The Agreement on Cloud City

Historically, meetings with the Empire on Cloud City have had mixed reviews.

*The Empire has fled!*

*Returning from hyperspace, the party are welcomed as heroes to the news of the death of Grand Admiral Thrawn and the retreat of the Empire. A party is held onboard a Mon Cal Cruiser and old friends catch up while medals and positions as ambassador are handed out all over. The people of Ibis are brought into the New Republic, and everything looks great. Except, of course, for the fact that it’s all one big lie. The group then heads for Cloud City to face their shameful defeat, having been bought for a few mines. Even here they have some trouble as Tek is attacked by Talon Karrde’s pet and has to be escorted out, only to receive a short transmission from a long lost droid that indicates that the Empire isn’t the only problem out there.*

## **Previously**

*The recent string of successful covert operations came to a startling halt when our heroes found themselves skillfully manipulated by Imperial Grand Admiral Thrawn. Having succeeded in overtaking the Imperial Raider-Class Corvette Scylla, tensions and disagreements arose between the team and their New Republic Liaison, the Bothan Prark. These petty disagreements only served as a distraction when exiting hyperspace and finding the Imperial fleet massing.*

*Transmissions began to steadily flow in as other starships entered the area, and docking with the Star Destroyer Chimera began. A meeting of all senior staff proved too much to pass up, and the group was treated to the Empire’s plans to splinter the New Republic. But before anything could be made of the windfall, it was revealed that their presence was not quite as covert as they had hoped. With no way to escape the trap, the heroes were co-opted into assisting the Grand Admiral in the next step to his ruse in exchange for their lives and claims to mining operations on the planet Lok.*

*With the Empire now holding all the cards, can our heroes pull off yet another upset or will they hide their shame and hope for the best?*

## **Recap**

### **Celebration and Reunions**

As the Imperial Raider-Class Corvette *Scylla* exits hyperspace, a mass of communications flood in. Thrawn is dead, slain by his own bodyguard. The Imperial remnant is retreating into the unknown regions. Coruscant has been liberated. The New Republic is victorious. Far from feeling overjoyed, the heroes feel a sinking in their guts as they realize the Thrawn’s plot appears to have been successful.

Over Ibis, the Mon Calamari cruiser *Shining Light* is standing by to receive the team. Transferring to the New Republic vessel, they are briefed that there will be a ceremony celebrating their part in recent New Republic victories. In addition, Bota Zi is given a data pad with a dossier on the newly assigned liaison to the New Republic Bounty Hunters' Guild. Kroyen Ta’lar and his aide Fror Say'lar extend their thanks to the team for their recent efforts, and bid a terse farewell. Bota expresses his disdain for the manner in which the Bothans insinuated themselves into the recent mission, but is rebuffed dismissively and told that it was a matter of trust. Unfortunately there will be no method to pursue the grievance further, as Kroyen is moving on to a new position within the New Republic.

Also being brought on board are the Speaker of Ibis, an entourage of Khepri representatives, and some other “honored” guests - a mixture of friends and associates that the group has worked with over recent years, looked at with some disgust by the Bothan group. Katira initiates a conversation with Talon Karrde in order to hand over their information for later. Karrde is affectionately kind in his complimenting of Katira’s recent personal growth, and professional with Bota as he discusses the measures he has taken to ensure the information exchange will be carried out. Assured on their security on their upcoming meeting, Katira requests that Karrde also reach out to the pirate Nym, hoping to establish good relations with the de-facto leader of Lok by returning his daughter before the group establishes a major mining operation on planet. Karrde agrees to setting up the meet in exchange for a favor to be discussed in the future.

Droo sees her old captain, Theosie Lao standing in the crowded room. Initially she just waves and tries to play it cool, but eventually she can’t help herself and runs over to say hello.

> "*I just want to try to look really cool and wave at Captain Theosie as if to suggest “Look at my new friends, and this new ship I’m on”.*"
> ― Droo
>
>

> "*I know I came out of the brig, but they left me in there because I’m so important!*"
> ― Katira
>
>

She finds that her friend is now a pilot serving the New Republic as the commander of a squadron of B-Wings. Seeing how Theosie is doing just fine and noticing that the topic wasn’t brought up, Droo makes a mental note that she won’t be giving her old droid R3-KP back any time soon if at all.

