Cold Shield: Sensor Relay

[Marcus]

Sensor Relay
Cold Shield Jedi Mission
Somewhere in the middle of Sector H-7

@Marcus (Jedi Marcus), @Megilwen (Jedi Laelynn), @Ferre (Jedi Bast R'aef)
OOC Thread Link​

Ilum is a sacred world to the Jedi. Yet it is too isolated and defenseless to stand up to a large battle. Expand our holdings into the neighboring sector to improve our resources for that area and create a buffer zone for incoming enemies. A small detachment of Knights not comfortable with the front lines will assist here to gain experience.

Can a web of sensors be setup to watch over the hyperspace and open space shipping lanes in this sector? We need to find out. Nothing should stop us but our own technology or lack of ingenuity, right?

The two Jedi transports were waiting on Coruscant in a starport. After Marcus' last trip to Rhen Var, he had extra security precautions put on every ship - codes, encryption, sometimes even sentient or droid guards at the gantries. They had a small astromech in this case, just there to watch over the door, and everything else was locked down. Each ship was ready, complete with computing and slicing equipment. Now they just needed people.

Marcus was taking two padawans on this trip, along with an Antarian Pilot on each ship to do the flying. And another person was found to come with them. Marcus knew nothing about the guy, but as a fellow slicer Marcus might be able to feel him out for his skills and motives. Let's just hope he was good and that he was honest.

The Jedi General had the transports flown to Coruscant for the rendezvous, and then they would go back to sector H-7 to begin their work. They were going to attempt to setup a series of sensor relays that would communicate with each other, as well as with the Ilum listening station. That is if the equipment would function well in these parts of this sector... and that is if they were not interrupted... and that is if the sensors would be sensitive enough to pick up ships and hyperspace traffic. Time would tell.

Marcus looked down at his datapad to check the time, his Jedi companions out finding their slicer and bringing him to the port. They had just a few minutes before they were scheduled to leave.

 

[Ferre]

Bast spun around in his chair lazily as the ship continued to flow through hyperspace.
"...and if it all goes to hell...that's on you."

The padawan was referring to the current predicament that Bast and Dr. Josef Moreau currently found themselves in. Not long before, Bast and Padawan Laelynn had been assigned to technical work with General Marcus to set up a web of sensors over hyper-space.

Bast wasn't surprised that he was brought on this mission; he was technology. Like any typical, caring, Arkanian parents, his family had been doing experiments on him since at least the embryo. From his cybernetically enhanced brain to his cyberntically enhanced liver, Bast wasn't sure at this point which organs inside of him we're the way most species are intended. Either way, technology was the only thing he truly understood and was glad for once that his job was going to be easy and logical. None of that annoying "Jedi diplomacy" that his master kept insisting they work on.

However, he wasn't sure the kind of welcome his friend was going to get, and as they neared the end of their flight to Coruscant, Bast had been outlining what he and Dr. Josef Moreau already knew. Bast would be able to offer him temporary asylum, credits and some new technology from Adascorp, but that was it. Clocking in and clocking out of his job with as little annoyances as possible was all Bast cared about. He needed a partner for the job, and as long as Dr. Josef could keep up with him, all would be fine. If he couldn't: Bast wasn't one to wait.

---------
The small ship landed smoothly on the docking platform, five minutes before the scheduled rendezvous time. Climbing out of the ship, Bast did a final check to make sure he had all the gear he needed before heading off.

He saw the general standing the port, but didn't quicken his pace. It seemed that Laelynn had not yet arrived and there was no need to hurry.

"General" Bast nodded before gesturing to the man to his right, " Dr. Josef Moreau".

Not dumb enough to bring a guest completely unannounced. Bast had sent in the profile of Moreau to General Mor earlier that morning. Without the approval of more a executive Jedi, Bast would not have been able to grant Moreau the temporary immunity he currently enjoyed on the docking platform. However, after that Moreau lay at Marcus' mercy.

