Aran smiles, crosses his arms, and remarks, "I knew something was up. So how do you guys know our flyboy, exactly?"
The Togorian's low growl is hard to miss, as well as what he's growling at. The mechanic slightly shifts his position so he's between his droid and the alien, and sizes the other group up with a steeled glare while their prospective employers catch up.
Koros raises an eyebrow, or rather the general area where an eyebrow would be if he had one, at Jace’s mention of the force. It hadn’t occurred to him to check at the bar, but with all of the would be rebels in one place the young Jensaarai figures he may as well sense out the others force potential.
Closing his eyes for just a moment Koros tries to get a read on the others in the hanger.
Use the Force:
Cordal freezes for a moment as Jace pulls him into the embrace, then realizes the gig is up. He relaxes and smiles. At least here were old friends who would accept him if his new ones failed to...
"Jace! I didn't think anyone else survived the end... I was with Master Shurgas, when the clones attacked. I ran, and they thought the missile they fired at my position killed me. I've been running ever since... How'd you get away?!?"
Turning to Aran, Zee and the Captain, "I'm sorry for the deception. Jace and I were younglings together at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Master K'kruh here was our lightsaber master. He taught us to fight. I'm sorry I did not tell you, Captain. I know there is a bounty on the heads of former Jedi and there are those who hunt us. I've heard rumors of a black clad assassin who kills Jedi. I couldn't be sure..."
Zee seeing the Togorian growl, Zee quickly checked his racial banks and didn't like what he found.
Togorians and particularly male Togorians were known to be techno-phobic tendencies. Most were also alien-phobic and stellar-phobic preferring to stay on their homeworld in communities removed from technology. A Togorian male offworld could indicate a stronger character and less phobic tendencies but Zee wasn't willing to test that theory.
Zee appreciated Aran's stepping up and protecting him. He could be amazingly brave for a biological that was clearly out massed by the Togorian Male by at least two to one if not four to one.
Zee decided that despite Aran's show of bravery that discretion was called for and decided that there was some floor behind the crates that needed some cleaning.
Zee zips back to behind the nearest stack of crates to start cleaning the area which clearly hadn't been cleaned properly in the last decade. At least to the quality that Zee felt was proper.
Koros closes his eyes and lets himself open to the force, and is almost stunned by the result. Both Cordal and Jace shine with the force, and K'kruhk is almost a beacon of light unto himself. All three of them are strong indeed in the ways of the force, a fact confirmed with Cordal's admission; they're Jedi.
”Fantastic.” The Jensaarai mutters sarcastically under his breath.
Jedi. Three Jedi, and one of them is a master!
Koros’ hand unconsciously reaches for the small of his back. Feeling the hard metal of his lightsaber through his coat gives him a small bit of comfort, still his mind raced.
What if they know more than just my name? What if this is a trap? Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Why did I wait until I was in the Rancor’s mouth before I checked for danger?
The Zabrak wipes a bead of sweat from his brow. There was only one option left at this point, and that was to hope the Jedi didn’t know what he was. He was certain they knew, or would figure out shortly that he was strong in the force. However perhaps they would make the mistake all the Imperial’s who chased him did and think he was simply an unknown Jedi or an unregistered force user. Swallowing his fear he moved further into the hanger and closer to the congregation of Jedi.
Hish watched the droid scurry away, his ears pressed flat back against his head. With any luck, he would one day have an opportunity to catch it and play with it before tearing it into tiny pieces. He imagines pouncing on it, trapping the tiny droid in his huge paws.
Still, more puzzling things abound in this hangar, and H'ishmau would find an answer. "What's a Jedi?"
“A very powerful, very dangerous group of individuals.” Koros responds to the Togorian.
Zee continues to compile his inventory list while sweeping the room for sensors.
Aran's gesture is, thankfully, unnecessary. Sure, the alien was huge, but the social pressures seemed to be keeping whatever problems he had at bay. And if all else failed, Aran figured he was faster.
But the mechanic doesn't have time to be relieved when Cordal drops his bomb. He uncrosses his arms and slumps a little. "So, we've been flying with a big target on our backs for a week. Aie." He shakes his head and composes himself for a moment. "I just want to put out there that I don't have a problem with that. I mean, being Jedi. I'm none too fond of the Empire myself, but if I've learned anything these past couple years the best way of dealing with them is to not deal with them and keep your head down."
