The name doesn't seem familiar, although something about the man himself does.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all. If you would kindly sit down, I will explain the task."
After everyone is seated, Stanwell says, "We're asking you to carry a cargo to Palomos, in the Brecallan system. It is mostly food and medical supplies for some acquaintances of ours that have had difficulty acquiring them. There are some spare parts in there, as well. Due to the perishability of some of the cargo, we will ask you not to open the climate-controlled crates. Fialla will be taking a similar cargo to another system. We can't pay you much for doing this - It will only be 500 credits each, but you will be helping a great many people and doing some good for the galaxy. Will you accept the task?"
He's holding something back about the cargo. You suspect that he isn't doing this out of dishonesty, but out of a lack of trust.
Perception
Jarl purses his lips to speak but holds back to see what the rest of the crew will say. He has spent so long looking out for himself he can't remember the last time he did something to help people.
NT-2B studies the man cautiously, observing the sweat on his brow, calculating his heart rate. Recognising him as familiar, but having his memory banks come up empty on who the man is puts NT-2B as close to uncomfortable as he is capable of getting. It occurs to him that it's possible that Stanwell would notice what he was and try to return him to Corellia. In that case, NT-2B could only hope that the crew would protect him as he would them.
Activating a program to simulate a throat clear, NT-2B speaks up. "There is nothing that would please me more than to help those who cannot help themselves," he begins. "It is a difficult task in these times... but is only made more so by a lack of information."
"My programmed primarily responsibility is to my owner, Warrior Poet, and my captain and crew. I do not wish harm to come to them, nor to either of you, and I would hope that the feeling is mutual. However, if you are holding back information that may place their lives in jeopardy, I am afraid I will not be able to encourage them to accept the job."
"While there is something to be said for seeing 'what we are made of', as you humans say, I humbly recommend... reconsidering the amount of information you have given us."
Perception
Daaneth finds himself a bit distracted during the conversation but his head whips toward NT-2B when the droid comments on the information provided.
He tilts his head toward the mechanical crew member and muses not for the first time about how much his opinion on droids has changed over such a short time and he lets out a laugh.
"Yes, let's get it all out in the open. We're working a job for you, and if anything nasty happens it does increase our price or decreases the likely hood of your cargo arriving safely. Unless of course we agree to the 500 each while completely confident that our employer has provided all the details, because then the job will get done properly. Is there anything else you maybe forgot to add?"
Although Jeren perceives no falsehoods, still he recognizes that some of his companions do. And with his Captain and the droid being more than a little persuasive, each in their own way, he remains silent. Instead of speaking alongside them, he simply chooses to observe the man who introduced himself as Stanwell.
There is a basic presuppostion that there is an honest days pay for an honest days work which should take place. However, Stanwell, I have the distinct feeling that you are not completely being honest with us. Since it is our lives that will be placed in jeopardy, being honest is the only wise and prudent course of action that should take place.
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'Well, this is starting to go downhill quickly,' Vessani thought as the rest of the group all but ganged up against their potential client. "While I know that there are times information should be withheld, as a former soldier, I know that lack of information is a bigger killer than any enemy on the battlefield."
Jarl nods as Vessani states his kernel of wisdom. "Well said my friend".
Stanwell stands and says, "I'm sorry, but it appears we won't be able to do business with you. Please, enjoy our hospitality before you take your leave." He shoots Fialla a glance before turning and exiting the room.
Fialla looks at you and sighs, saying, "Well, what's done is done. Perhaps I'll be able to get you in with him on another job - if you can bring yourselves to take a leap of faith. Stanwell isn't as trusting as other business partners, and often tests new people to see if they are trustworthy. I have a cargo of Andurian Truffles on Calabos you can pick up. They're headed to Taris - seems the nobles of that rebuilt world are paying restaurants more than is reasonable, so I'll be paying you 10,000 credits for this run. Shoot me a message when you're leaving so I can give you the name of the contact."
Fialla gets up and leaves the room, Gibby behind her.
Jeren remains expressionless for a moment. And then he chuckles.
"Well," he finally says shaking his head, "that went well."
