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A Republican Space Station inside the Damagran Confederacy

Life on the Dark Side is hard. All of you have found a route to more power than you could have dreamed, but the price is high. Narrow-minded fools portray you as outcasts, and the ridiculous Jedi Council will hunt you down wherever you go. Most Dark Side adepts lead short, brutal, violent lives, dying in a blaze of glory after spreading chaos that takes years to fix.

This would have been YOUR destiny also, but The Force has led you well. You have found like-minded friends, who you stay with for safety. And you have found a Master.

His name is Kuylen, and he never calls himself anything else (he uses no title). You have no idea who he is and where he comes from. He is your Master, though whether he actually has any right to the title Master you do not know either. All you know is that Kuylen lets his darker emotions flow with an amazing intensity that makes you jealous; and he is the finest Swordsman you have ever seen.

Kuylen has filled in that vital missing link for most Dark Jedi- training. Away from the Temple and other Jedi, the skills of a Dark Jedi begin to fade. Kuylen has kept those ksills alive. He has taught you a little more of the secrets of the Dark Side, allowing your Force to flow more readily, and he has kept your blade skills up to scratch. Each of you now is at least the equal of any Jedi the Council can field against you, and of course you follow the superior philosophy. Those idiots don't know what they are missing...

Kuylen tries to temper your confidence with wisdom. This is a good move. You must all move quietly, for if you are discovered then you will be beset with more enemies than even you can face. You have all become skilled in disguising your presence, using your skills and sabre only when completely necessary, and always making sure that there are no witnesses.

Kuylen is working to a plan. You actually know a little more of this than I will tell you now- you don't need to know it right now and it will be a nice surprise for later. You have spent the last year slowly manipulating events in an outlying region of space known as the Damagran Confederacy. Kuylen has been using large gold shipments that he is 'acquiring' to finance a sizeable nearby pirate clan to mount a huge offensive on local shipping. Meanwhile, he has made contact with a group on Damagran who are pushing for the entire Confederacy to declae independnace from the Republic. With the continual pirate attacks, this movement is agining sympathy.

If Kuylen can achieve independance for Damagran, you will all have a secure base of operations to work from. But there's more to it than that, because if Kylen pulls off the plan in its entirity then none of you will want for power ever again... suffice to say that you are all motivated.

For a year you have worked quietly. Three motnhs ago, there was a large battle on the outlying world of Naboo. You did not pay it much attention at the time, but a few days ago Kuylen declared that the time for action was now. He says he has felt a tremor in the Force, and the time for the rise of the Dark Side is NOW...

You now have an important mission to fulfill. The Republic has sent out a Battlecruiser to deal with the pirates. If this is successful, the move for independance may collapse. You do not have the capacity to fight the cruiser on even terms. You have only one option- sabotage!

Kuylen has sent you to the Space Station that the cruiser has docked at. There you will meet with another follower of his named Krisha. Together, you must destroy the battlecruiser. Kuylen doesn't care how, so long as it is done.

Remember the Golden Rule. This may be your time, but still no-one must know who you are. Use your powers or sabre only if necessary- and if anyone sees you use them, make sure they will never tell anyone about it...

You have just arrived at the station on a public transport. You are in the reception area, looking for Krisha. She should have an escape ship ready. The Battlecruiser is docked many levels above with heavy security. Bored guards are everywhere.

You will need a careful plan to get to the Cruiser and disable it. Make sure you get it right, because Kuylen is not the sort to tolerate failure...

Ok, I will make the assumtpion (on good grounds) that it is Queeq and Dim that are playing here...

The two of you walk, with synchronised steps, into the reception area. You look around with eyes used to seeing danger. Soon, your attention is drawn to comeone waiting calmly in the centre fo the room.

Krisha looks amazingly like Trinity out of the Matrix...

(Note... Krisha's profile is now up in the Profile's thread...)

Dim walks slowly over to the woman, stopping just off to her side. She studies the woman for a long instance before speaking.

"I hope you do more than just sit there and look pretty" Dim says in a soft voice.
"So far, I'm not impressed."

Krisha does NOT look happy. She gives a scathing look back.

"Kuylen told me about you," she says. "Well, I hope you FIGHT better than you look. And if you get me to that cruiser I think you will be impressed..."

Dim smiles underneath her veil.
"What have been your observations so far? Hopefully you've made some"

Krisha forces an unpleasant smile.

"Station security is lousy, but the Republican security goons that came with the cruiser are more alert. They HAVE been sent to fight. But they aren't expecting pirates to attack HERE...

There'll be the auto-systems of course... but I doubt we will have much trouble until we actually REACH the level the ship is on.

But I've been planning how to destroy the ship. How are YOU planning on getting me up there, pretty girl?"

"Well I thought, Young One, that we might just ignite the ship's fuel source during the cruiser's refueling sequence"
Dim looks around the room casual, seeing if anyone might have heard her.
"Do you think that's plausible?"

Krisha eyes you suspiciously

"That would mean waiting until tomorrow... Kuylen wants this done now... but don't worry. Get me to that ship and it isn't giving us any more trouble... but I'll need my back watched, they won't let me just stroll in..."

Krisha seems upset that you DARED give her sabotage advice...

Kuylen always descirbed her too you thus: A skilled girl, pretty too... but sadly, not that bright.

"And what kind of clever plan may you have, LADY!" Quam snapped at her, almost spitting out the last word.

Then he quietly sat down next to Dim, very close, but Dim doesn't move an inch. Quam just smiled at her deviously, daring her, as if her plan could never be any use. "Women..." he sneered softly before turning his head and smelling Dim's hood.

"Don't you worry about MY plan..." says Krisha, obviously now in a bad mood. "Just worry about getting me to the ship... I hope you aren't getting squeamish about this..."

STOP PRESS! Edna has joined the Dark Side!

This being the case...

Qiueeq and Dim, Kuylen has sent young Edna with you. He seems to have a certain affection for the girl, so take good care. She is here to learn from you guys, but I don't think Kuylen would be unhappy if she wanted to take an active part in things...

Edna has been staying quiet so far. I doubt she is impressed by all the rivalry...

Edna eyes Quam and dim. She still isn't sure what is with those two! She also wasnt sure what to make of Krisha. Perhaps she should ask what she wants her to do. Then she changes her mind and just keeps quiet. But is still ever watchful for dangers around her.

"So, Krish. You want us to get you on board and just sit here and wait?", Quam said with an arrogant smile, challenging her. "Kuylen must have the hots for you, but I doubt your plan is any good. Care to share, DARLING?"

"It's either that or using some of this weak willed guards as an escort to the Cruiser" Dim says as she looks intently at Krisha. "Maybe you'd just rather have us fight our whole way through the station? I'm sure our Master want to hear of that." Dim sneers. "So tell me, Lady Sabotour, where is this doomed ship? Surely you've gathered atleast that data for us.."

"You get me to the ship and you kill anyone that walks on by," says Krisha. "Easy enough for you?

"The ship is in the top most docking bay. It's the only truly secure area in the station. It may well be guarded but some military thugs who are more alert than these cretins," says Krisha, indicating the security personnel all around.

Krisha turns to look at Edna. "Do you say ANYTHING, girl?" she asks.

