Gotal shrugs, "Perhaps he may have. Still, it cannot hurt to check it out once we arrive I will of course think of another reason why we are seeking them out if they seem, less than savory".
Gotal and Renlo ease through the crowds of Anchorhead. After a few minutes travel Gotal feels certain that they have arrived. The building before the two beings has the squat feel of an official "republic/imperial" office building.
There is a durasteel door just under a small awning. The awning seems to be for decoration only as it is providing no protection against the sun.
A small data plate indicates that this is the home of the Wardens of the Sky.
Gotal turns to Renlo, "It seems that we have arrived. Let us see if they will be able to meet with us".
Gotal knocks or rings whichever seems more appropriate.
Easing his blaster slightly, Renlo enters the shop with Gotal.
He will by pass the crawler and carefully and cautiously approach the pillars.
Donavaan kicks and resumes gliding across the dunes, through the hot air to the "pillars." The Sand Crawler rumbles over the dunes and out of sight and the pillars still seem somewhat distant. You continue to press on towards the goal.
After awhile it becomes clear that you are not approaching pillars, but the ribs of some giant beast rising out of the desert.
Easing his blaster slightly, Renlo enters the shop with Gotal.
Renlo and Gotal approach the durasteel door. An obvious security camera is just to the right of the door. Just under the camera is a panel to allow people that "belong" to open the door from this side. To the right of that panel is a small plate with a sensor that has "Visitor" written just below the sensor panel.
While you are looking over the layout of the entry, and deep voice comes from somewhere.
"May I help you?"
"Howdy, ma'am. The name's Kato. Jak Kato. And these are my esteemed associates. We got a ship and are looking for work. We heard you might be looking to hire on some help."
Stigs looks at the crew. "Name of your ship?" She motions to the seats arranged in a rough semi-circle around her table. "and is it clean?"
Perception
Looking about for the source of the voice, Renlo says, "My friend were looking for some navigational information. We're trying to find the coordinates, and though perhaps you might be able to assist us."
Perception 1d20+6
The two pillars are actually eight. Four on either side of the cage.
As you slowly move around the perimeter of the rib cage, you notice a small depression where the tail bone would likely have rested.On closer inspection, you see what could be a cave or tunnel capped by some kind of door... you're guessing it is not natural given that it is in the sand.
As you start to look for a method to open the door, you look up and note two beings with sand colored robes staring at you. It's just a flash and their heads disappear behind a dune. You did not get a clear enough look to be certain, but they looked like they had bandages on their heads.
Looking about for the source of the voice, Renlo says, "My friend were looking for some navigational information. We're trying to find the coordinates, and though perhaps you might be able to assist us."
[dice=Perception]1d20+12
"Please come in." the slightly mechanical voice replies.
The durasteel door slowly grinds its way back into a pocket as a trail of ground sand wafts from the lower track to door rides on.
Inside there is a small reception area with a sergeant of arms just standing and looking up from a monitor as you enter.
"There may be a fee," the grey skinned Duros says as a means of introduction. "What kind of information can we give you?"
"We simply wish to view your map of the galaxy, we seek to locate coordinates. As you well know if we program our trajectory incorrectly we could end up in a meteor swarm of the middle of a star. Not the end the our journey thst we are looking for, that would be a poor resolution indeed. A fee is more than agreeable for your time and facilities".
He is going to act as if he did not see them and try to open the door, he will have his pistol in easily grabbed range just in case.
Moroka nods and steps up to take a seat with a smile, noting the surroundings as she analyzes the situation.
If she means the attention of the authorities, that might be an issue. If they know about the Jedi bounty, this could get ugly quick. Only one way out and they've likely locked it behind us by now. Starting to wish I'd spent more time on my saber forms...
Corven follows Moroka's example and takes a seat as well. His eyes, however, scan the room much like the young woman appears to be doing. 'Great minds,' he thinks to himself.
