Fwurg

[Mercury]

Trigiel and T'sal

Trigiel and T'sal soon found themselves in a dark bar (after T'sal made sure the ship was locked up tight) where lights swapped out their colour in a continuous rainbow, stroboscopes flashing and glistening floating balls reflecting all those lights in different directions.

The people in the bar were dressed as colourfully as others, with wide pants and high shoes. Everyone seemed to be dancing to the melodious but loud and intense music.

This place wasn't one where one came for conversation and it was difficult to hear one another, but there was all the more room for non-verbal communication, and most of what was being said here was expressed through the medium of dance. Perhaps the two Jedi should join in?

((OOC: Please give me a check if you are going to dance to see how groovy you can be))

Darones

Darones meanwhile needed to make a choice as to what improvements he wanted to make first and which could wait. He could:

• Fine tune the existing machinery
• Swap components between the various ships
• Add components the Jedi had brought to the ships

((OOC: Please provide me with a numerated order in which you wish to carry out these procedures))

[Fecta Trigiel]

Damn, a dance party after all. Well, so much for having a nice talk...

"I'm sorry that I'm not dressed in groovy glitters, I hope that is not too much of a party pooper. Also, Darones won't be joining us, we think it is inappropriate for someone of his age to go out party-ing."

Then Trigiel tried to join the dance. Although he was a bad dancer, he should be athletic enough to stay on his feet. Eventually, he looked at the others and tried to copy their moves in a non-invasive way at the appropriate times.

((Check: 8 = 2 Force Level + 5 Fitness + 1 Athletics -- For dancing. The lower force level is intentional.))

((OOC: I lowered my force level for this score to indicate that Trigiel is a bad dancer. Physically he is capable do dance fine, but his rhythm is just a little off and he has issues of letting himself go on the dance floor :).

EDIT:Added the line about Darones))

[Darones Rei]

With the others off to party and with them most of the preying eyes around the ships, Darones had decided upon a course of action.

He would first swap components between the various ships to improve their overall improvement and better judge where he should add the replacement parts they had brought. Once those steps were finished he could start with fine-tuning the existing machinery and the new additions on each individual ship.

[T'Sal]

T'sal enters the bar in her Xrim outfit and looks around and she find Trigiel.

"Your are a cyborg your metals glimmers, so I think it will do. Darones is indeed a bit to young for that, although I am older, I just qualify. Furthermore, he is getting our parts back which we need if we want to continue our mission.

Trigiel I got some dancing lessons from EX-1T, let me lead you."

With that she joins Trigiel and learn him dance moves. T'sal also looks around to see what other moves the Xrim are doing.

((Check: 13 = 8 Force Level + 4 Fitness + 1 Athletics -- Leading Trigiel and learning him to dance and try new dance moves))

((Check: 11 = 8 Force Level + 3 Vision -- Looking around at other dancers to pick up new dance moves.))

[Mercury]

Sneaky Party

Darones first moved in to swap parts between the various ships, improving the overall efficiency of the ship significantly. This was already a big project, and it took him quite some time to get it ready, while the rest of the party was partying.

Given the amount of time it took, Darones soon realised that while he might finish this, he would only have enough time to do one of the other two. Either fine tune the machines or install the new additions, but not both.

As he worked, he soon hit an extra snag - sneaking the equipment between the ships was causing him trouble, as many of the components were quite heavy, and someone had replaced the hover-pads normally used to move heavy equipment with a wheelbarrow. Not just a wheelbarrow, but one with a squeaky wheel. It seemed not only the Jedi were victims of "lower quality" replacements within this community.

Darones wondered where they got all the wood to make this junk from. Most space stations did not feature any trees...

Disco Party

Trigiel displayed his awful dance-skills, though he noticed that many of the Xrim did not seem very good dancers either. It seemed to be less about skills for most and more about enjoying themselves, and Trigiel going all out despite his inability was something that seemed to be earning him some respect.

T'sal on the other hand drew eyes with her martial arts backed dance moves and several of the Xrim followed her example as she showed Trigiel, forming an impromptu dance class it seemed! The mood between the Jedi and the Xrim seemed to be taking a turn for the better, perhaps they could capitalize on this in some way?

[Fecta Trigiel]

"Master... T'sal....." *poke* *poke* "MASTER!" Trigiel tried to catch T'sal her attention at an appropriate moment, during the loud music, "maybe we can display the 3th kata series of the advanced unarmed training? That series looks very much like a dance, and we can display our skills. Or would it works counter effective when we display a beautiful form of combat? I think you should ask."

[T'Sal]

"I think a little demonstration is a good idea. That way we can finish our dance session and move on."

T'sal asks the Xrim whether they know about martials arts and kata series. If they are interested Trigiel and her will give them a demonstration. She creates some room on the floor for their performance.

((Check: 13 = 8 Force Level + 4 Fitness + 1 Athletics -- Performing kata martial arts serie))

After that T'sal thanks the Xrim for watching and that they take a break now. She goes to the bar to get something to drink and find a quiet place to talk and rest. She wants to get to know the people more.

[Fecta Trigiel]

"Master, lets make it showy."

If they are going to perform the kata series, Trigiel made sure he moved extra showy and made his movements a bit larger than strictly necessary. The rhythm of a dance might elude the cyborg, but the rhythm of a battle was like his second nature.

Attack, step in, spin, step out, duck, counterattack, step aside and roll. Eight movements on the beat of a 4 chord song. Trigiel knew the movements like the back of his head as he practised them weakly. Make the movements extra large and it would look just like a dance.

Step in, Attack, Step aside, attack, step in and continue to step out, spin and step out again. Again eight moves on 4 chords, now this was actually quite fun.

((Check: 13 = 7 Force Level + 5 Fitness + 1 Athletics -- For executing the kata's in a showy matter.))

[Darones Rei]

Mmm.. interesting, those trees have to come from somewhere. It's possible the Xrim trade for the wood, but then again there seems to be very little here that could be used for trading. No, it's much more likely that there is a Xrim homeworld or a settlement on a planet somewhere. Perhaps we should go a have a look there as well.

Darones' mind spun with several options, but first he needed to decide on the next step he wanted to take. Both had several benefits, but eventually he decided on fine tuning the machines in order to further increase to overall efficiency. If he brought in the new additions instead, he would have to fine tune the ships after anyway and with his limited time, it simply couldn't be done. Besides the fine tuning could be done without much heavy lifting, and he admittedly didn't feel like using the wooden, sweaky wheelbarrow any more then he really needed to.

Once he was done, he returned to their own ship and waited for T'Sal and Trigiel to return from the bar.

[Mercury]

T'sal and Trigiel

The two dancing Jedi performed their Kata series, soon getting various Xrim to join them in doing Kata's to the music. It seemed they were getting some results out of this!

((OOC: Your checks are Approved! You have impressed the Xrim with your dance moves and they will now be less hostile towards you!))

Once their martial dance had come to its inevitable conclusion, T'sal made her way back to the bar to get a drink. She managed to make some light and casual exchanges with the locals, but it seemed the Xrim were much more interested in dancing than in talking.

Still, despite the lack of meaningful conversation things seemed to be going more smoothly.

Soon, the evening was coming to an end and it was time to head back.

Darones

As the night ended, or rather the time period - night did not make much sense as a concept on a space station - Darones completed what he believed he had time for and made his way back to the ship.

His work completed, all he had to do was wait a short while for the other two Jedi to return.

((OOC: You may want to discuss plans now that you are back together. If nobody objects I want to continue with the next meeting with the Xrim leaders where you can present your final plans and education and such.))

[Fecta Trigiel]

"How was your little adventure Darones?" Trigiel asked once they where back together, "we had an evening of dancing, and eventually we ended up doing kata's on the music. The Xrim seemed to like this idea and quite some people joined in."

[T'Sal]

T'sal thanks the Xrim for the nice evening and leaves with Trigiel. They walk back to the ship to see if Darones back from his mission.

"It was good that I had some dance lesson from EX-1T. They seem more friendly now."

[Darones Rei]

"Well.. it certainly was an interesting experience," Darones replied, " You wouldn't believe the stuff they use around here to build and keep their ships flying. You should go and see for yourself, its hard to explain it all.

I did manage to increase the overall efficiency by swapping out components between various ships and subsequently fine tuning them. They should hold out a bit longer in a fight now. I also came across a large stockpile of wood and wooden apparatus, which is strange..

Normally you wouldn't expect these amount on a space station. Unless they have learned a way to grow it here, they must either trade something for it, or their must be a Xrim homeworld nearby somewhere. If that is true, than perhaps we should go there as well."

[Fecta Trigiel]

"Hmm, maybe I will take a look at their ships tomorrow.

Before we are going to meet the Xrim tomorrow, EX-1T, can you again tell me the cultural highlights of the Xrim? I have the idea that we haven't fully captured the extend of their culture the first time you explained."

[Mercury]

((OOC: I am going to take the additional questions and lack of a concrete plan as an objection to moving ahead))

"Of course!" EX-1T was happy to oblige "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." EX-1T explained "It is of key importance that they trade these items in secret - when you discover one of them making a trade, it is their custom to run away as fast as they can. If they are captured, the trade must be undone."

"As you have now altered their ships, and shown your dance skill they will likely view you more favourable. I suspect you may wish to take what you have learned so far, regarding their reactions to various strategies, to formulate your plan."

[Fecta Trigiel]

"There was much more, right? Something about them identifying themselves with their ships, and liking colourful... well, colours. And something with compliments or so? What was that again? And how do the Xrim even know the changes come from us? The alterations are done in secret after all."

"Master," Trigiel continued eventually, after EX-1T was done, "I propose to tell that we are willing to share the materials and the space in our ship."

((OOC: After EX-1T is done with the other explanations, Trigiel is ready to move on.))

[T'Sal]

"Wooden materials you say? That sounds interesting, I will have a look at that.

As they are traders I do not think giving is a good idea. We could better "trade" the materials for "helping" to defeat the forces of the Mandalor."

