Big Story - Rescuing Serena

[Dasquian Belargic]

Discuss the new step in this plot.


Recap of Plan So Far
Team One (Rebels): Hit UnderCity power generator to knock out train's power. We can say it is guarded to make things more interesting for them. Enemy = Stormtroopers and droids(?)
Team Two (Jedi): Hit Inq secret maglift train in Under City, rescuing Serena. Enemy = Inquisitors and Stormtroopers. When train is stopped, exit and make good their escape to the surface where
Team Three (Jedi/Rebels): Hit tractor beam emitter to ensure a safe get away (swoop bikes) before rendezvousing with Sanis and the stolen shuttle they used to get to Coruscant. Pick up Team Two (Team One, the Rebels, have their own out) and escape the planet. Enemy = fluffy bunnies, irate aliens, and fear itself.

Particpants!


Team One - Imperial Shuttle
Rebels & Acacius
Maren Dirge
Acacius BladeTeam Two - Layla
Jedi - Dropped off before Layla goes on to place Team Three
Solomon
Abarai Loki
Daria N.
Anbira HicchoruTeam Three - Layla
Jedi/Rebels - Dropped off by Layla near generator, while Layla holds a safe position until time to pick up groups 2 & 3
Sanis Prent
Cirrsseetto Raurrssaatta
Corell Capstan
Mara Tallen

[Rev Solomon]

Are we planning to RP out the information-gathering? My own opinion is that it'd be an unnecessary delay when we can just say we've received word from Rebel Intel ops in the field. Also, I'm a big fan of starting these big stories in media res lest we get bogged down in the massive preparations.

I'm also a fan of the idea of launching two threads - one for the Jedi infiltrating the Citadel to rescue Serena, one for the Rebels creating a diversion somewhere else on or around Coruscant. It's simple, elegant, and gives an opportunity for everybody to be involved - Jedi and Inq in one thread, Rebels and Imperials in the other.

I know we were also discussing splitting into two teams of Jedi, one of which would cause a diversion in the Citadel. Any thoughts?

[Morgan Evanar]

re we planning to RP out the information-gathering? My own opinion is that it'd be an unnecessary delay when we can just say we've received word from Rebel Intel ops in the field. Also, I'm a big fan of starting these big stories in media res lest we get bogged down in the massive preparations.

I'm also a fan of the idea of launching two threads - one for the Jedi infiltrating the Citadel to rescue Serena, one for the Rebels creating a diversion somewhere else on or around Coruscant. It's simple, elegant, and gives an opportunity for everybody to be involved - Jedi and Inq in one thread, Rebels and Imperials in the other.

I know we were also discussing splitting into two teams of Jedi, one of which would cause a diversion in the Citadel. Any thoughts?I agree with all of the above. Within the Jedi I think there should be an infiltration/extraction team and one team to feint. With the Rebels they can hit some infrastructure to further the cause trouble and misdirect resources. If they want to do something more elaborate outside of the citadel that's kinda up to them IMO.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

That way the Rebels involved don't even have to know about the Jedi. So those 'without clearance' can be involved.

[Morgan Evanar]

That way the Rebels involved don't even have to know about the Jedi. So those 'without clearance' can be involved. Exactly. All they know is they have to hit a power generator.

[Captain Untouchable]

That way the Rebels involved don't even have to know about the Jedi.

I'm not sure why this is necessary, if I'm honest. o_O

As I understood it, part of the advantage (OOC) of this was to get the "word out" that the Jedi are back. Provided that the Rebels aren't provided with information on the Wheel / where the Wheel is, there's no real problem with them knowing that the Jedi are involved, is there?

Seems like an unnecessary complication, to me. :\

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Well, I'm not a big fan of that part of it, to be honest. We're back and we're gathering! *waves big red flag in front of Inquisitors*

That seems like unnecessary complication to me. But perhaps we should agree to disagree. :p

I said they don't have to know, but I didn't say they can't know. I shall bow out and leave the planning to those involved.

[Dai]

Would the Empire report this incident to HoloNet, possibly telling that the Rebels and the Jedi were involved?

I only ask because that would get the word spread beyond just the Rebellion who are involved in this mission.

[Captain Untouchable]

Well, I'm not a big fan of that part of it, to be honest. [I]We're back and we're gathering! *waves big red flag in front of Inquisitors*

We're wandering up to the Inquisitors, kicking them in the stones, and then naffing off with one of their major prisoners. I can't really see how we can achieve any sort of Serena rescue without at least the Inq's knowing we're back - seems like an integral, unescapable part of the whole deal. :huh

And if the Inquisitors are going to know we're back, does it really make that much more of a difference if the public knows too?

The Jedi are all about hope at the moment, and bringing it back to the galaxy. Would've thought embarassing the Inquisitors was an ideal way to achieve that. :\

But whatever - you're the one being rescued, so what I think doesn't really matter. :mneh

[Anbira Hicchoru]

Agreed, we should absolutely do what it takes to piss in the Inquisitorius' cornflakes, because its high time that the Jedi made a comeback :)

[Lúka Jibral]

Silly Jedi! :mad

Inquisitors don't eat cornflakes. We're more oatmeal and toast kinda guys.

* * *

One idea might be to use the distraction as a means to empty the Citadel of Inquisitors - make it easier for you to sneak in?

