2007-10-14 - Casino Escape

Continued from Casino Battle.
Ord Mantell: Worlport - Pink Sky Casino Cellar
While upstairs the technology is geared towards customer satisfaction (and relieving them of a substantial sum of money), the technology in the cellar is geared towards surveillance. Hundreds of display panels line the walls here, each wired to a security camera. Pit posses can call in report and, dressed in black, the Casino Police deal with problems remotely or in person, vanishing upstairs from time to time. The air is full of clicks and beems and an electric hum. Almost hidden, yet another stairway leads even further beneath the casino.
Amalfiel strolls into the basement seemingly from nowhere, chatting with the freedom fighters and grinning triumphantly. "We got the bastards now," he says. "Got them, I say. Victory is in sight. It's all gravy from here on out. Yes! Everything is going swimmingly."
Ksar moans and the room stinks of roasted flesh.
Kaal Saito's respirator continues to emit the strange harmonic, as it has during the interim. The Gand's breathing and bleeding seem to have eased.
Amalfiel laughs a mocking laugh. "I'm going upstairs, darlings," he says sweetly to everyone, clutching at his shoulder. "Need me some fresh air. I'm going to see about blowing up the garrison fortress!"
Amalfiel gives a mad titter, and flings his hood over his head, following it up by drawing his cloak tight about his body. There is a shimmering, and he vanishes from view. "O-ho-ho!"
Amalfiel says, "Ksar Antilles, some day our love will not be in vain!"
Kaal Saito's harsh voice is emitted from his respirator, "He can choke on his air. If not for a malfunction he would be dead."
Ksar coughs and there is a noticable sucking sound coming from his chest.
"I feel better. When the time comes, can Gand help Ksar walk?"
Kaal Saito's respirator clicks several times, and when he speaks the volume is lower, "Gand's strength is recovering. If the opportunity comes, Gand will help you walk."
Amalfiel enters from above, cloak deactivating with a shimmer, and drags a limp form down the stairs. At the bottom, he props it against the wall: a stunned female body. He steps back, brushing his bangs out of his eyes, and says, "Aha, she's coming round now. The princess has arrived."
Ksar's head turns and his eyes go wide when he sees the female figure. "You!"
Effie groans and begins to wake up more, instantly she leaps up, uncharacteristically, and tries to jump on Amalfiel to pummel him with her fists, "This is so Uncivilized!" She screams. "I am appalled! You have no sense of morality! Do you?" She hits him with all her force.
<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> Effie lashes out at Amalfiel with her fists!<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> Amalfiel dodges Effie's attack.
Kaal Saito inquires, "Princess? What is a princess?" The Gand tilts his head slightly for a better view, "Is it the female?"
Amalfiel slips out of the way nimbly, laughing. "The dear creature loves me," he says, "but she doesn't realize just now much I need her. All morality is trumped by my desire! By my need!" He points his pistol and fires--a stun beam flashes out toward Effie, aimed at her legs.
<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> Amalfiel tries to stun Effie with his BlasTech DL-44 Blaster Pistol!<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> Effie tries to dodge, but Amalfiel's stun beam hits and disorients her.
"Princess? What's going on?" Ksar watches Amalfiel and Effie in their argument.
Effie laughs manically, outraged beyond belief and slumps to the floor, the breathe knocked out of her.
Kaal Saito's makes a noise that could be a laugh.
Amalfiel points his blaster at Effie again. "Beware, my dear," he says curtly. "Stay very still." He turns his head to regard Ksar. "I am so sorry, Ksar my love, but Effie my love is richer than you are, my love, and Effie is prettier too. I will make her my wife, but you can be my concubine. When I have access to her millions ... I'll be able to finish this."
Effie blinks around her at the inhuman creature and wrinkles her nose at it, for once too tired to care if it sees her repulsion. "What are you laughing about?" She sniffs. "And as for you..." She regard Amalfiel. "Dream on!"
Ksar makes a face at Amalfiel. "Ewww."
Amalfiel gives Effie a haughty look. "I'll want your credit chips first," he says. "Credit cards, etcetera. Any loose cash. An old tradition states that Mantellian brides enter married life with nothing--and then appropriate their husbands' entire estates, being wily."
Kaal Saito rasps, "The male's actions are humorous, are they not? Stunning a predator is foolish, and humorous." The Gand laughs again.
