"It still functions," Cazzr says. "Just... not as well. It is the difference between life and death for a Czrkzi soldier. We're very durable."
You approach the vault door.
"So, what are you showing us, Cazzr?" Korth says. "I figured we would be meeting your Lord first."
"He has many things to attend to," Cazzr says. "He assumed you would forgive him this absence."
"Fair enough," Korth says.
"Anyway, I am going to show you what your Senate is interested in," Cazzr says.
Cazzr approaches the controls and presses a hand to it. You feel a pulse in the Force, and the vault begins to open after the panel lights up.
The vault door retracts into the wall, as does the second and third sets of blast doors behind it. Then the energized security wall is lowered, and beyond you can see a small room with a high ceiling. Blast shields withdraw from the windows to bring in a flash of light from the storm outside.
On a pedestal sits a datapad.
"Some of the most important information our kind has ever produced," Cazzr says. "The greatest secrets and schemes of the Czrkzi."
"Conveniently kept on a very portable datapad," Korth notes. "This doesn't look very secure..."
"I assure you that none have ever succeeded in getting as far as you have by force," Cazzr says. You sense a hint of pride.
If there are any security mechanisms, they are concealed.
Cazzr offers a smile to your comment, and says little else.
"I'm honored that you've entrusted us with this tour," Korth says. "I have a feeling the Senatorial committee will receive no such thing when they arrive tomorrow."
"The Czrzki have always felt resonance with the Jedi," Cazzr says, stepping away from the vault. The doors begin to close and seal off the room again. "What you call the Force is an energy field we know closely, in other ways. And the Jedi have ever been our allies, historically. They never allowed the Sith a foothold, here."
"Indeed not," Korth says.
"Come, I will show you to your quarters," Cazzr says. "You'll need your rest for tomorrow. It will be strenuous, I think. The Lightning Lord will not easily surrender what the Senate seeks."
As you are leaving, they perform another test-firing on the powered armor you observed earlier. The lasers crackle and dissipate upon contact with the armor, and the scientists glance your direction momentarily before continuing with their projects.
The blast door closes the laboratory behind you.
-
Korth and yourself are given residence within the Palace, in one of its many towers. The walls glimmer around you when the tower is struck by lightning, but the sound is distant.
"What did you make of our tour?" Korth asks, once Cazzr departs.
"Precisely," Korth says. "Even so, trust only goes so far. We need to ensure we do nothing to jeopardize that connection. The Force binds us together but earthly actions can pull us apart. Be mindful not to openly side with the Senate against the Czrzki.
"On the other hand, be mindful not to stray too far from the Senate's objectives. The Czrzki sharing their technology could do much good for the Galaxy.
"We must ride the line."
-
That being said...
The Jedi are currently at a slightly skewed stance between the Czrzki and the Senate. A score of 0 indicates an even balance between the two, while a positive score indicates a better stance with the Czrzki and a poorer stance with the Senate; a negative score is the opposite.
Gallagher and Korth are currently +1, having arrived early and met with Cazzr.
Your stance can determine bonuses or penalties in social rolls, and the outcome of general events.
Kind of like the Senate rating in the Imperial era game? I'll keep it in mind... though I'm sure Gallagher has very little grasp on how actions affect the bigger picture (unless the Force helps him there too!)
But Gallagher gives Master Korth his assurance that he'll be careful not to anger any one party.
"I'll follow what you do," Gallagher says. "This is all new for me."
"I know," Master Korth says. "I believe you'll do well. You are very intuitive, Gallagher. Use that to read the people you meet and learn about the social situations you encounter without asking too many questions. You'll know more than they'll think you do."
The Force probably helps give Gallagher some grasp of things, but it is not so defined as that. At least, Gallagher's powers have not developed that far.
-
Master Korth is bedding down for the night so that you are prepared for tomorrow. You have the opportunity to declare whether or not you will use a precognitive power at this point.
Bringing your lightsaber is fine.
You feel a little nervous in general, Gallagher, but Master Korth places a reassuring hand on your shoulder (as he tends to do) and you leave your temporary quarters.
Korth leads you to the lifts, and from there, to the meeting hall within the palace where everyone is gathering. The lifts actually move in multiple directions- up and down, left and right, forward and backward, so by the time you reach the meeting hall, you are not sure where are, other than high up.
The Historic Hall of the Electric Court is where the meeting is being held. Amidst columns and plinths sporting historic items From Crzkz, a handful of long banquet tables have been set up. There are a smattering of power-armored Crzkzi guards here and blue-robed Senate guards there, but overall security within the hall looks pretty loose.
The groups in the room are predominantly Crzkzi dignitaries, but you do see other alien races in the mix, mostly adorned in Senatorial robes and talking fervently.
Cazzr emerges from the crowd and beckons to you and Master Korth.