Fwurg

[T'Sal]

When T'sal takes a look at the ships, she is clearly not amused. Stealing a few good parts is one thing, but taking all the important parts is way overdoing it. They could have better stolen the entire ship. She logs into the security system of the ship and tries to find the security videos of what happened.

"I hope this is not the standard treatment you give your guest?

If I was a school teacher I would have everybody in detention until this is all fixed back to the way it was.
Clearly, this can be resolved a diplomatic way."

[Mercury]

"Are you saying that -we- did this?" the tone of the Xrim who was escorting them seemed to be a mix of being highly offended and a teenager denying they were engaging in 'relations' while still naked in bed with their crush. "It is not -our- fault that you came in with an inferior ship with sub-par components!"

Were they actually suggesting the Jedi came here in a bicycle paddle powered ship with trebuchets? It seemed they were...

[Darones Rei]

While Darones wasn't too happy about the changes the Xrim had made to their ship, his interest was sparked..

"Well then, .. why don't you show us why you believe the ship is better this way. I'd love the chance to see a proud, hard working crew of the Xrim in action on a ship.." He challenged their escort.

[Mercury]

"What are you talking about? Your ship looks like a mess! How did you even get it here? Did you row it?"

It did not seem so much that the man was implying they "improved" the ship, rather than that he was implying the ship had -always- been this way.

[T'Sal]

T'sal researches the ships computer to find videos of what has happened when they were gone. Replacing all this should have taken some time and there should be some evidence. While waiting for the data to be collected she walks to their escorts.

"To do seriously think we will accept this?" says T'sal looking stern and pointing to all the replaced parts.

"You will go and get our parts backs.
We cannot help you with our ships in this condition. Make that clear your leader."

While making hand gestures and waving towards them T'sal subtle uses the Force to influence them.

((Check: 13 = 8 Force Level + 4 Fitness + 1 Stealth -- Hiding her Mind Trick use by making big gestures towards the escorts.))
((Check: 14 = 8 Force Level + 5 Intuition + 1 Mind Trick -- Convince the escorts to get their parts back.))

T'sal waits to she if this has persuaded them. If it does she goes back to the computer to see the results of her search.

[Fecta Trigiel]

((OOC: I'm back baby >:).))

It seemed that the person they were talking to had no idea what happened. So Trigiel tried to stay calm. Getting angry at an escort soldier would be useless anyway, better safe the energy for the people with actual influence.

"We came here with a perfectly well functioning ship with high quality sensors, twin-linked laser cannons and fully charged battery. All of which is now missing. So while we were in discussion, somebody else took the liberty of removing those components and create some hull breaches with that amateurish placed wooden slingshot. So either the people of this station did this, and I assume these people fall within the Xrim, making your people responsible for our ship's broken condition. Or the security of this station is below pathetic and I advise you to evacuate all your ships before whoever did this also steals your expensive ship components."

[Mercury]

The escort took note of the complaints T'sal and Fecta held and upon the use of a mind trick, moved off to report on this to his superiors. Whether or not that meant they'd get their stuff back remained to be seen. It all seemed rather hopeless at the moment. With a molested ship and a band of thieves to lead, victory seemed further than even.

EX-1T, the protocol droid they had brought suddenly cut in:

"The Xrim'Adate people are notorious traders, in the sense that they often 'trade' items people own or have in or on their ships for similar items that may or may not be able to perform the same functions. When they like people, they will trade them for items that are better than the ones taken, but when they become angered or upset with someone, they may find the replacements much less desirable." the droid explained. "If I may humbly suggest, perhaps a different approach is required to bring the Xrim'Adate in line...?"

[T'Sal]

((OOC: Mercury I would like a reply on the security footage of the ship.))

"EX-1T, what do you suggest?"

[Fecta Trigiel]

"Great, so the Xrim are having a culture of notorious convoluted bribers. I think we either need to socialise a little with the Xrim, or we are going to 'trade' as well.

