Hot Coruscant Nights 4 - Is this guy a Clawdite?

Searching for clues, it began to dawn on the group that anyone they encountered may be a Clawdite

### Runtime

1:25:17

*Our heroes meet the mysterious and dark figure behind the recent events: the governer of Eriadu. He wants the deed/ownership of the mines that Bota has in his possession. Will Bota come through and save his friends? Or will he prolong his sabbatical and leave his friends out to dry?*

## **Previously**

*Finally free from any visible pursuit, the group attempted to make themselves scarce as they follow what leads they have gathered, but before they can even get out of Coruscant’s atmosphere, they are hailed by the docking bay and informed that the ship is reported as stolen. Taken aback, Blaine managed to fool the officials but couldn’t hide just how bothered he was that someone would besmirch the good name of the Starhawk.*
*As they exited the atmosphere, it became apparent that this was only the first step in an attempt to keep them from making any progress. A rather expensive set of ships harries their escape, and after a tense exchange the group finds themselves traveling to Nar Shaddaa with a threat looming. Coming to the realization that whatever they were being opposed by is much more powerful than first suspected, the group turned back toward Coruscant to face things head on.*

## **Recap**

### **Spoilage of the Heart**

Droo reaches out into the force to search for clues as to where they should head next. Though Coruscant appears dangerous, it seems to lead toward answers. Denon and the Valhalli meanwhile give no sense of aiding in their search. Trusting that the Jedi Initiate can indeed lead them in the correct direction, the *Jinxed Starhawk* is brought back around to the far side of Coruscant, entering atmosphere under the transponder *Adder's Pride*. As they land at Bota Zi’s ambassadorial platform, docking bay 65, they are approached by the Docking Bay Supervisor and Customs Official, but deny the reloading of consumables.

> "*Sir, you know it’s a criminal offense to import restricted food goods. You’re telling me there’s no spoilage on your ship. Correct?*"
> ― Customs Official
>
>

> "*Well I meant spoilage of the heart, which in my culture is just as bad…*"
> ― Blaine
>
>

Blaine decides that Al'Teese is their best lead. After briefly debating whether a threat might be the best way to enlist his services, Blaine decides to pay Al’Teese double his previous pay in exchange for his assistance. Al’Teese indicates that the best place to start is in the governor’s residences near Meteorite Towers based on his previous meetings, and Blaine lets him know that he will be coming with them to prove his worth. In addition, Al’Teese will be indicating to the group any time that they cross paths with another Clawdite as he is able to see through their disguise.

Katira is reticent to work with the Clawdite after his involvement in her attempted kidnapping, asking after his relationship with Lannik Rakto. Al’Teese informs her that they have no pre-existing relationship, and have only encountered each other on a few shared jobs. Though Katira is unsatisfied with the answer, the group as a whole decides that Al’Teese can come along disguised as Talcoborro. In addition they decide to knock out Lannik Rakto and leave him on the *Jinxed Starhawk* under the guard of Tal.

The group heads to the Praji compound on Coruscant to meet with the representative that contracted them to research the Clawdite Conspiracy and its effect on House Praji. After a brief surprise at the fact that the group brought a Wookiee to the compound, the group is admitted to a private audience. After Blaine explains that they have made some progress but are uncovering a much larger problem, the Praji states that he is not surprised by the Clawdite involvement but *is* stunned that they are just learning about this now. Neither the Vahali Family nor the Praji Family appears to have any influence in this scheme: the Vahali contacted the Praji after the Race on Denon, asking why the Praji were not present for the race, indicating that they knew nothing of it all. This would indicate House Juoni may have some play, but does not rule out the Illustra and Kyn from suspicion. Interestingly enough, none of these families hold the title of Governor.

### **Right This Way Please**

As the group is conversing over what to do next, a secretary enters the room and informs the Praji Representative that they have visitors. Before the group can react, a well equipped bounty hunter enters the room, looking like a space Puritan/Quaker Oats man.

> "*So this guy walks in the door and says…*"
> ― Luke
>
>

> "*Howdy… Pilgrim*"
> ― Ilya
>
>

> "*Have you been reading your Bible?*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*Hey, stop ripping my guys. I thought this guy looked bad ass!*"
> ― Luke
>
>

Blaine agrees to go along with the bounty hunter, not because they’re worried but rather because he’s curious and thinks this will get them to their answers fastest. Though the hunter seems amused that they think he would be so easy to fight, he brings them along. As they leave the office they are approached by a second bounty hunter, the partner, who Tek comments looks a lot like Blaine.

