IC Star Wars the Dark Times- Ithor/Korriban

psolms

Meanwhile, in the Cantina

Tissen sauntered up to the bar, ordering a glass of the local brew. As the Ithorian bartender poured the drink, Tissen caught the eye of one of the Sullastans, who had been cautiously watching him the whole time.

"Actually, 2 more, please."

Drinks in hand, Tissen purposefully made his way to the Sullastan's table.

"Hiya, fellas," he said, setting down the drinks with the trademark Kreeb smirk, "mind if I pull up a chair?"

Sakutian

The Sullastans glanced at Tissen's hands. One of them gestured towards one of the opens seats and smiled. "Always room for one more."

Super Namicchi

Lex immediately spun to put 'Master Kenobi' and Oren at her front, raising her lightsaber cautiously with one hand. She did not seem poised to attack, but Oren knew the Sith Apprentice to be both fast and ferocious when it came to launching an offensive.

She wasn't confident she would win if it came to combat given what she knew about Kenobi from his Imperial datafile, but she wasn't altogether certain this was Jedi Master Obi-wan Kenobi either. There was no archive reference whatsoever of the Jedi possessing great skill with illusions, especially on this kind of scale. It made her a little nervous. She would nourish that kernel of fear and use it.

"This Jedi trick will come to an end, Kenobi, or I will strike you down where you stand," she said quietly, lightsaber humming.

Heir

Oren, most likely to Lex's surprise, nodded in agreement.

"I have to concede that this could be part of the vision as well.". Shrugging, he bowed to the Jedi Master, all the while keeping his eyes on Lex's weapon. "Master Kenobi, if it's really you, I'm glad to hear you're alive still. It seems the Emperor's purge wasn't quite as thorough as he thought."

"With that out of the way...would you mind explaining what is going on?"

Sakutian

Master Kenobi watched Lex carefully with a confident grin. He made no move to activate his lightsaber thopugh. "You can't win Lex. If you strike me down I will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine."

"I brought both of you here in an attempt to teach you both a lesson." Kenobi looked around at the surrounding trees apparently taking in the view. "You must overcome the never ending battle between the Sith and the Jedi, or risk seeing both fade from the galaxy forever."

immortal squish

At Ernest Ernie's Software Emporium

Zero's small hands dexteriously caught the droid headpart and scanned over the item's condition. Completely ruined was an accurate of the item's current status.

"Earnest Ernie's assessment of current general maltreatment of droid's is correct. This unit is seeking to rectify an example of such treatment by constructing new chassis for two droidic sentients."

Setting the beaten head unit aside, Zero pulls a holoprojector from its non-descript duffelbag. "This unit's funding is limited, however this fully-functional Solin M2 Holoprojection device will also be offered as compensation."

psolms

Meanwhile, in the Cantina...

Tissen looked at the maps and star charts spread across the Sullustan's table. He could only make out a few well known systems: Ithor, Alderaan, Corsucant, Naboo, Duro, among others.

"So, what's your story, fellas?" Tissen asked, sipping his drink.

While one of the Sullastans gulps down a healthy amount of his fresh drink the second smiles with his hand clutched around the cold glass. "We're surveryors for the SoroSuub Corporation. We've been conducting mineral surveys within the system for weeks. How about you?"

<psolms> is there any roll for a 'i think youre lying to me' roll?
<sakutian> Sure. Insight.
<psolms> no insight on my sheet
<sakutian> Oops. sorry I've been doing too much D&D.
<sakutian> Gimme a second.
<sakutian> Percption.
<psolms> 1d20+10 percept the fuck out of bitches
<Critical> psolms, percept the fuck out of bitches: 19 [1d20=9]
<sakutian> Wow, that is good enough to pick up on the fact that this guy isn't being entirely honest. The Ithorians would never allow a mining operation in their system.

"Well, my story is a lot like yours. A lie I tell to strangers I dont trust yet." Tissen smirked and took another sip coyly.

<psolms> 1d20+11 persuade them to be my friends
<Critical> psolms, persuade them to be my friends: 26 [1d20=15]

The drinking Sullastand spuuters and chokes a bit on his drink before setting it down on the table. His face breaks into a broad grin and he laughs chokingly as his friend claps him on the back.

"You lie like a Jedi Bruta."

A guilty expression flashes across Bruta's face. "Dont worry about it, Bruta. I'm no stranger to wanting to keep secrets." Tissen offered, trademark smirk still beaming. "Name's Tissen Kreeb. My friends call me Kreeb."

"I'm Hopo, nice to meet you Kreeb." Hopo offers his hand to Tissen.

"Nice to meet you both," Tissen says, shaking Hopo's hand courteously. "So, tell me the real story. You look like you're looking for something, and it just so happens I am too."

The Sullustans glance at one another before Bruta nods to Hopo. "What do you know about the Invisible Hand, Kreeb?"

Tissen thought for a moment. "I know that it was destroyed above Coruscant during the Clone Wars... I know it was a flagship of the CIS.. not much else.." he said, idly playing with the contours of his half empty glass.

"Then you don't know that it has been sighted in a dozen systems over the last month." Hopo looks around the cantina clearly trying to make sure that no one was listening in on their conversation. "The rumor is that General Grievous is back."

Bruta folded one of his star charts a bit more neatly as he shifted his dirnk nervously. "And we intend to track him down."

Tissen choked on his drink. he was silent for several moments. "Come again?"

Hopo pulled a star chart out across the table. It had been marked at dozens of points throughout nearly twice as many systems with little notes in a language Tissen couldn't read. He tapped a marking on top of Duro excitedly. "That is where the first sighting was made. We've been tracking him ever since."

Tissen leaned in closer to the table, partially to get a better look, and partially to quiet the excitable Sullustans. "And just what do you plan on doing if you find him, if he's still alive, if this isnt just some wild goose chase?"

"We're going to steal his ship."

Tissen laughed aloud. "Just the two of you?"

Bruta leaned closer. "We know exactly how to get in and disable long enough to slip aboard. We just need to figure out what to do about the crew."

"Assuming there is one." Hopo chimed in.

"Again, assuming this isnt all just some elaborate prank someone is playing on you."

"Even one of our people wouldn't play a prank like this Kreeb. Besides there are too many sightings for it to be a hoax. We're going to take that ship and sell it to the highest bidder."

"Then we retire." said Hopo proudly.

Tissen sighed deeply. "And what do you plan to do about Grevious? If his ship survived, doesnt it make sense that he survived too?"

The pair of Sullastans exchanged a nervous look. "We were hoping to hire on a few mercs to deal with him. Unfortunately our funds are...tied up in a number of long term investments."

"I see..." Tissen said, leaning back and pondering for a moment. "So youre looking for someone to go in for a cut of the profits of the sale of the ship."

"A sizable cut. There will be plenty to go around after we pass the ship off to a buyer."

"When we find a buyer." Hopo added, hopefully.

Tissen took a long drink and thought about the offer. He was torn: the credits from the sale of a capital ship; a relic from the clone wars, let alone this ship, this ship that everyone thought was destroyed... it would be a fortune. 'Plenty to go around' indeed.

The problem - well, problems were adding up. The Green Liberty was still missing. Uncle Bendu. The Jedi kid. He couldn't just abandon them for credits.

