Investigating Vinny's Disappearance

After hitting some dead ends, Fox decides to investigate where Vinny went. He hasn't seen him around for a while, and Vinny might know more about Via.

Fox interviews Marv, after the curfew and the cantina is closed. Marv asks him to help with the dishes.

As he scrubs some dented cups, Marv thinks back. “Vinny. Yeah, I saw him, what, maybe on the 3rd? He said somethin' about visiting his dad's cousin up by Lake Sundar. He's been there one other time in the past month - I think this guy is sick? I guess it's been a while - last time Vinny came back after 2 days - it's about a 3 hour drive. I think he took one of the speeders.” Disclosure: Vinny took the Imperial Scout Speeder. As you'll see, that has now been confiscated by the local Imperial garrison.

Fox heads out to the Reactor Core to find Dash, who has been avoiding everyone since the Incident. The twi'lek is moping around the base, finding his foundation gone.

Fox finds Dash sitting at a booth in the corner, staring at nothing, and takes the spot across from him. The young twi'lek is staring into space, blankly. Fox allows room for silence, demonstrating that he's ok with it, and by proxy, ok with Dash's current state.

“I know that my choices at the convoy site were difficult for you to process. To understand an action like that takes a lot of maturity. It's something a child would not be capable of.” Fox pauses to allow his meaning to sink in.

Dash looks up at Fox, “Huh? Convoy site? Are talking about when you opened up on Sprend? Fox, I understand why you did it. At least now I do. It was a bit… umm, well, not exactly the way I would have handled it, but it did work out in the end. Honestly I haven't given that much thought lately. With Kay's coming here, and her family”, Dash's voice cracks “…gone and my parents taken… or worse. It's just been a lot to think about. I don't even know if I should return to school! Is the Empire looking for me too?”

Dash's expression cools as the last comment from Fox sinks in. “I may only be seventeen Fox, but I'm not blind. I see what's going on in the galaxy. The Empire is slowly destroying everything! Especially as a non-human! We are being hunted and killed. My best friend's family is dead! Why? Because they were in a well known non-human area of their city! ”

Dash's hands are clenched on the table.

“I'd like to tell you why I was late for that mission. Why I didn't get to the Core and leave with everyone else.” Fox takes a slip of paper out. “An acquaintance of mine at work said there was a package for me sitting on a side desk in a superior's office. Just sitting there, which is weird since a piece of mail like that should be sorted in the mail room for distribution.” Fox's brow furrows again at the puzzle he hasn't satisfactorily answered yet. “After seeing it sit there for a week, my friend offered to sneak it out for me. I was meeting with him when you guys all left for the convoy. Turns out, my package was my first one from home.”

Fox slips the piece of paper in front of Dash's eyes and he's compelled to read the letter before him:

Dear Kova, I hope this letter finds you well. The Brothers and Sisters all miss you dearly. As do I; more than you can know. Your Grandfather is with the Moon now. I'm sorry to tell you that this way. I know he was a special person to you growing up. I wish more than anything I could see your face again. Times are so uncertain right now. I could really use one of your hugs. They never fail to bring me comfort. Never forget how much we love you and the special place you have in our hearts. I hope to the Moon that, one day, we will see you again. All of my love, forever, Mother.

“When I was a pup going to school, Mother would write me a note like that and stick it in my lunch. And she would always attach a cookie to it.” Fox indicates a faint grease stain, the size of a cookie, on the back of the letter. It's heart shaped. “I was in a rush to get to the Core, so I didn't eat it right then. I wanted to be able to sit and savour it while reading my Mother's handwriting over and over again. So I carefully wrapped it back up and stuck it in my pocket.”

Fox pauses, and when he speaks again, his voice is strained slightly. “At the convoy site, when I saw you speed off, injured, into the desert, a piece of me panicked. If something happened to you, if I had failed to protect you somehow, I don't know how I what I would have done. You're the same age as my oldest Brother, you know? I was so relieved when Damaria said you were alive and in contact with her. Taking care of you became my first priority. So grabbed my medkit, stole some water, and snuck out to our drop off point. Once it was all tucked in the shade of that brush, I was ready to speed back before anyone noticed I was gone. Then I remembered my Mother's cookie, and I knew that I wanted you to have it. I wanted to tell you that someone cared about you and was thinking about you, even if they weren't right there with you. I wanted to tell you that you weren't alone, even if it might feel like it; to hold on to hope, the same way others were holding onto you.”

