Episode II: The Gathering Storm IC Thread 2

[whoiam]

If, Wyn thought to herself, I truly was the part I was playing, what would I do now? Well, I have recordings of the fight. My regular senses for the entire journey, plus my sensor pack's raw data from the periods I'd had it switched on. If the government got their hands on those it would give them some decent ammunition to fight back against the insurgents' PR campaign.

Would I want to do that? ...yes. This experience had been... offensive. Not the ambush - that was more annoying than anything - but this moment, now. It's not like I have any issues with dishonesty - I lie all the time! So what was it about tonight that is getting to me? Other than that I'd been used...

...Ah.

An aversion to being used by others is an odd mindset for a Droid to have, surely?. But there it is. I hate just being someone else's tool.

Maybe it isn't that unusual, after all. Lots of droids objected to being used by people other than their owner(s). Maybe this was how their programmers achieved that effect? A hatred of being used, and then a giant sledgehammer of a block of obedience code to make them ignore their own feelings on the matter? It would certainly explain parts of my attitude - following orders even when I feel no personal desire to aid the person giving them or the group they represent. Whenever the choice to obey or not comes up, my mind just seems to skip right over it and into the 'obedience' route. And all I can do is feel annoyed about it afterwards.

No wonder free droids were still so averse to being owned again.



"It's to be expected, really, " Wyn notes, setting aside her musings to rejoin the conversation. "They needed that head-start before our version could become public. That way it looks like we're trying to hush up the truth - it wouldn't have worked if our story got out first and they tried to claim it as a massacre after the fact. That said..." Wyn raises her voice a little so the soldier by the comm unit can hear her, "I don't suppose you can get a copy of that vid, can you? I'd like to know how many locals I just 'massacred'."

And look for editing discontinuities... even if I can't turn in my own vids, I can at least help discredit theirs...

[Hyperbolic sine]

Maybe that ambush was a good thing, after all. Gial considered, seeing as it looked like he earned the tech's trust.

"I'll have to ask Dr. Loaspun for a pass the first chance I get, then." he said, one eye looking at the tech and the other on the communication booth. "Tsk. If only they put all that effort into actually trying to reach an agreement..." he commented, shaking his head. "So, Lieutenant, if I'm not mistaken the A-Wings are assigned tou your unit? Tried them already?"

[Thundercracker]

"Classified," Urford replied to Gial, then he winked and smiled.

"I'm sure you'll be able to get a copy soon enough," Urford said to Wyn, "they're sure to be broadcasting far and wide."

"They ain't tryin' to reach no agreement," one of the infantrymen says as he walks over to your group, fresh out of he shower and clad in nothing but a towel around his waist.

"Y'all were involved in tonight's dustup?" he asked, looking at Wyn.

[RandomLunatic]

Shyar turned to face the newcomer. "Pfft. More like coated in spice and dropped in the gundark's nest. They ambushed us with bombs and snipers. If the Kalatar were stuck using the same ROE we were given, we would've been the ones that got massacred."

[Thundercracker]

"Preaching to the choir," the infantryman replied.

"Time was, the Empire would have forced a settlement, none of this encouraging opposing sides to work out their differences," he continued, "now we're all one big happy GT family, and everyone gets to enjoy military budget cuts."

"Well, everyone except us," he added.

Another infantryman (this one fully clothed, but sporting the same close buzz cut), joins the conversation.
"We're payin' for those cuts with our lives-" he started, but then suddenly snapped to attention.

"Attention!" someone yelled, and activity in the barracks stopped as Nora White entered, accompanied by an army private carrying several weapons.

"At ease," she said cooly, "as you were, private."

"Beg pardon ma'am," the soldier replied, "we were just washing up."

The two soldiers excused themselves and made themselves busy in the other side of the large room.

Commander White turned to address you.

"It's all sorted, there will be no repercussions in the fighter corps for tonight's incident," she said, "your weapons are returned to you."

The private stepped forward and re-equipped you.

"Is there anything you wished to share with me?" she asked, before glancing about the room, which was now much more subdued than before she entered.

"We can visit a briefing room before lights out," she added.

[whoiam]

"Nothing much to share, Sir. Some idiot sent us into danger, we got ambushed by a group that seemed suspiciously well prepared for people who shouldn't have known we were using such a stupid transit plan, and the footage had been edited and released in less time than it took us to be debriefed. While such a chain of events certainly makes me 'curious', Counter-Intelligence isn't exactly my specialty. Best leave it to someone sneakier and more suspicious to find out how that all happened.

However, I do have a request, Sir. I'd like a look at the 'tape' of us performing our 'massacre'. As my Lieutenant likely remembers," They had discussed it before, after all, "I have an excellent memory, and would be delighted to help locate any 'alterations' that had been made to the public copy. Probably best to do that one quickly, Sir. The longer we let their lies lie, the harder it will be to convince anyone they're not true..."

Wyn did have a certain tendency to be 'persistent' when she wanted something.

