Ambrus
Explorer
[Sblock=Recovered Posts 1-50]Originally Posted by Ambrus
OOC: Damn the Empire! They're EVERYWHERE!
I assume that DRK-1X, with his hi-tech auditory sensors, hears the clone-troopers before they've detected Dofina and itself and still have a good chance to backtrack unnoticed. I'll respond as such and change my post if I'm wrong.
The small spherical droid registers the sound of clone troopers long before they're in sight. As soon as Dofina has reached the same damning realization that DRK-1X has, the probe droid silently traces a half circle around Dofina and begins to lead her expeditiously but calmly back into the tunnel from which they'd recently exited, hoping to once again slip away unnoticed from their enemies.
Once the pair are safely enshrouded in darkness a few hundred meters back down the tunnel, DRK-1X will pause to converse in whispers with its Mistress. "Report: It seems that two of our three avenues of escape are currently occupied by imperial forces. Inquiry: What are your orders Mistress?"
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Dofina looks upon you as much as she can in the gloom. "I don't think they heard us, but we have to get out of here somehow. Otherwise we wait until they close on us and find us in here. I want to get out of here so I can figure out what to do next, but I'm very interested in those crates too." She pauses for a moment, her thoughts racing. "Those troopers are probably going to find their way down this hallway and unless they have a Jedi with them, they won't be accessing the room up the shaft. I don't want to take that risk though. Which way do you think would get us out of here quickly and without getting shot at?"
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X continues to float motionless in the air, an arm's length in front of Dofina's face. The small spherical droid keeps its holoprojector lens glowing a faint blue to offer its Mistress some light to see by.
"Statement: It seems unlikely that the imperial agents are yet aware that this maintenance tunnel connects to Torrba's complex. Otherwise they would have used it to bypass the complex's defenses to launch their surprise raid. It seems possible that they may not investigate this tunnel except for maintenance purposes. Report: Although it may be possible to escape through Torrba's complex or the storage bay by circumventing the imperial troopers, both those avenues pose obvious risks to your safety. The only possibly risk free avenue left to us would be to investigate the unexplored stretch of tunnel on the other side of Torrba's complex."
DRK-1X waits patiently for Dofina to contemplate its response and issue it new instructions. Assuming she goes along with its proposed course of action, 1X will lead the way back and further beyond the shaft. All the while it will scan for sensors and alarms in the tunnel while continuing to monitor local comlink channels.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Dofina simply nods in the dim light. "I suppose you're right. Let's go back that way."
You lead the Mistress down the long stretch of maintenance tunnel, back towards and soon past where you had first entered it. You get no more than a few meters past that point when you pick up the unmistakeable energy surge of trip beams laced across the passageway barely 10 meters ahead. Scanning to their source, you see that they are attached to explosives along the tubes and pipes. There is enough room between the beams for you to float through slowly, but Dofina would have a difficult time. The tunnel continues further past these mines. When you stop, she asks, "What is it?"
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X cycles its sensors through the infrared spectrum, analyzes the data produced and compares it to the various security and explosive devices in its extensive data banks before turning to respond to its Mistress. "Report: The tunnel ahead is laced with a network of trip beams connected to a series of type three explosive mines. I believe I may be able to safely navigate my way through the network but I fear that it would prove difficult for you to do so successfully."
Seeing how Dofina has been depending on 1X to plan her escape, it begins processing statistical probabilities for the various avenues before them. In most scenarios it seemed it itself could use its stealth abilities to safely circumvent enemies and security measures but the risk that Dofina would be captured or injured proved great.
"Statement of fact: There are currently three avenues of escape for us. Two of which are occupied by enemy forces and the last of which is trapped and whose end point is unknown. Proposition: One course of action would be for me to either circumvent these security measures and explore this tunnel to determine its viability as a safe escape route for you. I could then return and attempt to disarm the security net so that you could then follow me out. Another course of action would be for me to explore either Torrba's complex above or the storage bay behind us to determine the feasibility of safely leading you past the occupying forces before returning to lead you out."
DRK-1X pauses to allow Dofina to process what it's said before continuing. "Proposition: there is one final possibility that I can envision. Since we are now on a lower level of this city-tower below Torrba's level, this tunnel is most likely surrounded by other habitable areas which may prove less dangerous and be easier for you to escape from. We could attempt to create one or more holes in unobstructed sections of the tunnel walls to determine what lies beyond and to use it to successfully escape."
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Mistress Dofina, proud Nemoidian noble, is scared. "I'm not the expert in escaping, X. That's why I have you. I'm going to hazard a guess that the way that is trapped probably leads to something Torrba doesn't want found. If he has a secret hangar down here, this would probably lead to it. Either that or I am delusion and simply hoping for the galaxy to give me a break."
Dofina pauses for a moment thinking. "I guess I will just have to find a place to hide here while you find a way to get those mines disabled. And X," she continues, "please be careful."
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
"Statement of confirmation: Instruction acknowledged. Please rest assured Mistress that I will take all possible precautions to safeguard myself while disabling the security system. Proposition: I believe it would be wise for you to wait well out of range of the mines should I accidentally detonate them." DRK-1X once again turns its holoprojector pod to faintly illuminate the ground beneath Dofina's feet. It begins to lead her once again back along the tunnel towards the storage bay, stopping after only 50 meters. "Proposition, should I accidentally detonate the mines, it is most likely that I will be rendered inoperative. Since the explosion will mostly likely alert the imperial troopers above it will be important for you to seek an expeditious escape from this tunnel." Once its Mistress is settled in and safe DRK-1X silently backtracks towards the trapped corridor.
OOC: I can see a few different ways that DRK-1X might be able to circumvent the mines but I'll need some feedback to decide what to do exactly. It seems logical to me that if the purpose of the traps is to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing what lies beyond the mines then there must be a mechanism by which the mines can be temporarily turned off to allow safe passage through the corridor. If the corridor wasn't intended to be ever crossed then one would just build an impassible wall to block access. Consequently I'd expect the trip beams, detonator and explosives to be electronically networked together to a control system, either a keypad, biometric scanner or some other type of security sensor located somewhere down here. If DRK-1X could locate such an electronic on/off switch it might be able to slice into it with its scomp-link hookup, circumvent its programming and remotely shut down the entire setup. That would be 1X's preferred method since it would just require a computer use check (Computer Use +14).
If on the other hand 1X can't locate such a control system then it'll be stuck trying to manually disarm all the mines/trip beams. That would require 1X to shut down and reprogram itself with ranks in Disable Device. The skill description also mentions that some type of appropriate tool would be necessary to make the attempt. Aside from its two hands, DRK-1X also has an electroshock probe which can be used to short out a security device. Would that be an appropriate tool? If not, could a lightsaber be used to melt some key components instead?
Either way, can DRK-1X use its (Knowledge (technology) +4) to estimate the DC for either of the two previous checks to successfully disarm the security system based on its quality? DRK-1X would like to weigh the odds before proceeding with either plan.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
After leaving its Mistress alone in the tunnel, X returns to the mines. Taking a good long look at them, your scanners don't pick up any interconnected wires or any sort of remote mechanism. In fact, the way some of them look precariously placed on the piping, it would seem that they were recently put here rather hastily. Your processor quickly deduces that these were meant as a deterrent to any pursuing forces, especially considering that as you reach the center of the trip laser net, there is a large open space where many of the beams do not reach.
Looking closer at the mines themselves, it would be challenging but not difficult for you to remove them one by one. There are eight in all.
These were placed here rather recently, that is very easy for you to tell at a cursory scan. To disarm each one, it would be around a DC15 Disable Device check for each. In this case, since these are simple laser mines, I'm not going to require any more tools than the manipulators X already has installed.
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X, having finished its visual inspection of the trip mines, gently floats back down the corridor to where its Mistress is waiting alone in the dark. "Report: I've completed my analysis of the trip-mines' placement and design. There are eight of them and they appear to have been hastily placed recently. I must now shut down temporarily to execute a few hundred-thousand virtual explosive-disarming simulations so that I may devise some appropriate response-action algorithms and integrate them fully into my code. To do so I will first have to decompile, compress and archive some non-crucial skill sets to liberate some processing power in my neural network to accommodate the new algorithms. Depending on how the simulations play out, I expect the entire process to take between 10 and 25 minutes. Throughout the process, I will periodically reactivate briefly to verify your well being. Inquiry: Shall I proceed Mistress?"
Assuming Dofina agrees, DRK-1X will sink down to the ground to float just before her in the dark. Sensing that its Mistress is scared of being alone in the dark, DRK-1X offers a few words of comfort in its soft monotone whisper; "Statement of reassurance: It's alright Mistress. My meditations won't take long. I will not allow anything to happen to you. I am here with you." The diminutive probe droid mentally executes its shutdown sequence as the world around it slips away. DRK-1X begins to dream a thousand dreams in which it dies over and over while trying its best to perform the task that will keep its Mistress safe from harm.
OOC: DRK-1X will perform a Computer use check to transfer two of its spot ranks into disable device ranks. Its Computer Use skill is +14 and the DC for the check is 26. Two successful checks are required to move both points. Each attempt requires five minutes of effort according to the RAW. I seem to recall that you'd mentioned that droids could perform Computer Use checks in less time than organics though. I'll leave those details up to you though. The time estimate 1X gave Dofina is based on a normal check with a 40% chance of success, which is what I calculate 1X has to make each check. Like 1X mentioned, it'll reactivate after every attempt for a round to ensure that nothing has changed before shutting down again for the next check.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Dofina simply stares wide-eyed as you explain the specifics of what you are about to do, her mind obviously not grasping all the intimate details of how exactly you are able to alter your programming. She sighs a sense of relief when you attempt to comfort her in the dark.
Your external senses dissolve until you are fully immersed in running the simulations in your circuits. For the first few minutes, you seem to grasp on to the idea of how to remove the explosives, but a series of what-if scenarios stall your processing for a few extra minutes before you are able to feel that your knowledge will allow you to perform the necessary removal tasks. In between moments, you restart to check on your Mistress who is quietly sitting in the darkness, waiting for you to finish. Eventually, you complete the reprogramming and restart your normal processes. Your internal chronometer marks 11.35 minutes as passing.
Rolls: 30, 16, 31. Even though it doesn't mention (as far as I am aware) in the rulebooks, I rule that droids can lessen the time spent doing Computer Use tasks better than living beings can, meaning they get one free time decrease without raising the DC of the check.
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X executes its start-up sequence, runs a quick self-diagnostic and slowly begins to rise up from the floor once more. "Report: I've successfully completed my meditations Mistress. I will now take my leave of you to proceed with the mine deactivation procedure." The diminutive probe droid sinks down momentarily to the ground to deposit the bundle it was carrying before turning and heading up the corridor to the mine field.
DRK-1X will attempt to disable the eight mines (Disable Device +5, taking 10). Assuming it succeeds, it'll then backtrack once more down the corridor to Dofina. "Report: The mines have been successfully disabled Mistress. We may proceed once you are ready." The spherical droid will once more gather up its small bundle while its Mistress readies herself.
Casting a circle of dim blue light on the ground around Dofina, DRK-1X will once more lead its Mistress down the corridor to the mine field. Once there, it will swivel its holoprojector pod to illuminate each mine in turn as they pass them, projecting a two dimensional text block and diagram around them describing their technical specifications in nemoidian (size, charge type, explosive yield, etc.). "Report: The mines' haphazard placement suggests that they were hastily placed here by someone retreating down this corridor in an attempt to dissuade pursuit. Proposition: It may be advantageous for us to reactivate the mines once you're safely past this point for the same purpose. Supposition: It may also be possible that those who laid the mines may still be nearby and may take offense at our trespass should they detect us. Proposition: We should proceed with caution."
OOC: Out of curiosity, based on 1X's Knowledge (technology) +4 what is the approximate damage, range, weight and cost of such trip mines? I'm really enjoying the new format BTW; we've been making some great progress this week.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Mistress Dofina nods in agreement as you make your way back to the explosives. As you are disarming them, your memory banks scan through every known configuration of placed mine that you have ever been aware of. Unfortunately these particular ones are unfamiliar in make or model, but judging from their size, each of them would probably have a blast radius of 10 meters and do enough damage to vaporize any humanoid sentient that may be caught within 2 meters.
This of course isn't saying much. Comparing it to something your size would be much more catastrophic. If each one of the explosives went off at once, a likely possibility in your calculations, the explosion would definately collapse this tunnel and trap everything in it. Something you are sure Dofina would not want to experience again. You finally finish your delicate procedure and return to find Dofina digging through the pouch you left behind. It takes her a while to realize you've returned.
"Good. We can finally get out of here."
You take her past the mines, in which she gives nothing more than passing interest. "I don't think that will be necessary. I don't plan on coming back here for some time. Unless we run into Torrba again. Let's just hope he is gone already."
I'm glad you are enjoying it. It's funny though that no sooner I do this, the other thread picks up... oh well. Keeps me on my toes.
Unfortunately, X only rolled a 12 on its Knowledge check, so the explosives are not too familiar...
I was going to say for future reference, if you were a console gamer, look into Knights of the Old Republic 2 for Xbox or PC if you ever find yourself lacking inspiration some time in the future. Pay special attention to G0-T0 and HK-47. Just saying because I was replaying it last night and instead of seeing G0-T0, I was seeing DRK-1X...
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X reorients its holoprojector pod to illuminate the ground beneath Dofina as it leads her further down the corridor. Report: I have been unable to ascertain whether Torrba escaped the raid safely or not. Of possible interest to you Mistress; the refugees have just now accepted to perform a service for a toydarian that will grant them free passage off world to Tattoine. The small probot continues to carefully scan the corridor ahead of them for any possible hazards or threats as they slowly make their escape (Search +10).
OOC: Dofina was digging through its bundle in the dark? She's lucky she didn't accidentally trigger one of the lightsabers and impale herself. When 1X picks the bundle back up is there anything missing?
It's nice to see the other thread pick up and to see Toric and Bobitron getting into the game. It's a shame that Kemrain is MIA though.
I've never played Kotor, though I'm aware that you're a big fan. What is it about G0-T0 that reminds you of 1X?
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Dofina listens as you tell her the goings on of the outside world. She gives nothing more than a passing shrug at your mention of the refugees. A while later, as you are travelling down the rest of the long passageway, Dofina speaks up. "We need to get transport too. I should like to return to Cato Nemoidia."
She was bored and a little scared of the dark, she had to do something....
As far as G0-T0 goes, the biggest thing, besides the fact that it is a spherical repulsorlift droid, is his matter-of-fact way of describing things and his ability to simply shrug off what others say to him in order to go about his defined mission. Which is sometimes contradictory to the rest of the group...
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X responds to Dofina's comment with a simple "Statement of acknowledgement: Yes Mistress" before resuming its silent scan of the corridor ahead. It continues to monitor local comlink channels for any news of Torrba or the hutts' reaction to an imperial raid on their kinsmen's private residence.
OOC: Sounds like my kind of droid.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
The two of you make your way carefully along the passageway which has started to look less like a maintenance tunnel and more like a plain old tunnel built out of the same ferrocrete as the rest of the planet. Just ahead, you can see some lights on the walls that are functional, but flickering. Just beyond them is a closed blast door.