Fox sat back in his seat a bit and blinked a couple times, concern written all over his face. “I don't know when I'll see my family again, and I'm scared as anything to read too much between the lines of this letter. But I do know that they're out there, holding me close in their heart. I know you are struggling with your feelings towards your family, and you are entitled to that. But I believe, no matter what political boundaries there are between you, that the ties of blood go deeper than that. They go straight to the heart, past what the brain thinks about this or that. Personally, I believe that wherever your parents are, they are holding you close in their hearts, and that they love you more than you will ever know. If you want to return that or not is your call. Do what you feel is right.” Fox reaches out and gives Dash's hand a squeeze.

“Right now, there's nothing I can do to help my family and there's nothing you can do to help your folks. We're both stuck that way.” Fox lets a sigh out, then pushes unwanted thoughts from his mind. “However there is someone else I care about. His name is Vinny and he's been missing for a few weeks. I can't help my family, but I can help him. It's sorta what this whole rebellion is all about. Taking down the Empire is useless if we haven't created a world where people will help take care of each other.”

Fox moves to stand up. “Tell ya what. Tomorrow I'll snoop around at work. See if I can get some details on your situation. Anything that might help, ya know? Until then, it's probably not a bad idea to lay low. I'm heading out of town to look for Vinny. Wanna come along?”

Dash stays sitting at the table, and begins staring back off into space. “Sorry. I'm just not in the mood. Maybe some other time.” He has the look of a teenager that has decided the conversation is over.

It's pleasant country to the northeast of Bin Prime, once Fox travels beyond the Warehouse District, and out past the crowded suburbs. Rolling hills and clear skies greet the vibrovan as it cruises just above quiet roads.

Marv provided an address: Lot 96, Block 328, Lake Sundar district. It is located halfway up the massive lake, on the West coast. Fox remembers from the ISB's Balmorran briefing that there are several large acreages there. As he nears the cabin site, he sees smoke above the treeline.

All that is left of what used to be a cabin on the lake is a smoking ruin. Foundation stones outline a large building, but nothing remains higher than a metre or so. The ground is pitted and smoking for an entire acre around it. No fires currently burn.

Fox spends a few hours searching through the rubble, grabbing a large stick nearby to poke through the ruins. Average Perception, 1 setback for the smoke still rising (visual impairments) and 1 setback for the residual heat (serious sweating). Result:

The work is dirty and smelly, and Fox's fur will stink for days after rummaging through the mess. But the hard work pays off. Inside the foundation line lies skeletal remains, twisted and blackened, beside the wreckage of a hoverchair (wheelchair). It is the only body that can be found. However, a glint catches Fox's eye - beneath the protective frame of the chair he finds an actual book.

Flipping it open, it appears as though the deceased kept a journal. The outer binding is completely scorched, and the edges of all the pages are damaged, but the inside remains relatively unscathed. To read it, that would require an easy Education check, but with 2 setbacks due to the condition of the paper, and an additional setback for the flowery cursive writing. Result: None of the writing seems to be missing, but Fox just doesn't have a grasp of the local Balmorran dialect and cursive writing style. It's so different from the standard imperial and literacy wasn't the top priority in his kennel's training. After all, the shistavanen are merely useful tools for the ISB.

After digging around the rubble Fox also comes across a safebox. Average Skulduggery result: - 20d20 worth of credits: 252 He uses his new Larkins E-pick to quickly and smoothly open the lock. It looks like the owner will no longer need the credits. And if this is Vinny's only relative on Bin Prime, it stands to reason Fox can always give it to him if he finds him.

