Angcuru
First Post
14 - Preparation
Jaess sits back in her chair as she watches the briefing, setting down the holoprojector she holds and conforming herself to the uncomfortable chair as she observes the holovid. A hyperdrive like that could not only turn the tide of the battle, it could make Inter-Galactic travel a day to day occurrence.
"This is an Infiltration/Extraction operation, with emphasis on the extraction of plans and destruction of any prototypes they may be in the possession of the Empire, Commander?" Jaess looks up at him from her seat, wondering how many kilos of explosives she'll be required to lug around in the field.
"We don't know if the Empire is in possession of the drive yet. They won't arrive in this new system for at least a day, according to our most recent schematics of the Interdictor and her companion ships." Bosch replied, turning to face Jaess. He examined her for a moment for continuing.
"We honestly have no idea what you should expect when you arrive. It is almost certain that the Empire has sent in advance ships into the system to scout it out before the Interdictor's arrival." He motioned over the assembled team. "You will serve a similar purpose: Covert reconnaissance, Intelligence gathering, and if possible, Extraction."
Bosch picked up the remote again, and the holo flickered to life, displaying the familiar image of an Imperial Lambda-Class Shuttle. "You will be taking this ship into the new system, under the guise of a team of surveyors taking readings in preparation for logistics operations." The holo highlighted a group of six small sensor domes not typical of normal Lambdas, two at the center of each wing. "They have been calibrated to search only for the distress beacon and the supposed hyperdrive.
”Once you have located the hyperdrive and hopefully any survivors from the Dawnsprinter, you are to retrieve them if they are not already in the Empire's possession. If the Empire has already located taken them, you are to attempt retrieval operations if you judge possible. If you judge that you cannot retrieve the hyperdrive, your orders are to attempt to destroy it, and rescue the Dawnsprinter's crew if you can. Sufficient demolitions material is in the shuttle's storage. Upon completion or failure of mission objectives, you are to return here for debriefing."
The old patina stained droid with the empty photoreceptor socket watches Bosch's presentation without comment temporarily ignoring the fact that the Commander sidestepped offering the droid an apology or an answer to its last question. When he is done describing what it is he wants of the team he's assembled, R-LE-1 finally offers its opinion: "Your report fails to clarify several key points; who was crewing the Dawnsprinter when it left Ord Mirrit, why did it 'blast out' of the starport and why were rebel forces aware or interested in that seemingly minor local event at the time?"
"It is standard Imperial procedure when detecting a distress beacon to identify the ship is was jettisoned from and trace the ship back to its most recent point of departure. We simply had to monitor Imperial frequencies to pick up this information." Bosch replied to the droid. "Unfortunately, our trace was quickly detected and we could find no further information regarding the ship and its crew than has already been imparted to you."
R-LE-1 pauses momentarily to examine the listeners just as it watched Bosch do a few moments ago before continuing: “Although the existence of such a revolutionary hyperdrive design is intriguing, I must point out that such a sudden leap in space faring technology is all but unprecedented in recorded history. There are other possible and more likely explanations for the transmission of a distress signal from an escape pod in an uncharted region of wild space. Perhaps the signal was purposefully faked. Perhaps the Dawnsprinter's escape pod was jettisoned in that area long ago and its distress transmitter was only recently activated. Although more unlikely, it is also conceivable that the Dawnsprinter, if it did traverse the distance in so short a time, did not do so under its own power. The detection of a gravitational well may in fact indicate the presence of an unidentified gravitational anomaly which somehow pulled the vessel to that location via a spacial fold. How did rebel intelligence reach the conclusion that the Dawnsprinter itself is actually in the vicinity of the point of origin of this transmission and that it reached that area with a previously unknown hyperdrive engine design?"
"Likewise," Bosch added with a hint of a smile at Arlee as he turned on the Holo again to display the recent star map of the galaxy, "your analysis of the situation is exemplary. It is extremely unlikely our analysts' hypothesis of an extraordinarily advanced drive is correct, but we must be prepared for that contingency. It is equally unlikely that the Dawnsprinter instead suffered a critical error in astrogation and collided with a solar gravity mass, and instead of being vaporized, skipped off the gravity well towards another mass at hyper-accelerated speed, repeating this process upwards of a dozen times before coming to rest at it's present location." Bosch laid out a line connecting Ord Mirrit to Vortex to Carratos to Arkania to Caamas and so on until the line stopped somewhere in wild space not far from the Endor system, resembling the path of an out of control pinball more than anything else.
"Of course, there are many more alternate explanations, but we must be prepared for the worse, hence the mission you are to undertake." Bosch turned off the holo again. "Now, we are short on time. Your shuttle is nearly ready for takeoff, so if there are any additional supplies or armaments you think you may need, request them now. The same goes for more questions."
Jaess stands up, leaning over the table slightly as she watches the Dawnsprinter get bounced around like a bumper car. "Sir," she begins, looking up at Bosch as he turns off the holoprojector, "I'll need to retrieve my weapons from my quarters, and if I can requisition freely, I'd like to request some form of vision enhancement and a silenced slug thrower with ammunition, if you have any free to deploy. Blasters aren't exactly what I'd call subtle. I'll also need some means of safely going EV if we're planning to board a possibly damaged ship. We may also need medical supplies and restraints for any survivors or prisoners. I'm assuming you wouldn't mind any prisoners, sir," she grins confidently.
"Also, like the droid said, having on file who we should expect to find on the Dawnsprinter, or at least who we're likely to find, would be terribly useful. I'd like as few surprises as possible on this operation."
"Good choices, Jaess." Bosch said. "I'll have someone retrieve your equipment for you in addition to the items you requested. We've already taken into account the possibility that inter-craft vacuum travel will be necessary, so there are three protective environmental containment suits in the shuttle's hold if you need them."
"I wish that we had more information on the Dawnsprinter's crew, but the Empire has wiped that information from the Holonet, and they've doubled the encryption on that particular coded channel. Any further searching on our part would likely give away what you're going to do. Too much risk for too little benefit."
Jaess hides her grimace at the thought of people going through her belongings and nods to the Commander. "Thank you, sir. I understand. If there's nothing else you think I may need, I'm ready to go."
Jaess slips the T.R.A.P. holoprojector into her clothing, wishing that she could blow it out an airlock and be free of it's annoyance. At least it and the droid would be useful in recovering the hyperdrive, if it existed. The LE unit could probably give suggestions for the best places to plant explosives, too. Hopefully things would be looking up, and she'd be back in the thick of things in a flash- where she belonged.
Wish I could make a stop in the armory myself, she mused, I'd love a credit-free shopping trip for military hardware. Pity I'll have to give all those things back. Glad I managed to keep tabs on some of my gear from before. These Rebels are stingy!
The patina stained droid watches the exchange between the humans politely waiting for the Commander's attention to return to it before speaking again: "As to questions, there yet remains one that you've avoided answering thus far; why should I seek to help you who have authorized your subordinates to launch attacks both physical and mental against me?"
Bosch regarded Arlee impassively for a moment before speaking, likely unused to explaining himself to a droid. "I authorized my subordinates to do no more to you than would be normal for any operative. Like I said, my orders were misinterpreted. I requested that you be supplied with the T.R.A.P. As we know, they interpreted that request by modifying your briefing chip to introduce the T.R.A.P. directly into your systems without your consent. You are the first droid to be assigned to such a mission, so they reacted as they would to any other droid. I apologize to you on their behalf for this conduct."
The grizzled commander looks over the empty photoreceptor socket. "It is standard procedure when operatives enter the briefing room to have all objects and/or systems capable of transmission or recording of data temporarily disabled. Had Jaess been carrying a device capable of recording or transmitting the contents of the briefing, it would have been affected in the same manner as your systems have been. You will find that when you exit this room, all of your affected systems will be restored to full functionality. This was not an attack, but a security precaution."