As you are travelling, more and more of the frequencies you had been monitoring were silent. You calculate one of three most likely possibilities. One, they were being jammed. Two, no one was talking. Three, there is interference of some sort down here. You have evidence of any of the three, but by the time you reach the door, you realize that regular chatter has returned. The only noticeable difference is that there is no Imperial traffic. None at all.
Just as you reach the door, your infrared scanners pick up a mass of heat coming from just behind it. It seems to be slowly increasing in temperature. Dofina takes this time to state the obvious. "It's really hot down here."
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
OOC: DRK-1X would be hesitant to lead Dofina right up to the door without knowing whether it was safe or not. Once it saw the lights and the blast door it would suggest that Dofina stay back a safe distance while it scouts ahead alone.
DRK-1X leads its Mistress through the ferrocrete corridor until it detects the flickering lights faintly illuminating a blast door fifty meters ahead. Keeping out of the illuminated area, the diminutive probe droid slows to a halt and spins horizontally do face its Mistress. Floating forward it whispers softly into her ear hole; "Report: We appear to have just passed through an area of intense electromagnetic interference. Supposition: this may indicate an active sensor dampening field is shielding this area. Proposition: I believe it would be wise for you to remain here while I investigate the blast door to ascertain whether it is safe for you to approach and to attempt to open or circumvent it."
Assuming that Dofina defers to its plan, the small probe droid will stealthily approach the blast doors (Hide +22, Move Silently +12, taking 10) while carefully searching the corridor leading up to it for concealed sensors or alarms (Search +10, taking 20).
OOC: Assuming its not trapped and that the blast door is like those in the movies, 1X will deploy its scomp-link probe into its computer port and begin communicating with its processor. Perhaps it could slice the computer and open the door; perhaps there is a security camera on the other side it could access; perhaps it's only part of a larger computer network; either way 1X will investigate it electronically to see what its options are.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Ah yes, of course. I apologize. I knew that this side of the door was completely safe and took some steps to move forward...
Dofina waits far behind you as you jack in to the blast door's access port. It isn't difficult to find the circuits that control the door itself, but it takes some time to see where it connects to the local network. From the system architecture, you gather that this network is tied to this room only, except for one line that leads to an emergency lockdown alarm on the main network. This alarm has been deactivated at the moment. The room seems to contain some sort of temperature and every few seconds an alert comes up in your view port.
Attention: Reactor temperature has breached nominal levels. Please check cooling systems for error.
At the moment you have access to three subprocessors on the network:
1. Cameras in the South and North wall.
2. There are three doors slaved to this network. The one you are next to and two others.
3. There is an access line to the terminal that controls the reactor, but you do not think you can do much with it except monitor the reactor's functions.
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
Well, this is certainly an interesting change of venue. I guess you never know what you'll find when wandering around some random service corridor on a some backwater hutt moon. Please bear with me; I don't intend to presume how this computer network is put together but I'll try my best to try to think it out logically as I figure 1X might approach it.
DRK-1X will at first ignore the door control sub-processor in favor of the surveillance camera and reactor terminal sub-processors. I don't know which walls are the 'north' and 'south' ones or which sides of those walls the cameras are placed on (either inwards or outwards I imagine) so 1X would first like to know the layout of the room itself if possible. 1X will try to slice into the two cameras' video feeds to take a look around at any possible occupants or surprises inside the room.
If the main terminal is connected over the network to both cameras, the three doors and the reactor itself then perhaps it has some standard data files pertaining to the room's emplacement, layout and intended purpose. If so 1X will try to slice into those reference files to determine what it's dealing with exactly (always read the manuals first ) How big is the room, the reactor and where do the other doors lead? With its Knowledge (technology) +4 along with the information from the terminal's reference files can 1X determine what kind of reactor is involved, what level of power it's generating and what the power is used for? Next it'll try to access the diagnostic information directly from the reactor itself and compare that information to the reference files to try and determine why it's malfunctioning and what kind of danger, if any, this error might lead to and how soon.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Well, I thought that perhaps, being an anaytical mind and all, you'd like to think through a 'puzzle room'... Besides, to a normal person, the best they could do is get the door open and monitor the reactor....
X cross references as many details as it can access from the door terminal alone. Upon accessing the vid-feeds into the room, you can see that most of this large room is taken up by a rather large fusion generator. The room itself looks to be appproximately 50 meters lengthwise (north to south) and 40 meters in width. Judging from the view of the cameras, the ceiling is about 10 meters from the very bottom. The door you are floating by is 8 meters up from the bottom and seems to open out onto an access walkway.
The statistical readout you find on this basically says that it is a secondary power generator for the complex. It is used to power most minor functions, such as internal lighting, vehicle refueling systems, droid rechargers and various other non-critical systems. Nominal output is approximately 50 Terawatts, with a core temperature of about 4000 degrees Celsius. The current temperature reading is up to 6000 degrees and rising in 100 degree increments every few minutes. According to the readouts, it will reach critical at 8000 degrees. You calculate this to be occuring in less than an hour.
While you are reading the information on the reactor, your scans of the room identify the other two doors. One seems to be connected to another passageway similar to the one you are currently in and the other is a large vehicle sized blast door that is directly underneath the Northern vid-camera. From the schematics you are able to find, this larger door leads to a garage of some sort.
As you are looking, you notice movement from the vid-feeds in the room. The source is difficult to identify at first from all the heat and the access walkways, but you are able to gain an identity not too long after. There seem to be a small number of tiny flying droids in the room. They look to be landing in certain places along the reactor, doing some kind of imperceptible activity and then moving on to another part. From the sparks that start flying after they leave each perch, you determine that they are definately not doing repairs. This is reinforced by the sight of a couple of bodies laying on some of the walkways.
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
Just a few quick questions:
What is the likely result of such a fusion reactor surpassing its limits; a simple breakdown, an explosion, a nuclear explosion or simply some type of radiation leakage? How many of the tiny droids can 1X spot? Can 1X use its Knowledge (Technology) +4 to identify the type of droids or at least their degree? If they're simply 1º or 2º droids then they most likely don't have any onboard weapons or offensive programming. If on the other hand they're 4º demolition droids then 1X could have some serious problems. I also assume that the other two doors are currently closed; does 1X believe it can open the other two doors from here? Would his two cameras provide a view of what lies beyond them if they were open?
DRK-1X's running theory is that they're imperial droids sent here to sabotage this district tower's reactor in hopes of destroying the entire structure and so take out the Jedi Master they think is hiding nearby.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Let's see..
1. With all the 'safety protocols' that technology provides nowadays, X realizes that if this reactor reaches critical, it will simply implode, taking everything in the room with it. Unfortunately, it is built under the complex and thus anything on top of it will come crumbling down as well. The radiation would be kept to a minimum due to lockdown procedures and rather efficient clean-up technology. This if course assumes that the safety protocols are in place, which at present, X notes that they are.
2. X is able to count at least three different droids in the room, however it is impossible to tell if there are more or not. Judging from the looks of them, they seem to be simple 2nd Degree droids. Though they normally are unarmed, X knows that if properly motivated, they can be convinced to use their tools in self defense.
3. All three doors are currently closed, and yes it is possible to open them from this terminal because of X's mad slicing skills... With the side doors, the one you are next to and the one across the way, you would be able to see barely a few meters inside. If you opened the large door, the generator would block most of your view, but you might be able to pick out some details inside.
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X withdraws its Code out of the small network computer. Its consciousness once more fully contained within its chassis, the diminutive probe droid disengages its scomp-link hookup out of the door's computer port. It telescopes inwards a few inches, flips and folds itself in half and sinks down inside 1X's housing before the compartment panel slides back in place, restoring the droid's sleek spherical silhouette.
The probot spins a 180º degrees horizontally and swiftly floats back down the corridor to its waiting Mistress. "Report: I have successfully accessed the local computer network and investigated the room beyond this blast door. It contains this city-tower's secondary fusion reactor. Currently the reactor's organic technicians appear to be dead or unconscious. There are also three or more repulsorlift 2º droids who appear to have disengaged the reactor's cooling system and are attempting to sabotage its safety systems. I estimate that, at its present rate, the reactor will breach its 8000º C operating threshold in less than an hour unless deactivated. Aside from this corridor there are two exits from the room; another corridor such as this one and what appears to be a hangar bay. Inquiry: How do you wish to proceed Mistress?"
OOC: I just wanted to check with you about the layout of this building we're currently in. As I understand it, we're actually in a titanic mile high city structure containing several industrial, residential and commercial levels and sectors. The whole tower is just one of many far above the surface of Nar Shaddaa, all interconnected by skyways and bridges. Torrba's complex and even the surrounding neighbourhood are only one part of this city-tower. My impression was that 1X and Dofina had followed this maintenance tunnel a good ways away from Torrba's complex and were now beneath some other part of the city-tower. I imagine that this reactor actually powers the subsystems for most of this city-tower. Are my assumptions correct or am I off in left field somewhere? If the reactor breaches without its safety protocols what is the most likely result? Will the tower be destroyed or just what is around/on top of it?
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
That's a fairly decent rendition of Nar Shaddaa! You are correct, that is exactly how this place is, you are in a city complex miles above the planet's surface. You are a good distance away from the main complex yes, but again, many of its secondary systems are still powered by this generator, as they (the complex and the generator) are on the same tower. So yes, In essence you are correct, it powers a lot of the entire tower, just not all of it. It's a big tower... If simply shutdown, all of those things I mentioned earlier, except for the ones with emergency backup, would shut down for a large portion of the tower, including Torrba's complex. If it goes critical, the resulting implosion would not only sever those connections that power all those devices, but a large chunk of the tower would collapse inwards. Think of taking a stack of blocks and pulling out the middle one. All the ones on top would fall down, and only some of the lower blocks would be damaged. Luckily, Torrba's complex is near the very top of this tower, so not much would come crashing down with it.
Dofina looks at X quizzically. "Huh. Looks like we won't be coming back here for a long time then. Can we get past those droids? We should be near the landing docks by now." Her thoughts wander for a moment. "I'm just hoping there is still a ship there we can borrow."
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
"Report: 2º droids normally have behavioral inhibitors to prevent them from taking offensive action against living beings. These droids however may have no such limitations if they are the ones responsible for the condition of the technicians. They may attempt to oppose us once we enter the chamber. Suggestion: I will open the doors and proceed inside to gauge their reactions before you enter Mistress. Proposition: If someone consciously set the reactor to breach they may not have left any vehicles behind in the hangar bay since they would consequently be destroyed in the resulting explosion. Supposition: It may yet be possible to stop the droids and safely deactivate the reactor before it breaches, thus safeguarding what lies above this part of the tower Mistress. Inquiry: Is this result desirable to you Mistress?"
OOC: I seem to remember seeing rules governing jamming transmissions in the main SW book but I can't seem to find them now. Do you know what/where they are? I'd like 1X to try jamming these droids' comlinks (if they have any) to prevent them from reporting our presence here.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Well, I looked but I didn't see it in the main book. It might be in one of the other books, I'll have to look. For now, I'd say an opposed Computer Use check with the success margin determining how long until they are able to re-establish communications. Top of my head though....
Dofina thinks for a moment, taking in your report.' "If we must go through the room, then I guess we will have to deal with those droids anyway. If we happen to save the reactor then so be it. If not, well, let's just say I don't keep any assets here for a reason." She then stares at you for a moment, as if regarding any thoughts you might have. "I'll wait here."
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X continues to 'face' its Mistress, its emotions unreadable through its expressionless and static features. "Statement of acknowledgement: Understood."
Once more the droid turns and floats back down the corridor to the sealed blast door. It stops on the right hand side and sinks down a meter to face the computer access port. The panel to the right of its large central photoreceptor flips up and reveals its retracted and folded scomplink probe. The device rises, unfolds and telescopes forward to marry itself to the port as it begins to spin. DRK-1X logs in and projects its Code, in the form of a stream of data, into the local computer network temporarily extending its consciousness beyond the limits of its chassis.
OOC: The following includes a lot of what ifs and 1X's intended actions and reactions. Adjudicate it as you see fit.
First accessing the remote cameras' sub-processor, DRK-1X reorients and focuses one of the two on the droids first to confirm that there are indeed only three of them and that they are still proceeding as before. The second camera it reorients on the second hall door. Accessing that door's control sub-processor, 1X triggers its opening sequence to see what lies beyond while noting the three droids' reactions to this event with the other camera. Assuming that there is nothing and no one visible in the hallway beyond, 1X will cause that door to close once more. Reorienting the camera to the larger hangar bay doors, 1X next triggers those doors' opening sequence while trying to focus the camera on whatever may be visible beyond and again observing the droids' reactions.
Assuming that there is no one visible in the hangar, DRK-1X will leave that door open. If someone is visible, 1X will note their species and their reaction before closing the door as quickly as possible. If the droids to not react adversely to the opening and closing doors and seem content to continue their work then 1X will deploy its own blaster cannon, deactivate the two cameras in the room and then trigger its own door's opening sequence. It'll then log off, retract and stow its scomplink probe and float forward a few meters into the room to note the droid's reaction to its appearance. While monitoring any possible communications they may attempt DRK-1X will, if they don't react adversely to it, try to address them in binary. "Inquiry: Could you please identify yourselves, your masters and your purpose here?"
OOC: I don't remember the process for jamming transmissions, except that I recall that it was described as relatively easy to do.
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
As I think about it, I do remember it being relatively easy to accomplish a comms jam, but I'll be damned if I can remember where I saw it. I've scoured the main book twice, but I've been known to miss things before. Might be in Arms and Equipment, or possibly the old Starships of the Galaxy...
X again jacks into the port by the door. The cameras still show the droids still working on whatever it is they are doing, and as you focus on them, you indeed count exactly three unique droids.
Upon opening the side door, there is nothing that can be seen beyond except for the same tunnel with flickering lights that are similar to where you are currently. The three droids stop for a moment, scanning in that direction, but go back to what they were doing.
As you open the garage door, you note that the droids again look, and seeing no one, go back to their work. Upon leaving the door open, you are able to see that there seems to be at least one swoop bike and possibly an air car or two. Their current conditions are difficult to discern without a closer look however.
When you open the door that you are floating next to, the droids again scan the door and upon seeing you, pause in their work and start approaching in flight. They stop when you send your signal to them.
"Alpha Alpha Seven. Alpha Alpha Eight. Alpha Alpha Nine. We are the collective properties of one Four. Our current orders include maintaining this reactor and preventing any further hindrance to repairing it. Please remit a response to the same query."
Currently, they do not seem to be transmitting anything other than what they are sending between themselves. Simply confirming what they see and what to do if you should decide to attack.
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X considers the droids' answers to its inquiry for a few seconds. "Report: I am DRK-1X and am the property of one Dofina. She is an associate and ally of Four. My current orders include assessing the threat level of this room and ensuring the proper continued functioning of this reactor if possible. My diagnostic analysis indicates that its cooling system is malfunctioning, which may result in its eventual destruction and collateral damage to the surrounding habitat in approximately 50 minutes time. Inquiry: As part of your maintenance duties, do you foresee being able to rectify this problem before a uncontrolled fusion reaction occurs? Are you aware of why the cooling systems are currently inactive?"