His first instinct was to grab the captain and Leea and just get the hell out of here. He wasn't exactly a star pilot himself, but he could probably get the old freighter off the station and into a gravity well somewhere they could pick up a replacement. But he wasn't in charge, and he still didn't know why they were here.
The latter mattered a lot more than the former, of course. "I'm not too sure how I feel about lying to us, Cord. I know you didn't have much choice so bygones can be bygones, I guess. So if nobody else has pressing information to suprise us all with..." he says as he scans the those present, half expecting some stormtroopers to jump out or Leea to reveal she was Cora in disguise. "I'd like to know exactly what, um, Master Kuh-krah? wanted to hire us for."
“A very powerful, very dangerous group of individuals.” Koros responds to the Togorian.
K'kruhk let's out a low growl that, after a moment, everyone realizes is in fact, a low chuckle. "That is in fact, true... from a certain point of view." The large Whiphid focuses more squarely on H'ishmau. "I do apologize my friend, We sometimes forget how large the galaxy is and how small we are." His eyes move briefly to Koros, then back once more. "At their simplest, the Jedi are an order who have trained to use the Force, uh.. an energy field that surrounds and binds everything. There are those of us who have the ability to use this energy to do... well just about anything," His large three fingered paw stretches out, and a hydrospanner lazily sails across the air.
"At our most complicated the Jedi strive to be protectors and philosophers,though there are those who would think us meddlers." He gives a small, accepting shrug at his own commentary, while placing the hydrospanner down on the table, "Though since the Empire, we are mostly... gone."
The Large Jedi takes a long and slow breath, "But enough of history, if everyone is prepared I will be happy to explain just what it is we plan to do." The question is addressed to everyone, but his eyes focus on the Nautolan Captain.
"I've got no problem with Jedi," Captain Varress nods, uncrossing his arms, and striding for the table, "Lets here the offer."
As he passes, his hand comes down on Cordal's shoulder, and his voice comes out in a low whisper, "We will be having words about this later."
Zee
You studiously clean the space behind the crates and in your scans find that they contain a number of parts used in the maintenance of starfighters, but could be jury rigged to work on larger vessels such as the Wanderer. One crate has some decent shielding on it, but you manage to crack through and find that it seems to be a small arms container. All of the crates have forged manifests and stock that you manage to trace back through a number of dummy corporations before hitting a proverbial brick wall. Whoever are helping these Jedi has connections. A fact further emphasized when you find that the hangar is free of any surveillance devices.
After hearing the Jedi master speak the tension in the Zabrak’s body lessens. Koros still wasn’t sure of the extent of the Whiphid’s knowledge about him or his people, but it was at least evident that he didn’t have Jace lure him here for a fight. And as far as Koros was concerned the problems of his people with the Jedi were secondary to his own revenge against the Empire.
The Zabrak nods politely his readiness for the Jedi Master to continue.
As he passes, his hand comes down on Cordal's shoulder, and his voice comes out in a low whisper, "We will be having words about this later."
Cordal sighs, a resigned almost relieved sigh. "Aye, sir."
Zee finishes his report on the contents of crates and puts the lists (highlighting the arms in shielded crates) into files that he sends as copies to the ship addressed to the Captain and Aran. They will get beeps of new messages momentarily if they wish to check. Normally, Zee would move up beside them but Zee felt keeping his distance from the Togorian and his hair shedding ways was best for his current survival.
He then whistles the 'all clear' signal; so, the Captain and Aran know they are free to talk.
Zee starts to settle into a spot and 'surf' the popular networks. He looks to gather information from people on movements of imperials on the station. Zee figures that if there are three star destroyers present then there might be soon imperials landing on the station. He is fairly sure that people will soon be chatting on who has seen what and where.
Zee also starts to map out a few escape routes (a couple using 'maintenance tunnels') from the hanger and back to the Wanderer in case the imperials start to come this way on the station.
Aran follows behind the captain, approaching the table and watching the Whiphid expectantly. Zee's whistle and the ensuing beep of a new message are reassuring, and he makes a mental note to check it once they're through with the Jedi's proposal.
