CH 1.1-a: Charitable Charlatan's

Jan 10, 2017 4:08 pm

He seems thoughtful as he turns his head, gazing out the blackened window, reflexively watching an unseen world go by. His hand rests against the unscarred side of his face, holding up his head, thumb cradling his chin, elbow set on the armrest. A minute, perhaps two, goes by. Finally he speaks.

"I imagine some can find contentment in less. Of that, I am truly envious. But you're right. Most want something more, and I am no exception. As for myself? I want power." The way he says that last word suggests he has a deep understanding of its value, and potential applications. "I am, as you say, very much a man of ambition. Boundless ambition." He sighs, something close to, but not quite resignation. "There are, however, trying obstacles that prevent me from extending my reach."

He turns to look at you, his face a blank, much like that of an expert gambler, allowing his expression to reveal nothing. "Perhaps I speak too openly of my employer, and do a disservice to myself. But what I can't get past are your repeated proclamations and intimations. You see, bold, fearless Twi'lek, almost without fail, I can hear the lie before the speaker even finishes telling it. And you don't seem to be lying. At first I thought your words to be desperate claims, which can be so very typical of someone in your position. Now..."

His voice hardens, the stoic coldness returns as he switches gears. "In the off chance you haven't noticed yet, I am nobody's fool. Tread lightly." A brief pause, then his tone takes on one of genuine curiosity, mixed with reservation. "However, I am... intrigued. By all means, tell me more. Please enlighten me as to what you have to offer. I am, after all, above all things, a businessman."

He nods at you, prompting you to speak.

Jan 11, 2017 2:33 am

Lissewa waited a moment, cautious. It was way to early in their mission to give away everything. But at the same time, despite her mask, she was a bit desperate for a way forward from this situation. If this man's employer was anything like he was described, she would be just as dead with him as she was now. She would tempt, tell him the truth but not the whole truth of her situation.

"You misunderstand. It is not what I have to offer but what you do," she spoke softly, choosing her words carefully.

"Change is coming, it is inevitable, unstoppable. But in what form this change will take has yet to be determined. You see, it is why I am here, with my colleagues. We are harbingers of this change, so you see, it is already to late to stand against it."

She eyes him conspiratorially.

"This world is ripe for the taking, all it takes is for a man of 'boundless' ambition to reach out and take it." The bait was set, if he would but take it. She couldn't promise him anything in reality, after all she was but a pawn in the Sith's conquest. But even though she would much delight in seeing the man's eyes burnt out by her colleagues lightsabers, he could very well prove useful. He clearly knows his way around the city better than they did and had access to personnel, mediocre but at least loyal.

Ultimately, they would need an ally without at least some power in order to get started with their mission. And while he was no ally, he could at least be used to serve their purpose.

Last edited January 11, 2017 2:34 am

Jan 11, 2017 4:22 pm

He looked somewhat incredulously at you."Ripe for the taking?" A laugh, contrived. "Dear, dear Twi'lek... you are aware that Bonadan belongs to the CSA, aren't you? And really, you're 'harbingers', bringing 'inevitable, unstoppable' change? For a harbinger, you sure ended up in the wrong place!" He added another fabricated laugh, which you're certain comes from disbelief, rather than mocking your choice in words, as you've already discerned that he's either well educated, or extremely well read. He lets loose an incredulous sigh now, one of frustration. He slowly shakes his head and 'looks' out the still blackened window. His eyes turn back toward you, allowing a small chuckle to escape, also contrived, clearly intended to further express his disbelief. "Already too late..." His gaze drifts again to 'looking' out the window.

Almost a minute passes. You feel the speeder slow, take a corner, and regain speed. Just as you're about to press and make another appeal, he looks directly at you.

"You're serious, aren't you? You sound absolutely mad, especially considering the present power dynamic." his hand gestures at the cab around you, referencing just exactly where you are. "Yet... you seem so certain, well-placed, confident, despite the circumstance. Most in your position are reduced to blubbering and tears so quickly that I have them put in the trunk from the start." He gestures toward the rear of the speeder. You can tell that your play on his ambition has his interest piqued, although he is still clearly skeptical.

He drums his fingers once, then knocks on the window as if to release doubt, leaning in. "Can you somehow prove what you say has any truth to it?"

Well played.

Your continued efforts are clearly trying to seduce him toward aligning with you (not for you). However, the dice, and all the time you guys put into picking skills and the like, do matter, so here is where you get to put Lissewa's sterling silver tongue to work.

