Chapter 5C: Barren Soil, Fertile Mind

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.
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Chapter 5C: Barren Soil, Fertile Mind

Post by Shurijo » Mon Aug 16, 2021 11:49 pm

After surrendering her weapons, Jedi Shoshannah Nadeel is separated from the others and escorted to a holding room. The next few hours give the Jedi time to recover and search the room for weaknesses that might aid in her escape. While she begins to recover some fatigue and use the room to mediate, she finds no weaknesses and no way to escape the room.

Suddenly, the door slides open and the Pau'an who introduced himself as the ‘Grand Inquisitor’ and accepted their surrender enters the room with a tray of food, a plastic can stamped with the Imperial logo, and several folders full of printed documents. When he takes a step into the room, the door slides shut as fast as it opened.

"Shoshannah Nadeel, welcome."

He sits the tray down near Shoshannah. The dish contained a bowl of Corellian buckwheat noodles served with a seasoned thick sauce, a bowl of chopped Corellian Stewfruit, and a Corellian Ryshcate pastry traditionally made with whisky and nuts. For the last six months, the Jedi had survived on bland, leftover food rations from the Clone War and flavorless stew made by the mining crew. The smells and sights momentarily over take her senses.

"Shoshannah Nadeel, you are quite the interesting one. From a compassionate agriculturalist providing foodstuff to fight famine to a wartime general fighting battles across the galaxy. I can offer you a way to return to agriculture, return to helping the galaxy recover from the war, and return to your research that can rescue and build a new galaxy."

Taking the plastic can from her tray, "This is what the Empire calls food. It's horribly bland, but it provides the nutritional requirements for a soldier and it grows incredibly fast for quick harvests. You might not care about the nutrition of the Imperial soldiers, but the seeds of this plant destroy its fields turning it to useless dirt. Rich, verdant planets will be exploited leaving them barren and unable to grow anything for several seasons. The locals who farm there will be left and forgotten. They will suffer because they cannot provide a harvest with infertile soil. We need researchers like you to aid the galaxy. Help us grow food that can feed the galaxy, provide jobs for citizens, and protect the fertile planets."

Standing up to leave, he takes a step back and says, "I hope you will consider my offer. Your academic background doesn’t make you a valuable asset for the Imperial Security Bureau. You could return to never-ending battles as a warrior of the Inquisitorius, but we both know you never wanted to be a soldier and your heart and mind aren’t built for war. This offer allows you to do exactly what you’ve always wanted to do."

"The can contains a sample of the soldier rations whose seeds are destroying fertile soil. I've been told the folders contain documents relating to their research and several harvest reports. The plants grow very fast and contain more than enough nutrition making it an ideal crop, however, it destroys the soil after it’s harvested. Your talents were wasted in the Clone War. Consider this challenge a battle worthy of your abilities."
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This thread is for Muskrat
Also note your emotional strength (compassion), emotional weakness (fear), motivation (faith), and ambition (goodness of people).

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Muskrat
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Chapter 5C: Barren Soil, Fertile Mind

Post by Muskrat » Tue Aug 17, 2021 6:17 pm

Shoshannah stares at the food and documents in front of her for a while, not touching either. In response to the Grand Inquisitor's words, she thinks, If the Empire were no concerned with the well-being of the ordinary people in the Galaxy, they wouldn't be growing crops that exhaust the soil in the first place. Still, part of her is tempted by the idea of returning to a focus on agricultural work. But she also fears the price she would have to pay to do so, being under the command of tyrants, not having the trust of the people she really wants to help. And there is no telling what her talents would actually be used for.

Without anything else to do though, she starts reading through the supplied documents. In a best case scenario, she was gathering intelligence. She eyed the food suspiciously, but finally ate it. If they wanted to poison or drug her, they didn't need to resort to food. Most likely, they were trying to buy her allegiance. And, if she was to escape, she needed to be at full health. If she was truly fortunate, one of the others might find a way to escape from their prison and rescue her. If not ... well, she wasn't sure she had many choices besides playing along or rotting in a prison cell. If she played along, she might find an opportunity to escape herself.