[Dasquian Belargic]

I doubt the Citadel would be emptied, but I think we can assume that a fair few Inquisitors will travel out to the diversions. Based on what I know of the Inquis, they are probably smart enough to suspect that something is amiss anyway. As long as we have them a little confused and somewhat divided, we can make it work. :)

[James Prent]

No, I understand that it means we'll be exposed. But I guess your wording brought to mind the Jedi hijacking a holonet feed and broadcasting something to the universe, which would be silly.

Just carry on as though I said nothing. :p

[Varon Farani]

Well yeah... "emptied" was a figurative exaggeration. ;)

Unless the distraction looks like it's the sort of thing that the Jedi would go after? Something that looks like an obvious challenge against someone else, as if they've merely "not considered" the Inquisitors. I dunno what... maybe the Senate building (which isn't being used, but is pretty iconic), or something like that?

Its the sort of thing that people would expect the military to go after... but the Inqs could be all "No! Save your men. We shall handle this." etc.

Never underestimate the arrogance of dudes with red lightsabers. :mischief

[Droo]

But I guess your wording brought to mind the Jedi hijacking a holonet feed and broadcasting something to the universe, which would be silly.


Do you really think so? o_O

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n631x7FWlcc

I think it's high time the Jedi man-up and do something to bring hope to the people of the galaxy. A message such as this, a message from a certain Navaria Tarkin, broadcast all over holonet would be quite a powerful call to arms. I'm sure it would help boost moral not only for the Rebellion but entire civilisations under the Empire's boot. A sign that the good times can return. I'm reminded of a line from Battlestar Galactica, spoken by Adama:

"Why are we as a people worth saving?"

The Jedi have been hidden, they have been protected, and now its time the start proving their worth again.

Edit: And I understand this is way off topic, I do want to add to the more pressing topic of how we're going to save Serena's ass but I just really wanted to address this issue first.

[Daria Nytherciria]

^ I'm sure we mentioned before the possibility of Navaria making a public address. It would be badass.

[Nen Lev'i]

Just as an FYI, Dani and I are working on a "someone tries to kill the Empress" thread (which I really must get around to starting >_<) at the moment.

That isn't an "Oh no! Please don't try to kill her while she's making a speach!" sort of thing. More of an, if you do, maybe it'd be worth making sure we have this after the other, and having some significant repercussions for Miranda's security, etc.

Just a thought. :)

[Sanya Tagge]

I think we can safely assume that Miranda Tarkin has a hell of a lot of security around her all the time anyway. Particularly after, you know, a Sith tried to assassinate her :lol

[Rev Solomon]

Loki, Anbira, and I have just had a thread (http://www.sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20932&page=4) all about the need for the Jedi to reclaim their position as the beacon of hope for the galaxy. This would be an excellent opportunity.

Perhaps this was always the intention, but this is the image I had in mind.

Miranda is planning to deliver an address solidifying Imperial resolve against the Rebellion and announcing a new program of political and military expansion, real Triumph of the Will material, been heralded throughout the galaxy as a speech that will mark a new era in the history of the Empire. She's chosen an august venue - perhaps the Senate building.

A diversionary force of Jedi and Rebels attack the building when Miranda arrives. Obviously, her security swarms over her and takes her out of harm's way, but she's not their target. Instead, the Rebels create a barricade, set up shop in one of the conference rooms, and tap into Holonet.

So when it comes time for the address, billions turn on their holovisions and see what they think is the Empress sitting behind a desk. But instead of glorifying the Empire, she announces that the Jedi have returned and sounds a call to arms to all in the galaxy who love freedom to join in the battle against the Imperial menace!

[Jaden Luka]

What if we did something that was both classier and cheesier at the same time?

All we really need to do is create a scene. Taking reference from Clone Wars (with the Death Watch on Mandalore), and from "John May Lives" in V... what if instead of hijacking the holonet, we just left some grafitti, or something like that?

That sounds quite lame, but if someone where to carve something like "The Force Is With You, Always" into the side of the Senate building, then not only would Miranda be forced to delay / postpone / change the location of her speach, it would also leave a (until they paint over it, at least) physical message that people can see. And, even the mere act of disrupting the speach would be enough to undermine the message that Tarkin hopes to convey.

Rather than a very blatant "We're here; we're queer; we don't want any more beer;" message via the holonet, it would instead conjure an air of myth and mystery about it. People will whisper in hushed tones about how the Empress had to be evacuated because The Jedi are back!

No one will know faces. No one will know names. We'll be a legend: and those are far harder for the Empire to fight than a few faces on the holonet.

[Rev Solomon]

It's a different idea and, I think, a good one. I'll be on the rescue team, so I'll let the diversion crew decide on their plan - frankly, Jaden's idea would be a whole lot easier to coordinate than a full-scale broadcast hijack, and it could easily turn into a viral message that spreads throughout Coruscant and the galaxy. Plus, we could still do a broadcast with Navaria later if we choose to.

[Dasquian Belargic]

I think the broadcast would have a greater impact. The grafitti could be done by anyone - pranksters or nutjobs who want to see the Jedi back for instance - but there is no mistaking the face and voice of the Empire herself.

[Jaden Luka]

...but there is no mistaking the face and voice of the Empire herself.

Well, aside from the fact that that's exactly what would be happening, given what Rev suggests. :uhoh

Yeah, the graffiti could be done by anyone. But an apparent holo-transmission from "Miranda" is equally problematic, for all kinds of reasons:

The fact that the "Empress" is sounding a call to arms is going to confuse the hell out of people. I think we're more likely to get a galaxy-wide "WTF?" than a pro-Rebel "Hell yeah!" in response. It will be out of nowhere, out of character... and lets be honest, it wouldn't surprise me if most people suspected it was a trap.

