(SW:SE The Biomancer) Ch. 1: An Office On Coruscant

[WynterWulf]

"Ooh momma likes..." Her ears perked at the details on the crystal and then the bike. "You've got yourself a Bounty Hunter." She said with a smirk looking between the other two women, though her eyebrow raised at the Captain's use of the words uniform. "What sort of uniform are we talking about?" She asked, used to just wearing a tunic and trews when not in her armor. "I can afford to buy something if necessary though, I would prefer to spend it on necessities for when the Nerf inevitably shits on us."

 

[Tenshi]

With a thousand fresh credits on their credit chips, the four girls made their way to Chloe's ship, where droids were waiting to load up the speeder bikes. The ship was fully fueled and provisioned, and they had up to the minute hyperspace coordinates that could get them there in a single jump.

 

[Tenshi]

Lazurite Braid was a citadel class cruiser. Despite the term "cruiser" it was a long range shuttle, about the size of the legendary Millennium Falcon, if not the same configuration. It had two gunner stations--for a laser cannon and an ion cannon. Chloe's ship had two upgrades. A faster hyperdrive (x1) and combat thrusters. This complex array of maneuvering thrusters allowed the Braid to evade capitol ship weapons with ease and--with a skilled enouhg pilot--even dog fight against fighters.

Citadel Class Cruiser

Diona Anan had insisted on carrying her own lugage despite a protocol droid following her for a few hundred feet, fussing. The turqoise twi'lek looked the ship over. "She's lovely, Chloe. Shall we get going? You can show us where to bunk once we're in hyper space."

 

[Hisako-K]

Chloe tried to lead the group of women as best as she could. Her thumbs were tucked into the pockets of her cargo pants, her palms lightly bouncing off her thighs as she led the group along the harsh ground that surrounded them on the ports the Lazurite Braid was docked within. Chloe tried to saunter as she led the group towards the passenger entry that connected the ship to the port. Looking over the bronze-toned ship Chloe took into account the minor imperfections and scratches the ship had earned over the years, and longing smirk sneaking across her face as she let herself get lost into a memory or two.

Chloe looked over her shoulder as she was asked the question, and turned around to look at the group, leading them towards the entry while walking backwards.
“Certainly, but when we’re on the ship it’s Captain to you, Ma’am.” She said with a wink before looking back to the rest of the group. She nodded with her chin as she continued, “Captain, or Captain Chloe.” She said, looking back to the Shistavanen, then the Jedi. “Each of you will have you own quarters, on a separate floor from mine.” She said, nodding her head back to the ship as she turned in-step, not stopping her pace as she kept locomotion. “I’ll be one floor above you all, in the fin.” She said.

Chloe led the group towards the ramp leading into the corridor of the ship. She continued speaking, “If I’m not trying to sleep I’ll probably be either in the cockpit, and if not there somewhere near the ship comms.” She said, her voice raising as she tried to talk over the loud footsteps as they all walked up into the ship. “I know this goes without saying, but my quarters are off-limits.” She said, “Welcome aboard the Lazurite Braid ladies,” Chloe said with a smile, “She’s always on the run now.”

 

[Tenshi]

Diona Annan

Settling quickly into her quarters, Soleta Anan tucked her chest away in her little private cabin. "Cozy," she commented. "I believe these ships were armed transports for VIPs and other wealthy sorts during the clone wars. Private quarters on a ship are quite a luxury--even just a little cabin like this. it's cozy."

Once she had her things stashed, she went looking for the others--maybe on the bridge. "So, besides experience poking around and defending myself with sword and blaster, i'm a qualified pilot and computer operator. I also have advanced medical training. If we get into trouble on board ship, you can put me on sensors, hyperspace calculations, or copilot station and expect good results. I'm not much of a gunner, and even less of an engineer.

"What should I know about working with the rest of you?"

When it was time for takeoff, everything was routine. Corsucant's air and space ways were cramped, but also well regulated. A pilot of Chloe's skills would have no trouble getting them to the edge of the system and into hyperspace. Likewise, their holo net coordinates were clear, concise, and up to date. it was a routine jump.

