Ask [Skako] Bring In The Droids!

[Makari de Nolay]

Within the towering peaks of Skako's city-towers, elegant and fashionable droids served wandered illustrious hallways in the clouds. Skakoan engineers, tall and broad, spoke to one another in their eloquent language. In a large, round reception hall, surrounded by glass and plasteel, Senator Makari de Nolay sat idly, spinning a glass around with his fingers. Skako's methane atmosphere forced him to wear a pressurized, yet stylish, suit for the day's proceedings. Hidden from sight, obscured by the visor of his suit, was his pissed-off face. He was thirsty. And usually, in the Core, someone could provide him some bubbly water at the least, to say nothing of a glass of wine.

What he wouldn't do for that.

Oh well. At least he wasn't here alone. He was soon to be joined by Senator Vennen of Gatalenta, the thus-far soft-spoken leader of a tranquil world. If Gatalenta, known for its poetry and tea, was willing to step to the powerful Techno Union, this only highlighted how dire things were in the Core. Corsuscant was in chaos. The Empire grew. The Senate provided no protection and had little care for their world. They needed something to unite them - to bring them together. Or else, their worlds would be ripped apart.

With the balance of power shifted, a world like Skako was of obvious importance. It had the mighty Techno Union, which was capable of producing a droid army at the snap of its fingers. Alsakan and Gatalena, on the other hand, had little more than good will and former prestige to trade on.

This had the makings for an interesting diplomatic exchange.

@LouJoVi

 

[Maryenne Vennen]

Among the planets that were visited by her since she was elected as a Senator, Maryenne never had gone to Skako. Her tenure in the New Republic had come to an abrupt end when the government collapsed, after that her homeworld closed itself to the rest of the Galaxy, leaving no space for diplomatic trips to other worlds. Besides that, she never had much interest in dealing with the Skakoans. However, recent events changed it.

Coruscant had been ravaged, the Empire was moving over them like vultures after carrion, the Sith were still around and the Mad Queen of the Hapes was still active. The Core Worlds needed to join forces to face this dark wave that threatened to swallow them all. Working toward it, Maryenne had joined Senator de Nolay’s efforts in securing the support of the Techno Union and its droids.

Like her fellow Senator, she was wearing a pressurized suit. By her side was Florian, the protocol droid that once was owned by her grandmother. Her brother decided to not come with her, saying that a planet where you can’t drink in a cantina wasn’t worth visiting. She obviously hit his head with a holobook after hearing it.

Now she was seated in a chair, waiting for their hosts to finish their whispered conversation and turn their attention to the two Senators. She knew that Skakoans were easily annoyed by outsiders, but she hoped that at least they would hear what the two had to say. Their survival could also depend on it.

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Makari de Nolay]

The Skakoans were not known to be a friendly people, but they were interested in dialogue. Especially in these days. The Techno Union, headquartered here, enjoyed the benefits of longevity and prestige from the times of the Old Republic through the present. Without an interplanatary trade agreement, the Techno Union's future was not guaranteed. All parties knew this.

Foreman Keso Minoa, master of the Techno Union, stepped forward. As tall and broad as her compatriots, she spoke basic with a crisp, academic accent. "Senators." She regarded them, cooly. "Welcome to Skako. It has been some time since we have heard from our allies in the former Republic." Yes, Makari had never wanted to visit Skako even during the days of the Republic. The cold, lifeless industry and hostile population drove him away. But now, he had his people's desires to think of - their demands for peace, security, and prosperity in a time of massive unrest.

"Surely, you have seen the carnage on Coruscant. We leave ourselves open to such carnage when we do not work together." The chaos of Coruscant was a terrifying warning on its own. Even saying the name felt like a dirty word, the room fading to silence when the word left his glossy lips. "We have come to iron out an agreement for mutual collaboration. We need not enslave ourselves to a new Supreme Chancellor," yet, "But we must create common cause for security. Surely, you know the Techno Union's droid factories would be a powerful force." And a target.

