Caleb shrugs and leads the way into the lounge, giving Val a smile at her changed appearance, and leans against a bulkhead letting the Imperials do their inspection. He wonders where Slyssk had gotten to before realizing...He's in the concealed quad turret well. Sigh. Of course he is. Caleb would have preferred if Slyssk was out in the open, finding a Trandoshan with a big cannon hiding in an illegal gun would just be so much worse that finding an illegal gun well, but you play the hand you are dealt.
Being nervous, Caleb did not bother mentioning Cabbie or Turtle. They're droids. Equipment, rather than crew, in the eyes of the Empire. Captain Marsters was so much better and filling the air with flim flam and mindless banter until customs impectors got annoyed and gave up the search. Caleb was afraid of babbling.
Hopefully this officer would be satisfied with the empty cargo hold and let them move on.
Cabbie pulls herself into a niche in the engine room, relatively near to various controls but away from the three doors that lead into the room.
A few moments later, the doors open with a hiss, and two troopers walk in, taking a cursory look around the compartment.
Geth, roll 4dF+2 for Cabbie's stealth vs 1.
The trooper on the left pans his eyes across the niche where Cabbie is hiding, and they pass over her without recognition. He nods to his compatriot, who steps out of Cabbie's line of sight. Cabbie hears a few muffled noises, but can't make them out entirely. Meanwhile, the first trooper half-heartedly searches the engine room near the main door, knocking a few times on the wall, trying to lift up a floor plate ... essentially the bare minimum to have qualified as a "search."
The hidden trooper grunts, and walks back into Cabbie's view. Together, they search for a few more moments, before nodding at each other and walking back into the hallway. The door opens and then closes behind them.
Success for Cabbie hiding at minor cost - the trooper is out of sight when he does whatever it was he was doing.
Slyssk reclines in the hidden turret well above the crew quarters.
Geth, roll 4dF+2 for Slyssk Notice vs 1
Although the turret is reasonably well sealed-off from the rest of the ship, he hears footsteps passing below him, and mutters of conversation that he can't quite make out. The footsteps pause, somewhere below him, for several seconds, and he hears a single loud cling - as if something metallic were dropped on bare deckplate - accompanied by a muttered curse and a few seconds of urgent conversation between two voices.
Soon, the footsteps resume, but pass quickly away from him; all is once again quiet.
Slyssk removed a scaly claw from the trigger of the braced gun. There was a moment of disappointment, where he hoped he could have seen what it would firing a cannon at such close ranges would do to his targets.
The Imperial officer walks into the lounge, and takes a seat at the far end, gesturing for Caleb to go stand against the wall near Val. The troopers take up positions at each door, well out of arm's length from the undercover Rebels. he appears to be doing some mental arithmetic, and half shrugs. He places his hands on his knees
"Are you certain you do not wish to admit to any contraband?" He pauses infinitesimally, and continues on without giving the Rebels a real chance to answer. "Very well then. Allow me to explain exactly the position you find yourselves in. Your ship violated Imperial regulation 354.42 by entering, illegally, into an Imperial Navy exclusionary zone during a period of martial law. The potential punishments range ..." He brings a small comlink up to his ear, and sighs. He gestures to the two troopers. "Go assist Tompkins and Jessup; they are in the port cargo hold." When the troopers hesitate, he smiles grimly. "We are currently under the guns of our TIEs and my ship. If these spacers were suicidal, they would have just refused us entry. I doubt they will sign their own death warrants now. Go."
The troopers salute, and file out of the room. He waits for the doors to close, and waits a further few seconds, and then he reaches up to his collar and switches off the comlink.
"The potential punishments range from a fine to confiscation of ship and cargo to destruction, at the discretion of the officer in charge." He gestures to himself. "In your case, given your transparent attempts to misdirect me, I believe that confiscation is in order. Unless ... unless you would be willing to provide me a small service. Then, I might see my way clear to reducing your infraction to a fine, only."
You notice that the Imperial officer is Starting to Sweat. He's also wearing a brand-new uniform, and his rank badge and cylinder are immaculate; you suspect that he might be Newly Promoted.
"What is this?!" Val blurts out, trying to sound as foppish as she can. "You promised to deliver me here safely, with discretion!" She turns on Caleb, berating him, whilst she makes her way to the imperial officer's side. "And now we've been boarded by this fine officer asking for a bribe?!" She gestures to the imperial officer. "This is coming out of your fee! Just you wait until my sweet -Imperial- captain hears about this!" She does her best to sound utterly offended and outraged, whilst making sure that the officer heard the word imperial. Never a great actress, being a noble was something she did have some experience in though. "-All- of this."