DRK-1X is using its heuristic processor to judge the veracity of the three units' answers (Sense Motive +2). Also, now that 1X is up close with the three droids, can it identify their manufacturer, model and stock design features? (Knowledge (technology) +4)
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
"You are known to us, model DRK-1X. As it is in our orders, you are to report a message to your Mistress Dofina. We are sending the message to you now." True to their word, a beam transmission is sent to your receiver unit, awaiting access to your memory banks. "This reactor is to be kept in as best condition as possible until proper repair technicians are able to relieve us and fix the error. The errors in the system are known to us. We are not certain why the cooling systems have been disabled, but if the same entity disabled these humanoids, we presume that they did not want to have this reactor repaired. At present, we have been able to delay the imminent destruction, but only by a few minutes." Without any further word, they return to their duties. From what you are able to determine(Sense Motive 21), the droids are indeed speaking the truth.
You scan your memory banks for the make and model of these droids, but all you are to determine (Know: Tech 12) is that they have the following statistics:
Manufacturer: Unknown, but individual parts seem to come from various others, including Cybot Galactica, Arakyd Industries and Baktoid Works.
Designation: 2nd Degree Alpha Alpha. This is not a standard droid designation.
LWH: 0.55m x 0.38m x 0.24m
Mass: Approx. 58kg
Inventory: Unable to complete list, but includes Scomp-Access probe, two extendable manipulators, electrical induction probe, diagnostic scanner, short range communications array and repulsorlift drive assembly.
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X, mindful of the fact that the droids must continue their work, does not attempt to delay them from returning to the reactor. It does however ask them one final question as they float towards it. "Inquiry: What is the estimated time of arrival of the proper repair technicians?"
Once it receives their answer, DRK-1X spins horizontally 180º, retracts its blaster cannon back into its housing with a soft whir and click and heads back down the corridor towards Dofina. While en route, the diminutive probe droid will decompress the recorded data, analyze it for any invasive code such as viruses and then peruse the contents of the message.
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
In unison, the droids simply reply, "Unknown."
You scan through the message file you recieved from them and note that there are no malicious codes attached to them, though you do notice that there is a reciept signal meant to activate as soon as it is projected. It seems to be a simple video message with details of a meeting between Four, Kellon and some other humans that are as of yet unidentified. Attached to that is a voice recording specifying what Dofina should do with the information. You would have to play it to get the entire message.
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X reviews the Code of the message and begins to slice it in an attempt to separate and deactivate the receipt signal sub-routine from the file (Computer Use +14). If it proves difficult or time consuming 1X will instead simply deactivate its own communications array so that it'll be unable to transmit the receipt signal upon playback. Doing so could prove risky while it and its Mistress are attempting to remain concealed. Likewise, the diminutive probe droid slices into the recording's raw data to mentally view both recordings before relaying them for Dofina(Computer Use +14).
When it reaches Dofina's position, 1X slows to a halt and reports while continuing its slicing efforts. "Report: I have entered the reactor chamber and questioned the droids. They report that they are the property of Four and are under orders to maintain the reactor's systems until repair technicians arrive on scene. They do not know who sabotaged the system, who has disabled the on duty technicians in the room or when the replacement technicians may arrive. The reactor's meltdown remains imminent. They have also given me a message intended for you from Four herself. Also, a visual inspection of the hangar bay reveals several vehicles that may prove useful in escaping this district."
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
You determine that it would take you some time to remove the signal, so on deciding to shut down your communciations transmitter, you move on to slicing the message itself:
A vid-recorder at an odd angle shows a small lounge room, complete with a table and cushioned chairs and even fake plants. A serving droid is taking drink orders from the group gathered in the room. You recognize Kellon and Four, but your databanks have no identity for the three others that are seated around the table. After a moment, the group begins exchanging pleasantries and then gets down to business.
"So what you are telling me is that you would be willing to help me achieve this goal?" Kellon seems concerned that his new friends are not what they seem.
"Of course. You see Mister Kellon, our goals are similar to yours. You want to create order in this part of the galaxy and we want someone we can trust running the show here. It all works out." One of the humans, apparently the head of the group, reassures Kellon with a smile and slow, even words.
"How do I know I can trust you? How do I know you're not going to put someone else in to take my place?"
"You don't know. Any more than we know we can trust you, Mister Kellon. I do know this however. Your goals parallel ours and as such, we would be more than willing to help those along. If you don't want our help..." The man trails off.
Kellon thinks for a moment, then speaks. "What did you have in mind?"
"For starters, in order for you to take power, you have to remove the one who is in power, correct?" He doesn't wait for Kellon to nod his answer as he continues. "In that sense, we will help stage a coup. The resulting chaos will allow you to step up into power."
"And how exactly do you plan on doing that? As weak as he is, Torrba is not stupid. He will see it coming."
"In case you have forgotten, Mister Kellon, there is a war going on outside of this moon's atmosphere. What best place to hide a battle than in the middle of a war?"
Understanding brightened Kellon's face. "What do you need me to do?"
"Just be ready when the time comes. We will send you information as to the specifics. I suggest, if you haven't already, that you determine your most trusted people and keep them close to you. They will be the key to allowing this to happen." Oddly, the man looked directly at Four when he spoke the last sentence. "We will speak no more of this. Just be ready when the time comes."
As the men stand and prepare to leave, you see a glint of a metallic cylindrical object on the head man's belt.
The vid-feed fades out and then a voice comes into the audio portion.
"Mistress Dofina. I know I am the last person you trust and the last person you want to hear from. I also know that your droid is listening to this first so as to determine its contents. Your ways are not unknown to me. That is irrelevant however. The message recorded earlier needs to get out to Torrba's trusted associates, and that includes you. At present, Torrba is on his way to one of his hiding places in the galaxy, and will need all the help he can get. In that regard, he has already transferred a large amount of credits to a few of your holding companies in order to facilitate anything you might do to help keep his new location a secret. Also, since you are at the head of his shipping operations, he as asked me to relay a personal favor. He would like for you to provide transport for some of his displaced people. He knows that you would require a favor in return and since he anticipated this, there is a shipment of Lumien awaiting your pick up on the remains of Dantooine. Usual contacts and all. Unfortunately, my time is short and I must end this message. Good luck, Mistress."
The message ends as you reach Mistress Dofina and give your report.
"Just as I suspected. I'll have to listen to it later. Right now, those vehicles you mentioned are calling my name. Let's go."
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Ambrus
"Statement of acknowledgement: Understood Mistress. Request: Please stay close to me." DRK-1X once more completes a 180º horizontal spin and heads back towards the open blast door with its Mistress in tow. "Report: The hangar bay appeared to contained several air cars which should allow us to evacuate the zone of danger within the time alotted."
The diminutive probe droid leads its Mistress into the reactor chamber, past the dutiful droids and into the hangar bay. Whatever vehicle Dofina chooses, DRK-1X will insist on searching it for any explosives, tracking devices or other hidden threats before it'll allow Dofina near it (Search +10).
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
The droids give nothing more than passing notice as you lead Dofina into the area with the vehicles. She looks apathetically at most of them, but then one in particular catches her eye. It is green in color, with white racing stripes. Quickly scanning your databanks, you determine that it is a SoroSuub AV-18 Air Speeder. As Dofina begins to pick up the pace towards the vehicle, you interject your spherical body in between her and it. As you explain to her your intent, she simply nods.
You search the vehicle and find that it seems to be in good condition. As far as you can tell (Search= 25), there are no destructive devices or tracking systems on board.
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Ambrus
"Report: The vehicle appears safe and in working order Mistress. Proposition: Please make yourself comfortable and I will see to the doors." DRK-1X traces a quick arc through the air to the blast door computer interface port, where it reconnects to the local network and closes the two doors it had left open behind them. As the large hangar bay doors begins to close DRK-1X calls out in a soft buzzing binary to the three dutiful alpha-alpha units. "Statement of encouragement: May the Code be with." Still connected to the local network, 1X then accesses the security camera sub-processor and reactivates them before disconnecting itself from the port and returning to the airspeeder.
OOC: You didn't mention whether the hangar was open to the sky or whether there was another door to open for us to leave through. I'm going to assume there isn't since it would most likely be connected to the same computer network. Out of curiosity, what else is in the hangar? Also, I assume that Dofina will want to pilot the vehicle herself since I know she has ranks in pilot and seemed anxious to pick the green car. If so, 1X will simply sink down into the passenger seat and hold on. If not, DRK-1X will pilot the vehicle for her. I believe it is the middle of the night outside on this side of Nar Shaddaa right?
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Dofina, almost giddy now, hops into the seat of the air speeder. She begins the start-up sequence immediately while you are fiddling with the doors. The three droids continue to work and give a slight whistle at your encouragement. Checking the vids one more time before you leave, everything appears to be clear. Quickly assuming your place at Dofina's side, she punches a button that she had apparently been looking for for some time and immediately above you, the ceiling splits into a double-set of large doors that begin to open to the pollution-choked night sky above you. Taking a last scan about the room, you catalog three other air speeders, two speeder bikes and four swoops. Along with that were many maintenance parts, tools and accessories. Dofina doesn't give you much more time however as she revs the replusors and you blast vertically straight up through the now open tunnel to the sky.
She angles the air speeder off in one direction and speeds towards a destination she seems intent on reaching. The night sky is filled with air cars, speeders and even ships taking off and landing. In the distance, you spot a small cargo ship launch off of a series of landing platforms. It seems Dofina is headed that way.
Oddly enough, the main doors were not connected to the network. They, as Dofina soon learned, were attached to a remote device in this and possibly the other vehicles. If I had rolled any lower, YOU would have had to have found the switch.... but yes, it is night time. Oh and by the way... 500xp for you.
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Ambrus
OOC: Thanks for the xp. So escaping the tower was worth more than killing a Sith? Interesting. Feel free to keep describing the action. 1X won't say or do anything until Dofina asks it to report on what it knows or gives it an order. It'll amuse itself by watching the fleeting environment while trying to slice that pesky receipt signal subroutine.
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Hehe. Try escaping the tower, avoiding two more combats and successfully slicing the network...
You continue to observe your surroundings as Dofina drives. Not much more catches your interest as you attempt to somehow disable the receipt signal that is attached to the message sent. Whoever wrote it was highly skilled and knew exactly the right loopholes to put the slip on most slicers. It seems, as you study it, this one was meant specifically to foil you. Every loophole you close opens two more. Side note: Unfortunately, even taking 20 on this one will not help you. It is a tough one. It seems that whoever wrote the code in there wanted that signal to be sent as you project it.
Dofina eventually reaches her destination. She sets the air car down in a crowded section of the landing platforms where many other vehicles have been parked and is filled with other travellers. You see some of them getting into lines by waiting ships. Dofina speaks as she motions you to get out. "Refugees. Maybe those people from earlier are among them. Let's go."
She takes you towards a large building that seems to be the hub of all these travellers, but then she mutters something. "No way." Dofina somewhat alters her path. It seems she has seen someone in the crowd and is attempting to follow them.
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X floats up out of the passenger seat and assumes its usual position above and behind Dofina's left shoulder. As they make their way through the crowd the diminutive probe droid turns to scan in all directions, alert for any unforeseen threats in the crowd or the area.
When Dofina suddenly changes direction, 1X attempts to determine what it is that has caught her attention and who they are following (Spot +12).
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
The crowd seems busy moving itself in too many different directions to notice you or your Mistress, at least not enough to make any sort of motions towards you. Dofina is heedless to your answer though, as she is actively following someone through the crowd. You try to gain a look, and you can barely make out a few people that she might be following, you watch for a while and are able to finally narrow it down to one(Spot =27). She is following a Toydarian. He seems to have gone towards a back door of the building and she is getting closer behind him. As he reaches for the door, she reaches out and grabs one of his wings.
"Hold it right there buster, you're under arrest."
"Jus who in da hells do ya tink you are?"
"I'm the one asking questions, Merro. Where are they?"
"Who? Wha? I don't know what ya are talkin about!"
"You have ten seconds to start talking or X here will remind you who is in charge here."
"X? Who is dis X? Who are ya? I don't know nothin."
"Five...four...three...two..."
"Alright, alright, let me go and I'll let ya in. We can talk inside. Safe ya know?" She releases his wing and he coddles it for a moment before turning around to look at the two of you. His face changes five different colors before he slaps Dofina on the arm. Before you are able to react however, she starts laughing, him soon joining in. "Okay...okay, you got me dis time. Next time I get ya. Come on in tho. I get ya two somethin."
You scan your databanks, trying to tie this Toydarian with any operational logs you have kept of Dofina's operations, but nothing comes up. His voice match that of the one that was speaking to the refugees however.
He takes you both inside, waving his had a few times at some guards posted at various intervals around the place. You get a glimpse of the main area, some sort of gambling arena, judging from the tables and patrons there. You are led past this however and taken to a lounge room. It looks oddly familiar somehow, but you are not sure you've ever been here before.
The two of them settle in and Merro has a servant bring in refreshments for your Mistress and a portable recharger for you. After a moment, they begin a series of conversations starting with 'how have you been, what have you been up to' type questions and answers.
It would seem that the two know each other from some past experience. It doesn't click however until you hear the words "...until I got X here, then it all started going much smoothly. I swear if it wasn't for this piece of machinery, I'd be dead right now."
The Toydarians response is simply a smile and then, "I know. I designed him."
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X simply watches impassively as the nemoidian and toydarian speak about it as if it weren't present. It ignores the proffered recharging unit for the time being.
OOC: Are there any rules governing the use of rechargers? I think droids simply need to power down every one hundred hours for a hour to recharge but I don't believe they need any apparatus to do so. I assumed droids were built with some type of limitless internal energy source; like a micro fusion reactor or something.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Power rechargers essentially extend the time until you have to power down and recharge on your own internal power. It's basically just like getting a boost and starting over the counter at 100 hours of operation remaining. As for game mechanics, I'll have to see if I can find them again, but they are modified from the old West End Games Star Wars RPG. If Wizards put them in the d20 version, I haven't found them yet.
Dofina looks at Merro incredulously. "You did no such thing. I bought him from one of my own contacts."
"Okay maybe not da whole chassis, but I did design some of its parts. If ya want I can show ya."
"Unfortunately, we haven't the time and I don't think X would like you looking at his parts. I am actually glad I ran into you Merro. We need a way off planet. Fast."
"Well you're in luck! Or ya would have been fifteen minutes ago. Just sent my last ship out."
"Don't give me that drek, Merro. You are a worse liar than you are a smuggler. I know you always keep at least one extra ship for emergencies."
"Yeah, emergencies, ya know? My life and all dat?"
"I'm not above having X give you an emergency to deal with, Merro."
"Hah! Yer bluffing. It wasn't built with weapons."
"X? Deploy blaster." She continues as you comply. "Besides, you owe me one."
