On your way again you run the rest of the way to the spaceport, or in this case what amounts to little more than a large hanger and some clear fenced off fields for shuttles and transports to land safely. As you approach you can see the hanger doors are open, and a large (silhouette 4) land speeder is hovering just out of the doors. It's was once an A-A7 heavy transport just like the rest of the fleet that's used to move people and materials between the mining rigs and here. Unlike all the others though this one is unique, it's been customised with almost the entire body being replaced and only the chassis and engine system remaining. Now it is a luxurious vehicle capable of carrying 20 or more it features lounges, bedroom suites, a galley and large rear outdoor deck. Most importantly though this is the personal vehicle of Marq Doran, the Corporate Manager of this entire operation.

There are a number of crew up on the vehicle, and a small ramp is set to an entrance low on one side. From up on the rear deck you hear the unmistakable voice of Marq "Took your sweet time you lazy Gungans, tides are turning in an hour and we need to find a good spot, get on board" even as you run up the ramp the speeder begins to move, the final Gungan has to leap or miss this trip... Who was last in line?

(Easy Coordination upgraded once)

Once you're all on board the vehicle quickly picks up speed, with the pilot turning it north and down towards the beach where it dodges a few trees before skimming out over the water. While that happens your little group of four Gungans make your way up onto the rear deck to meet with Marq. "Still no explanation, I don't care anyway you lot are always hopeless. We are headed out past the reef to the deep waters, I'm hoping me and the boys can catch ourselves one of those giant silvery fish we almost got last time... What did you call them again?"

(OoC: I'm not sure if you were wanting a check or if you just wanted some Roleplay. If I need to make a check, I can amend the post).

Bii-Muu played the part of stoic servant well. When told to fetch gear or prepare tackle, he did as he was told. When the the manager asked him about the fish he shrugged. "We call them Taloola. But in tales, they're always called 'Sea Kites'."

(OOC: some Roleplaying so thank you)

"Sea Kites yeah that's the one, we want to catch a couple of them. They love those red fish eggs you said last time, so you can just find us some of those now and then we can do some fishing... Well don't just stand there, get up to the cockpit and tell that pilot where to go." He walkes to the back of the deck to enjoy the view and chat to 2 other humans there, both managers. You overhear him flippantly remark "Gungans, their all as slow as each other, at least they can swim."

On your way again you run the rest of the way to the spaceport, or in this case what amounts to little more than a large hanger and some clear fenced off fields for shuttles and transports to land safely. As you approach you can see the hanger doors are open, and a large (silhouette 4) land speeder is hovering just out of the doors. It's was once an A-A7 heavy transport just like the rest of the fleet that's used to move people and materials between the mining rigs and here. Unlike all the others though this one is unique, it's been customised with almost the entire body being replaced and only the chassis and engine system remaining. Now it is a luxurious vehicle capable of carrying 20 or more it features lounges, bedroom suites, a galley and large rear outdoor deck. Most importantly though this is the personal vehicle of Marq Doran, the Corporate Manager of this entire operation.

Jek Jek still plays his old man routine till they are out of sight to anyone who looks at him, and once the dramatic crate blocks the view, he straightens up and plays his casual face, with his light stride and enthusiastic self. Once he spots he is a new place, he ogles curiously the view... making sure to make some mind notes, scanning perceptively the area for weakness, and the vehicle itself as they march into it.

There are a number of crew up on the vehicle, and a small ramp is set to an entrance low on one side. From up on the rear deck you hear the unmistakable voice of Marq "Took your sweet time you lazy Gungans, tides are turning in an hour and we need to find a good spot, get on board" even as you run up the ramp the speeder begins to move, the final Gungan has to leap or miss this trip... Who was last in line?

(Easy Coordination upgraded once)

Jek Jek taps Marq on the shoulder as he pass him by, shouting over the sound of roaring engines "Good travels in good faith, ehy?!" and jugs in with the others

Once you're all on board the vehicle quickly picks up speed, with the pilot turning it north and down towards the beach where it dodges a few trees before skimming out over the water. While that happens your little group of four Gungans make your way up onto the rear deck to meet with Marq. "Still no explanation, I don't care anyway you lot are always hopeless. We are headed out past the reef to the deep waters, I'm hoping me and the boys can catch ourselves one of those giant silvery fish we almost got last time... What did you call them again?"

Once they are alone with Marq, Jek Jek drops his act and leans down, as if to puke "I hate flyin'... are we going to feesh flyin'..." He seems out of breath... Is he playing an new ruse?