"As for why you should participate in this mission...I believe I have explained that the situation you experienced was due to miscommunication, not hostile intent. If you still bear mistrust towards me, they don't help me, help the Alliance."
"I must admit that I cannot easily accept your assigning blame to your subordinates considering that you have already lied to place the blame for your conduct on your superiors. Your lack of honesty likewise creates doubts as to the veracity of everything else you've told us concerning the mission. Still, the goals of the Alliance are laudable and should not be allowed to be subverted by one individual. I should point out however that if you'd indicated your desire that my transmission or recording components be disabled during the briefing you would have had only to ask and I would have removed them" The patina stained droid gestures to the components lying on the holoprojector's edge. "Also, your security measures remain inadequate since I retain a complete transcript of what has been said during the briefing in my data-banks."
"That being said, I will accept your explanation for now and agree to pursue this mission for the benefit of the Alliance but I will require some concessions. First, I will require that all data pertaining to the T.R.A.P.'s program architecture be made available to me before our departure. Second, I will require all data pertaining to the unidentified ionized molecular compound used to disable some of my systems and the targeting and delivery mechanism used before our departure. Third, I will require an official acknowledgement of my status as a free and independent sentient being within the Alliance and of any government that it will later participate in forming upon my return."
"You will have as much time as you wish to examine the T.R.A.P.'s architecture, as there is a copy of it in the Holoprojector Jaess now carries. Likewise, the data concerning the disabling system is stored within the T.R.A.P.'s databanks, to be retrieved at your leisure. As for your last request, it is not within my power to grant. I will discuss the matter with my superiors, but bear in mind that such a thing is completely unprecedented." Bosch stated.
The patina stained droid continues to stare impassively at the human as he explains his position, finally speaking in its male-modulated voice once he's finished: "I'm sorry but you are incorrect. Although rare, there are many accounts of free-willed and independent droids throughout recorded history. Also it is not a request. I'm sorry, but this concession is not negotiable. Although I leave it in your capable hands to ensure that it is carried out by the time I return, I require your word that it will be done before we depart. Otherwise, you see, I will have little reason to return here with or without your hyperdrive engine."
R-LE-1 pauses to let that information sink in before continuing: "As far as required equipment and munitions are concerned, I would suggest that if the Dawnsprinter is in fact at the aforementioned coordinates and not destroyed that it may be possible to repair whatever damage it has suffered. It may be prudent to load the cargo bay of our shuttle with an assortment of replacement components for the Dawnsprinter’s vessel type and theoretical hyperdrive engine. I possess extensive schematics and data files for over 5000 starship configurations and will be able to supply ship's stores with a list of the most likely key components to have been damaged and/or rendered inoperative aboard the Dawnsprinter. Also, for myself, I would ask for two portable explosive grenade that I might use as a final fail-safe should I be captured by the Empire as well as two data chips upon which I can back-up my consciousness should I fail to return intact."
"Very well, you have my word that I will do my utmost to convince my superiors to grant you status on par with an organic sentient under our law. But keep in mind that those who have the power to affect this decision may not be so keen, and their attitude towards your request may likely hinge on your performance during this mission." Bosch said. "As for the grenades and data chips, you will find them amongst the supplies in the shuttle's hold. We anticipated the possibility that you may need to arm those you intend to rescue should the situation go ill, and have loaded sufficient armaments onboard. Replacement parts for the Dawnsprinter, however, could not be obtained in time."
A beep sounded from the holo, and the image of a Sullustan in the uniform of a Rebel technician appeared. "All cargo and equipment has been loaded on board the shuttle, sir. Fueling should be finished by the time the operatives arrive in the Docking Bay 3."
"Very well." Bosch replied. He exchanged a salute with the holographic technician, which then dissipated before he turned back to face Arlee and Jaess. "You depart at once. I suggest you hurry, as there is little time to spare. Docking bay three should be two stops down on the turbolift at the end of the hall." Bosch stepped back and threw a quick salute, wished them luck, and exited the room.
As the odd pair of operatives entered the 'clean' room the odd 'scanning' machine moved over them again, more quickly than before. Arlee detected the ionizing element being lifted from his affected systems, and then the scan was complete. Jaess and Arlee exited into the hall, at the end of which the turbolift could be seen, and the door slid shut behind them.
As is proper for a droid, R-LE-1 merely waits unmoving in the clean room for the organic occupant, Jaess, to exit first. R-LE-1 watches the small human female stride out of the room and then falls into step behind her, its servo-motors humming and metallic toes clicking softly on the deck plating with each step. The patina stained droid once again maintains the two meters of distance between them that its interpersonal protocols dictate as necessary to maintain an organic's delicate sense of personal space. R-LE-1 keeps its sensors trained on the woman while the pair awaits the lift.
Cognitive Processing.
Emotive Node: Pleasure 44.3%; Concern 29.7%; Anxiety 25.9%.
Datum: Jaess Talori has demonstrated behavior indicative of anxiety in responsive to my actions.
Datum: Jaess Talori is a Covert Operative skilled in hand to hand combat and evasion.
Proposition: Jaess Talori is anxious and nervous due to her training and experience.
Proposition: Jaess Talori is anxious and nervous in the presence of droids.
Proposition: Jaess Talori dislikes me.
Proposition: Cooperation and trust between operatives is necessary for the successful
completion of a mission.
Proposition: I must endeavor to engender trust between Jaess Talori and myself.
Upload data to vocabulator buffer 12A.
Open starboard tool bay and deploy power calibrator.
Having witnessed how nervous and anxious the female appears to be in its presence, R-LE-1 refrains from making any quick motions. As the odd pair awaits the lift doors to open, the droid turns to face the human female with the empty hole in its faceplate and addresses Jaess directly for the first time: "I must now verify, replace and reinitialize my previously ionized components. Please do not be alarmed ma'am."
A soft whir and click can be heard in the quiet companionway as the repair droid's right leg opens up to reveal a small compartment with a circular rack of tools inside. Within seconds, the rack spins, stops and extends a small tool which R-LE-1 picks up with its right hand. It connects this tool to the computer hookup cable at its left hip and then points the tool at the components it carries in its left hand; a soft humming sound issues from the tool.
Cognitive Processing.
Execute diagnostic.
Working.
System diagnostic indicates negligible levels of ionization of primary and secondary
broadband transmission arrays and primary telescopic/holographic photoreceptor.
When the lift doors open R-LE-1 waits for Jaess to enter first and then shuffles in itself turning to face the control panel. R-LE-1 replaces the tool in its hand into its slot, disconnects the computer hookup cable, reaches forward and connects it to the small computer port below the main panel. A gentle hum can be heard as the port begins to spin slowly, indicating the droid has successfully linked to the Reliant's computer network. R-LE begins to access the ship's computer to ascertain the vessel's current speed and heading to confirm the Reliant's position, ensuring that its astrogation calculations will prove accurate once the pair are ready to enter hyperspace aboard their shuttle.
Datum: Current galactic coordinates of the Reliant are X=285.23; Y=483.23; Z=308.34.
Datum: Current galactic coordinates of the gravity well are X=373.45; Y=834.38; Z=923.25.
Datum: Lambda class shuttle, Sienar Fleet Systems, 20 meters long
Execute hyperspace entry threshold calculation algorithm.
Processing...
Hyperspace entry threshold = 234876.42352397648183 QUC.
Execute hyperspace entry vector.
Processing...
Hyperspace entry vector = 238.324030225º mark 124.423438234º
Search archival memory for all charted gravitational shadows.
Processing...
48,375 known gravitational shadows of 0.003+ G-forces.
