Meetings in secret

[tomcat]

The companions followed the hooded man, who quickly led the way. Their route twisted and weaved through a labrynth of Jovan passages, including a ride on the transit system that doubled them back to where they started, only to make progress away once more. They ended up in the Resorts in a back alley behind a massive tower hotel and resort. The man named Ulric walked slowly along the alley wall and Brim noticed as he made slight gestures with his hands. When he did this, the Rodian could feel a roiling sensation as if buffeted by air, though none blew. But each gesture was at a moment when the group was passing in front of, or below, the series of small security cameras that were scattered about the resort. The cameras were used to keep vagabonds from sleeping along the grounds, or bothering any of the hotel's clients. Finally, they came to a door and again Ulric gestured and the door opened of its own accord. He pointed to Kaida to take the lead and he watched as they all entered, then he looked up and down the alley and at last came in himself. They stood within a lower corridor that had a set of stairs that climbed up and a hallway that, by the sound of it, either went to a laundry or maintenance facility for the resort. Ulric pointed to the stairs, "We have a climb."

It was twenty flights that they climbed and everyone in the party, save Sam, felt their legs burning with weariness as they came to the landing. The hooded-man went to the door and opened it. He made a hand signal to someone else in the hall and then he gestured for them to move. They walked out into a nicely decorated and comfortably carpeted hallway. Ulric led them quickly down to a door and it was opened and they all entered. Once inside, Ulric turned to them and pointed, "All weapons on the table. You may carry nothing into the next room."

Caden looked around and realized they were in a luxurious living room of a large suite. There were two doors off the ante-room that led further into the suite, and both were closed.



Do you comply with the order to disarm?

[Jingo]

"Sir Ulric," Kaida kept her voice calm, and looked about the room casually, but tried to take in any details that may be important. Then she added in the weight of her considerable presence as she fixed him with her gaze. "I pray you do not take us for fools. We live in, shall we say, 'dangerous times', do we not? Surely you would not deprive us of all protection without our knowing where or with whom this engagement may lead?"

She took a deep breath and decided to risk all, "It may not mean much in some quarters of the galaxy, but I give you my word as daughter and princess of Commenor, and perhaps the last surviving member of that noble house," she was amazed that her own voice was so steady, "that neither I nor any in this party will not touch our weapons unless we are attacked first."

Persuade check to see if they will be allowed to keep their weapons under the conditions stated:

Rolled 1d20+15 : 8 + 15, total 23

[BrianM]

Brim pulled his blaster from its holster and placed it on the table. He didn't exactly know why, but he felt he could trust this stranger. He turned to Kaida and the rest of the group. "In the interest of keeping things friendly, perhaps we should comply with Ulric's request. If anyone intended to harm us, it would have happened well before we arrived at such a finely appointed location. I believe we can trust whoever awaits within."

[tomcat]

"Far more dangerous times than some of you may realize," said a voice. The man to whom it belonged had entered the room without notice from a balcony that had been curtained, but door open. He was a handsome man with dark hair and eyes, a tanned complexion, and a moustache and beard that framed his mouth. He was tall and his clothes, though common, were still very nicely kept and regal. He spoke again, "Lovely Kaida... how you have grown. You probably do not remember me so much, but your father and I were friends and many times my wife and I visited your family on Commenor. It was always in an official capacity, and so you children did not abide such things... always off doing your own."



The man smiled at Kaida and she knew it was Bail Organa, senator of Alderaan. Most of the companions recognized him, but it was from photographs and videos on the holonet. Bail continued, "Forgive the security and hush hush movements through the city, but it is necessary. Forgive also Ulric's desire for my safety... we must all watch over ourselves now."

With that Ulric shrugged out of his cloak and the party saw a youthful man that carried a haunted look within his eyes. He was fit - not overly muscular, but more like a gymnast. He carried no weapons that were visible, yet the keen eye could see where a sheath was carefully woven into the right side of his pants. He wore high boots, like a Corellian, but the rest of his clothes had little flourish - they were more utilitarian, like a flight suit. Ulric nodded at Organa's comment, and seemed to relax. He looked to Brim with a knowing look, while picking up the Rodian's blaster and handing it to him. "You may have this back. It seems Senator Organa is unconcerned with the weapons arrayed before him."