Bii-Muu joined the pilot in the cockpit and began to scan the waters. He was familiar with the Sea Kite's habits and looked for discolorations in the water and tricks to the glare in order to best all the while, checking the reading from the scanners for matches in patterns.

Survival: 2eA+1eP+2eD+1eS 2 failures, 2 advantage

So far your efforts to locate these rare and formidable creatures has proven fruitless. Fortunately you manage to locate some of their favourite food, on the edge of the reef there is a sharp drop, fish swimming too close to this edge can easily become food. In the scanner you notice an area of small caves, some species the Kite Fish enjoy are fond of living in the protection of caves, this may be a good spot to stop and look more closely for some 'bait'

Bii pointed out the caves and pointed them out to the pilot. "There. We should be able to pick up some bait there. We'll need plenty if we hope to net a Sea Kite, today. Let's stop and take a look."

The pilot powers down the thrusters, bringing the vehicle down to hover just barely above the calm ocean. From the open deck the colour of the reef below is just breathtaking, the myriad of bright colours from all ends of the colour rainbow is a wonder to behold. Marq is lounging on the rear deck with his cronies, enjoying some delicacy or other and a glass of some sort of amber liquid. "Fishing time already?" he remarks, but shrugs and returns to his conversation when you reply saying its bait collecting time.

One of the deckhands drops a rear diving platform down for the Gungans, the 2 you brought with you are waiting and ready for your orders as you dive into the cool clear water. Its refreshing to be free of the Humans for a time, its also refreshing to have water around you again. Below you is the edge of the reef, in the distance you can see deeper down the floor of the ocean, white sand with the occasional rock or seaweed. On the steep slope you can clearly see the openings in the rock. Whats you approach to this?

Meanwhile back in the workshop of the Processing Plant there is a Load Lifter Droid who is getting the full attention one very curious Teles. Over the course of the morning you gradually bypass systems, remove parts that are in your way, and slice through what appears to be some well designed protective software. Eventually though you're able to analyse the droid brain directly, it's a curious thing - it has had memory wipes weekly for the last 3 months - yet it still retains memories of older events. This seems quite odd to you of course so you dig a little deeper.

The last layer of defence is even stronger, especially considering this is just a simple ML series Droid, these things are supposed to be basic and easy to maintain. You work on it for a while and eventually crack through... To your utmost surprise you discover a second Droid Brain buried within the first! Frantically it begins trying to hid itself again, but it's too late. "Hmm well you seem to be quite the droid expert don't you?" It says out loud in binary.

"I guess I am, what is your designation?" Tele asks.

As the ship descended to a rest, Bii gathered a few pieces of necessary gear before approaching Jek Jek. "You up for a swim, old man?" He asked casually - making sure to put enough mirth in his voice to let the fellow Gungan know that he was kidding. "I'm taking a dip"

(OoC: Would it be possible to have a knife on-hand in case Bii gets tangled in sea weeds our encounters a toothy fish?)

(Bii could definitely carry a knife in the water, that sounds very in character to me)

To Teles in the workshop the secretive droid brain responds "SUB-3, I don't get out much any more as you can imagine, but in a past position my owner called me 'Subby'. Now kindly explain what you want of me now that you have broken into my home?"

Jek Jek dives from the boat with the grace of a creature who feels at home in the water, a cheeky raspberry blown at those onboard the vehicle as he enters the water. Once underneath the warmth fills your body with happiness, and the view of so many thousands of tiny fish brings a smile to your face. The coral is just full of life, the rainbow of colour, the movement of creatures, its mesmerising. Then you look down.

Right now your off the edge of the reef, over the deep water with a good view of the caves underneath the reef, there is sure to be some bait in there somewhere. The openings are quite dark, not much light penetrates the cave so finding your way could be as much about your knowledge and experience as what your eyes can actually see.

I'm supposed to keep all the droids here working. But why are you here Subby?

The droid is quick to respond "Here, I'm not here, you never saw me, and if you know whats good for you then you will remember that. Got it?"

