With the woman still on his arms, Hasdrubal proceeds as the Umbaran indicates. "Alright, let's go. She's quite the carry."
Ace will zip off with the group.
Once through the maintenance hatch, you find that the station hasn't been as thorough in keeping up the non-public sections of the station. Lights flicker at random intervals or are dead altogether, access panels lie open, and the occasional grease or coolant stain mars the floor.
You also find some signs that someone may have been living in here at some point, but those are old enough that you're reasonably confident they no longer do.
After a moment, you come to a larger intersection, and the woman stirs in Hasdrubal's arms. She groans in pain, but her eyes flicker as she seems to be coming to. Finally they open, and seeing Hasdrubal, she says, "Thank you, stranger, for your help. Will you stop here? I have other assistance I need you to render, if possible."
Gotal nods to the woman, "Considering some of us have likely made decisions that shall have quite long lasting repercussions" Gotal glances at Zixto "the kind which will likely cause us to withdraw from this space station, and soon. I do not see any reason why further help would be an issue.
I am Gotal. And you are?"
Zixto shrugs in Gotal's general direction. "You use the tools you have. May as well join forces. I'm Zixto, by the way."
Rilri was helping Hasdrubal carry the woman,
Rilri sets the woman down and helps her to her feet. "I will try to help if I can. Incidentally, why were those stormtroopers chasing you?"
"Considering some of us have likely made decisions that shall have quite long lasting repercussions..."
Rilri shrugs. "Repercussions or no, I feel it was the right decision to make. The Empire is a far cry from the Republic that was." He glances between Gotal and Zikto. "I served alongside Jedi such as yourselves during the war, and in those days, we fought enemy soldiers, not our own people!" The Rodian snorts in derision at the memory of the incompetent stormtroopers. "Of course, in those days, we knew how to aim properly! These days, any sleemo who wants to 'put the aliens in their place' gets a blaster and a commission!"
At Zikto's words, he extends a mottled green hand in greeting. "Rilri of Clan Tonena, formerly Corporal of the Clan Tonena House Guard. A great honor to meet you, Jedi Zikto."
Hasdrubal sets the wounded woman down. She's clearly in pain, but not in any danger of dying. Gingerly sitting on the floor, she says, "My name is Maya. I'm a member of Senator Organa's personal security detail in the Alderaanian Security Forces. I came here to locate a droid named Switch, who is located in Deep Storage Bay V14. Switch was charged with receiving and storing a highly valuable cargo that was shipped here from the Deep Core. Once I retrieved the cargo from Switch, I was supposed to transport it to Senator Organa. Within a few hours of arriving on Sel Zonn Station, however, I was waylaid by Imperial troops. I guess working for a vocal opponent of the Empire is enough to get you labeled a troublemaker, and the Empire wants me off this station one way or another.
"I need your help. I'll survive this injury, but I'm not going to be able to recover the cargo. Will you assist me? Will you meet with Switch and recover the cargo for me? If you do, I can provide you with transport off the station and to Alderaan."
Gotal's eyes go wide, "Senator Organa?
It seems the force is with me after all.
I will indeed assist you Maya".
The Umbaran seems almost transfixed by what he has heard, Is this the will of the force that I was here now, in this moment?
"What model of droid is Switch?" he asks, "and is the cargo physical or data?"
Zixto shrugs. "Sounds simple enough. What's the catch?"
Rilri listens intently as the woman describes the situation, though he does smirk as Maya presents her offer. "We've already risked our lives helping you and defying the Empire. It would be pretty stupid of us to stop now. Is the rendezvous point in a secure location, and is this Switch trustworthy?"
"Thank you. I don't know what model of droid this Switch is, but I suspect he's a protocol droid. No offense, but most astromechs don't have vocabulators. As for the cargo, I don't know what it is. All I know is that it is imperative it be delivered to Senator Organa. I believe the storage bay is secure, but I don't know precisely where it is. I would assume it is somewhere infrequently visited by Imperial patrols, possibly down several levels. Switch is...trustworthy enough, I think, but he's a droid who answers only to himself. That likely means he hasn't had a memory wipe in a while. You asked what the catch is, Zixto? The catch is that he may be somewhat tricky to deal with, depending on his personality. I'm not personally familiar enough to be able to tell you more - I simply don't know."
"I think the next question to be one you have a solution to, or at least I hope you do, but if not, it is critical to know as that will require substantial planning.
How do we deliver these secured goods to the Senator and where do we do so? I for one do not have a starship handy".
"Oh, they don't give us vocabulators because astromechs tend to get quirky a little quicker than most droids. I don't blame him for being skittish. Knowing that they can reset your mind and make you back into a happy little slave is pretty scary." he says. "But I think I've got some ways to help convince him."
