Clone Wars Campaign: Recap # 34

This was an interesting and unusual session. After the very dramatic events of the last story arc, I wanted something that would be a little bit of a "breather" and advance each character's individual storyline. I knew there'd be no way to do this if everyone was sticking together like normal, so I chose something a little bit different that I'd never done before: treat each character separately (jumping between players quickly) and show "flashes in time", with sometimes weeks or months in between scenes. I haven't done it since, but I found it a really effective way to develop plotlines and set up the main theme of the story-arc.

Several important things happened this session which would carry ramifications later on: Doxen's assassination of Harno, Daal's discovery that his parents are still alive and that he was suffering from a terminal disease, Jocasta's purchases from Kordo Deshillich (do my players wonder why she needs 600 crewmen? Nope), and Arresta's continuing triangle between Tarn and Stefan.

After spending most of the previous story-arc concerned with Arresta's quest to find Tarn, I really wanted to spotlight one of the other characters. This is where having each player write a background for their character comes in handy. From A'tel's background, I knew his brother was head of a family-run corporation. Since I had recently read the Han Solo novels and got a taste for the Corporate Sector, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to take the characters to a setting that is very different than the norm for Star Wars.

I had great fun describing a place where knowing how to cut through red tape was more important than knowing how to use a blaster, where every available surface is covered in advertising, and where corporate double-speak is the order of the day. I invested in the old WEG d6 Han Solo and the Corporate Sector sourcebook, and it was worth every penny.

Because we knew Arresta was going to be off in the background tending to a newborn, her player created a new character for this story-arc: a member of the Corporate Sector Authority's Auditor General. Emily Prentiss' knowledge of how to navigate CSA bureaucracy was a real boon to the other characters (and made an otherwise obscure skill, Knowledge: Bureaucracy, come in quite handy).

Although it's not really apparent here, another aim of this story arc (and the key reason it has a title capable of two interpretations) is I really wanted to put the WAR! back into Clone War Campaign by having A'tel given command of a Grand Army of the Republic mission to retake a key military asset. I'll talk about how that played out in a couple of sessions, but for now I'll simply say that the battle was epic in scale and something I'm sure won't soon be forgotten by myself or the players.

Update (July 25, 2012):  Added in previously secret brief scene between Arresta and Stefan.


EPISODE 2.9: HOSTILE TAKEOVER

SESSION # 34

558 days have passed by in the blink of an eye, and the galaxy has changed. The Republic has been pushed back on its heels, as a bold attack by General Grievous has left the planet Humbarine completely uninhabitable, the orbital cities of Duros destroyed, and Coruscant in danger for the first time during the war. As the Grand Army of the Republic begins a desperate counter-attack, suspicions begin to percolate about the poor leadership of the Jedi, the connection between the Order and Count Dooku, and the need to centralize authority within the Senate Leadership.

Yet in a galaxy torn by war, one sector of space has reaped enormous profits by selling to both sides: the Corporate Sector, an autonomous collection of thousands of planets ruled and exploited by a massive conglomerate of business interests called The Authority. But the war is spreading and nothing stays untouched for long….

In the council chambers of the Jedi Order, a difficult decision is being made. "Decide we must," Yoda says, "the response from Cestus Cybernetics and its new owners, Cybot Galactica." The Cerean Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi, present via hologram, argues against the idea: "That young man, skilled though he may be, is simply not ready for a responsibility of this nature. He'll get himself killed, as well as his men." Master Windu, also there via hologram, believes a family connection may explain Cestus' strange demand. After some back-and-forth, Yoda makes the decision: "Risk angering a major defence contractor we must not; win this war through fear and doubt we cannot; trust in our students we must. A leader of men, this Jedi will become."

[A.G. 872]

Shortly after his capture by Jocasta and his reluctant agreement to join the crew of the Sun Runner II, Daal Mordo is shown to his quarters by his new room-mate – the cybernetically enhanced Rodian assassin Greesh Leedo. Greesh remarks that the Duro's new face is nicer than the last one, but that Jocasta freed Greesh from a Republic detention facility for a reason, and that that reason must have been because she knew Daal would eventually join the crew. "And who better'n your ole Techno-Union buddy Greesh to keep an eye on ya." Daal gives no sign of being intimidated.

