Two figures make their way through a darkened chamber. The walls are formed of a smooth, dark stone, and lined with strange runes. The only source of light comes from a series of purple, ice-like cells built into the walls every few meters. They vary in shape and size, from two meters in height to more than ten meters, most containing a single being of varying species. It is before a cell containing a young man, tall and wiry with short cropped hair, that the pair come to a halt.

The leftmost of the pair, a muscular human man dressed in an elegant brown jerkin and matching cap, narrows his eyes at the man frozen in the cell before them.

"Is this your friend?" he inquires of his companion, glancing warily at the dark stone corridor about them, an ornate blaster pistol held at the ready.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:00, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

His companion, an elderly Cerean dressed in the attire of a Jedi, nods slowly as he moves forward to examine the crystalized cell in which the young man is frozen.

"He is indeed," he responds, placing a hand on the substance and closing his eyes.

The muscular man chews his lip, glancing warily about the chamber as he waits for the Cerean.

OOC: Aldran Typho rolled 20. Spot.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:05, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

The Cerean opens his eyes at length, also frowning as he removes his hand from the purple hued cell.

"I have not encountered anything like this before," he admits, stroking his beard pensively.

"Perhaps there is some control to deactivate it?" suggests the muscular man, beginning to examine the walls and floor about the cell.

OOC: Aldran Typho rolled 13. Search.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:06, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

The Cerean shrugs, joining his companion in the search, but the pair find nothing.

"I suppose we can try breaking him out," he suggests at length, unclipping and activating a blue hued lightsaber from his belt and raising it towards the cell.

Before he can strike the cell, a smooth voice sounds from somewhere deep in the shadows of the room, sounding as if the speaker is somewhere above the two rescuers.

"You could, Suhsanite. You could. But I must warn you that this would be rather... the speaker pauses delicately, "unhealthy for your friend."
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:11, Tue 10 Jan 2023.

The muscular man hastily raises his blaster as he squints up into the darkness above them.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:07, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

The Cerean also spins swiftly about, raising his lightsaber warily as he too peers into the darkness above. Then he closes his eyes, relaxing his features as he seeks the concealed speaker.

"Unhealthy?" he repeats quizzically.

OOC: Ki-Eldi-Mundi rolled 20 using 1d20+14. See Force.

He can see nothing in the darkness; through the force, his senses are little better. He can sense a presence somewhere above him, but clouded and difficult to grasp-- though whether that is due to the stranger or merely to the pervasive darkness that the Cerean has felt has weighed heavily on this planet since he arrived is hard to say.

"Indeed," the stranger's voice sounds again, his accent-- were the Cerean familiar enough to recognize this-- both amused and distinctly Kalzerian. "My nephew has a keen interest in the alchemical arts. I doubt you share them or have any interest in them, but suffice it to say that cutting those cells is the same as pulling a child of 6 months prematurely out of the womb."

OOC: Dalmar Argant rolled 27 using 1d20+15. Force Stealth check.

"I suppose you know all about what that is like," retorts the muscular man, moving his blaster about as he continues to search for the speaker.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:08, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

The Cerean shoots a reproving glance at the muscular man, motioning for him to be silent.

"That does indeed sound unhealthy," he agrees carefully, moving his weapon a little further from the crystalized prison. "You are a Kalzerian, then, I presume, if you are related to the sorcerer who resides in this complex?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:09, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

"I'm certainly not a wookie," the voice from the shadows agrees. "You know my nephew?"

"Not personally," the Cerean replies, "And from what I gather I am fortunate not to. I presume it is too much to hope that you might be here to help us rescue our friend here?"

The Cerean feels a fleeting ripple of amusement flicker through the force.

"Alas, my poor nephew. You are indeed fortunate not to know him. He would be extremely interested in your head... and in learning if others would benefit from artificial transplants of whatever it is you store in there. A most inquiring mind. Unlike myself, who being far older, merely wishes to get through life as pleasantly and as easily as possible. You will be taking your young friend to a ship, I trust, once you free him? And since you are here at all, I assume it is one either cleared to land, or with the appropriate cloaking devices necessary to get past Kalzerian patrols?"

