Episode II: The Gathering Storm IC Thread 2

[whoiam]

"I see a couple of problems there. First, there's two droids here, so 'the droid' is not an accurate designation, not even in context. Second, referring to me as 'the droid' in any insecure situation may result in me shooting you. Probably not fatally, but it depends how many people you're about to blab the secret to. Third, using a non-specialised droid as an explosives mule is likely to void their warranty (although it's doubtful that a frame as old as mine still carries one) and be 'stressful' for the droid in question. I recommend M2-HB for this duty, if it becomes necessary."

Wyn was never too proud to call 'Not It!'.

[LazyNinja]

The droid had a point. "I suppose it would be bad for operational security if I accidentally called an apparent woman 'the droid' while on a mission," Laaz admitted.

As the shuttle prepared for flight, he turned to the assembled crew. "Speaking of the mission, do we have any idea how we're going to get the A-wings away from the Navy? Given our skill sets, I can see several ways to get to the ships, but the actual grand theft seems like a sticking point."

[RandomLunatic]

"Let's use finding out who knows how to fly as a starting point," Shyar suggested, not raising her hand.

[whoiam]

Wyn doesn't raise her hand either, but in her case, it's more because she didn't think a show of hands was what they were going for.

"I have civilian-spec piloting software installed. It won't stand up to an expert in a dogfight, but is more than sufficient for standard flight."

[LazyNinja]

Laaz made a show of crossing his arms. "I can't fly worth a lick. I can make someone else a brilliant pilot, but that's not much help inside a single-seat A-wing."

[Deadguy]

"This unit has received updated software and firmware for combat piloting, including installed heavy weapon systems." The droid finally spoke to someone other than Mouse, in something other than binary.

[Hyperbolic sine]

"Last time I've flown something while being shoot at...I was hit a crashed down, if I recall well." Gial mused. "We relied on Marren for transport."

"Still, A-wings are quite fast. As long as I can preload the astrogation coordinates on all of them and we don't cause too much of a ruckus, we probably can jump before they have time to react."

[Elda]

"I'm a passable pilot," Jezika replied. "I'm more used to personal devices like jetpacks and other stunt craft, but I'm sure I can remember how to fly a starfighter, at least if we avoid combat."

[Thundercracker]

As the group discusses, Marren and Mouse, at the controls of the shuttle, complete the preflight sequence and lift off into the sky, the ride stabilizing as the wings fold down.

It isn't long before you clear the atmosphere and the security stations and make the jump to light speed.

It is a short jump, only about an hour, before the ship drops back into real space and approaches the fleet over Yaris. The victory class Vigilant and its slightly smaller and much less heavily armed companion interdictor Binder are easily visible, and several support ships come into view as you get closer.

A trio of TIE fighters divert from their patrol and perform a close range scan of your ship before opening radio contact, the distinctive whine of their ion engines holding steady as thy keep pace with you.

"Shuttle Akroban, we have you on our scanners, please submit your code clearance now," a young man's voice said.

Marren presses a button to send the code, and a few tense seconds later you are cleared to dock on the Vigilant. The TIEs follow you all the way in, breaking off as the landing sequence starts.

The star destroyer grows larger in your view until it takes up the entire window, and the two pilots land neatly in a vacant spot large hangar bay. Pressurized steam jets as the boarding ramp lowers....

[RandomLunatic]

"Three, that's good. Enough to keep our patrons happy. But it still doesn't leave anything for us.

"I still think your idea to reprogram the loaders is the best way of getting some loot for ourselves. M2 should be able to get at them.

"There's, uh, one other thing. Doctor Loaspun has already compromised himself for a girlfriend. My experience is guys that screw up that badly tend to be the sort that chronically think with the wrong head. And we have a shapeshifter, a sexbot, and then plain ol' me. Thanks you two," Shyar said sardonically. "So that's an opportunity we could use."

---

Hangar, Vigilant

Shyar put away the background material she'd been reviewing in flight, stood up, and marched down the ramp in search of somebody to report to, while taking in the scenery. Paying particular attention to the guards.

[Thundercracker]

The hangar, while not as massive as an imperial class Star destroyer's, is still quite impressive. The floor is black and the walls are white, standard imperial finishing. Clamps and hooks are attached to the ceiling, probably for moving equipment. There are repair pits scattered about, and large doors high up on the walls of the bay. A few hulking assault transports sit off to one side, while a quartet of lambda class shuttles nearly identical to the one you arrived in are grouped on the other. There is no sign of the ship's starfighter contingent. Some techs and a few droids are currently working on one of the assault transports.