It is artificial night aboard the Sun Runner II as A'tel Por’ten sits in the ship’s Medbay with the still-entranced Padawan Tarn Tamarand. Suddenly, A'tel senses great danger approaching and draws his lightsaber. The doors open and Stefan Cassadine casually walks into the room, explaining that he is there to borrow the medical droid. Cassadine takes the opportunity to question the Jedi Knight about the mission that lead A'tel, Daal, Doxen and Arresta to Endregaad. Specifically, he wants to know under whose initiative the team set off after Tamarand. A'tel attempts to cover for Arresta, by suggesting that the group came across Tarn accidentally while searching for Mika the Hutt, but Cassadine clearly does not believe him. As A'tel stands protectively in front of Tarn, Cassadine remarks it would be better for the entranced Jedi if he never woke up.

Meanwhile, Doxen, who is enjoying a drink in the ship’s lounge, is approached by Kronos, the slightly chubby member of Jocasta's crew who seems to display some strange ability to predict the future. Kronos explains that he is there on behalf of Mistress Jocasta--she has taken note of Doxen’s skills and would like to offer him a place with the crew. Kronos says that in “4 of 9 divergencies, you accept the offer.” After a barrage of questions around the scope and financial promise of the opportunity (1000 credits stipend per month, an equal share of profits), Doxen indicates his interest but states that he must complete his current mission (returning Tarn to the Jedi Temple) before taking on a new assignment. Kronos provides him with a communications frequency so that he can rejoin the crew at a later date.

Arresta Cassadine is alone in her husband’s cabin when her Aqualish bodyguard Xam indicates that she has a visitor. Jocasta has come to speak to Arresta alone, which she notes has not been easy to do. Arresta is surprised to learn that A'tel has made arrangements for Jocasta to offer protection to the Princess and her unborn baby. Jocasta offers her a rare silver bracelet of Arkanian design, which, when activated, will supposedly alert help and keep the wearer safe for a limited time. Jocasta also tells Arresta that she and Stefan have become business partners, which is how Stefan came to be on board this ship.

After about half a day in orbit around Endregaad, the Sun Runner II is joined by Stefan Cassadine's yacht, The Knife's Edge. Arresta, A'tel, Doxen, and Tarn transfer over, leaving Daal to his fate.

[A.G. 875]

Once the rest of his companions have transferred to the other ship, Daal is left alone with his new crew. Quickly though, some of these new crew mates begin to fall ill and the source of the outbreak is quickly traced back to Daal. A top-of-the-line GH-7 medical droid is able to treat the sick crew members and contain the contagion, but it breaks the news to the Duro that he has rapidly mutating cancerous cells throughout this throat, esophagus, and stomach. The GH-7 states that the malignant tumours are unresponsive to bacta and calculates that Daal has a 75% chance to live between six months and a year before telling him to have "a nice day."

[A.G. 876]

On board The Knife’s Edge, further separations are taking place. The ship has docked with a passenger liner bound for Coruscant and A'tel, Doxen and Tarn are being transferred aboard. To Arresta’s surprise, Stefan suggests that she say good-bye to her friends since it is likely that “their paths will never cross again.” Keenly aware of her husband’s mood, Arresta says her farewells to A'tel and Doxen while attempting to appear indifferent to Tarn. However, as she turns to go, the seemingly fully-entranced Padawan suddenly grips her arm as though preventing their parting. Shocked and thrilled, Arresta refuses to pull away from him, even though he gives no other sign of being awake. Stefan is enraged and draws a knife. With A'tel and Doxen intervening, eventually Arresta allows herself to be separated from Tarn. As the airlock closes, Stefan calls out to them that if he ever sees Tarn again he will kill him, before dragging his wife down the corridor. He presses her against the wall, promising her that she has seen Tarn Tamarand for the last time.

[A.G. 880]

As the Sun Runner II makes an atmospheric plunge into the stormy planet Etti IV in the Corporate Sector, Daal is informed by Greesh Leedo that the Rodian has supposedly infected him with nano-vermin that can be triggered if the Duro attempts an escape. Daal remains cool in the face of danger and instead focuses on learning more about his situation. The Sun Runner II sets down on a landing pad atop a round, four-story building in the middle of a large industrial research park on the outskirts of Etti IV’s capital city, Mondder. A turbolift leads Daal, Jocasta, and Greesh into a first floor atrium, where the trio receives applause from several dozen jumpsuited technicians. Jocasta holds up her hands to silence the crowd and says "We now have everything we need--meet with your group leader and let's get to work!" She hands the oddly-hilted lightsaber to Greesh, telling him to take it to the Kaminoan Gemma Vous in Genetics to crack it open and clone what's inside before moving on to lead the Cybernetics team. Daal is assigned to head the Comp. Sci group in lab 4 and is tasked with isolating and analyzing any readings of the anomaly contained within the head of 8P-MD-4.

