So this is what having allies is about???

My first mission has been very messy so far due to the interference of these locals and I'm not positive how to move forward. I'm tempted to cut ties with them. Though they did prove to be useful in the fire-fight at the Safehouse. I'll reserve judgement until my mission is complete and Brask is satisfied.

When I opened up the comm link at the prescribed time, I expected to speak with the mysterious musician I had been dealing with thus far (who I've now heard referred to as “The Baron”). Instead I was speaking with a former Imperial officer who wanted to meet with me and brief me on their plan.

That was definitely a rough start. 1. I didn't know who this woman was or how trustworthy she was or was not. 2. Why do I need to be briefed on my mission. Who's helping who??

She suggested we meet in a room at a hotel adjoining to the casino. I agreed, wanting to get as much information as possible beforehand.

Not long after I emerged into public, I could sense I was being followed (or was I just being paranoid?). Whoever ISB sent to watch me, they were good. I don't think they knew the exact location of my den, but they picked up my trail pretty quickly. I didn't mind being watched, but I felt the need to throw them off whenever possible. If things got desperate, I needed to keep my actions away from ISB.

I entered the casino and the guard asked me to relinquish any weapons. He seemed different than typical hired muscle. I think it was his eyes. They were trained and patient. Like someone who spend a lot of time waiting and watching. Plus he had on a hat that was clearly not a part of the uniform.

I wasn't going into this meeting unarmed, but I didn't know how much I could get past his watchful gaze. I offered up my vibroknife. He accepted it, then tried to sneak it into his pocket when no one was looking. I sneered at him and restrained an urge lash out. I thought he was going to keep it for himself and in Shistavenen culture, that is forbidden. (Luckily, I was wrong.)

I crossed through the crowded casino, trying to keep a low profile. As I entered the hotel lobby, a woman crossed my path. She whispered to follow behind her and ask for an adjoining room. I recognized her voice as the woman I had commed with earlier. She was surprisingly young. Not much older than myself but clearly took herself very seriously. She was in full ceremonial dress too, which I found unsettling. It was too obvious to be a trap, but it felt just like a trap.

I went to the front desk and asked for an adjoining room, and the clerk seemed to know exactly what I was talking about. 5 minutes later I was entering the Imperial woman's room via our adjoining door. She knew that our time was brief, so she quickly ran over a complicated plan that involved befriending Via and luring her to my room where I would deliver the sealed envelope which would then result in a possible series of outcomes. “Plan D.3.ii” involved me getting beat up.

This woman was no strangers to tactics and planning. What she was a stranger to was me and the personal importance of this mission. From what I could tell, she expected me to sit in my room and watch basic holo-cable while she engaged Via and possibly endangered my only shot and catching her and her receiver.

I told the commanding woman that the casino was likely a information drop point and that my only concern was extracting information from Via and learning more about who was picking that information up. She was welcome to assist me in that if she wanted to.

She reiterated how important it was for me to stay in position until the opportune time, looked at her watch, then backed out of the room, commanding me to stick to the plan.

I watched her go, then shook my head. This was my mission. She had no idea what the stakes were, and what lengths I would go to in order to protect that which was most valuable to me.

There was no sign of a tail in the hallway, so I made my way to an emergency stairway and padded down to the main level. The hotel lobby was full of people. It was impossible to tell if there were any ISB agents present. Just then a nearby holo-lift dinged, and an entitled woman walked out with hotel servants pushing her burgeoning trolley of luggage. They were clearly making their way to the parking garage, so I stepped in time with them and exited the building. If my tail was looking for me, I think I evaded them. (I'll be glad when I can stop talking about my tail as though it were a bad thing. A tail can be very useful in many circumstances.)

I used the comm link to communicate with “group of patriots” of which I had so far had met 2 (possibly 3) of. I still had my Tangle Gun and Shock Gloves on, and if I had to pass through security yet again, I kinda wanted to keep them on me. I asked if there was a special security detail available for the garage entrance and a new voice confirmed that it would be taken care of. (Have I mentioned how unnerving it is to work with strangers?)