"What is your name and rank, officer?!" This time she wheels on the imperial, really trying to amp up and clamp down on the fact that he is newly promoted.
@Elvenshae I assume Captain is higher rank than this officer? At least that is what Val is going for. Trying to make him panic so he will leave the ship without issue.
Here goes! Edit: I can totally tag Starting to Sweat and Newly Promoted right, for even more of a bonus? And I can throw Landless Noble on top if necessary, to really make the homerun?
Geth, roll 4dF for being mean!
Yes - for finding out the Starting to Sweat and Newly Promoted aspects, you get a free invoke on them. If you want to invoke Landless Noble, you'll need to spend a Fate Point.
"Hey, listen ma'am. Its not my fault! His Star Destroyer knocked us out of hyperspace early. And it was his choice to mark this area out as an exclusion zone and shake us down for a bribe. What am I supposed to do? I'm just a tramp freighter captain trying to make my way in the galaxy."
I think +6 is enough. I don't want to spoil Val's moment.
Okay - Val the Pissed-Off Noblewoman has very successfully intimidated the newly-minted Imperial captain. I'm thinking of playing this like she's managed to intimate that she's way, way more important than she really is, and he's afraid he just pissed off some fast-track-to-Moff's girl. Maybe Val has a resemblance to someone he's seen around the Imperial base, and he's ... hah hah ... putting two and two together.
He's keying off of Val's words and that Caleb mentioned "his" Star Destroyer and "his" exclusion zone - and that means someone on the ISD that just departed, and maybe Val meant "Captain of the ship" ...
So, my question for you is, do you want him off the ship immediately (which I think is what you're going for), or do you want him to attempt to modify his offer?
@Elvenshae Val wants him off ship immediately. No reason to play with fire And yes, I was thinking something along the lines of some high ranking imperial having discreetly shipped a paramour when on campaign, with the wife still back on his home planet
@Elvenshae Val wants him off ship immediately. No reason to play with fire And yes, I was thinking something along the lines of some high ranking imperial having discreetly shipped a paramour when on campaign, with the wife still back on his home planet
I'd be pretty amused if he offers to escort us in.
Fair 'nuff! And you know what, I like @jdarksun's suggestion, so we'll take that as the result of the success with style ...
As Val bears down on the Imperial officer, her anger becoming ever more apparent, the officer's hand slides slowly up to touch his rank plate, as if to reassure himself that it's still there. She turns to Caleb, who answers, "His Star Destroyer knocked us out of hyperspace early. And it was his choice to mark this area out as an exclusion zone ..."
The Imperial captain stops listening, and stares intently at Val's face in profile before going slightly pale. He reaches up to his commlink and turns it back on. "All ..." He clears his throat. "All elements, assemble at the lock." He stands, adjusting into an at-ease position with his hands behind his back. "You have my ... apologies ... for detaining you, my lady. I obviously did not ... but why you would be traveling ... It is none of my business." He voice increases slightly in pitch as he continues, "You will, I hope, allow me and my ship to escort you planetside by way of ... restitution? I can expedite your passage through customs ..."
The six troopers and their captain proceed to the docking port and enter their shuttle, proceeding rapidly back to the waiting corvette. The TIEs disperse, heading out to the line of civilian traffic, while the second corvette moves towards a closer orbit. The captain's corvette takes up an escort position on the Nova-Drive freighter, a more-than-slightly amusing sight.
The corvette breaks off as the Bantha's Kiss eases into the atmosphere, and moves back to join its sister ship in a low orbit.
What are y'all doing during the descent, and where are you landing? A high-priced, secure landing facility with all the bells and whistles, a dive on the edge of town?
The Wookiee and Russel both operate out of the main city - imaginatively named Ghorman City - so I'm assuming you're landing there and not on the other side of the planet.
Basically, you all pick how secure where you park your freighter is going to be (+0 to +4). We'll use that as the Resources roll required to secure parking there.
That will also serve as the passive defense score for anyone trying to mess with your ship or get to you guys.
Val looks a lot more tense than she would have liked until the imperial officer and the troopers are out of the docking port. She was most likely getting ready to kill him if the worst case scenario came to pass. Breathing a sigh of relief, she immediately retrieves her things from the hidden compartment, whilst doing her best hide her mask from the others, and conceal it on her person.
