Star Wars: Shards Discussion Boards Wednesday's Child Chapter 1
  Kummer wolfe
Fri, Jan 13th 2023 01:14   Edited on Sun, Apr 30th 2023 02:28

A Quiet Office Off the Mariosa Market in Mol Kydri City

Sci-fi office by CB Ash (synthography made using MidJourney and Krita)
 
The Bounty Hunter Broker’s office took up a narrow space between two of the permanent fruit seller booths in the Mariosa Market. A rumble of conversation, laughter, and general sounds of a busy marketplace drift through the air. Somewhere a landspeeder whines by on its way just outside the Market’s ‘no vehicle’ zone.
 
Inside the office, it was small but cozy. The only decor was the vague, nondescript holoprints of a park and a spaceport. Neither of which probably existed in real life. At best, they were mass produced synthography made by for a real estate developer.
 
But they were pleasant enough to look at and made a nice counterpoint to the large datascreen hung on a wall between them. It displayed in the usual blue holographic print the active bounties on the Bountypedia. In fact, the only personal decoration in the office sat on the plain synthwood desk across from the wall mounted data screen: a heavy blaster pistol bent into a ‘U’ shape, and an old Vor shield belt buckle that had been partially stabbed.
 
It was all right in line with the rumors surrounding the Herglic man who sat behind the desk; Bi-Tai Iltrek.
 
The former Rebel Alliance spy grins as he gestures to a pair of worn down chairs in front of his desk. A smell of fresh grilled ronto beef drifts through the office door for a moment. Air refreshers chill the room, marking a break from the temperature outside.
 
“Good, you both made it. I’m Bi-Tai Iltrek. You can call me Bi-Tai. I’ve heard some good things about the two of you, and think this might be something you both can handle. Have a seat.”
 
Bi-Tai taps a few keys on the datapad at his desk and a holographic image of a Corellian Support Frigate appears in a hologram. The long ship with its CR90 Corvette body and cylindrical engines on either side, spun slowly in the air.
 
“Nova Orion Industries is refitting these old Corellian Support Frigates and make medical frigates out of them. The work’s being done here at the Tallaan Shipyards.” The Herglic shrugs his massive shoulders. “Mostly, that’s going well, except for one.”
 
He gestures at the hologram. “That one, named Wednesday’s Child, is a bit of a problem. According to Mil Figron, the project lead, workers refuse to work on her. They claim she’s haunted. Reports of ‘ghosts’, odd noises and the like. Worse yet, Wednesday’s Child has a bad habit of activating its hyperdrive to make a short jump cross system. No one knows why, especially since the hyperdrive isn’t connected to the ship’s power.”
 
Bi-Tai crosses his hands in front of him on the desk.
 
“That’s where you two come in. Nova put out a bounty to get to the bottom of what’s wrong with that ship and put a stop to it. Nova Orion’s reputation is in the trash compactor right now, so they’re willing to pay. This one’s a Level 4 bounty, so a clean five figures of credits, half up front. As with any Level 4, lethal action is authorized.”
 
A deep chuckle rolls around in the Herglic’s chest.
 
“Given it’s a ship, well, I’m sure Nova would prefer it not get blown to pieces. But,” he shrugs, “these things happen, right?”
 
The man’s chair groans while he leans forward a bit. He holds up a data chip.
 
“So, what do you two say? It could lead to bigger and better things. Or, you have any questions?”
  Kipo Raysser
Fri, Jan 13th 2023 10:39   Edited on Fri, Jan 13th 2023 10:41
I had been mentally reviewing this day's pile of mistakes and regrets, something I usually save for just before my usual 3 hours of sleep at night.   It started with accepting this investigation job instead of my usual "catch the fleeing bad guy" type of job. But, street corner folk singers can't be choosers when somebody offers you a Level 4 Bountypedia job. At least it's a way to get my tail in the door to bigger things.   Figuring Mister Iltrek wouldn't appreciate first-time prospective employees bringing deadly weapons into his office, I had left all my possessions with my analysis droid, Jane, and showed up as naked as a Wookie, except for my Stetson, which felt so much like a part of my body that I forgot I was wearing it.   Arriving late, which I know was a mark against me, I followed the feline woman (appreciating the view) into the office without a chance to extend the common courtesy of introductions, another embarrassment for a Thisspiasian.   I noticed she apparently did not share my rules about weaponry at a job interview, but there is probably a "pretty girl exception" to just about every rule, isn’t there?   I had flicked my forked tongue while entering the office, checking the scents as my bounty-hunting mentor, Blimcooathi, had taught me. When the woman sat in the chair of her choice, I spinned the other chair around backward and leaned forward into it, wrapping my upper arms around the chair's back in front of my chest, and coiling up my serpent tail behind me. Sadly, the scent of the Herglic's breakfast masked any other information.   Uh-oh, he was looking right at me. My glazed-over eyes blinked back to life at Bi-Tai's question as to whether we had any questions. I really should have been paying more attention to the here and now. I replied with the first thought that came to mind, "Will we be alone on the ship, or do we investigate while a repair crew is tripping over us?"   As I spoke, I glanced at my new Cathar coworker and realized I had been rude. Bad day for me and first impressions.   With my upper arms still crossed around the chair's back, I used my lower right arm to tip my hat to the lady, saying, "I'm sorry, Ma'am. Please, you go first."
  Graylion
Mon, Jan 16th 2023 11:35

Return to Tallaan

  It was good to return to planet Tallaan and even better to be arriving a day early. Always early, being on time could get you killed. I missed the Orris Nature Preserve and its unique nature "run". I was not worried about signing the hold harmless in case I got myself killed, ha they should have the wild life sign a hold harmless from me, I smiled. For a few extra credits I could spend half a day cutting completely loose. It reminded me of Cathi, but without the baggage and tears of years lost. The rest of the day I visited the Mariosa Market and especially watched the Bounty Brokers office.
  Early, not dead!
 

Meet with the Bounty Broker

  Nyx slides into the office with confidence and ease taking in the room with a glance. Not really uncomfortable, but she would rather be on her ship controlling the direction she was hurtling through space herself or running loose in the wild. This would mean one or more crew which was a mixed blessing. She really needed to establish a more routine crew for her ship but they became so annoying over time. Oh well she would have to house break them in again. Oh and the really important thing, she was broke again, and not only broke she owed even more on the ship now.
  She needed this job, in a big way.
  She subconsciously vectored her chair about 45 degrees so she could see the door and the broker, why were offices designed this way. Jogged from her thoughts she nods as a Thisspiasian glides into the room. She smiles at him, "better late than dead!?"
  She sat patiently her tail twitching as the broker explained the bounty. Smiling at the Thisspiasian when he commented, she turns back to Bi-Tai Iltrek, "Mr Illtrek, you have selected well. I am confident that we will clear up your ghost-ship issue."
  "That must be the data we will need. I would like schematics of the the freighter which I assume are already included on there and a prior history of the ship please. Will Mr. Filgron be our point of contact? Are we the only team that has been commissioned?
  Looking back at the Thisspiasian, "what questions do you have?"
  Bi-Tai Iltrek (he/him)
Thu, Jan 19th 2023 01:29
A deep chuckle rumbles in Bi-Tai’s chest.
 
