TheSagaContinues

Eshra pointed her finger at the gran, lip curling in defiance as she started to argue...only to sigh and roll her eyes in defeat. He was right. She conceded that with a nod, but promised herself that she would plant her knee in his *** damned crotch if he called her 'little lady' again.

"The droid schematics will be easy enough for me to obtain," she announces, "but it will take time to find the data I need for Lothal dealers. I don't have to be psychic to know you are going to be of no help to me for the next few hours...Perhaps you should go make a report to Mantis."

With that, Eshra reclined in the seat, activated the 'augmented reality' mode of her visor and began performing her task.

Spoiler: skill checks and time (hover to show)

((I had to review skills checks in the core guide to make sure all of this was done correctly so please point out errors. It turns out to be a rather complicated process.))

No skill check required to access Holonet wirelessly.

Gather Information on different mining droid models: 'Locate individual' mechanic used for search. DC 15 for common information; Takes 10 (10+18=28). Time spent: 1d6=> 3 hours

Gather Information on droid&parts dealers on Lothal: 'Locate individual' mechanic used for search. DC 15 for common information; Takes 10 (10+18=28). Time spent: 1d6=> 2 hours

Results take 5 hours.

# of dealers is up to GM. Eshra will access each dealers network in turn. They will follow the formula below.

Use Computer: Accesses Network Remotely (DC10), Using 'Cover Tracks' (+5 DC, -5 to Use Computer to anyone attempting to determine identity or activity) DC 15; Takes 20 (20+19=39) Time Spent (assuming that GM agrees that 'Cover Tracks' doubles required time): 2 Minutes

Network is assumed to be 'Neutral', meaning no + or - to rolls. GM's discretion. If Eshra has to improve the attitude of any computer she will simply take ten (28).

Use Computer: Access 'General Information' on dealer's basic info: [DC10 (+5 'Cover Tracks')=DC15]; Takes 20 (10+19=39). Time Spent (as above) 2 Minutes

Use Computer: Access 'Specific Information' on dealer's inventory of droid parts and stock: [DC20 (+5 'Cover Tracks')=DC25]; Takes 20 (20+19=39). Time spent 20 minutes.

Use Computer: Access 'Private Information' on dealer's roster of customers and parts purchased: [DC25 (+5 'Cover Tracks')=DC30]; Takes 20 (20+19=39). Time spent 2 hours.

Does not attempt to access 'Secret Information' at this time.

Gather Information: All relevant information from Use Computer Checks above: Takes 10 (10+18=28). Time spent: 3 hours (only if GM allows an average of 3 hours per check to streamline for multiple dealers).

Total time per dealer: 5 hours and 24 minutes.

Repeat process until all dealers have been accessed.

Gather Information on collected data for pattern indicating possible leads: Takes 10 (10+18=28). Time spent: 1d6=> 2 hours

Use Computer: 'Analysis' (DC15 to analyze data gathered after Gather Information to add +10 bonus to original check). Takes 20 (20+19=39).

Eshra's Gather Information roll to find leads increased from 28 to 38.

((Phew! That was some work. I spelled it out like this to make your life easier CX. The more work -I- do, the easier it is for you to concentrate on the story and results. Hopefully everything works as is. ))

A weathered Gungan speaks from the co-pilot station, where he is careful not to touch anything not having any particular understanding of starship operations while reading from his data tablet, another gungan stands attentively beside him at the moment:

"Lothal. Never heard of it. You neither Gungsa? Guidebook says the cuisine is good, if you like fruit... Guess we're used to the human palate after all these years working with them. Hope they have some good protein options, I prefer something a little more substantial..."

"Obi-Juan, fine job piloting! Looks like we're almost out of hyperspace. Who are these guys we're supposed to connect with? A Gran and a Bothan? Well, hopefully they've done some groundwork, we should try to set up communications with them from orbit in case they need support or some high altitude intelligence on the target before we land. We don't want to walk into any traps... say, Obi-Juan, did I ever tell you about how we ambushed the droid convoy on Naboo? I did? Well, I'm sure i forgot to mention the importance of MISDIRECTION! The droids thought it was the HUMANS they had to worry about! They didn't think to look to the swamps! We must be careful not to fall into the same trap! Why, I remember (blah blah blah irrelevant recollection of battle of naboo for the 16th time since the voyage started)....

Eshra stopped working as a chill ran up her spine. She couldn't say what suddenly seemed...off. Then it passed . She shrugged and returned to her research.

Spoiler (hover to show)

Obi-Juan, caressing the controls with grace, as if he was with a girl, handle his first love, the Jumping Mantis, effortlessly. As you can see, he's quiet fond to the starship, even if it's not his. That's because he's a man of romance; and also a careless and possessive person. He started talking, staring at the stars: "You should focus on the mission, Barbar... and the controls, too; she's smooth and sexy if well used, but brisk and cold in touch with new hands. I'd recommend you try to salivate a little less in front of her, too...". He took a heavy breath, doing his best to keep himself from killing his partners. Both of them. "... It's not good to think about the future, when you really don't know if you'll be alive by then". His smile was a little diabolic, but he did nothing to hide it. He hoped the gungans were not used to human facial expressions.

