Rise of the Rebellion
Player Journals => Trax => Topic started by: Trax on May 11, 2016, 12:59:39 PM
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Trax had sent a message via the comm system to the senator's rooms, and Doha's, requesting a meeting at some point during their journey. The timing was easy enough to coordinate, it's not like everyone was so inundated with things to do that a half hour out of their day was unreasonable.
He headed to the conference room, his arm as usual, around Nim helping to steady her, and opened the door. They were the first to arrive but they were barely through the door when the others began to come around the various corners. In short order everyone was seated around the table. Trax, being the ever skillful diplomat, skipped the pleasantries and got straight to business. Though he addressed all the senators, his attention was mostly focused on Doha.
"You're mole problem, think it died with Galen?" he asked matter of factly, referring to the ambush of Bel-Iblis and Doha's capture.
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They look at one another, and you're left with the impression they had discussed this topic before.
Senator Organa opens the discussion. "The Emperor has spies everywhere, of course. But yes, we think the leak was closed when Galen broke with Lord Vader."
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"Good, then I can take that off the list.
I get the impression Doha has filled you in on pretty much everything, including why my team and I left Karvis with him?"
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Bel-Iblis nods. "Yeah, he did."
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"What are the odds a meeting could be arranged sooner rather than later?"
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Mon Mothma fields that one. "There's little point in contacting them until we have some benefit to offer, whether in resources or personnel. We need a headquarters, logistics, infrastructure." She considers a moment. "The earliest we could be in a position to send a meaningful mission to the Karvis system is three months, but that is an aggressive timeline that assumes everything goes like clockwork. Any setbacks would disrupt that time."
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OOC: Craig, just to make sure I've got it right, the northern base that got bombarded was the primary base and where most of the KDF personnel and equipment would have been? Based on Trax's knowledge, roughly how big of a hit was the loss of personnel and equipment?
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[Probably 85% of material and weapons, and 60% personnel.]
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"That delay might sting a little.
If what I've been told is true and the northern base got wiped out, they'll have lost about 80 percent of their equipment and more than half their people. They're going to have to do some major rebuilding to be able to offer any decent resistance again. But if you guys aren't set up yet to offer any help they'll have to accept that." Trax chewed over that for a second or two before starting on his next point. This he directed at Organa.
"I hear you've offered to get Rand back on her feet. Thanks for that, it means a lot.
And you're offering me a new arm. Not that I don't appreciate it and I'm sure it wouldn't be a very equal trade, but think I could trade that arm for access to a neural regenerator?"
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Nim listened carefully to the discussion. The base that was wiped out must have been what Collan had told them when their ships met. Trax never mentioned the arm replacement, only Rand's surgery. Hiding things, he was. Important things. What the kark could he use the neural regenerator for? That certainly wasn't going to replace a limb...
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Bail Organa waves a hand. "Getting the two of you functioning at 100% again is the very least I could do. And there's no need to trade anything. If you need it, you have it, if you want it. But what do you need a neural regerator for? Captain Eclipse's report never mentioned any neural damage."
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Trax couldn't help but smirk a little as a self depreciating remark instantly sprung to mind. Well you obviously don't know me very well. The smirk faded before he spoke.
"If it's all the same to you, I'd like to take a pass on that question. For now anyway."
Trax said as a few thoughts spun around his head. Juno had said Organa was a man of 'extensive resources' and he wondered if his comment just now about if he needed it, he'd have, it only applied to medical treatment.
"Going out on something of a major limb here, but would your 'if I need it I have it' extend into the financials, I owe Nim here a pair of mean pistols.
And if you're not in a position to offer material resources or manpower to the resistance on Karvis, what about financial aid so they can start to resupply themselves through other channels? Command there is top notch, they built a major force in a very short time from almost nothing. Give them some creds and a couple of months, and you'll likely end up with a lot more help than you'd expect when you are ready to connect with them.
Again, major limb I know, just figure I owe it to them to at least ask."
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Bail is about to speak when Leia places a hand on her father's arm. They share a look, and he sighs.
Turning to you, he says, "I cannot help you with weapons - Alderaan discarded all our weapons at the end of the Clone Wars - but financial aid I can provide. Would five thousand credits be sufficient to cover your debts? And for our friends on Karvis..." he glances at Leia before turning back to you. "I can give you two hundred thousand credits for the people of Karvis. I could offer much more, but I can't very well do a funds transfer and there is risk in giving an open cred-stick to a free agent with no declared loyalty to our cause. As a self-employed business owner, I'm sure you can understand my position."
