Karvis
The Rebel Alliance => Independants => Topic started by: GM Craig on January 17, 2012, 08:58:49 PM
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Dawson: well, if Plarn is west, west is where Dawson must go. There is retribution to be exacted, and sshe is hungry for vengeance
GM Craig: Ok, so that would put you outside of the small farming community of Ki.
Dawson: I enter the town, with the intention of passing thru quietly, perhaps scouting around for some useful information
GM Craig: You don't get the chance. A lone woman, walking on foot, is easily spotted. There is an Imperial patrol moving past on some sort of commandeered transport. They pull up to you, the vehicle stopping about 15 meters away.
Dawson: my weapon is concealed
GM Craig: There are 5 Imperial Army troopers in the vehicle. Two of them get out and walk over to you.
Dawson: I walk toward them.. I have nothing to hide yet...
GM Craig: The troopers approach. One of them spits on the ground in front of you and says in some off-worlder accent, "Papers."
GM Craig: [You have an ID card.]
GM Craig: [And you're a fugitive...]
Dawson: I start to rummage thru my pockets.. I know precisely whre my ID is - safely hidden - but I want to buy a few seconds to appraise the situation. I squeeze out a few tears as I begin to mutter to my self. "oh god.. where are they.. I know they were here... " sound increasingly panicked...
GM Craig: The Army troops start looking bored.
GM Craig: "C'mon, c'mon" one of them says as he looks to the horizon.
GM Craig: The guys in the vehicle aren't even paying attention.
Dawson: "I.. I.... cant find them" continue searching and researching my pockets...
GM Craig: Now one of them looks at you. "No papers?" He smiles nastily...
Dawson: "I have them.. I just... I had them.. I showed them to a patrol earlier this morning... " The weight of my blaster is comforting, but it is under my clothes. If I am to make a move for it, it wont go unseen.
GM Craig: Their rifles had been over their shoulders. One of the troopers flips his into both hands and gestures to the vehicle. The other trooper, looking unconcerned, turns and starts towards the vehicle.
GM Craig: [You can draw the weapon as an action, so it easts a D]
Dawson: [OOC I wasn?t planning on gun play quite this soon. Baptism by fire is SO your style]
GM Craig: *L*
GM Craig: [You *could* finesse your way out...]
GM Craig: [Up to you.]
Dawson: (Use Persuasion) " I?m sure we don?t have to do this, do we really? I mean, there's just me.. all by myself.. hardly a threat to anyone... "
Dawson: "I men, you men must have MUCH more important things to attend to..."
GM Craig: The trooper with the rifle looks disappointed...
"Over to the speeder..."
Dawson: I men = I mean
GM Craig: [The other one is a few meters away now.]
Dawson: [thinking]
GM Craig: The three guys in the vehicle aren't paying any attention at all.]
Dawson: [Is there any ground cover?]
GM Craig: Not nearby.
GM Craig: [It'll take the guys in the vehicle at least a round to get out.]
Dawson: sitll.. 5 on `1 with no cover... mmmmm
GM Craig: [Yeah, if you don't drop any right off the bat. That cannon you carry does quite a bit of damage...]
Dawson: [ok] Making a move as if I am resettling my pack on my shoulders, I slip my hand inside my clothes, and pull out my blaster. Before I have time to change my mind, I target the trooper closest to me.
GM Craig: [And? One shot?]
Dawson: one shot, to him, if I drop him, one shot at the other one walking away, IF he is within decent range
Dawson: preparing to dodge, if someone returns fire
Dawson: if LOL when
GM Craig: I need you to declare the shots in advance...
Dawson: ok
GM Craig: You can change targets...
GM Craig: but the actions have to be declared.
Dawson: so what would be the format
GM Craig: ["I take two shots. If I bring down the trooper in front of me, then I take the next one at the guy with his back turned]
Dawson: ok
GM Craig: [You don't even have to take the 2nd action if you don't want, but if you want the option, it has to be declared.]
Dawson: and the dodge?
GM Craig: If it is needed, it kicks in automatically unless you specifically tell me no dodge.
Dawson: ok
Dawson: here goes
Dawson: 2 shots - target is trooper in front of me. If he goes down, target becomes trooper walking away from me
Dawson: [that good?]
GM Craig: [K...]
GM Craig: [Rolls dice - Perception determines initiative...]
GM Craig: [Dawson gets an 8...]
GM Craig: [Trooper in front of her gets a 4...]
GM Craig: [Trooper walking away gets a 7]
GM Craig: The heavy blaster pistol appears in your hand. The trooper's eyes widen in surprise, and he starts to swing his weapon on you. Your pistol coughs once, sending a blast of plasma at the hapless trooper...
GM Craig: [You roll 17 damage, he rolls 5 to resist... difference is 12. He's incapacitated.]
GM Craig: The trooper goes down with a smoking hole in his abdomen. He won't be getting up without medical assistance. As he drops, you get a view of the other trooper, who is already spinning around. The trooper squeezes off a shot, but the blast goes wide [triggered a dodge]. Your blaster coughs again...
GM Craig: [You roll a 7 on the hit... he rolls a 2 for his dodge. Range is point blank {you needed a 5) so the blast hits.]
GM Craig: The blaster scores a hit, [21 damage - 8 to resist is 13 - he's mortally wounded] and the trooper goes down.
GM Craig: Your attention moves to the men in the vehicle. They are staring at you with open mouths and blank surprise on their faces. They sit there for a moment in shock. Then, as one, the spell is broken and they start scrambling out of the vehicle.
GM Craig: [Actions?] They'll be getting out of the vehicle this round, but if they get shots, they're at a -2D penalty...]
Dawson: 3 shots. 1st target, one who is closest to being out of vehicle. He goes down, next to exit, followed by #3
GM Craig: [3 shots is a lot... you need a base 5 to hit them before their dodge.]
Dawson: ok.. lets go for 2 - i assume I am in range-
GM Craig: Yup, 5 meters.
Dawson: rockin...
GM Craig: One of the troopers piles out on your side, the other two are on the opposite side of the transport. They are fumbling for weapons as your bring the sights to bear with cool precision. The blaster coughs...
GM Craig: [16 on the attack, he dodges for 6... net 10 is a hit.]
GM Craig: And nails the trooper on your side of the vehicle...
Dawson: niiiice
GM Craig: [Damage 13, he rolls 13 on his strength - he's stunned, no actions this round, -1D next round]
GM Craig: He takes the hit, and falls into the transport, falling to the ground.
GM Craig: [Same target? Or another one?]
Dawson: so basically i knocked him on his ass, but no blood
GM Craig: [Yeah...]
Dawson: second target.
R. Craig Shaw says:
As he slips to the ground, you train the weapon on another trooper. This one has some partial cover, but the blaster coughs again...
GM Craig: [15-7-5 for partial cover is a 3 - needed a 5, so it's a miss]
Dawson: shit
GM Craig: The plasma pings off the body of the speeder, causing a ringing sound to echo over the area.
GM Craig: One of the troopers tries to squeeze off a shot. but it goes wide.
GM Craig: [Actions?]
Dawson: 2 shots. primary target, trooper on ground. Secondary target, trooper who shot at me last. ( bastard)
GM Craig: The blaster coughs again at the trooper trying to get to his feet.
GM Craig: [14 to hit, -5 for his dodge is 9, a hit]
GM Craig: [18 damage -14 strength is 4, he's wounded...]
GM Craig: The trooper is thrown back against the body of the speeder, grasping at a wound on his shoulder.
GM Craig: Switching targets again, you squeeze off another shot.
GM Craig: [12 to hit, -2 for dodge, -5 for cover is a 5 - a hit]
GM Craig: [15 damage - 8 strength = 7 - he's wounded]
GM Craig: The trooper grunts in pain and vanishes from view.
GM Craig: He is replaced quickly by the third trooper. He pops up over the hood of the speeder, his rifle levelled at you. He seems to be content to take aim for the moment.
GM Craig: [Actions?]
Dawson: 1 shot. blow his head off. Don?t underestimate me because I am a woman, you murdering son of a (insert expletive)
GM Craig: The blaster coughs again...
GM Craig: [He's not dodging. 17 to hit, -10 for his cover is a 7 - you needed a 5, so it's a hit. 17 damage, - strength - he's wounded]
GM Craig: The trooper never gets a chance to take his shot - he drops from view.
GM Craig: The first trooper is crawling on the ground to behind the speeder, so he takes no shots this round, but he now has partial cover. The other trooper [I'll call him #2 from now on] pops back up, and squeezes off a quick shot.
GM Craig: [He rolls a 7, and you dodge for 8 - a miss]
GM Craig: The shot goes wide. [Actions?]
Dawson: are any of them still in line of sight?
GM Craig: All 3 of them, but they all have cover.
Dawson: Looking carefully at the 3 downed troopers, I try to see if they are still armed, or if they lost their weapons when they fell
GM Craig: [They all have their weapons. Only 1 of them has a rifle, the others are using pistols]
Dawson: 1 shot. Bringing up my blaster yet again, I train the site on the trooper with the rifle. I squeeze the trigger, and as I do , just as every other time, I say my daughter?s name.
GM Craig: [17 to hit, 7 dodge, 5 for cover is 5 - a hit]
GM Craig: The blaster speaks in unison with you, and the plasma blast strikes the trooper in the head. [18 dam - 10 str] Already wounded, he slips to the ground. You don't see him come back up.
GM Craig: The other two fire. [8 and 12, versus a dodge of 15 - they miss.]
Both their shots go wide.
GM Craig: [Actions?]
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Dawson: I watch the trooper slide out of view. I feel like I am alive - or at least the closest to alive I have felt in along time. The adrenaline flows thru my system. I do this all for my daughter. Their lives for hers.. I shot. Blaster still lifted, I target the trooper next closest to me. [1 shot]
GM Craig: [Trooper # 1 at the back of the vehicle] Another shot, and another hit [16 to hit, 4 dodge + 5 cover, a 5 is a hit] The trooper takes the hit [18-14 = 4, he's now wounded twice] and slips back behind the vehicle.
GM Craig: The other trooper takes a shot [he's the one who aimed at you before.]
Dawson: Wheeling around, I target the trooper who has an obvious death wish. [1 shot]
GM Craig: [My turn... ] You easily twist out of the way, and the shot goes wide.
Dawson: heh
GM Craig: The guy from the back of the vehicle doesn't come back around...
GM Craig: [Actions?]
Dawson: so i hit the dude wit the death wish? or was i jumping the gun with my action
GM Craig: [Jumping the gun...]
Dawson:
Dawson: ok
Dawson: Wheeling around, I target the trooper who has an obvious death wish. [1 shot]
GM Craig: [What was your action? Shoot the guy hiding behind the hood of the speeder?]
GM Craig: OK./
Dawson: the one who shot at me
GM Craig: [13 to hit, -6 dodge, -10 for cover - a miss.]
The blaster wings off the hood of the speeder, but forces the trooper to keep his head down. His shot goes wide as a result. There is still no sign of the trooper at the back of the vehicle.
GM Craig: [Actions?]
Dawson: If I move say 3meters left or right, will that give me a better view of any of the still-alive-for-this-moment-until-i-blow-them-up troopers?
GM Craig: [Yup.]
GM Craig: [You get an angle on the guy in front...]
Dawson: is a move to the left or right to get the clearer shot
GM Craig: [Right...]
Dawson: ok
Dawson: quickly scanning to make sure I am not a target, I change my position about 3 metres to the right.
Dawson: never dropping my blaster, I am prepared to shoot as soon as the target presents itself
GM Craig: The trooper in front gets a shot off while you are moving. You barely even have to move to avoid the shot as you march around the speeder. He is frantically trying to stay behind cover, but he slips in his panic. Levelling the blaster, it coughs almost of it's own accord. [18 to hit -7 dodge = 11, a hit]
GM Craig: [17-13 = wounded, he's now wounded twice.] The wound scores a hit on his leg, and he goes down clutching the wound. His pistol is still in his hand, but he's in a bad way and knows he's looking death in the eye.
GM Craig: [Still no sign of the guy at the back. Actions?]
Dawson: I close some of the distance between me and the speeder, moving in by about 1.5 metre... 1 shot - same target as last time
GM Craig: [You?re already almost on top of him, but now you're standing right over him...]
Dawson: "If I wasn?t in a hurry, Id take time to make this hurt"
GM Craig: He squeezes off a shot, but a slight twist of your torso and the shot goes wide. You march over to stand over him, the blaster levelled at him. Remorseless eye watch with cold detachment as the blaster coughs, silencing him for ever.
GM Craig: [Actions?]
Dawson: A quick scan of the speeder to locate my next target. None of these troopers leave here alive.
GM Craig: [All but the last one is still alive, but incapacitated (unconscious). Now that there is quiet, you hear the sound of running feet. Looking behind the speeder, you see the missing trooper in a full sprint away from you towards the town of Ki. He's already out of the range of your pistol.
GM Craig: [Actions?]
Dawson: does Dawson know how to drive a speeder?
GM Craig: Sure. Repulsorlift Operations. There *is* a rifle nearby... (*GM Hint*)
Dawson: LOL.. missed that one..
Dawson: Reaching down to where the newly corpsified trooper lays, I relieve him of his rifle. Swinging it up to my shoulder, I target the fleeing trooper. 1 shot.
GM Craig: The rifle is smooth, sturdy and powerful. Twisting the sling around your fore-arm and bracing on the roof of the speeder, you line up the blaster. [19 to hit. He's not dodging. Range was 50m (medium) so you needed a 15] The plasma blast strikes the fleeing trooper. [21 damage, he resists with a 10 ...] The trooper goes down like a sack of potatoes and doesn't get up. You doubt he's dead outright,
GM Craig: but you doubt he's getting up soon.
Dawson: and if he isn?t dead yet, I will make certain he will be. But right now, I have more pressing issues. like the 3 remaining troopers...
GM Craig: [3 remaining? They're all down (incapacitated).]
GM Craig: [Actions?]
Dawson: I grit my teeth, the task at hand would have been impossible for me just a short time ago. But mercy is for those who can afford it, or who choose to. But that is not what I have in mind. Working my way around the speeder, I intend to find each trooper, and send him to hell on a plasma blast.
GM Craig: The blaster coughs 4 more times, finishing the grisly work. In a matter of 40 seconds or so the entire encounter is over. And you have a powerful new tool to conduct your work. Not to mention a slightly blasted speeder.
Dawson: Toeing the dead troopers, I search them quickly, looking for anything that may prove to be useful
GM Craig: Imperial comlink, one of them has a code cylinder - you recognize him as a corporal. They all have blaster pistols, and 3 power packs each. Oh, and 5 military comlinks.
GM Craig: Comlinks...
GM Craig: The trooper at the back... playing things through again in your mind, you remember him speaking. With the benefit of hindsight, he was calling in reinforcements.
GM Craig: [They have ID cards as well...]
GM Craig: A standard field pack - comes with rations and water, an envirotent and a few other items.
GM Craig: 5 blaster pistols, 5 rifles, 5 comlinks, 5 blast vests. Utility belt with supplies. That'a about it.
GM Craig: And a code cyllinder.
Dawson: time to make myself scarce. Scooping up my plundered booty, I load it in to the speeder. Dropping myself into the drivers seat, I power up the speeder, and take off in the direction of Ki.
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GM Craig: Craft: Sorosuub XP-38b Landspeeder ground vehicle
Type: Landspeeder
Scale: Speeder
Length: 7.4 meters
Skill: Repulsorlift operation: landspeeder
Crew: 1
Passengers: 5
Cargo Capacity: 10 kilograms
Cover: 1/2
Altitude Range: Ground-2 meters
Cost: 10,550 (new), 2,500 (used)
Maneuverability: 2D
Move: 92; 264 kmh
Body Strength: 2D
GM Craig: Except 20 kg cargo.
GM Craig: Here's you're new equipment...
Sorosuub XP-38b Landspeeder ground vehicle
5 blaster rifles
5 blaster pistols
5 military comlinks
5 blast vests
5 blast helmets
5 utility belts
5 survival packs
1 code cylinder
5 Imperial ID cards
GM Craig: 15 power packs
GM Craig: You leave the bodies where they lay?
Dawson: take to long to dig.. is there any cover I could drag them to?
GM Craig: Not really. Nothing nearby anyway.
GM Craig: And it'd take time you likely don't have.
Dawson: lay them out flat.. flat is harder to see
GM Craig: K.
GM Craig: Then pile their stuff in the speeder and head for Ki?
Dawson: yep
GM Craig: K.
GM Craig: The speeder handles well, though the blaster burns on the body of the vehicle are obvious. You'll need to get those fixed if you want to keep the vehicle for very long.
GM Craig: The powerful engines are barely idling and you reach speeds of 150km/h, so the trip to the town is very quick.
GM Craig: There is no sign of an Imperial presence. Anything in particular you are looking for?
Dawson: not really sure... I think the best place to go would likely be a market.. no matter how legit, someone always seems to know where a girl can .. .unload.. a few extra items
GM Craig: Ki is pretty small, but in the centre of town there is an open-air market square. Most of the spaces are empty, but there is a small cluster of brightly coloured awnings along one side of the square, clustered around and in front of a cantina.
GM Craig: [Speeder gives full cover, BTW. I forgot to edit that as well.]
Dawson: Ahh... just the place I am looking for. Stash my gear in the speeder, blaster concealed, and into the cantina.. after making sure there is enough of ME showing to distract ...
GM Craig: You get many stares from the folks under the awnings, both customers and sellers alike. As you enter the cantina, their eyes stray to the speeder and the two blaster wounds on the hull. But it seems to be a case of curiosity.
GM Craig: Entering the cantina, it takes a few seconds for your eyes to adjust to the gloom.
GM Craig: The first thing you become aware of is the smell of hard-working humanity. The next thing is a bad recording of some old-time musical group. Finally, about half a dozen patrons become visible as your eyes adjust, along with a serving girl and a bartender.
GM Craig: Every eye in the place is fixed on you.
GM Craig: [Actions?]
Dawson: Enter the cantina, I cant help but command attention. I know it, and there is no sense trying to hide it. Ignoring the stares,, I move up to the bar, and take a seat, positioning myself with my back towards the wall, and my face to the door.
GM Craig: [BTW: It was about 2 weeks ago that Lendt was destroyed.]
Dawson: [ok - that makes it easy to explain the damage to the speeder]
GM Craig: The crowd starts to turn back to what they were doing, but you get the distinct impression you are now the subject of conversation at the three tables.
GM Craig: The bartender slides over to you, not looking. He's polishing a glass. "What can I get you?" he says.
Dawson: [2 questions.. what do the occupants of the 3 tables in question look like.. and what would be a common drink order in a dive like this?]
GM Craig: [The guys at the tables are all either farmers of farm hands. Corellian Whiskey is a good choice, but a lot of people drink Lum (kinda like a beer). There are other options. The local indigs drink a spicy drink called Karth.]
GM Craig: The Karvans are not local, but settlers.
GM Craig: The original people (the indigs) are called the Koth?
Dawson: "Whiskey, neat.. and one for yourself." I take careful note of the 3 tables and make eye contact
GM Craig: The gentlemen at the table aren't actually staring, but there are frequent nods in your direction, and the occasional glance. If what you have heard about the rural Karvans is true, they're speculating who you are, and where you come from. The bartender says, "Thanks, but I don't drink on the job." He still charges you double though. [10 credits]
Dawson: I pay the 10, and add 3 for a tip. Picking up the glass, I lift it to my lips, and quaff it quickly. Placing the glass down on the counter, I point to it, and nod.
GM Craig: The bartender turns his face to look at you. He then raises an eyebrow and refills the glass.
GM Craig: He is distracted for a moment when the serving girl comes for some refills for the locals.
GM Craig: Once he is done refilling their glasses, he drifts in your direction again.
Dawson: I wait until he is close enough that I can talk to him without looking at him.. without looking like I am talking to him
GM Craig: [ No problem. He's pretty much right beside you.]
Dawson: "Market always this quiet?"
GM Craig: He glances towards the door. "This time of day, it's usually just a few guys having a gossip session. Lon-Days are better, though lately there's not been much business even then."
GM Craig: He sets down the glass in line with some others and picks up another one. With a critical eye he looks through it, and then starts polishing.
Dawson: "makes it tough for a girl to do any shopping... or....." I shrug my shoulders "anything else, for that matter"
GM Craig: Apparently satisfied that you want to talk, he glances at you. "You're not from around here."
Dawson: "I am today..."
GM Craig: He nods to himself. "We've seen a few of you through here."
Dawson: "Many patrols come thru here lately?"
GM Craig: He sighs a tired sigh. "About once every day or two. Plus the tax collection weekly."
Dawson: I nod... "So who runs things when the market is closed?"
GM Craig: He glances at you out of the corner of his eye. "What do you mean, 'runs things?'"
GM Craig: At this moment there is the whine of shuttle engines overhead. The place rattles a little as something heavy flies overhead. Dust drifts quietly down from the rafters.
GM Craig: Everyone in the place looks up, then at each other. Conversations get quiet.
Dawson: "if a girl had a few odds and ends she wanted to part with... who could she talk to?"
GM Craig: After a moment, the sounds are gone.
GM Craig: The bartender sighs again in thought. "Well, most of the guys out front here take barter, especially since the Empire moved in here. Credits are too easy to trace. And to tax."
Dawson: "and if the items in question were a bit ... questionable" I lift my head, and make direct eye contact with him, for a split second, and then return my attention to my drink
GM Craig: Off in the distance, you hear the faint whine as something big kicks in the repulsors. The ground under your feet shakes a little. The guys in the bar start looking nervously at the door, and start polishing off their drinks. The bartender says, "Well, Old Max has been known to take the occasional found item. He might be able to give you a hand."
GM Craig: In pairs and threes, the locals square up their tabs (or just say "put it on my tab") and start to make for the door.
Dawson: I get to my feet, sliding another 10 credits across the bar.. "where can find him?"
GM Craig: He sets down the glass with the others, then picks up a new one. Looking through it with a small flourish, he then lowers it and starts to polish it. "Old Max is the one-legger out side. He's bald as an egg, with a tan so dark he looks like a Koth?.? You didn?t see how it happened, but the coins are gone.
Dawson: I nod, and head quickly for the door. Once I am clear of the doorway, I quickly take a look around. I wont have much time before those bodies are found, if I have any time left at all..
Dawson: I quickly polish off the drink, and hold the empty glass up to the bartender.. and then put it in my pocket. "I was looking for my family, right?"
GM Craig: The bartender places his hand on the glass as you hold it out. ?I don?t know what you?re talking about. I never saw anyone.? He then gently takes the glass and places it in the scrubber. ?Don?t worry about the others,? he says.
Dawson: a nod of thanks, and I?m on my way. GM Craig: Outside, it takes a moment for your eyes to adjust to the bright sunshine. When they do, you can see a familiar sight - an Imperial assault shuttle. It?s probably unloading troops near where the squad you killed reported in. Most of the guys running market carts are packing up, but two of them sit calmly watching the action.
GM Craig: One of the guys watching is bald as an egg, with a tan so deep it?s almost chocolate brown.
Dawson: I approach the bald chocolate man quickly, but not so fast as to draw attention to myself... "you wouldn't be the one they call Old Max, wouldja?"
GM Craig: His lips part to reveal gums completely devoid of teeth. ?Well, aren?t you a cutie!? He laughs lecherously. ?What can I do for you?? He wiggles his eyebrows as he finishes he sentence.
Dawson: "Now now.. I think what you were really asking is what could you do TO me.. but to cut to the chase, I have some items I need to.. move.." I look over my shoulder in the direction of the shuttle "in a bit of a hurry..."
GM Craig: He looks at your curves suggestively. ?I bet you do, you pretty thing. I bet you do.? His eyes get a faraway look in them for a moment, then he seems to remember where he is. Again the toothless smile and lecherous laugh. ?Well, let?s see what ya got, sugarbuns.? He seems completely unconcerned about the shuttle.
Dawson: I nod my head in the direction of the speeder. "in there"
GM Craig: Old Max starts to get up, but you can see that he is missing his right leg about halfway down from the thigh. He struggles a little with the crutch and conveniently falls over into you. You feel hands groping a little before he rights himself. He looks up at you and giggles like a child, then turns to hop off to the speeder.
GM Craig: In the distance, the shuttle?s repulsors whine again as it lifts into the air, and then the roar of it?s thrusters makes the buildings around you shudder as it screams overhead. It?s going a lot faster then it came.
GM Craig: You almost have trouble keeping up with Old Max - he gets around pretty good on that crutch.
GM Craig: He gets to the speeder, rubbing his hands. ?Ok, let?s see what you got.?
Dawson: I point him towards where I cached the gear
GM Craig: He pops open the storage hatch and gives it a heave. His eyes fall on the contents, and he lets out a low whistle.
GM Craig: "I knew you were wearing one of these things, but..." He picks one up and gives it a look over. All humour gone from his face, he suddenly turns to look at the shuttle. Pausing for a moment, he looks back to you. "You need to give Old Max a ride to his place, sugarbuns."
Dawson: I jerk my head towards the passenger seat. "Can you get in, or do you need...?'
GM Craig: He's already on his way. He throws over the gull-wing door and piles into the passenger seat.
GM Craig: 'C'mon, sugarbuns!"
Dawson: "which way"
GM Craig: He points with a wrinkled finger. "About 5 kilometers thataway to the river, then bear north."
Dawson: firing up the speeder, I take off in the direction given by my new friend
-
GM Craig: About 20 minutes later, you arrive at a little shack on the edge of a river. The place is hidden by a copse of trees, and looks to be little more that a pile of wood that is too stupid to fall down. Old Max says, "Better put this thing under the trees. If you got that stuff the way I think you got it, they'll be pouring all over the countryside looking for you, sugarbuns."
Dawson: I shake my head.. just cant get used to the old dodger calling me sugarbuns.. but I nod anyways, and guide the speeder over to where he suggested.
GM Craig: Old Max stretches and opens the door. "Well, let's have a spot of tea, and a roll in the hay, then you can tell me how you got all that stuff." He giggles like a child and hobbles his way towards the house.
GM Craig: He already has a fire going by the time you get to the door. He's pretty quick on the crutch. He points to a bed along one wall, and says, "You get comfortable, and I'll fix the tea." He puts a blackened pot on a hook over the fire. Looking at the bed, you realize that Old Max doesn't sleep alone. Several creepy-crawlies scurry under the blankets as you approach.
Dawson: I cant help but grin at the old mans antics.. "alright, Max, you tomcat.. tea is a grand idea.. especially after drinking what I did back in town..." I look around quickly for somewhere else to SIT.
GM Craig: [There are a couple of crates that seem so decrepit that even the bugs are staying away...]
Dawson: with a resigned sigh, I head over to the bed. With a careful eye towards not squishing any of the .. ahem.. critters... I lower myself gently to the bed, waiting for the creak that is sure to signal that it is about to collapse under my weight.
GM Craig: Old Max leers at you suggestively, taking more than a few moments to look you up and down very carefully, giggling as you sit on the bed. The bed, surprisingly, seems sturdy. Max looks at you on the bed and spreads his arms wide, balancing on one leg. "Now there is a sight for sore eyes? What is your preference, sugarbuns?"
Dawson: I raise one eyebrow, and give him the practiced look of a woman who has been on the receiving end of MANY leering stares.. "I sure hope you do mean what do I want in my tea" and then a quick wink to let him know I am on to him.
GM Craig: He giggles again, and gives you a toothless grin. "Why of course, sugarbuns! There is always time for the *after* the tea..."
Dawson: "hehe.. I?ll take it strong and black... sugar if you've got it, but if not, you can just stir it with your little finger, and sweeten it up for me
GM Craig: He chitters and chuckles to himself, continuing to openly glance at you from time to time. After a few minutes, the tea is ready. He brings you a steaming cup, and kicks a crate over in front of the bed. Hopping around on one leg, he parks himself in front of it, and sits. He stares into your eyes as he sips the tea. Indicating the cup, he says, "Now, have some tea, and let's hear your story."
Dawson: Taking the cup from his hands, I take a sip of the steaming brew. I feel like this is the first time I have been at ease since... well.. a long time. I meet his stare, and take a deep breath.
GM Craig: [The tea tastes like ... well, if you boiled tea for three hours, and then filtered it through a week-old sweatsock...]
Dawson: "I guess my story starts the instant my daughter died..her head crushed under the boot of a patrol that ripped thru my hometown. My husband shot from the skies, and now here I am. I kill them as I go, take what I can, and move on. I have no life left, other than exacting retribution for the life of my daughter and my husband."
Dawson: I take another sip of the tea, a deep breath, and a long blink...
GM Craig: He scratches is stubbly chin. "Lendt. You are from Lendt." It is a statement, not a question. "I suppose that gear in the cargo compartment is spoils of war?"
Dawson: "How do you know where I am from?'
GM Craig: "Your story. Only place where that kind of brutality happened was at Lendt. That, and your accent. You sure ain't a local."
Dawson: I nod.. and take another sip of my tea. Staring at him over the rim, I continue " local.. is anyone a local anywhere anymore? They come thru, rip up towns, destroy families... " I stop.. I can feel my anger creeping into my voice... I take a deep breath... "and yeah.. spoils of war, I guess you could call it.. "
GM Craig: He places a hand on your knee, which slowly starts creeping up your thigh as he speaks. "I know, darling. Times are tough on all of us. But you can relax - out here in the countryside, the Empire doesn't have any friends."
