Chapter one

Hidden Treasures

Did you know it rains on Nar Shadda? Seems that just doesn't occur to most folk, but it's a true for this sphere as it is for any other. Of course on a place as developed as this the rain isn't a refreshing shower. No, when it does rain, it comes down chock full of chemicals and muck. Then once it hits it don’t just go away. Nope, all that "rain" needs to go someplace. In the most developed places the water gets collected and filtered and stored for later use in a Hutts shower room.

Sure, the moon is one massive city, but not all parts are as developed up as others. A casino may turn enough profit to pay for upkeep on the hundreds of repulsors needed to keep it perched on top of the levels of city below, but the factory that churns out plasteel gaskets can't afford the same. As you get farther from the centers of commerce, the casinos, the ports and market districts, farther out to where the factories are birthed and die, the "levels" tend to level out into just one. And out there, all that water becomes a nuisance. It gets funneled and piped and channeled to wherever is most "out of the way". Holding pools with hundreds of trillions of liters of waste water can be found scattered over the surface of Nar Shadda. These pools are often turned into massive water treatment plants. Where the industrious use filters and pumps to clean the water and sell it back to the market. But filters get clogged and pumps break down. As time passes the industrial centers shift and waste pools fill with all the things that would get washed down stream.

Fzaexx, four years ago, while you were still working as a majordomo for Bidaya Dolok of the Anjiliac kajidic, You were privy to an eminent business transaction. A sector of defunct factories near the south pole, was being sold to a conglomerate of Quarren ship builders. They had plans to redirect the waste water in a 500 kilometer radius towards the factory where they were establishing their new production line. Using the few spare thousand credits you had saved away (the ones Bidaya did not seize) you purchased one of the waste pools and the water treatment plant attached to it.

The plant had long ago been abandoned and the pool was choked with debris, but the land deal went down, and once the waste water was re-directed, you were the proud owner of a useless pump station and about two billion cubic meters of mud, scrap and rotting things best left forgotten. Being the entrepreneur you are, you found a way to use what you had. You sold off the pumps and bought some droids, you converted the pump station to a relatively comfortable living area and you even have a few rooms that you rent out. Or as the case may be, use as housing for the other player characters. The new Quarren factory has been in full operation for a few years now and other business has been cropping up. Mud Pond Scrapyard does a steady trade in scrap durasteel, you take apart whatever wrecks come in and sell off the pieces. You have cleared out about half of the pools contents but as you "mine" the muck (mostly dry at this point) occasionally your droids pull out something extra special.

For now though, the party has all gathered in the dining room of the pump house. The news about the moon has been all about how some battle out in the Abrion sector has got the Empire worried. Well, worried enough that they called in the usual complement of ships that had been sitting over the wrecks from the battle 4 years ago. The chance to get out there has been dropped in your laps and you've gathered to get it done.

"I confirmed it with a guy I know down at the Cantina." Khaine looks around the room obviously excited. "His brother works at one of the smaller ports and it was all over the ATC channels. The Imps jumped out a little while ago. This is our chance and I don't want to miss it. I can think of a couple of options." Khaine looks over at Fzaexx. "We could convince or con someone to give us a lift for something we can afford or intimidate. Khaine looks around and gets a sly smirk "Or we could straight up jack a ship." Khaine begins to pace the room. "Regardless we'll need to move quickly if we want our pick of the good stuff and we'll need something big enough to bring along some of the repair droids and repulsor sleds to carry some of our parts. Best case we get a ship up and running and can get it back here in time. Worse case we can grab some good gear that we can sell." Khaine stops pacing and with an excited voice. "What do you guys think?"

Tox sits there, listening to the plan taking shape. Rosestar, her fledgling Mantellian Flutterplume, is sleeping silently on her shoulder. Tox slowly, methodically, polishes her trusty vamblades. " I heard they left in a hurry, has that happened before? " She knows the answer is a no.

