STAR WARS: An Ill Wind
Session 08

[Day-Lin's player was absent from this session.]

EXT. SPACE - ALGUS

From orbit, Algus is a world of dark blues and greens, wreathed in feathery white. In addition to the oceans, the land is dotted with many small seas and lakes that flash silver when the yellow-white sunlight catches them just so. As a result, virtually all of the land surface is covered with thick rainforest and jungle.

The Dauntless drops from space into this world of lush growth, looking itself like some exotic bird on the wing.

In the courier's small cockpit, the new second officer (promoted from ship's navigator) checks his instruments. "I've got their landing signal, sir. Beacon only, no traffic control."

Algus is one of the younger colonies, cast adrift on the final wave of expansion before the Republic began to draw in on itself. As such, it is close to the edge of Republic space, not far from the Hutt worlds.

<OOC> Pira says, "Did we get any sort of briefing as to why we were sent here?"
<OOC> Kelly says, "According to the message that was received and relayed, some sort of local legend - "the Ghost of the Jungle" - has started taking livestock right out of the pens. The event which triggered the distress call was that two children have gone missing as well."
<OOC> Kelly says, "Given the delay with the pirates, and having to divert to a Navy base on the way here, you're now about three days late."
<OOC> Kelly says, "The call went out a week ago."

As the Dauntless flies lower, following the homing signal, the main settlement on this world comes into view: a clearing several kilometers across, in which a few gleaming buildings and smaller dwellings constructed from native materials cluster around the fusion-formed patch of ground that serves as a landing area.

The Dauntless swoops over the colony, jets flaring as it turns and settles onto the pad.

Harukuk sets the Dauntless down gently, the joints of the ship giving slightly, then leveling the starship out.

Pira says to Harukuk "Captain, is there anyone to meet us?"

Surprisingly(?) the Dauntless is not the only ship currently parked on the tarmack. A smaller ship with smooth, almost predatory lines sits off to one side.

A crowd seems to be gathering at the edge of the pad, as the locals come to see the new arrival. Harukuk rumbles a response to Pira.

The co-pilot, Leon, translates helpfully. "Should be, but we're a few days late."

Pira indicates the other ship. "That does not look like a local vessel."

With a long, thin fuselage that tapers to a beak-like point and four squared-off thruster units arranged at the tail, two up and two to the sides, the scout has the appearance of a bird of prey. It looks like it could carry three or four people at the outside, or two and some cargo.

Pira studies the crowd, looking for sign of an official presence.

So far, it just seems to be a curious milling crowd. They don't seem as happy to see the Dauntless as Pira might have expected.

Pira says "Engineer Avirida, do you know that ship's markings?"

Avirida peers out at it. "Not my specialty..."

<OOC> Kelly says, "Give me a TECH roll to see if you recognize it, though."
<OOC> Kelly says, "That *is* your specialty, :)"
<OOC> Harukuk says, "More so than anyone else, that's for sure." Avirida rolls 4 dice: <4> 4 3 4

[The GM feeds information to Avirida - it's the same type as Kyle Katarn's MOLDY CROW.]

Pira shrugs her hood forward, drawing it down to shadow her face. "I expect the authorities will make themselves known once we disembark."

Avirida says, "It looks like a Vangaard Gyre-class scout, from here. I'm surprised to see one of those out here. Though I suppose it'd have worked its way out, after the company went bankrupt."

Pira says "Strange to find it on such a remote colony."

Pira moves towards the lock.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Is Pira going to try and coax Day-Lin out again, or just leave?"
<OOC> Pira says, "Hmm, she probably would, yes."

Harukuk rumbles a question to Avirida. ["Haven't heard of it. Often armed?"]

Pira pauses, then goes down the main corridor towards the Jedi quarters.

Avirida gestures indeterminance. "Decent for its size. One gun turret on the belly."

Day-Lin and Pira have staterooms on the upper deck of the main hull, to the rear of the control area.

Pira raps on the door of Day-Lin's cabin. "We are arrived on Algus."

Day-lin's voice comes back, muffled. "Good. Give them my regards."

