Incepting Wampa 1 - Dank Dreams

The Dream is Real

*Our heroes depart the planet Regamus as heroes to some and unconvincing con artists to most. Now on their way to Coruscant, what should be a quiet hyperspace trip becomes one of the most ethically dubious adventures the team has ever embarked upon. After living in a fantasy dream created for Callen by their new starfish companion, the team decides to jump into the mind of their enemy turned bounty. What could go wrong when you decide to change the fundamental psyche of a highly trained Imperial Ace?*

## **Previously**

*What a difference one night can make. After landing to applause from everyone following their battle above Regamus, the team woke the next morning to a half hearted award ceremony and a rumor that the attack was all a show put on to promote ship sales. While the loss of respect is far from what was expected, Katira in particular is dismayed to find that all repairs to her nearly destroyed VT-49 Decimator will be coming out of her own pocket - a cost of 100,000cr with the only nearby mechanic willing to do the work being a blind Quarren.*

*The team manages to mitigate the issue by working together to set up a meeting between Katira and the Duchess Malvessa Calipsa, who agrees to repair the ship in exchange for her house becoming its official sponsor. With repairs taken care of, the team then meets with the Gold Armored Mandalorian that fought alongside them above Regamus, and is requested to aid in a search for a missing compatriot. They agree, with the condition that they will need to stop off on Coruscant first to deliver the imprisoned Wampa over to the New Republic for 40,000cr. Cramming onboard Bota’s Lambda-Class transport Veltmoor’s Pride, they left the ungrateful starship convention behind.*

## **Recap**

### **Settling In**

As *Veltmoor’s Pride* transits away from the Regamus space port and begins preparations for entering hyperspace en route to Coruscant alongside the Mandalorian’s ship, each member of the group settles in to the tight quarters of the Lambda-class shuttle.

Katira ensures that Wampa’s binders are properly fastened and as uncomfortable as possible, then asks Tek if it would be possible to quickly find any information on the pilot. Tek - surprisingly - agrees, and quickly produces a dossier on the pilot before getting some shut eye. With everyone else beginning to nod off, Katira turns to the nearest computer terminal where she composes three separate messages: one delivered to Blaine Hansom asking for the smuggler to investigate Wampa, and a pair of messages to Octavian Grant and Malvessa Calipsa respectively concerning upcoming repairs to *Droo’s Delight*. With her messages sent, the thief takes a moment to check her equipment is ready for immediate use, shooting a distrustful glance at Wampa before leaning back in her seat and letting sleep slowly take her.

On the other side of the main cabin, Callen shifts around for a few moments, realizing just how much more difficult it is to sit comfortably when a small starfish now resides on one of your shoulders. Eventually finding an acceptable position, he stares across the room and absentmindedly wonders what Katira could be so absorbed in typing as the white noise of the ships ventilation and the quiet tapping of keys under the Zeltron’s fingers slowly become the only recognizable sounds in a cabin otherwise full of sleepers. His eyes slowly close, the dimmed lights of the passenger cabin fading to complete darkness, his breathing slows, and the familiar comfort of sleep floods over him.

### **Bolden… Dank Bolden**

The early evening sky is a shimmering pale blue as the luxury speeder proceeds along its pre-programmed route. Dominating the view ahead, the jewel-shaped structure shimmers in the fading sunlight, reflecting the twisting stage lights set around it like a diamond.

As the speeder door opens out, it reveals a long red carpet rolled right up to the vehicle. Flashing lights and shouting reporters greet him as he walks toward the gilded entryway, every being trying to catch his attention for a question or a holo. Ahead on the carpet are dozens of beautifully dressed patrons milling about and answering media questions. As he nears the main doors, a reporter’s voice cuts through the din: “Hey, an autograph for the kids back home?”. He hands over a holo and a pen, and when the pen is clicked an image appears. Callen, wearing a tailored suit and holding a familiar Death Hammer blaster pistol hovers in the air for a moment.

> "*The name’s Bolden… Dank Bolden…*"
> ― Callen as Dank Bolden
>
>

As he finishes his line, the holo fires its blaster. The holographic smoke is still hanging in the air as the holo twirls the blaster and returns it to his holster. Laughing to himself, Callen flashes a trademark smile at the cameras before turning to enter. Somehow, he knows that he *is* Dank Bolden, and the memory of Callen Mutig feels as though it was the dream.

Approaching the door, a diminutive figure stands holding a list of names. Dressed in a fancy black and white robe with gaudy purple epaulettes and a red bow tie, the miniature bouncer nods toward the red R2-series astromech with a matching bow tie. The droid twitters out a series of violent threats to the encroaching paparazzi before opening the doors wide for Dank to enter. Staring at the list of names, Jawa Jimmy suddenly realizes that he can’t even read it. As Dank Bolden walks in, the Jawa struggles with the conflicting memory of having worked here his entire life, but actually, wait, he can’t even remember where it is he works, only that there is a show inside for a bunch of famous rich people and some fantastic booze.

