Fwurg

[Mercury]

((OOC: You are speaking to a Droid, which I suppose is a mix of the two. I'll give Gerben until tomorrow to respond, then I'm putting up a reply.))

[Darones Rei]

For the moment Darones let T'Sal do the talking as she could more easily pass for an adult. He was more interested in the terminal itself, and tapped the panel to see if he could use the terminal to either locate the Sheller, or excess other useful information trough it such as more intelligence on Mandalorian's movements and the war progress.

((Check: 12 = 5 Force Level + 5 Reason + 1 Slicing + 1 Programming -- breaking the security and looking to find useful information on the Sheller or his location))

[Mercury]

The terminal did not offer much in the way of ability to track anyone or anything - it was no more than a glorified catalogue with a direct call button to order now, something it suggested doing with many exclamation points.

Thus, though Darones was certainly skilled enough, he wasn't able to find any information on the Sheller.

T'sal meanwhile continued to interact with the system.

"For custom orders not in our catalogue, please follow the road and go up the stairs to our office building and ask for a manager. Remember to keep proof of adulthood and payment ready in advance for the fastest possible service!" the voice advised.

Looking down the road, the office didn't seem too far, and it would probably be more useful than this seedy terminal.

((OOC: At this point I am autoing you as going there for sake fo speed and brevity. If you wish to do anything before going in, please post it in your next post and we'll pretend it happened in between.))



The stairs they had been pointed to was littered with rats and people down on their luck, one of them holding up a begging hand towards T'sal and Darones as they passed.

Above was an open area with several stores and offices, none of them seeming to be very legitimate businesses. Recognising the name Quinar's, they made their way inside. A three-breasted Gran stepped up to greet them.

"Aren't you two a little young for this place?" she inquired.

[T'Sal]

T'sal takes a good look around while they walk inside the building. She did not like the look much and tries to see where possible escapes route are.

((Check: 8 = 5 Force Level + 3 Vision -- Looking for around building to check interior and escape routes.))

Arriving at the office they are 'warmly greeted' by the Gran.

"We are NOT here for regular, but OTHER business."

says T'sal while making a clear patting sign towards her bag. She hopes the women would get that their are smuggler and would let them in.

[Mercury]

The building was small, but there was a back exit, most likely leading to some sort of common area that the various businesses shared - a bathroom perhaps? At least this place appeared to just be the office so they wouldn't have to worry about running into age-inappropriate things here.

"Oh, our OTHER business." the Gran started "How am I supposed to know what that means?"

She sighed.

"Look kids, whatever you are looking for... you best stay out of it if you know what's good for you, okay? Just... don't. I'd hate to see you get hurt."

From the tone of her voice, it wasn't a threat, but an honest warning.

[T'Sal]

"Thank you for your concern but we can take take of ourselves, otherwise we would not be here. Big guys think that they can win because they are taller and stronger. But you should not judge on looks only, cause that could be your downfall."

With that T'sal walks further into the office. Hopefully there is someone who knows more business.

((OOC: Hey, Darones are you sleep walking?))

[Darones Rei]

"Indeed Ma'am," Darones said as he back up T'Sal's statement, "We'll be quite alright, but I do thank you for your concern."

He then followed T'Sal in further, before he whispered making sure no one could overhear him.

"She seems like a nice lady, why don't we just ask her if she knows where we can find the Sheller? I'd rather get in trouble with an old lady then having to fight off some of the scum that walks the street around here. And I recon that since she's here, she's not so innocent as she seems to be either."

((OOC: Indeed he is ;)))

[Mercury]

T'sal soon found that the office didn't extend beyond the confines they were in now. It was just the woman here - likely this place was for administration only and the guys and girls either stayed elsewhere or 'worked from home'. Such a set-up was common for less-than-reputable companies, in part to prevent anyone from being home when trouble came a knocking, be it in the form of Mandalorian investigators, police raids or disgruntled customers and money lenders.

One thing T'sal knew about places like this - in case of emergencies, they could always reach someone in charge, even if only to let them know to run like hell. Likely the woman knew more than she was letting on, and it was up to them to extract the information.

[T'Sal]

T'sal agrees with Darones. The old lady will probably have something up her sleeve.

"We are looking for the Sheller and at the Catina they said you might know more."

[Mercury]

"Don't say I didn't warn ya..."

The woman activated a com panel at her desk.

"Boss... there's some kids here to see you."

"What? Kids? We don't do kids! You know that!"

"They're here for the Sheller."

"Ah... those kinds of kids..."

It remained silent for a while.

"Send them up to the market. I'll have O.T.T.O. pick them up."