Edna stares up at Krisha. Giving her a pricrcing glare before answering. "I speak when necessary" Looking towrds Quam and Dim she adds "i simply feel our mission is more important than your trivial insults and feeble attempts to impress one another. I for one am not impressed in the slightest!" At that she once again falls silent and can feel the curious looks she is sure the others are all giving her.

Krisha glares back, then adopts a relaxed pose.

"Ok," she says. "I'm ready to go when you are."

"Well I'm eager to get moving. I presume you have studied the schematics for this station. You wanna lead the way?"

"So all the great Kuylen wants us to do is go out and kill? How nice. Well, if it's slaughter he wants...." Quam gets up and walks over to Krisha. He moves very close up to her intimidating her...

Edna stands with her arms crossed and raises her eyebrow, wandering exactly what Quam is trying to achieve. To be honest Edna is finding this whole creating first mpressions meeting a little tedious! She wanted to get on with her job and get back to the planet without delay!

"Quam you'll get your chance to impress the ladies soon anough so if you don't mind...!"

Well, this argument appears to have attratced the attention of some of the personnel. A guard comes up to your group.

"Can I help you at all?" he asks.

Dim looks intently at the guard.
"You can take us to the Battlecruiser"

With a slight gesture of her hand the guard's eyes glass over. Dim turns around and looks at the others. "Shall we go?" she says softly.

With the slightest noticeable movement of his finger, Quam uses the Force to fiddle the controls of the door, the guard just came through.

"After you ladies", he sneered and walked in first.

The guard doesn't seem entirely convinced.

"I... can take you to the battlecruiser?" he asks, somewhat confused.

With a dicrete wave of her hand Edna tells the guard "You've seen our clearance. There is no need to question us further."

"I've seen your clearance," says the guard. "There is no need to question you further."

He stands there, uncertain of what to do next.

Edna leads the way through the open door talking to the guard as she does so, hoping that he gats the hint that he is supposed to be scorting them. "So, have you seen anyone of any particular importance entering or leaving the battle cruiser by any chance?"

Quam is already fiddling the controls of the board computer. "So, Leader Krish, what level do you want to be?"

"Um... the battle cruiser?" asks the guard. "I'm not allowed up there..."

Krisha gives Queeq another nasty look

"Well, as the cruiser is docked up top, I am guessing the TOP floor, yeah? But these grunts don't have clearance to that floor..."

"Okay. Well, sweetheart, let's go to a level that we CAN reach and try to get some info from the "grunts" there." Quam rolls his eyes and brings the turbo elevator down. "Dim's plan wasn't so dim to me", Quam grumbled hardly audible.

"I think Krisha would rather that we just kill everyone on our way to the cruiser" Dim says as she steps into the elevator.

"Yes a great plan if you want to bring every guard in the whole station down on top of us. Hardly the most discrete of action plans is it?"

There is tension as the elevator descends. Several times it looks like someone is going to come near and confront you, and Krisha's hand keeps reeaching for her sabre hilt (which is concealed, of course, as all of yours are). However, the presence of the guard has so far avoided any awkward attention. He, however, is getting less and less comfortable.

The door to the lift opens smoothly. There is no-one inside.

Edna enters the lift tentatively and turns around to see the other four standing there just looking at her. "Well come on. We haven't got all day!"

The guard steps in, instinctively, but still looking confused.

Edna leans forward and whicspers in Krisha's ear "Not too smart this one!"

Krisha is checking her explosives, in a small bag slung around her chest. They seem quite sleek bombs, but you doubt she has enough to destroy the cruiser...

She smiles at Edna.

Edna smiles back. She is a little worried now but then remembers that Kuylen trusts Krisha so she must know what she is doing. She has some plan up her sleeve. Or hopes she does. Or this could be the start of a very bad day!

'Well then,' syas Krisha to the guard. 'Take us as high as you can...'

Simple and direct, at least...

Quam watches the guard punch in his code clearance which takes them all the way up. When the level indicator of the top level lights up, Quam whispers the guard in his ear: "Nice blaster you have there, nice to blow your brains out when you leave the elevator."

The guard looks even more confused. His hand slowly starts to lower towards his blaster.

The lift starts to ascend.

Quam looks sneeringly at Krisha, as if he has some nasty surprise in store for her.

Krisha turns away, and resumes her fiddling with her bombs.

It's another one of those uncomfortable silences as the lift ascends. If anything goes wrong now, it could be trouble.

Quam starts humming with a sneering smile. But as the elevator reaches it's destination only a very observant person could have seen his muscles tighten, ready for action.

The guard, still uncertain, unholsters his weapon.

The lift reaches the top and the doors open...

... the guard walk out and blasts his brains out, causing lots of commotion. All the other guards on the level rush towards the scene.
The chaos allows the Dark Jedi to move past virtually unnoticed. Quam stretches his arm, triumphantly allowing Krishna to go ahead. "Ladies first", he sneered and then cautiously scanned the area.

Edna walks past him and whispers in his ear "Nice! Always did go for the big effect didn't you!" She walks off shaking her head, following closely behind Krisha.

Quam followed them, whispering into Edna's ears. "I call it brains, sweetheart" he said with a smile as he passed her.

'GREAT,' says Krisha. She darts out of the lift, drawing and igniting her sabre (red).

It may have seemd premature, but it was the way the wind was blowing. The guards looked shocked and reach for their weapons...

Quam force pushed them away. "No need for igniting that sabre", he grumbled as he lit his purple sabre and decapitated two guards. "Women..."

"Brains? Don't make me laugh!" Edna says while igniting her own orange sabre and surveying the area for the most immediate point of danger.

As Quam sees Krish wielding her sabre expertly, he jumps over and snaps at her. "What the hell are you doing? Go do your explosives thing. We'll handle this, AS ORDERED." Quam fluently ducks a laser blast and chokes the guard who fired at him. Another one takes aim, but Quam eliminates him with a bolt of lightning. "GO!!!"

(WHOA! Careful there, Queeq. Use of Lightning as a Force Power is VERY restricted! Not evem Kuylen can do that. Plenty of rumours that the Sith could, though...).

The guards are taken aback by the onslaught, and are in disarray, but more are coming.

Sneering at Queeq again, Krisha deflects a couple of laser bolts and throws an explosive charge into the nearby vceiling, where it sticks.

'Thanks to YOU,' she says, 'We are NEVER going to keep this quiet. We only have one option now... we must get to the cruiser, and fast!'

The explosive charge goes off. It is only small, and the ceiling is thick. But it creates a small 'cubby hole' in which Krisha agily jumps into, now shilded from enemy fire. She starts to cut through to the floor above (where the cruiser is) with her sabre.

"I thought this was EXACTLY what you wanted" Dim looks up at Krisha through the opening. "Do not tell me that you are honestly trying to cut through a floor thick enough to hold a cruiser.." Dim mutters softly as she steps over an unheaded guard.

Dim pulls out her ascension gun and fires it into the ceiling above and pulls herself up into the cubby hole beside Krisha. She points to a ventilation opening behind Krisha leading to the upper decks "Why don't we go through there? Like you said, we have to get this done fast"

"Take cover!" screams Edna as she dives behind the nearest control panel, instinctively flinging her lightsaber across in front of her to intercept the grenades.

