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It's Interlude time! Whilst the Jedi are dealing with the worsening political situation in the Republic- the last damn thing you want to get involved with, as the Jedi are being used to prop up much of the corruption you despise- you guys need to keep your operation in business!

This interlude will run whilst the Jedi do their between-game bit and the Dark Siders get their revenge plan into operation. You do score xp for this interlude but it;s an extension of the xp for Episode V, so the final reward will look at your achievement for the whole period from the start of V on Agalania onwards.

You guys chose to do a story set on the outskirts where the law is too weak to protect the people, and the overstretched Jedi are too busy to help, or maybe never even hear about the issues. There are a lot of oppressed people out there that need help... and you need employment, for expenses if nothing else.

Whether you are still with the Jedi when you get this message or whether you have popped back to your offices on the third moon of Uridium is up to you.

You are being contacted by a man named Kessler. He's looking to hire some bodyguards for what amounts to a humanitarian cause, and he's heard you guys are pretty good!

Blah, updated finalized bio this weekend Ush, before I jump into this. Been busy and it keeps slipping my mind.

Xeth will accept the call aboard his ship, still on Telania after the capture of Katai, having been waiting around to make sure she didn't try to escape and seeing her onto the ship sent to take her back to Coruscant.

"Mr. Kessler, you've heard right," Xeth responds to the message. "You said you're in need of bodyguards? Maybe you could tell me more of what the problem is."

Kessler is a 'troubleshooter'. Originally training as a lawyer, he spent a lot of time gallivanting out and about the fringes of the galaxy in his youth where he picked up a broad portfoilio of skills, including how to handle himself.

His adventuring days are clearly behind him as now he's getting on a bit- balding and distinctly podgy. He's not done badly for himself. These days, he uses his various skills and connections to sort things out for people- for a fee, obviously.

He explains he is basically handling a banditry problem out near the Satrol sector. Well, that is one part of several problems he is handling out there, but it's the one he can't do himself.

"I don't really think the sight of me wobbling into a fight with a sidearm is going to scare them off," he says, "but I reckoned a bunch of ex-Jedi might make them think twice..."

"I have a feeling you may be right about that," Xeth says. "Lightsabers have a certain intimidation factor to them. Can you tell me more about the bandits?"

What does Xeth know about the Satrol sector?

Satorl... hmm. That whole area of space is what you would basically call 'primitive', though that is a troublesome term. Basically, it is one of several galactic areas where there are many systems that, although in the Republic, they are not actually capable of their own interstellar travel. Often these are various alien species (who never advanced for many reasons- too young, unfavourable planets, cultural issues etc.), though in an anthropological mystery there are human worlds like this also.

The only reason they are in the Republic is that other worlds have found them and they've ended up being part of the interstellar community by proxy, often trading their way to getting the tech to, for example, send a Senator to Coruscant.

But they can never produce the needed tech themselves so they are always dependant on other worlds... which in turn leads to exploitation. Some work things out ok and thrive... others do not.

"Tan Ke Pirates," says Kessler. "Nothing fancy about them; like all pirates they steal where they can and do not care about the consequences. Of course, there's rarely much worth stealing on worlds out there..."

He could hire out regular mercenaries to do this as well. We need to sell ourselves to him better. He's clearly pretty well off financially. Xeth, make sure he's paying well for our services. We'll be underpaid if we go charging off every time someone asks for help.

Ush, any way we can run an "affiliation" check on this guy? It doesn't seem like a trap to me, but it also doesn't seem like whacking space pirates is the only motive.

That's pretty much what you did to get the info I gave you above.

If Tillula voiced those last few lines out loud Wentar would give her a slight look of annoyance.

Assuming Wentar can also be in on this call he'll cut to the chase.

"If there isn't much worth stealing out there then why are the Pirates bothering at all? Is it due to the less sophisticated security the planets have to defend themselves with or something else entirely?"

I voice those last few lines out loud to Xeth...away from Kessler's earshot, of course. I'll take that look, thanks.