Dawson: I place my hand gently on Max's hand... and stop its progress.. "I appreciate that, Max. But I am not safe as long as I have that gear anywhere near me.. or the speeder, in the shape it is in... what do you think we can do about it?"
GM Craig: Old Max?s pout almost brings a tear to your eye.
GM Craig: Withdrawing his hand, he rises. "Well, I can handle some stuff like that, but the stuff you have is way too hot for me." He pauses a moment. "But I do know a guy in Relkedagy Szezet. He might be able to help. The market in Jo might also be able to help, but it's a bit of a hike."
GM Craig: "3,000 klicks to Relkedagy Szezet, and 2,700 to Jo."
Dawson: "will you take me there?"
GM Craig: He blinks at your offer. "Me?" His eyes brighten. You want me, do you sugarbuns?"
Dawson: "Fact is Max, I need you. I can?t see these guys doing business with a complete stranger.. and I like you.. "
GM Craig: The hand is back on your knee. "You need me, hey?"
Dawson: A huge grin crosses my face, and a smile plays upon my lips "Max, my dear, I think this could be the start of a beautiful friendship" I take his hand in mine, and lean over and kiss him gently on the cheek
GM Craig: His eyes go wide, and he looks like he might lunge at you on the bed. But his enthusiasm fades. "As much as I'd like to go with you, my home is here." He indicates his stump. "I'm not the man I used to be. My wandering days are over."
Dawson: I nod, resigned to the fact that this is a trip I will have to make alone. "Well then, Max, what do you suggest I do? Who do you think would be most likely able to .. take this gear off my hands?"
GM Craig: "Well, if you're up to the trip, I'd say head for Relkedagy Szezet. If I recall, there is a guy there runs a cantina called 'The Rift.' The owner there will know where to find a man called Thrin Hurst. Hurst is the guy you'd be lookin' for. You could also head to Jo - the black market is pretty active there. But you could also head to A Va on the north coast, but I don't know much about there. Seaports always have a good black market though. Relkedagy Szezet is probably your best bet - no spaceport, so there is no Imperial garrison, just the regular patrols. Jo is a spaceport, so there is a garrison and checkpoints and all that sithspit."
Dawson: "Yeah, and I LOVE dealing with the patrols.. " I pause, considering "Looks like Relkedagy is the place for me. Can you draw me a map? Last thing I want to do is wander around with a speeder with blaster holes in it... Best to get straight there..."
GM Craig: Max whistles. "That speeder you got out side could almost drive you there itself, so I'm sure you won't have a problem."
Dawson: "I?m worried about the holes.. nothing like drawing attention to myself..."
GM Craig: Max scratches his chin again, the rasping of stubble on leathery skin is quite loud in the little shack. "I got a bit of putty and some paint. It'd be an obvious patch job, but it'll be less obvious than blaster scars."
Dawson: "Sounds like a plan.. You gonna help a lady in distress?"
GM Craig: Old Max narrows his eyes in a lecherous smile. "That depends on what you can do for a desperate old man..." He rubs his rough hands together in anticipation.
Dawson: "hehehe.. what'd ya have in mind?"
GM Craig: He stands, tucks his thumbs in his belt and moves the front of his pants up and down. "Well, what did *you* have in mind, sugarbuns?"
Dawson: "would you settle for my undying gratitude?"
GM Craig: He looks crestfallen. "How about 50 credits so I can buy myself a *blanket* to keep me warm?"
Dawson: " think I can manage a bit better than that... " I rise to my feet and bend over as if to retrieve something from my boot.. and allow him a nice long peek down the front of my shirt....'
GM Craig: When you stand up, he is still staring at the place where you were. He is shaking slightly. His mouth gapes a bit for a few moments before he comes to his senses. Your move seemed to catch him completely off guard. He tries to say something, then stops to swallow, then tries again. "I'll go get that putty and paint..." He then hops out the door distractedly, muttering to himself.
GM Craig: Once he's outside, you hear him giggle like a child once again, and give a little hoot.
Dawson: A huge grin on my face, I follow him outside... The work will go faster if there are two of us, and the sooner I unload this gear.. the better, and the sooner I am gone from here, the less danger Max is in
GM Craig: A few minutes later, the patch job is done. It is crude, but Max brought a hammer and distressed the body of the speeder to make it look more like a minor collision. He even found some blue paint. It's not as dark as the speeder's paint, but it should help ease suspicions.
GM Craig: Max hops over beside you, finally taking up his crutch. Putting his arm around you, he says, "Well? How you like my handiwork?" The hand is slowly creeping down your back...
Dawson: "Max, the speeder looks divine.. I couldn?t have done it with out you." I stand up to survey the overall effect
GM Craig: The hand slips onto your buttocks. "Well, it's not some of my best work, but I do what I can."
Dawson: Max?s antics are a bit disconcerting.. to say the least.. But I know he is harmless, and I have endured worse, and at the hands of worse... so if putting his hands on my ass bring him pleasure.. who am I to mess with a few minutes of joy for the old man.. I bend over the speeder, into my pack, and pull out 100 credits. I slip them easily into the pocket on Max's pants, and give him a wink, and a soft kiss on his toothless mouth. "I?m outta here, old timer, its not safe for me to stay..."
GM Craig: Max is still standing there unmoving as you pull away. In the rear viewer, after a few moments, you see him leap for joy, throwing his crutch into the air. He stumbles, falls, and sits there in the dust, laughing like a child. He smiles and waves goodbye.
Dawson: I know I will keep that memory with me for a while.. just as I know I will likely never see Max again. It?s been along time since I have had the chance to say goodbye to someone. And it?s nice to know he'll remember me too...
GM Craig: [It's about 11 hours to Relkedagy Szezet at cruising speed, unless you want to push it.]
Dawson: no, I think cruising speed is best bet.. don?t want to cause a stir by having a speeder tearing thru the countryside
GM Craig: [It's also late in the afternoon. You gonna try and make the trip in one shot? You could overnight in Aznnak.]
Dawson: fundage is a bit low.. best to make straight for it
GM Craig: [OK. 1600 km to Aznnak, or you could bypass it. It's 5:30 now, so you're looking at arriving at Relkedagy Szezet at close to 5:30 in the morning. I show you at 47 credits.]
Dawson: ... k.. straight thru then.
-
GM Craig: It was long going, but almost 12 hours after leaving Old Max, you find yourself approaching the outskirts of Relkedagy Szezet. You know the city holds about 25,000 people or so. It might take some time to track down the cantina. You've been going close to 24 hours at this point.
Dawson: hmm chances of finding 'accommodations' within my budget are slim to none.....no rest for the weary, I suppose. Local directory sounds like my best chance.
GM Craig: Pulling over, you access the local infonet from the computer in the speeder. It takes a few minutes, but you pull up a map and directions to The Rift. It's about 25 minutes away, assuming you follow local laws and regulations.
Dawson: Following local laws and regs ALSO sounds like a good idea.. considering what I am carrying.. Firing up the speeder, I head in the direction of The Rift
GM Craig: Weaving your way through the light traffic is an easy matter, at 6:00 in the morning. As you go, the notice that the quality of the building maintenance is going downhill as you get closer and closer to the centre of the city. Finally, you pull up to a run-down building with a damaged sign over it. You wouldn't be able to read most of it in the night, but by daylight you can see the words - The Rift.
Dawson: Thinking to myself as I survey the scene, "OK, Max..hope you know what you were talking about" I get out of the speeder, and head over to the door of the Cantina. Chances that it will be open at this time.. slim to none, but hey, worth a shot
GM Craig: The door is sealed and locked.
Dawson: Can i see in the window?
GM Craig: [There are no windows. There is an enunciator (doorbell) on a panel to one side of the door.]
Dawson: A bit early to be waking anyone up.. I think I?ll take a quick look around town, kill some time, and see what happens at a more decent hour. First priority, though, is to stash the speeder...
GM Craig: [You're in a pretty seedy area...]
Dawson: greaaaaaaaat. hmmm wonder how much luck I would have finding my quarry live and in person. I decide to try the comlink, and see if I can find him.
GM Craig: [Now that you're tapped into the local infonet, you can use the computer in the speeder.]
Dawson: even better.
GM Craig: Climbing back into the vehicle, you see if you can dig up info on this Thrin.
Dawson: [LOL I forgot his name...]
GM Craig: It takes a couple of seconds before you get a hit. It is an Imperial Decree from the Governor of Karvis. It seems Thrin is a wanted man. The Empire has a bounty on him, 200 credits for info leading to the capture of the criminal. 500 credits if you bring him in personally. There is a contact comlink code for interested parties.
Dawson: nope.. definitely not the type of info I need.. I keep digging, hoping to find more information.
GM Craig: There are several news stories about Thrin, both before and after the occupation. It seems he's a bit of a nasty guy, wanted for all sorts of minor non-violent crimes. But no contact info shows up. That makes sense - if the Imperials are looking for him, he'll need to lay low.
Dawson: yep.. wouldn?t want to make it too easy for them to find him, that?s for sure.. makes my life a bit more difficult. Be that as it may, I have GOT to unload this stuff... I can?t wait. Hopping out of the speeder, I head back to the door, and jab at the button on the panel.
GM Craig: There is no response.
Dawson: again...
GM Craig: This time, after a few moments, there is a response. A metallic voice says, "What the frell is it!"
Dawson: "My name is Dawson.. I?m looking for Thrin.. we have a mutual friend.."
GM Craig: There is silence. "What the frell are you talking about, you frelling freak? Do you know what time it is?"
Dawson: "Yes, I know what time it is. I wouldn?t be here if I had an alternative. You gonna let me in, or do I get to stand out here in the street so every passing idiot can here what we have to say?"
GM Craig: There is a string of swears that almost makes you blush. Then, the man says, "This had better be good..." There is a click, and the door unlocks.
Dawson: I reach out, and pull the door open. As I slowly step inside, I blink, trying to give my eyes a chance to adjust to the dim light. I?m looking for a body to attach to the voice..
GM Craig: You are in an entrance foyer. There is a booth (empty) and behind that a door.
Dawson: I walk up to the door, and tap it lightly..
GM Craig: The door opens as you approach. Inside is a dark cantina that seems empty of life.
Dawson: I stay on my side of the door, peering in, waiting for my eyes to adjust.. searching for movement within the room. I have no intentions of being whacked in the back of the head..
GM Craig: There is nothing. The place looks deserted.
Dawson: Looks being the key word.. I call out, tentatively ... "hello??"
GM Craig: No response.
Dawson: damn... this is NOT good. nothing I like more than walking into a supposedly empty dark room. Alright.. time to put up or shut up. I call into the room "I?m coming in... do us both a favour, and DONT try to knock me into next week. See? Both hands.. no blaster (I wave my hands in the air, to show they are empty) Ok. coming in..... " I take one step inside the door, and stop
GM Craig: There is a click and the sound of a blaster powering up. At the same instant, a bright light turns on and focuses on you, effectively blinding you. "Don't move!" a voice says. The voice is coming from your right.
Dawson: "I?m not going anywhere. Told you that. Put the blaster down, man. "
GM Craig: A shape appears out of the light from a different direction. A woman in a robe holding a blaster pistol steps forward. She moves with confidence and grace. She does a quick search and comes up with your blaster pistol. And she does so, she says, "She's got armour, Jimmy."
Dawson: "Hey, watch where you point that thing. I don?t particularly care to add any holes to the ensemble. "
GM Craig: "Jimmy" says, "Take off the armour, and shut up. We're doing the talking for now." You can't see him, but he seems to be moving. He's more towards the front now.
Dawson: I make no move to shed my armour.
GM Craig: Jimmy says, "You come to my door looking for Thrin. You want him, you take off the frelling armour."
Dawson: "you have my blaster, I?m NOT giving you my armour. You wanna search me for more weapons? Be my guest. "
GM Craig: Jimmy says, "Gurlon, help the lady out of her armour, would you?"
GM Craig: A large-ish humanoid comes forward. His forearms are fully the size of your waist. He looks like a lizard, and large fangs part to reveal a forked tongue. His voice sounds like a hiss as he says in Basic, "I'm gonna enjoy this..."
GM Craig: A hand the size of a gallon pail reaches for you.
GM Craig: [actions?]
Dawson: "easy there big fella..." I take a step back. " Loook.. I?m looking for Thrin. Max said he might be in the market for some.. specialty items.... If he?s not here, I?ll just go..."
GM Craig:[/color] [The lizard man isn't listening, and he's reaching for you. Unless you take action, he's gonna get those powerful arms around you.]
Dawson: "FRELL!!!! Fine. I?ll take off the armour. Call off your.. pet"
GM Craig: Gurlon stands by as you remove the blast vest. The woman with the blaster comes forward and takes it from you.
Dawson: "Don?t smudge it up, darlin.. It?s a real pain to clean..."
GM Craig: Gurlon moves to stand behind you. The light gets turned off, and you see Jimmy for the first time.
GM Craig: "You're pretty lippy, young lady." Jimmy is human, but with the dark skin of a Kothe.
Dawson: "lippy, huh? You don?t seem to be at a loss for words yourself..."
GM Craig: He stands about 5'5", and looks wiry. His face is leathery, like someone who spent much of his life in the elements. He appears to be about 50 years old or so. He is naked from the waist up, and wearing loose pants. It looks like he just got out of bed.
Dawson: "So, Jimmy.. I know your name, and you know my name.. how about being a gentle man and introducing me to your... friend?"
GM Craig: The blaster rifle in his hands looks efficient. "I'm doing the talking, remember?" He shoves the rifle into your guy, hard. Simultaneously, Gurlon grabs you from behind. Pain explodes from your stomach, and you feel the urge to vomit.
GM Craig: "But since you like talking so much, you can answer a few questions..." He waits for your reaction.
Dawson: I wait for the pain to pass.. which I know it will.... and then over my shoulder to Gurlon, "Easy there big boy.. let?s get to know each other first..." Then I turn my attention back to Jimmy. "Sure. whattdya wanna know?"
GM Craig: His eyes narrow, and you see the urge to belt you again plain on his face. Instead he spits on your boots and says, "Who the frell are you."
Dawson: "told you. My name is Dawson."
GM Craig: "Just Dawson?"
Dawson: "yep. just Dawson. Family?s dead... no ties.. no roots.. Just Dawson"
GM Craig: He seems unmoved. "Where are you from, Just Dawson?"
Dawson: "Around, mostly. Imperials made sure my home town ended up as a lovely crater..."
GM Craig: He spits again at the mention of the Imperials, this time on the floor. "Lendt..."
Dawson: "you heard... "
GM Craig: "Who didn't? But that's not the point. Thrin is a busy guy, and a lot of people are looking for him. How do I know you're not some two-bit bounty hunter?"
Dawson: "Uh HELLO.. would a bounty hunter ring your door at this ungodly hour?" I shake my head.. answering my own question " Course not. Old Max.." A small grin plays across my face. I can?t help it... "Old Max said Thrin might be in the market to pick up some.. merchandise.. that was a bit to warm for him to handle..."
GM Craig: Jimmy's eyes narrow, and he grips the rifle tighter, before realizing he gave himself away. He tries to cover it up with a question, "OK, Just Dawson, how do you know Old Max?"
Dawson: "Well, he might think he knew ME pretty well.. or at least his hands do.. Man, the old codger has busy hands... "
GM Craig: Jimmy still seems pretty tense, but relaxes a little at your description. "What did he tell you?"
Dawson: "Max told me that the stuff I was looking to .. be rid of.. he couldn?t handle. But he said that Thrin could. SO, here I am"
GM Craig: Jimmy sits there for a mew moments sucking his teeth. "Gurlon, find out guest a room." The lizard hisses, "Sure, Jimmy." He then starts to move you deeper into the cantina, with our without your help. His grip is like iron. The woman moves over to Jimmy as you are removed from the room. You can hear them speaking quietly, but can't make out what they are saying.
Dawson: "Hey now.. Play nice"
GM Craig: Gurlon doesn't answer, he just hisses. He takes you into a back room, and opens a door. Inside is a small room - more of a closet, really. He gives you a slight shove, but with his powerful arms it sends you sprawling. Before you can get to your feet, he seals and locks the door. You are in total darkness.
Dawson: "damn..." I squint into the darkness, trying to force my eyes to become accustomed.. to pick out any detail, and sliver of light... I stand, and move to the door, putting my ear up to it, and listening intently
GM Craig: You hear Gurlon hissing to himself as he thumps away. After that, it's quiet. After a few moments, you do see some light - a faint glimmer from a crack at the bottom of the door.
-
Dawson: [can I hear anything?]
GM Craig: A few minutes later, you hear the sound of a speeder. Guess where you are in the room, it sounds as if someone has just driven a speeder up to the back of the building. Other than that, all is quiet.
Dawson: hmmmm i wonder if it was my speeder.. or if the mysterious Thrin is about to make an appearance. Regardless, all I can do at this point is wait...
GM Craig: Time passes. In the quiet dark, it's hard to tell how long. Several times, you heard footsteps coming and going, but nothing else.
Dawson: man, if I had some wool, I could crochet an afghan... Using the sliver of light to my best advantage, I take a good look around at my current... accommodations
GM Craig: The room is pretty much empty, as if it was intended for holding someone. Eventually, you hear the shuffling thump of Gurlon approaching.
Dawson: I move to the farthest back corner of the room.. If he wants me, he can ask nicely...
GM Craig: The door opened, bathing the room in harsh light. Gurlon's hissing voice says, "You come with me."
Dawson: "See, was that so hard?" I move towards the door, and out it.
GM Craig: Placing a heavy hand on you, Gurlon guides your steps to a new area of the cantina's back rooms. You come to another door, and Gurlon hisses, "Inside."
Dawson: "Aren?t you going to be a gentleman and open it for me?" Man, this smart mouth of me is gonna get me in deep someday...
GM Craig: Gurlon obliges, opening the door. Then, hissing in mirth, he gives you a mighty shove. You are propelled through the air and slam into a chair, then a table, and fall to the floor. Looking up from the floor, you see Gurlon hissing with laughter. He turns his back to the doorway and closes the door.
Dawson: "Be careful the next time you turn your back on me.. you never know when the tables will be turned." I stand up, and dust myself off. Righting the chair, I flop down into it, throw one leg across the other, cross my arms, and look around the room expectantly
GM Craig: A disembodies voice says quietly, "You should be more careful, young lady." You nearly jump out of your skin. Looking quickly, you see no-one. Then, a shadow separates from the wall and steps forward. "Not everyone will find your attitude as amusing as Gurlon does." The figure is still mostly shrouded in darkness. He is wearing some sort of cape or robe.
Dawson: "I am not here to amuse anyone. I have a transaction to complete. If I can do it here, to the benefit of both parties, bully for me.. If not, I take my trade else where.. I take it you are the one I have been waiting for?"
GM Craig: He spreads his arms wide, and bows. "Thrin Husrt at your service."
Dawson: "nice to finally make your acquaintance. The names Dawson" I move as if to rise, and wait to see if any one objects
GM Craig: He doesn't step forward. "Your attitude, young lady, is amusing. But you strike me as someone not very wise in the ways of the world. I would suggest to you that it might be prudent to contain yourself, lest someone less tolerant than myself takes offense." He holds out a hand.
Dawson: Rising to my feet, I look warily at the hand.... ah well, in for a penny, in for a pound... and then grasp it with my own.
GM Craig: Your hand passes through it completely.
Dawson: "Ohhhhh....Like that is it?? I see.. well, I don?t really, but there you are just the same..."
GM Craig: The image of Hurst vanishes, and the door opens. You see the same person standing before you. "I apologize for my ruse, Dawson. But a certain amount of caution is prudent, given my certain circumstances." He holds out his hand.
Dawson: I cock my eyebrow.. and look at the hand.. both sides.. shrug my shoulders, and reach (yet again... ) for the proffered hand
GM Craig: This one is real. "I had to be sure you were not a bounty hunter. I hope you understand."
Dawson: "course I do.. now.. So, you a friend of Max's?"
GM Craig: "We were acquaintances in my youth. I had thought he was dead." Thrin takes a seat. May I offer you some refreshment?"
Dawson: Clearing my throat of the ever present dust, I nod.. "Yes, that would be most appreciated.. its a bit dusty out there..."
GM Craig: "Very well. While that is coming, let us talk about your problem. I've taken a look at your goods, and I think I can help you dispose of them. Which items, exactly, were you looking to liquidate?"
Dawson: Most of it, really.. thought I would keep the speeder.. everything else is too easily traced, as far as I?m concerned..
GM Craig: Thrin looks you over for a moment, then says, "I'll give you 2000 credits for the lot."
Dawson: "aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah no. I think for that price, I?ll have to keep looking. I didn?t come all this way to be taken advantage of.. Thanks anyways.."
GM Craig: "Well then, make me an offer? I do have a buyer for equipment such as this. Maybe I have a little room to move?" A that moment, the door opens and the woman from earlier comes in with a tray of iced fruit juices and kavvy. She sets the try down and then leaves.
[14:55] Dawson: "Fact is, Thrin, you an I both know what I could get for these things if I sold them off myself. I have neither the time nor the inclination to do so. So why don?t you figure out what you can sell them for, figure in a nice profit for yourself, and make me a FAIR offer ?"
GM Craig: Thrin spreads his hands. "I thought I *was* making a fair offer. You see, we both know that you have little chance of moving this stuff yourself. You're as likely to end up in an Imperial detention centre as you are to find a buyer. I, on the other hand, already have a buyer. Unfortunately this buyer is on a budget, so I can't offer you anything close to market value for these items. So, given the circumstances, I think I offer was quite fair. But to show you my good intentions, I will throw in another 350 credits."
Dawson: "make it 500,and the deal is done.."
GM Craig: Thrin pauses to take a sip of juice. Placing the glass back on the table, he looks you over. "Agreed." He produces a data pad, and then draws forth a cred stick. "I assume a cred-stick is preferable?"
Dawson: I nod..
GM Craig: He inserts the cred stick into the datapad. A few keystrokes later, he removes it and hands it to you. Thrin smiles and says, "It has been a pleasure doing business with you, Miss Dawson. If you ever have any more goods you need to move, please let me know." He gives you a comlink code. "This frequency is monitored by a droid of mine. You can leave messages there."
Dawson: "only if next time, we can do with out the... " I look over myshoulder "special introduction"
GM Craig: "I think we can avoid the... extra... precautions next time."
Dawson: I rise to my feet, suddenly feeling the need to be on my way... "my blaster, and armour, if you don?t mind?"
GM Craig: He rises. The door opens, and the woman is back, with your armour and blaster. "Of course," he says.
Dawson: "next time, sweetie, give it a bit of a polish, wouldja?" I say with a wink. I slide back into my armour with practiced ease, and check my blaster for tampering...
GM Craig: "Remember, next time you need to reach me, use the comlink and leave a message." Your gear is in good order.
Dawson: I nod, and quickly make my way out. [is my speeder where I left it?]
GM Craig: Nope, the speeder is to the rear. The woman shows you the way.
Dawson: I follow the woman to where my speeder is.. before I get in, I turn to her and say 'all in good fun, eh?"
GM Craig: She smiles sweetly and shrugs. "You know how it goes."
Dawson: I nod, and get into the speeder. Powering it up, I soon leave the town behind me.. The memory fading as quickly as the dust settles behind me.
-
GM Craig: Leaving the Rift, you see the woman who's name you never got turn and go back inside. [Where to? Its now 12:30 in the afternoon. You haven't slept now for 29 and a half hours...]
Dawson: time to find a place to crash.. after a few hours of sleep, I can look for supplies... a town this big MUST have a place,, its just a matter of finding it... [would the computer in the speeder be of any use?]
GM Craig: [Plenty of places... You looking from something in the suburbs? Or down town? Downtown is seedier, but less likely to ask questions. Suburbs is nicer, but more questions are likely to be asked.]
Dawson: sitting in the speeder, I suddenly realize that I am so exhausted, I can?t quite focus. Time to rest, Dawson, ya silly chick, before you get into anymore trouble. My fingers tap on the computer, searching for somewhere to lay my weary bones.. somewhere nearby.. don?t want to draw attention to myself....
GM Craig: There is a small hotel a few blocks away. It boasts security staff, and underground parking. No name just an address.
Dawson: ahh just the place. shouldn?t be to hard to find.... I ease the speeder out, and head out in search of the address.
GM Craig: The place does look a notch or two higher in upkeep than the surrounding buildings. You see two security guards with sidearms standing outside the main entrance. To the side there is an overhead door leading, presumably, to the parking area.
Dawson: I pull the speeder up to where the guards are... "parking over that way?" I ask, pointing toward the overhead door
GM Craig: One of the guards comes forward. "Only registered guests." He sticks his thumb over his shoulder. "Inside."
Dawson: "Thanks.. where can I leave this while I register?"
GM Craig: "Right here."
Dawson: I nod, and turn off the speeder. Hopping out, I head over to the main door, and go inside. I?m looking for the main desk..
GM Craig: Inside the place looks cleaner than you expected. There is a counter with a service droid behind it. A lift stands to one side, with a guard in front of it. Two security droids stand in the corners of the main floor.
Dawson: I head over to the desk, and address the droid. "any vacancies?" [seems to be a LOT of guards...]
GM Craig: The droid comes over to you. "Yes, we have several empty rooms. Any preferences, miss?"
Dawson: "If you have anything quiet, towards the back, and near a staircase, I would much appreciate it.."
GM Craig: The droid pauses for a moment, obviously interfacing with the hotel computer. After a moment, it's optics look at you again. ?We have an inside room available - nice and quiet. 250 credits a night. Do you need vehicle storage?"
Dawson: "Yes, if it can be arranged, I need to park a speeder, please."
GM Craig: "Parking is 25 a day." The droid passes a flimsy across the table. "How will you be paying?"
Dawson: I slide my credstick across the counter. "I trust this is acceptable?"
GM Craig: The droid picks it up and places it in a datapad. "That's fine, miss. How long will you be staying?"
Dawson: one night, best I can tell.. If I need for a second night is that going to be a problem do you think?"
GM Craig: The droid says, "Not as long as you re-register before 10."
Dawson: "ok.. check out time is?"
GM Craig: "11."
Dawson: "thank you very much. I?d like to go to the room now, if that is possible?"
GM Craig: The droid pauses for a moment, again interfacing with the hotel computer. "Your flimsy has been encoded. It will give you access to all guest facilities. If you loose it, please come back to the main desk. Keep it next to skin at all times. Our security system will pick up anyone moving around the facility without one."
Dawson: I nod, and take the flimsy. slipping it inside my shirt, and pressing it against my chest, I head back out to my speeder. I nod to the guards "all registered now. I?ll be movin' the speeder out of your way."
GM Craig: One of them nods.
Dawson: I hop into the speeder and powerit up. Nosing my way over to the parking garage, I look up and down the street, just to see who might be watching...
GM Craig: The street is crowded. You don't see anyone obvious. As you approach, your speeder passes under a sensor. The sensor scans you, detects the flimsy, and opens the door.
Dawson: when the door opens, I pull the speeder inside. Finding a spot near the door, I park it facing out (nice for a quick getaway). Grabbing what little gear I have, I head to the door that will bring me back in to the hotel, and to some well deserved rest
GM Craig: There is a lift not far away. Taking it to the 6th floor, you find your assigned room. As you approach, the door slides open for you.
Dawson: Before I enter the room, I look up and down the corridor.. anyone lurking about ?? Also checking for alternate exits..
GM Craig: The halls are empty. There are security sensors everywhere though. The hotel is organized like a cube. Rooms line the outside, and another set of rooms forms a core - these ones have no outside access. There are lifts in each corner of the hotel, and a central emergency stairway.
Dawson: [where is my room in relation to the exits, and the stairs?
GM Craig: The stairway is beside your room, to the left. The lift is a few meters away to the right. About 20 meters away to the left is another lift.
Dawson: good :D I enter my room, and begin a perfunctory check of where everything is..\
GM Craig: The room is surprisingly simple, given the amount you paid for it. A double bed, a small desk. There is a data terminal with a creddtick reader on it - presumably you have to pay for any infonet access. There is a small 'fresher, and a closet.
GM Craig: Also, a computer panel, presumably connected to the hotel computer.
Dawson: priority here is clean, and rest... I head for the fresher.. maybe there is still some ME left under all this blasted dirt... Checking to make sure that the door is locked, I begin peeling off my armour and various layers of clothes as I make my way to the fresher. Hopping inside, I let the sonic waves do their job, and feel myself losing layer after layer of dirt.. god.. how long has it been since I have been clean? Ablutions complete, I head over to the bed. I am sure I am asleep before my head hits the pillow..
GM Craig: [You set an alarm? Or just sleep?]
Dawson: I set the alarm for 10 am.. an hour before check out.. if I wake up before that, fine.. otherwise.. the sleep is what I need
GM Craig: Time passes. Eventually, you wake.
Dawson: I realize my eyes are open.. not sure why.. I turn to see what time it is.
GM Craig: Checking the chono, you find it is 8:23 in the morning.
Dawson: I lay there quietly for a minute, and try to figure out why I am awake... [Listening for noises etc]
GM Craig: Nothing seems to stand out. The room is just as you left it.
Dawson: I sigh, resigned to being awake. Sitting up, I swing my legs over the side of the bed, and rise to my feet, stretching and bending to try to wake up my tired muscles. I head over to the hotel computer. There has GOT to be something I can do about these clothes.. I think if I watched them long enough, they will get up and walk away on their own..
GM Craig: The directory shows that the hotel does provide laundering services. Your outfit will come to 15 credits. The service has a 2 hour turnaround.