Whatever you say or do next, I suggest making it a good pitch, and adding a Charm roll to it. If you can think of any reasons to add boost dice, justify/explain your reasoning to add them, then go ahead and roll those boosts with your Charm roll. If I think your reasoning doesn't make sense/fit, I can ignore dice, from right to left (PbP standard). Max number of boost dice= 3, which would be an extreme bonus, or multiple factors combined.

Your Charm will oppose his Cool, so the difficulty will be his Cool: 1 Red dice, 3 Purple. It's not a secret check, so your roll. Good luck.

Jan 12, 2017 2:42 am

Lissewa leaned back in her seat. She contemplated what she would say. He wouldn't likely accept a no but at this time that was pretty much the answer she could give. There were certainly ways to prove what she said were true but they would take an investment in time and trust to show, luxuries she didn't currently have.

Well, there is always that.

"Given my current predicament, it would be difficult to prove that what I say is true. It really doesn't matter if you believe me, since I said they will come eventually. When I say we are harbingers, I simply mean that we have come here before those that follow us."

She shifted in her seat, switching the legs that she had crossed, her anklet resting lightly against her leg.

"There are a number of ways that could help prove that this world is going to fall but each alone would unlikely suffice for absolute proof. A closer look at our ship's transponder code would likely show that while it is a legitimate code, it will have been one that hasn't been seen in civilized space for years. This is because the transponder was attached to a newly built ship made to look exactly like the original."

She waited a moment.

"Though it would be difficult to access yourself, a message lies within the computer system of the ship that details the specifics of our mission here. It was to be of the utmost secrecy but I can hardly complete my mission if I am dead so secrecy may be something I will have to forego in this case."

Then she decided she would try to be specific, if only to see if she could gain some information herself.

"In that message, there is also an agent that we were to make contact with. We were supposed to speak with him as soon as we landed but our holonet is inoperable and this is how we ultimately came to discover Zhaff and the apparent trap laid for us. His code name was FLESH CRAWLER but if he did his job correctly I doubt you would be aware of that. Perhaps the name Abev Nartano would be more familiar to you?"

OOC:

Okay, as you can see, she is going all out, spilling the beans at this point because well it is this or die. You can correct me if I'm wrong but the amount of information that is specific and truthful ought to provide a boost die to this check, even if it just buys me some time. I will also expend one strain here to use my Congenial talent to downgrade the difficulty on this test (kind of want to avoid the possibility of a Despair here) I will be making a Charm check here as she is telling the truth as much as she can.

Rolls

Charm Roll

6 Success, 3 Advantage, 3 Failure, 2 Threat

Total: 3 Success, 1 Advantage

Jan 12, 2017 4:00 pm

He is clearly intrigued. "Either you are a good liar, or you speak the truth. At this point, I must say, you have my attention. And no, I do not know of any Abev Nartano." There is no looking out the window this time. Rather, his attention is fully vested in the conversation, and the potential it might have on the future, especially his. As such, his eyes burn toward you, unflinching.

"Wanting to believe can be dangerous, and I very much want to believe you. Your tale just seems... fantastical... yet possible." His eyes continue burning, piercing, as if he was literally trying to see into the cellular structure of your brain. "I would still have proof, and must consider the possibility that you are simply an excellent liar. This message... on your ship. I would see it, and you will provide the access to do so."

He leans toward the control console again, switching on the intercom to communicate with the driver. "Change of plans. To the spaceport," he flashes you a knowing smile, "1294-K." He taps the console again, and a compartment opens up, decanter inside, with fine drinking glasses. He pours himself a clear, dark brown drink, then closes the bar compartment with another console tap.

Decision made, he relaxes, settling comfortably back into his seat, taking a good pull from his drink. He looks at you, then seems to catch himself. "Forgive me for not offering you a drink, but all this talk of power makes a man thirsty. Perhaps when -if- our relationship becomes more stable, you and I will share one together." Another pull from his drink. "Perhaps many. To our successes, of course." He sloshes his drink around, rocking the glass gently back and forth as he does so, eyeing you, assessing, evaluating.

He finishes, setting the glass down. "Before. You mentioned 'those that follow us' and that 'this world is going to fall'. Please, elaborate. As part of establishing a good business relationship."

One Advantage gives just the slightest nudge towards him believing you, helping to facilitate the Success component of your roll. The boost counts, as Lissewa's sincerity comes through along with your well delivered statements, and, once again, you don't come off as full of crap, despite the nature of your story.

Getting rid of the potential for Despair was smart. As part of keeping the game real, I interpret the dice as a reflection of your character's ability measured against the odds. That roll, although not necessarily 'do or die', could very well have been.