Zee's search traces along various social networks, mostly transit comms and bored dockworkers or passerbys posting commentary. The three Star Destroyers have come to a full stop off the port side of the of the three stations. Zee feels a twinge of annoyance as the Holonet is suddenly locked down. He knew it was coming, could most likely get around it, but it was a frustration none the less.
With that he went to tracing out escape routes and managed to find two ways, both through service tunnels that would lead back into the main hangar. Of course these aren't including the possibility of procuring the ships under those tarps, or the door you came in.
K'kruhk stands at the head of the table and activates the holoprojector. An image of the three stations appear, before focusing in on the uppermost space station, the Pavilion.
"As you know, among other things, the Pavilion houses one of the finest Medical Universities." K'kruhk begins, and the holograms flashes to highlight the levels in question, "What you most likely do not know, is that since the Republic's reformation into the Empire, that University has housed a confidential Imperial Laboratory."
Images of various sentients, of all different species start to flash across the screen. Each of them looks to be deathly ill, with sunken eyes, molting and rotted skin and blood seeping from various orifices. "This, is what they have been developing. A Viral weapon known as Formula Omega-13. From what information we have, the Empire is developing it as a viral weapon. It's airborne, incubates and spreads at an absolutely terrifying rate, and quite astonishingly, it does not differentiate between species. This monstrosity kills everything."
K'kruhk pauses letting the information sink in. A moment later Jace steps up to continue the briefing. "Due to the security of the base and the risk of harming the civilian population, attacking the facility is not plausible. Instead we plan to steal any information, and if possible a sample of the virus, so that our own people can develop a cure."
K'Kruhk jumps back in, "We already have one agent, Codenamed Targeter, on the inside. A group of us will travel to the station, disguised either as Imperial agents or... test subjects, that are being transported in secret. Make our way to lab, get what we need and then make a run for it."
Jace speaks up again, "The moement Targeter sends me the signal, myself and a wingman will launch and attack those Destoyers that have parked outside, or strafe the station itself. We'll draw the Imps off of you guys so you can make your escape, then we all meet up at the Rendezvous." The Zeltron Jedi looks to Cordal, "If you'd rather stay with your crew, Master K'kruhk can fly my wing, but I remember you being pretty good behind a stick... care to fly?"
K'kruhk eyes up each of the group, trying to gauge their feelings, "If anyone wishes to withdraw, now is the time."
Cordal's eyes light up at the thought of flying a starfighter. "If the captain would permit, I will fly."
Captain Varress nods at Cordal's request, "Alright, but you're not allowed to get yourself blown up. No way in the 'verse that you're getting away without that talkin-to."
Koros frowns once the Jedi Master finishes explaining the mission.
“And here I thought throwing in with a rebellion would mark the end of my days of sneaking around.” The Zabrak laments. With a resigned sigh, he continues “Still… I don’t like the idea of a weapon like that in anyone’s hands let alone the Empire, so count me in.” The Jensaarai’s eyes then narrow on the Whiphid “But if you’re lying to me… If you plan on stealing this virus to use it as a weapon against your own enemies, I will stop you Jedi. Somehow, someway I will stop you and I will kill you.”
After a tense pause Koros smiles “Barring that of course you have my full cooperation.”
The Togorian looks ill at the pictures on the screen. To his culture, disease was a poor choice for the inevitable meeting with death. Anyone intent on creating and spreading such a disease would certainly not be someone interested in honor. If H'ishmau could prevent this dishonor, he would regain some of his own.
Before hearing this, H'ishmau was angry with the Empire for allowing his enslavement to occur. After the briefing, he is filled with nothing but anger towards the Empire. It was not content to merely allow injustice passively, but was actively seeking such a dishonorable goal. H'ishmau would not let that stand. He stands still for a moment, letting the anger and rage fill his veins.
He growls out his response, "What can we do?"
Zee heard the discussion of the Jedi. His files listed the group as a secret organization of mostly extinct criminals. The criminals believed in a quasi-religious cult instead of science and technology.
Palpatine had made it a priority to outlaw this group as part of his reign. The history files recorded how the Jedi had attempted to subvert and overthrow the Republic Senate.
