35:01:14 - 14:00

As per their holonet conversation, Damaria visits Swift for a tactical discussion of the upcoming mission, supper, and then some research on Jedi artifacts. This was Richard helping me prep for the session, just in character, so it is quite long! ~KF

Damaria arrives at the Swift estate, and the Baron looks like he hasn't slept well. He ushers her into his study after a quick greeting, and then hands her a datapad. See Mission 3 for details. There is a lot of antique furniture and wood in the study, and a large table dominates the centre of the room.

---

Swift offers Damaria a seat and then says, “I need your tactical background to analyze this ISB mission we intercepted. Can you come up with a way for us to take advantage of this intel? If we can track down who the ISB mole is, we might be able to recruit them. Compatriot says the ISB thinks D'Gane works for Black Sun, but she's not sure. She is not with the Alliance as far as we know. This shistavanen would also be highly useful to us if we can find a way for him to join us, but remain in the ISB's good books. What do you think?”

Damaria's Knowledge: Warfare check = 1s, 1a.

Success: While your military training did not cover ISB procedures, you quickly make some deductions based on the information you have. Compatriot has told us that Brown Fox is likely being set up as bait for the ISB mole. He is viewed as expendable. The most likely scenario is Brown Fox being killed by the mole, and then the ISB will come in to clean up and arrest the mole, so it stands to reason that he will be watched, particularly if they also suspect he may be discontent with the Empire or his position.

Advantage: Furthermore, if you were planning this operation, the shadow would be carrying a holo-recorder to capture evidence for a court-martial. You might have one agent as a close shadow, and a team of operatives within range to move in if things get crazy.

Damaria gets a faraway look in her eyes for several moments as she pours over the datapad, seemingly unaware of the Baron's presence as she unconsciously mumbles to herself. Swift walks over to the window while she studies, then turns back and sits down at the desk a few moments later. As Damaria's eyes snap back into focus, she gives an almost wry smile.

“I think it's worth a shot, but there's going to be a lot of risk. On the plus side, our dear friend Madar”, she says with a light roll of her eyes, “doesn't seem likely to be there, he seems to prefer to be the high man on the totem pole at the establishments he frequents. As to how we can pull this off… I have a few ideas, we can go over them before briefing the rest of the team.”

Setting the Stage:

“One of the sticking points seems to be where the shistavanen delivers his message – we really need that to be someplace truly private that we can cover. Luckily, I have an acquaintance that still owes me a fair bit from a night of drunken betting,” she says with a slight blush, “and she works as a guard at the casino. I should be able to get her to point me to someplace that'll meet the bill”. OOC: aforementioned destiny point flip for this, I presume! ~RB

The Baron snaps his fingers. “Excellent idea - but how about we actually get Sprend and Tor'nenko jobs at the casino? I think I know a way to have some temporary jobs open up… perhaps two regular guards receive free tickets to a grav-ball playoff game? (I'm going to say the two tickets cost roughly what S&T would earn for the night's work - we'll call it even for simplicity) ~KF I'm sure your friend can hook them up with the job for that night. Sprend has combat training and Tor'nenko has credentials - it shouldn't be a problem if I provide a reference for them as well.

Damaria nods and continues. “I'd like to get a read ahead of time of what D'Gane's feelings might be, before the events reach a point of no return. Dash and I could join whatever table she's gambling at, and Dash could regale her with stories of the 'glorious' things his parents are doing for the Empire… while I try and get a, well, 'read'” (she says with a slight cough) “on D'Gane's feelings or thoughts on the matter. It might let us know how she's likely to react come the actual message delivery.”

Swift raises an eyebrow. “Dash may pose a problem. He is underage and very conspicuous. There is only one family of red Twi'leks in Bin Prime; if he's seen there, he will stick in people's memory. He may have to provide outside surveillance for the team, and perhaps a quick getaway. That means you may have to approach D'Gane yourself to get an early read on her, and just introduce yourself as an Imperial officer, perhaps mention your connections to the Firebird Society?”

“Even better - getting them actual jobs should let them get more intel as well.” Damaria shakes her head. “I don't know why I didn't think about Dash being so conspicuous, but you're right, he'd be more easily remembered than either you or I, even if they don't know who he is. I'll connect with D'Gane on my own then.”

