STAR WARS: RETROSPECTION- Respite

"You speak of Wazo Kell," Vera-Kin says. "A complicated issue."

A, missed the roll, thanks Rexx.

"Wazo Kell is our foe!" Zarjab says. "His reliance and obsession with technology is against our very way of living!"

"Be that as it may," Vera-Kin says, "we think it would be more in your interest in form an alliance with Kell. A temporary one. Together you could crush Tarne. After that... well, we came to you first."

"...what do you mean?" Zarjab asks.

"We could help you destroy Kell," Vera-Kin lies.

That's a Lying check on eight dice for Vera. She only rolls a success... not enough.

"Why would you do such a thing?" Zarjab says. "You have no vested interest in us, it seems! We are NOT tools to be used in your plans."

"Nor are we meant to be your religion's newest recruits," Vera-Kin says. "Why do you disbelieve that we come offering help? We are Jedi, not ruffians come to toss this world upside down. Tarne could kill you all with his new weapons."

Xeth watches tensely.

Are the goons with our blasters near enough to attack and steal the weapons back?

They are hanging back.

"You would offer this same help to Kell by forcing us to ally with those pagans!" Zarjab says.

If trouble starts Xeth can always get to his guns with his lightsaber.

"We came to you first," Vera-Kin says, "for that very reason. Surely you must know that you cannot defeat Tarne alone, and that if you refuse our help or Kell's you and your people will be killed. We offer you victory!"

"It could be a trick. And we do not trust Kell. He is an enemy just like Tarne is."

"We're not Malteen's followers, and we're not with Kell either. We're against Tarnne. We can help each other, or we can leave." I leave the comment in the air for a moment. "Our fight is not with you, and if we are not to be allies, I would rather walk out on neutral terms than make another enemy this day."

"You have made it clear that you will talk to Kell," Zarjab says. "We cannot let you leave. Convert or die."

Balls.

Guys?

"That's a lot of pressure," Vera-Kin says. "Tell us, Zarjab, of your religion's tenements. We'll decide from there."

"You would hear of our ways?" Zarjab asks after a tense moment.

Can I signal to the droids to bring the ship closer to our location?

"Sure," I say, unsure of what has just transpired, and equally as unsure of whether or not we're about to be in combat with hundreds of followers. "Some belief systems do not need to be mutually exclusive, it's possible we might agree with your ways more than we realize."

Or not, I think silently.

Xeth isn't sure he wants to ally with these guys... but he will hear out Zarjab. We didn't come here to kill them all but we sure as hell aren't going to join them if they're trouble.