As the final stormtrooper falls under a hail of blaster shots, the jedi rush into The Credit Chip. Inside the woman accepts Mr. Marius's assitance up. "You can call me, Maya." At his offer of getting out of there she nods in agreement. As they begin standing up a twi'lek that neither noticed before addresses them. As she speaks Maya nods. "I have a blaster with me, but you are right, we need to get out of here before more Imperials show up." Before the three of them step out into the now deserted alley the two jedi enter the building. Scanning the room they spy the twi'lek with the doctor and formally wounded woman attempting to make their way to the east side of the building. The remaining patrons stay clear of the troublemakers while keeping their eyes on their credits.
With the last of the obvious hostiles down, Ansic will follow after the others, staying about 5 or 6 squares behind and keeping an eye our for any trailing enemies. As he goes, he'll call up ahead to the others. "I'd expect the Imps to be out in force for a while, anyone have a place we can lay low for a while til things start to calm down? Will give us a chance to talk too and figure out just what is going on."
The Gran will pause and give the others a smile, already viewing them as his comrades even if their sole knowledge of each other is this brief skirmish. "Name is Ansic, by the way."
Kael relinquishes his grip on the hand of Corvus as he slides his saber back up his sleeve. He'll move out into the alley behind the three and put a bit of haste in his step to catch up with them"Your wounds," He starts as he notices the woman showing no pain in her gait."Your wounds are gone." he says in mild astonishment. He had thought the woman would bleed out from a glance without a bacta tank and now she seemed fine only less than a minute later. Had his observation been so mistaken? He put the thought away from the front of his mind and pressed forward glancing back to see the gran who covered them and smiled. "Ansic is right, we need to lay low and I certainly wouldn't mind setting down for a talk as this encounter has seemed to have thrown us all in the same lot, despite it's brevity."He remarks thoughtfully before pausing with a half-smile." My name is Kael. I thank you Ansic for covering my exit."
Gareth walks over to the woman and the two people with her. "Ma'am, we need to get you out of here. Palp's jackboots will be back in force soon, you can bet your shebs on that. Do you have some place we can get you too?"
HK-22 moves after the other combatants, keeping his rifle at the ready.
"Introductory Statement: this unit is designated HK-22, freelance operations. Query: Where are all you fleshbags going?"
The woman nods with interest as more join her. "You can all call me Maya. I have a safe house set up, if you'll follow me I can explain everything there." She quickly begins to set a pace at the front leading everyone through a series of twisting passageways leading deeper into the station, occasionally glancing at a datapad she pulls out. Eventually you all arrive at a group of slum apartments in an abandoned part of the station. Everywhere you look you see aliens of different species living in squalor, a sign of the former Republic's "prosperity" under Palpatine.
Once inside Maya's safe house she exhales a sigh of relief. "Okay, we should be safe here for a time. The Imperials tend to ignore this area and any of the problems that may occur here. Please make yourselves as comfortable as possible while I change out of this bloody jumpsuit." The "apartment" you are in is little more than a 25 square meter room with an attached refresher. The only furnishing is a small bed in one corner. Maya grabs a bag from the bed and moves into the refresher to change.
"Well this is cozy," Gareth says. "Looks like were on the Imps most wanted list, so I guess we should get to know each other. My name is Gareth Darkstalker, late of Mandalore. I blow stuff up."
The gran will set up near the door where he can keep an ear out for the march of booted feet or knocking on doors that would indicate a search.
Ansic nods to Gareth. "A pleasure to meet you, Gareth. As I said while we were on the move, I am Ansic. I was a guard on my homeworld, but... That is behind me. I have the imperials to thank for that. I suppose we just offered that thanks to several of them."
Kael greets those around him warmly, shaking the hand of each, even that of HK-22. Once this is done he leans softly upon a wall and waits for Maya's explanation.
Kael greets those around him warmly, shaking the hand of each, even that of HK-22. Once this is done he leans softly upon a wall and waits for Maya's explanation.