Mon Motha tries to hide it, but she is surprised. Garm Bel-Iblis frowns and shakes his head, but keeps his peace. His look at Bail seems to say, "Are you crazy?"
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Trax sat in stunned silence for a few seconds. He honestly didn't expect anything. He looked Leia in the eye and gave her a nod of thanks before turning to Bail.
"Thank you." he said. He was truly grateful.
"You all have my word that every single one of those credits will reach the Karvis resistance." he said to the entire group.
"And that's the same word I gave to Karvis rebel command that I'd verify Doha's claims and work to set up a meeting with you." he added. They knew what he'd gone through for them, if his word didn't mean anything to them now, then it never would.
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Bail nods and offers his hand. "Then we have an agreement."
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Trax reached over the table and shook Organa's hand.
"Definitely.
And thanks again. I appreciate the trust.
How do you want to go about setting up contact when the time comes? Do you want to use the Sulustan contact Doha shared with me?"
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Bel-Iblis coughs. "He's not 'with the program' exactly."
Leia jumps in. "We'll set up an electronic drop point. We can communicate through that, for a while at least."
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If the Salustan wasn't 'with the program', wouldn't that make him an ideal conduit?
The former hunter shrugged mentally, he didn't see it as his place to offer opinions or suggestions so he simply gave a nod of acceptance at Leia's suggestion.
"If that works for you, it works for me.
For those of us heading to Karvis, according to Nim's information, there's a certain Imperial admiral and his entire fleet that's probably in the Karvis system right now. Whether we can get forged IDs or not, with the extra Imperial presence I'm guessing security at public stations will probably be amped up which could mean DNA sniffers. By the time we get there it's possible our patterns will be in the system, and mine is already in the local Imperial system from my work with the locals. I've got a contact who should be able to get us in, but she won't come out as far as Alderaan to get us and she's not cheap."
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Garm, looking a little gruff, says, "Is there a question in there?"
Bail holds up a hand to forestall him.
"I can provide you transportation wherever you like, of course. If you're a pilot, I can provide a ship - nothing armed, of course. But a Republic Courier or a shuttle could be made available."
Garm snorts. "You want a ship with guns, lad, come with me to Corellia and I can fix you up."
Mon Mothma frowns. "You are both free with resources - resources that could be useful elsewhere..."
Bail looks at Mon Mothma and says, "Mon, he saved our lives - and this alliance. A ship seems inadequate repayment for such a debt."
Mon Mothma frowns, but after a moment she nods.
Bail turns back to you.
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Trax raised his hands slightly.
"No, no, no. No ship unless you're willing to donate it to the KDF, and even then I'm only a pilot if you use the term very loosely. If I'm flying it, it's unlikely to reach Karvis without a few dings, dents and missing a few pieces. And that's if it's wide open space on all sides. If you want to do the shuttle thing, you can take the cost of the shuttle out of the two hundred thousand you've agreed to give them if it makes you happier.
I'm just saying, given the potential current situation around Karvis, and our involvement with the Empire, getting in under the radar wouldn't be a bad idea, and that'll cost more. I've got a contact who can do it, I just don't want to be sitting around the breakfast table on Alderaan and suddenly say to you, 'hey, by the way, I need ten grand for transport to Karvis.' I'll take a public shuttle and fight my way out if I have to, but it'll be a little hard to fight and carry a stasis pod at the same time. I'll use every last credit from the five thousand you've already offered, after replacing Nim's blasters, to make it happen if need be.
Connecting with you guys is really important to Karvis Command. I don't want to risk souring any future relationship between you and them. That's why I'm laying all my cards on the table now."
Trax turned to Mon Mothma.
"I'm not trying to fleece you or anything."
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Mon Mothma sighs.
"Trax, I don't think you are trying to fleece us. What you don't seem to realize - what none of you seem to realize - is that what we are doing is much bigger than any one planet. We're trying to free a galaxy. The credits Senator Organa is giving you could buy a capitol ship, a squadron of starfighters, outfit 200 soldiers with top of the line weapons and equipment, or provide medical supplies to a thousand beings. The fates of a dozen systems might turn on the presence or absence of that amount of resources. I understand your focus is on Karvis. Ours cannot be so limited."