"Certainly. Our factories are working at above peak production all season to meet our increased demand. This much is understood by the Techno Union." She paused, stretching her arms to scratch her chin contemplately, peering beneath her goggles at the pair of senators. "What we do not understand is where you come in, Senators. Perhaps if you were Kuat or Fondor, your shipyards would offer place to bargain. What are you offering to us?"

@LouJoVi

 

[Maryenne Vennen]

Maryenne paid close attention to what Foreman Minoa had to say, not missing how the Skakoan decided to mention the fact no one from the Republic had tried to contact them before. The Senator couldn’t argue with it, she never had anything to do on the planet before, or any interest in its droid factories.

For centuries Gatalenta was a peaceful world, without any need to make a military that would be stronger than what was necessary to defend the planet against pirates. However, these times of peace came to an end with the attack at Coruscant.

After Makari finished exposing to Minoa their intention, the Foreman made a question that Maryenne already expected. A corporation like the Techno Union would expect that its partners would give them something in exchange. They were going to cooperate only if the two Senators had something to offer, not even if the survival of their planets depended on it.

“We can offer the money to pay for it.” Maryenne said, while adjusting herself in the seat. The pressurized suit was really uncomfortable. “Our worlds are going to fund the construction of your droids, as part of this mutual agreement. You aren't going to work for free.” she believed that it was a worthy exchange, Gatalenta and Alsakan would pay for the production.

“I also offer a direct trade agreement between Gatalenta and Skako, with your planet receiving food directly from us. This way you’ll not need to deal with distributors. After all, your people also need to eat.” even if the Techno Union used droids for everything, the Skakoans were still organic and needed food. A trade agreement about it could interest them.

She only hoped that Makari would have a good argument to add to the offer.

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Makari de Nolay]

Foreman Minoa waved her hand at the notion of credits. "Credits imply solely a transaction. One which we are happy to accommodate, if that is your desire. I'm led to believe your goals are relational."

Makari nodded. "Certainly, Foreman. While a purchase of security droids is necessary, we come to you as political peers more than consumers. The collapse of the Republic has put our worlds in a situation we have not seen in centuries - chaos. We have no Empire, no Alliance, no Republic to bind us together. Yet, Raze and the devious Sith grow ever stronger."

He scanned his surroundings - a sterile room, filled with droids and Skakoan onlookers. Likely the board of the Techno Union. An opportunity."I know the Techno Union has felt this sting, too. Without the shipyards of the Core Worlds as a part of your union, it is only the corporations of your homeworld that are members now, no?" The Foreman nodded, and Makari continued to speak. "Allow us the opportunity to regrow the Techno Union's market. What we propose is greater than droids - it is a defensive alliance. The makings of a new bulwark against chaos." A sentiment that Vennen and de Nolan's aides had discussed, but one they had not spoken about face-to-face. Now that he thought about it, he had never actually met the senator outside of the Senate halls. This was their first meeting. Hopefully, he would have time to learn the contours of her personality later - to ally with one you don't know would be folly.

"I suggest not only droids, not only the unification of our defensive fleet, but to make the Techno-Union the premier manufacturer of the Core Worlds. You could design the ships, the surveillance, the weapons...be the technological face of the entire Core Worlds." It would invest a great deal of power into the world, making it a regional player once more in the game of Core politics. But she took some time to respond.

"I am inclined to agree. But before we make any further agreements, there is a sensitive issue that I require your diplomatic touches for."

She pointed out the mountains, into the windswept desert. "The primitives that inhabit this land are often peaceful, too focused on idolatry to bother us. Recently, they have begun agitating out droid factotums on the ground level. We are keen for this to be handled discretely - the Galactic press does not need to see violence here. Handle this issue, and we can speak more."

@LouJoVi

Makari Diplomacy Roll: 16/20

 

[Maryenne Vennen]

Maryenne watched Makari explain to the Foreman what they wanted with the alliance with the Techno Union. It was better than what she could have hoped, the man really had a good way with politics. Her grandmother would have liked him, and without any doubt bring even better arguments than the ones that she offered before.