Jan 13, 2017 4:55 am

A slight relief fell over Lissewa as he changed the course of the speeder. She may get out of this situation yet, and possibly even acquire a tool towards advancing their mission. It was unfortunate that she had to give up the secret of the mission to him but if she could rejoin with the rest of her group then he could be dealt with if he proves to be uncooperative.

She knew she would have to continue to answer his questions. Unfortunately, now that she had spilled some of her secrets she realized that she did not have many left, especially not the specifics of the invasion itself. But, it was likely that he would understand her lack of details on that part once he saw the message.

"I don't believe I would be insulting your intelligence if I told you that you would not understand the significance of those that I serve. Suffice it to say, I represent a powerful force of change for the galaxy. We possess the force necessary to turn this world towards our cause, to wrest it from the hands of the CSA, with relative ease. However, we were meant to pave the way for our forces to establish a foothold here with only a small amount of conflict. Secrecy at this stage of the conflict is of the utmost importance as the element of surprise will enable to strike swiftly against those that believe they are in power."

She sat back in her chair, feeling the plushness of the seat cushions. It was a nice speeder, certainly more her speed than the ECUL.

"So you see, this is the opportunity that has come to you. We are but a small group with little information to go on. We've been given authorization to complete our mission by any means necessary and I believe that we will need to enlist the aid of local power brokers in order to make progress. Any who would prove vital to the completion of the mission would certainly be in a prime position to be rewarded when the world has changed hands."

Jan 16, 2017 4:48 pm

He cocks an eyebrow when you mention rewarding power brokers. "Well, depending on our visit to your ship, and this secret message you speak of, I may be able to facilitate your success. And taking this world with a minimum of conflict would most certainly be preferable. This planet... hell, this system...this sector, is one big business, run by the CSA. If you seize control of the snake's head, especially via less obtrusive measures, there is much that would be gained." He tilts his head a bit, as if to gain understanding.

"I've considered that you are working for the Empire. Or perhaps you're employed by the New Republic. Given their rise to power from a simple rebellion, I wouldn't put it beyond them to take such measures as you describe. However, you suggest that I would not understand the significance of those you serve, one you claim is a powerful force in the galaxy. Furthermore, you mention that your ship's transponder code hasn't been seen in civilized space for a long time" He seems intent, slowly tapping a finger on the console in anticipation. "Explain."

The transponder would, in fact, match the ship. Your ship was purposely made to be the same make and model as the ship the transponder was taken from. This ship, for all intensive purposes, has become that ship, and is legitimate, except for the fact that the only thing that doesn't match is that the official owner, Vekis Leed, is dead and no longer exploring space with it (and the ship looks new, but that could be mechanical work, although considerably expensive to give an entire ship a facelift like that).

Your ship would pass any inspection, but a more personal inspection of the group would have authorities wondering why you were piloting someone else's ship. Basically, it would play out like you guys had stolen it.

Lissewa would have known this about the transponder code matching, so we'll just assume she didn't say that bit about the transponder not matching. Feel free to edit that detail out of the post it came from. I would, but it will make your avatar drop from the post.

Jan 18, 2017 3:31 pm

"Let me start by saying that we are not affiliated with the failed Empire or the naive Republic. However, they both represent our enemies. At this time, we do not yet possess the military might necessary to stand directly against either of them, hence our need for secrecy."

She waited a moment, considering her next words carefully.

"Out of concern for my own well-being I can not reveal the specifics of what I mean about the transponder code or more specifically where we have come from. Suffice to say that if you closely inspect the code you will find that it is currently owned by an individual who is long dead and while it may appear that our ship is stolen, the ship is under our complete control with no evidence of tampering with security."

Jan 19, 2017 3:15 pm

Doubt returns to his face. "So, what you're saying is that you represent a new player in the galaxy. One that can stand up to both the Empire and the Republic? Look, I know the galaxy is a big place, but what you say... especially the thing about the transponder and civilized space... lends itself to your being a harbinger for a power from Wild Space." He 'looks out' the opaquely black window, clearly sifting through ideas, contemplating what you can only imagine would be the possibility of truth in your words.

Facing the window, he shifts ever so slightly, tilting his head to look at you sideways. Doubt is replaced by something more inquisitive, perhaps speculative. "You're talking about resources, manpower. Industry and assets. Whoever you represent seeks... no, needs to harness the CSA's power as a means of leveling the playing field... which would make Bonadan a key target, being the CSA's distribution hub, and capital, for all intensive purposes. But that's not enough, is it? You do realize that Bonadan would only represent a fraction of the CSA's Sector Board of Executives, don't you?"