 

[Lucy Lou]

Laelynn walked into the spaceport. She'd wandered off to just get a look at the city. All her things were already on the transport read for this next mission. She wasn't sure how she'd be helpful in this mission, but when you're Master invites you along you certainly don't say no. Plus any excuse that Lael had to get off Tython then she'd take it. She wasn't ever going to become a Jedi just by sitting around and twiddling her thumbs and reading in the libraries.

As she came up to the docks again, she saw Marcus standing outside the lowered ramps waiting. She knew there was supposed to be another Jedi joining them. A padawan like herself and a slicer. She and the other Padawan, Bast, had been given the task of locating the Padawan. However, Lael didn't know of any slicers personally but Bast seemed to so she let him take care of it. It wasn't shortly after her arrival that Bast appeared with another man in tow. A Dr. Josef Moreau.

@Law abiding heretic

 

[Marcus]

Marcus finally saw the padawans show up, first his own padawan, followed by the Arkanian with a guest. "Greetings," said the general when he was introduced by Bast. "You up for this?" It was a simple question and could have a simple reply, but it implied a whole lot more. Did the guy have the chops? Bast and Marcus would known once they got there.

He smiled as he looked over at Lael. "And you, good time on Coruscant?" He grabbed a datapad and glanced it over. "Ok," he said after Lael had answered. He paused, almost whispering or mouthing to himself the contents of the pad. A mere checklist. "I hope you made the most of it then?" he said in reply to Lael's details of her visit. It may have seemed like he wasn't paying attention, but she would know he was. Marcus was always mindful of his surroundings and people - it was his way.

"Alright, pack it up and let's go!" Marcus said in a loud voice. The Jedi got into one of the transports and left the others to do the same. Marcus and Lael in one, Bast and the Doctor in the other. As soon as everyone was on board, they would leave together, heading for the outer rim. Cold, dark space was their destination...

 

[Ferre]

Dr. Moreau gave a wry smile. "Of course."

The dark-haired man turned to his companion, clearly enjoying being within the grasp of Coruscant authorities yet once more slipping between their fingers. Bast however, kept his eyes trained on the General awaiting the go-ahead.

With it's reception, Bast boarded their new vessel and took command of the pilot's seat. Dr. Moreau took the seat of the copilot, but quickly engaged himself in the more pressing technological matters at hand. Carried in his bag were the most important parts to be desired for their hyperspace sensors, clearly as prepped as possible until the stage of actually setting them up in their future inter-galactic home. Considering Bast only asked for his help a week ago, the dedication was impressive.

A few years ago it seemed his narcissism and genius met it's match in the form of a younger, Dr. Josef Moreau. It was a short affair. In an experiment that went absolutely haywire, it was Bast who uncharacteristically pulled Moreau out of the proverbial fire. With their blunt and sarcastic speech, lack of empathy and god-like egos, the two worked rather well together, forging as close to mutual respect as Bast had ever allowed with a sentient being. But what Arkanian wouldn't get along with someone who could only be described as a mad scientist?

Bast got into contact with Moreau earlier this week, which was moderately strenuous since the slicer only let those who he wanted to find him get in contact.

The name of their past wasn't all that inspired Moreau to join them. A healthy amount of credits under the table was an arguable benefit that Bast provided.

Now all that was left was to make sure General Marcus and Laelynn had their side under control. Bast plugged in the coordinates and readied the ship for it's departure into hyperspace.

 

[Lucy Lou]

Lael nodded at Marcus's question. Her short stint on Coruscant had been interesting. The overcrowded planet with it's several stories high buildings, miles of traffic, and hundreds of thousands of people. She'd just had to lean over the edge of one of the walkways to know this was a crazy place where everything couldn't be kept track of. Having been born in an open forest, where the only people around was her clan. This was...overwhelming to say the least. The whole planet felt claustrophobic by comparison.

"I'll be glad to be on our way."

