The Key

The Key
Date of Scene:	03 January 2024
Location:	Lower City - Coruscant
Synopsis:	Drinna, Navi, and Zeraph steal the key to a booby trapped credits stash in the Works from Kalregar.
Cast of Characters:	Baelin Kalregar, Navi, Drinna Talstri, Zeraph

---

Baelin Kalregar has posed:
    So it had been decided by Navi, Drinna, and Zeraph that procuring the key to a dangerous cache full of money and lined with explosives down in the Works was the top priority for now.

    Melina had provided the group with the location of Kalregar's current hideout and a discreet way inside. It appears to be a hangar in the Lower City, nestled below some other complex with large overhangs.

    Upon approaching, they can see a blue-tinted energy shield, behind which is a moderately-sized freighter with a railgun mounted on it. There are others in there as well, presumably his crew, about a dozen or so. Not much automated security, but it's not that large either. The place is littered with crates and other shipping containers.

    The instructions the girl had given them involved slipping into an alleyway on the east side of the hangar and climbing up to a loose plate on the second floor that led into the ventilation shafts...

Navi has posed:
"Well, we're obviously not getting in by the front door. Not with that shield," Navi observed in a very low voice, from her hiding place behind an abandoned metal shipping crate most of a block away from the hangar. "At least there's not many of his thugs around. Just enough to ruin both our days."

"Can you see the way to the alley from here?" she asks Drinna softly. "Most of this stuff looks the same to me, I'm afraid."

Drinna Talstri has posed:
Drinna looked at Navi, "How good are you at sneaking?" She asked curiously,"Let's say hypothetically I /might/ be able to walk in the front door and keep them distracted?"

Navi has posed:
"I can try. But if I run into any tech-based alarms or traps, I'm in trouble," Navi replies, still keeping her voice low. "Are you sure you'll be something like safe, walking up to them like that?"

Zeraph has posed:
Zeraph stands by, sensing the entrance to Kalregar's hangar guarded by an imposing energy shield. The freighter within, armed with a railgun, hints at the potential dangers that await them. Melina's instructions guide them to a discreet alley on the east side of the hangar, where a loose plate on the second floor leads to the ventilation shafts.

Navi's observation of the shield prompts a cautious assessment of the situation. "It seems the front door isn't an option with that shield in place," Zeraph acknowledges, his golden eyes scanning the area. However, the limited number of thugs offers a slight advantage.

"We must proceed with caution. Drinna, if your plan involves distracting them, then I should be with you. If something goes wrong, I'll be able to protect you. Navi, your stealth will be crucial. If there's any sign of danger, prioritize your safety and retreat and any trouble out here will only draw attention from you in ther," Zeraph advises, the weight of the impending mission settling upon them. "It could work."

Drinna Talstri has posed:
Drinna winces, "No. You no." She sighs, "Look, it's a very long story but I can probably walk through the front door with no issue. If you guys can go around like we were told, I'll do my best to keep Kalregar focused in the front or...I dunno."

This could get ugly really fast if they did this wrong, "But I /need/ you guys to do me a favor and if this goes sideways, you don't know me and you do not know my name. Got it?"

Navi has posed:
"I do have one question... how big are these ventilation shafts?" Navi asks softly. "I kind of have some issues with really tight spaces. I doubt I could go into them alone, so I'll probably need you backing me up, Zeraph."

She gives Drinna a curious look. "Um, sure. I only really know your first name, and I'm not inclined to tell it to anyone anyway."

Zeraph has posed:
Zeraph nods in understanding of Drinna's plan. "Understood. I'll go with Navi to take the route around as instructed. If anything goes wrong, I'll be ready to act."

Navi's concern about the ventilation shafts prompts a reassuring response. "I'll be with you every step of the way, Navi. We'll navigate the tight spaces together. Let's proceed carefully, and if anything seems off, we'll reassess the situation."

Zeraph takes a moment to center himself, attuning to the ebb and flow of the Force, a silent guide in the clandestine dance they are about to undertake.