When her fellow Senator finished, Minoa spoke her opinion about the offer. For a moment, Maryenne felt relieved when the Skakoan said that she was inclined to agree. However, the human remembered that her grandmother used to say that for politicians, nothing came without a condition.

And a condition really came. The Foreman would only want to learn more about their offer if they dealt with their problems with other inhabitants of the planet. Maryenne raised an eyebrow at it. This wasn’t something that a member of a government would ask representatives of other worlds to do.

Usually, she would not agree with it. However, these are desperate times. “If my colleague wasn’t against it, then I agree.” she said, before rising from her seat. “We’ll talk with the inhabitants of the surface and calm them down.”

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Makari de Nolay]

A few board members looked ominously at the Foreman when she said that, but otherwise the party of Skakoans remained silent. Makari noted the oddity of the request, as well, but likewise kept his opinion to himself. The Foreman led them away, taking them to a landing dock in the methane-filled world.

"My attendant droid will direct you there. Best of luck." She cooly waved them off, stepping back into the massive skyscraper as the pair were left to traverse to the desert alone. An uneasy feeling crept upon Makari, but again he ignored it. They were flanked by a few security droids - one of them Makari's personal bodyguard - and whatever security personnel escorted Senator Vennen.

​

"Senator Vennen," he attempted to break the ice as a means of settling his nerves. "I don't believe I've made your acquaintance, before. I'm glad we're here under such amicable terms." Beneath his helmet, he smiled. "It's been many years since I last visited Gatalenta." He remembered it like it was yesterday - a warm day in the wet season. He was playing the drums in a village in the massive, gentle rainforests while folk poets competed against one another. Their voices were like bird song, he remembered. The drums like thunder. A beautiful world it was. "I'm glad these trying times have not broken your people's spirit. It is needed now more than ever."

He looked on into the expanse of the desert. Smog-filled smokestacks puffed out tufts of white smoke constantly - no doubt scrubbed of their most harmful pollutants, but a painful site nonetheless. Industrial power had a cost, after all; the Techno Union had not become so powerful without reason. Occasionally, he tried to take a picture of the beautiful desert ahead of them, away from the desecration of heavy industry. They moved so fast that every picture was little more than an amber-gray blur.

As their conversation continued, the speeder rapidly traversed the desert, and the once massive city slowly disappearing into the horizon, as the vehicle continued on. After a short journey, the droid wordlessly slowed to a stop at an outcropping of caves. "Are these the homes of the nationals we're meant to speak with?" Silence.

He took a moment to peer at the caves. "What do you think, Senator?"

@LouJoVi

 

[Maryenne Vennen]

The Senator took the reaction of the other Skakoans in the room as a bad omen. She had the impression that they weren’t expecting them to succeed in this mission. Maryenne thought the same when the Foreman guided them to the exit of the tower. While she decided to remain in silence, Florian didn’t have the same idea. “It’s madness, my lady! We are going to be killed by a bunch of savages!”

Sometimes she wondered how her grandmother could handle the droid.

She entered the speeder, sitting next to Makari. Like him, the Senator had also brought one droid bodyguard. Her people don’t appreciate violence, but after the assassination of her grandmother, her family forced the young woman to walk around with some sort of protection. After all, Florian couldn’t do it.

Although his constant warning about their impending doom could probably make any assassin mad.

Maryenne was snapped out of her reverie by Makari’s voice. She would have given him a friendly smile, but the pressurized suit would not allow the other politician to see it. “Yes, we are trying to maintain our peaceful ways, even in face of the chaos that is plaguing the Galaxy these days.”

“I’m also glad that we are working together. What we hope to achieve today can change the future of the Core.” hopefully it will be for the better. “I only visited Alsakan one time, some years ago. I went there with my grandmother and my brother.” the ecumenopolis wasn’t her favorite place. She hated how everything was gray and dull, lacking any green. Her brother, on the other hand, loved it. It had thousands of cantinas and clubhouse that he could visit. In the end, she was forced to drag him out of one of these.