Dawson: And a bargain at that. .. and a close shave to the check out time.. but if I don?t clean up these clothes .... my fingers fly over the keys as I put in a request for the laundry service.
GM Craig: A few minutes later, there is a beep at the door.
Dawson: Wrapping myself up in a sheet from the bed, I gingerly pick up the clothes in question, and head over to the door. Leaving it latched, I call thru the door "yes??"
GM Craig: A metallic voice says, "Laundry service."
Dawson: Opening the door a crack, I peer out, to make sure its a droid, and not .. an unwanted visitor
GM Craig: The door is all or nothing, but there was a small viewscreen to identify the droid. Pulling up the image, text appears on the screen identifying the droid as part of the hotel maintenance crew.
Dawson: Man, I must still be tired, not to notice the view screen.. sigh.. I open the door, and hand out the clothes.. "any chance of a rush job?"
GM Craig: The droid says, "I am not programmed to supply that information." [Labour droids are basic functionaries doing manual labour. This one collects laundry. They have very simple brains.]
Dawson: figures.. oh well.. "thanks anyways" maybe I can crawl back into bed for a few more minutes of shut eye..
GM Craig: The droid says again, "I am not programmed to provide that information..."
Dawson: hehe I close the door.. and crawl back into bed, looking forward to clean, dry clothes... I set the alarm for 1015, and close my eyes
GM Craig: Sleep comes reluctantly, but come it does. Too soon, the alarm goes off.
Dawson: once more, I repeat the motions of earlier this morning.. followed by a quick dash to the fresher, just to make sure there are no bits of dirt hiding anywhere.. and cause who knows when I will get the chance again. Once I am clean, I head over to the computer to scout out a few shops that might sell what I need.. and I await the arrival of my clothes
GM Craig: [Access to the local infonet is 5 credits per minute from the hotel computer...]
Dawson: [i can get the same info from my onboard in the speeder, cant I?
GM Craig: [Yes, but the onboard computer isn't as sophisticated, and it would take longer. You could do it, but the hotel computer includes software to make it easier. It's just a matter of convenience. Plus, it's anonymous - or so the computer advertising the service says...]
Dawson: [k] Sigh.. nothing is free these days. .I slip my cred stick in the ever present slot, and let my fingers do the walking...
GM Craig: [What are you looking for?]
Dawson: priority is to settle this rumbly tummy of mine... hmm food... lets see....
Dawson: my eyes scan down the list, looking for a shop near by..
GM Craig: [The hotel does offer room service.]
Dawson: I make note of the name and address of the closest couple, and then start looking for a shop that might supply me with a change of clothes, and possibly a few more odd and ends.. I spot the room service entry on the directory.. and decide that at their prices, I could go broke eating toast and butter...
GM Craig: [But you get several restaurants and cafes. There is a standard clothing shop a couple of blocks away as well.]
Dawson: planning my route in my mind, I formulate a plan of action.. food, clothes, and what ever other odds and ends happen to jump into the speeder... As soon as my clothes get back, that is
GM Craig: [There is also a general dry good shop. All within about 20 minutes of the hotel.]
Dawson: I nod to myself in a self satisfied way, having figured out what?s and where?s.. course, doing them NAKED is going to be a definite problem.. I begin to pace, waiting for my clothes. As I wait.. I begin to ponder the purchase of some additional firepower...
GM Craig: There is a chime at the door.
Dawson: wrapping myself in the sheet yet again, I peer into the view screen
GM Craig: It is a labour droid, dropping off the clothes. The computer identifies it as a house droid.
-
Dawson: I open the door, and take the clothes. "Thanks" I offer, and close the door before it can tell me it is not equipped to answer that query. Silly droids.
GM Craig: The droid plods away.
Dawson: as I get dressed, I continue debating the purchase of a new weapon.. a blaster rifle would be sweet... but I battle back and forth trying to justify the purchase... ah well.. think about it later. Time to hit the road. I give the room a once over to make sure I am not leaving anything behind. Satisfied, I head out the door. I head over to the counter, and let the droid know I will be checking out.
GM Craig: "Flimsy please."
Dawson: peeling it off my skin, I hold it out to the droid
GM Craig: Interfacing with the hotel computer, the droid says, "There have been some additional charges. 15 for laundry service."
Dawson: I slide my cred stick across the counter "yes, of course. "
GM Craig: The droid takes the cred stick. It processes the payment and hands it back. "Thank you miss. Please come again."
Dawson: I nod, and walk back out the door, heading towards my speeder
GM Craig: Nothing untoward happens, and you arrive at the speeder.
Dawson: hopping in, I power it up , and head for the exit door. First destination, the food shop.
GM Craig: The door opens automatically as you approach. Sliding out the door, you merge with traffic and enter the daily life of Relkedagy Szezet. It is about 10:45 in the morning, so the daily traffic is starting to build.
Dawson: being careful not to do anything that that would attract attention, I head over the shop where I plan to buy some rations - breakfast that I can eat on the go.. not in the mood for a sit down breaky...
GM Craig: [Easy enough to get take-out. 5 credits for a hot roll, some sausage and a mug of kavvy.]
[19:46] GM Craig: The food is excellent. Well, probably not, but you could eat a raw surrat now, you're so hungry.
[19:47] Dawson: time to head over to the general clothiers
GM Craig: You pull into a central structure that serves to give access to most of the places you want to go (sorta like a mall). You find an empty space easily at this hour.
Dawson: I shut down the speeder, and hop out, going in search of a place that I can buy a suitable replacement set of clothes
GM Craig: There are a few shops. What were you looking for?
Dawson: just a general replacement of what I?m wearing now..
Dawson: I?m wearing a denim type of pants, and a loose fitting cotton tunic with a heavier shirt overtop - kinda denim-y. And the blast vest under the overshirt.
GM Craig: OK. You wearing it around in public? Not a problem, just making sure. Wearing armour in normal places could draw a bit of attention.
Dawson: hence the under the shirt bit...
GM Craig: OK.
GM Craig: Doing a little shopping, you can find similar outfits for about 25 credits.
Dawson: that works.. I?ll pick the one that seems the sturdiest, and go with that
GM Craig: Heavier clothing would cost you a little more. Say 30 credits.
Dawson: hmm ok.. lets go with 30. Then some dry rations, and I?m outta there.. I hate malls anyways :D
GM Craig: Can't get much here for that - the dry goods shop is a couple of blocks away.
Dawson: k. heading back to my speeder, I hop in , power it up, and head over to the dry good store. Once there, I pick up a few dry ration packs. nothing fancy.. Sustenance, not gourmet dining..
GM Craig: Preserved rations run you about 25 credits a day. Fresh rations would be 10, but they go bad without refrigeration after a couple of days.
Dawson: 3 days worth
GM Craig: 3 days preserved?
Dawson: yep
GM Craig: K. No sweat. This place has a nice collection of knives too, and a few other trinkets. Macro-binoculars, that sort of thing. Datapads, chronometers, glow rods, Sytherope, They have recording rods, personal electronics, all sorts of stuff, medpacks
Dawson: now im all excited.. binocs would come in very handy.. whats the price range...?
GM Craig: 100 credits or so for the binos
Dawson: how close to broke am i ?
GM Craig: 2132 right now.
Dawson: ok.. time for a wee spree.. pair of binocs... synthrope would be good.. an extra med pac.. spare blaster power pack, that?s good to start
GM Craig: No power packs - that's weapon stuff. Binos 100, Sytherope goes for 2 credits. It comes in a handy dispenser that clips to a belt. Medpacs are 100 credits.
Dawson: kk. Cant believe they don?t have blaster packs... what do they expect me to do, drive all over hells half acre to get what I need??
GM Craig: Blaster packs would be found in a weapons shop. You are in a city surrounded by farmland, so there would be plenty of gun shops. Though the Empire may have made things difficult since the occupation.
Dawson: oh FINE. <stomp stomp > <wink> I pay for my purchases, and head back to the speeder, after inquiring as to the location of the nearest weapons shop. Stowing my gear, I head to the weapons shop
GM Craig: No sweat. The place is open for business, but as you enter, you see most of the racks are bare.
Dawson: ..head over to the counter...
GM Craig: A sad looking man stands behind the counter working on a computer terminal.
Dawson: "is it always this quiet in here?"
GM Craig: He says, without looking up, ?Empire has kinda killed the business."
Dawson: "no doubt...I?m looking for a blaster pack.. any chance you might have one ?"
GM Craig: He brightens. "They haven't gotten around to banning those yet, but it's only a matter of time. How many you need?"
Dawson: "Well, I?m in the market for one....."
GM Craig: "Alright then. 40 credits and it's yours." He holds up his hands. "I know it's a little steep, but the Empire has brought in heavy taxes on that sort of thing."
Dawson: "40 credits? holy holy... my last one cost me a mere 25!!"
GM Craig: He nods his head. "I know, I know. But I'm still selling it at a loss. Blasted Imperials brought in such high taxes on that stuff that I can barely give it away!"
Dawson: Ishake my head.. "its awful.. how do they think they can collect taxes if they make it so the items don?t even sell?" I slide my cred stick across the counter. "Still need one tho..."
GM Craig: He smiles, obviously tense that he might have lost the sale. He deducts the cred stick, and hands it back. With the power pack. "It's not charged, mind you." [down to 1890 credits]
Dawson: [how do I get one charged]
GM Craig: [It's fairly simple. Most power outlets have a connector. Speeder does too.]
Dawson: picking up the pack, I wave to the shop clerk, and head back out "thanks again," I call over my shoulder. Heading back to the speeder, pleased with my purchases, and even more ticked at the Imperials for what they are doing to us..
Dawson: Headig west, I guess...
GM Craig: Anywhere in particular?
Dawson: I wonder, where would be a good place to hook up with some similarly minded people??
GM Craig: Hard to say. You've heard rumours about scattered groups of police and Karvis Defence Forces survivors. But nothing concrete.
Dawson: there is a town on the map.. name looks like... Amarin.
Dawson: I think I will head to Plarn, via Amarin.. gotta go around the lake anyways ...
GM Craig: You make your way out of town. It is about 12:30 when you finally leave. It's about 1400 KM to Amarin.
Dawson: well, not gonna get any closer just sitting around. Power up the speeder, and on my way.... I?m rested, full and clean (like a baby after a boob and a bath....) The trip will give me time to figure out what I am doing here...
GM Craig: It'll be about a 5 or 6 hour trip. You are about halfway there when your sensors detect something approaching. Fast.
Dawson: Frell.... Reaching out to the sensor panel, I begin to tweak at it, trying to pull in more information about what is moving towards me with what seems to be a definite intent...
GM Craig: It takes a little doing, but the computer figures out that it is a ship of some kind. It is flying at about 2000 feet. It is south-east of your position, heading north-west. It will pass about 5 klicks in front of you. That's all you can get. You have no idea what type of ship it might be.
Dawson: .... I change my course to run parallel to it.. rather not be on an intercept course with anything I cant identify...
GM Craig: The ship overtakes you quickly. As it gets closer, you actually identify three ships. One of them is a shuttle, and the other two are TIE fighters.
Dawson: ewwwwwwwwwww
GM Craig: Their altitude is dropping. It looks like they are landing somewhere 10 klicks to the west of you.
Dawson: I slow the speeder.. I do NOT want to be here.... I change course, and head north east...
GM Craig: After a few minutes, the ships appear once again on your scope. They continue heading north-west.
Dawson: I want to be far enough away to get away in a hurry.. but close enough to keep an eye on what they are doing... not that I can out run them.. but might be able to hide in a pinch...
GM Craig: The ships are soon outside of your sensor range. [You wanna take a look? Or keep heading north-east?]
Dawson: nosy me.. gotta go see.. I change my course again, now that I know they likely weren?t pursuing me....
GM Craig: You are entering hill country. Your sensor range is going to be limited by the hills.
Dawson: grumble grumble... They were in a hurry.. Which means they are up to no good. Time to see if I can cause them a bit of grief and aggravation
GM Craig: The klicks tick by. You figure you are just about at the spot where they were, but you can't see anything.
Dawson: ... did i mention FRELL ?? sigh.. closing closing closing.. but OH so slowly...
GM Craig: Another click or so, and your sensors pick up a small speeder coming around a hill behind you. It must have seen you, because it alters course almost as soon as it comes on your screen and heads for you. You can't get much of a read on it, but it is small. Probably a speeder bike, or a swoop.
Dawson: I stop the speeder.. fast. and get out.. taking cover behind it, I draw my blaster.. and wait
GM Craig: As you hop out of the speeder, you see the speeder bike drawing up on you. You can clearly see the white armour of the rider.
GM Craig: As you draw your weapon, the scout trooper veers away (he is still some 100 meters away from you at this point).
Dawson: gonna be like THAT is he.. I pop my head out from behind the speeder, to see if I can track where he is going
GM Craig: He moves a few hundred meters away, and then you loose sight of him behind a hill.
Dawson: damn these hills... back in to my speeder, and close the distance up a bit...
GM Craig: As you move to get in, you hear a deep, rumbling sound... Like giant footsteps...
Dawson: ruh roh... not eensy weensy little steps.. like baby ewoks?? you sure???
[21:09] GM Craig: As you hop into the seat, you look forward and see an AT-ST walker coming from around the hill in front of you.
Dawson: Man, if its an AT-ST, an AT-AT likely isn?t far behind... methinks me needs to be gone from here.. in a hurry....
GM Craig: [Actions? It's guns are training on you and an amplified voice says, "Power down your vehicle!"
Dawson: I am SO Not gonna argue with these guys.....
Dawson: I power down the speeder, and wait...
GM Craig: A pair of scout troopers pull up under the watchful guns of the scout walker. They dismount and move to the vehicle, one covering the other. As they approach, they say, "Get out of the speeder!"
Dawson: I hop out of the speeder, and sit on the edge of the door
GM Craig: One of them, keeping his gun on you, moves in. He roughly spins you around and slams you down on the hood of the vehicle. [Unless you take any actions to resist him...]
Dawson: no, not resisting.. yet
GM Craig: Keeping his weapon pressed against your back, with his free hand he produces a set of binders. With practiced ease, he slips them onto your wrists, and then holsters his pistol. A quick search produces your hand cannon... and your ID card. One of the troopers keeps his weapon trained on you as the other goes to the speeder and slips the ID card into a reader.
Dawson: My mind is whirling.. why me, and why now.. were they on a random patrol.. or looking for me
-
GM Craig: The one at the speeder says, "Sir, this one is a fugitive from Lendt." He listens to a silent response. The walker starts to move, turning away and moving off. "Yes sir." he says. Turning to his companion, he says, "They're sending a transport. We're to hold her here, and then complete our circuit."
Dawson: various scenarios play out in my mind... is this it? nawwwwwwwwwwwww cant be.. I?m not ready to give up yet.. I cant believe I got picked up by a random patrol.. too nosy for my own damn good.. what would Max think of me now...
GM Craig: You are stuck by how well-trained these troopers are. Their guard does not relax as far as you can tell, despite their casual banter. "How long?" the one with his weapon pointed at you says. "10 minutes," says the other.
Dawson: I hear him say 10 minutes.. that?s it.. that?s all the time I have to figure out how to get myself out of this mess..
GM Craig: You are still on the hood of the vehicle. The trooper with the weapon trained on you is 2 meters behind you. The other one (with his weapon holstered) is 5 meters away to your right. Your weapon is 10 meters away, in the cargo compartment of one of the speeder bikes. [Actions?]
Dawson: My mind spins rapidly.. I?m gonna get one shot at this , and one shot only... Man, with my hands behind me.. I?m buggered... even if I can get to my blaster.. how the heck can I fire it from behind me.. think Dawson.. think.. Its all or nothing now.. I fling myself off the hood of the speeder, throwing my body at the trooper behind me. Every part of my body that can be used of a weapon tries to strike out at him.. feet, legs, kicking, thrusting... anything to get him down...
GM Craig: As you turn to face him, he is already reacting. The blaster fires, but you twist out of the way and the shot goes wide, pinging off the body of the speeder. Your target calls out a warning, but it is not needed. The other trooper's blaster fires as you get near the closer trooper. It too goes wide, kicking up grass and mud under your feet...
GM Craig: You slam into the trooper nearest you, but he rolls with the blow and you both go down. His blaster drops from his hand, as the two of you start wrestling. Nearby his opponent stands ready to take a shot of the opportunity should present itself...
Dawson: I keep pummelling the trooper, trying to keep him from grabbing the blaster.. and if the opportunity presents itself.. I?ll grab it. and if I cant grab it, I?m gonna try to flip my hands under my legs so that they are at least in front of me. (Use 2 CP on my dex check for getting my hands in front of me)
GM Craig: [OK, I interpret it as a brawling attack on the trooper (1st action) plus try to get your hands in front of you (2nd action). Which one goes first? You won't get to his blaster.]
GM Craig: With a quick move, you manage to slip your feet through your hands. That is just in time to bring them up to block a two-handed smash from the scout trooper. Rebounding from that, you make a weak jab at the trooper, but he blocks it easily. [Trooper is now on top, but you have your hands free - Well, in front of you anyway. Actions? You have the initiative, by the way.]
Dawson: having my hands in front of me opens up all kinds of possibilities... But first I need to get the trooper off of me, and find his blaster before he does... With that in mind, I draw back my hands, and slam my arms down over the troopers head, twisting my arms to use the binders as a garrotte
GM Craig: You easily slide the binders over the troopers head. A quick twist of your hands cuts off his air. His strength failing, you smash his helmeted head into the ground. He lays there unmoving. You look up just in time. The other trooper, waiting for his moment, fires. Throwing yourself off the downed trooper, the shot goes wide. However, you are prone and facing a foe some 7 meters away.
Dawson: i have GOT to find that blaster.. I look around.. Searching...searching.. It has to be here somewhere
GM Craig: The downed trooper's blaster lies by your side, a couple of meters away... He also has a hold-out weapon in a holster.
Dawson: I dive for the weapon in the holster.. Its a toss up whether to go for the one that?s out, or the one that I can reach.. but I go for the holstered one.
GM Craig: The little weapon is difficult to aim and any distance, and the shot goes wide. The trooper, who didn't have to dodge, takes another shot as he slowly backs away from you. The shot kicks up turf a few centimetres in front of you, but misses. [Actions?]
Dawson: I?m going for the other blaster..
GM Craig: [OK. So dive for the blaster (1st action), pick it up (2nd action) and then take a shot (3rd action)? There will probably be a dodge between the dive and the pick-up.]
Dawson: Yep.. thats the idea... Looking around, I spot the blaster.. just lying there.. taunting me... Damn it.. I dive for the blaster, and hope I can get a shot off before the trooper does.
GM Craig: Leaping into a roll, you cover the distance to the blaster easily. The shot hits the turf where you were before the leap. Grabbing the heavier pistol, you bring it to bear. The weapon coughs, but the trooper ducks to the side, avoiding the plasma bolt. [Actions?]
Dawson: Fire again.. one shot.. I sight the trooper, grit my teeth, and squeeze the trigger...
GM Craig: Squeezing off a shot, the trooper just barely twists out of the way. The trooper answers, but you roll to once side, narrowly avoiding the searing pulse of plasma. [Actions?]
Dawson: drawing the blaster up again, my eye finds the sights.. the trooper floating deliciously between the crosshairs... not breathing.. not moving.. I squeeze the trigger... (1 shot, at the trooper)
GM Craig: The blaster tracks the trooper as he moves, and nails him with a glancing blow. He stumbles, but stays on his feet. He is shaken though. [Actions?]
Dawson: I cant give him a chance to get his bearings.. once more, I draw the blaster level.. the muzzle promising him death.. the trigger.. delivers... (1 shot.. trooper)
GM Craig: The shot goes a little wide as the trooper twists out of the way. His return shot isn't even close, and it pings off the rear of the speeder. [Actions?]
Dawson: I close the distance between us by a couple of meters, and then fire again.. [1 shot.. trooper.. DIE DAMNIT]
GM Craig: Taking another shot, the trooper again twists out of the way. The move throws him off though, and his shot once again pings off the rear of the speeder. [Actions? Range is now 5 meters.]
Dawson: man, I could throw a ROCK at this range and ping it off his brain pan.. what?s wrong with me.. focus Dawson.. You know what you need to do.. Close two more meters, bring the blaster to bear.. and fire {1 shot, trooper}
GM Craig: At piint-blank range, you can hardly miss. The blaster speaks for you, and searing plasma punches a hole in the trooper's shoulder armour. He is spun around by the blast, but manages to keep his feet. [Actions? Range is 3 meters. Trooper is wounded (-1D on all rolls)]
Dawson: My mind is on auto pilot, as I once again bring the blaster up, and squeeze the trigger... why does he have to make this so hard.. die, quietly, please.. you're wasting time.. [1 shot trooper]
GM Craig: The trooper is slowing down, but he's hardly out of it. Your blaster coughs, but the trooper manages to twist out of the line of fire. He responds with a shot of his own, which you barely manage to avoid. [Actions?]
Dawson: I cannot believe this is taking so long.. how does he manage to stay on his feet... [1 shot trooper]
GM Craig: Your blaster fires again, and scores another hit, in the left chest. The trooper once again spins around, but keeps his feet. [He's wounded twice, -2D on all rolls - Actions?]
Dawson: I shake my head in disbelief.. I keep shooting but he keeps standing.. what is keeping this freak on his feet? Its almost pitiful, really.. Suffering so much.. and the final result is the same... [2 shots.. trooper]
GM Craig: The blaster coughs once, and scores a hit, but it is a glancing blow and the trooper's armour absorbs it. He shoots back, but the shot goes wide by a safe margin. The second shot again scores a hit. The trooper stands weaving on his feet for a moment, and then stumbles and falls to the ground. [He's only unconscious from the stuns. He'll wake up in a few minutes. Actions?]
Dawson: There really is only one thing I can do.. I walk over, and put my blaster to his head.. and pull the trigger.
GM Craig: [OK, combat is over. You figure you took 3 or 4 minutes to work up to the attack, and the battle took another minute and a half. Looks like you have 5 minutes left until the transport shows up, unless the transport is early...
Dawson: I?m not waiting around to find out.. I pump a shot into the first trooper, just to be sure, recover my heavy blaster pistol, and hop into my speeder and make haste away from here
GM Craig: You hop into your speeder, you head off into the hills. [Where to now?]
Dawson: Amarin still sounds good.. If I can get there without crossing the path of any more patrols...
GM Craig: You crest a hill some klicks away from the scene of the battle, and your sensors indicate that the walker had returned to the scene of the crime. It doesn't seem to see you, however. Some time later, there are some overflights by TIE fighters obviously conducting some sort of search, but you see them long before they see you and manage to avoid them. By nightfall, you are in the mountains. It seems to only way into Amarin is taking the road, or going it on foot. The terrain is far too rough for your speeder.
Dawson: the options pong back and forth in my mind.. If I go by the road.. It?ll be faster but I can almost guarantee the patrols are there too.. If I go on foot, I can say good bye to my speeder, and it will be slow going? a long dead poet once said to take the road less travelled.. but in this case, I think not. I;ll stick to the roads, thanks just the same..
GM Craig: Easing the speeder onto the road, you head into the mountains. One thing is for sure - if you are spotted on the road, it will be hard to escape...
Dawson: guiding the speeder carefully along the mountain road, I remain ever vigilant to approaching traffic.. skyward or on the road..
GM Craig: Some 30 minutes later, you approach the town of Amarin. The lack of traffic is a little disturbing, but you soon learn why. You are on a ridge leading down into the town, and can clearly see an Imperial checkpoint on the road. There is no way to get your speeder past them. They seem to be Imperial Army regulars, but there are half a dozen of them. You might be able to bribe your way past them, but that is a risky gamble.
Dawson: If I ditch the speeder, can I see a way into town avoiding the checkpoint?
GM Craig: You could make your way overland. It'd be about an hour hike from here. However, there isn't a safe place to ditch the speeder. They'd find it sooner or later.
Dawson: I?m gonna have to try and finesse my way past the guards...I?m not liking it but it seems like the safest option. Guiding my speeder carefully down the ridge, I make my way towards the check point... but before I do.. Lets ditch the armour, and the over shirt.. and lets just see how much skin we can show.. shall we?
GM Craig: You take the speeder up to the checkpoint. 5 of the troopers position themselves to cover the vehicle, and the 6th comes forward, indicating you should stop and get out of the vehicle.
Dawson: I open the door to the speeder, and lean forward.. Seemingly to adjust something on my boot... and rising up slowly.. and stepping out of the speeder, I close the door and lean back on it, legs slightly splayed, with my hands on my hips
GM Craig: "Identification." The trooper seems to take a little interest, but not much. The others move around the vehicle.
Dawson: I speak softly to the trooper "You know.. I just don?t seem to know where it is.... I think I left it in my other pants.. "I pat thru my pockets, and conveniently let my cred stick come to rest in my palm. " I mean, I sure don?t want to inconvenience you .. this looks like such hard work and all... Don?t want to cause you any trouble... Maybe we could work something out???
-
GM Craig: The trooper seems mildly interested. He glances down at your figure, then his eyes widen a little. He points to the blaster scar on the side of the vehicle. "Where did you get that?"
Dawson: You know, I don?t even know.. I had it parked one night.. woke up in the morning, and you would just SWEAR someone had been using it for target practice. "
GM Craig: One of the other troopers goes to open the cargo compartment, but stops. Raising his head, he calls another trooper over, saying, "Hey, corporal, take a look at this."
GM Craig: The one addressing you glances at the one at the rear, and then at the corporal. "Really. Where was this?"
Dawson: ?Just outside of a small town called Ki. I mean really.. Can?t a girl go about her.. business. <wink> without waking up to find her transport looks like a piece of swiss cheese?
GM Craig: The corporal comes over. "Did you say Ki?" His hand strays to his blaster pistol.
Dawson: I think that is what it was called.. don?t really know though.. you know how it is.. one town looks pretty much the same.. I don?t stay anywhere to long.. I like to e where the action is... like here....."
GM Craig: The first trooper steps back as the corporal takes over the questioning. "And where is your ID?"
Dawson: well you know, its the darndest thing.. I think it got left at the last place I ..visited.. it was a bit busy. so many.. gentleman callers, so to speak, a girl sometimes just loses track of where her things are. But I don?t want to trouble you with MY problems. Maybe you and I can work something out.. make this little trouble go away? "
GM Craig: The corporal leans in closer. "Really? Well, that depends on what you have to offer. My men and I haven't had much of a break lately..." [He's reaching out to touch you.]
Dawson: "well, I am just SURE we could find a way to amuse ourselves... You being such a masterful man and all "
GM Craig: His hand strokes your side. He nods towards their transport. "Maybe we could work something out?" It has a pretty spacious compartment in the back for hauling troops.
Dawson: "Now is this something just between you and me? Or are you gonna share with ALL the boys.. Course, a man of rank such as yourself probably doesn?t have to explain his actions.. and doesn?t have to share...."
GM Craig: He smiles lecherously. "My men and I have all been working hard. And if I cut one of them out, someone may decide to report it to my superiors..."
Dawson: So.. Precisely what did you have in mind?? a little show, perhaps??
GM Craig: His hand strays to your cheek, turning your face to admire the lines. "I think we need something a little more... interactive." The others are gathering around, grinning like fools.
Dawson: I think that can be arranged.. but one at a time, shall we.. a little privacy makes it all that much sweeter..
GM Craig: The corporal smiles. "I couldn't agree more..." He takes you by the hand and starts to lead you behind the transport. The others look at each other, obvious excitement in their faces.
Dawson: "Uh uh uh... just a minute, sweetie.. let me get my things... a girl likes to freshen up a bit ... afterwards.... " reaching into my speeder, I grab my bag, and slip my blaster inside it...
GM Craig: You think to manage to slip the hand cannon into the bag without being noticed. As you stand up, you see that the men have all been staring at your behind.
Dawson: "now you all just wait here while the corporal and I go have a little chat... <wink> I?ll call you when I?m ready for you" I turn to the corporal, and slip my arm thru his.. "when ever you're ready.."
GM Craig: They fairly rub their hands together in anticipation. They start sorting out who goes in what order as the corporal leads you behind the transport. He opens the rear hatch and motions for you to enter.
Dawson: I follow him in, and quickly take a look around. I?ll need a way to approach him from behind.. where can I get him to sit with his back to me....
GM Craig: [He's waiting for you to go in...]
Dawson: oh.. ladies first I see....how very very nice.
Dawson: I enter the transport, and quickly take note of my surroundings. ? Why don?t you come on in, sweetie, and have a seat... Just let little old me slip into something a little more comfortable.... I move behind him?
GM Craig: [He's not going to let you get behind him...] "Why not give me a little show first?" He closes the hatch and has a seat near the door.
Dawson: " Well, how can you enjoy the show wrapped up in the hot stuffy uniform.. Lets at least take off yur shirt, mmmmm??
GM Craig: He looks serious, and menacing. "You first." He looks like he's not far away from violence...
Dawson: Well of COURSE!!! I reach down, and grab the hem of my shirt. Lifting it slowly, I turn away from him. I pull the shirt up, and off my head, and drop it on the floor. .. covering my breasts with my hands , I turn slowly back around... and then I remove my hands, and raise them high above my head.. "Is this what you had in mind??"
GM Craig: He starts breathing heavily. "More..." He slowly rises, his eyes fixed on your chest. Hard hands reach out to take you in his hands.
Dawson: I back up a step, towards the seats furthest away from the door. "Come on, handsome... lets move over here.. where I can show you some real action."
