[Black Star - Solo Actual Play] Star Wars: Operation Black Star Ep.2

Episode 2 - Scene 1: "Hive of Scum and Villainy"

 Altered Scene? = 5 vs Chaos factor 6, yes
The expected scene was to arrive in the system, and speak to Shara, then head to the planet. I'm going to interpret the altered scene as another person, other than Shara also contacting Kael prior to arriving on the planet.
Is it Kael's rival? (very likely) = 36 yes

The Echo Voyager drops out of hyperspace as the blur of stars around them reform into single points of light. Hanging in front of their view, the dusty backwater planet, Tatooine is visible.

Kael: "Tater, send a signal to Shara. Let her know we've arrived."
Tater: "Signal sent."

A few moments later the comm link on the control panel of the Voyager blinks. Kael hits the button and a hologram image of a female human, with short dark hair and piercing eyes appears in front of them.

Shara: "Good, you made it in one piece."
Kael: "As always! Now, what's this job you mentioned when you contacted earlier?"
Shara: "This is a big one Kael, I need your full commitment here, this could be crucial to the Rebel Alliance."
Kael: "Shara, you know how I feel about getting involved with them, I'd rather keep out of it…"
Shara: "Kael, this is serious. Many lives could be at stake, and I trust your abilities more than anyone else. You're the best person for the job."
Kael: "Fine, give me the details. Then I'll decide."
Shara: "My network of contacts and spies have corroborated evidence that there is an Imperial research base here on Tatooine, posing as an Imperial vehicle assembly. My sources indicate that the base is in fact working on some kind of secret project, we believe it is a weapon, possibly capable of mass destruction."
Kael: "And how do I fit into this?"
Shara: "We need someone to break into the facility, steal the data and if possible sabotage any work that has been done on the project so far."
Kael: "This sounds crazy, you expect me to walk into a top secret Imperial base, take their data and waltz back out!?"
Shara: "I thought you liked a little crazy now and then?"
Kael: "...I do like a challenge. How am I expected to get in?"

Does she have a contact on the planet with a pass key to get in? (unlikely) = 87 no
What other aid can she provide? (Meanings Table: Actions) = 8, 95 Attack, Victory

I interpret this as she has a contact that at least can provide something to aid with destroying any prototypes he might find, explosives (attack leading to victory). 

Shara: "I have a contact willing to meet with you on Tatooine. He has information, as well as some pretty powerful explosive devices. Enough to destroy any work that has been done on this project, but small and discrete so you won't have to carry anything too bulky around. Steal the data, destroy the project, then get out. Make it look accidental if you can, or don't, just get the job done."
Kael: "Great. So you don't expect much of me then?"
Shara: "Kael, this is bigger than you or me, or any of us infact. You could potentially save a vast number of lives. The Rebel Alliance will owe a great debt to you, and I will see that you are rewarded well if you succeed. I wouldn't ask if I thought I had a better option. You're the best I know."
Kael: "Fine, fine, fine, but I expect your Rebel friends to pay up if I make it out alive.Where can I find your contact?"
Shara: "Thank you. Mos Eisley. Head to Rox's Cantina. Ask for 'Yuvig'. The Galaxy needs heroes right now and I know deep down, that's what you are. Good luck."
The hologram cuts off.

Kael lets out a groan.

Kael: "That woman is going to get me killed. Tater, set course for Mos Eisley..."
The comm link blinks again.
Kael: "Man, I can't catch a break today."
He hits the button opening the communication. A hologram of a human man, long hair swept to one side, the other side of his head shaven. He's wearing a flamboyant looking overcoat.

