The heroes remained in place around Neja, allowing the woman to settle down from her close encounter - it was obvious from her display that she was finding comfort in her current place. The men that sat with her were large and quite threatening enough to discourage any would-be assailant. Slowly, Neja relaxed and her glances towards the bar's entrance became less frequent.
Time passed and soon Dan and Brim were dropped off in front of Skully's. The man and rodian exited their transport and entered the seedy looking establishment. Both caught sight of Sam standing quietly in the shadows, outside the tavern.
Again, few paid attention to the newcomers, as they came into Skully's main room, save for Caden and Kex who motioned to their companions to join them. But, one of those that did pay attention grunted when he saw the rodian alien in the room. The blue-collar worker nudged his companion, "Look what they're allowin' in Shkully's now!" he slurred. The others at the table looked in the direction indicated, including Neja... her blood froze when she saw Brim. The reaction was noted by Kara, sitting not too far away.
In a panic, the young woman began to scramble from the booth, all the while her 'friends' looking at her with questioning eyes. "Wha's wrong Nej'?"
Kara tried to remain as calm as she could, but looking around she could tell that more action was about to head their way, as she sipped her drink with her left hand, she slowly moved her right hand to her concealed holster...
OOC:
Ready Action: Draw blaster.
Cho sat in the speeder that he and his, now deceased, companions had been driving. The crowds had begun to disperse and he had followed down Crolin Street past all the pubs and casinos and wondered which his quarry would have fled to. He had driven to the end of the business area and had hooked a u-turn to come back up the street when he saw the official looking speeder - well it was nicer than anything anyone would have driven around here - settle in, dispense to passengers, and then depart.
The thug looked at the two, watching as they entered the casino named Skully's. Was one of them a rodian? Puk?! Cho quickly pulled the speeder over and grabbed up his weapon, draping a coat over it to keep it covered. He moved quickly to the bar, glancing around as he did for any potential threats.
brute leader
Standard - Perception test to see any threats (i.e. Sam)
(http://rpg.avioc.org/boards/Themes/default/images/dice.gif) Opposed test against Sam's stealth Perception +7
-------------------------
Roll(1d20)+7: 12,+7 Total:19
Inwardly, Dan sighed. Looks like we'll have to play to their prejudices. Maybe a little overly loud, "Why don't you see to Samuel? It appears these locals don't agree with the kind of help I hire."
Deception to pull off the cover
Roll(1d20)+1: 19,+1 Total:20
Reluctantly Sam left the bar, moving quickly away from the entrance and trying to slip into the shadows. He searched the outside of the building looking for any cabling or data uplink that might allow him to access any of the building's security systems.
Perception +9? or Mechanics +14? check
d20 +9 = 11+9 = 20 (or 25 if Mechanics)
In doing so he attempted to stay out of sight, but focused on his task,
Opposed Stealth vs. Cho's Perception (DC 19)
Stealth +4
d20+4 = 7+4 = 11
...perhaps too focused on his task.
Quote from: GandalfOfBorg on Feb 01, 2009, 06:51 AM
Inwardly, Dan sighed. Looks like we'll have to play to their prejudices. Maybe a little overly loud, "Why don't you see to Samuel? It appears these locals don't agree with the kind of help I hire."
It was unlikely that anyone in the bar recognized the Rodian equivalent of a human rolling their eyes, so Brim made no attempt to hide the look on his face. He had seen this sort of thing too many times in the past to be overly worried about it anyway. He leaned close and spoke quietly to Dan, "It appears by the look on the young woman's face that she has seen the Rodian that we seek. You should question her about it if the others haven't already."
Leaning back, Brim added loudly, "As you wish,
master."
Brim left the bar, looking about for Sam. He was surprised to not find him by the door, and paused to scan the area.
Perception
Roll(1d20)+7: 10,+7 Total:17
Dan nodded. "Understood... try to stay out of trouble -- we may have some here ourselves," he said, looking around at the clientele. Bellying up to the bar, he orders himself a drink and waits a short time for the patrons to shift their focus from him so he can approach his comrades.
