STAR WARS: An Ill Wind
Session 01

EXT. SPACE - TALORAAN

Taloraan: a massive gold-streaked orb hanging in starry space. Its turbulent cloud layers form bands of yellow, orange and tan. This giant world is home to the twin cities of Nimbos and Stratos, as well as a few outlying settlements that float in the habitable zone.

A Corellian transport, its own hue the solid rose of diplomacy, passes by on its course to Taloraan.

The ship's human cargo has been sent to try and negotiate a compromise between the administration of Nimbos and the gas miners, who have recently gone on strike due to "low pay and impossible quotas" (in their own words).

Pira draws up her hood and moves into the observation area, watching the golden gas world beneath.

Beyond the transparisteel window, Taloraan looms ever larger.

Day-Lin trails after Pira, a few steps behind. Arms folded, he takes in the view with a glance.

Up on the small bridge of the Dauntless III, the co-pilot speaks quietly to Taloraan's orbital control while the captain guides his vessel along a landing vector.

Pira says "We should establish the nature of the situation before negotations start."

Day-Lin's accent is that of the Outer Rim, not the precise diction of the Core Worlds. "I imagine it's the same situation it always is -- the people in charge of things have their feet on the necks of everyone else, and they don't fancy it changing."

Pira turns to look at him, the hood shadowing her face. "We cannot go about negotiations with predisposition. We must be utterly fair."

The clipped voice of the co-pilot comes over the lounge speakers. "M'lord, m'lady, we will be landing shortly. Please take your seats and fasten the restraints while we enter the atmosphere."

Taloraan fills the field of view now, the edges of its cloud rivers blurring together as its true scale becomes apparent.

Day-Lin returns to his seat, with reasonable swiftness. "Oh, of course. Fairness above all." Somehow it doesn't sound entirely honest.

Protected by shields and inertial compensators, the Dauntless howls through the outer reaches of Taloraan's atmosphere with only a slight buffeting. Glowing wisps of vapor streak past the viewports, obscuring everything.

Finally the clouds clear a bit, and crew and passengers are treated to the endless golden sunset vista of the planet's breathable layer.

A small mining platform goes by to starboard, suspended beneath its balloon.

Day-Lin comments, low-voiced, "It is a *pretty* enough planet."

Pira says "I'll be curious to see what sort of... accomodations they have made to the nature of the planet."

Pira says "It is almost like living on a space station."

Soon Nimbos itself looms out of the clouds. A giant top is the first thing that comes to mind upon seeing the city; the gently sloping disk-arcology above and the long, slim mast of the main support stalk below.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Yes, I'm re-using the prop." ;)
<OOC> Harukuk says, "Makes sense to me. :)"

Day-Lin says "Almost. And I imagine the workers pay dearly for their life-support."

The Dauntless banks gently on final approach, heading for its assigned landing platform. It is no longer alone in the sky: a few airspeeders flit among the towers of Nimbos.

Pira says "Fairness, Day-Lin. We must be seen to do justice."

Pira gives him a chiding look.

Day-Lin murmurs, with a wry little smile, "Justice is in the eye of the beholder."

Pira says "But fairness may leave all satisfied."

Pira says "This is not a war, Day-Lin, that there must be only one victor."

Day-Lin says "Worse, it's negotiation. And negotiations leave everyone thinking they're the loser."

Pira says "Then we shall make them see how much worse they would suffer if there were no negotiations."

Day-Lin says "No one? I wonder."

Pira says "You suspect something?"

Day-Lin says "You must admit the timing could hardly be worse."

Pira's voice is faintly startled. "The business with the Trade Federation?"

Pira says "You think it is related?"

Day-Lin says "I'm not sure that related would be the right word. Opportunistic, perhaps."

Day-Lin says "Hardly anyone expected that dispute to be resolved as quickly as it was. If it were still going on, it could be an excellent cover."

Pira says "Someone doesn't want the competition? Or perhaps has intentions on the mine itself?"