Baelin Kalregar has posed:
    Getting to the alley shouldn't present much of a problem, as there doesn't seem to be any security outside. The vent shaft is large enough to accommodate a human-sized individual, although it is a bit of a of a tight fit, and the two of them will have to go in single file.

Drinna Talstri has posed:
Drinna nodded, "Be safe." She stepped out of their hiding spot and looked down at her leathers. Those two had been some of the few to find her in her CSF uniform, something nobody in the lower levels ever saw. Down here, she was just Rin.

Walking towards the hangar doors, Rin stopped outside the shield, "Hello." She called out with a wave inside, "Is Kalregar around?" Absentmindedly her hand moved through her hair, "Or should I come back later?"

Zeraph has posed:
Zeraph's attempt to connect with the Force yields no significant response, the currents of the mystical energy eluding him for reasons unknown. Undeterred, he readies himself for the upcoming mission.

Following Navi into the alley, Zeraph observes the ventilation shaft entrance, noting its size and the necessity of single-file progression. He dons his cold, white mask, a symbol of his inner calm, and prepares for the risky venture into Kalregar's hideout.

"Stay close," Zeraph advises as he takes the lead, his voice calm yet filled with a sense of readiness. He leads into the ventilation shaft, the tight space requiring a careful and deliberate approach. As he moves through the passage, he remains attuned to the surroundings, ready for any unexpected challenges that may arise in the shadowy depths of the Works.

Navi has posed:
It's a decent walk to the alley, then through the alley, then a decent climb up to the ventilation access hatch, and Navi is meditating the whole way. She's not in the least looking forward to trying to get through those ventilation ducts, and she has to focus her battered will to get near the hatch at all.

Finally they reach the ventilation shaft hatch. She pauses, swallowing once, before stripping off her robe, staff, and medical pouch. Securing the pouch around her waist with her robe's belt, just in case, she reluctantly leaves her robe and collapsible staff beside the open hatch and enters the ventilation shaft. It's not as tight of a fit for her as for the larger Zeraph, but it's still close and dark. Not someplace she will ever feel even remotely at home...

Baelin Kalregar has posed:
    That green-skinned Twi'lek Drinna had seen before opens the small door by the main hangar entrance and peers out at her. "Oh, it's you." she remarks. "You find the kid?" she asks, clearly aware of their little arrangement.

    The shaft isn't suffocatingly tight. But for those who despise cramped spaces, it certainly isn't comfortable. They'd pass several other grill plates leading into the hangar below if either of them peer down through the first one at the correct angle, they'd be able to see that on the far side of the hangar is a small office structure nestled inside the large open space. There is a window in it, through which they'd be able to glimpse lights from what could be a workstation.

Drinna Talstri has posed:
Drinna nods, "I found the kid." She smirked, "Wasn't hard to find." Her brow lifted,"So he is here or are you just being nosy?"

Zeraph has posed:
In the tight confines of the ventilation shaft, Zeraph moves with a certain degree of discomfort, the unfamiliarity of the cramped space evident in the slight noise he makes. His size contrasts sharply with the more slender frame of Navi, who navigates the confined space with a quieter grace. As they pass several grill plates leading into the hangar, a glimpse through one reveals the layout below.

Drinna's exchange with the Twi'lek at the main hangar entrance is not heard and Zeraph remains focused on the task at hand, the ventilation shaft offering them a discreet vantage point into the hangar. The small office structure on the far side catches his attention, the lights within suggesting a potential workstation. He moves past the grill in the shaft, allowing Navi to slip out. He doesn't try to pretend like he would be able to sneak across without detection.

Navi has posed:
Navi pauses over the grill, lightly tapping the side of Zeraph's heel. "Bet someone's in that office," she whispers. "We'll stick with the vents until we get there. This hangar is way too open to sneak across without being seen. Let's keep moving." And she gives his heel a little shove, to prompt him to keep crawling. She has to force herself to keep moving, though the glimpse through the grillwork at least helps her remember that this vent shaft isn't her whole world...

