Fwurg

[Mercury]

The Mandalorian Fleets have been gathering forces towards the border of Union Territory. A network of informants in the area has acquired some highly sensitive information, but they have been forced to hide in the under-water cities of Weht, a world in Sector 5 -5 from which they cannot transmit the data.

The Jedi Council wishes to send a pair of Jedi to infiltrate the planet, make their way through the under-water cities and make contact with the informants to transport the information back to Union space.

((OOC: This mission is open to up to two Jedi Padawans, with an expected posting frequency of twice a week. It will be a short mission. If successfully completed, the Jedi will receive a Skill Point to spend however they please.

Please do not enter this mission if you already entered for a different one of the three missions I posted today, to prevent clogging up the missions.))

[Darones Rei]

Darones opted for a spot on this mission. He had been tasked with gathering information on the Mandalorians for a while now, this trip would offer some welcome distraction.

[T'Sal]

T'sal has a hard time choosing between the various mission. The flowering of the Qvavi seems like a scientific highlight that she did not want to miss on the other hand she wants to know what the Mandalorians are up to.
As master Gri'pan did not answer her mail about her concerns of the Mandalorians, she had to let go the once in a few centuries blooming. T'sal signs up for the retrieval of sensitive information about the Mandalorians.

[Mercury]

Darones and T'sal soon found themselves leaving Union space, en route to Sector 5 -5 and the world of Weht. Taking care to avoid the regular routes where their small ship might risk falling victim to pirates, they finally managed to drop out of hyperspace above the frozen oceans of Weht. The planet circled quite distant from its star, but despite of this it was easily visible, the bright white surface covered in water-ice, irradiated with heavy elements and as hard and dry as stones on the freezing surface.

After clearing with the planets space traffic control, their ship soon landed on the surface, the roof of a hangar opening to let them in. From here they would have to make their way to 'the gate', which was a gigantic elevator-shaft that had been drilled into the ice, going down towards the liquid water under the ice where the cities were hidden in total darkness.

((OOC: Welcome to the story! Can I get a list of equipment with the next posts please?))

[T'Sal]

Before packing T'sal studies Weht as they have to infiltrated with the locals she needs to know what they usually do. What is the climate? What kind of population lives there? What kind of political system and rules do they have? What languages do the talk? Culture? etc.

When T'sal has a good general idea of the planet she goes to Darones to talk about the mission. She shares her analysis of the planet with him.
As to Jedi coming there would be way to suspicious they would need to have a cover.

"As we need to infiltrate I was thinking of going as a mechanic and you could be a pilot/racer. What do you think?"

Once the cover is settled she could pack cloths appropriate to it. And they would also need some method to contact the informants.

[Darones Rei]

"That would work I think," Darones replied, "But I doubt it would make much of a difference given the huge and growing Mandalorian presence in the sector. We should just be able to sneak in with a small ship, rush in and get out asap. Posing as a trader, racer or smuggler could all work, getting in is probably not the issue, getting out however is."

For the mission Darones packed light, as he saw no benefit in bringing much which would lead back to him, the Union or the Jedi council. He brought his lightsabers, his boot knife, his communicator, his backpack with his datapad and his engineering kit, a small medkit, and customary clothing for boy of his age with a matching cloak.

((OOC: For this mission Darones brings the following:
- customary clothing for a boy his age (human style)
- his lightsabers
- a bootknife
- a wireless communicator set
- a small backpack with:
- a datapad (for slicing, programming ao),
- a first aid kit
- Engineers toolkit))

[T'Sal]

After talking to Darones T'sal packs her stuff. As she also does not want to be linked to the Union she gets a non-discriped databad. She uploads a whole punch of shuttles,speeders, crusers etc. mechanical information so she can actually pose as a ship engineer. This includes detailed list of materials and guides. Furthermore she includes the planets information and a translation matrix. As they migth need to break in some system, she instals also some slicing tools. She takes a historical and normal engineering kit with her along as well as a communication headset.

T'sal goes to quartermaster Nishra to get a whole new set of cloths, blouses, jeans, quilted leather coat (with big pockets) and a headscarf which look like she has worn them for years. She gets a gets a printed shoulderbag with a secret pocket for a blaster. She also takes a durasteel shortword and hides it in the thigh pocket of her jeans. Her lightsaber goes under her headscarf. She takes a look at her new self and check if she got every and then it hits her. If they are going to spy and smuggle information they would need some money and some other usefull stuff. T'sal takes her time packing. She then goes to the ship.