The Cerean feels an odd sensation, a friendly but questioning tendril brushing against his mind through the force, as the stranger asks this question.

OOC: Dalmar Argant rolled 23 using 1d20+15.  Bluff Check.

Mind Probe. DC 20 will save vs a vision of his ship and where it is parked.

The Cerean's mind is keen and focused and he has no difficulty blocking the questioning tendril.

"You seem unusually concerned with our transportation arrangements," he responds out loud, "However you seem to have dodged my question. Are you here to hinder or help us in our efforts?"

OOC: Ki-Eldi-Mundi rolled 21 using 1d20+13. Will Save.
Ki-Eldi-Mundi rolled 25 using 1d20+11. Sense Motive.

There is a short silence from the shadows, as the tendril of thought withdraws.

"To help-- if you have a ship, and room for myself as your passenger. If you do not, then I am merely an observer. I bear you no ill will. It is not as if I need to hinder you to watch you die. My nephew and his minions are not weak in the force, and you, Suhsanite, are continually drawing on the light's power down here in a place you are not meant to be."
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:57, Fri 06 Jan 2023.

"You want to help us rather than your nephew?" interjects the muscular man, not hiding the skepticism in his voice.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:10, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

"I am also curious as to why you would be willing to assist us?" the Cerean agrees, "I assume you have your own ship if you are related to the family that rules this empire?"

"If I had my own ship, would I really be down here being friendly with you?" the voice points out reasonably, avoiding the Cerean's question. "As for your question, whoever you are, obviously I will help my nephew and not you if there is a choice, since he is, after all, my nephew. But as long as your mission is escape and not harming him, we won't have a problem, will we?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:58, Fri 06 Jan 2023.

"So you expect us to believe you don't have a ship, and that you are just an altruistic Kalzerian happy to help intruders to your nephew's laboratory trying to rescue his prisoners?" the muscular man clarifies, his blaster still darting about, seeking the speaker.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:14, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

"I assume you have some kind of explanation for why you doing this?" prompts the Cerean.

"Trying to stall us, is why," mutters the muscular man in a tone not quite low enough to escape the Kalzerian's keen hearing.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:15, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

The figure in the shadows certainly seems reluctant to share his real motives.

"Do I need to stall you? You two are doing an admirable job of getting nowhere all by yourselves."

There is a delicate pause.

"Very well then, 'friend'," the Cerean says evenly, glancing at the crystalized cell, "How does one go about opening one of these... things?"

"First of all, one promises the friendly Kalzerian one will be polite and not shoot or otherwise harm him should he reveal himself to unlock those cells for you. One also promises one will give him free transport off-world, since that is the entire reason he's helping you and your friend."

The muscular man frowns, glancing at the Cerean.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:15, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

The Cerean considers for a moment.

"Very well," he agrees at length, deactivating his lightsaber along with a gesture for the muscular man to lower his weapon, "We shall not harm you, assuming you do not harm us. And if you do indeed require a lift off world then there is room for you on our ship. Agreed?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:15, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

There is a short silence while the stranger considers this, followed by the soft rustle of movement and padding feet somewhere above them in the shadows. A moment later, a figure drops lightly out of the shadows, rising to facing them.

Like most Kalzerians, he is somewhat shorter than both the Cerean and the human, with ashen-grey skin and stark white hair. He wears dark robes of a shadowy material that seems to drink in the light, and his thin smile doesn't quite reach his pale eyes. The Kalzerian seems to be watching both the human and the Cerean closely, as though he doesn't quite trust them not to harm him after all.

"Dalmar Argant. And you two sentients are...?"

"Tank Kolto," the muscular man replies sardonically.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:17, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

The Cerean sends the man a reproving glance.

"Ki-Eldi-Mundi," he answers the Kalzerian with a polite nod, "And this is Aldran. Now, you mentioned unlocking this cell?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:17, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

"I did indeed," the Kalzerian says. "But when I do, we will trip the alarms, so you had best have an escape strategy planned for when that happens."

The Kalzerian's tone suggests that the Kalzerian thinks this might be being slightly optimistic.