“How are your people dealing with these dangerous times?” with the fall of Coruscant, Alsakan basically became the new center of the Galaxy, as it tried to do centuries ago. Being so close to the Galactic Capital and harboring similar conditions, with change of power in the Core. She wondered if the Senator already noticed it.

When the speeder stopped, Maryenne was able to see the caves. If she thought that the way that the Skakoans were looking at them was a bad omen, now the Senator was sure of it. “I think that there is something more happening between the Skakoans and the locals that the Foreman didn’t tell us.” she approached Matari. “Are we going to call them or enter?” she preferred if they called, these people could get mad if they simple invaded their home.

While she waited for Matari’s answer, Florian continued with his litany of doom. She was starting to contemplate turning him off.

@Fine Dining Set

 

[The Storyteller]

From the desert caves emerged not the local Poletec peoples, but a veritable army of combat droids.


“BY ORDER OF THE TECHNO LEGION - YOU ARE UNDER ARREST.” Before either of them could react, their security droid attendants were stunned by the blaster fire of B2 Super Battle Droids. A vintage, yet potent, model - as this entourage demonstrated. Makari grabbed his fellow senator’s hand and attempted a sprint into the desert, before they, too, were stunned by the blasterfire. The droids slowly, methodically, dragged into the sprawling caves, deep into the hills and crevices of Skako.

From within, the pair could hear the chattering of voices. They saw Skakoans in chains - guarded by powerful battle droids. Before they could linger too long, though, they were thrown into a room A small room, but a pressurized one - made for sentients of their specific biochemical make up. Here, at least, they could remove their helmets and breathe. Waters sat waiting - but Makari knew better than to drink whatever poison was left there. Minutes passed, and minutes turned to hours, before the doors hissed open and a battle droid entered with a holopad.

Foreman Minoa’s image flickered to life out of the chest of the battle droid. “Senators. Welcome to your temporary home.” Before they could protest, the Skakoan continued, unabated, voice as mechanical as her creations. “I will be direct. With the Republic gone, my world is no longer shackled to either of yours. You are little more than consumers. While us? We control the most powerful army in the Core. And we will leverage that now..”

The hologram transformed to display a digital atlas, showing a massive army of droids boarding ships headed in the directions of Alsakan and Gatalenta. “Your two worlds are now the first subjects of the Techno Legion. You have two nights to negotiate the surrender of your planets or our droids will bring fire to your pitiful defense forces. Celebrate, for you are at the dawn of a new era.” The hologram flickered out and the droid exited.

@LouJoVi @Fine Dining Set

 

[Makari de Nolay]

Aboard the skiff, Makari considered her question well. How were his people faring in these times? Who were his people - Alsakans alone? The monied and landed classes of Alsakan? Or the peoples of Alsakan? The peoples of the Core in general - the worlds once joined together by united policy, united defense, united nationhood. While they had disagreements, it took the devastation of Chancellor Xerxes to permanently sour the Republic. For both the Old and New Republics to end in tyranny indicated a fundamental rot on the institution. It could not happen again.

"The people of Alsakan are strong, and proud. We will weather this storm together."

...

From within the cell, Makari's face turned as he plotted the predicament they were now in. His military mind kicked in instantly, and he searched the cell for any vulnerablities or identifying information or items that could help them. He found none. He raised his voice "I demand that we be released!" He even banged on the window for dramatic effect.

He turned, almost frantically, to his fellow senator before speaking. "We know surrender is not an option." A surprise attack from the Techno Union? How could they have predicted that? But with both their planets undeniably weak, now was the perfect time to strike and build a little fiefdom. Perhaps these days were the years of many warlords. "Without warning, an attack from a Skakoan fleet would cripple Alaskan's defenses." They had no allies to call on, either. Truly a pickle.

