And hyperspace doubly so!
(OK, JO, a standard cruiser it is. Though feel free to make up an idea from scratch for a ship if you want).
The journey to the Damagran Confederacy is mainly uneventful. On the way, you catch up with pieces of news that might be important.
Pirate attacks in the area are on the increase. Nearly everything is being hit; the pirates don't seem to be discriminating against rciher or easier targets; they blast everything in sight. In fact, it's becoming more like a mini-war than a pirating problem. The pirate clan is known as the Red Lance.
News from Damagran indicates that a referendum is even now being taken on the question of independance from the Republic. The vote seems very much split by geography; the North wants to stay loyal while the South want to secede. it looks like the South have the edge, especially with the destruction of the cruiser. You may be too late to change their minds. The leaders on both sides are now always accompanied by large and heavily armed bodyguards. Things are getting very tense.
It is clear that the other planets of the Cofederacy will follow the lead of Damagran.
Apparently, it is clear that your destination, Jaglon Beta, has been virtually claimed by the pirates. No law officials go there any more; the Republican Cruiser was due to go there to sort things out but was destroyed first. Your bright red Republican ship may draw undue attention when you arrive there so be careful and have an excuse ready.
Gundark, you meditate during the journey. The future is uncertain, but you are certain that Jaglon Beta is the right place to be. But also something important is happening on the unidentified white planet! You must discover where it is.
You will arrive at the Confederacy soon.
Arriving at the Confederacy, you could be mistaken at first for thinking you had jumoed into a war zone. Space traffic control operators bark warnings and orders at you as soon as you are in Confederate space. They are VERY wary of approaching pirates.
When you give your destination as Jaglon Beta, you are met with suspicion. Decent people don't go there any more, especially in ships showing Republican colours. Stioll, they can find no reason to doubt your intentions, and they send you on your way.
JO and RC, you are both veteran space travellers and are paying attention to what you see. Something is not quite right. Evidence of pirate activity is everywhere; you fly past supply ships and merchant vessels heavily escorted by military-grade fighters. Nearly every ship you see shows the tell-tale burn marks of laser combat; fighting has been heavy,
But this is exactly what is confusing you. It DOES look like a war zone, but the COnfederacy is not at war. These are Pirates, not an opposing army. Pirates don't like to hit hard targets; they prefer soft Merchant routes. When you first heard about the pirate problem at the Confederarcy, you were imagining poor defenceless people being shot down mercilessly. Quite the opposite; the Confederacy is obviously well-armed; far better armed than most outlying systems.
If you were a pirate, you could find at least a dozen systems in this secotr of space alone you would rather attack than anyone beloning to the Confederacy. Attacking ships this well protected just wouldn't be worth the cost, unless they were transporting something REALLY rare, and from what you can tell they are just standard goods.
It makes no sense. This pirate clan must be fighting itself into oblivion with the losses it must be taking.
Presnetly, you arrive at Jaglon Beta, a dirty planet that is not particularly big with only one major settlement, where the starport is located. There seems to be nothing else of interest on the planet whatsoever.
Gundark, the first time you see the planet- just for a moment- you feel a disturbance in the Force. Just that, a disturbance. You cannot feel it's nature or meaning. But something is wrong here.
Oasis could not place his finger on it, but something about this place irked him a great deal. He and his fellow Jedi Knights were here to resolve the issue and for the first time he began to realize just how difficult this mission was going to be. Suddenly, Oasis noticed Master Gundark was stirring, "Gundark, what is wrong?"
RC jumps down from the bunk and strolled into the cockpit. Reaching down, he flicked the transmit button.
"This is the CorSec Cruiser Nabulon. We are here at the direct request of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine."
"What is you business here?" shot back a reply.
"Well for one, we hope to assist in routing out your little pirate problem. We need to clear this up quickly as we have business with Derin of Damagran to attend to."
Gundark shot Cree a warning glance. "Do the words covert operation mean anything to you?" she hissed.
RC flicked the transmitter. "Don't panic, I'll deal with it." Flicking the transmitter back on, he smiled to himself.
"CorSec Cruiser Nabulon, you are cleared to dock at berth Sixteen-Alpha-Three."
"Thanks control. Please ensure Security Protocol 8973-2223434-11 is adhered to and do NOT log this immunity vessels docking." RC knew that there was know such protocol, but also knew that the control officer would have no time to check with all the traffic currently entering and leaving the system.
"Of course Sir," the slightly hesitant reply came.
"Thank you control. One more thing, you have been very helpful, I would like to pass on my thanks to your supervisor. What is your operator designate?"
"PL-663319."
"Thanks you control, you've been most kind. CorSec Cruiser Nabulon out." RC flipped the switch a final time and turned to back to a worried looking Gundark. "I'll deal with it," he reassured her.
MOD NOTE
RC, I had to alter your post slightly... Derin is on Damagran itself, not Jaglon... you decided to come here first
[ July 13, 2001: Message edited by: Ushgarak ]
RC NOTE
I re-edited a little bit as totally discounting Derin makes the whole exchange between Cree and the controller pretty pointless. Derin was our key to a quick dock you see.
[ July 15, 2001: Message edited by: RC ]
Noew you at least have some clearance to land, you appraoch the space port. Of course, the appearance of a Cruiser flying Republican colours in an area where law and order is supposed to have broken down is bound to cause quite a stir, and a number of other ships fly close during your descent.
The main space port, located at the only major settlement on the planet, is split into two areas. It is built around a long-extinct (and I MEAN extinct) volcano, but a large chasm down the middle neatrly bisects the small city. A grav cable-car connects the two sections. The upper section is off-limits to travellers and is well defended; there is a small landing pad there that you are not cleared to use. Getting up there will be difficult, but if there is something to hide up there it could be worth it.
You land in a bay of the main space port, in the lower section. It is VERY busy. And... you can hardly believe it... pirate ships and fighters are openly docked here, servicing their ships, though you can't get too close a look during the descent.
It's a smooth landing, and soon you are docked and secured. As you prepare to leave the vessel, two customs officials approach your ship.
(BTW, if anyone leaves the ship I would like to know how they are dressed. Going in Jedi robes gets you respect but also makes you a target)
"I don't suppose for a moment any of you have thought to bring a change of cloths?"
RC stood brfore his companions, still dressed in the disguise he had carefully picked out for this mission.
Dark pants and a blue shirt, worn beneath a full length jacket, made from wampa leather conceal a Blastech DL-44 holstered agianst his right leg, whilst a DH-17 is to be found in against his left. His Lightsaber is secreted in the charge pack pouch of his holster, just in case.
During the trip a good amount of stubbly growth had appears on RC's face.
"You'll be made for Jedi before you have taken 5 paces."
[ July 15, 2001: Message edited by: RC ]