"You can't do it without tripping the alarms?" Jantus raises a skeptical eyebrow, "I assume this sorcerer has some way of removing them without setting off all his alarms?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:17, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

"We have some companions in the lower section of the complex," Ki-Eldi replies, "If there really is no way of avoiding the alarm system being tripped then we should warn them."

"Not that they would warn us if they were about to trip an alarm system," Aldran mutters darkly.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:18, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

"Really, they almost deserve to not be warned back," Dalmar says commiseratingly. "That, too, can be arranged. Just let me know when you are ready, and I shall begin."

Ki-Eldi glances at Jantus.

"You had best go and warn them," he says at length, "I shall remain here with our new friend."

Aldran frowns, eying Dalmar suspiciously as he reluctantly moves in the direction of the entrance. He has only gone a few paces, however, before there is a loud shriek which seems to emanate from the darkness above them, followed by a low chanting in Kalzerian.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:18, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

"Oh dear, that doesn't sound encouraging," Ki-Eldi says calmly as he ignites his lightsaber once more, frowning up into the darkness above.

"...I was thinking you had something more along the lines of a communications line than shouting. It appears I erred," Dalmar says, delicately. "You had best prepare yourselves. In about 5 minutes you will be having company, and that company will see rather better in the dark than you do."

The Kalzerian steps forwards and rests a hand on the top of the cell as he says this, glancing furtively back behind him. A moment later, Ki-Eldi feels a dark pulse in the force, and a dull light begins to emanate from the cell, seeming almost to dig into the skin of the Kalzerian as he concentrates with physical force. It's hard to tell in the dim light, but it seems the crystal shifts, digging into his flesh, staining the dim light red, before the light slowly but surely begins to fade.

Ki-Eldi turns his attention away from the incessant murmuring overhead, narrowing his eyes at the pulse of dark energy which passes through Dalmar as he deactivates the crystalized containment cell. He swiftly reaches out with the Force as the last of the crystal fades, catching the unconscious form of the wiry man as he begins to slump forward out of the empty cavity in the stone.

OOC: Ki-Eldi-Mundi rolled 25 using 1d20+13. Move Object (DC20).

From the Cerean's belt pouch there is a beep as a gruff, muffled man's voice is audible.

"Mundi? Was that you? We're heading back to the ship. You'd best head that way too. We won't have long."

The Cerean frowns as he unclasps the device and raises it to his mouth.

"It was not," he replies, "And I thought you said we had best not use communication devices in this place?"

"We're hardly trying to avoid detection anymore," comes the reply, "Now get back to the ship. We lift off in four minutes."

"We'll be there," Ki-Eldi replies curtly, putting away the device as Jantus hoists the unconscious man onto his shoulders and they begin to set off.

"Just don't try anything," Aldran warns Dalmar over his shoulder as they set off.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:18, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

"The only thing I am trying to do right now is avoid being caught," Dalmar assures Aldran, winding a strip of cloth around his palm as he pads silently behind, bringing up the rear.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:18, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

"Out of curiosity, how does your nephew go about withdrawing his captives from their prisons?" Ki-Eldi directs at Dalmar, panting slightly as he glances at the Kalzerian's injured hand, "I assume he doesn't go about cutting himself all day?"

"Indeed. Typically, my dearly beloved nephew calls in a relative."

"Charming fellow," mutters Aldran dryly.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:19, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

"Indeed."

The party increase their pace as they make their way down a series of chambers filled with crystalized cells. The chanting continues overhead, growing audibly louder.

"You may wish to walk faster," Dalmar suggests.

"Agreed," replies Aldran, shifting the weight of the unconscious man on his shoulders as he breaks into a run.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:19, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

Ki-Eldi also increases his pace to a run, frowning as he peers at the frozen form of a tentacled creature with dozens of eyes as they pass.

"What does your nephew do with all these captives of his, exactly?"

"My nephew has a deep interest in the subject of alien anatomy. Even as a child, it fascinated him. Should you find yourself wondering if four arms would let you accomplish more in life than two, for example, my nephew would be delighted to put you in one of these cells and assist you in answering that question."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:10, Thu 29 Dec 2022.