"A leap of faith," he says softly, repeating Fialla's words. His tone is strange, as if reminiscing. And his laughter is no more.
"It seems that leap is in one direction but not another. We should trust someone who does not trust us?
I am fine with taking on the other job that Fialla noted, full information is preferable".
Full disclourse should be given out of mutual respect, Fialla. I believe we are owed that much respect. says the vurk.
"Come now Jace," Jeren remarks calmly, casually. "The man owed us no respect, for the man did not even know us mere minutes ago." He shrugs. "Respect is earned. So, even if he did know us, what is it that we have done so far to earn his? We are smugglers more or less, are we not?"
He turns to the rest of the group, with a smile and his hands up in a sort of placating gesture. "Not that it has not been fun, mind you."
No, nut Fialla knows us. he says.
"Come now Jace," Jeren remarks calmly, casually. "The man owed us no respect, for the man did not even know us mere minutes ago." He shrugs. "Respect is earned. So, even if he did know us, what is it that we have done so far to earn his? We are smugglers more or less, are we not?"
He turns to the rest of the group, with a smile and his hands up in a sort of placating gesture. "Not that it has not been fun, mind you."
NT-2B turns towards Jeren. "I believe Wandering Scales's... people" he pauses for a moment, hoping it's enough for them to realise he means Jedi and not Vurks, "would argue that there is a basic level of respect for all living things, such as I have been programmed to believe."
"While I would not expect for him to tell us everything, certainly not without some kind of leverage over us, hiding things can put us at risk, especially when the job itself already begins as one with risk. Is the job more important than our lives? It is possible. But is that not a decision that should be ours to make?"
"To put it more simply: Whether we know the entirety of the cargo or not, we are responsible for its delivery. Someone who wants to prevent that may know more than we do about the cargo, which puts us at a disadvantage for ensuring its arrival. I believe in smuggling, as in many things, knowledge is one's greatest asset."
"...To put it even more simply, perishable cargo can refer to slaves. Would you, or the Imperials for that matter, be pleased with your plead of ignorance when that truth was discovered? I can agree that our time is for sale, but would you truly offer your integrity as well?"
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Once the group was left alone, Vessani turned to the others and said, "Well, I'd rather tote a bunch of desserts around that some mysterious death bringer, you know?" Giving a snort, he thought back to their almost client and asked, "So, what do you think would have been so important to cart around with no knowledge of the contents? I think he's trying to keep a mistress pleased."
Daaneth shrugs and smiles at Stanwell even as the man turns down their assistance. When the group starts discussing the 'leap of faith' he laughs.
"Looks like Jace and I finally agree on something. Trust is a mutual respect and he's done no more to earn our than we did his, but at least we gave him a chance build the bridge."
"In any case, we might as well go pick up your shipment now, we aren't doing anything else."
"Do keep in mind my friend," Jeren retorts to NT-2B with a smile, "that Jace's people also kept their fair share of secrets in their dealings with others now and then. They did not trust everybody, although sometimes they had a good reason, I am sure."
He then turns to Vessani. "He could very well be wary of the Empire finding out. Or his wife. Both could be equally dangerous."
"Trust, and in this case lack of it, do tend to be mutual, yes," he says finally, his smile undiminished. "But I just cannot help but wonder if in this case the job with the worse reward was the better choice."
"Ah, well," he finally concludes with a shrug, "we may never find out. Now, shall we get some rich people their just desserts?"
With the matter more or less settled, Jeren stands up and exits the room, his destination the group's ship. And still having his doubts about Stanwell and his task and with only one "ally" left whose opinion he has not heard, he decides to ask. That "ally" is the Force.
The Force indicated we were at a crossroads for good or for evil. I believe we may have passed the Test.
The Force indicated you were at a crossroads that would shape your destiny. It didn't say for good or evil.
You sense that no harm would have come to you from accepting Stanwell's mission, and there may be other opportunities in the future - but you must accept that you will not know everything.
"Have we now?"
The words are muttered softly as Jeren stops walking for but a moment.
"Well, until the next time and the next... test," he quips with a shrug, resuming his walk towards their ship.