On top of that, it's easily dismissed as a hoax by the Empire's propoganda machine (*coughcough*Sanya*cough*). They can easily say that it is a human replica droid; that the people involved are not Jedi, etc.

With a little bit of effort and cover-up - which the Empire is fantastically good at - I'm not sure how much more successful the transmission would be. It may be a lot of extra work, for limited additional reward.


Note: I draw attention to not sure, because I may just be missing some of the key advantages from my brain. >_<

[Dasquian Belargic]

You could argue exactly those same points against the grafitti idea. Neither of them are perfect but for me, it comes down to what is more dramatically interesting, in terms of actual roleplay fodder, and that would be the transmission. Rebels attacking the Senate, Miranda's security responding, Rebels taking control of a conference room and struggling to hold security at bay as a message is delivered to the masses... there's just more to chew on there than 'Rebels and Jedi scale building, carve message there, and leave'.

Of course, it is down to the diversion team to make which idea they go with work and it would depend too on who is part of that team.

[Droo]

Sticking with the V for Vendetta parallel here...

Just because they Empire can spin propoganda is simply no reason for the Rebels not to send this message. It's the equivalent of being beaten before you even try. Ultimately, its effectiveness is in the hands of the people, the Empire's citizens, and if such a transmission inspires hope in just a small fraction of those people then that in itself is a huge boost to the Rebellion.

Secondly, I presume Navaria won't be pretending to be Empress Tarkin. What would be the point? It's the power behind the imagery. The face of the Empire with the voice of revolution. And they are revolutionaries, not glorified grafitti artists, and surely, on principle they would find it more important to ignite a spark of hope in the heart of the galaxy than simply opting to spook the Empire?

[Miranda Tarkin]

Navaria would see no reason to pretend to be her sister. That would make little sense if we went that route for her to do, Jedi do not deal in lies. The truth is far more powerful in this instance because, as Droo said, you have the same face fighting for opposite ideals.

It is why I am looking forward to the time they standing face to face in confrontation down the road. They both want to convert each other back. It might be one of Navaria's few flaws - thinking her sister can be saved.

[Jaden Luka]

I think you're misunderstanding - or perhaps I'm miscommunicating - my objection.

From an IC perspective, sure. What you are saying is perfectly valid; there is a slight chance that the message will get out; and that certainly isn't a reason not to try. However, if I were to counter the argument from an IC angle, I'd simply voice my concerns that it's a very "out of character" move for the Jedi. This kind of insidious call to arms is far more in the realm of the Rebel Alliance; it smacks of all sorts of negative emotions... and just doesn't sit right with me as a "Jedi-ish" thing to do.

From an OOC perspective though, all I'm pointing out is that we could potentially achieve the same net result without such an overboard, overcomplicated, and grandiose string of events. So many things need to be considered with barricading ourselves inside the Senate building. There are so many entrances, and there's so much force-of-arms that the Imperials could bring to bear that the idea of us getting in, locking them out, and then managing to escape without at least some of us dying in the process -


I dunno. I just think were making life a lot harder on ourselves, when we could achieve the same IC result, with less OOC complexity. :\

[Droo]

From an OOC perspective we should only be concerned with what makes the best story, and go about doing whatever we can to achieve that. I'm not interested in my own convenience, I want to be entertained and I want to be able to entertain. And as far as I'm concerned, while taking control of the Senate building is extraordinarily risky, if that's what it takes then it is absolutely worth it for a number of reasons.

First, it would be a brilliant roleplay, and give all kinds of characters things to do. It's big, it's bold, and it has real repurcussions in character too. Leading me onto my second point: if the Rebellion and the Jedi are able to take over such a high profile location, just for a moment so they can transmit this message, then such undermining of the Empire right before the eyes of the galaxy only serves to bolster that message and make it more difficult for the Empire to cover up with spin and propoganda.

As a final note, I think we need to shed this assumption of what is considered the "Jedi way" for now there is no such thing. All we have are people with perspectives and ideals and each is as varied as the next. This is not the regal and powerful Jedi Order setting an example for the citizens of the Republic. This is the last remnant of hope fighting tooth and nail to beat the Empire, at all costs, and restore the Republic to power once again.

[Dasquian Belargic]

In addition to Droo's points, I'd like to go back to the fact that this part of the 'mission' will be taking place in its own thread. To avoid the traditional 'epic thread syndrome' - whereby too many people are progressing too many plotlines in a single place - we are breaking up into three distinct threads, that should give everyone a chance to take part, as well as keeping the story cohesive and well-paced. So I am not especially worried about the idea becoming too complicated at this point :)

[Greg & Abby]

It isn't the plot that makes a great story. It's the characters, and the writing. We can take a simpler, less complicated plot, and make it great, without having to do something over-the-top. We don't need to use a complex plot as a crutch: we're awesome enough on our own to make even a simple thread shine without it.

And with all due, Droo... I think it is important to at least consider the OOC stuff, because we don't have a fantastically good track record for actually getting threads like these finished. Even if it is just a third of the story... :uhoh

[Droo]

Frankly, I thought this was called a Big Story for a reason. Five years post-reset and I'm tired of exploring the minutae of our character's everyday existance without them actually making even the slightest ripple on the Galactic Civil War.

