Reach of the Empire – Page 3

Conflict In The Clouds: The time it turned out Princess Leia was a Sith…

Port Town (Level 134) <Cloud City: Bespin>

In stark contrast to Cloud City’s pristine appearance on the upper levels, the lower areas known as Port Town are dimly lit due to vandalized lighting fixtures, dirty because of malfunctioning (and stolen) maintenance bots, and generally much more downtrodden than the rest of the city. The population density also appears much higher, as it is on every other corner or bend in the criss-crossing broadways, each of which is wide and tall enough to fit the large cargo sleds and trucks, that there are people talking in some dark alley, trading harsh words in low voices.

The Wing Guard security forces, too, are in sparse supply down here, being seen only occasionally. And that lack has given rise to plenty of unlicensed, unregulated businesses that range from seedy bars and casinos to illicit weapon merchants that smuggle their goods in through Port Town’s many industrial loading docks.

From out of the darkened side alley rolls something round, gray and a little heavy, with a crooked protuberance extending from beneath a pair of dusty goggles: The head of a Kubaz, it rolls to a stop at Roga’s feet. The head appears to have been cleanly severed at the neck, the wound somehow cauterized.

Obi-Wan Kenobi enters the dimly lit area, stopping to look around. “Ah, much better.” he exclaims quietly, heading for the entrance to a tavern.

Roga’s eyes nearly bulge out of his head as he stares down at the head, backing up a few steps. “Whoa.. Uh.. Sir.” He looks at Ben “Hang on a second. We have a problem” Stepping forward a few steps he kneels, looking at the head more closely.

Obi-Wan Kenobi turns his head, arching a silvery eyebrow. “Problem, what kind of problem?” he asks Roga.

Leia steps out of the side alley, drawing a cylinder from her hip and presses a button, causing a crimson light blade to *fzzzzt!* outward from the hilt. She grips it in both hands and smiles tightly as she looks at Obi-Wan. “General Kenobi.”

A Fallen Hope: The event that kicked off Star Wars: Reach of the Empire…

Cantina <Mos Eisley: Tattooine>

As you step down into this dark, smoke-filled room, the first thing you notice is the wide variety of alien races represented by the bar patrons. The Cantina is usually a crowded place, its business fueled by the nearby spaceport. Smugglers and pirates, bounty hunters and merchants, thugs, pickpockets, rogues and criminals of all sorts gather around the round tables that are set too close together in the shadows and along the walls, sipping dark, exotic looking drinks and discussing all manner of business, legal or illegal. Against the lefthand wall runs the bar, where customers seated at stools or standing between them try to get the attention of the overweight, grungy-looking bartender who scowls and eyes the crowd darkly as he serves up drinks.

The buzz of the Cantina is normally covered by the upbeat music of Fig’rin D’an and the Modal Nodes, the famous all-Bith band. The short, hairless aliens play their exotic flute-like instruments tirelessly, as what little light to be found in the bar glints off their pale white skin and their dark, glassy eyes that are set close above their mouths. Most of the customers seem to ignore the band, although the music provides nice cover for private conversations.
Privacy and caution are the bywords here, as many of the patrons have no desire to be found and many others are dangerously unpredictable. Fights are not uncommon here, and deaths even less so, as the few imperial patrols on Tatooine rarely bother to enter this place. To say the Cantina is “a little rough” would be an overwhelming understatement.

Still, for those with the right connections or the right money, the Cantina is a great place to find whatever you need in Mos Eisley, including transportation away from this sandblown planet. Most of the best pilots who come to Tatooine can be found here, and for a price may be induced to provide discrete transportation for passengers and cargo.

Alrez steps into the darkened cantina with the air of a man returning to a long-forgotten home.

Chewbacca begins to work on his drink, keeping an eye on the occupants of the bar.

Sowyn leans her small body against the bar between a Wookie and Fenriz. She holds a small glass of purple liquid in her hand. Having just sniffed it she takes a tiny taste and coughs, covering her mouth with one slim hand, “Wow… that is sweet and does kick.”

Cold. Dispassionate. Icy. Such is the regard that Boba Fett gives the room as he enters the Cantina. His helmetted visage briefly scans the room, but if he sees anything or anyone significant to him, none can tell. He moves toward a table in the shadows near the back, and sits with his back to the wall.

Alrez strolls over to the bar and tries in vain to get the bartenders’s attention.

Into the tavern steps the bartender, Wuher, who is leading a bald man in a grubby brown jumpsuit, gleaming monacle. The man with Wuher is carrying some kind of battered toolbox. Wuher grumbles as he walks: “Of all the times for the holo array to conk out…”

Tag: Reach of the Empire

Classic ROE Log: Conflict in the Clouds

Classic ROE Log: A Fallen Hope

Share this:

Share this: