The Last Command 4 - Don't Ask About the Helmet

"We spent 2 hours planning this mission and Ilya blows it in the first 3 minutes!" -Bota

### Runtime

2:34:18

*Our heroes go through arduous negotiations to secure a ship to take on the Empire. They have a plan to infiltrate an Empire ship and sway the Stormtroopers to join that rebellious alliance against evil..... but have a difficult start when Tek decides to play big dog and con his way through the first checkpoint. Luckily, Katira steps in, on and over Tek and saves the day.*

## **Previously**

*Boarding the Panksta, the team made their way through several illusions, traps, monsters, and droids in pursuit of Nago the Calculating. As Tek and Droo decided to go save some Squibs and struggled mightily to defeat two simple droids, Bota and Katira mow down five as they keep the primary goal of capturing the Hutt in mind. The Jedi continue what becomes a dodging competition as they fail repeatedly to strike down the droids, while Bota and Katira manage to capture Nago alive. Finally defeating the droids, Tek and Droo catch up a bit late but manage to reveal that the “Nago” that surrendered is a fake, and the real Hutt is encased in carbonite. With the traitor in custody, our heroes return to the Panksta victorious and ready for the next step in this campaign.*

## **Recap**

### **Twilight Training**

On Ibis, not far from where the group first had an encounter with the ghost of Lord Sithspawn, Droo and Tek are brought into a meeting with Dask Ra'tava in a small, abandoned outpost. They are officially introduced to Dask’s Twilight Council, and given a brief introduction to their upcoming training regimen.

* Dua Corrobb: currently having difficulty adapting to his new situation, he is acting in an advisory position to Dask
* Ronia Del Vath: an old ally of Blaine and company, with all Force Seer
* V: clone of Asajj Ventress, she is having some difficulty recovering and is currently mute
* Vash Taalweb: recently rescued by the team, he is settling into apprenticeship
* The severed head of Lord Sithspawn in a jar: a general nuisance

Dask instructs the pair to calm their minds and settle into the force. Droo easily clears her mind, and after a minute or two of struggle Tek manages to as well. They then begin exercises in moving and controlling small objects with ease before proceeding to attempt to sense objects that are out of their sight - a challenge that Droo passes with ease before a frustrated Tek simply removes all obstruction. Finally, the pair attempts some simple blaster parrying with a training blade. Droo once again excels in the exercise, even showing off and flinging her blade and calling it back to herself to impress her Jedi Master. Not to be shown up, Tek parries a shot, then attempts to halt the next one in mid-air but only partially succeeding as he burns his hand.

With their training complete, the two return to clearing their minds:

* Tek spends 30cp, boosts **Sense**, **Control**, and **Alter** to 1D+1
* Droo spends 30cp, boosts **Sense** to 2D, boosts **Control**, and **Alter** to 1D+1

### **Mission Proposal and Negotiations**

Barely recovered after having recovered the carbonite frozen body of Nago the Calculating, the group is called into a meeting with Kroyen Ta’lar and Fror Say'lar. Now that the concerns introduced by the Hutt have been taken care of, the New Republic wishes to begin the operation that they initially had in mind - sneaking into Grand Admiral Thrawn’s fleet.

Intelligence indicates that the Imperial Raider-Class Corvette *Scylla* - a companion ship to the 9th fleet flagship *Charybdis* - will be docking at an Imperial outpost. The group is tasked with transporting the *Redcrest* to the outpost, and performing a crew change with the *Scylla* in order to plant an infiltration team onto the ship. Ideally the team would be able to enact a takeover of the ship completely, but the primary mission is to infiltrate the *Charybdis* and slice in for vital intelligence.

Bota, appointed as the lead for the operation, expresses concern at using the *Redcrest* for this mission. Knowing that the Grand Admiral is meticulous and highly intelligent, he doubts that the docking of the *Scylla* is anything but a trap that they are willingly walking straight into. With no alternative ships available, however, he decides that before the *Redcrest* can be used the approval of the Ibissian people should be sought after as the ship technically belongs to them.

> "*So… we doing this for political gain, or for a payment, or…*"
> ― Bota Zi
>
>

> "*Nope. You’re doing this because you have to as a General in the New Republic and we say you have to.*"
> ― Kroyen Ta’lar
>
>

> "*…Bothans.*"
> ― Katira under her breath
>
>

Bota finds the Speaker of Ibis, and proffers the request for use of the Star Destroyer. Proving herself to be an apt politician, the Speaker states that the people of Ibis will allow the request in exchange for the New Republic to cede any claims to the *Panksta*. The ship operates as a refinery, and the Khepri intend to utilize it as a landing point for interstellar commerce. Unable to ensure that the New Republic will accept the proposal, Bota finds himself caught between the New Republic and Ibis as the Speaker simply asks if the New Republic could accomplish this mission without his team.

> "*Okay… so nobody else has any thoughts on what we should do?1*"
> ― Bota
>
>

> "*I thought my idea was valid. I can slice the ship and make it unusable. Only we can unlock it.*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*That seems like a bad place to be. Then we’re making everyone angry.*"
> ― Bota
>
>

> "*It was working 30 minutes ago, what did you guys do?*"
> ― Tek
>
>

Reaching out through the force, Droo attempts to sense the intentions of the Speaker. Succeeding well beyond anything she could have hoped for, Droo sees that beneath the surface, the Speaker feels overwhelmed at the sudden rise to planetary representative but hopes sincerely for the glory of Ibis and the respect of its people.

Hopeful that the New Republic will recognize the intelligent politics of allowing the people of Ibis to establish themselves, Bota presents the offer to the Bothans. After a moment of uncertainty, Kroyen agrees to take the idea into consideration. The *Panksta* will be tentatively given to Ibis, but their goods will be taxed heavily until they agree to join the New Republic.

### **Crash… and Burn**

With the *Redcrest* secured for the operation, the group sets out to create a team of insurgents.

> "*We should bring Katira’s new accounting droid. Put it in a suit of armor. Time to crunch some numbers.*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*Time to close the books on another one.*"
> ― “Accounting Droid” Jordan
>
>

Looking for a larger presence after the crew change, the group decides to bring along a number of clone troopers, some Imperial defectors from the *Redcrest*, and Lt. Nera Piven. After a large number of defectors are selected by Piven, Droo senses the intentions of each and the team dismisses those that appear to be dishonest. With everything said and done, a team of 90 is set together and boards the *Redcrest*.

> "*So some of them seem depressed? What does that mean?*"
> ― Droo
>
>

> "*Nothing. You’re just sensing their emotions. But also, you have the saddest insurgent team around.*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*We should start a band. Call it Imperial Dashboard Confessional.*"
> ― Bota
>
>

Finally heading out, the *Redcrest* experiences some difficulties coming back online for transit and things are behind schedule. Everyone is provided with a personnel file and uniforms for the mission, and equipped accordingly. As they approach the outpost, there are not major problems encountered and the recent repairs to the *Redcrest* stand up to visual scrutiny. There are not many ships in the area, only the *Scylla* and a Nebulon-B combat freighter.

Things start to go sideways as the group attempts to dock. To the dismay of the outpost control center, Bota ignores incoming message traffic and has a \*minor\* collision with the station during docking. As the ranking officer from the team, Tek is responsible for leading the party out for the crew change, and things just… get worse.

> "*First of all… don’t ask about the helmet. It’s been a long vacation, and uh…*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*This just gets better with each clause.*"
> ― Droo
>
>

> "*We’re gonna be dead before we get on the ship. They’re going to shoot us all right now.*"
> ― Bota
>
>

> "*First of all, I just want to apologize in advance.*"
> ― Droo
>
>

> "*We’re just learning how to become stormtroopers. It’s our first day. Don’t judge us too hard. Especially those two engineering officers, they suck! I had to deal with their crap the whole way over here. That’s why we crashed into you.*"
> ― Bota
>
>

> "*We couldn’t figure out who was in charge and we were fighting over the controls.*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*Don’t worry… we’ll fix the scratches.*"
> ― Bota
>
>

Stepping onto the outpost, the group is approached by a customs official with a full squadron of stormtroopers in support. Not wanting to give an opening to the Imperials, Tek opts to speak first, much to the dismay of all involved.

> "*I want you to know I have a very high…*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*I.Q.*"
> ― Droo
>
>

> "*I have a high security prisoner here we got… off some uh… underwater planet? I need to get her to the interrogation room ASAP. She has information that is vital…*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*To the rebellion*"
> ― Droo
>
>

> "*She’s very… thirsty.*"
> ― Katira
>
>

> "*You’re saying you need to take this prisoner to the interrogation room? Where is the interrogation room?*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*You tell me. It’s my first time here.*"
> ― Tek
>
>

The inspection team is dumbfounded, as Tek utterly fails in his attempt to con. They state that there is nothing in their dossier about this, and openly question the “ISB Officer” as to why he would disregard Imperial protocol to tell them any of it.

