Star Wars

A Gungan Tale

Bombad Bombardiers

The Galaxy is in a state of unrest, The Empire rules with an iron grip, but rumours abound of a growing resistance. Stories spread of the Empires might, their ability to completely destroy a planet, yet more where told of the Rebells having a major victory in their traitorous fight.

But none of this was of any importance to a small colony of Gungans living on a moon orbiting the gas giant Onganta. PlazCorp's promise of a new world, of living in comfort and with a good pay started off well. The initial construction went quickly and soon Plasma was being shipped off world, work had even begun on a permanent settlement. Then The Empire came, they simply showed up one day and took over, PlazCorp where ordered to manage the operation, and the Gungans where told to get to work.

Almost immediately the Gungans realised this change would be bad. Within weeks the full direness of the situation was clear. Shifts went from 8hrs to 12 overnight, food was now cheap rations, medical supplies non existent. Injuries and infection go untreated, and punishment for slow work is harsh. Even those unfit for mining or factory work now find themselves serving the officers and business elite. And yet the Humans show no remorse, no care, and definitely don't think things should change.

Tensions are high, Gungans are angry at their callous treatment, to many it seems only a matter of time before something big will happen...

The sun sets on what's been a long hot day of work. Onganta hangs large in the sky, illuminating the evening with a deep orange glow. The day shift has returned from the Processing Plant and pathetic meals are being eaten, with 26hr days there is time yet for company before bed is sought.

Out of the gloom a convoy of 4 speeders roar into the camp and park in the central square. 20 Army Troopers leap out of three of the vehicles and form a circle around the speeders, rifles in hand and ready, an short officer barking orders. When all are in place a door in the 4th vehicle opens and out steps an ominous figure. Grey cloak, high black boots and a permanent scowl on his face... Commander Morak, the man here in charge of the Mining operations. The man who controls, plans and directs everything relating to the extraction, processing and shipment of Plasma from this rock. Even with his scared left hand he cuts a frightening figure.

"Bring me Faddo Nass... NOW!"

So tell me where you are, what your doing, how you react etc, set the stage so to speak.

Teles turns from his spot in the middle of the second of three tables, stops talking to Jon, and reaches into his pockrt, activating thr homing device there. "Isa no know a Faddo Nass." He tells Morak. Please tell me E=MC² gets here soon. He thinks.

Returning from the facility, the droid witnesses a group of human meatbags arriving on their vehicles. It was too far to hear the cloaked commander's demand, and would likely ignore it was it not for the unusual circumstances of the arrival of the person. EMC proceeded on its way to the camp.

Bii-Muu had just sat down with his portion for the evening. It had been a hard day's labor and he was looking forward to a few bites of mush and maybe a game of cards with the usual group when the outsiders arrived. He sighed to himself. "This can't be good. What do they want now?"

When the main officer got out and demanded one of their own, Bii briefly hesitated. The name Nass was not unknown to him, but regardless of the familiarity, Bii wasn't going to allow his people to hand over another one of their own. Again.

The Gungan scout wished he had his rifle with him as he stood up from the barrel on which he was sitting then closed some of the distance between himself and the Imperials

(OoC: Is he demanding the Gungans to hand over the Faddo? or does he have some flunkies that he's giving orders to?)

Commander Morak is addressing any nearby Gungans, he is clearly feeling in control and addressing large crowds seems to be something he is used to doing.

As your approaching the group of Imperials you estimate roughly 50 Gungans are in and around the area.

(OOC: there is approximately 300 Gungans on Onganta 7, I'll add that to the OOC thread too))

Jon sat across the table from Teles, finishing up the closest thing to a meal a Gungan could get around here. As he heard Commander Morak call for one of their own Jon stopped eating, his eyes focusing on the Commander. Jon, having arrived on Onganta 7 later then most and not being a native Gungan himself, knew very few Gungans. He started going through the list of ones he did know in his head, trying to remember a "Faddo Nass."

After a time Faddo Nass pushes his way through the small crowd of Gungans, his long ears and broad smile both drooping in an uncharacteristic way. Imps don't come to the camp bringing good news, ever.

"Commander, your visit is unexpected, what can I do for you this evening?"

With a thin smile on his face Morak replies "You and your lazy Gungans" he almost spits this word out "are working too slow, your efforts are too little, and your the one responsible... It's time we taught you a few lessons in motivation, get in the speeder NOW!"

