Chapter 1C: The Droid Defector

After Order 66, few Jedi dare to venture outside the shadows—rumors of the dark and terrible Darth Vader haunting even their waking moments. Yet, some Jedi find this life of fear unbearable. The Empire is always watching, and Vader himself is eager to confront any Jedi that might bring him closer to the whereabouts of his betrayer, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Post Reply
User avatar
Shurijo
Admin
Admin
Posts: 13979
Title: Scourge of the Jedi
User Class: Sith Lord

Chapter 1C: The Droid Defector

Post by Shurijo » Tue Sep 29, 2020 1:59 pm

Image

The galaxy is in conflict. After years
of growing tension, the worlds of the
SEPARATIST ALLIANCE have seceded
from the GALACTIC REPUBLIC. Under
the leadership of the Jedi Knights,
clone troopers fight bravely against
the remorseless droid army.

Away from the battlefields, a
less than reputable pirate of
nefarious background has contacted
the Jedi Temple via a discreet
encrypted channel. Requesting an
in-person meeting with the Jedi
hidden from the ARMY OF THE
REPUBLIC, the contact desires to
sell a MEDICAL DROID for
1,000,000 credits in spice.

Reluctant and unable to ignore the
matter, the JEDI HIGH COUNCIL sends
a small undercover team to the
smuggler retreat of JUNKFORT STATION
to investigate the claims...
This thread is for Othniel327 only.
Please do not post yet, I have 1 or 2 more posts that I'll be making soon* (over next ~2 days, as time permits)

User avatar
Shurijo
Admin
Admin
Posts: 13979
Title: Scourge of the Jedi
User Class: Sith Lord

Chapter 1C: The Droid Defector

Post by Shurijo » Tue Sep 29, 2020 2:52 pm

Image

Jedi Temple, Coruscant. Two days ago...

In the Jedi High Council Chamber, Grand Master Yoda holds a closed door meeting with select Jedi Masters including Jedi Master Rhan Vel Aath. Outside the chamber, Jedi Knight Janos Tyree, former padawan of Jedi Master Rhan Vel Aath patiently waits. Prior to the Clone Wars, the two Jedi successfully worked to police the criminal underbelly within the galaxy's seedy underworld. This required working with miscreants and malcontents to bring down more dangerous threats those posed a greater menace. The Jedi have been recalled from the front lines of the Clone Wars for a special session of the High Council.

More than an hour after the session began, the doors open. Exiting first is Jedi Master Aath. Clutching Janos' shoulder, he says, "We have work to do." Walking towards a lift, the Jedi Master continues, "I will brief you in the Operations Planning Center." The OPC chamber is located within the High Council Tower of the temple.

A few moments later, they exit the lift and enter the chamber. A massive, sunken holoproject pit covers the center of the room displaying a circular two-story holomap with the largest hotspots and active battles color coded based on status. As they enter, the other Jedi leave the room allowing them to converse in private.

"Grand Master Yoda received an encrypted transmission using an old frequency assigned to Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. We know Kenobi didn't send the message, but we're unable to determine who might have acquired his commlink and found a way to send a one-way message. Due to the encryption keys, we cannot reply with an encrypted response and we dare not send a reply over unencrypted frequencies."

The Jedi Master leans over and interacts with the holoproject, routing the display to the Outer Rim Territories. "The source of the transmission originated from the Junkfort Station--a well-known smuggler retreat. This aligns with their request to meet. We don't know if this is a trap, but we can't risk not investigating. At a minimum, we need to retrieve Kenobi's commlink."

"The unusual request... I mean ransom... is for one million credits in spice. The Jedi High Council had previously allocated a million credits of spice for another deal that didn't go as planned. As such, they authorized you to exchange the coordinates and encryption key to unlock the payload for the asset. The transmission indicated the unknown party has a medical droid seeking only to speak to a Jedi as part of a last request of a fallen soldier. It is unknown what information the droid contains and how this asset arrived in the hands of anyone who would send a ransom to the Jedi High Council. Nevertheless, its up to us to investigate."

"The Council has requested you to be sent on this task. I will return to the front lines and provide operational support from there, as needed. My absence at the command staff would be noted by Republic officers and diplomats and this mission needs to be off the books. You'll need to go undercover and take one of the unmarked ships not identified with the Republic or Jedi. The station is currently occupied by Separatists and has at least a company of droids patrolling and defending. My sources say that smugglers are continuing to use the station as they did before the War--with some extra fees attached. It's likely you'll find other illegal activities on the station. We can't get distracted from the investigation."
I have a bit more, but pausing in case there's any IC questions, thoughts, etc. so far

User avatar
Othniel
Level 12
Level 12
Posts: 1544
User Class: Wanderer

Chapter 1C: The Droid Defector

Post by Othniel » Thu Oct 01, 2020 3:56 am

Janos had been happy to return to Coruscant - he could take his mind off the war for perhaps a day or two, but the Council apparently had other plans. As he walked out of the Operations Planning Center, he glanced at his Master. Well, former Master as he had recently been Knighted. "Master, why the disguise if I am to meet someone to make an exchange?"

User avatar
Shurijo
Admin
Admin
Posts: 13979
Title: Scourge of the Jedi
User Class: Sith Lord

Chapter 1C: The Droid Defector

Post by Shurijo » Thu Oct 01, 2020 12:53 pm

Jedi Master Vel Aath replies, "First the station is in Separatist space, then there's the company of droids aboard the station to avoid, and lastly... we don't know if this is a trap or not. I'd rather not have you march in wearing your Jedi best if it's a just an elaborate setup."

"One of our old contacts has been called in to assist you. He's on a well-negotiated retainer, so he'll help as much as needed. The ship's transponder has been reassigned, so you shouldn't have any problems landing at the station."