Alsten's partner paused and turned her head in his direction. His instincts on interrupting her work were dead on. Eshra's eyes were narrowed and her lips tightly pursed. However, just as she opened her mouth to speak, something jogged her memory and she paused. Then, after sitting up, she dug the flask out of her jacket and tossed it to him.

"Twi'lek Liquor, the dark green kind. Knowing the areas you'll wander through I'm sure you can find it." She requested patiently. "None of that brown **** either. Don't let them try to talk you into that, its just terrible."

She settled back into the deep cushions and assumed staring at the ceiling. On the way out she calls out before the door closes: "And turn the encryption if you call me! We took the contract, so now its time to do the job right." The doors close and she resumes her work, muttering 'Just don't ***ing call me'.

Her reply came after a noticeable pause. "...Fine. *Hic* Just make sure you sweep the hanger when you get here."

---------------

Earlier...

Eshra entered the search parameters on her interface to begin sifting through some of the information she'd managed to gather thus far. It would be slow going. Several hours would pass before even the first real batch of usable numbers came in. It would take just as long for the other sources she'd located on the planet, and they each had to be done one at a time to avoid leaving a trail. A large sigh escaped the bothan as she stood up to stretch, taking advantage of the lag to stretch her joints. "Ooh this is the part that always takes the longest." She complained as several joints clicked and popped as she worked stiffness from her muscles.

Then the intercom system chirped. Eshra directed her attention to a blinking light on the console and flipped the switch next to it. One of the screen on the wall flashed to light. One of the few camera's on the ships hull showed the hanger outside the ship. Someone was standing just outside. Eshra squinted and toggled the zoom key, centering it on what appeared to be a rather fat human. She couldn't discern much from the first angle so she switched to another feed. This time the grainy feed cleared away her confusion. The fat man was simply a human standing in front of a hand cart. Several boxes were loaded within. He was checking a datapad and glancing at the ship, then to the bay number on the wall, nodding.

Eshra sighed. Alan must be asleep. Otherwise he would have dealt with this already. She keyed the external mic on the ship and leaned in to speak into com.

"What do you want?"

The human looked up from his datapad, searching for the source of the voice. "Uh, I have a delivery for...Eshra?"

She quirked a brow. "I didn't order anything."

The human nodded and pointed to his datapad. "Ah, the order says 'Care of Eshra.' It has your ship and everything listed here."

Eshra paused, frowning. She examined the human again and the hand cart. It wasn't clear what he was delivering but there was a large supply of whatever it was.

"Sent by whom?" She finally replied.

"Uhh," He glanced at the face of the datapad, "Pavond?"

That got the Bothan's attention. She told him she'd be right out. "I'll open up the cargo hold." Eshra made her way to the cargo hold and pressed the 'down' arrow on the ramp controls. The old hydraulics kicked into gear. 'I wonder what he's sent!'

When the ramp touched down she stepped into the light, shielding her exposed eye against the bright sky. She'd forgotten they'd arrived early in the day when the ship touched down. She'd already worked most of the way through the afternoon and the sun was shining at just the right angle to hit her squarely in the face. The human stood just beyond the ramp, setting the hand cart down to approach, datapad still in hand.

"So, what is it that you've got for me?" She asked the human, curiously eying the nondescript boxes loaded in the cart.

"Looks like a shipment of spirits, ma'am." He replied, handing her the datapad and electronic pen. "Eight boxes. All you have to do is sign for it and pay the credit charge for shipping services."

Eshra took the pad and started signing. "Pavond sent this, eh?...I don't shipping on here."

"Oh that's another form, your just accepting delivery on this page. Hit the 'next' key and you can sign over payment there.' He instructed her politely. Eshra finished signing the first section and did as she was instructed. She scrolled through the shipping and handling agreement. Down...down...down....and stopped. Her gaze shifted from the pad and stared the man angrily in the face.

"Is this some kind of ***ing joke? What the **** kind of service do you run that justifies charge three hundred and fifty three credits for a delivery??"

The man flinched at the sudden shift in Eshra's tone and volume. "That's...just standard fare for express and insurance for delivery. This shipment is 22.6 kilograms."

"Are you out of your ***ing MIND!? I'm not paying for this!" Eshra shouted furiously. The human cringed but stood his ground. "Ma'am...you've already accepted the delivery. I can't cancel it out now."

Eshra narrowed her eyes at him, assuming a ferocious and feral look. She clenched her fists and looked like she was going to throw the man's datapad back into his face. Then, slowly, she brought the pen to the face of the pad and signed off on her name. She took the liberty of adjusting the billable account to the Syndicate, and angrily shoved it back into his hands. She grabbed the first box and turned back to the ship. She began walking up the ramp, intent on yelling into the com at Alan to help her lug this crap into the ship.

Then the human said something that caught her attention.

"***ing psycho *****. What a ****ing animal, bothan *****!"