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Chapter 5C: Barren Soil, Fertile Mind

Post by Shurijo » Tue Aug 17, 2021 11:12 pm

The Grand Inquisitor stands waiting for a replay, but gets none. Exiting, he stays, "I'll give you time to consider the offer and your alternatives. We will speak again tomorrow.

* * *

Shoshannah spender her time reading over the documents. The documents remind her of when she first joined the Service Corps and spent hours reading over research papers, best practices, and studies performed on agriculture topics.

Code: Select all

Balancing nutrient inputs and outputs through 
proper feed, fertilizer, and manure management 
are the principal challenge facing the Empire. 
This interdisciplinary research project targets 
key factors.

Its aims to (1) refine the estimate of what amount
of nutrients is minimally needed to support high 
levels of production, (2) evaluate the ability of 
different cropping and tillage systems, (3) assess 
the costs and benefits associated with the management 
required to reduce nutrient loss from farms, and 
(4) provide an assessment of integrated nutrient 
management at the farm, planet, system, region, 
and galactic levels.  

The purpose of this project is to identify several 
ways to improve efficiency of nutritional supplement 
creation, to assess the benefits, costs, and obstacles 
associated with the environment impacts, and to 
develop policies targeted toward growing and 
sustaining the Empire.

Code: Select all

Nutritional supplement allows more efficient processing
of oxygen while in low-gravity environments. The 
supplement provides this benefit, but does not possess 
any flavor. It is processed from a small green plant that 
leeches the nutrients out of any soil it was grown in, 
and destroys other plants grown near it.

Code: Select all

Crop 0018 leeched nutrients out of the soil and left
it useless for further farming. Large quantities of 
enhanced fertilizer may assist in introducing nutrients 
back into the soil. Costs associated with transport and 
delivery of fertilizer exceed budget. 

Post-harvest week 3: zero nutrients  
Post-harvest week 6: zero nutrients  
Post-harvest week 9: zero nutrients  
Post-harvest week 12: zero nutrients  
Post-harvest week 15: zero nutrients  

Code: Select all

Crop 0026 leeched nutrients out of the soil and left it 
useless for further farming. Large quantities of enhanced 
fertilizer may assist in introducing nutrients back into 
the soil. Costs associated with transport and delivery of 
fertilizer exceed budget. 

Post-harvest week 2: zero nutrients  
Post-harvest week 5: zero nutrients  
Post-harvest week 8: zero nutrients  

Code: Select all

The moon of [redacted] is an essentially expendable 
resource. There is one major settlement with a few 
hundred farmers.  The remoteness, small population, 
arable land, and native, highly skilled farm labor 
make it a perfect candidate for crop 0032. Expected 
yield of 6.7% above average. Request budget allocation.
Since this is just you in a room by yourself, let me know when you're ready to move on and I'll bring him back into the room. If you want to do any skill checks, etc. just let me know.

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Chapter 5C: Barren Soil, Fertile Mind

Post by Muskrat » Wed Aug 18, 2021 5:09 pm

Shoshannah thought this soil destroying crop might be applied as a tool of oppression. There were quicker ways to destroy a planet, but she could see this new Empire using seeds like this if they wanted to be less obvious about it. What she was trying to determine now is if there was some military or repressive use for the agricultural projects they were asking her to work on. Aside from the obvious ones of feeding the troops or making the Empire look like a savior when they improved food production.
Intellect 4/ Education 2
Researcher 1

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Chapter 5C: Barren Soil, Fertile Mind

Post by Shurijo » Wed Aug 18, 2021 9:00 pm

Edu skill 2y 2g
Rather than assign a difficulty, I'll base how much information is recalled/discovered based on successes"

total: yygg
result: 4 successes, 2 adv, 1 triumph
With nothing but time on her hands, Shoshannah delves into the research papers, field analysis reports, and chemical structures and analysis of the plants. She cannot find a logical use for using the seeds to repress an agricultural project since losing farmland and resources would ultimate hurt the Empire -- and they have troopers that could enslave the farmers to make them work anyways. If they wanted to destroy farmland, they have other and more destructive means such as orbital blasts from star destroyers.

The research papers lead her to believe the "Imperial Ruling Council" sought ways to produce a crop that could sustain a large workforce -- which she assumes is the Imperial Army. They sought and was able to create a single foodsource that supplies all of the nutrients needed for a soldier. As she scrolls through the nutrient list, she realizes these nutrients and quantities listed in the reports apply to humans and near-humans. Other species have different nutrients and quantities needed to achieve a full nutrient intake.