Moroka & Corven
"We simply wish to view your map of the galaxy, we seek to locate coordinates. As you well know if we program our trajectory incorrectly we could end up in a meteor swarm of the middle of a star. Not the end the our journey thst we are looking for, that would be a poor resolution indeed. A fee is more than agreeable for your time and facilities".
The large round eyes glance back and forth between you both.
"Ok. There is a nominal fee of ten credits per half hour for the use of our holo-table facilities."He smiles with pride, which looks a little strange on his noseless head.
"But it is money well spent. We take pride in the fact that our navdata is updated constantly.
Similar to a librarian talking to a group of young people, he can see the distinct lack of awe that this trivial detail inspires and turns toward a door behind the desk.
"But you are not here to hear all that. Please follow me."
You both pick up the trail and follow through the door down a short hall and into a side room. In the middle of the dark room sits a large table structure with a concave top. The well of the table casts a bluish glow across your companion's features that makes the scene surreal.
"The controls are here." the attendant says with a wave of his hand. He reaches to the control panel and presses an icon and the room lights up with a brighter blue as an image of the galaxy explodes from the well of the table and slowly orbits in the air above. There is a single dot of a different color that draws your attention and seems to imply "YOU ARE HERE."
He is going to act as if he did not see them and try to open the door, he will have his pistol in easily grabbed range just in case.
You rake sand away from the portal looking for a mechanism. As you clear the sand it becomes clear that the portal is round and does not seem to have a hinge.
Your sweat drips onto the edge of the cover and you quickly tire under the baking sun. As your thoughts start to drift, swirling with questions about how to open this door, what could be concealed underneath, why would you ignore the dangerous predators that are circling behind you, etc. a small transparent hand comes into your vision and startles you. The little girl from before is kneeling near you. She tries to talk with you but again there is no sound.
She reaches up to her head, cups the sides of her head, and then rapidly pulls them away and towards the portal. She repeats this two more times and then stares at you for a few more moments as she becomes more and more incorporeal... fading into nothing.
With a low whistle, Renlo looks around at the impressive nav display. I haven't seen anything like this since the Jedi Temple. Whoever these guys are, they've got some hardware.
Gotal gives a slight bow to the Duros, "That is a more than reasonable request".
As Gotal and Renlo are led to the display Gotal smiles and turns to Renlo, "A bit better than what is available on the ship no?
Somewhere in the mid-rim is our intended destination. I am ready when you are."
Thinking to himself, Does she want me to open this thing up with my mind? I can't read thoughts. I don't think it hurts to try though.
He will begin to concentrate his fingers on his temples and his eyes closing wishing the door to open with his thoughts.
Sitting down to operate the display, Renlo says, "Okay, let's do this."
Gotal closes his eyes and reaches out through the Force in conjunction with Renlo's Astronavigation to locate the intended rendezvous point.
Use the Force + Force Point
Stigs looks at the crew.
"Name of your ship?" She motions to the seats arranged in a rough semi-circle around her table. "and is it clean?"
"Ship's called The Owl's Gambit - and she's a wise bet to make. As for its cleanliness, I'll have you know that my Mama raised me right, and that ship is spotless inside. You could eat off the floor where you so inclined."
Jak smiles pleasantly.
"Of course, you probably mean the other thing. As far as I know the Republic -- pardon, the Empire isn't particularly interested in our boat. And I'd be very happy to keep it that way. Discretion is a good trait to have in a business partner."
Gotal closes his eyes and reaches out through the Force in conjunction with Renlo's Astronavigation to locate the intended rendezvous point.
Use the Force + Force Point 1d20+13+1d6
Renlo & Gotal
Renlo's hands manipulate the controls with ease after a few minutes of familiarization. Gotal calms himself and stretches his mind out to machine and the artificial intelligence behind the controls. Sensing, rather than seeing Gotal directs Renlo to adjust the resolution this way and that; slowing magnifying the sectors and reducing the size of the galaxy. A few minutes more and the two comrades are staring at a seeming dead point in space. There is a star present, but according to all scouting information there are no inhabitable planets in the system.
Gotal retreats from the Force and focuses his eyes. Renlo looks at his colleague; slightly skeptical. "Are you sure?"