Once they arrived on Weht T'sal takes a good look around the hangar. She ask the pilot of their vessel before leaving:
"Are you going to park and wait here for us?"

((OOC: I would like some more info (from last post), but I will speeds things up with posting my stuff so we can leave.

Worn Engineering cloths, blouses/jeans/warm quilted leather coat and headscarf, loose fitting with a lot of (secret) pockets.
* Headset communicator
* Durasteel shortsword (hidden on thigh)
* Green short blade lightsaber (hidden in scarf)
* Two underwater breathers (hidden in coat)
* In coat pocket small utilities like pencil/markers, tissues etc.

Carrying:
* Datapad with engineering info on ships, translation matrix and slicing tools
* Historical and normal engineering kit
* Money (local en galactic)
* Blaster
* Small force shield generator ( to protect 1 or 2 people)
* Flashlight

Edit forgot some things. Maybe some extra help on ship is good idee. Darones your the pilot got any idea?))

[Mercury]

Weht, T'sal soon discovered, was climate-less and in fact did not have much in the way of an atmosphere. Of course T'sal realised that this was for the surface of the world only: since all cities were deep underwater, the climate inside the cities would be controlled - likely breathable, if stale air and high temperatures due to the cost of cooling and the low surface area of the cities to counteract the water pressure.

The cities were known for its shady dealings so likely they held a variety of scum and evil of many varied races. The political system followed suit, with a sort of gang hierarchy resembling a government - this clearly wasn't a democracy and the rules followed suit: do what you want, but don't offend the local criminal overlords lest they beat you up or kill you.

Galactic Basic was the common tongue in Sector 5 -5 as well, which should do them just fine, though there's probably a good number of people speaking it, though it might depend on the area. As for culture, the most well known artistic produce by the world was illegal pornography of extremely questionable nature.

((OOC: Could you two provide me with a complete, itemized list of what you're bringing, including weapons and the likes? This is a lot easier for me than drawing it from the text when I need to check certain things later on. ^_^

EDIT: Cross post. T'sal posted the list while I was writing up my post ^_^ Keep being awesome!

Also, please let me know when you are ready to enter the city and I'll place you - from there, you'll be on your own however. For the moment i'll give you some time to consider disguises and cover-stories and such - remember, the Quartermaster can help provide you with various attributes to aid you in your disguise like a fitting ship or various other accessories))

[Darones Rei]

Lastly Darones goes to find Quartermaster Nishra to discuss to options available to them concerning a ship and cover. For now he and T'Sal had constructed the idea of them being a racer and mechanic, but as he thought on it some more the city and the planet weren't well known for their races, nor did there seems to be a supportive environment.

Darones also felt he couldn't pass for a smuggler or trader because he simply was to young, thus what remained was a middle man tactic, with him posing as trusted aide or handler.

"Quartermaster," Darones started out as he posed his question, "T'Sal and myself have been assigned on a mission to Weht to retrieve some sensitive information. We have been discussing several options as to what our cover should be and we have come up with either a racer/mechanic team, or a set of smuggler/shady trader aides.

Could you set us up with a matching ship and some accessories to supplement our cover?"

[Quartermaster Nishra]

"I can't set you up as both a racer and mechanic and a smuggler or shady trader." the quartermaster explained.

"If you go for a racer and mechanic, I can get you a ship and a decent looking pod-racer. I'd advise against racing it though, those things are insanely dangerous, so unless you think you think you are some sort of chosen one who is immune to death, I'd recommend you wait until you are old enough before going on a joyride."

She showed an image of a carrier vessel and powerful looking race-pod on a holo-screen.

"If you go as a smuggler, I can set you up with a fast ship and some illicit substances. Fake ones mind you, we don't actually keep illegal drugs in stock, but good enough to pass most simple checks."

She showed another image with a smugglers vessel.

"As for personel... this one you have to do without support staff, it'll just be the two of you. Sector 5 -5 is dangerous, so I'm not risking anyone on that dangerous a mission."

Her regard for the safety of Darones and T'sal was mindboggling, but actually the quartermaster was quite convinced the two Jedi could take care of themselves - unlike non-force users she might send with them.

[T'Sal]

As T'sal listens to quartermaster Nishra questions.

"Maybe going as smugglers is indeed a better idea."

If Darones agrees on this T'sal tasks some drugs/ smuggler information in her datapad instead of information on race ships. She helps get the their ships ready for their mission and making sure she know where their wares are. She still plays ships mechanic and she inspect their ship during their travel. When they land she look out into the hangar.

((OOC: Just slightly changing accents rest stays the same.Assuming Darones flies the ship.))