Blockade of Naboo. Battle of Naboo. Battle of Geonosis. The Clone Wars. The Battles of Coruscant, Utapau, and Kashyyyk. Order 66. The Rise of the Empire. The Battle of Yavin. The Destruction of the Death Star. The Battle of Hoth. The Battle of Endor. The Destruction of the second Death Star. The Fall of the Empire.

All of that spanning the six films filled with characters, lightsaber duels, political intrigue, romance, tragedy, and happy endings. This is Star Wars and as far as I'm concerned it's high-time we started living up to it.

[Captain Untouchable]

I cannot see how you will manage to escape from such a blatant, in-your-face move without all dying. The Wheel doesn't have enough enough Jedi to risk on this kind of venture; and it doesn't have sufficient well-trained Jedi who are capable of escaping and surviving, particularly if we are splitting them between multiple objectives.

In my opinion it doesn't, at least. I'm clearly wrong.

I wish you luck making that seem plausible; I'm obviously not imaginative enough to see how this will work. Sorry. :\

[Lilaena De'Ville]

I don't think the Jedi on the senate mission would need to be numerous or have to blockade the entire building.

Sneak in. Locate Miranda and her security detail in the media conferencing room (or whatever the place she'll be is called), overwhelm the guards and secure that area of the building. Have an exit clearly in mind - any window would work - and record and transmit the message.

Give Miranda a big kiss and then boogie on out. If its done right (and the Jedi wouldn't send noobs on this) then they could have everything under control before any alarm can be raised. Especially if we determine OOC that is how its going to go down. I mean, as writers we're not exactly helpless here.

Unless we wanted an alarm to be raised, drawing the Inq out, in which case it would have to be planned a little better than that little write up, but still, its not like we have to storm the Senate and lock down the entire building. The smaller the group the better even, for infiltrating and for getting away clean in the end.

[Droo]

I've had some time to think about all this and I'm going to do something of a 180 on my stance on it. Although all of my above points about how we should encourage bigger stories remains.

Simply put, from a story-telling perspective Coruscant is the big one. And if this is just the start of our big story which in some way impacts the course of the GCW then I don't think an assault on Imperial Centre is the wisest of options. As frustrating as I find the "We can't do that because the Empire is unstoppable!" kind of argument that has in the past essentially cock-blocked roleplays, I have to admit we're tossing out characters quite out of their depth with this one.

Now, I'm not going to expound upon the illogic in attacking the galaxy's capital, that's self-evident and we've already discussed it and were willing to put that aside for the sake of a really exciting story. Using the exact same argument, would it not make more sense from a story-telling perspective to leave Coruscant for later? It is our Mount Doom, so to speak, and a big operation there now might make other future missions and victories taste less sweet. We should be thinking of building towards an assault on Coruscant sometime in the future rather than making that our first big collective mission. It's a bit like conquering Berlin first.

The senate idea stemmed from the holonet message which stemmed from the distraction idea during the Serena rescue. If Serena is being held on Coruscant, then surely that is a big enough deal in and of itself for the Rebels and Jedi to wrap their heads around without dividing their efforts to accomplish even greater goals? I think a distraction of some description might still be needed but the more I think of it, I really like the idea of Serena being in transit when the rescue operation takes place. That way there's a limited time window in which to do it which raises the tension and it's very action-adventure-y to assault the Star Wars equivalent of a maximum security train, for example.

I'll post some more thoughts as and when I get them here but I think we might want to start with our sights set a little lower, not for ease of roleplaying on an out-of-character basis, but simply because in the course of a normal blockbuster story like this, Coruscant wouldn't come first.

[Dasquian Belargic]

If not Coruscant, where will the RP take place? Where is Serena being taken to?

[Droo]

I suppose this is something in the hands of those who play Inquisitors. Would they transfer Serena? Could her transfer be a result of Tear's string-pulling? Does Holly object to Serena being moved, either to another location on Coruscant or to another planet entirely?

If I'm being honest, I can't shake the idea of that maximum security train out of my head, and the more I think about it the more I like the idea of setting this up as a big collaborative heist of sorts. Which is actually the direction you were going in when you first mentioned that three-pronged attack atrategy.

[Dasquian Belargic]

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:D?

[Droo]

Gerogero! :shakefist

[Dasquian Belargic]

You know you want to be part of the team that is leaping across the top of a speeding maglev :ohno

[Inyos Aamoran]

If its done right (and the Jedi wouldn't send noobs on this) then they could have everything under control before any alarm can be raised.

Do we actually have enough non-noobs to handle both this, and the rescue of Serena? o_O


I really like the idea of Serena being in transit when the rescue operation takes place. That way there's a limited time window in which to do it which raises the tension and it's very action-adventure-y to assault the Star Wars equivalent of a maximum security train, for example.

I was daydreaming earlier, and had a similar thought. In one of the Jedi Knight games (Jedi Academy?) there's a level where you're on top of a mag lev train on Corellia, and you're jumping from car to car.

What if we cut power to the mag lev train, leaving it stranded in the air high above Coruscant... and then cut off the car that Serena is in? We can make it drop: plummet a distance that is too safe for the Inquisitors to jump and follow; and into the waiting force-arms of our Jedi on the ground? They can catch and lower the car with the force... and then we're stuck dealing with the Inquisitors just in that car (a much more managable number).