"Indeed, what is it that the Tan Ke are after here?" Xeth asks.

"Ah well now, there's the thing..." says Kessler. "It's gold."

-

As with the Jedi, everyone has healed all damage and you each gain Force point equal to half your maximum, up to the limit of your maximum.

"No kidding?" Xeth laughs. "What are the local authorities doing to protect their gold so far? Obviously not enough, or there'd be no need to call us."

"Well now, that is a complicated tale of greed and exploitation and corporate legal wrangling..." says Kessler. "It's funny though, isn't it? Thousands of years of civilisation, stock markets and electronic currencies and yet still gold is something people value. People still like how it looks, you can barter it all over and several areas of the galaxy still accept it as currency. Republic credits are no good out in Satorl and the surrounding areas, but gold... that's something solid and of guaranteed value.

"All of which means that those planets that still have viable gold mines can make themselves a pretty profit. I am being paid to represent the planet Kovanis. And before you ask- no. They don't have a gold mine. But the people they are dealing with, the Servalo Corporation, own Zerok, which is possibly the largest gold producing world out there. They have more gold than they can use."

"And I bet the pirates feel they can help them out with that problem," Xeth says. "They're attacking Zerok, then, right?"

"Oh my no! It's nowhere near that simple. Servalo have fortified Zerok like crazy; you'd be insane to try and steal the gold from there."

"Makes sense. So what the pirates hitting, then?"

"Well, pirates always have an eye for a weak point. But to understand this, you have to understand the nature of the deal here.

"Kovanis is a pre-space world with a struggling population. They do have one resource of galactic value- great underground sources of Hoffman's Gas, a rather lethal chemical that is immensely useful in certain highly technical industrial uses. The problem is, it's only useful to people in specific industrial businesses, so you cannot just sell it to a passing merchant; storage of it is very hazardous. So is mining it. It's poisonous to most lifeforms and the rocks that it forms around emit a radiation that interferes with robotics. It is possible to create shielded auto-miners but extremely expensive.

"The Kovanians themselves, though, can mine it in something approaching safety. It's not as poisonous to them and they are experienced at handling it. Of course, there's very little they can actually do with it..."

"So they make a profit by selling it," Xeth says.

"Well they would like to but that's not as easy as it sounds. Like I said, the average merchant has no use for the stuff and as it is hazardous to contain, few will take it for re-sale. They could try the commodities market... but they all use republic credits. Rather useless to them. So they've tried to barter for goods and technology- but the sales are sporadic and they were getting far less than the market value, not having many interested people to choose from. Their economy could not take it; the world has been poverty stricken for some while."

"Where does the Servalo Corporation come into this?" Xeth asks.

"They are the new buyers," says Kessler. "Servalo is moving into some new heavy industry concerns and Hoffman's Gas will do them nicely. Furthermore, they can pay the Kovanians in something of actual value to them."

"They're paying them in gold aren't they," Wentar says, satisfied to hear for once that not every corporation is out to screw people over. "The pirates are hitting the gold transports meant for the Kovanians, I assume."

"No," says Kessler, "but close. Indeed, Servalo is playing in gold. Now,the Tan Ke have had an eye on Zerok's gold for a while now but they have had few opportunities to get at it.

"However, Servalo's stock value is very much invested into their own ggld and they have made as much of an effort to protect it in space as they do on the ground. Any pirates attacking the freighters would have a considerable fight on their hands."

"I see. So the pirates are raiding the Kovanians after the trade has been complete and the Servalo ships have cleared off, right?"

"That's pretty much it. See, Servalo's contract is rather explicit. All they have to do is deliver the gold to theplanet. And that means the starport, which is a small affair that Servalo built themselves.

"So, Servalo dumps the gold there and that's that. The Kovanians are trying to move it to their main settlement by convoy... and it is there the pirates attack. None of the convoys has got through."

