BLACK ICE - Episode 1: Mission: Improbable

[max_vale]

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away….


In the bitter struggle against the Empire, not all battles are fought with blasters or starfighters. Sometimes it is more useful to know what the enemy is up to than to destroy him. The right piece of information, discovered at the right time, is sometimes more valuable than a fleet of star cruisers…but sometimes not.

Sometimes knowing too much is a bad thing. Sometimes it just gets you into trouble. The espionage game can be lke that - as a group of 'Alliance Covert Espionage Specialists' (ACES); in the middle of a dangerous infiltration mission are about to discover….


Imperial Security Beureau Intel Analysis and Technical Branch Station; Planet Lotide; Mid-Rim (i.e. 'The Colonies')

The Imperial technician that walked into the office to find the team of Alliance undercover operatives with a QT series Droid plugged into the Chief Scientist's computer stares gaping in shock at the brief-case droid. Then he looks over at the half-dozen Rebels and says with awe in his voice and a tone suggesting a child opening presents on his birthday; "Wow! That's a QT model isn't it? Where'd you get it? Can I look at it?"

[kipper]

"Hmmm, I didn't realise they were so rare out here." Clark says. "Truth to tell, it's been acting up a bit recently. We've had it for about 3 or 4 seasons, it's for sale if you're interested."

[GreyWolfVT]

Gavin "For sale I'd give it away at this point."

[Monsieur Rose]

Zuul slowly moves over to the open door, blocking the view to the hallway. He quickly takes a peek outside.

[Jedi Skyler]

"Now, fellas, that's no way to treat QT. After all, it's not HIS fault that schmuck back on Commemorate slipped him a humorous personality when all he was SUPPOSED to do was bump up his memory and upgrade his diagnostic software." Looking at the droid, Zinnia adds, "QT, this is one of the station's technical personnel. Stand by, silently." He then flashes a sheepish smile at the Imp tech. "Sorry, you'd probably better just look from a distance; we've been having some personality issues with our droid here, and until we can get those glitches fixed, I'd rather just have him do his diagnostics so we can be done with our job. Don't want the boss coming down on us, do we? After all, most of the bosses WE'VE had aren't very tech-savvy, and like to take it out on us when things don't go their way, right away. Any of your admin ever done you like that?"

[angelicdoctor]

Realizing that even a relatively harmless tech such as this can have inherited some of the prejudice against aliens encouraged by the new order, Borsk merely observes the exchange though passively while trying to appear busy with science.

[ybn1197]

Jackson slowly works his way over to be behind and to the side of the Imp (side closest to the door) in case things go south.

[max_vale]

Imperial Security Beureau Intel Analysis and Technical Branch Station; Planet Lotide; Mid-Rim (i.e. 'The Colonies')


The Imperial technician gaped in awe and then puzzlement as he stared at QT 7 and then each speaking Rebel in turn. "For sale? 3 or 4 seasons? But QT models just came out last year and they go for at LEAST a hundred thousand credits….aww, I get it, you guys are kidders! Ha! Funny!"; the slow-witted tech concludes and gives them all a stupid grin while heading over to a press-button com panel and popping it open wiht a hydrospanner.

"Well, you guys keep upgrading Doctor Benkin's computer there and don't mind me; it won't take me but a minute to fix these faulty relay circuits"; he chats amiably while working. Zuul doesn't notice anyone in the hallway and within a could of minutes; the tech has popped the panel back on and put his tools back into his Utility belt and happily wishes the 'kidders' a good day and leaves the office.

The Rebels all breath a bit easier and QT huffs a bit at them…"….I'm for SALE? You've had me for 3 or 4 seasons? I'm not sure I'm going to help you after all if you keep acting like this!"; after some mollifying words from a few of the team; the little briefcase Droid seems back to his usual happy-go-lucky self.

"You know that information I retrieved? There's a problem you should probably know about. I downloaded all of the files pertaining to the replenishment fleet's flight plans…but well; it's all encoded with a randomly-changing program I can't crack; but the good news is that there's code-keys in several of the high-clearance security computers at this post."

Here; QT 7 pulls up a map of the facility on his screen (See attachment) and he high-lights rooms 30, 32 and 33. "If you can get me into one of those rooms, I can plug into the computers there and crack this code in no time!"

[GreyWolfVT]

Gavin "You almost blew it there QT." Gavin stops the rest of his statement short not wanting to say too much in case other visitors are listening.

[kipper]

"Then let's get going, the faster we're done here, the better." Clark says. He leaves the room and heads for the stairwell.