Sure enough, the guard at the door gave me a cursory pat down and waved me through. (The guy was spattered with caf and his shirt had noticeable sweat stains. Just who have I fallen in with???)

I entered the casino and tried to locate either Via or the commanding woman (whom I started to think of as “Lady Killer”). Someone on comm confirmed that Via was in the casino and then I noticed Lady Killer being escorted straight to the private Sabbac lounge. I reached the door at the same time as she did. The droid let her pass but told me I wasn't invited. I told my “ally” that she had better invite me in or I would involve the Imperials in this operation. I don't know if she could tell that I was bluffing, but she told me to wait until she brought Via out, then disappeared into the lounge.

The droid repeated his cheery instructions to go earn entrance to the room at the mid-stake tables. I wanted to rip him apart and charge into the room, but restrained myself. After gaining my composure, I went to another Sabbac table.

I have never played Sabbac before and I was pissed as hell that I was sitting here while my mission was going down without me. While I was sitting there, I picked up on two Twi'lek woman nearby watching me. The way they carried themselves, and the way one of them watched me at all times confirmed my suspicions. Any advantage I had gained by losing my tails had been lost playing this stupid game.

When I finally won (/cheated at) my last hand, I sprinted off to the room and got there just as Lady Killer was being escorted out. She slipped me my knife (?!?) and said Via was anti-Imperial. Thanks.

I entered the room which was in a mild state of chaos. Via was sitting there, an imp-like grin on her beautiful face. There were a couple business men and a general in the room, and they were going on about cheating at Sabbac. I mentioned that a woman outside the room was talking to security about men cheating in the High Stakes room, and most of them cleared out. All that was left was myself, Via, a business man, and the casino droid. We sat down to play.

I wasn't sure if this man was the receiver of the intel or not, but I had one card to play that could help me figure it out pretty quickly.

I confessed to the two of them that I was out of credits, but that I had an envelope with very interesting information contained in it. The information incriminated an Imperial agent and their known associates and was very damning. I had to kill someone to get the envelope, but was willing to give it to the highest bidder.

Via's bubbly eyes went icy. She stood up, pulled out a blaster, and shot the business man between the eyes. (Note to self: he is not the receiver.) If the blaster hadn't cauterized the entry and exit wounds, I'm sure I would have been splashed with brain muck. This made Via the highest bidder by default, and I coolly slid the envelope to her.

She opened it, read it, then wanted to know who I was. I told her I was someone she could trust. She suggested we get out of here, and I agreed. She ordered the droid to clean up, and we quickly departed the scene.

Outside we met up with Lady Killer. (I resisted the urge to tell her to go and wait in her hotel room.) She led us out to the garage exit. I noticed the Twi'leks stand up as we moved past them. They were about to follow us when they were engaged by the guard from earlier. I don't know what he said to them, but they were suddenly preoccupied by beating the ever-loving tar out of him. God bless that punching bag. (I wonder what he's beating himself up over.)

The second guard had a taxi waiting for us. The three of us climbed in, and he closed the door for us. As we drove away, I noticed a strange look on his face. Not quite haunted, but a mixture of surprise, awe and something a kin to distaste.

I asked Via if she wanted to go to the ISB Safehouse or somewhere else. She cut through the pleasantries like a steely knife and asked if we were rebels. Lady Killer confirmed that she was. Via squinted a bit, calculated, then agreed to go to the Safehouse. Sounds like she wanted me to call Agent 63 so we could pin her activities on him.

Via and approached the Safehouse. The guards let us in easily, and then Via quickly shot them both. I slipped upstairs and rendered the guard there unconscious. I wanted to search the house for information, but time was ticking. I contacted Agent 63 and told him Via was awaiting him. We then set an ambush for him. The punching bag was preparing to snipe him from the door, while myself, Via, and Lady Killer waited inside.

A few minutes later, an expensive car pulled up, dropped off 4 men, then drove off. As soon as we opened the door, a shot rang out, falling one of the men. The rest toppled into the house clumsily. A barrage of fire later, and only the officer was left. I was looking at Lady Killer when he turned his face; saw the shock of recognition and the way she dove behind cover immediately after. This man was familiar to her. I hit the lights, plunging the room in darkness, then fired my Tangle Gun at the man. He was hard to miss, and certainly not a highly trained agent.