O.T.T.O. turned out to be a huge droid which wouldn't have stood out amongst a droid army except it didn't have any weapons. Though initially cautious, the two Jedi let O.T.T.O. take it through the various streets and alleys until they reached a balcony.

From here, the view of the city was amazing, looking out over the entire interior of the superstructure.

Looking out over the sight, they almost forgot for a moment they were here on a mission, until the click and whirr of a weapon arming itself rudely awakened them.

A Rakata wearing full body armour was aiming an assault rifle at them, and he had brought five friends carrying similar weapons.

"I'm the Sheller. And you're Mandalorian spies. You have ten seconds to explain yourselves before we kill you."

The balcony had not been chosen by accident. The only way out from here was down into the depths of certain death below, or through the five armed men.

[Darones Rei]

"If you think us to be Mandalorian spies," Darones replied firmly, "then either you are not the Sheller, or you want to listen to what we have to say first because we didn't come here to be shot to bits, and certainly not to let you bully us around.

No sir, I can assure you we are not Mandalorian spies, quite the opposite" He continued as he played the childhood innocence card, as he was reluctant to reveal himself as a Jedi just now.. but if attacked he would have no choice but defend himself.

"We have heard that you have access to information that our master finds of particular interest, and we were sent the retrieve it. It was suggested that our youth could provide to be a useful asset for the success of this mission, as the Mandalorians tend to ignore us."

[T'Sal]

The two padawans had the balcony in their back and blasters in front.

"Mandalorian spies? We are the exact opposite. Let me show you."

T'sal puts her hands slowly up and shows that she is unarmed. She slowly moves her hands to her headscarf and loosens it. She puts her head a little to the back and lets her hidden lightsaber fall down her back . With her telekinetic powers she catches her ligtsaber and let it float behind her back. With the deep depth and nice backview to the city the weapon is out of the view of the Sheller and the Rakata with friends.

((Check: 10 = 5 Force Level + 4 Energy + 1 Telekinesis -- Catch the ligtsaber behind her back and let it float hidden behind her back.))

T'sal puts her headscarf off and let it fall down. She then takes a daring "martial arts" stance and point to her pointed Hiocan ears.

"Recognize these?"

((OOC: Getting combat ready taking suus mahna stance))

[Mercury]

((OOC: Your check to fly the lightsaber around is approved and your motive to take suus mahna is noted, however we are not at this time in combat yet, so no rounds just yet.))

T'sal carefully guided her lightsaber to float behind her back, ready to be grabbed as she took her martial arts stance.

Pointing to her ears, the Sheller looked unsure a moment.

"Ears?"

The man looked confused even - Rakata didn't have ears, at least not external ones. Instead they had their eyes mounted on sticks.

"Wait, are you some sort of human subspecies I should know about? Do you have any idea how many types of humans there are? And you all look alike! Even if you were some type of unique species I should recognise, how does this prove to me you aren't a defector working for the Mandalorians and intent to trick me?"

The man did not seem to look convinced by Darones' arguments either: "And you, little human. What you say is exactly what a Mandalorian spy who wanted to appear as an ally would say..."

"If you aren't Mandalorian spies... prove it!" he challenged. Clearly this guy was extremely paranoid. Being a professional spy in enemy territory, likely that was why he was still alive.

[T'Sal]

"As a guy who works with the Union I thought you would at least know the worlds right across the border.

They did not give us anything to prove we are not Mandalorian spies to you when we where send on this mission. The only thing we got that is unique is this. "

T'sal turns her hand around and summons her ligtsaber. She catches it and turns it on. She looks to see what their reactions and 1 second to react (indicate friend or foe). Then T'sal jumps forward to the Sheller and points her ligthsaber right at him.

"And what do you have that proves you do not work for the Mandalorians and kill non-Mandalorian spies?"

((OOC: T'sal will defend if they start firing))

[Darones Rei]

"Fine," Darones sighed as he reached for his lightsabers, "It seems that the only we can convince you is to beat it into you. Since it is impossible for us to prove that we are who we say we are, just like it is impossible for you to prove that what you say is true.

"In all fairness however," Darones concluded after he activated his lightsabers and took up a comfortable shii-cho posture, "I am inclined to give you one last chance to see the truth of our words and surrender your arms, before anyone gets hurt. Should you refuse however, we will have no choice but to prove the truth of our words through the application of force."

He then seemed to close his eyes for a moment as he reached out to the force and jumped up high and over the Rakata and his men, to land again a small distance behind them.

"What do you say...?" He said daringly

((Check: 12 = 5 Force Level + 3 Strength + 2 Force Jump + 1 Force Speed + 1 Athletics -- make the jump from complete standstill))

[Mercury]

"Jedi!" the Rakata suddenly tossed out the whole suspicious act as the two padawans got out their lightsabers and Darones flew through the air like he was Salia's prized pink bouncing ball.

The Rakata - and his friends - lowered their weapons. Perhaps this hadn't been the subtlest form of Form Zero, and no doubt Master Screetor would have his opinion on that, but it worked and for the moment battle appeared to be avoided.

"Why didn't you say you were Jedi?"

The man shooed his guards away as he motioned for them to follow him to a more comfortable and less "battle-to-the-death" location.

"I have got some crucial information which I will give you a sample of - that should prove I am not working for the Mandalorians."

Presuming the Jedi were willing to follow him, he led the way into a nearby building where he grabbed a data-crystal that had been taped under the table. Hooking it up to the projector in the centre of that same table.



"This is the new Mandalore, the leader of the Mandalorian Fleets and of their biggest clan, Clan Markoth. Now known simply as Mandalore Markoth, he used to be known as 'the Prince' given that his father ruled the clan.

He took over the position as clan leader after killing his father in a duel and reforged the clan into a powerhouse, making some unexpectedly very successful attacks on Clan Elkroth.

After defeating the second largest clan, it was a matter of time before he'd crown himself Mandalore and leader of all Mandalorians."

the man paused

"But that isn't new to you. What is new is why he has been so successful.

This is why:"



"He has a dozen warriors to support him. A dozen -sith- warriors."

((OOC: dun-dun dun!))

[Darones Rei]

Darones' facial expression clearly changed as the Rakate showed the intelligence he had managed to procure and for a moment Darones just stood there, unsure of exactly what to do. "I see.., " he blurted, "This intelligence changes everything."

He then looked at T'Sal, seemingly ignoring the Rakata for a moment as if they were not there. "We need to leave now." And immediately he seemed to turn around to make his way back to their ship in the fastest way possible, completely forgetting the Rakata or anything they might want in return...

[T'Sal]

"I do not think you would believe if us if we told you. You wanted prove."

After that she followed him inside.

"This is very important data that you have and we need to inform the Senate. We were send to you to retrieve important data. We will take this crystal back, but you said that this is a sample so there is more information we need to know?"

[Mercury]

The Rakata nodded to T'Sal. "The crystal also contains important data on the Mandalorian politics as well as various ships weapons and defences employed by the fleets. They can be crucial in the mounting of a defence against them. Nothing that you can use right this instance though."

He took the crystal and looked at Darones and T'Sal.

"Took a lot of hard work to get that information. Many risks taken, many lives lost, many hardships endured. They might even give me a medal when I return. Of course, that is if I survive the Mandalorians."

He paused a moment

" I mean, if you could find me, they probably aren't far behind. They are not exactly know for being nice to spies, especially spies who spy against them and then give the information to the Jedi. Might not survive here too long, even with the aid of my friends here."

He did not explicitly say it, but the implication was very clear - he was fishing for an invitation to be taken with them on their departure.

[Darones Rei]

"Fine, I guess we could take you with us,"

Darones said after some careful considerations,

"That if you are sure that you won't be easily recognized. Because if that were to happen and you would happen to be with us it might compromise this mission altogether. How soon can you leave, cause i'd rather be leaving sooner then later, in fact we should already have left..

I trust you know the city well enough to get us out fast and nearly unnoticed."

Darones was willing to wait a few moment to give the Rakata some time to put his affairs in order, but as soon as he was ready he wanted to leave and get back to their ship as soon as possible. As a measure of precaution Darones made sure to avoid the route they had taken to get here, in order to limit the chance of recognition and exposure, as long it was reasonably safe and a direct route to their ship.

[T'Sal]

"I got direction in the cantina from a guy called Hubsbay O'ringo, do you know him?

He also told me Union spies broke open a vacuum sealed crate to check what was inside and when a merchant complained that they were ruining his wares he got blown op. Any truth in that?

There is some space left in our ships, but we indeed need to get going."

While they waited for the Sheller to get ready, T'sal puts her headband back in order and hides her lightsaber there again.

[Mercury]

Darones, T'sal and the Sheller made their way back through the alleys and hallways of the underwater city as his men made their way back to their own business - travelling with the Jedi was too dangerous.

"The city isn't the problem" he explained to Darones. "It's the elevator through the ice that is the problem. Nobody goes in or comes out without the Mandalorians seeing them. Not even Hubsbay O'ringo."