Also emerging from the crowd, 4-LOM and Zuckuss appear exasperated as they rush over to Bota Zi. As they repeatedly speak over one another, no sense can be made of their argument until Bota tells them both to shut up and take turns. Apparently there is a major point of disagreement between the two as to who is in charge when Bota Zi is not available to run the New Republic Bounty Hunters’ Guild, with both of the two claiming that it should be them. Bota asks why either of them would be in charge at all, but doesn’t quite settle the dispute before his presence is requested elsewhere.

### **Vision of the Future**

Finding himself last to arrive, Bota is then introduced to New Republic Senator Cal Omas of New Alderaan. The Senator states that he has assumed the role of liaison to the New Republic Bounty Hunters’ Guild, and looks forward to working with a man such a reputation as Bota Zi. He then turns to address the three other members of the group, offering the position of Lieutenant within the New Republic military to Tek, Droo, and Katira at a stipend of 5,000cr. Tek and Droo jump at the opportunity, but Katira decides to sit on the offer stating that she would have expected at least the rank of Commander.
 Bota is then asked to resign his commission as General of the New Republic, and offered instead a 2 year post as Ambassador to Bespin, Ibis, and Asilay. The position will come with living space on Coruscant, docking privileges in the capitol sector, and a pay increase if Ibis can be convinced to join the New Republic and bonuses for any other planets that he may convince in the future. On the other hand, the *Hunter’s Tribunal* will need to have its future status discussed as well. Considering the potential freedom in the position, as well as the claims to diplomatic immunity, Bota counters that he would want to instate Katira, Tek, and Droo as his paid aides as well. All parties agree, and the military life is taken off the table in exchange for the 12,000cr stipend of ambassadorial aides.

With the political positioning finished, Cal then informs the group that they will be paid royalties for their capture of the *Scylla* to the tun of 25,000cr each before excusing himself to other business.

Exiting the meeting room, the ever popular Bota Zi is approached by the Speaker of Ibis with a request to discuss the future of the planet Ibis in the galaxy. As he attempts to finally grab some food before it’s too late, Bota tells the speaker that he supports the planet joining the New Republic in an economic sense, a security sense, and a political sense. Still, he refuses to tell them what to do: any decision from the Speaker must be what is for the best interest of the people. Still stuffing his face, the new Ambassador rips off an impressive belch as his diplomatic persuasion comes to a conclusion. Luckily the Khepri are not familiar with Galactic Etiquette, and are not put off by the act as they convene with their entourage to decide their future.

The room comes to a captivated hush as a call is made for a number of individuals to approach the raised platform at the head of the room. Senator Cal Omas gives an impressive speech on the recent victory of the New Republic over the Empire that elicits cheers from the crowd as he turns to present medals to the combatants of the Battle of Ibis, engraved to read “Heroes Against the 9th Fleet”. It is then announced that Nago the Calculating has been captured and will be brought to Coruscant to stand trial for his duplicitous acts, and that the Khepri of Ibis have accepted a position within the New Republic. Cheers and applause continue for several minutes before the celebration continues and the group is released.

### **Closing the Chapter**

The following morning negotiations on the finalization of Ibis’ entrance into the New Republic are held onboard the *Shining Light* as the group prepares to take a well earned break and return to Cloud City. Elayne Kuat and Blaine Hansom are appointed as special counsel by the Speaker of Ibis, and it is agreed that the Star Destroyer *Redcrest* - renamed the *Ibissian Ornament* - will be granted to the Khepri for repairs and service in planetary defense. In addition, the *Panksta* will remain on Ibis as an ambassadorial vessel.

Waiting for the negotiations to finalize, Droo, Katira, Bota, and Tek are approached one final time to close out their loose ends on the planet. Lt. Nera Piven bids them good luck as she informs them of her decision to stay on Ibis and train new fighters onboard the *Ibissian Ornament*.

> "*Don’t be strangers. I’d say it was nice to know you, but I almost died every time I went somewhere with you.*"
> ― Lt. Piven
>
>

With Piven are the commanders of Bota Zi’s clone troopers from the *Dauntless*, here to request approval for their retirement. Having enjoyed a final grand conflict, they plan to open the “Green Company Naval Academy”: run on land they have been granted near the capitol on Ibis, they will create a revenue stream by providing training for military service related skills. The new ambassador thanks the clones for their time onboard the *Dauntless*, and lets them go in peace. Though the capitol ship will be left unmanned during its repairs over Ibis as a result, Bota decides to solve that problem at a later time.

