There's Always A Catch

From The Whereabouts

Jet is on a remote planet in Hutt Space, keeping up his appearance as a successful smuggler and scoundrel, this however could not be further from the truth. Jet had fallen on hard times, perhaps just a coincidence that those hard times coincided with his increased activity with The Alliance to Restore the Republic. His contact with The Alliance, Commander Randyl Khan, hailed him by long range com and asked if he was ready for long term work. Though Jet was initially hesitant, he really didn't have many other options, and he reluctantly agreed if Khan could pick him up. The next day an Alliance freighter picked Jet up and quickly departed for Mon Calamari (Dac), aboard the ship were two pilots and three others bound to meet up with The Alliance on Mon Cal. A fellow smuggler, a scientist, and a bodyguard made the trip to meet up with The Alliance fleet. Docked aboard Commander Khan's Mon Cal Cruiser the group departed, and Jet was shown to his quarters.

Nexu had spent almost a month in orbit over Mon Calamari, and to say she was growing a bit restless was a massive understatement. To date her troubles had been inconsequential, though it was only a matter of time before they escalated. She was summoned to a briefing room to meet with Commander Khan, where she first met Jet. Introductions were made, and Khan began his briefing.

Khan explained that they had a long term assignment for both of them, one that would serve both their individual goals as well as those of The Alliance. With the victory at Endor and death of Emperor Palpatine the galaxy is experiencing a power vacuum as The Empire begins to withdraw its' might from the Rim. The Alliance would like to capitalize on that vacuum, to seize anything that The Empire is abandoning or leaving vulnerable. Khan is willing to provide Jet and Nexu a ship as well as a certain amount of freedom from Alliance oversight, in order for their help in scouting for said resources and providing assistance wherever they are able. They would primarily function around The Mid Rim planet of Ord Mantell and monitor both the Mid and Outer Rim for anything of value or interest.

There was of course, one catch. The ship they would be given had a permanent inhabitant, a Defel named Cerberus who had recently returned the ship to The Alliance after murdering it's previous crew. Though Khan gives scarce details, he says that Cerberus killed the privateer crew who operated the ship after they turned pirate and disappeared off The Alliance's radar, that the creature had long since inhabited the ship and never betrayed either The Alliance nor anyone who followed his code of honor. Jet and Nexu were understandably suspicious of such an arrangment, but Khan's trust carried enough weight for them to give it a try.

Once the crew was acquainted, Khan assigned them their first mission and sent them on their way with a package to drop on Urce, an Imperial world near Ord Mantell, where a covert Alliance cell operated against The Empire. The group jumped to hyperspace and made the week long journey, making their last micro-jump into Urce as close to the atmosphere as possible. This much was successful, and the group went straight for the drop point, under the cover of darkness. Though they were swift in their work, a Tie Patrol was picked up on their scanners before they could take off again. Though they passed the ship on their first pass, once they turned for a second pass Jet lifted off to make an escape. A short gunfight later both TIE's were destroyed, but The Imperials were certainly aware of their presence. As they went to escape the planet, two more TIE squads emerged in pursuit. The crew of The Dirge had some trouble jumping to hyperspace, which resulted in a prolonged battle with both TIE squads, though The Dirge eventually won it was not before taking some damage. The crew jumped to Ord Mantell and made their escape.

Experience Awarded: 20