" I don't know about slicing, I would leave that to the computer jockeys ." Tilting her head to Shard. " I do know that there is a chance for me, for us, to get our hands on some credits. Whatever we need to do, I move we do swiftly. We can't let our inaction ruin our chances. If I am needed to intimidate, I shall attend. " With this she flicks her wrist and the blade pops out. Another quick flick and the blade retracts. " I'm sure it won't come to the that, Fzaexx has the silver tongue. " She cracks a rare smile. She knows that this team has some baggage, herself included, but each person at the table is important and has a job to do.

Rosestar readjusts her position and Tox scratches her head, enough to calm her back to sleep. " Everything has a purpose " she whispers quietly, almost to herself.

"I have a... vested interest in searching the wrecks as well," Fzaexx admits. He takes a moment to ponder whether the present has found out about his fall from grace or whether they're angling to leverage his poor reputation against him. He concludes his silence on his past prior to 4 years ago has kept the specifics of his disgrace intact, though he's heard plenty of rumors which skirt dangerously close to the truth floating around. Just like several other times since he's known this group, he assumes their own self-interest drives this newest conversation. Helping them out would be in Fzaexx best interest; if they happen to fall a little more under his control in the process, that would be in Fzaexx best interest too....

"While I support many of the ideas you present Khaine, I'll particularly point out we will not be the only group looking to this opportunity for a big score. If we find whoever will make it there first, I'm sure an amicable arrangement can be made for them to transport us. After all, the field is large enough for two crews. If they have a ship and we have extra hands I'm sure they'll see reason."

S'zish stood near the wall of the room, for anyone who was familiar with his species' physiology they would have been able to tell that the Gand was tense, ready to move. "S'zish wishes to search the wreckage as well. However, S'zish would advise the group to choose the method of leaving Nar Shadda carefully if returning is intended. The Hutts will only allow so much before punishment finds the group." The Gand's vision shifted around the room, S'zish was certain that the group could find a way to reach the wrecks, but would S'zish find what S'zish sought there, information to undermine the Empire.

"S'zish thinks that the best approach is renting a cheap ship that can reach the wreckage field." The Gand continued in his unusual accent, which was the combination of Gand not using pronouns and the part that Gand physiology played in his ability to speak basic. When he finished, S'zish looked around the room one more time to see if he could tell what the group was thinking.

Khaine looks around and begins to think out loud. " I may know a guy down at the cantina that could... no wait, he's offworld already." Khaine begins to look visibly frustrated as he begins to pace around again. "...and the rodian was blasted by Kilgore the Hutt for trying to skim spice from ..." Khaine's attention begins to wander as he sees Tox looking over the damaged walker that recently came in. Suddenly his attention snaps back and a look of dread crosses his face. "...there is one person I know, but, well..." Poodoo please don't ask me to use her. " ...there are complications." Curse my luck. I'll never get rid of her if I contact her again. Why does the universe hate me so...

Tox listened to the back and forth. I don't know anyone that can help, I'll let them hash this out. She heads out side to get some fresh air. While picking her way through the piles of scrap, she notices a damaged walker that she doesn't recognize. At the foot of the walker, Tox spies a shiny blue stone. Holding it in her hands, a single tear falls from her eyes. This was the exact same color as the skies above her home. " Never. Don't. Don't think of them. I don't need them. I am better off without them, " she whispers to the wind.

Looking back from the stone to the walker, a thought springs into her mind. While they are talking, let me see if I can get this running, that will show them I am valuable. Tox climbs up into the cockpit and looks around. She places the stone on the dashboard. Nothing obvious is missing, I just wish I knew more about mechanics. " I bet one of them knows more about this anyways, " she say scornfully. She hits the dashboard with her fists; the stone bounces twice but stays put. All of a sudden, the cabin lights up a bright red and then goes dark.

Strange, that light was not blinking when I entered. Looking around for the source of the light, Tox spots the com box. She drops to her knees in the confined space and carefully pulls out a data link. This is an Imperial issue data link, what's it doing in an industrial machine? She looks at the blue stone she left on the dashboard then back at the data link. Maybe that stone brought me some luck. Hope it brings the next person here some luck as well.