"Statement: Jedi, you look familiar. Query: Did this unit ever stun you and knock you into a ravine?"
The question coaxes a laugh from Kael "HK-22, If you were on Coruscant, then it's possible. But i try not to dwell on being stunned and knocked into a ravine."
The question coaxes a laugh from Kael "HK-22, If you were on Coruscant, then it's possible. But i try not to dwell on being stunned and knocked into a ravine."
"Statement: this unit trained many Jedi in stealth, ambush tactics and small group warfare. This unit finds you familiar. Conjecture: perhaps all fleshy Jedi types look the same?"
Once inside Maya's safe house she exhales a sigh of relief. "Okay, we should be safe here for a time. The Imperials tend to ignore this area and any of the problems that may occur here. Please make yourselves as comfortable as possible while I change out of this bloody jumpsuit." The "apartment" you are in is little more than a 25 square meter room with an attached refresher. The only furnishing is a small bed in one corner. Maya grabs a bag from the bed and moves into the refresher to change.
I follow, right on Maya's heels with my hands in my pockets... right up to the refresher, which I step beside.
What to do? What to do? She promised a reward... And she's not bad looking under the greasy coveralls... What to do?
Why did all these mercenaries and Jedi have to follow us? Maybe I shouldn't have stopped to heal her? That Kael fellow has already noticed? Should I try explaining it away or should I just pretend nothing happened? Would they believe me if I...
I check to make sure the refresher door is closed and then quietly say with my voice a near whisper towards the end, "You are right Kael, after she caught her second wind she seems mostly fine. I do not believe all the blood was hers. Please do not ask her about it, as I fear it may have belonged to one or more fallen comrades."
Ailith was a little stunned at the rapid turn her life had just taken, but her mind was finally catching up with her trigger finger, and she looked around the crowded room with excitement stirring in her belly. She was so absorbed in her thoughts as she looked at her new companions that she didn't realize her lekku were twitching, echoing her internal dialog in fits and bursts.
She schooled her features to a friendly and interested smile at Gareth's introduction and looked around the room. "I'm Ailith. Despite the shot I landed on the stormtrooper in the gambling den, my usual mode of operation is more...subtle." Her smile widened and turned feral as she revealed sharp pointed teeth. Unlike many Twilek females, her teeth were still sharp. It was a little incongruous to those used to the ground down flat teeth of Twilek slaves. "Not that I object to some judicious blowing up of things." Her jacket was heavy black velvet with silver embroidered trim. The collar stood up around her neck, but was open in a deep "v" in front, revealing a grey jumpsuit of some kind with a low neckline. It had deep cuffs, silver trimmed pockets, and flared out sharply beneath the cinched waist. As she unbuttoned and pulled off the heavy coat, she revealed its dove grey satin lining - and the veritable armory its bulk concealed. The grey jumpsuit had holes cut out around her abdomen and thighs, and it seemed like a strange cross between an acrobat and dancing outfit. The various belts she wore over the jumpsuit secured her heavy blaster and an ion pistol, as well as a stun baton and glowstick. She had many pouches hanging from the belts and a concealed holster under one shoulder. She draped the coat carefully over her left arm and shared her smile with the entire room. "It never hurts to be prepared for...messy...eventualities." She carefully holstered her blaster, fussing over its placement as she continued. "But in general I'm a simple information broker. Sometimes I sell information to those who wish to use it...or collect a fee to see that certain information is not used by anyone. Sometimes I even donate my services, if they might cause difficulties for our Imperial friends."
"Great a jetii and a beskar'ad, my buir told me there would be days like this," Gareth mutters to himself. "Maybe Shysa was right, I should have stayed with my aliit instead of trying to make mty living among aruetiise"
Kael raises a brow as he gives the droid a stern looking-over before his expression returns to a smile." I think i might recognize you HK, but then again maybe all clunky droid types look the same?" He says with a slight shrug.
He then turns his attention to Mr.Marius and nods, solemnly content with his explanation, he decides it's best to leave well enough alone.
