Diplomatic Entanglements 2 - Revisiting Old Haunts

*Our heroes head back to where so many of their troubles began for them on Coruscant. Katira finds herself the victim of a persuasion, and some Jedi mind tricks. The ever important Praji family decide to pay their 100,000cr bet off so that they can finally be done with the annoying presence of Blaine knocking at their front door - this time with curious slicers and a bothersome Wookiee in tow. Heading off to Governor Parnot’s office with assurance that they won’t end up in a secret prison this time, the group finds that much has changed. Blaine, Jowkazza, and Jimmy lift Sparky to the ceiling as Tek concentrates himself into a heavy sweat in a secret closet so that the team can slice into the building.*

## **Previously**

*The disappearance of Bota Zi coincides with the group being brought into an alley for questioning by the Coruscant police for the assault of a diplomat turned Clawdite. The surprise appearance of several individuals offering Bota Zi in exchange for the Quarren that the group has captured breaks into a brawl, and the group finds that “Bota” was a fake, and the deceased Clawdite they brought out with them has been taken. So… what now? Can our heroes finish this Clawdite Conspiracy? Can they rescue Bota? Or maybe they’ll just settle down and open a tax auditing pizza delivery service.*

## **Recap**

### **Politically Influenced Plans**

Cal Omas contemplates a bit further on the recent kidnapping of Bota Zi, admitting that it appears the event was instigated by the Eriadu Authority. He comments that the New Republic sent a team to arrest Governor Parnot at his offices on Coruscant, but found the space vacated. Searching for the best course of action to be taken on the planet before losing the trail in a hunt through space, he mentions the possibility of placing a bounty on Bota’s head with Clan Broshnar and having skilled bounty hunters carry out the larger portion of the work without it being made apparent that the New Republic is involved. In order to accomplish this, a bounty would need to be placed with funds that cannot be tied to the New Republic. In other words, the group would need to front the cash themselves with no guarantee of a return.

Cal continues with an update on the Eriadu Authority to bring the team up to date on the situation. It appears that Admiral Daala is continuing to consolidate her power within the Imperial Remnant, and the alternative fuel that the group discovered evidence of on Kampe may be a part of that, allowing the Admiral to focus the rancor’s share of her funds on the development and training of her forces elsewhere. Cal comments that speculation is all that they currently have for the goings on of the Imperials, which is worrisome. He explains that Admiral Daala was previously in charge of security for the Maw Installation, a top secret research facility that Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin maintained for the development of superweapons, and her former status as a top graduate from her class in the Imperial Academy implies that the woman is a supreme tactician.

The best guesses of the New Republic are that the Imperials have fueling depots in an asteroid belt in the Deep Core servicing other mercenary groups, but intelligence also indicates that there may be moves by the Imperials to push out toward Hutt Space and Mandalorian Space as well.

With his brief completed, Cal opens the floor for questions from the group, and suggestions for the best course of action to rescue Bota - though the Senator comments that rescuing the ambassador is not the grand prize, and losing him in exchange for bringing Parnot and the Eriadu Authority to justice is a price that he is willing to pay.

> "*I wanna think about Bota for a minute, and… if we put a bounty on him… it might be fun for him!*"
> ― Rusty
>
>

### **Collections**

Cal suggests that the group start by taking a look at the former offices that held Governor Parnot and his operations on Coruscant to see if there is anything that the New Republic missed when they went in to arrest the man. Blaine requests that a bounty be placed for the Clawdite the group recently worked with, Al'Teese, and sets the value at 75,000cr. Cal agrees to the idea, but adds once again that the New Republic cannot be seen as involved.

> "*It might be a good idea for you guys to liquidate your assets anyway. You’re trying to move about the galaxy quite often, and carrying 6 speeder bikes, 18 shuttles, 6 TIE Fighters and…*"
> ― Cal Omas
>
>

> "*We’ll liquidate your assets alright.*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*Oh, that’s a better idea. We’ll sell some of Bota’s things! He won’t mind at all.*"
> ― Katira
>
>

> "*What’s with all this judgement, Cal?*"
> ― Blaine
>
>

> "*Have you been inventorying all our things?! Where are you getting these numbers?*"
> ― Droo
>
>

Blaine offers to put the credits forward on his own when Katira recommends that they go request payment from the Praji for their bet now that they’ve cleared up a bit of the Clawdite confusion, and Cal seems to think that might not be a bad idea since they were caught up in the inception of the crisis as well.

The team heads off into the skies of Coruscant on an air speeder, arriving at the Praji Estate to be greeted by the receptionist droid at the entrance. Blaine tries to barge right through on official police business as Katira explains that they need to see Cortan Praji straight away, and Tek and Jawa Jimmy take a moment to slice into the reception computer, finding little beyond the delegate’s schedule.

