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Episode 15 - Cat and Mouse
Discovery, Exploration
15
15
Tel and Dags accompany Scorpion Squad in checking out and deactivating an old facility. On the way they meet RZ-RR.
Arrival at the facility leads to a scuffle with some looters before the group agree to help the squad shutdown the facility in exchange for a reward. Exploring the facility reveals it is another abandoned lab of Dr Emlett Von Braun. The groups antics eventually lead to blowing up the entire facility.
“As his laughter echoes out from the comms, Gash wrenches his ship away from The Douglas. Most of the gang manage to find something fixed to cling onto. But the droid RZ, already spinning in the center of the hold is not so lucky.
With a whoosh he is sucked into the cold vacuum of space.
RZ rotates silently and watches as the vacuum torments the floating bodies of Gash’s crew; twitching and contorting in pain as they are chilled, choked and crushed simultaneously.
As time passesRZ is left alone drifting aimlessly. In order to conserve power, the droid programs and begins a hibernation cycle.”
Episode 15 - Cat and Mouse
“It is a time of great unrest in the Rhao system. Rumours of a small terrorist uprising has forced the Empire to lockdown and increase security on the Takron moons used for salvage operations. In light of this, a small band of adventurers leave Takron-5 in waves, to rendezvous at the rebel base on Tartarus 2. Hoping to cash in the bounty on the rogue scientist Emlett Von Braun with the rebels presumed to be housed there. Upon producing the war criminal Von Braun; Gunt, Numb and Savage are subjected to a bizarre introduction from the leader Tzchen before being invited into the temple ruins the rebels are using as a home. By the time the second wave arrive at the ruins they are tired, wet and exhausted. Quickly accepting the offer of shelter; Wiktufa, Dags, Tel and Wheels retire for the night agreeing to meet with the others in the morning.”
“As Tel and Dag’s awake they begin to explore the temple ruins in search of breakfast. The rebels seem to consist mainly of wookies, but there are a few amount of humans and various other species. Soon they find their friend Brett Savage stretched out on some crates in a mankini and a pair of fetching purple slippers. He takes a sip from a long straw leading into a hollowed out Melon that is being used as a cocktail glass and waves excitedly at the approaching pair.”
Brett Savage greets the pair and after some pleasantries hands the group a data pad containing some orders. Unable or unwilling to read, the group struggles to understand the orders but at least gleans that they are to meet with Scorpion Squad at the requisitions station. Meeting the squad they learn it consists of humans Blaze and Hawks, plus Wookie Bi'Wee. Together they head into a very dense and dangerous area of the jungle known as The Canopy .
“The thick jungle canopy prevents very little light illuminating the dense jungle. Sporadic roars and squeals from unknown creatures add to the backdrop of sounds from nearby bugs and creepy crawlies. The darkness and the heat make progress slow going as the group is forced to hack or tear a path through the vines and foliage in front of them. The wookie takes point, clearing a path as best he can as Blaze nervously scans the surroundings. Hawks; the communications officer takes the rear as she monitors signals and sounds on the long range comm equipment.” As the group move through the jungle the Wookie (translated by Blaze) announces he feels the group is being watched. Although Scorpion Squad begin to grow nervous, Tel and Dags feel no fear and everyone pushes on ahead. “In a particularly boggy area the canopy has been partially destroyed by falling debris making a slight clearing and allowing light to penetrate all the way to the jungle floor. The debris can be seen around the center of the clearing consisting or cargo crates of all sizes, some opened by the impact spilling their contents into the bog. The droid RZ sits slumped and un powered, his hand gripped around a sword, stuck fast into a cargo crate. A pair of Vornskr, ignoring the droid, are rummaging around and devouring any cargo which appears to edible. A large group of Vornskr seems to be dozing on the outskirts of the clearing.” Seeing his friend RZ, Tel attempts to sneak through the swamp to him, Dags climbs the nearest tree firing an arrow away from the area distracting a couple of Vornskr and Scorpion Squad implore them to be careful. The closest sleeping Vornskr senses Tel and enters the swamp to attack him. From his vantage point Dags fires an arrow at Tel's attacker but is so wide of the mark ends up hitting the disabled droid. “The impact knocks the disabled droid causing its cheap power pack to restart. Electricity courses through the droids body as its systems re initiate.” The awakened droid joins Tel in dispatching the alerted Vornskr and making there way through the swamp back to the rest of the group. Growing frustrated at his inability to hit a moving target and despite the squads protestation Dags notches an arrow and fires it into the group