GM Craig: He reaches out quickly, and roughly and grabs you. He lowers his head. Pain explodes as he bites you. Hard.
Dawson: holding his head in my hands, I twist his head, with every ounce of strength I have. I may not be able to break his neck, but I?m sure gonna try...
GM Craig: He doesn't seem to sense the threat as your hands slowly grasp his head on either side. The twist is wicked, and catches him completely off guard. He roars in pain and he slips from your grasp and falls to the floor of the transport, grasping his neck in agony. [Actions? He's wounded...]
Dawson: a hard stomp to the groins should stop all that fussing... [does he have a knife?]
GM Craig: [Not that you can see...]
Dawson: he still fussin or is he busy trying to pull his jewels out of his abdomen
GM Craig: You try for a stomp, but he grabs your foot, throwing you to the ground. In desperation, you grab his head again, and give a powerful twist. Tendons part and bones crack as his neck separates. He falls to the floor of the transport, motionless. He is still alive, but not for long - his lungs are no longer receiving the impulses from the brain to breathe, and his heart is no longer pumping. His eyes look up at you in horror.
Dawson: I haul his body to the further most corner of the transport. Redressing myself, I grab my bag, and I cautiously exit the transport. Ill have to leg it from here.. but at least they were all too busy looking at my ass to take a good look at my face..
GM Craig: You reach for the door, but realize the sound of the door opening is what they will be waiting for. It is bound to alert the others... However, there is an escape hatch in the floor...
Dawson: popping the latch on the hatch, I slowly lift it open (please don?t squeak.. please don?t squeak) dropping thru the hatch to the ground below, I make for cover.'
GM Craig: The hatch is mechanical, and you ease it open. Dropping to the ground quietly, you crawl to the rear of the vehicle. There is a quick sprint to the cover of some buildings, but you manage to make it without them seeing you. You make it a few blocks away before the adrenaline stops pumping. Then, you notice your shirt is stained with blood from where the bastard bit you.
Dawson: Frell... thank god i bought a new shirt...
GM Craig: [OK, so the blast vest and blast helmet are gone, but you have the rest of it in your bag?
Dawson: that was my intent..
GM Craig: The wound is not serious, but it is bleeding freely.
Dawson: ill use the dirty shirt to bind the wound, and slip the clean one over top, adding my over shirt just in case.
-
GM Craig: As you sit thinking, there is a shout from some distance away. You hear a lot of commotion back at the checkpoint. [It is early evening]
Dawson: [in other words, get moving] ok. Hearing the shout is like a kick in the ass. I SO need to get out of here. I take off, running, top speed, AWAY from the checkpoint, watching for cover as I move.. I may need to hide in a hurry
GM Craig: You draw a few looks as you barge into a crowded street. Looks like a nightlife strip or something.
Dawson: ahh crowded street.. easy to blend in.. I think I will look for a nice crowded cantina..
GM Craig: [There are several to choose from. 'Sleezy', 'extra sleezy', and 'Ewwwwwww!']
Dawson: nice.. I'm headed for the first one that looks like I might get a drink in a clean glass..
GM Craig: [Right. Sleezy.]
GM Craig: There is a short line-up to get in. Probably two to three minutes waiting.
Dawson: ok.. I need to get in to one a little quicker than that.. I'm heading for the next.. umm.. sleezy one..
GM Craig: OK. This one is a little smaller, but no line-up. No music pumping through the door either.
GM Craig: Sign over the door says "Brandon's"
Dawson: I'm going in.. As I walk thru the door, a quick look around for any obvious patrol.. then I?m heading to the far end of the bar, so I can see out the door.
GM Craig: Inside is a gloomy, smoke-filled room. It's hard to see anyone - most of the patrons look like blobs for a few seconds. You make your way through the smoke and the crowd, and manage to find an open booth beside the kitchen. No sign of any pursuit.
Dawson: well THAT's good news for a change... Looking left and right at the tables nearest me, checking out who the clientele is here
GM Craig: The loners are staring at their drinks. The groups are involved in quiet conversation. No one seems to be paying any attention to you. There are mostly Karvans, a few offworlders, and one table of aliens in the far corner by the door.
Dawson: ... ok... looking in the direction of the bar, I catch the eye of the bartender, and wave him over
GM Craig: The bartender doesn't see you, but you catch the eye of a server. He walks over and flashes you a sparking-white grin and says, "Good evening. What can I get for you?"
Dawson: Those teeth are unnervingly white... I run my tongue over my own teeth.. man.. the things you can do to your body these day... "whiskey..double.. neat..." as an afterthought.."please"
GM Craig: He smiles at the afterthought and fades into the gloom. You are left alone. The throbbing on your left breast should feel better after a good stiff drink. He comes back a few minutes later with your drink. "There you go. That's 7."
Dawson: Sitting here in this cantina, it becomes painfully (my poor aching breast...) that alone; I am as much a liability to myself as any woman travelling alone. My looks and various other attributes won't keep me alive long enough to do much damage at this rate. I need to find someone of like mind and see where they are headed... I look carefully at the loners in the bar, casually scrutinizing each one.. looking for signs... I hand the server 10, and tell him to keep the change
GM Craig: There is no one who really stands out. But, now that you're looking, there are one or two who are so innocuous that they do stand out. There is nothing to draw your attention to them. You might not have even noticed them, had you not been looking. They are sitting at a booth in quiet, hunched conversation, carefully looking around periodically.
Dawson: I watch carefully, to see if they look in my direction.. and when they do.. if they do.. oh please do.. I give them the casual nod of my head, that says, 'hey, I see you there'
GM Craig: After a couple of minutes, the one faces you notices you watching him. The nod makes him look a little unhappy.
Dawson: breaking eye contact immediately, I turn my attention back to my drink.. they know I?m there... up to them now
GM Craig: Their conversation takes a different turn now that they noticed you watching them - more heated, perhaps more urgent. They do not look happy.
Dawson: can I hear them at all?
GM Craig: [Nope, they're way across the cantina]
Dawson: hmmmm.. two ways I can handle this.. pass it off as a flirt.. or wait and see what happens.. Now why in the world would I take the easy way out. I wave over the server, and order the gentlemen a round on me.. no message.. just on me
GM Craig: The server looks at them, then frowns. "You sure?" he asks?
Dawson: I nod..
GM Craig: He shrugs. "Suit yourself..."
GM Craig: He goes to prepare the drinks. Before he finishes though, one of them (the one who didn't see you) gets up. As he pulls on his coat, the takes a surreptitious yet thorough look at you. He pauses, then heads out the front door. The other one sits at the table looking like a smouldering ember...
GM Craig: Your server sets down the glasses at the now half-empty table. The remaining human glares at him, and the server doesn't finish his sentence, just withdraws sheepishly. The server glances your way from across the cantina and shrugs.
Dawson: I wait to see if he is gonna drink or not
GM Craig: He looks at you, the looks away in annoyance. He takes a deep breath, and then looks back. He extends a finger and slowly curls and uncurls it, beckoning you to come over.
Dawson: I pick up my drink, and slam it back, replacing the glass on the table.. false courage and all that. I move slowly and deliberately across the room, stopping in front of the table. And I wait...
GM Craig: He sighs impatiently. "You going to sit your can down? Or do you need an engraved invitation?" He glares up at you.
Dawson: I slide into a chair, careful not to bump my injury.. no need to get it bleeding again...
GM Craig: He looks around to see who is looking then shakes his head. "OK, lady - you just busted up a pretty lucrative deal for me. Whatever it is you need to get off your chest, it better be good." He starts drumming his fingers on the table.
Dawson: "So, who said I had anything to get off my chest?" Two can play at this game..
GM Craig: The smoulder picks up energy, and looks like it's about ready to burst into flame. "I don?t have time for this, little girl." He starts to get up.
Dawson: I stick my leg up, and across his path. "Siddown. No need for a hissy fit. I wanna talk to you a bit.... "
GM Craig: He sits down again. You catch a glimpse of a blaster grip under his coat. He spreads his hands wide, then drops them on the table. "So talk."
Dawson: No sense in beating around the bush here. I have nothing to lose... anymore... "I?m looking for ... " what AM I looking for anyways "I?m lookin for someone to watch my back.. while I?m watching theirs... " there, that ought to do it..."maybe keep each other from getting killed, while we eliminate a few .. annoying presences..."
GM Craig: His eyes go wide and his mouth drops open. He stares at you for a few moments, utter disbelief on his face.
Dawson: "close your mouth, handsome.. yer catchin flies"
GM Craig: His eyes grow cold, and he gets up from the table.
Dawson: "you seem to be leaving in a hurry.. "
GM Craig: He looks back at you, shakes his head and turns to go, pulling up his collar as he does so.
Dawson: I stand up, and slide enough creds on the table to cover the drinks. Setting my jaw, I follow him out. Not directly, mind, you, no sense in causing a scene. But I AM following him.. just no need to tell the rest of the world that
GM Craig: He glares at the bartended as he walks by. The guy shrugs his shoulders helplessly. Your guy slams his way out the front door. You go out the door behind him, just in time to see a speeder pull up. The door opens and two large looking thugs get out. Your guy takes a look at them, and turns to run... straight into you.
Dawson: sheepdip....
GM Craig: He bounces off you and falls to the street in a heap. The two thugs give you a look over, and start your way. "You're in the wrong place, lady. Maybe you better find somewhere else to be..." One of them grabs your guy before he can get to his feet. Your guy just glares at you.
Dawson: [leave it to me to liven up the party...] "I don?t know what the frell is going on here.. but what do you want with HIM?" I shrug at him with my right shoulder.. no, not the left.. ouch
GM Craig: One of the thugs reaches out to give you a shove, hard. [Actions?]
Dawson: "Frell you, dickless." I pull out my blaster. Levelling it at the one closest to me, "You had the chance to play nice, shit head" 2 shots, first at the one NOT holding my new friend
GM Craig: The thugs stand there in shock, even when the blaster goes off. The thug who was going to give you the shove goes down, hard, with two smoking holes in his chest. The other guy drops your friend, and produces a hold-out pistol. [Actions?]
Dawson: Whirling, I level the blaster at idiot number 2, calling out to my new best friend "hey, anytime you wanna get in here, be appreciated..." 2 shots.. thug...
GM Craig: Your guy is as stunned as they thugs were. The hand-cannon coughs once, and blasts out a window on the speeder behind the thug. His pistol goes off, but goes wide. Your cannon coughs again, and scores a minor hit on his arm. He grunts and grabs the wound, but it doesn't slow him down much. You hear a humming sound as his other hand comes form under his coat holding a vibroknife. He starts for you, roaring in fury. Your guy sticks his leg out, and the thug goes down in a pile of fancy suit. [Actions?]
Dawson: "thanks" I bring the blaster up, site the suit.. and give him one on account.. on account of he really ticked me off... 2 shots
GM Craig: The plasma scores solid hits. He gasps for a few seconds, then lies still. Your guy is about to say something when you see another speeder round the corner quickly. Blasters are pointing out of the windows, and you see some more thugs inside. Plus, two other thugs that were in the vehicle in front of you are now out, and drawing weapons.
[Actions?]
Dawson: [gentlemen, my brown corduroy trousers, if you please...] ?I dont know what is going on here, but you better get to your feet, if you wanna live to buy the next round"
GM Craig: Seeing the commotion, he takes off down the street, running past you.
Dawson: GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR nothing I hate more than a man who runs when he is outnumbered. I fly down the street after him.. Good thing he can run faster scared than I can mad....
GM Craig: He ducks into an alley to break up the sight line to his back. The guys behind you take a couple of shots, but they go wide.
Dawson: we just might make it out of this alive.. I?m in the alley after him like a shot ..
GM Craig: Blaster fire peppers the wall where you were. He keeps running to what looks like a dead end. Turning back he sees you, and says quietly, "Aww, frell!"
Dawson: "not sure if you are mad at the wall or at me.. ... at least, we don?t have to watch our backs.. the wall will do it for us. I?m game if you are..."
GM Craig: You hear running footsteps and the sound of a speeder approaching. He seems to think for a minute, swears again, and then pulls out a small device. It emits a squeal, and a section of the wall disappears. "In here, you frelling pain in the ass!"
Dawson: dang!!! I dive at where the wall was...
GM Craig: He follows you, and hits his device again. The wall shimmers back into existence. He opens a trap door, and holds his hand up to his lips, pointing down the shaft with the other one.
Dawson: I nod.. and then point at my chest.. back at the shaft,and give him the wiggling eyebrows that are the universal sign for 'you want me to go where?'
GM Craig: He freezes as you both hear footsteps. He holds up a hand and starts mouthing words... QUIET!
Dawson: I am SO a statue..
GM Craig: The thugs poke around for a bit, then one of them busts open a door. They all pile inside. Once they are gone through the door, your guy points to the trap door, and hisses, "Get down there! Or go dance with them..."
-
Dawson: "you coming?"
GM Craig: He growls and heads down the shaft...
Dawson: I follow him down the shaft, not a word out of me..
GM Craig: You climb a short ladder into a tunnel of some sort. It's short, 5' square. Once your down, he seals the door at the top of the shaft. Then he wheels on you. "Who the frell do you think you are? You bust up an important deal so we could 'Talk' and then when the guy I was trying to deal with sends some guys to rough me up, you frelling KILL them!"
Dawson: "Look. don?t bust my chops. I THOUGHT I was doing you a favour. At NO time did I hear you say anything to the contrary."
GM Craig: He shakes his head. "I was about to make 100,000 credits, which you turned into a beating, and then you turned it into a death bounty! Who the frell are you? A curse sent to punish me for the sins of my life?"
Dawson: "you don?t have that kind of luck. The name is Dawson, by the way.. I?m afraid I didn?t catch yours.. I was to busy SAVING YOUR ASS!"
GM Craig: He shakes his head again. "Saving my ass?" he says in disbelief. "You're the one that threw my ass in the fire in the first place!"
Dawson: "Well HOW the frell was I supposed to know that???"
GM Craig: He stares at you and comes close. "I guess you just don't poke your nose in where it doesn't BELONG!"
Dawson: gritting my teeth to keep from screaming at him I hiss at him thru my teeth "Look. all I was looking for was someone to travel with. Maybe do a little damage to the imperials on the way. How was I supposed to know you were some big wheeler dealer closing in on the deal of a lifetime?"
GM Craig: He looks up at you, a look of defeat on his face. "That's just it, sweet pea. I'm not a big wheeler-dealer. I was *about* to be..." He turns away. "How the frell am I gonna get out of Amarin..."
Dawson: "damn..." The defeated look does me in, and my anger deflates like a burst balloon. "Well, I have a speeder...."
GM Craig: He perks up a little. Glancing at you over his shoulder, he says, "Yeah?"
Dawson: "its sorta.. um... guarded right now...but I?m sure we can get it back...."
GM Craig: He looks suspicious. "What do you mean, 'Guarded?'"
Dawson: "ermm well.. there was a patrol.. .. and I.. well HE BIT MY BOOB!!!!! what was I supposed to do.. invite him to tea? I killed him, and hid his body in the transport......." I stop, realizing how odd this must sound...
GM Craig: He stares at you, a look of unfathomable incredulity on his face. Quietly he says, "You what?"
Dawson: "look it was him or me. I snapped his neck.. and hid the body..."
GM Craig: He shakes his head. "You have been sent to punish me..."
Dawson: "naw, you're just lucky" I shoot him a big grin, and stick out my hand. "Like I was saying .. the name is Dawson..."
GM Craig: He looks up at you, every bit the image of a broken man. "Let me guess - Dawson Stormcrow?"
Dawson: "uuuummmmmmmm"
GM Craig: He looks at the hand and then back up at you. "Jeremy. Jeremy Wilton."
Dawson: "nice to meetcha, Jeremy... so.. when can we get out of here? I mean, if you want to get to my speeder..."
GM Craig: He sighs. "So you killed this guy at the checkpoint where they were searching your speeder?"
Dawson: "yeah.. thats the thing.. I think they would have not been happy to find out who I was.. I got into a bit of trouble before I got to town.
GM Craig: He looks at you. "Why am I not surprised?"
* Dawson shrugs...
GM Craig: He sits down on the damp floor, and draws his knees up, and puts his head in his hands. He is mumbling to himself. Looks like he's running through a list of options, discarding them in turn. Finally he says, "Well, I wish you luck." He gets up and starts walking away.
Dawson: "whaddya mean?? HEY!! Come back here!
Dawson: I go afer him
GM Craig: He keeps walking. "My life used to be calm. Steady. I was earning enough mildly dishonest credits to make a comfortable living. But I got greedy, and the day I did, you show up... I have learned my lesson. I will go back to my old life, and lose my dreams of advancement."
Dawson: "look, I?m not asking you to marry me, or be my new best friend. Fact is, I?m thinking we could help each other out..."
GM Craig: He laughs a little, nodding his head. "Oh, I think you've helped quite enough already..."
Dawson: "no come on. You help me get my speeder back, Ill get you out of town.. anywhere you want to go..."
GM Craig: He stops. "You're crazy! Do you have any idea what is happening out there? If what you told me is true, then right now, about 3,000 troops are sealing off the entire city! Nothing - and I mean NUTH-ING will be entering or leaving for a very long time. They will hunt for you building to building, street by street until they find you..."
Dawson: so, we hide here until the heat is off...
GM Craig: He shakes his head. "You don't understand... you killed an Imperial on duty. They will bring in droids, and scanning equipment. They probably have a DNA sample, so they will deploy sniffer droids to pick up your cellular trail. If I stay with you, I'm toast too."
Dawson: The guy I killed was a local. Working for the imperials, sure, but some bleary eyed shmo who didn?t know his ass from a a hole in the ground
GM Craig: "The guy at the checkpoint? No, lady - the garrison here is Imperial regulars..."
Dawson: "regardless. If we move now, while they are still confused, we can maybe get out of here in one piece..."(use persuasion)
GM Craig: This guys is pretty savvy... "Listen, Dawson Stormcrow, you want to go around killing Imperials, fine. Have fun. Bag a couple for me. Personally, I prefer living." He gives you a salute. "Bye now!"
Dawson: I?m getting a bit desperate here.. time to turn on the waterworks.. I squeeze a few tears out of the corners of my eyes.. "But I can?t do it by myself...."
GM Craig: He turns to look at you, a cruel look on his face. The words die in his throat. He stops dead for a long pause. "Oh FRELL! You are NOT crying!" He's marching back to you.
Dawson: "No I?m NOT" I swipe at my eyes "Its so damn dusty in here...."
GM Craig: He starts walking around in little circles waving his arms and stomping. "No! Why is this happening to me!"
Dawson: I hate to manipulate him like this but sometimes the end justifies the means.. and we can laugh about it when we are a little older and not so close to being dead... I give a last sniff, and turn towards the door....
GM Craig: He stops. "I just know those tears are an act..."
Dawson: 'yeah.. fine what ever...I?ll see you in hell, I guess.. I figure Ill make it about 2 meters on my own.. " a few more tears run down my cheeks
GM Craig: He shakes his head, talking to himself. "She's faking this... she's faking..."
Dawson: I don?t even turn back, but scrub at my face where the tears are leaving tracks in the dirt
GM Craig: He drops his head. "okay! I might be able to get us out..."
Dawson: I whirl around.. "really???'
GM Craig: He looks at you for a moment, then stomps his foot. "I KNEW IT!" Defeated, he spreads his hands. "I know a pilot, owes me a favour."
Dawson: "I could hug you right now, you know that? .. .course, I wont, you being a tough bigtime wheeler and dealer and all.. but just the same, I could.. " and then the glee slips out of my voice, and the tenor changes... " but I do mean it. Thank you. If I live to get out of here, I can keep collecting on the debt the Imperial bastards owe me..."
GM Craig: He shakes his head one last time. "I knew she was faking..." Putting it past him, he nods down the passage. "This way..."
-
GM Craig: Jeremy leads you down the short passage. 5'x5' isn't comfortable for walking, and in no time you are getting a good crik in your back. Jeremy is a little shorter than you, so he has an easier time.
GM Craig: As he talks, he is muttering to himself. Every now and then, he'll stop his muttering to exact some oath from you.
GM Craig: "You do exactly what I say. Got it?"
GM Craig: "You let me do the talking, right?"
Dawson: Yes. of course....
Dawson: well.. OK.. if you insist... altho.. nevermind....
GM Craig: "You keep that frelling cannon away unless *I* tell you to use it, ok?"
Dawson: ok ok i got it.. and what exactly is my role in whatever you have planned?
GM Craig: "You will play the role of ... um... baggage. Yes - baggage. You go where I take you, you stay where I put you, and you keep zipped up unless I unzip you, got it?"
GM Craig: He seems to be trying to convince himself (through these promises) that this isn't really so bad. You get the feeling in that, in his heart, it's not working.
Dawson: ahem.... baggage is it??? FINE. baggage it is. But don?t expect your shirts to come out nice and unwrinkled. I?m feeling rather wrinkly at the moment..
GM Craig: He stops and waggs a finger under your nose. "And cool the lip! I'm the one getting us out of here, so you should show a little more respect!"
Dawson: "You know, I?m really not so bad. I?m mostly a nice person..
GM Craig: He looks up at you, scepticism on his face as he crosses his arms. "I'm sure..."
Dawson: "would you believe I was once loved.. ?
GM Craig: His eyes narrow...
Dawson: "I was. I was married.. I ... had a daughter.... But the imperial forces took all that away from me. And now I don?t give a flying frelll if I live or die. But you can be sure, I?m gonna take some of them with me when I go..."
GM Craig: His eyes widen. He stares for a sec, then turns away, shaking his head. "What am I getting myself into?" He turns back. "No more stories. The less I know about you, the better. Ok?"
Dawson: ..ok....
GM Craig: He starts off down the passage again. "This way..."
Dawson: biting my tongue, I follow him
GM Craig: He is quiet for a few minutes, and then stops at a ladder leading up.
GM Craig: "Up here." He starts to climb.
Dawson: looking up the ladder, can I see the top?
GM Craig: Yup. 5' above the floor...
Dawson: and?
GM Craig: As he starts up the ladder he pops open a door. The hatch slides back, revealing a few more feet of ladder. It looks like you are climbing into a small room.
Dawson: I follow him..
GM Craig: Once you are up inside, he closes the door and the room is bathed in darkness.
GM Craig: You hear him fumbling around in the dark for a moment. There is a pause, a click, and a section of wall opens up. Moving the pivoting section of wall, he creates a space at the bottom.
GM Craig: "After you." he says
Dawson: ya..uh.. no.. yo go right ahead
GM Craig: He sighs wearily. "Look, I hold it for you on this side, you hold it for me on the other side. You want me to get you out of this mess you put us both in, but you're not willing to trust me to hold open a door for you?"
Dawson: its not that I don?t trust you.. but I don?t trust the other side..
GM Craig: Jeremy sighs, and starts to struggle through the door on his own.
Dawson: right... I?ll hold the door here for you.. and you can hold it for ME on the other side.. same plan, but reveresed
GM Craig: He holds up his hand. "No, thanks." He slips through and holds the door for you.
Dawson: I follow him thru. I hate going into places like this.. unknown...
GM Craig: He lets the door slam down as your partway through. Bit of a bump on the head, but nothing serious - just aggravating.
Dawson: "thanks for the concussion.. Appreciate it" I rub my head where the door landed..
GM Craig: You struggle through to find yourself in an apartment of some sort. It's one of the worst messes you've ever seen. Yet, surprisingly, it doesn't smell.
Dawson: I wrinkly my nose, expecting the worse.. and it never comes. "maid have the day off?"
GM Craig: Jeremy wastes no time. He goes to a cabinet and pulls out handful of credsticks. He ignores you as he goes to the armchair in the corner and tosses it over. A knife appears in his hand and he slashes open the liner on the bottom. Out falls a blaster, and three power packs.
Dawson: "okok. Enough with the comments.. I know.. what can I do to help?"
GM Craig: He looks at you. "I'll just be a minute..." Grabbing a thick shirt, he walks over to a section of the wall. Wrapping the shirt around his fist, he punches a hole in the wall. From the resulting opening, he snatches a couple of datapads and four ID cards.
Dawson: I shrug, and lean up against the door frame, arms crossed. If I cant help, I don?t want to get in his way.. "oh my....."
GM Craig: "First thing we need to do is get you some ID." He walks over and reaches out to your face.
Dawson: I draw back
GM Craig: He stops. "More of this? Look, we're in this together..."
Dawson: "Gut reaction.. been a rough couple of days.. sorry.."
GM Craig: "I need to get a good look at your face, see which ID you might be able to get away with."
Dawson: I step forward again, and then hold still while he scrutinizes my face
GM Craig: He reaches out a hand again, pausing before he touches you. He gently holds your chin, and turns your face back and forth a couple of times. "OK, I think I can work with this..." He hands you an ID card. "Hang on a minute while I get my tools." He goes into another room. You hear some banging around.
Dawson: While I wait.. I take a look around a room that is so obviously meant to LOOK lived in, but I?d wager a cred stick is a nice front...
GM Craig: You see a computer terminal in one wall, probably just wired into the local newsnet. The place is authentic - empty liquor bottles, some nasty looking stains. Debris everywhere, except where someone might walk from the chair in front of the computer terminal, to the autokitchen, to the bedroom.
Dawson: Looks normal to me.. just cant account for the fact that normally a raunchy smell accompanies such a mess...
GM Craig: He comes back in a few minutes with what looks like an elaborate make-up kit. He shoves a bunch of debris off a chair and hauls over a stool. "Have a seat."
Dawson: My eyebrow lifts in the universal sign for 'you have GOT to be kidding.' Hes not kidding.....
GM Craig: He spreads his hands wide. "If you get caught, I get caught. Trust me."
Dawson: A resigned shrug, and I park it on the proffered seat...
GM Craig: He spends about 10 minutes. There is putty involved, and no small amount of make-up. Finally, he reaches for a hair trimmer...
Dawson: ?OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOno? I jump off the stool. ?NOT going to happen?
GM Craig: He shrugs. "The pic on the ID has a different hairstyle...
Dawson: women change their hair all the time.. I can wear it up, or a hat.. or... or... Come on.. .not the hair..." for a brief moment, I am laying on the beach again with my husband, as he wraps his fingers in my tresses, pulling them thru...and then I snap back to the dingy apartment.. "I can?t..."
GM Craig: He looks at you, and something deep (really deep) inside seems to sense why you're hesitant. "Look, that long hair will strike a chord with every Imperial in the city. By now, they all have copies of your holo...
Dawson: I drop my chin to my chest... resigned.. "alright.. do what you have to but...." I pause.. it seem so ludicrous... "save me a lock.? In the back of my mind, I see the young woman my daughter should have become, with hair like mine, flowing behind her as she ran...
GM Craig: He nods solemnly, and gets to work. As he does, he says quietly, "It'll grow back, Dawson." He makes a point of setting aside the first bit he cut.
Dawson: the sound of the scissors nearly breaks my heart. I watch the cast off bundles of hair as they float to the floor....
GM Craig: Another 10 minutes, and it's done. He sits back for a moment, admiring his handiwork. Then he looks around, reaches into his case, and hands you a mirror.
Dawson: I hand it back to him, without looking in it, and shake my head.
GM Craig: He shrugs. "It's pretty good work. Just be careful if you wipe your lips or anything."
Dawson: "its ok.. its just.. it feels... different. But I guess Im not the person I was a few months ago.. So the fact that I dont look like her doesnt surprise me..."
GM Craig: He folds the kit up and then goes back into the bedroom. From inside, he calls out, "You have any money?"
Dawson: I hear his question, and nod.. Reaching into my pocket I pull out the few creds I have left, and my credstick. I look at them.. and laugh. "Its not much..."
GM Craig: His head pops out of the door. "How much?"
Dawson: around 1900
GM Craig: He shakes his head. "OK, it'll help." His head disappears. "What size are you?"
Dawson: "geez, next you'll as my me bra size...." I shake my head..."Dunno.. I was about an 8.. "
GM Craig: Without missing a beat he says, "OK. Bra size?"
Dawson: I?m laughing even before I realize it. It bursts out of me like so much water behind a dam, and it takes a second for me to realize that the sound I am hearing is actually my laughter... "Funny guy...."
GM Craig: He comes out of the bedroom with a small case, and a huge duffel. He tosses the duffel at you.
Dawson: I catch it, thought it nearly knocks me off my feet. "Give a girl some warning next time..."
GM Craig: He grins. "I thought you were the 'rough and ready for anything' type..."
Dawson: I give him the 2 dollar smile 'You betcha.. rough and ready for anything Dawson.. That?s me.... "
GM Craig: He gets serious. "Your name is Natalie Haust. You were born in Reved, a coastal resort town to the south-west. Your parents died in a hunting accident when you were 23. You are now 35 years old. You have the dark complexion of a Koth?, because your mother was Koth?. You have a wicked scar down your right cheek from a mugging a few years back in Plarn."
Dawson: Incredulously, I say "I do??" and reach for the mirror...
GM Craig: The mirror reveals a stranger. Dark skin, a hook nose, and a wicked scar running from your right eyebrow down to your chin. Your lips, cheeks and chin are fuller. You look old, and tired. Not ugly, but certainly not pretty.
Dawson: I am struck speechless.. who IS this woman? She bears no resemblance to the one I saw the last time I looked in a mirror.. I reach up and touch my hair... or what?s left of it.. I blink.. and yes, those eyes are mine. They are in a strangers face.. but I am living a strangers life.. so its only right.