Neja was climbing out of the booth, over one of her comrades, when Brim turned around and exited the bar. Something was wrong and she knew it... first a droid and now an alien! Still, she did not recognize any of them, except maybe the green one. It sure looked like the one who had blown away the senator.
The man that sat underneath her stradling form asked again, "Nej? It's not that I am unhappy with this position... but what's wrong? First you come in here looking like yer bein' chased by your ghost, and now you are scurrying like a crowlite! Come on girl, what's up?"
Neja slid off the man's lap and back into the safety of the booth. She shook her head, "It's nothin' Draf... nothin'."
No matter what, Neja did not want to put her friends in harms way. She was sure that the building had to be watched, and someone in the room was probably another assassin. Maybe she could get out the back... she started up again. "Let me out Draf... I gotta go."
The big man looked at her inquisitively and shrugged, "All right Nej... but you take it easy, okay?"
Kara, Caden and Kex all saw the girl squirm from the booth and begin to move towards the back of Skully's, looking for an escape. The two pilots had also noticed arrival of Brim and Dan and Caden made a simple hand gesture in the direction of the girl, hoping that Dan would get his signal.
Outside, Sam had linked into the building and was working to overcome the security system so he had control. Brim saw him and figured he'd go to see what the droid was doing. As the droid worked, both companions couldnt help but notice as the form of Cho rushed past the opposite alley entrance, on the back side of Skully's.
brute leader
Standard - Stealth test to avoid any threats (i.e. Sam and Brim)
(http://rpg.avioc.org/boards/Themes/default/images/dice.gif) Opposed test against Sam and Brim's perceptions 20, 17 Stealth +2
-------------------------
Roll(1d20)+2: 8,+2 Total:10 FAILED
Sam needs to make a Use Computer test to gain access/control of the security system... the system's current attitude is Unfriendly.
Caden stood up casually and caught Neja's eye. He had a wide smile on his face, intercepting her before she reached the kitchen door.
"I couldn't help but notice that you're the prettiest little thing that's ever graced this saloon," he said, turning on the charm. "You look like you could use a friend."
Caden figured that if Neja had recognized him from the crack in her doorway, she would've bolted already. Since she hadn't, maybe he could find another way to keep her around for a couple of moments. He didn't figure she was in the mood, of course, but even a polite brush-off would buy them some time; a conversation, even more.
"Let me buy you a drink," he said, sounding as harmless as possible. "Why don't we find a dimly-lit table and talk about it?"
***
OOC: I'm trying the Persuasion skill here; if that's the wrong one, please let me know. I'm hoping she'll perceive Caden as a friendly face and possibly someone who can help her. At the very least, he's hoping to stall her so the others have time to get better set.
Caden's Persuasion Skill +8, Level Mod +1, Ability Mod +2 = +11
Roll(1d20)+11:15,+11 Total:26 (thank you, Internet dice!)
OOC: Since you didn't call a Perception check, I will assume that Dan notices the gesture...
Out of the corner of his eye, he picks up the girl, whom he is pretty sure he recognizes as Neja then gives a small salute with his glass. Seeing his friend get up to intercept her, Dan puts one has down to his pocket where he keeps some emergency credits. Yup, this should be enough, he thinks. "Keep!" he calls out, acting a little sloshed, "It's been a great day and I'd like to celebrate with all of my friends here! Next round is on me! Whatever is behind the bar goes!" he shouts, tossing a large handful of credits in the air to make a mess and, hopefully, a major distraction to the keep and the rest of the patronage.
OOC: 500 credits in coin used.
In the midst of the rush, Dan slips out the back, presumably with his companions.
OOC: Stealth - Roll(1d20)+7: 19,+7 Total:26
Brim was about to ask Sam what he was up to when the shadowy form slipped across the end of the alleyway. "Hmmm ... that cannot be good. I think I will see what this one is up to." Brim gave Sam an appraising look. "Perhaps you should continue with your work. You might be a bit ... bulky ... for this task. Do not worry. I only plan to observe."