Gotal slowly nods. "Trust in the Force. This is our destination."
Stigs looks at the crew.
"Name of your ship?" She motions to the seats arranged in a rough semi-circle around her table. "and is it clean?"
[dice=K. Tactics]1d20+7
"Ship's called The Owl's Gambit - and she's a wise bet to make. As for its cleanliness, I'll have you know that my Mama raised me right, and that ship is spotless inside. You could eat off the floor where you so inclined."
Jak smiles pleasantly.
"Of course, you probably mean the other thing. As far as I know the Republic -- pardon, the Empire isn't particularly interested in our boat. And I'd be very happy to keep it that way. Discretion is a good trait to have in a business partner."
[dice=Deception]1d20+7
Stigs nods at Jaks attempt at humor. "I hope you can keep that sense of humor about you. The galaxy's changing... and not for the better."
She adjusts her seat slightly. "If you're clean and do a good job, there's more work. If you're not... the Imperials will make you pay." She pauses for emphasis; her one eye boring into each of you.
"I need a quick courier run to Beggar's Moon. Done without notice and I'm willing to pay five thousand credits. Sound interesting?"
Taking out his datapad, Renlo copies down the coordinates so that they can enter them into the navcomputer back on the ship.
Thinking to himself, Does she want me to open this thing up with my mind? I can't read thoughts. I don't think it hurts to try though.
He will begin to concentrate his fingers on his temples and his eyes closing wishing the door to open with his thoughts.
You close your eyes and start to concentrate. The apparition reaches out and touches the back of your neck. You feel an icy tingle and a prickle along your spine. There are small firework like sparks that go off behind your eyes and your equilibrium shifts rapidly; nearly causing you to keel over.
Before long, you can sense the door and its guardian.
The guardian lurches through your minds eye and snarls at you.
You recoil from the beasts fangs as it's bite stops just shy of your face and you fall backwards onto your butt.
The beast seems to sense your presence through the Force. It's visage softens and changes from ferocious beast to gentle guide beast. It turns it's head and places a clawed appendage on an unseen icon on the door.
With a whoosh, the door unseals and pivots away from a concealed hallway.
Your vision clears and you are alone.
From behind you, you hear a growling roar. It is answered by another one from in front and to the right of you.
Taking out his datapad, Renlo copies down the coordinates so that they can enter them into the navcomputer back on the ship.
Pereception
Thinking to himself, what in the galaxy was that all about? I have never experienced anything like that even in my wildest bacchanals. The pain in my head subsided for a bit when the animal and the girl reached out to me. I wonder if the water was laced with anything.
"Five thousand credits is indeed a hefty sum," Corven says with a nod. Still, the look he gives Jak does hint at the need for caution, considering what happened the last time they all were on the Beggar's Moon.
Jak nods.
"Sounds intersting, indeed, Ma'am. Of course, in the name of good faith, I should tell you now that the crew of the Owl operates as a consortium, so I will need to present this offer to the other members, before we can give you a definitive answer. Say, a couple hours? Also, it would help if we knew what we were transporting so that we could make any necessary precautions to assure its safety."
Pereception 1d20+6
Thinking to himself, what in the galaxy was that all about? I have never experienced anything like that even in my wildest bacchanals. The pain in my head subsided for a bit when the animal and the girl reached out to me. I wonder if the water was laced with anything.
You become aware of your surroundings again. The two bandage headed beings are near you. One to the front right and one behind you. The rack walled passage under the door is dark, except the light cast roughly arms length from the twin suns above. The passage goes farther than you can see. It angles down under the tail bone of the skeleton above... which would seem to indicate the the skeleton was purposefully placed here OR the space below was dug after the skeleton came to rest here.
Jak nods.
"Sounds intersting, indeed, Ma'am. Of course, in the name of good faith, I should tell you now that the crew of the Owl operates as a consortium, so I will need to present this offer to the other members, before we can give you a definitive answer. Say, a couple hours? Also, it would help if we knew what we were transporting so that we could make any necessary precautions to assure its safety."