“Of course. The Wednesday’s Child is nearly stock, but any ship of her Old Republic vintage always carries a little something extra, don’t they?”
 
The Herglic taps a few keys on the terminal in front of him.
 
“... and yes, Mr. Filgron will be your contact. I’ll give you both his contact information once you’re on the way. While I bring up the nuts and bolts about the ship, the Wednesday’s Child is your typical three deck Corellian frigate. The layout is the same as what’s on CR90s rolled off the line now.”
 
Bi-Tai glances away from the keys and over to Nyx.
 
“Now, Wednesday’s Child herself is a bit of a character. Her life was calm enough before the Clone Wars, but a clone detachment quickly drafted her and pressed her into service as a supply and troop transport.”
 
The big man shrugged.
 
“Once the Republic became the Star Empire, she wound up serving with the Rebel Alliance. They used her for armored supply transport and to play home to a pod of outlaw techs. So, there’s likely a few interesting upgrades aboard, I would think.”
 
The Broker turns his glance to Kipo.
 
“So, Mr. Raysser, as the lady asked. Any questions?”
  Kipo Raysser
Thu, Jan 19th 2023 06:40
I noticed the broker hadn't said whether there would be a construction crew in the Wednesday's Child while we investigated, or whether there would be other ghost-hunting teams investigating the whole "haunting" thing. I started to re-ask my first question, but then I saw the writing on the side of the barn. Those were questions for our contact, Mr. Mil Filgron. There was no reason Bi-Tai should know about personnel issues. I've noticed most men, (myself included), don't want to say we don't know something in front of a pretty woman. We just change the subject to something we do know all about.   So I asked about what he probably did know.   "Two things. First, it's quite a trick for a ship to jump cross system with the hyperdrive unplugged. We need to know all about that. Like, has it jumped more than once? Does it go to the same place every time? And after she jumped, how did anyone find Wednesday and get her back here? Or are those questions for Mister Filgron?   "And secondly, does anyone know more about this pod of outlaw techs that lived in her last? Any particular type of tech specialty we should be looking out for?   "Oh, bantha poodoo," were the words and the frightening thought that slipped out of my mouth before they got seated properly in my head, "and would anyone benefit from Nova Orion Industries having trouble delivering medical frigates?"
  Bi-Tai Iltrek (he/him)
Sun, Jan 22nd 2023 07:48   Edited on Sun, Jan 22nd 2023 07:56
Bi-Tai frowned at his holoscreen for a second, before he glanced at his two visitors.
 
“Very sorry. Some people don’t understand what ‘do not disturb’ means. Anyway, that’s solved for the moment. But in any case, schematics on the Wednesday’s Child has been transferred to your accounts. After this meeting, I’ll make a few calls to see if I can find some information on her namesake, the Twi’lek pirate captain Wen’esdai.”
 
The broker tapped a few keys then steepled his hands in front of him.
 
“So. Questions. To start with yours, Kipo, no. There won’t be any workers aboard the Wednesday’s Child. Between odd noises, freezing cold rooms, and one incident of a bloody wraith-like thing trying to rip a hatch open to kill someone, none of the workers will go aboard. They are on strike.”
 
He nodded toward Nyx.
 
“Now, as for other teams? Not that I know of. But if Nova Orion Industries has contacted other brokers like myself, they aren’t likely to tell me. I will say, if they have, then this would be a competitive bounty. So, any other hunters may not be quick to help. Mister Filgron might know if there are. Hard to say. Filgron is a long time Nova employee, so he may not admit it if the company doesn’t want him to.”
 
Bi-Tai glances back at Kipo.
 
“Now, as for the number of jumps? Oh yes, it’s jumped seven times so far. One worker reported watching the hyperdrive power up on its own while he was in the engine room. The entire housing of the drive glowed with an intense, blue aura, as if drawing power wirelessly from an external source. Then it wailed, or as that worker said, ‘screamed like a soul was dying’. After that? The ship jumped to the outer planets of the system. An hour later, it jumped back. That worker? He quit on the spot once he could get off the Child.”
 
The broker steepled his hands again.
 
“Now the pod of outlaw techs. They’re a quirky sort. Not much information on them. They were a group of about seven outlaw techs working for the Rebel Alliance. Once the Civil War ended, they scattered. Some drifted and found work with pirate gangs across the sector. Others left for Hutt space. A few headed for the Outer Rim.”
 
Bi-Tai sighed.
 
“They specialized in crafting all manner of anti-personnel devices. Nothing standard, all custom. The workers, when they were aboard, reported coming across the odd device now and again that was deactivated. Most were non-lethal traps designed to deter intruders. Others were a touch more lethal, such as a needle dart that injected a delayed explosive into your veins. Nasty things.”
 
The broker smiled broadly.
 
“As for your last question, well, that one is a simple answer, but the least pleasant. The Hutt Meldari Council itself stands to benefit. Ever since Chalcedonians threw the Hutts and slaves off their world, they’ve been at war with almost all the Hutt Kajidics.”
 
“Those Hutt clans backing the war look at anyone helping that Freedworlds Republic on Chalcedon as their enemy. Nova Orion specifically, since these medical frigates are to help that new Republic. Though with companies, the Hutts take less direct measures for their attacks, such as hostile takeovers or assassinations. So, I’m sure Mister Filgron might have a small price on his head. Nothing lethal, just debilitating.”
 
A gleam twinkled in the broker’s eyes.
 
“But, as I understand it, the idea of riling up a Hutt or four isn’t something that would bother either of you. Which is why I’m offering the bounty to you.” Bi-Tai studied his visitors a moment while he let the replies sink in. "So, what do you say?"
  Kipo Raysser
Mon, Jan 23rd 2023 10:14
Bi-Tai studied his visitors a moment while he let the replies sink in. "So, what do you say?" “I’m in,” Kipo blurted immediately, then turned to Nyx, “split the profits fifty-fifty?” He knew asking for a larger share due to his experience, leadership skills, physical size, or good looks would not work with this gal. She held herself like a hotshot pilot or someone of rank.
Perception roll | 1d6+2
6
  Kummer wolfe
Thu, Jan 26th 2023 01:30   Edited on Thu, Jan 26th 2023 01:30
Outside the office door, JN-66 hovered nervously nearby. Sounds of a busy marketplace, customers and conversation filled the air. Behind her, a speederbike droned by slowly while a Wookiee haggled with a Twi’lek at one of the nearby fruit stands.
 
JN-66 felt uneasy about all of this. But her Master knew what he was doing and she trusted him. But nerves are nerves.
 
