PART 23 – The Turret Strikes Back
Last time we visited Yavin (where we’ll be going again about two more times) and are now ready to continue the story… but first a small detour back to Dantooine to get some extra companion dialogue (yay) and finish an annoying sidequest.
The Jedi AcademyThe conversation in question is with Bastila.
:
Why? I could not accomplish this on my own, I need the aid of others – especially one who is strong in the Force. The bond between us made you a natural choice. Besides, the events on Taris proved that the Force wanted to bring us together on this mission, and there is little left to chance when the Force is involved. Is that not enough for you?:
It just seems odd they would send me off without a Master to guide me.:
I admit, there were times that I wondered if this is more than just a mission to stop Malak. There were times when I wondered if this was also a way for the Council to test my own abilities.:
I get the feeling that there’s more going on than I know.:
I wondered if the Council wanted to see how I would help and guide you on our quest. I wondered if they were testing me to see if I was ready to become a Jedi Master myself. And then I realized how foolish such thoughts were. As the Council explained, sending a Master in our group would only have drawn unwanted attention from the Sith. The fate of the galaxy is at stake, the Council would not risk it merely to test me. They calculated the risks and in the end chose the only option available.I don’t think Dorak (or Zhar) and the word calculated can ever be associated in any way.
:
I’m still not convinced.:
You must learn to trust in the wisdom of the Council. Your destiny will come in its appointed time. You mustn’t be so impatient.:
Me? You’re the one who thought this was her big audition for ‘Masterhood’!:
*Must* you be so frustrating? I admit, I had a moment of foolish pride. But I’m over it. Now I am focused on our true responsibilities. I am simply trying to help you and complete this mission, and yet you battle me at every turn!:
Hey, you started this.:
I started it? You were the one who brought up the issue of the Council! You were the one who questioned our mission! You’re the one who mocked me for thinking I was being tested!:
Careful. Remember your self-control.:
You… you are a very odd man, do you know that? I simply don’t know how to deal with you.That’s because Jedi cannot see the colour grey.
:
All I want to do is help you, but you seem determined to drive me mad.:
I’m not so bad. You just have to learn to accept me for what I am.:
Unfortunately it isn’t as easy as that. But your point is well taken. Come on, come, let’s move on… there’s much to be done.Now that we are done confusing Bastila, we can check on the matter of our missing supplies. Let’s just say I don’t like this sidequest (not that it’s hard or anything, just annoying and dull).
:
[Examine the supplies more closely.]Supplies:
[There are no half-eaten or torn packages to indicate the theft was from pests or vermin. It looks more like some unknown person has been conducting clandestine raids on your stores. Whoever the thief is, they have managed to avoid detection by you or your companions so far. Maybe a thorough search of the ship will reveal the stowaway.]Then you have to walk about the ship and get about five or so scenes like the one below, until you do a complete circle back to where you started.
This is the reason why it is annoying. Not that we can’t understand her, but that she uses a single voice clip in a loop for all her dialogue. All of it. And there are dozens of lines.
:
Hey! What are you doing here?!Sasha:
Na abds! Me hoot bad liaz!! Awnts!!:
I don’t understand what you’re saying.I’ll cut to the chase and say that she’s talking in bastardized mandalorian, and no you can’t actually ask any of your party members for help (they’ll make up some excuse), even Canderous who should be able to understand her. I also ended up clicking through dialogue a bit too fast and missed some shots. I am going to sum it up anyway, since this would be a waste of space for the update.
In short, you need to learn her language and eventually figure out she’s the kid that the excessively polite Twi’Lek in Dantooine was looking for. So let’s skip to that and save me the trouble of transcribing 111 screenshots. Yes, really.
