STAR WARS: RETROSPECTION- Respite

The leader is scared of you and trying not to show it. Barker is all the Intimidation you will ever need, being a growling and watchful Wookie. Navir is just keeping his guard up, blaster ready.

And yes, Bart is correct.

The radio tower looms ahead of you. You are somewhat surprised that it is broadcasting as nothing appears to be powered on this part of the planet. More Maltites appear from the ruins, similarly armed, and watch as the group escorting you passes through. At the doors of the radio tower, guards appear. They do not stop you.

The inside of the radio tower is ruination. Upkeep has been totally ignored as evidenced by peeling wallpaper, fallen panels, frayed and disgusting carpet, water damage, signs of fighting. The Maltites are leading you deeper inside this foul-smelling building.

Vera-Kin does not like being so densely surrounded by the Maltites despite knowing that she could easily take them. Gardening tools and improvised weapons do not stand up too well against a lightsaber.

"Why did Malteen choose a radio tower?" Vera-Kin asks the leader as they move into the decrepit old base of the tower.

"No questions!" the leader says. "Ask them of Malteen, not of me."

You come down a straight hallway to a second lobby. There are stairs leading up and corridors branching off every which way. At the stairs, the leader stops.

"Turn over your weapons," he says.

I make no motion to do so, standing calmly with my head bowed.

-

...I realize I don't have a lot of the speaking lines, but I'm enjoying the role I'm in here. Reminds me of Obi-Wan in Episode I, where he mostly just stood behind Qui-Gon looking serious.

And then chopped someone in half.

Xeth observes Ti's lack of motion and does the same.

"We'd rather not," Xeth comments.

"We'll be keeping them," Vera-Kin says, crossing her arms.

The Maltites bristle as if threatened, brandishing their weapons.

"If you don't turn them over," the leader says, "you aren't seeing Malteen, or anyone else ever again."

"I will be happy to turn mine over," I start suddenly, removing my hood and displaying my lightsaber. "As will my friends," I say as I gesture at Barker and Navir. "But on the condition that my superiors get to keep their weapons," referring to Xeth and Vera. "If your leader can keep weapons, surely ours should be allowed as well. After all, will two armed combatants pose a threat to the great Malteen and his minions?" I ask, keeping any sarcasm from my voice.

"No, no," the leader says. "ALL of your weapons or we'll take them from you!"

Maltites are moving forward to do just that.

Hrn. Alright guys, Malteen isn't the dude we want to fight anyway. I considered burning a Force power to convince this "leader", but he's is just an underling...we'd still have to go through the anger of Malteen himself if we keep our weapons. Anyway, I have a different idea.

-

"I will relent and give my weapon up, if the others agree." Then I pause and step towards the leader, brandishing the lightsaber in his face. "But be very, very careful. Do you know what is said of the lightsaber, the mystic weapon of the Jedi?"

"...what?" the leader asks.

I may be getting us into a lot of trouble here. My apologies in advance to Bart and Vera.

-

"They are relics of great power, but only to those who know their secrets. To those who do not, they are a bane and scourge, and can smite the unsuspecting of their own volition." I glance down at my lightsaber, looking somewhat wary. "I tell you this because, were you or one of your followers to be killed by this weapon, should it turn on you, Malteen could blame us. We wish only to speak with him, not to injure his followers. Both our enterprises would then be forfeit, and the great Malteen could lose powerful allies."

I pause. "But that is not for me to decide," I say hastily. "Here, take it," as I thrust the lightsaber hilt swiftly towards his chest, smiling beneath my outward appearance, hoping the ruse works or at least creates some doubt within him.

Ooh... playing off the highy superstitious attitudes of the Maltites, Tilulla proves to be a wily one! I will let that pass without a roll, as the leader flinches away from your lightsaber.

"Alright, fine!" he snivels. "Keep your magic sword! But we'll take your other weapons!"

Barker growls harshly as a Maltite tries to grab his flechette gun.

Vera-Kin will calm Barker.

"Let it go," she says to the Wookiee. "We'll get them back and no harm will befall us. I promise."

Vera will hand over her own petite laser pistol but keeps her lightsaber.

"Impressive," Vera-Kin offers a compliment to Ti.

(Which is to say, hahaha that was awesome Digi...)

Xeth will surrender his variety of weapons reluctantly but will settle for keeping his saber.

Barker coos disappointedly and hands over his shotgun. Navir and Xeth can spend a moment comically removing all of their weapons from their walking arsenals.

The Maltites takes possession of your weapons and try to look imposing but it is obvious that they don't know much about hi-tech ranged weapons. One mook is holding Xeth's grenade launcher upside-down.

With you all as disarmed as the leader is willing to press, he guides you into Malteen's chamber! It is in fact a large studio with enough room to incorporate an audience. And an audience there is; nearly a hundred Maltites assembled.

On the stage stands a shouter preaching the wisdom of Malteen; your good friend Zarjab in the flesh. He is a frail fellow, wearing only a toga-esque scrap of dirty cloth as he throws his skinny arms up and about during his shouting. He is very articulate and makes gestures for just about everything he says.

He stops when the thugs enter with you, and the audience stares your way.

Awesome, it worked.

-

"I thank you, my friend. I would not wish to see harm come to you," and I smile serenely at him.

I sneak a glance over at Vera to acknowledge the compliment. And just before we enter the chamber I pull the hood of my robes back over my head, taking a place behind and to the side of the other Jedi.

The Maltites watch as you are led toward the stage where Zarjab stands expectantly.

"Welcome, mythic warriors of the past," Zarjab greets as you come up onto the stage. "Or so you claim to be. We are most eager to meet you."

Apparently we're all too dumbstruck to speak.

😉

-

Rexx, I'm going to do a visual sweep of the room. Any weapons trained on us, an approximate count of the people in the room, number of exits and where they're at, etc.

There are roughly one hundred Maltites in the room, including those that escorted you in and Zarjab. A few Maltites (men and women both) have bows and crossbows trained on you. You notice nothing hi-tech except the microphone that Zarjab has been using.