> "*Can we just close the airlock and go away?! We spent two hours preparing for this and Ilya blew it up in the first three minutes!*"
> ― Luke
>
>

> "*Let’s start this over… Why don’t you tell me what the protocol is? Alright… Bota punch him. I’m tired of wasting our time here.*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*I can’t believe… after thirty years you guys are going to die tonight!*"
> ― Laurel
>
>

> "*I’ll see if you know what the proper protocol is.*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*Arrest this person!*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*I’m… I’m the head of IBS Security!*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*Irritable Bowel Syndrome?!*"
> ― Bota
>
>

> "*Okay… so they’re moving to arrest you, and 24 stormtroopers are raising their blasters at you.*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*Maybe… Katira can speak up? Katira why have you just been standing there watching me crash and burn?!*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*This is what you get for asking to be the Emperor!*"
> ― Bota
>
>

With everything imploding before it can even get started, Katira moves forward from behind Tek. Telling “Ensign Taint” to stand down and fall back into formation, she states that she allowed him to attempt to stand in as the leading officer for the crew transfer for some fun before their time on leave officially ends. Luckily the Imperials buy the story, and after some complaints about pranks wasting their time they allow the group to pass with an increased escort.

## **Featured Characters**

### **Our Heroes**

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

### **NPCs**

* Kroyen Ta’lar
* Fror Say'lar
* Imperial Customs “Lie Detector” Officer

### **Mentioned**

* Nago the Calculating
* Lt. Nera Piven

## **Notes**

* Using the force to Sense the intentions of the Speaker of Ibis, Droo rolled 27 on 2D6
* Imperial assignments for the team:
	+ Bota: Engineering Corps Lieutenant
	+ Droo: Prisoner
	+ Katira: Lt. Cdr. Stevie Nicks, Engineering Corps
	+ Tek: ISB Officer - later titled “Ensign Taint" by Katira
	+ Lt. Piven: Stormtrooper Commander
* Tek’s Con rolls: 16-15-17 on 5D6 failed to beat the Imperial 4D6
* Katira’s roll: 28 on 6D6 managed to salvage the mission

## **Quotations**

> "*Alright, so who’s gonna go first?*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*I’ll volunteer to go last.*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*Alright, you find the Speaker of Ibis. She’s got a couple of bodyguards nearby but she gives you a wave over, or whatever greeting the people of Ibis give.*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*\*Hidey Ho!\**"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*Wait… is that Bota, or…*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*It’s the traditional Ibis greeting.*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*If they tried to take [The Redcrest] it could start a mini war inside the ship.*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*I think that they would take that risk to stop Thrawn. He’s a much greater threat than the people of Ibis.*"
> ― Bota
>
>

> "*Sure, but it would be far from ideal for the New Republic.*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*I understand, but sometimes desperate measures, you know?*"
> ― Bota
>
>

> "*Desperate measures call for desperate times.*"
> ― Katira
>
>

> "*I just don’t trust these Bothans.*"
> ― Katira
>
>

> "*One of my favorite moments was when the Bothans caught you guys not giving information, and the Imperials blew them out of the water. Everyone was so relieved even though technically they just murdered your allies.*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*That was awkward for a second but uh… only Bothans were harmed in the making of this mission.*"
> ― Katira
>
>

> "*You’re gonna have to dress business casual, and…*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*Don’t tell Katira how to dress!*"
> ― Droo
>
>

> "*No, I was telling Bota.*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*Oh, I know how to dress. Don’t worry.*"
> ― Katira
>
>

> "*Taxes, taxes, taxes… sounds like Texas!*"
> ― Luke
>
>

> "*That is such a deep reference. I still have that video! Your mom hated it because you can hear a toilet flushing.*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*That’s such a mom thing to hate. “It reflects poorly on our home. Toilets flushing all the time. What are we, a house of flushing toilets?”*"
> ― Ilya
>
>

> "*It shows that we’re not conservatives.*"
> ― Luke
>
>

> "*Liberal with our toilet flushing!*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*Call out who you want to be for this mission.*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*I mean… I want to be the Emperor, but what are our options here?*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*I support Tek being the Emperor for this mission.*"
> ― Droo
>
>

> "*I mean… we can play this out. It’s not going to go well, but…*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*So Emperor what did you do on your vacation?*"
> ― Luke
>
>

> "*I got a tan, can’t you tell?*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*I got my groove back.*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*Uh, Droo… you have to be something that covers up your face.*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*\*scoffs\* Rude!*"
> ― Laurel
>
>

> "*Would not be a bad time to con them that I’m the Emperor?*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*Who is this guy? A human lie detector?!*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*No, he only has 4D, you rolled terribly!*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

Back to top