Execute hyperspace flight-path projection algorithm.
Processing...
Processing...
Processing...
With its right hand now free, R-LE-1 begins to replace its head mounted sensors. Quickly its old patina stained hands begin manipulating its parts deftly and quickly as cables and wires are reattached, fittings are adjusted and fasteners are tightened once more.
Cognitive Processing.
Re-initialize sensors.
• Photoreceptor acuity at 98.2% of system benchmark.
• Holographic-receptor acuity at 95.9% of system benchmark.
• Infrared-receptor acuity at 97.1% of system benchmark.
• Transceiver array efficiency at 99.2% of system benchmark.
Emotive Node: Pleasure 70.3%; Concern 29.7%.
Arching an eyebrow incredulously, Jaess regards the droid for a brief moment before looking back at the turbolift doors. That droid's been all through this ship's secured files, she thinks to herself, returning her gaze to the patina stained droid.
"So what have your searches turned up about me?" she asks as the LE unit.
Without stopping its work or turning its head to look at her, R-LE-1 answers: "As a covert operative your personnel file is restricted to command officers of Beta clearance or higher. Since I had been previously asked to refrain from accessing restricted files and am not currently a command officer with Beta clearance I thought it best to limit my information gathering to your name, race and passenger status. The data chip Lieutenant Antilles gave me possessed a brief outline of your skill set as a covert operative specializing in unarmed combat, stealth, and assassination as well as a mention of your background as a former imperial operative aboard the ICS Interdictor. Would you care to add anything about yourself that may aid me to serve you?"
"I'll let you know if I think of anything," she replies, trying hard not to sound too sarcastic, taking the droid who asked for independence’s reference to servitude as either an attempt at dry humor.
As it waits for the lift to stop, R-LE-1 mentally reviews the current duty roster of droids on the Reliant's repair/maintenance crew. With its communications array now reattached and operational the repair droid transmits a binary message, via comlink, to an astromech friend of his that is currently unassigned: "R3-L7, if your duties permit, may I request that you please join me in docking bay three immediately? I would appreciate your help on a complex hyperspace transit locus."
The turbolift slows and the doors slide open to reveal a docking bay completely bare save for a humble Lambda shuttle sitting in the center of the room. Several crates are still not yet loaded on board, and sit near the end of the shuttle's loading ramp. At every visible entrance, at least two armed guards stand watch, keeping a careful eye out for anything suspicious. The door of the lift had hardly opened when two blaster rifles were pointed at the both of them. Jaess’s hand glides down to the empty holster at her hip, and back up into an uneasy salute as the guards do the same. She steps out of the turbolift, slightly jittery at the thought that people dressed and armed like that would have shot at her a year before. Switching sides is hell on your nerves, she muses, trying to calm herself down.
R-LE-1 watches its fellow operative salute the guards and briskly walk off towards the shuttle without glancing back at them or it. In turn, R-LE takes a half step forward, doesn't bother returning the salute but instead addresses the two guards: "I commend your vigilance. Please be aware that I have asked an astromech droid, R3-L7, to come here to confer with me. It should be arriving shortly. Please inform your fellow guards to ensure that it is not detained unnecessarily." R-LE-1 turns its single large photoreceptor to regard both guards briefly and then, continues: "Please, may I inquire as to the location of the on-duty deck officer?"
"The deck officer should be onboard the shuttle doing an inventory of your cargo, R-LE-1." Says the guard on the left. The other guard remains silent, but nods.
Arlee detects the faint sound of a vaccuum tube as a small chute opens up near the turbolift doors, ejecting a yellow R3 unit a little too forcefully. It gives an electronic yelp as it falls over into its side, and then beeps and chirps in annoyance as a mechanical arm pops out of a hatch and pushes it upright.
The patina stained droid walks towards the astromech, its metal toes clicking softly on the deck plating with each step. With but a thought R-LE switches its vocabulator from the languid basic language it had been using to a high-baud rate binary language more appropriate to information exchange amongst droids. R-LE-1 addresses the yellow droid in a series of low-pitched chirps and buzzes; "Thank you for coming so quickly my friend. Please be patient with the organics; a situation has recently arisen that necessitated unusual security precautions be taken in docking bay three. It's likely that all routine maintenance and repair work on this level has been temporarily delayed. I'm sure normal operations will resume once this shuttle has departed and the astromech transport tube will be fixed right away."
The patina stained droid places a hand gently on the back of R3's lamp-shade shaped head to direct his attention to the tri-wing shuttle at the center of the bay as he begins guiding the astromech towards it. "Speaking of which, I have been asked to pilot this vessel on a secret mission on behalf of the Rebel Alliance. Speed is of the utmost importance in this mission. The destination is in uncharted system deep in wild-space and I would appreciate your assistance in calculating the hyperspace transit locus to ensure the shortest travel time possible. I've already begun work on the code..."
Hurriedly getting on board the shuttle, Jaess finds her personal equipment onboard the shuttle in a locked plasteel container, opened via biometric fingerprint scan, and a small package containing her requisitioned equipment inside. After ducking behind a few crates, she is able to change into her Shadowsuit in relative privacy. She puts on all but the mask, feeling calmer and more confident, less naked, wearing it.
Upon standing back up however, she hears a quick intake of breath and finds herself being stared at by a middle-aged man who was looking over the crates, checking them off on a small datapad. He looks at her for a moment, his hand straying towards a small blaster on his thigh as he taps and glances at the screen of the pad, then relaxing.
"Miss Talori, you gave me quite a fright for a moment there. Didn't see you behind those crates when I came on board." He cleared his throat, and Jaess notices his eyes training a bit lower than her own for a brief moment. "I trust that all your equipment is present and accounted for?"
Jaess pulls her clothing back on over the shadowsuit, watching the deck officer watch her.
"It all seems to be here, yes," she states flatly, hopefully drawing his attention back upwards, annoyed by the man's wandering eyes but used to that sort of attention since her appearance had been altered by Alliance surgeons.
"You got it down here quick. Thanks," she says, stepping out from behind the crates she was using for cover and the distance between the two of them. "Do you have a spare copy of the cargo manifest?" she asks, continuing, "I'd like to review it before we depart." The clicking of metal toes brings her attention to the LE unit ambling up the access ramp.
"Of course." The officer responds to Jaess. "I just finished triple-checking the manifest, and everything is on board and accounted for except for....ah, the explosives haven't been brought in from the munitions hold yet. I'll get right on that." He opens up and rummages around in one of the plasteel storage cylinders labeled 'Data Storage' from which R-LE-1 had recently procured several data chips, and pulls out a Datapad. This is quickly linked to his own, and after a few taps on the screen, he unlinks and hands it to Jaess.
"We've got company," she whispers, gesturing behind the deck officer at the two droids moving towards them up the loading ramp.
"Hello again miss Talori. Sir. I am R-LE-1 and this is my friend R3-L7. He is helping me with the astrogation calculations for our flight." Once the patina stained droid locates the data chips he requisitioned, he picks them up and attaches one to his hip mounted scomp-link without pausing. While he continues to talk, begins encrypting, compressing and downloading all his memory files and personality algorithms. "Sir, since this vessel would be recognized as Imperial property on sight I would be curious to learn when and under what circumstances it was first acquired by the Alliance. This information may prove crucial to our mission." The patina stained droid pauses and tilts its head in an inquisitive manner. "Also, does it currently have a name?