Rilri shrugs at Maya's description of Switch's eccentricities. "Most organics are the same way - he shouldn't be any different to deal with. I'm sure we have something this Switch will want."
He seems to consider for a moment as Gotal speaks up. "I... may have a solution to your problem, Master Jedi, but I would prefer to find another method. In Docking Bay 14 is an old Ghtroc-720 freighter - the Horizon Glory - where I serve as ship's doctor. We could conceivably steal that, if the need was great enough, but I would prefer not to, if we can. For one, now that I've been seen helping Jedi resist arrest, station security will likely have impounded the ship." The Rodian sighs. "A shame - I left my father's blaster rifle in my quarters there. It was an heirloom from my grandfather, who served in the Grand Protector's honor guard! Now it's likely to be seized by those Imperial thugs..."
"If a moody droid is all the problem we have, I'll be surprised. Nut I'll give it a shot."
Maya breathes a sigh of relief. "Thank you. Contact me once you know the location of the cargo. I can arrange transport for you to get the cargo back to the Senator." Maya stands, clearly still in pain. "I can get to a safe house from here, so I can heal up enough to get off the station. The location of a deep storage bay should be relatively public knowledge, particularly if it's in a more run down part of the station. Again, contact me once you know the location of the cargo."
Gotal nods, "Do you need assistance in returning to your safe house or shall we proceed with our investigation?"
"I can make it on my own. Retrieving the cargo should be your highest priority. Again, thank you for your assistance."
Gotal nods very well, "May the Force be With You".
He turns to his companions, "Perhaps we should spend at least a few minutes getting to know one another before we proceed to retrieve this cargo. Thereafter, I presume that Ace will be invaluable in helping us locate both Switch and this cargo".
"Seems fair." Zixto rumbles. After a moment, he glances back and forth "I guess I just nominated myself to go first." he says, shaking his head ruefully. "I'm Zixto. Yaka, if you couldn't tell." he says, running his hand over some of the scars on his head. Spinning the unignited lightsaber in his hand, he says "This isn't mine. Or at least, it wasn't. It's builder is dead now, thanks to the Empire. He wasn't exactly my master, I'd been shuffled off to the EduCorps, not enough talent for a full apprenticeship. WAs doing some research under Silvus when, well you know. My status didn't matter when the clones got their orders, I guess. I made it, Silvus didn't. Been trying to lay low since then, done some bounty hunting work, that sort of thing. Usually claim I took this off a dead jedi, which is true enough to get past any lie detecting systems I know about. Just trying to survive, I guess."
Rilri nods in deference to the two Jedi as they speak up, only speaking once they are finished. "I am Rilri, of Clan Tonena. I trained as an anesthesiologist, but I was never more than competent at it - I graduated in the fifteenth percentile at the medical school on Carosi XII. Still, it was enough to get me a position as a medic when war broke out." The Rodian looks back in the direction they had come from, his snout twisting into a sneer as he remembers what passes for soldiers in the Galactic Empire. "During the war, I saw clones throw themselves in front of blaster bolts to save their squadrons. Never seen a stormtrooper do that since the Empire took over - none of them have the spine to be a real hero these days. After the surrender at Utapau, the Empire was going to integrate us all into their army, so I resigned my commission and took a job as a ship's doctor in one of those transport firms - Vral'Rigad Freight."
Rilri scowls. "My sister Kilra was a Jedi, and the Empire killed her. I say the Emperor can rot in a Sarlacc, and if his lackeys don't want this cargo delivered, I can't think of a better reason to make sure it gets where it's needed."
Gotal nods at the stories, "I was a Jedi padawan, my first Master assigned me to do work with Senator Organa before the war. When the war broke out, I moved to Coruscant as an attache' for the Senator as I did not agree with the Jedi Council's decision to lead the war effort, which of course, ended my training.
On Alderaan when the war ended, Clone Troopers attempted to assassinate me but were unsuccessful. From there I fled as I did not know who to trust.
Even in the Outer Rim though, the Empire has a presence and I was formed to flee once more. I have returned to the core to seek other Jedi as it is clear this Empire must be resisted.
It seems I have found another Jedi and other comrades with who I have common cause. The Force, is with us".
He pauses, "Rilri, I do not mean to impose but do you think you could look at this blaster shot I took and assist?" Gotal grabs at his injured shoulder...
"Kiira? I met her once. Damn Empire. They programmed those clones just like droids."
He will begin scanning to find this droid.