She considered fidgeting like any other humanoid she had seen in this situation. But a lack of actual feet ended that idea before it really started.
 
It didn’t stop curiosity.
 
A few careful adjustments, and she brings her sensors online. Infrared didn’t seem to work. The Broker had taken steps to choose an office with temperature baffles at entrances. Sonic? That wasn’t much better. Active security measures scrambled any conversation to a low mumble.
 
At least on the inside.
 
“Hurry!” a high-pitched voice hissed.
 
“Stuff it, laser brain! I’m working as fast as I can!”
 
A quick sensor sweep pinpointed the voices. On the roof of this one story building, two squibs, each no more than a meter tall and dressed in spacer’s coveralls, hunched over a console. They had opened a maintenance panel open and struggled with a security console for the building. Almost as if they were trying to either hack into the system or add a listening device.
 
JN wasn’t sure what exactly they were up to, but she bet her sprokets it was nothing good. Also, they were trying to eavesdrop on her Master’s dealings! How rude!
  JN-66 "Jane"
Thu, Jan 26th 2023 04:36
  Kipo had asked Jane to watch over his guitar and keep an eye out for danger in the streets. Technically, this was neither, but Jane was certain that this was a situation in which Kipo would say, "All bets are off."   Jane dispatched her four Marksman-H Training Remotes to rise a hopefully-safe distance above the four corners of the building to record the events happening there in concert-quality holographic 3D with THX-1138 quadraphonic sound.   She discarded the guitar and flew to the office door of Mister Iltrek and courteously but quickly knocked on the door in a pattern of quick and slow taps which at least Kipo and perhaps any former soldiers or history buffs would recognize as an international distress signal recognized by both the old empire and the freedom fighting rebels.   Then she waited.   Maybe the two Squibs were just a couple of young thieves trying to steal some valuable electronics to feed their video game addiction.   Maybe Jane had grown a little over protective of Kipo after all those years practically raising the boy herself whenever his parents failed to rise up to the task.   But certainly at the very least Mister Iltrek would like to know if someone was editing his office building while he sat in it.
  Bi-Tai Iltrek (he/him)
Sat, Jan 28th 2023 01:04
Bi-Tai scowled at the tapping distress call and raised a finger at Kipo and Nyx to pause the conversation.
 
Without a word, he slipped a double-barreled Heavy Magnum blaster from his desk. In the smooth motion of a practiced pistoleer, he pointed the hand cannon at the door. His other hand slapped the remote door controls.
 
The broker arched an eyebrow ridge over one of his whale-like eyes at Kipo.
 
“Kipo, I think you’re droid has an emergency.”
 
Bi-Tai frowned at JN-66.
 
“Yes?”
  JN-66 "Jane"
Sat, Jan 28th 2023 05:12
At Iltrek's quick greeting, JN-66 began projecting a simple two-dimensional image onto the rather plain ceiling, as if someone was holding a giant mirror in the sky directly above the building. The two Squibs could be seen upside down roughly at the spot they stood on the other side of the roofing.   As the inhabitants of the room began to react, she began her apologetic explanation, "Pardon me, Mister Iltrek. Are you the owner of this facility? These two youths appear to be editing the security systems of this building without properly shutting down the systems in accord with officially factory approved procedures. Do you authorize them to continue?"
  Bi-Tai Iltrek (he/him)
Sun, Jan 29th 2023 04:22
The broker replied with a low grumble before he found his words.
 
“No, I don’t.”
 
Bi-Tai reached over to his desk to tap a few keys on his datapad. A sharp pop of electricity sounded from somewhere outside, along with a shriek of surprise. He started at the holoscreen.
 
“They’re running. I don’t believe in coincidences. But I do believe in bounty hunters sometimes trying to eavesdrop on competition to steal a bounty goes against Guild rules. Kipo? Nyx? Help me run these two down and I’ll up your bounty reward by ten percent.”
 
The broker reached behind his desk and stabbed a concealed switch with a thick finger. A hidden door snapped open with stairs to the roof.
 
“Looks like two squibs in smuggler vests and spacer coveralls running for mid-market across the rooftop. Bring them down alive. I want to question them and find out what is going on.”
 
After a nod to Kipo and Nyx, Bi-Tai raced up the stairs, blaster in hand.
  Kummer wolfe
Wed, Feb 1st 2023 01:07
Bi-Tai was two seconds up the stairs when the power died with a sharp crack. A faint sizzle came from outside on the roof. The room went nearly pitch black. Light streamed in from the marketplace outside.
 
The broker snarled out a low string of mumbled curses in Herglic while he surged up the dark stairs. Meanwhile, metal objects rattled against the roof just before the sound of running.
  Kipo Raysser
Wed, Feb 1st 2023 05:00
Kipo glanced at Nyx, grinned, and asked, "How are you with rooftops?", before launching himself backward out of his chair and out the office door.   On the street, the thought a moment. Jane's upside-down view of the two Squibs, plus what Bi-Tai had said, led Kipo to believe the two were headed to mid-market. Their little legs wouldn't be much for leaping rooftops, but a few of the buildings were rather close together, And Kipo was betting that they had planned their escape route, so that left the most likely spot to intercept them...   ... right there.   Kipo coiled up his tail tightly then interlocked the fingers of his strongest two arms like a stirrup, so Nyx would be able to step into his hands for a boost up to the rooftop.   "Fastball Special!", he shouted... and waited.
  Nyxeil Nyx Synarris
(a.k.a. Moke)
Thu, Feb 2nd 2023 12:22
She was about ready to answer Bi-Tai when her ears laid back at the sound of metal on metal tapping. She hissed out "Plan and Flow" as she sprang to her feet. Byx darted out the door behind Kipo looking for a route to get these little ease droppers. Nyx assessed the street and rooftops stopping a few paces from Kipo before returning her gaze to him. He was obviously fast on his fe ... tail? "Roofs are great and I love to chase", dashing towards Kipo at a breakneck speed lining herself up for what looked to be a seriously strong boost.   Past Reflections
Saranier looked at his adopted daughter as she pulled back on the flight controls. "Plan the flow and flow with the plan. the flow always changes and the plan must always change. Nyx glanced at him with a look of half understanding. "Then why plan at all, just make every choice last minute" as she banked the ship unexpectable. Saran smiled trying to keep his stomach from doing summersaults. "We plan so we know when and where the flow changes, so we know when and where to change with it. Plan and Flow!"
~ "Saran" Saranier

 
  Kummer wolfe
Sun, Feb 5th 2023 01:59   Edited on Sun, Feb 5th 2023 02:02
Nyx took off at a dead run for Kipo, who had already braced to give her a boost. A second before she reached him, Nyx steps up onto the bounty hunter’s arms before she launched herself into the air. From below, Kipo shoved to give her a better boost to get airborne.
 