[A.G. 881]

Arriving at Coruscant, A'tel is taken into custody by planetary defence guards suspicious of his claim to be a returning Jedi Knight. Leaving Tarn in Doxen’s custody, he is taken to a holding cell where he waits until a scarred Jedi named Tholme comes to question him. After a barrage of questions, A’tel is welcomed home.

Meanwhile, Doxen is considered an unlikely nurse for an injured man by the guards, but he is able to use a mysterious document to keep them at bay. Doxen contacts his old friend Senator Orelus, who arranges a meeting at a cantina far from the Senate Building. The Senator has risen in power to Chair the powerful Appropriations Committee and reluctantly tells Doxen he must avoid being seen with non-humans given the current political climate. Doxen returns Tarn to the Jedi Temple, sends a package to Melosia, and heads off to join Jocasta’s crew. First though, he secures a promise from her to help him track down the bounty hunter Harno, whom he has long been seeking.

[A.G. 909]

The Knife’s Edge spends several weeks travelling on a course known only to Stefan Cassadine. Arresta finds that his mood is as black as she has ever seen it. He seldom comes to bed – instead sitting up by himself in his study, drinking a pale caramel-colored liquor and starting at the stars. He has the crew on edge and Xam finally comes to Arresta and asks her to try to intercede. The Princess tries to talk to her husband, but he is still very bitter and she makes little progress. Finally, they arrive at the planet Rhinnal, known for having the finest doctors and medical facilities anywhere in the galaxy. The Knife's Edge sets down at a beautiful gated villa outside the capital city Rhire. Arresta walks down the landing ramp only to find her estranged sister Corinne waiting for her. "Isn't this a lovely family reunion?" Corrinne says with a smirk. After everything that's happened over the past months, the stress is too much and the Princess goes into premature labour. She collapses, and the last face that she envisions before she blacks out is not that of her husband . . .

At about the same time, but at the other end of the galaxy, Doxen, Jocasta, and the Gamorrean Koloth have arrived on Nal Hutta at the estate of a Hutt Lord named Kordo Deshilich, a major purveyor of slaves throughout the Sector. Kordo's reception hall is a combination zoo (full of rare creatures from around the galaxy) and prison (where he can humiliate sentient beings who have angered him over the years). Kordo himself slumbers behind a thick transparisteel shield, but Jocasta negotiates with Kordo's majordomo, a Toydarian named Rizzle Snoot. Jocasta and Snoot close a deal that will provide the corsair with almost six hundred slaves taken from a damaged Republic cruiser that had limped into Hutt space after a major engagement with a Separatist fleet. She also purchases two particular middle-aged Duros, a male and a female. Doxen bides his time patiently, having been assured by Jocasta that once business is completed, he'll be free to achieve his purpose in coming there: killing the notorious Rodian Harno, a being responsible for killing and enslaving several of Doxen's species. Doxen takes up a sniping position hidden high up in a building, waiting for Harno to show. When the completely unaware Rodian heads for a nearby groundcar, Doxen lets loose with a tight burst of shots from his high-powered blaster rifle. Harno never has a chance and vengeance is served.

[A.G. 960]

A'tel has been assigned to oversee an AgriCorps research lab on the lush planet Chandrilla. The work is neither challenging nor exciting, and is clear evidence that in this time of war, A'tel does not have the full trust of the Order. Still, good news has filtered down from the battle front: Palpatine has folded all planetary defence units into the Republic military, Separatist leaders like Durge and Asajj Ventress have been defeated, the Republic has retaken a devastated Duros, and a new series of sieges on the Outer Rim have been launched to drive the Separatists out of Republic territory entirely. The days pass uneventfully until from out of the blue a G.A.R. shuttle lands and a pair of Clone Troopers arrive with new orders for him. Young Jedi Knight A'tel Por'ten is suddenly the acting commander of Company D of the 173rd Mixed Light Expeditionary Battalion, currently stationed aboard the Majestic pending deployment to a classified combat zone.