Don't worry, we're not going to play out an entire conversation in the speeder ride to the spaceport. That would be about an hour's worth. Neither one of us wants to RP an hour long conversation via post.

I imagine we'll move things along Monday with arrival, and we can just assume that some of the ride was spent in silence, the occasional question, answer, off-topic conversation, etc.

Lastly, I'm tired of calling him 'The Man', so let's just go with 'Scarface' for now, because it fits.

Jan 20, 2017 1:45 am

A moment of concern crossed Lissewa's face and a bit of confusion as well. He's right though, isn't he? Taking this planet really won't be enough to take control of this sector. We're more likely to end up a pawn in the CSA's schemes than the other way around.

Realizing she must be showing her emotions, she tries to return to her former attitude.

"As you can see, I am just in the dark about a lot of things as my masters. This is part of what I mean by being separated from civilized space. We have not known what has happened in this galaxy for millennia as we have been separated from it, though not quite as far as you might think. Information at this stage of conquest is just as important as the territory itself. This was to be part of my mission."

Jan 23, 2017 3:34 pm

"Well, here we are. 1294-K." Scarface puts on your breath mask, then his. "Shall we?" He exits the limo speeder and you follow, stepping out into the warm and filthy Kraspen night air. In the distance you notice that the fire you saw hours ago upon first exiting the spaceport seems to have spread, as another tower has billowing flames creeping up it's sides.

Scarface acknowledges what you see. "It's a dry planet, pollution killed what used to be a temperate ecosystem, if you can believe it. Unfortunately non-Espos fire control is on strike. It's a problem, to be sure." He waits a moment, taking it in. "This planet is a dung hole. A rich dung hole, but still a dung hole. Back to business." He motions for you to join him as he moves toward 1294-K's hangar door keypad. The two thugs continue to serve as an 'escort' for you, weapons at the ready, although they give you just enough space to walk on your own.

"Punch in the code, then we'll take a look inside. No funny business." His threatening glare surfaces for a brief moment, then is replaced by something more like a pazaak-player's face. Unreadable. He pats the blaster on his utility belt "I'd rather nurture our business relationship than bring it to an end."

You would know the code, provided as part of your access to 1294-K's hangar. No need to give it any real numbers, just go ahead and punch it in, key it in, enter it, etc.

Also, Lissewa is more knowledgeable than you remember. I think we might have talked about it during character creation, not to mention that your squad knows that other Sith black ops squads were organized and shipped out in a very similar fashion. Lissewa knows there are many squads like hers moving against key planets all across the Corporate Sector. It's essentially a coordinated covert effort to seize control of the CSA's power by going for key targets. She does not, however, know any specifics on those targets or squads, as part of preventing her from giving up that info if she was to be interrogated. Whether you reveal this to Scarface or not is up to you, but I'm providing it mainly for your info as a player.

Jan 23, 2017 10:28 pm

Lissewa approaches the door and begins to reach for the code pad before she stops, dropping her cuffed hands and turning around.

"Actually, it would probably be a good idea for you to remove these cuffs before we go inside."

She states this with some amusement, almost as if feeling silly that she has to ask for it.

"I'd hate for my security droid to get the wrong idea about our 'business relationship' and start shooting up the place. Plus it was ever so difficult to get him to stay with the ship and not accompany. He kept insisting that the planet was far to dangerous for a girl like me to be walking around alone. I'd really not want him to be able to say I told you so."

Jan 24, 2017 3:55 pm

Scarface looks at you for a moment before speaking, contemplative, reading you. "A security droid, huh? We'll take our chances." The thug with the carbine lets out chuckle. Scarface continues, high-handed, with a bit of jest in his voice. "If it's any good at it's job it will appreciate the gravity of your situation, and keep it's blaster quiet. Besides, our business relationship isn't on that level yet. Maybe soon, but that depends on what you have to show me, now doesn't it?"

A contrived smile appears on his face for a brief moment, soon replaced by stoic professionalism as he pulls out his heavy blaster. "Punch in the codes. Please."

It looks like they're going with the belief that BS-10 will, at the very least, respect the guns pointed at you.

Jan 24, 2017 10:43 pm

Lissewa scowled at Scarface before turning back to the key pad. "I guess I'll just have to try to calm him down,"she muttered to herself. She would be very angry if her droid got destroyed in this whole affair, that was a lot of credits she had to steal.