Krisha flings out a hand, and one of the grenades is sent flying back the other way...

Using Force Speed Quam spurts to the second grenade and hurls it towards the remaining guards. After the explosion there's only silence.... for now.

"Thanks to ME???? If you hadn't started a fight we could have sneeked on board while these guards were busy with suicide man. Did Kuylen give you a dead quota or something?"

"Oh come on! Dead gurd lying in a pool of his own blood and four mysterious starngers? You really think they wouldn't have noticed us! What galaxy are you living in Quam? Now let's just get on with this!"

"We did have the other guard with us. Man, you guys .... ah never mind."

Quam follows, keeping on the look out.

'Get clear!' yelss Krisha. 'This entire ceiling is collapsing in a moment!'

As you run for cover, it occurs to you that, with the lift gone, if you hadn't have cleared the guards then the collpasing ceiling would have crushed you.

This is how it is with Krisha; competent, but not too bright...

Edna flees before the whole lot comes crashing down but gets caught by several fast falling bits of debris. "For Crying out loud Krisha! You could have given us more warning! What are you tryong to do? Kill us?"

'Oh stop moaning and get moving, girl!' demands Krisha.

The fallen bulkehead has created a convenient ramp for you guys to climb up tpo next next level. Krisha starts tp pick her way through the debris to reach it.

Edna with her excellent agility leaps and bounds over the debris, reaching the ramp in no time. "Don't dawdle! get moving!" She says with a cheeky grin on her afce before disappearing up the ramp.

Krisha throws you an explosive charge, Dim.

'We're not underneath the cruiser.' she says, now talking with a professional manner. She points out two enormous supporting beams she has exposed with her sabre.

'These support the main bulkhead above us. Put that charge by the right hand one and get out of here. When it blows the bulkhead will collapse through the floor above and we can get up. That's the bulkhead to the docking bay; we should be able to get straight in! Faster than the vents right now, I think...'

Krisha puts her charge on the left hand beam and prepares to drop down.

'And we DO have to be fast. I blew the comms systems earlier on, but they won't take long to fix. If someone gets out a distress call saying that JEDI are attacking them...'

Krisha drops back down.

Meanwhile, Quam and Edna are trying to keep the corridor clear. The guards are starting to regroup for an attack on you. The lift has been called downwards as well.

Two greandes come from around the corner and bounce towards you, just as Krisha drops back down...

Quam takes Krisha by the arm and starts dragging her along. "Okay, darling, enough of your amateurism. You know how to handle these explosives? That's all you do from now on. Edna, check if we're clear to access the cruiser. Dim, just do as you always do...."

Krish is about to open her mouth in protest. "Shut up, will ya!" Quam snapped at her, ending her attempt to rebuke him.

"OK we're clear for now but I can sense a lot of presences not far from here. This isn't going to be easy and we need to get going before someone notices we've just destroyed half a deck!" Edna leads the way up the ramp to the seemingly deserted floor above them.

Krisha shakes herself free.

"I didn't see YOUR plan working better," she said.

She climbs up; there is a large (and somewhat blackened) door on the floor above.

"That's the door to the main hangar," she says. "Let me handle this..."

Krisha starts to burn a small hole in the door with her sabre creating a gap for here to put a charge into. She juams in a bomb then then lightly steps back a number of paces...

Dim and Edna, you both sense a lot of panic, but being slowly ordered, behind the hangar door. Quam, you are simply sensing a lot of anger from Krisha...

"You better not blow all of us to bits. Kuylen's going to be so pissed..."

"What is it with you and explosives?" Edna asks Krisha. "Are you sure there isn't some other way of getting in there because blowing our way through the door isn't exactly low profile you know! And we have no idea what is on the other side of this door. There might be some highly explosive materials or a power generator core or something. You could end up blowing the whole station and the four of us with it!"

'Strange you should mention that,' says Krisha, as she gets into cover. 'With the whole station alerted blowing the entire station is our only option now...'

The hangar bay door gets a man-sized hole blown into it. From here, you can see the rear end of the cruiser, stretching back a long way. There are some thirty or fourty guards there. Two heavy gun emplacements have been set-up to deter you. Luckily, the ship itself has no weapons that could be sensibly used in this fight; in any case it's weapon systems take five minutes to power up.

'I need to get to the rear starboard side engine room,' says Krisha, again slipping into professional mode.

"OK the guns are no problem. Big and impressive looking but too large to be that manouverable. They will be no problem for us. Now if only we could make some sort of diversion." Edna turns to face Quam "You seem to think you are full of great ideas. Got anything to contribute? There are some railings up there. If can get high enoughthen i will have no probelm crawling around unseen and dropping down behind them but I cant take out all fourty on my own. I need you to draw some of the away from the ship and the ones that are left, Krisha and I can attack from both sides. They won't stand a chance!" Edna looks at the others for their approval. She can see they are all shocked by her actually making a contribution! "Well?"

"No problem". Quam grabs a couple of explosives from Krisha's bag and Force speeds towards the end of the hangar. Quickly he sticks the explosives to crane system and sets the timer. Several guards now come running towards Quam and the gun emplacements begin to turn towards him and start charging.
"You better not fail me now, ladies", Quam grumbled and ignites his sabre, blocking the laser bolts and counting the seconds...

"Nice going!"

Edna Jumps up with a force enhanced leap and grabs onto the railing. She calims as high as she can and then starts to work her way around the top of the hanger bay, making incredibly light work of the task.

Dim moves toward the end of the hanger as guards advance towards her. She quickly ignites her saber and cuts through one guard before Force slamming two more back into the outer hull of the cruiser and breaking their backs. Dim rushes to Quam's side "How long do we have?" she says as she moves behind him to cover herself as she looks for a way inside the cruiser.

"Krisha, The docking ramp is still down!"

"Get ready to race to that corner over there", Quam said, while he cut down two guards and Force pushed three others away. "The timer's about to go off in ten seconds, and then that crane'll come down blocking the exit for the cruiser. Whether Krish'll succeed or fail, that thing's going nowhere for a while. Ready? GO!"
Quam and Dim Force speed to the other side of the hangar. Guard's heads seem to be mysteriously decapitated by an unknown force as Quam and Dim speed past.

By this time Edna has made her way over to around the other side of the group of gurds. She lowers herself down silently to a convenient raised platform, above head height. She quickly surveyed the area to see that Quam and Dim have successfully managed to attrcat the attention of most of the guards. Good! I should be able to clear up the rest!

She walks to the edge of the platform and says "Ahem! You looking for me?" With that she swings down forcefully kicking to guards to the side as she does so and does a spin in the air landing to face the rest of the guards. With a spainning kick she breaks the neck of her nearest threat whilst she pulls her sabre off her belt and brings it to light. The Orange blade bringing a look of fear to the guards eyes. They seem hesitant but carry on in their attack.

Blocking blaster bolts as she goes, one by one she plucks the weapons out of the guards hands with a force grip and sends them flying across the deck. Unarmed and defenceless, it seemed almost a shame to kill the pathetic creatures but she knew they would not hesitate in killing her if she gave them the chance. Acting smoothly and fast she sweeps her sabre, removing limb after limb and slitting throat after throat and revelling in the occassional stab through the stomach. To see the agony on their faces as they doubled over in pain made Edna feel good. Yes! She was enjoying this!