(I think a social check may help you here, Charm or Negotiation, Difficulty of Average, you may add a boost for the compromised position you have this droid in)

"You aren't really in a position to threaten me. As I could very, very easily unplug you or the droid causing a shutdown. And then I'll get to see everything, not just the stuff I ask about. Or you can ansewr my questions, your choice." Teles responds calmly. (OOC: roll incoming @ around 1 PM)

Jek Jek dives from the boat with the grace of a creature who feels at home in the water, a cheeky raspberry blown at those onboard the vehicle as he enters the water. Once underneath the warmth fills your body with happiness, and the view of so many thousands of tiny fish brings a smile to your face. The coral is just full of life, the rainbow of colour, the movement of creatures, its mesmerising. Then you look down.

Right now your off the edge of the reef, over the deep water with a good view of the caves underneath the reef, there is sure to be some bait in there somewhere. The openings are quite dark, not much light penetrates the cave so finding your way could be as much about your knowledge and experience as what your eyes can actually see.

Jek Jek holds on to the ledge of the cliff and signals the rest to follow his lead. He uses the edge to hurl himself fast through the water! He wiggles his body into an accelerating swimming form, until he hits his feet hard at the bottom of the cave opening, creating tremors into it, baiting the target out...

A group of colorful luminescent aquatics escape the cave mouth... but was that the target of his actions? only the crucial minutes they have, before the "boss of the reef" will arrive, will tell...

Your search is not wasted, but it take a little while to find what you're looking for. The first few caves are empty, or at least empty of the large fish eggs your looking for, there is a lot of little fish and even one grumpy turtle. Agonising minutes go buy, when will a predator arive to spoil you day? This is stressful! But then you go into one of the larger openings, inside you find a nest of eggs each nearly half a meter in diameter! Perfect, now you just need some help to get some out.

(OOC: you located the bait but it's bigger than you remembered, help will be required to get some of them up to the boat, some Leadership could be helpful here in directing the younger Gungans too)

Bii gestured for the other Gungans to begin collecting the eggs while he turned to Jek Jek and ensured that he was keeping an eye out.

Leadership: 1eA+2eP+1eD+1eC 0 successes, 3 advantage

(OoC: I'm not quite sure what to do with those advantages. I suppose the NPCs could at least make things easier on Bii and Jek)

(I think you will have an idea after this)

The four of you dive down to the cave with eggs in it and begin trying to extract some. Their pink surface is very slick, getting a grasp on them is very hard. Actually removing them is taking a lot longer than you would have thought. Then just as you lift the first one up you all notice a change. Moments ago the water was filled with life, now there's barely a fish to be seen. Then a very large shape starts to materialise out of the depths. Moving slowly this dark skinned creature is approaching the reef, its body must be over 15m long. It hasn't spotted you yet, but that could change any moment.

(Probably a DCSS Cool check to remain calm and get out of sight, or DDDS Stealth unless you have other ideas)

While the others were gathering bait, Jek Jek was finding a good spot to look out for trouble.

He swims up a few meters, and holds onto a chunk of rock above the cavern mouth.

He throws a last look into the cave, head hanging upside down... and throws a pebble at Bii, to signal him his spot... after that, he gets upright, looks dramatically side to side, and starts to pat gently the rock-form, making and gathering a large cloud of dust around him... after which he halts and would not move a muscle for a few long minutes, especially now that the shadowy form of large fish is approaching...

Bii noticed the aquatic silhouette and steadied his nerve. Should he overreact, the men would likely panic. As calmly as he could, he guided the fellow Gungans to small alcove. Safely out of site.

(OoC: Using my 1 rank of Commanding presence to remove a setback from the cool check)

Cool check: 2eA+1eP+1eD+1eC+1eS 1 success, 1 advantage

The giant fish moves past your position, your not the snack it was looking for. Then you get back to collecting some of these eggs, they come free with more work and you take a decent amount up to the awaiting humans. They are loaded into containers and your on your way again. You continue your search, locating an ideal spot is a little hard, but again patience wins the day and what looks to be an likely place is found.

The Humans take over now, getting their equipment ready, they begin to cast lines, joking and having what looks to be fun. Your all essentially ignored, expected to barely be seen and definitely not heard. After a while one of the Managers gets a bit, excitement ensues and the contest begins, ultimately a silvery fish is seen near the surface, it could be 2m long, fighting the line. Its hauled onto the deck where it flops around, the managers panic a little, jumping clear with not a clue as to what to do. Marq himself pulls his pistol and with a single shot stills the creature. "Just a baby, boys, come on lets get ourselves a proper catch. Things settle and the days fishing continues, after 3 hours a total of 5 of these 'small' fish are caught, and Marq is clearly frustrated that nothing 'proper' has been caught.

more to come...