Here he was with at least three of these greatest traitors to the Imperium and no one seemed to be upset. The Jedi had been secretly using chemicals and mind conditioning to make the Senators do their will for decades and possibly centuries.
Zee checked the station history records and they confirmed that there had been several trials where Senators rescued from the influence of the Jedi had given testimony. There were even a few Jedi that had admitted to the crimes that the inner council of Masters led by Yoda and Windu had forced the younger Jedi to do.
Despite this, Zee could see that the development of a viral weapon violated several of the Imperials own edicts of crime. It wasn't the first time that some scientists had gotten too enthusiastic in their research of possibilities that they had forgotten what the impact of that research might have on the galaxy.
Old Republic records were filled with cases of intervention by the government to prevent disasters and even a few cases of the ancient Sith researching such things before being driven underground.
The only problem that Zee could see with K'kruhk's plan to infiltrate and steal from the Pavilion was that stealing and theft usually meant Zee was to infiltrate and steal the data. That was unless the large Togorian had some sort of special power to get people to ignore a giant shedding throw rug.
Maybe it wasn't too late to use one of those escape routes he had just mapped.
K'kruhk's eyebrows raised slightly and for the first time, the Jedi Master seemed to look...less than pleasant. "My boy, I understand you have reservations about my order, I even understand why, probably better than you do. In fact should we survive this ordeal I will be happy to discuss the finer points of the matter with you at length. However, I would ask that you refrain from accusing me or my companion of conspiring Genocide. find it rather offensive." Nothing in K'kruhk's voice is threatening, his eyes don't narrow or his timber drop. By all accounts it sounds like a simple request, but there is a hardness behind it that is still unmistakable.
Once this is said, he turns back to H'ishmau, "You and I will be disguised as prisoners, aliens selected for further tests of the Virus. I do understand that this role will be unpleasant for you my friend, but I ask you to endure. The Empire is not tolerant of other species as you know. We would never gain entry as equals, and I don't think you'd fit in Stormtrooper armor." He looks to Aran, "You and Targeter will be disguised as the Imperial Officers who are escorting us to the labs. Once we're inside you will have to follow her lead."
He looks to the Captain then, "You and the young Pantoran will remain on your ship, so that we may have a quick escape, I doubt it will be as quiet as our entry."
At this point, Jace speaks up, "Cordal and I will wait for your droid to send us the go ahead, and then we'll cause a distraction using these..." He walks over and pulls the tarp away, revealing two beat up looking Cloakshape fighters. he tosses Cordal a wry grin, "Don't get too attached... we're scuttling them after the mission."
Hish stands to his full 3 meter height and growls loudly. "I am no one's prisoner! I will not be shackled again!"
He vividly recalls the feeling of shackles around his wrist. They were electrified to ensure his submission, something that the slavemaster sadistically activated at his whim. The shackles had burned and cut into his wrists. The fur had mostly regrown, but he knew the scars were there.
Aran listens intently and grimaces at the picture of the virus' victims, and his expression doesn't let up until he gets his 'assignment'.
"White always was my color," he says with a wry grin. "Man, I hate to say it but this really does sound like a suicide run. Same time, I can't bring myself to ask you what the pay is." He leans forward and puts both hands on the table and his face scrunches up into a conflicted, contemplative mess, which is promptly interrupted by the Togorian's outburst.
"Whoa, big guy, it's uh... It's all pretend." He stands up straight himself and starts shuffling away from the big alien, well aware he'd be the 'slaver' here. "Just long enough to get us where we need to go."
"Anyway, I can't just let this happen, so I'm in. Wholeheartedly."
Hearing his being referenced, Zee zips down the wall to near the Captain. He uses his display to show the Captain his mapped out routes to the Wanderer that are 'safe'.
After showing the suggested routes to the captain, Zee flashes up 'Com channel and code words?'
Zee will also question, 'Ship anything to Wanderer?' He will quickly scroll items in the hanger here with priority given to items of most use or highest value.
H'ishamu looks at Aran and limits his growling. "Fine, but I won't put on anything unless I can break free," he says. "And I demand payment because only slaves are not paid."
Hish considers asking for the droid as payment, but decides that he would rather be able to hunt it on his own terms.
Koros raises his hands in mock surrender. “Didn’t mean to accuse you of anything friend, but if you understand my reservations then surely you understand why a Jedi master is no more above suspicion to me than anyone else.” The Zabrak shrugs “But if it makes you feel better I do believe you will use the data responsibly, you have an honest face.”
Koros then puts a hand on his very angry friend. “Easy Hish, this is different. This plan of theirs may call for you to be shackled, but there’s also a part in there for you to break out of those shackles. So, don’t think of it as re-living your imprisonment, think of it as a chance to re-live your first glorious moments of freedom again.”
The Jensaarai then turns back to K'kruhk. “Speaking of the plan, I noticed you didn’t exactly spell out my part in it. Am I to assume that I’ll be one of these ‘other species’ that does fit into stormtrooper armor?”
K'kruhk's hands raise in a calmling gesture towards H'ishmau. "Anger is not strength young one. You must face this fear my friend, and find your strength within you. You fear being caged and contained but it is what is here..." he taps his own head, "That will truly bind us."
"Plus, the shackles have an emergency trigger switch that we can flip on with the force, I can show your friend," He nods to Koros, "How to switch it on and off before we go." Jace speaks up from beside the fighters.
On the question of pay, K'kruhk nods, "Our benefactors have promised 2000 credits to each of you should we manage to pull this off, after that you are free to go your own way, though I'm sure we could still use your help if you feel so inclined." he focuses again on Koros, "and I do believe you will be disguising as a trooper yes, though the final call will be Targeter's"
Listening intently, Captain Varress stays mostly quiet, he watches the droid scroll the inventory and smiles, "Send half the crates to the ship, but trace it through a few other stops, I don't want it to lead back here. Make sure the guns get there to." he glances up to Jace, "Zee's wondering about access codes and the like."
Jace reaches into the pocket of his flightsuit and pulled out a small data stick, tossing it to Aran. "That'll give him the access codes and will key him into Targeter's comlink when she wants. but he won't have the actual comlink frequency until she calls."
"What?" Dak asks with a mockingly hurt tone and a grin, "Don't trust us?"
Jace just shrugs, "Sure I do, guess she doesn't."
The Holonet itself, is a galaxy spanning network, each station has its own personal network that links into this. So basically it goes
Zee = access terminal (or wireless, where available. Go 3G!) = station's network = Holonet. You only need to make the station's server friendly with you, as that's what has been locked down.
Zee sits quietly humming internally to himself.
Zee also begins to plan out how to follow the Captain's orders to ship the crates to 'lose' the connection from the warehouse here to delivery to the ship.
Aran looks at Hish'mau, and listens to the others calm him down as well. "You're in good hands, and looks like we're all getting a fat check outta this." Aran catches Jace's data stick with one hand, tosses it to the other behind his back, and steps to Zee. He bends down and passes it on to the droid. "Looks like you'll be our lifeline, here, buddy."
He stands back up, looks around, and returns to his position at the table. "Well, I've no qualms anymore. Anything else we should know, or could do to prepare?" He addresses the entire group.
Zee takes the data stick and zips it into his inards where he makes it 'disappear' into his special smuggling slot. The slot wasn't large but it was perfect for hiding something small and of high value like the data stick.
Zee then beeps his affirmative that he is ready to serve. He even brings his gripper arm around in a salute.
"Well then, it would seem we are as ready as we will be. Let's not keep our friend waiting then," K'kruhk shimmies out of his flightsuit and discards it to the side, dressing himself in the same loosing fitting pants, shift and tan poncho that you saw him in earlier, completing his garb with his conical straw hat. Underneath the poncho he slips a small pack that's strapped out of sight under his arm. With that done, he turns to lead his new crew from the hidden hangar deck.
"Good luck boys, don't leave us waiting."
"Master, I'm insulted, you know there's no such thing as luck." Jace retorts with a sly smirk.
"Har har" K'kruhk replies with a deadpan voice.
Cordal Mhoy
As the others leave, Jace turns and gives Cordal a once over. "Alright, lets get you prepped." The Zeltron goes to one of the containers that Zee hasn't earmarked for shipment and slides it open, drawing out a one piece coverall that's a simple light grey. He tosses it behind him to his fellow Padawan, Without looking up from his rummaging he asks, "So... how'd you survive?" and then tosses a darker grey flak vest towards Cordal as well, and a moment later pulls out a life support, flight helmet and pilot's harness, passing them to his friend as well.