Eshra didn't hesitate. She dropped the box, reached into her jacket and yanked out her weapon. Eshra turned, unfolded the stock and switched it on. A dangerous, low pitch filled the air as she took aim.  "Oh, really?! I'LL GIVE YOU A ****ING ANIMAL! She pulled the trigger and the air vibrated with a deep 'THOOOM'.

The hand cart exploded. Shards of glass and plastic flew into the air. The man yelped in terror and bolted for the door. Another discharge shook the wall next to him as he made it through the door, sending sparks everywhere. 'THOOOM'.  The sound of his feet pounding the dusty floor was all that remained of his presence.

"There's your tip, you little ****er!" Eshra hollered after him. She grabbed the remaining box and headed into the ship. After raising the ramp, she ripped open the box and, much to her surprise, found several bottles of her drink of choice. The green kind. Eshra snatched the first bottle and headed back to her seat in the lunge, where she rewarded herself and took a long swig. It burned...but it was just right.

She got back to work, sipping from the bottle as she regained her momentum in scanning and organizing the mountains of data before her.

The worn-looking man was not disgusted, neither was amused; he was shocked. He had seen gungans before, yes, in a circus back in Corellia, when he was only a child. No no, do not get mistaken, the gungans were the presentateurs, they had tamed beasts for the show. He remembered the way they spoke, twisting their tongue around their bizarre-looking teeth; he remembered the way they ate, swallowing and spitting with no equal; he remembered the way they walked, shaking their torsos up and down with joy. And, for him, the gungans were the entertainment of the circus, he giggled at they. Somehow, now, a quarter century older, he had a reminiscence of those cheerful memories and his mouth turned into smile before laughing. A rather unique laugh, I must say.

He answered his partners, with apparent comradeship and friendship: "Despite the fact that my mouth has been in filthier places, I think I'm gonna refuse for now. Strong food is a healthy remedy for slow transit, but I'm not in the mood to leave the ship in autopilot much time.

Grabbing a very tiny bottle, painted with golden skulls in it's side, he turn the chair back to the front; he drank a bit and put it back into a hidden holster insider his jacket. This is my very little drug, mezcal... and no, the worm inside is not to be eaten!.

"By the way... have you been noted about how are we supposed to contact the other two guys? we are not far from our destination".

"Don't ****ing *hic* worry about Alan." Eshra shot back in a...surprisingly mirthful tone. "I'll ****ing drink if I want to. Its not *hic* this job requires *hic* much effort. It just takes time to bypass every pitiful firewall I come across."

Eshra was known for many things in the Syndicate community. When spoken of, her primary attributes were an excellent ability to sniff out patterns and targets through computer research; a tireless work ethic in regards to completing her current objective; a highly efficient and ruthlessly calculating mind; unquestionable loyalty to Lady Mantis; and a prickly and often apprehensible attitude toward those she viewed as 'regular trigger men'. She'd garnered a reputation amongst many of the other Syndicate members difficult to work with. Eshra, for her part, did nothing to combat this reputation because she mostly agreed with it.

However, those that had worked with her for long enough in the Syndicates Intelligence & Data Assimilation unit knew she had a weakness for booze. To be honest, several rumors persisted among those in certain leadership positions in the Syndicate that Eshra had been the one to alert Lady Mantis of her presence amongst Holonet slicers, as well as the fact that she'd been obscenely drunk during the 'interview' that led to her current employment. To this day Lady Mantis would not deign to answer inquires on just how badly Eshra had sliced into her personal files or what had been stolen at the time. Those that actively spoke on this matter in front of Mantis -lightly or otherwise- quickly found themselves removed from the Syndicate. If it was spoken of in Eshra's presence, that individual would find their identities stolen and spread across the Holonet and usually arrested by the government of whose territory they passed through on the way back from an assignment. Several rumors indicated that when Mantis fired someone for their whisperings of the Bothan, it was done often for their own protection...in a round about way. The Lady tended to be rather prickly herself when it came to addressing two-faced or lecherous speech in her presence.

Whether true or not, Eshra made no effort to hide the fact that she often consumed enough alcohol and spirits on a regular basis to place her amongst the most well functioning alcoholics in the Bounty Hunter's Guild, and that was no small achievement considering its ranks. Further, it appeared that this behavior was openly tolerated by Lady Mantis(albeit tongue in cheek) because of Eshra's prodigious analytical mind, and her unflinching loyalty to the Syndicate. That aside, Eshra's drinking habits birthed a curious effect on her that demeanor that -unfortunately- failed to sync with the more colorful and entertaining material her peers enjoyed whispering over: She was rather pleasant to be around after imbibing on her chosen poison.

Currently she was lounging in the same seat she'd assumed when Alston left. She seemed far more relaxed and comfortable. The comparison almost brought the image of her sitting on glass before she'd begun drinking. There was even a track of Alderaanian instrumental music and she contented herself to humming with the smooth tones of the cellist. 

"It ta-*hic*-kes time to collect and run the algorithms I had to create." She said through a noncommittal wave. She did not answer the question about where she'd received her supply of spirits. She DID ask: "Where's my flask, triclops? What did you even go out for anyways?"