T'sal looks to EX-1T if he has more idea. After they have handled the trade matter T'sal retires. Tomorrow they will start with the training of the Xrim forces.

((OOC: Jep, ready to go.))

[Darones Rei]

((OOC: ready to go ;)))

Darones simply let the other two jedi hash out the plans, since the Xrim wouldn't want to take him seriously anyway. For now he was content with that, as it had allowed him a relatively easy time passing around the station.

[Mercury]

With their plans settled, the three Jedi once again found themselves with the Xrim leadership, in a much more formal setting than previously of course.

"We enjoyed your demonstration yesterday." one of the leaders stated, another nodding to confirm and cutting in. "We also noticed that you seem to have an odd, but acceptable grasp of exchange." A third continued: "We will now hear your plans to defeat the Mandalorian Scourge."

They were quite to the point this day, possibly a part of their formal culture, though that seemed odd with the elusive way in which the Xrim seemed to interact outside of that. Maybe they were simply and slightly ignorantly trying to adopt the culture the Jedi had displayed, similar to how the Jedi had attempted to adjust to the Xrim. Whatever it was, it was refreshingly direct.

[T'Sal]

"We also had a lovely night yesterday.

Your territory is big and they can not defend themselves everywhere. First, we will weaken them by attacking their trade routes and lure them away from the stations. Then we can make a full attack on the cluster of three and take them over.

We will train your troops so we can execute hit and run tactics in the gas cloud, to minimize casualties and maximize the damage to the Mandalorians. "

T'sal is glad with the positive change in attitude. She has just repeated the plan they has proposed earlier. She looks to Trigiel to see if he has more to add.

[Fecta Trigiel]

"Yes, the evening was surprisingly entertaining.

As master said, you are doing quite a good job in keeping the Mandalorians at bay, but your people seem to need some special coordination in order to minimise Xrim casualties if you increase the pressure on the Mandalorians. We should be able to use your extensive knowledge of the nebula in your advantage, make use of coordinated attacks and organised tactical retreats into the clouds.

The Mandalorians can't fight you if there is no one to fight."

[Mercury]

((OOC: I was waiting for Gerben, but think we've held off long enough))

The Xrim leaders conferred with one another for a moment after T'sal had explained her plan.

"We will accept this proposal on one condition." he stated "That you include in your teaching program the dance arts that you displayed at last nights party."

With the Jedi having no reason to object to this condition, soon the heroes got to work, developing a training program best suited for the Xrim, selecting the right students and presenting a curriculum for training and organizing an even more effective resistance.

((OOC: I think this requires a Pedagogy check, by someone with ranks in this. Additionally, one skill check is required for each skill you are training. These would be, based on your proposal, Stealth and Pilot, but you may add other skills if you wish. These latter skills can be taken by someone with ranks only since you are training people rather than merely doing it yourself. Once you have taken your checks, I will fast forward to the result, so we can round off this storyline and move on to the next part of the greater tale!))

[Fecta Trigiel]

"We will teach you the dance arts with pleasure."

Unless T'sal suddenly had objections, Trigiel started training the pilots. It seems that the chaotic nature of the Xrim fits Trigiel. The cyborg padawan hates it when generals are too strict and settled in their routines. Trigiel put his focus on how the Xrim can use their lack of protocol in their advantage. No standard flight patterns, no predictable attack runs, but a seemingly chaotic setup. The wingman don't have to be near the wing. Back-up don't have to come from the back.

Trigiel tries to let the Xrim work together, and trust each other in combat. Organised chaos for the suspiciously well organised chaos-army.

((Check: 13 = 7 Force Level + 3 Energy + 3 Pilot -- Teaching the Xrim to work together in space combat. I took energy, as this is mental ability to influence the world. And I basically try to influence the Xrim.))

[Darones Rei]

With both Trigiel and T'Sal handling tactics, and improving the piloting skills of the Xrim, Darones worked with the trainees to improve their skill in using stealth and subtlety, to further enhance the benefit of their lessons by Trigiel and T'Sal.

((Check: 12 = 6 Force Level + 3 Energy + 3 Stealth -- Teaching the Xrim to advantageous of a stealthy approach, either in hand to hand combat, to avoid combat alltogether or to strenghten a tactical manoeuvre taught by Trigiel or T'Sal))

[T'Sal]

T'sal is surprised by the sudden change of attitude, but she is glad that they are now finally getting somewhere. She goes all out on the curriculum and with some help of the Xrim she is able to make a balanced program. The officers will get tactical training, she also helps out the engineers to increase their skill and there is also a general training for everybody on discipline, team work, etc.

((Check: 15 = 8 Force Level + 5 Reason/Intuition + 1 Pedagogy + 1 Stealth -- Learning (sneaky) tactics for officers))
((Check: 15 = 8 Force Level + 5 Reason/Intuition + 1 Mechanical Engineer + 1 Pedagogy -- Improved skill class for engineers))
((Check: 14 = 8 Force Level + 5 Reason/Intuition + 1 Pedagogy -- General training, discipline and teamwork))

((OOC: I use Reason and Intuition as I need to learn the Xrim on how to think ahead but also make split second decisions.))