She punched in the numbers and waited for the doors to open.

Last edited January 24, 2017 10:52 pm

Jan 25, 2017 8:16 pm

The hangar doors open slowly revealing the Spear of Akrulta exactly where you left it. Beyond that, the hangar itself was still empty, with the door to the private lounge closed, concealing the decaying corpses of the carnage within.

Scarface spoke as he followed you in, gesturing for one of the thugs to close the hangar doors. "A YT-2000? Nice ship. Let's see if it looks as nice on the inside." He gestured toward the boarding ramp, which was, of course, closed. "After you." Standing directly behind you, Scarface nudges you forward with the business end of his heavy blaster pressed gently into your spine, flanked by both of the thugs, blasters pointed directly at you.

"Here's what's going to happen: we're going to board your ship, and you're going to immediately power off your security droid. Then I want to see this message you speak of. If everything is as you say it is, I'll take the binders off, as a gesture of good will, and we can begin to go about business in earnest with a new understanding. As soon as you can, call out to your droid to stand down and hold his fire, just in case he has poor judgement. If things do get messy, the mess will start with you."

Unless there is some additional RP you'd like to do first, you can advance the narrative up to opening the boarding ramp, if you like, to where we encounter BS-10. BS-10 would be well aware that the hangar has been entered, and would be waiting at the top of the boarding ramp, to the left of #16 on the Spear of Akrulta deck plans.

Jan 26, 2017 10:57 am

Lissewa stepped into the hangar, approaching the ship at a brisk walk. She hurriedly opened the ship, waiting as the boarding ramp lowered almost painfully slow.

As it reached it's fully open state, she could see BS-10 at the top of the ramp. A squat black metal frame with manipulator arms and mechanical legs stood there, almost defiantly, waiting for the small group to approach. When she was able to she stepped onto the ramp and looked up at him, walking as she spoke.

"Sebastian, if you would be so kind as to power down now. I have business with our guests and I would like to have some privacy."

Though his domed head could not show emotion, she could tell in his reaction that he was confused and concerned. "But mistress, I..."

Before he could really get started she cut him off, her tone changing from kind to commanding. "Silence! Do as I say or our comrades will find nothing but pieces of us all over the ship.

Without a word, BS-10 did as he was told. He rolled to the side on his treaded feet, making way for Lissewa and her captors and receded into his powered down state, looking almost like nothing but a metal box.

Lissewa checked to see if was truly powered down for a moment before continuing into the ship towards the communications room, her escort in tow.

Last edited January 26, 2017 10:57 am

Jan 26, 2017 4:16 pm

"Most appreciated." Scarface followes you up the ramp, motioning one of his goons toward BS-10. "Deal with that." The more lightly armed thug immediately goes to work, taking something small out of his utility belt before accessing BS-10's bolt input. "My associate is going to put a restraining bolt on your friend here, to make sure there aren't any unwanted surprises. Don't worry. He's been in my employ for over a year now. He's a professional, and good at what he does, so your droid is in good hands."

It only takes a minute or so for the tech-thug to finish attaching the restraining bolt, during which time Scarface closes the boarding ramp. He politely addresses you. "I trust there are no other threats or complications we might run in to? If so, I'd like to know. Otherwise, lead the way. I'm eager to see this message."

Any computer on the ship could access the encrypted message, given the proper authorization to do so, which you naturally have. The lounge, any of the crew bedrooms, engineering, cockpit, and the holonet terminal's connected computer console would all be options here.

Jan 26, 2017 8:28 pm

Lissewa shook her head at his question. "There is no other threat remaining on the ship, though I have no knowledge of where my companions are and you really better hope they aren't hiding somewhere on the ship or we are both probably dead at this point."

Deciding to prevent her captors from seeing to much of the ship, she decided to lead them towards the lounge. She wanted to prevent to many of the individuals from being exposed to their secrets. So far she had only revealed any secrets to Scarface and she would prefer to keep it that way.

As they entered the lounge she made a sweeping motion with both her hands. She indicated the amenities and said to the thugs, "If your master allows it, feel free to partake of anything in the lounge. You are after all, guests on this ship now."

Either way, she turned her attention back to Scarface and motioned towards a nearby terminal. She spoke quietly to him. "I can bring up the message on any of the terminals in the ship, I chose this one for privacy purposes. I would prefer that only you see this message. We don't need these secrets getting out and I don't believe your minions will be capable of keeping something like this to themselves. At least when you're not around."