"We need to get out of here."

@LouJoVi

 

[Maryenne Vennen]

When Maryenne saw the droids emerging from the caves, she didn’t understand what was happening at first. It only became clear when the droids announced that the two Senators were being arrested in the name of the Techno Legion, whatever it could be. Now she understood that they were sent toward a trap.

Florian screamed that it was their end, and would have continued talking about it, if he wasn’t stunned together with the other droids that were there for their protection. Maryenne could have appreciated the silence, if it wasn't for the fact that they were defenseless.

She didn’t even question when Makari grabbed her hand, Maryenne was already prepared to run for it. Unfortunately, they barely had the chance to move. The droids fired at the two politicians, rendering them immobilized in the sandy floor of the desert. It wasn’t how she expected that this diplomatic mission would end.

While they were dragged, she was able to hear the voice of other Skakoans. All of them were all prisioners. The two Senators were thrown inside a pressurized room. The battle droids also threw Florian inside with them. The protocol droid came crashing in the floor, still disabled.

Maryenne removed her helmet feeling relieved for at least be able to stay without this thing covering her head. Like Makari, she avoided the water. And waited for answers to come. It took some hours, but a battle droid arrived in the room, bringing a transmission of Foreman Minoa. The Skakoan megalomanic speech made her only raise an eyebrow.

When they were left alone, Makari started to maje a scene. Meanwhile, Maryenne moved to Florian. "Of course we aren’t going to surrender." she activated the droid, who was going to resume his panic attack. She interrupted him. "Florian, listen carefully. I know my grandmother added a hacking interface on you. Now, go there and do something with their system." bless his grandmother for always wanting to be prepared.

Well, the droid was going to do that, but the light flicked for a moment. Suddenly, the door opened and a Skakoan entered. He seemed to be younger the Foreman. "I'm Olyn, and the Resistence needs your help." he said in a solene way, leaving Maryenne confused.

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Makari de Nolay]

What kind of trickery was this? Another Skakoan who needed their help? Makari raised his hands into a high boxing guard, preparing to strike the tall, green alien who entered into their prison.

"Wait! You must listen. We share the same enemy." Makari paused, momentarily, to hear the young Skakoan out. The Skakoan exhaled a sigh of relief.

"Foreman Minoa has turned the Union into a dictatorship. She rules alone, and she has exiled her political opposition to, well..." He gestured around them. "Here. This horrid prison." That would explain the Skakoans they saw chained up in the other holding cells when they entered.

"But, if we work together, we can depose Minoa and save our worlds."

Makari considered Olyn's words. Was this another trap, a lure to simply bait them to die? No, there was an earnestness to his behavior. And it tracked that now would be the best time to act. With Minoa marshaling the Techno Legion for an off-world invasion, there would likely only be a token security force remaining on-world. With the help of some Skakoan engineers, perhaps they could undo the horrible fate that would soon befall their worlds.

"I'm game. What do you propose?"

"An escape." Well, duh. They obviously needed to escape. But without a specific plan, they would just be two humans on a methane planet in the middle of the desert.

"If there was, say, a riot out here...would they send another skiff of droids to support the guards?" All they needed was a vehicle, and they could return to the capital.

@LouJoVi

 

[Maryenne Vennen]

Maryenne placed a hand at Makari’s shoulder, before the man could punch the Skakoan. "Perhaps we should listen to him." she said, deciding to give Olyn a chance. Besides the slight possibility that Florian would be able to hack the door, they had no other way of escaping this place. Even if the droid was capable of doing it, they would still need to leave these dungeons, risking coming to face a bunch of battle droids without any weapons.

"Yes. If we can cause enough chaos, they will send more droids and we can take their transport." Maryenne said, agreeing with the Senator of Alsakan. "The only problem is how we are going to deal with more doids." she gestured to themselves. "We aren't exactly prepared for a battle." with the exception of the droid bodyguard that had came with her, she didn’t even bring any weapon.