Baelin Kalregar has posed:
    A look of annoyance crosses the woman's face. "How about making sure suspicious individuals like you aren't given unnecessary opportunities to wreak havoc? Or just waste his time." She shrugs though, stepping aside from the door and motioning toward the office area. "He's in there."

    As Navi and Zeraph approach the office area, they'll probably catch sight of Drinna approaching it, and also spot Kalregar himself inside...

    However, they'll also notice the Twi'lek woman tense up, frowning as she heard the noise Zeraph is making. Her hand instinctively moves toward her belt, where she has a blaster holstered. She turns toward Drinna again. "Hey. You sure you're alone, Rin?" she asks.

Zeraph has posed:
Zeraph feels the tap on his heel and understands Navi's silent communication. As they approach the grill overlooking the hangar, Navi's strategic insight prompts a nod from the Jedi. He inches forward, doing his best to minimize any unnecessary noise in the cramped ventilation shaft. He slows his movements, attempting to be more stealthy as they proceed through the ventilation shaft. The delicate balance between reaching their objective and avoiding detection hangs in the air as they navigate the hidden passages of the Works.

The glimpse through the grill reveals the small office area on the far side of the hangar. Drinna's approach becomes visible, and Kalregar's figure within the office comes into view. Despite the tense situation, Zeraph maintains his focus, his senses attuned to any potential threats or developments.

Drinna Talstri has posed:
Drinna rolled her eyes, "You think I'd walk up to the front door with company? Of course I'm alone." She looked the Twi'lek over, "You're so jumpy. Maybe you need a cup of tea?"

Navi has posed:
Navi, looking through another grill, watches the Twi'lek woman edging her hand toward her holstered pistol. "Slow and easy," she whispers to Zeraph, not missing his slowed movement, and slowing her own crawl to compensate. "Just a stroll in the park..."

She just hopes this particular stroll will end soon. Her knees are beginning to ache from bearing her weight, and she's all but shivering, between the chilly air and the even colder metal of the ductwork.

Baelin Kalregar has posed:
    The Twi'lek just shoots a nasty glare Drinna's way, but her suspicions don't appear to have eased, her gaze goes up toward the ceiling, and she begins to draw her weapon, but doesn't say anything to anyone else just yet.

    The door to the small office area opens, and Kalregar is standing there, leaning against the doorframe. "So...Rin." he greets. "Any luck with my son?" he asks.

Zeraph has posed:
Zeraph continues his slow and deliberate progress through the ventilation shaft, adhering to Navi's whispered guidance. The tension in the air becomes palpable as the Twi'lek woman's suspicions linger, her hand inching toward her holstered blaster. He continues on because that's about all he can do.

Despite the discomfort of the confined space, the Jedi remains focused on maintaining a stealthy approach.

As the door to the small office area opens, revealing Kalregar, Zeraph tenses. The encounter with the notorious spice runner is imminent, and the delicate dance of secrecy and infiltration hangs in the balance.

Drinna Talstri has posed:
Drinna watched the Twi'lek and lifted her brow, "If you wanna talk, come out here. I'm not comfortable with your crew having blasters out. I've had a few chats with your kid." She backed up from the door, "I'm not here for a firefight."

Navi has posed:
Navi all but holds her breath, watching that Twi'lek woman draw her pistol and Kalregar appear in the doorway of the office. "We might be blown," she hisses to Zeraph. "That Twi'lek lady's got her pistol out, and she's looking up around here. Maybe she saw my pretty blue eyes through the grills," she quips. It doesn't stop her from edging backwards, away from the grill she's been looking through, then freezing, every sense straining for signs of detection...

Baelin Kalregar has posed:
    Kalregar arches a brow at Drinna. "Okay, okay." He acquiesces, and leaves the doorway to approach her. "So you've had a few chats with him. And?" he says expectantly. "How'd it go?"

