"An excellent idea Master Trask. There is only one small issue that may rouse some suspicion - are maintenance crews usually four people and a droid large?" E raises his hand beside his head and bends his wrist back, mirroring the programmed gesture for posing a question.
That might work regardless, maybe we can see about some sort of distraction as well, maybe something in the maintenaince bay. For what its worth most people seem to not notice droids, E-3pO you think if we got you in the maintenaince bay you might be able to stage something?
Wings thinks for some seconds before answering, whispering.
- If the droid is carrying tools, clothes or something else heavy, no one would say a thing. Besides, most people just ignore droids. I mean, besides taverns... Many taverns just don't serve droids.
Maro Trask: "You're wanting to split up, Jer? Have 3PO make a fuss in the big vehicle bay somehow while the rest of us pretend we have work to do in the south section?"
"It's a thought. Lets take a walk around first and get a better idea of whats happening."
Got a destination(s) in mind? i need to know what to describe to you.
Area 49 is a chasm? How do people get across?
As important as the mission, we might want to take a little bit of time to familiarize ourselves with the base. I cant but help to imagine that all new personnel are watched a bit harder than others, as far as distractions I was thinking that perhaps E-3PO could get into maintenance area, perhaps reprogram something to make a distraction say an hour after he leaves. Wouldnt want to have something crazy happen and have a valuble team member cut off from the rest of us.
Lettu keeps the low tone and gestures to try to avoid speaking as much as he can.
- I like the idea of getting familiarized with the base. Maybe we should split in a couple groups to explore?
"I too believe that it would be best if we gathered further intel on the layout of this facility. We may even discover an alternative path to the secure station." The wires, tubing and circuitry all begin to jump in activity, trying to manipulate a face plate that should be there into a disengenuous smile. "As far as the distraction, I believe that I have enough voice samples of Dr. Benkin to create a false emergency broadcast." E begins refining and repeating an emergency evacuation message using a well-crafted replication of Dr. Benkin's voice, practicing for a plan not yet decided upon.
"O.K. lets split up then. Walk around, introduce ourselves, pick up some gosip. If anyone gets a chance, check out that blaster off the walker. It might make a good distraction...or a hole in a wall if we need it."
Oh i had every intention of checking out that large beast of a blaster cannon.
He said with a smile and a gleam in his eyes. He did enjoy a good piece of blaster tech.
"Also E-3PO see if you cant find a place in your wanderings where they may not be monitering with cams.
He whispered lowly to the machine. A place where they could freely talk and not whisper back and forth over programmed voices would be helpful, as would the ability to transfer anything found physically out of eye.
- I can go with Jer. - Wings whispered - Although I would be particularly curious to see the hangar of this complex. You know... Just to see the ships and keep a plan C to get the hell out of here in mind.
He smiled and shook his hand.
- You know, I have a bad feeling about it!
I'll detail a few encounters you have in the complex, and relay a few impressions you get of the various staff, to give you a better feel of this place. Starting with the ...
Area 21 - Weapons Testing Lab - You're eyeing the massive AT-AT blaster gun in the corner, when a technician approaches from behind.
"She's a beautiful piece of work, eh? Tech Services acquired it as salvage from action last month on some remote snow planet. It was pretty messed up, but we got it patched and working again, with increased firepower, no less. Are you here to join our project?" I need a Con roll here, from whomever is interacting with this tech.
15 - Computer Room - Several scruffy young adults are working away furiously at their workstations, ignoring a tech manager standing near by, berating them about bad documentation. After he leaves in a huff, shaking his head and muttering about poor project standards, one of the slicers looks your way and smirks. "Aren't you a little old for Tech Services Algorithmic Solutions? No one's supposed to be in this area unless they're official project resources." Someone give me a computer programming skill roll to suitably impress this whippersnapper.
25 - Power and Environmental Controls - a bit of sneaking gets you a good look in this area, past a snoozing security guard. It appears that the outpost is using a Verrtog reactor for power generation. Shutting it down would be child's play.
The Big Chasm - Part of the power core, and also used remotely for some of the labs by the physics staff, small skiffs on guided rails provide access to either side of the chasm. A pair of terribly bored security staff won't let you cross, but they maintenance staff and other security go through.
Some general observations:
The bureaucrats tend towards surly and indifferent. The scientists are all quirky, odd, brilliant or some combination of the three, usually lacking in some important social skill. The guards appear to be natives of Lotide, mostly pretty green and bored.
None of you have real lab assignments per se; the expectation was that you'd get in and get out fast. Think of your data like bread. It's going to go stale unless you get what you need fast and get out of there.
Ah, and the Vehicle Testing Bay .. area 22.
There's 4 speeder bikes, which can seat up to 2 people each. There's also a bulky repulsor tank sitting on the floor, and an ugly earth-mover with thick metal treads.
We are part of a oversight comitee involving wasted resources... this project however seems promising. Increased firepower you say? Interesting.
He told the tech with a big smile trying to seem the benevolent money cruncher.
"Yeah, the energy flow could stand to be a bit more stable, and the gun has to stay stationary when energized, but a little more tinkering and we'll have it figured out."
Alrighty guys ... let's get this story moving ... what's your plan?
