Brown Fox - Personal DataLog

I'm typing this on my brand new datapad! Mother says it's a gift from Grandfather. I don't know how he was able to get it. I thought this model was still in beta testing. Typing is so much easier than on my old model. I'm gonna give my old one to Biggest Sister, as soon as I transfer the files over.
I gotta remember to stop by Grandfather's offices to see if I can thank him for this personally. He's the best.

(2 day later)
Stopped by Grandfather's office today. Had to wait forever to see him, but that's normal. The human in black uniform was there and he sometimes takes a long time. He always has red data files to go over with Grandfather. The more files in the stack, the longer he talks for. (Only 3 today. Less than an hour.) So I just sit and sit there in the waiting area. At least his assistants are always super nice to me. Even people who have appointments with Grandfather are sent away when he's getting these orders. But I get to stay.
I thanked Grandfather for the datapad. He says that since I'm the oldest of my generation, then I have a responsibility to take care of the Brothers and Sisters. (Like that news to me or something! ;)

(2 months later)
Went to visit Grandfather again today. When I got there he was speaking with one of our people, but I don't think he was from around here. Instead of being thick and shaggy, his fur was trimmed. Looked pretty weird. I asked Grandfather about it and he said the guy spent a lot of time away from Shistavenen clans. Apparently he trims his fur so his race is harder to pinpoint. This raised two big questions for me:
1. Why would anyone want to not be recognized as one of us?
2. Why would anyone want to spend time away from their clan?
Weird, ya know?

(4 months later)
The news is talking about a rebel cell that was discovered nearby. Not within the clan, of course, but not far away from our perimeter. Made me wonder if they were somehow connected to my father. It seems unlikely. He left us over 20 years ago and it's unlikely that the group he joined could have survived undercover for that long. It was probably another faction that lured him away, but it makes me wonder all the same.

Is it weird to call him my father? He didn't raise me (he's never even met me), but what else do you call that person??

(3 weeks later)
My paws are still shaking.

I got a message telling me to see Grandfather before nightfall today. The whole building looked empty and dark, but I could see from outside that his office on the top floor was still lit up.
I went up the elevator like usual. I could see the human in black uniform was Grandfather again, but he wasn't alone this time. There were two soldiers with him. Grandfather was sitting down, but at the side table, not behind his desk and the human was yelling profanities at him. There was a red data file in his hand that he kept referring to. I was so confused.
And then the struck Grandfather. A backhand right across the muzzle. I couldn't believe my eyes. Then I knew there was going to be a new kind of trouble, because Grandfather's eyes got really bright, and that can only mean one thing. I thought for sure the man in the black uniform was about to get torn up. But Grandfather didn't do anything (right away). The human threw the data file to the floor, then walked out with the soldier following him. I was so stunned, I was barely able to dodge out of the way before he strode past. I looked up at him with incomprehension, and I don't think he even noticed me.
I watched him go in stunned silence. Just as he disappeared from view, I heard the first crash. I turned around and Grandfather was on his feet in the height of fury. He had just flipped the table in the corner and had turned his attention to his desk. A moment later, it too was toppled over, data files flying everywhere.
I had only seen Grandfather in this state once before, and it scared me now like it scared me that day. I ran home as quick as I could.

(7 days later)
Finally got the nerve up to see Grandfather today. He said that he's enlisting me in Imperial Battle School. (?!?) Out of nowhere much?
I didn't know what to say then and I still don't. Like, it's a good opportunity and all, but I had never considered a career in the specialized military.
I didn't respond very enthusiastically, which I thought would garner me a “You're responsible for the safety of your family” pep talk, but it didn't come. He didn't really say much at all. Just to get ready for the start of term.
Really weird.

(1 month later)
IBS sucks. I know it's only been one day, but this is not going to go well. I don't know anyone there, and everyone seems really cold. I wish I was still at my old school.

(1 week later)
Tattoo Day. That was fun.
I guess they give the new enlistees one week to wash out, and after that, it's too late. After one week, you get a shiny tattoo in your furry little left ear that marks you as an Imperial property. (At least, there will be a shiny tattoo there as soon as the bandages comes off.) I guess I'll learn to like it. Can't get rid of it. Unless I chop off my ear, but a Shistavenen with a missing ear says something even worse than an Imperial Dog tattoo.