    Zeraph and Navi arrive at the opening in the ductwork that leads into the office area. There is a workstation in there, but it is a bit of a mess. The desk is cluttered with datapads, flimsiplast, empty bottles, and other various odds and ends. But Navi will spot the key in a drawer that seems to be partially open. If seomone could get down into the room, grab it, and then climb back up into the shafts without being detected, they should be mostly in the clear. Or if there were...other ways of grabbing it without climbing down...

    However, the Twi'lek woman still looks very suspicious. Her blaster is still out, and she is slowly making her way toward the office. She'll be inside within minutes...

Zeraph has posed:
Zeraph senses the rising tension in the situation, realizing that their presence in the ventilation shaft may be discovered soon. Deciding to take responsibility for the potential risk, he silently signals to Navi to continue moving forward while he turns around to retrace their path. As the only source of noise in the ventilation shaft, he aims to divert attention away from Navi and maintain the element of surprise.

Drinna's conversation with Kalregar unfolds outside the office, and Zeraph remains vigilant in his retreat, hoping to draw any potential attention away from their hidden companion. The prospect of their cover being blown adds an extra layer of urgency to the delicate operation. The Jedi makes his way back towards the previous vent, aiming for that to be his final destination as he mentally prepares to have to avoid blaster fire form inside the vent.

Drinna Talstri has posed:
Drinna shakes her head, "Have you person stand down." She said motioning to the Twi'lek, "Please. I just...get nervous around blasters."

Navi has posed:
Navi holds as still as she possible can. "Zeraph... if they start shooting, get out of the ducts and distract them with everything you've got. I'll grab the key," she whispers as the Jedi begins to slip away back into the ductwork.

Baelin Kalregar has posed:
    Kalregar seems rather reluctant. "Look, if my second hand woman thinks something's up, then something is probably up." he answers Drinna. A pause, and a tense silence hangs in the air for a moment, as the woman is in the doorway of the office, about to enter.

    However, he finally turns around. "You know what Neema? Why don't you relax a little? C'mon, let's hear what Rin has to say." he calls out to her, motioning with his hand over toward himself.

    Neema hesitates, looking annoyed but obeys anyway, holstering her weapon but still looking wary. She comes to stand near them, but keeping the office in her line of sight by standing facing the open doorway. "I got a bad feeling about this, captain." she tells him.

    But he simply looks back to Drinna. "Now, where were we? Right. Padawan Alexis. You managed to convince him to give his dad a chance?" he asks, his voice softening a bit.

Zeraph has posed:
Zeraph eases himself back through the ventilation shaft, acutely aware of the potential noise he might create. As he moves, he considers the delicate balance of the situation, realizing that the Twi'lek woman's suspicions could easily tip the scales towards danger.

Attempting to minimize his presence, Zeraph maneuvers through the shaft with calculated care. He remains focused on the task at hand, acknowledging that any misstep could jeopardize the operation. The Jedi's movements aim to draw just enough attention to himself without triggering immediate alarm.

The tension in the situation is palpable, and Zeraph maintains a vigilant awareness of the surroundings. His primary objective is to create a subtle diversion, providing Navi with the opportunity to secure the key unnoticed.

Drinna Talstri has posed:
Drinna grinned at Kalregar, "I don't know if I convinced him to give his dad a chance, but I did almost get him to agree to meet you. He had some terms for me first." She laughed, "Which didn't surprise me given you had terms for me too. It felt kinda, father son like."

"Neema," Drinna said, utilizing her name and hoping her attention,"How well would you say know this guy?" She motioned to Kalregar, "Obviously well enough to defend him, but I'm curious if you think that bringing his son down here is a wise idea. A Jedi? Really?"

Navi has posed:
Navi watches Zeraph crawl away down the ducts, biting her lip against a sudden case of shakes. She watches through the grill closest to the office door for any movements that might signal her cover being blown, or anyone just looking her way. The Twi'lek woman watching the office door is the biggest hurdle...

At least, she is until Drinna calls her by name. Navi swallows hard, then opens the grillwork and drops down into the office, landing in a frog-like crouch. Deft fingers palm the key and deposit it securely in her medical satchel before she steps onto the edge of the desk, hidden behind the doorjamb and part of the wall, and clambers back into the vent shaft, carefully closing the grillwork behind her.

