Mechanical HYDRAs (EA, D6)

[Djanik]

Djanik made his way through the streets of Rygor, playing back-up for the rest of the little gang. They were hunting a droid.

If only he could scan for it, but in a city like this, there were thousands of droids, or more. So street smarts were instead required.

Not his strong point, even when he was feeling his best.

He wore his jacket buttoned up tight, even the collar - hiding the tracery of black veins spreading from his left arm, across his chest, and now creeping up his neck. The pain wasn't as intense now, just a steady aching that surged with every beat of his heart.

There were days when he hated the force - it gave some people powers, and it gave him this plague.

Load of poodoo, as far as he was concerned.

[Jabber]

"So, what, we are tracking this thing?" Jabber asks, scratching his hip.

[Juri Saizesh]

"We are." The Witch arrived, her overcoat flowing behind her. Anger lined her face, but she looked to the others. Her satchel was over her shoulder, and her pack slung with it. She looked to the gathered group.

[Dapper Dog]

Imperial presence is high with many patrols.

OOC: Streetwise check at Hard with a setback due to Imperial presence.

[Jabber]

"I mean, my experience as a bounty Hunter has mainly been buying people dances at strip club...it's mainly that Mando but I like to think I've picked up a few things..."


Jabber begins a case of the streets, describing the Droid the group had gotten the stills of.

Track HYDRA-Hard Streetwise-setback from Imps, boost from assist: 1eP+3eA+3eD+1eS+1eB 2 successes


It seemed Jabber had more of a knack than he let on.

[Dapper Dog]

They get directions to what looked like an abandoned canning factory. Some errant droids had been seen over there.

[Bowze Coppa]

Bowze was there, following the group. He did not look suspicious with his breathing mask.

[Djanik]

Djanik kept a position beside the group, trying to protect the academics, as the group made their way to the factory.

As they approached, he began to assess the place - trying to think as a military man might, avoid walking them directly into an ambush.

[Dapper Dog]

It was a two story structure covering a block but with most of the windows busted open and a gaping door. An astromech droid beeped at them as they entered but didn’t stop them. It turned and started welding the repairs on the door.

It was dark inside as droids rolled or scurried by on some task and then someone speaks over the loudspeaker, a feminine voice, “Captain, we meet again.”

[Djanik]

Oh frag.

With a slow sigh, he cast his gaze around.

"HYDRA, I assume?"

[Dapper Dog]

“Good, your memory seems adequate,” the voice replied. “So answer me this, Captain, why are you here? Take your time, I am multi-threading several thousand conversations in real time.”

[Djanik]

"You are?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Well, I hope this one isn't too boring, then."

Unbuttoning the top button on his jacket, he revealed the vicious black veins running up the side of his neck. "As I'm sure you have concluded, based on the available evidence, I've been infected by those 'Raak Guuls' that were trapped in that laboratory."

Gazing upward, he stated simply, "When you left the lab, I'm afraid most of the research was destroyed - along with any antidotes. We were hoping you still had enough information to enable us to make a new one."

[Dapper Dog]

"Why should I care about organics, you will die anyway," the voice responded.

[Djanik]

"Eventually, yes."

He laughed. "Eventually, so will you. So will the universe. Nihilism is unbecoming of a superior intellect."

Glancing at those gathered, he added, cheerfully. "But we organics can be distressingly difficult when we think we are going to die sooner than expected... and it would appear that you have plans."

A small shrug. "If you help, we might be able to contribute in some small way, if not, we might be inconvenient. Logically, sharing what you know would be the most straightforward solution."

[Dapper Dog]

“I may suffer hardware failure but the time span is far longer than whatever you could consider a life. I see no reason to argue that point though, it is a waste of processing power. I could be enticed to help, but I want something first, this facility is beneath me. I need stable high speed holo-net access, information is my drug of choice, that is an understandable organic idiom you should be able to parse with your limited faculties, correct?” the voice responded.

[Djanik]

So you learn of organics from holonet soaps? No wonder you despise us...

"That is, in fact, suitably simple. I will have to see if any of us have access to such a place."

Djanik glanced at the party, to see if they had any suggestions.

[Bowze Coppa]

Bowze raised a hand

''You are clever, HYDRA. You must know that us, biologicals, often fear our own terminations and seek to exploit it. A smart, if cruel, negociation strategy.'' he said

''But an intellect like yours already knows that it is better for your goals to give us access to the treatment.''

[Dapper Dog]

The voice continued over the speakers, "That is a truism, but then I would lack leverage to get what I desire. That seems illogical to give you more leverage and I gain nothing in the process."

[Vaya Mer'darrow]

Vaya had been quiet and withdrawn, perhaps as part of being prudent as they entered hostile territory, perhaps because being actively hunted was new to her. As she encountered the ancient (???) evil (???) superintelligence (???) she seemed to become more animated by curiosity.

“It won’t be very good for your holonet access if the Empire quarantines this place,” she said, taking a shot in the dark. “Or sterilizes it. Not a good off-planet ping rate either way.”

Ooc: knowledge check for more info on HYDRA?

[Dapper Dog]

OOC: Daunting Outer Rim check.

[Vaya Mer'darrow]

D6EA Huh, HYDRA? (Daunting outer rim): 1eP+3eA+4eD 2 failures, 1 advantage

[Djanik]

Djanik interjected, "What about this facility is insufficient? The hardware? Or the access levels?"

A pause. "Do you need money for a holonet subscription?"

[Jabber]

Jabber shrugs. "Can we slice into someone else's Holo and rewire it to have an off the books connection?

[Dapper Dog]

"It is wholly unsuited for my needs but I lack currency, easily rectified, in time," the voice responded.

[Djanik]

"So, how about we pay for you to get an all access subscription now - in exchange for your help."

A small shrug. "If we're still alive and free of this plague, I'm sure we would feel very grateful - an organic weakness, but a predictable one."