"And that's the heart of the matter... We're needed to teach those pirates a strong enough lesson that ends with them never coming back," Wentar says. "Though I'm curious why wasn't the starport set up inside the main settlement? How do the pirates know when the shipments are being moved?"

"Servalo literally owns the starport and the land around it as part of the contract. They don't want it mixed up with the main settlement, and if you are asking 'wouldn't it be easier to deliver the gold that way'- the answer is, Servalo doesn't care. They know this way that the Tan Ke won't bother them; they will just bother the Kovanians. They've given the Tan Ke a weak spot somewhere else, so now the pirates do not even bother trying to attack Servalo. And as, by contract, by the time the pirates steal the gold it has already been used to pay for the Gas, Servalo isn't losing anything to the pirates. It's rather clever, really."

"That... " Wentar shakes his head, re thinking his previous opinion of Servalo. "I'll give them points for knowing what they're doing... How are the pirates attacking the convoys? Are there any reports about the attacks we can go over?"

"The convoy is all land vehicles; the pirates are attacking with vehicles of their own. They kill anyone who resists, load up the gold and speed away; there are large parts of the world that they can hide in. I am less sure when and how they are shifting it off-world.

"The hardest part is loading and moving off the gold. Gold is very heavy and it is in large quantities; it is a serious effort on their part."

"They'd probably be very exposed when shifting the gold from the convoy to their own vehicles," Wentar glances at Xeth. "Perhaps something we could exploit."

Wentar turns his attention back to Kessler. "Have the Kovanians sent scouts to track down the pirates after they raid the convoys?"

"Not with any luck. Meanwhile, my pitch is for you to protect the convoy, not ambush the pirates. Preferably there would be no fight at all."

"Indeed!" Wentar says. "Sorry about the slight misunderstanding.

"I too would prefer things to be handled without resorting to violence. Unfortunately the sight of a lightsaber doesn't scare pirates off as often as you'd think," Wentar shrugs. "In any case you've convinced me that this issue requires our attention.

"Xeth, Tillula where do you two stand?"

"Well, I'm right here," I reply, nodding toward the ground.

I smile at Wentar.

______________

Is it just the 3 of us?

I believe so.

---

"The Kovanians need protecting," Xeth says. "But I don't really see the problem if some of these pirates decide they're going to get themselves into a position to be harmed. They're preying on the weak and need to be shown that that is not okay. Not on our watch."

"Nonetheless," says Kessler, "whilst they are not playing by the law- and indeed, there's very little law out there- we probably should. Guarding the convoy and responding with force if attacked is some thing; deliberately letting the convoy get sacked and then attacking the pirates as they are busy loading probably looks bad in a courtroom.

"You can see the legal bind the Kovanians are in though. They have no legal recourse- the Servalo are, very purposefully, breaking no law. As for the Tan Ke... well. I wish we lived in a galaxy where we had enough strength to destroy piracy forever, but we all know that is not so. I know you guys were recently involved in an operation to cut down one of the pirate clans, and good work it was too, but even that did not get done until they shifted and started attacking areas closer to galactic centre. The Jedi just don't have the numbers or resources to tackle piracy galaxy-wide and the political will at Coruscant does not exist to give them the needed resources. Look around the galaxy and you will find dozens or hundreds of people like the Kovanians blighted by pirates. With no political power or anyone to speak for it, Kovanis is a long way down the list. They'll be bankrupt by the time anyone comes to help."

"We're happy to provide the assistance," I say, entering the conversation. "Problems like these are a big reason we do what we do. Xeth's been at it longer than most, but we all share similar outlooks on this kind of injustice."

And hell, I think to myself...if they're not bankrupt yet it means we won't go home empty-handed.

(As a side note to Craft- even Wentar's excapades fighting the Srum years ago did not lead to the destruction of the Kylugo Srum as a clan. It only pushes them out to the edges of Republic space.)

(Indeed! I am glad to hear the Srum do live on after Wentar takes them down a couple of notches. They might be useful for future characters some time. )

Wentar just smiles back at Tillula's joke.

