Prelude to Insurrection - Chasing Shadows

*After neutralizing the pirate threat that threatened Reenia on Kuat and the Kuati-Neimodian trade agreement and defeating their flagship, the Dauntless, the group moves their attention to an affiliated pirate cruiser that threatens the prospect of the Dauntless' clonetroopers and captain working for the group.*

## **Previously**

Attacking the *Dauntless*, the group is victorious at both stopping the pirates and crippling their ship. At the end of the encounter, however, Bota Zi claims the ship as his and pays a million credits to have it repaired. Talking to the crew, he is able to get some of them to stay on and work for him.

## **Recap**

### **Always Two There Are**

Using their New Republic letter of marque, the *Dauntless* is recognized as Bota's property. Sent to repair yards, the captain of the prize, Dashiva Tolian, approaches Bota Zi. Explaining that their group is part of a small syndicate of two capital-ships, he's just received a notification that this second ship ship, the *Valorous*, had also gone dark after sending out request for assistance.

Making a deal with Dashiva to ensure his loyalty and to build trust with their new pirate crew, the group decides to investigate on the condition that Dashiva gives them the override codes in case this a trap. After having this data vetted by 4-LOM, they decide to investigate.

### **Valorous**

Arriving to the location of the Valorous provided by Dashiva, the group sees a familiar looking ship framed in a strikingly different scenario.

In front of them is a ship resembling the *Dauntless* but is half the length, from stern to bow, with only running lights powered on and no weapons or shields powered on. Instead of the sight of a gunship ready to ambush them in a battle - they see a sad, quiet ship listing in space.

Docking the *Jinxed Starhawk,* Blaine, Bota, Tal and Genos begin their investigation. After a few quiet rooms, the group opens a door to be greeted by blaster fire, and the quickly close it. Deciding that his lightsaber will deflect or block most blaster bolts, Genos decides to open the door, hide behind the bulkhead, and wave his lightsaber around to reflect the shots. Although warned this may be a bad idea, Genos proceeds with the plan.

Shortly after waving his lit lightsaber around, Genos' hand and lightsaber drop to the floor - lopped off by an enemy in armor holding a lightsaber of their own. Panicking, the group rushes to attack and the enemy deflects a few bolts back to them - injuring Tal - and delaying their chase.

As they rush through the ship after the individual, they see some pirates killed, but most are tied up or otherwise incapacitated. As they rush to the next set of doors, the group realizes they've just run the length of the port docking bay to starboard docking bay. The force user, now seen clearly, is wearing unknown armor and robes, covering themselves up. Going up the platform to their ship, the group sees others onboard the ship as well, and as a distraction, there's a large furry, clawed beast charging the group.

By the time they neutralize the animal, the unknown ship is already flying out the airlock of the *Valorous,* escaping the group*.* At the same time, the alarms begin to blare and the sound of footsteps approach - the mysterious invaders unlocked everyone via a remote caller on their escape.

Blasting their way through the ship, the group jumps on the *Jinxed Starhawk* and is too shell-shocked to attack the now-powered up *Valorous.* The group jumps to hyperspace and back to the *Hunters' Tribunal*.

### **Escape and Aftermath**

Genos receives a bionic hand replacement from the doctor aboard the Hunters' Tribunal and urges Ronia to use her powers of farseeing and prophecy to track this unknown enemy down. Blaine also decides to take some off and heads back to his homeworld of Zaralner.

## **Featured Characters**

### **Our Heroes**

* Blaine Hansom
* Bota Zi
* Zuda Zorbo
* Genos Ia'danian

### **NPCs**

* Talcoborro
* Ronia Del Vath

### **Enemies**

* Valorous pirates
* Jensaarai Defenders

## **Special Edition Notes**

* I created the *Valorous* as I didn't write down the ship's name and created the connection between the Dauntless and the upcoming missions to provide continuity.
* In my notes, I only have a few points outlined which includes pirate ship, that's it before the Zaralner missions, there's a beast on the loose, and a rogue force user lops of Genos' hand, and later escapes - I also note it's a Jensaarai to set the stage for the next set of missions.
* I don't think Rob was here as I remember we played his in my apartment in Daly City.
* Famously, for our group, Genos loses a hand and two missions later, Blaine loses a foot.
* There was also a period in which either Jordan or Stu would start a mission and then the second would be finished by the other. I think this may have been the start of that. This handoff also happens in the next arc of missions.