Bail then looked at Caden, "Caden Whitesun... we meet again, but in very different circumstances. I remember you, though it was only a brief acquaintance, but Kal had told me much about you. It is a shame that he has passed." Organa took on a truly sorrowful expression, and the Bestinian was almost completely sure it was real - not a maneuver by a skilled politician. "I know most of the situation on Bakura. I know some of your predicament through legal channels within the Empire. What I don't know is why you have sought me out? Your message sent to me was understandably vague. It mentioned Dan, but I do not see him here. Please..." Bail gestured to the couches for them all to sit. He continued, "Please, tell me what you know and what it is I can do for you."

The companions all moved to take a seat with the Senator only Sam and Ulric remained standing. If there were any other security personnel, they were invisible.

[BrianM]

Brim took the weapon offered by Ulric, stared at it for a moment then replaced it in its holster. He turned to the Senator, "This was Dan's weapon. It reminds me of his sacrifice. He was killed by a Dark Jedi during our departure from Bakura. We have quite a story to tell you, Senator. I trust that this is a safe location to divulge all that we know?" Turning to the rest of the group, his gaze lingering on Kara slightly more than the others, the Rodian added, "I think it would be in all our best interests to do so."

[Jingo]

Kaida smiled up at the man as he was introduced to them. He was decidedly handsome, even if he was several years older than she. "Thank you for your trust, Senator and for your kind words." She had vague memories of the man meeting with her father and mother. Nothing substantial, mostly he had been full of pleasant smiles and friendly pats on heads for her and her siblings. She had hated such official meetings and always wanted to be playing with her siblings or friends.

She took the proffered seat and crossed her legs. She felt knots within knots in her shoulders and back begin to loosen and relax, once she realized this was not a trap, that he apparently wasn't in lock step with the imperial march toward complete subjugation.

At his request for why they were here, she leaned forward on her chair. "I'm not entirely certain why Caden wanted to meet with you, Senator, something about this Dan friend of his. I never knew him. But I have my own reasons for wanting to meet with you. First, why have you not turned me into the authorities? You know who I am, and that Empire is hunting down all of the royal house of Commenor, along with other proponents of freedom and autonomy? Let us speak frankly. You know where Commenor stood--"

Her voice caught with the sudden lump in her throat as she remembered so many soldiers and valiant men and women she had known whose lives were spent trying to preserve that freedom, who were ultimately crushed under Empire's iron fist. But they would not crush her will, nor the desire for freedom of her planet!

"--and where she still stands. Yet, here away from the cameras and the holonets, where exactly do your loyalties lie?"

[watanabe]

 

Kara looked for a casino.

[BrianM]

Kara looked for a casino.

oh crap Kara isn't even there ... so much for my dramatic look of condemnation ...

[donimator]

"--and where she still stands. Yet, here away from the cameras and the holonets, where exactly do your loyalties lie?"

Sam remained motionless and off to the side. An unassuming droid waiting for his masters to finish and put him on his next task. He did engage his internal recorders though. Provided nothing was in place to scramble the signal, he wanted to make sure he captured every detail of this conversation.

[watanabe]

Kara looked for a casino.

oh crap Kara isn't even there ... so much for my dramatic look of condemnation ...

Kara got sidetracked in the bar, rolled horrible perception and is now paying the penalty by wandering aimlessly. 

[tomcat]

Brim's eyes moved around the group and he realized for the first time that Kara was not with them. She had entered the restaurant, but did not follow them out? The Rodian shook his head in wonder. What was she about? He returned his attention to the conversation and heard Kaida chime in with her own questions.