Unless you're trying something awkward, roll 1d6 to find out how many days we'll be in hyperspace. When this conversation completes, I'll start the new chapter.

 

[WynterWulf]

Miz whistled as she walked up to the ship. "This is a nice piece of hardware you have here." She traveled light, a single carryall and a gun case we're all she needed in her line of work. Well that and grenades, but then, who didn't need a cryogrenade on occasion. "Y'all need me on the guns and just say the word." She said sauntering off to find herself a spot to bunk with a respectful nod at the three. "No riflin through the cap'n's cabin, you've got it beautiful."

 

[Tenshi]

Chapter Two

Acrid Wind

The hyper jump was smooth and uneventful. 147 hours later the Lazurite Braid came out of hyperspace in the Thaelos system. They had some data to transmit when the star port transponder contacted them. Doing so got them a polite escort past several waiting cargo freighters to a nicely sized dock, where a number of different people--most of them quite small--came out to tend to the ship.

Two people greeted them when they descended the ramp. One was a fit zabrack of indeterminate age--somewhere between 22 and a youthful 40. He had ocher skin and enchanting purple eyes. He wore black, and carried an officer’s sidearm and a stun baton with a rather larger than usual battery. The other was a human woman of similar age, hard bodied, curvaceous, with full lips, she wore the uniform of a ranking police patrol woman--but something about her confident stance and powerful femininity told them they were looking at a barely concealed bad-ass. “Pleased to meet you,” the Zabrack offered his hand. “I’m Special Liaison Brand. I’m the guy the federal police send to smooth things over when jurisdiction gets tangled. I’ll be your guide. This is Officer Kamala Archer.”


The patrol woman gave a grave nod. Her eyes moved over them, clearly sizing them up, but too skilled to let her reactions show. “I look forward to working with you.”

 

[Hisako-K]

Chloe had walked off the ramp shortly behind the shoulders of the Twi’lek that led the group, looking over her shoulder with a slight grin as she pulled at the collar of the button-down shirt she wore. Chloe brandished a fresh wound that was healing well and was starting to scab nicely. If Chloe kept at it and picked at the scabs, it would heal and scar nicely in due time, but for now it was a bit more distracting than she was used to, even from her perspective. Chloe looked towards Miz with a devilish grin from over her shoulder, allowing a moment of cockiness to herself between the two before focusing on the more important and paying matters. Chloe’s hips swayed with each exaggerated step down the ramp, it felt like her gaze switched between the two in front of her with each step. There was some concern with the disparity between dress regulation, and Chloe wondered just who all was involved.

She stopped shortly behind the Twi’lek, keeping silent and her eyes peeled while she tried to keep attentive with her ears. Her efforts were wasted, and her focus returned to the group who greeted them as pleasantries were exchanged. Chloe’s step staggered before quickly stopped, an action so brief it would have looked like a weight shift if you didn’t notice her left foot’s awkward half-step forward that took three attempts. Chloe took the right hand that had come up for an offertory shake and smoothly brought it to cover her mouth as she cleared her throat.
“Excuse me,” she began, smiling as her hand returned to her hip, giving her a confident pose. “I’m Captain Chloe, pilot, escort, bodyguard. Thank you for graciously paying for all port fees while we provide our services.” She looked between the two before resuming, “Shall we get started? I’m eager to stretch my legs, if you had an itinerary I suggest we start it now.” She said with an eager grin.

 

[freeko]

Jess would have a short conversation with the Twi'lek when she asked about what Jess could do. Jess explained that she was a pilot mainly, but she could operate the guns as well. Jess had some experience with vehicular combat in general so she was able to take that to land based vessels, or the speeder bikes they were afforded for this trip as well. Aside from that, Jess decided that she would try not to become the center of attention for the time being. Chloe seemed to want to be the one leading the group, and Jess had no objection to this.