As far as security goes, you spot a quartet of storm troopers on patrol. There are about twenty other staff in the hangar, including the deck officer standing in front of you on his pressed black imperial uniform, hat, and standard issue datapad.

[RandomLunatic]

Done playing tourist, Shyar walked up to the deck officer to report for duty.

[whoiam]

Wyn's 'tourist' phase is similarly quick - after all, it doesn't take much of a glance to record the scene for later analysis.

Like Shyar, she approached the deck officer, and then offered the over-eager salute of one who'd recently been introduced to the concept (and it's magical ability to keep superiors from shouting at you too much). "Recruit Lorso, reporting for assignment, Sir!"

[Hyperbolic sine]

"Try not to stick out, for good or for worse. The less people pay attention to us, the better." Gial reminded the group before landing, then started mentally reviewing his cover identity.

...

Gial carefully observed the hangar, then followed Shyar and Wyn. "Recruit Puddo." he announced, emotionless, saluting the deck officer. Reporting for stealing your A-wings, Sir!

Spoiler: OOC

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Does the hangar have also exterior doors, or are there only forcefields to keep the air in?

Also, can't find for the life of me the fake name I gave, so I'll go with Tikk Puddo.

[Thundercracker]

Currently only the force field separates the hangar from outer space. The deck officer counts as you file out of the shuttle and goes through a roll call against his datapad.

"Alright, everything checks out," he said, "follow me."

As you fall in behind the officer, the shuttle behind you, refuel complete, lifts off and exits the hangar, taking Mouse and Marren with it, away, to safety.

The officer leads you to the back of the hangar where you enter a turbolift. After a quick stop off at quarters to be assigned bunks (alongside the starfighter maintenance crew) and drop off your packs, he leads you again to a turbolift and through a few corridors to a conference room. The table is black, as are the chairs, while the walls are dull grey.

"Wait here, Commander White will see you shortly," he said.

"Commander White will see them now," an imperious voice said from the opposite side of the room, as he woman entered.

The deck officer saluted, then took his leave as he was dismissed.

Nora White is slim and tall, her straight blonde hair is pulled back per imperial protocol. She sat down at the conference table head and indicated the rest of you should sit as well.

"Six ensigns assigned as adjutants to the task force's the starfighter wing, for 'cross training and cultural exchange'," she said, "I've never had an assistant, neither have any of my wing commanders. However, in the interest of galactic peace, I suppose me must all make some concessions."

She looked over your group, her grey eyes penetrating, evaluating.

"While you are officially part of the Galactic Alliance, for all intents and purposes, you are part of the Imperial Navy during your tenure here and will conduct yourselves accordingly. You will follow the training regimens outlined for the starfighter corps and fulfill the tasks set out by your assigned wing commander. Reprimands and punishments will be assigned and executed as necessary. Perform admirably and a letter of recommendation to your superiors is not out of the question."

"Are there any any questions before I hand out your assignments?" she asked.

[RandomLunatic]

Shyar raised a hand. "Yes, one sir... ma'am?

"I've read the reports and heard the rumors, of course, but you've been here-how bad is the situation on Yaris exactly?"

[Thundercracker]

"The situation is under control, for now," White replied, "the majority of the population are muiridon, mostly laborers, but because Yaris is a Kalatar colony, they hold all political control and most of the wealth and military assets."

"As you can imagine, the local muiridon population is not happy about this. Several peaceful rallies have recently turned violent, and the masses are threatening to rise up against their masters. We suspect mercenaries have been brought in by both sides, either to incite a revolution or provide an excuse for a crackdown on antigovernment groups. The task force's mandate is to force a settlement and political resolution, without taking sides. Our job is to enforce the no fly zone to prevent the Yaris Air Force from massacring the civilians, identify imported mercenaries or other troublemakers before they can land, and support the ground forces when necessary."

[Thundercracker]

"These are your assigned officers," Commander White said, flashing a display to all of your data pads.

Adjutant assignments:
Wyn - Lieutenant Grif Urford, heavy attack.
Jezika - lieutenant Andan Rath, logistics and support.
M2-HB - lieutenant commander Dax Londar, heavy attack
Gial - lieutenant junior grade - Jace Turner, escort
Laaz - Commander Nora White - superiority, wing commander
Shyar - lieutenant commander Myn Kamen, superiority

"All service members under my command follow a strict physical training regimen. You're to report to the gym at 0500 tomorrow morning. After that, you'll meet with your commanding officers. Your responsibility is to do whatever they tell you to, fairly simple, actually."

Spoiler

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pressed for time so I haven't updated the npc table in forever but your adjutant assignments are in the mission specific section of the first post in ooc.