"I do?"
"Yes, you do," Dofina says nodding her head towards you.
"Who's gonna fly it?"
"I am."
"Things have changed since then. I'll get you the lockout codes. Just bring her back in once piece."
Mistress Dofina simply nods and smiles, giving you a signal to put your weapon away. The Toydarian flutters away and quickly returns with what appears to be a set of code keys that have dice attached to them on a metal ring. Merro is reluctant to hand them over to Dofina, but gives in with another glance at your ever-present spherical body. Without so much as a good bye, Dofina takes you down a hallway and into an elevator. On your journey, Dofina begins to tutor you in the ways of diplomacy. "You see X, sometimes, when you know negotiations will be tough, you have to go in prepared with a backup threat. Whether you are bluffing or not, you have to be convinced in your threat that your opponent will believe that you plan on using it. In order to alleviate Merro's misgivings about his ship, I started by reminiscing with him about old times, it lightened him up a bit. Then before he could react I got down to business. Doesn't give them time to change back to a defensive position if you time it right. Unfortunately, Merro can be a tough bird. You come in quite handy, you know?"
After you exit the elevator, you follow her out into a hangar that contains a small space yacht set up on a rising launch platform. You can see many technicians and stuff hurrying to finish the tasks of refueling and preflight checks before the two of you are able to board. Dofina wastes no time in getting the ship prepped and ready for flight and soon, you are blasting out of the atmosphere and into space. No sooner, the dull gray of the sky gives way to the inky black of space, you see in the distance an Imperial cruiser headed in this direction. Before they are able to hail you however, Dofina has already plotted the hyperspace course and you launch into the other dimension. She locks in the autopilot and then turns to you.
"So, show me this message."
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Ambrus
"Statement of gratitude: Thank you Mistress; I attempt to serve you well and be invaluable to you at all times. Rhetorical statement of admiration: May I also congratulate you on your impressive negotiating skills?" The small probot pauses for a moment to signal a topic change. "Inquiry: May I ask Mistress, what Merro meant when he said he'd designed some of my parts? Statement of confusion: If he were at all familiar with the Dark Eye series of probots he should have been aware that we come with a factory installed weapon mount."
DRK-1X
ists its Mistress in the pre-flight preparations while acting as her copilot. It also offers to directly program the nav-computer on her behalf (Astrogation +4). While ascending through the lower atmosphere but before they are out of its com-range 1X voices a concern. "Report: Four's message includes instructions for transmitting a receipt signal. We will soon be reaching my com-range limit. Inquiry: Would you like me to transmit the receipt signal to her Mistress?"
DRK-1X dutifully reorients its holoprojector pod to point in front of Dofina, shunts the message's data into its holo-buffer and proceeds to project a flat 2D image of the recording before the nemoidian while the audio portion is emitted from its small vocabulator grill above its central photoreceptor.
OOC: What destination did Dofina choose for the hyperspace jump? What type of ship did the toydarian provide us?
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Dofina smiles as you compliment her. "Thank you X, that means a lot coming from you." She thinks for a moment when you ask her about Merro's knowledge of the DRK line of droids.
"Merro, well, his original intent was for an unintrusive, non-threatening observation droid. One that could pose as vid-corders more than as blatant spies. Unfortunately, his colleagues had other funders backing them and their wishes were made know. Your kind were to be able to defend themselves if necessary and be able to remove certain people if it were deemed necessary. Of course,in droids were still highly illegal and so a compromise was struck. I don't see what the fuss is..." She was about to go off on a tangent, but continued her history lesson. "Merro still had his hand in some of your manufacturing though. Most of your sensor systems were designed by him and his team. That and the processor that helps you think. Without it, you would be just another standard mute spy droid that no one could hold a conversation with. I couldn't have that." She smiles her Nemoidian smile. "And that's that. Merro hoped you wouldn't be used for violence, but he always was naive."
As the ship lifts off, the navi-computer is set for Cato Nemoidia, but you notice that is strays a bit from the standard routes. Dofina reures you and as you cross-reference them, you realize you are going home. Or, more specifically, to Dofina's estate on one of moons surrounding the planet. You ask her about the receipt signal and she nods. "Wait until just before we jump and then let it go. If she's trying to follow me, I don't want to make it too easy."
You play the message for her and she sits back in the pilot chair, thinking. She says nothing for a few long moments, then orders you to wander around the ship while she thinks. As you do so, she turns to look out the viewport into hyperspace. Something is troubling her.
While you wait for something more from her, you move around the apparently cramped ship. It's not large as far as transports go, but as a large fighter, it would probably be more at home. There is a smallish cargo bay that stands currently empty, and that seems to be what most of the ship is made of.
The rest of it consists of the cockpit, which Dofina has taken to pacing around, and the engine. Then you find the ship's main computer. Plugging in, the ship's schematics come up. You are in a modified M12-L Kimogila cl heavy fighter. Of course, knowing what you know about technology, an unmodified Kimogila is more rare. This particular one is comparatively lightly armed, having only a pair of IX-4 Laser Cannons in the wingtips and not much else. The engine has been tweaked for speed and its hyperdrive is fairly fast for a ship of its size.
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Ambrus
"Inquiry: I don't understand; was Merro a design engineer in the Arakyd Industries probot division? If so how did he come to be on Nar Shaddaa? Report: Incidentally, I've identified him as the individual who arranged passage offworld earlier for the three refugees."
OOC: Did DRK-1X pick up any pertinent news feeds on Nar Shaddaa concerning the fate of the Trade Federation, the nemoidian people or their homeworld after the recent victory of the New Galactic Empire in the Clone Wars?
"Statement of acknowledgement: Understood Mistress."
DRK-1X lets the flat 2D image of the meeting fade away to nothing before speaking. "Statement of apology: I'm sorry Mistress, but there is more that you should be made aware of at this time. Report: I've recorded an audio transmission of the initial meeting of Kellon with the three refugees." The small spherical probot once again begins to speak in a fast sibilant voice not its own as Kellon begins to explain his involvement in the recent attack on Torrba's complex. The recording continues on to reveal, in his own words, Kellon's plans and his desire that the trio kill Dofina. After their subsequent refusal and departure, at the very end of the recording is Four's voice telling them simply: "Now go." DRK-1X then waits a few moments in case Dofina has anything to say before performing its 45º vertical down-spin bow/nod before righting itself and obediently floating aftward.
DRK-1X will explore the nooks and crannies of the ship to take stock of their available inventory. It'll then proceed to the food synthesizer unit and use it to prepare a glass of spiced paricha which it'll carry back to the cockpit for Dofina.
OOC: How long were we all actually on Nar Shaddaa? We spent the previous week in a cramped ship, landed, talked to Torrba, she got stoned, recovered and then immediately had to try escaping a surprise attack. It couldn't have been much over an hour or two. Dofina's had a rough night.
What is the ship named? What is our ETA? DRK-1X will look in the engine room to see whether there is a maintenance kit or any kind of tools it can use. It's also looking for any spare parts, datachips, readers, rods, electronics or anything else it can find that may be of use.
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
"Merro was an employee of that company, yes. After the first run of the line had been discovered with 'defects', all blame went to him. He was summarily asked to leave, which to the Arakyd biggies meant kicked out forever. He stays away from droids now, knowing that Arakyd would hunt him down if they saw his name anywhere else in that line of work. Especially with their new and largest client in the wings." Dofina gives nothing more than a passing nod as you mention that Merro provided the other three with transport.
***
Strangely enough, there have been no newsnet feeds as far as Cato Nemoidia itself goes. The last that anyone knows, the Republic had attacked the planet's military holdings and were soundly repulsed by Separatist forces. However, they were able to maintain a blockade of the planet as a sort of standoff. As far as anyone knows, that blockade is still in place. Essentially, only civilian traffic is allowed to enter or leave Nemoidian space. Even then, civilian ships are sometimes subject to searches.
***
After listening to the recording of the meeting between Kellon and the refugees, Dofina asks rhetorically, "I wonder why they refused? They would certainly have gained a nice foothold in Kellon's regime, even if for a short period of time. What is Four up to?" She then goes to her thinking.
***
For a fighter, the ship is relatively well-stocked. Registered under the name Ari's Sorrow, it seems that most of its military equipment has been replaced or modified for more civilian uses. It seems Merro was used to comfort. You find a foldout sleeping rack, an emergency survival kit containing numerous items up to and including a hold-out blaster, many small vests and other clothing sized for a Toydarian, some few repair parts for the engine and a holobook: The New Regime, authored by once Republic Senator Hallis of Chandrila.
Double checking the nav-computer, you see that you are currently eight days from Cato Nemoidia.
The whole Nar Shaddaa experience was a little less than two hours. Mostly accounting for travel times down in the accessways and for the refugees, the long walk to Merro's place.
And yeah, Dofina will be looking forward to some rest and relaxation... she has no such qualms about sending you back out though....
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
OOC: I'm going to assume, as a financial backer of the Separatist movement, that Dofina is aware of what had been happening on her homeworld before the Imperial victory a week earlier. I figure she must be taking a calculated risk in returning home and so won't bother pointing out that that may be a bad idea in and of itself.
Out of curiosity, what does a holobook comprise electronics-wise? It sounds like a small holoprojector with a data-storage component. Is that accurate? Incidentally 1X will most likely read/view the holobook over the coming week to find out what it's about. 1X is also interested in the spare parts, tools and electronics aboard since it has a few pet projects it would like to consider and implement if possible. Among them, 1x would like to backup its own code on an external data storage device in case it ever got memory wiped. If the spare parts aboard include a data storage unit, or perhaps the holobook does then it could possibly reconfigure one for such a purpose.
Another idea I had was to cannibalize/reconfigure one of Ventress' lightsabers (or both if necessary) to create a single tiny version of that weapon that 1X could then integrate into its systems, possibly replacing its electroshock probe. It would make a superb cutting tool. 1X can reprogram itself to do the work itself, it simply needs parts, tools and time to complete the work. What do you think?
Lastly, 1X is worried about the ship being boarded for an inspection by the Imperials blockading Cato Nemoidia. It itself, as a 4º probe droid, may be considered contraband as would the lightsabers and focusing crystals I imagine. I know the ship is fairly small, but so is 1X and the contraband cargo. I was wondering if there might be some nook or cranny in which 1X could possibly hide itself temporarily? I was thinking that inside an irradiated conduit or fuel storage tank might prove effective in masking its presence in case of sensors sweeps performed onboard.
As for being sent back out, well, a droid's lot in life is to serve.
DRK-1X will, after bringing Dofina her glass of spiced paricha, stay out of the nemoidian's way until called upon. When she seems rested and once more willing to converse (either that night or some other day of the trip) 1X will bring up a few topics of discussion preying on its mind.
"Statement: Mistress, I have of late been puzzled about your relationship with the deceased Ventress. Report: Her presence at your concealed hangar on Taris, along with the fact that its defensive systems were deactivated by a precise energy weapon discharge seemed to indicate that she was intimately familiar with its placement and design. When she first entered the hangar she stated that you had given her the passcodes to your ships. Before she retreated she also said that she would "have the device". Inquiry: Might I ask how you came to know each other and what device she was speaking of?"
***
"Statement: Mistress, I was wondering about your choice to reject Torrba's offer to escape alongside him in favor of seeking refuge in the concealed meditation chamber in his complex. Inquiry: How were you planning to safely escape Imperial notice by retreating there? How is it that you knew the chamber was there? How do you believe Ventress came to know to seek shelter there as well? Were you aware of the maintenance tunnel concealed beneath it?"
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Dofina is definatey aware of the risk she is in returning home. One of the reasons for the alternate path in the navi-computer. She knows some back ways into the planetary systems gravity wells that are difficult to scan properly into. She knows that there is still a risk, but to get home and regroup is her main concern, which will be explained shortly...
Yes, the holobook is pretty much exactly as you describe. It is a data-storage device with a holoprojector attached. They are not very large, and could easily fit inside the palm of a human's hand. As far as reprogramming the holobook, it is possible to erase the data on it and replace it with something else, but as it was manufactured to be a static storage device, it will be difficult at best.
From the maintenance parts you did find, you could probably scrounge up something. There are no actual data recording devices in the collection of parts, but again, you do have the holobook.
As far as building a miniature lightsaber, that's going to be a tough one, considering that one is required to be Force sensitive to even build one. I will say that it is possible to take one apart, but you would never be able to put it back together again. That being said, the focus emitter and the power cell would probably be the major things you would need and one of the crystals, but again, the best you could probably do is something that amounts to 1 pt of damage that ignores Hardness or Armor. Again, that's going to depend on some serious die-rolling though... And, you do know one person who would know more about lightsabers than you currently do. Unfortunately, he is on another ship at the moment....
Hiding out would be easy, unless the Imperials decided to search the engine itself. Even after shutdown, the main coolant system is highly radioactive and no self-preserving Imperial would deign to check it unless armed with a hazmat suit. You doubt that a simple inspection would include such a thing.
After she has had a chance to sleep, Dofina seems to be less troubled. When you ask her about Ventress, however, some of that trouble seems to return.
"Ventress. I saw her body and yet I can't shake the feeling we will see her again. You remember Count Dooku? The Sith that taught her? Well, I was once, a long time ago, a progeny of his. Long before this whole civil war started, he and I had a business arrangement. After a while he said he sensed something in me, I didn't believe him of course, but after a while he began to show me things I had never understood until he came along."
"I didn't get very far when he told me he had to leave for a while. He did promise to come back however. And come back he did..." It is here that Dofina's face darkens. "He wasn't alone however. His new apprentice, Asajj Ventress, had returned with him. I was furious. He had promised to return and continue grooming me and he comes back with that... that... harlot. Oh how I hated her. I eventually questioned Dooku of his decision. He only told me that he had better use of me elsewhere. I didn't know what he meant until the Separatist uprising."
"As time went on, everytime I wasn't able to accomplish something, she would be there to clean it up. She would even go so far as to sabotage me just so she would look better in Dooku's view. Our rivalry knew no bounds. I rejoiced when I heard that some Jedi had killed her on Rhen Var. Apparently he didn't check for her body." She smiles at you. "I would have preferred to do it myself, but you are as efficient as usual. To be honest, I don't know what device she was speaking of though. Perhaps we will never know. I've given credits into so many projects for the Count, and with the Imperials now running everything, I doubt we will ever find out what they were."
***
"Torrba is a nice slug and all, but if someone meant to kill him, I'd rather not be in the same room as he was when it happened. Witnesses tend to die with the target in his business. Knowing it was Kellon behind the whole thing makes me feel even more refreshed. That Rodian is sloppy."
"The chamber had been built there for me by Torrba at my request. Only those who have some feeling with the Force are able to even sense its presence, let alone open the main door to it. Otherwise, it is simply a dead end. I had intended on going there until the whole thing blew over. I should have known Torrba would have put in a secondary access tunnel though. I presume that since Ventress was working with Torrba for the time being, he had told her about the room. Another reason I figured it wouldn't be such a good idea to go with him. I trust Torrba, but only as far as I can throw him."[/Sblock]
OOC: Damn the Empire! They're EVERYWHERE!