It's a secret, covert, Inquisitor prison transfer, so their first instinct won't be to call reinforcements from the Stormtroopers: they'll go for their own Inquisitorial troopers. This is where we can take a leaf out of the liberation of Coruscant plot from EU: we get our hands on some fighters or airspeeders (Tionne is supposed to have some decent, inherited wealth kicking around), and use those to "pester" the Inquisitor shuttles. The longer we can delay those shuttles, the more time the Train Team has. No doubt we'll have fighters to deal with too in short order. And maybe, if we have a mix of Rogue / Thunderbolt / Jedi pilots, that could be a step towards having a Jedi Squadron, too.


There's still three threads there: taking out the power; assaulting the train; and distracting the Inquisitors with fighters. It covers both kinds of Rebel (pilots and soldiers), and also caters for the various denominations of Jedi, giving the consulars (catch the train), warriors (fight the Inqs), and novices (help with the power, or help with flying) an avenue to get involved.

It also means that most of our "best" Jedi are going to be the ones fighting the Inqs, which makes success there more plausible. And overall, it's a little less overt: so it's less likely to bring the wrath of all Coruscant down on our heads. It might then, as Droo suggests, satisfy the "step one" style of thread that is appropriate here, rather than being a final step.


And as for where the Inqs are moving Serena? INQ has just recruited a doctor who wants to "study" what makes Jedi succeptible to the Force. I wonder if the two might be connected somehow... :mischief

[Lilaena De'Ville]

They can be transferring her to another location on Coruscant via train. Or...

I love RPs on trains. :D

[Dasquian Belargic]

Are you gonna get jiggy in the bathroom again? :mneh

[Inyos Aamoran]

Again? :o

:mischief

[Dasquian Belargic]

Oh yes, again (http://www.sw-fans.net/archive/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29600) ;)

[Lilaena De'Ville]

I can neither confirm nor deny the bathroom shenanigans! :mischief

someone interrupted us :shakefist

[Inyos Aamoran]

Scandal! :mischief

Dragging us kicking and screaming back to the point, I think moving Serena from A to B on Coruscant makes the most sense. A shuttle or speeder works just as well as a train of course... but like Holly, I can't resist the awesomeness of a train heist. ;)

Does anyone have a character that looks like Jayne, who we can lower onto the roof, while Jackson Mcgraves takes down the INQs from the inside? :mischief

[Karl Valten]

Sorry, been busy fixing my car the last two days so I've missed out a lot here. Still have to read over everything.

If you guys want to try and think up a reason for the INQ to transfer Serena elsewhere, they do maintain a fortress on Prakith in the Deep Core.

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Prakith

Though my offer to help get the Jedi into the facility with Naomi's help still stands. I like Morg's idea about monkeying around with here neural implants to help her break back into the Citadel.

[Lowrook]

Sorry, been busy fixing my car the last two days so I've missed out a lot here. Still have to read over everything.

If you guys want to try and think up a reason for the INQ to transfer Serena elsewhere, they do maintain a fortress on Prakith in the Deep Core.

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Prakith

Though my offer to help get the Jedi into the facility with Naomi's help still stands. I like Morg's idea about monkeying around with here neural implants to help her break back into the Citadel.

If they transfer her off planet, instead of a train, how about a Lichtor class Dungeon Ship (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Lictor-class_dungeon_ship)?

That would provide us a fairly nasty battle.

[Captain Untouchable]

I think "a fairly nasty battle" is the opposite direction that we want to go in.

We're looking for something reasonably easy, that the Jedi can do most of the leg work for themselves, right? If she gets moved off planet, then we have to start throwing in ships and fleeting, and all that sort of thing.

It can be done, but in my humble opinion I think that staying on Coruscant would be as dramatic, and easier. :ohno

Karl - is the Citadel the only base that the INQ has, or would the super-secret thing that Lúka is looking after at a separate site (given the association with Esalis)? That might be a viable venue to be transferring her to... to reasons relating to the super-secret thing.

Hurray for covert vagueness? :uhoh

[Garen Thane]

Solution: train ride on Coruscant to port where a ship is waiting to take Serena to Prakith.

Perhaps they had to take her to visit some scientists, and are transferring her via train to secure spaceport for further travel.

[Karl Valten]

Karl - is the Citadel the only base that the INQ has, or would the super-secret thing that Lúka is looking after at a separate site (given the association with Esalis)? That might be a viable venue to be transferring her to... to reasons relating to the super-secret thing.

Hurray for covert vagueness? :uhoh

They'd have a few outposts on many core and inner worlds. But as for super-secret locations they really only have 3 main ones (outside of purely research facilities):

The Citadel - Imperial Center
The Fortress - Prakith
The Maw - Maw Cluster

Catacombs of Imperial Center wouldn't be too hard for the Jedi to break into and get back out of provided that they have some assitance (Naomi, Tear, The Black Man, etc). Especially if we are going the route of the Inquisitors 'letting' the Jedi escape.

Are we still going for that?

[Droo]

I think so, as it then alludes to bigger things! :ohno

[Torrsk Oruo'rel]

I thought the Citadel thing got shot down, and we're looking at having Serena in motion from A to B, to make life easier? :\

[Droo]

Yes, and the Inquisitors are still going to let them escape.

[Rev Solomon]

I think we're talking about locations from which and to which Serena could be heading when we jack the train. The question then becomes what kind of route the train is using: underground (or undercity), or through the skylanes? I'd think the underground would definitely be more secure from the Imp side of things, and it would still be ample justification to use Naomi and whatever inside help the INQ so sneakily offers.

