Star Wars - DRK-1X and its Mistress

[shadowbloodmoon]

Derek expresses a few concerns, but collaborating with DRK-1X allows them to determine that unless Four's vague information is completely inaccurate, the plan should go relatively smoothly. Once the freighter hits the outside range of the satellite screen, the Sorrow will fire it's last burst to drift through while the freighter is under surveillance by the sensor net. Until called upon, Derek will try to run silent the entire time, only monitoring necessary channels while DRK-1X and Four effect their rescue mission. Critical error tests are simulated between the two, as if playing a game of D'Jerric*, both droids attempting to outwit each other and come up with alternative plans should any of these errors occur. Satisified with the results, they power down and reprogram as necessary for the next step of the mission.

Hours later, the Ari's Sorrow emerges from hyperspace. Hurven Seven doesn't look like a busy port, but initial scans do show a small number of ships in the vicinity. As far as either of the two droids can tell, they are not military vessels, but some of them are armed, perhaps for anti-piracy activity. At the moment, no one seems to really care that you've arrived, as no transmissions come in from the surface or any of the ships near the planet.

It is around this time that Four awakens. "Did I miss anything?"

[sblock=OOC]Actually, that's not a bad idea at all. Derek and X's calculations will allow them to determine a safe path so that Derek doesn't accidentally drift into one of the fallen stars. The less activity coming from the Sorrow, the less a chance there is of it being seen as anything other than floating debris. * D'Jerric is Star Wars' chess. [/sblock]

 

[Ambrus]

[sblock=OOC]Wow. Four slept for the entire nineteen hour trip? She sure must have been tired. How is the Sorrow doing fuel-wise? We've been in transit for about seven days since our last refueling and only Four has been consuming any expendables over the last day. Would we need to refuel and resupply or can we comfortably make it into and away from the cluster with Dofina with what we have?[/sblock]Derek turns to regard Four as she finally awakens while DRK-1X simply swivels one of its external sensor pods to watch the woman rise. "Report: You've slept for the past eighteen hours and thirty four minutes. The jolt that woke you was this vessel exiting hyperspace. We're in orbit over Hurven Seven. There are no signs of an imperial presence here yet. Request: Could you please indicate the surface coordinates of the imperial mining facility? We're going to have to select a remote landing spot within a day's travel time on foot from it from which you and I will make our approach."

The diminutive probot waits for Four to relay the information to Derek before deploying its twin arms and floating around the cabin pulling open the various equipment lockers for the woman's perusal. "Report: Although I am unfamiliar with the exact infiltration tactics you intend to attempt, we nonetheless have some equipment available that you may wish to consider taking with you for use during the mission; a blast vest, a WE-5 blaster pistol, spare power packs, a datapad, a tool kit, data card, code cylinder and an encrypted comlink." DRK-1X motions to indicate each piece as it is named. "Statement of intent: I leave it to you to choose that which you believe will aid you on the mission. Suggestion: I do however recommend that you take one of the encrypted comlinks so that we may remain in contact if and when we separate. I also suggest that you consume some food before we disembark; you may not have another chance to eat for some time."

1X waits for Four to familiarize herself with the available equipment before opening the compartment with the three tactical remotes. "Conjecture: Although undesirable, we may eventually be forced to take violent action to defend ourselves or complete our mission. In such a situation it may be helpful to have these tactical remotes available to provide additional firepower. Statement of intent: I do not want them to accompany me since their presence may hinder my ability to remain undetected while in hiding on the freighter. Request: If you judge it feasible and safe for you to do so, then I would ask you to consider carrying one or more of them concealed on your person during the mission."

As they converse, Derek conducts scans of the planet's surface to gain a topographical map of the mining facility's environs with which to choose a landing spot. He looks for a sheltered area devoid of inhabitants that lies well away from any security perimeter that may exist around the facility but still within half a day's walk for Four. Once he's made his selection Derek will begin his atmospheric incursion. The human replica droid will then upload the topographical map of the area to DRK-1X via its comlink and also prepare a copy for Four to download should she have chosen to carry a datapad.