Inside on stage, Tek Krodak looks over the room as the song comes to an end. Turning to pick up a kloo horn, the Zabrak falters for a moment as he realizes that he can’t remember how to use the instrument. He was just singing a song about… a song about lost love? Or was it about moving on? Either way, he can’t recall how to play the kloo horn. He attempts to concentrate as the backup musicians begin to play.

Dank saunters over to the bar just in time to see a patron fall to the ground. Behind the bar, Katira shakes her wrist as the sting of the punch she just threw fades. She looks down at a drink, not remembering who she made it for. Feeling that something is off, she lifts the drink and thrusts its contents on the stunned Aqualish on the ground. The other patrons at the bar laugh, and a voice behind the bar - a familiar voice? - can be heard.

> "*Second time this week, Katira.*"
> ― mysterious barback
>
>

> "*Well they should know better than to touch the merchandise.*"
> ― Katira
>
>

As she tries to figure out what exactly is going on, Katira scans the room and catches sight of a man with an eyepatch, dressed in all black sitting at the Hintaro table a short ways away. Dank Bolden approaches the bar, recognizing Katira immediately and asking for a drink. The Zeltron stares confusedly back, wondering why Callen looks so much like Dank Bolden. She pulls a blaster with an excessively long barrel out from behind the bar, everyone around beginning to laugh in an exaggerated manner suggestive of a holo-comedy.

> "*Callen… do you want to get knocked out like that guy over there?*"
> ― Katira
>
>

Katira grabs a bottle of liquor and passes it to Dank/Callen, nodding to the man in black as he motions the pair over. The duo head toward the table together, and on stage Tek tosses the kloo horn aside on stage and begins to sing to a curiously receptive room. The one eyed man scans the room, the passing thought of how much money his establishment will pull in on a night that they receive a visit from the famous Dank Bolden fading as Bota wonders what exactly is going on.

Arriving at the table, Callen motions the barback over and asks for a glass to pour his liquor into. As the barback hurries off to fulfill the request, Droo approaches wearing a 1920’s style dress and pearls, accompanied by a small green elephant with matching pearls. Leaning in toward Dank, she states that she has information about his brother but suddenly wonders what she was talking about.

As the feeling of being out of place begins to pervade the senses of the group - except for Tek, who feels completely natural being the musical center of attention - more and more cracks in the facade begin to become apparent. Nearly every patron in the casino appears to be an automaton, responding with raucous laughter at Katira’s aggressive nature, Bota wins round after round of Hintaro, and Droo senses only a single life form in the force nearby.

As the team becomes more suspicious the world almost *feels* stretched to its limit, until the signs all converge on the cheerful barback. He shyly reveals himself to be none other than Xx, explaining that his species has the ability to manipulate dreams on a subconscious level and had only hoped to show the group a good time. Katira notes that the only person on their ship that is missing appears to be Wampa, who Xx explains he left out intentionally because the group didn’t seem fond of her.

Disoriented and feeling violated by being used as toys in a dream, the team shifts into a default aggressive stance. Callen/Dank draws his blaster on Xx, who backtracks and fails to understand why the group is so unhappy. Realizing that the starfish truly had no ill intent, they ask for this all to end, and with a start everyone comes to consciousness.

### **Ambiguous Morals**

As everyone comes to consciousness, they begin to ask one another whether that was truly a shared dream or just their own personal nightmare. As soon as they come to agreement that it was reality, Katira turns everything on its head when she asks whether Xx can change someone’s personality with this ability. The starfish notes that there are certain dangers associated with such a proposition but indicates that he thinks it would be possible, and Katira presents a morally gray idea to the group: to attempt to alter Wampa and bring her to their side.

A long conversation is held, with members glancing repeatedly in the direction of the sleeping TIE pilot mere meters away. Several moral arguments are put forth, with the primary reasons for invading Wampa’s mind being self serving. Though she agrees that they would be altering a portion of Wampa’s personality, Katira points out that if they do nothing the pilot would be at best imprisoned for life and at worst may escape again. To counter, she points out that they may be releasing Wampa from a lifetime of others twisting her psyche, and that the pilot could serve the greater good of the galaxy. Ultimately, the group votes on the proposition and by a slight majority they decide to incept Wampa.

With the decision made, Tek informs the team that his search into Wampa’s history has yielded results:

* Born and raised in an Imperial household on Yaga Minor
	+ Yaga Minor: Loyal Imperial planet, operated a major Imperial shipyard, the native insectoid species was enslaved by humans
* Her parents were influential, but did not hold position within the Imperial Senate
* Attended Imperial Pilot Academy
* Always took pride in her position within the Empire
* Always held positions of power
* No official name is on record

Information in hand, the group gets comfortable and prepares to sleep. Tek offers his assistance in placing anyone willing into a hibernation trance, but is roundly rejected - though Katira does ask Droo to put her into a trance.