Hey, the Underground! It's just like old times, Serena! :love

[John Glayde]

I think we're talking about locations from which and to which Serena could be heading when we jack the train. The question then becomes what kind of route the train is using: underground (or undercity), or through the skylanes? I'd think the underground would definitely be more secure from the Imp side of things, and it would still be ample justification to use Naomi and whatever inside help the INQ so sneakily offers.

Hey, the Underground! It's just like old times, Serena! :love

Yeah; I'm just wondering if there's somewhere "on the planet" that they'd be moving her to, rather than moving her to another planet. If they were going offworld, surely they have shuttles at the citadel that could take her directly?

The only difficulty with an underground train would be finding a way for us to get to it. We can't go in from the top, and I doubt it'll be stopping at many stations (unless it does?)... So short of getting in front of it, and planting a bomb in the tunnel, it might be tricky.

On the flipside, the harder it is for us to get in, the harder it will be for reinforcements to get there too. So... pros and cons.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

It could be Underground, and not in a tunnel, if that makes sense.

:)

There's no reason not to say "the Inq are using an old bullettrain deep in the Underground to transport a prisoner to a secret hangar where they will load her onto a ship and blast her off to their other secret planet"

That is, unless the Inq says there's a reason not to. :p

[Karl Valten]

It could be Underground, and not in a tunnel, if that makes sense.

:)

There's no reason not to say "the Inq are using an old bullettrain deep in the Underground to transport a prisoner to a secret hangar where they will load her onto a ship and blast her off to their other secret planet"

That is, unless the Inq says there's a reason not to. :p

Sounds suitably archaic to me. ;)

[John Glayde]

Hmm. That might be cool - sorta like having a train through "Old New York" in Futurama. Some lower level of the city that has subsequently been built over...

[Lilaena De'Ville]

With the Inquisitor's entrance to said train somewhere in the catacombs?

And the only reason the Jedi would know about its location is through Naomi.

[Torrsk Oruo'rel]

That could definately work. Maybe the catacombs somehow connect to the network of underground tunnels that the train uses. We might have to find another entry point other than the catacombs themselves - so that we're attacking the train "in transit", rather than right at the start - but it would be easy to say that there's a large "cave" that it passes through part-way along, and use that as our entry point.

The only problem at this point is that the plan is starting to look like it could be achieved by one team.

Is this underground train self-powered, or is it powered by an electric rail, a la the London underground? Perhaps there is a generator substation (in the catacombs) that provides the power for the train, and the team that goes into the catacombs sabotages that at the right moment to make the train stop in the cave?

[Sanis Prent]

Can I still be the Jedi bus driver guy? I really wanna be all harried and put-upon as I ferry our heroes down danger's nasty throat.

[Serena Laran]

I would imagine it would have to be self sufficient or powered by a separate generator (separate from the main grid of Coruscant, we are talking about the Under City here).

It is in the Under City, so while there is no sky, that doesn't mean the train is in a tunnel (though it should go through some tunnels, because if it doesn't then its not fun to run around on top of it), like I said before. It wouldn't be going through caves and rocks, it would be going through decrepit urban landscapes that have been built over and forgotten.

I'm sorry I keep saying that, but I get the feeling some people think its going to be like a subway, but that isn't the case. At least, that's not what I'd prefer.

Recap of Plan So Far

Team One (Rebels): Hit Under City power generator to knock out train's power. We can say it is guarded to make things more interesting for them. Enemy = Stormtroopers and droids(?)
Team Two (Jedi): Hit Inq secret maglift train in Under City, rescuing Serena. Enemy = Inquisitors and Stormtroopers. When train is stopped, exit and make good their escape to the surface where
Team Three (Jedi/Rebels): Pick up Team Two (and One?) and escape the planet. Enemy = fluffy bunniesTeam Three can drop leaflets proclaiming the Jedi are back while they're cruising around waiting to pick up the other teams. Just kidding. Are we still wanting to do the "proclaim ourselves to the galaxy" as a part of this, or do we want to do that after as a separate mission?

[Dasquian Belargic]

Team Three could cause a diversion elsewhere, before One hit the generator? Something exciting :mneh

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Explosion in a fizzyglug factory!

Something on the other side of the planet, maybe. How about just being Jedi in public? That's pretty exciting, and dangerous too, and would get the 'word' out (people recording it and putting it on the holonet within seconds). Just make sure the team is far enough away from where the Stormtroopers are patrolling that they aren't in danger of not being able to get away. Maybe a nice big public park that they can fly into and out of.

Of course, if you did something like that the vehicle would be tracked fairly quickly making it hard to pick anyone else up later.

So, Sanis drops of Team 3 to walk amongst 'the people' of Coruscant, picks them up safely somehow (pre-determined location, the Jedi 'melt into the crowd' and get away cleanly to meet up with him) after they've drawn attention (Inquisitorate attention even :eek) and then they go off to pick up the other two teams. Team One, and then Team Two.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Can we have a rollicking good speeder chase?

Maybe even some leaping from flying garbage truck to flying garbage truck? :mischief amirite, James?