of sleeping Vornskr. The entire mass of Vornskr wake up and begin barking and howling from their swampy island. Seeing this Scorpion Squad flee back into the undergrowth. Tel and RZ continue to battle the Vornskr attempting to make there way back to the shore. Soon Dags fires another arrow a the large group on the island enraging them s much they enter the swamp in pursuit of the group. The group retreat back into the jungle and rendezvous with the squad. Together they push further through the Canopy. “As the group move further into the jungle shadows turn into darkness as the jungle canopy once again closes over their heads. The heat and effort required almost become unbearable. Thorns tear at flesh and moisture shorts circuits as the group push ahead.” Once again the group get the feeling of being watched and Bi'Wee declares that there's something evil in the jungle. Ignorant of his Shyriiwook language RZ begins to mock the noble Wookie, making some very derogatory comments about his mental health. Advancing through the foliage the group stumble on a mauled corpse, the Rebels identify it as a member from a previous squad sent to patrol the canopy. Its wounds reveal it was likely attacked by Nexu. A scream echoes through the darkness and the group look round to see Hawks has disappeared. Rattled but resolved, the group continue to the facility. “Eventually, the forest becomes more sparse and daylight begins to penetrate through the tree tops. Ahead the group can see the facility next to a large lake, its main blast door already open. Half a dozen looters mill about, most inspecting containers or investigating surroundings. One, astride a repurposed AT-RT is shoving containers.” Blaze suggests talking to the looters but the group disagrees and attempts an ambush. Tel and Dags attempt to sneak upto the AT-RT but are spotted by the pilot, Dags climbs a tree. As combat ensues RZ topples the AT-RT with some fancy sword skills, Tel grabs a nearby looter and uses them to beat the looters friends as Dags and the remainder of Scorpion Squad open fire on the rest. The initial looters are quickly dispatched and as reinforcements arrive from inside the facility they surrender and are subdued. After the combat a debate begins on what the groups actual orders and what to do with the prisoners. Blaze says the looters are now prisoners of the rebellion, RZ advocates slicing them up but Tel convinces the group that they should be released. They are freed and hurriedly make their way into the nearby jungle. RZ then looks at the datapad containing the groups orders and, noticing that the orders have already been altered, alters them again replacing the groups names with those of Scorpion Squad, before declaring it is actually them that are to complete the mission. Convinced by the droids fast talking the squad are relieved when RZ offers the groups assistance in exchange for their weapons and footwear after the mission. The group then enter the facility, closing the large blast doors behind them. While exploring Blaze explains that the Rebels raided the facility when they first arrived on Tartarus 2 II. It was being used for experiments by Dr Emlett Von Braun but the doctor himself escaped before they arrived. The facility bears the markings of the previous raid and still appears to be empty, but exploring the maintenance rooms reveals there are still backup generators running somewhere. While investigating a rotting skeleton, Tel disturbs a swarm of Green Bugs but the group quickly devises a way of dispersing them before anyone succumbs to their powerful venom. In order to search the facility quicker Tel, Dags and RZ-RR split up from Scorpion Squad and head towards the crew quarters. Entering the quarters the group begin to search the lockers and bunks for anything of interest when the door suddenly slams closed. Before the group realise what is happening, a Nexu leaps from being the bed! Banging and shouting at the door reveal Scorpion Squad on the other side, unable to get in and help. The Nexu lunges at Dags with its powerful jaws but misses and is quickly engaged by Tel and RZ who quickly inflict multiple injuries. As Blaze finally manages to open the door the injured Nexu darts past him in a bid to escape, but the Rebel squad open fire, downing the beast. With the area secure the group perform a full sweep and find an old datapad with a couple of journal entries still available, which Blaze reads out to the group: “We got a new batch of Nexu today, they look almost cute when they are kits! At least we get the Nexu here on planet so no one has to deal with that creepy hunter Muldoon. It’s still a pain getting them through the bio section though. I don't know why MBA has to be so hidden” “51 escaped today. It could of got out of the facility but instead was trying to free the other subjects. Emlett was furious, he’s going to implant it with something to ensure it behaves. He’s so clever!” After reviewing the datapad a few times, the group head back to the bio section where Dr Emlett Von Braun was performing experiments fusing people with machinery. The area was thoroughly cleared and torched during the initial