35:2:21 - 10:14
Another successful mission. I wonder about the unintended consequences, though.
Our targets: prototype shield generators, its blueprints, and a decorated war hero, Arbrax Fenthar. The Alliance wanted him turned to our side - though one would think they could have given us more background. But I guess if Compatriot was not my sister our group would probably not receive intel at all, so I should not be too ungrateful.
The night was pleasant enough when we arrived at the “secure” Imperial facility at around 8:30 - actually fairly early compared to some of our other missions. After some quick scouting, we zip-lined across.
Fox went first, expertly landing on the targeted building's second story. The others were rather shaky, and Damaria somehow got stuck? An unauspicious beginning. I kept glancing at my chrono while waiting for her to clear. I shook away visions of the Baron zipping down, grabbing Damaria around the waist and heroically landing on the rooftop.
I know my limits, and I really did not want to compromise the mission more than it already was. I think a sentry droid was getting suspicious. When she finally cleared the line, I came in last, and my graceful arrival surprised even me. Maybe the extra exercise with Sprend is paying off.
Entering the building and then locating the targeted office went smoothly; there was a sentry patrol, but we avoided him easily. Tor took his time slicing into the office records to get the prototypes, and I was getting rather bored and things seemed very quiet, so I challenged Sprend to an impromptu pushup contest. I won.
Reflecting later on this, I wonder if I was trying to impress Damaria like a pitiful boy (well, I was also excited to try out my new shoto, and it was hard to sit still and do nothing). We need to have a conversation soon - but despite Fox's good advice and plenty of opportunities over the last two weeks I have avoided topics of the future with her; is it nerves, or uncertainty?
We heard voices approaching, and I started analyzing escape routes; Master Xenrad spoke about a lightsaber's ability to cut through doors and windows… but then they passed by, and we remained undetected. As we left the room, someone held up a picture of Dash's family. Curious. And disturbing. The Ryo clan may be in trouble from our actions - I have met them a few times and I get along quite well with his father.
In any case, Fox had spotted a nearly-hidden passage that appeared to lead to our next target - the manufacturing plant across the yard. The tunnel was dank and dark, and it was finally a chance to use my saber at least as a glowstick.
The factory was busier, as to be expected. The door from the tunnel was guarded by a rather large droid, which Sprend started blasting, and I was quite satisfied to finish it off with a single slice of my saber, head to toe. Decimated. I grinned at Sprend, then winked at Damaria. I have never liked droids. Well, except that COO cook droid that belongs to Pohni Kor'al - that's a funny little guy.
In any case, Tor mentioned there were two paths to the prototype area; through the factory itself, or winding around the offices. Since we had not raised any alarms yet, I thought that there was no point in going through an open, dangerous area; hallways are much better for a small party to defend itself against superior numbers. I also thought that it would not make sense for me to climb over equipment in an Imperial uniform (and Damaria in hers) - my cover would be blown instantly.
As it was, we decided to stick together. At the first security door we came to in the offices, we were confronted by a guard with two droids accompanying him. I tried to convince him to escort us to the prototype area for an inspection, but I fear I may have pushed too hard on his mind, and he sat down, stunned and confused. The droids did not know what was happening, but their programming was clearly “shoot first, ask questions later” so we had a bit more deconstructive negotiations to work through.
Damaria's battle meditation came in handy, and I had the satisfaction of slicing another droid in two, this time the top half. I poked it in the eye just to make sure it was deactivated. The others took care of the second droid.
When we finally arrived in the prototype room, Damaria sensed something big. And somewhat wild. Sprend was already suspecting something, pointing out scratch marks on the walls on the way in. Turns out it was a gundark, abused and experimented upon. Sprend was insistent on saving it, even taming the creature. I could see that it was suffering from its treatment, so I did what I could. I was rather tempted to slice off its head when it clawed Damaria, but I kept my discipline and calmed it with the Force, eventually putting it to sleep. Well needed, I think.
Tor and Fox tracked down the prototypes, and it was not long before Jumper arrived in the van, somehow getting past security. I helped load up the shield generators and managed to convince Sprend that these were our primary objective, and we simply did not have space for the beast. My patience finally lost completely, I started off towards the barracks - we had not triggered alarms yet, but time was counting down. Thankfully factory patrols here were not as disciplined as a real Imperial regiment. I hope the others do not assume that future infiltrations will be as easy. No security holocams! Honestly.
Damaria and I teamed up to convince the guards at the barracks to let us in, with Sprend in trooper gear that he salvaged from the gibbering guard and Fox as our “prisoner coming in for questioning.” Tor was taking notes, a dutiful secretary.
And so we came face-to-face with Fenthar. A hardened soldier, but not with the standard Imperial sneer. We cut to the chase, the other troopers leaving the room, and a long back-and-forth conversation ensued. Several times I was sure he was lost - but between all of us we managed to sway his loyalties away from the Empire that treats its own as tools, and convinced him to help our family out.
It was a shock to find out he was a farmer (and hated it - that would have been good to know, Compatriot!), and I wonder if Fox will be able to find a suitable companion for the poor lonely man. Not all of our enemies are heartless - other than the droids, of course.
We ended up with 5 extra shields, so we kept back some with Compatriot's approval. I think she felt bad for the poor intel - had we offered Fenthar a farm to retire on he might have snapped. Dash met us back at the cantina, helping Marv clean up the place, and he was nearly in a panic. His house cordoned off, parents missing. The timing seemed off - no alarm had been triggered from our job, so our heist at the Ryo's office was not to blame, was it?
When I spoke to Compatriot about the shields, she mentioned that the Imperial activity across the galaxy has changed. Something massive is happening, but she was not at liberty to tell me more. But security is tight everywhere, and that it looked like reinforcements were on their way to Balmorra.
I expect retaliation.