I told the man we were expecting Agent 63. He blubbered and stammered that 63 sent him. I looked at Via and could tell that she wanted to kill him on the spot, but I moved faster. I whipped out my holo-magnacuffs and secured him. We put a bag over his head, then threw him and the guard from upstairs into the trunk of the taxi.

The rebels didn't want to bring the captives or Via (or possibly even myself) back to their base of operations, so they got out and walked. Via and I brought the two men to my den and secured them there. What happens now is uncertain. Framing Madar as the mole is tempting, but there are many gaps left in plan:
- Do we know if he has even been in the facility?
- Would anyone believe for a minute that he was capable of that kind of activity? And if so, why wasn't he suspected earlier?
- Isn't it likely that he was sent to the Safehouse because 63 thought that Via would have killed him? How implausible is it to believe that the pawn 63 sent to die in his place was the real target all along, and that the suspected woman is a hero with little corroborating evidence?

Via blew her cover, and we helped her get away from her pursuers. I think she needs to cut her losses and get underground. She's a powerful ally and would make an even more dangerous enemy. But we don't owe her anything. She won't be able to resume her life from yesterday. The sooner she's ok with that, the sooner we can all move on.

Once this is cleared up, I need to make my report to Brask. ISB knows something happened last night, and I need to check in within the hour. Lady Killer mentioned over comm that Via had slipped something into the deck of cards which we suspect was intel. I hope that it was and we were able to get our hands on it. Maybe with that info I can create an excuse for Brask to keep me here.

I'm not sure if the Baron and his men are up to the task of hiding my family, but it's a good first step. I'll stay with them as long as it serves the ultimate goal.

To: Top Brass
From: K24601
MIssion: B59875a

First phase of mission complete. Delivered item to target. She did not resist, and accompanied me to designated safe spot. Contacted 63 upon arrival. Shortly there after, we were attacked by an Imperial Officer. He killed 2 of the stationed guards, and wounded a third who fled on foot. We subdued him, and the target believes she recognized him. We have reason to believe that he was framing target for his actions. Officer has been delivered to ISB for questioning.

Target has requested that I be re-assigned to her while she investigates further. Form TS/89U (Request for Asset Reassignment) should reach you later today.

End of report.

I was given the location of the rebel's secret base. (I guess they do trust me.) Talk about hiding in plain sight. They run their operation from an Imperial watering hole. Last place I would look for a rebel cell.

Was introduced to a woman known as “Compatriot”. She seems to be an Alliance higher up. She commended us for the work we've accomplished and provided us with tokens of appreciation from the rebel warehouse. I was given access to a very high end tracker which should prove useful in the days and nights to come. I would still prefer to keep my own eyes on potential targets, but gear like this has its uses as well.

Compatriot took a moment to assure me that my family is being watched by the Alliance and are currently safe. This gesture cut me to the core. First off, she must be very well connected to know how important my clan is to me. I haven't shared that with anyone. Second off, the fact that she would voluntarily take measures to help protect that which matters most to me… I've never been the recipient of that kind of altruistic act before. I don't know what to do with it or the feelings that it stirs.

Swift and Compatriot are very familiar with each other, but not in that way. No one said anything about it, but they are clearly kin who care deeply for each other. Respect for Swift gets a +1.

This morning was my third training session with Via. I think she's satisfied with the progress I've made, and thank the moon! I don't know how much more I could take. The bruising is beginning to show under my fur.

Every minute has been worth it. I've learned so much from her. Battle School didn't teach me a fragment of what she has exposed me to. She's direct, and she's hard and unorthodox, but she's also the best at what she does. If I continue to work with her, I feel confident that I will be ready to help my family when the time comes.

Training Results:
5 xp - Stalker, Add (advantage) per rank of Stalker to all Stealth and Coordination checks.
5 xp - Dodge, When targeted by combat check, may perform a Dodge incidental to suffer a number of strain no greater than ranks of Dodge, then upgrade the difficulty of the check by that number.
10 xp - Quick Draw, Once per round, draw or holster a weapon of accessible item as an incidental.