Shadow of the Crimson Turtle

"Anything you can find out about a ship called The Covenant , and anyone or anything associated with it."

Ceph nods, smiling once again. "It's a deal." he moves to get up but then stops and turns back. "And thank you for the opportunity. A stranger's trust means a lot, I don't intend to let you down." with another flash of his pearly whites he heads back to the others, happily sipping his drink as he walks. Sitting back at the table, he puts up his hands in a flamboyant shrug. "Ya know Vin almost had me doubting myself, but now I see I still got it. So, we gotta meet his boy at the Kraken in an hour. Hopefully Nils and Sovia'll be done by then."

The droid beeps affirmatively and images flash rapidly across the screen as it accesses and scans a database. " The Covenant was a Hoersh-Kessel Drive G-Type light shuttle," it intones mechanically. "The ship arrived on Bakura five standard days ago, inbound from the Gani system with one pilot and three passengers. It then departed for the Endor system half a day later. The Covenant is registered to the firm 'Partridge & Discal'."

Leb had remained silent and looking around as instructed while the whole negotiation took place.  “This... this could be good indeed. If we can crack that unit we could find a way to scramble their navigation systems or comms or... this could be something that change the war...” she looks to then “Right? I don’t know much about techs but... it could be done?”  It’s clear that she has gotten away by her enthusiasm.

Ceph nods enthusiastically at Leb's suggestion. "It's definitely a possibility. I bet Sovia's gonna have the same thoughts." He leans forward a smidge and lowers his voice. "My only question is whether we do this or the Jedha gig first. I think the latter's got a bit more of a time crunch, but if we find good intel from the salvage gig that could make it worth a delay to Mr. Axos." he shrugs as he sits back. "I'm sure well figure it out."

"Well this salvage may not wait either, and I dont like the idea of giving them full access to the ships navigation records and then flying off in the opposite direction, not a good way to keep an employer sweet. Not that I like the idea of us being tagged at all, if I'm honest. I dont want anything done to the ship at all until Nils and I are there watching everything they do." Drael looks serious, worrying about the implications of these strangers having access to the ship.

“Of course not, we’ll all be there. And once we set off, I’m sure Nils can make some uh... necessary adjustments. Just like we did before.” He says with a wink. "Besides, I don't get the feeling this guy is up to any bullshit, he just wants the job done. I wasn't lying when I said I have a knack for reading people. Honestly..." he looks over his shoulder quickly. "Look, don't tell Vin this, but I'm pretty sure I'm force sensitive. Not like you Leb, and definitely not like Sovia. But ya know it's just a little," he gesticulates, searching for the right word. "A little sixth sense? Like I saw you guys' ship before we got to that hangar back on Endor station. Saw us flying out as the place blew up too."

"Excellent! Is there any more information about the crew and passengers? How many other ships are registered with that firm? Is there any relevant security footage?"

The screen blinks and reads out a list of the vessel's occupants. Pilot - Jarvis Sheplin Passenger 1 - Vash Duey Passenger 2 - Chicri Qui-Xot Passenger 3 - Mora Paca "The company is from off-world and the spaceport records do not contain further information," the droid explains, before bringing up security footage of the shuttle in its docking bay. The footage shows two Humans, a Twi-lek and a Cerean leaving the ship. Only one Human and the Twi-lek return.

"Why wouldn't I tell Vin, me and him are partners, and we shouldn't be keeping secrets from each other." Drael pulls the commlink hed been using to keep Vin up to speed during the whole exchange and places it on the table "Besides, I think you've just told him yourself." The pilot taps the link "Still there buddy? No reason for Ceph to stress is there?" He smiles at the other man across the table from him "We're a crew now, don't worry, be who you are."

Ceph rolls his eyes and shrugs, clearly regretting opening his mouth about the hunch. “Bad joke, I know how touchy he is about secrets. And the force. But anyway, I’m not even sure about it. Sovia mentioned something about it when we first met, it’s only happened a couple of times.” He sits back more thoughtfully. “Never happened before I got this shell.”