Pira says "Is this how Masters teach their Padawans to behave, out on the Rim?"

No answer.

<OOC> Kelly says, "To quote Threepio, 'Impossible man.'"
<OOC> Pira smirks.

Pira says "I'll give the children your regards, if we find them."

Pira gives the silent unmoving door a chilly look.

<OOC> Pira says, "Cheap shot, but he deserves it :)"

For a moment, Pira has a sense that Day-Lin might say "Wait," that the door might open... but then the moment passes, and it is just a blank door again.

Pira turns on her heel and sweeps down the corridor, back towards the ramp.

<OOC> Kelly says, "What's the crew doing? Locking down flight stations, of course... but when that's done?"
<OOC> Harukuk will leave two people on the ship (same as on... drat, I forget the name) and the rest of the crew gets shore leavish type things. I'll accompany the Jedi, and any of the crew are welcome to do the same.
<OOC> Kelly says, "Taloran. :)"
<OOC> Harukuk says, "Right."
<OOC> Avirida is inclined, with the way the last couple trips have turned out, to keep nearish the Jedi. ;)
<OOC> Kelly says, "The new navigator as one of those staying behind, to get used to shipboard? Or coming with?"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Avi: Join the Navy, they said. See the Galaxy, they said. ;)"
<OOC> Avirida whistles. :)
<OOC> Pira says, "is the ramp down by now?"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Yes. Was just about to pose that."
<OOC> Harukuk says, "Sounds good, we'll leave him with the new first mate. Most experienced and least."
<OOC> Pira waits, then :)

As Pira steps through the lock, a wave of warm moist air laden with the smell of growing things hits her. For one accustomed to the sterile air-conditioned interiors and well-tended gardens of Coruscant, it's quite ... something.

Pira wrinkles her nose, but the first wash of distaste at the nearly-fetid air is subsumed as she feels the Force pulsing through this life-filled world.

Indeed, there is life here... and stepping onto Algus, Pira becomes part of that web of energy, so different from the contemplative quiet of the Temple.

Pira glides towards the knot of onlookers, only half her attention for them, the other rejoicing in the twining, interlocking net of life.

<OOC> Kelly says, "'Life creates it... makes it grow. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter.'"

Avirida departs the ship behind Harukuk, much less philosophically.

<OOC> Pira says, "I heard that *Airhead Jedi*, Avirida :)"
<OOC> Avirida whistles :)

Harukuk rather seems to enjoy the smell of the place. He stretches when he exits the ship.

As Pira moves toward the crowd, someone pushes through to meet her - a man with dark hair and beard, dressed for the muggy weather like the others in loose light tunic and trousers. A colorfully woven half-cape drapes over one shoulder and arm.

Pira pauses, waiting for him, hands tucked inside her sleeves.

"Uh... you are the Jedi?" he asks.

Pira says "I am Knight Pira Kunsai. Are you from the local government?"

The man chuckles. "Well, as much as there is a government around here. I'm Gil Eldor. Welcome to our world."

Skin tones here seem to tend toward tan, and hair to darker hues, probably a result of the bright primary of this system.

Pira says "I thank you, Ser Eldor." She looks over her shoulder, waiting for the captain.

Harukuk steps in behind Pira, and rumbles his own greeting.

Pira says "This is Captain Harukuk of the Republic Navy--"

A woman's voice speaks up from the crowd, "We were told you'd be here days ago!" She is joined a moment later by a man, jeering, "Yeah! What happened?"

Pira says "I am sorry for the delay. We were waylaid by pirates."

"Doesn't the Republic care about us, our children?"

Eldor tries to calm the crowd. "Please, please! They are here now... and that is what matters."

Muttering amongst themselves, the crowd subsides.

Pira turns to the speaker. "We would not have been sent if the Senate and Chancellor did not care, Mas --" She lets the courtesy title hang.

