Dawson - Beginnings

[GM Craig]

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."

[GM Craig]

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.

[GM Craig]

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]

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.

[GM Craig]

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...

[GM Craig]

[OOC: Mission session here where Jenny Zyback sets up a meeting for Dawson.]

[GM Craig]

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

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]

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 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]

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]

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