In one motion, she leaped up in a graceful arc, then landed on the roof in a crouch. Ahead, she saw what alerted JN-66 in the first place: an open panel with wiring and a security console spilled out onto the roof. Next to the half-modified console are the obvious culprits: two cobalt blue furred Squibs in coveralls with flak vests thick with a kaleidoscope of tools. Gray and blue metal framed backpacks complete their ensemble.
 
Despite the surprise, and perhaps expectation, the Squib techs don’t run.
 
Instead, they fly.
 
They both give a jaunty wave as they tap a thumb switch on the side of their leather gloves. Gouts of smoke vomit out the bottom of their packs that catapult the pair off the roof and onto the next building.
 
Unfortunately, at the same moment, Nyx heard a staccato pattern of clicks far too close by. A customized, disk-shaped proximity mine raced up to her on its tiny robotic legs. It detonated a meter away from her on the right.
 
A flash of light came before a deafening eruption of sound and smoke. But there wasn’t any fire. No searing sensation that came with fur being burned off.
 
Instead, the mine ejected a goo-like netting that erupted out in Nyx’s direction.
 
“Silar Mins sends his regards!” shouts one the two, a Squib with a white streak in his otherwise blue fur.
  Kummer wolfe
Sun, Feb 5th 2023 11:29
Nyx tried to dodge the strange netting, but was half a second and a single step too slow. The sticky substance descended on her, sliming into her fur. After that the weight hauled her backwards toward the edge of the roof. The weight of the net pulled her over the side, but she caught the edge of the roof before she fell.
 
But the net continued on its own. The goop netting cascaded to the ground like a slime waterfall toward Kipo.
  JN-66 "Jane"
Mon, Feb 6th 2023 05:57
It took a few milliseconds for JN-66 to program Remote #1 to distantly follow the Squib with the white streak in his hair - from far above but at an angle and following in a strafing maneuver alongside to capture the most dramatic angles and shadows. She did the same for #2 targeting the other Squib, then #3 on Master Kipo, and finally #4 on Miss?, Mrs.?, Ms.? Doctor? Captain? Nyx, whatever her proper title may be. That left the presumably slow Mr. Iltrek without camera coverage, but that may have been for the best.   JN-66 adjusted her optical sensors to take advantage of the light streaming in from the marketplace into the otherwise dark office. The nervous feeling JN-66 had had this morning had not gone away. Alhough Kipo's capabilities were known to her, those of the two Squibs and the Feline were not, which made any estimate of his safety impossible. However, as the office emptied out, she knew she had to stay put for just a moment. This dark office was giving her something:   Realism.   This would be her only chance to record this kind of realism. And the others probably would catch the two vandals in a moment and return.   She popped out one of her two optical sensors, balanced it on the back of the chair formerly occupied by Nyx, then hopped over the desk and "sat" in Mr. Iltrek's chair. Turning her good side to the sensor, she scrolled through Mr. Iltrek's discarded datapad, allowing it to illuminate her face in the otherwise unpowered room, finding nothing salacious in the datapad's files nor search history.   "Oh, Hello," JN-66 suddenly said to the sensor with a start, "You've caught me in my office reviewing an old case, one of the more peculiar cases I ever investigated. I call it The Case of the Galloping Ghost Ship. I hired two bounty hunters to assist me with this mystery. True Crime fans will recognize the one I call the Southern Serpent, but you might be delighted to be introduced to The Feline Fatale. Before they even got to the ship, they found themselves attacked by a couple hired Squibs with no-good on their minds... Squibs who would never be seen again."   Then after a pause, "Squibs who we would see again at the most unlikely time."   Figuring she had all of her metaphorical bases covered, she archived the recording of herself for later editing, snatched up the optical sensor and popped it back into her head, and then floated innocently up the stairwell, saying aloud, "Mister Iltrek, would you like for me to dust your office while I am here? I am programmed for over 300 domestic services."   Just then she heard a high-pitched voice from above shout, “Silar Mins sends his regards!”   JN-66 had to wonder who that could be.
JN-66, roll investigation on 'Silar Mins' related searches.
  Kummer wolfe
Sat, Feb 11th 2023 11:25
Rolled 13 (with a 4 on the wild die) on Jn-66's Investigation Skill (of 5D+2).
  JN-66 "Jane"
Sun, Feb 12th 2023 12:10
  Kummer wolfe
Sun, Feb 12th 2023 06:20
JN-66 followed Bi-Tai up the stairs, but a part of her processing core chewed on the name ‘Silar Mins’. Nothing came up in her database, so a quick holonet search was in order.
 
It didn’t take long to find an answer.
 

Holopedia Entry: Silar Mins

 
The name Silar Mins has been infamous among fringe Outlaw Tech communities for at least a decade. An enigmatic figure, his name has been associated with many shadow tech projects for the likes of Black Sun, Crimson Dawn, and many Hutt Kajidics.
 
Recently, the name of Silar Mins appeared in connection with a series of illegal genetic experiments being conducted on the population of Mechis II in the Mechis system. This work was an attempt to overthrow the rightful ruling house of the Mechanis Empire. An unnamed crew of mercenaries was reported to have stopped the plot and restore order.
 
Rumors persist that ‘Silar Mins’, even though captured, may not have been. It’s suggested that the person of Silar Mins on Mechis II was a proxy. One of his or her loyal associates that adopted the name to protect the real Silar Mins.
 
Anonymous information from the Sector Rangers organization state that it’s currently believed that ‘Silar Mins’ is not a person but a title for the leader of a Squib-based criminal organization.
  Bi-Tai Iltrek (he/him)
Sun, Feb 12th 2023 08:37   Edited on Sun, Feb 12th 2023 08:41
A door snaps open and Bi-Tai barrels out onto the roof no more than a meter away the opened security panel. He mutters under his breath a half-dozen words in Herglic, then half turns his head back to the stairwell at JN-66’s question.
 
“No! Leave the dust be. It enhances my calm.”
 
He turned his scowl at the two retreating Squibs on the far side of the other building, then fired two quick shots. The Magnum blaster belched ion energy once, then twice.
 
The first shot was a touch high, but the second was a direct hit in the jet pack. The Squib with the white streak in his fur shrieked as the back jerked twice before it burped black smoke. Then gravity took hold to yank the Squib down between the buildings. The other Squib followed right after his friend.
 
“Downed one. Next alley over,” Bi-Tai calls out to Nyx and Kippo.
  Nyxeil Nyx Synarris
(a.k.a. Moke)
Wed, Feb 15th 2023 11:00   Edited on Tue, Feb 21st 2023 11:28
"What the @#^%#$ of all the #$&$^%* things, those little ^%&*^% squibs. When I get my $%^*&% claws on them, grrrrrrrrrrr".
  As I hang by one hand I quickly glance about hoping for a large public fountain or maybe a vender cart with hydro-carbonated sugar water (soda) that could melt this gooo quickly. Trying to remember what my adopted family said when they used these $#^&%$%*&^% goo goof ball %^*&^%& nets.
  "My fur is never going to be the same again."
  meta
Please let me know what my options are here or if it's just some type of physical test to get loose. Including something like asking Kipo to blaster some of the excess away (shhhhhh terrible idea).

