At this stage 5 seems unmoved to act further, instead turning to the R 5 unit, "not sure there is more to do but let the shooters shot and the pilots pilot..."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Sensing her prey closer, Valkyr opens her eyes and gently reaches out to the controls. Guiding them in a single swift and sure movement she fires the moment her crosshairs are in the correct position...
...something guides Valkyr's hands at the last moment to lead the target an additional half second, and she watches in satisfaction as her turbolaser fire stitches across the exterior of the ship in front of her.
"Wooo! Helluva shot!"
Thweek's Dunelizard jinks back and forth, but to no avail. Val steadily walks her shots into the line of the fighter's path, and it explodes in a ball of fire.
All that's left is to reset course for the spaceport of Nabat.
As with many settlements on Ryloth, the spaceport of Nabat has most of its structures underground to protect the inhabitants from the harsh environment and wandering predatory lyleks. The top level has several battered landing pads, slum dwellings, and a cantina. B'ura B'an guides you to a small landing pad near the far edge of the spaceport.
"My associates will see to your ship. Fuel, repairs, whatever you need. Is there anything in particular you would like done? "In the mean time, we need to get to the lower levels, where my people are. There may be more of Teemo's associates out there. The ship will be safe enough for now."
Ah yes, Mr. B'ura B'an sir we are broadcasting an intermittent signal from a transponder on the outer hull of the ship. If one of your associates could see that it is removed it will make following us much more difficult.
Valkyr seeks out Rae before they land
If you're sure we can trust this one, then so be it, whilst we've not traveled together long one has to rely on the companions one finds oneself amidst
she turns to walk away but thinks better of it
One thing, if you find yourself in trouble and need to convey you are under duress or that someone is a threat to you or us, say "cut" twice. It's one of those phrases that makes no sense and people find it difficult to recognise as a threat when it's initially spoken, whereas I'm keyed to it being a "go word".
she hopes this is reassuring to the Twi'Lek, Valkyr has sensed a concern she believes is rooted in Rae's worry about not being safe, so she's trying her best to let her know she's being looked after.
Valkyr holds her weapon in as ready a position as local custom allows, and follows the others to their destination whilst keeping an eye out for trouble.
Ah yes, Mr. B'ura B'an sir we are broadcasting an intermittent signal from a transponder on the outer hull of the ship. If one of your associates could see that it is removed it will make following us much more difficult.
The old Twi'lek smiles. "It will be done. We certainly don't need any more surprises like that."
B'ura B'an leads you from the surface deep underground, to a district of the city where individual residences are dug into the cavern walls. The narrow corridors are packed with various beings going about their business. Hundreds of Twi'leks throng the walkways and passages, but they are not the only citizens of Nabat. Swaggering Aqualish shoulder their way past you while beeping droids scurry between shops and tunnelways. Human traders hawk their wares from stalls set within niches to the side of the walls.
He does not stop as he leads you through this crowd until you are fairly deep into the levels of the city. Then he turns. "Do you need anything? I believe we have lost any pursuit we may have had, although I do not think we were followed. We have a few minutes to purchase needed items, although Nabat is not a wealthy port."
A flash of annoyance darkens Valkyr's face
A kind suggestion, however I our last employer owed some wages when we left his employ and I find myself bereft of funds. Never mind though, whilst I'd like to pick up some parts for my weapon it is not critical and we have other things to move on to I feel.
She moves to the side, keeping an eye out whilst the others shop.
Rae nods to Valkyr, looking somewhat relieved. "Thank you. B'ura B'an may well be many things, but a traitor is not one of them. I worry more for the others there. We may well need to make a somewhat... hasty escape."
Donning a large hooded cloak, Rae makes her way out with the others, walking slowly onto the surface of the planet. "Never thought I'd be back here." she mumbles.
She follows the others, taking in the sights, but mostly keeping to herself, anxious about drawing any attention, and finding herself somewhat uncomfortable with their situation.
Valkyr quickly sorts through the bric a brac available, and purchases 100 credits worth of mounts, small tools and calibration devices for use as gunsmithing parts. She suggests using whatever is left or her portion of the credits to go to a communal fund for medikits and stims, as the group was bound to need them again and likely soon!
B'ura B'an leads you away from the busier thoroughfares and knocks on a large metal door. Twi'lekan code words are exchanged and after a moment you are shown into a spacious room filled with relaxing blue light and comfortable chairs. B'ura B'an turns to you and whispers, "This room is occupied by a cell of the organization dedicated to protecting the interests of common Twi'leks across Ryloth. We will be safe here."