GM Craig: He says, "The scar is what people will remember."
Dawson: IT takes me a minute.. but I nod.. "I know.. its ok.. just takes a second to get used to."
GM Craig: He grins wickedly. "I forgot the best part..."
Dawson: "oh this cant be good..."
GM Craig: He tries to be nonchalant. "You owe 500 credits in back taxes."
Dawson: "I do.. she does.. we.. ummm .. Oh hell....."
GM Craig: "That gives any Imperials who scan your ID an easy opening to suggest a bribe..."
Dawson: last time I tried to bribe an imperial, I got this " I point to my still sore breast "for my trouble"
GM Craig: "You tried to bribe them with the wrong currency." he says simply. "Never let them pick the method of payment."
GM Craig: Then he stops, noticing your wound for the first time. "That doesn't look good..."
Dawson: "I chose it.. Its all I had to bargain with at the time..."
GM Craig: He comes forward, starts to reach for your shirt then stops. "Uh, let me have a look at it."
Dawson: I look him straight in the eye, and say "No, thanks, it?ll be ok.. Its almost stopped bleeding, I think"
GM Craig: He frowns. "That looks nasty. Let me see it." You don't get any creepy sense from him - he seems genuinely concerned.
Dawson: In for a penny in for a pound I guess.. I gingerly lift my shirt, and reveal the bite mark so graciously inflicted by the corporal..
GM Craig: He sucks in air through his teeth. "OK, in the fresher. I'll be a sec." He heads back to the bedroom.
GM Craig: Looking down, you see the wound is still bleeding and is surrounded by a large bruise fully 4 inches across.
Dawson: I let my breath out slowly.. Its worse than I thought.. I head for the fresher, trying not to think about what would have happened had I not gotten freakishly lucky with my attempt at snapping his neck..
GM Craig: He comes back. "Have a sit on the stool please." He has a medkit in his hand.
Dawson: I sit down, raise an eyebrow and ask "you know what you're doing?"
GM Craig: He grabs a sonic scrubber and starts to clean the area. It hurts like hell. Your involuntary tensing causes him to suck air in through his teeth again. "I know this hurts, but I gotta clean it..." He is surprisingly gentle, compared to what you have seen of him so far.
Dawson: "man.. the remedy is worse than the cause... " i nkow he is trying to help so i try not to squirm
GM Craig: Putting the scrubber away, he opens the medkit. Pulling out the diagnostic computer, he scans the tissue. "Hmmm. Not good. Some of the bleeding has gone internal..." He pulls out a laser scalpel. "I need to drain the wound..." He smiles. "This should be easier than the cleaning."
Dawson: "holy... now lets not be hasty.." I start to get up from the stool
GM Craig: He holds his hands up. Turning the computer around so you can see it, he says, "I have done this before. And besides, the comp draws me a roadmap..."
Dawson: backing up, I put up my hand.. "I?m sure it will be just fine.. Its clean now, it wont get infected..."
GM Craig: The computer readout provides detailed instructions... Step 1 - make incision to drain the wound. He tries to smile disarmingly. "Trust me."
Dawson: "its not like the guy had rabies or anything... what?s the big deal? I?ve had bruises before..."
GM Craig: He says, "He ruptures some arteries inside. They've been pumping blood into the surrounding tissue. If I don't drain it, it'll go septic." He seems to know what he is talking about.
Dawson: "I hate being wrong.. but if I?m wrong about this, it sounds like I?ll be in more trouble than just a bruised ego... " I wink.... "be gentle with me hey? I?m having a bad day..." I sit back down on the stool, and try not to look
GM Craig: He sits you back down. "Now hold still..." There is a hissing sound, and you smell burning flesh. Another hissing sound, and there is a quiet popping sound. A spray of blood shoots out a few centimetres, and blood starts flowing freely. Almost immediately the pain in the breast starts to ease. "There." he says. "That wasn't so bad..."
-
Dawson: I mumble under my breath..."I?m not gonna faint. Childbirth was worse than this. I?m NOT gonna faint..."
GM Craig: He puts the scalpel down and grabs some sort of tube. "I need to irrigate it with a coagulant. It might sting a little."
Dawson: "Man, you just don?t stop, do you... go ahead... " I set my jaw against what I KNOW is gonna hurt.. I treated many of my husbands weekend warrior wounds with just the same stuff..
GM Craig: He goes to work, wiping the overflow with a towel. There is a sharp pain, but it quickly subsides. "OK, now a little dermal regeneration, and a seal, and you're done."
Dawson: my ancestors would be proud of the noncommittal 'mmphm' I give him
GM Craig: He takes another tube and irrigates the wound. This time, it doesn't hurt as much. He then takes a few wound closures out of the kit and pinches the wound closed with them. He takes a large dressing from the kit and applies it to the wound, and says finally, "All done." He seems proud of his work. "How does it feel?"
Dawson: I look down, and am relieved to see that I cant see.. I look back at him.. "It feels... better.. " I smile, a real one this time... "thanks,? holding my blood stained shirt in my hand, I realize how much blood there really is there.. and an involuntary shiver passes thru me
GM Craig: With just a smile, he closes the medkit and vanishes out the door. "You need a change of clothes?" he calls from the bedroom.
Dawson: "yeah, if you have one..." I look longingly at the facilities in the fresher.. what I wouldn?t give to be clean all over .. sigh.. clean clothes will have to do
GM Craig: He walks out of the bedroom with a shirt and pants. "OK, there you go."
Dawson: I eye them critically, trying to decide if they will come anywhere close to fitting me.... and decide they will do.. I reach for the fasteners on my pants.. and then stop.. "can I change in here or???"
GM Craig: He has a good eye. They fit just fine. He nods at the bedroom. "In there if you want."
Dawson: I nod, and head over to the bedroom, and thru the door, closing it behind me. I sink down on to the bed, and take a deep breath.
GM Craig: The bedroom looks like the rest of the apartment - like a bomb went off in here. Still, there are no icky smells.
Dawson: I?m glad it doesn?t smell in here.. altho, I?m so beyond caring... I lift my shirt the rest of the way off, and drop the clean shirt over my head.
Dawson: Standing up, I unfasten my pants and step out of them, and then into the clean ones. A quick flip and the fasteners are closed. I scoop up my clothes, and head back out of the bedroom, looking for Jeremy
GM Craig: It is a little tight, but not uncomfortably so. Jeremy is watching the viewscreen intently.
Dawson: I walk over to where he is standing, and try to peer over his shoulder
GM Craig: He is running a newsfeed. It shows Imperial troops disgorging from an assault shuttle. In addition to Army regulars, more than a few Stormtroopers can be seen.
Dawson: 'uh oh...not good. Where is the feed from?"
GM Craig: The voiceover us saying, "... declared martial law. A recent arrival of garrison troops has boosted the Empire's presence, and the Governor has pledged to capture these terrorists before they can injure anyone else." The newsfeed cuts to a civilian speeder. The camera droid shows a mother, father and two children being hauled away from the remains of a speeder. The scene is replaced by an Army officer. "The fugitives remain at large at this time..."
GM Craig: "Plarn." Jeremy says.
Dawson: "nice propaganda..."
GM Craig: Jeremy says, "It's not propaganda. The images are too dirty. Someone was fleeing an attack on the Imperial garrison and slammed into that family's speeder."
GM Craig: "In other news, an assailant or assailants have been giving troops in the Amarin region a hard time. A patrol was attacked, and later a checkpoint on the Old Road was attacked. There were no casualties, but the terrorists managed to get into the city. In response, the Governor has ordered two full battalions of Imperial Army regulars to secure Amarin."
Dawson: "uh oh.. you don?t think they mean me do you ??"
GM Craig: Jeremy looks at you. "Of course they mean you."
Dawson: "no casualties.. thats not true...."
GM Craig: "That is the propaganda."
Dawson: I shake my head..'idiots..." Come on Dawson.. breathe in , breathe out... Don?t panic.. "we need to get going.."
GM Craig: Jeremy nods absently. "You got that right." He turns. "OK, who are you?"
Dawson: Natalie.. Natalie Haust.
GM Craig: He nods. "Where you from?"
Dawson: ?Reved. ummm Jeremy Whose clothes are these???'
GM Craig: He smiles, letting you twist in the wind for a moment.
Dawson: " I mean.. Its none of my business or anything..."
GM Craig: "I have a stock of them in the other room. You never know when you might need them. I inherited this place from someone else who... is out of circulation for a while. The clothes came with the room."
Dawson: "ok.. I just thought... oh, never mind what I thought... "
GM Craig: "She used to run a stable of girls." He stops, about to ask you what you though they were from, then thinks better of it. The interrogation continues. Finally he nods, satisfied that you know the background.
Dawson: a look of disbelief flashes across my face..... and then a grin... "I thought maybe you had a girlfriend stashed around here. I didn?t want to be the cause of you leaving her on short notice.."
GM Craig: Jeremy stops short. "Never had time for a girlfriend. In my line of work, they are a liability. Half the art of disguise comes from attitude. You are invisible - the scar is what people will remember. And if they don't remember that, they'll remember your figure."
Dawson: I tug at the shirt.. "No kidding.. "
GM Craig: He grins. "Whatever keeps them from seeing the disguise, sweetheart."
Dawson: "I?m sorry.. I didn?t mean to pry... about the girlfriend I mean"
GM Craig: He holds up a hand. "Don't worry about it. I'm not as sensitive as you might think"
Dawson: I nod.. relieved??? Nawww.... "thanks.. I?m ready to go whenever you are..."
GM Craig: "Now remember, you have those two things going for you - the scar and your... um... assets. And if that fails, you have that 500 credit tax thing. If an Imperial scans your card, they'll see that on their screen, and their eyes will turn to credit signs. Never bring it up yourself, if it comes to that. Let them bring it up first. Makes them think it was their idea. If you bring it up, they get suspicious right away."
Dawson: "last time I used my..umm.. assets, I got bit...don?t think I?m too eager to try that again "
GM Craig: He shakes his head. "You're not going to use them - they're not on offer. There just there as a distraction."
Dawson: I nod....
GM Craig: He picks up his case. "You ready?"
Dawson: "I am.. what happens now?"
GM Craig: "We go outside. We walk about 4 blocks, pick up a cab, and then head to that pilot's place. We'll probably see one or two patrols on the way, maybe a checkpoint or two as well." He starts to reach out to put a hand on your shoulder, then stops and pulls it back. "You are invisible to everything but a DNA sniffer."
Dawson: "are you nuts??? Just walk out of here like nothings happened? .......and then I grin. "But they are looking for Dawson. Not Natalie Haust. And you are....??
GM Craig: Tapping the side of his head, he says, "Remember ? attitude.? He grins. "I am Mikhail Gruuber."
Dawson: "ok, Mikhail.. and how do we know each other...?"
GM Craig: He grins. "I am a long lost cousin on your father's side. An off-world merchant, who's ship got impounded."
Dawson: I slip my arm thru his, look him straight in the eye, "Lets do it..."
GM Craig: He opens the door, and out you go. A turn, another turn and you pass through an open archway into the street. There are a lot of people everywhere, all with their heads down and hurrying somewhere. At both ends of the street, checkpoints have been set up, and a squad of troops is going down the street, building by building.
GM Craig: Without stopping at all, he heads right for the checkpoint.
Dawson: I quell a rising panic... Attitude, girl, attitude.. I square my shoulders, and walk.. as if I had a pair
GM Craig: There is a queue to get through the cehckpoint. A couple of troopers are busy checking people's ID's. On either side of the roadblock there are two large, nasty looking repeating blasters. The checkpoint is manned by about 15 troopers.
GM Craig: Eventually, Jeremy gets to the checkpoint. He hands over his ID card to the trooper, who swipes it. The trooper pulls the card, and takes a good look at it, then at Jeremy. After a moment, he hands the card back and says, "Proceed."
Dawson: I Slip my hand into my pocket, and wrap my fingers around the ID .. I watch as Jeremy goes thru the checkpoint. I step up, card in hand..
GM Craig: The trooper takes it, takes a look at you, and swipes it.
Dawson: I am sure they can hear my heart pounding in my chest. I grit my teeth, waiting for the inevitable...
GM Craig: In his eyes you see the reflected characters of his datapad. He sucks his teeth for a moment, before removing the card. Holding it up, he takes a good look at it, and then at you. His eyes narrow...
Dawson: I take a breath, and meet his gaze...
GM Craig: He stares back at you for a moment, and then hands over the ID card. "Proceed."
Dawson: I take the card, nonchalantly slip it back into my pocket, and walk thru the checkpoint, catching up with Jeremy. It takes all I have not to collapse against him...
GM Craig: Jeremy takes your arm and starts to walk away with you. As he does so, he leans in to speak to you.
GM Craig: "That was a damn foolhardy thing to do..."
Dawson: My eyes widen... what did I do?
GM Craig: He whispers, "Locking eyes with him. Bad move - now he'll remember those eyes. Doing something like that undoes your two biggest advantages, dear. If he was a little sharper, he might have been able to see through the disguise."
Dawson: I shake my head.. this is all still new to me..
GM Craig: "You need to be a little less naive, sweetheart. In this game, there are no second chances. And you've already gotten one..."
Dawson: "dang.... "
GM Craig: A couple of blocks later, he hails a cab.
-
GM Craig: The two of you pile into the speeder. "West Amarin, Dunnet street," Jeremy says.
GM Craig: The driver looks back at the two of you. "No can do - there are 3 checkpoints between here and there, and they're not letting any speeder traffic through. I can get you to the next checkpoint, but no farther." He shrugs. "Dang Imperials all to blazes anyway."
GM Craig: Jeremy looks at you, then back at the driver. "How far to the next checkpoint?"
GM Craig: The driver sighs and says, "That depends. They've pretty much got the city cordoned off into 15-block squares, and nothing gets in or out of the squares except at checkpoints. There are a few big ones for high traffic, and a few smaller ones for the feeder routes."
GM Craig: Jeremy looks at you, and quietly says, "I think we should go to a smaller checkpoint."
Dawson: I nod... I?m a little nervous about all of this..
GM Craig: Turning back to the driver, Jeremy hands over a few credit notes. "We'd like a ride to an out-of-the-way checkpoint. We don't much care for Imperials, so the fewer we meet, the better."
GM Craig: The driver takes the cash without looking, and speeds away without a word.
GM Craig: Jeremy looks over to you, and leans in close. "Remember, you are invisible. A smaller station likely won't have a DNA sniffer, or a direct hook-up to the Imperial Network."
Dawson: I nod yet again.. and whisper, "I?ll do better"
GM Craig: The driver makes no attempt at conversation, and neither does Jeremy. The ride passes in silence, until 5 minutes later, you see a checkpoint at the end of the block. Jeremy says, "Here is good," and pays the cabbie and hops out. Without looking at the checkpoint, Jeremy walks into a small diner.
Dawson: I can feel my stomach twisting and turning.. I thought I was so prepared.. thought my anger and my pain could carry me through.. But there is so much I don?t know...
Dawson: I follow him in, eating is the last thing on my mind..
GM Craig: He walks up to the counter and orders a Kavvy.
GM Craig: The server droid plops down the steaming liquid in a disposable cup. The droid turns to you. "What can I get you?"
Dawson: I take a deep breath, trying to get the quivers out of my voice.. "Kavvy.. please"
GM Craig: The droid sets down a disposable cup. When the droid looks for payment, Jeremy nods in your direction. Turning to you, the droid says, "That's 10 credits please."
Dawson: Sliding my last few creds out of my pocket, I pay the tab. A lifted eyebrow at Jeremy... and then I pick up my cup.
GM Craig: [OK, only 7 credits cash left, and 1838 in the credstick]
GM Craig: Jeremy leads the way to the outdoor tables and chairs, and has a seat.
GM Craig: "Well, my dear, isn't this a lively evening?"
Dawson: I look at Jeremy, shoot him the 'you MUST be kidding' look, and play along "a little too lively for me."
GM Craig: His eyes narrow at your response. He continues to make idle small talk, but you get the impression that his attention is not on you. It all seems so incongruous... After a couple of minutes of this, he sits up. "Well, my dear, shall we get going?"
Dawson: I nod, "of course, sweetheart! When ever you're ready" and I beam at him :)
GM Craig: He stands, and takes you by the arm. As you walk down the street, he leans in close. "This is going to be a little tougher. This checkpoint has a com uplink, so they're live on the network. No sign of a sniffer, but they do have more than a few people staking out the street." He gives you a little peck on the cheek. "But remember, you are invisible."
Dawson: I blink at the kiss... and then nod.. "you sure know how to keep a girl on her toes..."
GM Craig: He locks arms with you, and holds your hand with his other hand. You seem to see threats everywhere. With this new information, it seems as if everyone on the street is looking at you. You cover the two blocks to the checkpoint, and Jeremy asks, "You want me to go first?"
Dawson: Its rather disconcerting...this close proximity to Jeremy.. and yet, oddly .. comforting.. I lean in slightly, and say "yes, please.." I hug his arm briefly, and then let him go..
GM Craig: He strides forward, and queues up.
Dawson: I pause briefly, to see if anyone is going to go thru between us....
GM Craig: [Not if you don't want them to.]
Dawson: I just dont want to push anyone out of my way on the way there..
GM Craig: [No problem, but you can let someone slip in if you want.]
Dawson: no, I don?t think so.. If I do that, Jeremy might become a bit to obvious , if he has to hang around waiting for me.
GM Craig: [OK, you're right after him then.]
GM Craig: The trooper scans Jeremy's ID, and asks him a few questions. Then a few more. And a few more after that. At some point, he indicates you. You can't hear what they are saying...
Dawson: my stomach had been settling.. Now its in full swing again.. This is very nerve wracking
GM Craig: After what seems like an eternity, he hands the ID back to Jeremy and waves him through. You're next...
Dawson: It takes all I have not to turn and run.. 'you're invisible' I keep repeating in my mind.. I step up, and hand over my ID
GM Craig: The guard takes it and scans it. His eyes reflect the output from his noteputer, but you can't see what it is. His lips form a thin line, and then he looks at you. "Name?" he says gruffly.
Dawson: "Natalie Haust " I reply.. I hope with no hesitation..
GM Craig: The guard is looking at you intently. "Occupation?"
Dawson: 'none, right now.. kind of in between jobs..'
GM Craig: He grunts, and nods, and holds up his hand.
GM Craig: A second trooper comes out of nowhere. The second trooper says, "This way." The first trooper hands your ID card to the second one.
Dawson: my mind is racing, as I try not to panic....."Is there a problem??" My eyes seek out Jeremy...
GM Craig: The second trooper just says again, "This way." He indicates the direction to go with a blaster rile slung over his shoulder. You take a quick look, but can't see Jeremy anywhere.
Dawson: biting my lip, I proceed in the direction indicated by the trooper.. I drop my bag, and use the time to pick it up to see if I can spot Jeremy anywhere..
GM Craig: This time you see him about 15 meters away, looking back towards you. He seems calm.
Dawson: I take some comfort in that. Squaring my shoulders, I follow the trooper.
GM Craig: The move seems to tick off the trooper. He takes you to a speeder of sorts, and helps propel you towards the open door. You don't stagger, but do have to catch yourself on the edge of the hatch. "Inside." he says.
Dawson: everything I do seems to tick of troopers everywhere.. I cant win.. unless.... I move inside.. let my shoulders droop, let my body project a little fear..
GM Craig: You are inside a troop transport, just like the one where you had your ill-fated encounter with that Corporal. There is a table set up, and an officer (!) sitting on the other side. The junior-grade lieutenant indicates the chair. The trooper (who followed you in) hands across the ID card.
Dawson: the projected fear suddenly becomes real. then it occurs to me.. the taxes.. but I am careful not to show any hope... I move to the chair, and sit down. trying to make myself small..... chewing on my lower lip...
GM Craig: The officer gives you a scowl and swipes the ID card in his noteputer. You catch, just for an instant, a thin smile on his face. It is gone so fast, like the light of a flashbulb, that you're not sure it was even there.
GM Craig: He turns his condescending gaze at you. "Name!" he barks out, obviously trying to intimidate you.
Dawson: "Natalie Haust, sir" No need to conjure fear here.. Its still very reall..
GM Craig: The corners of his lips turns up slightly at the proper show of respect. "Residence?"
Dawson: "I?m from Reved, sir,"
GM Craig: "And what brings you to Amarin?"
Dawson: I scramble wildly...."just passing thru, sir, looking for work, but there was none to be had, so I?m moving on."
GM Craig: He nods contemplatively. Then he barks to the guard, "Her bag." The trooper reaches for it.
Dawson: <gulp>
GM Craig: [You let him take it?]
Dawson: holding my bag, I bite my lower lip... "Please sir, its all I have left in the world..." [using persuade] Tears squeak out and roll down my cheek
GM Craig: The officer frowns, and nods to the trooper. Strong hands wrestle it away from you.
Dawson: I let it go....
GM Craig: The guard moves to a side table out of your line of sight. You can hear a clatter as it gets upended.
Dawson: damn.....
GM Craig: As that is going on, the officer leans in close. "It seems you have run afoul of COMPNOR, madam. There is a small matter of some 700 credits in taxes..."
Dawson: I bow my head... "Yes sir.. and I?d like to clear that up... if I can.. maybe you can help me with that, please sir?"
GM Craig: He smiles widely, sensing a mark. "Well, for a small fee, I can process that transaction right here. 750 credits." You hear a cough behind you. The officer looks up, and his eyes go wide.
Dawson: I start to say "that would be most generous, sir" when I hear the cough.. I get about 2 syllables out..
GM Craig: The trooper tosses your hand cannon down onto the table. The officer's eyes narrow. "Funny, I don't see anything on your record about a license to carry a concealed and prohibited blaster." He nods his head in mock sorrow. "You don't have a permit for this, do you."
Dawson: "no sir.. your right...its just... a girl alone on the road.. It?s not safe.... I look up pleadingly. "I don?t even know how to get a permit... Could you tell me, Sir?? I don?t want to be any trouble for you..."
GM Craig: He nods sympathetically, planning his retirement. "I am afraid this is a very serious matter, Madam. Ordinarily, I am required to place you under arrest. You would sit in a detention cell for days - weeks maybe. Finally, a COMPNOR tribunal would hear your case and assess a fine or detention time. Or worse..."
Dawson: "oh no sir!! oh please, there must be something...."
GM Craig: "I am afraid a permit for this type of weapon is out of the question. However, if you plead guilty now, we might be able to work out a summary hearing right here..."
Dawson: "what does that mean sir? Oh please, sir.. I don?t want to go to a detention center..." The tears are rolling freely down my cheeks now...
GM Craig: He seems completely unmoved by the tears. He looks to the trooper. "You are a witness, Halk." Turning back to you, he says, "Do you plead guilty to violations of Imperial Code of Conduct, section 329, articles 984, And 1297, and 1563(b)?"
Dawson: My eyes widen... "Sir I don?t understand what any of that means.. what happens if I say yes??"
GM Craig: The officer leans forward. "I am trying to help you here, miss. Do you plead guilty to the aforementioned violations?"
Dawson: "Please, sir, can?t I just pay the fines?? I don?t want the blaster, really I don?t.. You can keep it... " The panic in my voice is real now. I have no idea what the penal codes he just quoted mean, let alone the consequences of taking a guilty verdict...
GM Craig: He sighs. "Well, I can't assess you a fine if we are not able to conclude this summary hearing, now, can I?? He is getting a little ticked. "How do you plead?!"
Dawson: "no sir... guilty sir, as you suggest." I take a deep gulp of air...
GM Craig: He then holds out his noteputer. "Thumbprint." he says.
Dawson: Oh god he wants my thumbprint.. I think I?m gonna throw up....
GM Craig: [There is a little square on the screen to read a thumbprint]
Dawson: I hold out my hand.. Its shaking. Maybe.. As I hold out my thumb,
GM Craig: The noteputer reads the thumbprint, and beeps acknowledgement. The lieutenant then holds it out for the trooper. "So witnessed?" The trooper says "So witnessed," and adds his thumbprint. The officer says, "The defendant pleads guilty. Her weapon is to be confiscated, and she is to pay a fine of 250 credits." He adds his thumbprint.
Dawson: I try not to let the relief that is flowing thru my body show too greatly.. "thank you sir. That is more than fair."
GM Craig: He leans forward. "So, your back taxes, and administration fees, and the fine and processing charges, and hearing costs, that's 1100 credits."
Dawson: <gulp> I nod.. "i have a cred stick, sir"
GM Craig: He waves his hand impatiently. "Yes, yes. Let's have it."
Dawson: I reach into my pocket, and pull it out.. and slide it across the table...
GM Craig: He snatches it up, and pops it into a port on his noteputer. A second or so later, he smiles and hands it back. "I am so very glad I could assist you with your troubles, madam.? He then slides the ID across the table.
Dawson: "thank you, sir" I pocked the cred stick (which I am sure is lighter by MORE than 1100 creds, and my ID. ?May I go now sir?"
GM Craig: [No, he just took 1100.]
GM Craig: He waves a hand. "You may go.? The trooper behind you backs off.
Dawson: I move towards the door of the vehicle, and then stop. ?May I have my bag please?"
GM Craig: The officer stops for a moment, taken aback. "Oh, of course." He gets up and hands it to you.
Dawson: I nod, "thank you sir" and head for the door
GM Craig: The trooper escorts you past the barricades.
Dawson: I heft it briefly, to see if the weight is familiar or if it is lighter than just a blaster
GM Craig: It all seems there, minus the weight of your hand cannon.
Dawson: k
GM Craig: Jeremy is there when you come out. He seems relieved to see you.
Dawson: I walk slowly towards Jeremy.. I nod.. "It?s ok."
GM Craig: He takes your arm in his and takes hold of you hand. Leaning in, he says quietly, "What happened? You were in there an awfully long time..."
Dawson: I try very hard not to collapse against him.. "It was the taxes.. at first I wasn?t sure.. they got me for 1100.... "
GM Craig: He gulped, and said, "What!" Quite loudly. A few passers by stop and stare. He paints a smile on his face and says quietly, "1100! Are you crazy?!?"
Dawson: I paste an identical smile on my face and lean in as if to kiss him on the cheek.. "I wasn?t going to argue. Last thing I needed was for them to decide that my ID bore further investigation...? I whisper at him. I kiss him on the cheek, pull away, and flash him the 2 dollar smile.. It doesn?t quite reach my eyes..
GM Craig: He nods and smiles sweetly. Through clenched teeth he says, "But 1100? The tax bill was only 500!"
Dawson: I lean my head on his shoulder, so I can whisper in his ear.. "Yes, I know. He said it was 700. And were YOU going to argue with him? I sure wasn?t..."
GM Craig: He shakes his head. "Well, at least we're both through."
Dawson: "what was your hold up?"
GM Craig: He shrugs. "Just a bunch of questions. Routine really, seeing if they could shake me up."
Dawson: "why were they pointing at me?
GM Craig: He glances back at the checkpoint. "Wanted to know if I was travelling with anyone. Um, what exactly happened back there?"
Dawson: '.... they got my blaster..'
GM Craig: He nods and begins to quicken your pace. "I see. Probably for the better. Anything else?"
Dawson: "not that I know of.. I haven?t had a good look.. " I shrug "don?t exactly want to sit in the middle of the road and start searching thru my bag."
GM Craig: The pace quickens again. "No, I mean anything else happen?"
Dawson: they charged me with all kinds of infringements... for the blaster...
GM Craig: He keeps looking back. "They have a summary hearing?"
Dawson: "yeah..."
GM Craig: You get to the cross-street, and he waves frantically for a cab.
GM Craig: "Take a thumb-print?"
Dawson: I nod.. "I didn?t know what to do they?re gonna figure it out, aren?t they"
GM Craig: He opens the door and practically shoves you inside. He throws a wad of cash at the driver and yells GO!"
Dawson: I shrink back in the seat.. waiting for the fallout....
GM Craig: "They already did sweetheart. Took a couple of moments for the officer to alter the records, then transmit them. That thumbprint would return a warning flag." Not 100m later, he says to the driver, "That's 100 credits! Don't stop!" Then he opens the door.
-
GM Craig: He says, "Let's go!" He then rolls out onto the street, diving from the moving speeder.
Dawson: I throw myself clear of the speeder rolling out of the door
GM Craig: You hit the ground hard, and almost black out. Hands grab you and pull you back. A moment later, an armoured speeder streaks by. Still disoriented, Jeremy helps you stand. "You OK? We have to keep moving." [status = wounded. 1-D on all rolls until healed.]
Dawson: I shake my head, trying to clear the fuzzies... "yes, I?m ok.. Lets go...."
GM Craig: He smiles. "OK, I think we need to abandon the overland route now..."
Dawson: I cock my head.. "You lead, I?ll follow.. No questions, for now at least.. I promise.."
GM Craig: He looks around frantically, then points. "This way!" He's too small to help much, but he tries to keep you upright. About half a block down an alley, you turn right. By now the fuzzies are fading.
Dawson: I?ll have a few for him when we are safe but for now the questions can wait...
GM Craig: He stops, and his hands fly to his temples. "Think! Think!" He is pacing back and forth. He pounds his head a little.
Dawson: I wait, nervously biting my lip.. ?what are you looking for ..."
GM Craig: "I'm thinking!" he barks.
Dawson: I shrink back.. shut up, Dawson, I tell myself
GM Craig: He keeps pacing back and forth for a minute or two, and then stops. He turns to you, his eyes unreadable.