Didn't I basically do that already? Tissen found himself asking himself. Only without actually getting any credits out of the trouble...

"Well, I've got my own problems to deal with right now," Tissen replied, after a long pause, "but I'll tell you what I can do. I'll find you some mercs to help you take the ship, and all I ask for is... say... a 5% finders fee. 5% of what you pay the mercs, mind you."

Hopo and Bruta nodded eagerly. "We don't forget our friends Kreeb. Just make sure your mercs are up to the job."

"Now," Tissen said, looking around the room.

<psolms> 1d20+10 percept the room up
<Critical> psolms, percept the room up: 21 [1d20=11]

He noticed that the skeletally thin man at the other table has a few less credits in his mound and the Aleean appear to have won a few hands since Tissen joined the Sullustans. The man was trying to steal glances at their table without looking like he was looking, and Tissen knew the look well.

"If you'll excuse me a moment, I have something to attend to." Tissen said, getting up and heading towards the bar. Finding an excuse to detour by the card game was easy, and as he walked, he slowly drew his blaster from its holster.

<psolms> 1d20+11 stealth
<Critical> psolms, stealth: 25 [1d20=14]

He approached the thin man and poked his blaster into the man's rib cage.

"Excuse me, friend," Tissen said, politely, "mind if I have a word with you?"

<psolms> 1d20+11 persuade
<Critical> psolms, persuade: 31 [1d20=20]
<arcanis> damn
<psolms> motha fucka be persuaded

"Not at all," the man replied, equally politely, "I was looking for an excuse to leave this game. Seems like my hot streak is over."

Tissen led the man to a secluded corner of the bar, and turned to face him, keeping his blaster pointed at his chest.

"So, who are you, and what are you doing here?" Tissen asked abruptly.

"You can call me Atarn." The man spat. "And at the moment I'm waiting for you to drop that blaster so I can snap your neck."

"I do love your sweet talking, Atarn." Tissen smirked as he pressed the blaster closer to Atarn's chest. "Who do you work for?"

Atarn actually smiled. His thin lips and gaunt face make the expression look painful and alien. "Myself. What about you?"

"Same thing. Only, I'm not lying about it."

<psolms> 1d20+10 perception: are you lying sir?
<Critical> psolms, perception: are you lying sir?: 11 [1d20=1]
<psolms> efff
<psolms> well i really hope he is a spy, otherwise tissen will seem very rude
<sakutian> An 11 ain't going to do it.
<psolms> well then how about the search now
<psolms> 1d20+10 perception searching...
<Critical> psolms, perception searching...: 28 [1d20=18]
<sakutian> You find a couple fake identifactions, a small vibroblade tucked into his pocket, a handful of credits, and a recording device.

Tissen reached into Atarn's jacket, and finding a hidden pocket, tore it open.

"Well Mr. Atarn," Tissen asked, pulling out a small recording device from the hidden pocket, "Why dont you tell me the truth?"

The smile vanished from Atarn's face instantly. "Why don't you go kiss a gungan?"

"I would, but your mother already told me she was busy." Tissen smirked. "I'm done playing around. Give me one good reason not to pull this trigger right now and end your miserable life."

"Because the second you fire that weapon, my associate will do the same thing." Atarn nodded down and Tissen spotted a small red dot resting just above his heart. Looking across the room he spotted a short heavily muscled man standing at the bar. He was holding a blaster at his waist and aiming it at Tissen without turning his head from the bartender.

"Well that changes the landscape.." Tissen muttered. "Why were you spying on me just then? Do you work for the empire?"

Atarn adjusted his overcoat and laughed a sickly barking laugh. "I told you before, I work for myself. I owe nothing to Palpatine or his toy soldiers."

"Well then, listen: if you and your 'associate' are freelance, maybe we should have a more.. polite conversation. About something that seems to be of interest to you." Tissen said, offering Atarn his recording device back.

<psolms> -can i have a persuasion check to move his attitude?
<sakutian> Yes you may.
<psolms> 1d20+11 lets get out of this near mexican standoff
<Critical> psolms, lets get out of this near mexican standoff: 28 [1d20=17]
<sakutian> Nice.

Atarn smiled again. "I like you Kreeb. I sincerely hope that I won't have to kill you one day." He stepped past Tissen and walked past the entrance to the cantina. The large man moved out of the bar, leaving in the opposite direction a few seconds later.

"I guess we'll keep in touch then..." Tissen mumbled to himself. He holstered his blaster and went back to the Sullustan's table.

"Sorry about that. Had to deal with some prying eyes and ears. Now, I'd like to know if you've heard anything about the Green Liberty?"

Hopo shook his head and Bruta looked as though he was struggling to place the name of the ship. "Can't say that I have." said Bruta.

"It's a herdship that's gone missing. Its got some of my friends aboard. If you hear anything, let me know, will ya?"

"Sure thing, Kreeb." Bruta said warmly.

"You should check the ship registry." Hopo chimed in, "The Ithorians keep a record of every ship that passes their way. We were hoping they'd have a record of seeing the Invisible Hand."

Sakutian

Oren and Lex

"I trust that both of you are familiar with the prophecy of the chosen one who would restor balance to the force?"

Zero

Ernie plucked the holoprojector away from Zero and took it over to a work bench covered in debris. He swept tools, bits of machinery, and the remains of a largely rotten salad onto the floor.

"This piece is in excellent condition. If you give me a few hours I can get the parts you'll ned together. They won't be top of the line but I'm sure you can make improvements."

Super Namicchi

"Why don't you give us the short version and let us go about our business," Lex said warily.

Sakutian

Master Kenobi didn't seem bothered in the least by Lex's obvious eagerness to be rid of him. "The prophecy spoke of a chosen one who would be born to bring balance to the force. One who would eliminate the dark side once and for all. I believed that person to be Anakin Skywalker at one time, but I know now that I was mistaken. It now falls to the two of you to find the true chosen one and protect her."

"For the balance to be restored both sides of the force must allow one another to exist."

Super Namicchi

Lex narrowed her eyes. "You're insisting that I protect someone prophesied to destroy the Dark Side."

Heir

Oren nodded along with Lex (he really hated agreeing with her). "It was my understanding that 'balance' meant the elimination of the dark side and the sith." Glancing at the sith lady, he continued. "I remember Master Yoda stating that a body is not in balance when it is half healthy and half diseased. Rather, it is balanced when the disease was excised completely..."

Sakutian

Obi-Wan looked at Lex and Oren. The fact that they were in agreement seemed to please him. "Master Yoda is wise Oren, but even he will admit that he is not alway correct."

He crossed the wet ground and approached one of the nearby trees that had been scored by blaster fire. Placing his hand on the tree's trunk he shut his eyes and took a deep breath. Both Oren and Lex could feel the force moving through him and the tree.

"This tree is dying. A disease is eating away at it's roots. I could easily reach out to save it with the force Oren, but to do so would be wrong. Life and death are both a part of the force. As are light and dark. The Jedi and the Sith have sought to destory one another throughout their histories. The Chosen One can bring that carnage to an end and show us the path to a new way of life that will allow both to thrive."

"If she survives."