"If there are no further questions, lights out is in 40 minutes, I suggest you get some rest as tomorrow will be a busy day," Commander White said.

Spoiler

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At some point, White will inform Shyar that she can call her Commander, rather than sir/ma'am. I forgot to put that into the last ic post.

Next ic post please start off with a str and con check or endurance check if you have it trained. I'll respond to your posts individually.

[RandomLunatic]

Shyar took her leave and went to find her quarters. She took advantage of the available time to get herself a general lay of the land before turning in.

Next Morning
"Good morning," Shyar greeted the others. There was just a hint of cheek in her voice. After all, she was the one who usually got up early to work on her forms anyway.

((I'm going to take 10, 13 STR/12 CON))

[whoiam]

Wyn preferred to head straight to her quarters. She had some research to do, and she'd presumably have a terminal available...

...It'd likely be monitored, true, but then there was nothing suspicious about a new arrival calling up a map of their ship, or looking up the duty station of the officer they'd been assigned to.

Spoiler: Exercise!

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"Str" - (1d20+1)[8]

Next Morning:

"Just wait; I'm sure you won't feel that way after the 'strict physical training regimen' is complete..."

[Thundercracker]

The gym is massive, and hundreds if not thousands of service members are using it at the same time. Most are human, but there are a few aliens here and there. All sorts of exercises are available but you're met by another ensign who runs you through the routines of the day, including both resistance and endurance training. While Shyar is able to run through the exercises relatively without issue, Wyn thinks she might have burnt out an auxiliary motor somewhere.

Spoiler

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Wyn is at -1 condition until she can get it repaired.

After training you make your way separately to the office of your respective commanders.

Shyar: It isn't long before a Duros walks through the door.

"So, you're the new adjutant?" he asked, "I'm lieutenant commander Myn Kamen."

He extended a hand to shake rather than salute. Kamen's movements are somewhat stiff, if you didn't know any better, you'd say he was.. old?

Wyn: a burly human with blonde hair and a thick beard bursts into the room. He looks to be in his late 30's, and built like a gundark. He doesn't initially offer an introduction.

Spoiler

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describe how you're situated in the room and introduce yourself if you wish

[whoiam]

Wyn had arrived nice and early, found herself a chair to sit on (if available), or a corner to lean against (if not), and engaged her 'fidget' routine. It was always a touch suspicious if someone just managed to freeze rigid for an indeterminate amount of time - organics generally weren't capable of being that still.

This time, she also added some rubbing of her arms, as though sore from the physical training earlier. Which they technically were. The annoying part is that she didn't have a self-repair capability worth speaking of - she'd have to get someone else to fix her antique motivators. The other droid, perhaps.

Once the 'gundark' arrived, she rose to her feet/straightened up from her slouch, and came to attention. A moment was taken to check the other's uniform - if it bore the expected rank insignia, she'd offer a salute. And even throw in a slight wince, as though the pain in her arm was annoying her. Which it was...

"Lieutenant Urford?" She would ask, just in case she's about to report to the wrong person.

[RandomLunatic]

Shyar didn't have to fake a smile as she stood up to shake hands. She hadn't expected to find an easy-going officer in the Imperial Navy, of all places. "Yessir. Ensign Morritz Laung, late of the Alliance Navy."

[Thundercracker]

Wyn: Urford looks at you for a moment longer than necessary,

"At ease, ensign," he said clearly before brushing past you to squeeze behind his desk. A medal in a case sits prominently in the center, though it is facing him so you can't see what it is. The bulk of his frame is barely contained by the standard imperial chair, and he leans back slightly to look you over again

"Lieutenant Urford, I usually lead the bomber squadrons," he said, "but I can fly anything, been flying all my life, you?"

Shyar: "fantastic, really good to meet you," the Duros replied, "I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting an adjutant assignment but there's no shortage of work here. I lead the interceptors, and as part of our job is inspection and scanning of planetbound craft, so you can imagine the paperwork. If I had known there would have been so much I would have taken the early retirement instead! Enough about that, tell me about yourself? Have you ever been diving? I recently returned from a trip to Laun, have you been? It's a resort world nearby, they have one of the best climates for deep sea diving, I promised my daughter I would go with her one day so it was really great we could finally get out there. She's not a very strong swimmer but she made out alright..."

Spoiler

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It seems as if he will continue asking questions without expecting answers and telling you about his life outside of the imperial navy without letting you get a word in edgewise until you interrupt him, if you choose to do so. Otherwise please indicate how long you wish to wait for him to finish.