Effie doesn't respond. Instead she pretends not to hear this. Any of it. She closes her eyes. "This is a bad dream." She repeats over and over.
Amalfiel grabs at Effie's shoulder and tries to pull her headlong through the press of Mantell freedom fighters and down into the basement area. "Down!" he booms.
Ksar groans. But this time his groan shows strength.
Kaal Saito squirms a bit and half rolls to face the direction of the sub-basement entrance. The movement casts a portion of his tattered cloak over his bound hands and over one of his eyes.
There is a whisper of sound from the other stairway. The tiniest creaking of a board, perhaps-- or the padding of a mouse. Surely nothing larger than a mouse could make such a sound.
And why would the guards bother to pay attention to a discarded budle of cloth that seems to have found its way behind the talking prisoners. Nothing particularly noticable about that...
Until it whispers to the prisoners, "Speak not. Nothing you must say. To rescue you, I have come."
Ksar's eyes move, but the Corellian checks any other response.
Kaal Saito's hands shift slightly under his cloak.
"Keep still over there," barks a Mantellian. But then, the bundle of cloth shifts, and the prisoners' manacles click open.
"Move not, until I tell you, if your lives you value," the bundle whispers. And then, in a flash, Yoda stands in front of the Mantellians.
"What the devil?!" one of them bellows, "Who are you, and what are you doing down here?!"
Yoda looks up and perks his ears in surprise, "Sent me, Amalfiel has!"
The Mantellian looks incredulous.
Ksar moans loudly, but otherwise does not stir.
Kaal Saito watches and waits.
"I haven't seen you around here before," the Mantellian says, "You say Amalfiel sent you, but he hasn't told you about us!"
"Needed you are, downstairs," Yoda says, and he waves his off-hand slightly.
There is a pause as the Mantellian considers this...
But finally, and the Mantellian nods to his compatriots. "We're needed downstairs, boys," he says, and he motions for them to follow.
Yoda looks over his shoulder to the Mantellians guarding the stairs down, "Move the prisoners, I must... upstairs."
"That guy's got to move the prisoners upstairs," the leader of the other group of Mantellians says to his compatriots.
"Along, you must come, prisoners," Yoda says, and he walks up the stairs, limping on his cane.
Kaal Saito quickly hides his weapon again and pushes himself to his feet. The Gand offers a hand to Ksar.
Ksar does his best to stand up. Hunched over with both arms clutching his chest, the Corellian nods and accepts the Gand's help. "Lets go."
Ord Mantell: Worlport - Pink Sky Casino
The inside of the Pink Sky Casino is, you guessed it: Pink. All neon and glamour and glitz, this high roller casino boasts one of the most lavish environments in town. From the slot machines to the card tables to the 'private' booths and high class entertainment, the Pink Sky oozes pleasure.
The casino floor is well organized. Towards the front is a well stocked bar with attendant well endowed waitresses. Here patrons can pick up their drinks before proceeding onward, past the slot machines and automated games on the right and left and then finally, through a set of sheer curtains, to the card tables. There is a clearly marked 'Exit' sign and a spiral staircase that leads downward.
Yoda looks to the Casino Police as he labors up the stairs, "Transfering these prisoners, Amalfiel is. A shuttle he has, to take them to Nar Shaddaa..."
The Casino Police nod officially, "Take those bastards away. Tell the Hutts we said hello, Senator Antilles."
Yoda limps along out the front doors of the casino.
"Your bet pard." Ksar nods to the Casino Policeman.
Ord Mantell: Worlport - Trader's Quarter
Though Ord Mantell may have gotten its start as an Ordinance Supply Depot for the Republic, it has since evolved into a minor tourist attraction as well as a hive for some of the galaxy's more notorious figures. Junk yards of old Republic equipment still abound, though most have been so well pilfered through that nothing of value remains. The buildings are spread out and seem to be collected more haphazardly than in any sort of planned city structure. Most are roughly circular in architecture with colorful domed roofs and stairs leading up or down to the main entrance. The terrain is mostly mountainous and dusty, making travel arduous and uncomfortable, though there are clumps of bushes mainly as decoration outside of some of the more lucritive businesses.