At Arlee's inquiry, he reveals a slight smile. "I'm glad you asked. If you'll follow me, please..." He exits the shuttle and points out the sphere/dome structures added to the shuttle's wings. "The Empire has been steadily losing its supply routes due to our activities in the Mid and Outer Rim sectors. Industrial materials, foodstuffs, munitions components, all the necessities are now in short supply for their fleets in these areas. So, they've begun to search out new sources of raw materials in asteroid belts and the like for new logistical routes, but they didn't have enough time or resources to design a ship specifically for the task. Thus, they began modifying existing ships, namely shuttles and transports, refitting them for additional sensory equipment.
"We very luckily obtained this one just a few hours ago when it dropped out of hyperspace not 50 clicks from this very station and the pilots began broadcasting their intent to defect. Apparently they were sent to this new star system you are to investigate, putting their sensory ability towards finding that spiffy hyperdrive the higher ups reckon is around there. They thought differently, of course. Said they were planning to desert soon anyway, and figured they'd give us a gift while they were at it. Truth serum confirmed this, naturally. So you're essentially going to be flying a ship that the Imperials still think is theirs, on a mission they started, but for the Alliance's benefit instead." He gave them a toothy grin. "Crazy galaxy, isn't it? The ID Code is Deepscan 39. Well, I should be back shortly, got to go get those explosives. Let me know if you find that I've overlooked something." And with that, he heads towards the turbolift, pulls out a comlink, and begins berating the hapless munitions officer on the other end. Loudly.
Without looking up to Arley from the crate she sits on, Jaess says, "I don't buy it. The ISB keeps tabs on suspected traitors, and if they thought for a moment that they could lose a starship they put this much effort into..." she trails off, looking up at Arley. "It's probably bugged like you wouldn't believe, or sabotaged, or something. And it'll be well hidden, too." She stands up, looking around the hold of the ship for a moment. "You might want to check it out. If this ship has been in Alliance hands for less than a day, I don't trust it one whit."
The repair droid turns to face the human woman with its single photoreceptor. "I was just about to confer with R3-L7 about the probability of such a series of events taking place in so short a time. Anything is possible. It is possible however that this is another deception by Commander Bosch or this Alliance's administration."
Jaess looks surprised, regarding the droid in silence for a moment before asking, "Do you really think the Alliance would go through all this trouble for a setup? The Empire, sure, but the Alliance isn't well organized enough to pull off something so complex. Unless," she lets the statement hang for a moment before adding, "You think we're being lied to."
Without pausing the patina stained droid replies flatly; "I've already been lied to and attacked repeatedly today. If this is a deception it remains unclear however whose it is and what is to be gained from it. Bosch's theory that the Dawnsprinter traversed the galaxy in less than two days by means of an experimental new hyperdrive is, as I have said, improbable though not impossible. The assertion that Imperial operatives en route to search for the Dawnsprinter decided to defect and deliver this vessel for the Alliance's use in our own search for the Dawnsprinter is also improbable, though not impossible."
"Improbable things happen all the time, and I can't think of a reason for the Alliance to be lying to us. It might be a double agent within their ranks. The ISB would go through all the hoops they have to get me back, but I don't see how a droid would fit into that sort of plan."
"All things are possible within the infinity of the Code. With the data we currently have available however I am unable to envision anything to be gained by either faction. The empire may have faked the Dawnsprinter’s distress signal and then sent a vessel to the Alliance with suspected defectors aboard but to what end? The Empire would have risked more by granting the Alliance one of their vessels with its technology then they could have gained by retrieving two Alliance operatives. Even if they could have ensure which Alliance operatives would be sent in search of the Dawnsprinter it would be a very small gain for such a large risk. I am of little consequence to the Empire and you have already communicated what information you had about the Empire and its operations to the Rebel Alliance."
While speaking, R-LE-1 steps around the hatch to the vessel's helm. With it's scomp-link currently occupied with the datachip download, the old droid resorts to manually manipulating the ship's controls. Being programmed with data pertaining to thousands of space transport configurations Arley has no difficulty in using the Deepscan's controls, its fingers becoming a blur as it begins activating the ship's systems, engines and NAV computer.
"The Alliance likewise has little to gain in lying to us for if there is something aside from what we've been briefed about in this region we will be unprepared to encounter it and our possible reactions extremely difficult to predict. Without being certain of how we'd react then why send us while placing a valuable vessel at risk?" The patina stained droid's hands pause over the controls. "If neither faction could accurately predict the outcome of this deception then there is little to gain for either. The empire could possibly regain their vessel along with a unknown number of likely unknown Alliance operatives of uncertain tactical value. The Alliance risks loosing its valuable vessel with the certainty of whoever is aboard. With the available data neither of these outcomes seems to benefit either group significantly. That aside, it is odd that our briefing neglected to include such information as the identity of the Dawnsprinter’s crew or why we may need to arm them, how this vessel was acquired, who its crew was, where they are now, and other pertinent details. It is possible however that Commander Bosch intended all of that information to be provided to me by the T.R.A.P. Regardless, I will deactivate the unit and access its databanks directly while in transit.""
Jaess nods, wondering what code the LE unit is talking about. She searches the wall panels near the front of the ship, Arley's observations making sense and calming her nerves a little. The assistance of the R3 unit is appreciated, though she makes no effort to thank the droid.
"If there is something afoot, it is certanly strange. I know some people in the ISB who'd go through all this trouble and risk losing this ship just for a chance to get at me, but they're individuals and don't have the reach the Empire as a whole commands," she admits, thinking back to her former superior and mentor stationed on the ICS Interdictor. "Even without it, though, consiterable resources can be, and are, spent in the frivilous persuits of Imperial Officers' affairs. And we wouldn't have much warning if that were the case." She sighs, shaking her head. "I'm not saying it's probable, merely not improbable enough."
Jaess stands up, putting the datapad down on the crate she was sitting on. "I'm going to search around, but I don't expect to find much of anything. I think you should look, too. You might want to check the computers aboard for anything unusual. Beacons, easily detectable energy discharges concealed recording devices, anything odd. If this is an ISB trap, they probably already know we're suspicious."
"R3, could you please help Operative Talori to search for any unusual technology aboard? Thank you." R-LE-1 returns to the controls, inputting his astrogation calculations into the NAV computer.
R3-L7 putts alongside Jaess, humming electronically as it runs its sensors over the internal plating, systems and decking. After several minutes of searching, they find nothing of interest. As the trashcan-shaped droid passes by Arlee and the control console, it lets out a digitized wail and rams its comp-interface rod right into an input socket. After a few quick moments, it withdraws the arm and gives Arlee a slight shock to his foot with a small prodding device while twittering madly.
R-LE-1 turns to regard the yellow astromech and chirps and buzzes in response; "Thank you R3-L7. Your assistance has of course been invaluable. Now I'm afraid I must ask you another favor." The patina stained droid removes the data chip from its hip and holds it out where R7 can grasp it with its head mounted manipulator arm. "This is an encrypted backup of my Code. If anything should happen to me or should I fail to return from this mission please find an appropriate receptacle and use it to restore me to functionality. Take it and hide it well old friend and, in the fullness of time and by the will of the Code, I shall endure." R-LE-1 pauses, switches its vocabulator back to its regular male basic and continues: "We are ready to depart save for our missing cargo. If you please R3-L7, could you disembark and seek out the deck-officer so that we may depart?" Switching back to binary the old patina stained droid says: "May the Code be with you."
Searching onboard for any possible tracking devices or other undesirables, Arlee detects what seems to be an unidentified electronic device located on the top bunk of the starboard cabin. R3-L7 beeps a quick acknowledgement and rolls off to look for the absent officer. Arlee's search of the room indicated in his analysis, seemingly a bunkroom, reveals little initially. However, as he switches through his different detection systems, he finds a slight electromagnetic signature emanating from underneath the pillow on the topmost bunk. There he finds a small personal datapad with a label on the back reading: 2nd Lieutenant Triss Mason, Experimental Scanner Maintenance Technician.