Master, I propose to share some time with the Xrim to get to know each other on a more personal note. Personal relationships are rather important when you live in ships.

Strange actually, why is it that we always have to be careful not to insult or upset somebody, while they never seem to worry about us? I mean, we are here to help them, at least they may show a little empathy towards us."

[Mercury]

T'sal found video's of some cloaked, masked figures covering the security camera's, restoring it shortly after. It was surprising just how fast they worked - disassembling the sensor array would normally take several days in dock, but the Xrim seemed to have managed it within 10 minutes. Moreover, the figures were barely visible, carefully avoiding the camera angles and only shortly coming into view for a few seconds to cover it. Thus, all they revealed was that there were at least 8 people involved in the theft, and the information was not enough to identify them, though their body shape matched most of the Xrim they had encountered.

"They appear to have replaced your cannons, sensor array and power source, the heart, eyes and weapons of the ship, and moreover the most advanced components. Perhaps, if I may be so bold to suggest, there are members of the Xrim who are jealous of what you have, and they feel inferior because of your presence. To come in and teach them how to do what they have been doing with the Mandalorians all along, only better, might be interpreted as an insult by some."

EX-1T apologetically explained.

"As for what action this warrants, I cannot say for certain. I might suggest organizing a symbolic trade of your own, which would be an appropriate response in Xrim culture, though the suggestions by Padawan Trigiel may also be helpful..."

[T'Sal]

T'sal is impressed by their disassembling skills, but hopefully they could reassemble it just as quickly.

"You are right Trigiel. It seems that we have to adapt and find a way to trade our parts back.

I'll take out the replacements. Could you check the cargo room to find something we can trade."

T'sal goes to her room and changes to her engineering outfit, maybe that will help. She removes the fake parts and puts them on a cargo carrier platform with the selected items from Trigiel.

"EX-1T when and where are their social events, preferable with trade opportunities."

[Fecta Trigiel]

"I don't understand. Apparently their culture says that they don't like us according to the 'trade' they made. But they act like professional thieves trying not to be identified. Which makes this more of a blatant theft. I mean, if they want to make a statement that they don't like us, at least show us who you are so we can make arrangements for future encounters."

After hearing T'Sal her plan Trigiel said: "Master, wouldn't it be more wise if I take out the trash and you go through the items we brought to trade? I'm a better engineer while you have a better understanding of culture and people."

[Mercury]

T'sal got changed and dislodged the strange replacement set up there by the Xrim, readying them and the other items next to the ship, as Trigiel wondered about the weird nonsense that was the Xrim customs. Highly impractical people and thieves to boot, it seemed.

"It is not common for the Xrim to trade during social events. Instead, it is customary to sneak up to their ships and make the trades without their knowledge or approval." the protocol droid explained "Similar to how they executed their 'trade' with our ship.

If you wish to socially mingle though, they enjoy dressing up in colourful, sparkly clothing and dancing to synthesiser music, often involving reverberated vocals over a steady four quarters beat with an eighth or sixteenth hi-hat on the off-beat, and prominent syncopated electric baseline consisting, with various other electrical instruments creating a lush background sound.

If you wish, I can teach you some acceptable dance moves."

((OOC: My next post will be on monday, which is a little sooner then a week from now, to get us back on our regular schedule.))

[Fecta Trigiel]

"Well in that case, let's have a social talk with the high piefs around here.

Master, I am not much interested in learning to dance from 1T. May I propose that we ask the same guy we met in the room to meet at a location of their choosing to get to know each other better and to have some small talk? I think it is best to let Darones guard the ship while we do so. I believe he is still somewhat young for loud noisy places probably with large amounts of booze and drugs. And somebody need to guard the ship to prevent thieves from taking more."

[Darones Rei]

"I'd be more then happy to take up that task," Darones said as Trigiel proposed that he stay with the ship whilest the others tried to learn a bit more.

