Jedi Temple, Hangar bay
The hangar bay 'drawbridge' extends out into the Coruscant dawn as the team prepares to split. Mundi and Windu have come along to see you guys off.
"Remember," says Windu, "as things stand right now, we have no outstanding warrants against Balek. But he has attacked a Jedi twice; even though there is no bounty on any of you, do not hesistate to use any force you find appropriate if you do find him, and he seems hostile. And even if not, any legal case we can build against Balek would bw welcome, considering those assaults. Any evidence of wrong doing from him will be a good result- especially if you can establish he killed the investigator."
"But also remember," says Mundi, "that your mission is NOT to deal with Balek. Balek is our lead. Your mission is to discover who is trying to kill the Viceroy, and why. They killed the Viceroy's PI to keep something hidden. See what it is. Maybe the Viceroy has something to hide too."
"Yes..." comes a voice from the entryway. "Hiding he is... and clever too." Master Yoda ambles onto the extended drawbridge; his stick work seems more pronounced than usual. He looks tired. "He is scared also, mmmmmm... and the more scared he is, the more he hides. Only in his complacency, will his true motives be revealed. Aggravate him..." says Yoda, prodding his stick towards Marcus demonstratively with each word, "we... must... not!" He then turns to Clarion, hut says nothing.
"Let the Viceroy think we are his lapdogs," says Windu in his place, with Yoda nodding slowly behind him. "What he thinks should not trouble us. But if he thinks he is getting all he wants, he is far more likely to let something slip."
"Hmmm... be careful, Master Marcus," says Yoda. "Unusual this problem is... if the Sith are our enemy, to confuse and deceive their intent will be. Be aware, you must be. And with open mind."
"Trust your instincts," says Mundi. "The Force, as Gundark has noted, is not revealing the mysteries of this issue to us. But our Instincts are sound, if we know how to hear them."
"May the Force be with you..." says Yoda
A short way away, Vilpa has been watching this exchange at a respectful distance. Before, he had been looking up at the stars, and when thre talking is done, he turned back to them. Suddenly, he snesed something, but he spins aroun only in time for a small racquet ball to hit him in the nose.
"Ow!" he exclaims. The ball dropped to the ground, and promptly bounced off the side of the walkway, falling down into the open air below. "What the...?"
"Hey!" said Jeb, bounding up to Vilpa's side. "You lost my ball! I hope you are going to pay for that."
"You threw it, you pay!" said Vilpa, unhappily rubbing his nose.
"Oooooooooooooooohhhhhh..." said Jeb. "That temper of yours, Vilpa. That Kuylen guy will come looking for you soon."
"Shut up!"
"Anyway, I was expecting you to catch it," said Jeb. "With those ohhhh so well developed senses of yours."
"Yeah, 'cos I bothered to actually STUDY things rather than wait for someone else to do it and ask how it was done!"
"Class socialisation and participation," said Jeb. "Best way to learn., The teahcers said that."
"No, you were just too busy trying to improve your time on the obstacle course," said Vilpa.
"That WAS training!" said Jeb. "And then I asked you how the other stuff worked. It was very efficient! I offered to help you improve your times..."
"It's not my style," said Vilpa.
"Oh no, of course not," said Jeb, trying to imitate Vilpa's resevred voice. "That would be farrrrrrrrr to vulgar, wouldn't it?"
"Did you come here just to wind me up?"
"I don't need to do that," said Jeb.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, Vilpy, that you are screaming out nerves that I could sense down in the basement. What gives?"
"Nothing... just... thoughtful."
"Tsh!" said Jeb, dismissively. "What's wrong?"
"It's just... I've never been off-world before since I came here."
"Neither have I, you lucky little runt!" said Jeb, reaching forward and ruffling Vilpa's hair vigorously. "Opportunity of a lifetime! I wish I was going, instead of being stuck here for the yawnathon."
"The pre-trial hearing?"
"Same thing. Look, don't fret. Stay calm. Don't talk to strangers, even if they are offering you sweeties. And if anyone gives you trouble, take down their names and give them to me when you get back. Soon sort them out."
"YOU should be more worried than me; we know for sure that someone dangerous is here."
"Yeah, but half the Republican security force is here too, and we are right next to the Temple." Jeb hesitated for a moment. "Seriously, Vilpa, be careful. A whole planet full of people like that bas... like that guy we are looking after? If nothing else, your old man is going to go crazy. Look after him as well."
"He'll be fine," said Vilpa, stiffly. He was trying to smooth his hair back into place.
"Just make sure he doesn't kill any of them to feel better," said Jeb. "Then you can get back here in one piece!"
"Yeah, whatever!" said Vilpa, risking a smile. "I'd better get going."
"May the Force guide you to fame and fortune," said Jeb. "After me, of course." Vilpa looked at Jeb oddly.
"Jeb..." he said. "You WILL leave this to your Master, yes? You're not going to catch the assassin on your own." Jeb grinned.
"You just watch," he said. "See you when you get back. Make sure you have bought me a new ball!"
-
Part II for the Light Siders on Courscant begins, somewhat belatedly. Before we move on, I need your game plan. Neimodia people, how are you going? Your own ship, Jedi transport, or just booking passage? Are you going as Jedi, or staying low profile?
Coruscant people, the security for the Viceroy is being re-organised; he is now in a non-descript secure safehouse that is a hundred times easier to guard and you can all be close to him at all times. Are you going to do specific jobs each, or are you going to work on a rota like before? Thoughts please... but hurry, this game is taking far too long!
-
Taling of which...
Nice going, Rusky- you roll +6 for 18. You close your eyes, and feel through the force for the door controls, and then just a slight pull towards you...
The inner door opens. A bemused guard turns around and walks into the transfer point to see what is going on, looking oddly at the still closed door in front of him.