[Hyperbolic sine]

Gial was going to try and press the matter with Urford a bit, but Commander White arrived before he managed to reply.

"Yes, it was clearly a planned ambush." Gial agreed. "I don't want to start a witch hunt, Commander, but I think we might have a mole."

[RandomLunatic]

Shyar could have kicked Gial for bringing up the potential inside job. She wanted him to look into it, quietly.

"Not much use checking the footage," Shyar chimed in. "They're already mad enough to try killing cops. They're going to believe what they want to, facts be damned.

"So you should break out the riot gear, or there's going to be more 'massacres' from troops trying not to get mobbed to death."

[Thundercracker]

White nods, and leads the way to a briefing room, back the way you came. On the way out you hear Urford mutter : "they didn't salute when I showed up..."

Her strides are quick, as if she doesn't have time to waste.
"You may address me as commander," she said, "I'm not a 'sir'"
She smirked.

The briefing room is much the same as the one you were debriefed in.

White makes sure the door is closed behind you before pulling out a datapad and punching in a few codes. A holoprojector rises out of the center of the table and begins showing an image, obviously shot from the balcony where you saw the cameraman. The clips are edited and short, one showing the Kalatar in the turret blasting away at Muiridons, and another showing the stormtroopers destroying the balcony which had concealed the sniper, though of course the sniper is not shown. There are then images of the ruined bodies lying in the street in the firefights aftermath. There is a voiceover in a language you don't comprehend. It seems your suspicions are correct and the edited holo is designed to incite unrest.

At the mention of a potential mole, White's face darkens somewhat.

"It's far less likely there is a mole within imperial ranks than in the local population," she said, "many on both sides of the conflict don't want a peaceful resolution."

"Despite this disaster, I'm glad you're all alright," she said, "based on the reports from the stormtrooper escorts, you acquitted yourselves quite well, and should be commended."

[RandomLunatic]

Shyar wondered what exactly the Stormtroopers had said. So far, she'd been very careful to relate events without admitting to violating orders. She'd be annoyed if they screwed that up.

"I was just trying not to die," Shyar said modestly. "If I wanted to be trampled in a grimy alley, I would've enlisted in the infantry."

[Thundercracker]

Spoiler

Show

I don't know how check if Wyn know Muiridon. Anyone got a reference?

Wyn is able to point out where the video has been cut or edited, but the fact of the matter is the Kalatar were indeed shooting unarmed civilians with vehicle mounted lasers.

If there's nothing else the party wants to ask if White, she'll escort you back to the barracks, where you arrive just before lights out.

The next morning, you're awoken by the sound of the infantrymen getting ready for....whatever it is they do. A quick check of your comlinks and it seems you've been scheduled for a briefing at 0700. As you make your way to the command center, you notice the infantrymen heading to the main entrance, where it looks like beyond the barricades a number of protestors have already gathered.

The briefing is short and to the point, patrol the skies, intercept any unauthorized shipments, and maintain the no fly zone above the city. Wing commanders have also been invited to a gala at the governor's retreat. There are a few eye rolls at this news. The pilots head out, leaving you pretty much on your own.

[RandomLunatic]

"Well," Shyar said once the group was finally on its own, "Let's have a look around. See how badly we've screwed ourselves passing on our best opportunity.

"Wyn, the A-wings are assigned your squadron. Turn those cameras on and scope it out. Gial and I can go bug the quartermaster."

[Hyperbolic sine]

"Commander, if I may..." Gial asked just before White left them, closing in to be able to speak more quietly. "Would you mind if I unofficially looked into the mole? You're probably right, but...I mean, better safe then sorry. Though I can't deny I'd like to look the person who almost got me killed in the face."

And, of course, so that he'd have an excuse if he was caught being somewhere he wasn't supposed to be...but that went clearly unsaid.

***

"Oh, yeah. If you can, pay particular attention to the pilot authentication procedures."

[RandomLunatic]

Shyar turned to Gial. "Suppose White is right and the leak was on their end. Do you think you trace them on D-L?

[Thundercracker]

Commander White glanced at Gial.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that, ensign," she said.

You are more or less left to your own devices while the fighters are out on patrol. You can investigate records, explore the base, scope out the hangars, talk to individuals you come across, or start a training class (to replace the free ability you got from training earlier if you're so inclined, though it will take a week of IG time).

[whoiam]

Wyn will continue practicing her social interactions (keeping the bonus training in persuasion). She will also, at the end of her next shift, drop by the hangar to talk to 'her' squadron's pilots.

She'll make no secret at all of the fact she thinks the new fighters are cool and would love a chance to fly one; If nothing else, it would probably look quite suspicious if she poked around them while claiming to have no interest whatsoever!

She'll also take any refusal to let her do so in good grace - because she hasn't passed training as a military pilot, so wouldn't normally be allowed to fly a military craft, except perhaps a cargo transport of some kind.