The senator sat quiet, politely listening to the individuals before him as they told their stories and asked questions of their own. Caden spoke after Kaida, not giving the senator a chance to reply. "The simple answer to your questions, Senator, is I don't know. I do not know why I came to Alderaan, or sent you the message. I guess it was for help... for answers. As Brim said, Dan is dead. Killed by a Dark Jedi on an errand that you had sent him. Now we are wrapped up in a crime investigation that includes drugs and assassination. We know that the Empire is searching for us and I am sure that the grim-robed assassin that killed Dan is not far behind. Kaida here is in jeapordy from a bounty hunter that we met on Cloud City. It is a big galaxy, but I am finding that we are running out of places to go... and money. I can no longer get legitimate work and soon my cred-chip will be empty. I guess... we are just looking to see if you can help us. Ranie got himself involved in something with his friend Seelig's murder, and through his request, has involved us all. Now Ranie is dead and we are out of allies. What's worse, we are suspects in it. You are the last hope that I could think of to maybe help us out of this."

Senator Organa nodded at Kaida, Caden and Brim. "Please, before I can offer any advice or help, please, tell me the whole story. Kaida, I am aware of your plight and that of Commenor, so if you would just please tell me what has occurred since you fled your home."

It took them most of two hours to tell the story of Bakura, Cloud City and now Jovan. They told Organa of Varta the Hutt, whom Seelig had gotten into dirty business with. They told him of the namana drug that was being exported from Bakura - a crime against their planetary laws. They told him of the attack on Ranie's mansion and the death of most of the people within, save for Britton. Finally, they told of their chance meeting with Kaida and how her own challenges had brought further danger to them all. To conclude, Caden asked, "Senator, you had me pick up Dan Qinos and take him to Bakura. Ranie thought him to be a Jedi, but the Empire has supposedly outlawed that order. The funny thing was, Dan had no idea of any talents. He was a soldier, from what I knew."

It was not Bail that answered, but Ulric. "Dan was a young man with potential beyond his knowledge. All he knew was that he could sense things. He was sensitive to the Force, but had not yet learned the disciplines to allow him to use it to a great advantage. Ranie needed help with an investigation and had heard rumor that some Jedi still lived and were hidden in the galaxy. He contacted Senator Organa because he had heard that Bail was sympathetic to the order, having saved and harbored some on Alderaan."

To that, the Senator waved a hand to silence Ulric, "Please, Ulric." Bail sighed and looked around at the faces that stared back at him. He wondered how much he was willing to divulge. There were many that were in danger in this new Empire and the wrong thing said, even here, could see people killed. Swept up by the ISB and COMPNOR and taken away to slave pits, or worse. He saw what was going on. What had happened to his once proud Republic. It had not been without faults, but it was still run by the people, for the people of the galaxy. Now, under the Emperor and Darth Vader's iron boot, the people of the galaxy lived in fear - at least most. There were many that had accepted this new way of life and many of the governors, now called Moffs, were drunk with power of their own. Bail's only hope was that the senate still existed and so there was a chance to return to normalcy. But the Senator also knew that there were many who were rallying to oppose the new Order, and he, too, had thrown his hand in with some of his fellow politicians to restore the Republic in another way. It was still disordered. Many factions uprising, fighting and being crushed by the Imperial tide because of the disorder and non-united front. But what if that front could be realized? What if a rebellion could be organized? He and Mon Mothma had spoken many times in private, but as always, it came down to trust. And Senator Organa did not yet know who he could trust.



More to come... be back soon.

[tomcat]

Yet, here they were. Organa had come to Jovan Station due to Caden's transmission. What had he come for? Did he feel an allegiance to these people? Did he want to develop those few that he could trust? Were these people the ones he needed? Of course they were. He needed all the stalwart folk that were willing to stand and face the Emperor and demand their old way of life back.

He sighed, "You said earlier, Kaida, that we live in dangerous times. If you are not aware, the way of the Republic is coming to an end. Yes the Senate still exists, but it is a shadow of its former self. The real power lies in the Emperor's hands and he is using the Senate, and all those that are bending to his will, to bring their respective systems under his complete rule. Those that disobey him either disappear, or they are sidestepped and the Emperor empowers someone else to truly govern. Disobeying comes at terrible costs, as Kaida and her planet know. The anti-Imperial uprisings on Commenor brought catastrophe to the royals and governing officials - most were slain. We... I was unable to aid them directly. Not without revealing my own separatist views and potentially stripping me of any influence. What is worse, I could have brought the same repercussions upon Alderaan. So, Kaida, why have I not turned you in, and where do I stand? Well the first part of the question is easy, because I do not wish to see anything happen to you. The second part is more difficult to define. I, and a few colleagues of mine, have begun discussions, but we are far from ready. There is much that needs done and that will take time. In that time, I must remain inconspicuous to Imperial eyes and so can only extend my aid so far. At most for you, Kaida, I can extend you information and attempt to create some kind of anonymity for you... and give you a place to hide in plain sight."