Fox considers his next move. It's past noon, and he's sweltering. He checks his Imperial-issued map. There is a nearby town (named after the lake) with a few stores, perhaps a restaurant to eat at where locals & vacationers might go to eat, and Fox would have access to the local garrison's terminal. Though his credentials would have to be used and logged, leaving a trail. It's still probably his best bet for more information.

Fox arrives at the garrison, and it's fairly quiet. The guards at the post ignore Fox until he gives his credentials and they scan his chip for confirmation.

When he asks about the cabin, they smirk. “Yeah, we got a call from the local police force. Apparently the old man was concerned that his nephew-cousin was running with the wrong crowd, and figured the speeder was stolen. It fit the description of a level orange alert, so the police called HQ. Turns out the speeder was stolen from Bin Prime, and we were sent in a while back to haul in the nephew for questioning. He was sent back to HQ (Imperial Centre) for followup, and a few days later we were told to torch the place. Orders are orders.” He looks uncomfortably at his fellow guard. “The old man was fracked up anyway - wouldn't have lived long with some disease, so we just put him out of his misery.”

“Disease? What do you mean?”

“I dunno, he was in a wheelchair a long time, couldn't walk. Hey Niner, was that called 'degenerative something or other?”

Niner shrugs and keeps his attention on the street.

Fox returns to the van, placing the journal in the glove compartment. (←—- In case “we” need it later.)

As he starts the engine and begins to turn around, he thinks back on the loose ends on his investigation:

• Via is hiding somewhere, possibly. Involved in the Baron's abduction, because of Larness. Possibly due to the reappearance of bounty hunter father.
• Ysanne, who works for Larness, has been contacted with an offer of help.
• Vinny was brought to the Imperial Centre, where Larness works, on suspicion of being a rebel.

“This just isn't my day…” he mutters as the gravel sprays up behind him.

Fox heads back over the hills, the afternoon sun casting shadows now. And a Victory Class Star Destroyer is in orbit - that wasn't there before, was it? I wonder what that's all about? He arrives in Bin Prime a few hours later. Fox checks his mail, and there is a red data file waiting for him.

His heart skips a beat and his paws get sweaty. He smoothly slips the data file in his pocket, and makes his way to the Den. “One step, then another step, then another step. No need to run. Deep, calm breaths.”

He's certain the data file is scorching hot; he can feel the heat emanating through his pocket to his skin.

He enters the Den through his usual entry point, a broken window, near the back. He keeps his eyes down as he maveuvers through the crowd. Were they all watching him? It felt like it. Why is it suddenly so quiet in here??

He enters his area and closes the door. He puts his back to it and steady himself. He reaches into another pocket and pulls out a small flask. Something special Marv gave him. Said it was a sample from a new supplier. He takes a fast slug of it, then repockets it.

He closes his eyes. “You can handle this. Whatever it is, you can handle it.” Eyes still closed he reaches in and brings out the disk. It's surprisingly not hot. He places it in his datapad and waits.

Decryption complete. Authorized access only.

To: Brown Fox From: Agent 63 Re: Current Assignment Change Date: 35:02:22 - 09:32

I don't know if your intel has uncovered this yet, but there was a “disruption” in your home cell. The now-deceased Agent Brask's minions began executing everyone in his Kennel. I do not approve of such a waste of resources, and thankfully I have my own agents in place in several key locations among several such ISB installations. One cannot be too careful when it comes to resource management – the Empire lives or dies on its efficiency.

I managed to smuggle out seven members who are close to you. And this is where you come in. It has been brought to my attention recently that you may know more than you are letting on about the local Rebel cell. One sometimes needs a little motivation for maximum performance, and I believe you now have that motivation.

If you are able to deliver seven key members of the local Rebel cell to my custody, I will be gracious and allow your remaining seven family members to live. Every 24 hours I will order the execution of another family member to emphasize the importance of haste. This extra motivation is all for your benefit, of course. There are those who would not be as lenient as I, but I am concerned for all of our field operatives.