Meanwhile, Daal’s work on Etti IV has progressed at a brisk pace and now it's up to a massive mainframe computer in the basement of the research facility to make sense of the data the Duros pulled from 8P's head. One afternoon, Jocasta comes to Daal with a strange announcement. She claims his debt is paid and he is free to go, although she does have another task that she thinks he would find interesting in the near future and he is welcome to stay on at the facility. She also mentions that, according to her sources, some of Daal's old friends are scheduled to arrive on Etti IV in a few days time and that she can notify him where they‘ll be. As a “reward” for prompt work, she reunites him with his presumed dead father (one half of the Duros couple she liberated from Nal Hutta). The reunion between Daal and his father is strained, as the son has had major facial reconstruction and no longer looks as his father would expect, while the father is cause for caution and suspicion on the part of Daal. Daal’s father claims that Daal’s mother has also been rescued but that the two of them were separated on arrival. Jocasta hints that Daal's mother will be freed if Daal undertakes that "one last little job" she wants him to do sometime in the future.

On board the parked Sun Runner II, Doxen receives word from Senator Orelius that Harno has been found dead and there are no leads on his killer. The Senator informs Doxen that his former companion A'tel has received a new, difficult assignment with the military and suggests that the Jedi's chances of surviving his mission would greatly increased with Doxen's presence. Doxen agrees to help, though somewhat reluctantly when he learns he'll formally be considered A'tel's subordinate. He secures a leave of absence from Jocasta, arranges to have equipment waiting for him, and sets off for the Republic starship Majestic aboard a hired tramp freighter.

On the planet Rhinnal, Stefan and Arresta Cassadine have welcomed a healthy baby girl that they have named Allegra Cassadine. Arresta independently chooses two middle names “Julietta Maranda” for her daughter, which only exacerbates the tension between herself and her husband. Stefan is a doting father to the little girl, but remains cold towards his wife. He refuses to tell her why her sister is present, beyond that it is “just business.” Arresta and Corinne argue about the latter’s plans to return to power on Mongui, with Arresta declaring that her sister is as misguided as their late father was.

Arresta receives a strange visit from her former Republic Intelligence handler, Agent 2719. He states that RI never received a report on what Arresta and her companions found in Sector Zeta-11, and are suspicious that shortly after their return a Separatist bounty was issued on her head and then suddenly cancelled. Arresta prevaricates and says nothing of interest was found in the sector. Agent 2719 is clearly unhappy with Arresta's poor performance, but tells her that her assistance is requested by someone in the G.A.R. to help her travelling companion Atel Por’ten, with his latest assignment. Arresta rebukes the contact for his rudeness and demands that he leave. Although she agrees to consider his request, she realizes that she cannot her leave her daughter behind--and that Stefan would have an extreme reaction if she disappeared again. She goes to Stefan and tells him of the offer and her decision not to go. They have another fight about why she followed Tarn to Endregaad. With Stefan furiously pledging to murder Tarn if he ever interferes in their lives again, Arresta finally promises him that she'll never seen the young Jedi again. Later, she sends A'tel baby pictures and a good luck message.

Arresta comes to the conclusion that the only way to keep the people she loves (Allegra, Tarn and Stefan) safe, sane and alive, is to focus on building a life with her husband. Later that night, Arresta visits Stefan in his study in an attempt to mend fences by promising that she will not disappear again. Stefan presses her to admit that her affair with Tarn was more than a fling – that she had fallen in love with the Jedi. Reluctantly, Arresta admits the truth, but pledges that she still loves her husband. Stefan appears to believe her. He takes her to bed and they reconcile.

[A.G. 964]

At co-ordinates not far from the Corporate Sector, General Atel Por’ten arrives at the Majestic, flagship of the G.A.R. Meridian Fleet. He learns that the newly-formed Company D of the 173rd contains three platoons of specially-trained zero-G and light-G Clone Troopers and a platoon of conscripts from the light grav world of Ord Pardron. For armour support, the company boasts two light-G modified walkers (an AT-AP for artillery support and a new AT-AT for ground support), two 74-Z speederbikes, and an Infantry Support Platform, all transported to battle sites by a CR-25 dropship. For reconnaissance and fire-spotting, the company has been detailed a Null ARC named Aaray. Finally, two detached Republic operatives have been temporarily assigned: Doxen and an Anx named Krevlax. As everyone waits for the mission briefing to begin, A'tel speaks with Emily Prentiss, Associate Auditor General (at large), who has been assigned as his liason from the CSA.