While listed as an issue, the lack of taste doesn't seem to be as high priority as resolving the post-harvest soil. It would make sense to her that it would be more cost effective to keep farming resources on a plant for longer than a single crop and moving to different locations after only a single crop would require too much logistical problems to maintained for long.

In her initial conclusion, she doesn't see a way to alter the biological structure to enhance the taste. And the total soil nutrient loss cannot be avoided if they continue to use a single plant which produces all nutrients. The plant is quite interesting to her since there's never been a single plant which could provide all nutrients needed and the plants' seed to harvest time is incredibly fast.

Perhaps, it would be possible to slow the growth rate so the plant extracts less nutrients from the soil at a slower rate allowing the soil to not lose all nutrients. However, knowing exactly how slow would require extensive testing and genetic alternations of the plant's structure.
Anything you need to know, you know -- at least from the data you have in front of you
I'm not a farmer or scientist, so the above is just from my head.

In short, the plant has all nutrients and grows really fast -- which on paper looks great. But in reality, the plant is extracting all of the nutrients from the soil which leaves the soil without any for future crops. -- At least from the data you have in front of you. You could propose some alternatives and research, etc. with whatever ideas you can think of.

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Chapter 5C: Barren Soil, Fertile Mind

Post by Muskrat » Thu Aug 19, 2021 7:37 pm

Shoshannah continued to study and leaf through the report even after she had fully absorbed its contents. She was trying to put off seeing the Grand Inquisitor and set her own thoughts in order. Above all, she was trying to figure how she might escape--and ideally help her fellow Jedi escape. For the moment, her best bet seemed to be to play along with the Grand Inquisitor and try to bargain for conditions that would make it easier for her to get out. Though she didn't doubt that she would be watched closely--though perhaps not as closely as a true warrior.

Finally, she sets the report down and looks up. To the air, she says, "I'm ready to speak with the Grand Inquisitor again." She doesn't expect him to return immediately. He is doubtless a busy man. And no one may even be listening to her--which would be good, since it would indicate lax security. As she waits, she settles into following her breath and meditating.

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Chapter 5C: Barren Soil, Fertile Mind

Post by Shurijo » Fri Aug 20, 2021 2:19 pm

After Shoshannah's calling, a few hours pass. Perhaps, they didn't hear her. Perhaps, they are purposing delaying her request for psychological means. Or perhaps, the Grand Inquisitor is elsewhere.

Finally, the door slides open and the Grand Inquisitor enters. Stepping forward, the doors quickly close behind him. Glancing down at her food tray, he remarks, "I see you have enjoyed the food. You have something to say?"

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Chapter 5C: Barren Soil, Fertile Mind

Post by Muskrat » Fri Aug 20, 2021 6:23 pm

Shoshannah nods. "I've looked through the information you gave me. And, yes, I enjoyed the food--it was a pleasant change of pace." She holds up the report. "And I must say this is a fascinating puzzle. But I have to ask: You were a Jedi, right? Or maybe you still consider yourself one." She decides it is best to play dumb for now about knowing about the return of the Sith. "Why did you decide to switch your loyalties from the Republic to this new Empire? How is this better for the people of the Galaxy?" Shoshannah hopes the Grand Inquisitor's answer will give her some insight into the situation she is stepping into. If she's lucky, he might even reveal some actionable intelligence, though Shoshannah suspects he is too canny to let anything like that slip easily.
Presence 3/ Charm 1

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Chapter 5C: Barren Soil, Fertile Mind

Post by Shurijo » Fri Aug 20, 2021 7:41 pm

Charm
skill: yy g
Kill With Kindness: -1 setback

opposed by Presence/Cool
skill: yy g = rr p
ability: +2 boost to social checks = +2 setbacks

difficulty: + 2 p = outcome directly opposed to target's interest

total: yyg rrp pp s
result: 2 failures, 1 despair
The Grand Inquisitor smiles and leans back against the wall. "There is no Republic. After the war ended, the Republic ceased to exist. There were other governments before the Republic and there will be other government after the Empire."