If D'Gane is an Imperial Loyalist:

She continues, considering the possibilities. “The easiest way this can go seems to be if D'Gane is actually an Imperial loyalist; either she'll just be confused by it all and the shistavanen can show his ISB ties and praise her and then get away clean, or she'll attack him. If she attacks, Tor-Nenko or Sprend can barge in pretending to be casino security and break things up, letting the shistavanen get away in the process to keep his cover clean.”

Swift rises from his chair and walks to the window again. “I agree about D'Gane. If she attacks him, that means that we'll need someone near the door to the private room. Or perhaps you can join them somehow? Com-links will be necessary in any case to get 'the security guards.' The only thing I'd add is perhaps we should consider framing D'Gane if she is a loyalist, and even enlist her aid in finding the actual mole.”

“I like the idea of framing her, but it could be pretty difficult,” Damaria responds. “I'm not sure I could impersonate her well enough to fool a tail, but maybe we could convince her that it was simply a test of loyalty and she should still follow the Shistavanen to what we'd reveal is actually an ISB safehouse. Enlisting her aid might be even more useful though, and easier to do - essentially tell her if she's to get out from under ISB suspicion, she'll need to cooperate fully.”

If D'Gane is anti-Imperial:

Damaria rises and joins Swift at the window. The view is beautiful, overlooking a rugged cliff and a small forested area, but her thoughts continue to focus on the mission. “If D'Gane agrees to go with him, it gets a bit trickier. We could let him just deliver her to the ISB safehouse; that's safest for us and him but seems a waste of a potential asset. Better if we interrupted at that point and let her know the true situation and the danger she's in; at that point she could either choose to go back to work as if nothing happened or we can try to help her get away.”

Hesitating a moment, Damaria continued. “The latter depends on the shistavanen being willing to take some injuries in the name of maintaining his cover – nothing else is likely to fool the ISB, who's sure to be keeping a close eye on him. Can Marv get hold of a vehicle for Vinny to drive? If so, he can be waiting for the shistavanen to make a fake call for a taxi to bring D'Gane to the safehouse. Along the way we can have Dash's speeder hidden in a secluded spot, stop there, take D'Gane away on it, and fake an attack on the shistavanen by roughing him up. Best would be if we could frame someone, perhaps the Black Sun, to throw the scent off us and play to the ISB's likely suspicions – otherwise we can play it off as a random mugging.”

There is silence for a moment as the two contemplate this, but then Swift shakes his head, and begins pacing the room, hands behind his back.

“Hmm. There are two possible outcomes if D'Gane is not a loyalist. She may be a mole sympathetic to our cause, or she very well may be a Black Sun operative, and they do not work well with others. It may be difficult to convince her to work with us in that case unless we commit to joining Black Sun. I refuse to do that. If they get a foothold on Balmorra, freedom from the Empire will be an illusion and we trade one dictator for another.”

“If she is Black Sun, we may just have to help Brown Fox take her out. If she is sympathetic, I like your plan. Vinny definitely has friends in the taxi sector and I am sure he can borrow a cab for the evening. He will join the briefing. Now, if she is the mole, it would be in our best interest if she remained a mole. What do you make of this Agent 63? He sounds like an ISB agent that has some clout. Would there be any way for us to set him up as a false mole? Frame him and take him out of the picture? Any chance we could ambush him at the Safehouse?”

Dealing with the ISB:

Damaria returns to the table and picks up the datapad, examining it again. “I'd be very cautious about this Agent 63 – you don't get to ISB special agent status without being highly competent. Odds are 63 won't be alone at the safehouse either, although if this is a high-secrecy mission then there probably won't be too many other guards. The Empire can sometimes tend towards over-confidence and extreme compartmentalization in ISB matters. So we might have a chance at actually taking him out, but it'd be best if we could get at least a quick surveillance of the safehouse before doing so. Framing 63 could work out if D'Gane comes with the shistavanen - perhaps staging a fight to look like 63 attacks D'Gane…”

Suddenly looking a bit unsure, Damaria chews her lip. “What worries me is that the ISB is sure to be shadowing the shistavanen - I know that's what I'd do. We need to try to identify and distract – or knock out as a last resort – the tail. That seems like a good job for Sprend; maybe Tor-Nenko could also rig up something to interfere with any recording equipment the tail might have. We'll have to ask him I suppose.”

