone, as an emergency backup.  That could even be me, at that point...we wouldn't need to use it for long, if we did use it, but if anyone starts giving us too much trouble, being able to pull that out and say that whichever one of us it is was operating undercover to investigate rumors about the operation there, it buys us a way out."  He could think of a few other options for ways to use it, as an emergency measure...but he didn't want to start anyone else thinking about all the things that could potentially go wrong.

"But if we can go in low-profile, too innocuous to even be noticed, that's gonna get us our best point of insertion.  Anything else is gonna put eyes on us from the moment we get close enough for comm traffic.  But if we don't have the uniforms...or more importantly, a shuttle...then we can figure out another plan."

He looked around the group.  "Sound good to everyone?  Shard can be the baby-sitter senior officer, Haarmon and Hedine are tech specialists sent in to look at some subsystem...we would have to figure out which one.  I'm the stormtrooper bodyguard and Juragga's the pet..."  He looked over at the Wookiee and shrugged.  "Nothing personal, Juragga.  But it's either that or new slave labor.  Hard to justify the presence of a Wookiee in an Imperial facility."
Shard
player, 1474 posts
Most days, I'm tired.
...or drunk.
Mon 9 Mar 2020
at 00:37
  • msg #73

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Some misunderstanding, there; in a way, Shard is relieved.  The woman hasn't been part of any kind of militia at the age of ten.  Regardless of what this says about her lack of combat experience, it's a far, far better situation.

"Void," she sighs as Rhijans lays out his plan.  "This again?  I have to stand up straight and act like I'm Nimadda?  Or someone similar?"  She eyes the grey-skinned bounty-hunter with some exasperation.  "Starting to feel a little typecast...you have some private opinion about me I should know about?"  That said, the plan HAS worked before; the only threat is whether or not the Impies will be on the lookout for it by now.  "All right, I'll do it.  Should probably practice barking orders or something on the flight there.  Just...next time, can we make me the janitor or somesuch?"

OOC - now I know what I'm going to need to do with my experience points...so much for using them to put a whopping one point into a Force skill!  :D
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1426 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Mon 9 Mar 2020
at 02:21
  • msg #74

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Rhijans gave Shard an impersonal, assessing look.  "Well, Nobody will buy me or Juragga as Imperial officers.  And they're both too young to have a high enough rank to be taken seriously.  If you've got another option, I'm willing to hear it..."  As usual, there was no indication of any personal opinion...it was pure, cold assessment.

"If it will make you feel more comfortable, we could try putting you in the armor and me in the officer's uniform.  But I don't think anyone would buy that for a moment."
Haarmon Dak
player, 845 posts
Are you talking to me?
Mon 9 Mar 2020
at 11:55
  • msg #75

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Haarmon listened quietly and nodded as he followed along. One the one hand, it was interesting, and mildly entertaining, that running a seat-of-the-pants incursion into heavily fortified Imperial installations was kind of their thing now.

On the other hand, that was horrifying.

All the same, orders was orders, and although he (Haarmon) might not have rode the 'best You-Why you can be' train this far down the track, if the team was in, he was in.

"I say secondary ISB ID is a great idea. Someone gets wise and is all you guys are a little short for Navy inspectors, we can be all boom, ISB, we're going to have to ask you stand aside. Best way to cover a lie is another lie."

As for the rest.

"Shouldn't be hard to spike their operation once we're inside. And I'm sure I can mock up a little something for us to be doing there while we fly. Keep me off the streets anyway."

He kept quiet about who can shoot and who can't. He'd been practicing. He was hoping to get a chance to put his new skills into action in the field.
The Force
GM, 1105 posts
These aren't the dice
rolls you're looking for.
Mon 9 Mar 2020
at 20:00
  • msg #76

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

The discussion continues for a while, an then tapers off as Kourene continues trying to make arrangements.  Eventually Hedine announces that she is hungry, and this signals a sort of impromptu lunch break.  The Colonel promises to call them as soon as he has something for them.

True to his word, he summons them all an hour later...

"I've managed to get you Imperial Military IDs, including an ISB one.  Uniforms are easy enough.  I also tracked down a Lambda class shuttle you can use, but you'll need a ship to get you to it, and a pilot who can fly it.  Bold Gambit should be here tomorrow, and you've worked with Vekkis Lund before, so I think that'll be the best bet."

Shard
player, 1478 posts
Most days, I'm tired.
...or drunk.
Mon 16 Mar 2020
at 00:47
  • msg #77

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

Searching for a solid reply to Rhijans, and peering at him suspiciously -- a joke, perhaps? -- Shard is taken off-guard by Haarmon's reply.  For a long moment she eyes the young man speculatively, then turns to Rhijans again, pointing a thumb toward their resident hacker.

"As usual, Haarmon seems to have put the icing on the plan's cake.  I like that; if we could wrangle enough ISB's ID for all of us," saving Juragga, but she doesn't say that, "that would be fantastic."

A heavy sigh escapes her lips.  "But probably not."

And true to expectations, they only get one.

"All right," Shard mutters.  "It's going to be me, then." Haarmon is too young, Juragga is waaaay out, and while Rhijans might pull it off, he doesn't seem to like the idea.  Which leaves her.  Not liking the idea either, but that doesn't seem to make a difference in the end.

"Lund isn't a bad idea.  We can't have Jalt for this one?" Her forehead wrinkles. "You're not splitting us up permanent-like, are you colonel?  Jalt and us, we have business to take care of."  A see-saw motion of her hand follows this ambiguous statement.  "Personal stuff."
Rhijans Thanus
player, 1432 posts
Just let me do my job and
nobody else gets hurt.
Mon 16 Mar 2020
at 04:48
  • msg #78

Part 23 - Errand of Mercy

If Rhijans had been joking, there was no visible sign of it...not that they were ever abundant in the first place, but even the occasional 'he might be joking' looks were missing.  "If you go as the officer, I can take the ISB ID.  If anything goes wrong, the cover story is that I was assigned to observe you..."  He shrugged.  It seemed pretty common sense to him to go that route, rather than risk all their potential clout on one individual.

When the question came up about Jalt, he angled his head slightly.  "I think Jalt's ship is due for a little maintenance time," he offered.  "I'm not even sure if they parts we got from Dargo's maintenance area were actually the correct parts, or just 'this will do for now' stuff, but I'm inclined to think it was the latter."

His face quirked into what might have been a grin...or a grimace...for a fleeting moment.  "And considering that it just recently stole a major Alliance officer from an Imperial Star Destroyer, I'd imagine it's getting a reputation that might just extend beyond the Sector Command.  Lund's ship has been quiet for a while...it's a safe choice."
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