She moved over to the console and began pressing a few buttons calling up the message in a readable format so that only he could see it. She moved to the side, making sure to keep herself in his view, to show that she wasn't going to try anything while he was distracted with reading. She had come this far and was to close to being able to get into a slightly safer position to compromise that now.

Jan 30, 2017 3:42 pm

"You're not on break yet." Scarface gestures toward the lounge door. "Keep an eye out." With that the thugs move away from the door, positioning themselves to maintain watch and optimal firing angles, making for easy kill shots should someone try to enter without permission.

The encrypted STRAT-COM message from your handler comes up on the screen:

Quote:

---ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION: SC-XVJ63DF6HSCV2378

---SECURE SOURCE: IDENTIFIED AND CONFIRMED

---COMMUNICATION: RECEIVED IN FULL AND SECURE

TO: VEIL PIERCER, (8TH SPECIAL OPERATIONS)
FROM: SHADOW HAND
RE: CLASSIFIED MISSION: OPERATION 'DARK THRALL'

Greetings, 8th Special Operations, aka Veil Piercer:

You will refer to me as Shadow Hand, Sith Military secrecy protocol and all that rot being supposedly vital to success. I'll be your handler at STRAT-COM for the duration of this mission, if not longer. Naturally, that will depend on whether or not you accomplish your objectives, much less survive. Your chances of success will be vastly increased by adhering to the orders and protocol within this document, as will your chances of avoiding death... or worse. Given that your success in the field will likely keep you breathing, not to mention reflect well upon me, do us all a favor and keep it smart out there. You're the tip of the spear in the coming war, so don't be dull about things when you're out and about ensuring future Sith supremacy in the galaxy.

Below you'll find what you need to get your feet on the ground. May Akrulta smile upon you. Or something like that. More importantly, don't fail Veil Piercer. I won't have it, STRAT-COM won't have it, and I doubt Emperor Qray Akrulta wouild have it either.

Contact me only if absolutely necessary for strategic assessment.

SITUATION.
What little intelligence we have is provided by your contact already in the field, a Covert Ops agent using the false identity ‘Abev Nartano’. Agent ‘Nartano’ has been performing reconnaissance for our Intelligence Department for just over a year, which has, in turn, been coordinating with Strategic Command (STRAT-COM).

Yes, we've had access to Veil piercing navigation and astrogation tech for a lot longer than the public would believe. Beyond that, how long is classified.

AREA OF OPERATION

Your squad will be operating in the Kraspen District, on the planet of Bonadan, in the Bonadan system, within the governance of the Corporate Sector Authority (CSA), which rules the domain of the galaxy known as the Corporate Sector. The entire planet is a highly industrialized and heavily populated hub for travel and distribution within the Corporate Sector, almost entirely devoid of plant and animal life, except for the massive population centers that tower from the planet’s surface toward the atmosphere.

Overwhelming pollution and harsh living conditions permeate the entire planet. Breath masks are advised outdoors due to lack of air filtration; you can breathe the air on a good day, but it will adversely affect your ability in the field and long term health. The planet’s surface is barren and dry, stripped entirely of its resources by generations upon generations of extraction operations. The remaining surface is covered with residential zones, factories, refineries, docks, and shipbuilding facilities in ten spaceports, the largest being Bonadan Spaceport Southeast II. The planet’s weather is limited to variable winds and the occasional highly dangerous wind storm, with wind speeds up to and occasionally exceeding 300 km/hour.

ENEMY FORCES

Oppositional forces on Bonadan are suspected to be comprised entirely of the CSA’s ‘Espos’. The Espos serve as the security police and military force for the CSA, and are responsible for law enforcement and the defense of the CSA's territories. The Espos have enough strength in force to make a full planetary assault by our forces a slight risk; victory would be assured for us, but there would be casualties and collateral damage. The primary risk of engaging in full force military actions with the CSA lies in the risk presented by its combined might, spread across a vast multitude of stat systems. If threatened, this combined might would pose a far more serious threat to our military operations and overall strategic goal (supreme rule of the galaxy).

Further complicating operations is the CSA’s supreme governance and control of their planets and systems: the CSA is truly a corporation, and governs as such, creating the laws and enforcing them as they see fit. It is very much an aristocracy of sorts, ruled by an elite group of board members, executives, chairpersons, and the like, all members of an Executive Board that have absolute control over every aspect of the CSA. The Executive Board is comprised of many members across the Corporate Sector.
Security is highly regulated within the CSA, and Bonadan is no exception.

FRIENDLY FORCES

Non-Locallized
Distribution of Sith Military forces external to your mission are highly classified, and will only be revealed to your squad on a need to know basis.