Ace finds a maintenance terminal in the hallways to plug into, and begins scanning the network. After a minute of searching, the droid is unable to specifically find any reference to 'Switch', but Ace is able to find that Deep Storage Bay V14 is located in a section of the station that is flagged as being quarantined for over a year and a half, and yet no maintenance requests have been submitted for that area. He also ascertains that the storage bay is located along one of the station's primary exhaust systems, meaning that exhaust conduits should be running right through the bay.
When you arrive in the area of the Deep Storage Bay, you find that this part of the station is highly neglected. Many of the lights are burned out, and there are blaster marks and carbon scoring all along the walls, floor, and ceiling. The smell of burned ozone and electrical fires is in the air, and pools of coolant litter the hallways at regular intervals. After winding your way through a near labyrinth of corridors, you finally manage to find Deep Storage Bay V14. Standing guard outside are a pair of vibro-axe wielding Gamorreans, but they don't seem to have noticed you yet.
---
"Odd sight that".
He pauses and considers options, "Perhaps we can fast talk our way past them? If any of you would like to try I can assist if things go sour".
"Hmmm. Might be a better option to try to go through the exhaust ducts. Gamorreans tend to be too dumb to fool. Unless you're good with mind tricks?"
"Hmmm. Might be a better option to try to go through the exhaust ducts. Gamorreans tend to be too dumb to fool. Unless you're good with mind tricks?"
"I am but perhaps you are right and the indirect way would be best".
"Rilri, I do not mean to impose but do you think you could look at this blaster shot I took and assist?"
Rilri looks concerned. "...If you're sure, Master Jedi - as I said, I am an anesthesiologist by training, but I will try to aid you in what way I can." The Rodian pulls out his medical tools and examines Gotal's blaster wound, numbing the area with injections of a local anesthetic before applying microinjections of bacta to speed the healing process where it is most needed and stitching closed the edges of the wound.
After a moment, he pulls back, shaking his head. "I fear my tools are several decades behind modern weapons technology - I can't treat a blaster shot at the frequency those thugs were using. I can ease your pain, but I'm afraid I can't do much more without access to a proper medical facility."
Rilri glances between the two Jedi, incredulous. "With respect, esteemed Jedi, is this wise? These guards are probably in the employ of Switch, who we are to do business with - I see no real reason why we must use trickery. Surely, we can explain to them that we are acting as the Senator's representatives in this matter?"
Gotal considers Rilri's position, "I suppose my issue is that if this Switch is utilizing Gamorreans then I tend to wonder at his trustworthiness. I've rarely seen their ilk utilized as guards except by, well, gangsters.
I'd rather not inform anyone that we represent Senator Organa, especially if the Empire ends up questioning anyone lest they link him to this cargo we are about to retrieve. I know that my ramblings are those of a paranoid mind, but since the fall of the Republic, the galaxy has become a morass of treachery and deceit. Thus, my desire to contact this Switch by either stealth or guile".
"I had understood Switch to be working independently, not running an organization. But if they're working for Switch, I suppose you may be right. I do agree that revealing who we're working for seems like a bad idea."
Gotal tries to reach out to the Force to guide him.
Use the Force - Search Feelings (Front Door or Back Door)
Gotal takes a moment, closing his eyes, reaching out to the Force to provide him guidance....
Gotal sighs, "The Force, it appears, is with you Rilri. To the front door, it is".
Gotal gives his new allies a moment, then approaches, "Greetings. I and my allies are here for an appointment with Switch". He keeps his face neutral as he approaches the Gamorreans.
As the group approaches, the two Gammoreans finally notice you. They don't take any hostile actions, but they do cross their vibro-axes across the door, barring entry. As Gotal approaches and says they have an appointment, the one Gammorean grunts something in response.
The other pulls out a comlink and grunts into it.
Gotal nods pleasantly as he has no idea what the guards stated and responds, "I am sorry my friend, I do not understand".
"Do you speak Bocce?"
"I suppose not Umbarese, but this is my first tongue".
A tinny voice comes out of the comlink, too low to hear, and the one Gammorean turns to the other and grunts something. The other grunts in reply, and they move the vibro-axes out of the way. The one gestures that you can go in.
The deep storage bay is as run-down as the hallways leading up to it, with entire metal plates missing from the floor and a huge, open exhaust shaft near the back of the room. Large crates litter the area, creating the appearance of a haphazard mess, and the air has a distinct smell of sweat and fumes that makes the entire area unpleasant. Flickering lights provide modest illumination, and a burst pipe along the ceiling leaks blue fluid down one wall.