"And it's for reasons like that that I am here and not still with the Order," Wentar says to Kessler with a shrug. "How soon do you need us on Kovanis?"

It certainly wouldn't hurt to receive some compensation for our assistance.

"We can be there as quickly as our ships will allow," Xeth says.

Well the next convoy is no due immediately so there is a little time.

Kessler has been retained by the Kovanians to try and get Servalo to escort the gold all the way. Kessler's tactic in these circumstances is to find some legalese problem in the contract ('You can always find something; these corporate types assume the little people won't ever check carefully') and then use that as leverage to get it re-negotiated.

But that's no good if the Kovanian economy collapses in the meanwhile, so he wants you guys to escort the convoys in until the re-negotiations are done. Basically, the long-term goal is to make the pirates a problem for Servalo again rather than the Kovanians.

"And I am a very motivated agent here, because the Kovanians cannot currently pay me. They are going to pay me by giving me a cut of the gold when it comes in, and working that down the line I will in turn give you a portion of my portion. Assuming the Kovanians are ever able to deliver."

"You don't need to worry Kessler, we will make sure the gold starts staying in the hands of the Kovanians from now on," Wentar says. "Roughly how long until the re-negotiations end?"

I suppose this is the time to make use of Merits?

Yup! So more or less as long as you need, within reason.

Lets see! Merits, merits... Emso Crubo could be useful, who knows if/when the convoy could use a handy mechanic.

Unsure if Hloo'jen would know anything about this situation since there is no slavery involved.

However Wentar will certainly give Loj'oon a call! Once a high ranking member of the Kylugo Srum Pirate clan he might have some info about the Tan Ke Pirates.

Wentar will start off by asking Loj'oon if he's every heard of the Tan Ke Pirates.

I have two contacts, one a PI on Coruscant and a Hutt who I have ties to through my bounty hunting. I'm guessing the Hutt might be of more assistance. I guess I'll see what Wentar's contacts turn up before requesting specific information.

I don't believe Xeth's Contact on Taloraan will have much relevance here, but he'll tell them about the situation and ask them if they have anything that Xeth should look into while he is in that sector of space.

Xeth, of course, will have his R3 unit on board his ship.

Any chance Vera could ask her Wookiee friend to help us, even though she's opted to stick with the other Jedi?

Likewise, Gator is making the trip.

No, no chance at all of using another player's Merits. And nope, all clear out there! No-one really cares about that area of space.

Well, Esmo will come, though he's not sure about getting into a firefight.

Loj'oon will tell you that the Tan Ke are part of a high-risk, high-reward pirate culture. They are not a subtle people, descending as they do from several of the Satorl pre-space cultures who simply stole their needed tech via violence and went into organised piracy from there. They'll take nine failed operations on the idea that the payday from the successful tenth will finance all of them and more, and if a bunch of them die in the process that;s just ore cash for the rest. In the increasingly economically deprived areas of that area of space, they can always find more volunteers.

-

Can I just confirm who your contact in Hutt space is and what organisation to have contacts in he represents, digi? I am a tad unsure as it stands.

Here's from my bio:
- Contact (Utun Ramesh - Bounty Hunter)
Utun, a Hutt, comes from the formerly influential Ramesh clan of Hutts. Utun herself holds strong ties to the Bounty Hunters Guild, and has employed Tilulla on a number of occasions, enjoying her extra skills as a Force-user. Tilulla has helped Utun keep his status as a prominent Hutt, despite coming from a largely deposed family. In exchange for her frequent services, Utun is more than willing to use his knowledge of galactic affairs and bounty hunter information and resources to help Tilulla.

...

Workin' on my bio, new draft to you this Friday.

Wentar will thank Emso, remind him that Wentar is not expecting him to join in on any of the fighting and assure him that if a firefight does occur Wentar will personally cover him in the unlikely event the pirates target him.

-

"Thanks for the info, Loj'oon," Wentar says. "Has there been any rumors of the Tan Ke actually backing off and giving up on an operation?"

