Save the Walking Carpets

[GABA]

Rehni stopped to look at the other two when the padawan asked his question. "Being the blade, notting ofing good to saying polites things to slavers." she said nodding to her blade.

 

[Garuga]

"Not important." Haven said, waving the matter aside. She was glad that Rehni did not seem to be the type who cared for such things either. As long as the mission was completed successfully, a Jawa could lead their mission for all Haven cared. As the trio continued their way towards the outpost, Haven reached out with her senses, attempting to detect any danger as they were approaching the area. The Jedi would soon reach the trees outlying the walls of the outposts.

if nothing confronts the trio, they would be able to decide on their next move once they reached the trees capable of hiding them from sight. From there, whether they would all approach the outpost together or from different areas could be decided. "Voluem at a minimum now." Haven said, entering a slight crouch. Telepathy will work well. She transmitted through her mind to the other two. The smell of the damp forest floor was strong.

if the Jedi kept themselves low, it would be difficult for the smugglers to spot them, even if they had access to night-vision.

 

[Dmitri]

Understood, Zolotoy replied telepathically.
He crouched down. The Padawan kept his lightsaber within reach at all times.

 

[Derpy Boots]

There was a light tapping at the door to Dagonet's personal quarters. Setting down the beverage and datapad he had been reading, he strolled over to the door and hit the switch. The door opened to reveal one of the many guards stationed around the compound. He stood at attention as he addressed Dagonet.

"Sir, Commander Strall asked me to inform you that the shipment of Wookie's will be ready for departure within the hour."

"Will it now?" Dagonet leaned forward so as to be face to face with the man. "And you're sure nothing can go wrong this time?"
The man hesitated before answering.
"A-absolutely, sir! Everything is secure."
Dagonet returned to an upright position as his usual smile engulfed his face.
"Well, that's no fun."
With that he turned his back on the guard as the door closed behind him.

 

[GABA]

"Scouting forwards willing." she project to her fellow Jedi. She stayed low to the ground and in the bushes and crawled towards one of Kashyyyk's enormous tress. She grabbed hold of a vine and kept to the dark side of the shadows and she begun to scale up towards the first branch that would give her good clearing over the tops of the trees. Rehni stood in a crouch on the branch, she didn't need to use her binoculars to see afar, she could rather see the slaver post quite well, "Closerest."

Rehni started her way down the tree and something mechanical caught her ear. She let out a quiet sigh as she looked down on the camera, "Knows we's heres." she didn't bother doing anything to the camera, and left it be, there wasn't any point, a good chance there were several more around the area and they already knew they were on their way. Rehni reached the bottom and joined the group, "Letting us introduces ourselves." she gave a sly grin and a head nod in the direction they are to go.

 

[Garuga]

Haven glanced upwards as Rehni completed her scouting amidst the trees. it was a smart choice of action, and it confirmed what they knew. The slavers were here, and were certainly ready. Haven nodded back, waving at Zolotoy to maintain a close distance between them. A grand welcome indeed. Haven smiled, moving forward as Rehni indicated where they should proceed from. if the slavers knew they were here, Haven would expect a greeting from the hosts soon. The walls of the outpost might be difficult to directly assault, but if Rehni had 'spooked' the slavers enough, with luck they would be coming to the Jedi instead.

"if they respond with aggression, we'll seek to neutralise the threat as swiftly as possible. Nevertheless, we must take care to check for any stargglers that stay within the outpost, the safety of the wookiees is our prime objective." Haven said quietly, ready to react instantly. The trio were nearly out of the treeline. "Let's move." She said, staying amongst the edges of the trees, bringing herself closer to the main gate. Haven closed her eyes, the force gathering within her as she waited.

 

[Derpy Boots]

Strall paced around the surveillance room in a state of agitation.
Damn that Dagonet! he thought to himself. He was enraged that Dagonet had blamed him for something that in no way could have been prevented.

How was I supposed to-

"Sir, I'm picking up some movement on the monitors."

Strall didn't bother looking at the man as he continued his internal rant.
"I have no interest in the beasts of this world, save for Wookiees."

"But sir, I..."
The man squinted his eyes as he leaned in closer to the monitor.
"You may want to see this!

Strall swore under his breath as he walked over to the monitor. "This had better be im-"
His jaw dropped as his eyes fell on the individuals shown on the monitor.
"Who..?

The man at the monitor reached out for the alarm switch when Strall grabbed his hand.
"There's no need for that."
He had recovered his composure and now stood with narrowed eyes at the people moving about the tree line.
"I'm sure they're just lost."
Turning his back on the man, Strall walked towards the door. "You two, come with me!" he ordered of the guards standing outside. They flanked him as he headed for the main gate.

Undoubtedly some kind of Republic task force...
He glanced at the Wookiee's as they marched past the cages, they stared back with equally hateful eyes.
If they're here for the Wookiee's, I may be able to turn this in my favor... He smiled as they reached the main gate. And get rid of Dagonet...

He motioned for one of the gate guards to open the gate. There was a loud ringing sound accompanied by flashing red lights as the gate slowly slid aside...

 

[Dmitri]

And here comes the calvary, thought Zolotoy. By not going through official channels, they're suspicious that we might be Republic soldiers, he telepathically told the others. Luckily, that works in our favor. They don't know for sure, so they won't start shooting. I'll try invoking a few of my brother's contacts.
Zolotoy approached the slavers. He gave a bow.
"Good day," greeted Zolotoy. "I am Earl Calvin, of Naboo. With the tragic loss of Earl Skydam and the burning of his palace, we are in need of workers. I have been told," Zolotoy grinned while rubbing his pocket that held credits, "that you have workers available to be 'hired'."

