Traitor at Arda Base IC

[Rakaydos]

A Jedi counsular ship pulls into orbit above Arda I, and an Eta Shuttle launches toward the surface.

The clonetrooper manning the controls nods to the three jedi padawons aboard. "Sorry about the mess, base quartermaster wanted some extra equipment that didnt make it down earlier. Just find a seat anywhere, and..."

He is interrupted by urgent beeping from the control panel. The clonetrooper swore, twisting the shuttle's flight in time to see a pair of Sepratist frigates emerge from hyperspace, heading toward the republic ships. "No time to make it back to the corvette. Looks like your war training is about to get more realistic..." he says, as the shuttle begins a much sharper dive toward the surface, droid fighters in pursuit.

[Shimmer]

Eyeing the neatly packed equipment in the shuttle Meera would have laughed at the 'mess' if it weren't for the fact she didn't want to risk upsetting their pilot. She'd traveled in far worse conditions, namely that one time she'd gotten caught in a cargo net by her foot that her Master never let her forget about, and was more then perfectly content to settle upon one of the crates. Feather's fluffed, beak half parted in a smile she eyed the clone with rapt and obvious curiosity clearly vibrating with the want to pepper the poor soldier with half-a-billion questions, but polite enough to at least try to restrain herself from doing so.

"Not to worry. It wouldn't be the first time I've shared space with cargo." Meera chirruped and was about to say something else when the beeping began and the world promptly tried to go sideways as the Sepratist frigates emerged from space. Letting out a slightly startled 'Eep' as the shuttle began to dive she half turned in her seat taloned hands flashing out to grab for something solid to hold onto.

[BlueHerring]

Varras leans against a stack of crates over by the walls, waiting for the ship to land. He was somewhat disappointed that he wasn't on the front lines, but his master had assured him that it would be a good experience. The shuttle wasn't exactly comfortable - not by the standards maintained by the temple on Coruscant - but in comparison to the untamed wildernesses that Varras was used to, it was a welcome change. At least there weren't any acklays on this planet.

Varras sincerely hoped there weren't any here.

Naturally, he was taken by surprise at the sudden nosedive, and reached out to grab onto a nearby handhold.

"I thought Arda I was secure! Why're the droids attacking us here?"

[Binks]

L'chut, having found an empty seat and strapped in long before the Clone Trooper had mentioned anything, does his best not to panic as the ship goes into a nose dive. Leaning back for a moment he mentally recites the Jedi Code in an effort to get his thoughts under control. There is no emotion, there is peace...

With a few deep breaths to calm himself, and a quick check of his safety harness, he glances back up towards the pilot. For a moment he considers asking the clone a question but he restrains himself, any distraction at a time like this could be dangerous.

Sighing and surrendering himself to the ship's movements he speaks with a quiet and resigned voice. "I thought the visions were just of the training. But it seems the force has something else in store for us here. I hope we're up to the task..."

[Rakaydos]

As the shuttle dove toward the planet, the shuttle's shields begin glowing orange with the heat of the air. The shuttle shakes as a laser from the pursuing fighters strikes home, and the control panel begins warbling as smoke is rising from the engineering compartment...

[Shimmer]

Glancing at the control panel four eyes wide Meera turned her gaze to her fellow padawans. "I don't suppose either of you are any good with mechanics?" She asks hoping for dear life she wasn't about to have to get elbow deep in wires she didn't understand.

"If you are I can hopefully lend you and the pilot some help. I'm not much for machines, but I do possess the gift of Battle Meditation." Meera explained hastily as she tried to make her way towards one of the chairs to strap herself in. It'd be even more difficult to delve into the force if she was trying not to go flying across the ship.

[BlueHerring]

"I can handle that! My master taught me a thing or two about fixing systems," shouted Varras, his voice almost drowned by the whine of the shuttle's own alarm systems. He slides himself over to the engineering portion of the shuttle, slipped on his breath mask, and ducked into the smoking compartment.