After a few minutes, a Twi'lek woman enters the room. She is tall and lithe, with an air of easy grace. "I am Nyn Kablo," she says. Thank you for bringing B'ura B'an back to us. Please, rest and relax here while he and I speak. There is food and drink." She and B'ura leave to an adjacent room to talk.
Soon Nyn and B'ura return. She takes a chair and starts to speak. "We are deeply indebted to you for the rescue of our friend. B'ura B'an tells me that you may be interested in a little business venture once we get our mining operations under control again. He also leads me to believe that you are having some troubles with the same Hutt boss that we suspect of being behind our problems here on Ryloth. Is this so?"
Turning to Nyn, Valkyr nods
If you have a business opportunity that would mutually benefit us both, as well as inconvenience our common enemy, then I believe a bargain could be struck...
Valkyr is uneasy responding first, and trails off, hoping another of the party will take over discussions.
Tok bows and smiles. "It is a true pleasure to help, not only because it got us out from the slimy bulk of Teemo, but because no sapient being should be kept against their will without extremely good cause. My name is Tok, and I would love to do all sorts of business with you."
Nyn smiles at Tok, moving just a bit closer to him. "Sounds like you have issues with this Hutt. Tell me about him."
Tok smiles wider at Nyn and shrugs nonchalantly.
"Just another slimy s@!@bag born into too much power and too little empathy. He used some debts I had ...accrued as leverage and made me his major domo. I got out the moment I could, and now I'm here. Teemo ...he's everything wrong with the Hutts. Making money is great, but using money to enslave people? F&$* off. What are your dealings with him?"
"5" is content at this point to follow and stay quiet though at the question about Teemo "5" attempts to recall pertinent facts about the Hutt...
Net 2 Success, 1 Threat?
Valkyr breaks the flow of the conversation, it is unclear whether she is impatient or simply unaware of the social norms of conversation
Nyn, it would be advantageous for you to tell us what the job is, to describe what you think you want us to do. I feel swapping war stories about the hutt is unlikely to result in a quick bargain, and we are still being hunted. Even if the transponder has been removed, they still know this planet as out last destination, and we're still here! So please, outline your plan with haste...
She looks up to see Tok's disapproving raised eyebrow, then turns back to Nyn
Feel free to continue 'getting to know each other better' at a later, less time-constrained moment...
"Well, for one, once we begin producing spice again, we'll need someone to 'move' it for us to the proper markets." Nyn replies. "That type of operation is what you people do, isn't it?" She says, looking around at all of you.
"But I see you are all about the business, so..." she looks meaningfully at Tok. "...lets get down to it."
"I would ask a favor from you...call it the price for the repair, refuel, and...safekeeping... of your ship. The miners of New Meen are coming under increasing pressure from a group of thugs who own the land nearby. These are B'ura's folk, and that mine is the source of their - and your potential - income. Having him returned to them as quickly as possible would be a significant boost to morale, and would enable us to decide on our further actions. We could provide you with a speeder to get to New Meen in the morning." She turns to go, striding purposefully across the room to the open doorway.
"One more thing." She says, pausing at the door.
"Did I mention that we believe these thugs are working for the Hutt, Teemo? Rest tight." She smiles and walks out.
The next morning comes early, the stirrings of Nyn and B'ura waking you. An hour or so after you are about, there comes a sound at the door. Nervously, the cell members look at each other as Nyn goes to check. Through a crack in the door, you can see a small astromech droid beeping and whistling softly to Nyn. When it is done, she nods and the droid spins about and leaves.
Nyn comes back to the area where you are getting ready. "It seems you are in demand," she begins with a frown. "Several armed folk landed early this morning and made inquiries about your ship. They set out into the desert in a cargo speeder. I'd be careful. Your speeder is ready, B'ura can lead you to where it sits."
"5" bobs his head at the details and "chitters" his metal mandibles as Nyn mentions Teemo's thugs.
In the morning after going through a basic repair cycle XJ7 listens as more bad news is given to the group.
I wonder why a cargo speeder...is it merely an issue of capacity? The droid offers this thought to no one in particular.
Valkyr stretches languidly, still half asleep.
The thing I love most about being a private contractor as opposed to an enlisted woman is no enforced wake up times
she grins, showing way too many teeth.
Strapping on what little gear she has she presents herself at the door.
I'll be waiting with B'ura when you're all ready
She wanders outside, grabbing a cup of hot Cha on the way, taking her time to enjoy the calm before the storm.
Seeing the Selonian wander off "5" nods to himself and gestures to the R5 unit Shall I call you D4? The non droids in the group will surely get confused with all the "5"s between us, though I can't imagine it is that difficult... The slicer chatters with the R5 unit as they make their way to wait for the others to join...