With her head up, she walked to the common room, feeling less useless. I wonder if they came up with a real idea to get to the wreckage. As she walks in the door, she notices Shard is no longer at the table. Huh . " You will never guess what I found out there, " she said as she raises up the data link for all to see.

Suddenly S'zish remembered a nearby Verpine who rented out ships. Then he spoke to those remaining in the room "S'zish knows of a Verpine that would rent the group a ship. The ship would contain enough room for the group's supplies." S'zish paused for a second "However, some negotiations may be needed." He said looking at the other members in the room.

Half turning when Tox spoke from the scrap piles outside, "S'zish can take some of the group to the Verpine if that is desired. It would allow for other members of the group to examine the item Tox has found." S'zish stopped waiting for a response, looking at each individual remaining in the room.

"Well, it seems we have a lead." Fzaexx is grateful for the break the Gand has made, he was about to suggest splitting up to follow leads which would've cost precious time. Fzaexx turns to the room, " I will meet this Verpine and arrange things. I'll comm you with a docking bay number for the ship." I might have some homework of my own to do before the excursion as well. "S'zish, lead on! Tox or Neeling, I request you escort us should we run into any... unpleasant denizens. The rest of you, see what you can get out of that device. The last thing I need is Imperial scum knocking on my door!" With a whoosh from his cloak [because it seems like something he'd wear], Fzaexx makes his way to the door with purpose.

Sitting down to a rather unappetizing looking ‘meal’, Neelig listened and pondered on this new development. This could be the start of something grand, a new home for his herd, a reason to unite again and a safe haven from the death and decay that ravaged the rest of Nar Shaddaa. They could start over; it would be long and arduous but the best things always were, weren’t they. All they needed was to find whatever was left of the herdship; Caab knew the hardiest of specimens would probably remain, twisting, growing and crawling throughout the probably overgrown hulk by now and though shaken the city of Hernahu would still stand, albeit in fracture.

He tossed his chance cubes onto the table, a hintaro once more gracing his eyes. Neelig hoped he would have better luck finding his home than he did at dice. At the mention of his name the elder Ithorian rose slowly, gripping his staff and depositing the dice back into his pocket. “Friend Fzaexx”, he started in his calm, kind manner, “we live on Nar Shaddaa”. With a light, vibrating laugh he carried on, “unpleasant denizens are a dime a dozen, but let's hope it doesn't come to that”.

On his feet, the Ithorian kept his staff gripped tight in his long, thin fingers as he awkwardly clomped his way towards Tox, giving her a light pat on the back so as to not wake Rosestar. “Good job Tox. I’ll go ahead and accompany these two, I could use the walk”, another stereophonic chuckle emanated as he walked past her towards Fzaexx, his cloak dragging a bit on the dusty metallic floor.

“If you don’t mind, good sirs, perhaps before or afterwards we could look into a couple contacts of mine? I might know a rather ambitious young Gossam interested enough to fund our little venture...for a price, as well as a couple retired fefze beetle hunters with a few E.V.A suits collecting dust and perhaps ready to be borrowed. They’re mostly good natured at heart”, hummed he in his strange accent, his clumsy staggering ceasing at the door. "Unless, of course, anyone would like to accompany me to Phi Draa's now? We are on a bit of a crunch at the moment"

Aramhi Montai is a typical Gossam, he is small of stature and well dressed, quick to pick up on the subtleties of a conversation and able to single out on any specifics. Neelig is greeted warmly and Brin is accepted with grace given the association. Aramhi meets you out of his home in the Duros Sector. It is not palacial by any means but it is obvious that he can afford a comfortable level of living. He sits you down serves you some variety of hot drink with a fruity smell and asks what he can do for you?

---

As Fzaexx and S'zish enter the busy hanger the noise of roaring engines nearly takes them off their feet. Small orbital craft are taking off and landing in a near constant stream from the yard in front of them. Standing at the center of the chaos is a Verpine evidently directing the various craft as the pass in and out of the area. As you approach you see a data terminal next to the verpine light up and text reads out from the surface "I am busy today, what do you want?".