"Only because they found a better target."

So, is this literally a Hutt, digi? I wasn't sure as I've never seen a Hutt without '... the Hutt' at the end of the name, and I was also confused earlier as to whether the contact was actually a Bounty Hunter or not, which would have seemed strange; an organiser of bounties is different.

Well, there are no bounties out on the Tan Ke, mostly because the people they threaten either a. couldn't afford them or b. have their own defensive means.

I can't think of anything else to ask Loj'oon about, Xeth or Tillula got any ideas?

What he's told us so far more or less means, to me, that we wont be able to talk them down and fending them off, no matter how often or soundly, wont stop them. It'll come down to the negotiations to make it Servalo's problem.

Wentar wants to know if we can do anything to help Kessler with the negotiations.

I also want to know what kind of numbers, weapons, vehicles the Tan Ke have been throwing at the convoys.

Indeed, any specifics we can get about the Tan Ke pirates will be important for fighting them. We don't want to be caught off-guard because of some neat tech they've stolen.

Negotiations with Servalo might be necessary, I agree. Wentar's our best man for that, too.

Nah, Kessler doesn't think you can help with the negotiations; it's not really what he's hiring you for. He picked you guys out in particular for three significant reasons.

They are using what Kessler describes as 'considerable' force but he wouldn't have hired you if he didn't think you could do it.

Originally posted by Ushgarak
So, is this literally a Hutt, digi? I wasn't sure as I've never seen a Hutt without '... the Hutt' at the end of the name, and I was also confused earlier as to whether the contact was actually a Bounty Hunter or not, which would have seemed strange; an organiser of bounties is different.

Well, there are no bounties out on the Tan Ke, mostly because the people they threaten either a. couldn't afford them or b. have their own defensive means.

Literally a Hutt. Strongly tied to the bounty hunter's guild, but not a bounty hunter herself. Organizer sounds right.

Sorry, I can see where the confusion would have been. Some disambiguation is in order in my revisions.

Wentar isn't happy the the vagueness of Kessler's response, but he supposes it can't be helped. I mean I doubt there are any survivors when the convoys are hit.

Any chance in looking into records of what the Tan KE have hit in the past few years, following Xeth's idea that they may have stolen some scary neat tech to throw at us.

There aren't any real records out there, but not really any decent tech to steal either. Just treat them as piratey-pirates.

Somethings been bugging me. What are the 'three significant reasons' that Kessler says he picked us for?

They might have been mentioned already but I'm unsure.

Ah, well!

First of all, he is looking to minimise conflict. No matter how aggressive the Tan Ke are, 'defended by Jedi' is a notable factor in their judgement of risk. Even if you have to fight them once or twice, they are going to stop attacking far sooner than if it was just defended by mercenaries, no matter how well armed.

Oh, Kessler has an offer for you, incidentally; if you will reduce your cut of the gold he gives you, as a commission fee, he can sell on or exchange your share for you; he has the right contacts to get best value. A straight swap for Dataries if you wish.

Is this individually or a decision we have to make as a group?

Best as a group, I think.

That'll require some thought then.

On another topic is it considered silly to offer Emso a part of Wentar's cut since he'll probably be sticking his neck out here on this one?

Not that he would say no, but payment is not his issue.

Indeed it's the highly dangerous nature of this mission. I'm unsure what assurances Wentar can make about his safety though.

Or is it the fact that Emso just might not be needed here?

It's not his specialised area, no.

Ah, I was just thinking that it would be useful to have a mechanic in case the pirates damage the convoy at all... Although I suppose the Kovanians would have their own personnel on hand for that, right?

A convoy breakdown is a relatively trivial problem. What you don;t want damaged is the gold, which is beyond mechanics.

And this is the second reason Kessler wants you. Jedi have a reputation for precision relative to their firepower. If he hired mercenaries enough to cover the convoy, he is sure he could muster enough force but the kind of firepower the mercenaries would deploy would lead to a heavy exchange of fire, and that might deter the pirates but likely leave little of the convoy. He can only be more precise than that by hiring assassins to take out the pirates in advance... which is not quite the point.