"The Jedi are no more. The entire organization was corrupt. The Separatists were lead by a Jedi Master who killed billions and decimated entire worlds. The Republic Army were lead by Jedi who killed billions and decimated entire worlds. The Jedi left a path of destruction across the galaxy. The Jedi could have ended the war by killing the Separatist Council. We both know they were strong enough to do that, if they wanted to. The Jedi sought to prolong the war with their clones which were ordered and created to the Jedi specifications."

"Very few have seen what I'm about to show you." Placing a small projection device on the table, the Inquisitor presses a button. Soon the Supreme Chancellor's office comes into view with Palpatine and a young male Jedi talking.

The projection opens to show Jedi Council Masters Mace Windu, Kit Fisto, Agen Kolar and another Jedi she doesn't recognize enter the room. Their lightsabers ignited and attacked the Chancellor, then the young male Jedi from before enters the office and stops Jedi Master Mace Windu saying, "The Chancellor must stand trial." Then Master Windu replies, "He possesses far too much influence to be left alive." When Windu strikes at the Chancellor, the young male Jedi fights back.

As the device skips ahead, the Inquisitor speaks. "That was the Jedi treason. The Jedi Council sought to assassinate the Chancellor and take control of the galaxy. The Jedi Masters saw no need for a trial, they acted as judge, jury, and executioner. A few Jedi remained loyal to the Republic, such as this hero."

The projection changes to show the same young male Jedi who defended the Chancellor and suggested a trial rather than murder. Shoshannah doesn't immediately recognize him, but he was around the same age as her, landing on a red planet covered in lava (appears to be or similar to Mustafar). The projection shows him walking into and out of a fortress with his lightsaber.

"To prevent the Jedi from seizing power and continuing their war sent that loyal Jedi to end it. He saved billions of lives by killing the remaining Separatist leaders. A single Jedi ended the war. Why didn't the Jedi Council do that years ago? They were quick to assassinate the Chancellor, but did they ever attempt anything against the Separatist Council? How many billions of citizens and dozens of worlds needed to suffer over the last several years? All of that suffering could have been avoided, if the Jedi Council wanted the war to end."

Fast-forwarding a bit, Shoshannah watches Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, who she recognized as a member of the Jedi Council, land and exit a starship. "After their failed coup, the remaining Jedi Council members learned the war had ended, so they murdered their own Jedi Knight. The one Jedi that ended the war and saved billions more from death and suffering." The projection goes to show Kenobi fighting against the other Jedi and ends with Kenobi cutting off the Jedi's arms and legs and leaving him to burn in the lava flow.

Clicking the button once more, the projection turns off.

"You placed your trust in an organization that did not return that trust. The Jedi were slaves of their Council. You didn't want to fight in a war, but they forced you to do such. If you want to truly heal the galaxy, you cannot stand alongside those who lit the fire and fanned the flames of war. The war is over. It is time to rebuild and heal. Where will you do the most good: aiding the government grow crops for the galaxy or running and hiding from law enforcement for the rest of your life?"

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Chapter 5C: Barren Soil, Fertile Mind

Post by Muskrat » Mon Aug 23, 2021 6:50 pm

Our PCs don't know that Palpatine is a Sith, right?
Shoshannah is deeply shaken by what she sees. There might be some good explanation for the Jedi Council's actions, but she doesn't know what that might be. At the same time, she doesn't think assassinating the Separatist Council or destroying the Republic was the right answer.

Telling the Grand Inquisitor that both sides are corrupt, however, doesn't seem very smart. Not if she wants to find a way to escape.

In a shaky voice, Shoshannah says, "I'd like to work on growing crops. In fact, I think I could begin work right on the first steps, right here on this ship, though I'd obviously need to move to a planet at some point." Drawing on her analysis of the report, she lays out some concrete steps she could take using equipment from the medical and engineering sections. Her hope is that she might be able to find out what had happened to the others and free at least some of them. She wasn't sure if she would rejoin the Jedi after that, but she knew she didn't want to give her loyalties to the Empire.
Strictly speaking, I guess this would be Cunning 2/ Deception 0, but, since Shoshannah is not explicitly lying, I'm wondering if she could bullshit her way through this Intellect 4/ Education 2 or Presence 3/ Charm 2.

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