Near the center of the room is an item that seems very out of place- a large, finely crafted desk made of Japor ivory wood, which means that the desk is both priceless and rare. Sitting peacefully behind the desk is a Protocol Droid with shiny, ebony coverings that seem to soak up light and offer only the slightest reflection. The Droid's eyes flicker slightly, as though imitating a person blinking rapidly.
Switch, I presume/ says Ace. He starts out in Basic as a nod to the organics, but then switches to high speed Binary to transfer information at full speed.
Switching back to Basic, he adds, "Just gave the SitRep. Up to you guys to introduce yourselves."
Rilri looks somewhat nonplussed at the rapid and unintelligible stream of Binary, but he bows to Switch before speaking in a formal dialect of Huttese, a common trade language that should still give them a modicum of privacy from any eavesdroppers.
After a moment, he straightens up and continues in a more informal dialect.
Gotal gives a formal now and introduces himself
Switch looks at the motley crew before him, eye photoreceptors flickering in what you think is an imitation of blinking, and then says, "Welcome, then. As you have ascertained, I am Switch. This is R5-B8." He gestures to an astromech beside him. "Won't you come have a seat? Well, those of you who sit, anyway." He gestures to several chairs on the other side of the desk. As you approach the desk, you notice a shifty-looking Twi'lek off to the side - not intentionally hiding, but not visible from the entrance.
As you approach, he says, "May I offer you a drink? We have an excellent 15-year aged bottle of Whyren's Reserve, some Chandrilan red wine, elba beer, and some Ryl'kolsa, a very potent liquor made by the Twi'leks on Ryloth."
Once everyone is comfortable (and has a drink, if desired), Switch sits behind his desk and says, "Why don't we all use Basic to discuss business. My services are, of course, open to anyone who seeks them. As to any cargo I may or may not be holding, on behalf of anyone who may or may not be named Maya, who may or may not work for Alderaanian security, well, discretion is a vital part of my business. I simply could not discuss such business unless I had confirmation that I was dealing with proper representatives. Perhaps you could tell me more about the incident which prevented Maya from arriving here?"
---
Gotal sits and partakes in the drink of the Whyren's Reserve, "That is quite pleasant".
Gotal pulls off his cloak and shows the blaster damage, "As you can see, no good deed goes unpunished.
It appeared to me, and to my compatriots, that the ISB was on the tail of a young woman. They called down the might of the stormtroopers upon her. At that moment, we individually acted and collectively aided this woman we now know as Maya.
It is she who asked us to come to you and aid her as her injuries proved to be ones that needed immediate treatment. Thus, we sit here before you.
What else do you need to know".
Persuasion
Zixto attempts to use the Force to aid his senses as he glances around the room.
But as usual, Zixto's weakness in the Force keeps him from doing anything useful with it. His eyes work just fine though.
Rilri nods gratefully to Switch, taking a seat when offered and accepting a glass of Ryl'kolsa. "A most potent drink, master Switch. The taste reminds me of Newoongall hemolymph-wine from my homeworld." The Rodian smirks before continuing. "But of course, we are not here to exchange pleasantries. I apologize for the confusion of languages earlier - long experience has taught me that few stormtroopers bother to learn the second most common language in the galaxy, but I trust your assurances as to the security of this room. While I appreciate your hospitality, I have tasks to perform in the stead of Maya and her associates."
"As for the incident where she was injured, I was attempting to purchase surgical tools when she appeared on the promenade, fleeing from stormtroopers. I stepped in to aid her and carried her to safety after the conflict, where she tasked us with retrieving her cargo." He steeples his long, sucker-tipped fingers, nodding at the ostentatious desk. "Now, if you are worried that we are impostors, one with your means should have little trouble finding my personnel file - I am the ship's doctor on the Horizon Glory, recently returned from Hutt Space. My family is a noble house of arms dealers on Rodia - far too high-profile for an ISB cover identity, and the Empire would be loath to employ Rodians in any case. And only the most powerful crime lords would dream of interfering with Alderaanian royalty - the sorts of crime lords, incidentally, for whom internal conflict in the Core Worlds would be a great boon for their power in the Mid Rim, and who as such would have a vested interest in the success of your transaction. In short, master Switch, there is nobody for whom we could realistically work but Maya and those she represents."
Switch listens as Gotal and Rilri explain the situation to him, droid face impassive. When they finish, his photoreceptors flicker a few times, in a manner reminiscent of blinking, before he says, "Ah, I see. So, the one I was expected to meet with is unable to arrive. Well, I am pleased she - and by extension, you - did not lead Imperial stormtroopers to my door. Well, I have received a cargo I am holding for Maya. I would be happy to release it to you for the eminently reasonable sum of one-thousand credits. After that, you can take the cargo wherever it is you wish."