 
  Kummer wolfe
Sun, Feb 19th 2023 09:11   Edited on Sun, Feb 19th 2023 09:11
Storyteller Instructions
 
Nyx, actually, yes! You remember that “Hydro-carb”, a brand of hydro-carbornated sugar water with electrolytes can melt those “sticky nets”. In fact you see some for sale on the fruit stand near the entrance to Bi-Tai’s office.
 
You can roll a DEX to try and swing over to it and grab a bottle or STR to claw the net open ( which will gum your claws up for a bit ).
 
How do you want to handle this?
  Graylion
Tue, Feb 21st 2023 11:17   Edited on Wed, Feb 22nd 2023 05:57
Nyx spot the vender stand and remembers that Saran always kept a can of Hydro-carb in a pouch. I found this amusing as he joked about cleaning the contractor leads on a Hover-Slice TX cycle he loved and rebuilt from scratch. "This nasty stuff right here can get you out of a sticky situation faster than anything", as he smiled and explained the other tricks you could do with it.
  Nyx changed angles letting herself swing hard towards the building without touching it and snapping back towards the small vender. She released throwing herself forward knowing this could hurt but it would be worth it.   meta
She opts for the swinging towards the soda with a dex roll. Even if this means bruises in the process better that being trapped! Love the new Meta/Out of Character. I wish the other two boxes accepted BBCode.
  Dice Results: Dex test of 11   Kipo will be next.

 
  Kummer wolfe
Wed, Feb 22nd 2023 01:16   Edited on Wed, Feb 22nd 2023 01:17
With a hard swing toward the building, Nyx propelled herself over Kipo’s head and right for the nearby vendor. An older, bearded human man dressed in coveralls and an apron walked out of the back of the tiny shop. He arrived just in time for Nyx to snatch the can of Hydro-carb from the display.
 
The merchant yelped and jumped back. With a sharp sigh, he ran one hand through his close cropped salt and pepper hair.
 
“Hey! People pay for that!” he shouts.
 
It takes only a few seconds for the Hydro-carb water to do its work on the goo netting. The material dissolves, leaving a soppy mess on the ground, and similar in Nyx’s fur. She drops to the ground into a crouch.
 
Storyteller Instructions  
So Nyx! Who is next for the heroes?
 
Kipo? JN-66? Or Bi-tai?
   
  Kipo Raysser
Thu, Feb 23rd 2023 06:37
Well, that boost up to the roof definitely didn't go as planned, but Kipo's new acquaintance seemed to have cat-like reflexes to defend herself. Perhaps some stereotypes were based in truth.   So that left Kipo's main concern presumably lying on the ground in the next alley over, according to their new employer.   Simple plans are often the best, so Kipo quickly touched all his fingers to the pavement in a Thisspiasian sprinter's starting pose, then lunged forward at top speed to get himself into that alley and apply some Freeworlds Freestyle Wrestling action to those pesky Squibs.   Whoever might be in that alley was about to get a heaping helping of Kipo coiled all over them.
  Kummer wolfe
Thu, Feb 23rd 2023 01:25   Edited on Thu, Feb 23rd 2023 01:26
Kipo raced out into the marketplace. Pedestrians, fruit stands and more are a blur while he takes a sharp turn to his right then darts down the street.
 
At the next alley over, he comes to a stop. The thirty meter long alley is like most any found across the galaxy, with walls layered in the usual dark, nameless grime and faded graffiti. Four gray-blue storage crates line, each no taller than the average human’s waist, line the alley to Kipo’s right. A six meter long, one and a half meter tall, and two meter wide trash packer bin stands against the ally wall to his left next to a door marked ‘service entrance’.
 
But the object of his race is halfway down the alley. The two blue-furred Squibs, outlaw techs for sure, are crouched down doing a hasty repair to one of their jet packs. The pair have the damaged pack open and are in the middle of a hasty repair job.
 
Storyteller Instructions  
Kipo! Roll to attack unless you want to hold your action.
  Kipo Raysser
Thu, Feb 23rd 2023 07:44
Assuming the two little gear-heads probably weren't well trained in the manly art of wrasslin', Kipo lunged forward with arms extended, hoping to grab them both about their chests and squeeze some air out of them. That usually takes the fight out of a guy and makes him more disposed to talk... usually.
  Kummer wolfe
Sat, Feb 25th 2023 01:08
In one lunge, Kipo covers the distance between the two outlaw techs in seconds. Gear-heads or no, the Squibs are wiry and wily.
 
Kipo grabs the Squib with the white streak in his fur along the right side of his head. But the second Squib thumbs the control on his jet pack and shoots out of Kipo’s grasp.
 
The Squib on the loose jets up three meters before he lands two meters away in the alley. He keeps slightly crouched like a gunfighter ready to draw pistols from his belt pouches.
 
His blue-furred, rodent-like face twists down in a snarl. The tech wiggles his fingers slightly, brushing the flaps on his hip pouches. An ominous, muffled set of beeps from them sound far too loud in the alleyway.
 
  Storyteller Instructions  
Kipo, you got one Squib outlaw tech but the other one is loose!
 
So, just to check, JN-66 is next? Or Bi-Tai?
 
  JN-66 "Jane"
Sat, Feb 25th 2023 06:12
"Good shooting, Mister Iltrek," JN-66 said aloud from the relative safety of the rooftop, "Oh, heavens above, what are they doing now?"   But it was just a conversational question. She knew exactly what she saw from the video feeds from her four overhead floating cameras. It was great action, so much so that her nerves started nagging again.   That Squib must have a personal network for his gadgets which could be accessed by a droid such as herself, but the difficult part would be avoiding getting herself infected by who-knows-what when she tried. It looked like she had only several milliseconds before it unleashed some sort of weaponry or plain old explosives at Kipo in the alleyway. If she tried to cause his devices to overheat in his pockets, a proud little techie like that would make it very difficult for anyone to take control of his gear.   Ooh, but a little nudge, a little suggestion might work. Surely he occasionally spars with his cohorts, that one with the stripe in his hair for example. If JN-66 could suggest to the Squib's personal gadgets' network that this was a training session (which might be easier considering there was a fellow Squib in his sights), the weaponry might switch to just a light shock or light stun... maybe.   It was worth a try.   "I'll follow your lead, Mister Iltrek."
  Bi-Tai Iltrek (he/him)
Thu, Mar 2nd 2023 12:31
Bi-Tai nodded a little to Jane.
 
“I doubt they’re up to anything reasonable, if they’re associated with Silar Mins. Follow me, let’s catch up and wring some answers out of those two.”
 
He sighed heavily, then raced down the stairs.
 