Krisha takes advantage of the distraction. Krisha wears a general purpose utilty belt and has snuck over to underneath one of the airlocks. She fires a magnetic hook upwards and it quickly yanks her up to the entrance. She quickly blows a hole in the airlock door, and preaprs to go in, looking down to see if anyone is ready to join her...

The station, meanwhile, is on maximum alert. Sirens are blaring all over the place. More and more guards are starting to arrive; trying to take every single one of them may not be worth the risk.

Quam, you are an accomplished combat veteran and are in your element; you could happily do this all day but you know that cou cannot fight an army single handedly; at least not without being in a better position. Your instinct is telling you to move on fast.

Dim, you are rvelling in the chaos and srestruction you are causing. Every move fuels your power! Your sheer hatred makes you a killing machine, but you are trying not to lose sight of your limits. Your injuries may slow you at a critical moment, and (user of the Force not withstnding) you simlpy cannot run as fast as you once did. You seem to tire far too easily as well...

Edna, you are almost totally inexperienced in combat. Luckily, your amazing link to the Force means that deflecting incoming laser fire is almosy as natural to you a breathing. Staying fighting for long though is a sure way for you to be badly injured, especially if you stay on your own. Boy, it does feel good though!

(BTW Queeq... do you carry your Tommy Blaster?)

Edna cuts down the last of the guards left in her vicinity and then leaps back up to the platform she was at previously to get a better look of the situation. She stops to feel the force and can sense a massive grou of presences coming their way and quickly!

"Get a move on Krisha! We've got company!" She yells at the top of her voice.

Krisha nods and disappears into the ship. You can only imagine what she is doing.

The heavy laser guns start to fire, restricting your field of movement. Your biggest problem now will be getting OUT once you are done. Guards are arriving to barricade all the exits.

A small squad of soldiers come running into the hangar when at that moment the explosives on the crane go off. The huge piece of machinery comes crashing down, crushing the squad and blocking the way for any ship to leave this hangar. The shock waves cause a temporary malfunction of the laser guns.

"KRISH!!!!" Quam shouted as he pulled out a bulky blaster strapped to his back, "You better hurry, we cannot hold off an army here!"
Quam aimed his tommy blaster at one of the laser guns. "Close your eyes", he whispered to Dim. Suddenly, the hangar lights up, blinding everyone inside. When those with their eyes open regain vision, they see that one of the laser guns is gone.
"EDNA!!!! Get out of there!" Quam yelled while aiming his blaster at the other laser gun.

In the wave of Queeq's attack, the Hangar falls into silence. The three man crew of the other hevay laser post surrender; no other defending guards can be seen.

However, you can all sense havy activity at ALL the exits. Some of the doors opoen a fraction and guards start taking pot shots at you. Edna, you are badly exposed.

There is a humming noise, and you all turn curiously to hear the engine systems of the vast cruiser powering up...

Quam hears the cruiser powering up and immediately Force jumps towards the ramp. He speeds in following his senses to find Krish. He finds her tampering with her explosives...
"Come on, sweetheart. No time to waste.", Quam snapped whil grabbing her arm.

"Damn right," says Krisha, as she puts an explosive across the last terminal

"I have overridden the hyperdrive safeties and put a power surge into the system. I'm just blowing the last circuit. The ship will attempt to go into hyperspace INSIDE the docking bay. Nothing can stop it now. It will start a chain reaction that should destry the whole station.

"We have five minutes; do you have the escape route ready? My ship is at bay 257..."

As you leave the ship, Krisha looks ebhind her as the engines power up.

"I meant it when I said it couldn't be stopped," she said. "We have five minutes to get clear of the station..."

Meanwhile, Edna, you are still caught out in the open, unsure where to run, desperaely deflecting incoming fire. You can't last forever...

Quam starts charging his tommy blaster. Through the Force he speaks to Edna: "Get ready, you only a few moments when the blasts comes...."
Quam takes aim and then there was light...

"Who the heck are you talking to? What escape route? You're the brains, sweetheart."

Krisha hops back down to the ground as Quam fires, trying to look for another way out.

Meanwhile, Dim, you have disarmed the guards that surrendered. You may deal with them as you see fit...

"Time to leave!" says Krisha. "It looks like the only way out is through..."

If someone has a good plan, now is the tine...

Queeq's blaster fire finally comes and Edna takes this oppotunity without hesitation. The guards are momentarily distracted and she leaps up grabbing hold of the metal bar above and to the fornt of her. She swings around it once, twice, with incredibly speed and then flings herself off, somersaulting through the air and landing behind the guards on topof a near by space yacht. She almost looses her balance but manages to steady herslef before she turns around to see the guards confusion at her apparent disappearance. That makes her smile to herself. She leaps down the other side of the ship and runs to Quam and Krisha.

"Thanks Quam" She says grudgingly. "So now what?"

"A good plan? Are you out of your mind?!!!!" Quam pushes Krishna aside. "You're liable to get us all killed, Braindead. 257 you said huh?"
Quam blast the bay doors with his tommy blaster and keeps firing until everyone in the corridor is dead.
"Come on, only a few minutes." Quam force speeds down the corridor towards landing bay 257.

Four minutes and counting.

You can either try and force your way through to the Docking Bay, which is dangerous but fast, or sneak your way over via some plan of your own imagining.s.

Looks like Quam has already chosen his path, and Krisha is following... I wouldn't put it beyond them to take off without the other two girls...

(In the current absence of Dim and Edna, I am having to move things on).

You speed through the station as the countdown to its destruction continues, the guards unaware of their impending doom. Krisha, not bothered to cause any more casualties, simply force pushes intervening gaurds out of the way, while Quam blats away at everything in sight.

Edna and Dim, you two try and keep up. Dim, your injuries are slowing you, while Edna is having to spend too much time dodging out the way of incoming fire.

It will be a close run thing. Quam and Krisha burst into the docking bay where Krisha's ship is just as your time runs out. From the other side of the station, there is a high-pitch whine and then a terrible, terrible screeching sound, and an enormous explosion. The station starts to shake uncontrollably, and then gravity starts to fail. Debris starts to rain down all around as you try to get into the ship. Meanwhile, Dim and Edna are just entering the docking bay, desperately trying to keep their footing...

Quam pulls out another gun from his hip and aims it at the ships landing gear. He fires the little harpoon which bores its way into one the landing gear's beams. He quickly grabs, Krishna's foot and pull her to the wire.
"You get down there and fire up the converters. I''l get Dim and Edna. Hurry this time, will ya!" Quam snapped at her.

He quickly attaches the end of the wire to another litte harpoon and fires his gun at the opposite wall of the docking bay. Quam begins pulling himself towards Edna and Dim.

A support beam gives way, slicing its way neatly through the docking area. It looks like it will crush through the ship, but Krisha gets it off the ground just in time, and the beam misses the right wing by mere inches.

For a moment, it looks like Krisha will boost out of there and leave you. But then the ships' thrusters slowly nudge it over to Quam, who has gathered up the two women. Soon, all three are inside the ship.