The startled droid calls in to Cortan Praji, explaining the developing situation in the foyer and asking if an audience can be granted at this time. Katira attempts to smooth the transition by telling the droid to relay that the group is visiting regarding the last Race on Denon, and they are granted access to Cortan’s office shortly after.

Cortan expresses surprise, but welcomes the group upon their arrival to his offices and asks if they have any news to pass on.

> "*Yeah, uh… we’re here because we need to talk to you. And by we, I mean someone else… Katira?*"
> ― Blaine
>
>

Having expected Blaine to be more interested in conversing, Katira steps forward and explains that they are there to collect their winnings on the 100,000cr wager now that the Praji involvement with the Clawdite’s has been cleared up, claiming that she needs the credits in order to perform repairs on her vessel after receiving major damage in combat over Regamus. When Cortan asks why they would bother coming all the way to Coruscant for such a meager amount, Katira points out that the team is not composed of such wealthy individuals as House Praji and states that her friend Jowkazza might also be interested in “auditing” the Praji if they don’t want to pay up - Blaine chiming in to add that they would also like to make sure the family is doing alright.

Looking over, Cortan asks Jowkazza why he seems to be exploring the offices without permission, asking him to come back over instead of exploring the access to the pleasure yacht that is currently docked on the side of the building. As the Wookiee returns, Cortan agrees to pay the sum despite the fact that he didn’t make the bet, adding that the whole embarrassment of being caught soaked in alcohol with his hands down his pants really set his brother back.

> "*I’ve heard that story before. I’m so glad I don’t have hands… or pants.*"
> ― MT-D Translator
>
>

Excusing himself for a moment, Cortan heads back to retrieve a datapad for the credit transfer, asking Jowkazza to stay behind when he follows momentarily. As he is gone, Kenneth brings Katira a glass of Rydonnian Spice Wine that she had requested on her arrival, and the group is surprised to see the young man, having assumed that he worked for Bota, and learns that he is a butler for hire working through the Butler’s Guild in the area.

As Cortan returns and transfers the 100,000cr to Katira, he asks why Bota Zi isn’t traveling with the group and whether Katira still works for him. Katira states that since their visit is more personal, Bota didn’t need to come along, adding that though they are friends she no longer works for the Ambassador and may be available for hire from the family in future races on Denon (\*wink wink\*).

As the group looks on, Cortan attempts to persuade Katira to pass on more information regarding the circumstances surrounding his brother. Worried that their ally may get them into some deep trouble, Tek and Droo both attempt to Affect Mind on Katira to alter her memory. The Jedi fail, but Katira manages to slip out of Cortan’s line of questioning by skirting around the topic.

> "*I don’t know that I can help much with your brother. I’ll tell you one thing, I haven’t always enjoyed my time with the New Republic. I don’t seem to recall much about what happened with your brother specifically or anything from there. I’ve been to several bars since I’ve been here. I’ve been to prison at least once, maybe twice…*"
> ― Katira
>
>

### **Reflections of the Past**

Departing with 100,000 additional credits, the group moves along to the same building that they visited before their first trip to a covert Coruscant prison. Removing their weapons, they all pass through the security station, then wait as Katira has to turn over the vibrodagger she attempted to sneak in with, and head to the turbolift. A brief sense of worry and urge to hold their breath passes over Blaine, Droo, Katira, and Tek as the turbolift doors close, but they make their way up to Governor Parnot’s office without any issue.

As the team steps into the familiar office space, they find the entire area emptied of any trace of Parnot with the exception of a piece of art on the wall, and a single book *“Reflections of Trusting Trust”* sitting on the nearby bookshelf. Recalling that this was the very book that she threw at the Governor during their last meeting, a sense of frustration permeates the room, as if after all their efforts, they have accomplished nothing to stop the Imperials and are simply being mocked.

Blaine looks about for clues (-3cp for *investigation*), and finds little to no trace left behind by the Governor. He does manage to notice that in a few areas that he recalls there being holovids and security emplacements there is still some cabling tucked away, indicating that there may be a main server in the building that the group might be able to access and pull files from. Looking at the wall, a mural has been left hanging on the wall. Blaine notes that the mural appears to be out of place, not matching the overall decor of the room.

Droo reaches out in the force to attempt to sense Bota, and as she does she is startled to sense that whomever Bota is with is somehow aware of their presence in the room. As she starts to explain this to the group, the turbo lift doors open with a rush behind her, and a maintenance worker walks into the room.

Surprised to find the room occupied, the technician states that he has been assigned to the room to perform repairs and prepare the space for the next tenant before introducing himself as Ameral Breed. On Blaine’s questioning, he explains that the wires Blaine found go down to the mainframe below and are available in all office spaces in the building. Blaine introduces himself as a Coruscant police officer, and Droo states that she is “Zest Sector” as she looks around the room for pseudonym ideas and reads the words emblazoned on the walls.

