A Ship Divided

"...so, if I go for my gear am I gonna get shot? I'd like to get to work on those shields sooner rather then later in case we run into anymore shoot first ships. I have zero interest in becoming space dust."

Savron hadn't left his cell just yet, because the guy who said he was going to escort him seemed to have become a bit distracted.

edited 27th Mar '18 8:16:13 PM by Kosjurake

Slant was silent for a long, long pause. Then he turned to the nearest security droid.

"Give the clone your blaster," he said. "I assure you you will be provided with a new one afterward."

He turned to the defiant clone. "I am taking a risk trusting you. I can provide no more proof that the Republic has turned to the Empire, but rest assured we will see more proof soon enough."

Slant turned to the nearest window. The blue streaks of hyperspace beckoned to him. He brought one hand up to his chin. "I do not have any choice in this matter. I must trust you, or this ship will not survive. Above all else I must protect my crew and what remains of the Separatist Alliance, even if it means working with those I once considered my enemies." He turned back toward them. "The clone and engineer may follow me to the bridge. The rest I leave to you, See Nab. See where these prisoners can best be put to use." Slant eyed the Wookiee. "Be very selective in who we allow arms. We may have no choice but to trust them, but we can at least take precautions. And, Wookiee, you should believe us because we were just fired on by your Republic, now Empire, who clearly hold your lives in little regard if they were willing to risk them by firing on us. We will take care of you, we will help you. We have become the better option."

Slant strode off to the bridge without checking if the clone and engineer actually followed him. If they did follow him, he would show the engineer the displays on the bridge, showing where damage was and repairs could be made. For the clone, he simply welcomed him onto the bridge as a fellow commander, though for now one of lesser status. Many of the droids on the bridge eyed the clone, not used to not shooting a clone on sight.

edited 28th Mar '18 6:53:52 PM by Kepler-7

"I do not like this, but I will not be the aggressor so long as you keep your word," Sal said to Slant. He discarded one of the droid's arms that he had ripped off - the one holding the blaster - but kept the weapon just in case. He kept the second severed arm in his other hand held firm, just to have something.

"My medical supplies were taken from me," he added. "I will take them back. It is not a request."

He approached the lockers and looked for his gear.

"I will look after the wounded," he growled out at the leaving droid. "No one will not interfere with my duty."

Savron didn't quite follow Slant straight to the bridge, he made swift detour to get all his gear that he had on him when he was captured. Though, he left his emergency side arm where it was. He had no illusions about being able to shoot his way out of this situation if he decided to make a break for it. Once his gear was accounted for he sprinted to catch up with the tactical droid on their way to the bridge.

"So, did you even bother to tell the Imperial ship this was a ship containing Republic prisoners?"

Probably not the best question to ask as they made their way to the bridge, but Savron couldn't help but be curious.

"Cause I mean they did use to be the Republic. You'd think, if they knew that, they might have ceased fire."

Once they got to the bridge, Savron looked over the damage readouts to get a feel for where to start his repair work, while also pulling up a copy of the ship's schematics so he could find his way around better. He hadn't been on this particular model of ship before after all, that and it had been modified quite a bit from baseline.

Coming Out of Hyperspace

Time passed. The crew and prisoners of the Gloom came to a sort of understanding among themselves as the ship travelled through hyperspace to Charros IV. Sal was able to get his medical equipment since nobody really seemed to stop him. Apart from some light bruising that people took from being buffeted around by the Star Destroyer, nobody was really that injured. Savron would find that most of the repair work that was needed was the shield generator and with the help of the astromech droid onboard, they were able to get it mostly running by the time they got to Charros IV. It seemed stuck at only 80 percent at the moment but a trip to a repair garage or some better tools or some more hands to help and they could probably get it working to its full capacity.

As for Slant, the clone major took the offered blaster, although with some muttering about how lousy of a weapon it was for organic beings but nonetheless followed the enterprising droid to the bridge, getting a feel for what they had at their disposal. All told, they weren't working with much. The nine maroon-colored security droids were now down to eight after Sal had ripped the arms off of one. Of those eight, only seven had blasters since one was given to the major. They'd be better than nothing if fighting started but they were B-1 battle droids - a model that worked best with overwhelming numbers. With such few numbers, they could probably be easily bested by trained organic fighters. There were two droidekas, currently in hibernation mode, that could be deployed to complement the droids. The wheeled droids with the shield generators were devastating opponents but they ate up power cells quickly. As per Slant's previous orders, the two had been powered on but with no opponents around, they were simply content to walk around the halls of the ship without their shields on. As for the non-combatants on the ship, apart from the prisoners of war, there was also the astromech repair droid and the two pilot droids up front.