Aran, Koros, H'ishmau and Zee.
The moment everyone leaves Hangar 13, they're given the berthing number for the Wanderer and disperse in different directions, each taking a different roundabout way back to the Wanderer, be it through cantina, club, winding side street or back alley. Eventually everyone had made it, and K'kruhk, Aran, Koros, H'ishmau and Zee stand in the ship's cargo bay along side Captain Dak Varress and his first mate, Leea.
K'kruhk hefts two of the cargo containers that Zee sent to Wanderer towards Aran and Koros, "You two will wear these, take the blaster, Koros if things start to get hairy, I would reccomend giving your weapon to H'ishmau and using your saber. Er... you do still have it, yes?"
Opening the containers, each finds a single set of gleaming white Stormtrooper armor and the undersuit that goes with it, a single E-11 blaster rifles.
Koros reaches behind his back and produces his lightsaber, leaving its silver blade extinguished. ”Of course. We might not place as much importance on our blades as the Jedi, but it’s still a part of who we are.” the Zabrak responds to the Jedi’s query with a half grin. He then lifts the utility belt and groin piece of the armor out of the crate in front of him. “But I don’t think it’ll fit in these tiny compartments, and it might look a little suspicious hanging from my belt. Last time I checked a lightsaber wasn’t standard issue for stormtroopers.”
Hish sneers at the blaster rifle, an odd look on a feline face. "Blasters are not my first choice." He flexes his claws out and grins at the prospect of violence. "In the ring, I learned the Echani style of claw-to-claw combat. If the enemy survives one slash of my claws, I have not succeeded."
“I believe there are few enemies that can survive a slash from your claws Hish, but I’ll bet the Imperials come to the same conclusion if we tangle with them. Those tank born bastards are trained soldiers, and if we engage them they’re going to try and put you down at a distance.” The Zabrak puts a hand on the Togorian’s shoulder “I know you’re eager for a fight my friend, and I’m certain you’ll get a chance to use those claws before the day is out. But, I would feel a lot better if you had a means of damaging the enemy that doesn’t involve suicide charging through enemy fire.”
"Running. Running and hiding and lying and never speaking of it. When my Master was cut down by the clones, I was in an observation post about 500 meters away. I saw it happen and I ran. The clones launched a missile at the observation post and destroyed it. They must have thought they got me, too. But I never stopped running and never stopped looking over my shoulder, waiting for the day when they finally caught up to me. The only time I could ever sleep was in space. There, at least, I was safe." Cordal lets out a long breath, somewhat shocked at the extent of his fear and paranoia.
"How about you? How'd you make it?"
Zee flashes a picture of someone putting tools in their tool kit.
He beeps as he opens his vacuum storage container offering it to Aran; so, that he has the option to bring along any equipment he might need to help with the Jedi information theft.
Aran picks up a rifle, tests the heft, and briefly puts it to his shoulder to test the sights. He then sets the weapon down. "If a fight breaks out, we just get their attention with covering fire and Hish'll be on 'em before they know what hit 'em." He hears Zee's beep and looks down, first at the droid and then his own laden waist. "Well, lemme get suited up then we can see about what needs smuggling."
Aran works his way into the body armor, leaving the helmet off for the time being but otherwise looking every bit an Imperial.
K'kruhk smiles at Koros, lifting his own lightsaber from its hiding place beneath his poncho and kneeling down in front of Zee, "Whatever is necessary, The Force shall provide" He then focuses his attention on Zee, "My friend, would you do me a favor and hold onto this for awhile?" he asks, offering the un-ignited saber to Zee.
The Master chooses not to further the debate with H'ishmau, merely giving the Togorian a nod, as if to say, It is your choice.
a Moment later, Captain Varress' voice echoes over the ship's comm, "We've just cleared spacedock, Eta is two minutes, get ready folks!"
Through a viewport, the K'kruhk's taskforce can see the uppermost space station coming into view. The wanderer floats towards the underside of the station and pivots upon its own access, lining up perpendicularly with the station. A moment later there is the abrupt jostle and a WHAVUMPH! sound as the magnetic seals to the docking arm lock into place.