Tox looks around the now quiet workroom. Coming off the high of finding the data link, she knows it's gonna take more than that to earn her keep. She recalls Neelig mentioning that he knew where to find some EVA suits.

Tox heads out the door, looking over at the walker, seeing Khaine working. She waves as she hops into the closest V5. It's all coming together.

She floors the acceleration, ready to go see Neelig's beetle hunting compatriots. She slowly put puts out of the yard. Should have held on to my lucky stone. At least I will be back by the time everyone completes their tasks.

10 minutes later, as she just rounds the block, Tox looks to the sky. Maybe.

Once they've introduced themselves, Brin casually enters Aramhi's home, walking closely behind Neelig. With one hand in his pocket, and the other stroking his beard, he looks around at the modest luxuries of Aramhi Montai's dwelling, admiring the lifestyle the well-dressed Gossam must enjoy. "This is quite the place you have here", Brin comments while taking the seat offered by their host. Aramhi looks up briefly toward the black-furred Bothan before leaving the room. Not a moment later, their host returns carrying a serving tray with empty cups and a generously sized vessel filled with some sort of tea. A fresh and fruity aroma fills the room, the sort that Neelig and Brin don't experience often back at the scrapyard. Oh, I could get used to this, Brin thinks to himself.

Aramhi sets the tray down at a small table in front of Brin and Neelig. As he reaches out toward the tea-filled vessel ready to serve his guests, Brin stands up, making a motion with his hands for Aramhi to remain seated.

"Please! Allow me!" Aramhi reluctantly takes a seat and watches Brin as he pours tea into the three cups sitting atop the serving tray. Handing one to their host, and the other to his ally, Brin takes the third cup, raises it slightly toward Aramhi and, wearing a soft smile, exclaims "to our host!"

Having developed a taste for the finer things that he never seems to be able to afford, Brin greedily gulps down the luxurious drink. Audibly refreshed by the warm treat, he compliments their host once more on his tastes. They engage in some pleasant small talk while Brin pours another round of drinks and swallows his second cup in one gulp - more greedily than he did the first in fact. I've got to find out what this is!

"Your associate's manners are quite refreshing in this smuggler's haven, my old friend", Aramhi chuckles to Neelig. "And his taste for the finer things may rival my own. Although I suspect from the way you inhaled your drink thusly without a mind to savour its nuances, Mr.Baxler, that you may lack the finances to afford the fineries that you enjoy so. That's what brings you to me, I suspect. No, no! Don't fret, my old friend. I rather like your associate, and I am as ever fond of you as I have been. Why don't we talk business?"

Fzaexx looks the Verpine up and down, quickly getting an estimation of the little creature. Being relatively sure this alien can smell, Fzaexx focuses his glands on emitting a strong pheromone, which plays on the fight or flight instinct of most species, to try to create an urgent feeling of being out time in the verpine. Feigning thinking up something to say, Fzaexx lets the chemical set in for a few seconds. "I can see you're a busy being so I will be brief. My associate assures me you're willing to loan us a short range shuttle with a decent cargo capacity for a few days. The fastest way to get us out of your presence is to hand over some codes on our humble promise we will make it worth your while when we return." Fzaexx pauses for a moment to let his proposition set in, then jumps back in to keep the pressure on, "That is, unless you have a counteroffer which is worth your time to talk about." Satisfied with his initial opening, Fzaexx waits for the inevitable conclusion of him getting the access codes.

Had Baxler known of Arahmi' s specific buisness, he might have thought twice about downing the tea laid before him. Though Neelig had nothing to fear personally, considering thier history, the diminutive Gossam had earned as one of the six who earned thier living repairing and modifying freighters and fighters to one Chobu the Hutt of Bareesh, a lower level up and starting Hutt who as of late had been dipping his non-existant toes in the gunrunning game. The toned Ithorian had done quite an amount of work for Arahmi, collecting debts owed by the less reputable citizens of Old Duros, almost all of them peacefully.

