LogDeniable Asset-Jason-7

Game log for the 2024/12/22 session of Star Wars - Deniable Asset, as taken by Jason

TL-DR tries to contact Iros to see when we can deliver the messages, get paid, and discuss future opportunities. Iros tells him to land in Aygor and then contact a code. Of course, after our earlier escapades, landing in Aygor could get awkward. TL-DR lays some BS on traffic control about how badly we were treated last time and how the cargo rotted on the ship. They forego some inspections, but until the vessel matching the Asset's description that fled pursuit a few days back is caught, this ship is going to be impounded. We determine to cross that bridge when it becomes necessary. We gather our eggs and go to Naia Gardens, a ritzy neighborhood. We're stopped at security (private security, not government) until Goro confirms we're allowed in, then led to an expansive estate.

One of Goro's minions brings in a holoprojector, which shows a low-angle projection of a turbolaser watching a YT-1300 go blasting through faster than the crew can react. Goro likes that. He respects the magnitude of Igli's cojones. Goro's already aware that their communication capabilities have improved, because the insurgents were able to contact him directly. As he speaks, Goro looks mostly at Myyla, suggesting he thinks she's in charge. He's willing to help get the ship out of impound, because he wants to hire us for another job. He'll provide facilities for a hidden storage upgrade (25 encumbrance units) as payment for our next job.

By the time we return to the ship, the gravity lock has already been released, and permission to immediately move the ship to the nearby yards has been granted. Conzenz is able to refine the plan for the extra hidden cargo space and double the volume, which, atop the compartments Myyla previously installed, gives the ship 60 EU of hidden storage, against a total capacity of 165 EU.

Once the modifications are done, Iros sends instructions for where we can pick up our next cargo. We follow them, land up, and a lading service delivers the cargo. The cargo appears to be a distraction, since two guys load every crate, but one guy comes out to get the next one. These dudes look rough, too. Loading may not be their only trade. They're headed for a drone control station in another one of Tios' insurgency areas. Gar once again plots a course for Igli, but he can't account for the fact that aircraft are operating in the area. They immediately begin hitting us with sensors and warning us. Con angles the shields forward and tries to jam their comms, but their comms are too secure for him. He doesn't think he gets anywhere, but the extra radiated energy makes it easier for Myyla and Phex to target the aircraft. TL-DR tries to scan the craft but can't - maybe the extra energy is causing problems for him too.

Igli orients the ship so that both turrets can bear on the incoming. Myyla misses but forces the first aircraft to turn away, whereas Phex scores a solid hit. The incoming fire from the fighter that didn't bear off hits hard, though. He gets to the merge and pulls huge G, taking the Asset's six at the expense of massive strain to his own craft. Con angles the shields again to meet the enemy, one at 6 and one at 9, and tries to boost them, but the ship's power systems don't have it to give. Phex opens fire on the craft at 6 o'clock, while Myyla targets the one to port. Her target fires a missile and then disintegrates under the pounding of her blasters. The fighter on our six hits again, which is a level of abuse this poor YT-1300 is not going to be able to stand up to indefinitely. Con jams the missile and Igli puts the ship through some evasive maneuvers, and the missile misses. Phex and Myyla both get good hits, and that's the end of the second fighter. Of course, there could be more of them. Igli heads for the deck now, with Gar once again plotting a course for him. We warn the cargo to prepare to disembark. The local air defenses hit the ship with a missile, heavily damaging it. There's a nearby missile battery, but it's positioned such that Myyla can't get hits on it. Gar and Phex try to repair the ship but struggle to make progress, while Con resets the breakers that popped during those high-g maneuvers.

Myyla, Gar, Phex, and TL-DR disembark to attack the missile battery. They come under fire at long range, and Phex stops to engage, while TL-DR, Myyla, and Gar rush to medium range, and then to short, as blaster bolts fly everywhere. Both sides exchange a lot of fire before TL-DR eventually closes to point-blank range, distracting the hostile shooter, allowing Phex to put a round in his head. Myyla rolls a grenade down one of the tubes as everyone runs back to the ship, creating a properly cinematic explosion.

After a while there's a zap noise, a couple crump noises, and a very visible explosion, after which, most but not all of the cargo return. The mission profile calls for us to drop them out in the desert, so we don't have to deal with traffic control. That's good, because the planetary authority will not traffic with the Asset / Fuzzy Pumpkin after yet another terrorist attack committed by a YT-1300. The ship instead goes to the mining settlement at Garmin's Hope, the largest asteroid in an asteroid belt orbiting a gas giant. This place is very remote, scarcely trafficked, and uninterested in asking questions. "Pirates" damaged your ship? They can help with that! They actually have a drydock bay for us. Unfortunately these repairs are going to be time-intensive and expensive. TL-DR makes contact with Goro the Hutt to inform him that the mission was successful but we'll need funds for repairs. Iros takes the call and explains that Goro's organization can make money available, but it's expected that we'll pay him back. Also, Goro has a critical job in Elnoor that he'd love to see the ship take on. The crew hop transport to Elnoor and let the shipwrights in Garmin's Hope do their thing.

Once in Elnoor, the crew need to meet up with Taylor Fnord on Hub 7, except for Con and Igli, who visit Garez Ofnar. Garex provides three thousand credits for the good and the welfare of the crew, but is concerned with the scope of Hutt activity on Tios. He encourages us to continue our work, and warns us that there are reports of increased Bothan intelligence gathering in the sector, but no logical reason why that would happen.

Meanwhile, the rest of the crew meet Taylor Fnord, a Twi'Lek who's missing half of one of his lobes. He looks like he's been through the war. He asks them to step into "his office," which turns out to be the walk-in cooler of a cantina. Fnord explains that his employer has family connections to Goro the Hutt, and has offerred up the team's services as a favor, which means the team's performance will reflect on Goro in the eyes of Goro's uncle, Odo. The Hutts have noticed the New Republic moving in to the Borab sector, and they don't like it. Borab is Hutt space as far as they're concerned, and they want it to remain so. They're keeping an eye on New Republic spies, and also on some Bothans, and they think it's time to send a message. Fnord pops up a picture of Garez Ofnor, who they've identified as a New Republic intelligence asset, and tell the team to eliminate him. TL-DR asks if he has known associates, and the Twi'Lek can only say that they have surveillance in place and will learn that information. The Hutts want Ofnar's death to be public. If needed, they can have a Rodian bounty hunter named Krose help out.

TL-DR says "McClunkey" and goes for his hidden pistol. He manages to shoot first, and gets a solid hit, but Fnord seems to have some protection in place, because he's still in the fight. That is, he's in the fight until Myyla takes a vibrosword to him. That takes him out. Of everything. He's an ex-Twi'Lek. Gar rifles the corpse and takes Fnord's comm unit. The team then stroll out into the kitchen, but as they head for the loading dock, Gar accidentally leaves a bloody handprint on the wall. That part of the team go to lie low and figure out a plan.