Skiddles

Sakutian wrote:

A smile spread across Druuga's face. "Now someone has presented a real challenge. A podracer from the Outer Rim, he wants to put on a show and make a name for himself. We're going to have an exhibition race right here on Ithor. I want you to make me a podracer that will put anything he could have to shame."

"That's fine- I'm sure I can get you something that will beat the pants off of whatever this person can field. If I could just make you some notes..." Kudak took Druuga's datapad before he could react and glanced at the screen's contents before opening a new file and typing a list of things he would need, saying them out loud as he typed.

"I'll need...

a moderately large hangar to house my ships and the pod racer, all the parts and the equipment I'll need for my work. Dimensions are here...

...You'll need to answer some questions as far as what attributes you'd like me to concentrate on for the pod racer- speed, agility, durability, any special toys... I'll add a list of those here.... Or just a well balanced craft that is good at everything with nothing special. Based on your answers I'll be able to give you more specifics on materials, but for materials we can certainly start with this...you can make a start in ordering it...

...Just to warn you, If you are wanting for something beautiful to look at, you've come to the wrong place. My designs tend to have outstanding functionality, but it will not look pretty like a commercial model.

...I am fairly sure I have my own droid assistants, so I'll let you know if that changes, but for now I should be okay....

....And this should do it for now. Take a look at the questions I've written here and think about it- you might want to review your opponent's matches before you answer, since I gather you're just building this to beat him, not to race against others...

...And of course some materials and credits I will need for my own, as an advance on my salary, or a commission to produce this pod racer depending on the long-term viability of our relationship after this race. Especially if your final decision is going to be after you do a pod race that you might not come back from. I trust there won't be any issues with any of this...?" finished Kudak, handing the datapad back."

As he did, Kudak marveled at how his confidence had grown over the past couple of months. He'd always had the knowledge to deal with people like this, but he'd always thought of himself as "just a tech", and let others do his talking for him. The days of being "just a tech" were over, and Kudak now knew himself for what he was... he was an architect who had more than his tech abilities in his toolbelt.

And he was going to use every tool at his disposal to hit the Imperials, and keep hitting them. And he would keep at his designs until either he died, or the Galaxy was free of the Imperial scourge.

Skiddles

Kudak broke from his reverie, remembering what he had glimpsed on the datapad earlier. "Oh, and if you have any parts you would like me to work into my design, I'll need to review the schematics extensively."

Sakutian

Oren and Lex

Obi-Wan seemed to have delivered his message and he drew his hood back up over his head. "I don't expect you to decide what course you should take right now. There is still time. If you do decide to seek out the child seek the third ring around a dying sun. You will find what you seek there in the dragon's mouth."

The Jedi bowed to Oren and Lex in turn. "May the force be with you both."

Suddenly the slight burning sensation Oren had felt just before he and lex had vanished from Darth Vade'rs ship returned. Obi-Wan and the forest around them began to blur. In the next instant they had vanished all together leaving Lex and Oren floating in an empty abyss.

When a blinding light flashed before them they were both forced to shut their eyes in order to avoid being blinded. As Oren blinked away the tears that the painful illumination had caused a blurred face came into view directly in front of him. A very relieved looking Sitol was kneeling next to Oren while Nosaurians encircled Lex with their weapons at the ready.

"Thank the force. I thought you were dead!"

Kudak

Druuga took the list of questions and specifications from Kudak and set the down on his desk. He seemed to be amazed by the Mon Calamari's enthusiasm.

"You'll have everything you need and more. For the moment though work can wait."

The Ithorian stepped out from behind his desk and slid his arm around Kudak's shoulder in a paternal sort of way as he guided him back out to the showroom. "I'm throwing a little get together tonight, just me and a few old friends. I'd like you to come as my guest. You can meet some very important people there, it never hurts to rub elbows with the right people if you get my meaning."

He looked Kudak over and seemed to find something not to his liking. "You'll have to have something better to wear than that though." Druuga reached into his pocket and drew out a fist full of credits. he deposited the sizable wealth into Kudak's hands and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Go find yourself some new clothes, pick something up for your lady friend too. Never hurts to turn up with a beautiful woman on your arm."

By this time Druuga had steered Kudak back into the showroom. Talia was examing an air speeder with modest interest but she turned when she saw they'd returned. "I trust your talk was benficial."

Tissen

Tissen arrived at the ship registry a short time later. The herdship had been easy to navigate a course through, especially with a few directions from the barkeep back in the cantina. The registry itself was nothing special. It was little more than a large collection fo computer consoles gathered under a cluster of tall trees with purples leaves.

Zero

"Sorry droid, you're going to have to get your parts somewhere else." A voice from the workshop's entrance made Ernie drop the holoprojector to the floor. A skeletally thin man followed clsoely by a heavy muscled man had entered the workshop without making so much as a noise.

Ernie was making himself as small as possible. He kept his eyes on the thin man as he struggled to remain on his feet. "Oh hello Atarn...nice to see you again so soon..."

"I'll deal with you in a minute." The sickly looking man, Atarn apparently, looked at Zero with a migled look of rage and disgust. "Clear out circuit brain. I have business with the hammerhead."

Super Namicchi

Oren felt a sudden flash of danger in the Force... but Lex seemed to be faster. She was on her feet and behind Sitol in one motion, ruby lightsaber activated and humming, held at the Nosaurian's neck. "You will all stand down or he dies," she said quietly.

Sakutian

The nearest Nosaurian brandished a spear at Lex. He growled like a savage creature as he held the spear tightly with both hands.

"If you harm him you die."

Super Namicchi

Lex's smile was no less savage and predatory. "He doesn't need to die, beast. I only want the Jedi whelp. Give him to me and you can have this one. I will even allow him to keep his limbs."

Sakutian

Zero

When Zero didn't move towards the door the short muscular man stepped towards him and pushed the droid forcefully. It hovered over some of the debris scattered over the floor and crashed into a shelf filled with more spare parts.

"No, leave the droid if it wants to stay." Atarn spoke lazily, as though he was observing a particualrly boring specimen of plant life. "Ernie is my special order ready yet?"

Ernie was looking at everyone and everything in the room except for Atarn. "I-I won't d-d-do it."

Atarn's bony face split into a very unpleasant smile. "Oh really? So the hammerhead does have some guts." He drew a small vibro-dagger out of a sheath on his belt. "Maybe we should see just how many?"

immortal squish

Recovering from the rough shove, Zero's vocabulator cracked and buzzed with static.

"Violent action is not recommended. This unit is transferring real time holovideo of this incident to Ithorian NCIS operatives. Damage to this unit or its interests will result in criminal penalties up to 10,000 credits and 5 years of punitive tree care service."

The droid pulls itself up from the shelf of dismantled components, floating high to prevent either man from easily getting a hold of it.

Zero tries a little deception to get these guys to back down.

First roll was crap (3 total), so Heuristic Mastery for a reroll...

Deception check (reroll)! (1d20+0=11) + Force Point! (1d6=5) = 16 total

Also, looking up this Atarn mofo in Zero's extensive database. Intricate Knowledge for auto-20, so 34 total on Knowledge (Galactic Lore). Maybe he's been in the most wanted holos?

Sakutian

Oren and Lex

Sitol struggled against Lex but he found her grip far too powerful to escape on his own. He looked at Oren and shook his head. "Don't do it Oren! You're too important to lose. You have to stop the Emperor!"