Neelig stays standing behind the bothan just in case something were to happen, though he doubts such an occurrence would. Taking his glass, Caab waits a few moments to make sure the tea was safe to drink (unfortunetly by glancing to make sure Brin didn't keel over), before beginning to rumble in a most pleasing tone, " I see your taste in tea hasn't gone dull, old friend. Yes, it is quite unfortunate that our latest visit had to be buisness related, which reminds me has all been well with...you know...him? I hope that wasn't an intrusion, but given the venom he shot pastime I had to collect I want to make sure your alright". Neelig shifts his staff to his side in a threatening manner, laying it as a cane to the floor. "You see, my friend here has a buisness opportunity ripe for the picking, to literally speak. It involves a certain Imperial force leaving a particular strip of scrap unattended if you understand my meaning."

At this, Neelig takes his cup, lifts it a thanking motion, and takes it to his left mouth as he leaves the bothan to work his magic.

Aramhi's eyes open in an expression of understanding. "Yes, yes, I see you recall that passing comment Sir Caab. Good on you" and he lifts his cup in a small toast to Neelig "I do still associate with one that desires the targeting computer from an Imperial Twin Ion Engine class Starfighter. If you intend to have one available I would be willing to manage the transaction." A twinkle hits his eye and you see that he is beginning the negotiation.

"I am hardly an expert on these devices, so I would be guessing at their value, but I could arrange for say three thousand credits to be paid, on delivery only, of course." He looks at you with a smile, obviously expecting a counter offer...

After a pleasurable time spent drinking tea and bantering over the price of a TIE component you settle on a final credit figure The base price would have been 6 thousand credits with 50% up front. However, your extra success increased the figure by 10 % each so you were able to bring it up to 7200 total. Sadly your single threat drops the up-front amount by 10% so only %40 can be claimed ahead of time. Brin and Neelig leave the apartment with a small case containing 2880 credits.

The Verpine seems confused by the initial proposal. Normally if someone wants to rent a ship they simply send in an electronic request along with a credit deposit. However Fzaexx confidently manuvers the overwhelmed creature into delivering the access codes to a ship parked at the far end of the landing field. It seams that a combination of pheromones on top of dealing with the fellow vocally (Verpine usually communicate through electro magnetic field vibrations) won you over.

The ship is a heavily modified YT-1000 freighter. The entirety of the interior living space as well as the hyperspace navigation computer and both hyperdrives have been removed in lieu of additional cargo space. It seems this ship is intended for local cargo shipment only. One side of the ship has been roughly replaced with a pair of large maglocked doors. Presumably to ease the movement of cargo.

S'zish pilots the ship (which surprisingly still has a functional weapon) back to Mud Pond Scrapyard and the party once again meets to go over any last minute preparations before heading out to the moons of Kiskua, a gas giant and the fifth planet of the Y'Tuub system. The heart of Hutt space.

Brin spots the YT-`1000 sitting outside the scrapyard as he and Neelig return to Mud Pond. I guess they're back.

The pair meet the rest of the team in the common room and present them with a small case filled with credits.

"Well team... 2880 credits, courtesy of Neelig's Gossam friend over in the Duros Sector, with the promise of more credits to come, as long as we can procure that targeting computer. What say we use these credits to load up on the necessities before we head out?"

I may not know a lot about salvage ops, or running a scrapyard even... but I can lie, cheat, and steal. We've got the suits, we've got the ship... I wonder what else we're gonna need? I'll defer to the techheads when it comes to supplies.

Tox finally puts into the scrap yard. She sees that Brin and the others are back as well. She and the Droids load the EVA suits onto the YT-1000. " Wait here, " she instructed the droids, " I have a feeling you will be coming along for the ride ."

Leaving the droids and suits in one of the many cargo holds, she exits the ship, dusting off her hands. " Rosestar! ". Her trusty companion floats gently through the yard and lands on her shoulder, nuzzling into Tox's neck. " Aww, I missed you too. Let's go inside and give our report."