Dawson: I wait.. almost afraid to speak.. hell forget the almost.. I AM afraid to speak
GM Craig: "OK, here is what we do..." He points to you. "That disguise is hot now, so it's no good. I don't have my kit to make another one, so you're not getting through another checkpoint." He says, "Follow so far?"
Dawson: I nod..
GM Craig: "We need to get a way out of here, and I have to do the arranging for that. Right?"
Dawson: "right...."
GM Craig: "So what we need to do is find you a place where you can hide for a few hours. Where you won't be noticed."
Dawson: I nod again.. "but .. where??"
GM Craig: He says, "Well, they're still doing building to building searches, so a room won't help much..." He points to a circular access hatch in the alley leading down. "But in the sewers..."
Dawson: My eyebrows dip down across my forehead.. My father used to call it the V of Doom...'the... sewers???'
GM Craig: He holds up his hands. "Unless you have any better ideas?" He jumps then as a couple of TIE fighters flash overhead. He freezes for several seconds but when nothing happens, he heaves a sigh of relief.
Dawson: I quickly shake my head... "no.. I?m fine with it... you want me to go now??"
GM Craig: He walks over to the access hatch and drops to his knees. Swiping away the grime from the access panel, he starts punching away at the controls. "Just as soon as I can get this baby open..."
Dawson: I watch as he fiddles with the controls... and work very hard to remind my self that a fresher will remove all the traces of this......
GM Craig: A second later, it hisses and it irises open. You look down into a black shaft. Somewhere below, you hear the sound of water gurgling. He tosses you a sympathetic, lopsided grin as the smell wafts past your nose. "I'll be 4 hours, no more."
Dawson: "just please tell me there is a fresher somewhere in the not too distant future???"
GM Craig: He holds up his hands. "No promises, but I'll see what I can do."
Dawson: I nod, and move towards the ladder that will take me down into.. no.. I don?t want to think about what.. just... down... I stop, and turn to him. "Don?t forget to come back for me..."
GM Craig: It is dark. Very dark. Looking up, you see his face framed by the circle of light. "Hey, I made a deal. And a deal is a deal, right?" He holds up 4 fingers. "Just sit tight for 4 hours. Maybe less."
Dawson: I nod... and try to convince myself... "close it up.. before your seen'
GM Craig: He nods, and pauses for a moment, concern on his face. "I'll be back," he says. Then the hatch irises shut, and he is gone.
Dawson: the darkness closes in on my like a shroud (my shroud?) and I shudder as I imagine what is actually IN the darkness, and the wait begins
GM Craig: You reach the bottom. You can feel a little ledge above the water, coated in slime. Somewhere in the darkness, you can hear scratching noises and occasional squeaks. Hours pass...
Dawson: rats.. he never said there would be rats...
GM Craig: 2, then 3. You sometimes feel a little body scurrying across your feet or legs.
Dawson: ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
GM Craig: But nothing seems to take a direct interest in you.
Dawson: nice to know I?m not tasty enough for the critters to gnaw..
GM Craig: The time is almost over - 4 hours is almost up when you hear something at the top of the shaft.
Dawson: quickly, I shrink back into the darkness.. I don?t want to be seen in the outside light
GM Craig: The hatch irises open, and you see the beam of a glow rod stab down. You crawl back and avoid the light.
GM Craig: A voice says, "No sign of her." You don't recognize it.
Dawson: stay still Dawson.. stay very very still
GM Craig: Another voice you don't recognize says, "You sure this is the right place?"
GM Craig: The first voice said, "Yeah... this is where he told us."
Dawson: god..something has happend to Jeremy...
GM Craig: The second one says, "Well, *I'm* not going down there..."
Dawson: he would have come back.. he promised me...
GM Craig: He first one says, "Me neither..."
GM Craig: They move back from the shaft, and you can hear some quiet mumbling. Then you hear, "Dawson? Dawson Stormcrow? You there?"
Dawson: I?m astounded to hear my name.. not just my name, but the name Jeremy called me when we met. I want to speak.. but my voice is caught in my throat..
GM Craig: The second voice says, "I don't think she's down there..."
Dawson: I whisper...'hello?'
GM Craig: The light is on again. The first voice said, "You hear something?"
Dawson: godidontwanttodieinasewer... a little louder... "Hello...who?s there?"
GM Craig: The second voice said, "Yeah." The first voice says, "Dawson? Is that you?"
Dawson: "Where is he?" I wont name him.. I don?t know what has gone wrong
GM Craig: The first voice says, "Who?"
Dawson: ?Who sent you here?? My heart is in my stomach.. Why didn?t he come himself
GM Craig: "Oh. Seems he ran into some trouble with an Imperial checkpoint. He gave us a call and asked us to round you up. If you are Dawson..."
Dawson: ?He WHO?!? I?m beginning to panic...'what name did he give you?' Trouble at a checkpoint... if Jeremy is hurt because of me...
GM Craig: There is a pause. "Jeremy Wilton."
Dawson: my breath escapes my lungs in an explosion.. my relief is palpable.. if the rats cared... "Yes I?m Dawson..."
GM Craig: "Well, come on up here before someone sees us..."
Dawson: Oh please let me be right about this.. If it had gone wrong.. they would have thought his name was Mikail.. Oh Jeremy... what went wrong..... I move towards the ladder. I?m torn... but better to die by blaster than be eaten alive by rats... "I?m coming out.. "
GM Craig: "Finally" the second one says.
Dawson: I make a mental note to hug that one.. gooey slime and all.. Moving slowly up the ladder, trying not to fall, I pull myself up and out of the iris of the sewer
GM Craig: You pop your head out and get a first glimpse at the two men. They are fairly short, but have powerful builds. Both have the hooked nose and dark complexion of a Koth?, and speak with a pronounced accent.
Dawson: "where is Jeremy."
GM Craig: One of them bows, touching his head as he does so. "Khaliss Throun, at your service."
Dawson: "Please.. Introductions later... Where is he... I don?t mean to be rude. But he promised he would come. What happened?"
GM Craig: As he rises he says, "There is always time for introductions." He indicates the other man. "This is my cousin, Felis Andou. As for Jeremy, he is safe. He ran afoul of a checkpoint. It seems a bright trooper linked the two of you. But rest assured, he is safe."
Dawson: I pull my self out of the sewer, cringing at the odour that accompanies me... "What happens now... "
Dawson: All I can think is that I got Jeremy in this mess. and now I need to get him out.
GM Craig: He bows once again. "It will be my pleasure to bring you to the home of my uncle, Cali Oman. There you will be reunited with Jeremy."
Dawson: I nod.. "Thank you.." there are no words other than that I trust myself to say.
GM Craig: He bows again, sweeping his hand wide. In the background you can see a large repulsor truck. "Please, this way."
Dawson: I nod.. then pause.. looking down at the filth and slime on my clothes... I shake my head.. 'your truck.. the filth..'
GM Craig: He smiles. "Have no fear." He guides you to the back of the truck. It is an open-air cargo compartment. In the back you find a large pile of manure.
Dawson: I cant help but giggle... and I nod in agreement, and climb in..
GM Craig: "Not exactly classy accommodations, I am afraid, but we needed something to cover up the aroma you acquired while below the streets..."
Dawson: the feeling of these clothes against my body.. the smell of the manure... if my stomach were not empty it soon would be "no worries," I reply, with a grin.. I?ve been in worse places"
GM Craig: He then points to the rear window of the passenger compartment. "And here is my little brother, Tain Throun. He will be our driver."
GM Craig: You see an face that can't be a day over 16.
Dawson: "I am sorry to have involved you all in this. It has become much more difficult than we anticipated.. and I am to blame... "
GM Craig: He holds up his hands and the first syllable of Sorry. "Please! I will hear no more! You insult the honour of my uncle!"
Dawson: in the pit of my stomach, I cant help but be afraid that soon, these men and this boy, will be in far more danger than they could ever imagine.. because of me...
GM Craig: He smiles, flashing his even, white teeth. "We are pleased to be able to provide any service we can."
Dawson: I smile back at him, and my eyes twinkle.. "I don?t suppose a refresher comes as part of the service does it??" I settle myself into the manure pile.. "I think I?m going to need it..."
GM Craig: He smiles, bowing again and touching his head. "The hospitality of my Uncle awaits you at the end of this uncomfortable journey, my friend." Khaliss hands you a breath mask.
Dawson: as I take the mask in my hands.. a suspicious thought creeps into my mind.. "You don?t mean to ... cover me.. with this stuff do you???"
GM Craig: He says, "We must cover you up, I am afraid." He seems most apologetic. He hands you a pair of goggles as well. "It is the best way to avoid detection."
Dawson: my body moves on auto pilot.. I slip on the goggles, and the mask. I look at my rescuers and nod. I understand.. And it will be ok...
GM Craig: They cover you up quickly. Sounds become muffled as they bury you in manure. A few minutes later, you feel the truck shift as they start out on their journey. The truck makes a few turns, and stops a couple of times. Once, you heard muffled conversation. During the ride, the vibrations of the truck work manure into every crevice of your body. You can feel insects of some sort crawling around as well. The truck stops again, and you feel a banging on the side of the cargo compartment. A faraway voice says, "We are here, Dawson."
Dawson: shallow breaths, Dawson.. shallow breaths... dont think about it.. think about something pleasant. ermmm I force myself to remain still until I am.. unburied...
GM Craig: They dig you out. As you pop your head up, so see several other men with shovels. But Khaliss is there. He holds out a (gloved) hand to you to assist you from the truck.
Dawson: a familiar face is a relief.. as familiar as one can be having just met before being buried alive in manure... I reach out, and grasp his hand, and pull myself from the pile
GM Craig: He bows once again, touching his head and then spreading his arms wide. "Welcome to the house of my uncle, Cali Drinner Oman of Amarin. We are your humble servants. If there is anything we can do for you - anything at all, please ask."
Dawson: "you are most kind... Please, may I see Jeremy? And then, I beg of you.. a refresher, and if possible, clean clothes??"
GM Craig: Another Koth? steps forward, a woman. Khaliss indicates her. "This is my cousin, Arianna Thown. She would be pleased to escort you to your room and assist you with your bath. After that, you will see my uncle Cali and Jeremy."
Dawson: I?d ask for a new set of skin... mine is still crawling,, but perhaps clean will suffice
GM Craig: Arianna bows, touching her head. "I am pleased to be of service, Dawson. I am your humble servant."
Dawson: "I cannot thank you enough. May I call you Arianna?"
GM Craig: She bows, touching her head. "As you wish."
Dawson: "please, lead the way.."
GM Craig: She nods, and turns. She is tall, though not as tall as you. She has very long black hair, and the typical features of her people. She leads you out of some sort of vehicle bay and into a corridor. You see several trucks in the bay, and a few speeders. A few turns through the corridor, and she stops you. Reaching out, she opens the door, and then bows. "Your humble accommodations. My uncle Cali apologizes for the spartan condition of your room."
Dawson: I shake my head.. "no apologies are necessary, I assure you. May I trouble you further.. " I indicate my clothes.. "Would it be possible..."
GM Craig: Still bowing, she says, "I am instructed to assist you with your bath first, Miss Dawson. Then we shall arrange for some clothing."
Dawson: "ummm assist me??" This concerns me somewhat.. and yet, I am troubled.. by this aching need to see Jeremy.. to assure myself that he is alright..
GM Craig: She nods. "It is a Koth? custom, Miss Dawson." She waves an arm into the room.
Dawson: I enter the room, not sure how to proceed...
GM Craig: She follows you in. The room is sumptuous - better than anything you have seen in a long time. This room seem to be a sitting room. There are three doors paced around the outside walls. There is a daybed, a long sofa, and table with several plates of food. Arianna indicates the first door to the right. "This way, miss Dawson."
-
Dawson: "wow.." I think to myself.. If this is spartan.. and then I hear she is addressing me.. I move to the door she indicates..'
GM Craig: Inside is a large wooden tub, fully 10 feet across and 4' high. Beside it are some stairs. The smell of something exotic is heavy in the room, as is the humidity. Arianna reaches to help you out of your clothes.
Dawson: Being undressed by anyone else, let alone another woman, is a bit disconcerting.. but the thought of that tub? the thought of being clean...
GM Craig: She helps you out of your clothing and then disrobes herself. She climbs the stairs and holds out her hand to help you into the tub.
Dawson: my inner voice nudges at me ... 'killing imperial soldiers one day, longing for a hot tub the next.. you ARE conflicted Dawson.... I stop. "Errrm"
GM Craig: She sits patiently.
Dawson: "You go ahead.. I?ll.. Wait.. Until you are done... I don?t mind, reallly I don?t...
GM Craig: She smiles and laughs. You are amazed at how easily that laugh comes. "Miss Dawson, this is a Koth? custom. It is how we welcome honoured visitors." She crosses her arms. "I must warn you, miss Dawson... My uncle is easily offended." Her mock seriousness fades into a smile.
Dawson: The lure of that tub... is to hard to resist. I take her hand.. and step down into the tub...
GM Craig: The water is hot - very hot, on the verge of pain. But your body quickly adjusts. She spends a full hour scrubbing you clean from head to foot. It is the most relaxing experience of your life. She takes particular care with the wound. After the bath, she towels you off, patting you dry. She gently but firmly resists any effort you make to do anything. She replaces the dressing. That task completed, she dresses herself. Bowing to you and touching her head, she asks, "Is there anything else you desire? I have taken the liberty of selecting some clothing for you in the next room. If it does not please you, we have others."
Dawson: I am still a little struck by the whole experience... "Thank you so much. This was wonderful. And I am sure the clothes will be fine. Will you wait while I dress? I do need to see Jeremy.. and soon.... " I cant explain why.. but I do..
GM Craig: She bows again, touching her head. "Once you are dressed, I can take you to see my Uncle Cali." She follows you into the room to assist you with the clothing. Again, she gently but firmly resists any attempt you make to do anything.
Dawson: I move into the next room, and do what I can to allow her to clothe me quickly.. Before it was cut, my hair would have been a concern... but now. there is not enough to do anything but run my fingers thru...
GM Craig: She has selected a loose-fitting white silk shirt, and a silk robe of subtle red. Black silk pants and slippers round out the ensemble. Once you are done, she bows again, touching her head. "Shall we go to see my uncle?"
Dawson: I nod, "yes, please..."
GM Craig: She takes you by the arm and guides you through the passages. Whatever building you are in seems to be quite large. After a minute or two, you come to a large door. It opens as you approach, and she guides you in. Releasing your arm, she bows low, touching her head. "Cali Oman, I am pleased to present Dawson." You see a large man. His corpulent form looks to smile easily, and he obviously had a taste for the finer things in life. He struggles to his feet, and you see he is about 5'5" tall. He spreads his hands wide, and says in a loud, robust voice, "Welcome! Welcome to my humble dwelling, Dawson!" He steps forward from the cushions he had been sitting on, arms wide. Arianna steps back from you as he approaches.
Dawson: I debate bowing to him, as I have seen so many others do today.. but I do not wish to offend.. neither do I wish to offend if it is expected and I do not ... I look to Arianna for guidance
GM Craig: Before she can help, the large man takes you in his surprisingly muscular arms and gives you a powerful hug. He then takes your face in his hands and plans a firm kiss on either cheek. "Welcome!" throwing an arm around you, he guides you towards the centre of the room and a large pile of cushions.
Dawson: I am, to say the least, overwhelmed by this..
GM Craig: "Jeremy has been telling me about you, Dawson Stormcrow! I am pleased to meet you!" He indicates the pile of cushions. "Sit, please!" He plops himself down. Once he is settled, he claps his hands. "Refreshment!"
Dawson: I lower myself to the cushions as indicated.. "please.. when may I see Jeremy??"
GM Craig: He smiles, and spreads his hands wide. "My good friend Jeremy is on his way, Dawson. He will join us shortly."
Dawson: I nod, relieved.. and sit back on the cushions.. It is so comfortable here.. And I am so relaxed from the bath.. it is almost hard to focus
GM Craig: A tray on a short table is brought. On it are various fruits and a pitcher of some cool liquid. You can see beads of condensation on the sides of the container.
Dawson: I swallow, my stomach suddenly reminding me how long it has been since I have eaten or drank.
GM Craig: He grabs something small, round and fuzzy and pops it into his mouth. "Now, you must tell me the story of how you and Jeremy met!" It is hard to understand him through the mouthful.
Dawson: "there is not much to tell.. we met in a cantina.. I saved his life.. and he has been working hard to repay me ever since.. " I look longingly at the pitcher...
GM Craig: Catching your eye, he pours you a drink and hands the glass over. "Come now, surely there must be more to it than that!" At that moment a voice behind you says, "Lay off the poor girl, Cali!" You turn and see Jeremy.
Dawson: I grin.. Accepting the glass, and then I hear him, and I turn. I?m torn.. between sarcasm.. and relief that he is here.. and in once piece..
GM Craig: Cali puffs himself up. "I do not wish to hear your twisted lies, Jeremy, but the song of this angel as she tells me the TRUTH!" His mock scowl fades into a smile, then a loud, boisterous laugh.
Dawson: I bite my lip.. "Nice of you to make an appearance... "
GM Craig: Jeremy has a bandage over his nose, and there is a large shiner growing on his left eye. He nods. "Sorry I missed our date."
Dawson: "me too.. " I nod.. "looks like you were other wise.. engaged." why am I fighting so hard to stay seated.. why does part of me want to run to him.. Sit down Dawson? I pat the cushions beside me.. "So sit already.. and tell me what happened..."
GM Craig: He plops down next to you and grabs a couple of pieces of fruit. "Some keener at that checkpoint where you were made linked the two of us. The next checkpoint I went through, they flagged me. I had a bit of a tussle with a guard, but managed to elude them. I knew there was no way I was going to get you, so I called in a marker."
GM Craig: Cali jumps in here. "And when I heard that I would be able to discharge by debt to Jeremy, I was more than happy to assist."
Dawson: I reach out, put my finger to Jeremy's face, and turn him to face me. "and so our debt grows..."
GM Craig: He looks surprised. "What debt? I made a deal, Dawson."
GM Craig: Cali claps his hands and lets out a powerful "HA!" Smiling still, he says, "And Jeremy is nothing if not a man of his word."
Dawson: "yeah.. and I?m sure this never figured into the deal..." I reach up and touch his face, near his swollen eye...
GM Craig: He winces involuntarily. "It's nothing."
Dawson: Before I can stop myself.. I lean in, and kiss him softly on the cheek.. and then draw back.. now why did I have to go and do that... Dawson you idiot. he sees you as cargo .. nothing more...
GM Craig: He looks at you, and says, "Hey, take it easy!" Then he smiles. Cali lets out a huge guffaw. "Jeremy, my friend, are you blind?"
Dawson: damn.. is that a blush creeping on my cheeks.. better hadnt me.. im not 12 anymore... "I?m sorry.. I don?t...
GM Craig: Jeremy looks at you in confusion...
Dawson: I sip from my cup, to hide my face... Turning to Cali, I ask "this is quite delicious.. What is it?"
GM Craig: He smiles with pride. "It is made from the husks of the Pui plant, fermented in the bile of a Kirsch. It is a family recipe. I am glad you like it!"
Dawson: I sputter.. and swallow... "mmm tasty.... " I?m doing all I can not to meet Jeremy?s eyes.. What must he be thinking of me...
Dawson: and what AM I thinking anyways.. I just met the man... I can?t.. I don?t... Oh FRELL
GM Craig: Jeremy puts a hand on yours. "What's the trouble, Dawson?"
GM Craig: Cali eyes the two of you, a barely contained smile in his eyes.
Dawson: I shake my head.. not trusting myself to speak...
Dawson: what am I supposed to say to him?? tell him I think I am... don?t say it Dawson.. don?t let it cross your mind.. you know what happens.. It all gets taken away.
GM Craig: Cali lets out huge laugh. "Jeremy, my friend... You are wise in some things, but a fool in others." Cali then gives you a wink, and then changes the subject. "So, what else can I do for you, Jeremy and Dawson?"
Dawson: I heave a sigh of relief, and smile a thank you to Cali. is it so obvious.. Shut up.. is what so obvious.. nothing to be obvious...
GM Craig: Jeremy strokes his chin. "Well, we were going to try and track down Jenny Zyback and hire her for a ride somewhere, though we hadn't figured out where yet." Jeremy looks at you. "Where did you want to go?"
Dawson: "I?m not sure.. nothing is as clear as it was when I fled."
GM Craig: Cali smiles. "Well, I could certainly arrange for Jenny Zyback to come by for a visit. You will not find a better pilot in all of Amarin. But I cannot help you decide where to go from there, my friends."
Dawson: I nod into my drink.. "Jeremy, you know better than I where this path should lead. You know what I need to do"
GM Craig: He frowns. "Not really. Our deal was to get you out of Amarin."
Dawson: "right.. Out of Amarin. And then we can go our separate ways.. "
GM Craig: He suddenly looks like a man who has found himself unexpectedly in the middle of a minefield.
Dawson: "but deals can be renegotiated..."
GM Craig: He looks cautious. "Yeah, they can."
GM Craig: Cali bursts out in more laughter.
Dawson: "I?m sorry if I have done something to make you uncomfortable, Jeremy.. its just.. I was so worried.. and then you were hurt.. and ..? I stop before I put my foot in it any deeper.
GM Craig: He seems confused, and this elicits another loud guffaw from Cali. "Jeremy, my friend..."
GM Craig: "What!" Jeremy bursts out.
Dawson: Suddenly, the delectables on the tray seem so much more interesting..
GM Craig: Cali holds up his hands as he laughs. Jeremy's anger only seems to make the situation funnier to Cali.
Dawson: "Jeremy, its nothing.
GM Craig: "Jeremy, sometimes you cannot see the hand before your face." Cali continues...
* Dawson busies herself with something on the tray
GM Craig: "Dawson has come to appreciate you as more than a business associate, my friend."
GM Craig: Jeremy looks like he has been hit with a stun blast from a blaster rifle. The gaping mouth and wide eyes only make Cali laugh all the more.
GM Craig: "It is as plain as the nose on your face, Jeremy!" Cali smiles at you. "I am sorry to put it so bluntly, my dear Dawson, but sometimes Jeremy needs to be hit over the head. And I suspect that you would have sat on that bed of nails for some time and never spoke your feelings."
Dawson: I abandon the tray, and turn back towards the two men... "I?m glad you find humour in this Cali. I think Jeremy finds something else in it.. and I don?t think he is entirely happy about it." I flop back down on the pillows... refusing to meet his eyes
GM Craig: Cali laughs. "My dear Dawson, one thing my long years have taught me is that life is far too short. Enjoy what you can, while you can, for you never know when it will be snatched away."
GM Craig: Jeremy is still stunned.
Dawson: snatched away... his words echo in my ears... Life is really that short... I stand up again, and walk over to Jeremy. Taking his face gently in my hands, I kiss him softly on the lips. As I break the kiss, I whisper to him. "this, and nothing more, if that is all you want. This, and all else above.. if that is what you want" I turn and sit once again on the cushions beside Cali "You, friend, are wise beyond your years...." Suddenly I am very thirsty and fill my cup from the pitcher.. I don?t care what is in it.. why is my throat so dry
GM Craig: Cali stops laughing, but is beaming happily. He looks as if he will burst with joy.
GM Craig: Jeremy looks at you, then at Cali, then at you again.
GM Craig: Cali smiles at you. "He will sit like this for some time before the reality sinks in. Perhaps you should tell me what you need, what your goals are, dear Dawson."
Dawson: I nod..
GM Craig: [The drink is good, by the way. It takes like a strawberry wine]
Dawson: "It is a long story Cali.. I lost my husband, and my daughter in an Imperial raid.. " I don?t want to go into details " and now.. there is a debt between me and the Empire.... "
GM Craig: Cali looks serious. "Ah, yes. I see. And you wish to arrange payment of that debt."
Dawson: "several times over...."
GM Craig: He strokes his chin as he ponders. "Then you have but two roads before you."
Dawson: I wait, watching Jeremy from the corner of my eye...
GM Craig: "You could take the path of an outlaw - a lone wolf, and wreak what havoc you could on your own."
Dawson: I cant hold back the snort...
GM Craig: "But I think we both know that road ends in death..."
Dawson: "been there... doesn?t work to well for me. Thats how Jeremy and I met..."
GM Craig: "Then it was not all a waste." He laughs heartily, before returning to the serious. "The other path is to join your strength to the strength of others."
Dawson: I tilt my head.. my curiosity is about to get the better of me.... "what do you mean"
GM Craig: Cali smiles, enjoying your anticipation. "I hear rumours. An organized resistance fights the Empire."
Dawson: My mind flickers back to an overheard conversation, not long before the death of my husband. "What were you talking about?" I asked him, as the door closed behind a man I had never met.. "Nothin to worry about" he replied.... Now I wonder..
GM Craig: "Whispers on the streets tell of a nest of vipers near Vessen."
Dawson: I gesture towards Jeremy, who still sits, seemingly stunned.. "What about him.. do you think he would stay with me??"
GM Craig: Jeremy tries to speak, but his throat is dry. He swallows, and says, "Vessen has a small garrison, but it is a coastal city. We could get anywhere we wanted from there."
Dawson: "and would Jenny consent to bring us there?"
GM Craig: Jeremy looks at you. "That depends on our bankroll..."
Dawson: "Jeremy, that depends on YOUR bankroll.. you know that sham of a hearing left me nearly broke.. I can?t ask..."
GM Craig: Jeremy holds up his hand. "We have a deal."
Dawson: I am on my feet.. and shouting.. not good "Damnit Jeremy.. Are you doing this because of a stupid deal or because you want to stay with me.?" My hands are on my hips, and my eyes are flashing...
GM Craig: Cali can't help but chuckle. Jeremy stands up, his hands out and open. "Look, Dawson - we just met a few hours ago..."
Dawson: "You don?t think I know this? You think I wanted this??"
GM Craig: He looks sheepish. "Look, you move fast. I take my time. This is all a little sudden..."
Dawson: I shake my head.. it all seems so foolish... "I?m sorry" I mumble.. I turn to Cali.. "I?d like to go to my room now.. if I may..? Suddenly, I am very tired...."
GM Craig: Cali rises. "Of course." He claps his hands, and Ariana is back.
GM Craig: As you leave, Jeremy's eyes follow you, unreadable.
-
As I follow Arriane back to my room, my mind is racing.
Dont you remember what your husband used to tell you Dawson.. about pilots who came back from nearly being blown out of the sky... and how being so close to death drove them to feel things that werent... real.. to seek out any woman they could.. to try and find release. Thats all it is you silly woman. Geez, you'd think you had learned something from your husband.
And then I begin to formulate a plan. Turning to my escort, I place my hand on her arm.. "Please. When Jeremy has retired for the night, ask your uncle if I might have a word with him.. in private... " I am afraid I may have to further impose on my host's generosity. As the plan begins to come together in my mind, I try to decide how to best ask Cali if he could arrange for me to meet with Jenny.. and for a small loan to cover my passage. If it can be arranged, I will leave Jeremy here.. and release him from this deal.. this damned obligation.... He has no part in this.. in my future. And its not fair to try and make this something more than it is. A mere acquaintance of a few short hours... And if it cannot be arranged, I will find another way...
I shake my head, trying to clear the man from my mind... "its not a bad thing, Dawson, to want to love again..." I stop short. I can hear my husbands voice in my head... I know hes not here, but I cant stop myself from looking over my shoulder.. almost expecting to see his face... We had talked about it once.. he and I ... what the other would do, if one were lost. I remember swearing up and down that I could never find anyone else.. would never want to.. So what is with this sudden need to feel like I have connected with someone.. I remember he used to talk about a line from some dumb old movie he saw once...He used to quote it at me all the time..."the greatest thing you'll ever learn is how to love, and be loved in return"
A wry grin crosses my face. But it doesnt matter Dawson.. Cause its not real.. Battle love.. thats all it is...try hard to remember that, girl.. it will serve you well in the end..
-
GM Craig: On your way back to your room, you make your request of Arriana. She nods, and says, "I will convey your request to my Uncle." You reach your room, thoughts in a whirl.
Dawson: walking around the room, I realize that I need to leave Jeremy a note.. and I begin to look for a data pad. Why do I keep looking towards the door, as if I expect him to come thru it?
GM Craig: There is a computer terminal in the wall. You could send a message to his terminal, timing for delayed delivery, if you wish.
Dawson: [that?ll work] Standing in front of the terminal, I try to write... I start a note dozens of times.. and delete them just as quickly.. what DO you say to a man who thinks you maybe might have fallen in love with him but even you aren?t sure yourself, but you are leaving anyways to go and likely get yourself killed....
Dawson: Jeremy, I have to do this on my own. We made a bargain, and I?m releasing you from it. We don?t both need to die because of me. I know I have made things difficult for you, as far as your 'employment' and I?m sorry. Find peace where you can. Dawson
Dawson: I set the timer to deliver it a few hours from now.. And I pray I will be long gone when he reads it
GM Craig: A couple of hours later, there is a gentle beep at the door.
Dawson: I take a deep breath, and move to the door, peering thru the view screen...
GM Craig: Cali Oman stands there, a gentle smile on his face.
Dawson: I open the door, and stand back to allow him to enter, and make sure the door closes behind him.
GM Craig: He enters, and the door hisses closed behind him. He turns to you, a look of caring on his face. Bluntly he says, "You wish to leave Jeremy."
Dawson: "wish to? no.. have to?? yes...." I wrap my arms around myself.. comforting... protecting...