 

[shadowbloodmoon]

[sblock=OOC]Well, I figure she drifted in and out but yeah, pretty much... X also notices that she has slight blemishes on some parts of her body, but while she starts to move and awaken, they gradually vanish. According to your current stores readout, you will be able to make it to the cluster and back, but you will have to refuel here before going anywhere else. [/sblock]

Four stares in disbelief. "That long, huh? Well, I suppose, considering. I'll be fine though." She looks at Derek's topo scans and points to a location that looks to be inside a series of canyons. "There. That's where the mine is. On this ridge here, they've flattened out a landing platform for incoming freighters. There are some flatter plains here that we can park this thing." Her fingers move over the screen as she explains the locations.

Four then considers the equipment you lay out before her. "Well, I suppose I'd fit in better if I carried a weapon." She lifts the WE-5, checks the power pack and slides it inside her clothes. She then picks up the datapad, a spare powerpack and the encrypted comlink. "Anything else I should be able to procure while I'm on mission."

She nods when you mention the food, but then decides against the drones. "No, I work better alone. No offense. I just don't need to have any liabilities around if this doesn't work out as planned. I figure I'll go in first, then you follow right behind. We'll split up so I can infiltrate the crew and while I'm doing so, I'll do what I can to make your entrance to the ship easier."

Derek flies the ship down towards a relatively protected plain inside some steep canyon walls. As you make planetfall, it is evident why the topo map showed a lot of white. The place is covered in snow and ice. Without so much as a bump, the Sorrow sets down in the plain.

 

[Ambrus]

After setting down, Derek taps a few more buttons on the control panel before him, bringing the vessel's repulsorlift engine to an idle before raising the cabin's interior lights and swiveling his chair around. The human replica droid indicates a computer hook-up port to Four. "You can download a topographical map of the area to your datapad. You don't want to get lost in these canyons on your way to the mine." Derek half turns in his chair and indicates the fuel tank gauge on the control panel behind him. "We're doing fine for expendables, but we'll need to refuel if we want to flee the area once we've cleared the cluster. I'll have to reach a fueling station and return before the freighter lifts off. Do you know any neutral spaceports in this hemisphere I can try?"

Both droids wait for Four's response before DRK-1X asks; "Inquiry: Do you know how long it's likely to take for the freighter to complete its loading of ore before lifting off again?" Based on the woman's response, the known location of the mine and the freighter's eventual destination DRK-1X and Derek begin calculating the freighter's probable ascent vector and trajectory through space towards its jump point. A few deft taps on the nav computer's console from Derek allows them to plot a cautious intercept course for the Ari's Sorrow to take when the time comes. Via their comlink connection the two droids settle upon a set plan and timing for Derek's approach towards the freighter to coincide with DRK-1X's slicing of the freighter's sensors. They also agree upon short codes that they'll use to signal each other in case of problems and to transmit plan changes should they become necessary.

When ready Derek stands and triggers the hatch release panel, allowing the cold mountain air to penetrate into the cabin. "Good luck to you two." DRK-1X hovers for a moment, watching Derek through its sensor array in mild surprise. For the first time it's other self had just said something it simply hadn't expected. It was inevitable that their respective Codes would grow distinct given time; the diminutive probot simply hadn't known how quickly and to what extent it would occur. After a few moments DRK-1X responds before floating towards the hatch. "Statement of affirmation: To you too."

 

[shadowbloodmoon]

Aww... Derek is growing up....

Four nods as she plugs in her datapad to download a map of the area. There should be a research station about 3 parsecs from the cluster. I can't guarantee they'll help you, but they are definitely neutral and don't care about galactic politics."

As she explains the sequence of events for the freighter, you watch her skin change color slowly and it begins to grow fine hairs on its surface. "Wouldn't want to catch cold. The freighter crew will usually take a few hours of port time before they take off again, and it will take at least five hours minimum to fill the rest of it, as they have to go through post and preflight protocols as well, refilling stores, mass checks, everything. So, we should have some time to do what needs done."

She is the first to step out of the ship. It is indeed cold, but at least the wind isn't blowing too hard. Even though X is mildly surprised at Derek's statement, Four pays no mind to it.

 

[Ambrus]

The black spherical probot floats out the hatch behind Four while extending its antenna from within its chassis. DRK-1X begins monitoring local comlink channels as it completes a slow 360º pan of the cold windswept canyon. As it does so, 1X correlates its readings to the landforms in its digital topography map. Once properly oriented, the diminutive probe droid heads off in the direction of the mine, attempting to remain carefully concealed in the shadows of snow drifts and outcrops of rock as it advances (Hide +22, Move Silently +15, taking 10). 1X leads the way for Four, maintaining a comfortable distance between them to performs recognisance scans on the area ahead (Listen +9, Spot +13, taking 10).