The entire entry and exit takes roughly 90 seconds.

Baelin Kalregar has posed:
    "Ha, so...the plot thickens, it seems." Kalregar laughs. "I like it. But don't leave me hanging. What kind of 'terms' are we talking about?"

    Neema scowls at the question, although she seems a bit distracted, her gaze constantly flicking back and forth between the office and the shafts above it. However, she does not catch Navi slipping into the office and grabbing the key, then making a hasty exit back into the shafts, as her attention is drawn back to the conversation and split toward the noise Zeraph is also making in another part of the ventilation system. "Who said anything about bringing him down here?" she scoffs. "Besides, it's not as if he doesn't come down here on his own, anyway." she mutters.

Zeraph has posed:
Zeraph creeps his way out of the shaft, still staying as quietly as he can, still assured of his inability to do so effectively. He does not chance waiting. He is only more of a hinderance than a help in that regard. However, against all reasonable odds, he actually manages to make it out without drawing all the attention to himself. Amazed, he straightens his robes and waits patiently in the alley, aware of the potential tensions escalating inside the hangar. As he places his hands onto his lightsabers, his focus is on the ventilation shaft exit, anticipating the return of Navi. He reflects on the complexities of the situation, acknowledging the intricacies of the relationships involved, as he's just learned them.

The exchange with Kalregar and the emerging details about a son in the Jedi, adds layers to the mission. Zeraph maintains his composure, ready to regroup with the others and assess the next steps. The alley provides a temporary refuge, and he remains vigilant, aware that there may yet be evolving circumstances.

Drinna Talstri has posed:
"The kind that has me on a wild goose chase," Drinna says with a low growl, "He heard your name and was worried about my safety. That part was kind of sweet though." She looks at Neema, "He was immediately interested to know where his dad was, which I never told him, by the way. So him coming here seemed inevitable if he was open to a meeting."

Drinna looked at Kalregar, "Look, you told me to talk to your kid. Which I have and it's led me into a world of trouble. More than when I was with you it feels like. You said if I talked to the kid, than it fulfilled our deal. I keep bumping into him now so if you do actually want to meet him, I'm sure it can be arranged in time. However for now, I feel as if we're square and I've proven what a good lil girl I am."

Navi has posed:
Navi doesn't waste time congratulating herself on the successful snatching of the key. Instead, she starts making her way back through the ductwork, wincing faintly as her aching knees protest the rough treatment of the last half-hour.

Unfortunately, she reckoned without her medical pouch. She's made it perhaps a dozen yards back along her way when the robe belt she'd used to secure the pouch comes loose, causing the pouch itself to fall loose on its shoulder strap, hitting the floor of the ductwork with a noticeable plopping, scraping sound.

Navi freezes, one hand darting down to secure the belt and pouch, to prevent them from falling off or making any more noise. She holds her breath, not daring to move a muscle...

Baelin Kalregar has posed:
    "A good lil girl, huh?" Kalregar smirks. "Yeah I told you to talk to my kid, but the deal was that you'd convince him to meet with me willingly, not just talking to him. But if, as you say, you keep bumping into him, then that shouldn't be hard, right? Especially if he seemed interested in--"

    But he is cut off when there is a sudden noise from the ventilation shafts. His gaze flicks over toward the general area where the sound came from, and he suddenly begins firing indiscriminately at the ceiling where the ductwork is...

Drinna Talstri has posed:
Drinna yelped and covered her ears, "What the." She shrieked,"You guys /live/ down here aren't you friends with the animals that live here too." Slowly she uncovered her ears, "Don't...do that."

"And, you're right. I said I'd get him to meet ya. I was just hoping to get out of this mess by being cute enough. I'll hold up my end." She backed up slightly, "Put...the blaster...down. Please."

Zeraph has posed:
Zeraph feels the disturbance through the Force as the blaster fire echoes within the hangar. The sudden chaos prompts him to draw and ignite his dual lightsabers, one radiating a vibrant purple hue and the other a warm gold.