Finally, with a little jolt, the transport settles into place on the wide round pad.

Pira says "Let us hope for something simpler."

Day-Lin says, without much confidence, "We can always hope."

The co-pilot comes on the intercom again, announcing that the passengers are free to disembark.

Pira undoes the restraints and moves towards the airlock, pausing to arrange her hood to shadow her face again.

Day-Lin adds, as he's rising, "You may want to watch your step. Some of these mining colonies can be a little rough."

Pira says with faint smugness "I doubt that there will be any difficulty for one trained at the Jedi Temple." She sweeps out.

<OOC> Pira says "And for that sin, I just KNOW she's going to pay :)

Day-Lin shakes his head, muttering, "I have a bad feeling about this," before he hoods his face and follows.

<OOC> Kelly chuckles, "You're just going for ALL the cliches, aren't you?"
<OOC> Pira says "Hey, SOMEONE has to say the line!"
<OOC> Avirida /laughs/.
<OOC> Day-Lin says "That one was just *too* easy. :)"
<OOC> Pira fives Day-Lin. Perfect timing.

Waiting for the Jedi at the base of the ramp is a small party consisting of two older gentlemen in formal clothes, a younger woman in miner's coveralls, and an honor guard of four in the uniform of Nimbos security.

The foremost of the three is a tall man in what looks like the latest fashion among the well-to-do of Coruscant, including a flowing cape. He bows deeply. "Welcome to Nimbos. I am Prince Leet, the lord of this city."

Pira says "We are Pira Kunsai and Day-Lin Allori. The Council has sent us in hopes that this dispute may be resolved peacefully."

Prince Leet nods. "A hope I share. Let me introduce Master Yago, of the Mining Guild..." He gestures to the other man, who steps forward and offers his hand in greeting.

Yago says, "An honor to meet not one, but two Jedi."

Yago is a somewhat heavy-set man in a business suit, his manner upbeat and quick as he makes your acquaintance.

Pira inclines her head to Yago.

Prince Leet's smile tightens a bit as he motions to his second companion, "... and this is Amke Deller, the representative of the miners." Deller offers a half-smile of her own.

Day-Lin removes a hand from his robe, and shakes Yago's hand. "A pleasure, Master Yago."

Yago says, "The pleasure is mine, sir." He steps back.

Pira gives Deller the exact same measure of inclination. "I am pleased to make both acquaintances. Will it be you two that lead negotiations?"

Deller nods diffidently. She's a woman of average height, average looks, brown hair worn in an efficient braid. A clean coverall seems her only concession to appearances on this meeting.

Deller says, "That's right."

You paged Day-Lin with 'Your sense that there's more going on here than meets the eye is stronger.'.

Meanwhile, all but unnoticed by the diplomatic party, a few of the /Dauntless'/ crew emerge to stretch their legs and look around.

Day-Lin frowns slightly. He offers a hand to Deller. "I hope we'll be able to deal with this matter to everyone's satisfaction." He lays a slight stress on 'everyone', looking Deller in the eye.

Pira says "What is the schedule for negotiations?"

Deller shrugs and takes Day-Lin's hand. "We'll see," she says skeptically. Her grip is firm.

Harukuk folds his arms and watches his passengers, hovering near the ship.

<OOC> Kelly says, "A foot or two off the ground..."
<OOC> Pira giggles. I hope you guys aren't bored.
<OOC> Avi is too busy giggling.

Avirida stays reasonably near Harukuk, half a jaded eye on the passengers, half on anyone getting into a risky distance of the Wookiee.

Prince Leet turns, the motion a cue for everyone to follow as he walks back down the wide path to the nearest doorway. "First, you will enjoy Nimbos' hospitality. Quarters have been provided for you during your visit, and tonight you will dine at my table. Tomorrow, we can begin."

This offer, one might surmise, does not extend to the 'ferry drivers', who are expected to remain aboard ship. They also serve, those who only stand and wait...