Brim slipped down the alley into the shadows.
Stealth Roll(1d20)+14:12,+14 Total:26
In his hope to gain access, Sam attempts to issue a warning to the bar staff regarding Cho. In doing so he hopes to avoid drawing attention to his companions inside and leave them to accomplish the mission.
Sam attempts to Improve Access twice (to friendly - 2 full-round actions)
Use Computer +7, unfriendly -5
d20+7-5 = 12 +2 = 14
...if successful
Use Computer +7, {current attitude} -x
d20+7-x = 12 +7 -x = 19-x
If both attempts are successful (i.e. computer is friendly), Sam will 'issue a routine command' to place a secutiry bulletin about Cho. If one or more attempts are not successful, Sam will follow Brim in tailing the adversary.
Stealth +4
d20 +4 = 8+4 = 12
OOC: I'm still readying draw blaster action in case the group Kara is with decides to do something hostile.
[OOC:] Hey Don, your first attempt failed (unless you'd like to use a Force Point), the computers Will defense is 17. So, I am going with Sam following Brim.
Nico is unable to play at this time and so I am going to be writing Kex out of the story until he comes back.
Everything got really weird.
First, Dan's drunken and boisterous behavior; then he threw credit chips into the air for all the patrons to grab. The scene became one of anarchy as drunks all about the room scrambled to procure themselves as many of the credit chips as possible - even one of Neja's boothed companions scurried over to where Dan had stood moments ago.
To Neja, things clicked in her mind as instantly wrong. The handsome man before her had seemed so nice and on any other night, she would have welcomed his attention - and possibly his money. But not tonight. Not since she had scene a firefight burst before her door; not since she witnessed the death of the Senator; and now, not with the chaos created by a strange man in Skully's. Every one of her mental alarms were active and going off, and although the man before seemed right, she knew in her heart that something was wrong.
"NO!" cried Neja, as she pulled back from Caden and moved to get around him. Behind her, one of her companions saw her actions and stood, "Nej? What's the problem?" Kara noticed as he drew from the back of his belt a long, thin blade.
To make matters worse, Kex swooned from the effects of the alcohol he had comsumed and the terrible pain of his wound. He needed to get aid soon!
Behind Skully's, Brim moved through the shadows and watched as Cho came to the back door of the cantina. The human drew forth a snub-nosed hold-out blaster and pushed open the door.
Kara watched the man pull the blade, and she reached inside her vest and pulled the blaster pistol that she had concealed there and pointed it at him, the blaster was set to stun as she always did at first.
Watching what was happening she readied her shot at the man if he tried anything aggressive.
Appearing out of the midst of the chaos he created, Dan joins Caden and Neja. "Miss, I am apologize for my friend's exuberance, but there is no more time for pretense. We've been hired to seek you out and see you to a safehouse for your protection." He looks her dead in the eye, "I swear to you, on my life... on all our lives, that we are here to help you."
Persuasion - Roll(1d20)+1: 11,+1 Total:12
OOC: I'll use a Force or Destiny Point if it will help.
Brim watched the man draw his blaster and enter the back of the bar. The Rodian sighed as he picked up a piece of pipe and took a step towards the door. Then he recalled an old Rodian saying ... something about a fool bringing a stick to a gunfight.
Sighing again, he dropped the pipe and looked behind, pleased to see Sam making his way not-too-quietly to the back of the bar. Brim whispered to the droid, "The one we are following went through that door with a small blaster drawn. We should warn the others ... then probably wait here to see who comes out."
Sam pulls his blaster from his compartment and looks at Brim, "Agreed!" He then initiates his internal comlink to send a message to Caden about their 'friend' from the apartment entering the back door.
Sam separates somewhat from Brim to move closer to the rear of Skully's where he can cover the alley, staying close to the adjacent building.