It wasn't soon after her statement that Marcus announced it was time to go. Lael joined in with Bast and the Doctor, sliding into one of the spare seats in the cockpit. The girl was decent enough at flying, however she preferred not to whenever possible. As the ships took off into the atmosphere and out into space, Lael felt herself relax a little, which in and of itself was silly. Here she was trapped in a small transport vehicle with only thin durasteel walls separating her from a cold, chocking death and she felt more comfortable in this actually enclosed space then she had on the open surface of Coruscant.

"What are our orders?" She spoke to the other two, who were already familiar with each other.

 

[Ferre]

Dr. Moreau continued to pluck away at his devices, the cold air conditioning of the ship's interior was only magnified by the metal. The pieces would warm beneath his grip as he poked and prodded, the little devices coming to life with a whir of mechanical noise.

In lack of response by one of the two, arguably the one who shouldn't know too much to begin with, Bast began to respond to his new companion while he set the ship in auto-pilot.

"The general didn't tell you?" the padawan swerved in his chair, a brow raised and a smirk pressed against his cheeks. Fading as quickly as it came, Bast felt himself look around the interior of the ship. He couldn't help it, his mind naturally distracted as he checked the nooks and crannies of the technology around him to make sure it was in pristine order. He might as well make note of it now if even a single screw was loose since he'd have to fix at some point later. While his eyes drifted, he continued to speak, "Create a series of communications relays throughout the sector 7G to establish a sensor relay network". His response was mechanical, as though he were reciting dully the passage of a manual. The air of his voice was bored and unchallenged by the idea of their mission, Dr. Moreau gave no hint of anything needing to be added to Bast's description.

A beeping gave way on their control panel.

"Speaking of which..." Bast poked at a few buttons flippantly on the dashboard. "We have come to our first location..." his eyes moved to rest on Dr. Moreau "Don't tell me you still need more time for SSA1?"
"B1."
"Oh no, what happened to A?"

Dr. Moreau shrugged giving Bast a knowing look which the padawan returned with an understanding gaze.

With that Dr Moreau took his black bag and tossed it unceremoniously at the padawan who in turn gave him an annoyed look. "We'll take turns." Moreau chided "I need to make sure the complementary interference patterns of the D1 and D2 are in line with my own eyes for my sanity"

With a roll of his eyes, Bast gestured to the control panel as an over dramatic invite before grabbing the bag and heading for the back of the ship. Dr. Moreau slipped over to the seat of the pilot in his place.

"Lael, if he messes with my control panel set-up, shank him with your saber" the padawan called off merrily from the distance before trailing off entirely. The older man chuckled in response to himself as he rested an elbow on the dashboard, eyeing the patterns of the screen intently.

 

[Lucy Lou]

"Well the general DID tell me, but I was admittedly distracted." She said with a sheepish smile. It was her first trip to Coruscant and she'd been distracted by the buildings that were taller than the trees of her own home.

A sensory relay network. This was the mission was the exact opposite of what the girl was used to. She was terrible at electronics and really didn't know why the General wanted her to do in the first place. She had faith that he knew what he was doing, but Lael was failing to see the "big picture" as he liked to say. She watched as Bast's eyes roamed more around the ship then focusing on either of the other two sitting there. It was...unnerving. Like been looked through at the same time that she was being acknowledged. She shifted awkwardly in her seat and then was suddenly glad when a beeping noise drew his attention back on the mission at hand and Dr. Moreau. As the two chatted, it was almost like they were talking in their own language and Lael could barely follow what was going on.

Then Bast was up and heading behind her toward the back of the ship telling her to shank the man before her if he messed with anything. "Ummm.. Sure." She agreed hesitantly, but not quick enough as he disappeared behind the door. "So how do you know each other?"

 

[Ferre]

Dr. Moreau looked up at the girl as she addressed him, his eyes sizing her up briefly. Whether his assessment was positive or negative the man did not say, yet he promptly ignored her question and let out an amused huff of pretension. Instead his dark eyes went to monitor his device with mild concentration. Well, for a moment or so.

