Session 1: Hasty Retreat
Summary: Fate conspires to bring our disparate group of heroes together, and leads them to their first destination.
Current Roster:- Dwarmin: Scout
- SeriousConcentrate: Fringer
- Taricus: Soldier
- Gatleos: Force Adept
- Yoink: Scout
- LordBucket: Tech Specialist
- Scriver: Scoundrel
In the Outer Rim is a remote planet, a gas giant called "Vitaan". It has a pair of moons that orbit it; one is a frozen wasteland devoid of life. The other (Vitaan II) was small, but capable of supporting a small colony. Back in the days of the Old Republic this planet served as a waystation for freighters and miners traveling through the Rim, allowing them to refuel and purchase supplies. As the Clone Wars raged on, Republic interest in the quiet space platform waned and the planet grew more isolationist. By the time of the Emperor's coronation, it was all but forgotten by the authorities.
The people of Vitaan II soon found the platform orbiting the gas giant occupied by squatters, smugglers, and pirates. Rather than deal with the long and protracted hassle of clearing out these rogues (and enduring the increased Imperial attention that calling for help would bring to them), the leaders struck a deal with the most influential criminals on the platform: so long as the handful of freighters on official business for the colony were left alone, they would turn a blind eye to all else that occurred on the platform. The smugglers were happy to agree; they now had a safe base of operations, and the people could be left alone to farm and trade for basic necessities. Things seemed to work out well. In time, rumor had it that Rebel recruiters began making their way to the platform, in the hopes of finding sympathetic (or suitably mercenary) captains and fighters to join their cause.
On this particular day, one of the cantinas is experiencing a bit of a rush, for its size. The small cantina only has about 10 or so stools around the bar and two tables behind that. Two Duros occupy one of the tables, playing a game of sabacc. The other table holds a Rodian, drunk and barely staving off an inebriated sleep. The bar customers are more interesting, in their own way. Three humans sit there, accomanied by a Gungan and a Selkath. The first human, well dressed and with almost impossibly good features, seems quite at home in his seat, having been there for a few hours now. The other male is dressed in thick clothes, bulky and obscuring his build, with a matching hood that makes it hard to get a good look at his face; an older model hunting pistol and a vibroblade hang from his belt while he drinks in silence. The last is a female, a bit on the pretty side with short brown hair, icy blue eyes, and dressed in light, comfortable clothes.
The Selkath looks young, for his species; with dark blue skin with lighter blue cracks, a short crest with a patchy appearance that reminds one of a turtle's shell, and thin wiry muscle on his frame. The sound of a mechanical device "breathing" in and out periodically can be heard emanating from his chest. A bulky slugthrower pistol is at his waist, accompanying his loose clothes. He idly strokes the two barbels on the sides of his mouth while nursing the last of a foamy beverage.
Finally, the Gungan closest to the entrance is lanky, and somewhat awkward looking. He's well dressed, or at least he would be if his fashionable attire were new rather than apparently well-worn from travel and life outdoors. His fin-like ears are kept neatly drawn back while a battered black bowler hat rests atop his head. He sips at a cocktail, a few ice cubes slowly melting away as he savors it. A slightly worn blaster rifle is slung over the back of his seat, safely contained in its carrier.
The group drinks in peace for a moment, some of them having only just arrived. After a moment the Selkath takes a quick look around the room, then says something to himself in the burbling native tongue of his people before finishing off his drink. The handsome fellow at the far end of the bar smiles at the female, tipping his "hat" to her (the hat he isn't wearing, though the motion earns him a nod in return). "Tell me dear, you don't look much like a farmer. What brings you to this backwater moon?"
The Selkath sets down the mug and slides it towards the bartender. "Bartender. Get me another one of...whatever this was." A credit stick and a fresh mug change hands while the female regards the man speaking to her.
"I'm looking for a particular person," she replies, studying the bar. Her words draw the notice, it seems, of the Selkath. He turns a bit to listen in on their conversation, but stays quiet for the moment. The Gungan lets an absent-minded scratch of his nose happen before remembering himself; he smooths his vest and returns to his drink.
"A particular person. Well, have you met with much success?"
"Not yet. But I heard he... or possibly she... might be here." She takes a moment to look closer at the cantina's occupants while the man considers her words. "Well, what about you? What brings you here today?"
"...I see. Well, missing persons was never my strong suit. I suppose you could say I'm more of a trader. I just finished delivering some supplies to the station. I'm between jobs, at the moment. As soon as my ship is refueled, I don't have anything tying me here. If you do manage to find your particular person and are finished with your business, I could probably be persuaded to furnish transport out of the system. Be it for one, or for two people. For a reasonable price, of course."
The two Duros start a new hand as a human enters the cantina, going straight for the Rodian and trying to jostle him awake. Berloon, wake up!" The Rodian glances up at him, then waves his hand dismissively and lays his head down on the table. The human, annoyed, shoves him harder. "Come on, Ber." He leans down and whispers to the Rodian, who seems to get a bit more alert.
