lucetilogs | Mission # 1 - Third Party Observation

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Mission # 1 - Third Party Observation

Who: Luke Skywalker, Mizuno Ami, Sheena, Gambit, Chien, and Leonardo
What: MISSION # 1 - Third Party Observation
When: February 5th - 10th
Where: The Jungle [Cultist Village]
Summary: A six man team has been formed by the Malnosso to monitor a cultist village to determine their strategies, plans, and any potential weaknesses.

Six Luceti volunteers arrive in the jungle at approximately nine in the morning, surrounded by the various equipment they would need for the coming mission. Although warped directly into the heart of the forest, it would be several miles until they entered cultist territory and further still until they reached the edge of the cultist village. The trip would be arduous, as there was no clear path to reach there, due largely to the fact the cultists could fly and made no trails of their own. Fortunately a crude map and compass had been provided to the field leader to guide them. For now, their primary dangers would be the animals native to the forest. And perhaps a lone Shift Hunter here and there.

The cultist village is located around a massive tree that towers like a skyscraper over the rest. Thick with vines and other plantlife, the branches of the tree is also where the cultists have built their homes. Although some of the crude dwellings are located on the smaller trees in the area, most of them are hidden in the branches high above the canopy of the forest. Flying from branch to branch are the cultists, many frequently patrolling the area. They are thorough and tireless in their efforts to guard the area. Shifters are often among them, projecting a power canceling field around them. For as exposed as the area seems, the security is tight and dangerous.

The volunteers have been given surveillance and recording equipment that they can either carry on their person or attempt to plant. If their equipment is discovered, the security will only get tighter and they may end up hunted. Their goal is to record any conversations between cultists and photograph any documents or other writings they can come across. They are not to interrogate or engage any of the cultists. Additional supplies for food, shelter, and medicine has also been provided. In five days, they are to return to where they started. If they should be discovered, they can return to that location early and be returned home.

((ooc: Okay, so thread among yourself. You can assume as much as you like, so pick any scenario that you want to tag. You don't have to be in six-way threads, so break off into groups of two or three or whatever. Feel free to use the mod post to ask questions.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Then, lets get to it." Luke says with a smile. Silently, he draws on the Force and launches himself through the trees. This time, there isn't even so much as a rustle, the power he's using dampening all sound.

"Don't worry about making too much noise. I'm suppressing it. Unless you speak, or attack him, or start bellowing like a Gundark there's no way he'll notice us."

She tries not to smile at the incongruous image of purposely making a ruckus. It's a serious endeavor, and she shouldn't treat it lightly. And yet, the smile tugs at her lips anyway.

"I understand," she returns. "I'll be careful but not worried."

Luke follows the enemy patrolman for some distance, keeping himself behind, and above. Periodically, the enemy changes paths, seemingly moving in a circle, but never really looking up. Several times Luke stops short as the patroller meets up with another Third Party soldier. The two seem to bow, and continue on.

"Tight security here, huh?"

"Then it's where we should be." Wherever security is tight, there's something hidden - possibly something useful.

She could take their shape, to get even closer. But smell, mannerisms, even speech would be all wrong. What can she do in this situation instead...?

"Hang on. Don't move. I've got an idea," Luke says as the enemy soldier sits down on a fallen log, pulling out a small basket. Clearly it intended to take its lunch. Using the Force to go undetected, the Jedi darts from branch to branch until he is directly over the target.

Luke reaches into his belt, drawing out a minuscule voice recording device. As the enemy was distracted by a haunch of mutton, he drops the button sized object into the Third Party bento, telekinetically lowering its speed so as not to make a single sound.

Wraithlike, Luke returns to Mercury, a satisfied look on his face as he activates the remote recording device. "There. Anything he says will get recorded into this datapad. And the best part is the chip will mask itself. Camo-cloaking. Republic tech at its finest."

Nicely done. Her eyes follow the device almost hungrily; she's always had an interest in technology. It's something remarkable that would have been developed in her world-

Well, a long time ago. Somewhat strangely, the advancement of her world is actually less than it used to be. At a point in its history, everything returned to the very beginning.

"Can we monitor it from anywhere? Is there a range?" If not, they should get moving away from here.

"It should be good nearly anywhere in a 2000 kilometer radius. It was developed for infiltrators to plant and leave deep in enemy territory. Lets get out of here."

"That's far enough," her sending agrees. She turns away from the scene to follow Luke.

"So what now? Any ideas?" he asks, verbally, when they are very, very far away from the enemy. Taking out the map, he shows her where they've been, and where he thinks they are. "Thoughts?"

"What are our chances of getting inside long enough to plant more of those devices?"

Not very good, she knows that much. It'll be highly guarded, and risky. The question is if there's enough chance to make the risk worth it.

"If we're careful? Not terrible, honestly. If we can just get them into a few places, thats something. The Malnosso WEREN'T terribly specific about what info they wanted, were they? I'm tempted to leave some of these near latrine holes."

She can appreciate the mischief. But one thing holds her back.

"If this mission doesn't provide what they're looking for, they'll withhold the reward. I intend to be able to claim it."

"Then I suppose we'll have to try our best. Lets make our way inward, towards the central compound."

With that, he's off, moving like an ape through the trees.

"Understood."

Mercury follows at a somewhat more elegant stride, light leaps and fantastic somersaults that cross the distances from one tree to the next. She seems almost as comfortable here as dashing across the rooftops of the city back home.

The central compound... it's nerve-wracking to go so close, but that's what they're here for.

Along the way, Luke keeps his senses alert, watching for any sign of danger. As they get closer, he occasionally stops as a patrol wanders by, gesturing for Mercury to do the same. When it passes, he continues onward.

After some time, he stops short.

"Look, up in the tree ahead. Is that a tree-house?"

She frowns, and turns her eyes to the spot Luke indicates. Yes, among the branches, that does look like something man-made, doesn't it?

"I think so. Can we get closer to be sure?"

"I...think so, but we'll want to go lower or higher, avoid being at eye level for any occupant. Why don't you go up, and I'll go low, and we can each plant a beacon?"

Without waiting for a response, he tosses Mercury another small electronic bug and descends a few feet below the floorboards of the house.

She's seen him set it; she's pretty sure she can do it herself after observing. Mercury nods quickly, and carefully heads upward to take care of her part of the task.

"As soon as we're done," she sends, "Come up and I'll come down. We'll meet where we split up."

"Good plan. See you shortly."

With that, Luke is off, slipping down a few levels, darting underneath the wooden hut, carefully feeling with the Force for signs of enemy sentries...

She climbs upward. The most suitable place for this... should be right about here. Ami takes one last careful look to be sure nothing is out of place, then sets the device. She checks again to be sure it's unnoticeable.

Good.

She climbs carefully back down.

Luke slips in, carefully levitating the device just inside the house. The short-ranged expenditure of Force power should be difficult enough to notice. Then, he slips down another level and begins to make his way back.

"Got it," he sends.

"Let's go back," she suggests. "This is enough for this area for now. We need to spread out our range."

Luke nods, and starts off the direction they came from.

"Lets circle north a ways, then head back to the camp and see what we've got recorded. I don't want to risk it just yet."

"Agreed. If we're followed, we have a better chance of misleading them if we head in the wrong direction for awhile." She has trouble believing things will go smoothly. At times like this, the caution probably isn't a bad thing.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mission # 1 - Third Party Observation

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