"Of course." Stigs remarks.
"I have another job that is more immediate and shorter in duration if that would be preferred?" she pauses for a moment."I need a package delivered to a friend in Mos Eisley. Pay's less. I'll give you three five hundred each. This task requires discretion and protection."
Jak looks to the other two crew members, and nods.
"Sounds like we have an accordance. We'll deliver this package as a bit of test run, and we can get back to you on the other job."
Jak puts out his hand to shake on it.
Renlo copied the data into his data pad so they could take it back to the ship.
[ooc]Wow...screw you too, dice.[/dice]
Moroka nods in agreement. "Short trip's a good idea. We learn our way around, make some friends, and earn funds and good faith, all without charting a hyperspace route."
She stands as hands are shook, clasping her hands together and glancing about the room. "So! What are we porting, then?" Please be something simple...
"It does not sound like it will be much trouble, yes," Corven agrees, though stressing that particular word does hint at having a little bit of doubt. Perhaps seeing what it is they are tasked with delivering will put those doubts to rest. Then again, perhaps not.
Renlo copied the data into his data pad so they could take it back to the ship.
[dice=Use Computer]1d20+8+1d6
[ooc]Luckily Renlo, you are using some of the best equipment on the planet... so your DC was 10. You accomplish your goal
"It does not sound like it will be much trouble, yes," Corven agrees, though stressing that particular word does hint at having a little bit of doubt. Perhaps seeing what it is they are tasked with delivering will put those doubts to rest. Then again, perhaps not.
Renlo, Corven & Jak
Stigs leans forward in her chair. "My client needs a shipment of tibanna gas... no questions asked. Should be straight forward. Stay away from scrutiny, make it back here tomorrow and the money is yours." She leans back again. "Word has it that the Empire is thinking of putting a garrison dirtside; so mind your manners if you know what's good for you."
After copying the coordinates down, Renlo said, "Okay, we've got what we came for. Let's head back to the ship."
Paying the fee for the use of the facilities, and thanking the Duros for his time, Renlo and Gotal will return to the ship to await the others.
Renlo, Corven & Jak
Stigs leans forward in her chair. "My client needs a shipment of tibanna gas... no questions asked. Should be straight forward. Stay away from scrutiny, make it back here tomorrow and the money is yours." She leans back again. "Word has it that the Empire is thinking of putting a garrison dirtside; so mind your manners if you know what's good for you."
"Ma'am, we will be the very model of upstanding imperial citizenry."
He gives Stigs a confident smile.
Gotal follows along with Renlo, relieved at their success.
He will try.
Renlo, Corven & Jak
Stigs leans forward in her chair. "My client needs a shipment of tibanna gas... no questions asked. Should be straight forward. Stay away from scrutiny, make it back here tomorrow and the money is yours." She leans back again. "Word has it that the Empire is thinking of putting a garrison dirtside; so mind your manners if you know what's good for you."
"Ma'am, we will be the very model of upstanding imperial citizenry."
He gives Stigs a confident smile.
He will try.
Donavaan slides himself down the passageway and onto a one meter ledge that goes around the perimeter of what looks like a circular room. Given that the only light is coming through the portal you just entered, you can not see the opposite side nor the bottom of the room. You turn and attempt to will the door closed behind you.
Again, you feel the unfamiliar feeling of your mind expanding outward and you wish that the portal would close... and it does.
The angry bellows of from above quieten and the door slides into place and you are alone.
After copying the coordinates down, Renlo said, "Okay, we've got what we came for. Let's head back to the ship."
Paying the fee for the use of the facilities, and thanking the Duros for his time, Renlo and Gotal will return to the ship to await the others.
"Can you have the shipment brought to our hangar, or do we escort it from here?" Jak asks politely.
He will sigh with relief and look around.
"Can you have the shipment brought to our hangar, or do we escort it from here?" Jak asks politely.
"I'll have the "water" delivered to your hangar. Where is your ship parked?" Stigs replies.