With a slight sigh, Damaria finishes her thoughts. “Like I said… it won't be easy, and there's a lot of unknowns… but that seems to be pretty standard. I think the rest of the team's up to the task though.”

Roles for Swift and Dash

“Well… one more thing,” she said with a slightly apologetic tone. “It might be best if you aren't directly involved with this one – you have the highest public profile of any of us, and it'd be best if we can maintain a low profile at the casino. There's an off chance someone might recognize me, but that's okay, it's not the first time I've been there… not so much if they see you, or worse yet, recognize me AND you and put things together. Perhaps it'd be better for you to coordinate things from the safehouse, including any prep that Vinny might need?”

Swift frowns, then nods. “I hate to miss the action, but you are correct. I have an idea that may help us. I am on the Assembly's “advisory” committee for Transport & Communication – that means we propose ideas and provide feedback, and the Imperial Governor's minions ignore us – and I am due to meet with the head of security this month. If I meet with him that evening, I will be the first to know if regular Imperial Troopers are contacted about anything - so if you do cause a ruckus, I can give you a warning before you are swarmed by guards. Unfortunately the ISB is completely separate, but any advantage may help.”

Swift sighs and says, “I am just not sure of Dash's role; I just cannot see him being effective inside the casino unless he is in a complex disguise, but maybe surveillance will work. I wonder if he can figure out who the tail is, and maybe tail the taxi and help out in a possible chase? And perhaps you can find a relatively safe role for him in the three different scenarios - D'Gane as loyalist, Black Sun, or symphathizer.”

Damaria looks lost in thought again for a moment. “I agree, surveillance seems the best plan for him. He could park his speeder nearby the exit we're likely to use and then try to find the tail, preferably coordinating with Sprend in some manner – comms or in-person – while doing so, as he'd appear to be our best tracker. If D'Gane ends up in the taxi - loyalist or otherwise, your idea of him as a tail of our own seems prudent. If she's a loyalist or Black Sun and we can't get her to stop attacking, he could try and distract the tail if possible, or be close enough to run in to assist if not. If she's a sympathizer, he could either go ahead of us to scout out the safehouse, which would help us decide en-route whether to actually bring her there or do the “faked attack” strategy.”

Just then Swift's comm goes off - the catering droid has finished the meal preparations, and the Baron walks Damaria to the dining room. The food is delicious, as always, and they try to talk about anything other than the mission – childhood memories, favourite jokes, and talk about their careers.

After they are both full and content, they retire to the library where Swift has collected a large pile of arcane books, stacked on the floor near a pair of comfortable-looking chairs. The Baron has also brought along a pot of caf from the kitchen. “A few of these were missed by the Empire when they confiscated my parents' collection, and the rest have been loaned to me by the good Baron Telmarr. Up for another mental workout?”

Damaria eyes the pile and shrugs. “I'll help dig through them, sure – it'll be like another cram session at the Academy, and without insinuations that the final result is due to your horizontal abilities”, she said with a derisive snort.

Swift nearly chokes on his cup of caf at the comment and blushes furiously. He doesn't meet her gaze as he quickly hands Damaria a few books from the collection.

Rolling hard Lore check, with a boost from your help and a setback from the “horizontal abilities” comment. It was rather unexpected and he is finding it difficult to concentrate.

Result: 1 success, 1 advantage - so we gain access to the holocron, bypassing the first level of security.

From Swift's journal later:

I managed to focus on skimming the books, and we eventually came across several passages referring to Jedi and holocrons. It was slightly obtuse, but it was enough. We focused our Force senses on the holocron, and the crystal's corners twisted, then rose in the air. A strange alien appeared in the middle of the holocron, small and green, who spoke to us. “Welcome, you are. A record this is, of the Council of the Jedi. A database of knowledge, hmm, a biography of the heroes of the Jedi. What information do you seek?”

We looked at each other in astonishment. While there did not seem to be any immediate use to this information, perhaps somehow it would help us unlock the next level of that datachip. Who knows what value this restricted information could have to us?