Kael raises a brow as he gives the droid a stern looking-over before his expression returns to a smile." I think i might recognize you HK, but then again maybe all clunky droid types look the same?" He says with a slight shrug.
He then turns his attention to Mr.Marius and nods, solemnly content with his explanation, he decides it's best to leave well enough alone.
"Query: This unit was under the impression that all Jedi were killed. Have many survived?"
The droids question brings feelings to the surface that Kael had did his best to let go of. Anger, Despair, Fear, Doubt...He pushed these things down again and found himself absent mindfully twiddling with his lightsaber. "Admittedly I'm not sure how many are left. I was the only one I knew of for sure until I saw Corvus again." He says as he pauses to look her way. "Admittedly, I can only sense an alarmingly low number of them through the force." He says as his voice trails off a bit as his eyes are downcast."But I was never the strongest force user in the academy." He says with a smile, an attempt to curb the obvious assumption that most of them were dead, and that was why he couldnt feel them through the force. "Furthermore any Jedi who could make it out of Imperial space or do their best to hide has done so...So I suppose the members of our order are rather few and far-between. He explains.
Ansic will rest a hand on Kael's shoulder and the other on Corvus', knowing that they both must be feeling this ache. "The empire has taken much from all of us. They will find justice for what they have done, and those who are wronged will be the ones who will take that to them. Take heart in that, it will not do justice to your order or the others who have been lost to allow your spirit to be crushed beneath the boot of the troopers."
Ailith's eyes flickered in the direction of the man who pulled the woman into the gaming den, then away without comment. She turned toward Kulton and Corax and sketched a shallow bow. "It is good to see Jedi again. My master and I were unable to assist you as we would have wished in the political arena. It is only through his sacrifice that I am here speaking to you today. Please let me know if I can offer assistance."
Kael Smiles at Ansic's words half-heartedly."There is harmony, Ansic." He begins with an excerpt of the Jedi code."This rising Empire has been ushered in on the coat-tails of tragedy but it is not without cause. Every event has a purpose. Death, however, is not a tragedy and is merely a part of the life cycle. Without death, life could not exist.I do not over mourn the death of so many Jedi, as the Force in them lives on." He says as his mind goes momentarily back to the death of his master. "I fear what you speak of is revenge, and not justice. My feelings of anger and despair can be understood, but emotion cannot take away my peace." He smiles wider now, feeling at one with the force during this monologue. " Regardless, while the Empire carelessly terrorize the galaxy, I and every Jedi left in the galaxy have an obligation to defend the weak from those who oppress them."
Corvus remains a spectator. The recent activity took her back to a time when, at her master's side, she took her role as a Jedi very seriously.
This was a time when stormtroopers were on her side and even deferred to her and other Jedis.
Now she was standing amongst a group of strangers and sharing information that could easily end her life at the hands of Skywalker's Jedi-hunters.
And if a Jedi as strong as Skywalker can turn to the dark side, what hope for her and Kael.
As his words barely register in her melancholy, she is aware conversations have been going on since she arrived and she couldn't recall a single sentence.
As these thoughts subside, her eyes remained firmly fixed to the floor, and she enjoys the silence.
Maya finally steps out of the refresher wearing the uniform of an Alderaanian Security Officer. Her long black hair has been tied up into a tight bun and the grease streaks scrubbed from her face giving her a serious look. "Thank you all for waiting, allow me to get right down to business. My identity has become compromised here on the station. I am a member of the Alderaanian Security and part of Senator Organa's personal security detail. I came to this station to recover some very valuable cargo, which was shipped all the way from the Deep Core, and return it to Alderaan. However, hours after arriving I was waylaid by the Empire. The fact that I work for a vocal opponent of the Emperor has apparently flagged me as a troublemaker, and the Empire wants me off the station one way or the other. So, in order for me to carry out my mission I will need your assistance with retrieving the cargo. The contents of which could save the lives of many innocent beings. I know it is a lot to ask of people I just met but I can promise you that if you help me Senator Organa himself will be happy to reward you for your efforts."