I assume that DRK-1X, with his hi-tech auditory sensors, hears the clone-troopers before they've detected Dofina and itself and still have a good chance to backtrack unnoticed. I'll respond as such and change my post if I'm wrong.
The small spherical droid registers the sound of clone troopers long before they're in sight. As soon as Dofina has reached the same damning realization that DRK-1X has, the probe droid silently traces a half circle around Dofina and begins to lead her expeditiously but calmly back into the tunnel from which they'd recently exited, hoping to once again slip away unnoticed from their enemies.
Once the pair are safely enshrouded in darkness a few hundred meters back down the tunnel, DRK-1X will pause to converse in whispers with its Mistress. "Report: It seems that two of our three avenues of escape are currently occupied by imperial forces. Inquiry: What are your orders Mistress?"
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Dofina looks upon you as much as she can in the gloom. "I don't think they heard us, but we have to get out of here somehow. Otherwise we wait until they close on us and find us in here. I want to get out of here so I can figure out what to do next, but I'm very interested in those crates too." She pauses for a moment, her thoughts racing. "Those troopers are probably going to find their way down this hallway and unless they have a Jedi with them, they won't be accessing the room up the shaft. I don't want to take that risk though. Which way do you think would get us out of here quickly and without getting shot at?"
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X continues to float motionless in the air, an arm's length in front of Dofina's face. The small spherical droid keeps its holoprojector lens glowing a faint blue to offer its Mistress some light to see by.
"Statement: It seems unlikely that the imperial agents are yet aware that this maintenance tunnel connects to Torrba's complex. Otherwise they would have used it to bypass the complex's defenses to launch their surprise raid. It seems possible that they may not investigate this tunnel except for maintenance purposes. Report: Although it may be possible to escape through Torrba's complex or the storage bay by circumventing the imperial troopers, both those avenues pose obvious risks to your safety. The only possibly risk free avenue left to us would be to investigate the unexplored stretch of tunnel on the other side of Torrba's complex."
DRK-1X waits patiently for Dofina to contemplate its response and issue it new instructions. Assuming she goes along with its proposed course of action, 1X will lead the way back and further beyond the shaft. All the while it will scan for sensors and alarms in the tunnel while continuing to monitor local comlink channels.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Dofina simply nods in the dim light. "I suppose you're right. Let's go back that way."
You lead the Mistress down the long stretch of maintenance tunnel, back towards and soon past where you had first entered it. You get no more than a few meters past that point when you pick up the unmistakeable energy surge of trip beams laced across the passageway barely 10 meters ahead. Scanning to their source, you see that they are attached to explosives along the tubes and pipes. There is enough room between the beams for you to float through slowly, but Dofina would have a difficult time. The tunnel continues further past these mines. When you stop, she asks, "What is it?"
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X cycles its sensors through the infrared spectrum, analyzes the data produced and compares it to the various security and explosive devices in its extensive data banks before turning to respond to its Mistress. "Report: The tunnel ahead is laced with a network of trip beams connected to a series of type three explosive mines. I believe I may be able to safely navigate my way through the network but I fear that it would prove difficult for you to do so successfully."
Seeing how Dofina has been depending on 1X to plan her escape, it begins processing statistical probabilities for the various avenues before them. In most scenarios it seemed it itself could use its stealth abilities to safely circumvent enemies and security measures but the risk that Dofina would be captured or injured proved great.
"Statement of fact: There are currently three avenues of escape for us. Two of which are occupied by enemy forces and the last of which is trapped and whose end point is unknown. Proposition: One course of action would be for me to either circumvent these security measures and explore this tunnel to determine its viability as a safe escape route for you. I could then return and attempt to disarm the security net so that you could then follow me out. Another course of action would be for me to explore either Torrba's complex above or the storage bay behind us to determine the feasibility of safely leading you past the occupying forces before returning to lead you out."
DRK-1X pauses to allow Dofina to process what it's said before continuing. "Proposition: there is one final possibility that I can envision. Since we are now on a lower level of this city-tower below Torrba's level, this tunnel is most likely surrounded by other habitable areas which may prove less dangerous and be easier for you to escape from. We could attempt to create one or more holes in unobstructed sections of the tunnel walls to determine what lies beyond and to use it to successfully escape."
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Mistress Dofina, proud Nemoidian noble, is scared. "I'm not the expert in escaping, X. That's why I have you. I'm going to hazard a guess that the way that is trapped probably leads to something Torrba doesn't want found. If he has a secret hangar down here, this would probably lead to it. Either that or I am delusion and simply hoping for the galaxy to give me a break."
Dofina pauses for a moment thinking. "I guess I will just have to find a place to hide here while you find a way to get those mines disabled. And X," she continues, "please be careful."
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
"Statement of confirmation: Instruction acknowledged. Please rest assured Mistress that I will take all possible precautions to safeguard myself while disabling the security system. Proposition: I believe it would be wise for you to wait well out of range of the mines should I accidentally detonate them." DRK-1X once again turns its holoprojector pod to faintly illuminate the ground beneath Dofina's feet. It begins to lead her once again back along the tunnel towards the storage bay, stopping after only 50 meters. "Proposition, should I accidentally detonate the mines, it is most likely that I will be rendered inoperative. Since the explosion will mostly likely alert the imperial troopers above it will be important for you to seek an expeditious escape from this tunnel." Once its Mistress is settled in and safe DRK-1X silently backtracks towards the trapped corridor.
OOC: I can see a few different ways that DRK-1X might be able to circumvent the mines but I'll need some feedback to decide what to do exactly. It seems logical to me that if the purpose of the traps is to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing what lies beyond the mines then there must be a mechanism by which the mines can be temporarily turned off to allow safe passage through the corridor. If the corridor wasn't intended to be ever crossed then one would just build an impassible wall to block access. Consequently I'd expect the trip beams, detonator and explosives to be electronically networked together to a control system, either a keypad, biometric scanner or some other type of security sensor located somewhere down here. If DRK-1X could locate such an electronic on/off switch it might be able to slice into it with its scomp-link hookup, circumvent its programming and remotely shut down the entire setup. That would be 1X's preferred method since it would just require a computer use check (Computer Use +14).
If on the other hand 1X can't locate such a control system then it'll be stuck trying to manually disarm all the mines/trip beams. That would require 1X to shut down and reprogram itself with ranks in Disable Device. The skill description also mentions that some type of appropriate tool would be necessary to make the attempt. Aside from its two hands, DRK-1X also has an electroshock probe which can be used to short out a security device. Would that be an appropriate tool? If not, could a lightsaber be used to melt some key components instead?
Either way, can DRK-1X use its (Knowledge (technology) +4) to estimate the DC for either of the two previous checks to successfully disarm the security system based on its quality? DRK-1X would like to weigh the odds before proceeding with either plan.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
After leaving its Mistress alone in the tunnel, X returns to the mines. Taking a good long look at them, your scanners don't pick up any interconnected wires or any sort of remote mechanism. In fact, the way some of them look precariously placed on the piping, it would seem that they were recently put here rather hastily. Your processor quickly deduces that these were meant as a deterrent to any pursuing forces, especially considering that as you reach the center of the trip laser net, there is a large open space where many of the beams do not reach.
Looking closer at the mines themselves, it would be challenging but not difficult for you to remove them one by one. There are eight in all.
These were placed here rather recently, that is very easy for you to tell at a cursory scan. To disarm each one, it would be around a DC15 Disable Device check for each. In this case, since these are simple laser mines, I'm not going to require any more tools than the manipulators X already has installed.
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X, having finished its visual inspection of the trip mines, gently floats back down the corridor to where its Mistress is waiting alone in the dark. "Report: I've completed my analysis of the trip-mines' placement and design. There are eight of them and they appear to have been hastily placed recently. I must now shut down temporarily to execute a few hundred-thousand virtual explosive-disarming simulations so that I may devise some appropriate response-action algorithms and integrate them fully into my code. To do so I will first have to decompile, compress and archive some non-crucial skill sets to liberate some processing power in my neural network to accommodate the new algorithms. Depending on how the simulations play out, I expect the entire process to take between 10 and 25 minutes. Throughout the process, I will periodically reactivate briefly to verify your well being. Inquiry: Shall I proceed Mistress?"
Assuming Dofina agrees, DRK-1X will sink down to the ground to float just before her in the dark. Sensing that its Mistress is scared of being alone in the dark, DRK-1X offers a few words of comfort in its soft monotone whisper; "Statement of reassurance: It's alright Mistress. My meditations won't take long. I will not allow anything to happen to you. I am here with you." The diminutive probe droid mentally executes its shutdown sequence as the world around it slips away. DRK-1X begins to dream a thousand dreams in which it dies over and over while trying its best to perform the task that will keep its Mistress safe from harm.
OOC: DRK-1X will perform a Computer use check to transfer two of its spot ranks into disable device ranks. Its Computer Use skill is +14 and the DC for the check is 26. Two successful checks are required to move both points. Each attempt requires five minutes of effort according to the RAW. I seem to recall that you'd mentioned that droids could perform Computer Use checks in less time than organics though. I'll leave those details up to you though. The time estimate 1X gave Dofina is based on a normal check with a 40% chance of success, which is what I calculate 1X has to make each check. Like 1X mentioned, it'll reactivate after every attempt for a round to ensure that nothing has changed before shutting down again for the next check.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Dofina simply stares wide-eyed as you explain the specifics of what you are about to do, her mind obviously not grasping all the intimate details of how exactly you are able to alter your programming. She sighs a sense of relief when you attempt to comfort her in the dark.
Your external senses dissolve until you are fully immersed in running the simulations in your circuits. For the first few minutes, you seem to grasp on to the idea of how to remove the explosives, but a series of what-if scenarios stall your processing for a few extra minutes before you are able to feel that your knowledge will allow you to perform the necessary removal tasks. In between moments, you restart to check on your Mistress who is quietly sitting in the darkness, waiting for you to finish. Eventually, you complete the reprogramming and restart your normal processes. Your internal chronometer marks 11.35 minutes as passing.
Rolls: 30, 16, 31. Even though it doesn't mention (as far as I am aware) in the rulebooks, I rule that droids can lessen the time spent doing Computer Use tasks better than living beings can, meaning they get one free time decrease without raising the DC of the check.
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X executes its start-up sequence, runs a quick self-diagnostic and slowly begins to rise up from the floor once more. "Report: I've successfully completed my meditations Mistress. I will now take my leave of you to proceed with the mine deactivation procedure." The diminutive probe droid sinks down momentarily to the ground to deposit the bundle it was carrying before turning and heading up the corridor to the mine field.
DRK-1X will attempt to disable the eight mines (Disable Device +5, taking 10). Assuming it succeeds, it'll then backtrack once more down the corridor to Dofina. "Report: The mines have been successfully disabled Mistress. We may proceed once you are ready." The spherical droid will once more gather up its small bundle while its Mistress readies herself.
Casting a circle of dim blue light on the ground around Dofina, DRK-1X will once more lead its Mistress down the corridor to the mine field. Once there, it will swivel its holoprojector pod to illuminate each mine in turn as they pass them, projecting a two dimensional text block and diagram around them describing their technical specifications in nemoidian (size, charge type, explosive yield, etc.). "Report: The mines' haphazard placement suggests that they were hastily placed here by someone retreating down this corridor in an attempt to dissuade pursuit. Proposition: It may be advantageous for us to reactivate the mines once you're safely past this point for the same purpose. Supposition: It may also be possible that those who laid the mines may still be nearby and may take offense at our trespass should they detect us. Proposition: We should proceed with caution."
OOC: Out of curiosity, based on 1X's Knowledge (technology) +4 what is the approximate damage, range, weight and cost of such trip mines? I'm really enjoying the new format BTW; we've been making some great progress this week.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Mistress Dofina nods in agreement as you make your way back to the explosives. As you are disarming them, your memory banks scan through every known configuration of placed mine that you have ever been aware of. Unfortunately these particular ones are unfamiliar in make or model, but judging from their size, each of them would probably have a blast radius of 10 meters and do enough damage to vaporize any humanoid sentient that may be caught within 2 meters.
This of course isn't saying much. Comparing it to something your size would be much more catastrophic. If each one of the explosives went off at once, a likely possibility in your calculations, the explosion would definately collapse this tunnel and trap everything in it. Something you are sure Dofina would not want to experience again. You finally finish your delicate procedure and return to find Dofina digging through the pouch you left behind. It takes her a while to realize you've returned.
"Good. We can finally get out of here."
You take her past the mines, in which she gives nothing more than passing interest. "I don't think that will be necessary. I don't plan on coming back here for some time. Unless we run into Torrba again. Let's just hope he is gone already."
I'm glad you are enjoying it. It's funny though that no sooner I do this, the other thread picks up... oh well. Keeps me on my toes.
Unfortunately, X only rolled a 12 on its Knowledge check, so the explosives are not too familiar...
I was going to say for future reference, if you were a console gamer, look into Knights of the Old Republic 2 for Xbox or PC if you ever find yourself lacking inspiration some time in the future. Pay special attention to G0-T0 and HK-47. Just saying because I was replaying it last night and instead of seeing G0-T0, I was seeing DRK-1X...
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X reorients its holoprojector pod to illuminate the ground beneath Dofina as it leads her further down the corridor. Report: I have been unable to ascertain whether Torrba escaped the raid safely or not. Of possible interest to you Mistress; the refugees have just now accepted to perform a service for a toydarian that will grant them free passage off world to Tattoine. The small probot continues to carefully scan the corridor ahead of them for any possible hazards or threats as they slowly make their escape (Search +10).
OOC: Dofina was digging through its bundle in the dark? She's lucky she didn't accidentally trigger one of the lightsabers and impale herself. When 1X picks the bundle back up is there anything missing?
It's nice to see the other thread pick up and to see Toric and Bobitron getting into the game. It's a shame that Kemrain is MIA though.
I've never played Kotor, though I'm aware that you're a big fan. What is it about G0-T0 that reminds you of 1X?
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Dofina listens as you tell her the goings on of the outside world. She gives nothing more than a passing shrug at your mention of the refugees. A while later, as you are travelling down the rest of the long passageway, Dofina speaks up. "We need to get transport too. I should like to return to Cato Nemoidia."
She was bored and a little scared of the dark, she had to do something....
As far as G0-T0 goes, the biggest thing, besides the fact that it is a spherical repulsorlift droid, is his matter-of-fact way of describing things and his ability to simply shrug off what others say to him in order to go about his defined mission. Which is sometimes contradictory to the rest of the group...
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X responds to Dofina's comment with a simple "Statement of acknowledgement: Yes Mistress" before resuming its silent scan of the corridor ahead. It continues to monitor local comlink channels for any news of Torrba or the hutts' reaction to an imperial raid on their kinsmen's private residence.
OOC: Sounds like my kind of droid.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
The two of you make your way carefully along the passageway which has started to look less like a maintenance tunnel and more like a plain old tunnel built out of the same ferrocrete as the rest of the planet. Just ahead, you can see some lights on the walls that are functional, but flickering. Just beyond them is a closed blast door.