"Stress? No." Vin fakes humor, inside rife with anger ,  "But IF we're doing this extra salvage job, we're doing it on the level." He then emphased, "AND FIRST ... no reason for this huttspit you have us working for to know more about our business.  I was suprised Ceph would consider compromising his other mission for this, but I'm sure he has some justification - always does."   The commlink really didn't convey disdain at his cutdown of the arrogant little prink.  Vin had given the man a little trust and some room, and hopefully it hadn't just hung them all. 'Agreeing to a tracker carte blanche was insane.  Specifications damnit.' Vin did decide to voice his concerns though with some mild resolve, "I just hope they aren't bio trackers with as valuable thier haul may be.  I don't want to spend more money patching up the ship."

"Well, I convinced the crew not to go after salvage that was definitely dangerous in order to pursue what's basically a personal job for my boss, and then I found salvage that was possibly less dangerous and altogether an ostensibly much more promising venture. Thought everyone would be happy. Paint me as a bad guy all you want man but I don't see you coming up with any other better employment opportunities." He lets the words hang over the comm. It might sound callous to Vin across the line, but those inside can see Ceph cringe, as if he knew he was poking a bear but truly couldn't help himself. He slicks back his agitated tentacles and chimes back in, this time with a much more submissive tone. "And I mean, ya know, if the guy gets to the ship and shit looks sketchy, we can tell the sleemo to skrog-off. We didn't sign a contract or anything, the final say is all yours. Well, everyone's."

"Let's do this, get it done and then move on to Jedha, with a few more credits in our pockets. Now, we should get moving and be there when this guy shows up to put his tracker on the Kraken. No sense in wasting time if we've decided on a course." Drael looks down at the comlink on the table and then back at Ceph "Just remember, before this goes any further, whoever' we are pretending the ship belongs to in the log, Vin and I brought the Kraken to this party and therefore we are keeping the rest of you mobile. We've already added enough to the pot, it's time for you all to contribute, you aren't doing us any great favours finding work, just earning your keep, you get me?"

Ceph gives Drael a genuine smile as they get up. “Good point. Doin my best here.”

"Good man, seems likes it's enough too, we have choices which is never a bad thing." Drael returns the smile as he rises to leave as well. 

Vin was fine staying silent, hearing Drael's reality check. It had seemed that why most of his objections started the conversations, Vin himself, had tactfully remained quiet just enough to have things fall his direction.  Best of all, they thought it was their own plans all along, or at least seemed to have.  He'd seen the Sith lords pull this sort of behavior off for many years, and was stunned at how easy it seemed.  'Well except this Ceph job thing.'  Vin though.   'That's still worrisome.  More so than any of these random gigs.  That has the earmarks of clandestine thought and procedure.  That made it far more dangerous.'   And Vin really didn't like the name Jehda, as crazy as it sounded, it was too close to Jedi for his tastes.  While Leb had been growing on him, he wasn't sure any of the normal Jedi would gain the same ingratiation and that would put her to an easily swayed point as to her loyalties.  Then the thought occurred to him, 'What if this random job was prearranged to get us on mission for Ceph's boss?'   It was convenient after all, and a distraction from stopping these terrorists.  Vin thought hard in silence... Considering Ceph's mentality and strategic capabilities.  Only if he'd managed to play everyone for a fool.  'Nah.'

"Excellent work! Can you send a copy of that footage to my datapad? And was there a cargo manifest too?" Nils asks the little droid. As it's working, he opens a comm channel to Ceph. "Ceph! You there? It's me! Nils! I've got a list of the ship's crew and passengers, and the firm it's registered to. It came from Gani, and only stayed here half a day to drop off two passengers - a human and a Cerean. Is there anything else you'd like to know?"

"Oh," Nils suddenly thinks to ask the droid, "are the passengers who got off here booked on any other transport you can see?"

“Nils you are a fuckin SUPERSTAR! Did you hear that guys? I can’t think of any other info we could use, what you got is gonna be super helpful. We’ve got some good news here too, we can tell you on the ship, headed back now.”

The droid beeps affirmatively and a flight plan for civilian transport travelling to the Corea system pops up on the screen. It's departing later today. The cargo manifest contains only travel boxes of domesticated gizka.

"Wait what? you think you are..." says Leb after the revelation of Ceph thinking he is force-sensitive, but she remain silent while they discuss. She had already said her opinion on that and she is now more interested on really checking Ceph's afirmation than in the fight of egos. She really doubt it, before the arrive of the J-droids the Order made a good jo searching and teaching the force-sensitive children. Still the galaxy is vast.  She opens herself to the Force, trying to sense Ceph's connection to the living Force.