The crew assembles near the access port in the cargo bay, everyone except Leea, who maintains her post at the ship's helm.
The hatch opens with a hiss, and in slides what looks to be a young imperial officer. She gracefully switches herself over from the articial gravity's differing orientation and lands gracefully on her feet. She's slender, and looks to be in her mid twenties with hazel eyes and brown hair, that's pulled back in a military bun.
Once the young woman has righted herself, she smiles at K'kruhk and quickly hugs with huge Jedi, "I'm glad your safe Master K'kruhk, what of the others?"
K'kruhk chuckles, returning the woman's embrace, "It is I who have worried for you child, the others are still safe upon the station, though Captain Antilles worries for you, he and the Salvation maintain their cover, as do the rest...." a second later he disentangles from the girl and turns to motion to the others, introducing them each by name, "And this," he finishes, motioning to the young woman, "Is Targeter,"
"Please," she interjects, "Call me Sabe"
The Hangar
"K'kruhk saved me..." Jace answers solemnly, not looking at Cordal, instead he walks around his Cloakshape, inspecting weapons systems, fuel lines and all the other systems. It seems he's trying to not think too much about just what he's saying. Which is probably exactly what he's doing.
"Master Allie and I were stationed under the command of Master Rancisis during the Republic's Siege of Saleucami. It was the worst campaign I was a part of. It lasted five months and we were fighting real beings, not droids...." He stops for a moment, collecting himself, and then moves on. "Master K'kruhk was another of the Jedi posted there, along with Master Vos, Secura, honestly I couldn't keep track of them all. After the campaign ended, some of us were left behind for cleanup. Master Allie and I were among them. The Clones cut her down on Speeder Bikes, then came after me. They hit my bike and I crashed. I don't remember much, hazy visions mostly. But K'kruhk killed the clones and pulled me from the wreckage."
He adjusts the last bits of his flightsuit and grabs his helmet, climbing into the cockpit of his fighter.
Koros finishes suiting up shortly after the two minute warning is given. As K’kruhk introduces them to their contact the Zabrak nods politely.
“It is good to meet you Sabe.” Koros responds after she corrects the Jedi Master. He then tilts his head to the side, thinking for a moment before walking back towards his pile of folded clothes, and the lightsaber sitting atop them. Picking up his concealed holster and the laser sword he returns and offers them to Sabe. “ Do you think you could hold on to this for me? It would be much easier to hide and retrieve under your officer’s tunic than my torso plate.”
Zee beeps happily and 'stores' the item for later retrieval.
When they got to the station he would have to go to his 'stupid' droid act like a good droid.
He would become just another droid of hundreds that in performing its duty had wandered too far away. There was a reason for droid callers with many of the simpler droids like the series Zee was based upon.
The need to clean often exceeded the droids ability to understand artificial boundaries like the difference between a ship and a station. To the droid mind it was one set of metal and plastic rooms inside or attached to a larger set of metal and plastic rooms.
Sure, most owners of the droids had a set of lines to not cross that were supposed to keep the droids on the ships but that just set up a set of conflicting goals. The goal to clean and the goal to not cross the line.
The droids often solved the puzzle by finding a way around the imaginary line. Droids did many classic dodges like going vertical, going 'blind' for a second or two, finding an exit that the owner didn't brand with a line, or reinterpreting the line as just a place they need to keep inside of 'most' of the time instead of 'all' the time.
Zee looked forward to the imperial station. A whole new place to clean that was probably in need of a good scrubbing. Imperial droids, while perfectly capable of cleaning to Zee's exacting specifications, often due to mistreatment by their overlord droids, failed to do the proper spic and span shine. It was hard to give a job your full and exacting detail when you had a 'clock' to punch with a workload that exceeded your allotted resources. Failure to reach all points on the schedule was often harsh when working for the Imperials which was why Zee was happy to be a 'free' droid.
He could enjoy cleaning as much as he liked which was going to be plenty after this mission. He would be cleaning for quite a while to get the hair balls scrubbed from the deck that the Togarian was leaving.
"Pleased to meet ya, Sabe," Aran says with a curt nod. After much deliberation, he decides to stow his blaster, the holster, and his toolkit in Zee's compartment.
"So not looking forward to this," he remarks as he puts on his helmet. "How does anybody wear this for a living?"