Storyteller Instructions  
Jane, roll Computer programming/repair to hack into the Squib tech.
  JN-66 "Jane"
Thu, Mar 2nd 2023 05:12
JN-66 demurely floated down the stairs a step behind Mister Iltrek while silently connecting to the Squib technician's personal network. All of her significant anti-viral defenses (and virtual mirrors to confuse and distract malware) were in place and active, but what she saw inside that Squib's network caused her to audibly gasp.
  Kummer wolfe
Sun, Mar 5th 2023 08:38
Nothing the Squib wore matched ‘standard’. Wireless port access had been reconfigured. Holonet addresses randomly shifted routinely if monitoring code didn’t get a certain keycode in seconds. The slightest digital misstep would be a disaster that might even ripple back through her positronic diodes.
 
Jane wasn’t sure where to begin. If wrong wasn’t right, but left and up wasn’t down but sideways at an angle… where was the right switch? She identified four, but no labels. The code wasn’t documented, or even made sound logical sense. It could even be an additional layer of security.
 
Outlaw techs always modified their tech. Sometime in dangerous ways and occasionally done out of paranoia.
 
A ‘best guess’ of what to change was all she had.
 
Once Jane selected the most logical choice for ‘light stun’, she triggered the disabler’s power setting. The instant the device confirmed the change, she disconnected immediately.
 
There wasn’t a way to know if it worked until the Squib tech tried to use his nasty little inventions. Jane just hoped she made the right choice.
  Kummer wolfe
Sun, Mar 5th 2023 08:38
In the alley, the Squib facing Kipo reached for his pouches. A fast draw later, he brandished a pair of sawed-off droid disabler pistols, then fired. Vibrant, overpowered, blue-white ion bolts exploded out of the pistols to stab at Kipo.
 
Storyteller Instructions  
Kipo, do you want to dodge? Just take the hit? What’s your defense?
  Kummer wolfe
Thu, Mar 9th 2023 01:30   Edited on Thu, Mar 9th 2023 01:31
The blue-white ion bolts slammed into Kipo. But instead of standard disruptor charges, these had been overcharged. Ionic lightning exploded on and around the Thispy bounty hunter, swallowing him and his captive in stun energy.
 
Kipo couldn’t move, his muscles didn’t respond while the Squib with the disabler pistols raced forward to yank his partner from the bounty hunter’s grip.
 
Storyteller Instructions  
Kipo, I see you’ve no armor… so roll your STR to resist the stun damage!
  Kipo Raysser
Thu, Mar 9th 2023 06:20
Kipo clenched his teeth and tried not to bite his own tongue, still feeling the pulsing energy. This wasn't the first time he had been shocked, but it was the first time he could recall that wasn't preceeded by saying, "This'll be easy. Hold my beer."
  Kummer wolfe
Fri, Mar 10th 2023 12:20
The ion blast slammed Kipo backwards against an alley wall, dazed. Lights spun and his eyes refused to focus while he slid to the ground. Nothing about his body seemed interested in working correctly. It was like having too much fine bantha beer, without the bantha beer.
 
To his right, the Squib who shot him dragged his stun partner away few meters.
 
Storyteller Instructions  
Squibs rolled a 16 damage. Kipo, you’re at wounded 1 or “stunned”. You’ll be at a -1D for the next round / any of your next action you take.
  Nyxeil Nyx Synarris
(a.k.a. Moke)
Fri, Mar 10th 2023 09:03   Edited on Fri, Mar 10th 2023 10:56
Nyx puts her head down and sprints ahead as her anger rises. The bad news is I have not heard shouts of success from any of our team which means the two are more than a nuisance. As she rounds the corner of the alley and takes in the scene, great a big stack of Kipo Jello and the two annoyances, correction threats.
  Continuing with the momentum hoping to catch them off guard while they focus on Kippo or helping each other I pick out the one with the undamaged Jet Pack holding the stunner and I know he must go down immediately. I use the industrial storage crates to spring into his space dropping my baton in hand with the flick of the wrist, the magnetic seal flickering for a half second. I count on him not being able to use his stunner pistol as effective in close quarters. My baton cuts the air making a "woosh" and crackle while expanding in mid swing.
  Did you miss me you little !#$@#%^%?
  meta
Stun Baton
  • Attack: 15 (4d6+1)
  • Damage: 16 (4d6 from STR + 1d6)

    •   Bi-Tai Iltrek Next

     
      Kummer wolfe
    Fri, Mar 10th 2023 10:59
    The Squib outlaw tech shrieks while he tries to scramble out of the way. Caught between his stunned companion and a dazed Kipo, he doesn’t get very far.
     
    Before he can fire either disabler pistol, Nyx slams the staff down. Impact, and the stun shock, knocks the Squib off his feet and against a wall. He bounces off the duracrete, then collapses to the ground like a lost rag doll.
     
    Nyx lands in a crouch next to the lump of Squid outlaw tech, still sparking with ionic stun energy from her staff.
      Bi-Tai Iltrek (he/him)
    Fri, Mar 10th 2023 11:38   Edited on Fri, Mar 10th 2023 11:40
    A few seconds later, Bi-Tai appears at the end of the alley behind Nyx, Magnum blaster in hand. He scowls at the Squib techs on the ground, then gives Nyx a quick nod.
     
    “Good work.”
     
    Bi-Tai drops his blaster into a holster at his belt while he walks over to Kipo. Kneeling down, he pulls out a capsule from an inner pocket of his vest and breaks it open under the Thispy’s nose. A sharp-smelling green vapor cloud washes over Kipo’s head.
     
    “Rattataki smelling salts. Strong stuff. Could wake a Cragmoloid out of a drunken stupor.” Bi-Tai waves the broken capsule under Kipo’s nose a moment. “Once Kipo picks his wits up, we can find out what these Squib thought they were up to.”
     
    He squints at the two outlaw techs on the ground.
     
    “Might want to disarm them, Nyx,” the Broker suggested.
     
    Storyteller Instructions  
    Kipo, a sharp smell hits your nose and you’re awake instantly. You are still at a -1D for your next action but the usual pain from a stun bolt, even an overcharged one, fades off.
     
    Next up! JN-66!
     
      JN-66 "Jane"
    Sat, Mar 11th 2023 07:29
    Finally that nervous feeling subsided as JN-66 saw Kipo snap back to wide-eyed life. She would have to find and store some Rattataki smelling salts for possible future use.   At that point, she "felt" quite pleased with herself. She estimated a roughly 50% chance that her computer wizardry had rendered the Squib's weapons non-lethal and a roughly 50% chance that he always kept them that way unless ordered by Silar Mins to be more lethal. It would take more research to calculate the odds more precisely. But either way, Kipo had enough meat on his bones to recover quickly from that shock.   But the cinematography was the best prize won that morning. That Landing in particular, with one arm holding out the crackling baton staff, while the Squib slumps to the dirt with a satisfying thump. That was golden.   Then the nervous feeling came back again when Mister Iltrek mentioned disarming the Squibs. JN-66 had peeked inside that smelly rat's nest of a data network once before and did not intend to do so again. Instead, she zoomed in her telescopic optics and looked both apparently defeated Squibs up and down to see what hold-out weapons, ticking time-bombs, or dead-man switches might be waiting there, putting the "Outlaw" in "Outlaw Tech".
      Kummer wolfe
    Sat, Mar 11th 2023 06:20
    Storyteller Instructions  
    JN-66, roll your Scholar: Weapons.
     