Zero

Atarn's small eyes flooded with rage and he brandished his vibro-dagger at Zero wildly.

"Are you recording this you little sparker! I'll melt you down for spare parts you useless little pile of scrap!" Atarn advanced on Zero but his larger companion put himself between them. The big man shook his head and started pushing Atarn towards the door and out of the workshop.

Skiddles

Oh hey, I was supposed to have answered Talia. Whooops.

Sakutian wrote:

Kudak

Druuga took the list of questions and specifications from Kudak and set the down on his desk. He seemed to be amazed by the Mon Calamari's enthusiasm.

"You'll have everything you need and more. For the moment though work can wait."

The Ithorian stepped out from behind his desk and slid his arm around Kudak's shoulder in a paternal sort of way as he guided him back out to the showroom. "I'm throwing a little get together tonight, just me and a few old friends. I'd like you to come as my guest. You can meet some very important people there, it never hurts to rub elbows with the right people if you get my meaning."

He looked Kudak over and seemed to find something not to his liking. "You'll have to have something better to wear than that though." Druuga reached into his pocket and drew out a fist full of credits. he deposited the sizable wealth into Kudak's hands and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Go find yourself some new clothes, pick something up for your lady friend too. Never hurts to turn up with a beautiful woman on your arm."

By this time Druuga had steered Kudak back into the showroom. Talia was examing an air speeder with modest interest but she turned when she saw they'd returned. "I trust your talk was benficial."

Maybe this isn't such a great idea, thought Kudak realizing that they probably shouldn't be seen out in public at this point. But he didn't wanted to blurt out to Druuga that there was a price on his head- their heads, probably- and didn't know how to bow out gracefully. I'll have to be subtle, I can still do this.

"I...umm...yeah, it went well, I think. Say, Druuga has invited us to a party tonight with a few of his friends. Would you care to join me there? I know it's been a tough few days and you said you weren't feeling all that well" said Kudak, attempting to pause meaningfully, "but Druuga is providing us with credits to get ourselves dressed and I don't want to be rude and turn him down..."

Heir

Oren looked between the two, and held up his hands in a placating fashion. "Easy there Lex...didn't you just hear what Kenobi said? He's right, this fighting has to stop. Aren't you tired it...tired of all the pain and suffereing wrought...by both sides?"

Sakutian

"I suppose some new clothes would help as blend in a bit better." Talia tugged at her tattered shirt. "All that time on Bilagen didn't do this outfit any good."

She glanced over Kudak's shoulder and then began speaking in a much lower voice. "Besides we shouldn't offend your new friend until after we get what we need from him."

Super Namicchi

"Submit."

psolms

At the registry...

As Tissen approaches the terminal a holo-image of an ornately dressed Ihtorian female appears above the nearest keypad. The tiny Ithorian bows slightly. "Greetings and welcome to Trafanda Bay. How May I be of service?"

"Uh.. I'm looking for the Green Liberty." Tissen replied, uncomfortably.

"I see you are attempting access our on board database. Inquiry Subject: The Green Liberty. One moment please."

The computer whirred and clicked for several moments.

"Thank you for your patience. According to our on board chrono the Green Liberty was last sighted in the vicinity three days, four hours, and seventeen seconds ago."

"Where was its destination system when it left?"

"One moment please."

Tissen sighed as the computer spun up again.

"Inquiry Subject: Destination of The Green Liberty. I'm sorry but that information is classified. If you would like to place a formal inquiry please speak to the ship's commanding officer, Roron Corrob."

"Listen, you pile of scrap," Tissen shouted at the holoscreen, "Roron is on the Green Liberty. How am I suppose to speak to him if I dont know where he is?"

A group of passing Ithorians look a bit startled at Tissen's outburst and hurry past him. The hologrpahic image doesn't seem to notice his anger though.

"One moment please."

Tissen briefly considered pulling out his blaster and destroying the useless machine, before his sense got the best of him. He shook his head and started walking away from the terminal. He had only taken a few steps when he heard the terminal come back to life.

"Inquiry Subject: Location of Roron Corrob. Master Corrob is currently residing on the second deck, chamber seven, one, one."

"Of this ship!? You mean he's not on the Green Liberty?"

"One moment please."

---

The holo-map the terminal provided proved to be effective. The twisting corridors of the ship were mapped out so easily even a child could follow them, with a blinking light highlighting Master Corrob's chamber.

Tissen made his way along the route without bothering to notice the abundant examples of Ithorian flora spread throughout the ship. After several minutes he reached a set of stairs, flanked by tall bushes that emitted a high pitched squeal as he passed.

Upon reaching the top of the stairs Tissen noticed two ithorians armed with pikes blocking the hallway. One of them held out his hand to the advancing Duoros and shook his head. "I'm sorry sir, this area is restricted."

<psolms> ooc: i love how you explicitly mention that he explicitly ignores the plants
<Sakutian> oooc:Tissen doesn't give a damn about plants.
<Sakutian> oooc: At least I don;t think he does.
<Sakutian> ooc: We can change that if you like.
<psolms> 1d20+11 deception: "No, its cool, I'm with the band"
<Critical> psolms, deception: "No, its cool, I'm with the band": 15 [1d20=4]
<psolms> ugh

Tissen puffed up his chest, and put on his lying face. "Its alright, guys," He said, waving off the guards, "Roron sent me out for some data before your shift started. I'm just bringing it to him."

The Ithroians glanced at one another nervously. One of them held out his hand, extending his long narrow fingers. "I'll be happy to take the data to Master Corrob for you sir."

"Strict orders, for his eyes only..." Tissen paused, sizing up the guards for a moment.

<psolms> "Strict orders, for his eyes only..." - ooc: can i try persuasion with this continuation of the lie? or another deception? or some third thing?
<psolms> failed in execution though
<Sakutian> You could do a Persuasin to help Tissen along.
<psolms> 1d20+11 persuade
<Critical> psolms, persuade: 23 [1d20=12]
<psolms> much better
<psolms> i got an IC
<psolms> for it
<Sakutian> Do it.

"Look, I know youre only doing your job, and so I dont blame you for that. But I really need to hand deliver this to him. His words, not mine."

The first Ithorian looked down the hall nervously. "We really aren't supposed to let anyone into the restricted area right now but...if you'd be willing to wait in the Gazing Chamber you could give it to him at the party in a few hours."

<psolms> what is this party and have i heard of it before
<psolms> and also i really want to get to him pre-party
<Sakutian> No. Tissen hasnt heard about it.
<psolms> what can i roll now for getting through
<Sakutian> One sec.
<psolms> cause i want to say something like 'look dudes, this shit is for the party. he needs it pre-party'
<Sakutian> Screw it. I was going for something big but give me an IC he needs this pre-party for a speech or whatever and you'll be good.
<Sakutian> These guys are aleady to the point where they'll take risks to help you out.

Tissen inhaled sharply, looking distraught about the news. "Sorry, it cant wait that long." He checks behind his shoulder, and leans in, conspiratorially. "Master Corrob needs this intel; its vital to his mission during the party. I mean," he sighed, leaning back against a nearby bulkhead, "if you think he would accept your explaination of why the intel was late, then by all means, I'll wait. But I'm not taking the blame for this."

The Ithorians share another nervous look before one of them cracks.

"Just... take him. I'll stay here."

Moving down the corridor Tissen noticed an intricate network of delicate looking blue crystal growing throughout the walls on either side of him. Enough precious stone to make the InterGalactic Banking Clan choke. Apparently noticing Tissen staring at the walls, the Ithorian guard next to him asked "Crystal vines. Beautiful aren't they?"

Tissen grunted in agreement, though certainly for different reasons. They arrived in front of chamber seven hundred and eleven in short order. The guard tapped on the door gently before pushing it open.

Byond the door Tissen saw a chamber that was dimly lit by a few candles. The room had no furniture or ornaments of any kind. The only thing occupying it was Roron Corrob who was seated in the middle of the floor quietly.

"I am sorry to disturb your meditation Master Corrob," the Ithorian guard began, "but this Duros said he had important intelligence for you."

Roron's large eyes opened slowly as he took in the sight of Tissen standing in his doorway. "Does he? Then you were right to bring him here so prompty. Thank you Iribin. Please return to your post so we may speak in prviacy."

<psolms> ooc: tissen pulls out his disruptor blaster, shooting roron in the back. "that's for punching me, jerk."
<Sakutian> ooc: He also put you in prison. Where you were beaten.
<Sakutian> ooc: Again.
<psolms> yeah i pretty much should just shoot him
<psolms> but that would derail the 'plot'
<psolms> :P
<Sakutian> Plus he is a Jedi Master and Tissen would die.
<Sakutian> In one hit.
<psolms> one surprise round
<psolms> spend destiny point
<psolms> using the disruptor
<Sakutian> Deflect.
<arcanis> fuck yeah
<arcanis> do it
<arcanis> dp
<psolms> if it beats his threshold
<psolms> he is disintegrated
<arcanis> damn
<arcanis> murdering a jedi
<psolms> have to be aware and not flat footed to deflect
<psolms> suprise round = flat footed
<psolms> im just saying
<psolms> :P
<Sakutian> You can do it if you like.
<psolms> im not going to
<psolms> that would be like 15 dark side points
<Sakutian> lol
<psolms> and again
<psolms> ploy
<psolms> *plot
<arcanis> no, not 15
<arcanis> just 1
<psolms> im just saying, i could if i wante
<arcanis> you can't gain multiples
<arcanis> you should
<arcanis> DO IT
<psolms> im not going to
<Sakutian> You could take a swing at him when the door is closed if you like.
<psolms> lex isnt here, she cant tempt me to the dark side
<psolms> :P
<arcanis> come on
<psolms> no one is going to shoot anyone
<Sakutian> Don't listen to Arc, he's just mad cause the forum is down.
<arcanis> i'm not even saying it because it's Dark Side
<psolms> the question is
<psolms> is this the first time ive seen him since he punched me?
<arcanis> i think that's amazing
<arcanis> for you to do
<Sakutian> Yes.
<psolms> cause if it is, i will take a fist swing at him as repayment
<arcanis> dammit
<psolms> as seriously fucking badass as it would be to disintegrate him right here and now
<arcanis> KILL HIM
<arcanis> DO IT
<psolms> lol no! ill never join you
<arcanis> tissen needs to cement himself as the penultimate badass
<Sakutian> Tissen isn't evil.
<psolms> nope
<arcanis> he could be
<psolms> selfish, yes
<arcanis> with just a little effort
<psolms> spiteful, a bit
<psolms> thats why its a fist
<Sakutian> Zero is evil. Goi hang with him.
<psolms> and it will for sure miss
<psolms> str is my dump stat
<Sakutian> You could always use a point.

Tissen nodded and entered the room, closing the door behind him. The Duros and the Ithorian stood in silence, staring at each other for a moment, before Tissen's fist flew through the air.

<psolms> 1d20+4 fisticuffs
<Critical> psolms, fisticuffs: 16 [1d20=12]
<psolms> what is unarmed damage? 1d6?
<arcanis> 1d4
<Critical> arcanis, 1d4: 1 [1d4=1]
<Sakutian> A 16 won't hit though.
<psolms> thats probably better then
<psolms> he'll be less pissed off if i dont connect

Roron's large head shifted out of the path of Tissen's fist with ease. "I assume that was in retaliation for our last encounter?"

"I always try to pay my debts. Do you have any idea what we've been through?" Tissen shouted.

"I sense much anger in you my young friend. There is a great conflict within you."

...talking about how oren should submit to lex...
<arcanis> he does not want to take the dark road
<psolms> really, submitting is more like the jedi road
<psolms> he should submit and trade his life for the innocent's
<Sakutian> Yeah a Sith would tell you where to stick it and how deep.
<psolms> then overcome you with the power of goodness and kindness
<arcanis> precisely
<psolms> then, well.. you know the rest :winky:
<arcanis> i'm all for that
<arcanis> also pervert
<Sakutian> "I sense much anger in you my young friend. There is a great conflict within you."
<Sakutian> I think Oren needs some dirtying and Lex needs a bath.
<Sakutian> Then they'd be perfect.
<psolms> ok sak i want to make some details clear here
<psolms> in my own mind
<Sakutian> Ok.
<psolms> after the prison ship, we went to somewhere with bendu, right
<Sakutian> Alderaan.
<psolms> then he sent us to ice planet
<Sakutian> Bilagen.
<psolms> where we were seiged after we found the jedi and the general
<arcanis> lol lex smells like roses
<arcanis> roses and blood
<arcanis> maybe ozone
<Sakutian> Yes.
<arcanis> depends on how much lightning she used that day
<psolms> roses and blood sounds like an emo band name
<Sakutian> I think she smells like pennies.
<arcanis> you saw it too eh
<psolms> so why did bendu send us to bilagen
<psolms> to get the jedi and... ?
<psolms> bring him back?
<Sakutian> That was the member of house Organa, he sent you to meet with the resistance n New Plympto. See how well you guys did?
<psolms> yeah
<psolms> we did great
<Sakutian> All the Nosaurians are dead or captured. Go you.
<psolms> woo
<psolms> mission accomplished!
<psolms> get the banner
<psolms> so we were supposed to bring them back?
<psolms> well that was a mission doomed to fail
<Sakutian> No. You were supposed to establish a partnership with the Nosaurians and the future Rebel Alliance. There were a number of worlds you could have gone to.

"You couldn't tell that from the swing I just took at you?" Tissen spat. "Where's Bendu?"

"On Ryloth up to his eyeballs in slave girls and spice when last we spoke." Roron watched Tissen carefully. "He has been worried about you. he believes you to be dead. He has mourned you over these past months.

"What happened to you Tissen? I searched the wreckage of The Inevitable for days but there was no sign of you or any of the others. Where have you been for all this time?"

"We weren't in the wreckage. The plan went off... mostly. Then some Alderaanis picked us up, and then Bendu sent us out on this latest little 'mission'." Tissen sneered at the thought of the siege, and how everything had turned out so poorly.

"What mission? All he has said is that you were in his employ when your ship went missing. He has refused to answer any of my questions."