<OOC> Pira makes up Mas on the spot as the female equivalent of Ser, because I can't think of a canon one
<OOC> Kelly says, "Mis, perhaps?"
<OOC> Pira says, "Sounded too much like Miss"
<OOC> Pira apologizes to Haru and Avi for talking so much, but I figure this is what Pira is good at.
<OOC> Kelly says, "Well, I don't know if there is canon, so. :)"

The woman, a middle-aged motherly type, looks warily at the nearly anonymous cloaked figure. "Jiwett. Ethri Jiwett."

Pira draws back her hood. "Is your child among the missing, Mas Jiwett?"

Jiwett replies, "Not any more... no thanks to you, though!"

From someone else: "Yeah, the hunter brought 'em back!" "Right!"

Pira says "The children have been found?" She looks to Eldor for confirmation. "Who is this hunter? They will have the Republic's gratitude if they were able to rescue them."

Another voice, filled with dry humor, speaks up from the far wing of the crowd. "Why, that'd be me."

The people there step back to clear an aisle for the newest speaker: a lean man of middling height, sandy blonde hair and sharp blue eyes. He wears a green and black blast vest over a mesh shirt, short pants and hiking boots. A hat with a wide floppy brim sits on his head at a rakish angle, and a blaster rifle rests casually over one shoulder. That's not the only weapon he carries, either - a glance reveals a knife at his belt and another in a boot sheath.

<OOC> Pira says, "Oh god it's Crocodile Dundee"
<OOC> Avirida shrieks.
<OOC> Kelly says, "Pretty much, yeah. :) Cue cheesy Aussie Hunter accent."

Avirida glances aside to him, with the growing sense of necessary precaution she's been acquiring on this trip.

A few steps behind him, also examining the Jedi and her party, is a protocol droid with a bag slung over one shoulder. Unlike the shiny finish of most such droids, this one is a dark bronze with what looks like black camoflage splotches applied at random.

The hunter (for it can be no other) pushes back his hat and continues, "And as for the gratitude of the Republic, I don't care about none of that. Just my fee."

Pira inclines her head to the hunter with respect. "I hope you will tell me of your mission. Has the Jungle Ghost itself been caught?"

Pira reaches out with the Force as she speaks, surveying the man with methods beyond eyes.

<OOC> Pira says, "Shall I roll?"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Go ahead, Sense." Pira rolls 2 dice: <5> 6
<OOC> Pira says, "Damn, wish it had been reversed :)"
<OOC> Sabriel unidles to fall over laughing.
[GM's Note: Sabriel is from Australia.]

The hunter shakes his head, grinning. "No. But it will be."

You paged Pira with 'What are you looking for?'.
Pira pages: A sense of the man, and of course if there is any touch of the Dark.
Pira pages: Ie, the flavor of his persona.
You paged Pira with 'Mercenary.'.
Pira pages: But not Dark?
You paged Pira with 'That depends on your point of view... ;) Not touched by the Force. A dark shade of grey, perhaps.'.

Letting the rifle on his shoulder fall into a casual grip across his waist, the hunter steps forward. "Wall. So you're a Jedi Knight. Nevah seen one before."

Pira says equitably, "Perhaps you have not gone where there was need of our Order."

Instead of answering that directly, the hunter points out (in case you'd missed it), "Yer late. Not to worry, though... I found the little ones for ya."

Pira says "I am glad to hear of it. Were they unharmed? Is there need of healing?"

The hunter shakes his head. "Naah. A bit scratched up and scared 'alf out of their wits, is all. They'll be roight as jungle rain."

Pira says "Were they able to describe what took them?"

"Well, it didn't TAKE them, 'zactly. Seems they were out in the bush, one of 'em came face to face with the thing and they both ran. Lost for days... till I found 'em." Again, that arrogant grin.

<OOC> Pira says, "You know, I now want to play the 'that's not a knife, *this* is a knife' scene with a lightsaber :)"
<OOC> Avirida laughs!

The hunter looks over at the Dauntless, then Harukuk and his crew in their blue uniform jackets, and finally at the young Jedi. "So, seems your job's been done. Why don't you scarper on back to the Core, eh?"

Pira says "So the creature itself remains?"