Charros IV

Coming into the planet was somewhat tricky but it could have been worse. The planet had been conquered by the Republic earlier in the war so there was a sizable garrison left behind on the planet. Fortunately, the world had been pacified enough so that the planet's space presence was minimal. A singular Acclamator II assault ship loomed scarily close to the planet's atmosphere. As those onboard with military experience would be able to tell, such a ship was typically used for orbital bombardments so it seemed that it was used only as a detterent for any rebellious activity. It did not stop the Gloom or try to blast it but a captain onboard paged them through their comm system.

"This is Captain Nyran of the Imperial ship, Peacemaker. Proceed to Mountaintop City, Landing Pad 4 for inspection and docking fee payment. Two fighters will accompany you until you land. Do not deviate from your course." the voice stated over the cockpit's comm. Because the intercoms were still out of commission, only those on the bridge near the pilot droids could hear them. The two pilot droids did as commanded and flew to one of the many snow-covered mountain ranges that dotted the planet's surface. On one of the bigger ones on the planet's eastern hemisphere was Mountaintop City. Reasonably big, it was a walled city that had a large factory in the middle with various shops and businesses surrounding it. Outside the city and further down the mountain were a number of much smaller villages. On the outskirts of the city were various landing pads and the Gloom touched down there. The two ARC-170 fighters that had been accompanying them flew overhead, their job now done. Outside the landing pad, anybody who looked outside the window would see a Human dressed in a crisp military uniform with two clone troopers flanking him, awaiting arrival.

"Orders sir? Or...uh...I mean...sirs?" the pilot droid asked Slant and the clone trooper major since apparently, it was all good for him to walk around.

"I'm not helping you lie to fellow clones. If you want me in on your little scheme, you'll have to lock me up or shoot me." the major glared.

Sal gave a once-over to anyone who went into the ship's medbay, but there didn't seem to be anyone who needed any treatment stronger than a cold compress or a night's rest. He passed time taking inventory, cleaning the place up a bit, and organizing things according to his preference - not too many people were around to complain in the first place, and it wasn't as though the bumbling battle droids would care about what he did in there. Especially since left one of the severed droid arms on a shelf as a reminder. When they got out of hyperspace he clipped the pilfered blaster to his utility belt, adjusted his eyepatch, and went to the bridge.

He looked out the window at the city. The incredibly high walls reminded him slightly of the trees of Kashyyyk - how long would it be until his world was free and he could gaze upon the wroshyr again in peace? If the Empire had truly taken over both the Republic and the CIS, then at the very least the fighting was over and Kashyyyk would certainly be free.

"There is no need for any deception," Sal said after the clone major spoke. "This is a Republic world, where justice and the rule of law are supreme. Though I am loathe to admit that it is the truth, the crew have indeed mutinied against their captain, set the prisoners free, and escorted us to a safe harbor. I am sure that any war crimes tribunal will take note of that and give the former Separatists aboard leniency."

Slant had pointedly ignored the engineer's question from earlier, almost deigning him beneath his notice. Now he was staring out the bridge, taking in the sights of the land. "This is not a Republic world any longer," Slant corrected the Wookiee. "As the captain said when they introduced themself, this is Imperial territory now. And I did not lead a mutiny. I merely... took command once the captain fled."

He took on a brooding posture, as if he was in deep thought. "I know I cannot convince you to help our cause," he said, turning to the clone. "So I want to send you out. You do not have to lie to your brothers. However, I will send you out with a small.. gift." He took a more normal stance, folding his arms in front of him. "I am aware that the captain kept credits in his room, and I would suggest a bribe that benefits all parties. We escape with our lives, and they earn cash. I hope if nothing else you can agree to this." Of course, Slant would have what blasters were left trained on the Gloom's exit ramp as soon as the clone was off. And the droidekas. But they probably wouldn't survive the ensuing shootout, so the bribe was option number one.

Slant headed to the captain's quarters and proceeded to search it for any credits. With any luck he would find a fair amount of credits, which he would then pass on to the clone.

edited 5th Apr '18 5:20:07 AM by Kepler-7

Gloom

Unfortunately, it would seem that the ship's former captain decided to take with him any useful items with him once he abandoned ship and that included all credits that he might have been storing in his room. It also meant that if anybody wanted to partake in his legendary foot bath, they were out of luck. In terms of other valuables on the ships, the only things of real worth would be the blasters that the security droids carried and maybe a few of the items that the POW's had.

"You could be right, Wook. Tell you what, you let me talk to those guys out there, and I'll see the situation. I'll be able to tell if what you've told us about this Empire is true and see where we fit in to all this. They'll listen to one of their own." the major said, conveniently forgetting to mention whether or not he would sell the fact that there were former Separatists on board as well.

"So you say," Sal said to Slant.