The female glances over her shoulder, taking in the sight and studying it. "Indeed? It... might be necessary. I'll have to wait and see."
The trader nods. "No worries. I'll be here for a few more hours. Just let me know."
She returns his nod and rises from her seat. "I'll be right back."
As she heads towards the human and Rodian, The Selkath turns to the other human male closer to him. "Quiet bar, hmm? You mind if I kill some time with you?" The man shakes his head.
"...Go ahead. Not like I have much else to do at the moment," comes the reply from under the hood.
"You know, you seem the sort of guy that's either working, or looking for work. My names Alasi." The Selkath starts, watching the man a bit.
"Davin. And you're right about looking for work. My last one just finished." Behind them they can hear the Rodian's friend and the woman talking. She's offering to help them, but he insists his friend just needs to walk it off. "So, what brings a Selkath to this sector Alasi?"
"Well met, Davin. Impressed you know my species, sir. Not a lot of us getting out these days. What with the blockade and everything."
"Not surprised, what with the Kolto being taken by the empire. That stuff is quite valuable, only thing that compares in use is Bacta." The man glances over his shoulder as they hear the sound of the Rodian trip and fall over his table, crashing to the ground. The human curses and rushes out while the woman kneels by the drunk Rodian. The Selkath and the hooded man continue their conversation.
"Aye. But, Bacta's cheaper. That wins in at the end of the day...nowadays, the Empires more interested in labor..."
The woman looks the Rodian over carefully. "What's the trouble? Maybe I could help."
"Got...got to go...Imperial cruiser...he said it's coming." The words silence the bar, bringing the game of Sabacc to a quick halt. The bartender turns around, watching the exchange. Meanwhile, she studies him carefully.
"Are you with the Rebels?"
"What's he saying over there!?" the bartender demand, meanwhile the hooded man turns to the Rodian as well..
"What class of cruiser? Did he say?" The female sighs and shakes her head.
"I don't know; he's drunk and isn't talking." By now the interrupted game of sabacc has turned into an argument between the two Duros.
The intercom on the platform crackles to life. "Attention, long range scanners have picked up an Imperial ship dropping out of hyperspace and approaching the platform; If you need to leave, leave now. We can't help you once they're here." Alasi turns to Davin.
"Ah, bad news huh. Do you have a reason not to be here Davin, maybe? I know I'd rather be scarce. Does banthahocks for business to be locked up in Imperial detention."
"Just wondering what the Imperials are doing with a cruiser out here," the man starts, contemplating the situation. "Only saw Tartans out here beforehand. I'd hate to be any non-human around them though."
The Gungan's brow wrinkles and he sighs, sinking in his chair. "...Space Cruisers, Rebels, it's all troublesome and unpleasant to me."
"Seems like a waste of effort to me." Davin thinks aloud. "At the very least, we'll need a way off-station."
"Indeed. Perhaps we should clear out?" the woman suggests.
"Would be a good course of action. Just need a ship to clear out in."
"Well. Anyone here willing to charge me an exorbiant amount for passage?" Alasi chuckles, looking at the various people in the bar.
"I have a ship available." the trader replies. "My name's Reese. But with an Imperial cruiser inbound, somehow it doesn't seem like the wisest choice to transport passengers of the sort who need to get away from Imperial cruisers."
The next few moments are a flurry of activity as the patrons quickly offer their skills and services in trade for transit, along with their names. After things settle down, Reese thinks things over. "Well, I'm not in any need of repairs or doctoring. But I can arrange transport. Where are you all headed? Let me guess...anywhere that isn't here?" His guess is quite accurate, it seems.
"When can we leave?" the woman, who identified herself as Kiera, asks.
"What's the price?" Davin puts in.
"We leave now. 100 credits a head. Honestly, that's cheap even not considering the circumstances. Call me a humanitarian. No offense to you non-humans, of course." The price is much better than expected. After credits exchange hands, Davin finishes his drink and walks to Reese.
"So, what's your ship called and where is it docked?"
"The Eminent Length, and I'm in Bay 12. Don't ask about the name."
"Are you perhaps banking on the idea Imperial scouts will be too embarrassed by the ship name to ask around about it?" Kiera smirks at him as they make their way out of the cantina.
"I'd guess he won it in a card game I bet...bad luck to change the name." Alasi conjectured. Reese nodded as he took out his communicator.
"It's the name she came with."
The group rushes quickly through the hall, dealing with others in just as much of a race to put space between themselves and Imperial agents. They're not completely able to evade them, though. As they approach Bay 12, they see the human from earlier being interrogated by a navy Lieutenant, a pair of guards with rifles drawn keeping an eye on two Sullustans they've forced on their knees and to face the wall. The group tries to move quickly and quietly into the docking bay, when the Gungan (Kerbloe, he called himself) trips and bumps into Alasi, causing them both to fall to the ground. The Leiutenant looks over, and shoves the human towards the guards. He strides quickly towards the group. "Hold it there!"