"I can't believe that worked either, Slyssk. Are you okay there, Caleb? Where's Cabbie?" she asks, as she makes sure her highly illegal and ornate vibro-rapier is secure.
Caleb was chuckling the whole way down to Ghorman. That took a giant set of stones, and Caleb was sure that Val needed a new repulsorsled to move those things around.
"We're down. Let's get on with this and find the Pleurodina."
Well done! That was awesome.
I suggest landing in a relatively nice landing bay in a decent part of town. +3 or +4 level of nice? To back up Val's cover as an officer's mistress, one who wouldn't likely stay in a slum area. On the off chance customs officer boy follows up. We can then make contact with Russell and the Wookie, and move the ship as needed.
"Val may have just earned herself a commendation," Cabbie remarks, chittering on back to the common area. "With a performance like that, even my presence might have gone unnoticed. I have audio recorded from comms, if anyone would like to relive that later. Video is, of course, not available."
I'd go with a +2, since having a mistress doesn't mean you want to make it obvious.
Go for less classy! The nova-drive, whilst heavily out-fitted, looks like a hunk of junk. It would raise some suspicion in a state of the art docking bay.
The Bantha's Kiss descends towards Ghorman City, a bustling metropolis. The Kiss's flight path takes it over the city's main spaceport, where hundreds of anti-Imperial protesters were killed when then-Moff Tarkin landed his ship on the crowd.
Perusing the various holo-offers coming in over the communications net, Slyssk locates a smaller spaceport in the slightly seedy section of South Ghorman City, focusing on services for tramp freighter operators and other independent contractors. While it lacks the fine amenities available at the far more modern facilities closer in to City Center, it appears clean enough (but not too clean) and the Kiss won't stick out too much. Even better, as Caleb points out, it's in roughly the same section of town where Russel works.
Slyssk spends a few moments on the comms with the starport manager, and gets permission to set down in bay 7 (of a dozen or so). After the ship's weight finishes settling onto its gear, the manager, a portly Issori, comes out. A handful of credcoins are exchanged, and the party's "lodgings" are secured for the foreseeable future.
Posts
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
Being nervous, Caleb did not bother mentioning Cabbie or Turtle. They're droids. Equipment, rather than crew, in the eyes of the Empire. Captain Marsters was so much better and filling the air with flim flam and mindless banter until customs impectors got annoyed and gave up the search. Caleb was afraid of babbling.
Hopefully this officer would be satisfied with the empty cargo hold and let them move on.
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
A few moments later, the doors open with a hiss, and two troopers walk in, taking a cursory look around the compartment.
The trooper on the left pans his eyes across the niche where Cabbie is hiding, and they pass over her without recognition. He nods to his compatriot, who steps out of Cabbie's line of sight. Cabbie hears a few muffled noises, but can't make them out entirely. Meanwhile, the first trooper half-heartedly searches the engine room near the main door, knocking a few times on the wall, trying to lift up a floor plate ... essentially the bare minimum to have qualified as a "search."
The hidden trooper grunts, and walks back into Cabbie's view. Together, they search for a few more moments, before nodding at each other and walking back into the hallway. The door opens and then closes behind them.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Although the turret is reasonably well sealed-off from the rest of the ship, he hears footsteps passing below him, and mutters of conversation that he can't quite make out. The footsteps pause, somewhere below him, for several seconds, and he hears a single loud cling - as if something metallic were dropped on bare deckplate - accompanied by a muttered curse and a few seconds of urgent conversation between two voices.
Soon, the footsteps resume, but pass quickly away from him; all is once again quiet.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
"Are you certain you do not wish to admit to any contraband?" He pauses infinitesimally, and continues on without giving the Rebels a real chance to answer. "Very well then. Allow me to explain exactly the position you find yourselves in. Your ship violated Imperial regulation 354.42 by entering, illegally, into an Imperial Navy exclusionary zone during a period of martial law. The potential punishments range ..." He brings a small comlink up to his ear, and sighs. He gestures to the two troopers. "Go assist Tompkins and Jessup; they are in the port cargo hold." When the troopers hesitate, he smiles grimly. "We are currently under the guns of our TIEs and my ship. If these spacers were suicidal, they would have just refused us entry. I doubt they will sign their own death warrants now. Go."
The troopers salute, and file out of the room. He waits for the doors to close, and waits a further few seconds, and then he reaches up to his collar and switches off the comlink.