Is there a way for maintenance to move heavy equipment access the chasm? Could we steal some maint ID for a couple of us and load the rest into a crate or something?
Sure, that sounds doable.
So, here's what I'm going to do folks. Unless someone else posts an alternate idea for a plan by tomorrow morning, I'm going to assume you're doing 2 things:
1) given your interest in the gun, that you're overloading that AT-AT blaster, and rigging it to explode ... I'll need a general MEC check here from any one of you.
2) during the commotion, you'll be disguised as techs and headed towards the security area across the shaft, with the rest of the party hiding in oversized equipment containers. I'll need a Sneak check from one of you to pilfer the maint. uniforms.
If one of you comes up with something else, then I'll hold off. I'd like to get things moving again soon, though.
Maybe we could get a work order from the computer techs to install a new refrigeration unit or something?
OK, that makes sense. Can you or someone give me a Computer Prog & Repair roll for that work order?
Not really my thing. How about persuading one of the programmers to do it for me?
"Excuse me sir, I was wondering if you could do me a favor. My work requires some refigeration equipment and I really don't have time to wade through all the red tape. Could you slip a work order in for me. I'd owe you big time."
"Work orders? How about giving me something difficult to do. Yeah, sure, the order'll be there by the time you pick up the hardware."
CUTSCENE:
You're at the shaft, some in tech maintenance uniforms and others hiding in the refrigeration cases, ready to cross on one of the railed sleds, when an alarm begins ringing over the public com. Red and orange lights flash, and after a few moments, about a dozen security personnel pack into two sleds and skid across the shaft.
" ... major explosion in the weapons lab, several personnel are wounded ... "
" ... one of Hawra's drills?"
" ... Lt Pora one of the casualties .. suspicious if you ask me ..."
They race past you and exit north, into another main corridor. The chasm is deserted, but according to QT's readout, there's another lounge directly ahead that should have guards.
Where are you going next?
Explosions? That's a security issue, nothing to do with maintenance :-) Carry on across the chasm.
I should have swiped a blaster, If they give us any trouble we have to down them fast okay?
He said cracking his knuckles.
Hey QT how solid is your frame?
He asked outside the door carrying the case.
While passing by the frenzied security personnel, E hears the name Lieutenant Pora and immediately does a quick search through his memory banks and any networks that he can access for more information on the person.
"I did not hear the full conversation, but based on what those security personnel said, it sounds like practice drills like these may be commonly organized by Captain Hawras. Perhaps we could use this information to leverage any resistance in our favor. Maybe one of you cunning type could convince the guards ahead that the rebels attacked the facility for the salvaged AT-AT gun."
As E glides across the pit, he peers over the edge into the chasm, pulling back with regret. Oh my that was deep. Why would anyone program a droid to be afraid of heights!? he processes to himself.
Hawra actually mentioned a Lt Pora to one of you during your ambush-like interviews. Pora is 2nd in command here, and Hawra acted hostile and a little paranoid when mentioning his name.
The sled glides across with the whine of its repulsor field echoing in the empty vastness below you. Disembarking is simple enough, and you've entered a lounge-type area (#44 on the map). Various informal meeting areas and conference rooms are arranged on either side. Dead head is the exit on the south wall.
A lone security-type mans a workstation next to a blast door here, watching a flashing display as a worker in similar coveralls as your own, scans his ID. the door is bathed in blue light, and the guard nods. With a gentle whoosh, the blast door glides open, and the man pushes his anti-grav dolly brimming with equipment through.
The maintenance man turns at your approach and smiles. "Perfect timing. I saw that work order come through just now. Glad you're here already .. I could use the help. This won't be an easy job."
The guard points at the scanner for your maintenance passes (don't worry ... they're pins attached to the uniforms you pilfered).
Jer knelt close to the workstation with the guard fiddling with his boot motioning the others to go on through. He really just wanted to be close in case for whatever reason the passes they acquired set off an alarm and he needed to disable the guard.
I'm going to assume there's no objections towards continuing forward. Your tags all scan correctly. If you refer to QT's readout, you've got 3 locations that have the information you need. The first one, area #30, is up first.
Unfortunately, the guy in front of you, the real maintenance tech, is in a hurry and walks right past aiming for the far end of the wide corridor. "These coolant leaks in the security hangar are a nightmare. I bet we're taking the last shuttle back to Market City tonight. Third time this week for me! How about you? You guys new here? Don't think we've met."
A pair of security guards exits area #29 and walks in behind you, keying something into a shared datapad and laughing. Otherwise, the passage is empty.
"Yeah, we're on temporary assignment. Is it always this crazy?"
Market City have any interesting spots?
Jer added making sure to keep close to the tech.
"Aww, no. I forgot the metaclamps. Hang loose, guys. Keep an eye on my cart. I'll be back in 5 minutes, tops." He shouts at you as he takes off towards the north door. In a moment, he's gone.
The pair of security guards pass you by and exit through the south door. You're alone at last and the door to area #30 is just a few meters away.
QT can you get what you need in 5 minutes?
He asked handing off the breifcase droid to one of the others as he stands there waiting to assist in taking out their poor tech who is a clamp forgetter
Harken will take the droid inside