<Sakutian> Do you want him to know about Bilagen and everything or turn it back and ask why he's been sitting on his butt on Ithor instead of looking for them.
<Sakutian> Character vs. Plot
<psolms> well i know why he wasnt looking for us
<psolms> he thought we were dead
<Sakutian> No he didn't.
<Sakutian> bendi did.
<Sakutian> *Bendu
<Sakutian> Roron knew you guys were alive because he is a Jedi and they know all.
<Sakutian> Plus he'd sense Oren snuffing it.
<psolms> man
<Sakutian> I mean this seems like a good time for Tissen to refuse to answer questions and let Roron stew. But that is just my feeling on your character.
<psolms> this is a difficult decision
<Sakutian> lol
<Sakutian> WWKD?
<arcanis> burn it all down
<arcanis> burn it all fuckin down
<Sakutian> That is Lex not Kreeb.
<arcanis> no lex isn't an arsonist
<Sakutian> Get Heir on board because I need two lightsabers back on deck soon.
<Sakutian> Finish your little hippie love session on Dagobah or whatever.
<psolms> lolwut
<Sakutian> Arc says Tissen should set some fires. Apparently he's a pyro Duros.
<Sakutian> We have a mass murderer, a serial killer, and a petty arsonist apparently.
<Sakutian> You're like the juvie criminal.
<psolms> which one am i
<Sakutian> Petty arsonist.
<psolms> ive set 0 fires
<Sakutian> Lex is the mass murderer, and Zero is the serial killer.
<Sakutian> That we know of. You're juvie file is sealed.
<Sakutian> 20 minutes warning fyi.
<psolms> warning of what
<Sakutian> Till I got to bed.
<psolms> gah
<psolms> k
<Sakutian> Shooting someone in the face took you a split second but you agonize over this lie.
<Sakutian> You are so good at playing Tissen it is scary.
<psolms> lol
<psolms> he would know who dass is, right
<Sakutian> Hell yes.
<psolms> also i feel like i should be concerned for oren
<Sakutian> You'd be the first.
<Sakutian> Kudak and Zero seem to have moved on very well.

"Look, it doesnt matter what the mission was." Tissen burst out, frustrated. "The point is, most of us are back, but after we picked up Dass, we lost Oren. I figure you'd want to know that."

"Dass? You mean Master Dass? And what do you mean you lost Oren?"

"Yeah, Master Dass. We picked him up on Bilagen. And, I dont know..." Tissen struggled to explain what he had seen. "Oren just kinda... disappeared. Right in the middle of our escape. Him and the other Jedi girl he was fighting with."

<arcanis> JEDI GIRL
<psolms> :P
<arcanis> i will see tissen dead now sol
<arcanis> it's a blood pact
<arcanis> just know that
<psolms> lex never heard that
<arcanis> tissen will die before this campaign ends
<arcanis> i know
<arcanis> i will contrive it
<arcanis> through other methods
<arcanis> tissen is dead
<arcanis> dead
<psolms> naw
<psolms> aint happening
<arcanis> oh trust me
<arcanis> i am making this my goal as a player
<arcanis> and as a person
<arcanis> it's my death curse
<arcanis> sak knows what i mean

"Master Dass is on board and you saw Oren vanish into thin air. I see. Well it seems you've had a very interesting time while you were away. Would you care for something to eat? I can have the guards bring you a meal if yu wish."

"Is that seriously it? Interesting?" Tissen stared blankly at the Jedi Master. A meal? We came all this way, survived all this stuff, lost Oren, and you want to have a little tea party?

"You know what? Coming here was a mistake." Tissen turned and started for the door. As soon as he turned the knob, he found that the door was locked from the outside.

"You won't be able to leave until they return to escort me to the party this evening. I'm to be the high priest's guest of honor. It isn't often you have a Jedi and a war criminal under your roof at the same time, although these days, the lines between the two have certainly become blurred."

Roron calmly sat, resuming his meditative position, and continued watching the door silently.

Tissen, not for the last time today, felt the familiar itch of his trigger finger. He resisted, after a short while and found a comfortable corner to sit in. I know you sensed that, he thought at Roron intently, and you're probably hearing this. I just want you to know, if I wanted to kill you, I could, and all the fancy Jedi tricks in the world couldn't stop me.

Heir

"Submit"

The amount of venom and hate poured into such a simple word washed over Oren's psyche like a fetid wave. He felt pity for her momentarily....she reminded him of a caged animal...trapped and feral.

Oren tried humor instead. "Look, you're not going to get into anyone's robes acting like this...."

Silence

Arg! Repeat to yourself: "I'm not Kreeb, I'm not Kreeb!"

Letting out a huff of air, he looked her into the eyes. "Fine, let him go and I will surrender peacefully. You have my word." As if to show he could be trusted, he held one hand out in placation while he unclipped his lightsaber with the other and tossed it to the side.

Sakutian

Tissen

Roron sighed his powerful throats pushing the air out of his body like a series of bellows and snuffing out the candles surrounding him. In the sudden and total darkness of the room Tissen was left completely blind.

Tissen stood up and swept his hands through the air around him blindly searching for anything. He pressed his back and shoulders into the walls behind him and reached for his blaster.

"Alright Jedi. You want to play games, lets play." He pulled the blaster out of it's holster and pointed it out into the room. All he had to do was wait for the Jedi to make some noise. Any small hint of where he was and he'd have his chance. In a room this size it would be almost impossible to miss if he didn't fire randomly.

"You thoughts are familiar to me my young friend. Very familiar." The irritatingly calm voice of Roron Corrob echoed within Tissen's mind. It felt as though the Ithorian was all around him.

Anger grated at the young Duros' nevers and he tried to hide his thoughts from the Jedi. He waved the blaster to the left and to the right in front of him. He could feel panic blending with his excitement as his finger tensed on the trigger.

"I sense much of my former padawan Bendu within you." He felt the blaster being pulled out of his hands but he was unable to do anything to prevent it from happening. Tissen lashed out randomly with his fist and felt it make contact with flesh.

"Especially his pride." Long fingers closed around Tissen's fist and he was suddenly tossed head over heels. His head struck the hard floor as he landed flat on his back.

'"Stop hiding from me damn you!" He was on his feet in the next isntant and bracing himself for a renewed assault.

"And his passion."

A strong arm wrapped itself around Tissen's waist and another seized his arm holding it above his head. He struggled to turn and strike Roron but he couldn;t break Ithroian's hold on him. "Yet I also sense within you his strength. His will to do what he feels must be done. And his eagerness to prove himself."

"The force is strong in you young Kreeb." Tissen felt Roron placed something into his open palm. Roron's powerful hands squeezed his fingers around the object and then the pressure they had been placing on his appendage vanised. In the next instant he was free, the arms that had been holding him in place had vanished. He ran the tips of his fingers along whatever it was that Roron had given him. It was cold to the touch but there was a textured grip as well. He also noticed that it was heavy for such a small thing.

There was a sudden hum and a narrow shaft blue light stretched out in front of Tissen. In the bright blue glow that filled the room Tissen could see for several feet in every direction. He stared down at the object Roron had put into his hand and saw that it was the hilt of a lightsaber. The metal surface was well polished and it picked up every bit of light coming from the blade. As he turned the weapon over in his hands he heard and felt something rattle off of it gently. A short cord apassed through three perfectly round stones of green, blue, and yellow was dangling from the end of the lightsaber.