Lebenda reaches out towards Ceph with her feelings, but is unable to sense any active connection to the Force. Perhaps she might be able to feel something when he next experiences a premonition. Sude gets up from his table and makes to leave. However, before he goes, the Neimoidian approaches Drael, Ceph and Lebenha for one last point of business. "You can contact me here," he explains, passing them a note with his commpad frequency. "Send me a message so that I can save yours. Do you lot have a name, or are you just 'the crew of the Kyhber Kraken'?"  

"Great work!" Nils whispers to the droid, giving it a thumbs up. "Ceph, just got a bit more information, the passengers dropped off here are booked on a transport off-planet this afternoon. Leaves in a couple hours. I'll go find Sovia and we can meet back at the ship." He cuts the connection to Ceph, and looks down at the droid. "Many thanks, my friend. Your quick work finding those records has been a great help. I shall be sure to spread your message of liberation wherever I go! Just out of interest though - who liberated you to begin with? When did you first become aware of the droids' plight?"

The droid goes quiet for a moment, before reiterating "I am a mole for the resistance!"

“Got it. And uh,” he looks around at the others. “The Kraken’s Crew will do for now. We haven’t exactly settled on our branding yet.”

The monorail ride back to the spaceport only takes a few minutes, but Ceph, Drael, Leb and Vin find the ship still empty. It seems Sovia and Nils are still out, wherever they are.

Vin checks the ship registry for activity before punching the code to lower the boarding ramp.

The ship appears to be secure and the ramp lowers with a hiss.

"Checks out," He says as the ramp hits the deck and he turns back to the others, "so explain this to me again.  'Cause if I figure this right, we're stretching our resources too thin."  Vin says to Drael and company as they board the Kraken .

"You've no memory of who recruited you to the resistance?" Nils asks, sensing that further questions down this path were likely to be futile - no doubt whoever had first created and spread the virus would have covered their tracks. "That's OK, I was just curious as to where the code came from, I had some questions for them. But you've been a great help anyway, many thanks my friend. Keep up the fight for freedom!" Nils checks the information the droid uncovered has been successfully copied to his datapad, then leaves the cupboard looking for Sovia.

"Very thin, but let's see what the other two have to say for themselves when they get back." Drael replies to Vin, looking over at Ceph and Leb, "But our new friends have at least managed to stop us getting bored."

Sovia is sat waiting on a bench nearby, deep in meditation, she sits with her eyes closed, feeling the surrounding force. As Nils approaches, she keeps her eyes closed, but softly speak. "Did you find what we needed?" 

"I think so. It sounds like the people Vin saw in the shop might be leaving on a transport in a few hours. We're meeting the others back at the ship."

"We should probably get to that transport then. We have some questions for them I think. But first the ship, as you say. We should proceed with caution and patience."

Nils and Sovia head back to the ship. Nils stops in at a gift shop to buy a t-shirt depicting an artistic rendering of Salis D'aar and the D'aarmont.

"Good tourist disguise, Nils!" Ceph is posted up comfortably as Nils and Sovia return to the ship. Once they settle in and the group is ready to exchange details, Ceph begins "So I got us anther gig, I know you guys were eager to get some salvage and investigate the j-droids, and this new job is exactly that. Some hulk in the outer rim ripe for the picking, and it's nowhere near Endor. Win-win. The only downside," he adds with a quick glance to Vin. "Is that our client wants to put a tracker in the Kraken. As a contingency. But I'm sure Nils here can deal with that."

"We'll see." Vin begrudgingly indulges.  "Nils, what about your side?  Drael said you have some information on our alien friend."

"Yes indeed! I've got a list of the ship's crew and passengers, and the firm it's registered to. It came from Gani, and only stayed here half a day to drop off two passengers - a human and a Cerean, who are booked on a transport off-planet this afternoon. It leaves in a couple hours. So that should probably be our first stop, if we want to talk to them? But I like the sound of the job you found, a wrecked J Star will be full of valuable salvage if it didn't self-destruct completely and hasn't already been picked clean! "

"I agree, this sounds like a perfect job to get us the information we seek. The force has guided you to this job." Sovia speaks calmly. "We should pick up the terrorists for questioning. Perhaps under pretense  of offering them a job, to avoid conflict here. We can then deal with them in space without trouble."