As the group settles in for their date with destiny on Bespin, one final communication is transmitted from an unknown source: Jedi Master Dask Ra'tava informs the group that he has decided to create a Jedi Enclave with the force sensitives that were rescued from Lord Sithspawn, and he will be in touch.

### **Agreement on Cloud City**

Finally arriving on Cloud City, a meeting is set to take place at the “Yarith Bespin” - one of the top casinos in the Upper Levels. Tek decides to check in on his operation, Slicers Synonymous, only to find his two associates just sort of sitting around.

> "*Hey, I told you guys to recruit. What the heck is going on here?*"
> ― Tek
>
>

> "*Business has been okay… here’s um… 2,000cr…*"
> ― Urbapp
>
>

> "*Next time I’m here I expect to see twice as many slicers getting work done!*"
> ― Tek
>
>

While Bota sets in place backup and a means of retreat in case things go sour, Katira checks in with Talon Karrde to learn of any developments with Nym but is told that he’ll fill her in later on the topic.

The parties all arrive as scheduled at the casino with no signs of a problem. Karrde, with his crew and a pet Vornskr, state that all information provided by the two groups appears to be authentic. Tek and Droo both attempt to use the force to sense any sort of deceit. Droo gets the sense that the young Chiss representative has some odd connection to the force, but is startled from sensing more as Tek is suddenly attacked by the Vornskr. After Tek is lead out of the meeting to receive medical attention, the meeting carries out with little to no problems.

### **Specter of the Past**

As Tek is bandaged down in the medical bay, he suddenly receives a transmission from one of his archaic scout droids. The dim lighting from the feed is barely recognizable as the interior of M-1’s ship, the *Skulldugger* indicating the droid to be the one that was presumed lost on Raita some time ago. A holo projection comes into view for a moment, illuminating the space with the image of 4 other beings for just a moment, and M-1’s view shifts directly at the droid. A blaster can be heard as the face of Tyber Zann turns to face the point of interest as well, and the transmission becomes static.

## **Featured Characters**

### **Our Heroes**

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

### **NPCs**

* Talon Karrde
* Theosie Lao
* 4-LOM
* Zuckuss

### **Mentioned**

* Blaine Hansom
* Elayne Kuat
* Nym
* Lsa Nym
* M-1
* Tyber Zann

## **Inventory**

* +25,000cr for capture of *Scylla* (each)
* +Heroes Against the 9th Fleet medal (all)
* +living quarters aboard *The Panksta* (all)
* +mysterious transmission recording (Tek)

## **Notes**

* The *Shining Light* was an NC85 Mon Cal Cruiser
* Bota Zi accepts position as New Republic Ambassador: 70,000cr/3 missions
* Droo Vos, Katira Eve, Tek Krodak accept positions as Ambassadorial Aides: 12,000cr/3 missions
* Also sold for a profit:
	+ Gallofree Medium Transport: 125,000cr
	+ Gozanti Class Cruiser: 50,000cr
	+ AT-AT x4: 150,000cr each/600,000cr total
	+ AT-ST x6: 80,000cr each/480,000cr total
	+ Lambda-Class Shuttle x10
	+ Sentinel-Class Shuttle x15
	+ Raw Racaedrium the Empire was transporting onboard the Red Crest: 20,000cr
* Talon Karrde had his slicer Zakarisz Ghent review all information being transferred, and contracted Samuel Tomas Gillespee - a leader of a smuggling syndicate - to inspect the mines

## **Quotations**

> "*What’s everyone drinking?*"
> ― Ilya
>
>

> "*Whiskey and Guinness… and coffee*"
> ― David
>
>

> "*What the fuck David?!*"
> ― Laurel
>
>

> "*And milk…*"
> ― David
>
>

> "*This is like a sketch where every change of frame he brings up a new cup. That one had a raccoon on it!*"
> ― Laurel
>
>

> "*Anyone want to do a recap?*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*Yes. Thrawn needs a haircut, and he decides to go with some space pomade*"
> ― Ilya
>
>

> "*He went to the space barber of space Seville.*"
> ― Jordan
>
>

> "*Extra Spacey… Kevin Spacey*"
> ― Ilya
>
>

> "*Too soon*"
> ― David
>
>

> "*Extra slappy*"
> ― Ilya
>
>

> "*Shimmering Jockstrap, huh?*"
> ― Tek overhearing the name of Droo’s old ship
>
>

Back to top