TIEs on the Horizon (Episode 18)

[GM Fang]

Ymira tells R5 to plot a course for Mon Calamari, as she lifts the Archelon off the planet Tython. Almost as soon as the navicomputer is fired up by R5, Xander indicates a proximity warning beep. It probably hasn’t spotted the ship yet, but there’s a Carrack-class light cruiser in orbit. That could be an impediment to jumping out of the system quickly. That ship was too big to fight, even with the armor and toughness of the Archelon. It was time to run for it!

The decision was made to try and circumnavigate the planet and attempt to interpose the planet between them and the cruiser. This would help facilitate a safer jump to hyperspace. Unfortunately, the Imperials were not having it. It took a bit of time for the light cruiser to get up to speed and in the meantime launched two wings of TIE fighters. It was a total of five ships, three in direct pursuit and 2 more attempting to outflank the escape.

The team went to work, Zavi firing the dorsal twin medium laser cannon, while the rest did their best to help Ymira with the flying or in jamming the comms of the enemy TIEs. The combat was fierce. The TIEs were able to get strikes in, but the hard shell of the Archelon and the shields maxed to the rear, kept the surface damage to a minimum. Conversely, the TIEs were much more fragile. Two direct hits destroyed the Imperial dog-fighters.

While Ymira had worked to keep the Archelon past maximum speed and keep the firing advantage, with two pursuers down, she turned the GHTroc 740 in an arc and brought the front guns to bear. Roona in the co-pilot seat managed to destroy a third ship. Meanwhile, Irdis jammed the comms on all the remaining ships to keep them from sending more reinforcements. One TIE took serious damage from a shot and broke off but the remaining one continued and between the two gunners, the danger was averted.

But only for a moment! As Ymira raced the lumbering Archelon toward the edge of atmosphere, the light cruiser itself had cleared the planet and had open shots on the fleeing vessel. Granted they were at long range. One hit rocked the Archelon. And the crew knew they could only withstand maybe two more hits like that. Zavi switched his controls to trying to send as much energy to the shields as possible and generated a massive spike in their defenses, while Ymira was doing evasive maneuvers with Roona's help. The last shots from the cruiser glanced off the bolstered shields and once out of the atmosphere could complete the jump to hyperspace.

The ship jumped first to the Taanab system and flew through the area for a short while to see if they were being followed. They then quickly jumped to hyperspace once more to complete the journey to Mon Calamari. Along the way, several messages or calls were received during the five day trip.

Tebora the Munn contacted the group. He was concerned they had forgotten his arrangement to do work for him in exchange for half of the ship they now occupied. Xander, particularly, was on the hook for the deal with Tebora, as he owed the Muun before this group had formed up.

Also a concern of Xander's was the message from Seedoneo. The Rodian was a big deal in Mos Shuuta and managed a sand processing operation. The fat Rodian was unhappy that Xander had left Tatooine and had not done any work for him in many weeks. Seedoneo gave him two days to contact him for his next job or the blackmail over Black Sun activities would go through. Roona suggested that they take him out or else turn the tables and have the Black Sun strike out against Seedoneo themselves. She said she had some contacts that might put them on the right track.

Not to be outdone, Irdis received a direct message from his favorite Rodian, the xenobiologist Tora Ninn. She was the assistant to Dr. Gena Tann that the group had rescued during their investigation and recovery of some ancient technological data. Apparently, Dr. Tann had been murdered earlier that day! Tora did not have a lot more details to provide the Chiss doctor. But it had fit in with the earlier information of Tora being followed for several nights and then an odd encounter with a lieutenant of Ranem Tivv's security force. Irdis was expecting to hear form Tivv anytime now.

[GM Fang]

Finally arriving at their contact point on Mon Calamari, the Archelon flew to Blackwater Settlement and upon landing were told that they had to refrain from carrying any heavy weapons - sidearms and knives only were allowed as it was a peaceful settlement. Zavi set out with R5-D12 to access the damage they had taken from the escape on Tython. Meanwhile, Irdis, Roona and Ymira went to the Commercial District to try and find information on where they could find Tmennit En'Day, their contact and source of payment for finding the holocron on Thython.

Irdis charmed a local girl at the utility shop. Spurred on by a 50cr. bribe, the team managed to get information not only that their contact was a Caamasi woman, but also that the shop had delivered a rebreather a few days before and gave the apartment number. From there they went to the casino for a few drinks to unwind. Roona lost a few credits at a sabbac game.

Ymira however found out some interesting information about an illicit skiff race that was coming up shortly. The information sounded interesting and intrigued the Mirialan pilot. And the nearly 10,000cr. purse did so even more, but without a skiff of their own, it might not be worth the risk. Roona of course, thought they should give it a try.

After a bit of time, Irdis retired to his quarters to further study the books he found on Tython and Xander recovered from the illness that had kept him down for the last few days. Irdis, Roona and Zavi meandered over to the Residential area and found the building that housed Apartment 21-Besh. However they were rebuffed by the attendant who would not allow them into the building without their work order. He believed they were there for a previous delivery.

Xander forged a very convincing work order and the attendant took them to the apartment of Tmennit. Unfortunately, it was empty. Ymira saw a data pad on a table and Roona followed her idea by distracting the attendant with a crazy story about fishing up an opee sea killer and that fortunately it was a baby. She made several wide motions with her arms and loud noises. Ymira used this unorthodox distraction to pocket the datapad and slip it into her coat before the attendant could notice.

On the way back to the Archelon, a submersible popped up alongside the trio, claiming to be there to escort the group down to Tmennit. Seeing through the ruse, the trio declined and the Quarren ruffians showed their true colors as they pulled out blasters.

“Well, it looks like they don’t want this the easy way. Take ‘em down!”

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Unspent XPS:
Irdis - 5
Roona - 5
Xander - 0
Ymira -0
Zavi - 0

Group spoils (update)
3734 credits (-1600 credits for ship repairs)

Gear: quick sale value in ()
3 scrolls
robe
Light Repeating Blaster (1125)
Heavy Blaster Pistol (350)
2x Blaster Rifle (450 ea)
1x Holdout Blaster (100 ea)
2x Laser Pistol (200 ea)
1x Stun grenades (45 ea)
Tool Kit (175)
Glow Rod (5)
Brass knuckles (10)
5x Breath Masks (25 ea)