[Mercury]

((OOC: Continuing on to keep the pace))

Having chosen to go as smugglers, the two Jedi soon arrived on the world of Weht, landing on the surface and unpacking their supplies, including the fake illicit drugs, which were well hidden in their luggage. Making their way onwards, they'd soon find 'the gate' to be a gigantic set of four doors in the floor some 100 square meters each, that rotated outwards into a hole that went down kilometres in dept, only darkness visible after some distance.

The Gate was guarded by Mandalorian Patrols, who inspected everyone, but they did not seem to care much about cargo. These guys were looking for someone, not something, but fortunately they did not know the two Jedi and let them pass easily, figuring them to be some type of smugglers not worth their time.

Getting onto a public transport ship - one of a small hand full that had permission to fly through 'the gate', the Jedi soon started to descend, getting a good view of the tunnel above them from the observation deck.

The trip down took some ten minutes, but finally the ship arrived at the bottom, allowing the Jedi to make their way into the streets of the cities of Weht. Mandalorians guarded this end as well, but after leaving the center of the city they had arrived in the duo managed to shake the Mandalorian patrols, arriving in the seedier part of the town.

The streets were here filled with seedy alleys and seedy people - the next step would be to get in touch with their contact who went by the codename of 'The Sheller'. Since they had no direct contact information, they would have to reach out to the local criminals, who according to their information, were providing shelter for their contacts from the Mandalorians.

Speaking of criminals, there were several homeless folk on the left standing by a droid that had been converted into a fire bin and who might know something.

Further ahead was a small eating establishment, the closest thing to a proper cantina they could find in the area. Further ahead, at the end of the street, some entrepreneur had set up a sex theater and several Twi'lek women were selling their wares and some gambling was taking place here as well.

No doubt one of these various 'lower end citizens' would be able to get them in touch with the right person.

[T'Sal]

((OOC: Gerben your turn to post (equipment list)))

[Darones Rei]

"Just perfect,"

Darones said as he realised where they had ended up,

"I'm way to young to be walking around here.... Well, I'll try to get some information for the people here, why don't you go ahead and see if they know a bit more at that 'cantina' overthere?"

Darones then started making his away around the alley's just to hang with the bonfires and groups of people, eavesdropping in as best he could before walking up to the group with the droidlike firebin. Not really sure how to proceed, he decided to be blut and straitforeward

"Excuse me," he started, "but you lot seem like some people that would be willing to earn a little money... I could use a little... information."

[T'Sal]

As Darones sets of into the alley's T'sal walks towards the cantina. With her cloths T'sal could pass as a adult humanoid. She enters the establishment and takes a good look around.

[Mercury]

Darones

Darones made his way to the droid firebin, a man with large horns looking at him like he was a tasty sweetroll.

"You have money...?" he inquired, with a tone that made Darones weary of answering the question truthfully.

T'sal

The 'cantina' was not really the kind of place you entered - it was more of a permanent market stand, with a view on the kitchen where meat was being butchered in a way that was definitely not up to standards, insects buzzing around and some species of rat outside fighting over scraps.

At the bar, several people were seated whom she might inquire information from or she could perhaps speak with the chef that seemed to be running the place, a four-armed besalisk with a pot-belly.

A menu hung at the side divided into an "eat here" and a "take out" section. Nothing on there was gourmet

[Darones Rei]

"Well yes...,"

Darones replied, now a little less sure about his chosen strategy, but he stuck with it.

"I have some. But I also have access to some other 'wares' should you prefer them in exchange for some information instead of coin."

He then showed some of the supplies and smuggle wares he had brought to prove his statement. He made sure however that they could not be seen by anyone walking the street.

"You can have some now," Darones offered the individual, "all I ask in return, is a way to contact or better yet a location on someone known as "the Sheller". Should your intelligence prove reliable I'll be sure to remember your assistance in this matter once we have conducted our business."

[T'Sal]

T'sal ignores the flies and other vermin and causally walks towards the bar and takes a seat. She takes a look at her neighbors and starts some small talk first with the most talkative looking one.

"What is up with all those Mandalorians? They make business harder."

[Mercury]

Darones

"I think you best give that to me, boy." the horned figure stated the last part as if to remind him of the age and size difference between the two of them.

"Then maybe I'll see if I can get you to the Sheller." the man moved up closer, his two compatriots moving to surround Darones.

T'sal

"Hrumph" one of the patrons stated, most of them ignoring T'sal. But a cloaked, bald human with a facial tattoo seemed to take an interest.