There is an uncomfortable silence, when Garm leans forward with an eyebrow raised. "No one is denying that, Mon. But we do owe Trax a debt of gratitude. We are going to start outreach programs eventually. You know as well as I that we will need supplies to keep an army fed, and Karvis supplies food to the entire Bruanii sector. We can consider this an early investment."
He turns to Trax. "I know a pilot that can get you in through any blockade, Trax. If you're willing to tack on a couple of extra weeks to your trip, you can come with me to Corellia. I'll get you the pilot you need. No charge. He owes me a favour."
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Trax considered Garm's offer. It was decent enough, but would Nightshade have the patience for the delay. And how soon was Garm looking to leave Alderaan.
"That'd work," he finally replied, "if we can make the timing work. I'm guessing it'll be more than a week or two before Rand is mobile...and I'll need access to that neural regenerator for about two weeks. If you're okay with waiting at least that two weeks I'm good. I'd really like to get Rand home, but maybe she could serve as something of a liaison or whatever between yourselves and Karvis command. She's intel, she's got a good head on her shoulders."
The man turned to Mon Mothma.
"No argument here, I might not entirely realize how big what you're trying to do is but I think I've got something of a handle on it." it was one of the reasons Trax wasn't sure he wanted to be a part of it. In his mind they were biting off more than they could chew. But maybe not...
"If the end game is a free galaxy, you'll have to do it one planet, one system at a time. And by your own admission you're not ready right now. If the KDF can start to put that money to good use, they'll be in even a better position to help you when you are ready.
But, you're a lot more big picture than I am so I might be way off. And if that means you four need to talk it over and adjust what's been offered to the KDF, I can accept that."
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She sighs, apparently letting it go.
Garm says, "Back to after Alderaan, I can't stay. I need to get Mon home to Chandrilla. Then I'm off to Corellia. But I can send my pilot back to Alderaan for you. He should be there about the time you wrap up your business there. He'll have room for passengers as well. Fair enough?"
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Trax slowly turned from Mon Mothma to Garm. Had he said something he shouldn't have?
"Yeah, that's plenty fair.
Last thing on my docket is Keshani. I don't know what her plan is, but can she get set up with some ID and stuff if she decides she needs to do some exploring?"
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Bail Organa says, "I can guarantee her safety as long as she is on Alderaan, and I can grant her Alderaan citizenship, and documentation supporting that."
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"Once again, thank you.
If I've inconvenienced any of you," he turned to Mon Mothma.
"I am sorry. That wasn't my intent."
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Leia answers for her. "It is not an inconvenience, Trax. You returned my father to me, and saved our rebellion from certain failure. We are glad to repay you any way we can."
They all nod at that. Even Mon Mothma, after a moment. Mothma adds, "Truly, Trax. I must seem ungrateful. I am not - I do appreciate all you did for us, all everyone on Corellia did for us. The cost was very high. We all acknowledge that. And though we must focus on the fight ahead, we cannot forget those who helped us get to this point."
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Nim had remained quiet thus far but her discussion with Wyrren made her think of something.
"Pardon my interjection, there is one thing that I wish to bring up regarding Corellia. We did come with a team, and.. unfortunately many are still on the mountaintop where they fell."
She looked to Wyrren. "I was last to see some of them alive, and I feel compelled to make sure they receive a proper send off worthy of their sacrifice."
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Garm nods. "We'll do what we can, Miss Naja. General Kota and I lost some good people on that mountain. We'll look after them."
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Trax quietly nodded to Mon Mothma, accepting her explanation. He was ready to conclude the discussion and ask if the senators wanted to voice anything when Nim spoke up. The man found Nim's concern over the fallen bodies of relative strangers somewhat puzzling. Not that she would show concern, but wondering if should he be concerned about them as well? There was a slight look of confusion on the man's face as he wrestled with his own thoughts.
Why should he be concerned, he didn't know them, and they all knew what they were up against. But on the other hand, he himself had shown concern for strangers not that long ago. The young imperial girl that attacked him on the corvette, Demaia, Tormax. He rubbed his temples and let out a small sigh, this was giving him a headache.
[OOC: Seeing as Nim spoke up, Trax will leave it to her to announce if she's done or if there's anything else she wants to discuss.]
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Nim nodded, with nothing further. She did, however, glance a bit worriedly at Trax as he uncharacteristically rubbed his temples.
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[1 CP for Trax for RP.]