Sitting down at the table, Tox was surprised to hear how much luck every one seemed to have. " Yes, they lent us six suits. They pass on their greetings. " She answered to Neelig, when asked to give her update..

Upon hearing Brin's report, she broke into another rare smile. 2880 credits? She couldn't believe it. Finally, I can get a satchel <surveyor's bag> so I don't have to carry everything around all the time. Maybe I could also get a, wait, before I spend it all in my head, I better wait and see what the team thinks first. " I agree, let's go get supplies, I saw a place on my way back. "

Settling the YT-1000 into the scrapyard S'zish exits the cockpit and heads to the boarding ramp, while descending it, he notices that the construction walker had been moved and was fully repaired. Believing it would be useful on their upcoming salvage run, S'zish loads it into the cargo bay, after which he returns to were the others have gathered.

"S'zish has stored the walker in the cargo bay, for use during the salvage." He informed the room. After hearing that they had retrieved 2880 credits for preparations he saw an opportunity. Any data left behind by the Imperials would probably be encrypted, so slicing would be needed. "S'zish would like to request slicing gear, to allow access to any information left on the wrecks."

I'll check out the walker. Maybe she holds a few more surprises. And depending on what sort of ship we can get and what the wrecks look like it may come in handy. I hope I can get this thing working. Even if we can't use it in the salvage at least it'd come in handy around here. Khaine heads back to his room to slip into some overalls. As he heads back out to the yard he pauses to activate the 3 maintenance droids. Ooof. These things are such a pain. But they do come in handy. Let's go. We have work to do. Fetch the heavy tools diagnostic kits and bring them here. As Khaine begins setting up the winches and preparing to go over the walker the droids come clattering back looking like some bad old slapstick comedy holo-vid. sigh. Khaine shakes his head and begins to work. Well lets start with the engine. Khaine takes one look at the hatch and sees the large blaster hole in the hull. Poodoo! Well, this explains why it was discarded. Let's see what the damage is. Khaine opens up the compartment and begins to take a look around. Let's see, the bearings are shot, that's easy. The plasma lines are cooked, not too bad. Uhhhg. The ion oscillator is totally fused... Wait... is this... Khaine scrapes some plasma burns off of what's left of the ion oscillator. This is a model C, Pelmer Oscillator.

Crawling back out of the engine compartment Khaine looks over at the droids. Get the load lifter and a cargo sled and bring me that capital plasma drive scrap we dug up last week. Khaine hops down and begins gathering up some small spare parts from the different scrap piles that may come in handy while he waits. After a little while the droids return with the plasma drive on the sled. I hope the oscillator on this drive still works. Khaine gets to work and with the help of the droids is able to get through the drive wreckage quickly. Yes! Khaine exclaims as he removes the oscillator housing to reveal an intact and almost new looking model C Pelmer Oscillator. We're in business baby! Khaine removes the oscillator from the wreckage, takes it over to the walker and begins to install it with the help of the droids. Hold the calibrator over there... no, go around the housing and tighten it from the other side...

The conversation, and a string of expletives flow from the walker's engine compartment as Khaine and the droids install the oscillator and replace the other small damaged parts.

After closing the engine compartment Khaine makes his way over to the cockpit. Let's fire this puppy up. As he climbs in and begins to go over the controls he quickly realizes there's something different about this walker. No... I'm not that lucky. There's got to be a catch. I'm just not that lucky. As he closes the hatch and the engine roars to life the cockpit seals up and the displays begin going displaying the walkers status. Khaine watches as status after status come up green. But a few lines in particular catch his eye and his grin gets bigger with each line. Ion thrusters ... CHECK. Mag-clamps ... CHECK. Life Support ... A hissing sound fills the cabin. ...CHECK! Khaine exclaims loudly before looking back at the screen with where a big red FAILURE! was displayed for the tractor beam. Oh no. You're not stopping me now. Khaine mutters as he climbs out of the cockpit.