A footstep in the darkness made Tissen start and he rounded on the noise with his lightsaber in hand. Roron stepped out of the darkness and stopped just within the circle of blue light. "That lightsaber has been in my care for many years, ever since Bendu left the temple. I give it to you now and ask you to forgive me for whatever pain I have caused you."

Super Namicchi

Lex began to back away, still gripping Sitol, the blade of her weapon not leaving his neck. "Keep your weapon, stupid boy. You will have need of it where we're going."

She turned her eyes to the other assembled Nosaurians. "Cooperate with me and not only will this one live but I will provide you with the clearance codes to escape this ship."

Sakutian

A few of the Nosaurins lower their weapons while others look at Sitol and tigthen their grips on their primtive weapons. None of them move to stop Lex as she moves away.

One of the Nosaurins, the male who had been threatening Lex seconds ago, steps back and whispers to Oren. "I'm sorry we've failed you Jedi."

Heir

"You've failed nobody my friend..."

Oren's weapon drifted from the floor back to his outstretched hand. He clipped it to his belt and nodded to Lex.

"This is your show now."

Skiddles

Sakutian wrote:

"I suppose some new clothes would help as blend in a bit better." Talia tugged at her tattered shirt. "All that time on Bilagen didn't do this outfit any good."

She glanced over Kudak's shoulder and then began speaking in a much lower voice. "Besides we shouldn't offend your new friend until after we get what we need from him."

Kudak nodded, carefully not letting his shoulders slump in defeat.

He was a wanted man (having showed up Darth Vader, of all people on top of that), and he was going to go out to a dinner party with a bunch of strangers, before hopefully going into a business that screamed "I'm Kudak! Over here!". And he had lost his jedi protector.

Well, he had learned a thing or two since this had all started- hopefully it was enough to repulse the waves of bounty hunters and Sith looking for his hide.

Sakutian

Kudakr

Talia lead Kudak out of Druuga's and down the main corridor working her way carefully through the growing crowd of gawking shoppers. "I asked about the local merchants while you were speaking with Druuga. If we're planning to be stay on board the Trafanada Bay I thought we'd need a few of the essentials."

After a few minutes they arrived in front of a large window filled with holos of humans, Ihtorians, and a few beautiful blue skinned woman with dark hair. Each of the holos were wearing ornate gowns and robes as fine as any Kudak had ever seen. They waved and smiled at every passersby. The sign above the entrance of the shop read Galactic Fashions. Within the clothing store a few plastic headless dressing dummies were standing among tables stacked with shimmering fabrics. An Ithorian woman wearing a floor length green dress rounded on Kudak and Talia and approached them in the doorway.Talia pushed Kudak forward smiling.

"Welcome to Galactic Fashions, I am lady Roto. May I be of some service?"

"My friend needs something presentable to wear to a formal gathering tonight. Druuga's party to be precise."

"Wonderful! " Roto clapped her hands before she took Kudak by the wrist and tugged him into the shop with impressive strength. "I've been seeing to several of the guests that will be attending the celebration this evening and none of them have been disappointed. Now what was your name dear?"

"Kudar."

"Well Kudar I'm afraid I don't have very many Mon Calamari customers. I think we'll start by taking some measurements."

Thin spindly legs erupted from a trio of brass colored droids that had been resting on a counter across the shop. Each of their large round heads split open with a loud hiss to reveal a single illumanted eye. They walked across the room teetering bak and forth with every step on their stick-like legs. Beams of light began running along the width and length of Kudak's body as the droid's slowly lowering themsleves in perfect unison until they reached the floor.

Roto looked Kudak up and down nodding her head. "I think I have just the thing for you." She walked over to one of the tables ad picked up a shirt and pants made of a spotless light red garment. Holding it out in front of Kudak she tugged him over to a trio of mirrors to allow him to get a glimpse of himself.

"The fabric is made from pure silk grass. It is a very rare plant we cultivate her from seeds taken from Ithor. Soft yet strong as durasteel."

Talia pressed the fabric between the tips of her fingers but she shook her head. "The fabric and the cut are excellent but I'm afraid it isn't what quite we were hoping to find." "

Roto looked as though Talia had slapped her across the face. "Aside from his attire for tonight's festivites Kudar will need several outfits to wear on a regular basis. And I am going to have to replace my destoyed possesions as well. I'm afraid that the price of this handsome outfit alone will see each of us walking the streets in rags or naked."

The Ithorian smiled cautiously. "Since this is your first visit and you are associates of Druuga I think we can come to an agreement. Assuming that Kudar here likes my work that is."

Zero

As Atarn is nearly dragged out of the shop by his hulking partner the bony armed man lashes out at anything and everything he can't set his knife to. Several containers spill bits of machinery across the floor and a deactivated protocol droid is knocked to the ground before Atarn is safely outisde.

Ernie lets out a sigh of relief and eases himself down onto a stoll next to the work table. His large dark eyes lock on Zero and he grins nervously. "Thank you sir, if you hadn't been here I don't know what he would have done."

immortal squish

Zero watches the pair leave, logging every piece of visual data about the two men for later analysis. "This unit requires information on your dealings with the fugitive Atarn. Specifically, information related to work you were to perform, and any locations the fugitive Atarn is known to frequent."

"In addition, considering the fugitive Atarn's criminal history and likelihood of returning at a later time for revenge, this unit will extend an offer of protection to you... contingent upon the delivery of combat-rated droid parts to this unit's specifications."

Peception to pick up details on those two that may reveal where they've been recently (mud on the boots, rare pollen on the jacket, etc), or where they acquired their clothes/equipment.

Perception check (1d20+17=29)

Skiddles

Kudak looked at the fabric intently. Silk that was as strong as durasteel certainly did have several uses he could think of inside his creations. But he was dimly aware that maybe the woman was talking about something other than the physical properties of the fabric she was displaying. He just wasn't sure what else he should care about.

"Ummm...Yes?" he looked frantically at Talia, who nodded her head slightly. "Yes, these look quite...umm...nice. Very... functional? No wait, that's not the right word. Stylish. Trendy. Yes."

Now sweating (which was odd, since Mon Calamari don't have sweat glands), Kudak tried to flash a smile as the two females looked at each other incredulously and shook their heads in union, turning their backs on Kudak as they made the (to them) earth-shattering decisions that would dictate how Kudak looked for the next few months.

Kudak stopped holding his breath and relaxed somewhat, glad that his ordeal seemed to be over. Ironically, he reflected that he could take apart a start destroyer and put it together again piece by piece, but he hadn't even the most rudimentary understanding of the female mind. And he wasn't sure he wanted to...

Down that road lay madness.

Or at least ships with curtains over every window and strange doily things strewn liberally all over the place.

Sakutian

Kudak

An hour later Kudak is freed from the confines of the clothing store and dressed from head to toe in silk grass. Talia is simmerly dressed and carrying several bags filled with much less expensive clothing items that Roto had seemed eager to part with.

The former Imperial glances at Kudak. "You look almost presentable in that. I doubt anyone would recognize you as the greasy little mechanic on all of the wanted posters."