GM Craig: He places two hands on your shoulders, his plump face full of comfort. "Call it what you will. You want me to arrange passage for you with Jenny Zyback."
Dawson: "we have a few minutes, Cali.. please.. lets sit..." I don?t trust my legs to hold me for too much longer
GM Craig: He accepts your hospitality - it was as if he had been waiting for the invitation, even though this was his own house. He sits, that pleasant smile still on his face.
Dawson: I move to sit near him, and sit quietly for a moment, trying to decide what to say.. and how to say it
GM Craig: He seems to see what is in your heat. "Rest easy, little one. I will provide you with that help I can."
Dawson: I nod. "I wish I knew what help I needed.. But I think to find it, I have to leave here.. soon.. "
GM Craig: Cali nods. "I have already contacted Miss Zyback. She will be here within the hour. I am confident we and her can reach a mutually acceptable arrangement."
Dawson: I sit back on my cushion.. relieved??? "I don?t know when I will be able to repay your kindness.."
GM Craig: The smile fades into seriousness. "You owe me nothing. I had a debt with Jeremy, and this will be part of discharging that debt."
Dawson: "Cali, I just cant let this have anything to do with him. Don?t you see, he has done enough already... "
GM Craig: Cali smiles again. "I see more than you know, little one. But you needn't trouble yourself about it. I owed Jeremy, and his call to me has discharged that debt. Arranging your passage I shall do for him also, though neither of you might see the kindness of it, and you owe me nothing."
Dawson: Arguing with Cali is pointless.. that much is clear.. and yet I am confused.. "Cali, how is doing this for me, a kindness to him? Aside from the obvious, that he will be rid of a thorn in his side.."
GM Craig: He merely chuckles. "One day, you will understand and thank me, dear child. Now, if there is anything else my house can provide, please let my family know. If not, I have some arrangements to make." He looks to you, seemingly waiting for permission to depart.
Dawson: I nod, "thank you Cali. I will try to rest until I am to depart.. if you could have Arriana come get me when it is time??"
GM Craig: Cali rises and nods, holding his head low for a moment. You half expect his hand to go to his head, but it stays at his side. Without another word, he withdraws.
Dawson: I wonder briefly at the change of behaviour.. and then put it out of my mind, as I curl up in the cushions, and close my eyes, trying to keep .. everything.. from dancing in front of them.
GM Craig: About an hour later, Arriana is at the door.
Dawson: opening the door, I usher her in, and let the door close behind her.
GM Craig: She stands in the hall. Bowing and touching her forehead, she says, "My Uncle Cali is ready for you. The pilot Jenny Zyback has arrived."
Dawson: I nod.. ?Arianna, can I ask you something?? well, two things really? Am I being a fool??
GM Craig: She smiles. "It is not my place to say, Miss Dawson."
Dawson: ?Please, Arianna, as another woman, and my friend.. Am I a fool to leave Jeremy here??
GM Craig: She smiles again, a look of sympathy on her face. "Only you can answer that question, Miss Dawson."
Dawson: I nod, resigned to the path I have chosen for myself, yet again. "I am ready see your uncle, Arianna" I take a last look around the room.. I am sure it is the last time I will see such sumptuous surroundings.. and I want to remember them.
GM Craig: For the first time, you notice Arriana is carrying a duffle bag. She bows, and leads you through the corridors.
Dawson: I catch up to her side, "What?s in the bag, Arianna?"
GM Craig: She smiles without looking at you. "Gifts from my Uncle Cali."
Dawson: I wonder briefly if she has Jeremy in that bag, and almost giggle out loud at the brief mental image of Jeremy popping out of the bag like a dancer from a cake. But I do manage to contain myself .. barely... and continue to walk the path to her Uncle.. and my destiny
GM Craig: The main chamber door opens as you approach. This time, Arriana doesn't follow you in, she just stands in the doorway and bows to her uncle, touching her forehead.
GM Craig: Cali throws his arms wide and says loudly, "Dawson! Welcome once again! May I," he grunts as he lifts his bulk from the cushions," introduce Miss Jenny Zyback.
Dawson: I stand in the door way.. torn with my decision... chewing my lip as I fight with my destiny...
GM Craig: The woman stands as well. She is 5'8" tall, with fair skin and raven-black hair worn in a long pony-tail hanging down to below her waist. As you approach, she extends a hand.
Dawson: As I draw near to her, I extend my hand.. and my other hand reaches to where my hair once hung.. yet another reminder....
Dawson: "Hi.. I?m Dawson..."
GM Craig: She smiles cautiously. "Zyback. I hear you need a quiet ride out to Vessen." You recognize the swagger of a skilled pilot...
Dawson: "yeah.. I have some.. business .. to attend to." I?m not to sure how much Cali has told. her..
GM Craig: She nods. "I can get you out past the Imperial troops. They have a no-fly order over Amarin, but I keep a ship or two outside the city for just such an emergency." She turns to Cali. "That is, of course, if the good Cali Oman can arrange transportation for us?"
Dawson: I shiver, memories of the manure truck .. and I?m sure the odour is still in my nose..
GM Craig: Cali laughs. "Of course, my flower. I shall take care of the ground travel, if you can carry Miss Dawson to Vessen."
GM Craig: Jenny smiles a cool, business-like smile. "That's fine, then. Though I warn you that Vessen has an Imperial garrison presence. It may not be easy getting in."
Dawson: "I understand. " I turn to Cali.. "Have you told her of my .. business .. when we arrive??'
GM Craig: Cali smiles and shakes his head. "Of course not, dear child. Though now, she may have questions. However, they are none of her concern, and she knows that."
Dawson: I nod.. and feel the flush on my cheeks, at my lack of tact.. I turn to Jenny, and with a wry smile "I have to collect on a old debt "
GM Craig: Jenny holds up her hands. "I don't need to know, and I don't want to know."
Dawson: I nod.. blushing yet again.. "I?m ready to leave when you are..."
GM Craig: Cali claps his hands. "Then we are ready!" The door opens, and in walks Khaliss Throun, holding the bag Arriana had been carrying. "Ladies," he says, bowing with a flourish and indicating the corridor.
Dawson: I pause.. and look longingly at the computer terminal on the wall.. and then shake my head.. what more could I possibly say... I turn to my host. "Cali, there are no words to express my gratitude for your hospitality at a time of such great need. I will remember you, for a long long while.. and?" I pause. ?And when the world is set back on its feet again, perhaps we will meet again."
GM Craig: Cali laughs heartily. "I expect to be invited to your wedding, dear Dawson. But for now, I bid you peace. May the sands cover your tracks."
Dawson: The confusion spreads over my face, quickly followed by that flush of red that seems to be so near these last few hours.. "My... my what??" I shake my head "When I meet the groom, I will be sure to let you know..."
GM Craig: Cali laughs to himself. "I look forward to it, my dear. I look forward to it."
GM Craig: With that, Khaliss says, "Ladies? Your Chariot awaits."
Dawson: I nod, and move towards the door.
GM Craig: Jenny follows, and in a couple of minutes you are in the vehicle bay. There is a large wheeled truck with a tank on the back. The letters on the side say, "Oman Sewer Service"
Dawson: "oh no.. not again..."
GM Craig: Khaliss smiles. "Do not wrinkle your pretty brow like that, Miss Dawson. This time, we have had time to prepare."
GM Craig: He smiles, his moustache dancing hypnotically as he speaks. "The tank is completely sanitary. We have placed a dampening field generator within the tank, and the hatch is enclosed by a sub-tank to make the vehicle appear full if someone opens the hatch. You shall ride in comfort."
Dawson: A sigh of relief passes my lips, and I am sure it is so loud as to be comical.. But the thought of riding covered in manure again... Shudder...
GM Craig: Khaliss laughs good-naturedly, and starts to help you climb a ladder to a concealed hatch on the front of the tank. He passes you the bag Arriana had been carrying once you are inside.
Dawson: I take the bag. and wonder what is inside.. but I will investigate it at a better time.. Altho.. now I am inside.. I can?t resist. Opening the bag, I take a peek inside...
GM Craig: There are several sets of clothes of various styles and designs. There is a heavy blaster pistol, and 2 power packs. Also, all the equipment you came into Cali's place carrying, minus the clothes you wore in the manure truck. Plus 2 blaster packs.
Dawson: I finger the blaster pistol, and remember the circumstances that led to the loss of my other one.... the little voice in my head... "Dawson, put that out of your head. It?s done. Its over. Let it go...." and out loud, before I can stop my self... I whisper.. "I know.. goodbye..."
GM Craig: With both of you secured, Khaliss seals the hatch. Surprisingly, you are not in total darkness, and are further pleased to find benches welded to the sides of the tank.
Dawson: sinking down on one of the benches, I prepare myself for the long journey. I am tempted to try to talk to Jenny.. but... I can?t seem to find the words to start a conversation
GM Craig: Jenny pulls out a datapad and starts beeping quietly.
Dawson: I can only assume she doesn?t want any interruptions.. and so keep my thoughts to myself.. Although I would dearly love to ask her.. a million things.
GM Craig: She glances your way from time to time, but seems content to use the datapad. After a few minutes, the vehicle starts moving.
GM Craig: The vehicle stops and starts several times. The movement of the truck without any frame of reference soon has Dawson's head spinning. The chrono says the ride takes 30 minutes, but it feels a lot longer. Eventually, the truck stops for a few minutes. Sitting in the silence, you hear someone working the controls for the front hatch.
-
Dawson: nervously, I slide the blaster out of the bag, ...
GM Craig: Jenny likewise slips a hand slowing inside her leather jacket. The hatch is removed, and the smiling face of Khaliss is there. "Well, ladies, we have arrived."
Dawson: a sigh of relief, and I slip the blaster back in the bag. I smile at Jenny. "After you..."
GM Craig: She climbs out with the help of Khaliss. He then smiles warmly and assists you through the tight hatch. You are inside a building of some sort. The truck is inside closed overhead doors. Beside the truck sits a sleek looking shuttle.
Dawson: I give a low whistle.. "nice.. She yours?"
GM Craig: Jenny smiles with obvious pride. "Yeah." Sorrow enters her eyes for a moment. "Well, my fathers really. She was his pride and joy. Mine now." She shakes off the emotions, and opens the boarding hatch. As she slips through, she says, "I'll be a few minutes getting he ready. Make yourself comfortable, but stay inside. And don't touch anything..."
Dawson: I grin... she sounds like my husband..... I nod... and take a good look around at my surroundings...
GM Craig: There are actually two shuttles in this bay. One is larger, and is obviously hyperdrive equipped. The one she is getting ready is much smaller, and has no hyperdrive. There is a huge wall of tools and spare parts along one side of the shop. The place is quite clean, despite its use. There are hoses that seem like they would dispense various fluids, likely coolant and fuel.
Dawson: I wonder to myself who the other ship belongs to.. and debate asking her when we are aboard...
GM Craig: There is a small autokitchen, and a comfy looking futon.
Dawson: that futon is just too tempting. I walk over to it, and settle my self down on it, careful not to put my boots on it.
GM Craig: As you sit, a brown coloured droid rolls past. It stops in front of you, and turns its chromed head so that its optics can see you. It beeps pleasantly, and rolls away. You've seen droids like this before - astromechs your husband called them. This one looks ancient.
Dawson: my husband would have liked to take him apart.. he enjoyed that... little voice "That?s right, Dawson.. keep thinking about your husband. No room for thoughts about anyone else..." I?m restless to be on our way, and I am soon on my feet again.
GM Craig: About 15 minutes later, you hear the power core of the shuttle start up. A moment later, Jenny pokes her head through the boarding hatch. "Ready to go?" she calls out, not seeing you.
Dawson: I head back over to the hatch.. "yeah, as ready as I?m gonna be..."
GM Craig: She follows your voice, and smiles before she vanishes into the interior of the ship.
Dawson: At the hatch, I pause, and remembering something my husband once told me... I call out to her.. "Permission to come aboard?"
GM Craig: She looks at you in surprise, then grins as she shakes her head. "Sure, honey."
GM Craig: The ship is a 6-seater with little room for amenities. The engine takes up fully half the length of the shuttle. The deck fairly throbs with the power of the engine core.
Dawson: "where do you want me? and where can I stow this?" I indicate the duffel bag...
GM Craig: She sticks a thumb over her shoulder. "Cargo lockers are aft, and find an empty seat. Up here beside me if you want."
Dawson: Moving to the rear, I find the lockers, and open one up. Stowing my gear, I move up to sit in the empty seat beside Jenny. "SO" I ask her.. "What happens now..."
GM Craig: She finishes the check-outs, and slowly powers up the repulsors. The shuttle rises off the floor, levitating a couple of meters off the ground. Jenny reaches out and hits a button, and the boarding hatch and ramp retract, sealing the ship. She flips another switch and says, ?OK, Arty, open the doors please."
Dawson: "arty.. your droid??"
GM Craig: She glances at you. "My... yeah, he's mine."
Dawson: Why I feel the need to make idle conversation is beyond me. I?m sure to her, I am just breathing cargo...
GM Craig: The front doors open slowly. Once they are fully open, she gently brings up the thrusters, and the sleek little ship slides effortlessly through the doors. She glances at you as she starts a gentle climb. "You're from Lendt." It is a statement.
Dawson: I nod.. "I was."
GM Craig: Her face is grim. "Were you there?" The shuttle picks up speed at a dizzying rate.
Dawson: "yeah..." I see my daughters face.. and can almost smell her sweet milky breath..
GM Craig: You are no more than 15 meters off the ground, and it is zipping by so fast you can't even focus on it.
Dawson: "my whole life was there..."
GM Craig: She glances at you quickly, not wanting to take her eyes off the terrain for more than an instant. She is quiet for a full minute, then says in a voice barely above a whisper, "Mine too."
Dawson: I nod.. "I...had a daughter....." I bite my lip, not sure...
GM Craig: She is quiet, listening to the volumes you say without uttering a word.
Dawson: I feel the tear skittering down my cheek, and I brush it away. I stare at nothing... thinking about nothing more than finding the rebel forces... and exacting my revenge
GM Craig: She says in a soft voice full of sorrow and pain, "My father..." her words trail off.
Dawson: There are no words that can express a woman?s pain, at the loss of a family member. I don?t know if women feel pain different.. but we feel it deeper. I nod. "That is my debt.."
GM Craig: She flies on in silence, but the unspoken words are thick in the air. Both of you listening to the feelings neither one can put into words.
Dawson: Desperate to connect on a different level... "How do you know Jeremy?"
GM Craig: She blinks. "Who?"
Dawson: "At least I THINK that?s his name. He brought me to my benefactor..."
GM Craig: She shrugs, grateful for the change of subject. "Don't know this Jeremy guy, but Cali and I go back a ways."
Dawson: "Tell me something.. if you can.. ?" I pause.. "What?s all about the bowing and the touching of the forehead??"
GM Craig: Jenny smiles. "It's a sign of respect. If they do that to you, then they are saying you are an honoured guest, or something like that. It's more complicated than that, but that's how I understand it."
Dawson: "the forehead thing.. at first Cali was doing it.. and then not... what?s up with that??"
GM Craig: "He was welcoming you as an honoured guest. After that, he assumed his regular stature as master of the house."
Dawson: "ahh ok. I was concerned I had offended him.. I am not used to such .. traditions.."
GM Craig: "They are a strange and complex people, the Koth?."
Dawson: I nod... "tell me something... does this man sound familiar to you??" I describe Jeremy to her, as best I can...
GM Craig: She shrugs. "Could be anybody."
Dawson: I chew my lip.. "He said he knew you..."
GM Craig: She smiles. "A lot of people know me. Or knew my father."
Dawson: "I?m not trying to pry.. I?m just trying to sort thru some stuff... I met him in town, and accidently interrupted a.. umm.. business transaction..."
GM Craig: She glanced at you quickly as she passed within an arms reach of a sheer cliff moving at blinding speed.
GM Craig: "Sounds like an interesting friendship."
Dawson: I nod.. and a wry smile on my lips I acknowledge that either she doesn?t know, or isn?t telling. "You are quite the pilot.."
GM Craig: She shrugs. "I paid attention when Da flew. He was a darn sight better than me."
Dawson: "I would have like to have met him.. my husband was a pilot... He wanted to stop flying when the baby... but I wouldn?t let him...he loved it so...."
GM Craig: She nods. Most pilots were like that, including herself. When they weren't flying they were pacing about like a caged animal.
Dawson: "Jenny, what do you know about the situation in Vessen?? I don?t even know who to look for when I get there.. what have I gotten myself into..
GM Craig: She sucks her teeth. "What do you mean?"
Dawson: My... friend... was going to introduce me to .. some people. help me get on the right track..."
GM Craig: Jenny frowns. "What do you mean, 'some people?'"
Dawson: I take a deep breath.. I don?t want to tell Jenny anymore than she wants to know..."Some people who might be able to help me collect on my ... debt..."
GM Craig: She pauses for a moment.
Dawson: I wait, in hopes she can help me.
GM Craig: "Not sure what you mean darling, but I might be able to put you in touch with one or two beings that could help you."
Dawson: ?Yes, that would be good..." I hope she is talking about the same network of people that Jeremy had mentioned...
GM Craig: Jenny smiles and takes one hand off the controls to put it on Dawson's knee. "I'll hook you up dear." she said she they skipped a few meters between two jagged rock walls.
Dawson: "thanks..." I settle back into my seat, to contemplate what lies ahead of me, as I continue to marvel at her flying abilities...
-
[OOC: Mission session here where Jenny Zyback sets up a meeting for Dawson.]
-
GM Craig: So you were going to meet some Rodian named [something] at a cantina called the Chasm. 3 hours to get there on foot (should only take you two). Jenny Zyback takes off, and your left all alone in the mountain glen.
Dawson: I watch Jenny's ship take off, and wonder if I will ever see her aging, or is she just another of the people who will cross my path, and then disappear. Pulling out the data pad, I punch up a few keys and bring up the map showing my route.
GM Craig: It's a fairly hefty climb down, and then about 5 miles across rolling hills. From there, it should be easy going. You're in better shape than you have been since your daughter was born, but it'll still be a hard hike.
Dawson: No time like the present. Hefting my back onto my back. I start picking my way down the hill. Slowly and carefully, keeping watch on the sky for any approaching craft
GM Craig: The hike is hard, but not as hard as you thought it would be. You make the hills in about an hour. You're pretty tired, but all that walking you've been doing recently must be helping. You have 5 miles of hills to cover before the outskirts of the city, and 2 hours to get to the Chasm.
Dawson: Wiping the sweat from my brow with the back of my hand, I look back at the path I?ve come down. Hope I haven?t left any obvious trails. But now that the ground is easier going, time to pickup the pace if I want to make it to the Chasm on time. I turn back to my route, and move on
GM Craig: The sun is setting as you reach the outskirts of the town. You are just about to exit a small copse of trees when you spot something glinting in the fading sunlight. Something makes you pull back.
Dawson: pulling back into the cover of the trees, I pull my binocs out of my bag to take a closer look.
GM Craig: The macro's focus in on the object easily. You see a droid of some sort. It looks like a squashed beech-ball, and it hovers about 4' off the ground. You can see a sensor array protruding underneath it.
Dawson: hmmm. Its looking for something, I think. Continue looking, panning out to either side of the droids current location
GM Craig: The droid appears to be alone.
Dawson: [would I have any knowledge of this type of droid? or something similar? seems to me it is sort of a perimeter guard.]
GM Craig: [No knowledge. You know that the Empire employs droids, but so does just about everyone.]
Dawson: I?m gonna take a closer look at the damn thing. As tight as the binocs will go, looking for any possible weaponry on it.
GM Craig: It could be a messenger droid, a security droid, or an Imperial Patrol Droid.
Dawson: how far is it from me.
GM Craig: Going to max magnification, you can clearly see two blaster ports on the front of the thing. It is about 200m from you, and closing.
Dawson: closing hey? Nice... pulling behind a tree for cover, I pull my blaster out of the bag, and lean back round the tree... blaster levelled at about 4'. Where is the bloody thing now.
GM Craig: It's about 160 meter away. Estimating its course, you figure it'll be passing within 20m of your position.
Dawson: I am SO not moving. Keeping my blaster trained on it, and keeping myself out of its direct line as much as possible, I?m ready to blast the thing if it looks like it is powering up to take a shot at me
GM Craig: Taking quick peeks at it, you see that it is slowly altering it's course. Hard to tell where it will end up.
Dawson: my mother always said patience is a virtue...
GM Craig: [You keep peeking at it? It is 100m away now]
Dawson: im torn between holding and taking an evasive tactic...
Dawson: does it seem to be holding a general direction?? And was it moving when I first spotted it?
GM Craig: It is moving generally westward, but it seems to be following some sort of pattern. It is east of you.
Dawson: sounds likea patrol droid. I?m gonna wait until its in range, and take a shot at it [1 shot] kapow, if you please :D
GM Craig: The droid comes closer, then veers away for a while. Then it veers again, and starts closing. You figure it'll be within 10 meters of you.
Dawson: There is NO sense in trying to hide if it is a patrol droid. It will pick up my bios regardless. I?m gonna try to set my self up for a good shot, at around 35 meters....
GM Craig: The droid swings in a lazy circle, seemingly oblivious to you. Lining up your shot carefully [taking a round to prepare gives you +1D], you squeeze the trigger. You score a solid shot. The droid goes down like a rock.
Dawson: how far from me.
GM Craig: 35 meters.
Dawson: Who ever was monitoring that droid wont be long in coming to see where it is. Pulling out my data pad, I check my route, and hit the ground running. Time to put some distance between me and my latest target...
GM Craig: You cover about 4 steps when the droid pops up. Small panels have opened on the thing, and it has deployed two blasters. It fires. Twisting out of the way, you narrowly avoid both shots. [Range is 30m]
Dawson: "Son of a ...." armour... sweet.... levelling my blaster at the droid, I fire 2 shots at it [2 shots, droid]
GM Craig: Your first shot goes wide - that thing is pretty fast! It responds almost immediately. You dive to the side, but the twin blasters are hard to avoid, and the second one tags you. You feel a searing pain in your side...
Dawson: owwwwwwwww
GM Craig: You curl up from the searing, unable to focus enough to take the second shot. The thing continues to close [25m]
Dawson: My eyes close against the pain. But if I don?t get a shot at it, and bring it down, I?m dead where I lie. I take a deep breath, and push the pain down inside me, sort of like being in labour. I draw on my will power to force the pain away... out from me.... bring the blaster to bear... at the droid... 1 shot
GM Craig: The thing floats on those damn repulsors like a fly, but you're getting the hang of it. You shot goes wide, but only just. If it were a little closer... but then the thoughts are blasted out of your head and both of the things blasters tag you in mid-roll. Your armour absorbs most of the first blast, but you still get stung pretty good. Nothing you can't shake off given a few minutes, but it hurts nonetheless. The second shot is completely absorbed by your armour. Shaken, not stirred.
Dawson: I?m getting madder by the minute. I refuse to be taken out by a hunk of metal....
GM Craig: [The shots so far have only stunned you, but you're running out of time. Fortunately, the thing is getting closer...]
Dawson: I need to pick my shot. And 20 M seems like an optimum range for me. Ducking back behind the tree, I swallow hard. Leaning out, I draw a bead on the droid, and follow it, waiting for a shot...
GM Craig: As the thing gets closer (15m), you seem to be getting better and it seems to be getting worse. You almost tag it this time, but it barely skips out of the way. You managed to duck behind the tree and both cannon shots slam into the trunk. It closes the range down to 10m.
Dawson: If I miss at this range, I?m going to go to Plarn and throw myself on the mercy of the first patrol I see. Bringing the blaster to bear, I take a breath, and slowly let it out. And squeeeeeze.... [ 1 shot.metal PITA]
GM Craig: The droid is a little slower this time, and you tag it with a solid shot. It hovers for a sec, then virtually explodes as it overloads its power. The thing drops to the ground and sputters sparks for a few moments before going quiet. [Actions? You have three smoking holes in your clothes and armour, but you're not wounded.]
Dawson: I love the smell of burnt metal in the evening....I?m gonna take a look at this thing....
GM Craig: You bend down to take a look. The thing has an Imperial logo on the side of it - probably a patrol droid. At that moment, you hear the sound of far-off repulsors.
Dawson: time to beat feet out of here... before its friends get here...
GM Craig: You see several figures in shiny white armour emerge from a road a few hundred meters away, to the east. With the setting sun behind you, you doubt they can see you. Yet.
Dawson: Frell.
GM Craig: You cross the 100m to the nearest building quickly, but even running at full speed you barely make it to cover before the white-armoured figures are there.
GM Craig: Two of them dismount and check the area while two others are looking around carefully.
Dawson: I?m using HIDE to try to find a place to. well. hide
GM Craig: [You are behind cover now, a small bush beside a warehouse or small factory of some sort]
Dawson: will the data pad beep if I bring up the map?
GM Craig: [The scout troopers looks like they are going to spend a little while there. You holding still? No sign they have seen you. It'll beep, but much too quiet to hear from there. You can silence it too if you want.
Dawson: ok. Here?s the plan. Silence the pad, and bring up the map to the Chasm. I need to find the fastest route I can take to Chasm, AWAY from the troopers
GM Craig: [Ok, the other two dismount while you're looking it up. 2 seem to be working on the droid, and two are keeping a careful watch. You have about a dozen blocks to go to the Chasm, it should be easy going.
Dawson: I?m gonna use SNEAK until I am sure I am out of their line of site... Picking my route off the pad, I check the location of the troopers. Picking my moment, I head out.
GM Craig: They haven't moved, but they seem to have extracted something from the droid. Two of them walk over to one of their bikes and open up a cargo pod.
Dawson: grrr... I wonder if the droid scoped me. Now i really do have to get gone...
GM Craig: [You slipping away? You hear more speeder bikes in the distance.]
Dawson: oh yeah. Dawson is gone like the last slice of kosher beef at a barmitzvah
GM Craig: You slip away easily as 4 more speeders pull up. You loose sight of them around the corner of the building as you back away, and then head off down the street. This area is pretty deserted right now, so you might want to stick to the deep shadows.
Dawson: That?s pretty much my plan. I don?t mind taking an indirect route, if it keeps me from being a target. Shadows are my friend
GM Craig: Ok, nothing happens for a few blocks, and then you find busier streets. You fit in as much as you can with the blaster holes in your clothes and armour.
Dawson: I look down and my clothes, and realize I am quite the spectacle...
GM Craig: You draw a few stares, but not many.
Dawson: Slipping into an alley, I shed my shirt, pulling a new one out of the bag, and slipping it on - after making sure no one is there to observe my actions
GM Craig: You pass a few patrols on your way to the cantina. The troops don't look particularly alerted, but you do seem to be seeing a lot of them.
Dawson: its to be expected, considering I?m getting closer to Plarn all the time.
GM Craig: About a half hour ahead of your meeting, you find yourself across the street from the Chasm.
Dawson: I?m gonna head into the cantina. Check the place out a bit...
Dawson: Crossing the street carefully, I head to the door of Chasm. Pushing it open, I step inside, and pause to give my eyes a chance to adjust to the light
GM Craig: The place is full of deep, throbbing music. Writhing bodies squirm on the dance floor, or on repulsor platforms hovering in the air above the floor. There does seem to be a second level that is a little quieter.
Dawson: Second level might also give me a better vantage point. I?m gonna head up, and find a spot where I can sit and see the door
GM Craig: There are several. The place is actually filled with a spider web of platforms and stairways. There are a few enclosed booths where the noise won't be a problem. There is even an Anti-Gravity room for those who really like to let loose when they dance.
Dawson: Yeah, I think I?ll pass on the antigrav. But one of the booths seems lie a good idea. Can I see an empty one?
GM Craig: There are several. It is still early. Though you expect this place would fill up pretty quickly in a little while.
Dawson: I look around the room, taking note of the layout of the Cantina... Picking a likely looking spot, one where I have a good view of the door, and the cantina it self, I head up.
GM Craig: The time passes. Serv droids are everywhere, and one of them hovers up to you and speaks in several languages. You recognize the third one is basic, and it says, "What can I provide for you?"
Dawson: "Kavvy, please"
-
GM Craig: The droid beeps a confirmation and floats away.
GM Craig: The clientele is mixed, both in social standing (as evidenced by the clothes) and race. Many non-humans and humanoids seem to be regulars here.
Dawson: Keeping an eye on the passing of time, I also give myself the luxury of doing some people watching. Specifically, watching for the man I am to meet. Pulling the data pad out of my bag, I check to see if Jenny gave me any further details about him.
GM Craig: The data pad seems empty except for the map. But now that you are looking, there is something else there.
Dawson: Intrigued, I key the datapad, to bring up this new bit of data.
GM Craig: The screen clears, and the small holo-projector emerges. A tiny version of Cali Oman appears, standing on the datapad.
Dawson: I?m taken aback, but I watch the screen.
GM Craig: The small figure hazes out for a moment, then snaps into sharper focus. The tiny replica bows. "Dear Dawson, I hope you have found your journey comfortable. I have taken some pains to ensure that Jenny Zyback takes care of you."
Dawson: A small smile plays on my lips, as I listen to my friend.
GM Craig: "Like you, she carries a deep pain with her. She is trustworthy, but her sorrow sometimes causes her to loose touch with those around her. I expect that the two of you may one day become fast friends."
GM Craig: "I have asked Miss Zyback to give you this datapad, along with whatever information she thinks you might find useful. Included in this datapad are 1000 credits, and a tracer program."