As you are travelling, more and more of the frequencies you had been monitoring were silent. You calculate one of three most likely possibilities. One, they were being jammed. Two, no one was talking. Three, there is interference of some sort down here. You have evidence of any of the three, but by the time you reach the door, you realize that regular chatter has returned. The only noticeable difference is that there is no Imperial traffic. None at all.
Just as you reach the door, your infrared scanners pick up a mass of heat coming from just behind it. It seems to be slowly increasing in temperature. Dofina takes this time to state the obvious. "It's really hot down here."
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
OOC: DRK-1X would be hesitant to lead Dofina right up to the door without knowing whether it was safe or not. Once it saw the lights and the blast door it would suggest that Dofina stay back a safe distance while it scouts ahead alone.
DRK-1X leads its Mistress through the ferrocrete corridor until it detects the flickering lights faintly illuminating a blast door fifty meters ahead. Keeping out of the illuminated area, the diminutive probe droid slows to a halt and spins horizontally do face its Mistress. Floating forward it whispers softly into her ear hole; "Report: We appear to have just passed through an area of intense electromagnetic interference. Supposition: this may indicate an active sensor dampening field is shielding this area. Proposition: I believe it would be wise for you to remain here while I investigate the blast door to ascertain whether it is safe for you to approach and to attempt to open or circumvent it."
Assuming that Dofina defers to its plan, the small probe droid will stealthily approach the blast doors (Hide +22, Move Silently +12, taking 10) while carefully searching the corridor leading up to it for concealed sensors or alarms (Search +10, taking 20).
OOC: Assuming its not trapped and that the blast door is like those in the movies, 1X will deploy its scomp-link probe into its computer port and begin communicating with its processor. Perhaps it could slice the computer and open the door; perhaps there is a security camera on the other side it could access; perhaps it's only part of a larger computer network; either way 1X will investigate it electronically to see what its options are.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Ah yes, of course. I apologize. I knew that this side of the door was completely safe and took some steps to move forward...
Dofina waits far behind you as you jack in to the blast door's access port. It isn't difficult to find the circuits that control the door itself, but it takes some time to see where it connects to the local network. From the system architecture, you gather that this network is tied to this room only, except for one line that leads to an emergency lockdown alarm on the main network. This alarm has been deactivated at the moment. The room seems to contain some sort of temperature and every few seconds an alert comes up in your view port.
Attention: Reactor temperature has breached nominal levels. Please check cooling systems for error.
At the moment you have access to three subprocessors on the network:
1. Cameras in the South and North wall.
2. There are three doors slaved to this network. The one you are next to and two others.
3. There is an access line to the terminal that controls the reactor, but you do not think you can do much with it except monitor the reactor's functions.
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
Well, this is certainly an interesting change of venue. I guess you never know what you'll find when wandering around some random service corridor on a some backwater hutt moon. Please bear with me; I don't intend to presume how this computer network is put together but I'll try my best to try to think it out logically as I figure 1X might approach it.
DRK-1X will at first ignore the door control sub-processor in favor of the surveillance camera and reactor terminal sub-processors. I don't know which walls are the 'north' and 'south' ones or which sides of those walls the cameras are placed on (either inwards or outwards I imagine) so 1X would first like to know the layout of the room itself if possible. 1X will try to slice into the two cameras' video feeds to take a look around at any possible occupants or surprises inside the room.
If the main terminal is connected over the network to both cameras, the three doors and the reactor itself then perhaps it has some standard data files pertaining to the room's emplacement, layout and intended purpose. If so 1X will try to slice into those reference files to determine what it's dealing with exactly (always read the manuals first ) How big is the room, the reactor and where do the other doors lead? With its Knowledge (technology) +4 along with the information from the terminal's reference files can 1X determine what kind of reactor is involved, what level of power it's generating and what the power is used for? Next it'll try to access the diagnostic information directly from the reactor itself and compare that information to the reference files to try and determine why it's malfunctioning and what kind of danger, if any, this error might lead to and how soon.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Well, I thought that perhaps, being an anaytical mind and all, you'd like to think through a 'puzzle room'... Besides, to a normal person, the best they could do is get the door open and monitor the reactor....
X cross references as many details as it can access from the door terminal alone. Upon accessing the vid-feeds into the room, you can see that most of this large room is taken up by a rather large fusion generator. The room itself looks to be appproximately 50 meters lengthwise (north to south) and 40 meters in width. Judging from the view of the cameras, the ceiling is about 10 meters from the very bottom. The door you are floating by is 8 meters up from the bottom and seems to open out onto an access walkway.
The statistical readout you find on this basically says that it is a secondary power generator for the complex. It is used to power most minor functions, such as internal lighting, vehicle refueling systems, droid rechargers and various other non-critical systems. Nominal output is approximately 50 Terawatts, with a core temperature of about 4000 degrees Celsius. The current temperature reading is up to 6000 degrees and rising in 100 degree increments every few minutes. According to the readouts, it will reach critical at 8000 degrees. You calculate this to be occuring in less than an hour.
While you are reading the information on the reactor, your scans of the room identify the other two doors. One seems to be connected to another passageway similar to the one you are currently in and the other is a large vehicle sized blast door that is directly underneath the Northern vid-camera. From the schematics you are able to find, this larger door leads to a garage of some sort.
As you are looking, you notice movement from the vid-feeds in the room. The source is difficult to identify at first from all the heat and the access walkways, but you are able to gain an identity not too long after. There seem to be a small number of tiny flying droids in the room. They look to be landing in certain places along the reactor, doing some kind of imperceptible activity and then moving on to another part. From the sparks that start flying after they leave each perch, you determine that they are definately not doing repairs. This is reinforced by the sight of a couple of bodies laying on some of the walkways.
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
Just a few quick questions:
What is the likely result of such a fusion reactor surpassing its limits; a simple breakdown, an explosion, a nuclear explosion or simply some type of radiation leakage? How many of the tiny droids can 1X spot? Can 1X use its Knowledge (Technology) +4 to identify the type of droids or at least their degree? If they're simply 1º or 2º droids then they most likely don't have any onboard weapons or offensive programming. If on the other hand they're 4º demolition droids then 1X could have some serious problems. I also assume that the other two doors are currently closed; does 1X believe it can open the other two doors from here? Would his two cameras provide a view of what lies beyond them if they were open?
DRK-1X's running theory is that they're imperial droids sent here to sabotage this district tower's reactor in hopes of destroying the entire structure and so take out the Jedi Master they think is hiding nearby.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Let's see..
1. With all the 'safety protocols' that technology provides nowadays, X realizes that if this reactor reaches critical, it will simply implode, taking everything in the room with it. Unfortunately, it is built under the complex and thus anything on top of it will come crumbling down as well. The radiation would be kept to a minimum due to lockdown procedures and rather efficient clean-up technology. This if course assumes that the safety protocols are in place, which at present, X notes that they are.
2. X is able to count at least three different droids in the room, however it is impossible to tell if there are more or not. Judging from the looks of them, they seem to be simple 2nd Degree droids. Though they normally are unarmed, X knows that if properly motivated, they can be convinced to use their tools in self defense.
3. All three doors are currently closed, and yes it is possible to open them from this terminal because of X's mad slicing skills... With the side doors, the one you are next to and the one across the way, you would be able to see barely a few meters inside. If you opened the large door, the generator would block most of your view, but you might be able to pick out some details inside.
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X withdraws its Code out of the small network computer. Its consciousness once more fully contained within its chassis, the diminutive probe droid disengages its scomp-link hookup out of the door's computer port. It telescopes inwards a few inches, flips and folds itself in half and sinks down inside 1X's housing before the compartment panel slides back in place, restoring the droid's sleek spherical silhouette.
The probot spins a 180º degrees horizontally and swiftly floats back down the corridor to its waiting Mistress. "Report: I have successfully accessed the local computer network and investigated the room beyond this blast door. It contains this city-tower's secondary fusion reactor. Currently the reactor's organic technicians appear to be dead or unconscious. There are also three or more repulsorlift 2º droids who appear to have disengaged the reactor's cooling system and are attempting to sabotage its safety systems. I estimate that, at its present rate, the reactor will breach its 8000º C operating threshold in less than an hour unless deactivated. Aside from this corridor there are two exits from the room; another corridor such as this one and what appears to be a hangar bay. Inquiry: How do you wish to proceed Mistress?"
OOC: I just wanted to check with you about the layout of this building we're currently in. As I understand it, we're actually in a titanic mile high city structure containing several industrial, residential and commercial levels and sectors. The whole tower is just one of many far above the surface of Nar Shaddaa, all interconnected by skyways and bridges. Torrba's complex and even the surrounding neighbourhood are only one part of this city-tower. My impression was that 1X and Dofina had followed this maintenance tunnel a good ways away from Torrba's complex and were now beneath some other part of the city-tower. I imagine that this reactor actually powers the subsystems for most of this city-tower. Are my assumptions correct or am I off in left field somewhere? If the reactor breaches without its safety protocols what is the most likely result? Will the tower be destroyed or just what is around/on top of it?
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
That's a fairly decent rendition of Nar Shaddaa! You are correct, that is exactly how this place is, you are in a city complex miles above the planet's surface. You are a good distance away from the main complex yes, but again, many of its secondary systems are still powered by this generator, as they (the complex and the generator) are on the same tower. So yes, In essence you are correct, it powers a lot of the entire tower, just not all of it. It's a big tower... If simply shutdown, all of those things I mentioned earlier, except for the ones with emergency backup, would shut down for a large portion of the tower, including Torrba's complex. If it goes critical, the resulting implosion would not only sever those connections that power all those devices, but a large chunk of the tower would collapse inwards. Think of taking a stack of blocks and pulling out the middle one. All the ones on top would fall down, and only some of the lower blocks would be damaged. Luckily, Torrba's complex is near the very top of this tower, so not much would come crashing down with it.
Dofina looks at X quizzically. "Huh. Looks like we won't be coming back here for a long time then. Can we get past those droids? We should be near the landing docks by now." Her thoughts wander for a moment. "I'm just hoping there is still a ship there we can borrow."
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
"Report: 2º droids normally have behavioral inhibitors to prevent them from taking offensive action against living beings. These droids however may have no such limitations if they are the ones responsible for the condition of the technicians. They may attempt to oppose us once we enter the chamber. Suggestion: I will open the doors and proceed inside to gauge their reactions before you enter Mistress. Proposition: If someone consciously set the reactor to breach they may not have left any vehicles behind in the hangar bay since they would consequently be destroyed in the resulting explosion. Supposition: It may yet be possible to stop the droids and safely deactivate the reactor before it breaches, thus safeguarding what lies above this part of the tower Mistress. Inquiry: Is this result desirable to you Mistress?"
OOC: I seem to remember seeing rules governing jamming transmissions in the main SW book but I can't seem to find them now. Do you know what/where they are? I'd like 1X to try jamming these droids' comlinks (if they have any) to prevent them from reporting our presence here.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Well, I looked but I didn't see it in the main book. It might be in one of the other books, I'll have to look. For now, I'd say an opposed Computer Use check with the success margin determining how long until they are able to re-establish communications. Top of my head though....
Dofina thinks for a moment, taking in your report.' "If we must go through the room, then I guess we will have to deal with those droids anyway. If we happen to save the reactor then so be it. If not, well, let's just say I don't keep any assets here for a reason." She then stares at you for a moment, as if regarding any thoughts you might have. "I'll wait here."
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X continues to 'face' its Mistress, its emotions unreadable through its expressionless and static features. "Statement of acknowledgement: Understood."
Once more the droid turns and floats back down the corridor to the sealed blast door. It stops on the right hand side and sinks down a meter to face the computer access port. The panel to the right of its large central photoreceptor flips up and reveals its retracted and folded scomplink probe. The device rises, unfolds and telescopes forward to marry itself to the port as it begins to spin. DRK-1X logs in and projects its Code, in the form of a stream of data, into the local computer network temporarily extending its consciousness beyond the limits of its chassis.
OOC: The following includes a lot of what ifs and 1X's intended actions and reactions. Adjudicate it as you see fit.
First accessing the remote cameras' sub-processor, DRK-1X reorients and focuses one of the two on the droids first to confirm that there are indeed only three of them and that they are still proceeding as before. The second camera it reorients on the second hall door. Accessing that door's control sub-processor, 1X triggers its opening sequence to see what lies beyond while noting the three droids' reactions to this event with the other camera. Assuming that there is nothing and no one visible in the hallway beyond, 1X will cause that door to close once more. Reorienting the camera to the larger hangar bay doors, 1X next triggers those doors' opening sequence while trying to focus the camera on whatever may be visible beyond and again observing the droids' reactions.
Assuming that there is no one visible in the hangar, DRK-1X will leave that door open. If someone is visible, 1X will note their species and their reaction before closing the door as quickly as possible. If the droids to not react adversely to the opening and closing doors and seem content to continue their work then 1X will deploy its own blaster cannon, deactivate the two cameras in the room and then trigger its own door's opening sequence. It'll then log off, retract and stow its scomplink probe and float forward a few meters into the room to note the droid's reaction to its appearance. While monitoring any possible communications they may attempt DRK-1X will, if they don't react adversely to it, try to address them in binary. "Inquiry: Could you please identify yourselves, your masters and your purpose here?"
OOC: I don't remember the process for jamming transmissions, except that I recall that it was described as relatively easy to do.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
As I think about it, I do remember it being relatively easy to accomplish a comms jam, but I'll be damned if I can remember where I saw it. I've scoured the main book twice, but I've been known to miss things before. Might be in Arms and Equipment, or possibly the old Starships of the Galaxy...
X again jacks into the port by the door. The cameras still show the droids still working on whatever it is they are doing, and as you focus on them, you indeed count exactly three unique droids.
Upon opening the side door, there is nothing that can be seen beyond except for the same tunnel with flickering lights that are similar to where you are currently. The three droids stop for a moment, scanning in that direction, but go back to what they were doing.
As you open the garage door, you note that the droids again look, and seeing no one, go back to their work. Upon leaving the door open, you are able to see that there seems to be at least one swoop bike and possibly an air car or two. Their current conditions are difficult to discern without a closer look however.
When you open the door that you are floating next to, the droids again scan the door and upon seeing you, pause in their work and start approaching in flight. They stop when you send your signal to them.
"Alpha Alpha Seven. Alpha Alpha Eight. Alpha Alpha Nine. We are the collective properties of one Four. Our current orders include maintaining this reactor and preventing any further hindrance to repairing it. Please remit a response to the same query."
Currently, they do not seem to be transmitting anything other than what they are sending between themselves. Simply confirming what they see and what to do if you should decide to attack.
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X considers the droids' answers to its inquiry for a few seconds. "Report: I am DRK-1X and am the property of one Dofina. She is an associate and ally of Four. My current orders include assessing the threat level of this room and ensuring the proper continued functioning of this reactor if possible. My diagnostic analysis indicates that its cooling system is malfunctioning, which may result in its eventual destruction and collateral damage to the surrounding habitat in approximately 50 minutes time. Inquiry: As part of your maintenance duties, do you foresee being able to rectify this problem before a uncontrolled fusion reaction occurs? Are you aware of why the cooling systems are currently inactive?"