Bii-Muu Wuu stood as tall as he could muster and intercepted himself before Faddo Nass. He looked to the Imperial Commander with a sever look. When he spoke, it was with a panicked voice, yet he did well to hide his Gungan accent. "What's the meaning of this?! We've been working as hard as we can!"

A look of indignation quickly morphs into anger as a man not used to defiance faces you "I've seen how fast you aliens move, you swim faster than any of the drones we send down with you, your quick on your feet. But every day I get reports back, you never mine enough Plasma, and the plant barely operates at 80% capacity. Bah, get out of the way creature and hand him over."

(OOC there will be some opposed checks coming up, think about how your approaching this and let me know)

(OoC: If it came down to opposed checks. I think Bii would be the kind of Gungan to make a rousing speech that could appear innocuous but would definitely come across as rousing to other Gungans around him. In another words, he would leverage his leadership skill.)

Bii ran his index finger and thumb across a polished silver gauge in his ear. The familiar of the jewelry instilled confidence within the young scout. "We have all been working at complete capacity. We just can't mine any faster for you"

The athletic Gungan placed a strong, firm, webbed, hand on Nass' chest - beckoning him to stand down. "Captain, I request to go in Fraddo Nass' stead."

Veins bulge in the Commanders face but his voice remains level. He moves forward towards you as he speaks "You? A petty scout, nothing but a guide, a worthless bug crawled up out of the ocean. Stand aside Gungan, your elder WILL come with us, he will be shown the consequences of opposing the Empire." He then turns as he addresses the rest of the crowd "And all of the rest of you scum will work harder or face the same, we have a schedule and you will meet it."

Bii gathered his resolve before stepping away from the crowd. "Commander. The people of this camp cannot continue to serve the empire under these conditions. We work at your command to the brink of our capabilities, for you. You've taken all we can give." he paused briefly and allowed his words to linger. "But you keep demanding more. We cannot stand for this. Our proud people were not made to mine your plasma or hunt your meals. We were born in the depths of Otoh Gunga. Our womb was her glowing orbs, and our milk was brine." He composed himself as best as he could, knowing he was signing his death warrant. "Faddo Nass is a Gungan too, and our brother. I can't allow you to take him"

(OoC: Using commanding presence to remove one of those setback)

Leadership check: 2eP+1eA+1eB+2eD+1eC+1eS 1 success, 3 threat, 1 Triumph, 1 Despair

(OoC: Now that's an interesting roll. If possible, I would like to see how those threat and that despair is spent before I spend my Triumph)

With your speech there is a definite shift in the crowd, murmurs of "Yeah" and "Enough" can be heard. Gungans move to protect their elder. The Commander is obviously furious, his eyes shifting around the crowd, making note of faces. Finally his eyes fix on Bii's, those eyes are full of hatred, full of anger, the eyes of someone who won't forget this moment for a very long time.

(OOC with that Despair you now have a personal nemesis, he will not make things easy for you. The threat will provide an Upgrade to the next PC if anyone else decides to make a social check, representing his adrenaline fuelled anger making the Imperials unreasonable)

(OoC: In that case. I would like to upgrade the next check of an ally as well. Perhaps Bii's speech got to them some how. Gave them confidence or planted a bug in their ear [so to speak])

Jek Jek stands proud behind Bii. His arms crossed, with his walking cane, caressed. Giving him the backing he needs, maybe?

Jek Jek has great respect to this one.. of the more fresher and witty scout of their post.

"His hard earned notches will be his undoings, youngling" thought Jek Jek, and placed a shaky hand on Bii's arm, saying "Watch it runt, don't anger the Masters. Let it go..."

Bii's eyes fluttered between the commander and Jek Jek before settling upon the wise Gungan. When he was first appointed his status as Scout and even later as First Scout, it was by the will of wise elder Gungans such as Jek Jek that he was given a clear path in his life. So he trusted in the wisdom of age and experience. He gracefully stepped aside, but not before locking a fierce gaze upon the Imperial commander. Even as the Imperial continued his duties, he did not waver that gaze.

Jek pats him in empathy on the arm again "Save your strength to the dark days to come, come lets us sit back" as he sits across from where Bii was sitting, garbing a bowl left unattended.