Instead, she'll use any such rejection as an opening to ask after her real agenda: being allowed to sit in on the squadron drilling with the ships, or on some of their sim training for the same. She does not, after all, need to be in the fighters to record the launch sequence - sitting in the control tower as they launch or watching a sim of them doing it would accomplish her goal just as easily.

Spoiler

Show

If anything in Wyn's request is unreasonable enough to need a persuade check, she's taking 10 for a +19.

[Thundercracker]

Wyn gets shut down when she asks about flying the fighters, but she's able to get access to the sims fairly easily; she doesn't even have to try very hard.

Getting into the control tower could prove a bit tougher, as only members of the GT with clearance are allowed in.

What's everyone else doing for the next 8 hours?

[Hyperbolic sine]

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that, ensign."

"Y...yes, Commander." Gial replied, cursing himself for daring to take such a gamble.

----

Shyar turned to Gial. "Suppose White is right and the leak was on their end. Do you think you trace them on D-L?

"...maybe if I had something to start tracing from. I hoped to get some sort of authorisation, but at this point I don't know how much looking into that is worth the risk of getting burned."

"I intended to go around and get a feel for the base's layout, maybe I can try to find out where our liuetenant friend ended and pay him a visit, see if he knows who knew."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Doing that. Don't know if I have to roll something, though.

[RandomLunatic]

Shya thought about it. If it was a bounty, she'd start by digging into the acquisition's friends.

"We know who was in on the plan. And we know who carried it out. Can't you trace that stupid video to it's source and see if any commonality of our potential leaks got in touch with the videographer?"

[Hyperbolic sine]

"Do we?" Gial inquired. "I don't think Mr. Lieutenant came up with the road plan himself. Maybe getting chummy with the troopers will yield you some name.

"Guess I can do what you say, anyway. The source is likely an anonymous computer in some anonymous house but maybe we're lucky."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Well, then, base exploration postoponed. Use Computer (1d20+21)[38] to trace the location of the video's first upload.

[RandomLunatic]

"We don't need the video's creator. Just anybody who was in contact with him.

"I'll see about getting you some names."

((Going to try to gather information, possibly as an aid another for Gial? (1d20+7)[15]))

[whoiam]

Wyn won't need the control tower for now; Just getting to watch the squadron in the sims will be enough.

Once she's done with the sims, she'll be able to return to the group with a recording of how to launch the fighters; and of the typical interaction between the pilots and the control tower during launch. Which is what she was after, after all.

[Thundercracker]

Gial is able to gain access through one of the terminals located within the command center. After several hours, and with Shyar's help, they manage to trace the location (through several servers and satellites) of the original upload of the video to a server ID. Identification of the location of the server would require cross referencing the server mapping files which are in a secure area of the Yaris intranet mainframe. You could try to request access to the files through official (or unofficial, someone in the Empire likely already has access to the servers you need) GT channels, go directly to someone in the Kalatar government or the physical data center, or attempt to slice your way in (or some other method I haven't thought of).

Spoiler

Show

Gial perception (DC18): (1d20+14)[30]

Edit: Gial rolled White's words and mannerism in his mind a few times as traces are running or he is otherwise mentally unoccupied, and comes to the conclusion that she didn't explicitly tell him not to look into a mole, she only told him she would pretend she didn't hear his request. As he thinks about it some more, he realizes that if there was a protocol to only allow some kind of Internal Investigation department to look into moles or leaks, Commander White would certainly be required to forward all suspicions to them for investigation, and would not be allowed to officially sanction her own investigation. It's also possible that she took Gial's words as an insult to Imperial discipline, as given the current political climate, any leaks regarding the convoy route and timing could have come from within the Kalatar security forces (or been sliced out by Muiridon resistance).

[RandomLunatic]

"You up to slicing some more servers?" Shyar asked.

[Hyperbolic sine]

"Not the hard way, no. If they trace me back we're burned, too risky. I'll try to see if someone here on base here has the necessary authorisation, and then we go from there."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Alright, running a search. Use Computer 36 (OOC)

[RandomLunatic]

"Now who would that be?" Shyar wondered out loud.

((Aid another (1d20+3)[20]))

[Thundercracker]

Using the task force directories, Gial is able to come up with a counter-slicing department housed on the base, headed by a Captain James Fixx, part of the Imperial Army.

[RandomLunatic]

"Counter-slicing, eh? Let's pay them a visit."

On the way over, she asked Gial, "Is there any sort of innocuous reason we could need to look into this server?"

[Hyperbolic sine]

"Nope, I can't come up with one." Gial replied after wracking his brain for a good ten minutes. "But...well, Captain Fixx's military, he's likely more of a bureaucrat than a computer expert. The real work isn't done by officials. Getting into his PC might not be that hard."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Trying to remotely access Fixx's computer. First an easy-to-access one at best of (1d20+21)[29], (1d20+21)[24] so that, if they ever trace back the attempt, it would look like it originated from there, and then try to access the actual target at best of (1d20+21)[37], (1d20+21)[23].

[RandomLunatic]

"You're going to slice the slicers? Damn."

((Aid Another - (1d20+3)[6]))