Whilst he thinks you guys can take on a pirate attack with minimal damage to the convoy.

Alright then! I'll cancel my request to have Emso join us on that note. If that's still possible.

He does have a point. I guess they'd also try not to damage the convoy so as to not damage the gold.

Is the third reason the fact that three ex Jedi are cheaper then a mercenary company?

Either that or we have a moral compass. Not all mercenaries do. We're doing this for the money but also because it's the right thing to do.

Xeth agrees that keeping the damage to a minimum is something they'll be able to do. Xeth may use a grenade launcher but he's not trying to blow up everything possible.

Xeth is close, but Kessler is focussing that in a more practical way.

"If you think it is easy finding honest mercenaries, you are wrong," he says,. "The simple fact is this- I am asking you to guard something worth many, many times more than what you will be paid."

"Fair point!" Xeth says. "That is something you won't have to worry about at all. This isn't about reaping some great reward."

Xeth will ask if the convoy will need air cover as well as bodyguards.

Nope; it's all on land.

Good to know.

Is there anything else that we need to know? Otherwise, Xeth is more than ready to head off to help the Kovanians. Do we have a contact with them to meet with when we arrive?

No, we're pretty much ready to go; I am just synching all the games for the start of the action.

The Kovanians themselves are 'shy' as Kessler describes them. You likely won't meet many other than the ones manning the convoy. You should head to Servalo's starport. You'll need to pay their docking fees, of course, but other than that they have no grounds to deny you entry.

We still need to decide on the Dataries or pure gold payments. Since gold has more worth on the Outer Rim apparently, Wentar is voting gold as our payment.

It does indeed have more value raw- the tradeoff is that you would have to do the exchanges in person.

Ok, just to check, who is going on what shop?

Wentar will be in the Free Flier, I was going to leave it being and go in the Nexu's Grin. But I figured we may need the ships to carry our payment.

I'm cool with taking Kessler's offer!

Well the payment won't be in the form of "take it now or you lose it."

In that case, it is off to Kovanis! Remember you are a fair way from core civilisation out here; there are no friendly trade networks attracting support services. When stuff goes wrong out here, you are often on your own.

Kovanis itself does not have traffic control, but the Servalo starport does.

Xeth is taking the Nexu's Grin. Ti can come along if she chooses.

Xeth will contact the starport and request permission to land.

Indeed, they will give clearance. They want to know your business...

Xeth explains that he is a Jedi Knight, and they've come to help with the pirate problem.

They'll query that- they've not received any word from Coruscant about an official response to piracy in the area.

"This is unofficial," Xeth says. "We've been hired by Kessler."

"The lawyer? I didn't know Jedi were for hire."

"A very scant few of us," Xeth says. "I prefer doing things this way. It allows us to get out to those in need of our help."

"So you are not officially Jedi?"

"No," Xeth says. "But I have the talents of one, and I am here to help."

"I am sure you are..."

Well, they have no reason to stop you, so you are cleared.

Xeth will land the starship, then. Once landed, he will tell R3 to stay with the ship and gather his cohorts.

Did Kessler give us any direction to the convoy from the starport?

Wentar will land the Free Flier next to the Nexu's Grin.

"I don't think they sound very happy to see us," Wentar says, meeting up with the others on the surface. "Certainly seems like the Servalo would like to keep the pirate problem a Kovanis problem."

"Isn't that nice for the Servalo," Xeth says, curtly. "They'll be a lot happier once we've mopped things up. It's not like they're paying us. Not directly, anyway."

Kessler just told you to come to the starport- and he is there to meet you! He's wearing a rather loud and expensive red outfit that frankly mostly serves to highlight his bulge.

There are some black-clad security guards from Servalo (in fact natives of Zerok) approaching also; Kessler moves to intercept them.

"Ah!" he says. "You've come to meet my friends I was telling you about."