"I see," Ki-Eldi replies darkly.

"Over there, to the right," he adds to Jantus as he moves past the muscular man to take the lead.

"I find myself wondering how this nephew of yours would go with no arms," Aldran adds to Dalmar over his shoulder.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:19, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

The party pass through an archway into a central chamber, in the center of which a swirling purple column of energy swirls, disappearing both into the dark, stone floor beneath them as well as into the ceiling far above.

"One minute left," pants Aldran as he glances at a chrono on his wrist comm.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:20, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

Ki-Eldi reaches the swirling pillar of energy, reaching out to adjust a lever on a narrow stone pillar, a meter or so in height, which stands beside it.

"I believe this is correct," he informs the others as he steps into the beam of energy and is swept into the current, swiftly disappearing through the roof above.

"Here goes nothing," mutters Aldran as he steps reluctantly into the beam and both he and the unconscious man on his shoulders are swept up after the Cerean.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:20, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

Dalmar pauses, then steps through following after.

Ki-Eldi soars through several levels before he is eventually ejected lightly onto a large, smooth walled chamber which serves as a hanger. The far wall opens out across a darkened, mountainous land, swirling with mist and lit up by intermittent flashes lightening.

In the hangar itself a single ship is parked. It is a battered freighter roughly thirty meters in length and twenty in width, with faded green and brown markings. The boarding ramp is down, and beside it a pair of humans dressed in Mandalorian battle armor, a male and a female judging by their builds, are loading several crates onto the ship.

"You made it just in time, Jedi," calls the nearest of the pair, a muscular male dressed in armor painted green, maroon and gold as he hoists the last of the crates up the boarding ramp.

"Kari, prep the ship for take-off," he instructs the woman beside him who gives a nod and hurries off up the ramp.

"You found what you were looking for, I see?" Ki-Eldi responds with a glance at the crates as he approaches the ship.

"Not everything," the Mandalorian replies, "But enough to make the trip worthwhile. What about you? Where's your friend?"

In answer to his question, Aldran appears through the beam of swirling energy, staggering forwards as he is ejected into the hanger, the unconscious man still on his shoulders.

"Let's never use one of those things again," he mutters, looking slightly sick as he glances back at the purple beam, before hurrying toward the ship.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:21, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

Last to be ejected is the Kalzerian, who unlike Aldran, lands gracefully on his feet.

He keeps his hood up, shielding his eyes against the bright lights, but just how much is genuine light sensitivity and how much is just that he would prefer not to remove his cloak right now in front of this particular Mandalorian is unclear.

OOC: Dalmar Argant rolled 29. Reflex Save.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:21, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

"Who is that?" the Mandalorian pauses, glancing suspiciously at Dalmar.

"Someone who helped us in rescuing my friend here," Ki-Eldi gestures at the form of the unconscious man, "I promised him a lift off-world."

"How unwise to make a promise you cannot keep," replies the Mandalorian evenly, placing down the crate before striding back down the boarding ramp.

"I fully intend to keep my promise," Ki-Eldi replies, his tone equally even as he reaches the foot of the boarding ramp.

"Are we really doing this right now?" Aldran interrupts the pair as he reaches the foot of the boarding ramp beside Ki-Eldi.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:21, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

"You're a Kalzerian?" the Mandalorian addresses Dalmar, tilting his head quizzically.

OOC: Cassus Fett rolled 23 using 1d20+21. Spot.

"Your friend appears not to like me," Dalmar observes to Ki-Eldi Mundi, seemly drawing his own inferences from the Mandalorian's tone. "I do trust he won't be a problem for us?"

"We need to get out of this crazy place, now!" Aldran continues as he begins to advance up the boarding ramp.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:22, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

"Not with the Kalzerian," the Mandalorian replies, withdrawing the heavy blaster holstered at his side and levelling it at Aldran.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:22, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

Ki-Eldi unclasps his lightsaber from his own belt, though he does not draw it.

"Cassus," he says in a reasonable tone, "We do not need to take him back to your base. I simply promised him a lift off-world. We can drop him off on the way."