Kael's eyes linger on Corvus, and he can sense her feelings of doubt but decides not to press the issue as he turns his attention to Maya." It would be an honor to assist you in this Endeavor, Although after today's events, I'm not sure any of our reputations are cleaner in the eyes of the Empire than yours."
|
The gran nods his head. "Indeed, I will be happy to lend my aid, though I do not speak for my new friends here. It would be good to be able to assist one who speaks out against the empire. I would ask for more information however, both on the cargo and where it is, as well as on your boss, Senator Organa. It would be risky to proceed without knowing both what we seek and what those who seek us are expecting."
Now that it's vacant, I'm going to duck into the refresher.
Once inside and the door safely locked behind me, I'll clean up after Maya and then clean myself up (in case I got blood on myself).
When I'm done with that I'll be sure to splash some water on my face and study it in the mirror.
What have I gotten myself into?!? Rebels and Jedi!!! How did I end up in this insanity?
"if it means getting to tweek Palp's shebs, count me in," Gareth says.
"Statement: this unit exists for violence and the proper application of force; serving your cause is good enough excuse for now." HK-22, begins polishing his rifle, replacing the power cell and recharging the spent cell.
Kael's eyes linger on Corvus, and he can sense her feelings of doubt but decides not to press the issue as he turns his attention to Maya." It would be an honor to assist you in this Endeavor, Although after today's events, I'm not sure any of our reputations are cleaner in the eyes of the Empire than yours."
Ailith nods. "I'm willing to help. And my part in this has some hope of having gone unnoticed - I might be able to move about without any official attention coming my way." She watched the man who'd introduced himself as Mr. Marius enter the refresher. "As long as every one of us here agrees, we should be fine - but until that point, I urge you to hold back any...compromising information, Maya."
Corvus' inner dialogue has kept her quiet thus far, but finally she speaks.
"I am honour bound to serve. Previously it would have been the Order but with that no longer in existence," she pauses to take a sideways glance at Kael, "I think we Jedi need to find an appropriate cause and let people know we still have something to say about the future of this galaxy."
"What I'm trying to say is, count me in." She smiles a weak smile and then straightens up, glancing around the group. "And it's great to no longer be alone."
Sidling along one wall, Rogen steps forward, his rifle slung easily on his shoulder. "I'm sure we can find your cargo, and get it off this base. Might even get you back to Alderaan," winking at her.
Walking over to Maya, he continues. "The only reward needed is blasting more of those troopers."
He takes off his jacket and places it out of the way.
Mr. Marius steps from the refresher. The hair around his face is dark with moisture and clinging to his head, though his face is dry. While his jacket is missing, he’s wearing a rather elegant almost extravagant shirt reminiscent of a colonial time period on some back water world. He wears no weapon or holster save a rather small knife, obviously lacking in vibro-tech. On his wrist is the only piece of technology worn, a rather expensive looking com-link. He looks each of you over from feet to eyes, his face pale and his lips suggesting a smile though his eyes reflect weariness.
“Thank you for assisting Maya and me in our escape. Are any of you injured? It’s the least I could do.” Looking pointedly at the Gran, “Does anyone have a med pac or med kit?”
“Thank you for assisting Maya and me in our escape. Are any of you injured? It’s the least I could do.” Looking pointedly at the Gran, “Does anyone have a med pac or med kit?”
Corvus fumbles with her utility belt.
"Apologies for not offering it sooner," she says as she hands a medpac to Mr. Marius.
Corvus fumbles with her utility belt."Apologies for not offering it sooner," she says as she hands a medpac to Mr. Marius.
With a sleight bow of his head, he carefully accepts the medpac from Corvus and motions for the Gran to step over the refresher. ”Did you say your name was Ansic?"