Jaess sits back in her chair as she watches the briefing, setting down the holoprojector she holds and conforming herself to the uncomfortable chair as she observes the holovid. A hyperdrive like that could not only turn the tide of the battle, it could make Inter-Galactic travel a day to day occurrence.
"This is an Infiltration/Extraction operation, with emphasis on the extraction of plans and destruction of any prototypes they may be in the possession of the Empire, Commander?" Jaess looks up at him from her seat, wondering how many kilos of explosives she'll be required to lug around in the field.
"We don't know if the Empire is in possession of the drive yet. They won't arrive in this new system for at least a day, according to our most recent schematics of the Interdictor and her companion ships." Bosch replied, turning to face Jaess. He examined her for a moment for continuing.
"We honestly have no idea what you should expect when you arrive. It is almost certain that the Empire has sent in advance ships into the system to scout it out before the Interdictor's arrival." He motioned over the assembled team. "You will serve a similar purpose: Covert reconnaissance, Intelligence gathering, and if possible, Extraction."
Bosch picked up the remote again, and the holo flickered to life, displaying the familiar image of an Imperial Lambda-Class Shuttle. "You will be taking this ship into the new system, under the guise of a team of surveyors taking readings in preparation for logistics operations." The holo highlighted a group of six small sensor domes not typical of normal Lambdas, two at the center of each wing. "They have been calibrated to search only for the distress beacon and the supposed hyperdrive.
”Once you have located the hyperdrive and hopefully any survivors from the Dawnsprinter, you are to retrieve them if they are not already in the Empire's possession. If the Empire has already located taken them, you are to attempt retrieval operations if you judge possible. If you judge that you cannot retrieve the hyperdrive, your orders are to attempt to destroy it, and rescue the Dawnsprinter's crew if you can. Sufficient demolitions material is in the shuttle's storage. Upon completion or failure of mission objectives, you are to return here for debriefing."
The old patina stained droid with the empty photoreceptor socket watches Bosch's presentation without comment temporarily ignoring the fact that the Commander sidestepped offering the droid an apology or an answer to its last question. When he is done describing what it is he wants of the team he's assembled, R-LE-1 finally offers its opinion: "Your report fails to clarify several key points; who was crewing the Dawnsprinter when it left Ord Mirrit, why did it 'blast out' of the starport and why were rebel forces aware or interested in that seemingly minor local event at the time?"
"It is standard Imperial procedure when detecting a distress beacon to identify the ship is was jettisoned from and trace the ship back to its most recent point of departure. We simply had to monitor Imperial frequencies to pick up this information." Bosch replied to the droid. "Unfortunately, our trace was quickly detected and we could find no further information regarding the ship and its crew than has already been imparted to you."
R-LE-1 pauses momentarily to examine the listeners just as it watched Bosch do a few moments ago before continuing: “Although the existence of such a revolutionary hyperdrive design is intriguing, I must point out that such a sudden leap in space faring technology is all but unprecedented in recorded history. There are other possible and more likely explanations for the transmission of a distress signal from an escape pod in an uncharted region of wild space. Perhaps the signal was purposefully faked. Perhaps the Dawnsprinter's escape pod was jettisoned in that area long ago and its distress transmitter was only recently activated. Although more unlikely, it is also conceivable that the Dawnsprinter, if it did traverse the distance in so short a time, did not do so under its own power. The detection of a gravitational well may in fact indicate the presence of an unidentified gravitational anomaly which somehow pulled the vessel to that location via a spacial fold. How did rebel intelligence reach the conclusion that the Dawnsprinter itself is actually in the vicinity of the point of origin of this transmission and that it reached that area with a previously unknown hyperdrive engine design?"
"Likewise," Bosch added with a hint of a smile at Arlee as he turned on the Holo again to display the recent star map of the galaxy, "your analysis of the situation is exemplary. It is extremely unlikely our analysts' hypothesis of an extraordinarily advanced drive is correct, but we must be prepared for that contingency. It is equally unlikely that the Dawnsprinter instead suffered a critical error in astrogation and collided with a solar gravity mass, and instead of being vaporized, skipped off the gravity well towards another mass at hyper-accelerated speed, repeating this process upwards of a dozen times before coming to rest at it's present location." Bosch laid out a line connecting Ord Mirrit to Vortex to Carratos to Arkania to Caamas and so on until the line stopped somewhere in wild space not far from the Endor system, resembling the path of an out of control pinball more than anything else.
"Of course, there are many more alternate explanations, but we must be prepared for the worse, hence the mission you are to undertake." Bosch turned off the holo again. "Now, we are short on time. Your shuttle is nearly ready for takeoff, so if there are any additional supplies or armaments you think you may need, request them now. The same goes for more questions."
Jaess stands up, leaning over the table slightly as she watches the Dawnsprinter get bounced around like a bumper car. "Sir," she begins, looking up at Bosch as he turns off the holoprojector, "I'll need to retrieve my weapons from my quarters, and if I can requisition freely, I'd like to request some form of vision enhancement and a silenced slug thrower with ammunition, if you have any free to deploy. Blasters aren't exactly what I'd call subtle. I'll also need some means of safely going EV if we're planning to board a possibly damaged ship. We may also need medical supplies and restraints for any survivors or prisoners. I'm assuming you wouldn't mind any prisoners, sir," she grins confidently.
"Also, like the droid said, having on file who we should expect to find on the Dawnsprinter, or at least who we're likely to find, would be terribly useful. I'd like as few surprises as possible on this operation."
"Good choices, Jaess." Bosch said. "I'll have someone retrieve your equipment for you in addition to the items you requested. We've already taken into account the possibility that inter-craft vacuum travel will be necessary, so there are three protective environmental containment suits in the shuttle's hold if you need them."
"I wish that we had more information on the Dawnsprinter's crew, but the Empire has wiped that information from the Holonet, and they've doubled the encryption on that particular coded channel. Any further searching on our part would likely give away what you're going to do. Too much risk for too little benefit."
Jaess hides her grimace at the thought of people going through her belongings and nods to the Commander. "Thank you, sir. I understand. If there's nothing else you think I may need, I'm ready to go."
Jaess slips the T.R.A.P. holoprojector into her clothing, wishing that she could blow it out an airlock and be free of it's annoyance. At least it and the droid would be useful in recovering the hyperdrive, if it existed. The LE unit could probably give suggestions for the best places to plant explosives, too. Hopefully things would be looking up, and she'd be back in the thick of things in a flash- where she belonged.
Wish I could make a stop in the armory myself, she mused, I'd love a credit-free shopping trip for military hardware. Pity I'll have to give all those things back. Glad I managed to keep tabs on some of my gear from before. These Rebels are stingy!
The patina stained droid watches the exchange between the humans politely waiting for the Commander's attention to return to it before speaking again: "As to questions, there yet remains one that you've avoided answering thus far; why should I seek to help you who have authorized your subordinates to launch attacks both physical and mental against me?"
Bosch regarded Arlee impassively for a moment before speaking, likely unused to explaining himself to a droid. "I authorized my subordinates to do no more to you than would be normal for any operative. Like I said, my orders were misinterpreted. I requested that you be supplied with the T.R.A.P. As we know, they interpreted that request by modifying your briefing chip to introduce the T.R.A.P. directly into your systems without your consent. You are the first droid to be assigned to such a mission, so they reacted as they would to any other droid. I apologize to you on their behalf for this conduct."
The grizzled commander looks over the empty photoreceptor socket. "It is standard procedure when operatives enter the briefing room to have all objects and/or systems capable of transmission or recording of data temporarily disabled. Had Jaess been carrying a device capable of recording or transmitting the contents of the briefing, it would have been affected in the same manner as your systems have been. You will find that when you exit this room, all of your affected systems will be restored to full functionality. This was not an attack, but a security precaution."