[Captain Untouchable]

I use the term "cave" loosely - I just mean a chamber where there's more headroom than you'd get in a tunnel. :)

What if we sabotage the traffic lights on one of those big intersection thingies, and then have a chase leaping from speeder to speeder as we jump down the traffic jam? :ohno

Having been forced to sit and watch an episode of Criminal Minds the other day, I did pick up a potentially good idea. What if Coruscant is having rolling blackouts, and we factor that in somehow? We could use that blackout as the cover for the actions of Team Two, but also... how awesome would it be if we knocked out part of the power grid as well, and our Team Three distraction began with a crowded plaza being plunged into darkness... and then suddenly, a bunch of lightsabers burst into life? :ohno

[Dasquian Belargic]

Here is our setting, looks like: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Coruscant_Underworld

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Different regions and levels ranged from the merely seedy (such as the Uscru Entertainment District (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Uscru_Entertainment_District)), progressively worsening as one descended, ending in areas of unending darkness populated solely by hypertrophied vermin and zombie-like devolved humanoids (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Cthon). The Underlevel's streets were riddled with thugs and the walls and streets were home to all manner of strange creatures ...Garbage was compressed into thick blocks and stored in the deeper levels of the Underworld. Much machinery that satisfied the needs to the well-to-do surface-dwellers, were also kept in the depths of the Underlevels and so there was a constant sense of motion and unrest. Artificial lighting barely brightened the dark, sorrowful levels. The Underlevels were home to various mutant species including the Cthon, Coruscanti ogre (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Coruscanti_ogre), Duracrete slugs (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Duracrete_slug), Mutant Rats (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Mutant_Rat), Shadow barnacles (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Shadow_barnacle), taozin (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Taozin), and Granite slugs (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Granite_slug), which often posed a threat to sentient beings.

It all sounds lovely! I almost want a summer home there. ;)

[Eluna Thals]

Team Three could cause a diversion elsewhere, before One hit the generator? Something exciting :mneh

How about they use speederbikes to ride out to a tower where an Imperial tractor beam emitter is located, and satchel charge that thing so that Layla doesn't get snatched if/when things get hairy?

[Dasquian Belargic]

Awesome! :D

[Captain Untouchable]

Would that not be too similar to taking out the generator?

Obviously, you could put the emphasis mostly on the speeder chase part to make it different, but it might be worth thinking of something that requires a different bunch of skills, so the people not suited to Operation: Generator and Operation: Train can still factor in somehow. Maybe?

[Dasquian Belargic]

If you have a better suggestion, by all means make it :mneh

[Captain Untouchable]

This coming from Miss Vague Suggestion 2010, huh? :mneh

I think people are probably getting tired of my "better suggestions" by now... >_<

All I can say is, the original idea factored in something for voodoo powers Force users (was it Acacius that suggested it initially?). It doesn't affect any of my characters... I just figure they might appreciate something a little more tailored to their abilities, is all. *shrug*

I'm sure they'll be able to come up with something between them.

[Dasquian Belargic]

I actually suggested the three pronged mission initially myself :)

Who are these voodoo powers Force Users, and what aren't they capable of doing?

[Captain Untouchable]

Who are these voodoo powers Force Users, and what aren't they capable of doing?

I was specifically referring to this suggestion from Acacius -


Acacius can be involved in a 'Heavy Support' role - his focus is on Force Powers so he's something of a heavy hitter and can take aggro as it were. Useful for causing a distraction at the location Serena is being held at while someone else sneaks round and gets her.

Perhaps there's something else of significance there - Acacius could move on it (not necessarily by himself) and the local forces would think "Crap -someone's after the such-a-thing! Go help defend it!" and Serena will be less well-guarded, making it easier for the extraction team.

- from the original "The Serena Predicament" thread. He referred to his focus on Force powers, and we went on to expand on that into the notion of a distraction with the Jedi who had more of a slant towards Force powers, as opposed to the out-and-out warriors. :)


I would be worried about incorporating some of the Padawans not having an option to get involved, just for starters. Since you seem to want specific names - Barton Henning, Cleo Némain, Kala'ndryl Ryj, and Akasha Khan (as far as we are publically aware) do not strike me as the sorts of individuals suited to either covertly sabotaging power generators, or being involved on a dangerous raid against a train full of lightsaber-wielding Inquisitors, to name but four. When we expanded the idea further, there was speculation that individuals like Daria, Solomon, and Navaria might be going elsewhere to do their publicity stunt; though presumably, they've been absorbed back into the amorphous "rescue Serena" asepct of the plan.

That doesn't factor in the possibility that Rogues might want to be involved in the thread as a show of Rebel/Jedi solidarity: there is no accomodation in place for them, either.

Lets flip the question around on you, though. You seem to be making out that everyone either falls into the "generator" or "train" category. That being the case, then what exactly is the purpose of the third prong, huh? :mneh

If it's just to occupy the "extraction team", then surely we can find something more related to ships / piloting for them to do?

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Why don't we just ask people where they'd want their characters involved (which mission) and then go from there?

Taking out a tractor beam emitter makes a lot of sense and will make the ultimate escape more believable.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Why don't we just ask people where they'd want their characters involved (which mission) and then go from there?

Taking out a tractor beam emitter makes a lot of sense and will make the ultimate escape more believable.



Yep. That makes sense to me.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Recap of Plan So Far
Team One (Rebels): Hit UnderCity power generator to knock out train's power. We can say it is guarded to make things more interesting for them. Enemy = Stormtroopers and droids(?)
Team Two (Jedi): Hit Inq secret maglift train in Under City, rescuing Serena. Enemy = Inquisitors and Stormtroopers. When train is stopped, exit and make good their escape to the surface where
Team Three (Jedi/Rebels): Hit tractor beam emitter to ensure a safe get away (swoop bikes) before rendezvousing with Sanis and the stolen shuttle they used to get to Coruscant. Pick up Team Two (Team One, the Rebels, have their own out) and escape the planet. Enemy = fluffy bunnies, irate aliens, and fear itself.