I'm sure you understand we value your abilities and expertise, and with the recent loss of several local operatives, we require every ISB agent to be working at their maximum potential in this troubled time. –63

Disclosure: As a typical Imperial agent, 63/Larness is callous and amoral. He had no intention of keeping the family members alive, and intended to “put down” Fox whether he delivered the rebels or not - he was a loose cannon at this point. His superiors disagreed and Fox was later captured and shipped to the Star Destroyer to be “reconditioned.” On the bright side, 63 did not send the order to execute the remaining 7 members before he mysteriously died shortly after the team's escape, so in the end Fox's actions actually did save his family members.

Steady. Steady.

…

You knew this day would come. You've been planning on it. You can do this. Just follow the steps you've laid out for yourself. They'll be ok. They'll all be ok. Trust them.

Deep breath.

“Jumper? Yeah, it's Fox. Listen: keep your mouth shut and don't say a word. Bad stuff has gone down with Vinny, and the Core isn't safe any more. I'm gonna assemble the team. As soon as they're clear you need to take those shield generators and load 'em in the Van. I'll give you co-ordinates. No, don't get them to help you. They'll worry and try to handle matters themselves, you know how they get. Listen, if they're too heavy to do on your own, get Chulo, ok? Yeah, bring him along in the van. Oh, and wear your trooper gear. If anything goes wrong, just act like an Imp, ok? Good. I'll give the signal.”

I can't believe I'm doing this.

“Maeka, can I see you for a minute? Listen, we need to have a party tonight. Get lots of people down here. Lots of drinks and food and some music. No, no drugs. Nothing obviously illegal. I just want it crowded with everyone drinking something. Yeah, sure, I'll flip the bill. I know how tight your finances are. (…fracking Niktos.)”

“Oh, and I'm going to have some friends over. Friends who are very passionate about the infractions of the Northern Niktos against the South. Yeah, yeah, I know, I know how strongly you feel about that topic. Yeah, yeah, uhuh, yeah, uhuh, yeah, I know. Listen, listen, Maeka, you should meet my friends and tell them about your thoughts on the topic. I'm sure they'd love to hear about it.”

Keep moving, keep moving.

“Ras, get over here. Some bad stuff is going down tonight. I need you to keep your head clear and your eyes peeled, ok? Think you can do that? Good boy. Where's your bag? Ok, here's a re-breather. Keep that near the top. And these are gas grenades. No, NO be careful with those! Now listen, we're having a party tonight. It's a… sort of going away party. I'm going to be sitting over there with some friends. Some very good friends. (Blink. Blink. Blink. Think of your family! Don't think of these guys.) We're all gonna be having some drinks. Yeah, all 6 of us. It's important that everyone one of us drinks up. Yes, yeah, it's a Tactic 23B. You are a good student! Listen, if that doesn't happen, lots and lots of people are going to get hurt. If any of them don't drink, if Tactic 23B doesn't happen, you put on that re-breather, throw those grenades and get the Moon out of here, ok? And if they do drink, then still get out of here. Once everything has calmed down, contact Merlyn. Tell them that the team has been… captured, and he needs to be, ummm, heroic. Give him these co-ordinates. He can figure it out from there. You got all that? Ok, repeat it back to me.”

You're almost there. You can do this. They're strong and so are you.

From: BF To: All

Just returned from Lake Sundar. Discovered some very alarming news about Vinny. The RC is no longer safe. I repeat, the RC is no longer safe. Get the civilians to the Little Green Mother (the one with the tanks), and meet me at the Den. Come alone and keep a very low profile. We'll meet with Maeka who has some very useful information. Maeka is very powerful and a little volatile. Please work EXTRA hard to not offend him and he may be able to help us. Meet here by 22:00.

Fox then spends the rest of the evening carefully forging communications between Swift and Fenthar, planning the raid on the facility at Fenthar's behest. (This is when Fox discovered that this group was more than just a collection of troublemakers, vandalizing the Welcome Centre. They had real rebel connections, off and on planet.) He has never been so motivated to make skulduggery work. Skulduggery + 3 from his ISB credentials vs . Result: = Fenthar becomes a legitimate 7th rebel to deliver to agent 63 to save all living family members. Threats = Fenthar will have this on his record, if it ends up getting discovered in Agent 63's file.

Trust them.