Back aboard the Ari's Sorrow, Derek thumbs the hatch release button again, sealing the exterior environment off from the interior cabin. The human replica droid swivels around to face the control panel once more. Through the forward window he watches the furry woman as she begins to hike across the frozen ground. With a few taps of the environmental controls, Derek deactivates the vessel's now superfluous air purification system to save the Ari's expendable reserves. The droid then slips off the visor it had been wearing and setting it aside. Turning its attention to the ship's computer, the human replica droid calls up the high altitude scans of the planet it had conducted earlier, attempting to find signs of a spaceport in the hemisphere worth visiting. Derek then calls up the intergalactic star charts it has in the archives in an attempt to pinpoint the location and round trip travel time to the research station Four had just mentioned.[sblock=OOC]So is it possible to find a refueling station a bit closer? If not how long would it take to return from the research station as Four suggested?[/sblock]

 

[shadowbloodmoon]

[sblock=ooc]You could theoretically have Derek stop at one of the Empire stations that are in this system. They aren't technically looking for him or the ship. It would be ironic, but in theory, definitely possible. I rolled an Int check for both you and Derek and neither of you came up with anything in your memories about any other non-Empire or safe stations in either area. There are a few pirate outposts out here, but those are risky propositions at best. You're more than welcome to have Derek try one, the nearest is less than an hour away from Hurven Seven. If you want to go to the research station, you're talking a little over two days out, so you'd have to choose between going to the station or straight to Hurven Seven after leaving the cluster.[/sblock]

Normally, it would be difficult to hide a floating black sphere in a background of mostly white, but X's programming and built-in stealth technology allows it to remain concealed. The canyons that it is flying through help to nearly eliminate any scans that may pick up it or the not-so-human woman that is following along. However, on the negative side, they serve to break up transmissions that may be coming from outside the canyon walls. If X were somehow able to climb to a higher altitude, it might be possible to pick something up however.

Four doesn't appear to be attempting to hide in any way, more appearing as if she was a lone traveler exploring the wilderness. She does rotate her head from side to side though and appears to be keeping watch, in case X were to miss something.

Derek calls up the charts and scans what he can find. Most of the listed stations are either Imperial owned, private ventures that don't want visitors or research and mining stations that are now deserted. Derek however has X's memories and knows that some stations won't show up on the charts. He is able to pinpoint more than a few less than reputable outposts, and one is very close by to the Hurven Seven system.

 

[Ambrus]

[sblock=OOC]OOC: The droids can't afford to wait until they've got the imperial fleet chasing them out of the cluster to stop and refuel; Derek has to refuel before the following day or risk aborting the mission. Derek doesn't know for certain that the empire isn't looking for the Ari's Sorrow; 1X has had too many close run-ins with the empire recently and it's certainly possible that they're somehow aware of the ship. Even if the ship isn't identified upon landing it might be subjected to an official inspection at which point they'd discover the four battle droids which, if they aren't illegal, may be reason enough to detain and question Derek. For the sake of the mission Derek can't allow himself to be arrested or kept from trailing the freighter when it lifts off the following day. No, for good or ill Derek has a Scoundrel's programming which means he'll have to keep out of the empire's sights and trust in his illicit bartering skill to deal with the unaligned fringers in the system.

I'm not certain what you mean by "pirate outpost", if Derek knows about it it can't be uniquely populated by pirates since I'd imagine they'd make better efforts to keep their base location a secret. Even if it's an unaligned outpost for local near-do-wells, they've got to be somewhat receptive to outsiders if the location of their outpost is generally known.[/sblock]DRK-1X will continue scouting ahead as it and Four make their way towards the distant mine. The diminutive probot will take advantage of its repulsorlift engine to float up and reach flat outcrops of rock or ice to use as steps to gain greater altitude in those spots that make the manoeuvre possible. Taking advantage of such high vantage points, 1X will utilize its telescopic sensors to survey more distant areas before leading Four towards them.

Having set his passengers on their way, the human replica droid settles into a meditative trance as he shuts down his external sensors and turns his attention towards adapting his Code to better negotiate with the potentially dangerous fringers on their home-ground. When ready, Derek reactivates, turns to face the pilot's console and taps a few commands into the Ari's Sorrow's helm. Within moments the vessel's repulsorlift engines power-up and the Ari's Sorrow gently lifts off from the frozen ground. Once clear of the surrounding canyon walls, the vessel banks and begins to ascend towards space and the nearest unafiliated outpost.