"I will accompany you," he told the Clone Major. "If things are as we have been told, then we have nothing to fear. If this has all been a ruse by our captors, then I would prefer to be standing on a Republic world than aboard a Separatist vessel."

"And I am Dr. Saltatha, not... Wook."

Savron glared a bit at Slant's back given his refusal to answer his questions, which were admittedly an answer in their own right. Slant hadn't tried to surrender or inform the attackers of the prisoners. The Republic now Empire may not actually be after their heads as he tried to imply earlier.

Still, he did his job as best he could with the limited supplies. No point in needlessly antagonizing anyone at the moment after all. With that done and them now landed, he headed over to the rest of the gang.

"So... what are the odds if we jump ship and go back to the Republic now Empire, that we aren't going to get any backpay? Cause I was not hearing good things about the economy before I got captured."

Slant, to his poor luck, found nothing. The captain must've taken it all when he fled. An unfortunate setback.

"I still believe that negotiating with this Empire is best left to a clone, like you," he said, waving to the clone trooper. "Perhaps they will 'go easy' on one of their 'brothers'. The Wookiee may make negotiations more difficult, but in all likelihood it will make no difference. As for backpay," Slant said, overhearing the engineer, "I cannot assume on the subject. Whether this Empire is a change for the better is yet to be seen, except, of course, for their firing on us. Please, if you wish to accompany your comrades, feel welcome." All the better, considering he didn't want any difficulties getting the droids ready for any possible boarding action by hostiles. He did not see an easy or likely way out of this predicament, and if he had to go down fighting, he would.

Charros IV

As the clone trooper major and Sal headed out, the man in the military uniform and the two clone troopers flanking him stepped up. The two clone troopers remained focused on the task at hand but the officer took a moment to gawk at the Wookiee's height.

"Ah, major! This ship wasn't on the scheduled docket. Care to explain." the officer asked, looking both pleased at dealing with a clone trooper while also a bit confused as to what was going on. The major had taken off his helmet, further reassuring the troopers and officer that he was the real deal.

"Just crashed here. We're trying to get it repaired before anything else." the major said, not lying and also not yet informing the clones about the Separatist presence there. Either the major's high rank or the Wookiee's size seemed to placate the officer somewhat.

"Okay, well if you just give us your identifying codes and let our boys here take a quick look around, we'll be on our way." the officer said jovially, waving the two clone troopers to go ahead and board the Gloom The troopers did so and the major looked quite anxious.

"Uh...maybe that's not such a good idea right now..." the major flustered. The Kamino training facilities were good for lots of things but apparently, they didn't cover lying too well. The major looked to Sal for help.

"Sir? Should we get the security droids ready for a fight?" one of the pilot droids asked Slant.

"Yes," Slant told the pilot droid. "Get all the remaining security droids and the droidekas. This might be our last battle." Slant himself was already armed with an E-5 blaster rifle, though he found himself wishing for something a little heavier.

"I calculate we have very low odds of surviving this encounter," Slant began. "I never thought I would outlive the Separatist Alliance, but the day has come. Prepare yourselves for combat, men, and know that it was an honor to serve alongside you." A slight embellishment, but it served the purpose of maybe raising morale. The B1's tended to fall for that sort of nonsense. Of course, Slant was no Senator in the motivation speech district, but whatever. Slant turned towards the door, blaster at the ready.

"We were not on the docket because we only just managed to escape from Separatist space," Sal growled at the trooper. "Are you no longer in the business of granting safe harbor and asylum to those who wish to no longer live under the oppression of the Confederacy?"

The pilot droid did as commanded and the eight remaining security droids assembled before Slant, waiting to receive orders. The droidekas were a bit slower in starting up but those listening could hear the distinctive clanking and clicking as they did so. Outside the two clone troopers had just stepped on board the Gloom

"No!" the major shouted, rushing towards the clones, trying to stop them from getting killed inside. The inspecting officer looked about ready to respond to the Wookiee asking him a question but then saw the chaos happening and withdrew a small holdout blasterr from his belt and set it to stun. He wasn't pointing it to anyone yet, mainly looking confused as to what was happening.

When the clone troopers stepped on board the ship, Slant’s mind went into overdrive. ‘’If we shoot, we will most likely die in the ensuing firefight or shortly afterwards due to lack of supplies. If we do not fire, we will be taken prisoner and treated as PO Ws. Either way is not a good outcome. But one path allows for the continuation of the Separatist Alliance, in a way.’’

Slant changed his mind.

“Drop your weapons,” Slant ordered before anyone could fire. Slant himself merely holstered his E-5. To the clone troopers he said, “Please do not fire. We are complying and submitting to the authority of the Empire. Note that we have freed all Republic prisoners onboard and given them command.” He didn’t bother mentioning he only gave the clone a modicum of command. “We request that we are treated humanely and with respect as one soldier to another. That is all.”