STAR WARS: RETROSPECTION- Gunrunner

"I do," Vikka says. "But I cannot let you stride in here uninvited to cross-examine my company without permission. You have to do this the legal route, Master Rand. The Jedi uphold justice and protect the Republic. What is the point of that if you bypass the structure that supports that galactic political body?"

Rand grinds his teeth slightly, ever annoyed by the restrictions that the Jedi Order faces in delivering true justice. He Scans Vikka to see what emotions she is displaying. It certainly arouses suspicion in Rand, but he will be courteous and follow her wishes.

"Of course, Chairman," Rand says. "I will take the proper route to pursue this investigation. If you change your mind and want to just get it over with, then I am happy to conduct it quickly and quietly."

Vikka has a strong mind, as you would expect for someone in her position. But you are a Jedi Master, and you manage to pry slightly. She is nervous.

This certainly puts a halt on your investigation for now. Chairman Vikka dismisses you shortly after and has Captain Amiid escort you back to your ship.

She does offer to give you freedom to wander the public areas of their offices and world. The cost is...

Your lightsabers.

For her to study.

Rand is VERY much against that. He doesn't want to give over his only weapon, let alone for her to make use of somehow.

Rand will take his leave when dismissed and follow Captain Amiid back to the ship. He will board and palaver with Foghren.

"I must call the Council and inform them of this," Rand says. "I have a feeling that the man we are looking for is here but cannot prove it. Perhaps they will have an answer for us."

Rand then puts in a call to Coruscant, to the Jedi Temple.

Master Yoda accepts your call in his quarters on Coruscant. The diminutive Grandmaster leans on his cane and frowns heavily. He says nothing, waiting for your report.

Rand frowns back, irritated by the grumpy demeanor of the Grandmaster and by the stagnation of his mission, thanks to Chairwoman Vikka Valnez.

Rand reports everything from the start of their mission on Lahsbane to his conversation with Vikka on Davashad. If Yoda asks for elaboration, Rand provides it without hesitation.

"I followed the armored figure here," Rand says. "I placed a tracking beacon on his ship and my instincts guided me to Davashad upon arrival in the system. He is here. I feel it.

"However, the Chairman of the Naft Corporation has forbidden further exploration of the matter. I am suspicious, despite Naft having supported the Republic steadfastly through all previous conflicts."

"Then go to the Senate on this, we must," Yoda says. "Bypass the legal procedure Chairman Vikka has enacted, we cannot. Illegal, it would be, and not fitting for a Jedi to do. Inform the Chancellor, I will, and go from there, we must."

"You want me to twiddle my thumbs while whoever is responsible for the insurrection on Lahsbane acts again or gets away?"

"Act within the confines of the law, we must," Yoda says. "Uphold the legal system, our responsibility it is. Our duty to protect that which the Republic uses for stability and order, it is. Forgotten that, have you? Hmm?"

"I've not forgotten," Rand says. "But such constraints are limiting my ability to catch this man."

"Such a challenge, accept it, we must," Yoda says. "Or become no better than this fugitive, we may. Address the Senate, I will."

With that, Yoda declares for you to sit tight until further notice. He does not want you gallivanting off and playing the hero when there could be political consequences for disregarding Davashad's desire for legal process.

Foghren is just as antsy as you about this.

"Something could happen while we're just sitting here," Foghren says. "Or the fugitive could escape the planet. What do we do, Master?"

"I do not know," Rand says. "I do not want to disobey Master Yoda... but he's wrong about this. I can feel it! We need to pursue this criminal. Time is running out and we are sitting here doing nothing.

"I do NOT want to give up our lightsabers, however."

Did Chairman Vikka specify if it was both of our lightsabers?

Yes, both lightsabers. The more specimen for her to study, the better for her to achieve whatever it is she wants to achieve by studying them. You cannot imagine why, these things are dangerous.

Foghren wants to know if sneaking out is an option.

Rand thinks it could be but is not sure how difficulty it would be the discretely move around Davashad undetected. Especially inside of the Nast Corporation's facilities.

Getting out of your ship will be difficult. You sense it is being watched.

So we would need a distraction, a way to hide, or to neutralize whatever/whoever is watching us.

Rand will ask Foghren what his thoughts are.

Foghren wants to try to stealth his way out of here.

Rand is happy that his Padawan is willing to disobey Yoda, but not so much that they do not have an easy way of leaving the ship.

Your options are limited here. If you want to leave the ship, I will need your plan for doing so. Otherwise, you are confined to it.

Is Vikka willing to talk about this at all?

Otherwise, how far would it be to the nearest corridor from the ship? And can we move the ship?