Mr. Marius steps from the refresher. The hair around his face is dark with moisture and clinging to his head, though his face is dry. While his jacket is missing, he’s wearing a rather elegant almost extravagant shirt reminiscent of a colonial time period on some back water world. He wears no weapon or holster save a rather small knife, obviously lacking in vibro-tech. On his wrist is the only piece of technology worn, a rather expensive looking com-link. He looks each of you over from feet to eyes, his face pale and his lips suggesting a smile though his eyes reflect weariness.
“Thank you for assisting Maya and me in our escape. Are any of you injured? It’s the least I could do.” Looking pointedly at the other male human, “Does anyone have a med pac or med kit?”
Corvus fumbles with her utility belt.
"Apologies for not offering it sooner," she says as she hands a medpac to Mr. Marius.
With a sleight bow of his head, he carefully accepts the medpac from Corvus and motions for the other male human to step over the refresher. ”Did you say your name was Gareth?"
Ansic will nod appreciatively while Marius moves to tend to the wounded party, before looking to the others. "While our more medically minded friend here tends to Gareth, is there anything anyone else needs? We should be at our best before we move forth."
He'll glance at Maya for a moment. "Though if you have no reason to suspect your cargo will be moved soon, I would suggest we try and hold up here until tomorrow before trying to take the next step, just so the guard have time to suspect that we have fled the station and may not be in such full force."
Maya smiles and breathes a sigh of relief at hearing that everyone is willing to help her. "Thank you all. I was not made aware of what the cargo was or even where on this station it is. I believe the cargo will be safe for now if you want to hold up till tomorrow though I can't guarantee it. I was told when I arrive here to get in contact with an information broker named Switch in deep storage bay V14 and that he would sell me the location of the cargo. I have a credstick with 1000 credits on it for him and a datapad with directions to deep storage bay V14 on them I can give you. While you are procurring the cargo I will be trying to get a hold of one of my contacts who will provide us with transportation to Alderaan. Please contact me via comlink once you have secured the cargo." Maya hands the datapad and credstick to Mr. Marius. "If you can talk Switch down on his price for the information feel free to keep the extra credits as my thanks for saving me."
My internal dialogue... Bloody hell... I haven't even gotten them all stitched back together and they're already looking for another fight. What is with these people? They're going to get themselves killed... Greasy gophers guts, they're going to get Maya and me killed!
Maya smiles and breathes a sigh of relief at hearing that everyone is willing to help her. "Thank you all. I was not made aware of what the cargo was or even where on this station it is. I believe the cargo will be safe for now if you want to hold up till tomorrow though I can't guarantee it. I was told when I arrive here to get in contact with an information broker named Switch in deep storage bay V14 and that he would sell me the location of the cargo. I have a credstick with 1000 credits on it for him and a datapad with directions to deep storage bay V14 on them I can give you. While you are procurring the cargo I will be trying to get a hold of one of my contacts who will provide us with transportation to Alderaan. Please contact me via comlink once you have secured the cargo." Maya hands the datapad and credstick to Mr. Marius. "If you can talk Switch down on his price for the information feel free to keep the extra credits as my thanks for saving me."
Briefly Mr. Marius blushes at the honor bestowed him while he clumsily juggles the datapad, credstick, and medpac before getting two of the three secreted into his pockets. ”Um, thank you Maya. We will do our best.”
Turning to everyone else, "Sounds like we’re on the move again… So long as no one is injured enough to require a med kit or surgery kit..." he says while looking at Gareth. “Let me just patch up Gareth and we can go forth on Maya’s next mission.”
"I'd like to suggest my own quarters as the next place to hole up. I’m fresh off a transport as of yesterday, so it’s not likely anyone would identified me in my humble opinion. My place is a little bit bigger than this, it certainly has more furniture, and… I would like a chance to retrieve my possessions, including a family heirloom I'd like to recover along with an old med kit and surgery kit that might prove useful should you continue to need me."
The sudden realization strikes him silent. I think they really do need me.