 

[WynterWulf]

Miz grinned back at Chloe as she stood there, eyes watching the people moving about the ship as the entrance ramp dropped. Dressed in full armor from neck to toe, with a helmet magclasped to her waist and a trench coat over the armor that moved gently in the breeze of the evening pressure, she waited for it to fully open before following two places behind and to the left of Chloe and placed one hand against her back as she moved up to stand next to her. "Miz'thrata, bodyguard, and licensed bounty Hunter. Legally here and willing to report my presence as per traditions." Her answer was short and to the point as she eyes the officer the same way the officer eyed them, all the while playing up the tradition of a tribal warrior, fresh beads and braids in her name and all.

 

[WynterWulf]

(Perception roll 1d20+15 = 13+15=28, Survival rolls 1d20+13 = 20+13=33 screenshots of rolls sent to tenshi)

 

[Tenshi]

Diona Annan

Brand offered the lupine girl his hand, not bothered in the slightest by her fangs and claws. "Welcome to Thaelos Four, Miz'thrata. We're glad to have you here."

The sapphire skinned girl offered her and introduction as well. "Eager to work with you both, Special Liaison Brand, Officer Archer. My name is Diona Annan."

Brand glanced curiously at Jess as she stood in stony silence. He gave her a nod of greeting. "We have acquired a hotel for your stay, but we're hoping your ready to come with us right away. There was a riot at one of the remote processors here in town last night. A small swat team was murdered and the processor was damaged beyond repair. hundred of droid public servants across 50 miles have shut down and are standing there, occasionally falling victim to random vandalism. This has been happening for weeks, and the rioters have proved willing to kill to get to the processors, including people much better armed than they are. I'll answer your questions in the car.

As they exited the space port, Miz instantly caught a faint whiff of something acrid on the wind. Brand lead them towards a large black enclosed speeder. His nose wrinkled as he left the police woman by the driver’s side door. “Is it just me, Kamala, or am I starting to smell it?”

 

[Hisako-K]

Chloe felt like there had been somewhat of a crash following the exit of the Braid, though not in a literal sense. She looked over her shoulder and back at everyone as she followed the introductions and ensuing conversation thereafter. She watched in a somewhat curious way when Brand offered his hand to Miz, one of her brows cocking as she looked around to see what had happened.

Chloe missed it, apparently, and shrugged it off, assuming it was nothing, rolling her eyes as the thought escaped her. The blonde drew her right hand up to her head and fixed her hair while she heard the specifics. While the hotel room sounded nice, she was certain her ship would afford more privacy. Still, it didn’t hurt to give it a look, and it’s not like she had plans later in the evening anyways. Chloe sped up, and walked closely behind Brand as she tried to pay attention. She overheard the comment, and asked,
“Smell what?”

 

[WynterWulf]

"Why am I smelling weapons fire?" Miz asked as she stepped out of the spaceport, her armor's weapon systems spooling up as she went on alert almost immediately. "That's a little close for comfort to your spaceport isn't it?" Moving to once more stride alongside the rest of the party on their flank, she kept scanning the surroundings, even as she unshipped her rifle. "Tell me more about these riots?" The question was more of an order than an actual question, and her tone brooked no room for disobedience, even if it was couched in diplomatic tones.

 

[Tenshi]

Brand gave them a solemn look. “Get in the car. I'll explain on the way. We can't keep the latest crime scene preserved forever.”

Kamala opened the driver’s side front door stepped in. Brand, meanwhile opened a sliding door to the back of the van--two rows of seats. Diona flashed Jess a smile and drew her through the tight squeeze into the back most seat. The twi’lek strapped herself in, taking note of the inconspicuous rings where binder cuffs could be secured in case they needed an impromptu prison transport.

Once the doors were shut and they were on the road, Brand turned sideways a little to include them all. “I understand now. You think it smells like cordite or something? Old school explosive propellant weapons? That's not what you're smelling.

"I don’t know if it was intentional or not,” he explained. “Whenever the terrorists leave a statement, they claim they intend to end organic reliance on the unliving, but they keep choosing potentially disastrous targets.

“In this case, along with murdering a squad of local swat who had been assigned to securing a remote processor station on the planetary network, the remote processor they destroyed reduced over a 1,000 mobile units and dozens of automated facilities to inactivity.