His hood casts a shadow over his masked face as he strides toward the hangar entrance, but he stops when the blaster fire stops.

Instead he feels out with the force to get a sense of the situation inside and to know if Navi is okay. He steps back from the edge of the alley and holds there, waiting for moredefiniteive information, but ready to make his assault if necessary.

Navi has posed:
Navi has no chance to evade the incoming shots. For several seconds she's surrounded by noise, heat, smoke, and the brilliant glow of blaster bolts, to the point that she almost doesn't notice when a bolt burns past her bare thigh, scorching the skin there. She bites her lip against the pain, somehow managing not to scream during the maelstrom of coherent light and noise. What faint sounds she does make are drowned out by the echoes of the reports of the blaster and the piercing sounds of metal being superheated and vaporized. She holds absolutely still, staring in horror at several holes in the ductwork in front of her, their edges still glowing cherry-red...

Baelin Kalregar has posed:
    Kalregar continues the onslaught until the weapon is near overheating, but then Drinna screams and seems to be convinced it must be an animal. Perhaps that's what it had been this entire time. He scoffs. "Then quit wasting my time, Rin. You made a deal. So follow through and quit trying to get off easy. Really, I mean it, because I like you and I would much rather keep on liking you. Got it?"

    "Now, get out of here. We have business to attend to in the Works." He turns back toward the office.

Drinna Talstri has posed:
"Got it," She nods, a mock salute, "No more trying to get off easy..." Drinna lets out a shaky breath and then runs. Fast. Out of sight till she can circle back to the alley where Zeraph was, "Where is she??"Her face turns pale,"Zeraph!Where is Navi?"

Zeraph has posed:
Zeraph swiftly deactivates his lightsabers, the purple and gold hues extinguishing in the alley's dimness. As Drinna rushes back, panic etched on her face, he senses her distress through the Force. Calmly, he closes his eyes for a moment, attuning himself to the energy of Navi's surroundings.

In response to Drinna's urgent question about Navi, Zeraph opens his eyes and meets her gaze. "Navi's alright... She's okay. But she has to do this on her own now," he reassures her. "Trust her. She's resourceful. We'll wait here and be ready when she makes it back."

Zeraph maintains his focus on the Force, extending his senses to gauge the situation around them. He shares a comforting nod with Drinna, prepared for whatever comes next.

Navi has posed:
Navi holds her breath, not daring to move, until Kalregar sends Drinna off in disgrace. Then she forces herself to move, lifting her weight from her knees to her feet as she crawls, letting the soles of her soft shoes rather than her bare knees touch the hot metal of the perforated ductwork. There is no way to avoid making small noises from this uncomfortable mode of movement, but she has no intentions of collecting any more injuries. One burn is enough for one night!

Only after she's well clear of the hot metal does she slowly lower herself to all fours again and continue on her way. With luck, the outlaws have turned their attention back to their work...

Baelin Kalregar has posed:
    The noises are heard...but either ignored or dismissed as being some Lower City vermin or other. Kalregar stalks back into the office, going for the drawer where the key had been.

    Only to find it...gone.

    "The kriff?!" he whirls around, just in time to see Rin scurrying out the door in a rush. "Why you!" He draws his blaster again and fires in her general direction, but she's already out of his line of sight. "Damn it."
    Neema rolls her eyes. "Told you that womp rat was up to no good. Should we put out a bounty for her? 10k?"
    "No. Not worth it. We're leaving. This position has been compromised." He grumbles, and immediately heads back out into the hangar to give the order to the rest of the crew, who begin gathering up supplies and equipment.

Navi has posed:
Navi climbs out of the ventilation hatch, securing it behind her with a weary sigh. Shivering, she hastily slips back into her robe, then picks up her staff and begins climbing down the ladder...

A few minutes later, she hurries into the alley with Drinna and Zeraph, panting softly. "Next time I volunteer to crawl through ducts? Hit me." she says, passing the key to Zeraph.