 

[Derpy Boots]

Strall's expression remained stoic as the man addressed him, but replied with a humble smile. "A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Calvin. I am Yorhan Strall."
He gave a curt bow before continuing "An employment officer for Sentient Services Industries, so I dare say if you're looking to hire, you have come to the right place. Do you mind?" He pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. Taking a puff, he let out a steady stream of smoke as he went on. "I must say, Mr. Calvin, this is an interesting way to go about looking for workers! The majority of our clients tend to give some warning before visits, as you can see, we like our privacy." He waved his hand at the walls of the compound.

 

[Dmitri]

"Privacy is a luxury," said 'Earl Calvin'. "As the Earl of Theed, my reputation generally preceeds me. I'd rather not have this end up in any record so I had to use backdoor ways to get here. Giving a warning might have given me away. The investigators are so annoying." He motioned at Haven and Rehni. "That's why I have my two bodyguards here to, let's just say, keep things 'private'."
Sorry about this but we might be able to get the evidence we need and learn more about the slaving operation this way rather than barging in and destroying anything in sight, Zolotoy told the two Jedi telepathically.
Zolotoy brushed his fingers through his hair, giving a groan as if bored. "Can we see the 'merchandaise'?"

 

[Derpy Boots]

Strall's eyes narrowed as he looked over the trio. His original assumption of them being some Republic underdogs faded away bit by bit as he thought that perhaps they were who they said they were. Nevertheless...
Strall threw his cigarette to the ground and put it out with the tip of his shoe. "I'm terribly sorry, but our latest batch was just shipped off-world. We won't have any more for a while." He gave an apologetic shrug. "We should have some ready in around one standard week. I will gladly do business with you then, if you're still interested."

 

[Dmitri]

"Mr. Strall, do not take me for a fool," snapped 'Earl Calvin'. "Money is not an issue. I will see the 'merchandaise now, or else I will find somewhere else to find workers." He paused. "To rebuild, we need about a hundred wookies, though we'll want them in sets. Smaller shipments are easier to cover up than large ones. Now, Mr. Strall, how unpleased do you think your boss will be when he learns that you lost a hundred slaves deal just because you lied?" Zolotoy prayed that the boss was male. If the boss was female, Strall might have found out his farce.

 

[Derpy Boots]

Strall hesitated before responding. "Now that you mention it, I believe we do have one or two workers available. I'd be more than willing to make a transaction, all I require is some identification." The humble smile appeared again as he held out his hand. "As much as we respect the privacy of our clientele, in this trade one must be cautious, lest his wares end up in the hands of someone who could do him harm."

 

[Dmitri]

Luckily for Zolotoy, Nol had used the guise Earl Calvin of Naboo before. Nol gave Zol the ID he had used before, but altered it so that the picture matched Zolotoy's face. Zolotoy fished out the ID and handed it over to Strall.

"One or two will be sufficient, for now," said Zolotoy. "However, I will not pay for something I don't see. I wish to inspect the 'merchandaise' before coughing up any credits."

 

[Derpy Boots]

Strall was surprised when the man pulled out the identification. He gave it a passive glance as it was handed to him. "Very well..." He handed it back to "Calvin". "I will go and prepare the merchandise for you, please wait here until summoned." With that Strall turned his back on the trio. Raising his hand, the gate slid open and Strall walked in. He gave one last speculative glance back at the group before the gate closed behind him.

 

[GABA]

"Eithering he knowing who we ising ors he really ising that gullibles." Rehni's senses were on full alert. The Force was telling her everything that was changing as they waited, her mind processing scenarios. She viewed her world through the Force, "Needing to being ready when the gigs ising up."

 

[Garuga]

i agree. Haven said telepathically. keep your eyes sharp, don't be surprised if they start firing without a word. All the while, Haven kept a loose smile on her face, using the chance to examine inside the outpost until the gates closed. Zolotoy, don't worry about keeping up the pretense if it comes to that. As well as freeing the wookiees, the slavers must also be apprehended.

 

[Dmitri]

Understood, Zolotoy replied telepathically.

Now they waited.

 

[Derpy Boots]

Strall paused as the main gate closed behind him. His internal thoughts expressing themselves in the form of a furrowed brow. At length he turned to one of the guards. "I'm not taking any chances. Gather some men and bring them back here." As the guard was about to step off, Strall grabbed him by the arm. "And don't let Dagonet find out!" The man gave a slow nod and Strall released him.

Turning back to the gate, Strall ascended the ladder that led up the wall. Reaching the top, he looked out towards the three guests still gathered outside. He called out to them, his voice echoing along the treeline."I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Calvin, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to cancel your appointment. Surely you'll understand me when I say I simply cannot take chances in a business such as this!" A moment later, the sound of several pairs of feet could be heard running as ten guards lined the railing alongside Strall, aiming their weapons at the trio. Strall looked to them with a smile and shrugged. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you and your friends to vacate the system, Mr. Calvin!"

 

[Dmitri]

"Mr. Strall, do not think you have such authority," snapped 'Calvin'. "While my true purpose is to do business with you, I have gone through proper channels. Senator Koremback knows that I came to this area. Am I to die, a party will find your operation. If I tell the Senator, your operation is finished. You will show me the merchandaise or you will cease to work here ever again!"

Zolotoy pretended to move his hand towards a blaster holster but in reality was moving towards his lightsaber.