I bet my father is missing an ear.

(2 weeks later)
Still not used to the sight of my tattoo, shining at me in the mirror.
The Brothers and Sisters act differently around me now, too. The older ones seem to give me more respect while the younger ones seem almost afraid of me.
I wish things could go back to the way they were.

(6 months later)
IBS wouldn't be so bad, if it weren't for Tora. God, I hate that guy's guts. He antagonizes me every chance he gets. Now whenever I enter a room, he's taken to having whispered conversations with anyone who's around him, and then they all look at me like I'm some freak.
I JUST HATE THIS SO MUCH!!!

(2 weeks later)
Orangey. That's what Tora (and now everyone else) is calling me.
Do I know why? Nope!
Does it make any sense? Nope!
I guess it's just one of those things. Who knows why a person gets a nickname. It would make more sense if my fur was orange, but whatever.
Still, it's more than just a nickname. It seems almost like a taunt. But if it is a taunt, I don't get it.

(3 weeks later)
Stupidest. Thing. Ever.
I just can't believe.
What a stupid thing to start a rumour over.
And what's even stupider is that people buy into it.
I hate my life.

(2 months later)
I know Mother won't appreciate this, but I need to know more about father. She doesn't like to talk about him, so I guess I'll have to search elsewhere to get answers. I won't bother going to Grandfather, since he never has time to see me any more. Which makes sense. We all have our responsibilities. I need to make sure the Brothers and Sisters are cared for. He needs to make sure the clan runs smoothly.
Maybe Mother has some relatives somewhere I could track down. Or maybe there would be a record of father in the archives or something.
I just need to know the truth.

(3 months later)
Still no leads on the identity of my father. I've looked through all the records I have access to, but I can't find anything about a Shistavenen who defected to the rebels shortly before my birth. That's all I know about him, and everything else is a dead end.
I've dropped out of IBS until I can get this figured out.
I refuse to ask Mother about it. I've poked around the topic with some of her friends, but they're all close-mouthed about the topic. I've sent messages to some of her friends who are now off-world. Keeping my claws crossed that I'll hear from them soon.

(3 days later)

(2 weeks later)
I'm so scared. I don't know what's going on with me.
I know that it was dark, and Tora was alone when he found me in that alley.
Then everything got hazy. Except for the screaming. I can still hear him.

I can't get the blood off of my paws.

(2 days later)
I had to see him today. I went to his office, and he gave me one of the red data files. He didn't say anything about anything else. Not Tora or anything. Just travel clearance, credits, an itinerary and a woman that Brask needs information on. Says she's an official who might have turned rebel. If she has, the man in the black uniform wants her brought back here for questioning.

When I passed through inter-stellar security, one of the humans referred to me as 'another mutt from Brask's kennel'. I had overheard that term before. Rich people typically refer to our clan as “Brask's Kennel” but now I understand why.

We're just dogs to them. The tattoo on my ear is a well-lit sign declaring that I'm the property of an Imperial Agent. Brask, the man in the black uniform, controls my Mother's father, who in turn controls all of us. In sick and twisted way.

And here I am, a monster headed off-world, to do another monster's work.

I'm thinking about the last thing he gave me before I left his office. It was a vibroknife. He said I might need it one day. He had this look on his face that made me want to wretch. I think it was like hunger, but darker.

I couldn't believe he would actually give me a knife. I wanted to take it and plunge it in his heart, if only I knew where to find it.

Maybe I am a monster. Maybe I am an orangey. But I still have responsibility. I have Brothers and Sisters and a Mother who need me to care for them. And I will give my life to free them from their life.

To free them from the Kennel.

We're about to land on Balmorra. The journey has been uneventful.

Take off was amazing. I had never felt such power before. I watched my planet grow smaller and smaller with an ache in my heart. It pained me so much to leave my family behind. Especially with that monster controlling their lives. But I know the only way to get them out of that situation is to get off planet and find help. Once I realized that, I turned firmly away from the window and kept my eyes forward. I would not look back again until I could rescue them all.