The Mandalorian pauses, considering for a moment. Then all of a sudden there is a roar from the energy beam behind them as a dark, hulking creature emerges. Roughly humanoid in shape, it stands more than six meters in height and seems to be formed of the same dark stone from which the walls of the complex are fashioned. It wields a giant blade formed of purple energy, and the same energy emanates from where its eyes would normally be.

"Come on!" Aldran calls, rushing up the boarding ramp.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:22, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

The Mandalorian allows him past with a curse in his own native tongue, before turning to follow.

"Fine," he calls to Ki-Eldi, "But we drop him off as soon as we are out of here."

"Agreed," Ki-Eldi calls back as he hurries up after them.

If Dalmar has any reaction to the name "Cassus", the dark shadows of his hood hide it. The Kalzerian loses no time bringing up the rear, backing away from the dark-side imbued creature, though he's careful to keep Ki-Eldi-Mundi between any blastes from Cassus and himself.

"Kari, how are those preparations coming along?" Cassus barks as he sprints in the direction of the cockpit, "We've got company!"

Aldran reaches the medical bay, plonking the unconscious man down unceremoniously before hurrying back toward the boarding ramp, unholstering his blaster as he does so.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:23, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

"Where are Shar and Khelna?" Ki-Eldi asks as he moves after Cassus.

"They're not coming," Cassus replies dismissively, "Who do you think set off that alarm in the first place?"

"Systems are still coming online," Kari informs Cassus tersely as he and Ki-Eldi enter the cockpit, "Going to need a few more seconds."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:05, Sat 31 Dec 2022.

"Then we'll need to distract it," Cassus sighs as he turns to sprint back toward the boarding ramp.

"Are you capable of doing that, Cassus? My nephew's creations are not easily deterred."

Cassus glances sharply at Dalmar at the mention of the word 'nephew', but continues to hurry toward the boarding ramp.

"I guess we'll find out, won't we?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:33, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

Aldran meanwhile, has reached the ramp, kneeling as he takes aim at the creature which has closed more than half the distance to the ship. He fires, his eyes widening in bewilderment as his blast bounces harmlessly off the creature's stone-like form.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:34, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

Darting past Aldran, Cassus ignites the jetpack strapped to his back as he sours into the air, blasting at the golem. His more powerfully designed blaster is able to punch a hole through the stone chest of the creature, revealing a hole of purple energy, however it does nothing to deter the creature, which lumbers onwards.

OOC: Cassus Fett dealt 7 points of wound damage to Guardian Golem.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:35, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

Ki-Eldi hurries out after Cassus, igniting his lightsaber as he charges at the creature, striking at its left foot. He gives a grunt of surprise as his stroke glances off, doing little more than chip off a tiny chunk of stone.

OOC: Ki-Eldi-Mundi dealt 3 points of wound damage to Guardian Golem.

The Cerean's efforts are enough to finally cause the creature to halt, sweeping it's purple blade of energy about in a series of strokes. Ki-Eldi however moves with a surprising deftness for his age as he darts about, avoiding each stroke.

OOC: Guardian Golem dealt 15 points of vitality damage to Ki-Eldi-Mundi.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:07, Sat 31 Dec 2022.

"Interesting," Dalmar observes.

"This is your lift out of here as much as it's ours," Aldran points out tersely as his blasts continue to ricochet harmlessly off the golem's body.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:35, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

"I didn't know Cassus here was interested in accepting a Kalzerian's help," Dalmar says virtiously.

Cassus appears to have very good hearing, as he calls back to Dalmar over the blasterfire.

"You want to give me a reason not to throw you out the airlock the moment we leave the atmosphere? Now's your chance."

OOC: Cassus Fett rolled 25 using 1d20+21. Listen.

"Want is a strong word, my dear human. But since you insist..."

The Kalzerian stretches out one arm in the direction of the golem, and makes a clenching motion with one hand. A moment later, the golem rises in the air, hovering there, legs whirring uselessly as it tries to advance, finding no purchase against the air.