He waits for him to sit down, trying to cross eyes with him "Let time go by, let them see we are no afraid, we are not threatened..." Slurps of unidentified porridge and the crunching of hard bread-bar is heard, as Jek Jek vigorously eats, in defiance even... "They will not achieve to rouse our spirit and then brake it, as they done before..."

Commander Morak has one silent look around the stoic crowd before getting back in his speeder. The troops all get back in theirs as well and the Imperials depart quickly out between the rows of green canvas tents. The Gungans all return to their tables in the clearing, to meals of gruel and hard bread, the small amount of fresh meat being savoured by those that got some. Discussion of the events of the evening bubbling at every table.

Once the meal is finished Gungans disperse to their tents, some quiet time to relax before bed. It's at Bii's tent that Faddo Nass appears from the gloom. "Thankyou son, I dread to think what would await me if that man had taken me. But I fear his anger, and what that may mean for us all in the future. Standing up to these tyrants is one thing, but embarrassing one of their leaders in front of his troops will have repercussions. Young one you spoke true, but acted brashly and should consider the consequences of your actions more carefully before do so again... Oh but that look on his face was worth it!"

Jek Jek is sitting on a stool in front of Bii. As Faddo Nass enters the tent, Jek is swift to cover something with an empty pottery bowl. They were clearly discussing something just now, over a map of sand...

Jek Jek grimaces as he looks at Nass and listens, tapping an eating utensil on his knee nervously... and gives an awkward smile at the joke. He plays the old fool as long as he can.

The old Gungan, seeing a seat has not been offered, plonks down on an upturned create. "Boys, I have a proposal for you" He said with a slight lingering grin. "The entire Council is fed up with this nasty situation we find ourselves in, but agreement can't be reached on just how to climb ourselves up out of this cesspool. Some of the Elders, including our great Boss, believe that acting out in any way will bring dire retribution. They think that if we can just stick it out then eventually things must get better." there is a hint of frustration in his voice now. "I do not. I and a number of others have different ideas. We believe that with just the right force in just the right places we can disrupt their operations. With enough disruption they may decide to give up on this project, finding it too expensive for the value it provides. That may leave us abandoned here, but in all likelihood the Empire will leave and we could then negotiate with PlasCorp to restore operations in a much more conducive to life."

He pauses for a time to judge the reaction of the two Gungans in front of him. Calculating their reaction is important to him, he needs the help of committed individuals. "We need a few more in this small group to be able to pull this off, but if too many know then someone could let slip to the Imperials, we would not want that. I need you to spend the next few days quietly recruiting some willing companions, and if you come up with any potential targets for disruption then we can discuss that next we meet." The old Gungan goes quiet at this, assessing Bii and Jek-Jek, wondering if he judged correctly that these two had the pride to go through with this dangerous plan.

(OoC: sorry for the short post today. It's been quite busy around my neck of the woods. I'm hoping things slow down soon)

Bii nodded resolutely. "It's a good plan. There may be one or two I noticed with some skill, but I'm not sure of their loyalty"

Faddo thanks the two of them, slowly gets to his feet and slowly moves off into the night. A little more bounce to his step than he had earlier in the night. The sounds of camp life quieter down and lights go out, it's time to rest and be ready for tomorrow's fortunes.

Day breaks to the sounds of breakfast and bustle, the first shift of workers have already left for the Plant, others are in the nearby settlement serving their Human overseers. You all head off to your usual tasks, some have a little extra "work" to get done too. Let's get a rough idea of what everyone is doing and I'll throw a scenario at each of you, bring you all together and get to disrupting these buggers.

Jek Jek and Bii open the early day with the scouts at the border outpost, looking over the wasteland. A no man's land, barren and rife with dangerous encounters.

They are about to give brief to a new squad of scouts that will venture to survey a new area for mining.

The assembled crowd sits before Bii, who should be explaining something, while Jek Jek stands in his background, eye-balling the young and looking for potential rebels.

As your giving your briefing a young Gungan runs up to Bii "Thesa wanta goes fishing agains, dosa PlasCorp bosses senta da message, said yousa good fish man" Thi isn't the first time they have done this, in fact it's becoming some what of a regular exercise for you. There are some big fish in the waters of this planet, but they tend to be hard to find, of course being able to swim makes that much easier for you. Then they get all the glory and fun of actually catching it.