Not that the Skakoans would have allowed her to continue carrying a weapon after they were captured.

Olyn raised a hand, as if he was in a class and had the answer for the question of a professor. "We are prepared for it. The Resistance had been working to free those that were imprisoned by Minoa for months, but your arrival forced us to act early. We hacked some droids and turned them to our side, we can use them to make cover." the young Skakoan explained. "I only need to talk to my associates."

After saying it, Olyn activated a comlink. "Here is Tambor, the Senators are free. We can start Operation Ruckus." Maryenne wasn’t sure of what made her more surprised, the fact that the Skakoan that was saving them had the same surname of a member of the CIS or that they named the operation as commotion.

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Makari de Nolay]

Operation Ruckus. Rather on-the-nose, but Makari supposed the Skakoans were more engineers than poets anyways. He talked through a plan with the pair - Makari had a million questions about the resistance, but many of them would have to wait. The short story was exactly as Olyn described - a tyrannical Minoan seized control of the Techno Union. But the long story was a millennia-old story of ruthless power grabs, the exploitation of the inhabitants who shared the land with the Skakoans. Political rivalries dating back to the times of the old, Old Republic. Was Olyn part of a movement for change on the planet, or was he just another face in the sea of self-interested politics, ultimately to wash away into the dustbin of history? Were Makari and Gatalenta any better?

All these questions would have to wait until later. Right now, Olyn devised a scheme. The Skakoans would devise a distraction, a protest within the cells of the prison. When the guards would, inevitably, put this riot down, the resistance's own droid army would strike. The chaos would cause a battle big enough for the senators to slip away, back to the capital city, with a few members of the Resistance.

Makari nodded as he listened, a renewed focus in his eyes. He would not die here. They had to live. And his world's fate was tied to Gatalenta's, as well. The two of them had to survive.

Makari donned his pressured suit and prepared to exit. What would come next? They would need to be ingenious to escape.

@LouJoVi

 

[Maryenne Vennen]

Maryenne watched Olyn explain what the Resistance was going to do. While the young Skakoan seemed to be trying to sell the idea that this plan would work, the Gatalentan noticed how even he seemed unsure about what he was talking about. Perhaps it was because he was young and still didn’t find his self confidence, or perhaps it was because the plan was really flimsy. Whatever it was, the two Senators didn’t have much choice if not follow it.

“It’ll start…now!” as soon as Olyn said it, the two Senators would be able to hear shouts coming from outside the room. All the imprisoned Skakoans had started to scream and hit the walls of their cells with their hands. The agitation attracted the attention of the other droids loyal to Minoa.

While these droids were distracted, the ones that the Resistance had infiltrated in the prison attacked them, making the sound of blasters echo through the corridor. Suddenly, a B2 combat droid peeked through the door. Its appearance startled Maryenne. “Sir, the battle started. We need to go.” for some reason it talked much like a protocol droid.

“Excellent!” Olyn said he couldn’t believe that things were working so far. “Come, we need to reach the control room and send a fake distress message to Minoa.” the Skakoan gestured for the two Senators to follow him. “We can direct the reinforcements to enter through the backdoors and lock them here. This way we can steal their transport.” he said, while rushing through the door.

Outside there were four B2 combat droids, which would escort them to the control room. “These models are prototypes for a new line of bodyguard droids, they can act as protocol droids. Defense and diplomacy in the same unit. What do you think?” Olyn said, sounding hopeful that the two Senators would have some interest. Maryenne wasn’t sure if she would buy one of these. Florian was already enough.

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Makari de Nolay]

"I think, with all due respect, I'll be more inclined to listen to a sales pitch after we escape this prison." Still, it was an excellent merger of form and function. Senators needed both protocol and bodyguard droids. If this unit wasn't subpar at either task, it would certainly make for a better traveling companion.