"I know right? And what business of yours have they messed up then, pretty young lady?" he winked at her, smiling with perfect teeth for a moment.

[Darones Rei]

Darones kept his eyes focussed on the man standing before as he handed of some his supplies and a little of his money. As far as he was concerned he was willing to uphold his end of their arrangement. He however made sure to keep track of the movement of the other two, as the closed in to surround him.

" Well then sir, here you are.."

Darones then weighed the odds, either the larger man would keep his word and they would take him to 'the Sheller' or they would try to grab him and steal the rest of his supplies. Though he hoped the first option was true, the likelihood of the second option was much larger, and he wouldn't just let himself get caught.

If they would decide to try and grab him, he would dodge their attemps, trusting in the force and make for the other side of the firebin, to kick it over in order ensure he could make a clean escape and they wouldn't follow him.

((Check: 14 = 5 Force Level + 4 Fitness + 1 Acrobatics + 1 Athletics + 1 Force Speed + 2 Force Jump -- to dodge a grab and dash to the other side of the firebin))

[T'Sal]

T'sal looks to the cloaked man. She wants to get first some information out of him before getting to business.

"What are those Mandalorian looking for here? Them did not seem interested in the wares I got. But just their presence drives the prices."

T'sal waits for the man to answer before continuing.

"I got some business with 'the Sheller' and if you help me I might give you some of my stuff."

[Mercury]

Darones

When Darones gave up the goods, the large horned figure looked at him a moment as if he was going to take the rest but then he relented.

"Good."

The two guys who were with him backed off a little bit now too - they had gotten what they wanted and now the risk versus reward equation had changed in Darones' favour. Not that they were intimidated by the little kid, but people did have a thing for not allowing younglings to get hurt and someone might have interfered on his behalf. If only they knew Darones could more than take care of himself...

"You should ask one of Quinar's girls. But you'll probably need some help just to be able to talk to them. I can help you... but it'll cost you some more of that."

T'sal

"I hear they are looking for a Union spy... I heard they broke open a vacuum sealed crate to check what was inside - ruined all of the fine foods in there. When the merchant protested, they blew a hole in his chest the size of a droids head!" he warned "Body rotted there for three days before anyone dared to clean it up."

He looked left and right.

"Best stay out of their way and do what they tell you, if you know what's good for you... also best not to complain too loudly. They might take offence and get offensive.

As for your Sheller... there's a terminal over there." he pointed "Best ask there... And since I've done you this favour, you now owe me one." he winked. "And I never forget a face. But I'd like to know your name. Mine is Hubsbay O'ringo, but you can call me Hubba. Or hubba hubba as most girls do."

[T'Sal]

As she heard the word Union spies she listens carefully to what he has to say. This story is probably not the complete truth but some information is better then none.

Hubba seems to be getting very friendly and T'sal did not like that. She does not want to own him a favor. With her ears covered she comes up with a normal Human name as to keep her cover.

"Thanks Hubba for your help. Marian Longsley is the name. I do not intent to stay here long and I hate having debts. So take this for your information."

T'sal gets some money out her wallet in her bag. She has to make a estimate about the amount as too little would offend him and too much would be suspicious.

((Check: 10 = 5 Force Level + 5 Intuition -- Determining the right amount of local money to give.))

T'sal stand up, walks to Hubba and gives the money to him. She then goes to terminal. Outside she looks around to see if she can spot Darones and makes a sign pointing to the terminal.

[Mercury]

((OOC: I am autoing Darones since he hasn't posted yet))

Darones decided to go with T'sal for now. He could always go back to the horned figure if it turned out her lead didn't pan out the way she hoped.

T'sal selected the correct amount and made her way over to the terminal where Darones joined her. They soon realised that this wasn't a standard terminal...

... rather, it was an interface for a red light service, various men and women of different races listed as merchandise, both for rent by the hour and for sale for permanent ownership. Behind the terminal, a holographic projecting of a dancing Twi'lek girl was provided to wet the apetites.

"Welcome to Quinar's! Please select a happy partner for your mutual pleasures. All purchases must be paid in advance and require proof of adulthood before being finalized."

The voice spoke with a lot of ooh's and aaah's, as if the person saying them was out of breath and pretending to be sexy. It failed as miserably as the cleaning services in this area.

[T'Sal]

T'sal looks to Darones, he looks clearly underage d and she would probably pass on looks but they did not have any real proof that they could enter a red light district. Luckily there are here for other business.

"We are here for some other business as you might have guested from our looks. We are looking for the Sheller for important matters."

((OOC: Are we speaking to a person or a computer interface?))