In the distance off to the north, some of the buildings back up to the city edge at the tree line of a vast forest. Most of these are shops of some sort that peddle clothing, equipment, and an assortment of weapons. Towards the south, larger and more well kept buildings house casinos and small resorts that rest on the shoreline of a vast, blue ocean. Usually at several times during the day, the purple clouds that Ord Mantell is famous for roll overhead high in the atmosphere, casting shade over the entire city. To the west, a wide, well travelled road leads to the Public Spaceport.
Yoda limps out into the street, leaning heavily on his old gnarled cane. He grunts as he steps down from the threshold, and looks over his shoulder to Kaal Saito and Ksar. "Come... A ship I have to take these two to Corellia."
Effie enters from the north. She is a mess but she is smiling, her hair is ruffled from her struggle and her dress is torn. She makes her way for the others silently.
Ksar turns to the Gand. "I can make it if you have other plans. Visit me on Corellia and I shall reward you for your service."
Tuil as been hiding behind some debris from the earlier attack. He sees the people leaving and he appears from his spot. "Master Yoda!" he calls. The young padawan hurries over as fast as he can.
Kaal Saito rasps, "Gand intends to find his equipment and collect the bounty." The exertion of walking has reopened his wounds and blue-green blood begins to drip off of his exoskeleton.
"Medical attention I can provide, but move quickly we must," Yoda says. He looks to Tuil and motions with his cane, "Carry me, you must, Padawan. Haste do we need, and old are my bones!"
Yoda notices Effie, and frowns.
Kaal Saito also seems to have noticed Effie, "And the predator has escaped as well."
Effie extends a hesitant hand down to him. "I don't believe we've met." she says, gawking at his tiny stature. "And who are you?" She asks the other who keeps calling her that name.
Slumping lower second by second, Ksar turns to the young man. "Tuil, assist me to your ship. I'm ready to get out of here."
Tuil reaches out to his inner resources and bends down to allow Master Yoda to crawl up. "One moment, Senator. I'll help you along, but you must walk as well!"
Yoda does not take the hand, as he is busy climbing onto the Padawan's back. But once perched on the young man's shoulders he nods to Effie, "Yoda is my name. But great haste do we have. In distress, you seem, but explain you may when safe we are again! Gand, if help the Senator you do, medical attention will I provide. To the spaceport we must go-- now! Come, Effie, if help do you require!"
A strange harmonic, similar to the noise of crickets, is emitted from the insectoid's mouth. Kaal Saito answers, "Humans call Gand by the name Kaal Saito, the name of Gand's bloodline." He produces a small blaster from under his cloak and follows Ksar closely.
Tuil takes Master Yoda's haste to heart as he rises and sets off towards the spaceport, huffing and puffing as he goes. He offers an arm to Ksar and says, "Let's go. Hurry!"
Effie swallows and follows the rest, a little hurt that she didn't get a proper introduction.
Ord Mantell: Worlport - Public Spaceport
The public spaceport of Worlport is a makeshift operation that has been established over the centuries from common landing sites of Republic cargo ships centuries ago. The site itself is roughly two kilometers long, all made of open landing field where ships simply land where the pilots can find room for them. Half of a kilometer to the south, the southern coastline of the continent stretches as far as the eye can see east and west. Along this shoreline, tall buildings have been built in typical tourist fashion, made to draw the eye with circular architecture and large signs boasting casinos and hotels.
The ground here is mostly hard, compacted sand that has been beat down from the amount of traffic in and out of the spaceport. Ship crews mill about, but very few conviences are offered that might be at larger spaceports. A refueling service is available, though the process is slow, and large cargo haulers load stacks of crates into waiting ships-- for a price. A wide, well travelled road leads off towards the east to the infamous Trader's Quarter.
Ksar runs towards the shuttle with Tuil holding one arm and Yoda holding onto Tuil's back with all his might.
Tuil runs towards the shuttle for all he's worth, Yoda atop his shoulders bobbing from side to side. The human looks back to check on his companions as he goes. One arm is around Ksar, helping the wounded man along as best he can.
Effie tries to keep up, but she doesn't like to run very much. Still, she runs after them toward the shuttle.
Kaal Saito trots behind the group, focusing on anything that may come from behind.
As the Padawan runs, Yoda looks over his shoulder with alarm. Suddenly letting go of the Padawan's shoulders, Yoda tumbles to the ground amidst creaking bones and comes up with his cane in one hand, and his outstretched hand toward the casino from whence they came.