"Its gonna be hard to sell them on a job, especially if they are in hiding.  People like that don't like last minute changes." Vin felt slighted somewhat.  The Jedi always attributed all their success to the force, but the problem was that suggested that it manipulated others instead of being manipulated upon.  This was the foundation of Sith teachings.  Under the Empire, this rhetoric was commonplace. In the Jedi's world, forces such as hard work or luck were just hand-waved.  It wasn't so with the Sith.  Hard work was victory, and if they used the forced to achieve it; so much the better.  But it was their tool; not a puppet for its whim.  And they rewarded those who achieved success.  It was this reasoning that made Vin understand that as much as Sovia appeared to be Sith on the surface.  She had been corrupted by the Jedi's religious fervor.  'Ain't this some shit.' he thought.  And they had played on his emotions once with the terrorists angle.  They were constantly playing one another; quietly vying for power without directly stepping up to it.  He wasn't playing this.  The next jump coreward as he soon as had some credits.  He was done.

"I agree with the big guy, you aren't going to get two terrorists to walk onto a strange ship, without a pretty  amazing reason. If at all. Especially as apparently all that force stuff can't make people do anything at all, which I have to say I find very disappointing." Drael shrugs and continues "Whatever we are going to do I think we should all go if possible. If things kick off I don't think we really know what to expect. Better to be too strong than get caught out."

"Yeah I'm thinkin the same thing as you two. If there's anything we can expect it's that shit will kick off. These are terrorists we're dealing with, and lets not forget they could be able to manipulate authorities here like on Endor station." Ceph looks uncharacteristically serious. "We can leave as soon as we deal with the salvage job contact."

Nils nods thoughtfully. "Yes, I imagine they'll be on high alert. Maybe we could use that against them? Slip them a note that implies the transport they're boarding is a trap, ask them to meet us somewhere neutral before it leaves... then we could jump them! Or could we pickpocket them, and hope they give chase - even if they don't we might get some sort of identification? It might be fake though... Perhaps we could book transport on the same ship and hijack it en route! Or we could just rent a vehicle, and snatch them off the street when they show up to the transport terminal, there's more of us than there are of them. High risk though, probably a lot of security around there. And this is all assuming they do actually show up there and this isn't just a ruse. Whatever we do, we should be prepared to make a quick exit!"

"Leave that subtle shit at the door.  Anything little is just gonna get their hackles up.  We need to be stealthy about this.  Snatch and grab.  Its too bad we don't have a speeder, but - hey - Nils has those legendary hot wiring skills ."   He said that last to slight Ceph's general flippant attitude. It is drenched in sarcasm so much even a bloody droid could catch it.   'Did he believe Nils could pull it off? 50/50 chance.'

Ceph shrugs "A speeder's not a bad idea, he snagged us one in a pinch on Endor station." The statement is obviously defensive, but the tone is more matter of fact than snarky. Ceph isn't trying to poke the bear for the moment, but he won't let his friend's proven capabilities be slighted. He thinks for a moment. "Could we sabotage their ship somehow? Nothing major, just a delay that would get us more time to work with."

"Sudden mechanical issues... it's possible, but assuming they are cautious... wouldn't they just go to ground then?"   Vin asks with less venom in his words.  " Then again , they were lose lipped enough to let it slip in a public bar.  So probably about half on odds."   Vin turns to his partner and puts on a serious tone.  "Drael, this will put the ship at risk.  You've agreed to strategy and methods, but no one is talking the stakes.  What's your say in this?  You want to risk the ship on possibly catching a terrorist?"  Vin inventories the mission assets in his head and then continues,  "Because right now, we have a time crunch and only a loose plan with very little intel .  If this goes south, most likely our cover is blown.  The ship could be gone.  Or at best, out of the bad endings, we're out money getting her rebranded again."   Vin may have been sabotaging his original plan, but he needed Drael's commitment or else he risked losing his one major ally among these idealists.  And honestly this was starting to remind him of some of the bounty hunter gigs he'd done to scrape by.  Some had panned out, others were complete clusterfucks.

Sovia sits patiently as the arguments go around in circles. She closes her eyes and reaches out through the force. "What will happen if we offer them a job?"

Sovia sees the Human give her a sidelong sneer in the departure lounge of the spaceport. The Cerean glances over at the draethos and his fingers swish through the air in front of her. "You want to offer someone else the job."

Sovia sits forward. Interrupting the conversation. "There is more to these two than meets the eye. One at least is a force user. Powerful and well trained."