Particpants!


Team One - Imperial Shuttle
Rebels & Acacius
Maren Dirge
Acacius BladeTeam Two - Layla
Jedi - Dropped off before Layla goes on to place Team Three
Solomon
Abarai Loki
Daria N.
Anbira HicchoruTeam Three - Layla
Jedi/Rebels - Dropped off by Layla near generator, while Layla holds a safe position until time to pick up groups 2 & 3
Sanis Prent
Cirrsseetto Raurrssaatta
Corell Capstan
Mara Tallen

[Rev Solomon]

I'd better help out Team Two. I'm afraid of fear itself.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

;) Duly noted Sol

[Droo]

I'm happy to contribute Loki wherever needed, although I am leaning towards the train mission on the grounds that he can't ride a swoop bike. A Jedi does not ride backseat. :colbert

But really, I'm easy. If there's too many for one mission, I'll happily go with the other.

[Tera Uolmi]

I'll put Maren Dirge on Team One, Daria on Team Two and Corell on Team Three.

(Depending on how many others volunteer, I might put Barton on a team also - but I don't want the groups to get too over-crowded.)

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Noted! Maybe Barton can be hanging back somewhere safe out of the system on the Knightfall, to offer medical support for when the Jedi come out of the Core.

[Anbira Hicchoru]

Anbira will sit this one out, since he's been involved in the intel-gathering on Bespin. That, and I've got two characters in team three as is. Let others play.

Also, there's nothing stopping us from using Layla on Coruscant. Sanis collects fake transponders from his fun days, and I imagine TSA on Coruscant is as inept as TSA anywhere else, so unless I've got rebel gang tags all over my ship, I think we cool.

EDIT: Actually, let's use both Layla and the Shuttle!

[Dasquian Belargic]

It's probably best the Knightfall hangs back, so they have the anonymity needed to make supply runs.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Layla, shuttle, noted and figured in.


It's probably best the Knightfall hangs back, so they have the anonymity needed to make supply runs.

Right, that's what I meant when I said "hanging back somewhere safe" like a rendezvous point somewhere just out of the Core, before the group heads to the Wheel.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Are we ready to get these threads going then? :)

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Are you sure you don't want to discuss this for another week first? ;)

As soon as a group's roster is filled out I don't see a reason not to start it, personally.

[Dasquian Belargic]

:huh I would have started it a week ago if possible.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

I was joking, hence the --> ;) <--

[Dasquian Belargic]

Sorry, smileys are confusing :mneh

I figure we could start the threads and people can just join whichever they were planning on joining.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Sounds good to me!

[Acacius Blade]

I'll have Acacius on Team One - he can tear down the entire plant if need be. But he'll also bring The Fun.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Ok well, someone from each team should start a thread then. Maybe for titles-

The Great Escape: Distractions
The Great Escape: Reoriented Express (lol something train related)
The Great Escape: Getaway Driver

Anyway, you get the idea. The first person to start a thread gets to choose the common element in the title. ;)

[Droo]

Reoriented Express


I love it! :lol

[Sanya Tagge]

Haha, I like it.

Acacius, do you want to start Team One's thread or should I go ahead with Maren?

[Charley]

I will kick off thread three when I get home tonight

[Dasquian Belargic]

:eee yaaay

[Droo]

Our numbers seem a little low. No more volunteers for these missions?

[Dasquian Belargic]

I'm assuming people will just join whichever mission most appeals to them once we have everything actually started.

[Droo]

You assume too much! :mad

[Sanis Prent]

Our numbers seem a little low. No more volunteers for these missions?

Put Anbira in the pot for mission two then :) I said I'd wait to see if I was needed, so sure.

[Sanis Prent]

See y'all, I'm pulling a Lucas. Posted the latest (and best) episode first. I'll leave the shitty prequels for the rest of you scrubs

POSTED (http://sw-fans.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=286)

[Carré Inirial]

Sanis, your thread needs more kitty.

*nods & throws Mara in*

[Karl Valten]

Looks like this will be fun.

Do you guys still want Naomi in this or not really?

[Droo]

Oh, I like this. So we're starting out in that thread, branching out to our own respective missions in two other threads (while the mission to blow up the tractor beam continues in that one) then we all return at the end of the thread to get picked up and escape? Great idea!

[Dasquian Belargic]

Are we? I thought each team was starting it's own thread right away?

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Well, team2 & 3 are traveling with Sanis.

So really it should split soon. I think Team Two should start their thread now anyway, starting with when they are dropped off on Coruscant by the Layla. Sound good?

[Dasquian Belargic]

Yus! :thumbup

[Acacius Blade]

Our numbers seem a little low. No more volunteers for these missions?

Should have said "Our list of allies grows thin". :p

Sanya - you can get the thread started if you like. If you want to write into it that Acacius will enter it a little later, perhaps right up to the point the team moves on the generator plant - mainly because I'm off on holiday for a week in 2 days and won't be online at all. If there's access in the hotel I may get one or two posts but I highly doubt it. The girlfriend won't appreciate me on t'internet when we're supposed to be "away from it all". If it's up in time, I'll get a post in to explain his presence and role, but then won't resurface until later when they hit the target.

I might have him pose as an Imperial Officer - so that he's already inside when they get there. He could even let them in, lols.

[Corell Capstan]

TEAM THREE :partyhard