Jem: Dead or Alive

by Aerena 'Relentless' Kolene

We have a short break after we finish the last mission. I use that time constructively to work on my blaster skills so I can find that Ianar Berav and get him to teach me the finer points of blaster use that he demonstrated. I know I need to be stronger in my skills so he can hone my skills and I do not want to embarrass myself. The Jedi volunteered to be my targets so I could work on shooting when I cannot guess what they will do next. The only downside was I had to use stun on So'Zen without even once being able to hit him with an actual blast - I promise I was going to use the lowest setting.

We were invited to watch the proceedings on the holoscreen at Lady Zaye's house while Cordelia Vorkosigan hosts the conference between the Hutts and Chancellor Kantor who are trading insults instead of plans to make this planet truly free. Vanya is not impressed and I keep winning bets as to who was going to toss the next chair. Then the whole situation with Jem Vandross being missing is made apparent to be the key to these negotiations. We have the key to finding him in our midst - Almon 'd Joy. Upon questioning, he admits that the pirate clan Tilles wanted him and he delivered.

I am 150% positive this means we will have to go rescue him. Ricco walks in and gives us the intel as to where he is and that we are leaving in 5. Vanya and I confer and I agree that going in my X-wing is the best course of action to give us more firepower at least. They board the Night Hawk and we head to Tunring Station and a casino that is our destination. There is a deadline as he moves quickly and often so we burn atmosphere. At the Etmar crater, I take a slight arc to the south so I can appear to be not with them in case that works for an advantage.

I enter town from the south and I get the vibe that this is a company town which doesn't look like all bad news for the locals, but not good news either. I see a very nice marina on the coast side of the dust ocean. I remind Spook to keep her ears on the comm chatter to hear any news of our compatriots and we head into the casino proper - the Quantum Queen. I see two Clan Tilles pirates at the front desk and they seem to be impressed with the fact I am wearing Medusa gear. They insist on taking my two blasters, but I do make them work for it. I get my claim check and walk into the Casino proper - and see in a place of honor Jem Vandos who doesn't look like he is a prisoner at all.

Nale Ven had been working in Tapani sector and got tired of that after a run in with Black Beard and signed on with Clan Tilles. There has been a lot of money and fighting during proxy wars with the Hutts and Black Sun. Turns out he is the bodyguard of Jem Vandos and is doing this from a distance as he is a marksman. He appears to be in his late 30's to early 40's, but talks as if he is older. He talks about sending money home to the family and Spook sends me some intel about him sending money to the Tapani sector and Chandrila. I take another sip and casually turn in my chair so I have a better view of the room. Nale does the same thing. I keep Jem in my peripheral vision and watch to see if he recognizes me or So'Zen. As I am watching from the corner of my eye, I see him look at me - or maybe past me - without recognition. I am not sure about that though and it is the same with So'Zen.

Over the course of the next thirty minutes, the rest of the team arrives with Vanya being the last one in the door. She manages to get face time with Jem Vandos and we are listening in to their conversation and at the end we find out that it isn't JEM VANDOS at all. Now we have to rescue some poor sucker who is being forced to play the character and we still have to find Jem. Is this strike one?

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Jem: Dead or Alive
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Jem: Dead or Alive

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