raids but after an extensive search a hatch is found under a pile of containment chambers and other equipment. Tel initially struggles to move the equipment until RZ attacks it, smashing the chambers and draining them of their bio fluid. With the equipment moved and the hatch opened the group head into the darkness... “As the group head through the hatch they can see this area was not discovered by the original rebel assault. The long corridor they are in lacks the carbon scouring and the ransacking of the upper levels of the facility. However the odd air vent grate appears to be smashed open and the smell of stale dung and flesh sullies the air. Something has been down here.” The group make thier way through darkened corridors until they see rooms signposted as "containment", "array" and "operating". The group decide to head to the containment rooms and begin to follow the signs. “As the door opens to the large containment room the smell is almost unbearable. Your attention is immediately drawn to a large pile of bones in the corner of the room, picked clean. Many small containment cages adorn the room around 7ft by 7ft large, most remain closed but others doors are wide open. Electronic notes can be seen glowing affixed to each cage, the aurubesh sign above them all stating ‘Modified Battle Animals'.” A brief search of the room reveals a few working computer terminals but noone was able to sucessfully access them. The group are about to leave to inspect the other rooms when: “With a vicious roar, a blur of metal and fur erupts from the darkness of the facility. A Four-legged creature, all teeth and claws, leaps at the group. In a split second, they realize it is another powerful nexu. Worse, it appears to be cybernetically enhanced. It sports metal-reinforced claws and some sort of armored helmet and collar, throbbing with a dull red light. Its claws crackle with white-blue energy against the ground as it lands after each leap. Its radiant grin flashes with polished metal teeth. It also appears to have had its prehensile double-tail plated in interlocking scale armor that terminates in a spiked club on each tail-end.” Before the Nexu experiment can capture a party member in its metal jaws, RZ and Tel rush in to attack it. In a whirling dervish of blades, fur and fists multiple injuries are inflicted on the Nexu and with a raw it leaps into the vents, its tail damaging them as it escapes, preventing any of the group from following. Shaken, the group continue to explore the facility and make their way to the "operations" room to find it is mechanically locked. Tel punches the lock until the door opens. Entering the room, the group find a large automatic medical operating unit in the center of the room surrounded by other various medical equipment. The operating unit is currently repairing the cybernetically enhanced Nexu the group has just encountered! Quickly Dags and Scorpion Squad open fire on the machinery, destroying it and trapping the Nexu underneath. Tel and RZ then engage the beast, slashing and beating it. In the chaos Nurman falls from Tels shoulder and, confused and scared begins to run around at random. In a panic Tel disengages the Nexu to recover his friend as RZ, Dags and Scorpion Squad continue to damage the trapped Nexu. With a roar the Nexu manages to break free of the equipment, and in a last ditch effort, lunges at Dags with its crackling, electrified claws. Dags manages to avoid the blow and the beast is brought down. After composing themselves the group move onto the final room only to find it is mechanically locked. Tel punches the lock until the door opens. Inside they find a large, spinning electrical array in the center of the room powered by a sturdy backup generator in each corner. Exploring the room they trigger an AI assistant of Dr Von Braun who greets them. RZ manages to convince the AI that he himself is Von Braun and asks the system to shutdown the facility. The AI replies it is unable as this must be done physically. The group inspect the generators but fail to either operate or damage them successfully. Their actions do arouse the suspicions of the AI however who, realizing it has been fooled, initiates the self destruct sequence for the facility. Hearing the announcement Scorpion Squad quickly begin to run to the exit. As the group begin to understand what the flashing lights, sirens and announcements mean they hurriedly make for the exit of the facility. Leaving the MBA area, they make their way through the main facility until they reach Scorpion Squad, desperately trying to open the main blast doors of the facility. The mechanism has become jammed and they are unable to open them. Tel punches the mechanism until the doors open. With seconds to spare the group flee the facility and dive into a nearby lake just before the entire complex explodes. The structure and immediate surroundings are vaporized and the trees surrounding the area are scorched. Dazed, the group and Scorpion Squad sit at the shore and await rescue. Eventually a squad of Wookies, astride amphibious Reevo's emerge from the lake. They pick up the group and return them back to the Rebel Base.