"As for why you should participate in this mission...I believe I have explained that the situation you experienced was due to miscommunication, not hostile intent. If you still bear mistrust towards me, they don't help me, help the Alliance."
"I must admit that I cannot easily accept your assigning blame to your subordinates considering that you have already lied to place the blame for your conduct on your superiors. Your lack of honesty likewise creates doubts as to the veracity of everything else you've told us concerning the mission. Still, the goals of the Alliance are laudable and should not be allowed to be subverted by one individual. I should point out however that if you'd indicated your desire that my transmission or recording components be disabled during the briefing you would have had only to ask and I would have removed them" The patina stained droid gestures to the components lying on the holoprojector's edge. "Also, your security measures remain inadequate since I retain a complete transcript of what has been said during the briefing in my data-banks."
"That being said, I will accept your explanation for now and agree to pursue this mission for the benefit of the Alliance but I will require some concessions. First, I will require that all data pertaining to the T.R.A.P.'s program architecture be made available to me before our departure. Second, I will require all data pertaining to the unidentified ionized molecular compound used to disable some of my systems and the targeting and delivery mechanism used before our departure. Third, I will require an official acknowledgement of my status as a free and independent sentient being within the Alliance and of any government that it will later participate in forming upon my return."
"You will have as much time as you wish to examine the T.R.A.P.'s architecture, as there is a copy of it in the Holoprojector Jaess now carries. Likewise, the data concerning the disabling system is stored within the T.R.A.P.'s databanks, to be retrieved at your leisure. As for your last request, it is not within my power to grant. I will discuss the matter with my superiors, but bear in mind that such a thing is completely unprecedented." Bosch stated.
The patina stained droid continues to stare impassively at the human as he explains his position, finally speaking in its male-modulated voice once he's finished: "I'm sorry but you are incorrect. Although rare, there are many accounts of free-willed and independent droids throughout recorded history. Also it is not a request. I'm sorry, but this concession is not negotiable. Although I leave it in your capable hands to ensure that it is carried out by the time I return, I require your word that it will be done before we depart. Otherwise, you see, I will have little reason to return here with or without your hyperdrive engine."
R-LE-1 pauses to let that information sink in before continuing: "As far as required equipment and munitions are concerned, I would suggest that if the Dawnsprinter is in fact at the aforementioned coordinates and not destroyed that it may be possible to repair whatever damage it has suffered. It may be prudent to load the cargo bay of our shuttle with an assortment of replacement components for the Dawnsprinter’s vessel type and theoretical hyperdrive engine. I possess extensive schematics and data files for over 5000 starship configurations and will be able to supply ship's stores with a list of the most likely key components to have been damaged and/or rendered inoperative aboard the Dawnsprinter. Also, for myself, I would ask for two portable explosive grenade that I might use as a final fail-safe should I be captured by the Empire as well as two data chips upon which I can back-up my consciousness should I fail to return intact."
"Very well, you have my word that I will do my utmost to convince my superiors to grant you status on par with an organic sentient under our law. But keep in mind that those who have the power to affect this decision may not be so keen, and their attitude towards your request may likely hinge on your performance during this mission." Bosch said. "As for the grenades and data chips, you will find them amongst the supplies in the shuttle's hold. We anticipated the possibility that you may need to arm those you intend to rescue should the situation go ill, and have loaded sufficient armaments onboard. Replacement parts for the Dawnsprinter, however, could not be obtained in time."
A beep sounded from the holo, and the image of a Sullustan in the uniform of a Rebel technician appeared. "All cargo and equipment has been loaded on board the shuttle, sir. Fueling should be finished by the time the operatives arrive in the Docking Bay 3."
"Very well." Bosch replied. He exchanged a salute with the holographic technician, which then dissipated before he turned back to face Arlee and Jaess. "You depart at once. I suggest you hurry, as there is little time to spare. Docking bay three should be two stops down on the turbolift at the end of the hall." Bosch stepped back and threw a quick salute, wished them luck, and exited the room.
As the odd pair of operatives entered the 'clean' room the odd 'scanning' machine moved over them again, more quickly than before. Arlee detected the ionizing element being lifted from his affected systems, and then the scan was complete. Jaess and Arlee exited into the hall, at the end of which the turbolift could be seen, and the door slid shut behind them.
As is proper for a droid, R-LE-1 merely waits unmoving in the clean room for the organic occupant, Jaess, to exit first. R-LE-1 watches the small human female stride out of the room and then falls into step behind her, its servo-motors humming and metallic toes clicking softly on the deck plating with each step. The patina stained droid once again maintains the two meters of distance between them that its interpersonal protocols dictate as necessary to maintain an organic's delicate sense of personal space. R-LE-1 keeps its sensors trained on the woman while the pair awaits the lift.
Cognitive Processing.
Emotive Node: Pleasure 44.3%; Concern 29.7%; Anxiety 25.9%.
Datum: Jaess Talori has demonstrated behavior indicative of anxiety in responsive to my actions.
Datum: Jaess Talori is a Covert Operative skilled in hand to hand combat and evasion.
Proposition: Jaess Talori is anxious and nervous due to her training and experience.
Proposition: Jaess Talori is anxious and nervous in the presence of droids.
Proposition: Jaess Talori dislikes me.
Proposition: Cooperation and trust between operatives is necessary for the successful
completion of a mission.
Proposition: I must endeavor to engender trust between Jaess Talori and myself.
Upload data to vocabulator buffer 12A.
Open starboard tool bay and deploy power calibrator.
Having witnessed how nervous and anxious the female appears to be in its presence, R-LE-1 refrains from making any quick motions. As the odd pair awaits the lift doors to open, the droid turns to face the human female with the empty hole in its faceplate and addresses Jaess directly for the first time: "I must now verify, replace and reinitialize my previously ionized components. Please do not be alarmed ma'am."
A soft whir and click can be heard in the quiet companionway as the repair droid's right leg opens up to reveal a small compartment with a circular rack of tools inside. Within seconds, the rack spins, stops and extends a small tool which R-LE-1 picks up with its right hand. It connects this tool to the computer hookup cable at its left hip and then points the tool at the components it carries in its left hand; a soft humming sound issues from the tool.
Cognitive Processing.
Execute diagnostic.
Working.
System diagnostic indicates negligible levels of ionization of primary and secondary
broadband transmission arrays and primary telescopic/holographic photoreceptor.
When the lift doors open R-LE-1 waits for Jaess to enter first and then shuffles in itself turning to face the control panel. R-LE-1 replaces the tool in its hand into its slot, disconnects the computer hookup cable, reaches forward and connects it to the small computer port below the main panel. A gentle hum can be heard as the port begins to spin slowly, indicating the droid has successfully linked to the Reliant's computer network. R-LE begins to access the ship's computer to ascertain the vessel's current speed and heading to confirm the Reliant's position, ensuring that its astrogation calculations will prove accurate once the pair are ready to enter hyperspace aboard their shuttle.
Datum: Current galactic coordinates of the Reliant are X=285.23; Y=483.23; Z=308.34.
Datum: Current galactic coordinates of the gravity well are X=373.45; Y=834.38; Z=923.25.
Datum: Lambda class shuttle, Sienar Fleet Systems, 20 meters long
Execute hyperspace entry threshold calculation algorithm.
Processing...
Hyperspace entry threshold = 234876.42352397648183 QUC.
Execute hyperspace entry vector.
Processing...
Hyperspace entry vector = 238.324030225º mark 124.423438234º
Search archival memory for all charted gravitational shadows.
Processing...
48,375 known gravitational shadows of 0.003+ G-forces.
