Ryder was hired by Gandorthral Atmospherics to scout out Naboo's largest moon, Ohma-D'un.  Gandorthral Atmospherics wanted the moon explored so they could test out new terraforming equipment and techniques.  Ryder had been working tirelessly at this effort for several days, when he got an urgent communique from his Naboo supervisor, Jorian Benuel Zook.  "You need to come back to Naboo, now." Jorian had insisted.  "I don't know what's going on with that Trade Federation blockade, but I'm afraid if you don't return immediately,  you won't be able to return at all."


OOC: How does Ryder respond?

"I'll be back right away," Ryder responded, immediately saving and closing his research and heading for his shuttle.  He had no desire to argue, the Trade Federation was volatile and a blockade is bad news; Ryder had no intention of being cut off from supplies.

After Ryder packed up, he made the short hike to the nearby company puddle-jumping shuttle .  The pilot was inside already ready for lift off.  A short and silent hour later, they were putting down on the company's private landing pad.

Jorian was already waiting for Ryder.  As Ryder unloaded, Jorian explained: "I'm afraid just in the time it's taken you to get back, the situation has escalated.  Communications off-planet have been cut off.  I need you to get whatever survey data you have back to Gandorthral Atmospherics.  The blockade is not allowing any official Naboo ships to leave the system, but I'm hoping a passenger freighter can sneak you out."  Jorian led Ryder to his nearby speeder.  As he drove him away from the company landing pad and towards Kwilaan Spaceport in Keren, Jorian told Ryder, "I've already booked you passage on the Crescent, a freighter captained by a friend of mine from Alderaan, Captain Nuun Pargen.  He's a good man and a good pilot."  Ryder could see the freighter parked on a cheap landing pad just outside the spaceport proper.  Jorian pulled up near it.  He got out of the speeder and after Ryder had collected his things, reached out his hand.  "Good luck Ryder.  Hopefully we'll see each other again soon."

"I hope so too," Ryder said, shaking Jorian's hand.

As Ryder walked towards the ship, he noticed what were probably other passengers.  First he saw a male Mon Calamari with mottled reddish-brown skin in tech clothing (https://vignette.wikia.nocooki...st?cb=20200101010803; https://vignette.wikia.nocooki...st?cb=20150211094659; https://vignette.wikia.nocooki...st?cb=20151206191553).  Next he saw a young female Human dressed like either a student from the Naboo House of Learning or a young Jedi, Ryder couldn't decide which.  She had very short dark hair (https://vignette.wikia.nocooki...st?cb=20170118084933).

Finally, Ryder saw the one he assumed was the captain.  At least he was dressed in typical spacer's clothing, had scruffy light brown hair with a thin growth of similarly-colored beard.  He also had a young girl with very similar features running in circles around him.  He was currently having what appeared to be a frustrating discussion with a tough-looking Weequay with weathered skin and a back-knot of dark hair (https://vignette.wikia.nocooki...st?cb=20161011044103).

OOC: What does Ryder do?
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:59, Fri 05 June 2020.

Ryder walked up to the Weequay and the spacer, respectfully standing back while the two spoke but close enough that they knew he was wanting to speak with them.

Ryder could now overhear the two speaking.  The Weequay rattled off a chain of words in Huttese.    Then Ryder heard the spacer say: "I told you, I can't understand you.  I don't know what you want."

OOC: What does Ryder do?

"He wants off planet, like the rest of us," Ryder explained to the spacer.

<He doesn't understand you,> he said to the Weequay.

"You can understand him?" the captain asked.  Then, realizing he was asking the obvious, the captain requested, "Could you interpret for us?"

Meanwhile, the Weequay replied to Ryder's statement to him.  <I kind of figured that out.  Tell him mi wamma 75 credits.>


After Ryder conveyed the Weequay's offer, the captain rubbed the back of his neck with his right hand.  "Hmmm, I don't know if that will work.  I don't know if I can cover the cost of transporting him at that rate.  And I don't know what I'll be flying into up there.  I'm charging everyone else 100 credits," he finished, sweeping his hand to indicate the Mon Calamarian and the young Human woman.

<He says he can't do it for less than 100 credits,> Ryder translated.

<I don't have 100 credits.> the Weequay mumbled.

"I'm sorry," Ryder heard a voice from behind him.  When he turned around he saw the young woman with short, dark hair.  "I couldn't help but overhear.  I'm not sure, but it sounds like this good man doesn't have quite enough for the trip," she said, indicating the Weequay.  "I'd happily pay for him," she offered.

"Umm, okay," the captain agreed.  The Weequay nodded and said something quickly in a language Ryder did not recognize .  The young woman gave the captain the money.  "We'll get going now," the captain announced.  "Everyone feel free to board."

OOC: What does Ryder say or do before or while boarding?

Ryder walked up to the woman.

"Thank you for that," Ryder said.

"Well, I'm not sure why you're thanking me.  I didn't pay your way," she said sheepishly.  "But I'm pretty sure the Weequay said thank you.  But really it's no problem.  I had the money to do so, and Jedi are taught to be helpful to others."

"A Jedi?" Ryder asked as they both entered the ship.  "I never thought I'd run into one of you."

"Oh, I'm not an actual Jedi," the young girl said sheepishly, turning a slight shade of red.  "I'm just with the Education Corps.  I'm Mer, by the way," she said holding out her hand.  "Merei Kentniss formally, but I prefer being called just Mer."

"Mer," Ryder repeated, nodding his head.  "I'm Ryder, Scott Ryder."

"Nice to meet you Ryder," Mer returned the pleasantry.

"Did I overhear you say your name was Ryder?" the Mon Cal passenger interrupted from behind.  "You wouldn't happen to be related to Alek Ryder, would you?"

"Alek is my father," Ryder replied.  "Do you know him?"