"Strap yourselves down!" yells out Krisha, as she makes to leave the hangar.

The station is already collapsing in on itself. The hangar bay entrance twists and deforms as you approach. it looks impossible to get through, but Krisha rolls the ship violently. There is a scraping sound as the ship hits something, and you are all thrown forwards, and then you are out...

The top half of the sation, billowing fire from where the cruiser exploded, collpases down slowly, twisiting and then snapping down onto the lower half. It does not so much explode as disintegrate; the station seems to slowly unravel as it comes to pieces, and each piece is on fire. Metal. Plastics. Bodies.

It really is rather pretty.

Very few other ships made it out.

Quam is the first to recover from his unconsciousness. He looks around dazed, trying to focus. He gets up and tries to keep his balance, as Quam is still dizzy. His hands automatically check his weapons, a habit that Quam's not even aware of. When his dizziness begins to fade, he sees Krish fiddling the controls. Anger overcomes Quam and he pushed Krish aside, away from the controls.
"You're screw ups are over, I (!) am taking this ship back to Jaglon Beta."

Krish opens her mouth to snap back at the arrogant Dark Jedi, but Quam turns his head and looks at her with dark eyes that almost brings chills down her spine. Fear...

Quam quickly types in the coordinates for Jaglon Beta and then softly remarks. "You better strap in, we don't want anyone to fall over, now do we?"
Krish quietly obeys and at the instant that she clips her belt in, Quam makes the jump to lightspeed...

It's not far to Jaglon Beta; the Cruiser was in the local area after all. You rest in the short time you have.

A casual scan of the news pretty much revelas that you have made Galactic Headlines. That the Damagran Confederacy was going to vote about independance was already news. The cruiser that the Republic had sent out was part of a major programme desinged to keep Damagran loyal by showing support; now that entire plan is in ruins.

Kuylen will be pleased. There is no evidence that any suriviors saw you guys; in fact there is no evidence of any survivors at all.

There always seems to bemore to do, though your ultimate plan is close to completion now. If you can just stave off any attention for just a little while longer...

Now you must return to see Kuylen, at the centre of your vast piracy operation, and see what to do next.

You will arrive at Jaglon Beta soon...

Dim wakes up dazed. She looks around and settles her eyes on Quam.

"Who are you?"

Quam turns and looks at Dim. "Oh great...". For one moment he seriously considers decapitating Krish there and then. But Quam decides to save his anger for a little while longer.

Dim moves quickly and in a fluid motion pulls a blaster from under her robes and presses it to Quam's throat.
"You're thinking of killing me?"
She powers the charge on the blaster and looks at Quam steadily.

Quam returns a wry smile, not impressed with Dim's latest action.

"You see this?", Quam gestured towards his hand holding one of the controls in the cockpit. "Shoot me and we drop out of hyperspace so abruptly that this entire ship blows apart. So go ahead, shoot. If you have the guts."

"Are you challanging me?"
Dim quickly glances at the monitors and then back at Quam. She smiles as she presses her blaster into his thigh and stuns him, then returns to her seat.

The hyperdrive engines immediately begin their shut-down procedures while the sublight engines do not start up. The craft is beginning to shake dangerously.
Quam quickly recovers from the light stun Dim gave him. Still dazed he quickly mans the controls and manages to engage the sublight engines. Then the craft drops out of hyperspace with a violent thrust somewhere in space.
Quam checks his space maps, look out into the stars and then at Dim. He gets up, walks over to Dim and kicks her in the face as he ignites one of his lightsabres. "Don't ever pull anything like that with me again. Next time you're dead!"

Sighing, Krisha is working at the navicomp.

"I'm getting the beacon from Damagran," she says. "I SHOULD be able to get us back on course to Jaglon soon..."

Seeing Dim's passed out cold, Quam switches off his sabre as he turns toward Krish. "We better get going then." He gets behind the controls, punches in the coordinates for Damagran and the ship's off again.

Soon, you arrive back to the closest thing you currently have to 'home'

Jaglon Beta is part of the Damagran Confederacy, but your efforts have virtually removed it from lawful control. It is now a pirate stronghold operating openly in what is technically Republic Space.

Kuylen is paying the pirates a fortune in gold to attack Damagran shipping, and another fortune to repair and maintain their ships. Kuylen is getting the gold from another operation you are running elsewhere. The piracy has no value in itself; the targets are too well protected to be worth the risk and if it wasn't for Kuylen's money these pirates, the Red Lance clan, would have moved onto easier targets a long time ago.

Kuylen is effectively using these pirates as a private army to cause the current crisis on Damagran; it is these pirates that the Republic battlecruiser would have caused trouble for, but you have ensured that this will not be a problem.

Jalgon Beta is a harsh unpleasant world, with a single spaceport at the main city. The city is built around a large mountain/extinct volcano (and I MEAN extinct, before you worry). A large chasm in the mountain splits the city in two between the lower section, where the pirate scum and few remaining merchants and travellers go, and the higher section where the pirate leaders and important dignitaries go. A cable grav-car connects the two sections. Very few peoplke are allowed up to, but of course all of you Dark jedi are as Kuylen virtually runs this place with the help of the local authoirities, though it is an uneasy relationship.

You don't use the main docking area down below. There is an exclusive one in the higher area that your ships are allowed to use. You are quickly given clearance, and prepare to land there now.

Quam smoothly lands the ship on the landing patch.

When the hatch opens, Quam is the first to walk off the ramp, hand on his tommy blaster.

This landing pad is normally deserted. Local security is forbidden by Kuylen to interfere with his activites. A few trrusted guards and plenty of electronic security is around.

Also ready to greet you is your fellow Dark Side companion, Chion

(Chions' Template is up in the Template thread. I recommend you read it! You don't want to mkid around with this one).

Chion, looking large and impressive as ever, with his large sabre swining from his belt, looks at each of you in tuen as you get off the ship, quiet and expressionless.

Krisha walks over to him.

"I expect Kuylen wants to see us?" she asks. Chion nods, slightly, and beckons for you all to come along with him

Edna follows close behind the other four. "Chion. Good to see you. Nice to see your as miserable as ever!" She says, raising her eyebrow towards the silent figure looming over her left side.

Quam never looks at Chion once. Not a glance or a nod. He just follows the little band of evil ladies, wondering what the hell he is doing with this pathetic little band.

Quam's content is obvious to you all, almost making his mind an open book. It doesn't seem to concern Chion, but then, nothing seems to concern that man.

Chion leads you through the upper levels of the spaceport. This place is full of armed personnel, working on their massive campaign of piracy throughout the Confederacy.

None of these men work for you or Kuylen directly. Pelloran, the head of the pirates, and Hade, local head of security (a thoroughly corrupt man, controlled by the pirates) are their rulers... but then both those men work for Kuylen. There is a very uneasy relationship between the pirates and you Jedi, but they dare not cross you, of course.

Lower down the mountain, where the scum are, hundreds of pirate vessels and fighters are being repaired or outfitted, made possible by the huge amounts of money Kuylen is supplying them. Normal traffic to the planet has virtually stopped; there is no-one to see your operation in progress.

Chion leads you through to the main security room. Hade is here, presiding over thousands of security monitors that fill the far wall, showing every detail of life all over the Star Port. He looks up at you when you come in, and soon gets back to work.