"But first I'd like to return the favour to some of the Xrim, since it is apparently customary to do so. I'm pretty good at getting by unseen, so why don't I try getting back some of our equipment first?"

((Check: 15 = 6 Force Level + 5 Intuition + 3 Stealth + 1 Force Speed -- sneaking about looking for our own equipment whilst trying to remain undetected))
((Check: 13 = 6 Force Level + 5 Reason + 1 Mechanical Engineer + 1 Weapons Engineer -- Disassembling any found equipment and taking it back to the ship))

[T'Sal]

"These Xrim have some strange customs. Okay, Darones you may go and pay our respect to them after I have prepared some special gifts to them."

With her historical engineering skill she makes some of the retro fixes to the equipment so that it will just work.

((Check: 15 = 8 Force Level + 5 Reason + 1 Historical Engineer + 1 Mechanical Engineer -- Taking the modern equipment and remake to old just working equipment))

"It am not good in wearing colorful sparkly cloths and dancing, but let's give it a try Trigiel. Maybe, we can teach them something of our culture. EX-1T you better come and tell use some more details about their social event, are they drinking or gambling?"

[Fecta Trigiel]

"Master, I think that 'our' culture will be too difficult to share as 'our' cultures differ a lot between themselves.

I will ask a honour guard if the Xrim leaders are interested to hang out for the night."

After T'sal is finished with EX-1T, Trigiel brought the droid as translator to the nearest honour guard or messenger equivalent: "Greetings, it seems like we will be here for a while. While we of the Jedi are here, we wonder if your leaders or some of your other people are interested for a informal social event. We like to experience your culture and maybe we can get to know each other on a more personal level."

[Mercury]

T'sal and Darones

((OOC: I did not yet use Darones' check, as it seems premature while the group is still debating about what to do. Once you pick a target, please describe what components you are replacing and what you are replacing them with.))

T'sal and Darones prepared some replacements to exchange with the Xrim. Soon, Darones was able to manoeuvre through the station to where the Xrim kept their ships. Security seemed to be minimal for some reason, and Darones had the option of going after one of the undersized 'Star Destroyers', a larger vessel that was docked rather than parked inside the station, or he could try to exchange parts of the station itself.

EX-1T held an answer to T'sals query. "It is not customary to gamble in these events, but recreational drugs are often available including alcohol." the droid explained. "It mostly appears to be about dancing and music, but the Xrim also regularly seek partners to fornicate with at these events. The fornication is purely optional, but the dancing is not."

Trigiel

Trigiel managed to contact one of the Xrim leaders through the aid of the honour guard.

"An informal social event? What an odd request. We are willing to participate. Please create this informal social event, and we shall attend. The honour guard shall make sure you have access to any materials required."

[Fecta Trigiel]

When it became clear that the Xrim misunderstood Trigiel, he said in a relax tone: "Well, what I actually am trying to say is: 'hey, shall we hang at the bar tonight?' I believe this station has a bar right?. Or if you know another thing to do, we are open to your suggestions. I must warn you though, I am a terrible dancer."

[T'Sal]

T'sal looks at EX-1T and sights. T'sal does not like gambling, the drinking and drug parts would not have much affect as she is Hiocan and she does not want to spoil their fun, she does not play an instrument or is interested in music and as the last thing mentioned it is not an option there is only one thing left. Hopefully her martial art moves would help.

"From all the activities you told me about, I think prefer dancing. So would you learn me a few moves."

[Darones Rei]

The apparent lack of security inside the station and around the ships, somewhat surprised Darones, but it would prove helpful to remain out of sight. Once he and T´Sal had prepared the parts, he decided to have a look around the ´Star Destroyers` first, while taking a special interest in the power management and shielding.