Localized
Agent Abev Nartano is your only friendly asset available on this mission; he will act in a support capacity only. He has been planet side for over a year, acting in a low-rsik passive observer role to ensure excellent reconnaissance as part of your mission success. His directives allow him to expose himself and break cover only if your mission is threatened beyond your squad’s capacity to overcome said threat. Otherwise, he is to maintain his cover at any cost, providing additional intel for your squad and STRAT-COM as available.

Be advised that your operation is of an extremely covert nature. Full-scale military intervention and support (ground assault, bombardment, etc) on your behalf is extremely undesirable per STRAT-COM, and will only be granted in the most dire and extreme of circumstances, if at all, pending grand strategy evaluation relative to objective priorities. Requests for full-scale intervention or support will be considered a mission failure.

MISSION OPERATIONS

Mission Protocol
Your mission is a Shroud Class covert operation. Your contact at STRAT-COM and handler: SHADOW HAND. Secrecy and remaining undetected in your mission is vital to success. Null-Witness protocol is granted to your squad for this mission: any persons, people, or organizations that observe or detect your squad in a way that threatens secrecy, or the mission, are to be silenced or exterminated at your discretion. Any evidence of your existence or involvement removed and/or destroyed. Communication with SHADOW HAND prior to mission completion, if necessary, is to be effected via your starhip’s holo-terminal. At your discretion, you may use other communications methods capable of galactic scale range, destroying said device when practical to remove all traces of communication with STRAT-COM, as per Null-Witness protocol.

Recently, for reasons unknown, there has been 'legislative' upheaval across the CSA and security has been downgraded to an extent. Whereas weapons used to be entirely illegal within CSA jurisdictions, recent governance by the Executive Board has allowed for weapon regulation to become more privatized, giving local governance, authorities, and businesses ‘legislative’ power, assuming they can afford the necessary fees to have said authority over weapon regulation. This relatively new policy on weapon regulation is, without a doubt, a benefit to your squad, lessening the threat of detection via carrying concealed weapons.

Maintain awareness: weapon regulation has been privatized to business owners and local organizations, as such, weapon possession may, at times, be an obstacle in your endeavors. Regarding CSA law and order, punishments are severe, with expedited processes. STRAT-COM advises heightened situational awareness and precision planning to avoid confrontation with local authorities, who, according to Agent Nartano’s reports, are "extremely organized and ruthlessly brutal and efficient."

Grand Strategy
Covert operations will be vital to facilitating Sith control and absolute rule of the galaxy, even more so in the early stages. Preliminary reports suggest that, despite our great military strength, there are two major powers in the galaxy, The Galactic Empire and the New Republic. At war with one another, their power and influence exceeds ours greatly. As such, gaining a foothold in the galaxy via more subtle means will serve our purposes exceedingly well, allowing us to establish a power base that brings us closer to their level. Using covert methods will allow us to do so with minimal loss of military resources, manpower or otherwise, while reserving a powerful element of surprise to be used in the future, at our discretion. From this new base of power, Sith forces will be able to simultaneously commence a diversity of operations, taking an unaware galaxy by storm.

Your mission is an integral part of this grand strategy designed to establish an immediate and powerful galactic presence for the Sith in a very short time. Based on reports from multiple operatives in the Corporate Sector and beyond, the CSA is governed via an exact business model, ruled by an Executive Board from the top down. As such, given the degree of power possessed by the elite aristocratic board members, STRAT-COM is extremely confident that the CSA would be open to a ‘business’ partnership, in which both sides would mutually benefit from one another (the alternative to a partnership, should they refuse, is the unforgiving and unrelenting wrath of the Sith Military).

In this ‘business partnership’, the Sith Empire would provide the military might necessary for the CSA to rapidly expand, and profit heavily as a result, whereas the CSA would, in turn, provide a massive pool of diverse resources for the Sith Military to draw upon, in addition to a fully developed base of operations and governmental infrastructure from which to conquer the rest of the galaxy.

Of course, this partnership will preferably begin as one wherein the CSA perceives itself as equal to, or greater, than the Sith Empire in the power dynamic of the relationship. However, at a future point yet to be determined, the Sith Empire will seize absolute and total control from the CSA, consuming and assimilating it into the Sith Empire entirely.

VEIL PIERCER: Bonadan is a high value target within the grand strategy, which is why your squad, 8th Special Operations, was chosen for the task. Failure is unacceptable, will not be tolerated, and is grounds for punishment by execution, or worse.