I'm not sure what difficulty the roll is supposed to be, so I just rolled the ability/proficiency dice.
Mechanics Check (http://orokos.com/roll/426496): 1eP+2eA 2 successes, 4 advantage
http://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/p-s-s.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/a-a-a.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/a-a-a.png (http://orokos.com/roll/426496)

[Shimmer]

"Good. We might just live long enough to land this baby!" Meera called out flashing him a grin as she closed her eyes and breathed deep. Reaching out through the force she felt the glow of the other padawans and the pilot's presence within it. Concentrating on those around her she gave them each a gentle nudge with her mind, less directing their actions so much as sharpening them. Honing their skills as a wetstone might hone the edge of a blade.


Using Force Power Battle Meditation. This is my first force roll so hopefully I did everything right. I'm not sure if I can store my extra force points or what. Book was a little sketchy on some stuff. Either way spending a Force Point to lend an additional auto success to Varras, the Pilot, and L'chut if he decides to do anything.


Battle Meditation (http://orokos.com/roll/426614): 2eF 4 Light Side
http://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/f-ls-ls.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/f-ls-ls.png (http://orokos.com/roll/426614)

[Rakaydos]

Piloting check (http://orokos.com/roll/426970): 1eP+2eA+2eC+1eD 3 failures, 3 advantage, 1 Despair
http://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/p-a-a.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/a-s.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/a-a.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/c-d.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/c-f-f.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/d-f.png (http://orokos.com/roll/426970)

Trying to avoid the pursuing fighters, the clone trooper was late pulling out of his dive. Aiming for a canyon for the extra depth, he *almost* made it to saftey, as one of the shuttles stabilizers tore off on the canyon wall despite everything the repulsors could do. The ship unbalanced by the loss, he nearly collided with the other wall as well, but managed to regain control, just as the first wave of droid fighters strafed the canon wall. With the control panel flashing red the clone pilot turns back to the passangers. "She's not dead yet, but I wouldnt blame you if you wanted to get out and walk. Arda base has our location, and we can follow the canyon much closer, but those droids are going to be hounding us the whole way..."

[Shimmer]

"I don't suppose there's a way to put the ship on autopilot and ditch it leaving the droids to chase it while we get the heck out is there? Or are we better off trying to get through the base shields before the droids do?" Meera asked wincing as she cracked one set of eyes open and wished she hadn't. She didn't know a lot about starships, but she was fairly certain they were missing some important bits and force did those canyon walls look close.

[Binks]

L'chut, forced to remain silent during the descent lest he distract the pilot or one of the other padawans during a critical moment, chimes in once the ship is, relatively, stable.

"Is any of this extra equipment survival gear? Or something that could aid us in making it to the base on foot?"

[BlueHerring]

"We can probably make our way through the canyons without being seen. Master Wren told me that the Separatist droids tend to be a little... dim-witted, to say the least," Varras said, stepping out of engineering and reuniting with the others as the plane made its way down.

"I've got some supplies with me, and I know a thing or two about navigating. If we had a map, I could probably guide us to the base."

[Rakaydos]

"Canyon should head right by the base- one of the hangers is supposed to open into here, so I dont think a map is that hard. But the autopilot cant handle the unbalanced load- ifthis shuttle's going anywhere, I'm gonna have to go with it." There was a whirr as a flight of droidfighters flew by. "Not much time, sirs."

[Shimmer]

"We are not starting off our careers as military leaders by abandoning a man to his death. If you can't leave the ship then we won't leave you." Meera ground out her voice leaving no room for argument as her red eyes glinted hard like shards of crystallized blood.

"Pilot, I swear if we survive this we're doing proper introductions, concentrate on getting us in that hanger door as fast as possible." She ordered before turning to look at her fellow padawans, hoping fervently they understood and would not fight her on refusing to abandon the ship just yet.