Also starin at the security monitors is Kuylen.

(Kuylen's description is now up in the appropriate thread. Goc heck it out!)

Kuylen is wearing his full military gear, giving him a stately, impressive look, if somewhat over-distinctive in the surroundings.

He waits for a few moments, before speaking.

"Tell me, dear Krisha," he says, "Why has it now become impossible for me to send you on any mission without you turning it inot a BLOODBATH?" He turns around, anger behind his eyes.

"What does it matter?" says Krisha. "The cruiser is destroyed, it won't be giving us trouble."

"It was MEANT to be an accident," says Kuylen. "Now the Senate will be suspicious of sabotage, and on such a scale their response could be large."

"Pfft," says Krisha. "The Senate has no more forces to send."

"And if the JEDI take an interest?"

"Don't give me the Jedi," says Krisha. "They are too torpid to do anything."

"My men on Damogran intercepted a signal from there two days ago. They have made a formal request to the Jedi Council for help in the current situation." Krisha goes a little pale at this.

"Was there a response?"

"We don't know," says Kuylen. "Which is why a little more CARE could have been helpful."

"Well... it doesn't matter anyway," says Krisha. "We are nearly done here. They will be too late to stop us!"

"There has been a delay!" says Kuylen. "There is something else that needs doing. We cannot finish our plan until it is done. Now you have put that plan in jeopardy"

"I didn't know there would be a delay!" protests Krisha.

"You should not have HAD to know. You should have done AS YOU WERE TOLD!"

Kuylen walks over and takes Edna's hand.

"My dear," he says, "try not to learn from this imbecile." He looks over the rest of you.

"Quam? You have anything to add? Or any of you?"

"Only that I too regret greatly the course that this action has taken, Kuylen. In my humble opinion, it would not have been necessary for this mission to end this way."

Quam delivered his opinion dryly and without emotion, despite the fact that he despised Krisha. But he was impressed with the dark and brooding presence coming forth from Kuylen. A mighty warrior indeed, a man to be reckoned with.

"Hmm," says Kuylen. "At least the cruiser was destroyed and our pirate friends can continue. If we move fast this problem needn't matter.

"We have a new problem to be taken care of quickly. Damagran is taking its vote on independance soon. As I understood it, it was certain that independance would be declared. We NEED that independance declaration if we are to continue.

"But our man on Damagran, Faylar, the leader of the seperatists, has reported that the vote is on a knife edge. It could go either way. Apparently, a man named Derin has spoken passionately about staying loyal to the Republic. He has become a problem to us.

"This man Derin must be eliminated. I need v..."

Before Kuylen can finish speaking, Chion has already stepped forards. Kuylen smiles.

"Of course," said Kuylen. "In that case, I need one other volunteer to go to Damagran and kill this man Derin.

"Damagran is not far. The whole operation should take less than a day before you are back here. And if it is successful, we will be safe from the Republic. There will be NO need for secrecy on this mission. The people can see your powers if you so wish; they will not be able to do anything about it."

"Do I hear a volunteer?"

MOD NOTE

If any of the players volunteer, you will go with Chion. If not, then Krisha will go. It's up to you.

Quam slowly leans back to the wall, relaxing.

"What's the alternative to going to Damagran?"

"I need people here to keep an eye out for Republican interference," says Kuylen. "We can expect some, kind of response soon; I will need it taken care of. We can't fight the entire Republic but we only need time."

"The last gold shipment from Avalar arrives soon. Then our work here is done.

"If the independance process is assured, then we are safe, and we can go to Avalar to claim what is ours."

Your hairs bristle. To go to Avalar at last!

(Note- you'll find out what Avalar is a little later... gotta keep some surprises...)

"Well, I'm not going anywhere until that gold gets here. Let Krish go." Quam looked at Krisha with only a hint of a sneer.

Krisha shrugs.

"Why not?" she says.

"Very well," sais Kuylen. "If you can make it look like a terrorist bombing instead of us that would be amusing, but it;s not that important. Just kill Derin any way you can and make it quick."

"Quam, if I didn;t know better I'd say you were keeping more than your cut of that gold..." Kuylen smiles. "Besides, let the pirates have it., They need it. If things go to plan we won't want for anything as trivial as gold."

He turns to Hade, the security commander, as Chion and Krisha leave.

"Keep an eye on arrivals at the space port," he says. Hade nods.

"I have to go and meet Pelloran," says Kuylen. "You people can amuse yourselves any way you can; try not to annoy the pirates too much. Edna, I would like to speak to you alone, later."

He mtions you aside for a quiet word, Quam.

Quam walked up to the dark master without hurrying. "What is thy bidding..... Kuylen?".

"You're annoyed, I can tell," says Kuylen. He looks quickly at the two departing Fallen Jedi.

"Krisha IS annoying, I know. But we need her. Without her sabotage skills we would never have got here. Try to leave her alone in future."

"I'm not annoyed. Curiously amused is a more proper description. And yes, Krish is good at sabotaging........ our missions! I prefer to live a bit longer.... so I can serve you in life... Master." Quam spoke with an emotionless expression on his face and slightly bowed his head at the last word. He never took his eyes off the Dark Master's though, always on his guard.

(BTW, he'd be flattered to hear you call him a Dark Master)

Kuylen smiles.

"We may have to take care of her one day..." he says, thoughtfully. "But right now, she is of some use. I'm going to check with Pelloran. Keep an eye on things around here. Check the news to see if the Republic is doing anything official about the destroyed station."

Kuylen starts to walk away.

"Oh Quam... if you think that Krisha isn't suitable for us... have no fear. Avalar will sort the adults from the children..."

He leaves.

Edna watches the two dark Jedi in their discussion, wondering what they could be talking about that was so secretive. She didn't like being kept in the dark. She sees Kuylen go to leave and follows after him.

"Kuylen? Forgive me if now is not an appropriate time but you requested a word. I was wondering if you would like to speak now."

'Very well,' says Kuylen. 'You can walk with me to meet Pelloran. What did you eish to say?'

She looks at him puzzled. "Me? I had nothing in particular that needs addressing. You asked to speak to me alone. I was intrigued as to what it was about! But if you are in a hurry to meet Pelloran then I shall wait for you until later." She says looking him in the face, trying to get some idea from his expression what on earth could be on his mind. It is no use. His face is blank and tells her nothing.

"Your mind is quite transparent," says Kuylen, as he walks thorugh the balconies and corridors of the upper levels. "That's quite an experience you have just had. And... it is the first time you have killed in a long time. I rather feel that you wanted to talk about it..."

Quam has wandered the long corridors and halls that made up Kuylen's residence. After a while, Quam found a large room that seemed like a gymnasium. He closed the doors behind him, undid his robe and started a short meditation.
After a while, Quam got up, eyes still closed, ignited his lightsabres and began practising intricate moves, swirls, jumps, salto's and numerous offensive and defensive sabre actions. Sometimes extremely slow, other times extremely fast.

"No I didn't want to talk about it. I prefer to reflect on my experiences in my own time. But ou are right. It has been a long time. And it felt good. Really good infact. Kind of a thrill. Will it always feel like that?"