"The gold transfer point is a secure area," one of the guards says. "If they are carrying weapons, they'll need the appropriate permits..." He comes to a halt, because Kessler is waving a datapad in their faces.

Xeth smirks.

"I'm assuming you have everything in order," Xeth says to Kessler.

"I'm a professional," says Kessler. "Now, I'll be your go-between with the locals; like I said, they are very shy. The next gold shipment lands here within the hour and the convoy will come shortly after that."

"Noted," Xeth says. "Is there anyone significant with the convoy that we should be aware of? Or anything else? Otherwise, I think we're as prepared for this as we'll ever be."

Nope, that's about it!

This is a very warm planet, btw- not quite endless desert, but a lot of dry plains and great dunes and bare hills. Not that you can see much of it from the sealed, air-conditioned airport. The natives themselves are a tad smaller than human-sized but you can fairly much use their technology.

Word comes soon afterwards that the Servalo convoy has arrived in orbit.

Xeth will stick with Kessler as he goes to meet the convoy.

Apparently you are not going to see much of it; their cargo ships won't land directly but will ferry the cargo down by shuttle.

"What's with the shuttles?" Xeth asks Kessler.

"Their security arrangements are very complex," says Kessler. "It's not just guards and ships; they apply all sorts of techniques. I imagine several of the shuttles are dummies."

"Makes sense," Wentar says. "If the pirates weren't just waiting until the convoy left the star port that is."

Has the land convoy we're suppose to escort arrived yet?

Not yet- was there anything else you wanted to do?

"Well, that's not Servalo's problem," comments Kessler. "They just need to get it planetside."

Seems not!

In that case, the Kovanian convoy is apparently assembling at the front gate.

Apologies for the absence. It was relatively unavoidable. I will catch up soon.

Let us go find the guy in charge of the convoy, let him know we're here and see where we can be put to best use.

Xeth allows Wentar to go meet and greet the Kovanian convoy. What he wants to do is meet the Servalo unloading the gold shipment, if possible. Or at least oversee the process.

Apparently they don't let anyone see the gold unload, Xeth. They will bring out the crates and deposit them at a transfer point by the front entrance for loading onto the convoy.

Kessler will speak the the situation with the convoy. It consists of various sized buggies, from single person types to huge trucks, all with the same circular, bulbous look to them and huge wheels.

There are three ways in which you can contribute to this. You can drive a vehicle, you can man a gun on a vehicle, or you can sit/stand atop a vehicle for some man-to-man work.

Oh boy!

Xeth can man a gun while Wentar drives?

Driving certainly sounds like something up my alley.

What does the third option mean 'man-to-man work'?

The pirates actively board the vehicles to get at them- they can't just shoot the vehicles to pieces as that destroys the gold.

Ah! Perhaps Tillula should cover that role then.

Aaand that's my cue. Should be caught up with the plot, and my full character bio and stats are updated (link under my signature).

"I'm down for some man-to-man action," says Tilulla. "Er, I mean....damnit." I walk away.

Was planning on volunteering for that role anyway, so I'm glad you guys took the other two.

There's nothing to stop people taking the same role more than once, btw!

Eh, I suppose I could switch in the battle, yeah? Man a gun until they're in melee range. No need to be like Gimli in Helm's Deep if we sense them from a ways off.

The guns are manned from within the buggy so it takes time to switch.

I think this depends on whether or not we want to be spread out along the convoy or if we want to be all in one place...

Well that's the following question. There are three types of vehicle to choose from- two man buggies (driver and gunner), eight man truck-buggies and one giant super-buggy that is carrying the main cargo.

I suppose I should be with the main cargo. Not manning a gun I guess, since it takes time like you said. I'll hide if possible.

Guys, that driver/gunner combo sounds pretty awesome. Strategy be damned, I think you should take one of the 2-man ones.

I agree, I can see Wentar and Xeth being a bad-ass combination right there.

Hiding is going to be tricky, I am afraid!