The sounds of explosive blaster fire between droids became distant as the trio sleuthed deeper into the halls of the prison, in search of the control tower. Makari realized how distant this mission had become from its original goal. It was supposed to be a simple negotiation. Now, they were involved in a civil war with the fate of their planets at stake. "This," he gestured around them to Maryanne, "is precisely what the Republic was meant to protect against. The rise of petty warlords who can destroy innocent systems for no reason other than personal avarice."

The Core needed something new. But they would have to survive to create that newness. Eventually, the group made it to the command center of the prison - a robotic control room protected by droids and heavy turrets. Droid fire halted a direct response, as Olyn dove into cover while his bodyguard droid was eviscerated.

Beneath their feet ran a tunnel - a maintenance and wiring path that usually only mouse droids traversed. It would be too tight for the awkward droids to crawl through, but it would likely have access . He found a grate, sliding it off next to the rock cover they were hidden in. "Maryanne, my lady. You and Olyn stay here and engage them from out front. Olyn, I need a thermal detonator. That will cause all the distress we need. Stay alive." Three people sneaking into a vent would be too much. But one senator, with commando military training and a dream, could get them out.

Once the detonators were procured, he slunk into the tunnel, crawling towards the command room. It reminded him of his days in the New Republic, the rough-and-tumble training courses aboard his cruiser. The fire of actual combat. Now was not the time for nostalgia. The plan was a success - the droids never noticed him crawling. But he waited for his team outside to engage them before he proceeded.

@LouJoVi

 

[Maryenne Vennen]

”Oh! Of course!” Olyn said, sounding deeply embarrassed. He was a Skakoan, trying to sell technology was so natural for him, like breathing. Sometimes he did it even without noticing. “We can talk about it later.” there was much to be said about these droids and the middle of battle wasn’t the best place to do it.

While they moved toward the control room, Maryenne heard the sound of the conflict between droids. It was the first time that the young woman got involved in the middle of a battle. Not only that, but she was involved in a civil war that could also destroy her planet. The Gatalentan wondered how things came to this point.

Makari ended up giving her the answer. The Republic didn’t work anymore, this system is flawed and can’t maintain peace. “Yes, but the Republic wasn’t capable of doing it. We need to start something new. Something that can give us stability and cooperation. A new Alliance of the Core Worlds.”

“Perhaps a Federation of United Worlds?” Olyn said, having paid attention to the entire exchange. When he noticed that he had the attention of the Senators, the Skakoan felt small. “Err, I only thought that it could be a cool name.”

Whatever government or alliance that should be made to maintain peace in the Core, it wouldn't be organized if they didn’t survive this civil war. When they entered the command center, the group was nearly killed by enemy fire. Maryenne wasn’t very happy with Makari, she didn't want to stay behind like a damsel in distress. However, she agreed because the tunnel could only fit one person.

One of their remaining droids opened a compartment in his belly and revealed two blasters and some detonators. The Skakoan passed the bomb to Makari while he grabbed one of the weapons. “Give me the other.” Maryenne said to him, who looked at her with confusion, but soon gave her the other blaster.

“I say the same to you. Survive, we have a Core to save.” she said to Makari, before turning to open fire at the droids. Maryenne, like most of the Gatalentans, hated weapons. However, her grandmother had forced her to learn how to use one because it could save her life.

It seemed that Annelyn was always right.

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Makari de Nolay]

With Olyn, Maryanne, and the remaining protocol-bodyguard droids drawing the fire of the guard droids, Makari was able to do what he needed. He popped his head through the access grate to a row of terminals, flashing lights, and the whizzing sounds of electricity. A droid control room if ever he had seen one. He primed a thermal detonator and rolled it towards a computer, avoiding any risk as he did so, and plopped back into the maintenance tunnel.

He pressed the detonator after he was some distance away, and the resulting explosion rocked the facility and shut down the droids. Cheers erupted from around the prison, signaling that the combat had ended, but it had an added effect: Backup generators kicked to life, blaring an alarm that almost certainly would signal back to the main city. They had to prepare to escape now.