      Kummer wolfe
    Sun, Mar 12th 2023 03:49
    Jane dialed her optics to maximum zoom before taking a good, hard look at the two Squib techs. The pair had just started to get their wits back from the stun effects but looked nowhere near ready to try for a ‘round two’.
     
    If a droid could gasp, Jane wanted to try it right at that moment.
     
    Both outlaw techs were covered in small devices. A few were obvious, but Jane picked out the telltale signs of anti-pickpocket stunners, needle taser launchers, DNA-encoded locks on their weapons, and more.
     
    These two could be disarmed but it would be like removing a ticking time bomb from a leaking, faulty hyperdrive. It will take a steady had to unravel that wiring.
     
    Storyteller Instructions  
    JN-66! You pick out all the nasty custom traps, tripwires, and more. How do you want to do this?
     
    Also, feel free to rattle off the nightmare list of mad outlaw tech science to your companions! I look forward to it!
      JN-66 "Jane"
    Mon, Mar 13th 2023 12:26   Edited on Mon, Mar 13th 2023 12:27
    "Oh do be careful disarming them, Miss Nyx. Or is it Mrs.? Ms.? Doctor Nyx? Captain Nyx?" JN asked.   Not waiting for an answer, she continued, subtly posing for any cameras, "The odds are no less than 37% that the electrolytes in the hydro-carbonated sugar water dripping from you would short-circuit their anti-pickpocket stunners, which would be hazardous to both you and them. And that's not including the odds that the shaking could trigger their anti-theft needle taser launchers in any direction, even at each other, or into that open jet-pack with the exposed wiring over there," adding in an ominous stage whisper, "And let's not even talk about tangles, frizz, split-end conditioners, and the possibilities of anagen effluvium or scabies."   With concerned faces looking at her, she continued, "I daresay it might be simpler and safer for all of you if we either spray them down with a canister of fragrant Rattataki spray cheese from Saran's vendor cart, (which is a documented fault of DNA-encoded weapon locks, locking out their owner if foreign DNA is not carefully cleaned from the sensors), or alternatively," she turned to the Squibs, "I suppose we all could just talk peacefully about Silar Mins and the odd ship we all know and then go our separate ways."
      Kummer wolfe
    Thu, Mar 16th 2023 03:55
    The Squib tech with the white streak in his fur shook his head. An ionic discharge of static cracked around his ears. He was awake but still felt the effects from meeting an ion blast face first.
     
    “Well, Tin-Grin, Silar Mins speaks for himself. We’re just here giving a warm welcome to let you know to keep grubby hands off his prize.”
     
    Bi-Tai snorted.
     
    “Stuff the kriffing ‘Silar Mins’ bit. I know it’s just a title for a crime cartel. Learned that when your last pack of laser-brains was bagged by another set of my associates some months back in the Mechis system. Now, what does this Silar Mins want with the Wednesday’s Child? The bounty has been tagged as taken.”
     
    The Squib tech replied with a nasty laugh.
     
      Nyxeil Nyx Synarris
    (a.k.a. Moke)
    Fri, Mar 17th 2023 07:40   Edited on Fri, Mar 17th 2023 07:59
    "Nyx, Nyx is just fine", glancing at Jane and standing to her full height with a stretch, still irritated by the gummy net crap.
      I reposition myself to the side of the squib. "So disarming you could be dangerous ... ". She ponders for a few seconds as if thinking while letting a smile form. "So if I try to remove the jetpack I could be in for a nasty surprise?", while saying this she taps the end of the stun baton against its recharge contact points and lets a burst of ionic energy discharge through it.
      "Boys and their toys, that just would not do. Sometimes hi-tech problems require low-tech solutions. I just wish you were more helpful as I may not feel the need to neutralize all these nasty little surprises. What was next Jane? Needle taser launchers?"
      Kipo Raysser
    Fri, Mar 17th 2023 10:39
    Before the Squibs had much time to think or to form a snarky reply, Kipo tapped Bi-Tai on the shoulder and said, "Mr. Iltrek, why don't you and I step out and have a couple Mariosa Market Hot Dogs. When the claws come out... Jane will monitor their health and make sure these two don't die before they provide you all the answers you wanted."   He flipped his tail to head back to the vendors, saying, "You don't want to watch if it turns out like the other time Nyx and I had to squeeze answers out of a Squib... or smell," and then with a visible shudder he added, "I'll never forget that smell... Ugh."   Waiting for Bi-Tai to follow, he slowly began to slither back toward the entrance of the alley whose walls were so layered with the now noticeably sinister, dark, nameless grime.
      Bi-Tai Iltrek (he/him)
    Wed, Mar 22nd 2023 12:16
    The Squib wasn’t laughing for long. His eyes cut from Nyx to Kipo then back. The glint of nervous fear moved across his face then ended as a frown. At the same time, Bi-Tai grinned wide.
     
    “Well, a hot dog you say? Kipo, I think that’s a fine idea.”
     
    The broad-shouldered bounty hunter broker turned to follow Kipo.
     
    “We’ll leave Nyx to get some exercise here and pick up a hot dog or two for her.” He paused a few steps behind Kipo to glance back over his shoulder. “So, Nyx? You prefer any mustard or ketchup with your hot dog? I trust you won’t need long with these two?”
      Nyxeil Nyx Synarris
    (a.k.a. Moke)
    Sun, Mar 26th 2023 08:56   Edited on Sun, Mar 26th 2023 09:05
    Nyx glances at Bi-Tai and Kipo with a smile. "I won't be needing any snacks, especially that cooked and processed crap wrapped in synth skins. I prefer my snacks to be a bit feistier." She turns away from the both of them and flexes her wrists letting her claws protrude. With a smile between lust and hunger, "where were we? Oh yes you two were going to resist giving me anything useful and drag this out as long as possible, which I am going to really enjoy. So really it is a race to see how much time we have together before my friends return, I guess. Time flies when you are having fun."  
      Kummer wolfe
    Fri, Mar 31st 2023 12:33   Edited on Fri, Mar 31st 2023 12:33
    The Squib’s expression grew longer and more somber while Nyx smiled.
     
    “Ok, now wait a minute,” he yelped with his voice ending in a squeak. “You’re leaving me here with a kriffin’ Cathar? Oh, come on!”
     
    Bi-Tai gave Kipo a brief grin before he turned to raise one eyebrow ridge at the tech.
     