Quote from: GandalfOfBorg on Feb 22, 2009, 08:45 AM
Appearing out of the midst of the chaos he created, Dan joins Caden and Neja. "Miss, I am apologize for my friend's exuberance, but there is no more time for pretense. We've been hired to seek you out and see you to a safehouse for your protection." He looks her dead in the eye, "I swear to you, on my life... on all our lives, that we are here to help you."
Caden sheepishly looked Neja in the eye. "What he's saying is true. We were the ones... well,
I was... getting shot at outside your door. We've got to get you out of town, now!"
The bar room was still a scene of sound and chaos as the patrons now fought over the loosed credits, and the bartender shouted noisily for everyone to settle down or "be tossed out on the street!"
Neja paused as she stared back at Dan and Caden. In her heart, she believed the two men and felt that she could trust them, that she'd be safe with them. "All right," she answered. "How do we get out of here?"
At the same time, the knife-wielding man continued to approach where Neja was, "HEY! What do you two want?! Nej??" The man continued to keep the blade in a concealed position, just behind his body.
To top it all off, Caden's commlink began to chime, as Cho made a quick path through the kitchen, to the common room door. The thug held his blaster at the ready and pushed the door open. Caden answered the call and immediately heard Sam's warning of the arrival of the assassin.
Caden smiled at the approaching man and put his hand up to stall him while he answered the comlink.
Apparently, the man he left alive was back.
He momentarily cursed himself for not blasting the thug into oblivion, but he knew in his heart that he was no murderer - and never would be. Self-defense, however, was a different story, and it looked like the thug was going to give him a second chance. He planned on making it count.
He pulled his blaster (OOC: his small, concealed one? I don't recall them checking in their primary ones at the bar...) and pointed it at the door.
This was going to be over quickly, one way or another.
Cho pushed the door open that led from the kitchen to the common room, only to see Caden standing there with two others. The man from Bestine had a blaster drawn and aimed directly at the thug. No one seemed to notice due to the chaos around.
"How?" thought Cho, as his mind raced for an idea. The only one that came to mind was the fool's gamble. In a blur he leveled his own blaster and tried to fire.
Dan grabbed Neja as his companion and the assassin faced off. He drew her back and behind him, to protect her from any shots that may go wild.
Meanwhile, Kara, who also stood at the ready continued to watch the big, blue collar worker as he slowly approached Dan and Neja... the knife still drawn. Then a thought occured to the Corellian, "What if he is an assassin, too?"
[OOC:] I need an initiative roll and a ranged attack roll from Caden. I will roll initiative for Cho and will give you the results. The other PC's may give me narrative, dialogue, and actions as you please.
Initiative Roll (Caden +3):
Roll(1d20)+3: 16,+3 Total:19
Attack Roll (Caden's Ranged Weapon Bonus +4, Point-Blank Shot Feat +1, Heavy Blaster Attack Bonus +2, Point-blank Range +0 = +7):
Roll(1d20)+7: 18,+7 Total:25
Damage if successful: Roll(3d6)+0: 2,4,4,+0 Total:10
***
It happened so quickly. The man burst through the door, just as Sam warned, and Caden took only a split-second to confirm that it was the same thug in the street. Then he squeezed the trigger.
The sound of Caden's blaster, and then Cho's firing moments later, brought an absolute quiet to the cantina, as folks ducked down low to the ground and all stood totally still.
Caden fired when he saw Cho, the thug rushing to bring his own weapon to bear. The blaster fire struck Cho in his right shoulder, just at his neckline, tearing through the bone and tissue and causing the assassin's arm to jerk up. His own blaster fire impacted the ceiling in a shower of sparks and debris. The results of the attack were immediate as the thug slid to the floor dead.
The momentary pause was suddenly a flurry of activity, once more, as the large worker, with blade in hand, stood back up and rushed to Neja - his arm and weapon raised to strike.
Caden whirled around to face Dan and Neja.
"Let's go," he said with urgency.
Then he saw the man - and the knife. He raised his blaster, but didn't have a clear shot - he couldn't risk hitting Neja, Dan or another patron in the chaos. So he did the only he could - he shouted.