Makari emerged from the tunnel, smiling beneath his helmet. Progress had been made! They were one step closer to ending this horrid day and saving their worlds. He lifted and twirled his fellow senator, before hugging the bodyguard droids and patting Olyn on the back.

"Well done, all of you! Well done!" She had played her part to an excellent degree. He would have to send her a bottle of the finest Alsakan vinho verde after this was all done. "But we still have yet more to do."

"Indeed. And simple acts of thuggery like this will not be able to disarm the Techno Legion's droids in the capital itself. I will join you on your return - together, we will bring down Minoa." Olyn remained cool and cordial, but his excited gestures communicated that he, too, was joyful. "One more step towards the liberation of Skako. Let's take positions - we're going to need to ambush the next set of droids to get a chance at their skiff."

Flex looked about the wreckage for something useful to use, but nothing came his way. Armed with only a holdout pistol and his lightly-armored methane pressure suit, he would have to act. He took position in the cave mouth, and waited with his compatriots for the next action.

@LouJoVi

Search roll: 6/20

 

[Maryenne Vennen]

With Makari gone inside the tunnel, Maryenne and Olyn remained behind to distract the droids. She was able to hit one of them, but most of the time the Senator spent ducking to avoid being hit by enemy fire. The Skakoan and the droids that were on their side did more damage than her.

Meanwhile, Florian screamed that they were going to die.

Suddenly, the entire room exploded. The facility shook, making Maryenne lose her balance and fall seated on the floor. The enemy droids were deactivated, and all the prisoners and members of the Resistance celebrated. "We are going to live!" Florian screamed, saying something positive for the first time since they came to Skako.

The alarm that started to sound reminded them that reinforcements would soon arrive. "Where is Makari?" Maryenne asked, remembering that her fellow Senator and savior hadn't returned yet. For her relief, he appeared from inside the tunnel. She laughed when he lifted her, hugging him so she wouldn't fall while the man twirled her around. It was a break of protocol, but they deserved to celebrate this small victory.

After Olyn told them what they needed to do now, the group moved toward the entrance of the cave. Several other Skakoans had joined them, all of them eager to leave this terrible place. They prepared an ambush, with Maryenne still holding the blaster that Olyn gave her early. "Oh gosh! Now we are really going to die!" Florian complained, but he was solemnly ignored.

Soon, a skiff arrived and several droids started to move down the vehicle. Olyn threw a grenade at them, with an explosion making a cloud of dust rise from the dry soil of the desert. With this distraction, their allies started to move.

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Makari de Nolay]

A small victory led to a larger confrontation. Wasn't that the nature of politics, too? War without bloodshed. Moments like this showed the ultimate similarities between the two of them, the dialectical connection between the violence of the galaxy and its political elite. Often, this was to the advantage of the Core's elite - power, wealth, and prestige insulated them from the consequences of their actions. Today, the chicken had come home to roost; the Core was in chaos. And even politicians could become prisoners of war.

The exchange of gunfire between the automatons provided a chaotic shield for the Skakoan resistance to sneak the senators away. Makari, Olyn, Maryenne, Florian, and several other Skakoan resistance fighters and droids took the skiff. Eventually, the sound of gunfire became more and more distant as they zoomed through the desert. Slowly, eventually, the view of the Skakoan city-towers returned to site. The spaceport was the first thing that came into sight - where droid armies loaded onto ships. The diplomats' ships had been impounded, and the heavy security presence on the port itself made escape an impossible risk. They would have to infiltrate the building itself, locate

Olyn communicated as much to the group of resistance fighters, who seemed set on the plan. Their faces were serious, scarred, lean - made hungry by their imprisonment and strong through their resistance. They were dead-set on retaking their world.

Makari found himself inspired in their presence. These were fighters in a life-or-death struggle for the soul of their world. At home, he felt engaged in the same thing. And today, they were all brothers-in-arms. Makari leapt from the skiff the the team, the team making its way into the dark towers of Skako.

@LouJoVi
Roll to escape: 17+1/20