Reese remains cool and composed, politely turning to the officer. "Yes, Lieutenant?"
"Where are you going with these....creatures?"
"They've booked passage out of system. We were just on our way out. Is there any trouble?"
"What were you doing in the system?"
"Freight transport. Vitaan has lots of food, but is terribly short on textiles, medical supplies. Etc. It's dull work, but safe. I like that."
The officer unholsters his blaster, and pulls it out, though doesn't point it at anyone just yet. "Mind if you and I take a look at your cargo hold, then?"
"Sure. We're in docking bay 12. Shall we?" He nods over his shoulder towards it, waiting for Reese to make the first move. Reese smiles and resumes has walk towards docking bay 12 at a comfortable pace. "So officer, tell me...what brings you to this system?"
One of the two guards makes his way over while they are out of sight, looking over the group. "Indeticards, please." Kiera offers hers first while the rest of the group retrieve theirs, some clearly more apprehensive than others. Davin, on the other hand, appears to be "searching" for his card suspiciously close to his vibroblade hilt. The guard looks over the card closely, then peers suspiciously at Kiera. He hands it back to her, and then nods. "Alright, this seems in order...these others members of your old crew, I take it?"
"They're with me, yes," she replies, nodding.
"Alright then...your crew manifest matches up with them."
"Sorry for the trouble, sir."
"Ah, we certainly don't like trouble." Alasi adds, quickly pocketing his indeticard. After a few moments, Reese and the Lieutenant make their way back to the hallway.
The Lieutenant looks to the soldier. "You check their indenticards?" "
Yes, sir. Everything checks out." The Lieutenant nods, and eyes the group.
"On your way then, all of you." The group makes their way quickly into the docking bay while the Lieutenant and his men make their way back to the human and his sullustan companions. "Take care of them; I'm not interested in run-of-the-mill smugglers."
Inside Docking Bay 12 is Reese's ship, the Eminent Length. The ship is a standard Corellian YT-1300 freighter, in common use by small corporations and private traders as well as criminals and smugglers alike. The design is built around a central saucer with modular sections for easy modification, with an off-center cockpit and boarding ramp on the starboard side, and hyperdrive thrusters mounted along roughly a quarter of the ship's aft exterior hull. This particular ship appears to be clean and well maintained, with a gunmetal gray finish, but is obviously missing the standard top and bottom mounted laser turrets, as well having a few sheer sections of hull where optional components and sensors have been stripped. "Impressive" Alasi comments.
Kiera looks it over, "To be honest, I was expecting a... rather different shape, given its name." As the group heads to board, they hear the sounds of blaster fire coming from just outside the bay, in the hall. It's enough to prompt them to quickly move aboard.
Moments later the ship is cleared to depart, and finds itself preparing to jump to hyperspace, but where? The two Duros seem intent on getting to Tattooine, a suggestion that several of the group's members corroborate as a good starting point for losing Imperial attention. Reese leaves to plot the course, and while he works the sound of something scurrying around the lounge can be heard. It gets the attention of the travelers.
"It better not be a rat back there" Kiera draws a blaster warily. "I hate vermin."
"Pretty sure there are no rats aboard my ship," Reese calls from the cockpit.
"I distinctly heard something scurrying about. Rats scurry." Kerbloe pads back into the lounge area, halting near the entrance. He scratches at a knee absently as he looks over his companions more closely, frowning a bit at the drawn pistol.
"Oh, no. I have no rats. I'm quite positive." A flash of orange is seen as something leaps down onto Alasi. A hissing and a swipe later leaves him with a set of scratches on his arm. It turns out to be an orange tabby, which then bolts down the hallway and away from him.
"Ahh! What the drang was THAT?" Alasi yells as he nurses his arm.
Kiera blinks and puts the gun away. "Ironic. Expect a rat, and get a cat going after the fish."
"Oh, that's the ship's cat. His name is Khyron. Khyron, the Destroyer." Reese emerges from the cockpit, looking them over. "I did mention that we had no rats, didn't I?"
Alasi looks over his arm. "No harm done...just a little scratch. Also, I'm no fish. The proper term is aquatic mammalian!" He applies some salve to his cut, humming to himself as he takes a seat.
"Does he come when called? I adore cats." Kiera takes a seat on one of the sofas. "Here, Khyron!" The cat eventually makes its way back to the room, rubbing up against Keira, purring. "Who's a lovely kittie? Yes you are..."
"Well, it seems to like you, at least." Alasi sighs, looking over his cleaned arm.
Reese smiles at his cat, and looks to the rest of the group. "So we're now underway. We'll arrive in the Tatooine system in 29 hours."
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Topic: Episode I: The Unsung Heroes (Bay 12 Star Wars RPG) (Read 28583 times)