I've memorized my mission by now:
“Shadow Via D'Gane until you find evidence. This may be a long mission. You do not have clearance to access the facility, and it is unnecessary as there is tight security within the building. You are required to cover up your tag [tattoo] at all times - reveal it only as a last resort to prove that you are property of the ISB. You must masquerade as an anti-Imperial agent so that she trusts you.

If you notice any suspect behaviour, find a way to meet with her in a secluded location and deliver the sealed message provided. Carefully observe her reaction; if she accepts the story, escort her to the safehouse and contact Agent 63 on the provided frequency. If she attacks you or is clearly not the smuggler, reveal your tag and explain the situation, and then enlist her aid in tracking down the real culprit.

A secondary objective is to also identify and even capture the anti-Imperial receiver of the classified data. If you can retrieve any such data you may be offered a promotion”

I've run through it a million times, and there are still so many questions.
“…until you find evidence.” Evidence of what??
“…you do no have clearance to access the facility.” What facility??
“Masquerade as an anti-Imperial agent so she trusts you.” Masquerade. Riiiiiiight…
“If she attacks you…” …then we'll both have some regrets in the morning.
“…is not the smuggler” Who said anything about smuggling?! What is going on here??

I've got to tread carefully. I need Brask to have confidence in my abilities, but just an important is to garner to connections to get my family out of the Kennel. I don't know how I'm going to do it, but I've got to. “Here I go, it's my shot…Feet fail me not.”

I can't do this alone. I need help…

To comply with Brask's orders, I've picked up a cloak with a really deep hood. They're pretty common in these parts and it does a good of hiding my tattoo. I've also taken a rather drastic step and trimmed my fur down. WAY down. I've never been so cold in my life, but it does the trick. I've been around Shistavenen my whole life, and I wouldn't have recognized my race when looking in the mirror.

As soon as we land, I'll adopt a new name. A code name, I guess. I've decided on “Brown Fox”. (When I return home, that lazy dog won't know what hit him.)

We'll be approaching atmo soon. Better get my things together.

Priorities upon disembarking:
- Set up base of operations
- Discover anti-Imperial part of town
- Learn more about Via


- Protect the Family. Always.

Landed on Balmorra at Bin Prime's primary spaceport earlier today. I didn't think things would move as fast as they did.

Security was easy. They scanned my tattoo and double-checked my travel documents and waved me through. As I was waiting for the holotram, my ears perked up. On a nearby bench there was a human male playing some sort of wooden stringed instrument. The music was oddly hypnotic. I had never heard anything like it before. It felt like a pleasant memory, half-forgotten bobbing on the surface of my mind. The man had an opened instrument case next to him with a few credits lying inside.

I observed the musician from a distance for a while. Then, when he had finished playing, I felt compelled to approach him. I told him his music seems almost magical. He didn't look at me, but began another song. Then quietly he said I was being watched. He said there was a holochip in his case for me to view when I was alone. He said he wanted to save my life.

The fur on the back of my neck perked up (or, at least what was left of it). I slowly took a second look around my surroundings. There was someone simply sitting on a bench. Another person appeared to be reading. Two people sat at a table talking idly over drinks. Nearby a mother watched her child play.

I realized that, if the bard was right, this location was too open, too dangerous. Too many eyes. But just as quickly, I wondered who this human was, how does he know anything about me and why is he trying to save me? And who says I needed saving??

I carefully surveyed the man. Charming. Accomplished musician. Comes from money. His body is early 30s, but the eyes say something else. There's a sadness he's hiding behind his carefree fascade. He's burdened with something. It's involuntary. There's a duty he's bound to.

In short; he's trustworthy.

So, feeling I didn't have much to lose, but everything to gain, I reached into the pocket of my robe and pretended to place a credit in his case, carefully taking the holochip out in the process. I was about to walk away, but the music he played kept my feet stuck to the ground. It filled my aching heart with comfort of home and lifted my burdens with a gentle hand. I could have stood there forever.