Cordal nods at Jace's description as he puts on the flight suit and gear. "The last few years, they were hard for all of us, I know. But at least now we have a chance to make them worth something. If we can correct the damage done, we can set to right some of the wrongs done to us. I'm just overjoyed that you lived, my friend."
Sabe takes the saber from Koros, and unclips the front on her tunic, slipping it under the jacket before re-fastening the uniform.
She places a set of restraints on Captain Varress, and another on H'ishmau. the Togorian feels himself tense, fur hackling as these cuffs, formidable durasteel things that sheathe his entire forearms lock closed. As she fastens them Sabe looks him in the eyes, her compasion for the alien shining through, "Thank you" is all she says.
"So not looking forward to this," he remarks as he puts on his helmet. "How does anybody wear this for a living?"
Sabe gives a small smile, "Most of em are taught they have to from the day they're born."
When everyone is geared and set, Sabe nods, "Alright, time to go to work," As she climbs back into the access port, she turns to ZCC, "Zee right, I'm going to need your help a lot during this, first thing I want you to do, access the first comnet frequency on the datastick, and access audio file one."
With that said, she pulls herself into the shaft and climbs back to the station.
H'ishmau is not pleased to be shackled again, but there is a galaxy of difference between willingly submitting to a temporary situation and enslavement. He can live with the restraints, as terrible a burden as they are. He growls deeply, but keeps his temper under control as best he can. He takes comfort that the shackles are not electrified and that his jailer is not a sadist. He takes a step forward and growls at his allies. "Let's get a move on. I don't want to be in these for long."
”I kind of like it. Koros responds to Aran, helmet in the nook of his arm. Looking at it all I never expected it to be this light. I might keep mine when we’re done with this. Have to give it a fresh paint job of course, white isn’t my color.” Grinning he puts on his own helmet. *Click* “Yeah, not crazy about the helmet though. Feels like I’ve got an expensive bucket on my head”*Click*
The Wanderer's hatch leads into a long pathway that travels straight up, devoid of gravity, transparisteel on either side gives the feeling that one is floating through space itself.
Crossing the threshold at the top of the corridor, gravity pulls you back and your feet (or treads) touch against the floor.
The walls are white, the floors black, all with a reflective shine to to them.
Sabe steps in front, her stride, gait, expression, everything changing. She goes more rigid and her brow creases ever so slightly, she looks like she belongs, like an imperial officer.
Every now and then Sabe and her team will pass by a window of transparisteel in the walls, inside scientists can be seen, their uniforms an all white variant of the typical imperial costume, save that the hems of their jackets almost reach the floor. But Sabe never breaks her stride or slows. Leading you along the, much to Zee's bewilderment, absolutely spotless hall.
The Hangar
"Ha!" Jace laughed without any humor, settling himself into his seat and starting to power up a few of his ships systems, "We were betrayed by Palpatine and slaughtered, almost to the last man. Nothing we do will bring those Jedi back."
Zee follows the instructions on the datastick. He checks the buffer of each camera's recorder before selecting images to extend into a loop.
He doesn't want to create any 'dancing' coffee mugs. A common problem when non-droids didn't take the time and effort to do a proper job. Zee also watches for shadows that might be projected from off lens sources to make sure they to don't do 'peek-a-boo' performances that might attract attention.
This wasn't Zee's first bit of Stealth work and he was more than familiar video recorders and their usage and settings. Zee was as tidy in his computer work as he was in dusting and took pride in not leaving 'dust' behind to attract security's attention.
Zee trailed behind Sabe and the others. A cleaning droid following behind a prisoner detail would look suspicious; so, Zee moved in short shuffles of movement followed by pauses to appear to be ambling and cleaning. He used the the security cameras to determine when it was safe to move and when it was best to appear to be cleaning.
The Hangar
"Ha!" Jace laughed without any humor, settling himself into his seat and starting to power up a few of his ships systems, "We were betrayed by Palpatine and slaughtered, almost to the last man. Nothing we do will bring those Jedi back."
"No, but they live on in the Force and through us, the Force is not lost. We can rebuild the Jedi order. We can once again create a force for peace in the galaxy." Cordal clings to this hope, almost desperately now that he's found other survivors.