While attempting to remain unnoticed, he would study the layout, systems and access any computerterminal, if at all present, to determine the current levels of power and shielding the ´Star Destroyers´ were able to put out, in the hopes of finding subtle and yet effective ways to increase their yield. For example by means of replacing several old parts with newer, more efficient ones or by placing additional power-couplings, batteries; or improving means the power was generated by replacing gears, transmissions and the like.


((Check: 15 = 6 Force Level + 5 Intuition + 3 Stealth + 1 Force Speed -- sneaking about looking for our own equipment whilst trying to remain undetected))
((Check: 12 = 6 Force Level + 5 Reason + 1 Slicing -- gaining access to computerdata and relevant information if present))
((Check: 13 = 6 Force Level + 5 Reason + 1 Mechanical Engineer + 1 Weapons Engineer -- Studying the systems and making subtle improvements))

[Mercury]

Trigiel

"You wish to hang out at a bar...? That is..." the Xrim leaders exchanged some looks. "That is acceptable. We shall leave our ships unguarded and accompany you to the cantina."

The Xrim leaders nodded to one another, seemingly having settled the matter.

T'sal

"Alright Miss T'sal, please stand with your legs slightly apart, feet facing out, like so. Back straight, left arm straight and away from the body to the side... very good.

Now look to your partner and point with the right arm to the bottom left, then upper high towards the ceiling on the left, and repeat, repeat again, one more time, now spin, then repeat from the other side!"

EX-1T showed T'sal some simple dance moves which were easy to do and remember - with her martial arts training, T'sal quickly mastered the steps.

"Very good! Remember to play into the music! Now all you need is the right outfit, and you will be a star for sure!"

Darones

Darones inspected the vessels with his expert mechanical and weapons engineering skills. These ships were highly customized and the mix of the various components was not exactly efficient - in fact, given enough time, Darones was pretty sure he could make a lot of improvements!

He could either fine-tune the existing machinery or he could replace various components which were good, but not especially well suited to working with the current components around between the various ships to produce more efficient ships overall. Finally, he could add some of the equipment the Jedi had brought to upgrade some of the components.

While managing to remain hidden so far, Darones would have to consider time as a factor too - there was a limited amount of time he'd have available to do all the work, so could only do one of the above, unless the other Jedi bought him more time somehow.

[Fecta Trigiel]

"Great, I'll inform the others."

Trigiel opened his internal comm-link to T'sal and Darones. "Good news, they accepted to go to the bar. We're on our way now I suppose I will see T'sal there soon?"

"Done, shall we then?" Then Trigiel walked the Xrim towards the cantina, or actually, they kinda walked Trigiel to the cantina as Trigiel didn't quite knew the lay-out of the station yet. Although the fact that he had walked it 2 or 3 times now helped quite a lot with not getting lost.

[Darones Rei]

When Darones heard Trigiel over the comm, he paused to think for a moment.. considering the options he had available to him and the amount of time he would need. Currently he had only sufficient time to make some improvements to the ships, but those would nowhere near cover the actual improvements he originally had in mind.

"Very good, though I won't be able to attend. I've several options to improve the so called 'Star destroyers' but what I do not have is the time to make the changes undisrupted and undetected. That party though, might just be able to by me both the time and the peace and quiet I need.

I'll try to send in some crew from the ships here, but I reckon that you'll have to come and get them, since I don't speak their language nor feel old enough to attend. Besides its better that they don't find out what I've been doing here, and I don't want them asking difficult questions. "

[T'Sal]

T'sal thanks EX-1T and goes to her room to change again this time to the Xrim Mandalorian clothing, but she keeps her headscarf. She hides her ears and the lightsaber up there. T'sal hears Trigiel message and puts her headset on.

"Well done, I will be there shortly".

T'sal looks up the map to find out where the bar is. She studies the way and the surrounding of the bar. She grabs her shoulderbag and checks the ships. She puts some extra locks and security measures in place and then leaves.

((Check: 14 = 8 Force Level + 5 Reason + 1 Programming -- Locking ships so it can only be opened by them.))