GM Craig: "The program was written by one of my nephews. He is a charming lad, and very skilled with all things electronic, but that is not important. What is important is that you can use that program, and a comlink, to scan communications frequencies."
GM Craig: "The program will search for a voiceprint that you provide, and attempt to locate the person you seek."
Dawson: this could prove useful....
GM Craig: The tiny form of Cali chuckles. "I thought that one day you, when you have made room in your heart and buried your pain, that you might find a use for this."
GM Craig: "I have also communicated with all my varied relations, and told them that I hold you in high esteem."
Dawson: I reach into the bag, and run my fingers over the comlink...
GM Craig: "My name carries some weight with my family, and you may use it to find friendship and assistance wherever they may be."
GM Craig: He pauses then. Even through the tiny image, you can see his eyes twinkling.
GM Craig: "I have also taken the liberty of providing you with this voice recording..."
GM Craig: The image vanishes, and you hear a different voice.
GM Craig: The voice of Jeremy...
Dawson: my stomach rolls. Its hunger, I tell myself.
GM Craig: "Dawson..." There is a long pause. "Ah, frell. I've never been good at this sort of thing..."
GM Craig: "I'm not one for fancy speech, so I'll just lay it all out. You scare me. You are so hell-bent on whatever you are doing, that it scares me."
GM Craig: "I know you have a lot of pain - that much was plain. And I know you think you want me, but I know in my heart that it is just trying to find an escape from the pain. As much as I might be interested in something more than a business relationship..."
GM Craig: "I wish you well. I made Cali promise to look after you. The old goat owes me a debt of honour, and he'll follow through with it."
GM Craig: "I'm leaving now. I made a bargain, and I intend to keep it. You got angry before when I said that, but you never understood. There was a reason I made the bargain."
GM Craig: "I hope you find what you need, Dawson, though I suspect what you need is not what you are looking for. I wish you well."
GM Craig: There is another long pause. "If you're ever in the area again..." He stops. "Good-bye Dawson."
GM Craig: There is a full 30 second pause.
GM Craig: Then the image of Cali appears. "Sweet child, Jeremy extracted an oath from me immediately after the three of us met. He was gone from my house 10 minutes later."
Dawson: I look up from the pad, almost expecting to see Jeremy walk thru the door...
GM Craig: He stops, letting that sink in. Continuing, "I shall make every effort to ensure your message gets to him, my dear. You are always welcome in my home, and your name shall be known to my family."
GM Craig: He bows again, arms wide. "May the sand cover your tracks, and may the Great Spirit provide for you. Farewell."
GM Craig: The image fades.
Dawson: Chewing my lip, I pull the com out of my bag. Turning it over in my hands... I debate. hesitate. Then I access the tracer program on the pad.
GM Craig: There is a port for the comlink to plug in. It slides in easily, and the program starts to do its thing. It is asking for a voiceprint.
Dawson: keying the pad, I scan to the part of the program where Jeremy's voice is stored.
Dawson: I play Jeremy's voice...
GM Craig: The program reads the file and starts working.
GM Craig: 1%
GM Craig: 5 seconds pass...
GM Craig: 2%
Dawson: ...
GM Craig: You are then disturbed by a thumping on the door of the cubicle.
Dawson: stashing the data pad and com in my bag, I look up at the door
GM Craig: The serv droid is back with the biggest bowl of Kavvy you have ever seen...
Dawson: I slide the door open, and step back, "on the table, please..."
GM Craig: The droid sets it down.
Dawson: I pull my credstick out of my bag, "and the bill?"
GM Craig: "vbeep 10 credits please sqrrk":
Dawson: I hand over my cred stick
GM Craig: The droid takes it and runs it through a receptacle. It hands it back, and you check the readout to confirm. Withdrawing, the droid closes the door to the booth.
Dawson: Once the transaction is complete, and the door has closed behind the droid, I sit back down, and retrieve the pad and com from my bag...
Dawson: checking the progress on the tracer, I sip from the kavvy...
GM Craig: 8%
GM Craig: The kavy is very pricy, but very good. Obviously an import.
Dawson: I wait, but why do I care? I just want to ? make sure he didn?t follow me...
GM Craig: Out of the corner of your eye, you see three Rodians walk in. They exchange a few words, and they head for the bar.
Dawson: If its the party I am to meet, they wont be expecting me yet. I have time
GM Craig: [Checking the Chrono, you're almost at the time...]
Dawson: I try to work out how long the program has been running, and how far it has gotten. Come on Dawson, think. Do you have time to wait...
GM Craig: It's been running about 5 minutes now, and at 9%.
Dawson: Checking out the Rodians. Are they the ones I am suppose to meet??
GM Craig: Hmmm. They all look alike...
GM Craig: They share a quick drink, then start moving through the crowd.
GM Craig: Then you see another two walk in.
Dawson: This is starting to look like a Rodian convention
Dawson: Looking at the two new arrivals,, and trying to recall I saw while on Jennys ship...
GM Craig: Again, you find it hard to distinguish one from the other. Their facial features all look the same.
Dawson: Do they seem to be together? The 5 of them?
GM Craig: Nope. The two latecomers have sat down on a booth near the ground. Looking around, you can only see two of the other three. One is on the dance floor squirming around with a Twillek. The other is ordering another drink. There is no sign of the last one.
Dawson: checking the trace program to see how far it has gone, I put it back in the bag. Taking a big drink of kavvy, I move back to the first floor. I need to pick a path back to the bar that will take me past the Rodians
GM Craig: You check the datapad. It says 12%. Then you are startled by a knock at the door to the booth.
Dawson: I hate being startled... I look up at the door
GM Craig: There is a Rodian standing there, a drink in his hand.
Dawson: I nod, and gesture for him to come in.
GM Craig: He enters. "Ploura no chada, rel Jenny Zybak?"
Dawson: Hearing the name Jenny Zybak makes me pretty confident this is one of the Rodians I was looking for. I nod...
GM Craig: He spreads his hands wide. "Tor non ee graita nel rokash?"
Dawson: I shake my head. "I don?t speak Rodian"
GM Craig: He looks at you, and mutters under his breath, "no cheepa doh!? Then, very slowly he says, "What youse needa?"
Dawson: "Jenny said you could help me" I speak very slowly, to give him time to pick up what I am saying
GM Craig: He nods - an awkward motion for him. It obviously isn't in his species' normal repertoire of body language. "Rosha, rosha. Help. What you needa?"
Dawson: I open my bag, so he can see the blaster inside. "payback." I also sneak a peak at the tracer
GM Craig: He looks nervous, and holds up his hands. "Nor ploush! Nor Ploush!"
Dawson: I slowly close the bag, and sit back in my seat, looking out over the cantina and then look back at the Rodian...
GM Craig: He relaxes a little, but is obviously nervous. "Nor ploush, me help." He seems worried you will shoot him.
Dawson: "no no, not YOU..." I pause looking for the right words... "troopers..."
GM Craig: He looks confused. "Troopas?"
Dawson: "Empire...."
GM Craig: The Rodian stops, thinking. "Ah. Yoan ploush Empire?"
Dawson: I nod. "Yes." I hope he understands what I want...
GM Craig: ?Ah. Heth, heth. Me merks plorn, oatkee?" He makes to rise.
Dawson: I can barely make out what he is saying, I raise my hands in confusion, furrowing my brows. "What??"
GM Craig: He stops. "M-E... M-E-R-K... P-L-O-R-N, oose knwol, kamclik?"
Dawson: I have no idea what he is telling me... "I don?t understand. Do you want me to come with you??" me? merks plorn... "You are making a plan??"
GM Craig: He blinks a couple of times. "noo,noo. oose stai erk. Mee, me goo merk plorn. uh ploorn cak." He slowly reaches into his shirt and slowly pulls out a comlink.
GM Craig: "Kamlick. Oose known?"
Dawson: "ahhhhhhhhhhi wait here, you make plan, use comlink..." I nod.
GM Craig: He nods vigorously. He looks like a toddler when he does so. "Mee goo."
Dawson: A sigh of relief, and I sit back in the booth. And take a peak at the tracer.
GM Craig: 19%
GM Craig: A few minutes later, the tracer is at 28%, and your friend is back.
Dawson: I wave him into the booth.
GM Craig: "Heelos, heelos. Me merk ploorn... uhh... keel marn. Marn bees heth ... uh... jenky mantoes. Ootak?"
Dawson: "You have a plan... kill? marn??? Jenky Mantoes??"
GM Craig: He nods. Then shakes his head. He holds up the comlink. "Me merk ploorn."
Dawson: I nod. I?m with him so far. I think
GM Craig: He holds it in front of his mouth. "Me keel marn. Marn seek haloth. Me plourn wik marn."
Dawson: "you called? Marn? He wants to see me??"
GM Craig: He nods eagerly.
Dawson: ?jenky mantoes???
GM Craig: "Marn bees heth an jenky mantoes." He pulls a chronometer out of his shirt. "Jenky mantoes."
Dawson: "Marn will be here in 20 minutes?"
GM Craig: He nods vigorously.
Dawson: I nod, just as happily. ?Thank you!"
GM Craig: He nods. "oose kelpuk." He seems very proud of himself.
Dawson: And he should be :D I mime a drink, and point to him. "You want a drink??"
GM Craig: He nods, and hits a spot on the table. It lights up, and a droid is there in a few seconds.
GM Craig: "Poonta reest, uoh, me rashilka."
GM Craig: The droid turns to you.
Dawson: I shake my head "nothing for me"
GM Craig: The droid beeps and withdraws. The droid charges you for you're buddy's drink. 13 credits. [You gonna charge-up the credstick with the credits encoded in the datapad?]
Dawson: I hand over my cred stick. [yes, good idea. hadn?t thought of that.]
-
GM Craig: A moment of two later, the droid returns with a thik, green drink that burps bubbles of purple smoke periodically. Sarda sighs with pleasure, and takes a healthy sip. Outside the booth, you see one of his companions wander by discreetly. Sarda waggles a finger, seemingly some sort of signal, and the other rodian wanders away. Sarda watches you closely over his glass.
GM Craig: Time passes, Sarda sipping his drink, and watching the crowd undulate to the music. His grasp of basic is less than rudimentary, and you don't speak Rodian, so there is little to talk about.
Dawson: As un obtrusively as I can, I open my bag, to check the progress of the trace. I don?t want Sarda to think I?m gonna pull my blaster out again
GM Craig: His eyes do follow your movements. You get the feeling he doesn't trust you very much, but satisfied there is no threat, he returns his attention to the crowd. The indicator says 37%. About 15 minutes later, there is a small tap at the door to the booth.
Dawson: I look up, my hand on my bag, ready to snatch out the blaster at a moments need
GM Craig: Looking, you don't see anyone. The tap sounds again. Sarda looks at you and shrugs.
Dawson: I stand, and move to look out the door...
GM Craig: At first you see nothing. But then your eyes drift downward, caught by some flash of movement. You see a short creature on the floor, standing no more than 3 feet tall. It is covered in scales, has a lizard-like head and face and a long, sinuous tail. Its limbs are long and slender. It holds up a tiny hand and waves at you. A forked tongue flashes from between needle-like teeth.
Dawson: I wave back.. and look at Sarda, I wave him over.
GM Craig: Sarda leans over, looks at the creature, then looks back at you, and shrugs.
GM Craig: The little lizard holds up his hands in a shrug, confused that you're not letting it in.
Dawson: I turn back to Sarda "Friend??"
GM Craig: Sarda shrugs. It taps the door to the booth again.
Dawson: frell.. I open the door.
GM Craig: The little beast leaps into the air the moment the door is opened.
Dawson: I jump back, startled
GM Craig: It crawls up your leg, and onto the table before you could even scream. It sits there, looking nervously back and forth between the two of you, perched on it's hind legs, it's front legs folded in front of it. It makes a strange hissing noise, and then produces a small disc.
GM Craig: It placed the disc on the table, and taps it once with its tail. A hologram flashes to life. You see a human with a neatly trimmed beard and a long coat standing before you. Sarda points to the images and says, "Marn!"
Dawson: I sit back in my seat, and the breath that I had been holding escapes my lungs in a hiss... why does everything make me panic these days.
GM Craig: The image starts moving. A strong voice says, "Sarda, if you're still here, I want that 500 credits, you cretin." The image pauses for a moment, and Sarda whines a little. The image then continues. "So I get this call from Sarda saying he has found someone who is looking for me. That usually makes me nervous, but then he said your name was Dawson. That name is known to me.?
Dawson: ... my name is known to him... that rings of Jenny... or Jeremy....
GM Craig: "My companion will guide you to me. Come alone - leave that rat Sarda where he is. If I sense anything that makes me even the slightest bit uncomfortable, you will never see me. If I sense an ambush, you?ll die.
Dawson: I swallow.. hard...
GM Craig: "If these terms aren't acceptable, then just walk away. If you still want to meet, my scaly companion will guide you." The image pauses for a moment, then fades. The creature grabs the disk and shoves it into a small cloth pouch on it's stomach.
Dawson: I turn to the .. lizard... and nod. I don?t know if he speaks any language I can understand, but I say "I will come." I turn to Sarda, and say, slowly an carefully "Thank you, friend.?
GM Craig: Sarda holds up his hands, palms out, shaking his head. "Nopta ju, Nopta re ju."
GM Craig: The little lizard leaps again startling you. It lands on your shoulder, and wraps its tail around your neck.
Dawson: I shake my head, and shrug.. "I don?t understand you..."
GM Craig: Sarda says, "Meeze nop gan ip ooze."
Dawson: "Right. You stay here."
GM Craig: The little lizard starts chittering in your ear.
Dawson: Grabbing up my bag, I make ready to leave
GM Craig: You draw a few strange stares as you make your way out of the cantina.
Dawson: I?d be staring too, if I saw a woman walking around with a lizard wrapped around her neck.
GM Craig: Once you are on the street, the little nervous lizard points to the right.
Dawson: I follow his instructions, and turn to the right. I?m not going to give Marn any reason to doubt me.
GM Craig: The beast leads you through several turns and street crossings. Eventually, it points down a dark alley between two tall buildings.
Dawson: I SO like going into dark alleys. In for a penny, in for a pound. I head in the indicated direction
GM Craig: You walk down the dim alley, the darkness amplifying every noise around you.
Dawson: I cant really be breathing that loud.. Its practically ECHOing. I?m sure anyone listening can hear my heart pound
GM Craig: Suddenly, the lizard leaps from your shoulder and is gone, his hissing echoing through the alley.
Dawson: I stop dead in my tracks.. God I hope that isn?t literal.
GM Craig: A quiet voice behind you says, "That's far enough." You hear the sound of a blaster pistol charging a moment later.
Dawson: I don?t move. I don?t breath. I CERTAINLY don?t speak
GM Craig: "Drop the bag."
Dawson: I slip the bag from my hand, and let it drop gently to the ground
GM Craig: "Hands behind you head, nice and slow."
Dawson: Following the instructions, I raise my hands up, and link my fingers behind my head
GM Craig: "Turn around."
Dawson: I turn, slowly, to my right.. moving slowly
GM Craig: You see a shadow in front of you. The light shining behind him wreathes him in darkness. The voice is male, and he stands about 6'5" tall.
GM Craig: "Who are you?"
Dawson: "My name is Dawson"
GM Craig: "Dawson who?" The light glints off the muzzle of a heavy blaster pistol.
Dawson: "Dawson... just ... Dawson" I bite my lip.
GM Craig: "Why do you want to see me, Just Dawson?"
Dawson: "The Empire owes me a debt - 2 lives. I intend to collect, in full, with interest. And I heard that you might be able to help"
GM Craig: You can almost see the eyes narrow, but that is a trick of your mind. "And why would I be able to help?"
Dawson: "Seems that a friend of mine thinks I get into more trouble than I am worth, when I am left to my own devices. And I know now that there is safety to be had in numbers."
GM Craig: "What makes you think you'll find any safety in my company?"
Dawson: "I?m not sure, but it has to be better than what I?ve dealt with so far. I almost managed to get myself raped due to trying to do this on my own"
GM Craig: He takes a half step forward, menacingly. "And you don't think I would rape you?"
Dawson: "I think you could try.? I hold my ground... and try not to throw up.
GM Craig: Unexpectedly, he chuckles then. "You've got spirit, that's for sure." The blaster wavers, and then drops.
Dawson: I wait, not quite sure what to expect next..
GM Craig: "Pick up your bag, sweetheart. We're going for a walk." The blaster is down, but still out and ready.
Dawson: I unlatch my fingers and drop my arms, which by now, are starting to tingle. I reach down, and grab my bag, and sling it over my shoulder.
GM Craig: He motions with the blaster, though he is careful not to actually point it at you. "This way." Further into the alley. You hear a high-pitched whistle, and the little lizard leaps from the shadows. As he steps forward, you see it is the face from the hologram.
Dawson: "hello Marn." I pause
GM Craig: He cocks his head. "Marn?"
Dawson: I grin.. "Well, that?s about the best that Sarda could do with your name. I would be interested to hear what I might ACTUALLY call you, though."
GM Craig: He stops and bows with a flourish. "Kelso Brath, at your service." The name echoes in your head over and over, and your head swims. Kelso Brath... the name rings a bell, of a forgotten past. You have met him before. At one of the receptions for your husband's squadron. Some sort of party. It seems so long ago now...
Dawson: My heart stops when I hear his name. I keep my face a mask, not wanting to give anything away. "I wonder how Sarda made Marn out of that.. But as I don?t speak Rodian... maybe its better not to know."
GM Craig: Rising from his bow, he says, "This way, my dear." The charming voice strikes a chord - you remember thinking he was quite charming when you met him before. As he walks, he says, "Sarda's command of basic is, well, a little rough. He was probably trying to say 'man.'"
Dawson: I nod. "Yes, we had some difficulty at first. But I figured most of it out"
Dawson: I?m racking my brain, trying to recall anything my husband ever said about this man.
GM Craig: He keeps walking, making charming small talk. You get to a T, and he turns left. "I have a speeder down here."
Dawson: I nod, but something doesn?t feel quite right. Too charming.
GM Craig: You were moving down the alley with Kelso. You get about halfway down when his lizard suddenly hisses and leaps away. Before either of you react, four figures step from the shadows in front of you. You recognize the silhouette of Imperial blaster rifles, and see the uniform on Imperial army troopers. Kelso wheels on you, his blaster pointed at you. "You!" he hisses...
Dawson: damn..
GM Craig: Turning to face him, you see several more shapes stepping out of the shadows back the way you came.
GM Craig: [Actions? Kelso looks like he's going to shoot you.]
Dawson: "Hardly." I shoot back at him, pulling my blaster out of my bag.
GM Craig: Before Kelso can fire, two of the troopers squeeze off shots. Blue ionization energy streaks by you, and slams Kelso in the torso. He goes down like a sack of potatoes, hatred in his eyes. Three troopers close with you, weapons aimed and ready to fire. There is the sound of several booted feet behind you. "Drop it!" one of them says.
Dawson: I level my blaster at the troopers. "Yeah... So you can kill an unarmed woman. "
GM Craig: [These guys look serious... at best count you are facing 8 to 10 of them...] The lead trooper's eyes narrow. "Drop it." he says, his voice icy calm. ?If we wanted to kill you, we would have fired from the shadows..."
Dawson: the hate that shone in Kelsos eyes is nothing compared to the hate I have in my heart right now. I throw my blaster down, at the feet of the lead trooper. "There. Happy now?" Once again, I have gotten myself into a nice mess... there?s that little voice again.. "You should have died in Lendt..."
GM Craig: All but two of the troopers raise their rifles. The lead trooper goes over to Kelso and helps him to his feet. Surprisingly, he gets up and dusts himself off, a large, rakish grin on his face
Dawson: "I don?t know what kind of game this is. But it ends now. What the frell is going on here..."
GM Craig: He bends down and scoops up your blaster. Reversing it, he hands it to you. He looks apologetic. "We had to be sure."
Dawson: I snatch it out of his hand. I?m pissed
GM Craig: "You could have been Imperial Intelligence, or worse. Imperial Security Bureau."
Dawson: "Yeah, and you could have been Santa Claus. You said my name was known to you, Kelso. Explain yourself." I am not going to reveal that I know who he is...
GM Craig: He grins. "Well, partially a ploy - keep you off your guard. I did know someone named Dawson once, a long time ago."
Dawson: "OH?" I cross my arms on my chest, and lean on the wall..
GM Craig: Kelso looks sheepish. "We needed to be sure. You understand?"
Dawson: I nod
GM Craig: The lead trooper in the Army uniform steps up. "Sir, we need to get out of here." Kelso gives a whistle and his little lizard friend leaps back onto his shoulder.
Dawson: "I?m ready to go, when ever you are. He?s right, its not safe to hang around here... Nice uniforms, by the way. A little too nice." I grin. It?s the two dollar smile, but it?s a smile none the less.
GM Craig: He smiles. "We... found them. They've been useful more than once."
Dawson: "found them? nice euphemism..."
-
GM Craig: Most of the group drifts off into the shadows. Kelso and the 4 troopers who approached you from the front lead you onto the main street. A speeder pulls up, and Kelso bows with a flourish. "My Lady.?
Dawson: My eyebrows raise a bit at the 'my lady' but I get into the speeder.
GM Craig: The speeder looks nondescript from the outside, but inside you can see it is heavily armoured.
Dawson: a sharp intake of breath gives away my shock at the inside of speeder..."sweet"
GM Craig: He shrugs. The speeder takes off, and you can tell the engines are much more powerful than the speed the vehicle is moving would suggest.
Dawson: I open my bag to stow the blaster... and take a peek at the tracer at the same time...
GM Craig: [56%] He looks at you, a strange look on his face. After a moment, he shakes his head and turns away.
Dawson: closing my bag, I turn to look at Kelso. I?m not surprised he doesn?t recognize me. It was a LONG time ago. And then, I was a pilot?s wife. Not the woman hell bent on vengeance seated beside him.
GM Craig: Leaning forward so the driver can hear, he says, "Echo 1-2." The drive says, "Yes, sir.? You hear the driver mutter into a comlink. Kelso turns back to you. "So, you're looking for some Imperial trophies, hey?" The other four troopers smile wickedly.
Dawson: Turning back to Kelso, "Trophies??? No... payback. For my daughter. And ..." I stop... "Why the strange look... you see a ghost??"
GM Craig: He stops, wheels turning. Pushing whatever thoughts are in his head aside he says, "Trophyies, vengeance, semantics. You want to hurt the Empire, right?"
Dawson: "Big time."
GM Craig: He spreads his hands wide. "Well then, we'll all get along famously!" He grins at the other troopers, who grin right back.
Dawson: I look down, and realize that I have been unconsciously rubbing the spot where my wedding band once lay... clenching my fist, as if to hide the movement, I raise my eyes back up to meet his."
GM Craig: He seems to see something there. You almost see the spark of recognition, but it fades. "So, Just Dawson, what have you been up to? All of Vessen is on alert. That wouldn't have been you that took out a sentry droid, would it??
Dawson: I grin. "Well, it gave as good as it got. Damn near got me, too... "
GM Craig: He grins. "I noticed. Burnt blast armour has a potent aroma."
Dawson: before I can stop myself, I continue "My husband used to call it an even exchange. You put a hole in me, I put you in a hole..."
GM Craig: He stops dead... The colour drains from his face...
Dawson: I sputter. "He heard someone say it in a cantina once. Thought it was ...appropriate."
GM Craig: His eyes narrow. You can see the gears whirling inside his head. "Dawson? Dawson ... um... You were married to a pilot in the 6th Guards." His words tumble out of him...
Dawson: "Nope. You must have the wrong girl.? As a rule, I don?t lie very well...
GM Craig: "Ohmygod! Lendt! I know where I saw you before! You were at the colonel's solstice reception - not long after you two married!" He seems a little frantic...
Dawson: I shake my head. ?Nope. I don?t know who you think I am, but I?m not her"
GM Craig: He isn't listening. "John bought it fighting some pirates guarding a cargo hauler. That was a year ago now, maybe two?" He turns back to you. "You cut your hair, but I recognize the face. And the eyes." The other troopers are exchanging looks, not sure what is going on.
Dawson: My eyebrows go up. "I have no idea wheat you are talking about. My husband was killed... in a detention center... a few months ago... for.... "
GM Craig: He shakes his head. "You had a little girl. The squadron took up a collection after John died."
Dawson: I swallow hard. "Look. I?m really sorry for the lady that you think I am. But I?m not her."
GM Craig: He shakes his head again. "Nope, you're lying. Not sure why, bit I know it's you." He seems concerned. "How did you end up all the way over here in Vessen? Where is your daughter?" Then he stops himself. The words die in his throat. "Dear god... Lendt!" A look of deep compassion fills his face.
Dawson: I take a deep breath, and bite back the tears. "She?s dead, under an imperial boot. In Lendt. Now you know who I am. But that doesn?t change why I am here."
GM Craig: His eyes tear up, and he leans forward and puts his hands on your shoulder. He doesn't say anything. His eyes, however, speak volumes. The other troopers fidget uncomfortably. Everyone on Karvis knows the name of Lendt.
Dawson: "Dont." I shake my head. "I cant.. I wont.. and I wont let anyone else...."
GM Craig: He nods, and you see your own pain mirrored in his eyes. Tears stream down his cheeks as he says, "I know."
Dawson: "Then help me."
GM Craig: He nods then sits back. A moment passes. "That's why we're here. All of us. Mickey over there, "indicating one of the troopers, "lost his father in the bombardment. And Seth here lot his brother.? His eyes well up again. "And I lost my Beth, 8 months with child." He smiles through his pain. "You are among friends, Dawson." You can see grim looks on the faces of the other troopers and they nod.
Dawson: The sparkling eyes of a pretty blonde with blue eyes flash before me. I met her, once, just after they were married. And now I know that these men understand. "I didn?t even get to bury my daughter...?
Dawson: "So I headed out of Lendt, in the direction of Plarn. Got into some trouble along the way... like I said, and made some friends..." The trace... I open my bag....
GM Craig: [62%] He nods. He seems to understand your pain. "I got shot down when the Imperials came in. I didn't get to Lendt until after it was over. Our house was a crater. I couldn't even find a body to bury." A moment later, there is a bump. The drive glances over his shoulder. "We're here, Sir."
Dawson: I close my bag with a sigh.
GM Craig: Shifting his mood, Kelso smiles. "Welcome to our little abode."
Dawson: I look out of the speeder, to take in the newest of my landings ..
GM Craig: Getting out of the speeder, you see you are in some sort of vehicle bay. There are two other speeders here, similarly nondescript. You see about a dozen people in various civie clothes. Kelso spreads his arms wide, obviously proud of the building and facility.
Dawson: It takes me a few minutes to absorb it all. I turn to Kelso.. "It?s a VERY nice abode" and I smile
GM Craig: He grins. "Senator Pasteur's doing, all of it."
Dawson: "Nice arrangement." I heft my bag. "S where do I fit in to all of this?"
GM Craig: He looks serious. "That depends on you. We're a tight group, with a chain of command."
Dawson: I nod "I?m not militaristic, but I get your meaning."
GM Craig: He grins. "If you're willing to fit into that structure, then there will be a place for you here. If not, well, there is still a place for you. But for now, why not rest up a bit. We have a busy day tomorrow."
Dawson: "Oh? Doing what, may I ask? My domestic abilities aren?t what they used to be. Seems I?m happier with a blaster in my hand than a broom nowadays" I grin at him.
GM Craig: He grins. "Nothing serious, I can assure you. Senator Pasteur likes to meet all potential recruits. I would count you as one. Tomorrow, we'll go visit her."
Dawson: I nod.
GM Craig: He takes you up a set of stairs and down a corridor lined with doors. Stopping before one, he grins. "It's not much, but there is a fresher at the end of the hall."
Dawson: "Do I have to worry about a trooper blasting me in my sleep?"
GM Craig: He tosses you a lop-sided grin. "Not unless you scare him..."
Dawson: "Then its a whole lot better than not much."
GM Craig: He smiles. "Grab some sleep. I'll have someone drop by with a tray from the autokitchen. I'll wake you at 6 tomorrow."
Dawson: "I?ll be ready... and waiting. And Kelso? It really IS just Dawson now. My last name is part of my past, and I can?t deal with it until the empire has been dealt with. OK?"
GM Craig: He nods slowly. "I understand."
Dawson: "Something else you might need to know. Someone may be looking for me - or not
GM Craig: He stops mid-turn.
Dawson: ?but its a possibility.?
GM Craig: "Oh? Anyone I need to be worried about?"
Dawson: ?Hardly.. unless you embarrass easy...."
GM Craig: He stops, not quite sure how to interpret the comment. Shrugging, he turns. "'night, Dawson."
Dawson: "night, Kelso," and I close the door.
GM Craig: It is 4'x8' room, has a single bed and a footlocker, a small desk and a chair. A table lamp, and that's about it.
Dawson: Look under the bed, in the footlocker.. no closet?
GM Craig: Nope. Footlocker is empty.
Dawson: under the bed
GM Craig: There are some hooks on the wall beside the door. Nothing under the bed. And bed is generous - it's more of a sleeping platform.
Dawson: I hook the chair out with my foot, and plop my tired self into it. Dumping the contents of my bag on the desk, I do a quick inventory
GM Craig: Nothing missing. Nothing added either.
Dawson: and the trace?
GM Craig: Flashing steady at 64%.
Dawson: I move to the bed, lie down fully dressed, and close my eyes. I know I?m not going to sleep. I?m too wound up. Its gonna...take... zzzzzzzzzzzz