As soon as we step off the ship and onto Dantooine (with Bastila in our party, otherwise it wouldn’t trigger)…
Uh…
:
I am Bastila, yes. I take it that you know my mother?Twi’Lek:
Oh, yes. I worked for your father on an expedition years ago. Your mother showed me the holos of you before you… well, before you left. Such a pretty little girl you were.:
Is there something I can do for you, miss? As you can see, we are in quite a hurry.:
Don’t be rude, Bastila.Twi’Lek:
Oh, I didn’t mean to take up your time. I just wanted to ask you if your mother’s condition has improved any since I saw her.:
My mother’s condition?Twi’Lek:
Oh, you… you don’t know? Oh, dear. I just thought… I assumed that she had found you. When I talked to her last, she was desperate to find you…:
I have not seen my mother since I joined the order. Do you know what has happened? Did she… say anything about my father?Twi’Lek:
I’m sorry, dear, but your mother is very ill. So she told me. She didn’t say anything about your father, however. I didn’t see him.:
I see. Where did you meet her, do you remember?Twi’Lek:
I saw her on Tatooine, dear. She said she’d been there for awhile. Maybe she’s still there?:
Thank you for informing me. I really must be going, now. It seems my mother has been looking for me. Strange. Should we get the opportunity, could we look for her on Tatooine?:
I thought you and you mother didn’t get along?:
We never did. I am interested in hearing about my father, however. Part of me would rather not see her at all. But if she is really sick… well, we shall see.Now, what we came for, finally.
:
Go ahead.Lur Arka Sulas:
I represent a human citizen of Dantooine by the name of Rundil ot Sulem. His ranch has had considerable difficulty with Mandalorian raiders for many years. His young daughter was kidnapped by those raiders many years ago and has not been returned. Might you have new of her? Her name is Sasha.:
There is a stowaway on my ship by the name of Sasha.Lur Arka Sulas:
This is most exciting news, sentient. Are you certain of this?:
Yes, I am. She only speaks a smattering of Mandalorian, but I was able to figure it out.Lur Arka Sulas:
You convinced me, sentient, that your stowaway is indeed the one I seek. Would you allow me to see her?:
Certainly. I’ll bring you to my ship.Lur Arka Sulas:
Let us go there now. I am most anxious to see her.Sasha:
Yooba na abds?Lur Arka Sulas:
I see that Deth Sord was correct about your linguistic difficulties. I am positive that your parents can assist you with that.Sasha:
Me abd liaz! Me na awnts palkie!Lur Arka Sulas:
Calm yourself, child. I will take you home.Sasha:
Sasha na esowon in bristag. Bristag me laesfa.:
Lur Arka na bads. Nuh-gisen laesfa, Sasha.Sasha:
Laesfa? Me palkie laesfa? Yb, bristag. Yb-abu, Deth Sord!Lur Arka Sulas:
Thank you for your assistance, sentient. I am sure the girl’s parents will be most appreciative of your efforts.We get experience, light points and NO MONEY. None! All this idiocy for naught. Let’s go and get to the plot already.
But guess what? It’s back!
Yes, dear reader, the turret minigame is back as a random encounter and losing it means a game over! That’s right! Forgot to save right before taking off? Well, I’m sure you’d love to re-do everything since the last save, right?
Welcome to Kashyyyk, the most y planet in the game.
Expect a little scene like that every time we get to a new planet.
KashyyykAlso we sleep in armour because it’s apparently too much trouble to unequip armour for the cutscene, but not headgear.
:
Kashyyyk is a lush but simple and undeveloped world. I would not have expected to find the alien technology of a Star Map here.:
It looked like the Star Map was on the forest floor.:
The Wookies of Kashyyyk make their homes high among the wroshyr branches; only their bravest warriors dare to descend into the forbidding depths of the forest. If the Star Map is located far beneath us on the planet’s surface, as our vision seems to suggest, it is unlikely the Wookies even know of its existence. No doubt things will become more clear once we discover the Star Map’s location.We can also ask companions about the planet, so let’s.
:
Kashyyyk is covered by a giant forest, I hear. Trees kilometer high. The Wookies live on the higher brances, I think. That’s all I can think of, at any rate.:
I have been away from Kashyyyk for a long time, but things look the same as I left them. Slavers still hold my people prisoner. I’m not sure what I could tell you. Or even what I would want to. You are an outsider here too. It angers me.Hostility aside, we’ll certainly be taking him along for this planet.