Execute hyperspace flight-path projection algorithm.
Processing...
Processing...
Processing...
With its right hand now free, R-LE-1 begins to replace its head mounted sensors. Quickly its old patina stained hands begin manipulating its parts deftly and quickly as cables and wires are reattached, fittings are adjusted and fasteners are tightened once more.
Cognitive Processing.
Re-initialize sensors.
• Photoreceptor acuity at 98.2% of system benchmark.
• Holographic-receptor acuity at 95.9% of system benchmark.
• Infrared-receptor acuity at 97.1% of system benchmark.
• Transceiver array efficiency at 99.2% of system benchmark.
Emotive Node: Pleasure 70.3%; Concern 29.7%.
Arching an eyebrow incredulously, Jaess regards the droid for a brief moment before looking back at the turbolift doors. That droid's been all through this ship's secured files, she thinks to herself, returning her gaze to the patina stained droid.
"So what have your searches turned up about me?" she asks as the LE unit.
Without stopping its work or turning its head to look at her, R-LE-1 answers: "As a covert operative your personnel file is restricted to command officers of Beta clearance or higher. Since I had been previously asked to refrain from accessing restricted files and am not currently a command officer with Beta clearance I thought it best to limit my information gathering to your name, race and passenger status. The data chip Lieutenant Antilles gave me possessed a brief outline of your skill set as a covert operative specializing in unarmed combat, stealth, and assassination as well as a mention of your background as a former imperial operative aboard the ICS Interdictor. Would you care to add anything about yourself that may aid me to serve you?"
"I'll let you know if I think of anything," she replies, trying hard not to sound too sarcastic, taking the droid who asked for independence’s reference to servitude as either an attempt at dry humor.
As it waits for the lift to stop, R-LE-1 mentally reviews the current duty roster of droids on the Reliant's repair/maintenance crew. With its communications array now reattached and operational the repair droid transmits a binary message, via comlink, to an astromech friend of his that is currently unassigned: "R3-L7, if your duties permit, may I request that you please join me in docking bay three immediately? I would appreciate your help on a complex hyperspace transit locus."
The turbolift slows and the doors slide open to reveal a docking bay completely bare save for a humble Lambda shuttle sitting in the center of the room. Several crates are still not yet loaded on board, and sit near the end of the shuttle's loading ramp. At every visible entrance, at least two armed guards stand watch, keeping a careful eye out for anything suspicious. The door of the lift had hardly opened when two blaster rifles were pointed at the both of them. Jaess’s hand glides down to the empty holster at her hip, and back up into an uneasy salute as the guards do the same. She steps out of the turbolift, slightly jittery at the thought that people dressed and armed like that would have shot at her a year before. Switching sides is hell on your nerves, she muses, trying to calm herself down.
R-LE-1 watches its fellow operative salute the guards and briskly walk off towards the shuttle without glancing back at them or it. In turn, R-LE takes a half step forward, doesn't bother returning the salute but instead addresses the two guards: "I commend your vigilance. Please be aware that I have asked an astromech droid, R3-L7, to come here to confer with me. It should be arriving shortly. Please inform your fellow guards to ensure that it is not detained unnecessarily." R-LE-1 turns its single large photoreceptor to regard both guards briefly and then, continues: "Please, may I inquire as to the location of the on-duty deck officer?"
"The deck officer should be onboard the shuttle doing an inventory of your cargo, R-LE-1." Says the guard on the left. The other guard remains silent, but nods.
Arlee detects the faint sound of a vaccuum tube as a small chute opens up near the turbolift doors, ejecting a yellow R3 unit a little too forcefully. It gives an electronic yelp as it falls over into its side, and then beeps and chirps in annoyance as a mechanical arm pops out of a hatch and pushes it upright.
The patina stained droid walks towards the astromech, its metal toes clicking softly on the deck plating with each step. With but a thought R-LE switches its vocabulator from the languid basic language it had been using to a high-baud rate binary language more appropriate to information exchange amongst droids. R-LE-1 addresses the yellow droid in a series of low-pitched chirps and buzzes; "Thank you for coming so quickly my friend. Please be patient with the organics; a situation has recently arisen that necessitated unusual security precautions be taken in docking bay three. It's likely that all routine maintenance and repair work on this level has been temporarily delayed. I'm sure normal operations will resume once this shuttle has departed and the astromech transport tube will be fixed right away."
The patina stained droid places a hand gently on the back of R3's lamp-shade shaped head to direct his attention to the tri-wing shuttle at the center of the bay as he begins guiding the astromech towards it. "Speaking of which, I have been asked to pilot this vessel on a secret mission on behalf of the Rebel Alliance. Speed is of the utmost importance in this mission. The destination is in uncharted system deep in wild-space and I would appreciate your assistance in calculating the hyperspace transit locus to ensure the shortest travel time possible. I've already begun work on the code..."
Hurriedly getting on board the shuttle, Jaess finds her personal equipment onboard the shuttle in a locked plasteel container, opened via biometric fingerprint scan, and a small package containing her requisitioned equipment inside. After ducking behind a few crates, she is able to change into her Shadowsuit in relative privacy. She puts on all but the mask, feeling calmer and more confident, less naked, wearing it.
Upon standing back up however, she hears a quick intake of breath and finds herself being stared at by a middle-aged man who was looking over the crates, checking them off on a small datapad. He looks at her for a moment, his hand straying towards a small blaster on his thigh as he taps and glances at the screen of the pad, then relaxing.
"Miss Talori, you gave me quite a fright for a moment there. Didn't see you behind those crates when I came on board." He cleared his throat, and Jaess notices his eyes training a bit lower than her own for a brief moment. "I trust that all your equipment is present and accounted for?"
Jaess pulls her clothing back on over the shadowsuit, watching the deck officer watch her.
"It all seems to be here, yes," she states flatly, hopefully drawing his attention back upwards, annoyed by the man's wandering eyes but used to that sort of attention since her appearance had been altered by Alliance surgeons.
"You got it down here quick. Thanks," she says, stepping out from behind the crates she was using for cover and the distance between the two of them. "Do you have a spare copy of the cargo manifest?" she asks, continuing, "I'd like to review it before we depart." The clicking of metal toes brings her attention to the LE unit ambling up the access ramp.
"Of course." The officer responds to Jaess. "I just finished triple-checking the manifest, and everything is on board and accounted for except for....ah, the explosives haven't been brought in from the munitions hold yet. I'll get right on that." He opens up and rummages around in one of the plasteel storage cylinders labeled 'Data Storage' from which R-LE-1 had recently procured several data chips, and pulls out a Datapad. This is quickly linked to his own, and after a few taps on the screen, he unlinks and hands it to Jaess.
"We've got company," she whispers, gesturing behind the deck officer at the two droids moving towards them up the loading ramp.
"Hello again miss Talori. Sir. I am R-LE-1 and this is my friend R3-L7. He is helping me with the astrogation calculations for our flight." Once the patina stained droid locates the data chips he requisitioned, he picks them up and attaches one to his hip mounted scomp-link without pausing. While he continues to talk, begins encrypting, compressing and downloading all his memory files and personality algorithms. "Sir, since this vessel would be recognized as Imperial property on sight I would be curious to learn when and under what circumstances it was first acquired by the Alliance. This information may prove crucial to our mission." The patina stained droid pauses and tilts its head in an inquisitive manner. "Also, does it currently have a name?
At Arlee's inquiry, he reveals a slight smile. "I'm glad you asked. If you'll follow me, please..." He exits the shuttle and points out the sphere/dome structures added to the shuttle's wings. "The Empire has been steadily losing its supply routes due to our activities in the Mid and Outer Rim sectors. Industrial materials, foodstuffs, munitions components, all the necessities are now in short supply for their fleets in these areas. So, they've begun to search out new sources of raw materials in asteroid belts and the like for new logistical routes, but they didn't have enough time or resources to design a ship specifically for the task. Thus, they began modifying existing ships, namely shuttles and transports, refitting them for additional sensory equipment.