“That included the environmental stations to the north west.

“Southwest B13”, Kamala spoke up.

Brand nodded. “Today they call it the Marsh Light Catacombs. A thousand years ago it was a massive and heavily worked mine complex. Literally tens of thousands of kilometers of interconnected tunnels, the deepest only half a kilometer above the mantle.

“Nine hundred years ago it was declared mined out. Old Republic safety inspectors oversaw the shut down of the mines. They were declared minimally hazardous for at least three centuries and shut.

"Over the better part of a millennia, the place has become a horrendous morass of natural gasses. Cobalt, Xenon and Propane and are the most noticeable gasses, but there’s things in there you can only find around fourth generation stars or in highly experimental chemistry labs.

“During the Imperial Era, local rebel forces used environmental suits to hide in places like The Marsh Light Catacombs. When the Grand Moff caught on, he ordered incendiary missiles fired into seven different abandoned shafts.”

Kamala grit her teeth. “Estimated fatalities in Southeast B13 alone numbered over 5,000.”

“The fires have been burning ever since,” Brand explained. “The environmental facilities that went inactive last night include air purification facilities designed by an ithorian engineer to purify Marshlight. All our calculations anticipated total success within 70 years.”

 

[WynterWulf]

"I suppose that is part of what we were sent to investigate then?" Miz said as she digested all the information. Resting her drawn rifle between her knees as they rode, her gaze flitted between Jess and Chloe, and back to Brand as he explained.

"From a warrior's standpoint," she said as she considered the explanation, "Those would have been a great help to those who fought against the empire. And would be the first thing hit if we were hunting rebels." Shifting her view to outside the transport, she grew quiet thinking before saying one more thing. "Why now? And why something that will only help your planet heal?"

 

[Hisako-K]

Chloe didn’t flinch so much as she paused for a second when Miz drew her firearm. The human quickly resumed pace when she realized it was a preemptive maneuver, and not a reactionary reflex. She slid her hands down her hips and into the pockets on the front of her long shorts. The small squad was escorted to a transport, and the door held open for her. Chloe ducked into the craft that only reached her chest, and groaned as she kneeled and got herself deeper into the vehicle. She had tried to find an unoccupied seat, and was hoping that she would get a choice of who would sit next to her along with her choice of seat. Per public transit rules, that wasn’t the case, and when someone other than who she had hoped sat next to her, she fought the urge to scream.

Chloe nodded and followed along with the conversation, although a majority of it she seemed to not be following or able to keep up. She deferred to everyone else being able to keep up, a majority of it seemed like a history lesson, until finally the point was revealed. Miz spoke, and asked the obvious question, why was any of this happening so late in the series of events? Chloe thought of this, and while she waited for a response she had an idea pop into her head.

The strawberry blonde looked up towards Brand and Kamala, “So who is the leader for all of this?” She said, setting her gaze on Kamala, “Has anyone taken credit, or are these attacks just happening?” She looked back to Brand, “I assume you don’t know who, otherwise you would have smoked them out of their caves.” She finished, “If no one is taking credit, who has the most to gain from all of this?”

 

[Tenshi]

"I suppose that is part of what we were sent to investigate then?" Miz said as she digested all the information. Resting her drawn rifle between her knees as they rode, her gaze flitted between Jess and Chloe, and back to Brand as he explained.

"From a warrior's standpoint," she said as she considered the explanation, "Those would have been a great help to those who fought against the empire. And would be the first thing hit if we were hunting rebels." Shifting her view to outside the transport, she grew quiet thinking before saying one more thing. "Why now? And why something that will only help your planet heal?"

Brand gave a little shrug. He was a a little wary from Chloe's earlier way of tensing up upon entering the transport.

"The facility itself is peripheral, I think. Though of immediate concern to the city and it's technical crews, for our purposes it's not a primary concern. It may be a hint of some deeper motivation. More likely, it's just a sign of how suicidally stupid these terrorists are."