Zero

Ernie clapped his oily hand over Zero's vocabulator and looked around the cluttered workshop wildly. He took his hand away when he seemed satisfied that no one is listening in on them. "Shhhhhh! Do you know what they do to people caught with combat droid parts? Those parts have beenn outlawed since the end of the Clone Wars."

"As for Atarn I really don't know that much. I've seen him in the cantina once or twice hussling people at cards butI have no idea where he's been staying. He wanted me to..." Ernie leaned as close to Zero as possibly and spoke in a barely audible whisper. "...repair a special droid for him."

The Ithorian walked over to a nearby dust covered tarp and pulled it away to reveal the hunched form of a droideka. "I have no idea how he got it in here but he told me if I didn't repair it would be very bad for my health. Do you really think that you can protect me?"

Zero notes that Atarn's clothes appear to be new and are most likely custom made as Ithorians are not known for crafting light combat armor. There is also a great deal of pollen from the flowers of a rare tree known as the Kano Tree found only on Ithor.

Super Namicchi

Meanwhile...

Moments Oren and his captor were aboard one of the many intact assault shuttles inside an out of the way auxiliary hangar, Lex preparing the ship to launch and Oren doing his best not to fidget. Trepidation and fear rolled around in his gut... as well as a tiny speck of... excitement? Exhilaration? The Sith sitting in the pilot's seat next to him was a conundrum. He had long given up trying to read her emotions through the Force; her presence in its currents was like a dark eel, slippery and impossible to pin down. The fact that she had not only kept her word and let Sitol go but also provided clearance codes promised was a surprise. Still, it was foolish to put it down as simple altruism; the black-robed Sith was still dangerous.

Focus on the present, Oren.

He crossed his arms. "You haven't told me where we're going," the young Jedi said as the shuttle jumped into hyperspace. "If I'm going to be a part of... whatever this is, I'd like to know where you're taking me."

She stood up from the pilot's seat and moved toward the back of the shuttle. "I will be meditating. The controls are locked and we will be arriving in two and a half standard cycles. Get some rest."

--

The rest of the journey passed in much the same manner; Oren would ask a question or make idle chatter and it would go unanswered.

It's like trying to pry a bone from the jaw of a rancor, the Jedi thought glumly. Lex was once again at the helm and Oren was seated as co-pilot.

"Korriban," the woman said.

Oren blinked. "What? What's a Korriban?"

"Our destination. Korriban."

Why does that name sound familiar?

"Okay... any reason you're whisking me off to this planet and not, say, meeting up with the rest of my friends? I'm sure we could work something out, I mean we could use a fighter like--"

The look the girl gave him could have flayed the skin off a jawa. Clearly the conversation was over.

"Korriban it is," said Oren.

--

It wasn't long before the small ship dropped into realspace, the mottled blue tunnel of hyperspace slowing down and dilating, star lines shrinking into specks. A planet expanded into view and Oren immediately felt cold and uneasy. He had never felt such a palpable, writhing dread emanate from an entire planet before. The planet itself looked like bloodstained bone; sparse dusty white clouds drifted across a russet surface.

The young Jedi didn't realize he had been holding his breath until he exhaled.

The Dark Side is strong here, he thought, looking over to Lex. He almost jumped out of his seat; she was staring right at him.

"Welcome to Korriban," she said quietly. "This is where you begin your training... Jedi."

Sakutian

Korriban

The assault shuttle began to descend downward into the cloying atmosphere of Korriban. Oren's unease grew more pronounced with each passing second as they came ever closer to the planet. As he stared down at the rugged surface he looked for any signs of life.

For along time all he saw was more endless rust colored soil that seemed to fold out across the planet endlessly. Then he saw it. A sudden flash of light in the far distance followed by another flash a few seconds later. He leaned forward and tried to see the source of the light.

As the shuttle flew through a thick cloud a settlement came into view. The saddest excuse for a settlement either of the force users had ever seen,. It comforted Oren to know that he wasn't alone on this strange world with the Sith who had abducted him. He relaxed back into his seat and waited for them to land.

Dreshdae

Two male Gossam occupied the cluttered circular chamber that served as flight control for the Dreshdae spaceport. Yue Mal and Pon Kor had been serving together on Korriban since just after the Clone Wars. The Commerce Guild had assigned them to their new posts after a large number of credits had gone missing from several guild accounts.

Pon Kor was a typical specimen of his species. His blue pebbly skin was covered in an expensive orange coat and and black vest which. A blue gem was hanging from his left ear and a long wooden cane was resting against his console. Yue Mal's was more green than blue and his clothes were much simpler and more frayed than his partners. Pon had arranged a number of Death Sticks in front of him.

An insistant ringing tone coming from the computer console in front Pon drew his attention off the datapad he'd been examining. He leaned over the computer and examined the blurry screen. <"A ship is requesting permission to land.">

Pon's eyes opened and he smiled drunkenly. <"Good the transport from Ryloth is early for a change. Tell Drizk that his new girls will be ready for inspection the instant I have his credits in my hand.">

<"It isn't a cargo ship."> Yue slapped the side of the computer and the blurry Gossam on the screen became clear. <"According to these scans it's an Imperial assault shuttle.">

Pon leaned over and stared at Yue's screen for a moment before he stood up and seized his cane. He ran the tips of his fingers along the delicate bone carving atop his cane. He'd had it carved back on Coruscant before his fall from grace and it was one of the few treasures he'd managed to save from his glory days. It was cast in the likeness swooping hawk bat. <"Erase the logs.">

Yue looked at Pon as his mouth fell open revealing two rows of sharp teeth. <"What?! Did you finally fry your brain on Death Sticks? Do you know what the Commerce Guild will do to us if they find out we falsified records?">

<"Nothing if we take steps to make certain they never find out."> Pon moved towards the door swinging his cane animatedly.

<"You've got something in mind I take it?"> Yue began pressing keys on his computer erasing all evidence of the ship from their records.

<"Wait here while I greet our guests."> Pon opened the door and stepped down the long hallway outside of his office and moved towards the nearby landing platforms. With each step he snapped the tip of his can onto the floor with a loud tap. When he walked out into the dusty air of Korriban he coughed. He reahced inside of his coat and pulled out a silken handkerchief and brought it to his lips to block out taste as he looked out across each of his landing platform. There were only five of them and four were currenlty unoccupied. A dust covered cargo transport was resting on the furthest platform where it had been for several weeks.

A sudden rush of wind from above made Pon look up just in time to see the shuttle pass overhead. The fragile looking wings of the assault shuttle folded over on themselves as the ship dropped down onto the circular landing platform. He tucked the handkerchief back into his coat and stepped out across the narrow runway until he was standing next to the landing shuttle. Barring his narrow teeth in a friendly smile he stood waiting for the crew to emerge from within.

*Translated from Gossam.

Super Namicchi

As the landing ramp descended so too was the Sith; her boots hit the ground a half-breath after the metal boarding ramp. She examined the small alien standing before her. It had been many years since her last visit to the ancient planet... but Pon Kor was... memorable.

She heard Oren make his descent a moment later and nodded.

<"Thank you for the personal greeting, though I can assure you it was not necessary. My passcode is Besh Aurek Xesh One Five Five Three. I assume you still remember what that means...">*

*Translated from Gossam.