:
Well… it has big trees – in case your eyes don’t work anymore. But I do know that there is one exceptional race in this world: the Wookies. The Wookies, although primitive compared to us, are surprisingly capable warriors. They’re pretty strong and pick up combat techniques pretty quick. I think they’re more than a match for the average Republic or Sith trooper. When we were looking for targets, we considered this world carefully. We were wondering if we’d have to use larger weapons than our war droids if we wanted to clear the damn forests so we could fight in the open. Too many trees means they can go into hiding too easy. And what’s a continent or two turned to glass if we get the whole world after.:
Well, I know Zaalbar’s from Kashyyyk, but he never liked to talk about it. He wouldn’t even tell me why he left. I don’t think the Wookies like outsiders much.Our party for this:
Janos Wertka:
The Czerka Corporation will see to your needs, of course, but there will be a 100 credit docking fee. In advance, I fear.:
Could I get some information on the planet? I thought this was Kashyyyk.Janos Wertka:
This is what the dominant indigenous species calls this world, but maintaining this outpost grants Czerka Corporation naming rights in the trade guides. But, I’m sorry, I really must insist that docking fees be paid before I impart any further services. I must follow proper procedure. Upon collection of the correct fees, I will extend what resources the Czerka Corporation can offer. I’m sure you understand.:
Is the price negotiable?Janos Wertka:
Very simply put, no. Operations of these remote outposts is an expensive endeavor.We are rich, so let’s just pay.
:
Very well, I will pay the 100 credit fee.Janos Wertka:
You are welcome on Edean, trade designation G5-632. Czerka Corporation welcomes your business. We should discuss your interests in my office. I see you have a Wookie with you. Can I assume you understand their language? For a fee, Czerka Corporation can provide a translator for you during your visit.:
That will not be necessary.Janos Wertka:
Very well, though only the most adaptive people seem to comprehend the Wookie language, such as it is. Now then, please follow me to our information center. I will answer any further questions there.We can take our time following him, there is no benefit from not exploring the area. Now, usually around any area, are NPCs with some generic dialogue. While this is true here, some of them have some interesting stuff.
Czerka Liaison Officer:
I guess I should be grateful I’m on Kashyyyk. I could have been posted to Taris.:
What do you do for Czerka Corporation?I really wonder what writer thought it would be necessary to type Czerka Corporation (or Czerka Corp.) each and every time instead of just Czerka.
Fodo Medoo:
Oh, I’m not actually considered a real employee. At least, not enough to get one of those uniforms they strut around in. I just load cargo. When a ship comes in I work straight through the day, but mostly I just pass the time playing Pazaak. Want a game?He is the obligatory card player present in every planet. And let’s just say his first name is quite amusing to me in a rather immature way.
:
Let’s go back to my other questions.Fodo Medoo:
It will be a while before another ship comes in, so go ahead.:
I have some questions about Kashyyyk?Fodo Medoo:
What? Oh, you mean Edean? I suppose the Wookies call their planet whatever they want, but the company pays to name the trade routes. I don’t know much about it, though. I stay here and load cargo. You’re better off asking the patrol guards or Janos.:
Heard any off-planet rumors?Fodo Medoo:
I heard something about Taris, but I didn’t really know anyone from there so I haven’t paid attention. Does that sound bad? I just figure that whatever is going on, whomever is in charge will still always need someone to load crates.:
I have to go. Goodbye.Fodo Medoo:
All right. Goodbye. I have to get back to work anyway.A few steps forward and… Zaalbar actually speaks to us?
:
Prepared me? What do you mean?:
I didn’t leave Kashyyyk voluntarily. Mission must have told you how I was fleeing slavers… but there was more. I am an exile. The slavers on Kashyyyk only took me after I was forced to leave my village home, 20 years ago.:
Why were you forced to leave?:
My brother made deals with the slavers and allowed them to get a foothold. I found out and attacked him. The fight was stopped, but my father did not believe me when I told him about my brother’s actions. I was made an exile, disowned by my home and people. I should not be here. They will not accept me back.:
Why didn’t your father believe you?:
When I attacked my brother I was so mad… I used my claws. You don’t understand what that means to a Wookie. Our claws are tools, not weapons. To use them in battle is to become an animal. It is madness without honor. I am forever a madclaw in the eyes of my people. Nothing I say is to be trusted. They were right to cast me out.:
We’ll deal with that if we have to. Let’s go.:
I don’t have much hope.Well, looks like
Kashyyyk Edean will be one big backstory for Zaalbar. But we’ll do that next time.