"Bast- BAST- what's the orange dot?" Dr. Moreau furrowed his brow, but made no attempt to push any buttons.

"What orange dot?" the crackle on the comlink was evidence that the padawan regrettably had the comlink on speaker, preferring instead to have his attention on the sensor he was releasing into the galaxy.

"The blinking one- "
"The control gyroscope?" A clatter followed by a small yelp silenced the comlink for a moment "Saved it. What do you read?"
"The orientation system is stable. I'm satisfied..." Dr. Moreau's eyes ganced towards the control panel "Your panel is still cranky."
"My panel?" Bast's voice went from a mechanical feedback tone to a distant real voice as he descended back down into the ship.

 

[Lucy Lou]

Lael watched the Doctor give her a once over before ignoring her again. Well that could have gone worse. She thought to herself and leaned back in the chair, while pulling her feet up into the seat and resting her chin on her knees while she watched the slicer. She was pulled from her quiet thoughts when Moreau spoke. She listened to the conversation that went back and forth between Bast and the good doctor before speaking up and pointing at the dot.

"Um, that's the radar. It means there's another ship coming up on us." She made sure she said it loud enough that Bast could hear as well, whether it was over the com or through the hall as he came back up to them. She moved forward and clicked a button, hoping that Bast wouldn't be terribly upset. The screen flashed up the radar on the screen. "I hate to be the barer of bad news, but i'm pretty sure it's a pirate ship and it's coming straight at us."

 

[Ferre]

"Yeah Moreau, It's the radar" the padawan taunted in what could possibly be described as a friendly manner as he entered the room, leaning against the edge of the metal door frame. It felt cold against his shoulder. Bast crossed his arms as he leaned, a smirk pressed against his face. Moreau shot a dead-panned look at the padawan, utterly unamused.

Bast's brows furrowed, however, just as the words past his lips. "Radar?" he whispered more to himself. At the same time Lael spoke.

"I hate to be the barer of bad news, but i'm pretty sure it's a pirate ship and it's coming straight at us."

Bast came forward, walking with quick speed toward the radar as to confirm what his companion had just relayed. Moreau looked from the radar to Bast, his eyes following the boy with an exasperated expression "Oh, I did not sign up for pirates"

The young Arkanian looked at Moreau, their linked gaze an exchange of information that was all their own. After that moment, Moreau immediately got up from his seat in the pilot's chair, evacuating the space to be replaced by Bast who immediately began working on cloaking the ship.

As he calmly but efficiently clicked away at the control panel, the padawan spoke "We can wait them out if they haven't already seen us." Clearly, of all the options, this was the method Bast preferred. Gently, he steered the ship to move it down and away, hopefully getting them out of a direct collision course.

 

[Lucy Lou]

It was interesting to watch how effectively the two communicated and worked together. Even in silence they feed off each other. Knew exactly what to do an when to do it. She watched and listened as the ship, lowered slightly and powered down to attempt to hide themselves from the pirate's radar. This was a good plan if they wanted to avoid them completely but if they'd already been seen.... Well it could be a very bad situation. They'd be easily taken and boarded. Not that it was particularly worrisome. If the pirates did board they would find two Padawans, but two well trained Padawans. On the other hand, it was a set back and would delay their mission further.

Lael kept silent as everything flickers off. It wasn't necessary, but really it was kind of like a natural response when trying to hide. "How long do we wait?" She asked at a whisper.

 

[Ferre]

Almost as soon as the words crossed her lips, an ion cannon shot in their general direction. The wave of energy was too large for Bast to dodge the ship. Especially in the off position, sinking low, but slower than the speed of a slug.

"That" Moreau answered the padawan pointedly.

However, Bast responded nor acknowledged either, his eyes trained on the small pirate ship ahead. It was almost as though the gears turning in his head were visible for the world to see, well oiled and on full capacity.