User avatar
Othniel
Level 12
Level 12
Posts: 1544
User Class: Wanderer

Chapter 1C: The Droid Defector

Post by Othniel » Fri Oct 02, 2020 3:51 am

"I'll try not to scratch the paint," Janos replies wryly.

User avatar
Shurijo
Admin
Admin
Posts: 13979
Title: Scourge of the Jedi
User Class: Sith Lord

Chapter 1C: The Droid Defector

Post by Shurijo » Fri Oct 02, 2020 6:48 pm

"A well worn ship might make it easier to blend in," the Jedi Master responds.

The pair walk down to the hanger bay to see a YT-2400. The white and red painted ship had the moniker changed to "Zillo's Shadow," a reference to the recent destruction caused a Zillo Beast. The "Beast' had been brought from the planet Malastare to Coruscant for study and escaped confinement to rampage through the city.

In the distance, the two spot a Rodian standing on the boarding ramp. Janos recognizes him as Wile Landoo, a good hearted Rodian who enjoys the Republic's credits as much as helping as much as possible. The Rodian had worked with Jedi Master Vel Aath a couple times before the Clone Wars, but there hasn't been any missions since then.
Image
Image

User avatar
Othniel
Level 12
Level 12
Posts: 1544
User Class: Wanderer

Chapter 1C: The Droid Defector

Post by Othniel » Sat Oct 03, 2020 3:38 am

As they draw nearer, Janos whispers to Vel Aath, "Master, when I return from this mission, you're going to have to start introducing me to some of your underworld contacts and coach me on how to deal with them. Now that I am a Knight in my own right, I feel these are things I should learn."

Janos gives a wave to Landoo as the two approach the Rodian. "Hello; nice ship you have here."

User avatar
Shurijo
Admin
Admin
Posts: 13979
Title: Scourge of the Jedi
User Class: Sith Lord

Chapter 1C: The Droid Defector

Post by Shurijo » Sat Oct 03, 2020 3:51 pm

Wile smiles as he pats the side of the ship, "I wish she was mine. This is property of the Jedi. One day, one day, I'll have my own ship. I have my eye on this Ghtroc 720, but I haven't been able to talk the seller down enough just yet."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

After pre-flight checks, the YT-2400 lifts off, rotates, and flies out of the Jedi Temple's hanger bay. With their course set, the ship enter hyperspace....
janos: 3 ability
wile: 1 boost (assist)
difficulty: easy (1)
results: 2 success, 1 advantage
Image

Later... "Get ready, we're coming out." Wile says, as he prepares to re-enter normal space. The ship enters into the region near the space station. Their sensors indicate various Separatist ships in orbit and on cue, they get a request.

"Identify yourself. You are in Separatist space." The request of a cold, emotionless voice of a droid.

"This is ... Zillo's Shadow. Requesting a landing spot so we can repair our power outlay differentiator and have some drinks with my good friend Passk." Wile calmly pulls off the ruse.
wile 3 cunning
janos 1 boost (assist)
opposed: droid perception 1 diff
results: 1 success 2 advantage
After a few moments, the droid replies, "You are cleared for 12-C landing bay, Zillo's Shadow."

Turning to Janos, he says, "See that wasn't so difficult. Oh, and I forgot to mention Passk. Good guy, but don't buy any of his curios -- they're all fake."

The pair maneuver the ship into the landing bay and easily land the ship. Turning off the engines, they look at one another. Wile says, "Okay. This is where fun begins."

User avatar
Othniel
Level 12
Level 12
Posts: 1544
User Class: Wanderer

Chapter 1C: The Droid Defector

Post by Othniel » Sat Oct 03, 2020 4:59 pm

"Indeed," Janos agrees, standing. He tucks his lightsaber away in a concealed pocket. "Hopefully we can pull this off without any fighting, but if it comes to small scuffles, I don't want to whip out my lightsaber unless it is the greatest need, or we'll have even more trouble."

Janos gestures toward the exit ramp, "Lead the way."

User avatar
Shurijo
Admin
Admin
Posts: 13979
Title: Scourge of the Jedi
User Class: Sith Lord

Chapter 1C: The Droid Defector

Post by Shurijo » Sat Oct 03, 2020 6:44 pm

Pressing a button on the control panel, the ramp lowers to reveal a dozen B1 Battle Droids positioned in the hanger bay. Approaching the ship, a male Neimoidian holding a datapad is escorted by three of the droids.

The space station held no strategic or military value and since it was a smugglers den full of less than legal activities, the Republic didn't see the need to remove the Separatists. For the most part, the Separatists were taking credits from smugglers, so the Republic allowed the space station occupation to remain for now.

Image
These are the "Roger, Roger" droids :)
Image

"I am Pok Lurd, Chief Inspector of Junkfort Station. This station is property of Cotellieri Transports Limited, a subsidiary of the Trade Federation. You are now under the protection of the Separatist Alliance. I congratulate you on your good fortune." The Neimoidian states.

Glancing over his datapad, he says, "There is a 15% import tax on any goods in your ship's hold. Additionally, the berthing fee is 25 credits per ten standard hours. For 5 credits, we can update your starmaps. Lastly, for 5 credits per standard hour, our security staff can ensure no harm comes to your vessel while its docked."

Wile scratches his head saying, "That's pretty steep. Last time I was here, it was just 5% tax and 15 credits per ten hours." Glancing over to Janos and then back to Pok, he asks, "Exactly what are the odds that the ship may be harmed?"

As the Rodian and Neimoidian converse, Pok waves his hand sending in two of the three droids to inspect the transport's hold to ensure proper import taxes are collected.

Janos - you were given enough unmarked credits for basic costs and bribes. We won't worry about actual credit counts until later. As the Jedi, Wile expects you to pay for these things. He's just a "contractor for hire."

Post Reply