Harukuk says, with irony, "Arughugh" to Avirida.

Avirida nods to Harukuk. "Well," she mutters, "you bribe the pilot, not the ship, to get where you wanna go."

Day-Lin follows after Leet. He asks, voice low, "And the crew of our transport?"

Prince Leet blinks, not quite comprehending. "What about them?"

Day-Lin shoots a knowing look at Pira. "I was merely curious if they would also be enjoying your hospitality."

Prince Leet hms. "Well, I suppose rooms could be found for them as well. Yes, of course." He brightens again, and gives an order to one of the honor guard, who nods curtly.

Pira's expression doesn't flicker as she follows the Prince.

As the group enters the vaulted entry hall, more words pass between various officials until one emerges again and strides back down the ramp to the ship.

The stiff-backed man in the Prince's livery inquires, "'Ow many of you will be leaving your ship?"

Harukuk holds up six fur-covered fingers. Its easier that way.

Avirida clarifies for the official's sake, "Six."

From afar, Harukuk figures he'll leave two (NPCs) on the ship, and we'll switch off nightly. At least that's the theory. :)

The man nods briskly, seeming unfazed by the Wookiee standing over him. "Roight. Come with me, please."

Harukuk comments to Avirida, "Mruowf."

Avirida replies to Harukuk, "You never know," then straightens to accompany the Large Furry Individual.

DISSOLVE TO:
INT. NIMBOS - GUEST LEVELS

The guest rooms for the Jedi are fine indeed, the equivalent of a high-class hotel. Day-Lin's room adjoins Pira's, though there is no connecting door.

The rooms for the crew are quite nice, though not as luxurious, and are located three floors down in that particular upper-level tower.

Pira pulls back her hood, and goes to rap on Day-Lin's door.

Day-Lin calls, "Enter!"

Pira glides in, the door sliding shut with a mechanical snap behind her.

The windows along the outer wall of the suite offer a view of the deepening twilight.

Day-Lin says, as soon as the door's shut, "Well, now we have an idea of how much mind they pay to their people."

Pira seats herself on the floor, legs folded lotus-style. "There are cabins on the ship, Day-Lin. No doubt he did not think of it."

Day-Lin murmurs, "Exactly. He didn't think of it."

Pira says "You will blind yourself with this passion."

Day-Lin says "Speaking of which, do you feel anything unusual here?"

Pira lets her eyes close a moment, feeling the web of the Force.

There's definitely a cloud of tension hanging over the city, tangible through the Force.

Pira says "They are near to fighting."

Pira says "We should speak to the negotiators, seek out the situation."

Pira says "We haven't much time, or there may be more than a strike here."

Day-Lin nods. "Let's be about it, then."

Pira says "Do you wish to speak to Yago, and I seek out Deller?"

Day-Lin says "I think we might be best off if both of us stayed together, just to mitigate any...undue influences." His tone's a little amused, now.

Pira says with a faint edge of humor "And for Ser Yago's peace of mind?"

Day-Lin says "Precisely."

Pira rises with Jedi grace. "Then we should be about it."

CUT TO:
INT. DINING HALL - EVENING

The Prince's banquet hall is brightly lit, his table long and covered with exotic dishes and vases filled with sprays of flowers from distant worlds. Gleaming protocol droids bustle about, serving the meal. In addition to the two Jedi and the other persons already introduced, there are a handful of instantly forgettable guests - friends of the Prince, a city official, a retired General of the Republic.

At the insistence of the two Jedi, they have been seated not together, but on opposite sides of the table, each next to one of the negotiators.

Prince Leet accepts a portion of roast nerf from a server and inquires of his visitors, "Is the food to your liking?"

Yago, at Pira's elbow, smiles and raises his goblet in toast to the host.

Deller, next to Day-Lin, eats slowly. She does not seem to be enjoying the meal as much as she might... probably just not used to food like this.

Pira says "Very pleasant."