"DAN! BEHIND YOU!"
He tried to draw a bead on the attacker, but people had started to scramble all about for cover in the bar; he didn't know if he'd get a shot.
OOC: What would be the modifiers if Caden tried to shoot the assassin, and what would be his risk of hitting one of his allies?
Kara was less cautious about her shooting, as she had set to stun as she always did. She aimed at the assassin and pulled the trigger hoping that she hit.
OOC:
Shoot to stun the assassin:
4+16(d20 roll) = 20.
If it hits, stun damage = 4(d6)+4(d6)+3(d6)+3= 14 damage
Also Caden, firing into Melee doesn't usually have a chance to hit your allies in star wars unless the GM makes changes. However because you are firing into melee, and if you don't have the precise shot feat, you will take a -5 penalty to try and hit the target you are shooting at.
Sam hears the blaster fire and trusts the outcome will be favourable for the group. Recognizing his presence inside will likely cause more problems than it will solve, he instead considers they may have to exit the area in a hurry, however many survive the encounter inside. Running to the street he finds Cho's speeder and attempts to start it up.
Mechanics +14 check
Disable Device DC20 ?(tricky, electronic lock?)
Roll - d20 +14 = 10+14 = 24
(If he gets it running)...he will then notify Caden that a ride is waiting out front.
{OOC}Timing - 2 full-round actions to complete?
Dan steps in between Neja and the guy wielding the knife, prepared to dodge and weave any attacks made on him to get to the woman. Seeing an opening, he makes to grab for the weapon.
Grab - Roll(1d20)+3: 20,+3 -5 Total:18
Dan maneuvered to fend off the attacker, but Kara's stun attack did the work for him. The man's arm went numb, along with the whole of his left side, and the knife slipped from his hand to clatter on the ground. He fell forward into Qinos' arms, sliding down to lay paralyzed on the floor.
Skully's was absolutely quiet. The patrons all crouched down and stared at the strangers, afraid to do anything that might draw their attention. It was Neja who broke the silence, as she looked down on the man she thought was her friend, someone she had trusted, who had just tried to kill her. She began to sob and Dan had to grab her as her body went slack.
Suddenly the sound of Sam could be heard over Caden's commlink, "Caden, we have a ride and it is waiting outside the front door."
The droid had successfully activated Cho's speeder, while Brim, who had accompanied Sam, looked on. The Rodian kept a lookout for anymore danger, as Sam brought the speeder to life and drove it around the building.
Quote from: tomcat on Mar 04, 2009, 05:25 PM
Suddenly the sound of Sam could be heard over Caden's commlink, "Caden, we have a ride and it is waiting outside the front door."
The droid had successfully activated Cho's speeder, while Brim, who had accompanied Sam, looked on. The Rodian kept a lookout for anymore danger, as Sam brought the speeder to life and drove it around the building.
"Thanks, Sam," Caden said over the comlink.
He turned to Dan, who was still holding a stunned Neja, and looked to Kara with a approving nod of thanks.
"Let's get the hell out of here," he said quietly.
Turning towards the door, he waved to the patrons half-heartedly as he headed out. "Uh, sorry about the mess."
[OOC ... slight backtrack to the alley scene ;)]
Brim was considering picking up the pipe again, then he heard gunfire and quickly changed his mind.
If I live through this, I'm getting a gun.
Turning to check on Sam, he saw his protector making a hasty retreat from the alley. The Rodian took one more quick look at the back door to the bar, then ran down the alley after the droid.
If I live through this, I'm getting a gun ... and a comlink.
[OOC:] Good post Brian! :tup: ;D
Kara replied in an equally quiet voice. "I agree." She turned and scanned the crowd looking to make sure no one was trying to come at them. She began to back towards the door with her blaster pistol still at the ready, but pointed at the ceiling to make sure everyone got the message that she didn't want to fire it, but would if she had to. She was somewhat worried about how calmly Caden had managed to walk from the room, especially when there seemed to be danger following this group of people everywhere they went.