Introduction
This prologue will introduce Haasef, a Duros technician/mechanic that has been living and working on Shenzou Station.
Starting Conditions
Let’s roll for this session’s Destiny Pool. Since Tavasi is the only PC, I’ll roll a single Force Die.
- Dice Pool:
- Result: 1 Dark Side
The Chaos Factor is still at 5.
Part 1: Cargo Offload
The Grey Technologies cargo team arrived at the Nightgale‘s landing pad at 18:45 hours. A green-skinned Duros in a khaki jumpsuit arrived at the controls of a flat freight sled bearing two binary loadlifters. Tavasi lowered the cargo ramp and walked down, as the Duros activated the droids.
“You are Tavasi Bonebow?” asked the Duros, politely.
She nodded. “Yes. You have my payment?”
Gesturing to his datapad, the Duros said “Ma’am, once the droids offload the cargo and we confirm that we have everything, the company should process your payment within one hour.”
Tavasi nodded again. She watched the load lifters ascend the ramp and disappear into the cargo bay. She turned to appraise the Duros. His jumpsuit was clean and the condition of the tools and equipment on his utility belt told her that he was diligent about his appearance and gear. He had also been very polit. This was an unexpected combination in a hellhole like Shenzou Station.
I’m going to have Tavasi roll Perception, to see if she noticed anything interesting about the Duros. I have an idea, if she does.
- Dice Pool:
- Result: 1 Failure, 2 Advantages
Let’s interpret those results:
- Failure: Tavasi does not notice anything interesting or extraordinary about him, beyond his general appearance
- 2 Advantages: by showing an interest in him, Tavasi will get a bonus to any attempt to influence the Duros
After a few moments, the first loadlifter descended the ramp, carrying a cargo container. The droid placed it on the sled, and then turned back towards the ship, as the other droid marched slowly down the ramp. with its own burden. The Duros scanned the cargo container with his datapad and the device chimed as it logged the transfer.
“I’m Tavasi. What’s your name?”
The Duros scanned the second cargo before turning to face her. “Hello, Mistress Tavasi. I am Haasef.” He bowed slightly, which made her smile.
“Just Tavasi, Haasef. It’s nice to meet you. How long have you been working here?”
A cloud seemed to pass over Haasef’s face before he responded. “I have been on the station for three weeks, Mistress Tavasi.” He scanned a container, as the droids made another trip from the ship to the sled. “Have you been to the station before?”
Tavasi studied him for a moment before replying. “No, first trip, just this cargo run.” She leaned against the sled. “How’s the commissary? I was thinking of getting something to eat after we’re done here.”
Haasef scanned another cargo box, and then looked at her. “It’s what you should expect from a cafe… in a coaxium refinery… built into an asteroid… in the middle of nowhere.”
They both laughed and Tavasi shook her head. “The amazing life of a freighter captain!”
He smiled for the first time. “And a mechanic.” He gave a little bow again. “This is your ship?”
Tavasi smiled proudly. It might just be a tramp freighter, but it was her tramp freighter. “Yes, owner and operator.” She gestured with her thumb. “The Nightingale.”
Haasef looked at her and the ship wondrously, almost like a child. “How amazing it must be. To travel the stars and see new things.” He turned and scanned another cargo pod.
Tavasi tilted her head. “You said you’re a mechanic? Plenty of ships looking for technicians. Surely you could find a way onto one, if that’s what you want.”
He smiled, sadly this time. “I am tied to this job and this place, I’m afraid.” Haasef scanned another cargo container, then eyes lingered on the Nightingale. “My situation… does not permit it.”
Tavasi started to ask what that meant, but was interrupted when another, smaller, dark grey sled arrived on the landing pad. At the controls was an Imperial technician in a light grey jumpsuit. Seated next to her was a young officer in a crisp, dark grey uniform. The sled stopped and the two humans climbed out. The officer approached Tavasi and Haasef. “I am Lieutenant Orozco. You were informed that an inspection of this shipment is required?”
Tavasi nodded. “Yes. Would you like to scan the cargo containers or do you want me to open a few for inspection?”
Let’s see what this Imperial officer is like. I’m going to dip into UNE for the first time, and use its NPC Modifier table to get a sense of what he is like.
- Roll: d100
- Result: 71
- Outcome: “inconsiderate”
An inconsiderate officer. Fabulous.
The Lieutenant’s eyes narrowed and he stood a little taller, as if he found Tavasi’s question offensive. “The Empire does not require your assistance. Stand aside!”
Orozco turned to the technician, who had unloaded a backpack with a portable scanner from their sled. He pointed to the cargo pods on Haasef’s sled and began issuing orders. “Scan the containers on this sled first. Then, go into the ship and scan the remainder.” He turned back and looked Tavasi up and down. “In fact, scan the entire ship for contraband!”
Tavasi objected, “I have no contraband! Just this cargo, why are you–“
Lieutenant Orozco interrupted her. “If you have nothing to hide, then a little scan will not be a problem.” His hand moved to his blaster. “Will it?”
Tavasi raised her hands and took a step backwards. “Whoa — of course not, Lieutenant. I have nothing to hide.”
“Good.” His hand still on his blaster, Orozco turned to Haasef. “You will deactivate these droids and power them down, until the inspection is complete.”