"Can you see what you can do for the ship? Boost the engines if you can. So long as they don't burn out while we're flying I don't really care if this bucket of bolts even goes skyward again so long as we can get to the hanger fast enough to land it." Meera asked turning to Varras her fave solemn, but hopeful and confident in her fellow padawan's skills.

"And can you use the force to see about stabilizing the side of our ship we lost the stabilizers on? The one advantage it seems we've got over the droids is maneuverability. So anything we can do to encourage that will help." She asked turning from Varras to L'chut. "I'll provide support to you three through battle meditation. I know if we work as a team we can make it." Meera spoke letting loose her little pep-talk before she closed her eyes in concentration.


Meera spends 1 of her remaining 3 Force points to activate Battle Meditation granting Varras, L'chut, and the Pilot 1 automatic success. She additionally makes a Leadership roll alongside Battle Meditation to encourage her fellow padawans and the pilot.

Battle Meditation Leadership roll (http://orokos.com/roll/427218): 2eA+1eP+1eD 1 success, 4 advantage
http://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/a-a-a.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/a-s-a.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/p-a-a.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/d-th.png (http://orokos.com/roll/427218)

[Binks]

"Agreed. If we can't draw the fighters off we'll have to make a flight for it. No one gets left behind." L'chut says, glancing around to see where he might be able to pitch in.

"I am not strong enough with the force to influence our flight path at all, but perhaps I can be of some assistance in our repair efforts. I haven't studied engines but I catch on fast." he says, moving to assist Varras.

Aiding Varras on the engines, which only really offers a Green die (my 4 Int vs. Varras's 3), but every little bit I suppose.

[BlueHerring]

"I doubt boosting the engines is something we can do, but I can probably get them back into working condition. Come on, L'chut, those clankers aren't going to wait for us!"

Varras gestured to the Lannik Padawan, and was immediately racing towards the engineering section - once again putting on his respirator. He was fortunate that the shuttle came equipped with basic tools for fixing these sort of things, so it made his task relatively easy.

"I'm going to need some help rerouting the power from noncrucial systems. I'll focus on bypassing this conversion matrix, but you'll need to let me know if any of the systems are going critical," Varras said, hoping that the rough fix that Master Wren had taught him would work out.

I'm assuming that the engine room actually has basic supplies required for handling situations like these

Mechanics! (http://orokos.com/roll/427413): 1eP+2eA+2eD+1eB 3 successes, 1 advantage
http://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/p-s-a.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/a-s.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/a-s.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/d--.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/d-th.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/b-a.png (http://orokos.com/roll/427413)

[Rakaydos]

The clone pilot reactivates the repulsors and throttles up- the ship keeps wanting to turn right, but he manages the problem as he slowly increases speed...


[/url]: 1eP+2eA+2eC 1 success, 1 advantage, 1 Despair
[url=http://orokos.com/roll/427425]http://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/p-s-a.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/a-s.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/a-s.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/c-f.pnghttp://orokos.com/roll/images/eote/c-d.png (http://orokos.com/roll/427425)

...when a droidfighter zooms down the canyon and strafes the shuttle. The fall to the canyon floor isnt far, inflicting 4 strain on everyone. "So much for that plan. Guess we're all walking."

[Binks]

Dusting himself off as he emerges from the, surprisingly intact, wreck L'chut checks quickly on the others to confirm they're alright before noting. "Well that could have gone better. And it could have gone significantly worse."

Glancing over the equipment L'chut tries to pick out any gear that might be of use on approach to the base or absolutely necessary once they get there.

Can I roll a knowledge check of some kind to determine what, if any, of the extra gear might be worth carrying? Got some extra encumbrance available I wouldn't mind using up to lug some gear to the base to help out.

[Shimmer]

"Well that was certainly not the smoothest landing I've ever had." Meera wheezed the impact having somewhat knocked the wind out of her. Unbuckling herself from her seat she stood rubbing her shoulders where the crashwebbing had cut into her a bit leaving the muscles tender.