[Jedi Skyler]

Zinn says to the droid, "You are able to distinguish between those of us on the team and these Imperials? I'd recommend that, when you detect others in our vicinity, you refrain from joking, or speaking freely; those Imps are notoriously devoid of any kind of sense of humor..."

[GreyWolfVT]

Gavin "Yes please be more careful QT, I figured if we made it appear as if you were malfunctioning they would not suspect anything and see it as a joke. Sorry if we upset you but you must be more cautious."

[Monsieur Rose]

Zuul looks around the room at the group, shrugs, and goes after Professor Jones.

[GreyWolfVT]

Gavin after the talk with QT goes off to follow Zuul and Clark.

[ybn1197]

Jackson breathes a sigh of relief as the tech leaves, apparently none the wiser of the group. As they leave, Jackson whispers "Lets keep our eyes open. I'm not entirely sure of that tech yet. Think about it. You walk into a room of unknowns and you find yourself outnumbered. First reaction, play stupid and let them think you aren't on to them."

[max_vale]

Imperial Security Beureau Intel Analysis and Technical Branch Station; Planet Lotide; Mid-Rim (i.e. 'The Colonies')


QT 7 sounded a bit like a sullen child in responding to the others in a half-mumble; "Of course I can tell you apart....La'Reth is the one that doesn't shave his fur; Zuul shaves his entire body and exposes his tail and the rest of you leave some fur on your top spherical part and keep your tails hidden for some reason"....

Professor Clark Jones starts to head out of the room when he sees an old man in his 70s at least gingerly walking with a security guard next to him heading right towards the room. This causes an awkward sudden stop of the various rebels behind him and the old man and the Security guard get to the door when the old man looks at the Rebels with confused, watery eyes and begins talking as Jackson smoothly and quietly slips QT 7 off the table and closes him into 'briefcase' mode to prevent him from saying anything that might get them into more trouble....

"I'm Doctor Benkin; Chief Scientist of this post and I'm not sure why you're all here....I'm SURE I didn't request any additional staff as we're overstaffed as it is.....aren't we?"; he finishes with a confused look at the security guard who just shrugs while nervously looking at Zuul and his holstered double-barrel flechette launcher. "Very strange...."; the old scientist continues on in a rambling tone; "Well...until we get it sorted out, I guess Officer Vora here-"; "That's Pora Doctor"; the security interrupts with an annoyed tone; "Right, right....Officer Pora here will take you to the unused Office where you can get settled in for the moment. He can then give you a tour of the facilities....have a nice day now"; he concludes while walking unsteadily towards his desk chair and then gingerly collapsing into it as Pora motions all of you to follow him.

Pora leads you all to an office next door to Benkin's office (number 17 on the map attachment). The office holds a couple of desks; a total of 4 chairs; some empty shelves and several power outlets, but no computers or any kind of electronic equipment at all. Pora says in a bit of a nasty tone to the human members of the team; "I'm not sure why you felt the need to hire this.....THING-"; he says with a non-look-head-point towards Zuul; "-for protection, but as you're here now and under the protection of the crack security force of the ISB; I'll escort IT to the repulsorcraft pickup/drop-off station and when I return, I'll take you on a tour of our facility".

With a bit of a sneer he turns to the big Barabel and motions with a hand while talking slowly; "Time to go now"....

[kipper]

"Are you kidding? He may look intimidating, but he's got one of the best technical minds in the galaxy! We're basically just his assistants." Clark exclaims.

If he's further pressed on why Zuul is listed as a bodyguard, Clark will say that he's undercover for security purposes, Rebel spies are everywhere!

[angelicdoctor]

La'Reth attempts to use the force to enhance his negotiations 'skill'.

It doesn't need to go anywhere. We need his assistance to set up our operations here. As for the tour, I am sure that we can find our way around without any help. We're servants of the Empire, after all. Not some dim-witted, clumsy, nerf-herdin' rebel gang of fools. Thank you, though.

[Monsieur Rose]

Zuul walks up to Officer Pora, towers over him and says stone-faced:

"He hass a name, Vora, or can't you read the tag?"

After a heartbeat or two, Zull breaks into a big toothy grin:

"HA! He likess you Officer. You have a backbone, a true warrior spirit. He seess that you are not the problem at thiss facility, you are not the weak, incompetent, and corrupt staff that he wass warned about. Still, he must follow hiss orderss and escort these men, and there will be no problem."

If Pora starts to call for backup, Zuul will grab him by the throat.

[GreyWolfVT]

Gavin "Escort I do hope you are not talking about me. Then again you do like to joke around with me don't you?"