Ok you three, open the number two hatch so we can get a look at that tractor beam. Khaine takes out his glowrod and begins to look over the tractor beam. Ooof. The capaciters are completely blown. He looks over towards the droids. You, when I tell you to, remove the capacitors, one at a time from front to back. You, grab the circuit diagnostics and when I ask for it, measure the power load on the empty port. You, take this comlink and let me know what the readout is. Khaine leaves the droids to their tasks and heads over to one of the parts shed. One by one the droids relay the power requirements for each capacitor. A short while later Khaine returns with a box of random capacitors. None of these are the right make and model. They can handle the load, but they won't hook up right. I wonder if I could... DUMs, fetch the repair kit from the #3 garage and the insta weld from the last toolshed on the left. This may just work. After the droids return Khaine begins to direct guide them in the creation of a series of small adaptors and connectors. Slow, one by one, the capacitors are hooked up to the tractor beam. After finishing up Khaine returns to the cockpit and starts the Walker back up. Fingers crossed he waits for the tractor beams status to display. Tractor Beam ... CHECK. Oh yeah. I've got the tools! And I've got the Talent! Wait until the others get a load of this thing. Khaine smiles as he powers the walker down and hops out.

Clean up the mess and weld a patch over that hole in the hull. He directs the droids and he heads towards the main building. And when you are done gather up the tool kits and bring them up them up here. As Khaine walks away he can hear the usual bickering of the droids as they scramble to clean up. What he doesn't see is one of them drop a spanner into a grease bucket and splattering grease over the tractor beam array.

As Khaine enters the main building he hears the roar of engines overhead. Looks like the others had just as much success as I did. I think everything is going to work out on this venture.

After cleaning up, Khaine returns to the common room where the others are gathering. I got the walker running and you're never going to believe it. It's a 0G model fitted for space and ground work! I even managed to jury-rig the tractor beam. We'll need to get some proper parts for it eventually, but it's fully functional.

Chapter Two

What Lies Beneath

The heavily modified YT-1000 propels your group through the darkness of space. Now and then a new indicator lights up on the control panel, flashing it's silent warning to the pilot, but some time ago you gave up on trying to determine what message they are trying to convey. Khaine is confident that the engines and life support are in good working order and S'zish is keeping her on the correct heading. Clearly this vessel was intended for near orbit activity only. The sensor suite has been so thoroughly pruned that it took a good 10 minutes simply to locate Kiskua the gas giant you're aiming for.

The good news is that the YT-1000's engine speed seems to have not been hampered and the sphere of Kiskua soon grows in the view ports. S'zish routes the ship towards the moon and before long you are flying over the surface. The moon has a minimal atmosphere. It consists of mostly nitrogen and a trace amounts of other gasses settled mostly into deep valleys between jagged mountain peaks.

You quickly find the Debris field. The individual hulls have been deposited into the valleys in a haphazard dump. Evidently, when the wrecks were towed here, four years ago, there was no effort put into sorting them. Within the valleys you can see twisted metal gleaming in the light from the far sun. It seems though, that a layer of dust has settled into the low places of the moonscape. In one place you recognize the curve of a YT freighter that is half buried in the fine particulate.

You know that specific ships can be found somewhere under all that dust. But it seems that finding what you are looking for will not be as easy as you had hoped.

Brin peaks down at the field of wreckage from the safety of the freighter. With a reluctant look on his face and an uneasy smile, he thinks out loud to himself "I sure hope those suits hold up okay..."

S'zish slows the YT-1000 and begins flying over the debris field. After only a moment Fzaexx spots the unmistakable outline of a Minstrell Class Space Yacht. It seems to be laying on its side with a twisted chunk of metal (perhaps some section of a star destroyer) pinning it to the ground and against one of the massive rock formations. Multiple points along it's hull have been blasted open by turbolaser fire and the entire port side is rent open by what might have been an impact of some kind.

Brin looks over Fzaexx's shoulder and chuckles reluctantly. "That's not, uh... we're not... sh-shall we keep looking?"