 

[shadowbloodmoon]

[sblock=OOC]That's one reason for the Int-check. I wanted to see if X remembered any of Dofina's knowledge about these locations. Since I rolled fairly low for both of you, I figured that you found in your databanks that there are some pirate outposts out here that, due to yours and Dofina's underworld knowledge, you are aware of. They aren't technically friendly to Dofina or her shipping empire, but they aren't technically enemies either.... Note: I'm pausing Derek's flight to try and maintain some semblance of time staying nearly parallel to the two groups. That and I wasn't sure if you wanted to have him do anything else during the short flight. Oh, and if I ramble or make a miscalculation, I apologize. I haven't been feeling well the last couple of days.[/sblock]

X moves to a slightly higher altitude and continues scanning the area. For about two more hours of travel, there isn't much out here but the ice and the snow. As you are scanning however, in the far distance, you pick up approximately four heat sources, easily spotted against the cold surroundings. Calculating from the topographical map of the area, you determine their path will interesect your course in about twenty standard minutes, if you continue moving the same speed through this canyon. Though you may be able to hide from them, Four is another matter. Quickly turning for a moment, you spot her attempting to cover herself from the cold. It would seem her new fur is only slight protection. Off-hand, your sensors give you a background temperature of -3 degrees Celsius. Judging from previous readings, this area seems to be having a heat wave. Even farther off in the distance, you can see the vague outline of the mining facility. You calculate that you still have about 5 kilometers left to go, basing this on the way the canyone curves and twists.

Derek alters his programming so that he is even better able to deal with other sentient beings. Even the relatively short time that he has spent observing Four has allowed him to incorporate what the organics call mannerisms. Distinct ways of acting or expressing oneself. Determing that the new knowledge will suffice, he selects the nearby pirate outpost and begins transit.

 

[Ambrus]

[sblock=OOC]Sorry to hear you're not feeling well. I hope you get better soon.

-3º Celsius? Heh. In my experience that's a rather mild winter day; the kind of weather in which scarves are optional and I usually walk around with my winter coat wide open. It's funny to me; whenever I see weather forecasters or news-people reporting from outside in the winter on American news (say in say Detroit, Chicago or New york) they're always what I would consider wildly overdressed for the relatively mild temperatures. The heavy parkas, gloves, scarves and hats they wear are the kinds of clothes I associate with -20º to -40º weather.

No Derek doesn't really have much else planned for the trip except to program a short intrasystem hyperspace micro-jump into the nav-computer to escape the fringer's base's vicinity in case they prove hostile. Aside from that he'll try keeping some distance from the base and try brokering a deal for some fuel via comlink before approaching. Derek will also keep the Ari's Sorrow's shields up, just in case. Work the parallel timeline however you like. You've already mentioned that 1X and Four have been traveling for a few hours so I guess they're a bit ahead of Derek who seems to have just lifted off.

So can 1X lead Four on a circuitous route around the quartet of travelers to avoid them? Could we better avoid them if we back-tracked a bit? If so 1X will proceed with that tactic while continuing to monitor the movements of the four strangers to ensure we don't bump into them somehow.

BTW, I just yesterday acquired the New Essential Guide to Droids. I'm looking forward to reading through it. The DRK-1 is in there though it is described uniquely as the Sith Probe Droid rather than as the Arakyd Industries probot that I'm playing.[/Sblock]

The diminutive probot, keeps its hemispherical silhouette well concealed amongst the crags as it focuses its primary photoreceptor array on the distant quartet of strangers. Reorienting its holorecorder pod on the group DRK-1X records a few seconds of holographic footage before sinking back below the top of the ridge. With its repulsorlift engine humming softly, 1X lets gravity carry it back down the curving slope to where Four is trudging along slowly through the snow. As its holoprojector pod lens flares to life, a blurry luminescent blue hologram of the four strangers striding forward appears in the space between DRK-1X and the furry woman. "Report: I've detected four unidentified creatures several kilometers north of this position. They appear to be following a route which will cross our path in approximately 20 minutes. Proposition: Unless you deem encountering them desirable, I suggest we assume a circuitous trajectory to attempt to circumvent them."