Rae remains quiet and suspicious through most of the conversations and deliberations. At Nyn's request for help, Rae immediately nods, feeling both indebted to these people, and more than that, just wanting to help.
But the mention of Spice leaves her feeling cold long into the night. Certainly she didn't want a life of slavery, but being involved in drug smuggling wasn't exactly what she had in mind, either. Still, she would be helping her people. And besides, all she had to do was keep the ship in the air - that wasn't a crime, was it? What the people on the ship did with it, was that really her concern? "I'm just a mechanic." she mutters to herself, but even she doesn't believe it.
In the morning, Rae seems extraordinarily withdrawn, but glances over at the droid before long. "5, what are your thoughts on the transport and smuggling of Spice?"
Nyn leads you out and down to the lower levels. She takes you through an old service tunnel that leads under the walls of Nabat. Outside a speeder waits. She turns to you and waves. "The navcomputer is set for New Meen. You should be there within a couple of hours if all goes well. Good luck, and thanks." She turns and goes back into the cool dark of the service tunnel.
As you load the speeder, the harsh wind and searing heat of Ryloth come full on. It's going to be a rough ride.
"We'll take care of these a~!!~!#s, darlin, don't worry. I'll see you soon."
Tok climbs in the passenger seat. "Someone else can drive today. My back is still tense from that s%#& yesterday."
Valkyr raises an eyebrow at Tok, she hadn't expected him to be so delicate.
I'm afraid I never learned to pilot one of these things, Rae might you be able to do the honours please?
I'm used to my own company, working on my own, it will be strange to be stuck for two hours next to these new companions. What ever will we find to discuss?...
As they get underway Valkyr ventures
So...anyone seen the specs for the new RT-97C Heavy Blaster?
At Rae as the group convenes "5" offers a sort "hmmm" sound, I don't often find I understand why it is or is not okay to allow humanoids to consume something such as Spice. Surely humanoids enjoy consuming many things which are bad for them, why restrict this one? Beside I have heard that some types of Spice are useful in the medical trade...one must also consider that the prize from such trade might lead to more citizens of Ryloth having economic power and freedom, a noble end....these are some of my thoughts on the matter...
As Tok offers the issue of his back "5" climbs into the driver seat, I am as capable of piloting as Rae and she too had many jarring assaults on her person yesterday, I will pilot the craft...
As he drives the droid chimes in on Valkyr's chose topic, I have heard that production of that model has focused on an extra long galvenning barrel for a finer alignment of the energy beam projectile. I imagine that such a level of precise calibration would be very valuable for someone in your field Ms. Valkyr. I am curious though why it has seen such a rise in prominence among Imperial Sandtrooper divisions given its obvious weight limitations when compared to the lighter BlasTech E-ll series...
You've been speeding above the surface of the Ryloth badlands for an hour, following the directions that should take you to the ryll mine. As you travel further from the spaceport, the terrain becomes increasingly hazardous, piles of loose rocks and jutting stone litter the ground. To continue, you will either have to slow the speeder to a crawl, or risk a collision.
"5" slows the speeder down as the terrain becomes harder to navigate, This seems like an excellent place for a trap. Are we sure that there is not a better route?
As you maneuver your way around the rocky outcrops and boulders, you notice that cliffs begin to rise about you. The heights of their red stone stretch away to your right, surrounded by more piles of rubble.
AA
3T
Net 1 T
Rae is grateful at 5's offer to drive, and nods to him in thanks as she sits down in the speeder. As much as she could have used the distraction, with how much was on her mind she couldn't promise that she wouldn't crash the thing immediately. So wrapped up is she in the sights and experience of being back home, that she's barely paying attention to any potential dangers.
Contact! Base of the cliff...loose rocks...possible cave...unknown sentient seen she warns everyone quietly.
Valkyr brings up her gun and rests it on the side of the speeder, ready to deploy at a moment's notice.
"Hmm? Zawha?" Tok says, trying to seem like he wasn't taking a nap.
Should I attempt to accelerate through this rocky area?
I suggest you attempt a speed as high as your piloting proficiency allows given the current terrain
replies Valkyr, still scanning the cave entrance for the glint of weapon barrels.
There is a loud crack and a flash of blinding light. The speeder slews around, spinning in circles. Smoke pours out of a hole in the chassis and it takes all of your strength to hold it together.
Valkyr sees the insect-like head pop back up, this time taking aim with a long-barreled blaster rifle. She has just enough time to shout a warning before the bolt hits. '5' A split second to slew the speeder left, causing the shot to be off target. Considering the target was the speeder's volatile power supply, this is a good thing.