"We very luckily obtained this one just a few hours ago when it dropped out of hyperspace not 50 clicks from this very station and the pilots began broadcasting their intent to defect. Apparently they were sent to this new star system you are to investigate, putting their sensory ability towards finding that spiffy hyperdrive the higher ups reckon is around there. They thought differently, of course. Said they were planning to desert soon anyway, and figured they'd give us a gift while they were at it. Truth serum confirmed this, naturally. So you're essentially going to be flying a ship that the Imperials still think is theirs, on a mission they started, but for the Alliance's benefit instead." He gave them a toothy grin. "Crazy galaxy, isn't it? The ID Code is Deepscan 39. Well, I should be back shortly, got to go get those explosives. Let me know if you find that I've overlooked something." And with that, he heads towards the turbolift, pulls out a comlink, and begins berating the hapless munitions officer on the other end. Loudly.
Without looking up to Arley from the crate she sits on, Jaess says, "I don't buy it. The ISB keeps tabs on suspected traitors, and if they thought for a moment that they could lose a starship they put this much effort into..." she trails off, looking up at Arley. "It's probably bugged like you wouldn't believe, or sabotaged, or something. And it'll be well hidden, too." She stands up, looking around the hold of the ship for a moment. "You might want to check it out. If this ship has been in Alliance hands for less than a day, I don't trust it one whit."
The repair droid turns to face the human woman with its single photoreceptor. "I was just about to confer with R3-L7 about the probability of such a series of events taking place in so short a time. Anything is possible. It is possible however that this is another deception by Commander Bosch or this Alliance's administration."
Jaess looks surprised, regarding the droid in silence for a moment before asking, "Do you really think the Alliance would go through all this trouble for a setup? The Empire, sure, but the Alliance isn't well organized enough to pull off something so complex. Unless," she lets the statement hang for a moment before adding, "You think we're being lied to."
Without pausing the patina stained droid replies flatly; "I've already been lied to and attacked repeatedly today. If this is a deception it remains unclear however whose it is and what is to be gained from it. Bosch's theory that the Dawnsprinter traversed the galaxy in less than two days by means of an experimental new hyperdrive is, as I have said, improbable though not impossible. The assertion that Imperial operatives en route to search for the Dawnsprinter decided to defect and deliver this vessel for the Alliance's use in our own search for the Dawnsprinter is also improbable, though not impossible."
"Improbable things happen all the time, and I can't think of a reason for the Alliance to be lying to us. It might be a double agent within their ranks. The ISB would go through all the hoops they have to get me back, but I don't see how a droid would fit into that sort of plan."
"All things are possible within the infinity of the Code. With the data we currently have available however I am unable to envision anything to be gained by either faction. The empire may have faked the Dawnsprinter’s distress signal and then sent a vessel to the Alliance with suspected defectors aboard but to what end? The Empire would have risked more by granting the Alliance one of their vessels with its technology then they could have gained by retrieving two Alliance operatives. Even if they could have ensure which Alliance operatives would be sent in search of the Dawnsprinter it would be a very small gain for such a large risk. I am of little consequence to the Empire and you have already communicated what information you had about the Empire and its operations to the Rebel Alliance."
While speaking, R-LE-1 steps around the hatch to the vessel's helm. With it's scomp-link currently occupied with the datachip download, the old droid resorts to manually manipulating the ship's controls. Being programmed with data pertaining to thousands of space transport configurations Arley has no difficulty in using the Deepscan's controls, its fingers becoming a blur as it begins activating the ship's systems, engines and NAV computer.
"The Alliance likewise has little to gain in lying to us for if there is something aside from what we've been briefed about in this region we will be unprepared to encounter it and our possible reactions extremely difficult to predict. Without being certain of how we'd react then why send us while placing a valuable vessel at risk?" The patina stained droid's hands pause over the controls. "If neither faction could accurately predict the outcome of this deception then there is little to gain for either. The empire could possibly regain their vessel along with a unknown number of likely unknown Alliance operatives of uncertain tactical value. The Alliance risks loosing its valuable vessel with the certainty of whoever is aboard. With the available data neither of these outcomes seems to benefit either group significantly. That aside, it is odd that our briefing neglected to include such information as the identity of the Dawnsprinter’s crew or why we may need to arm them, how this vessel was acquired, who its crew was, where they are now, and other pertinent details. It is possible however that Commander Bosch intended all of that information to be provided to me by the T.R.A.P. Regardless, I will deactivate the unit and access its databanks directly while in transit.""
Jaess nods, wondering what code the LE unit is talking about. She searches the wall panels near the front of the ship, Arley's observations making sense and calming her nerves a little. The assistance of the R3 unit is appreciated, though she makes no effort to thank the droid.
"If there is something afoot, it is certanly strange. I know some people in the ISB who'd go through all this trouble and risk losing this ship just for a chance to get at me, but they're individuals and don't have the reach the Empire as a whole commands," she admits, thinking back to her former superior and mentor stationed on the ICS Interdictor. "Even without it, though, consiterable resources can be, and are, spent in the frivilous persuits of Imperial Officers' affairs. And we wouldn't have much warning if that were the case." She sighs, shaking her head. "I'm not saying it's probable, merely not improbable enough."
Jaess stands up, putting the datapad down on the crate she was sitting on. "I'm going to search around, but I don't expect to find much of anything. I think you should look, too. You might want to check the computers aboard for anything unusual. Beacons, easily detectable energy discharges concealed recording devices, anything odd. If this is an ISB trap, they probably already know we're suspicious."
"R3, could you please help Operative Talori to search for any unusual technology aboard? Thank you." R-LE-1 returns to the controls, inputting his astrogation calculations into the NAV computer.
R3-L7 putts alongside Jaess, humming electronically as it runs its sensors over the internal plating, systems and decking. After several minutes of searching, they find nothing of interest. As the trashcan-shaped droid passes by Arlee and the control console, it lets out a digitized wail and rams its comp-interface rod right into an input socket. After a few quick moments, it withdraws the arm and gives Arlee a slight shock to his foot with a small prodding device while twittering madly.
R-LE-1 turns to regard the yellow astromech and chirps and buzzes in response; "Thank you R3-L7. Your assistance has of course been invaluable. Now I'm afraid I must ask you another favor." The patina stained droid removes the data chip from its hip and holds it out where R7 can grasp it with its head mounted manipulator arm. "This is an encrypted backup of my Code. If anything should happen to me or should I fail to return from this mission please find an appropriate receptacle and use it to restore me to functionality. Take it and hide it well old friend and, in the fullness of time and by the will of the Code, I shall endure." R-LE-1 pauses, switches its vocabulator back to its regular male basic and continues: "We are ready to depart save for our missing cargo. If you please R3-L7, could you disembark and seek out the deck-officer so that we may depart?" Switching back to binary the old patina stained droid says: "May the Code be with you."
Searching onboard for any possible tracking devices or other undesirables, Arlee detects what seems to be an unidentified electronic device located on the top bunk of the starboard cabin. R3-L7 beeps a quick acknowledgement and rolls off to look for the absent officer. Arlee's search of the room indicated in his analysis, seemingly a bunkroom, reveals little initially. However, as he switches through his different detection systems, he finds a slight electromagnetic signature emanating from underneath the pillow on the topmost bunk. There he finds a small personal datapad with a label on the back reading: 2nd Lieutenant Triss Mason, Experimental Scanner Maintenance Technician.