> "*uh oh… Black Blaine…*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*He’s twice as likely to get arrested on Coruscant*"
> ― Blaine
>
>

The group is lead to another building, nearby the Meteorite Towers where they encountered Lannik Rakto previously. Upon arrival they are told that they must leave their blasters behind - non-negotiable - and that the tram they will be taking won’t activate with weapons onboard. After some disgruntled conversation, they agree and place their weapons in the locker but keep all of their melee weapons on their persons. Before they depart, Blaine asks the bounty hunters what their names are. They provide their names with no argument: Syvar and Eristo.

### **Reflections on Trusting Trust**

As the tram slows to a stop, the doors open on a dimly lit room. A solitary figure stands behind an expensive desk at the far end, looking out a large viewport over Capitol City. As they enter the office, he comments on how much more difficult it was to arrange this meeting than originally anticipated.

> "*If you would have extended a proper invitation instead of trying to beat us over the head with a stun baton, maybe we would have just shown up without screwing around*"
> ― Katira
>
>

> "*In my line of work we don’t usually extend invitations to people like **you***"
> ― shadowy figure
>
>

> "*I don’t know if I’m offended or turned on!*"
> ― Blaine
>
>

Glancing around the room, Katira notes that there is an apparent protective field between the group and their opponent. As Tek searches for a means of slicing in the room, the figure states that he has had an interest in the group ever since their interaction with Grand Admiral Thrawn. Specifically, he is interested in the Doonium mining operations that they “inherited” after the apparent death of the Grand Admiral and subsequent collapse of the Imperial Remnant. He further claims to have seen them on Lok while he was surveying the mining operations himself. Stepping out of the shadows, the man states that the only thing that appears to be missing is Bota Zi to conduct a handover of the mines. As Katira asks who this “governor” is and why he knows so much about them, he smiles and offers his full title: Eriadu Governor Parnot.

Governor Parnot explains that he has an interest in obtaining the Doonium mines that the group owns the deeds to on Lok. The only piece missing in obtaining control to those mines is the presence of Bota Zi, who should be coming along shortly to meet up with his friends. Katira comments that they are actually quite irresponsible and haven’t made contact with Bota at all. While the governor muses that this can be easily rectified, he tells the group that they are free to leave. First attempting to force push the governor through the window to no effect, Tek looks around for an access to slice into the lift. Katira grabs a book off a nearby shelf, *Reflections of Trusting Trust*, and tosses it toward the governors desk to note the effect of the intermediate field. As the book hits an invisible wall and drops to the ground, she comments that he might not need it after all and takes it with her.

Acknowledging that nothing more can be gained in this meeting, everyone boards the elevator to leave. As they are transporting down, Blaine comments that he feels a little light headed and slowly slumps to the ground. Suddenly everyone realizes that the room is starting to spin, and darkness closes in.

## **Featured Characters**

### **Our Heroes**

* Blaine Hansom
* Droo Vos
* Katira Eve
* Tek Krodak

### **NPCs**

* Syvar
* Eristo
* Al'Teese
* Lannik Rakto
* Governor Parnot
* Cortan Praji

## **Inventory**

* -10,000 cr for Al’Teese's aid (Blaine)
* +*Reflections of Trusting Trust* (Katira)

## **Notes**

* “To what extent should one trust a statement that a program is free of Trojan horses? Perhaps it is more important to trust the people who wrote the software.” -excerpt read from the back cover of *Reflections of Trusting Trust*

## **Quotations**

> "*You said you would work for the highest bidder, and we’re letting you live. Which makes us the highest bidder. So let’s talk.*"
> ― Blaine to Al’Teese
>
>

> "*Holy crap… we have **not** gone back to check with Bota after finding out someone was impersonating him!*"
> ― Blaine
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> "*It’s okay, he’s easily replaced by a Clawdite*"
> ― Tek
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> "*We’ll go with you. Because I’m curious. Curious like a cat. This is why my friends call me whiskers.*"
> ― Blaine
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> "*I kind of just want to shoot this guy and say “meow”*"
> ― Jordan
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>

> "*A giant tower shaped like a penis… who would have noticed that?*"
> ― Blaine
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>

> "***All** towers are shaped like penises…*"
> ― Droo
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> "*Hopefully you guys have already hailed him and checked in to make sure that he’s coming. It was part of my plan. Did you play your part?*"
> ― Parnot
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> "*Sorry… the ambassador has no idea that we’re here. That kind of ruins your plan, doesn’t it?*"
> ― Katira
>
>

> "*Who’s Bota?*"
> ― Droo
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>

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