"Now, if one of you gentlemen would be so kind as to give our friend a push..." Dalmar says lightly, gesturing with his other hand towards the steep drop of the cliff a dozen or so meters away.

OOC: Dalmar Argant rolled 25 using 1d20+16 (+8 force point).  Move Object Check (DC 25).
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:48, Sat 31 Dec 2022.

"Excellent thinking," commends Ki-Eldi, deactivating his lightsaber as he stretches out his own hand, palm out, to send the creature, flailing helplessly, gliding smoothly over the edge of the hanger and into the bottomless expanse beyond.

OOC: Ki-Eldi-Mundi rolled 23 using 1d20+13. Move Object.

"Thank you," Dalmar preens. "I trust nobody will be throwing me out of any airlocks anytime soon?"

Cassus descends to land beside the ship once more, moving over to the edge of the hanger to glance down into the misty darkness below. Satisfied, he then strides swiftly toward the ship once more.

"Let's go."

Aldran exhales, slapping Dalmar on the shoulder as he strides back up the boarding ramp.

"Let's never come back here again, all right?" he says with feeling.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:36, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

Dalmar tenses slightly as Aldran slaps him, but since no stab wounds or poisons seem to accompany this friendly gesture, the Kalzerian relaxes again.

"I could not agree more," Dalmar says, following Aldran. (And being sure to keep the human between himself and any airlocks.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:37, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

"Systems are fully online," Kari informs Cassus as he enters the ship once more, "Ready for lift off."

"Take us out of here," Cassus instructs as Ki-Eldi reaches the boarding ramp and hurries up.

The boarding ramp closes behind the Cerean as Kari's hands dance over the controls and the freighter lifts off the ground. The landing struts retract and the ship shoots out of the hangar and into the misty expanse beyond.

OOC: Kari Stardin rolled 31 using 1d20+14. Pilot.

"Any sign of pursuit?" Cassus inquires as he arrives behind Kari, taking hold of the chair beside her to steady himself as the ship gives a jolt.

"Nothing," Kari responds, glancing down at the scanners.

"Strange. I would have thought Zaelinor would have had some z'talin fighters defending his fortress. Unless..."

He glances suspiciously at Dalmar.

"Wait, we've got something," Kari informs him.

Cassus quickly turns his attention back to her.

"Two craft, coming in fast," Kari continues as she begins to swiftly angle the freighter's deflector shields.

"That is more like it," Cassus replies as he swiftly strides toward a pair of ladders back down the corridor leading both upwards and downwards, "Try to keep them behind us and see if you can get us clear to the atmosphere. You a decent shot?" he adds to Aldran as he passes, "Let's get on those gun turrets."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:38, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

"Top of my class in the Grizwallt Royal Academy," Aldran replies proudly. "Never operated a ship turret before, though."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:40, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

"Hmm..." replies Cassus, not seeming reassured by either of these statements. He disappears up the ladder leading to the turret situated on the top of the ship.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:42, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

Aldran clambers down into the turret below, tossing aside his cap as he dons a communication headset, glancing at the controls about him.

"All right," he mutters, "So how do I..."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:45, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

"Don't worry about the buttons for adjustment," Cassus calls back, "Control stick to aim, black trigger to fire."

The pursuing ships, a pair of sleek, dark fighters, appear through the mist, closing on the freighter. Cassus opens fire, as the left most fighter spins swiftly to avoid his blast. Aldran also fires, a wide blast which strikes the side of a passing mountain spire a hundred meters from the nearest fighter. The fighters also open fire, as Kari zig-zags as she climbs in order to avoid their blasts of purple energy.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:47, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

"How are you supposed to hit these things!" Aldran exclaims as both his and Cassus' blasts once more fly wide.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:48, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

"The Kalzerians rely on speed," Cassus replies, "But they don't have much in the way of shielding."

"That doesn't help much if you can't actually hit them," Aldran shoots back as Kari continues to narrowly avoid their blasts.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:48, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

The dog fight continues as they shoot through the last of the mist and into the atmosphere beyond. Below them the mist extends to the horizon like a dark ocean, intermittently being lit with flashes of lightening. The fighters exit the mist after them, dodging and weaving about the freighter, evading all attempts of Cassus and Aldran to strike them. Kari manages to continue avoiding their blasts also, until they have almost reached the atmosphere. Then one of the ships finally lands a blast on the rear of the freighter, which shudders as its shields absorb the purple energy.