Day-Lin merely nods slightly.

Prince Leet continues with his thought, "As I was saying, this is quite an honor. The last time a Jedi came to Nimbos was during my grandfather's time. I only wish the circumstances were more pleasant."

Pira looks up with a spark of curiousity "And what was your visitor's purpose then?"

Prince Leet smiles. "Well, he had come to take custody of a particularly promising young candidate. Who did eventually become a Jedi, I am told."

Pira says "Indeed, a happier purpose."

Pira says "We received little information before we came here. How long has this dispute gone on?"

<OOC> Harukuk goes in search of an eating and drinking establishment, then, with any of the crew who wish to come with him. First round of drinks are on him.
<OOC> Avirida <-- in on this. Next round are on her. ;)
<OOC> Kelly asks, "What class? Looking for a spacer bar in particular, or first one you find?"
<OOC> Harukuk thinks. Spacer bar, unless there isn't one. More at home in that enviornment.

Meanwhile, within the city proper, Harukuk and his crew have come upon a promising establishment. The blinking sign above the doorway proclaims it to be 'The Crash Site.'

Avirida gestures toward it, calling to Harukuk, "How's that look?"

Harukuk bobs his head in a nod.

Avirida herds crewmen, reasonably amiably.

The Crash Site doesn't look that much different from any other spaceport cantina on the inside - a bit cleaner, perhaps, and with servers in actual uniforms (the organic ones, anyway). This is no low-class dive, but a good place for a visiting spacer to get well and truly blasted.

Harukuk nods in approval as he enters, and stakes out a table for the crew.

Avirida chases down a straggler on the street, escorting her inside to the table.

Harukuk's call to the bartender is answered with a cheer from the others present - with this many different species present, some of them surely understand Wookiee.

Yago explains, "The recent troubles started, oh, two years ago. Production started falling off. After the miners failed to meet their quotas for several months, the Prince, in his wisdom"--here a glance at the head of the table--"instituted sterner measures. Reduced privileges and pay, until it was made up."

Day-Lin says "What reason did they give for falling behind?"

Yago spreads his hands helplessly, as Deller cuts in: "We were already working full shifts. If we weren't meeting quota, that's someone else's fault for setting the quotas too high."

Deller complains, "Since then we've been working longer hours, for less pay. We can't even come up to the upper levels without security goons watching us now!" The last is said with an angry glance at the two guards standing unobtrusively near the door, supposedly a ceremonial gesture.

Day-Lin mmms. "Interesting," he murmurs, not looking up from his food.

Pira says "Were the mines producing less richly?"

Prince Leet looks into his glass. "Some of the scientists *claim* that Taloraan is undergoing a shift on its axis, and that this will affect the weather patterns. But I haven't noticed anything. The spring storms still come on time..." He sighs and motions for a refill.

Pira turns her gaze on Deller.

Deller replies, "We're working as hard as ever, but the Prince and the Guild keep raising the bar!" Realizing she's become strident, the miner settles back in her chair and takes a deep breath, followed by several determined bites of her nerf.

The Prince says sadly, "You see what I have to put up with."

Day-Lin murmurs, "Terrible," though it's not clear whether he's addressing Leet or Deller.

Pira says "The quotas were raised, then?"

Yago nods blandly. "Three times, to maintain revenue. You must understand, the price of gas is not what it used to be, with new mines opening..."

"And to try to make up for the shortfalls," Prince Leet adds.

Deller chews and glowers, as the other guests at the table make sympathetic noises.

Pira says "New mines here?"

Yago shakes his head to Pira. "On other worlds, my lady. Supply and demand... you understand, I hope?"

Day-Lin says, a little wry, "I'm sure she does. The trip's merely disoriented her."

Prince Leet murmurs dangerously, "What I understand is that Nimbos is dangerously close, after hundreds of productive years under my family's rule, to going insolvent. Because the miners won't do their jobs."