"Tha's roight. And I mean to bag it, whatever it is." The hunter realizes he hasn't introduced himself yet, and puts out a hand (the one not holding the rifle). "Deak Bogan."

<OOC> Kelly says, "Note. Not Hogan, BOGAN. :)"

Pira inclines her head to the man "Pira Kunsai."

Deak pulls back his hand, looking non-plussed. He then glances over his shoulder. "JC, git up here! Move yer metal arse!"

Pira says "The matter is not quite resolved, Ser Bogan, until the creature is found." She gives him a small smile.

Wobbling a little under what looks like the rest of the hunter's kit, the bronze protocol droid hurries to his master's side. "Yes, sir, at your service."

Pira says "Ser Eldor?"

Eldor, who had been watching the confrontation between the offworlders silently, turns to Pira. "Yes?"

Pira says "Would there be quarters available for our crew?"

The colony leader waves away some sort of flitting insect as he considers. "Well, we don't get many travellers here, but you could probably stay with some of the families." He turns to the others. "Who here has a room for the Jedi and her friends?"

<OOC> Avirida says, "And seal your doom."
<OOC> Pira smirks. So optimistic :)

For a moment, there is silence. Then a hand goes up toward the back. "I will."

Pira gives another little bow. "I thank you."

The man who spoke moves to the front of the crowd, along with a woman who must be his wife. "It's our honor to have a Jedi Knight in our house, m'lady."

Pira says "It is we who are honored by your generosity."

<OOC> Pira says, "And dammit, she means it :)"

The insect, meanwhile, has veered around a bit and finally chooses Pira's arm to alight on. Its body shines with metallic colors as its flexing wings catch the sunlight prismatically.

Pira extends a delicate thread of Force to soothe the insect's tiny brain, sliding a finger under the pipestem legs to lift it onto her hand.

Meanwhile, in the background, Bogan is berating his porter. "I swear, you are the most worthless excuse for a droid I've ever owned. Pick up your feet next time!" "Oh yes sir, you're quite right sir, terribly sorry sir..." Their voices seem to fade as Pira contemplates the natural wonder perched upon her hand.

Avirida does not eye Pira sidelong in public, no matter the temptation.

It looks almost like something a master jeweler might create to go on a Senator's costume: a long segmented body shining metallic green and blue, glass wings, and exquisitely faceted gems for eyes. But no artisan made this.

Pira smiles in pleasure at the lovely thing, and encourages it back into the air.

<OOC> Pira sings the jedi song "every bug is sacred"

Bogan's voice intrudes on the all-too-brief moment. "Wall. If you're going to be staying... I guess I'll just have to find the beast first."

Pira says "As the Force wills, Ser Bogan."

Bogan's answer is a snort, and an order to his droid: "Come on, then!" "Of course, sir."

Pira turns to the Captain and says in a lower voice "Perhaps we should bring some supplies? I doubt that the good Ser and Mas were prepared for our crew."

Harukuk nods his assent.

<OOC> Pira says, "Pira is much better at diplomacy than bonking people over the head with lightsabers"

WIPE TO:
INT. DRENNER HOME

Tavis Drenner and his wife Melia have a cottage built with beams and boards of the local wood, the walls covered with something between plaster and adobe. To Pira, it's practically a cave dwelling... yet somehow 'quaint'.

Tavis shows the visitors to the single guest room. There's a sleeping pallet big enough for two, or one Wookiee. There's also floor space, if one fancies sleeping on hardwood planks.

<OOC> Pira says, "How many do we have with us?"
<OOC> Avirida says, "Two and one Wookiee, I think?"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Well, there's the Captain and Avirida. Plus four more crew. Two of those would rather stay on the ship. The others can find lodging with another family."
<OOC> Kelly says, "The ship's not so bad if you can get off it when you want. And it's cool and dry and has plumbing etc etc."
<OOC> Kelly says, "The locals have plumbing too, but it's a bit less, um, quality."
<OOC> Avirida shudders. ;)
<OOC> Pira giggles.
<OOC> Pira says, "This is the sort of thing that Pira's noble relatives pay big money to vacation in :)"
<OOC> Kelly says, "You're getting a chance to see how the other half, ie, Day-Lin lives."
<OOC> Kelly says, "Welcome to the Rim, Core girl."
<OOC> Pira giggles. Wait until she meets the more unattractive insects :)

Melia seems a little embarassed about the accomodations. "We're sorry, this is all we have for you..."