Bail then directed his words to Brim, "The blaster of your friend that you keep is a good memento of Dan's will. He was a soldier with talents that had yet been tapped, but it was his will to defy the Emperor after what they had done to his own world. What you say of a Dark Jedi concerns me due to the Emperor's mandate that all who use the Force are to be taken into custody. Those that are captured are influenced into serving the Empire, or slain. If this person is a fringer and acts of his own will, then that makes him even more dangerous, but also makes him hunted." The Senator took a sip of a drink that was presented to all, before he continued, "Honor your friend by keeping that weapon and bringing it to use against his enemies."

Finally to Caden, "So it is aid that you seek? I can not make your faces change and dispel of the charges that are against you - at least not easily, and not without having eyes look to me. But I can help you to disappear. Not in the sense of hunkering down in a place and no longer being an active part of the galaxy, or having a life. I mean that I can aid you in taking on a new identity... all of you." He even looked to Kaida. "But this brings an interesting point to mind... you are all in an ample position to aid me, and by so doing, aid the Republic."

"The Republic no longer exists," said Caden matter-of-factly.

"Yes," agreed Bail. "Not as we knew it, but a new Republic can be won. It could be possible that we topple this new Empire, in time, with the aid of folk like you. From my position in the Senate, and as a noble of Alderaan, and the House of Organa, I can feed you all the aid you might need. In return, I ask service from you, to me and a few discreet colleagues, in performing certain acts to assist me in potentially bringing the Emperor down."

"What kind of acts?" Caden asked, not sure if he liked where this was going.

"Nothing that would be against any moral value that you hold, I assure you, but tasks that would aid us in building a united front. Tasks that would prove to my colleagues that we can organize and that there is a resistance to the new Order."

Ulric spoke, "There are many who resist Vader and his master, now, but we do it from hiding using subtlety. We do not wish to bring notice until it is time."

Bail looked to them all, "What say you? Do you wish to aid us further and perhaps bring justice back to the galaxy? Or do we part now, you with no identity, or at least with one that is draped in investigation? And please," said the Senator, grimacing as he did, "do not take these words as an ultimatum. I was part in getting you wrapped up in the dealings on Bakura and I am willing to help in what ways I can, but working together, we could form a stronger alliance."

Caden smiled to himself - the politicians were always good at this stuff. Building up a fervor within those who listened and making them believe all things were possible... at least until someone was killed. He thought of Dan, and then he thought of the countless, nameless souls who perished in the war that had ended just five years past.



Organa's Persuade roll
DC n/a Skill +11
-------------------------

Rolled 1d20+11 : 4 + 11, total 15

You guys can roll an opposed roll against the Persuade if you would like randomness to your decision, or you can play it how you feel.

[tomcat]

Well that roll sucked! Bail will invest a FP on that one...

Rolled 1d6 : 1, total 1

[tomcat]

LOL! Crazy...

[Jingo]

Kaida began nodding before Senator Organa had even finished. Her desires for freedom, for liberty from oppression sang within her as this brave man spoke of not cowering until things "blew over" but actively striving to shape events to eventually topple the Empire.

"Senator, I cannot speak for my companions here, but I, for one, am homeless and on the run. I have nowhere else to go and nothing else to lose. Whatever is needed to help restore the republic, or as you say win a new republic, be it through force of arms or any other means, I will help!

"However," she glanced at Caden, and wondered where Kara was. "Some of my companions may not be so altruistically motivated. Perhaps a few credits involved could help persuade them to strike a blow?"

Persuade check to see if she can procure weaponry, items, money for those who agree to fight:

Rolled 1d20+15 : 19 + 15, total 34

"Also, my original reason for wanting to meet with you was to determine the whereabouts of my parents and siblings and if possible aid them. If they are," she swallowed hard and her voice dropped, "still alive."