That's alright, though. We're supposed to be open about our presence and intimidating to the pirates, so that they refrain from attacking.

Indeed! The Wentar/Xeth Combo should be good for intercepting Pirates as a rapid response across the convoy I think.

Indeed. What is the deal with the guns on these things, Ush? Are they Guns-operated or more of a Heavy Weapons deal?

Best with Heavy Weapons but you can use Guns at a penalty.

Alright, I'll be the bright, shiny symbol of hope, truth, and stay the hell away. I hop aboard the main cargo transport; I'll keep my lightsaber ignited.

Ok then!

Well, the gold is being loaded now.

"Pretty simple from here," says Kessler. "Keep it intact all the way to the city. If things turn nasty, some is better than none."

Xeth laughs.

"I'll make sure that all of it reaches its destination," Xeth says.

"Indeed," Wentar says with a nod. "The cargo will be safe with us, Kessler. Is there any last minute information we should have about these pirates?"

The gold, btw, is contained inside great sealed crates- each easily as large as a person- with a giant 'Z' emblazoned across each one. Auto-lifters are shifting the heavy cargo aboard.

"Nothing that I know of," says Kessler.

Xeth will start making his way over to the two-man buggy that he and Wentar will be utilizing.

"So we're to avoid violence if possible," Xeth says to Kessler. "In a legal sense, what if it comes down to a fight?"

"Best if they fire first, but if they are obviously threatening then I doubt anyone is going to cause a fuss if you make a move."

"What impact will a fight have on the negotiations?" Xeth asks.

"Nothing from my side," says Kessler, "though it may alarm Servalo if they realise the pirates may no longer see the convoy as a weak point. But that's precisely what I want."

"Let that be Servalo's problem," Xeth says. "Looks like we need to make a lasting impression on those pirates..."

Ok, it is time to go!

The Kovanians are indeed a shy people. They seem to be humanoid but you barely see any of them; the odd glimpse of a head or limb inside the bulbous domes of the buggies sometimes, and the chattering noise as they talk- though that is sparse too. Kessler has told them what vehicle you want and the two-man rig is already clear for you. Tilulla feels rather alone, climbing aboard the juggernaut. Damn warm out here; the sun burns brightly.

Do they have water? I suppose I should drink some, if so.

Xeth tries to ignore the blaring sunlight and keep his eyes focused on the convoy's perimeter, waiting for any signs of trouble.

Wentar squints his eyes. "Driving in this sun wont be fun," he says, settling into the drivers seat. "Though I guess it should be easy to spot any pirates, assuming the light isn't in our eyes."

They do indeed have water available, yes!

Time to go then. The crates are loaded and the convoy is heading off.

-

Wentar... who do you feel? Hmm. Something seems instinctively off.

Anyway. Tilulla has to stick with the super-buggy, but what position relative to the convoy will Xeth and Wentar take?

Stay close if possible, guys. Ush gave us some potential foreshadowing about me feeling isolated up top.

Or not...but trying to dig into the mind of the GM is fun.

I'll put my hood up and remain crouched and motionless, surveying the landscape and keeping my sense attuned.

I say Xeth and Wentar should be towards the front of the convoy, but not the first car. Tillula can watch the rear from her super buggy and let us know if she spots anything, I hope.

Something off, eh? Hmmm. Could be any number of things, such as having over half of our Jedi unable to fight, though I hope that's not the case or something to do with the sun/heat.

Probably just sunstroke!

Ok, you guys will go as the second car unless I hear different by tomorrow.

Then you guys are off into the dry plains! These vehicles are extremely loud, and the convoy as a whole makes a terrific roaring buzz as you blast off across the landscape.

The small buggies handle rather well!

That's good to know!

Do we have any idea of when the Pirates usually attack?

As far from safety as possible, so not within reasonable range of the starport or city, else parts of the convoy might be able to flee.

Xeth just keeps an eye out, but notices that Wentar seems a little distracted while driving.

"Something bothering you, buddy?" Xeth asks. "You seem like you're thinking about something."