Fennec scowls at Stro'to.

"I doubt they are still in our pocket now. And if they are ingratiating themselves with whoever is behind this then contacting them isn't a good idea."

"My contact might have some information," Layla offers, "Or at least be able to do some digging."

"Oh?" says Fennec suspiciously, "Just who is this contact of yours?"

"Just an old friend," Layla replies evasively, "But he has a lot of contacts from his days in Republic intelligence."

"An old friend who's fine with the fact that you're working with the Exchange now?" Xizran says suspiciously.

"Firstly, I am not working with you," Layla says coolly, "We all happen to want Stro'to to get off this planet alive, and perhaps discover the identity and motives of whoever is trying to bring down the Exchange. That is where our common interests end. Secondly, my contact no longer works for the Republic and even when he did he was able to see the bigger picture. He will help us, don't worry."

"Well I personally think he seems like a decent fellow," Bane offers after a moment of silence.

"Just know that Stro'to is leaving with us," Fennec says firmly, "If you or your 'old friend' have a problem with that then it isn't going to end well for either of you."

Stro'to looks like he fervently agrees with the fact that everyone wants Stro'to to leave here alive. (He looks less certain that he'd like to leave with Fennec, but Stro'to certainly isn't willing to openly tell Fennec that.)

"What's his name?" Xizran asks suspiciously.
This message was last edited by a game editor at 08:47, Tue 22 Mar 2022.

"Why is that important?" Layla asks.

"You're supposedly an ex-Jedi and now you're working with a supposedly ex-republic. Shouldn't I be concerned?"

"I am a former Jedi and he is a former Republic agent," Layla returns flatly, before shrugging, "His name is Kadon Lane if you must know."

She does her best to look nonchalant but a keen observer would notice her eyes darting quickly to Xizran to ascertain whether or not the name means anything to him.

Xizran looks tellingly blank.

"...That is a common name among humans, yes?" Stro'to says delicately. "We are not talking about the Kadon Lane who shoots my transports and raids my spice and gets upset about slavery just because he thinks nobody should get to be sold into a life of comfort when they could be starving to death in a cave on Ryloth, no?"

"...Um, no?" says Layla hopefully.

"So we're on our way to visit a well armed vigilante who is opposed to everything the Exchange stands for?" Fennec says darkly.

"Nono, she said this was the unethical Kadon," Stro'to says soothingly.

"How did you even get to be sector leader?" Xizran sneers.

"Look, I give you my word he will get you safely off planet," Layla says solemnly, "It's clear that your operations aren't going anywhere for a long time Stro'to, and I'm sure he's more concerned about whoever is behind this attack on the Exchange than simply trying to deal with you three."

Stro'to looks encouraged by this promise. (He deflates slightly at the reminder that his operations won't be going anywhere soon before rallying again.)

"Well, I for one do not see better options. Everybody I know would turn me in for 100,000 credits, including my own mother. If there is a chance this Unethical Kadon will not do so, then I vote in favor of listening to Layla."

Fennec does not look impressed, but she also seems to agree with Stro'to's point about the lure of the bounty to any of their potential contacts.

"Fine," she allows at length, "But like I said, if this Kadon or anyone else tries to-"

She suddenly breaks off, pressing herself against the wall beside the window and motioning for the others to be silent.

OOC: Fennec Kang rolled 29 using 1d20+12. Hide.

Down in the street below three of their attackers from the docking bay, the Trandoshan along with a wiry human man and a Rodian, appear from the direction of the alleyway, moving swiftly along as they peer through the windows and try the handles of the doors as they pass. The Trandoshan squints up at their hiding place, his gaze lingering on the cracked pain of glass beside the wall against which Fennec is pressed, unmoving, but at length he seems satisfied and the trio continue. Before long they are out of sight and Fennec breaths once more.

OOC: GenoHaradan Agents rolled 28 using 1d20+8. Spot.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:34, Fri 05 Aug 2022.

"That was close," Fennec sighs in relief as she relaxes, "It's almost mid afternoon. We should get some rest and be ready to set out at midnight. The darkness should make it easier to get to this Kadon's hideout unnoticed."

With that the party make themselves as comfortable as they can and, with Fennec insisting on keeping watch, set off into an uneasy sleep. A vrelt scurrying along the rusty ceiling beams on business of its own stops for several minutes and sniffs.

A Jedi, a Falleen noble and a Twi'lek slaver! he thinks to himself, Well what next? I have seldom seen those three beings keeping company. And in a grimy old fitness centre! There is something mighty queer behind this!

He is quite right, but he never finds out any more about it.

OOC: End of Chapter III…