Quam focuses for a moments and uses the Force. Suddenly all kinds of objects hanging on the walls and lying on floors and table start moving. Then object fly all through the room towards Quam, who parries the objects by cutting in two or more pieces.

"No, it won't akways feel like that, if you focus yourseld," says Kuylen. "Right now you are wasting all your emotions when you fight. You need to learn how to harness that power, use it to AID you in your fight... if you can use all your emotions, your fearn, your anger, you hatred... if you can make the SERVE you rather than hinder you, then you will never be bested in a million battles..."

Most of the time, it is too dangerous for you to leave the planet. Staying low and cautious has become the essence of your existencso much so that the times when you have vital missions to fulfill are joyous opportunities to express yourselves and leave your mark on the Galaxy...

Tme passes, slowly and nervously. No word has been received from Chion or Krisha, and Derin is still very much alive. Kuylen seems worried about the progress of something, though he wil not comment on what.

A few days later, Kuylen walks at a fast stride through the upper levels, with the Securitry Chief Hade in tow. As he passes by the three of you (Dim having remained silent ever since the mission), he speaks, briefly.

"A Republican Cruiser has landed on the lower levels," says Kuylen. "Come with me." He is heading to the security room.

"Yes, my Master", Quam replied slowly as he followed the Dark Jedi down to the security room.

The security room, as ever, a wall full of monitors checking every part of the base. Some of them are now replaying the images being talked about.

'What have we got?' asks Kuylen.

"This ship landed on the lower levels about 30 minutes ago," says Hade. Hade is a sour looking man, well built, and always with a variety of energy weapons by his side. There is a mean streak to him that makes him work well for you people.

"It is in Republican Red; a cruiser on a diplomatic mission. It made no attempt to disguise itself."

"Thirty minutes ago?" askes Kuylen. "Why didn;t you tell me before? We have been wating for the Republic turn up."

"There seems to have been a breakdown in our administration down there," says Hade. "I suspect subversion or sabotage. The ship's approach was not properly logged. I am not sure who gave it landing clearance."

"Irrtitating..." says Kuylen, thoughtfully. "So, who are they? They cannot be undercover investigators. Not in a ship so obviously flying Republican colours... a show of force, maybe?"

"Very much so," said Hade. "Two of our customs investigators tried to give them a shakedown when they arrived. Somehow they left the ship again without being paid anything."

The hairs on your necks grow cold when you hear this. The implication is obvious; those bent customs men ALWAYS take their bribes... but then they are a little weak-willed...

"I had them followed," said Hade, "but I needin;t have done. They made their presence very obvious."

Hade replays a series of events that happned down below quite recently. There appear to be at least four strangers; one rough looking pirate or mercenary type, one older woman dressed in tradtional brown robes; one much younger man also wearing brown robes and one in his twenties wearing fetching leather gear.

Kuylen seems to be scrutinising them carefully.

The Mercenary type is headed over to the Port Landing Authority. The younger one goes with him and wiats outside while the ither two hang back.

The younger one gets into a confrontation with one of the pirates. You recognise which one; it as a violent and dangerous Dug named Jemel, who is your finest pilot. The younger one tries to calm Jemel down at first but, being a Dug, it does NOT calm down.It looks like a fight will start.

However, the other two come to the younger man's aid- and BOTH of them draw lightsabres, which puts off even the Dug. Before things cam get nasty, the Mercenaryt type comes back out the Landing Authority Building, and starts to admonish the Jedi for trying to interfere, turning the crowd against the,

Eventually, both sides back down. The three Jedi back away from the crowd, sheating their sabres, and the Mercenary type starts to talk with the pilots.

That is it, then. The Jedi are here, and they can only have been sent to din you. But HOW? How do they know you are here? Perhaps... perhaps they do not suspect Dark Jedi, just powerful pilots. Perhaps you still have surprise on your side...

"Three Jedi then," says Kuylen. "And I suspect the Mercenary too... somehow that whole thing looks staged to me. He arrived with the others?" Hade nods. "Four Jedi, then. And maybe more on their ship. Hmm... I wish Krisha were here, we could take care of the ship." Kuylen looks at the screen for a few moments, and points at it.

"That woman... I recognise her., Her name is Gundark. She is a Master. Very dangerous." He smiles. "*I* will take care of her..."

He turns to face you people.

"The Jedi will not rest until they have discovered what is going on here. Sooner or later they will find us. We will have to destroy them, but we must be careful. They are in force and led by a Master."

"I need to know exactly what is going on here. I need someone to go to the Landing Authority and see how these people got clearance to land here. If there is a traitor, kill him. I need someone to check out their ship to see if there are any more. Try to stay quiet, but if the Jedi give you trouble, do not hesitate to fight unless outnumbered."

"The Master, Gundark, will come up here, sooner or later. Then I will face her. If any others try to come up here... follow them to the main concourse, where I will be. Then they will meet their destinies."

"Now it is OUR time to strike..."

The Jedi are here, and all your plans are in jeopardy. If you have any questions, ask them now; otherwise, how you deal with this unfortunate turn of events is entirely up to you...

"Who cares how they got landing clearance, Master Kuylen. They are here, they present a danger to you and your operation." Quam said calmly while scrutinising the video screens.
"The traitor will reveal himself in due time. These Jedi pose a greater danger."
Quam turned slowly towards the Dark Master. "I will check out their ship and report back when I know whether there are more. And then I will return to wipe out the remaining three Jedi."

Quam grabbed a communicator from the console and walked off, not even awaiting a nod of approval from Kuylen. "May the Force be with you," Quam mumbled nearly inaudible as the doors closed behind him.

Down in one of the room in the courtyard, Quam raced out with one of the speeders he discovered during his wanderings in Kuylen's base. Obviously he had made use of time to learn the layout and surrounding landscapes of the base and its surroundings. Kuylen WOULD be proud of him.....
Quam did regret Krisha wasn't here now. Fighting Jedi would have been the perfect occasion to "accidentally" decapitate her...

Edna watches after him as he leaves the room. Her expression half worried and half angry at his arrogant confidence.

"One day his overconfidnce will be his downfall. The traitor may very well reveal himself in due course. Everyone maes mistakes and he will make his in time. However, how can Quam expect us to dispose of these Jedi efficiently witha spy amungst us and no doubt also an informant to the new republic about our operations here. No I think he has underestimated the importance of finding this traitor. He is here somewhere I know it. I shall go down to Landing Authority and try and get some answers if that is ok with you. Heads will roll for this attrocity. I promise you!"

She looks up at Kuylen for a sign of approval.

High up on the rocks, well hidden in one of the mountain's crack, Quam checks out the ship on the landing pad with his macro-binoculars and scanner. It show no more lifeforms aboard the ship.
"I have to get closer to make sure..." Quam thought as he read the readouts of his scanner. "Hmmm, that guy down there seems a bit dazed".

Quam quickly began his descent, using his ascension gear to lower himself. Using the shadows and the countless cracks in the rocks, Quam invisibly and silently descended all the way to the landing pad, ending up only a few feet from the absent minded mechanic. Using Force Pull he made the guy stumble towards him. Once the mechanic disappeared in the shadows with Quam, a muffled snap ended his life.