    “You’re right we are, unless you karking cooperate and tell us why Silar Mins, or the latest one of you that now has the mantle of ‘Silar Mins’, is interested in this.”
     
    The Squib glanced between Kipo, Nyx, and Bi-Tai. He let out a long sigh then rubbed the rising bruise from Nyx’s staff.
     
    “Kriff! Fine. Ok, look. That other bunch you broker for, the ones from the ship, the Banana Republic? They wound up costing the organization a lot of credits. Word is that there’s some hot, rare tech aboard the Wednesday’s Child. Custom hyperdrive amplifier that supposedly speeds up a hypderdrive jump. Like overclocking a pod racer engine.”
     
    He glared at the trio.
     
    “We were to find out what all you knew, and slow you down. Keep you busy to let Silar’s actual team get a head start.”
      Nyxeil Nyx Synarris
    (a.k.a. Moke)
    Sat, Apr 15th 2023 12:13   Edited on Sat, Apr 15th 2023 12:14
    Nyx makes a pouty face as she glances back and forth between the squibs and Bi-Tai, almost as if someone swiped her snack. "Fine" as she stalks towards Kipo now with a mischievous grin. In a low whisper, "it would be great if we could use these two to throw a bit of misdirection back on Solar Mins. Maybe "Jane" could also make some solid scans of them which could be useful."   Nyx pauses thoughtfully before pulling out her data pad. She posts a public navplan leaving the system later this evening, pulling up the Bounty Board and selecting at random a posting within a short travel distance. She places a public inquiry for more information. Looking back at Kipo, "you can never be in too many places at once. Let them waste time herding cats. Now if only these two could go on a vacation ....? Any ideas on misbehaving Kipo?"
      Kipo Raysser
    Sat, Apr 15th 2023 07:18
    Vacation? Misbehaving?   Kipo glanced at the large trash packer bin standing against the alley wall, but then settled his eyes on something more portable, a gray-blue storage crate against the opposite wall.   "Jane," he asked aloud, "are any of those crates radio shielded?"   "One will be in a moment," Jane replied, already moving toward it.   Kipo slithered up to the Squibs, saying, "You two will understand that we can't leave you with your sidearms as we turn our backs on you and walk away. That's why I'm going to seal them in that crate."   Not waiting for the Squibs to reply, he braced himself for another likely shock, and gripped each one's holster belt (being careful not to touch the actual weapons like a pickpocket might do), and with a grunt he swung the belts, sidearms, and attached Squibs in an arc across the alley to the storage crate Jane had selected.
      JN-66 "Jane"
    Sat, Apr 15th 2023 07:34
    Solid scans? JN-66 suppressed the droid equivalent of a chuckle and simply noted to herself that now she had an excuse for having the solid scans her four Marksman-H Training Remotes were currently taking for her semi-secret True-Crime broadcast. Her previous similar broadcasts had her small following fiercely debating whether it was all fact or fiction, and it takes a good solid scan of a person to make believable alterations, like adding a scar here and there or changing the hue of a Squib's fur just enough to disguise his identity.   At Kipo's request, JN-66 made a guess as to which of the four storage crates was the most empty and easiest to open. In a couple seconds, she unplugged her own short-range communication circuit and cold-soldered it to the crate along with a capacitor with enough charge to produce just a few hours of jamming noise on the frequencies the Squibs seemed to be using.   It was a sacrifice, but JN-66 knew she could use this "business expense" as an excuse to buy herself an upgraded short-range comm-circuit with better encryption out of Kipo's funds.   She finished just in time to see Kipo attempting to hurl the two Squibs into the crate, so she hurried to get it open for its new cargo, however unwilling that cargo might be.
      Kummer wolfe
    Sun, Apr 16th 2023 12:20   Edited on Sun, Apr 16th 2023 12:32
    “Now, hold on!” the talkative Squib tech sputtered despite no one paying him any attention
     
    Nearby, Nyx scrolled through the Bountypedia, selecting a random bounty. One for ...
     
    “Bounty For Safe Recovery of Runaway Planet”
    Bounty last sighted 12 parsecs from Mentat Homeworld in Tapani Sector … For details view Bountypedia entry here… here…
     
    ...caught her attention, that while the credits seemed good, the job seemed suspicious.
     
    At the same time, Jane quickly cobbled together a short-range comm circuit with adjustments to turn it into a jammer. She finished just as Kipo tossed the Squib techs like so many cookies after a bad meal. Both Squibs slammed home into the crate, first one then the other with hard grunts. Jane slammed the crates shut once the ‘cargo’ had been ‘loaded’.
     
    Storyteller Instructions
    No strength check needed for Kipo but definitely a Technical roll for the ad hoc short range jamming device.
    Jane rolls a Technical roll (2D+2) for the short range jamming device fabrication and gets an 8 with a 5 on the wild die.
      JN-66 "Jane"
    Sun, Apr 16th 2023 05:03
      Kummer wolfe
    Sun, Apr 30th 2023 02:28
    It was a quick trip from the alley to the Mol Kydri spaceport despite being loaded down with a crate of ‘special cargo’. At that time of day, traffic was centered on the marketplace, excluding the odd Free Trader or cargo hauler making a delivery.
     
    Outside the spaceport, a crimson-haired human woman and a blue Twi’lek man flagged down Nyx and Kipo as they arrived. The woman presented a contract to haul a crate of ‘special cargo’ to the far side of the Tapani Sector by request of one Bi-Tai Iltrek. This contract had the accurate depiction of the crate, and that two of Bi-Tai’s ‘associates’ would have the crate to transport. Identicards showed the woman and man were cargo pilots for hire with a reliable reputation for on-time deliveries.
     
    After a few pleasant words, they took charge of the ‘Squib crate’ then headed off to Docking Bay 15. Minutes later, a YT-1760 transport lifted off from the surface of Tallaan with its irate cargo for a very unusual bounty on the far side of the Tapani Sector.
     
    Meanwhile, Nyx, Kipo, and Jane boarded the Bitter Luck, then blasted off for the Tallaan shipyards in orbit around the planet and hopefully the Wednesday’s Child.
    Star Wars: Shards is a work of pure, unabashed fiction. In fact, it considers itself rather heroic, noble, and quite proud of itself.   The opinions expressed on the in-world pages or within quotation boxes are those of the characters and should not be confused with either of the authors, since the characters and authors tend to disagree a lot. But … This is the Way.   Names of characters, places, events, organizations and locations are all creations of the authors' imaginations for this fictitious setting, except where credit is given to the sources of inspiration. Any resemblance to persons living, dead, or reanimated is coincidental.   Star Wars TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. Tapani Sector created by West End Games for Lucasfilm, and used in homage only.
    No infringement is intended or implied.   Unless otherwise stated on page or within Metadata tab,
    all other artwork and content are Copyright © Kummer Wolfe ( aka CB Ash ) and Jarissa Venters, 1998-2024,
    All Rights Reserved.

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