[Hyperbolic sine]

Blast it, I wanted logistics. Gial thought, disappointed but trying not to show it. The announcement about the strict physical regimen wasn't particularly elating either, though more because of it starting at 5 am than for the exercises per se.

Next morning.

"Morning? If you say so." Gial replied, yawning and looking at the clock with an half closed eye. "I hope this job won't take too long."

"Bah, whatever. Let's get to the damn gym."

Spoiler: OOC

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Taking 10 for Str 9 and Con 10.

After training

Once arrived in front of Turner's office, Gial knocked. "Recruit Puddo, Sir."

[whoiam]

I wish I knew, Wyn thought to herself. She shifted stances (to something more appropriately 'at ease') and replied: "Since you ask, Sir, I do have some flight experience. Mostly atmospheric freight craft and short range shuttles. Can't really say I'm anything special in that regard, but I can at least fly a decent taxi run. Makes a nice change from the paperwork I usually get assigned to, anyway. Photographic memories only have so many uses, and most of them land you office jobs."

[RandomLunatic]

Shyar, in no hurry whatsoever to start doing paperwork, put on her listening face and started nodding and "uh-huh"ing at strategic moments. What started as an attempt at endearing herself to the boss gave way to morbid curiosity at how long he could keep going.

[Thundercracker]

Gial: the morning's exercise leaves you winded and weak, it will probably take you a few days to adjust.

Spoiler

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-1 condition for 5 days, or until you stop killing yourself at th gym every morning.

"Enter," a voice calls from inside, you recognize it as the one from the comm aboard the wayward shadow hawk, requesting your code clearance.

As you enter the room, you find lieutenant jg Jace Turner sitting behind his desk. He is a young officer, perhaps only twenty five years of age, fresh faced, with brown hair and blue eyes. There are no personal effects in the room, and it is quite sterile, actually. His uniform is neatly pressed, and he regards you with a serious expression.

"So you're the new adjutant," he said, "don't worry, I'm sure you'll adjust quickly."

He placed a datapad onto the desk.

"Your bio is short. What skills do you have?" he asked.

Shyar: The Duros goes on for about 55 minutes, before he looked at his datapad.

"Oh, I have a meeting, come with me," he said.
The next seven hours alternate between briefings regarding where expected goods transfers are taking place and where suspected contraband may be stashed or mercenaries may be hiding or entering the system, and Myn going on about what he perceives are missteps in the GT's handling of the crisis, and his personal life. Finally, Myn Kamen heads off on a patrol, leaving you on your own.

Spoiler

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indicate if you want to pay attention to any of the above.

Wyn: "Photographic memory," Urford replied, "so, you never forget anything? I guess that could come in handy..."

He looks at once apprehensive and intrigued.

[LazyNinja]

It had been a long tome since Laaz had slept on a ship so large, and he slumbered soundly. A bit too soundly. He awoke to the sounds of dozens of pairs of Navy boots stomping haphazardly through a nearby corridor. Instinctively, he sprang out of bed and reached for his lightsaber. His fingers grasped only empty air by his belt, and he remembered where he was. And if he didn't hurry, he was going to be late for morning training.

He splashed a bit of water of his face and ran a hand through his hair before throwing on his uniform. Fortunately, Zeltron biology required very little upkeep to continue looking fabulous. A quick glance at a mirror confirmed it. We really are born with it.

He rushed to report to the gym, arriving just as the final stragglers did. He spotted Wyn, Shyar, and Gial, and assumed the others were where he couldn't see them.

Physical training wasn't Laaz's forte. He had undergone the same kind of training regimen as the others in his father's crew—zero-G combat simulations, emergency repairs—but he had always been able to rely on the Force to aid him. Scanning the massive room filled with grunting soldiers, he saw no reason to stop now. When asked to lift heavy objects, he lent his arms telekinetic assistance. When required to climb ropes and walls for no apparent reason, he lightened his own load with a bit of levitation. Not enough to attract attention, but enough to keep from dropping things on his head or falling over in a crumpled, heaving heap.

Spoiler: Training checks

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STR check: (1d20)[17]
CON check: (1d20)[2]
UtF: [roll]1d20[/roll = 27.

After training
Of course I get stuck with the commander. Laaz made his way to Nora White's office and knocked on the door. "Ensign Abel Venture, reporting for duty."

[whoiam]

"Not quite, sir. My memory simply deteriorates far slower than standard - I retain small details over far longer periods than most people. It's not eternal, but it is good enough for tasks such as retroactively creating minutes of impromptu meetings, or reciting reports I skim-read a week ago without missing or misplacing words."