Ameral asks if Droo is here on behalf of the Zest Foundation - the group that owns the building - and when she responds in the affirmative he offers to show the special features of the particular office that everyone is currently viewing. He moves to a nearby wall and depresses a hidden button that causes one of the walls to slide out of view and reveals a hidden passageway, then offers a tour to anyone that is interested. Katira, Rusty, Droo, and Tek take him up on the offer, hoping to distract the man while Blaine, Jowkazza, and Jimmy hang back.

> "*Droo, while this guys showing us around, I’ve got a question or two for ya. If you don’t mind touring the facility with us.*"
> ― Katira
>
>

> "*Yeah, what’s up buddy? I’ll come. Before you ask, it was only Tek.*"
> ― Droo
>
>

### **Corporate Slicing**

Entering the area, Katira is filled with anxiety and a sense that she has been in this space before (7 on 6D6 *search*), and Droo notes that the layout of the area is… odd. The dimensions of the area are familiar, with heavily reinforced durasteel doors set as entries into the rooms that are situated off the hallway. Security personnel pace the area as various technicians appear to be removing the cabling overhead. Looking about, Droo seems to recall the area as well, and notes that the layout seems more akin to a barracks or holding facility than to an office.

Continuing down the hall, Droo notices that the doors all open automatically when the maintenance droids pass by and her memory clicks in. This is the location of Parnot’s secret prison that the group was held in.

In Parnot’s office, Blaine gets Jowkazza and Jimmy to help him move the furniture around a bit so that they can attempt to connect Sparky to the overhead cabling (-1cp for Blaine to connect Sparky). As Blaine prepares to connect Sparky to the facility, however, the astro-monster droid rejects the idea. His arc welder suddenly sparks to life and he turns to fight the group off before Blaine tries to calm his circuits.

> "*Look, Sparky. I think we’re a lot alike. All of us. We all like to kill things. We all like to get information on how to kill things. But the things that I think that we like the most are hurting the people that hurt us. And if we can hook you up to these wires…*"
> ― Blaine
>
>

Sparky settles down, and begins to chirp off to Jawa Jimmy that with the connections available he is missing portions of the buildings system, but adds that he has managed to get into the surveillance system, adding that they appear to be running facial recognition program. As the astromech begins to complain about whatever encryption protocol he is struggling with, he begins projecting what he has available, though it appears that more information would be available if Tek can gain access from what appears to be a controlling console near his location.

Still touring with Amerall Breed, Tek manages to fall back away from the group and sneak into a side door that looks to house the servers in question. He quickly logs in, but finds the system blocked with a security protocol blocking further access. As Blaine looks for clues to the passcode, Tek quickly writes a protocol that will allow him backdoor access in the future if he can get in.

From Parnot’s office, Blaine calls in that there are several reliefs that may be a clue to the code. Of the reliefs, the second and fourth appear to be raised beyond the others

> "*I’m just waiting for Rusty to bust in with the answer. If somebody had hoof hands, they would just punch them all!*"
> ― Blaine
>
>

Glancing over the computer screen with the information provided by Blaine, Tek inputs a sequence (1C-BD-1C-BD-1C) and the security protocol shifts to accept the input and move to the next unlock stage. With a concept in mind, Tek quickly inputs another sequence (BD-E9-1C-55-E9) and is granted full access to the system. A map is brought up immediately, showing the building and surrounding area with all facial recognition cameras highlighted as well as several routes mapped out showing persons of interest that the equipment has been used to track.

With access, Tek proceeds to upload a backdoor entrance as he begins to download all the information that is currently available.

### **Secret Pen Pals**

With the current scenario seemingly in hand, Katira takes a moment to pull Jawa Jimmy aside with a request. She has him send off a message to Malvessa Calipsa on New Javis, and a second to an unknown recipient on Rathalay with the plans to the T-70 X-Wing attached. With those messages sent, she then requests that he send a third to the same recipient on Rathalay within a particular time window, this time attaching the plans to the *Wookiee Punch*. Katira stresses the need for the final message to arrive within a particular time window, and requests that it be anonymous. Jimmy helps absentmindedly, looking to pay Katira back for previous favors, but mostly annoyed and bored with her rambling about the importance of the time window.