The strawberry blonde looked up towards Brand and Kamala, “So who is the leader for all of this?” She said, setting her gaze on Kamala, “Has anyone taken credit, or are these attacks just happening?” She looked back to Brand, “I assume you don’t know who, otherwise you would have smoked them out of their caves.” She finished, “If no one is taking credit, who has the most to gain from all of this?”

Kamala met Chloe's eyes in the rear view mirror. She spoke with her usual composed, serious tone. "The terrorists have not claimed membership in an organization, nor any leadership or loyalty. They have used the holo net to publish anonymous statements."

Brand started handing out digital identity cards on lanyards and computer chips.

"I trust the digital summary contains copies of the statements, sir?" she asked brand.

"Indeed."

Kamala nodded, then continued, "The stated agenda of the terrorists is to put an end to organic reliance upon the unliving. Investigations based on this agenda are difficult. The government is tracking a large number of pundits who speak extensively in favor of this agenda.

"Seventy-three to be exact," Brand added, "But it's become such a meme that it's nearly impossible to sort out pundits from believers parroting the party line from trolls doing the same. As is all too often the case when a society picks up on a bad idea, the vast majority of the people see that it's stupid and wrong. Unfortunately, they're not the ones who speak the loudest, when they speak at all."

 

[freeko]

Brand gave them a solemn look. “Get in the car. I'll explain on the way. We cant keep the latest crime scene preserved forever.” Kamala opened the driver’s side front door stepped in. Brand, meanwhile opened a sliding door to the back of the van--two rows of seats. Diona flashed Jess a smile and drew her through the tight squeeze into the back most seat. The twi’lek strapped herself in.

Jess would continue to allow Chloe and Miz to question Brand and Kamala. Admittedly, Jess had no clear objective at this point as she felt the Force would guide her toward the proper path. For now, Jess would try to address a more immediate issue. Following the lead of Diona, Jess would maneuver herself into the back seat next to the Twi'lek woman. Jess would maneuver her hand to ensure that her lightsaber remained upon her hip as she settled herself in. Taking another moment, Jess would strap herself in a few moments after Diona. Seeing Diona smile, Jess would try to start something up between them.

"So what do you make of this so far?" Somewhat fumbling out the words, Jess would not be subtle about where she was looking as her eyes scanned over the Twi'lek woman's form. Jess simply wanted to say something to engage the conversation, though her choice of starters would likely leave a bit to be desired.

 

[Tenshi]

Diona Annan

Diona couldn't help but warm beneath the Jedi's admiring gaze. The blue girl really did love it when people admired her--whether for her intelligence, her swordsmanship, or her beauty. She also liked the power beauty gave her--the power to make people feel as good with a simple smile or gesture of encouragement or admiration. It was a power she perfected and cultivated with every bit as much finesse and dedication as she gave to her studies and her swordsmanship.

Diona touched Jess on the upper arm, meeting her eyes, smile getting warmer 'til she dimpled. "I think I'm really glad to have someone as strong as you on our team, Jess."

Then she gave the question serious thought. "We're dealing with a very dangerous adversary. The spider at the heart of this web is a terrifying combination of politician and terrorist. He knowes how to get others to murder for him and doesn't hesitate to do so. I don't know what their motivation is, but it's clearly not what the statements say. The statements aren't what our adversary actually wants. They are his instrument of control. Find something the masses fear--or create that fear. Feed that fear like feeding kindling to a fire. When the fear is great enough, the adversary directs the actions of the masses by making them believe a course of action will destroy what they fear.

"Most sapient are--on a biological level--social animals. We are evolved to think as herds or as packs. Though intelligence and courage give us the capacity to move beyond our own biology, it never goes away. It is coded into every cell in each of our bodies that our survival depends upon going with crowd."

 

[freeko]

Jess would take the compliment in stride, "We all each have our individual strengths. That should allow us to both mask any weaknesses that we have as well as become stronger as a group. Maybe I could have been dispatched here alone, maybe they could have sent a padawan of some level with me, but even the Jedi believe this to be a serious threat. So much so, that I know already that I could not do this alone."