"Into the shuttle you must go!" Yoda shouts, "Fly, Padawan! Hurry! Hurry!" Then he looks back down the street dourly, panting, still dripping with lake water.
From the east comes the roar of many voices as a mass of humans and Rodians come pouring into view. The first rank--the Mantell freedom fighters, the humans--are armed with blasters, and fire randomly into the air: ZWAP! ZWAP! ZWAP! The Rodians seethe forward, roaring anti-Corellian slogans in their swizzly language and waving signs! And at the front of the mob runs Amalfiel with a blaster in his hand. "Kill every Corellian! Shut down the spaceport!"
Ksar looks back over his shoulder as he rushes towards the shuttle. "There will be a reckoning one day Runt. I swear it!"
Without slowing, Kaal Saito half-turns and fires a shot at the figure running at the front of the mob.
<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> Kaal Saito tries to stun Amalfiel with his Merr Sonn Pain Stunner!<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> Amalfiel dodges and Kaal Saito's stun beam misses.
Tuil hooks his arm around Ksar's waist and practically drags him towards the gangplank of the shuttle. Within moments, they are there and Tuil looks back to Yoda, worry clear as day upon his face. "Get aboard, all of you!" He pushes at Ksar hard to get him up the gangplank.
Amalfiel leaps to one side as a blue beam zips past him and downs a Rodian. He thrusts out a forearm, cocks his blaster against it, and opens fire on the hated bug. Unfortunately, his blaster is still set to stun--but he doesn't seem to notice. "Die, Bug!"
<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> Amalfiel tries to stun Kaal Saito with his BlasTech DL-44 Blaster Pistol!<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> Kaal Saito dodges and Amalfiel's stun beam misses.
SilverWing: Cockpit
A single long cabin, with space for about twenty passengers or a similar number of crates. The cockpit itself is open to the cabin, though entrance can be barred (somewhat) by a flexible transparisteel plate. The interior is sparse and simple, the seats unupholstered, the crash webbing old and slightly frayed. An archaic chop stamped on one wall is but a single visible reminder of the age of the Telos class shuttle design. Perhaps this one is a first-run Telos; perhaps it is four thousand years old.
Tuil is already among the injured, helping those who are wounded. As Master Yoda leaps aboard, he goes to the controls and immediately the shuttle heads up.
<FONT color="#FF0000">SPACE:</FONT> SilverWing blasts off into Ord Mantell: Worlport Airspace.<FONT color="#FF0000">SPACE:</FONT> SilverWing proceeds to Orbit of Ord Mantell.<FONT color="#FF0000">SPACE:</FONT> SilverWing proceeds to Outskirts of the Mantell System.
Yoda is panting heavily. He drops Amalfiel's blaster, and it clatters to the deck with a loud clanging sound.
Yoda says, "To the Vigilant you must take us, Padawan!"
Yoda says, "No hyperdrive has this shuttle."
Tuil nods and checks the scanner to see if they are being followed. With no sign of pursuit, Tuil doubles back.
<FONT color="#FF0000">SPACE:</FONT> SilverWing proceeds to Orbit of Ord Mantell.<FONT color="#FF0000">SPACE:</FONT> SilverWing enters The Vigilant's docking bay.
Tuil looks back. "We're here."
Yoda says, "Not out of danger are we!"
Yoda hurries-- as fast as he can, anyway, to the gangplank.
The Vigilant: Bridge
The bridge of the CR90 Corvette is arranged around a round central platform for the Captain, with a slight railing overlooking several bulky stations for communications, engineering, deflector control and weapons. All of these stations, and the Captain's chair itself, look out on a wide transparisteel viewport. In the rear of the bridge, a repulsorlift stands ready to usher crew members throughout the ship.
Yoda stumbles up onto the Bridge, and, panting says, "To Corellia we must go. Set a course!"
"Padawan, your station!" Yoda says.
The helmsman is already turning the huge ship, and the CR90 is now screaming away from Ord Mantell.
<FONT color="#FF0000">SPACE:</FONT> The Vigilant proceeds to Outskirts of the Mantell System.<FONT color="#FF0000">SPACE:</FONT> Elysium comes out of hyperspace.<FONT color="#FF0000">SPACE:</FONT> Elysium leaves the area, proceeding to Orbit of Ord Mantell.<FONT color="#FF0000">SPACE:</FONT> Elysium enters the area.
Tuil heads for the com station and sits down to play with its equipment.