"Still at least we all made it out intact. What do you think the chances are that the droids think we're done for and will leave us alone or do you think they'll circle back around to finish us off?" She asked the pilot with a tilt of her head as she glances at the equipment.

"That and how far do you think we are from the base? You said they have our location, but I think it's doubtful they'll come looking for us until after the assault." She murmured leaning lightly against her seat ready to help grab some gear if anything was deemed 'useful' and depending on how far they had to journey.

[BlueHerring]

Varras crouched low as the ship struck the wall, and braced himself for the inevitable crash. He and Master Wren had been on several crashing ships, so this was nothing new to him. Despite this, however, crashing on the planet's surface, while he was in the engineering room, was still not a pleasant experience.

Varras eventually made his way out of the smoking engineering room. He had managed to get the engines back online, but with the crash, it didn't look like they'd be flying up again anytime soon.

"I don't think we should count on the fact that the droids think we're down. Having them come back might be too risky, especially with the equipment here," Varras said, his hands resting on the hilts of his twin lightsabers. "We'll need to move out - and soon. Captain, can you send a message to the base with our location? We can rendezvous with them in between, and reinforcements would mean that we can get bring the supplies to the base."

[Rakaydos]

Can I roll a knowledge check of some kind to determine what, if any, of the extra gear might be worth carrying? Got some extra encumbrance available I wouldn't mind using up to lug some gear to the base to help out.
I'll do you one better- spend 1 destiny to flip over tarps to reveal a pair of plot-convient military speederbikes.

[Binks]

Done deal. Making the assumption they're in working state since they're plot convenient :P.
Searching the wreckage L'chut comes across a tarp, thrashed about somewhat by the hard impact but still covering the supplies it had been placed over. Lifting the tarps up he grins slightly as the two speederbikes sit in front of him. His smile widens as a tap of their ignitions show that they're still functional.

"The base will be busy dealing with the attack. We need to get there to assist now, the supplies can be picked up later." he says while picking his way through the wreckage to reach the other padawans and clone trooper, shifting the speederbikes manually with their repulserlifts carrying the load.

"So. Who knows how to drive these things?" he queries calmly.

[Rakaydos]

The clonetrooper raises a hand.

[BlueHerring]

Varras couldn't help but whistle in awe at the speeders. Most of the time, when he got to ride a speeder on a mission, it was a civilian landspeeder, and he'd only ever flown a swoop bike once. But to get a chance at riding military-grade speeders, on his first day of training?

This was more like it.

"I can pilot one. I've not driven this specific model, but I'm pretty sure the controls are universal."

[Shimmer]

"I don't know how to drive one of these things so I call riding with our Pilot." Meera piped up eyeing the speeders with dubious interest before turning towards her said Clone Pilot.

"Which by the way I'm Padawan Meera Solari, but I just go by Meera. Sorry for the delayed introductions." She quipped with a beaked smile introducing herself to the clone and her fellow Padawans.

[Binks]

L'chut makes an exaggerated 'whew' noise, a fairly obvious attempt at humor to calm himself down after the crash, at Varras's words.

"Oh good. I figured our pilot could handle one," he says, with an appreciative nod to the clone, "but I am a terrible driver myself. If I had to pilot one of these things this ride would not be ending well..."

At Meera's comment he adds "Sounds like a plan to me. Pilot, you take one and ride with Meera. Take point and lead us towards the base as quickly as possible. I'll ride with our mechanic here," he says, with a chuckle and a nod towards Varras, "and we'll follow. Our objective is to reach and reinforce the base, retrieving the rest of the supplies can wait. Though it would probably be a good idea to mark this location on any kind of data pad or map anyone may have for later. Padawan L'chut by the way, to get introductions out of the way."

With that he pushes one of the bikes towards the clone and pulls the other over to Varras, hopping on the back and letting the other padawan take the controls.