OOC: Z'talin Fighter dealt 22 points of damage to Mandalorian Freighter.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:48, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

"How long until we clear the atmosphere?" Cassus calls to Kari as another blast strikes the freighter's rear deflector shield.

OOC: Z'talin Fighter dealt 12 points of damage to Mandalorian Freighter.

"One minute and twenty seconds out," Kari calls back tersely as another bolt of purple energy arcs past the viewport before her.

The freighter gives a violent rumble and shudders, sending Aldran sliding out of his turret chair to crash heavily against the wall in the narrow alcove in which the turret is located. He curses, hastily pulling himself back into position as he snatches hold of the controls once more.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:49, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

"Direct hit. Bypassed our shields," Kari calls through gritted teeth as she begins to take the ship into a spin.

"Persistent karkers," Cassus mutters as he leaps from his seat to slide swiftly back down the ladder, "Mundi, man the turret," he barks as jogs down the corridor to the cockpit, bracing himself against the wall as he begins to punch coordinates into the nav computer.

"Forty seconds out," Kari states, biting her lip as she continues to dodge and weave.

Ki-Eldi clambers up into position, frowning as his blast flies wide.

"This is indeed an acquired skill," he observes as he attempts to follow one of the fighters with the turret.

"Mm-hmm," agrees Aldran as he attempts to lock onto his own fighter.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:49, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

“They fly in patterns, those fighters. If you wish to hit them, I suggest blasting blindly and hoping they weave in in time to be struck by it. You will find it hard to get a lock.”

"Blasting blindly describes exactly what I've been doing, trust me," Aldran replies tersely as another blast strikes the freighter's shields.

OOC: Z'talin Fighter dealt 27 points of shield damage to Mandalorian Freighter.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:49, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

"Shields at thirty-nine percent," Kari informs.

"Coordinates set," Cassus states, moving over to slide into the co-pilot's seat, his hand hovering over the lever to activate the hyperdrive.

"Twenty seconds until we clear the atmosphere," Kari informs him, somewhat unnecessarily.

“Will we clear it at our present rate?” Dalmar looks at Kari.

Kari ignores Dalmar's question, gritting her teeth as she avoids several more blasts. Ki-Eldi and Jantus continue fire vainly at their attackers, and at length another blast rocks the freighter's deflector shield as a red light begins rapidly flashing on the control desk.

"Shield at seventeen percent," Kari states.

"We're clear," Cassus informs her, pulling the lever as the freighter's engines glow orange and the ship jumps to hyperspace.

Aldran sighs, wincing as he clambers out of the gunners seat.

"That was a little close for comfort."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:50, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

"It was certainly not an ideal-" Ki-Eldi begins, breaking off as the ship gives a violent shudder, hurling him forward against the wall.

"Blast, the hyperdrive is failing," Kari informs them as she attempts to maintain control of the rocking ship, "One of those blasts must have damaged it."

"Well that certainly isn't ideal," Ki-Eldi remarks.

"No it certainly isn't ideal," Kari agrees, shooting the Cerean an unimpressed glance, "Now unless anyone else has anything helpful to add you'd better get yourselves strapped in and hope there is a planet or moon with breathable atmosphere wherever we get ejected to."

"...How does one strap oneself in?" Dalmar says, dutifully seating himself and eying the array of brightly glowing buttons on the armrest of his seat.

Aldran shows Dalmar where the safety harness is located as he straps himself into the seat across from the Kalzerian.

"One thing we can be sure of," he says as the ship reverts to realspace with another violent shudder and a jolt to reveal a dark, ice covered planet which looms before them, "it can't be worse than the planet we just left."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:50, Thu 07 Sept 2023.

"This is Kalzerian space," Kari reminds him grimly, "I wouldn't count on it..."

With that, the freighter descends toward the planet.

OOC: End of Prelude...