A stern, middle-aged man in a hoverchair enters the briefing room and every soldier in the room stands at attention. Admiral Pervaeus Flynn orders them to be at ease and then explains the unusual circumstances that led to A‘tel being given command of Company D: the Separatists have taken control of the Joriander Beacon, the only way of obtaining safe passage through the Joriander Asteroid Field, a key strategic bottleneck to important Outer Rim planets. In the past, the Beacon’s corporate owner (Cestus Cybernetics) had charged both the Republic and the Separatists to use the beacon; but with the Separatists in control, there’s no way Republic fleets can navigate the dense asteroid field. However, Cestus and its new parent company (Cybot Galactica) has threatened to cut off war material from the Republic if it sets foot on the Beacon without permission. Cestus/Cybot have steadfastly asserted that they’ll only divulge the exact coordinates of the Beacon and give permission for a Republic landing if A’tel Por’ten leads the negotiating and assault teams.

During their time on board the Majestic, it has become clear to everyone involved with Company D that the platoon of conscripts from the former Ord Pardron Home Guard are frustrated and anxious about being led into battle by an untested Jedi. After their concerns are rebuffed during the mission briefing, the conscripts barricade themselves in a vehicle depot and demand return to Ord Pardron. A tense standoff leads to a military policemen being wounded until A’tel walks in, unarmed, to negotiate as Doxen sneaks through air vents to get the conscripts’ leader (Lt. Maru) in his sights. Fortunately, A’tel manages to get Maru to back down without further bloodshed by promising her second in command of the Company and a guarantee that her platoon will be used to secure the dropsite during the assault on the Joriander Beacon.

Hours later, Atel, Doxen, Ms. Prentiss, and Aaray depart on a small shuttle for Etti IV, capital of the Corporate Sector, leaving the Majestic behind to get into position and plan for an assault on the Beacon. Even though Ms. Prentiss has informed the others that the Authority has a strict no-weapons policy, each of the men conceals weaponry on his person.

[A.G. 965]

The trip through hyperspace proceeds quickly. When the small shuttle arrives in orbit around Etti IV, landing and customs protocols seem long and complex, but otherwise uneventful until the group enters a robo-hack outside their spaceport, Monnder Central Dis/Embarx. Security sensors inside the taxi detects weapons present, which causes the robo-hack droid brain to engage brakes and doorlocks while summoning local police officers known as “Espos.” The Espos are bullying and aggressive and a fight almost breaks out, but the timely intervention of Ms. Prentiss and her extensive knowledge of CSA regulations prevents the group from being taken into custody. Aaray’s wristblade is seized, but A’tel’s lightsaber is allowed to remain in Ms. Prentiss’s personal custody.

The journey through Monnder is eye-opening, even to those used to the urban density of Coruscant. The humid, stormy skies of Etti IV are almost completely blocked by garish advertising in every conceivable direction. The robohack passes by massive skyscrapers (many of them galactic headquarters for corporations), elaborate themed hotels for the Sector’s wealthy, and family-friendly tourist destinations full of animated, larger-than-life characters. Billboards welcoming newcomers assert that there is no crime, no pollution, and no poverty in the Corporate Sector.

In the center of the city, the robohack pulls up in front of the headquarters of Cybot Galactica, an imposing transparisteel structure that seems to weave itself into the sky. On the front steps, A’tel and Doxen spot a familiar face: Daal is waiting for them on the steps and arranges to have dinner with them later. Inside, the group is forced to fill out elaborate paperwork in order to gain entry. The secretary “accidentally” gives A’tel the wrong form to fill out, but Ms. Prentiss notices in time. Doxen realizes there are surveillance devices covering every inch of the waiting room. After getting their paperwork in order, an elegant, panelled turbolift whisks everyone up to the penthouse floor. There, in an elegant and tasteful boardroom, the XO of Cestus Cybernetics and Licensing Viceprex of Cybot Galactica sits at the head of a long table: Garit Por’ten, A’tel’s brother.

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