<FONT color="#FF0000">SPACE:</FONT> Elysium enters hyperspace bound for Outskirts of the Corellian System.
Effie watches Yoda mostly, giving orders, fascinated and amused.
The helmsman punches in the coordinates for Corellia, and then the stars that fill the viewport extend suddly, and the darkness of space explodes into swirling, brilliant blue light!
<FONT color="#FF0000">SPACE:</FONT> The Vigilant enters hyperspace bound for Outskirts of the Corellian System.
Kaal Saito stations himself near the entrance to the bridge.
<FONT color="#FF0000">SPACE</FONT> - Outskirts of the Corellian System: The Vigilant falls out of hyperspace and comes in hot, headed swiftly for Corellia.<FONT color="#FF0000">SPACE:</FONT> The Vigilant proceeds to Orbit of Corellia.<FONT color="#FF0000">SPACE:</FONT> The Vigilant proceeds to Corellia: Coronet Airspace.<FONT color="#FF0000">SPACE:</FONT> The Vigilant lands in Corellia: Coronet Spaceport.
Corellia: Coronet Spaceport
The main spaceport of Coronet occupies a substantial area of land. Situated nearly in the middle of Coronet the space port imposes on the hub of the city surrounding it. Sweeping plains of razorgrass surround the city on all borders. Dense forest borders these plains running smack into the jagged edge of the Corellian coastline - the ocean waves sweeping onto the sandy beachers. The large open landing pad allows for all but the largest of freighters to land on the planet's surface easily.
Around the edges of the spaceport are the individual docking bays - almost always buzzing with activity. At the northern edge of the spaceport is the customs office from which seems to emerge a constant stream of spacers, customs officials, and droids. Well lit, the spaceport sees activity at all hours of the day as raw materials are shipped on and off planet.
Off to the east of the spaceport can be seen a largely industrialized sector of Corellia holding many of the major Corellian corporation offices and ground-based infrastructure. The southern exit from the spaceport leads directly into the bristling Treasure Ship Row - famous for its mixture of alien cultures, bustling bars, and lively events. The western exit leads into the commercial and housing districts on Corellia. Finally, to the north lies an open park and gathering area well kept with trees and trimmed razorgrass.
Tuil comes down out of The Vigilant and breathes deep, happy to be out of danger back on Corellia. He sighs and looks around at the spaceport and then notes the clouds. "It seems we've left one storm for another. The thunderstorm should be brilliant."
Kaal Saito disembarks from The Vigilent, still holding his small blaster. He inquires to no one in particular, "Gand was rescued, but no attempt was made to kill the one called Amalfiel. Why is this?"
Effie is brooding by now as she departs off the ship, she too looks up at the sky. "My 2800 credits got stolen." She pouted. "As if I can afford to lose anything. Alone in the world as I am."
Yoda turns on the Gand and frowns, "An army, the one called Amalfiel had! Liked to stay on Ord Mantell, would you have? Go back there, you may..."
Yoda sighs heavily and slumps to the ground, catching his breath.
Kaal Saito's head tilts to the side, "Gand does not understand. What was your purpose, Jedi?"
Effie blinks. "Uh, I meant 28,000 credits." She giggles. "That's quite a different sum." She is bablling to herself off to one side.
Tuil looks to Yoda and comes over to kneel beside him. "Master, you need rest. Let's go aboard the ship and you can sleep easier than on the ground..."
Yoda bats away the Padawan's hand, "My own council will I keep on what rest I need!"
Effie clenches her fists, thinking of amalfiel. "Good riddance!" She mutters.
The Capitol Guards sight the Viceroy. Several run up and take Ksar in their arms. His wounds are healing, but the Corellian's eyes droop from weariness.
Yoda stalks off into the night of Corellia, "Contemplate, Padawan. Much to think on, you have. Over the events on Ord Mantell, you must think. Meditate. When return I do, a full report will I require."
Yoda turns back one last time, "And think on yourself! Not strong enough are you to advise me on greater matters! Search your _own_ feelings!"
Yoda slips off into the night.
Kaal Saito's head turns toward the female, "What is this 'princess' that Amalfiel spoke to you of?"
Effie eyeballs the creature. "He speaks nonsense!" Effie said, "Don't pay what he says any mind. I'm just a girl."
Category:October 2007 RP Logs
Category:Chapter I