Local Mission Objectives
Your initial objective is to meet with Agent Nartano (code name: FLESH CRAWLER) and utilize his knowledge base as a platform from which to identify the most powerful Executive Board member(s) (code name: DARK THRALL) on planet Bonadan. Based on intel reports, STRAT-COM strongly advises your squad to consider the potential complexity of politics and power dynamics when navigating Bonadan’s social structure.

Having identified your target(s), your next objective is to manipulate them into forming an alliance or partnership with the Sith, shifting their motivations and allegiance, via any means you deem necessary. Termination (death) of DARK THRALL via any means (violence, inaction, accidental, etc ) is unacceptable and will be considered mission failure. When your squad is satisfied that DARK THRALL has been securely aligned with the Sith Empire, and your mission objectives have been fulfilled, report to your STRAT-COM handler via encrypted comms on your ship’s holo-terminal.

Insertion and Establishing Contact
Your squad will dock the Spear of Akrulta on planet in Bonadan Spaceport Southeast II, under the guise of a transponder code recovered from one of the many ships orbiting Akrultos in the Graveyard. Agent Nartano has established ownership of a residential docking bay, number 1294-K, and has granted full docking privileges to the Spear of Akrulta. Upon entering Bonadan’s orbit, you are to immediately dock in 1294-K, clearing your doing so with spaceport customs.

Upon successful insertion via dock 1294-K, you will contact Agent Nartano via your ship’s encrypted holo-terminal and arrange an in-person meeting. Use your squad’s code name, VEIL PIERCER when establishing contact and making introductions, satisfying covert ops security protocol; Nartano would identify himself as FLESH CRAWLER during the process. If the recipient of your attempted contact does not identify as FLESH CRAWLER, terminate communication immediately, elevate awareness and readiness, and contact STRAT-COM for advisement.

Assuming successful contact of Nartano, STRAT-COM would clarify that you are ordered to follow Nartano’s lead, given his level of knowledge and familiarity with the local environment, until you have identified a viable path leading to DARK THRALL. With a path to DARK THRALL clearly identified, VEIL PIERCER will be self-reliant until mission completion. As such, Nartano should be considered an emergency contact at that point, as part of his maintaining cover.

---END ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION: SC-XVJ63DF6HSCV2378

As you watch, it's clear to see that Scarface is going over the document thoroughly, and with great interest. Occasionally you see the raising of an eyebrow, the tap of a finger near the console. He shifts, at times leaning in, hands resting on the table, at times standing straight, crossing his arms. A few times, he stops reading and glances at you, only for a moment, then goes back to reading. When he finishes, he's staring at you. Moments pass. He addresses his lackeys. "You two. Wait outside, and guard the door." With a grunt or a nod, the two of them move to the chamber outside the lounge without delay, closing the door behind them.

Scarface looks directly at you. "It's unbelievable. But I'll assume someone isn't writing official looking fictional coms for fun on the ship's logs. Please, wait here." He exits through the lounge, and one of his men comes in, watching you. Minutes later, Scarface returns, tells his men to wait in the hall again, then approaches you as the lounge door closes behind him.

His eyes are reading you again, only for a moment, and then he steps toward you. "I saw the astrogation logs. This ship is from Wild Space. Deep Wild Space." He pauses, almost surprised again by his own words. The disbelief fades from his expression, replaced again by the stoic cool. Carefully, he removes the binders, first from your ankles, then from your wrists, tossing them on the lounge table next to the computer console as if they were garbage.

He looks you directly in the eyes, a new measure of respect in to be seen in his, coupled with confidence in you, replacing any doubt or ill-will that may have existed there since you met him. Extending his hand, he offers to shake yours, as if you had both just met for the first time and introductions were in order.

"Nash Dalo." An ambitious, confident smile crept across his face. "I believe we have business to attend to."

Feel free to make a Leadership check here, as you have the potential of turning Nash Dalo into a loyal follower. In sum, your Leadership check will determine the initial nature of your relationship with him (as equals, or him as a follower). The difficulty will be four purple, with an additional setback (it's his home turf, so it lends a bit of confidence to be an equal) plus an additional boost for the information you showed him, along with your perseverance and professionalism, demonstrating a credibility and a business-like demeanor he can really get along with and respect.

Note: This won't make him a character you control; again, it will determine the nature of your relationship with him, which can change over time depending on how you interact with him (intermittent Leadership checks, perhaps even secret, based on your behavior toward him, or what you ask/order him to do, etc).

Jan 30, 2017 8:03 pm