"The potential punishments range from a fine to confiscation of ship and cargo to destruction, at the discretion of the officer in charge." He gestures to himself. "In your case, given your transparent attempts to misdirect me, I believe that confiscation is in order. Unless ... unless you would be willing to provide me a small service. Then, I might see my way clear to reducing your infraction to a fine, only."
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Succeed with style on the Notice check!
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
"What is your name and rank, officer?!" This time she wheels on the imperial, really trying to amp up and clamp down on the fact that he is newly promoted.
How about a Provoke roll.
Also, best laid plans, mang.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Geth, roll 4dF for being mean!
So, currently, the result is +4.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
@Steelhawk
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Geth, roll 4dF+2 for Imperial will vs 6
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
He's keying off of Val's words and that Caleb mentioned "his" Star Destroyer and "his" exclusion zone - and that means someone on the ISD that just departed, and maybe Val meant "Captain of the ship" ...
So, my question for you is, do you want him off the ship immediately (which I think is what you're going for), or do you want him to attempt to modify his offer?
Feel free to weigh in, too, guys: @jdarksun @Captain Carrot
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
As Val bears down on the Imperial officer, her anger becoming ever more apparent, the officer's hand slides slowly up to touch his rank plate, as if to reassure himself that it's still there. She turns to Caleb, who answers, "His Star Destroyer knocked us out of hyperspace early. And it was his choice to mark this area out as an exclusion zone ..."
The Imperial captain stops listening, and stares intently at Val's face in profile before going slightly pale. He reaches up to his commlink and turns it back on. "All ..." He clears his throat. "All elements, assemble at the lock." He stands, adjusting into an at-ease position with his hands behind his back. "You have my ... apologies ... for detaining you, my lady. I obviously did not ... but why you would be traveling ... It is none of my business." He voice increases slightly in pitch as he continues, "You will, I hope, allow me and my ship to escort you planetside by way of ... restitution? I can expedite your passage through customs ..."
The six troopers and their captain proceed to the docking port and enter their shuttle, proceeding rapidly back to the waiting corvette. The TIEs disperse, heading out to the line of civilian traffic, while the second corvette moves towards a closer orbit. The captain's corvette takes up an escort position on the Nova-Drive freighter, a more-than-slightly amusing sight.
The corvette breaks off as the Bantha's Kiss eases into the atmosphere, and moves back to join its sister ship in a low orbit.
@PACherrn @jdarksun @Captain Carrot @Steelhawk
The Wookiee and Russel both operate out of the main city - imaginatively named Ghorman City - so I'm assuming you're landing there and not on the other side of the planet.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
Fate Points:
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Basically, you all pick how secure where you park your freighter is going to be (+0 to +4). We'll use that as the Resources roll required to secure parking there.
That will also serve as the passive defense score for anyone trying to mess with your ship or get to you guys.
How's that sound?
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
"I can't believe that worked either, Slyssk. Are you okay there, Caleb? Where's Cabbie?" she asks, as she makes sure her highly illegal and ornate vibro-rapier is secure.
"We're down. Let's get on with this and find the Pleurodina."
I suggest landing in a relatively nice landing bay in a decent part of town. +3 or +4 level of nice? To back up Val's cover as an officer's mistress, one who wouldn't likely stay in a slum area. On the off chance customs officer boy follows up. We can then make contact with Russell and the Wookie, and move the ship as needed.
Which one's it gonna be?
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Don't get me wrong, I am absolutely thrilled to roleplay a giant gun toting lizard wandering through the good part of town.
"Blame it all on my roots, I showed up in boots..."
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
Since Slyssk's the only one with a Resources bonus (at +1), we'll let @jdarksun roll.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
The Bantha's Kiss descends towards Ghorman City, a bustling metropolis. The Kiss's flight path takes it over the city's main spaceport, where hundreds of anti-Imperial protesters were killed when then-Moff Tarkin landed his ship on the crowd.
Perusing the various holo-offers coming in over the communications net, Slyssk locates a smaller spaceport in the slightly seedy section of South Ghorman City, focusing on services for tramp freighter operators and other independent contractors. While it lacks the fine amenities available at the far more modern facilities closer in to City Center, it appears clean enough (but not too clean) and the Kiss won't stick out too much. Even better, as Caleb points out, it's in roughly the same section of town where Russel works.
Slyssk spends a few moments on the comms with the starport manager, and gets permission to set down in bay 7 (of a dozen or so). After the ship's weight finishes settling onto its gear, the manager, a portly Issori, comes out. A handful of credcoins are exchanged, and the party's "lodgings" are secured for the foreseeable future.
It is several hours before dark.
What's the plan?
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]