Taking some time to hear what Diona replied with, Jess then replied with a little bit of her Jedi training. "I do not believe that at all, the force is my ally. I could stand alone against a thousand others. With the force guiding me, I know that I will succeed. It does not hurt to have a few friends along for the ride, though." Jess was trained almost from the start to rely on her own abilities. She would help others where it was needed, but never expected help to be returned to her. Aside from working with her master, or a padawan, Jess never had more than one other person with her when on a misson. This was an interested situation for Jess, as she had that feeling creeping into her thoughts that she was going to be found lacking and her allies made to suffer for it.

 

[Tenshi]

Brand handed them each a chip and a digital ID. The IDs had their names on them. Diona smiled and pulled a cable out of her bracer computer. She flicked a few keys one handed and a picture appeared on the ID.

Then Diona started to review the chip. "Let's see. The IDs show our credentials. Any law enforcement official on the planet should cooperate wtihin our mandate. Brand and Kamala are assigned to us for the investigation. Along with them, we have contact information and priority clearance for the National Police CSI team 3, and to records office D."

 

[Hisako-K]

Chloe took the data chip and badge as they were distributed. Pulling the badge over in one hand she tucked the card loosely into her breast pocket, more haphazardly tossing it with a flick than carefully placing it down. She looked around as everyone took the chip and placed it in a datapad or similar device. Chloe looked back about the craft, and shrugged her shoulders, slouching back into the chair and exhaling. Not used to being on the ground too often, Chloe neglected to prepare herself for this and didn’t bring a datapad. The blonde felt like she was truly living the stereotype, being the second time she made a bad decision and stuck to her guns.

Instead she chose to listen in as much as she could, her left arm flung over behind her and across the head of the seat next to her. Keeping the chip between her index and center finger, Chloe relaxed more, sinking into the stiff chair as she listened and eavesdropped somewhat interchangeably. Her focus briefly dashed from the members of her group to the window as something flew past them. Chloe’s eyes lingered out the window, watching the passing scenery as Brand explained more. She sighed and nodded as the schedule was made.

Looking down Chloe raised up the small chip, and squinted as she pulled it closer to her nose. She stopped and put it down, resting her right hand and the chip on her lap as she puffed her cheeks and sighed through her nose. Though she doubted the chip would have helped her solve everything, it would give her time, opportunity, and resources to try and look up more as Brand explained their predicament more.

 

[Tenshi]

Diona Annan

Diona cued up a device on her bracer computer and lifted it to face Chloe. The only warning she gave was, "Smile," before clicking a picture. Then she uncoiled her cable and stretched it out towards the other girl a little bit. "If you let me see your ID, I'll upload the picture. As soon as we get the chance, I'll grab you a basic datapad too, okay?"

 

[Hisako-K]

Chloe turned and looked at the blue-skinned beauty with concern and confusion, the only warning she received the cue for cheese. Chloe’s eyes barely had time to register the information, the flash confirmed her fears as the blonde felt her vision return shortly afterwards, seeing the candid shot of her own face at such a head-on angle processed already on the Twi’lek’s bracelet. Chloe grimaced in reaction to her own face. While she was not an unattractive woman, it was certainly not the most flattering angle. Chloe forced an awkward smile as her eyes met Diona’s, her right hand already reaching for the ID as requested. She wasn’t going to take another photo, but at the same time she didn’t want to wear that either. A nervous hand pried the badge from her person and extended it to the outstretched blue hand.

As she watched the Twilek assist her Chloe nodded in response to the offer.
“Thank you,” She said, “I normally don’t hang out or do things on the ground often, so datapads seem a bit excessive.” She smiled, “Good thing you came prepared though.” She leaned back in the chair again, spreading her free arm across the other side of the chair. Something popped quietly in Chloe’s chest as she spread her arms, sighing and returning her gaze out the window. She sat up only slightly, but her head shot back and turned towards Diona again, “Make sure it’s really basic, I don’t want this affecting my pay too much.” Her brows came together with concern as she started bargaining with the Twi’lek. She regretted leaving the datapad aboard the Brand now.