Pira gives her another little smile. "They are more than adequate, Mas Drenner. My thanks."

Melia smiles back and withdraws, to let her guests settle in.

Pira carefully spreads her cloak out on the floor.

Harukuk rumbles something that sounds complimentary.

Avirida settles down on the floor as well. Apparently the Wookiee is getting the bed. No surprise there...

<OOC> Kelly says, "Harukuk, this isn't home, but it's LIKE home. It *smells* like home."
<OOC> Harukuk nods. "Its like home, just lower."
<OOC> Pira mumbles "Glad *one* of us is comfortable..."
<OOC> Kelly says, "And not as homicidal. (Wookieecidal, whatever.)"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Regarding the bed... Harukuk could always flip you for it. ;)"
<OOC> Harukuk says, "Heads or tails, eh? But noone has a tail..."
<OOC> Pira says, "Pira is used to wood. Master Windu thought it was a healthy thing for a growing Padawan, sleeping on the floor."
<OOC> Kelly says, "Yeah, sounds like his style."
<OOC> Pira says, "Hey, it was better than Yoda whapping your knee with his gimmer stick again :)"
<OOC> Avirida is not used to wood. But then, she's used to not sleeping.
<OOC> Kelly says, "You could always sleep on top of the, um, fur rug."
<OOC> Avirida says, "No thanks. ;)"
<OOC> Pira says, "Of course, in the Jedi Temple, it was thousands-of-years-old wood, imported from distant corners of the galaxy and laid by master craftsmen."
<OOC> Pira says, "But it was still just as hard :)"

The room's single window has a screen to keep out insects, but no transparisteel, or even glass.

Avirida meanders over to the window after a few moments, peering out of it at the world outside.

Outside the window, a few houses can be seen, a dirt path that might charitably called a street for this community, and then - surrounded by a wire fence that looks more like a formality than an actual barrier to what might be lurking beyond - is a green wall.

Of course, that fence is probably energized. Probably.

Avirida shifts uneasily, and settles down crosslegged under the window, muttering, "These places aren't safe."

Harukuk rumbles something in Wookiee. ["Neither is Coruscant."]

Avirida mutters under her breath, "Planets weren't made to be green."

Pira lifts an inquiring brow at Avirida.

Avirida explains, "It just doesn't seem... sanitary, somehow."

<OOC> Kelly nods sagely. Planets are positively MADE out of dirt.

Pira says "It is very alive, though. I have never felt the Force so burgeoning."

Avirida says "It looks like that life could burgeon right over us in the night, if we're unlucky."

Avirida glances up to the window again.

You paged Pira with 'It's... a little like you've been sick, without knowing it. And then one day you get up and walk outside and SPRING has SPRUNG. :)'.
From afar, Pira grins. See what we miss living on that metal planet...
You paged Pira with 'This is probably as close to 'giddy' as Pira will ever get.'.
From afar, Pira laughs. She's been smiling, which is unusual for her.

Pira says "Perhaps then we will discover what this creature is."

<OOC> Kelly says, "I can see it now, Avirida to the others, after the first encounter with hostile wildlife: 'And you said it was pretty here.'"

Avirida just checks her blaster.

Far above, wispy clouds drift by over the tree canopy.

[We decided to call the session here, before nightfall.]

You paged Pira with 'I suspect that, in addition to the political realities of locating the Temple on Coruscant, the current Jedi ideal is to raise Padawans in what amounts to a hermetically sealed environment. With occasional field trips with Jedi Knights to give them a taste of what it's like out there, but nothing too messy.'.
Pira pages: Us pure little creatures :)
You paged Pira with 'That way they can never, EVER be tempted by the Dark Side. *pious, confident smile*'.
Pira pages: Snicker!