Jarl stands up, "Alright Fialla, desserts it is. Take care and we will see you soon.
By the way, if you hear any reports of activities from some less than savory characters that are missing a ship and a few collectibles, let us know. Like Not2bee said, knowledge is our greatest asset".
The soldier turned space pirate heads to the ship to get it primed for take off.
As you prepare the ship for takeoff, Fialla comes over the comms, "Okay, guys. Your contact on Calabos is named Fiuryo'lan. Don't be too intimidated by her, and don't let her bodyguards intimidate you too much. Good hunting!"
Once teh ship is ready to go Jarl turns to Daaneth, "Ready Captain?"
"Fiuryo'lan. Got it, thanks Fi, we'll keep you updated." Danneth sends back and nods to Jarl to ship them out. "You wanna lock down the coordinates Not2bee? Look for the most optimal route you can, the faster we get this done the faster we get more work."
"Affirmative." NT-2B replies, plugging into the ship's terminal.
Thanks to the ship's navicomputer (+5 bonus), NT-2B is able to calculate a course that will get you to Calabos, but it will take 6 days for you to get there as you pass through a region with several dense gravitational fields.
You come out of hyperspace to find a pleasant looking planet with blue oceans and landmasses. There is very little space traffic, so you are hailed almost immediately. "This is Calabos Central Spaceport Authority. May I have your starship name and purpose for coming to Calabos?"
Jarl opens the comm back to the Spaceport Authority, "Greetings. This is theWhite Dwarf and I am the Pilot Jarl Tehnos. We are here for interstellar commerce. Please instruct us where to dock. Over".
"Interstellar commerce," Jeren quips, repeating Jarl's words. "It sounds so... official. Almost like your average legitimate trader, which we are. Of course."
"Are you picking up or dropping off? If dropping off, what is your cargo? This does matter for determining your landing location."
"Picking up. We're supposed to meet a woman named, Fiuryo'lan. If you know of her, a dock closest to her operation would be helpful." Daaneth says over the comms, sounding bored.
Truffles. He thinks to himself, rolling his eyes.
Jarl turns to Daaneth, [b]"Better this cargo then Tribbles, those things are real trouble..."{/b]
"Fiuryo'lan? Ah, yes, okay. Very good. Well, In that case you can land in docking bay 93. Follow the landing beacon in, and enjoy your stay."
The comm transmission quickly ends. A beacon lights up on the console.
He seemed in an awful hurry to get off the line once you mentioned Fiuryo'lan's name.
"It would appear," NT-2B begins, switching off the comms with one arm, "That our employer's warning of not being intimidated was not without cause. This may indeed prove interesting. We should be cautious."
Karl nods at Not2bee, "Agreed".
He then proceeds to take the ship in to the destination indicated by the landing beacon.
"Yes, indeed," Jeren adds his own voice in agreement. "Just because our cargo is going to be desserts, that does not mean there will not be trouble."
Thinking back to the mission with the furs and the gems within them, he adds, "We are sure it is just truffles, right?"
As Jarl brings the ship into the landing bay, you find that it is one of those furthest from the central spaceport and, indeed, from the city. As the ship settles onto its landing struts, a pair of lizard-like creatures enter the spaceport and stand there, waiting for you to come out.
These are Barabels, a race of lizard-like creatures that evolved on Barab III, a planet with incredibly high levels of radiation. They are known for their skill as hunters - and also for their tempers.
Know Galatic Lore
The vurk will let the rest of the group know about the barabels.
"Great so ill tempered lizards? Well, let's go see what they have to say. These desserts aren't going to load themselves. I would say this reminds me of something that I did in the past but this, this is a first...
Not2bee, know of any weaknesses of these things just in case a fight does break out?"
Jarl brings the engines to a stop and holsters his blaster getting ready to disembark.
"They are quite formidable, I'm afraid. Their thick skin hampers most Stun blasters, cold does not slow them down unlike many other reptiles, and their teeth and claws are razor sharp. My advice would be to.. not have a fight break out."
"Excellent advice," Jeren agrees with a smile directed at the droid, "especially taking into account our own lack of such teeth and claws. Sharp ones anyway."