### **Wampa Level 1: Origins**

Fading into sleep, the team is given one final warning from Xx: this is different from a dream that he creates, Wampa’s subconscious may be dangerous. In addition, Xx is already worn out from creating Callen’s dream. As a result, he might lose himself in her mind, and until the group can find and rescue him they will all be trapped.

The next thing anyone knows, they are standing outside a massive house floating in empty space. Approaching the front doors, they open smoothly and reveal an entry chamber dominated by a massive statue of Emperor Palpatine, flanked by two insectoid creatures.

> "*You open the front doors and there is a massive statue of Emperor Palpatine in the entry room.*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*Oh, big fan eh? Us too… we love the Emperor.*"
> ― Tek
>
>

The creatures are impassive as Tek speaks with them, not even laughing at the Zabrak’s best jokes, and eventually the group simply walks past. Entering first, Callen finds the bar almost immediately, but is met with a similarly blank response from the insectoid bartender.

Proceeding in through a different doorway, Katira glances at several items on display before reaching a raised platform and finding a man and a woman seated on what can only be described as thrones. When she asks who they are, the man rises and states that he is the individual in charge of Yaga Minor’s support of the Empire: Moff \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* (the name only comes out as an indecipherable static buzz). In response Droo steps forward, claiming to be the senator of the system, and is rebuffed by the Moff, who gestures to a nearby piano and states that if that is true she should be able to play “Ace’s favorite song”. Stepping out on a limb, Droo takes a seat and place the chords A-C-E, and a smile spreads across the Moff’s previously stoic face. He informs the group that they always knew she would be the best pilot in the galaxy, and that is why they named her Ace. With the Moff noticeably less cold, Katira asks the woman about the items in the room.

> "*That gem in the corner… We had a great grandfather who was a Jedi. We put this gem… we weren’t really related though. We just tell people that.*"
> ― Wampa’s Mother
>
>

Unsure of what the assortment of items may represent to Wampa, and what the affect may be if they are altered or removed, Katira attempts to act on the aspects of the subconscious that she feels most certain in changing. Approaching the Moff, she asks that in return for the song so graciously played by Droo the insectoid creatures be freed of their servitude. Unwilling to completely release them, the Moff states that in appreciation for the song they will allow the creatures to go outside. Satisfied, Katira passes this sentiment to the bugs and asks that they remove the massive statue of Emperor Palpatine as they exit.

Brandishing his usual style, Tek sees the change in the personality of Wampa’s parents as an opportunity that he simply can’t pass up. He approaches Wampa’s mother, and attempts to seduce the facsimile that she should run away with him. He surprisingly makes some headway with the woman, but finds that while the perceived relationship with her husband is open for reimagining, she has no sway one way or another with Wampa herself.

> "*How good is your relationship with your daughter?*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*Roll a D6.*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*Okay. 3.*"
> ― Ilya
>
>

> "*I’d say on a scale of 1 to 6 it’s about a 3.*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

Still adjusting to the reality of existing within Wampa’s subconscious and not yet fully committed to the ethics of their actions, the group meanders through the entry area a bit more before discovering a gaping hole in the fabric of the location, leading them to the next level of the TIE Pilot’s character. They take a few moments to consider their position further, but without having discovered Xx to allow for an exit, they decide to move deeper.

## **Featured Characters**

### **Our Heroes**

* Bota Zi
* Callen Mutig
* Droo Vos
* Katira Eve
* Tek Krodak

## **Notes**

* File pulled from *Veltmoor’s Pride*: message from Katira to Octavian Grant
	+ Associated Rolls: 6 for receptivity, 4 for response time
* File pulled from *Veltmoor’s Pride*: message from Katira to Malvessa Calipsa
	+ Associated Rolls: 3 for receptivity, 4 for response time
* Items seen in level one of Wampa’s subconscious:
	+ Map of the Yaga Minor System
	+ Model of the ship that first colonized Yaga Minor
	+ mysterious item labeled as having originated on Alderaan
	+ Corusca Gem - noted as having belonged to a “Jedi relative”
	+ 10’ tall crystalline structures
	+ miscellaneous items celebrating human achievements on Yaga Minor

## **Quotations**

> "*Alright guys, don’t step on any butterflies.*"
> ― Tek upon entering Wampa’s subconscious
>
>

> "*Hey aliens, point us toward… um… Wampa…*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*They just stare at you blankly.*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*Force PUSH!*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*Space Janitor… is that you?*"
> ― Tek to an Insectoid Custodian
>
>

> "*I know not why I should approach you, but may I dance to gain favor in your eyes?*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*I have this new type of dance known as “Dodge: Energy Weapons”. It’s not for the faint of heart.*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*What have I won, if not your heart?*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*Let’s go somewhere private. What’s your favorite place?*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*I like it here.*"
> ― Wampa’s Mother
>
>

> "*No! Don’t you have an imagination woman?!*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*Well… she lives in her daughter’s imagination, so…*"
> ― Katira
>
>

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