After a minute (or was it an hour??) out of the corner of my eye, I saw the man sitting on the bench shift his weight. Reality drained back into my mind. With mighty heave, I managed to turn away from the music and walk towards a nearby alley. My soul yearned for a moment longer with the music, but I shut my ears to it. I steeled my heart and a then I was gone, enveloped by the shadows.

I quickly navigated the seedier underside of Bin Prime. A couple credits here, a bit of intimidation there, and I found myself a cosy corner in a hideout where everyone looks out for everyone else. The Galactic Ritz, it is not. A small storage room in a derelict factory, it is. The smell of spice hangs thick in the air, but closing the bullet-pockmarked door to my small space helps.

Once I was settled and alone, I loaded the holochip into my datapad. A simple text message popped up:

“We are a group of patriots, attempting to bring freedom back to Balmorra, and from there, perhaps to the galaxy. Our friends off-planet have been tracking Brask, and have noted that you were being sent out as bait for an ISB mole. They did not tell you D'Gane is an undercover ISB agent, and deceptively dangerous. We do not know if your target is the double agent, and even if she is, we do not know who she works for. Brask suspects Black Sun - and he thinks that when you identify yourself she will kill you - which would provide Brask with the proof he needs to take her down.

You are being watched by ISB agents here in Bin Prime. Pretend to continue your mission as instructed, but contact us on your comms tonight at 19:30; set to frequency 1298.334B. If you are willing to join us, we we will do everything we can to protect you and help you complete this mission. We will need to find out who she actually works for, and if she can be trusted first. If possible we would recruit her to our cause as well, or capture her if she is a loyal ISB agent (and frame her as the mole so that you “successfully” complete your mission).

It is a risk for us to expose ourselves to you, but when one has little left to lose, one must roll the chance cube. We hope that you have seen the horror of the Empire, and wish, like us, to bring about change. Hope and determination is all we have left on Balmorra, and have heard that most of the galaxy shares our fate. If we are successful, we hope that you will be seen by the ISB as a valuable agent, and we may be able to mislead them through your efforts.
~S

Uh huh. Now the murkiness of this trip is coming into focus:
- Brask told me that Via is a secretary sneaking out classified info. He wants me to pretend to be anti-imperial and deliver a package to her.
- This strangers says she's a trained agent undercover in the facility who might be a mole.
- Either she's leaking info and might be amicable to my cause (a good thing), or
- she's leaking info because she's a part of Black Sun (a bad thing), or
- she's not the mole but still a deadly agent (also, a pretty bad thing).
- When I deliver this package to her, it will probably trigger some kind of reaction from her.
- If she kills me, Brask will know that she's dirty.
- If I kill her, I can say that she was the mole and I killed her.

By this time it was 18:30. Still another hour to decide if I wanted to contact the mysterious stranger or not.

I looked at the sealed package beside me on my “cot” and wondered what was inside it. It was just a sealed envelope made of flimsiplast. Nothing particularly high tech or secure about it. Since it wouldn't be hard to procure one in Bin Prime, I could tear this one open and re-seal it back up in a new one. Still, better to play it safe. I decided to carefully slice open the envelope, using my knife and some steam. Inside there was a quarter and the following message:


I read the message several times then loaded it into my scanner to see if the device could pick out any code words or patterns hidden in the text. Fail that, it should at least be able to identify the unfamiliar emblem at the bottom. (I sealed the message back in the envelope, no problem.)

While the scanner processed, I reached into my bag and pulled out my Comm Link and sets it to the frequency prescribed by the stranger.

Barring any hidden messages, the memo seems highly unsophisticated. Brask had not in fact been using it to conceal information as part of an elaborate rouse. Via will probably be a very dangerous woman and to blindly cross her path was inadvisable. When that moment arrived, I wanted to have as many cards up my sleeve as possible. I would go to the casino, and I would go tonight. But hopefully I wouldn't be going alone.

Perhaps Brask and the lazy dog didn't care about my well-being, but this mysterious stranger appeared genuine in his desire to help. It's currently 19:25. In five minutes, I will contact this “group of patriots” and hopefully together we can spring the trap that I am baiting.

I have a long way to go before I can see my family again. Might as well start making some allies to balance out the enemies I already have.