He paused

"They did a lot worse than that. Killing everyone who stands in their way really. Of course nobody ever witnesses that kind of thing. Or heard about that kind of thing. Or talks about that kind of thing..." the hidden message was clear: they weren't allowed to, lest they would be in more trouble. It was the way of places like this to not talk about its many problems.

"Anyway, we cannot take the elevator. Its too obvious and too well guarded." he sighed "I -do- know of the old version of the elevator that was used in the olden days. Smaller than this one - too small to be kept operational once the big one started..."

This looked hopeful.

Following the Shellers guidance, they soon made their way to an abandoned industrial facility, likely the base of the elevator from the layout. But this place was infested with dust, homeless folks and rust. Lots and lots of rust.

"Of course, it does not actually work. You'd need to have a mechanic to repair the machinery and a scientist to get all the precision machinery up and running again... but we can climb up through the shaft. We have at least a 20% chance of not falling to our deaths. I hope. Nobody ever made it."

Now he tells them...

[Darones Rei]

"I figured as much," Darones responded as the Sheller explained their current perdicament and why the Mandalorians didn't really care about what happened in the city. Since they controlled to flow of people in an about, nothing would get by them anyway.

He then heared the Sheller pointing out another way egress and opted:

"I take it you haven't had much dealings with Jedi in the past, as we can be quite... resourceful"

Darones hinted as he already began to look around to get an general impression. He had managed in Mechanics pretty decently in the past, and T'Sal was known to be a capable scientist as well. The pair of them together, along with some extra hands from either the Sheller or the homeless present there, might just manage the repairs.

"T'Sal, why don't you work your magic on the precision gears and see if you can get some understanding of how they work. In the meantime the Sheller and myself can look around for scraps and material that we can use to patch this thing up a bit. I'll also do a quick inspection to see how much work this is going to be.. "

((Check: 10 = 5 Force Level + 4 Vision + 1 Mechanical Engineer -- make an assessment of the current status of the machinery and look for any useful scrap material laying around))

As they started their rounds, Darones remembered he still carried some of his supplies, to supplement his cover, and suggested the following to the Sheller.

" Be sure to check on the homeless and their belongings here too. I still have some supplies left that we might be able to trade for the materials we need, T'Sal probably has some as well."

[T'Sal]

"Ah mister Sheller it seems you called our services. Jedi can do more than fighting and use the Force.

I am a physicist and he is a pilot, we both know our engineering. I also got a datapad with me so I can do precise measurements. So let's see if we get this elevator up and running like a diesel engine."

T'sal takes a good look on the gears and studies the functioning of the elevator.

((Check: 11 = 5 Force Level + 3 Vision + 3 Physicist -- Checking out the gears and functioning of the elevator.))

"Darones, we do not have to trade our "wares". I got enough cash with me."

((OOC: I also got Historical en regular engineering 1 and both kits with me))

[Mercury]

((OOC: Your respective checks are both approved!))

Working hard for about an hour, the dynamic duo of Jedi managed to figure out the elevator worked using the same anti-gravity mechanism that drove speeders, combined with a rack rail to get the platform up and down the shaft. T'sal fixed up the anti-gravity while Darones, using some of the tools brought by T'sal, repaired the gearing mechanisms.

The Sheller cleared out the homeless, who unfortunately wouldn't be of much help paid or not, as this was work for experts. In half an hours time or so they had the machine back in working order - that is, it would go up. It wouldn't go down once it was up. But since they weren't heading down anyway, for now that did not really matter.

Heading up onto the platform and making sure nobody would get squished by it, Darones and T'sal activated the platform.

For a moment it appeared as if they had failed in their endeavour, but then a whirring could be heard, following by the high pitched shrieking of rusty metal on rusty metal as the floor shook and began to move. It was working!

Slowly the old machinery began to rise, carrying the two Jedi and their ward up towards their ship on the surface. They had done it. They had gone down into the belly of the beast, avoided the Mandalorians, found the Sheller and now all that remained was travelling back to the Union and to bring back the crucial information they carried.

Oh and write a report. They would have to write a report for Master...

Suddenly their thoughts were interrupted by the sound of jet packs.

From higher up in the shaft, two lights quickly lowered themselves towards the Jedi: Mandalorian warriors. Carrying blaster rifles. Apparently they had been keeping an eye on the abandoned shaft, figuring someone might try to use it to attempt and escape.

Hovering some ten meters above the platform with their jet packs, the blaster-rifles quickly got aimed at the two Jedi, while the Sheller hid behind the platform control panel, the only cover that was available here. Cover being perhaps a bit of an overstatement considering its small size... And they were still at least ten minutes from the surface...