"Alright" Bast clapped his hands together, the ray of the ship dragging their small vessel forward. "Lael, it's small enough, there is a blind spot when we are about to enter the ship..." the padawan didn't look at her as he spoke, his eyes still trained in their locked and forward position, as though trying to figure out their predicament like a puzzle. "I'm going to sneak out of the ship and screw with their system from above. You take care of the pirates and defend my ship while I'm at it."

There was nothing notably authoritative in the padawn's voice. If anything, he sounded like Lael taking down the band of criminals was child's play. Indeed, he truly thought this considering she was the padawan of a general, Marcus probably taught that sort of thing. Taking down pirates.

With that he turned tail, heading to a concealed cabinet that upon punching, opened up the an array of spacesuits. Plucking one seemingly at random, the padawan began to get dressed.

"I'll meet you down in..." the padawan paused one leg in a pant hole, bent over as he looked back out towards the incoming ship, sizing it up, "4 minutes and 30 seconds". He continued to get dressed, hopping ungracefully in the suit as Moreu looked characteristically dismayed.

"How will I defend myself-"

Bast paused and looked back up at convict, convicted of over 17 murders, with judgement that could be harnessed and melted to form daggers.

"You lot made me come un-armed"

"Fodder"

"You're right" Moreau pulled a blaster out of his jacket.

 

[Lucy Lou]

Lael stood from her seat as Bast started pulling on the space suit. "That's a very exact time frame." She said as she took the saber at her side into hand, though still standing in a casual manner. Again she marveled at his frank and to the point attitude. It didn't seem like anything could surprise him. A rancor could run through the ship and he'd probably just shrug it off with a simple plan on how to wrangle the beast and train it as a pet. "I'll make sure that we aren't overrun."

The girl had been in a few fights, though very few of them had been more than just sparing. The last time she'd fought anyone had been the pirates on Telos IV while Brax faced off against the Sith. Lael had attacked the Sith in a foolhardy attempt at saving her Master. In the end, she'd been forced to retreat, but not before she managed to grab Brax's lightsaber. She'd kept it, in remembrance of her Master and it meant a lot to her to have it. She carried the saber around with her, though she never used it. Moving through the ship, she left the Doctor in the cockpit, and went to stand wait at the door. There was only one way for them to come out. Really only one way for anyone to go in or out. She looked back down the short hall to Bast. "You'd better hurry if you want out before they attempt to dock with us." She commented calmly, though her heart thudded in her chest. She was sure that it would give her away, that Bast and the Doctor would hear it, but they didn't and for that she was thankful.

 

[Ferre]

Bast secured his suit, the fabric of it hiding all his lanky features besides a well defined and pale face.

"You'd better hurry if you want out before they attempt to dock with us."

Walking to the exit, Bast passed by her with only a small head turn "4 minutes and 30 seconds" he reminded almost carelessly.

That being said, the padawan disappeared into the lockout, and then from the lockout presumably into a black world around them that was the open galaxy. Though she wouldn't be able to see him from this point on, both Lael and Dr. Moreau would have to trust that he was somehow making his way toward the enemy ship. To do who knows what, but hopefully something effective.

The ray began to pull the pair and the ship closer until it docked inside the vessel. Without quite telling the plan that coursed through his mind, Dr Moreau turned to Lael.

"You. Open the ship for our guests" He eyed her as though just opening the door instead of letting them break in was the most normal thing to ask. His tone was not quite demanding, but rather, like Basts', seemed to just be assuming. Assuming that decency in asking things was just not a concept that exists in the world. Not to be expected for others, but also not to be expected for themselves. Until she would, Moreau would just stare blankly at the control panel. It was clear he didn't know the first thing about ships, and was more than a little uncomfortable within one.