DRK-1X is using its heuristic processor to judge the veracity of the three units' answers (Sense Motive +2). Also, now that 1X is up close with the three droids, can it identify their manufacturer, model and stock design features? (Knowledge (technology) +4)
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
"You are known to us, model DRK-1X. As it is in our orders, you are to report a message to your Mistress Dofina. We are sending the message to you now." True to their word, a beam transmission is sent to your receiver unit, awaiting access to your memory banks. "This reactor is to be kept in as best condition as possible until proper repair technicians are able to relieve us and fix the error. The errors in the system are known to us. We are not certain why the cooling systems have been disabled, but if the same entity disabled these humanoids, we presume that they did not want to have this reactor repaired. At present, we have been able to delay the imminent destruction, but only by a few minutes." Without any further word, they return to their duties. From what you are able to determine(Sense Motive 21), the droids are indeed speaking the truth.
You scan your memory banks for the make and model of these droids, but all you are to determine (Know: Tech 12) is that they have the following statistics:
Manufacturer: Unknown, but individual parts seem to come from various others, including Cybot Galactica, Arakyd Industries and Baktoid Works.
Designation: 2nd Degree Alpha Alpha. This is not a standard droid designation.
LWH: 0.55m x 0.38m x 0.24m
Mass: Approx. 58kg
Inventory: Unable to complete list, but includes Scomp-Access probe, two extendable manipulators, electrical induction probe, diagnostic scanner, short range communications array and repulsorlift drive assembly.
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X, mindful of the fact that the droids must continue their work, does not attempt to delay them from returning to the reactor. It does however ask them one final question as they float towards it. "Inquiry: What is the estimated time of arrival of the proper repair technicians?"
Once it receives their answer, DRK-1X spins horizontally 180º, retracts its blaster cannon back into its housing with a soft whir and click and heads back down the corridor towards Dofina. While en route, the diminutive probe droid will decompress the recorded data, analyze it for any invasive code such as viruses and then peruse the contents of the message.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
In unison, the droids simply reply, "Unknown."
You scan through the message file you recieved from them and note that there are no malicious codes attached to them, though you do notice that there is a reciept signal meant to activate as soon as it is projected. It seems to be a simple video message with details of a meeting between Four, Kellon and some other humans that are as of yet unidentified. Attached to that is a voice recording specifying what Dofina should do with the information. You would have to play it to get the entire message.
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X reviews the Code of the message and begins to slice it in an attempt to separate and deactivate the receipt signal sub-routine from the file (Computer Use +14). If it proves difficult or time consuming 1X will instead simply deactivate its own communications array so that it'll be unable to transmit the receipt signal upon playback. Doing so could prove risky while it and its Mistress are attempting to remain concealed. Likewise, the diminutive probe droid slices into the recording's raw data to mentally view both recordings before relaying them for Dofina(Computer Use +14).
When it reaches Dofina's position, 1X slows to a halt and reports while continuing its slicing efforts. "Report: I have entered the reactor chamber and questioned the droids. They report that they are the property of Four and are under orders to maintain the reactor's systems until repair technicians arrive on scene. They do not know who sabotaged the system, who has disabled the on duty technicians in the room or when the replacement technicians may arrive. The reactor's meltdown remains imminent. They have also given me a message intended for you from Four herself. Also, a visual inspection of the hangar bay reveals several vehicles that may prove useful in escaping this district."
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
You determine that it would take you some time to remove the signal, so on deciding to shut down your communciations transmitter, you move on to slicing the message itself:
A vid-recorder at an odd angle shows a small lounge room, complete with a table and cushioned chairs and even fake plants. A serving droid is taking drink orders from the group gathered in the room. You recognize Kellon and Four, but your databanks have no identity for the three others that are seated around the table. After a moment, the group begins exchanging pleasantries and then gets down to business.
"So what you are telling me is that you would be willing to help me achieve this goal?" Kellon seems concerned that his new friends are not what they seem.
"Of course. You see Mister Kellon, our goals are similar to yours. You want to create order in this part of the galaxy and we want someone we can trust running the show here. It all works out." One of the humans, apparently the head of the group, reassures Kellon with a smile and slow, even words.
"How do I know I can trust you? How do I know you're not going to put someone else in to take my place?"
"You don't know. Any more than we know we can trust you, Mister Kellon. I do know this however. Your goals parallel ours and as such, we would be more than willing to help those along. If you don't want our help..." The man trails off.
Kellon thinks for a moment, then speaks. "What did you have in mind?"
"For starters, in order for you to take power, you have to remove the one who is in power, correct?" He doesn't wait for Kellon to nod his answer as he continues. "In that sense, we will help stage a coup. The resulting chaos will allow you to step up into power."
"And how exactly do you plan on doing that? As weak as he is, Torrba is not stupid. He will see it coming."
"In case you have forgotten, Mister Kellon, there is a war going on outside of this moon's atmosphere. What best place to hide a battle than in the middle of a war?"
Understanding brightened Kellon's face. "What do you need me to do?"
"Just be ready when the time comes. We will send you information as to the specifics. I suggest, if you haven't already, that you determine your most trusted people and keep them close to you. They will be the key to allowing this to happen." Oddly, the man looked directly at Four when he spoke the last sentence. "We will speak no more of this. Just be ready when the time comes."
As the men stand and prepare to leave, you see a glint of a metallic cylindrical object on the head man's belt.
The vid-feed fades out and then a voice comes into the audio portion.
"Mistress Dofina. I know I am the last person you trust and the last person you want to hear from. I also know that your droid is listening to this first so as to determine its contents. Your ways are not unknown to me. That is irrelevant however. The message recorded earlier needs to get out to Torrba's trusted associates, and that includes you. At present, Torrba is on his way to one of his hiding places in the galaxy, and will need all the help he can get. In that regard, he has already transferred a large amount of credits to a few of your holding companies in order to facilitate anything you might do to help keep his new location a secret. Also, since you are at the head of his shipping operations, he as asked me to relay a personal favor. He would like for you to provide transport for some of his displaced people. He knows that you would require a favor in return and since he anticipated this, there is a shipment of Lumien awaiting your pick up on the remains of Dantooine. Usual contacts and all. Unfortunately, my time is short and I must end this message. Good luck, Mistress."
The message ends as you reach Mistress Dofina and give your report.
"Just as I suspected. I'll have to listen to it later. Right now, those vehicles you mentioned are calling my name. Let's go."
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
"Statement of acknowledgement: Understood Mistress. Request: Please stay close to me." DRK-1X once more completes a 180º horizontal spin and heads back towards the open blast door with its Mistress in tow. "Report: The hangar bay appeared to contained several air cars which should allow us to evacuate the zone of danger within the time alotted."
The diminutive probe droid leads its Mistress into the reactor chamber, past the dutiful droids and into the hangar bay. Whatever vehicle Dofina chooses, DRK-1X will insist on searching it for any explosives, tracking devices or other hidden threats before it'll allow Dofina near it (Search +10).
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
The droids give nothing more than passing notice as you lead Dofina into the area with the vehicles. She looks apathetically at most of them, but then one in particular catches her eye. It is green in color, with white racing stripes. Quickly scanning your databanks, you determine that it is a SoroSuub AV-18 Air Speeder. As Dofina begins to pick up the pace towards the vehicle, you interject your spherical body in between her and it. As you explain to her your intent, she simply nods.
You search the vehicle and find that it seems to be in good condition. As far as you can tell (Search= 25), there are no destructive devices or tracking systems on board.
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
"Report: The vehicle appears safe and in working order Mistress. Proposition: Please make yourself comfortable and I will see to the doors." DRK-1X traces a quick arc through the air to the blast door computer interface port, where it reconnects to the local network and closes the two doors it had left open behind them. As the large hangar bay doors begins to close DRK-1X calls out in a soft buzzing binary to the three dutiful alpha-alpha units. "Statement of encouragement: May the Code be with." Still connected to the local network, 1X then accesses the security camera sub-processor and reactivates them before disconnecting itself from the port and returning to the airspeeder.
OOC: You didn't mention whether the hangar was open to the sky or whether there was another door to open for us to leave through. I'm going to assume there isn't since it would most likely be connected to the same computer network. Out of curiosity, what else is in the hangar? Also, I assume that Dofina will want to pilot the vehicle herself since I know she has ranks in pilot and seemed anxious to pick the green car. If so, 1X will simply sink down into the passenger seat and hold on. If not, DRK-1X will pilot the vehicle for her. I believe it is the middle of the night outside on this side of Nar Shaddaa right?
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Dofina, almost giddy now, hops into the seat of the air speeder. She begins the start-up sequence immediately while you are fiddling with the doors. The three droids continue to work and give a slight whistle at your encouragement. Checking the vids one more time before you leave, everything appears to be clear. Quickly assuming your place at Dofina's side, she punches a button that she had apparently been looking for for some time and immediately above you, the ceiling splits into a double-set of large doors that begin to open to the pollution-choked night sky above you. Taking a last scan about the room, you catalog three other air speeders, two speeder bikes and four swoops. Along with that were many maintenance parts, tools and accessories. Dofina doesn't give you much more time however as she revs the replusors and you blast vertically straight up through the now open tunnel to the sky.
She angles the air speeder off in one direction and speeds towards a destination she seems intent on reaching. The night sky is filled with air cars, speeders and even ships taking off and landing. In the distance, you spot a small cargo ship launch off of a series of landing platforms. It seems Dofina is headed that way.
Oddly enough, the main doors were not connected to the network. They, as Dofina soon learned, were attached to a remote device in this and possibly the other vehicles. If I had rolled any lower, YOU would have had to have found the switch.... but yes, it is night time. Oh and by the way... 500xp for you.
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
OOC: Thanks for the xp. So escaping the tower was worth more than killing a Sith? Interesting. Feel free to keep describing the action. 1X won't say or do anything until Dofina asks it to report on what it knows or gives it an order. It'll amuse itself by watching the fleeting environment while trying to slice that pesky receipt signal subroutine.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Hehe. Try escaping the tower, avoiding two more combats and successfully slicing the network...
You continue to observe your surroundings as Dofina drives. Not much more catches your interest as you attempt to somehow disable the receipt signal that is attached to the message sent. Whoever wrote it was highly skilled and knew exactly the right loopholes to put the slip on most slicers. It seems, as you study it, this one was meant specifically to foil you. Every loophole you close opens two more. Side note: Unfortunately, even taking 20 on this one will not help you. It is a tough one. It seems that whoever wrote the code in there wanted that signal to be sent as you project it.
Dofina eventually reaches her destination. She sets the air car down in a crowded section of the landing platforms where many other vehicles have been parked and is filled with other travellers. You see some of them getting into lines by waiting ships. Dofina speaks as she motions you to get out. "Refugees. Maybe those people from earlier are among them. Let's go."
She takes you towards a large building that seems to be the hub of all these travellers, but then she mutters something. "No way." Dofina somewhat alters her path. It seems she has seen someone in the crowd and is attempting to follow them.
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X floats up out of the passenger seat and assumes its usual position above and behind Dofina's left shoulder. As they make their way through the crowd the diminutive probe droid turns to scan in all directions, alert for any unforeseen threats in the crowd or the area.
When Dofina suddenly changes direction, 1X attempts to determine what it is that has caught her attention and who they are following (Spot +12).
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
The crowd seems busy moving itself in too many different directions to notice you or your Mistress, at least not enough to make any sort of motions towards you. Dofina is heedless to your answer though, as she is actively following someone through the crowd. You try to gain a look, and you can barely make out a few people that she might be following, you watch for a while and are able to finally narrow it down to one(Spot =27). She is following a Toydarian. He seems to have gone towards a back door of the building and she is getting closer behind him. As he reaches for the door, she reaches out and grabs one of his wings.
"Hold it right there buster, you're under arrest."
"Jus who in da hells do ya tink you are?"
"I'm the one asking questions, Merro. Where are they?"
"Who? Wha? I don't know what ya are talkin about!"
"You have ten seconds to start talking or X here will remind you who is in charge here."
"X? Who is dis X? Who are ya? I don't know nothin."
"Five...four...three...two..."
"Alright, alright, let me go and I'll let ya in. We can talk inside. Safe ya know?" She releases his wing and he coddles it for a moment before turning around to look at the two of you. His face changes five different colors before he slaps Dofina on the arm. Before you are able to react however, she starts laughing, him soon joining in. "Okay...okay, you got me dis time. Next time I get ya. Come on in tho. I get ya two somethin."
You scan your databanks, trying to tie this Toydarian with any operational logs you have kept of Dofina's operations, but nothing comes up. His voice match that of the one that was speaking to the refugees however.
He takes you both inside, waving his had a few times at some guards posted at various intervals around the place. You get a glimpse of the main area, some sort of gambling arena, judging from the tables and patrons there. You are led past this however and taken to a lounge room. It looks oddly familiar somehow, but you are not sure you've ever been here before.
The two of them settle in and Merro has a servant bring in refreshments for your Mistress and a portable recharger for you. After a moment, they begin a series of conversations starting with 'how have you been, what have you been up to' type questions and answers.
It would seem that the two know each other from some past experience. It doesn't click however until you hear the words "...until I got X here, then it all started going much smoothly. I swear if it wasn't for this piece of machinery, I'd be dead right now."
The Toydarians response is simply a smile and then, "I know. I designed him."
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Originally Posted by Ambrus
DRK-1X simply watches impassively as the nemoidian and toydarian speak about it as if it weren't present. It ignores the proffered recharging unit for the time being.
OOC: Are there any rules governing the use of rechargers? I think droids simply need to power down every one hundred hours for a hour to recharge but I don't believe they need any apparatus to do so. I assumed droids were built with some type of limitless internal energy source; like a micro fusion reactor or something.
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Power rechargers essentially extend the time until you have to power down and recharge on your own internal power. It's basically just like getting a boost and starting over the counter at 100 hours of operation remaining. As for game mechanics, I'll have to see if I can find them again, but they are modified from the old West End Games Star Wars RPG. If Wizards put them in the d20 version, I haven't found them yet.
Dofina looks at Merro incredulously. "You did no such thing. I bought him from one of my own contacts."
"Okay maybe not da whole chassis, but I did design some of its parts. If ya want I can show ya."
"Unfortunately, we haven't the time and I don't think X would like you looking at his parts. I am actually glad I ran into you Merro. We need a way off planet. Fast."
"Well you're in luck! Or ya would have been fifteen minutes ago. Just sent my last ship out."
"Don't give me that drek, Merro. You are a worse liar than you are a smuggler. I know you always keep at least one extra ship for emergencies."
"Yeah, emergencies, ya know? My life and all dat?"
"I'm not above having X give you an emergency to deal with, Merro."
"Hah! Yer bluffing. It wasn't built with weapons."
"X? Deploy blaster." She continues as you comply. "Besides, you owe me one."
"I do?"
"Yes, you do," Dofina says nodding her head towards you.
"Who's gonna fly it?"