Ansic will nod a bit as the plan seems to be formed, and then will look around at the others. "It seems that if we are going to set out on such a mission, we should probably have an idea of each other's backgrounds so we know where our skills lie. It seems that our friend here has the training of a doctor, and my people have heard much of the power of jedi. I personally have the most skill with my pistol, my kind are skilled shots anyway but I have trained hard to perfect the trade. In... My past life I served as a guard, so I have some practice working with squads and planning movements." There is a pained pause when he speaks about his time before the station.
HK-22 stands apart from the fleshy discussions around him, his sensors scanning the room. Anyone near by can hear him vocabulating softly to himself. "Statement: total meatbag termination achieved in 45.7 seconds. Conjecture: perhaps if I killed all the alien fleshbags in alphabetic order? Statement: total meatbag termination in 47.3 seconds."
Rogen goes over his rifle, confirming that it's in operational order. Looking around the small room, and the number of occupants, "Well, I've slept in more cramped quarters than this."
Assuming Gareth doesn't mind me Treating his Injury... I will try to take 10 on the Treat Injury (since we are out of combat and in a reasonably safe place). 10 +9 = 19, so Gareth would gain back hit points equal to his level +4.
Assuming Gareth doesn't mind me treating his Injury... I take 10 on the Treat Injury (since we are out of combat and in a reasonably safe place). 10 +9 = 19, so Gareth gain back hit points equal to your level +4. I believe that brings the party up to full or pretty close.
I look at Ansic and bite out, "I am not a doctor."
After the briefest of moments, I seem to get a hold myself. "Sorry, my parents had wanted me to be one... and... things did not work out. I guess I still have some issues with my past. If you need someone to administer first aid like a field medic or paramedic, I guess I could do that... So long as we're clear that I'm not a doctor."
After another brief hesitation, he nods at Ansic with an apology on his face and then steps into the refresher to clean up.
Echoing out of the refresher his voice continues, "Ansic, you sound like you were a sergeant maybe? Gareth, you said you were some sort of demolitions expert? HK-22 said he was Freelance Operations? I’m sorry, as I do not know what that means.”
Mr. Marius steps out of the refresher. His eyes stop on Kael for a brief moment before moving on to the Twi’lek. “Does information broker include training as a diplomat or negotiator? How about everyone else?”
"Statement: this unit is programmed for tracking, apprehension and termination of hostile flesh bags."
Gareth looks at ariu. "My parents were miners and I learned all about the judicious ue of explosives. When the Mandalorin arrived on my homeworld, I saw my ticket out of there and offered them my expertise. Nw that the war i over and the Mandalorians have retreated back to Mandalre, I'm looking for other options."
Ansic will bow his head slightly to Marius. "I apologize if my assumptions were offensive. I simply was guessing at your medical skill, rather then your professional calling. As for me, I was more a detective I suppose, than I was a sergeant. Some years ago trouble on one of the Gran home worlds that nearly led to civil war, trouble brought on by one of the other species who dwelt there. To protect against this, the government segregated much of our homeworlds allowing some areas to be Gran only while others were open to all species. My kind lives a very communal life and emphasizes strongly with those around them, it made it easy for other species to sway us when we were unwary. I served to patrol in one of these mixed areas and have adapted well to life among other species. I learned to call many my friend. It matters little now, though, as when we refused to bow to the empires demands my homeworld was left smoldering rubble."
“Does information broker include training as a diplomat or negotiator?”
Ailith couldn't help a self derogatory smirk as she met Marius' eyes. "Yes." she drawled, then shrugged and bit off a chuckle. "All of the above. I was an administrative assistant, but now I'm freelancing myself. If I find a piece of information that might be useful to someone, I may choose to auction it off, sell it directly...or protect it from discovery, as the situation calls for. I'm more than willing, for example, to do my best to make discreet inquries into this Switch character before we meet him, if you'd like. The problem with making inquiries, however, discreet or not, is that the act of seeking information is information in and of itself. I've mostly been keeping my head low here, and don't have any especially juicy or trustworthy sources on station. That might be more risk than it's worth."