Prince Leet's voice rises. "If this strike goes on another two months, I am looking at BANKRUPTCY!" He glares at Deller. "And what will you and your ... people do then?"

Deller murmurs cooly, "Find work with a more reasonable administrator."

Harukuk and his crew are soon set up with their chosen imbibables.

Harukuk begins to imbibe. He also, with one of his crew's help, orders himself a proportionately Wookiee-sized meal.

Avirida only sips at her own drink - someone's got to stay remotely sober. (If only remotely.) Besides. Arguing with the proprietors is almost as much fun.

Harukuk raises a finger to Avirida, gesturing at the wait-person. "Aruff." He pauses, "Roaghuh." There's a moment of thought more, then "Rowoff-rough."

Harukuk pages to Kelly and Avirida: A slab of meat (whatever they've got) rare (very rare,) two bowlfulls of stew, and a bowl of veggies, whatever they've got so long as they're green. (from habit, that's just the first course.)

The server hesitates a little, but everyone knows it's not wise to upset a Wookiee, and he promises he'll see what he can do before disappearing into the pub's kitchen.

Avirida translates gleefully for the server, and settles back, grinning at Harukuk. "This is gonna be fun."

For all its quantity, the Wookiee's order doesn't take long to prepare. Walking very carefully, the waiter returns with a tray laden down with a slightly browned nerf steak, two bowls of steaming stew, and another bowl of salad.

Pira carefully slices off a bite of nerf. "I would like to see the mining records. For background reference."

Yago nods quietly to Pira, keeping out of the sudden argument. For once, his good cheer is muted.

You paged Pira and Day-Lin with 'Along with the sudden burst of anger in the room, there's also a stab of fear, from *someone*.'.
Pira pages to Kelly and Day-Lin: But no hint who? Augh.

Day-Lin looks up abruptly, back and forth between Deller and Leet.

Prince Leet, much as Deller earlier, realizes what he must look like. He sits down again, takes a deep breath, and puts on his smile.

Prince Leet says, "I apologize. Tonight was supposed to be a purely social occasion."

Pira looks sideways at Yago, thoughtful.

Yago soothes, "Quite all right, your Highness. I imagine everyone is a bit on edge, mm?"

Prince Leet nods, picking at his plate for a few more moments before asking, "Is anyone ready for dessert?"

Harukuk digs in heartily, but careful of his fur. It mattes so easily, after all.

The waiter asks almost fearfully, "Will that be all?"

Avirida glances to Harukuk. "If you order now," she observes, "it'll be ready by the time you're done."

Harukuk gestures, and says, "Aruogh. Roughac."

Avirida nods to the Wookiee, and relays to the server, "Another pitcher, and a bowl of spoo for later." She gestures, describing the loose size of the bowl.

The flustered-looking server nods, smoothes back his crest of pink hair, and goes back into the kitchen.

<OOC> Kelly says, "The server is of the same race (colorful hair, pale skin with spots) as that dancing girl in Jabba's palace in the SE scenes. FYI."

When the waiter returns, he has a tray with a big pitcher of foamy lum and a bowl full of some kind of pale pink custardy substance, as well as refills for two of the other crewers at Harukuk's table.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Lum = beer. Yes, really."
<OOC> Harukuk drinks green-haired, horned aliens!

The crew, having seen their captain feast before, either don't pay any attention or watch with amusement.

The waiter retreats into the kitchen as if the big hairy monster might decide to have him next.

Harukuk drinks straight from the pitcher (which isn't rude so much as it is practical) and eats with his careful gusto.

Avirida is in the latter category. She beams after the waiter.

As dessert cups are being served out to those who asked for them, the Prince's commlink beeps for his attention. He fishes it out and mutters darkly into it.

Prince Leet's face pales, and the end of his fork hits the plate with a *tink*.

Day-Lin says "Is everything all right?"

Prince Leet switches off and says, perfectly even and precise, "You must excuse me. It seems there's been a murder."