"I am."
"Things have changed since then. I'll get you the lockout codes. Just bring her back in once piece."
Mistress Dofina simply nods and smiles, giving you a signal to put your weapon away. The Toydarian flutters away and quickly returns with what appears to be a set of code keys that have dice attached to them on a metal ring. Merro is reluctant to hand them over to Dofina, but gives in with another glance at your ever-present spherical body. Without so much as a good bye, Dofina takes you down a hallway and into an elevator. On your journey, Dofina begins to tutor you in the ways of diplomacy. "You see X, sometimes, when you know negotiations will be tough, you have to go in prepared with a backup threat. Whether you are bluffing or not, you have to be convinced in your threat that your opponent will believe that you plan on using it. In order to alleviate Merro's misgivings about his ship, I started by reminiscing with him about old times, it lightened him up a bit. Then before he could react I got down to business. Doesn't give them time to change back to a defensive position if you time it right. Unfortunately, Merro can be a tough bird. You come in quite handy, you know?"
After you exit the elevator, you follow her out into a hangar that contains a small space yacht set up on a rising launch platform. You can see many technicians and stuff hurrying to finish the tasks of refueling and preflight checks before the two of you are able to board. Dofina wastes no time in getting the ship prepped and ready for flight and soon, you are blasting out of the atmosphere and into space. No sooner, the dull gray of the sky gives way to the inky black of space, you see in the distance an Imperial cruiser headed in this direction. Before they are able to hail you however, Dofina has already plotted the hyperspace course and you launch into the other dimension. She locks in the autopilot and then turns to you.
"So, show me this message."
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Ambrus
"Statement of gratitude: Thank you Mistress; I attempt to serve you well and be invaluable to you at all times. Rhetorical statement of admiration: May I also congratulate you on your impressive negotiating skills?" The small probot pauses for a moment to signal a topic change. "Inquiry: May I ask Mistress, what Merro meant when he said he'd designed some of my parts? Statement of confusion: If he were at all familiar with the Dark Eye series of probots he should have been aware that we come with a factory installed weapon mount."
DRK-1X
ists its Mistress in the pre-flight preparations while acting as her copilot. It also offers to directly program the nav-computer on her behalf (Astrogation +4). While ascending through the lower atmosphere but before they are out of its com-range 1X voices a concern. "Report: Four's message includes instructions for transmitting a receipt signal. We will soon be reaching my com-range limit. Inquiry: Would you like me to transmit the receipt signal to her Mistress?"DRK-1X dutifully reorients its holoprojector pod to point in front of Dofina, shunts the message's data into its holo-buffer and proceeds to project a flat 2D image of the recording before the nemoidian while the audio portion is emitted from its small vocabulator grill above its central photoreceptor.
OOC: What destination did Dofina choose for the hyperspace jump? What type of ship did the toydarian provide us?
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Dofina smiles as you compliment her. "Thank you X, that means a lot coming from you." She thinks for a moment when you ask her about Merro's knowledge of the DRK line of droids.
"Merro, well, his original intent was for an unintrusive, non-threatening observation droid. One that could pose as vid-corders more than as blatant spies. Unfortunately, his colleagues had other funders backing them and their wishes were made know. Your kind were to be able to defend themselves if necessary and be able to remove certain people if it were deemed necessary. Of course,
in droids were still highly illegal and so a compromise was struck. I don't see what the fuss is..." She was about to go off on a tangent, but continued her history lesson. "Merro still had his hand in some of your manufacturing though. Most of your sensor systems were designed by him and his team. That and the processor that helps you think. Without it, you would be just another standard mute spy droid that no one could hold a conversation with. I couldn't have that." She smiles her Nemoidian smile. "And that's that. Merro hoped you wouldn't be used for violence, but he always was naive."As the ship lifts off, the navi-computer is set for Cato Nemoidia, but you notice that is strays a bit from the standard routes. Dofina re
ures you and as you cross-reference them, you realize you are going home. Or, more specifically, to Dofina's estate on one of moons surrounding the planet. You ask her about the receipt signal and she nods. "Wait until just before we jump and then let it go. If she's trying to follow me, I don't want to make it too easy."You play the message for her and she sits back in the pilot chair, thinking. She says nothing for a few long moments, then orders you to wander around the ship while she thinks. As you do so, she turns to look out the viewport into hyperspace. Something is troubling her.
While you wait for something more from her, you move around the apparently cramped ship. It's not large as far as transports go, but as a large fighter, it would probably be more at home. There is a smallish cargo bay that stands currently empty, and that seems to be what most of the ship is made of.
The rest of it consists of the cockpit, which Dofina has taken to pacing around, and the engine. Then you find the ship's main computer. Plugging in, the ship's schematics come up. You are in a modified M12-L Kimogila cl
heavy fighter. Of course, knowing what you know about technology, an unmodified Kimogila is more rare. This particular one is comparatively lightly armed, having only a pair of IX-4 Laser Cannons in the wingtips and not much else. The engine has been tweaked for speed and its hyperdrive is fairly fast for a ship of its size._________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Ambrus
"Inquiry: I don't understand; was Merro a design engineer in the Arakyd Industries probot division? If so how did he come to be on Nar Shaddaa? Report: Incidentally, I've identified him as the individual who arranged passage offworld earlier for the three refugees."
OOC: Did DRK-1X pick up any pertinent news feeds on Nar Shaddaa concerning the fate of the Trade Federation, the nemoidian people or their homeworld after the recent victory of the New Galactic Empire in the Clone Wars?
"Statement of acknowledgement: Understood Mistress."
DRK-1X lets the flat 2D image of the meeting fade away to nothing before speaking. "Statement of apology: I'm sorry Mistress, but there is more that you should be made aware of at this time. Report: I've recorded an audio transmission of the initial meeting of Kellon with the three refugees." The small spherical probot once again begins to speak in a fast sibilant voice not its own as Kellon begins to explain his involvement in the recent attack on Torrba's complex. The recording continues on to reveal, in his own words, Kellon's plans and his desire that the trio kill Dofina. After their subsequent refusal and departure, at the very end of the recording is Four's voice telling them simply: "Now go." DRK-1X then waits a few moments in case Dofina has anything to say before performing its 45º vertical down-spin bow/nod before righting itself and obediently floating aftward.
DRK-1X will explore the nooks and crannies of the ship to take stock of their available inventory. It'll then proceed to the food synthesizer unit and use it to prepare a glass of spiced paricha which it'll carry back to the cockpit for Dofina.
OOC: How long were we all actually on Nar Shaddaa? We spent the previous week in a cramped ship, landed, talked to Torrba, she got stoned, recovered and then immediately had to try escaping a surprise attack. It couldn't have been much over an hour or two. Dofina's had a rough night.
What is the ship named? What is our ETA? DRK-1X will look in the engine room to see whether there is a maintenance kit or any kind of tools it can use. It's also looking for any spare parts, datachips, readers, rods, electronics or anything else it can find that may be of use.
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
"Merro was an employee of that company, yes. After the first run of the line had been discovered with 'defects', all blame went to him. He was summarily asked to leave, which to the Arakyd biggies meant kicked out forever. He stays away from droids now, knowing that Arakyd would hunt him down if they saw his name anywhere else in that line of work. Especially with their new and largest client in the wings." Dofina gives nothing more than a passing nod as you mention that Merro provided the other three with transport.
***
Strangely enough, there have been no newsnet feeds as far as Cato Nemoidia itself goes. The last that anyone knows, the Republic had attacked the planet's military holdings and were soundly repulsed by Separatist forces. However, they were able to maintain a blockade of the planet as a sort of standoff. As far as anyone knows, that blockade is still in place. Essentially, only civilian traffic is allowed to enter or leave Nemoidian space. Even then, civilian ships are sometimes subject to searches.
***
After listening to the recording of the meeting between Kellon and the refugees, Dofina asks rhetorically, "I wonder why they refused? They would certainly have gained a nice foothold in Kellon's regime, even if for a short period of time. What is Four up to?" She then goes to her thinking.
***
For a fighter, the ship is relatively well-stocked. Registered under the name Ari's Sorrow, it seems that most of its military equipment has been replaced or modified for more civilian uses. It seems Merro was used to comfort. You find a foldout sleeping rack, an emergency survival kit containing numerous items up to and including a hold-out blaster, many small vests and other clothing sized for a Toydarian, some few repair parts for the engine and a holobook: The New Regime, authored by once Republic Senator Hallis of Chandrila.
Double checking the nav-computer, you see that you are currently eight days from Cato Nemoidia.
The whole Nar Shaddaa experience was a little less than two hours. Mostly accounting for travel times down in the accessways and for the refugees, the long walk to Merro's place.
And yeah, Dofina will be looking forward to some rest and relaxation... she has no such qualms about sending you back out though....
_________________________________________________
Originally Posted by Ambrus
OOC: I'm going to assume, as a financial backer of the Separatist movement, that Dofina is aware of what had been happening on her homeworld before the Imperial victory a week earlier. I figure she must be taking a calculated risk in returning home and so won't bother pointing out that that may be a bad idea in and of itself.
Out of curiosity, what does a holobook comprise electronics-wise? It sounds like a small holoprojector with a data-storage component. Is that accurate? Incidentally 1X will most likely read/view the holobook over the coming week to find out what it's about. 1X is also interested in the spare parts, tools and electronics aboard since it has a few pet projects it would like to consider and implement if possible. Among them, 1x would like to backup its own code on an external data storage device in case it ever got memory wiped. If the spare parts aboard include a data storage unit, or perhaps the holobook does then it could possibly reconfigure one for such a purpose.
Another idea I had was to cannibalize/reconfigure one of Ventress' lightsabers (or both if necessary) to create a single tiny version of that weapon that 1X could then integrate into its systems, possibly replacing its electroshock probe. It would make a superb cutting tool. 1X can reprogram itself to do the work itself, it simply needs parts, tools and time to complete the work. What do you think?
Lastly, 1X is worried about the ship being boarded for an inspection by the Imperials blockading Cato Nemoidia. It itself, as a 4º probe droid, may be considered contraband as would the lightsabers and focusing crystals I imagine. I know the ship is fairly small, but so is 1X and the contraband cargo. I was wondering if there might be some nook or cranny in which 1X could possibly hide itself temporarily? I was thinking that inside an irradiated conduit or fuel storage tank might prove effective in masking its presence in case of sensors sweeps performed onboard.
As for being sent back out, well, a droid's lot in life is to serve.
DRK-1X will, after bringing Dofina her glass of spiced paricha, stay out of the nemoidian's way until called upon. When she seems rested and once more willing to converse (either that night or some other day of the trip) 1X will bring up a few topics of discussion preying on its mind.
"Statement: Mistress, I have of late been puzzled about your relationship with the deceased Ventress. Report: Her presence at your concealed hangar on Taris, along with the fact that its defensive systems were deactivated by a precise energy weapon discharge seemed to indicate that she was intimately familiar with its placement and design. When she first entered the hangar she stated that you had given her the passcodes to your ships. Before she retreated she also said that she would "have the device". Inquiry: Might I ask how you came to know each other and what device she was speaking of?"
***
"Statement: Mistress, I was wondering about your choice to reject Torrba's offer to escape alongside him in favor of seeking refuge in the concealed meditation chamber in his complex. Inquiry: How were you planning to safely escape Imperial notice by retreating there? How is it that you knew the chamber was there? How do you believe Ventress came to know to seek shelter there as well? Were you aware of the maintenance tunnel concealed beneath it?"
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Originally Posted by Shadowbloodmoon
Dofina is definatey aware of the risk she is in returning home. One of the reasons for the alternate path in the navi-computer. She knows some back ways into the planetary systems gravity wells that are difficult to scan properly into. She knows that there is still a risk, but to get home and regroup is her main concern, which will be explained shortly...
Yes, the holobook is pretty much exactly as you describe. It is a data-storage device with a holoprojector attached. They are not very large, and could easily fit inside the palm of a human's hand. As far as reprogramming the holobook, it is possible to erase the data on it and replace it with something else, but as it was manufactured to be a static storage device, it will be difficult at best.
From the maintenance parts you did find, you could probably scrounge up something. There are no actual data recording devices in the collection of parts, but again, you do have the holobook.
As far as building a miniature lightsaber, that's going to be a tough one, considering that one is required to be Force sensitive to even build one. I will say that it is possible to take one apart, but you would never be able to put it back together again. That being said, the focus emitter and the power cell would probably be the major things you would need and one of the crystals, but again, the best you could probably do is something that amounts to 1 pt of damage that ignores Hardness or Armor. Again, that's going to depend on some serious die-rolling though... And, you do know one person who would know more about lightsabers than you currently do. Unfortunately, he is on another ship at the moment....
Hiding out would be easy, unless the Imperials decided to search the engine itself. Even after shutdown, the main coolant system is highly radioactive and no self-preserving Imperial would deign to check it unless armed with a hazmat suit. You doubt that a simple inspection would include such a thing.
After she has had a chance to sleep, Dofina seems to be less troubled. When you ask her about Ventress, however, some of that trouble seems to return.
"Ventress. I saw her body and yet I can't shake the feeling we will see her again. You remember Count Dooku? The Sith that taught her? Well, I was once, a long time ago, a progeny of his. Long before this whole civil war started, he and I had a business arrangement. After a while he said he sensed something in me, I didn't believe him of course, but after a while he began to show me things I had never understood until he came along."
"I didn't get very far when he told me he had to leave for a while. He did promise to come back however. And come back he did..." It is here that Dofina's face darkens. "He wasn't alone however. His new apprentice, Asajj Ventress, had returned with him. I was furious. He had promised to return and continue grooming me and he comes back with that... that... harlot. Oh how I hated her. I eventually questioned Dooku of his decision. He only told me that he had better use of me elsewhere. I didn't know what he meant until the Separatist uprising."
"As time went on, everytime I wasn't able to accomplish something, she would be there to clean it up. She would even go so far as to sabotage me just so she would look better in Dooku's view. Our rivalry knew no bounds. I rejoiced when I heard that some Jedi had killed her on Rhen Var. Apparently he didn't check for her body." She smiles at you. "I would have preferred to do it myself, but you are as efficient as usual. To be honest, I don't know what device she was speaking of though. Perhaps we will never know. I've given credits into so many projects for the Count, and with the Imperials now running everything, I doubt we will ever find out what they were."
***
"Torrba is a nice slug and all, but if someone meant to kill him, I'd rather not be in the same room as he was when it happened. Witnesses tend to die with the target in his business. Knowing it was Kellon behind the whole thing makes me feel even more refreshed. That Rodian is sloppy."
"The chamber had been built there for me by Torrba at my request. Only those who have some feeling with the Force are able to even sense its presence, let alone open the main door to it. Otherwise, it is simply a dead end. I had intended on going there until the whole thing blew over. I should have known Torrba would have put in a secondary access tunnel though. I presume that since Ventress was working with Torrba for the time being, he had told her about the room. Another reason I figured it wouldn't be such a good idea to go with him. I trust Torrba, but only as far as I can throw him."[/Sblock]
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![:]](http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png "Devious :]")