## **Featured Characters**

### **Our Heroes**

* Blaine Hansom
* Callen Mutig
* Droo Vos
* Jawa Jimmy
	+ Sparky
* Jowkazza
* Katira Eve
* Roostan Steele
* Tek Krodak

### **NPCs**

* Cal Omas
* Al Mosfriday
* Cortan Praji
* Ameral Breed

### **Mentioned**

* Governor Parnot
* Admiral Daala

## **Inventory**

* -10,000cr (Katira)
* +10,000cr worth of various size Creature Crates (Droo)
* +100,000cr (Blaine, Katira)
* -3cp for investigating Parnot’s office (Blaine)
* -1cp for droid programming/repair (Blaine)

## **Notes**

* Katira tells Droo that she bought her 10,000cr worth of animal crates for Droorassic Park. The group thinks Katira might be a Clawdite due to her generosity, but when Katira explains that its a life day gift and clarifies that she won’t be getting anything for Tek, they agree that it is her
* Possibly the worst roll ever in game, Katira rolled 7 on 6D6 for *Search* while touring the building
* Al Mosfriday commented that the Eriadu Authority held allegiance from Sluis Van, Clak’dor and other planets along the Rima Trade Route, complicating an open attack against the group
* Thinking that Al Mosfriday was able to notice who was a Clawdite at the afterlife party due to his consumption of Rydonnian Spice Wine, Katira dove right into the world of drugs on the suspicion that Cortan Praji may be a Clawdite

## **Quotations**

> "*I’d like to pretend that I have a hump on my back.*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*Something wrong over there, Hansom?*"
> ― Al Mosfriday
>
>

> "*No, I think I know where Bota is, and don’t worry about it… because I’ve got a hunch!*"
> ― Blaine
>
>

{{Quote|quote = I do love that after leaving this party we are down one Bota still, Blaine has smuggled a bunch of towels under his shirt as a hunch, and Katira is speaking with a Scottish accent.|speaker = Droo

> "*Don’t you remember when we showed up to that last life day party after being captured by this Governor Parnot, and that was the start of this whole thing?*"
> ― Katira
>
>

> "*Was that when you had your non-regional American accent, Katira?*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*That was back when Tek was force pushing hats off people’s heads instead of chairs out from underneath them, thank you very much!*"
> ― Katira
>
>

> "*Just call me ‘ol Musical Chairs.*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*That was before Katira went to space ancestry dot com and found out she has space Scottish ancestry. Really leaning into it.*"
> ― Droo
>
>

> "*Don’t worry, Detective Blaine Hansom is on the case.*"
> ― Blaine flashing his stolen police badge
>
>

> "*Is that a stolen badge?*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*Nope.*"
> ― Blaine
>
>

> "*Case closed.*"
> ― Droo
>
>

> "*I thought for sure we were going to the kink dungeon.*"
> ― Rusty
>
>

> "*This is a rather wealthy royal house from some random inner core planet. I’m sure they’ve got some weird things going on too.*"
> ― Katira
>
>

> "*That is a good answer.*"
> ― Rusty
>
>

> "*We can always set one up before we leave, too. Leave it better than we found it, you know.*"
> ― Droo
>
>

> "*Is that better than we found it?*"
> ― Katira
>
>

> "*Look, if things go down in there, and someone has their arms ripped off. I need you - whatever he roars, I don’t care - I need you to say “It’s time for an audit”*"
> ― Katira
>
>

> "*Whatever you say!*"
> ― MT-D Translator
>
>

> "*Just trying to get good branding for the big guy’s new company.*"
> ― Katira
>
>

> "*Yeah, he did my taxes. I came back clean as a whistle!*"
> ― Rusty
>
>

> "*…and who are you, sir?*"
> ― Cortan Praji
>
>

> "*Oh, uh… forgot I was talking out loud there.*"
> ― Rusty
>
>

> "*If you want, we’ll be arm in arm with you the whole time. Wait, don’t you mean hand in hand? No… he means arm in arm.*"
> ― MT-D Translator for Jowkazza
>
>

> "*Every time we attempted a facial recognition the camera was never quite in focus enough to see the perpetrators of that evening.*"
> ― Cortan Praji
>
>

> "*I’ve heard about that. It only happens when the people are so beautiful and good looking that the camera just can’t read it. That’s a clue though, huh?*"
> ― Droo
>
>

> "*Now look, Droo! I understand that you’ve been trying to dig at me after this whole incident on Denon, but… it’s not funny in front of the man to say that I did that to his brother. I don’t like to put hands down people’s pants.*"
> ― Katira
>
>

> "*To be honest, Katira, I don’t remember which one of us did it.*"
> ― Droo
>
>

> "*Are you confessing in front of the man?!*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*Sure… Also, why do you have an Irish accent?*"
> ― Jawa Jimmy
>
>

> "*When I talk to you it seems that sometimes you guys confuse me talking with this other greater entity that appears to control everything that I do talking. And sometimes everybody thinks its that greater entity talking, when it’s really me or vice versa.*"
> ― Katira
>
>

> "*Is Katira becoming aware of David?!*"
> ― Ilya
>
>

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