Haasef seemed to shrink under the gaze of the Imperial officer. “Yes, sir.” With his datapad, he ordered the two droids to return to the bottom of the Nightingale’s ramp and power down.
Orozco stomped up the Nightingale’s ramp, as the Imperial technician began to scan the cargo containers. Tavasi mumbled “Bastard!” under her breath, just loud enough for Haasef to hear. She walked away, to the wall of the landing bay, where she could lean against a bulkhead. She gestured for Haasef to join her.
He hesitated for a moment, then walked over. “I’m sorry Mistress Tavasi. These Imperials are difficult.”
“Thugs and bullies,” she replied. “Not your fault.”
They stood in silence for a moment. Then Tavasi put her hand on Haasef’s arm. “I don’t mean to pry, but it sounds like you are stuck here. If there is a way for me to help…”
Tavasi knows there is more to Haasef’s story and is trying to get him to open up. I’m going to use the Charm skill and include that bonus die from the advantage on Tavasi’s last check.
- Dice Pool:
- Result: 2 Successes, 1 Threat
Interesting… with those successes, she’s clearly going to get him to open up. But, what does that Threat mean? I have no idea. Let’s keep the story moving — we’ll circle back to that later.
Haasef hesitated for a moment and then began. “I was brought on by Grey Technologies a couple of months ago. After I was released from prison.” He skipped a bear to see if Tavasi would respond to that statement, but she was nonplussed. “One day you’re an Imperial prisoner, the next you work for Grey.”
He gestured to the freight sled. “It sounds great — they take prisoners that are eligible for parole. If you sign up, you are paroled to Grey with a job, a salary, a place to live. A chance to start over.”
He shook his head. “But, then… you realize they are taking food, housing, even uniforms and safety equipment out of your salary. Your first job is on a remote station? Well, they will be deducting the cost of transporting you there from your pay for the next year. Very quickly, you’re in debt and it just gets worse.”
Haasef looked down at his feet. “Their program with the Empire also makes a company representative your parole officer. Complain too much, they’ll say you violated your parole and send you back.” He stopped and looked at Tavasi. “Their program… it’s not so much of a job as a labor pipeline. They take ex-convicts that lack means and have nowhere to go and roll them right into a different kind of prison.”
He tilted his head to look her in the eyes. “So… I would very much like to leave as you suggested, Mistress Tavasi. But my situation is… complicated.”
Tavasi shook her head angrily. “Indentured servitude.”
He nodded and smiled weakly. “At least my job is safe. I move cargo around, repair droids, do minor maintenance on the station. Some folks from Grey are working in really dangerous areas of the refinery here, with poor safety protocols. Radiation hazards, chemicals, all kinds of risks.”
He patted her shoulder and laughed. “I don’t have it so bad. I get to meet some nice people.”
Tavasi gave him a sad smile. “Thanks for telling me, Haasef.”
He smiled at her again. “What about you, Mistress Tavasi? What is your story?”
Tavasi told Haasef about her parents and growing up on a freighter. She described her parents’ retirement and how happy she was when they gave her the Nightingale. Haasef was astounded by the number of planets and systems she had visited.
They had just started to talk about food when Lieutenant Orozco stomped back down the ship’s ramp. He beckoned them over impatiently, and Tavasi and Haasef crossed the landing bay to meet him. They noticed the technician was loading her backpack scanner into the dark grey Imperial sled.
I figured out what that Threat means!
Orozco looked at Tavasi. “You are the captain and owner of this vessel?”
Tavasi eyed him warily. “Yes.”
“Everything is in order with your cargo.” Orozco paused. “However, you really should better disguise your smuggling compartments.” Tavasi paled slightly, as he waved his datapad. “You’re carrying no contraband, but I have recorded the existence and location of those compartments in Imperial records. I suggest you use care in the future, smuggler!”
Orozco looked at Haasef. “You may continue with cargo unloading. Good day.” With that, he walked over to the sled and the two Imperials drove away, without another word. Tavasi had closed her eyes. Her color returned, but inside she was fuming.
Haasef felt badly for her but he needed to get back to work. He grabbed his datapad and reactivated the droids. Less than half the cargo had been unloaded and he was now behind schedule. As if on queue, his comlink chirped — it was his supervisor demanding an update.
“This is Haasef.” A pause. “Yes sir, we are still unloading. The offload was delayed by an Imperial inspection and we just resumed.” A longer pause. “Yes sir, I’ll ensure it is unloaded tonight. On my own time — no problem, boss.” He clicked off and pocketed his comlink.
The interaction seemed to pull Tavasi out of her reverie. She looked at him and asked, “You’re being penalized due to the delay caused by those Imperial clowns?”
Hassef shrugged. “I’ll work a couple of extra hours tonight to make up the time. That is all.”
Tavasi crossed her arms and shook her head. She knew the galaxy was a hard place. Her travels had exposed her to tremendous wealth and intense poverty. She’d smuggled illegal goods to make a profit, and she had witnessed crime and violence. But, she had not previously seen the level of systemic exploitation of sentients that Haasef had described.
She watched one of the droids clamber down the ramp with another cargo box.
Thanks for joining my second prologue! Stay tuned for the third and final prologue, where I’ll introduce Malor Lendoran, a former special forces operative turned gun-for-hire, who was recently mustered out of the Imperial Army after the loss of his squad.
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