A few moments later the mechanic left the shadows, walked towards the ship and got on board.

'If there is one thing I have learnt about Quam' says Kuylen, 'it is that he will let NO-one else steer his destiny for him. You are right, of course. If there is a traitor and he is not found quickly these may not be the only agents who land here undetected

'Go to the Landing Authority. But be careful, Edna. You are not ready to fight the Jedi yet. I will be waiting on the main concourse.'

"Don't worry! I know what I'm doing and I'm not about to do anything rash!" Edna gives Kuylen a nod o acknowledge the fact that she has registered his warning and leaves to make her way to the Landing Authority. All the way she tosses ideas in her head about how exactly she was going to go about pipointing the traitor.

You take the cable car down to the lower levels, Edna. Few people are cleared to use it, but all of Kuylen's associates can go where they like.

You don't go down below very much; you don't like it there. it;s where the scum go, aside from anything else, and it reminds you too much of your past. Still, you are recognised as one of Kuylen's people, and others give you a wide berth.

The Port Landing Authority isn't as busy as it was when the so-called fight happened with the Jedi; that was just after a mission and it was full of pirates making maintenance requisitions. Now things have calmed down but it is still doing brisk business. Busy people surround you as you make your way inside.

There are about 50 space traffic controllers, any one of which could have given clearance.. Simply talking to each one would ake a long time. You need a way to narrow it down, or track how this was done another way.

Quam, the ship seems deserted. it's difficult to know what to make of that.

BTW, Kuylen is going to cut all off-world communications. This won't last forever but it means the Jedi cannot call for help in the short term.

Edna walks into the Landing authority centre, visibly relaxing as she leaves the crowds of people behind her and enters the more calm atmoshphere of the cool and quiet corridors.

She slowly makes her way along th coridor to the space traffic control cnetre being careful not to make too much noise. She didn't want to make her suspects aware of her visit before she wan't them to be. She paused outside the door, focusing her mind as Kuylen had taught her to do, trying to get a feel for the minds behind the door. She coud distinguish them well but no single person seemed particuarly nervous or worried or scared.

Perhaps they have become more confident now that they believe they have smuggled these Jedi on planet unnoticed. So perhaps a visit from me would be the last thing they would be expecting right now and may knock this new found confidence right out of them.

With that thought in mind she punches the door look and enters the space traffic control centre with heavy, confident steps.

"Who is in charge here?" she asks with a booming voice once she is certain she is within ear shot of all the people in the room. She wanted everyone to be suddenly very aware of her presence. All the time her mind was fully aware and embracing the force to sense changes in emotion of those surrounding her.

(At first, all you can fee from the rooml is great surprise)

"I...uh... I am in charge," says the senior traffic controller. He is trying to remember if he has seen you around before, anxious not to offend someone important buit also anxious not to defer to just anybody.

"Can I help you?"

The data disc slid across the table towards Kuylen.

"I suggest we check the that, my Master. The ship was deserted, it seems there were only three Jedi on board. They shut down most of the ship's controls, but I did manage to retrieve that."

Quam sat down calmly and dignified, showing his respect for the Dark Master.

"What I do seems rash, my Master, but it's not on impuls. There's too much talk like a committee, even among dark Jedi. There you have the results. And now I'm sure you sent Edna down to retrieve the traitor... An unfortunate waste of time, in my humble opinion of course." Quam slowly bowed his head a little as he finished his sentence.

Kuylen hands the data disc ti Hade.

"Analyze this," he says. He turns back to Quam.

"Four people were seen leaving that ship, Quam. Something is wrong here." Kuylen stands.

"I have a bad feeling about this..." he says. "Edna MAY find out something to our advantage... but we have little time."

Kuylen hands you a small cylinder, QUam.

"Return to their ship. This is one of Krisha's volatizers. It;s simple enough to use. Attach it to their ship and get clear. That should take care of any attempt to escape. Off-world comms will stay down for a few more hours; time enough to deal with them..."

"I'm not sure! I guess it depends how good you are at your job! A new republic cruiser landed about an hour ago. I want to know who dealt with their landing authorisation request" Edna says eying the senior officer. He seemed nervous. A little two nervous perhaps but she still couldn't tell if that was down to the fear of her as one of Kuylen's people. At present she had no reason to believe that this man was her traitor but he may well lead her to who she was looking for. Quickly she scans the room with the force trying to get a better feel for the fear in people's minds.

The man looks annoyed at having his schedule disrupted, but decides that co-operation may be a good idea at this time...

"Republic cruiser in the outer bays," he says in a bored voice to the controllers. "Ho dealt with it's landing clearance?"

There is a pause as he waits for the information to be processed. Eventually one of them comes forward and he turns expetedly to hear the information.

"There does not appear to be a Republic Cruiser on the Landing Record," says the junior controller. The senior man looks alarmed; double checks the cameras clearly focussed on the big shiny red Republic Cruiser in the outer bays. The senior man points out that ther cruiser IS there. The junior man just shrugs.

"Um... I don't know what to tell you..." says the senior controller. "There is no record of this ship having landed..."

What they do about this problem depends on how you treat them now.

"No record at all? How on earth could that ship have landed without any authorisation?" Edna looks at both the senior officer and the junior "Is there anyway that someone may have perhaps tampered with the records to cover up their landing request?" The question is aimed more at the junior officer than the senior, whom she has no respect for whatsoever and appears to her to be no more than a bumbling idiot!

"Umm..." said the junior office,r hesitantly. "Well, I guess it is POSSIBLE that the record may have been altered after the ship landed... but only the controllers have access to the computers..."

"There is NO WAY that ship could have landed without clearance," insists the senior man, anxious to re-assert his authority.

Edna looks at the senior officer suspiiously. "I didn't ask if it could have landed without clearance, I asked if anyone culd have covered up giving them clearance!" Edna isn't sure if this man is hiding something or just trying to save his incompetant neck!

"I was just saying it wasn't a failure of trafiic control!" says the man, sweating slightly. "We log ALL incoming ships! I cannot help it if we are sabotaged!"

The junior controller is working on the computers, trying to find some info.

"You have great confidence in your men! I sincerely hope that confidence is not misplaced! However I did not say you had been sabotaged. I asked if it was possible!" Edna turns to the younger man who seems a tad more helpful! She hopes she can trust him and takes a different approach. "You seem a man of many tealents!" She says with a wry smile on her face "Would you be able to tell if any data had been deleted or tampered with in some way?"

"Umm... that would depend on who had done it..." says the man, "and hwo well.. I can't FIND anything. But if there ever WAS clearance for that ship, then SOMEONE in this department must remember it... not as if anyone would forget a Republican Cruiser arriving here! Um... but it wasn't me..."

"Now," says the senior controller, "I think you have bothered us enough for now, Miss... we are very busy..."

"I don't care if you have a job to do! So have I! And I will not leave this room until I have found the person who gave that cruiser clearance! So I suggest you either stand aside and let me do my job or I will move you aside! Don't push me! You are already testing my patience little man!"

The man splutters some more.

"I am NOT a little man! I happen to be in CHARGE around here! And if you do not leave I will call security?"

"Anyone clear a Republican cruiser?" calls out the junior controller, 'helpfully'.