 

[Lucy Lou]

Lael watched at the lock clicked closed and the vacuum to space opened allowing Bast to float away. She couldn't see him anymore, but she could steal feel his presence in the Force. It was eerie his last reminder. Four minutes and thirty seconds. She half expected him to come to be back at exactly that time. Not a second earlier or a second later. She was still standing there at the door as the ship jerked slightly as it was pulled inward toward the pirate ship. The tiny girl played with the designs on the hilt of her saber as she waited, just running her finger over the intricate work as she held it hidden in her robes. It was a trick that she'd used for a long time to help calm her mind. Just imagining it weaving through the vines and leafs that reminded her of home.

She turned her head back to the Moreau as he spoke and nodded. Still waiting... and counting. Forty five, Forty six, Forty seven. There was a faint click and as the ship finished docking. Outside she could here shuffling noises slight and leaning forwarded she hit the button causing the door to slide up and open. Right outside there door stood four pirates and they seemed surprised that the door had opened so easily for them, normally they'd be breaking their way in. A few stepped in blasters held forward as they looked at Lael and laughed. "It's just a wee little girl." said the pirates as they lowered their weapons. It made Lael want to roll her eyes. Predictable. Fifty nine, Sixty... One minute down already.

 

[Ferre]

It was good that they lowered their defenses. For Dr. Moreau that is. In tandem with their guns lowering to signify that maybe, just maybe they could be reasoned with, two shots whizzed through the air striking two of the pirates cold. It was far too quick to react, their eyes wide with surprise before they could realize what happened or where it came from. A whistle of wind followed by a snap quickly followed as the good doctor appeared, quite literally out of nowhere, with a limp body falling from his arms.

 

[Lucy Lou]

Lael was shocked as the Doctor appeared as if from no where. She could have sworn he was still sitting in the cock-pit waiting. Two of the pirates dropped from shots fired from the top of the ship. How the man had gotten there she had no idea. A third dropped as the third man dropped as the doctor landed behind him and snapped his neck with little effort at all. In a spur of the moment decision, Lael sent out a large wave of force toward the fourth and final pirate, throwing him back. The man's head cracked against the hull knocking him out. With all the pirates effectively taken care of at the moment, the young girl stormed out of the vessel.

"What are you doing!?" She exclaimed as she came toe-to-toe with the taller doctor. "That was unnecessary! There was no reason to kill them. We could have just as easily subdued them and turned them into the proper authorities. They hadn't even attacked!" Lael hated needless loss of life and there was no reason for these men to die. Not when they could have captured them.

 

[Ferre]

"Oh...right right right..." the older slicer waved his had dismissively into the air "You Jedi and your non-lethal conduct". The way he spoke sounded a mixture of dismay, impressed and intrigued at the code. His eyes, not necessarily avoiding her, but glancing around their new surroundings, taking it in before his gaze rested upon the knocked out pirate.

"Good job on him by the way" The man nodded mindlessly towards the unconscious one, stuffing his hands deep into his pockets.

Two minutes had passed.

From the corner footsteps could be heard. A deep rugged voice sounded, echoing down the hall "Oye there, what's this scuffle I 'ear."

Ignoring the voice completely, Dr. Moreau stood with a patience, looking down and adjusting his clothes that became slightly ajar in the 'scuffle'.

 

[Lucy Lou]

Lael frowned as the man shrugged it off the deaths like they were a minor issue. She didn't have much of a chance to reply before another voice and footsteps were heard coming their way.

"This one we incapacitate. No killing." She said as she moved toward the doorway where the voice had come from. She kept her saber unignited and held loosely in her hands. Standing on the side of the door so that she wasn't visible, Lael waited until the other pirate had come through the door before attacking with another force push, knocking him against the wall as well. However, this pirate was a bit larger and it seemed that the tactic wasn't going to be as successful as it had been before.

The large man stood and with an angry glare drew his blaster to fire three shots in Lael's direction. Igniting her saber the girl reflected them, one of the reflected bolts zooming past the doctor burning his hair slightly in the process.