Vexis: "Well if it isn't my favourite Nerf Herder Kael Vos. I thought I picked your signal up on my sensors."
Kael: "Vexis… I've got enough to deal with, without you being a pain in my ass."
Vexis: "Yeah? That's what your sister said to me last night, ha. Look here you pile of Bantha droppings. If you're here for that sweet Imperial Tech, forget about it. The jobs mine, I've got a very wealthy patron waiting for me to collect it, and I intend to do just that. I've got a lot riding on this, so I don't want to have to kill you, but I happily will, ha! See you on the other side, loser."
The communication cuts off.
Tater: "Master, I detest that man."
Kael: "Who doesn't. So not only do I have to contend with the Empire, I've now got Vexis blasting Nordan to contend with too. This day keeps getting better..."

They close in on Tatooine. Signalling the spaceport in Mos Eisley, the attendant hails them in, and clears them to land.

Attendant: "Clear to land Echo Voyager, Docking Bay 17."
Kael: "Copy, Docking Bay 17."

They enter the atmosphere, flying above the dusty, barren deserts and wastelands before finally reaching Mos Eisley. 

Tater takes over the landing and brings them into Docking Bay 17. The landing gear hit's the ground with a gentle thump as the whirring of the engines slows to a gentle hum and Kael rises from his seat, ready to depart.

END SCENE.

Scene 2: "The Cantina"

Altered Scene? 3 vs Chaos Factor 5, yes

The expected scene was for Kael to head straight to the Cantina to look Yuvig.

Is Kael harassed by a docking bay attendant first? (very likely) = 32 yes

Is the attendant a Toydarian? (likely) = 18 yes

The landing ramp of the Echo Voyager lowers down to the dusty ground as the hydraulic pistons spew steam out across the Docking Bay. Kael heads down the ramp, Tater in toe.

Tater: "I do despise this dust ball, it causes havoc with my circuits."

Kael: "You can say that again, every time I come here, it's trouble. Stay close, I don't want some Jawa stealing parts from you when I'm not looking."

Tater: "Oh my."

Tater hurries his pace to keep up with Kael.

As they head to leave the bay, a female Toydarian hovers over to them. Speaking with a gravelly voice, she says:

Toydarian: "Woah not so fast there! You haven't paid the landing tax yet."

Kael: "Landing tax? Sorry, you are who exactly?"

Mofi: "Mofi, the attendant for this here docking bay, and yeah, ya heard right. Landing tax."

Kael: "What happened to just paying a daily fee once we leave?"

Mofi: "Yeah, you still got to do that too, but the Hutt's have brought in a new landing tax for chump- I mean tourists like yourself. Not my choice believe me, but I gotta do what the Hutt's say, ya know? This is their turf, after all."

Kael: "Tourist? I'm here on business."

Mofi: "I don't see no business permits?"

Kael: "Business permits?!Well how much is this stupid landing tax?"

Mofi: "50 credits."

Kael doesn't believe this Toydarian, he's come across these kinds of folk plenty of times in his line of work. I've given Mofi an NPC Tag of "Slimeball 1" as it's pretty obvious the kind of character she is. Tater is good at predicting and reading human emotion with the "Comprehension" trait which gives +1bd to Instinct Rolls. I'm also giving +1bd for the Slimeball tag, Kael and Tater are used to dealing with these types so are pretty good at spotting when someone is trying to swindle them.

Tater - Instinct Roll = 2d6(+2bd)+3 = 8 Fail. 

What a terrible roll! 

Tater speaks to Kael in a hushed tone,

Tater: "Master, I can't tell if the Toydarian is lying or not. I think we should just pay up to avoid drawing unwanted attention."

Kael: "Alright slimeball, here's your 50 credits but for that, I expect some servicing. I took a little hull damage on the way in. We got a deal?"

Kael - Diplomacy Roll = 2d6+2 = 9 success.

Mofi: "Sure! My service droids will have her patched up in not time." she says as she counts out the credit chits.

Kael: "I expect everything to still be intact when I return. Hey, one more thing, can you tell me how to get to Rox's Cantina?"

Mofi obliges and shows Kael the location on her datapad. Kael reluctantly thanks her, and she waves to them as they leave as she hovers a couple of feet above the ground.

Kael and Tater make their way to the location indicated by the Toydarian, to find a small Cantina tucked down a dusty back alley. They enter the Cantina.

Mythic Elements - Location Description = 58 Modern

Is the Cantina busy? (50/50) = 45 yes

Do they receive any funny looks upon entering? (very likely) = 26 yes.

The Cantina itself looks well kept and modern. It might have recently been refurbished or upgraded, for all Kael can tell. As they enter, there are plenty of patrons of varying species and walks of life. Several patrons look over their shoulders towards the door as Kael and Tater enter, some giving stern looks. A band plays in the corner of the room. They approach the bar.

I rolled a random race on a weighted chart I found on Chartopia, and got a result of "Hutt" for the barman. I'll continue to do this when I don't have a race in mind for a character.

The barman is a Hutt, with suprisingly long arms, which he's currently using to clean out a glass with a cloth. The Hutt wears a waistcoat jacket, that looks like it has no hope of ever being buttoned up across his large frame. The Hutt doesn't seem to notice them approach, he seems to be staring somewhat vacantly into space. Kael clears his throat.

Does Kael speak Huttese? (likely) = 33 yes with a random event.

Event Focus = 90 Current Context

Event Meaning = 61, 28 Misuse Expectation

Given the current context of the question, I think the barman expects everyone to speak Huttese (expectation), and won't serve people if they don't (misuse).

*Speaking in Huttese*

Hutt Barman: "Oh customers. Sorry, didn't see you. Was busy trying to rhyme something with 'Shelf' for a poem I'm working on."

Kael: "Ok… Do you speak basic, my Huttese is a little… rusty?"

Hutt Barman: "Basic's not allowed in here kid, this place is owned by the Hutt's. Huttese or you're out. Say, can you think of anything that rhymes with 'shelf'? In Huttese."

Kael: "Erm… sorry, no. Look, I'm here to see Yuvig, he here?"

Is Yuvig here? (very likely) = 41 yes.

Hutt Barman: "Huh, Yuvig? Sure, yeah he's the Ithorian over there playing Dejarik. Hmm Shelf… Shelf…"

The Hutt continues to mumble to himself, deep in thought, cleaning the same glass as when Kael entered.

Kael looks over to see an Ithorian, small for his kind with a strange purple hue to his skin, which is also pretty unusual for their kind. He is indeed sat playing Dejarik with a female Nikto, in a booth with a table in the centre.

I rolled the Nikto from the Chartopia table I found previously. I already had an Ithorian in mind for Yuvig.

Does the game look heated? (50/50) = 96 exceptional no

The game looks to be friendly, the two laughing and joking around as they make their moves. Kael approaches them.

*Kael speaks in basic.*

Kael: "Sorry to interrupt your game, I'm looking for Yuvig?"

Does the barman hear him speaking basic? (50/50) = 91 no

The Ithorian turns to him

*speaking in Huttese*

Yuvig: "You wanna be careful speaking basic in here, Ulder might kick you out. I'm Yuvig, what can I help you with?"

Yuvig's voice has a strange stereophonic effect to it, Ithorians speak with two mouths. Kael switches to Huttese also.

Kael: "Shara sent me. Might be best if we speak alone?"

Yuvig gestures to his friend to leave them alone. The Nikto gets up and heads to the bar. Kael takes his seat and Tater comes to stand next to him.

Kael: "I'm here about the job around a certain… Imperial vehicle assembly."

Yuvig: "Shh, quiet, keep your voice down. I know why you're here. Operation: Black Star."

Kael: "Operation...Black Star? Care to fill me in?"

END SCENE.

Well, that was a little longer than the previous episode. It was mostly roleplay and story work, so I thought I'd squeeze two scenes in. Hopefully it wasn't too long! Thanks to anyone who's read this far, and I hope you enjoyed. Join Kael and Tater next time, as they continue their missing to sabotage... Operation Black Star.

Disclaimer; I do not own any of the images used, all rights belong to their respective owners. This works is intended entirely for entertainment and is not intended for commercial use.